bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of sorghum mutant genotypes and analysis of their agro-morphological diversity
Authors: Takele Abera , Feyisa Tileye , Disasa Tesfaye 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Sorghum is one of the most important cereal grains in Africa's Sub-Saharan region, used for human consumption and animal feed, but its production is hampered by biotic and abiotic constraints, necessitating genetic improvement of sorghum. The goal of this experiment was to use the ethyl methane sulfonate induced mutation technique to develop superior genotypes for sorghum production and quality for food and industry in order to achieve food security. The concentration of EMS was initially optimized by calculating LD50. Both Argity and Dekeba genotypes were treated with six different concentrations of EMS (0.10, 0.25, 0.30, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 %) and three different soaking periods (7, 8 and 9 hrs). The 0.25% EMS concentration at 8 hrs was chosen because it had a 50% seed survival rate and the highest frequency of mutations to generate M1 seeds. From M2 and M3, about 4000 and 2000 mutant populations were screened, respectively. For trait characterization, 190 mutated lines were selected from a mutant population of 2000M2. The 190 mutant populations and two parents were evaluated for genetic diversity, character association, and genetic divergence. For the observed quantitative phenotypic traits, analyses of variance showed substantial inter-population difference. When compared to their parent cultivars, the study mean of six treatment populations in each cultivar showed significantly superior quantitative phenotypic traits. Plant height, flowering date, maturity date, stem diameter, grain weight, and thousand seed weight varied with 81.48, 77, 42.03, 56.11, 11.44, and 96.68 % heritability in the mutant lines, according to agro-morphological characterization. The elite mutants were identified using principal component analysis based on their agro-morphological traits, while Pearson's correlation findings showed a positive correlation between yield component traits. Finally, our research allowed the identification of new promising mutant genotypes that could be tested in multi-local trials to assess their agronomic efficiency.
Evaluation and Selection of Urban Public Transport Paths based on Entroy Weight TOPSIS and Hamilton Cycle
Authors: Bei HongHan , Fang ShengYue , Zhang Xu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The public transportation system of cities, including subway and public transportation, is becoming more and more perfect. With the rapid development of urban public transport, the path selection considering multiple factors has become a new problem. Based on the optimization model, we take urban public transport operators and travelers as the objects, and use the entroy weight TOPSIS method to comprehensively evaluate the feasible lines and paths between multiple OD pairs. Besides, the optimal path to traverse all nodes was solved by Hamilton cycle problem algorithm, which can also provide reference for both operators and travelers. According to the latest urban public transport data in 2021, we select Beijing, China as the empirical research object. This paper chooses the existing public transport network of Beijing to verify, and selects the optimal path of 5 nodes and 10 paths to traverse all nodes.
Biopsy-Proven Kidney Involvement in Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis
Authors: Corthier Alice , Jachiet Marie , Bertin Daniel , Servais Aude , Barbet Christelle , Bigot Adrien , Doutre Marie-Sylvie , Bessis Didier , Bouffandeau Ancuta , Moranne Olivier , Jarrot Pierre-André , Bardin Nathalie , Terrier Benjamin , Burtey Stephane , Puéchal Xavier , Daniel Laurent , Jourde-Chiche Noémie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV) is a rare systemic vasculitis. We aimed to describe the kidney involvement of HUV in a multicenter national cohort with an extended follow-up. Methods. All patients with HUV (international Schwartz criteria) with a biopsy-proven kidney involvement, identified through a survey of the French Vasculitis Study Group, were included. A systematic literature review on kidney involvement of HUV was performed. Results. Twelve patients were included, among whom 8 had positive anti-C1q antibodies. All presented with proteinuria, from mild to nephrotic, and 8 displayed acute kidney injury (AKI), requiring temporary haemodialysis in 2. Kidney biopsy showed membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) in 8 patients, pauci-immune crescentic GN or necrotizing vasculitis in 3 patients (with a mild to severe interstitial inflammation), and an isolated interstitial nephritis in 1 patient. C1q deposits were observed in the glomeruli (n=6), tubules (n=4) or renal arterioles (n=3) of 8 patients. All patients received corticosteroids, and 9 were also treated with immunosuppressants or apheresis. After a mean follow-up of 8.9 years, 6 patients had a preserved renal function, but 2 patients had developed stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 4 patients had reached end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), among whom 1 had received a kidney transplant. Conclusion. Renal involvement of HUV can be responsible for severe AKI, CKD and ESKD. It is not always associated with circulating anti-C1q antibodies. Kidney biopsy shows mostly membrano-proliferative GN or crescentic GN, with frequent C1q deposits in the glomeruli, tubules or arterioles.
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis of Sitamarhi near Bihar-Nepal Region
Authors: Paul Abhik , Chakrabortty Pradipta , Burman Avijit , Kumar Sapan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This article presents the results of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for Sitamarhi, Bihar considering the region-specific maximum magnitude and ground motion prediction equation (GMPEs). North Bihar region is one of the seismically unstable areas in India facing several destructive earthquakes for the Himalayan Mountains that was created by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plate. The Gutenberg-Richter (G-R) seismic hazard parameter ‘a’ and ‘b’ have been evaluated by considering the available local earthquake data. Earthquake data were collected from the United States geological survey (USGS), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi, Seismotectonic Atlas of India (GIS 2000) within 500 km radius of the study area, and 62 seismotectonic sources were identified and considered in this study. Seismic source zones for the region have been defined based on large-scale geological features, which are used for assigning the maximum possible earthquake potential. Estimated PGA values are 0.89 g and 0.61 g for the 2% and 10% probabilities of exceedance in 50 years. The results showed that West Patna fault and Sitamarhi Fault are the two main faults, which contribute maximum in the peak ground acceleration (PGA) values for Sitamarhi region.
RpoS Mutation Leads to Prolonged Biofilm Mode of Growth and a Higher Fitness in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Duan Xiangke , Pan Yanrong , Cai Zhao , Liu Yumei , Zhang Yingdan , Liu Moxiao , Liu Yang , Wang Ke , Zhang Lianhui , Yang Liang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious opportunistic pathogen causing various biofilm-related infections. Biofilm formation is a unique microbial strategy that allows P. aeruginosa to survive adverse conditions such as antibiotic treatment and human immune responses. ResultsIn this study, we experimentally evolved P. aeruginosa PAO1 bioﬁlms for cyclic treatment in the presence of high dose of imipenem, and enriched hyperbiofilm mutants within six cycles in two independent lineages. The competition assay showed the evolved hyperbiofilm mutants can outcompete the ancestral strain within biofilm by prolonging the biofilm mode of growth but not in planktonic cultures. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed the hyperbiofilm phenotype is caused by point mutations in rpoS gene in all independently evolved mutants and the same mutation was found in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. We further showed that mutation in rpoS enhanced biofilm formation by prolonging the biofilm mode of growth and elevating the intracellular c-di-GMP level. Mutation in rpoS increased pyocyanin production and virulence in both P. aeruginosa laboratory strains and clinical isolates. ConclusionHere, our study revealed that antibiotic treatment of biofilm-related P. aeruginosa infections might induce a hyperbiofilm phenotype via rpoS mutation, which might partially explain antimicrobial treatment failure of many P. aeruginosa biofilm-related infections.
Determination of Thermal Material Properties for the Numerical Simulation of Cutting Processes
Authors: Storchak Michael , Stehle Thomas , Möhring Hans-Christian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Thermal properties of work materials, which depend significantly on the change in cutting temperature, have a considerable effect on thermal machining characteristics. Therefore, the thermal properties used for the numerical simulation of the cutting process should be determined depending on the cutting temperature. To determine the thermal properties of the work materials, a methodology and a software-implemented algorithm were developed for their calculation. This methodology is based on analytical models for the determination of tangential stress in the primary cutting zone. Based on this stress and experimentally or analytically determined cutting temperatures, thermal properties of the work material were calculated, namely the coefficient of the heat capacity as well as the coefficient of thermal conductivity. Three variants were provided for determining the tangential stress: based on the normal stress calculated using the Johnson-Cook constitutive equation, based on the experimentally determined cutting and thrust forces as well as by directly calculating the tangential stress. The thermal properties were determined using the example of three different materials: AISI 1045 and AISI 4140 steel as well as Ti10V2Fe3Al titanium alloy (Ti-1023). With the developed FE cutting model, the deviation between experimental and simulated temperature values ranged from approx. 7.5–14.4%.
Pregnancy- and Lactation-associated Osteoporosis with Vertebral Fractures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Qian Ying , Wang Lei , Yu Lili , Huang Weimin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: To review, analyze and characterize the pregnancy and lactation-related osteoporosis (PLO) with vertebral fractures based on the extraction data in the previous studies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted from January 1st,1990 to December 1st, 2020. The enrolled data were pooled to analyze the baseline characteristics, clinical features, risk factors and treatment options. Results: A total of 65 articles with 338 cases were enrolled for data extraction. The enrolled cases aged from 19 to 47 years, with a mean value of 35.7 years old. The average body mass index (BMI) was 22.2kg/m2 ranged from 16.0 to 39.0 kg/m2. Of the 173 cases, 149 cases with vertebral fractures occurred in the first pregnancy, 19 cases in the second pregnancy, four cases in the third pregnancy and one case in the fourth pregnancy. Up to 91.5% of the back pain occurred within the last three months of pregnancy and the first three months after delivery. The most involved vertebral levels were L2, L1 and T12 accounting for 32.6% of all the fractures. The average fracture numbers were 4.4 levels per patient. The lumbar Z-scores were mostly recorded with a mean value of -3.2 ranged from -7.8 to 0. Conclusions: PLO with vertebral fractures is a rare clinical entity, which is more likely to occur in older and thinner pregnant women. Back pain is the clinical complaint and mostly occurs in the late pregnancy and early lactation periods. Most vertebral fractures appear in the first pregnancy but it can occur in any time of pregnancy. Thoracolumbar region is the mostly involved region. As compared with postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures, PLO usually has multiple levels fractures. Bisphosphonates are the most widely used treatment so far, but teriparatide has become an effective alternative to bisphosphonates.
Caspian Sea Level changes based on Satellite altimetry
Authors: Sorkhabi Omid Memarian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Today, despite the satellite altimetry, it is possible to determine the average sea level and determine the sea level change with high accuracy. In this research, data from 1992-2017 TOPEX / Poseidon, Jason1, OSTM and Jason3 altimeter satellites in the Caspian Sea have been used. The results show that every year the average of 75 mm of the Caspian Sea water level decreases and the downward trend.
Flu Vaccination due to COVID 19 as a Risk-Aversion Health Measure among Low-Risk Populations
Authors: JI Meng , Huang Chu-Ren , Hall Brian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Fear, social responsibility, or vulnerability - which is the main driver of seasonable influenza vaccination in times of the pandemic? Our study using first-hand survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that none of these factors explains conclusively Australians who had the flu vaccination in 2020 due to COVID19 only. It was Australians who had higher education, without chronic health conditions, those in employment, fully covered by health insurance, living with families who reported statistically higher rates of flu vaccination due to COVID19 only. By contrast, people with one or more chronic health issues, single people without support reported statistically lower rates of seasonal influenza immunisation. Similar results are reported in the study of flu vaccination in countries like Canada, where among Canadians aged over 65, it was populations of higher education, married, in better health conditions (non-smokers), higher household income who reported consistently, statistically higher rates of flu vaccination between 2000-2019. The Australian survey data collected during the pandemic provided further evidence of flu vaccination as a risk-aversion health measure by low-risk populations - a social behavioural phenomenon observed across countries, ages, in normal circumstances or health crises. We interpreted our finding from the hypothesized human propensity to be risk-averse (chose to be vaccinated) when the perceived probability of an improvement over their status quo after vaccination was high (the certainty effect); and human tendency to be risk-seeking (chose not to be vaccinated) when the perceived probability of an improvement post-immunisation was low (the possibility effect). The higher rates of risk-averse behaviours (chose to be vaccinated) among people in better education, socio-economic and health conditions, and the lower rates of risk-seeking behaviours (chose not to be vaccinated) among people with chronic health issues and those living alone suggest that flu vaccination was perceived by low-risk populations as an effective risk-aversion measure leading to better outcomes of higher certainty; by contrast, flu vaccination was perceived by high-risk populations as a health measure of higher uncertainty, not aiding in improving their status quo as the implicit reference point, according to the Prospect Theory as applied in the study of people’s health behaviours.
Epidemiological Survey of Dirofilaria Spp. and Acanthocheilonema Spp. in Dogs from the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Dumitrache Mirabela Oana , D'Amico Gianluca , Voinitchi Eugeniu , Maximencu Sergiu , Mircean Viorica , Ionica Angela Monica 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: During the last decades, the spread of the infection with filarial nematodes Dirofilaria spp. in dog’s population in various European countries has been dynamic and rapid. The increased interest of the scientific community as well as the availability of new diagnosis tools, allowed a better knowledge on the biology, morphology and epidemiology of different species of filarial worms. However, in some countries, data are still scarce on this topic. To address some knowledge gaps, we assessed the epidemiological status of different canine filariasis in the Republic of Moldova. Methods: A total of 120 blood samples were collected between June 2018 and July 2019 from dogs originating from Cahul and Chișinău cities. The samples were microscopically examinated and multiplex PCR was performed to evaluate filarioid species diversity. Results: Microscopic examination revealed that 12 dogs (10%) were positive for circulating microfilariae. Molecular test showed that 1 dog was positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum (0.83%), 1 for D. immitis (0.83%), 6 for D. repens (5%), and 4 (3.33%) harboured a coinfection with D. immitis and D. repens. Conclusions: This study is the first epidemiological survey of filaroid worms in dogs from the Republic of Moldova and the first to show the presence of D. repens and A. reconditum in this species.
Performance Evaluation of a Solar Hybrid Air-Conditioner
Authors: Nwasuka Nnamdi Cyprian , Nwankwojike Nduka , Nwaiwu Uchechukwu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This research presents a solar hybrid air-conditioning system with R410a refrigerant. The sole aim was to compare the performance of a solar hybrid air-conditioner with that of the conventional split-unit air-conditioning systems in the market today. From the experiments conducted, the room temperature of a solar hybrid air conditioner was found to be :27.2, 27.0, 27.0, 27.2, 27.2, 27.0, 28.0, and 29.5 while that of the conventional air conditioner was found to be:69,66,64,66,73,69,66,62 indicating that solar hybrid system had lower values in terms of room temperature than that of the split units air conditioner. Laboratory results, field assessments, and simulations clearly established that hybrid air conditioners can deliver substantial energy savings and demand reduction. Therefore, in the present study, performance evaluation of the solar hybrid system with that of the split units is used to develop approximate analytical solutions for heat transfer in boundary layer flow and heat transfer.
Habitat Patch Size and Landscape Structure Influence, Although Weakly, the Parasite Richness of an Arboreal Folivorous-frugivorous Primate in Anthropogenic Landscapes
Authors: Klain Vinícius Freitas , Mentz Márcia Bohrer , Bustamante-Manrique Sebastián , Bicca-Marques Júlio César 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
ContextAnthropogenic habitat disturbances that affect the ecology and behavior of parasites and hosts can either facilitate or compromise their interactions and modulate the parasite richness.ObjectivesWe assessed if the size of the habitat patch, the composition and configuration of the landscape (forest cover, patch density and mean distance to the nearest patch) and host group size influence the parasite richness of brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) inhabiting forest fragments immersed in an anthropogenic matrix.MethodsWe collected fecal samples from 60 howler monkey groups inhabiting distinct forest fragments (one group/fragment) from January to July 2019. We used generalized linear models to assess the power of the independent variables in predicting parasite richness at the patch- and patch-landscape scales.ResultsWe found 10 parasite taxa (five basal eukaryotes, four nematodes and one platyhelminth), nine of which also infect humans or domestic animals. Overall parasite richness showed an inverse relationship with habitat patch size and forest cover, and a direct relationship with the mean distance to the nearest patch and group size. Patch-landscape metrics and host group size also influenced the infection with parasites with direct cycle and transmission via ingestion of the infective stage in the arboreal environment or with parasites with indirect cycle and transmission via ingestion of intermediate hosts. However, all significant models presented low weight.ConclusionsWe suggest that characteristics of parasite and host populations among other factors are more critical modulators of the relationship between howler monkeys and their parasites in anthropogenic landscapes.
What Are the Effective Behaviour Change Techniques Used to Improve General Health Check Attendance: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Lau Wing Yan , Lian Jinxiao , Yap Maurice 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe general health check serves as an important preventive service to manage chronic illness. While previous studies have identified interventions used to improve utilization, few have provided evidence on the techniques used within an intervention. This has limited the scope of evaluating the intervention’s effectiveness. This systematic review aims to use the Behaviour Change Wheel to identify the intervention options and identify the specific behaviour change techniques implemented. The result is expected to provide comprehensive evidence-based information to inform future intervention development. MethodsA search strategy has been developed using the relevant keywords. Literature searches on four electronic databases have proceeded on 18 August 2021. No data analysis has been carried out yet. The search strategy will be updated towards the end to ensure all relevant literature is included in this review. The retrieved studies will be screened for eligibility following the PRISMA guideline. The quality of the included articles will be appraised using an appropriate quality assessment tool. For data analysis, intervention functions will be identified using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW). A content analysis will be followed, by using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTTv1) to identify the techniques implemented in each intervention. The result will be presented in a narrative synthesis, summarizing the key techniques used, their frequency of identification and possible patterns of techniques implemented across different studies. Where deemed appropriate, a meta-analysis will be performed.DiscussionThis systematic review may provide evidence for explaining intervention effectiveness in more detail by providing a detailed comparison of intervention components. The results are expected to aid future intervention design to improve the general health check attendance and promote universal health coverage.Systematic review registrationThis protocol is registered on PROSPERO (ref: CRD42021221041).
Biosynthesis and Structural Characterization of Levan by a Recombinant Levansucrase From Bacillus Subtilis ZW019
Authors: Wang Jingyue , Xu Xinan , Zhao Fangkun , Yin Nan , Zhou Zhijiang , Han Ye 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
ObjectivesThe yield of levan extracted from microbial fermentation broth is low, so in vitro catalytic synthesis of levan by levansucrase is expected to be one of the industrial production approaches of levan. ResultsA recombinant plasmid Pet-28A-AcmA-Z constructed in the previous study was used to produce levansucrase. The recombinant levansucrase could be easily purified in one step and the purified enzyme had a single band clearly visible in SDS-PAGE. The conditions for enzymatic reactions was optimal at pH 5.2 and 40 ℃, and the activity of enzymes was stimulated by K+ and Ca2+. The yield of levan biosynthesis from 10% (w/v) sucrose with 6.45 U/g sucrose of levansucrase was 30.6 g/L. The molecular weight of the levan was about 1.56×106 Da, as measured by GPC. HPIC analysis showed that the monosaccharide composition of the levan was fructose and glucose. The results of FTIR and NMR analysis indicated that the polymer produced by the recombinant levansucrase was β-(2, 6) levan.Conclusions﻿The results of this study provide a basis for large-scale production of levan by enzymatic method.