bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of facial nerve outcomes following radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hovis Gabrielle E. A. , Chandla Anubhav , Pandey Aryan , Teton Zoe , Yang Isaac 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Purpose
Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a precise and efficacious treatment modality for vestibular schwannoma (VS) with favorable cranial nerve preservation rates. This study aims to better characterize facial nerve (FN) outcomes in VS after GKRS.

Methods
A query of six medical databases was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies exclusively reported VS managed with single-fraction GKRS and included House-Brackmann (HB) scale assessments prior to and following GKRS. Data was analyzed using random-effects modeling, and FN preservation was defined as HB I or II at last follow-up.

Results
Data was analyzed from 15 articles with 3,155 patients at an mean age of 55.0 years. Mean tumor volume, radiation dose, follow-up, tumor control, and hearing preservation were 4.28 cm3, 13.3 Gy, 59.4 months, 92.7%, and 62.6%, respectively. The pooled FN preservation rate was 92.9%. Mean preoperative tumor volume > 2.5 cm3 and age > 60 years were significantly associated with worse preoperative FN function (p = 0.019, p = 0.023, respectively). Normal FN function (HB = 1) at last follow up was 95.8% for VS volume < 2.5 cm3 and 89.4% with larger volumes (p < 0.001). Doses ≤ 13 Gy were significantly associated with superior FN preservation (96.5%) compared to higher doses (p < 0.001). Tumor control and hearing preservation were not significantly associated with FN preservation.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis identifies tumor volume and radiation dose as prognostic factors for FN preservation. A FN preservation rate of 93% may be expected at five years after GKRS. This study provides a unique characterization of FN outcome that should be considered in the management of VS.
VIMP approach to fern’s sporophyte/gametophyte stages: taxonomic and phylogenetic electrochemical correlations
Authors: García-Martínez Eva , Estrelles Elena , Doménech-Carbó Antonio 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The application of the voltammetry of immobilized particles methodology (VIMP) to microparticulate films prepared from the ethanolic extracts of different fern species in contact with aqueous acetate buffer is studied. The observed voltammetric responses can be mainly attributed to the oxidation of polyphenolic components of fern tissues. These responses provide a basis for linking the gametophyte stage to the fern sporophyte, facilitating taxonomic identification during the early developmental phase when distinguishing morphological characters are not clearly discernible. Data collected for 10 species from the Davalliaceae, Aspleniaceae, Athyriaceae, Polypodiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Pteridaceae, and Osmundaceae families permit an electrochemical grouping consistent with taxonomic and phylogenetic data derived from available molecular genetic analysis.
Trophic position and periphyton carbon sources for macroinvertebrates in the litter patches of forested streams, with special reference to predatory species
Authors: Tachikake Shuhei , Kagaya Takashi , Norisada Mariko 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Most research on lotic food webs has focused on reach-scale webs, whereas research on the structure and system openness of lotic food webs has not focused on the microhabitat scale. In forested streams, plant litter from riparian vegetation accumulates as discrete patches, forming a microhabitat for macroinvertebrates. We primarily aimed to determine the relative trophic position and contribution of periphyton to the assimilated diet of macroinvertebrate species in pool litter patches via stable isotope analysis. We specifically focused on predatory species in the context of their indirect effects on litter breakdown and estimated the range of their absolute trophic positions. The mean δ15N values of the 19 macroinvertebrate predator species considered ranged from 0.0 ‰ to 5.3 ‰. This range was greater than the overall mean enrichment factor of δ15N (Δ15N = 1.8 ‰) estimated from aquatic invertebrate predators based on five existing data sources, indicating that the absolute trophic position of predator species can extend across more than one level. The estimated periphyton contributions to the diets of predator species were almost half or more, indicating that the food webs of pool litter patches are closely connected with external periphyton-based webs. Our findings suggest that the top-down effect of predatory macroinvertebrates in litter patches is likely to be dissipated by the shift to the grazing food chains instead of cascading down to the litter.
Agroforestry across the United States: Results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture
Authors: Kellerman Todd , Feibel Samuel , Smith Matthew M. , Bentrup Gary , Batcheler Mark , MacFarland Katherine 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Agroforestry offers producers climate mitigation and adaptation benefits and the opportunity to diversify income and enhance ecosystem services. Though these benefits are well-researched, few studies document agroforestry implementation through time in the United States using consistent national data sources. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated changes in the number of farm operations with agroforestry across the United States using data from the 2017 and 2022 United States Census of Agriculture. Through this analysis, we showed that the number of farm operations with agroforestry increased by 6% nationally between 2017 (30,853) and 2022 (32,717). States with the highest percent of total farms reporting at least one type of agroforestry were Vermont (7.8%), Maine (6.0%), and New Hampshire (5.6%), while states with the lowest percent were Arizona (0.3%), Utah (0.4%), and North Dakota (0.4%). States on the eastern half of the country tended to see increases in the number of farm operations with agroforestry between census years, while states on the western half of the country saw the largest decreases. Reasons for these changes are complex and require additional analysis. Additionally, we identified potential factors that may decrease the accuracy of agroforestry census data, along with recommendations on how to improve overall data quality going forward. We outlined how national agroforestry census data can inform decision-making related to farm policies, funding, programs, research, and extension delivery. With an online supplement, we also provided detailed maps of the extent of agroforestry in all 50 states.
Experiences and Preferences in Zambia and South Africa for Delivery of HIV Treatment During a Client’s First Six Months: Results of the PREFER Study’s Cross-Sectional Baseline Survey
Authors: Mutanda Nyasha , Morgan Allison , Kamanga Aniset , Sande Linda , Ntjikelane Vinolia , Maskew Mhairi , Haimbe Prudence , Lumano-Mulenga Priscilla , Rosen Sydney , Scott Nancy 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Disengagement from antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highest in the early treatment period (≤ 6 months after initiation/re-initiation), but low intensity models designed to increase retention generally exclude these clients. We describe client preferences for HIV service delivery in the early treatment period. From 9/2022 to 6/2023, we surveyed adult clients who were initiating or on ART for ≤ 6 months at primary health facilities in South Africa and Zambia. We collected data on experiences with and preferences for HIV treatment. We enrolled 1,098 participants in South Africa (72% female, median age 33) and 771 in Zambia (67% female, median age 32), 38% and 34% of whom were initiating/re-initiating ART in each country, respectively. While clients expressed varied preferences, most participants (94% in South Africa, 87% in Zambia) were not offered choices regarding service delivery. 82% of participants in South Africa and 36% in Zambia reported receiving a 1-month supply of medication at their most recent visit; however, South African participants preferred 2- or 3-month dispensing (69%), while Zambian participants preferred 3-or 6-month dispensing (85%). Many South African participants (65%) would prefer to collect medication in community settings, while Zambian participants (70%) preferred clinic-based collection. Half of participants desired more one-on-one counselling and health information. Most participants reported positive experiences with providers, but long waiting queues were reported by South African participants.During the first six months on ART, many clients would prefer less frequent clinic visits, longer dispensing intervals, and frequent, high-quality counselling. Care models for the early treatment period should reflect these preferences.

Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05454839, Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05454852.
Using the long-term genetic monitoring network ARMS-MBON to detect marine non-indigenous species along the European coasts
Authors: Pagnier Justine , Daraghmeh Nauras , Obst Matthias 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The increasing prevalence of non-indigenous species (NIS) in marine ecosystems poses significant challenges for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Advances in molecular techniques enable early detection and long-term monitoring of such taxa, especially when coupled with spatio-temporally wide sampling by networks such as the European ARMS Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (ARMS-MBON). This initiative performs standardised sampling campaigns using autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) along European coasts and adjacent regions, providing open-access DNA metabarcoding data sets. We tested the potential of genetic observatory networks to detect and monitor marine NIS by analysing all publicly available ARMS-MBON cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing data as of February 2024 using a customised bioinformatic pipeline. Screening against the World Register of Introduced Marine Species (WRiMS) and applying manual curation, we identified 63 marine taxa considered non-indigenous at one or more locations. This included widespread taxa and potential new introductions, such as Eucheilota menoni in the Adriatic Sea. We found no significantly higher number of NIS in samples from locations particularly impacted by maritime traffic compared to other areas. Our results suggest that the genetic observatory network approach is powerful for detecting and monitoring marine NIS, and that manual curation still is an essential step for obtaining reliable results. We recommend key improvements including more spatially intense sampling across diverse environments as well as enhancement of NIS reference checklists and genetic databases to ensure accurate identification of both known and unknown NIS across Europe.
No Praise for Unknown Cakes: What Is the Source of the Acquaintance Inference?
Authors: Felka Katharina 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Based on utterances of sentences that contain predicates of taste hearers typically infer that the speaker has first-hand experience with the object being evaluated. That is, utterances of such sentences invoke an acquaintance inference. Various authors have argued that the acquaintance inference is due to peculiarities of predicates of taste. In the paper we critically discuss these proposals and reject them in favour of a version of an epistemic account, according to which the acquaintance inference results from peculiarities of knowledge about taste.
The backreaction problem for black holes in semiclassical gravity
Authors: del Rio Adrian 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The question of black hole evaporation is reviewed in the framework of quantum field theory in curved spacetimes and semiclassical gravity. We highlight the importance of taking backreaction effects into account to have a consistent picture of the fate of gravitational collapse in this framework. We describe the difficulties of solving the backreaction semiclassical equations due to practical complications of renormalizing the stress-energy tensor of quantum fields in general 3+1 spacetimes. We end with some personal views and plans on the subject.
Safety and efficacy of a temperature-controlled ablation system for ventricular tachycardia: Results from the TRAC-VT study
Authors: Kautzner Josef , Moreno Javier , Tondo Claudio , Anselme Frédéric , Burrell James , Becker Daniel , Peichl Petr , Patchett Ian , Dhanjal Tarvinder 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Catheter ablation using radiofrequency (RF) energy is an established treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT). Tissue temperature is a key determinant of successful lesion creation, and yet, it is difficult to measure during conventional RF ablation because of the cooling effect of high-flow rate saline irrigation. The TRAC-VT study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel irrigated RF ablation system modulating power based on real-time tissue temperature.

Methods
Patients with sustained monomorphic VT and structural heart disease (SHD) were enrolled. Catheter ablation was performed in temperature-control mode (irrigation 8 ml/min, temperature set-points 55 or 60 °C, and power output ≤ 50 W), with RF applications for ≤ 45 s. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular-specific serious procedure-related adverse events within 30 days post-ablation. The primary effectiveness endpoint was acute success (i.e., non-inducibility of all clinically relevant VTs).

Results
Thirty-eight patients were enrolled with monomorphic VT (age 68 ± 12 years and 84% male), with an average of 1.7 ± 1.2 VTs targeted per patient. In total, 41 ± 23 RF applications per patient were delivered. Acute procedural success was 100% (95% CI, 91–100%). No primary safety endpoints were observed. Six-month follow-up was completed in 92% of patients with 81% (95% CI, 65–91%) freedom from sustained or treated VT. A repeat ablation was performed in three patients.

Conclusions
Ablation of VT in SHD, using a temperature-controlled irrigated RF catheter, was safe and effective with a low rate of VT recurrence at 6 months.

Graphical abstract
Design of Electrospun Hydrophobically Modified Polyacrylic acid Hydrogel Nanofibers and their Application for Removal of Ciprofloxacin
Authors: İlyasoğlu Gülmire , Abdullah Turdimuhammad , Okay Oguz , Koyuncu İsmail 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The global water scarcity crisis has been exacerbated by the increasing demand for clean water and water pollution caused by the persistent release of pharmaceuticals such as ciprofloxasin, into water systems. The biodegradation and adsorption potential of CIP is crucial for its elimination in wastewater treatment systems. However conventional methods in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) often struggle to efficiently eliminate of CIP from water due to its chemically stability and nonbiodegradability. Many researchers observed that CIP was not biodegraded even after 48 days in municipal WWTP, therefor no CIP removal occurred. The objective of this study was to investigate adsorption potential of CIP using a designed electrospun nanofiber. Within the scope of this purpose, we prepared electrospun acrylic acid (AAc)-based hydrogels modified with n-hexadecyl acrylate (C16A) for the first time and evaluated their efficacy in removing CIP from water. Our results show that the desired fiber size and surface smoothness can be obtained in the electrospun hydrogel containing 35 mol% of C16A. As a result, the AAc-based hydrogel nanofiber containing 35 mol% C16A exhibited superior adsorption properties. The adsorption efficiency of the hydrogel for CIP removal from aqueous medium was as high as 98% under equilibrium conditions. The adsorption process was found to follow the pseudo-second-order model, which suggests chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Isothermal analysis showed that the adsorption fit well with the Langmuir model, suggesting single layer adsorption on a uniform surface. These results highlight the potential of AAc-based hydrogels for the sustainable removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater, addressing a critical need in environmental contaminant management.

Graphical Abstract
High Strength Composites from Wastewater Sludge, Plant Oils, and Fossil Fuel By-Product Elemental Sulfur
Authors: Tisdale Katelyn A. , Wijeyatunga Shalini K. , Graham Matthew J. , Sauceda-Oloño Perla Y. , Tennyson Andrew G. , Smith Ashlyn D. , Smith Rhett C. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Herein high-strength composites are prepared from elemental sulfur, sunflower oil, and wastewater sludge. Fats extracted from dissolved air flotation (DAF) solids were reacted with elemental sulfur to yield composite DAFS (10 wt% DAF fats and 90 wt% sulfur). Additional composites were prepared from DAF fat, sunflower oil and sulfur to give SunDAF

x
(x = wt% sulfur, varied from 85–90%). The composites were characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, and mechanical methods. FT-IR spectra revealed a notable peak at 798 cm–1 indicating a C–S stretch in DAFS, SunDAF

90
, and SunDAF

85
indicating successful crosslinking of polymeric sulfur with olefin units. SEM/EDX analysis revealed homogenous distribution of carbon, oxygen, and sulfur in SunDAF

90
and SunDAF

85
. The percent crystallinity exhibited by DAFS (37%), SunDAF

90
(39%), and SunDAF

85
(45%) was observed to be slightly lower than that of previous composites prepared from elemental sulfur and fats and oils. DAFS and SunDAF

x
displayed compressive strengths (26.4–38.7 MPa) of up to 227% above that required (17 MPa) of ordinary Portland cement for residential building foundations. The composite decomposition temperatures ranged from 211 to 219 °C, with glass transition temperatures of − 37 °C to − 39 °C. These composites thus provide a potential route to reclaim wastewater organics for use in value-added structural materials having mechanical properties competitive with those of commercial products.
Brain interleukins and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Abdelhamed Heba G. , Hassan Arwa A. , Sakraan Alaa A. , Al-Deeb Radwa T. , Mousa Dalia M. , Aboul Ezz Heba S. , Noor Neveen A. , Khadrawy Yasser A. , Radwan Nasr M. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is immune-privileged by several immuno-modulators as interleukins (ILs). ILs are cytokines secreted by immune cells for cell-cell signaling communications and affect the functions of the CNS. ILs were reported to orchestrate different molecular and cellular mechanisms of both physiological and pathological events, through overproduction or over-expression of their receptors. They interact with numerous receptors mediating pro-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammatory actions. Interleukins have been implicated to participate in neurodegenerative diseases. They play a critical role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology which is characterized by the over-production of pro-inflammatory ILs. These may aggravate neurodegeneration, in addition to their contribution to detrimental mechanisms as oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity. However, recent research on the relation between ILs and AD revealed major discrepancies. Most of the major ILs were shown to play both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in different experimental settings and models. The interactions between different ILs through shared pathways also add to the difficulty of drawing solid conclusions. In addition, targeting the different ILs has not yielded consistent results. The repeated failures of therapeutic drugs in treating AD necessitate the search for novel agents targeting multiple mechanisms of the disease pathology. In this context, the understanding of interleukins and their roles throughout the disease progression and interaction with other systems in the brain may provide promising therapeutic targets for the prevention or treatment of AD.
Gamispotify: a gamified social music recommendation system based on users’ personal values
Authors: Hajarian Mohammad , Carrillo Miguel Herrera , Díaz Paloma , Aedo Ignacio 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In this article, we have introduced Gamispotify. For the first time, in a social network-based environment, and by benefiting from gamification and crowdsourcing, Gamispotify recommends music to the users based on their personal values. The proposed method has been compared to another published article by conducting two experiments and surveys on 32 application participants. Experimental results indicate that user engagement has significantly increased using the proposed method. Spending time on the application increased by 299.48%, the music play count increased by 150%, and receiving music recommendations increased by 244.41%. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test confirmed these improvements were significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, survey results support these findings and show a notable increase in user satisfaction with the proposed music recommendation system compared with the previous work (p = 0.019). It also indicates that the proposed method successfully motivated users to discover new songs (p = 0.043). We have also found that social networking features, recommendations based on personal values, and gamification have positively impacted the users’ motivation to use the music streaming application.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia with and Without Concomitant Speech and Language Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lomi Francesco , Simonelli Ilaria , Cappa Stefano , Pasqualetti Patrizio , Rossi Simone 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Primary progressive aphasias (PPA) represent a group of neurodegenerative conditions affecting verbal communication abilities for which no effective medication is currently available. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NiBS) has been mainly explored as adjunctive therapy to conventional speech and language therapy (SLT) with promising results. The present meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) aims to evaluate the efficacy of NiBS in PPA patients on a range of linguistic tasks (naming, phonemic fluency, semantic fluency). A literature search was carried out using EMBASE and PUBMED, searching for multi-session RCTs administering NiBS on PPA patients as stand-alone or with SLT. The results were not significant overall, indicating a null difference between the active and the sham condition on language functions; pooled effects tended to be higher in parallel than in crossover studies and for follow-ups than post-treatment. In the naming analyses, the combined effects for the studies that coupled NiBS with SLT were slightly higher than the overall effect at each time point, although not significant. These results need to be considered with caution given the low number of included studies and small sample sizes, but offer relevant indications for future research in terms of optimal treatment protocols and personalization of therapies.