bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation on appropriate two‐stage drying techniques for quality paddy seeds
Authors: Islam Motaharul , Nasrin Taslema , Islam Mofizul , Sarker Sazzat Hossain 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn attempt was made to investigate appropriate two‐stage drying techniques for quality of paddy seeds. In this research, two options of two‐stage drying were conducted for three varieties of paddy (BR‐11, BRRI Dhan‐51, and Guti Swarna). In both options, first stage drying was carried out by a fluidized bed dryer using three temperatures (50, 55, and 60°C) at constant bed thickness of 15 cm. After tempered, in the first option, samples were further dried in second stage by sun drying (28–32°C). In the second option, samples were further dried in second stage in same fluidized bed dryer using three temperatures (35, 40, and 45°C). Comparison of germination percentage in the first option, it revealed that higher germination percentage was obtained than sun‐drying method while dried at 50°C in the first stage followed by sun‐drying method at 30 ± 2°C in the second stage except in case of Guti Swarna. In the second option, it revealed that higher germination percentage was obtained than sun‐drying method while dried in fluidized bed dryer at 50°C in the first stage followed by 35°C in second stage except in case of variety Guti Swarna. Therefore, drying at optimum air temperature for both options can be applied for paddy seed drying in Bangladesh.Practical ApplicationRice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important food crops in all over the world. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (Yearbook of Agriculture Statistics, 2018) about 3.6 million tons of paddy produced in Bangladesh. The most important input for any agricultural production is seed than other inputs. In Bangladesh used only 15% of the total paddy seed is quality seed. Drying is an energy‐intensive and most important postharvest operation for the production of quality seed. The outcomes of the proposed research can play an important role in the improvement of the socioeconomic status of paddy seed growers and product processors of Bangladesh. It will be helpful for seed company who produces a huge amount of seed and also helpful in the rainy season when sun drying is not available.
Liquid loss in thawed cod—Deconvoluting the effects of freezing‐rate, freezing cycles, frozen storage time, and thawing‐rate through a full factorial design
Authors: Stormo Svein Kristian , Skåra Torstein 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFish is a highly perishable product and freezing is the obvious way to increase shelf life. The freezing process involves the initial freezing, a frozen storage period and thawing—all of which influence the quality of the end product. In this study, the quantity of liquid loss is used as an indication of the structural damage induced by these processes. A full factorial experiment design addresses the effects of freezing and thawing rates (fast vs. slow), number of freezing cycles (1 vs. 2) and frozen storage (1 year vs. 1 week). The results show strong evidence that fast processes of freezing and thawing reduce the subsequent liquid loss. However, 1 year frozen storage at −20°C induces high liquid loss independently of the freezing and thawing rates. Adding a second freezing cycle also adds to the liquid loss upon final thawing. By increasing the number of processing steps (additional freezing cycles) the strain put upon the samples progressively increases. This leaves samples at the end of long sequences of processing especially sensitive to damage caused by ice crystals. In this way, the thawing protocol might be of high importance, especially during the last freezing cycle of twice frozen samples.Practical ApplicationIn order to minimize liquid loss through production of frozen seafood, it is imperative that producers use the best practice at every stage. Liquid loss influences yield through production, but it also contributes to quality parameters relevant to both producers and consumers. Every stage of the production impacts liquid loss, and examining and classifying the different processing steps separately is the common approach to assess the effect. For the final product however, the impact of one isolated step is entangled in the combined effect off all the different processing steps. In this study, we have examined the processing continuum from the first freezing to the last thawing, including the effects of an extra freeze cycle and frozen storage period. In this way, we demonstrate the risk of pitfalls through such processing and also highlight the process combinations that are synonymous with low liquid loss.
Vulval lymphangiectasia in pregnancy—a rare case report
Authors: Gunasekaran Kala Poomalar , Manivasakan Jayasree 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDifficulty in arriving at a diagnosis of vulval lesions of women presenting in labor leads to a dilemma in deciding the delivery route. Here we present a case of large vulval lesion extending from mons pubis to anterior half of perineum presenting in labor in a 27‐year‐old second gravida with term pregnancy. History revealed an onset of vulval swelling within 3 months of starting antituberculosis treatment for cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy at the age of 25 years. There was no associated inguinal lymphadenopathy or edema of the legs. Cesarean section was performed, anticipating difficulty in suturing the perineal tear with vaginal delivery. Biopsy revealed a diagnosis of vulval lymphangiectasia. Though various treatment modalities are available, complete resolution of the lesion remains a challenge. Awareness among healthcare workers and early diagnosis and intervention could avoid the extension of the lesion and its sequel in labor.
Maternal experience of domestic violence before and during pregnancy and children's linear growth at 15 years: Findings from MINIMat trial in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Ziaei Shirin , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur , Rahman Anisur , Ekström Eva‐Charlotte 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLiterature concerning negative impacts of domestic violence (DV) against women on their children's health is growing; however, little is known about the long‐term effect of maternal exposure to DV before and/or during pregnancy on their children's growth. Using data from the MINIMat cohort, we have evaluated the association between maternal lifetime experience of DV, measured in late pregnancy, with their children's linear growth at 15 years (n = 2240) in rural Bangladesh. A modified version of conflict tactic scale was used to record the maternal experience of physical, sexual, emotional DV and controlling behaviour. Children's height was measured by trained nurses during their clinical visits at 15‐year follow‐up. Compared to the women with no experience of DV, children of women with experience of any physical, sexual or emotional DV before and/or during pregnancy had the significantly lower height for age Z‐scores (HAZs) at the age of 15. No significant association between maternal experience of controlling behaviour and their children's linear growth was observed in terms of HAZ. Results from this study suggest that maternal experience of DV before and/or during pregnancy might be associated with impaired long‐term linear growth within their children.
Addressing obesity in the first 1000 days in high risk infants: Systematic review
Authors: Rossiter Chris , Cheng Heilok , Appleton Jessica , Campbell Karen J. , Denney‐Wilson Elizabeth 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEarly intervention is critical for addressing the challenge of childhood obesity. Yet many preventive interventions do not target infants most at risk of future overweight or obesity. This systematic review examines interventions delivered before 2 years that aim to ameliorate excess weight gain among infants at high risk of overweight or obesity, due to sociodemographic characteristics, parental weight or health status, infant feeding or health behaviours. We searched six databases for interventions: (a) delivered before age two, (b) specifically aimed at infants at high risk of childhood obesity and (c) that reported outcomes by weight status beyond 28 days. The search identified over 27,000 titles, and 49 papers from 38 studies met inclusion criteria: 10 antenatal interventions, 16 postnatal and 12 conducted both before and after birth. Nearly all targeted infant and/or maternal nutrition. Studies varied widely in design, obesity risk factors, outcomes and quality. Overall, nine interventions of varying quality reported some evidence of significantly improved child weight trajectory, although effects tended to diminish over time. Interventions that improved weight outcomes tended to engage parents for a longer period, and most offered health professional input and support. Two studies of limited quality reported significantly worse weight outcomes in the intervention group.
Coronary microvascular dysfunction beyond microvascular obstruction in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction: Functional and clinical correlates
Authors: Locorotondo Gabriella , Galiuto Leonarda , Porto Italo , Fedele Elisa , Paraggio Lazzaro , Rebuzzi Antonio G. , Crea Filippo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo retrospectively characterize clinical predictors and impact on left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) of microvascular dysfunction (MVD) beyond microvascular obstruction (MVO), in 49 consecutive patients (58 ± 11 years), with successfully treated ST‐elevation myocardial infarction.MethodsBy myocardial contrast echocardiography, MVD was considered as myocardial segments with delayed/patchy opacification, while MVO as areas without any opacification. Both MVD and MVO were planimetered and expressed as percentage of total LV wall area. Patients were divided into tertiles of MVO: I (MVO 0%), II (MVO 4–17%), and III (MVO 18–38%) groups. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) values obtained at admission and at peak were considered for analysis.ResultsMVD correlated inversely with EF in groups I and II (p = 0.025, p = 0.019, respectively), but not in group III. MVD was independently predicted by cTnT on admission (β = 1.85; 95%CI = 0.46–3.24, p = 0.011) and female sex (β for male sex = −14.46; 95% CI = −27.96–0.95), while MVO by anterior MI (β = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.26–0.88, p = 0.008) and peak cTnT (β = 0.97; 95%CI = 0.57–1.38, p < 0.001). Altogether, MVD plus MVO predicted EF (β = −0.18; 95%CI = −0.28‐‐0.07, p = 0.002).ConclusionsEven in patients with limited amount of MVO, EF may be impaired by MVD. MVO and MVD have different predictors, which probably reflect their different pathogenesis.
A novel Transposable element‐derived microRNA participates in plant immunity to rice blast disease
Authors: Campo Sonia , Sánchez‐Sanuy Ferran , Camargo‐Ramírez Rosany , Gómez‐Ariza Jorge , Baldrich Patricia , Campos‐Soriano Lidia , Soto‐Suárez Mauricio , San Segundo Blanca 
Published: March 2021

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that direct post‐transcriptional gene silencing in plant development and stress responses through cleavage or translational repression of target mRNAs. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of a new member of the miR812 family in rice (named as miR812w) involved in disease resistance. miR812w is present in cultivated Oryza species, both japonica and indica subspecies, and wild rice species within the Oryza genus, but not in dicotyledonous species. miR812w is a 24nt‐long that requires DCL3 for its biogenesis and is loaded into AGO4 proteins. Whereas overexpression of miR812w increased resistance to infection by the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated MIR812w editing enhances disease susceptibility, supporting that miR812w plays a role in blast resistance. We show that miR812w derives from the Stowaway type of rice MITEs (Miniature Inverted‐Repeat Transposable Elements). Moreover, miR812w directs DNA methylation in trans at target genes that have integrated a Stowaway MITE copy into their 3′ or 5′ untranslated region (ACO3, CIPK10, LRR genes), as well as in cis at the MIR812w locus. The target genes of miR812 were found to be hypo‐methylated around the miR812 recognition site, their expression being up‐regulated in transgene‐free CRISPR/Cas9‐edited miR812 plants. These findings further support that, in addition to post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression, miRNAs can exert their regulatory function at the transcriptional level. This relationship between miR812w and Stowaway MITEs integrated into multiple coding genes might eventually create a network for miR812w‐mediated regulation of gene expression with implications in rice immunity.
Trends in voluntary vaccination coverage in a Japanese city
Authors: Hoshina Takayuki , Kawase Mayumi , Watanabe Shunsuke , Shibahara Junpei , Kojiro Masumi , Miyake Takumi , Sakaguchi Yusuke , Kajiwara Yasuhiro , Kusuhara Koichi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundLarge numbers of patients with diseases preventable by voluntary vaccines have been reported in Japan. However, it is difficult to analyze the impact of voluntary vaccination on disease prevention, as governments do not aggregate the number of recipients of vaccines that are not included in the national immunization program. This study investigated the association between the coverage rates of two voluntary vaccines (rotavirus and mumps vaccines) and the incidence of the diseases preventable by these vaccines.MethodsWe performed a prospective questionnaire‐based observational study to investigate the presumptive coverage rates of the rotavirus vaccine in infancy and the mumps vaccine at 1 year of age in Kitakyushu City from 2015 to 2018. The number of children admitted to a secondary medical institution for rotavirus‐associated gastroenteritis and the incidence of mumps infection in sentinel medical institutions were also analyzed during the investigation period.ResultsThe rotavirus and mumps vaccine coverage rates since 2016 were 61‐63% and late 28‐30%, respectively (52.6% and 20.3% in 2015, respectively). The yearly number of children hospitalized for rotavirus‐associated gastroenteritis from 2015 to 2018 declined by 41.4% compared with that during the pre‐vaccination period (2009–2011). The incidence of mumps infection remained unchanged during the investigation period.ConclusionThe coverage rates of two voluntary vaccines were not high enough to control the infections. The incorporation of voluntary vaccines into the routine immunization program should be considered as the one of the effective ways to increase vaccination coverage.
Survey of Home‐Use UV Disinfection Products†
Authors: Khazova Marina , Johnstone Liam , Naldzhiev Dzhordzhio , O'Hagan John B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic provided a commercial opportunity for traders marketing a range of ultraviolet (UV) radiation products for home‐use disinfection. Due to concerns about the efficacy of such products and the potential for harmful levels of UV exposure to people, a range of products were purchased from on‐line trading platforms. Spectral irradiance measurements were carried out to determine whether the products could be effective against the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and whether they were likely to exceed internationally agreed exposure limits. It was concluded that many of the devices were not effective and many of those that were potentially effective presented a risk to users.
The use of natural organic flocculants for harvesting microalgae grown in municipal wastewater at different culture densities
Authors: Niemi Calle , Gentili Francesco G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHarvesting microalgae from liquid culture is a difficult issue to solve and is most commonly done through settling. However, settling is a slow process on its own and generally needs to be induced chemically or by introducing stress to the culture. Polymeric, cationic substances, such as cationised starch and chitosan, are often used for flocculation and settling. These large, positively charged molecules form large clusters with suspended particles in the liquid medium. In the present study, three natural organic flocculants (cationic starch, chitosan and acacia tannin S5T) were tested to harvest microalgal cultures grown in wastewater. Two microalgal species, one strain of Chlorella vulgaris and one strain of Scenedesmus obliquus, were cultured in municipal wastewater for different lengths of time, and settled using either cationic starch, chitosan or acacia tannin S5T. Results indicated that S5T worked with approximately the same efficiency in the two assayed species, although it requires a relatively high dosage to function (about 300 mg L−1), while the other two flocculants varied from species to species.
Distinguishing mid‐channel and bank‐attached fluvial bars by flow divergence: Implications for the interpretation of stratigraphic records
Authors: Ghinassi Massimiliano , Ielpi Alessandro , Ventra Dario , Martini Ivan , Finotello Alvise , Bellizia Elena 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe characterization of ancient fluvial‐channel bars informs predictions of sedimentary facies distribution, and hence they are critical for interpreting river morphodynamics through time. Within active fluvial channels, sediment storage occurs along the banks or along their axial portion, generating bank‐attached or mid‐channel bars, respectively. This study introduces the angle of flow divergence (Δf), measured as the angle between the azimuths of bar accretionary slopes and local dune migration, and quantitatively explores its distribution in 103 channel reaches that have a sandy bed load and clear water. This dataset includes both mid‐channel and bank‐attached bars from low‐variable peak discharge rivers of Russia and Brazil. Remotely sensed evidence shows that dune migration transverse to the dip azimuth of bar slopes (Δf 90–110°) occurs both in mid‐channel and bank‐attached bars, contradicting the long‐standing tenet that palaeoflows nearly orthogonal to the dip azimuth of large‐scale inclined strata are indicative of sinuous, single‐thread palaeochannels. Only Δf values significantly higher (>140°) or lower (<60°) than 90° discriminate mid‐channel and bank‐attached fluvial bars. Comparisons between Δf values and bar‐accretionary styles suggest that mid‐channel bars formed by high‐peak and low‐peak variable discharge rivers tend to preserve axially and laterally accreting deposits, respectively. Nearly orthogonal divergence angles are found in bank‐attached bars irrespective of peak‐discharge variability. While stressing that analyses akin to the one presented here are to be complemented with additional sedimentological information from high‐quality outcrops, this study proposes a new, quantitative, approach to better distinguish fluvial bars, and hence possibly the planform pattern of associated channel bodies, from sedimentary successions. In particular, the data show that a reliable distinction between mid‐channel and bank‐attached bars should be based on comprehensive palaeocurrent and architectural information from various portions of preserved bar bodies, and that inferences based on limited datasets should be considered with caution.
Adding leaves to the Lepidoptera tree: capturing hundreds of nuclear genes from old museum specimens
Authors: Mayer Christoph , Dietz Lars , Call Elsa , Kukowka Sandra , Martin Sebastian , Espeland Marianne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMuseum collections around the world contain billions of specimens, including rare and extinct species. If their genetic information could be retrieved at a large scale, this would dramatically increase our knowledge of genetic and taxonomic diversity information, and support evolutionary, ecological and systematic studies. We here present a target enrichment kit for 2953 loci in 1753 orthologous nuclear genes + the barcoding region of cytochrome C oxidase 1, for Lepidoptera and demonstrate its utility to obtain a large number of nuclear loci from dry, pinned museum material collected from 1892 to 2017. We sequenced enriched libraries of 37 museum specimens across the order Lepidoptera, many from higher taxa not yet included in high‐throughput molecular studies, showing that our kit can be used to generate comparable data across the order, and provides resolution both for shallower and deeper nodes. The filtered datasets (172 taxa, 234 464 amino acid positions and corresponding nucleotides from 1835 CDS regions) were used to infer a phylogeny of Lepidoptera, which is largely congruent in topology to recent phylogenomic studies, but with the addition of some key taxa. We furthermore present our TEnriAn (Target Enrichment Analysis) workflow for processing and combining target enrichment, transcriptomic and genomic data.
Quality Improvement in a small‐scale Caribbean Blood Bank: the value of long‐term collaboration and stepwise process approach
Authors: Duits Ashley J. , Sillé Luigi , Smid Willem M. 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCompliance with accepted quality standards guarantees safe and effective blood transfusion in patients. Introduction of well‐defined quality systems in the Caribbean has however remained a big challenge.MethodsThe Red Cross Blood Bank Foundation on the island of Curaçao selected the EU GMP/GPG standards as the national blood programme quality standard. A stepwise quality improvement programme was designed in collaboration with Sanquin Consulting Services. The external audit results were used for formulating a yearly quality improvement plan. The main challenges and key success factors of the progress made over a 10‐year span are presented according to WHO key blood quality elements.ResultsThe quality improvement programme showed the importance of legislation based on a voluntary non‐remunerated blood donor programme. A clearly defined national blood bank organizational structure with appropriate job descriptions, required competencies and appointment at the start of a dedicated quality manager were key basic elements. The focus of the yearly audits varied from technical issues, progress evaluation to emerging infectious diseases with special attention for the small‐scale blood bank environment. Use of EuBIS documents greatly facilitated the required GAP analyses. Introduction of automatization for TTI testing and PRT strongly improved the provision of safe blood products. Effective communication and collaboration should be included as key elements for a safe national blood programme.ConclusionMaking use of a stepwise quality improvement programme, based on collaboration, compliance with international quality standards, provision of sufficient safe blood on the island of Curaçao, could be achieved in a sustainable manner.