bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement in the Legal Systems of the EAEU Member States
Authors: Lifshits I. M. , Smbatyan A. S. , Salia M. R. 
Published: January 2024

The Paris Climate Agreement provides for the acceptance by the participating States of obligations, which this treaty enshrines as «nationally determined contributions» (NDC). The goal of these commitments is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep global temperature increases well below 2°C compared to preindustrial levels. This mechanism has a number of legal features: first, each state establishes NDC independently, reports them to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), acting as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, and registers them with the Secretariat. From this moment, a new international legal obligation of the state to implement the NDC arises. Secondly, it can be changed only in the direction of greater «ambition», that is, by increasing targets for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Thirdly, the Paris Agreement does not require the coordination of national measures with the rest of the parties to the treaty. Each participant in the Paris Agreement represents an NDC, which determines the scope of its own obligations without the participation of other states, unlike the mechanism provided for in the GATT and GATS, where WTO member states are required to coordinate their national measures with the rest of the participants (Goods schedule / Services schedule). Fourthly, the monitoring mechanism provides for the first stage of summing up in 2023, when an assessment of the progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement will be given.A comparative analysis of the NDC of the EAEU member states, all of which are parties to the Paris Agreement, allows us to generalize. The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation announced the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2060, the rest of the states — by 2050. Some states (the Republic of Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan) have set two targets for the implementation of NDC: conditional (achievement of the indicator with international financial support and access to modern technologies) and unconditional (achievement of the indicator at own expense). The level of development of the legal framework for the implementation of the NDC of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic is inferior to the level of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan in terms of limiting greenhouse gas emissions, turnover of carbon units and taxation of carbon emissions (introduction of a carbon tax). At the EAEU level, the member states have adopted a roadmap on the climate agenda, and much work remains to be done to develop a regulatory framework.
A retrospective study of percutaneous cholecystostomy outcomes in a community hospital
Authors: Meija Jonathan , Meghpara Melissa , Wain Omar , Liguori Tyler , Nithisoontorn Sutasinee , Solomon Robert , Louis Martine A. , Mandava Nageswara 
Published: January 2024

Background: The gold standard of treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC) typically involves operative intervention, specifically cholecystectomy. However, initial nonoperative management rather than immediate cholecystectomy has been recommended for critically ill patients. Non-operative interventions, such as percutaneous cholecystostomy (PCT), may represent viable alternatives. The current study examines risk factors associated with worse outcomes of AC among critically ill patients with AC treated conservatively.
Methods: This retrospective study examined data from 121 patients with AC presenting to a NYC-area community hospital. Differences in demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics were examined in relation to post-operative outcomes, including mortality.
Results: The sample tended to be older, with 31% of patients identifying as non-Hispanic white. One-third of the sample were admitted to the ICU. The median time between admission placement and PCT was 2 days, the median time PCT was left in place was 42 days. The overall 90-day mortality rate was 21% and 33% among ICU patients. Patients identifying as non-Hispanic white and those with more severe clinical presentation were at higher risk for mortality within 90 days. Admission to intensive care units (ICU) was significantly associated with 90-day mortality.
Conclusions: The results of the current study provide a snapshot into the profiles of patients at-risk for negative outcomes following PCT placement. Sociodemographic risk factors and clinical severity were associated with increased risk of mortality among patients seen at a diverse, community hospital. These findings support the use of risk-stratified decision making regarding non-operative treatments of AC.
A study of third and fourth ventricular sizes in Bangladeshi adults using computed tomography scan
Authors: Mustafiz Mehreen , Sidney Nabil Zunayed , Shahnewaz Shaila Sharmin 
Published: January 2024

Background: The assessment of normal measurements of cerebral ventricles in living humans holds significant importance for diagnosing and monitoring various pathologies. Current digital computed tomography (CT) scan machines enable the direct visualization of ventricles in cross-sectional images, allowing real-time measurement of different ventricular dimensions, thereby aiding in comprehending their anatomy. This research aims to create baseline reference values for the sizes of the third and fourth ventricles in normal Bangladeshi adults using CT scans.
Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the department of radiology and imaging, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical college hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 408 adult patients with clinical symptoms or history suggestive of neurological ailment were analyzed. CT scans of the brain of all the patients were performed in Supria 128 Fujifilm multi-slice CT scanner and the studies were analyzed retrospectively on Synapse 3D workstation. Measurements were taken with inbuilt linear calipers. The greatest width of the third ventricle (3V) and fourth ventricle (4V) on axial images using a linear approach were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 22.0.
Result: The study found that the mean measurements of the 3V were 4.27±1.22 mm in males and 3.73±1.03 mm in females, with an overall mean of 3.92±1.13 mm. For the 4V, the mean measurements were 11.73±1.27 mm in males and 10.67±1.07 mm in females, resulting in an overall mean of 11.03±1.25 mm. The largest dimensions in both ventricles were consistently observed in individuals aged 60 years and above, regardless of gender. Additionally, on average, the measurements of both ventricles were higher in males compared to females. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the sizes of both ventricles between male and female subjects.
Conclusions: This study concludes normal third and fourth ventricular sizes in Bangladeshi adults using CT scans. These can serve as baseline reference values in our hospital in routine practice.
Assessment of clinical profile among hypertensive patients, Meru, Kenya
Authors: Kathuri Elizabeth W. , Gichunge Catherine , Gitonga Lucy K. 
Published: January 2024

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Globally, more than 1.28 billion adults are hypertensive and in Kenya, 24% of adult population has elevated blood pressure and 56% of these have never been screened for hypertension. Assessment of clinical profile helps guide the management of hypertensive patients towards obtaining normal blood pressure levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical profile of hypertensive patients at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya.
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted and systematic random sampling was used to sample 75 hypertensive patients who participated in the study. The collected data were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Chi square was used to assess the relationship between the participants’ demographic characteristics, clinical profile and hypertension. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.
Results: The average mean age of the participants was 58.53 years and majority were female (52%). Thirty-three (33.3%) were overweight and 24% were obese. The mean body mass index (BMI) for both genders was 26.48±5.24, the mean waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) was 0.94 and 102.09 respectively with 85.3% of the participants having a substantially increased WHR. Diabetes was the most common comorbidity (70.73%). Of the five clinical profiles assessed (BMI, RBS, WHR, presence of comorbidities and drug used) only the presence of comorbidity was associated with BP levels χ2 (10.01,3), p=0.018.
Conclusions: Participants had high blood pressure, BMI, WHR and WC readings as well as several comorbidities.
Morphological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical changes in tissues of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats orally treated with isotretinoin
Authors: Khalil Ahmad , Alrabie Amneh , Al-Omari Tareq , Siam Hasan Abo , Ghorab Doaa 
Published: January 2024

Isotretinoin (ISO) is the most effective drug prescribed by dermatologists for the treatment of acne vulgaris and other clinical skin cases. A significant obstacle to using ISO is concerns regarding its adverse effect profile. Despite the well-established reproductive toxicity in females, information on the effects on human male fertility is scarce, contradictory, and inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential histological and histochemical effects of ISO. Isotretinoin was administered orally for seven successive days to Sprague Dawley male rats in a 5-20 mg/kg/day dose range. Standard histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to evaluate ISO side effects. High doses of ISO led to infiltration of inflammatory cells in hepatic tissues, atrophy of the kidney glomeruli, and collapse of testicular compartments. Decreased E2F4 production was positively correlated to a reduced rate of spermatogenesis. The findings provide further evidence for ISO's cytotoxic and reprotoxic potencies. These effects are probably partly due to slowing down the expression of an E2F4 transcription factor. The dysregulated gene may play an essential role in spermatogenesis. The diagnostic value of the E2F4 gene needs to be further validated by different proteomics approaches, and its precise role in spermatogenesis needs to be investigated.
Increase of Prominent Probiotics Represents the Major Change in the Gut Microbiota in Female Morbid Obese Patients upon Bariatric Surgery and Are Accompanied with a Switch of Enterotypes
Authors: Kissmann Ann-Kathrin , Paß Frederike , Ruzicka Hans-Maximilian , Dorst Isabel , Stieger Kai R. , Weil Tanja , Gihring Adrian , Elad Leonard , Knippschild Uwe , Rosenau Frank 
Published: January 2024

The global increase in obesity has significant health implications, with an increased BMI as a known risk factor for diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or different cancer types. Long-term effectiveness of diet therapy in addressing morbid obesity is extremely limited with no adequate pharmaceutical agents available as treatment option resulting in bariatric surgery as being the only viable option to achieve and maintain significant long-term weight loss. One important role in the overall human health plays the gut microbiome and its complex composition, which is usually altered and reduced in complexity/diversity in severely obese patients. In this study, the influence of bariatric surgery and the resulting weight-loss on the gut microbiome composition of twelve morbid obese (BMI ≥ 40) female adult central European patients was investigated by comparing the relative abundances of the major microbial phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria prior- and post-surgery. We also aimed to give insight into the major changes of individual prominent and promising future probiotic bacteria characterized by an overall increase in abundance accompanied by a switch of enterotypes. Identifying specific microbial alterations associated with successful weight-loss outcomes may contribute to the development of future therapeutic interventions by supplementation with next-generation probiotics.
Genetic profile of MRSA and MSSA clinical isolates with daptomycin MIC > 1 mg/L
Authors: Gómez-Casanova Natalia , Gutiérrez-Zufiaurre Mª Nieves , Blázquez de Castro Ana Mª , Muñoz-Bellido Juan Luis 
Published: January 2024

Daptomycin is one of the last therapeutic resources for multidrug-resistant gram- positive bacteria. Despite its structural similarities with glycopeptides, its mechanisms of action and resistance are different, and in some respects are not completely understood. Mutations in several genes have been associated to daptomycin resistance, especially in mprF, walkR, rpoB and rpoC, but their role and importance remain to be elucidated. We have studied mutations in 11 genes, which have been previously associated to daptomycin non- susceptibility, in 9 daptomycin non-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates (daptomycin MIC: &gt; 1mg/L). Susceptibility to daptomycin, vancomycin, linezolid, oxacillin, telavancin and dalbavancin were studied. walkR, agrA, cls1, cls2, fakA, pnpA, clpP, prs, rpoB, rpoC and mprF were amplified by PCR and sequenced. The sequences were compared with the S. aureus ATCC 25923 complete genome (GenBank gi: 685631213) by using BLAST® software. We did not find any changes in walkR, pnpA, prs and clpP. All isolates excepting isolate 5 showed a high number of significant mutations (between 13 and 25 amino acid changes) in mprF. Most isolates also showed mutations in rpo genes, cls genes and fakA. Daptomycin non-susceptibility in S. aureus clinical isolates seems to be reached through different mutations combinations when compared to S. aureus ATCC 25293. Especially mprF and cls1 showed a very high polymorphism in most isolates. Meanwhile, one isolate, St5, showed only single mutation in mprF (P314T).
High-Rate High Volume a Novel Technique for Uniform Matrix Stimulation of Naturally Fractured Low-Pressure Reservoirs
Authors: Yousuf Arif , Waqas Ghulam Muhammad , Bugti Jahanzeb Ali , Bugti Rizwan , Yousuf Saad , Anwar Rameez , Ahmed Syed Hamza , Rasheed Haroon , Saeed Salman 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Matrix stimulation techniques are primarily employed to eliminate the near-wellbore skin. In reservoirs with high permeability and natural fractures, achieving a uniform distribution of treatment fluid poses a significant challenge. The use of chemical diverters is not always effective and often leads to fluid losses in zones with high permeability with little to no impact on the production parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate additional parameters and conduct a detailed analysis of past job executions, procedures, and results. Implementing modifications in procedures, stages, and treatment design based on this analysis can enhance the success rate.
A highly effective method for uniformly stimulating the reservoir is a high-rate, high-volume job. By combining a high flow rate with chemical diverters, the high permeability zone is bottlenecked, diverting the flow to the low permeable zone, and ensuring uniform distribution of the treatment fluid. The flow rate is determined based on injectivity tests and maximum pressure limitations, while the volume of the treatment fluid is selected based on the pay zone interval and formation porosity. This stimulation technique is particularly advantageous in low-pressure reservoirs with naturally high-conductivity fractures where losses are very common.
The aforementioned technique has been employed in various wells located in the North and South regions of Pakistan, resulting in significant improvements in almost all cases. For instance, in one case study, it led to a production gain of 03 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD), while another case observed a 2,000-barrel per day increase in oil production. This paper describes the modifications implemented in acid placement procedures that ultimately improve the productivity of stimulated wells. It will cover the below:
Various methods of acid placement with their pros and cons. A comparative analysis of conventional acid placement methods vs. adopted methodology. Laboratory analysis illustrating solubility and compatibility of the proposed treatment fluid. Simulations results of adopted methodology along with the execution. A comparison of Post Job Parameters using conventional vs. implemented techniques.
Landscape-scale Epidemiological Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in White-tailed Deer
Authors: Hewitt Joshua , Wilson-Henjum Grete , Collins Derek , Linder Timothy , Lenoch Julianna , Heale Jonathon , Quintanal Christopher , Pleszewski Robert , McBride Dillon , Bowman Andrew , Chandler Jeffrey , Shriner Susan , Bevins Sarah , Kohler Dennis , Chipman Richard , Gosser Allen , Bergman David , DeLiberto Thomas , Pepin Kim 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Understanding pathogen emergence in new host species is fundamental for developing prevention and response plans for human and animal health. We leveraged a large-scale surveillance dataset coordinated by United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and state natural resources agencies to quantify outbreak dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in North American white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; WTD) throughout its range in the United States. Local epidemics in WTD were well approximated by a single outbreak peak followed by fade out. Outbreaks peaked earliest in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. Local effective reproduction numbers of SARS-CoV-2 were between 1 and 2.5. Ten percent of variability in peak prevalence was explained by human infection pressure. This, together with the similar peak infection prevalence times across many counties and single-peak outbreak dynamics followed by fade out, suggest that widespread transmission via human-to-deer spillover may have been an important driver of the patterns and persistence. We provide a framework for inferring population-level epidemiological processes through joint analysis of many sparsely-observed local outbreaks (landscape scale surveillance data) and linking epidemiological parameters to ecological risk factors. The framework combines mechanistic and statistical models that can identify and track local outbreaks in long-term infection surveillance monitoring data.
Entwined Origins: Paternal and Maternal Genetic Legacies of Hungarian-Speaking Enclaves in the Carpathian Basin
Authors: Borbély Noémi , Dudás Dániel , Tapasztó Attila , Dudás-Boda Eszter , Csáky Veronika , Szeifert Bea , Mende Balázs Gusztáv , Egyed Balázs , Szécsényi-Nagy Anna , Pamjav Horolma 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

This study focuses on exploring the uniparental genetic lineage of Hungarian-speaking minorities residing in rural villages of Baranja (Croatia) and the Zobor region (Slovakia). We aimed at identifying ancestral lineages by examining genetic markers distributed across the entire mitogenome and on the Y-chromosome. This allowed us to discern disparities in regional genetic structures within these communities. By integrating our newly acquired genetic data from a total of 168 participants with pre-existing Eurasian and ancient DNA datasets, our goal was to enrich the understanding of the genetic history trajectories of Carpathian Basin populations. Our findings suggest that while population-based analyses may not be sufficiently robust to detect fine-scale uniparental genetic patterns with the sample sizes at hand, phylogenetic analysis of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) data and entire mitogenome sequences did uncover multiple lineage ties to far-flung regions and eras. While the predominant portions of both paternal and maternal DNA align with the East-Central European spectrum, rarer subhaplogroups and lineages have unveiled ancient ties to both prehistoric and historic populations spanning Europe and Eastern Eurasia. This research augments the expansive field of phylogenetics, offering critical perspectives on the genetic constitution and heritage of the communities of East-Central Europe.
Tumor relapse-free survival prognosis related consistency between cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue in drug repurposing for solid tumor via connectivity map
Authors: Hao Mingyue , Li Dandan , Qiao Yuanyuan , Xiong Ming , Li Jun , Ma Wei 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Traditional drug discovery encounters challenges, including high costs, time-intensive processes, and inherent risks. Drug repurposing emerges as a compelling alternative strategy to identify new indications for investigational or approved drugs, circumventing these obstacles. Among the various drug repurposing methods, the Disease-specific Signature-based Connectivity Map (Cmap) approach is widely utilized. However, the commonly employed method for constructing disease-specific signatures, known as Differentially Expressed Genes (DEG), faces issues related to inconsistencies between dysregulated genes and the prognosis of genes in tumor tissue, as well as discrepancies in prognosis genes between tumor and normal tissues. In this study, we propose a novel approach, Prognosis Consistency Scoring (PCS), aimed at addressing these inconsistencies. PCS measures the consistency of gene prognosis between tumor and normal tissues by combining the Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) prognosis power of genes in both contexts. Disease-specific signatures are then constructed based on PCS, and drug repurposing is performed using the Cmap and Lincs Unified Environment (CLUE). Validation of predicted drugs is conducted using data from DrugBank and ClinicalTrials databases. Our findings reveal that the aforementioned inconsistencies are pervasive. Compared to signatures based on DEGs, PCS-based signatures exhibit superior performance, identifying more drugs with higher prediction accuracy, as confirmed by DrugBank annotations. Notably, a significant proportion of predicted drugs without corresponding indications were subsequently validated in the ClinicalTrials database. Additionally, PCS-based signatures demonstrate elevated disease specificity and association with Drug Related Gene (DRG).
Polarization sensing over terrestrial optical fiber networks
Authors: Carver Charles , Zhou Xia 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Wide-scale sensing of natural and human-made events is critical for protecting against environmental disasters and reducing the monetary losses associated with telecommunication service downtime. However, achieving dense sensing coverage is difficult given the high deployment overhead of modern sensor networks. In this work, we offer an in-depth exploration of state of polarization (SOP) sensing over fiber-optic networks using unmodified optical transceivers, establishing a strong correlation with ground truth distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). To validate our sensing methodology, we collect 85 days of SOP and DAS measurements along two colocated, 50km fiber-optic cables in Southern California. We then examine how SOP sensing can improve network reliability by accurately modeling overall network health and preemptively detecting loss of traffic. Finally, we explore the feasibility of wide-scale seismic monitoring with SOP sensing, showcasing the SOP perturbations following low-intensity earthquakes, and the potential to more than double seismic monitoring coverage in Southern California alone.