bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landscape and diel fear cycles: linear features are perceived as risky by peccary (Dicotyles tajacu)
Authors: Esparza-Carlos Juan Pablo , Íñiguez-Dávalos Luis Ignacio , Laundré John William , Casimiro Hernández Tokya Stephanya , Arias-Del Razo Itzel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The risk of encountering a predator triggers different antipredator strategies in the prey, including spatial (landscape level), temporal (daily activity cycles), and behavioral changes. There is evidence that linear landscape attributes (e.g., dirt roads, firebreaks, trails) are used by both predators and prey, although studies examining how they react to mutual use are scarce. We propose a conceptual model that explains how prey might change their activity patterns under spatial-scale scenarios of predation risk. We test our predictions with Jaguar (Panthera onca) and Puma (Puma concolor) as predators and Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) as the prey. Peccary activity patterns differed between foraging areas with different levels of predation risk, with low-risk areas showing 2 peaks of activity around dusk, but exclusively diurnal in high-risk areas. The highest overlap coefficient (Δ^1 = 0.82) occurred when comparing peccary activity patterns near linear attributes and high-risk foraging areas, and the lowest (Δ^1 = 0.16) between high-risk foraging areas and Jaguar activity patterns, showing a completely diurnal pattern when the Jaguar was inactive. The overlap coefficient was intermediate (Δ^1 = 0.45) when comparing Puma and peccary activity patterns in high-risk areas. The observed similarity in peccary activity patterns between high-predation-risk foraging areas and linear attributes seems to indicate that the latter are also perceived as high-risk areas that lead to changes in their activity patterns.
Dermacentor species (Acari: Ixodidae) in western Canada, with detection of Dermacentor similis
Authors: Nichol Grace K , Lado Paula , Snyman Louwrens P , Dergousoff Shaun J , Weese J Scott , Greer Amy L , Clow Katie M 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Numerous tick species are undergoing significant range expansion in Canada, including several Dermacentor spp Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). With the recent description of Dermacentor similis Lado in the western United States, additional research is required to determine the current range of this species. Five hundred ninety-eight Dermacentor spp. were collected from companion animals in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Ticks were morphologically identified to species, followed by PCR and gel electrophoresis of the ITS-2 partial gene target (n = 595). Ninety-seven percent (n = 579/595) generated valid banding patterns. The banding pattern for the majority (74%, n = 206/278) of Dermacentor spp. from southern British Columbia was consistent with D. variabilis (Say), while 26% (n = 72/278) was consistent with D. andersoni Stiles. For samples from Alberta, 38% (n = 3/8) had banding patterns consistent with D. variabilis and 63% (n = 5/8) with D. andersoni. All (n = 293) ticks from Saskatchewan had banding patterns consistent with D. variabilis. After the description of D. similis was published, DNA sequencing of mitochondrial (16S rDNA gene, COI gene) and nuclear (ITS-2) markers was used to confirm the identity of 40 samples. Twenty-seven samples that had banding patterns consistent with D. variabilis from British Columbia were confirmed to be D. similis. One sample from Alberta and five from Saskatchewan were confirmed to be D. variabilis and seven samples from British Columbia were D. andersoni. The ITS-2 amplicons were not useful for differentiating between D. variabilis and D. similis. These results provide evidence of D. similis in western Canada and highlight that sequences of the mitochondrial genes are effective for distinguishing D. andersoni, D. variabilis, and D. similis.
Analyzing the Disparity in Application of the Laws Governing Foreign Fighters: A Securitization Theory Approach
Authors: İbrahim Matti Izora , Kaya Taylan Özgür 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The Copenhagen School’s securitization theory provides a useful framework for analyzing how terrorism was constructed as an existential threat to international peace and security in the aftermath of 9/11. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the possible disparity in application of the laws governing foreign fighters, embodied in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1373 (2001), UNSCR 2178 (2014), and EU Directive 541 (2017), as a result of the definitional vagueness in the legal frameworks. Specifically, we argue that the securitization of the terms “terrorism” and “foreign terrorist fighter” in these legal frameworks has created a precedent for categorically differentiating foreign fighters who traveled to the Syrian/Iraqi conflict as “terrorists,” while largely characterizing foreign fighters who traveled to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict as benign “volunteers” or just “foreign fighters.” We further argue that this dichotomy not only oversimplifies the complex nature of these conflicts and the motivations of the individuals involved but fails to capture the security challenges posed by far-right extremists and other ideologically motivated fighters in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. The findings suggest whether an act is called “terrorism” or whether a foreign fighter is perceived as a foreign terrorist fighter depends more on how powerful institutions and political actors frame and present it, rather than on any inherent qualities of the act itself. The key factor is how the individual is perceived and how the act is interpreted and understood within a society.
Association of testosterone replacement therapy with atrial fibrillation and acute kidney injury
Authors: Greenberg Daniel R , Kohn Taylor P , Asanad Kian , Brannigan Robert E , Halpern Joshua A 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Secondary analyses of the Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Assessment of Long-Term Vascular Events and Efficacy Response in Hypogonadal Men (TRAVERSE) trial revealed significantly higher rates of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) cohort.

Aim
To validate the secondary findings of the TRAVERSE trial.

Methods
We utilized the TriNetX Research Network to identify a cohort of men ages 45-80 years old who met similar inclusion criteria to the TRAVERSE trial. We compared hypogonadal men (testosterone 100-300 ng/dL) who had a prescription for topical testosterone therapy and men who did not. Propensity score matching was used to match patient populations. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to determine the relative risk of new-onset AF and AKI within 3 years.

Outcomes
New-onset AF and AKI within 3 years.

Results
There were 2134 men included in each cohort after propensity score matching. Men on TRT had significantly lower testosterone (T) at the time of diagnosis compared to men not prescribed TRT (207 ± 66 ng/dL vs 246 ± 140 ng/dL, P &lt; 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a significantly increased risk of AKI among men on TRT (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.18). However, TRT was not associated with a significantly increased risk of new-onset AF (RR 1.48, 95% CI 0.93-2.37).

Clinical Implications
Hypogonadal men with underlying cardiovascular risk factors or pre-existing cardiovascular disease who receive TRT may be at increased risk of AKI after starting therapy.

Strengths and Limitations
We evaluated a large global research database and utilized similar inclusion and exclusion to the TRAVERSE trial. However, our results are limited by the retrospective study design and reliance on documented claims data.

Conclusion
Similar to the TRAVERSE trial, our study demonstrated an increased risk of AKI among men on TRT, but did not find increased risk of AF. However, further studies are required to validate these results.
House Price Index as an early indicator of development risk to biodiversity
Authors: Acosta Alamo Marlen , Manne Lisa L , Veit Richard R 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Habitat loss due to changes in land cover is one of the main causes of biodiversity decline worldwide. Habitat loss occurs disproportionately in areas of high biodiversity because these same areas are particularly suitable for development. We assessed the effect of development risk on the biodiversity of breeding birds in the United States. We compared the effect of two predictors of habitat loss on the richness, abundance, and rarity of woodland, open-habitat, and urban birds at the local and regional levels. We used the House Price Index—as a measure of development risk—and primary productivity as predictors in simulations of habitat loss. For local scale analysis, we used generalized regression models. For regional-scale habitat loss simulations, we statistically compared the results obtained from each predictor. Locally, development risk and primary productivity interacted in their effect on the richness, abundance, and rarity index of all birds. At the regional level, development risk predicted larger declines in richness and abundance and increases in the rarity of open-habitat birds following habitat loss than primary productivity. For woodland birds, both risk of development- and primary productivity-ordered habitat loss affected richness and rarity levels, while primary productivity had a larger effect on their abundance. The diversity of urban birds was less affected by habitat loss than the other groups of birds. Our study is the first to investigate the usefulness of the House Price Index as a measure of development risk and as a predictor of biodiversity. Proactively recognizing high-development risk areas affords more time for targeted conservation plans in those areas.
Associations between glycemic status and the ratio of γ-glutamyl transferase to HDL-C in middle-aged women
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
The ratio of γ-glutamyl transferase to HDL-C (GGT/HDL-C) has been proposed as a discriminator of metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between GGT/HDL-C and glycemic status in women.

Methods
The subjects were 18,218 middle-aged women who had received annual health checkups in their workplaces. They were divided by habitual alcohol intake into nondrinkers, occasional drinkers, regular light drinkers, and regular heavy drinkers.

Results
In overall subjects, hemoglobin A1c level and prevalence of diabetes tended to be higher in subjects with higher GGT/HDL-C, and GGT/HDL-C tended to be higher with an increase of alcohol intake. The odds ratio for hyperglycemia in subjects with vs. subjects without high GGT/HDL-C tended to be lower with an increase of alcohol intake, and the association between high GGT/HDL-C and hyperglycemia was significantly weaker in regular heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers.

Conclusion
In middle-aged women, there were positive associations of GGT/HDL-C with alcohol intake and glycemic status, and the association between GGT/HDL-C and glycemic status tended to be weaker with an increase of alcohol intake. Thus, alcohol use should be taken into account when GGT/HDL-C is used as a discriminator of diabetes.
The hard, bloodless surface of a mirror: Patricia Highsmith’s Kierkegaardian anatomy of anxiety
Authors: Adams Don 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This essay considers Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels in relation to the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard, which Highsmith knew and admired, and argues for the ethical earnestness of Highsmith’s fiction. The essay interprets Tom Ripley as an implicit allegorical expression of the Kierkegaardian demonic, which is the ultimate condition of the individual living in despair, without ethical purpose or existential possibility. When read from a Kierkegaardian existentialist perspective, the Ripley novel series is revealed as an extended ethical cautionary tale for the contemporary reader in a nihilistic age of anxiety.
Implementation of a High-Reliability Organization Framework in a Large Integrated Health Care System: A Pre–Post Quasi-Experimental Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Sawyer Aaron M , Thiyarajan Sreedevi , Essen Keith , Pendley-Louis Robin , Sculli Gary L , Yackel Edward E 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate outcomes across Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital facilities engaged in an enterprise-wide implementation of a high-reliability organization (HRO) framework.

Materials and Methods
This QI project relied on primary data drawn from 139 facilities nationwide from 2019 to 2023. Data sources included the All Employee Survey Patient Safety Culture (PSC) Module and patient safety reporting data derived from the Joint Patient Safety Reporting system. The project design applied a pre–post quasi-experimental design that examined within-cohort changes at pre-intervention, intervention, and 2 post-intervention follow-up timepoints. HRO interventions included a combination of training, leadership coaching, site assessments, and experiential learning. HRO interventions were initiated at 18 facilities beginning in 2019 (Cohort 1), 54 facilities in 2020 (Cohort 2), and 67 facilities in 2021 (Cohort 3). For between-cohort analyses, the relative degree of change within Cohort 1 sites was compared with all other sites.

Results
There were broad positive within-group trends for PSC scores across all sites, and domain-specific between-group differences in PSC Dimension 2—Risk Identification and Just Culture—and Dimension 4—Error Transparency and Risk Mitigation. For patient safety reporting, total events reported, and close calls increased for Cohort 1. The ratio of close calls to adverse events also increased for both Cohort 1 and all other VHA sites at post-intervention year 2.

Conclusions
The results of this QI project will inform further refinements to VHA’s efforts to implement HRO principles and practices in the nation’s largest integrated health system. In addition, the implementation practices may inform other large-scale, multi-level efforts to improve quality and patient safety.
Targeting the IDH1R132H mutation in gliomas by CRISPR/Cas precision base editing
Authors: Weber Remi , Vasella Flavio , Klimko Artsiom , Silginer Manuela , Lamfers Martine , Neidert Marian Christoph , Regli Luca , Schwank Gerald , Weller Michael 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Gliomas, the most frequent malignant primary brain tumors, lack curative treatments. Understanding glioma-specific molecular alterations is crucial to develop novel therapies. Among them, the biological consequences of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene mutation (IDH1R132H) remain inconclusive despite its early occurrence and widespread expression.

Methods
We thus employed CRISPR/Cas adenine base editors, which allow precise base pair alterations with minimal undesirable effects, to correct the IDH1R132H mutation.

Results
Successful correction of the IDH1R132H mutation in primary patient-derived cell models led to reduced IDH1R132H protein levels and decreased production of 2-hydroxyglutarate, but increased proliferation. A dual adeno-associated virus split intein system was used to successfully deliver the base editor in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions
Taken together, our study provides a strategy for a precise genetic intervention to target the IDH1R132H mutation, enabling the development of accurate models to study its impact on glioma biology and serving as a framework for an in vivo gene therapy.
Cell migration simulator-based biomarkers for glioblastoma
Authors: Hou Jay , McMahon Mariah , Jubenville Tyler , Sarkaria Jann N , Chen Clark C , Odde David J 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor with poor survival due to its invasive nature driven by cell migration, with unclear linkage to transcriptomic information. The aim of this study was to develop a physics-based framework connecting to transcriptomics to predict patient-specific glioblastoma cell migration.

Methods and Results
We applied a physics-based motor-clutch model, a cell migration simulator (CMS), to parameterize the migration of glioblastoma cells and define physical biomarkers on a patient-by-patient basis. We reduced the 11-dimensional parameter space of the CMS into 3 principal physical parameters that govern cell migration: motor number—describing myosin II activity, clutch number—describing adhesion level, and F-actin polymerization rate. Experimentally, we found that glioblastoma patient-derived (xenograft) cell lines across mesenchymal (MES), proneural, and classical subtypes and 2 institutions (N = 13 patients) had optimal motility and traction force on stiffnesses around 9.3 kPa, with otherwise heterogeneous and uncorrelated motility, traction, and F-actin flow. By contrast, with the CMS parameterization, we found that glioblastoma cells consistently had balanced motor/clutch ratios to enable effective migration and that MES cells had higher actin polymerization rates resulting in higher motility. The CMS also predicted differential sensitivity to cytoskeletal drugs between patients. Finally, we identified 18 genes that correlated with the physical parameters, suggesting transcriptomic data alone could potentially predict the mechanics and speed of glioblastoma cell migration.

Conclusions
We describe a general physics-based framework for parameterizing individual glioblastoma patients and connecting to clinical transcriptomic data that can potentially be used to develop patient-specific anti-migratory therapeutic strategies.
Efficacy and safety of first-line high-dose cytarabine in patients with primary CNS lymphoma ineligible for high-dose methotrexate: A case series
Authors: Zeremski Vanja , Haage Tobias Ronny , Mougiakakos Dimitrios 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Despite recent significant advances, the treatment of elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is still challenging due to comorbidities, poor baseline performance status (PS), and drug toxicities. There are proposals to use high-dose cytarabine (HD-araC) in these patients.

Methods
Our retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of HD-araC as an upfront treatment for patients with PCNSL who are ineligible for high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX).

Results
We identified 12 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL (out of a total of 68) who received first-line treatment with HD-araC, with or without rituximab (R). Most of them had poor PS and relevant comorbidities. Six patients received this treatment upfront, while the other six received it after discontinuing HD-MTX-(based) therapy. Treatment with HD-araC resulted in poor outcome, limited response, and severe hematological and infectious complications. Patients who had previously received at least one cycle of HD-MTX appeared to have slightly better outcomes, highlighting the importance of HD-MTX in the treatment of PCNSL.

Conclusion
Our case series showed limited efficacy and substantial toxicity of (R)-HD-araC in patients with PCNSL ineligible for HD-MTX. This treatment should be omitted in elderly/frail patients to avoid further compromising their quality of life.
Evaluation of methods to estimate nocturnal bird migration activity: A comparison of radar and nocturnal flight call monitoring in the American West
Authors: Osterhaus Dylan M , Van Doren Benjamin M , Horton Kyle G , Abadi Fitsum , Wright Timothy F , Desmond Martha J 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT
Bird migration involves the movements of billions of individuals but is difficult to study because it occurs primarily at night. We sought to improve our understanding of the methods available to study migration, particularly in understudied regions of western North America. We evaluated 2 methods: weather radar and nocturnal flight call monitoring. We analyzed variability in estimates of migration activity from each method, how estimates relate, and identified factors associated with variation in this relationship. We collected radar and flight call data from southern New Mexico in western North America during the fall migration of 2021 and 2022. Similar studies have occurred in eastern North America, but it is unknown if regional variability alters the relationship between estimates from each method. We found that estimates were positively related across a season, but relationships were variable among nights. Also, we discovered that the strength of the association between methods varied across sites, indicating that local factors may influence acoustic sampling. We determined that variation in acoustic estimates of migration activity was associated with cloud cover, crosswind, date, migrant height, migrant speed, moon illumination, tailwind, and time of night. For radar, we found crosswind, date, migrant height, migrant speed, tailwind, and time of night to be associated with variations in estimates of migration activity. Overall, our findings support those of previous studies from eastern North America and demonstrate that, despite regional differences, estimates from each method are also correlated in western North America. Our findings provide new insight into factors associated with variation in estimates of migration activity from 2 widely used methods and an improved understanding of factors that impact migration behavior.
Prey selection by Chordeiles minor (Common Nighthawk) does not reflect differences in prey availability between breeding and nonbreeding grounds
Authors: Stein Eliza D , Fariña Nestor , Villalba Olga , Cockle Kristina L , Zubarán Gastón E , Snider Allison M , Baldo Diego , Cox James A , Taylor Sabrina S 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT
Predators may adjust their diets to match their energy needs and food availability, but these adjustments have not been explored for migratory aerial insectivores outside of the breeding grounds. We found that Chordeiles minor (Common Nighthawk), a long-distance migrant and member of the rapidly declining aerial insectivore guild, exhibited similar levels of diet richness, diet diversity, and prey selectivity on the breeding and nonbreeding grounds, despite large differences in prey abundance. We examined the diets and prey communities of C. minor during 2 breeding seasons in Florida, USA, and 2 nonbreeding seasons in Corrientes Province, Argentina (2020 to 2022). We used DNA metabarcoding to identify insect prey in C. minor fecal samples, and we employed Malaise and UV light traps to assess abundance and composition of aerial insect prey communities. Abundance and richness of available prey were significantly higher on the nonbreeding grounds than on the breeding grounds. Even so, C. minor exhibited similar within-sample and within-population diet richness, Shannon and Simpson diversities, and prey preferences at both sites. Adults differed in their consumption of Lepidoptera between sites: adults on the nonbreeding grounds preferred Lepidoptera over all other orders, whereas adults on the breeding grounds consumed Lepidoptera less frequently than expected. We suggest that breeding adult C. minor may deliver Lepidoptera to their young instead of consuming this prey. At both sites, C. minor showed preference for Hemiptera and Hymenoptera–both large-bodied, nutrient-rich prey–suggesting that these generalist predators exhibit less diet flexibility than previously thought and thus may be vulnerable to changes in prey communities at multiple points in the annual cycle.