bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Perception of Health Literacy and Barriers to Care Among Cervical Stenosis Patients
Authors: Brown Ethan D. L. , William Greer M. , Maity Apratim , Ward Max , Schneider Daniel , Sciubba Daniel M. , Larry Lo Sheng-fu
Published: January 2025

Study Design

Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objective

This study aimed to assess racial disparities in self-reported barriers to care, health literacy, and health status within a large cohort of cervical stenosis patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes to identify cervical stenosis patients recorded in the NIH All of Us Research Program between 2017 and 2022. Demographic information and self-reported measures of health status, health literacy, and perceived barriers to care were compared among White, Black, and Hispanic patients using Chi square tests.

Results

Of 5480 patients identified, 658 (12.0) were Black, 379 (6.9) Hispanic, and 4443 (81.1) White. White patients were more likely to possess college education ( P < .001), income >$50k per year ( P < .001), and non-disabled employment status ( P < .001). Black and Hispanic patients reported higher levels of 7-10 pain ( P < .001), “severe” 7-day fatigue ( P < .001), and poor general health ( P < .001). Black and Hispanic patients also reported greater difficulties understanding medical information ( P < .001) and navigating medical forms alone ( P < .001). Black and Hispanic patients were likelier to report delaying care due to unaffordable copays ( P < .001), transportation difficulties ( P < .001), or dissimilar provider background. Provider background was more likely to be described as “very important” by Black and Hispanic patients ( P < .001).

Conclusion

This study identified significant disparities in health status, health literacy, and access to care among patients with cervical stenosis, highlighting diverse patient perspectives on barriers to care which may warrant further study.
Point-of-care ultrasound of the common carotid arteries for detection of large vessel occlusion stroke: Results of the POCUS-LVO study
Authors: Pinho João , Tyurina Anna , Hartmann Celina , Audeh Omar Abu , Habib Pardes , Abdelnaby Ramy , Matz Oliver , Felzen Marc , Brokmann Jörg C. , Wiesmann Martin , Schulz Jörg B. , Nikoubashman Omid , Reich Arno
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Distal arterial occlusions can cause measurable changes in the flow wave profile in proximal segments of the feeding artery. Our objective was to study the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the common carotid arteries (CCA) for detection of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ac-LVO) in patients with suspected stroke.

Patients and methods:

We conducted a prospective, single-center, observational study of adult patients with suspected stroke admitted in the emergency department. Flow wave profiles of both CCAs were generated by non-specialists using POCUS as soon as possible after admission. ac-LVO was defined as an internal carotid artery or M1 occlusion in CT- or MR-angiography. The diagnostic performances for detection of ac-LVO using flow wave parameters were calculated.

Results:

Among 283 patients recruited during a 10-month period, 257 patients (91%) had CCA ultrasound images of sufficient quality and were included for analysis. The mean age was 75 years (IQR 62–83), 131 were female (51.0%), median baseline NIHSS was 2 (IQR 0–5). The most frequent final diagnosis was ischemic stroke (49.4%), ac-LVO was present in 30 patients (11.9%). The median duration of POCUS was 3 min (IQR 2–5). Among all flow wave parameters, the highest diagnostic accuracy for ac-LVO detection was found for end-diastolic velocity difference between sides (AUC = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.85–0.93), with a specificity of 83% (95%CI = 78–88%) at a predefined sensitivity threshold of 80%.

Discussion and conclusion:

POCUS of the CCA in patients with suspected stroke can predict the presence of ac-LVO. These results need to be replicated in a prehospital setting.
Surface roughness analysis: A comprehensive review of measurement techniques, methodologies, and modeling
Authors: Sushil K. , Ramkumar J. , Chandraprakash C.
Published: January 2025

The scale and value of surface roughness affect the wetting, fatigue, damping, emissivity, heat transfer, and aesthetic characteristics leading to applications in food, chemical, medical, and traditional mechanical industries. Starting with the definitions of roughness parameters, in this work, we presented a comprehensive review of various aspects required to characterize surface roughness. Subsequently, a well-arranged literature survey on the use of several roughness-sensing methods for various machining processes was presented. In tandem, the theoretical aspects of sensing and their limits on resolution, sensitivity, range, and accuracy have been described. Thereafter, mathematical models to reconstruct surface profiles were outlined. We also presented the ways for online measurements of roughness and integration of the former with the standards of Industry 4.0. With details on all aspects of roughness, this work is expected to assist the researchers and engineers in the selection of appropriate roughness measurement techniques that lead to application in various industries.
Health-Related Social Needs Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Their Caregivers: An Exploratory Study Using Human-Centered Design
Authors: Ragavan Maya I. , Hewitt Brianna , Mickievicz Erin , Laubacher Callie , Harrison Caleb , Ray Kristin N. , Carpenter Abigail , Williams Lynne , Geer Bobbi Watts , Garg Arvin , Vajravelu Mary Ellen
Published: January 2025

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasingly common and projected to impact over 200,000 adolescents and young adults by 2060. Youth with T2D frequently experience health-related social needs (HRSN) that increase their risk for poor outcomes. Using human-centered design methodology, we explored how best to address HRSN in pediatric endocrinology clinics. We conducted two parallel, six-session group meetings with youth ( n = 4) and caregivers of youth ( n = 6), as well as individual interviews with 12 pediatric endocrinology clinicians. An inductive thematic data analysis approach was used. Participants described that HRSN are pervasive for youth with T2D and are especially impactful after diagnosis. Participants thought that addressing HRSN in healthcare settings was important but emphasized that interventions need to be affirming and provide tangible, relevant resources. Engagement with community health workers trained around diabetes management is needed, as is structural change to disrupt health disparities. Future research and clinical transformation are discussed.
Unanchored simulated treatment comparison on survival outcomes using parametric and Royston-Parmar models with application to lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Fawsitt Christopher G. , Pan Janice , Orishaba Philip , Jackson Christopher H. , Thom Howard
Published: January 2025

Background

Population-adjusted indirect comparison using parametric Simulated Treatment Comparison (STC) has had limited application to survival outcomes in unanchored settings. Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison (MAIC) is commonly used but does not account for violation of proportional hazards or enable extrapolations of survival. We developed and applied a novel methodology for STC in unanchored settings. We compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (LEN + PEM) against nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO + IPI), pembrolizumab plus axitinib (PEM + AXI), avelumab plus axitinib (AVE + AXI), and nivolumab plus cabozontanib (NIVO + CABO) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Unanchored comparison was necessitated as the control groups differed in their use of PD-1/PD-L1 rescue therapy.

Methods

We fit covariate-adjusted survival models to individual patient data from phase 3 trial of LEN + PEM, including standard parametric distributions and Royston-Parmar spline models with up to 3 knots. We used these models to predict OS and PFS in the population of comparator treatments. The base case model was selected by minimum Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Treatment effects were measured using difference in restricted mean survival time (RMST), over shortest follow-up of input trials, and hazard ratios at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Results

The survival model with the lowest AIC was 1-knot spline odds for OS and log-logistic for PFS. Difference in RMST OS was 6.90 months (95% CI: 1.95, 11.36), 5.31 (3.58, 7.28), 5.99 (1.82, 9.42), and 11.59 (8.41, 15.38) versus NIVO + IPI (over 64.8 months follow-up), AVE + AXI (46.7 months), PEM + AXI (64.8 months), NIVO + CABO (53.0 months), respectively. Difference in RMST PFS was 4.50 months (95% CI: 0.92, 8.26), 8.23 (5.60, 10.57), 5.38 (2.06, 9.09), and 4.58 (0.09, 9.44) versus NIVO + IPI (over 57.8 months), AVE + AXI (44.9 months), PEM + AXI (57.8 months), NIVO + CABO (23.8 months), respectively. Hazard ratios indicated strong evidence of greater OS and PFS on LEN + PEM at most timepoints.

Conclusions

We developed and applied a novel methodology for comparing survival outcomes in unanchored settings using STC. Pending investigation with a simulation study or further examples, this methodology could be used for clinical decision-making and, if long-term data are available, inform economic models designed to extrapolate outcomes for the evaluation of lifetime cost-effectiveness.

Trial registration

NCT02811861 (registered: 23/06/2016).
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with robotic-assisted body weight-supported treadmill training enhances motor score and gait recovery in incomplete spinal cord injury: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Comino-Suárez Natalia , Moreno Juan C. , Megía-García Álvaro , del-Ama Antonio J. , Serrano-Muñoz Diego , Avendaño-Coy Juan , Gil-Agudo Ángel , Alcobendas-Maestro Mónica , López-López Esther , Gómez-Soriano Julio
Published: January 2025

Background

Although transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been suggested as a safe and feasible intervention for gait rehabilitation, no studies have determined its effectiveness compared to sham stimulation.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of tSCS combined with robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) on lower limb muscle strength and walking function in incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) participants.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Twenty-seven subacute iSCI participants were randomly allocated to tSCS or sham-tSCS group. All subjects conducted a standard Lokomat walking training program of 40 sessions (5 familiarization sessions, followed by 20 sessions combined with active or sham tSCS, and finally the last 15 sessions with standard Lokomat). Primary outcomes were the lower extremity motor score (LEMS) and dynamometry. Secondary outcomes included the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 6-Minute Walk test (6MWT), the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III) and the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI-II). Motor evoked potential (MEP) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were also assessed for lower limb muscles. Assessments were performed before and after tSCS intervention and after 3-weeks follow-up.

Results

Although no significant differences between groups were detected after the intervention, the tSCS group showed greater effects than the sham-tSCS group for LEMS (3.4 points; p = 0.033), 10MWT (37.5 s; p = 0.030), TUG (47.7 s; p = 0.009), and WISCI-II (3.4 points; p = 0.023) at the 1-month follow-up compared to baseline. Furthermore, the percentage of subjects who were able to walk 10 m at the follow-up was greater in the tSCS group (85.7%) compared to the sham group (43.1%; p = 0.029). Finally, a significant difference (p = 0.049) was observed in the comparison of the effects in the amplitude of the rectus femoris MEPs of tSCS group (− 0.97 mV) and the sham group (− 3.39 mV) at follow-up.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this study suggest that the combination of standard Lokomat training with tSCS for 20 sessions was effective for LEMS and gait recovery in subacute iSCI participants after 1 month of follow-up.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05210166).
Targeting RNA splicing modulation: new perspectives for anticancer strategy?
Authors: Lv Xuemei , Sun Xiaoyu , Gao Yang , Song Xinyue , Hu Xiaoyun , Gong Lang , Han Li , He Miao , Wei Minjie
Published: January 2025

The excision of introns from pre-mRNA is a crucial process in the expression of the majority of genes. Alternative splicing allows a single gene to generate diverse mRNA and protein products. Aberrant RNA splicing is recognized as a molecular characteristic present in almost all types of tumors. Therefore, identifying cancer-specific subtypes from aberrant processing offers new opportunities for therapeutic development. Numerous splicing modulators, each utilizing different mechanisms, have been developed as promising anticancer therapies, some of which are in clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the splice-altered signatures of cancer cell transcriptomes and the contributions of splicing aberrations to tumorigenesis and progression. Especially, we discuss current and emerging RNA splicing-targeted strategies for cancer therapy, including pharmacological approaches and splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Finally, we address the challenges and opportunities in translating these findings into clinical practice.
Changing dynamics of bloodstream infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Germany, 2017–2023: a continued burden of disease approach
Authors: Brinkwirth Simon , Feig Marcel , Noll Ines , Eckmanns Tim , Dörre Achim , Haller Sebastian , Willrich Niklas
Published: January 2025

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat to public health, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) being major contributors. Despite their clinical impact, comprehensive assessments of changes of the burden of bloodstream infections in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and attributable deaths over time are lacking, particularly in Germany.

Methods

We used data from the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance system, which covered about 30% of German hospitals. Bloodstream infections were defined by a VREfm or MRSA-positive blood culture. We estimated incidences as a first step to further use these rates to calculate DALYs and attributable deaths using the Burden of Communicable Disease in Europe toolkit. The analysis included stratification by age, sex and region.

Results

From 2017 to 2023, 6262 MRSA and 5442 VREfm blood culture-positive isolates were identified. The incidence of MRSA bloodstream infections decreased from 4.0 to 2.1 per 100,000 population, with estimated DALYs decreasing from 14.6 to 8.6 per 100,000 and attributable deaths from 591 to 316. Conversely, VREfm-BSI incidence doubled from 1.7 to a peak of 3.0 (2021) before declining back to 1.7 per 100,000 in 2023, with estimated DALYs increasing from 8.9 to 16.5 and then decreasing to 8.5 per 100,000 and attributable deaths increasing from 317 to 327. Men and people over 60 years had the highest burden, with noticeable regional differences.

Conclusion

MRSA and VREfm bloodstream infections followed different trends in the past and now present a comparable burden in Germany. Both pathogens pose a significant threat, particularly to hospitalised older aged men. Our findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and continued surveillance of MRSA and VREfm to reduce infections and their impact.
Impact of advanced lung cancer inflammation index on all-cause mortality among patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data
Authors: Amin Ahmed Mazen , Ghaly Ramy , Elbenawi Hossam , Ewis Abdelrahman , Khan Ubaid , Elshaer Khaled S. M. , Abuelazm Mohamed , Abdelazeem Basel , Patel Brijesh , Timimi Farris K. , Elgendy Islam Y.
Published: January 2025

Background

Heart failure (HF) is associated with systemic inflammation and hypercatabolic syndrome, impacting body metabolism. The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) is a novel inflammatory and nutritional biomarker. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of ALI in patients with HF.

Methods

We comprehensively searched PubMed, WOS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CENTRAL through October 2024. We conducted a pair-wise and prognostic systematic review and meta-analysis with a reconstructed time-to-event data meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using R V. 4.3.1. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024535227).

Results

We included five studies with 2,795 patients. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, ALI ≤ 25 was significantly associated with an increased incidence of all-cause mortality compared with ALI > 25 (risk ratio [RR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36–2.21, P < 0.01). On the adjusted prognostic meta-analysis, higher ALI was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality (hazards ratio [HR] 0.45, 95% CI 0.35–0.58-, P < 0.01). The reconstructed Kaplan Meier showed that ALI > 25 was significantly associated with a 56% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality compared with ALI ≤ 25 (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.38–0.50, P < 0.000001).

Conclusion

Among patients with HF, a low ALI was associated with a higher incidence of all-cause mortality rate than those with a high ALI. These findings suggest that ALI can be used for prognostic stratification and aid clinical decision-making in HF management.
It's a good thing that severely hypoxic salmon (Salmo salar) have a limited capacity to increase heart rate when warmed
Authors: Gamperl A. K. , Nati J. J. H. , Clow K. A. , Sandrelli R. M. , Gerber L. , Porter E. S. , Peroni E. C.
Published: January 2025

With climate change, fish are facing rising temperatures, an increase in the frequency and severity of heat waves and hypoxia, sometimes concurrently. However, only limited studies have examined the combined effects of increases in temperature and hypoxia on fish physiology and survival. We measured the cardiorespiratory physiology of 12°C-acclimated Atlantic salmon when exposed acutely to normoxia [100% air saturation (sat.)] vs. 75 and 50% air sat., and then warmed to their critical thermal maximum (CTMax) at 2°C h−1. Fish exposed to 50% air sat. went bradycardic, were unable to increase heart rate (fH) when warmed, and had lower values for metabolic scope and CTMax (21.3 vs. 26.1°C in normoxic fish). Whereas the effects of 75% air sat. on cardiorespiratory parameters and CTMax were intermediate. We then used atropine (1.2 mg kg−1) and 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT; 50 nmol kg−1) to investigate what role(s) cholinergic tone on the heart and cardiac adenosinergic effects, respectively, play in preventing severely hypoxic salmon (40% air sat.) from increasing fH when warmed. CPT had no/limited effects on salmon cardiorespiratory parameters and thermal tolerance. However, atropine increased fH in hypoxic fish and allowed it to rise with temperature, and this resulted in salmon that were much less tolerant to warming. Collectively, these results: 1) show that fish in severely hypoxic environments will be very susceptible to climate change-associated heat waves; and 2) suggest that cholinergic tone on the heart is not removed when severely hypoxic fish are exposed to rising temperatures to protect the heart's pumping capacity.
Ambient temperature leads to differential immune strategies in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum
Authors: Carrizo María Celina , Zenuto Roxana Rita , Luna Facundo , Cutrera Ana Paula
Published: January 2025

Animal thermoregulation may have significant costs and compete directly or indirectly with other energetically demanding processes, such as immune function. Although the subterranean environment is characterized by thermally-stable conditions, small changes in ambient temperature could be critical in shaping immunity. However, little is known about the effects of ambient temperature, in naturally varying ranges, on immunity of wild species. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of short-term exposure to ambient temperatures on energy metabolism and body temperature during the acute phase immune response (APR) in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum, 70 adult animals were divided into 3 experimental groups exposed twice for 1 h to 15°C, 25°C or 32°C (below, at or near the upper limit of the thermoneutral zone, respectively) before and after injections with saline (C, control) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, which induces the APR). Animals exposed to 25°C and 32°C showed a similar APR pattern, characterized by fever (average: 37.1°C and 37.7°C, respectively), a 16% increase in O2 consumption and an increase in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L). Body mass loss and symptoms of sickness behavior were detected from 1 and 3 h post injection. Individuals exposed to 15°C, increased their metabolic rate by 60%, showed frequent hypothermia (34.3°C on average) and the characteristic N/L increase was attenuated. Body mass loss and sickness behavior were mostly detected 24 h post injection. Our results suggest that the thermoregulation costs in C. talarum may limit the energy available for immunity, leading to different strategies to cope with infection.
Evolutionary insights into gut acidification: Invertebrate-like mechanisms in the basal vertebrate hagfish
Authors: Weinrauch Alyssa M. , Kwan Garfield T , Giacomin Marina , Bouyoucos Ian A , Tresguerres Martin , Goss Greg G
Published: January 2025

Acidification is a key component of digestion throughout metazoans. The gut digestive fluid of many invertebrates is acidified by the vesicular-type H+-ATPase (VHA). In contrast, vertebrates generate acidic gut fluids using the gastric H+/K+-ATPase (HKA); an evolutionary innovation linked with the appearance of a true stomach that greatly improves digestion, absorption, and immune function. Hagfishes are the most basal extant vertebrates, and their mechanism of digestive acidification remains unclear. Herein we report that the stomachless Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) acidify their gut using the VHA, while searches of E. stoutii gut transcriptomes and the genome of a closely related hagfish species (E. burgerii) indicate they lack HKA, consistent with its emergence following the 2R whole genome duplication. Immunostaining revealed prominent VHA presence in the apical membrane of enterocytes and sub-apical expression of both VHA and sAC. Interestingly, akin to vertebrates, VHA was also observed in immature pancreatic-like zymogen granules and was noticeably absent from the mature granules. Furthermore, isolated gut sacs from fed hagfish demonstrate increased VHA-dependent luminal H+ secretion that is stimulated by the cAMP pathway. Overall, these results suggest that the hagfish gut shares the trait of VHA-dependent acidification with invertebrates, while simultaneously performing some roles of the pancreas and intestine of gnathostomes.
An Investigation of p-Hacking in E-Commerce A/B Testing
Authors: Miller Alex P. , Hosanagar Kartik
Published: January 2025

Concerns about the integrity of statistical analyses have risen in recent years, with particular attention given to “p-hacking”—a process whereby analysts conduct several statistical tests until they achieve a statistically significant result. Although extensively studied in academic settings, less is known about its prevalence in industrial contexts. In this study, we investigate whether p-hacking occurs in e-commerce A/B testing. We analyzed nearly 2,300 A/B tests conducted by hundreds of firms using a large A/B testing platform. Such platforms typically offer continuous monitoring of test results, a feature that facilitates real-time decision making but also enables potential p-hacking through selective stopping or continuation of experiments. Contrary to concerns raised by earlier research on academic practices, we found no significant evidence of p-hacking in our sample. These findings suggest that the industrial application of experimentation may be less susceptible to p-hacking than academic research. We discuss several possible factors explaining the divergent results, highlighting the potential role of organizational learning and the importance of economic incentives. Our study contributes to the broader discussion on research integrity and underscores the importance of considering contextual factors in assessing statistical malpractice.
Technical Note: Multistage Robust Mixed-Integer Programming
Authors: Postek Krzysztof , Romeijnders Ward , Wiesemann Wolfram
Published: January 2025

In the paper “Multistage Robust Mixed-Integer Programming,” Krzysztof Postek, Ward Romeijnders, and Wolfram Wiesemann study multistage robust mixed-integer programming problems, a popular and powerful yet computationally demanding framework for decision making under uncertainty. The authors leverage dynamic programming principles to decompose multistage problems into large numbers of two-stage subproblems, and they use the finite adaptability approach to solve the latter to exact or approximate optimality. The resulting method allows for efficient parallelization, and the authors showcase its effectiveness on route planning and location-transportation problems.
¿Tener una primogénita reduce la violencia masculina contra las madres en Perú?
Authors: Salas Peña Carlos
Published: January 2025

Intimate partner violence is a latent problem worldwide and occurs more strongly in low and middle income countries, this phenomenon implies enormous costs for society, however this phenomenon is not yet fully understood. Within this framework, this article aims to study the impact of having a first-born girl on male violence against women in Peru. To do this, a sample of around 150,000 couples was used. It was found that women who had a firstborn compared to those who had a boy, are 6.35% less likely to suffer some type of severe violence from their partner. every year. The probabilities of suffering emotional violence and sexual violence are reduced by 2.18% and 6.92%, respectively. It can be inferred how children influence the behavior of their parents. These findings can be interpreted as causal effects under the assumption that the sex of the firstborn is exogenous, as suggested by the literature.
Visualização no ensino de ciências e a criação de um aplicativo Android com realidade virtual para o ensino-aprendizagem de momento angular
Authors: França Carlos
Published: January 2025

Este artigo discorre sobre a adoção do referencial teórico, Visualização no Ensino de Ciências como base teórica para a criação de recursos didáticos digitais, expondo a utilização deste referencial pedagógico no Brasil e no exterior. Apresenta-se o aplicativo RVA_360 – Momento Angular, um software educativo feito para celulares que utilizam o sistema operacional Android, desenvolvido pelo mesmo autor deste presente trabalho. O artigo traz todos os detalhes de instalação e manuseio deste aplicativo e explicita as funcionalidades desta nova ferramenta que se configura como um promissor objeto de visualização para o ensino-aprendizagem da grandeza física momento angular através do uso da Realidade Virtual e Aumentada (RVA) no contexto educacional. Enuncia-se os cinco módulos da ferramenta, seus recursos presentes nas versões imersiva e semi-imersiva. Finalmente, expõem-se as possibilidades e diferencias da adoção desta ferramenta no ensino-aprendizagem de Momento Angular e o quão útil pode ser para visualizações tridimensionais, necessárias para o entendimento e apropriação dos conceitos básicos desta grandeza física.
Restricting person in comitative conjunction
Authors: Burukina Irina
Published: January 2025

abstract: The paper discusses comitative conjunctions in Russian: such constructions are prohibited with the 1st or 2nd person singular pronoun as the host but are allowed with a non-pronominal DP or a plural pronoun as the host. To explain the contrast, I first present a uniform analysis for comitative conjunctions and Inclusive Plural Pronoun Constructions, whereby they are headed by a functional head D that can be realized either as an overt personal pronoun or a pro . Second, I propose that the person restriction stems from a combination of the following factors: (1) the timing of resolving multiple sets of ϕ -features on a single probe (as D agrees with both conjuncts), and (2) the inventory of silent pronouns available in the language.
Nominal Ellipsis of Hybrid Nouns in Serbian
Authors: Despić Miloje
Published: January 2025

abstract: This paper investigates nominal ellipsis of hybrid nouns (HNs) in number mismatch contexts in Serbian and argues in support of the following two theoretical points: (i) formal gender of at least some HNs is introduced by the ROOT + n complex (e.g. Kramer, 2016), and (ii) at least some concord is post-syntactic (Kramer, 2010; Noyer, 1997; Norris, 2014, etc.). The main empirical observation is that ellipsis of Serbian HNs in number mismatch contexts is, in contrast to regular nouns, not fully available. I propose that these facts reveal that nominal ellipsis in Serbian has two possible sources: a) a nominal constituent can be elided (PF-deletion), or b) a null nominal proform can be used (e.g. Merchant, 2014), and that the availability of these two strategies is constrained by the number of the antecedent.
Russian palatalization is a matter of the tongue body
Authors: Padgett Jaye , Bennett Ryan , McGuire Grant , Chiosáin Máire Ní
Published: January 2025

abstract: It has long been suggested that the Russian palatalization contrast is primarily one of pharyngeal cavity expansion (and more recently, ATR). Based on an ultrasound study, an analysis of consonant-vowel interactions in the phonology, and the typology of ATR systems, we argue that the contrast is one of the tongue body, and that non-palatalized (velarized) consonants are [+high, +back]. We find no evidence for an active pharyngeal component to the contrast. Our ultrasound study examines consonants in the context of high vowels, something that has very rarely been done.
Inverse scope of Russian 'ne dolžen' as neg-raising
Authors: Rossyaykin Petr
Published: January 2025

abstract: The inverse scope of negated deontic necessity modals is a typologically robust phenomenon. In this paper I examine Russian necessity modal dolžen 'must' in its deontic reading and compare two accounts of its inverse scope: the positive polarity approach and the neg-raising approach. I argue for the following points: (a) neg-raising predicates exhibit typical properties of positive polarity items; (b) the scalar implicature approach to neg-raising derives those properties; (c) dolžen patterns with neg-raising predicates w.r.t. the relevant properties. I conclude that the neg-raising approach perfectly accounts for dolžen and is very close to accounting for English must . I also provide criticism of the competing positive polarity approach.
Subjunctive clauses as Weak NPIs in Russian
Authors: Bondarenko Tatiana
Published: January 2025

abstract: This paper investigates a case of polarity-sensitivity of subjunctive complements with verbs like pomnit' 'remember' in Russian: such clauses are possible only in Strawson Downward-Entailing (SDE) environments. I argue that the subjunctive particle by is lexically focus-marked, and activates subdomain alternatives of the predicate it combines with. These alternatives are later on acted upon by a focus operator which requires that all the alternatives to the prejacent are entailed by it. This makes subjunctive complements under verbs like 'remember' logically trivial in cases when the sentence is not SDE with respect to the embedded proposition, giving rise to the polarity-sensitivity of subjunctive embedding. One consequence of this proposal is that clausal weak NPIs can be treated on par with pronominal weak NPIs: the only difference between the two is that the latter are indefinite expressions ranging over individuals, whereas the former are indefinites ranging over situations.
Tellability and/as Audibility: How "Every Sound Is Possible" in Matthew Herbert's The Music
Authors: Delazari Ivan , Vorobeva Julia
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT: Reading Matthew Herbert's The Music: A Novel through Sound (2018), this essay explores the category of tellability in audionarratological terms. While tellability is often seen as pertaining to the story level only, Herbert's intermedial extravagance—a verbal score of an imaginary music album—helps us rethink the category and resolve its innate contradiction: how can untellable stories be told quite successfully? With a story-centered definition of tellability in mind, The Music is a tellability disaster. Not only does it fail to tie its myriad reported sounds together in a consistent plot, but it also rejects even the loose narrativity narratologists agree to associate with classical music forms. From Herbert's acoucentric aesthetics, we argue that the capacity of words for notating inaudible sounds and ordering them into a musical whole builds an alternative narrative progression modeled on electroacoustic music instead of verbal storytelling. Insofar as Herbert's randomized sounds contribute to a musical work, tellability relies on the audibility of those sounds and the order imposed on them by the score, not a pre-given story. In Herbert's persistent present-tense narration and sporadic use of we- and you-narration, tellability is maintained through the deictic proximity between readers and the storyworld—not an immanent feature of the story but a potential of storytelling across media. By crowdfunding The Music and incorporating its supporters into the text, Herbert secures a tellability certificate from his actual audience, across an ontological border all narratives devise.
Governing Hunger: Numbers in the Promotion of the Sweet Potato in 1950s China
Authors: Kunze Rui
Published: January 2025

Abstract: The new state in 1950s China believed in quantification's truth claim to capture and represent reality. It strove to measure and manage hunger quantitatively to tackle food supply crises and cement its political legitimacy. This article draws upon state print media such as newspaper editorials, popular science materials, and cookbooks to examine the quantification practices of scientific and propaganda institutions in the promotion of the sweet potato as an economically, nutritionally, and socially desirable staple, which justified its heightened status in the rationing system introduced in 1953. The article shows that numbers were produced, deployed, and skewed to convey and control "facts" about population, agricultural productivity, and nutrition. Although these numbers served as an essential form of statecraft by regulating what counted as a "good" staple and by integrating private consumption into the state's central planning for food, they failed to address cultural and psychological aspects of hunger in the lived experience of average people.
Engineers on the Move: Elite Geographic Mobility in Republican China
Authors: Pelzer Thorben
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This article traces the geographic mobility of Chinese engineers active during the Republican era. It analyzes over 17,600 professional biographies to reveal historical trends of student and labor mobility, emphasizing temporal shifts and regional particularities. By concentrating on engineers—architects of national infrastructures—the analysis demonstrates how regional pull and push factors influenced the geographical spread of a national elite actively involved in nation building. The data show that while Shanxi's economy remained largely autarkic, most peripheral provinces experienced an exodus of talent. The Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan region was an early center of education and labor. After 1927, the geography of job opportunities diversified as new projects led engineers into the interior. The article concludes that new technical experts could not adhere to a local sense of belonging but operated within the framework of a national job market, itself subject to regional and interregional political dynamics.
Food hardness preference reveals multisensory contributions of fly larval gustatory organs in behaviour and physiology
Authors: Komarov Nikita , Fritsch Cornelia , Maier G. Larisa , Bues Johannes , Biočanin Marjan , Avalos Clarisse Brunet , Dodero Andrea , Kwon Jae Young , Deplancke Bart , Sprecher Simon G.
Published: January 2025

Food presents a multisensory experience, with visual, taste, and olfactory cues being important in allowing an animal to determine the safety and nutritional value of a given substance. Texture, however, remains a surprisingly unexplored aspect, despite providing key information about the state of the food through properties such as hardness, liquidity, and granularity. Food perception is achieved by specialised sensory neurons, which themselves are defined by the receptor genes they express. While it was assumed that sensory neurons respond to one or few closely related stimuli, more recent findings challenge this notion and support evidence that certain sensory neurons are more broadly tuned. In the Drosophila taste system, gustatory neurons respond to cues of opposing hedonic valence or to olfactory cues. Here, we identified that larvae ingest and navigate towards specific food substrate hardnesses and probed the role of gustatory organs in this behaviour. By developing a genetic tool targeting specifically gustatory organs, we show that these organs are major contributors for evaluation of food hardness and ingestion decision-making. We find that ablation of gustatory organs not only results in loss of chemosensation, but also navigation and ingestion preference to varied substrate hardnesses. Furthermore, we show that certain neurons in the primary taste organ exhibit varied and concurrent physiological responses to mechanical and multimodal stimulation. We show that individual neurons house independent mechanisms for multiple sensory modalities, challenging assumptions about capabilities of sensory neurons. We propose that further investigations, across the animal kingdom, may reveal higher sensory complexity than currently anticipated.
Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of probable depression and anxiety symptoms in Mozambique: A secondary data analysis
Authors: Antabe Roger , Antabe Gregory , Sano Yujiro , Batung Evans
Published: January 2025

There is limited research at the national level in Mozambique that examines the prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety. Therefore our study examined the prevalence and correlates of probable depression and anxiety symptoms among women and men in the country. We used the 2022–23 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey, specifically drawing on some socio-demographic and mental health variables measured by PHQ-9 and GAD-7 and applied multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our findings revealed high levels of depression and anxiety, that is, 10% (95% CI = 9%-12%) and 11% (95% CI = 10%-12%), respectively, for women. Among women, those from the poorer (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.97; aOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.91), middle (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.88, 0.81; aOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.83), richer (aOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41, 0.94; aOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43, 0.91) and richest households (aOR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.65; aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.67) were all less likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Furthermore, the employed (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.53, 0.80; aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.83) had a reduced probability of indicating they had depression and anxiety, respectively. Among men, 2% (95% CI = 2%-3%) reported depression and anxiety. While men with secondary-level educational attainment (aOR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.19, 8.62) were more likely to report symptoms of depression, this was not the case for anxiety where those with no education (aOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.78) and primary education (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.80) were all less likely to report anxiety disorders compared to their colleagues with the highest level of educational attainment. Finally, men in rural areas (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.22, 0.74) relative to their urban counterparts were less likely to report depression although this was not significant for anxiety disorders. Mental health policy in Mozambique needs to pay critical attention to groups such as older age cohorts, the formerly married, Muslim women and people with lower socioeconomic status.
Anemia during pregnancy and adverse maternal outcomes in Georgia–A birth registry-based cohort study
Authors: Skhvitaridze Natia , Gamkrelidze Amiran , Manjavidze Tinatin , Brenn Tormod , Anda Erik Eik , Rylander Charlotta
Published: January 2025

Background

Anemia in pregnancy is an important public health challenge; however, it has not been thoroughly studied in Georgia. We assessed the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy across Georgia and the association between anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy and adverse maternal outcomes.

Methods

We used data from the Georgian Birth Registry and included pregnant women who delivered between January 1, 2019, and August 31, 2022 (n = 158,668). The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L) at any time during pregnancy was calculated per region. Pregnant women were classified into anemia severity groups based on their lowest measured Hb values, taking into account the thresholds for each trimester of pregnancy as defined by the WHO recommendations for anemia classification. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the associations between anemia status and post-delivery intensive care unit (ICU) admission and preterm delivery.

Results

The prevalence of anemia occurring at least once during pregnancy was 33.1%, with large regional differences in anemia prevalence (19.2%–32.8%). Of 105,811 pregnant women with Hb measurements in the third trimester, 71.0% had no anemia; 20.9%, mild anemia; and 8.1%, moderate or severe anemia. The odds of post-delivery ICU admission did not increase linearly with decreasing Hb value (P for trend .13), and the relationship was inverse for preterm delivery (P for trend .01).

Conclusions

A considerable proportion of pregnant women in Georgia have anemia during pregnancy, and the prevalence and quality of reporting differ across regions. Anemia occurring in the third trimester did not substantially increase the odds of maternal ICU admission or preterm delivery. To progress toward sustainable development goals and alleviate the public health burden of anemia, it is essential to not only identify and manage anemia during pregnancy but also address underlying factors with a multifaceted response.
The effect of empathy on remote social connections via paired robots
Authors: Suzuki Satoru , Imaoka Noriaki , Ando Takeshi , Uchida Misako , Suzuki Kenji
Published: January 2025

A range of devices and technologies are available to mediate social connections between geographically distant people. Some of these methods exploit awareness information to enhance the connectedness of distant users. However, the effect of user traits on the experience of interpersonal communication through awareness systems remains unclear. In this study, we explored the relationship between user empathy and the experience of interpersonal communication mediated by a paired robot able to convey user awareness information. We conducted an experiment to facilitate communication among distant family members using the paired robot over the course of 1 week. Participants’ empathy level and their experience of the communication were assessed using questionnaires. The findings indicated that individuals with higher empathy can better interpret their partner’s situation and feelings from the awareness information.
Feasibility of rabbit auricular VX2 tumor model as an experimental model for intra-arterial embolization
Authors: Choi Woosun , Kwak Byung Kook , Jung Jisung , Park Serah , Hong Soon Auck , Choi Sang Lim
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of VX2 tumor in rabbit auricles as an experimental model for intra-arterial embolization. This study was approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. VX2 tumors were implanted in both auricles of 12 New Zealand White Rabbits. To investigate the angiographic and pathologic characteristics, angiography, ultrasonography, and thermography were performed 1–2 weeks after inoculation, and image analysis was performed. The animals were sacrificed thereafter, and histologic analysis was conducted by a pathologist. Tumors did not grow in 3/24 auricles of 12 rabbits used in the experiment, and one rabbit died during anesthesia for an ultrasonographic examination. Therefore, images were obtained from a total of 19 auricles. Angiography was successfully performed in 11 rabbits, and hypervascularity and tumor feeding vessels were clearly observed in all tumors. The enhancement effect increased significantly as the volume increased. In histologic evaluation, the average area of necrosis was 27%. In conclusion, a rabbit auricular VX2 tumor model is easy to create, and its features can be conveniently observed on visual inspection. Moreover, it appears hypervascular on angiography, and the tumor feeding vessel is easy to approach. Thus, it is useful for studying intra-arterial embolization.
Investigating the miRNA-mRNA interactome of human trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF-β1 provides insights into the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
Authors: Roodnat Anton W. , Doyle Chelsey , Callaghan Breedge , Lester Karen , Henry Megan , Sheridan Carl , McKenna Declan J. , Willoughby Colin E. , Atkinson Sarah D.
Published: January 2025

Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma is a severe form of secondary open angle glaucoma and is associated with activation of the TGF-β pathway by TGF-β1. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA species that are involved in regulation of mRNA expression and translation. To investigate what glaucomatous changes occur in the trabecular meshwork and how these changes may be regulated by miRNAs, we performed a bioinformatics analysis resulting in a miRNA-mRNA interactome. Primary human trabecular meshwork cells originating from normal donors were treated with TGF-β1 at 5 ng/mL for 24h; total RNA was extracted followed by RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq. For both mRNA and miRNA species, differential expression was determined using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts, edgeR (for miRNA) and DESeq2 (for mRNA). Putative mRNA-miRNA interactions between differentially expressed mRNA and miRNA species were determined using interaction databases miRWalk, miRTarBase, TarBase and TargetScan. To classify mRNA species by function and pathway, gene enrichment was performed using Enrichr. The resulting miRNA-mRNA interactome consisted of 1202 interactions. Some highly connected microRNAs were hsa-let-7e-5p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR-29c-3p. Most differentially expressed genes were indicated to be regulated by miRNAs. The sub-interactomes of genes involved in specific pseudoexfoliation glaucoma related enrichment terms such as oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, signal molecules and ECM remodelling were determined. This is the first study to present a genome-wide microRNA-mRNA regulatory network for human trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF-β1 and may serve to generate unbiased hypotheses about regulatory functions and mRNA targets of miRNAs in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and may help to develop miRNA-based therapeutics.