bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), a new species within the S. sinensis species complex in Japan, based on morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Hirota Shun K. , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Fujimori Shohei , Ishibashi Masayuki , Hsu Tian-Chuan , Suyama Yoshihisa 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe systematics of the Old World Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames species complex (Orchidaceae) has been complicated by its wide distribution and morphological variations. Within the species complex, S. australis Lindl. has been generally accepted as the only Spiranthes Rich. species distributed on the Japanese mainland. The present study provides morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence for the recognition of S. hachijoensis Suetsugu as a new species of the S. sinensis species complex on the Japanese mainland. Spiranthes hachijoensis is morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis S.Y. Hu & Barretto and S. nivea T.P. Lin & W.M. Lin, sharing a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and distinctly trilobed stigma. However, the taxon can be morphologically distinguished from S. hongkongensis by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals, and from S. nivea by its papillate labellum disc, larger papillate basal labellum callosities, and glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals. The autogamy and flowering phenology (i.e., earlier flowering) of S. hachijoensis are most likely responsible for premating isolation from the sympatric S. australis. A MIG-seq-based high-throughput molecular analysis indicated that the genetic difference between S. hachijoensis and its putative sister species S. sinensis is comparable to, or even greater than, the genetic difference between pairs of other species within the S. sinensis species complex. Our multifaceted approach strongly supports the recognition of S. hachijoensis as a morphologically, phenologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically distinct species.
Investment disputes and their explicit role in option market uncertainty and overall risk instability
Authors: Drábek Zdeněk , Kopa Miloš , Maciak Matúš , Pešta Michal , Vitali Sebastiano 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe propose a methodological approach for capturing and analyzing the impacts of investment disputes on option markets. A dispute submission typically brings in unspecified uncertainty and additional risk. The implied volatility of options is shown to reflect such effects. However, nontrivial caution and nonstandard statistical techniques are needed to analyze them appropriately. Artificial options with a constant (over time) maturity are introduced to emphasize these effects. A panel data representation of artificial implied volatility smiles is used to ensure the overall model flexibility, transparency, and its practical interpretability. Finally, a stochastically valid changepoint detection procedure is adopted to reveal significant impacts of an investment dispute on the overall riskiness and the stock price evolution. The results show significant impacts of the first tribunal meeting and the first procedural order of the disputes under consideration.
Visual modelling can optimise the appearance and capture efficiency of sticky traps used to manage insect pests
Authors: Dearden Alexander E. , Wood Martyn J. , Frend Henry O. , Butt Tariq. M. , Allen William L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSticky traps are one of the most important tools for monitoring and mass trapping of insect pests. Their effectiveness depends on attracting and capturing target pests efficiently. Trap colour strongly affects capture rates, but currently a principled approach to identifying optimal trap colour for a given pest and growing context is lacking. Here we propose that modelling pest colour vision enables identification of trap colours that optimise pest capture rates. We test this novel approach to trap design in field trials on Western flower thrips (WFT) Frankiniella occidentalis, an economically damaging pest of agriculture and horticulture worldwide. Prior studies have reported that WFT prefer blue and yellow sticky traps, aligning with recent evidence that WFT have trichromatic colour vision with peak sensitivities in the UV, blue and green portion of the visual spectrum and a blue-green colour opponent mechanism. Therefore, we hypothesised that a shade of blue that maximally stimulates the blue photoreceptor whilst minimally stimulating the green photoreceptor would improve sticky trap capture rates, while a shade of blue that decreased the opponent response would reduce capture rates. In three field experiments, we found strong support for this hypothesis: the optimised blue colour captured 1.3–2.6  times  more WFT than current commercial trap colours. Our results also demonstrated that visual modelling can identify optimally contrasting colours for two-colour traps that further improve capture rates. This study provides a novel and principled approach to the design of visual traps that could be extended to other pest management contexts.
A preliminary assessment of food policy obstacles in California’s produce recovery networks
Authors: Chiarella Cristina , Lamoureaux Yulia , Pires Alda A. F. , Surls Rachel , Bennaton Robert , Van Soelen Kim Julia , Grady Suzanne , Ramos Thais M. , Koundinya Vikram , DiCaprio Erin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCalifornia is a landmark setting for studying produce recovery efforts and policy implications because of its global relevance in agricultural production, its complex network of food recovery organizations, and its environmental and public health regulations. Through a series of focus groups with organizations involved in produce recovery (gleaning organizations) and emergency food operations (food banks, food pantries), this study aimed to deepen our understanding of the current produce recovery system and determine the major challenges and opportunities related to the produce recovery system. Operational and systematic barriers to produce recovery were highlighted by both gleaning and emergency food operations. Operational barriers, such as the lack of appropriate infrastructure and limited logistical support were found to be a challenge across groups and were directly tied to inadequate funding for these organizations. Systematic barriers, such as regulations related to food safety or reducing food loss and waste, were also found to impact both gleaning and emergency food organizations, but differences were observed in how each type of regulation impacted each stakeholder group. To support the expansion of food recovery efforts, participants expressed need for better coordination within and across food recovery networks and more positive and transparent engagement from regulators to increase understanding of the specifics of their unique operational constraints. The focus group participants also provided critiques on how emergency food assistance and food recovery are inscribed within the current food system and for longer term goals of reducing food insecurity and food loss and waste a systematic change will be required.
Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany: 1st data update
Authors: Rubel Franz , Zaenker Stefan , Weigand Alexander , Weber Dieter , Chitimia-Dobler Lidia , Kahl Olaf 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe first data update of the atlas of ticks in Germany published in 2021 is presented here. This atlas provides maps based on georeferenced tick locations of 21 species endemic in Germany as well as three tick species that are regularly imported to Germany. The data update includes the following numbers of newly georeferenced tick locations: 17Argas reflexus, 79Carios vespertilionis, 2Dermacentor marginatus, 43Dermacentor reticulatus, 4Haemaphysalis concinna, 3Haemaphysalis punctata, 3Hyalomma rufipes, 3Ixodes apronophorus, 9Ixodes arboricola, 1Ixodes ariadnae, 30Ixodes canisuga, 3Ixodes frontalis, 80Ixodes hexagonus, 3Ixodes lividus, 497Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus, 1Ixodes rugicollis, 17Ixodes trianguliceps, 14Ixodes vespertilionis, and 45Rhipicephalus sanguineussensu lato. Old and new tick findings were mapped, such as the northernmost occurrence ofD. marginatusin Germany observed in 2021, but also the historical records from the first descriptions ofI. apronophorusandI. arboricola, which were georeferenced here for the first time. The digital dataset of tick locations available for Germany is supplemented by 854 new tick locations. These records increase the number of tick species mapped in the federal states Bavaria, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg Western Pomerania by five each, those in Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein by four each, those in Hamburg by three, those in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, Northrhine-Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate and Thuringia by two each, and those in Hesse, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt by one each. Thus, the first data update of the tick atlas in Germany and the underlying digital dataset significantly improve our knowledge of the distribution of these tick species and helps to investigate the effects of climate change and habitat changes on them.
Assay conditions for estimating differences in base excision repair activity with Fpg-modified comet assay
Authors: Zheng Congying , Collins Andrew , Brunborg Gunnar , van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Nordengen Anne Lene , Shaposhnikov Sergey , Godschalk Roger 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDNA repair is an essential agent in cancer development, progression, prognosis, and response to therapy. We have adapted a cellular repair assay based on the formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg)-modified comet assay to assess DNA repair kinetics. The removal of oxidized nucleobases over time (0–480 min) was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 8 cell lines. DNA damage was induced by exposure to either Ro19-8022 plus visible light or potassium bromate (KBrO3). The initial amount of damage induced by Ro 19–8022 plus light varied between cell lines, and this was apparently associated with the rate of repair. However, the amount of DNA damage induced by KBrO3 varied less between cell types, so we used this agent to study the kinetics of DNA repair. We found an early phase of ca. 60 min with fast removal of Fpg-sensitive sites, followed by slower removal over the following 7 h. In conclusion, adjusting the initial damage at T0 to an equal level can be achieved by the use of KBrO3, which allows for accurate analysis of subsequent cellular DNA repair kinetics in the first hour after exposure.
Graphical Abstract
The impact of corruption and clientelism on voter turnout in Africa
Authors: Tambe Elvis Bisong , Monyake Moletsane 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis article explores the effect of corruption and clientelism on voter turnout in a sample of 34 African countries. It draws on Afrobarometer survey data from Round 5 and utilises a multilevel model to estimate individual and country-level effects. The article contributes to the literature on voter turnout, particularly by exploring the conditional effects of corruption and clientelism on individual voting decisions in Africa. We find that turnout is higher among those with more experience with electoral clientelism (which is especially strong in poorer countries) and that people with dimmer assessments of corruption are less likely to turn out, with the relationship being stronger as overall levels of corruption increase.
A space-time calculus based on symmetric 2-spinors
Authors: Aksteiner Steffen , Bäckdahl Thomas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this paper we present a space-time calculus for symmetric spinors, including a product with a number of index contractions followed by symmetrization. As all operations stay within the class of symmetric spinors, no involved index manipulations are needed. In fact spinor indices are not needed in the formalism. It is also general because any covariant tensor expression in a 4-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime can be translated to this formalism. The computer algebra implementation SymSpin as part of xAct for Mathematica is also presented.
Phylogeographic study using autonomous reef monitoring structures indicates fast range expansion of the invasive bryozoan Juxtacribrilina mutabilis
Authors: Martaeng Rasmus , Obst Matthias , Kuklinski Piotr 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis is a phylogeographical study of Juxtacribrilina mutabilis, a recently described bryozoan from Japan with sightings in Sweden, Norway, and Maine (US), to test how fast and far it has expanded across Europe in recent years. J. mutabilis settles easily on ship hulls, making it a useful model organism for studying long-distance invasion pathways. The study was conducted using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to monitor the entire European coastline and Svalbard for J. mutabilis using DNA metabarcoding. During the time between its first sighting in Europe 2008 and the last ARMS retrieval 2020, the data shows how J. mutabilis has gained a pan-European distribution, being genetically identified in 14 new distinct locations. Presence/absence of barcodes were confirmed by image-based identification in 74% of the samples. Fourteen haplotypes never reported before were discovered in a 264 bp region of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. Two haplotypes (HP1 and HP3) occurred frequently and geographically widely dispersed, indicating intercontinental connectivity. Two locations, Koster and Getxo showed particularly high genetic diversity with similar haplotype networks suggesting continuous gene flow across oceanographically unlinked regions. Given the recent description of J. mutabilis and the relatively few historical encounters, the genetic diversity described here suggests an unusually fast range expansion within the last two decades. Such global spreading events of fouling organisms may become more common in the future as a result of more frequent and interconnected ship traffic.
Impaired B Cell Recall Memory and Reduced Antibody Avidity but Robust T Cell Response in CVID Patients After COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Steiner Sophie , Schwarz Tatjana , Corman Victor M. , Jeworowski Lara M. , Bauer Sandra , Drosten Christian , Scheibenbogen Carmen , Hanitsch Leif G. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Humoral and cellular immune responses were described after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID). This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody quality and memory function of B cell immunity as well as T cell responses after COVID-19 vaccination in seroresponding and non-responding CVID patients.

Methods
We evaluated antibody avidity and applied a memory B cell ELSPOT assay for functional B cell recall memory response to SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 vaccination in CVID seroresponders. We comparatively analyzed SARS-CoV-2 spike reactive polyfunctional T cell response and reactive peripheral follicular T helper cells (pTFH) by flow cytometry in seroresponding and non-seroresponding CVID patients. All CVID patients had previously failed to mount a humoral response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Results
SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody avidity of seroresponding CVID patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls. Only 30% of seroresponding CVID patients showed a minimal memory B cell recall response in ELISPOT assay. One hundred percent of CVID seroresponders and 83% of non-seroresponders had a detectable polyfunctional T cell response. Induction of antigen-specific CD4+CD154+CD137+CXCR5+ pTFH cells by the COVID-19 vaccine was higher in CVID seroresponder than in non-seroresponder. Levels of pTFH did not correlate with antibody response or avidity.

Conclusion
Reduced avidity and significantly impaired recall memory formation after COVID-19 vaccination in seroresponding CVID patients stress the importance of a more differentiated analysis of humoral immune response in CVID patients. Our observations challenge the clinical implications that follow the binary categorization into seroresponder and non-seroresponder.
Richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases with ecosystem degradation of temperate eucalypt woodlands
Authors: Albornoz Felipe E. , Standish Rachel J. , Bissett Andrew , Prober Suzanne M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposeDegraded ecosystems can be maintained by abiotic and biotic legacies long after initial disturbances, preventing recovery. These legacies can include changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). To inform potential restoration pathways, we aimed to elucidate differences in AMF between intact and degraded ecosystems, their responses to modified soils, and interactions with invasive plants.MethodsWe used a state-and-transition framework to characterise AMF communities, native and exotic plant cover, and soil physicochemical properties across little-modified reference states and degraded states, which were carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) -depleted, intermediate, and CN-enriched, in temperate eucalypt woodlands of south-eastern Australia.ResultsMost ground-layer states differed significantly in their AMF communities, with the CN-enriched states being most distinct. All states had unique taxa and characteristic indicator taxa, but intermediate and CN-enriched states harboured four-to-five times more indicator taxa than the reference state. Consistent with this, richness of AMF was higher in the intermediate and CN-enriched states than in reference states, driven by higher richness of Archaeosporaceae, Diversisporaceae, Glomeraceae, and Paraglomeraceae. Pathway analysis indicated that differences in AMF communities among states were strongly related to differences in native:exotic plant cover ratio, mediated by soil organic matter and nutrients.ConclusionOur results indicate that ecosystem degradation is associated with both loss of AMF taxa and introduction of ‘weedy’ AMF, which in turn potentially contribute to maintenance of degraded ecosystems. We argue that our state-and-transition approach to characterising AMF communities improved our understanding of the different pathways of degradation, elucidating possible constraints to ecosystem recovery.
High School FLASH Sexual Health Education Curriculum: LGBTQ Inclusivity Strategies Reduce Homophobia and Transphobia
Authors: Kesler Kari , Gerber Andrea , Laris BA , Anderson Pamela , Baumler Elizabeth , Coyle Karin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHomophobic and transphobic beliefs that lead to bias-based harassment remain a critical concern for young people in the USA. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of an inclusive comprehensive sex education program (High School FLASH) on homophobic and transphobic beliefs. Data from this study come from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the impact of High School FLASH on students’ sexual behaviors and related outcomes with 20 schools in two U.S. regions (Midwest and South). Following the baseline survey, the 20 schools were randomly assigned to receive FLASH or a comparison curriculum. Ninth and 10th grade students completed follow-up surveys 3 and 12 months after the instructional period. We examined changes in homophobic beliefs using multilevel linear regression models in the full sample and two sub-groups: straight cisgender young people versus those who identified as not straight or cisgender. Mean scores on the homophobic and transphobic beliefs scale were statistically significantly lower among young people receiving FLASH relative to the comparison at both the 3- and 12-month timepoints (p-values for adjusted mean differences were < 0.01, n = 1357 and 1275, respectively). Specifically, FLASH’s positive impact on reducing homophobic and transphobic beliefs was statistically significant for straight and cisgender youth at both survey follow-ups (p < 0.01, n = 1144 and p = 0.05, n = 1078, respectively); the effects for the LGBTQ sub-group reached statistical significance at only the final follow-up (p = 0.01, n = 197). Our results show that carefully designed, inclusive comprehensive sexual health education programs like High School FLASH can play a role in promoting better school climates for all youth by reducing beliefs that may lead to bullying, violence, and victimization.
Efficiency of conventional and nanoparticle oxytetracycline in treatment of clinical endometritis in postpartum dairy cows
Authors: Ghallab Rezk S. , El-Karim Dina R. S. Gad , Fayed Abdel-Hasseb , Rashad Amr M. A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe incidence of clinical endometritis in dairy cows postpartum is one of the important reasons for financial losses in the dairy industry. The costs of treatment, milk losses, infertility, repeated breeding, and high annual culling rate of dairy cows present immediate losses in case of treatment failure. The commonly used therapeutic methods for clinical endometritis have not been successful nor have given definitive solutions to overcome the complications of the disease in dairy cows. Therefore, it was necessary to propose an innovative treatment program to overcome the reasons for the failure and lack of effectiveness of the treatment of clinical endometritis. This was tackled in the current study; oxytetracycline with different concentrations, oxytetracycline 5% (OTCC5%), oxytetracycline 20% (OTCC20%), and oxytetracycline 20% nanoparticles (OTC-NPs) were used for the treatment of clinical endometritis. Diagnosis of clinical endometritis was based on the assessment of high serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase protein, increased endometrium thickness, and intrauterine discharges with different degrees of echogenicity monitored by ultrasonography. Application of OTC-NPs revealed a decrease in serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) and acute phase proteins compared to OTCC20% and OTCC5% groups. The improvement achieved by OTC-NPs may be attributed to the reduction of OTC particles into nano size which facilitates its tissue bioavailability, dispersion, penetration power to deeper tissues, and its more broad-spectrum activities. These activities were clearly apparent after the evacuation of uterine contents using a single dose of PGF2α. The OTC-NPs revealed a reduction in serum concentration of cytokines compared to OTCC20% and OTCC5% groups arranged as follows: 10.11, 25.45, 35.56 for IL-1; 99, 300, 319 for IL-6; 1.01, 4.40, 8.06 for CRP; and 46, 183, 266 for TNF-α. Furthermore, an increase in serum concentration of albumin (3.34) was obtained by OTC-NPs compared to OTCC5% (1.70). This improvement can be taken as evidence of liver resumption functions and inflammatory reactions. On the other side, globulin concentration recorded an increase like albumin and total proteins in OTC-NPs compared to others. A reduction in the endometrium thickness in OTC-NPs with the disappearance of intrauterine discharges was monitored by ultrasonography. This confirmed the subsiding of clinical endometritis in OTC-NPs group. Moreover, a significant improvement in conception and pregnancy rate in OTC-NPs compared to other groups were observed.