bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Fall Detection During Elderly Exercise Activities Under the Background of Healthy China Initiative
Authors: Liu Yongsen , Zhang Mufan , Ji Bin
Published: January 2025

由于老年人在运动中容易跌倒并经常发生事故，因此发现跌倒非常重要。本文提出了一种检测运动跌倒的方法，基于从三轴加速度计传感器MPU6050模块获取的人体活动 T 的加速度信号和姿态角，保护老年人免受跌倒后的第二次伤害。通过提取加速度信号的特性振幅矢量 SMA 和偏转角 θ.该算法将老年人的运动状态分为三类，循环性体育锻炼和短期日常活动以及运动后休息状态，使用信号幅度矢量滑动平均值 （SVMLS） 来区分快速奔跑和跳跃，并研究程序来检测老年人运动后的跌倒。运动后立即，以避免跌倒后伤亡。这种方法的主要优点是可以检测剧烈跌倒和缓慢跌倒，适用性强。实验表明，该设备的准确报警率为95%，满足跌倒检测精度。
THE PRESENT STATUS OF MARKET INSTITUTIONS AS A FACTOR IN UKRAINE’S NATIONAL SECURITY AND COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Struk Oleksandra , Hurnyak Ihor
Published: January 2025

Purpose: This study explores the impact of market institutions on Ukraine’s national security and competitiveness. Specifically, it presents the role of the stock market and banking sector in shaping economic stability and defense capabilities.
Methodology/approach: Drawing on insights from institutional economics, this research employs a comparative analysis of market institutions in Ukraine and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The study is based on data from the stock market and banking sector to assess their performance and implications for national security. Additionally, the Axelrod tournament framework is applied to analyze strategic behavior within these institutions. This analysis incorporates the utilization of various Python packages to delve into the complexities of the situation. The market of arms manufacturers is selected as an illustration of missed opportunities. Optimization of portfolios was carried out based on the maximization of the Sharpe ratio. At the same time, indicators Sortino, Max Drawdown, Calmar were used for testing alternative approaches.
Findings: The analysis reveals significant shortcomings in Ukraine’s market institutions, particularly in the stock market and banking sector. Weaknesses such as underrepresentation of defense companies and other sectors in the stock market and high levels of nonperforming loans in the banking sector pose serious challenges to national security. Comparative analysis of such countries like Poland and Czech Republic highlights the importance of robust institutional frameworks. Analysis of WIG Ukraine and WIG CEE supports this conclusion. Institutional weakness does not allow Ukraine to maintain a stable proactive position in interaction with other states.
Originality/value: This study contributes to the scientific discourse on institutional economics and national security by providing a comprehensive analysis of market institutions in Ukraine. By identifying key weaknesses and comparing them with successful institutional models in other CEE countries, the research underscores the urgency of institutional reforms to safeguard Ukraine’s interests and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.
Effect of Die Temperature and Porang (Amorphophallus mulleri B.) Flour on the Physicochemical Properties, Nutritional Value, Estimated Glycemic Index, and Sensory Evaluation of Brown Rice Snack by a Collet Extruder
Authors:   Department of International Master Degree Program in Food Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC, Bernas Cindytia Selvina , Kalahal Sagar Pandappa ,   Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC, Patria Domas Galih ,   Department of Food Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC, Lin Jenshinn ,   Department of Food Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC
Published: January 2025

Porang is an underutilized Indonesian tuber plant that exhibits
potential as an ingredient in extrusion-based snacks. This study aims
to develop brown rice snacks incorporating porang flour at various die
temperatures using a collet extruder to enhance their physicochemical
properties. The collet extruder used in this study is a cost-effective
method for installation, maintenance, and operation. The effect of die
temperature (90, 100, and 110 °C) and porang (0, 5, 15, and 25 %) as
independent variables were studied on the physicochemical properties,
nutritional value, and sensory evaluation of extrudates. According to the
experimental results, higher die temperatures significantly (p < 0.05)
increased ash content (1.33 - 2.11 %), crude fat (0.91 - 2.05 %), a*
value (0.96 - 4.98), water absorption index (WAI) (5.84 - 9.27 g/g),water solubility index (WSI) (6.64 - 16.05 %), DPPH
free radical scavenging ability (8.14 - 18.53 %),
total phenolic content (TPC) (200.61 - 426.93 mg
GAE/100g d.m.), and total flavonoid content (TFC)
(407.20 - 1661.11 mg RE/100 g d.m.); decreased crude
protein (9.85 – 7.11%), and L* value (82.37 - 69.25).
The extrudate produced at 100 °C had the highest
radial expansion ratio (1.57 – 2.79 mm/mm); lowest
bulk density (0.21 - 0.14 g/cm3) and hardness (2.39
- 1.30 kgf). The increased addition of porang flour
significantly increased (p < 0.05) moisture content
(2.01 – 2.62 %), ash content, total carbohydrate
(84.83 – 86.83 %), a* value, b* value (11.80 – 16.65),
bulk density, hardness, WAI, WSI, DPPH free radical
scavenging ability, TPC, and TFC, whereas decreased
the crude protein, crude fat, L* value, radial expansion
ratio. According to the sensory evaluation results,
consumers preferred the extrudates with 5 % porang
flour processed at a die temperature of 110 °C over
the other extrudates. Incorporating porang flour into
puffed snacks could serve as a potential component
in developing snacks that meet consumer demand
for nutritionally beneficial products because of its
low glycemic index (40.604 - 44.789). Snacks made
with porang flour could provide beneficial effects
for both healthy individuals and those with health
concerns, making them suitable for a wide range
of consumers.
Removal of Chromium (III) Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Green Synthesized Calix[6]arene
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Prabawati Susy Yunita , Hamidah Nina ,   Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Teaching and Education, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Mufidati Afifah ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Published: January 2025

In this study, p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene has been successfully
synthesized using tert-butylphenol, formaldehyde, and KOH base catalyst.
The synthesis process was carried out using a solvent-free grinding
technique to minimize waste formation. The grinding technique was
selected because the synthesis process was easy and environmentally
friendly. With the synthesis yield of 62.58%, the product obtained was
a yellow-brownish solid with a melting point >300°C, insoluble in water
but soluble in methanol. The product was characterized using FTIR
spectrophotometer, and resulted in spectra showing absorption band for
methylene bridge (-CH2-) vibration at the wave number of 1473.62 cm-1.
The results of the LC-MS chromatogram analysis showed that the
molecular weight of the compound was 974.77 g/mol. The product was
then tested for its ability to adsorb Cr(III) metal ions by batch method at
pH 5 with variations in contact time and different initial concentrations
of metal ions. Calix[6]arene was tested as a Cr(III) metal ion adsorbent
because the size of the cavity diameter of calix[6]arene matches to the
size of the lower period heavy metal cation. The results showed that the
amount of adsorbed metal increased with the increasing of the contact
time and reaches stability within 120 min. The adsorption capacity value was 7.414 μmol/g with a Gibbs adsorption energy
value of -26.198 kJ/mol.
Comparison criterion for second order Riccati equations
Authors: Grigorian G. A.
Published: January 2025

Three comparison criteria are obtained for second order Riccati equations. On the basis of these criteria some global existence theorems are proved for mentioned equations. The results obtained are used to derive a non oscillation criterion for three dimensional linear systems of ordinary differential equations.
Design and simulation investigation of a large-aperture secondary mirror system with flexible passive support for MUST
Authors: Guo Liquan , Zheng Yamin , Zhang Yifan , Li Pei , Wang Zichao , Wu Haoyang , Xing MingJia , Dai Xiaodong , Huang Lei
Published: January 2025

The Multiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST) is a 6.5-meter class wide-field survey telescope set to be constructed in Lenghu Town, China. It features a concave hyperbolic primary mirror (M1) and a convex hyperbolic secondary mirror (M2). The M2 system is crucial for achieving the high image quality of MUST over a field of view (FOV) of 2.8° and must maintain precise surface accuracy under varying attitudes and environmental temperatures. To address the challenges associated with measuring and supporting large-aperture convex secondary mirrors, a novel secondary mirror system based on flexible passive support was proposed for MUST. This system enables the sub-aperture stitching measurement of the M2 during manufacturing under different attitudes and ensures stable performance across a wide temperature range of -40°C to +40°C, as well as operating attitudes from 0° to 90°. This paper presents the design, finite element modeling, and simulation results of the M2 system, exploring the effects of gravity, temperature variations, and assembly errors on M2 surface distortion and wavefront aberrations for the MUST telescope.
Electrically tunable polarization imaging through configurating a single layer of infrared twisted nematic liquid-crystal (IR-TNLC) module before a common camera
Authors: Liu Kewei , Zhu Wenjie , Ye Mao , Wang Zhe , Chen Zongtao , Liu Taige , Wang Haiwei , Zhang Xinyu
Published: January 2025

An infrared (IR) polarization imaging approach basically through configuring a polarized liquid-crystal (LC) component adjusted electrically before a common IR camera, is proposed. An experimental module composed of a single layer of the IR twisted nematic LC (IR-TNLC) structure for continuously or leapingly varying the polarized orientation of the imaging beams, has been characterized, which demonstrates an ideal polarization modulating behavior in three IR atmospherical windows. The typical polarized measurements in both the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and the long-wave infrared (LWIR) regions indicate a perfect imaging efficiency mainly in the electronic target acquisition and the detailed feature recognition. According to common Stokes vectors and further, the DoLP and E-DoLP imaging mode, an electrically tunable re-orientation of the imaging beams, which is obviously different from the traditional polarized imaging only based on constructing several polarized states such as in a typical set of {0°, ± 45°, 90°}, can be performed effectively. The proposed method already presents some merits including a capacity of continuously scanning or leapingly shifting the polarized state in a range of {∼3.11°, 80.20°}/SWIR (shortwave infrared) or {0.08°, 89.15°}/ MWIR or {∼0.77°, 84.10°}/ LWIR, a higher imaging contrast, a remarkable reduction of the local glaring, almost completely eliminated ghosting, an obvious enhancement of the local pattern contour or some featured edges.
Pilin antigenic variants impact gonococcal lifestyle and antibiotic tolerance by modulating interbacterial forces
Authors: Wielert Isabelle , Kraus-Römer Sebastian , Volkmann Thorsten E. , Craig Lisa , Higgins Paul G. , Maier Berenike
Published: January 2025

Type 4 pili (T4P) are multifunctional filaments involved in adhesion, surface motility, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. These extracellular polymers are surface-exposed and, therefore, act as antigens. The human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses pilin antigenic variation to escape immune surveillance, yet it is unclear how antigenic variation impacts most other functions of T4P. Here, we addressed this question by replacing the major pilin of a laboratory strain with pilins from clinical isolates. We reveal that the resulting strains vary substantially in their attractive forces. Strongly interacting bacteria form microcolonies while weakly interacting bacteria retain a planktonic lifestyle. In mixed microcolonies, different variant strains segregate in agreement with the differential strength of adhesion hypothesis. By combining structural predictions and laser tweezers experiments, we show that the C-terminal region of the pilin is crucial for attraction. Lifestyle affects growth kinetics and antibiotic tolerance. In the presence of ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin, the killing kinetics indicate strongly increased tolerance of aggregating strains. We propose that pilin antigenic variation produces a mixed population containing variants optimized for growth, colonization, or survivability under external stress. Different environments select different variants, ensuring the survival and reproduction of the population as a whole.
Specificity and tunability of efflux pumps: A new role for the proton gradient?
Authors: Gerry Matthew , Kirby Duncan , Alexandrov Boian S. , Segal Dvira , Zilman Anton
Published: January 2025

Efflux pumps that transport antibacterial drugs out of bacterial cells have broad specificity, commonly leading to broad spectrum resistance and limiting treatment strategies for infections. It remains unclear how efflux pumps can maintain this broad spectrum specificity to diverse drug molecules while limiting the efflux of other cytoplasmic content. We have investigated the origins of this broad specificity using theoretical models informed by the experimentally determined structural and kinetic properties of efflux pumps. We developed a set of mathematical models describing operation of efflux pumps as a discrete cyclic stochastic process across a network of states characterizing pump conformations and the presence/absence of bound ligands and protons. These include a minimal three-state model that lends itself to clear analytic calculations as well as a five-state model that relaxes some of the simpler model’s most strict assumptions. We found that the pump specificity is determined not solely by the drug affinity to the pump–as is commonly assumed–but it is also directly affected by the periplasmic pH and the transmembrane potential. Therefore, changes to the proton concentration gradient and voltage drop across the membrane can influence how effective the pump is at extruding a particular drug molecule. Furthermore, we found that while both the proton concentration gradient across the membrane and the transmembrane potential contribute to the thermodynamic force driving the pump, their effects on the efflux enter not strictly in a combined proton motive force. Rather, they have two distinguishable effects on the overall throughput. These results highlight the unexpected effects of thermodynamic driving forces out of equilibrium and illustrate how efflux pump structure and function are conducive to the emergence of multidrug resistance.
Comparing imputation approaches to handle systematically missing inputs in risk calculators
Authors: Mühlemann Anja , Stange Philip , Faul Antoine , Lozza-Fiacco Serena , Iskandar Rowan , Moraru Manuela , Theis Susanne , Stute Petra , Spycher Ben D. , Ginsbourger David
Published: January 2025

Risk calculators based on statistical and/or mechanistic models have flourished and are increasingly available for a variety of diseases. However, in the day-to-day practice, their usage may be hampered by missing input variables. Certain measurements needed to calculate disease risk may be difficult to acquire, e.g. because they necessitate blood draws, and may be systematically missing in the population of interest. We compare several deterministic and probabilistic imputation approaches to surrogate predictions from risk calculators while accounting for uncertainty due to systematically missing inputs. The considered approaches predict missing inputs from available ones. In the case of probabilistic imputation, this leads to probabilistic prediction of the risk. We compare the methods using scoring techniques for forecast evaluation, with a focus on the Brier and CRPS scores. We also discuss the classification of patients into risk groups defined by thresholding predicted probabilities. While the considered procedures are not meant to replace fully-informed risk calculations, employing them to get first indications of risk distribution in the absence of at least one input parameter may find useful applications in medical practice. To illustrate this, we use the SCORE2 risk calculator for cardiovascular disease and a data set including medical data from 359 women, obtained from the gynecology department at the Inselspital in Bern, Switzerland. Using this data set, we mimic the situation where some input parameters, blood lipids and blood pressure, are systematically missing and compute the SCORE2 risk by probabilistic imputation of the missing variables based on the remaining input variables. We compare this approach to established imputation techniques like MICE by means of scoring rules and visualize in turn how probabilistic imputation can be used in sample size considerations.
PRC2 promotes canalisation during endodermal differentiation
Authors: Hölzenspies Jurriaan Jochem , Sengupta Dipta , Bickmore Wendy Anne , Brickman Joshua Mark , Illingworth Robert Scott
Published: January 2025

The genetic circuitry that encodes the developmental programme of mammals is regulated by transcription factors and chromatin modifiers. During early gestation, the three embryonic germ layers are established in a process termed gastrulation. The impact of deleterious mutations in chromatin modifiers such as the polycomb proteins manifests during gastrulation, leading to early developmental failure and lethality in mouse models. Embryonic stem cells have provided key insights into the molecular function of polycomb proteins, but it is impossible to fully appreciate the role of these epigenetic factors in development, or how development is perturbed due to their deficiency, in the steady-state. To address this, we have employed a tractable embryonic stem cell differentiation system to model primitive streak formation and early gastrulation. Using this approach, we find that loss of the repressive polycomb mark H3K27me3 is delayed relative to transcriptional activation, indicating a subordinate rather than instructive role in gene repression. Despite this, chemical inhibition of polycomb enhanced endodermal differentiation efficiency, but did so at the cost of lineage fidelity. These findings highlight the importance of the polycomb system in stabilising the developmental transcriptional response and, in so doing, in shoring up cellular specification.
Fleeing the war: A socio-ecological perspective on the mental health of internally displaced and refugee children and adolescents living in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
Authors: Wittmann Jasmin , Ibrahim Hawkar , Neuner Frank , Catani Claudia
Published: January 2025

Over the past decade, the number of children forced to flee their homes worldwide has increased twofold. The accumulative experiences of war, displacement, and flight can have a devastating impact on the mental health of affected minors. Although more than half of all displaced minors are internally displaced within their countries of origin, little is known about the psychopathology of these displaced children living in regions of ongoing or recent conflict. Employing a socio-ecological perspective, this study aims to identify risk factors contributing to psychopathology among internally displaced and refugee minors living in camps for displaced families in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. A total of 332 displaced children and adolescents, aged between 8 and 16 years, were interviewed by trained paraprofessionals in a cross-sectional study in 2019. Trauma and mental health symptoms, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and internalizing and externalizing problems, were assessed. The findings highlighted elevated rates of trauma exposure and psychopathology among the participating minors. Using multiple linear regression analyses we identified risk factors across all mental health outcomes at the individual level (e.g., higher age, greater trauma exposure) and the family level (e.g., greater family violence). Moreover, an analysis at the community level, dividing the study sample by legal status (internally displaced vs. refugee) revealed significantly higher rates of trauma exposure and psychopathology among internally displaced minors. These findings have implications for developing appropriate support for the healthy development of forcibly displaced children and adolescents living in areas of ongoing conflict. Prevention and intervention strategies should take into account various socio-ecological levels, including trauma-focused psychotherapy at the individual level, measures to prevent violence at the family level, and community-level actions that consider context-specific responses, such as adapting camp conditions to meet the needs of vulnerable displaced children.
Concurrent transmission of Zika virus during the 2023 dengue outbreak in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Anamul , Hossain Md. Mobarok , Zamil Md Fahad , Trina Afrida Tabassum , Hossain Mohammad Sharif , Kumkum Asifa , Afreen Sajia , Ahmed Dilruba , Rahman Mustafizur , Alam Mohammad Shafiul
Published: January 2025

Background

During the 2023-dengue outbreak in Bangladesh, a diagnostic evaluation study was conducted to investigate concurrent Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) transmission in Dhaka in 2023.

Aims

The study explored to simultaneously detect the presence of ZIKV, DENV, and/or CHIKV while considering relevant clinical and epidemiological risk factors, using a real-time multiplex RT-PCR system. Following this, it was planned to sequence the selected samples to identify genetic variations of the ZIKV infections within the population.

Methods

This study was designed as a diagnostic evaluation, where participants meeting the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited with written informed consent. A total of 399 febrile individuals were screened, with 185 meeting the inclusion criteria of having a fever onset within 2–5 days, along with one of the following clinical features, e.g. headache, myalgia, arthralgia or bone pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and 152 undergoing real-time RT-PCR testing.

Results

Five ZIKV-positive cases were identified, including one DENV-ZIKV co-infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the ZIKV strains were part of the Asian lineage, closely related to Cambodian and Chinese strains from 2019. All ZIKV-positive cases were male, residing within a one-kilometer radius, with no prior travel history, suggesting community-level transmission.

Conclusion

This study marks the first identification of ZIKV in Dhaka city and the first report of ZIKV-DENV co-infection in Bangladesh that highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by the symptomatic similarities between ZIKV and other arboviruses and underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and public health interventions to mitigate the spread and impact of ZIKV in dengue-endemic regions.
Effect of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells secretory proteins on hypoxic pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Abdo Eiman , Ismail Mohammad A. , Al Hadidi Sabal , Al-Mrahleh Mairvat , Saleh Tareq , Zihlif Malik , Ababneh Nidaa A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Hypoxia in tumor cells is linked to increased drug resistance and more aggressive behavior. In pancreatic cancer, the tumor microenvironment is notably hypoxic and exhibits strong immunosuppressive properties. Given that immunotherapy is now approved for pancreatic cancer treatment, further understanding of how pancreatic tumor cell hypoxia influences T-cell cytotoxicityis essential.

Objective

This study examined how hypoxia affects the interaction between pancreatic tumor cells (PANC-1) and cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells.

Methods

Pancreatic tumor cells (PANC-1) were exposed to 20 cycles of chronic hypoxic conditions, each for 72 hours, followed by a re-oxygenation period for 24 hours. On cycles 10 and 20, PANC-1 conditioned media (CM) was harvested, and the hypoxic PANC-1 cells were co-cultured with either the activated cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells or with CD8+ T-cells CM. CD8+ T-cells CM was collected after five days of cell activation using anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies and interleukin-2 (IL-2). CD8+ T-cells were activated for 72 hours and then cultured with the hypoxic PANC-1 CM.

Results

Hypoxic PANC-1 cells showed significant resistance to the lytic effect of either CD8+ T-cells co-culture or CD8+ T-cells CM treatment compared to normoxic PANC-1 cells. A significant decrease in TNF-α and IFN-γ levels was also detected. Additionally, a significant increase in IL-6, p53 and TNF-α gene expression levels was observed in PANC-1 cells treated with CD8+ T-cells CM. Moreover, IL-6 gene expression level showed a significant difference between hypoxic and normoxic PANC-1 cells. CD8+ T-cell proliferation and cytokines production were significantly higher in cells co-cultured with PANC-1 CM. However, no significant differences were observed after treatment with either hypoxic or normoxic PANC-1 CM.

Conclusion

Hypoxia decreases PANC-1 cells’ sensitivity to cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells. Reduced tumor cell susceptibility to CD8+ T-cells was associated with increased IL-6 expression and reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. Thus, cytokine dysregulation might contribute to the hypoxia-mediated resistance of pancreatic tumor cells to CD8+ T-cells.
Influence of Messa di Voce speed on vocal stability of untrained, healthy subjects
Authors: Kirsch Jonas , Köberlein Marie , Döllinger Michael , Echternach Matthias
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Despite its importance in voice training, comprehensive research into sustained vowel phonation with constant pitch and increasing and decreasing loudness, the so-called Messa di Voce, is lacking. The study examines the laryngeal behavior during Messa di Voce, regarding the impact of the speed of execution on voice stability parameters.

Materials and methods

Nine untrained, healthy subjects (5 female, 4 male) were asked to perform Messa di Voce exercises on the vowel [i:], involving a gradual increase and decrease of volume. During the first task, each phase should take 3 s, whereas in the second task, each phase should take 1 s. Female subjects sang pitch B3 (fundamental frequency fo ≈ 247 Hz), and male subjects pitch B2 (fo ≈ 124 Hz). Throughout phonation, synchronous recordings were captured through high-speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV), electroglottography, and audio signals. Subsequently, the Glottal Area Waveform was extracted from the HSV data. The tasks’ duration and calculated parameters (including, e.g., Open Quotient (OQ), Closing Quotient (ClQ), Relative Average Perturbation (RAP)), excluding parts of the signal with stationary sound pressure level (SPL), were analyzed with correlation analysis and statistical analysis (Analysis of Variance and subsequent multiple comparisons).

Results

Subjects shortened the requested task length by factor ≈ 0.5. The fo remained almost stable for most subjects and tasks. There were strong negative correlations between SPL and both OQ and ClQ. The median RAP appears to decrease towards the SPL apex and then increase again. Statistical effects were shown especially for females during the fast task, which may be due to raised SPL.

Conclusion

There was no specific effect on stability found corresponding to the task’s speed. Also, no major vocal instabilities at a specific sound pressure level were apparent, indicating no transitions as they exist for fo regions with registration events.
Limited research investigating the value of MRI in predicting future cognitive morbidity in survivors of paediatric brain tumours: A systematic-review and call to action for clinical neuroimaging researchers
Authors: Griffiths-King Daniel J. , Delivett Christopher , Peet Andrew , Waite Jane , Novak Jan
Published: January 2025

Survivors of pediatric brain tumours are at a high risk of cognitive morbidity. Reliable individual-level predictions regarding the likelihood, degree, and affected domains of cognitive impairment would be clinically beneficial. While established risk factors exist, quantitative MRI analysis may enhance predictive value, above and beyond current clinical risk models. This systematic review addresses the question: “Do MRI markers predict future cognitive functioning in pediatric brain tumour survivors?” We conducted a comprehensive search for studies published up to March 2024 that assessed MRI variables as predictors of later neuropsychological outcomes in pediatric brain tumour patients. Only studies that acquired MRI scans at an earlier timepoint to predict subsequent cognitive test performance were included. Surprisingly, few studies met these criteria, with identified research focusing primarily on MRI measures of cerebellar and white matter damage as features in predicting cognitive outcomes. Ultimately, this review reveals a limited literature, characterized by small sample sizes and poor-quality studies, placing findings at high risk of bias. Consequently, the quality and conclusions drawn from the existing research are constrained, especially in the context of prediction studies. Given the significant implications for this clinical population, this review highlights the urgent need for further investigation and a ‘call to action’ for medical imaging researchers in pediatric neuro-oncology.
Net buffer load during regional citrate anticoagulated continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Forsal Innas , Pouchoulin Dominique , Roos Viktoria , Echeverri Jorge , Broman Marcus Ewert
Published: January 2025

Background

Regionally anticoagulated continuous renal replacement therapy with citrate is the first choice for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. If citrate that reaches the patient exceeds the metabolic capacity, metabolic alkalosis will follow. Bicarbonate from the treatment fluids will also reach the patient and add to the bicarbonate load. Net buffer load is a parameter calculated by the dialysis machine software from the treatment fluid contents, the fluid flows and the filter properties. Each time the treatment settings are altered the net buffer load will be re-calculated. This parameter is integrated as a static safety parameter in the Prismax version 3 software, and will guide the operator on a possible development of metabolic alkalosis with the current settings.

Methods

Algorithms for estimating the net buffer load were developed. Hourly clinical data from electronic medical records from 60 patients’ continuous renal replacement treatments at the Adult Intensive Care Unit, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden was used to simulate net buffer load. The relation between net buffer load and acid base status at steady state was evaluated. Net buffer load was also calculated from three previous studies for comparison to our present cohort.

Results

The mean net buffer load was +0.09 ±0.04 mmol/h/kg in the present cohort, and comparable to historic cohorts from literature. We could not establish a correlation to steady state arterial bicarbonate. The pre blood pump citrate containing replacement fluid flow rate was affecting net buffer load most of all parts of the dialysis circuit, with a r2 Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.65 (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The net buffer load parameter can alert the operator on the expected impact of the dialysis circuit on patient’s acid base status. It was possible to calculate realistic net buffer load values during 60 CRRT treatments.
Effects of gastrointestinal parasites on fecal glucocorticoids and behaviour in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
Authors: Upadhayay Pooja , Chapman Colin A. , Mastromonaco Gabriela F. , Schoof Valerie A.M.
Published: January 2025

Relationships between parasites, host physiology, and behaviours are complex. Parasites can influence host hormonal microenvironment and behaviour through “sickness behaviours” that generally conserve energy. Using a parasite removal experiment, we examined the effects of gastrointestinal parasites on fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGC) and behaviours of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) at Lake Nabugabo, Uganda. We collected parasitological, hormonal, and behavioural data from adult and subadult male and female vervets (N = 19) in 2014 across four study phases: pre-deworming, post-deworming, early reinfection, and late reinfection as well as in 2015. Overall, there was no decrease in fGC after deworming, but there was an increase following natural reinfection. There was no change in feeding across study phases; however, moving, grooming, and resting changed between the post-deworming and late reinfection phases, but not always in the predicted direction. Comparing behaviour across the same months in the following year as in the 2014 experimental study period, we found no differences in moving, feeding, grooming, and resting events. Despite behavioural variation between study phases, we cannot conclude that behavioural changes are due to parasitism rather than other seasonal variation. However, fGC increased following reinfection, which is consistent with parasitism being costly for hosts.
The PainSMART project: Protocol for a research program on effectiveness, mechanisms of effect and patient-practitioner experiences of the PainSMART-strategy as an adjunct to usual primary care physiotherapy management for musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Thompson Richard , Fors Maria , Kammerlind Ann-Sofi , Tingström Pia , Abbott Allan , Johansson Kajsa
Published: January 2025

Background

Musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) disorders entail a significant burden for individuals and healthcare systems. The PainSMART-strategy has been developed aiming to reduce divergences between patients and healthcare practitioners in their understanding of MSKP by providing a shared basis for communication and to facilitate patients’ self-management of MSKP. The objective of the PainSMART-project is to evaluate the effects of the PainSMART-strategy as an adjunct to usual physiotherapy management compared to usual physiotherapy management alone.

Methods

The PainSMART-project is a research program with a collective suite of studies utilising mixed methods, centred around a randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06187428). Subjects: Adults (18 years or older) seeking primary care for MSKP who are triaged and booked for an initial physiotherapy consultation at five primary care physiotherapy departments within the Swedish public healthcare regions of Östergötland and Jönköping. A total of 490 subjects will be randomised to receive one of two possible interventions.

Interventions

Both groups will receive usual physiotherapy management for benign MSKP. The intervention group will also receive the PainSMART-strategy consisting of an educational film, reflection and reinforcement of the film’s key messages prior to the initial physiotherapy consultation and a patient-practitioner discussion based on the film.

Outcome

The primary outcome is 1) between group mean change over time from baseline to 24 hours post initial physiotherapy consultation and baseline to 3 months regarding self-reported average pain intensity and pain self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes include similar measurements for MSKP illness perception, reassurance of benign nature, pain coping, physical activity, analgesic medication use, sick leave, healthcare use and direct healthcare costs. Physiotherapist and patient reported experience measures and qualitative evaluation of the effects of the PainSMART-strategy on communication at the initial physiotherapy consultation will also be explored.

Discussion

This study will investigate potential added effects of PainSMART-strategy upon usual primary care physiotherapy for MSKP.
Introduced substrates trigger colonization by reef-associated fish in a degraded coastal system
Authors: Watson Maryann S. , Dickson Jon , Franken Oscar , Govers Laura L. , van der Heide Tjisse , Witte Sterre , Eriksson Britas Klemens
Published: January 2025

Coastal reefs benefit the survival and growth of mobile organisms by providing shelter and increased food availability. Under increasing pressure from human activities, the coverage of subtidal reefs has decreased along the world’s coasts. This decline is motivating efforts to restore these important habitats by re-introducing hard substrates into the coastal zone. However, many such projects use artificial substrates, such as concrete or metal, that are not naturally occurring in the marine environment. We experimentally introduced hard substrates that were either historically common in a soft sediment-dominated ecosystem, or are mimicking these substrates with biodegradable material, and monitored the substrates for mobile species use (fish and invertebrates). Six substrates were tested: cockle shells, rocks of two sizes (cobbles and pebbles), wood, artificial reefs of calcium carbonate with shell fragments, and biodegradable structures based on potato starch. Within one year, fish and prawns were already attracted to all of the introduced substrates. On average, fish were nearly five times as abundant and prawn abundance increased nearly 30-fold on the artificial reefs, compared to the bare sand bottom control. The community composition on the reefs differed significantly from the sand bottom community, but there were no differences between the types of introduced substrates. Interestingly, the substrates attracted reef-associated fish, but also soft-sediment dependent species, such as different species of flatfish and gobies. Our results show that, even over shorter timespans, introductions of hard substrates provide opportunities to support associated mobile communities in degraded soft-sediment systems.
The assessment of routine health information system performance towards improvement of quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services in Ondo and Ekiti States, Nigeria
Authors: Oladoyin Victoria , Adedini Sunday , Ijadunola Kayode , Ogunwemimo Hassan , Folorunso Olubunmi , Chukwu Elizabeth , Okoli Ugo , Adoghe Anthony , Oyeniyi Samuel , Adetiloye Oniyire , Fatusi Adesegun
Published: January 2025

Background

Nigeria’s reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health indicators have remained unsatisfactory in the face of poor-quality healthcare services. Nigeria initiated the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent, elderly + nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) quality of care (QoC) agenda to address the challenge. The health management information system (HMIS) is integral to the agenda but there is sparse evidence on its performance so far. This study assessed the performance of routine HMIS for RMNCAEH+N QoC in Ondo and Ekiti States.

Methods

This paper described the review of health facility records and health facility survey components of a multi-component study which employed a mixed-method research design. Using the routine health information system performance diagnostic tool, service data captured for over one year were critically reviewed in randomly selected sample of 169 public health facilities (Ondo:117; Ekiti:52) and information was obtained from facility heads or designates. Performance of routine HMIS for RMNCAEH+N QoC in terms of data collection, data quality, and data use were analysed using univariate and bivariate statistics.

Results

Results show that 67.3% of health facilities in Ekiti and 88.9% of facilities in Ondo had all required HMIS tools for selected RMNCAEH+N services (p<0.001). Data accuracy was 70.1% for Ondo and 40.4% for Ekiti (p <0.001); 82.9% of facilities in Ondo and 44.2% in Ekiti had complete data (p <0.001); almost all facilities (Ondo: 99.1%; Ekiti: 96.2%, p = 0.224) demonstrated data consistency; and, 82.9% of facilities in Ondo and 94.2% of facilities in Ekiti demonstrated timeliness in data submission (p = 0.048). Also, 70.1% (Ondo) and 78% (Ekiti) of facilities had quality improvement (QI) teams (p = 0.338); 53.5% (Ondo) and 77.1% (Ekiti) of QI teams regularly extracted data, calculated, and visualised prioritized indicators (p = 0.007); while 72.1% (Ondo) and 79.2% (Ekiti) regularly reviewed data and used it to make QI decisions (p = 0.367).

Conclusion

Routine RMNCAEH+N QoC data management system in Ondo and Ekiti States vary in terms of the status of reporting forms, data quality, and data use for decision-making, and there were specific performance gaps. The routine RMNCAEH+N QoC data management system in Ondo and Ekiti States needs improvement and findings from this study can serve as the basis for evidence-based advocacy for the required efforts and investment toward improved performance.
Euskara estandarraren aldakortasuna: konposizionala ala plurizentrikoa?
Authors: Azkarate Miren
Published: January 2025

Euskara estandarra, euskara batua, konposizionaltasunaren eta plurizentrikotasunaren ikuspegitik aztertzea du helburu lan honek. Horretarako, estandar konposizional eta plurizentriko terminoen definizioetatik abiatuta, euskara estandarraren (euskara batuaren) hautatzearen eta kodifikazioaren zenbait ezaugarri nabarmenduko ditugu arreta berezia jarrita aldakortasun kontzeptuan. Euskara estandarraren gaurko idatzizko erabilerei ere erreparatuko diegu, zehazki, Bizkaiko eta Iparraldekoei. Datu horien guztien argitan, eta kontuan izanik soziolinguistek zein ezaugarri nabarmentzen dituzten zentro anitzeko estandarretan, defendatuko dugu euskararen aldaera estandarra konposizionaltzat hartu behar dela.
1619ko Tolosako gaztelaniazko paskinak eta Elduaingo euskarazko bertso iraingarriak
Authors: Bilbao Gidor
Published: January 2025

Artikulu honetan, euskalariek “1619ko Tolosako paskinak” izenburuarekin ezagutu dituzten bertsoen testua bere testuinguruan kokatzeko asmoarekin, bertso horiek bildu zituen prozesuko dokumentu guztiak aztertu ditugu, eta argitu dugu Adarrac emaiten dira Miraballesen... hasten diren euskarazko bertso iraingarriak ez direla Tolosan agerturiko paskinetakoak (zeinak gaztelaniaz idatziak baitziren), baizik eta, gaztelaniazko paskin horien autorearen bila ari zirelarik, Joan Olaondo Elduaingo apaizaren etxean aurkituak, beste hainbat dokumenturekin batera. Elduaingo apaiz-etxearen miaketan bilduriko dokumentu guztiak argitaratu ditugu, eta ahalegin berezia egin dugu euskarazko bertso iraingarrien testua finkatzeko. Euskarazko bertsoen egilea nor izan zen argitzen saiatu gara baina ez dugu ondorio eztabaidaezinik atera: Joan Otazu Leaburuko apaiza zen prozesuan akusatu nagusia, baina prozesuko komisarioaren aginduz euskarazko bertsoen letrakera aztertu zuten adituek Pedro Olazabal Mendigibel Lizartzako apaiza eta Domingo Katategi Tolosako bizilaguna aipatu zituzten. Bestalde, erakutsi dugu Tolosaldean, xvii. mendearen hasieran, euskarazko eta gaztelaniazko bertsoak erabiltzen zirela bizilagunen arteko liskarretan, hala idatziak nola bat-batekoak.
Beste azentu bat Bizkaikoa: Getxo (azentudun hitzak)
Authors: Bilbao Xabier
Published: January 2025

Zenbait lanek eman digute Getxoko euskararen eta, oro har, Ipar-Sartaldeko euskararen azentuaren berri. Lanoi esker, badakigu eremu horretakoa tonu edo doinu motako azentua dela gauzatze akustikoz, eta hitzean duen kokalekuaren aldetik dituen ezaugarri nagusiak direla morfema azentudunak eta azentugabeak daudela, hitzek zenbait eragiketa morfologikoren eraginez har dezaketela azentua (hitz-elkarketaz, eratorpenez edo flexio-atzizkien eransketaz) eta eremu prosodikoan ezartzen den bigarren azentu bat dagoela. Lan honetan jatorriz azentudun diren hitzei begiratzen zaie (hau da, elkarketaz, eratorpenez edo flexioz azentudun bihurtu ez direnei) eta duen helburu xumea da halako hitzak modu ordenatuan adibidetzea. Horretarako, zenbait multzotan antolatuko dira adibideak eta alde batetik ikusiko da maileguen kasua (jatorri duten erdal hitzaren azentua gorde duten hitzak) eta, bestetik, gainerako euskal hitz bakun azentudunen kasua. Bukatzeko, balio adierazkor berezia duten euskal hitz azentudunen adibide batzuen kasua aipatuko da, eta, haiekin lotuta, sintaxi mailako silaba-hasierako azentu-esleipen arau bat egon ahal izatea.
Eskualduna astekariaren grafiaz eta kolaboratzaileez: Manex Hiriart-Urrutik Anton Abadiari igorri gutunaren lekukotasuna (1894-06-17)
Authors: Mounole Céline
Published: January 2025

Artikulu honetan Manex Hiriart-Urrutik Anton Abadiari igorri gutun ezezagunaren lekukotasuna plazaratzen da. Bi gizonek hein bateko tratua izan zutela agerian emateaz gain, gutun horrek garaiko euskalariek zerabiltzaten gogoeta eta gai zenbait dakartza. Lehenik, Ithurriren gramatikari buruzko berri franko dakar, hala nola Ithurriren helburuak eta Hiriart-Urrutik proiektu horrendako zuen atxikimenduaren arrazoiak. Bigarrenik, 20. mendearen hastapenean izan ziren grafiari buruzko eztabaiden lekukotasun zuzena dugu. Ortografia egoki eta bakarraren bilaketa horretan Manex Hiriart-Urrutiren gogoetak eta irizpideak zein izan ziren erakustearekin batean, Eskualduna kazetaren grafia, belaunaldi gutitan Iparralde gehienerako finkatu zena, kazetari hazpandarrari zor zaiola frogatzen du. Azkenik, Abadiari Eskualduna interesatzen zitzaiola ez ezik, hartan kolaboratu ere zuela erakusten du.
Merezi ete dau erabilera hauei begiratzea?
Authors: Elordieta Arantzazu
Published: January 2025

Ete (ote) partikula epistemikoak harridura-perpausetan dituen bi erabilera dialektal dira aztergai lan honetan. Interesa dute beren interpretazioa ez delako ote kanonikoak duena, bestelakoa baizik. Izan ere, lehen erabileran hiztunak ete erabiltzean aurretik solaskideak esan duenaren gainean berrespen enfatikoa adierazten du. Bigarrenean, ostera, aurretik solaskideak esan duenaren gainean kontrako iritzi kritikoa ematen du hiztunak. Bestetik, erro-perpausak diruditen arren, eterekin batera -(e)n konplementatzaileak agertu behar du. Balio hauek azaldu nahian, artikuluan proposatzen da perpaus insubordinatuak direla, eta lehen erabileran polaritate fokuaren balioa hartzen duelarik, ete partikulak eta aditzak ezkerralderako mugida jasaten dutela. Bigarren erabileran, ordea, etek bere esanahia gramatikalizatu du hiztunak proposizioan adierazitakoarekin guztiz bat egiten ez duela adieraztetik adostasunik batere ez duela adierazteraino. Horrek bat egingo luke egitura esklamatiboek daukaten ñabardura kuantifikatzailearekin.
Initial/Final Tone Agreement in Ekegusii (Bantu; Kenya)
Authors: Hyman Larry M.
Published: January 2025

In this paper I present an unusual Bantu tonal phenomenon where certain “cells” in the verb paradigm require a tonal agreement between the first syllable (the subject prefix) and the last syllable (an inflectional ending). Such a long-distance dependency raises the question of whether it is tone alone that can do this. I first provide an overview of the phenomenon in Ekegusii (Kenya), and then show that a relative construction in geographically and genetically distant Grassfields Bantu languages of Cameroon can help us understand both the nature and history of the more evolved situation seen in Ekegusii. I conclude that although initially surprising, initial/final tone agreement has a natural diachronic source and is not so crazy—even from a synchronic point of view.