bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity of Legionella pneumophila Isolates from Artificial Water Sources in Brazil
Authors: Ferrari Dândrea Driely de Melo , Lima Solange Costa , Teixeira Raquel Lima Figueiredo , Lopes Marcia Quinhones Pires , Vaconcellos Sidra Ezídio Gonçalves , Machado Edson Silva , Suffys Philip Noel , Gomes Harrison Magdinier 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLegionella pneumophila (Lp) is a Gram-negative bacterium found in natural and artificial aquatic environments and inhalation of contaminated aerosols can cause severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ Disease (LD). In Brazil there is hardly any information about this pathogen, so we studied the genetic variation of forty Legionella spp. isolates obtained from hotels, malls, laboratories, retail centers, and companies after culturing in BCYE medium. These isolates were collected from various sources in nine Brazilian states. Molecular identification of the samples was carried out using Sequence-Based Typing (SBT), which consists of sequencing and analysis of seven genes (flaA, pilE, asd, mip, mompS, proA, and neuA) to define a Sequence Type (ST). Eleven STs were identified among 34/40 isolates, of which eight have been previously described (ST1, ST80, ST152, ST242, ST664, ST1185, ST1464, ST1642) and three were new STs (ST2960, ST2962, and ST2963), the former identified in five different cooling towers in the city of São Paulo. The ST1 that is widely distributed in many countries was also the most prevalent in this study. In addition, other STs that we observed have also been associated with legionellosis in other countries, reinforcing the potential of these isolates to cause LD in Brazil. Unfortunately, no human isolates could be characterized until presently, but our observations strongly suggest the need of surveillance implementation system and control measures of Legionella spp. in Brazil, including the use of more sensitive genotyping procedures besides ST.
Surgical management of lobar cerebral cavernous malformations in children: a single-center experience
Authors: Sordyl Ryszard , Antkowiak Lukasz , Rogalska Marta , Schroter Michael , Rosol Izabela , Ciekalski Marcin , Radolinska Antonina , Mandera Marek 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to determine the surgical indications and postoperative outcomes among pediatric patients with lobar cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs).

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients operated on for lobar CCM between March 2010 and August 2021. Indications for surgery included (1) intracranial hemorrhage, (2) symptomatic superficially located lesion, and (3) asymptomatic CCM in non-eloquent area in case of strong parental preferences. Patients presenting with seizures were assessed using Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale.

Results
Twenty-one patients were included. The predominant symptoms were seizures (57.1%), headaches (33.3%), and focal neurological deficits (23.8%). Patients were qualified for surgery due to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (47.6%), drug-resistant epilepsy (28.6%), and focal neurological deficits (9.5%). Three patients (14.3%) were asymptomatic. A gross total resection of CCM with the surrounding hemosiderin rim was achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up was 52 months. No patient experienced surgery-related complications. In all individuals with a preoperative first episode of seizures or focal neurological deficits, the symptoms subsided. All six patients with drug-resistant epilepsy improved to Engel classes I (67%) and II (33%).

Conclusion
Surgical removal of symptomatic lobar CCMs in properly selected candidates remains a safe option. Parental preferences may be considered a sole qualifying criterion for asymptomatic lobar CCM excision.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of our patients diagnosed with laryngeal dystonia
Authors: Asya Orhan , Kavak Ömer Tarık , Özden Hatice Ömercikoğlu , Günal Dilek , Enver Necati 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a focal dystonia affecting laryngeal musculature with no known etiology or cure. The present study evaluated the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients diagnosed with LD.

Materials and Methods
All patients diagnosed with LD at our University Hospital’s Ear, Nose, and Throat Department between January 2017 and July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included 43 patients.

Results
Out of the 43 patients, 19 (44%) were male. At the time of diagnosis, the mean age of the patients was 35.1 years (ranging from 17 to 65 years). The mean elapsed time between the first symptom onset and the first diagnosis was 49.2 months (min. 4 months, max. 240 months). Of the participants, 94% had adductor-type LD. None of the patients had a family history of LD. Of the patients, 9 (20%) experienced a life-altering event or trauma just before the onset of symptoms. All patients who consumed alcohol reported symptom relief with alcohol intake. A total of 67.6% of patients stated that their symptoms were triggered by stress. All of our patients received at least one Botulinum toxin injection, with an average of 2.75 dosages per patient.

Conclusion
The gender distribution was approximately equitable between males and females. There was a tendency for men to receive a diagnosis earlier than women following the manifestation of symptoms. A significant number of patients associate the emergence of their symptoms with a stressful event or traumatic experience. This study represents the initial investigation into the sociodemographic characteristics of patients within the Turkish population.
Petrologically controlled oxygen isotopic classification of cogenetic magmatic and metamorphic sapphire from Quaternary volcanic fields in the Eifel, Germany
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian , Hertwig Andreas , Cionoiu Katharina , Schäfer Christof , Schmitt Axel K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGem sapphire is commonly retrieved from primary and secondary deposits associated with alkali basaltic fields, but its source rocks are rarely preserved. The Eifel (Rhenish Massif, western Germany), although not producing gem sapphire, shares many petrologic and geochemical similarities with such fields worldwide. Due to the young age of volcanic deposits and active quarrying, sapphire-bearing rocks are readily accessible, along with detrital sapphire from modern sediments. Here, oxygen isotope and trace element compositions are reported for 223 sapphire grains, and rutile and zircon inclusions in sapphire were dated indicating crystallization synchronous with Paleogene–Quaternary volcanism. Endmembers in δ18O range are sapphires from syenites representing mantle-derived differentiated melts with minor crustal contamination (~4–6‰) and contact metamorphic mica schists (>10‰) as purely crustal source rocks. Intermediate values between ~6 and 10‰ require variable degrees of mantle-crust hybridization. Lower crustal granulite sources are dismissed based on their oxygen isotopic compositions being lower than most sapphire crystals. Diffusion modelling of sharp oxygen isotopic zonation in compositionally zoned crystals precludes crystal residence at >900 °C over the lifetime of evolved magma reservoirs in the Eifel (c. 50 ka). This argues against direct mantle or lower crustal sapphire origins. Instead, low temperature residence is consistent with sharp δ18O gradients, coexisting andalusite, and fluid inclusion barometry. Hence, Eifel sapphire crystallization is attributed to contact metamorphic aureoles around upper crustal (5–7 km) magma bodies where phonolite, trachyte, and carbonatite melts differentiated from mafic parental magmas, and reacted with metasedimentary wall rocks.
A new proficiency testing scheme for occupational hygiene laboratories undertaking the analysis of diesel engine particulate emissions
Authors: Butler Owen , Forder James 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe report details of a proficiency testing (PT) scheme for laboratories undertaking the analysis of diesel engine particulates (DEP) collected on workplace air filter samples. Within this occupational hygiene setting, the established approach is to measure the elemental carbon (EC) content within DEP as a specific marker of workers’ exposure to engine emissions. Measuring EC is undertaken in laboratories using combustion-based analysers. To date six, PT rounds have been completed with participation ranging between thirteen and twenty-three laboratories. In each round participants received four quartz fibre filter samples (plus blank filters) loaded with DEP with indicative EC mass loadings in the range 9–204 µg/filter. Round assigned values and standard deviation for performance assessment values were calculated by consensus from returned participant data following outlier removal. On this basis, it was determined that on average 81 % of the returned data was deemed satisfactory, i.e. returning a z (or z’) score ≤ 2. The use of two operationally defined analytical protocols, namely NIOSH 5040 and EN 16909, now dominate but they give different EC values so the preparation of reference air filter samples with preordained EC values determined using both protocols for use in future interlaboratory comparisons is therefore recommended.
Novel Providencia xianensis sp. nov.: A multidrug-resistant species identified in clinical infections
Authors: Dong Xu , Xiang Yanghui , Yang Peihong , Wang Shanmei , Yan Wenjuan , Yuan Youhua , Zhou Shan , Zhou Ke , Liu Jiayun , Zhang Ying 
Published: May 2024

AbstractProvidencia genus is known to harbor certain opportunistic pathogens capable of causing human infections. Here, we report two strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria initially identified as Providencia rettgeri by mass spectrometry, but genome analysis revealed their ANI (79.84–84.20%) and dDDH (21.1–25.6%) values to fall below the accepted species threshold for known Providencia species. We therefore propose that these isolates be recognized as a novel species, Providencia xianensis sp. nov. Alarmingly, both strains, isolated from locations far apart, exhibited resistance to last-resort antibiotics, indicating their possible wide distribution, underscoring the urgency for immediate attention and enhanced surveillance for this emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen.
The association of COVID-19 pandemic with the increase of sinogenic and otogenic intracranial infections in children: a 10-year retrospective comparative single-center study
Authors: Issa Mohammed , Kalliri Vasiliki , Euteneuer Sara , Krümpelmann Arne , Seitz Angelika , Sommerburg Olaf , Westhoff Jens H. , Syrbe Steffen , Lenga Pavlina , Grutza Martin , Scherer Moritz , Neumann Jan-Oliver , Baumann Ingo , Unterberg Andreas W. , El Damaty Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjective: Otitis media and sinusitis are common childhood infections, typically mild with good outcomes. Recent studies show a rise in intracranial abscess cases in children, raising concerns about a link to COVID-19. This study compares a decade of data on these cases before and after the pandemic. Methods: This retrospective comparative analysis includes pediatric patients diagnosed with otitis media and sinusitis, who later developed intracranial abscesses over the past decade. We collected comprehensive data on the number of cases, patient demographics, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Results: Between January 2013 and July 2023, our center identified 10 pediatric patients (median age 11.1years, range 2.2–18.0 years, 60% male) with intracranial abscesses from otitis media and sinusitis. Of these, 7 cases (70%, median age 9.7 years, range 2.2–18.0 years) occurred since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the remaining 3 cases (30%, median age 13.3 years, range 9.9–16.7 years) were treated before the pandemic. No significant differences were found in otolaryngological associations, surgical interventions, preoperative symptoms, lab findings, or postoperative antibiotics between the two groups. All patients showed positive long-term recovery. Conclusion: This study reveals 5-fold increase of pediatric otogenic and sinogenic intracranial abscess cases in the last three-years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While further investigation is needed, these findings raise important questions about potential connections between the pandemic and the severity of otitis media and sinusitis complications in children. Understanding these associations can improve pediatric healthcare management during infectious disease outbreaks.
Decision-making regarding social situations in people with intellectual disability at different stages of the decision-making process
Authors: Fusinska-Korpik Agnieszka , Gacek Michal 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDecision-making capability is essential in fulfilling the need for autonomy of people with intellectual disability. In this study we aimed to examine decision-making capability regarding important social situations in people with intellectual disability at different stages of decision-making process. We studied 80 vocational school students with mild intellectual disability and 80 students of a similar age from mass vocation schools. We assessed decision-making with Important Life Decisions Task (ILDT). Students with intellectual disability obtained significantly lower scores than controls for each of the stories in ILDT as in each stage and overall final score in the decision-making process. The magnitude of difference in scores between groups varied in different stages of decision-making process. The most notable difficulties in decision-making regarding important social situations in people with intellectual disability are related to the evaluation of alternatives stage. Pattern of differences obtained in our study may be related to the content of decision-making problems.
Alert during what? Beyond the “Big O” to a culturally-cognizant, process view of entrepreneurial alertness
Authors: Pidduck Robert J. , Clark Daniel R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEntrepreneurial alertness is a psychological aptitude generally associated with aspects of nascent venturing, centered on individuals’ environmental observations, the association of resources, and idea evaluation. A decade following the Tang et al. (2012) consensus construct and scale, critiques remain questioning its utility and unique value to the major conversations in entrepreneurship. Proponents put great emphasis on entrepreneurial alertness’s proven association with opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial actions. Yet, critics suggest it might be an unnecessary step offering little more than a positive association with opportunity recognition in a highly generalized and static way. The purpose of this paper is to address this tension. We do so through a ‘steel man’ approach to these valid concerns. Further, we question the logic of limiting a cognitive construct to a singular event: ‘opportunity recognition’ for a new venture (which we term here, the “Big O”). Drawing on a comprehensive framework inclusive of the full entrepreneurship phenomenon, and integrating insights from cross-cultural psychology, we put forth the case for an ongoing culturally contextualized process perspective towards venturing where individuals are alert to and pursue opportunities (and cope with threats) continuously. This paper provides a new framework for delineating a theoretically grounded “what” and “when” of entrepreneurial alertness.
Utilizing outer membrane proteins (OMPs) as a vaccine to manage motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with evaluating the vaccine immunoprotective effectiveness
Authors: Matter Aya F. , El Asley Amel M. , Abbass Amany A. , Shaheen Adel A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMotile aeromonads are an opportunistic and heterogenic bacteria that cause motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) which is accompanied with variety of clinical signs and lesions in fish. It has been found that their outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are highly immunogenic and may be used as a vaccine candidate. The present study was undertaken to evaluate OMP protection against Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) strain ATCC 7966 (A5 and A8) and A. hydrophila strain DSM 30,187 (A6). Pathogenicity tests revealed that out of 12 isolated strains, seven were highly pathogenic, three were moderate, and two were avirulent. SDS-PAGE analysis of OMPs showed several protein bands (7–22) of different molecular weights ranging from 14 to 346 kDa. The common protein band was 39 kDa. It seems that pathogenicity and the number of protein bands are related in the highly pathogenic strains. Challenged A. hydrophila for Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) previously actively immunized with OMPs (A4, A5, A6, A8, and A11) showed a significant increase in relative percent survival (RPS) ranging from 50 to 100%. Immunological parameters such as immunoglobulin M (IgM), antioxidants (SOD, GSH, and CAT), and nitric oxide (NO) and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) showed a significant increase in OMP-immunized fish. Challenged A. hydrophila for O. niloticus previously passively immunized with OMPs (A4, A5, A6, A8, and A11) in fish-raised sera showed a significant increase in RPS (20 to 100%) in the vaccinated groups. It is concluded that OMPs from Aeromonas spp. have been identified as suitable target for protection development, especially in the case of heterogenic bacteria.
In-situ synthesis and binding of silver nanoparticles to dialdehyde and carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils, and active packaging therewith
Authors: Aouay Mohamed , Aguado Roberto J. , Bayés Genís , Fiol Núria , Putaux Jean-Luc , Boufi Sami , Delgado-Aguilar Marc 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe present work reveals the potential application of dialdehyde and carboxylated nanocellulose for the in-situ reduction of Ag+ and immobilization as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on cellulose surfaces. Tollens’ reagent (Ag(NH3)2OH) at concentrations ranging from 5·10–3 to 10–1 M was incorporated in both dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) and dialdehyde-modified TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (DA-TOCNFs). The results showed that DA-TOCNFs facilitated faster reduction of Ag+ and effective immobilization of AgNPs on the nanocellulose surface. The resulting suspensions exhibited stability and demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis when coated on paper surfaces. Importantly, the coated papers did not show significant silver migration to food simulants B (3 vol% acetic acid) and D1 (ethanol/water mixture, 50 vol%), indicating the potential of these suspensions for active food packaging. The advantages of using DA-TOCNFs over DAC were attributed to their higher cationic demand and ζ-potential, resulting in a higher density of binding sites. Moreover, the charged and entangled network of DA-TOCNFs allowed for the individualization of AgNPs, unlike DAC, where some agglomerations were observed. Overall, this study presents an improved single-step process for the synthesis of AgNPs on nanocellulose surfaces, highlighting their potential for safe and high-performance applications in food packaging. Paper sheets coated with nanocellulose/AgNPs suspensions fully inhibited the growth of B. subtilis, at least for one month after coating, and caused damage to their cell membranes. This research provides a one-pot facile route to fabricating hybrid nanocellulose/AgNPs systems, stable in water, and may be used directly as a coating layer for board and paper active packaging with little or even undetectable release of Ag.
Shape optimization for interface identification in nonlocal models
Authors: Schuster Matthias , Vollmann Christian , Schulz Volker 
Published: May 2024

AbstractShape optimization methods have been proven useful for identifying interfaces in models governed by partial differential equations. Here we consider a class of shape optimization problems constrained by nonlocal equations which involve interface–dependent kernels. We derive a novel shape derivative associated to the nonlocal system model and solve the problem by established numerical techniques. The code for obtaining the results in this paper is published at (https://github.com/schustermatthias/nlshape).
Occupation, Organisation, Opportunity, and Oversight: Law Firm Client Accounts and (Anti-)Money Laundering
Authors: Benson Katie , Bociga Diana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe misuse of law firm pooled client accounts has been identified as one of the primary areas of money laundering and terrorist financing risk for the legal profession. This article demonstrates the varied role that client accounts can play in money laundering, through both purposeful exploitation (by the predicate offender, the lawyer/law firm, or both) of the client account or of other legitimate business processes in which the client account inevitably plays a role, and/or a failure to fulfil regulatory requirements. It examines how the nature of law firm pooled client accounts in the UK creates and shapes an ‘opportunity structure’ for money laundering, and the occupational and organisational context of this opportunity structure. The article argues that examining the opportunity structures created by client accounts is a more useful approach than categorising them as inherently low, medium or high risk, as is seen in many national risk assessments and reports. Identifying the factors that create opportunities for money laundering through law firm client accounts can direct policymakers striving to prevent money laundering in the legal profession towards more targeted oversight mechanisms.
Teachers’ digital competency level according to various variables: A study based on the European DigCompEdu framework in a large Turkish city
Authors: Suzer Emre , Koc Mustafa 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study is to determine teachers’ digital competency on the basis of European DigCompEdu framework and its relationships with some demographic and teacher characteristics. It was designed as a cross–sectional survey within the quantitative research paradigm. The sample consisted of 368 (199 male and 169 female) teachers working in a major city located in the Central Anatolia of Türkiye during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected through a questionnaire including the Digital Competencies Scale for Educators and questions regarding teachers’ demographic and professional characteristics such as age, gender, subject taught, educational background, school level and location of employment. The findings reveal that participating teachers are at the integrator (B1) level of digital competency on average and those who are male, teach math and science related courses, have postgraduate degree, and work in metropolitan cities are more digitally competent than their counterparts. Teachers’ digital competency is independent of their age and type of school whereas it is positively and moderately associated with the number of digital devices teachers had. Furthermore, the regression analysis explains 25% of its variance through gender, educational background, subject and the number of information technology devices as being the significant predictors.