bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological response of Auricularia sinodelicata to different air humidity and mining of drought stress related genes
Authors: Xu Juan , Jiang Suyan , Zha Xingxue , Zhao Xia , Xu Yanjun
Published: November 2024

To investigate the physiological response of Auricularia sinodelicata under air humidity of 45%, 65% and 85% and to mine related genes under different air humidity stresses, differentially expressed genes under different stress conditions were obtained by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that under stress, the organelles of the substrate became fewer, the cell membrane was severely damaged, the cytoplasm was dissolved and free in large quantities, and the substrate produced a large amount of CAT to scavenge or reduce the reactive oxygen groups while collaborating with SOD to achieve the resistance to oxidative stress under stress. A total of 3434 differentially expressed genes were obtained from the three treatment comparisons, and 142 genes were significantly differentially expressed among different treatment groups. Among them, GO functional enrichment revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in metabolic process, cellular biosynthetic process, organonitrogen compound metabolic process, cellular metabolic process and other processes related to metabolism and cellular composition. KEGG enrichment revealed that differentially expressed genes under stress were mainly enriched in ribosomes, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, amino acid and nucleotide sugar metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, cell cycle - yeast, oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK signaling pathway - yeast, glutathione metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and other oxidative related to cell proliferation, energy metabolism and energy metabolism phosphorylation processes. It can be hypothesized that metabolic pathways associated with cell proliferation, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism provide the energy and material basis for Auricularia sinodelicata during periods of stress. There were 25 key differentially expressed genes associated with humidity stress, including transporter proteins, thermokinins, kinases and autophagy-related genes. The results of the fluorescence quantitative PCR assay were consistent with the results of the key differentially expressed genes analyzed by transcriptome sequencing.
High-Performance - The study investigates the method to produce high-quality, long bamboo fibers using peroxyformic acid treatment and roller pressing/combing
Authors: Fan Shutong , li Bo , Ying Ziyi , Li Zhuo , Gao Xun
Published: November 2024

The incorporation of bamboo fibers significantly enhances the tensile strength of cement-based composites. However, conventional bamboo fibers have low mechanical properties and are susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis and mineralization during the preparation of cement-based materials. This study systematically investigates the preparation of high-quality long bamboo fibers and the reinforcing mechanism of water-based epoxy resin on these fibers. The results indicate that the peroxyformic acid-assisted roller pressing and combing method produces long bamboo fibers of good quality without significant mechanical damage. The peroxyformic acid treatment was relatively mild, effectively removing hemicellulose and lignin from the bamboo while causing minimal damage to the cellulose. The optimized process conditions included a peroxyformic acid concentration of 20%, a temperature of 41°C, and a duration of 9.5 hours, achieving a theoretical cellulose extraction rate of 60.46%. Furthermore, bamboo fibers treated with low-viscosity water-based epoxy resin via vacuum-assisted impregnation showed a significant increase in tensile strength, reaching 658.58 MPa, which represents an increase of 58.5%. The analysis of the tensile force-deformation curves of the long bamboo fibers supports similar conclusions. The alkali resistance of the reinforced bamboo fibers was significantly improved, with only a 6.18% decrease in tensile strength after 28 days of exposure.
The N-terminal PA Domains of Signal-Peptide-Peptidase-like 2 (SPPL2) Proteases impact on Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) Cleavage
Authors: Fluhrer Regina , Schlosser Christine , Sharrouf Kinda , Haug-Kröper Martina , Singh Suman , Papadopoulou Alkmini , Johler Maximilian , Pettinger Jonas , Horn Henrike , Koch Marco , Hoeppner Sabine
Published: November 2024

Signal peptide peptidase-like (SPPL) proteases are members of the intramembrane aspartyl protease family. Although these enzymes attract more and more interest since they are involved in immune cell differentiation and regulation of cellular glycan structures, it remains enigmatic which enzyme domains are involved in substrate recognition. Here we provide evidence that the N-terminal protease-associated (PA) domains of the SPPL2 subfamily are involved in substrate recognition and in the discrimination of substrates that only slightly differ in their luminal/extracellular domain. Presence of the SPPL2c PA domain impaired tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) processing by SPPL2a and SPPL2b. Initial cleavage of TNFα, its kinetics, and processivity in cells and in vitro were affected. In contrast, the SPPL2a PA domain enhanced SPPL2b cleavage efficiency. In addition, we demonstrate non-canonical shedding activity of SPPL3 on full-length TNFα. Our results further indicate that the ability of SPPL2a and SPPL2b to consecutively cleave transmembrane domains is mainly based on the membrane spanning body of the enzymes and differs between the individual SPPL-family members. This provides the basis for further analysis to finally understand the mechanistic differences of these homologous proteases.
The Association between Different Fatty Acid Subtypes Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yang Qianyu , Ma Rong , Li Zhuoxing , Zhou Ping , Li Wan , Liang Qiyuan , Wu Tingyu , Gao Wuyu , Sun Yun , Xiao Xiang , Xiao Mao
Published: November 2024

Objective
This study aims to explore the relationship between various fatty acids (FAs) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population and ethnic heterogeneity.
Methods
A cross-sectional study using NHANES data from 2009 to 2018. Complex sampling multivariate logistic analysis for the relationship between FAs intake and CKD risk. Complex sampling RCS plot assesses dose-response correlation. Complex sampling linear regression model analyzes correlation between FAs intake and renal injury/inflammation indicators. Stratified analysis for result consistency. Subgroup analysis for heterogeneous variables to explore result differences.
Results
23,708 individuals were included, 18.31% (4,340/23,708) had CKD. Per standard deviation (per-SD) increase in intakes of SFAs (16:0, 18:0), MUFAs (18:1, 20:1 and 22:1), and PUFAs (18:2, 18:3 and 20:4) were independently associated with the risk of CKD. As the intake levels of these FAs increased, the risk of CKD decreased. Stratified analysis results revealed ethnic heterogeneity in the relationship between the intakes of such FAs as SFAs (16:0, 18:0), MUFAs (18:1, 20:1), and PUFAs (18:2, 18:3 and 20:4) and the risk of CKD. Subgroup analysis results showed that the relationship between the increased intakes of SFAs (16:0, 18:0), MUFAs (18:1, 20:1), and PUFAs (18:2, 18:3 and 20:4) and the decreased risk of CKD was more significant in non-Hispanic whites.
Conclusion
The increased intake of SFAs (16:0, 18:0), MUFAs (18:1, 20:1 and 22:1), and PUFAs (18:2, 18:3 and 20:4) is associated with a decreased risk of CKD in the general population, and this relationship is more significant in Hispanic whites.
Validity between Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Bioelectrical Impedance for segmental fat analysis and a novel low-cost model developed using anthropometry in young adults
Authors: Mecherques-Carini Malek , Albaladejo-Saura Mario , Esparza-Ros Francisco , Baglietto Nicolás , Vaquero-Cristóbal Raquel
Published: November 2024

Background: An accurate assessment of body fat distribution is crucial for managing cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Although several methods are available for segmental fat analysis, few studies have examined the validity of affordable methods such as Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) against the reference method, Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). This study aimed to assess the validity of BIA as compared to DXA for segmental fat mass assessment, and to develop anthropometric regression models that offer a cost-effective alternative for health professionals in clinical and public health settings.
Methods: Cross-sectional study that included 264 young adults (161 males, mean age=23.04±5.61 years; and 103 females, mean age=22.29±5.98 years). Segmental fat mass was measured using DXA and BIA, and anthropometric measurements were collected following the ISAK protocol.
Results: Significant differences were found between DXA and BIA for segmental fat mass (p<0.001). Sex significantly influenced the results (p<0.05), while BMI and hydration status had no significant impact. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.001) between BIA and DXA for fat mass in the upper and lower limbs. Trunk fat mass also differed significantly in the segmental analysis (p<0.001), except for the overall sample (p=0.0881). Anthropometric regression models showed a high predictive accuracy for both females (R²=0.766-0.910; p<0.001) and males (R²=0.758-0.887; p<0.001). Key predictors of segmental fat mass included body mass (r=0.606-0.867; p<0.001), skinfold thickness (r=0.688-0.893; p<0.001), and waist girth (r=0.883-0.810; p<0.001). Peripheral skinfolds were highly predictive for upper and lower limbs, while waist girth was relevant for trunk fat mass.
Conclusions: The significant differences between DXA and BIA means that these methods are not interchangeable for segmental fat analysis. However, the anthropometric regression models offer a practical and accurate alternative for predicting segmental fat mass in clinical settings where DXA is unavailable.
Trial registration: Not applicable.
Understanding the Dynamics of Squat Training: Effects on Energy Expenditure, Oxygen Consumption, and Heart Rate in Young, Healthy Adults
Authors: del-Cuerpo Indya , Delgado-Floody Pedro , Jerez-Mayorga Daniel , Caamaño-Navarrete Felipe , Aliquintui-Flores Mauricio , Chirosa-Ríos Luis Javier
Published: November 2024

The main purpose of this study was to assess the changes in energy expenditure (EE), oxygen volume (VO2), heart rate (HR), and velocity (V) measurements obtained during three sets of each of two squat training protocols in a group of healthy young adults. Twenty-nine students of Sports Sciences volunteered to participate in this study. They attended the laboratory on four different days and performed four sessions: two of 3 sets of 12 repetitions at 75% 1 repetition maximum (RM) and two of 3 sets of 30 repetitions at 50% 1RM while EE, VO2, HR and V was evaluated. The major outcomes of this study indicated that EE, VO2, HR, and V tended to decrease in both protocols as the sets were performed. Despite this, the creation of fresh insights regarding the assessment of different strengths and metabolic variables can help illuminate the underlying causes of these distinctions. Furthermore, these findings have important implications for the design of effective and personalized strength training programs.
Functionalization of Oxidized Cellulosic Materials via Versatile Azetidinium Chemistry
Authors: Su Yue , Fatona Ayodele , Doherty Erin A.S. , Riehle Richard J. , Borkar Sachin , Pelton Robert H. , Moran-Mirabal Jose M.
Published: November 2024

Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have been widely considered a cost-effective and convenient solution for biosensing. The controlled functionalization of paper is a key requirement to implement sensitive, reproducible and robust PADs. The present work leverages an azetidinium bifunctional coupler for the modular grafting of chemical functionalities onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which can be used to convey functionality to paper sheets. Two approaches were explored: (i) CMC was first adsorbed onto paper and azetidinium derivatives were then grafted onto the carboxylate groups to confer the desired chemical functionality (i.e., alkyl, alkyne and azide), and (ii) the functionalities were first grafted onto CMC, which was then irreversibly adsorbed onto cellulose fibers. The modified CMC and paper sheets were characterized by NMR, FTIR, conductometric titration, and fluorescence microscopy. The degree of modification of the paper surfaces was quantitively assessed by reacting alkyne-bearing paper with FAM-azide, and compared to paper surfaces where carboxylate groups were introduced through alternate routes. These experiments showed that grafting azetidinium derivatives onto CMC before or after adsorption onto cellulose fibres can introduce accessible reactive groups onto paper, albeit with different efficiency. As proof of concept for the introduction of biological functionalities onto paper, alkynylated biotin was reacted with paper functionalized with azide-CMC, followed by the specific binding of fluorescent streptavidin. The method developed to functionalize cellulosic materials via azetidinium derivatives is simple, cost-effective, versatile, and provides broad flexibility to graft a range of chemical and biological functionalities. We anticipate this method will aid in the development of value-added functional paper and PADs.
Chronic hypoxia induces alternative splicing of transcripts in the goldfish brain
Authors: Cao Catherine , Nipu Niepukolie , Johnston William , Adil Sally , Wei Lai , Mennigen Jan A.
Published: November 2024

Several species evolved mechanisms to tolerate periods of severe environmental hypoxia and anoxia. Among them, goldfish are unique as they do not enter a comatose state under such conditions. Taking advantage of the recently published and annotated goldfish genome, we had previously profiled the transcriptomic response of the goldfish brain under normoxic (21 kPa oxygen saturation, N) and hypoxic conditions (2.1 kPa oxygen saturation) after 1 and 4 weeks (1WH, 4WH). Using the RNA-Seq data, we report the occurrence of alternative mRNA splicing (skipped exon, retained intron, alternative 3’ or 5’ splice sites, and mutually exclusive exons). At 1WH/N, 1004 significant alternative splicing events on 769 gene loci were identified, increasing to 1187 on 963 loci at 4WH/N. There were 305 loci with alternatively spliced transcripts common to both 1WH/N and 4WH/N, 221 of which exhibited the same precise location and splicing mechanism. Specific gene transcripts affected by alternative splicing events were almost entirely different from previously identified differentially expressed genes under chronic hypoxia. GO-term enrichment analyses of gene loci of alternatively spliced transcripts, however, did include similar pathways as previously identified for DEGs. These include epigenetic machinery, ion channel activity (1WH/N), glutamate signalling (4WH/N), endothelial cell function and ATP hydrolyzation pathways (1WH/N + 4WH/N). We describe selected examples of alternatively spliced transcripts to discuss possible functional relevance in the goldfish brain response to chronic hypoxia. Together, our data identified an additional layer of regulation in brain pathways relevant to hypoxia tolerance in goldfish, which complement previously reported gene expression changes.
TSG-6 affects anti-cancer drug resistance and angiogenesis in 3D culture system of canine mammary gland tumor cells mimicking the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Lim Ga-Hyun , An Ju-Hyun , Lee Jeong-Hwa , Seo Kyoung-Won , Youn Hwa-Young
Published: November 2024

Hypoxia affects tumor growth, angiogenesis, and anti-cancer drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment, and TSG-6 expression is known to influence HIF-1α expression in tumor tissues. In this study, we created TSG-6 knockdown spheroids of canine mammary gland tumor (MGT) cells (CIPp and CIPm) to investigate the effects of TSG-6 on angiogenesis and drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. Using a siRNA transfection system, we induced TSG-6 knockdown in canine MGT cells and formed TSG-6 knockdown spheroids using an ultra-low adhesion plate. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by treating TSG-6 knockdown spheroids with doxorubicin. Angiogenesis was evaluated by forming vascularized spheroids with canine MGT and endothelial cells (ECs). TSG-6 knockdown led to reduced expression of tumor growth factors and multidrug resistance genes in canine MGT cells, as well as a significant reduction in hypoxic conditions within the spheroids. When treated with doxorubicin, TSG6 knockdown spheroids exhibited decreased viability and increased apoptosis. In a vascularized TSG-6 knockdown spheroid model, TSG6 knockdown significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and tube formation in canine ECs. In conclusion, we created a TSG-6 knockdown spheroid model to investigate the role of TSG6 in the tumor microenvironment. TSG6 knockdown significantly reduced anti-cancer drug resistance and angiogenesis in canine MGT cells. Therefore, TSG6 could be considered a potential therapeutic target for canine MGT.
Investigating the prevalence of malnutrition in children under the age of 6 in the south of Iran from 2018 to 2023: a population-based study
Authors: Tadayyon Maryam , Hoseini Masoumeh , Rahmanian Samira , Abdollahzadeh Pegah , Zahedi Razieh
Published: November 2024

Background
The global problem of malnutrition, wasting, and obesity in children under 6 years is a significant risk factor for many infectious and non-infectious diseases. Hence, regularly evaluating and monitoring their prevalence is essential. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 6 years from 2018 to 2023.
Method
This cross-sectional study conducted on children under 6 years old who were referred to the urban and rural health centers in south Iran for routine health care. The researchers extracted the data from the health electronic records (SIB system) from 2018 to 2023.
Results
This study showed the average prevalence of overweight and obesity is 20%, underweight and severe underweight is 4.9%, wasting and severe wasting is 7.4%, and stunted and severe shortness is 3.8%, 2018 to 2023. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of severe wasting 8.9% (95% CI: 0.1–18.6%), underweight and severe underweight 5.7% (1.4 to 10.3) during the study years. The decreasing trend of stunted, particularly severe stunted, -1.1% (-0.7 to 5.2), the probability of overweight − 1.6% (95% CI: -4.7 to 1.5), and obesity − 1.1% (95% CI: -7 to 5.2) was seen.
Conclusion:
The present study showed the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher than other studies, but the AAPC of it was almost constant. On the other hand, a significant increase in the prevalence of underweight and wasting during the 5 last years. Therefore, managers and health policymakers must pay more attention and have a few interventions to prevent it.
Leveraging Generative AI Synthetic and Social Media Data for Content Generalizability to Overcome Data Constraints in Vision Deep Learning
Authors: Alipour Panteha , Gallegos Erika
Published: November 2024

Generalizing deep learning models across diverse content types is a persistent challenge in domains like Facial Emotion Recognition (FER), where datasets often fail to reflect the wide range of emotional responses triggered by different stimuli. This study addresses the issue of content generalizability by comparing FER model performance between models trained on video data collected in a controlled laboratory environment, data extracted from a social media platform (YouTube), and synthetic data generated using Generative Adversarial Networks. The videos focus on facial reactions to advertisements, and the integration of these different data sources seeks to address underrepresented advertisement genres, emotional reactions, and individual diversity. Our FER models leverage Convolutional Neural Networks Xception architecture, which is fine-tuned using category based sampling. This ensures training and validation data represent diverse advertisement categories, while testing data includes novel content to evaluate generalizability rigorously. Precision-recall curves and ROC-AUC metrics are used to assess performance. Results indicate a 7% improvement in accuracy and a 12% increase in precision-recall AUC when combining real-world social media and synthetic data, demonstrating reduced overfitting and enhanced content generalizability. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating synthetic and real-world data to build FER systems that perform reliably across more diverse and representative content.
Theoretical solution of stress analysis for spherical shell with oblique opening reinforced by cylindrical coaming under external pressure
Authors: Xiang Yangjun , Yu Rong , Huang Jinhao
Published: November 2024

Theoretical solution for maximum stress of spherical thin shell with a cylindrical coaming reinforced oblique opening under external pressure have been investigated in the present research. Base on the plain theory, stress concentration factor of an elliptic opening has been established. Then, theoretical method has been established by modifying membrane stress with consideration of coaming reinforcement effect and influence of oblique offset angle of the cylindrical coaming. Results show that the junction line of the sphere and the cylinder suffer the maximum stress concentration, maximum stress increases rapidly when the offset angle of the coaming increases. The present theoretical results match well with experimental results and numerical simulation results. Compared to the experimental results and numerical results, relative error would be less than 10% when the offset angle is lower than 45o. The present theoretical method would predict the maximum stress of shell with oblique opening with acceptable accuracy, and would be an effective method for rapid prediction of pressure hull design in engineering application.
Statistical Analysis of Interplanetary Parameters in Geomagnetic Storm Activity during Solar Cycle 24
Authors: Shaji Shehina , Sheoran Shashikant , MAHLAWAT VANDANA
Published: November 2024

The major disturbances in the magnetic field of Earth due to the disruptions in the interplanetary space are known as geomagnetic storms. The presence of mass ejections by the corona in the interplanetary region (ICME) and interplanetary shock (IP shock) plays a significant role in producing disturbances in geomagnetic activity. IP shocks are the predecessors of geomagnetic storms. The magnetic field of interplanetary space and parameters of solar wind increase sharply at the IP shock. Relation of interplanetary parameters linked with geomagnetic disturbances in the 24th cycle of solar activity (2009–2016) were examined. 19 major (− 300 < Dst ≤ − 100 nT) geomagnetic storms are observed during the cycle and they are classified based on the intensities of Dst minima. Geomagnetic activity of solar cycle 24 is found to be low. Peak solar wind speeds at main phase of intense and great geomagnetic storms are found to be in the range 398–775 km/s. Maximum number of storms occurred closest to maximum (2012–2014) of solar cycle. Great storms are identified during the phases of declining time of solar cycle 24 (2015).
Temperature-insensitive nanomechanical clocks in CMOS oxides
Authors: Tabrizian Roozbeh , Gao Jinghan , Tharpe Troy , Liu Nuohao , Hakim Faysal , Jabbari Banafsheh , Szlufarska Izabela
Published: November 2024

For nearly a century, quartz has been the material of choice for stable clock generation due to its temperature-insensitive stiffness, which enables mechanical oscillations with frequency instability as low as a few parts per million (ppm) across extended temperature ranges. However, the specialized processing of quartz prevents its integration within complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips. The reliance on off-chip quartz clocks limits central processing units from fully utilizing emerging massively parallel computing architectures, where spatially and spectrally distributed, independent clocking is essential for achieving high speed and low power consumption. Additionally, quartz lacks inherent frequency-tuning mechanisms, limiting its ability to reduce instability levels below the part-per-billion (ppb) range, as required for precision timekeeping applications. In this work, we present an approach to match and even surpass the temperature stability of quartz in nanomechanical resonators implemented using oxides available in CMOS processes. By leveraging the composition-dependent phase transformations, we engineer the stiffness of hafnium-zirconium oxide (HZO) to complement the temperature characteristics of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2). This enables the creation of temperature-insensitive HZO-SiO2 nano-resonators with frequency drifts as small as 9 ppm over a 120°C range. Furthermore, by exploiting the electric-field control of HZO’s structure, we actively tune stiffness, reducing the temperature instability of HZO-SiO2 nano-resonators to ± 0.25 ppb. This advancement opens the possibility of replacing off-chip clocks with on-chip nanoscale alternatives that offer significantly higher stability.
Effect of Obesity Pharmacotherapy on anthropometrics, metabolic parameters and blood pressure in patients with obesity or overweight: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Abedi-yekta Amirhosein , Hassabi Mohammad , esfahani Mehrshad poursaied , Aliabbar Shiva
Published: November 2024

The effects of obesity pharmacotherapy on anthropometric and cardiometabolic indicators have been a discrepancy in the reviewed studies. This umbrella review aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity pharmacotherapy on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in patients with obesity or overweight. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched by two independent researchers using mesh terms until November 2023. Exposure consisted of pharmacotherapy for obesity with one of the (orlistat, sibutramine, phentermine, lorcaserin, liraglutide, and naltrexone for at least six months). Changes in anthropometric indicators (weight loss, body mass index, and waist circumference), metabolic changes (triglycerides, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were investigated as outcomes of the study. The AMSTAR2 checklist was used to assess the quality of the studies, and Cochran’s tests were used to assess heterogeneity between studies. In total, 28 meta-analyses were included. Results: The pooled estimate showed that obesity pharmacotherapy was significantly associated with weight reduction (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -5.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -6.13, -3.91), BMI (SMD: -1.60, 95% CI: -1.84, -1.35), and waist circumference (SMD: -3.11, 95%CI: -4.78, -1.45). In addition, Obesity Pharmacotherapy significantly reduced cholesterol, triglyceride, and HbA1C, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: This umbrella showed that Obesity pharmacotherapy, regardless of the type of drug, was associated with a decrease in anthropometric, metabolic, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure indicators. Sibutramine, orlistat, and liraglutide had the greatest effect on reducing the anthropometric indices. Orlistat had the greatest effect in reducing mean HbA1C. According to the Amstar2 checklist, most studies included in this umbrella were of high and moderate quality.
Patterns and Determinants of Physical Violence Against Women in Malawi
Authors: Mzumara Thokozani , Maunda Philip , Mbotwa Mary , Nambala Cecilia , Kaonga Byenala , Lubanga Adriano Focus , Bwanali Akim Nelson , Munthali George N. C. , Banda Lazarus Obed Livingstone , Sibande Mary Kumwanje
Published: November 2024

Background
Physical assault remains a major contributing factor to the burden of trauma globally. The burden is mainly shouldered by countries in the lower and middle-income economies compared to high-income countries.
Aim
The study aimed to ascertain the pattern of physical attack (PA) and its associated factors among Malawian women.
Method
The study employed secondary data from a multiple indicator cluster survey conducted by UNICEF and the National Statistical Office, Malawi, which is publicly available. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 27, and R version 4.3.3 was used to create graphs and tables. The Chi-square test was used in bivariate analysis, and the independent t-test was used to assess mean differences between variables. The binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of independent variables on the likelihood of the dependent variable. A p-value p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The study found that about 4.5% of women in Malawi have been physically attacked. According to bivariate analysis, PA was associated with marital status (p < 0.001), region (p < 0.001), school attendance (p = 0.002), use of contraceptives (p = 0.021), and use of the internet (p < 0.001). The logistic regression model was statistically significantχ2(8) = 393.272.402, p < .0001. The model explained 5% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in physical attack. The model correctly identifies 95.5% of the cases. Used internet (p = 0.02), region (p < 0.001), ever-drunk alcohol (p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.007), and functional difficulties (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of physical attack in the model
Conclusion
The physical attack has a widespread disparity influenced by marital status and the ever-drunk alcohol region, highlighting geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic differences and calling for a multisectoral approach to curb violence against women of reproductive age in Malawi.
Device Management in the Internet of Medical Things: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ostermann Max , Freyer Oscar , Jahed Fatemeh , Gilbert Stephen
Published: November 2024

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) represents a transformative frontier in healthcare, enabling advancements in remote patient monitoring (RPM) and Hospital-at-Home (HaH) care. Central to realizing the potential of IoMT is effective device management (DM), encompassing provisioning, maintenance, firmware updates, and security assurance to ensure device reliability, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. This systematic review investigates the current academic landscape, challenges, and best practices in IoMT DM. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies were identified, focusing on architectures, security, networking, and machine learning integration. Findings reveal the critical role of gateway architectures in addressing heterogeneity and enhancing data security while supporting edge computing capabilities. Despite progress in individual DM components, comprehensive solutions tailored to IoMT remain scarce. Emerging fields, including predictive maintenance using AI and software-defined networking (SDN), offer opportunities for future exploration. Challenges such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, regulatory compliance, and managing device diversity highlight the need for standardized protocols and holistic DM frameworks. This review underscores the imperative to align technological innovation with regulatory demands to unlock the full potential of IoMT while safeguarding patient safety and data integrity.
Neural Synthesis through Probabilistic Layer Decomposition in Large Language Models
Authors: Beaumont Phillip , Harrington Genevieve , Pemberton Rosalind , Johansson Greta
Published: November 2024

Probabilistic Layer Decomposition (PLD) introduces a novel framework for enhancing the interpretability and computational efficiency of Large Language Models (LLMs). By assigning variable weights to each layer, PLD allows individual components of the architecture to contribute variably to the generation of linguistic representations. This probabilistic approach introduces uncertainty into layer interactions, which enhances the model’s ability to reconcile ambiguous or conflicting input data while maintaining computational coherence. The decomposition process relies on probabilistic matrix factorization techniques, partitioning the weight matrices into interpretable subcomponents, enabling the model to segment contextual understanding across hierarchical structures. Consequently, PLD offers a more transparent framework for understanding the internal mechanisms of LLMs, facilitating the identification of specific layers responsible for particular linguistic tasks. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that PLD models achieve convergence in fewer epochs across various tasks, suggesting improved training efficiency. Additionally, the probabilistic nature of PLD facilitates improved modularity within the model by separating deterministic operations from stochastic contributions. The proposed framework utilizes Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling to optimize layer specific parameters, ensuring a balance between computational efficiency and representational fidelity. The incorporation of a hierarchical prior distribution allows the architecture to impose constraints on the layer activation probabilities, resulting in more structured and interpretable pathways for information flow. The integration of these probabilistic mechanisms establishes a foundation for reducing redundancies in layer operations while preserving the contextual depth required for high-performance linguistic tasks.
Das schnelle Ende der Ehe von RTL und Beachvolleyball
Authors: Horky Thomas
Published: November 2024

Der Beitrag untersucht das Inszenierungskonzept von RTL bei den Übertragungen von Beachvolleyball im Jahr 2005. In einer zweistufigen Analyse wird das Programmangebot dargestellt, zusätzlich werden Daten der Zuschauerforschung und des Marketings einbegezogen. Als wesentlichen Grund für das Scheitern des Mediensports Beachvolleyball wird die fehlende journalistische Qualität des Angebots von RTL und der Versuch der Abbildung einer kongruenten Rezeptionssituation des Fernsehsports gekennzeichnet.
Neue Leseräume
Authors: Wagner Michael
Published: November 2024

Dieser Beitrag entwickelt ein theoretisches Modell, welches zum Einen eine Klassifikation Neuer Medien entsprechend ihrer Nutzungsmuster ermöglicht und zum Anderen die soziale Komponente des Lesens von partizipativen Medien beschreibt. Dazu werden Ansätze aus der kulturanthropologischen Spieltheorie und der Computerspieltheorie mit dem Konzept der Affinitätsgruppen in Zusammenhang gebracht.
Ubiquitous Media
Authors: Weber Karsten , Nagenborg Michael , Drüeke Ricarda , Langewitz Oliver
Published: November 2024

Die durch das Internet und Web 2.0 mit angestoßene Medienkonvergenz zwingt die Medien- und Contentindustrie zur stetigen Bereitstellung neuer medialer Inhalte; die stetig wachsende Nachfrage zu decken wird über deren unternehmerischen Erfolg entscheiden. Es wird ein Szenario entwickelt, in dem die Konsumenten gleichzeitig Produzenten der Inhalte sind und dabei Kommunikationsinfrastrukturen wie Mobiltelefone nutzen. Es werden die weitreichenden sozialen Konsequenzen dieser Entwicklung skizziert.
Mehr als Musik
Authors: Reißmann Wolfgang
Published: November 2024

Onlineplattformen wie YouTube und MySpace erweitern die Möglichkeiten Jugendlicher, sich als Musikerin und Musiker bzw. mit und über Musik zu präsentieren. Es werden wichtige Handlungsoptionen vorgestellt und auf Anschlüsse an ‚ältere‘ soziale Praxen hingewiesen. Zudem stelle ich mir die Frage, inwiefern Onlineplattformen Spielregeln nahe legen, die Einfluss auf die Gestaltung musikmedialer Selbstpräsenta­tion nehmen können.
Base Control
Authors: Wagner Dirk
Published: November 2024

Base Control gibt Jugendlichen die Chance, ihr ganz eigenes Radioprogramm zu machen. In ihrer eigenen Sendezeit beim Störfunk können alle interessierten Jugendlichen sich austoben, ihre Musik spielen, ihre Moderationen sprechen und ihr Lebensgefühl vermitteln. So entsteht ein Jugendradio, das auch genau das ist: Programm von Jugendlichen für ihre Peers.
Ja kein Opfer werden!
Authors: Villa Paula-Irene
Published: November 2024

Mal bringt er der gesamten Jugend und allen kommenden Generationen sexuelle Verwahrlosung und Abstumpfung, dann wieder scheint er der einzig wahre sexuelle und generelle Befreiungsschlag junger Frauen zu sein: an ‚Porno- und Gangsta-Rap‘ scheiden sich die Geister. Doch was macht diese Musik gewordene Pornograf isierung wirklich aus? Wie funktioniert sie und was bringt sie? Zwei Deutungsansätze.
Konvergente Medienwelten
Authors: Liebig Sabine , Kerber Ulf
Published: November 2024

Lassen sich digitale Medien, die Jugendliche hauptsächlich im außerschulischen Bereich nutzen, gewinnbringend für den Unterricht an Hauptschulen einsetzen? Das Projekt Burgschule gegen den Klimawandel zeigt, wie Schülerinnen und Schüler in einer Hauptschule lernen, mit den digitalen Medien, den kollaborativen Werkzeugen des Web 2.0 und Urheberrechten umzugehen, um gesellschaftliches Bewusstsein im Bereich Klimaschutz zu bewirken. Der Einsatz eines Fragebogens am Ende des Projektes zeigt den Lernzuwachs und die Nachhaltigkeit eines solchen Medieneinsatzes.
Teleacademy
Authors: Weyland Beate , Kiem Johann
Published: November 2024

Blended Learning, auch integriertes Lernen genannt, ist eine Lernform, bei der die Vorteile des klassischen Frontal- bzw. Präsenzunterrichts mit denen des E-Learning kombiniert werden. Anhand des Versuchsprojektes Teleacademy der Freien Universität Bozen werden Chancen und Risiken reflektiert, die sich bei der Unterstützung der Präsenzdidaktik durch Online-Aktionen ergeben. Dabei wird auch den praktischen Erfahrungen der Studierenden Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt.
Kompetent im Netz mit Internetpaten
Authors: Merz Redaktion
Published: November 2024

Rund 20 Millionen Menschen in Deutschland sind nicht in der Welt des Internets zu Hause – noch nicht. Denn das könnte sich bald ändern, dank einer Internetpatenschaft. Die Initiative Internet erfahren des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Technologie hat vor kurzem eine Kooperation mit der größten Onlinecommunity für ältere Menschen, Feierabend.de, gestartet. Ziel dieser Zusammenarbeit ist es, ehrenamtliche Internetpatenschaften ins Leben zu rufen und so Bürgerinnen und Bürgern einen sicheren Umgang mit dem Internet zu vermitteln. Durch die Patenschaften können die oft unsicheren ‚Off linerinnen‘ und ‚Offliner’ ihre ersten Schritte im Netz in Begleitung einer Person machen, die in Sachen Internet über einen großen Erfahrungsschatz verfügt und so mit Rat und Tat zur Seite stehen kann. So können beide Seiten von der Patenschaft prof itieren – ältere, erfahrene Menschen können ihr Wissen weitergeben und anderen helfen; Internet-Unerfahrenen wird die Angst genommen, sich in der digitalen Welt zu bewegen. Die Patenschaften werden nicht nur auf den Internetseiten von Feierabend.de vermittelt, sondern können auch im ‚echten’ Leben, nämlich im Rahmen der regelmäßig stattfindenden Treffen der 115 Feierabend-Regionalgruppen eingegangen werden. Auf solche Stammtische wird auch in vielen regionalen Tageszeitungen verwiesen. Die Paten werden in ihrer Tätigkeit durch die Initiative Internet erfahren unterstützt, die neben einem umfangreichen Webangebot, in dem sich die Paten untereinander austauschen und Anregungen geben können, auch praxisorientierte Materialien zur Verfügung stellt.
www.initiatived21.de
www.internet-erfahren.de
www.feierabend.de
Leistung und Stigmatisierung als Inszenierung im Fernsehen
Authors: Krotz Friedrich , Lange Andreas
Published: November 2024

So sehr das Fernsehen zum Massenmedium geworden ist, so sehr unterscheiden sich dennoch die Herangehensweisen und Umgangsformen seiner verschiedenen Zielgruppen damit. Gerade Reality T V und Casting-Shows treten oft als Ratgebersendungen auf, die Regeln und Normen präsentieren, die von manchen belächelt, von anderen kritiklos übernommen werden – vor allem aber immer wieder gesellschaftliche Strukturen und Schichtendenken spiegeln, zementieren und noch verstärken.
Medien + Kultur = Medienkultur
Authors: Merz Redaktion
Published: November 2024

Im Verlauf der Kulturgeschichte haben Medien eine zunehmende Bedeutung im menschlichenBildungsprozess gewonnen. Neue Medienkulturen, die durch Handy und Web 2.0 geprägtsind, stellen gerade die Pädagogik vor neue Herausforderungen. Denn auch wenn die Heranwachsenden mit den neuen Medien aufwachsen, so zeigen auch sie sich von den widersprüchlichen Veränderungen unserer Kultur verwirrt. Damit wird es zur immer wichtigeren Aufgabe der Medienpädagogik, einen Weg durch diese veränderten Kulturen zu finden, der Heranwachsenden eine eigenständige Entwicklung ebenso ermöglicht wie die Teilhabe an der alten sowie der neuen Medienkultur. Ben Bachmair legt mit Medienbildung in neuen Kulturräumen einen Sammelband vor, der diese Problematik aufgreift, aktuelle Analysen sowie praktische Vorschläge beinhaltet. Im Vordergrund steht meist die Aneignung von Medien als Kulturprodukte. Anders als viele andere Werke besticht dieses Herausgeberwerk vor allem dadurch, dass neben der deutschsprachigen Diskussion auch die internationale Sicht aufgegriffen wird. So nehmen sich die Autorinnen und Autoren nicht nur Begriffen wie Medienbildung und Medienkompetenz an, sondern aus internationaler Sicht werden auch media und digital literacy diskutiert.
Das Werk lässt sich in vier große Überkapitel gliedern. Zu Beginn werden in vier Beiträgen die konzeptionellen Angelpunkte der internationalen und der deutschsprachigen Diskussion vorgestellt – besonders empfehlenswert ist hier vor allem der Beitrag von Sonia Livingstone zu Media Literacy. Der zweite Teil der Publikation setzt sich mit mobilen Medien, nutzergenerierten Kontexten und der Medienkonvergenz auseinander, bevor im dritten Teil formelle und informelle Lernräume thematisiert werden. Den Abschluss bilden verschiedeneArtikel zu interkulturellen Räumen und Räumen der Jugendkultur. Sämtliche Beiträge vermitteln einen sehr guten Einblick in die Thematik und punkten gerade durch anschauliche Beispiele und die Vielfalt der dargestellten Ansätze. Und auch wenn die Ansätze zum Teil recht verschieden sind – unter allen Beiträgen besteht Einigkeit darüber, dass Literalität die wesentliche Voraussetzung zur Teilhabe an der Kultur und den Medien ist. Damit ist der Sammelband nicht nur für Medienpädagoginnen und -pädagogen und Erziehende interessant, sondern auch für Dozentinnen und Dozenten sowie Studierende der Medien- und Erziehungswissenschaften und Fachkräfte in Medieninstitutionen.
Medienkulturen des Miteinanders
Authors: Hartung-Griemberg Anja
Published: November 2024

Die Rede vom Generationendialog hat Hochkonjunktur. Das Postulat eines tiefgreifenden Wandels im Verhältnis der Generationen hat nicht allein dazu geführt, dass die Generationenthematik (wieder) Einzug in die erziehungswissenschaftlichen Diskursarenen gefunden hat, sondern zugleich umfangreiche Bemühungen zur Folge, in der sozial- wie medienpädagogischen Praxis den Generationendialog zu stärken. Im Beitrag werden Perspektiven und Handlungspotenziale eines solchen Unterfangens am Beispiel eines Modellprojektes ausgelotet und diskutiert.
Smarter Lernen mit Smart Phones
Authors: Merz Redaktion
Published: November 2024

Bisher werden Handys im Unterricht nicht gern gesehen. Das könnte sich nun ändern, denn eine Studie der Fachhochschule St. Pölten zeigt, dass sich der Einsatz von Smart Phones im Unterricht positiv auf die Lernleistung auswirkt. In Feldversuchen statteten die Forscherinnen und Forscher Schulen mit Smart Phones aus, die spielerisch in den Unterricht integriert wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass alleine der Einsatz der Handys im Unterricht die Motivation der Schülerinnen und Schüler bereits steigert. Die Möglichkeit des interaktiven Lernens durch das mobile Endgerät lässt die Schülerinnen und Schüler spielerisch und damit laut den Forscherinnen und Forschern auch eff izienter lernen. In den Feldversuchen befassten sich die Lernenden etwa interaktiv mit dem Lernstoff und lösten mit Hilfe des Handys in virtuellen Gruppen die Fragen der Lehrkräfte. Durch die Mobilität bietet sich das Handy der Untersuchung zufolge besonders für abwechslungsreiche Rallyes an, da sich die Lernenden mittels des Smart Phones von Station zu Station vorarbeiten können. Somit würde ausreichende Bewegung mit dem spielerischen Lernen verknüpft. Zudem geben die Forscherinnen und Forscher an, dass sich der Einsatz der Smart Phones positiv auf die Klassengemeinschaft auswirkt. Denn das Handy ermöglicht die Zusammenarbeit in anonymen Gruppen, so dass die Schülerinnen und Schüler auch mit solchen Klassenkameradinnen und -kameraden zusammenarbeiteten, die sie in der klassischen Gruppenarbeit ungern gewählt hätten.
Trickfilmfestival NRW
Authors: Merz Redaktion
Published: November 2024

Das jährlich stattfindende Trickfilmfestival NRW ist nicht nur ein Festival, sondern ein ganzjähriges medienpädagogisches Projekt, das Kindern und Jugendlichen die Möglichkeit gibt, ihre eigenen Trickfilme zu produzieren und diese anschließend auf einem Festival der breiteren Öffentlichkeit vorzustellen. Das Projekt gliedert sich dabei in vier Phasen. In der Schulungsphase sind zunächst primär Lehrkräfte, Pädagoginnen und Pädagogen, Eltern sowie andere Multiplikatorinnen und Multiplikatoren angesprochen, die mit ihren Kindergruppen gerne Trickf ilme produzieren möchten. Für diese Interessierten werden Fortbildungen angeboten, in denen sowohl die Technik als auch Methoden und Ideen vermittelt werden. In der Produktionsphase können die Multiplikatorinnen und Multiplikatoren dann das Gelernte direkt mit den Kindern und Jugendlichen umsetzen. Dazu können an den ‚TRICKBOXX-Stationen’ in NRW auch ‚TRICKBOXXen’ für maximal zwei Wochen kostenlos ausgeliehen werden, wenn die Gruppe als Gegenleistung auch einen F ilm für das Festival einreicht. Auf Wunsch wird die praktische Umsetzung auch durch Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter der f imothek der jugend nrw unterstützt. In der dritten Phase werden die F ilme aus den verschiedenen Regionen auf lokalen Festivals in NRW präsentiert. Die besten F ilme, die von einer Kinderjury gekürt werden, kommen dann auf dem großen Abschlussfestival, dem Trickfilmfestival NRW in Bottrop, zur Aufführung. Ab September 2010 geht dieses Projekt in die nächste Runde: Dann starten wieder die Schulungen überall in Deutschland, damit bis nächstes Jahr viele tolle F ilme entstehen können. Anmelden können sich Eltern, Lehrkräfte und alle Interessierten online oder telefonisch. Das Trickfilmfestival NRW, durch das neben der Begeisterung für Trickf ilm auch Medienkompetenz und Kreativität der Kinder geschult wird, ist ein Projekt der f ilmothek der jugend nrw e.V. und wird durch die Landesanstalt der Medien NRW gefördert.
www.trickboxx-festival.de. Mehr Durchblick im Netz
Authors: Merz Redaktion
Published: November 2024

Studierende der HAW Hamburg des Departments Information haben im Auftrag der Medienanstalt Hamburg/Schleswig- Holstein (MA HSH) die Website netzdurchblick.de entwickelt. Denn das Internet, eine Wunderwelt der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten, bietet immer wieder auch Anlass zur Sorge, etwa in Hinblick auf den Schutz personenbezogener Daten oder die Selbstdarstellung in sozialen Netzwerken. Die Homepage soll Jugendlichen zwischen zwölf und 16 Jahren den kompetenten Umgang mit dem Netz erleichtern. Dazu bietet die ansprechend und jugendlich gestaltete Website Informationen, Tipps und Tricks rund um das World Wide Web. Neben praktischen Informationen zum richtigen und sicheren Surfen oder zum ausreichenden Schutz des Computers vor Viren, wichtigen Verhaltensregeln und Gesetzen im Netz bietet netzdurchblick.de den Nutzerinnen und Nutzern auch die Möglichkeit, sich miteinander austauschen und in einem Kreativ-Bereich zu lernen, das grenzenlose Internet kreativ zu nutzen. www.netzdurchblick.de