Matia Fundazioa

Advances in connectomics and the characterization of neuronal diversity have been fundamental to understanding how the brain works. Defining a taxonomy is still challenging and requires complex computational methods. In this paper, we present a systematic review of the state-of-the-art methods for neuronal morphology classification, shedding light on trends and future directions. We address three core research questions: (1) What computational methods are used to classify neuronal morphologies? (2) What kind of representation do the classification models work on? (3) How are the classification models evaluated? We applied a structured protocol including peer-reviewed studies published since 2018. We collected 840 papers from five databases, published between 2018 and 2024. We assessed risk of bias using predefined quality criteria on study design, methodology, and reporting; 35 studies met these standards and were included to extract information and consolidate the results. The results show that Artificial Neural Networks are currently the main method for classifying neurons based on morphometric features (21 papers). Representations based on microscopy images for extracting morphometric features (30) are commonly used. Accuracy (29) is the predominant evaluation measure. Our research findings contribute to the body of knowledge by providing an up-to-date perspective on neuronal classification, which can guide future research in neuroscience and related fields.

This paper presents a case study of the Local Care Ecosystems developed by the provincial government of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) to strengthen coordination between social services, health services, and community-based initiatives at the municipal level. The initiative seeks to personalize care, enhance service integration, and support community-based care with the overarching goal of improving the quality of life for older adults living at home. These ecosystems incorporate social, institutional, and technological innovations aimed at supporting individuals who are frail or vulnerable throughout the care cycle. At present, 18 Local Care Ecosystems are active, providing services to 1202 people over the age of 65 and 167 families. The model addresses a growing global challenge linked to population aging, which has led to increasing demand for care and support services that are often fragmented, under-resourced, and constrained by outdated regulatory frameworks. These structural issues can compromise both the quality and efficiency of care for dependent individuals. Based on the findings, the paper offers policy recommendations to support the transfer and adaptation of this model, with the aim of improving the well-being of older adults who wish to remain in their own homes.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy technique for treating chronic tendinosis of the common extensor tendon (CET) in the elbow (lateral epicondylitis). The study was conducted on 25 elbows from 13 cadavers without prior local injuries. Each CET tenotomy was performed using a Mikro 64 scalpel under ultrasound guidance to ensure precision and safety. Key anatomical structures, including the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), radial nerve, and posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve, were monitored to assess safety margins and detect potential complications. In the 20 evaluated cases, the mean distance from the CET section to the radial epicondyle (DET) was 5.86 mm (range 5.96-12.8mm), while the distance to the proximal LCL margin (DELCL) averaged 8.62 mm (range - 0.96-6.82mm), yielding a confident tenotomy length of 2.76 mm. Partial LCL injury occurred in four cases without affecting joint stability, and no nerve injuries were observed. Incomplete CET sections were found in four cases, with residual fibers primarily along the medial and lateral margins. The ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy technique demonstrated safety and effectiveness in an anatomical setting. This minimally invasive approach may offer a viable surgical alternative for refractory lateral epicondylitis, minimizing the risk of complications and promoting a shorter recovery period.

El acelerado proceso de envejecimiento poblacional en América Latina y el Caribe conlleva un aumento en el número de personas mayores y, en particular, de aquellas que se encuentran en situación de dependencia y necesitan cuidados. Para asegurar que estos cuidados sean de calidad, uno de los desafíos que enfrentan los países de la región es la formación a escala de personas cuidadoras. En una encuesta sobre personas cuidadoras en Colombia, Costa Rica y Uruguay, encontramos que el nivel de formación de la mayoría de quienes se dedican a los cuidados es nulo o bajo. Existen brechas en competencias técnicas (por ejemplo, cómo apoyar en los cambios de posturas), relacionales (por ejemplo, cómo abordar la depresión o cómo comunicarse con personas con demencia) y de autocuidado. Asimismo, evidenciamos importantes brechas en el número de personas cuidadoras formadas por país. Con el objetivo de promover la formación y profesionalización del sector de los cuidados, uno de los valores añadidos de este estudio es que analizamos y comparamos, por primera vez, las políticas de formación, sus currículas, enfoques, contenidos y metodologías en América Latina y el Caribe e internacionalmente. Estudiamos con especial énfasis los casos de Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, España, Francia, Italia y Finlandia. Uno de los principales hallazgos es que las formaciones en la región están en una transición entre un modelo basado en los servicios y otro centrado en la persona. Además, otro valor añadido de este estudio es que, a partir de los aprendizajes de las buenas prácticas de la región e internacionales y de las brechas de competencias identificadas en las personas cuidadoras, proponemos cuatro formaciones. Lo novedoso de estas formaciones es que transversalizan el enfoque de Atención Centrado en la Persona y proponen una metodología teórica, práctica y vivencial. Además, se incluyen las competencias a desarrollar, los contenidos y las cargas horarias de cada formación. Estas cuatro formaciones están dirigidas a: 1) quienes ya están trabajando en el rubro de los cuidados, 2) quienes carecen de experiencia previa, 3) quienes desean especializarse en cuidados en situaciones de alta dependencia y 4) coordinadores de servicios de cuidadores y tomadores de decisión.

Abstract Speech–driven virtual assistants, known as smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, are increasingly used. However, commercial smart speakers only support a handful of languages. Even languages for which ASR and TTS technology is available, such as many official EU member state languages, are not supported due to a commercial disinterest derived from their – relatively speaking – rather small number of speakers. This problem is even more crucial for minority languages, for which smart speakers are not expected anytime soon, or ever. In this ELG pilot project we developed a Basque–speaking smart speaker, making use of the open source smart speaker project Mycroft AI and Elhuyar Foundation’s speech technologies for Basque. Apart from getting it to speak Basque, one of our goals was to make the smart speaker privacy friendly, non–gendered and use local services, because these are usual issues of concern. The project has also served to improve the state of the art of Basque ASR and TTS technology.

Residential care facilities (RCF) for older people are facing high demands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore the workers’ perspectives on the changes in work and care dynamics amidst the first wave of the pandemic at Portuguese RCF. This is a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire about pandemic-induced changes in work and care dynamics was sent to 2325 RCF. These entities were then asked to share it with their workers. The participants (n = 784) were mostly women (92.7%) and mostly composed of technical directors (41.6%) and direct-care workers (17.1%). The respondents reported that during the first wave of the pandemic, when compared to the pre-pandemic period, there were greater difficulties in providing care related to the basic necessities of older people (52.7%); direct-care workers were required to work more consecutive hours in each shift (69.95%); direct-care workers had to live at RCF (14.8%), and there were changes concerning the possibility of promoting person-centered care (PCC) practices. It also revealed that focusing on disease prevention and sanitary measures alone facilitates practices that reinforce the traditional model of procedure-centered care and have negative consequences on the rights and well-being of those living and working at RCF, exposing and accentuating preexisting vulnerabilities. This study considers the pandemic’s serious implications and alarming questions about basic care, dignity, living, and working conditions at Portuguese RCF. These notions reinforce the need for change through redefining care policies and practices in Portuguese RCF beyond the pandemic. The current situation provides an opportunity to adopt a formal PCC model.

Abstract The aim of this chapter is to describe the process that has been carried out for the adaptation of the housing for the elderly model to the Spanish context. Under the perspective of architectural design, new solutions have been implemented for defining an alternative to institutional models. The interest of Lugaritz lifetime homes lies in its innovative approach, which works from two different perspectives, home care and design, both with a common purpose: ageing in place. It is also important to highlight its aim to create knowledge that makes this project a replicable and scalable example from a perspective based on participation, inclusion and design for change.KeywordsSenior housingLifetime homes for the elderlyActive ageingHome careDesign for changeInclusive design

Grassland ecosystems are essential for biomass production but are prone to degradation if management practices are inappropriate. Thus, it is necessary to optimize grazing management since the grazing practices and grassland status are interconnected. Herbage mass production and forage quality of the plant species are among the most important factors for grazing livestock performance, grassland carrying capacity, and their sustainable management. We employed optimized methods for the analysis of two historical vegetation datasets (from 1970 and 2008), along with the statistical data on livestock numbers and types from three administrative units within the Vlădeasa Mountains area, in the Romanian Carpathians. We looked for trends in grassland quality and productivity and explored their connections to grazing management descriptors and practices. We identified a small but statistically significant decreasing trend between the two periods in both pastoral value (from 63.80 to 61.43) and productivity (from 10.80 t ha-1 to 9.18 t ha-1). The decline in grassland quality and productivity may be associated with the sharp decrease in livestock numbers (from 9,688 LU to 5,085 LU) and the replacement of cattle by sheep as the dominant livestock type. The abandonment of grasslands and traditional practices also increased the deviation from the optimum of the actual stocking rate. This approach can be used as a model for other areas where time-series vegetation data are available from phytosociological literature and/or databases. These insights can be used to design adaptive grazing management plans to optimize grazing management according to the carrying capacity of the grassland ecosystems.