bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive performance of fetal aortic isthmus Doppler velocimetry and the cerebro-placental ratio in cases with fetal growth restriction
Authors: Elhabashy Ahmed M. , Aboulenein Wafaa M. , Abdeldayem Tamer M. , Elhabashy Moustafa M.
Published: November 2024

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the leading causes of intrauterine fetal demise, cerebral palsy and perinatal death. The main cause of FGR is placental insufficiency. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) is decreased with the progression of FGR. Fetal aortic isthmus (AoI) Doppler has been suggested as a useful prognostic marker in monitoring of FGR fetuses. Objective of the study is to evaluate the relation between the AoI Doppler and CPR on the perinatal outcome in cases with FGR.
Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study that entailed 100 cases from November 2022 to October 2023. Group A: 50 cases are normal control and group B: 50 cases are FGR. Doppler interrogation of umbilical artery (UA), and middle cerebral artery (MCA), and AoI had been underwent in all cases at GA window: 28-37 weeks within 48 hours before delivery. All cases were assessed after delivery for Apgar score at 10 minutes and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Results: NICU admission was statistically significantly higher in cases and controls with higher AoI pulsatility index (PI) values and lower CPR values. The sensitivity of CPR for prediction of NICU admission was higher than the sensitivity of AoI-PI to predict it (41.94% versus 22.58%).
Conclusions: Abnormal fetal AoI Doppler velocimetry is correlated with abnormal CPR in FGR fetuses. Abnormalities in the PI of AoI-PI and CPR in FGR fetuses had association with adverse perinatal outcome. Further studies needed to test the predictive performance of AoI-PI for adverse perinatal outcomes before its enrollment in the daily practice of FGR cases management.
Do autêntico à desinformação:
Authors: Timm Barros Suellen Elise , Borsetti Gregoro Vidotti Silvana Aparecida , Gonçalves Sant'Ana Ricardo Cesar
Published: November 2024

A transformação e modificação de conteúdos com intenção de disseminar uma informação falsa não é uma técnica exclusiva dos tempos atuais. Entretanto, as avançadas e acessíveis tecnologias de Inteligência Artificial possibilitam que objetos digitais como vídeos sejam tratados para a construção de significados em camadas de opacidade que ficam ocultas ao usuário na camada de visualização. Com a popularização e avanço tecnológico de deepfakes, como a transformação e modificação de objetos digitais como vídeos em processos de transdução informacional se relacionam com a desinformação? Este artigo objetiva destacar esses processos de transdução informacional no contexto dos estudos da desinformação, especificamente deepfakes. Consiste em uma pesquisa bibliográfica e exploratória com abordagem qualitativa e aplicada no contexto de análise de cases de vídeos de deepfake. Concluiu-se que o conceito de transdução da informação pode contribuir ainda mais para explicitar a complexidade do caso de deepfakes e até da própria desinformação.
RESIDÊNCIA MULTIPROFISSIONAL EM SAÚDE E SERVIÇO SOCIAL: REFLEXÃO ACERCA DO PROJETO PEDAGÓGICO DA RESIDÊNCIA EM SAÚDE DA UFMT
Authors: Guimarães Júnior César Gomes , Nunes Ivna de Oliveira
Published: November 2024

O presente trabalho realizou análise crítica da formação profissional do programa de residência multiprofissional em saúde do adulto e do idoso com ênfase em atenção cardiovascular – PRIMSCAV e buscou destacar os elementos formativos para qualificar o exercício profissional do Serviço Social. Para tal, utilizou-se da revisão bibliográfica, fundamentados em artigos e livros de referência no objeto de estudo, e pesquisa documental, Projeto Pedagógico do PRIMSCAV e o Regimento Interno. No primeiro momento, foi discutido sobre a residência multiprofissional no Brasil. Em seguida foi explicitado sobre formação profissional em Serviço Social. E no último tópico, foi realizado reflexões acerca do PRIMSCAV, destacando a concepção de formação em saúde do programa e evidenciando os elementos para qualificar a formação e trabalho do Serviço Social. Através do estudo realizado chegou-se à conclusão que é necessário a reformulação do atual Projeto Pedagógico.
Palavras-chave: Residência; Formação Profissional; Saúde; Serviço Social.
IMPACTOS DO CORONAVÍRUS NA MORTALIDADE DE IDOSOS: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE O CENÁRIO DE MINEIROS-GO ANTES E APÓS A PANDEMIA DA COVID-19
Authors: Sousa Glauciane Calixto de , Oliveira Evandro Salvador Alves de , Guabiroba Juliana Silva , Cruz Fernando Junio Antunes de Oliveira , Silva Glicélia Pereira
Published: November 2024

Essa pesquisa aborda o assunto que envolve a mortalidade de idosos em Mineiros, Goiás, fenômeno que aumentou devido a pandemia mundial que acometeu a sociedade nos últimos anos. O estudo verificou a ocorrência de mortalidade entre 2018 e 2019 (dois últimos anos antes da pandemia) e 2020 e 2021 (período auge da pandemia da COVID-19) e o objetivo principal foi analisar a ocorrência de mortalidade de idosos na cidade de Mineiros-GO antes e durante a pandemia causada pelo Coronavírus. A base teórica do estudo abarca a produção científica publicada em formato de artigos, teses e dissertações produzidas sobre esse tema nos últimos tempos. Para a construção bibliográfica sobre o tema foi feita uma revisão de literatura, a partir da procura de trabalhos científicos na internet. Para isso, foram utilizados os seguintes descritores combinados: idosos e pandemia; mortalidade de idosos na pandemia; impacto da COVID-19 na mortalidade; Coronavírus e idosos. Os artigos foram pesquisados no Google Acadêmico e Scielo Brasil. As teses e dissertações foram vasculhadas no banco de dados da CAPES. Foram encontrados 373 trabalhos e selecionados para análise 9 produções, a partir de critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Conclui-se que o Coronavírus afetou a população de idosos, proporcionando um aumento na prevalência de mortalidade após o começo da pandemia da Covid-19 na cidade de Mineiros-GO.
Palavras-chave: Idosos e pandemia; Mortalidade; Idosos na pandemia; Impacto da COVID na mortalidade; Coronavírus e idosos.
Para mis enemigos, la ley: La corrupción como argumento para activar mecanismos de control político en Perú (2016-2020)
Authors: Carbajal Álvaro
Published: November 2024

La corrupción es un fenómeno muy arraigado en la historia republicana peruana. Desde la época virreinal los escándalos de corrupción en el aparato público han sido recurrentes. Sin embargo, a partir de la segunda mitad de la década de 2010, cuando se destapó el escándalo internacional de sobornos conocido como “Lava Jato” (del cual la política peruana no pudo escapar), la corrupción se empezó a utilizar como un argumento que desencadenó diversas crisis presidenciales en Perú. Es así que diversos mecanismos de control político, tanto del Ejecutivo como del Legislativo, se basaron en la lucha contra la corrupción con el fin de atacar al poder rival. En ese sentido, partiendo del análisis del discurso de los diversos documentos presentados, se analizará la argumentación tanto desde el Poder Ejecutivo como Legislativo. Dichos documentos serán analizados desde la página web del Congreso de la República del Perú. Finalmente, se observa que la corrupción fue utilizada de manera recurrente como argumentación para deslegitimar a un poder del Estado en medio de la lucha entre el gobierno y el Congreso.
Yield and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.) as influenced by fertility levels, biofertilizers and brassinosteroid
Authors: Godara1 A.S. , Singh* Ravindra , Chouhan2 G.S. , Nepalia2 V.
Published: November 2024

A field study was conducted during rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to assess the yield and profitability of fenugreek as influenced by fertility levels, biofertilizers and brassinosteroid. Three fertility levels [60, 80 and 100 % RDF (40 kg N+ 40 kg P2O5 + 10 kg S/ha)] and three biofertilizer inoculations (Rhizobium, PSB and Rhizobium +PSB) in main plot and three concentrations of brassinosteroid (water spray, BR 0.25 ppm and BR 0.50 ppm) in sub plot were studied in split plot design with three replications. The highest values of yield attributes, seed yield (2245 kg/ha), haulm yield (5236 kg/ha), net returns ( 56200) and B:C ratio (1.88) were recorded with application of 100 % RDF. Dual inoculation of seed with Rhizobium + PSB gave significantly higher yield attributes, seed yield (2085 kg/ha), net return ( 50690) and B:C ratio (1.71) over their alone application. Interaction of fertility levels and biofertilizers was also found significant in yield attributes and consequently in yields and economics. Application of 100 % RDF + dual inoculation, being on a par with 80 % RDF + dual inoculation, gave the highest seed yield (2287 kg/ha) and net return ( 57939). Foliar spray of brassinosteroid 0.50 ppm brought about 14.6 and 6.2 per cent higher seed yield over water spray and BR 0.25 ppm, respectively. Thus, integration of 80 % RDF with dual inoculation and supplemented with foliar spray of brassinosteroid 0.50 ppm at 50 and 70 DAS is better for realizing higher yield and net return in fenugreek.
Un cuestionamiento crítico sobre la capacidad de la arquitectura como agente de cambio
Authors: Salazar Bertha Lilia , Lunagómez Lechuga Edwin Amir , Vázquez Honorato Luis Arturo
Published: November 2024

El enfoque del presente documento es teórico y crítico. A través de un análisis de autores y conceptos clave se construye una reflexión sobre los sistemas complejos y su relación con la arquitectura. Además, se considera la importancia de la conciencia crítica y el pensamiento complejo, este análisis se complementa con interrogantes sobre el papel del arquitecto y la educación arquitectónica en Latinoamérica, buscando vincular teoría y praxis en un contexto situado. Se propone un cambio de paradigma en la teoría y práctica de la arquitectura, orientado hacia una conciencia crítica y reflexiva que reconozca su rol transformador buscando desarrollar una aproximación teórica de la arquitectónica desde la complejidad, que integre dimensiones antropológicas, sociales y culturales desde una perspectiva latinoamericana.
Antipassivization in Wayampi
Authors: Copin François
Published: November 2024

This paper presents an analysis of the prefix poro‑ in Wayampi, a grammatical marker that can only be attached to transitive verb stems. It is proposed here that this prefix has an antipassive function. The main objective of this study is to provide hard evidence to support this hypothesis, based mostly on non-elicited data. Three criteria are used to show that the verb forms marked with poro‑ are intransitive in Wayampi, thus demonstrating that this marker cannot refer and is therefore an antipassivizer. This assumption is also put into perspective with a similar one recently proposed in Tupi-Guarani linguistics for cognates of poro‑ in Tenetehára, Paraguayan Guarani, and Tupinambá.
Acute Kidney Injury as Predictor of Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) in 3 Months after Admission of Acute Heart Failure Patients in Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan
Authors: Chan Muhammad Ikhsan , Andra Cut Aryfa , Raynaldo Abdul Halim , Hasan Harris , Sarastri Yuke , Sitepu Andika
Published: November 2024

Highlights:
1. This study provides novel evidence that acute kidney injury (AKI) is a strong predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute heart failure, highlighting the critical need for early detection and intervention to improve outcomes.
2. This research underscores the importance of incorporating kidney function assessment into the comprehensive management of acute heart failure patients.
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Background: Acute heart failure is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. Decreased renal function after hospitalization is a predictor of longer hospitalization and increased mortality. Patients with acute renal failure, especially injury or failure grade, have a worse long-term prognosis compared to patients without acute renal failure, which will lead to MACE. Major adverse cardiovascular events are a combination of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death.
Material and Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study of 159 patients with acute heart failure at HAM General Hospital from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Electrocardiographic, laboratory, and echocardiographic data were collected. Patients were categorized according to RIFLE classification and monitored to see MACE in the samples. Bivariate tests were performed to see the correlation between samples. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier curves were analyzed to see the survival rate.
Results: Total subjects were 159 patients consisting of 98 acute heart failure patients with AKI and 61 heart failure patients without AKI. There was a correlation between heart failure patients who developed acute renal failure and the number of days of hospitalization (p = 0.000), in hospital mortality (p = 0.002), rehospitalization in less than 3 months (p = 0.000), and mortality in less than 3 months (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Acute kidney injury has a correlation with MACE so that it can be a predictor of major cardiovascular events in patients with acute heart failure.
Effect of Nutritional Education on Parental Knowledge of Balanced Nutrition in Children at Yayasan An - Nusyur Aeng Panas, Sumenep Madura
Authors: Ramadhan Sasha Anggita , Widayani Soraya Tri , Mahmudiono Trias , Rakhmad Amanda Fharadita Olivia , Hargiyanto Ernadila Diasmarani , Permatasari Fitiara Indah , Azzahra Callista Naurah , Sahila Nur , Atmaka, S.Gz, MPH Dominikus Raditya , Febrianto Eka Cahya , Astuti Ratna Dwi Puji , Mulia Shinta Arta , Pratiwi Damai Arum , Nadhiroh Siti Rahayu , Simangunsong Tiara Tivany , Prameswari Atika Anif , Ismail Wan Ismahanisa , Mohd Noor Mohamad Azhar bin , Mohamad Shariff Mohamad Halim bin , Talib Siti Salwa binti , Sabri Nurhidayah binti , Abd Rahim Nurul Ain binti , Tajuddin Rosnida binti , Keah Lee Siew , Mohd Fitri Muhammad Firdaus bin , Rozlan Muhammad Syahmi bin , Rao Rishan Rao al Morgan , Mat Yasin Azwa binti
Published: November 2024

Parents play a vital role in shaping children's dietary habits, which are influenced by family behaviors, parental health literacy, and socio-economic status. Poor parental health literacy and low socio-economic status often lead to unhealthy child nutrition and lower physical activity. This study investigates the impact of nutritional education on parental knowledge at Yayasan An-Nusyur Aeng Panas, aiming to improve childhood nutrition in resource-limited settings. The research employed a pre-experimental design (one group pre-test post-test) to assess changes in parental knowledge after a 3-hour nutrition education session, delivered by a team of nutritionists from Indonesia and Malaysia. Data were collected from 27 parents of kindergarten students in Sumenep Madura in February 2024 through questionnaires. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Test. The findings revealed an increase in participants' knowledge, with a pre-test average score of 84.444 and a post-test average score of 86.667. However, the Wilcoxon test showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.439) between pre- and post-test scores. Despite the knowledge improvement after the education session, the difference was not significant. This suggests that while educational interventions can enhance awareness, further efforts may be required to achieve a measurable impact.
Modelling future climate change impacts on grapevine water requirements and growing cycle in three wine PDOs of NE Spain
Authors: Funes Mesa Inmaculada , Sánchez-Costa Elisenda , Aranda Xavier , Altava-Ortiz Vicent , Barrera-Escoda Antoni , Prohom Marc , Poyatos Rafael , Sánchez-Ortiz Antoni , Savé Robert , De Herralde Felicidad
Published: November 2024

Climate change is expected to heavily impact agriculture in the Mediterranean region due to higher temperatures and droughts. Within the agricultural systems, vineyards are one of the most affected by climate. Here we provide a diagnosis of the main impacts of climate change in three protected designations of origin (PDOs) in Catalonia (NE Spain) in the 21st century. This is fundamental for assessing the future suitability of grapevine cultivation in the study area. For this purpose, we estimated the annual net water needs of the vineyard and a set of agroclimatic parameters of crop phenology and ripening. Climate change impacts were estimated at 1 km pixel resolution using temperature and precipitation projections based on the IPCC AR5 RCPs 4.5 and 8.5 climate change scenarios. Water needs would be 2 to 3 times greater than current water needs and a general advance and shortening of the ‘Budburst to Harvest’ period were estimated. The flowering date would advance from 3 to 6 weeks and the harvest from 1 to 2.5 months, resulting in a duration of the ‘Budburst to Harvest’ period from 10 to 80 days shorter. Changes in temperature during ripening were also estimated. Minimum temperature and daily thermal amplitude during ripening could increase from 1.4 to 2.9 °C and from 0.4 to 2.8 °C, respectively, by the end of the century. Additionally, the number of tropical nights (nights with T min > 20 °C) at ripening would increase from 2 to 23.7 days during the second half of the 21st century. Dynamics would be similar in the three PDOs studied although the magnitude of impact would differ, leading, in some cases, to significant limitations for grapevine cultivation and wine production if no adaptation strategies are applied in the near future. Increases in water needs were slightly greater in Empordà PDO, while the potential impact on crop phenology and grapevine quality was greater in the Pla de Bages PDO. These results, despite the limitations from simplified methods, incomplete data and unaddressed uncertainties, could serve as a basis for the design of specific adaptation strategies to improve and maintain vineyards in the PDOs studied and could be extrapolated to similar PDOs and regions.
STANDARISASI JUMLAH MANPOWER CLEANING SERVICES PERLUAS AREA PADA GEDUNG UNITED TRACTORS HEAD OFICE
Authors: Ulwan Dzaki
Published: November 2024

In the era of intense global competition, companies must have the right strategy to achieve competitive advantage, one of which is by developing and managing human resources (HR) effectively and efficiently. In the United Tractors Head Office Building, distribution of cleaning services from PT. This disproportionate Mitra Bakti UT shows that the workload is not distributed evenly. Therefore, this research aims to measure the cleaning service workload in the United Tractors Head Office Building and determine the optimal number of workers needed using the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) method. and Work Load Analysis (WLA). In this research, the data taken is in the form of activities and the total hours of completion of these activities. By calculating the workload, you can see the correct number of celaning services and can determine the area of ​​each worker with an even workload. By using the Work Load Analysis method, the results are that the workload for cleaning services work is 250% compared to the existing workload of only 192%. The manpower workload is more balanced, previously the highest value was 104% and the lowest value was 43%, after calculating the workload it became evenly distributed with a value of 83%. After calculating the number of cleaning services from 20 people to 24 people and the area of ​​each manpower is 609 m^2.
Book Linocut and Techniques by a Graphic Artist, Svetlana Sorokina-Claude
Authors: Markova A. I.
Published: November 2024

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Straightening the Maelstrom: McLuhan, the “New Columbuses” and Media Ecology
Authors: Veselkova N. V.
Published: November 2024

The article is a reflection on Varvara Preter’s (Chumakova) book In the Center of the Cyclone, which reveals the possibilities of instrumentalizing M. McLuhan’s theory to study contemporary media realities. The format of “reflections on the book” is used to trace non-obvious but relevant and heuristic connections and contexts. One of them is the work of P. Sorokin, which anticipates M. McLuhan’s initial position on the universality of media. In the logic of V. Preter’s book, the effects of oblivion, characteristic of the circulation of scientific knowledge, appear as a reaction to information overload. The idea of information aggregation as a form of creativity, which actualizes the authorship of “secondary” genres, is discussed as a productive one.
The effect of manufacturing defects and license plate on the energy efficiency of solar vehicles
Authors: İpek Burak , Yıldız Mehmet , Akış Tunahan , Gören Aytaç
Published: November 2024

In recent times, research on the energy efficiency of solar vehicles has gained momentum. A significant component of the mentioned efficiency is the vehicle’s resistance to airflow. From this perspective, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of manufacturing defects on the aerodynamic performance of solar vehicles. An analysis of these manufacturing defects at different vehicle speeds has been conducted. In this study, the SOLARIS 11 (S11) solar vehicle has been analyzed in four scenarios: (i) computer-aided design (CAD) version, (ii) CAD version with manufacturing defects, (iii) with a license plate, and (iv) with both manufacturing defects and a license plate. In addition, these four different scenarios have been evaluated separately for vehicle speeds of 60, 90, and 120 km/h. In conclusion, with manufacturing defects, the variation in power consumption of the solar car increased by an average of 24.55–29.09% according to the ideal CAD model. This increase is found to cause a reduction in the vehicle’s range by 18.31–37 km. Power consumption of the vehicle was calculated as 237 W for the CAD model, 246 W for the model that has manufacturing defects, and 309 W for the model that has both manufacturing defects and a license plate at 60 km/h. Similarly, power consumption values are calculated as 1,692, 2,167, and 2,214 W at 120 km/h. Additionally, the increase in power consumption caused by the license plate in the absence of manufacturing defects has been examined as a separate section.
Generalization of the Standard Model. Theory of Everything (T.O.E.)
Authors: Flores Hector Gerardo , Gonçalves de Souza Maria Isabel , Jain Harshit
Published: November 2024

Here, applying the theory of the generalization of the Boltzmann´s constant in curved space-time and the theory of electrical modelling of a proton and a neutron as a three-phase alternating current electric generator, we will model the mechanism by which elementary particles are formed. We will determine the relationship between gravity, temperature and the effective Boltzmann´s constant with each of the elementary particles that make up the standard model following analogies with that of stellar bodies. To achieve our goal, we will propose new models for photons, gluons, gravitons and the Higgs boson; we will demonstrate why there are stable and unstable elementary particles, why the first family of elementary particles forms hadrons and why the second and third families cannot form hadrons; why fermions satisfy the Pauli exclusion principle and why bosons do not satisfy the Pauli exclusion principle, etc. Finally, we will analyse the generalization of the ADS/CFT correspondence and propose a theory of everything (T.O.E.). The proposed theory of everything unites Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics. It is important to highlight that in the proposed theory of everything, we explain the origin of dark matter and dark energy; we also explain the origin of the universe through the disintegration of a black hole and we explain the matter-antimatter symmetry.
Advanced Characterization and Optimization of Epitaxial Growth Techniques for Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors: A Critical Analysis of GaN, SiC, AlGaN, Diamond, and Ga2O3 Synthesis Methods, Challenges, and Prospective Technological Innovations
Authors: Yeboah Luckman , Abdul Malik Ayinawu , Oppong Peter , Acheampong Prince , Morgan Joseph , Addo Rose , Williams Henyo Boris , Taylor Stephen , Zudor Wolalorm , Osei-Amponsah Samuel
Published: November 2024

Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) play a critical role in advancing high-power and high-frequency electronic applications, including renewable energy, automotive, and telecommunications sectors. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of epitaxial growth techniques like Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE), and Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE), each with unique benefits in defect control, crystal quality, and scalability. Low-energy approaches such as Hot-Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition (HFCVD) for SiC offer scalability and uniformity, addressing industrial requirements for cost-effective, high-purity substrates. The study explores advancements in AI-optimized epitaxy and hybrid growth techniques aimed at mitigating environmental impacts, such as recycling end-of-life WBG devices to minimize waste. The findings underscore the potential of these methods to drive the next generation of high-performance WBG devices and position ultrawide-bandgap (UWBG) materials like diamond and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) as frontrunners for extreme applications in power electronics and quantum devices.
Efficacy of Anti-Cancer Immune Responses Elicited Using Tumor-Targeted IL-2 Cytokine and Its Derivatives in Combined Preclinical Therapies
Authors: Balkhi Sahar , Bilato Giorgia , De Lerma Barbaro Andrea , Orecchia Paola , Poggi Alessandro , Mortara Lorenzo
Published: November 2024

Effective cancer therapies must address the tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex network of tumor cells and stromal components, including endothelial, immune, and mesenchymal cells. Durable outcomes require targeting both tumor cells and the TME while minimizing systemic toxicity. Interleukin-2 (IL-2)-based therapies have shown efficacy in cancers such as metastatic melanoma and renal carcinoma but are limited by severe side effects.
Innovative IL-2-based immunotherapeutic approaches include immunotoxins, such as antibody-drug conjugates, and immunocytokines, antibody-cytokine fusion proteins that enhance tumor-specific delivery. These strategies activate cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells, eliciting a potent Th1-mediated anti-tumor response. Modified IL-2 variants with reduced Treg cell activity further improve specificity and reduce immunosuppression. Additionally, IL-2 conjugates with peptides or anti-angiogenic agents offer improved therapeutic profiles.
Combining IL-2-based therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), anti-angiogenic agents, or radiotherapy has demonstrated synergistic potential. Preclinical and clinical studies highlight reduced toxicity and enhanced anti-tumor efficacy, overcoming TME-driven immune suppression. These approaches mitigate the limitations of high-dose soluble IL-2 therapy, promoting immune activation and minimizing adverse effects.
This review critically explores advances in IL-2-based therapies, focusing on immunotoxins, immunocytokines, and IL-2 derivatives. Emphasis is placed on their role in combination strategies, showcasing their potential to target the TME and improve clinical outcomes effectively.
Feasibility and Reliability of a Smartwatch to Detect Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Schreier Konrad , Borger Michael , Sepehri Shamloo Alireza , Hofmann Lukas , Schröter Thomas , Eifert Sandra , Darma Angeliki , Etz Christian , Leontyev Sergey , Misfeld Martin , Bollmann Andreas , Arya Arash
Published: November 2024

Background: Atrial fibrillation, the world's predominant cardiac arrhythmia, frequently emerges as a complication post-cardiac surgery, leading to serious outcomes like strokes, heart failures, and even death. Due to its often-silent nature, detecting it can be challenging. Smartwatches present a potential solution, offering screening that is more rigorous.
Objective: This prospective observational study sought to assess the Withings Scanwatch's efficacy in identifying post-surgical atrial fibrillation.
Methods: After cardiac surgery, patients received a Withings Scanwatch. Over a span of 24 hours, both the smartwatch's Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and standard telemetry kept track of any atrial fibrillation incidents.
Results: At the end of the study, data from 260 patients was available for assessment. Atrial fibrillation was identified in 32 of these patients, either via telemetry or the smartwatch. Our data revealed a sensitivity of 69.0%, specificity of 98.7%, a PPV of 87.0%, and an NPV of 96.2%.
Conclusions: This clinical study is the first to evaluate the PPG sensor of the Withings Scanwatch, and it shows that the Scanwatch has high accuracy in detecting atrial fibrillation. Thus, Scanwatch may support the conventional screening for atrial fibrillation, and potentially reducing complications and costs of atrial fibrillation. Because of lower than expected sensitivity this technology cannot replace conventional monitoring in postoperative patients.
CrowdBA: A Low-Cost Quality-Driven Crowdsourcing Archi-tecture for Bounding Box Annotation Based on Blockchain
Authors: Liao Shenglong , Guo Rongxin , Zhu Jianqing
Published: November 2024

Many blockchain-based crowdsourcing frameworks currently struggle to address the high costs associated with on-chain storage and computation effectively, and they lack a quality-driven in-centive mechanism tailored to bounding box data annotation scenarios. To address these chal-lenges, this paper proposes CrowdBA: a low-cost quality-driven crowdsourcing architecture. The CrowdBA utilizes the Ethereum public blockchain as the foundational architecture and develops corresponding smart contracts. First, by integrating Ethereum with the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), storage and computation processes are shifted off-chain, effectively addressing the high costs associated with data storage and computation on public blockchains. Additionally, the CrowdBA introduces a Dynamic Intersection over Union Weighted Bounding Box Fusion (DWBF) algorithm, which assigns dynamic weights based on IoU to infer true bounding boxes, thereby assessing each worker's annotation quality. Annotation quality then serves as a key criterion for incentive distribution, ensuring fair and appropriate compensation for all contributors. Experi-mental results demonstrate that the operational costs of each smart contract function remain within reasonable limits; the off-chain storage and computation approach significantly reduces storage and computation expenses, and the DWBF algorithm shows marked improvements in accuracy and robustness over other bounding box fusion methods.
Enhanced Fluid Mixing in Microchannels Using Levitated Magnetic Microrobots: A Numerical Study
Authors: Demircali Ali Anil , Yilmaz Abdurrahim , Uvet Huseyin
Published: November 2024

Efficient mixing of fluids at microscale dimensions presents challenges due to the dominant laminar flow regime, restricting convective mixing. This study introduces a numerical analysis of a novel microrobotic mixing system with a levitated propeller robot, driven by magnetic fields, within a Y-shaped microchannel with a square cross-section (500x500 μm). The research investigates fluid mixing effectiveness facilitated by the microrobot through various levitation heights and orientations to enhance the mixing index (MI). This index is tested under different conditions by leveraging the dynamics of the propeller robot, characterized by adjustable roll and pitch angles and varying levitation heights. The numerical simulations, conducted using COMSOL® (Finite Element Method, FEM) software, integrate Maxwell’s equations for magnetic field interaction with momentum and transport-diffusion equations to analyze fluid dynamics within the microchannel. Results indicate that the propeller robot can achieve an MI of up to 98.94% at a 150 μm levitation height and 1500 rpm propeller speed within 3 seconds. Additionally, the study examines the impact of propeller speed, Reynolds number, and robot length on mixing performance, providing comprehensive guidance for optimizing microscale fluid mixing in lab-on-a-chip applications.
Best Practices for Analyzing Interaction Effects in Stata: A Comparison of Statistical Approaches
Authors: Bittmann Felix
Published: November 2024

When the effect of a treatment variable on an outcome variable differs between two groups, an interaction effect is present. Since this is one of the most common statistical analyses, Stata offers a wide variety of methods to investigate such effects. The present study outlines how these different analyses can be performed in Stata and provides a comprehensive simulation study to determine which method has the best statistical properties. To this end, both the nominal alpha error rate and statistical power are assessed for continuous and binary dependent variables. For a deeper analysis, not only are the sample sizes varied, but other potential challenges are also considered, such as heteroscedasticity for the continuous outcome and imbalanced binary outcome variables. The results indicate that some methods deviate significantly from the nominal alpha limit, leading to incorrect conclusions on average. For the continuous outcome variable, the OLS regression approach with robust (HC3) standard errors and an interaction term yields the best results. For the binary outcome, we recommend the logit model with robust standard errors or the linear probability model with robust (HC3) standard errors.
Structural and Geophysical Modeling in an Area with Non-Outcropping Copper Sulphide Deposits, Minas Do Seival Region, Sul-Riograndense Shield, Southern Brazil
Authors: Araujo Ana Flávia , Moreira César Augusto , Alves Luiza Lima , Ilha Lenon Melo , Kumaira Sissa , Masquelin Henri
Published: November 2024

This paper is based on the use of indirect investigation methods using geophysics as a tool for the search for non-outcropping deposits. The integration of the geophysical methods of DC Resistivity and Induced Polarization added to the analysis of structural data is adopted in the region of Minas do Seival, in the extreme south of Brazil, in an area with no signs of surface mineralization. The region is located in the context of the Sul-Riograndense Shield, with andesites, dacites and latites occur locally, in addition tuffs, lapilli tuffs and breccia tuffs, gathered in the Hilário Formation (Neoproterozoic). The structural survey was carried out at the Barita Mine, in outcropping lapilli tuffs where brecciation, argilization and carbonation were recognized in mineralized zones, with malachite and azurite. Next, 6 electrical tomography lines with 420m of length. The combined analysis of the 2D and 3D models allows the recognition of potentially mineralized zones char-acterized by high chargeability. The results indicate the existence of a deposit from 30m deep with a tendency to connect the mines, partly related to silicification processes (high chargeability + high resistivity) and partly related to argilization and propylitization (high chargeability + low resis-tivity), structurally controlled.
Role of Climate and Edaphic Factors on the Community Composition of Biocrusts Along an Elevation Gradient in the High Arctic
Authors: Mas Martinez Isabel , Pushkareva Ekaterina , Keilholz Leonie Agnes , Linne von Berg Karl-Heinz , Karsten Ulf , Kammann Sandra , Becker Burkhard
Published: November 2024

Biological soil crusts are integral to Arctic ecosystems, playing a crucial role in primary production, nitrogen fixation and nutrient cycling, as well as maintaining soil stability. However, the composition and complex relationships between the diverse organisms within these biocrusts are not well studied. This study investigates how microbial community composition within Arctic biocrusts is influenced by environmental factors along an altitudinal gradient (106 m to 306 m). Metagenomic analyses were used to provide insights into the community composition, revealing that temperature, pH, and nutrient availability significantly shaped the community. In contrast, altitude directly did not influence the microbial composition significantly. Eukaryotic communities were dominated by Chloroplastida and Fungi, while Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria prevailed among prokaryotes. Cyanobacteria, particularly orders such as Pseudoanabaenales, Pleurocapsales, and Nostocales, emerged as the most abundant photoautotrophic organisms. Our findings highlight the impact of environmental gradients on microbial diversity and the functional dynamics of biocrusts in the Arctic.
Lessons Learned from Modeling COVID-19: Steps to Take at the Start of the Next Pandemic
Authors: Glorioso Christin , Castiglione Filippo , Oshinubi Kayode , Chharia Aviral , Barhak Jacob
Published: November 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred many computational modeling efforts. Many mistakes were made and many lessons were learned. This study attempts to list the key lessons learned from a modeling perspective, highlighting both the successes and shortcomings observed during the pandemic. Additionally, this work attempts to compile a set of critical steps and best practices that the authors believe would prove helpful and should be implemented before the start of the next pandemic to avoid inaccuracies in modeling pandemic scenarios. This will help to improve preparedness and ensure that computational models can more effectively guide decision-making in future pandemics.
Innovative Bioactive and Biodegradable Calcium Phosphate-Based Biopolymer Composite Scaffolds
Authors: Furko Monika , Horvath Endre Zsolt , Tolnai István , Balázsi Katalin , Balázsi Csaba
Published: November 2024

We present a novel solution to prepare bioactive, biomineralized calcium phosphate (mCP) loaded biopolymer composites scaffold material with porous structure. We investigated two types of polymers as matrices, one natural, such as cellulose acetate (CA) and one synthetic such as polycaprolactone (PCL). Owing to the intrinsic biodegradable nature of these polymers, they can be innovatively utilized as resorbable fillers or bone grafts in bone tissue engineering or even in drug-releasing systems. The biomineralized calcium phosphate particles were prepared via wet chemical precipitation and addition of organic biominerals like magnesium gluconate and zinc gluconate to boost the bioactivity of the pure CP phase. We compared the morphological and chemical characteristic of the two types of composites and the effect of the biomineralization on the particle structure of pure CP. The obtained CP was mainly nanocrystalline apatite, and the organic trace element addition strongly affected the morphology by reducing the size of the particles. SEM elemental mapping proved the perfect incorporation of the mCP particles into both CA and PCL polymer matrices forming composites. The short-term immersion test revealed that the decomposition rate of both composites is slow, but moderate and gradual ionic dissolution takes place according to the ICP-AES measurements.
In situ Aqueous Spice Extract Based Antifungal Lock Strategy for Salvage of Candida albicans Biofilm Gels in Foley’s Catheter
Authors: Sadanandan Bindu , Vijayalakshmi Vaniyamparambath , Shetty Kalidas , Rathish Adithya , Shivkumar Harshala , Gundreddy Malavika , Narendra Nikhil Kumar Kagganti , Devaiah Nethra Machamada
Published: November 2024

Candida forms gel like biofilm in the Foley’s catheter causing tenacious biofouling and severe urinary tract infections (UTI). For the first time a spice extract based antifungal lock therapy (ALT) has been developed to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm in Foley’s catheter. Aqueous extracts of garlic, clove and Indian gooseberry were used as ALT lock solutions and tested against biofilm-forming multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans. The reduction in the biofilm formation in the catheter was confirmed by Point inoculation, MTT assay, CFU, and SEM analysis at 12 and 24 h of incubation. Garlic was effective in controlling both C. albicans M207 and C. albicans S470, however, clove and gooseberry effectively controlled the latter. As evidenced by MTT assay and CFU there was a 55 and 96% reduction in the growth of C. albicans at 24 h of incubation. SEM revealed a switch from the biofilm to the yeast mode and a drastic reduction in cell numbers with mostly clumped or lysed cells. The study will provide an impetus to the development of novel spice extract-based ALT, reducing selection pressure on the pathogen and lowering antimicrobial resistance. Further research in this area has potential to leverage clinical applications.
Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of the Long-Term Expansion of Shrimp Ponds Along the Coastal and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
Authors: González-Rivas David Alejandro , Ortega-Rubio Alfredo , Tapia-Silva Felipe Omar
Published: November 2024

Shrimp farming has increasingly taken over coastal areas in Mexico, particularly in the protected regions of Sonora and Sinaloa. Over the past 30 years, the economic activity associated with these farms has grown so much that the amount of shrimp produced in these ponds now exceeds that harvested from traditional shrimp fisheries. Establishing shrimp ponds has led to significant land changes and environmental contamination, introducing organic matter, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses into the coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of California. The construction of these ponds has fragmented local ecosystems, resulting in permanent alterations to areas such as floodplains, mangrove forests, and dunes, many of which are protected zones. This study aimed to investigate the long-term growth of shrimp farms from 1993 to 2022 and their impact on land-use changes in surrounding ecosystems, focusing on protected areas in the Sinaloa and Sonora coastal regions. We analyzed Landsat images using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Our findings indicate that shrimp farm development over the past three decades has been extensive, with protected areas experiencing fragmentation and changes. Remote sensing and platforms like GEE enable the effective monitoring of these spatiotemporal changes and their impacts, helping to identify the most affected areas.
Unveiling GATA3 Signalling Pathways in Health and Disease: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Mousa Bacha Rim Abdul Kader , Alwisi Nouran , Ismail Rana , Pedersen Shona , Al-Mansoori Layla
Published: November 2024

GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), a member of the GATA family transcription factors, is a key player in various physiological and pathological conditions. It has been known for its binding capacity to DNA sequence “GATA” enabling its involvement in critical developmental and functional processes occurring in multiple tissues and organs including the immune system, endocrine system, and nervous system. GATA3 also modulates cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis via controlling gene expression. In physiological instances, GATA3 is crucial for maintaining immunological homeostasis by mediating the development of naïve T cells into T helper 2 (Th2). In addition, GATA3 is proposed to play a variety of cellular roles in the growth and maintenance of mammary gland, neuronal, and renal tissues. Conversely, the presence of impaired GATA3 is associated with a variety of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. Additionally, the altered expression of GATA3 contributes to the worsening of disease progression in haematological malignancies, such as T-cell lymphomas. Therefore, this review explores the multifaceted roles and signalling pathways of GATA3 in health and disease, with a particular emphasis on its potential as a therapeutic and prognostic target for the effective management of diseases.
Effect of Dataset Partition and Normalization Methods in the Hyperparameters Optimization Phase on the Efficiency of The Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm
Authors: Glele Kakaï Romain Lucas , Egah Marcel , Hounmenou Castro Gbêmêmali
Published: November 2024

Multilayer perceptron neural networks are a family of continuous functions and offer a great flexibility for modeling empirical data. The lack of attention to the choice of optimal parame- ters(partition, sample size, number of units in the hidden layer, data normalization method) in the building of neural models negatively influences their predictive and explanatory performance.The present study aims to evaluate the effect of partition and normalization methods on the optimization phase of hyperparameters using the Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algorithm in aprediction context. The Monte Carlo approach was used to train several datasets generatedby varying the internal structure of a 3-MLP from simple to complex with the LM algorithm for different partition rates and different methods of normalizations most commonly used. A total of 995880 models were built and compared on the basis of R2 and MAPE criteria. The results showed that the application of the partitioning rate 85% - 15% for training and testing respectively, the normalization method minmax , a learning rate of 0.25 for the training of the algorithm with nine (9) neurons at the hidden layer with the application of the sigmoid at the hidden layer as well as at output layer led to their best performances.
Diagnostic Limitations of Applying a Human Portable Blood Glucose Meter to the Detection of Hypoglycemia in Pregnant Ewes
Authors: Lopes José Lucas Xavier , Raimondo Raquel Fraga e Silva , Jacondino Luiza Rodegheri , Correa Beatriz Riet , Mori Clara Satsuki , Pöppl Álan Gomes
Published: November 2024

Pregnant ewes are susceptible to hypoglycemia and ketosis; therefore, monitoring glycemic status is extremely important. Portable blood glucose meters (PBGM) can assist in quickly and conveniently identifying glycemic disturbances in this species, provided that they meet criteria demonstrating their analytical accuracy. This study evaluated the performance of a human PBGM (Accu-Chek Performa®, Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland), for glycemic evaluation of 34 pregnant ewes at 90 and 120 pregnancy days in comparison with glycemia determination by a reference method (RM). The device showed a high positive correlation (r = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.57 – 0.82, P < 0.0001) with the RM; however, 96.6% of the PBGM results (58.5 ± 9.82 mg/dL) were higher (P < 0.0001) than those obtained in the laboratory (48.6 ± 9.31 mg/dL). The PBGM tested was considered analytically inaccurate according to ISO 15197:2013 which states when glucose is <100 mg/dL, 95% of its measurements should not differ by more than 15 mg/dL from the RM value, while 1/3 of the PBGM results read up this limit. Hypoglycemia (< 50 mg/dL) was documented in 60.29% of samples measured by the RM, but only 17.64% read below 50 mg/dL in the PBGM. Due to these limitations, Accu-Check Performa® results should be interpreted cautiously in pregnant sheep suspected of hypoglycemia.