bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do fertilizer and seed subsidies strengthen farmers' market participation? Evidence from Tanzania's subsidy program
Authors: Fujimoto Takefumi , Suzuki Aya 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study examines whether the Tanzanian subsidy for inorganic fertilizers and improved seeds encourages farmers to participate in the input and grain markets. Using six waves from 2008–2009 to 2020–2021 of the National Panel Survey, we investigated whether the subsidy affected farmers' purchases and expenditures for all conceivable inputs, including nonsubsidized inputs (organic fertilizers, traditional seeds, pesticides/herbicides, labor, and capital). Subsequently, we estimated the subsidy's impact on the probability of farmers selling crops and their sales revenue. In the input markets, we found that improved seeds, rather than inorganic fertilizers, played a major role in farmers' market activities. Beneficiaries who received subsidized seeds were more likely to purchase pesticides/herbicides, hire more labor, and borrow oxen and tractors to make their farmland suitable for the growth of improved seeds. In crop markets, we found that receiving both subsidized fertilizers and seeds increased the probability of farmers selling maize or paddy nearly threefold relative to the receipt of only subsidized fertilizer. Moreover, legume sales revenue also increased among seed beneficiaries through intercropping with maize and paddy.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 11, No. 5
Authors: Young James 
Published: October 2023

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 5Dipankar Chatterjee, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, IndiaLingkai Kong, Izmir University of Economics, TurkeyMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshNadarajah Pushparajah, University of Jaffna, Sri LankaNAZIAH ABD. KADIR, Universiti Selangor, MalaysiaSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Damage Control Measures in Composites: BVID Damage Progression
Authors: Jribi Kais , Gosse Jonathan H. , Neill Douglas J. , Mello Alberto W. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Damage control in composites is becoming one of the major topics of research as primary structures are transitioning to composites for the benefits of their lightweight, ease of manufacturability, and high strength-to-weight ratio. However, one of the significant challenges with composites is that there is still no accepted standard to define the damage and its propagation compared to well-studied metallic structures.
This ongoing research follows the guidelines of national Agencies with the initiative to create an efficient simulation-based approach to predict the potential initiation of damage propagation in a composite structure. The predictive analysis will incorporate the Onset Theory, a physics-based methodology for assessing the Onset of irreversible deformation. The method utilizes the critical dilatation and distortion of the constituent materials of the composite material system following the micromechanical de-homogenization of the deformed composite material system. As a result, there is a limited dependency on parameters extracted from representative experiments.
The approach consists of extracting the critical dilatation and distortion values for each constituent material from tested coupons, developing a sequence of low-velocity impacts (LVI) to generate Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID), establishing the catastrophic load environments for the impaired coupons subject to in-plane uniaxial compression while monitoring the propagation of the damage. Then, numerically simulate the initiation of damage propagation using the critical dilatation and distortion of the constituent materials, and finally, compare the numerically derived critical in-plane compression loads to the critical values obtained from the sample’s Compression After Impact (CAI) testing.
Structural Characteristics of Wing Model for High-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing Fabricated by Combined Manufacturing of Additive and Subtractive Processes
Authors: Tsushima Natsuki , Nakakita Kazuyuki , Saitoh Kenichi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In this paper, the potentials of wing models fabricated by the combined manufacturing technique of metal additive and subtractive processes for high-speed wind tunnel testing are investigated. The previous works by authors have proven the feasibility of additively manufactured wing models for transonic wind tunnel testing. This work is an extension of those works by combining the additive manufacturing technique and the machining (subtractive) process to construct a wing model for high-speed wind tunnel testing so that the effectiveness of a model construction could be further improved in a systematic manner. The objectives of this paper are 1) to investigate the geometrical accuracies of wing models fabricated by the combined manufacturing technique, 2) to study the structural characteristics of such wing models, and 3) to explore the feasibility and capability of those wing models for high-speed wind tunnel testing. The proposed technique would be a tool for the fast production of wind tunnel models at low cost and enable multiple experiments with various wing designs while precisely realizing designed geometries and structural properties for aeroelastic evaluations.
Experimental Studies of the Effect of Preload on Freeplay-Induced LCO
Authors: Fonzi Nicola , Ricci Sergio , Livne Eli 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A new experimental wind tunnel test-bed has been developed for the study of limit cycle oscillations induced by control surface freeplay. Studies of the effects of a single nonlinearity, made possible by the new horizontal tail plane, are described here. Several effects are considered, starting from a reference configuration: the effect of changes in inertia and stiffness, a time-varying gap size, and an aerodynamic preload due to an angle of attack. Both time marching simulations and describing functions analytical methods have been used to understand the experimental measurements and study the capability of the methods to capture the physical behavior. Good agreement was found in all cases and physical insights are gained from the mathematical models. Limitations of the analytical tools are also addressed, focusing on the important difference between the self-excited dynamics of the nonlinear system and its forced response to external excitations.
Complete reference genome assemblies and annotations of three
Escherichia coli
MRE162 clones
Authors: Orr Russell J. S. , Littner Eloi , Larigauderie Guilhem , Lonsdale Claire L. , Dybwad Marius 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
MRE162 was originally isolated from a toilet pan in 1949 and since been utilized in numerous studies. Here, we sequence, assemble, and annotate clones held at three laboratories providing reference-level assemblies. We show the uniqueness of MRE162 to strains in open databases and make the UK clone publically available.
Complete genome sequences of three commensal and two avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains isolated from farm animals in Russia
Authors: Sutormin Dmitry , Mihailovskaya Veronika , Trofimova Anna , Mamontov Victor , Kuznetsova Marina , Severinov Konstantin 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Farm animals are a natural reservoir of commensal and pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains with high zoonotic potential. Here, we present five complete genomes of
E. coli
strains isolated from healthy animals and animals with colisepticemia from farms in Russia. The strains contain diverse virulence-associated and antibiotic resistance genes and multiple plasmids.
Unraveling the mechanistic insights of sophorolipid-capped gold nanoparticle-induced cell death in
Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Shikha Sristy , Kumar Vineet , Jain Ankita , Dutta Dipak , Bhattacharyya Mani Shankar 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Cholera is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The treatment of cholera includes rehydration therapy, often combined with the administration of antibiotics (in severe cases). With the emergence and rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance, such microbial pathogens have become a compelling medical problem and a global threat. To combat the resistance to antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the discovery of novel and potent antimicrobial agents. The discovery of antimicrobial nanoparticles as an alternative to the existing antimicrobial regime has increased the hope for its use as one of the most promising tools against an array of microbial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our recent report demonstrated that sophorolipid-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-SL) exhibit potent antibacterial activity against
Vibrio cholerae
; however, the killing mechanism remained obscure. Metal nanoparticle-mediated killing of microbes occurs through non-specific mechanisms. To develop antimicrobial nanoparticles with better efficacy, knowledge of their specific mechanism of action is essential. In this work, we deduced the mechanistic insights of AuNPs-SL mediated cell death of
V. cholerae
. We observed that AuNPs-SL treatment evokes reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. The surge in the ROS level triggers the overexpression of ROS-responsive genes, depolarization of the membrane, change in membrane permeability and leakage of intracellular proteins and DNA, depletion of ATP levels in the cell, DNA damage, and subsequent cell death. This study shows the possibility of use of AuNPs-SL as an alternative potential antimicrobial agent.

IMPORTANCE

Vibrio cholerae
, a Gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of a fatal disease, “cholera.” Prevention of cholera outbreak is possible by eliminating the bacteria from the environment. However, antimicrobial resistance developed in microorganisms has posed a threat and challenges to its treatment. Application of nanoparticles is a useful and effective option for the elimination of such microorganisms. Metal-based nanopaticles exhibit microbial toxicity through non-specific mechanisms. To prevent resistance development and increase antibacterial efficiency, rational designing of nanoparticles is required. Thus, knowledge on the exact mechanism of action of nanoparticles is highly essential. In this study, we explore the possible mechanisms of antibacterial activity of AuNPs-SL against
V. cholerae
. We show that the interaction of AuNPs-SL with
V. cholerae
enhances ROS production and membrane depolarization, change in permeability, and leakage of intracellular content. This action leads to the depletion of cellular ATP level, DNA damage, and subsequent cell death.
Dissecting the molecular dance: c-di-GMP, cAMP-CRP, and VfmH collaboration in pectate lyase regulation for
Dickeya dadantii
—unveiling the soft rot pathogen’s strategy
Authors: Banerjee Biswarup , Yuan Xiaochen , Yang Ching-Hong 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Dickeya dadantii
is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes soft rot diseases in a variety of plants. This pathogen secretes pectate lyase (Pel) enzymes to degrade the plant cell wall, a process controlled by the bacterial second messenger cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP). VfmH is a Fis-family response regulator of the Vfm quorum sensing system, which has been previously reported to positively regulate
pel
transcription. Our results demonstrated that VfmH upregulated the production of Pel at low c-di-GMP levels, which was suppressed by c-di-GMP
via
deleting gene
egcpB
, encoding a phosphodiesterase that degrades c-di-GMP. Multiple sequence alignments between FleQ, a known c-di-GMP binding protein, and VfmH revealed several potential c-di-GMP binding motifs. We further validated these motifs
via
single amino acid substitutions. Indeed, derivatives of VfmH, including VfmH
R195A
, VfmH
R279A
, and VfmH
R344A
, abolished the c-di-GMP binding ability and the corresponding regulation in Pel. We found that VfmH exhibited ATPase activity, and this could be hindered by c-di-GMP binding. Interestingly, our results showed that VfmH interacted with CRP, suggesting that the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway is also involved in the VfmH-mediated Pel regulation. Taken together, our study suggested that
D. dadantii
amalgamates both c-di-GMP and cAMP signaling networks along with the Vfm quorum sensing pathway to control Pel.

IMPORTANCE

Bacteria respond to environmental changes and adapt to host systems. The response regulator VfmH of the Vfm quorum sensing system regulates a crucial virulence factor, pectate lyase (Pel), in
Dickeya dadantii
. At high c-di-GMP concentrations, VfmH binds c-di-GMP, resulting in the loss of its activation property in the Pel and virulence regulation in
D. dadantii
. VfmH binds to c-di-GMP
via
three conserved arginine residues, and mutations of these residues eliminate the c-di-GMP-related phenotypes of VfmH in Pel synthesis. Our data also show that VfmH interacts with CRP to regulate
pelD
transcription, thus integrating cyclic AMP and c-di-GMP signaling pathways to control virulence in
D. dadantii
. We propose that VfmH is an important intermediate factor incorporating quorum sensing and nucleotide signaling pathways for the collective regulation of
D. dadantii
pathogenesis.
Establishment of two assays based on reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification technology for rapid detection of H5 subtype avian influenza virus
Authors: Li Yang , Shang Jiajing , Wang Yixin , Luo Juan , Jiang Wenming , Yin Xin , Zhang Fuyou , Deng Chunran , Yu Xiaohui , Liu HuaLei 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

The avian influenza virus (AIV), a member of the type A influenza virus group, is harbored by avian hosts. The highly pathogenic H5 subtype of AIV has inflicted significant financial damage on the poultry industry and also presents a possible pandemic hazard to the worldwide human population. There is an urgent need for a detection method that is both rapid and accurate in identifying H5-AIV. In this study, two assays based on reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification technology (RT-RAA) have been developed to detect H5-AIV, namely, real-time fluorescence and reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RF-RT-RAA) and reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification combined lateral flow dipstick (RT-RAA-LFD). The completion of the two methods can be achieved in 30 min, and there was no cross-reaction with the nucleic acid of other avian pathogens. The results indicated that the lowest detectable limit of RF-RT-RAA and RT-RAA-LFD for H5-AIV detection was 1 copy/μL, which was 100 times higher than that of RT-PCR (10
2
copies/μL). A total of 376 samples, consisting of 350 clinical and 26 experimental samples, underwent testing utilizing virus isolation, RF-RT-RAA and RT-RAA-LFD methods, respectively. The results demonstrated a high degree of consistency between those assays. In summary, both the RF-RT-RAA and RT-RAA-LFD methods demonstrated excellent specificity and sensitivity, making them ideal for use in both laboratory and field settings.

IMPORTANCE
Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5 is a highly contagious zoonotic disease and a serious threat to the farming industry and public health. Traditional detection methods, including virus isolation and real-time PCR, require tertiary biological laboratories and are time-consuming and complex to perform, making it difficult to rapidly diagnose H5 subtype avian influenza viruses. In this study, we successfully developed two methods, namely, RF-RT-RAA and RT-RAA-LFD, for rapid detection of H5-AIV. The assays are characterized by their high specificity, sensitivity, and user-friendliness. Moreover, the results of the reaction can be visually assessed, which are suitable for both laboratory testing and grassroots farm screening for H5-AIV.
A sweet deal for domestic industry: the political economy and framing of Vanuatu’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Authors: Elliott Lana M , Waqa Gade D , Dalglish Sarah L , Topp Stephanie M 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe Government of Vanuatu introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2015. While lauded for its alignment with the WHO’s Best Buys recommendations for addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), little is known about the tax’s adoption process or whose interests it serves.MethodsUsing case study methodology, this study examined how and why Vanuatu’s SSB tax was introduced. Policy documents, key informant interviews (n=33) and direct observations were analysed using theories of policy analysis, power analysis and postcolonial theory to map the policy’s adoption, surrounding political economy and the ideas, interests and institutions that shaped the tax and its framing.ResultsThe SSB tax emerged during a politically and economically unstable time in Vanuatu’s history. The tax’s links to the national health agenda were tenuous despite its ostensible framing as a way to combat NCDs. Rather, the tax was designed to respond to tightening economic and trade conditions. Spearheaded by several finance-focused bureaucrats, and with limited input from health personnel, the tax targeted less frequently consumed carbonated SSBs (which are mostly imported) without any revenue reinvestments into health. Driven by the desire to generate much-needed government revenue and instal domestic protections via selective implementation and carve-outs for local producers, the Vanuatu SSB tax did meet national objectives, just not the dual health and economic ‘win-win’ projected by the NCD Best Buys.ConclusionVanuatu’s SSB tax adoption process reveals the limitations of decontextualised policy recommendations, such as the NCD Best Buys, whose framing may be overcome by local political realities. This research highlights the need for further political economy considerations in global health recommendations, since contextual forces and power dynamics are key to shaping both how and why policies are enacted and also whose interest they serve.
Cost-effectiveness of decellularised bone allograft compared with fresh-frozen bone allograft for acetabular impaction bone grafting during a revision hip arthroplasty in the UK
Authors: Cowell Kern , Statham Patrick , Sagoo Gurdeep Singh , Chandler James H , Herbert Anthony , Rooney Paul , Wilcox Ruth K , Fermor Hazel L 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesFresh-frozen allograft is the gold-standard bone graft material used during revision hip arthroplasty. However, new technology has been developed to manufacture decellularised bone with potentially better graft incorporation. As these grafts cost more to manufacture, the aim of this cost-effectiveness study was to estimate whether the potential health benefit of decellularised bone allograft outweighs their increased cost.Study designA Markov model was constructed to estimate the costs and the quality-adjusted life years of impaction bone grafting during a revision hip arthroplasty.SettingThis study took the perspective of the National Health Service in the UK.ParticipantsThe Markov model includes patients undergoing a revision hip arthroplasty in the UK.InterventionImpaction bone grafting during a revision hip arthroplasty using either decellularised bone allograft or fresh-frozen allograft.MeasuresOutcome measures included: total costs and quality-adjusted life years of both interventions over the lifetime of the model; and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for both graft types, using base case parameters, univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic analysis.ResultsThe incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the base case model was found to be £270 059 per quality-adjusted life year. Univariate sensitivity analysis found that changing the discount rate, the decellularised bone graft cost, age of the patient cohort and the revision rate all had a significant effect on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.ConclusionsAs there are no clinical studies of impaction bone grafting using a decellularised bone allograft, there is a high level of uncertainty around the costs of producing a decellularised bone allograft and the potential health benefits. However, if a decellularised bone graft was manufactured for £2887 and lowered the re-revision rate to less than 64 cases per year per 10 000 revision patients, then it would most likely be cost-effective compared with fresh-frozen allograft.
Paediatric oncology nursing education and training programmes: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Majamanda Maureen Daisy , Chisoni Felix , Selemani Apatsa , Kearns Irene , Maree Johanna 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe care of children with cancer is a highly specialised field which requires well-educated, trained and dedicated nurses to provide high-quality care. In low/middle-income countries, the survival rate of children with cancer is low as compared with that of high-income countries due to the limited number of specialised oncology healthcare professionals, especially nurses. To address this problem, a number of paediatric oncology education and training programmes have been developed for nurses. The objective of this scoping review is to describe the existing literature focusing on paediatric oncology nursing education and training programmes; to map the content, delivery methods, duration and mode of assessment.MethodsThe review will include articles published in English, from 2012 to 2022, that describe a paediatric oncology nursing education programme, from any setting. The review will follow Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews guidelines. A systematic search of literature will be performed in CINAHL, Dimensions, Embase, PubMed and Scopus. A two-stage standardised screening process will be employed to evaluate eligibility of the articles. All abstracts that will be considered relevant will be reviewed in full text form by the two reviewers independently. Conflicts will be resolved by consensus of all reviewers through a meeting. Data will be extracted by two independent reviewers using a developed data extraction tool. The results will be reported in extraction tables and diagrams with a narrative summary.Ethics and disseminationThis scoping review is part of the multiphase study which obtained ethical clearance from College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee in Malawi and Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. The scoping review will be published in a peer reviewed journal. The findings will also be presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/X3Q4H