bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescent vaccination in Nigeria: the what, why and who
Authors: Sadoh Ayebo Evawere , Bisi-Onyemaechi Adaobi Ijeoma
Published: February 2025

Adolescents are individuals aged 10 – 19 years. Having survived vaccine-preventable childhood diseases some of them remain susceptible because they either did not receive or did not complete their childhood immunization schedule. They also become exposed to other vaccine-preventable organisms such as human papillomavirus. Adolescent immunization is thus an important strategy to consolidate on the gains of childhood survival programmes while ensuring that the adolescent reaches adulthood healthy and protected from vaccine preventable diseases. This article discusses the status of adolescent immunization in Nigeria, explores reasons for the status-quo, provides reasons for the consideration of an adolescent immunization programme and suggests possible vaccines for inclusion as well as possible strategies for implementing the programme.
Emerging research and publication concerns
Authors: Eley BS
Published: February 2025

Honesty, transparency, and adherence to high ethical standards are essential to guide the development and execution of research projects.1 Breaches in research integrity as well as scientific misconduct are periodically reported. In one recent incident, evidence of apparent image tampering was identified in a research paper by Lesné, et al. that had been published in Nature in 2006. This paper described findings that addressed the relationship between amyloid beta-protein and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, this paper provided support for the amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease.2 Extended investigation of this incident revealed possible data tampering concerns in more than 20 papers authored by Lesnè.3 This incident remains under investigation.
Ralstonia Mannitolilytica: An increasingly recognized healthcare-associated pathogen
Authors: Namushi Jombo , Tootla Hafsah , Eley Brian
Published: February 2025

Ralstonia species are more frequently being recognised as causative agents of serious healthcare-associated infection especially among immunocompromised individuals. Ralstonia species are environmental, non-fermenting, aerobic, Gram-negative bacilli typically found in water and soil. Ralstonia mannitolilytica, Ralstonia pickettii and Ralstonia insidiosa have been responsible for human infections such as bacteraemia and bone infection. Central nervous system infection and infection in immune competent individuals are uncommon. We report a case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection and meningitis caused by R. mannitolilytica in an immune competent 11-month-old female.
Blood cultures in paediatrics: a narrative review
Authors: Bamford Colleen , Dowling Wentzel , Harrison Michael , Lochan Harsha , Tootla Hafsah Deepa
Published: February 2025

Blood culture is one of the most important investigations to detect bloodstream infection, but in children, blood cultures are often omitted or poorly collected. This review outlines the procedural flow for blood cultures in paediatrics including the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases, bearing in mind the differing contexts and resources available across Africa. The aim is to discuss clinical practicalities and laboratory logistics of blood culture samples, and to provide a summary of recommendations to assist with maximising the potential benefit of blood cultures. Key recommendations include collecting the maximum recommended volume of blood according to age or weight-based guidelines, optimising laboratory processes to facilitate the quickest identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods feasible in local settings and ensuring prompt communication and discussion of results with clinicians in order to benefit patient management and antimicrobial stewardship. Microbiologistics, a new term referring to all possible improvements in the logistic chain from sampling to reporting of blood cultures, is also important.
Comparison of Integral Equation Formulations for Stokesian Particulate Flow Simulations
Authors: Kabacaoğlu Gökberk
Published: February 2025

Particulate Stokesian flows describe the hydrodynamics of rigid or deformable particles within Stokes flows, where viscous forces dominate over inertial effects. These flows are characterized by highly nonlinear fluid-structure interactions, moving interfaces, and multiple spatial and temporal scales, making numerical simulations both complex and computationally expensive. Accurately capturing these interactions requires sophisticated numerical approaches. The boundary integral equation method (BIEM) is a powerful tool for modeling such flows, as it reduces computational complexity by limiting the discretization to the immersed particle boundaries rather than the entire flow domain. This efficiency makes BIEM particularly suitable for studying systems with many particles or complex boundary geometries. In this work, we explore two fundamental BIEM formulations for Stokesian flows involving rigid particles: the first-kind and second-kind integral equations. These formulations differ in their mathematical structure and computational properties, impacting their stability, accuracy, and overall performance. By comparing these two approaches, we aim to highlight their respective advantages and limitations, providing insights into their applicability to different particulate flow scenarios. This analysis contributes to the broader understanding of numerical methods for Stokesian flows, addressing challenges inherent to fluid-structure interactions and advancing computational techniques in this field.
Stentectomy following percutaneous coronary intervention complicated by perforation of distal anastomosis after previous coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Barbukhatti K.O. , Belash S.A. , Shumkov D.I. , Sapunov V.A. , Porhanov V.A.
Published: February 2025

The incidence of coronary artery perforations after stenting is 0.1—0.71%. Subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting for the treatment of complication is described in a few reports. This approach is characterized by high mortality due to cardiac tamponade and perioperative myocardial infarction. In this case, the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting of 3 coronary arteries. Thrombosis of venous graft to obtuse marginal artery occurred within several hours after surgery. This required percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. However, coronary artery perforation near anastomosis with venous graft occurred immediately after stenting. In this article, we present successful emergency stentectomy followed by coronary artery bypass grafting of obtuse marginal artery.
Ascending aortic dilation after aortic valve replacement depending on phenotype of bicuspid aortic valve in patients with borderline dilation of ascending aorta
Authors: Filippov A.A. , Shcherbinin T.S. , Kim G.I. , Zavarzina D.G. , Ryadinskii M.E. , Tolpygin D.S. , Malashicheva A.B. , Gordeev M.L.
Published: February 2025

Objective. To analyze ascending aorta dilation depending on phenotypes of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) within 12 months after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Material and methods. A study with two parallel groups included 79 patients with BAV and dilation of the ascending aorta to 45—50 mm who underwent AVR between January 2018 and June 2022. The 1st group (BAV-AP) included 46 patients with anteroposterior orientation of leaflets (RL phenotype and true BAV), the 2nd group (BAV-RL) — 33 patients with right-left orientation of leaflets (RN phenotype, LN phenotype and true BAV with coronary arteries arising from different sinuses of Valsalva). In preoperative and follow-up period (12 months after surgery), all patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography to assess diameter of the ascending aorta. Results. In the 1st group, diameter of the ascending aorta increased in 13 (39.4%) patients by 0.72 mm (p=0.001) and by 0.39 mm in 6 (13.0%) patients in the 2nd group (p=0.013). There was no significant dilatation of sinuses of Valsalva in both groups. Conclusion. Ascending aorta dilation after AVR was observed in patients with BAV-AP and BAV-RL phenotypes. There was slightly faster enlargement of ascending aorta in many patients with BAV-RL phenotype.
Many different kinds of love: A story of life, death and the NHS by Michael Rosen
Authors: Burger Elma
Published: February 2025

The book describes the authors journey from first being diagnosed with Covid, admission into hospital, battling the illness and the long road to recovery or as Mr Rosen puts it "continuous recovering". He told the Guardian newspaper in March 2021 that: 'This book is about what it feels like to nearly die'. He also described the lasting battles he still has with the disease
Knowledge and perception of occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the use of constraint-induced movement therapy for stroke rehabilitation in South Africa.
Authors: Mbuyisa Velisiwe Zodwa , Ogunlana Michael Opeoluwa , Ndaba Nonjabulo , Govender Pragashnie
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Rehabilitation therapists are expected to manage upper extremitiy difficculties following stroke by using effective treatment approaches.  Constrant-induced Movement `Therapy (CIMT) facilitates upper extremity functional recovery in patients after stroke.  However, in South Africa, its application is not well document.
Aim: To assess and compare the knowledge and perception of occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the use of CIMT for stroke rehabilitation in South Africa.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design using a self-administered online questionnaire was distributed via the two professional associations.  Data were analysed descriptively and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to make inferences. 
Results: Of the 108 respondents, 49.1% (n=53) were occupational therapists, and 50.9% (n=59) were physiotherapists.  A higher level of education (p=0.037) and working specifically with stroke patients (p=0.050) are significantly associated with better CIMT knowledge and perception.  The profession of the participants was not significatly associated with their knowledge and perception of CIMT.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates gaps in the knowledge of CIMT as a treatment technique for upper extremity impairment following stroke.  Although most respondents were  aware of CIMT, improved guidance and knowledge of CIMT are required to remediate knowledge gaps.  This may assist in improving the feasibility of CIMT and thus promote its clinical application, given the prevalence of upper extremity impairment in stroke patients managed by therapists.
Potential Oil Recovery from Kansas Oil Shales
Authors: Schlinsog Dale G. , Angino Ernest E.
Published: February 2025

Dark organic-rich shales are present throughout much of the stratigraphic column of Kansas. Some of these shales yield considerable amounts of shale oil when assayed. One hundred forty samples from 37 shale units were tested for potential oil recovery. Fischer assay results indicate yields ranging from trace amounts to 23.3 gallons of oil per ton of shale.
Differences in oil recovery are directly related to the type and amount of organic matter within a shale. Vitrinite is the dominant maceral in the Upper Cretaceous and Pennsylvanian dark shales tested. The Lower Permian and Upper Ordovician shales are essentially devoid of any organic material. The Devonian-Mississippian Chattanooga Shale contains equally small amounts of phytoplankton and vitrinite.
Seven potentially economic, low-grade mixed oil shales are present in the Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian strata of eastern Kansas: the "V", Excello, Little Osage, Anna, Tacket Formation, Eudora, and Heebner shales. If shale oil, phosphate, uranium, and mineable coals were extracted concurrently from these units, extraction costs would be reduced and an economic window for potential exploitation of these oil shales might be formed.
Geohydrology of Southwestern Kansas
Authors: Gutentag Edwin D. , Lobmeyer David H. , Slagle Steven E.
Published: February 2025

The study area includes about 8,900 square miles in 11 counties of southwestern Kansas. This is one of the principal areas of ground-water development for irrigation in the State. The area is flat to gently rolling and is drained by the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers. Mean annual precipitation at Sublette is 19.45 inches.
Consolidated rocks underlie the area in a broad northeast-trending syncline. This structure is bounded by major faults on the northwest and southeast. The surface of the bedrock, which maybe on Permian, Jurassic, or Cretaceous rocks, defines the lower limit of the principal aquifer in the unconsolidated deposits.
Minor amounts of water for irrigation use are available from gypsum in Upper Permian rocks, sandstones in Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous rocks, and chalk in Upper Cretaceous rocks. The principal sources of water used for irrigation are the sand and gravel layers in Pliocene and Pleistocene deposits and inQuaternary alluvium in the stream valleys. These sand and gravel layers, collectively termed the unconsolidated aquifer, underlie about 75 percent of southwestern Kansas.
In the main part of the unconsolidated aquifer, saturated thicknesses range from less than 50 feet to about 630 feet, and yields to irrigation wells commonly range from 500 to 1,500 gallons per minute. The total quantity of water available for pumping was estimated in 1975 to be 105 mill ion acre-feet. The chemical quality of water in the aquifer ranges from a calcium bicarbonate type to a sodium chloride type.
The number of irrigation wells in southwestern Kansas has increased from 420 in 1945 to about 7,000 in 1975, and irrigated land has increased from 124,000 acres in 1950 to 1,400,000 acres in 1975. Since 1940, pumpage of about 14 million acre-feet of water from storage has resulted in water-level declines ranging from 0 to 135 feet. Saturated thicknesses have decreased as much as 60 percent in a few areas and have decreased a median of 8 percent within the main part of the aquifer.
Analysis of Mechanical Properties on Resistance Spot Welded Dissimilar Thick Dissimilar Joints: Effect of Welding Current
Authors:   Centre for Materials Joining and Research (CEMAJOR), Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, 608002, Tamil Nadu, India, Sabarivasan V , Sivaraj P , Malarvizhi S , Balasubramanian V , Sathiya S
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To study the influence of welding current on shear fracture strength properties of the resistance spot welded (RSW) dissimilar joints. Methods: The study employed the RSW of DP 800 steel and AISI 1040 steel in the context of car chassis applications. In RSW, weld current is considered a variable parameter, while others are constant. The tensile shear fracture test and microhardness analysis performed correlated with base metals. The shear fractured region of the tensile samples was analyzed utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Findings: The maximum lap-tensile shear fracture load (L-TSFL) and cross-tensile shear fracture load (C-TSFL) achieved were 23 MPa and 19 MPa, respectively. The weld interface exhibits a maximum hardness of approximately 570 HV. The results indicate that an increase in weld current enhances the hardness and shear fracture strength of a dissimilar joint up to a certain threshold, beyond which these properties decrease. Novelty: The joining of dissimilar metals with dissimilar thicknesses by resistance spot welding is an inevitable demand in the modern automotive industry. These research results are more insightful for fabricating automotive frames with dissimilar materials and variable thickness.

Keywords: Dual Phase Steel, Medium Carbon Steel, Microhardness, Resistance Spot Welding, Tensile Shear Fracture Strength
Improving the Classification Performance for the Effective Diagnosis of Diseases Using Optimized Weighted KNN on Clinical Dataset
Authors:   Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Computer Science, Government Arts College, Nandanam, Chennai-35, Tamil Nadu, India, Sujdha C , Selvi R Thriumalai , Bharathidason S
Published: February 2025

Background: This study introduces an effective technique for diagnosing diseases more accurately using the improved machine learning algorithm on clinical datasets. Early detection and prediction of diseases can significantly improve survival rates. Objective: The aim of this paper is to propose a novel approach to enhance the conventional KNN performance for predicting diseases more precisely. Method: Optimized feature and distance weights and Bayesian inspired refinements are employed in the proposed approach which is evaluated by conducting experiments on five widely-used UCI and Kaggle datasets and compared with 9 contemporary variants of KNN as well as the traditional KNN. The accuracy, precision, and recall measures are used for performance comparison. Findings: This research highlights the potential of machine learning, particularly the proposed OWKNN, in enhancing medical diagnostics. Improving the performance of the machine learning algorithms for medical diagnosis enables early detection and prompt intervention, thereby potentially improving patient outcomes. Novelty: The improved version of the KNN algorithm has been invented by integrating the feature, distance weights optimized through Genetic Algorithm and refined with the Bayesian framework. The findings demonstrate the usefulness of the OWKNN in accurately predicting diseases and offering a more reliable avenue for enhancing precise detection strategies. Result and Discussion: Experimental results show that the proposed method consistently outperformed the traditional KNN and considered variants of KNN in terms of average accuracy, precision, and recall scores of 91.79%, 93.16%, and 88.86% respectively across various datasets. Thus, this work comes up with an improved version of the machine learning algorithm (KNN) for effective medical diagnostics.

Keywords: KNN Classification, Optimized-Weighted KNN, Mahalanobis Distance, Mutual Information, Bayesian framework, Genetic Algorithm
Exploring Green Food Packaging Properties of Bauhinia variegata, Prunus dulcis, Tectona grandis and Nelumbo nucifera – A Comparative Analysis
Authors:   Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Microbiology, Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam, Chennai, 600106, Tamil Nadu, India, Padmini G , Vidya P
Published: February 2025

Objectives: The purpose of this current research is to develop suitable food packaging films with extended shelf using medicinal plant leaves. Methods: The four medicinal plants for their traditional food packaging leaves, namely Mantharai (Bauhinia variegata), Badam (Prunus dulcis), Teak (Tectona grandis), and Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) were used. Qualitative determination of the phytochemical compounds in the aqueous extracts of all four leaves were done. The antioxidant activities were assessed by DPPH Radical Scavenging assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay. The antibacterial and antifungal activity was screened against the bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and fungal species Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus of clinical importance using the disc diffusion method. Findings: B. variegata showed the highest flavonoid content of 2.273 ± 0.0021 mg Catechin Equivalent /100 mg and presented potent antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays. Among all the extracts screened, N. nucifera and T. grandis had the highest phenolic content of (886.5 ± 0.776 μg GAE/100 mg and 861.5 ± 1.211μg Gallic Acid Equivalent/100 mg respectively). The antimicrobial activity indicated high efficacy of B. variegata (17 mm against S. aureus at 500 µg/ml), followed by N. nucifera with reasonable inhibition zones (13 mm against C. albicans and 12 mm against E.coli both at 500 µg/ml. The other extracts had moderate to weak antioxidant and antimicrobial activity compared to the standard positive control. From the percentage inhibition of antibacterial activity, it was revealed that the extract of B. variegata was able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus up to 94.44 % and E. coli up to 94.12 % at the concentration of 500 µg/mL compared to Ciprofloxacin (100 %). Similarly, N. nucifera, P. dulcis, and T. grandis extracts displayed inhibition ranging from 0 % at 100 µg/mL to 84. 21%, 66. 67% and 35% at 500 µg/mL. Inhibition of C. albicans by B. variegata was recorded to be 94.12% while it was 60% for A. flavus. N. nucifera maceration reached 85.71 % inhibition of C. albicans and 47.06% for A. flavus. With P. dulcis and T. grandis extracts at a concentration of 500 µg/mL, the inhibition was recorded to be 63.16% and 70% respectively to that of fluconazole (100%). Novelty: This study explores the usage of Bauhinia variegata as eco-friendly green food packaging material. It is evidenced that due to their highly efficient antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics, these natural polymers present in B. variegata might overcome oxidative stress and microbial harm in food and packaging products for sustainable and safe applications.

Keywords: Phytochemical analysis, Antimicrobial activity, Antioxidant activity, Bauhinia variegata Linn, Food packaging
Supply Chain Inventory Model for Defective Items with Sustainable Repair and Recovery Operations in Pythagorean Fuzzy Environment
Authors:   Research Scholar, PG and Research Department of Mathematics, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620002, Tamil Nadu, India, Janavarthini P , Vinoline I Antonitte
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To propose and justify a supply chain inventory model with sustainable repair and recovery operations under a triangular Pythagorean fuzzy environment. Methods: An economic order quantity model for minimizing the waste generated from repair and recovery operations of the supply chain with two storage units is formulated by introducing associated costs. Pythagorean fuzzy parameters were employed in this model to better represent the uncertainty present in everyday life. By solving the model, the ideal order quantity is determined. A numerical example is illustrated for the model, and its profit is compared with the existing model. Findings: A comparative study has been made for the proposed sustainable supply chain inventory model with double storage yields higher order quantities and maximizes the profit, which is quite beneficial to the usual production practices. The damaged items are taken as triangular Pythagorean fuzzy numbers. Sustainability costs such as rework, reuse, recycle, defect liability, and incentive costs are included in formulating the model. A numerical example is solved and shows an increase in ordering a quantity of 1173.551 and $62041.5 in profit. Novelty: Sustainability practices are integrated into the supply chain management of double storage units for defective items in triangular Pythagorean fuzzy environment which is not done in previous inventory models. Mathematics Subject Classification: 90B05

Keywords: Pythagorean fuzzy number, Sustainability, Dual storage unit, Supply chain, Repair and Recovery operations
Participatory Governance? A Critical Perspective on Stakeholder Knowledge Integration in the Context of German Baltic MPAs
Authors: Neddersen Neele , Gottschalk Josefine B. , Kriegl Michael , Schwermer Heike
Published: February 2025

The ocean is under increasing pressure from various human activities, including overfishing, pollution, and climate change. In response to these challenges, marine protected areas (MPAs) have emerged as important and widely applied tools for conserving and restoring marine ecosystems. Considering the complexity of identifying appropriate management measures and the resulting dynamics of their implementation, the integration of various knowledge types is of crucial importance. Germany has evolved as a leading advocate for marine conservation, playing an influential role in global conservation efforts. This context provides an interesting opportunity for examining the social and political dynamics of MPA implementation. In this study, we investigate the role of participatory approaches to knowledge integration using the case of two MPAs located in the German exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea. To this end, we conducted and analyzed 13 interviews with stakeholders from fisheries, environmental protection, public administration, and science. This approach was complemented by the review of documents leading to the adoption of the management plans. Our research addresses two key questions: (a) How much and what kind of knowledge is included in the management plan of the two German Baltic Sea MPAs and (b) how does this institutional framework promote or hinder the integration of diverse knowledge types? Our findings highlight the obstacles (e.g., power imbalances between different participation levels) of participatory governance levels in the two German MPAs. Thus, this study provides valuable insights for enhancing the effectiveness of participatory governance in German MPAs, thereby advancing marine conservation efforts.
Understanding the Electoral Participation Gap: A Study of Racialized Minorities in Canada
Authors: Liang Baowen , Harell Allison
Published: February 2025

Racialized minorities constitute an increasingly substantial segment of modern electorates in Western democracies, in part driven by immigration. Analyzing data from the 2021 Canadian Election Study (N = 9,496) and yearly Democracy Checkup surveys between 2020 and 2023 (N = 26,908), we explore the significance of racial identity as a determinant of voter turnout. Our findings reveal stark disparities in electoral participation between the most racialized minority groups in Canada and the White majority. Except for Latino identifiers, Indigenous, Asian, Black, and Arab-identifying respondents all exhibit lower voting rates, with Black voters facing the most significant gap, nearly 16 percentage points below their White counterparts. The gap is particularly prominent among second-generation racialized Canadians, suggesting that newcomers to Canada exhibit relatively high levels of engagement compared to their children. Next, we explore three key individual factors that may contribute to the gap: differences in socioeconomics, psychological engagement, and mobilization and community embeddedness. We employ a linear decomposition technique to assess the contributions of these factors to the majority–minority participation gap. Our analysis underscores the potency of socio-economic and psychological models in explaining minority under-participation in the Canadian context. The mobilization and community embeddedness model, however, exhibits weak explanatory power. Despite these insights, a substantial portion of the participation differentials remains unexplained, suggesting the necessity for novel perspectives to understand gaps in the electoral participation of racialized electors.
KULLBACK-LEIBLER DIVERGENCE FOR THE \gamma-ORDER GENERALIZED NORMAL N_\gamma\left(\mu, \sigma^2\right)
Authors: Kitsos Christos P. , Stamatiou Ioannis S.
Published: February 2025

The target of this paper is to discuss the Kullback-Leibler divergence for the family of -order Generalized Normal distribution. It has emerged from the Euclidean Logarithmic Sobolev Inequality and due to an "extra" shape parameter is an extension for the multivariate Normal distribution. In particular, for different -orders and variances, the corresponding divergences are evaluated. The evaluated results coincide with the existing ones, in the case of , the classical Normal case.
Features of the length of the spinal nerve C7, the middle trunk and its anterior division
Authors: Gorbunov Nikolay S. , Kober Kristina V. , Kasparov Eduard W. , Rostovtsev Sergey I. , Arkhipkin Sergey V.
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND: Contralateral transfer of donor nerves in brachial plexus injury requires detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the C7 spinal nerve.
AIM: To identify distinctive features of the length of the C7 spinal nerve, the middle trunk and its anterior division before and after epineurium removal.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: To identify significant differences in 121 brachial plexus preparations from male and female cadavers aged 40–97 years, the length of the spinal nerve C7, middle trunk, and its anterior division were measured twice in the anterior projection before and after epineurium removal. The database reflects the minimum and maximum values, median, and quartiles (Q1; Q3), and the significance of differences between the absolute length values and the proportional ratio of brachial plexus preparations with the established nerve length after epineurium removal were determined using the Mann–Whitney U-test and Pearson’s χ2 criterion.
RESULTS: The length of the C7 spinal nerve is 25 (20; 30) mm, the middle trunk is 22 (17; 28) mm, the anterior division is 20 (15; 26.5) mm, and after removal of the epineurium — 28 (25; 32) mm, 20 (15; 27) mm and 25.5 (20; 37) mm, respectively. The total length of the C7 spinal nerve, the middle trunk and its anterior division ranges from 30 to 111 mm, the median is 71 (63; 78) mm, and after removal of the epineurium — 30–146 mm and 75 (66; 85) mm. After epineurium removal, the total length of the C7 spinal nerve, middle trunk and its anterior division remains unchanged in only 3.3% of cases, becomes shorter by 1–35 mm in 15.7% and longer by 1–72 mm in 81%. The highest values (over 100 mm) of the total length of the structures under study occur in 1.6%, and after epineurium removal — in 11.6%.
CONCLUSION: After epineurium removal, the total length of the C7 spinal nerve, middle trunk and its anterior division is longer in 81% of cases, which makes it possible to reduce the diastasis during contralateral transfer to 72 mm.
Intelligent fault diagnosis technique for rotating machinery based on parameter-optimised variational mode decomposition and improved bidirectional gated recurrent unit
Authors: Du Yi , Kong Weibin , Zhou Feng , Wang Rugang , Liu Botong
Published: February 2025

The vibration signals in rotating machinery are characterised by their non-stationary, non-linear nature and are often mixed with noise. These complexities make it difficult to extract effective fault features, which reduces the accuracy of fault diagnosis. In this paper, a fault diagnosis
method for rotating machinery based on adaptive variational mode decomposition (VMD) and an improved bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) is proposed. They are both optimised using an improved marine predator algorithm (IMPA). Firstly, a revised differential variational strategy and
variable step size Lévy flight strategy are introduced into a marine predator algorithm (MPA). The search phase of the algorithm is adjusted to balance the exploration and exploitation capabilities. The IMPA is used to optimise the optimal number of modal layers and penalty factor in
order to decompose the vibration signals of the rotating machinery into a number of intrinsic mode function (IMF) components and the energy entropy of each component is calculated to form the eigenvectors. Meanwhile, the five initial parameters of the BiGRU are optimised by the IMPA to ensure
the accuracy of diagnosis and the feature vectors are trained by this IMPA-BiGRU network model for pattern recognition and classification. Finally, the model is validated on the Southeast University (SEU) gearbox dataset and the Jiangnan University (JNU) bearing dataset. The results show that
the proposed method is effective in identifying fault types under different operating conditions and more accurate diagnostic results can also be obtained in a noisy background.
Multi-point displacement measurement method based on ORB feature detection
Authors: Jia Xuelei , Xu Tao , Bao Kepeng , Wang Dong , Dai Yang
Published: February 2025

Traditional displacement sensors and computer vision technologies exhibit significant limitations when measuring multiple targets, including restrictions related to the measurement environment, manual tagging and the wiring issues associated with multiple sensors. This paper proposes
a method for multi-point vibration displacement measurement that integrates bicubic interpolation, sparse optical flow and oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF (ORB) detection algorithms, addressing the aforementioned limitations. The proposed method eliminates the need for manual tags and the
deployment of multiple cameras or sensors. By incorporating bicubic interpolation, the accuracy of the measurement is enhanced. Feature points are selected from the initial frame of a video and the sparse optical flow method is utilised to measure structural vibration displacement. Finally,
the true displacement is obtained using the proportional factor method. This method allows for the displacement measurement of multiple feature points within the same frame, achieving synchronous multi-point displacement measurement. Two validation experiments are presented: the first involves
mounting an elastic structure on a vibration table to compare the displacement response data obtained using the proposed method with that measured by traditional accelerometers; the second experiment focuses on testing a spring from a grinding machine, emphasising the simultaneous measurement
of multi-point vibration displacements of the spring structure. The results from both experiments indicate that the proposed method is capable of synchronously measuring the vibration displacements of multiple targets, with accuracy that meets the requirements for practical applications.
New Biopython Library to Support Molecular Biology
Authors: Nogueira Patrícia , Sá Vítor J.
Published: February 2025

Biopython is a library that facilitates the development of applications for Bioinformatics, using the Python programming language. Maintained by an international association of programmers - the Open Bioinformatics Foundation - since 1999, it provides tools for analyzing biological sequences and accessing online databases like NCBI. It features modules for sequence alignment, protein structures, population genetics, and more. Since the library is open-source with the collaboration of several developers, the project aimed to create a new library that used to existing API services such as Expasy, Blast, Uniprot and DrugBank. This enabled a single-call module to reference multiple services, obtain results, and generate a final report for a searched sequence. The first step to start the project was a study of existing Biopython libraries to assess their alignment with the proposed objectives. Access to the DrugBank service required a formal request. It was necessary to justify the request, explaining how and why the data would be used within the scope of the project. After the preceding steps, the entire architecture and design of the solution were conceptualized and, subsequently, we started the development. As a result of this project, there was an endpoint that, when invoked by any software or platform, returns all information found for a genetic sequence in JSON format. A small user interface was also developed to display the search results as an alternative to using only the API. Because BioPython is a free package and science is the motivation, a new library will be available for several services such as Expasy, Blast, Uniprot, and DrugBank. It will be free for all schools, labs, researchers, and developers who want to use it.
Optimized Management Solution for the Commercial Optical Sector Supported by NFC Technology
Authors: Echagüe Pedro , Martínez María , Gómez Ángel
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the design and development of a management application tailored to the needs of independently operated optical establishments in Spain. While the optical sector is partly dominated by large franchises that utilize extensive management systems, and specialized clinics requiring advanced operational support, independent optical businesses often prioritize efficiency, agility, and customer experience over complex functionalities. However, current software solutions are predominantly designed for franchises and clinics, which poses challenges for smaller establishments. These businesses are often forced to adopt expensive, complex systems that do not align with their operational needs, complicating daily tasks and introducing unnecessary features.

The proposed solution is a lightweight management application that addresses the essential needs of independent optical establishments, avoiding the advanced options typically needed in software for larger franchises and clinics. The application streamlines everyday operations using NFC technology for quick and easy customer identification and enhances customer interaction with products through a mobile application, reducing the need for staff intervention.
Adapting Large Language Models for Underrepresented Languages
Authors: Bao Eliseo , Pérez Anxo , Parapar Javier
Published: February 2025

The popularization of Large Language Models (LLMs), especially with the development of conversational systems, makes mandatory to think about facilitating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to everyone. Most models neglect minority languages, prioritizing widely spoken ones. This exacerbates their underrepresentation in the digital world and negatively affects their speakers. We present two resources aimed at improving natural language processing (NLP) for Galician:
(i) a Llama 3.1 instruct model adapted through continuous pre-training on the CorpusNós dataset; and (ii) a Galician version of the Alpaca dataset, used to assess the improvement over the base model.

In this evaluation, our model outperformed both the base model and another Galician model in quantitative and qualitative terms.
Tablet Application to Work on Routines, Sense of Humor and Understanding Feelings Through Different Games in People with ASD
Authors: Alonso de San Segundo Lucas , Dapena Adriana
Published: February 2025

Genetic regulatory networks represent the interactions present between genes and are a crucial step in understanding cellular physiology and complex pathological phenotypes. There are various methods to infer these networks from a set of genetic data. Among them, the MRNET method stands out, which is based on the mRMR feature selection algorithm. However, constructing genetic regulatory networks with MRNET is a computationally expensive process for large-scale datasets due to its cubic complexity concerning the number of genes. The objective of this work is to develop parallel versions of MRNET that can be executed on shared-memory parallel systems to accelerate its execution.
Compliance and Enforcement of AI Text Generator Usage Policies in German Grammar Schools: Insights from Teenagers
Authors:   Institute for Educational Science, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Regensburger Straße 160, Nuremberg, Germany, Adelhardt Zinaida , Eberle Thomas ,   Institute for Educational Science, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Regensburger Straße 160, Nuremberg, Germany
Published: February 2025

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) text generators such as ChatGPT, in educational settings has led schools to develop policies governing their use. This study examines the compliance and enforcement of AI text generator usage policies in grammar schools, drawing on insights from 143 teenagers aged 14-16 years across fourteen of Germany’s sixteen federal states. Through content analysis of student responses, we identified significant variations in how schools address AI technology regulation within their academic frameworks, ranging from explicit prohibitions, implicit or unofficial rules, and conditional use to a complete absence of rules. While 26% of teenagers state having clear prohibitions against using AI for assignments, tests, and other academic work in their schools, 44% report having no explicit AI-related rules. Additionally, 23% of schools rely on implicit rules or conditional allowances, often requiring teacher approval. Notably, 5% of students are unaware of AI-related policies in their schools, suggesting a gap in communication or policy clarity. Our findings reveal a diverse landscape of AI policy awareness and adherence, with significant variations in rule enforcement and student compliance. Despite explicit bans, some students continue to use AI tools, highlighting challenges in policy enforcement. The study underscores the need for comprehensive and enforceable AI policies, better teacher training, and clearer communication about AI ethics and usage. Integrating AI into the curriculum with ethical guidelines can enhance learning while maintaining the academic integrity of students. This transitional period in educational policy calls for a balanced approach to utilizing AI’s benefits while ensuring a fair, transparent, and effective learning environment. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educators aiming to balance the innovative potential of AI with the need of maintaining academic integrity in schools.
The Effect of Parental Divorce on Children's Mental Health in Contemporary China
Authors: Lin Langyi
Published: February 2025

Divorce has become a common social phenomenon in China. For children, parental divorce is a major life event that can have an impact on their mental health. This thesis aims to understand the impacts of parental divorce on children’s mental health, the mechanisms behind it, possible factors, and current approaches. This thesis draws from a review of existing literature in contemporary China in the past 6 years. The results show that parental divorce may negatively impact children’s mental health in terms of anxiety and depression, but results are not consistent and depend on various factors such as parental conflict, family structure, and financial burden. To better support children during and after divorce, parents, caregivers, and professionals need to consider the unique needs of each child and provide the necessary resources and emotional support. Further research used consistent measurements and family structure, specified age group, and longer follow-up are needed to gain a deeper understanding of the long-term consequences of parental divorce on children’s mental health and to develop effective interventions to promote their well-being.
Comparison of effect of autologous platelet rich plasma and estrogen replacement vs estrogen replacement alone on implantation and pregnancy outcome in IUI cycles in infertility patients
Authors: Nayak Suvendu Kumar , Pathak Baidyanath
Published: February 2025

Background: Successful embryo implantation requires an appropriate embryonic development coincident with a receptive endometrium. Thin endometrium, non-responsive to standard treatments is still a challenge in assisted reproductive technique, which usually results either in cycle cancellation or failed ART cycle. The minimal endometrial thickness required for implantation is now considered about 7 mm at the end of natural or medically induced follicular phase. The aim of this study is to detect any significant effect of platelet rich plasma (PRP) intrauterine infusion on endometrial proliferation, implantation and pregnancy rates.
Methods: This study was carried out for a period of 12 months in a tertiary care post graduate teaching hospital. 50 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups based on randomisation. One group received PRP plus estradiol (Group P) and other group received only estradiol (Group E). All patients underwent ovulation induction with letrozole and serial monitoring of endometrial thickness was done by USG (TVS) and results were compared.
Results: The mean endometrial thickness on the day of IUI in Group P was 9.1 mm+0.67 mm and in Group E was 7.56 mm+0.62 mm. The mean increase in endometrial thickness after PRP instillation was 3.4 mm+0.60 mm which is significantly higher than the Group E with mean increase of 1.5 mm+0.9 mm, which was statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant increase in positive pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome.
Conclusions: Our study concluded that PRP instillation increased the endometrial thickness in the patients with thin endometrium. However, there was no effect on the positive pregnancy rates and outcome.
Fundamentals of ballistics for the treatment of firearms injuries in reconstructive surgery
Authors: P. de León Miguel A. , Ortega Julio A. , G. Santos Leonardo , López Francisco , Pérez Rocio
Published: February 2025

Firearm injuries constitute a significant global public health challenge, whit more than one billion firearms in circulation and an estimated 600 daily fatalities. This review explores fundamental ballistics concepts and their relevance to injury mechanisms. It highlights the critical role of kinetic energy and projectile behaviour, such as velocity, trajectory, and design, in determining injury severity. High velocity firearms, expanding bullets, and shotgun shells create complex injury patterns, emphasizing the emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between permanent and temporary cavities during clinical assessment. The knowledge of ballistic principles is indispensable for plastic and reconstructive surgeons managing firearm injuries. Understanding projectile and tissue interactions informs precise surgical planning for soft tissue and bone reconstruction, enhancing patient outcomes. This expertise is essential in addressing the rising number of firearm related cases in region whit prevalent armed violence such as Mexico. Continuous integration and updating of ballistic knowledge in surgical practices are vital to improving care and minimizing long term sequelae in affected patients.
EFFECT OF CLASSICAL AND COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION ON THE FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS OF MILDLY INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED MALE CHILDREN
Authors: Gülgösteren Erkan , Ziyagil Mehmet Akif
Published: February 2025

The lifelong participation of individuals with disabilities in physical and sporting activities requires the development of fundamental movement skills from an early age. Thus this study aims to investigate the effects of classical and computer-assisted instruction on the physical characteristics, locomotor skills, and object control skills of mildly intellectually disabled (MID) boys. A total of 60 mildly intellectually disabled children participated in this study. Participants were divided into three groups: classical instruction (CI), classical instruction plus computer-assisted instruction (CI + CAI), and control (C) groups. The CI and CI + CAI groups received training for 10 weeks, three hours per week, and one hour per day. Ulrich's gross motor skills tests were administered during the pre-test and post-test. Due to the lack of normal distribution of data, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparisons between the three groups, while the Wilcoxon test was used to determine the differences between pre- and post-test measurements within each group. This study showed no significant difference among three gropus during the pre-test. However, significant differences were found in favor of the CI and CI+CAI groups in locomotor and object control skills during the post-test. The CI+CAI group demonstrated the highest improvement in all locomotor and object control skills. It can be concluded that fundamental movement education is effective in improving the physical characteristics, locomotor skills, and object control skills of MID boys, and that CI + CAI is more effective than CI alone.
Nongovernmental Organizations as the Factor of Political Development of Russia at the Modern Stage
Authors:   Volga Region State University of Telecommunications and Informatics, Andronov O.V.
Published: February 2025

In the article the main directions of the non-commercial sector
development are represented and analyzed. The conclusion has been
drawn that nongovernmental organizations being the institutions of
public movement have to become the main support to the Russian
civil society.