bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding Geographic Disparities in Mortality
Authors: Fletcher Jason M. , Engelman Michal , Johnson Norman J. , Hakes Jahn , Palloni Alberto 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA rich literature shows that early-life conditions shape later-life outcomes, including health and migration events. However, analyses of geographic disparities in mortality outcomes focus almost exclusively on contemporaneously measured geographic place (e.g., state of residence at death), thereby potentially conflating the role of early-life conditions, migration patterns, and effects of destinations. We employ the newly available Mortality Disparities in American Communities data set, which links respondents in the 2008 American Community Survey to official death records, and estimate consequential differences based on the method of aggregation we use: the unweighted mean absolute deviation of the difference in life expectancy at age 50 measured by state of birth versus state of residence is 0.58 years for men and 0.40 years for women. These differences are also spatially clustered, and we show that regional inequality in life expectancy is higher based on life expectancies by state of birth, implying that interstate migration mitigates baseline geographic inequality in mortality outcomes. Finally, we assess how state-specific features of in-migration, out-migration, and nonmigration together shape measures of mortality disparities by state (of residence), further demonstrating the difficulty of clearly interpreting these widely used measures.
Biased precursor ingression underlies the center-to-pole pattern of male sex determination in mouse
Authors: Bunce Corey , Barske Lindsey , Zhang Gloria , Capel Blanche 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT
During mammalian development, gonadal sex determination results from the commitment of bipotential supporting cells to Sertoli or granulosa cell fates. Typically, this decision is coordinated across the gonad to ensure commitment to a single organ fate. When unified commitment fails in an XY mouse, an ovotestis forms in which supporting cells in the center of the gonad typically develop as Sertoli cells, while supporting cells in the poles develop as granulosa cells. This central bias for Sertoli cell fate was thought to result from the initial expression of the drivers of Sertoli cell fate, SRY and/or SOX9, in the central domain, followed by paracrine expansion to the poles. However, we show here that the earliest cells expressing SRY and SOX9 are widely distributed across the gonad. In addition, Sertoli cell fate does not spread among supporting cells through paracrine relay. Instead, we uncover a center-biased pattern of supporting cell precursor ingression that occurs in both sexes and results in increased supporting cell density in the central domain. Our findings prompt a new model of gonad patterning in which a density-dependent organizing principle dominates Sertoli cell fate stabilization.
Cardiomyocyte ploidy is dynamic during postnatal development and varies across genetic backgrounds
Authors: Swift Samantha K. , Purdy Alexandra L. , Kolell Mary E. , Andresen Kaitlyn G. , Lahue Caitlin , Buddell Tyler , Akins Kaelin A. , Rau Christoph D. , O'Meara Caitlin C. , Patterson Michaela 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT
Somatic polyploidization, an adaptation by which cells increase their DNA content to support growth, is observed in many cell types, including cardiomyocytes. Although polyploidization is believed to be beneficial, progression to a polyploid state is often accompanied by loss of proliferative capacity. Recent work suggests that genetics heavily influence cardiomyocyte ploidy. However, the developmental course by which cardiomyocytes reach their final ploidy state has only been investigated in select backgrounds. Here, we assessed cardiomyocyte number, cell cycle activity, and ploidy dynamics across two divergent mouse strains: C57BL/6J and A/J. Both strains are born and reach adulthood with comparable numbers of cardiomyocytes; however, the end composition of ploidy classes and developmental progression to reach the final state differ substantially. We expand on previous findings that identified Tnni3k as a mediator of cardiomyocyte ploidy and uncover a role for Runx1 in ploidy dynamics and cardiomyocyte cell division, in both developmental and injury contexts. These data provide novel insights into the developmental path to cardiomyocyte polyploidization and challenge the paradigm that hypertrophy is the sole mechanism for growth in the postnatal heart.
Biomechanics illuminates form–function relationships in bird bills
Authors: Krishnan Anand 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTThe field of comparative biomechanics examines how form, mechanical properties and environmental interactions shape the function of biological structures. Biomechanics has advanced by leaps and bounds as rapid technological progress opens up new research horizons. In this Review, I describe how our understanding of the avian bill, a morphologically diverse multifunctional appendage, has been transformed by employing a biomechanical perspective. Across functions from feeding to excavating hollows in trees and as a vocal apparatus, the study of the bill spans both solid and fluid biomechanics, rendering it useful to understand general principles across disciplines. The different shapes of the bill across bird species result in functional and mechanical trade-offs, thus representing a microcosm of many broader form–function questions. Using examples from diverse studies, I discuss how research into bird bills has been shaped over recent decades, and its influence on our understanding of avian ecology and evolution. Next, I examine how bill material properties and geometry influence performance in dietary and non-dietary contexts, simultaneously imposing trade-offs on other functions. Following an examination of the interactions of bills with fluids and their role as part of the vocal apparatus, I end with a discussion of the sensory biomechanics of the bill, focusing specifically on the bill-tip mechanosensory organ. With these case studies, I highlight how this burgeoning and consequential field represents a roadmap for our understanding of the function and evolution of biological structures.
Enhancement of the activity of the antimicrobial peptides HNP1 and LL-37 by bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A
Authors: Ericksen Bryan 
Published: March 2023

Background: HNP1, LL-37, and HBD1 are antimicrobial against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at the standard inoculum but less active at higher inocula. Methods: The virtual colony count (VCC) microbiological assay was adapted for high inocula and the addition of yeast tRNA and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase). 96-well plates were read for 12 hours in a Tecan Infinite M1000 plate reader and photographed under 10x magnification. Results: Adding tRNA 1:1 wt/wt to HNP1 at the standard inoculum almost completely abrogated activity. Adding RNase 1:1 to HNP1 at the standard inoculum of 5x105 CFU/mL did not enhance activity. Increasing the inoculum to 6.25x107 CFU/mL almost abrogated HNP1 activity. However, adding RNase 25:1 to HNP1 enhanced activity at the highest tested concentration of HNP1. Adding both tRNA and RNase resulted in enhanced activity, indicating that the enhancement effect of RNase overwhelms the inhibiting effect of tRNA when both are present. HBD1 activity at the standard inoculum was almost completely abrogated by the addition of tRNA, but LL-37 activity was only slightly inhibited by tRNA. At the high inoculum, LL-37 activity was enhanced by RNase. HBD1 activity was not enhanced by RNase. RNase was not antimicrobial in the absence of antimicrobial peptides. Cell clumps were observed at the high inoculum in the presence of all three antimicrobial peptides and at the standard inoculum in the presence of HNP1+tRNA and HBD1+tRNA. Conclusions: Antimicrobial peptide-ribonuclease combinations have the potential to be active against high cell concentrations, conditions where the antimicrobial agent alone is relatively ineffective.
Evaluation of vitamin D supplementation intake among children; cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Sharafi Niloufar , Fatima Aiman , Gillani Syed Wasif , Kaddour Nour , Banoori Rawa , Elshafie Riham Mohamed , Rathore Hassaan Anwer 
Published: March 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the vitamin D supplementation intake status among children from different nationalities in the UAE, to determine vitamin D intake practices through diet and lifestyle, and the barriers that parents in the UAE face with providing vitamin D supplementation to their children. Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based survey study design was used.. The study was conducted in the U.A.E and the study participants were parents of children from ages 4-15 years. The questionnaire used in this study was both self-administered and interviewer-administered while inquiring the questions from the parents. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. The response rate of participants was expected to be 63%, the margin of error was 5% and the level of confidence was 95%. Results: A total of 248 participants (203 mothers, 39 fathers and 6 caregivers) completed the study. Participants reported that the supplements used the most by children were vitamin D supplements (21.85%), followed by multivitamins (21.8%) and calcium supplements (5.6%) and 27.8% of participants in this study reported to no supplementation at all. The rate of vitamin D supplementation among children was higher in those families with higher income levels, parents/caregivers who were more educated, those families who attained health insurance. However, there was no statistical significance between these correlations. Conclusion: The study concluded that challenges like the educational and financial background of parents, family-income level, and health insurance status could help aid in addressing the overall burden of vitamin D deficiency among young children in the UAE. Pediatricians and health care professionals could use our study and use it as an aid to provide screening on lifestyle, sun light exposure, and dietary modifications and also educate parents why and how vitamin D is crucial for their children.
Securitisation behind persona non grata: Implications to the theory and the cases regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Authors: Moritani Yuki , Akiyama Hajime 
Published: March 2023

Background: Diplomats or consuls can be declared persona non grata (PNG) by receiving states. In many cases, it is declared for security reasons, claiming that issues caused by sending states are matters of national security of receiving states. The extant literature focused on legal aspects of it regarding diplomatic immunities and privileges, but the declarations of PNG in international affairs require considerations from security studies. Methods: Security is a social construct, and the process of construction is explained by securitisation theory by the Copenhagen School and the Paris School. The paper conducted an overview of PNG by a general examination of the declarations of PNG with securitisation theory. Further examinations were done focusing on series of the declarations of PNG during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Along with the overall examination of PNG during the crisis, the analysis of the declaration of PNG to a Japanese Consul in Vladivostok, Russia was conducted as a unique case. Results: Generally, declaration of PNG is a result of securitisation within normal politics as the Paris School theorised, not exceeding normal politics as the Copenhagen School theorised. Also, two implications to the theory were found: 1) the need to focus on the existential threat; and 2) the need to consider a sphere of gradation between normal and emergency politics. The massacre in Bucha, Ukraine triggered many declarations of PNG, indicating that the cause of the securitisation of PNG was the massacre as an existential threat. The case of Vladivostok was a deviation from normal politics with a possible illegal detention of the consul, but the declaration of PNG itself is within normal politics. Rather than seeing the case simply as in the realm of emergency politics, it is better interpreted as a mixture of normal and emergency politics.
The ESCAPE Open-source Software and Service Repository
Authors: Vuillaume Thomas , Al-Turany Mohammad , Füßling Matthias , Gal Tamas , Garcia Enrique , Graf Kay , Hughes Gareth , Kettenis Mark , Kresan Dmytro , Schnabel Jutta , Tacke Christian , Verkouter Marjolein 
Published: March 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the ESCAPE Open-source Software and Service Repository (OSSR) is to provide a central location for the dissemination and use of trusted open-source software in the fields of astronomy, astroparticle physics, and particle physics. The repository allows users to easily access and download tools and services developed within the community, and to contribute their own tools and services. Methods: The ESCAPE project has set up a curated repository of software that provides tools and an environment to make it easy for users to find and download the software and services that they need. The repository is regularly updated and is maintained by a curation board, ensuring that the software and services are reliable and up-to-date. The curation and onboarding process makes the OSSR a trustworthy source of software that can be used for scientific analysis. The software included in the repository must include documentation and instructions and follow a set of modern best practices in software development. Training is provided to students and researchers to help them provide high-quality scientific software following modern software development practices. Outcome: The OSSR currently contains a wide range of software and services, including those for data management, data analysis, and machine learning. These tools and services are used by researchers and other users around the world. The OSSR has proven to be an effective means for disseminating and providing open-source software and services developed by the ESCAPE project partners and welcomes contributions from the entire community.
Pemanfaatan Mesin Dehidrator Berbasis Mikrokontroler untuk Mengurangi Kadar Air Madu di Desa Kauman, Tulungagung
Authors: Nurahmi Latifah , Harnany Dinny , Effendi M. Khoirul , Wahjudi Arif , Batan I Made Londen , Suhardjono Suhardjono , Sampurno Sampurno , Mubarok Fahmi 
Published: March 2023

Desa Kauman, Tulungagung, termasuk daerah penghasil madu di Jawa Timur. Namun, para peternak madu masih banyak mengalami kendala dalam mengurangi kadar air dalam madu karena masih menggunakan metode konvensional. Tim Pengabdi ITS bersama dengan mitra UMKM Madu AG bekerja sama merancang mesin dehydrator madu. Kemudian, mesin tersebut diberikan kepada peternak lebah di Desa Kauman. Hal ini bertujuan agar para peternak dapat memanfaatkan mesin dehydrator madu untuk meningkatkan produktivitas produk madu. Syarat madu yang baik harus memilik kadar air tidak lebih dari 22%. Mesin dehydrator madu yang dirancang dalam kegiatan ini mampu mengurangi kadar air hingga 10% dari kadar air dari sebelumnya. Hal ini diharapkan dapat membantu peternak lebah untuk menghasilkan madu dengan kualitas yang lebih baik.
Evaluation of a diagnostic device, CL Detect rapid test for the diagnosis of new world cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru
Authors: Grogl Max , Joya Christie A. , Saenz Maria , Quispe Ana , Rosales Luis Angel , Santos Rocio del Pilar , De los Santos Maxy B. , Donovan Ngami , Ransom Janet H. , Ramos Ana , Llanos Cuentas Elmer 
Published: March 2023

Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease and a public health problem in Latin America. The diagnosis of CL in poor hyperendemic regions relies to large extent on the identification of amastigotes in Giemsa-stained smears. There is an urgent need for a rapid, sensitive and low cost diagnostic method for use in field conditions for CL as current modalities are not readily available. The primary objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the FDA-cleared CL Detect Rapid Test in Peru, using modified test procedures rather than the instructions-for-use, by 1) increasing the extraction time and 2) increasing the volume of the sample added to the test strip. CL Detect Rapid Test results were compared against microscopy and kDNA-PCR, for the diagnosis of CL in ulcerated lesions. In addition, we compared two collection methods the dental broach used and mentioned in the CL Detect insert and the standard less invasive and easier to conduct scrapping method.

Methodology
Participants were patients who presented for medical consultation due to a suspected CL lesion. Four samples from the index lesion were collected using a dental broach, per package insert, and lancet scraping and tested by the modified CL Detect Rapid Test, microscopy, and PCR.

Principal findings
A total of 156 subjects were eligible and evaluated. The modified CL Detect sensitivity was higher in specimens obtained by scraping (83.3%) than those from dental broach (64.2%). The specificity was lower in scrapings (77.8%) with a false positive rate of 22.2% compared with dental broach samples (91.7%) with a false positive rate of 8.3%. However, molecular analysis showed that all 8 false negative microscopy scrapings (those positive by modified CL Detect and negative by microscopy) were positive by kDNA-PCR, meaning that the modified CL Detect was more sensitive than microscopy.

Conclusions
These modifications to the package insert that resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity (83.3%) comparable to microscopy for species found in Peru may enable earlier anti-leishmanial drug treatment decisions based on a positive result from the CL Detect Rapid Test alone until further diagnostic tests like microscopy and PCR can be performed.

Trial registration
NCT03762070; Clinicaltrials.gov.
Chatbot-based serious games: A useful tool for training medical students? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Al Kahf Salma , Roux Baptiste , Clerc Sebastien , Bassehila Mona , Lecomte A. , Moncomble Elsa , Alabadan Elodie , de Montmolin Nina , Jablon Eve , François Emilie , Friedlander Gérard , Badoual Cécile , Meyer Guy , Roche Nicolas , Martin Clémence , Planquette Benjamin 
Published: March 2023

Objectives
Chatbots, conversational agents that walk medical students (MS) though a clinical case, are serious games that seem to be appreciated by MS. Their impact on MS’s performance in exams however was not yet evaluated. Chatprogress is a chatbot-based game developed at Paris Descartes University. It contains 8 pulmonology cases with step-by-step answers delivered with pedagogical comments. The CHATPROGRESS study aimed to evaluate the impact of Chatprogress on students’ success rate in their end-term exams.

Methods
We conducted a post-test randomized controlled trial held on all fourth-year MS at Paris Descartes University. All MS were asked to follow the University’s regular lectures, and half of them were randomly given access to Chatprogress. At the end of the term, medical students were evaluated on pulmonology, cardiology and critical care medicine.

Main outcomes measures
The primary aim was to evaluate an increase in scores in the pulmonology sub-test for students who had access to Chatprogress, compared to those who didn’t. Secondary aims were to evaluate an increase in scores in the overall test (Pulmonology, Cardiology and Critical care medicine test (PCC)) and to evaluate the correlation between access to Chatprogress and overall test score. Finally, students’ satisfaction was assessed using a survey.

Results
From 10/2018 to 06/2019, 171 students had access to Chatprogress (the Gamers) and among them, 104 ended up using it (the Users). Gamers and Users were compared to 255 Controls with no access to Chatprogress. Differences in scores on the pulmonology sub-test over the academic year were significantly higher among Gamers and Users vs Controls (mean score: 12.7/20 vs 12.0/20, p = 0.0104 and mean score: 12.7/20 vs 12.0/20, p = 0.0365 respectively). This significant difference was present as well in the overall PCC test scores: (mean score: 12.5/20 vs 12.1/20, p = 0.0285 and 12.6/20 vs 12.1/20, p = 0.0355 respectively). Although no significant correlation was found between the pulmonology sub-test’s scores and MS’s assiduity parameters (number of finished games among the 8 proposed to Users and number of times a User finished a game), there was a trend to a better correlation when users were evaluated on a subject covered by Chatprogress. MS were also found to be fans of this teaching tool, asking for more pedagogical comments even when they got the questions right.

Conclusion
This randomised controlled trial is the first to demonstrate a significant improvement in students’ results (in both the pulmonology subtest and the overall PCC exam) when they had access to Chatbots, and even more so when they actually used it.
Sexually transmitted infections among key populations in India: A protocol for systematic review
Authors: Bhatta Mihir , Majumdar Agniva , Ghosh Utsha , Ghosh Piyali , Banerji Papiya , Aridoss Santhakumar , Royal Abhisek , Biswas Subrata , Venkatesh Bhumika Tumkur , Adhikary Rajatsuvra , Dutta Shanta 
Published: March 2023

Background
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the leading causes of health, and economic burdens in the developing world, leading to considerable morbidity, mortality, and stigma. The incidence and prevalence of the four curable STIs viz. syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis vary remarkably across different geographical locations. In India, the prevalence of four curable STI among general populations is in between 0 to 3.9 percent. However, it is assumed that STI prevalence is much higher among subpopulations practicing high-risk behaviour. Like men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG), injecting drug users (IDU), and female sex workers (FSW).

Objectives
In the present circumstances, a systematic review is necessary to integrate the available data from previously published peer-reviewed articles and published reports from several competent authorities to provide the prevalence and geographical distribution of the four curable STIs among the key population of India.

Methods
All available articles will be retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane database, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Global Health network using the appropriate search terms. The data will be extracted through data extraction form as per PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design) framework. Risk of bias and quality assessment will be performed according to the situation with the help of available conventional protocol.

Discussion
The future systematic review, generated from the present protocol, may provide evidence of the prevalence and geographical distribution of the four curable STIs among the key population of India. We hope that the findings of the future systematic review will strengthen the existing surveillance system in India, to determine the above-mention STIs prevalence among key populations in India.
Protocol registration number: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42022346470.