bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of coliphage as biocontrol agent in combination with gamma irradiation to eliminate multi-drug-resistant E. coli in minimally processed vegetables
Authors: El-Nour Salwa A. Abou , hammad Ali A. , Fathy Reham , Eid Amal S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBiofilm formation is a rising concern in the food industry. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most important food-borne pathogens that can survive in food and food-related environments and eventually produce biofilms. This study suggested that both coliphages used were successful in preventing the creation of new biofilms as well as removing existing ones. Confocal laser scanning microscopy verified these findings. According to the findings, neither coliphage survived at 37 °C, but both remained stable at 4 °C and − 20 °C for extended periods of time. The study revealed that both coliphages demonstrated a greater degree of gamma irradiation resistance when compared to E. coli. The study’s results indicate that the implementation of a dual method, which incorporates gamma irradiation (1.5 kGy) and coliphage treatment, on various kinds of vegetables that were infected with E. coli, resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial count (surpassing 99.99%) following a 24-h incubation period. Combining gamma irradiation and the coliphage approach was significantly effective at lowering polysaccharide concentrations and proteins in the biofilm matrix. The results revealed that the pairing of gamma irradiation and coliphages acted in conjunction to cause disruptions in the matrix of biofilm, thereby promoting cell removal compared with either of the individual treatments. Ca+ ions strengthen the weak virion interaction with the relevant bacterial host cell receptors during the adsorption process. In conclusion, use of coliphage in combination with gamma irradiation treatment can be applied to improve fresh produce’s microbial safety and enhance its storability in supermarkets.
Graphical Abstract
Wirtschafts- und sozialpolitische Einstellungen und Populismus: Vertikale Konfliktachsen statt ideologischer Konsistenz
Authors: Binder Nicolas 
Published: November 2023

ZusammenfassungAktuelle Forschung verbindet populistische Einstellungen von BürgerInnen mit ökonomischen Sorgen, Gefühlen fehlender Anerkennung oder politischer Unzufriedenheit. Dieser Artikel untersucht, welche konkreten wirtschafts- und sozialpolitischen Einstellungen BürgerInnen mit Populismus verknüpfen. Argumentiert wird, dass die Bewertung konflikthafter vertikaler gesellschaftlicher Relationen die Zusammenhänge strukturiert: Als ökonomische Oben-Unten-Relationen werden das Verhältnis von Staat zu WirtschaftsakteurInnen und von ressourcenreich zu ressourcenarm begriffen. Populismus definiert sich über die politische Oben-Unten-Relation zwischen Elite und Volk. Wird das „Oben“ jeweils als Problem bewertet, kann diese vertikale Konfliktachse beide Einstellungsdimensionen verbinden. Regressionsanalysen auf Basis der ALLBUS 2018 zeigen, wie erwartet, dass die Ablehnung staatlicher Eingriffe in die Wirtschaft, aber auch die Befürwortung von Umverteilung und eine Skepsis im Bereich Außenwirtschaft mit populistischen Einstellungen verbunden sind. Wahrnehmungen ökonomischer Missstände beeinflussen die Stärke der Zusammenhänge kaum statistisch signifikant. Parteipräferenzen schwächen nur die Assoziationen bezüglich der Außenwirtschaft ab. Mit der Bewertung konflikthafter Oben-Unten-Relationen bietet der Artikel eine Erklärung für die ideologisch inkonsistenten Zusammenhänge an. Um deren Mobilisierung nicht rechtspopulistischen Parteien zu überlassen, sollten auch andere Parteien die vertikalen Konflikte adressieren, ohne dabei Grundpfeiler der westlichen Demokratie zu gefährden.
Heterogenität in der Ausbildungsreife nicht-studienberechtigter Schulabgänger:innen – eine latente Profilanalyse auf Basis des Nationalen Bildungspanels
Authors: Schauer Jennifer , Abele Stephan 
Published: November 2023

ZusammenfassungMangelnde Ausbildungsreife wird häufig als Ursache erfolgloser Ausbildungssuche benannt – insbesondere bei Schulabgänger:innen mit max. Hauptschulabschluss (max. HSA). Damit sind beispielsweise Defizite in Lese- und Mathematikkompetenzen oder dem Arbeits- und Sozialverhalten gemeint. Ausprägungskonstellationen dieser Dimensionen von Ausbildungsreife wurden bisher nicht untersucht. In einer latenten Profilanalyse auf Basis der NEPS Startkohorte Klasse 9 explorierten wir Ausprägungsprofile schulischer Kompetenzen und psychologischer Leistungsmerkmale sowie verhaltens- und persönlichkeitsbezogener Merkmale (VP) bei nicht-studienberechtigten Schulabgänger:innen. Wir fanden fünf Profile, die unterschiedliche Konstellationen von Vor- und Nachteilen in diesen Merkmalen beschreiben: (1) Leistungsstärkere mit relativ hoch ausgeprägten VP, (2) Leistungsstärkere mit relativ gering ausgeprägten VP, (3) Durchschnittlich Leistungsstarke mit relativ hoch ausgeprägten VP, (4) Leistungsschwächere mit relativ hoch ausgeprägten VP und (5) Leistungsschwächere mit relativ gering ausgeprägten VP. In allen Profilen waren Schulabgänger:innen mit max. HSA und Mittlerem Schulabschluss (MSA) vertreten. Die Anteile von Schulabgänger:innen mit max. HSA fielen unter den Leistungsschwächeren jedoch deutlich höher aus. In Regressionsanalysen prüften wir die prognostische Validität der Profile hinsichtlich der Wahrscheinlichkeit, nach Schulabgang in eine Berufsausbildung überzugehen. Wir fanden niedrigere Ausbildungswahrscheinlichkeiten bei leistungsstärkeren Schulabgänger:innen, die auf ihre Selbstselektion an berufsbildende Schulen zum Erwerb der Hochschulzugangsberechtigung hindeuteten. Außerdem fanden wir, dass Schulabgänger:innen mit MSA bei gleichem Ausprägungsprofil persistent höhere Ausbildungswahrscheinlichkeiten zeigten als jene mit max. HSA. Angesichts der Heterogenität der Bildungsgruppen gibt dies Anlass zur Kritik an institutionellen und betrieblichen Selektionslogiken.
Deconstructing the Retained Austenite Stability: A Comparative Study of Two-Phase and Bulk Microstructures
Authors: Kumpati Joshua , Hasan Sk. Md. , Rolland Manon Bonvalet , Borgenstam Annika 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe stability of retained austenite is a key factor in the design of advanced high-strength steels that exhibit excellent mechanical performance, including high strength and high ductility/toughness. However, the contribution of certain microstructural factors, such as the morphology and size of the austenite, and the surrounding matrix, to this stability is still not fully understood, partly due to the inherent difficulties in separating these factors in multiphase microstructures. Therefore, this study uniquely compared the stabilities of retained austenite in two-phase microstructures with bulk austenitic microstructures of the same composition, across four medium-Mn steels upon quenching. By fixing the austenite chemical composition, we could exclude the influence of composition and examine the influence of other factors, such as morphology, size, and the surrounding matrix, on the stability of austenite. Our experimental results showed that retained austenite in the two-phase microstructures was more stable than the bulk austenitic microstructures of the same composition, regardless of morphology and size. Analysis using thermodynamic calculations revealed that neither the steel composition nor the size alone could explain the high stability of the retained austenite in the two-phase microstructures. Instead, we propose that microstructural factors, including size, morphology, and matrix, have a significant influence on the metastable austenite in two-phase microstructures. While these factors have been studied previously, our study introduces a novel perspective by excluding the influence of the austenite composition, thus contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of retained austenite stability. These findings may guide the design of advanced steels and highlight the importance of considering the contribution of these microstructural factors in tailoring the stability of metastable austenite.
Cognitive Reserve proxies can modulate motor and non-motor basal ganglia circuits in early Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Di Tella Sonia , Isernia Sara , Cabinio Monia , Rossetto Federica , Borgnis Francesca , Pagliari Chiara , Cazzoli Marta , Navarro Jorge , Silveri Maria Caterina , Baglio Francesca 
Published: November 2023

AbstractParkinson’s Disease (PD) is hallmarked by dysfunctional circuitry between the basal ganglia and dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex. Recently progress has been made in understanding factors contributing to differential susceptibility to pathology mitigating disease-related cognitive decline. Cognitive reserve, the brain processing resources accumulated throughout life while engaged in mentally stimulating activities, can play an important protective role in cognitive performance. We tested the hypothesis that Cognitive Reserve proxies may exert an impact on the basal ganglia and dorsolateral-prefrontal atrophy in early PD. Forty-five early patients with PD and 20 age-gender-matched healthy controls (HC) completed the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire to quantify Cognitive Reserve proxies by three indexes (CRI-Education, CRI-Working Activity, CRI-Leisure Time) and a structural MRI examination (3T). Morphometrical indexes for basal ganglia (bilateral putamen, caudate, pallidum volume) and dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex (cortical thickness) were computed. Significant differences between HC and PD were tested by direct comparisons in demographics, cognitive level, and cognitive reserve proxies indexes. Then two multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of the basal ganglia and dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex structural integrity. Regression analysis revealed that basal ganglia volume was significantly predicted by CRI-Education (pFDR = 0.029), sex (pFDR = 0.029), and Total Intracranial Volume (pFDR < 0.001). Instead, the dorsolateral-prefrontal thickness was predicted by CRI-Leisure Time (pFDR = 0.030) and age (pFDR = 0.010). Cognitive Reserve proxies, especially education and leisure-time activities, can play a protective role on the structural integrity of the basal ganglia and dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex, respectively, critical regions hallmarking brain status of early phases of PD.
Indoor residential and outdoor sources of PM2.5 and PM10 in Nicosia, Cyprus
Authors: Wang Yichen , Koutrakis Petros , Michanikou Antonis , Kouis Panayiotis , Panayiotou Andrie G. , Kinni Paraskevi , Tymvios Filippos , Chrysanthou Andreas , Neophytou Marina , Mouzourides Petros , Savvides Chrysanthos , Vasiliadou Emily , Papasavvas Ilias , Christophides Theodoros , Nicolaou Rozalia , Avraamides Panayiotis , Kang Choong-Min , Papatheodorou Stefania I. , Middleton Nicos , Yiallouros Panayiotis K. , Achilleos Souzana 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCyprus is a typical eastern Mediterranean country that suffers from local emissions, transported anthropogenic pollution, and dust storms all year round. Therefore, exposures to PM in ambient and residential micro-environments are of great public health concern. Our study collected indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 samples simultaneously in 22 houses in Nicosia, Cyprus, during warm seasons and cold seasons from February 2019 to May 2021. Samples were analyzed for mass and constituents’ concentrations. To determine indoor and outdoor sources of PM in residential environments, we used the EPA positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to conduct source apportionment analyses for both indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 particles. Generally, six types of residential-level PM sources were resolved: biomass burning, traffic, local or regional secondary sulfate pollution, Ca-rich particles, sea salt, and soil dust. In the source apportionment of PM2.5, the main contribution to outdoor levels (33.1%) was associated with sulfate-rich transported pollution. The predominant contribution to indoor levels (48.0%) was attributed to secondary sulfate pollution as a mixture of local- and regional-scale pollutants. Biomass burning and traffic sources constituted the main outdoor sources of indoor PM2.5, while the Ca-rich particles were identified to almost originate from indoors. By contrast, the largest fraction (29.3%) of the ambient PM10 and a smaller proportion (10.2%) of indoor PM10 were attributed to Ca-rich particles. Indoor PM10 was associated mainly with outdoor sources, except for the soil dust which originated from indoor activities.
Current Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Children
Authors: Schaaf H. Simon , Hughes Jennifer 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOptimal diagnosis and management of children aged <15 y with rifampicin- or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) relies on identification of adults with the disease and pro-active screening of their close contacts. Children may be diagnosed with RR/MDR-TB based on microbiological confirmation from clinical specimens (sputum, gastric washings, stool), but usually the diagnosis is presumptive, with a history of exposure to RR/MDR-TB and clinical/radiological signs and symptoms suggestive of TB disease. RR/MDR-TB should also be considered in children where first-line TB treatment fails despite good adherence to therapy. Composition and duration of all-oral RR/MDR-TB treatment regimens in children are based on site and severity of TB disease, drug resistance profile of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (isolated from the child or from the most likely source patient), inclusion of at least four drugs considered to be effective (with priority given to World Health Organization Group A and B drugs), toxicity and tolerability of medications (and feasibility of adverse effect monitoring in the child’s setting), and availability of child-friendly formulations of TB medications. Individualized RR/MDR-TB regimens are preferable to the standardised 9–12-mo regimen for children, and injectable agents must not be used. Optimal adherence to treatment relies on education, training and support for caregivers and others who are responsible for administering medications to children, as well as close clinical monitoring and early management of adverse effects. Children who are initiated on adequate RR/MDR-TB regimens have high treatment success rates, but efforts to find and treat more children with undiagnosed RR/MDR-TB are crucial to reduce childhood TB mortality.
Social Housing and Upward Mobility in South Africa: an Assessment of Household Outcomes
Authors: Visagie Justin , Turok Ivan , Scheba Andreas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSocial housing offers a way of promoting upward mobility and urban integration by improving people’s access to economic and social opportunities. These are prominent goals of South Africa’s social housing programme. In practice, household advancement tends to be taken for granted rather than deliberately pursued or monitored. We review survey data for 1632 households across ten social housing projects and find modest evidence of social mobility and racial integration. One reason for this is that other considerations have taken precedence during implementation. We conclude by identifying various ways of reaffirming the transformative goals of social housing.
A novel system to provide information via online YouTube videos and an evaluation of current online information about hereditary breast cancer
Authors: Iesato Asumi , Fushimi Atsushi , Tahara Rie , Terada Mitsuo , Iwase Madoka , Kawamura Chihiro , Yamashita Nami 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
The internet, especially YouTube, has become a prominent source of health information. However, the quality and accuracy of medical content on YouTube vary, posing concerns about misinformation. This study focuses on providing reliable information about hereditary breast cancer on YouTube, given its importance for decision-making among patients and families. The study examines the quality and accessibility of such content in Japanese, where limited research has been conducted.

Methods
A nonprofit organization called BC Tube was established in May 2020 to create informative videos about breast cancer. The study analyzed 85 YouTube videos selected using the Japanese keywords “hereditary breast cancer” and “HBOC”, categorized into six groups based on the source of upload: BC Tube, hospitals/governments, individual physicians, public-interest organizations/companies, breast cancer survivors, and others. The videos were evaluated based on various factors, including content length, view counts, likes, comments, and the presence of advertisements. The content was evaluated using the PEMAT and DISCERN quality criteria.

Results
BC Tube created high-quality videos with high scores on PEMAT understandability, significantly outperforming other sources. Videos from public-interest organizations/companies received the most views and likes, despite their lower quality. Videos from medical institutions and governments were of superior quality but attracted less attention.

Conclusions
Our study emphasizes the importance of promoting accessible, easy-to-understand, and widely recognized medical information online. The popularity of videos does not always correspond to their quality, emphasizing the importance of quality evaluation. BC Tube provides a peer-reviewed platform to disseminate high-quality health information. We need to develop high-quality online health information and encourage the promotion of evidence-based information on YouTube.
Enhancing the Efficacy of Natural Repellents Against Grapevine Pathogens by Tannins-Lignin-Mixed Nanovectors
Authors: Falsini Sara , Nieri Tommaso , Schiff Silvia , Papini Alessio , Salvatici Maria Cristina , Carella Giuseppe , Mugnai Laura , Gonnelli Cristina , Ristori Sandra 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe severe use of conventional pesticides has led to rethinking agriculture protocols for crop protection. In this context, attention has been given to nanopesticides, i.e., formulations containing nanosized particles to deliver poorly soluble bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to design and prepare nanoparticles from biopolymers such as lignin and tannins to allow the encapsulation and transport of neem oil and capsaicin against three grapevine phytopathogenic fungi: Verticillium dahliae, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium minimum. Tannins from grape seeds were chosen as adjuvants for the lignin matrix forming the nanocapsules to improve compatibility between the nanovectors and the target since tannins are intrinsic components found in vine plants. Neem oil was used as dispersant for the non-polar bioactive substance capsaicin against pathogenic fungi and for its own antimicrobial properties. The size and structure of the particles in these new formulations were characterized prior to in vitro tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that submicrom globular structures constituted the most abundant population. From dynamic light scattering (DLS), it was found that the average diameter in solution was in the range 250–300 nm for loaded vectors and zeta potential (ZP) showed that all the scattering objects had a negative surface charge (in the range from − 52 to − 37 mV). Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to get finer insight into the structural properties of plain and loaded aggregates by fitting the intensity diagrams with a superposition of different contributions, which depended on the specific formulation, in agreement with the SEM pictures taken on the solid obtained from solvent evaporated samples. Regarding the antifungal activity, the most promising results were obtained against the fungi P. minimum. In this case, the advantage obtained by administration through nanocapsules was a dramatic reduction in the amount of both neem oil and capsaicin needed for the treatment. The antifungal effect was suggested to stem out from the synergistic activity of the two bioactive compounds.
Image augmentation with conformal mappings for a convolutional neural network
Authors: Rainio Oona , Nasser Mohamed M. S. , Vuorinen Matti , Klén Riku 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFor augmentation of the square-shaped image data of a convolutional neural network (CNN), we introduce a new method, in which the original images are mapped onto a disk with a conformal mapping, rotated around the center of this disk and mapped under such a Möbius transformation that preserves the disk, and then mapped back onto their original square shape. This process does not result the loss of information caused by removing areas from near the edges of the original images unlike the typical transformations used in the data augmentation for a CNN. We offer here the formulas of all the mappings needed together with detailed instructions how to write a code for transforming the images. The new method is also tested with simulated data and, according the results, using this method to augment the training data of 10 images into 40 images decreases the amount of the error in the predictions by a CNN for a test set of 160 images in a statistically significant way ($$p=0.0360$$

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Digital soil characteristics mapping for aiding site-specific management practices in the West Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: AbdelRahman Mohamed A. E. , Metwaly Mohamed M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSoil survey system is the key word for sustainable soil use and management. This study aimed to generate a digital soil mapping (DSM) using various spatial resolutions of freely available digital elevation models (DEMs) i.e., (30 m ALOS “Advanced Land Observing Satellite”, 12.5 m ALOS, 30 m SRTM “Shuttle Radar Topography Mission”, and 90 m SRTM) to assess the spatial variability of soil physio-chemical characteristics in El-Beheira Province, Western Nile Delta. A total of 196 geo-referenced soil profiles were collected from agricultural fields, and the soil's contents of total nitrogen (TN), potassium (K), available phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) were analyzed. The study revealed that the soil's contents of TN, P, S, B, and Cu were low, and Mg was suspected to be higher than K, leading to an Mg-induced K shortage. The study also found wide-ranging spatial variability structures of inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolated maps for several soil physio-chemical characteristics. The DSM further revealed that poor status was present in 85.4% of TN, 91.7% of P, 76.9% of S, and 87% of both B and Cu. The conclusion is that soil variability, as demonstrated in DSM, outweighs uniform treatment, and this discovery will assist extension workers, scientists, and decision-makers in implementing site-specific nutrient management strategies. Validation of the DSM is recommended for crop and variety-specific nutrient treatment rates. Understanding the geographical variance in the soil is critical for long-term nutrient management and higher output.
Sustainable adaptation planning strategies for the medical care integrated community in the context of normalized pandemic
Authors: Che Le , Gao Jin , Guo Zhijian , Cao Shangqing 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn the context of active aging, this research explores the spatial paradigm of medical and care community and the implementation path of sustainable adaptation to solve the mismatch between supply and demand in the practice of medical and care integration. Firstly, the HBSI theoretical model was constructed based on Maslow’s demand-ERG demand theory. Secondly, the study uses NVivo qualitative analysis and SPSS to analyze the multidimensional needs of the healthcare population for community space and services. Then, based on KANO model, the hierarchy of complex needs was classified and prioritized to achieve spatial fitting and control inference. Finally, a supply strategy was constructed to promote multidimensional health of users, realizing harmonious transformation of epidemic control and sustainable adaptation to changes.