bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological Assessment of the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica throughout the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Hajovsky Polly , Beseres Pollack Jennifer , Anderson Joel 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica is a commercially and ecologically important organism found throughout the western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Morphological differences in shell shape of eastern oysters are known to arise from environmental, genetic, and husbandry-related factors. Here, live eastern oysters were collected from 17 sites along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast from Texas to Florida to examine morphological differences among geographic samples. Six morphological metrics were recorded for each individual, and four different composite ratios commonly used to describe oyster shape (fan, cup, volume ratio, and weight ratio) were calculated. Principal component analysis was used to demonstrate geographic differences in ordinated shape ratios, correlating roughly with eastern (Florida), northern (Alabama, Louisiana, north Texas), and western (south Texas) samples. In Texas, differences in shape were correlated with previously described genetic population boundaries, indicating that populations north versus south of Aransas Bay had different overall shell shapes. On a broader scale, shell shape variation correlated roughly with previously described genetic population boundaries throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as tide depth (intertidal versus subtidal reefs). Among the various factors that might act as drivers of shell shape, individual variation is important, but population structure and tide height are also significant predictor variables of shape in this species.
A 10-Item Frailty Index Based on a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (FI-CGA-10) in Older Adults with Cancer: Development and Construct Validation
Authors: Nishijima Tomohiro F. , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Esaki Taito , Morita Masaru , Toh Yasushi , Muss Hyman B. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Background
A frailty index (FI) based on domain-level deficits identified through a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been previously developed and validated in general geriatric patients. Our objectives were to construct an FI-CGA and to assess its construct validity in the geriatric oncology setting.

Methods
Five hundred forty consecutive Japanese patients with cancer who underwent a CGA on a geriatric oncology service were included (median age 80 years, range 66–96 years). We developed a 10-item frailty index based on deficits in 10 domains (FI-CGA-10): cognition, mood, communication, mobility, balance, nutrition, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, social support, and comorbidity. Deficits in each domain were scored as 0 (no problem), 0.5 (minor problem), and 1.0 (major problem). Scores were calculated by dividing the sum of the scores for each domain by 10 and then categorized as fit (&lt;0.2), pre-frail (0.2–0.35), and frail (&gt;0.35). Construct validity was tested by correlating the FI-CGA-10 with other established frailty measures.

Results
FI-CGA-10 was well approximated by the gamma distribution. Overall, 20% of patients were fit, 41% were pre-frail, and 39% were frail. FI-CGA-10 was correlated with Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) Clinical Frailty Scale (r = 0.83), CSHA rules-based frailty definition (r = 0.67), and CSHA Function Score (r = 0.77). Increasing levels of frailty were significantly associated with functional and cognitive impairments, high comorbidity burden, poor self-rated health, and low estimated survival probabilities.

Conclusion
The FI-CGA-10 is a user-friendly and construct-validated measure for quantifying frailty from a CGA.

Implications for Practice
This article describes the construction of a user-friendly 10-item frailty index based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (FI-CGA-10) for older adults with cancer: cognition, mood, communication, mobility, balance, nutrition, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, social support, and comorbidity. The FI-CGA-10 simplifies the original FI-CGA used in the general geriatric setting while maintaining its content validity. The index's construct validity was demonstrated in a cohort of older adults with various cancer types. The advantage of the FI-CGA-10 is that a frailty score can be calculated more readily and interpreted in a more clinically sensible manner than the original FI-CGA.
Exploring farmers' agrobiodiversity management practices and knowledge in clove agroforests of Madagascar
Authors: Mariel Juliette , Carrière Stéphanie M. , Penot Eric , Danthu Pascal , Rafidison Verohanitra , Labeyrie Vanesse 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Interactions between farmers and agrobiodiversity are key drivers of agroecosystems sustainability and of the resilience of such systems to perturbations, but research into the human/nature interactions have overlooked some important aspects of agrobiodiversity management. In particular, farmers' ecological knowledge of the spatial organisation of plant diversity remains an open question, although knowledge and practices have major implications for the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.

Our study addresses this question by analysing how farmers spatially organise plant species in agroforests based on their knowledge of species interactions and interactions with the environment. The Analanjirofo region on the north‐east coast of Madagascar provides an interesting context to explore this issue in clove‐based agroforests, as these systems were developed by farmers as a sustainable alternative to the traditional system of shifting rice cultivation.

Using an emic approach, that is based on the farmers' perspective, and participatory mapping, we studied plant diversity and its spatial organisation in 17 clove‐based agroforests and in 28 management sub‐units defined by farmers in a village of Vavatenina district. The plant functions and farmers' knowledge of plant interactions with clove tree were recorded in semi‐structured interviews, and the interactions were represented in a cognitive map.

Farmers manage more than 50 plant species associated with diverse functions. Analysis of participatory maps identified four main types of species association as a function of the age of the clove trees and the associated plant diversity, and different spatial organisation patterns as a function of the topography and the surrounding species. Analysis of farmers' knowledge provided valuable insights into spatial organisation practices, how farmers perceive the adaptation of plant species to biophysical heterogeneity of the environment and whether they can be associated with other species.

Our findings and methods pave the way for further interdisciplinary research on farmers/nature interactions to support the development of agrobiodiversity‐based systems taking into account farmer and scientific knowledge and practices, especially in the tropics where the expansion of cash crops in input‐intensive and mono‐cropping systems has driven major disruptions to smallholder agriculture.
Efficacy of ready‐to‐use therapeutic food in malnourished children with cancer: Results of a randomized, open‐label phase 3 trial
Authors: Prasad Maya , Tandon Sneha , Gala Rajul , Kannan Sadhna , Chinnaswamy Girish , Narula Gaurav , Vora Tushar , Banavali Shripad , Mehta Shaesta , Paradkar Amey , Goswami Savita , Ghadge Meera , Jagiasi Deepak , Sharma Sujata , Fernandes Lavina , Manglani Mamta , Jadhav Alka , Barr Ronald , Ladas Elena 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe adverse influence of undernutrition in children with cancer may be remediated by early nutritional intervention. This study assessed the efficacy of ready‐to‐use therapeutic food (RUTF) in improving nutritional status and reducing treatment‐related toxicities (TRTs) in such children.MethodsIn a randomized controlled phase‐3 open‐label trial, severely and moderately undernourished children with cancer were randomized 1:1 to receive standard nutritional therapy (SNT) or SNT+RUTF for 6 weeks. The primary outcome (weight gain >10%) and secondary outcomes (improved/maintained nutritional status, improved body composition) were assessed after 6 weeks. TRTs were assessed over 6 months.ResultsBetween July 2015 and March 2018, 260 subjects were enrolled, 126 were analyzable in both arms at 6 weeks. More children on RUTF had weight gain (98 [77.8%] vs. 81 [64.2%], p = .025) with a greater increase in fat mass as a percentage of body mass (median 2% [IQR −0.12 to 4.9] vs. 0.5% [IQR −1.45 to 2.27, p = .005]) but a greater loss of lean mass (median −1.86% [IQR −4.4 to 0.50] vs. −0.4% [IQR −2.4 to 1.4, p = .007]) compared to the SNT arm. Fewer subjects on the RUTF arm had episodes of severe infection (10.6% vs. 31%, p < .0001), treatment delays (17.7% vs. 39%, p < .0001), and severe mucositis (11% vs. 23.8%, p = .006) compared to the SNT arm. The odds of developing TRTs on the RUTF arm were lower even after adjusting for improvement in nutritional status.ConclusionsRUTF is efficacious in improving weight gain and nutritional status in undernourished children with cancer and decreases TRTs. Incorporating RUTF into a healthy, balanced diet should be considered in undernourished children with cancer.
Establishment of a new valid animal model for the evaluation of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Wagner Benedikt R. , Adamus Anna L. , Sönnecken Dörthe , Vahdad Reza , Jank Paul , Denkert Carsten , Mahnken Andreas H. , Seitz Guido 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundCytoreductive surgery in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been established as a novel treatment approach for peritoneal sarcomatosis. Despite promising clinical reports, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding optimal drug usage and local effects. Therefore, we intended to establish a murine animal model for further evaluation.ProcedureAlveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells were xenotransplanted into NOD/LtSz‐scid IL2Rγnullmice (n = 100). The mice received a continuous intraperitoneal lavage with isotonic saline solution as control or with cisplatin (30 or 60 mg/m2) as treatment group for 60 minutes at 37°C or 42°C (6 subgroups, each n = 16). Tumor spread was documented by an adapted peritoneal cancer index and MRI (n = 4). Tumor and tissue samples, harvested at the end of the perfusion, were evaluated regarding morphology, proliferation, and apoptosis (H&E‐, Ki‐67‐, cleaved caspase 3–staining, TUNEL assay).ResultsExtensive peritoneal sarcomatosis in over 91% of the cases was observed. HIPEC was feasible without acute side effects. Ki‐67 staining revealed concentration‐ or temperature‐dependent effects of cisplatin‐based HIPEC on the tumors. Although cleaved caspase‐3 showed only sporadic apoptotic effects. TUNEL assay detected concentration‐ or temperature‐dependent apoptotic effects at the outer tumor surface. MRI scans confirmed the observed tumor dissemination.ConclusionThis is the first animal model for evaluation of HIPEC in pediatric RMS in mice. Cisplatin‐based HIPEC had early effects on the proliferation whereas circumscribed apoptotic effects could be detected at the tumor surface. This model allows further insights on the possible efficiency of HIPEC in RMS. Further studies using other drug combinations and treatment will follow.
Effect of TiC nanoparticles on accelerated weathering of coir fiber filler and basalt fabric reinforced bio/synthetic epoxy hybrid composites: Physicomechanical and thermal characteristics
Authors: Hemath Mohit , Tengsuthiwat Jiratti , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , Siengchin Suchart , Khan Anish , Marwani Hadi M. , Dzudzevic‐Cancar Hurija , Asiri Abdullah M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the present research, the physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of bio and synthetic basalt fabric epoxy composites reinforced with coir microparticles and TiC nanofillers under before and after exposure of accelerated weathering were investigated. All the bio and synthetic epoxy hybrid composites were exposed to humidity, elevated temperature, and ultraviolet radiation. It has been examined that both bio and synthetic epoxy composites exhibited reduced mechanical characteristics after the exposure of accelerated weathering when compared with before exposure. The wettability experiment was performed from the contact angle evaluation method and found that all the fabricated samples before and after the exposure of accelerated weathering have contact angle value lower than 90° that is assigned with the hydrophilic surface characteristics of the laminate. The water absorption capacity showed that all the bio and synthetic epoxy composites reacted for water absorption up to 45 days and then endured constant in both conditions. After the exposure of accelerated weathering, epoxy hybrid composites absorbed more water than before exposure. The chemical modifications possessed on the surface were evaluated from Fourier transform infrared spectra. The intensity of hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups of bio and synthetic epoxy hybrid composites decreased compared with the original samples, which tends to decrement in tensile, flexural, and impact characteristics of the laminate. The production of more fracture lines on the cross‐sectional surface of epoxy hybrid composites has been observed from scanning electron microscope micrographs after the exposure of accelerated weathering. The onset, end set, and glass transition temperature of bio and synthetic epoxy composites in the thermal examination were reduced after the disclosure of accelerated weathering for all fabricated specimens. The reason may be assigned to the weaker bonding between the coir microparticles and TiC nanofillers. The undesirable impact emerged from ultraviolet radiation, elevating the temperature and humidity. The test results showed that the accelerated weathering has negative impact on physicomechanical characteristics of bio/synthetic epoxy hybrid polymer composites. The overall thermal characteristics were not considerably affected with 570 h of the weathering exposure.
Transphobic bullying: Relationships between attitudes, observation, and perpetration
Authors: Orue Izaskun , Larrucea‐Iruretagoyena Maite , Calvete Esther 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTransphobic bullying is prevalent in schools around the world. The present study examined the bidirectional relationships among transphobic attitudes, perpetration of transphobic bullying, and witnessing transphobic bullying. The study also included the validation of an instrument to measure transphobic bullying and the prevalence rates of transphobic attitudes and behaviors. The sample was composed of 567 adolescents (38.8% girls; aged 12–17; M = 13.96; SD = 1.18). Participants completed measures of transphobic attitudes, perpetration of transphobic bullying and witnessing transphobic bullying at time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2) during a 1‐year interval. Results showed that transphobic attitudes predicted perpetration of transphobic bullying 1 year later, and that perpetration of transphobic bullying predicted witnessing transphobic bullying 1 year later. As expected, boys scored higher on the measures of perpetration of transphobic bullying and transphobic attitudes at both T1 and T2. These results indicate the importance of working to eliminate transphobic attitudes to reduce bullying behavior.
The linkages between Chinese children's both cognitive engagement and emotional engagement and behavioral engagement: Mediating effect of perceptions of classroom interactions in math
Authors: Yang Yanfei , Yuan Yuan , Tan Hongqi , Wang Yili , Li Guangzheng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractStudent engagement not only improves student achievement but also affects the dropout rate. Positive classroom interaction between teachers and students enhances student engagement. The interaction between teachers and students is bidirectional, and student engagement can also affect teachers' classroom teaching behavior. Both student engagement and classroom interaction are multidimensional structures, and each dimension is interrelated and mutually influenced. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived mathematics classroom interaction and various dimensions of student engagement. In this study, we recruited 1298 students from grades three to five and seven to eight from 36 classes and 15 schools in China participating in a web‐based survey. The results show that cognitive engagement is positively related to behavioral engagement, and emotional support, classroom organization and instructional support play a mediating role between cognitive engagement and behavioral engagement; Emotional engagement is positively related to behavioral engagement, and emotional support and instructional support play a mediating role between emotional engagement and behavioral engagement.
Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist associated with lower cardiovascular risk compared with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist in prostate cancer: A nationwide cohort and in vitro study
Authors: Chen Dong‐Yi , Su Po‐Jung , See Lai‐Chu , Liu Jia‐Rou , Chuang Cheng‐Keng , Pang See‐Tong , Tseng Chi‐Nan , Chen Shao‐Wei , Hsieh I‐Chang , Chu Pao‐Hsien , Lin Yung‐Chang , Hsu Cheng‐Lung , Chang John Wen‐Cheng , Lin Miao‐Sui , Pang Jong‐Hwei S. , Hsieh Ming‐Jer , Huang Wen‐Kuan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to determine whether cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) differs between those who receive gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRHa) therapy and those who receive GnRH antagonist therapy.MethodsUsing the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we analyzed data by comparing 666 participants receiving GnRH antagonists and 1332 propensity score‐matched participants treated with GnRHa in a 1:2 fashion during the period from May 1, 2015, to September 30, 2018. Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to estimate the treatment effect on CV outcomes. Furthermore, we conducted an in vitro study to investigate the effect of a GnRHa (leuprolide) or a GnRH antagonist (degarelix) on matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) expression and invasion ability in THP‐1 differentiated macrophages.ResultsGnRH antagonist therapy was associated with a lower risk of composite CV events of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or CV death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25–0.90) than GnRHa therapy, with a mean follow‐up period of 1.21 years. Significantly lower risks of CV death (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06–0.70) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61–0.97) were observed in the GnRH antagonist group. In the in vitro study, leuprolide, but not degarelix, significantly increased the expression of MMP‐9 activity and the invasive ability of THP‐1 differentiated macrophages through gelatin zymography and the matrix invasion assay, respectively.ConclusionGnRH antagonists were associated with reduced risk CV events compared with the GnRHa among patients with PCa, which may be through effects on macrophages.
Inheritance patterns, cross‐resistance and synergism in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistant to emamectin benzoate
Authors: Muraro Dionei S , de Oliveira Abbade Neto Dyrson , Kanno Rubens H , Kaiser Ingrid S , Bernardi Oderlei , Omoto Celso 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a relevant global pest due to severe damage caused on agricultural crops and its capacity to evolve resistance to insecticides. Here, we selected a strain of S. frugiperda resistant to emamectin benzoate under laboratory conditions to understand the inheritance patterns, cross‐resistance and synergism involved in the resistance.RESULTSThe emamectin benzoate‐resistant (Ben‐R) strain was isolated by using F2 screen in a field population collected in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grasso state, Brazil. After ten generations of selection pressure with emamectin benzoate, the estimated LC50 of the Ben‐R strain was 678.38 μg a.i. mL−1 whereas that of the susceptible (Sus) strain was 0.29 μg a.i.mL−1, resulting in a resistance ratio (RR) of 2340‐fold. The LC50 values of the offspring from reciprocal crosses of Sus and Ben‐R strains were 93.37 and 105.32 μg a.i. mL−1, suggesting that resistance is an autosomal incompletely dominant trait. The high survival of heterozygous and Ben‐R strains (>92%) on non‐Bt maize sprayed with the field rate of emamectin benzoate confirmed that resistance is functionally dominant. The minimum number of segregations influencing resistance was 3.55, suggesting a polygenic effect. Low cross‐resistance was detected between emamectin benzoate and the insecticides methomyl, chlorpyrifos, lambda‐cyhalothrin, spinetoram, indoxacarb and chlorantraniliprole (RR <5.75‐fold). There was no effect of synergists piperonyl butoxide, diethyl maleate and S, S, S‐tributyl phosphorotrithiotate on the Ben‐R strain, suggesting a minor role of metabolic resistance.CONCLUSIONSOur results showed a high risk of resistance evolution of S. frugiperda to emamectin benzoate, based on incompletely dominant inheritance. Rotation of insecticides with different modes of action can be one of the resistance management strategies to be implemented to delay the evolution of resistance of S. frugiperda to emamectin benzoate in Brazil.
Using machine learning to correct model error in data assimilation and forecast applications
Authors: Farchi Alban , Laloyaux Patrick , Bonavita Massimo , Bocquet Marc 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe idea of using machine learning (ML) methods to reconstruct the dynamics of a system is the topic of recent studies in the geosciences, in which the key output is a surrogate model meant to emulate the dynamical model. In order to treat sparse and noisy observations in a rigorous way, ML can be combined with data assimilation (DA). This yields a class of iterative methods in which, at each iteration, a DA step assimilates the observations and alternates with a ML step to learn the underlying dynamics of the DA analysis. In this article, we propose to use this method to correct the error of an existing, knowledge‐based model. In practice, the resulting surrogate model is a hybrid model between the original (knowledge‐based) model and the ML model. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method numerically using a two‐layer, two‐dimensional, quasi‐geostrophic channel model. Model error is introduced by the means of perturbed parameters. The DA step is performed using the strong‐constraint 4D‐Var algorithm, while the ML step is performed using deep learning tools. The ML models are able to learn a substantial part of the model error and the resulting hybrid surrogate models produce better short‐ to mid‐range forecasts. Furthermore, using the hybrid surrogate models for DA yields a significantly better analysis than using the original model.
Event‐triggered global trajectory tracking control of a quadrotor: Synthesis, simulations, and experiments
Authors: Zhu Xuan‐Zhi , Casau Pedro , Silvestre Carlos 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper presents an event‐triggered controller that solves the problem of trajectory tracking for an aerial vehicle with thrust actuation in a single body‐fixed direction and full angular velocity actuation. Firstly, we design a globally stabilizing hybrid controller and then, using the framework of hybrid dynamical systems, we derive an appropriate event‐triggering mechanism for sampling actuation signals. We prove the global asymptotic stability of a zero tracking error set for the closed‐loop system. For practical implementation of the proposed event‐triggered controller on digital platforms, we restrict the event‐triggering condition and inflate the zero tracking error set to avoid Zeno solutions while achieving global asymptotic stability of the inflated set for the closed‐loop system. The results are illustrated by numerical simulations and further verified by experiments.