bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant resistance to pests and diseases: potency in coconut
Authors: Sivapragasam A. , Sathis Sri T. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Plant resistance to pests and diseases help avoid, tolerate or recover from an injury that would cause greater damage to plants of the same species under similar environmental conditions. In coconut, resistant traits are generally acquired traits against pests and diseases in conventional breeding programs and indirectly through the application of nutrients. The paper provides a list of existing resistant or tolerant coconut varieties reported against key pests and diseases. The use of resistant coconut varieties as part of the integrated pest management toolbox is considered to be an effective medium to long-term strategy. Thus, it is anticipated that resistant varieties will become increasingly important as a component of the IPM toolbox as we encounter invasive species and face the vagaries of climate change. This strategy may also be helpful for managing diseases caused by phytoplasmas. The paper alluded to a number of challenges faced in breeding resistant coconut varieties and the strategies for deploying them. The future projects interesting prospects for resistant variety development that are underpinned by the use of biotechnological tools such as Resistance Gene Analogues (RGAs) and Eco-TILLING and supported by advances in tissue culture and micropropagation that could be used to expedite conventional breeding programs.
Long-term analysis of indoor air quality and thermal comfort in a public school
Authors: Catalina T , Damian A , Vartires A , Niță M , Racovițeanu V 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The paper is focused on the investigation of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in two classrooms from a thermal renovated school from Bucharest, related to indoor carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3) concentrations or airborne particles (PM2.5), by using experimental data. The experimental campaign has been conducted over a long period (February-June 2022), allowing the study of indoor air quality under different weather data conditions. The results showed that the use of classroom ventilation is mandatory in order to reach a satisfactory degree of thermal comfort and indoor air quality and even the natural ventilation by windows opening remains a simply and useful tool to lower the indoor pollutant concentrations. However, if the target is to ensure permanent good indoor air quality in these learning spaces, a mechanical ventilation system is more adapted than the natural ventilation, due to the fact it is independent of the weather factors variation (outside temperature and wind velocity and direction).
Fish guidance system for a river water intake - experimental and numerical study
Authors: Danca Paul Alexandru , Simionescu Stefan-Mugur , Cîrciumaru Gabriela , Nistoran Daniela-Elena Gogoașe , Chihaia Rares Andrei , Babutanu Corina 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Fish guidance systems associated to water intakes represent an important feature, mandatory to prevent fish from being accidentally drawn into artificial hydraulic facilities. Such systems are recommended for a proper integration of the water intake into the surrounding environment and contribute to reducing the impact on the environment. In this paper a prototype of fish guidance system which can be applied to river water intakes is presented and analysed. The fish are guided by means of an air bubbles curtain, which influence the flow of the water. This study was performed numerically in Fluent software and experimentally in laboratory conditions. Velocity distribution maps were achieved using Particle Image Velocimetry technique for two water flowrates. The results presented in the paper are a part of the recorded data, and have the purpose to validate the numerical model for the case without air bubbles curtain. A second purpose is to evaluate the changes caused by the bubbles curtain on the water velocity. The results obtained by numerical simulations are in good correlation with the experimental results performed using PIV technique and demonstrate that the fish guidance systems associated to water intakes can represent an efficient solution for fish protection in their natural environment.
Comparative analysis of significant wave height between satellite altimetry data and SWAN model simulations in the Black Sea basin
Authors: Luca E , Bandoc G , Degeratu M 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Significant wave height (Hs) data are essential in different scientific studies regarding coastal and marine environments, coastal management, various economic activities nearshore and offshore, as well as in the use of marine renewable energy, oil and gas offshore platform operation and security, safety of personnel and equipment. The current paper presents an analysis of the significant wave height parameter for the particular case of the Black Sea basin. In order to achieve this analysis, satellite altimetry measurements from five different satellites taken from the IMOS (Integrated Marine Observing System) database were used and compared with the results of SWAN model simulations in order to assess the accuracy of simulated Hs values. The analysis was performed on data available for a period of 3 years, from 2018 to 2020. The comparison of the simulated significant wave height with data measured by altimetry satellites showed a good correlation of 0.8. The obtained results bring a contribution with regards to a better insight and knowledge into the characteristics of wind waves in the Black Sea.
Evaluation of CFD-predicted thermal comfort uncertainties based on a seated thermal manikin test case
Authors: Zasimova M A , Podmarkova A D , Ivanov N G , Marinova A A 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The contribution presents the results of numerical simulation of 3D turbulent airflow and heat transfer around a seated thermal manikin in a model room with mixing ventilation. The main goal of the study is to evaluate the uncertainties caused by a CFD model. The room and the detailed thermal manikin geometry correspond to the experiment of P.V. Nielsen et al. (2007). The 3D computational model based on the RANS approach with the standard k-ε turbulence model is applied. The radiation effects are taken into account with the surface-to-surface radiation model. The study considers (1) the effect of the supply air flow rate variation and (2) the effect of the thermal manikin geometrical shape. For a particular parameters set, the results of numerical simulation are validated using the experimental data available (P.V. Nielsen et al.). The contribution is focused also on studying the effects of various heat transfer mechanisms on the airflow pattern and thermal comfort parameters: the baseline mixing ventilation scenario is compared with the buoyancy-dominated case.
Measuring the impact of academic literacy interventions: Refining an evaluation design through self-reflection and feedback
Authors: Fouché Ilse 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article, located in the discipline of academic literacy studies, draws upon the fields of critical realism, design research, and evaluation studies. It reports on the validation of a flexible evaluation design for assessing the impact of academic literacy interventions. The design was validated in two ways. Firstly, through a process of critical reflection, the researcher considers her own experience with applying the evaluation design to an academic literacy course; the weaknesses and limitations that emerged from this implementation are considered. Secondly, academic literacy specialists responsible for a wide variety of interventions in South Africa were consulted by means of a questionnaire containing both quantitative and qualitative questions. The purpose of this questionnaire was to determine to which extent the evaluation design could be applied to a variety of academic literacy interventions in various contexts. Recommendations regarding the refinement of the evaluation design are made, and a revised evaluation design is put forward.
Evaluating the effect of weekly patient-reported symptom monitoring on trial outcomes: results of the Eczema Monitoring Online randomized controlled trial
Authors: Baker Arabella , Mitchell Eleanor J , Partlett Christopher , Thomas Kim S 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used in eczema clinical trials. Several trials have used PROMs weekly for symptom monitoring. However, the increased frequency of patient-reported symptom monitoring may prompt participants to enhance the self-management of eczema and increase standard topical treatment use that can lead to improvements in outcomes over time. This is concerning as weekly symptom monitoring may constitute an unplanned intervention, which may mask small treatment effects and make it difficult to identify changes in the eczema resulting from the treatment under investigation.

Objectives
To evaluate the effect of weekly patient-reported symptom monitoring on participants’ outcomes and to inform the design of future eczema trials.

Methods
This was an online parallel-group nonblinded randomized controlled trial. Parents/carers of children with eczema and young people and adults with eczema were recruited online, excluding people scoring &lt; 3 points on the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), to avoid floor effects. Electronic PROMs were used for data collection. Participants were allocated using online randomization (1 : 1) to weekly POEM for 7 weeks (intervention) or no POEM during this period (control). The primary outcome was change in eczema severity based on POEM scores, assessed at baseline and week 8. Secondary outcomes included change in standard topical treatment use and data completeness at follow-up. Analyses were conducted according to randomized groups in those with complete data at week 8.

Results
A total of 296 participants were randomized from 14 September 2021 to 16 January 2022 (71% female, 77% white, mean age 26.7 years). The follow-up completion rate was 81.7% [n = 242; intervention group, n = 118/147 (80.3%); control group n = 124/149 (83.2%)]. After adjusting for baseline disease severity and age, eczema severity improved in the intervention group (mean difference in POEM score –1.64, 95% confidence interval –2.91 to –0.38; P = 0.01). No between-group differences were noted in the use of standard topical treatments and data completeness at follow-up.

Conclusions
Weekly patient-reported symptom monitoring led to a small perceived improvement in eczema severity.
Correlation between recurrence-free survival and overall survival after upfront surgery for resected colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Kataoka Kozo , Takahashi Kanae , Takeuchi Jiro , Ito Kazuma , Beppu Naohito , Ceelen Wim , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Ajioka Yoichi , Endo Itaru , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Takahashi Keiichi , Ikeda Masataka 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
The role of recurrence-free survival (RFS) as a valid surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent upfront surgery for colorectal liver metastases remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to compare the two survival measures in a nationwide cohort of upfront resected colorectal liver metastasis.

Methods
Data from patients with colorectal liver metastases without extrahepatic metastases who underwent curative surgery for liver metastases were retrieved from the Japanese nationwide database (data collection 2005–2007 and 2013–2014). RFS, OS, and survival after recurrence were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The correlation (ρ) between RFS and OS was assessed using the rank correlation method combined with iterative multiple imputation, to account for censoring. As a secondary analysis, the correlation was evaluated according to adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. In sensitivity analysis, the pairwise correlation between RFS and OS was calculated.

Results
A total of 2385 patients with colorectal liver metastases were included. In the primary analysis, there was a moderately strong correlation between RFS and OS (ρ = 0.73, 95 per cent c.i. 0.70 to 0.76). The strength of the correlation was similar regardless of the adjuvant treatment regimen (oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil: ρ = 0.72, 0.67 to 0.77; 5-fluorouracil alone: ρ = 0.72, 0.66 to 0.76; observation: ρ = 0.74, 0.69 to 0.78). The mean(s.d.) pairwise correlation coefficient between 3-year RFS and 5-year OS was 0.87(0.06).

Conclusion
In surgically treated patients with colorectal liver metastases, there was a moderately strong correlation between RFS and OS, which was unaffected by the treatment regimen. Further validation using a trial-level analysis is required.
Digest: Complex dynamics of speciation and implications for macroevolutionary models
Authors: Ahmad-Gawel Miriam 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
What kinds of reproductive barriers are important for maintaining species integrity, and how are species boundaries preserved in the face of gene flow? Ivey et al. (2023) find little evidence for reproductive barriers and uncover a history of introgression between two incipient species of monkeyflower. These findings contribute to a growing body of work that calls for a reconsideration of how speciation dynamics are modeled at the macroevolutionary level.
Short-term fitness consequences of parasitism depend on host genotype and within-host parasite community
Authors: Sallinen Suvi , Laine Anna-Liisa 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Multiparasite communities inhabiting individual hosts are common and often consist of parasites from multiple taxa. The effects of parasite community composition and complexity on host fitness are critical for understanding how host–parasite coevolution is affected by parasite diversity. To test how naturally occurring parasites affect host fitness of multiple host genotypes, we performed a common-garden experiment where we inoculated four genotypes of host plant Plantago lanceolata with six microbial parasite treatments: three single-parasite treatments, a fungal mixture, a viral mixture, and a cross-kingdom treatment. Seed production was affected by both host genotype and parasite treatment, and their interaction jointly determined the growth of the hosts. Fungal parasites had more consistent negative effects than viruses in both single- and mixed-parasite treatments. These results demonstrate that parasite communities have the potential to affect the evolution and ecology of host populations through their effects on host growth and reproduction. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of accounting for the diversity of parasites as well as host genotypes when aiming to predict the consequences of parasites for epidemics as the effects of multiparasitism are not necessarily additive of single-parasite effects, nor uniform across all host genotypes.
The Adaptive Evolution of Leuciscus waleckii in Lake Dali Nur and Convergent Evolution of Cypriniformes Fishes Inhabiting Extremely Alkaline Environments
Authors: Zhou Zhixiong , Yang Junyi , Lv Hongzao , Zhou Tao , Zhao Ji , Bai Huaqiang , Pu Fei , Xu Peng 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Leuciscus waleckii is widely distributed in Northeast Asia and has high economic value. The population in Lake Dali Nur can adapt to extremely alkaline–saline water with bicarbonate over 50 mmol/L (pH 9.6), thus providing an exceptional model for exploring the mechanisms of adaptive evolution under extreme alkaline environments. Here, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome for L. waleckii from Lake Dali Nur. Based on the resequencing of 85 individuals from divergent populations, the historical population size of L. waleckii in Lake Dali Nur dramatically expanded in a thousand years approximately 13,000 years ago and experienced a cliff recession in the process of adapting to the alkaline environment of Lake Dali Nur approximately 6,000 years ago. Genome scans between freshwater and alkaline populations further revealed the significant selective sweep regions from Lake Dali Nur, which harbor a set of candidate genes involved in hypoxia tolerance, ion transport, acid–base regulation, and nitrogen metabolism. 5 alkali population–specific nonsynonymous mutations were identified in CA15 gene copies. In addition, two sites with convergent amino acid mutation were detected in the RHCG-a gene among several alkali environment–adapted Cypriniformes fish. Our findings provide comprehensive insight into the genomic mechanisms of L. waleckii and reveal their adaptative evolution under extreme alkaline environments.
A Novel Serum Metabolomic Panel for the Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Ma Ruiqi , Zhu Yijun , Li Xiaozhi , Hu Shixian , Zheng Danping , Xiong Shanshan , Xu Shu , Xiang Liyuan , Zhao Min , Tang Ce , Zeng Zhirong , Chen Minhu , Feng Rui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
A distinctive metabolic phenotype provides the opportunity to discover noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and for differentiating it from other intestinal inflammatory diseases. The study sought to identify new biomarkers for CD diagnosis.

Methods
Serum metabolites from 68 newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve patients with CD and 56 healthy control (HC) subjects were profiled using targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Five metabolic biomarkers were identified to distinguish patients with CD from the HC subjects and validated in a separate cohort consisting of 110 patients with CD and 90 HC subjects using a combination of univariate analysis, orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis, and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Differences in the 5 metabolites were evaluated among patients with CD and patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 62), intestinal tuberculosis (n = 48), and Behçet’s disease (n = 31).

Results
Among the 185 quantified metabolites, a panel of 5 (pyruvate, phenylacetylglutamine, isolithocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, and glycolithocholic acid) were found to distinguish patients with CD with high accuracy from HC subjects, with an area under the curve of 0.861 (P &lt; .001). The performance of the model in assessing clinical disease activity was comparable to that of the present biomarkers: C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The 5 metabolites were significantly different among the patients and were valuable in the differentiation between CD and other chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Conclusions
The combination of 5 serum metabolite biomarkers for the diagnosis of CD has the potential to provide an accurate, noninvasive, and inexpensive alternative to conventional tests and might be valuable for the differentiation from other diagnostically challenging intestinal inflammatory diseases.
Geometric Models for Algebraic Suspensions
Authors: Asok A , Dubouloz A , Østvær P A 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
We analyze the question of which motivic homotopy types admit smooth schemes as representatives. We show that given a pointed smooth affine scheme $X$ and an embedding into affine space, the affine deformation space of the embedding gives a model for the ${\mathbb P}^{1}$ suspension of $X$; we also analyze a host of variations on this observation. Our approach yields many examples of ${\mathbb A}^{1}$-$(n-1)$-connected smooth affine $2n$-folds and strictly quasi-affine ${\mathbb A}^{1}$-contractible smooth schemes.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Delta Variant Genomic Variation Associated With Breakthrough Infection in Northern California: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Skarbinski Jacek , Nugent Joshua R , Wood Mariah S , Liu Liyan , Bullick Teal , Schapiro Jeffrey M , Arunleung Phacharee , Morales Christina , Amsden Laura B , Hsiao Crystal A , Wadford Debra A , Chai Shua J , Reingold Arthur , Wyman Stacia K 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
The association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomic variation and breakthrough infection is not well defined among persons with Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods
In a retrospective cohort, we assessed whether individual nonlineage defining mutations and overall genomic variation (including low-frequency alleles) were associated with breakthrough infection, defined as SARS-CoV-2 infection after coronavirus disease 2019 primary vaccine series. We identified all nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions in SARS-CoV-2 genomes with ≥5% allelic frequency and population frequency of ≥5% and ≤95%. Using Poisson regression, we assessed the association with breakthrough infection for each individual mutation and a viral genomic risk score.

Results
Thirty-six mutations met our inclusion criteria. Among 12 744 persons infected with Delta variant SARS-CoV-2, 5949 (47%) were vaccinated and 6795 (53%) were unvaccinated. Viruses with a viral genomic risk score in the highest quintile were 9% more likely to be associated with breakthrough infection than viruses in the lowest quintile, but including the risk score improved overall predictive model performance (measured by C statistic) by only +0.0006.

Conclusions
Genomic variation within SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was weakly associated with breakthrough infection, but several potential nonlineage defining mutations were identified that might contribute to immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2.
Early mortality in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in routine practice
Authors: Raphael Jacques , Richard Lucie , Lam Melody , Blanchette Phillip , Leighl Natasha B , Rodrigues George , Trudeau Maureen , Krzyzanowska Monika K 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
We sought to estimate the proportion of patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) who die soon after starting ICI in the real world and examine factors associated with early mortality (EM).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked health administrative data from Ontario, Canada. EM was defined as death from any cause within 60 days of ICI initiation. Patients with melanoma, lung, bladder, head and neck, or kidney cancer treated with ICI between 2012 and 2020 were included.

Results
A total of 7126 patients treated with ICI were evaluated. Fifteen percent (1075 of 7126) died within 60 days of initiating ICI. The highest mortality was observed in patients with bladder and head and neck tumors (approximately 21% each). In multivariable analysis, previous hospital admission or emergency department visit, prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, stage 4 disease at diagnosis, lower hemoglobin, higher white blood cell count, and higher symptom burden were associated with higher risk of EM. Conversely, patients with lung and kidney cancer (compared with melanoma), lower neutrophil to lymphocytes ratio, and with higher body mass index were less likely to die within 60 days post ICI initiation. In a sensitivity analysis, 30-day and 90-day mortality were 7% (519 of 7126) and 22% (1582 of 7126), respectively, with comparable clinical factors associated with EM identified.

Conclusions
EM is common among patients treated with ICI in the real-world setting and is associated with several patient and tumor characteristics. Development of a validated tool to predict EM may facilitate better patient selection for treatment with ICI in routine practice.