bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of specimen size on the fibre geometry and tensile strength of ultra‐high‐performance fibre‐reinforced concrete
Authors: Maryamh Kasem , Hauch Konstantin , Redenbach Claudia , Schnell Jürgen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe influence of the specimen size of ultra‐high‐performance fibre‐reinforced concrete samples on the spatial distribution and orientation of the steel fibres is investigated. Specimens of varying size are produced by using the same protocol. They are imaged by micro‐computed tomography to perform a statistical analysis of the spatial arrangement of the fibres. The tensile strength of the specimens is measured by tensile tests on subspecimens of equal size. The results are correlated to geometric characteristics of the fibre systems determined from the image data. Increasing the specimen size results in a larger variability of the local fibre geometry. This effect was most prominent when increasing the height of the specimens.
Differentially expressed microRNAs that target functional genes in mature soybean nodules
Authors: Fan Kejing , Wong‐Bajracharya Johanna , Lin Xiao , Ni Meng , Ku Yee‐Shan , Li Man‐Wah , Tian Chang Fu , Chan Ting‐Fung , Lam Hon‐Ming 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of biological functions in plants. To find out what roles miRNAs play in regulating symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], we identified high‐confidence differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs from uninoculated roots (UR), rhizobium‐inoculated roots (IR), and nodules (NODs) of soybean by robust small RNA sequencing (sRNA‐seq). Based on their predicted target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), the expression profiles of some of these DE miRNAs could be linked to nodule functions. In particular, several miRNAs associated with nutrient transportation genes were differentially expressed in IRs and mature NODs. MiR399b, specifically, was highly induced in IRs and NODs, as well as by inorganic phosphate (Pi) starvation. In composite soybean plants overexpressing miR399b, PHOSPHATE2 (PHO2), a known target of miR399b that inhibits the activities of high‐affinity Pi transporters, was strongly repressed. In addition, the overexpression of miR399b in the roots of transgenic composite plants significantly improved whole‐plant Pi and ureide concentrations and the overall growth in terms of leaf node numbers and whole‐plant dry weight. Our findings suggest that the induction of miR399b in NODs could enhance nitrogen fixation and soybean growth, possibly via improving Pi uptake to achieve a better Pi–nitrogen balance to promote SNF in nodules.
Characterisation of Brucella species and biovars in South Africa between 2008 and 2018 using laboratory diagnostic data
Authors: Matle Itumeleng , Ledwaba Betty , Madiba Karabelo , Makhado Lavhelesani , Jambwa Kudakwashe , Ntushelo Nombasa 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundBrucellosis is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and other animals. In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), animal brucellosis is widespread and the current available data on the prevalence of this disease rely solely on serological testing. The primary limitation of brucellosis serology is the lack of discriminatory powers to differentiate between Brucella species and biovars as well as the cross‐reactivity observed with other Gram‐negative bacteria.AimThe aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective laboratory‐based survey on Brucella species and biovars isolated from various animal species in SA between 2008 and 2018.Material and MethodsThe isolation of Brucella species and biovar typing was performed using conventional microbiological techniques.Results and DiscussionA total of 963 strains of Brucella species were included in this study with a frequency of detection for B. abortus (n = 883; 91.6%) followed by B. melitensis (n = 42; 4.4%), B. ovis (n = 29; 3.0%) and B. canis (n = 9; 0.9%). Of the 883 strains of B. abortus, 90.1% were typed as B. abortus biovar‐1 while 5.7% as B. abortus biovar‐2, and 3.3% and 0.5% were B. abortus S19 and B. abortus RB51 vaccine strains, respectively. Among the 42 B. melitensis strains, 71.4% were reported as B. melitensis biovar‐1 and 26.2% as B. melitensis biovar‐3 while 2.4% was B. melitensis biovar‐2.ConclusionA retrospective study, such as this one, provides useful information that can be critical in formulating policies and strategies for the control and eradication of brucellosis in animal populations in RSA.
Multicriteria wind potential assessment using fuzzy logic in decision making: A case study of Iran
Authors: Aryanfar Amin , Gholami Aslan , Pourgholi Mahdi , Zandi Majid 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe current paper introduces an innovative multicriteria wind potential assessment study using fuzzy logic in decision making. Regarding the diverse conditions and lack of comprehensive studies, Iran was selected as a case study, and by applying the proposed framework, all the 559 synoptic meteorological stations in the country were studied. Fourteen technical, eco‐environmental, and social indicators were defined for the assessment. Each of the indicator's effectiveness was determined using related literature and interviews with local experts. Finally, using fuzzy logic in decision making, all the selected sites and the provinces were scored and ranked. Moreover, the priority maps of Iran provinces considering social and eco‐environmental aspects were provided. The selected sites' final standing for the development of offshore and onshore wind power plant was also determined. The results indicate that taking just the technical conditions into account can result in misleading conclusions and social and eco‐environmental criteria must also be considered for potential assessment studies. Moreover, it was shown that equal supportive policies for wind development throughout the country would mitigate their efficiency. Therefore, the energy strategies should be codified, considering local circumstances to organize investment resources, leading to higher legislation efficiencies and faster development.
Anthropogenic influence on water quality and phytoplankton diversity of upper Ganga basin: A case study of Ganga River and its major tributaries
Authors: Malik D. S. , Sharma M. K. , Sharma Arvind K. , Kamboj Vishal , Sharma Amit K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWater quality plays a vital and key role in estimating the diversity and abundance of phytoplankton in freshwater ecosystem. The water quality of freshwater body is rapidly deteriorating by various anthropogenic activities and diverse emancipations from the population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. The aim of present research work was to estimate the anthropogenic influence on water quality and phytoplankton diversity of upper Ganga basin. The water quality and plankton diversity of a Ganga River and its major tributaries was studied between September 2018 and September 2020 in eight sampling stations. Some physico‐chemical parameters like turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and biological oxygen demand showed a slight increase in sampling stations 7 and 8. Multi‐correlation was calculated between physico‐chemical parameters and phytoplankton density. Totally 31 genera of phytoplankton were recorded and represented by five groups, Bacillariophyceae (14 genera), Chlorophyceae (11 genera) Myxophyceae (4 genera), Euglenophyceae (1 genera), and Xanthophyceae (1 genera). Dissolved oxygen showed a direct influence on the distribution of plankton and also showed a positive correlation with phytoplankton diversity. Finally, it can be concluded that human activities including River bed mining, construction of Dam, and barrages had negatively impacted the water quality and phytoplankton diversity. Still, these kinds of activities to be checked regularly and can be controlled.
Metal‐ligand cooperative activation of HX (X=H, Br, OR) bond on Mn based pincer complexes
Authors: Krieger Annika M. , Sinha Vivek , Kalikadien Adarsh V. , Pidko Evgeny A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractReversible dissociation of H−X bond (M−L+H−X→M(X)‐L(H);
) is an important step during pre‐activation, catalysis and possible deactivation of acid‐base cooperative pincer based transition metal catalysts (M−L). Herein we carried out a high‐throughput computational investigation of the thermodynamic stability of different adducts in various functionalized Mn(I) based pincer complexes. We used a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and density functional tight binding (DFTB) calculations to analyze
of >700 (M(X)‐L(H)) intermediates based on functionalized variants of four pincer type ligand scaffolds derived from PCP, CNC, PNP and SNS ligands. We discovered linear scaling relations between
of various species. Strongest correlations were found between species of similar size and chemical nature e. g.
correlated best with
and worst with
. Such scaling relations can be useful for property based screening of catalysts and selection of (co)solvent/substrate/base for optimized reaction conditions. We also investigated the influence of the ligand backbone and the functionalization of donor and backbone sites in the ligand. Our analysis reveals the crucial role of the second coordination sphere functionalization for the reactivity of the complexes with impact in some cases exceeding that of the variation of the functional groups directly attached to the donor atoms.
A User Guide for the Identification of New RiPP Biosynthetic Gene Clusters Using a RiPPER-Based Workflow
Authors: Moffat Alaster D. , Santos-Aberturas Javier , Chandra Govind , Truman Andrew W. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn recent years, genome mining has become a powerful strategy for the discovery of new specialized metabolites from microorganisms. However, the discovery of new groups of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) by employing the currently available genome mining tools has proven challenging due to their inherent biases towards previously known RiPP families. In this chapter we provide detailed guidelines on using RiPPER, a recently developed RiPP-oriented genome mining tool conceived for the exploration of genomic database diversity in a flexible manner, thus allowing the discovery of truly new RiPP chemistry. In addition, using TfuA proteins of Alphaproteobacteria as an example, we present a complete workflow which integrates the functionalities of RiPPER with existing bioinformatic tools into a complete genome mining strategy. This includes some key updates to RiPPER (updated to version 1.1), which substantially simplify implementing this workflow.
Hamiltonian charges in the asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes
Authors: Kolanowski Maciej , Lewandowski Jerzy 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We generalize a notion of ‘conserved’ charges given by Wald and Zoupas to the asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes. Surprisingly, our construction is less ambiguous than the one encountered in the asymptotically flat context. An expansion around exact solutions possessing Killing vectors provides their physical meaning. In particular, we discuss a question of how to define energy and angular momenta of gravitational waves propagating on Kottler and Carter backgrounds. We show that obtained expressions have a correct limit as Λ → 0. We also comment on the relation between this approach and the one based on the canonical phase space of initial data at ℐ+.
Cuts and isogenies
Authors: Frellesvig Hjalte , Vergu Cristian , Volk Matthias , von Hippel Matt 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe consider the genus-one curves which arise in the cuts of the sunrise and in the elliptic double-box Feynman integrals. We compute and compare invariants of these curves in a number of ways, including Feynman parametrization, lightcone and Baikov (in full and loop-by-loop variants). We find that the same geometry for the genus-one curves arises in all cases, which lends support to the idea that there exists an invariant notion of genus-one geometry, independent on the way it is computed. We further indicate how to interpret some previous results which found that these curves are related by isogenies instead.
Seiberg-Witten map for D-branes in large R-R field background
Authors: Ma Chen-Te 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We obtain a Seiberg-Witten map for the gauge sector of multiple Dp-branes in a large R-R (p − 1)-form field background up to the first-order in the inverse R-R field background. By applying the Seiberg-Witten map and then electromagnetic duality on the non-commutative D3-brane theory in the large R-R 2-form background, we find the expected commutative diagram of the Seiberg-Witten map and electromagnetic duality. Extending the U(1) gauge group to the U(N) gauge group, we obtain a commutative description of the D-branes in the large R-R field background. This construction is different from the known result.
Effect of 1 mg/kg oral prednisolone on biochemical analytes in ten dogs: a cross-over study
Authors: Pettersson Helena , Ekstrand Carl , Hillström Anna , Lilliehöök Inger 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrednisolone is used for treatment of inflammatory, allergic, neoplastic, and immune-mediated diseases in dogs. As a glucocorticoid, prednisolone has biochemical effects, which may interfere with the interpretation of biochemistry test results. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of prednisolone treatment in an anti-inflammatory dose on common biochemical analytes in dogs and to evaluate the clinical relevance of the changes. Ten beagle dogs, enrolled in a cross-over study, were treated with oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg 24 h) for 10 days. Blood samples were collected at day 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, and 20. Data was analyzed using a general linear model with time and treatment as fixed factors. Pairwise comparisons were done between prednisolone and control period for each dog and sampling. Significant results were further evaluated for clinical relevance using laboratory-specific reference intervals and reference change values (RCVs), when available. Statistically significant changes were observed for ALP activity and iron concentration, which increased to levels exceeding the RCV, and several results were outside reference intervals. Phosphate and bile acids increased significantly, while amylase, lipase, and cholesterol decreased significantly, but with mean/median results remaining within reference intervals. Anti-inflammatory prednisolone treatment did not induce significant changes in ALT, GLDH, GGT, cPLI, glucose, or calcium. Treatment with an anti-inflammatory dose of prednisolone induced changes in several analytes. Only the increases in ALP and iron were of such magnitude that they are expected to affect the clinical interpretation of test results.
Sex differences in pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder: results from the AMSP pharmacovigilance program from 2001 to 2017
Authors: Seifert Johanna , Führmann Fabienne , Reinhard Matthias A. , Engel Rolf R. , Bernegger Xueqiong , Bleich Stefan , Stübner Susanne , Rüther Eckart , Toto Sermin , Grohmann Renate , Sieberer Marcel , Greil Waldemar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractData on drug prescription for outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) suggest women are more likely to be treated with psychotropic drugs, while data on sex differences regarding pharmacological treatment of psychiatric inpatients are currently not available. Drug utilization data from the program “Drug Safety in Psychiatry” (German: Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie, AMSP) of 44,418 psychiatric inpatients with MDD were analyzed for sex differences between 2001 and 2017. Sex differences were analyzed using relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Time trends were analyzed by comparing the first (2001–2003) with the last time period (2015–2017). In general, men and women were equally likely to use psychotropic drugs. Monotherapy was more common in men. Women were more likely to utilize ≥ 4 psychotropic drugs. Antidepressant drugs (ADDs) were the most prescribed drug class. Men had a higher utilization of noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.12–1.19), especially mirtazapine (RR 1.16; 95% CI 1.12–1.19), but also of other ADDs such as bupropion (RR 1.50; 95% CI 1.35–1.68). Males had a slightly higher utilization of second-generation antipsychotic drugs (RR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03–1.09) and were less often treated with low-potency first-generation antipsychotic drugs (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.83–0.90). Tranquilizing (e.g., benzodiazepines; RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.86–0.92) and hypnotic drugs (e.g., Z-drugs; RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.81–0.89) were less utilized in the treatment of male patients. Not all sex differences were stable over time. More sex differences were detectable in 2015–2017 than in 2001–2003. Findings suggest that certain psychotropic drugs are preferred in the treatment of men vs. women, however, sex differences found in this study are not as large as in ambulatory settings. To make evidence-based sex-specific recommendations in the treatment of MDD, differences in drug response and tolerability need to be further researched.
Robust cross-country comparison of children meeting 24-HR movement guidelines: an odds solution for binary effect efficiency measures
Authors: Eckermann Simon , Willan Andrew R. , Okely Anthony , Tremblay Mark S. , Coelli Tim 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Aim
International comparisons of public health measures relative to observed best practice are increasingly important for evaluating community health promotion strategies and policies such as meeting or not meeting public health guidelines. This study aimed to identify methods enabling robust evaluation with such binary effect measures at a population level.

Subject and methods
Conventional efficiency comparisons of binary effect proportions are problematic due to a lack of consistency with alternate framing of resulting relative risks. In this paper, we illustrate such inconsistent efficiency measures comparing the proportion of school age children (9–11 years) meeting or not meeting integrated movement guidelines (IMGs) across the 12 countries from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) study. IMGs jointly consider physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviours. An odds method is developed to enable consistent efficiency comparison with alternative framing of binary effects.

Results
A novel odds solution to relative risk problems arising with conventional efficiency comparison of binary effects with alternative framing is shown to provide consistent efficiency measures relative to best practice. Furthermore, this technical advancement is shown to extend to consistent indirect comparison and evidence translation.

Conclusion
Robust methods for international cross-country comparison of binary effect measures such as meeting or not meeting guidelines are identified with a novel odds ratio method. This novel solution is particularly important for health promotion evaluation of IMGs given the need for consistent comparison in evaluating practice evidence of what works now and consistent evidence translation of treatment effects as and when they emerge.
Do different response formats affect how test takers approach a clinical reasoning task? An experimental study on antecedents of diagnostic accuracy using a constructed response and a selected response format
Authors: Schauber Stefan K. , Hautz Stefanie C. , Kämmer Juliane E. , Stroben Fabian , Hautz Wolf E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe use of response formats in assessments of medical knowledge and clinical reasoning continues to be the focus of both research and debate. In this article, we report on an experimental study in which we address the question of how much list-type selected response formats and short-essay type constructed response formats are related to differences in how test takers approach clinical reasoning tasks. The design of this study was informed by a framework developed within cognitive psychology which stresses the importance of the interplay between two components of reasoning—self-monitoring and response inhibition—while solving a task or case. The results presented support the argument that different response formats are related to different processing behavior. Importantly, the pattern of how different factors are related to a correct response in both situations seem to be well in line with contemporary accounts of reasoning. Consequently, we argue that when designing assessments of clinical reasoning, it is crucial to tap into the different facets of this complex and important medical process.
VEP-based acuity estimation: unaffected by translucency of contralateral occlusion
Authors: Heinrich Sven P. , Strübin Isabell , Bach Michael 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings for objective visual acuity estimates are typically obtained monocularly with the contralateral eye occluded. Psychophysical studies suggest that the translucency of the occluder has only a minimal effect on the outcome of an acuity test. However, there is literature evidence for the VEP being susceptible to the type of occlusion. The present study assessed whether this has an impact on VEP-based estimates of visual acuity.

Methods
We obtained VEP-based acuity estimates with opaque, non-translucent occlusion of the contralateral eye, and with translucent occlusion that lets most of the light pass while abolishing the perception of any stimulus structure. The tested eye was measured with normal and artificially degraded vision, resulting in a total of 4 experimental conditions. Two different algorithms, a stepwise heuristic and a machine learning approach, were used to derive acuity from the VEP tuning curve.

Results
With normal vision, translucent occlusion resulted in slight, yet statistically significant better acuity estimates when analyzed with the heuristic algorithm (p = 0.014). The effect was small (mean ΔlogMAR = 0.06), not present in some participants, and without practical relevance. It was absent with the machine learning approach. With degraded vision, the difference was tiny and not statistically significant.

Conclusion
The type of occlusion for the contralateral eye does not substantially affect the outcome of VEP-based acuity estimation.
Privacy Enhancing Techniques in the Internet of Things Using Data Anonymisation
Authors: Ren Wang , Tong Xin , Du Jing , Wang Na , Li Shancang , Min Geyong , Zhao Zhiwei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial 4.0 bring enormous potential benefits by enabling highly customised services and applications, which create huge volume and variety of data. However, preserving the privacy in IoT and Industrial 4.0 against re-identification attacks is very challenging. In this work, we considered three main data types generated in IoT: context data, continuous data, and media data. We first proposed a stream data anonymisation method based on k-anonymity for data collected by IoT devices; and then privacy enhancing techniques for both continuous data and media data were proposed for different IoT scenarios. The experiment results show that the proposed techniques can well preserve privacy without significantly affecting the utility of the data.