bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International actors and national policies: the introduction of the national care system in Uruguay
Authors: Sternkopf Meika 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis paper aims to understand coalition building between national and international actors in the context of an emerging subsystem. In applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework to the case of Uruguay, where a new field of social policy – the National Care System – was introduced in 2015 after a process involving different national actors from academia, civil society, politics, and administration, but also United Nations agencies, the paper explores the role of these international organizations in coalition building, and examines how a dominant coalition of national and international actors shaped the development of the new system. Using interview data and documents, the findings suggest that the involvement of international organizations in the coalition was based on shared beliefs and personal and institutional relationships. While powerful opposing coalitions were absent due to the nascent nature of the subsystem, the dominant coalition was able to influence the policy’s introduction based on their beliefs regarding gender equality and rights.
Wetland water quality in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region and its relationship to aquatic invertebrate communities: pilot phase monitoring results
Authors: Connor Stephanie J. , Hanisch Justin R. , Cobbaert Danielle 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWetlands in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta are vulnerable to direct and indirect effects of human development including land disturbance, hydrologic alteration, and addition of contaminants. Nineteen wetlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region were monitored over a five-year period to evaluate differences in water quality and benthic invertebrate composition between sites near to and further afield from surface mining operations. Concentrations of dissolved sulphate, dissolved iron, total dibenzothiophenes and specific conductance were significantly higher in wetlands near to surface mining operations. In addition, beta diversity of wetland invertebrates was higher in wetlands further afield of the industrial centre. Drivers of benthic assemblage differences among sites include specific conductance and pH. Conductance was positively correlated with Caenidae (Ephemeroptera) abundance and pH was negatively correlated with abundance of Naididae (Annelida).
Interobserver Agreement Rates on CXCR4-Directed PET/CT in Patients with Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Authors: Werner Rudolf A. , Zhi Yingjun , Dreher Niklas , Samnick Samuel , Kosmala Aleksander , Higuchi Takahiro , Bundschuh Lena , Lapa Constantin , Buck Andreas K. , Topp Max S. , Einsele Hermann , Duell Johannes , Serfling Sebastian E. , Bundschuh Ralph A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-directed molecular imaging provides excellent read-out capabilities in patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). We aimed to determine the interobserver agreement rate of CXCR4-targeted PET/CT among readers with different levels of experience.

Methods
50 subjects with MZL underwent CXCR4-targeted PET/CT, which were reviewed by four readers (including two experienced and two less experienced observers). The following 8 parameters were investigated: overall scan result, CXCR4 density in lymphoma tissue, extranodal organ involvement, No. of affected extranodal organs and extranodal organ metastases, lymph node (LN) involvement and No. of affected LN areas and LN metastases. We applied intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC; < 0.4, poor; 0.4–0.59, fair; 0.6–0.74, good and > 0.74 excellent agreement rates).

Results
Among all readers, fair agreement was recorded for No. of affected extranodal organs (ICC, 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25–0.68), overall scan result (ICC, 0.42; 95%CI, 0.28–0.57), CXCR4 density in lymphoma tissue (ICC, 0.52; 95%CI, 0.38–0.66), and No. of extranodal organ metastases (ICC, 0.55; 95%CI, 0.41–0.61) and LN involvement (ICC, 0.59; 95%CI, 0.46–0.71). Good agreement rates were observed for No. of LN metastases (ICC, 0.71; 95%CI, 0.60–0.81) and No. of LN areas (ICC, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.63–0.82), while extranodal organ involvement (ICC, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.21–0.51) achieved poor concordance. On a reader-by-reader comparison, the experienced readers achieved significantly higher agreement rates in 4/8 (50%) investigated scan items (ICC, range, 0.21–0.90, P < / = 0.04). In the remaining 4/8 (50%), a similar trend with higher ICCs for the experienced readers was recorded (n.s.).

Conclusion
CXCR4-directed PET/CT mainly provided fair to good agreement rates for scan assessment, while a relevant level of experience seems to be required for an accurate imaging read-out.
Life cycle assessment of culture media with alternative compositions for cultured meat production
Authors: Wali Mohammad El , Karinen Heini , Rønning Sissel Beate , Skrivergaard Stig , Dorca-Preda Teodora , Rasmussen Martin Krøyer , Young Jette Feveile , Therkildsen Margrethe , Mogensen Lisbeth , Ryynänen Toni , Tuomisto Hanna L. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Cultured meat is produced by cultivating animal cells in a bioreactor in a culture medium that provides nutrients and growth factors. Among other animal sera, fetal bovine serum (FBS) has traditionally been the most common used in the culture medium of mammalian cell cultures, i.e., 10% FBS medium that contains 10% FBS and 90% DMEM/F12 (v/v). As the aim of cultured meat is to replace livestock production, animal component-free culture media needs to be developed.

Methods
We analyzed the environmental impact of replacing the 10% FBS culture medium with serum substitutes, i.e., growth factors, Essential 8™, protein hydrolysates from egg-white, eggshell membrane, poultry residues, pork plasma, and pea concentrate, and Tri-basal 2.0 + ITS medium that contains fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), fetuin, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and insulin transferrin selenium (ITS). Life cycle assessment with a cradle-to-gate approach was used to quantify global warming potential, freshwater and marine eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, land use, water consumption, fossil resource scarcity, particulate matter formation, cumulative energy demand, and ozone formation of preparing 1-L culture medium. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the impact changes under various production conditions including variations in the impact allocation strategy, production location, and energy sourcing.

Results and discussion
The 2% FBS medium (2% FBS, 96% DMEM/F12, and 2% growth factors (v/v)) reduced all environmental impacts where marine eutrophication had the highest reduction (77%), while land use was the least affected with a reduction of 6%. The Tri-basal 2.0 + ITS and protein hydrolysates media reduced most of the analyzed environmental impacts. Protein hydrolysates from egg-white had the lowest environmental impacts reducing 81% global warming potential, 28% water consumption, 59% fossil scarcity, 87% eutrophying emissions, 91% terrestrial acidification, 82% particulate matter, and 70% ozone formation, compared to FBS-containing medium. Land use and energy demand were reduced the most by 17 and 37%, respectively, when the 10% FBS medium was replaced with the Tri-basal 2.0 + ITS medium.

Conclusions
Changing the input of FBS in culture media from 10 to 2% (v/v) reduced all studied environmental impacts. Further reductions were achieved when FBS was totally replaced by basal media DMEM/F12, Essential 8™, protein hydrolysates, and recombinant growth factors. Land use was the least reduced, as it was driven by starch extraction to produce glucose for the DMEM/F12 basal medium. Culture medium with protein hydrolysates from egg-white achieved the highest impact reductions compared with the FBS-containing medium.
Feasibility and Safety Study of the Use of a New Robot (Maestro™) for Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Cadière Guy-Bernard , Himpens Jacques , Poras Mathilde , Boyer Nicolas , Cadière Benjamin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
In laparoscopic surgery, telerobotic systems such as Da Vinci™ were developed, among other things, to give back exposure and vision control to the operating surgeon. However, new limitations such as the separation of the operating surgeon from the operating table, cost, and size were unveiled. A new device, Maestro™, appears promising in addressing these limitations. The current work evaluates the feasibility, safety, and surgeon satisfaction with the assistance provided by the Maestro System.

Methods
Non-consecutive patients who were candidates for laparoscopic digestive surgery were enrolled in a descriptive prospective, monocentric study. Case selection was solely based on the availability of the device, but not on the patient’s characteristics. Surgery was performed by a leading surgeon with the help of one less experienced surgeon. Feasibility was defined by the maintenance of the initial surgical plan. Safety was assessed by the absence of serious adverse events related to the device and surgeon satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire following the intervention.

Results
All 50 procedures were completed without conversion in laparotomy and without adjustment of the surgical team. Four complications were recorded during the study; however, none related to the use of the Maestro System. In 92% of the cases, the surgeon was satisfied with the assistance provided by the Maestro System.

Conclusions
In standard elective digestive procedures by laparoscopy, the use of the Maestro System is feasible and safe. It is beneficial to the surgeon and operative room organization by limiting the size of the surgical team.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical and laboratory remission with rituximab in anti-MuSK-positive myasthenia gravis
Authors: Inan Berin , Orhan Irem Gul , Bekircan-Kurt Can Ebru , Erdem-Ozdamar Sevim , Tan Ersin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Increasing data are available on the use and efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in patients with anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK)-positive myasthenia gravis (MG), especially those steroid-dependent or unresponsive to traditional immunotherapies.

Aims
We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment responses of adult patients with generalized anti-MuSK-positive MG treated with RTX.

Methods
We retrospectively recruited 16 patients who were on RTX, between January 2010 and September 2023. RTX was given 1000 mg/day intravenously twice, two weeks apart. Maintenance treatment was administered at intervals of 3—6 months based on clinical evaluation. The outcome was assessed by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) and Myasthenia Gravis Status and Treatment Intensity (MGSTI) scores. Additionally, anti-MuSK antibody levels were retested after treatment in all patients except one.

Results
Twelve patients were female. The mean age at disease onset was 35.3 ± 17.3 years. The median duration between disease onset and RTX administration was 2.4 years (min-max: 0.5-36.5 years). The worst MGFA class before RTX was between IIIb-V. After RTX treatment, 81.3% of patients achieved MGFA minimal manifestations or better and MGSTI level 1 or better. Anti-MuSK antibodies became negative in 12 patients, while they remained positive in three. The changes in antibody levels seemed associated with clinical outcomes.

Conclusions
RTX is an effective treatment in anti-MuSK-positive MG. Furthermore, our results support the inhibition of antibody production by RTX and we recommend monitoring anti-MuSK antibody titers to follow disease progression and treatment response.
Recent Advances in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li P. Jonathan , Shah Sachin , Mehta Neil 
Published: August 2024

Opinion StatementLiver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an evolving field. Major challenges HCC transplant patients face today include liver organ donor shortages and the need for both better pre-transplant bridging/downstaging therapies and post-transplant HCC recurrence treatment options. The advent of immunotherapy and the demonstrated efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in multiple solid tumors including advanced/unresectable HCC hold promise in expanding both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant HCC transplant treatment regimen, though caution is needed with these immune modulating agents leading up to and following transplant. New options for pre-transplant HCC management will expand access to this curative option as well as ensure patients have adequate control of their HCC prior to transplant to maximize the utility of a liver donor. Machine perfusion has been an active area of investigation in recent years and could expand the organ donor pool, helping address current liver donor shortages. Finally, additional HCC biomarkers such as AFP-L3 and DCP have shown promise in improving risk stratification of HCC patients. Together, these three recent advancements will likely alter HCC transplant guidelines in the coming years.
Responsibility Gap(s) Due to the Introduction of AI in Healthcare: An Ubuntu-Inspired Approach
Authors: Ferlito Brandon , Segers Seppe , De Proost Michiel , Mertes Heidi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDue to its enormous potential, artificial intelligence (AI) can transform healthcare on a seemingly infinite scale. However, as we continue to explore the immense potential of AI, it is vital to consider the ethical concerns associated with its development and deployment. One specific concern that has been flagged in the literature is the responsibility gap (RG) due to the introduction of AI in healthcare. When the use of an AI algorithm or system results in a negative outcome for a patient(s), to whom can or should responsibility for that outcome be assigned? Although the concept of the RG was introduced in Anglo-American and European philosophy, this paper aims to broaden the debate by providing an Ubuntu-inspired perspective on the RG. Ubuntu, deeply rooted in African philosophy, calls for collective responsibility, and offers a uniquely forward-looking approach to address the alleged RG caused by AI in healthcare. An Ubuntu-inspired perspective can serve as a valuable guide and tool when addressing the alleged RG. Incorporating Ubuntu into the AI ethics discourse can contribute to a more ethical and responsible integration of AI in healthcare.
Targeted gene therapy for cancer: the impact of microRNA multipotentiality
Authors: Abou Madawi Nourhan A. , Darwish Zeinab E. , Omar Enas M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCancer is a life-threatening disease and its management is difficult due to its complex nature. Cancer is characterized by genomic instability and tumor-associated inflammation of the supporting stoma. With the advances in omics science, a treatment strategy for cancer has emerged, which is based on targeting cancer-driving molecules, known as targeted therapy. Gene therapy, a form of targeted therapy, is the introduction of nucleic acids into living cells to replace a defective gene, promote or repress gene expression to treat a disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that regulate gene expression and thus are involved in physiological processes like cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. miRNAs control the actions of many genes. They are deregulated in cancer and their abnormal expression influences genetic and epigenetic alterations inducing carcinogenesis. In this review, we will explain the role of miRNAs in normal and abnormal gene expression and their usefulness in monitoring cancer patients. Besides, we will discuss miRNA-based therapy as a method of gene therapy and its impact on the success of cancer management.
The association of spontaneous self-affirmation with relationship functioning
Authors: Kaynak Malatyalı Meryem , van Koningsbruggen Guido M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to investigate whether spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with better functioning in romantic relationships. For this aim, we conducted a pre-registered study with 335 participants (168 women, 164 men, one trans woman, one non-binary, and one genderqueer woman) cohabiting with their partner for at least one year. Participants responded to scales measuring spontaneous self-affirmation, relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, conflict frequency, conflict resolution styles, and attachment anxiety and avoidance. Results indicated that spontaneous self-affirmation is significantly related to relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, and constructive conflict resolution style of positive problem solving but not conflict frequency and destructive conflict resolution styles (i.e., conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance) after controlling for age, education, financial status, and the number of children. Results also showed that spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with relationship satisfaction (but no other indicators of relationship functioning) after controlling for the attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance. These results provide the first evidence indicating that spontaneous self-affirmation could be a potential resource for a satisfying relationship but its shared variance with attachment is mostly responsible for its association with relationship functioning indicators.
The scent of an archaic wreck: minimally invasive characterisation of archaeological finds
Authors: Emanuela Rizzo , Marco Morelli , Chiara Melchiorre , Alessandro Naso , Angela Amoresano , Andrea Carpentieri 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe chemical characterisation of archaeological finds necessitates a continuous focus on the development of nano/micro-invasive methodologies. These methodologies yield insights into the historical background, production processes, and conservation state of the items, often revealing astonishing properties of materials that have been unexpectedly preserved over the centuries. This work aims to characterise the molecular composition of a putative historical resin recovered during an archaeological excavation in Campese Bay off the island of Giglio in the 1980s. The resin was sampled from a trade amphora used for wine transport; it was likely employed as a coating to ensure better waterproofing of the containers. The characterisation was performed by detecting specific molecular markers using a GC–MS direct injection approach. In addition, we investigated the volatile fraction of the same sample through solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with GC–MS to address the need for a fast, solvent-free, and field-compatible sample preparation method.
Graphical abstract
Controls on Oxygen Variability and Depletion in the Patuxent River Estuary
Authors: Dreiss Allison , Azarnivand Amir Reza , Hildebrand Anna , Pourreza Ahmadi Seyedeh Fardis , Ali Syeda Sadia , Lucchese Veronica Malabanan , Zhang Qian , Lapham Laura L. , Woodland Ryan J. , Harris Lora , Testa Jeremy M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOxygen depletion in coastal waters is increasing globally due primarily to eutrophication and warming. Hypoxia responses to nutrient loading and climate change have been extensively studied in large systems like the Chesapeake Bay and the Baltic Sea, while fewer studies have investigated smaller, shallower hypoxic zones. Thus, an improved understanding of the interactions of eutrophication and warming on hypoxia expansion (or reduction) in the wide variety of different estuarine environments is needed. We examined interannual controls on oxygen depletion in the Patuxent River estuary, a eutrophic sub-estuary of Chesapeake Bay where seasonal hypoxia develops annually. We conducted a spatial and temporal analysis of dissolved oxygen (DO) trends, timing, and several metrics of depletion over a long-term record (1985–2021). We found an internally generated hypoxic zone that initiates in the middle estuary, spreading upstream and downstream as the summer progresses, and that hypoxic volume days (HVD) have been increasing (0.11 per year, p = 0.03) over the record despite reduced watershed nitrogen loads and stable phosphorus loads. River flow and temperature have been increasing and are major drivers of increased HVD, with river flow explaining 40% of the interannual variation in HVD (temperature has increased 0.03 and 0.06 °C per year in summer and fall, respectively). Apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) is increasing in bottom waters in the fall, consistent with increasing trends of both water temperature and stratification strength. HVD was negatively related (r2 = 0.34, slope = −0.59*HVD) to the biomass of benthic invertebrates in the middle region of the estuary, suggesting that benthic forage for higher trophic levels will be limited by sustained hypoxia. These results indicate that current and future climate variability plays an important role in regulating oxygen depletion in the Patuxent River estuary, which reinforces the need to factor climate change into strategies for the restoration and management of estuaries.
Meals for the dead: investigating Romano-British accessory vessels in burials using organic residue analysis
Authors: Dunne Julie , Biddulph Edward , Cramp Lucy J. E. , Greenwood Caitlin , Allison Enid , Evans Jeremy , Helm Richard , Hillman Bekky , Lyne Malcolm , Page Nigel , Rann Caroline , Evershed Richard P. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAccessory vessels, including platters, dishes, beakers, flagons, jars, and amphorae, are a common feature of Romano-British burials, raising questions as to their provenance; for example, were such vessels recycled from the domestic sphere or made specially for funerary purposes? Furthermore, uncertainty surrounds their purpose: did they contain foods for the deceased, possibly for their final journey to the underworld? Interestingly, organic residue analysis of vessels from Baginton, a site adjacent to The Lunt fort, Coventry, an early (mid to late first century) Roman military cremation cemetery did not yield evidence for food offerings and may have reflected the use of seconds or damaged vessels in burials, perhaps to provide a symbolic meal. In contrast, here we provide, for the first time, direct chemical and isotopic evidence for ‘meals for the dead’, comprising mainly dairy products, often mixed with leafy plants, extracted from somewhat unusual accessory vessels found in a small, enclosed inhumation cemetery, perhaps associated with a family group, which dates to the late (third to late fourth century, or early fifth century A.D) in urban Canterbury. Thus, we can confirm that accessory vessels found in later Romano-British burials were, in this instance, used in the laying out of funerary meals, presumably to nourish the soul on the journey to the underworld. These preliminary insights on vessel use and burial practices across the span of the Roman occupation of Britain thus provide a strong hint at the diversity of Roman burial practices.
Optical soliton parameter dynamics by variational principle: quadratic-cubic and generalized quadratic-cubic laws (super-Gaussian and super-sech pulses)
Authors: Shohib Reham. M. A. , Alngar Mohamed E. M. , Biswas Anjan , Yildirim Yakup , Moraru Luminita , Alshomrani Ali Saleh 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis article obtains the parameter dynamics of super-Gaussian and super-sech pulses for the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation with quadratic-cubic and generalized quadratic-cubic forms of self-phase modulation structures. The implemented variational principle successfully recovers this dynamical system.