bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐sporulation effectiveness of leaf extracts of three Prosopis species on spoiling fungi collected from fresh produce in the Qatari market
Authors: Saleh Iman , Mohammed Nuha , Dalloul Aycha , Abdelnabi Mirna , Abduljabbar Hafsa , Sharif Ebtihal , Abu‐Dieyeh Mohammed 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFruit and vegetable post‐harvest infections are mainly caused by mycotoxin producing fungi. Post‐harvest diseases are causing food losses that lead to global economical problems. In this study, fresh samples of fruits and vegetables were collected from the local market for shelf‐life evaluation and identification of spoiling fungal types. Extracts of three locally available Prosopis species leaves were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the sporulation of the isolated fungi. Scanning electron microscopy was also used to evaluate spores and mycelium degenerative changes upon exposure to the leaves extracts. Out of the 156 samples tested, 88.5% showed fungal growth during the 17 days of the experiment. A total of 143 fungi were isolated and were subjected to microscopic identification. The fungal type that was most encountered was Aspergillus (30.1%). The fungal spoilage rate was significantly affected by the type of fresh produce (p ≤ 0.05), while collecting market and country of origin of the samples did not show a significant effect (p ≥ 0.05). Around 69.5% of the evaluated samples had a moderate to short shelf‐life. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis cineraria and Prosopis farcta showed strong effectiveness against fungal sporulation when percent of germinated spores was calculated with alteration in spores and mycelium shapes under SEM. The most effective extract was the ethanolic leaves extract of P. juliflora. The three evaluated Prosopis spp. extracts showed variation in their effectiveness. A future combination of the most effective crude extracts could be used as a natural bio‐controller to replace commonly used chemical anti‐fungal agents.
Ecosystem services of organic versus inorganic ground cover in peach orchards: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Mudare Shingirai , Li Mengqi , Kanomanyanga Jasper , Lamichhane Jay Ram , Lakshmanan Prakash , Cong Wen‐Feng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSeveral organic (e.g., compost, hay, straw, grass) and inorganic (e.g., plastic film) ground cover (GC) forms are used in peach orchards worldwide. Yet, there is a lack of quantitative studies on peach orchard ecosystem services comprising fruit yields and quality, soil health indicators, and biological pest control. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed a meta‐analysis of 55 peer‐reviewed research. Overall, inorganic GC increased peach yields by 7.7 ± 1.8%, while organic GC reduced it, though not statistically significant (p > 0.05), by 1.7 ± 3%. Both forms of GC have enhanced single fruit mass, with a greater increase in inorganic (4.2 ± 1.7%) than in organic GC (1.2 ± 1.2%), and soluble solids content by 5.9 ± 0.9% and 3.2 ± 0.7%, respectively. Inorganic GC did not significantly affect titratable acid and fruit hardness, while organic GC reduced titratable acid (13.7 ± 2.1%), and fruit hardness (89 ± 2.9%). Soil temperature has increased in orchards with inorganic GC (2.8 ± 2.9%) and reduced with organic GC (8.3 ± 2.4%). Inorganic GC marginally increased soil water storage, while organic GC increased it by 9.3 ± 2.1%. Both organic and inorganic GC increased soil water content by 13.1 ± 2.4% and 26.1 ± 3.4%, respectively. Unlike inorganic GC, organic GC increased soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium by 28.3 ± 3.3%, 25.1 ± 2.7%, 23.5 ± 4.6%, and 30.9 ± 3.3%, respectively. Equally significantly, organic GC increased predator abundance (47.5 ± 5.9%) and reduced pest incidence (2.4 ± 1.8%). Overall, inorganic GC systems slightly increased peach yield but are not sustainable due to their negative soil health and environmental impacts. In contrast, organic GC systems delivered an acceptable yield level while providing numerous ecosystem services, enabling sustainable long‐term peach production.
Betalain extracts: Drying techniques, encapsulation, and application in food industry
Authors: Shofinita Dian , Fawwaz Mifta , Achmadi Amarthya Benigna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOne of the important food additives used in the food industry is betalain, which is applied as a natural dye. Red beet is the most common resource of betalain. To increase its shelf life, encapsulation followed by drying is commonly carried out. However, betalain is a heat‐sensitive pigment that is susceptible to degradation on thermal exposure. Moreover, drying could affect the color, shape, structure, nutrition, and content of other ingredients in betalain. This review paper provides a discussion of (1) various drying methods such as spray drying, freeze drying, vacuum drying, and their effects on the quality of the dried betalain products; (2) stability and properties of betalain pigment obtained by encapsulation using different carrier agents such as maltodextrin, gum arabic, starch, inulin, and protein; (3) several drying pretreatment and posttreatment processes to improve the recovery and stability of betalain such as extraction and optimum storage conditions. Additionally, a summary and future perspectives for further research are also provided in each section of drying methods.
Dynamic human body models in vehicle safety: An overview
Authors: Fahse N. , Millard M. , Kempter F. , Maier S. , Roller M. , Fehr J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSignificant trends in the vehicle industry are autonomous driving, micromobility, electrification and the increased use of shared mobility solutions. These new vehicle automation and mobility classes lead to a larger number of occupant positions, interiors and load directions. As safety systems interact with and protect occupants, it is essential to place the human, with its variability and vulnerability, at the center of the design and operation of these systems. Digital human body models (HBMs) can help meet these requirements and are therefore increasingly being integrated into the development of new vehicle models. This contribution provides an overview of current HBMs and their applications in vehicle safety in different driving modes. The authors briefly introduce the underlying mathematical methods and present a selection of HBMs to the reader. An overview table with guideline values for simulation times, common applications and available variants of the models is provided. To provide insight into the broad application of HBMs, the authors present three case studies in the field of vehicle safety: (i) in‐crash finite element simulations and injuries of riders on a motorcycle; (ii) scenario‐based assessment of the active pre‐crash behavior of occupants with the Madymo multibody HBM; (iii) prediction of human behavior in a take‐over scenario using the EMMA model.
TP53 and RB1 alterations characterize poor prognostic subgroups in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Hara Yusuke , Shiba Norio , Yoshida Kenichi , Yamato Genki , Kaburagi Taeko , Shiraishi Yuichi , Ohki Kentaro , Shiozawa Yusuke , Kawamura Machiko , Kawasaki Hirohide , Sotomatsu Manabu , Takizawa Takumi , Matsuo Hidemasa , Shimada Akira , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Tomizawa Daisuke , Taga Takashi , Ito Etsuro , Horibe Keizo , Miyano Satoru , Adachi Souichi , Taki Tomohiko , Ogawa Seishi , Hayashi Yasuhide 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a poor prognostic subtype of pediatric leukemia. However, the detailed characteristics of many genetic abnormalities are yet to be established in this disease. Although TP53 and RB1 are established as representative tumor suppressor genes in various cancers, alterations of these two genes, especially RB1, have not been characterized in pediatric AML. We performed next‐generation sequencing in 328 pediatric AML patients from the Japanese AML‐05 trial to ascertain TP53 and RB1 alterations, and their prognostic implications. We identified seven patients with TP53 alterations (2.1%) and six patients with RB1 alterations (1.8%). These alterations were found in only patients without RUNX1::RUNX1T1, CBFB::MYH11, or KMT2A rearrangements. TP53 and RB1 were frequently co‐deleted with their neighboring genes PRPF8 and ELF1, respectively. Patients with TP53 alterations had significantly lower 5‐year overall survival (OS; 14.3% vs. 71.4%, p < 0.001) and lower 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS; 0% vs. 56.3%, p < 0.001); similarly, patients with RB1 had significantly lower 5‐year OS (0% vs. 71.8%, p < 0.001) and lower 5‐year EFS (0% vs. 56.0%, p < 0.001) when compared to patients without these alterations. In gene expression analyses, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and protein secretion were upregulated in patients with TP53 and/or RB1 alterations. Additionally, Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that high expressions of SLC2A5, KCNAB2, and CD300LF were related to poor OS of non‐core‐binding factor AML patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.021, respectively). This study will contribute to the development of risk‐stratified therapy and precision medicine in pediatric AML.
Optimum chain desalination process design for treatment of high TDS brine: A case assessment for future treatment of extracted brine from Shenhua CO2storage site
Authors: Harandi Hesam Bazargan , Zhang Liwei , Kargari Ali , Sui Pang‐Chieh , Wang Yan , Mutailipu Meiheriayi , Lu Hao , Li Qi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCarbon dioxide‐enhanced water recovery (CO2‐EWR) is a promising strategy for managing reservoir pressure build‐up and mitigating the risk of fault activation resulting from CO2injection in deep saline aquifers. CO2‐EWR can also be employed for supplying the required water for different applications after a treatment stage for the produced saline water. In this study, a brief review on CO2‐EWR technology and its necessities are first carried out. After that, the feasibilities, advantages, and challenges of various available treatment technologies that can potentially be used to treat high total dissolved solids (TDS) brine are comprehensively assessed. Based on comprehensive evaluation on technologies, a chain desalination process, consisting of pretreatment, main treatment, and post treatment, is proposed as a strategic path for the treatment of high TDS brine extracted from the Shenhua CCS site. It is concluded that coagulation‐flocculation and gravity filtration are needed as primary stages to remove suspended particles, while membrane distillation (MD) is selected as a suitable main treatment technology for high TDS Shenhua brine. Then, MD treatment is comprehensively discussed for a small‐scale treatment of extracted Shenhua brine assuming that the pretreated brine is free of suspended solids. After presenting the heat and mass transfer equations for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), a mathematical thermodynamic model is programmed in EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software to briefly analyze the performance parameters of DCMD. The results indicate that the designed DCMD, in the absence of auxiliary systems and considering the inherent temperature of extracted brine from different formations, has the capability of producing 15.1 kg m−2hr of freshwater from the extracted brine of the Shihezi formation layer. In the case of employing the auxiliary system of flat‐plate collector (FPC) combined with heat exchanger (HX) to heat up the extracted Shenhua brine to the desired temperature of 80°C, the amounts of produced flux are enhanced by 133%, 72%, and 45% for the brine extracted from Liujiagou, Shiqianfeng, and Shihezi formations, respectively. Using the yearly solar radiation model in TRNSYS software, the maximum solar radiation on the tilted surface at the location of Shenhua project in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China reaches 3800 kJ m−2hr at 1 PM on April 1. Considering maximum solar radiation on the tilted surface, it is proved that a small‐surface FPC can supply the required energy to heat up the extracted brine from its inherent temperature to the desired temperature of 80°C. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Update on adherence to guidelines for time to initiation of postoperative radiation for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lorenz F. Jeffrey , Mahase Sean S. , Miccio Joseph , King Tonya S. , Pradhan Sandeep , Goyal Neerav 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundA prior study reported that over half of patients with HNSCC initiated PORT after 6 weeks from surgery during 2006–2014. In 2022, the CoC released a quality metric for patients to initiate PORT within 6 weeks. This study provides an update on time to PORT in recent years.MethodsThe NCDB and TriNetX Research Network were queried to identify patients with HNSCC who received PORT during 2015–2019 and 2015–2021, respectively. Treatment delay was defined as initiating PORT beyond 6 weeks after surgery.ResultsIn NCDB, PORT was delayed for 62% of patients. Predictors of delay included age >50, female sex, black race, nonprivate insurance/uninsured status, lower education, oral cavity site, negative surgical margins, increased postoperative length of stay, unplanned hospital readmissions, IMRT radiation modality, treatment at an academic hospital or in the Northeast, and surgery and radiation at different facilities. In TriNetX, 64% experienced treatment delay. Additional associations with prolonged time to treatment included never married/divorced/widowed marital status, major surgery (neck dissection/free flaps/laryngectomy), and gastrostomy/tracheostomy dependence.ConclusionsThere continue to be challenges to timely initiation of PORT.
Challenges in last mile distribution of family planning commodities: Effects on product availability and accessibility in Nigeria
Authors: Chukwu Otuto Amarauche , Adibe Maxwell 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundFamily planning (FP) reduces maternal and child mortality risk. Despite policies and plans to improve FP in Nigeria, access remains poor leading to high unmet need. Contraceptive use is still as low as 4.9% in some regions. Thus, this study assessed challenges in FP commodities distribution and its effect on accessibility.MethodsDescriptive survey was used to explore last mile distribution of FP commodities in 287 facilities across various levels of FP service provision. Also, 2528 end users of FP services were assessed to ascertain their attitudes towards FP services. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.ResultsOnly 16% of the facilities had all the basic infrastructure requirements assessed with majority of the facilities having inadequate human resource capacity on logistics and supply chain management of health commodities. The study also identified positive attitudes towards FP (80%) and low incidence of stigmatising attitudes (5.4%).ConclusionsThe study identified challenges in distribution of FP commodities including frequent stock out of commodities and socio‐cultural barriers. Increased positive attitude and limited stigmatising attitudes provides policy directions that are relevant for decision makers to align FP policies and strategies to improve last mile distribution of FP commodities.
Returns and volatility connectedness among the Eurozone equity markets
Authors: Umar Zaghum , Adekoya Oluwasegun Babatunde , Gubareva Mariya , Boubaker Sabri 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe rising degree of integration among different countries around the world calls for the examination of cross‐country connectedness across equity markets. Moreover, the interconnection among some countries – bound by their common economic policies, treaties and agreements, such as Eurozone countries – is stronger than among others. Strong inter‐country ties may cause an intense connectedness among their financial systems. This study examines the returns and volatility connectedness among the equity markets of the Eurozone countries. Using the TVP‐VAR model, we document strong connectedness among their stock markets. The net transmitters of shocks are the most developed Eurozone stock markets, while Lithuania, Slovenia and Slovakia are among the most vulnerable to risks from the more developed Eurozone economies. Thus, for any event that triggers risk transmission across the Eurozone equity markets, equity investors in less developed countries will be more vulnerable to risks from the nine more developed economies.
Strategies to reduce COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant individuals: Data from a prospective survey of unvaccinated pregnant women
Authors: Binger Kole , Cui Yiwen , Kelly Jeffrey A. , Palatnik Anna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo explore strategies that could reduce coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy.MethodsIn 2021, the authors conducted a survey of pregnant women assessing attitudes and beliefs regarding COVID‐19 vaccination. The present analysis reviewed trusted sources of information about COVID‐19 vaccination that could reduce vaccine hesitancy among pregnant respondents.ResultsA total of 295 surveys were analyzed. Using 10‐point Likert scales, intentions to accept COVID‐19 vaccine were split between individuals with low (n = 126, 43%) and high (n = 141, 48%) intentions to receive the vaccine, with only a small percentage of women having midrange vaccination intentions (n = 28, 10%). When asked what would reduce their COVID‐19 vaccine concerns, published data was the leading answer in both low (46.2%) and medium (35.7%) intention groups followed by personally knowing someone who got vaccinated during pregnancy (21.0% and 28.6% for low and medium groups, respectively). In contrast, an obstetrician's recommendation was the most common answer in the group with high intention to vaccinate (37.2%). Knowing someone who received the vaccine in pregnancy was the leading response for reducing concerns of COVID‐19 vaccination among Black respondents.ConclusionThe survey identified several innovative and culturally specific approaches to address vaccine confidence and complacency and improve vaccine uptake in pregnant people.
Predicting binding between 55 cannabinoids and 4,799 biological targets by in silico methods
Authors: Santillo Michael F. , Sprando Robert L. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRecently, there has been an increase in cannabis‐derived products being marketed as foods, dietary supplements, and other consumer products. Cannabis contains over a hundred cannabinoids, many of which have unknown physiological effects. Since there are large numbers of cannabinoids, and many are not commercially available for in vitro testing, an in silico tool (Chemotargets Clarity software) was used to predict binding between 55 cannabinoids and 4,799 biological targets (enzymes, ion channels, receptors, and transporters). This tool relied on quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR), structural similarity, and other approaches to predict binding. From this screening, 827 cannabinoid‐target binding pairs were predicted, which included 143 unique targets. Many cannabinoids sharing core structures (cannabinoid “types”) had similar binding profiles, whereas most cannabinoids containing carboxylic acid groups were similar without regards to their core structure. For some of the binding predictions (43), in vitro binding data were available, and they agreed well with in silico binding data (median fourfold difference in binding concentrations). Finally, clinical adverse effects associated with 22 predicted targets were identified from an online database (Clarivate Off‐X), providing important insights on potential human health hazards. Overall, in silico biological target predictions are a rapid means to identify potential hazards due to cannabinoid‐target interactions, and the data can be used to prioritize subsequent in vitro and in vivo testing.
Rapid detection of cholecystitis by serum fluorescence spectroscopy combined with machine learning
Authors: Dou Jingrui , Dawuti Wubulitalifu , Zhou Jing , Li Jintian , Zhang Rui , Zheng Xiangxiang , Lin Renyong , Lü Guodong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWhile cholecystitis is a critical public health problem, the conventional diagnostic methods for its detection are time consuming, expensive and insufficiently sensitive. This study examined the possibility of using serum fluorescence spectroscopy and machine learning for the rapid and accurate identification of patients with cholecystitis. Significant differences were observed between the fluorescence spectral intensities of the serum of cholecystitis patients (n = 74) serum and those of healthy subjects (n = 71) at 455, 480, 485, 515, 625 and 690 nm. The ratios of characteristic fluorescence spectral peak intensities were first calculated, and principal component analysis (PCA)‐linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and PCA‐support vector machine (SVM) classification models were then constructed using the ratios as variables. Compared with the PCA‐LDA model, the PCA‐SVM model displayed better diagnostic performance in differentiating cholecystitis patients from healthy subjects, with an overall accuracy of 96.55%. This exploratory study showed that serum fluorescence spectroscopy combined with the PCA‐SVM algorithm has significant potential for the development of a rapid cholecystitis screening method.
Coxa Vara Deformity in Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune‐Albright Syndrome: Prevalence, Natural History and Risk Factors: A Two‐Center Study
Authors: Meier Maartje E. , Appelman‐Dijkstra Natasha M. , Collins Michael T. , Geels Raya E.S. , Stanton Robert P. , de Witte Pieter Bas , Boyce Alison M. , van de Sande Michiel A.J. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for coxa vara deformity in patients with fibrous dysplasia/McCune‐Albright syndrome (FD/MAS). This study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health and Leiden University Medical Center. All patients with any subtype of FD/MAS, FD involving the proximal femur, one or more X‐rays available and age <30 years were included. X‐rays were scored for the neck‐shaft angle (NSA). Varus deformity was defined as NSA <110 degrees or >10 degrees below age‐specific values. Risk factors for deformity were assessed by nested case–control analysis, comparing patients and femurs with and without deformity, and by linear mixed effects model, modeling temporal NSA decrease (the natural course of the NSA) in non‐operated femurs with two or more X‐rays. Assessed variables included growth hormone excess, hyperthyroidism, hypophosphatemia, >25% of the femur affected, calcar destruction, radiolucency, and bilateral involvement. In total 180 patients were studied, 57% female. Mean ± SD baseline age was 13.6 ± 7.5 years; median follow‐up 5.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 11.1) years. Sixty‐three percent (63%) were diagnosed with MAS. A total of 94 patients were affected bilaterally; 274 FD femurs were analyzed; 99 femurs had a varus deformity (36%). In the nested case–control analysis, risk factors were as follows: presence of MAS (p < 0.001), hyperthyroidism (p < 0.001), hypophosphatemia (p < 0.001), high percentage of femur affected (p < 0.001), and calcar destruction (p < 0.001). The linear mixed effects model included 114 femurs, identified risk factors were: growth hormone excess (β = 7.2, p = 0.013), hyperthyroidism (β = 11.3, p < 0.001), >25% of the femur affected (β = 13.2, p = 0.046), calcar destruction (β = 8.3, p = 0.004), radiolucency (β = 3.9, p = 0.009), and bilateral involvement (β = 9.8, p = 0.010). Visual inspection of the graph of the model demonstrated most progression of deformity if NSA <120 degrees with age < 15 years. In conclusion, in tertiary care centers, the prevalence of FD/MAS coxa vara deformity was 36%. Risk factors included presence of MAS, high percentage of femur affected, calcar destruction, radiolucency, NSA <120 degrees and age < 15 years. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).