bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor markers in non-small cell lung cancer spine metastasis: an assessment of prognosis and overall survival
Authors: Foresi Brian , Shah Aakash , Meade Seth , Krishnaney Ajit 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The identification of gene mutations in the modern medical workup of metastatic spine tumors has become more common but has not been highly utilized in surgical planning. Potential utility of these genetic markers as surrogates for cancer behavior in current prognosis scoring systems and overall survival (OS) remains underexplored in existing literature. This study seeks to investigate the association of frequently identified tumor markers, EGFR, ALK, and PD-L1, in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the spine with Tokuhashi prognosis scoring and OS.

Methods
Patients with NSCLC metastasis to spine were identified through chart review. EGFR, ALK, and PD-L1 wild type vs. mutant type were identified from targeted chemotherapy genetic testing. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess gene profile contributions to Tokuhashi score. Cox Proportional Hazards models were generated for each tumor marker to assess the relationship between each marker and OS.

Results
A total of 119 patients with NSCLC spine metastasis were identified. We employed a multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the influence of EGFR, ALK, and PD-L1 genotypes on the Tokuhashi score, revealing statistically significant relationships overall (p = 0.002). Individual genotype contributions include EGFR as a non-significant contributor (p = 0.269) and ALK and PD-L1 as significant contributors (p = 0.037 and p = 0.001 respectively). Overall survival was not significantly associated with tumor marker profiles through Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.46) or by multivariable analysis (p = 0.108).

Conclusion
ALK and PD-L1 were significantly associated with Tokuhashi score while EGFR was not. Tumor markers alone were not predictive of OS. These findings indicate that genetic markers found in NSCLC metastases to the spine may demonstrate prognostic value. Therefore, employing standard tumor markers could enhance the identification of appropriate surgical candidates, although they demonstrate limited effectiveness in predicting overall survival.
How the Resist-Accept-Direct framework is being used by communities for socio-economic climate adaptation: a case study in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin
Authors: Olsson Ruby C. , Wyborn Carina A. , van Kerkhoff Lorrae E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractGlobally, water governance struggles to reconcile increased demands on water resources with climate change–induced reductions in supply, making climate adaptation in water governance a pressing concern. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework has emerged as a climate adaptation tool designed to help make adaptation decisions. However, there is limited understanding of social and political factors, which are critical in driving RAD decisions. This paper explores how communities are employing RAD to make climate adaptation decisions, using a case study of the Goulburn-Murray Resilience Strategy (the Strategy); a community-led strategy that uses a version of the RAD framework to build regional resilience in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID) in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). The Strategy focuses on building socio-economic, rather than ecological, resilience, making this research a valuable contribution to RAD literature. To apply the RAD framework to socio-economic adaptation, we adapted the framework to include IPCC language around incremental, transformational, planned, and autonomous adaptation. With the GMID considered a leader of resilience thinking in Australia, the Strategy may help decision-makers address water overallocation and contested governance in the MDB, and provide lessons for water governance globally. Data analysed from 20 semi-structured interviews with people involved with the Strategy revealed two main findings: (1) Communities and governments prioritise different actions under the RAD framework. Governments, particularly at the state level, preference incremental planned adaptation to maintain the status quo (resist), over incremental autonomous adaptation to changing conditions (accept), and transformational planned adaptation at various scales (direct). (2) Community and government actors perceive that factors driving governments’ preference for incremental-resist adaptation include electoral short-termism, linear planning, and conservative government culture.
Effect of bedrock, tree size and time on growth and climate sensitivity of Norway spruce in the High Tatras
Authors: Basnet Saroj , Burger Andreas , Homolová Zuzana , Märker Frederik , Trouillier Mario , Wilmking Martin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTree growth is a multifaceted process influenced by various factors at different spatial and temporal scales, including intrinsic tree traits and environmental conditions. Climate factors have a significant impact on tree growth dynamics, while geological controls can also play a crucial role. However, our understanding of the interplay between these factors concerning tree growth is currently limited. This study focuses on Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), one of the economically most important coniferous tree species in Europe, to investigate the interplay of growth, climate, and environment at the forest and corresponding treeline sites in the High Tatra Mountains of Slovakia. Specifically, we developed chronologies of tree-ring width (TRW) and late-wood density (MXD) for different tree size classes across two limestone and granitic sites. Growth rates of Norway spruce trees have been increasing in forests since the 1930s and from the 1950s at treelines. Growth rates were consistently higher on limestone bedrock compared to granitic bedrock conditions. Variability of radial growth is primarily driven by climate at both geological settings with trees on granitic bedrock displaying more pronounced responses to climatic variables. We observed weakening (non-stationarity) in climate signals over time and across all size classes in both geological settings. The magnitude of these effects is small, but varies across size classes, with larger trees generally displaying stronger climate sensitivities compared to smaller ones. Therefore, our findings accentuate the potential implications of geological settings, climate, and environmental factors on the absolute growth and growth dynamics of Norway spruce, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand and manage forest ecosystems in mountainous regions.
Evaluation of confectionary sunflower germplasm accessions and their derived hybrids
Authors: Latif Abdul , Rauf Saeed , Nazish Maham , Ortiz Rodomiro 
Published: September 2024

AbstractConfectionary sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has gained popularity due to its utilization in roasting as snacks, poultry, bird food, and bakery products. However, seed quality of confectionary sunflower differs from non-oil seed types. In the present study, 71 sunflower accessions were selected for the evaluation of seed quality traits. Significant genetic variability was observed for traits such as 100-seed mass and seed length, as indicated by high genotypic coefficients of variability. Genotypic correlation analysis revealed a positive association between 100-seed mass and seed size, protein content, and oleic acid content. Path coefficient analysis based on genotypic and phenotypic correlations suggested that accessions with high sugar content may be selected to develop superior germplasm for confectionary products. Biplot analysis was conducted to identify suitable accessions with favorable confectionary traits. Accessions ‘Hybrid 100’, ‘GOR101’, and ‘Odesskijj112’ exhibited high sugar content, while ‘Yawn’ demonstrated comparatively higher oleic acid content. Accessions ‘Vinimik 6931’ and ‘HA 305’ displayed high 100-seed mass, while seed length was greater in accessions ‘Comet’ and H. × multiflorous. Combining ability analysis were performed to assess the breeding value of accessions. ‘Comet’ exhibited the highest general combining ability (GCA) effects for seed yield per plant, head diameter and 100-achene mass; while ‘G.OR.104’ had positive GCA for achene yield per plant but negative combining ability for other traits. ‘Tenissiei’ displayed positive GCA for all traits. Among the testers, accession ‘Universal’ showed positive GCA for seed yield per plant, while ‘HA-292’ exhibited positive GCA for head diameter. The accessions with higher values for confectionary traits and positive general combining ability effects for yield related traits may be further exploited in confectionary sunflower breeding programs as parents.
Developing Surveys on Questionable Research Practices: Four Challenging Design Problems
Authors: Berggren Christian , Gerdin Bengt , Karabag Solmaz Filiz 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe exposure of scientific scandals and the increase of dubious research practices have generated a stream of studies on Questionable Research Practices (QRPs), such as failure to acknowledge co-authors, selective presentation of findings, or removal of data not supporting desired outcomes. In contrast to high-profile fraud cases, QRPs can be investigated using quantitative, survey-based methods. However, several design issues remain to be solved. This paper starts with a review of four problems in the QRP research: the problem of precision and prevalence, the problem of social desirability bias, the problem of incomplete coverage, and the problem of controversiality, sensitivity and missing responses. Various ways to handle these problems are discussed based on a case study of the design of a large, cross-field QRP survey in the social and medical sciences in Sweden. The paper describes the key steps in the design process, including technical and cognitive testing and repeated test versions to arrive at reliable survey items on the prevalence of QRPs and hypothesized associated factors in the organizational and normative environments. Partial solutions to the four problems are assessed, unresolved issues are discussed, and tradeoffs that resist simple solutions are articulated. The paper ends with a call for systematic comparisons of survey designs and item quality to build a much-needed cumulative knowledge trajectory in the field of integrity studies.
Interaction of an anticancer oxygenated propenylbenzene derivatives with human topoisomerase II α and actin: molecular modeling and isothermal titration calorimetry studies
Authors: Grzelczyk Joanna , Pérez-Sánchez Horacio , Nelen Jochem , Carmena-Bargueño Miguel , Gałązka-Czarnecka Ilona , Budryn Grażyna , Hernik Dawid , Brenna Elisabetta , Boratyński Filip 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCancer diseases are one of the most common causes of death. It is important to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells at an early stage, but also to limit their migration. There is a need to find new compounds of moderate anticancer prevention activity for long administration. TOPIIα and actin are proteins that in states of inflammation can cause the progression of cancer and neoblastic cell migrations. Looking for compounds that will work comprehensively in preventing cancer, interacting with both TOPIIα and actin is crucial/was our aim. In this study, the antioxidant properties of propenylbenzene derivatives and their affinity to bind actin and TOPIIα causing inhibition of their functions were evaluated. The ligand–protein binding assay was carried out by isometric titration calorimetry (ITC), and molecular docking, and the antioxidant potential. The highest chelation activity was shown by 5b: 83.95% (FRAP 18.39 μmol Fe(II) mL−1). High affinity for actin and TOPIIα using ITC and docking was shown by diol forms. For actin the best ligands were 2b (∆H − 51.49 kJ mol−1, ∆G − 27.37 kJ mol−1) and 5b (∆H − 17.25 kJ mol−1, ∆G − 26.20 kJ mol−1), whereas for TOPIIα: 3b (∆H − 163.86 kJ mol−1, ∆G − 34.60 kJ mol−1) and 5b (∆H − 160.93 kJ mol−1, ∆G − 32.92 kJ mol−1). To confirm the occurrence of the interactions at the active site of the proteins, molecular docking and subsequent molecular dynamics simulations were performed, which showed for both actin and TOPIIα the highest enthalpy of interactions of 5b: − 34.94 kJ mol−1 and − 25.52 kJ mol−1, respectively.
A novel eco-friendly approach of combining vermicompost and effective microorganisms sustains wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) drought tolerance by modulating photosynthetic performance and nutrient acquisition
Authors: Talaat Neveen B. , Abdel-Salam Sameh A. M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe most significant threat to global food security is water scarcity. Despite the fact that vermicompost (an effective organic fertilizer rich in humic substances, macro- and micro-nutrients, earthworm excretions, beneficial soil microbes, plant growth hormones, enzymes) and effective microorganisms (EM; photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, fermenting fungi) have been recognized as powerful strategies for alleviating environmental stresses, their combined effect has not been studied. Herein, as a first investigation, we aimed to enhance wheat’s drought tolerance using an eco-friendly approach that combined vermicompost and EM. The study employed twelve treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments included control, as well as single and combined applications of vermicompost and EM at three different irrigation levels (100%, 70%, and 30% of field capacity). Vermicompost and EM, applied singly or in combination, ameliorated drought-induced reduction in wheat growth and productivity by elevating photosynthetic pigment content, photochemical processes, Calvin cycle enzyme activity, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry, actual photochemical efficiency of PSII, electron transport rate, photochemical quenching coefficient, and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Additionally, adding vermicompost and/or EM improved wheat drought tolerance by increasing nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, copper) acquisition, roots’ ATP content, H+-pump activity, and membrane stability index while lowering hydrogen peroxide content, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage. The new evidence demonstrates that combining vermicompost with EM sustains wheat drought tolerance by regulating photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient acquisition, root H+-pump activity, and membrane stability. Overall, utilizing vermicompost/EM is a novel approach to improving plant physiological responses and overcoming drought-related challenges.
Improving asset confiscation: in the quest for effective and just solutions
Authors: Hryniewicz-Lach Elżbieta 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe quest for effectiveness in criminal law results in creating non-punitive sanctions based on evidentiary facilities and lowered standard of proof. European courts, while focusing on procedural safeguards, perceive the structure of criminal sanctions as an element of national penal policy and leave it to the national authorities. The latter may, however, be ready to sacrifice certain important aspects of criminal law, like judicial discretion or individual guarantees, for the sake of unspecified ‘effectiveness of legal regulations’. In case of asset confiscation such approach can result in forfeiture of significant quantities of property without the certainty that it actually comes from a crime. Therefore, it seems necessary to identify the framework of criminal law principles applicable to non-punitive sanctions, in order to receive – while interpreting legal provisions – an effect that is not only a (presumably) effective, but also a just solution. This paper contributes to this issue with particular emphasis on extended form(s) of asset confiscation.
Redistributive effects of tax-benefit policies in the EU. Simulation of reform proposals
Authors: Granell Rafael , Fuenmayor Amadeo , Savall Teresa 
Published: September 2024

AbstractInequality is one of the main current economic problems, affecting not just developing countries, but also major developed economies. Although inequality is generated by differences in market income, the public sector plays a key role in reducing it through the redistributive effect of the tax-benefit system. The first objective of this article is to understand and analyse the redistributive effect of tax-benefit systems in EU countries using the EUROMOD microsimulation model. The main result attained is the enormous redistributive impact of tax-benefit systems in all EU countries, reducing inequality by more than 20 percentage points. From the analysis of the different types of policies and countries it is possible to attain diverse patterns of behaviour by groups of countries and the best cases in terms of redistributive effect. Following this analysis of all EU countries, improvement measures are proposed for the specific case of one country, Spain. Three reforms that could improve the final income distribution of Spanish households are proposed: reforms in family policy, social exclusion and social security contributions. The three proposed reforms, based on policies used in other European countries, would have a significant cost, but would also achieve a much greater redistributive effect.
Design your own universe: a physics-informed agnostic method for enhancing graph neural networks
Authors: Shi Dai , Han Andi , Lin Lequan , Guo Yi , Wang Zhiyong , Gao Junbin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Physics-informed Graph Neural Networks have achieved remarkable performance in learning through graph-structured data by mitigating common GNN challenges such as over-smoothing, over-squashing, and heterophily adaption. Despite these advancements, the development of a simple yet effective paradigm that appropriately integrates previous methods for handling all these challenges is still underway. In this paper, we draw an analogy between the propagation of GNNs and particle systems in physics, proposing a model-agnostic enhancement framework. This framework enriches the graph structure by introducing additional nodes and rewiring connections with both positive and negative weights, guided by node labeling information. We theoretically verify that GNNs enhanced through our approach can effectively circumvent the over-smoothing issue and exhibit robustness against over-squashing. Moreover, we conduct a spectral analysis on the rewired graph to demonstrate that the corresponding GNNs can fit both homophilic and heterophilic graphs. Empirical validations on benchmarks for homophilic, heterophilic graphs, and long-term graph datasets show that GNNs enhanced by our method significantly outperform their original counterparts.
Concurrent Functional Linear Regression Via Plug-in Empirical Likelihood
Authors: Chang Hsin-wen , McKeague Ian W. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFunctional data with non-smooth features (e.g., discontinuities in the functional mean and/or covariance) and monotonicity arise frequently in practice. This paper develops simultaneous inference for concurrent functional linear regression in this setting. We construct a simultaneous confidence band for a functional covariate effect of interest. Along with a Wald-type formulation, our approach is based on a powerful nonparametric likelihood ratio method. Our procedures are flexible enough to allow discontinuities in the coefficient functions and the covariance structure, while accounting for discretization of the observed trajectories under a fixed dense design. A simulation study shows that the proposed likelihood ratio-based procedure outperforms the Wald-type procedure in moderate sample sizes. We apply the proposed methods to studying the effect of age on the occupation time curve derived from wearable device data obtained in an NHANES study.
Evaluating the SEND eHealth Application to Improve Patients’ Secure Message Writing
Authors: Alpert Jordan M. , Amin Tithi B. , Zhongyue Zhang , Markham Merry Jennifer , Murphy Martina , Bylund Carma L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSecure messaging (SM) is an important aspect of communication for patients with cancer. SM fosters patient-clinician communication and helps patients with symptom management and treatment support. However, patients are uncertain about how to phrase messages appropriately and have expressed the need for guidance. In response, we designed a user-centered, web-based application named SEND The application focuses on specificity, expression, needs, and directness through interactive video tutorials and quizzes. Our objective was to comprehensively evaluate SEND based on its levels of engagement, satisfaction, acceptability, and appropriateness. We recruited 101 patients with various cancer diagnoses to use SEND and then fill out a survey 1 to 2 weeks later about their experience. Patients’ mean age was 64 years; most were male (55%), white (83%), diagnosed with cancer in 2020 with high levels of self-efficacy, and 51% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 65% were engaged in the application, and respondents spent an average of 15 min interacting with SEND Satisfaction was 90.4%, 85.4% found it acceptable, and 88.6% appropriate. There were no statistically significant differences across age, sex, race, education, or year of diagnosis. Results underscore the potential of eHealth interventions, like SEND, in enhancing patient-clinician communication in cancer care. By empowering patients with effective message-writing techniques, SEND has the potential to improve the quality of SM, which can lead to faster response times and more patient-centered responses.
Challenges in coffee fermentation technologies: bibliometric analysis and critical review
Authors: Cortés Valeria Hurtado , Bahamón Monje Andrés Felipe , Bustos Vanegas Jaime Daniel , Guzmán Nelson Gutiérrez 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAdvancements in coffee processing technologies have led to improved efficiency in field operations, but challenges still exist in their practical implementation. Various alternatives and solutions have been proposed to enhance processing efficiency and address issues related to safety, standardization, and quality improvement in coffee production. A literature review using SciMAT and ScientoPy software highlighted advancements in fermentation tanks and the emergence of novel fermentation methodologies. However, these innovations lack sufficient scientific evidence. Researchers are now focusing on systematic approaches, such as controlled fermentations and evaluating the influence of microorganisms and process conditions on sensory attributes and coffee composition. Brazil is the leader in coffee bean fermentation research, but the number of published papers in the field has recently decreased. Despite this, efforts continue to improve process control and optimize product quality. The study emphasizes the need for further innovation in coffee fermentation technologies to increase efficiency, sustainability, and profitability while minimizing environmental impact. Implementing these advancements promises a more sustainable and quality-driven future for the coffee industry.