bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Wastewater-based Surveillance Relate Antimicrobial Use to Resistance Patterns? Metagenomic Analysis of Two Neighboring Treatment Plants
Authors: Vikesland Peter , Maile-Moskowitz Ayella , Brown Connor , Rumi Monjura , Moumi Nazifa , Majeed Haniyyah , Finkielstein Carla , ceci alessandro , Gonzalez Raul , Xia Kang , McDaniel Lauren , Baffoe-Bonnie Anthony , Rao Jayasimha , Zhang Liqing , Pruden Amy 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Minimization of the use of antimicrobials is a recommended strategy to reduce the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance; however, challenges remain in assessing the efficacy of such interventions. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) provides a promising means to consider differences in antibiotic resistance profiles across communities as a function of such interventions. We examined the metagenomes of sewage entering two neighboring wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving a university and a nearby community. We compared antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles as a function of data available for diagnoses of COVID-19 and other illnesses, clinical antibiotic use, antibiotic/antimicrobial and disinfectant/quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) concentrations in sewage, water quality indicators, and COVID-19-related behavioral shifts. Outpatient antibiotic prescription rates were consistently higher in the community than in the university zip code, but dropped markedly in both towns in April 2020, as COVID-19 lockdowns ensued. Antibiotic and QAC concentrations in sewage were consistent with these trends. Diversity and abundances of ARGs unique to the corresponding sewage were consistently higher for the community WWTP, but converged in 2022 when there was a surge in antibiotic prescriptions in the university zip code in response to elevated respiratory illness. Decreases in ARG diversity/abundance were not apparent during periods of decreased antibiotic usage, indicating a lag between antibiotic use and ARG wastewater signal.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis: a Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Center
Authors: Ozmen Samican , Kurt Sefa , Timur Hikmet Tunc , Yavuz Onur , Kula Ali Hakan , Demir Ayşegül Yılmaz , Balci Ali 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease of the skeletal system that increases the risk of fracture. The prevalence of osteoporosis has been increasing as the aging population increases, affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. This study aimed to shed light on the clinical impact of osteoporosis on women’s health and quality of life by evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for this disease among postmenopausal women, using a 10-year dataset from a tertiary center.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, between 2010 and 2022. A total of 3289 postmenopausal women aged 50-60 years who were undergoing routine gynecological checkups were included in the study. Patients with a prior diagnosis, a history of medical conditions or who were taking medications affecting bone mineral density were excluded. Data on demographics, smoking status, diabetes status, body-mass index (BMI), parity, and fracture history were collected. Bone mineral density sores were classified as normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis.
Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 10.4%. The median age of the patients was 56.0 years. Smoking, diabetes, and a history of bone fractures were found to significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis. BMI was found to have a protective effect against osteoporosis. According to multivariate analysis, the risk of osteoporosis increased by 2.46 times in patients who smoke, 3.78 times in patients with diabetes, and 6.23 times in patients with a history of fractures.
Conclusions:Awareness of modifiable risk factors such as smoking is crucial for preventing osteoporosis-related complications. Diabetes, even when it is not complicated, increases the risk of osteoporosis. Physical exercise, calcium, and vitamin D intake are important, especially during young adulthood, as they are the primary contributors to peak bone mass. Because ne fractures are more common in patients with osteopenia, early diagnosis and routine screening can mitigate future complications.
Enhancing Machine Translation Models through Optimal Strategies for Prior Knowledge Integration: A Systematic Review
Authors: Asebel Muluken Hussen , Assefa Shimelis Getu , Haile Mesfin Abebe 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Machine Translation (MT) has significantly transformed cross-language communication, becoming a pivotal field in Natural Language Processing (NLP). This systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis explore the optimal strategies for integrating prior knowledge into machine translation models. We delve into the strategic aspects of incorporating linguistic proficiency, external semantic information, and attention mechanisms, aiming to answer the research question: "What is the best strategy for integrating prior knowledge into machine translation?" The study employs a methodically crafted search strategy, focusing on Scopus and IEEE Xplore databases from 2014 to 2024. The rigorous selection process, following PRISMA guidelines, results in 22 articles for comprehensive analysis. The literature review highlights the significance of incorporating linguistic proficiency, semantic understanding, and domain-specific knowledge into machine translation models. Scholars consistently advocate for leveraging both syntactic and semantic structures from the source language to enhance model performance. The analysis of 22 selected articles presents a variety of strategies, including node random dropping, shared vocabulary and cognate lexicon induction, word-level domain-sensitive representation learning, and knowledge distillation. Notably, the "Node Random Dropping Strategy" stands out for capturing both semantic and syntactic representations, while the "Shared Vocabulary and Cognate Lexicon Induction" strategy proves effective for languages with shared linguistic features. In conclusion, this systematic review identifies a consensus among scholars on the importance of integrating syntactic and semantic language structures as crucial forms of prior knowledge. To effectively implement these structures, the study recommends employing a graph neural network from the encoder side. This comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights for future research in optimizing strategies for prior knowledge integration into machine translation models.
Cytoprotective Effects of Microalgal Extracts on H 2 O 2 -Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cell Line
Authors: Herbert Helen , Touzet Nicolas , Campion Eva 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The body's innate defences often fall short in combating oxidative stress in cells, highlighting the importance of integrating antioxidants from natural sources for preventative healthcare and nutrition. Microalgae-derived compounds like carotenoids and EPA-rich fatty acids play a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of diethyl ether (Et2O) extracts prepared from the biomass of the microalgae Cyanophora paradoxa, Tetraselmis chuii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, which were supplemented to human lung cancer cells (A549) experiencing oxidative stress. The extracts of T. chuii and C. paradoxa exhibited higher antioxidant content (123 and 150 µmol Trolox equivalent mg/Recovered Dried Material (RDM)) as compared to P. tricornutum when analysed using the FC assay. All extracts (150 µg mL− 1) demonstrated protective effects by attenuating H2O2-induced oxidative stress in A549 cells, as confirmed by the MTS (≤ 105% increase in cell growth) and DCF-DA assays (≤ 58% decrease in ROS production). RT-qPCR analysis revealed significant changes in the expression of apoptosis regulatory genes, with a decrease in the pro-apoptotic BAX gene (< 50%) and an increase in the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression (> 200%), when cells were treated with extracts compared to cells treated with medium only after exposure to H2O2. These findings suggest that the microalgal extracts successfully mitigated the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in the A459 cells, likely attributable to their inherent antioxidative and apoptosis regulating properties. These attributes, which appear to restore homeostasis, present promising avenues for use in cosmetics and therapeutic contexts.
Brain Iron in Signature Regions Relating to Cognitive Aging in Older Adults: The Taizhou Imaging Study
Authors: Li Rui , Fan Yi‑Ren , Wang Ying-Zhe , Lu He‑Yang , Li Pei-Xi , Dong Qiang , Jiang Yan-Feng , Chen Xing-Dong , Cui Mei 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have established that brain iron accumulation might accelerate cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Both normal aging and AD are associated with cerebral atrophy in specific regions. However, no studies have investigated aging- and AD-selective iron deposition-related cognitive changes during normal aging. Here, we applied quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to detect iron levels in our cortical signature regions and assessed the relationships among iron, atrophy, and cognitive changes in older adults.
Methods
In this Taizhou Imaging Study, 770 older adults (mean age 62.0 ± 4.93 years, 57.5% women) underwent brain MRI to measure brain iron and atrophy, of whom 219 underwent neuropsychological tests nearly every 12 months for up to a mean follow-up of 2.68 years. Global cognition was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Domain-specific cognitive scores were obtained from MoCA subscore components. Regional analyses were performed for cortical regions and 3 signature regions: aging (AG)-specific regions, AG regions and AD signature meta-ROIs (Fig. 2). The QSM and cortical morphometry means of the above ROIs were also computed.
Results
Significant associations were found between QSM levels and cognitive scores. In particular, after adjusting for cortical thickness of regions of interest (ROIs), participants in the upper tertile of the cortical and AG-specific signature QSM exhibited worse global cognitive function than did those in the bottom tertile [Table 2; \(\beta\) = -0.104, p = 0.035; \(\beta\) = -0.118, p = 0.020, respectively]. Longitudinal analysis suggested that QSM values in all ROIs might predict cognitive decline in global cognition and key domains such as attention and visuospatial function (Table 3, Fig. 3; all p < 0.05). Furthermore, iron levels were negatively correlated with classic MRI markers of cortical atrophy (cortical thickness, gray matter volume, and local gyrification index) in total, AG-specific, and AG signature regions (Fig. 2; all p < 0.05).
Conclusion
AG- and AD-selective iron deposition was associated with atrophy and cognitive decline in elderly people, highlighting its potential as a neuroimaging marker for cognitive aging.
The Challenge of Procrastination: Gaining Insights from Overdue Books in University Libraries
Authors: Liu Jiexuan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The late return of library books is a manifestation of procrastination, resulting in fines that impact the overall user experience at the library. Overdue or lost books can disrupt the library’s circulation services and affect the satisfaction of other patrons’ book needs. This study analyzes overdue readers at Nanjing Normal University Library from 2012 to 2023, examining factors such as the frequency of overdue incidents, borrowing habits, instances of book loss, duration of overdue periods, and the gender and background of the readers. The findings from path analysis suggest that the accumulation of fines is a deterrent for overdue behavior by influencing borrowing habits and serving as a warning against procrastination. Structural equation modeling analysis reveals a positive correlation between reader self-regulation and overdue attitudes, negatively impacting book circulation. Additionally, the study observes the application of the law of large numbers to the occurrence of book overdue, with a weak correlation between overdue incidents and instances of book loss.
Artificial Intelligence Based Assessment of Clinical Reasoning Documentation: An Observational Study of the Impact of the Clinical Learning Environment on Resident Performance
Authors: Schaye Verity , DiTullio David J , Sartori Daniel J , Hauck Kevin , Haller Matthew , Reinstein Ilan , Guzman Benedict , Burk-Rafel Jesse 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Objective measures and large datasets are needed to determine aspects of the Clinical Learning Environment (CLE) impacting resident performance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a solution. Here, the authors sought to determine what aspects of the CLE might be impacting resident performance as measured by clinical reasoning documentation quality assessed by AI.
Methods
In this observational, retrospective cross-sectional analysis of hospital admission notes from the Electronic Health Record (EHR), all categorical internal medicine (IM) residents who wrote at least one admission note during the study period July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2023 at two sites of NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s IM residency program were included. Clinical reasoning documentation quality of admission notes was determined to be low or high-quality using a supervised machine learning model. From note-level data, the shift (day or night) and note index within shift (if a note was first, second, etc. within shift) were calculated. These aspects of the CLE were included as potential markers of workload, which have been shown to have a strong relationship with resident performance. Patient data was also captured, including age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and primary diagnosis. The relationship between these variables and clinical reasoning documentation quality was analyzed using generalized estimating equations accounting for resident-level clustering.
Results
Across 37,750 notes authored by 474 residents, patients who were older, had more pre-existing comorbidities, and presented with certain primary diagnoses (e.g., infectious and pulmonary conditions) were associated with higher clinical reasoning documentation quality. When controlling for these and other patient factors, variables associated with clinical reasoning documentation quality included academic year (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, for high-quality: 1.10; 95% CI 1.06-1.15; P<.001), night shift (aOR 1.21; 95% CI 1.13-1.30; P<.001), and note index (aOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.95; P<.001).
Conclusions
AI can be used to assess complex skills such as clinical reasoning in authentic clinical notes that can help elucidate the potential impact of the CLE on resident performance. Future work should explore residency program and systems interventions to optimize the CLE.
Causal effects of triacylglycerol concentration on cervical cancer: evidence from two-step mediated Mendelian randomization.
Authors: Xu Cong , Xu Yonghong , Yang Yunhui , Wang Guangming 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women globally, and in recent years, there has been widespread attention on the role of lipids in tumorigenesis and development. This study utilized Mendelian Randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship between immune cell-mediated lipids and cervical cancer risk. We have selected lipids, which are closely associated with the function of immune cells, and identified their genetic instrumental variables. Using large-scale genomic association study (GWAS) data, we genetically evaluated their levels and analyzed their correlation with the risk of cervical cancer Preliminary results suggest that triacylglycerol is significantly associated with cervical cancer risk. And elevated levels of triacylglycerol are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. In addition, we found that regulatory immune cells such as BAFF − R on naive − mature B cell, BAFF − R on IgD+, and BAFF − R on transitional may indirectly influence the development of cervical cancer by influencing the lipids response. Our research, employing causal inference analysis on Mendelian randomization, demonstrates the significance of immune cell-induced lipids in cervical cancer progression. These results contribute to comprehending the origins of cervical cancer and might steer the creation of upcoming preventive approaches and therapeutic tactics. Additional studies are essential to confirm these results and investigate particular biological processes.
Prioritising Patients for Publicly Funded Bariatric Surgery in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Scuffham Paul , Cross Megan , Teppala Srinivas , Hopkins George , Chikani Viral , Wykes Katie , Paxton Jody 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objectives
This study reports the development and pilot application of the Bariatric Surgery Assessment and Prioritisation Tool (BAPT) for use in a public health system. The BAPT was designed as a patient prioritisation instrument to assess patients with excessive weight and type 2 diabetes suitable for bariatric surgery. We assessed whether the instrument successfully identified those who gained including weight loss, diabetes remission, reduction in comorbidities, and health-related quality of life HR-QoL).
Methods
The BAPT instrument was applied to score 292 patients referred for bariatric surgery in Queensland between 2017 and 2020 based on their, body mass index, diabetes status, surgical risk (e.g. pulmonary embolism) and comorbidities (e.g. non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). These data were collected at referral and at 12-months post-surgery for 130 patients and stratified by BAPT scores. Outcomes included those listed.
Results
Patients’ BAPT scores ranged from 12 to 78 (possible range 2–98). Those with higher scores tended to be younger (p<0.001), have higher BMI (p<0.001) or require insulin to manage diabetes (p<0.01).
All patients lost similar percentages of body weight (20-25%, p=0.73) but higher scoring patients were more likely to discontinue oral diabetes medications (p<0.001) and the improvement in glycated haemoglobin was four times greater in patients scoring 70–79 points compared to those scoring 20–29 (p<0.05). Those who scored ³50 on the BAPT were substantially more likely to obtain diabetes remission (57% vs 31%) and greater improvement in HR-QoL (21% vs 7%) than those with a BAPT £20.
Conclusions
The BAPT prioritised younger patients with higher BMIs who realised greater improvements in their diabetes after bariatric surgery. Higher scoring BAPT patients should be prioritised for bariatric surgery as they have greatest gains in health outcomes.
Deceptive pollination mechanisms and low natural fruit set in Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Baishnab Biswajit , Paul Suman , Datta Badal Kumar 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Floral biology and pollination mechanisms of Cymbidium aloifolium an epiphytic orchid were investigated in Tripura, India. The flowering period of C. aloifolium lasted for approximately 4 months from the late spring to the summer, with raceme inflorescence where flowers open acropetally. The flower longevity strictly depends on pollination, 3 to 5 days; otherwise, individual flowers commonly last for one month. The flowers are nectarless, so they have to attract pollinators by the deceptive mechanism for capsule production. Flowers are fully pollinator-dependent as they are self-compatible but cannot autonomously self-pollinate. The Indian honey bee, Apis cerana indica, exclusively pollinated the flowers in the field. Pollinarium attached with the insect's back thorax and head due to their movement through the labellum chamber and pollinated the flower while escaping from the same. Both the studied populations estimate the pollination success but the natural fruit set percentage was very low (13–16%) as the result of a lack of nectar, infrequent flower visits by worker's honey bees, specialized single pollinator, and tight packaging of pollen cap with column of flower.
A colorimetric smartphone-based sensor for on-site AA detectionbased on MCTs nanocomposite materials
Authors: She Huanhuan , Wu Chaoling , He Ruotong , Xie Weihong , Zhang Yi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Nowadays colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid based on enzyme-mimetic materials are mostly rely on chemically synthesized materials. Although nano enzymes prepared from natural source materials have been reported, their preparation required harsh conditions or multi steps. In this work, nanocomposite materials (MCTs) based colorimetric sensor assisted with smartphone was designed for rapid and on-site ascorbic acid (AA) detection. The MCTs can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) resulting in a color change from colorless to a deep blue in the presence of H2O2. The optimal catalytic conditions of pH, temperature and the material dosage are 3.0, 25°C and 3.0 mg, respectively. Due to the strong reducing property of ascorbic acid, the oxidation of TMB is inhibited so that the blue color faded. Based on the above principle, colorimetric sensor integrated with smartphone RGB mode was fabricated and exhibited a good linear detection range (1–250 µM) and low detection limit of 0.218 µM for AA detection under optimal conditions. The established method can also detect ascorbic acid (AA) in six commercial beverages with good accuracy. Therefore, this study has delivered a new cost-effective approach for the precise detection of ascorbic acid (AA) with a vast potential for various applications.
Novel innate immune systems in pristine Antarctic soils
Authors: Goethem Marc W. Van , Bezuidt Oliver K. I. , Pierneef Rian , Vikram Surendra , Hopkins David W. , Aspray Thomas , Hall Grant , Woodborne Stephan , Hogg Ian D. , Northen Trent R. , Kong Weidong , Daffonchio Daniele , Cowan Don A. , de Peer Yves Van , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Makhalanyane Thulani P. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Antarctic environments are dominated by microorganisms, which are vulnerable to viral infection. Although several studies have investigated the phylogenetic repertoire of bacteria and viruses in these poly-extreme environments, the evolutionary mechanisms governing microbial immunity remain poorly understood.
Results
Using genome resolved metagenomics, we test the hypothesis that these poly extreme high-latitude microbiomes harbour diverse innate immune systems. Our analysis reveals the prevalence of prophages in bacterial genomes (Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota), suggesting the significance of lysogenic infection strategies in Antarctic soils. Furthermore, we demonstrate the presence of diverse CRISPR-Cas arrays, including Class 1 arrays (Types I-B, I-C, and I-E), alongside systems exhibiting novel gene architecture among their effector cas genes. Notably, a Class 2 system featuring type V variants lacks CRISPR arrays, Cas1 and Cas2 adaptation module genes. Phylogenetic analysis of Cas12 effector proteins hints at divergent evolutionary histories compared to classified type V effectors.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest substantial sequence novelty in Antarctic cas sequences, likely driven by strong selective pressures. These results underscore the role of viral infection as a key evolutionary driver shaping polar microbiomes.
Two-tier stochastic frontier analysis: heterogeneous error distributions and model selection
Authors: Papadopoulos Alecos 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We develop two-tier stochastic frontier models where the two one-sided error components follow different marginal distributions. As estimation methods, we present both Simulated Maximum Likelihood and Corrected Ordinary Least Squares coupled with Generalized Method of Moments. We propose a formal statistical test as well as informal diagnostics to choose between specifications. An application illustrates the use of these new tools.
JEL classification D24 C46 C21