bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root angle, phosphorus, and water: Interactions and effects on durum wheat genotype performance in drought-prone environments
Authors: van der Bom Frederik J. T. , Williams Alwyn , Raymond Nelly S. , Alahmad Samir , Hickey Lee T. , Singh Vijaya , Bell Michael J. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Selection for root traits has become a target in (pre-)breeding programs aiming at improving crop ability to capture soil resources. However, the benefit of selected traits in heterogeneous target environments will depend on spatial and temporal interactions between root systems, the soil environment (fertility and water supply) and management (fertiliser placement).

Methods
We assessed growth and phosphorus acquisition of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) lines defined by contrasting seminal root angles (41° ‘Narrow’ vs 82° ‘Wide’), in response to different soil phosphorus placements and seasonal water dynamics. Responses were evaluated in clear pots (seedlings), rhizoboxes (late-tillering stage) and a custom lysimeter system (flowering stage).

Results
The Narrow genotype increased deep soil exploration (down to 50 cm) during early growth, with a tendency to more rapidly acquire phosphorus placed as a deep fertiliser band (25 cm depth). However, genotypic differences in shoot biomass or phosphorus uptake were not apparent at anthesis, in part due to phosphorus-induced changes in phenological development. Contrastingly, the wide genotype increased root growth in the topsoil (0–10 cm) when phosphorus was stratified in this layer and produced greater biomass at anthesis under these conditions. Shoot and root biomass and phosphorus uptake decreased when the topsoil dried out, with the greatest effect observed for phosphorus stratified in this layer.

Conclusion
The benefits of the selected root angle trait strongly depend on nutrient and water distributions and dynamics in the target environment. Ideotype breeding efforts and farmer selection of genotypes should consider the context in which genotypes will be deployed.

Highlight
The interaction between root system architecture and heterogeneous distributions of phosphorus and available water determine the relative performance of durum wheat genotypes with contrasting root angles.
Mobile health-technology integrated care in secondary prevention atrial fibrillation patients: a post-hoc analysis from the mAFA-II randomized clinical trial
Authors: Guo Yutao , Romiti Giulio Francesco , Sagris Dimitrios , Proietti Marco , Bonini Niccolò , Zhang Hui , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   The mAF-App II trial investigators
Published: March 2023

AbstractAF patients with history of thromboembolic events are at higher risk of thromboembolic recurrences, despite appropriate antithrombotic treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile health (mHealth) technology-implemented ‘Atrial fibrillation Better Care’ (ABC) pathway approach (mAFA intervention) in secondary prevention AF patients. The Mobile Health Technology for Improved Screening and Optimized Integrated Care in AF (mAFA-II) cluster randomized trial enrolled adult AF patients across 40 centers in China. The main outcome was the composite outcome of stroke or thromboembolism, all-cause death, and rehospitalization. Using Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW), we evaluated the effect of the mAFA intervention in patients with and without prior history of thromboembolic events (i.e., ischemic stroke or thromboembolism). Among the 3324 patients enrolled in the trial, 496 (14.9%, mean age: 75.1 ± 11.4 years, 35.9% females) had a previous episode of thromboembolic event. No significant interaction was observed for the effect of mAFA intervention in patients with vs. without history of thromboembolic events [Hazard ratio, (HR): 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.18–0.80 vs. HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.17–1.76, p for interaction = 0.587); however, a trend towards lower efficacy of mAFA intervention among AF patients in secondary prevention was observed for secondary outcomes, with significant interaction for bleeding events (p = 0.034) and the composite of cardiovascular events (p = 0.015). A mHealth-technology-implemented ABC pathway provided generally consistent reduction of the risk of primary outcome in both primary and secondary prevention AF patients. Secondary prevention patients may require further specific approaches to improve clinical outcomes such as bleeding and cardiovascular events.Trial registration: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Registration number ChiCTR-OOC-17014138.
Estimates on the eigenvalues of complex nonlocal Sturm-Liouville problems
Authors: Sun Fu , Li Kun 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe present paper deals with the eigenvalues of complex nonlocal Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems. The bounds of the real and imaginary parts of eigenvalues for the nonlocal Sturm-Liouville differential equation involving complex nonlocal potential terms associated with nonlocal boundary conditions are obtained in terms of the integrable conditions of coefficients and the real part of the eigenvalues.
The effect of extreme weather events on child nutrition and health
Authors: Amondo Emily Injete , Nshakira-Rukundo Emmanuel , Mirzabaev Alisher 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study traces the causal effects of extreme weather events on nutritional and health outcomes among rural children in Uganda using four waves of individual child survey data (2009–2014). A simultaneous regression model was applied for causal inference while also accounting for households’ adaptive responses. The study finds the evidence of a significant negative relationship between extreme weather events and availability of calories and nutrients for children. In particular, droughts reduced calorie, protein and zinc supply, and overall diet diversity by 67%, 37%, 28% and 30%, respectively. We further traced the effects of this reduced calorie and nutrient availability on child health indicators. A 10% decrease in zinc supply decreased height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) by around 0.139 - 0.164 standard deviations (SD), and increased probability of stunting ranging from 3.1 to 3.5 percentage points. Both boys and girls HAZ and stunting rates were sensitive to nutrient inadequacies. Different coping and adaptation strategies significantly influenced rural households’ ability to safeguard children’s nutrition and health against the effects of extreme weather. The findings of this study provide specific insights for building ex-ante resilience against extreme weather events, particularly when compared to ex-post, unsustainable, and often costlier relief actions.
DRASTIC-Fm-URBAN index: an updated and reliable GIS vulnerability mapping for the assessment of fractured rock media in urban areas
Authors: Freitas Liliana , Meerkhan Helen , Rocha Fernando , Pereira Alcides J. S. C. , Chaminé Helder I. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFractured media hydrosystems sources are valuable worldwide for irrigation, water supply, and industrial purposes. Mapping and evaluating intrinsic groundwater vulnerability is a balanced integrative methodology to describe the potential groundwater contamination or pollution. The Geographical Information System (GIS) overlay mapping technique and multi-parametric methodology are largely employed to evaluate vulnerability in groundwater systems. However, the DRASTIC index methodology is often used for regional approaches and is the most recognised for groundwater vulnerability assessment for general purposes. Therefore, several adaptations were proposed, such as the DRASTIC‐Fm methodology focused on fractured rock media. This study proposes an updated multi-parametric DRASTIC-Fm-URBAN methodology’s concept, importance, and applicability, which supports the potential groundwater vulnerability on fractured media assessment for urban areas. This approach is more accurate, particularly on regional to local scales. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to define the weight of each assessment parameter. In addition, the index DISCO-URBAN, SI and GODS were used in the historic springs of the Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia riverside urban area. In fact, coupling DRASTIC-Fm-URBAN and DISCO-URBAN vulnerability indexes are reliable approaches to be included as a tool to develop a robust hydrogeological conceptual site model for urban areas.
Yambean mosaic virus and lettuce chlorosis virus in Australia
Authors: Filardo Fiona , Waterhouse Barbara , Jones Lynne , Campbell Paul 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis is the first report of yambean mosaic virus and lettuce chlorosis virus in Australia. Both viruses were initially identified co-infecting the Fabaceae weed, Calopogonium mucunoides collected from Umagico in far north Queensland. Full coding sequences of both viruses were obtained with high throughput sequencing and confirmed with RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Lettuce chlorosis virus has subsequently been confirmed in several other species collected from far north Queensland and may become a new emerging threat to agronomical crops in Australia.
“Find the area enclosed by...” Parceling an especially robust model of reasoning among first-year students
Authors: Kontorovich Igor’ 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMathematics education research has been aware that calculus students can draw on single definite integrals as a model to compute areas (SImA), without minding whether the function changes its sign in the assigned interval. In this study, I take conceptual and empirical steps to understand this phenomenon in more depth. Building on Fischbein’s theory, I conceptualize area as a figural concept and associate its calculation with intra-mathematical modelling routes that pass through the network of figures and integrals. To characterize these routes, I analyzed video clips that students in a large first-year service course in mathematics submitted as part of their coursework. This led to the construction of an analytical cycle explicating the models that students generated when implementing SImA. To appreciate how widespread SImA can be, I use the responses of nearly twelve thousand students in final multiple-choice exams in the same course over a decade. This analysis found that nearly thirty percent of the students chose answers that are consistent with this model of reasoning; in some exams the SImA-options were selected more frequently than the correct answers. Drawing on these findings, I make several teaching-oriented comments about the relations between areas and definite integrals.
Hydrostatic, strike-slip and normal stress true triaxial hydrofracturing testing of Blanco Mera Granite: breakdown pressure and tensile strength assessment
Authors: Muñoz-Ibáñez Andrea , Herbón-Penabad Miguel , Delgado-Martín Jordi , Alejano-Monge Leandro , Alvarellos-Iglesias José , Canal-Vila Jacobo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe have designed and built a versatile testing device to perform hydraulic fracturing experiments under true triaxial conditions. The device, based on a stiff biaxial frame that can be installed in a servocontrolled press, can accommodate cube rock samples of up to 150 mm-edge. Using a low-permeability rock known as Blanco Mera granite, we have performed a series of tests across a range of confining pressures including hydrostatic, normal, and strike-slip regimes. We have verified the applicability of two simple fracture mechanics-based models for the interpretation of experimental results, and we have determined the value of tensile strength of the rock from the injection curves recorded. The orientation of the hydraulically-triggered fractures with respect to the applied stress has also been analyzed. Although the models proposed by Rummel and Abou-Sayed provided reasonably satisfactory results, especially for hydrostatic and strike-slip tests, the presence of heterogeneities and defects in the rock matrix may have a strong influence on the fracture behavior and, therefore, affect the interpretation of hydrofracturing tests.
Direct 3D printing of a two-part silicone resin to fabricate highly stretchable structures
Authors: Gharaie Saleh , Zolfagharian Ali , Moghadam Amir Ali Amiri , Shukur Nurul , Bodaghi Mahdi , Mosadegh Bobak , Kouzani Abbas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe direct ink writing (DIW) method of 3D-printing liquid resins has shown promising results in various applications such as flexible electronics, medical devices, and soft robots. A cost-effective extrusion system for a two-part high-viscous resin is developed in this article to fabricate soft and immensely stretchable structures. A static mixer capable of evenly mixing two viscous resins in an extremely low flow regime is designed based on the required mixing performance through a series of biphasic computational fluid dynamics analyses. The printing parameters of the extrusion system are determined empirically, and the mechanical properties of the printed samples are compared to their molded counterparts. Furthermore, some potential applications of the system in soft robotics and medical training are demonstrated. This research provides a clear guide for utilizing DIW to 3D print highly stretchable structures.
Investigative Research Projects for Students in Science: The State of the Field and a Research Agenda
Authors: Reiss Michael J. , Sheldrake Richard , Lodge Wilton 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOne of the ways in which students can be taught science is by doing science, the intention being to help students understand the nature, processes, and methods of science. Investigative research projects may be used in an attempt to reflect some aspects of science more authentically than other teaching and learning approaches, such as confirmatory practical activities and teacher demonstrations. In this article, we are interested in the affordances of investigative research projects where students, either individually or collaboratively, undertake original research. We provide a critical rather than a systematic review of the field. We begin by examining the literature on the aims of science education, and how science is taught in schools, before specifically turning to investigative research projects. We examine how such projects are typically undertaken before reviewing their aims and, in more detail, the consequences for students of undertaking such projects. We conclude that we need social science research studies that make explicit the possible benefits of investigative research projects in science. Such studies should have adequate control groups that look at the long-term consequences of such projects not only by collecting delayed data from participants, but by following them longitudinally to see whether such projects make any difference to participants’ subsequent education and career destinations. We also conclude that there is too often a tendency for investigative research projects for students in science to ignore the reasons why scientists work in particular areas and to assume that once a written report of the research has been authored, the work is done. We therefore, while being positive about the potential for investigative research projects, make specific recommendations as to how greater authenticity might result from students undertaking such projects.
Propeller control for takeoff of a heavily loaded coaxial compound helicopter
Authors: Zhao Y. , Yuan Y. , Chen R. , Yan X. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAlthough a coaxial compound helicopter can takeoff without propeller in the normal condition, the distance should be as short as possible for obstacle avoidance when the vehicle operates in a confined area with heavy loads. Therefore, a suitable propeller control is required to improve the takeoff performance while the total power consumption is no more than the available power. The path is predicted by applying trajectory optimisation. Several varying takeoff parameters, including attitude, liftoff speed and obstacle height, are considered for optimum global performance. Three path indicators are proposed. Apart from typical distance and pilot workload, path sensitivity is quantified based on deviation from takeoff parameter variation. Results indicated that low propeller thrust at hover and moderate allocation on the propeller through flight is recommended. The aircraft achieves significantly improved takeoff performance compared to flight with pure rotors while maintaining the maximum takeoff weight. The distance is shortened by 12.6%, and the longitudinal pilot workload is alleviated by 9.8% and 7.3% from mean and maximum power frequency aspects. Besides, the path is less sensitive to takeoff parameter variations, such as speed, altitude and height.
SG-APSIC1110: Project quality development of zero stock
Authors: Nimnaparoj Tussanee 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Many medical devices and equipment have been reserved in hospital wards and outpatient departments. Among these items, >80% are not often used but are being reserved for emergency situations. We aimed to reduce the number of unnecessarily reserved medical devices and to reduce the cost of unnecessary resterilization of devices and equipment. Methods: The central sterile supply department (CSSD), in coordination with other 13 wards within the Thammasat University Hospital, established a standard action plan for improving the efficiency of medical supply stocking and storage. Medical equipment and/or devices were returned to the CSSD, which acted as the center of management and distribution. The CSSD also tracked and solved problems that occurred and reevaluated practice guidelines. User satisfaction was evaluated and statistic data were collected and analyzed. Results: Wards no longer reserve medical equipment. Thus, no repeated sterilization was needed for unused medical equipment from the participated 13 wards, and sufficient medical equipment was available for various wards when needed. This project helped reduce the cost of purchasing medical equipment, especially for a newly opened ward. The storage of all medical equipment and devices complied with the practice guidelines because the CSSD storage room had a standard temperature and humidity control system. Conclusions: In this project, the CSSD cooperated with the 13 participating wards. As the result of centralizing the supplies, the CSSD has sufficient medical equipment and devices for all other wards, including a newly opened ward. The hospital benefitted from reduced costs of purchasing new medical equipment for a newly opened ward as well as the cost savings of eliminating unnecessary resterilization of unused devices and equipment.
SG-APSIC1122: Observational study of handwashing sink activities in the inpatient setting
Authors: Huan Xiaowei , Farhanah Sharifah , Linn Kyaw Zaw , Ong Clara Chong Hui , Loo Liang Hui , Lim Allie Yin , Hamad Nur Hafizah Binte , Poon Chu Ying , Tan Hui Ru , Tang Ying Wei , Ang Brenda Sze Peng , Kalisvar Marimuthu 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: The use of handwashing sinks for activities other than hand hygiene (HH) is associated with higher rates of β-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, little has been published about the handwashing sink activities in Singapore hospitals. We explored the handwashing sink activities in a tertiary-care hospital in Singapore. Methods: Five trained shadow observers conducted this observational study between December 18 and 21, 2018 (6 hours per day: 07:00–09:00, 09:30–11:30, and 12:30–14:30) in acute-care general wards. We divided the handwashing sink activities by healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs (ie, visitors, caregivers, and relatives) and by HH- and non–HH-related activities. We used Stata version 15 software for the analysis. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the National Healthcare Group, Singapore (DSRB no. 2020/01257). Results: In total, 657 handwashing sink activities were recorded [HCWs, 475 (72.3%) and non-HCWs, 182 (27.7%)]. Of the 475 HCW handwashing sink activities, 451 (94.9%) were HH-related, 10 (2.1%) were for patient nutrition, 7 (1.5%) were for environmental care, 6 (1.3%) were for medical equipment cleaning, and 1 (0.2%) was patient personal-item cleaning. Of the 182 handwashing sink activities by non-HCWs, 117 (64.3%) were HH related, 30 (16.5%) were for patient nutrition, 21 (11.5%) were for personal hygiene, 14 (7.7%) were patient personal-item cleaning. The distribution of handwashing sink activities differed significantly (P < .01) between HCWs and non-HCWs. The odds of non–HH-related handwashing sink activities among non-HCWs was 10× higher than among HCWs (OR, 10.44; 95% CI, 5.98–18.23; P < .01). Conclusions: Handwashing sinks use for non–HH-related activities is higher among non-HCWs than HCWs. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of non-HH handwashing sink activities on nosocomial infections and ways to reduce them.
SG-APSIC1097: The impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in Singapore: An interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Ong Chong Hui Clara , Cheng Thoon Koh , Pada Surinder Kaur M S , Narayana Deepak Rama , Ooi Say Tat , Smitasin Nares , Fong Kok Choon Raymond , Koh Tse Hsien , Cherng Pei Zhi Benjamin , Lin Raymond , Pratim De Partha , Yang Hsu Li , Teo Jeanette , Ng Oon Tek , Venkatachalam Indumathi , Marimuthu Kalisvar 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Over the past 2 years, many infection prevention and control (IPC) resources have been diverted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Its impact on the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms has not been adequately studied. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in Singapore. Methods: We extracted data on unique CRE isolates (clinical and/or surveillance cultures) and patient days for 6 public hospitals in Singapore from the carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CaPES) study group database, and we calculated the monthly incidence of CRE (per 10,000 patient days). Interrupted time-series (ITS) analysis was conducted with the pre–COVID-19 period defined as before February 2020, and the COVID-19 period defined as after February 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 15 software. Results: From January 2017 to March 2021, 6,770 CRE isolates and 9,126,704 patient days were documented. The trend in CRE monthly incidence increased significantly during the pre–COVID-19 period (0.060; 95% CI, 0.033–0.094; P < .001) but decreased during the COVID-19 period (−0.183; 95% CI, −0.390 to 0.023; P = .080) without stepwise change in the incidence (−1.496; 95% CI, −3.477 to 0.485; P = .135). The trend in monthly incidence rate of CRE clinical cultures increased significantly during the pre–COVID-19 period (0.046; 95% CI, 0.028–0.064; P < .001) and decreased significantly during COVID-19 period (−0.148; 95% CI, −0.249 to −0.048; P = .048) with no stepwise change in the incidence (−0.063; 95% CI, −0.803 to 0.677; P = .864). The trend in monthly incidence rate of CRE surveillance cultures decreased during the pre–COVID-19 period (−0.020; 95% CI, −0.062 to 0.022; P = .341) and the COVID-19 period (−0.067; 95% CI, −0.291to 0.158; P = .552) without stepwise change in the incidence (−1.327; 95% CI, −3.535 to 0.881; P = .233). Conclusions: The rate of CRE in clinical cultures decreased during COVID-19 but not the rate in surveillance cultures. Further studies are warranted to study the impact of COVID-19 on CREs.(DUPLICATE DELETED)