bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early sepsis mortality prediction model based on interpretable machine learning approach: development and validation study
Authors: Wang Yiping , Gao Zhihong , Zhang Yang , Lu Zhongqiu , Sun Fangyuan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSepsis triggers a harmful immune response due to infection, causing high mortality. Predicting sepsis outcomes early is vital. Despite machine learning’s (ML) use in medical research, local validation within the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database is lacking. We aimed to devise a prognostic model, leveraging MIMIC-IV data, to predict sepsis mortality and validate it in a Chinese teaching hospital. MIMIC-IV provided patient data, split into training and internal validation sets. Four ML models logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), deep neural networks (DNN), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) were employed. Shapley additive interpretation offered early and interpretable mortality predictions. Area under the ROC curve (AUROC) gaged predictive performance. Results were cross verified in a Chinese teaching hospital. The study included 27,134 sepsis patients from MIMIC-IV and 487 from China. After comparing, 52 clinical indicators were selected for ML model development. All models exhibited excellent discriminative ability. XGBoost surpassed others, with AUROC of 0.873 internally and 0.844 externally. XGBoost outperformed other ML models (LR: 0.829; SVM: 0.830; DNN: 0.837) and clinical scores (Simplified Acute Physiology Score II: 0.728; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment: 0.728; Oxford Acute Severity of Illness Score: 0.738; Glasgow Coma Scale: 0.691). XGBoost’s hospital mortality prediction achieved AUROC 0.873, sensitivity 0.818, accuracy 0.777, specificity 0.768, and F1 score 0.551. We crafted an interpretable model for sepsis death risk prediction. ML algorithms surpassed traditional scores for sepsis mortality forecast. Validation in a Chinese teaching hospital echoed these findings.
Life history strategies of two springtails species (Hexapoda: Collembola) from saline soils
Authors: Pérez-Velázquez Daniela , Castaño-Meneses Gabriela , Palacios-Vargas José G. , Contreras-Ramos Atilano 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpringtails are a very common, widely spread component of soil fauna that play a significant role in numerous physical, chemical, and biological processes in the soil. Therefore, it is important to understand how their evolution and demographic parameters have changed throughout time. Since salinity is a relevant condition in the soils around the World and particularly in Mexico, the major goal of the current research is to understand the life cycle strategies of two springtail species from saline soils in Mexico. The studied species are Clavisotoma filifera and Brachystomella gabrielae, both widely distributed in Mexico, but their development or life history strategies are unknown. We found from laboratory cultures that C. filifera had a shorter life cycle and a faster reproduction rate than B. gabrielae. Nevertheless, both species show the same number of developmental stages, but there are interspecific differences in their duration. Although both species continuously reproduce throughout the year, the reproductive rate is lower in the months that are associated with the dry season at the source site. Additionally, we discovered variations in both the size and number of eggs in each species. It was found that the species under study had various life strategies for growth in the same environment. Clavisotoma filifera shows a more r-focused strategy (high fecundity, numerous offspring, shorter gestation and faster maturity), B. gabrielae shows an opposite strategy, closer to q strategy, with a lower fecundity, larger eggs, fewer reproductive events and slower maturity.
Impact of vandalism on avian nest-box studies: challenges and strategies for research and conservation
Authors: Nowak Marta Kornelia , Mizera Tadeusz , Tryjanowski Piotr 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHuman interaction with nature often exhibits negative aspects, such as vandalism, which involves the destruction of or damage to property. Unfortunately, very little is known about the extent, causes, and frequency of this phenomenon. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate a scale of vandalism in studies using nest-boxes in Poland. Data from published papers (n = 256) indicated that researchers are aware of the devastation and destruction of nest-boxes, but often lacking detailed reports. We further validated this data through emails or phone calls to the authors. Surprisingly, only 14 (5.5%) papers mentioned vandalism, and during interviews, we found that vandalism occurred in 51.7% of studies. In response to vandalism, researchers have taken measures to reduce the scale of damages, such as hanging boxes far from paths and roads, placing them above 3 m from the ground, or, more recently, using security cameras. Although vandalism was quite common, its scale was rather marginal, with some local exceptions. For a better understanding of this phenomenon, we suggest including more detailed information on vandalism in future papers, which could aid in the interpretation of scientific data, as well as in nature conservation.
The role of IGF1 in determining body composition in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency and those with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Zaitoon Hussein , Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal , Midlej Eyas , Uretzky Adi , Laurian Irina , Dorfman Anna , Interator Hagar , Lebenthal Yael , Brener Avivit 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) increases insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels, therefore, monitoring both IGF1 and growth constitutes an acceptable parameter of therapeutic safety and efficacy. We aimed to investigate the relationship between IGF1 level and body composition in children and adolescents undergoing rhGH therapy for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS).

Methods
This observational retrospective study included the bioimpedance analysis (BIA) reports (n = 305) of 135 pediatric patients (age 5–18 years), 64 with GHD and 71 with ISS, conducted as part of routine clinic visits. Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records. Generalized estimating equations linear models were used to explore the contributing factors for body composition components of fat percentage (FATP), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) z-score, and muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) z-score while adjusting for cumulative doses of rhGH.

Results
Subjects with GHD exhibited higher body mass index z-scores (p < 0.001), higher FATP and truncal FATP scores, lower MFR z-score, and higher diastolic blood pressure percentiles than the ISS group (p = 0.010, p = 0.027, p = 0.050, and p = 0.050, respectively). Female sex (p < 0.001) and a GHD diagnosis (p < 0.001), were major contributors to higher FATP scores; female sex (p = 0.049) and ISS diagnosis (p = 0.005) were major contributors to higher MFR z-scores; and female sex (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001) and higher insulin-like growth factor 1 z-scores (p = 0.021) were major contributors to higher ASMM z-scores. Socioeconomic position and cumulative rhGH dose were not significant contributors to body composition parameters.

Conclusion
Children with GHD, including those undergoing rhGH treatment, may be at risk for increased adiposity and associated metabolic implications. Sex- and age-adjusted IGF1 levels were related to muscle mass but not to adiposity. Hence, rhGH treatment aimed at increasing IGF1 levels may alleviate these effects by promoting muscle growth.
‘These KMA People are also our Customers’: Coconut Sellers Making Space in Downtown Kumasi
Authors: Forkuor John Boulard , Jones Ben 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStreet vendors are some of the most put-upon actors in urban Africa and elsewhere, vulnerable to harassment by government, commercial businesses, and residents. We look at a group of vendors occupying a sidewalk next to the offices of the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority (KMA) in Ghana’s second city. We demonstrate how the sidewalk functions as a family-like space for the coconut sellers. They not only work there, but also use the sidewalk as a space to sleep and bathe. The coconut sellers are migrants from the central region of Ghana and spoke of their relationship to one another, as they lived and worked on the sidewalk, as that of a ‘family’. We build on recent scholarship that focuses on sidewalks as places where economic activities are shaped by social relationships. We also show how the location of the sidewalk – near local government offices, next to an urban park – made the coconut sellers less vulnerable to harassment and being moved along.
Rapid Screening of Colorado Potato Beetle Resistance Derived from Solanum okadae
Authors: McCoy Hanna J. , Fenstemaker Sean , MacKinley Pamela , Vickruck Jess , Bamberg John , Calhoun Larry A. , Tai Helen H. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractColorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is a major insect pest of potato and development of resistant varieties is part of a strategy for management. Wild relatives of potato are resources for genetic improvement through breeding. Interspecies crosses to introgress CPB resistance will be facilitated with rapid and inexpensive selection methods. Solanum okadae is a novel source of feeding deterrence against the beetle and was associated with production of a naturally occurring leaf-specific lactone-containing metabolite in the foliage. The Baljet assay has been used for decades in pharmaceuticals for rapid screening of lactone-containing compounds. A modified Baljet assay was developed for potato foliar tissue to rapidly screen for lactone-containing compounds in plants from the field, greenhouse, and laboratory. Herein we report the screening of potato foliage for CPB resistance with a Baljet assay validated by CPB larval feeding studies. Foliage from wild accessions of S. okadae were tested using the Baljet assay and results showed that production of the leaf-specific lactones has a large range of variation in the species. In addition, tubers tested using the Baljet assay had negligible levels of lactone-containing metabolites, confirming leaf-specific production of lactones. This inexpensive method using leaf disk screening will allow potato breeders to quickly select for potential CPB resistant germplasms and advance the breeding of sustainable crops.
Clinicopathological and prognostic features of HER2-null and HER2-low advanced breast cancer treated with eribulin or capecitabine
Authors: Kitadai Rui , Shimoi Tatsunori , Yazaki Shu , Okuma Hitomi Sumiyoshi , Hoshino Mai , Ito Munehiro , Saito Ayumi , Kita Shosuke , Kojima Yuki , Nishikawa Tadaaki , Sudo Kazuki , Noguchi Emi , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Yoshida Masayuki , Yonemori Kan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
HER2-low populations constitute a heterogeneous group, and the cytotoxic anticancer agent efficacy based on HER2 status remains unclear. This study evaluated the clinicopathological features and outcomes of patients with advanced breast cancer showing HER2-low expression treated with eribulin or capecitabine, two treatment options after anthracycline and taxane treatment.

Methods
We retrospectively evaluated patients who were treated with eribulin or capecitabine between 2011 and 2015. HER2 status was evaluated according to the ASCO/CAP guidelines.

Results
No significant difference was observed in overall survival (OS; eribulin: hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI 0.40–1.10; capecitabine: HR, 0.76; 95% CI 0.45–1.30) or progression-free survival (PFS; eribulin: HR, 1.13; 95% CI 0.72–1.78; capecitabine: HR, 0.90; 95% CI 0.56–1.44) between patients receiving eribulin (HER2-null: 35, HER2-low: 44) and those receiving capecitabine (HER2-null: 41, HER2-low: 33). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences in OS between the two groups in the hormone-positive and -negative populations for eribulin and capecitabine. HER2-null and HER2-low patients showed objective response rates (ORRs) of 22.5% and 9.1% (p = 0.09) overall, and 32.0% and 10.5% (p = 0.03), respectively, in hormone-positive cases among eribulin-treated patients. No response was observed in hormone-negative patients. Capecitabine treatment in HER2-null and HER2-low patients had overall ORRs of 26.8% and 15.2% (p = 0.23), respectively, with 27.3% and 16.1% (p = 0.28) for hormone-positive cases; and 25.0% and 0% (p = 1.0), respectively, for hormone-negative cases.

Conclusions
Eribulin and capecitabine sensitivity may vary based on HER2 expression in patients with HER2-low and HER2-null breast cancer. Prognosis was similar between the HER2-low and the HER2-null groups.
The interdependence of functional properties of a football boot outsole during the shape optimisation process
Authors: Lee Jeong Ro , Harland Andy , Roberts Jonathan , Price Dan , Jadoul Geoffroy 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship and interdependence of functional properties of the football boot outsole during the shape optimisation process. Sensitivity-based shape optimisation technique was applied to a football boot outsole to modify its thickness to have various functional properties. Three functional properties of the outsole, which are the midfoot and forefoot bending stiffness and torsional stiffness, were investigated. The midfoot and forefoot bending stiffness were measured via a three-point bending test. Torsional stiffness was measured via a bespoken mechanical test. The functional properties were evaluated by finite element models, representing the developed mechanical tests. Through the optimisation tasks, it was explored how much each functional property could be changed individually and also while minimising the influence of the other two functional properties. With the modification of the regions of the outsole to optimise for various individual target functional property values, the changes in the other two functional properties were observed. Lastly, the optimised outsoles from the finite element models were 3D printed and tested to determine the accuracy of the process. Within a permitted thickness limit, modifying the region associated with the torsional stiffness measurement influenced the other two functional properties the most. Especially, the midfoot bending stiffness was influenced more than the forefoot bending stiffness. On the other hand, the areas involved in the midfoot and forefoot bending stiffness measurements were independent of each other. The conclusions drawn in this study are limited to the particular outsole design, single outsole component and mechanical test utilised.
Detection of exogenous siRNA inside sweet corn bundle sheath cells and the RNAi dynamics in the early stage of Maize dwarf mosaic virus infection
Authors: Balassa Kinga , Balassa György , Almási Asztéria , Visnovitz Tamás , Rudnóy Szabolcs 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMaize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is one of the most serious viruses of sweet corn. Utilising the process of RNA interference, the exogenous introduction of small RNA molecules mimicking virus-derived small interfering RNA (siRNA) into the plant prior to infection triggers the antiviral RNA silencing effect, thereby promoting more effective antiviral protection. Hence, a treatment with MDMV-derived small RNA was applied to sweet corn plants one day before MDMV virus inoculation. ALEXA FLUOR®488 fluorophore-bound exogenous siRNA was successfully detected inside intact sweet corn cells using confocal fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the exogenous siRNA treatment led to a notable upregulation of the AGO1, AGO2b, AGO10b, AGO18a, DCL1, DCL3a, DCL4, RDR1, and MOP1 genes within 24 h of the treatment. Overall, exogenous siRNA treatment resulted in better virus control of infected sweet corn plants, as indicated by the lower viral RNA and coat protein levels compared to the infected group without pre-treatment.
Developing Optimized School-Based Mental Health Interventions: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Priorities and Opportunities
Authors: Rooney Mary E. , Burstein Marcy , Acri Mary 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe current youth mental health crisis has highlighted a substantial unmet need for effective, accessible, culturally sensitive mental health services and interventions. Schools have the potential to address this gap through the provision of evidence-based mental health interventions and services that meet the needs of their diverse student bodies. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supports school mental health research that relies on partnerships between academic researchers and school communities to develop optimized interventions that bridge the research-to-practice gap. This article highlights current NIMH priorities in school mental health research and provides additional context for recent federal investments targeting the expansion of school-based mental health infrastructure and interventions.
Uncovering external factors that influence the acquisition of knowledge for innovative purposes
Authors: Fuentes-Fernández Rosana , Sánchez-García Eduardo , Martínez-Falcó Javier , Marco-Lajara Bartolomé 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis paper aims to evaluate through an empirical analysis the impact of social capital on the innovative performance of companies of the energy sector in Spain, as well as the role of firms’ absorptive capacity and membership to a business association as mediating variables in this relationship. The energy supply sector in Spain is analyzed through a sample of 197 companies, using PLS-SEM technique. This study provides empirical evidence on the positive and significant effect of firms’ social capital on their innovative performance, and the mediating effect of firms’ absorptive capacity and membership in a business association. It is concluded that politicians and managers should be aware about the importance of firms’ connectivity in the current digital society. But interaction and knowledge diffusion are of little use if companies do not develop their knowledge absorptive capacity, to effectively exploit external knowledge. Finally, the role of business associations as platforms for the dissemination and absorption of knowledge, as well as business innovation, is highlighted.
Healthcare consumption of patients with left ventricular assist device: real-world data
Authors: Bosch Lena , Zwetsloot Peter-Paul M. , Brons Maaike , van Hout Gerardus P. J. , van der Meer Manon G. , Szymanski Mariusz K. , Troost-Oppelaar Anne-Marie , Ramjankhan Faiz Z. , van der Harst Pim , Gianoli Monica , Oerlemans Marish I. F. J. , van Laake Linda W. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a life-saving but intensive therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the healthcare consumption in a cohort of LVAD patients in our centre over 6 years.

Methods
All patients with a primary LVAD implantation at the University Medical Centre Utrecht in Utrecht, the Netherlands from 2016 through 2021 were included in this analysis. Subsequent hospital stay, outpatient clinic visits, emergency department visits and readmissions were recorded.

Results
During the investigated period, 226 LVADs were implanted, ranging from 32 in 2016 to 45 in 2020. Most LVADs were implanted in patients aged 40–60 years, while they were supported by or sliding on inotropes (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support class 2 or 3). Around the time of LVAD implantation, the median total hospital stay was 41 days. As the size of the LVAD cohort increased over time, the total annual number of outpatient clinic visits also increased, from 124 in 2016 to 812 in 2021 (p = 0.003). The numbers of emergency department visits and readmissions significantly increased in the 6‑year period as well, with a total number of 553 emergency department visits and 614 readmissions. Over the years, the annual number of outpatient clinic visits decreased by 1 per patient-year follow-up, while the annual numbers of emergency department visits and readmissions per patient-year remained stable.

Conclusion
The number of patients supported by an LVAD has grown steadily over the last years, requiring a more specialised healthcare in this particular population.
Projected future changes in food insecurity hotspots over the IGAD region of Eastern Africa
Authors: Omay Paulino Omoj , Kinama Josiah M. , Muthama Nzioka J. , Oludhe Christopher , Artan Guleid , Atheru Zachary 
Published: August 2024

AbstractFood insecurity is a major issue in many parts of the world, driven by conflict, economic instability, environmental challenges, and poor governance processes. Understanding the impact of future rainfall extremes on areas already experiencing food insecurity is crucial. This study investigates how food insecurity hotspots (FIH), food crisis frequency, and duration will change in the near future (2021–2050) and far future (2071–2100) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). The study utilizes precipitation data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and FIH data from the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). To calculate future exposure and vulnerability to FIH, as well as food crisis frequency and duration, weighted sum models were used. The results indicate that arid and semi-arid areas in northeastern Kenya, most of Somalia, zones in southeastern Ethiopia, most of Djibouti, and central and northern Sudan are highly vulnerable to future extreme rainfall events, an increase in FIH cases, and longer food crisis frequency and duration in the near future (2021–2050) and far future (2071–2100) under all scenarios. On the other hand, most districts in Uganda, southern and southwestern South Sudan, counties in western Kenya, and the majority of zones in western Ethiopia are projected to have very few FIH cases, low food crisis frequency, and duration in both the near and far future under all scenarios. These findings are crucial for early warning systems, humanitarian responses, and food security interventions. We recommend harnessing projected increases in rainfall for water harvesting in Kenya, as well as promoting cash and food crop production in central and western Ethiopia, central and northern Uganda, and most of South Sudan.
Normen bei der Bewertung von Argumenten – Bewertungskriterien und Bewertungstypen von Lehrpersonen
Authors: Meyer Michael , Schnell Susanne 
Published: August 2024

Zusammenfassung
Mathematische Begründungen bzw. Argumente zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass sie faktisch, also stichhaltig sind. Ein mathematisches Argument soll also unabhängig von individuellen Meinungen sein. Entsprechend dieser Perspektive sind mathematische Argumente entweder richtig oder falsch. Dass diese Sichtweise aus didaktischer Perspektive nicht ausreichend ist, mag bereits aus der Erfahrung bekannt sein, wenn verschiedene Personen eine mathematische Begründung unterschiedlich bewerten. Dies wurde auch schon wissenschaftlich belegt. Welche Normen bzw. Kriterien bei der Bewertung von Argumenten im Einzelnen eine Rolle spielen (können), wurde jedoch kaum untersucht. Entsprechend stellt sich die Frage, welche Kriterien Lehrpersonen in ihrer Praxis anwenden (können) und ob es Bewertungsmuster, also Bewertungstypen von Lehrpersonen, gibt, welche Argumente unter verschiedenen Perspektiven betrachten. Ausgehend von einem Mixed-Methods-Ansatz, welcher Ansätze aus der interpretativen Forschung und quantitative Ansätze der Datenauswertung kombiniert, werden in diesem Beitrag verschiedene Bewertungstypen von Lehrpersonen bei der Bewertung verschiedener Argumente zu einer Aufgabe aus dem Bereich der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung rekonstruiert.