bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refining penalized ridge regression: a novel method for optimizing the regularization parameter in genomic prediction
Authors: Montesinos-López Abelardo , Montesinos-López Osval A , Lecumberry Federico , Fariello María I , Montesinos-López José C , Crossa José 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The popularity of genomic selection as an efficient and cost-effective approach to estimate breeding values continues to increase, due in part to the significant saving in phenotyping. Ridge regression is one of the most popular methods used for genomic prediction; however, its efficiency (in terms of prediction performance) depends on the appropriate tunning of the penalization parameter. In this paper we propose a novel, more efficient method to select the optimal penalization parameter for Ridge regression. We compared the proposed method with the conventional method to select the penalization parameter in 14 real data sets and we found that in 13 of these, the proposed method outperformed the conventional method and across data sets the gains in prediction accuracy in terms of Pearson's correlation was of 56.15%, with not-gains observed in terms of normalized mean square error. Finally, our results show evidence of the potential of the proposed method, and we encourage its adoption to improve the selection of candidate lines in the context of plant breeding.
A comprehensive review and update on acute severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding in Crohn’s disease: a management algorithm
Authors: Tu Tong , Chen Mengqi , Zeng Zhirong , Lin Jianming , Chen Luohai , Liu Caiguang , Zhuang Xiaojun 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Acute severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare but potentially fatal complication of Crohn's disease (CD), affecting between 0.6% and 5.5% of CD patients during their lifelong disease course. Managing bleeding episodes effectively hinges on vital resuscitation. Endoscopic evaluation and computed tomography play crucial roles in accurate identification and intervention. Fortunately, most bleeding episodes can be successfully managed through appropriate conservative treatment. Medical therapies, particularly infliximab, aim to induce and maintain mucosal healing and serve as the leading treatment approach. Minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopic hemostasis and angio-embolization, can achieve immediate hemostasis. Surgical treatment is only considered a last resort when conservative therapies fail. Despite achieving hemostasis, the risk of rebleeding ranges from 19.0% to 50.5%. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, and prognostic outcomes associated with acute severe gastrointestinal bleeding in CD. Furthermore, we aimed to propose a management algorithm to assist clinicians in the effective management of this condition.
Gasdermin E mediates pyroptosis in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma: a double-edged sword
Authors: Lu Yan , Xu Junnv , Lin Haifeng , Zhu Mingyue , Li Mengsen 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer worldwide. It usually develops due to viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. The molecular mechanisms involved in HCC pathogenesis are complex and incompletely understood. Gasdermin E (GSDME) is a tumor suppressor gene and is inhibited in most cancers. Recent studies have reported that, unlike those in most tumors, GSDME is highly expressed in liver cancer, and GSDME expression in HCC is negatively associated with prognosis, suggesting that GSDME may promote HCC. However, antitumor drugs can induce pyroptosis through GSDME, killing HCC cells. Therefore, GSDME may both inhibit and promote HCC development. Because functional studies of GSDME in HCC are limited, the precise molecular mechanisms of GSDME in liver cancer remain unclear. In this article, we have reviewed the role, related mechanisms, and clinical importance of GSDME at the onset and development of HCC to provide a theoretical foundation to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.
Resilience factors affecting long-term trajectories of depressive symptoms in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami among older adults
Authors: Yazawa Aki , Li Xiaoyu , Shiba Koichiro , Okuzono Sakurako S , Hikichi Hiroyuki , Aida Jun , Kondo Katsunori , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objectives
We examined long-term trajectories of depressive symptoms among older adults following exposure to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. We further characterized the pre- and post-disaster social relationship factors that predicted membership in each trajectory group.

Method
Data from four time points (including pre-disaster data) were used to analyze the depression trajectories of 2,033 survivors through a group-based trajectory model. Multinomial logistic analysis was used to investigate the social relationship factors (i.e., social interactions with neighbors, social support, social participation, and social cohesion) that predicted membership to each trajectory group.

Results
Five distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified; stably not depressed (12.4%), increased after the disaster (14.2%), decreased after the disaster (8.8%), persistent mild depressive symptoms (28.1%) and persistent severe depressive symptoms (36.5%). Compared to those who were stably not depressed, those who experienced an increase in symptoms were more likely to experience housing damage and not to participate in social activities. Compared to those who were stably mildly depressed, those who experienced a decrease in symptoms had higher pre-disaster social interactions with neighbors as well as higher post-disaster social support. Adults with persistent severe symptoms were physically, psychologically, and socially vulnerable preceding the disaster.

Discussion
The study revealed the heterogeneity of older adults experiencing depressive symptoms in the wake of major disaster. Those who experienced increased symptoms after the disaster showed a chronic rather than temporary rise, while those with pre-disaster depressive symptoms showed sustained symptoms regardless of disaster-related trauma.
One-way reflection waveform inversion with depth-dependent gradient pre-conditioning
Authors: Abolhassani Siamak , Hoogerbrugge Leo , Verschuur Dirk Jacob 
Published: November 2024

SUMMARY
Reflection waveform inversion (RWI) is a technique that uses pure reflection data to estimate subsurface background velocity, relying on evolving seismic images. Conventional RWI operates in a cyclic workflow, with two key components in each cycle—migration and reflection tomography. Conventional RWI may result in suboptimal background velocity estimation, partly due to limited or unresolved resolution within each component in each cycle. While gradient pre-conditioning with the reciprocal of Hessian information helps resolve this issue in both components of RWI, it becomes impractical for a large number of model parameters. One-way reflection waveform inversion (ORWI) is a reflection waveform inversion technique in which the forward modelling scheme operates in one direction (downward and then upward) via virtual parallel depth levels within the medium. Leveraging the ORWI framework, we decompose and reduce the linear Hessian operator (also known as the approximate Hessian or Gauss–Newton Hessian) into multiple smaller suboperators. In particular, the diagonal blocks of the monofrequency approximate Hessian operators, each corresponding to a single depth level within the medium, are extracted and inverted to pre-condition the corresponding monofrequency gradients in both the migration and reflection tomography components of ORWI. This depth-dependent gradient pre-conditioning transforms standard ORWI into a high-resolution, yet computationally feasible version aimed at addressing suboptimal velocity estimation, referred to as high-resolution ORWI. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through successful applications to synthetic data examples.
Becoming eligible for long-term care insurance in China brought more ageing at home: evidence from a pilot city
Authors: Chen Zeyuan , Zhou Hui , Ma Xiang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Person-centered long-term care systems, integral to healthy ageing, should empower older people to achieve ageing in place. Yet evidence on the impact of the design of long-term care systems on older people’s choice of place of ageing, especially that from developing countries, is limited. Taking the introduction of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) in City X of China as a policy shock, we examined the impact of becoming eligible for LTCI on program beneficiaries’ choice of place of ageing—institution or home—before they started to receive any actual benefit. Based on our analysis of the administrative data of all LTCI applicants between July 2017 and September 2020 from City X, we found that becoming eligible for LTCI increased an older-person’s probability of choosing home as her place of ageing even before she received any benefit by ∼16%, and this positive impact was larger for those insured, of higher education level, or of higher disability grade. By bringing more ageing in place, LTCI in City X promoted healthy ageing. Our study suggests that the specifics of the LTCI program, such as who could receive subsidies, family values, and family members’ engagement in the labor market, could all work together to shape the substitution pattern between home and institutional care.
The effect of face-to-face and online education provided to individuals with atrial fibrillation on medication adherence and satisfaction
Authors: Küçükballi Harun , Fertelli Tülay Kars 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate effects of face-to-face education and tele-education given to individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking oral anticoagulants on their medication compliance and satisfaction levels. The study sample comprised 150 individuals. Of them, 50 were assigned to the control group, 50 to experimental Group 1, and 50 to experimental Group 2. Data were collected with the Descriptive Information Form, Medication Compliance Notification Scale, and Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS). Intervention Group 1 was given face-to-face education. Intervention Group 2 was given tele-education. The control group underwent no intervention. The scales were administered to all the groups twice. Intragroup analysis demonstrated that the Medication Compliance Notification Scale score of the face-to-face education group increased significantly in the final measurement compared to those of the control group and tele-education group. Intergroup analysis demonstrated that the DASS scores of the three groups significantly differed. The difference stemmed from intervention Group 1. Face-to-face education given to individuals with AF on oral anticoagulants improved their medication compliance and medication satisfaction levels. Nurses should primarily use face-to-face education in the care and education programs of individuals with AF.
Unmasking deception: deepfake regulation in the context of South African law, could a rethinking of performers’ protection rights be the answer?
Authors: Gotora Ngonidzaishe T 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The limitless capabilities of the Internet allow for the widespread sharing of media and information. Technological progress has empowered tech enthusiasts to develop software that can interchange faces, superimposing the likenesses of any individual onto others in videos. These advanced technologies now leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to produce videos and photos so realistic they’re often indistinguishable from authentic footage. The term ‘deepfakes’ has emerged as a key descriptor for these creations. While there are harmless applications of this technology, it has also been exploited for creating deepfake pornography. Such illicit use often involves the unauthorized use of personal images from social media to create pornographic content without the subject’s consent, profoundly impacting victims’ lives. Most of the research on non-consensual dissemination of explicit content has been focussed on the distribution or on the criminal blackmailing of individuals with existing, unfabricated content. This article aims to address the gap in research on nonconsensual deepfake pornography and existing image-based offences from a South African law perspective. It analyses the existing legal frameworks and whether they can provide adequate recourse to victims of non-consensual explicit deepfakes. This article asserts that the current legal framework falls short of the threat of the use of deepfakes in nonconsensual sharing of intimate images or videos. Amid the discussion, this article recommends a principled strategy for a well-rounded regulatory reaction to deepfakes, which are described as artificial performances generated through AI technologies. This strategy is applied practically by suggesting the utilization of South Africa’s performers’ rights legislation and policies as an appropriate mechanism for deepfake regulation.
17β-Estradiol Ameliorates Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Mice via miR-138-5p/SIRT1/HMGB1 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Meinv , Yu Dongdong , Wang Jing , Li Jianli 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common neurological complication in older patients and correlated with adverse outcomes. 17β-estradiol treatment was reported to provide neuroprotective protection in various neurologic disorders, but whether it attenuated POCD was unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of 17β-estradiol treatment on POCD and its mechanisms.

Methods
We generated a POCD model in 15-month-old mice via laparotomy, followed by subcutaneous injection of 17β-estradiol, intraperitoneal injection of EX527 (a Sirtuin 1 [SIRT1] inhibitor), or bilateral hippocampal injection of miR-138-5p-agomir. Morris water maze test and open field test were applied to evaluate the cognitive function. The neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus was detected using the terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Meanwhile, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and microglia activation were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence, respectively. Western blot was utilized to assess the expression of SIRT1 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, and gene expression of miR-138-5p was determined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results
Behavioral tests showed that 17β-estradiol treatment improved cognitive function in aged POCD mice. In addition, 17β-estradiol attenuated neuronal apoptosis and microglia activation as well as IL-1β expression in the hippocampus. Nonetheless, injection with EX527 abolished the beneficial impacts of 17β-estradiol against POCD. Furthermore, miR-138-5p was verified to bind with SIRT1, which regulated the expression of HMGB1. After treatment with 17β-estradiol, miR-138-5p expression was reduced in the hippocampus, and the neuroprotective influence of 17β-estradiol on aged POCD mice was reversed after administration of miR-138-5p-agomir.

Conclusions
17β-estradiol treatment exerted neuroprotection effects on POCD in aged mice, which might be relevant to alleviating neuroinflammation via miR-138-5p/SIRT1/HMGB1 pathway.
The Grainger Test Challenged? Thomas v Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Authors: Murray James 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This note analyses the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) (Sheldon J) of Thomas v Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Brett. The central message of the case is that English Nationalism with an anti-Islamic, anti-immigrant tinge does not deserve legal protection as a philosophical belief under s.10 Equality Act 2010. Thomas raises an interesting point of principle regarding the question of whether the fifth limb of the Grainger v Nicholson test—namely whether philosophical beliefs are worthy of respect in a democratic society, compatible with human dignity or are in conflict with the fundamental rights of others (fifth limb)—should be expanded to exclude from protection beliefs espousing intolerance or discrimination, and provides helpful clarity on how tribunals may take into account material beyond what is pleaded by the claimant in order to ascertain what the true nature of a purported philosophical belief may be. The note concludes that the former point is a move which should be resisted given the importance of rights under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and also critiques the reasoning of the Employment Appeal Tribunal in countenancing this possibility. It also concludes that the latter point will be of particular interest to practitioners who plead these sort of cases before the tribunals and predicts respondents to be bolder in their use of extraneous material to interrogate the nature of a claimant’s beliefs beyond what is pleaded or contained in their witness statements. The note also concludes that tribunals can also have more confidence, in light of Thomas, in relying on such material in their judgments without excessive caution that they have blurred the lines of overreliance on manifestations of beliefs as opposed to focusing on the beliefs themselves.
A cross-sectional study of point-of-care lactate testing in integrated community care management (ICCM) for children with acute respiratory illness in rural uganda
Authors: Matte Michael , Koyama Natsumi , Giandomenico Dana , Baguma Emmanuel , Kibaba Georget , Ntaro Moses , Reyes Raquel , Mulogo Edgar M , Boyce Ross M , Ciccone Emily J 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Integrated community case management (iCCM) programs leverage lay village health workers (VHWs) to carry out the initial evaluation of children with common conditions including malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea. Therefore, it is imperative that VHWs are able to identify children who are critically ill and require referral to a health facility. Elevated venous lactate levels have been associated with severe illness and adverse health outcomes, including death. However, lactic acidosis may not be recognized in rural settings because it is not routinely measured outside of hospitals and research studies. Point-of-care lactate tests may help identify patients in need of a higher level of care and improve VHWs’ ability to make timely and appropriate referrals.

Methods
The study was a cross-sectional evaluation of children aged &lt;5 y presenting to VHWs in rural southwestern Uganda with complaints of fever and cough. Demographics, clinical presentation, evaluation, management and disposition were recorded. VHWs were trained and instructed to perform lactate testing using a point-of-care assay in eligible participants.

Results
During the study period, 238 children were enrolled and completed an initial assessment. Of the 204 participants included in the analysis, 113 (55.4%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 23 (9–36) months. Most participants, 139/200 (69.5%), had negative results on the malaria rapid diagnostic test. The median lactate level was 2.1 mmol/L; 12% (24/204) had a lactate ≥3.5 mmol/L and only nine participants (4.4%) had a lactate ≥5 mmol/L. Having a lactate level above either cut-off was not associated with the presence of danger signs at presentation.

Conclusions
Few children presenting with fever and cough to VHWs in western Uganda had elevated lactate levels. However, most of the children with elevated lactate levels did not otherwise satisfy established iCCM criteria based on physical examination findings for referral to a health facility. Therefore, while elevated lactate was not associated with danger signs in this small study, it is possible that there is under-recognition of severe illness using current iCCM guidelines.
Prey Cue Preferences Among Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Acclimated to Different Year-Long Diets: Genetics or Experienced-Based Plasticity?
Authors: Lutterschmidt William I , Perelman Zander E , Roth Eric D , Weidler J M 
Published: November 2024

Synopsis
Chemoreception and recognition of specific prey are important sensory modalities for optimizing foraging success in snakes. Field observations suggest that cottonmouths are generalists, despite the specific epithet of the species (piscivorus) suggesting a fish prey preference. Because chemo-recognition of specific prey may reveal interesting evolutionary context for foraging strategy and if prey preference is either genetically or environmentally controlled, we investigated the prey cue preference of three experimental groups of Agkistrodon piscivorus (Northern Cottonmouths) with different diet histories. Two groups of captive snakes were acclimated to year-long diets of either fish (n = 11) or mice (n = 9) and a third group of recently wild-caught individuals served as a field diet group (n = 16). We investigated possible differences among diet history (fish, mouse, and field) and prey cue preference (control, fish, and mouse) and present results showing a significant difference among diet history with field snakes having significantly lower tongue-flick response. We also found a significant difference among prey cues, snakes within all diet histories showed a lower tongue-flick response to only the control scent cue. Both captive and field snakes showed no prey cue preference for either fish or mice. Because captive snakes did not show increased prey cue preference to their respective diet history, prey preference may be under genetic influence and not experience-based. Additionally, the lack of prey preference for fish or mice in the recently captured snakes in the field-diet group provides supporting evidence that A. piscivorus are generalists and opportunistic predators.
Microbiome science of human excrement composting
Authors: Meilander Jeff , Caporaso J Gregory 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Linear waste management systems are unsustainable and contribute to environmental degradation, economic inequity, and health disparities. Among the array of environmental challenges stemming from anthropogenic impacts, the management of human excrement (human feces and urine) stands as a significant concern. Over two billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation, signifying a global public health crisis. Composting is the microbial biotechnology aimed at cycling organic waste, including human excrement, for improved public health, agricultural productivity and safety, and environmental sustainability. Applications of modern microbiome omics and related technologies have the capacity to support continued advances in composting science and praxis. In this article, we review literature focused on applications of microbiome technologies to study composting systems and reactions. The studies we survey generally fall into the categories of animal manure composting, biosolids composting, and human excrement composting. We review experiments utilizing microbiome technologies to investigate strategies for enhancing pathogen suppression and accelerating the biodegradation of organic matter. Additionally, we explore studies focused on the bioengineering potential of microbes as inoculants to facilitate degradation of toxins, such as pharmaceuticals or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The findings from these studies underscore the importance of advancing our understanding of composting processes through the integration of emerging microbiome omics technologies. We conclude that work to-date has demonstrated exciting basic and applied science potential from studying compost microbiomes, with promising implications for enhancing global environmental sustainability and public health.