bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens WS-10 as a potential plant growth-promoter and biocontrol agent for bacterial wilt disease of flue-cured tobacco
Authors: Ahmed Waqar , Zhou Guisu , Yang Jun , Munir Shahzad , Ahmed Ayesha , Liu Qi , Zhao Zhengxiong , Ji Guanghai 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Bacterial wilt disease caused by the soilborne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious threat to flue-cured tobacco production. In this study, an indigenous disease suppressive Bacillus strain was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy tobacco plants, and its biocontrol and plant growth promoting (PGP) potential were evaluated in in-vivo and in-vitro assays.

Results
Through isolation and screening of 250 isolates, WS-10 was found to be the best candidate antagonistic strain against R. solanacearum (WS-001). In-vitro assays revealed that the isolated strain WS-10 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) showed an effective antagonistic activity against R. solanacearum WS-001 and several plant-pathogenic fungi. As promising PGP rhizobacteria, WS-10 had the ability of nitrogen fixation, solubilization of inorganic potassium and phosphate, and biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic. In a co-culture assay, it significantly inhibits the growth of WS-001. Our greenhouse experiments showed that the soil physicochemical properties and accumulation of dry matter contents in different plant parts (roots, stems, and leaves) were significantly increased in the presence of B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10. The soil treated with B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 displayed significantly higher values of the average well color development index, the utilization ability of 6 types of carbon sources by rhizosphere microorganisms, and the diversity indices of the rhizosphere microbial communities. In planta assay, B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 significantly reduced tobacco bacterial wilt disease incidence by up to 73.36, 43.82, and 86.82% under three different treatments by improving the functional diversity and biological activity of the soil microbial community.

Conclusions
Obtained findings suggested that B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 had an excellent potential as a growth-promoting and biocontrol agent of tobacco bacterial wilt disease due to its multiple beneficial traits of nutrient solubilization and disease suppression. Thus, we conclude that B. amyloliquefaciens WS-10 was a high potential PGP and biocontrol strain for healthy production of tobacco crop.
Short-term outcome of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy versus oral prednisolone in patients with epileptic spasms
Authors: Elsayeh Abdelsattar Abdullah , Hassan Mohammad Ali Saeed 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Infantile spasm (IS) is an age-specific epileptic disorder of early infancy that typically presents with epileptic spasms occurring in clusters. International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) also recommends the term “IS syndrome” for clustered spasms occurring during infancy (~ 1 year, rarely after 2 years of age) accompanied by electroencephalography (EEG) hypsarrhythmia. Older clinical studies comparing efficacy of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids preferred ACTH, but recent studies did not observe a significant difference between both nor showed better efficacy of oral prednisolone compared to intramuscular synthetic one. Participants were 53 patients with epileptic spasms divided into two groups: 26 patients treated by intravenous methylprednisolone (group A) and 27 treated by oral prednisolone (group B). Both groups were matched in age, sex, and age of spasm onset. The outcome measures were spasms cessation at 7 and 14 days and recurrence at 6 weeks after tapering, EEG improvement at 2 and 6 weeks, and frequency of side effects.

Results
We found that both groups had similar results regarding frequency of children achieving spasms cessation at day 7 and day 14 (53.8% vs 51.9% and 38.5% vs 40.7%, p = 1.000 each), respectively. After drug tapering, there was insignificant difference between both groups regarding recurrence of spasm at 6 weeks (14.8% vs 11.5%, p = 1.000) and EEG improvement at 2 weeks (42.3% vs 33.3%, p = 0.577) with nearly similar improvement in both groups at 6 weeks (46.2% vs 48.1%, p = 1.000). With regard to adverse effects of both therapies, no difference observed between both groups.

Conclusions
No significant difference was found between oral prednisolone and intravenous methylprednisolone in treatment of epileptic spasm regarding short-term outcomes. The only advantage of intravenous therapy is decreased time to get response and the only advantage of oral therapy is its applicability at home without hospitalization. Further studies are warranted to explore the long-term outcomes.
Climate Change and the Ironies of Omniscience in Rumaan Alam’sLeave the World Behind
Authors: Caracciolo Marco 
Published: March 2022

AbstractScholars in ecocriticism have frequently argued that the environmental crisis calls for an overhaul of the realist novel, which is inadequate at conveying the global scale and ramifications of climate change and related anthropogenic disruptions to the Earth system. In this article, I explore how a centerpiece of nineteenth-century realist fiction, the omniscient narrator, may be reimagined to speak to the imaginative challenges of climate change. As the future becomes fragmented in a multiplicity of alternative scenarios (ranging from local disasters to societal collapse), personal and collective anxieties come to the fore. In my case study, Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novelLeave the World Behind, the narrator’s apparent omniscience stages the uncertainties of our climate future through an ironic device: knowledge of the catastrophe experienced by the characters is displayed but also withheld from the reader, leading to an ambivalent, and largely unreadable, narratorial stance. Omniscience is thus used to undermine the possibility of affirming human mastery and control over the unsettling events that are playing out in the storyworld. In this way,Leave the World Behinddemonstrates the realist novel’s ability to open itself up to the weird realities of the climate crisis.1
Effect of BNT162b2 booster dose on anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG antibodies in seronegative individuals
Authors: Salvagno Gian Luca , Henry Brandon M. , Pighi Laura , De Nitto Simone , Gianfilippi Gianluca , Lippi Giuseppe 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Objectives
We provide here an updated analysis of an ongoing serosurveillance study, presenting data on the effect of a third dose of Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine on serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.

Methods
We tested baseline SARS-CoV-2 seronegative healthcare workers undergoing primary vaccination with the mRNA-based COVID-19 Comirnaty vaccine, followed by administration of homologous vaccine booster (third dose). Venous blood was collected before either dose of primary vaccination, at 1, 3 and 6 months afterwards, as well as before and 1 month after receiving the vaccine booster. The serum concentration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was assayed with DiaSorin Trimeric spike IgG immunoassay.

Results
The final study population included 53 SARS-CoV-2 seronegative healthcare workers (median age 46 years; 60% females). A first peak of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG values was reached 1 month after completing primary vaccination, after which the levels gradually declined until before receiving the vaccine booster. A second peak of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG concentration was observed 1 month after receiving the vaccine booster dose (8,700 kBAU/L), which was 39-fold higher than before receiving the vaccine booster (221 kBAU/L; p<0.001), but was also nearly threefold higher compared to values seen at the first peak (2,990 kBAU/L; p<0.001). The rate of subjects with protective anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike trimeric IgG values (i.e., >264 kBAU/L) increased from 47.2% to 100% after 1 month from vaccine booster.

Conclusions
These results support current policies fostering COVID-19 vaccine boosters to reinforce humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
The shear strength of concrete beams hybrid-reinforced with GFRP bars and steel bars in main reinforcement without shear reinforcement
Authors: Shoeib Ata El-kareim , Arafa Ahmed Noureldean , Sedawy Ahmed EL-sayed , EL-Hashmy Awad M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The investigation of the structural performance of reinforced concrete members in the construction process has become a critical issue for Hybrid GFRP bars with steel bars. The ultimate concrete shear strength of reinforced concrete beams contains both GFRP bars and Steel bars in main reinforcement are a main task of work. This paper examines the effect of sharing the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars with steel bars for reinforced concrete (RC) structures on the concrete shear strength of RC beams. Fourteen RC beams without shear reinforcement were constructed and tested up to failure. The test beams included two steel-RC beams, one GFRP-RC beam, and eleven steel bars and GFRP bars (hybrid GFRP/steel)-RC beams. The main parameters were the reinforcement ratio, shear span to depth ratio, depth of the beam, concrete compressive strength, and compression reinforcement. The test results are presented in terms of crack patterns, failure modes, load-deflection, and load-strain behavior. The test results showed that hybrid GFRP/steel bars causing significant improvement in the ductility with reduction of the deformation comparing with an only steel bar in main steel in tested beams. The dowel action can play a major role in the process by which shear is carried in a beam. Finally, the initial proposal equation that calculates the shear strength of hybrid reinforced elements can serve as a guideline for the introduction of hybrid bars (GFRP and Steel) at the main reinforcement in RC beams.
Korn’s Inequality and Eigenproblems for the Lamé Operator
Authors: Domínguez-Rivera Sebastián A. , Nigam Nilima , Ovall Jeffrey S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In this paper, we show that the so-called Korn inequality holds for vector fields with a zero normal or tangential trace on a subset (of positive measure) of the boundary of Lipschitz domains.
We further show that the validity of this inequality depends on the geometry of this subset of the boundary.
We then consider three eigenvalue problems for the Lamé operator: we constrain the traction in the tangential direction and the normal component of the displacement, the related problem of constraining the normal component of the traction and the tangential component of the displacement, and a third eigenproblem that considers mixed boundary conditions.
We show that eigenpairs for these eigenproblems exist on a broad variety of domains.
Analytic solutions for some of these eigenproblems are given on simple domains.
Israeli media coverage of international male and female politicians: Gender and ethnopolitical aspects
Authors: Greenwald Gilad 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn 2015, the Israeli newspaperYedioth Ahronothbegan a campaign against Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström, who is considered a prominent critic of Israeli policy in Palestine. The campaign included various aspects of media bias on both the gender and the ethnopolitical levels and thus raised the question of a possible relationship between these two types of biases. Studies in relation to political communication and gender have traditionally focused on the media coverage of domestic male and female politicians. The present study attempts to examine the gender media coverage of prominent international political actors. It performs a mixed content analysis of 529 news items from three Israeli online newspapers, reports, and articles, which cover world-renowned public figures (among them, Wallström). Each news item is coded into three gender-coverage frames. Additionally, a critical reading of the journalistic texts is conducted. The findings reveal that the combination of the two types of biases, the gender and the political, escalates the media sensation and stereotyping.
Galvanic corrosion based on wire beam electrode technique: progress and prospects
Authors: Kou Jie , Ma Dongxu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Galvanic corrosion is a type of localized corrosion that widely exists in all kinds of metal structures and causes severe damage, jeopardising the safety and dependability of equipment. This paper reviews the mechanism of galvanic corrosion and related influencing factors, including the material characteristics and geometric factors of the metal pair and environmental factors. As a unique surface testing technique, wire beam electrode (WBE) is widely used in various corrosion research fields represented by galvanic corrosion. On this basis, the research progress of the WBE technique in the field of galvanic corrosion is mainly reviewed from three perspectives. The experiments also proved that the WBE technique can well characterize the corrosion evolution progression and investigate the polarity reversal mechanisms. Finally, it is pointed out that the urgent scientific problems to be solved in the research of galvanic corrosion include: galvanic corrosion research in a variety of special environments; the mechanism of the galvanic couple reversal caused by the change of corrosion factors; the corrosion behavior of a complex coupling system composed of multiple metal connections; the development of corrosion prediction models.
Mechanical and thermal properties of recycled high-density polyethylene/bamboo with different fiber loadings
Authors: Widiastuti Indah , Saputra Holam Cahya , Wisnu Kusuma Sandy Sidik , Harjanto Budi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe use of recycled polymers in natural fiber-based composites provides an additional competitive advantage with their environmentally friendly properties. This study utilizes recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) as a composite matrix with bamboo fiber reinforcement that has been treated with an alkaline process. This study aims to analyze the mechanical properties and thermal properties of r-HDPE composites manufactured by extrusion molding with different bamboo fiber loadings. The specimens were subjected to tensile and impact testing for evaluating the mechanical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to identify thermal stability, while the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to analyze the melting point phase of each specimen. This study indicated that the tensile strength of the composites decreases with increase of fiber fraction. The composite with 0% bamboo fiber showed the highest tensile strength of 8.3 N/mm2, while the lowest tensile strength is shown by the composite with 30% of bamboo fiber. Scanning electron microscopy showed porosity, pull-out, fiber cracking as the indicators for the material failure during tensile testing. From the impact test, it can be shown that the composite with 10% bamboo fiber records the highest impact strength at 37.7 J/m2. The TGA indicated high thermal stability of r-HDPE composites with 10% of bamboo fiber at 362.4°C temperature. A similar result was also exhibited from the DSC test, where the material with 10% fiber loading shows a big change in melting phase temperature. This research evidences the effect of bamboo fiber in increasing the impact strength and thermal stability of recycled HDPE matrix. This material could be the alternative for light-bearing applications such as automotive indoor components.
Analytical and numerical investigation of free vibration for stepped beam with different materials
Authors: Ghani Suadad Noori , Neamah Raghad Azeez , Abdalzahra Ali Talib , Al-Ansari Luay S. , Abdulsamad Husam Jawad 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This work describes the application of classical Rayleigh method (CRM), modified Rayleigh method (MRM), and ANSYS finite element method (FEM) to calculate the natural frequency of non-homogenous cantilever beam. Two-step cantilever stepped beam was investigated through six studied cases. Each step has different material properties and the same cross section area. Results showed that the combination of materials is useful in order to increase the natural frequencies and reduce the weight of the beam at the same time when the cantilever beam is fixed by the side of the stronger material. There is a good agreement between the CRM and FEM for the region with length larger than half length of beam, on the other hand, there is an excellent agreement between the MRM and FEM for the region with length smaller than half length of beam.
Effects of high polyamic acid content and curing process on properties of epoxy resins
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Peng Jinchan , Yang Jianjiang , Hu Dedong , Qian Duoduo , Chang Zhihong , Tan Qinggang , Li Yan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Epoxy/polyamic acid (EP/PAA) adhesives with high polyimide precursor-PAA content have been synthesized and then cured. The structure, thermal, and adhesive properties were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile shear test. The effects of PAA content and curing process on the tensile shear strength were also studied. The results showed that the addition of PAA improved the heat resistance and reduced the water absorption. EP/PAA adhesive kept good adhesion. A kind of EP/PAA composite adhesive with excellent comprehensive properties was prepared in this study.
A balanced dual-band BPF with quasi-independently tunable center frequency and bandwidth
Authors: Dai Chunliang , Han Ying , Qiao Lu Yan , Wei Feng 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
By introducing an open stub loaded resonator (OSLR) and a uniform impedance resonator (UIR) into balanced stepped-impedance microstrip-slotline transition structures, a balanced dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) with high selectivity and low insertion loss performance is presented in this paper. The balanced microstrip-slotline transition structures can achieve a wideband common-mode (CM) suppression. Meanwhile, the differential-mode (DM) passbands are independent from the CM responses, which greatly simplifies the design procedure. In addition, four varactors are loaded into OSLR and UIR to achieve the electrical reconfiguration. The proposed balanced dual-band BPF can realize quasi-independently tunable center frequencies and bandwidths. In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed design method, a prototype circuit of the proposed reconfigurable balanced dual-band BPF is simulated, fabricated and measured. A good agreement between the simulation and measurement results is observed.
Enhancing the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of heat-treated wood by migrating and relocating sulfonated lignin
Authors: Gao Yiqin , Li Yuanyuan , Ren Ruiqing , Li Li , Gao Jianmin , Chen Yao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Heat-treated wood (HTW) has better dimensional stability but worse mechanical strength than untreated wood. This study aimed to overcome this shortcoming by sulfonating lignin in Balfour spruce (Picea likiangensis var. balfouriana) wood with sulfurous acid and Na2SO3 followed by heat treatment. The mass loss of as-prepared HTW decreased while the crystallinity index increased slightly compared with those of HTW without sulfonation pretreatment. The cellulose structure of the as-prepared HTW was not damaged by the sulfonation pretreatment. The as-prepared HTW showed a higher MOE, MOR, and compressive strength (CS) of 34, 32, and 22%, respectively, compared with the HTW without sulfonation treatment. The improved mechanical properties were attributed to the increase of the relative mass fraction of lignin in the secondary walls of wood, as sulfonated lignin could migrate with water from the compound middle lamellae into the secondary wall under the combined driving forces of a concentration difference and steam pressure. These findings provide a way to enhance the mechanical properties of HTW while gaining better hydrophobicity.
The precipitation behavior of second phase in high titanium microalloyed steels and its effect on microstructure and properties of steel
Authors: Guo Xiaopei , Li Tao , Shang Zhiqiang , Zhu Yulin , Li Guannan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The thermodynamic precipitation behavior of the second-phase particles in Nb-containing high titanium microalloyed steel has been studied by calculation in this article. It is revealed that FCC_A1#2 is isomorphic with FCC_A1#3 and the contents of Ti and Nb elements are much higher than that of FCC_A1#3. The influence of different quenching temperatures on microstructure and mechanical properties of steel was also studied. The results indicate that the quenching temperature should be controlled below 1,100°C and the soaking time should not exceed 60 min to avoid abnormal grain growth. The thermodynamic calculation and experimental results have certain theoretical guiding significance for the practical industrial application of high titanium–niobium steel.
Modeling of methane Tri-reforming slurry bubble column reactor via differential evolution optimization method to produce syngas
Authors: Arab Aboosadi Zahra , Dehghanfard Ehsan , Abdosheikhi Meysam 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Tri-reforming process of methane has been considered as an important chemical process for syngas production. The aim of this study is modeling and optimization of methane Tri-reforming slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR). A one-dimensional heterogeneous model with plug flow pattern for gas phase and an axial dispersion pattern for liquid-solid suspension has been developed for modeling of SBCR. differential evolution (DE) approach has been used for the optimization of Tri-reforming slurry reactor operating conditions. The effect of operating parameters such as inlet temperature, the ratios of O2/CH4, H2O/CH4, and CO2/CH4 on the temperature of gas, methane conversion, hydrogen production, and H2/Co ratio in the output of reactor are investigated. Methane conversion, hydrogen yield, and H2/Co ratio in optimization conditions were obtained 92%, 1.81, and 1.76, respectively. The results suggest that employment this type of reactor could be feasible and beneficial.
An attempt to describe the swelling of U3Si 2 fuel by a simple formula
Authors: Sauer G. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Fuel swelling is a key parameter to be studied in the process of qualifying a fuel for use in reactors. Generally, test irradiations are performed to quantify the swelling. However, all reactor conditions can often not be simulated in tests. This situation occurs, for example, when a fuel shall be used in a new reactor where the fission rate is higher than in existing reactors available for the qualification tests. The swelling under the conditions of the new reactor must be predicted based on the data found under these test conditions. For this prediction a formula is required. Such a formula is derived for one of the most popular fuels for high flux reactors: U3Si2.
European Commission initiative to promote technical harmonisation on risk-based decision making
Authors: Kirchsteiger C. , Cojazzi G. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The EC-JRC International Workshop on Promotion of Technical Harmonisation on Risk-Based Decision Making, held at Stresa & Ispra, Italy, 22–25 May 2000, was an experts meeting to discuss the possible need and perspectives of developing an internationally accepted generic “standard” for risk-based decision making. This paper briefly describes the workshop background, its organisation and summarises its main results and conclusions; it reflects the personal opinions of the authors and in no way commits the European Commission.