bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validez y consistencia interna del instrumento HELP Score para evaluar la severidad de los síntomas de la hiperémesis gravídica
Authors: Chavarro-Tello Luz , Retamoso-Paz Eliana , Correa-Monterrosa Mileidys
Published: December 2024

Objetivos: determinar la validez y consistencia interna del instrumento HELP Score diseñado para evaluar la severidad de los síntomas de la hiperémesis gravídica.
Materiales y métodos: estudio de validación de un instrumento de medición ensamblado en un estudio de corte transversal, se incluyeron mujeres con hiperémesis gravídica. Se evaluó la validez de contenido mediante el Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido (CVC). El análisis de correlación, análisis factorial exploratoria y confirmatorio se realizó a través del método de Kaiser, gráfico de sedimentación de Cattel, la razón chi cuadrado/grados de libertad (χ2/gl), el Índice de Ajuste Comparativo (en inglés CFI) y el Cuadrado Medio Residual Estandarizado (en inglés SRMR). La consistencia interna se calculó mediante el Alfa de Cronbach. La muestra fue de 60 gestantes del Caribe colombiano.
Resultados: la edad promedio fue de 24 ± 5,14 años y la edad gestacional de 11,2 semanas ± 3,76. El coeficiente de validez de contenido estuvo entre 0,83 y 0,99. El análisis factorial exploratorio identificó dos factores con valor eigen >1 que explicaban el 78,9 % de la varianza total acumulada, ratificado con el gráfico de sedimentación de Cattell. Se calcula el análisis factorial confirmatorio que sugiere el uso de solo 10 ítems del instrumento HELP con valores χ2/gl, CFI y el SRMR de 2,9; 0,90 y 0,04, respectivamente. Sin embargo, a partir del concepto de los jueces expertos, los dos ítems excluidos (ítems 9 y 12) no son eliminados por su relevancia clínica. El coeficiente de Alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,95.
Conclusiones: el instrumento HELP Score es una herramienta válida para evaluar la severidad de la hiperémesis gravídica, lo cual facilitaría la toma de decisiones respecto a la intervención médica necesaria a realizar. Es necesario evaluar la validez de criterio al comparar la HELP Score con el instrumento PUQE-modificado, calcular la sensibilidad al cambio y realizar pruebas de confiabilidad adicionales para confirmar su utilidad.
Zooplankton dynamics and species distribution in a marine ecosystem: An analysis of Badagry Creek, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Ayo-Dada Omolara Bosede , Lameed Gbolagade Akeem , Popoola Samuel Olatunde
Published: December 2024

This study examined zooplankton abundance in anthropogenic hotspot environments in Badagry Creek, Southwest Nigeria, over a 24-month period from July 2017 to May 2019. Samples were collected from nine stations using plankton nets with mesh sizes ranging from 5 µm to 80 µm, preserved in Lugol’s iodine solution, and fixed in 10% formalin for enumeration under a compound microscope. The sampling stations were categorized into three zones—upper (domestic waste), middle (sand dredging), and lower (aquaculture)—based on their position in the flow direction and ongoing activities. A total of 30 zooplankton species from six phyla (Mollusca, Nematoda, Arthropoda, Annelida, Rotifera, and Protozoa) were identified, with notable species including Ctenodrius monostylos, Keratella spp., Brachionus falcatus, nauplius larvae, and Amoeba spp. Higher zooplankton biomass and diversity were observed in the upper and middle zones compared to the lower zone. Diversity indices across the three zones differed significantly (p < 0.05), while dominance was not significantly different. Species Abundance Distribution (SAD) analyses indicated uneven distributions and non-statistically significant spatial distributions of zooplankton phyla across the zones, suggesting environmental disturbance influencing abundance patterns. Rotifers emerged as the most abundant group, constituting 42.64% of the total abundance, while Mollusca and Protozoa had the lowest representation at 2.96% and 3.07%, respectively. Shannon diversity (H’) ranged from 0.93 in the lower zone to 1.37 in the middle zone, with Pielou’s evenness (E) and Simpson’s dominance (D) exhibiting their lowest values in the middle zone. SAD results confirmed uneven distribution across the zones for both Mollusca and Protozoa. This study highlights the impact of environmental stressors on the community composition of zooplankton species in Badagry Creek, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management of the ecosystem.
Outcome of Preoperative Oral Steroids on Patients With Sinonasal Polyposis
Authors: Nehra Sukriti , Choudhury Bikram , Goyal Amit , Soni Kapil , Sharma Vidhu , Tiwari Sarbesh
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether preoperative oral prednisolone improves the intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes over a 3-month period in patients of sinonasal polyposis who undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery.Methods: In a triple-blind, randomized controlled study, 43 patients diagnosed with sinonasal polyposis in the Department of ENT, AIIMS, Jodhpur, were enrolled. After obtaining institutional ethics clearance and registering the clinical trial, randomization was conducted to assign participants into experimental and control groups. Preoperatively, patients were assessed using the clinical severity score (Sino-nasal Outcome Test; SNOT-22), radiological severity score (Lund-Mackay score), and endoscopic severity scores (discharge-inflammation-polyp [DIP] score and Lund-Kennedy score). Intraoperative assessment was done using the Perioperative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) score, the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and visual analog scale for visual field during surgery and for the ease of disease removal. Postoperatively, at 3 months all the preoperative parameters were reassessed, and, using independent t-test, comparison was made between the two groups.Results: Twenty-one patients were included in the experimental group (48%), and 22 in the control group (51%). Although the mean duration of surgery in the experimental group was shorter than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, although the postoperative SNOT-22 score was lower in the experimental group compared to the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the two groups across any of the parameters assessed.Conclusion: Although the role of oral steroids has been established in the treatment of sinonasal polyposis, our study did not find any significant difference between the group that received oral steroids prior to surgery and the group that received placebo.
A Review of the Long-Term Efficacy of Submucosal Medpor Implantation for Empty Nose Syndrome: A Short Communication
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Hwang Se Hwan
Published: December 2024

To evaluate the long-term effects of submucosal Medpor implants in patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS), using the Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT) score as a measure of clinical improvement. A comprehensive search of six databases was conducted up to October 2024. The analysis included studies that examined the impact of submucosal Medpor implants on refractory ENS symptoms, as assessed by various symptom-specific questionnaires. Post-intervention SNOT scores were evaluated during follow-up periods of over 12 months, showing a statistically significant improvement in ENS symptoms (standardized mean difference [95% confidence interval]= 1.4676 [1.2067; 1.7285]; I2=37.2%). This meta-analysis indicates that submucosal Medpor implantation in patients with ENS is associated with significant long-term improvements in nasal symptoms.
La Oralidad en el Proceso Civil: ¿Es factible el dictado de una Sentencia Oral? Respuesta acorde a las garantías procesales argentinas y españolas
Authors: Groppo Patricio Gustavo
Published: December 2024

Durante siglos se ha debatido en torno a qué sistema resulta mejor para dirimir las contiendas civiles. Así, mientras algunos postulan que es mejor el Escrito por brindar mayor seguridad jurídica; otros se inclinan por el Oral por la incontrastable reducción de los tiempos procesales y los beneficios que trae la inmediación entre el juez y las partes.Dentro de esa dicotomía, el presente trabajo procura analizar las bondades y desventajas que brinda el dictar la sentencia en forma oral en España, donde se encuentra expresamente vedado, y en Argentina, donde no hay una prohibición puntual en el ordenamiento jurídico. Previo a ello, se hará una visión retrospectiva sobre la historia de la oralidad en los dos países.
Metabolic Dynamics Of Bacterial Strains In Eichhornia crassipes Hydrolysate: A Comparative Study Of Growth And Lactic Acid Production
Authors: Monroy Ramirez Andres Felipe , Fonseca Aida J. , Sotelo Angie P. , Caicedo Gerardo A.
Published: December 2024

In the present investigation, the growth conditions in a fermentation process at 35 °C, 180 rpm for 60 h, of four strains of commercial bacteria DRI SET 432, DRI FAS 992, Bacillus subtilis, and water kefir were compared in two growth media (M1 base growth medium and M2 medium supplemented with E. crassipes hydrolysate). The metabolic response of the strains in the media was monitored and evaluated by means of biomass production by the Mc Farland turbidimetric method (cells.mL-1), sugar consumption (g.L-1) DNS method and lactic acid production (%) NTC 4978, these controls were performed every 12 h. The strains evaluated presented their growth phase in the growth media. The strains evaluated presented their exponential phase at 12 h in M1 and M2. We found a decrease in biomass and lactic acid production in the fermentation processes with M2 for DRI SET 432, DRI FAS 992 and water kefir, and a greater growth with Bacillus subtilis (32 x 108 cells/mL) at 60 h. On the other hand, the highest lactic acid yield was presented with strain FAS 992 (streptococcus salivarius sub. thermophilus) with 1.390 g lactic acid/ g substrate consumed in M1 and in Water kefir with 0.753 g lactic acid/ g substrate consumed for M2.
Yiˈi SIDA: documental educativo en la prevención de VIH/SIDA en triqui de Chicahuaxtla
Authors: Elliott A. Raymond , Sandoval Cruz Fausto , Vásquez Guzmán Juan , Espinoza Santiago Guillermina
Published: December 2024

En 1993, la Fundación MacArthur7 anunció un programa de becas para realizar proyectos sobre el medio ambiente y la salud. Fausto Sandoval Cruz, maestro bilingüe y hablante nativo de triqui de Chicahuaxtla, ganó una beca para hacer videos educativos en triqui. Uno de los videos que hizo en triqui se titula “Yiˈi sida” ‘enfermedad SIDA’. El propósito del documental fue enseñar a los triquis sobre el VIH/SIDA, su transmisión y cómo evitar infectarse. Este artículo incluye una versión ortográfica del texto, una transcripción fonética junto con una traducción libre en español e inglés. También se incluyen notas al pie con información sobre la lengua, definiciones y comentarios adicionales.
Hybrid Ideologies in Clinical Settings: Implications for Intervention of the Changing Landscape in Violent Extremism
Authors: Rousseau Cécile , Johnson-Lafleur Janique , Ngov Cindy , Savard Christian , Veissière Samuel
Published: December 2024

Practitioners are observing rapid transformations in the landscape of violent
ideologies. To understand the role and importance of changing ideologies for preventive
interventions, this article describes the prevalence of hybrid ideologies in a clinical sample
of clients referred for attraction toward or involvement in violent extremism and documents
clinicians’ perspectives. Results demonstrate that hybrid ideologies are common and suggest
that both homogenisation and fragmentation processes associated with globalisation and
digitalisation may explain the observed shift in ideological presentation. These changes may
have significant implications for intervention and call for a redefinition of ideological categories
and silo approaches in the field.
Far-Right Political Violence in Ukraine: Assessment of the Donbas War and the Odesa Massacre
Authors: Katchanovski Ivan , Abrahms Max
Published: December 2024

This study analyses the nature and extent of involvement by neo-Nazi and other farright Ukrainian organisations in the Donbas war (2014-2022) and the Odesa massacre (2014).
This issue is highly politicised with contrasting narratives. The Russian and Donbas separatist
governments, as well as their media, have contended that Ukraine has been a Nazi or neo-Nazi
regime since a fascist coup took place in 2014, while Ukrainian and Western governments and
media have maintained that such elements in the Ukrainian far-right were marginal, trivial, even
non-existent. The article interrogates the historical record with primary sources in the three
most relevant languages—Ukrainian, Russian, and English. The investigation reveals crucial
far-right involvement in both the early stages of the war in Donbas and the Odesa massacre.
Although the percentage of far-right supporters and fighters in Ukraine was relatively small,
they exercised disproportionate influence in the country due to their greater reliance on
violence and armed formations. The Russian government, however, exaggerated the role of the
neo-Nazis in Ukraine to publicly justify the illegal invasion in February 2022.
The Cairo Garbage City as a Self-Sufficient “Inner City”
Authors: Wiącek Katarzyna
Published: December 2024

The informal Garbage City founded by the Christian minority of Copts, who recycle waste, as a spatially and culturally separated “inner city” is an architectural phenomenon of contemporary urbanised spaces. The strong division into the sacrum zone, with churches carved in the rock, and the worker’s profanum zone filled with perfectly sorted rubbish, determines the spatial separation, but also the cultural symbiosis between them.
Vienna and its works of art in the eyes of Polish travellers in the second half of the 17th and first half of the 18th century
Authors: Wyrzykowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2024

The aim of this article is to present the evaluation of Vienna and its works of art made by Polish travellers in the second half of the 17th and first half of the 18th century. On the basis of the analysis of selected works of travel literature of that period, it was identified which monuments aroused the interest of the Polish travellers and for what reasons, how they were described, what they were compared to and whether they inspired reflection on art. The article uses mainly fragments of Polish travel literature from the second half of the 17th and first half of the 18th century that contain more extensive descriptions of works of art in Vienna. The research covered the accounts of the travellers who were amateurs in the field of art, with one exception – Jesuit architect Bartlomiej Nataniel Wasowski, the preceptor of Mikolaj and Zygmunt Grudzinski. The article uses mainly accounts from the stay in the capital of the Habsburg monarchy of young noblemen from Wielkopolska – Andrzej and Wojciech Radolinski, a group of Franciscan Reformanti: Symforian Arakielowicz, Stanislaw Kleczewski, Remigiusz Zawadzki and Father Michał Witoslawski. Other works have also been used, including the diary of Teodor Billewicz, a nobleman, who travelled to Italy and England in the years 1677–1678, accounts of Father Andrzej Olszowski’s mission to Vienna, memories of Krzysztof Stanisław Zawisza’s trip to Rome in connection with the celebration of the jubilee year of 1700, accounts of Tomasz Stanislaw Wolski, a nobleman from Uniejow, a Jerusalem pilgrim going on a journey in 1725 and the diary of Felicjan Junosza Piaskowski, the Podstoli of Podlasie, from 1690.
THRIFT FASHION TRENDS AS A NEW CULTURE OF CONSUMERISM
Authors: Sulissya Nur Syafa'ati  , Johny Alfian Khusyairi
Published: December 2024

The mushrooming phenomenon of fashion thrift in Indonesia has resulted in a new culture. The new culture is the consumption of young people on thrift fashion products.  This research uses the qualitative descriptive method. The data was taken by filling out an open questionnaire to 10 respondents obtained through Instagram social media. The data obtained were then analyzed using the theory of the consumption society by Jean P. Baudrillard where the consumption of fashion thrift products not only pays attention to the value of the function of a garment but also the value of symbols in purchasing fashion thrift products. The results of this study show that the reasons respondents consume fashion thrift are because they accidentally found suitable products, complete collections, low product prices, products that are sold well and even some are products with well-known brands, and pride factors.
Emotional Loneliness in Elderly: Association with Cognitive Performance and Sleep Quality in One of Indonesia’s Rural Areas
Authors: Olga Atsira  , Ayu Nisa'  , Muhammad Hanun Mahyuddin  , Rakha Rahmatullah  , Aita Silia  , Azimatul Karimah
Published: December 2024

Introduction: A growing body of studies focuses on the association between loneliness defined as social isolation with sleep quality and cognitive performance, whereas emotional loneliness has not received much attention.
Objective: Determine the association between emotional loneliness, cognitive performance, and sleep quality in one of Indonesia’s rural areas.
Method: The sample comprised 30 Indonesian individuals > 60 years old living in rural areas. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The quality of sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Meanwhile, emotional loneliness was conducted using the UCLA Loneliness Scare. Using Pearson correlation, bivariate analysis was performed between physical health, sociodemographic factors, cognitive function, and sleep quality with loneliness.
Results: There is a significant moderate correlation between loneliness and diabetes (p-value = 0.001, r = 0.573). There is a significant low correlation between loneliness and MMSE score (p-value = 0.03, r = 0.397).  And there is a significant high correlation between loneliness and PSQI score (p-value = 0.000, r = 0.886). Two components of sleep quality that show a statistically significant correlation with loneliness are subjective sleep quality (p-value = 0.000, r = 0.6) and sleep duration (p-value = 0.023, r = 0.414 ).
Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the association between emotional loneliness with sleep quality and cognitive function in one of Indonesia’s rural areas.
 
Keywords: Loneliness, Sleep quality, Cognitive performance, Elderly
Loneliness in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: I Made Wedastra  , Yunias Setiawati
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder of children’s growth and development with neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD in children can persist into adolescence in about 2.6% of the general population. About more than half of people with ADHD experience loneliness, a condition that is often not reported by patients but is evident in the negative emotions and behaviors they display. To explain the risk factors and impact of loneliness in adolescents with ADHD. Methods: Literature review. Results: The use of gadgets in today’s digital era increases the risk of increasing internet usage so that more contact is made online, which causes obstacles for adolescents in fostering social relationships and an increased risk of loneliness. Adolescents with ADHD have a negative assessment of themselves; they feel useless, lack confidence, and lack intelligence when compared to their peers. Economically, low-income family conditions and inappropriate parenting increase the risk of loneliness in ADHD adolescents. Adequate treatment will cause it to develop into other mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, defiant attitude disorder, and adolescent behavior disorder. Conclusions: Adolescents with ADHD are prone to experiencing loneliness. Parenting problems, family socioeconomics, past trauma, bullying, and several internal factors such as low self-confidence, insecurity, low adaptability, and lack of emotional control can cause loneliness.
Keywords: ADHD, Adolescents, Loneliness, Mental Health, Psychological Well-Being
Dealing with Loneliness in Hemodialysis Patients: How to Prevent the Detrimental Effects of Loneliness
Authors: Hendy Muagiri Margono
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) refers to advanced, irreversible, and progressive renal failure. Existing treatment for CRF patients includes hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. HD is the most common replacement therapy for kidney function. HD patients often experience severe psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and many difficulties related to stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms. To describe preventive actions against the detrimental effects of loneliness in HD patients. Methods: Literature review. Results: The feeling of loneliness is always annoying and unwanted. Loneliness may limit human development and interfere with normal functioning. It is associated with a sense of hopelessness, abandonment or boredom, reduced self-esteem, alienation, an external sense of control and aggression, depression, hostility, and even suicidal tendencies. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, and fatigue are significant factors in reducing patient treatment adherence and even lead to premature death. Conclusions: It is paramount to cope with disease-related stress and anxiety in healthy ways. Comprehensive psychosocial intervention in HD patients could bring positive impacts on mental well-being to strengthen their sense of self, overcome loneliness, connect with others, and create good resilience for having to live with their chronic illness.
Keywords: Loneliness, Hemodialysis, Psychosocial Intervention.
Resilience of Islamic and conventional stocks to geopolitical conflict: A GARCH model analysis
Authors: Hasyim Fuad , Ratnasari Ririn Tri , Qomar Moh. Nurul , Saleh Husny Gibreel Musa
Published: December 2024

Purpose – This study examines the volatility behavior and resilience of conventional and Islamic stock indices in Indonesia during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, focusing on the Israeli–Palestine conflict.Methodology – This study employs the GARCH(1,1) model to examine the volatility dynamics of four major stock indices: the Jakarta Composite Index (JKSE), LQ45, the Indonesia Sharia Stock Index (JKISSI), and the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII). The analysis covers the period from January 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, enabling an evaluation of market dynamics before, during, and after the conflict on October 7, 2023.Findings – The results show that conventional indices (JKSE and LQ45) exhibit significant volatility persistence, suggesting a higher susceptibility to prolonged instability during geopolitical tensions. Conversely, the Islamic indices (JKISSI and JII) are more responsive to recent market shocks, indicating greater resilience owing to ethical investment principles that avoid high-risk sectors. Furthermore, this study finds that external macroeconomic factors generally do not significantly influence stock market volatility in Indonesia.Implications – This may be due to the predominance of internal factors and local market dynamics over external global shocks, reflecting the Indonesian market’s less integrated nature in the global financial system. These findings offer valuable insights for investors and policymakers in managing risk and optimizing portfolio strategies amid geopolitical stress.Originality – This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the comparative analysis of conventional and Islamic investments in emerging markets.
A bibliometric analysis of halal tourism research: Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Misbah Hanim , Johari Fuadah
Published: December 2024

Purpose – Halal tourism has grown significantly, driven by the increasing global Muslim population and disposable income. However, comprehensive analysis of the research landscape is lacking. This study bridges this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of halal tourism research from 2014 to 2024 and examining growth trends, key contributors, and collaborative networks.Methodology – Using Scopus data, 244 documents from 132 sources were analyzed.Findings – Research on halal tourism has grown at an annual rate of 34.24%. Contributions from 645 authors, averaging 3.25 co-authors per document, indicate robust collaboration. Key journals include the Journal of Islamic Marketing, Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, and Tourism Management Perspectives. Thematic clusters include economic impact, marketing strategies, sustainability, and religious aspects. Indonesia and Malaysia, led by Universitas Airlangga and the University of Malaya, dominate the research output and citation impact. The findings suggest that enhancing visibility and impact requires focusing on high-quality projects, strategic collaboration, and active dissemination.Implications – This study identifies key trends and research gaps, guiding future studies, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. For industry stakeholders, it underscores the importance of targeted marketing and sustainable practices in catering to Muslim travelers. Policymakers should be encouraged to develop standardized halal tourism frameworks, enhance international collaboration, and support research initiatives for sustainable sector growth.Originality – This study offers a unique perspective through a comparative bibliometric analysis of halal tourism research in Indonesia and Malaysia, identifying emerging trends and collaboration networks, while providing new directions for future studies and partnerships.
The Curtain Model as an Alternative and Complementary to the Classic Turgor Concept of Filamentous Fungi
Authors: Mazheika Igor , Kamzolkina Olga
Published: December 2024

Turgor pressure, the intracellular hydrostatic pressure exerted by the cell protoplast on the cell wall, is of critical physiological importance for all organisms with the cell wall. However, in mycology, there is increasing evidence that turgor pressure is not always the main factor influencing the tension of the plasma membrane, the size and shape of non-apical fungal cells, and it is not even always the determining factor of apical growth. This paper characterizes various aspects of the curtain model, previously proposed to describe the regulation of plasma membrane tension in the hyphae of basidiomycetes. The current understanding of the four main components of the curtain model is outlined: the driving actin cytoskeleton, the elastic cell wall, tight adhesion of the plasma membrane to the cell wall, and macroinvaginations of the plasma membrane. All four elements, combined in the single curtain model, complement or replace the physiological functions of turgor and allow us to understand how a non-apical fungal cell maintains its integrity and physiological functionality under changing osmotic and other conditions. Further experimental confirmation of the curtain model is not only fundamentally important for mycology but also opens up new prospects in developing drugs that control the growth and pathogenicity of filamentous fungi.
Morphometric Investigation of a Species Complex in Mimosa Series Cordistipulae (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)
Authors: Nascimento Janaína G.A. , Queiroz Luciano P , Machado Marlon C , van den Berg Cássio
Published: December 2024

Mimosa series Cordistipulae was created by Barneby in 1991, embracing species diagnosed by the small subshrubby habit, presence of gland-tipped setae and trimerous flowers. Most species are endemic to Northeastern Brazil, and some possess characters deemed diagnostic which nonetheless overlap, making species identification difficult. Our study aimed to test species circumscriptions and sets of characters that could be applied to unequivocally distinguish the species. Twelve populations (225 individuals) were collected at nine localities, encompassing the Brazilian vegetation types Caatinga, Campos Rupestres and Restinga. Linear measurements of 38 floral and vegetative characters were measured and analyzed using Canonical Variates Analysis and Cluster Analysis. The first two canonical axes explained 41.4% and 18.9% of the variation and separated two populations of the group recently described as new species. Vegetative characters are more informative for species delimitation than flower characters, and most groups are distinguished primarily by the number of pinnae pairs, number of leaflets per pinna and length of the leaf rachis. The species displaying highest morphological similarity are M. misera, M. leptantha, and M. minarum. The traditional morphometric approach was capable to objectively deal with a type of variation that would be difficult to interpret by purely examining herbarium specimens.
Genomics Advances in olive tree (Olea europaea subsp. europaea L.) to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Salinisation: Stepping Towards the 'Smart Oliviculture'
Authors: Claros M. Gonzalo , Bullones Amanda , Castro Antonio Jesús , Lima-Cabello Elena , Viruel María Ángeles , Suárez María Fernanda , Romero-Aranda María R. , Fernández-Pozo Noé , Veredas Francisco J. , Belver Andrés , Alché Juan de Dios
Published: December 2024

Soil salinisation is threatening crop sustainability worldwide mainly due to the anthropogenic climate change. To avoid the excessive ion concentration in soils, plants have developed mechanisms, which have been deeply studied in many model plants and widely reviewed in the scientific literature. Nevertheless, the economically relevant olive tree (Olea europaea subsp. europaea L.), being very exposed to soil salinisation, deserves a specific review, where morphological and biochemical adaptations, signalling pathways involved, and the interplay of transcriptomics and metagenomics adaptations, are described. Variations in the olive tree microbiota due to soil salinisation and usual agricultural practices, and how might biostimulants and chemical amendments may allow the cultivation in salinised soils. Although not concluding, it seems that tolerance in olive cultivars is associated with effective mechanisms of ion exclusion and retention in the root, limiting the accumulation of these ions into actively growing shoots. The emerging importance of post-translational modifications as a source of salt tolerance is highlighted. Also, a comprehensive list of 97 olive cultivars classified by salt tolerance is given. The future advantages of engineering specific metacaspases involved in the programmed cell death and autophagy pathways to rapidly rise salt-tolerant cultivars or rootstocks is considered. An overview of bioinformatic tools focused on olive tree, as well as the machine learning approaches to study plant stress from the multi-omics perspective invites to hypothesise that they can foster the development of salt-tolerant cultivars or rootstocks adapted to soil salinisation and pave the way for a future 'smart oliviculture' in the seeking of more productive and sustainable oliviculture under salt stress.
Deep Eutectic Solvent-Assisted Synthesis of Ni-Graphene Composite Supported on Screen-Printed Electrode for Biogenic Amine Detection
Authors: Levshakova Aleksandra , Kaneva Maria , Ninayan Ruzanna , Borisov Evgenii , Satymov Evgenii , Shmalko Alexandr , Logunov Lev , Kuchmizak Aleksandr , Kulchin Yurii N. , Manshina Alina , Khairullina Evgeniia
Published: December 2024

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have emerged as versatile, sustainable media for the synthesis of nanomaterials due to their low toxicity, tunability, and biocompatibility. This study develops a one-step method to modify commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPE) using laser-induced pyrolysis of DES, consisting of choline chloride and tartaric acid with dissolved nickel acetate and dispersed graphene. The electrodes were patterned using a 532  nm continuous-wave laser for in situ formation of Ni nanoparticles decorated on graphene sheets directly on the SPE surface (Ni-G/SPE). The synthesis parameters, specifically laser power and graphene concentration, were optimized using the Nelder–Mead method to produce modified Ni-G/SPEs with maximized electrochemical response to dopamine. Electrochemical characterization of the developed sensor by differential pulse voltammetry revealed its broad linear detection range from 0.25 to 100 μM and high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 0.095 μM. These results highlight the potential of laser-assisted DES synthesis to advance electrochemical sensing technologies, particularly for the detection of biogenic amines.
Biomolecular Basis of Life
Authors: Błaszczyk Janusz
Published: December 2024

Life is considered a characteristic of the biological system that preserves, furthers, or reinforces its existence in a given environment. It is defined descriptively by the capacity for metabolism, homeostasis, self-organization, growth, adaptation, information metabolism, and reproduction. All these are achieved by a set of self-organizing and self-sustaining processes, among which energy and information metabolism play a dominant role. The energy metabolism of the human body is based firstly on glucose metabolism, supplemented by lipid metabolism. All energy-dependent life processes are controlled by phosphate and calcium signaling. To maintain the optimal levels of energy metabolism cells, tissues, and the brain communicate mutually, and as a result of this signaling metabolism, emerges self-awareness which allows for conscience social interactions which are the most significant determinants of human life. Consequently, the brain representation of our body and the egocentric representation of the environment are built. The last determinant of life optimization is limited life/death cycle which exhibits the same pattern at cellular and social levels. This narrative review is my first attempt to systemize our knowledge of life phenomena. Due to the magnitude of this challenge, in the current article, I tried to present knowledge about fundamental life processes, i.e. energy and information metabolism, and thus initiate a broader discussion about the life and future of our species.
Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Pyralidae, Phycitinae): An Emerging Grapevine Pest in Greece
Authors: Simoglou Konstantinos B. , Topalidis Iraklis , Avtzis Dimitrios N. , Kaltsidis Achilleas , Roditakis Emmanouil
Published: December 2024

The honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is native to the Mediterranean Basin. However, it has recently been reported as an emerging grapevine pest in southern European Union countries and in the Middle East, North Africa and South America. This may be attributed to the global warming trends. In this brief communication, we present the first documented cases of honeydew moth infestation of grapevine in Greece (Northeastern Greece 2024). We discuss the potential implications and concerns regarding the occurrence and management of this pest in Greece. Integrated pest management practices may contribute to reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and developing more sustainable approaches.
Osteoporosis: Causes, Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention. Role of Dietary Compounds
Authors: Stromsnes Kristine , Martinez Cristian , Soto Silvana , Kajander Erika Ria Ulrika , Lupu Remus , Pozo-Rodríguez Mónica , Boira Balma , Olaso-Gonzalez Gloria , Gomez-Cabrera Maria Carmen , Gambini Juan
Published: December 2024

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that is characterized by a loss of bone density, mainly affecting the microstructure of the bones, due to a decrease in bone mass, thereby making them more fragile and susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis is currently considered one of the pandemics of the 21st century, affecting around 200 million people. Its most serious consequence is an increased risk of bone fractures, thus making osteoporosis a major cause of disability and even premature death in the elderly. In this review we discuss causes, biochemical mechanisms of bone regeneration, risk factors, pharmacological treatments, prevention and effects of diet, focusing in this case on compounds present in the diet that could have palliative and preventive effects and could be used as concomitant treatments to drugs, which are and should always be the first option. It should be noted as concluding remarks that non-pharmacological treatments such as diet and exercise have, or should have, a relevant role in supporting pharmacology, which is the recommended prescription today, but we cannot ignore that they can have a great relevance in the treatment of this disease.
Innovative Targets for Glioblastoma Treatment: Exploring Epitope-Specific and Metabolic Pathways Enhanced by AI Insights
Authors: Montgomery Richard Murdoch
Published: December 2024

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive brain tumours characterised by genetic heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This article investigates promising therapeutic targets, focusing on epitope-specific approaches and metabolic pathways, complemented by artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance drug discovery and treatment efficacy. Epitope-specific therapies include targeting EGFRvIII, mutant IDH1/2, and immune checkpoints like PD-L1 and CTLA-4, alongside novel immunotherapy for H3K27M mutations. Metabolic pathways such as glutamine and lipid metabolism, glycolysis, and the IDO pathway offer additional opportunities for intervention. AI-driven tools, including neoantigen prediction, metabolic modelling, epitope selection, and drug repurposing, are transforming glioblastoma research by identifying actionable targets and accelerating therapeutic development. These advancements hold the potential to significantly improve glioblastoma outcomes.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Resistance Genes of Enterococci from Broiler Chickens
Authors: Tran Tam T. , Caffrey Niamh , Grewal Haskirat , Wang Yuyu , Cassis Rashed , Mainali Chunu , Gow Sheryl P. , Agunos Agnes , Checkley Sylvia L. , Liljebjelke Karen
Published: December 2024

Enterococci, commonly found in the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals, have emerged as an important human pathogen. A total of 184 isolates (88 isolates in 2015 and 96 isolates in 2016) were collected from 46 flocks. Two predominant enterococcus species were identified: Enterococcus faecalis (59%) and Enterococcus faecium (~39%). Resistance to penicillin was significantly decreased in the overall enterococci community, while it remained unchanged in the multi-class resistant (MCR) community. We identified emeA and efrAB genes, which encode efflux pump systems, in 93% (26/28) of the multi-class resistant (MCR) isolates with (intermediate) resistance to levofloxacin. The ermB gene was present in all MCR strains with resistance to erythromycin. The lsa gene was detected in 87% (84/97) of the MCR isolates with resistance to quinupristin/dalfopristin. About 82.2% of MCR strains in 2015 and 100% of MCR strains in 2016 carried insertion sequence IS256, which is known to be associated with AMR genes conferring resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin and vancomycin in enteroccocci. These results support the need for monitoring AMR in Gram positive bacteria in poultry production, specifically in broiler chicken farms, to complement current AMR data, and developing a timely intervention framework.
Studying the Reduction of Entropy in the Brain During Sleep Through Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Gupta Joshua
Published: December 2024

Sleep remains one of the most confusing biological functions, yet its role in maintaining physiological and cognitive well-being in is undeniable. This paper investigates the hypothesis that of sleep’s primary functions is to reduce neural entropy, drawing parallels between biological processes and artificial Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs). This study is an initial prototype of the final model which will incorporate mechanisms like Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) and synaptic homeostasis, to simulate the entropic reduction and memory consolidation functions of sleep. The initial prototype shows how neural entropy will be quantified using statistical mechanics principles, and the architecture and training protocols of SNNs are designed to mirror biological neural activity during sleep.
Analysis of Inflammatory Features in Suspicious Lesions for Significant Prostate Cancer on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Are They Mimickers of Prostate Cancer?
Authors: Morote Juan , Celma Ana , Semidey María E. , Antolín Andreu , Miró Berta , Méndez Olga , Trilla Enrique
Published: December 2024

A prospective analysis was conducted to assess the incidence of inflammatory features reported in targeted biopsies of 531 MRI-suspicious lesions with prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores of 3 to 5 in 364 men suspected of having PCa. The incidence of inflammatory features in the MRI-suspicious lesions without PCa was 69.6%, compared to 48.1% in those with PCa (p < 0.001). Among the suspicious lesions without PCa, the incidence of inflammatory features ranged from 68.6% to 71.2% across the PI-RADS categories (p = 0.870). Mild chronic prostatitis increased with higher PI-RADS scores, while acute prostatitis decreased, and granulomatous prostatitis was exclusively observed in patients with PI-RADS scores of 4 and 5. The incidence of inflammatory features in the lesions with insignificant PCa (grade group 1) was 66.7%, compared to 42.7% in those with significant PCa (grade group 2 to 5; p = 0.027). The detection of inflammatory features in MRI-suspicious lesions was identified as an independent predictor of a lower likelihood of significant PCa detection, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.326 (95% CI 0.196-0.541). Mild chronic prostatitis was the only type of prostatitis which was an independent predictor of a lower likelihood of significant PCa, with an OR of 0.398 (95% CI 0.268-0.590). These data suggest that inflammatory features may be considered to be mimickers of significant PCa on MRI.
A Low-Cost Rapid X-ray Image Screening System: Base on Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Huang Pei-Cing , Chang Wen-Ye , Lin Guan-Yan , Wu Chien-Ming , Kao Hao-Yun
Published: December 2024

Detecting pulmonary nodules in chest X-rays (CXRs) is essential for early lung disease screening. This study developed a lightweight Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system leveraging YOLOv2 and YOLOv8 to operate efficiently in resource-constrained medical environments. The models were trained and validated using datasets from the NIH and Vietnamese medical centers, with annotations verified by radiologists from a southern Taiwan medical center. The proposed system demonstrated high accuracy and efficiency, effectively detecting pulmonary nodules, including nodular opacities from both abnormalities and overlapping anatomical structures. YOLOv2 showed particular strength in handling complex regions, such as retrocardiac and clavicular overlaps. Its lightweight design makes it suitable for primary care facilities, remote clinics, and as an auxiliary tool in larger hospitals to enhance diagnostic efficiency. Future work will expand datasets, optimize model structures, and conduct clinical trials to validate real-world applications. Efforts will also focus on model compression and hardware acceleration to further reduce computational costs. While this study targets CXRs, the system’s architecture can be adapted for other medical imaging modalities, ensuring broad applicability and clinical relevance.
Emerging Treatment Options for Peanut Allergy
Authors: Satnarine Travis , Xavier de Almeida Alana , Woody Malaika , Banegas Carballo Krisia , Chan Diana , Thompson Pytregay , Kleiner Gary , Gans Melissa
Published: December 2024

Peanut allergy, a significant public health issue, poses challenges due to its potential for life-threatening anaphylaxis and profound impact on quality of life. Traditional management approaches, including allergen avoidance and epinephrine administration, are effective in mitigating acute symptoms but do not address the underlying allergy or long-term disease burden. Recent advances in immunotherapy, biologics, and innovative technologies such as gene editing and microbiome modulation have introduced promising pathways for desensitization and sustained unresponsiveness. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of emerging therapies for peanut allergy, including oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy, biologic agents, gene-editing techniques, and novel drug therapies. We discuss their mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and associated challenges, emphasizing the potential for these innovations to revolutionize peanut allergy treatment. Despite significant progress, barriers such as adverse reactions, cost, and limited access remain. Addressing these challenges through further research and standardization could transform the future of peanut allergy management.
A Fully Coupled Electro-Vibro-Acoustic Benchmark-Model for Evaluation of Self-Adaptive Control Strategies
Authors: Kletschkowski Thomas
Published: December 2024

The reduction of noise and vibration is possible with passive, semi-active and active control strategies. If, especially self-adaptive control is required, it is necessary to evaluate the noise reduction potential before the control approach is applied to the real world problem. This evaluation can be based on a virtual model that contains all relevant sub-systems, transfer paths and coupling effects on the one hand. On the other hand the complexity of such a model has to be limited to focus on principal findings such as convergence speed, power consumption, and noise reduction potential. The present paper proposes a fully coupled electro-vibro-acoustic model for the evaluation of self-adaptive control strategies. The model consists of discrete electrical and mechanical networks that are applied to model the electro-acoustic behavior of noise and anti-noise sources. The acoustic field inside a duct, terminated by these electro-acoustic sources, is described by finite elements. The resulting multi-physical model is capable to describe all relevant coupling effects and enables an efficient evaluation of different control strategies such as local control of sound pressure or active control of acoustic absorption. It is designed as a benchmark model for the benefit of the scientific community.
Cultural Symbols and Design Innovation in Taiwanese Rice Cake Molds
Authors: Tsai Shangrong
Published: December 2024

This study explores the cultural symbols and design innovation of Taiwanese rice cake molds, known as “Guoyin,” which hold significant cultural and ceremonial value. While previous research has focused on these molds' historical and cultural dimensions, there needs to be more understanding of their contemporary reinterpretation and integration into modern design practices. Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilizes documentary analysis, in-depth interviews with artisans, and case studies to examine the embedded cultural symbols in rice cake molds, their evolution in response to societal changes, and their contemporary reinterpretation in sustainable modern design. The findings reveal that traditional motifs in rice cake molds embody Taiwanese cultural values related to festivals and life rituals, and artisans have adapted these motifs to appeal to modern consumers while maintaining cultural integrity. The study contributes to theories of cultural heritage preservation by demonstrating how traditional crafts can evolve dynamically through adaptation and innovation. It also highlights artisans' challenges in balancing cultural preservation with modern market demands, offering insights into strategies for sustaining this intangible cultural heritage in a contemporary context.