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Correction: Interpretable multimodal classification for age-related macular degeneration diagnosis
A two-stage multi-scale attention-based network for weakly supervised cataract fundus image enhancement
Myoconjunctival Enucleation Study (MES): Outcome of Myoconjunctival Enucleation Technique with Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) implant and Custom-made prosthesis (CMP) in a tertiary eye care center in Nepal
Purpose To evaluate the average motility of the implant and custom-made prosthesis (CMP) in various gazes following Myoconjunctival enucleation, the surgical duration, and the complications encountered at a tertiary eye hospital. Methods This was a prospective, non-randomized interventional study. Recti muscles were sutured to the fornices before enucleation of the eyeball to minimize surgical time and the need for additional sutures. Thirty-five consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data on surgery time, complications, and implant/prosthesis motility were recorded and analyzed. Results The mean surgical duration was 39.43 ± 4.97 minutes. Mean PMMA implant movement was 2.34 mm in elevation, 2.26 mm in depression, 2.74 mm in abduction, and 2.71 mm in adduction. Custom-made prosthesis (CMP) movement was 2.40 mm in elevation, 2.51 mm in depression, 2.74 mm in abduction, and 2.66 mm in adduction. Complications were minimal: one intraoperative superior rectus slippage, a few cases with early postoperative nausea, vomiting, and headache, all resolved within a week. At six weeks, one suture granuloma and one shallow inferior fornix were noted and managed. Patient satisfaction was high (88.57%), with a mean Likert score of 4.25 ± 0.65 (1 = Very unsatisfied to 5 = Very satisfied). No patient reported dissatisfaction. Conclusion Myoconjunctival enucleation offers favorable implant and prosthesis motility, a relatively short surgical duration, and minimal complications. High patient satisfaction supports the myoconjunctival enucleation technique as a reliable and well-tolerated surgical option.
MRI based paraspinal muscle mass predicts early cage subsidence after posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Examining motivational profiles in the dark personality tetrad using an approach-avoidance conflict task
The present studies evaluated motives associated with the Dark Tetrad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) using a computerized approach-avoidance conflict task (AACT). Study 1 used an Emoticon AACT with a forced choice between smiley and frowny face icons. In Phase 1, participants (n = 197) were shown a positive image if they chose to move a stick-figure manikin toward the smiley icon, and were shown a negative image if they chose the frowny icon. In Phase 2, they were offered a varying number of points (0, 1, 5, 25, or 50) for choosing the frowny icon. We found that sadism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy were associated with accepting fewer points to approach the frowny icon that cued a negative image. This same pattern manifested for participants with low empathy levels, particularly when affective resonance was low and affective dissonance was high. Study 2 (n = 191) used an Image AACT where the choice alternatives were positive and negative images, which produced smiley or frowny icons, respectively. Sadism and dissonant emotional tendencies predicted choices directed toward negative images in Phase 2. In Studies 3 (n = 288) and 4 (n = 276), we confirmed our Emoticon AACT findings using gender-balanced samples. Studies 3 and 4 also introduced a viewing-time task (VTT). Sadism and dissonant emotional tendencies predicted decreased viewing times for positive images, but did not predict increased viewing times for negative images, suggesting that negative emotional reactions produced by the positive images were the primary motivating factor in the present AACT. Overall, our findings serve as further evidence of the different motives underlying socially aversive tendencies.
Functional neuroplasticity in chronic post-stroke aphasia following a singing intervention in a cross-over randomised trial
Neighborhood environment and incident diabetes, a neighborhood environment-wide association study (‘NE-WAS’): Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among the Hispanic/Latino population. Type 2 diabetes incidence rates vary between neighborhoods, but no single aspect of the neighborhood environment is known to cause type 2 diabetes. Using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohort of 16,415 Hispanic/Latino adults in four major US cities, we conducted a neighborhood environment-wide association study to identify neighborhood measures or clusters of measures associated with diabetes incidence. Two-hundred and four neighborhood measures were calculated at the census tract level or within a 1-km buffer of participants’ residential addresses. Independent covariate-adjusted and survey-weighted Poisson regressions were run for each neighborhood measure and incident diabetes. Principal component analysis of neighborhood measures was conducted to reduce dimensionality. No coherent pattern of neighborhood measures or principal component scores were associated with diabetes incidence within the cohort, though established individual-level risk factors such as age and family history were strongly associated with diabetes incidence. Results from our analysis did not indicate specific neighborhood measures, clusters, or patterns. Individual, rather than neighborhood, factors distinguish incident diabetes cases from non-cases.
Comparative analysis of 3D-culture techniques for multicellular colorectal tumour spheroids and development of a novel SW48 3D-model
Effect of a communication robot in the prevention of postoperative delirium in older persons: A randomized controlled trial
As studies have reported reduced delirium in hospitalized older individuals with dementia who interacted with the seal-shaped robot “PARO,” the role of communication robots in preventing delirium was investigated. This study included patients aged ≥70 years who were hospitalized for surgery requiring general anesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (patients received regular delirium countermeasures using a team approach; n = 76) or the intervention group (patients received regular delirium countermeasures plus an intervention with the “BOCCO emo LTE” communication robot; n = 74). Delirium was diagnosed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. From admission until discharge, nurses recorded the presence or absence of delirium each day. Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests were conducted to examine intergroup differences in delirium incidence between the groups. Of the 150 patients who provided consent for participation, 18 developed delirium. Significantly fewer patients in the intervention group (4 patients) developed delirium compared to those in the control group (14 patients) (p = 0.014). Patients with delirium were more likely to be older (p = 0.036) and have dementia (p < 0.001), a history of delirium (p = 0.004), and a history of benzodiazepine use (p = 0.028) compared to those who did not have postoperative delirium. The results suggest that communication robots can effectively reduce delirium incidence. Additional studies with larger cohorts are needed to mitigate the influence of varying risk factor frequencies between groups, improve the assessment of delirium, and validate the current study’s findings. Trial registration Japan Clinical Trials Registry (jRCT) (URL: https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp; No. jRCT1030250018; date: April 1, 2025; retrospectively registered)
Critical role of carbon nanofibers in boosting C-S-H density and fracture toughness in fine recycled aggregate concrete
In vitro organ culture protocol for intact urogenital systems supporting gonadal differentiation
Developing in vitro protocols for non-model species poses challenges, and yet are essential for advancing molecular biology studies. This is particularly true for sex determination research that relies on being able to functionally demonstrate the role of genes in determining sex and guiding the process of sex differentiation. Reptile species are attractive models for sex determination research as many species display thermolabile sex systems, allowing for exploration of gene-environment interactions. The first in vitro gonad culture technique for a turtle was published almost 35 years ago in 1990, but these techniques have seen limited use. This is likely because of challenges inherent to the system, where cultures need to be maintained for prolonged periods for gonadal differentiation to occur. All published techniques for long-term cultures involve removing the gonad from the surrounding mesonephros, which causes issues for proper testes development. Here we present the first protocol developed in the reptile model, Pogona vitticeps, that allows the long-term culture of the whole urogenital system supporting differentiation from biopotential gonads to ovaries or testes. Gross morphology is well maintained, and the gonad can be dissected from the mesonephros even after a culture period of up to 19 days. The cultured gonads display sex specific gene expression and morphology. This protocol will facilitate research in sex determination by providing an effective and low-cost alternative to existing protocols and expand capacity for functional manipulation studies in non-model species.
Characterization of joining copper rods by upset technique and investigating the effect of preheat treatment on the weld characteristics
Abstract The present work studies the rod-rupture problem that occurs in the Copper and Mechanical State Company during the upcast production of 8 mm copper rods. This rod-breaking problem arises at the time of rolling the upcasted coils due to reasons of electricity fluctuations, impurities in the metal, etc. Upset welding, as a non-melting joining, was chosen and investigated to weld the copper rods to produce coils with the predetermined length for commercial applications. The welding solution was applied to avoid the negative effects of returning the cut drawn length back to the start of the production line to draw the predetermined length of the coil as one unit, which consumes extensive time and cost. The welding was performed by altering the applied welding current in three modes to investigate the effect of changing the heat input on the properties of the joints. Alternatively, the impact of preheat treatment of the welded joints on the various studied properties was also studied. The joint quality of the resultant welded rods has been characterized by studying their mechanical properties (in terms of tensile stress and elongation%), electrical conductivity (by more than one measuring method), metallographic examination, as well as morphological characterization. The results revealed that the tensile stress, average elongation%, as well as electrical conductivity related to the welded rods, were acceptable concerning the unwelded base metal, even in the case of a higher input heat. Moreover, a smooth and crack-free microscopic structure of the welded drawn wires was obtained, despite the nonperformance of preheat treatment, revealing that the heat treatment has no notable impact on the studied properties.
Balconies’ visual preferences: The case of residential apartments in Tehran, Iran
Balcony as a border between internal and external plays a crucial role in determining the quality of the apartments. The current condition of apartment balconies in Tehran, indicates that balconies have been gradually been forgotten due to their non-functional features for users. In architecture, space quality is measured by user preferences and can serve as a guide for designers in future designs. The objective of the present study was to identify the dominant physical characteristics of balconies in Tehran and improve people’s visual preference from both outside and inside viewpoints. Photographing, Delphi technique and collecting public questionnaire were used to do the research, and quantitative data were gathered through administering questionnaires. Valid responses were gathered, then the collected data were analyzed using SPSS. According to the results, there is a significant difference between the two categories of pleasant and unpleasant. In addition, the characteristics of desirable images from the outside and inside are not always the same. From the outside view of the balcony, the area is the most effective parameter, which in pleasant images was between 50% and 75% of the façade area. Fully solid and completely fences parapet, were preferred from the outside view, while from the user’s point of view, the space from the inside of the balcony with a completely fences parapet was unpleasant and a completely solid or a combination of a solid and fences was preferred.
Circulating microRNA profiles in early-stage osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Communicating astrobiology and the search for life elsewhere: Speculations and promises of a developing scientific field in newspapers, press releases and papers
This study examines the communication of astrobiology and the Search for Life Elsewhere (SLE) in academic papers, press releases, and news articles over three decades. Through a quantitative content analysis, it investigates the prevalence of speculations and promises/expectations in these sources, aiming to understand how research results are portrayed and their potential impact on public perception and future research directions. Findings reveal that speculations and promises/expectations are more frequent in news articles and press releases compared to academic papers. Speculations about conditions for life and the existence of life beyond Earth are common, particularly in news articles covering exoplanet research, while promises of life detection are rare. Press releases tend to emphasize the significance of research findings and the progress of the field. Speculations and promises/expectations in news articles often occur without attribution to scientists and in quotes of authors of the studies, and slightly less so in quotes of outside experts. The study highlights the complex dynamics of science communication in astrobiology, where speculations and promises can generate public excitement and influence research funding, but also risk misrepresenting scientific uncertainty and creating unrealistic expectations. It underscores the need for responsible communication practices that acknowledge the speculative dimension of the field while fostering public engagement and informed decision-making.
Investigating the influence of urban land use on asbestos concentration and identifying the most vulnerable areas in Shiraz, Iran
Thirty years of declining stunting in Tanzania: Trends and ongoing challenges
Background Tanzania has made considerable gains in children’s nutrition between 1991/92 and 2022. The country’s stunting rate has decreased from 50% in 1992 to 30% in 2022. However, stunting varies greatly among regions. The purpose of this study was to examine regional trends in stunting rates and associated characteristics related to the risk of being stunted among children under the age of five in Tanzania. Methods Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data on stunting, from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) data. A total of 42,408 under-five children from repeated TDHS cross-sectional studies conducted in 1991–1992 (n = 6,585), 1996 (n = 5,438), 1999 (n = 2,555), 2004–2005 (n = 7,230), 2009–2010 (n = 6,792), 2015–2016 (n = 9,001), and 2022 (n = 4,807) were analysed to examine trends in stunting and its associated characteristics in the country. Frequencies and percentages were calculated and presented in tables and graphs as cross-sectional data points. A multivariable logistic regression model was estimated to identify factors associated with stunting in 2022. All analyses have been weighted using the weighting generated by the TDHS. STATA version 15 was used for data management and analysis. Results Over the previous three decades, stunting rates in boys under five have consistently been 4-7 percentage points (ppt) higher than those in girls of the same age. The prevalence of stunted children was greater in households with the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) (38.6%) compared to those with the highest SES (12.6%). Similar to the trend analysis, a multivariable regression analysis found that residency in the Southern Highlands (AOR = 2.368; 95% CI: 1.746-3.212, p < 0.001), male children (AOR = 1.583 [95% CI: 1.349 - 1.858], p < 0.001), low birth weight (AOR = 3.639 [95% CI: 2.279 - 5.810], p < 0.001), maternal exposure to alcohol (AOR = 1.440 [95% CI: 1.057 – 1.963], p < 0.05), and unimproved sanitation facilities (AOR = 1.345 [95% CI: 1.055 – 1.714], p < 0.05) were significantly associated with a higher risk of stunting. In contrast, a birth interval of 24 to 47 months (AOR = 0.762 [95% CI: 0.598 - 0.969], p < 0.001), a high level of maternal education (AOR = 0.715 [95% CI: 0.530 – 0.963], p < 0.05), and high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.268 [95% CI: 0.178 – 0.403], p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a lower risk of stunting. Conclusion Although child stunting has decreased in the country, it remains a major challenge in Tanzania, driven by factors such as residing in the Southern Highlands, child and maternal issues, and household economic and environmental factors. To combat stunting and eliminate structural obstacles, including the empowerment of marginalised groups, a multisectoral strategy is required. Furthermore, current regulations and standards place more emphasis on educating mothers about diet and health than on empowering them economically.