bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental influences on the distribution and ecology of the fluke intermediate host Galba truncatula: a systematic review
Authors: Smith Christopher David , Morgan Eric René , Jones Rhys Aled 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Galba truncatula is one of the most distributed intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica across Europe, North Africa and South America. Therefore, understanding the environmental preferences of this species is vital for developing control strategies for fascioliasis and other trematodes such as Calicophoron daubneyi. This systematic literature review evaluates the current understanding of the snail's environmental preferences to identify factors which might aid control and areas where further research is needed. Searches were conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed and included papers published up to August 2023. After filtration, 198 papers with data from 64 countries were evaluated, and data regarding habitat type and habitat pH were noted, along with any other information pertaining to the snail's environmental preferences. The results show that G. truncatula can survive in a diverse range of climates and habitats, generally favours shallow slow-moving water or moist bare mud surfaces, temperatures between 10 and 25°C and was found in habitats with a water pH ranging from 5.0 to 9.4. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of several factors, such as the true optimum pH and temperature preferences within the respective tolerance limits or the reason for the snail's apparent aversion to peatland. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on the snail to create robust risk assessments of fluke infection and assess opportunities for environmental control strategies, and for predicting how the snail and fluke transmission may be impacted by climate change.
Expression and serodiagnostic efficacy of a novel echinococcosis-specific recombinant fusion antigen rAgB8/1-Em18-Eg95
Authors: Xianwei Yang , Tao Wang , Yin Chen , Wentao Wang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Echinococcosis lacks sensitive serological diagnostic tools. The echinococcosis-specific antigens Eg95, AgB8/1 and the Em18 gene sequences were fused and expressed as the novel recombinant antigens rAgB8/1-Em18-Eg95 (T3) and rEm18-Eg95 (T2), used for the diagnosis of hydatid disease, prepared into an enzyme-linked immunosorbent reaction (ELISA) kit, and evaluated for their serological diagnostic value. The relative molecular weight of the T3 protein was 88.1 kDa, the purified concentration was 1.5 mg mL−1, and the purity was 80%. The relative molecular weight of T2 protein was 79.9 kDa, the total protein concentration was 0.5 mg mL−1, and the purity was less than 50%. The overall coincidence rate of T2 protein was low, and it was impossible to distinguish between negative and positive sera. The T3 antigen was coated at 1.0 μg mL−1, the cutoff value was 0.5271, and the serum dilution ratio was 1:400. A T3 ELISA kits (96 tests) was constructed to detect the serum of 272 clinically and pathologically confirmed cases. The sensitivity of T3 was 93.8%, and the specificity was 83.3%. The parasite cross-reaction was 30%. Satisfactorily, the Pearson correlation coefficient between the T3 OD value and lesion diameter was 0.707, showing a strong correlation. T3 exhibits better antigenicity than T2, and the prepared T3 ELISA diagnostic kits reached the laboratory diagnostic level of a commercial kits. T3 can distinguish human cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) more significantly and predict the diameter of lesions according to the OD value, which provides practical value for drug or surgical efficacy.
Results of health technology assessments of orphan drugs in Germany—lack of added benefit, evidence gaps, and persisting unmet medical needs
Authors: Kranz Philip , McGauran Natalie , Ünal Can , Kaiser Thomas 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The number of orphan drug (OD) approvals has increased sharply in Europe. In Germany, all ODs are initially subject to a limited assessment after market access. Their added benefit over the standard of care is accepted as established upon EU approval; a regular health technology assessment (HTA) is performed only in certain cases.

Objective
We assessed whether the increase in OD approvals has led to improvements in patient-relevant outcomes as supported by the evidence submitted by market authorization holders (MAHs) for HTA in Germany. We also examined the extent to which these ODs address unmet medical needs.

Methods
The results of limited assessments and regular HTAs of ODs in Germany (January 2011–September 2021, plus January–December 2023) were analyzed to determine their added benefit based on MAH-submitted dossiers. Added benefit was reported separately for each research question generated from the EU-approved therapeutic indications and any sub-indications (e.g., different subpopulations or control interventions) specified for HTA in Germany.

Results
Eighty-nine ODs (limited assessments: sixty-nine; regular HTAs: twenty) were evaluated in 175 research questions (limited assessments: ninety-seven; regular HTAs: seventy-eight). The added benefit granted in limited assessments was non-quantifiable in nearly eighty percent of the ninety-seven questions. In regular HTAs, no proof of added benefit was shown in fifty-four percent of the seventy-eight questions, mainly due to insufficient comparative data with the standard of care. Established treatments were available for fifty-eight percent of the seventy-eight questions; more than half of which addressed oncology indications (although these account for only eight percent of rare diseases).

Conclusions
Due to evidence gaps in post-approval HTA, many ODs approved in the EU lack proof of added benefit in terms of improving patient-relevant outcomes. Moreover, most approved ODs are indicated for diseases with established treatments and oncology indications, while many unmet medical needs remain. Incentives are required to encourage research in areas of unmet medical need and to generate comparative data with the standard of care.
Connectivity in VTS area via social network analysis: focused on South Korea case
Authors: Park Sangwon , Kim So-Ra , Park Youngsoo , Camliyurt Gokhan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Vessel traffic services (VTS) is a marine information exchange system vital for the safety and efficiency of ship traffic within designated regions. The harmonisation, integration and exchange of marine information have emerged as significant components in promoting maritime safety, in line with the concept of e-navigation. This study aimed to analyse the flow of information between VTS areas employing social network analysis to ensure seamless marine information exchange across VTS areas. Information flow was analysed based on data obtained from ships navigating through coastal waters and ports in Korea, revealing that the sea area near Busan New Port exhibited the highest concentration of information flow, while the Tongyoung Coast VTS area represented a critical link in the flow of information. Given its history of marine accidents, the current Masan (Opko) VTS region emerged as a susceptible area. The study provides valuable foundational data for a comprehensive coastal surveillance system.
Performance of GNSS space service for geostationary autonomous operations
Authors: Jiao Fangtan , Hu Yuxin , Yu Xiaodong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The geostationary orbit (GEO) belt hosts a substantial number of high-value satellites, making the study of autonomous navigation within this area significant. Features of autonomous operations such as patrolling the GEO belt and frequent manoeuvres at a certain location make real-time positioning using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) valuable. This paper studies the performance of positioning with GNSS considering main lobe and side lobe signals at different longitudes in the GEO belt. The research delves into the visibility and Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) across the GEO belt, analysing the performance of the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) in Russian, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), Galileo Navigation Satellite System (Galileo) and multi-systems. In particular, this paper investigates the impact of asymmetric constellations of mixed GEO, Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. The study reveals that BDS hybrid constellation provides long-term stable signal coverage over the GEO space above North America and Atlantic Ocean, where GEO signals are more sustainable while IGSO signals have wider coverage. This advantage positions BDS favourably in terms of performance in these regions.
Postwar development of offshore energy resources: Legal and political models for developing the Gaza Marine gas field
Authors: Rettig Elai , Friedman Shani , Spanier Benny 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article examines the case of Gaza Marine, a small offshore natural gas reservoir in Gaza that has remained undeveloped since its discovery in 2000. Due to the complicated political status of the Gaza Strip over the past two decades, neither the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, nor Israel could claim full rights to Gaza’s maritime zones or develop the Gaza Marine field. However, the devastating 2023 Israel-Hamas war created four possible scenarios of administration over Gaza, each with its own legal implications for the development rights of the field. These scenarios include Palestinian independence, continued Israeli occupation, international transitional administration (ITA) over Gaza, or partial Israeli annexation of Gaza. This article argues that the development of Gaza Marine is a vital part of Gaza’s postwar reconstruction and is possible under these scenarios, the most understudied of which is the ITA model. This article can thus serve as a roadmap for other postwar coastal territories with contested rights over offshore energy deposits.
Poisonous pitohuis as pets
Authors: Nijman Vincent , Abdullah Abdullah , Ardiansyah Ahmad , Chavez Jessica , Fairey Amanda , Hedger Katherine , Langgeng Abdullah , Nelson S. Sunny , Payuse I. Nyoman Aji Duranegara , Shepherd Chris R. , Nekaris K. Anne-Isola 
Published: December 2024

Summary
Poisonous birds are rare but on New Guinea, including Indonesia’s easternmost provinces, no less than nine poisonous species, eight pitohuis and one species of ifrita, are found. Pitohuis when handled can cause sneezing with numbness and burning of nasal tissue and nausea in humans. In the bird markets of western Indonesia novelty birds are traded at a premium and overexploitation of popular songbirds leads traders to find replacement species to meet demand. We conducted over 800 surveys in the bird markets of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, and Sulawesi between 1994 and 2023 and from 2015 onwards we assessed the online trade in pitohuis and Blue-capped Ifrit Ifrita kowaldi. We identified the species, recorded their prices and location, and the date when the birds were offered for sale. We analysed temporal trends, volumes, prices, and geographical origin of the sellers. Between 1994 and 2014 we did not encounter a single pitohui in the Indonesian bird markets. In the following years we recorded 113 pitohuis in 12 bird markets and we recorded 199 pitohuis for sale online; 248 were variable pitohuis and 54 were Hooded Pitohui Pitohui dichrous. No ifritas were recorded. Most pitohuis were recorded in eastern Java and Bali. Prices differed between eastern Java (mean of US$93) and western Java and Bali (US$185), possibly suggesting pitohuis arrive from West Papua in eastern Java and from there make their way to the outer markets. Pitohuis are marketed as “Papuan Straw-headed Bulbuls”; the Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus is a very popular and expensive songbird from Southeast Asia, including western Indonesia, that has become rare both in the wild and in the markets due to overexploitation. Discussions about pitohuis on online forums rarely mention “poisonous” but when it is mentioned traders dismiss this as something not to worry about and they claim it to be dietary-dependent. Poisonous pitohuis are novelty, as well as master, birds in Indonesia, where they are marketed for their song ignoring any negative side-effects of them being poisonous. The trade in novelty species, when detected early, does allow for the authorities to intervene in a timely manner to ensure that this trade does not impede their conservation.
SYMMETRY RESTORATION IN COLLISIONS OF SOLITONS IN FRACTIONAL COUPLERS
Authors: STRUNIN DMITRY V. , MALOMED BORIS A. , MCKEIVER JOSHUA L. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Recently, we analysed spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) of solitons in linearly coupled dual-core waveguides with fractional diffraction and cubic nonlinearity. In a practical context, the system can serve as a model for optical waveguides with the fractional diffraction or Bose–Einstein condensate of particles with Lévy index

$\alpha <2$

. In an earlier study, the SSB in the fractional coupler was identified as the bifurcation of subcritical type, becoming extremely subcritical in the limit of

$\alpha \rightarrow 1$

. There, the moving solitons and collisions between them at low speeds were also explored. In the present paper, we present new numerical results for fast solitons demonstrating restoration of symmetry in post-collision dynamics.
Hometown Advantage: Voter Preferences for Community Embeddedness in Local Contests
Authors: Ornstein Joseph T. , Heideman Amanda J. , Moy Bryant J. , Schiff Kaylyn Jackson 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Every year, Americans elect hundreds of thousands of candidates to local public office, typically in low-attention, nonpartisan races. How do voters evaluate candidates in these sorts of elections? Previous research suggests that, absent party cues, voters rely on a set of heuristic shortcuts – including the candidate’s name, profession, and interest group endorsements – to decide whom to support. In this paper, we suggest that community embeddedness – a candidate’s roots and ties to the community – is particularly salient in these local contests. We present evidence from a conjoint survey experiment on a nationally representative sample of American voters. We estimate the marginal effect on vote share of candidate attributes such as gender, race, age, profession, interest group endorsements, and signals of community embeddedness – specifically homeownership and residency duration. We find that voters, regardless of political party, have strong preferences for community embeddedness. Strikingly, the magnitude of the residency duration effect rivals that of prior political experience.
PPB-Affinity: Protein-Protein Binding Affinity dataset for AI-based protein drug discovery
Authors: Liu Huaqing , Chen Peiyi , Zhai Xiaochen , Huo Ku-Geng , Zhou Shuxian , Han Lanqing , Fan Guoxin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPrediction of protein-protein binding (PPB) affinity plays an important role in large-molecular drug discovery. Deep learning (DL) has been adopted to predict the changes of PPB binding affinities upon mutations, but there was a scarcity of studies predicting the PPB affinity itself. The major reason is the paucity of open-source dataset with PPB affinity data. To address this gap, the current study introduced a large comprehensive PPB affinity (PPB-Affinity) dataset. The PPB-Affinity dataset contains key information such as crystal structures of protein-protein complexes (with or without protein mutation patterns), PPB affinity, receptor protein chain, ligand protein chain, etc. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest publicly available PPB affinity dataset, and we believe it will significantly advance drug discovery by streamlining the screening of potential large-molecule drugs. We also developed a deep-learning benchmark model with this dataset to predict the PPB affinity, providing a foundational comparison for the research community.
HBSP: a hybrid bilinear and semidefinite programming approach for aligning partially overlapping point clouds
Authors: Lian Wei , Ma Fei , Cui Zhesen , Pan Hang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn many applications, there is a need for algorithms that can align partially overlapping point clouds while remaining invariant to corresponding transformations. This research presents a method that achieves these goals by minimizing a binary linear assignment-least squares (BLALS) energy function. First, we reformulate the BLALS problem as the minimization of a quadratic function with quadratic and linear constraints through variable substitution. By utilizing semidefinite relaxation and the convex envelope of bilinear monomials, we relax the problem to create a lower bound that can be solved using linear assignment and low-dimensional semidefinite programming. Additionally, we develop a branch-and-bound (BnB) algorithm that only branches over the transformation variable, which enhances convergence. Experimental results show that, compared to state-of-the-art approaches, the proposed method is robust against non-rigid deformation and outliers when the outliers are separate from the inliers. However, its robustness decreases when outliers are mixed with inliers. The run time of our method is relatively high due to the need to solve a semidefinite program in each iteration of the BnB algorithm.
Indication of p + 11B reaction in Laser Induced Nanofusion experiment
Authors: Kroó N. , Csernai L. P. , Papp I. , Kedves M. A. , Aladi M. , Bonyár A. , Szalóki M. , Osvay K. , Varmazyar P. , Biró T. S. ,   (for the NAPLIFE Collaboration)
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe NanoPlasmonic Laser Induced Fusion Energy (NAPLIFE)1 project proposed fusion by regulating the laser light absorption via resonant nanorod antennas implanted into hydrogen rich urethane acrylate methacrylate (UDMA) and triethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (TEGDMA) copolymer targets. In part of the tests, boron-nitride (BN) was added to the polymer. Our experiments with resonant nanoantennas accelerated protons up to 225 keV energy. Some of these protons then led to p + 11B fusion, indicated by the sharp drop of observed backward proton emission numbers at the 150 keV resonance energy of the reaction. The generation of alpha particles was verified by CR-39 (Columbia Resin #39) nuclear plastic track detectors.
A study of the difference in biochemical metabolism between patients with unilateral and bilateral upper urinary tract stones
Authors: Zheng Zhibin , Hu Weiguo , Ji Chaoyue , Zhang Xuming , Ding Xijie , Zhou Shaobo , Li Jianxing , Chen Guojun 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBilateral upper urinary tract stones are more likely to lead to impairment of renal function, but few biochemical metabolic studies of bilateral upper urinary tract stones have been reported. We collected clinical data from 555 patients with upper urinary tract stones admitted to Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from June 2020 to June 2024, and divided them into unilateral and bilateral stone groups by CT scans, analysed the metabolic differences between unilateral and bilateral stone groups by statistical methods, and used multifactorial logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors that might affect the formation of bilateral stones. A total of 281 cases of unilateral and 274 cases of bilateral stones were identified. The proportion of male patients in the bilateral group was higher than that in the unilateral group (P < 0.05). The most prevalent major stone component was calcium oxalate monohydrate (48.1%), with a significantly higher prevalence of cystine stones observed in the bilateral stone group (1.8%) compared to the unilateral stone group (0.4%) (P < 0.05). Blood uric acid, blood BUN, blood creatinine, urine pH, and 24-hour urine output were higher in the bilateral stone group than in the unilateral group (P < 0.05). The most prevalent metabolic abnormality was low urine volume (45.7%). Bilateral stone group had higher proportion of patients with hyperuricemia (P < 0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male gender (OR 1.489, 95% CI 1.028–2.157) and hyperuricemia (OR 1.662, 95% CI 1.113–2.482) were associated with an increased risk of bilateral stone formation (P < 0.05). There are significant differences in biochemical metabolism between unilateral and bilateral upper urinary tract stones. The most common metabolic abnormality in patients with urolithiasis is low urine output, and aggressive water intake is effective in preventing stone formation. For patients with hyperuricemia, a strict dietary regimen is imperative to mitigate the likelihood of bilateral stone formation.
Design and simulation of CsPb.625Zn.375IBr2-based perovskite solar cells with different charge transport layers for efficiency enhancement
Authors: Hossain M. Khalid , Islam Md Aminul , Uddin M. Shihab , Paramasivam Prabhu , Hamid Junainah Abd , Alshgari Razan A. , Mishra V. K. , Haldhar Rajesh 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this work, CsPb.625Zn.375IBr2-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are numerically simulated and optimized under ideal lighting conditions using the SCAPS-1D simulator. We investigate how various hole transport layers (HTL) including Zn3P2, PTAA, MoS2, MoO3, MEH-PPV, GaAs, CuAlO2, Cu2Te, ZnTe, MoTe2, CMTS, CNTS, CZTS, CZTSe and electron transport layers (ETL) such as CdS, SnS2, ZnSe, PC60BM interact with the devices’ functionality. Following HTL material optimization, a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.59% was observed for the FTO/SnS2/CsPb.625Zn.375IBr2/MoS2/Au structure, with MoS2 proving to be a more economical option. The remainder of the investigation is done following the HTL optimization. We study how the performance of the PSC is affected by varying the materials of the ETL and to improve the PCE of the device, we finally optimized the thickness, charge carrier densities, and defect densities of the absorber, ETL, and HTL. In the end, the optimized arrangement produced a VOC of 0.583 V, a JSC of 43.95 mA/cm2, an FF of 82.17%, and a PCE of 21.05% for the FTO/ZnSe/CsPb.625Zn.375IBr2/MoS2/Au structure. We also examine the effects of temperature, shunt resistance, series resistance, generation rate, recombination rate, current-voltage (JV) curve, and quantum efficiency (QE) properties to learn more about the performance of the optimized device. At 300 K, the optimized device provides the highest thermal stability. Our research shows the promise of CsPb.625Zn.375IBr2-based PSCs and offers insightful information for further development and improvement.
Energetic savings of bow-riding dolphins
Authors: Fiori Lorenzo , Davis Randall W. , Würsig Bernd , Orbach Dara N. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBow-riding occurs when dolphins swim in the pressure waves at the front of a vessel. Bow-riding is hypothesized to be “fun” for dolphins or to save them energy although the energetics have not been explored. An UAS (Unoccupied Aerial System) was used to follow and video-record adult dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) bow-riding in front of a research vessel or free-swimming off Kaikoura, New Zealand. Videos of individual dolphins swimming in a linear direction at consistent speeds were analyzed with respiration rate used as a proxy for energy expenditure (bow riding n = 51; free-swimming n = 62). The respiration rates of bow-riding dolphins remained relatively constant across swimming speeds and were 45% lower than free-swimming dolphins at speeds exceeding 4 m/s, indicating substantial energetic savings. The respiration rates of free-swimming dolphins increased exponentially with speed, suggesting that dolphins incur comparatively high energetic expenditures from swimming rapidly. This research advances understanding of the biological function of bow-riding behavior and supports the energy saving hypothesis. Swimming energetics can be used to assess the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances to dolphin energy budgets.