bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marine Pediococcus pentosaceus E3 Probiotic Properties, Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis, and Safety Assessment
Authors: Zaghloul Eman H. , Halfawy Nancy M. El 
Published: May 2024

AbstractProbiotics play a significant role in enhancing health, and they are well known for bacteriocins production. Evaluating probiotics’ whole-genome sequence provides insights into their consumption outcomes. Thus, genomic studies have a significant role in assessing the safety of probiotics more in-depth and offer valuable information regarding probiotics’ functional diversity, metabolic pathways, and health-promoting mechanisms. Marine Pediococcus pentosaceus E3, isolated from shrimp gut, exhibited beneficial properties, indicating its potential as a probiotic candidate. Phenotypically, E3 strain was susceptible to most antibiotics assessed, tolerant to low pH and high bile salt conditions, and revealed no hemolysin activity. Interestingly, E3-neutralized CFS revealed significant antibacterial activity against pathogens under investigation. Therefore, the concentrated CFS was prepared and evaluated as a natural biopreservative and showed outstanding antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, integrated-based genome assessment has provided insight into probiotic characteristics at the genomic level. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that the E3 genome possesses 1805 protein-coding genes, and the genome size was about 1.8 Mb with a G + C content of 37.28%. Moreover, the genome revealed the absence of virulence factors and clinically related antibiotic genes. Moreover, several genes consistent with probiotic microorganisms’ features were estimated in the genome, including stress response, carbohydrate metabolism, and vitamin biosynthesis. In addition, several genes associated with survival and colonization within the gastrointestinal tract were also detected across the E3 genome. Therefore, the findings suggest that insights into the genetic characteristics of E3 guarantee the safety of the strain and facilitate future development of E3 isolate as a health-promoting probiotic and source of biopreservative.
Does the German sports system recruit coaches with a functional personality?—Attempting an answer by comparing German basketball coaches with teachers and managers
Authors: Wunder Johannes , Priem Maximilian , Wagner Gert G. , Stoll Oliver 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCurrently, there is no theory that identifies the ideal personality type for sports coaches. The study’s goal is to gain insight into the personalities of German basketball coaches and use existing study results from other professional groups to make recommendations for the content of coaches’ education. Given the German Olympic Sports Federation’s emphasis on comprehensive coach education that includes personal development, this paper examines the relationship between a coach’s vocation and personality, filling in knowledge gaps about how coaches’ personalities appear. The analyses are based on a unique dataset of 360 German basketball coaches and data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), allowing for a more in-depth comparison of coaches’ Big Five personality traits. Using SOEP data from the German general population, teachers, and managers as benchmarks, this paper investigates the relationship between different coaching license levels and distinct personality profiles, providing insights into the characteristics displayed by coaches at various professional levels. The analysed data indicate that lower coaching licence levels are associated with lower neuroticism and more agreeableness, whereas openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion are higher. When comparing coaches to the general population and other occupational groups, A‑license coaches have more characteristics that are similar with managers, whilst C‑license coaches have more parallels with teachers. Furthermore, examining particular traits and individual comparisons, it is transparent that C‑license coaches are more agreeable than A‑license coaches. The findings suggest that coach development programs should be improved by incorporating insights from teachers and managers to select coaches and update educational paradigms more carefully. The study emphasizes the importance of traits such as conscientiousness and agreeableness in coaching success and identifies potential areas for intervention to maximize coaching efficacy. In conclusion, this study adds to our empirical understanding of the complex relationships between personality traits, professional roles, and effective coaching on multiple levels. Furthermore, it emphasizes the dynamic relationship between an individual coach’s intrinsic disposition and professional efficacy, showing the importance of tailored interventions to improve coaching outcomes.
Relation between the soil erosion cover management factor and vegetation index in semi-arid basins
Authors: Mahgoub Mohamed , Elalfy Ezzat , Soussa Hoda , Abdelmonem Yehia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe cover management factor is one of the main five factors that is used within the universal soil loss equation to reflect the effect of cropping and management practices on soil erosion rates. It is determined through tables and equations derived in tropical and European conditions, which are not suitable for semi-arid regions with different climate, topography, and soil characteristics. Therefore, this study considers al-Arish basin in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt as a semi-arid study area to generate a cover management factor’s equation in terms of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index using hydrological modeling and satellite images processing. To verify the proposed equation, it was applied to the Derna catchment in Libya and compared with European and tropical ones with respect to the hydrological outputs. Statistical analysis indicates that the proposed equation determines the cover management factor more accurately than those developed for tropical or European regions, as the correlation coefficient between the cover management factor and the hydrological results was 0.71, while it was about 0.20 for the European and tropical, equations, also the degree of agreement between the proposed equation’s results and the hydrological simulation was 0.768 while it was 0.001 and 0.02 for the tropical and European equations respectively. By utilizing the newly developed equation, the soil erosion can be estimated more accurately for the semi-arid regions, and a better understanding of the relation between the vegetation cover and soil erosion can be drawn.
Safe and genotyped. A non-invasive method for extraction of amphibian DNA from water baths and its application on Northern spectacled salamanders, Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi 1821)
Authors: Brustenga Leonardo , Romano Antonio , Porta Gianandrea La , Lucentini Livia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe global decline of amphibian populations, with 40.7% of species classified as threatened, calls for innovative and ethical approaches in conservation genetics. Molecular biology advancements have introduced environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, primarily focusing on aquatic environments. However, the present study explores a novel non-invasive protocol using water samples to extract DNA from terrestrial and semi-terrestrial amphibians, specifically the endangered Italian endemic salamander, Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821). Unlike traditional invasive methods involving tissue sampling, this protocol immerses animals briefly, eliminating the need for digit or tail amputations or manipulation for buccal swabs. The study validated the protocol through DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing, yielding results comparable to traditional methods. The non-invasive nature of the protocol aligns with the 3Rs principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine) and offers a streamlined, stress-minimizing alternative for studying protected and endangered species. Future experiments should also explore further refinements, including reduced soaking times and additional applications, such as skin microbiota analysis. This protocol represents a significant step towards ethical and effective research practices in amphibian conservation genetics, encouraging a paradigm shift in wildlife research ethics. Continued innovation in non-invasive methodologies is essential for comprehensive understanding and robust conservation strategies amid the ongoing biodiversity crisis.
Epigallocatechin gallate induces an up-regulation of LDLR accompanied by a reduction of idol in Hepg2 cells
Authors: Li Feifei , Huang Wenxiang , Yang Changhe , Yu Binghui , Wu Qinghe , Du Zhimin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary catechin in green tea, has improved cholesterol metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms of EGCG underlying these functions are not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying EGCG’s effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in HepG2 cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels in the human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). LDL uptake assay was used to quantify the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) function. EGCG induced significantly up-regulated LDLR protein and mRNA levels in HepG2 cells (P < 0.05). Both at the transcriptional level and at the protein level, EGCG can significantly (P < 0.05) down-regulate the elevated expression levels of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and inducible degrader of the LDLR (Idol) due to 25-OHC. Fluorescence results showed that EGCG induction could also significantly increase LDL uptake (P < 0.05). EGCG regulates LDL uptake through the LXRα-LDLR pathway, and EGCG can effectively improve the abnormal expression of protein and mRNA induced by 25-OHC.
Graphical abstract
Polynomial equations for additive functions II. The mixed parameter case
Authors: Gselmann Eszter , Kiss Gergely 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this sequence of work we investigate polynomial equations of additive functions. This is the continuation of the paper [5] entitled Polynomial equations for additive functions I. We consider here the solutions of the equation $$\begin{aligned} \sum _{i=1}^{n}f_{i}(x^{p_{i}})g_{i}(x)^{q_{i}}= 0 \qquad \left( x\in \mathbb {F}\right) , \end{aligned}$$

∑

i
=
1

n

f
i

(

x

p
i

)

g
i

(
x
)

q
i

=
0

x
∈
F

,

where n is a positive integer, $$\mathbb {F}\subset \mathbb {C}$$

F
⊂
C

is a field, $$f_{i}, g_{i}:\mathbb {F}\rightarrow \mathbb {C}$$

f
i

,

g
i

:
F
→
C

are additive functions and $$p_i, q_i$$

p
i

,

q
i

are positive integers for all $$i=1, \ldots , n$$

i
=
1
,
…
,
n

. Using the theory of decomposable functions we describe the solutions as compositions of higher-order derivations and field homomorphisms. In many cases, we also give a tight upper bound for the order of the involved derivations. Moreover, we present the full description of the solutions in some important special cases, too.
Metallographic and Extraction Replica Methods for Characterization of Tungsten Heavy Alloy: H13 Clads
Authors: Kovacich Jerry , Harwig Dennis , Endemann Andreas 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTungsten heavy alloys are used in demanding high pressure die casting applications due to their high temperature strength, high thermal conductivity, and low thermal expansion. High cost limits applications to small sintered die inserts and manual gas tungsten arc weld repairs. A new tungsten heavy alloy consumable, Anviloy wire, was developed for automated cladding of hot work tool steel dies. Literature regarding characterization of tungsten heavy alloy die steel clads was lacking. Understanding base metal dilution effect on clad microstructure is critical but required new sample preparation methods. An Anviloy wire-H13 clad was made using hot wire gas tungsten arc cladding and analyzed with metallography. Samples were found to have grain boundary M6C carbide phase as-welded with the help of an alkaline sodium picrate etchant. An isothermally aged arc crucible melted sample of the same composition was characterized using metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron diffraction. The clad representative arc crucible melted sample was subjected to isothermal aging at 725°C for 100 hours. Isothermal aging resulted in precipitation of a high volume fraction of intermetallic platelets. Using a new carbon extraction replica sample preparation method involving two chemical polishing steps, transmission electron diffraction of precipitates indicated they were mu phase intermetallic.
Beta 2-microglobulin is an independent risk marker of acute kidney injury in adult patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Zhao Mengya , Liu Jingfeng , Zhuang Haizhou , Qiu Yu , He Zhanghuan , Lin Jin , Duan Meili 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background and Aims
The role of beta2-microglobulin (β2-MG) in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients has been poorly studied. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients and identify risk factors that predict AKI development.

Methods
This retrospective observational cohort study conducted at a single-center involved 938 patients diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, who were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group. Patient data were collected and analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression to identify potiential risk factors associated with AKI occurrence.

Results
Among the enrolled patients, 486 were male (51.9%), the median age was 37 years (interquartile range, 28.0, 52.0), 58.4% experienced AKI. Mechanical ventilation (8.0% vs. 0.8%) and vasopressor support (21.7% vs. 4.1%) occurred at significantly higher rates in the AKI group compared to the non-AKI group, with significantly higher in-hospital mortality (5.5% vs. 1.3%) and 28-day mortality (12.8% vs. 5.4%). When β2-MG was used as a continuous variable, multifactorial analysis showed that β2-MG, transplantation, and vasopressor support were independently associated with risk for the development of AKI.

Conclusions
The incidence of morbidity and mortality in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis complicated by AKI remains high. Monitoring levels of β2-MG may provide clinicians with timely indicators of changes in renal function, facilitating adjustments to treatment strategies.

Graphical abstract
Evaluating a Trauma-Informed Care Training Program for Mental Health Clinicians
Authors: Stewart Shannon L. , Cloutier Sarah , King Gabrielle , Withers Abigail 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the interRAI Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) training program based on evidence-informed Collaborative Action Plans. Focus groups and the Attitude Related Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) questionnaire addressed clinicians’ and mental health professionals’ attitudes toward the application of TIC with their child and youth clients. An explanatory sequential design was conducted. In total, 105 clinicians and mental health professionals who participated in a 4-hour, in-person or virtual TIC training, two comprehensive seminars, and 28 trauma-informed training web-based modules completed the ARTIC questionnaire. Researchers conducted seven focus groups with clinicians/participants (N = 23) to discuss the views and effectiveness of the interRAI TIC educational training modules. To quantitatively measure the change of attitudes towards TIC, descriptive statistical analysis was completed using the means and standard deviation of the ARTIC scores at the initial time point, the follow-up time point, and the difference between scores at both time points. Paired sample t-tests were conducted on both the overall score and each of the subscales in each of the three samples (total sample, online subsample, and hybrid subsample). A thematic analysis was conducted to generate qualitative findings from the focus groups. Findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest that the interRAI TIC training provided clinicians with an improved sense of knowledge and ability to apply trauma-informed care planning with their clients.
Semantic mask-based two-step approach: a general framework for X-ray diffraction peak search in high-throughput molecular sieve synthetic system
Authors: Wei Zhangpeng , Peng Xin , Du Wenli , Qian Feng , Yuan Zhiqing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractX-ray diffraction (XRD) is used for characterizing the crystal structure of molecular sieves after synthetic experiments. However, for a high-throughput molecular sieve synthetic system, the huge amount of data derived from large throughput capacity makes it difficult to analyze timely. While the kernel step of XRD analysis is to search peaks, an automatic way for peak search is needed. Thus, we proposed a novel semantic mask-based two-step framework for peak search in XRD patterns: (1) mask generation, we proposed a multi-resolution net (MRN) to classify the data points of XRD patterns into binary masks (peak/background). (2) Peak search, based on the generated masks, the background points are used to fit an n-order polynomial background curve and estimate the random noises in XRD patterns. Then we proposed three rules named mask, shape, and intensity to screening peaks from initial peak candidates generated by maximum search. Besides, a voting strategy is proposed in peak screening to obtain a precise peak search result. Experiments show that the proposed MRN achieves the state-of-the-art performance compared with other semantic segmentation methods and the proposed peak search method performs better than Jade when using f1 score as the evaluation index.
Finite "Equation missing" -algebras of $$\mathfrak {osp}_{1|2n}$$ and ghost centers
Authors: Genra Naoki 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe prove that the finite "Equation missing"-algebra $$U(\mathfrak {osp}_{1|2n}, f_\textrm{prin})$$

U
(

osp

1
|
2
n

,

f
prin

)

associated to $$\mathfrak {osp}_{1|2n}$$

osp

1
|
2
n

and its principal nilpotent element $$f_\textrm{prin}$$

f
prin

is isomorphic to Gorelik’s ghost center of $$\mathfrak {osp}_{1|2n}$$

osp

1
|
2
n

. It is an analogue for $$\mathfrak {osp}_{1|2n}$$

osp

1
|
2
n

of a theorem of Kostant (Invent Math 48(2):101–184, 1978).
Clustering source code from automated assessment of programming assignments
Authors: Paiva José Carlos , Leal José Paulo , Figueira Álvaro 
Published: May 2024

AbstractClustering of source code is a technique that can help improve feedback in automated program assessment. Grouping code submissions that contain similar mistakes can, for instance, facilitate the identification of students’ difficulties to provide targeted feedback. Moreover, solutions with similar functionality but possibly different coding styles or progress levels can allow personalized feedback to students stuck at some point based on a more developed source code or even detect potential cases of plagiarism. However, existing clustering approaches for source code are mostly inadequate for automated feedback generation or assessment systems in programming education. They either give too much emphasis to syntactical program features, rely on expensive computations over pairs of programs, or require previously collected data. This paper introduces an online approach and implemented tool—AsanasCluster—to cluster source code submissions to programming assignments. The proposed approach relies on program attributes extracted from semantic graph representations of source code, including control and data flow features. The obtained feature vector values are fed into an incremental k-means model. Such a model aims to determine the closest cluster of solutions, as they enter the system, timely, considering clustering is an intermediate step for feedback generation in automated assessment. We have conducted a twofold evaluation of the tool to assess (1) its runtime performance and (2) its precision in separating different algorithmic strategies. To this end, we have applied our clustering approach on a public dataset of real submissions from undergraduate students to programming assignments, measuring the runtimes for the distinct tasks involved: building a model, identifying the closest cluster to a new observation, and recalculating partitions. As for the precision, we partition two groups of programs collected from GitHub. One group contains implementations of two searching algorithms, while the other has implementations of several sorting algorithms. AsanasCluster matches and, in some cases, improves the state-of-the-art clustering tools in terms of runtime performance and precision in identifying different algorithmic strategies. It does so without requiring the execution of the code. Moreover, it is able to start the clustering process from a dataset with only two submissions and continuously partition the observations as they enter the system.
Robert Walsers Wortmusik
Authors: Honold Alexander 
Published: May 2024

ZusammenfassungAnhand von Walsers Berliner Kurzprosa (bes. Aufsätze 1913, Geschichten 1914) wird der Frage nachgegangen, wie der Autor in diesen zunächst publizistisch verstreuten, thematisch disparaten Prosastücken die darin involvierten Figuren zur Sprache kommen lässt und dabei einige Grundformen seines in den 1910er Jahren sich ausprägenden Erzählstils zu entwickeln beginnt. Diese folgen dem paradoxen Ideal einer schriftlichen Mündlichkeit: Obwohl (oder gerade weil) die Textstücke für diese Sammelpublikationen durch betonte Gattungsmerkmale dezidierter Schriftlichkeit (»Aufsätze«) und narrativer Handlungsdarstellung (»Geschichten«) gekennzeichnet werden, bewegen sich die behandelten Personen, Schauplätze und Stoffe überwiegend in einem performativen Modus, bei dem das Erzählbare sich nahezu vollständig in den akustischen Auftritt von Stimmen und Redeformen aufgelöst hat.
Differential gene expression of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus grown on Fraxinus excelsior and F. mandshurica supplemented media
Authors: Zübert Christina , Kube Michael 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAsh dieback is caused by the invasive fungal species Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and leads to the loss of the common ash (Fraxineus excelsior) in many areas. In contrast, the pathogen seems to colonize the local ash species Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash) symptom-free in its native environment East Asia. In order to gain insight into the differences in the substrate dependence of the pathogen, two H. fraxineus strains (1511 and 1431) were grown in media supplemented with leave material of F. excelsior or F. mandshurica and without supplement. A total of 95 and 916 genes were upregulated in media containing F. excelsior leaf material for strain 1431, compared to F. mandshurica and media without plant supplementation. The differential expression analysis of strain 1511 revealed 483 and 875 upregulated genes. Oxidative phosphorylation is highly upregulated in strain 1431 cultivated in F. excelsior-supplemented media indicating an active metabolism but probably also linked to the release of reactive oxygen species. In both strains during growth on F. excelsior, transcripts with similarity to genes of toxin biosynthetic pathways of other Ascomycota are enriched. In strain 1511, a gene cluster with similarity to depudecin cluster is upregulated in addition. For both strains, the upregulated genes, if grown in media supplemented with leaf material from F. excelsior, include a gene of the biosynthetic cluster of phytotoxin viridiol. The results suggest increased metabolic activity and toxin production in the presence of F. excelsior tissue compared to F. mandshurica.