bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opportunities to Improve Care Processes for Ventilator-Dependent Children: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Dress Carolyn , Vaughn Lisa M. , Prideaux Jonelle , Schuler Christine L. , Borschuk Adrienne , Pajor Nathan M. 
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVE
Children with chronic ventilator dependence are a complex and heterogeneous population with unique needs. We sought input from parents, clinicians, and hospital staff to identify opportunities for process improvement during hospitalization and discharge preparation.

METHODS
We conducted a qualitative study at a large referral center for children with chronic ventilator dependence. Participants included parents of children with chronic ventilator dependence, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and support staff. Two group-level assessment (GLA) sessions occurred, followed by one-on-one semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis identified areas for process improvements in the care of children with chronic ventilator dependence.

RESULTS
A total of 27 individuals participated in 2 GLA sessions followed by 9 interviews. Potential areas for process improvements included (1) acknowledging and addressing limited resources for children with long-term mechanical ventilation dependence; (2) advancing beyond a “one-size-fits-most” care model; (3) placing the patient and family at the center of care; and (4) improving support for families and staff. Families persistently noted a traumatic component of their experiences through hospitalizations and learning to care for a child with chronic ventilator dependence.

CONCLUSIONS
There are multiple opportunities for process improvement during the hospitalization of children with chronic ventilator dependence. Protocols and practices that support efficient and safe care, such as education before discharge, may require modifications to better meet family needs, address system shortcomings, and mitigate trauma.
Stochastic models indicate rapid smallpox spread and mass mortality of Indigenous Australians after colonial exposure
Authors: Nitschke Matthew , Williams Alan , Ingrey Shane , Griffiths Billy , Pitt Nicholas , Russell Lynette , Ulm Sean , Beller Kirsty , Bird Michael , Fatima Syeda , McNiven Ian , Saltre Frederik , Bashford Alison , Wilson Christopher , Bradshaw Corey 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

The impact of smallpox (variola) on Aboriginal communities in Australia beginning in 1789 was catastrophic and continues to cause intergenerational trauma. Historically biased perspectives and contemporary misinformation of the disease’s introduction and spread impede modern-day truth-telling and subsequent reconciliation and national healing. Understanding whether the disease entered and spread from pre-colonial Makassan (Indonesian) trade along the northern coast, or from the First Fleet’s arrival in south-eastern Australia in 1788, is necessary to estimate demographic impact. We developed stochastic, multi-patch epidemiological models supported by systematic evaluation of historical observations to test hypotheses regarding possible disease entry points, spread rate, and demographic impacts. Our models suggest that entry of the disease was in south-eastern Australia. No successful simulations reached Sydney from a northern entry, even under ideal conditions and with higher-than-probable infection rates. Our model predicts time from initial entry of the disease to its extinction took between 1,200 and 1,400 days (< 4 years). Due to a high mortality rate, it appears to have been limited to the south-eastern coastal margins of Australia and along major intersecting river systems such as the Murray and Lachlan Rivers. There is no evidence that the 1789 epidemic was Australia-wide. Assuming a 60% lethality based on global data, the loss of 40,000–240,000 people would have occurred in these regions in < 4 years. While catastrophic to traditional Indigenous lifeways in the southeast, the disease also provided the catalyst for population decline and marginalisation of Indigenous people in the face of expanding European populations. It seems unlikely that other parts of Australia were affected by the initial epidemic, and we recommend revisiting previous assumptions of the subsequent impacts to Indigenous societies by other diseases and frontier violence. While there is evidence for the presence of variola matter in early colonial Sydney, we cannot yet confirm that the disease was spread deliberately. We warn readers that the content of this study is confronting and possibly distressing.
Aerobic hydrocarbon oxidation in a novel archaeal lineage
Authors: Leu Andy , Woodcroft Ben , McIlroy Simon , Tyson Gene 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been significant advances in our understanding of anaerobic hydrocarbon oxidation in Archaea. While Bacteria are known to oxidise hydrocarbons aerobically, no aerobic hydrocarbon oxidation pathway has been found in Archaea. Here, we report the first aerobic hydrocarbon oxidizing archaeon in a novel order of the Syntropharchaeia. This order is represented by six metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) spanning three genera that are found in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Our analysis revealed that MAGs belonging to one newly defined genus, Candidatus ‘Aerovita’, encode a bacterial copper monooxygenase complex with homology to bacterial hydrocarbon monooxygenases. The presence of other oxygen-dependent enzymes, such as haem-copper oxygen reductase, and the absence of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, indicate an aerobic lifestyle for the Ca. ‘Aerovita’ lineage. These findings support horizontal gene transfer between archaeal and bacterial domains facilitating the evolution of aerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing archaea.
A rare case of Fetal bilateral Wilms’ Tumor in horseshoe Kidney: A case report
Authors: Melis Abebe , Tadesse Teketel , Jemal Samson , Ketema Worku 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Wilms' tumor is the most common malignant kidney tumor in children. The horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion malformation. However, Wilms' tumor is rarely identified in horseshoe kidney patients. The incidence of horseshoe kidney is about 1 in 400 cases. Wilms’ tumor or Nephrogenic rests can occur in both kidneys, termed bilateral disease, found in only 5–8% of cases. Management of bilateral Wilms’ tumor presents a major clinical challenge in terms of maximizing survival, preserving renal function, and understanding underlying genetic risk. Ultrasound is used to diagnose horseshoe kidneys, whereas Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are often used for staging purposes. Here, we present an extremely rare case of a fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of renal mass, and an autopsy found out to be a bilateral congenital Wilms’ tumor in the horseshoe kidney. Up to our knowledge, it is the first case to be reported from Ethiopia, and there are only a few case reports worldwide.
Healthcare-Seeking Intentions of Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals with Critical Diseases: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lee Po-Chun , Huang Ching-Yuan , Hsu Meng-Jun 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant threat to global public health, particularly affecting Taiwan's middle-aged and elderly populations. Fear of infection led patients with critical illnesses to delay seeking medical care, disrupting disease management and quality of life. This study applies an expanded Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model, incorporating "perceived risk" and "trust," to examine healthcare-seeking behavior during the pandemic and provide insights for improving healthcare accessibility and reducing mortality rates.
Methods
This study utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the foundational framework, encompassing three core constructs: "attitude," "subjective norm," and "perceived behavioral control." To further examine the "behavioral intentions" of patients with critical illnesses in making healthcare decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, two additional constructs, "perceived risk" and "trust," were integrated. A cross-sectional study design and purposive sampling method were employed, resulting in the collection of 526 valid questionnaires. The structural equation model was subsequently analyzed and validated by Partial Least Squares (Smart PLS).
Results
Among five primary dimensions influencing healthcare-seeking behavioral intentions, "trust" had the most significant impact (β = 0.373, p < 0.001), followed by "attitude," "perceived risk," "perceived behavioral control," and "subjective norm." Trust in hospitals (TRH) was notably stronger than trust in individual physicians (TRD). Additionally, patients with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia exhibited significant variations in healthcare-seeking intentions.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the critical role of trust in healthcare systems, underscoring the need for transparent communication and safe environments. The results suggest strategies for improving healthcare accessibility and patient trust in a post-pandemic context.
The PSD-95 inhibitor NA-1 is delivered to the brain upon nasal administration with uptake into the olfactory bulb improved by co-administration with the cell-penetrating peptides LowPro and Tat
Authors: Schmidt Solveig Elle , Joensen Gunhild , Sandbjerg Camilla , Thaysen Maria , Gammelgaard Bente , Schindowski Katharina , Kristensen Mie 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Ischemic stroke affects millions of people annually with limited treatment options targeting excitotoxicity, a major cause of cognitive impairment. The PSD-95 inhibitor NA-1 has demonstrated neuroprotective potential, but its efficacy via intravenous administration is hindered by broad systemic distribution, reduced brain exposure, and interaction with thrombolytic agents like alteplase. This study explores the potential of nasal administration as an alternative delivery route to enhance brain uptake and reduce systemic off-target effects of NA-1. A porcine primary olfactory model was exploited to evaluate NA-1 permeability and the impact of co-administration with the cell-penetrating peptides Tat, LowPro, and PenShuf. NA-1 alone permeated the model to a greater extent than a similar sized model dextran compound, with PenShuf improving NA-1 permeability but compromising barrier integrity in vitro. In vivo, nasal administration to mice achieved brain uptake of NA-1, particularly in the olfactory bulb, with co-administration of Tat and LowPro enhancing olfactory bulb delivery. Compared to intravenously administered NA-1, nasal delivery resulted in significantly lower off-target tissue distribution. These findings highlight nasal administration as a qualified alternative for NA-1 delivery, with potential to bypass the limitations of intravenous administration and enable concurrent use with alteplase during acute ischemic stroke.
A surgical window of opportunity trial evaluating the effect of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab on tumoral MHC-I expression and CD8+ infiltration in glioma
Authors: Khasraw Mustafa , Singh Kirit , Foster Matthew , Violette Marlene , Corcoran Anna , Hotchkiss Kelly , Railton Chelsea , Blandford Emily , Blethen Kathryn , Thomas Elizabeth , Ashley David , Desjardins Annick , Friedman Henry , Johnson Margaret , Friedman Allan , Keir Stephen , Buckley Evan , Herndon James , McLendon Roger , Sampson John , Calabrese Evan , Lopez Giselle , Grant Gerald , Patel Anoop , Gregory Simon , Li Chuan-Yuan , Fecci Peter 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Many cancers evade immunosurveillance by downregulating surface major histocompatibility class (MHC)-I. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) promotes MHC-I degradation and is elevated in glioma. Evolocumab is a clinically approved PCSK9 inhibitor, which restores MHC-I expression in pre-clinical cancer models. However, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have limited blood brain/tumor barrier penetrance (BBB/BTB). The aim of this window-of-opportunity trial was to evaluate evolocumab’s BBB/BTB penetrance and biological effect in glioma (PesKE; NCT04937413). Patients with newly diagnosed/recurrent glioma undergoing a clinically indicated biopsy or resection were enrolled (n=32, M: 16, F: 16; control average age: 51.85, evolocumab: 53). Intervention participants (n=6) received subcutaneous evolocumab 4-14 days pre-procedure. 4/6 intervention participants provided research tissue. No significant adverse events were observed. Evolocumab was detected in all analyzed intervention tissue, with an average tumor:blood ratio of 0.0222 (SD±0.0190), akin to other mAbs. Evolocumab quantitation was 4.44x greater in contrast-enhancing (mean 0.0068 fmol/mcg (SD±0.001)) vs non-contrast enhancing cases (mean 0.0015 fmol/mcg (SD±0.0004)). Proteomic analysis found positive trends between evolocumab and MHC-I subtypes (HLA-A-C, E-G), with a significant positive correlation with HLA-H (R2=0.9584, p=0.021*). Tumor tissue with higher evolocumab titers demonstrated increased surface MHC-I and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Increased CD8+ TNF, FASLG and GZMA transcription was observed in high titer tissue compared to low titer tissue/untreated controls. Pre-resection evolocumab is well tolerated but exhibits BBB/BTB penetrance akin to other mAbs. Increased tumoral evolocumab/PCSK9i may enhance tumoral MHC-I/effector CD8+ infiltration. Future work will explore combining evolocumab with BBB/BTB opening therapies like low-intensity focused ultrasound.
One Sentence Summary: We conducted a tissue-based study in glioma patients to evaluate if peripheral evolocumab enters tumors, enhances surface MHC-I, and boosts effector CD8+ T cell infiltration.
Dissecting Regulatory Non-Coding GWAS Loci Reveals Fibroblast Causal Genes with Pathophysiological Relevance to Heart Failure
Authors: Li Chi-Ming , Gill Richard , Lu Daniel , Eres Ittai , Lu Jiamiao , Cui Jixin , Wang Chen , Yu Zhongsheng , Yamawaki Tracy , Zhou Hong , Pei Baikang , Amrute Junedh , Ang Yen-Sin , Wang Songli , Lavine Kory , Ason Brandon , Hsu Yi-Hsiang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Heart failure is caused in part by cardiac remodeling processes that include the death of cardiac myocytes and their replacement by cardiac fibroblasts. We hypothesized that these two cell types may harbor epigenetic contexts in which heart disease-associated non-coding SNPs perturb gene expression relevant to disease. Accordingly, we generated high-resolution Hi-C data layered with functional genomic information to annotate and link putative distal regulatory elements in heart disease-associated loci to gene promoters. Our analysis identified several target genes with established roles in cardiac fibrosis and/or heart disease (GJA1, TBC1D32, CXCL12, IL6R, and FURIN). Perturb-seq in cardiac fibroblasts to knock out putative regulatory elements confirmed regulatory relationships involving GJA1, CXCL12, and FURIN, as gene editing led to changes in transcriptomic signatures associated with fibroblasts in heart failure. Our results demonstrate how integrative multi-omic approaches can delineate pathophysiologically relevant regulatory circuits that connect protein-coding genes to non-coding genetic variants associated with disease.
Country reputation and global university rankings: Does social media engagement make a difference?
Authors: Juhaidi Ahmad , Yaqin Husnul , Ma’ruf Hidayat , Mizani Hilmi , Mahani Muhniansyah Arasyid 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

International students indicate the university's international reputation. The study examines how country reputation, university rankings, and Instagram social media marketing (IG SMM) affect universities' international reputation, with IG SMM analysed as a moderator between exogenous variables and international reputation. Using a random sampling technique, we selected 164 universities from the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, which features the top 602 universities globally. Data analysis uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with the help of SmartPLS version 4.9.0.9. The study found that educational quality, host nation security, and university rankings significantly influence international reputation, while IG SMM has no effect and does not moderate the impact of these factors. This suggests that when a university's reputation increases, the impact of social media marketing on the university's brand reputation diminishes. This study provides valuable insights into the country's reputation, university rankings, and the international reputation of the university.
Forecasting Customer Invoice Settlement with behavioural analytics
Authors: B Meenal 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Empirical evidence across diverse sectors illustrates that organizations frequently encounter challenges with the collection of payments from customers. Research findings indicate that a significant proportion of invoices issued to small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as business-to- business entities, in the United States and United Kingdom are settled beyond their due dates. The primary objective of this study is to investigate customer payment behavior in relation to invoice payments and introduce an analytical framework for studying and projecting payment patterns. Our reasoning can subsequently be integrated into a decision support framework, enabling decision makers to formulate forecasts relating to future disbursements and to initiate appropriate measures aimed at recovering any outstanding liabilities, or to modify their financial strategies in accordance with projected cashflow figures. Our examination involves the utilization of a comprehensive dataset comprising over 1.6 million customers, encompassing their invoice details, payment history, and interactions, such as email communication, SMS, and phone calls, initiated by the company issuing the invoices in order to prompt payment. We employ both supervised and unsupervised learning methodologies to anticipate the likelihood of a customer settling their invoice or outstanding balance by the upcoming due date, drawing upon the interactions initiated by the company and the corresponding customer responses. We introduce an innovative behavioral scoring framework to be utilized as a predictive model input. The outcomes of logistic regression examined in the study demonstrate a maximum accuracy of 97%, irrespective of whether preclustering of customers was conducted, compared to the other two machine learning methodologies evaluated. This model exhibits considerable potential to assist decision-makers in formulating strategies that enhance the financial robustness of the organization through effective cash flow management and reduction of extraneous corporate credit lines.
Embedded-Filter ACO using Clustering Based Mutual Information for Feature Selection
Authors: Mallidi S Kumar Reddy , Ramisetty Rajeswara Rao 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

The performance of any machine learning algorithm depends on the purity of the dataset used. A dataset contains both necessary and unnecessary or redundant features. Feature selection is the process of selecting essential features and removing unnecessary and redundant features. Eliminating unnecessary features also minimizes the computational resources needed for processing and storing the datasets. Feature selection methods are broadly classified as filter-based methods and wrapper-based methods. On the other hand, ant colony optimization (ACO) is one widely used bio-inspired meta-heuristic technique used for the selection of optimal solutions. The widely used heuristic measure in ACO for feature selection techniques is mutual information. However, the traditional mutual information can be used effectively with only categorical features. In this paper, we propose an embedded-filter ACO feature selection technique (EFACO) that is embedded with clustering-based mutual information as a heuristic measure for datasets with continuous features and discrete labels. To show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, EFACO was used on various datasets, and the selected feature subsets were tested with multiple machine learning algorithms. The results clearly show that the EFACO selects the minimal number of features without diminishing the efficiency of machine learning algorithms in the majority of cases.
Generalized TCP-Red Dynamical Model for Internet Congestion Control
Authors: Amigó José María , Duran Guillem , Giménez Ángel , Martínez-Bonastre Óscar , Valero José 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Adaptive management of traffic congestion in the Internet is a complex problem that can gain useful insights from a dynamical approach. In this paper we propose and analyze a one-dimensional, discrete-time nonlinear model for Internet congestion control at the routers. Specifically, the states correspond to the average queue sizes of the incoming data packets and the dynamical core consists of a monotone or unimodal mapping with a unique fixed point. This model generalizes a previous one in that additional control parameters are introduced via the data packet drop probability with the objective of enhancing stability. To make the analysis more challenging, the original model was shown to exhibit the usual features of low-dimensional chaos with respect to several system and control parameters, e.g., positive Lyapunov exponents and Feigenbaum-like bifurcation diagrams. We concentrate first on the theoretical aspects that may promote the unique stationary state of the system to a global attractor, which in our case amounts to global stability. In a second step, those theoretical results are translated into stability domains for robust setting of the new control parameters in practical applications. Numerical simulations confirm that the new parameters make it possible to extend the stability domains, in comparison with previous results. Therefore, the present work may lead to an adaptive congestion control algorithm with a more stable performance than other algorithms currently in use.
N-Centroid Classifier vs. Machine Learning Models for Data Classification
Authors: Abdalla Hassan I. , Altaf Aneela , Nguyen Loc 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Due to their universal applicability, machine learning models (ML) have been a hot topic during the last two decades. Despite their effectiveness, some ML models exhibit inefficiency, particularly in big data classification. Moreover, some ML models have been seen ineffective on some small datasets. In this regard, due to the growing accessibility of online data, the automatic data classification technique has attracted a lot of study interest. As a result, numerous unique learning strategies have been developed in the text categorization field. The Centroid-Based Classifier (CBC) is one of these most extensively used technique among them. While focusing on enhancing NC classifier, this paper, therefore, aims to briefly investigate the impact of some ML models on small and medium-sized dataset’s classification. Among these models: N-Centroid technique (NC) as a simply-designed classifier, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multinomial Bayesian (MNB). Most importantly, this paper introduces an enhanced variation of NC via its integration with two similarity measures, namely, Set Theory Based Similarity Measure (STB-SM) and Improved Cosine Similarity Measure (ISC). The performance of integrated NC classifiers has been seen as promising in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency.