bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Afrocentric Trustworthy Framework for Improved Artificial Intelligence Powered Health Management Tool for Africans
Authors: Ibitoye Ayodeji Olusegun , Nkwo Makuochi Samuel , Akinyemi Joseph Damilola , Ladoja Khadijat Tope 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising healthcare globally, promising enhanced efficiency and outcomes. Africa, with its rich resources and diverse cultures, holds potential for AI adoption, particularly in healthcare. However, the imposition of Western frameworks neglects Africa's unique context, hindering trust and transparency. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure and data privacy concerns, the lack of Afrocentric solutions remains a major barrier to trustworthy AI in Africa. To address this, we propose a framework integrating ethical principles with Africa's social values, tailored to local healthcare complexities. By engaging communities and aligning with cultural narratives, this framework aims to enhance user trust and acceptance. Integrating Africa's cultural elements into AI’/”-driven healthcare not only addresses biases but also ensures seamless integration into the African landscape. Thus, prioritising African contexts in AI design is crucial for realising its full potential in African healthcare.
Relationship Between Bio-Distribution of Environmental Particles and Induction of Biological and Immune Response in the Respiratory System
Authors: Sagawa Tomoya , Ishikawa Raga , Akaji Sakiko , Honda Akiko , Kameda Takayuki , Takano Hirohisa 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Environmental particles, such as PM2.5, diesel exhaust particles, and metal nanoparticles, are known to affect the respiratory and immune systems. Although environmental particles exhibit toxicity owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, little is known about the relationship between the bio-distribution and dynamics of environmental particles and health effects. This review introduces a novel method in which Raman microscopy is combined with histological staining, such as hematoxylin–eosin staining, immunostaining, and Diff-Quik staining, to evaluate the bio-distribution of environmental particles and the biological responses. This hybrid approach enables the visualization of environmental particles and cellular structures in the same field-of-view. Using this integrated method, we successfully visualized diesel exhaust particles and their components in respiratory epithelial cells as well as titanium dioxide particles in alveolar macrophages of mouse lung tissue and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings demonstrate the potential of Raman microscopy for elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental particles affect the respiratory and immune systems, offering new perspectives for the management of environmental particles.
Postoperatives steifes Kniegelenk nach Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands – was tun?
Authors: Boxler Matias S. , Ammann Elias , Toth Laszlo , Koch Matthias , Hirschmann Michael T. , Mengis Natalie 
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung
Die postoperative Arthrofibrose stellt eine schwerwiegende Komplikation nach Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands (VKB-Rekonstruktion) mit dem Leitsymptom einer schmerzhaften Kniesteifigkeit dar. Diese Komplikation hat meist eine multifaktorielle Genese, die sowohl patienten-, verletzungs- als auch operationsspezifische Faktoren umfasst. Einige dieser Faktoren sind beeinflussbar, was die Bedeutung präventiver Maßnahmen unterstreicht. Eine präoperative Rehabilitation (Prähabilitation) wird dringend empfohlen, um die Gelenkbeweglichkeit zu optimieren und den entzündlichen Reizzustand vor der Operation zu reduzieren. Sollte es dennoch zu einer postoperativen Arthrofibrose kommen, ist ein stufenweises Vorgehen erforderlich. Zunächst werden eine intensive auf den Reizzustande zugeschnittene Physiotherapie, nichtsteroidale Antirheumatika (NSAR) und Glukokortikoide eingesetzt. Bei unzureichender Besserung kann eine arthroskopische Arthrolyse mit oder ohne Narkosemobilisation erforderlich sein. Durch eine frühzeitige Intervention und präventive Maßnahmen kann das Risiko einer Arthrofibrose deutlich reduziert werden mit dem Ziel einer langfristigen Verbesserung der Gelenkbeweglichkeit und guter funktioneller Ergebnisse.
Noise-induced nonreciprocal topological dissipative solitons in directionally coupled chains and lattices
Authors: Pinto-Ramos D. , Alfaro-Bittner K. , Rojas R. G. , Clerc M. G. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Nonreciprocal coupling can alter the transport properties of material media, producing striking phenomena such as unidirectional amplification of waves, boundary modes, or self-assembled pattern formation. It is responsible for nonlinear convective instabilities in nonlinear systems that drive topological dissipative solitons in a single direction, producing a lossless information transmission. Considering fluctuations, which are intrinsic to every macroscopic dynamical system, noise-sustained structures emerge permanently in time. Here, we study arrays of nonreciprocally coupled bistable systems exhibiting noise-sustained topological phase wall (or soliton) dynamics. The bifurcations between different steady states are analytically addressed, and the properties of the noise-sustained states are unveiled as a function of the reciprocal and nonreciprocal coupling parameters. Furthermore, we study critical points where the structures’ characteristic size diverges with different power law exponents. Our numerical results agree with the theoretical findings.
Amphibian skin bacteria contain a wide repertoire of genes linked to their antifungal capacities
Authors: González-Serrano Francisco , Romero-Contreras Yordan J. , Orta Alberto H. , Basanta M. Delia , Morales Hugo , Sandoval García Gabriela , Bello-López Elena , Escobedo-Muñoz A. S. , Bustamante Víctor H. , Ávila-Akerberg Víctor , Cevallos Miguel Ángel , Serrano Mario , Rebollar Eria A. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Emerging diseases caused by fungi are a serious threat to wildlife biodiversity. The widespread fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused dramatic amphibian population declines and species extinctions worldwide. While many amphibians have been negatively affected by Bd, some populations/species have persisted despite its presence. One factor contributing to amphibian protection against this fungus is the host-associated skin microbiome. In this study, we aimed to identify gene clusters associated with the antifungal activity of amphibian skin bacteria. Specifically, we explored skin bacteria isolated from species that have persisted in the wild despite the presence of Bd: the frogs Agalychnis callidryas, Craugastor fitzingeri, Dendropsophus ebraccatus, and the axolotl Ambystoma altamirani. Bacterial isolates were tested in vitro for their capacity to inhibit the growth of two fungal pathogens: Bd and the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea (Bc). Genome mining of these bacterial isolates revealed a diverse repertoire of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) and chitin-degrading gene families (ChDGFs) whose composition and abundance differed among bacterial families. We found specific BGCs and ChDGFs that were associated with the capacity of bacteria to inhibit the growth of either Bd or Bc, suggesting that distinct fungi could be inhibited by different molecular mechanisms. By using similarity networks and machine learning, we identified BGCs encoding known antifungal compounds such as viscosin, fengycin, zwittermicin, as well as siderophores and a novel family of beta-lactones. Finally, we propose that the diversity of BGCs found in amphibian skin bacteria comprise a substantial genetic reservoir that could collectively explain the antifungal properties of the amphibian skin microbiome.
Rotation-based outlier detection for geochemical anomaly identification in stream sediment multivariate data
Authors: Shahrestani Shahed , Sanislav Ioan , Fereydooni Hosein 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This research explores the use of the rotation-based outlier detection (ROD) method for identifying geochemical anomalies in a multivariate stream sediment dataset from Iran, targeting porphyry and vein-type Cu mineralization. Geochemical datasets often present challenges for outlier detection methods like local outlier factor (LOF) and k-nearest neighbor (KNN), which rely on distance or density metrics and require parameter tuning (e.g., neighborhood size k). High-dimensional feature spaces further complicate their application. ROD, in contrast, offers a parameter-free, rotation-based approach that effectively analyzes geometric relationships between samples in subspaces, mitigating the curse of dimensionality. This makes ROD particularly suited to high-dimensional geochemical datasets, where complex relationships between elements (due to lithology or mineralization) are critical for identifying anomalies. This study compares ROD with LOF and KNN using two subsets of geochemical variables (Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn; and Ag, As, Au, Cu, Mo, Sb) and evaluates its performance based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the number of known mineral occurrences detected in anomaly class. ROD outperforms LOF and KNN, capturing 78% (14 out of 18) of known Cu-bearing mineral occurrences. Moreover, ROD shows better conformity between 10% of highest outlier scores and Cu-mineralization sites. Rotation cost function in ROD, evaluated using the median absolute deviation (MAD), enhances its ability to detect outliers by focusing on orientation rather than distance, and by reducing noise misclassification. In addition, the parameter-free design of ROD and improved handling of high-dimensional data makes it a promising tool for geochemical exploration, as it captures unique mineralization-related signals that might be missed by traditional methods.
COVID-19 Impact on Household Water-Energy-Food Accessibility Concerning Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Cities and Societies of Northern Nigeria
Authors: Sani Yahaya , Scholz Miklas 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted negatively on many aspects of human life such as access to basic necessities including water, energy and food. This article aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the water, energy and food accessibility in Katsina state, Nigeria. The survey involved the administration of a questionnaire to a total of 900 households out of which 66.7% representing 600 urban households and 33.3% are linked to 300 households of the rural sampled households. The null hypothesis (H
0) was that there was no significant influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the water, energy and food security concerning households. A paired t-test analysed the statistical mean of the water-energy-food accessibility under two scenarios (i.e. pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 lockdown). The investigation found that the lockdown measures introduced to control the spread of COVID-19 had a significant influence on the accessibility of water, energy and food. Results revealed that admission to safely managed water provisions dropped from 30.0 to 24.6% across the scenarios. The electricity index access has also reduced from 1.9 to 1.5. Additionally, households that experience severe food insecurity have significantly increased from 4.9 to 38.6% during the pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdown, respectively. Concerning the investigated households for both the urban and rural strata, the investigation highlights the need for policy intervention to ensure that vulnerable households are not disproportionately affected during crises such as a pandemic. The findings will be useful to policymaking and will advance awareness towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG).
Novel formulation of oleaster bark (Elaeagnus angustifolia) extract-oil-emulsion gel immobilized into coconut shell hydrochar
Authors: Eliuz Elif Erdogan , Yabalak Erdal , Ayas Deniz 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study introduced a novel formulation involving the use of oleaster bark ethanol extract-oil-emulsion gel immobilized into coconut shell hydrochar. The characterization of fish oil (FO)-emulsion gel (Eg) incorporating Elaeagnus angustifolia ethanol extract immobilized within coconut shell hydrochar pores and assesses its antimicrobial efficacy against Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis was explored. The oil extracted from the gonad of Kolyos fish (Scomber japonicus) was emulsified and then bioactively enriched with ethanol extract of E. angustifolia. Gonad emulsion containing E. angustifolia extract was gelled with gelatin and finally immobilized into hydrochar (H). This study examined the characteristics and surface analysis of coconut hydrochar (CH)–based E. angustifolia ethanol extract-Eg (H-E-Eg) using FTIR and SEM. Stability, particle size distribution, and zeta potential of H-E-Eg were determined. Notably, the stability of H-E-Eg was demonstrated with a zeta potential of − 16.4 mV. Additionally, for the first time, this study investigated the time-dependent inactivation of the pathogens when exposed to H-E-Eg. A significant reduction was detected at 30 min and 1 h in A. baumannii (84.6% and 89.06%), S. aureus (74.075 and 82.12%) compared to C. albicans (8.3% and 9.09%) and C. tropicalis (46.12% and 43.2%), respectively. The maximum logarithmic decrease of A. baumanni was calculated as 0.9 log at the end of the 1st hour. In conclusion, E. angustifolia extract-emulsion gel immobilized on coconut shell hydrochar is a functional product for industries seeking sustainable and natural solutions for antimicrobial products, as well as for researchers interested in the bioactivity of plant extracts and innovative formulation techniques.

Graphical Abstract
Frailty as an independent risk factor for sepsis-associated delirium: a cohort study of 11,740 older adult ICU patients
Authors: Zheng Guoqiang , Yan Jiajian , Li Wanyue , Chen Zhuoming 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Sepsis-associated delirium (SAD) is a common complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is associated with increased mortality. Frailty, characterized by diminished physiological reserves, may influence the development of SAD, but this relationship remains poorly understood.

Aims
To comprehensively analyze the assessment of frailty as a predictive factor for sepsis-associated delirium in older adults.

Methods
A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on sepsis patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to the ICU. Frailty was assessed using the Modified Frailty Index based on 11 items including comorbidities and functional status. Patients were categorized into non-frail (MFI: 0–2) and frail (MFI ≥ 3) groups. Delirium was assessed using the ICU Confusion Assessment Method (CAM-ICU) and retrospective nursing notes. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between frailty in older patients and the risk of delirium, and odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results
Among 11,740 patients (median age approximately 76 years [interquartile range: 70.47–83.14], 44.3% female), frail patients tended to have longer ICU stays, higher severity scores, and potentially worse clinical outcomes. The study found a significant positive association between MFI and the risk of developing SAD (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09–1.17, p < 0.001). Additionally, frail patients had a higher risk of developing SAD compared to non-frail patients (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.20–1.43, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Frailty independently predicts SAD development in older adults with sepsis in the ICU, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and prevention.
A promising strategy for assessing the uricosuric effect of anti-hyperuricemia candidates: a case study of caffeoylquinic acids extract of Artemisia selengensis Turcz. leaves
Authors: Xiang Lin , Mansour Mohammed , Huang Yuting , Wu Ting , Pan Siyi , Xu Xiaoyun 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are phenolic acids found in various plants that possess multiple biological activities including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Our previous research demonstrated that CQAs-rich Artemisia selengensis Turcz. leaves extract (ASTLE) effectively lowered uric acid levels in hyperuricemia mice. However, further evidence is needed to elucidate the mechanism of the uric acid-lowering effect of ASTLE. In this study, a sensitive but non-radioactive in vitro method based on 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-CFL) was established, validated, and further applied to assess the uricosuric potential of ASTLE. Furthermore, molecular docking, qRT-PCR, and western blot were employed to evidence the uricosuric effect of ASTLE. The results demonstrated that ASTLE exhibited the potential to inhibit uric acid reabsorption, manifested as the inhibition of 6-CFL uptake by human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells (IC50 = 533.67 ± 19.91 µg/mL), and CQAs were identified as its dominant bioactive compounds. Mechanism investigation further revealed that the uptake inhibitory effect of ASTLE was attributed to the hydrogen bonding interactions of CQAs, particularly di-CQAs, with uric acid transporters URAT1 and GLUT9, as well as to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 and the up-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of ABCG2 by ASTLE. This study indicated that ASTLE has potent uricosuric effect. Moreover, this study suggested that the combination of 6-CFL uptake inhibition assessment, molecular docking, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis could be a promising strategy for revealing the role of anti-hyperuricemia candidates in promoting uric acid excretion.

Graphical Abstract
The Costs and Benefits of a Local DNA Database
Authors: DeAngelo Gregory , Krouse Michael , Quandt Ryan 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
DNA databases are useful tools for improving public safety. While past research examines the effects of national- or state-level databases, little is known about the distinct benefits of a local, District Attorney-run DNA database. Two key advantages of a local database are that (i) more local criminals submit a sample as part of a plea agreement (submission is not restricted to certain crimes and mandatory) and (ii) response times for identifying reoffenders from DNA evidence are shorter. This report performs a retrospective benefit–cost analysis on the Orange County District Attorney’s DNA database. The analysis is run on administrative records that provide costs, entries into the DNA database, and matches that occur between samples taken from a crime scene and individual profiles in the database. We also estimate the deterrence effect of entry into the database with defendant-case-level data. We find that, for every dollar spent on operating the database over the last 10 years, $1.71 is saved due to the estimated reduction in future offenses.
High prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria on patient medical file surfaces at five critical care units in Kampala, Uganda: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study
Authors: Kyamulabi Margaret , Izudi Jonathan , Mujugira Andrew , Okoboi Stephen 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Introduction:
Intensive care units (ICUs) and high-dependency units (HDUs) care for critically ill patients, many of whom have multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We investigated the prevalence and distribution of MDR bacteria on the surfaces of patient medical files in three ICUs and two HDUs in Kampala.

Method:
We conducted a cross-sectional study that used simple random sampling to select patient medical files through unique codes recorded in a health information electronic system. MDR was defined as laboratory confirmation of the WHO priority pathogens following the 33rd edition of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute on Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing guidelines for antibiotic susceptibility interpretation. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed, while qualitative was thematically analyzed.

Results:
Six of 33 files (18.2%) had MDR bacteria on their surfaces. Contamination was significantly associated with the type of medical diagnosis (p=0.014) and the file storage location (p=0.010). The MDR pathogens identified were Fastidious Acinetobacter (5/33; 15.2%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1/33; 3%).

Conclusion:
Nearly one in five patient medical files in ICUs and HDUs were contaminated with MDR bacteria. Most contaminated files belonged to patients treated with aminoglycoside or glycopeptide-based regimens.
Calibration and bias correction of seasonal weather forecasts from the North American Multi-Model Ensemble: Potential applications for regional crop modelling and irrigation management
Authors: Su Qiong , Ale Srinivasulu , Himanshu Sushil , Singh Jasdeep , Singh Vijay P. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Reliable seasonal weather forecasts are essential for irrigation management and crop yield prediction, particularly in regions with limited water resources. This study aimed to improve the usability of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), an experimental real-time seasonal weather forecast system, for regional crop modelling and irrigation decision-making. Coarse resolution of NMME may introduce bias and uncertainty at regional/local scales. To address this, a statistical downscaling method with bias correction for both mean and variability was used to produce 1-km gridded daily weather projections for temperature and precipitation across the contiguous United States from a representative NMME model, the Canadian Coupled Climate Model version 4 (CanCM4). The daily surface weather and climatological summaries (DAYMET) data were used to calibrate the downscaled hindcast projections of CanCM4. The reliability of downscaled CanCM4 forecasts for local crop modelling was evaluated at lead times of up to six months using a calibrated DSSAT model at a research station in the semi-arid Texas Rolling Plains region. Cross-validation during the hindcast period demonstrated strong forecast skill, with R2 values of 0.72 and 0.71 for maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. The precipitation forecast remained sensitive to extreme events, with seasonal and annual relative errors of 31% and 1%, respectively. Crop yield predictions had a relative error of 9%, and irrigation water requirements closely matched field observations, outperforming both raw CanCM4 and multi-model mean methods. The downscaling method used in this study significantly improved NMME data reliability, although the degree of improvement may vary with time and location.
Global corn area from 1960 to 2030: patterns, trends, and implications
Authors: Vieira Rafael Augusto , Uhdre Renan Santos , Scapim Carlos Alberto , Van Becelaere Guillermo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The study analysed corn harvested areas from 1960 to 2030, using data from the USDA open-access official dataset and 1,000 ARIMA models. The global corn harvested area experienced a steady growth rate of 1.0% in the 1960s, followed by a slight setback in the 1980s and a recovery in the 1990s. The early 2000s saw significant expansion, while the 2010s saw a slightly slower pace of 1.4%. From 2020 to 2024, the global growth rate declined to 0.0%, suggesting a potential shift towards a more stable or slower growth phase. The most likely scenario for the global corn area is an optimistic outlook with a 37% likelihood of steady growth. China’s most likely scenario is a gradual expansion with a rate of 2.0%. The United States’ most likely scenario suggests a neutral trend. Brazil has remarkable growth trajectories in its areas, reflecting land availability. Ukraine’s area by 2030 is projected to experience varying outcomes due to uncertainties in the agricultural landscape.