bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial genome characterization of a Reticulinasus sp. (Argasidae: Ornithodorinae) parasitizing bats in Thailand
Authors: Tuangpermsub Siwaporn , Arnuphapprasert Apinya , Riana Elizabeth , Ngamprasertwong Thongchai , Kaewthamasorn Morakot 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Second only to mosquitoes, ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are significant blood-feeding ectoparasites and vectors of numerous pathogens affecting both animals and humans. Despite bats serving as hosts to various tick species, they remain relatively understudied due to their nocturnal behavior and laborious capture procedures. Soft ticks in particular display diverse ecological behaviors, inhabiting bat roosts, caves, and occasionally human dwellings. This overlap in habitats suggests soft ticks may play a critical role as vectors of zoonotic pathogens. In Southeast Asia, research on soft ticks has primarily focused on island nations, with limited studies on bat-associated ticks in Thailand. This study aimed to examine the identity and distribution of bat ticks in Thailand.

Methods
Bats were captured across ten provinces in Thailand between 2018 and 2023. Ticks were removed from the bats’ skin and identified through morphological examination using a stereomicroscope, with molecular confirmation. Scanning electron micrographs were recorded. Prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of tick infestations were calculated. The mitochondrial genomes of the ticks were sequenced, annotated, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis.

Results
A total of 1031 bats, representing 7 families, 11 genera, and 28 species, were captured. Tick infestations were found in 34 bats (3.30%), specifically in two species: Craseonycteris thonglongyai (33/139, 23.74%) and Eonycteris spelaea (1/2, 50%). All ticks were in the larval stage. Basic local alignment search tool for nucleotide (BLASTN) searches using 16S rRNA (425 bp) and COI (825 bp) sequences, along with Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) database queries, revealed the highest similarity to tick in the genus Reticulinasus found on bats in Zambia. The mitochondrial genomes of ticks collected from C. thonglongyai and E. spelaea were 14,433 bp and 14,439 bp in length, respectively, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis placed these ticks within the Reticulinasus clade, with strong support indicated by high bootstrap values.

Conclusions
This study identified Reticulinasus sp. infestations on C. thonglongyai and E. spelaea bats, marking the first report of soft ticks in bats from Thailand, with potential implications for zoonotic disease transmission.

Graphical Abstract
Toll-1-dependent immune evasion induced by fungal infection leads to cell loss in the Drosophila brain
Authors: Singh Deepanshu N. D. , Roberts Abigail R. E. , Wang Xiaocui , Li Guiyi , Quesada Moraga Enrique , Alliband David , Ballou Elizabeth , Tsai Hung-Ji , Hidalgo Alicia 
Published: February 2025

Fungi can intervene in hosts’ brain function. In humans, they can drive neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. However, how fungi alter the host brain is unknown. The mechanism underlying innate immunity to fungi is well-known and universally conserved downstream of shared Toll/TLR receptors, which via the adaptor MyD88 and the transcription factor Dif/NFκB, induce the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, in the brain, Toll-1 could also drive an alternative pathway via Sarm, which causes cell death instead. Sarm is the universal inhibitor of MyD88 and could drive immune evasion. Here, we show that exposure to the fungus Beauveria bassiana reduced fly life span, impaired locomotion and caused neurodegeneration. Beauveria bassiana entered the Drosophila brain and induced the up-regulation of AMPs, and the Toll adaptors wek and sarm, within the brain. RNAi knockdown of Toll-1, wek or sarm concomitantly with infection prevented B. bassiana-induced cell loss. By contrast, over-expression of wek or sarm was sufficient to cause neuronal loss in the absence of infection. Thus, B. bassiana caused cell loss in the host brain via Toll-1/Wek/Sarm signalling driving immune evasion. A similar activation of Sarm downstream of TLRs upon fungal infections could underlie psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
Factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in elderly individuals: A protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Batista Francisco de Assis Moura , Araújo Juliana Iscarlaty Freire de , Soares Fernanda Cunha , Schlosser Thalyta Cristina Mansano , Seixas Clarissa Terenzi , Nobre Thaiza Teixeira Xavier 
Published: February 2025

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease with a significant impact on public health, with the pulmonary form being the most critical. The disease poses numerous risks to the elderly population, as it often manifests concomitantly with other age-related illnesses, thereby complicating its diagnosis and management. Several causal and associated factors contribute to the disease.

Objective
The objective of this manuscript is to present a scoping review protocol aimed at mapping the available literature on factors associated with and contributing to the incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in the elderly.

Methods and analysis
The scoping review protocol was developed following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, and it has been registered on the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/DHQVP). The databases to be searched include Medline via PubMed, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, as well as gray literature through Google Scholar and the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) Thesis and Dissertation Catalog. The search strategy is grounded on a research question formulated using the PCC acronym (P–Population; C–Concept; C–Context). Peer-reviewed journal articles, scientific books, editorials, conference proceedings, and theses/dissertations published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish between 2014 and 2024 will be included.

Discussion
Elderly individuals are more susceptible to diseases due to the natural decline in immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. In this age group, symptoms are often difficult to detect. Understanding the causal and associated factors of the disease contributes to favorable outcomes and helps reduce the transmission chain to the rest of the population.
Global prevalence of elevated estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure in clinically stable children and adults with sickle cell disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ghazaiean Mobin , Darvishi-Khezri Hadi , Najafi Behnam , Karami Hossein , Kosaryan Mehrnoush 
Published: February 2025

Background
The current study sought to determine the prevalence of elevated estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP) in clinically stable children and adults with sickle cell disease)SCD(worldwide.

Methods
The studies included were identified through a search of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Embase, as well as Google Scholar engine, adhering to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Heterogeneity among the primary study results was assessed using the I-squared index, while publication bias was evaluated through funnel plots, Egger’s test, and trim and fill analysis. All statistical analyses were conducted using R software, version 4.3.0.

Results
79 primary studies were included, comprising 6,256 children (<18 years old) and 6,582 adults (≥18 years old) with SCD from 22 countries. The prevalence of elevated ePASP was found to be 21.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.46 to 25.07) in children and 30.6% (95% CI: 27.1 to 34.1) in adults. The prevalence of elevated ePASP among studies with severe SCD genotypes including HbSS and HbS/β0 was found to be 19.45% (95% CI: 14.95 to 23.95) in children and 29.55% (95% CI: 24.21 to 34.89) in adults. Furthermore, sex-specific prevalence among SCD patients with elevated ePASP indicated the highest prevalence in male children at 60.35% (95% CI: 54.82 to 65.88) and adult female patients at 54.41% (95% CI: 47.3 to 61.5). A comparative analysis of the mean values of clinical and laboratory results revealed significant differences in several characteristics, including age, oxygen saturation, hemoglobin levels, fetal hemoglobin, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and reticulocyte counts between patients with elevated ePASP and those without, in both children and adult SCD populations.

Conclusion
Our findings regarding clinically stable SCD patients highlight a high prevalence of elevated ePASP.
Depression’s double-edged impact on body mass index. A hidden catalyst for non-communicable diseases in South Africa’s aging population in long-term care facilities
Authors: Naidoo Shane , Naidoo Nirmala 
Published: February 2025

Introduction
The global population of older people, who have a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, is on an upward trajectory, notably in South Africa. The expansion of this demographic will further strain an already overwhelmed healthcare system, primarily taxed by infectious diseases in younger populations. Physical activity has been shown to effectively reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases in older people.

Objective
To investigate the associations between depression, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity and its complex interplay on non-communicable diseases in older people residing in South African long-term care facilities.

Method
We conducted a cross-sectional study on 396 participants residing in South African rural and urban long-term care facilities to analyse BMI, waist-hip ratio, physical activity and depression levels. The Geriatric Depression Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate depression and physical activity respectively.

Results
The sample had a mean BMI of 27.53 kg/m2 (95% CI [26.99, 28.07], SD = 5.49), with an obesity prevalence of 31.82%. Additionally, 35.10% of participants exhibited some degree of depressive symptoms. In an ordinal regression model BMI was a significant predictor (B = .10, p = .007) for increases in depression. Conversely in a linear regression model, depression (B = -2.01, p = .004) and physical activity (B = -.001, p = .008) were predictors for decreases in BMI.

Conclusion
The relationship between depression and BMI in older people is complex, with depression often leading to both weight loss and, conversely, increased BMI contributing to a higher risk of depression. Physical activity serves as a critical intervention, helping to reduce both BMI and depressive symptoms among older people residing in long-term care facilities. This underscores the importance of integrating PA programs into care strategies to improve overall health and well-being in this population.
Perceptions of female students toward video conferencing technology at AOU-KSA.
Authors: M Aman Abdulrazak , Shiratuddin Norshuhada 
Published: February 2025

Educational institutes are incorporating technology in their teaching methods to facilitate their students. The female students in Saudi Arabia, studying at Arab Open University have to attend lectures from male teachers through video conferencing due to religious restrictions. The institutes ensure to facilitate the students in every aspect to make learning process convenient. Whereas, at times there are some issues that may linger on and cause a disturbance in the learning environment. This study aims to find out the opinion of female students at AOU who have to attend classes through video conferences. The purpose is to identify the issues in the video conference technology regarding the environment of the class, the technical facilities available to them, the kind of classrooms they study in how effective the video conference method is in interaction between the male instructors and the female students. Students seem to be neutral or at times satisfied with facilities available to them, however, in some matters, it is a close call, as some of the students may not be comfortable as others.Â Â Â Â
Phytoremediation of mixed reactive Azo dyes in contaminated water by Ceratophylum demersum and its toxicity analysis on other life forms
Authors: JV Priyanka , Gayathri Krishnaswamy Veena 
Published: February 2025

Textile dyes are toxic in nature as they exert various harmful effects on living organisms. These effluents are the main source pollutant to various ecosystems, especially to soil. In this study, mixed azo dye from a local fabric dyeing industry were analysed for their toxicity effects on Trigonella foenum graecum, Lampito mauritii, and bacterial pathogens. The results presented in the study showed that the toxicity of the mixed azo dye prompted Trigonella foenum graecum root and shoot growth inhibition on 1000 ppm of mixed azo dye contaminated soil, and this effect decreased when performed on remediated soils with higher concentrations of the effluents. Phytoremediation of water contaminated with different concentrations of mixed azo dye solutions was performed using Ceratophylum demersum where, the dye removal percentage was minimal and the plant couldnâ€™t sustain more than 500 ppm of dye. Dye toxicity on earth worms showed increased percentage of protein content of the body in response to stress (azo dye). These results revealed that the textile dyes we toxic to eukaryotic cells and that can potentially lead to adverse health conditions. Further their toxicity was also tested against earthworms and pathogenic bacterial strains.Â Â Â Â
Major barriers to the enforcement and violation of building codes and regulations: a global perspective
Authors: F. Fakunle Funke , Opiti Chibuzo , A. Sheikh Ahmed , A. Fashina Adebayo 
Published: February 2025

For centuries now, building codes have been a vital instrument for minimizing susceptibility to natural hazards. These codes are guides to architects and engineers when designing new buildings or renovating existing buildings in vulnerable areas. However, the productive implementation of building codes demands a good institutional structure and training of construction practitioners including artisan. This implies that the introduction of building codes and its proper administration will not be effective unless there is a strategic plan for its enforcement process. This is because the deficiencies and violations of building codes/regulations could lead to a large number of shortcomings, particularly regarding the minimum requirements for public health, safety, general welfare, building quality and environmental protection. It is thus clear that there is a need to explore the barriers associated with the implementation and enforcement of building codes/regulations in different countries. This paper seeks to provide a better understanding on the major barriers to the enforcement and violation of building codes and regulations from a global perspective by reviewing building codes, exploring how they are enforced and the penalties for non-compliances in different countries. Finally, this paper concludes that some of the building codes and regulations are too complex for construction and building professional, and as such, many countries still struggle to understand the proper enforcement of building codes.Â Â
Der neue Zertifikatskurs „Teaching Librarian“ am Postgraduate Center der Universität Wien
Authors: Scholle Ulrike , Sobel Ariella 
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung
Die Unterstützung unterschiedlicher Zielgruppen beim Aufbau von Informationskompetenz ist seit Langem eine zentrale Dienstleistung Öffentlicher und wissenschaftlicher Bibliotheken. Die hochwertige Qualifikation des Bibliothekspersonals bildet die Grundlage dafür, entsprechende Bildungs- und Serviceangebote professionell durchzuführen. Angesichts der vielfältigen Anforderungen an Teaching Librarians ist es notwendig, didaktisch-methodische und medienpädagogische Fertigkeiten in einem neuen Zertifikatskurs anzubieten und mit bibliotheksspezifischen Kenntnissen zu verbinden. Dieser Aufsatz behandelt die Implementierung eines solchen Zertifikatskurses, der im Frühjahr 2025 am Postgraduate Center der Universität Wien starten wird.
Comment on “EU Taxonomy: Mission Impossible” by Kooths (2023)
Authors: Mehmandoost Kotlar Ali 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Stefan Kooths’s (2023) article, “EU Taxonomy: Mission Impossible,” offers a critical perspective on the European Union (EU) Taxonomy, arguing that it conflicts with free-market principles and could potentially impede economic growth. While Kooths (2023) raises legitimate concerns about bureaucratic burdens and the risk of market distortions, this paper argues that the EU Taxonomy is an essential policy tool to correct market failures, enhance transparency in sustainable finance, and catalyze the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient European economy. This commentary addresses Kooths’s criticisms while providing a more balanced view of the Taxonomy’s potential. Specifically, it highlights its role in addressing environmental externalities, boosting investor confidence by reducing greenwashing, and fostering green growth and innovation both within the EU and globally.
A Qualitative Longitudinal Study on the Adaptation and Coping Strategies of Men with Testicular Cancer
Authors: Karlíková Bianka , Uhrecký Branislav , Gurňáková Jitka 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Research suggests that the experience of cancer is diverse rather than homogeneous. The strong emotions and stress associated with cancer lead to a search for coping strategies. Men with different types of cancer utilise physical, psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual strategies. Despite the research, the specific adaptation and coping strategies used by men with testicular cancer have rarely been studied. We focused on the adaptation and coping strategies of newly diagnosed patients (n = 17) with testicular cancer in Slovakia. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews before, during and after chemotherapy. The verbatim transcribed interviews were analysed using ideal type analysis with a focus on typology formation and trajectory analysis in narrative approaches. The main types of psychological adaptation and strategies were grouped into 4 trajectories: the psychological barrier between the self and the illness as a coping mechanism; realistic optimism; meaning-making; and the complicated process of adaptation. The differences in adaptation were related to the patients’ emotional state before the disease, previous unprocessed life events, a death in the family during treatment, but also to the metastatic nature of the disease or the recurrence of testicular cancer. These results can help healthcare providers identify those at higher risk for complicated adaptation.
Is there a need for an extended phase definition for systems far from equilibrium?
Authors: Bautista Fernando , García-Sandoval Juan Paulo , Manero Octavio 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Phase diagrams out of equilibrium have been the subject of intense research. An essential concept in these diagrams is the phase definition. Currently, that definition is well established for systems at classic thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. However, such phase definition is inadequate for systems that are not at equilibrium in the classic thermodynamic sense, like fluid systems under flowing conditions. Complex fluids may exhibit instabilities like shear-banding flow and a non-equilibrium critical point where banding flow ends. At this point, the fluid undergoes a phase transition from heterogeneous to homogeneous states. An extended thermodynamic space of variables is considered to adequately address this situation, which includes non-conservative variables such as stress and shear rate. Hence, the current phase definition based on conservative variables does not apply to non-equilibrium phase diagrams. On this basis, a broader definition of phase is required. We propose that this broader definition considers the thermodynamic variables space of Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics and the mathematical conditions that ensure compatibility between equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions for systems where phases are well described by thermodynamic potentials even out of equilibrium.
Microscopic changes and gross morphology of placenta in women affected by gestational diabetes mellitus in dietary treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Molitierno Rossella , Imparato Amalia , Iavazzo Nicola , Salzillo Cecilia , Marzullo Andrea , Laganà Antonio Simone , Etrusco Andrea , Agrifoglio Vittorio , D’Amato Antonio , Renata Esposito , Vastarella Maria Giovanna , De Franciscis Pasquale , La Verde Marco 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Introduction/objective
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) influences adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Nutritional therapy and exercise are the first steps to maintain normal glucose levels. During pregnancy, metabolic status influences placental development.

Methods
This systematic review focused only on the morphology of the placenta and its microscopic changes in GMD under dietary therapy. A systematic search was performed on the main databases from inception to September 2024 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024581621). Only original articles on GDM in diet and exercise treatment that reported at least one outcome of interest (microscopic features and macroscopic morphology of the placenta) were included.

Results
A total of 716 studies were identified, and nine met the inclusion criteria. The analysis confirmed that despite dietary control, some morphological changes in the placenta, including villus immaturity, chorangiosis, and fibrinoid necrosis, occurred at a different rate. In addition, the included studies reported an increase in placental weight in the diet-controlled GDM group.

Conclusion
Therefore, the results of the present qualitative analysis show that pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM, despite adequate glycemic control, abnormal placental development may persist. Our findings remark on the importance of the correct diet-managed GDM pregnancy monitoring due to the placental morphology abnormalities related to GMD.
Narrative navigation in legal persuasion: a rhetorical analysis of lawyers’ affidavits and skeleton arguments for appellate relief in criminal cases in Malawi
Authors: Kondowe Wellman , Kamanga Dorothy nyaKaunda 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Narrative navigation and lawyers’ use of linguistic persuasion in affidavits and skeleton arguments for appellant relief in criminal cases remains one of the under-researched areas in the field of language and law. This is a phase at which lawyers have the opportunity to influence the judicial decision-making process through their ability to persuade the appellate judge to believe their version of the case to be the true version. The argument chosen by the lawyer and the manner of telling it are inseparable. By utilising data from ten appellate level criminal cases from the High Court of Malawi, this study investigates the narrative structure of lawyers’ affidavits and skeleton arguments using Aristotle’s rhetorical analysis framework. Our findings reveal that the appeal to logos is simply a templatic genre structure that lawyers are meant to follow. However, lawyers’ appeals to ethos and pathos reveal excessive redundancy and low deployment of important linguistic resources that can help them be appropriately persuasive, which can be acceptable to the wider discourse community.