bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farm‐scale assessment of maize–pigeonpea productivity in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Mugi-Ngenga E. , Zingore S. , Bastiaans L. , Anten N. P. R. , Giller K. E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLittle is known about productivity of smallholder maize–pigeonpea intercropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a survey of 277 farm households in Northern Tanzania to assess socio-economic factors, field management characteristics, and their association with productivity of maize–pigeonpea intercrops. On each farm, crop assessments were focused on a field that the farmer identified as most important for food supply. Variables associated with yields were evaluated using linear regression and regression classification.
Biomass production ranged between 1.0 and 16.6 for maize, and between 0.2 and 11.9 t ha−1 for pigeonpea (at maize harvest). The corresponding grain yields ranged between 0.1 and 9.5 for maize, and between 0.1 and 2.1 t ha−1 for pigeonpea. Plant density at harvest, number of years the field had been cultivated, slope, weeding, soil fertility class, fertiliser and manure use were significantly associated with variation in maize grain yield, with interactions among the factors. Fields on flat and gentle slopes with plant density above 24,000 ha−1 had 28% extra yields when fertiliser was applied, while less than 24,000 plants ha−1 yielded 16% extra yield when manure was applied. Plant density at harvest was the key factor associated with pigeonpea yield; fields with densities above 24,000 plants ha−1 yielded an average of 1.4 t ha−1, while less than 24,000 plants ha−1 yielded 0.5 t ha−1. We conclude that performance of intercrops can be enhanced through application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources, and agronomic interventions including weeding, implementing soil conservation measures on steep slopes and optimising plant density.
On making a difference: towards a minimally non-trivial version of the identity of indiscernibles
Authors: Wörner David 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe identity of indiscernibles (PII) states that indiscernible objects must be identical. Many philosophers have held that the PII turns out to be either true but trivial, or non-trivial but false, depending on how the notion of (in)discernibility is spelled out. In this paper, I propose and defend an account of this notion which aims to yield a minimally non-trivial and yet plausible version of the PII. I argue moreover that this version of the principle is immune to a number of well-known and recent objections to the PII.
Multiple Factors Influence the Accumulation of Heavy Metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn) in Forest Soils in the Vicinity of Roadways
Authors: Kupka Dawid , Kania Mateusz , Pietrzykowski Marcin , Łukasik Adam , Gruba Piotr 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntensified vehicular traffic causes increased heavy metal contamination of the environment. We investigated the heavy metal chemistry of soils located under silver fir stands in the vicinity of Poland’s S7 roadway. Three sampling sites were located in fir stands in central Poland. Fieldwork included soil sampling of the organic (O) horizon and mineral (A) topsoil. We analyzed the soil pH, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentration, and the HCl-extractable forms of sodium (Na) and heavy metals: copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). The stoichiometric ratios Cu:C, Ni:C, Pb:C, and Zn:C were also calculated. In all sites, a higher Na concentration was found in the 0–10 m from the forest edge. This zone was characterized by increased pH in the O horizon, increased Zn and Ni in the A horizon, and a decreased Pb in the O horizon. There was no clear pattern for the Cu concentration. The Ni:C and Zn:C ratios were correlated with pH, while Pb:C and Cu:C ratios were correlated with the clay minerals. HCl-extractable Ni and Zn concentrations in A horizon were greater near the roadway, revealing strong pH dependency. The roadway affects the geochemical background of the topsoil in the nearby fir stands. Mechanistically, we suggest that Na increases the soil pH and therefore enhances the ability of soil organic matter to bind Ni and Zn by releasing hydrogen from soil organic matter functional groups into the soil solution. A depleted Pb near the road was likely owing to the strong competition from Na.
Ignoring Implementation: Defects in Canada’s “Rape Shield” Policy Cycle
Authors: McNabb Danielle , Baker Dennis 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article employs a “policy cycle” framework to explore Bill C-51, legislation which contains Canada’s latest amendments to the “rape shield.” Through an in-depth evaluation of earlier rape shield reforms, as well as a content analysis of the legislative proceedings of Bill C-51, this paper reveals that, while the impetus for introducing rape shield legislation is to protect the equality and privacy rights of sexual assault complainants, the legislative process of these “policy cycles” focuses disproportionately on remedying due process concerns and less on the problems that arise in judicial implementation of the provisions. We situate this finding within the larger trend towards the “judicialization of politics,” and trace some of the institutional and structural obstacles that impede Parliamentarians from more effectively legislating to improve sexual assault trials for complainants.
Correction in Active Cases Data of COVID-19 for the US States by Analytical Study
Authors: Solanki Ravi , Varshney Anubhav , Gourishetty Raveesh , Minase Saniya , Sivadas Namitha , Mahajan Ashutosh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe total coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have reached 139 million worldwide and nearing 3 million deaths on April 16, 2021. The availability of accurate data is crucial as it makes it possible to analyze correctly the infection trends and make better forecasts. The reported recovered cases for many US states are surprisingly low. This could be due to difficulties in keeping track of recoveries, which resulted in higher numbers for the reported active cases than the actual numbers on the ground. In this work, based on the typical range of recovery rate for COVID-19, we estimate the active data from the total cases and death cases and bring out a correction for the data for all the US states reported on Worldometer.
“THIS MAN IS MY WIFE”: THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PROHIBITION ACT OF 2014 IN NIGERIA
Authors: Oladosu-Uthman Habibat 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe increased visibility of same-sex relationships and the call for same-sex marriages have been particular challenges to the traditional marriage system in Africa in the contemporary period. While some critics have argued, erroneously, that same-sex relationships were completely unknown to the African continent until the advent of Western modernity, others have suggested that the practices speak to a greater malaise confronting African societies. Nigeria is not an exception in this case. In light of these trends, this article examines the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which was promulgated by the Nigerian government in 2014 and has since led to infractions upon the human rights of citizens in same-sex relationships. The article examines these developments around same-sex relationships in the context of wider social and economic challenges to the traditional marriage institution in Nigeria.
Inflammatory neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19 neuroinflammation
Authors: Tang Siu Wa , Helmeste Daiga , Leonard Brian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNeuropsychiatric sequalae to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are beginning to emerge, like previous Spanish influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome episodes. Streptococcal infection in paediatric patients causing obsessive compulsive disorder (PANDAS) is another recent example of an infection-based psychiatric disorder. Inflammation associated with neuropsychiatric disorders has been previously reported but there is no standard clinical management approach established. Part of the reason is that it is unclear what factors determine the specific neuronal vulnerability and the efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment in neuroinflammation. The emerging COVID-19 data suggested that in the acute stage, widespread neuronal damage appears to be the result of abnormal and overactive immune responses and cytokine storm is associated with poor prognosis. It is still too early to know if there are long-term-specific neuronal or brain regional damages associated with COVID-19, resulting in distinct neuropsychiatric disorders. In several major psychiatric disorders where neuroinflammation is present, patients with abnormal inflammatory markers may also experience less than favourable response or treatment resistance when standard treatment is used alone. Evidence regarding the benefits of co-administered anti-inflammatory agents such as COX-2 inhibitor is encouraging in selected patients though may not benefit others. Disease-modifying therapies are increasingly being applied to neuropsychiatric diseases characterised by abnormal or hyperreactive immune responses. Adjunct anti-inflammatory treatment may benefit selected patients and is definitely an important component of clinical management in the presence of neuroinflammation.
Apples before the fall: Does shape stability coincide with maturity?
Authors: Christodoulou Maria D. , Culham Alastair 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Fruit shape is the result of the interaction between genetic, epigenetic, environmental factors and stochastic processes. As a core biological descriptor both for taxonomy and horticulture, the point at which shape stability is reached becomes paramount in apple cultivar identification, and authentication in commerce. Twelve apple cultivars were sampled at regular intervals from anthesis to harvest over two growing seasons. Linear and geometric morphometrics were analysed to establish if and when shape stabilised and whether fruit asymmetry influenced this. Shape stability was detected in seven cultivars, four asymmetric and three symmetric. The remaining five did not stabilise. Shape stability, as defined here, is cultivar-dependent, and when it occurs, it is late in the growing season. Geometric morphometrics detected stability more readily than linear, especially in symmetric cultivars. Key shape features are important in apple marketing, giving the distinctness and apparent uniformity between cultivars expected at point of sale.
Attach importance of the bootstrapttest against Student'sttest in clinical epidemiology: a demonstrative comparison using COVID-19 as an example
Authors: Zhao Shi , Yang Zuyao , Musa Salihu S. , Ran Jinjun , Chong Marc K. C. , Javanbakht Mohammad , He Daihai , Wang Maggie H. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractStudent'sttest is valid for statistical inference under the normality assumption or asymptotically. By contrast, although the bootstrapttest was proposed in 1993, it is seldom adopted in medical research. We aim to demonstrate that the bootstrapttest outperforms Student'sttest under normality in data. Using random data samples from normal distributions, we evaluated the testing performance, in terms of true-positive rate (TPR) and false-positive rate and diagnostic abilities, in terms of the area under the curve (AUC), of the bootstrapttest and Student'sttest. We explore the AUC of both tests with varying sample size and coefficient of variation. We compare the testing outcomes using the COVID-19 serial interval (SI) data in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China, for demonstration. With fixed TPR, the bootstrapttest maintained the equivalent accuracy in TPR, but significantly improved the true-negative rate from the Student'sttest. With varying TPR, the diagnostic ability of bootstrapttest outperformed or equivalently performed as Student'sttest in terms of the AUC. The equivalent performances are possible but rarely occur in practice. We find that the bootstrapttest outperforms by successfully detecting the difference in COVID-19 SI, which is defined as the time interval between consecutive transmission generations, due to sex and non-pharmaceutical interventions against the Student'sttest. We demonstrated that the bootstrapttest outperforms Student'sttest, and it is recommended to replace Student'sttest in medical data analysis regardless of sample size.
A scoping review of research on policies to address child undernutrition in the Millennium Development Goals era
Authors: Pike Vanessa , Bradley Beverly , Rappaport Aviva I , Zlotkin Stanley , Perumal Nandita 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjective:The breadth of research on the impact of nutrition-specific policies to address child undernutrition is not well documented. This review maps the evidence base and identifies gaps on such policies.Design:We systematically searched Medline, Embase, PAIS Index for public policy, Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify eligible studies. Key study characteristics, including research design, type of policy, time span of policy before impact assessment, child age at outcome assessment and types of outcomes assessed, were abstracted in duplicate.Setting:Low-, middle- and high-income countries.Participants:Studies were eligible for inclusion if they aimed to assess the impact of population-level nutrition-specific policies on undernutrition among children under 10 years of age.Results:Of the 5646 abstracts screened, eighty-three studies were included. A range of policies to address child undernutrition were evaluated; the majority were related to micronutrient fortification. Most studies were observational, reported on mandatory regional or sub-national polices, were conducted in high-income countries and evaluated policies within 1 year of implementation. A narrow set of health outcomes were evaluated, most commonly iodine deficiency disorders and neural tube defects.Conclusions:Nutrition policies were commonly associated with improved child nutritional status and health. However, this evidence is primarily based on limited settings and on a limited number of outcomes. Further research is needed to assess the longer-term impact of a broader range of nutrition policies on child health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Matrices of ‘Love and Theft’: Joan Baez Imitates Bob Dylan
Authors: HADDON MIMI 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article uses Joan Baez's impersonations of Bob Dylan from the mid-1960s to the beginning of the twenty-first century as performances where multiple fields of complementary discourse converge. The article is organized in three parts. The first part addresses the musical details of Baez's acts of mimicry and their uncanny ability to summon Dylan's predecessors. The second considers mimicry in the context of identity, specifically race and asymmetrical power relations in the history of American popular music. The third and final section analyses her imitations in the context of gender and reproductive labour, focusing on the way various media have shaped her persona and her relationship to Dylan. The article engages critical theoretical work informed by psychoanalysis, post-colonial theory, and Marxist feminism.
FSS-based triplate antenna design concept for wireless devices
Authors: Kotrashetti Ashwini , Lande B. K , Poddar Ajay 
Published: April 2021

AbstractConventional multiband antennas suffer from strong interactions among different operating frequencies, complex configurations, low bandwidth, and reduced efficiencies. A design concept for a multibeam multiband antenna in wireless devices is proposed in this paper. The design concept provides a promising approach to augment transmission and reception. The principle of design involves a primary radiating element embedded in a triplate conformation which excites a passive array of multiple frequency secondary radiators, forming a frequency selective structure in triplate (FSST). The higher order mode behavior of the parent antenna characterizes the design of FSST placed in its nearfield. The mathematical modeling and analysis of the design methodology is also presented. As proof of concept, the proposed design methodology is validated with simulations and experiments at four unlicensed communication bands and the results are compared.
A Threshold Sea‐Surface Temperature at 14°C for Phytoplankton Nonlinear Responses to Ocean Warming
Authors: Feng Jianfeng , Stige Leif Chr , Hessen Dag Olav , Zuo Zhiling , Zhu Lin , Stenseth Nils Chr 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMarine phytoplankton play a central role in supporting life in the oceans and profoundly affect global biogeochemical cycles. Previous studies have revealed positive effects of sea‐surface temperature (SST) on phytoplankton in terms of chlorophyll a concentrations (Chla) in high latitude oceans, while negative effects prevail in tropical and midlatitude oceans as well as under stratified summer conditions at higher latitudes. Based on a global analysis of 20 years of ocean Chla and SST data, we first investigated how interannual variability in SST is associated with Chla for each month of the season for every ocean province. We then quantified how the SST‐Chla relationships varied with the long‐term average (baseline) SST. We found significant season‐dependent SST effects on Chla in most ocean provinces. The signs and magnitudes of these effects were consistently associated with the baseline SST, with a shift from positive to negative effects of SST on Chla around 14°C. Based on field observations and literature data, we also estimated the interaction between nitrate limitation and temperature on the SST‐Chla relationship. Our findings suggest that the ocean warming effects on Chla depend consistently on the baseline temperature, both with regard to seasonal effects within regions and regional effects between high and low latitude provinces. Our analysis further suggests that the monthly 14°C isotherms can be used as a first approximation to separate areas and seasons where warming has opposite signed effects.
Contrasting Growth Response of Jack Pine and Trembling Aspen to Climate Warming in Quebec Mixedwoods Forests of Eastern Canada Since the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Boakye Emmanuel A. , Bergeron Yves , Girardin Martin P. , Drobyshev Igor 
Published: April 2021

AbstractForest monitoring studies show contrasting trends in tree growth rates since the mid‐twentieth century. However, due to their focus on annual and decadal dynamics, they provide limited insight into the effects of long‐term climatic variability on tree growth. Here, we relied on a large tree‐ring dataset (∼2,700 trees) of two common North American shade‐intolerant tree species, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lambert), to assess their lifespan‐long growth dynamics in the mixedwood forests of Québec. We also determined how the environmental conditions of the stands influenced tree growth. We observed a significant increase in the radial growth rate of trembling aspen during the study period, while the jack pine decline was not significant. Over the whole study region, the trees growing in sites with lower competition, and those at the lower sections of the terrain slope experienced more of the positive effects of temperature on growth rates. Our study suggests that the tree growth response to climate warming may be species‐specific and will vary across the boreal mixedwoods.
FTA: A Feature Tracking Empirical Model of Auroral Precipitation
Authors: Wu Chen , Ridley Aaron J. , DeJong Anna D. , Paxton Larry J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Feature Tracking of Aurora (FTA) model was constructed using 1.5 years of Polar Ultraviolet Imager data and is based on tracking a cumulative energy grid in 96 magnetic local time (MLT) sectors. The equatorward boundary, poleward boundary, and 19 cumulative energy bins are tracked with the energy flux and the latitudinal position. With AE increasing, the equatorward boundary moves to lower latitudes everywhere, while the poleward boundary moves poleward in the 2300–0300 MLT region and equatorward in other MLT sectors. This results in the aurora getting wider on the nightside and becoming narrower on the dayside. The peak intensity of the aurora in each MLT sector is almost linearly related to AE, with the global peak moving from pre‐midnight to post‐midnight as geomagnetic activity increases. Ratios between the Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield‐long and ‐short models allow the average energy to be calculated. Predictions from the FTA and two other auroral models were compared to the measurements by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imagers (SSUSI) on March 17, 2013. Among the three models, the FTA model specified the most confined patterns with the highest energy flux, agreeing with the spatial and temporal evolution of SSUSI measurements better and predicted auroral power (AP) better during higher activity levels (SSUSI AP > 20 GW). The Fuller‐Rowell and Evans (1987) and FTA models specified very similar average energy compared with SSUSI measurements, doing slightly better by ∼1 keV than the OVATION Prime model.
Genome sequence analysis of deep sea Aspergillus sydowii BOBA1 and effect of high pressure on biodegradation of spent engine oil
Authors: Ganesh Kumar A. , Manisha D. , Sujitha K. , Magesh Peter D. , Kirubagaran R. , Dharani G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA deep-sea fungus Aspergillus sydowii BOBA1 isolated from marine sediment at a depth of 3000 m was capable of degrading spent engine (SE) oil. The response of immobilized fungi towards degradation at elevated pressure was studied in customized high pressure reactors without any deviation in simulating in situ deep-sea conditions. The growth rate of A. sydowii BOBA1 in 0.1 MPa was significantly different from the growth at 10 MPa pressure. The degradation percentage reached 71.2 and 82.5% at atmospheric and high pressure conditions, respectively, within a retention period of 21 days. The complete genome sequence of BOBA1 consists of 38,795,664 bp in size, comprises 2582 scaffolds with predicted total coding genes of 18,932. A total of 16,247 genes were assigned with known functions and many families found to have a potential role in PAHs and xenobiotic compound metabolism. Functional genes controlling the pathways of hydrocarbon and xenobiotics compound degrading enzymes such as dioxygenase, decarboxylase, hydrolase, reductase and peroxidase were identified. The spectroscopic and genomic analysis revealed the presence of combined catechol, gentisate and phthalic acid degradation pathway. These results of degradation and genomic studies evidenced that this deep-sea fungus could be employed to develop an eco-friendly mycoremediation technology to combat the oil polluted marine environment. This study expands our knowledge on piezophilic fungi and offer insight into possibilities about the fate of SE oil in deep-sea.