bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Computer Navigation and Patient-Specific Instrumentation on Risk of Revision, PROMs, and Mortality Following Primary TKR
Authors: Farhan-Alanie M.M. , Gallacher D. , Craig P. , Griffin J. , Kozdryk J. , Mason J. , Wall P.D.H. , Wilkinson J.M. , Metcalfe A. , Foguet P.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Computer navigation and patient-specific instrumentation have been in use over the past 2 decades for total knee replacement (TKR). However, their effects on implant survival and patient-reported outcomes remain under debate. We aimed to investigate their influence on implant survival, outcomes of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), intraoperative complications, and postoperative mortality compared with conventional instrumentation, across a real-world population.

Methods:

This observational study used National Joint Registry (NJR) data and included adult patients who underwent primary TKR for osteoarthritis between April 1, 2003, and December 31, 2020. The primary analysis evaluated revision for all causes, and secondary analyses evaluated differences in the OKS and EQ-5D-3L at 6 months postoperatively, and mortality within 1 year postoperatively. Weights based on propensity scores were generated, accounting for several covariates. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess revision and mortality outcomes. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate differences in the OKS and EQ-5D-3L. Effective sample sizes were computed and represent the statistical power comparable with an unweighted sample.

Results:

Compared to conventional instrumentation, the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause revision following TKR performed using computer navigation and patient-specific instrumentation were 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.860 to 1.021; p = 0.136; effective sample size [ESS] = 91,607) and 0.960 (95% CI, 0.735 to 1.252; p = 0.761; ESS = 13,297), respectively. No differences were observed in the OKS and EQ-5D-3L between conventional and computer-navigated TKR (OKS, −0.134 [95% CI, −0.331 to 0.063]; p = 0.183; ESS = 29,135; and EQ-5D-3L, 0.000 [95% CI, −0.005 to 0.005]; p = 0.929; ESS = 28,396) and between conventional TKR and TKR with patient-specific instrumentation (OKS, 0.363 [95% CI, −0.104 to 0.830]; p = 0.127; ESS = 4,412; and EQ-5D-3L, 0.004 [95% CI, −0.009 to 0.018]; p = 0.511; ESS = 4,285). Mortality within 1 year postoperatively was similar between conventional instrumentation and either computer navigation or patient-specific instrumentation (HR, 1.020 [95% CI, 0.989 to 1.052]; p = 0.212; ESS = 110,125).

Conclusions:

On the basis of this large registry study, we conclude that computer navigation and patient-specific instrumentation have no statistically or clinically meaningful effect on the risk of revision, patient-reported outcomes, or mortality following primary TKR.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Floodplain topography and avulsion pathfinding control stratigraphic architecture in a numerical model of a fluvial fan
Authors: Sifuentes Caitlin , Martin Harrison K. , Straub Kyle M. , Hajek Elizabeth A. , Edmonds Douglas A.
Published: February 2025

Buried channel sand bodies are important reservoirs of subsurface water and energy resources, but their arrangement and interconnectedness are difficult to predict. The dominant process that distributes channels and their sediments in alluvial basins is river avulsion, which occurs when a channel seeks a new location on the adjacent floodplain. Floodplain sedimentation, incision, and channel levee growth influence channel pathfinding during avulsion, and should control key aspects of the stratigraphic arrangement of channel bodies, including compensational (spatially and temporally even) deposition, stratigraphic completeness, and facies distributions; however, this impact has been difficult to isolate in natural and experimental basin fills. To test how different avulsion pathfinding parameters influence stratigraphic architecture, we use a numerical model of a fluvial fan to produce synthetic fluvial stratigraphy under seven different runs with progressively more complex channel pathfinding rules. In the simplest models where pathfinding is set by a random walk, the channel rapidly changes position and avulsions spread across the fan surface. The corresponding deposit is dominated by channel facies, is relatively incomplete, and the compensation timescale is short. As rules for pathfinding become more complex and channels can be attracted or repulsed by pre-existing channels, lobe switching emerges. Deposits become more diverse with a mix of channel and floodplain facies, stratigraphic completeness increases, and the compensation timescale lengthens. Previous work suggests that the compensation timescale is related to the burial timescale and relief across the depositional surface, yet we find that compensation approaches the burial timescale only for model runs with high morphodynamic complexity and relatively long topographic memory. Our results imply that in simple systems with limited degrees of freedom, the compensation timescale may become detached from the burial timescale, with uniform sedimentation occurring quickly relative to long burial timescales.
­­Evaluating blood sampling strategies within the SIREN study: the experience from a large cohort of healthcare workers in the UK
Authors: Hettiarachchi Nipunadi , Blick Debbie , Coleman Tom , Otter Ashley , Dunne Angela , Khawan Jameel , Linley Ezra , Cole Michelle , Cairns Michelle , Islam Jasmin , Foulkes Sarah , Hopkins Susan , Hall Victoria , Atti Ana
Published: February 2025

Background
Delivering research studies that require a large number of samples to monitor specific populations is complex, often resulting in high costs and intricate logistics. We aim to describe the processes for blood sample collection and management and evaluate alternative sampling methods within a large cohort of healthcare workers in the UK (the SIREN study).
Methods
We conducted a process evaluation. First, we described blood sample collection and management across different study periods from June 2020 to March 2024 and how these evolved over time. Secondly, we compared alternative methods of blood sampling: venous phlebotomy (hospital-based) vs. capillary sampling (at-home).
Results
The main challenges with blood sampling within SIREN stemmed from the scale and use of decentralised phlebotomy across 135 hospital sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. We adapted our sampling processes as the study progressed, overcoming most of these challenges. When comparing hospital-based and at-home sampling, overall, return rates of samples taken at home were higher than site- based samples (80% vs 71%, respectively). At-home samples took less time to be returned to UKHSA Laboratory for testing compared to hospital-based samples (median 2 days; interquartile (IQ) 2-3) vs 6 days; IQ 3-8). However, at-home samples were more likely to be considered void (4%) when tested compared to hospital-based samples (0%). Cost for hospital-based sampling was almost 3-times higher than at-home sampling (£34.05 vs £11.50, respectively), however larger sample volumes were obtained via hospital-based sampling when compared to at-home sampling (8 ml vs 600 µl of whole blood).
Conclusions
Sample collection and management in large scale research studies are complex. Our results support at-home blood sampling as an effective and cheaper strategy when compared to hospital-based phlebotomy and therefore should be considered as alternative sampling method for future research.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN11041050 - registration date 12/01/2021.
Compact Broadband Left-Hand Circularly Polarized high-performance MIMO BDRA for indoor WLAN/ IoT and Smart Device Applications
Authors: Kethavathu Srinivasa Naik , Singam Aruna , Dwarapu Lakshmi Narayana
Published: February 2025

This article specifically designs a two-element, left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) MIMO bowtie dielectric resonator antenna (BDRA) for indoor WLAN/IoT and smart device applications. Two asymmetrical radiators are positioned orthogonally. A microstrip line feeds an asymmetrical cross-shaped slot at the center of the DRA. To minimize stray radiation from the feeder, the ground plane is positioned directly beneath the bowtie, while the microstrip line feeder is placed on the opposite side of the substrate. The single bowtie DRA demonstrates an impedance bandwidth of 28.15% across the frequency range of 4.15 GHz to 5.51 GHz. additionally; it exhibits a 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 25.64% within the range of 4.25 GHz to 5.5 GHz, maintaining over 90% efficiency throughout the operating band. The suggested two-element MIMO bowtie DRA has an impedance bandwidth of 28.15%, an axial ratio bandwidth of 25.64%, and more than 25 dB of isolation between the elements. Additionally, it exhibits a diversity performance characterized by an envelope correlation coefficient of < 0.001 and a diversity gain > 9.99. The proposed antenna prototype has been fabricated and subjected to experimental testing. The simulated and measured results demonstrate good agreement with one another.
pathoDISCO-HE: Towards light sheet microscopy enabled volumetric histopathology of human gliomas
Authors: Oakes-Klein James , Saghafi Saiedeh , Roetzer-Pejrimovsky Thomas , Fuchssteiner Christoph , Grin Katherina , Kiesel Barbara , Körner Lisa , Wöhrer Adelheid , Widhalm Georg , Dodt Hans-Ulrich
Published: February 2025

Histopathological assessment of human tumours relies heavily upon traditional slide-based techniques such as H&E staining and immunohistochemistry. Whilst providing excellent resolution, traditional histological techniques require destruction of the specimen and do not provide details of three-dimensional tissue architecture. Glioblastomas are amongst the most spatially heterogeneous of human tumours, making them a prime target for the growing field of volumetric histopathology. Tissue clearing and light sheet microscopy are complementary technologies allowing high-resolution volumetric imaging of biological specimens. In this study we aimed to explore the possibility of using these techniques as tools for volumetric histopathology of human gliomas. Starting with the previously published pathoDISCO protocol, we added pigment bleaching and fluorescent nuclear labelling stages to develop a protocol capable of clearing glioma specimens up to several millimetres thick within a few days. Using cresyl violet as a nuclear label and autofluorescence as an eosin analogue we were able to produce realistic “virtual H&E” images using a simple image post-processing pipeline. Virtual H&E images accurately represented several key pathological features of gliomas including necrosis, hypercellularity, microvascular proliferations and glomeruloid and garland vascular structures. The virtual H&E images can be viewed three dimensionally with only limited loss of resolution in z-projections. The volumetric imaging data could also be visualised by maximum intensity projection, allowing tracing of vascular structures throughout the tissue and identification of discrete zones of differing cellular or vascular density. Finally, we showed that our virtual H&E protocol is reversible and post-hoc traditional histology can be applied if necessary. Overall, our study represents a novel contribution to the palette of volumetric histopathology techniques which may eventually allow more accurate and detailed characterisation of human tumours, thus facilitating more accurate diagnosis and prognosis and selection of the most effective personalised therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Human Bocavirus as a Contributor to Respiratory Disease in Lagos, Nigeria: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: ANJORIN Abdul-Azeez A. , ASHAKA Oluwaseyi S. , EYEDO Joseph , ABDULKAREEM Abdulrauf O. , BALOGUN Taofeeq A. , SALAMI Zainab B. , Akinyemi Kabiru
Published: February 2025

Background
Human Bocavirus (HBoV) is a single-stranded DNA virus from the Parvoviridae family that is associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The prevalence and impact of the HBoV in Lagos, Nigeria, particularly across all age groups, remain underexplored.
Aim
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBoV among individuals with respiratory symptoms in Lagos, Nigeria, and its association with respiratory disease.
Methods
A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 in Lagos. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 400 participants presenting with respiratory symptoms across diverse age groups. The samples were analysed for HBoV DNA using real-time PCR. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.
Results
The overall prevalence of HBoV was 12.5% (57/400), with a higher prevalence in participants aged 21–30 years (24.6%) than in those aged ≤ 10 years (8.4%). The participants diagnosed with respiratory disease had a significantly greater prevalence of HBoV (20.3%) compared to those without respiratory disease (8.4%) (χ²=11.69, p = 0.0006). Fever and runny nose were the most common symptoms among HBoV-positive participants, regardless of respiratory disease status.
Conclusions
HBoV is prevalent in Lagos and contributes significantly to respiratory illnesses across all age groups, with the highest burden observed in young adults. These findings underscore the need for further research on the clinical implications of HBoV and its potential for nosocomial transmission in healthcare settings.
Trial registration:
Not applicable.
Artificial Intelligence-Driven Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid Efficacy in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Chengjing , Hu Yaowen
Published: February 2025

Background:
Despite the widespread use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management, their comparative efficacy remains controversial. This study aimed to systematically evaluate their therapeutic effects through artificial intelligence-based analysis of clinical and molecular outcomes.
Methods:
In this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 140 patients with KOA were randomly assigned to receive either PRP (n = 70) or HA (n = 70) treatment. Clinical assessments included WOMAC, KOOS, and VAS scores, while molecular evaluation focused on inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP). A deep learning model was developed to predict treatment outcomes and identify key predictive factors. Primary outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.
Results:
PRP demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy across multiple parameters. At 12-month follow-up, the PRP group showed significantly greater improvements in pain reduction (SMD = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.45–1.19; P < 0.001) and inflammatory marker suppression (IL-1β reduction: 51.2%, P < 0.001) compared to the HA group. The artificial intelligence model achieved exceptional predictive performance (AUC = 1.000) in treatment outcome prediction. IL-1β emerged as the strongest predictor of treatment response (SHAP value: 0.185, P < 0.001), followed by WOMAC scores (0.175, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed optimal model performance in patients under 60 years (accuracy: 90.5%, 95% CI: 88.2%-92.8%).
Discussion:
Our findings extend beyond previous studies by demonstrating PRP's superior efficacy through both clinical and molecular evidence. The marked reduction in inflammatory markers, particularly IL-1β, suggests that PRP's therapeutic mechanism involves significant immunomodulation. The developed AI model's exceptional predictive accuracy offers a promising tool for treatment optimization, while the identification of key predictive biomarkers provides new insights into patient stratification. The enhanced efficacy in younger patients and those with moderate disease severity suggests optimal timing for PRP intervention, though the slightly lower prediction accuracy in severe cases indicates the need for careful patient selection.
Conclusions:
This study provides robust evidence for PRP's superior efficacy in KOA treatment through comprehensive clinical and molecular analyses. The developed artificial intelligence model demonstrates remarkable potential for personalizing treatment selection, with inflammatory markers serving as key predictive indicators. These findings advance the field of personalized medicine in osteoarticular diseases by establishing a framework for precision treatment planning.
Spatiotemporal Coordination of Active Deformation Forces and Wnt / Hippo-Yap Signalling in Hydra Regeneration
Authors: Tanaka Motomu , Suzuki Ryo , Hiraiwa Tetsuya , Tursch Anja , Hoeger Stefanie , Hayashi Kentaro , Özbek Suat , Holstein Thomas
Published: February 2025

There is substantial evidence that Wnt signalling and tissue deformation are key determinants of pattern formation in animals. The coordination of these biochemical and biomechanical spatiotemporal asymmetries is often unknown or controversial. We investigated this relationship by studying regeneration in the freshwater polyp Hydra. In both, reaggregates of dissociated cells and regenerated tissues, we found significant waves of tissue contraction and upregulation of Wnt signalling. Applying a simple mechanical model to the mode analysis of the active deformations, we quantitatively defined the phase reversal of size change and axial deformation in these oscillations as the time point of “biomechanical” body axis formation. Furthermore, modulation of canonical Wnt signalling shifted the timing of this phase reversal. Direct comparison with RNAseq data indicates that “biomechanical” body axis formation occurs only after upregulation of canonical Wnt signalling. Further data suggest that biochemical signalling and mechanical forces synergistically stabilize the body axis and thus subsequent head formation by Hippo-Yap signalling. The bilateral symmetry-breaking mechanism identified here in Hydra most likely represents an evolutionary conserved patterning module from early metazoans to bilaterians.
The Impact of Worldviews on Behavioral Health Providers Descriptions of Moral Injury: A Qualitative Exploratory Multiple Case Study
Authors: Lane Mark C.
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND
Humans are holistic beings. Moral Injury (MI) creates holistic distress. There is limited standardization in MI constructs, assessments, and treatments. Current care for MI often limits spiritual integration. AIMS- The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore how military behavioral health providers’ worldview influenced their description of the construct of MI, the morbidity of MI, and how these providers chose to treat clients they perceived to be suffering through the effects of MI.
METHODS
Eight Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs affiliated behavioral health providers completed a worldview assessment, prompted journal responses, and semi-structured interviews to understand how their worldview impacts their descriptions of MI constructs, morbidity, and treatment decisions. I analyzed the data through postpositivist beliefs utilizing Codebook Template Analysis.
RESULTS
Participants’ worldviews influenced how they described MI as a construct, what they assessed as MI morbidity, and how they chose to treat it.
CONCLUSIONS
More studies are needed to explore MI’s spiritual dimensions and effects. Assessment and treatment should include all stakeholders’ methodologies. Treatment for MI should include care from providers for the body (medical doctors), soul (chaplains), and mind (behavioral health providers).
Influence of artificial fibers and Corn Cob Ash on the durability properties of High Performance Concrete
Authors: Mohan Subahar , P Ponkarthikeyan , D Velumani , N Jegandurai
Published: February 2025

In the present study, durability characteristics such as abrasion resistance, electrical resistivity, rapid chloride penetration test, drying shrinkage, water absorption, water penetration, fire resistance and chemical resistance of High Performance Concrete (HPC) containing Corn Cob Ash (CCA) and artificial fibers have been investigated. The CCA was added in different contents of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% by weight of cement. The Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene fiber (PS) were added 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 % by weight of binders. The chemical attack test was conducted for HPC specimens with 90 days of exposure in 6 mediums; hydrochloric acid (10% HCl), sulfuric acid (10% H2SO4), magnesium chloride (10% MgCl2), sodium chloride (10% NaCl), magnesium sulfate (10% MgSO4), and sodium sulfate (10% Na2SO4). Results revealed that the inclusion of 15 wt % CCA was found to be economical dosage for HPC. However, above 15% of CCA replacement was unable to attain close enough values to control concrete. The results revealed that 15% of CCA with 0.4% of artificial fibers were showed better results in abrasion resistance, electrical resistivity, rapid chloride penetration, water absorption, water penetration, fire resistance and chemical resistance of HPC, compared to control mix without CCA and fibers.
Kısıtlı Sulama Uygulamalarının Turşuluk Hıyarın Meyve Verimi ve Kalitesi Üzerine Etkileri
Authors: Harput Alperen , Teoman Duran Sevin , Akbudak Nuray
Published: February 2025

Küresel iklim değişikliğinin sonuçlarından biri olan kuraklığın artması, tarımsal üretimde su kıtlığının yaşanmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu nedenle, var olan sınırlı su kaynaklarının sürdürülebilirliğini sağlayacak sulama uygulamalarının kullanılması ve su yönetiminin yapılması gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada, açık tarla koşullarında damlama sulama yöntemi kullanılarak yapılan kısıtlı sulama uygulamalarının Calypso F1 çeşidi turşuluk hıyar bitkilerinde meyve verim ve kalite özellikleri üzerine olan etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Denemede sulama suyu miktarlarının belirlenmesinde A sınıfı buharlaşma kabı kullanılmış; %100 (S100), %75 (S75), %50 (S50) ve %25 (S25) olmak üzere dört farklı seviyede sulama uygulamaları yapılmıştır. Buna göre; bitki başına düşen en yüksek verim S100 (244.08 g-1) ve S75 (235.81 g/bitki-1) uygulamalarından elde edilmiştir. Özellikle, S50 uygulaması (198.25 g/bitki-1) ile birlikte verimde kayıplar meydana geldiği tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra, su miktarının azalması ile bitki boyu, yaprak oransal su kapsamı (YOSK), meyve eti sertliği, pH, toplam fenolik madde, klorofil a, klorofil b ve toplam klorofil miktarı değerlerinin azaldığı; suda çözünebilir kuru madde (SÇKM) miktarının arttığı belirlenmiştir. Titre edilebilir asit (TEA) ve elektriksel iletkenlik (EC) değerlerinde meydana gelen değişimler ise istatistiksel olarak önemli bulunmamıştır (P<0.05). Meyve rengi “L”, “a” “b”, Kroma (C*) ve hue açısı (hue°) değerleri bakımından da uygulamalar arasında önemli farklılıklar saptanmıştır (P≥0.05). Sonuç olarak; Calypso F1 turşuluk hıyar çeşitinde, sulama suyunu etkin kullanarak, meyvelerde verim ve kalite kaybını en aza indirerek üretim yapabilmek için S75 uygulamasının kullanılabileceği belirlenmiştir.
O Atendimento educacional especializado no município de Mossoró/RN: entre saberes e práticas
Authors:   , Lima Maria Aparecida Dias
Published: February 2025

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar saberes e práticas que são mobilizados pelos(as)
professores(as) que atuam no Atendimento Educacional Especializado no município de
Mossoró, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Partimos dos seguintes questionamentos: que saberes
e práticas são mobilizados pelos(as) professores(as) que atuam no Atendimento Educacional
Especializado neste município? O que podemos identificar e refletir sobre eles? O que os(as)
professores(as) narram nos ajuda a entender o ensino no AEE? Trata-se de uma pesquisa
autobiográfica em educação (PASSEGGI, 2011; SOUZA, 2006), ramo da pesquisa qualitativa
(MINAYO, 2008; BOGDAN, BIKLEN, 1994). Participaram do estudo três professoras que
trabalham nas salas de recursos multifuncionais e uma professora que coordena a educação
especial no município. O corpus utilizado para análise constitui-se de três narrativas orais e
uma escrita, além de imagens de materiais pedagógicos produzidos no serviço de AEE. As
fontes foram recolhidas ao longo do ano de 2019, através da realização de entrevistas narrativas
(JOVCHELOVICTH, BAUER, 2002). Para a fundamentação teórica sobre a Educação
Especial na Perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva, consideramos as legislações vigentes (BRASIL,
2008) e estudiosos da área (MANTOAN, 2003; 2006; MAZZOTTA, 2005). As narrativas
revelaram que o AEE provê acessibilidade nas escolas pesquisadas, percebe o(a) estudante
como um ser capaz e com potencial, que precisa de pontes, de possibilidades acessíveis para
aprender. Mostram que as práticas colaborativas promovem uma interação significativa entre
os sujeitos, o que se estabelece numa relação de respeito mútuo entre os saberes e práticas
pedagógicas. As articulações interdisciplinares e transdisciplinares são estratégias ou atitudes
interativas que dão acessibilidade aos estudantes do AEE na sala regular e mobilizam os demais
estudantes a ter empatia no processo de aprendizagem com a diferença humana. Os materiais
pedagógicos são construídos de acordo com as necessidades e interesses dos(as) alunos(as),
configurando-se um olhar muito singular, que dá sentido e significado as diferentes
aprendizagens. A partir da construção de quatro eixos de análises, a saber: Ensino
especializado: prover acessibilidade a aprendizagem; utilização e a construção de recursos
pedagógicos nas salas de recursos multifuncionais; avaliação da aprendizagem no AEE e
imagens e narrativas ver, sentir e transformar. Tivemos a possibilidade de analisar aspectos
importantes do ensino no AEE, no município de Mossoró/RN. Por fim, aprendemos com as
professoras colaboradoras que ouvir, ver e sentir as necessidades dos(as) estudantes da
Educação Especial deve ser um compromisso político de todos os educadores
PROSPECÇÃO PATENTÁRIA DE TECNOLOGIAS APLICADAS À MECANIZAÇÃO DO PROCESSO DE SEMEADURA NAS LAVOURAS NO BRASIL
Authors: Souza Ionária Pereira de , Islabão Genizia Islabão de , Santos Douglas Alves dos
Published: February 2025

O plantio mecanizado tem aumentado nos últimos anos graças às tecnologias, que desempenham um papel cada vez mais importante nos processos de semeadura nas lavouras do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar as patentes depositadas no Brasil relacionadas às tecnologias aplicadas à mecanização do processo de semeadura nas lavouras brasileiras. A metodologia para o levantamento dos dados partiu da caracterização do tema quanto à Classificação Internacional de Patentes (IPC), sendo enquadrada como A01C 7/00. Posteriormente, efetuaram-se buscas nas bases do INPI e Espacenet, abrangendo os anos de 2014 a 2024, resultando em 209 patentes depositadas, que foram estudadas e tiveram seus dados tabulados. Quanto aos resultados, os Estados Unidos figura como o país com maior volume de depósitos, tendo a empresa Precision Planting LLC, também americana, como líder no segmento. A evolução temporal dos pedidos mostra um ápice em 2017 e um declínio nos anos subsequentes, inclusive nos anos de 2022 e 2023 não consta nenhum depósito nesta área.
Direct Utilization of Waste Glycerol from Biodiesel Production for the Synthesis of Perimidines
Authors: Siqueira Cássio , Dos Santos Talles Juan Cogo , Theisen Rafael , Saba Sumbal , Rafique Jamal , Gallina André Lazarin , Botteselle Giancarlo V.
Published: February 2025

The production and consumption of biodiesel in Brazil and worldwide have considerably
increased in the last decades. As a consequence, the waste glycerol (glycerin) as a byproduct from this
synthetic process has also increased since approximately 10-30% of glycerol is generated in the biodiesel
synthesis process. Therefore, the reuse of glycerol after the biodiesel synthesis is highly desired.
However, waste glycerol purification is still a costly process. In this context, herein, we propose a
synthetic alternative for the use of waste glycerol as a solvent and promoting medium for condensation
reactions of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and different aldehydes. The reactions were carried out using
the waste glycerol without prior purification at room temperature for 30 min, affording the synthesis
of a series of perimidines in excellent yields. Furthermore, a comparative study was performed
between the use of commercial glycerol or waste glycerol in the reactions, and the results showed that
the waste glycerol is more efficient considering the product yields. The use of waste glycerol as a
green solvent and a promotion medium for organic processes is a robust, sustainable, and economically
viable option for the application of this undesired byproduct of biodiesel synthesis.
Vasorelaxant and Antihypertensive Effects of Extracts from the Leaves of Casimiroa edulis La Llave (Rutaceae) by NO Release and Calcium Channel
Blockade
Authors: Pérez-Barrón Gabriela , Estrada-Soto Samuel , Villalobos-Molina Rafael , Arias-Durán Luis , Escalante-García Jaime , Perea-Arango Irene , Hernández-Pando Rogelio
Published: February 2025

Background:

Casimiroa edulis La Llave (Rutaceae), commonly known as “zapote
blanco”, is a tree widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of Mexico. The decoction
of its leaves is traditionally used as a natural remedy to treat hypertension and anxiety.

Objective:

The present study aimed to determine the vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of
C. edulis extracts and evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of one of the most active extracts.

Methods:

The hydro-alcohol and organic (hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol) extracts, obtained
from the leaves of C. edulis, were evaluated on isolated aorta rat rings in the presence and
absence of endothelium to determine their vasorelaxant effect. Then, most active extracts were
studied to evaluate the functional mechanism of their vasorelaxant action and antihypertensive
effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The acute and sub-acute toxicity of dichloromethane
extract was evaluated following the OECD 423 and 407 protocols.

method:

Isolated aorta rat rings pre-contracted with noradrenaline were used to determine the vasorelaxant effects and mode of action of test samples
were used. The antihypertensive of Dichloromethanic extract was determined by non-invasive model on SHR rats and the acute and sub-acute toxicity of
dichloromethane extract was evaluated following the OECD 423 and 407 protocols.

Results:

The hexane (HE) and dichloromethane (DE) extracts from Casimiroa edulis induced
significant vasorelaxant action on isolated rat aortic rings with (Emax 104.7 ± 1.4% and Emax
97.3 ± 6.7%, respectively) and without (Emax 94.9 ± 3.5% and Emax 67.4 ± 1.0%, respectively)
endothelium, and this effect was partially endothelium-dependent. Their vasorelaxant action was
modified by L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) and ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor);
however, indomethacin did not modify the effect. Also, both HE and DE significantly
decreased the contraction induced by KCl in a concentration-dependent manner and the maximal
effect induced by CaCl2. Moreover, DE showed a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic
blood pressure in SHR at 7 hours and 15 days after treatment, respectively. Finally, the toxicity
test of DE allowed classifying it in category 5, indicating it to be a non-toxic extract based on
OECD guideline 423; the LD50 value was estimated to be greater than 2,000 mg/Kg and smaller
than 5,000 mg/Kg in Wistar rats.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated hexane and dichloromethane extracts to exert a vasorelaxant
effect through endothelium-dependent NO release and cGMP increase, as well as by
calcium channel blockade. Also, dichloromethane extract showed efficacy and security as
a potential antihypertensive agent.
Dilemma on Pancreatic Uncinate Process Uptake on Ga68-DOTATE PET/CT in Pediatric Neuroblastoma: Physiologic or Metastases?
Authors: Gülaldi Nedim C.M. , Gülleroglu Nadide Basak , Cakmakci Selma , Görtan Fatma Arzu , Sari Neriman
Published: February 2025

Objective:

The Ga68-DOTATATE PET/CT scan is an alternative imaging modality
for the follow-up of children with neuroblastoma when the I123-MIBG scan was negative or
weak. Somatostatin receptors (SSR) can be expressed in neuroblastoma lesions, and when this
happens, targeting these receptors may be a good alternative to treating this disease in addition
to conventional treatments. Our aim is to focus on the interpretation of one of the physiological
tracer uptake sites, the uncinate process of the pancreas, using DW-MRI scans.

Methods:

We present and discuss 4 cases with neuroblastoma for a technical note. Imaging
scans for SSR were performed using Ga68-DOTATE PET/CT, and all showed varying degrees
of increased uptake at the uncinate process of the pancreas on PET/CT images. We also performed
a DW-MRI study to distinguish physiologic uptake in this region of the pancreas from
metastatic involvement.

Results:

Two of them showed diffusion restriction, with one of them also showing multiple
masses within the liver. The other 2 children with high pancreatic uncinate process uptake did
not exhibit any findings that indicated pancreatic involvement in the disease, based on DW-MRI
images and clinical findings.

Conclusion:

We recommend comparing DW-MRI scans and SSR-PET/CT scans to determine
the true state of physiologically elevated SSR concentration and consequently indicate increased
uptake on the images. The radiotracer concentration at the high uptake site did not appear to
correlate with malignant involvement of the organ. The higher number of patients may allow a
statistical comparison of the tracer with malignancy status.
Digital Banking: Transforming Consumer Habits in the Modern Financial Landscape
Authors: Neeti Sharma  , Brahmdev Singh
Published: February 2025

Knowing how digitalisation affects consumer behaviour is crucial as it continues to change the banking services industry. This study looks into the relationship between customers' use of online banking and their financial management techniques in Delhi NCR. The study employed a primary research approach with a sample size of 123 respondents to investigate the motivations behind online banking use and how it influences financial decision-making. The results indicate that consumers primarily use online banking because of its exceptional ease of use, using it for both transactions and more general financial management needs. The study does, however, point out some limitations, the most significant of which being the time limits that were present during the data gathering process, which might have impacted how thorough the results were. By illuminating the subtleties of consumer behavior in the context of online financial services, this study adds to the growing conversation on online banking. It also highlights the need for more study to completely understand the intricate mechanisms underlying online banking and how they impact financial practices.
The geometric Young formula for elementary aggregate import and export price indexes
Authors: Enderson-Ohrt Austin , Smith Dominic
Published: February 2025

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes are currently calculated with a modified Laspeyres formula at each level of aggregation. However, the geometric Young formula might be more appropriate for the first two levels of aggregation, which are the weight group and the classification group. If the geometric Young formula was used to calculate inflation from 2012 to 2022, then cumulative headline inflation would have decreased from 10.0 to 5.8 percent for imports and from 14.7 to 9.5 percent for exports. Half of this change comes from using the geometric Young formula at the weight-group level, and the other half comes from the classification-group level.
Assessment of electrical properties of rocks based on velocity analysis of electromagnetic CDP data
Authors: Gulevich Oxana , Volkomirskaya Liudmila , Kaygorodov Eugene
Published: February 2025

An algorithm for estimating the specific electrical resistance of rocks has been developed based on the velocity analysis of the method of reflected electromagnetic waves data obtained using various offset distance between the receiver and transmitter - electromagnetic CDP (ECDP). The interval electrical resistivity assessment at a point (“virtual well”) based on ECDP data, in contrast to the algorithms of electrical exploration methods, does not require a priori information; measurement data are sufficient. An example of a virtual well describing the dependence of electrical resistance on depth, 500 meters deep, obtained during an experimental study in the cryolithozone, is given.
Espousing Stakeholder Engagement for Enterprise Growth: Ali Jimale Ahmed’s Art of Language Manipulation in Critical Thought and Analysis
Authors: Eno Mohamed A.
Published: February 2025

Language is the primary vehicle writers use to present their views in the ideological transactions they have with their audience over a particular subject matter. However, a variety of other factors such as context, social environment, creative imagination, ideology, style, critical outlook, and mastery of the medium influence the writer’s work. Although these are common features available in every writer’s stock, authors differ in the skills they use in representing multiple abstract phenomena. More importantly, authorial difference is demonstrated in each writer’s ability of manipulating language to present his thoughts. This includes but not limited to the appropriate selection of the features of language, the writing style, cohesion and logical flow of ideas, and the narrative flow to capture the readers’ attention as key stakeholders in the writing process. This article presents an overview of how Ali Jimale Ahmed, a Somali-American academician, poet and literary critic, uses language to communicate his thought in prose and poetry. It shows how, while delineating his argument and crafting his subject matter, Ahmed espouses various stakeholders in his creative works through a careful and artful manipulation of language for effective and emphatic communication.
Inferential questions in English textbook: A case study
Authors: Simanullang Lestari Tasya Lidya , Ashari Erwin , Sinaga Juwita Boneka , Edi Warno
Published: February 2025

This research focuses on inference analysis in English textbooks used by Indonesia students. This study aims to discover and describe the inference patterns found in textbooks. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative. The data sources come from English books, such as English For Nusantara and Bright: An English Course. Ten data are used in the book, five labeled as Code A from English For Nusantara and five labeled as Code B from Bright An English. The data were analyzed interpretatively through inference-type theory. The analysis includes ten types of inferences: cohesive inference, coherence inference, general knowledge-based inference, elaborative inference, causal inference, semantically congruent inference, local inference, semantically incongruent inference, logical inference, and online inference in the question. In addition, these types of inference have differences in their interpretation. This category is used to analyze the inferential questions in the book. Both books use these differences to attract readers' interest so that they are curious about the book. With the differences in inferential questions in books, you should use many book sources in the learning process so that more inferential questions are mastered or taught.
Fermionic wave packet scattering: a quantum computing approach
Authors: Chai Yahui , Crippa Arianna , Jansen Karl , Kühn Stefan , Pascuzzi Vincent R. , Tacchino Francesco , Tavernelli Ivano
Published: February 2025

Quantum computing provides a novel avenue towards simulating dynamical phenomena, and, in particular, scattering processes relevant for exploring the structure of matter. However, preparing and evolving particle wave packets on a quantum device is a nontrivial task. In this work, we propose a method to prepare Gaussian wave packets with momentum on top of the interacting ground state of a fermionic Hamiltonian. Using Givens rotation, we show how to efficiently obtain expectation values of observables throughout the evolution of the wave packets on digital quantum computers. We demonstrate our technique by applying it to the staggered lattice formulation of the Thirring model and studying the scattering of two wave packets. Monitoring the particle density and the entropy produced during the scattering process, we characterize the phenomenon and provide a first step towards studying more complicated collision processes on digital quantum computers. In addition, we perform a small-scale demonstration on IBM's quantum hardware, showing that our method is suitable for current and near-term quantum devices.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA RELIGIUSITAS DENGAN COPING STRES PADA MAHASISWA TINGKAT AKHIR PROGRAM STUDI BKI DI UINFAS BENGKULU
Authors: Sari Jelly Furnama , Haryati Asti
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara religiusitas dengan coping stress pada siswa tingkat akhir, dengan menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif. Penelitian ini terdiri dari dua variabel yaitu pertama religiusitas sebagai variabel bebas, dan kedua coping stress sebagai variabel terikat. Subjek penelitian ini yaitu meneliti mahasiswa tingkat akhir program studi Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam di Universitas Islam Negeri Fatmawati Sukarno Bengkulu. Peneliti sebelumnya melakukan pengumpulan data dengan wawancara dan selanjutnya untuk memperoleh data dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan skala psikologi yaitu skala likert. Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu terdapat hubungan positif dan signifikan antara religiusitas dan coping stress pada mahasiswa tingkat akhir program studi bimbingan dan konseling Islam dengan koefisien korelasi sebesar 0,673 dan nilai signifikansi 0,000. Hal ini berarti bahwa semakin tinggi tingkat religiusitas pada siswa, maka semakin tinggi pula kemampuan coping stress pada siswa tersebut.
Saberes que aporta la educación física a la educación inicial en la Universidad de Antioquíax
Authors: Cañas Estefanía
Published: February 2025

La presente investigación reflexiona acerca de los saberes que pueden ser aportados desde la Educación Física a la Educación Inicial en el contexto de la Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín, Colombia), la cual cuenta con un programa que desarrolla elementos teórico prácticos a favor del desarrollo integral de la primera infancia partiendo de saberes propios del área. Se presenta así un espacio de contextualización en el que se podrán reconocer aspectos políticos y socioculturales que generan posibilidades de existencia al Segmento de Educación Inicial del Programa Recreodeportivo de la Universidad de Antioquia partiendo de un ámbito global hasta llegar al espacio local e institucional. El estudio fue desarrollado bajo la metodología cualitativa denominada arqueología, la cual bebe de las nociones planteadas por el Grupos Historia de la Práctica Pedagógica en Colombia. A modo de resultados relevantes se destacan, de un lado el reconocimiento de la multiplicidad de saberes que aporta el Programa Recreodeportivo, desde la Educación Física, a la Educación Inicial partiendo de aspectos teóricos narrados por los maestros y familias, lo cual permitió dar cuenta de los aprendizajes significativos de quienes asisten al programa y el reconocimiento de estos aspectos como importantes contribuyentes al proceso de desarrollo integral de niños y niñas en edades tempranas. En cuanto a los aportes que se realizan desde las prácticas, familias y maestros manifestaron su reconocimiento a partir de las actividades rectoras apropiadas en la guía curricular que del programa.
La creación del podcast académico como medio de transformación del conocimiento futbolístico
Authors: Yaqueline Diana , Caicedo Cristián , Yepes David
Published: February 2025

Este articulo describe el proceso de creación y producción de un podcast académico-deportivo fundamentado en evidencia científica y en la experiencia de profesionales expertos en las estructuras técnica, táctica, psicológica y médica. La metodología inicia con una investigación exhaustiva de cada estructura, seguido de la organización del contenido en libretos por capítulos específicos. Cada capítulo relata un análisis profundo respaldado por evidencia científica y entrevistas con expertos en el campo. Esta metodología ofrece un enfoque integral y multi- disciplinario para abordar el fútbol desde diferentes perspectivas, con el objetivo de fortalecer y enriquecer el conocimiento tanto de apasionados como de profesionales del deporte.
La calistenia como estrategia pedagógica para promover el aprovechamiento del tiempo libre de los niños y niñas de 6 a 12 años del barrio Granizal de la ciudad de Medellín
Authors: Torres Deysi , Vargas Juan
Published: February 2025

Este proyecto está enfocado en propiciar espacios deportivos de nuevas tendencias en la comunidad de Granizal; barrio que está en la zona nororiental, comuna 1 de la ciudad de Medellín. El objetivo principal se enfoca en diseñar un proyecto pedagógico de la modalidad calistenia, como alternativa de aprovechamiento del tiempo libre de los niños y niñas del barrio, se hizo además una indagación sobre los procesos de intervención en deporte, actividad física y recreación que actualmente existen en el barrio Granizal y se identificaron estrategias metodológicas existentes a nivel local, nacional e internacional para el trabajo con población infantil y juvenil desde la modalidad calistenia. La metodología empleada es de enfoque mixto con un alcance descriptivo y un diseño no experimental, la población objeto de estudio son lideres comunitarios y actores deportivos, quienes intervienen actualmente con oferta deportiva y recreativa en el lugar y un grupo de niños y niñas de una institución educativa del sector que se intervino para realizar un acercamiento de la propuesta de entrenamiento de calistenia. Para el proceso de recolección de datos se utilizó una encuesta y se realizó una revisión documental. De esta información se pudo discutir asuntos de índole metodológico rescatando elementos generales que son insumo para el trabajo de fuerza en población infantil y juvenil como un diagnóstico y/o valoración que permitió construir un plan de preparación que vaya encaminada a los procesos de la modalidad deportiva de Calistenia.