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Background: Perceptual measures such as speech intelligibility are known to be biased, variant and subjective, to which an automatic approach has been seen as a more reliable alternative. On the other hand, automatic approaches tend to lack explainability, an aspect that can prevent the widespread usage of these technologies clinically. Aims: In the present work, we aim to study the relationship between four perceptual parameters and speech intelligibility by automatically modelling the behaviour of six perceptual judges, in the context of head and neck cancer. From this evaluation we want to assess the different levels of relevance of each parameter as well as the different judge profiles that arise, both perceptually and automatically. Methods and Procedures: Based on a passage reading task from the Carcinologic Speech Severity Index (C2SI) corpus, six expert listeners assessed the voice quality, resonance, prosody and phonemic distortions, as well as the speech intelligibility of patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer. A statistical analysis and an ensemble of automatic systems, one per judge, were devised, where speech intelligibility is predicted as a function of the four aforementioned perceptual parameters of voice quality, resonance, prosody and phonemic distortions. Outcomes and Results: The results suggest that we can automatically predict speech intelligibility as a function of the four aforementioned perceptual parameters, achieving a high correlation of 0.775 (Spearman's [rho]). Furthermore, different judge profiles were found perceptually that were successfully modelled automatically. Conclusions and Implications: The four investigated perceptual parameters influence the global rating of speech intelligibility, showing that different judge profiles emerge. The proposed automatic approach displayed a more uniform profile across all judges, displaying a more reliable, unbiased and objective prediction. The system also adds an extra layer of interpretability, since speech intelligibility is regressed as a direct function of the individual prediction of the four perceptual parameters, an improvement over more black box approaches.

Background: Despite the number of research studies regarding the individual burden of migraine, few studies have examined its impact on the patients’ partners. We aim to assess migraine effects on the patients’ partners on sentimental relationship, children relationship, friendship, and work, as well as the caregiver burden, anxiety and/or depression. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through an online survey of partners of patients with migraine followed-up in 5 Headache Units. Questions about the 4 areas of interest and 2 scales (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Zarit scale) were included. Scores were compared against the population prevalence. Results: One hundred and fifty-five answers were analysed. Among the patient’s partners 135/155 (87.1%) were men, with a mean age of 45.6 ± 10.1 years. Migraine’s main effects on partners were observed in the sentimental relationship and items concerning children and friendships, with a minor impact at work. Partners showed a moderate burden (12/155 = 7.7% [4.1%–13.1%]), and a higher moderate-severe anxiety rate (23/155 = 14.8% [9.6%–21.4%]), and similar depression rate (5/155 = 3.2% [1.1%–7.3%]) compared to the National Health Survey. Conclusions: The burden of migraine impacts the partners’ personal relationship, childcare, friendship and work. Moreover, certain migraine partners showed a moderate burden according to Zarit scale and higher anxiety levels than the Spanish population. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: Diversos estudios han evaluado la sobrecarga individual de la migraña, sin embargo, pocos estudios han examinado su impacto en las parejas de los pacientes. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar los efectos de la migraña en las parejas de los pacientes sobre la relación sentimental, la relación con los hijos, la amistad y el trabajo, así como la sobrecarga del cuidador, la ansiedad y/o la depresión. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal a través de un cuestionario en línea a las parejas de pacientes con migraña seguidos en cinco Unidades de Cefalea. Se incluyeron preguntas sobre las cuatro áreas de interés y dos escalas (Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria y escala de Zarit). Las puntuaciones se compararon con la prevalencia de la población según la Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Resultados: Se analizaron ciento cincuenta y cinco respuestas. Las parejas de los pacientes con migraña fueron 135/155 (87.1%) hombres, edad media de 45.6 ± 10.1 years; Los principales efectos de la migraña en la pareja se observaron en la relación sentimental y en los ítems relativos a los hijos y las amistades, con menor impacto en el trabajo. Las parejas mostraron una carga moderada (12/155 = 7,7%[4,1%-13,1%]), y una tasa de ansiedad moderada-grave más alta (23/155 = 14,8%[9,6%-21,4%]) y una tasa de depresión similar (5/155 = 3,2%[1,1%-7,3%]) respecto a la población española. Conclusiones: La carga de la migraña tiene un impacto en la relación personal de la pareja, el cuidado de los hijos, la amistad y el trabajo. Además, algunos cuidadores de pacientes con migraña presentan una carga moderada y niveles de ansiedad más altos que la población española.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors that interfere with performance in cognitive tests frequently used for non-demented elderly in clinical practice. METHOD: Sample composed of 213 individuals, mean age 72.9 ± 6.1 years. The following assessment instruments were applied: Geriatric Depression Scale; Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Verbal Paired Associates tests I and II (VPA) from the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS); Direct and Reverse Order Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III); Simple Reaction Time (SRT), and Tower of Hanoi. A multiple linear regression model was used to verify interaction between dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: For the most part, the tests were not significantly influenced when adjusted for gender, marital status, depressive symptoms or use of psychotropic drugs. Significant interference of schooling and age on performance in applied cognitive tests was pointed out. There was a high correlation between MMSE scores and schooling, with a 1-point increase in the value obtained in the test for every four years of schooling (p < 0.0001). Results of short-and long-term memory tests were also significantly influenced by schooling (p = 0.0001, p = 0.02, respectively). Low schooling had a negative influence on attention performance according to SRT, significantly increasing reaction time (p = 0.002), error percentage (p = 0.01) and proportion of false alarms (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study found out a significant influence of age and schooling on performance of non-demented elderly in cognitive tests assessing overall performance, short- and long-term memory, attention, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed.

This study aims to explore how subjects identified as digital scholars use social media for sharing information and knowledge. A qualitative approach was used with in-depth semi-structured interviews to a purposive sample of 13 subjects. We adopted the Braun and Clarke Thematic Analysis approach and used NVivo QDA Software for the analysis of the data. The results point to 3 major themes: 1) Sharing 2) Interacting and Communicating and 3) Connecting and Networking. The participants in this study reveal a clear awareness of the importance of online presence and interaction with others in establishing shares, dialogues, relationships and bonds on the network. However, there is some heterogeneity among the participants, some being assumed as more active and participatory and others as less so, some clearly separating the work and non-work contexts and others for whom this distinction is less relevant. Motivations for sharing, such as altruism and generosity, are also related to possible gains in social capital. What is common to all participants is the need to find value in what is shared in networks, as well as the need for these actions to have some utility for themselves or for the collectives where information and knowledge are shared.

According to self-determination theory, the need for competence, autonomy, and relatedness has been associated with intrinsic motivation. Fulfilling basic psychological needs can lead to better learning, academic performance, and well-being. In this study, an anatomy program integrated gamification and drawing methods to explore their influence on basic psychological needs satisfaction and potential learning implications. Basic psychological needs outcomes of sport sciences students were compared to test the effects of the Observe-Reflect-Draw-Edit-Repeat (ORDER) method and gamification (experimental condition) versus a non-ORDER and non-gamified program (control condition). These two different 30-h (7-week) anatomy education programs were implemented at two Spanish public universities with 116 first-year sport sciences students. Pre and post-treatment measurements were collected using the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, ANCOVAs, and factorial repeated measures ANOVAs 2 × 2 (time × treatment). The gamified ORDER program achieved higher satisfaction scores in basic psychological needs compared to the control group (t = 2.98, p = 0.004, d = 0.54). Additionally, an interaction effect between time and treatment was observed (p = 0.042, [partial eta-squared] = 0.038). Treatment and interaction effects were observed for 'autonomy' (p = 0.003, [partial eta-squared] = 0.074) and 'competence' satisfaction (p = 0.048, [partial eta-squared] = 0.035). A time effect was found for 'relatedness' in the control group, but no significant treatment or interaction effects were identified. The causes of these effects are debated in the study, as well as the limitations. These findings support the notion that students' basic psychological needs are better satisfied in anatomy education with the implementation of this multimethod educational intervention based on ORDER and gamification.

Cacalol (C), a sesquiterpene isolated from Psacalium decompositum, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Its cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and pro-apoptotic effects have been previously shown in an in vitro breast cancer model. A derivative, cacalol acetate (CA), shows potential in regulating these processes, which has not been previously reported. This study focused on an in vitro cervical cancer model, assessing CA’s antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, cytostatic, and anti-migratory activities using the HeLa cell line. The natural anticancer agent indole-3-carbinol (I3C) was used as a control for comparison. CA demonstrated significant antitumor activities, including inhibiting cell growth, inducing apoptosis, arresting cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and inhibiting cell migration. These effects were notably greater compared to I3C. I3C, while following a similar trend, did not induce Cas-3 expression, suggesting a different apoptotic pathway. Neither CA nor I3C increased p62 and LC3B levels, indicating they do not stimulate autophagy marker expression. Both compounds inhibited HeLa cell migration and induced cell cycle arrest. Despite both holding promise as anticancer agents for cervical cancer, CA’s lower cytotoxicity and stronger regulation of tumor phenotypes make it a more promising agent compared to I3C.

Abstract Coherent light-matter interactions mediated by opto-magnetic phenomena like the inverse Faraday effect (IFE) are expected to provide a non-thermal pathway for ultrafast manipulation of magnetism on timescales as short as the excitation pulse itself. As the IFE scales with the spin-orbit coupling strength of the involved electronic states, photo-exciting the strongly spin-orbit coupled core-level electrons in magnetic materials appears as an appealing method to transiently generate large opto-magnetic moments. Here, we investigate this scenario in a ferrimagnetic GdFeCo alloy by using intense and circularly polarized pulses of extreme ultraviolet radiation. Our results reveal ultrafast and strong helicity-dependent magnetic effects which are in line with the characteristic fingerprints of an IFE, corroborated by ab initio opto-magnetic IFE theory and atomistic spin dynamics simulations.

BackgroundTransfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) are still a growing public health problem in Africa. Studies that synthesize the available evidence on the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) among African blood donors are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize qualitatively and quantitatively the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen (HBsAg) among blood donors in Africa.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis where we included all studies that reported the seroprevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Africa. The references were searched from electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, WHO research database-HINARI, Global Index Medicus and ClinicalTrials.gov. We further analyzed the full list of references of all included studies. The pooled seroprevalence was estimated through random effect model. The heterogeneity was assessed through Cochrane’s Q test and I2, respectively. Meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsWe obtained 124 studies that met our inclusion criteria, comprising 3,573,211 blood donors tested for HBsAg. The pooled seroprevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Africa was 6.93% (95% CI: 5.95–7.97%; I2 = 100%; p

Enquadramento: A exposição dos enfermeiros ao sofrimento e morte dos doentes pode desencadear níveis elevados de sofrimento, dependendo das estratégias de coping utilizadas. Objetivos: Analisar a relação entre o sofrimento e as características sociodemográficas e profissionais identificar as estratégias de coping mais utilizadas; analisar a relação entre o sofrimento e as estratégias de coping. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, correlacional e transversal. Participaram 26 enfermeiros de uma Unidade Cuidados Intensivos Cardíacos (UCIC). Foi utilizada a Caregiver Grief Scale para avaliar o sofrimento e o Ways of Coping Questionnaire para avaliar as estratégias de coping. Resultados: Não se verifica relação entre o sofrimento e as características sociodemográficas e profissionais. As estratégias de coping mais utilizadas são as centradas no problema (autocontrolo, procura de suporte social). Constata-se uma correlação positiva (r = 0,56) entre o sofrimento e a estratégia de coping distanciamento (p = 0,01). Conclusão: O sofrimento é transversal a todos os enfermeiros de uma UCIC, independentemente das variáveis sociodemográficas e profissionais. Utilizando como estratégia de coping o distanciamento, o sofrimento pode ser maior.

Nutritional status plays a vital role in regulating ovary activity. This regulation is mediated by the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and by effects exerted directly on the ovary. Therefore, to achieve the best reproductive performance, it is essential to know how the nutritional status affects the secretion of GnRH, gonadotrophins, and sex steroid hormones. Adequate body reserves and energy balance are critical for optimal reproductive performance in sheep and goats. However, over- or under-conditioned animals experience issues like extended anestrus, irregular ovarian cycles, and reduced conception. Body condition scoring allows for the evaluation of the relationships between adiposity, nutritional status, and fertility. Acute feed deficits briefly stimulate processes, but chronic restrictions suppress pulsatile LH release, disrupting ovarian function. The process of follicle development is a very complex one which involves intricate interactions between the pituitary gonadotrophins and metabolic hormones as well as between the locally produced factors by the ovarian somatic and germ cells including the IGF system and the TGF-β superfamily members. Genotype and nutrition are factors that have an impact on follicular development, and seasonal factors are also involved. This review will give a brief overview on how the body condition can be evaluated and the effects of nutrition on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and ovarian activity, which are responsible for reproductive regulation. This paper presents a clear and reasonable summary of the pathway that runs from the nutritional status of small ruminants to ovarian activity through the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This review summarizes methods for body condition evaluation in small ruminants and evidence regarding acute versus prolonged nutritional impacts on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and ovarian activity controlling reproduction.

Wildfires are increasing in severity, and magnitude in the Mediterranean Basin in recent years, reaching a yearly average of 450 000 ha over the last decade. Drivers include climate change, land-use change, and land abandonment. Wildfire mitigation requires landscape-level action as impact to each parcel is affected by the conditions of the others. We conducted a case study of a regional-level initiative that develops community efforts to mitigate wildfires through silvo-pastoral agroforestry systems, using an integrated landscape management approach. This approach involves collaboration among stakeholders to achieve multiple objectives. In order to derive insights into its potential, we asked participating land managers: (1) What motivates their participation?, (2) How do they perceive initiative outcomes?, and as urban outmigrants with non-traditional goals are increasing in rural areas, (3) Do responses differ between rural and neo-rural participants? Our results show that managers feel highly affected by wildfires and are strongly motivated to reduce wildfire risk. Land abandonment and inappropriate policy were major concerns. The initiative was seen to have positive outcomes for individual participants as well as the region, and to stimulate community connectedness. We conclude that fit to local contexts, integrated landscape management can be a well-received approach to reducing wildfire risk. Agroforestry systems in Extremadura can act as "productive fuelbreaks" that reduce fire risk over extensive areas, while restoring traditional landscapes. We suggest that programs to reduce wildfire risk can also be used as a leverage point for financing rural revival and provision of multiple ecosystem services.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10457-022-00771-6.

Atendiendo al auge de la profesión de influencer en la que se crean contenidos comerciales para marcas y ante el debate sobre cuya colaboración no es identificada ante los públicos, se abordan desde la perspectiva de este colectivo sus inquietudes en cuanto a transparencia y ética de su actividad. Para ello se ha preguntado a 290 micro-influencers, influencers de menos de 100.000 seguidores que sin dedicarse profesionalmente a esta actividad, registran mayor nivel de engagement. Según este prescriptor digital, los seguidores conocen las marcas con las que trabajan, son conscientes de que les obsequian con sus productos y aceptan los contenidos comerciales. Sin embargo, para identificar las colaboraciones recurren en mayor medida a fórmulas más ambiguas como mencionar a la marca frente a incorporar una etiqueta identificativa de publicidad, método recogido en las principales normativas. Denuncian asimismo prácticas poco éticas por parte de la industria ante la falta de monetización de su actividad, así como la ausencia de formación en materia de transparencia.

The figure of the influencer has generated an increase in their presence on social networks. Their ability to create content, their credibility and their identification with the consumer represent an added value in commercial communication. However, their disclosures are controversial due to the lack of transparency and differentiation between their commercial and opinion content. The absence of a clear definition of an influencer, the need to regulate their actions and the difficulty of identifying the commercial content of their publications are evidence of the concern to regulate their activity. The aim of this paper is to analyze, in the European context, the specific regulations on commercial disclosures by influencers, as well as to ascertain the point of view of the agents involved. To this end, a content analysis of the guidelines, regulations and/or laws of 24 European Union countries is carried out, complemented by an ad hoc questionnaire that brings together different aspects that can be defined and delimited. The results show a lack of unanimity in the rules and regulations governing influencers, as well as a manifest concern on the part of professionals in the sector to determine their communications. Only two countries, France and Spain, have specific legislation on the subject, limiting commercial disclosure to the existence of consideration and/or number of followers. It is clear that the existing guidelines are, in most cases, more comprehensive in terms of transparency guidelines for identifying advertising than the regulatory texts. The findings question whether the path of legislation is the right one, or whether efforts should instead focus on media and advertising literacy for both influencers and consumers.

Summary: Background: In developing countries, the safety of blood transfusions remains an important public health concern as it is associated with a higher risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). In this study, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors in Africa and assess the temporal trends and regional differences within the continent through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, HINARI, Global Index Medicus and Clinical.Trial.gov) were searched for relevant studies for our research. We included all primary studies that estimated the seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors in Africa with an age population from 16 to 65 years old, without language restrictions, from inception up to March 1st 2024. The pooled seroprevalence was estimated through the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model. The temporal trends and regional differences were assessed through subgroup and meta-regression analysis. Findings: We obtained 122 studies that met our inclusion criteria, comprising 7,814,996 blood donors tested for HIV. Sixty-six percent of the studies were from Western and Eastern Africa. The pooled seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors in Africa was 2.66% (95% CI: 2.17–3.20%; I2 = 99.80%, p

Disinformation and fake news have become highly prevalent on social networks. As such, many platforms have tried to reduce audience exposure to false or erroneous data by implementing corporate policies to protect users. This is especially relevant in social networks aimed at young people, as is the case of TikTok. In recent years, such mediums have become more popular than news sites among young audiences. The purpose of this article is to analyze what these policies are, on what topics they are implemented and how they are being monitored and enforced by the social network TikTok during the period 2020–24. Nonetheless, it must also be mentioned that it is still too early to make a complete and comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of these policies because many of them are not yet fully implemented.

The processing of vinegar from non-valorized fruits and agricultural surpluses is an attractive strategy for biomass waste management. The present study aimed to characterize vinegar of fermented fruits, namely fresh fig, plum, dried fig, grape, raspberry, and apricot. Physicochemical and microbial quality, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), mineral composition, and antimicrobial capacity against bacteria and yeasts were studied. Grape and apricot vinegar had the highest values of TAC (39.31±0.25, 34.10±1.44 DPPH µg Trolox/100 mL, respectively), while grape contained the highest TFC (35.73±3.86 mg catechin/100 mL) and raspberry and fresh fig, the highest TPC (55.40±1.1, 64.10±0.0 mg gallic acid/100 mL, respectively). Potassium, calcium and sodium were the most abundant minerals in the vinegars with dried fig standing out for its richness in potassium 1223.83±89.48 mg/L, calcium 17.70±1.31 mg/L, magnesium 2.39±0.24 mg/L, and zinc 4.33±0.17 mg/L. The enterobacteria Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Typhimurium were the most tolerant (10.00±0.00–26.39±1.60 mm), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria (26.36±3.61–40.17±2.72 mm) as well as Gram + (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua) (21,20±8,37–31.11±2.41 mm). The acetification processes resulted in vinegars with a good hygienic status, and levels of acetic acid (≥5 %) complying with the legislation.