bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concerted Quantification: How Knowledge Workers Limit Overwork While Maintaining Client Satisfaction
Authors: Conzon Vanessa M. , Mellody James C.
Published: February 2025

Knowledge workers are increasingly overworked, with negative consequences for both individuals and organizations. Pressures for long hours often come from clients, and the quantification of work has, in many cases, amplified these pressures. We examine when and how workers might rely upon quantification to limit overwork. We draw on data from a 21-month ethnography of information technology worker teams that develop software for clients in finance. We find that although these workers faced overwork pressures, they managed this tension through a process we label “concerted quantification.” This process has three steps. First, team members constructed quantified units based on disparate work tasks to coordinate on a specific set of tasks that would likely limit overwork. Second, workers leveraged these quantified units to create flexibility in when specific work tasks were performed, allowing workers to limit overwork when facing fluctuating work demands. Third, workers promoted quantified units to clients as a standard measure of performance, establishing the completion of these units as a key criterion for work success. Particular substantiations of common characteristics of knowledge work—team autonomy, task expertise, and shared quality norms—are conditions for concerted quantification. Overall, we find that quantifying processes (a) help teams determine an appropriate amount of work to take on without engaging in overwork and (b) set clients’ expectations for the amount of work to be completed. We contribute to research on overwork and quantification by highlighting how quantification can, under certain conditions, support workers in limiting overwork.
Nesting of the variegated squirrel, Echinosciurus variegatoides rigidus, on a power line pole using plastic ropes and a weedy plant in Cañas, Costa Rica
Authors: Mora José Manuel , Astorga Juan de Dios
Published: February 2025

Las ardillas arbóreas construyen nidos usando ramitas, a menudo cortadas de árboles vivos.  Algunas especies utilizan material vegetal para completar la estructura, pero ocasionalmente también se incorporan materiales antropogénicos.  En Costa Rica, hay 5 especies de ardillas, la ardilla variegada, Echinosciurus variegatoides es la más grande y común.  Esta especie construye nidos de hojas y ramitas en lo alto de los árboles.  El 6 de noviembre de 2021, mientras viajábamos hacia un área protegida para el monitoreo de fauna silvestre, hicimos una parada en Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  A las 15:00 hr, observamos a una ardilla variegada anidando en un poste de línea eléctrica.  Observamos el comportamiento de la ardilla durante aproximadamente 10 min y registramos las observaciones con fotografías y 2 videos.  La ardilla fue observada anidando en la plataforma entre un poste y un transformador eléctrico.  El nido fue construido utilizando una combinación de hojas verdes, ramitas y cuerdas de plástico de al menos 3 colores diferentes, lo que sugiere que podrían ser de diferentes tipos.  El material vegetal utilizado en la construcción del nido fue identificado como Commelina sp., una maleza problemática.  Este hallazgo es novedoso, ya que no existen informes previos de esta especie anidando en infraestructura como esta, que no ha sido documentada como sitio de anidación para ardillas.  Además, hay pocos casos conocidos de ardillas utilizando materiales antropogénicos para anidar.  Discutimos este caso en el contexto del comportamiento de anidación de las ardillas en Costa Rica y el desarrollo urbano.
Identification of Plants from the Zingiberaceae and Euphorbiaceae Families in a Mini Herbal Garden Based on Halal in Sumberbrantas Village, Bumiaji District, Batu, East Java
Authors: Ainur Rosyid Ridho Muhammad , Purwani Kristanti Indah
Published: February 2025

Indonesia is recognized for its rich biodiversity, particularly in herbal plants, with the Zingiberaceae and Euphorbiaceae families being prominent in traditional medicine. This study focuses on the identification and documentation of herbal plants from these families in Sumberbrantas Village, Bumiaji District, Batu, East Java, where the favorable climate and fertile soil support their growth. Despite the potential, there is limited documentation of these plants, which is crucial for optimizing their benefits and ensuring adherence to halal cultivation practices. The halal concept encompasses not only the end products but also environmentally friendly cultivation processes compliant with Islamic law, including seed selection, organic fertilization, and post-harvest processing. This research identifies key species such as ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and cassava (Manihot esculenta), highlighting their health benefits and economic potential. The study employs morphological observations and comparisons with botanical literature to ensure accurate identification. The findings reveal that all identified plants are cultivated according to halal principles, enhancing their marketability and sustainability. The results underscore the importance of halal-based mini herbal gardens as a model for integrated herbal plant management, promoting health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability within the local community. This research contributes to the understanding of herbal biodiversity in Indonesia and supports the development of sustainable agricultural practices aligned with halal standards.
Surviving and Thriving in Educational Leadership: Challenges and Coping Strategies of High School Principals in Nepal
Authors: Dhakal Shankar
Published: February 2025

School leadership in Nepal is shaped by sociocultural, institutional, and resource-related challenges. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining leadership dynamics within this unique and diverse educational context. Guided by resilient leadership theory as a referent, this qualitative case study, grounded in a constructivist paradigm, involved semi-structured interviews with public high school principals to investigate their workplace challenges and coping strategies. The findings reveal challenges including sociocultural and gender biases, teachers’ resistance to modern pedagogical practices, and resource limitations. They navigate these challenges through strategies of humility, intrinsic motivation, and collaborative partnerships. The findings highlight the need for systemic reforms to promote gender equity, enhance professional development, and increase resource allocation. This study presents a resilient and adaptive leadership framework for policymakers, emphasising the need to implement gender-inclusive policies and leadership training programs to address the challenges faced by principals in their diverse educational contexts.
A NOÇÃO DE CONSONÂNCIA EM LEIBNIZ
Authors: Fortes Fabrício
Published: February 2025

Este trabalho investiga a concepção leibniziana da consonância sob o prisma de sua inserção ou não na tradição pitagórica da teoria da música. Parte-se de uma breve contextualização histórica da discussão desde os pitagóricos até a época de Leibniz. Em seguida, busca-se argumentar que, embora encontrem-se, nas ideias de Leibniz, elementos que denunciam uma influência do pitagorismo, sua posição sobre o tema é mais bem caracterizado como um rompimento com essa tradição.
ALGUNS EXPERIMENTOS DE PENSAMENTO EM DEFESA DE TRÊS TESES DO NATURALISMO BIOLÓGICO
Authors: Noara Andre
Published: February 2025

O objetivo deste trabalho é defender a consistência de três teses que integram a teoria do naturalismo biológico, a qual foi desenvolvida pelo filósofo americano John Rogers Searle (1932), bem como tornar claro o conteúdo das mesmas: tese I) propriedade emergente ─ a consciência emerge da organização causal do sistema neuronal, constituindo-se, assim, enquanto uma propriedade sistêmica de natureza biológica; tese II) irredutibilidade ontológica ─ a consciência é um fenômeno biológico subjetivo, ontologicamente irredutível; tese III) redutibilidade causal ─ a consciência pode ser reduzida e estudada objetivamente, a partir de uma redução causal. Para tanto, as três teses serão postas em análise e, posteriormente, defendidas por meio de três experimentos de pensamento.
“A GENTE ESTAVA NO BRASIL SE ESTIVESSE EM MARTE”
Authors: Reinaldo Gabriela
Published: February 2025

Em sua filosofia do limite, Eugenio Trías, discutindo o ser do limite, aborda temas como o espaço e a vertigem do ponto de vista estético e político. Espaço e vertigem são temas recorrentes também para Vilém Flusser, sendo ele mesmo esse ser que habita e desafia limites – entre línguas e pátrias, mas também limites epistemológicos que nos brindaram com outros modos de pensar a comunicação, as mídias e as imagens. Ainda que pertencentes a tradições filosóficas muito distintas – Trías parte de uma ontologia metafísica, enquanto Vilém Flusser vê no jogo e na poesia modos de explorar a realidade –, há pontos que se interseccionam em suas argumentações. Por tratar de temas que, pelas suas características, transbordam, este artigo se aproxima do ensaio, gênero que tende à desautorização de todos os métodos, como defende Adorno, e que é adotado por Trías e Flusser como modo de escrita e de elaboração do pensamento.
Palavras-chaves: Limite 1. Fronteira 2. Espaço 3. Ensaio. 4. Vertigem 5.
A DISPUTA ENTRE EXTERNALISMO E INTERNALISMO SEMÂNTICO
Authors: Delaíde da Silva Thiago
Published: February 2025

O artigo pretende discutir o problema do significado na perspectiva da filosofia analítica a partir das abordagens de Hilary Putnam e John Searle, na tentativa de contrapor as teses do externalismo e internalismo semântico. O externalismo semântico, defendido por Putnam, estabelece uma crítica ao modelo tradicional do significado que seria, segundo sua argumentação, internalista. Putnam defende a tese de que os significados não estão na cabeça dos falantes, e dependem muito mais do mundo externo, da realidade natural e social. Isto significa que a referência é determinante para o significado dos termos. Em contrapartida, Searle reage ao defender o internalismo dos ataques de Putnam e estabelece uma argumentação que sustenta que o significado está diretamente relacionado à intencionalidade dos atos de fala. Como resultado, para Searle, os significados estão justamente na cabeça dos falantes. Tendo presente essa disputa filosófica, o artigo objetiva fazer uma exposição dos principais pontos do externalismo de Putnam e do internalismo de Searle, confrontando seus argumentos e levantando alguns problemas de ambos os lados. Por fim, o artigo defende que internalismo e externalismo não deveriam ser vistos como posições completamente antagônicas e mutuamente excludentes, mas que combinadas podem apresentar uma melhor compreensão para a teoria semântica.
SIN, INCARNATION AND DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE IN PEDRO LUIS (1538-1602)
Authors: Correia Mário João
Published: February 2025

Pedro Luis (1538-1602) foi um teólogo jesuíta valenciano que sucedeu Molina como professor de teologia na cadeira de Prima na Universidade de Évora. Apesar de ter sido extremamente influente, as suas obras permanecem inéditas e foram ignoradas após a sua morte. A preparação da publicação de De incarnatione, o seu comentário à Tertia pars da Summa theologiae, trouxe-lhe muitos dissabores e foi uma fonte de problemas institucionais, quer dentro da sua ordem, quer com a Inquisição Portuguesa. A agitação dos seus pares em torno da publicação deste tratado mostra que este pode conter novidades e teses controversas. Com o presente trabalho, procuro providenciar uma primeira sondagem das duas redações do comentário de Pedro Luis à Tertia pars, evidenciando especialmente a importância do conhecimento divino dos futuros contingentes para a sua discussão sobre a relação entre o pecado e a Incarnação
PEDRO DE LEDESMA CONTRA LA PREMOCIÓN MORAL DE JUAN VICENTE DE ASTORGA
Authors: Torrijos-Castrillejo David
Published: February 2025

Pedro de Ledesma llegó a ser uno de los catedráticos más importantes de la facultad de teología de la Universidad de Salamanca a principios del siglo XVII. Tanto él como Juan Vicente de Astorga, teólogos dominicos, concuerdan sustancialmente con Domingo Báñez en los puntos esenciales de las disputas sobre la gracia, pero manifiestan notables diferencias entre sí. Astorga cree que Dios no podría mantener la infalibilidad de la predestinación de las criaturas tan sólo a través de la previsión de los actos de la criatura, como defiende Luis de Molina. Piensa que Dios dispone por su providencia todas las obras de las criaturas en particular y, por su concurso, logra eficazmente su cumplimiento, pero no influye mediante una moción física sino moral (mediante sugerencias e inspiraciones). En cambio, Ledesma critica frontalmente la tesis de Astorga aunque se vale de sus argumentaciones para defender la compatibilidad de la premoción física con la libertad de la criatura. En estas páginas se expone el pensamiento de ambos teólogos atendiendo a sus obras manuscritas, inéditas por el momento. La oposición entre ambos manifiesta la variedad de planteamientos presentes entre los dominicos de la época, que no pueden ser contemplados como un grupo uniforme.
MODERNIDAD(ES), FILOSOFÍAS Y REFORMAS UNIVERSITARIAS
Authors: Samé Iglesias Tania
Published: February 2025

La identidad filosófica del contexto ilustrado hispanoamericano posee a través de la idea de reforma universitaria, uno entre los referentes socioteóricos medulares para traducir cosmos de sentidos ideo-políticos, metodológicos, simbólicos, entre otros, de la denominada modernidad cultural o de modernidades, en tanto expresan espacio-temporalidades y disparidades de estas u otras dimensiones.
METEOROS DE DESCARTES
Authors: Dos Santos Ramos José Portugal
Published: February 2025

A obra Meteoros foi primeiramente publicada em 1637, em conjunto com o Discurso do Método e os demais ensaios deste, a saber, a Geometria e a Dióptrica. Diante disso é imperativo elucidar que o ensaio meteorológico cartesiano deve ser interpretado a partir do horizonte filosófico e científico que enseja a proposta de Descartes contemplada neste período de sua produção intelectual. A obra Meteoros é dividida em 10 Discursos ou Capítulos, os quais revelam ao leitor duas características principais, a saber, por um lado, as semelhanças e diferenças que demarcam a filosofia especulativa e a proposta de uma filosofia moderna inaugurada por Descartes, e, por outro lado, o advento de um método inovador aplicado à ciência particular (ciência meteorológica), sobretudo, quando o referido filósofo francês descreve no Discurso VIII as cores do fenómeno atmosférico do arco-íris. A partir deste contexto é que o presente artigo apresenta os principais conteúdos da obra Meteorológica cartesiana de 1637.
LIBERDADE NA QUARTA MEDITAÇÃO
Authors: Aragão Vieira Gabriel Arruti
Published: February 2025

A definição de liberdade é discutida no presente artigo. Essa definição de liberdade é dupla, e diferentes interpretações a respeito dessa duplicidade são apresentadas. A primeira definição consiste em caracterizar a liberdade como indiferença, ou seja, capacidade de escolher entre as opções disponíveis. A segunda definição de liberdade consiste em compreendê-la como espontaneidade, ou seja, decidir sem a influência de fatores externos. Entre a primeira e a segunda definição encontra-se a conjunção "vel potius". O significado dessa conjunção é objeto de disputa na tradição de comentário sobre o conceito de liberdade na Quarta Meditação. Ragland categoriza essas interpretações que são defendidas por grupos distintos de comentadores. Alguns comentadores entendem que a conjunção "vel potius" indica que a segunda parte da definição substitui a primeira, outros acreditam que a conjunção indica que a segunda parte da definição expande o significado da primeira, e há ainda aqueles que interpretam que a conjunção indica que a segunda definição esclarece o significado da primeira. A partir da ideia apresentada por Descartes de que a verdadeira liberdade só é exercida quando ela obedece os critérios da segunda definição, conclui-se que a interpretação correta é a de que há uma substituição da primeira definição pela segunda.
DA CONSOLAÇÃO INFINITA AO TERRITÓRIO DA PESQUISA RACIONAL
Authors: Araújo de Oliveira José Edelberto
Published: February 2025

O presente artigo examina estabelecer uma constância de marcos que caracterizam a religiosidade desmistificadora patentes na obra de Murilo Mendes como devedora do pensamento de Espinosa. Semelhante condição emerge do exame dos referenciais teóricos de Carl Gerbhardt que expõem a natureza do espinosismo. Os argumentos que terminam a série sobre a proximidade de Murilo Mendes e Espinosa voltam-se para o contexto da verdade religiosa e da verdade ciência. Gebhardt sustenta que Espinosa compreendeu que a grande demanda do contexto do século 17 era conjugar o conhecimento particular da ciência com a propagação de profunda intuição da lei divina do mundo; endossando o entendimento da natureza como abarcando forças desagregadoras, Murilo Mendes acolhe um componente religioso que, seguramente, não é a do cristianismo católico. Finalmente, quando dialoga com Albert Camus ou no tempo em que reconhece a dificuldade de organizar a verdade, percebe-se o distanciamento muriliano das grandezas que denotam aparência, ilusão ou inexistência para aquelas coisas instaladas além do âmbito do mundo físico.
Warming of Lough Neagh and Lower Lough Erne
Authors: Rippey Brian , Thompson James , McElarney Yvonne , Walker Brenda , Prentice Stephen
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: Long-term results for Lough Neagh, 1969–2022, and Lower Lough Erne, 1991–2018, were used to describe the changes in surface water temperature. The annual mean in Lough Neagh increased by 0.429°C decade−1 and the monthly mean in all months, except June, at an average of 0.368°C decade−1. The annual mean at a 60m water depth site (LE1) in Lower Lough Erne increased by 0.372°C decade−1, but only in June at 1.072°C decade−1, although with indications for January and October. At a 10m site (LE4), the annual mean increased at over twice that rate, 0.848°C decade−1, in January, September, October and December, at an average monthly rate of 1.358°C decade−1. Based on the evidence from Lough Neagh, Lower Lough Erne and Lough Feeagh, supported by the literature, it is likely that the annual mean temperature of many Irish lakes has increased by 0.18 to 0.43°C decade−1 over the last three to five decades. In addition, differences in the seasonal pattern of warming are possible. In Lough Neagh, the duration of lower temperatures needed for the breeding of Mysis salemaai decreased and the duration of higher temperatures that cause mortality increased over the 1969–2022 period, causing an increasing stress on the population.
Self-medication practices in Ethiopia: An umbrella review protocol
Authors: Fetensa Getahun , Ejeta Eshetu , Bekuma Tariku Tesfaye , Bati Feyiso , Amante Edosa , Bulti Jaleta , Abdella Saro , Gebreyohannes Yosef , Ababor Sabit , Botore Abera , Gobena Dabesa , Woldie Mirkuzie , Boltena Minyahil Tadesse , Tolossa Tadesse , Dejene Tafese , Birhanu Zewdie , Sudakar Moranker
Published: February 2025

Background

Self-medication is the practice of obtaining and using drugs without proper guidance or supervision. It can involve various behaviours that may harm individuals and society. Self-medication can cause serious health and economic problems for countries and healthcare systems. Therefore, current review aimed at examining self-medication practices in Ethiopia.

Methods

This umbrella review will consider all systematic reviews that include self-medication practices of adult age greater than 18 years in Ethiopia. Study protocols, papers other than systematic reviews, papers not reporting on self-medication practices, and papers published in languages other than English will be excluded from the review. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be searched. Two reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria. Data extraction will be performed by 2 independent reviewers on the reviews selected for inclusion. The characteristics of studies like author name, year published, databases searched, number of studies/patients included, and self-medication practices will be extracted. The quality of included studies will be reported using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for systematic reviews and research syntheses. A summary of the extracted data will be presented in tabular format and a narrative synthesis will be performed on the collected systematic reviews that meet the inclusion criteria.

Discussion

This protocol is expected to bring pooled evidence on self-medication practice among different population groups like pregnant mothers, adult population, students, and general population. Evidence from this review will be used to tackle current global problem related with anti-microbial resistance. Therefore, our review will call for government and non-government interventions in reducing current challenge of global issue related with anti-microbial resistance in resource limited country like Ethiopia.

Systematic review registration number

PROSPERO CRD42023182552
Study protocol: Exploratory trial of Forza™, an osmotin-based nutraceutical as adjuvant for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Costa Viola , Aluan Kenda , Schiavetti Irene , Bason Caterina , Vigo Tiziana , Leveraro Elisa , Cabona Corrado , Prada Valeria , Costagli Mauro , Boccia Vincenzo Daniele , Ruggiero Bruno , Brichetto Giampaolo , Salvetti Marco , Sormani Maria Pia , Mancardi Gianluigi , Inglese Matilde , Battaglia Mario Alberto
Published: February 2025

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the first cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults. Primary and secondary progressive MS are still lacking effective treatments. A new nutraceutical product made of lyophilised leaves of bioengineered kiwi plants (Actinidia deliciosa) overexpressing osmotin has recently been developed. Osmotin is a protein associated with stress adaptation in plant cells and it shares anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties with mammalian adiponectin. The aim of this study is to explore the safety and the efficacy of osmotin in progressive MS (PMS).

Methods

This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm interventional, baseline vs treatment study that will be carried out by two Italian MS centers, where a total of fifty PMS patients will be recruited. Every patient will take a daily dosage of 5 grams of an osmotin-based nutraceutical, named Forza™ (9th Dimension Biotech, Inc.), for 6 months. Two pre-treatment assessments, at -6 months (-6M) and at baseline visit (M0), and two post-treatment assessments, at month 1 (M1), and at month 6 (M6) will be carried out. ForzaTM safety and activity, assessed by serum Neurofilaments Light (NfL) Chain quantification, are the primary outcomes of the study. Additional assessments will consist of clinical and neuropsychological evaluations, patient reported outcomes (PROs), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Discussion

Disease modifying treatments in MS usually target inflammatory pathways with excellent results on reducing relapse associated disability but fail in preventing progression independent from relapse activity. This is a proof-of-concept study aimed at exploring the safety and the activity of an osmotin-based nutraceutical as an adjuvant treatment in PMS patients.

Trial registration

The trial was registered on July 10th 2023 at www.clinicaltrials.gov having identifier NCT05937802.
Evaluation of cortical thickness and cortical thickness index in the proximal femur—CT, dual energy absorptiometry (DXA), trabecular bone score (TBS) –
Authors: Ma Xiao , Yang Ik , Lee Sewon , Kim Jungyoun , Park Hyunjin , Yoon Younghyun , Hwang Jihyo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the anatomical size of proximal femur in South Korea. This study measured cortical thickness and cortical thickness index (CTI) based on computed tomography (CT) and additionally, evaluated the T-score and trabecular bone score (TBS) based on the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Materials and methods

This retrospective study is a cross-sectional study based on data from 600 patients aged from 20 to 93 years during the time from 2011 to 2021 were enrolled and selected the patients who did the examination of both pelvic CT and DXA scan. Age, sex, BMI, T-score, TBS, cortical thickness, CTI and the size of proximal femur were analyzed. Among these patients, 200 patients each corresponding to femoral neck fracture group(N = 200), trochanteric fracture group(N = 200), and non-fracture group(N = 200) were randomly selected and studied. The differences of three groups were compared statistically.

Results

Mean outer diameter of proximal femur was 24.34 mm, inner diameter of proximal femur was 15.28 mm, cortical thickness was 4.55 mm and CTI was 0.37 at the lesser trochanter (LT) level. The outer diameter was 24.00 mm, inner diameter of proximal femur was 13.04 mm, cortical thickness was 4.97mm and CTI was 0.44 at 3cm below LT. In the hip fracture group, T-score of hip, outer diameter of proximal femur and cortical thickness at LT were lower than non-fracture group. BMI, T-score of spine, T-score of hip, inner diameter at 3cm below LT, CTI of LT and TBS were lower in femoral neck fracture group compared to the trochanteric fracture group.

Conclusion

Analysis of 600 patients of pelvic CT might be a representative of real size of proximal femur in South Korea. Outer diameter of proximal femur at LT and cortical thickness at LT level were significantly lower in hip fracture group. Narrower outer diameter of proximal femur and thinner cortical thickness at LT level from the CT might be a risk factor of hip fracture.
Plasmodium and intestinal parasite infections among pregnant women at first antenatal care contact in northwest Ethiopia: A study of prevalence and associated risk factors
Authors: Tamir Zemenu , Animut Abebe , Dugassa Sisay , Belachew Mahlet , Abera Adugna , Tsegaye Aster , Erko Berhanu
Published: February 2025

Background

Parasitic infections in pregnancy are detrimental for both the mother and her fetus. Malaria and intestinal parasite infections among pregnant women at their first antenatal care contact (ANC1) could offer information on their burden in pregnancy, community-level transmission, and intervention coverage, which is vital for targeted interventions. However, data is scarce in Ethiopia. This study investigated Plasmodium and intestinal parasite infections along with their associated risk factors among pregnant women at their ANC1 in northwest Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 538 pregnant women attending ANC1 at selected health facilities in Jawi District, northwest Ethiopia, between November 2021 and July 2022. Plasmodium infection was diagnosed by light microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests, and multiplex real-time PCR. Whereas, intestinal parasite infections were examined microscopically using stool wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques. Predictors of Plasmodium and intestinal parasite infections were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. A P-value of < 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.

Results

Overall, 43.1% (95% CI: 38.9–47.4%) of women were infected with intestinal parasites, 19.1% (95% CI: 15.9–22.7%) had Plasmodium infections, and 11.7% (95% CI: 9.1–14.7%) were co-infected with Plasmodium and intestinal parasites. About 84.9% of malaria cases were asymptomatic, and 39.8% were sub-microscopic infections. Younger maternal age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =  2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 3.65), primigravidity (AOR =  2.37, 95% CI: 1.43, 3.92), lack of insecticide-treated bed net use (AOR =  2.58, 95% CI: 1.26, 5.3), undernutrition (AOR =  1.89, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.15), and intestinal helminth infection (AOR =  2.09, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.36) were significant predictors of Plasmodium infection. Whereas, rural residency (AOR =  1.62, 95% 1.03, 2.57), habit of soil eating (AOR =  2.06, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.9), consuming raw vegetables and fruits (AOR =  1.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.3), and lack of latrine use (AOR =  1.66, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.6) were significantly associated with intestinal parasite infections in pregnancy.

Conclusion

High prevalences of Plasmodium and intestinal parasite infections were observed among pregnant women in northwest Ethiopia. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening prevention and control measures for parasitic infections and implementing malaria screening at ANC1, particularly for young and primigravid women.
Specificity of cranial cutaneous manipulations in modulating autonomic nervous system responses and physiological oscillations: A controlled study
Authors: Keller Micha , Perlitz Volker , Pelz Holger , Borik Stefan , Repik Ines , Geilgens Armin , Cotuk Birol , Müller Gero , Mathiak Klaus , Mayer Johannes
Published: February 2025

Significant autonomic nervous system responses to a specific osteopathic intervention, the cranial vault hold (CVH), have recently been demonstrated in forehead skin blood volume changes, heart rate, and respiration frequencies. The specificity of the CVH-intervention-related autonomic responses yet requires differentiation. Thus, we compared autonomic responses to CVH with responses to compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4) and to two corresponding SHAM conditions. Analysis of frequencies and amplitudes for changes in skin blood volume and respiration in low (LF; 0.05–0.12 Hz), intermediate (IM; 0.12–0.18 Hz), and high (HF; 0.18–0.4 Hz) frequency bands, and metrics of heartrate variability revealed significant decreases in LF range (from 0.12 to 0.10 Hz), increased LF and decreased IM durations, and increased skin blood volume amplitudes in response to CVH, but no significant skin blood volume responses to any of the control interventions. Ratio changes for respiration and skin blood volume frequencies approximately at 3:1 during CVH, remained unchanged in all other interventions. Heart rate decreased across conditions, indicating an increase in parasympathetic tone. This was also indicated by a significant increase in root mean of squared successive difference following CV4. We incurred that rhythmic response patterns in the LF and IM bands only appeared in CVH. This suggests specific physiological responses to CVH warranting further investigation by studying e.g., responses to CVH in physical or mental health disorders with autonomic involvement.
Using music as a mood regulator in everyday life is associated with unfavourable health and fitness outcomes in overweight adults
Authors: Ginström Laura , Kaseva Kaisa , Peltonen Juha E. , Saarikallio Suvi , Tervaniemi Mari
Published: February 2025

Individual traits and habits have shown to be associated with health and health behaviour. One such habit is how individuals use music. This study aimed to examine if using music as a mood regulator is related to risk factors of lifestyle diseases. Participants who joined the present Motivation Makes the Move! lifestyle intervention were overweight and sedentary adults (n = 76, ages 19–40). They answered questionnaires about physical activity and use of music. They also underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and their body composition was assessed. Additionally, the analyses’ robustness was tested through controlling for physical, sociodemographic and psychological health related factors. We observed that despite the participants’ self-reported commitment to regular physical activity, their fitness level was poor. Using music as a mood regulator was associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Use of music was also positively linked to body fat percentage, although this finding did not remain significant after adjusting for age, educational level and experienced health. We urge future research to address the relationship between music use and risk factors of lifestyle diseases in a population sample.
Incidence of macular hole in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage
Authors: Matsumoto Riko , Kakinoki Masashi , Sawada Osamu , Obata Shumpei , Saishin Yoshitsugu , Ohji Masahito
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To investigate the incidence of macular hole (MH) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to either retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 47 eyes of 47 patients with SMH due to RAM rupture or AMD who underwent PPV. The presence or development of MHs was confirmed intraoperatively by the surgeon. We compared the incidence of MH between the RAM and AMD groups.

Results

In the RAM group, a MH was found in five of 28 (17.9%) eyes, and a MH was developed in three eyes by the surgical procedure. In the AMD group, there was no MH. All MHs were identified intraoperatively and closed by the same surgical procedure. In the RAM group, subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) injection was performed in 12 eyes. Of the 12 eyes, two developed an MH before t-PA subretinal injection. Of the remaining 10 eyes, four (40%) developed an MH intraoperatively or postoperatively.

Conclusion

MHs are complications of PPV for SMH that occur more frequently in patients with SMH due to RAM rupture than in patients with SMH due to AMD.
The effects of restraint stress and orthodontic tooth movements on the intestinal epithelial structure and metabolic function in rats
Authors: Cheng Ye , Li Yue , Fan Ziqing , Wang Nannan , Wang Min , Li Yanfen , Liu Chao , Li Huang , Yan Fuhua
Published: February 2025

Chronic stress and orthodontic treatment have been revealed to trigger systemic stress responses in rats. This study aimed to investigate the effects of restraint stress and orthodontic treatment on the intestinal epithelial structure, barrier function, flora, and metabolism in rats. Twenty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-stressed non-orthodontic (CC), sham-stressed orthodontic (CO), stressed non-orthodontic (SC), and stressed orthodontic (SO). The stress intervention involved subjecting the rats to restraint stress for 21 days, while the orthodontic intervention consisted of maxillary first molar traction from days 8 to 21. Histological and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the epithelial structure and barrier function of the colon. The intestinal flora and metabolite alterations were investigated by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and untargeted metabolomics sequencing. Colonic epithelial tissue disruption, mucus cells reduction, and a decreased expression of intestinal tight junction proteins were observed in the CO, SC, and SO groups. Lactobacillus spp. abundance was significantly lower in the CO group than in the CC group. Prevotella spp. abundance was significantly lower in the SC and SO groups than in the CC and CO groups. The differential metabolite enrichment pathways between each inter-group comparison might all be related to amino acid biosynthesis, protein digestion and absorption, and cofactor biosynthesis. Both restraint stress and orthodontic treatment may adversely affect the colonic epithelial structure and barrier function of rats. The intestinal flora structure and types of metabolites were also affected cumulatively.
Making video poems from poems made from diary entries made from dreams
Authors: Joseph Michael
Published: February 2025

This is a discussion of how a poet, largely unskilled and untrained in videography, immersed himself in the process of make video poems and how he understands their function as reading performances. For those interested, samples of his work are available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxSJdULph-jtcE__WGQqbu5kJ-J93EtR6. Accessed 15 November 2024.
The Smooth and the Striated: An exercise in micro-publishing writings on listenings
Authors: Calf D A
Published: February 2025

This article examines the production, concept and realization of the author’s recent artist book The Smooth and the Striated (2022) which documents the process of listening whilst in the field. Intertwining affective realizations with fragments of the theoretical discourse on the listening subject and landscape, the work was produced in response to a single day of fieldwork undertaken at the Monument to the Battle for the Wounded, a post-Second World War monument in central Bosnia and Herzegovina which was partially destroyed following the Bosnian War of 1992–95. The fieldwork, consisting of audio field recording, photography and writing, took place as part of the artist’s wider project to investigate the problematics of the former Yugoslavia through its memorial heritage, but to do so by means of a speculative methodology that imagines sound as an infinitely fine but persistent presence. The artist book was completed as part of a residency at Footnote Centre for Image and Text in Belgrade, Serbia, and printed in collaboration with the DIY/not-for-profit printing house Praksa Kvaka in Belgrade. The publication’s title references Deleuze and Guattari’s typology of space in which geographies are characterized as overlaid with the imprints of power and/or resistance. This reference is echoed in the photographic reproductions of patina and the erosion of concrete forms throughout the book, together with the physical object of the work – the dense, black risograph printing process leaves a residue of its disintegration on the hands of the reader and as such the reader cannot help but be inculcated in the book’s physical presence, as well as an attempt at countering the monument’s verticality by being bound horizontally.
Fgf8 gene regulatory network and the isthmic organizer: an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Chandel Rajeev , Hörnblad Andreas
Published: February 2025

The midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), also known as the isthmic organizer (IsO), plays a critical role in the developmental patterning of the posterior midbrain and anterior hindbrain. Understanding the wiring of this organizer’s deeply conserved gene regulatory network is of significant interest for both evolutionary and neurodevelopmental biology. Various secreted signalling molecules and transcription factors have been identified as being important components for the formation and function of the MHB. Among these, FGF8 is considered a primary mediator of IsO activity; it directs anterior-posterior patterning and promotes the specification and maintenance of the MHB. While the core gene regulatory network governing MHB development is well-characterized, the direct interactions between key regulatory genes and the cis-regulatory elements that control their spatiotemporal expression remain poorly understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the gene regulatory network underlying the formation of the vertebrate midbrain-hindbrain boundary. We focus in particular on Fgf8 and its regulatory landscape from an evolutionary perspective.
The Spemann-Mangold organiser and the dissemination of its discovery in interwar Finland
Authors: Neiro Jakke
Published: February 2025

A century has passed since the publication of the discovery of the Spemann-Mangold organiser, most visibly celebrated by the Festschrift Spemann and Mangold centennial special issue in Cells & Development and the conference Self-Organization in Biology: Freiburg Spemann-Mangold Centennial Symposium in September 2024. In honour of the anniversary, the Festschrift commemorates and reviews the history of the Spemann school of embryology and the later developments in the quest to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of the organiser. Here, I share a few new and untold insights from the Finnish archives on how the discovery of the organiser was communicated to and within Finland in the 1920s and ‘30s. The Finnish zoologists Alexander Luther and Gunnar Ekman had been visiting scholars in Spemann’s laboratory, brought the field of experimental embryology to their home country, and incorporated it into the curriculum. Especially Ekman taught embryology to a generation of students in both tertiary and secondary education, created the Finnish terminology of the field, and actively popularised the latest discoveries in various books and journals. Intriguingly, the archives reveal that Ekman published a synopsis of the organiser experiment in Finnish in the spring of 1924 prior to the publication of the original article in September, and invited Spemann to visit Finland in September 1925. These efforts consolidated the popularity of the Spemann school of experimental embryology in Finnish academia, and shed light on “how experimental embryology was transplanted to Finland”.
Estratégias de im-polidez em situações de conflito
Authors: Cunha Thenner Freitas da , Silveira Sonia Bittencourt
Published: February 2025

Este trabalho filia-se a uma perspectiva interacional nos estudos do discurso, o que implica pensar a interação como o lugar em que a linguagem se constitui, e é, reflexivamente, constituída pela linguagem. Os dados analisados fazem parte de uma audiência de conciliação do PROCON realizada em uma cidade de Minas Gerais. As audiências de conciliação são caracterizadas pela tentativa de resolução de conflito entre consumidores (reclamantes) e fornecedores de bens e serviços (reclamados), sendo mediadas por um representante do PROCON (mediador). Nosso foco central é examinar como as estratégias de im-polidez/trabalho de face são utilizadas pelos participantes envolvidos (reclamante, reclamado e mediador) em uma audiência de conciliação e de que modo podem contribuir para a resolução do conflito.
Violência contra a mulher no sistema penal de uma cidade do interior do Brasil
Authors: Freitas Lúcia Gonçalves de
Published: February 2025

A pesquisa mapeia e discute a relação entre gênero e violência em processos penais do Fórum de uma cidade do interior do Brasil para traçar um contraponto com estudos da mesma natureza em outros contextos urbanos. O trabalho analisa o discurso e a ação de agentes públicos em casos de demandas enquadradas na Lei Maria da Penha. O corpus do estudo é constituído de 25 processos, cerca de 260 documentos penais, observados como um sistema de gêneros. A análise textualmente orientada segue princípios próprios da Análise de Discurso Crítica ao examinar como os gêneros forenses representam a violência contra a mulher como fenômeno social; que atividades os mesmos acionam e que posicionamentos são tomados por parte dos envolvidos. Os resultados proveem uma descrição de como os operadores do direito atuam nos casos de agressão, captando as dimensões retórica, burocrática e coercitiva do discurso jurídico.
Neoplasia detection via colonic surveillance among young individuals with MSH6 and PMS2-associated Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Latham Alicia , Liu Ying L. , Constantino Gillain , Borio Matilde , McCoy Sean , Dudzik Christina , Heiman Jordan , Kemel Yelena , Ukaegbu Chinedu , Carlo Maria I. , Ranganathan Megha , Kane Sarah , Long Jessica , Syngal Sapna , Markowitz Arnold J. , Stadler Zsofia K , Yurgelun Matthew B. , Katona Bryson W.
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

The age to initiate colonoscopy in MSH6/PMS2-associated Lynch Syndrome (LS) remains uncertain. Herein we characterize colonoscopy findings among young individuals with MSH6/PMS2-associated LS.

Methods:

Retrospective review of a multi-institutional cohort of individuals with MSH6/PMS2-LS undergoing colonoscopy prior to age 50 was performed. Neoplastic lesions were defined as colorectal cancer (CRC), adenomas, or non-hyperplastic serrated lesions.

Results:

Among 285 individuals [161 (56%) MSH6; 124 (44%) PMS2], 125 (44%) had a neoplastic finding inclusive of 53 (19%) with CRC [32 (20%) MSH6; 21 (17%) PMS2], with median age at CRC diagnosis of 38 and 38% reporting CRC family history. Among 824 available pooled procedures, there were 194 (24%) procedures with neoplastic lesions identified, including 21(2.6%) with advanced adenomas, 5 (0.5%) with advanced serrated lesions, and 34 (4.1%) with CRC. Among 122 procedures performed under age 30, 16 (13%) had neoplastic findings and 4 (3.3%) had CRC, of which all were found prior to LS diagnosis. Findings did not differ between MSH6 and PMS2 carriers.

Conclusions:

Among individuals with MSH6/PMS2-associated LS undergoing early colonoscopy, neoplasia was common, even in those under 30. Current recommendations suggesting delayed initiation of surveillance among such patients may lead to missed preventive opportunities.
POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVING THE TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE BASED ON CEMENT WITH A LIMESTONE ADDITIVE
Authors:   South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia, Mordovtseva M.V.
Published: February 2025

The article examines the influence of different amounts of limestone in cement and additionally introduced additives, microsilica and polycarboxylate superplasticizer, on the formation of the structure of cement stone and concrete and their technical characteristics. The study involved the analysis of the strength characteristics, porosity, porosity, elastic modulus of concrete samples and the phase composition of cement stone in concrete with various combinations of additives. The results demonstrate that the use of cement with 30% limestone without the addition of a super-plasticizer or a complex with microsilica will not provide the level of technical performance of concrete compared to cement containing up to 10% limestone. Attempts to compensate for this effect using highly effective additives such as superplasticizer and microsilica only help to maintain technical performance at the level of cement without limestone. As a result, the cement with a limestone content of up to 30% can only be used for interior work or for obtaining finishing compositions.
ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC EFFICIENCY OF PIPELINE OPERATION – A NEW SCIENTIFIC DIRECTION IN THE FIELD OF WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
Authors:   National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow, Russia, Shlychkov D.I.
Published: February 2025

The paper aims to develop and justify a new scientific approach to assessing the hydraulic efficiency of the operation of water supply and sanitation networks with internal deposits. The hydraulic evaluation principle is used as a method for evaluating the hydraulic efficiency of pipeline operation. It is a new scientific direction in terms of the values of the characteristics of the hydraulic potential of pipes which vary depending on the thickness of the layer of internal
deposits in comparison with new pipes. The paper proposes a new scientific direction in the field of operation of water supply and sanitation networks with internal deposits – the assessment of the hydraulic efficiency of pipeline operation by the value of the calculated coefficient of efficiency of their operation, determined by special tables that allow setting the period of residual operation of water supply and sanitation pipelines. The values of the coefficient of hydraulic efficiency of operation of water supply and sanitation pipelines with different thickness of the sediment layer have been developed in tabular form. As a result, the paper makes a forecast about the continuation of further operation, or the need for hydrodynamic cleaning of the network from internal deposits.