bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in soil CO2 emission and leaf gas exchange of well‐managed commercial Citrus sinensis (L.) orchards
Authors: Munjonji L. , Ayisi K. K. , Mafeo T. P. , Maphanga T. , Mabitsela K. E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeTo investigate whether soil clay content, cultivar and seasonal variation have any effect on soil CO2emission rates and leaf CO2assimilation rates in a drip-irrigated commercialCitrus sinensisorchard.MethodsThe study was carried out in the field as a randomised complete block design in a 2 × 2 factorial consisting of two soil types and two citrus cultivars on a drip-irrigated commercialCitrus sinensisorchards with 2-week interval measurements of soil CO2emission and leaf gas exchanges for a year.ResultsSoil clay content did not influence plant CO2assimilation rates and soil CO2emission rates in irrigated citrus. However, seasonal variation significantly influenced both processes. Soil CO2emission rates were highest in summer and were more than double the rates observed in winter while leaf CO2assimilation rates were highest in autumn and four times higher than the winter season rates. Mean seasonal soil CO2emission rates were strongly influenced by mean minimum seasonal temperatures while leaf CO2assimilation rates only showed a relatively weak relationship with mean maximum seasonal temperatures.ConclusionsSoil clay content did not influence soil CO2emission and assimilation rates in drip irrigated citrus suggesting a non-significant effect of clay content for soils subjected to similar management practices. Citrus CO2assimilation rate peaks in the autumn while soil CO2emission rates peak in summer. A snapshot analysis of CO2sequestration rates suggests that irrigated citrus orchards are net sinks of CO2in summer, autumn and winter season.
Adult attachment and psychopathic traits: Investigating the role of gender, maternal and paternal factors
Authors: Kyranides Melina Nicole , Kokkinou Anastasia , Imran Somia , Cetin Melis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIndividuals with psychopathic traits have been identified to display insecure attachment. However, it is not clear which attachment dimension contributes more to high psychopathic traits, and more specifically to callous-unemotional (CU) traits, which parental relationship is more influential and if this differs across gender. This study examined the associations of adult attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) and parental factors (regard, responsibility and control) with CU traits (N = 1149) using Hierarchical Linear Regression. The relationship with both parents was assessed separately to identify their unique contribution to CU traits in males and females respectively. The avoidant attachment positively predicted while the anxiety attachment dimension negatively predicted CU traits and this was the case for both male and female participants. Interestingly, maternal regard was a negative predictor of CU traits in males only, whereas paternal responsibility arose as a positive predictor of CU traits in females only. Attachment dimensions explained the largest variance in both males and females. Findings point to the importance of attachment dimensions contributing to CU traits even in an adult sample. Parental variables were less influential on CU traits compared to attachment related variables and findings suggest that there are differences between males and females. These findings have important implications for gender differentiated attachment based interventions for individuals with CU traits.
Origin and evolution of chemical composition of mineral waters of Szczawno-Zdrój inferred from long-term variation of ionic ratios, Sudetes Mts. (SW Poland)
Authors: Romanova Anastasia , Porowski Adam , Zielski Tomasz , Dancewicz Andrzej 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe archival records of chemical composition of mineral waters in Szczawno-Zdrój spa were analyzed in terms of variation of ionic ratios to explain the possible source and origin of the major compounds dissolved in water and evolution of groundwater chemical composition in time. The analyzed data contained the longest available series of chemical records, dating back to 1962, and related to waters discharged by five main springs: Dąbrówka, Marta, Młynarz, Mieszko and Mieszko 14. The research showed that mineral waters in Szczawno-Zdrój belong to shallow meteoric CO2-rich, Rn-containing groundwaters which form their chemical composition mainly through the interaction with aquifer rocks. Detailed analysis of long-term variation of ionic ratios revealed that (1) the carbonates weathering, mostly acid hydrolysis of limestones and dolomites, and (2) the ion exchange reactions with clay minerals, mainly the so-called natural softening, play a fundamental role in formation of the chemical composition of studied waters. Both processes are responsible for the occurrence of dominant ions in solution such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and HCO3−. The aluminosilicates hydrolysis occurs with variable extent, but plays rather secondary role in formation of chemical composition. The time distributions of major element concentrations in studied waters showed a characteristic “concave” shape, indicating the decrease in concentrations beginning in the 60s and ending around 2005–2010. Such “concave” shape trends are not reflected in time distribution of ionic ratios which strongly suggests the occurrence of a simple dilution of chemical composition of mineral waters by the influx of fresh water. The observed considerable fluctuations of chemical composition of mineral waters in Szczawno-Zdrój are most probably associated with climatic factors, namely: the increased amounts of atmospheric precipitation in particular periods of time and its seasonal distribution. Such influx of fresh waters reduces considerably mineralization of shallow groundwaters and directly increases springs discharge.
TaqMan probe assays on different biological samples for the identification of three ambrosia beetle species, Xylosandrus compactus (Eichoff), X. crassiusculus (Motschulsky) and X. germanus (Blandford) (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae)
Authors: Rizzo Domenico , Da Lio Daniele , Bartolini Linda , Salemi Chiara , Del Nista Dalia , Aronadio Antonio , Pennacchio Fabrizio , Binazzi Francesco , Francardi Valeria , Garonna Antonio P. , Rossi Elisabetta 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMolecular assays based on qPCR TaqMan Probes were developed to identify three species of the genus Xylosandrus, X. compactus, X. crassiusculus and X. germanus (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae). These ambrosia beetles are xylophagous species alien to Europe, causing damages to many ornamental and fruiting trees as well as shrubs. DNA extraction was carried out from adults, larvae and biological samples derived from insect damages on infested plants. For X. compactus, segments of galleries in thin infested twigs were cut and processed; in the case of X. crassiusculus, raw frass extruded from exit holes was used, while DNA of X. germanus was extracted from small wood chips removed around insect exit holes. The assays were inclusive for the target species and exclusive for all the non-target species tested. The LoD was 3.2 pg/µL for the frass of X. crassiusculus and 0.016 ng/µL for the woody matrices of the other two species. Both repeatability and reproducibility were estimated on adults and woody samples, showing very low values ranging between 0.00 and 4.11. Thus, the proposed diagnostic assays resulted to be very efficient also on the woody matrices used for DNA extraction, demonstrating the applicability of the protocol in the absence of dead specimens or living stages.
Advances in development and application of human organoids
Authors: Shankaran Abhijith , Prasad Keshava , Chaudhari Sima , Brand Angela , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInnumerable studies associated with cellular differentiation, tissue response and disease modeling have been conducted in two-dimensional (2D) culture systems or animal models. This has been invaluable in deciphering the normal and disease states in cell biology; the key shortcomings of it being suitability for translational or clinical correlations. The past decade has seen several major advances in organoid culture technologies and this has enhanced our understanding of mimicking organ reconstruction. The term organoid has generally been used to describe cellular aggregates derived from primary tissues or stem cells that can self-organize into organotypic structures. Organoids mimic the cellular microenvironment of tissues better than 2D cell culture systems and represent the tissue physiology. Human organoids of brain, thyroid, gastrointestinal, lung, cardiac, liver, pancreatic and kidney have been established from various diseases, healthy tissues and from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Advances in patient-derived organoid culture further provides a unique perspective from which treatment modalities can be personalized. In this review article, we have discussed the current strategies for establishing various types of organoids of ectodermal, endodermal and mesodermal origin. We have also discussed their applications in modeling human health and diseases (such as cancer, genetic, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases), applications in regenerative medicine and evolutionary studies.
Controlled release of pharmaceutical agents using eutectic modified gelatin
Authors: Qu Wanwan , Qader Idrees B. , Abbott Andrew P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDeep eutectic solvent (DES) is a class of ionic liquids, consisting of a mixture generally formed by combining hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) such as alcohols, amides and carboxylic acids with various quaternary ammonium salts. The decrease in melting points of the constituents is due to the charge delocalization during formation of hydrogen bonding between the hydrogen bond acceptor with the hydrogen bond donor. This can be considered one of the main reasons for increasing solubility and absorption of DESs. Most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have polar functional groups containing amide, carboxylic acid, alcohol or quaternary ammonium groups. These tend to increase the melting point of the compounds, but they can be used to form eutectic mixtures. While this concept has previously used, the combination of quaternary ammonium salts with amides, carboxylic acids and alcohols can result in large depressions of freezing points and so-called deep eutectic solvents are formed. DESs mix readily with water and so could increase the uptake of APIs. In this study, pharmaceutical deep eutectic solvents (PDESs) are formulated from 3 APIs: imipramine HCl, ascorbic acid and catechol. These PDESs were used to plasticise gelatine. It is shown that the materials formed can be used to increase the rate of API uptake via both oral and transdermal delivery modes. Thus, the concentration of the PDESs in solution reaches the maximum before the pure drugs. Particularly for catechol, after 1 s, the dissolution of the PDESs was more than twice that of the pure drug. Moreover, the transdermal delivery mode uptake of the PDES based on imipramine HCl from the patch after 15 min was found to be 65% compared with just imipramine HCl which released only 20%.
Graphical abstract
Original article: fermented pulp and paper bio-sludge as feed for black soldier fly larvae
Authors: Norgren R. , Jonsson A. , Björkqvist O. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study evaluates the use of fermentation to increase nutrient availability in pulp and paper bio-sludge (PPBS) as feed for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Rearing of BSFL on fermented PPBS was carried out in a climate chamber in order to assess nutrient availability and larvae survival and growth. The PPBS used came from a chemo-thermomechanical pulp/groundwood pulp mill. The PPBS was fermented at 35 °C and 55 °C, respectively, at initial pH of 10. The effects of sediment and liquid from fermented PPBS on larvae dry weight, survival rate until the prepupae stage, bioconversion, and reduction rate of PPBS were measured. The bioconversion of the liquids (4.1–6.6%) was substantially higher than for both the sediments and untreated PPBS (≤ 0.4%). The survival rate, on the other hand, was substantially lower (26.3–30.9 %) than for the sediments and untreated PPBS (49.5–52.6%). Neither the sediments nor the liquids had significant effects on the larvae weight or on the PPBS reduction rate. The sediments had no significant effect on the survival rate or the bioconversion. This study demonstrates that fermentation dissolves a part of the PPBS and that dissolved substances in the fermentation liquid readily convert to larvae biomass. However, the bulk of the lignocellulose is not dissolved, and most of PPBS nutrients remain unavailable for growth of the larvae. Further research should focus on improved pretreatment of PPBS to increase availability of nutrients and thereby improve the feasibility of BSFL as a recycling method for PPBS.
National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) better predicts critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness than COVID-GRAM, a multi-centre study
Authors: De Socio Giuseppe Vittorio , Gidari Anna , Sicari Francesco , Palumbo Michele , Francisci Daniela 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Clinical scores to rapidly assess the severity illness of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be considered of help for clinicians. Recently, a specific score (named COVID-GRAM) for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, based on a nationwide Chinese cohort, has been proposed. We routinely applied the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to predict critical COVID-19. Aim of this study is to compare NEWS2 and COVID-GRAM score.

Methods
We retrospectively analysed data of 121 COVID-19 patients admitted in two Clinics of Infectious Diseases in the Umbria region, Italy. The primary outcome was critical COVID-19 illness defined as admission to the intensive care unit, invasive ventilation, or death. Accuracy of the scores was evaluated with the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Differences between scores were confirmed used Hanley–McNeil test.

Results
The NEWS2 AUROC curve measured 0.87 (standard error, SE 0.03; 95% CI 0.80–0.93; p < 0.0001). The COVID-GRAM score AUROC curve measured 0.77 (SE 0.04; 95% CI 0.68–0.85; p < 0.0001). Hanley–McNeil test showed that NEWS2 better predicted severe COVID-19 (Z = 2.03).

Conclusions
The NEWS2 showed superior accuracy to COVID-GRAM score for prediction of critical COVID-19 illness.
Nephroplex: a kidney-focused NGS panel highlights the challenges of PKD1 sequencing and identifies a founder BBS4 mutation
Authors: Zacchia Miriam , Blanco Francesca Del Vecchio , Trepiccione Francesco , Blasio Giancarlo , Torella Annalaura , Melluso Andrea , Capolongo Giovanna , Pollastro Rosa Maria , Piluso Giulio , Di Iorio Valentina , Simonelli Francesca , Viggiano Davide , Perna Alessandra , Nigro Vincenzo , Capasso Giovambattista 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundGenetic testing of patients with inherited kidney diseases has emerged as a tool of clinical utility by improving the patients’ diagnosis, prognosis, surveillance and therapy.MethodsThe present study applied a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based panel, named NephroPlex, testing 115 genes causing renal diseases, to 119 individuals, including 107 probands and 12 relatives. Thirty-five (poly)cystic and 72 non (poly)cystic individuals were enrolled. The latter subgroup of patients included Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) patients, as major components.ResultsDisease-causing mutations were identified in 51.5 and 40% of polycystic and non-polycystic individuals, respectively. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients with truncatingPKD1variants showed a trend towards a greater slope of the age-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) regression line than patients with (i) missense variants, (ii) anyPKD2mutations and (iii) no detected mutations, according to previous findings. The analysis of BBS individuals showed a similar frequency ofBBS4,9,10and12mutations. Of note, allBBS4-mutated patients harbored the novel c.332+1G>GTT variant, which was absent in public databases, however, in our internal database, an additional heterozygote carrier was found. AllBBS4-mutated individuals originated from the same geographical area encompassing the coastal provinces of Naples.DiscussionIn conclusion, these findings indicate the potential for a genetic panel to provide useful information at both clinical and epidemiological levels.Graphic abstract
Critical STEM Literacy and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Braund Martin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented amounts of information communicated to the public relating to STEM. The pandemic can be seen as a ‘wicked problem’ defined by high complexity, uncertainty and contested social values requiring a transdisciplinary approach formulating social policy. This article argues that a ‘Critical STEM Literacy’ is required to engage sufficiently with STEM knowledge and how science operates and informs personal health decisions. STEM literacy is necessary to critique government social policy decisions that set rules for behaviour to limit the spread of COVID-19. Ideas of scientific, mathematical and critical literacy are discussed before reviewing some current knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to aid interpretation of the examples provided. The article draws on experience of the pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK), particularly mathematical modelling used to calculate the reproductive rate (R) of COVID-19, communication of mortality and case data using graphs and the mitigation strategies of social distancing and mask wearing. In all these examples, there is an interaction of STEM with a political milieu that often misrepresents science as activity to generate one dependable truth, rather than through careful empirical validation of new knowledge. Critical STEM literacy thus requires appreciation of the social practices of science such as peer review and assessment of bias. Implications of the pandemic for STEM education in schools requiring critical thinking and in understanding disease epidemiology in a global context are discussed.
The effect of flexural–torsional buckling on the stability of timber members: a case study
Authors: Hassan Osama A. B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the stability of timber members subjected to simultaneously acting axial compression and bending moment, with possible risk for torsional and flexural–torsional buckling. This situation can occur in laterally supported members where one side of the member is braced but the other side is unbraced. In this case, the free side will buckle out of plane while the braced side will be prevented from torsional and flexural–torsional buckling. This problem can be evident for long members in timber-frame structures, which are subjected to high axial compression combined with bending moments in which the member is not sufficiently braced at both sides. This study is based on the design requirement stated in Eurocode 5. Solution methods discussed in this paper can be of interest within the framework of structural and building Engineering practices and education in which the stability of structural elements is investigated.Article HighlightsThis case study investigates some design situations where the timber member is not sufficiently braced. In this case, a stability problem associated with combined torsional buckling and flexural buckling can arise.The study shows that the torsional and/or flexural–torsional buckling of timber members can be important to control in order to fulfil the criteria of the stability of the member according to Eurocode 5 and help the structural engineer to achieve safer designs.The study investigates also a simplified solution to check the effect of flexural torsional buckling of laterally braced timber members.
Geographic distance and social isolation among family care-givers providing care to older adults in Canada
Authors: Li Lun , Wister Andrew 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFamily care-giving is associated with social isolation, which can lead to adverse health and wellbeing outcomes among family care-givers. The role of geographic distance in care-giver social isolation (CSI) is unclear and has received mixed research findings. Framed by the Ecological Model of Caregiver Isolation, this study examined the relationship between geographic distance and CSI, including the interaction between geographic distance and care-giving intensity for CSI. Linear regression and analysis of covariance were used to test these hypotheses using a sub-set of family care-givers from the 2012 Canadian General Social Survey (N = 2,881). Care-givers living a short distance from receivers reported lower levels of social isolation than co-resident, moderate-distance and long-distance care-givers. Being involved in higher-intensity care-giving as the primary care-giver, undertaking more care-giving tasks and providing care more frequently resulted in higher CSI scores. Long- and moderate-distance care-givers reported greater CSI than co-resident and short-distance care-givers only when providing higher-intensity care-giving. Employing a granulated measure of geographic distance positioned within an ecological framework facilitates an understanding of the nuanced association between geographic proximity and CSI. Furthermore, the identified interaction effects between geographic distance and care-giving intensity on CSI further explicate the complexity of care-giving experiences. The findings are relevant for programmes supporting care-givers in different contexts, especially distance care-givers.
A Combination of Olanzapine and Samidorphan in Adults with Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Disorder: Overview of Clinical Data
Authors: Citrome Leslie , Graham Christine , Simmons Adam , Jiang Ying , Todtenkopf Mark S. , Silverman Bernard L. , DiPetrillo Lauren , Cummings Hannah , Sun Lei , McDonnell David 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesOlanzapine effectively treats schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder (BD-I); however, its use is hindered by significant weight gain. A combination of olanzapine and samidorphan (OLZ/SAM) is in development to provide the efficacy of olanzapine while mitigating olanzapine-associated weight gain through opioid-receptor blockade. Here, we summarize OLZ/SAM clinical data.MethodsThe OLZ/SAM development program consists of 18 phase 1–3 clinical studies evaluating antipsychotic and weight mitigation efficacy of OLZ/SAM, along with pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability. Safety evaluation also included metabolic laboratory assessments.ResultsOLZ/SAM significantly improved psychotic symptoms (measured by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale); improvements were similar to that observed with olanzapine vs placebo. OLZ/SAM resulted in significantly less weight gain than olanzapine. Additionally, 2 long-term phase 3 extension studies confirmed the durability of antipsychotic effect, as well as stabilization of weight and metabolic parameters in those continuing treatment. Supporting the potential use of OLZ/SAM in BD-I, OLZ/SAM or olanzapine resulted in bioequivalent olanzapine plasma concentrations, and OLZ/SAM did not affect lithium or valproate pharmacokinetics. OLZ/SAM treatment had no clinically relevant effects on ECG parameters (including QTc interval). OLZ/SAM and olanzapine safety were similar, except for reduced weight gain with OLZ/SAM; no additional safety risks were identified.ConclusionData across 18 OLZ/SAM studies in >1600 subjects support an antipsychotic efficacy and safety profile for OLZ/SAM that is similar to olanzapine, with significantly less weight gain than olanzapine. OLZ/SAM is a potential new treatment for schizophrenia and BD-I patients needing efficacious long-term treatment with reduced risk of weight gain.FundingAlkermes, Inc.