bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supervised Exercise for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Cost-Utility Analysis Alongside the PREFERABLE-EFFECT Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Schouten Aniek E.M. , Hiensch Anouk E. , Frederix Geert W.J. , Monninkhof Evelyn M. , Schmidt Martina E. , Clauss Dorothea , Gunasekara Nadira , Belloso Jon , Trevaskis Mark , Rundqvist Helene , Wiskemann Joachim , Müller Jana , Sweegers Maike G. , Fremd Carlo , Altena Renske , Bijlsma Rhodé M. , Sonke Gabe , Lahuerta Ainhara , Mann G. Bruce , Francis Prudence A. , Richardson Gary , Malter Wolfram , Kufel-Grabowska Joanna , van der Wall Elsken , Aaronson Neil K. , Senkus Elzbieta , Urruticoechea Ander , Zopf Eva M. , Bloch Wilhelm , Stuiver Martijn M. , Wengstrom Yvonne , Steindorf Karen , van der Meulen Miriam P. , May Anne M.
Published: January 2025

PURPOSE

To evaluate the cost utility of a 9-month supervised exercise program for patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC), compared with control (usual care, supplemented with general activity advice and an activity tracker). Evidence on the cost-effectiveness of exercise for patients with mBC is essential for implementation in clinical practice and is currently lacking.

METHODS

A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside the multinational PREFERABLE-EFFECT randomized controlled trial, conducted in 8 centers across Europe and Australia. Patients with mBC (N = 357) were randomly assigned to either a 9-month, twice-weekly, supervised exercise group (EG) or control group (CG). Costs of the exercise program were calculated through a bottom-up approach. Other health care resource use, productivity losses, and quality of life were collected using country-adapted, self-reported questionnaires. Analyses were conducted from a societal perspective with a time horizon of 9 months. Costs were collected and reported in 2021 Euros (€1 = $1.18 US dollars).

RESULTS

Compared with the CG, EG resulted in a quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gain of 0.013 (95% CI, –0.02 to 0.05) over a 9-month period. The mean costs of the exercise program were €1,696 per patient with one-on-one supervision (scenario 1) and €609 with one-on-four supervision (scenario 2). These costs were offset by savings in health care and productivity costs, resulting in mean total cost differences of –€163 (scenario 1) and –€1,249 (scenario 2) in favor of EG. The probability of supervised exercise being cost-effective was 65% in scenario 1 and 91% in scenario 2 at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €20,000 per QALY.

CONCLUSION

Exercise for patients with mBC increases quality of life, decreases costs, and is likely to be cost-effective. Group-based supervision is expected to have even higher cost-savings. Our positive findings can inform reimbursement of supervised exercise interventions for patients with mBC.
Broadband negative refraction based on a pair of anti-parity-time structures
Authors: Fei Zhonghan , Gong Menyang , Shi Fan , Liu Xiaozhou
Published: January 2025

An anti-parity-time(A-PT) symmetric system, of which the refractive index satisfies n( - x) = - n*(x), can present intriguing scattering properties like continuous coherent perfect absorption(CPA) spectrum and laser spectrum, which are symmetric to each other in the parameter space. In this work, an acoustic parity-time(PT) symmetric system consisting of two A-PT symmetric structures is introduced to realize a broadband negative refraction. When the two A-PT symmetric structures are at their CPA mode and laser mode respectively, the PT symmetric system can display its unidirectional negative refraction property. As the two A-PT structures we design here have a broadband CPA and laser modes, the PT symmetric negative refraction system would be broadband. Besides, the exceptional point(EP) of the proposed PT-symmetric system corresponds to the CPA point and laser point of its two components, and it's unidirectionally transparent on broadband as well.
Harnessing individual nitrogen-vacancy centers with a compact and portable confocal microscope
Authors: Panadero Muñoz Ivan , Guerra Copete José Carlos , Caravaca Crespo Eva , Hidalgo Hernández Fernando Julio , Acedo Pablo , de Dios Fernández Cristina , Torrontegui Erik
Published: January 2025

Recent advancements in quantum technology have highlighted the potential of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. However, fully realizing this potential requires addressing challenges related to the size, complexity, and cost of current optical systems used for NV center manipulation. In this work, we present a compact and portable confocal setup specifically designed for the efficient detection and control of single NV centers. Our system facilitates optical initialization and readout of individual NV center photoluminescence signals, enabling coherent spin control and nanoscale-resolution magnetic field sensing.
McGrath MAC Versus Three-Dimensional Printed Video Laryngoscopes: A Randomized, Manikin-Simulated Noninferiority Controlled Study with Medical Students
Authors: Detoni Pablo B. , Nascimento Jedson S. , Araújo Azi Liana M. T. , Pustilnik Alexandre G. , Gusmão-Cunha André , Módolo Norma Sueli P. , Campos Guilherme O. , de Almeida Victor S. , Cambui João Pedro M. M. , de Almeida Vinicius S. , Alves Rodrigo L.
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Proficiency in endotracheal intubation (ETI) is essential for medical professionals and its training should start at medical schools; however, large caseload may be required before achieving an acceptable success rate with direct laryngoscopy. Video laryngoscopy has proven to be an easier alternative for intubation with a faster learning curve, but its availability in medical training may be an issue due to its high market prices. We devised a low-cost 3-dimensionally printed video laryngoscope (3DVL) and performed a randomized trial to evaluate if the intubation success rate on the first attempt with this device is noninferior to a standard commercially available video laryngoscope (STVL).

METHODS:

Two hundred and nine medical students from 5 medical schools were enrolled and randomized to start with the STVL (McGrath MAC) or the 3DVL. Four stations (standard airway using the STVL/3DVL and difficult airway using the STVL/3DVL) were set to simulate ETI with standard Airway Management Trainer manikins (Laerdal Medical Ltd.). The noninferiority margin of 7.5% was defined for the success rate on the first attempt, considering the difference in proportions between the STVL (expected to be higher) and 3DVL groups.

RESULTS:

Regarding the standard airway station, 60.7% (n = 65) of the students successfully performed TI on the first attempt with the STVL within the established timeframe, compared to 36.3% (n = 37) of the students using the 3DVL. This represented a difference of 24.4% (95% confidence interval, 17.5%–31.3%). Considering the difficult airway station, the success rates on the first intubation attempt with the 2 VLs did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 3DVL was inferior in achieving first-attempt intubation when compared with the STVL with a difference in success rate >7.5% margin in simulated scenarios with medical students. Tracheal intubation might require a set of psychomotor skills for which the McGrath MAC device is superior to the low-cost alternative.
An in vivo CRISPR screen in chick embryos reveals a role for MLLT3 in specification of neural cells from the caudal epiblast
Authors: Libby Ashley R. G , Rito Tiago , Radley Arthur , Briscoe James
Published: January 2025

Tissue development relies on the coordinated differentiation of stem cells in dynamically changing environments. The formation of the vertebrate neural tube from stem cells in the caudal lateral epiblast is a well-characterized example. Despite an understanding of the signalling pathways involved, the gene regulatory mechanisms remain poorly defined. To address this, we developed a multiplexed in vivo CRISPR screening approach in chick embryos targeting genes expressed in the caudal epiblast and neural tube. This revealed a role for MLLT3, a component of the super elongation complex, in the specification of neural fate. Perturbation of MLLT3 disrupted neural tube morphology and reduced neural fate acquisition. Mutant forms of retinoic acid receptor A lacking the MLLT3 binding domain similarly reduced neural fate acquisition. Together, these findings validate an in vivo CRISPR screen strategy in chick embryos and identify a previously unreported role for MLLT3 in caudal neural tissue specification.
Chronic bacterial infections exert metabolic costs in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Darby Andrea M. , Keith Scott A. , Kalukin Ananda A. , Lazzaro Brian P.
Published: January 2025

Bacterial infections can substantially impact host metabolic health as a result of the direct and indirect demands of sustaining an immune response and of nutrient piracy by the pathogen itself. Drosophila melanogaster and other insects that survive a sublethal bacterial infection often carry substantial pathogen burdens for the remainder of life. In this study, we asked whether these chronic infections exact metabolic costs for the host, and how these costs scale with the severity of chronic infection. We infected D. melanogaster with four bacterial species (Providencia rettgeri, Serratia marcescens, Enterococcus faecalis and Lactococcus lactis) and assayed metabolic traits in chronically infected survivors. We found that D. melanogaster carrying chronic infections were uniformly more susceptible to starvation than uninfected controls, and that sensitivity to starvation escalated with higher chronic pathogen burden. We observed some evidence for greater depletion of triglyceride and glycogen stores in D. melanogaster carrying chronic bacterial loads, although this varied among bacterial species. Chronically infected flies exhibit sustained upregulation of the immune response, which we hypothesized might contribute to the metabolic costs. Consistent with this prediction, genetic activation of the major innate immune signaling pathways depleted metabolic stores and increased starvation sensitivity even in the absence of infection. These results demonstrate that even sublethal infections can have substantial health and fitness consequences for the hosts, arising in part from pathogen-induced immune activation, and that the consequences scale quantitatively with the severity of infection.
Cytoplasmic regulation of the poly(A) tail length as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Fernandez Mercedes , Mendez Raul
Published: January 2025

Virtually all mRNAs acquire a poly(A) tail cotranscriptionally, but its length is dynamically regulated in the cytoplasm in a transcript-specific manner. The length of the poly(A) tail plays a crucial role in determining mRNA translation, stability, and localization. This dynamic regulation of poly(A) tail length is widely used to create posttranscriptional gene expression programs, allowing for precise temporal and spatial control. Dysregulation of poly(A) tail length has been linked to various diseases, including cancers, inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders, and neurological syndromes. Cytoplasmic poly(A) tail length is maintained by a dynamic equilibrium betweencis-acting elements and cognate factors that promote deadenylation or polyadenylation, enabling rapid gene expression reprogramming in response to internal and external cellular cues. While cytoplasmic deadenylation and its pathophysiological implications have been extensively studied, cytoplasmic polyadenylation and its therapeutic potential remain less explored. This review discusses the distribution, regulation, and mechanisms of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding proteins(CPEBs), highlighting their dual roles in either promoting or repressing gene expression depending on cellular context. We also explore their involvement in diseases such as tumor progression and metastasis, along with their potential as targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Αντιλήψεις εκπαιδευτικών για την επαγγελματική τους ανάπτυξη
Authors: Τζώτζου Μαρία
Published: January 2025

Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματεύεται τη διερεύνηση των αντιλήψεων των εκπαιδευτικών της δημόσιας δημοτικής εκπαίδευσης για την επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη και ενδοϋπηρεσιακή επιμόρφωση υπό το πρίσμα των προκλήσεων του 21ου αιώνα, στην εποχή της εκπαίδευσης για την παγκόσμια πολιτειότητα μέσα από μία οικοσυστημική θεώρηση. Αναδεικνύει την αδυναμία των παραδοσιακών μοντέλων επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευτικών να ανταποκριθούν στις σύγχρονες κοινωνικο-εκπαιδευτικές προκλήσεις, επιχειρώντας, μέσα από μία κριτική αναζήτηση, να συνθέσει τα θετικά και δυναμικά χαρακτηριστικά των υφιστάμενων μοντέλων για να προτείνει ένα νέο ολιστικό-μετασχηματιστικό μοντέλο λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τους σημαντικότερους παράγοντες επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευτικών στον 21ο αιώνα σύμφωνα με τη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία. Η κριτική ανασκόπηση της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας και των επίσημων εκθέσεων υπερεθνικών οργανισμών συνέβαλε στον προσδιορισμό των θεματικών διαστάσεων και των στόχων της μελέτης για τη διενέργεια έρευνας μεικτού τύπου, αξιοποιώντας την ποσοτική σε συνδυασμό με την ποιοτική ερευνητική μεθοδολογία. Για την ποσοτική διερεύνηση του θέματος χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως ερευνητικό εργαλείο ανώνυμο ερωτηματολόγιο ηλεκτρονικής μορφής ενώ η ποιοτική έρευνα διεξήχθη μέσω ατομικών ημιδομημένων συνεντεύξεων. Το δείγμα της ποσοτικής έρευνας αποτέλεσαν 290 εκπαιδευτικοί κλάδου ΠΕ70 (Δάσκαλοι) ενώ στην ποιοτική έρευνα συμμετείχαν 10 εκπαιδευτικοί κλάδου ΠΕ70 (Δάσκαλοι) που υπηρετούσαν σε δημοτικά σχολεία της Π.Ε. Αιτωλοακαρνανίας κατά το σχολικό έτος 2021-2022. Η συνθετική συγκριτική ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων της εμπειρικής έρευνας μεικτού τύπου καταδεικνύει την ανάγκη για μία ολιστική αναθεώρηση του σχεδιασμού και της υλοποίησης της ενδοϋπηρεσιακής επιμόρφωσης ώστε να δοθεί έμφαση σε μία δια βίου αναστοχαστική και μετασχηματιστική διαδικασία επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευτικών στον 21ο αιώνα, με γνώμονα τον μετασχηματισμό του ρόλου, των αντιλήψεων και των πρακτικών τους, σε μία εποχή ραγδαίων μετασχηματισμών σε κοινωνία και εκπαίδευση. Καταγράφεται εμφατικά η αναγκαιότητα για επικαιροποίηση της στοχοθεσίας και του περιεχόμενου της ενδοϋπηρεσιακής επιμόρφωσης σε άμεση συνάφεια με τις σύγχρονες κοινωνικο-εκπαιδευτικές προκλήσεις, καθώς επίσης η ανάγκη αξιοποίησης της τεχνικής του αναστοχασμού, ως εργαλείου ατομικής και συλλογικής επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης, μέσα από τη βιωματική σύνδεση της θεωρίας με την πράξη και την ενεργητική εμπλοκή των εκπαιδευτικών ως στοχαζόμενων επαγγελματιών σε όλες τις φάσεις της επιμόρφωσης σε ένα αποκεντρωμένο πλαίσιο. Με βάση τα ευρήματα, διατυπώνονται συμπεράσματα και προτάσεις επί του θεωρητικού πλαισίου της επαγγελματικής ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευτικών, επί του σχεδιασμού και της υλοποίησης της ενδοϋπηρεσιακής επιμόρφωσης, καθώς επίσης για μελλοντική έρευνα.
Ο θεσμός της έμπρακτης μετάνοιας και η σχέση του με τη συνδιαλλαγή και την ικανοποίηση του παθόντος στην ελληνική έννομη τάξη
Authors: Σκλαβόλια Ευαγγελία
Published: January 2025

Η παρούσα εργασία πραγματεύεται το θεσμό της έμπρακτης μετάνοιας, όπως αυτός έχει διαμορφωθεί διαχρονικά μέσα από την ποινική θεωρία και τις αποφάσεις των ελληνικών δικαστηρίων. Έμπρακτη μετάνοια είναι η εκ μέρους του δράστη οικειοθελής επανόρθωση της βλάβης που προκάλεσε δια της αξιόποινης πράξης του στα έννομα αγαθά, η οποία σηματοδοτεί την ψυχική μεταστροφή του απέναντι στο έγκλημα και την επάνοδό του στο δρόμο της νομιμότητας. Η συγγραφέας εξετάζει ζητήματα που έχουν απασχολήσει την επιστήμη, όπως είναι ο δικαιολογητικός λόγος των ευεργετικών αποτελεσμάτων της έμπρακτης μετάνοιας, η νομική φύση του θεσμού, τα εγκλήματα για τα οποία αυτός προβλέπεται, οι ειδικότερες προϋποθέσεις εφαρμογής του και οι σχετικές δικονομικές προεκτάσεις. Περαιτέρω προβαίνει σε μια συγκριτική μελέτη της έννοιας της «μετάνοιας», όπως αυτή συναντάται στις διατάξεις που εισάγουν τον υπό έρευνα θεσμό, με συγγενείς έννοιες, όπως είναι η ελαφρυντική περίσταση της ειλικρινούς μεταμέλειας κατ’ άρθρ.84 παρ.2 εδ.δ΄ ΠΚ, η μετάνοια ως στοιχείο επιμέτρησης της ποινής κατ’ άρθρ.79 παρ.3 στοιχ.στ΄ ΠΚ και η ειλικρινής μετάνοια του άρθρ.104Β παρ.1 στοιχ.β΄ ΠΚ. Εν συνεχεία, το παρόν πόνημα εξετάζει τη σχέση της έμπρακτης μετάνοιας με το δικονομικό θεσμό της ποινικής συνδιαλλαγής και με την ουσιαστικού ποινικού δικαίου ικανοποίηση του παθόντος. Εκκινώντας από τις απαρχές των ανωτέρω θεσμών και φθάνοντας στο σήμερα, η συγγραφέας προβαίνει στην ανάλυση των σχετικών διατάξεων και αναζητά τη θέση που μπορεί να διεκδικήσει στο ισχύον ποινικό καθεστώς η έμπρακτη μετάνοια, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τόσο τις διευρυμένες δυνατότητες που προσφέρονται σήμερα στο δράστη αξιόποινης πράξης όσο και την εν γένει αλλαγή του χαρακτήρα του περιουσιακού ποινικού δικαίου. Η εργασία ολοκληρώνεται με την παρουσίαση των συμπερασματικών παρατηρήσεων της συγγραφέως και με την διατύπωση συγκεκριμένων προτάσεων, οι οποίες σκοπούν στη διόρθωση νομοθετικών αστοχιών και στην εναρμόνιση των διατάξεων του ουσιαστικού με αυτές του δικονομικού ποινικού δικαίου.
Η συμβολή του Γεωργίου Φραγκούδη στην κοινωνική και πολιτική ζωή της Ελλάδας
Authors: Κατράνης Αριστείδης
Published: January 2025

Η ανά χείρας διδακτορική διατριβή παρουσιάζει το έργο και την ζωή του Γεωργίου Φραγκούδη, ο οποίος υπήρξε ο ένας εκ των δύο ιδρυτών της Παντείου Ανωτάτης Σχολής Πολιτικών Επιστημών, ενός άνδρα με πολλές ιδιότητες και ιδιαιτέρως ενδιαφέρουσα προσωπικότητα. Ο Κύπριος Γεώργιος Φραγκούδης ήταν δημοσιολόγος, δικηγόρος, συγγραφέας ταξιδιωτικών και ιστορικών βιβλίων, πολιτικών δοκιμίων και μεταφραστής, συντάκτης κυπριακού συντάγματος, δημοσιογράφος και εκδότης εφημερίδων, διοργανωτής της Πρώτης Εκθέσεως για την Κύπρο στην Αθήνα και των Πανελληνίων Αγώνων, ρήτορας και πολιτικός, μέλος της Δ΄ Συντακτικής Συνέλευσης της Ελλάδος και μέλος της συντακτικής επιτροπής του Ελληνικού Συντάγματος του 1925 και τέλος ιδρυτής της Παντείου Ανωτάτης Σχολής Πολιτικών Επιστημών, του κυκνείου άσματος, με το οποίο πραγματοποίησε το όνειρό του να συμβάλει στην εξύψωση του επιπέδου της πολιτικής ζωής στην Ελλάδα. Και ακόμη πρωτεργάτης του ενωτικού κινήματος στην Κύπρο και αργότερα υποστηρικτής της αυτονομίας, υποστηρικτής του Βενιζέλου στο κίνημα της Θεσσαλονίκης και αυστηρός κριτής του σε όλες του τις πολιτικές επιλογές, με ισχυρό ένστικτο επιβίωσης και απίστευτη προσαρμοστικότητα, επινοητικός και ακούραστος, γεννημένος συγγραφέας, περιηγητής και άνθρωπος της δράσης, ανυποχώρητος στις απόψεις του χωρίς να υπολογίζει τις συνέπειες, ο Φραγκούδης υπήρξε μια προσωπικότητα που κατάφερε χωρίς υλική βάση να παίξει ένα σημαντικό ρόλο στην δημόσια ζωή της Ελλάδας και τελικώς να δημιουργήσει ένα ανώτατο εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα, το οποίο εισήγαγε την μελέτη των πολιτικών και κοινωνικών επιστημών στην Ελλάδα και απετέλεσε το βήμα πολλών σημαντικών επιστημόνων της εποχής του Μεσοπολέμου. Η ίδρυση της Παντείου Ανωτάτης Σχολής προσέφερε ένα στοργικό πλαίσιο σε επιστήμονες, οι οποίοι δεν θα είχαν βρει πουθενά αλλού επιστημονική στέγη και θα είχαν μείνει στο εξωτερικό, έδωσε επιστημονικά εφόδια σε μεγάλο αριθμό Ελλήνων και Ελληνίδων και προσέφερε ανθρώπινο κατηρτισμένο δυναμικό σε όλους τους κλάδους της δημόσιας διοίκησης από το 1930 έως σήμερα.
Conditioning factors for the scientific productivity of undergraduate students of health sciences at a private Peruvian University: A cross-sectional analytical study
Authors: Bonilla-Asalde César Antonio , Rivera-Lozada Isabel Cristina , Rivera-Lozada Oriana
Published: January 2025

Background The objective of this study was to determine the conditioning factors for scientific research productivity in university students of health sciences. Scientific productivity, in addition to making visible the generation of new knowledge, contributes to the well-being of the population and provides feedback to the scientific community in terms of methodologies, perspectives and results that help to break down barriers that delimit productivity in scientific research. Methods A cross-sectional analytical observational study was conducted. The study population was 4104 students enrolled during the 2021-I semester in the Faculty of Health Sciences of a private Peruvian university. A sample size of 400 students was determined and a stratified probability sampling was used. The variables were measured through surveys. The dependent variable was scientific research productivity, and the independent variables were institutional culture, knowledge management and technological capital. Summary measures are reported according to the type of variable. The chi-square test with a significance level of p<0.05 was applied to assess the association between the variables of interest. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using the Stepwise method. Prevalence ratios (PR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Results From the total of 400 students, 74.5% were male, 57.25% were aged between 18 and 27 years, 17% belonged to the school of human medicine and 72% were in their sixth year of studies. Scientific research productivity was associated with management commitment (PR=1.493; 95%CI: 1.077–2.068, p=0.015), sense of personal growth (PR=1.632; 95%CI: 1.041–2.558; p=0.024), recognition by the university (PR=1.385; 95%CI: 1.012–1.896; p=0.043), strategic alliances (PR=1.422; 95%CI: 1.032–1.959; p=0. 03), having research proposals (PR=1.522; 95%CI: 1.114–2.08; p=0.009), dissemination of results obtained (PR=1.542; 95%CI: 1.12–2.122; p=0.01), availability of human resources (PR=1.591; 95%CI: 1.165–2.173; p=0.004), access to equipment and software (PR=1.482; 95%CI: 1.061–2.069; p=0.018) and to laboratories (PR=1.438; 95%CI: 1.047–1.974; p=0.024). Conclusion It is concluded that the research productivity of undergraduate students of health sciences is low. It is imperative to strengthen the university research culture that empowers students as agents of change and strengthens faculty participation in scientific networks and communities.
An Open Letter on Advancing HIV prevention: Augmenting an ecosystem-based approach to understand prevention decision-making
Authors: Gantayat Nishan , Baer James , Gangaramany Alok , Pierce-Messick Rosemary
Published: January 2025

In the last two decades, HIV programs have been able to avert millions of AIDS-related deaths and reduce HIV incidence. However, the 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2022 remain significantly above the UNAIDS target of fewer than 370,000 new infections by 2025. HIV programs worldwide also did not achieve the UN’s 90-90-90 target for testing and treatment set for 2020. Within this broader picture, HIV continues to disproportionately affect key and at-risk populations, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and adolescent girls and young women. As HIV incidence declines and biomedical advances continue, it will become critical for public-health practitioners to reach key and at-risk populations with prevention services and limit primary transmission. In this Open Letter, we focus on factors that influence uptake of HIV prevention products and thereby demand for HIV prevention products and services. These factors exist at three levels of the decision-making ecosystem – the individual level, interaction level and systemic level. We argue that approaching HIV prevention solely through the lens of these levels creates a static view of prevention decision-making. There is a need instead for a dynamic viewpoint that can mirror the changing contexts in which users find themselves and make prevention decisions. We demonstrate that the current ecosystem viewpoint is useful to understand the gaps that exist in program implementation, but does not provide adequate insights into the underlying behaviors that contribute to these gaps. To address this, we suggest an approach to include dynamic aspects of decision-making with factors that influence the individual’s assessment of risk, their evaluation of the opportunities to use HIV prevention, and their effective use of prevention products.
Mechanisms through which exercise reduces symptom severity and/or functional impairment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Protocol for a living systematic review of human and non-human studies
Authors: Wright Simonne , Furukawa Toshi A. , Macleod Malcolm , Simple Ouma , Elugbadebo Olufisayo , Chiocchia Virginia , Friedrich Claire , Ostinelli Edoardo G. , Potts Jennifer , Ramage Fiona J. , Siafis Spyridon , Stainsfield Claire , Tinsdeall Francesca , Thomas James , Cipriani Andrea , Salanti Georgia , Seedat Soraya ,   the GALENOS team
Published: January 2025

Background Exercise can play an important role in reducing symptom severity and improving functional impairment in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the precise mechanisms underpinning the effect of exercise in PTSD management are not fully understood. This living systematic review aims to synthesize and triangulate the evidence from non-human and human studies to gain insight into the biopsychosocial mechanisms through which exercise reduces symptom severity and functional impairment. Methods Independent searches will be conducted in electronic databases to identify eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently conduct the study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. We will extract outcome data and variables that can act as effect modifiers or as mediators of the effect of exercise. For the non-human studies, outcome data will include the non-human equivalents of PTSD symptom clusters. For human studies, the primary outcome will be PTSD symptom severity. The secondary outcomes will be avoidance symptom severity, reexperiencing symptom severity, hyperarousal symptom severity, negative cognitions and mood severity, functional impairment, loss of PTSD diagnosis, and dropout rates. To explain the biopsychosocial mechanisms through which exercise affects the outcome of interest, we will extract effects that relate to the impact of exercise on potential mediating variables and the effect of the later outcomes. Comparison of within-study direct and indirect effects obtained from mediation analysis, when reported, will provide insight into the importance of the examined mediator. If appropriate, we will synthesize study results using meta-analyses. We will examine potential effect modifiers of the total exercise effect to understand better the impact of exercise on PTSD symptoms and function impairment (when possible). The evidence about the potential mediators of the association between exercise and PTSD-related outcomes will be considered in a consensus meeting when sufficient evidence is available. Protocol registration PROSPERO-ID: 453615
Psychedelics as moral bioenhancers: Protocol for a scoping review of ethical arguments for and against
Authors: Streicher Samuel , Register Christopher , Lim Xiu , Barış Maide , Porsdam Mann Sebastian , Cheung Katherine , Gordon Emma C , Yaden David , Savulescu Julian , Earp Brian D.
Published: January 2025

Background Moral bioenhancement typically refers to the deliberate use of drugs or biotechnologies, potentially alongside other practices, to attempt to improve oneself morally. In addition to general concerns regarding moral self-bioenhancement, the possibility of using psychedelic substances for such purposes raises distinct ethical questions. As a first step in analysing these questions, we intend to perform a scoping review of the existing arguments for and against the use of psychedelics as moral bioenhancers. We will focus primarily on voluntary use by individuals, although voluntary use by couples or small groups will be considered. The present contribution is a protocol for this scoping review. Methods Our scoping review will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, which involves five stages: (1) identifying the research question, (2) developing the search strategy, (3) setting inclusion criteria, (4) extracting data, and (5) presenting and analysing the results. We will include both published and unpublished sources if they explicitly present ethical arguments for or against the voluntary use of psychedelics as intentional moral bioenhancers in adults. We will search for relevant studies in Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, The National Library of Medicine, the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Philosopher’s Index, the Bioethics Literature Database, EthxWeb, PhilPapers, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Philosopher’s Index, EBSCO, BASE, and WorldCat. Sources will be excluded if (a) the full text is inaccessible, (b) the main text is in a language other than English, or (c) the focus is not primarily on ethical arguments (for example, focusing primarily on the clinical use of psychedelics for treatment). Two raters will independently assess all articles for eligibility, with disagreements to be resolved with a third reviewer. Data from eligible articles will be charted using a standardised data extraction form. The data will be analysed following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Three Ballots and the War. Russian Policy of Accomplished Facts in Ukraine
Authors: Boćkowski Daniel
Published: January 2025

The goal of this research paper is to discuss how the actions carried out by the USSR during the Second World War on the territories of the Second Polish Republic, seized after the aggression of 17 September 1939, intertwined with the policy of accomplished facts conducted today by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as illustrated by ballots and referendums organised to provide the Kremlin with “legal grounds” for the annexation of occupied territories of a sovereign state.
Adalimumab-induced optic neuropathy in a patient with Behçet’s syndrome
Authors: Miranda Sofia , Calado Daniel , Rua Joana , Salvador Fernando
Published: January 2025

A 37-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Behçet’s syndrome, treated with colchicine and prednisolone, maintained low disease activity for a period of 10 years, after which, she developed a new episode of anterior uveitis. A cycle of high dose systemic corticosteroids was required but the patient presented with a new flare during dose tapering. A decision to initiate a corticosteroid-sparing agent was then made, with an initially satisfactory response. However, 3 months later the ocular symptoms recurred, and a new bout of oral ulceration appeared concurrently. As a result, adalimumab was then started, but the patient presented with a sudden and severe decrease of visual acuity in her right eye 4 months later. The initial bloodwork showed no elevated inflammatory markers. A lumbar puncture showed a normal cerebrospinal fluid composition. Although these findings made it less probable that the patient’s symptoms were caused by infectious or autoimmune disease, extensive investigations directed at these possible causes were performed, with negative results. Several imaging tests were also performed, which showed no alterations. However, a sensory evoked potentials test revealed a functional compromise at the pre-chiasmatic level. An iatrogenic optic neuropathy induced by adalimumab seemed the most probable cause and a decision to suspend the treatment was made. A new cycle of high dose systemic corticosteroids consisting of three pulses of methylprednisolone followed by pred-nisolone with a quick tapering over 4 weeks was also started, with gradual improvement of visual acuity.
Multimodal Reading Strategies in Native and Advanced L2 Korean Speakers: An Eye-Tracking Study of Text, Image, and Auditory Integration
Authors: Lim Wooyeol
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of auditory input, specifically within the Reading While Listening (RWL) framework, on the comprehension of multimodal texts among native Korean speakers (L1) and advanced Korean learners (L2). Additionally, it explores differential reading strategies and the influence of working memory (WM) capacity on the processing of multimodal content.Methods: Eye-tracking technology was utilized to examine the eye movement patterns of 28 participants (14 L1, 14 L2) as they engaged with multimodal texts consisting of written, visual, and auditory components. Key metrics— including dwell time, fixation count, and saccadic movements—were analyzed to gain insights into the cognitive processing behaviors of both groups. Furthermore, WM capacity was assessed to determine its effect on the adoption of specific reading strategies. Results: The findings revealed that both L1 and L2 learners predominantly focused on textual rather than visual information, with L2 participants exhibiting significantly higher fixation counts and longer fixation durations, indicative of elevated cognitive load. In terms of strategy use, L2 learners relied more on localized, compensatory strategies (e.g., keywordtriggered switching), whereas L1 participants more frequently employed integrative strategies such as content integration reading. Conclusion: The results suggest that while auditory input in RWL contexts can facilitate multimodal comprehension, it does not fully alleviate the heightened cognitive demands observed among L2 learners. Instructional approaches aiming to address these challenges may benefit from incorporating explicit strategy training and considering learners’ WM capacity to optimize multimodal reading outcomes.
Experiences and Perceptions of Adults with Single-Sided Deafness Before and After Cochlear Implantation: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Views
Authors: Jang Seong-Jin , Chun Young-Myoung , Lee Youngmee
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) before and after cochlear implantation, with a focus on the impacts on communication, physical and mental health, and social participation. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews with five adults who received a cochlear implant for SSD. The participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data were analyzed through Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Results: The findings revealed that before cochlear implantation, participants experienced significant communication difficulties, a decline in physical and mental health, and social participation limitations. These challenges included difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments, physical imbalance, anxiety, and reduced social interactions. Post-implantation, participants reported improvements in communication, as well as physical and mental health, and social participation. However, some participants noted limitations in the sound quality provided by the cochlear implant. Conclusion: Cochlear implantation substantially enhances the quality of life for adults with SSD by improving communication abilities, physical and mental well-being, and social engagement. Nonetheless, the study also highlights the need for ongoing support to address the limitations in sound quality and the associated psychological impacts.
Pause Characteristics by Utterance Position in Patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia Subtypes
Authors: Kim Hyun Soo , Kim Deog Young , Ye Byoung Seok , Kim Hyang Hee
Published: January 2025

Objectives: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by prominent language impairments within the first two years of onset. PPA is clinically categorized into three subtypes: semantic variant (svPPA), logopenic variant (lvPPA), and non-fluent/agrammatic variant (nfvPPA). Pauses that occur during speech production in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) can serve as simple and reliable biomarkers for subtype classification and early diagnosis of PPA. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pauses in PPA subtypes during a picture description task. Methods: The study included a total of 60 participants: 9 with semantic variant (svPPA), 19 with logopenic variant (lvPPA), 11 with nonfluent variant (nfvPPA), and 21 healthy controls. After transcribing the participants’ speech, their pause durations were measured using the acoustic analysis program, Praat. Pauses were categorized as inter-utterance, intra-utterance, inter-word, and intra-word pauses. Results: Among the three types of PPA, the nfvPPA manifested slower speech rates and longer pauses between utterances compared to the svPPA and lvPPA. Furthermore, the lvPPA showed longer pauses between words within utterances compared to the svPPA. Conclusion: This study found that speech rate and pause durations differed by subtype, with the nfvPPA showing effortful speech due to increased articulatory complexity, which is attributed to neuroanatomical insult. The lvPPA may utilize pauses to compensate for word retrieval deficits during speech production. This study is significant as it provides pause characteristics in speech across different PPA subtypes via acoustic analysis.
Information Retrieval Performance on Story Recall in Normal Aging
Authors: Park Yu-Min , Cho Yoo-Jung , Kim Nayeon , Lee Jiho , Park Ki-Su , Yoon Janghyeok , Ha Ji-Wan
Published: January 2025

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine whether stimulus modality, age group, and time of performance differed in story recall performance in normal aging. Methods: Seventy-three healthy older adults were divided into two groups, 65-74 years old and 75+ years old, and randomly assigned to an auditory condition and an audiovisual condition to perform a story recall task. For each independent variable, event sequencing scores and total number of information units (IUs) were compared, and information-finding behaviors were categorized into reformulation, repetition, filler, and insertion in order to compare the frequency of production by type of information-finding behavior.Results: First, there was no significant difference between groups in event sequencing score according to modalities, age, and time interval. Second, there was no significant difference between groups in the total number of IUs according to modalities, age, and time interval, but all groups performed better on average in the second trials than in the first. Third, the frequencies of all types of information-finding behaviors decreased in the second trials compared to the first, and there was a significant difference between time intervals, especially in fillers and insertions. Conclusion: This study provides meaningful information about variables that should be considered when establishing norms for story recall assessment.
Linguistic, Reading and Phonological Processing Factors Predicting Writing Composition in School-aged Children
Authors: Yoon Hyojin
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study aimed to explore how linguistic reading, and phonological processing skills contribute to writing composition in school-aged children. Understanding the key predictors of writing performance can provide valuable insights into the complex linguistic and cognitive processes involved in writing development. Methods: A total of 115 children from 2nd to 6th grade participated, all scoring at or above 80 on a nonverbal intelligence test. Writing composition was assessed using the K-CELF-5 writing test. Linguistic measures were evaluated through receptive vocabulary REVT, sentence repetition, and sentence assembly from the K-CELF-5. Reading abilities included word decoding, passage reading fluency and reading comprehension of the KOLRA. Phonological processing skills were assessed using the tasks that evaluated phonological awareness, rapid naming, and nonword repetition from the KOLRA. Pearson correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship and predictive power of these variables on writing composition. Results: Writing composition was significantly correlated with all linguistic, reading and phonological processing variables, except nonword repetition. Stronger correlations were found with linguistic variables, while phonological awareness and word decoding showed relatively weaker correlations. The three significant predictors of writing composition were syntactic awareness, which was the strongest predictor followed by rapid naming and receptive vocabulary. Conclusion: The finding suggest that syntactic awareness, receptive vocabulary, and rapid naming all play crucial roles in writing composition for school-aged children. This highlights the importance of both linguistic knowledge and phonological efficiency, emphasizing the complexity of writing, which requires a combination of linguistic and phonological processing skills.
Exploring the Communication Experiences of Hearing-Impaired College Students
Authors: Im Myung Soon , Park Hyun Ju
Published: January 2025

Objectives: The studies on hearing-impaired college students in Korea tend to focus on sign language and deaf culture, however studies exploring the communication experiences or communication strategies of students who communicate using spoken language are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to deeply understand their communication experiences and obtain practical information for improving communication services by exploring the meaning and essence of the communication experiences of hearing-impaired college students who use spoken language. Methods: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with six hearing-impaired college students, and data was organized and analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological methodology. The statements extracted during the categorization process were continuously compared, and the analysis and interpretation were repeated, following a cyclical flow of qualitative research. Results: 13 subthemes and 4 themes were categorized into ‘Limitations in communication accessibility’, ‘Positive communication experiences’, ‘Communication characteristics: Loose connection’, and ‘Communication recovery strategies’. And the final category was ‘Communication experiences: Continuation of ceaseless efforts’. Conclusion: The hearing-impaired college students who participated in this study experienced limitations in environmental and physical communication accessibility. Nevertheless, it was confirmed that they positively overcame the communication difficulties caused by hearing impairment through continuous efforts and social communication supports. Based on the results of this study, important factors to consider for smooth communication of hearing-impaired college students and future services were discussed.
The Impact of Morphological Processing-Based Predicate Inflection Intervention on Spelling Accuracy in School-aged Children with Borderline Intellectual Functioning
Authors: Song Hyun Kyung , Chung Bhuja
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a morphological processing-based intervention on spelling accuracy in children with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF). Specifically, the intervention focused on facilitating the acquisition and application of predicate inflection rules to enhance spelling accuracy. Methods: Participants included three third-grade students with BIF who met specified selection criteria. A multipleprobe design across participants was employed, encompassing baseline and pre-tests (3 sessions), an intervention phase (12 sessions, including 4 sessions for generalization test), a follow-up test (1 session), and maintenance test (3 sessions). Dependent variables included spelling accuracy and error types. The intervention program was structured with visual aids and contextual examples to provide explicit instruction and guided practice in predicate inflection rules. Results: The morphological processing-based intervention produced significant improvements in spelling accuracy and reductions in spelling errors among the BIF students. Additionally, the intervention demonstrated generalization effects, with students successfully applying learned rules to untrained predicates. Enhanced spelling skills were also maintained in the follow-up phase, indicating the lasting impact of the intervention. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of morphological processing-based interventions as an effective approach to improve spelling skills in children with BIF, as evidenced by observed performance gains. Further investigation is needed to assess the intervention’s long-term efficacy and applicability across diverse educational contexts and populations.
Gamma-ray irradiation alters the morphology, anatomy and agronomic characters of the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) bison cultivar in M1 generation
Authors: NILAHAYATI NILAHAYATI , HANDAYANI RD. SELVY , NAZIMAH NAZIMAH , NENI NENI , SAPUTRA DIMAS
Published: January 2025

Abstract. Nilahayati, Handayani RS, Nazimah, Neni, Saputra D. 2024. Gamma-ray irradiation alters the morphology, anatomy and agronomic characters of the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) bison cultivar in M1 generation. Biodiversitas 25: 4179-4189. Groundnut is the world's most important agricultural commodity, serving as a major source of protein and vegetable oil. Enhancing the genetic diversity of groundnuts is essential for improving yield, early maturity and environmental resistance such as drought tolerance. This study aims to determine the effect of gamma irradiation on the morphological and agronomic diversity of bison groundnut cultivar in the M1 generation. Gamma irradiation was carried out at the Radiation Process Technology Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Jakarta. This research was designed using a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design. The dose of gamma irradiation was 0 Gray (Gy), 100 Gy, 200 Gy, and 300 Gy, with three replications. Consequently, there were a total of 12 experimental units. We generated 600 groundnut plants in total. The observed variables included morphological diversity such as variation in leaf, stem, seed color and seed shape. The agronomic variability was recorded to the seed growth percentage, plant height, number of branches, flowering age, harvesting age, number of pods, number of empty pods, dry pod weight per plant, dry seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight per plot, dry seed weight per plot, length, width, and number of leaf stomata. The results showed that gamma irradiation treatment induced morphological and agronomic changes in the bison groundnut cultivar. Morphological changes included alterations in leaf color, pod shape, and seed coat color. Higher doses of gamma irradiation can negatively impact certain agronomic traits such as plant height and yield, beginning at 200 Gy, but at 100 Gy all parameters slightly increased. Higher dose of gamma irradiation also delayed the flowering and harvesting time. Further studies are also needed to evaluate the heritability of these traits in the M2 generation to ensure the stability of desirable traits.