bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental stability promotes generalist taxa which increase resistance to environmental shocks in methanogenic microbial communities
Authors: Mills Simon , Ijaz Umer Zeeshan , Lens Piet N.L. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background Different microbial communities are impacted to disproportionately by environmental disturbances. For example, methanogenic microbial communities, which underpin biotechnologies such as anaerobic digestion are particularly susceptible to disturbances, as they are highly syntrophic and dysbiosis in one of the necessary trophic groups can cause system failure. The degree to which such a community can remain stable when faced with a disturbance is referred to as resistance. However, the factors which infer a community’s resistance are unknown. It has previously been hypothesised that resistance may be increased by prior exposure to disturbances or general environmental instability. In this study, we investigate the impact of historical environmental stability on ecological phenomena and in turn, the resistance of a methanogenic microbial community to shocks.Results Three separate methanogenic consortia, which were subjected to varying degrees of historical environmental stability, and displayed different levels of resistance to an organic overload were sampled. Their community composition was assessed using high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. A suite of ecological analysis were applied to determine the effect of environmental stability on ecological phenomena such as microbial community assembly, microbial niche breadth and the rare biosphere and in turn, the effect of these phenomena on community resistance. The community which experienced the most historical stability displayed the most functional resistance to a major disturbance (shock organic load) had a higher number of persistently rare taxa. Environmental instability led to more temporal variation in community beta diversity and phylogenetic dispersion and resulted in a community dominated by taxa with a narrow niche breadth (i.e. specialists), which was more susceptible to deterministic influences caused by a shock organic overload.Conclusions These results indicate that frequent, varied environmental disturbances reduce microbial community resistance. This reduced resistance is characterised by a microbial community with lower numbers of rare taxa and a dominance of specialist taxa with narrow niche breadths. Therefore, environmental stability promotes the development of a microbial community which is more resistant to shocks.
An efficient genetic algorithm for solving the travel salesman problem
Authors: Rafique Fahad , Cui Hengjian 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a widely employed evolutionary method used to tackle the complex-nature and nondeterministic polynomial (NP-hard) problems. Despite its popularity, GA faces inherent challenges, notably premature convergence and sub-optimal computational efficiency. Addressing these weaknesses is currently a critical focus in the realm of solving intricate optimization problems. A pivotal aspect of GA lies in assigning selection probabilities to the generated population, which can influence the avoidance of premature convergence. In this study, we introduce a new selection operator for GA, designed to exert higher selection pressure while preserving population diversity. By utilizing Pearson's chi-square as a goodness-of-fit test, we meticulously evaluate the sampling accuracy of this novel operator against established counterparts. Despite a slight increase in complexity, our proposed operator significantly improves sampling accuracy. To validate its efficacy, we assess the global performance through the traveling salesman problem and observed a significant improvements in achieving optimal or near-optimal solutions.
Assessment of tumor hypoxia in spontaneous canine tumors after treatment with OMX, a novel H-NOX oxygen carrier, with [ 18 F]FMISO PET/CT
Authors: Choen Sangkyung , Kent Michael S. , Loucks F. Alexandra , Winger Jonathan A. , Zwingenberger Allison L. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
· Background: Hypoxia is a detrimental factor in solid tumors, leading to aggressiveness and therapy resistance. OMX, a tunable oxygen carrier from the heme nitric oxide/oxygen-binding protein (H-NOX) protein family, has the potential to reduce tumor hypoxia. [18F]Fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET) is the most widely used and investigated method for non-invasive imaging of tumor hypoxia. In this study, we used [18F]FMISO PET/CT (computed tomography) to assess the effect of OMX on tumor hypoxia in spontaneous canine tumors.
· Results: Thirteen canine patients with various tumors were randomly divided into blocks of two, with the treatment groups alternating between receiving intratumoral (IT) OMX injection (OMX IT group) and intravenous (IV) OMX injection (OMX IV group). A maximum tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMRmax) greater than 1.4 was used as the standard threshold to determine tumor hypoxia. In addition, hypoxic volume (HV) was defined as the region with tumor-to-muscle ratio greater than 1.4 on [18F]FMISO PET images. Hypoxia was detected in 6/7 tumors in the OMX IT group and 5/7 tumors in the OMX IV injection group. Although there was no significant difference in baseline hypoxia between the OMX IT and IV groups, the two groups showed different responses to OMX. In the OMX IV group, hypoxic tumors (n=5) exhibited significant reductions in tumor hypoxia, as indicated by decreased TMRmax and HV in [18F]FMISO PET imaging after treatment. In contrast, hypoxic tumors in the OMX IT group (n=6) displayed a significant increase in [18F]FMISO uptake and variable changes in TMRmax and HV.
· Conclusions: [18F]FMISO PET/CT imaging presents a promising non-invasive procedure for monitoring tumor hypoxia and assessing the efficacy of hypoxia-modulating therapies in canine patients. OMX has shown promising outcomes in reducing tumor hypoxia, especially when administered intravenously, as evident from reductions in both TMRmax and HV in [18F]FMISO PET imaging.
Genomic analysis of the class Phycisphaerae reveals a versatile group of complex carbon-degrading bacteria
Authors: Lenferink Wouter B. , Jetten Mike S.M. , Kessel Maartje A.H.J. , Lücker Sebastian 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Bacteria of the phylum Planctomycetota have received a lot of attention over the years due to their unique cell biology and potential for biotechnological application. Within the phylum, bacteria of the class Phycisphaerae have been found in a multitude of environmental datasets. However, only a few species have been brought into culture so far and even enrichments are scarce. Therefore, very little is known about their lifestyle, which has hindered efforts to estimate their environmental relevance. Here, we analysed all medium- and high-quality Phycisphaerae genomes represented in the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) to learn more about their physiology. We combined automatic and manual annotation efforts to provide a bird’s eye view of their different energy metabolisms. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find indications for the presence of genes for anaerobic ammonium oxidation in any Phycisphaeraegenome. Instead, we found that many members of this class are adapted to a facultative anaerobic or strictly fermentative lifestyle and may be specialized in the breakdown of carbon compounds produced by other organisms. Based on these findings, we provide a practical overview of organic carbon substrates that are predicted to be utilized by Phycisphaerae families.
Semi-Supervised Machine Learning Method for Predicting Observed Individual Risk Preference Using Gallup Data
Authors: Ahmed Faroque , Shamsuddin Mrittika , Sultana Tanzila , Shamsuddin Rittika 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Risk and uncertainty play a vital role in almost every significant economic decision, and an individual's propensity to make riskier decisions also depends on various circumstances. Studies on general and financial risk preference mostly kept their investigation restricted to analyzing the correlation between the sociodemographic and economic aspects of risk-taking, using ordinary least-square and supervised machine learning paradigms. This article aims to investigate the effects of social and economic covariates on an individual's willingness to take general risks and extends the literature by using quantitative measures of risk-taking from the GPS and Gallup datasets in addition to the qualitative measures used in the literature. Based on the available observed risk-taking data for one year, this article proposes a semi-supervised machine learning-based approach that can efficiently predict the observed risk index for those countries/individuals for years when the observed risk-taking index was not collected. We find that linear models are insufficient to capture certain patterns among risk-taking factors, and non-linear models, such as random forest regression, can obtain better root mean squared values than those reported in past literature. In addition to finding factors that agree with past studies, we also find that subjective well-being influences risk-taking behavior.
A review of the adverse effects of intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease patients (MIS-C)
Authors: ergün deniz , kara aybüke akarslan , özer arife , özenen gizem güner , şahinkaya şahika , cem ela , çelebi miray yılmaz , gülderen mustafa , kaçar pelin , çatıkoğlu aslı , bayram nuri , devrim ilker 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are associated with systemic inflammation and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion is the first-line cornerstone of therapy. We aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings of children diagnosed with MIS-C, the incidence of adverse effects events of IVIG infusion, and identify the influencing factors.
Methods
A single-center retrospective study was designed to evaluate children hospitalized with MIS-C and receiving IVIG infusion therapy between February 2020 and February 2023.
Results
108 patients diagnosed with MIS-C and receiving IVIG treatment were included in the study. When the disease severity of 98 patients diagnosed with MIS-C was evaluated, 50 (51.0%) patients were found to have mild MIS-C, 25 (25.5%) patients had moderate MIS-C, and 23 (23.5%) patients had severe MIS-C. Twenty-five patients (23.2%) required pediatric intensive care unit follow-up. In 38.9% (n = 42) of the patients, glucocorticoids were combined with IVIG. Fever was identified in 34.3% (n = 37) of patients when adverse effects were examined during IVIG infusion. In 27.8% of patients (n = 30), IVIG infusion had to be stopped, with the most common reasons being 83.3% fever, 10% rash, 3.3% headache, and 3.3% vascular access change. There was no statistically significant difference in IVIG infusion adverse effects or infusion-stopping frequency between patients who received and did not receive steroid treatment (p = 0.557). There was no significant difference between the severity of MIS-C and the adverse effects and infusion stopping time in individuals receiving IVIG infusion (p = 0.139).
Conclusions
In our study, adverse effects related to IVIG infusion were rarer and less severe than in previous reports. The most common adverse effect of IVIG infusion and the reason for discontinuation of the infusion was fever. We discovered that steroid therapy and MIS-C severity did not affect IVIG adverse effects. It was given by prolonged infusion in most patients; perhaps this is why we did not observe any serious adverse effects in children. We recommend that patients diagnosed with MIS-C and treated with IVIG should be closely monitored for adverse effects, and risk factors should be determined correctly.
A test method for identifying selection bias risk in prospective controlled clinical therapy trials using the I2 point estimate (Preprint)
Authors: Mickenautsch Steffen , Yengopal Veerasamy 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objectives: A test method is proposed for identifying potential selection bias risk in single prospective controlled clinical therapy trials that can be applied by trial reviewers.
Methods: The method is described in detail and was tested on eight randomised controlled trials (RCT) with reported negative Berger-Exner test result as negative and on eight prospective, controlled COHORT studies as positive controls. All 16 studies were identified by systematic literature search.
Results: The test method yielded negative results for all RCTs and positive results for 6 out of the 8 COHORT studies.
Conclusion: All test results remained within the expected limits for both study types, suggesting a reasonably high accuracy for correctly identifying selection bias risk. However, the method does not provide the possibility to establish whether such bias risk has actually altered trial outcome. Instead, a positive test result may provide an empirical basis for rating a trial as of high selection bias risk during trial appraisal.
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma of the Tail: Unveiling a Rare Presentation with Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Rabab Syeda Abiha , Zaidi Syeda Mahrukh Fatima , Amjad Ayesha , Paras  , Sattar Maryam 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a silent and lethal adversary that often conceals its presence until advanced stages. This report elucidates a distinctive case of a 46-year-old patient with pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma presenting with venous thrombosis, a rare manifestation. The patient’s symptoms included severe left leg pain, swelling, and redness, accompanied by weight loss and decreased appetite. Laboratory findings indicated a prothrombotic state, whereas imaging revealed a substantial pancreatic tail mass with liver metastasis. Elevated tumor markers, CA 19–9 and CEA, supported the diagnosis, confirmed by a liver biopsy. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by pancreatic cancer, particularly in the tail, emphasizing the need for early detection. The intricate interplay between metastasis and thrombosis complicates the clinical landscape, requiring a comprehensive approach to management.
A novel protocol to establish subarachnoid hemorrhage mouse model with preserved vascular anatomy
Authors: Zhang Rui , Khan Dilaware , Muhammad Sajjad 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This study introduces a novel Circle of Willis perforation (cWp) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model in mice. Employing Needle Puncture and Filament Perforation through the Common Carotid Artery (CCA), the method replicates the External Carotid Artery (ECA) SAH model's characteristic, preserving all normal anatomical structures. Notably, surgical complexity decreases significantly, highlighting its potential to streamline cWp model production and recommending adoption in the broader SAH research community.
The Intersection of Vulnerabilities Among Homeless Populations Exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic: a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Marini Giovanna Marina Fernandes , Moura Heriederson Sávio Dias , Ferezin Letícia Perticarrara Ferezin Perticarrara , Neto Julio Canos , Cunha Jose Henrique da Silva , Teibo Titilade Kehinde Ayandeyi , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre , Fiorati Regina Célia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a discernible amplification of inherent vulnerabilities in the global population, with the most susceptible segments exemplified by the Homeless Population experiencing exacerbated adverse impacts.. This study aims to analyze the intersection of vulnerabilities among homeless populations aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method: This is a parallel convergent mixed methods study, incorporating a cross-sectional quantitative study and a qualitative study. A survey-type questionnaire was employed in the quantitative approach, analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques, and a semi-structured interview in the qualitative aspect, with interviews analyzed using Minayo's thematic analysis methodology.
Results: Significant associations were identified between the vulnerabilities faced by the homeless population, which were further compounded with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period witnessed a critical intersection of these vulnerabilities, resulting in an even deeper social destabilization for this group.
Conclusions: Individuals experiencing homelessness confront a complex accumulation of intertwined inequalities, intensifying their social vulnerability. This scenario underscores the intersection of vulnerabilities within this group and emphasizes the urgent need for an integrated approach to understand their health and the pandemic's impact on these individuals.
History of Research on Scythian Period Sites in the Seym River Basin: Panorama of Works and Thoughts
Authors: Bilynskyi Oleh 
Published: December 2023

This article explores the history of theoretical frameworks adopted by researchers concerning the historical and cultural processes that occurred during the Scythian period in the Seym River basin. The research history is divided into several periods, each examining the thoughts of leading authors, their arguments, and the context in which researchers prepared their works, formulated hypotheses, and integrated them into the overall research framework of that period.
These periods include:
­	The research period of I. I. Liapushkin, who considered the Seym basin as part of the Zolnichna culture he identified.
­	A. Ye. Alikhova's studies, describing a series of sites of the Jukhnovo culture in the region, shaping the perception of Kursk Seym region as the territory of its distribution.
­	A. I. Puzikova's works, investigating sites typical for the entire Left Bank Forest-Steppe of the Scythian period in the Kursk Seym region, leading to the identification of a separate Seym variant on the Left Bank.
­	Development and critique of A. I. Puzikova's ideas by researchers from the 1980s to the 2000s.
­	Contemporary research on this topic and the current dominant theoretical constructs.
The main focus is on the chronology of the sites, the description of their characteristic features by researchers, the idea of dividing Left Bank sites into local variants, singling out a specific Seym variant, the history of the region's population, and the cultural processes during the Scythian period.
Diary Study on Microaggressions, Identity Shifting, and Mental Health among Black Women in STEM Graduate Programs During COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support
Authors: Danielle Dickens  , Hall Naiomi , Farmer Makyra , Johnson Nailah 
Published: December 2023

Black women in STEM graduate programs may develop coping strategies, such as identity shifting, to minimize gendered racial stressors, especially in the context of COVID-19. Identity shifting is the process of altering one’s speech, behavior, perspective, and appearance. Past studies found a positive association between identity shifting and mental health outcomes among young Black women; however, research on the mental health of Black women in STEM graduate programs is limited. The present study utilized a Black feminist standpoint theoretical framework to examine daily experiences of gendered racial microaggressions (GRM), identity shifting, perceived supervisor support (PSS), and mental health outcomes among 102 Black women in STEM graduate programs. Participants completed online daily questionnaires for 10 workdays using Qualtrics. We hypothesized that identity shifting and GRM would positively predict anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, we hypothesized that PSS would significantly mediate the relationship between GRMs and mental health outcomes. Results showed that women with higher experiences of GRM and shifting reported more depressive and anxiety symptoms. PSS did not mediate the relationship between GRM and mental health outcomes. The results of this study can be used to develop culturally tailored support programs to create inclusive environments for Black women in academia.
A chemometric and ingestion hazard prediction study of groundwater in proximity to the Bandhwari landfill site, Gurugram, India
Authors: Singh Manbir , Wadhwa Vaishali , Batra Lavisha , Khyalia Pradeep , Mor Vikram 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Groundwater contamination due to the leaching of harmful pollutants such as heavy metals, xenobiotic compounds, and other inorganic compounds from solid waste dumping sites has become a major health concern in recent times. Therefore, to assess the effects of the Bandhwari landfill site, groundwater samples from the surrounding region of the dumping site were collected and analyzed for heavy metals and physicochemical properties. The total dissolved solids (TDS) of 67% of samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits which makes it unfit for drinking purposes. The groundwater samples were also analyzed for iron (Fe), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) concentrations and results of heavy metal concentration in the groundwater around the Bandhwari landfill follow the concentration trend of Pb &gt; Cd &gt; Ni &gt; Cu &gt; Zn &gt; Fe &gt; Cr. Risk assessment of consumers' health was done using target hazard quotient calculations which were less than unity (threshold value of &lt;1), indicating that heavy metal concentrations do not pose any serious health effect according to total hazard quotient values. The results of the study made it evident that groundwater is not suitable for drinking purposes due to excess values of water quality parameters but poses no risk due to studied metal concentrations.
Health risk assessment of drinking groundwater in rural areas of Ru village and surrounding areas in Wutai County, China
Authors: Sun Qifa , Guo Lin , Hu Chen , Liu Tao , Sun Jingyao , Zhou Long 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a global environmental problem that poses risks to human health. We investigate the health risks of nitrate in rural drinking groundwater in Rucun Township and surrounding areas of Wutai County, and provide a basis for healthy drinking water. By using statistical analysis software (SPSS19) and hydrogeochemical analysis software (AqQA), a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of nitrate health risks was conducted among populations of different ages and genders through water sample collection, chemical analysis, and construction of a human health risk model (HHRA). Through research, it was found that the average concentration of nitrate in the study area is 43.99 mg/L. Groundwater is severely polluted by NO3−, and nitrate pollution areas are mainly concentrated in the main human activity areas, especially in the main agricultural production areas. The Quaternary loess layer, as a permeable layer, cannot prevent groundwater from being polluted by NO3−. Through evaluation, it is believed that there is a health risk of nitrate pollution in rural drinking groundwater in Rucun Township and surrounding areas. Health risk level: infants&gt;children&gt;adult females&gt;adult males. The discovery and evaluation results can provide a basis for the prevention and control of nitrate pollution in groundwater.