bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of age on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers
Authors: Corral-Gudino Luis , Del-Amo-Merino María Piedad , Abadía-Otero Jésica , Merino-Velasco Irene , Lorenzo-Fernández Yolanda , García-Cruces-Méndez Jesús , Eiros-Bouza José María , Domínguez-Gil González Marta 
Published: April 2024

Summary
Background
The incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) infection was highest among older adults early in the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this pattern was later reversed with young adults showing the highest incidence. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in healthcare workers (HCWs) associated with this evolution.

Methods
We conducted a survey nested within a prospective cohort study of 680 HCWs from a tertiary referral public hospital who received 2 doses of SARS-CoV‑2 vaccine in January and February 2021 (VACCICO-VAO cohort). In October 2022 all participants were invited to participate in a survey. Risk factors were tested for association with COVID-19 ever, the number of COVID-19 episodes, and the time to the first episode.

Results
Among 350 respondents (51% response rate, 90% female, mean age 48.1 years), 323 COVID-19 episodes were diagnosed during the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that age < 35 years vs. > 50 years (odds ratio, OR 2.12, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.27–3.51; P = 0.004) and not maintaining social distance at social events (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.16–3.19; P = 0.011) were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19. Age < 35 years (hazard ratio, HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.14–2.54; P = 0.010), and not maintaining social distance (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05–1.72; P = 0.020) were also associated with the time to the first episode.

Conclusions
The youngest HCWs had the highest incidence rate of COVID-19, which was not explained by occupational risk factors or health conditions. The increase in nonoccupational exposure since the end of the lockdowns in summer 2020 could by a key factor.

Graphic abstract
Primary care usage at the end of life: a retrospective cohort study of cancer patients using linked primary and hospital care data
Authors: Grant M. , McCarthy D. , Kearney C. , Collins A. , Sundararajan V. , Rhee J. , Philip J. , Emery J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Health service use is most intensive in the final year of a person’s life, with 80% of this expenditure occurring in hospital. Close involvement of primary care services has been promoted to enhance quality end-of-life care that is appropriate to the needs of patients. However, the relationship between primary care involvement and patients’ use of hospital care is not well described. This study aims to examine primary care use in the last year of life for cancer patients and its relationship to hospital usage.

Methods
Retrospective cohort study in Victoria, Australia, using linked routine care data from primary care, hospital and death certificates. Patients were included who died related to cancer between 2008 and 2017.

Results
A total of 758 patients were included, of whom 88% (n = 667) visited primary care during the last 6 months (median 9.1 consultations). In the last month of life, 45% of patients were prescribed opioids, and 3% had imaging requested. Patients who received home visits (13%) or anticipatory medications (15%) had less than half the median bed days in the last 3 months (4 vs 9 days, p < 0.001, 5 vs 10 days, p = 0.001) and 1 month of life (0 vs 2 days, p = 0.002, 0 vs 3 days, p < 0.001), and reduced emergency department presentations (32% vs 46%, p = 0.006, 31% vs 47% p < 0.001) in the final month.

Conclusion
This study identifies two important primary care processes—home visits and anticipatory medication—associated with reduced hospital usage and intervention at the end of life.
Analysis of the Internal Structure of Brenna Sandstone Samples with Respect to the Differences in Measured Quasi-elastic Moduli
Authors: Janeček Ivan , Mishra Deepak Amban , Vishnu Chitralekha Satheesan , Souček Kamil , Hlaváček Petr , Klichová Dagmar , Martinec Petr 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio determined for the rocks under uniaxial or triaxial loading conditions represent necessary input parameters for solving many geotechnical tasks. However, these effective stiffness moduli, particularly the Poisson’s ratios, measured on different samples sometimes substantially differ, even for visually compact and macroscopically homogeneous rock. This has been observed for Brenna sandstone, especially under conditions of conventional triaxial extensions. The aim of this study was, thus, to reveal differences in rock structure that could cause such behavior. Several complementary methods were used to investigate the structure of this sandstone: X-ray computed tomography (CT), visual analysis using optical scanning and stereo-microscopy, and a new method combining water jet erosion with these visualization techniques. Analyses of this structure revealed mechanically more resistant compact thick and adjacent thin weak layers. In rock samples, these layers have different patterns and orientations. To demonstrate the influence of layer orientation on effective stiffness moduli measured under different loading conditions, FEM calculations were performed for idealized structural models. The outcomes of this numerical analysis are in qualitative agreement with the results of the loading experiments and the layered structure revealed in the samples. The ability of the proposed method using water erosion to analyze the rock structure in detail was verified. The method offers an interesting alternative to standard visual and X-ray CT techniques. The numerical calculations indicate the importance of latent layered defects in sedimentary rocks for fine measurements of stiffness moduli (especially the Poisson’s ratios) used as inputs for geotechnical applications.
On the notion of the parabolic and the cuspidal support of smooth-automorphic forms and smooth-automorphic representations
Authors: Grobner Harald , Žunar Sonja 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper we describe several new aspects of the foundations of the representation theory of the space of smooth-automorphic forms (i.e., not necessarily $$K_\infty $$

K
∞

-finite automorphic forms) for general connected reductive groups over number fields. Our role model for this space of smooth-automorphic forms is a “smooth version” of the space of automorphic forms, whose internal structure was the topic of Franke’s famous paper (Ann Sci de l’ENS 2:181–279, 1998). We prove that the important decomposition along the parabolic support, and the even finer—and structurally more important—decomposition along the cuspidal support of automorphic forms transfer in a topologized version to the larger setting of smooth-automorphic forms. In this way, we establish smooth-automorphic versions of the main results of Franke and Schwermer (Math Ann 311:765–790, 1998) and of Mœglin and Waldspurger (Spectral Decomposition and Eisenstein Series, Cambridge University Press, 1995), III.2.6.
Identification of a novel HIV-1 third-generation circulating recombinant form (CRF126_0755) in Guangdong, China
Authors: Lan Yun , Xin Ruolei , He Ruiying , Li Feng , Ling Xuemei , Li Linghua , Hu Fengyu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe genetic recombination patterns and genetic distribution of HIV-1 are valuable for elucidating the epidemic and genetic diversity of HIV. Numerous HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) have recently emerged and disseminated rapidly. In China, at least 32 CRFs have been reported to account for more than 80% of all HIV infections. However, CRFs derived from the CRF07_BC and CRF55_01B lineages have never been recorded. Here, a novel third-generation CRF involving HIV-1 was identified in four HIV-1-infected patients in Guangdong, China, who had no epidemiological association with each other. Phylogenetic and recombinant analyses confirmed that these strains shared highly similar recombination patterns, with the CRF07_BC backbone substituted by a CRF55_01B segment; therefore, these strains were classified as CRF126_0755. This is the first study of a CRF derived from CRF07_BC and CRF55_01B. Bayesian phylogenetic inference suggested that CRF126_0755 originated in approximately 2005-2007. The present findings reveal that the genotype composition of HIV-1 has become more complex than that of other viruses and highlight the urgent need for continuous molecular screening and epidemic surveillance within HIV-1-infected populations to advance our understanding of viral transmission mechanisms.
Development and validation of a predictive model for poor prognosis of communication disorders in children with cerebral palsy after cervical perivascular sympathectomy
Authors: Wu Junjie , Bai Chao , Yan Baofeng , Mutalifu Nurehemaiti , Guan Qi , Li Jianglong , Luan Xinping 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCervical perivascular sympathectomy (CPVS) can improve communication disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CP); however, there are no research reports on the factors affecting surgical efficacy. This study aimed to establish a nomogram for poor prognosis after CPVS. We collected data from 313 CP patients who underwent CPVS at the Neurosurgery Cerebral Palsy Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2019 to January 2023. Among them, 70% (n = 216) formed the training cohort and 30% (n = 97) the validation cohort. The general data and laboratory examination data of both groups were analyzed. In training cohort, 82 (37.96%) showed improved postoperative communication function. Logistic analysis identified motor function, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin, and prothrombin activity as the prognostic factors. Using these four factors, a prediction model was constructed with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.807 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.743–0.870), indicating its ability to predict adverse outcomes after CPVS. The validation cohort results showed an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.650–0.869). The consistency curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow test (χ2 = 10.988 and p = 0.202, respectively) demonstrated good consistency between the model-predicted incidence and the actual incidence of poor prognosis. Motor function, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin, and prothrombin activity are independent risk factors associated with the prognosis of communication disorders after CPVS. The combined prediction model has a good clinical prediction effect and has promising potential to be used for early prediction of prognosis of CPVS.
Cold Hardiness in ‘Alphonse Lavallee’ (Vitis vinifera L. cv) Grape Dormant Buds and Phloem Tissue: Seasonal Insights and Some Treatment Impacts
Authors: Kose Bulent , Uray Yahya , Bayram Kevser , Yilmaz Turhan , Kaya Ozkan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGrapes are highly susceptible to cold damage during critical developmental stages, impacting viticulture. Understanding the intricate dynamics of cold hardiness in grape dormant buds and phloem tissue is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies. In this study, we investigated the LT50 values, representing the temperature at which 50% of buds are damaged, under different treatments and sampling times. In our research, we evaluated the effects of four treatments—potassium oxide (K2O), calcium chloride (CaCl2), seaweed (SW), and a control—on the cold hardiness of grapevine buds and phloem tissue. Primary bud LT50 values varied across seasons, with January at −22.46 °C, February at −22.35 °C, and March at −20.45 °C. K2O treatment showed a trend toward improvement, although the difference from the control (−21.99 °C) was not statistically significant. Regarding LT50 values, CaCl2 and SW applications did not significantly differ from the control. Tertiary buds, however, exhibited a substantial enhancement in cold hardiness with K2O application, displaying significantly lower LT50 values compared to the control (−23.55 °C). Phloem tissue LT50 values did not significantly differ among treatments, showing less variability. Bud water content significantly increased with K2O application in all sampling periods (January: 35.41% vs. 35.61%; February: 34.03% vs. 39.16%; March: 42.40% vs. 37.82%), while shoot water content remained stable. In conclusion, K2O emerges as a key influencer, particularly in enhancing the cold hardiness of tertiary buds. These insights contribute to the knowledge base for targeted frost mitigation strategies in viticulture.
An assessment of the shade and ground cover influence on the mitigation of water-driven soil erosion in a coffee agroforestry system
Authors: Blanco-Sepúlveda Rafael , Lima Francisco , Aguilar-Carrillo Amilcar 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCoffee cultivation under agroforestry systems is one of the main agricultural activities in Central America, but climate change is putting its sustainability at risk. Rainfall erosivity has worsened, thus driving soil losses. Although the vegetal covers in coffee agroforestry systems play a crucial role in controlling erosion, the specific influence of each cover layer remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the influence of the canopy (tree and banana cover and coffee cover) and ground cover (weed and litter) on water driven soil erosion, to determine which type of cover has the most influence on soil erosion control. The study site is situated in the core and buffer zones of the Macizo de Peñas Blancas National Park (Nicaragua), where seventeen coffee sampling plots with an agroforestry system composed of an Inga spp and Musa spp canopy cover were analysed. The results showed that the 19.2 ± 3.4% of the soil surface was affected by erosion and it was mainly related to the litter ground cover (r = –0.95, P < 0.001). Also, this cover presented the best partial correlation (ryl.tcw = –0.93, P < 0.001) when the effects of the other vegetal covers were eliminated. Specifically, the litter cover accounted for 90% of the erosion variability, while the impact of the other types of cover was negligible, accounting for just 1% of the erosion. We conclude that litter layer is more important than canopy cover for effective erosion control, and the main function of shade trees is as a source of litter biomass.
Sustainable fish production in Egypt: towards strategic management for capture-based aquaculture
Authors: Abdel-Hady Mahmoud M. , El-karashily Ahmed F. , Salem Ahmed Md. , Haggag Shaimaa M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study assessed the sustainability of capture-based aquaculture (CBA) practices in Egypt, identified challenges, and proposed solutions to enhance sustainability. It relied on published data and studies, revealing that these practices are globally widespread for cultivating a diverse range of marine and freshwater species based on wild seed collection. The assessment showed that these practices in Egypt cultivate a variety of fish species. In 2021, they contributed to approximately 34% of the total aquaculture production, amounting to an estimated value of USD 1.476 billion, representing about 57% of the total value of the aquaculture sector. Additionally, these practices provided around 106,022 full-time jobs. Official fishery statistics have not indicated any negative impact of CBA on fish stocks over the past 30 years. Measures aimed at enhancing the sustainability of these practices included granting licenses for the collection of wild seeds for specific species under specific regulations. Facilitating licensing procedures for hatcheries, providing incentives, and promoting farmers’ preferences for hatchery seed were also part of these measures. Furthermore, these actions include facilitating access to financing under favorable conditions, selective breeding, training hatchery workers in best management practices, implementing biosecurity measures, and establishing an accurate statistical system. The implementation of the proposed plan to transition from capture-based aquaculture to hatchery-based aquaculture will contribute to achieving sustainability for both aquaculture and fisheries.
An effective aeration system for high performance pond aeration at low energy cost
Authors: Aytac Ayca , Kelestemur Guluzar Tuna , Tuna M. Cihat 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWith the effective use of aerators with low energy cost and high aeration performance, aquaculture areas can be developed and supported. The main objective of this study is to determine the optimal physical parameters of high aeration capacity high head conduits and to ensure low energy costs, thus to present a comprehensive review of its usability for pond aeration. In this study, a high-head gated conduit was used as the aeration unit. After obtaining the design that will maximize the aeration performance of the high-head gated conduit, a prototype model was developed to ensure its effective use in pond aeration. The parameters affecting the performance of this developed aeration system and the corresponding energy cost values were determined. According to the results, the most important parameters affecting the aeration performance are, respectively, flow rate, the opening of the gate, hydrostatic level, and jet plunge angle. In the optimal design, more than three times the unit volume of water circulating in the system is added to the system. The cost value of this operation in terms of energy was measured as 0.10 kWh/m3 air. The developed system was found to have significantly higher energy efficiency values compared to alternatives, based on specific energy consumption data.
Carbon-chain chemistry in the interstellar medium
Authors: Taniguchi Kotomi , Gorai Prasanta , Tan Jonathan C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe presence of carbon-chain molecules in the interstellar medium (ISM) has been known since the early 1970s and $>130$
>
130
such species have been identified to date, making up $\sim 43$
∼
43
% of the total of detected ISM molecules. They are prevalent not only in star-forming regions in our Galaxy but also in other galaxies. These molecules provide important information on physical conditions, gas dynamics, and evolutionary stages of star-forming regions. Larger species of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes (C60 and C70), which may be related to the formation of the carbon-chain molecules, have been detected in circumstellar envelopes around carbon-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and planetary nebulae, while PAHs are also known to be a widespread component of the ISM in most galaxies. Recently, two line survey projects toward Taurus Molecular Cloud-1 with large single-dish telescopes have detected many new carbon-chain species, including molecules containing benzene rings. These new findings raise fresh questions about carbon-bearing species in the Universe. This article reviews various aspects of carbon-chain molecules, including observational studies, chemical simulations, quantum calculations, and laboratory experiments, and discusses open questions and how future facilities may answer them.
Multi-model ensemble of frost risks across East Asia (1850–2100)
Authors: Richards Jenny , Brimblecombe Peter 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFrost events can cause the deterioration of a wide range of heritage materials, including stone, brick and earth. In a warming world, the frequency and location of frost events is likely to change, affecting the conservation strategies required at heritage sites. We use a multi-model ensemble approach to investigate three types of frost events in East Asia: freeze–thaw cycles; deep frost days and wet frosts. The study uses nine CMIP6 models for the period 1850 to 2100, with future projections run under the SPS585 scenario. Additional analysis is undertaken for five specific 2° ✕ 2° areas located across East Asia. The three frost event parameters are spatially and temporally distinct. A decrease in all three frost parameters is found in Japan, South Korea and East China, with some areas projected to have no frost events by the end of the twenty-first century. However, Northwest China is distinctive as wet frosts are projected to increase over the twenty-first century, while on the Tibetan plateau of Southwest China, freeze–thaw cycles are projected to increase. This suggests that except in some localised regions, heritage managers can focus on risks other than frost weathering in developing plans to address climate change.
Graphical Abstract
Stable two- and three-dimensional cholangiocyte culture systems from extrahepatic bile ducts of biliary atresia patients: use of structural and functional bile duct epithelium models for in vitro analyses
Authors: Shimamura Ai , Higashi Mayumi , Nagayabu Kazuya , Ono Shigeru 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe herein report two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture methods of cholangiocytes originating from extrahepatic bile ducts of biliary atresia (BA) patients. Cells were stabilized for in vitro analyses, and 3D culture by two different methods showed the structural and functional features of cholangiocytes in the gel scaffold. First, cells were obtained from gallbladder contents or resected tissues of patients at surgery and then cultured in our original conditioned medium with a cocktail of signaling inhibitors that maintains the immaturity and amplification of cells. Cells were immortalized by inducing SV40T and hTERT genes using lentivirus systems. Immunostaining with CK19 and Sox9 antibodies confirmed the cells as cholangiocytes. 3D organoids were formed in Matrigel in two different ways: by forming spheroids or via vertical growth from 2D cell sheets (2 + 1D culture). Organoids generated with both methods showed the uptake and excretion of rhodamine-123, and duct-like structures were also found. Our culture methods are simpler than previously reported methods and still show the structural and functional characteristics of cholangiocytes. Thus, this system is expected to be useful for the in vitro investigation of cholangiocyte damage or regeneration in BA patients.
Lake food web structure in Teici Nature reserve, Latvia: fish presence shapes functioning of pristine bog lake food webs
Authors: Zagars Matiss , Christoffersen Kirsten S. , Cremona Fabien 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStudies on the effects of fish presence on lake ecosystems are widespread but only a few have been conducted in pristine aquatic environments. We employed Ecopath model for assessing food web structure in two fish-inhabited and one fishless lake in a pristine bog area. We hypothesized that: (a) fish absence will raise trophic positions of macroinvertebrate predators; (b) fish predation will lead to higher overall predation rates on zooplankton; (c) fish predation on large bodied zooplankton will result in top-down cascading effect, increasing phytoplankton biomasses. We found that fish have direct and indirect effects on zoobenthic communities. Chironomid biomass was greater and predatory macroinvertebrate groups had a higher trophic level in the fishless lake than in fish-inhabited lakes. Consumption rates of the benthic consumer fraction were greater than that of the planktonic fraction in the fishless lake; the opposite was found in the two lakes with fish. No effects of fish presence on zooplankton were found and we explain this partly by the low water transparency masking the impact of fish. Terrestrial insects constituted a crucial part of adult fish diet and we conclude that terrestrial secondary production contributes to the trophic support of fish communities in pristine bog lakes.