bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The integration of first-year women XV rugby scholars and the socialisation tactics used
Authors: Brown Molly 
Published: July 2024

Cohesion is an important element of team environments, as it provides the bedrock for trust and communication among team members to be established. This allows for a platform to be created where conflicts can be addressed, strategies are shared and collaboration is enhanced, ultimately leading to improved team performance. Research indicates that when a team allows time for the socialisation of newcomers, performance is directly facilitated (Schuth et al, 2023, J App Psych, 108, 1046–1059). Furthermore, transitioning into a university environment is a crucial phase in an individual’s life, which poses many challenges. Therefore, having support from teammates and a sense of community may ease this period of adjustment. There is a dearth of research that investigates the integration of new teams and the consequences or enhancements of the different tactics. The main purpose of this study was to assess the integration of first-year university rugby scholars into an existing team environment using the Sports Team Socialization Tactics Questionnaire (STSTQ; Benson & Eys, 2017, J Sport Ex Psych, 39, 13–28.) It was hypothesised that there would not be a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the perceived level of socialisation between the first-year rugby scholars and the other rugby scholars. Twenty female participants were recruited from the Brunel University London women’s rugby union 1XV team, using a convenience sampling method. With institutional ethics approval, the participants completed the STSTQ and demographics form. They were split into two groups; first-year rugby scholars and other rugby scholars. The participants completed the STSTQ. This measure evaluates three dimensions on a 9-point Likert scale: the serial tactics subscale (α = .85), the social inclusionary tactics subscale (α = .74), the coach-initiated role communication tactics subscale (α = .87). The multivariate tests revealed no effect of scholar status on the combined socialization tactics (F = 0.75, P = 0.539). The Univariate tests showed no differences for coach tactics (F = 1.67, p = 0.212, serial tactics (F = 0.03, P = 0.873), or social inclusionary tactics (F = 0.25, P = 0.625). In conclusion, there were no differences between the new and existing players' ratings of the effectiveness of the socialization tactics used. For practitioners and coaches, the results provide insights into players' perceptions of integration tactics that could inform adjustments for future seasons, especially as this top team aims for promotion where cohesion is critical. A limitation was collecting data mid-season after a break from games, rather than across multiple time points. Furthermore, additional testing is still needed to understand the specific processes that enabled this cohesive team environment despite integrating many new players.
Eurasian spruce bark beetle detects lanierone using a highly expressed specialist odorant receptor, present in several functional sensillum types
Authors: Yuvaraj Jothi Kumar , Kandasamy Dineshkumar , Roberts Rebecca E. , Hansson Bill S. , Gershenzon Jonathan , Andersson Martin N. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background. Insects detect odours using odorant receptors (ORs) expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the antennae. Ecologically important odours are often detected by selective and abundant OSNs; hence, ORs with high antennal expression. However, little is known about the function of highly expressed ORs in beetles, since few ORs have been functionally characterized. Here, we functionally characterized the most highly expressed OR (ItypOR36) in the bark beetle Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae), a major pest of spruce. We hypothesized that this OR would detect a compound important to beetle fitness, such as a pheromone component. We next investigated the antennal distribution of this OR using single sensillum recordings (SSR) and in situ hybridization, followed by field- and laboratory experiments to evaluate the behavioural effects of the discovered ligand.
Results. We expressed ItypOR36 in HEK293 cells and challenged it with 64 ecologically relevant odours. The OR responded exclusively to the monoterpene-derived ketone lanierone with high sensitivity. Lanierone is used in chemical communication in North American Ips species, but it has never been shown to be produced by I. typographus, nor has it been studied in relation to this species’ sensory physiology. Single sensillum recordings revealed a novel and abundant lanierone-responsive OSN class with the same specific response as ItypOR36. Strikingly, these OSNs were co-localized in sensilla together with seven different previously described OSN classes. Field experiments revealed that low release rates of lanierone inhibited beetle attraction to traps baited with aggregation pheromone, with strongest effects on males. Female beetles were attracted to lanierone in laboratory walking bioassays.
Conclusions. Our study highlights the importance of the so-called ‘reverse chemical ecology’ approach to identify novel semiochemicals for ecologically important insect species. Our discovery of the co-localization pattern involving the lanierone OSN class suggests organisational differences in the peripheral olfactory sense between insect orders. Our behavioural experiments show that lanierone elicits different responses in the two sexes, which also depend on whether beetles are walking in the laboratory or flying in the field. Unravelling the source of lanierone in the natural environment of I. typographus is required to understand these context-dependent behaviours.
DeepBioisostere: Deep Learning-based Bioisosteric Replacements for Optimization of Multiple Molecular Properties
Authors: Kim Woo Youn , Kim Hyeongwoo , Moon Seokhyun , Zhung Wonho , Lim Jaechang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Optimizing molecules to improve their properties is a fundamental challenge in drug design. For a fine-tuning of molecular properties without losing bio-activity validated in advance, the concept of bioisosterism has emerged. Many in silico methods have been proposed for discovering bioisosteres, but they require expert knowledge for their applications or are restricted to known databases. Here, we introduce DeepBioisostere, a deep generative model to design suitable bioisosteric replacements. Our model allows a fully automated bioisosteric replacement by intelligently selecting fragments for both removal and insertion. Through various scenarios of multiple property control, we showcase the model's capability to delicately tune specific properties, addressing the challenge in molecular optimization. Our model's innovation lies in its capacity to design a bioisosteric replacement reflecting the compatibility with the surroundings of the modification site, facilitating the control of sophisticated properties that depend on the overall molecular structures such as drug-likeness. DeepBioisostere can also provide previously unseen bioisosteric replacements, highlighting its capability for exploring diverse chemical modifications rather than just mining them from known databases. Lastly, we used DeepBioisostere to improve the sensitivity of a known SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor to the E166V mutant that exhibits drug resistance to the inhibitor, demonstrating its potential application in drug discovery.
Underlying physiological mechanism and expression analysis of important genes associated with extended shelf-life in cucumber
Authors: Suresh Pyla , kumari khushboo , Kenchikoppa Malatesha , Nandi Laxman , Munshi Anilabh Das , Boopalakrishnan G , S Gopala Krishnan , Soora Naresh Kumar , Behera Tushar Kranti , Dey Shyam 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops cultivated worldwide. The fruits of the cucumber are highly perishable and become unfit for consumption within 2–3 days of harvesting when stored under ambient conditions. Understanding the physio-chemical basis of extended shelf-life and associated molecular mechanisms was the main objective of the present study. Seven diverse genotypes for shelf-life-related traits were investigated for important physio-chemical characteristics and expression of the essential genes at different developmental stages. Photosynthetic activities, physiological loss in weight (PLW), fruit firmness, change in pH of the fruits and chlorophyll content in the leaves and fruits were estimated. Expression analysis of selected genes associated with cell wall modification, ethylene and cytokine biosynthesis were also investigated at 5 different developmental stages of the fruits. Photosynthetic rates were higher in the genotype with extended shelf-life, indicating its role in maintaining the cell wall integrity. However, the retention of the green colour of the fruits was not associated with the photosynthetic rate. Lower PLW, greater fruit firmness and minor changes in pH of the fruits were recorded in fruits with higher shelf-life. Significantly higher expression of the cell wall degradation genes except for Xyloglucan endonuclease with the development of the fruits was recorded in the genotypes with poor shelf-life. More robust expression of the cytokinin biosynthesis genes like IPT, cytokinin oxidase 1 and cytokinin dehydrogenase in the genotype with poor shelf-life indicated the absence of correlation of this unique trait with the functional stay-green trait. Higher expression of the ethylene biosynthesis genes was recorded in the genotypes with poorer shelf-life. The nature of the photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content and expression of the cytokine pathway genes indicated the cosmetic nature of the novel type of stay-green trait of the fruits after harvest. Differential expression of cell wall modification genes in combination with the lower chlorophyll catalytic activities were the principal factors associated with extended shelf-life in cucumbers. This study provides a solid foundation for understanding the role of physio-chemical traits and critical genes related to extended shelf-life in cucumbers.
Water resources safety assessment by combining an improved analytical comparison method with the alterable vague sets method in a typical karst region-A case study
Authors: Peng Tao , Zhao Lei , Wang Peng , Xiao Lujun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Quantitative evaluations on water resources safety in karst areas are of great significance for enacting logical water resources development policies, promoting the sustainability of water resources and realizing sustainable socioeconomic progress. Therefore, according to special characteristics of hydrology and water resources in karst regions of southwestern China, this study constructed an evaluation indicator frame of water resources safety from five aspects: Water resources occurring (WRO), Water environment condition (WEC), “Engineering” water scarcity (EWS), Water resources utilization (WRU) and Water resources management (WRM). Combined weights of assessment indexes were calculated by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy-right method, and an assessment model of water resources safety in karst regions was constructed based on the coupling of analytical comparison method and alterable vague sets. Taking Guiyang as an example, the water resources safety situation of Guiyang from 2013 to 2022 was assessed with this model and its main obstacle factors were analyzed. Results indicate that the level of water resources safety in Guiyang is on the rise, and the safety level rises from unsafe level to relatively safe level. Water resources utilization is the primary element affecting water resources safety of Guiyang. Total water resources volume, water yielding modulus, consumptive use of water per 10,000 Yuan GDP and exploitation and utilization rate of water resources are primary obstacle factors to the improvement of water resources safety level. The improvement of water resources provision, water resources using efficiency and water resources management all show that human behaviour has a significant impact on water resources safety. The assessment model can impersonally reflect temporal evolution features and main constraints of water resources safety in karst regions, and evaluation results are close to the actual situation, which can provide an effective, feasible and intuitive method for water resources safety evaluation in karst areas.
Dog deworming for control of echinococcosis by smart collar versus manual work: A 24-month field application and efficacy evaluation from a prospective, randomized, double masked, manual deworming-controlled trial
Authors: Yang Shi-Jie , Yang Yuancheng , Xu Xuenian , Sun Chenqing , Zhang Xiaojuan , Li Fan , Hu Jianhong , Zhong Baolin , Wang Liying , Wang Ying , Han Shuai , Xue Chuizhao , Wang Xu , Kui Yan , Liu Baixue , Fang Chun , Kui Guoxiang , Shen Zonglin , Zhou Xiaonong , Feng Yu , Li Shizhu , Xiao Ning , Li Yuhua 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background Echinococcosis is a significant parasitic disease that affects multiple species and poses both public health risks and substantial socio-economic burdens. Regular deworming to dogs is a highly effective control measure advocated by the WHO. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness on delivery of praziquantel (PQZ) baits to dogs via smart collar and manpower.Methods We conducted a prospective, randomized, double masked, manual deworming-controlled field trial in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County (Tianzhu County), a cystic echinococcosis endemic area, Gansu Province, China. Cluster random sampling was adopted at the township level to address smart collar deworming group (SCDG) and manual deworming group (MDG). In SCDG the smart collars were used to deliver the praziquantel (PQZ) baits to dogs once a month automatically, and the dogs in MDG were dewormed by manual delivery of PQZ baits in the usual way. The allocation of interventions was concealed from veterinarians between these two groups. The examination and result evaluation of fecal samples were also kept undisclosed to both laboratory personnel and evaluation experts. The positive rates of Echinococcus antigen in dog feces, which was one of the primary endpoints, was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and SPSS 27.0 software was used to process the data, and generalized estimation equation (GEE) were used to evaluate odds ratios versus manual deworming for smart collar deworming to analyze the deworming effect. The field trial was conducted over a 24-month period to gather data on the installation and recycling of smart collars, the frequency of dog deworming, as well as the collection and detection of dog fecal samples.Results Between June 1, 2021, and July 30, 2023, we recruited 1920 domestic dogs and obtained consent orally from their owners to advance our program, of them 800 were assigned to smart deworming schedule and 1120 to manual deworming schedule.
Comparison of periphyton growth on two artificial substrates in temperate zone fishponds
Authors: Šetlíková Irena , Bláha Martin , Navrátil Josef , Policar Tomáš , Berec Michal 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Periphyton communities are fundamental components of freshwater ecosystems that influence water quality, nutrient cycling, and productivity. Additionally, periphyton communities serve as valuable food sources in aquaculture. The periphyton communities on two artificial substrates—heather mats and geotextiles—were compared in four temperate fishponds. After 51 days of immersion, the geotextiles exhibited significantly greater fluorescence, indicating a greater abundance of algae and cyanobacteria. Conversely, the abundance (and biomass) of periphyton invertebrates on heather mats was greater than that on geotextiles, and the difference became more pronounced over time. These differences resulted from significantly greater dipteran larval abundances (biomasses) on the heather mats than on the geotextiles. This study suggested that heather mats can significantly enhance food abundance and availability within the water column under Central European conditions.
Data-driven spatiotemporal analysis of cloud cavitation by means of Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition
Authors: Hatzissawidis Grigorios , Sieber Moritz , Oberleithner Kilian , Pelz Peter F. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The global dynamics of cloud cavitation are not always obvious; cloud cavitation may exhibit chaotic, multimodal, and intermittent behaviour, where dominant flow structures are hidden to the naked eye. To address this, spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) is applied, a method that can continuously transition between Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT)/ Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD). This provides the opportunity to break down the complex dynamics of interacting and transient processes into interpretable modal bases. Experiments were conducted in a high-speed cavitation tunnel using a two-dimensional NACA 0015 hydrofoil at a fixed Reynolds number of 8 * 105, and an incidence of 12° for varying cavitation numbers. The cavitation was recorded using a synchronised dual-camera setup with simultaneously captured pressure signals. Shockwave-driven and re-entrant flow-driven cloud shedding are identified, as well as the transition regime in between, exhibiting more complex behaviour. SPOD modes allow for a frequency and amplitude variation, which successfully decomposes the data into the dominant modes, whereas classical modal decomposition methods such as POD and DMD do not provide interpretable decompositions. SPOD grants access to a transient analysis of the data via the SPOD time coefficients. We validate the SPOD results using space-time plots and Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the pressure signals, being in good agreement with the SPOD spatial modes and time coefficients. The complex time coefficients give access to instantaneous mode frequencies and allow calculating a standard deviation of the frequency modulation of the modes. The findings provide a deep insight into the spatial and temporal behaviour of cloud cavitation and support the understanding of its physics.
Beverage consumption among adults in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada prior to the implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Authors: Zaltz Daniel A. , Prowse Rachel , Yi Yanqing , O’Dea Jessica , Harding Scott V. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Lawmakers in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) recently passed Canada’s first sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax. SSB tax evaluations rely on detailed understandings of beverage consumption patterns prior to policy implementation, but there is no recent literature about such patterns among NL residents during the pre-tax period.
Methods
We recruited a convenience sample of NL adults ages 19 and older and measured participant characteristics via online surveys and beverage intake via previously-validated, semi-quantitative beverage frequency questionnaires. We described the prevalence and mean intake of taxable SSBs, non-taxable SSBs, unsweetened beverages, and diet (non-nutritive sweetened) beverages. We explored bivariate associations between consumption of these beverages and sociodemographic characteristics identified as potential correlates of SSB intake.
Results
The sample (n = 1233) was 65% female, 57% between ages 30–59 years, and nearly all (94%) white. More than half (56.4%) consumed taxable SSBs weekly, and 63.3% consumed non-taxable SSBs weekly. The most-consumed taxable SSB was regular pop (mean (SD) 2092 (3120) mL/week); the most-consumed non-taxable SSB was coffee with added milk or sugar (mean (SD) 3859 (2895) mL/week). The prevalence of consuming taxable SSBs decreased with increasing age (18-30y 73%, 30-44y 65%, 45-59y 50%, 60y + 43%, p < 0.001), and was higher among males (60% vs. 54%, p = 0.04) and those reporting food insecurity (64% vs. 51%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of unsweetened beverage consumption was higher among those with more education (high school 81%, some post-secondary 88%, post-secondary or more 96%, p < 0.001), those working vs. not (92% vs. 87%, p = 0.006), and those above the poverty threshold (93% vs. 84%, p < 0.001). Weight status was only associated with diet beverage consumption (overweight/obese 54%, not overweight/obese 35%, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Our findings align with prior studies of socioeconomic position and SSB consumption in Canada, which collectively demonstrate that, on average, those with lower knowledge and material resources consume more SSBs and fewer unsweetened beverages. This research provides necessary understanding of social patterning of beverage consumption in NL prior to tax implementation. Post-tax evaluations of this policy should investigate potential impacts of the tax on diet and health inequalities, as well as potential unintended consequences of beverage substitutions towards non-taxed SSBs.
Expression of the VapD protein by Helicobacter pylori during intracellular infection
Authors: Flores-Alanis Alejandro , Delgado Gabriela , Santiago-Olivares Carlos , Escobar-Sanchez Maria Luisa , Torres-Ramirez Nayeli , Luna-Pineda Victor Manuel , Cruz-Rangel Armando , Cortes-Sarabia Karen , Mendez Jose Luis , Espinosa-Camacho Fernando , Cravioto Alejandro , Morales-Espinosa Rosario 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori genotype I is strongly associated with different gastric pathologies and with the development of gastric cancer. There are several virulence factors that act in synergy to damage the gastric epithelium. Recently, the participation of the vapD gene in the persistence of Helicobacter pylori inside the gastric cell has been described. The objective of present study was to determine the VapD protein expression and location of Helicobacter pylori, when the microorganism is inside the eukaryote cell. Our research group had to development the recombinant VapD protein, polyclonal antibodies against VapD, cocultures of Helicobacter pylori and AGS cells and an immunofluorescence assay. Our results show that the VapD protein is expressed when the bacteria are inside the eukaryote cell. Probably maintaining homeostasis in the bacteria to resist the stress exerted by the intracellular environment of the gastric cell.
Water Quality Assessment and its impact on shrimp in Rupnarayan River: A comparative study on the basis of February to May of 2022-2024
Authors: GHOSH RAJRUPA 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Rupnarayan River is the heart of Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal as it is the habitat of huge number of aquatic species and also the main resource of drinking, agricultural work, irrigation, cultivation and many more. We have collected the river water sample from Kolaghat, Alinan, Siuri and Deemari villages near Tamluk in Purba Medinipur district. Then assessed the different water quality parameters such as temperature, turbidity, pH, DO, BOD, salinity, alkalinity, hardness etc. We have studied basically for the premonsoon phase (Feb- May) and also assessed the impact of these parameters on the production of shrimp species. We have identified M.rosenbergi, M.brevicornis, M.monoceros, Penaeus vennamei of shrimp species. We also compared the data from 2022 to 2024 (Feb-May) and observed the production as 40%, 60%, 30% in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.