bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf morphology, wax composition, and residual (cuticular) transpiration of four poplar clones
Authors: Grünhofer Paul , Herzig Lena , Schreiber Lukas 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Key message
We identified two poplar clones of the same species as highly comparable, yet clones of two further species of the same genus to be distinctly different regarding multiple morphological and ecophysiological traits.

Abstract
Leaf morphology, wax composition, and residual (cuticular) transpiration of four poplar clones (two clones of the hybrid species P. × canescens, P. trichocarpa, and P. euphratica) were monitored from the beginning to end of the growing season 2020. A pronounced epicuticular wax coverage was found only with P. euphratica. As the most prominent substance classes of cuticular wax primary alcohols, alkanes and esters were identified with P. × canescens and P. trichocarpa, whereas esters and alkanes were completely lacking in P. euphratica. Wax amounts were slightly decreasing during the season and significantly lower wax amounts were found for newly formed leaves in summer compared to leaves of the same age formed in spring. Residual (cuticular) transpiration was about five to tenfold lower for P. × canescens compared with the two other poplar species. Interestingly, with three of the four investigated species, newly formed leaves in summer had lower wax coverages and lower rates of residual (cuticular) transpiration compared to leaves of exactly the same age formed in spring. Our findings were especially surprising with P. euphratica, representing the only one of the four investigated poplar species naturally growing in very dry and hot climates in Central Asia. Instead of developing very low rates of residual (cuticular) transpiration, it seems to be of major advantage for P. euphratica to develop a pronounced epicuticular wax bloom efficiently reflecting light.
A new unsupervised pseudo-siamese network with two filling strategies for image denoising and quality enhancement
Authors: Huang Chenxi , Hong Dan , Yang Chenhui , Cai Chunting , Tao Siyi , Clawson Kathy , Peng Yonghong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDigital image noise may be introduced during acquisition, transmission, or processing and affects readability and image processing effectiveness. The accuracy of established image processing techniques, such as segmentation, recognition, and edge detection, is adversely impacted by noise. There exists an extensive body of work which focuses on circumventing such issues through digital image enhancement and noise reduction, but this work is limited by a number of constraints including the application of non-adaptive parameters, potential loss of edge detail information, and (with supervised approaches) a requirement for clean, labeled, training data. This paper, developed on the principle of Noise2Void, presents a new unsupervised learning approach incorporating a pseudo-siamese network. Our method enables image denoising without the need for clean images or paired noise images, instead requiring only noise images. Two independent branches of the network utilize different filling strategies, namely zero filling and adjacent pixel filling. Then, the network employs a loss function to improve the similarity of the results in the two branches. We also modify the Efficient Channel Attention module to extract more diverse features and improve performance on the basis of global average pooling. Experimental results show that compared with traditional methods, the pseudo-siamese network has a greater improvement on the ADNI dataset in terms of quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Our method therefore has practical utility in cases where clean images are difficult to obtain.
Apical approach in periodontal reconstructive surgery with enamel matrix derivate and enamel matrix derivate plus bone substitutes: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Moreno Rodríguez Jose Antonio , Ortiz Ruiz Antonio José 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objectives
This parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the influence of bone substitutes (BS) on the efficacy of the non-incised papillae surgical approach (NIPSA) with enamel matrix derivate (EMD) in resolving deep, isolated, combined non-contained intrabony and supra-alveolar periodontal defects, preserving the soft tissue.

Material and methods
Twenty-four patients were randomized to treatment with NIPSA and EMD or NIPSA plus EMD and BS. Bleeding on probing (BoP), interproximal clinical attachment level (CAL), interproximal probing depth (PD), recession (REC), location of the tip of the papilla (TP), and width of the keratinized tissue (KT) were evaluated before surgery and at 1 year post-surgery (primary outcomes). Wound closure was assessed at 1 week post‐surgery, and supra‐alveolar attachment gain (SUPRA-AG) was recorded at 1 year post‐surgery.

Results
At 1 week, 87.5% of cases registered complete wound closure and there were no cases of necrosis, without differences between groups (p > .05). At 1 year, all cases showed negative BoP. A significant PD reduction (NIPSA + EMD 8.25 ± 2.70 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 6.83 ± 0.81 mm) and CAL gain (NIPSA + EMD 8.33 ± 2.74 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 7.08 ± 2.68 mm) were observed (p < .001) in both groups, without significant between-group differences (p > .05). The residual PD was < 5 mm in all defects (NIPSA + EMD 2.50 ± 0.67 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 2.67 ± 0.78 mm). Soft tissues were preserved without significant between-group differences (REC: NIPSA + EMD 0.25 ± 0.45 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 0.17 ± 0.58 mm, p > .05; KT: 0.00 ± 0.43 mm vs. 0.08 ± 0.67 mm, p > .05). There were improvements in the papilla in both groups (TP: NIPSA + EMD 0.33 ± 0.49 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 0.45 ± 0.52 mm, p > .05), which was only significant in the NIPSA EMD + BS group (0.45 ± 0.52 mm; p < .05). In both groups, CAL gain was recorded in the supra-alveolar component, showing full resolution of the intrabony component of the defect in all cases (SUPRA-AG: NIPSA + EMD 1.83 ± 1.11 mm vs. NIPSA + EMD + BS 2.00 ± 1.76 mm, p > .05).

Conclusions
NIPSA and EMD with or without BS seem to be a valid surgical approach in the treatment of isolated, deep non-contained periodontal defects. In our study, both treatments resulted in significant PD reduction and CAL gain, that extended in the supra-alveolar component, without differences with the use of BS. Both treatments resulted in soft tissue preservation. However, the addition of BS may improve interdental papillary tissue.

Clinical relevance

NIPSA, with or without bone substitutes, resulted in significant periodontal improvement, with soft tissue preservation in isolated, deep non-contained periodontal defects. The application of bone substitutes may provide interproximal soft tissue gain.

Clinical trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04712630.
Interplay between IncF plasmids and topoisomerase mutations conferring quinolone resistance in the Escherichia coli ST131 clone: stability and resistance evolution
Authors: Rodríguez-Martínez Jose-Manuel , Lopez-Cerero Lorena , García-Duque Ana , Rodriguez-Baño Jesus , Pascual Alvaro 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The Escherichia coli ST131 H30-Rx subclone vehicles CTX-M-15 plasmids and mutations in gyrA and parC conferring multidrug resistance successfully in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was (1) to investigate the relationship of specific topoisomerase mutations on the stability of IncF (CTX-M producing) plasmids using isogenic E. coli mutants and (2) to investigate the impact of the IncF-type plasmids present in the E. coli clone ST131 on the evolution of quinolone resistance. E. coli ATCC 25922 (background strain) and derived mutants encoding specific QRDR substitutions were used. Also, NGS-characterized IncFIA and IncFIB plasmids (encoding CTX-M genes) were included. Plasmid stability was evaluated by sequential dilutions into Luria broth medium without antibiotics for 7 days. Mutant frequency to ciprofloxacin was also evaluated. Moderate differences in the IncF plasmids stability were observed among E. coli ATCC 25922 and isogenic mutants. Under our experimental conditions, the fluctuation of bacteria harboring plasmids was less than 0.5-log(10) in all cases. In the mutant frequency tests, it was observed that the presence of these IncF plasmids increased this value significantly (10–1000-fold). Quinolone resistance substitutions in gyrA or parC genes, frequently found associated with E. coli clone ST131, do not modify the stability of ST131-associated IncFIA and IncFIB plasmids under in vitro conditions. IncF-type plasmids present in E. coli clone ST131 facilitate the selection of resistance to quinolones. These results are consistent with the clinical scenario in which the combination of resistance to quinolones and beta-lactams is highly frequent in the E. coli clone ST131.
The role of potentiating mutations in the evolution of pandemic Escherichia coli clones
Authors: Cummins Elizabeth A. , Snaith Ann E. , McNally Alan , Hall Rebecca J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe Escherichia coli species exhibits a vast array of variable lifestyles, including environmental, commensal, and pathogenic organisms. Many of these E. coli contribute significantly to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) clones of E. coli have arisen multiple times over varying timescales. The repeated emergence of successful pandemic clones, including the notorious ST131 lineage, highlights a desperate need to further study the evolutionary processes underlying their emergence and success. Here, we review the evolutionary emergence of E. coli ST131 pandemic clones and draw parallels between their evolutionary trajectories and those of other lineages. From colonization and expansion to the acquisition of multidrug resistance plasmids, potentiating mutations are present at each stage, leading to a proposed sequence of events that may result in the formation of an antimicrobial-resistant pandemic clone.
Indications for fertility preservation not included in the 2017 Japan Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline for Fertility Preservation in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients treated with gonadal toxicity, including benign diseases
Authors: Ono Masanori , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Boku Narikazu , Fujii Nobuharu , Tsuchida Yumi , Furui Tatsuro , Harada Miyuki , Kanda Yoshinobu , Kawai Akira , Miyachi Mitsuru , Murashima Atsuko , Nakayama Robert , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Shimizu Chikako , Sugiyama Kazuhiko , Takai Yasushi , Fujio Keishi , Morishige Ken-Ichirou , Osuga Yutaka , Suzuki Nao 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn recent years, local governments in Japan have established a public financial support system for fertility preservation in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer patients. Fertility preservation has become popular for patients with cancers included in the gonadal toxicity risk classification of the 2017 edition of the Guideline for Fertility Preservation in Children, Adolescents and Young Adult Cancer Patients from the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. However, patients with cancer and non-cancer diseases that are not included in the Guideline’s gonadal toxicity risk classification also often receive treatment that may affect fertility, but they are often denied the opportunity of fertility preservation because no public financial support is available for diseases not listed in the Guideline. The national research project proposes including these diseases in the indications and treatment for fertility preservation. Therefore, we cooperated with the Japan Society for Fertility Preservation and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare research group to solicit opinions from experts in each therapeutic area and reviewed the literature and overseas guidelines. This paper summarizes the findings of the project. We believe that it will be an important source of information for clinicians treating patients who need fertility preservation but note that the appropriateness of fertility preservation for the disorders listed in this report needs to be continuously reviewed as medical care advances.
SFSADE: an improved self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm with a shuffled frog-leaping strategy
Authors: Pan Qingtao , Tang Jun , Wang Haoran , Li Hao , Chen Xi , Lao Songyang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe differential evolution (DE) algorithm is an efficient random search algorithm based on swarm intelligence for solving optimization problems. It has the advantages of easy implementation, fast convergence, strong optimization ability and good robustness. However, the performance of DE is very sensitive to the design of different operators and the setting of control parameters. To solve these key problems, this paper proposes an improved self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm with a shuffled frog-leaping strategy (SFSADE). It innovatively incorporates the idea of the shuffled frog-leaping algorithm into DE, and at the same time, it cleverly introduces a new strategy of classification mutation, and also designs a new adaptive adjustment mechanism for control parameters. In addition, we have carried out a large number of simulation experiments on the 25 benchmark functions of CEC 2005 and two nonparametric statistical tests to comprehensively evaluate the performance of SFSADE. Finally, the results of simulation experiments and nonparametric statistical tests show that SFSADE is very effective in improving DE, and significantly improves the overall diversity of the population in the process of dynamic evolution. Compared with other advanced DE variants, its global search speed and optimization performance also has strong competitiveness.
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing migrating and local breeding birds in Finland
Authors: Sormunen Jani J. , Klemola Tero , Vesterinen Eero J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTicks are globally renowned vectors for numerous zoonoses, and birds have been identified as important hosts for several species of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens. Many European bird species overwinter in Africa and Western Asia, consequently migrating back to breeding grounds in Europe in the spring. During these spring migrations, birds may transport exotic tick species (and associated pathogens) to areas outside their typical distribution ranges. In Finland, very few studies have been conducted regarding ticks parasitizing migrating or local birds, and existing data are outdated, likely not reflecting the current situation. Consequently, in 2018, we asked volunteer bird ringers to collect ticks from migrating and local birds, to update current knowledge on ticks found parasitizing birds in Finland. In total 430 ticks were collected from 193 birds belonging to 32 species, caught for ringing between 2018 and 2020. Furthermore, four Ixodes uriae were collected from two roosting islets of sea birds in 2016 and 2020. Ticks collected on birds consisted of: Ixodes ricinus (n = 421), Ixodes arboricola (4), Ixodes lividus (2) and Hyalomma marginatum (3). Ixodes ricinus loads (nymphs and larvae) were highest on thrushes (Passeriformes: Turdidae) and European robins (Erithacus rubecula). The only clearly imported exotic tick species was H. marginatum. This study forms the second report of both I. uriae and I. arboricola from Finland, and possibly the northernmost observation of I. arboricola from Europe. The importation of exotic tick species by migrating birds seems a rare occurrence, as over 97% of all ticks collected from birds arriving in Finland during their spring migrations were I. ricinus, a species native to and abundant in Finland.
“We Do Exist”: The Experiences of Women Living with a Sexual Interest in Minors
Authors: Lievesley Rebecca , Lapworth Rhia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe current body of the literature studying minor-attracted persons (MAPs) predominantly focuses on the experiences of men who experience sexual attractions to children. To shed more light on the experiences of women within this population, we conducted anonymous semi-structured interviews with six self-identified female MAPs, who were recruited through online support forums for individuals with sexual attractions to children. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the interview transcripts. Two superordinate themes were identified from the dataset that highlighted the uniqueness of the experience of being a woman within the MAP community (“A minority within a minority”) and themes of social isolation and the effects of this on identity (“A lonely secret existence”). The findings reported here highlight how the experiences of female MAPs both converge with and diverge from their male counterparts in important ways. We discuss the implications of these experiences in relation to more effective service provision for women who are sexually attracted to children.
Identification of Key Pathways and Genes in SARS-CoV-2 Infecting Human Intestines by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Chen Ji-Chun , Xie Tian-Ao , Lin Zhen-Zong , Li Yi-Qing , Xie Yu-Fei , Li Zhong-Wei , Guo Xu-Guang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 is a serious infectious disease that has recently swept the world, and research on its causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, remains insufficient. Therefore, this study uses bioinformatics analysis techniques to explore the human digestive tract diseases that may be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The gene expression profile data set, numbered GSE149312, is from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and is divided into a 24-h group and a 60-h group. R software is used to analyze and screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and then gene ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses are performed. In KEGG, the pathway of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease exists in both the 24-h group and 60-h group. STRING is used to establish a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and Cytoscape is then used to visualize the PPI and define the top 12 genes of the node as the hub genes. Through verification, nine statistically significant hub genes are identified: AKT1, TIMP1, NOTCH, CCNA2, RRM2, TTK, BUB1B, KIF20A, and PLK1. In conclusion, the results of this study can provide a certain direction and basis for follow-up studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human digestive tract and provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Teacher observations of programming affordances for K-12 mathematics and technology
Authors: Humble Niklas 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith future shortage of professionals with programming and computing skills, many countries have made programming part of kindergarten – grade 12 curriculum (K-12). A possible approach is to make programming part of an already existing subject. Sweden has chosen this approach and in 2017 programming was integrated in the subject content of K-12 mathematics and technology. Integrating programming is at the expense of extra workload on teachers. Teachers affected by these changes will face new challenges in their teaching and learning activities. The aim of the study is to examine K-12 teachers’ use and perceived affordances of programming as a tool for teaching and learning activities in mathematics and technology. Data were collected through focus group discussions with three teacher teams in mathematics and technology from three K-12 schools in the mid Sweden region. 21 teachers participated in the study. Thematic analysis with a mixture of deductive and inductive coding were used to analyse the data. Theory of affordances was used to structure findings in themes of interests and answer the study’s aim and research questions. Results show that the teachers use a variety of programming tools in their teaching and learning activities. The use of programming in mathematics and technology can be understood in five main perceived affordances: 1) Play, 2) Discovery, 3) Adaptation, 4) Control, and 5) Freedom; which relate to both student motivation and subject content. Teachers also perceive obstacles and opportunities in using programming, that relates to different programming tools’ ability to support teaching and learning activities. The findings of this study can be drawn upon by teachers and other stakeholders in the integration of programming in K-12 education, and in the design of teaching and learning activities with programming.
In vitro cultivation of primary intestinal cells from Eisenia fetida as basis for ecotoxicological studies
Authors: Riedl Simon A. B. , Völkl Matthias , Holzinger Anja , Jasinski Julia , Jérôme Valérie , Scheibel Thomas , Feldhaar Heike , Freitag Ruth 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe earthworm Eisenia fetida is a commonly used model organism for unspecific soil feeders in ecotoxicological studies. Its intestinal cells are the first to encounter possible pollutants co-ingested by the earthworm, which makes them prime candidates for studies of toxic effects of environmental pollutants on the cellular as compared to the organismic level. In this context, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the suitability of preparations of primary intestinal E. fetida cells for in vitro ecotoxicological studies. For this purpose, a suitable isolation and cultivation protocol was established. Cells were isolated directly from the intestine, maintaining >85% viability during subsequent cultivations (up to 144 h). Exposure to established pollutants and soil elutriates comprising silver nanoparticles and metal ions (Cu2+, Cd2+) induced a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of the cells. In case of microplastic particles (MP particles), namely 0.2, 0.5, 2.0, and 3.0 µm diameter polystyrene (PS) beads as well as 0.5 and 2.0 µm diameter polylactic acid (PLA) beads, no active uptake was observed. Slight positive as well as negative dose and size dependent effects on the metabolism were seen, which to some extent might correlate with effects on the organismic level.
Raising Concerns at Work in the Swedish Healthcare and Educational Sectors: Silence and Voice Climates
Authors: Börnfelt P-O 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article is based on an interview study of workers in Sweden’s healthcare and educational sectors who raise or withhold concerns about conditions at the workplace. Five groups of climates regarding concerns raised internally were found: A high voice climate, a moderate voice climate, a restrained voice climate, a resignation silence climate, and a silence and fear climate. A democratic leadership orientation lays the foundation for a voice climate based on trust and open dialogue. Silence and fear climates are created by an autocratic and retaliative leadership orientation. Also, a laissez-faire leadership can have a silencing effect on the workplace climate. Autocratic leadership and a hierarchical view on communication are silencers both regarding concerns raised internally and externally. If organisations are exposed to competition, loyalty towards the organisations tends to be strengthened in order to protect the brand, thus having a silencing effect on raising concerns externally. As a consequence, teacher practise self-censorship in order to conceal problems at their school, thereby protecting the school’s reputation on the market.