bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of factors influencing the relationship between voriconazole plasma concentrations and adverse effects in a paediatric population
Authors: Hikino Keiko , Shoji Kensuke , Saito Jumpei , Fukunaga Koya , Liu Xiaoxi , Matsui Toshihiro , Utano Tomoyuki , Takebayashi Akira , Tomizawa Daisuke , Kato Motohiro , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Ishikawa Takashi , Kawai Toshinao , Nakamura Hidefumi , Miyairi Isao , Terao Chikashi , Mushiroda Taisei
Published: February 2025

Aims

The influence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on voriconazole plasma concentrations is recognized, but its extent, other contributing factors and risks for adverse reactions remain under‐explored.

Methods

This study focused on Japanese paediatric patients recruited between 2020 and 2022 treated with voriconazole. We specifically investigated the occurrence of cholestasis and thrombocytopenia as adverse reactions of voriconazole. Voriconazole plasma levels were modelled in a previous study using a population pharmacokinetics approach. Missing values were estimated with a Bayesian method in Phoenix NLME. We analysed CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3 and CYP2C19*17. Clinical and laboratory data were collected before and after voriconazole treatment.

Results

Among the 60 patients (mean age: 6.5 years; 53.3% male), 38 had haematological malignancies, 18 inborn errors of immunity, 2 solid tumours and 2 other diseases. Adverse reactions occurred in 12 patients. The voriconazole plasma concentrations were significantly higher in those experiencing these adverse reactions (mean normalized concentrations: 0.66 in cases vs. −0.16 in controls, P = .025), with a trend towards higher concentrations in carriers of the CYP2C19*2 or *3 alleles (mean normalized concentrations: 0.98 in carrier cases vs. 0.016 in noncarrier cases, P = .14). A predictive model for voriconazole concentrations, incorporating carriership of CYP2C19*2 or *3, C‐reactive protein levels, and platelet counts, showed a summed variance explained of 23.6% with the variance attributable to CYP2C19*2 or *3 carrier status alone was 2.6%. Including carrier status improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse reactions to 0.70.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the role of the CYP2C19 polymorphism in voriconazole‐induced thrombocytopenia and cholestasis.
Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans in Urine by Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography‐Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Haoyue , Beasley James , Menkovic Iskren , Stiles Ashlee , Millington David S. , Young Sarah P.
Published: February 2025

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are complex lysosomal diseases that result in the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in urine, blood, and tissues. Lysosomal enzymes responsible for GAG degradation are defective in MPSs. GAGs including chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS), heparan sulfate (HS), and keratan sulfate (KS) are biomarkers for MPSs. This article describes a stable isotope dilution‐tandem mass spectrometric method for quantifying CS, DS, and HS in urine samples. The GAGs are methanolyzed to uronic/iduronic acid‐N‐acetylhexosamine or uronic/iduronic acid‐N‐glucosamine dimers and mixed with internal standards derived from deuteriomethanolysis of GAG standards. Specific dimers derived from HS, DS, and CS are separated by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and analyzed by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using selected reaction monitoring for each targeted GAG product and its corresponding internal standard. This UPLC‐MS/MS GAG assay is useful for identifying patients with MPS types I, II, III, VI, and VII. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Urinary GAG analysis by ESI‐MS/MS

Support Protocol 1: Prepare calibration samples

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of stable‐isotope‐labeled internal standards

Support Protocol 3: Preparation of quality controls for GAG analysis in urine

Support Protocol 4: Optimization of methanolysis time

Support Protocol 5: Measurement of methanolic HCl concentration

Support Protocol 6: Preparation of working methanolic HCl solution (1.1 M)

Support Protocol 7: Dilution of prepared urine sample
Profiling second language writing teachers: Discourses from the published literature
Authors: Yu Shulin
Published: February 2025

In L2 writing education, the topic of L2 writing teachers, who play critical roles in nurturing and shaping students' L2 writing abilities across diverse educational and social contexts, has received proliferating research attention over the past decades. Despite the accumulated studies in the investigation of L2 writing teachers, nonexistent studies have provided a holistic and comprehensive picture of L2 writing teachers in terms of their unique identities and complex experiences of teaching and learning to teach (Hirvela & Belcher, 2007; Lee, 2010). Therefore, this position paper reports discourses from the published literature on L2 writing teachers by addressing the ten key questions in this area, respectively, on L2 writing teachers' roles, beliefs and perspectives, identities, writing teaching, feedback giving, assessment, received education, and expertise development. These ten questions respond to the “what” in L2 writing teachers (such as roles, identity, and beliefs), and the “how” of L2 writing teachers, including how they instruct, provide feedback, assess, and develop professional expertise. This conceptual paper sheds light on multiple dimensions of L2 writing teachers to reveal a holistic and comprehensive picture of L2 writing teachers in terms of their beliefs, practices, and experiences of teaching and learning to teach.
Design of an Early Year's Intervention With and for the Community: A Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis
Authors: Nelson Helen J. , Munns Ailsa , Burns Sharyn K.
Published: February 2025

Issue Addressed

Outcomes of health and wellbeing are shaped in the first 5 years as childrens' brains and bodies develop in response to their environment. Families at sociodemographic disadvantage face barriers to early intervention that may be reduced through access to integrated care across health, early education, and welfare services. There is, however, internationally documented evidence of difficulty in sustaining and translating such services. This needs assessment sought to understand existing knowledge on creating safe, accessible integrated service hubs for families with young children, providing a foundation for longitudinal evidence‐based translation of early intervention into practise.

Methods

Building on a formative evaluation, this needs assessment analysed data to identify strengths and gaps in support for children pre‐birth to age 5 and their families in the low socioeconomic area of Armadale, Western Australia, including mapping, definition of family, and review of evidence for outcome measures.

Results

Combined evidence identified priorities to support access in a location of unmet need in the local government area. The focus on one‐place that is culturally safe with trained professionals empowering people using a relational model of care to build trust for families who have experienced disadvantage through poverty and social barriers.

Conclusions

We identified a priority to empower families through consumer engagement and co‐design, with a need for evidence‐based measures to evaluate intervention effectiveness. This provides a focus for ongoing intervention development and research and evaluation.

Relevance to Health Promotion

This needs assessment provides an example of health promotion action towards evidence‐based early years support.
Afrocentric Trustworthy Framework for Improved Artificial Intelligence Powered Health Management Tool for Africans
Authors: Ibitoye Ayodeji Olusegun , Nkwo Makuochi Samuel , Akinyemi Joseph Damilola , Ladoja Khadijat Tope
Published: February 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising healthcare globally, promising enhanced efficiency and outcomes. Africa, with its rich resources and diverse cultures, holds potential for AI adoption, particularly in healthcare. However, the imposition of Western frameworks neglects Africa's unique context, hindering trust and transparency. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure and data privacy concerns, the lack of Afrocentric solutions remains a major barrier to trustworthy AI in Africa. To address this, we propose a framework integrating ethical principles with Africa's social values, tailored to local healthcare complexities. By engaging communities and aligning with cultural narratives, this framework aims to enhance user trust and acceptance. Integrating Africa's cultural elements into AI’/”-driven healthcare not only addresses biases but also ensures seamless integration into the African landscape. Thus, prioritising African contexts in AI design is crucial for realising its full potential in African healthcare.
Relationship Between Bio-Distribution of Environmental Particles and Induction of Biological and Immune Response in the Respiratory System
Authors: Sagawa Tomoya , Ishikawa Raga , Akaji Sakiko , Honda Akiko , Kameda Takayuki , Takano Hirohisa
Published: February 2025

Environmental particles, such as PM2.5, diesel exhaust particles, and metal nanoparticles, are known to affect the respiratory and immune systems. Although environmental particles exhibit toxicity owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, little is known about the relationship between the bio-distribution and dynamics of environmental particles and health effects. This review introduces a novel method in which Raman microscopy is combined with histological staining, such as hematoxylin–eosin staining, immunostaining, and Diff-Quik staining, to evaluate the bio-distribution of environmental particles and the biological responses. This hybrid approach enables the visualization of environmental particles and cellular structures in the same field-of-view. Using this integrated method, we successfully visualized diesel exhaust particles and their components in respiratory epithelial cells as well as titanium dioxide particles in alveolar macrophages of mouse lung tissue and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings demonstrate the potential of Raman microscopy for elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental particles affect the respiratory and immune systems, offering new perspectives for the management of environmental particles.
Postoperatives steifes Kniegelenk nach Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands – was tun?
Authors: Boxler Matias S. , Ammann Elias , Toth Laszlo , Koch Matthias , Hirschmann Michael T. , Mengis Natalie
Published: February 2025

Die postoperative Arthrofibrose stellt eine schwerwiegende Komplikation nach Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands (VKB-Rekonstruktion) mit dem Leitsymptom einer schmerzhaften Kniesteifigkeit dar. Diese Komplikation hat meist eine multifaktorielle Genese, die sowohl patienten-, verletzungs- als auch operationsspezifische Faktoren umfasst. Einige dieser Faktoren sind beeinflussbar, was die Bedeutung präventiver Maßnahmen unterstreicht. Eine präoperative Rehabilitation (Prähabilitation) wird dringend empfohlen, um die Gelenkbeweglichkeit zu optimieren und den entzündlichen Reizzustand vor der Operation zu reduzieren. Sollte es dennoch zu einer postoperativen Arthrofibrose kommen, ist ein stufenweises Vorgehen erforderlich. Zunächst werden eine intensive auf den Reizzustande zugeschnittene Physiotherapie, nichtsteroidale Antirheumatika (NSAR) und Glukokortikoide eingesetzt. Bei unzureichender Besserung kann eine arthroskopische Arthrolyse mit oder ohne Narkosemobilisation erforderlich sein. Durch eine frühzeitige Intervention und präventive Maßnahmen kann das Risiko einer Arthrofibrose deutlich reduziert werden mit dem Ziel einer langfristigen Verbesserung der Gelenkbeweglichkeit und guter funktioneller Ergebnisse.
Noise-induced nonreciprocal topological dissipative solitons in directionally coupled chains and lattices
Authors: Pinto-Ramos D. , Alfaro-Bittner K. , Rojas R. G. , Clerc M. G.
Published: February 2025

Nonreciprocal coupling can alter the transport properties of material media, producing striking phenomena such as unidirectional amplification of waves, boundary modes, or self-assembled pattern formation. It is responsible for nonlinear convective instabilities in nonlinear systems that drive topological dissipative solitons in a single direction, producing a lossless information transmission. Considering fluctuations, which are intrinsic to every macroscopic dynamical system, noise-sustained structures emerge permanently in time. Here, we study arrays of nonreciprocally coupled bistable systems exhibiting noise-sustained topological phase wall (or soliton) dynamics. The bifurcations between different steady states are analytically addressed, and the properties of the noise-sustained states are unveiled as a function of the reciprocal and nonreciprocal coupling parameters. Furthermore, we study critical points where the structures’ characteristic size diverges with different power law exponents. Our numerical results agree with the theoretical findings.
Amphibian skin bacteria contain a wide repertoire of genes linked to their antifungal capacities
Authors: González-Serrano Francisco , Romero-Contreras Yordan J. , Orta Alberto H. , Basanta M. Delia , Morales Hugo , Sandoval García Gabriela , Bello-López Elena , Escobedo-Muñoz A. S. , Bustamante Víctor H. , Ávila-Akerberg Víctor , Cevallos Miguel Ángel , Serrano Mario , Rebollar Eria A.
Published: February 2025

Emerging diseases caused by fungi are a serious threat to wildlife biodiversity. The widespread fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused dramatic amphibian population declines and species extinctions worldwide. While many amphibians have been negatively affected by Bd, some populations/species have persisted despite its presence. One factor contributing to amphibian protection against this fungus is the host-associated skin microbiome. In this study, we aimed to identify gene clusters associated with the antifungal activity of amphibian skin bacteria. Specifically, we explored skin bacteria isolated from species that have persisted in the wild despite the presence of Bd: the frogs Agalychnis callidryas, Craugastor fitzingeri, Dendropsophus ebraccatus, and the axolotl Ambystoma altamirani. Bacterial isolates were tested in vitro for their capacity to inhibit the growth of two fungal pathogens: Bd and the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea (Bc). Genome mining of these bacterial isolates revealed a diverse repertoire of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) and chitin-degrading gene families (ChDGFs) whose composition and abundance differed among bacterial families. We found specific BGCs and ChDGFs that were associated with the capacity of bacteria to inhibit the growth of either Bd or Bc, suggesting that distinct fungi could be inhibited by different molecular mechanisms. By using similarity networks and machine learning, we identified BGCs encoding known antifungal compounds such as viscosin, fengycin, zwittermicin, as well as siderophores and a novel family of beta-lactones. Finally, we propose that the diversity of BGCs found in amphibian skin bacteria comprise a substantial genetic reservoir that could collectively explain the antifungal properties of the amphibian skin microbiome.
Rotation-based outlier detection for geochemical anomaly identification in stream sediment multivariate data
Authors: Shahrestani Shahed , Sanislav Ioan , Fereydooni Hosein
Published: February 2025

This research explores the use of the rotation-based outlier detection (ROD) method for identifying geochemical anomalies in a multivariate stream sediment dataset from Iran, targeting porphyry and vein-type Cu mineralization. Geochemical datasets often present challenges for outlier detection methods like local outlier factor (LOF) and k-nearest neighbor (KNN), which rely on distance or density metrics and require parameter tuning (e.g., neighborhood size k). High-dimensional feature spaces further complicate their application. ROD, in contrast, offers a parameter-free, rotation-based approach that effectively analyzes geometric relationships between samples in subspaces, mitigating the curse of dimensionality. This makes ROD particularly suited to high-dimensional geochemical datasets, where complex relationships between elements (due to lithology or mineralization) are critical for identifying anomalies. This study compares ROD with LOF and KNN using two subsets of geochemical variables (Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn; and Ag, As, Au, Cu, Mo, Sb) and evaluates its performance based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the number of known mineral occurrences detected in anomaly class. ROD outperforms LOF and KNN, capturing 78% (14 out of 18) of known Cu-bearing mineral occurrences. Moreover, ROD shows better conformity between 10% of highest outlier scores and Cu-mineralization sites. Rotation cost function in ROD, evaluated using the median absolute deviation (MAD), enhances its ability to detect outliers by focusing on orientation rather than distance, and by reducing noise misclassification. In addition, the parameter-free design of ROD and improved handling of high-dimensional data makes it a promising tool for geochemical exploration, as it captures unique mineralization-related signals that might be missed by traditional methods.
COVID-19 Impact on Household Water-Energy-Food Accessibility Concerning Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Cities and Societies of Northern Nigeria
Authors: Sani Yahaya , Scholz Miklas
Published: February 2025

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted negatively on many aspects of human life such as access to basic necessities including water, energy and food. This article aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the water, energy and food accessibility in Katsina state, Nigeria. The survey involved the administration of a questionnaire to a total of 900 households out of which 66.7% representing 600 urban households and 33.3% are linked to 300 households of the rural sampled households. The null hypothesis (H
0) was that there was no significant influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the water, energy and food security concerning households. A paired t-test analysed the statistical mean of the water-energy-food accessibility under two scenarios (i.e. pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 lockdown). The investigation found that the lockdown measures introduced to control the spread of COVID-19 had a significant influence on the accessibility of water, energy and food. Results revealed that admission to safely managed water provisions dropped from 30.0 to 24.6% across the scenarios. The electricity index access has also reduced from 1.9 to 1.5. Additionally, households that experience severe food insecurity have significantly increased from 4.9 to 38.6% during the pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown, respectively. Concerning the investigated households for both the urban and rural strata, the investigation highlights the need for policy intervention to ensure that vulnerable households are not disproportionately affected during crises such as a pandemic. The findings will be useful to policymaking and will advance awareness towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG).
Novel formulation of oleaster bark (Elaeagnus angustifolia) extract-oil-emulsion gel immobilized into coconut shell hydrochar
Authors: Eliuz Elif Erdogan , Yabalak Erdal , Ayas Deniz
Published: February 2025

This study introduced a novel formulation involving the use of oleaster bark ethanol extract-oil-emulsion gel immobilized into coconut shell hydrochar. The characterization of fish oil (FO)-emulsion gel (Eg) incorporating Elaeagnus angustifolia ethanol extract immobilized within coconut shell hydrochar pores and assesses its antimicrobial efficacy against Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis was explored. The oil extracted from the gonad of Kolyos fish (Scomber japonicus) was emulsified and then bioactively enriched with ethanol extract of E. angustifolia. Gonad emulsion containing E. angustifolia extract was gelled with gelatin and finally immobilized into hydrochar (H). This study examined the characteristics and surface analysis of coconut hydrochar (CH)–based E. angustifolia ethanol extract-Eg (H-E-Eg) using FTIR and SEM. Stability, particle size distribution, and zeta potential of H-E-Eg were determined. Notably, the stability of H-E-Eg was demonstrated with a zeta potential of − 16.4 mV. Additionally, for the first time, this study investigated the time-dependent inactivation of the pathogens when exposed to H-E-Eg. A significant reduction was detected at 30 min and 1 h in A. baumannii (84.6% and 89.06%), S. aureus (74.075 and 82.12%) compared to C. albicans (8.3% and 9.09%) and C. tropicalis (46.12% and 43.2%), respectively. The maximum logarithmic decrease of A. baumanni was calculated as 0.9 log at the end of the 1st hour. In conclusion, E. angustifolia extract-emulsion gel immobilized on coconut shell hydrochar is a functional product for industries seeking sustainable and natural solutions for antimicrobial products, as well as for researchers interested in the bioactivity of plant extracts and innovative formulation techniques.

Graphical Abstract
Frailty as an independent risk factor for sepsis-associated delirium: a cohort study of 11,740 older adult ICU patients
Authors: Zheng Guoqiang , Yan Jiajian , Li Wanyue , Chen Zhuoming
Published: February 2025

Background

Sepsis-associated delirium (SAD) is a common complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is associated with increased mortality. Frailty, characterized by diminished physiological reserves, may influence the development of SAD, but this relationship remains poorly understood.

Aims

To comprehensively analyze the assessment of frailty as a predictive factor for sepsis-associated delirium in older adults.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on sepsis patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to the ICU. Frailty was assessed using the Modified Frailty Index based on 11 items including comorbidities and functional status. Patients were categorized into non-frail (MFI: 0–2) and frail (MFI ≥ 3) groups. Delirium was assessed using the ICU Confusion Assessment Method (CAM-ICU) and retrospective nursing notes. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between frailty in older patients and the risk of delirium, and odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results

Among 11,740 patients (median age approximately 76 years [interquartile range: 70.47–83.14], 44.3% female), frail patients tended to have longer ICU stays, higher severity scores, and potentially worse clinical outcomes. The study found a significant positive association between MFI and the risk of developing SAD (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09–1.17, p < 0.001). Additionally, frail patients had a higher risk of developing SAD compared to non-frail patients (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.20–1.43, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Frailty independently predicts SAD development in older adults with sepsis in the ICU, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and prevention.
A promising strategy for assessing the uricosuric effect of anti-hyperuricemia candidates: a case study of caffeoylquinic acids extract of Artemisia selengensis Turcz. leaves
Authors: Xiang Lin , Mansour Mohammed , Huang Yuting , Wu Ting , Pan Siyi , Xu Xiaoyun
Published: February 2025

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are phenolic acids found in various plants that possess multiple biological activities including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Our previous research demonstrated that CQAs-rich Artemisia selengensis Turcz. leaves extract (ASTLE) effectively lowered uric acid levels in hyperuricemia mice. However, further evidence is needed to elucidate the mechanism of the uric acid-lowering effect of ASTLE. In this study, a sensitive but non-radioactive in vitro method based on 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-CFL) was established, validated, and further applied to assess the uricosuric potential of ASTLE. Furthermore, molecular docking, qRT-PCR, and western blot were employed to evidence the uricosuric effect of ASTLE. The results demonstrated that ASTLE exhibited the potential to inhibit uric acid reabsorption, manifested as the inhibition of 6-CFL uptake by human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells (IC50 = 533.67 ± 19.91 µg/mL), and CQAs were identified as its dominant bioactive compounds. Mechanism investigation further revealed that the uptake inhibitory effect of ASTLE was attributed to the hydrogen bonding interactions of CQAs, particularly di-CQAs, with uric acid transporters URAT1 and GLUT9, as well as to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 and the up-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of ABCG2 by ASTLE. This study indicated that ASTLE has potent uricosuric effect. Moreover, this study suggested that the combination of 6-CFL uptake inhibition assessment, molecular docking, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis could be a promising strategy for revealing the role of anti-hyperuricemia candidates in promoting uric acid excretion.

Graphical Abstract
The Costs and Benefits of a Local DNA Database
Authors: DeAngelo Gregory , Krouse Michael , Quandt Ryan
Published: February 2025

DNA databases are useful tools for improving public safety. While past research examines the effects of national- or state-level databases, little is known about the distinct benefits of a local, District Attorney-run DNA database. Two key advantages of a local database are that (i) more local criminals submit a sample as part of a plea agreement (submission is not restricted to certain crimes and mandatory) and (ii) response times for identifying reoffenders from DNA evidence are shorter. This report performs a retrospective benefit–cost analysis on the Orange County District Attorney’s DNA database. The analysis is run on administrative records that provide costs, entries into the DNA database, and matches that occur between samples taken from a crime scene and individual profiles in the database. We also estimate the deterrence effect of entry into the database with defendant-case-level data. We find that, for every dollar spent on operating the database over the last 10 years, $1.71 is saved due to the estimated reduction in future offenses.
High prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria on patient medical file surfaces at five critical care units in Kampala, Uganda: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study
Authors: Kyamulabi Margaret , Izudi Jonathan , Mujugira Andrew , Okoboi Stephen
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Intensive care units (ICUs) and high-dependency units (HDUs) care for critically ill patients, many of whom have multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We investigated the prevalence and distribution of MDR bacteria on the surfaces of patient medical files in three ICUs and two HDUs in Kampala.

Method:

We conducted a cross-sectional study that used simple random sampling to select patient medical files through unique codes recorded in a health information electronic system. MDR was defined as laboratory confirmation of the WHO priority pathogens following the 33rd edition of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute on Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing guidelines for antibiotic susceptibility interpretation. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed, while qualitative was thematically analyzed.

Results:

Six of 33 files (18.2%) had MDR bacteria on their surfaces. Contamination was significantly associated with the type of medical diagnosis (p=0.014) and the file storage location (p=0.010). The MDR pathogens identified were Fastidious Acinetobacter (5/33; 15.2%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1/33; 3%).

Conclusion:

Nearly one in five patient medical files in ICUs and HDUs were contaminated with MDR bacteria. Most contaminated files belonged to patients treated with aminoglycoside or glycopeptide-based regimens.
Calibration and bias correction of seasonal weather forecasts from the North American Multi-Model Ensemble: Potential applications for regional crop modelling and irrigation management
Authors: Su Qiong , Ale Srinivasulu , Himanshu Sushil , Singh Jasdeep , Singh Vijay P.
Published: February 2025

Reliable seasonal weather forecasts are essential for irrigation management and crop yield prediction, particularly in regions with limited water resources. This study aimed to improve the usability of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), an experimental real-time seasonal weather forecast system, for regional crop modelling and irrigation decision-making. Coarse resolution of NMME may introduce bias and uncertainty at regional/local scales. To address this, a statistical downscaling method with bias correction for both mean and variability was used to produce 1-km gridded daily weather projections for temperature and precipitation across the contiguous United States from a representative NMME model, the Canadian Coupled Climate Model version 4 (CanCM4). The daily surface weather and climatological summaries (DAYMET) data were used to calibrate the downscaled hindcast projections of CanCM4. The reliability of downscaled CanCM4 forecasts for local crop modelling was evaluated at lead times of up to six months using a calibrated DSSAT model at a research station in the semi-arid Texas Rolling Plains region. Cross-validation during the hindcast period demonstrated strong forecast skill, with R2 values of 0.72 and 0.71 for maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. The precipitation forecast remained sensitive to extreme events, with seasonal and annual relative errors of 31% and 1%, respectively. Crop yield predictions had a relative error of 9%, and irrigation water requirements closely matched field observations, outperforming both raw CanCM4 and multi-model mean methods. The downscaling method used in this study significantly improved NMME data reliability, although the degree of improvement may vary with time and location.
Global corn area from 1960 to 2030: patterns, trends, and implications
Authors: Vieira Rafael Augusto , Uhdre Renan Santos , Scapim Carlos Alberto , Van Becelaere Guillermo
Published: February 2025

The study analysed corn harvested areas from 1960 to 2030, using data from the USDA open-access official dataset and 1,000 ARIMA models. The global corn harvested area experienced a steady growth rate of 1.0% in the 1960s, followed by a slight setback in the 1980s and a recovery in the 1990s. The early 2000s saw significant expansion, while the 2010s saw a slightly slower pace of 1.4%. From 2020 to 2024, the global growth rate declined to 0.0%, suggesting a potential shift towards a more stable or slower growth phase. The most likely scenario for the global corn area is an optimistic outlook with a 37% likelihood of steady growth. China’s most likely scenario is a gradual expansion with a rate of 2.0%. The United States’ most likely scenario suggests a neutral trend. Brazil has remarkable growth trajectories in its areas, reflecting land availability. Ukraine’s area by 2030 is projected to experience varying outcomes due to uncertainties in the agricultural landscape.
Life cycle of the seabird digenean Gymnophallus minor (Gymnophallidae) in the Arctic
Authors: Galaktionov K.V. , Gonchar A. , Wegner K.M. , Wolfensberger R. , Buschbaum C. , Romanovich A.E.
Published: February 2025

Gymnophallidae is one of the digenean families featuring bivalves as first intermediate hosts. However, the exact bivalve host species remain unknown for most members of this family. Gymnophallids have been one of the targets in our continuous efforts to reveal the diversity of digeneans in the higher north. Here, we focus on Gymnophallus minor, which we found in eiders from various locations in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Sexual adults (maritae) of G. minor can be easily identified because they have a distinctive character: the roughly equal size of the pharynx and the ventral sucker. We also matched them, using DNA markers, with the intramolluscan stages (sporocysts, cercariae, and metacercariae) from the bivalve Liocyma fluctuosa collected on Spitsbergen. Taken together, we compile the first data on the life cycle of G. minor and discuss them in the context of other gymnophallids.
San Juan Piñas Mixtec
Authors: Van Doren Maxine , Duarte Borquez Claudia , Juárez Chávez Claudia , Caballero Gabriela
Published: February 2025

San Juan Piñas Mixtec (endonym: Tò’ō Ndá’ví; henceforth SJPM) (ISO 639-3: vmc) is a previously undocumented Oto-Manguean language of the Mixtecan branch spoken in the municipality of Santiago Juxtlahuaca in Oaxaca, Mexico (shown in the map in Figure 1). According to a 2020 census conducted by the Mexican government (INEGI 2020), there are 717 inhabitants in the town of San Juan Piñas, almost all of whom speak SJPM as their native language. Additionally, speakers are found in diaspora communities in the western states of Baja California (Mexico), California, Oregon, Washington, and other places in Mexico and the United States. There are about half a million speakers of all Mixtec varieties in Mexico (INEGI 2020), and between 100,000 and 150,000 speakers of Mixtec in California (Kresge 2007). While elderly speakers in San Juan Piñas tend to be monolingual, younger speakers are bilingual in SJPM and Spanish. In diaspora communities in the United States, younger SJPM speakers shift to English and/or Spanish as their primary language(s) of communication.
Antidepressant efficacy of administering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with psychological and other non-pharmacological methods: a scoping review and meta-analysis
Authors: Giron Cristian G. , Tang Alvin H.P. , Jin Minxia , Kranz Georg S.
Published: February 2025

To optimize the antidepressant efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), it is important to examine the impact of brain state during therapeutic rTMS. Evidence suggests that brain state can modulate the brain’s response to stimulation, potentially diminishing antidepressant efficacy if left uncontrolled or enhancing it with inexpensive psychological or other non-pharmacological methods. Thus, we conducted a PRISMA-ScR-based scoping review to pool studies administering rTMS with psychological and other non-pharmacological methods. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 10 July 2024. Inclusion criteria: neuropsychiatric patients underwent rTMS; studies assessed depressive symptom severity; non-pharmacological tasks or interventions were administered during rTMS, or did not include a wash-out period. Of 8,442 studies, 20 combined rTMS with aerobic exercise, bright light therapy, cognitive training or reactivation, psychotherapy, sleep deprivation, or a psychophysical task. Meta-analyses using random effects models were conducted based on change scores on standardized scales. The effect size was large and therapeutic for uncontrolled pretest-posttest comparisons (17 studies, Hedges’ g = −1.91, (standard error) SE = 0.45, 95% (confidence interval) CI = −2.80 to −1.03, p < 0.01); medium when studies compared active combinations with sham rTMS plus active non-pharmacological methods (8 studies, g = −0.55, SE = 0.14, 95% CI = −0.82 to −0.28, p < 0.01); and non-significant when active combinations were compared with active rTMS plus sham psychological methods (4 studies, p = 0.96). Attempts to administer rTMS with non-pharmacological methods show promise but have not yet outperformed rTMS alone.
A quote attributed to Udbhaṭabhaṭṭa, which is actually from Arcaṭa
Authors: Del Toso Krishna
Published: February 2025

On the basis of textual scrutiny and intertextual comparisons, this study highlights that Vādidevasūri's attribution of a quotation to the Cārvāka/Lokāyata philosopher Udbhaṭabhaṭṭa in the Syādvādaratnākara is, in fact, part of a broader passage sourced from Arcaṭa's Hetubinduṭīkā and, consequently, its expungement from the corpus of source material attributed to the Cārvāka/Lokāyata authors is suggested.
The significance of feathers in early and medieval China
Authors: Donegan-Cross John
Published: February 2025

This article opens with a mystery: why was Zizang 子臧 assassinated in the seventh century bce, and why was his assassination justified in the Zuozhuan by his fondness of snipe-feather caps? It is well established that feathers were a common item of clothing in early and medieval China, used to confer status, to flaunt wealth, to embellish rituals. This article argues that there may also have been accompanying beliefs surrounding their use; beliefs that feathers might bestow upon the wearer certain imagined characteristics of the birds from which they came. It uses case studies of soldiers and their relationship to brown-eared pheasants, dancers and their relationship to long-tailed pheasants, and immortals and their relationship to cranes and egrets. Finally, it returns to Zizang's snipe-feather cap, and suggests reasons for his fate.
Factor structure and longitudinal changes in bilinguals’ oral narratives production: role of language exposure, language-domain proficiency, and transfer
Authors: Lam Joseph Hin Yan , Leachman Molly Ann , Perez Cecilia Del Carmen , Pratt Amy S. , Peña Elizabeth D. , Bedore Lisa M. , Gillam Ronald B.
Published: February 2025

This paper examined the interaction between narrative performance, language exposure, and standardized measures of morphosyntax and semantics, in bilingual children tested two times, 1 year apart. We aimed to 1) identify the factor structure of oral narrative measures, and 2) examine the direction and strength of the effects of (i) language exposure and (ii) the relationship between language domains and narrative production. A total of 143 Spanish (L1)-English (L2) bilingual children completed a battery of oral narrative and oral language proficiency assessments in Spanish and English at two time points (kindergarten and Grade 1). Factor analyses yielded an identical two-factor structure of bilingual oral narrative measurements, namely productivity (word production) and complexity (sentence structure), in both Spanish and English across the two time points. Cross-lagged analysis showed that narrative production predicted semantics and morphosyntax performance in Spanish and English one year later. Cross-language transfer from L1 to L2 on the complexity of narrative was noted. Language exposure predicted only Spanish narrative production, but not English. These results suggest within- and cross-language transfer, highlighting the importance of L1 language development. In addition, current findings highlight the importance of language exposure for L1 in early school-age children.
A NOTE ON MINIMAX REGRET RULES WITH MULTIPLE TREATMENTS IN FINITE SAMPLES
Authors: Chen Haoning , Guggenberger Patrik
Published: February 2025

We study minimax regret treatment rules under matched treatment assignment in a setup where a policymaker, informed by a sample of size N, needs to decide between T different treatments for a

$T\geq 2$

. Randomized rules are allowed for. We show that the generalization of the minimax regret rule derived in Schlag (2006, ELEVEN—Tests needed for a recommendation, EUI working paper) and Stoye (2009, Journal of Econometrics 151, 70–81) for the case

$T=2$

is minimax regret for general finite

$T>2$

and also that the proof structure via the Nash equilibrium and the “coarsening” approaches generalizes as well. We also show by example, that in the case of random assignment the generalization of the minimax rule in Stoye (2009, Journal of Econometrics 151, 70–81) to the case

$T>2$

is not necessarily minimax regret and derive minimax regret rules for a few small sample cases, e.g., for

$N=2$

when

$T=3.$

In the case where a covariate x is included, it is shown that a minimax regret rule is obtained by using minimax regret rules in the “conditional-on-x” problem if the latter are obtained as Nash equilibria.
Digital Fandoms and the 227 Incident: A Case of “Cancel Culture with Chinese Characteristics”
Authors: Tan Chris K.K. , Li Miao
Published: February 2025

Cancel culture, a phenomenon where norm-transgressing individuals are named and ostracized on social media and elsewhere, receives both public approval and disdain. Recently, it manifested among Chinese fans of the danmei genre of homo-romantic literature. In the “227 Incident,” actions taken by fans of the actor-singer Xiao Zhan allegedly led to the banning of the free literary repository, Archive of Our Own (AO3), in early 2020. Enraged, AO3's other users retaliated by attempting to cancel Xiao both online and off. Both sides of the dispute exhibit what we term “cancel culture with Chinese characteristics.” While there is a lofty social justice behind the original intent of cancel culture, some Chinese fans advocate the cis-heteropatriarchy. Additionally, fan fervour has merged with cyber-nationalism, which complicates the region's geopolitics.
The association between nonsuicidal and suicidal self-injurious behaviors: A systematic review and expanded conceptual model
Authors: Ammerman Brooke A. , Burke Taylor A. , O’Loughlin Caitlin M. , Hammond Rebecca
Published: February 2025

Objectives:

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is one of the strongest predictors of suicidal behavior. Despite this, the field still has a limited understanding of the mechanisms by which this relationship is conferred.

Method:

We conducted a systematic review of the empirical research examining potential factors driving (i.e., moderators, mediators) the relationship between NSSI and suicidal behavior to address this gap in the literature.

Results:

We identified only 15 studies examining moderators or mediators of this relationship, examining 40 unique mediators and 22 unique moderators. Three prominent weaknesses were identified in the reviewed literature: (1) limited intersection with existing theoretical models of the NSSI – suicidal behavior relationship, (2) little replication of findings across studies (i.e., only four mediators and four moderators assessed in multiple studies), and (3) only one of the included studies utilized a prospective design. Research to date does little to improve our understanding of the theoretical or prospective relationship between NSSI and suicidal behavior, highlighting a foundational gap in the literature.

Discussion:

We propose the Nonsuicidal to Suicidal Self-Injury Pathway Model, a new conceptual model of the relationship between NSSI and suicidal behavior, drawing on extant theory and empirical research; we discuss future directions for work in this area.
Pulmonary artery banding for dilated and depressed left ventricle: dilated cardiomyopathy versus left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy
Authors: Semyashkin Andrey , Nesteruk Julia , Giannikopouloui Dimitra , Scheid Michael , Tarusinov Gleb , Tannous Aktam , Te Vrugt Marcel , Ben Mime Lotfi
Published: February 2025

Objectives:

To retrospectively assess the suitability of pulmonary artery banding as a treatment strategy for dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods:

The study was retrospective and included consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria: diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy or left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%. Cardiac indices were documented, and clinical outcomes were followed for 5 years.

Results:

This study included 21 patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction due to dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 11) or left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (n = 10), treated either with anti-congestion medication alone or in combination with pulmonary artery banding. The groups treated with pulmonary artery banding showed significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction compared to controls (ANOVA, p = 0.0002), with no major adverse events. In the subgroup with left ventricular non-compaction, pulmonary artery banding led to significant improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.00002) and significant reductions in the Z scores of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (p = 0.0002) and of end-diastolic volume (p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

Pulmonary artery banding appears to be a viable strategy for improving heart function in patients with non-compaction and dilated cardiomyopathy and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. While pulmonary artery banding demonstrated more pronounced benefits in the subgroup with non-compaction cardiomyopathy, significantly enhancing cardiac restoration indices throughout the follow-up period, warranting further investigation in larger studies.
The sacred gun: the religious and magical elements of America's gun culture
Authors: Froese Paul , Li Ruiqian , Mencken F. Carson
Published: February 2025

Gun culture is properly measured by a population's emotional and symbolic attachment to guns and not by rates of gun ownership. Using data from the Baylor Religion Survey (wave 6), we find that nearly all gun owners feel that guns provide them with a physical sense of security (Gun Security), but a distinct and crucial sub-set of owners express an additional and strong attachment to their weapons (Gun Sanctity). Gun Sanctity measures the extent to which owners think their guns make them more patriotic, respected, in control, and valued by their family and community. We propose that Gun Sanctity is a form of quasi-religious or magical thinking in which an object is imbued with unseen powers. To assess this proposal, we look at the extent to which gun ownership, Gun Security, and Gun Sanctity are related to traditional religion and various forms of magical thinking, namely, (a) conspiratorialism, (b) the belief that prayer can fix financial and health problems, and (c) support for Christian Statism, a form of American theocracy. We find that Gun Sanctity is highly predictive of different forms of magical thinking but is often unrelated to more traditional religious practices and beliefs.
Quantifying Climate‐Induced Changes in the Tibetan Plateau's Hydrologic Cycle Through Atmospheric Moisture Depletion and Restoration Times
Authors: Ayantobo Olusola O. , Wei Jiahua
Published: February 2025

This study examines the effects of atmospheric moisture dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau's hydrologic cycle, focusing on moisture depletion (, removal through precipitation) and restoration (, restoration through evaporation) times. We used a water budget approach within the Eulerian framework, utilizing ERA‐Interim data and 20 CMIP6 models, to analyze spatiotemporal variations, trends, and abrupt changes in and for the periods 2026–2050, 2051–2070, and 2071–2100, relative to 1979–2019, under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. Sensitivities to local warming are expressed as relative changes per degree Kelvin (K). Results show that as temperatures rise, atmospheric moisture content increases more rapidly than precipitation and evaporation, intensifying the hydrological cycle. This is reflected in moisture sensitivity, with stronger responses to temperature changes (7.49%, 7.34%, 7.52%/K) compared to precipitation (2.62%, 3.46%, 3.99%/K) and evaporation (2.73, 3.24, 3.40%/K) across near‐, mid‐, and long‐term periods. Area‐averaged and are 9.5 and 17.1 days, respectively, with a projected 15.7% and 18.8% increase by 2100. Sensitivities of and to warming are 4.66%, 3.46%, 2.90%/K and 4.55%, 3.69%, 3.48%/K over the near‐, mid‐, and long‐term periods. Increased suggests slower moisture restoration due to reduced evaporation rates or limited surface moisture, while increased indicates slower moisture removal due to less frequent rainfall. These changes may lead to a drier atmosphere, reduced cloud formation, and increased vegetation water stress, potentially exacerbating drought conditions. This research enhances the understanding of moisture recycling in the Tibetan Plateau's hydrologic cycle and its climate‐induced changes.