bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Characterization of Myf5 and POU1F1 Genes in Different Egyptian Local Rabbit Breeds and Their Association with Growth Traits
Authors: Ahmed Sahar , Ali Neama Ibrahim , Darwish Hassan Ramadan , Salem Lamiaa Mohamed , Elsayad Reda Ismail , El-Keredy Amira 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGenetic characterization and its association with quantitative traits in local breeds are important tools for the genetic improvement and sustainable management of animal genetic resources. Myogenic regulatory factor 5 (MYf5) and POU class 1 homeobox 1 (POU1F1) are candidate genes which play important roles in growth and development of mammals. The present study aims to detect the genetic diversity of the MYf5 and POU1F1 genes in four local Egyptian rabbit breeds and their association with growth traits, using PCR-restriction enzyme (PCR–RFLP), PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP), and direct sequencing techniques. The results showed that MYF5 exon 1 was observed with two genotypes in Baladi Black (BB), Gabali (GB) and New Zealand White (NZW) breeds while APRI-line (APRI) presented one genotype. The genetic diversity of Myf5 exon 2 between breeds showed two genotypes in APRI compared to three in NZW and four genotypes in BB and GB breeds. The genetic diversity of the POU1F1 gene (intron 5 and partial cds) in different rabbit breeds was two genotypes in NZW and three genotypes in BB, GB, and APRI breeds with different frequencies for each genotype. Based on the statistically significant difference between genes genotypes and growth weight, the results suggested that the genotypes of Myf5 exon 2 (1 and 2) of the BB breed, Myf5 exon 2 genotype 2 of the APRI breed, and genotype 1 of Myf5 exon 1 and genotype 1 of POU1F1 of the NZW breed compared to genotypes for each gene can be considered candidate molecular markers associated with the improvement of growth traits in these breeds.
Quasilinear elliptic equations involving measure valued absorption terms and measure data
Authors: Gkikas Konstantinos T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLet 1 < p < N and Ω ⊂ ℝN be an open bounded domain. We study the existence of solutions to equation $$(E) - {\Delta _p}u + g(u)\sigma = \mu $$
(
E
)
−

Δ
p

u
+
g
(
u
)
σ
=
μ
in Ω, where g ∈ C(ℝ) is a nondecreasing function, μ is a bounded Radon measure on Ω and σ is a nonnegative Radon measure on ℝN. We show that if σ belongs to some Morrey space of signed measures, then we may investigate the existence of solutions to equation (E) in the framework of renormalized solutions. Furthermore, imposing a subcritical integral condition on g, we prove that equation (E) admits a renormalized solution for any bounded Radon measure μ. When $$g(t) = |t{|^{q - 1}}t$$
g
(
t
)
=
|
t

|

q
−
1

t
with q > p − 1, we give various sufficient conditions for the existence of renormalized solutions to (E). These sufficient conditions are expressed in terms of Bessel capacities.
SJORS: A Semantic Recommender System for Journalists
Authors: Garrido Ángel Luis , Pera Maria Soledad , Bobed Carlos 
Published: December 2023

AbstractRecommender Systems support a broad range of domains, each with peculiarities that recommendation algorithms must consider to produce appropriate suggestions. In the paper, we bring attention to a little-studied scenario related to the news domain: recommendations catering to media journalists. Based on the particular needs inherent to a newsroom, the authors introduce SJORS, a wire news Recommender System that takes into account the activities of each journalist as well as other critical factors that arise in this particular domain, such as wire news recency. Given the nature of the items recommended, SJORS deals with the inherent ambiguity of natural language by exploiting different semantic techniques and technologies. The authors have conducted several experiments in a media company, which validated the performance and applicability of the system. Outcomes emerging from this work could be extended to other domains of interest, such as online stores, streaming platforms, or digital libraries, to name a few.
Morpho-anatomical attributes of the Egyptian Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae R.Br.) with its phytochemicals and fungal-endophytes
Authors: Hussein Nagwa R. A. , El-Dawy Eman G. A. M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEgyptian Conocarpus erectus L., or the buttonwood, was studied in different terms. This study used light and scanning electron microscopy, HPLC, and GC–MS analyses. Foliar morphology, anatomy of stems and leaves, pollen morphology, and phytochemical and endofungal attributes were investigated. It was an evergreen shrub with alternate leaves, a pair of nectary glands on the leaf base, and a few indumentums. Trichomes of both non- and glandular hairs were found. Stomata were sized, reaching 37.5 × 25.0 µm. They appeared on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The stem and leaf interior structure was typically like most dicots. Their internal structure revealed the mycelium of Aspergillus flavus throughout. Similarly, the accumulation of phenolic compounds as colored particles and integrated phytochemicals in crystalloid druses are observed internally. The endophytic fungus A. flavus, isolated from the leaves of C. erectus, contained the highest concentration of kojic acid. As a result, we could consider this A. flavus strain as a source of kojic acid for application in industry. Fungal and C. erectus extracts showed broad-range antifungal activity against three opportunistic human pathogenic fungi (Geotrichum candidum OL960606, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum OL960610, and Scopulariopsis coprophila OL960621). The major bioactive compounds of C. erectus leaf extracts were gallic acid, rutin, and rosmarinic acid. In conclusion, the endophytic A. flavus isolated from C. erectus has a variety of biological and medicinal uses that make it a potential commercial resource.
Development of wavelet-based machine learning models for predicting long-term rainfall from sunspots and ENSO
Authors: Lin Yuan-Chien , Weng Tzu-Han 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe variations in rainfall and its spatial and temporal distribution in wet and dry seasons have increased substantially globally owing to the effect of climate change. These disparities can lead to droughts and severe water shortages, as exemplified by the unprecedented drought in Taiwan in 2021, which is considered the worst in 50 years. From a broader perspective, the overall climate and water resources on Earth are influenced by factors, such as the El Niño phenomenon and solar activity. Accordingly, this study examines the relationship between rainfall and planetary- or large-scale influencing factors, such as sunspots and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Additionally, rainfall patterns under various conditions are predicted using machine learning models combined with wavelet analysis. These models use 60-years historical data to build models, and the Bayesian network model exhibited the best overall prediction accuracy (85.7%), with sunspots emerging as the most influential factor. The novel findings of this study strongly confirmed that the relationship between sunspot and local rainfall patterns can serve as a valuable reference for water resources management and planning by relevant organizations.
Evaluation of geohydraulic response properties of hydrogeological units in Littoral hydro-lithofacies in Uyo, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Ibuot Johnson C. , Obiora Daniel N. , George Nyakno J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAquifer geohydraulic response properties are important parameters in groundwater resource management and exploitation. However, geohydraulic properties in the study area is sketchy and due to wildcat drilling. This practice, which leads to inadequate inventory of groundwater parameters, deprived the area of efficient exploitation, monitoring and management of groundwater resources. This study is aimed at evaluating the geo-hydraulic response properties of hydrogeological units in littoral hydro-lithofacies in Uyo, Southern Nigeria. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique was carried out, and a total of fifteen geoelectric soundings were obtained using IGIS Resistivity metre model SSR-MP-ATS and its accessories employing Schlumberger electrode configuration. The interpreted data give sets of geoelectric curves from which the aquifer resistivity and thickness were determined. The results reveal the aquifer bulk resistivity ranging from 23.4 to 1306.2 Ωm with an average of 347.99 Ωm, while aquifer thickness spanned from 7.4 to 56.3 m. The formation factor, fractional porosity and transmissivity ranged from 2.41 to 12.52, 0.20 to 0.46, and 0.001 to 0.037m2/s, respectively. The formation tortuosity also ranged from 1.05 to 1.58; longitudinal conductance ranged from 0.020 to 1.004 Ω−1; and transverse resistance ranged from 549.90 to 69,097.98 Ωm2. These parameters were contoured, and their variations are displayed on the contour maps generated. The graphs plotted showed strong correlation coefficient and earth response function that can be used in modelling the aquifer repositories in areas with similar geomaterials. The results of this study indicate that the survey area has a good prospect for groundwater accumulation, and the results can be useful in installing matching hydraulic pumps in boreholes in the survey area.
Influence of perlite/biosolid composition on growth and uptake of Cd and Mn by radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under greenhouse conditions
Authors: Onchoke Kefa K. , Fateru Oluwadamilola O. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe effects of different perlite/biosolid compositions upon the uptake of Cd and Mn, and the growth of radish plants (Raphanus sativus L) was investigated by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS). Mn and Cd were added in soluble forms to perlite/biosolid compositions. Notably, Mn concentrations in different plant parts were found to increase with increase in biosolid compositions, in the order [Mn]leaves > [Mn]shoot > [Mn]roots. This is plausible for Mn, in conformity with the essential role Mn plays during photosynthesis, in metabolic processes, and oxidation–reduction processes in cells. Results indicate that Mn concentrations in plant parts increased up to ~ 50% (wt/wt) perlite/biosolid application rates. In contrast the Cd uptake concentrations in plant parts decreased in the order [Cd]roots > [Cd]shoots > [Cd]leaf. Thus, toxic Cd tends to be sequestered in the roots vis-à-vis Mn that is translocated to the leaves. These results suggest that radish plants sequester Cd in the roots. Biosolids therefore play an important role in sequestering and binding of Cd. The observed concomitant increase in biomass yields implicates the rich contribution of N and P from biosolids. The results from the greenhouse experiments lead to the conclusion on the role played by the biosolids in cleanup and remediations for Cd and Mn, which increased in plant parts with composted wastewater sludge—compositions.
Occurrence of mammary gland tumours in male dogs and its weak association with development of testicular tumours: a review
Authors: Tkaczyk-Wlizło Angelika , Kowal Krzysztof , Śmiech Anna , Ślaska Brygida 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMammary gland tumours (MGTs) are commonly occurring neoplasms in female dogs. However, rare cases of MGTs in male dogs have been reported for years. Due to the low incidence of MGTs in male dogs in comparison to female dogs, veterinary oncology is mainly focused on mammary neoplasms diagnosed in female dogs and extensive research is conducted in this scientific area. Therefore, there are no sufficient epidemiological data on male dogs and the aetiology of their tumour development is still poorly understood.The aim of this literature review was to present cases of MGTs in male dogs for better understanding the scale of the problem over the years. The analyses of 74 affected male dogs with 92 tumours showed that the majority of MGTs in male dogs were benign tumours (54.3%), especially in form of adenomas, often developed in posterior canine mammary glands (58.1%).The increased number of canine MGTs in male dogs aged 7 -13 years with an age peak at 11 years was noted. The age of affected animals was not related to breed. Mammary gland neoplasms were diagnosed predominately in Crossbreeds (20.2%) followed by Cocker Spaniels (18.9%) and German Shepherds (10.8%).The association between MGT development in male dogs and co-occurrence of testicular tumours (TTs) has been discussed for years. Thus, cases of development of both tumours were included in this study. As a result, only in 12.7% cases of MGTs also history of TTs was described. Therefore, no general association between these tumours should be assumed.
Influence of pulping conditions on the pulp yield and fiber properties for pulping of spruce chips by deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Pérez Alan D. , Roy Yagnaseni , Rip Constantijn , Kersten Sascha R. A. , Schuur Boelo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe chemical pulping of wood chips using deep eutectic solvents (DES-pulping) has emerged as an alternative technology to conventional pulping in the paper industry, allowing the production of pulp in combination with the recovery of lignin and sugars for valorization. A challenge in the development of this technology is the understanding of how the operating conditions influence the crucial pulp manufacturing parameters such as delignification percentage, pulp yield, and fiber quality. This work is focused on investigating the effect of operating conditions such as cooking temperature, cooking time, liquor-to-wood ratio, initial water content on DES, type of mixing, the addition of a pre-treatment step (pre-impregnation of DES into the wood chips) to cooking process, and DES composition (lactic acid:choline chloride, lactic acid:sodium chloride, and lactic acid:sodium bromide) on the cooking of wood chips by DES. A shortcut quality evaluation parameter (Q), defined as the product of the fiber length and the degree of delignification quantified the quality of the pulping process in a single value, shows values similar to a reference unbleached kraft pulp for cooking at 130 °C in a range of cooking times from 3 to 4.5 h at a L/W of 10:1 by using lactic acid:choline chloride DES. More elaborate property analysis on the fibers showed that several of the the quality-indicating properties of the fibers (coarseness, shape factor, fibril area, and crill index) are comparable with typical sulfite pulping fibers.
Assessment of polyhydroxyalkanoates and polysaccharides production in native phototrophic consortia under nitrogen and phosphorous-starved conditions
Authors: Romero-Frasca E. , Buitrón G. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGrowing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based polymers has increased the interest in the microalgae-based production of polymers, specifically polyhydroxyalkanoates and polysaccharides. While most studies in microbial polymer production have primarily focused on axenic or genetically engineered cultures of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae, little is known about the potential of mixed phototrophic consortia. This study aimed to obtain and evaluate mixed photosynthetic consortia of different origins (natural and residual) as a novel approach for polyhydroxyalkanoates and polysaccharides accumulation. Activated sludge and freshwater samples were collected and inoculated in lab-scale photobioreactors to generate mixed photosynthetic consortia. After a preliminary screening for polymer-accumulating strains under nutrient-unbalanced conditions, the selected strains were subjected to a biphasic strategy (biomass accumulation and nutrient stress) to evaluate their polyhydroxyalkanoates and polysaccharide accumulation. First, cultures were subjected to a nutrient-rich phase to increase the biomass content and then deprived of nutrients (known as the polymer accumulation phase) to evaluate polyhydroxyalkanoates and polysaccharide yield. Findings in this study revealed that the highest polysaccharide yield for activated sludge biomass and freshwater consortia was 460 ± 16 and 320 ± 24 mg glucose g dried biomass−1, respectively. In contrast, the highest polyhydroxyalkanoates accumulation levels for both cultures were calculated at 5 mg polyhydroxyalkanoates g dried biomass−1. The efficacy of nutrient stress as a selective pressure strategy to develop mostly polysaccharides-accumulating consortia was demonstrated.
Clinical evaluation of a multiplex droplet digital PCR for pathogen detection in critically ill COVID-19 patients with bloodstream infections
Authors: Li Yanbing , Huang Kangkang , Yin Jun , Tan Zheren , Zhou Manli , Dai Jiaoyang , Yi Bin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Nosocomial bloodstream infections (nBSI) have emerged as a clinical concern for physicians treating COVID-19 patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multiplex ddPCR in detecting bacterial pathogens in the blood of COVID-19 critically ill patients.

Methods
This prospective diagnostic study included RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital from December 2022 to February 2023. A multiplex ddPCR assay was used to detect common bacterial pathogens and AMR genes in blood samples of the patients, along with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). The diagnostic performance of the ddPCR assay was evaluated by comparing the results with those obtained through blood culture and clinical diagnosis. Additionally, the ability of ddPCR in detecting bacterial resistance was compared with the AST results.

Results
Of the 200 blood samples collected from 184 patients, 45 (22.5%) were positive using blood culture, while 113 (56.5%) were positive for bacterial targets using the ddPCR assay. The ddPCR assay outperformed blood culture in pathogen detection rate, mixed infection detection rate, and fungal detection rate. Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most commonly detected pathogens in COVID-19 critically ill patients, followed by Enterococcus and Streptococcus. Compared to blood culture, ddPCR achieved a sensitivity of 75.5%, specificity of 51.0%, PPV of 30.9%, and NPV of 87.8%, respectively. However, there were significant differences in sensitivity among different bacterial species, where Gram-negative bacteria have the highest sensitivity of 90.3%. When evaluated on the ground of clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of ddPCR were 78.1%, 90.5%, 94.7%, and 65.5%, respectively. In addition, the ddPCR assay detected 23 cases of blaKPC, which shown a better consistent with clinical test results than other detected AMR genes. Compared to blaKPC, there were few other AMR genes detected, indicating that the application of other AMR gene detection in the COVID-19 critically ill patients was limited.

Conclusion
The multiplex ddPCR assay had a significantly higher pathogen detection positivity than the blood culture, which could be an effective diagnostic tool for BSIs in COVID-19 patients and to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of sepsis on the healthcare system, though there is room for optimization of the panels used.- Adjusting the targets to include E. faecalis and E. faecium as well as Candida albicans and Candida glabrata could improve the ddPCR' s effectiveness. However, further research is needed to explore the potential of ddPCR in predicting bacterial resistance through AMR gene detection.
Deformation and residual stress of T-shaped joints fabricated by laser-arc hybrid welding for steel bridge members
Authors: Chen Gang , Hirohata Mikihito , Hyoma Kengo , Matsumoto Naoyuki , Inose Koutarou 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA series of experiments and analyses were performed for applying laser-arc hybrid welding to fabricating steel bridge components. Two-pass fully penetrated T-shaped joints using high-performance steel (SBHS400) having a 15-mm thickness were produced using hybrid welding. T-shaped joints having identical dimensions were manufactured using conventional arc welding. Without considering the inter-pass cooling time, the duration of hybrid welding was reduced by roughly 83% in comparison to that for GMAW. The average out-of-plane deformation caused by hybrid welding was decreased by 67% compared to arc welding. The fully coupled thermal elastic–plastic analyses were performed to replicate the distribution of residual stress in as-welded T-shaped joints. The analytical results indicated that the tensile residual stress range in hybrid-welded T-shaped joints was approximately one third (1/3) of that in arc-welded T-shaped joints. The weld joints produced by hybrid welding may have advantages over those produced by arc welding in terms of reducing welding deformation, decreasing welding residual stresses, and shortening welding time when manufacturing large steel bridge components.
The impact of metformin on survival in diabetic endometrial cancer patients: a retrospective population-based analysis
Authors: Drevinskaite Mingaile , Kaceniene Auguste , Linkeviciute-Ulinskiene Donata , Smailyte Giedre 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of our study was to assess overall survival and cancer-specific survival in endometrial cancer patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using metformin.

Methods
Patients with endometrial cancer and T2DM during 2000–2012 period were identified from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry and the National Health Insurance Fund database. Cancer-specific and overall survival were primary outcomes.

Results
In our study we included 6287 women with endometrial cancer out of whom 664 were diagnosed with T2DM (598 metformin users and 66 never users). During follow-up (mean follow-up time was 8.97 years), no differences in risk of endometrial cancer specific mortality was observed in diabetic patients treated with metformin (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.87, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.70–1.07). Overall mortality in the diabetic metformin ever users’ group was significantly higher compared with the non-diabetic endometrial cancer women (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03–1.32) and in the group of metformin never users with T2DM (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07–1.87).

Conclusion
Our study results suggest no beneficial impact on overall and cancer-specific survival in endometrial cancer patients who were treated with metformin as part of their diabetes treatment.
Domination of Managerial and Technical Frames—How the Circular Economy Is Reported in Finnish Business
Authors: Mäkelä Marileena , Onkila Tiina 
Published: December 2023

AbstractOur research combines two research fields—the circular economy (CE) and sustainability reporting. Previous CE literature has focused on economic and environmental aspects, while the focus on social aspects has been rare. In the field of sustainability reporting, research on CE reporting is lacking. We address this gap. Our data consist of 32 sustainability reports from large Finnish companies. We applied frame analysis to the reports and found that CE reporting varies from none to moderate. Furthermore, we identified three different frames of CE reporting: CE management, technical CE and social CE. The management and technical frames dominate our data. This study contributes to the prior literature on CE reporting by showing how CE is positively framed in sustainability reports but lacks indications of the systematic change that is considered the core of CE in its previous conceptualisations. To achieve strong sustainability, companies urgently need to change the ways in which they operate.