bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nitrogen on White Corn Yield (<em>Zea mays</em> L.)
Authors: Ndege Douglas Otieno , Kidwaro Fanson , Rhykerd Robert , Barrowclough Michael 
Published: November 2023

CONTEXT: The sustained White corn (Zea mays L.) yield relies on supply of Nitrogen (N), which is an important element in improving soil fertility.
OBJECTIVE: The research aim to determine the effect of Nitrogen on white corn yield and grain mass.
METHOD: The experimental design was a 4 × 4 factorial arranged in randomized complete block design with 2 replications each. The effect of nitrogen was determined in terms of the flow within the soil, initial component, addition, uptake, loss and use of nitrogen by the White corn plants. Nitrogen was applied as Granular Urea using zero broadcast method. The grain yield was determined hand-harvesting and shelling.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean samples from the two replicates (blocks 1 &amp; 2) across the two seasons for corn sugar concentration, corn yield estimates and grain yields. In 2021, the mean yield estimate was 12,552 Kg ha-1, while that of 2022 averaged 12687 Kg ha-1. Similarly, the grain yield achieved in 2022 was 844.1kg more than the average grain yield in 2021. The white corn yield estimate and grain yield increased linearly with an increase in nitrogen application level, with the highest yields achieved when nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 150kg N/ha. This demonstrates that nitrogen has a positive influence on the yield quantity of white corn.
SIGNIFICANCE: The White maize model may be used to improve the formulation of decisions and enhance the precision of estimates for yield and N fate within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Further, the findings of this study can significantly enhance agricultural productivity while keeping an eye on the environment.
Do technological innovation and militarization influence climate change? Evidence from BRICS economies
Authors: Zhu Huaijia , Chang Shiwei , Chen Bo 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In the complex international society, the economic development and defense construction of BRICS countries have attracted increasing attention. This article incorporates technological innovation, militarization, and climate change into a unified analytical framework to assess the potential impact of technological progress and defense military expenditure on the environment in BRICS countries. Based on CSD tests, unit root tests, and cointegration tests, this study constructs a CS-ARDL model to examine the long-term and short-term relationships among various variables from 1990 to 2021. The results show that technological innovation, military expenditure, and economic growth can significantly increase ecological footprint in the long run, while in the short term, technological innovation and economic growth significantly increase ecological footprint, and the impact of military expenditure is not significant. It is suggested that BRICS countries should focus on supporting low-carbon technology policies and research and development investment, while also considering the use of cutting-edge technology to improve military intelligence capabilities in order to reduce the negative impact of technological innovation and military activities on the environment.
B cell heterogeneity in human tuberculosis highlights compartment-specific phenotype and putative functional roles
Authors: Krause Rob , Ogongo Paul , Tezera Liku , Ahmed Mohamed , Mbano Ian , Chambers Mark , Ngoepe Abigail , Magnoumba Magalli , Muema Daniel , Karim Farina , Khan Khadija , Lumamba Kapongo , Nargan Kievershen , Madansein Rajhmun , Steyn Adrie , Shalek Alex , Elkington Paul , Leslie Alasdair 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

B cells are important in tuberculosis (TB) immunity, but their role in the human lung is understudied. Here, we characterize B cells from lung tissue and matched blood of TB patients and found they are decreased in the blood and increased in the lungs, consistent with recruitment to infected tissue, where they are located in granuloma associated lymphoid tissue (GrALT). Flow cytometry and transcriptomics identified multiple B cell populations in the lung, including those associated with tissue resident memory, germinal centers, antibody secretion, proinflammatory atypical B cells, and regulatory B cells, some of which are expanded in TB disease. Additionally, TB lungs contained high levels of Mtb-reactive antibodies, specifically IgM, which promoted Mtb phagocytosis. Overall, these data reveal the presence of functionally diverse B cell subsets in TB disease lung tissue and suggest several potential localized roles that may represent a target for interventions to promote immunity or mitigate immunopathology.
Parents attitudes towards the No Jab No Play legislation in Western Australia: a mixed methods study
Authors: Burns Sharyn , Bhoyroo Ranila , Leavy Justine E. , Jancey Jonine , Saltis Hanna , Millar Lynne , Hendriks Jacqueline , Portsmouth Linda , Tohotoa Jenny , Seewoo Danveer , Pollard Christina 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Mandates provided a relatively cost-effective strategy to increase vaccinate rates. Since 2014, five Australian states have implemented No Jab No Play (NJPlay) policies that require children to be fully immunised to attend early childhood education and childcare services. In Western Australia, where this study was conducted, NJNPlay legislation was enacted in 2019. This research forms part of a broader study to explore the influence of the NJNPlay legislation on the decision to vaccinate; and the impact of the NJNPlay legislation in Western Australia, two years after its implementation. Methods: This mixed-methods study used an online parent/carer survey (n = 261) representing 427 children and in-depth interviews (n = 18) to investigate: 1) the influence of the NJNP legislation on decision to vaccinate; and 2) the financial and emotional impacts of NJNP legislation. Descriptive and bivariate tests were used to analyse the survey data and open-ended questions and interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to capture the experience and the reality of participants. Results: Approximately 60% of parents intended to vaccinate their child. Parents who had decided not to vaccinate their child/ren were significantly more likely to experience financial [p < 0.001] and emotional impacts [p < 0.001], compared to those who chose to vaccinate because of the mandate. Qualitative data were divided with around half of participants supporting childhood immunisation and NJNPlay with others discussing concerns. The themes a) belief in the importance of vaccination and ease of access, b) individual and community protection, and c) vaccine effectiveness, safety and alternatives help understand how parents beliefs and access may influence vaccination uptake. Unintended impacts of NJNPlay included: a) lack of choice, pressure and coercion to vaccinate; b) policy and community level stigma and discrimination; c) financial and career impacts; and d) loss of education opportunities. Conclusion: Parents’ appreciation of funded immunisation programs and mandates which enhance individual and community protection was evident. However, for others unintended consequences of the mandate resulted in significant social, emotional, financial and educational impacts. Long-term evidence highlights the positive impact of immunisation programs. Opinions of impacted families should be considered to alleviate mental health stressors.
A novel Sub-Radix-2 technique for low power Time – Interleaved SAR ADC
Authors: Atchaya A Josephine , Sam D. S. Shylu , Paul P. Sam , Pillai Manoj , Sri S. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
A new architecture for a low-power successive approximation register analog to digital converter (SAR ADC) is presented in this paper. In addition to the channel, there is a fast coarse SAR quantizer and a 2-way time-interleaved (TI) fine SAR ADC interleaved with the channel. The SAR ADC is used to find all the quantization levels by converting the analog input signal into digital output. Comparing interleaved SAR ADCs to pipeline ADCs, interleaved SAR ADCs can help reduce the overall cost, power consumption, and size of an equivalent system. The proposed ADC power consumption is gradually reduced by optimizing the transfer sequence using the subradix-2 technique .The optimized subradix-2 scheme is compared with the conventional scheme in TI and single-channel and TI states. Simulated results show that the proposed ADC consumes 3.85 mW of power consumption in 45 nm CMOS, which demonstrates its efficiency at 1V supply voltage.
Sulbactam protects neurons against double neurotoxicity of amyloid beta and glutamate load by upregulating glial glutamate transporter 1
Authors: Li Li , Li Wenbin , Jiang Wei , Xu Renhao 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Amyloid beta (Abeta) synergistically enhances excitotoxicity of glutamate load by impairing glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) expression and function, which exacerbates the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our previous studies have suggested that sulbactam can upregulate the expression levels and capacity of GLT1. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether sulbactam improves neuronal tolerance against neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by up-regulating GLT1 in primary neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Early postnatal P0-P1 Wistar rat pups’ cortices were collected for primary neuron-astrocyte cultures. Hoechst-Propidium Iodide (HO-PI) stain and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to analyze neuronal death. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was applied to determine cell viability. Immunofluorescent staining and western blotting were used to assess protein expressions including GLT1, BAX, BCL2, cleaved caspase 3. Under double effect of Abeta and glutamate load, neurons lost more than that induced by Abeta or glutamate alone, shown as decreased cell viability, increased LDH concentration in the cultural medium, HO-PI positive stains and high cleaved caspase 3 expression and BAX/BCL2 ratio resulting from increased BAX and decreased BCL2 expression. Notably, pre-incubation with sulbactam significantly attenuated the neuronal loss and activation of apoptosis induced by both Abeta and glutamate in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, both astrocytic and neuronal GLT1 expression was upregulated after sulbactam incubation. Taken together, it could be concluded that sulbactam protected neurons against double neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by upregulating GLT1 expression. The conclusion provides evidence for potential intervention using sulbactam in AD research.
Prenatal Diagnosis of 18p Deletion and 8p Trisomy Syndrome: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Papamichail Maria , Eleftheriades Anna , Manolakos Emmanouil , Papamichail Adamantia , Christopoulos Panagiotis , Manegold-Brauer Gwendolin , Eleftheriades Makarios 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
18p deletion syndrome constitutes one of the most frequent autosomal terminal deletion syndromes, affecting one in 50,000 live births. The syndrome has un-specific clinical features which vary significantly between patients and may overlap with other genetic conditions. Its prenatal description is extremely rare as the fetal phenotype is often not present during pregnancy. Trisomy 8p Syndrome is characterized by heterogenous phenotype, with the most frequent components to be cardiac malformation, developmental and intellectual delay. Its prenatal diagnosis is very rare due to the unspecific sonographic features of the affected fetuses. We present a very rare case of a fetus with multiple anomalies diagnosed during the second trimester whose genomic analysis revealed a 18p Deletion and 8p trisomy Syndrome. This is the first case where this combination of DNA mutations has been described prenatally and the second case in general. The presentation of this case, as well as the detailed review of all described cases, aim to expand the existing knowledge regarding this rare condition facilitating its diagnosis in the future.
Development of a Scale to Measure Nursing Difficulties Experienced by Migrant Nurses : A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Wen Yanhua , Nakatani Hisae , Peng Xuxin , Kako Mayumi , Hasunuma Naoko 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background: Migrant nurses require support when they work overseas, but what they need support for requires clarification.This study aimed to developed a scale measuring the nursing difficulties experienced by migrant nurses and examined its reliability and validity.
Methods: Using convenience sampling, China-educated nurses who worked as nurses in Japan were recruited. Exploratory factor analysis, criterion validity, and known-groups technique were used to assess the self-created 24-item scale of the nursing difficulties experienced by migrant nurses.
Results: A total of 662 migrant nurses who working in Japan participated, and 303 responses were collected. A three-factor scale with 20 items was identified, consisting of “language competence in medical conversation,” “considerate of patients’ feelings with nursing practice,” and “smooth relationships with colleagues.” The Cronbach’s α for the scale was .96, and αs ranged from .84 to .90 for each factor. The correlation between each factor ranged from .52 to .68, indicating significant positive correlations. Regarding validity, we based our analysis on the known-groups technique and found significant negative correlations with the number of years of nursing experience, which was hypothesized, and difficulty was reduced by accumulating nursing experience in Japan. Criterion validity correlations were noted between the developed scale and the Professional Identity Scale for Nurses (r = -0.29, 95% confidence interval -0.40 ~ -0.18) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (r = 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.25 ~ 0.46).
Conclusions: The scale was confirmed to be valid and reliable, and it can be used to measure the nursing difficulties experienced by migrant nurses.
Gall phenology, population trend and damage caused by Ophelimus migdanorum and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon on Eucalyptus globulus at two sites with different rainfall parameters in Bogotá
Authors: Lores-Medina Angelica , Pinzón-Florián Olga 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The gall wasp Ophelimus migdanorum represents a pest risk for several Eucalyptus species established in Colombia. Biological development and damage could be conditioned by the climate and, in the tropical Andes, by precipitation. We studied gall phenology, population fluctuation, and leaf damage caused by O. migdanorum and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon over five months at two sites with contrasting rainfall in peri-urban areas of Bogotá, Colombia. Gall phenology and foliar damage were evaluated on ten trees per site for six months. We evaluated gall phenology through characterization of the gall size and color and the wasps´ development stage. We also evaluated gall phenology based on the affected leaf area and the gall´s density on the leaf blade. Likewise, the individuals found in five attractive traps at each site were quantified biweekly to record the population fluctuation. The effect of precipitation on wasp frequency and gall density between sites and sampling dates was compared with the Chi2 test, while the relationship with precipitation was evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Only females of the gall wasp and its parasitoid were observed during the evaluation, which showed multivoltine behavior. Six developmental stages of the galls were differentiated, each having typical coloration. Drier microclimates favored the gall´s size, stages development frequency, population trend, and foliar damage. A general trend indicates a greater abundance of the parasitoid C. chamaeleon than O. migdanorum. Our study indicates that in places with rainy microclimates, there´s a less damaging effect of O. migdanorum on E. globulus.
How do plateau pikas use burrows during population reestablishment?
Authors: Zhang Rui , Deng Teng , Xu Hualei , Liu Wei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The construction of burrow systems is one of the most important challenges for burrowing animals, especially during population reestablishment. To explore their strategy of utilizing burrow resources during this period, we chose plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) as the research object. We conducted monthly field positioning of the four components (available burrows(AvB), abandoned burrows (AbB), latrine pits(LP), and sporting pits (SP)) of their burrow systems. By analyzing the utilization dynamics of the components at different base time, we found the remaining burrows before extermination were largely utilized in rebuilding their new burrow systems, and theutilization rate magnitude relationshipsof the four components were AvBs > AbBs > LPs > SPs. Burrow components during population reestablishment generally have higher maintenance rates, higher transformation rates to AvBs, lower disappeared rates and lower new adding rates than in the natural state. During population reestablishment, burrows at the early breeding season are used more stably than at other times.
Plasma-derived exosomal long noncoding RNAs of pancreatic cancer patients as novel blood-based biomarkers of disease
Authors: He Xiaomeng , Chen Litian , Li Wenyang , Zhang Xin , Bai Zhihui , Wang Zhefeng , Liu Shanshan , Corpe Christopher , Wang Jin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is one of the most intractable and fatal malignancies and has been associated with the dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, their clinical value in pancreatic cancer is poorly explained but is essential to improve the prognosis of PaCa.
Methods
In this study, we analyzed the plasma-derived exosomal lncRNA profiles in patients with PaCa by whole transcriptome sequencing analysis, and the expression levels of four plasma-derived exosomal lncRNAs (LINC01268, LINC02802, AC124854.2, and AL132657.1) in PaCa plasma were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR). The relationship between the expression of the four lncRNAs and the clinicopathologic features of patients with PaCa was also evaluated.
Results
We demonstrated that exosomal LINC01268, LINC02802, AC124854.2, and AL132657.1 were highly expressed in PaCa plasma compared with normal controls and positively correlated with serum expression of CA19-9. The receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of the four lncRNAs were 0.8044, 0.6587, 0.7023, and 0.6172, respectively, and the AUC value of the combination of the four exosomal lncRNAs was increased to 0.8130, with a sensitivity of 0.72 and specificity of 0.84, which suggested that plasma-derived exosomal LINC01268, LINC02802, AC124854.2, and AL132657.1 may be novel diagnostic markers for PaCa.
Conclusions
Our research revealed the plasma-derived exosomal long noncoding RNAs of PaCa patients were novel blood-based biomarkers of disease
Forest fire mapping: a comparison between GIS-based Random Forest and Bayesian models
Authors: Noroozi Farzaneh , Ghanbarian Gholamabbas , Safaeian Roja , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In recent decades, fires in natural ecosystems, particularly forests and rangelands, have emerged as a significant threat. To address this challenge, our study aims to identify and prioritize forest fire-prone areas while highlighting key environmental and anthropogenic factors contributing to forest fires in Iran's Firouzabad region, Fars province. We compiled a forest fire incident map using data from the Data Center of the Natural Resources Department in Fars province, cross-referenced with field surveys. We examined 80 forest fire sites, randomly divided into a "training dataset" (70%) and a "validation dataset" (30%). We created “Forest Fire Susceptibility” (FFS) maps using GIS-based Bayesian and Random Forest (RF) methodologies, incorporating twelve unique environmental and human-induced variables. The performance of these methodologies was evaluated using the "Area Under the Curve-AUC." RF outperformed the Bayesian model with AUC scores of 0.876 and 0.807, respectively. The RF model identified 37.86% of the area as having a high fire risk, compared to the Bayesian model's estimate of 48.46%. Key factors influencing fire occurrences included elevation, mean annual precipitation, distance to roads, and mean annual temperature. Conversely, variables such as slope direction, topographic wetness index, and slope percent had a lesser impact. Given the presence of at-risk flora and fauna species in the area, our findings provide essential tools for pinpointing high fire susceptibility zones, aiding regional authorities in implementing preventive measures to mitigate fire hazards in forest ecosystems. In conclusion, our methodologies allow for the rapid creation of contemporary fire susceptibility maps based on fresh data.
Pattern-based forecasting enhances the prediction skill of European heatwaves at the sub-seasonal range
Authors: Rouges Emmanuel , Ferranti Laura , Kantz Holger , Pappenberger Florian 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The prediction of European heatwaves at the subseasonal range is of key importance to mitigate their impact. This study builds on previous work (Rouges et al., 2023) which identifies five main European heatwave types based on their atmospheric circulation patterns (CPs). These CPs are potential predictors of heatwaves, as these patterns are connected with a high probability of 2-meter temperature exceeding the 90th percentile. Therefore, the aim of this study is to use these patterns to construct a pattern-based forecast method. The skill of this method to forecast extreme warm temperatures is then assessed and compared with the direct grid-point based forecast (using the direct 2-meter temperature forecast of the model). The extended (or subseasonal) range reforecast data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is used for the skill evaluation. Firstly, the skill of the extended range model is assessed in predicting CPs. This methodology is then compared with the direct prediction of extreme warm temperatures. The results show that the pattern-based methodology has a low skill at the short to medium range compared to the direct method, however it maintains skill for longer lead times, extending the forecast skill horizon significantly by up to six days over key heatwave regions. This improvement is localized over regions with the highest conditional probability of extreme warm temperatures. Further on, the prediction skill of persistent high temperatures (four days) is also assessed using persistent CPs (five days or longer). Similarly, an improvement in forecast skill horizon is observed but the improvement is more modest and even more localized. The extension of the forecast skill horizon seen at the subseasonal range with the pattern-based forecast method constructed in this study could be used to provide early warnings of European heatwaves and therefore support the timely implementation of mitigation plans.
Towards a Generic Agent Based Vector-Host Model
Authors: Chenaoui Cyrine , Marilleau Nicolas , Miled Slimane Ben 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The aim of our work is to develop a conceptual generic agent-based model to formalize the interaction of vector and host given climate change. The model consists in creating a hypothetical example of a vector-host system. It simulates the vector's life cycle while considering interactions with hosts and the temperature. It is presented following the ODD protocol and based on parameters and processes to conceptualize the vector-host complexity. It could accommodate a broad spectrum of vector species and different biogeographic regions.
Our model can be extended to more ecologically complex systems with multiple species and real-world landscape complexity to test different host and / or vector-targeted control strategies and identify practical approaches to managing vector population and movement patterns.