bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Streptomyces sp. promotes plant growth and confers resistance in Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) against Fusarium wilt
Authors: Dave Anand M , Ingle Sanjay S 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Streptomyces sp. strain S-9 was studied for its effect in inducing systemic resistance in pigeon pea against the plant pathogen Fusarium udum causing wilt. The strain was identified on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The strain's morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics also endorsed its identification as Streptomyces. As a biocontrol agent, Streptomyces sp. S-9 caused 70% inhibition of the pathogen and showed various attributes of plant growth promoting like production of IAA, siderophore, P-solubilization and, S-1, 3-Glucanase activity. Proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly higher whereas the chlorophyll content decreased in the pathogen- infected plant when compared to S-9 treated pigeon pea plants. The anatomical research assisted the biocontrol-mediated stress tolerance findings in the Pigeon pea plant through increased root epidermis and enhanced stress-related xylem tissues. Fungus inoculation elevated the antioxidative enzymatic activities of superoxide-dismutase (SOD; 78%), catalase (CAT; 24–56%), and peroxidase (POX; 26–44%). A marked reduction in antioxidant enzymes were associated with the antagonistic effects of the different treatments. Antifungal compound was extracted from the culture broth by the results promise the use of plant growth-promoting actinomycetes (PGPA) for active induction of systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt in the plant pigeon pea. Conclusions showed that S-9 bioinocula applied as a seed coating enhanced soil availability of phosphate (P) and potassium (K), indicating their suitability for direct application invigorating plant growth and persuade resistance in the plant pigeon pea against Fusarium wilt.
Laser scanning based straightness measurement of precision bright steel rods
Authors: Schmid-Schirling Tobias , Kraft Lea , Carl Daniel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In industrial manufacturing of bright steel rods one important quality factor is the straightness or straightness deviation. Depending on the application, deviations of less than 0.1 mm per meter rod length are desired and can be reached with state of the art manufacturing equipment. Such high quality requirements can only be guaranteed with continuos quality control. Manual straightness measurements conducted offline using a dial gauge provide accurate results on single positions of the rod. We propose a contactless, optical measurment technique based on laser scanning which has the potential to be used inline during production to inspect all rods over the entire length. The method is based on evaluating the intensity signal of the reflected laser radiation against the scan angle. It is shown, that in combination with an accurate calibration this signal can be used to determine the rod’s deviation from a straight rod. We explain the measurement and calibration principle as well as data evaluation. We present the experimental setup and first measurement results on a single position on several samples. For a homogeneous sample surface and neglecting laser drift, accuracy and precision were determined to be in the range of 10 - 20 µm. We discuss the working principle of a potential inline system.
Study on the Staged Operation of a Multi-Purpose Reservoir in Flood Season and its Effect Evaluation
Authors: Mo Chongxun , Zhu Can , ruan yuli , Deng Juan , Jin Juliang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

A reasonable analysis of flood season staging is significant to the utilization of flood and the alleviation of water shortage. For a case study of the Chengbi River reservoir in China. Based on fractal theory, the flood season is divided into several sub-seasons by using four indexes (multi-year average daily rainfall, multi-year maximum rainfall, multi-year average daily runoff, and multi-year maximum daily runoff) in this study. The Cubic spline interpolation function is then used to determine the flood limit water levels of each sub-season. And the Benefit-Risk theory is applied to evaluate the effects of staged dispatching. The results show that the flood season of Chengbi River basin should be divided into the pre-flood season (13 April-6 June), the main flood season (7 June-9 September) and the post-flood season (10 September-31 October). Adjustment of flood limit water level for sub-season and benefit evaluation. When the risk rate after reservoir flood season operation increases by 0.13×10 -5 , the average annual expected risk is 0.2264 million RMB, and the average annual benefit increases by 0.88-1.62 million RMB. The benefits obtained far outweigh the risks, indicating the importance of staging the flood season.
COVID-19 in the Brazilian Oil Capital: the successful experience of public and private engagement
Authors: Feitosa Natália Martins , Rodrigues Bruno da Costa , Petry Ana Cristina , Nocchi Keity Jaqueline Chagas Vilela , Brindeiro Rodrigo de Moraes , Zilberberg Carla , Monteiro-de-Barros Cintia , Mury Flavia Borges , Menezes Jackson de Souza , Nepomuceno-Silva José Luciano , Silva Manuela Leal da , Medeiros Marcio José de , Gestinari Raquel de Souza , Alvarenga Alessandra da Silva de , Pozzobon Allan Pierre Bonetti , Silva Carina Azevedo Oliveira , Santos Daniele das Graças dos , Silvestre Diego Henrique , Sousa Graziele Fonseca de , Almeida Janimayri Forastieri de , Silva Jhenifer Nascimento da , Brandão Layza Mendes , Drummond Leandro de Oliveira , Neto Lupis Ribeiro Gomes , Carpes Raphael de Mello , Santos Renata Coutinho dos , Portal Taynan Motta , Tanuri Amilcar , Nunes-da-Fonseca Rodrigo 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Brazilian strategy to overcome the spread of COVID-19 has been particularly criticized due to the lack of a national coordinating effort and an appropriate testing program. Here, a successful approach to control the spread of COVID-19 transmission is described by the engagement of public (university and governance) and private sectors (hospitals and oil companies) in Macaé, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city known as the National Oil Capital.
Methods

Until the 38th epidemiological week, over two percent of the 206,728 citizens were subjected to symptom analysis and massive RT-qPCR testing by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, with positive individuals being notified up to 48 hours after swab collection. Geocodification and spatial cluster analysis were used to limit COVID-19 spreading in Macaé.
Findings:

Within the first semester after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Brazil, Macaé recorded 1.8% of fatality associated to COVID-19 up to the 38th epidemiological week, which was at least five times lower than the state capital (10.92%). Overall, considering the successful experience of this joint effort of private and public engagement in Macaé, our data suggest that the development of a similar strategy country wise would have saved over 50,000 lives.
Interpretation:

Quarantine decree by the local government, molecular massive testing coupled to scientific analysis of COVID-19 spreading prevented the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic as seen in other populous cities within the state of Rio de Janeiro and elsewhere in Brazil.
Poor-quality embryos compared with available embryos at cleavage stage have similar outcomes in vitrified-thawed single blastocyst transfer
Authors: Liu Hanyan , Zhan Shaoquan , Long Xiaolin , Li Lei , Du Hongzi , Kang Xiangjin , Liu Jianqiao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

It was known that in patients with good prognosis, day 5 good-quality blastocysts formed by available cleavage embryos (AEs) or poor-quality cleavage embryos (PQEs) did not affect clinical outcomes. However, the clinical outcomes of day 5/6 expanded blastocysts cultured in patients who faced with PQEs was unclear.
Methods

Retrospective cohort study was conducted among women aged ≤ 38 who underwent vitrified-warmed single blastocyst transfers (SBTs) which originated from AEs (n = 382), PQEs with AEs (n = 99), or only PQEs without AEs (n = 101).
Results

The PQEs compared to the AEs showed lower CPR (38.38% in PQEs with AEs; 36.63% in PQEs without AEs; versus 57.07% in AEs) and lower LBR (28.28%; 29.70%; versus 44.50%), but there was no statistical difference in CPR (adjusted OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.46–1.31; adjusted OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.47–1.42) and LBR (adjusted OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.53–1.59; adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.50–1.78) after controlling for confounding variables. Better outcomes were associated with thicker endometrial thickness (CPR: adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05–1.33; LBR: adjusted OR: 1.16, 95% CI 1.03–1.30) and blastocyst expansion on day 5 (CPR: adjusted OR 2.52 95% CI 1.62–3.94; LBR: adjusted OR: 2.28, 95% CI 1.43–3.65). ICM score C (CPR: adjusted OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.67; LBR: adjusted OR: 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.76) were associated with worse outcomes.
Conclusions

Once the blastocyst was available, endometrial thickness, ICM grade, and the day of blastocyst expansion were the factors affecting the outcome, while the quality of cleavage embryos (PQEs or AEs) had no effect on subsequent clinical outcomes.
Analysis of first four moderate geomagnetic storms of the 2015 year
Authors: Eroglu Emre 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This essay investigates of first four moderate geomagnetic activities (04 January storm, 07 January storm, 17 February storm, and 24 February storm) of 2015 in the 24th solar cycle. It tries to understand these storms with the aid of the zonal geomagnetic indices. It predicts the zonal geomagnetic indices (Dst, ap, AE) of the storms by an artificial neural network model. The phenomena that occurred in January and February are discussed on the solar wind parameters (Bz, E, P, N, v, T) and the zonal geomagnetic indices obtained from NASA. In the study, after glancing at the 2015-year general appearance, binary correlations of the variables are indicated by the covariance matrix, and the hierarchical cluster of the variables are presented by the dendrogram. The artificial neural network model is governed by the physical principles in the paper. The model uses the solar wind parameters as inputs and the zonal geomagnetic indices as outputs. The causality principle forms the models by cause-effect association. Back propagation algorithm is specified as Levenberg–Marquardt (trainlm) and 35 neural numbers are utilized in the artificial neural network. The neural network model predicts the Dst, ap, and AE indices of January and February geomagnetic storms with an accuracy that deserves discussion. Estimating the geomagnetic activities may support interplanetary works.
Butterfly biodiversity in the city is driven by the interaction of the urban landscape and the species traits: a call for contextualised management
Authors: Pla-Narbona Clàudia , Stefanescu Constantí , Pino Joan , Cabrero-Sañudo Francisco J. , García-Barros Enrique , Munguira Miguel L. , Melero Yolanda 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Context
Urbanisation is an environmental filter for many species that leads to community homogenisation, with a few species inhabiting isolated patches (gardens) embedded in the urban landscape. Promoting biodiversity in urban areas requires understanding which and how species traits allow species to survive the urban landscape.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to assess how species traits and landscape factors combine to allow species functional groups live in the city, by means of the use of suitable patches in the urban landscape.
Methods
We used butterfly count data collected by volunteers in 24 gardens of Barcelona city, for 2018 and 2019. Species were clustered in functional groups according to their traits. We applied a multinomial choice model to test the effect of the landscape on the different functional groups.
Results
Three functional groups appeared in the city while a fourth, containing most sedentary specialist species, was filtered out. Although the observed groups had similar species richness, abundances varied depending on urban landscape characteristics. Specialist sedentary and medium mobile species were all favoured by patch connectivity; while the presence of mobile generalist species was only enhanced by habitat quality. Our results indicate that butterfly communities are more diverse in highly connected gardens.
Conclusions
Our study highlights the need of contextualised management with actions accounting for the species functional groups, rather than a management focused on general species richness. It evidences that urban landscape planning must focus on improving connectivity inside the city in order to diversify the community composition.
The association between excess weight and body composition measurements in a pediatric population
Authors: Kostopoulou Eirini , Avgeri Aikaterini , Skiadopoulos Spyridon , Dimitriou Gabriel , Giannakopoulos Ioannis 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity in Greece is among the highest in Europe. Body composition may be used as a screening tool to identify children with excess weight and those at risk for developing metabolic complications. The aim of the study was to provide data on body composition indices from a large Greek pediatric population and investigate the possible association between these indices and obesity.Methods: 1453 schoolchildren, 51.2% males, aged 10-12 years old, were recruited from the third in size city in Greece. Anthropometric and body composition indices (weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), FM%, fat mass index (FMI), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), SMM%, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR)), were assessed.Results: i) The rates of overweight and obesity were 25.9% (Males: 24.4%, females: 27.5%) and 12.6% (males: 13.4%, females: 11.7%), respectively. ii) Males had significantly higher SMM, SMM% and MFR, and lower FM% compared to females. iii) No differences were observed in body composition between younger (10-11-year-old) and older (11-12-year-old) children. iv) Higher FM, FM%, FMI, SMM, SMI and lower SMM% and MFR values were found in children with overweight or obesity.Conclusion: A direct association between excess weight and body composition measurements, such as FM, FM%, FMI, SMM, SMM%, SMI and MFR, was found in a large pediatric school-population. These body composition analysis measurements may potentially serve as a useful screening-tool with both research and clinical applications in assessing obesity, but also for predicting obesity-related complications.
Efficiency comparison between dry and humid cultures for clinical outcome of the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer
Authors: Xu Weihai , Zhang Lin , Zhang Ling , Li Shishi , Shu Jing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: In this study, we compared the in vitro embryo development, embryo transfer outcome and the offspring outcome in the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) between dry culture (DC) and humid culture (HC). Methods: Our study was divided into two parts. Firstly, we determined the fertilization rate, cleavage rate and high-quality embryo rate from 21 cycles in the DC group (N=262 oocytes) and HC group (N=263 oocytes). Secondly, we determined the embryo transfer outcome and the offspring outcome in DC group (N=184 cycles) and HC group (N=136 cycles). Results: Compared with the HC group, significant increase was observed in the high-quality embryo rate (66.1.2% vs. 55.3%, p=0.037) and implantation rate (49.8% vs. 40.6%, p=0.027) in the DC group. No statistical differences were observed in the pregnant outcome and birth defect of the offspring (p>0.05). Compared with HC, DC was associated with a higher high-quality embryo rate and a higher implantation rate after embryo transfer. Conclusions: No statistical differences were noticed in the offspring conditions between the two culture modes. Taken together, DC may serve as a promising method for IVF-ET.
Higher Titer Hepatitis B Core Antibody Predicts a Higher Risk of Liver Metastasis and Worse Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer&nbsp;
Authors: Li Ziyao , Li Shaofei , Tao Hangbo , Zhan Yixiang , Ni Kemin , Gong Jianfeng , li guoxun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to the find the association between HBV infection and postoperative survival and the risk of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients.Methods: Patients who underwent curative surgical resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) between January 2011 and December 2012 were included. Patients were grouped according to anti-HBc. Differences in overall survival (OS), time to progress (TTP) and hepatic metastasis-free survival (HMFS) between groups and significant predictors were analyzed.Results: 327 colorectal cancer patients are comprised of 202 anti-HBc negative cases and 125 anti-HBc positive cases, and anti-HBc positive cases are further divided into high-titer anti-HBc group (39) and low-titer anti-HBc group (86). High-titer anti-HBc group had significantly worse overall survival (5-Yr, 65.45% vs. 80.06%; P < .001), time to progress (5-Yr, 44.26% vs. 84.73%; P < .001) and hepatic metastasis-free survival (5-Yr, 82.44% vs. 94.58%; P = .029) than low-titer group. Multivariate model showed anti-HBc ≥ 8.8 S/CO was correlated with poor overall survival (HR, 3.510; 95% CI, 1.718-7.17; P < .001), time to progress (HR, 5.747; 95% CI, 2.789-11.842; P < .001) and hepatic metastasis-free survival (HR, 3.754; 95% CI, 1.054-13.369; P = .041) in the anti-HBc positive cases.Conclusion: Higher titer anti-HBc predicts a higher risk of liver metastasis and a worse survival in anti-HBc positive colorectal cancer patients.
A sustainability of a multi-component education program (ABC of Healthy Eating) after three months and nine months: the socioeconomic context in improving nutrition knowledge in Polish teenagers
Authors: Wadolowska Lidia , Kostecka Małgorzata , Kowalkowska Joanna , Jeruszka-Bielak Marta , Tomaszewska Marzena , Danielewicz Anna , Hamulka Jadwiga 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background: Nutrition knowledge, through its direct influence on dietary behaviours, can be considered as an important factor that indirectly influences human health. Dietary behaviours are formed in childhood, and many of them are relatively stable over time. It follows that changing dietary behaviours and developing nutrition knowledge should take place before undesirable dietary habits become established. The study aimed to evaluate the sustainability of a multi-component education (ABC-HEat) program related to healthy nutrition and lifestyle after three months and nine months and to assess the socioeconomic context in improving teenage nutrition knowledge.Methods: The study was designed as a clustered, controlled, education-based intervention. A sample was chosen and allocated into either an educated group (under intervention) or a control group (outside of intervention). The study covered 464 students 11-12-year-old (educated/control 319/145) from primary schools in locations covering the entire territory of Poland. In the educated group, data were collected three times: before education, after three months and after nine months to measure the short- and the long-term effect of education, respectively. In the control group, data were collected in parallel. Changes in nutrition knowledge score (NKS, points) by sex, residence, family affluence scale (FAS) were the main outcome measures. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate chance of no increase in the NKS with two reference categories: any increase or an increase by ≥ 4 points.Results: The increase in the NKS was significantly higher in the educated group than in the control group – three months after education on average by 1.4 to 2.7 points (all P < 0.001) in the total sample and all subgroups (girls, boys, rural residence, urban residence, low FAS, higher FAS), and nine months after education in rural residents by 2.2 points (P < 0.001) and in the total sample by 0.4 (P < 0.05). In the educated group, the chance of no increase in the NKS was higher in urban than rural residents after three months and nine months (adjusted odds ratios [OR] and 95% Confidence Intervals [95% CI]: 3.63, 1.80-7.31 and 2.99, 1.60-5.59, respectively, both P < 0.001) using the increase in the NKS by ≥ 4 points as a reference.Conclusions: The multi-component education program improved the nutrition knowledge of teenagers in the short-term regardless of socioeconomic variables, but in the long-term this effect was visible only in rural residents. It suggests that a special path of nutrition education addressed to urban teens may be required.
Flexible Ceramic Nanofibrous Aerogels with Hierarchically Entangled Graphene Networks Enable Full-Frequency Noise Absorption
Authors: Zong Dingding , Cao Leitao , Yin Xia , Si Yang , Zhang Shichao , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Traffic noise pollution has posed a huge burden to the global economy, ecological environment, and human health. However, most present traffic noise reduction materials suffer from a narrow absorbing band, high weights, and poor temperature resistance. Here, we demonstrate a facile strategy to create flexible ceramic nanofibrous aerogels (GCNAs) with hierarchically entangled graphene networks, which integrate unique hierarchical structures of opened cells, closed-cell walls, and entangled networks. Under the precondition of independent of chemical crosslinking, high enhancement in buckling and compression performances of GCNAs is achieved by forming hierarchically entangled structures in all three-dimensional space. Moreover, the flexible GCNAs show striking full-frequency noise absorption performances (noise reduction coefficient of 0.56 in 63~6300 Hz) and lightweight features (9.3 mg cm-3), together with robust temperature-invariant stability in –100~500 °C. This strategy paves the way for the design of novel fibrous materials for highly efficient full-frequency noise absorption.
Spatial Distribution of Plankton in Response to Ecological Dynamics in Tropical Shallow Lakes: Insight from Lake Malombe, Malawi
Authors: MAKWINJA RODGERS , Mengistou Seyoum , Kaunda Emmanuel , Alemiew Tena 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study assessed plankton density and biomass in an attempt to better understand their spatial and seasonal variation in Lake Malombe. Samples were collected for analysis during the hot dry season (HDS) and cool dry windy season (CDWS). The zooplankton identified were T. cunningtoni (TC), M. aEq. Aequatorialis (MAA), T. neglectus (TN), Bosmina longirostris (BL), Diaphanosoma spp (DS), Nauplii, and Rotifer. These zooplankton groups belong to copepods, Cyclopidae, Cladocera, Ctenopod, and Rotifers. The phytoplankton biomass exhibited a strong seasonal variation with the highest value observed in HDS and lowest in CDWS. Zooplankton such as T. cunningtoni, M. aEq. Aequatorialis, T. neglectus, Bosmina longirostris, Diaphanosoma spp, Nauplii, and Rotifer were dominant during the HDS. The WT, pH, and DO, Chlo-a positively correlated with all zooplankton groups. The Na+ and K+ positively correlated with TC, MAA, DS, Nauplii, and Rotifers. The Cl− positively correlated with DS, Rotifers while, CO32− positively correlated with TC. HCO3− correlated with DS and Rotifers positively while TDS correlated with BL, Nauplii, and Rotifers negatively. Nitrite affected all zooplankton groups negatively while SRP had a positive effect on all zooplankton density. The study revealed that physical-chemical variables, some major ions, and Chlo-a are the most important factors influencing the spatial and seasonal variation of zooplankton density in the lake. These findings demonstrate the interaction between physical-chemical variables, phytoplankton, and zooplankton and highlight the significance of ecological understanding of the complex dynamics of food web system in tropical shallow lakes - under the changing climate.