bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospects for detecting the circum- and intergalactic medium in X-ray absorption using the extended intracluster medium as a backlight
Authors: Štofanová Lýdia , Simionescu Aurora , Wijers Nastasha A , Schaye Joop , Kaastra Jelle S , Bahé Yannick M , Arámburo-García Andrés 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
The warm-hot plasma in cosmic web filaments is thought to comprise a large fraction of the gas in the local Universe. So far, the search for this gas has focused on mapping its emission, or detecting its absorption signatures against bright, point-like sources. Future, non-dispersive, high-spectral resolution X-ray detectors will, for the first time, enable absorption studies against extended objects. Here, we use the Hydrangea cosmological hydrodynamical simulations to predict the expected properties of intergalactic gas in and around massive galaxy clusters, and investigate the prospects of detecting it in absorption against the bright cores of nearby, massive, relaxed galaxy clusters. We probed a total of 138 projections from the simulation volumes, finding 16 directions with a total column density $N_{{\rm O\, {\small VII}}} &gt; 10^{14.5}$ cm−2. The strongest absorbers are typically shifted by ±1000 km s−1 with respect to the rest frame of the cluster they are nearest to. Realistic mock observations with future micro-calorimeters, such as the Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit or the proposed Line Emission Mapper (LEM) X-ray probe, show that the detection of cosmic web filaments in ${\rm O\, {\small VII}}$ and ${\rm O\, {\small VIII}}$ absorption against galaxy cluster cores will be feasible. An ${\rm O\, {\small VII}}$ detection with a 5σ significance can be achieved in 10–250 ks with Athena for most of the galaxy clusters considered. The ${\rm O\, {\small VIII}}$ detection becomes feasible only with a spectral resolution of around 1 eV, comparable to that envisioned for LEM.
TarBase-v9.0 extends experimentally supported miRNA–gene interactions to cell-types and virally encoded miRNAs
Authors: Skoufos Giorgos , Kakoulidis Panos , Tastsoglou Spyros , Zacharopoulou Elissavet , Kotsira Vasiliki , Miliotis Marios , Mavromati Galatea , Grigoriadis Dimitris , Zioga Maria , Velli Angeliki , Koutou Ioanna , Karagkouni Dimitra , Stavropoulos Steve , Kardaras Filippos S , Lifousi Anna , Vavalou Eustathia , Ovsepian Armen , Skoulakis Anargyros , Tasoulis Sotiris K , Georgakopoulos Spiros V , Plagianakos Vassilis P , Hatzigeorgiou Artemis G 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
TarBase is a reference database dedicated to produce, curate and deliver high quality experimentally-supported microRNA (miRNA) targets on protein-coding transcripts. In its latest version (v9.0, https://dianalab.e-ce.uth.gr/tarbasev9), it pushes the envelope by introducing virally-encoded miRNAs, interactions leading to target-directed miRNA degradation (TDMD) events and the largest collection of miRNA–gene interactions to date in a plethora of experimental settings, tissues and cell-types. It catalogues ∼6 million entries, comprising ∼2 million unique miRNA–gene pairs, supported by 37 experimental (high- and low-yield) protocols in 172 tissues and cell-types. Interactions are annotated with rich metadata including information on genes/transcripts, miRNAs, samples, experimental contexts and publications, while millions of miRNA-binding locations are also provided at cell-type resolution. A completely re-designed interface with state-of-the-art web technologies, incorporates more features, and allows flexible and ingenious use. The new interface provides the capability to design sophisticated queries with numerous filtering criteria including cell lines, experimental conditions, cell types, experimental methods, species and/or tissues of interest. Additionally, a plethora of fine-tuning capacities have been integrated to the platform, offering the refinement of the returned interactions based on miRNA confidence and expression levels, while boundless local retrieval of the offered interactions and metadata is enabled.
Mobile vaccination units substantially increase COVID-19 vaccinations: evidence from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kulle Anna-Corinna , Schumacher Stefanie , von Bieberstein Frauke 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Governments around the world used mobile vaccination units (MVUs) to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake, but the causal effect of MVUs has not yet been evaluated.

Methods
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 20 Swiss communities (10 treatment, 10 control) in August 2021, MVUs were sent to treatment communities for 4 hours on a single day. The experimental sample comprises 20 414 adults who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 at this point. The researchers designed the RCT and the government introduced the idea to test the effectiveness of MVUs and was responsible for administering the vaccines.

Results
The vaccination rate in the sample of the treatment group surpassed the rate in the control group by a factor of 3.4 (+9.0 percentage points) over 3 weeks. The increase was present and highly statistically significant for women, men and for all age groups. We found no evidence of cannibalization of vaccinations at other service locations.

Conclusions
The offer of MVUs is highly effective in raising vaccination rates, even at a later point in the vaccination campaign. The absence of cannibalization effects suggests that MVUs reach more people overall, not just faster.
Effective early strategy to prevent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jing Q , Song J , An G , Zhu E , Ai Z , Xiong L , Li C 
Published: November 2023

Summary

Background
Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions (OGDs) are key symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which may lead to neurological complications, and lack of effective treatment. This may be because post-disease treatments may be too late to protect the olfactory and gustatory functions.

Aim
To evaluate the effectiveness of early use of saline nasal irrigation (SNI), corticosteroid nasal spray, and saline or chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash for preventing OGDs in COVID-19.

Design
This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Methods
The study was conducted from 5 May to 16 June 2022. We recruited patients from three hospitals who were admitted with COVID-19 but without OGDs on the day of admission. Olfactory and gustatory functions were evaluated using the Taste and Smell Survey and the numerical visual analog scale. Participants were randomized to the saline, drug or control groups. The control group received no intervention, saline group received SNI plus saline nasal spray and mouthwash, and the trial group received SNI plus budesonide nasal spray and chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash. Participants were assessed again on the day of discharge.

Results
A total of 379 patients completed the trial. The prevalence of OGDs was significantly lower in the saline (11.8%, 95% CI, 6.6–19.0%; P &lt; 0.001) and drug (8.3%, 95% CI, 4.1–14.8%; P &lt; 0.001) groups than in the control group (40.0%, 95% CI, 31.8–48.6%). Additionally, both interventions reduced the severity of OGDs.

Conclusions
We demonstrated effective strategies for preventing COVID-19-related OGDs, and the findings may guide early management of severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to reduce the incidence of COVID-19-related complications.
Learning in Financial Markets: Implications for Debt-Equity Conflicts
Authors: Davis Jesse , Gondhi Naveen 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Financial markets reveal information that firm managers can utilize when making equity value-enhancing investment decisions. However, for firms with risky debt, such investments are not necessarily socially efficient. Despite this friction, we show that learning from prices improves investment efficiency. This effect is asymmetric, however, as investors learn less about projects that decrease the riskiness of cash flows: efficiency is lower for diversifying investments than for focusing (risk-increasing) investments. This also implies that investors’ endogenous learning further attenuates risk shifting but amplifies debt overhang. Our model provides a novel channel through which learning from financial markets affects agency frictions between stakeholders.
Effectiveness of low tube voltage scan in the exposure dose for lenses during paediatric thoracic CT examination: anthropomorphic phantoms study
Authors: Masuda Takanori , Kiguchi Masao , Fujioka Chikako , Oku Takayuki , Ishibashi Toru , Katsunuma Yasushi , Yoshitake Takayasu , Abe Shuji , Awai Kazuo 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
To determine whether using lower-tube voltage reduces the scattered dose for the lens during paediatric thoracic computed tomography (CT). Two paediatric anthropomorphic phantoms (ATOM Phantom, CIRS, Norfolk, Virginia, USA) representing a newborn and 5-year-old were placed on the gantry of CT scanner, and optically stimulated luminescence dosemeters were placed on the left and right lenses, in front of the left and right thyroid glands, in front of the left and right mammary glands, and in front of and behind the mammary gland level and we measured scattered dose of the optically stimulated luminescence dosemeter was compared for each phantom between 80 and 120 kVp. Significant differences were observed in the scatter doses for the lens between 80 and 120 kVp (p &lt; 0.01). Compared with the 120 kVp scan, the scatter doses for the lens were ~15–40% lower in newborn and 5-year-olds using the 80 kVp scan during paediatric CT.
Securitisation of Refugee Protection: The Judiciary’s Role in the Protection of the Rights of Refugees
Authors: Woldemariam Samuel Berhanu , Pacifique Muhizi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This judgment rewriting is a tale of three Kenyan judicial decisions regarding refugees and asylum-seekers. The judgment rewritten is the 2017 Court of Appeal’s decision in Attorney General v. Kituo Cha Sheria & 7 others (Kituo Cha Sheria II) which upheld a 2013 decision of the High Court in Kituo Cha Sheria & 7 others v. Attorney General (Kituo Cha Sheria I) quashing a Government Directive issued to relocate refugees living in urban areas to refugee camps. The petitioners challenged the Government Directive alleging it violated the rights of refugees living in Kenya. A third decision from 2014, Samow Mumin Mohamed & 9 others v. Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Interior Security and Co-Ordination & 2 others (Samow), ostensibly abrogated the protections afforded in Kituo Cha Sheria (I). The securitisation of refugee protection is a major theme across these decisions. Securitisation was briefly addressed in the Kituo Cha Sheria decisions as a technical matter requiring procedural precision for its validity. However, in their scrutiny of securitisation, the Courts neglected to highlight the human rights concerns and the vulnerability of refugees. Placing Kituo Cha Sheria II in the context of the two decisions and using a human rights-based analysis, the rewrite challenges existing notions that portray securitisation as the inevitable consequence of a volatile security environment and the dogmatic embrace of civil procedure even at the expense of the impact on human rights protection. It emphasises the role of the judiciary in the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, such as refugees. This judgment rewriting contributes to the international refugee law scholarship by centring a human rights-based approach to refugee policymaking and critically analysing the role of courts in safeguarding and enforcing the rights of refugees. Kituo Cha Sheria lays the foundations for a human rights-based review of refugee policymaking that this rewrite seeks to amplify.
Tardigrade Augean stables—a challenging phylogeny and taxonomy of the family Ramazzottiidae (Eutardigrada: Hypsibioidea)
Authors: Dey Pritam K , López-López Alejandro , Morek Witold , Michalczyk Łukasz 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Tardigrade taxonomy is most often hindered by prevalent outdated species descriptions, lack of integrative redescriptions, scarce genetic information, and fragmentary sampling. Here, we diagnose the problems obscuring phylogenetic inference and the taxonomy of the cosmopolitan family Ramazzottiidae. We carried out the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of this family to date, with a considerable influx of new genetic data from poorly sampled regions of the world. We found two new distinct evolutionary lineages defined by distinct morphological traits (dorsal cuticular sculpturing and/or body shape), characterized by restricted geographic distributions, and we delineated them as new species complexes: the Neotropical Ramazzottius baumanni complex and the Afro-Oriental Ramazzottius szeptyckii complex. Nevertheless, we could not confidently ascertain the taxonomic status of both complexes due to: (i) the current state of the ramazzottiid taxonomy, with outdated and/or imprecise species descriptions with heterogeneous terminology and, in many cases, without accounting for intraspecific variation; (ii) the missing genetic information for key taxa; and (iii) the possible lack of monophyly of Cryoconicus and Ramazzottius as suggested by our results. In addition to diagnosing the problems of ramazzottiid phylogeny and systematics, we also propose possible solutions that could accelerate the progress in our understanding of the evolution of this group.
AGAP2‐AS1 promotes the assembly of m6A methyltransferases and activation of the IL6/STAT3 pathway by binding with WTAP in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer
Authors: Nie Kechao , Zheng Zhihua , Li Jing , Chang Yonglong , Deng Zhitong , Huang Wei , Li Xiushen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOwing to the lack of biomarkers for early diagnosis, gastric cancer (GC) is often associated with a poor prognosis. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify early molecular targets in GC. Dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been evaluated by integrated bioinformatics analysis; and we investigate their specific role and potential mechanism via N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification in the carcinogenesis and progression of GC. In this study, we report upregulation of lncRNA AGAP2‐AS1, activated by a gain of H3K4Me3, in GC tissues and cells. AGAP2‐AS1 was linked to adverse prognosis in patients with GC. Functionally, AGAP2‐AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration of GC cells. Mechanistically, AGAP2‐AS1 bound WT1‐associated protein (WTAP) to promote the formation of the WTAP/methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3)/METTL14 m6A methyltransferase complex. AGAP2‐AS1 stabilized signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA in an m6A‐dependent manner and, thus, activated the interleukin 6 (IL6)/STAT3 pathway. Importantly, activation of the AGAP2‐AS1/WTAP/STAT3 pathways promoted cell proliferation and migration in GC. Collectively, the present findings revealed a novel regulatory relationship between lncRNA and m6A modification. Furthermore, targeting the AGAP2‐AS1/WTAP/STAT3 axis may be a promising strategy for the inhibition of inflammation‐mediated carcinogenesis and progression in GC.
Clinical Practice Patterns and Risk Factors for Severe Conditions in Pediatric Hospitalizations With Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Japan: A Nationwide Analyses (2018–2022)
Authors: Okubo Yusuke , Uda Kazuhiro , Ogimi Chikara , Shimabukuro Rinshu , Ito Kenta 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a global health challenge, especially among younger children. While the disease burden in Japan has been preliminarily quantified, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding treatment patterns and the influence of known risk factors at a national scale.

Materials and Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of 50,482 children under 5 years hospitalized with RSV infections during 2018–2022 using the Medical Data Vision database. We investigated trends in patient characteristics, health resource use, treatment patterns, and laboratory data. Additionally, multivariable modified Poisson regression models were used to investigate the risk factors associated with severe conditions.

Results:
We observed an increasing trend in the inpatient healthcare costs and decreasing trends in the use of antibiotics, bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids and other symptomatic medications from 2018 to 2022. Risk factors associated with severe RSV infections were children less than 1 year (risk ratio, 2.90; 95% CI: 2.53–3.32) and the number of complex chronic diseases (risk ratio for 1 disease, 2.68; 95% CI: 2.34–3.06: risk ratio for 2 or more diseases, 6.91; 95% CI: 5.81–8.21). Annual inpatient healthcare costs for RSV infections were estimated at 11–14 billion Japanese Yen for younger children.

Conclusions:
Our study observed the changes in practice patterns and health resource use for children hospitalized with RSV infections and identified risk factors associated with severe conditions. These findings provide insights for policymakers and clinicians aiming to devise strategies for further improving clinical practices, including newly developed vaccines and single-dose long-acting monoclonal antibodies.
Team-Based Care Model Improves Timely Access to Care and Patient Satisfaction in General Cardiology
Authors: Sharpe Christa M. , Eastham Linda 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
Appointment wait times have increased nationally since 2014, especially in cardiology. At a mid-Atlantic academic medical center, access to care in the general cardiology clinic was below national standards, which can negatively affect patient outcomes and satisfaction. Adopting a team-based care (TBC) model, advanced practice providers (APPs) were added to care teams with general cardiologists to provide timely outpatient management of cardiac conditions. This aimed to increase access to care and, consequently, patient satisfaction. A formative program evaluation using the Agency for Clinical Innovation framework assessed TBC's impact on these outcomes. Access to care and patient satisfaction measures for TBC and nonteam providers were compared with one another and national benchmarks. Nine months after implementation, the average time to new patient appointment for TBC providers was 31 days (47% decrease) and for nonteam providers was 41 days (20% decrease). TBC had a higher percentage of new patient appointments within 14 days than nonteam providers (39% and 20%, respectively). Patient satisfaction improved to the 98th percentile nationally for TBC but decreased to the 71st percentile for nonteam. These findings suggest that a TBC model using APPs can improve access to care and patient satisfaction in the outpatient general cardiology setting.
Mortality Among Persons With HIV in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Level Analysis
Authors: Viguerie Alex , Song Ruiguang , Bosh Karin , Lyles Cynthia M. , Farnham Paul G. 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Whether the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on mortality among persons with diagnosed HIV (PWDH) in the United States is unclear. Through our macroscale analysis, we seek to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected mortality among PWDH.

Methods:
We obtained mortality and population data for the years 2018–2020 from the National HIV Surveillance System for the US PWDH population and from publicly available data for the general population. We computed mortality rates and excess mortality for both the general and PWDH populations. Stratifications by age, race/ethnicity, and sex were considered. For each group, we determined whether the 2020 mortality rates and mortality risk ratio showed a statistically significant change from 2018 to 2019.

Results:
Approximately 1550 excess deaths occurred among PWDH in 2020, with Black, Hispanic/Latino, and PWDH aged 55 years and older comprising the majority of excess deaths. Mortality rates increased in 2020 from 2018–2019 across the general population in all groups. Among PWDH, mortality rates either increased or showed no statistically significant change. These increases were similar to, or smaller than, those observed in the general population, resulting in a 7.7% decrease in the mortality risk ratio between PWDH and the general population.

Conclusions:
While mortality rates among PWDH increased in 2020 relative to 2018–2019, the increases were smaller, or of similar magnitude, to those observed in the general population. We thus do not find evidence of elevated mortality risk from the COVID-19 pandemic among PWDH. These findings held across subpopulations stratified by age, sex, and racial/ethnic group.
Optic Nerve MRI T2-Hyperintensity: A Nonspecific Marker of Optic Nerve Damage
Authors: Labella Álvarez Fernando , Mosleh Rasha , Bouthour Walid , Saindane Amit M. , Bruce Beau B. , Dattilo Michael , Newman Nancy J. , Biousse Valérie 
Published: November 2023

Background:
MRI abnormalities are common in optic neuropathies, especially on dedicated orbital imaging. In acute optic neuritis, optic nerve T2-hyperintensity associated with optic nerve contrast enhancement is the typical imaging finding. In chronic optic neuropathies, optic nerve T2-hyperintensity and atrophy are regularly seen. Isolated optic nerve T2-hyperintensity is often erroneously presumed to reflect optic neuritis, frequently prompting unnecessary investigations and neuro-ophthalmology consultations. Our goal was to determine the significance of optic nerve/chiasm T2-hyperintensity and/or atrophy on MRI.

Methods:
Retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent brain/orbital MRI with/without contrast at our institution between July 1, 2019, and June 6, 2022. Patients with optic nerve/chiasm T2-hyperintensity and/or atrophy were included. Medical records were reviewed to determine the etiology of the T2-hyperintensity and/or atrophy.

Results:
Four hundred seventy-seven patients (698 eyes) were included [mean age 52 years (SD ±18 years); 57% women]. Of the 364 of 698 eyes with optic nerve/chiasm T2-hyperintensity without atrophy, the causes were compressive (104), inflammatory (103), multifactorial (49), glaucoma (21), normal (19), and other (68); of the 219 of 698 eyes with optic nerve/chiasm T2-hyperintensity and atrophy, the causes were compressive (57), multifactorial (40), inflammatory (38), glaucoma (33), normal (7), and other (44); of the 115 of 698 eyes with optic nerve/chiasm atrophy without T2-hyperintensity, the causes were glaucoma (34), multifactorial (21), inflammatory (13), compressive (11), normal (10), and other (26). Thirty-six eyes with optic nerve/chiasm T2-hyperintensity or atrophy did not have evidence of optic neuropathy or retinopathy on ophthalmologic examination, and 17 eyes had clinical evidence of severe retinopathy without primary optic neuropathy.

Conclusions:
Optic nerve T2-hyperintensity or atrophy can be found with any cause of optic neuropathy and with severe chronic retinopathy. These MRI findings should not automatically prompt optic neuritis diagnosis, workup, and treatment, and caution is advised regarding their use in the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis. Cases of incidentally found MRI optic nerve T2-hyperintensity and/or atrophy without a known underlying optic neuropathy or severe retinopathy are rare. Such patients should receive an ophthalmologic examination before further investigations.