bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Responses of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of Diaspis boisduvalii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) to Insecticides and Herbicides in Costa Rican banana plantations.
Authors: Solano-Gutiérrez Minor , Hanson Paul , Guillén-Sánchez César 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) have been identified as pests worldwide. In Costa Rica, various armored scale insects are economically important in the production of agricultural and horticultural products for exportation. Diaspis boisduvalii Signoret is a primary insect pest in banana plantations, causing substantial economic losses and high control costs. In order to determine the effect of insecticide and herbicide use on percent parasitism of D. boisduvalii on banana (Musa AAA “Cavendish”) in Costa Rica, six commercial plantations with varying insecticide and herbicide use were sampled over a five-month period. Pseudopetioles from the oldest pseudoleaf of banana plants infested with scale insects were collected monthly at each site. Each pseudopetiole fragment (55 cm2) was stored in a well-ventilated glass tube and monitored daily for parasitoid emergence, percent parasitism, and sex ratio. Four parasitoid species from two families were identified. A gregarious ectoparasitoid Aphytis sp., a solitary endoparasitoid Coccobius sp. and a very rare hyperparasitoid Ablerus sp. (Aphelinidae), and a solitary endoparasitoid Plagiomerus peruviensis (Girault) (Encyrtidae). The study revealed a significant negative impact of insecticides (p < .001), but species-specific responses to herbicides. Rather suprisingly, P. peruviensis showed a higher percent parasitism in plantations with herbicides than without herbicides, unlike the other parasitoids. Results from sex ratios suggest that P. peruviensis reproduces via thelytokous parthenogenesis.
Detection of metolachlor in grain by N-doped carbon quantum dots
Authors: Wang Jinchen , Zhang Liyuan , Yu Runzhong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
To achieve rapid detection of metolachlor in grain, nitrogen was doped into carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) by a hydrothermal method, and the morphological features, elemental compositions and optical properties of the N-CQDs were analyzed and investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. Based on the principle of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), a fluorescent probe was constructed for the rapid detection of metolachlor. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the fluorescence intensity change values of N-CQDs and metolachlor concentration had a good linear relationship when the concentration of metolachlor was in the range of 0.0125-2.5 µg/mL. The evaluation of the method showed that the method has good selectivity, reproducibility and stability, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.63 µg/kg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.92 µg/kg. The spiked recoveries of the six real samples were tested using a spiked recovery assay, which yielded spiked recoveries in the range of 105.05%~87.13%, and their relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 3) ranged from 4.62–0.61%, indicating that the method can be used in the detection of practical samples with good precision and stability.
Biochemical, Morphological and Molecular Assessments of Flavonoids of Phoenix dactylifera L. Following Exposure to Inorganic Mercury on the Liver of Wistar Rats.
Authors: Abubakar Musa Garba , Agbon Abel Nosereme , Musa Sunday Abraham , Hamman Wilson O. , Oladele Sunday Blessing 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Introduction: Mercury is a highly toxic metal that exerts adverse effects on humans and animals. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is used in folk medicine to treat fever, and inflammation, among others. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Phoenix dactylifera on mercury-induced kidney damage in Wistar rats.Design: 45 male rats (80–125g) were divided into nine groups (I-XI). Group 1 received 1mg/kg of distilled water, group II received mercury chloride (HgCl2) at 5 mg/kg; group III was pretreated with100 mg/kg of silymarin followed by 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; groups IV and V were pretreated with 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera (AFPD) respectively, followed by 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; groups VI and VII were pretreated with 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of ethanol extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. (EFPD) respectively, followed by 5 mg/kg of HgCl2 while group VIII and IX received 1000 mg/kg of AFPD and EFPD respectively. After two weeks of oral administration, the animals were sacrificed and the blood and kidney tissue were collected for analyses.Results The present study showed that MDA significantly increased in HgCl2 group when compared to control while histological and histochemical changes in the kidney revealed severe degenerative changes. AFPD and EFPD extracts restored serum enzymes, electrolytes and antioxidant enzymes activity with significant increase in SOD activity in the AFPD (high dose) when compared to the HgCl2 treated group. This indicates some level of protection against HgCl2-induced changes in the kidneys of Wistar rats. The protective activity of the AFPD and EFPD may be attributed to the antioxidant properties of the phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, tannins etc.Conclusion The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Phoenix dactylifera are potential candidates for the management and treatment of ROS-induced kidney diseases.
Novel Anti-B-cell Maturation Antigen Alpha-Amanitin Antibody-drug Conjugate HDP-101 Shows Superior Activity to Belantamab Mafodotin and Enhanced Efficacy in Deletion 17p Myeloma Models
Authors: Singh Ram Kumar , Jones Richard J. , Shirazi Fazal , Qin Li , Zou Jianxuan , Hong Samuel , Wang Hua , Lee Hans C. , Patel Krina K. , Wan Jie , Choudhary Rajan Kumar , Kuiatse Isere , Pahl Andreas , Orlowski Robert Z. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) plays a pathobiologic role in myeloma and is a validated target with five BCMA-specific therapeutics having been approved for relapsed/refractory disease. However, these drugs are not curative, and responses are inferior in patients with molecularly-defined high-risk disease, including those with deletion 17p (del17p) involving the tumor suppressor TP53, supporting the need for further drug development. Del17p has been associated with reduced copy number and gene expression of RNA polymerase II subunit alpha (POLR2A) in other tumor types. We therefore studied the possibility that HDP-101, an anti-BCMA antibody drug conjugate (ADC) with the POLR2A poison α-amanitin could be an attractive agent in myeloma, especially with del17p. HDP-101 reduced viability in myeloma cell lines representing different molecular disease subtypes, and overcame adhesion-mediated and both conventional and novel drug resistance. After confirming that del17p is associated with reduced POLR2A levels in publicly available myeloma patient databases, we engineered TP53 wild-type cells with a TP53 knockout (KO), POLR2A knockdown (KD), or both, the latter to mimic del17p. HDP-101 showed potent anti-myeloma activity against all tested cell lines, and exerted enhanced efficacy against POLR2A KD and dual TP53 KO/POLR2A KD cells. Mechanistic studies showed HDP-101 up-regulated the unfolded protein response, activated apoptosis, and induced immunogenic cell death. Notably, HDP-101 impacted CD138-positive but not -negative primary cells, showed potent efficacy against aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive clonogenic cells, and eradicated myeloma in an in vivo cell line-derived xenograft (CDX). Interestingly, in the CDX model, prior treatment with HDP-101 precluded subsequent engraftment on tumor cell line rechallenge in a manner that appeared to be dependent in part on natural killer cells and macrophages. Finally, HDP-101 was superior to the BCMA-targeted ADC belantamab mafodotin against cell lines and primary myeloma cells in vitro, and in an in vivo CDX. Together, the data support the rationale for translation of HDP-101 to the clinic, where it is now undergoing Phase I trials, and suggest that it could emerge as a more potent ADC for myeloma with especially interesting activity against the high-risk del17p myeloma subtype.
Prospective multicenter evaluation of adherence to the Dutch guideline for children aged 0 - 16 years with fever without a source - Febrile Illness in Children (FINCH) study
Authors: Keuning Maya Wietske , Klarenbeek Nikki N. , Bout Hidde J. , Broer Amber , Draaijer Melvin , Hol Jeroen , Hollander Nina , Merelle Marieke , Rashid Amara Nassar-Sheikh , Nusman Charlotte , Oostenbroek Emma , Ridderikhof Milan L. , Roelofs Manouck , Rossem Ellen van , Schoor Sophie R.D. van der , Schouten Sarah M. , Taselaar Pieter , Vasse Koen , Wermeskerken Anne-Marie van , Zande Julia M.J. van der , Zuurbier Roy P. , Bijlsma Merijn W. , Pajkrt Dasja , Plötz Frans B. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Evaluation of guidelines in actual practice is a crucial step in guideline improvement. Retrospective evaluation of the Dutch guideline for children with fever without an apparent source (FWS) showed 50% adherence in young infants. We prospectively evaluated adherence to the Dutch guideline and its impact on management in current practice.
Methods
Prospective observational multicenter study, including children three days to sixteen years old presented for FWS at one of seven Emergency Departments in participating secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the Netherlands. Adherence to the Dutch FWS guideline, adapted from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, was evaluated and patterns in non-adherence and the impact of non-adherence on clinical outcomes and resource use were explored.
Results
Adherence to the guideline was 192/370 (52%). Adherence was lowest in patients categorized as high risk for severe infection (72/187, 39%), compared to the low risk group (64/73, 88%). Differences in adherence were significant between risk categories (P < 0.001) but not between age categories. In case of non-adherence, less urinalysis, less bacterial cultures (blood, urine and cerebral spinal fluid) and less empirical antibiotic treatment were performed (P < 0.050). Clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the non-adherence and the adherence group, particularly regarding missed severe infections.
Conclusions
We found a high non-adherence rate of 48%, which did not lead to unfavorable clinical outcomes. This substantiates the need for a critical reevaluation of the FWS guideline and its indications for bacterial cultures, viral testing and antibiotic treatment.
Effects of BOPPPS model combined with case-based learning on hernia surgery education for 5 th year undergraduate：an observational study from China
Authors: Wang Hai-yang , Liu Junjie , Tang Bo 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of case-based learning (CBL) based on the bridge-in, objective, preassessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary (BOPPPS) model in hernia surgeryeducation for fifth-year medical undergraduates.
Methods A total of 180 medicine undergraduates in Grade 2021 were enrolled in the observational study. These students were randomly divided into two groups, the traditional lecture (TL) group (N=90) and the CBL-BOPPPS group (N=90), respectively. After class, the course evaluation questionnaire (CEQ) was used to evaluate the student’s evaluation and satisfaction with the course. The post-class test was used to evaluate the learning outcome.
Results The CEQ showed that CBL-BOPPPS teaching was better than TL teaching in “improving team assistance ability”, “course content interest”, “clarifying learning objectives” and “problem-solving ability” (P <0.05). In the post-class test, the total score and clinical analysis score were significantly higher in the CBL-BOPPPS group than in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion CBL teaching based on the BOPPPS model is beneficial to improve students’ clinical analysis ability, satisfaction, and learning outcomes.
Bnip3 expression is strongly associated with reelin-positive entorhinal cortex layer II neurons
Authors: Omholt Stig W. , Lejneva Raissa , Lagartos-Donate Maria Jose , Caponio Domenica , Fang Evandro Fei , Kobro-Flatmoen Asgeir 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In layer II of the entorhinal cortex, the principal neurons that project to the dentate gyrus and the CA3/2 hippocampal fields markedly express the large glycoprotein reelin (Re + ECLII neurons). In rodents, neurons located at the dorsal extreme of the EC, which border the rhinal fissure, express the highest levels, and the expression gradually decreases at levels successively further away from the rhinal fissure. Here we test two predictions following from the hypothesis that reelin expression is strongly correlated with neuronal metabolic rate. Since mitochondrial turnover rate serves as a proxy for energy expenditure, we predicted that the expression of the canonical promitophagic BCL2 and adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3 (Bnip3) would be upregulated in Re + ECLII neurons, and that the degree of upregulation would strongly correlate with the expression level of reelin in these neurons. We confirm both predictions, which implies that the energy requirement of Re + ECLII neurons is generally high, and that there is a systematic increase in metabolic rate as one moves successively closer to the rhinal fissure. We tentatively suggest that the reasons for the high energy requirement of these neurons are their high rate of synaptic transmission and the high frequency by which they remold their synaptic contacts. This implies that the systematic variation in energy requirement of the neurons manifesting the observed reelin gradient ties in with the level of spatial and temporal detail by which they encode information about the external environment.
An experimental approach for the detection and analysis of Ascorbic Acid usingOptical Fiber based Biosensor with LSPR
Authors: Subbanna Bangi Bala , Choudhary Kuldeep , Singh Sonika , Kumar Santosh 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The presented artile is an exploratory proceed towards the diagnosis of Ascorbic Acid (AA) using the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) methodology in conjunction with a Single-Mode-Step (SMS) optical fiber structure. This fabricated biosensor presents simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high sensitivity. To fabricate the suggested biosensor, aspecified length of optical fiber is immersed witin a solution restrain AA. The outer surface of the fiber is coated by gold nanoparticles, which generate localized surface plasmons when in contact by AA particles. The LSPR phenomenon results in a shift in the resonant wavelength of transmitted light, corresponding to AA absorptions. Laboratory appraisals have been conducted to optimize critical parameters, together with the length of the fiber, nanoparticle size, concentration, including sensing mechanisms. These appraisals involved AA concentrations and gives a linear relationship inbetween wavelength shift as well as AA absorptions.This fabricated sensor shown a good stability and consistency. Additionally, this biosensor holds significant potential for applications in the fields of food inspection, clinical investigations, including pharmaceutical research. This laboratory work involves the development of LSPR biosensor based on optical fiber structures, enhancing investigative capabilities.
Development and validation of machine learning-based models for predicting healthcare-associated bacterial/fungal infections among COVID-19 inpatients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Min , Li Wenjuan , Wang Hui , song Peixin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 and bacterial/fungal coinfections have posed significant challenges to human health. However, there is a lack of good tools for predicting coinfection risk to aid clinical work.
Objective
We aimed to investigate the risk factors for bacterial/fungal coinfection among COVID-19 patients and to develop machine learning models to estimate the risk of coinfection.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled adult inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital between January 1 and July 31, 2023, in China and collected baseline information at admission. All the data were randomly divided into a training set and a testing set at a ratio of 7:3. We developed the generalized linear and random forest models for coinfections in the training set and assessed the performance of the models in the testing set. Decision curve analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical applicability.
Results
A total of 1244 patients were included in the training cohort with 62 healthcare-associated bacterial/fungal infections, while 534 were included in the testing cohort with 22 infections. We found that patients with comorbidities (diabetes, neurological disease) were at greater risk for coinfections than were those without comorbidities (OR = 2.79, 95%CI = 1.61–4.86; OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.11–3.35). An indwelling central venous catheter or urinary catheter was also associated with an increased risk (OR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.39–4.64; OR = 2.28, 95%CI = 1.24–4.27) of coinfections. Patients with PCT > 0.5 ng/ml were 2.03 times (95%CI = 1.41–3.82) more likely to be infected. Interestingly, the risk of coinfection was also greater in patients with an IL-6 concentration < 10 pg/ml (OR = 1.69, 95%CI = 0.97–2.94). A creatinine concentration < 44 umol/L (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.22–0.71) was a protective factor. The generalized linear and random forest models demonstrated favorable receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.80–0.94; ROC = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.82–0.93) with high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 0.86vs0.75, 0.82vs0.86, 0.87vs0.74, respectively. The corresponding calibration evaluation P statistics were 0.883 and 0.769.
Conclusions
Our machine learning models achieved strong predictive ability and may be effective clinical decision support tools for identifying COVID-19 patients at risk for bacterial/fungal coinfection and guiding antibiotic administration. The levels of cytokines, such as IL-6, may affect the status of bacterial/fungal coinfection.
Constructing wavelets by welding segments of smooth
Authors: Jansen Maarten 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The construction of B-spline wavelet bases on nonequispaced knots is extended to wavelets that are piecewise segments from any combination of smooth functions. The extended wavelet family thus provides multiresolution basis functions with support as compact as possible and belonging to a user controlled smoothness class. The construction proceeds in two phases. In the first fase, a set of smooth functions is used in the welding of compact supported, piecewise smooth basis functions. These piecewise smooth basis functions are refinable, meaning that they can be written as linear combinations of similar basis functions constructed on a fined grid of knots. The expression of the linear combination between the bases at two scales is known as a refinement or two-scale equation. In the second phase, the refinabability enables the construction of a wavelet transform. To this end, the refinement equation of the piecewise smooth scaling functions is factored into a lifting scheme, to which the desired properties of the subsequent wavelet basis can then be added. Next to the details of the construction, the paper discusses the conditions for it to fit into the classical framework of multiresolution analyses.
Toxicological and physiological activity of lemongrass and peppermint essential oils on life-table parameters of Oligonychus mangiferus and its predatory mite, Cydnoseius negevi
Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud Monir , Abdelwines Mohammed Ali 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The use of synthetic pesticides has raised concerns about environmental safety and human health. As a result, eco-friendly biopesticides such as essential oils are being used in combination with biocontrol agents within IPM programs. In this study, the effects of LC50 of lemongrass and peppermint essential oils were evaluated on the demographic parameters of Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahman & Sapra) and its predatory mite, Cydnoseius negevi (Swirskii & Amitai). The effects of these oils were assessed in terms of measuring the activity of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. GC-MS was used to identify the chemical components of these oils. The main compounds identified by GC–MS in lemongrass and peppermint essential oils were (D-Limonene (45.06%), β-Citral (10.30%), α-Citral (9.90%)) and (Menthol (32.03%), Menthone (30.18%), p-Menthan-3-one (11.53%)), respectively. The results showed that lemongrass and peppermint were more toxic to O. mangiferus than to C. negevi. Exposure of O. mangiferus to the LC50 of these oils caused a significant increase in peroxidase and catalase enzymes, but it inhibited the detoxifying enzymes, α-esterase, β-esterase, and glutathione s-transferase. Also, these oils had disruptive effects on survival, longevity, and fecundity of O. mangiferus; as they reduced its demographic parameters such as (R0), (GRR), (rm) and (λ). However, they did not show any substantial change in the development time and demographic parameters of C. negevi. On the contrary, they improved its enzymes activity. According to these findings, these essential oils can be used in combination with biological control agents in the integrated pest management strategies against the mango spider mite, O. mangiferus.
Stress assessment using pulse-excited magnetic Barkhausen noise with high frequency stability and sensitivity
Authors: Shi Tao , Sun Shihao , Ding Song , Wang Lang , Song Cheng , Wang Yiqing , Shen Jie 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this paper, a rectangular excitation is employed for nondestructive assessment of compressive applied stress (0-150 MPa) on Q235 steel using magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) technique. The response durations almost keep constant due to the variation rate of applied voltage is fixed whatever the excitation frequency is. After eliminating the excitation induced pulse signal, the ring count feature is extracted to measure the applied stress. The traditional features, root mean square (RMS) and skewness, with sine and triangle excitation are compared with the proposed feature. Ring count presents monotonous relations to the applied stress, and is almost impervious to the excitation frequency, especially when the applied stress more than 75 MPa. Although the sensitivity of ring count feature is less than skewness in low-stress loading situation, it provides high sensitivity as well as RMS feature and better frequency stability, which contributes to the actual applications for stress measurement and evaluation based on MBN technique.
On Using Machine Learning for Vertical Handover Decision Making in a Vehicular Platoon
Authors: Khoder Rami , Mouawad Nadia , Naja Rola , Ismail Salam , tohme samir 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Mobility management is required in the heterogeneous vehicular network because a variety of radio access technologies are integrated into these networks. Mobility handling importance rises when vertical handover is required in a vehicular platoon. This paper tackles the mobility problem for platoon vehicles in a heterogeneous vehicular network. More precisely, a vertical handover is initiated when the Quality of Service (QOS) level experiences degradation due to disturbances caused by moving vehicles. In this context, we propose a Vertical Handover (VHO) scheme achieved efficiently in two steps: the first one is the VHO decision based on various machine learn- ing techniques; the second step consists of a cooperative game based on network selection (CGNS) used to select the suitable technology. We investigated various machine learning techniques where our results indicate that the random forest algorithm is considered the most suitable approach for our scenario. Moreover, CGNS performance analysis demonstrates a reduced network overload and a decrease in useless handover requests.