bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Fibromyalgia: Novel Nutraceutical Therapies Beyond Traditional Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Antonelli Antonella , Bianchi Marzia , Fear Elizabeth , Giorgi Luca , Rossi Luigia
Published: January 2025

The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes chronic pain throughout the body, involves abnormal pain signaling, genetic predispositions, and abnormal neuroendocrine function, significantly impairing quality of life. Fibromyalgia is commonly characterized by musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, and severe sleep alterations. Changes in the central processing of sensory input and defects in endogenous pain inhibition could be the basis of enhanced and persistent pain sensitivity in individuals with fibromyalgia. The term central sensitivity syndrome was chosen as an umbrella term for fibromyalgia and related illnesses, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome. Given the substantial impact of fibromyalgia on health, there is a need for new prevention and treatment strategies, particularly those involving bioavailable nutraceuticals and/or phytochemicals. This approach is particularly important considering the adverse effects of current fibromyalgia pharmaceutical treatments, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants, which can lead to physical dependence and tolerance. Natural products have recently been considered for the design of innovative analgesics and antinociceptive agents to manage fibromyalgia pain. Polyphenols show promise in the management of neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, especially considering how anti-inflammatory treatments, including corticosteroids and nonsteroidal medical drugs, are effective only when inflammatory processes coexist and are not recommended as the primary treatment for fibromyalgia.
Dental Caries, Tooth Erosion and Nutritional Habits in a Cohort of Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mielle Baptiste , Júdice André , Proença Luís , Machado Vanessa , Vieira Ana M. , Mendes José João , Manso Cristina , Rozan Cecília , Botelho João
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: this study aimed to study the association of dental caries and erosion in athletes with dietary and oral health habits. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sports Dentistry department of a university clinic. Intraoral examination included the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) index and the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). A questionnaire was completed with sociodemographic data, and dietary and oral hygiene habits. An inferential and multivariable regression analysis was performed to study the association of dental caries and erosion with confounding variables. Results: A total of 80 athletes were included. The prevalence of dental caries and erosion was 50.0% and 40%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between self-perceived oral health and caries lesions, with “Good” (−5.01, p < 0.001) and “Very good” (−5.46, p < 0.001) perceptions linked to fewer lesions. BEWE scores revealed significant associations with meal frequency uncertainty (−12.56, p = 0.014) and uncertainty about the last dental visit (8.82, p = 0.014). Self-perceived oral health as “Good” or “Very good” was associated with lower dental erosion (p < 0.010). Other demographic and behavioral factors were not significantly associated with caries or erosion. Conclusions: this cohort of athletes exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries and erosion, with associated dietary and oral hygiene habits. These results highlight the need for targeted dietary counseling and oral health education for athletes, whose nutritional needs may lead to increased consumption of sugar-rich diets.
Unlocking the Predictive Power of Nutritional Scores in Septic Patients
Authors: Toscano Arianna , Bellone Federica , Maggio Noemi , Cinquegrani Maria , Spadaro Francesca , Bueti Francesca Maria , Lorello Giuseppe , Marini Herbert Ryan , Lo Gullo Alberto , Basile Giorgio , Squadrito Giovanni , Mandraffino Giuseppe , Morace Carmela
Published: January 2025

Background: Sepsis is a critical condition characterized by severe immune dysregulation, ranking among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in intensive care and internal medicine units. Nutritional status plays a pivotal role in modulating these responses, as when inadequate it can compromise immune defenses, the body’s ability to handle stress and inflammation, and the clinical course. Malnutrition is frequently observed in septic patients and is strongly associated with worse clinical outcomes, including increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and greater complication rates. In this context, nutritional scoring systems have emerged as valuable tools to evaluate patients’ nutritional status and predict clinical trajectories. Objectives: Given the absence of a direct comparison of their performance in an internal medicine setting, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various nutritional scores as predictive tools for clinical outcomes in septic patients, emphasizing their application within the field of internal medicine. Methods and Results: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 143 patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock who were admitted to an internal medicine unit. Key variables included clinical and laboratory parameters, comorbidities, and nutritional scores at the time of diagnosis. The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score, and the blood urea nitrogen-to-albumin ratio (BAR) were evaluated in forecasting mortality and clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis. Among them, the mNUTRIC score emerged as the strongest independent predictor of in-hospital mortality, with a good performance and a reasonable threshold for risk stratification. Conclusions: The study highlights the mNUTRIC score’s practicality and reliability in assessing nutritional and inflammatory risks in septic patients, particularly in non-ICU settings. These findings suggest its potential utility in guiding nutritional interventions and improving clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of integrating nutritional assessment into sepsis management.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of CYP2D6 Associated Interaction Between Venlafaxine and Strong Inhibitor Bupropion—The Influence of Age-Relevant Changes and Inhibitory Dose to Classify Therapeutical Success and Harm
Authors: Luecht Ulrich Ruben , Scholz Wolfgang , Geiben Ann-Kathrin , Haen Ekkehard , Hempel Georg
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Venlafaxine (VEN) is commonly used in young and elderly patients. Bupropion (BUP) is occasionally added to depression treatments with VEN. BUP’s inhibitory potential toward CYP2D6, VEN’s main metabolic pathway, may provoke a higher risk for toxic or adverse drug effects. Therefore, the question arises if a dose reduction in VEN or BUP is needed to avoid clinically relevant changes in exposure to VEN and its metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV). Methods: The literature-based PBPK models of VEN, BUP and their active metabolites under single-dose and steady-state conditions were created by using PK-Sim®. To evaluate the DDI model‘s predictive performance, trough plasma concentrations (<65 years, n = 54 and ≥65 years, n = 13) of VEN/ODV were extracted from the TDM database KONBEST. DDI’s clinical extent was assessed by AUC changes in VEN, ODV and active moiety (AM). The prediction was compared to the results of SCHOLZ Databank’s MDDI calculator (MDDIcalc). Results: Models accurately describe VEN’s and BUP’s pharmacokinetics and BUP’s effect on VEN’s metabolism in the age strata. The model predicts higher exposure to VEN (+110% to 132%), lower exposure to ODV (−50.0% to −61.5%) and a negligible change in AM (−1.02% to −2.40%). The AUC changes increase with higher BUP doses but is independent of patients’ age. Because of the missing AUC change in the AM, the DDI is considered clinically irrelevant. The MDDIcalc predicts no relevant effect on the AUC of AM with BUP. Conclusions: Both PBPK and MDDIcalc provide, in their own way, valuable tools to predict the DDI’s extent. Further research is needed regarding elderly patients, renal or hepatic impairment and polymorphisms, especially CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and UGT.
Potential Impact Protection of Polymer Matrix Composite Panels Using Polyurea Coatings
Authors: Williams Jide , Hoffman Joseph , Predecki Paul , Kumosa Maciej
Published: January 2025

The protective effect of polyurea (PU) coatings on polymer matrix composite (PMC) panels subjected to high-velocity ballistic impacts, particularly as a potential replacement material for large power transformer (LPT) tanks, has not been extensively reported in the literature. This study addresses the gap by presenting a numerical investigation into the ballistic performance of PMC panels with PU coatings. Due to the complex nature and high cost of experimental testing, this research relies on finite element modeling to predict the panels’ responses under impact. Glass fiber/epoxy and carbon fiber/epoxy composite panels were tested individually and in hybrid configurations while being subjected to simulated 400 m/s steel projectile impacts. This study first investigates the impact damage evolution in uncoated panels, analyzing the arrest depth as a function of the panel thickness. It then evaluates the effect of PU coatings on the ballistic response. The results demonstrate that PU coatings are three times more effective in protecting both glass and carbon fiber panels from penetration compared to simply increasing the panel thickness. Additionally, the utilization of PU coatings led to a reduction in cost, mass, and thickness while still preventing penetration of the projectile in the models.
Evaluation of Polymeric Micro/Nanofibrous Hybrid Scaffolds Prepared via Centrifugal Nozzleless Spinning for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Beran Miloš , Musílková Jana , Sedlář Antonín , Slepička Petr , Veselý Martin , Kolská Zdeňka , Vltavský Ondřej , Molitor Martin , Bačáková Lucie
Published: January 2025

We compared the applicability of 3D fibrous scaffolds, produced by our patented centrifugal spinning technology, in soft tissue engineering. The scaffolds were prepared from four different biocompatible and biodegradable thermoplastics, namely, polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), and poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS) and their blends. The combined results of SEM and BET analyses revealed an internal hierarchically organized porosity of the polymeric micro/nanofibers. Both nanoporosity and capillary effect are crucial for the water retention capacity of scaffolds designed for tissue engineering. The increased surface area provided by nanoporosity enhances water retention, while the capillary effect facilitates the movement of water and nutrients within the scaffolds. When the scaffolds were seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), the ingrowth of these cells was the deepest in the PLA/PCL 13.5/4 (w/w) composite scaffolds. This result is consistent with the relatively large pore size in the fibrous networks, the high internal porosity, and the large specific surface area found in these scaffolds, which may therefore be best suited as a component of adipose tissue substitutes that could reduce postoperative tissue atrophy. Adipose tissue constructs produced in this way could be used in the future instead of conventional fat grafts, for example, in breast reconstruction following cancer ablation.
Approximate Near-Real-Time Assessment of Some Characteristic Parameters of the Spring Ozone Depletion over Antarctica Using Ground-Based Measurements
Authors: Petkov Boyan H. , Vitale Vito , Carlo Piero Di , Ochoa Héctor A. , Gulisano Adriana , Coronato Iona L. , Láska Kamil , Kostadinov Ivan , Lupi Angelo , Mazzola Mauro , Cavaliere Alice , Frangipani Claudia , Verazzo Giulio , Pulimeno Simone
Published: January 2025

The strong Antarctic vortex plays a crucial role in forming an expansive region with significant stratospheric ozone depletion during austral spring, commonly referred to as the Antarctic “ozone hole”. This study examines daily ozone column behavior during this phenomenon using ERA5 reanalysis data and ground-based observations from 10 Antarctic stations collected between September and December from 2008 to 2022. A preliminary analysis of these datasets revealed smoothly varying patterns with quasi-uniform gradients in the ozone distribution within the ozone hole. This observation led to the hypothesis that average ozone columns over zones, defined as concentric areas around the South Pole, can be estimated using mean values of the measurements derived from station observations. This study aims to evaluate the validity of this hypothesis. The results indicate that the mean ozone levels calculated from daily measurements at two stations—Belgrano and Dome Concordia, or Belgrano and Arrival Heights—provide a reliable approximation of the average ozone levels over the zone spanning 70°S to 90°S. Including additional stations extended the zone of reliable approximation northward to 58°S. The approximation error was estimated to range from 5% to 7% at 1σ and from 6% to 8% at the 10th–90th percentile levels. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of the stations enabled a schematic reconstruction of the ozone hole’s position and shape. On the other hand, the high frequency of ground-based measurements contributed to studying the ozone hole variability in both the inner area and edges on an hourly time scale. These findings have practical implications for the near-real-time monitoring of ozone hole development, along with satellite observations, considering ground-based measurements as a source of information about ozone layer in the South Pole region. The results also suggest the possible role of observations from the ground in the analyses of pre-satellite-era hole behavior. Additionally, this study found a high degree of consistency between ground-based measurements and corresponding ERA5 reanalysis data, further supporting the reliability of the observations.
Estimating Olive Tree Density in Delimited Areas Using Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Lozano-Tello Adolfo , Luceño Jorge , Caballero-Mancera Andrés , Clemente Pedro J.
Published: January 2025

The objective of this study is to develop a method for estimating the density of olive trees in delimited plots using low-resolution images from the Sentinel-2 satellite. This approach is particularly relevant in certain regions where high-resolution orthophotos, which are often costly and not always available, cannot be accessed. This study focuses on the Extremadura region in Spain, where 48,530 olive plots were analysed. Data from Sentinel-2’s multispectral bands were obtained for each plot, and a Random Forest Regression (RFR) model was used to correlate these values with the number of olive trees, previously counted from orthophotos using machine learning object detection techniques. The results show that the proposed method can predict olive tree density within an acceptable error margin, which is especially useful for distinguishing plots with a density greater than 300 olive trees per hectare—a key criterion for allocating agricultural subsidies in the region. Although the accuracy of the model is not optimal, an average error of ±15.04 olive trees per hectare makes it a viable tool for practical applications where extreme precision is not required. The developed method may also be extrapolated to other cases and crop types, such as fruit trees or forest masses, offering an efficient solution for annual density estimates without relying on costly aerial images. Future research could enhance the accuracy of the model by grouping plots according to additional characteristics, such as tree size or plantation type.
Exploring the Unseen: A Survey of Multi-Sensor Fusion and the Role of Explainable AI (XAI) in Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Yeong De Jong , Panduru Krishna , Walsh Joseph
Published: January 2025

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) rely heavily on multi-sensor fusion to perceive their environment and make critical, real-time decisions by integrating data from various sensors such as radar, cameras, Lidar, and GPS. However, the complexity of these systems often leads to a lack of transparency, posing challenges in terms of safety, accountability, and public trust. This review investigates the intersection of multi-sensor fusion and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), aiming to address the challenges of implementing accurate and interpretable AV systems. We systematically review cutting-edge multi-sensor fusion techniques, along with various explainability approaches, in the context of AV systems. While multi-sensor fusion technologies have achieved significant advancement in improving AV perception, the lack of transparency and explainability in autonomous decision-making remains a primary challenge. Our findings underscore the necessity of a balanced approach to integrating XAI and multi-sensor fusion in autonomous driving applications, acknowledging the trade-offs between real-time performance and explainability. The key challenges identified span a range of technical, social, ethical, and regulatory aspects. We conclude by underscoring the importance of developing techniques that ensure real-time explainability, specifically in high-stakes applications, to stakeholders without compromising safety and accuracy, as well as outlining future research directions aimed at bridging the gap between high-performance multi-sensor fusion and trustworthy explainability in autonomous driving systems.
From Steps to Context: Optimizing Digital Phenotyping for Physical Activity Monitoring in Older Adults by Integrating Wearable Data and Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Daniels Kim , Quadflieg Kirsten , Robijns Jolien , De Vry Jochen , Van Alphen Hans , Van Beers Robbe , Sourbron Britt , Vanbuel Anaïs , Meekers Siebe , Mattheeussen Marlies , Spooren Annemie , Hansen Dominique , Bonnechère Bruno
Published: January 2025

Physical activity (PA) is essential for healthy aging, but its accurate assessment in older adults remains challenging due to the limitations and biases of traditional clinical assessment. Mobile technologies and wearable sensors offer a more ecological, less biased alternative for evaluating PA in this population. This study aimed to optimize digital phenotyping strategies for assessing PA patterns in older adults, by integrating ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and continuous wearable sensor data collection. Over two weeks, 108 community-dwelling older adults provided real-time EMA responses while their PA was continuously monitored using Garmin Vivo 5 sensors. The combined approach proved feasible, with 67.2% adherence to EMA prompts, consistent across time points (morning: 68.1%; evening: 65.4%). PA predominantly occurred at low (51.4%) and moderate (46.2%) intensities, with midday activity peaks. Motivation and self-efficacy were significantly associated with low-intensity PA (R = 0.20 and 0.14 respectively), particularly in the morning. However, discrepancies between objective step counts and self-reported PA measures, which showed no correlation (R = −0.026, p = 0.65), highlight the complementary value of subjective and objective data sources. These findings support integrating EMA, wearable sensors, and temporal frameworks to enhance PA assessment, offering precise insights for personalized, time-sensitive interventions to promote PA.
Adaptive Drive as a Control Strategy for Fast Scanning in Dynamic Mode Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Gelli Matilde , Tiribilli Bruno , Salam Faiza Abdul , Vassalli Massimo , Basso Michele
Published: January 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is an advanced imaging technique which features nanoscale resolution and the ability to work under physiological conditions on soft samples. Modern AFM systems offer easy access to Dynamic Mode imaging which reduces the tip–sample interaction and increases the effective resolution. However, the intrinsic nature of this driving strategy induces a trade-off between three different aspects: the scanning speed, an accurate topography reconstruction and weak interaction forces. The impact of this inherent trade-off is especially evident when imaging samples with steep and deep valleys, and artifacts are often created in the reconstructed topography. This phenomenon, known as parachuting, rapidly worsens at faster speeds. In this paper, a new strategy is proposed for limiting parachuting artifacts, based on an adaptive driving strategy, which can be easily implemented as an add-on to commercial AFM systems. The suggested method has been tested on grid samples, and it enhances the nano-imaging quality by effectively reducing artifacts in the topography.
Identity Hides in Darkness: Learning Feature Discovery Transformer for Nighttime Person Re-Identification
Authors: Yuan Xin , He Ying , Hao Guozhu
Published: January 2025

Person re-identification (Re-ID) aims to retrieve all images of the specific person captured by non-overlapping cameras and scenarios. Regardless of the significant success achieved by daytime person Re-ID methods, they will perform poorly due to the degraded imaging quality under low-light conditions. Therefore, some works attempt to synthesize low-light images to explore the challenges in the nighttime, which omits the fact that synthetic images may not realistically reflect the challenges of person Re-ID at night. Moreover, other works follow the “enhancement-then-match” manner, but it is still hard to capture discriminative identity features owing to learning enlarged irrelevant noise for identifying pedestrians. To this end, we propose a novel nighttime person Re-ID method, termed Feature Discovery Transformer (FDT), explicitly capturing the pedestrian identity information hidden in darkness at night. More specifically, the proposed FDT model contains two novel modules: the Frequency-wise Reconstruction Module (FRM) and the Attribute Guide Module (AGM). In particular, to reduce noise disturbance and discover pedestrian identity details, the FRM utilizes the Discrete Haar Wavelet Transform to acquire the high- and low-frequency components for learning person features. Furthermore, to avoid high-frequency components being over-smoothed by low-frequency ones, we propose a novel Normalized Contrastive Loss (NCL) to help the model obtain the identity details in high-frequency components for extracting discriminative person features. Then, to further decrease the negative bias caused by appearance-irrelevant features and enhance the pedestrian identity features, the AGM improves the robustness of the learned features by integrating the auxiliary information, i.e., camera ID and viewpoint. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that our proposed FDT model can achieve state-of-the-art performance on two realistic nighttime person Re-ID benchmarks, i.e., Night600 and RGBNT201rgb datasets.
Does Scanner Choice Matter for the Design of Foot Orthosis?
Authors: Chhikara Komal , Suresh Sinduja , Morrison Scott , Hartley Dean , Evans Kerrie , Wille Marie-Luise , Teixeira Müge Belek Fialho , Hughes Bridget , Haskell Natalie , Beatson Amanda , Chamorro-Koc Marianella , Little Judith Paige
Published: January 2025

A variety of 3D volumetric scanners and smart-device applications are currently being used in podiatry for recording virtual foot data. The accuracy and reliability of these devices vary, resulting in a large variation in the quality of foot scans used for orthotic design. While it is widely believed that a higher quality scanner yields a better scan and thus is expected to produce a more accurate orthotic design, the direct impact of scanning quality on orthotic design has not yet been tested. Therefore, in this study, three commonly used industrial 3D scanners with varying output qualities were used to obtain foot scans of three participants in two weight-bearing conditions. A total of 54 foot scans were obtained, out of which 18 were used to design orthotic insoles using commercial software (FitFoot360). We found variation in the quality of foot scans produced by the different scanners (61.75 ± 2.23% similarity of the foot scans showing a deviation of less than ±1 mm). However, there were no significant differences in the designed foot orthoses within the same weight-bearing condition (83.59 ± 1.97% similarity of the orthotic designs showing a deviation of less than ±1 mm). The medial arch height and heel width differed significantly only when the weight-bearing condition was changed. The findings from this study suggest that the industrial design and production of an orthotic insole using current methods does not depend on the scanning quality of the scanner used but is dependent on the extent of weight bearing.
A Novel Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis Method Based on the NEITD-ADTL-JS Algorithm
Authors: Zhuo Shi , Bai Xiaofeng , Han Junlong , Ma Jianpeng , Sun Bojun , Li Chengwei , Zhan Liwei
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes an innovative bearing fault diagnosis method aimed at enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of transfer learning. The innovation lies in the signal preprocessing stage, where a Noise Eliminated Intrinsic Time-Scale Decomposition (NEITD) algorithm is introduced. This algorithm adaptively decomposes unified-phase sine wave signals to effectively extract the geometric mean of the intrinsic rotational component, and selects the optimal decomposition result based on the orthogonality index, significantly improving the quality and reliability of the signals. In addition, fault diagnosis parameters are adaptively optimized using an improved adaptive deep transfer learning (ADTL) network combined with the Jellyfish Search (JS) algorithm, further enhancing diagnostic performance. By innovatively combining signal noise reduction, feature extraction, and deep learning optimization techniques, this method significantly improves fault diagnosis accuracy and robustness. Comparative simulations and experimental analyses show that the NEITD algorithm outperforms traditional methods in both signal decomposition performance and diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the NEITD-ADTL-JS method demonstrates stronger sensitivity and recognition capabilities across various fault types, achieving a 5.29% improvement in accuracy.
Does Carbon Disclosure Levels Affect Analyst Forecasts? Evidence from China
Authors: Shao Jihong , Wu Yuan , Ye Ze
Published: January 2025

We examine the relationship between the level of carbon disclosure and analyst forecast accuracy using firm-level data of listed companies in China. We use the reports issued by listed companies, such as financial reports, CSR reports ESG reports, carbon information on company websites, and other relevant reports to proxy for disclosure of carbon information. We find that the level of carbon disclosure is associated with lower analyst forecast error. Further analysis reveals that carbon disclosure levels enhances corporate transparency, which in turn reduces analyst forecast error. The relationship is also stronger for firms that are heavy polluters and have less competitive markets, suggesting that carbon disclosure levels play a role complementary to financial disclosure. In addition, when considering the differences in green cognition of company executives, company size characteristics, and whether or not the CSR report has been certified by a third party, this effect will be different. These results hold after we control for various factors related to firm financial transparency and other potentially confounding factors. Collectively, our findings have important implications for academics and practitioners in understanding the function of the level of carbon disclosure in financial markets.
A Fuzzy Approach to Developing Scales for Performance Levels of Healthcare Construction Projects in Hong Kong
Authors: Oppong Goodenough D. , Chan Albert P. C. , Chan Man Wai , Darko Amos , Adabre Michael A. , Ojo Lekan D.
Published: January 2025

The determinants of hospital project or healthcare project (HP) success are divergent and difficult to generalize because of the heterogeneous perceptions of various stakeholders. There is also a paucity of HP life cycle success evaluations from planning to post-construction phases. Meanwhile, the successful delivery and continual functionality of HPs are pivotal for sustainable development, as evident in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 about ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all people. To contribute to sustainable development, a novel evaluation framework is essential to define robust metrics of selected key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring and controlling HPs at the life cycle phases thereof. Fuzzy set theory, namely the bisector error method (BEM), was applied to questionnaire survey outputs of an expert panel to establish performance metrics of HPs within five grades, namely, poor, average, good, very good and excellent. The novel evaluation framework comprising indexes, indicators and grades are demonstrated on hypothetical HPs to provide objective, reliable and practical outcomes for performance comparison, benchmarking and improvement purposes. The findings show that a high standard is required for excellent planning, execution, and performance in HPs. The life cycle success evaluation framework is foundational in policymaking. Thus, policymakers can track the success of HPs by linking the performance metrics to goals and policy priorities in benchmarking and strategic planning for sustainable development in HPs.
Coordinated Development of Sports Tourism in the Chengdu–Chongqing Region of China
Authors: Zhao Fanxiang , Li Shichuan
Published: January 2025

As an important region in western China, the Chengdu–Chongqing region has rich sports tourism resources and huge development potential. Based on relevant prior studies and the principle of data collectability, a sports tourism evaluation index system was constructed from four aspects: overall scale, market entity, development foundation, and government support. Using the coupled coordination model, the trend of the coordination and evolution of sports tourism in the Chengdu–Chongqing region from 2015 to 2020 was analyzed, and the primary obstacles affecting the coordinated development of sports tourism were identified through the obstacle degree model. The results show that sports tourism in Chengdu and Chongqing achieved great success based on the geographical environment, sports resources, and policy support. However, problems such as imperfect sports tourism infrastructure, unbalanced regional development, insufficient industrial integration, and shortage of professional talents have restricted the further development of the industry. This study holds that the Chengdu–Chongqing region can achieve high-quality and coordinated development of sports tourism by strengthening urban integration, expanding open cooperation, enhancing further industrial agglomeration, boosting policy support, and improving transportation networks. The findings offer insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to leverage sports tourism for economic and social benefits in similar regions.
Urban Planning Through Participatory Democracy: Analysis of Citizen Participation in Urban Planning in Ho (Ghana) and Kpalimé (Togo)
Authors: Sondou Tchakouni , Dotsu Mawufe Yawo , Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe , Samon Sékdja Prosper , Chenal Jérôme , Aholou Coffi Cyprien
Published: January 2025

Participatory democracy is a promising solution to the shortcomings of the traditional approach to urban planning. However, in Ho (Ghana) and Kpalimé (Togo), it raises questions about the effective involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. This study examines the mechanisms put in place to encourage their participation. To explore this issue, we used a mixed-methods approach that included interviews with municipal officials and other urban actors, surveys of residents, and direct observation. The Arnstein approach was used as a framework to shed light on the degree of control and influence that citizens actually exercise in planning and decision-making processes. This approach allows us to determine whether citizens are merely informed (levels 3–4) or actively involved in decision making (levels 6–8). This allows us to highlight the shortcomings of participatory mechanisms in both cities. Colonial legacies and political approaches influence how authorities manage participation, while traditions and cultural norms shape citizens’ expectations and behaviors. In Ho, a culture of collaboration and transparency favors participatory methods, while in Kpalimé, respect for hierarchies and a more centralized approach limit forms of direct engagement. These differences highlight the importance of taking these dimensions into account to better understand and improve local governance practices in these two contexts.
Diffusion Mechanisms for Both Living and Dying Trees Across 37 Years in a Forest Stand in Lithuania’s Kazlų Rūda Region
Authors: Petrauskas Edmundas , Rupšys Petras
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to examine changes in the number of live and dying trees in central Lithuanian forests over time. Results were obtained using stochastic differential equations combined with the normal copula function. The examination of each tree’s individual size variables (height and diameter) showed that the mean values of dead or dying trees’ size variables had significantly lower trajectories that were particularly pronounced in mature stands. According to the data set under examination, the tree mortality rate gradually declined with age, reaching approximately 7% after 10 years. Birch trees 60–70 years old were the first species to reach the 1% mortality rate, followed by spruce trees 70–80 years old and pine trees 80–90 years old. The Maple symbolic algebra system was used to implement all results.
How Does Rural Resilience Affect Return Migration: Evidence from Frontier Regions in China
Authors: Su Yiqing , Hu Meiqi , Zhang Xiaoyin
Published: January 2025

An important way to realize urban–rural integration and regional coordinated development is to attract labor forces back to rural areas. Most of the existing studies consider the impact of individual factors on population migration, they lack a systematic framework to analyze the combined impact of different factors on rural return migration. Furthermore, in practice, the interaction within the rural social ecosystem as an important driver of return migration is always ignored. Using data from 131 villages in 14 cities in Guangxi, China, combined with the Coupled Infrastructure System framework and the sustainable livelihoods framework, this paper analyzes the comprehensive impact of internal components of the rural social ecosystem on return migration. Qualitative comparative analysis is used to identify four condition combinations that can effectively promote return migration and five condition combinations that make return migration vulnerable. The main conclusions are as follows. First, high-level public infrastructure providers are an important driving factor for labor return to rural areas, and a substitution effect exists between them and livelihood capitals. Second, sufficient human capital and social capital are crucial for return migration, highlighting the importance of the structure of rural members and the collective atmosphere. Third, natural capital and economic capital emphasized by previous research are not key conditions for forming a high level of return migration. Fourth, the vulnerability of return migration is mainly caused by the decline of social capital, the loss of public infrastructure providers, and excessive dependence on economic or physical capital input. To attract return migration, rural areas need to pay attention to the integration and synergy of multi-dimensional capital and public infrastructure providers, and special emphasis should be placed on the cultivation of public leadership to promote the enhancement of human capital and social capital. This paper provides a more comprehensive and instrumental analytical perspective for understanding and promoting rural return migration. While deepening the understanding of the dynamic relationship between rural social ecosystem and labor mobility, it also offers policy insights for developing countries to achieve integrated urban–rural development.
Genetic Diversity and Spatiotemporal Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Guinea: A Meta-Analysis of Sequence Data (2020–2023)
Authors: Gnimadi Thibaut Armel Chérif , Kadio Kadio Jean-Jacques Olivier , Mathew Mano Joseph , Diallo Haby , Soumah Abdoul Karim , Keita Alpha Kabiné , Hounmenou Castro Gbêmêmali , Fernandez-Nuñez Nicolas , Vidal Nicole , Guichet Emilande , Ayouba Ahidjo , Delaporte Eric , Peeters Martine , Touré Abdoulaye , Keita Alpha Kabinet
Published: January 2025

In Guinea, genomic surveillance has been established to generate sequences of and to identify locally circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study aims to describe the distributions, genetic diversity, and origins of SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Guinea during the COVID-19 pandemic. A migration analysis was performed by selecting all sequences generated in Guinea for variants of concern and interest. From March 2020 to December 2023, 1038 sequences were generated in Guinea and submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. Of these, 73.1% corresponded to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, which were further grouped into Omicron (69.4%), Delta (21.9%), Alpha (6.6%), and Eta (2.1%). Other variants accounted for 26.9% of the total. Among the total variants analyzed, 75 importations into Guinea from various countries worldwide were identified. Most of the importations (40%) originated from African countries, followed in significance by those from European countries (25.3%) and Asia (18.6%). A significant migratory flow was observed within Guinea. The genomic surveillance reported in this study revealed the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Guinea, emphasizing the importance of large-scale sequencing analyses in understanding the dynamics of the pandemic.
Mexico’s Laboratory-Confirmed Human Case of Infection with the Influenza A(H5N2) Virus
Authors: Vázquez-Pérez Joel Armando , Wong-Arámbula Claudia , Solís-Hernández Mario , Becerril-Vargas Eduardo , Barrera-Badillo Gisela , Ahumada-Topete Víctor Hugo , Avila-Rios Santiago , Pérez-Padilla Rogelio , Mejía-Nepomuceno Fidencio , Mendoza-Ramírez Enrique , Rocha-Martinez Marisol Karina , Alcazar-Ramiro Carlos Javier , Cruz Alfredo , Zúñiga Joaquin , Piekarska Karolina Bozena , Arellano-Suarez Dayanira Sarith , Cruz-Ortiz María Natividad , Núñez-García Tatiana Ernestina , Molina-Gómez Eréndira , Flores-Cisneros Laura Adriana , Aparicio-Antonio Rodrigo , Rodríguez-Maldonado Abril , Landa-Flores Magaly , García-López Armando , Membrillo-Hernández Jorge , García-Rodríguez Gabriel , García-Lozano Herlinda , López-Martínez Irma , González-Sánchez Ruth Purisima , Hernández-Cárdenas Carmen Margarita
Published: January 2025

In April 2024, the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias of Mexico City identified a case of unsubtypeable Influenza A in a 58-year-old immunocompromised patient with renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy and bacterial peritonitis. Through sequencing the M, NS, NA, NP, and HA complete segments, we identified an H5N2 influenza virus with identity of 99% with avian influenza A(H5N2) from Texcoco, Mexico, in 2024. This case is the first reported with direct evidence of human infection caused by the H5N2 influenza virus; the relationship of the virus with the severity of his condition remains unknown.
Design and Immune Profile of Multi-Epitope Synthetic Antigen Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2: An In Silico and In Vivo Approach
Authors: Invenção Maria da Conceição Viana , Macêdo Larissa Silva de , Moura Ingrid Andrêssa de , Santos Lucas Alexandre Barbosa de Oliveira , Espinoza Benigno Cristofer Flores , Pinho Samara Sousa de , Leal Lígia Rosa Sales , Santos Daffany Luana dos , São Marcos Bianca de França , Elsztein Carolina , Sousa Georon Ferreira de , Souza-Silva Guilherme Antonio de , Barros Bárbara Rafaela da Silva , Cruz Leonardo Carvalho de Oliveira , Maux Julliano Matheus de Lima , Silva Neto Jacinto da Costa , Melo Cristiane Moutinho Lagos de , Silva Anna Jéssica Duarte , Batista Marcus Vinicius de Aragão , Freitas Antonio Carlos de
Published: January 2025

Background: The rapid advancement of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants reinforced the importance of developing easy-to-edit vaccines with fast production, such as multi-epitope DNA vaccines. The present study aimed to construct a synthetic antigen multi-epitope SARS-CoV-2 to produce a DNA vaccine. Methods: A database of previously predicted Spike and Nucleocapsid protein epitopes was created, and these epitopes were analyzed for immunogenicity, conservation, population coverage, and molecular docking. Results: A synthetic antigen with 15 epitopes considered immunogenic, conserved even in the face of variants and that were able to anchor themselves in the appropriate HLA site, together had more than 90% worldwide coverage. A multi-epitope construct was developed with the sequences of these peptides separated from each other by linkers, cloned into the pVAX1 vector. This construct was evaluated in vivo as a DNA vaccine and elicited T CD4+ and T CD8+ cell expansion in the blood and spleen. In hematological analyses, there was an increase in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils between the two doses. Furthermore, based on histopathological analysis, the vaccines did not cause any damage to the organs analyzed. Conclusions: The present study generated a multi-epitope synthetic vaccine antigen capable of generating antibody-mediated and cellular immune responses.
Interocular Timing Differences in Horizontal Saccades of Ball Game Players
Authors: Kokubu Masahiro , Komatsu Yoshihiro , Kojima Takashi
Published: January 2025

In ball game sports, binocular visual function is important for accurately perceiving the distance of various objects in visual space. However, the temporal coordination of binocular eye movements during saccades has not been investigated extensively in athletes. The purpose of the present study was to compare the characteristics found in the interocular timing differences in horizontal saccades between ball game players. The participants included 32 university baseball players and 54 university soccer players. They were asked to shift their gaze to the onset of the light-emitting diodes located at 10 deg of visual field eccentricity to the left and right and alternated every 2 s. Horizontal movements of the left and right eyes were recorded separately with the electro-oculogram. Temporal variables for each eye were calculated with digital differentiation, and timing differences between the left and right eyes were compared between participant groups. The overall results showed significant interocular differences between left and right eye movements for the temporal variables of binocular saccades. The comparison between the participant groups revealed that baseball players had smaller interocular timing differences between the left and right eyes than soccer players in the onset time, time to peak velocity, duration, and peak velocity. These results suggest that baseball players have a higher degree of temporal coordination in binocular eye movements, particularly during the initial phase of horizontal saccades, compared to soccer players. This enhanced coordination might be attributable to the sport-specific visual demands of baseball, where players require precise stereoscopic vision to track a small high-speed ball within their visual space.
Terapias de feminización y masculinización de voz en personas transgénero: abordaje desde la terapia vocal y del habla
Authors: Viales-Montero Rebeca , Acuña Sequeira Ariela , Hernández-Córdoba Marcela , Pérez-Quesada Rebeca , Ávila-Cambronero Jennifer
Published: January 2025

La voz humana desempeña un papel fundamental en la expresión de género de las personas transgénero. La intervención desde la terapia del lenguaje (fonoaudiología o logopedia) ofrece un enfoque viable para feminizar o masculinizar la voz, ya sea como una opción independiente o en conjunto con tratamientos médicos. Sin embargo, estas técnicas son relativamente desconocidas en Costa Rica. Este artículo tiene como objetivo brindar información sobre la terapia de voz para ayudar a las personas transgénero a lograr las características vocales deseadas y actualizar sobre estrategias que faciliten una intervención personalizada. La intervención comprende aspectos médicos (hormonales y quirúrgicos) y terapéuticos, ya que los y las terapeutas de voz deben comprender las implicaciones de la intervención médica para poder adaptar las estrategias de forma eficaz. Esta revisión se basa en la revisión de 23 artículos publicados entre 2017 y 2023. Los hallazgos resaltan la importancia de la frecuencia fundamental, del impacto de la voz en la calidad de vida y de la influencia de los formantes o resonancia, al tiempo que subrayan la falta de investigaciones sobre la prosodia, articulación y comunicación no verbal.  Se concluye que la terapia de la voz, sea de manera independiente o junto con tratamientos hormonales o quirúrgicos, produce resultados positivos, siendo el enfoque combinado el que muestra los resultados más prometedores.
SELF-EFFICACY DAN KESIAPSIAGAAN MASYARAKAT DALAM MENGHADAPI BENCANA GUNUNG MELETUS DI KEPUHARJO, CANGKRINGAN, SLEMAN, YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Priambada Haddad Atinda , Nirmalasari Novita
Published: January 2025

Bencana Gunung Meletus merupakan peristiwa yang mengancam dan mengganggu kehidupan manusia dan lingkungan. Upaya mengurangi risiko bencana salah satunya dengan meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan pada masyarakat. Perubahan perilaku kesiapsiagaan masyarakat dipengaruhi oleh self-efficacy ketika menghadapi bencana. Tujuan penelitian untuk melihat gambaran self-efficacy dan kesiapsiagaan masyarakat dalam menghadapi bencana gunung meletus di Kepuharjo Cangkringan Sleman. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan sampel 144 responden dari hasil stratified random sampling. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner general self-efficacy versi Indonesia dengan konteks bencana dan kuesioner kesiapsiagaan bencana gunung meletus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan mayoritas berjenis kelamin perempuan 78 responden (54,2%), usia 17-25 tahun 47 responden (32,6%), pendidikan SMA/K 82 responden (56,9%), dan pernah terpapar sumber informasi 89 responden (61%). Gambaran tingkat self-efficacy bencana gunung meletus berada pada kategori tinggi 90 responden (62,5%). Gambaran kesiapsiagaan pada aspek rencana tanggap darurat dengan kategori baik 79 responden (54,9%), aspek pengetahuan dengan kategori baik 137 responden (95,1%), aspek sistem peringatan bencana dengan kategori baik 126 responden (87,5%), dan aspek mobilisasi sumber daya dengan kategori baik 135 responden (93,8%). Mayoritas masyarakat memiliki tingkat self-efficacy baik, dan tingkat kesiapsiagaan dalam aspek rencana tanggap darurat baik, aspek pengetahuan baik, aspek sistem peringatan bencana baik, serta aspek mobilisasi sumber daya baik. Self-efficacy sangat penting untuk meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan masyarakat untuk menghadapi bencana gunung meletus.