bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of soil treatment and irrigation methods on tomato yield and quality in the lowlands of Dagestan
Authors: Kurbanov S A , Magomedova D S , Dzhambulatova A Z 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A positive effect of irrigation of meadow-chestnut soil on soil fertility was described for the dry-steppe zone of Dagestan. The object of research was tomatoes (Gift variety) planted on irrigated lands of Dagestan. The subject of research is tillage and irrigation methods. The influence of agrotechnical methods on agrophysical soil properties, level and quality of tomatoes was determined. Maintaining the moisture of the active soil layer within 80…100 % NV can optimize agrophysical fertility indicators of the meadow-chestnut soil. In combination with tillage at a depth of 0.23…0.25 m, it ensures the tomato yield of 80…86 t/ha.
Tailoring surface plasmon-exciton polariton for high-performance refractive index monitoring
Authors: Srivastava Triranjita , Jha Rajan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We report coupling between surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and surface exciton polariton (SEP) as hybrid mode; surface plasmon exciton polariton (SPEP) that can be utilized for highly sensitive and accurate refractive index monitoring. The proposed structure comprises of a thin layer of organic semiconductor; J-aggregate cyanine dye (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,10-diethyl-3, 30-di(4-sulfobutyl) benzimidazolo-carbocyanine (TDBC)) having, strong dipole moment resulting from linear chain-like structure, over plasmon active metal coated on prism. It is found that due to SPEP excitation, the sensitivity of the proposed refractometer is ∼84% higher as compared to that of conventional plasmonic sensor at λ = 532 nm and has high tolerance towards 10 nm of metal thickness. The wavelength dependent performance analysis of SPEP modes reveals that for high energy SPEP (mode-1 at λ = 532 nm), sensitivity as well as figure of merit (FOM) of the proposed refractometer is ∼80% and ∼200% respectively higher than low energy SPEP (mode-2 at λ = 633 nm). We believe that the study will open a new window for a diverse range of biochemical and gaseous sensing applications.
Twistronics: a turning point in 2D quantum materials
Authors: Hennighausen Zachariah , Kar Swastik 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Moiré superlattices—periodic orbital overlaps and lattice-reconstruction between sites of high atomic registry in vertically-stacked 2D layered materials—are quantum-active interfaces where non-trivial quantum phases on novel phenomena can emerge from geometric arrangements of 2D materials, which are not intrinsic to the parent materials. Unexpected distortions in band-structure and topology lead to long-range correlations, charge-ordering, and several other fascinating quantum phenomena hidden within the physical space between the (similar or dissimilar) parent materials. Stacking, twisting, gate-modulating, and optically-exciting these superlattices open up a new field for seamlessly exploring physics from the weak to strong correlations limit within a many-body and topological framework. It is impossible to capture it all, and the aim of this review is to highlight some of the important recent developments in synthesis, experiments, and potential applications of these materials.
A Review of Ectoparasitic Fungi Associated With Termites
Authors: Wilson Megan , Barden Phillip , Ware Jessica 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTermites and ectoparasitic fungi have been at odds for millions of years. Surprisingly, fungi rarely kill their host and termites are continuously parasitized, albeit at low rates. ‘Termitophilous’ fungi have succeeded in the difficult task of infiltrating the ecological fortress of social immunity that is the termite colony. Here we review 34 definitive ectoparasitic fungal species from nine genera specialized to infest the cuticle of 50 + termite species. In general, reports of fungal ectoparasites on termites are underestimated and the actual prevalence of infestation is likely much greater in nature. In this review, we synthesize &gt;120 yr of reports and studies on ectoparasitic fungi and their termite hosts to present an update to where our knowledge rests and where the proceeding steps should be focused. In reviewing this material, we aim to unite knowledge from two disciplines, entomology and mycology, creating a literary source useful for entomologists and mycologists alike. We provide a comprehensive summary of all fungal genera, illustrations showing morphological distinctions and development on the termite host, a glossary of mycological terminology, and an updated chart of the biogeography of these groups. Additionally, we provide a phylogenetic summary of parasite lineages and their known hosts as well as the first review of molecular evidence obtained from these fungal species.
New Horizons in the impact of frailty on pharmacokinetics: latest developments
Authors: Hilmer Sarah N , Kirkpatrick Carl M J 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Frail older people have a high prevalence of drug use and are susceptible to adverse drug reactions. The physiological changes of frailty are likely to affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We reviewed the methods and findings of published studies of pharmacokinetics in frailty. Nine studies describing pharmacokinetics and an additional three of pharmacokinetic pathways in frail older people were identified. Most pharmacokinetic studies investigated a single administration of a medication, dose or formulation, in small populations, often with limited representation of males or females, and applied variable definitions of frailty. Pharmacokinetic sampling designs generally utilised saturated sampling followed by analysis based on the trapezoidal rule for area under the curve, with more recent studies using sparser sampling and more sophisticated modelling to obtain individual and population values of all pharmacokinetic parameters. Overall, the pharmacokinetic studies reported only small changes in some parameters for some drugs with frailty, with the most consistent change reduced hepatic clearance in frail older people. Recommendations for future studies of pharmacokinetics in frailty include (i) standard objective definitions of frailty; (ii) larger studies including people with mild, moderate and severe frailty; (iii) population pharmacokinetic modelling to allow sparser sampling and consideration of multiple influences on pharmacokinetics; (iv) physiologically based modelling as the physiology of frailty emerges and (v) longitudinal pharmacokinetic studies of chronic drug therapy from middle to old age and from robust to pre-frail to frail, including pre-clinical studies. These data, accompanied by pharmacodynamics data in frailty, will inform safe, effective prescribing for frail older people.
Optimising the conservation of genetic diversity of the last remaining population of a critically endangered shrub
Authors: Thomas William J W , Anthony Janet M , Dobrowolski Mark P , Krauss Siegfried L 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAn understanding of genetic diversity and the population genetic processes that impact future population viability is vital for the management and recovery of declining populations of threatened species. Styphelia longissima (Ericaceae) is a critically endangered shrub, restricted to a single fragmented population near Eneabba, 250 km north of Perth, Western Australia. For this population, we sought to characterize population genetic variation and its spatial structure, and aspects of the mating portfolio, from which strategies that optimize the conservation of this diversity are identified. A comprehensive survey was carried out and 220 adults, and 106 seedlings from 14 maternal plants, were genotyped using 13 microsatellite markers. Levels of genetic variation and its spatial structure were assessed, and mating system parameters were estimated. Paternity was assigned to the offspring of a subsection of plants, which allowed for the calculation of realized pollen dispersal. Allelic richness and levels of expected heterozygosity were higher than predicted for a small isolated population. Spatial autocorrelation analysis identified fine-scale genetic structure at a scale of 20 m, but no genetic structure was found at larger scales. Mean outcrossing rate (tm = 0.66) reflects self-compatibility and a mixed-mating system. Multiple paternity was low, where 61 % of maternal siblings shared the same sire. Realized pollen dispersal was highly restricted, with 95 % of outcrossing events occurring at 7 m or less, and a mean pollen dispersal distance of 3.8 m. Nearest-neighbour matings were common (55 % of all outcross events), and 97 % of mating events were between the three nearest-neighbours. This study has provided critical baseline data on genetic diversity, mating system and pollen dispersal for future monitoring of S. longissima. Broadly applicable conservation strategies such as implementing a genetic monitoring plan, diluting spatial genetic structure in the natural population, genetically optimizing ex situ collections and incorporating genetic knowledge into translocations will help to manage the future erosion of the high genetic variation detected.
A comprehensive overview and critical evaluation of gene regulatory network inference technologies
Authors: Zhao Mengyuan , He Wenying , Tang Jijun , Zou Quan , Guo Fei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGene regulatory network (GRN) is the important mechanism of maintaining life process, controlling biochemical reaction and regulating compound level, which plays an important role in various organisms and systems. Reconstructing GRN can help us to understand the molecular mechanism of organisms and to reveal the essential rules of a large number of biological processes and reactions in organisms. Various outstanding network reconstruction algorithms use specific assumptions that affect prediction accuracy, in order to deal with the uncertainty of processing. In order to study why a certain method is more suitable for specific research problem or experimental data, we conduct research from model-based, information-based and machine learning-based method classifications. There are obviously different types of computational tools that can be generated to distinguish GRNs. Furthermore, we discuss several classical, representative and latest methods in each category to analyze core ideas, general steps, characteristics, etc. We compare the performance of state-of-the-art GRN reconstruction technologies on simulated networks and real networks under different scaling conditions. Through standardized performance metrics and common benchmarks, we quantitatively evaluate the stability of various methods and the sensitivity of the same algorithm applying to different scaling networks. The aim of this study is to explore the most appropriate method for a specific GRN, which helps biologists and medical scientists in discovering potential drug targets and identifying cancer biomarkers.
Association Between Chronic Use of Immunosuppresive Drugs and Clinical Outcomes From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hospitalization: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Large US Health System
Authors: Andersen Kathleen M , Mehta Hemalkumar B , Palamuttam Natasha , Ford Daniel , Garibaldi Brian T , Auwaerter Paul G , Segal Jodi , Alexander G Caleb 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
It is unclear whether chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs worsens or improves the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with plausible mechanisms for both.

Methods
Retrospective cohort study in 2121 consecutive adults with acute inpatient hospital admission between 4 March and 29 August 2020 with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in a large academic health system, with adjustment for confounding with propensity score–derived stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights. Chronic immunosuppression was defined as prescriptions for immunosuppressive drugs current at the time of admission. Outcomes included mechanical ventilation, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay.

Results
There were 2121 patients admitted with laboratory-confirmed (1967, 93%) or suspected (154, 7%) COVID-19 during the study period, with a median age of 55 years (interquartile range, 40–67). Of these, 108 (5%) were classified as immunosuppressed before COVID-19, primarily with prednisone (&gt;7.5 mg/day), tacrolimus, or mycophenolate mofetil. Among the entire cohort, 311 (15%) received mechanical ventilation; the median (interquartile range) length of stay was 5.2 (2.5–10.6) days, and 1927 (91%) survived to discharge. After adjustment, there were no significant differences in the risk of mechanical ventilation (hazard ratio [HR], .79; 95% confidence interval [CI], .46–1.35), in-hospital mortality (HR, .66; 95% CI, .28–1.55), or length of stay (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, .92–1.47) among individuals with immunosuppression and counterparts.

Conclusions
Chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs was neither associated with worse nor better clinical outcomes among adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in one US health system.
The Duration of Protection from Azithromycin Against Malaria, Acute Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, and Skin Infections When Given Alongside Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention: Secondary Analyses of Data from a Clinical Trial in Houndé, Burkina Faso, and Bougouni, Mali
Authors: Phiri Mphatso Dennis , Cairns Matthew , Zongo Issaka , Nikiema Frederic , Diarra Modibo , Yerbanga Rakiswendé Serge , Barry Amadou , Tapily Amadou , Coumare Samba , Thera Ismaila , Kuepfer Irene , Milligan Paul , Tinto Halidou , Dicko Alassane , Ouédraogo Jean Bosco , Greenwood Brian , Chandramohan Daniel , Sagara Issaka 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin (AZ) is being considered as a strategy to promote child survival in sub-Saharan Africa, but the mechanism by which AZ reduces mortality is unclear. To better understand the nature and extent of protection provided by AZ, we explored the profile of protection by time since administration, using data from a household-randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Burkina Faso and Mali.

Methods
Between 2014 and 2016, 30 977 children aged 3–59 months received seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine and either AZ or placebo monthly, on 4 occasions each year. Poisson regression with gamma-distributed random effects, accounting for the household randomization and within-individual clustering of illness episodes, was used to compare incidence of prespecified outcomes between SMC+AZ versus SMC+placebo groups in fixed time strata post-treatment. The likelihood ratio test was used to assess evidence for a time-treatment group interaction.

Results
Relative to SMC+placebo, there was no evidence of protection from SMC+AZ against hospital admissions and deaths. Additional protection from SMC+AZ against malaria was confined to the first 2 weeks post-administration (protective efficacy (PE): 24.2% [95% CI: 17.8%, 30.1%]). Gastroenteritis and pneumonia were reduced by 29.9% [21.7; 37.3%], and 34.3% [14.9; 49.3%], respectively, in the first 2 weeks postadministration. Protection against nonmalaria fevers with a skin condition persisted up to 28 days: PE: 46.3% [35.1; 55.6%].

Conclusions
The benefits of AZ-MDA are broad-ranging but short-lived. To maximize impact, timing of AZ-MDA must address the challenge of targeting asynchronous morbidity and mortality peaks from different causes.
Improving the Prediction of Relapse After Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Discontinuation in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Song Do Seon , Jang Jeong Won , Yoo Sun Hong , Kwon Jung Hyun , Nam Soon Woo , Bae Si Hyun , Choi Jong Young , Yoon Seung Kew 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Current guidelines recommend rules for stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but off-therapy relapse is still high. This study aimed to identify predictors of off-therapy relapse and improve existing stopping rules.

Methods
This retrospective study included 488 patients with CHB (262 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]–positive and 226 HBeAg-negative) who discontinued NAs. Posttreatment relapse was investigated.

Results
During the median follow-up period of 73.3 months, the cumulative 5-year and 10-year virologic relapse (VR) rates were 73.5% and 76.1%, respectively. In HBeAg-positive patients, end-of-therapy hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels (hazard ratio [HR], 1.93 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.42–2.61]) and consolidation duration ≥2 years (HR, 0.31 [95% CI: .17–.58]) were independent predictors of VR. Consolidation ≥2 years and low HBsAg levels (≤560 IU/mL) significantly lowered VR rates. In HBeAg-negative patients, only the HBsAg level (HR, 1.61 [95% CI: 1.24–2.11]) was independently predictive of VR. Cirrhosis was significantly associated with higher VR rates in HBeAg-negative patients with low HBsAg levels (≤800 IU/mL). Combining end-of-therapy HBsAg levels with current stopping rules or consolidation duration further reduced off-therapy relapse, with 2-year VR rates of approximately 15%–25% in HBeAg-positive patients and 35% in HBeAg-negative patients.

Conclusions
End-of-therapy HBsAg levels, consolidation duration, and cirrhosis are key determinants of off-therapy relapse. Together with low HBsAg levels, extended consolidation therapy for ≥2 years should be ensured, and cirrhotic patients should continue NAs even if low HBsAg levels are achieved. A combination of these parameters will help identify individuals at low risk of relapse and significantly improve the predictive ability of the existing stopping rules.
The landscape of nutri-informatics: a review of current resources and challenges for integrative nutrition research
Authors: Chan Lauren , Vasilevsky Nicole , Thessen Anne , McMurry Julie , Haendel Melissa 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Informatics has become an essential component of research in the past few decades, capitalizing on the efficiency and power of computation to improve the knowledge gained from increasing quantities and types of data. While other fields of research such as genomics are well represented in informatics resources, nutrition remains underrepresented. Nutrition is one of the most integral components of human life, and it impacts individuals far beyond just nutrient provisions. For example, nutrition plays a role in cultural practices, interpersonal relationships and body image. Despite this, integrated computational investigations have been limited due to challenges within nutrition informatics (nutri-informatics) and nutrition data. The purpose of this review is to describe the landscape of nutri-informatics resources available for use in computational nutrition research and clinical utilization. In particular, we will focus on the application of biomedical ontologies and their potential to improve the standardization and interoperability of nutrition terminologies and relationships between nutrition and other biomedical disciplines such as disease and phenomics. Additionally, we will highlight challenges currently faced by the nutri-informatics community including experimental design, data aggregation and the roles scientific journals and primary nutrition researchers play in facilitating data reuse and successful computational research. Finally, we will conclude with a call to action to create and follow community standards regarding standardization of language, documentation specifications and requirements for data reuse. With the continued movement toward community standards of this kind, the entire nutrition research community can transition toward greater usage of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability principles and in turn more transparent science.
New perspectives on the distribution of farm incomes and the redistributive impact of CAP payments
Authors: Piet Laurent , Desjeux Yann 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe contribute to understanding the impact of potential drivers of farm income inequality and the redistributive impact of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments. Our approach provides information at any quantile of the income distribution, in contrast to the widely used Gini coefficient. Income growth and inequality dynamics of French commercial farms between 2000 and 2017 are found to be explained by a change in both income levels and farm characteristics. Further, CAP payments are shown to participate in levelling off income inequalities, with Pillar 1 and 2 payments performing differently along the distribution. Our results may help inform on-going policy debates about fairness in the distribution of farm support and structural change implications for the future of European agriculture.
Social network characteristics as correlates and moderators of older adults’ quality of life—the SHARE study
Authors: Schmidt Tanja , Christiansen Lars B , Schipperijn Jasper , Cerin Ester 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
The quality of life (QoL) of older adults is a key aspect of healthy ageing, and older adults’ socioeconomic status (SES), the neighbourhood they live in and their social networks (SN) are known to impact QoL. However, little is known about the interaction between these concepts. The aim was to examine how SN, SES and neighbourhood type are associated with QoL in older adults.

Methods
Wave 4 (year 2011) and wave 6 (year 2015) data from the longitudinal Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were used for the analysis. Multilevel regression models estimated the associations including 34 792 participants from wave 4 and 67 334 participants from wave 6 from 16 countries (mean age = 66.45 years). The outcome variable was QoL, independent variables were SES (education and making end meet) and neighbourhood type (housing type and housing area), and SN variables (satisfaction and size) were the moderators.

Results
SES and SN variables were positively associated with QoL. Living in a house or duplex was positively associated with QoL compared with living in a farmhouse. SN moderated the association between education and QoL. The effect of area type on QoL was moderated by SN size. SN satisfaction was an independent correlate of QoL.

Conclusion
Older adults’ satisfaction with their SN may be more important than having a large SN. Low SES older adults may be more prone to having weak SN. Maintaining and creating supportive SN may attenuate the negative effects of low SES or less favourable neighbourhood characteristics.
Seemingly trivial secondary factors may determine microbial competition: a cautionary tale on the impact of iron supplementation through corrosion
Authors: Stouten Gerben R , Hamers Kelly , van Tatenhove-Pel Rinke J , van der Knaap Eline , Kleerebezem Robbert 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Microbial community engineering aims for enrichment of a specific microbial trait by imposing specific cultivation conditions. This work demonstrates that things may be more complicated than typically presumed and that microbial competition can be affected by seemingly insignificant variables, like in this case the type of acid used for pH control. Aerobic bioreactors pulse fed with acetate operated with hydrochloric acid resulted in the enrichment of Plasticicumulans acidivorans, and changing the pH controlling agent to sulfuric acid shifted the community towards Zoogloea sp. Further research demonstrated that the change in community structure was not directly caused by the change in acid used for pH control, but resulted from the difference in corrosive strength of both acids and the related iron leaching from the bioreactor piping. Neither system was iron deficient, suggesting that the biological availability of iron is affected by the leaching process. Our results demonstrate that microbial competition and process development can be affected dramatically by secondary factors related to nutrient supply and bioavailability, and is way more complex than generally assumed in a single carbon substrate limited process.