bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation, characterization, and bio-insecticidal efficiency of Ethiopian isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis against Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and tomato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Gebremariam Amha , Chekol Yonas , Assefa Fassil 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundBacillus thuringiensisis a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and spore-forming microbial entomopathogen. The silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a worldwide important cryptic species causing serious economic damage to several vegetable crops including tomato. The aim of this study was to characterize and evaluate the bio-insecticidal effects of locally isolated Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) againstGalleria mellonellaandBemisia tabaci.ResultsThirty-one isolates ofBtwere obtained from 70 soil samples based on cultural characterization coupled with insecticidal crystal protein detection. All of the 31 bacterial isolates were pre-screened for their bio-insecticidal property against the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonellaL. larvae. Only 20 (64.5%) isolates were virulent toG. mellonellawith a percentage mortality that ranged from 2.50 to 95%. The groEL gene sequences of all 20 entomopathogenic indigenous isolates displayed 99–100% similarity withBtisolates. Bioassay evaluation of 12 selected isolates against 3rd to 4th nymphal instars ofB. tabaciwith spore-crystal suspensions of 1 × 109spores/ml caused 0 to 31.25%, 0 to 57%, and 0 to 82.5% percentage mortality within 48, 96, and 144 h accordingly. Among isolates ofBt, isolate AAUDS-16 had the highest virulence, followed by the isolate AAUES-69D with LC50values of 9.67 × 106spores/ml and 1.16 × 107 spores/ml, respectively. The virulent isolates were tested for their growth response to a different temperature range between 15 and 40 °C. All isolates showed a maximum growth rate around 30 °C.ConclusionsBtisolates of AAUES-69D and AAUDS-16 displayed high insecticidal potential againstB. tabacinymphs andG. mellonellalarvae, and showed a maximum growth rate in a wide range of temperature. High virulence and temperature-tolerant isolates should be important candidates for diverse insecticidal toxin studies.
Time Trends in Receipt of Germline Genetic Testing and Results for Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer, 2012-2019
Authors: Kurian Allison W. , Ward Kevin C. , Abrahamse Paul , Bondarenko Irina , Hamilton Ann S. , Deapen Dennis , Morrow Monica , Berek Jonathan S. , Hofer Timothy P. , Katz Steven J. 
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE Genetic testing is important for breast and ovarian cancer risk reduction and treatment, yet little is known about its evolving use. METHODS SEER records of women of age ≥ 20 years diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer from 2013 to 2017 in California or Georgia were linked to the results of clinical germline testing through 2019. We measured testing trends, rates of variants of uncertain significance (VUS), and pathogenic variants (PVs). RESULTS One quarter (25.2%) of 187,535 patients with breast cancer and one third (34.3%) of 14,689 patients with ovarian cancer were tested; annually, testing increased by 2%, whereas the number of genes tested increased by 28%. The prevalence of test results by gene category for breast cancer cases in 2017 were BRCA1/2 , PVs 5.2%, and VUS 0.8%; breast cancer–associated genes or ovarian cancer–associated genes ( ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NBN, NF1, PALB2, PMS2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, and TP53), PVs 3.7%, and VUS 12.0%; other actionable genes ( APC, BMPR1A, MEN1, MUTYH, NF2, RB1, RET, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SMAD4, TSC1, TSC2, and VHL) PVs 0.6%, and VUS 0.5%; and other genes, PVs 0.3%, and VUS 2.6%. For ovarian cancer cases in 2017, the prevalence of test results were BRCA1/2, PVs 11.0%, and VUS 0.9%; breast or ovarian genes, PVs 4.0%, and VUS 12.6%; other actionable genes, PVs 0.7%, and VUS 0.4%; and other genes, PVs 0.3%, and VUS 0.6%. VUS rates doubled over time (2013 diagnoses: 11.2%; 2017 diagnoses: 26.8%), particularly for racial or ethnic minorities (47.8% Asian and 46.0% Black, v 24.6% non-Hispanic White patients; P < .001). CONCLUSION A testing gap persists for patients with ovarian cancer (34.3% tested v nearly all recommended), whereas adding more genes widened a racial or ethnic gap in VUS results. Most PVs were in 20 breast cancer–associated genes or ovarian cancer–associated genes; testing other genes yielded mostly VUS. Quality improvement should focus on testing indicated patients rather than adding more genes.
The Huang Kan Commentary on the Analects: A Critical Examination
Authors: Fordham Carl Gene 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This article discusses changes in the legacy of the Huang Kan 皇侃 (488–545) commentary on the Analects, or the Lunyu yishu 論語義疏, and outlines its textual history in China, specifically its bibliography and the various extant and nonextant editions. The author also examines the transmission and reception of the text in Japan, the ancient handwritten copies currently available, and the origin, back-transmission, and reprinting of the Nemoto edition. Lastly, a summary of Qing-era research into the Huang Kan commentary is presented from a philological history perspective, as well as studies by Japanese scholars that attempt to restore collations of the text and studies that compare ancient handwritten copies from Japan with those from Dunhuang. The reliability of recent Japanese studies that have attempted to examine the features of the Huang Kan commentary by making use of compilations of lost texts are also scrutinized.
Segregation of brain and organizer precursors is differentially regulated by Nodal signaling at blastula stage
Authors: Castro Colabianchi Aitana M. , Tavella María B. , Boyadjián López Laura E. , Rubinstein Marcelo , Franchini Lucía F. , López Silvia L. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
The blastula Chordin- and Noggin-expressing (BCNE) center comprises animal-dorsal and marginal-dorsal cells of the amphibian blastula and contains the precursors of the brain and the gastrula organizer. Previous findings suggested that the BCNE behaves as a homogeneous cell population that only depends on nuclear β-catenin activity but does not require Nodal and later segregates into its descendants during gastrulation. In contrast to previous findings, in this work, we show that the BCNE does not behave as a homogeneous cell population in response to Nodal antagonists. In fact, we found that chordin.1 expression in a marginal subpopulation of notochordal precursors indeed requires Nodal input. We also establish that an animal BCNE subpopulation of cells that express both, chordin.1 and sox2 (a marker of pluripotent neuroectodermal cells), and gives rise to most of the brain, persisted at blastula stage after blocking Nodal. Therefore, Nodal signaling is required to define a population of chordin.1+ cells and to restrict the recruitment of brain precursors within the BCNE as early as at blastula stage. We discuss our findings in Xenopus in comparison to other vertebrate models, uncovering similitudes in early brain induction and delimitation through Nodal signaling.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Multiscale molecular profiling of pathological bone resolves sexually dimorphic control of extracellular matrix composition
Authors: Sharma Aikta , Goring Alice , Johnson Peter B. , Emery Roger J. H. , Hesse Eric , Boyde Alan , Olsen Bjorn R. , Pitsillides Andrew A. , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Mahajan Sumeet , Clarkin Claire E. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Collagen assembly during development is essential for successful matrix mineralisation, which determines bone quality and mechanocompetence. However, the biochemical and structural perturbations that drive pathological skeletal collagen configuration remain unclear. Deletion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; also known as VEGFA) in bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs) induces sex-specific alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) conformation and mineralisation coupled to vascular changes, which are augmented in males. Whether this phenotypic dimorphism arises as a result of the divergent control of ECM composition and its subsequent arrangement is unknown and is the focus of this study. Herein, we used murine osteocalcin-specific Vegf knockout (OcnVEGFKO) and performed ex vivo multiscale analysis at the tibiofibular junction of both sexes. Label-free and non-destructive polarisation-resolved second-harmonic generation (p-SHG) microscopy revealed a reduction in collagen fibre number in males following the loss of VEGF, complemented by observable defects in matrix organisation by backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy. This was accompanied by localised divergence in collagen orientation, determined by p-SHG anisotropy measurements, as a result of OcnVEGFKO. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the effect on collagen was linked to molecular dimorphic VEGF effects on collagen-specific proline and hydroxyproline, and collagen intra-strand stability, in addition to matrix carbonation and mineralisation. Vegf deletion in male and female murine OB cultures in vitro further highlighted divergence in genes regulating local ECM structure, including Adamts2, Spp1, Mmp9 and Lama1. Our results demonstrate the utility of macromolecular imaging and spectroscopic modalities for the detection of collagen arrangement and ECM composition in pathological bone. Linking the sex-specific genetic regulators to matrix signatures could be important for treatment of dimorphic bone disorders that clinically manifest in pathological nano- and macro-level disorganisation.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Using linked administrative health data for palliative and end of life care research in Ireland: potential and challenges
Authors: Kelly Maria , O'Brien Katie M , Hannigan Ailish 
Published: February 2021

Background: This study aims to examine the potential of currently available administrative health data for palliative and end-of-life care (PEoLC) research in Ireland. Objectives include to i) identify administrative health data sources for PEoLC research ii) describe the challenges and opportunities of using these and iii) estimate the impact of recent health system reforms and changes to data protection laws. Methods: The 2017 Health Information and Quality Authority catalogue of health and social care datasets was cross-referenced with a recognised list of diseases with associated palliative care needs. Criteria to assess the datasets included population coverage, data collected, data dictionary and data model availability and mechanisms for data access. Results: Eight datasets with potential for PEoLC research were identified, including four disease registries, (cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone and interstitial lung disease), death certificate data, hospital episode data, community prescription data and one national survey. The ad hoc development of the health system in Ireland has resulted in i) a fragmented information infrastructure resulting in gaps in data collections particularly in the primary and community care sector where much palliative care is delivered, ii) ill-defined data governance arrangements across service providers, many of whom are not part of the publically funded health service and iii) systemic and temporal issues that affect data quality. Initiatives to improve data collections include introduction of i) patient unique identifiers, ii) health entity identifiers and iii) integration of the eircode postcodes. Recently enacted general data protection and health research regulations will clarify legal and ethical requirements for data use. Conclusions: With appropriate permissions, detailed knowledge of the datasets and good study design currently available administrative health data can be used for PEoLC research. Ongoing reform initiatives and recent changes to data privacy laws will facilitate future use of administrative health data for PEoLC research.
TEACHING CHESS IN EXTENDED EDUCTION INSTITUTION
Authors: Kukanova Tatyana 
Published: February 2021

Among the areas of extended education of children aimed at their comprehensive development, a special place is given to teaching chess. Chess develops eye-mindedness and logical thinking, attention and memory, contributes to the development of imagination and creativity as well as cultivates perseverance, purposefulness, independence in decision-making. All the skills acquired in the course of chess lessons will help the child in the future, no matter whoever he becomes.
In the practical part of the article, the scenario for holding a chess and draughts tournament for families «Dad, Mom and me – a chess family» was proposed. The tasks of the event conducted by the author are following: testing the knowledge gained, acquiring skills for participating in chess competitions, getting used to the cultural spending of free time, uniting the children's and parents' collective, uniting the families of pupils.
Renewable Power and Electricity Prices: The Impact of Forward Markets
Authors: Peura Heikki , Bunn Derek W. 
Published: February 2021

Increasing variable renewable power generation (e.g., wind) is expected to reduce wholesale electricity prices by virtue of its low marginal production cost. This merit-order effect of renewables displacing incumbent conventional (e.g., gas) generation forms the theoretical underpinning for investment decisions and policy in the power industry. This paper uses a game-theoretic market model to investigate how intermittently available wind generation affects electricity prices in the presence of forward markets, which are widely used by power companies to hedge against revenue variability ahead of near-real-time spot trading. We find that in addition to the established merit-order effect, renewable generation affects power prices through forward-market hedging. This forward effect reinforces the merit-order effect in reducing prices for moderate amounts of wind generation capacity but mitigates or even reverses it for higher capacities. For moderate wind capacity, uncertainty over its output increases hedging, and these higher forward sales lead to lower prices. For higher capacities, however, wind variability conversely causes power producers to behave less aggressively in forward trading for fear of unfavorable spot-market positions. The lower sales counteract the merit-order effect, and prices may then paradoxically increase with wind capacity despite its lower production cost. We confirm the potential for such reversals in a numerical study, suggesting new empirical questions while providing potential explanations for previously contradictory observed effects of market fundamentals. We conclude that considering the conventional merit-order effect alone is insufficient for evaluating the price impacts of variable renewable generation in the presence of forward markets. This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health associated trauma, admissions and fractures at a London major trauma centre
Authors: Hay D , Jamal MS , Al-Tawil K , Petohazi A , Gulli V , Bednarczuk NF , Baldwin-Smith R , Gibbons J , Sinha J 
Published: February 2021

Introduction Non-injury-related factors have been extensively studied in major trauma and have been shown to have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Mental illness and associated medication use has been proven to have a negative effect on bone health and fracture healing. Materials and methods We collated data retrospectively from the records of orthopaedic inpatients in a non-COVID and COVID period. We analysed demographic data, referral and admission numbers, orthopaedic injuries, surgery performed and patient comorbidities, including psychiatric history. Results There were 824 orthopaedic referrals and 358 admissions (six/day) in the non-COVID period, with 38/358 (10.6%) admissions having a psychiatric diagnosis and 30/358 (8.4%) also having a fracture. This was compared with 473 referrals and 195 admissions (three/day) in the COVID period, with 73/195 (37.4%) admissions having a documented psychiatric diagnosis and 47/195 (24.1%) having a fracture. Discussion There was a reduction in the number of admissions and referrals during the pandemic, but a simultaneous three-fold rise in admissions with a psychiatric diagnosis. The proportion of patients with both a fracture and a psychiatric diagnosis more than doubled and the number of patients presenting due to a traumatic suicide attempt almost tripled. Conclusion While total numbers using the orthopaedic service decreased, the impact of the pandemic and lockdown disproportionately affects those with mental health problems, a group already at higher risk of poorer functional outcomes and non-union. It is imperative that adequate support is in place for patients with vulnerable mental health during these periods, particularly as we look towards a potential ‘second wave’ of COVID-19.
Egg and cholesterol consumption and mortality from cardiovascular and different causes in the United States: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Zhuang Pan , Wu Fei , Mao Lei , Zhu Fanghuan , Zhang Yiju , Chen Xiaoqian , Jiao Jingjing , Zhang Yu 
Published: February 2021

Background
Whether consumption of egg and cholesterol is detrimental to cardiovascular health and longevity is highly debated. Data from large-scale cohort studies are scarce. This study aimed to examine the associations of egg and cholesterol intakes with mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and other causes in a US population.

Methods and findings
Overall, 521,120 participants (aged 50–71 years, mean age = 62.2 years, 41.2% women, and 91.8% non-Hispanic white) were recruited from 6 states and 2 additional cities in the US between 1995 and 1996 and prospectively followed up until the end of 2011. Intakes of whole eggs, egg whites/substitutes, and cholesterol were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cause-specific hazard models considering competing risks were used, with the lowest quintile of energy-adjusted intake (per 2,000 kcal per day) as the reference. There were 129,328 deaths including 38,747 deaths from CVD during a median follow-up of 16 years. Whole egg and cholesterol intakes were both positively associated with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. In multivariable-adjusted models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) associated with each intake of an additional half of a whole egg per day were 1.07 (1.06–1.08) for all-cause mortality, 1.07 (1.06–1.09) for CVD mortality, and 1.07 (1.06–1.09) for cancer mortality. Each intake of an additional 300 mg of dietary cholesterol per day was associated with 19%, 16%, and 24% higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality, respectively. Mediation models estimated that cholesterol intake contributed to 63.2% (95% CI 49.6%–75.0%), 62.3% (95% CI 39.5%–80.7%), and 49.6% (95% CI 31.9%–67.4%) of all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality associated with whole egg consumption, respectively. Egg white/substitute consumers had lower all-cause mortality and mortality from stroke, cancer, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer disease compared with non-consumers. Hypothetically, replacing half a whole egg with equivalent amounts of egg whites/substitutes, poultry, fish, dairy products, or nuts/legumes was related to lower all-cause, CVD, cancer, and respiratory disease mortality. Study limitations include its observational nature, reliance on participant self-report, and residual confounding despite extensive adjustment for acknowledged dietary and lifestyle risk factors.

Conclusions
In this study, intakes of eggs and cholesterol were associated with higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. The increased mortality associated with egg consumption was largely influenced by cholesterol intake. Our findings suggest limiting cholesterol intake and replacing whole eggs with egg whites/substitutes or other alternative protein sources for facilitating cardiovascular health and long-term survival.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00340015.
Willingness to work during initial lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic: Study based on an online survey among physicians of Bangladesh
Authors: Rafi Md. Abdur , Hasan M. Tasdik , Azad Dewan Tasnia , Alam Syeda Fatema , Podder Vivek , Hossain Sahadat , Akther S. M. Quamrul , Ashraf Fatema , Hossain Md. Golam 
Published: February 2021

Background
During the catastrophic situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the health care workers (HCWs) is the most crucial, and their absenteeism, whether due to inability or unwillingness, becomes a major concern for the national health system. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the willingness and its associated factors to work during the COVID-19 pandemic among the physicians of Bangladesh.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April 21 to May 10, 2020, using an online survey among the Bangladeshi physicians living in the country. Both univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to determine the predictors of the willingness of the physicians to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results
More than 69% physicians reported that they were willing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, 8.9% reported that they were not willing, while 21.4% of participants were not sure about their willingness. Younger age, having experience of treating patients during previous pandemics, working in the emergency departments and high self-reported compliance to the recommended PPE were important predictors of being willing to work during COVID-19 pandemic. Concern for family and risk of transmitting the infection to family members were most commonly reported as major barriers of working during the pandemic (30%) followed by having comorbidities (25%), lack of adequate safety measures (25%), fear of being infected (12.2%), not involved in clinical practice (12.5%) etc.

Conclusions
Though the majority of the physicians were willing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, sufficient supply of PPE, support to maintain recommended quarantine and isolation policy after risky hospital duty along with adequate and effective training can increase their willingness to continue their sacred duty during this crucial pandemic.