bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the statistical training in animal science graduate programs in the United States: survey on statistical training
Authors: Serão Nick V L , Petry Amy L , Sanglard Leticia P , Rossoni-Serão Mariana C , Bundy Jennifer M 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Statistical analysis of data and understanding of experimental design are critical skills needed by animal science graduate students (ASGS). These skills are even more valuable with the increased development of high-throughput technologies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceived statistical training of U.S. ASGS. A survey with 38 questions was shared across U.S. universities, and 416 eligible ASGS from 43 universities participated in this study. The survey included questions on the demographics and overall training, graduate education on statistics, and self-assessment on statistics and career path of ASGS. Several analyses were performed: relationship between perceived received education (PRE; i.e., how ASGS evaluated their graduate education in statistics) and perceived knowledge (PK; i.e., how ASGS evaluated their knowledge in statistics from their education); ranking of statistical topics based on PRE, PK, and confidence in performing statistical analyses (CPSA); cluster analysis of statistical topics for PRE, PK, and CPSA; and factors (demographic, overall training, interest in statistics, and field of study) associated with the overall scores (OS) for PRE, PK, and CPSA. Students had greater (P &lt; 0.05) PRE than PK for most of the statistical topics included in this study. The moderate to high repeatability of answers within statistical topics indicates substantial correlations in ASGS answers between PRE and PK. The cluster analysis resulted in distinct groups of “Traditional” and “Nontraditional” statistical topics. ASGS showed lower (P &lt; 0.05) scores of PRE, PK, and CPSA in “Nontraditional” compared with “Traditional” statistical methods. Several factors were associated (P &lt; 0.05) with the OS of PRE, PK, and CSPA. In general, factors related to greater training and interest in statistics of ASGS were associated with greater OS, such as taking more credits in statistics courses, having additional training in statistics outside the classroom, knowing more than one statistics software, and more. This study provided comprehensive information on the perceived level of education, knowledge, and confidence in statistics in ASGS in the United States. Although objective measurements of their training in statistics are needed, the current study suggests that ASGS have limited statistical training on topics of major importance for the current and future trends of data-driven research in animal sciences.
Hit the road bat! High bat activity on the road verges in Brazilian savanna
Authors: Ramalho Daniel F , Silveira Maurício , Aguiar Ludmilla M S 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRoads have direct and indirect impacts on animals present in the surrounding habitats. Bats have extensive foraging ranges which may include roads, and are therefore particularly affected by them. This study aimed to analyze the effects of roads on bat activity and diversity in the Brazilian savanna. Nine transects were established in protected areas in central Brazil with sampling points at 0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 m away from roads. At each point, we recorded bat echolocation for 12 h and evaluated the influence of road type and distance from the road on bat activity, diversity, and foraging effort. Season, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and distance to water also were included in the models. We found that species richness in the dry season and activity of open space insectivores were significantly higher on road verges than on areas farther from roads, while foraging effort and activity of edge space insectivores were only influenced by season. The activity of edge space insectivores also increased significantly with increasing distance to water during the rainy season. We suggest that bat individuals do not forage near roads, but rather use them as flyways or cross them to forage in sites outside the protected areas, which can increase the risk of collision with vehicles.
Farnesol: An approach on biofilms and nanotechnology
Authors: Costa Adelaide Fernandes , Silva Lívia do Carmo , Amaral Andre Correa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Biofilms are important virulence factor in infections caused by microorganisms because of its complex structure, which provide resistance to conventional antimicrobials. Strategies involving the use of molecules capable of inhibiting their formation and also act synergistically with conventional drugs have been explored. Farnesol is a molecule present in essential oils and produced by Candida albicans as a quorum sensing component. This sesquiterpene presents inhibitory properties in the formation of microbial biofilms and synergism with antimicrobials used in clinical practice, and can be exploited even for eradication of biofilms formed by drug-resistant microorganisms. Despite this, farnesol has physical and chemical characteristics that can limit its use, such as high hydrophobicity and volatility. Therefore, nanotechnology may represent an option to improve the efficiency of this molecule in high complex environments such as biofilms. Nanostructured systems present important results in the improvement of treatment with different commercial drugs and molecules with therapeutic or preventive potential. The formation of nanoparticles offers advantages such as protection of the incorporated drugs against degradation, improved biodistribution and residence time in specific treatment sites. The combination of farnesol with nanotechnology may be promising for the development of more effective antibiofilm therapies, as it can improve its solubility, reduce volatility, and increase bioavailability. This review summarizes existing data about farnesol, its action on biofilms, and discusses its encapsulation in nanostructured systems.

Lay Summary
Farnesol is a natural compound that inhibits the formation of biofilms from different microbial species. The encapsulation of this molecule in nanoparticles is a promising alternative for the development of more effective therapies against biofilms.
Spectrum formation in X-ray pulsars at very low mass accretion rate: Monte Carlo approach
Authors: Mushtukov Alexander A , Suleimanov Valery F , Tsygankov Sergey S , Portegies Zwart Simon 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Recently, it has been discovered that the transition of X-ray pulsars to the low luminosity state ($L\lesssim 10^{35}\, {\rm erg\ \rm s^{-1}}$) is accompanied by a dramatic spectral change. That is, the typical power-law-like spectrum with high-energy cut-off transforms into a two-component structure with a possible cyclotron absorption feature on top of it. It was proposed that these spectral characteristics can be explained qualitatively by the emission of cyclotron photons in the atmosphere of the neutron star caused by collisional excitation of electrons to upper Landau levels and further Comptonization of the photons by electron gas. The electron gas are expected to be overheated in a thin top layer of the atmosphere. In this paper, we perform Monte Carlo simulations of the radiative transfer in the atmosphere of an accreting neutron star while accounting for a resonant scattering of polarized X-ray photons by thermally distributed electrons. The spectral shape is shown to be strongly polarization-dependent in soft X-rays ($\lesssim 10\, {\rm keV}$) and near the cyclotron scattering feature. The results of our numerical simulations are tested against the observational data of the X-ray pulsar A 0535+262 in the low-luminosity state. We show that the spectral shape of the pulsar can be reproduced by the proposed theoretical model. We discuss applications of the discovery to the observational studies of accreting neutron stars.
Identification confusion and blending concealment in the SDSS-DR16 Quasar catalogues – 40 new quasars and 82 false quasars identified
Authors: Flesch Eric Wim 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
The SDSS-DR16 Quasar Superset and pipeline catalogues are searched for undeclared quasars that were concealed by or confused with other objects, usually due to incomplete deblending. 40 such quasars with redshifts are found and herewith presented. Also, 82 entries in the SDSS-DR16Q main quasar catalogue are shown to be non-quasars, some also due to incomplete deblending, especially ‘line poachers’. Other non-quasars are shown to be star spikes or moving stars or other types, and seven new quasars are identified from analysis of ‘unplugged’ spectra. These numbers are tiny compared with the millions of DR16 spectra, but highlight some heretofore overlooked systematics. The deblending issue is discussed throughout.
A new candidate pulsating ULX in NGC 7793
Authors: Quintin E , Webb N A , Gúrpide A , Bachetti M , Fürst F 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
We report here the discovery of NGC 7793 ULX-4, a new transient ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in NGC 7793, a spiral galaxy already well known for harbouring several ULXs. This new source underwent an outburst in 2012, when it was detected by XMM–Newton and the Swift X-ray telescope. The outburst reached a peak luminosity of 3.4 × 1039 erg s−1 and lasted for about eight months, after which the source went below a luminosity of 1037 erg s−1; previous Chandra observations constrain the low-state luminosity below ∼2 × 1036 erg s−1, implying a variability of at least a factor 1000. We propose four possible optical counterparts, found in archival HST observations of the galaxy. A pulsation in the XMM–Newton signal was found at 2.52 Hz, with a significance of $\sim 3.4\, \sigma$, and an associated spin-up of $\dot{f} = 3.5\times 10^{-8}$ Hz s−1. NGC 7793 is therefore the first galaxy to host more than one pulsating ULX.
Orbital pericentres and the inferred dark matter halo structure of satellite galaxies
Authors: Robles Victor H , Bullock James S 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Using the phat-ELVIS suite of Milky Way-sized halo simulations, we show that subhalo orbital pericentres, rperi, correlate with their dark matter halo structural properties. Specifically, at fixed maximum circular velocity, Vmax, subhaloes with smaller rperi are more concentrated (have smaller rmax values) and have lost more mass, with larger peak circular velocities, Vpeak, prior to infall. These trends provide information that can tighten constraints on the inferred Vmax and Vpeak values for known Milky Way satellites. We illustrate this using published pericentre estimates enabled by Gaia for the nine classical Milky Way dwarf spheroidal satellites. The two densest dSph satellites (Draco and Ursa Minor) have relatively small pericentres, and this pushes their inferred rmax and Vmax values lower than they would have been without pericentre information. For Draco, we infer $V_{\rm max} = 23.5 \, \pm 3.3$ km s−1 (compared to $27.3 \, \pm 7.1$ km s−1 without pericentre information). Such a shift exacerbates the traditional Too Big to Fail problem. Draco’s peak circular velocity range prior to infall narrows from Vpeak = 21–51 km s−1 without pericentre information to Vpeak = 25–37 km s−1 with the constraint. Over the full population of classical dwarf spheroidals, we find no correlation between Vpeak and stellar mass today, indicative of a high level of stochasticity in galaxy formation at stellar masses below ∼107 M⊙. As proper motion measurements for dwarf satellites become more precise, they should enable useful priors on the expected structure and evolution of their host dark matter subhaloes.
The optical properties of three Type II supernovae: 2014cx, 2014cy, and 2015cz
Authors: Dastidar R , Misra K , Singh M , Pastorello A , Sahu D K , Wang X , Gangopadhyay A , Tomasella L , Zhang J , Bose S , Mo J , Elias-Rosa N , Tartaglia L , Yan S , Kumar Brijesh , Anupama G C , Pandey S B , Rui L , Zhang T , Terreran G , Ochner P , Huang F 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
We present the photometric and spectroscopic analysis of three Type II supernovae (SNe): 2014cx, 2014cy, and 2015cz. SN 2014cx is a conventional Type IIP with shallow slope (0.2 mag/50 d) and an atypical short plateau (∼86 d). SNe 2014cy and 2015cz show relatively large decline rates (0.88 and 1.64 mag/50 d, respectively) at early times before settling to the plateau phase, unlike the canonical Type IIP/L SN light curves. All of them are normal luminosity SN II with an absolute magnitude at mid-plateau of M$_{V,14\mathrm{ cx}}^{50}$=$-16.6\, \pm \, 0.4\, \rm {mag}$, M$_{V,14\mathrm{ cy}}^{50}$=$-16.5\, \pm \, 0.2\, \rm {mag}$, and M$_{V,15\mathrm{ cz}}^{50}$=$-17.4\, \pm \, 0.3\, \rm {mag}$. A relatively broad range of 56Ni masses is ejected in these explosions (0.027–0.070 M⊙). The spectra shows the classical evolution of  SNe  II, dominated by a blue continuum with broad H lines at early phases and narrower metal lines with P Cygni profiles during the plateau. High-velocity H  i features are identified in the plateau spectra of SN 2014cx at 11 600  kms −1, possibly a sign of ejecta-circumstellar interaction. The spectra of SN 2014cy exhibit strong absorption profile of H i similar to normal luminosity events whereas strong metal lines akin to sub-luminous SNe. The analytical modelling of the bolometric light curve of the three events yields similar progenitor radii within errors (478, 507, and 660 R ⊙ for SNe 2014cx, 2014cy, and 2015cz, respectively), a range of ejecta masses (15.0, 22.2, and 20.6 M ⊙ for SNe 2014cx, 2014cy, and 2015cz), and a modest range of explosion energies (3.3–7.2 foe where 1 foe=10 51erg).
Unveiling the broad-band spectral and temporal properties of PKS 0903-57 during its brightest flare
Authors: Shah Zahir , Jithesh V , Sahayanathan S , Iqbal Naseer 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
We carried a detailed spectral and temporal study of blazar PKS 0903-57 using the Fermi-LAT and Swift-XRT/UVOT observations, during its brightest flaring period MJD 58931–58970. During this period, the maximum daily averaged γ-ray flux ($\rm F_{0.1-500\, GeV}$) of $\rm 9.42\times 10^{-6}\, ph\, cm^{-2}\, s^{-1}$ is observed on MJD 58951.5, the highest γ-ray flux detected from PKS 0903-57 till now. Several high-energy (HE) photons ($\gt 10$ GeV) consistent with the source location at high probability (&gt;99 per cent) are detected, and the γ-ray light curve in the active state shows multiple substructures with asymmetric profile. In order to understand the possible physical scenario responsible for the flux enhancement, we carried a detailed broad-band spectral study of PKS 0903-57 by choosing different flux states from its active period. Neglecting the multiband variability in each of the selected time intervals, we could reproduce their averaged broad-band SEDs with a one-zone leptonic model whose parameters were derived with a χ2-fit. We found that the broad-band SED during different flux states can be reproduced by the synchrotron, synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC), and external-Compton (EC) processes. The seed photons for EC process from BLR or IR torus provide acceptable fits to the GeV spectrum in all the flux states; however, the detection of HE photons together with the equipartition condition suggests that the EC/IR process is a more likely scenario. Further, a detailed comparison between the fit parameters shows that the flux enhancement from quiescent-state to the flaring-state is mostly related to increase in the bulk Lorentz factor of the emission region and change in the break energy of the source spectrum.
Synthesis and anticancer activity of mixed ligand 3d metal complexes
Authors: Chu Bo , Mo Xiyu , Chen Zilu , Zhang Mingling , Liang Yuning , Hu Huancheng , Liu Dongcheng , Liang Fupei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Our previously reported copper-based complexes of tropolone show nice antitumor effects, but with high cytotoxicity to normal cells, which is presumably caused by copper ions. Here, we managed to achieve this challenge by using other 3D metals to replace copper ions. We thus prepared four mononuclear 3D metal complexes [M(phen)L2] (M = Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn for 1–4, respectively). Complexes 1 and 4 show selectivity on different cancer cell lines with much lower cytotoxicity to normal cells than cisplatin. The anticancer effects for complexes 2 and 3 on the tested cancer cell lines are very poor. It revealed a tuning effect of different metal ions on the anticancer activities with those for Mn(II) and Zn(II) being much higher than those for Co(II) and Ni(II) in this system. Among them, complex 1 presents a best anticancer effect on HeLa cells comparable to cisplatin. It overcame the afore-mentioned shortage of high cytotoxicity to normal cells for the reported Cu(II) complexes. It revealed from the mechanistic studies that complex 1 mainly induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species, releasing Ca2+, and activating Caspase 9 and proapoptotic gene Bax.
Rational engineering of a modular bacterial CRISPR–Cas activation platform with expanded target range
Authors: Villegas Kcam Maria Claudia , Tsong Annette J , Chappell James 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
CRISPR–Cas activator (CRISPRa) systems that selectively turn on transcription of a target gene are a potentially transformative technology for programming cellular function. While in eukaryotes versatile CRISPRa systems exist, in bacteria these systems suffer from a limited ability to activate different genes due to strict distance-dependent requirements of functional target binding sites, and require greater customization to optimize performance in different genetic and cellular contexts. To address this, we apply a rational protein engineering approach to create a new CRISPRa platform that is highly modular to allow for easy customization and has increased targeting flexibility through harnessing engineered Cas proteins. We first demonstrate that transcription activation domains can be recruited by CRISPR–Cas through noncovalent protein-protein interactions, which allows each component to be encoded on separate and easily interchangeable plasmid elements. We then exploit this modularity to rapidly screen a library of different activation domains, creating new systems with distinct regulatory properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by harnessing a library of circularly permuted Cas proteins, we can create CRISPRa systems that have different target binding site requirements, which together, allow for expanded target range.
Strain in perovskite solar cells: origins, impacts and regulation
Authors: Wu Jinpeng , Liu Shun-Chang , Li Zongbao , Wang Shuo , Xue Ding-Jiang , Lin Yuan , Hu Jin-Song 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have seen an extremely rapid rise in power conversion efficiencies in the past few years. However, the commercialization of this class of emerging materials still faces serious challenges, one of which is the instability against external stimuli such as moisture, heat and irradiation. Much focus has deservedly been placed on understanding the different origins of intrinsic instability and thereby enhancing their stability. Among these, tensile strain in perovskite films is an important source of instability that cannot be overcome using conventionally extrinsic stabilization approaches such as encapsulation. Here we review recent progress in the understanding of the origin of strain in perovskites as well as its corresponding characterization methods, and their impacts on the physical properties of perovskites and the performance of PSCs including efficiency and stability. We then summarize the latest advances in strain-regulation strategies that improve the intrinsic stability of perovskites and photovoltaic devices. Finally, we provide a perspective on how to make further progress in stable and high-efficiency PSCs via strain engineering.
Nonclassical Pathogens as Causative Agents of Proctitis in Men who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Chow Eric P F , Lee Darren , Bond Stephanie , Fairley Christopher K , Maddaford Kate , Wigan Rebecca , Fehler Glenda , Lange Sigrid A , De Petra Vesna , Bissessor Melanie , Bradshaw Catriona S , Howden Benjamin P , Hocking Jane S , Williamson Deborah A , Chen Marcus Y 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to identify enteric and sexually acquired rectal pathogens, other than chlamydia and gonorrhea, associated with symptomatic proctitis in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods
Anorectal swab samples were obtained from MSM presenting with rectal symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of proctitis at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between January 2017 and March 2019. Samples that tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis were excluded. As a comparison group, anorectal samples were also obtained from MSM not reporting symptoms of proctitis between November 2018 and February 2019. Samples from both groups were tested for 15 viral, bacterial, and protozoal enteric pathogens using polymerase chain reaction.

Results
Anorectal samples from 499 men with symptomatic proctitis and 506 asymptomatic men were analyzed. Age, HIV status, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use did not differ between men with proctitis and asymptomatic men. Treponema pallidum was more common in men with proctitis (risk difference [RD], 3.6%; 95% CI, 2.0%–5.2%). Most men with anorectal T. pallidum presented with painful anal primary infections. Shigella spp. was more common among men with proctitis compared with asymptomatic men (RD, 1.8%; 95% CI, 0.1%–3.5%). Most men with Shigella did not report diarrhea. Mycoplasma genitalium was more common in men with proctitis (RD, 4.3%; 95% CI, 1.1%–7.5%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV)–1 (RD, 10.1%; 95% CI, 6.8%–13.3%) and HSV-2 (RD, 7.2%; 95% CI, 4.5%–10.0%) were more common with proctitis.

Conclusions
Testing for T. pallidum, Shigella, and HSV should be considered in MSM presenting with symptomatic proctitis. These data provide support for M. genitalium as a significant cause of proctitis. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is required for MSM with proctitis.
Commonality and Diversity in Administrative Justice: Fin de siècle
Authors: Cananea Giacinto della 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
There is variety of opinion about the origins and development of administrative law. The studies collected in this volume seek to contribute to a better understanding its development in a period of crucial importance; that is, the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth century. This chapter is divided into three parts. The first explains the choices made concerning the timeframe, the methodology, and the selection of legal systems. The focus then shifts to four main features that characterized administrative laws in those years, including the variety of judicial mechanisms, the more liberal policy on standing, the gradual reinforcement of procedural constraints on the exercise of powers by public authorities, and the abandonment of immunity. The chapter concludes with discussion of commonality and diversity between administrative laws in Europe.