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Prolonged hyperglycemia conditions are a risk factor for chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Testosterone is known to cause muscle hypertrophy, reduced fat mass, and increased body strength. The study aimed to verify possible alterations and differences in the influence of testosterone on the physical performance in post-exercise conditions of young and old animals with alloxan-induced hyperglycemia. We randomly assigned 32 young Wistar rats to groups of untreated non-diabetic young, treated non-diabetic young, untreated diabetic young, and treated diabetic young rats, and 32 aged Wistar rats to groups of untreated non-diabetic elderly, treated non-diabetic elderly, untreated diabetic elderly, and treated diabetic elderly rats, with eight animals each group. The treated non-diabetic and treated diabetic groups received injections of 15 ​mg/kg weight Durateston™. All the trained groups performed aquatic training with an overload of 5% of the body mass. Following the experiment, we anesthetized and euthanized the animals after exercise (exhaustion). Hemoglobin, erythrocytes, and hematocrit values were higher in the treated groups. The treated diabetic elderly group had the highest leukocyte and neutrophil counts compared to the untreated young groups (p ​

Abstract Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Magnetic Resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is gaining recognition as a minimally invasive surgical option. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of unilateral MRgFUS subthalamotomy, aiming to create the smallest effective lesion. Between June 2021 and October 2023, twelve PD patients underwent the procedure, with primary outcomes focused on safety and motor improvements after six months. Results indicated significant motor improvements, with over 50% reduction in tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, while balance and gait remained stable. Quality of life also improved. Side effects were generally mild and transient, though some patients experienced involuntary movements, managed through medication adjustments. Despite limitations, this technique appears to offer a promising, less-invasive alternative for managing PD symptoms with a favorable risk-benefit profile. Further research is necessary to refine the procedure and assess long-term outcomes.

Abstract Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with substances like psilocybin and MDMA has shown promise for conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin and MDMA may become approved medicines in the coming decade. This study assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding PAT among 879 U.S. healthcare professionals via anonymous online survey. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of openness to clinical use. Most participants (71.2%) were female and White (85.8%), with a mean (SD) age of 45.5 (12.7) years. Registered nurses (25.4%) and physicians (17.7%) comprised the largest professional groups. Respondents endorsed strong belief in therapeutic promise, and moderate openness to clinical use and support for legal access to both substances, with higher overall ratings for psilocybin compared to MDMA. Objective knowledge items revealed low knowledge of therapeutic uses, risks, and pharmacology. Primary concerns were lack of trained providers, financial cost, and potential contraindications. Prior psychedelic use, self-rated knowledge, younger age, and professional role predicted openness to clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA, with physicians reporting lower openness. As psychedelics continue to garner popular and scientific interest, results indicate a pressing need for additional formal training to provide balanced, evidence-based information from trusted sources.

Abstract Background Sleep, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity are essential components within the 24-hour time frame. Existing questionnaires used to measure these behaviours have insufficient measurement properties and are unsuitable for assessing compliance with the WHO Physical Activity and 24-hour Movement Guidelines. To describe the development process of the 24-hour Movement Questionnaire (QMov24h) and its testing. The QMov24h was developed to gather detailed information on sleep, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity. Methods The sample comprised 117 participants (58% women), aged 30.95 ± 13.56 years. The development process of the QMov24h followed the COSMIN guidelines: (i) Construction of items; (ii) Face validity with end-users; (iii) Content validity with experts; (iv) Criterion validity against accelerometry and convergent validity against diary assessments; and (v) 7-day test-retest reliability. Results The QMov24h presented adequate content and face validity. The QMov24h showed moderate criterion validity for sleep (rho=0.343;p

Purpose: It has been demonstrated that AI-powered, data-driven tools' usage is not universal, but deeply linked to socio-cultural contexts. The purpose of this paper is to display the need of adopting situated lenses, relating to specific personal and professional learning about data protection and privacy. Design/methodology/approach: The authors introduce the results of a case study based on a large educational intervention at a fully online university. The views of the participants from degrees representing different knowledge areas and contexts of technology adoption (work, education and leisure) were explored after engaging in the analysis of the terms and conditions of use about privacy and data usage. After consultation, 27 course instructors (CIs) integrated the activity and worked with 823 students (702 of whom were complete and correct for analytical purposes). Findings: The results of this study indicated that the intervention increased privacy-conscious online behaviour among most participants. Results were more contradictory when looking at the tools' daily usage, with overall positive considerations around the tools being mostly needed or "indispensable". Research limitations/implications: Though appliable only to the authors' case study and not generalisable, the authors' results show both the complexity of privacy views and the presence of forms of renunciation in the trade-off between data protection and the need of using a specific software into a personal and professional context. Practical implications: This study provides an example of teaching and learning activities that supports the development of data literacy, with a focus on data privacy. Therefore, beyond the research findings, any educator can build over the authors' proposal to produce materials and interventions aimed at developing awareness on data privacy issues. Social implications: Developing awareness, understanding and skills relating to data privacy is crucial to live in a society where digital technologies are used in any area of our personal and professional life. Well-informed citizens will be able to obscure, resist or claim for their rights whenever a violation of their privacy takes place. Also, they will be able to support (through adoption) better quality apps and platforms, instead of passively accepting what is evident or easy to use. Originality/value: The authors specifically spot how students and educators, as part of a specific learning and cultural ecosystem, need tailored opportunities to keep on reflecting on their degrees of freedom and their possibilities to act regarding evolving data systems and their alternatives.

This qualitative study uses the dialogical self theory to explore teacher educators' voices as they speak on the issue of teacher identity positioning, specifically when it comes to the position of teachers as inquirers. A content analysis of self-reports from 18 teacher educators yielded 3 primary teacher core I-positions. The results showed that the teacher educators viewed teachers more as mediators than as instructors or inquirers. Although all the participants acknowledged the relevance of the inquiry process in the teaching profession, they differed as to the value, purpose, and learning outcomes of adopting an inquiry position in the initial training of teachers.

Los sistemas artificiales inteligentes son instrumentos sofisticados que nos ayudan a tomar decisiones y actuar en un mundo híbrido, simbiótico, entre humanos y máquinas. El presente artículo reflexiona sobre la relación entre inteligencia artificial (IA) y las formas políticas, especialmente en su versión autoritaria. Una vuelta al fascismo a través de medios digitales es una de las posibilidades que han sido señaladas por los que han advertido sobre los riesgos del desarrollo de una inteligencia artificial generativa que impulsa la autonomía y adaptabilidad de los sistemas. El artículo examina esta tesis e identifica algunos de los elementos a considerar—el uso bélico de la IA, el comportamiento estratégico de las grandes corporaciones tecnológicas, su mentalidad, y la filosofía práctica subyacente a los modelos de gobernanza. El artículo presta particular atención a la tesis en filosofía de Alexander C. Karp ―CEO de Palantir Technologies Inc.— sobre la agresión y replantea la pregunta sobre el fascismo a partir de la idea de ‘sobrecumplimiento’ (over-compliance) y ‘regimentación’ (regimentation). El fascismo no es el problema en este nuevo entorno; la innovación, el poder y la gobernanza sí lo son.

IntroductionOverdiagnosis in PSA-based prostate cancer (PCa) screening is primarily studied in younger, healthier populations from clinical trials. This study aimed to evaluate the probability of overdiagnosis in PCa screening within a clinical practice context, focusing on its relationship with PSA levels, Gleason scores, and subsequent clinical procedures.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 1,070 asymptomatic men over 40 years old diagnosed with PCa between 2004 and 2022, following a positive PSA test. The patients were followed until December 31, 2022, with a median follow-up time of 5.7 years (IQR 3.2-8.6). The primary outcome was the probability of overdiagnosis, assessed through life expectancy and the Charlson Comorbidity Index, considering lead times of 5, 10, and 15 years.ResultsWe found that patients with PSA levels >10 ng/dL and/or Gleason scores ≥8 were generally older and had more comorbidities than those with PSA levels 4-10 ng/dL and/or Gleason scores ≤7. The probability of overdiagnosis was significantly higher in patients with PSA levels >10 ng/dL (41.4%, IQR 21.5-73.9) and Gleason scores ≥8 (42.6%, IQR 14.9-38.9), compared to those with PSA levels 4-10 ng/dL (20.1%, IQR 12.8-30.4) and Gleason scores ≤7 (26.6%, IQR 23.6-68.6). Notably, 71.7% of patients did not receive pharmacological treatment. Patients with higher PSA levels also experienced greater radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging (median 19.9 mSv vs. 14.7 mSv, p = 0.004).ConclusionsThese findings underscore the high likelihood of overdiagnosis in older patients with elevated PSA levels and significant comorbidities, highlighting the need for careful consideration of patient comorbidities before PSA testing.

Objective This study explored and compared stakeholder perspectives on enhancements to cervical cancer screening for vulnerable women across seven European countries.Design In a series of Collaborative User Boards, stakeholders were invited to collaborate on identifying facilitators to improve cervical cancer screening.Setting This study was part of the CBIG-SCREEN project which is funded by the European Union and targets disparities in cervical cancer screening for vulnerable women (www.cbig-screen.eu). Data collection took place in Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Portugal and Romania.Participants Represented stakeholders at various levels, including user representatives (vulnerable women), healthcare professionals, social workers, programme managers and decision makers.Methods 14 meetings lasting 2 hours each were held in these seven countries between October 2021 and June 2022. The meetings were audio or video recorded, transcribed and translated into English for qualitative framework analysis.Results We engaged 120 participants in the Collaborative User Boards. Proposed solutions targeted both provider and system levels. In all countries, fostering trusting relationships between vulnerable women and social or healthcare professionals, coupled with community outreach for awareness and access to testing was a consistent recommendation. Participants in Estonia, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal and Romania advocated for tailoring healthcare services to meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations through a holistic approach. In Bulgaria and Romania, participants advocated for the need to secure free access, from screening to follow-up, and emphasised the need for organised screening with target population screening registries.Conclusion The study offers insights into stakeholders' recommendations for enhancing cervical cancer screening services for vulnerable women across seven European countries. Despite variations in the implementation level of population-based screening programmes, the imperative to optimise outreach and proximity work to improve cervical cancer screening resonated across all countries.

ObjectiveExplore motor imagery (MI) abilities in healthy older adults compared with healthy younger adults.MethodsA systematic review with meta-analysis.ResultsTwenty-seven cross-sectional studies were included. Meta-analyses explored MI abilities between healthy older and younger adults for the ability to generate kinesthetic (60–70 years: g = −0.24, 95%CI = −1.61, 1.13; 70–80 years: g = −1.29, 95%CI = −2.75, 0.17), and visual modality (g = −0.08, 95%CI = −0.71, 0.86); vividness in kinesthetic (g = 0.14, 95%CI = −0.13, 0.41), IV (g = 0.11, 95%CI = −0.16, 0.38), and EV modalities (g = 0.05, 95%CI = −0.15, 0.24); mental chronometry in timed-up and go (seconds = 0.63, 95%CI = −0.02, 1.27), and linear walk (seconds = 0.75, 95%CI = −0.55, 2.06); and MI-execution time congruence (performance overestimation) in linear walk (g = −0.02, 95%CI = −0.73, 0.69). Mental chronometry in upper limb movements was analyzed visually in forest plot indicating tendencies of greater time in older adults. Hand recognition in hand laterality judgment task visual analysis revealed a poorer accuracy, greater response time and lower efficiency in older adults.ConclusionVividness of MI in kinesthetic and visual modalities appears to be preserved in older adults. Tendencies for greater time in mental chronometry were observed in older adults in TUG, linear walk and upper limb tasks. Implicit MI assessed with hand laterality showed older adults have lower accuracy, longer response times and lower efficiency. The ability to generate MI in kinesthetic and visual modalities presented imprecise results, and no clear conclusions could be drawn on MI-execution temporal congruence due to imprecision. Further research is needed to potentially clarify these findings.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO: CRD42023384916.

RESUMO O estudo busca identificar as dualidades entre o uso da inteligência artificial (IA) na educação e os riscos de vieses algorítmicos. A pesquisa se insere como qualitativa e uma revisão sistemática de literatura com apoio bibliométrico. A coleta de dados ocorreu nas bases Scopus, Web of Science e ScienceDirect, e ao final foram selecionados 16 artigos para análise e interpretação. A hipótese levantada é de que os vieses algorítmicos na educação podem comprometer a equidade e a eficácia dos processos educativos. Os vieses foram apontados desde a codificação dos algoritmos até o processamento automatizado, o que pode impactar o desempenho dos alunos e ampliar as desigualdades. Medidas sugeridas para mitigação incluem os cuidados nas fases de treinamento e implementação dos algoritmos, desenvolvimento de práticas de reparação algorítmica, supervisão das plataformas e a necessidade de tecnologias justas e confiáveis. Como resposta à hipótese, conclui-se que a eficácia da IA na educação depende de um treinamento contínuo e inclusivo dos algoritmos e da conscientização de seus usuários sobre os riscos dos vieses algorítmicos, de forma que os sistemas possam ser aperfeiçoados para evitar a reprodução de injustiças sociais. Recomenda-se uma abordagem ética e colaborativa para garantir que a IA contribua para uma educação mais justa. A interação entre os alunos e a IA pode suscitar uma reflexão crítica sobre os feedbacks recebidos, pois eles precisam saber identificar se os resultados são confiáveis, atualizados e não tendenciosos, uma vez que a IA pode demorar a incorporar novos dados de treinamento nos algoritmos.

Potential energy curves (PECs) for the spin-free (ΛS) and spin–orbit (Ω) states associated with the four lowest-lying dissociation channels of Na2 and K2 were calculated at the SA-CASSCF/SO-CASPT2/aug-cc-pwCVQZ-DK level. The PECs of Na2 were consistent with the experimental data and with the FS-CCSD (2,0) calculations, reproducing the double-well and the "shelf" character for some of the potentials of the excited states. For K2, the PECs behaved in a similar way and the spectroscopic parameters for the ground and the excited states are in good agreement with the available experimental values. The dissociation energy of K2 was predicted to be De = 4454 cm−1, within an agreement of 5 cm−1 with the experiments. For Na2, De = 5789 cm−1 compared to the experimental value of 6022 cm−1. The inclusion of spin–orbit coupling effects resulted in avoided crossings, which affect the PECs. Spin–orbit changes the predicted curves for some excited Ω states arising from ΛS states that overlap each other, affecting their associated vibrational frequencies and bond distances. The current studies of the low-lying states in K2 reveal a similar structure to those of Na2, which suggests the accessibility of long-lived energy storing reservoir states and possible population inversions in K2 following prior experimental work on the reaction of halogen atoms with Na3 to produce excited states of Na2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral optical forces exhibit opposite signs for the two enantiomeric versions of a chiral molecule or particle. If large enough, these forces might be able to separate enantiomers all optically, which would find numerous applications in different fields, from pharmacology to chemistry. Longitudinal chiral forces are especially promising for tackling the challenging scenario of separating particles of realistically small chiralities. In this work, we study the longitudinal chiral forces arising in dielectric integrated waveguides when the quasi-TE and quasi-TM modes are combined as well as their application to separate absorbing and non-absorbing chiral particles. We show that chiral gradient forces dominate in the scenario of beating of non-denegerate TE and TM modes when considering non-absorbing particles. For absorbing particles, the superposition of degenerate TE and TM modes can lead to chiral forces that are kept along the whole waveguide length. We accompany the calculations of the forces with particle tracking simulations for specific radii and chirality parameters. We show that longitudinal forces can separate non-absorbing chiral nanoparticles in water even for relatively low values of the particle chirality and absorbing particles with arbitrarily low values of chirality can be effectively separated after enough interaction time.

Determining the number of cases of an epidemic is the first function of epidemiological surveillance. An important underreporting of cases was observed in many locations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To estimate this underreporting in the COVID-19 outbreak of Borriana (Valencia Community, Spain) in March 2020, a cross-sectional study was performed in June 2020 querying the public health register. Logistic regression models were used. Of a total of 468 symptomatic COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the outbreak through anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology, 36 cases were reported (7.7%), resulting in an underreporting proportion of 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.5–94.6%), with 13 unreported cases for every reported case. Only positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction cases were predominantly reported due to a limited testing capacity and following a national protocol. Significant factors associated with underreporting included no medical assistance for COVID-19 disease, with an adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of 10.83 (95% CI 2.49–47.11); no chronic illness, aOR = 2.81 (95% CI 1.28–6.17); middle and lower social classes, aOR = 3.12 (95% CI 1.42–6.85); younger age, aOR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.94–0.99); and a shorter duration of illness, aOR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–0.99). To improve the surveillance of future epidemics, new approaches are recommended.

Bell’s theorem is based on the assumptions of local causality and measurement independence. The last assumption is identified by many authors as linked to the freedom of choice hypothesis. In this sense the human free will ultimately can ensure the measurement independence assumption. The incomplete experimental conditions for supporting this assumption are known in the literature as “freedom-of-choice loophole” (FOCL). Although there is no consensus among the scientists that the measurement independence is linked to human choices, in a recent paper, published in a prestigious journal, signed by more than a hundred authors, this assumption was seriously taken for the first time in an experiment known as Big Bell Test (Abellán et al. 2018). Using photons, single atoms, atomic ensembles and superconducting devices, this experiment was performed in five continents, and involved twelve laboratories, adopting human choices to close the FOCL. Nevertheless, the possibility of human freedom of choice has been a matter of philosophical debate for more than 2000 years, and there is no consensus among philosophers on this topic. If human choice is not free, this solution would not be sufficient to close FOCL. Therefore, in order to support the basic assumption of this experiment, it is necessary to argue that human choice is indeed free. In this paper, we present a Kantian position on this topic and defend the view that this philosophical position is the best way to ensure that Big Bell Test can in fact close the loophole.