bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Snow persistence lowers and delays peak NDVI, the vegetation index that underpins Arctic greening analyses
Authors: Hoad Calum G , Myers-Smith Isla H , Kerby Jeff T , Colesie Claudia , Assmann Jakob J 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Satellite imagery is critical for understanding land-surface change in the rapidly warming Arctic. Since the 1980s, studies have found positive trends in the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from satellite imagery over the Arctic—commonly referred to as ‘Arctic greening’ and assumed to represent increased vegetation productivity. However, greening analyses use satellite imagery with pixel sizes ranging from tens to hundreds of metres and do not account for the integration of abiotic phenomena such as snow within vegetation indices. Here, we use high-resolution drone data from one Arctic and one sub-Arctic site to show that fine-scale snow persistence within satellite pixels is associated with both reduced magnitude and delayed timing of annual peak NDVI, the base metric of Arctic greening analyses. We found higher snow persistence within Sentinel-2 pixels is associated with a lower magnitude and later peak NDVI, with a mean difference in NDVI of 0.1 and seven days between high and low snow persistence pixels. These effects were stronger in NASA HLSS30 data, representative of Landsat data commonly used in greening analyses. Our findings indicate that unaccounted changes in fine-scale snow persistence may contribute to Arctic spectral greening and browning trends through either biotic responses of vegetation to snow cover or abiotic integration of snow within the estimated peak NDVI. In order to improve our understanding of Arctic land-surface change, studies should integrate very-high-resolution data to estimate the dynamics of late-season snow within coarser satellite pixels.
Bio-Scouring of Jute Fiber for Enhancing Compatibility in Reactive Dyeing
Authors: Islam Khairul , Roy Manindra Nath , Islam Tarikul , Rokonuzzaman Md. , Bashar M Mahbubul , Khan Mubarak A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Bio-scouring of jute fibers is one of the new green pretreatments for textile coloration. In this context, in the present study, the pectinase enzyme was used for the scouring of jute fiber and compared with conventional alkaline scouring. From the results obtained, enzymatic scouring was found to effectively remove natural oils and waxes along with minor impurities on the surface of the fibers. The weight loss, through bio-scouring samples of weight loss, was about 2.17%, absorbency as such was 7.33 seconds, and dye uptake-value (k/s) is slightly less than that obtained traditionally was 0.36 while 3.57%, 6 seconds, and 0.38 with conventional scouring. Bio-scouring was done in the presence of 30 g/L, 50 g/L, and 100 g/L enzymes at 55 ⁰C for 3 h, 6 h, and 9 h at pH 5, and traditional scouring was performed using 3 g/L of NaOH at 100°C for the same time against pH 12. 0.1% Remazol Red RR dye was used to dye the fiber for 60 mins at 60 ⁰C, and the material liquor ratio was 1:40. Samples weight was measured very carefully after 8 h oven dry treatment, and k/s value was measured after 1 h conditioning. After analysis of weight loss, absorbance, and dye uptake of both bio-scoured and traditional scoured jute fiber, it was observed that bio-scouring benefits more than traditional alkaline scouring in reactive coloration.
Time’s Witnesses
Authors: Lothe Jacob 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Chapter 1 discusses the narrative ethics of four testimonies in the author’s edited volume, Time’s Witnesses: Women’s Voices from the Holocaust (2017). It finds that the first-person narratives by Maria Gabrielsen, Ella Blumenthal, Edith Notowicz, and Olga Horak are important testimonies that confirm the fact that the Holocaust did indeed happen. The survivors can assert this with confidence because they were inside the concentration camp, where almost everybody else was murdered. Linked to this common feature of testimony is a new role of the narrator because the witness’s function is related to, and constitutes, a mode of storytelling developed to cope with not just individual but also collective trauma after the Second World War and the Holocaust. As narration becomes an act of witnessing in a double sense – the first-person narrator’s “I” is entangled with a “we” since the narrator also speaks on behalf of those who perished – storytelling’s ethical dimension is accentuated.
PNL: a software to build polygenic risk scores using a Super Learner approach based on PairNet, a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chen Ting-Huei , Lee Chia-Jung , Chen Syue-Pu , Wu Shang-Jung , Fann Cathy S J 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Summary
Polygenic risk scores (PRS) hold promise for early disease diagnosis and personalized treatment, but their overall discriminative power remains limited for many diseases in the general population. As a result, numerous novel PRS modeling techniques have been developed to improve predictive performance, but determining the most effective method for a specific application remains uncertain until tested. Hence, we introduce a novel, versatile tool for building an optimized PRS model by integrating candidate models from multiple existing PRS building methods that use target population data and/or incorporating information from other populations through a trans-ethnic approach. Our tool, PNL is based on PairNet algorithm, a Convolutional Neural Network with low computation complexity through simple paring operation. In the case studies for asthma, type 2 diabetes, and vertigo, the optimal PRS model generated with PNL using only TWB data achieved AUCs that matched or improved the best results using other methods individually. Incorporating UKBB data further improved performance of PNL for asthma and type 2 diabetes. For vertigo, unlike the other diseases, individual method analysis showed that UKBB data alone generally produced lower AUCs compared to TWB data alone. As a result, incorporating UKBB data did not improve AUC with PNL, suggesting that increasing the number of candidate models does not necessarily result in higher AUC values, alleviating concerns about overfitting.

Availability and implementation
The python code for PairNet algorithm incorporated in PNL is freely available on: https://github.com/FannLab/pairnet. An archived, citable version is stored on: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14838227.

Contact
Correspondence should be addressed to corresponding authors.

Supplementary Information
Detailed implementation procedures can be found in the Supplementary Materials.
FMO-based interaction analysis on DEET/Icaridin - AgamOBP1 complex
Authors: Akisawa Kazuki , Sakuma Yurina , Tsukamoto Akiko , Doi Hideo , Okuwaki Koji , Hirano Yoshinori , Yamamoto Eiji , Yasuoka Kenji , Mochizuki Yuji 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We performed statistical interaction analysis using fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations on the droplet models of complexes formed between two popular mosquito repellents (DEET and Icaridin) and the target odorant binding protein of Anopheles gambiae (AgamOBP1). These structure sets were generated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, taking into account structural fluctuations under hydration. The different binding situation for the two repellents was revealed; the phenyl ring with π-electrons plays a leading role for DEET, whereas multiple attractive interactions are involved for Icaridin.
Applicability of Multi-Component Quantum Mechanical Calculations for H/D Isotope Effects in Electronic Absorption Spectra
Authors: Inoue Mana , Ishimoto Takayoshi , Rocabado David S Rivera , Udagawa Taro , Tachikawa Masanori , Baba Masaaki , Kanematsu Yusuke 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The applicability of multi-component quantum mechanical (MC_QM) approach was assessed by calculating the H/D isotope effect on the electronic absorption spectra of small molecules. The calculated excitation energy of the water molecule increased upon H/D substitution, a trend consistent with the experimentally observed peak shift in the absorption cross-section. This increase in excitation energy was primarily attributed to changes in the highest occupied molecular orbital, driven by a reduction in nuclear quantum fluctuations due to isotope substitution. Similar trends were observed in the absorption spectra of ethylene, hexatriene, and biphenyl, reinforcing the generality of these findings. These results suggest that MC_QM is an efficient method for evaluating H/D isotope effects on ultraviolet-visible spectra without requiring vibrational analysis. Furthermore, the approach provides a clear connection between spectral changes and alterations in molecular orbitals induced by isotope substitution.
Underrepresentation and Exclusion of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in Intensive Care Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Ali Tariq , Grimshaw Alyssa A , Thomas Alexander , Solomon Michael A , Ross Joseph S , Miller P Elliott 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The complexity of the contemporary cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) has increased due a growing prevalence of multisystem, noncardiac illnesses. Despite this increase, patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are often underrepresented from intensive care randomized controlled trials (RCT). We sought to quantify the representation of patients with cardiovascular disease comorbidities in intensive care RCTs.

Methods
We searched MEDLINE for trials published from 2007 to 2019 with the five highest journal impact factors in the disciplines of critical care medicine, general internal medicine, and cardiovascular disease. Prospective RCTs in the adult (age ≥18 years), intensive care setting with ≥50 individuals were included. Study characteristics, proportion of patients with CVD and cardiovascular exclusion criteria were extracted independently by two reviewers. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of cardiovascular exclusion and representation.

Results
A total of 412 eligible RCTs were identified for analysis, 132 (32.0%) of which included specific CVD-related exclusion criteria with history of heart failure (29.5%) and of ischemic heart disease (26.5%) being the most common exclusions. Exclusions were more likely in multicenter trials and varied substantially across study intervention categories. Representation of CVD, reflected by the reporting of any CVD history, was noted in 150 (36.4%) RCTs. Of those reporting, the prevalence of any CVD, ischemic heart disease and heart failure were 15.7%, 13.2% and 10.2%, respectively.

Conclusions
Those with comorbid CVD are both frequently excluded and underrepresented in intensive care RCTs, limiting the application of RCTs to this physiologically complex patient population.
The Role of Multimodal Cardiac Imaging in Managing Electrical Storms in Severe Heart Calcifications – a Case Report
Authors: Lejeune Adrienne , Blommaert Dominique , Cosyns Bernard , Higny Julien , Luchian Maria-Luiza 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Intramyocardial calcifications are rare and associated with conditions such as myocardial infarction, rheumatic heart disease, and calcium metabolism disorders. These calcifications carry significant prognostic value, often leading to severe complications like ventricular arrhythmias, increased morbidity, and mortality. They can pose challenges for treatment, especially when ablation is ineffective due to the calcifications acting as physical barriers.

Case Presentation
A 43-year-old male with a history of extensive myocardial calcifications and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) presented with a prolonged electrical storm, despite having an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Multiple ICD shocks and overdrive pacing temporarily restored sinus rhythm, but VT recurred. Initial management with Amiodarone and electrical cardioversions failed to control the arrhythmias. The patient required sedation and intubation for 36 hours.
High-dose Amiodarone and general anesthesia eventually stabilized the arrhythmia. Post-sedation, the patient was discharged with oral Amiodarone and Bisoprolol, without further arrhythmia.

Discussion
This case underscores the challenges in managing electrical storms in patients with extensive intramyocardial calcifications, which hinder ablation and contribute to persistent arrhythmias. Effective management of life-threatening arrhythmias in these patients requires a comprehensive approach, including multimodality cardiac imaging, collaborative decision-making by a multidisciplinary team, advanced antiarrhythmic therapy and sedation when necessary.
EchoNavigator®-guided transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedure to treat a degenerated radiolucent surgical bioprosthetic valve, a case report
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali J , Alkhawam Mustafa , Myla Madhura , Salama Amr , Ahmed Mustafa I 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Radiolucent valves present unique clinical challenges since interventions often depend on multiple imaging modalities to perform such procedures successfully. EchoNavigator® is novel imaging software that specializes in real-time merging ultrasound and fluoroscopy images. It addresses these limitations by simultaneously integrating the benefits of two imaging modalities.

Case Summary
An 85-year-old man with a history of bioprosthetic valve disease developed life-limiting symptoms. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed severe bioprosthetic mitral stenosis, prompting plans to perform a transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement. Using EchoNavigator® to mark the annulus on TEE, we were able to successfully deploy the valve using fluoroscopy to guide the successful deployment of the valve.

Discussion
The treatment of degenerated valves using transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures has increased in frequency recently due to increasing age and comorbidities associated with patients. Identifying the true annulus plays an integral role in ensuring the valve is deployed in the ideal location. However, the radiolucent nature of the valve prohibits performing a TMVIV under conventional methods. Utilization of fusion imaging, such as EchoNavigator®, provides an opportunity to visualize such valves using the strengths of both modalities simultaneously, simplifying such procedures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of using such fusion technology to facilitate the placement of a bioprosthesis within a failed radiolucent surgical valve. Application of such technologies can help improve the performance and outcomes of such procedures by allowing operators to use the advantages of both imaging for improved outcomes.
The behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses of Lumbriculus variegatus exposed to cannabidiol (CBD) and its metabolites
Authors: Williams Benjamin S , Jomy Georgeena , Flanagan Megan , Carriere Julanta J , Labdon Grace E , Hawkes Grace Stella , McRobbie-Aston James , Wallace Melisa J , Price Claire L , Davies Nia A , Seeley Aidan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has been detected in environmental samples, but the ecotoxicological effects remain unknown. In this study, Lumbriculus variegatus are exposed to CBD, and its metabolites 7-hydroxy-cannabidiol (7-OH-CBD) and 7-carboxy-cannabidiol (7-COOH-CBD). In this study, toxicity, tactile stimulation to elicit stereotypical behaviours and locomotor activity are measured after 24-hour exposure of L. variegatus to CBD and its metabolites. We also describe the impacts on dorsal blood vessel pulsation and oxygen consumption after 24-hour exposure to CBD and 7-OH-CBD, and the effects on regenerative capacity and total energy reserves after 72 hours of exposure to CBD and 7-OH-CBD. We observe CBD, 7-OH-CBD and 7-COOH-CBD display toxicity in 50% of test populations at 14.12 µM, 11.29 µM and 15.36 µM, respectively. 24-hour exposure to CBD decreases tactile stimulation response to elicit body reversal at ≥ 2.5 µM and helical swimming at ≥ 0.5 µM and reduces locomotor activity. L. variegatus oxygen consumption was not affected by CBD but ≥2.5 µM significantly reduced dorsal blood vessel pulse rate. We observe that exposure to 7-OH-CBD does not affect the regenerative capacity of L. variegatus while CBD is shown to reduce regeneration. Exposure to CBD also results in a significant decrease in carbohydrates, increased lipid, and no effect on protein levels in L. variegatus. We determined that CBD can reduce L. variegatus behaviours, decrease pulse rates and regenerative capacity, and disrupt energy reserves. Our findings show that CBD is toxic to this common aquatic organism and the increased availability and use of CBD, and related substances, warrants further study of their environmental impact.
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries: Associations with Age
Authors: Ganz David A , Lai Julie , Cantor Jonathan H , Agniel Denis , Simon Kosali , Stein Bradley D , Taylor Erin A 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) have increased in older adults (age ≥ 50). Medications for OUD (MOUD) treat OUD effectively; however, limited data exist on whether older adults with OUD are provided MOUD. Using 2016-2020 claims data from Medicare beneficiaries with index events indicating a new episode of OUD, we calculated rates of MOUD initation (first dispensing within 14 days of index event), engagement (dispensing of a second MOUD within 34 days of initiation), and retention (receiving MOUD consistently over 180 days). Among beneficiaries with qualifying index events (N=40,336), 17%, 38% and 45% were ages 20-49, 50-64, and ≥ 65, respectively. 503 beneficiaries with a qualifying index event (1.3%) initiated MOUD, 461 (1.1%) reached engagement, and 309 (0.8%) were retained. Multivariable logistic regressions showed older age was associated with reduced MOUD initiation (compared to those age 20-49, adjusted odds ratios [aORs] were 0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.98] and 0.36 [95% CI, 0.25-0.51] for ages 50-64 and ≥ 65, respectively). Reduced MOUD initiation was associated with female sex (aOR=0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.89) and increasing comorbidity score (aOR=0.76 per 1-point increase; 95% CI, 0.72-0.80). These results suggest that in addition to general efforts to increase uptake of MOUD, age-specific strategies are needed.
Sonic-induced cellular vibrations unzip intertwined anther cone trichomes to trigger floral self-pollination and boost tomato fruit size
Authors: Anwar Sidra , Happy Happy , Dingley Angus , Vinoth Thailammai , Liang Weiguang , Sindel Brian M , George Laurel , Wang Chun H , Cazzonelli Christopher I 
Published: February 2025

Summary
Artificial tomato pollination methods rely on cellular vibrations from air displacement, electric vibration wands and trellis tapping, which have potential to spread pathogens. Bioacoustic frequencies emitted from buzzing bees to ultrasonication can vibrate plant cells without physical contact. The effects of frequency-dependent sonication on the poricidal anther cone sheath, self-pollination, seed set, and fruit size remain unclear. We engineered devices to investigate the frequency-dependent power-law behaviour of floral living cells from greenhouse-grown tomato varieties - contrasting contact-induced oscillations from a vibrating wand and mechanical shaker arm with precision non-contact sonication emitted by a subwoofer speaker. The velocity and acceleration of vibrating flowers and impact on poricidal anther cone sheath cellular structures, self-pollination, and fruit development were assessed. Sonic frequencies ranging from 50 to 10 000 Hz increased pollination, fruit size, weight, and seed set in Sweetelle, Endeavour, Paulanca and Managua commercial varieties. Scanning electron microscopy revealed sonication separated the intertwined trichomes and unzipped their meshed network that locks the lobes of the anther cone sheath together thereby releasing pollen grains. Near ultra-sonic frequencies boosted fruit size, whereas seed set remained constant thereby challenging the floral cell power-law rheological characteristics under different frequency scales. Tomato flowers displayed a low power-law cell behaviour to frequency-dependent sonication enabling its effectiveness as a precision non-contact technology to boost pollination and tomato fruit size without a substrate-borne component.
Out of Africa: Genetic characterization and diversity of Mashona cattle in the United States
Authors: Ling A S , Hay E , Lozada-Soto EA , Hayes E , Browning R , Blackburn H D 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Mashona is a Sanga breed believed to be an ancient Bos taurus and Bos indicus composite. Since importation to the United States producers with relatively small herds (&lt;70 cows per herd) and located in hot-humid regions have found them useful in crossbreeding programs due to purported resistance to pests and heat stress. This study evaluated the genomic composition of US Mashona to better understand their population history and determine level of genetic diversity. Twenty-four Mashona from Tennessee State University were sampled and genotyped. A reference population of Bos taurus (Angus, Hereford, Wagyu, Romosinuano, and Florida Cracker) and Bos indicus (Brahman) breeds, as well as from an additional Sanga breed (Tuli) was obtained from the USDA-ARS gene bank. All individuals were genotyped using the 777k Illumina BovineHD panel. Genomic diversity across breeds was evaluated using measures of genetic distance, allelic frequency, inbreeding, and admixture analyses. The principal component analysis results revealed the first four principal components to explain 15.5, 4.3, 3.1, and 2.4% of the genetic variation in the genotyped animals. Mashona and Tuli did not overlap but tended to cluster near one another for all principal components, particularly along the 4th principal component (variation along European-African axis). The ADMIXTURE analysis revealed that the average proportion of Bos taurus genetics in Mashona was 0.81, with individual proportions ranging from 0.77 to 0.84. Additionally, the unsupervised ADMIXTURE analysis indicated that Mashona and Tuli form a distinct ancestry group, suggesting that Sanga breeds possess unique genetic diversity compared to the other breeds evaluated in this study. The evaluation of regions with high autozygosity or differentiated from other breeds revealed several selection signatures in the Mashona population. An ROH region on chromosome 6 contained genes associated with horn fly resistance. Additional ROH regions contained genes and QTL associated with calving ease, reproduction and maternal ability. Historical trends in Mashona effective population size (Ne = 28) align with known past demographic events and indicated a narrowing of its genetic base. With insights into Mashona’s unique level of genetic diversity but its relatively small population size, breeders will need to balance existing genetic diversity and selection for important traits.