bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults’ Cognitive Performance and Biomarkers of Structural Brain Aging
Authors: Lee Hyun Kyu , Basak Chandramallika , Grant Sarah-Jane , Ray Nicholas R , Skolasinska Paulina A , Oehler Chris , Qin Shuo , Sun Andrew , Smith Evan T , Sherard G Hulon , Rivera-Dompenciel Adriana , Merzenich Mike , Voss Michelle W 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Cognitive training (CT) has been investigated as a means of delaying age-related cognitive decline in older adults. However, its impact on biomarkers of age-related structural brain atrophy has rarely been investigated, leading to a gap in our understanding of the linkage between improvements in cognition and brain plasticity. This study aimed to explore the impact of CT on cognitive performance and brain structure in older adults.

Methods
One hundred twenty-four cognitively normal older adults recruited from 2 study sites were randomly assigned to either an adaptive CT (n = 60) or a casual game training (active control, AC, n = 64).

Results
After 10 weeks of training, CT participants showed greater improvements in the overall cognitive composite score (Cohen’s d = 0.66, p &lt; .01) with nonsignificant benefits after 6 months from the completion of training (Cohen’s d = 0.36, p = .094). The CT group showed significant maintenance of the caudate volume as well as significant maintained fractional anisotropy in the left internal capsule and in left superior longitudinal fasciculus compared to the AC group. The AC group displayed an age-related decrease in these metrics of brain structure.

Discussion
Results from this multisite clinical trial demonstrate that the CT intervention improves cognitive performance and helps maintain caudate volume and integrity of white matter regions that are associated with cognitive control, adding to our understanding of the changes in brain structure contributing to changes in cognitive performance from adaptive CT.

Clinical Trial Registration
NCT03197454
Enhancing physical activity participation among female employees: evaluating the effectiveness of an educational intervention
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Sadeghi Bita , Dadipoor Sara , Safari-Moradabadi Ali 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This paper evaluates the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the transtheoretical model aimed at increasing physical activity (PA) participation among female employees in Bandar Abbas city (Iran) healthcare centers in December 2017 and August 2018. Using a semi-experimental interventional study design with a randomized and multi-stage method, 100 participants were included in both the intervention (n = 50) and control groups (n = 50). Data collection involved questionnaires assessing demographic information (age, gender, marital status and education), stages of change in PA behavior, Perceived Benefits, Barriers and Self-efficacy. The data were analyzed using SPSS-16, employing both descriptive (mean, SD, frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (t-tests, chi-squared tests, etc.). Prior to the educational intervention, 19 participants (0.38%) in the intervention group engaged consistently in PA (stages 4–5). After 3 and 6 months of intervention, these numbers increased to 29 (0.58%) and 25 (0.50%), respectively. This improvement was statistically significant compared to the pre-intervention stage (P &lt; 0.001). The findings highlight the importance of theory-based behavior change models and health education programs in promoting PA and combating sedentary lifestyles. Although focused on a specific population in Bandar Abbas, the intervention can serve as a model for similar programs targeting diverse social classes and populations.
Elements of a doctrine of transnational constitutional norms
Authors: Perju Vlad 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article uses the traditions of constitutionalism to develop the building blocks of a doctrine of transitional constitutional norms. After arguing that existing doctrines of implicit constitutional unamendability, such as the basic structure and constitutional replacement doctrines, are derivative, the article provides an account of the underlying primary doctrine: transnational constitutional norms. From the perspective of the form of government, constitutional norms are divided into peremptory and voluntary norms. Unearthing an old, but now largely forgotten, tradition of political thought, it defines peremptory norms as norms that derive from or constitute the form of government. These constitutional norms have a complex nature: domestic and transnational. The transnational dimension immunizes the people’s choice in favor of the democratic form of government by protecting peremptory norms from deselection, defined as the impermissible alteration or replacement of that form of government through piecemeal derogation from peremptory norms. Only the people as pouvoirconstituant, but not their representatives, may chose the form of government and only through a full-scale process of constitution-making. The article uses judicial independence to illustrate the idea of peremptory constitutional norms. The doctrine of transnational constitutional norms helps to resist attempts at undermining judicial independence and to protect the integrity of the democratic form of government against impermissible deselection.
Effect of Leptin Receptor Q223R Polymorphism on Clostridioides difficile Infection–Induced Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Production
Authors: Mathew Ann M , Huber Alexander , Sous Rowis D , Weghorn Kristin N , Powers-Fletcher Margaret V , Jose Shinsmon , Madan Rajat 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokine levels and host genetic makeup are key determinants of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) outcomes. We previously reported that blocking the inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) ameliorates CDI. Here, we determined kinetics of MIF production and its association with a common genetic variant in leptin receptor (LEPR) using blood from patients with CDI. We found highest plasma MIF early after C difficile exposure and in individuals who express mutant/derived LEPR. Our data suggest that early-phase CDI provides a possible window of opportunity in which MIF targeting, potentially in combination with LEPR genotype, could have therapeutic utility.
Reduced Effectiveness of Repeat Influenza Vaccination: Distinguishing Among Within-Season Waning, Recent Clinical Infection, and Subclinical Infection
Authors: Bi Qifang , Dickerman Barbra A , Nguyen Huong Q , Martin Emily T , Gaglani Manjusha , Wernli Karen J , Balasubramani G K , Flannery Brendan , Lipsitch Marc , Cobey Sarah ,   the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network Investigators, Murthy Kempapura , Raiyani Chandni , Dunnigan Kayan , Mamawala Muffadal , Chung Jessie R , Patel Manish , Lamerato Lois , Jackson Michael L , Phillips C Hallie , Kiniry Erika , Belongia Edward A , King Jennifer P , Monto Arnold S , Zimmerman Richard K , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Geffel Krissy Moehling 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Studies have reported that prior-season influenza vaccination is associated with higher risk of clinical influenza infection among vaccinees. This effect might arise from incomplete consideration of within-season waning and recent infection. Using data from the US Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network (2011–2012 to 2018–2019 seasons), we found that repeat vaccinees were vaccinated earlier in a season by 1 week. After accounting for waning VE, we determined that repeat vaccinees were still more likely to test positive for A(H3N2) (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02–1.21) but not influenza B or A(H1N1). We documented clinical infection influenced individuals' decision to vaccinate in the following season while protecting against clinical infection of the same type/subtype. However, adjusting for recent documented clinical infections did not strongly influence the estimated effect of prior-season vaccination. In contrast, we found that adjusting for subclinical or undocumented infection could theoretically attenuate this effect. Additional investigation is needed to determine the impact of subclinical infections on vaccine effectiveness.
Taking Civilians: Terrorist Kidnapping in Civil War
Authors: Welsh Blair 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Why do insurgents resort to kidnapping in civil war? What explains variation in the selection and intensity of the tactic over time and space? Despite an increase in the use of kidnapping over time, existing research has yet to develop an explanation that explains spatiotemporal variation and extends beyond financial motivations. I argue the decision to kidnap hostages is shaped by insurgents’ behavioral interactions in the conflict environment. It occurs under two conditions: to generate support and reinstate bargaining capacity when organizations suffer military losses on the battlefield and to enforce loyalties and display strength when organizations face violent competition from other non-state actors. The observable implications of the theory are tested at the macro- and micro levels. At the macro-level, I conduct a quantitative cross-group analysis on over 200 organizations involved in an armed intrastate conflict (1989–2018). At the micro level, I consider the kidnapping strategy of the Taliban in Afghanistan over time and space (2010–2018). Taken together, the analyses provide robust support for the theory.
Local large language models for privacy-preserving accelerated review of historic echocardiogram reports
Authors: Vaid Akhil , Duong Son Q , Lampert Joshua , Kovatch Patricia , Freeman Robert , Argulian Edgar , Croft Lori , Lerakis Stamatios , Goldman Martin , Khera Rohan , Nadkarni Girish N 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The study developed framework that leverages an open-source Large Language Model (LLM) to enable clinicians to ask plain-language questions about a patient’s entire echocardiogram report history. This approach is intended to streamline the extraction of clinical insights from multiple echocardiogram reports, particularly in patients with complex cardiac diseases, thereby enhancing both patient care and research efficiency.

Materials and Methods
Data from over 10 years were collected, comprising echocardiogram reports from patients with more than 10 echocardiograms on file at the Mount Sinai Health System. These reports were converted into a single document per patient for analysis, broken down into snippets and relevant snippets were retrieved using text similarity measures. The LLaMA-2 70B model was employed for analyzing the text using a specially crafted prompt. The model’s performance was evaluated against ground-truth answers created by faculty cardiologists.

Results
The study analyzed 432 reports from 37 patients for a total of 100 question-answer pairs. The LLM correctly answered 90% questions, with accuracies of 83% for temporality, 93% for severity assessment, 84% for intervention identification, and 100% for diagnosis retrieval. Errors mainly stemmed from the LLM’s inherent limitations, such as misinterpreting numbers or hallucinations.

Conclusion
The study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of using a local, open-source LLM for querying and interpreting echocardiogram report data. This approach offers a significant improvement over traditional keyword-based searches, enabling more contextually relevant and semantically accurate responses; in turn showing promise in enhancing clinical decision-making and research by facilitating more efficient access to complex patient data.
Pre-treatment bone mineral density and the benefit of pharmacologic treatment on fracture risk and BMD change: analysis from the FNIH-ASBMR SABRE project
Authors: Schini Marian , Vilaca Tatiane , Lui Li-Yung , Ewing Susan K , Thompson Austin , Vittinghoff Eric , Bauer Douglas C , Bouxsein Mary L , Black Dennis M , Eastell Richard 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Some osteoporosis drug trials have suggested that treatment is more effective in those with low BMD measured by DXA. This study used data from a large set of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine whether the anti-fracture efficacy of treatments differs according to baseline BMD. We used individual patient data from 25 RCTs (103 086 subjects) of osteoporosis medications collected as part of the FNIH-ASBMR SABRE project. Participants were stratified into FN BMD T-score subgroups (≤−2.5, &gt; −2.5). We used Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate treatment effect for clinical fracture outcomes and logistic regression for the radiographic vertebral fracture outcome. We also performed analyses based on BMD quintiles. Overall, 42% had a FN BMD T-score ≤ −2.5. Treatment with anti-osteoporosis drugs led to significant reductions in fractures in both T-score ≤ −2.5 and &gt; −2.5 subgroups. Compared to those with FN BMD T-score &gt; −2.5, the risk reduction for each fracture outcome was greater in those with T-score ≤ −2.5, but only the all-fracture outcome reached statistical significance (interaction P = .001). Results were similar when limited to bisphosphonate trials. In the quintile analysis, there was significant anti-fracture efficacy across all quintiles for vertebral fractures and with greater effects on fracture risk reduction for non-vertebral, all, and all clinical fractures in the lower BMD quintiles (all interaction P ≤ .03). In summary, anti-osteoporotic medications reduced the risk of fractures regardless of baseline BMD. Significant fracture risk reduction with treatment for 4 of the 5 fracture endpoints was seen in participants with T-scores above −2.5, though effects tended to be larger and more significant in those with baseline T-scores &lt;−2.5.
Update on the composition and distribution of the mosquito fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) in Cabo Verde, a country at risk for mosquito-borne diseases
Authors: Da Veiga Leal Silvânia , Varela Isaias Baptista Fernandes , Monteiro Davidson Daniel Sousa , Ramos de Sousa Celivianne Marisia , da Luz Lima Mendonça Maria , De Pina Adilson José , Gonçalves Adéritow Augusto Lopes Macedo , Costa Osório Hugo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Mosquitoes play a critical role as vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and animals. Therefore, understanding their biodiversity and distribution is crucial to developing evidence-based vector control strategies. The current study updated the composition and distribution of mosquito species through a comprehensive survey of all municipalities of Cabo Verde. From October 2017 to September 2018, mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from 814 aquatic habitats. Anopheles gambiae (Giles, 1902) and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) complexes were subjected to PCR-based techniques for sibling species identification. Ten mosquito species from 5 genera were identified: Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), Aedes caspius (Pallas, 1771), Anopheles arabiensis (Patton, 1905), Anopheles pretoriensis (Theobald, 1903), Culex bitaeniorhynchus (Giles, 1901), Cx. pipiens, Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Giles, 1901), Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart, 1838), and Lutzia tigripes (de Grandpre & de Charmoy, 1901). Santiago Island reported the highest number of species (n = 8). Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus were the most widely distributed species across the country. An. arabiensis was the sole species identified within the An. gambiae complex. The findings from our study will help guide health policy decisions to effectively control mosquito-borne diseases.
The Domains of Monotonicity Processing
Authors: Tan I-An , Segal Nir , Grodzinsky Yosef 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This paper reports an investigation into the nature of Negative Polarity Item (NPI) licensing conditions from a processing perspective. We found that the processing cost of Downward Entailingness (a k a the Monotonicity Effect) is determined by the number of monotonicity reversals of NPI domains, rather than by the number of Downward-Entailing (DE) operators. This conclusion is not based on the standard judgment paradigm, but rather, on the measurement of continuous variables (error rates, Reaction Times (RTs)) in a verification task, in which the truth value of a sentence is determined against a scenario. We conducted two experiments with sentences that contained one or two DE operators, which featured in different syntactic configurations. We explored how RT is affected by the manipulation of both the number of DE operators, and the syntactic environments in which they reside. We ran these experiments in Hebrew and in English, with different participant populations and different testing methods. Despite the linguistic subtlety of the theoretical issues, our results were remarkably sharp, leading to two firm conclusions: (i) that processing time is determined not by the number of DE operators, but rather, by the monotonicity of the minimal constituent in which they reside; (ii) that DE-ness is not a property of operators, but of environments. We show how our results bear directly on the current debate about the nature of monotonicity, which we describe below. Finally, we provide quantitative tests of alternative, non-semantic explanations, and show how our results do not support them.
Impact of an anemia diagnostic management team on follow-up test ordering by primary care providers
Authors: Soder Julie , Zahner Christopher , Salazar Jose H 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Anemia is a complex condition with diverse causes and poses diagnostic challenges amid the expanding landscape of laboratory testing. Implementation of an anemia diagnostic management team (DMT) can aid health care providers in navigating this complexity.

Methods
This quasi-experimental study assessed the impact of an anemia DMT on laboratory test ordering by primary care providers for anemic patients. This study included adult patients (≥18 years) with anemia (hemoglobin &lt;12.0 g/dL for nonpregnant women, hemoglobin &lt;13.0 g/dL for men) presenting to a family medicine clinic. Cases reviewed by the DMT (n = 100) were compared with a control group (n = 95).

Results
The DMT recommended additional testing for 76 patients. Significantly more patients in the DMT group underwent follow-up tests compared with controls (59% vs 34%; P &lt; .001). Moreover, the DMT group underwent a higher mean number of tests per patient (1.70 ± 2.2 vs 0.95 ± 1.9; P = .01).

Conclusion
Implementation of an anemia DMT influenced follow-up testing patterns in anemic patients, potentially enhancing diagnostic thoroughness and patient care.
Mycobiome of the external ear canal of healthy cows
Authors: Díaz Leyna , Castellá Gemma , Bragulat M Rosa , Paytuví-Gallart Andreu , Sanseverino Walter , Cabañes F Javier 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Malassezia yeasts belong to the normal skin microbiota of a wide range of warm-blooded animals. However, their significance in cattle is still poorly understood. In the present study, the mycobiota of the external ear canal of 20 healthy dairy Holstein cows was assessed by cytology, culture, PCR, and next-generation sequencing. The presence of Malassezia was detected in 15 cows by cytology and PCR. The metagenomic analysis revealed that Ascomycota was the predominant phylum but M. pachydermatis the main species. The Malassezia phylotype 131 was detected in low abundance. Nor M. nana nor M. equina were detected in the samples.
Copper-binding proteins and exonic splicing enhancers and silencers
Authors: Bakhtiar Dara , Vorechovsky Igor 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Eukaryotic DNA codes not only for proteins but contains a wealth of information required for accurate splicing of messenger RNA precursors and inclusion of constitutively or alternatively spliced exons in mature transcripts. This “auxiliary” splicing code has been characterized as exonic splicing enhancers and silencers (ESE and ESS). The exact interplay between protein and splicing codes is, however, poorly understood. Here, we show that exons encoding copper-coordinating amino acids in human cuproproteins lack ESEs and/or have an excess of ESSs, yet RNA sequencing and expressed sequence tags data show that they are more efficiently included in mature transcripts by the splicing machinery than average exons. Their largely constitutive inclusion in messenger RNA is facilitated by stronger splice sites, including polypyrimidine tracts, consistent with an important role of the surrounding intron architecture in ensuring high expression of metal-binding residues during evolution. ESE/ESS profiles of codons and entire exons that code for copper-coordinating residues were very similar to those encoding residues that coordinate zinc but markedly different from those that coordinate calcium. Together, these results reveal how the traditional and auxiliary splicing motifs responded to constraints of metal coordination in proteins.
The RBPome of influenza A virus NP-mRNA reveals a role for TDP-43 in viral replication
Authors: Dupont Maud , Krischuns Tim , Gianetto Quentin Giai , Paisant Sylvain , Bonazza Stefano , Brault Jean-Baptiste , Douché Thibaut , Arragain Benoît , Florez-Prada Alberto , Perez-Perri Joel I , Hentze Matthias W , Cusack Stephen , Matondo Mariette , Isel Catherine , Courtney David G , Naffakh Nadia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Genome-wide approaches have significantly advanced our knowledge of the repertoire of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that associate with cellular polyadenylated mRNAs within eukaryotic cells. Recent studies focusing on the RBP interactomes of viral mRNAs, notably SARS-Cov-2, have revealed both similarities and differences between the RBP profiles of viral and cellular mRNAs. However, the RBPome of influenza virus mRNAs remains unexplored. Herein, we identify RBPs that associate with the viral mRNA encoding the nucleoprotein (NP) of an influenza A virus. Focusing on TDP-43, we show that it binds several influenza mRNAs beyond the NP-mRNA, and that its depletion results in lower levels of viral mRNAs and proteins within infected cells, and a decreased yield of infectious viral particles. We provide evidence that the viral polymerase recruits TDP-43 onto viral mRNAs through a direct interaction with the disordered C-terminal domain of TDP-43. Notably, other RBPs found to be associated with influenza virus mRNAs also interact with the viral polymerase, which points to a role of the polymerase in orchestrating the assembly of viral messenger ribonucleoproteins.
BGCFlow: systematic pangenome workflow for the analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters across large genomic datasets
Authors: Nuhamunada Matin , Mohite Omkar S , Phaneuf Patrick V , Palsson Bernhard O , Weber Tilmann 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Genome mining is revolutionizing natural products discovery efforts. The rapid increase in available genomes demands comprehensive computational platforms to effectively extract biosynthetic knowledge encoded across bacterial pangenomes. Here, we present BGCFlow, a novel systematic workflow integrating analytics for large-scale genome mining of bacterial pangenomes. BGCFlow incorporates several genome analytics and mining tools grouped into five common stages of analysis such as: (i) data selection, (ii) functional annotation, (iii) phylogenetic analysis, (iv) genome mining, and (v) comparative analysis. Furthermore, BGCFlow provides easy configuration of different projects, parallel distribution, scheduled job monitoring, an interactive database to visualize tables, exploratory Jupyter Notebooks, and customized reports. Here, we demonstrate the application of BGCFlow by investigating the phylogenetic distribution of various biosynthetic gene clusters detected across 42 genomes of the Saccharopolyspora genus, known to produce industrially important secondary/specialized metabolites. The BGCFlow-guided analysis predicted more accurate dereplication of BGCs and guided the targeted comparative analysis of selected RiPPs. The scalable, interoperable, adaptable, re-entrant, and reproducible nature of the BGCFlow will provide an effective novel way to extract the biosynthetic knowledge from the ever-growing genomic datasets of biotechnologically relevant bacterial species.