bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Egg shape in an obligate brood parasite stabilizes temperature variation during incubation
Authors: Magdaleno Francisco R , Hawkins Lyndon R , Salinas Isaac Quintanilla , Peer Brian D 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The brood-parasitic brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) has one of the shortest incubation periods of any bird. Brown-headed cowbird eggs, and those of other avian brood parasites, tend to be more spherical due to their greater relative width. The traditional explanation for this egg shape is that it, combined with the thicker eggshells, resists host puncture-ejection. However, very few North American hosts of the brown-headed cowbird actually engage in puncture-ejection and therefore wider eggs may instead provide greater contact with a host’s brood patch during incubation, especially in large host nests. We tested whether greater egg width increased mean temperature and reduced temperature variation in brown-headed cowbirds by inserting temperature probes into brown-headed cowbird and house sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs and placing them into red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nests. House sparrow eggs are similar in appearance and in length to cowbird eggs, but are not as wide. We found no significant relationship between brown-headed cowbird egg width and mean incubation temperature. However, brown-headed cowbird eggs experienced less temperature variation than house sparrow eggs, and within brown-headed cowbird eggs, more spherical eggs experienced less temperature variation when accounting for differences in width. These results suggest that brown-headed cowbirds may have short incubation periods in part because their eggs exhibit less temperature variation over the course of incubation. The brown-headed cowbird’s egg shape may contribute to its accelerated embryonic development rate relative to host eggs of similar size, which explains its ability to hatch in a variety of host nests.
Fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis and doxycycline administration: a case report
Authors: Salaûn Alexandre , Tarris Georges , Bonnotte Bernard , Cottin Yves 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Eosinophilic myocarditis is a life-threatening condition with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and aetiology. Cases of drug-induced or parasitic myocarditis have been reported but there is scant literature on the involvement of treatments, such as doxycycline, and eosinophil degranulation due to parasitic lysis.

Case summary
Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old man without a relevant past medical history who developed a skin rash with hepatic cytolysis and mild eosinophilia. No aetiology was found despite an exhaustive work-up, but a parasitic infestation was suspected in view of the patient’s daily contact with freshwater environments. A few days after doxycycline administration, the patient’s clinical state worsened rapidly leading to a ventricular electrical storm-related cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical support. After initiation of high-dose corticosteroid therapy, cardiac function normalized promptly allowing for withdrawal of the mechanical support. An endomyocardial biopsy led to the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis, which was congruent with the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data.

Discussion
The main aetiologies reported for eosinophilic myocarditis are often allergic reactions, such as DRESS syndrome in developed countries, or infections, especially due to parasites in other countries. Drugs such as tuberculosis medications, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics have been implicated, as well as antibiotics, e.g. minocycline, but there has been no case of doxycycline-related eosinophilic myocarditis reported to date. Parasitic lysis is known to induce the activation of eosinophils and their on-site degranulation but no case has been reported on myocarditis due to parasitic lysis after administration of antiparasitic drugs.
Globalization and Conflicts: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Corporations in Africa
Authors: Sonno Tommaso 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Using a novel georeferenced datataset on the affiliates and headquarters of multinational enterprises between 2007 and 2018 together with georeferenced conflict data for the African continent, this work establishes a causal link between the activities of multinational enterprises and violent conflicts: multinationals’ activity increases the number of conflicts. This applies particularly to sectors intense in scarce resources, especially land. As farming is the primary source of food and income for Africans, land-intensive activity on the part of the multinationals increases local grievance, escalating to violent actions. These effects are magnified in areas targeted for large-scale land acquisitions.
High-quality genome assembly and annotation of the crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)
Authors: Huang Ruyi , Zhang Jinghang , Lu Liang , Huang Song , Li Chenhong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Correlophus ciliatus, or the crested gecko, is widely kept as a pet in many countries around the world due to its ease to care and bred and its high survival rate. However, there is limited number of genomic studies on the crested gecko. In this study, we generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of the crested gecko by combining Nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C data. The genome assemble has a size of 1.66 Gb, with scaffold N50 of 109.97 Mb, and 99.52% of the scaffold anchored on 19 chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis indicated a gene completeness of 90.3% (n = 7,480), including 6,673 (89.2%) single-copy genes and 84 (1.1%) duplicated genes. Additionally, we identified 21,065 protein-coding genes using the MAKER3 annotation toolkit, with 41.98% (697.51 Mb) consisting of repetitive elements. Among these, 21,037 genes were validated through InterProScan5. Our study is the first to report a chromosome-level genome for the crested gecko. It provides valuable genomic resources for understanding molecular mechanisms under many interesting traits of the species.
A mixed-methods study among adolescents and teachers in Bogotá, Colombia: adapting the OurFutures Alcohol Program
Authors: Egan Lyra , Ospina-Pinillos Laura , Champion Katrina Elizabeth , Newton Nicola Clare , Ballen Alonso Paula Valentina , Teesson Maree , Gardner Lauren Anne 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Early onset of alcohol consumption among Colombian adolescents highlights the need for effective and accessible preventive interventions. This project aimed to conduct formative work to inform the adaptation of an effective eHealth alcohol use prevention program originally developed in Australia, the OurFutures Alcohol Module, to the Bogotá context. Twenty-six adolescents and 10 teachers in Bogotá participated in the study. We used a mixed-methods approach comprising interviews, surveys and semi-structured discussions to evaluate the acceptability of OurFutures. Study materials were translated into Spanish before conducting three 1.5-hour focus groups with adolescents (aged 11–15; n = 26), and 1-hour interviews or online surveys with teachers to assess attitudes towards alcohol use and the acceptability of one lesson from the OurFutures Alcohol Module in the Bogotá context. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, and descriptive analyses of quantitative data reported percentage agreement for survey questions. Overall, 96% of students and 89% of teachers expressed strong satisfaction with the OurFutures Alcohol Module lesson. Most students (96%) liked its storyline and character portrayal, and most teachers (80%) said they would use OurFutures with their students. Participants provided feedback for improving program relatability, including adapting scenarios, character names, clothing and language to align with the Bogotá context and resonate with Colombian adolescents. This study marks the first step in informing the adaptation of the OurFutures Alcohol Module to the Bogotá context and highlights key considerations for cultural adaptations of other substance use prevention interventions. This research underscores the importance of place-based end-user involvement in co-designing adolescent prevention interventions.
Big Fish Cannot Jump? Allometry of Terrestrial Jumping in Cyprinodontiform Fishes
Authors: Minicozzi Michael Robert , Finden Alexander , Dias Raquel , Phillips Quentin , Abelson Carly , Gibb Alice Coulter 
Published: November 2024

Synopsis
Teleost fishes that emerge onto land must produce effective terrestrial movements to return to the water. Using the Cyprinodontiformes as a model system, we examined a terrestrial behavior termed the tail-flip jump across a size range of individuals representing three species of aquatic killifishes (Gambusia affinis, Poecilia mexicana, and Jordanella floridae) and two species of amphibious killifishes (Kryptolebias marmoratus and Fundulus heteroclitus) to identify potential effects of size (mass) on jumping performance. The ballistic trajectory equation was used to partition the contributions of velocity (determined by acceleration and contact time) and takeoff angle to jump distance. Despite differences in size (over an order of magnitude), all fishes took off from the ground at ∼45°. However, in terms of total displacement, aquatic and amphibious killifish species scaled differently in their ability to perform the tail-flip jump. Aquatic killifishes decrease in total jump distance as mass increases; however, amphibious killifishes increase in total jump distance as mass increases. Aquatic killifishes cannot produce adequate accelerations at larger sizes, but amphibious killifishes produce similar accelerations despite over an order of magnitude size difference. Because of this, amphibious killifish species are able to maintain fast takeoff velocities at large body sizes. Distinct scaling patterns may be generated by differences in body shape. Aquatic killifishes have a fusiform body shape, with most of their body mass in the anterior of the body, while amphibious killifishes have a more uniform body shape that reduces their overall mass present in the anterior body. We hypothesize that reduced mass in the anterior body facilitates raising the head over the tail to prepare for takeoff. In contrast with amphibious species, the negative scaling relationship seen in body size versus displacement in aquatic killifishes implies an upper size limit to producing the tail-flip jump for fish species that infrequently encounter the terrestrial environment.
Rothman diagrams: the geometry of confounding and standardization
Authors: Kenah Eben 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
We outline a geometric perspective on causal inference in cohort studies that can help epidemiologists understand the role of standardization in controlling for confounding. For simplicity, we focus on a binary exposure X, a binary outcome D, and a binary confounder C that is not causally affected by X. Rothman diagrams plot the risk of disease in the unexposed on the x-axis and the risk in the exposed on the y-axis. The crude risks define a point in the unit square, and the stratum-specific risks at each level of C define two other points in the unit square. Standardization produces points along the line segment connecting the stratum-specific points. When there is confounding by C, the crude point is off this line segment. The set of all possible crude points is a rectangle with corners at the stratum-specific points and sides parallel to the axes. When there are more than two strata, standardization produces points in the convex hull of the stratum-specific points, and there is confounding if the crude point is outside this convex hull. We illustrate these ideas using data from a study in Newcastle, United Kingdom, in which the causal effect of smoking on 20-year mortality was confounded by age.
Viral diversity and host associations in microbial electrolysis cells
Authors: Abadikhah Marie , Persson Frank , Farewell Anne , Wilén Britt-Marie , Modin Oskar 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
In microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), microbial communities catalyze conversions between dissolved organic compounds, electrical energy, and energy carriers such as hydrogen and methane. Bacteria and archaea, which catalyze reactions on the anode and cathode of MECs, interact with phages; however, phage communities have previously not been examined in MECs. In this study, we used metagenomic sequencing to study prokaryotes and phages in nine MECs. A total of 852 prokaryotic draft genomes representing 278 species, and 1476 phage contigs representing 873 phage species were assembled. Among high quality prokaryotic genomes (&gt;95% completion), 55% carried a prophage, and the three Desulfobacterota spp. that dominated the anode communities all carried prophages. Geobacter anodireducens, one of the bacteria dominating the anode communities, carried a CRISPR spacer showing evidence of a previous infection by a Peduoviridae phage present in the liquid of some MECs. Methanobacteriaceae spp. and an Acetobacterium sp., which dominated the cathodes, had several associations with Straboviridae spp. The results of this study show that phage communities in MECs are diverse and interact with functional microorganisms on both the anode and cathode.
Analysis on characteristics and multilocus sequence typing of Clostridium perfringens in western China
Authors: Yanxia Shao , Xuewei Wang , Gang Li , Wei Jia 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The objective of this study was to identify and analyse the distribution characteristics, toxin genotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens and to investigate its resistance mechanisms and genetic characteristics.

Methods
The MICs of various antibiotics against C. perfringens were determined using the agar dilution method, and resistance genes and toxin genotypes were detected by PCR. Genetic relationships were analysed using MLST. WGS was conducted on the DNB system and PacBio platforms.

Results
Analysis of 36 strains of C. perfringens revealed that the major toxin types were types C and F, with 86.1% of the strains isolated from bile samples. Of these, 30.6% of the strains exhibited MDR, with resistance rates of 75.0%, 52.8% and 52.8% for penicillin, clindamycin and ampicillin, respectively; however, no resistance to metronidazole and carbapenems was observed. MLST analysis identified 29 STs, including 14 novel types. ST221 and ST498 were the dominant types. The WGS revealed that the most prevalent virulence factors are plc (100.0%), nagH (100.0%), colA (100.0%), nanJ (100.0%), entB (100%), nanH (97.0%), entA (97.0%) and nanI (90.9%). Among these factors, the primary determinants of tetracycline resistance are tetA (66.7%) and tetB (78.8%), which represent the most frequently detected antibiotic resistance genes.

Conclusions
This study indicates that the infection rate of C. perfringens is relatively high, with the majority of isolated strains exhibiting MDR. The observed high levels of antibiotic resistance, combined with the significant genetic diversity of these strains, suggest a potential public health risk.
Addressing ethical issues in healthcare artificial intelligence using a lifecycle-informed process
Authors: Collins Benjamin X , Bélisle-Pipon Jean-Christophe , Evans Barbara J , Ferryman Kadija , Jiang Xiaoqian , Nebeker Camille , Novak Laurie , Roberts Kirk , Were Martin , Yin Zhijun , Ravitsky Vardit , Coco Joseph , Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele , Williams Ishan , Clayton Ellen W , Malin Bradley A ,   Bridge2AI Ethics and Trustworthy AI Working Group
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Artificial intelligence (AI) proceeds through an iterative and evaluative process of development, use, and refinement which may be characterized as a lifecycle. Within this context, stakeholders can vary in their interests and perceptions of the ethical issues associated with this rapidly evolving technology in ways that can fail to identify and avert adverse outcomes. Identifying issues throughout the AI lifecycle in a systematic manner can facilitate better-informed ethical deliberation.

Materials and Methods
We analyzed existing lifecycles from within the current literature for ethical issues of AI in healthcare to identify themes, which we relied upon to create a lifecycle that consolidates these themes into a more comprehensive lifecycle. We then considered the potential benefits and harms of AI through this lifecycle to identify ethical questions that can arise at each step and to identify where conflicts and errors could arise in ethical analysis. We illustrated the approach in 3 case studies that highlight how different ethical dilemmas arise at different points in the lifecycle.

Results, Discussion, and Conclusion
Through case studies, we show how a systematic lifecycle-informed approach to the ethical analysis of AI enables mapping of the effects of AI onto different steps to guide deliberations on benefits and harms. The lifecycle-informed approach has broad applicability to different stakeholders and can facilitate communication on ethical issues for patients, healthcare professionals, research participants, and other stakeholders.
Development of an evidence- and consensus-based Digital Healthcare Equity Framework
Authors: Hatef Elham , Hudson Scholle Sarah , Buckley Bryan , Weiner Jonathan P , Austin John Matthew 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
To develop an evidence- and consensus-based Digital Healthcare Equity Framework (the Framework) that guides users in intentionally considering equity in healthcare solutions that involve digital technologies.

Materials and Methods
We conducted an environmental scan including a scoping review of the literature and key informant interviews with health equity and digital healthcare technology thought leaders and convened a technical expert panel (TEP).

Results
We grouped similar concepts from the scoping review and key informant interviews, synthesized them into several primary domains and subdomains, and presented the composite list of domains and subdomains to the TEP for their input. From those, we derived the following domains for the Framework: (1) Patient and Community Characteristics, (2) Health System Characteristics, and (3) Health Information Technology Characteristics. We structured the Framework around the following 5 phases of the digital healthcare lifecycle: planning, development, acquisition, implementation/maintenance, and monitoring/improvement/equity assessment.

Discussion
The proposed Framework is designed to specify the aspects that need to be considered in a systematic and intentional approach to ensure digital healthcare solutions improve, and not exacerbate, healthcare inequities.

Conclusion
The proposed Framework serves as a tool to help users and other stakeholders assess whether their healthcare solutions that involve digital technologies are equitable at every phase of the digital healthcare lifecycle.
Influence of Talc in Polypropylene on Total Fluorine Measurements Used as an Indicator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Authors: Curtzwiler Greg W , Applegate Sarah A , Early Mark R , Updegraff Katie M , Vorst Keith L 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Increasing restrictions for chemicals of concern in plastic packaging materials have created an urgent need to accurately detect and quantify these chemicals. Total fluorine measurements have been utilized to screen for highly scrutinized per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in food packaging materials. Inorganic contributions to the total fluorine signal can result in false positive signals exceeding regulatory limits.

Objective
The purpose of this study is to develop a method for determining the contribution of talc inorganic filler to the total fluorine signal.

Method
The influence of talc on total fluorine measurements of plastics was evaluated by compounding talc with virgin polypropylene (PP) and then measuring the total fluorine concentration using oxidative pyrohydrolytic combustion ion chromatography. This study provides a framework to predict the contribution of talc in plastic samples to the total fluorine signal.

Results
A near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) method was developed by employing the full width half height (FWHH) of the interstitial fluorine characteristic band of talc. The FWHH signal of the processed puck specimens was determined to be linearly increase with the measured total fluorine difference as a function of talc concentration (R2 = 0.9619).

Conclusions
This study developed a method to predict the contribution of talc fillers to the total fluorine signal of plastic samples. This method is critical for accurately determining the regulatory compliance of talc-filled plastic samples for PFAS using total fluorine.

Highlights
Total fluorine is a common regulatory compliance technique as an indicator of PFAS. Talc is a common plastic filler that contains fluorine as a contaminant. The fluorine in talc contributes to the total fluorine signal, which can falsely elevate the total fluorine signal, potentially resulting in the lack of regulatory compliance. The developed method serves as a framework of how to identify the fluorine contribution of inorganic fillers in plastics.
Approach to determining etiology of hypophosphatemia in a patient with coexisting phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor and fibrous dysplasia
Authors: Patil Madhuri D , Wangsiricharoen Sintawat , Lazar Alexander J , Moon Bryan , Madewell John E , Collins Michael T , Guise Theresa A 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Dysregulated FGF23 production is a demonstrated cause of hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia. Diseases associated with these conditions include phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) causing tumor induced osteomalacia, various forms of rickets, and fibrous dysplasia (FD). Coexistence of 2 conditions that can increase FGF23 concentrations is rare. We report a case of a 79-yr-old man who presented with rib and right flank pain. Imaging revealed bone lesions in the right iliac wing, left supra-acetabular area, and L4 vertebral body. Biopsies showed a right iliac PMT and left supra-acetabular FD. Cryoablation of both lesions resolved the phosphaturia with normalization of phosphorus level. Coexistence of PMT and FD in this patient with hypophosphatemia raised questions about the source of the FGF23, meaning of coexistence of PMT and FD in the same patient and, about the nature of the third lesion in the L4 vertebral body. Using FGF23 mRNA chromogenic in situ hybridization, we identified the PMT, rather than the FD, as the source of FGF23. Lack of GNAS mutation in the PMT suggested it being independent of FD. Assessment by the intact FGF23: total FGF23 ratio as well as gallium-DOTATATE scan suggested that the vertebral body lesion could represent FD. Other than understanding difference in underlying molecular processing of FGF23 in PMT and FD, testing for mutations, imaging studies as well as in situ hybridization helped solve the questions arising from this unique case of coexistence of PMT and FD.