bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of chromium and nickel in agricultural soil: implications for sustainable agriculture
Authors: Kayode O.T. , Ogunyemi E.F. , Odukoya A.M. , Aizebeokhai A.P. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Fertilizers in soil management can alter soil physical, chemical and biological compositions, and introduce trace elements such as chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) into the agricultural soils. The carcinogenic tendencies of these trace elements at elevated concentrations in plants, animals and humans make it a serious concern. Soil samples from a farm in Ota, Southwest Nigeria wereanalysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicate that the farm's nickel (Ni) is within the permissible limits, while chromium (Cr) concentrationsexceeded the WHO/FAO allowable limits. Nickel has a mean value of 47.12 mg/kg in the soil, while chromium has a mean value of 152.20 mg/kg. These toxic elements' contamination assessment result has shown the descending order of Ni>Cd in the studied farm. The toxicity of nickel and chromiumin soils causes chlorosis, stunted rootsand inhibits plants growth.
Aeromagnetic data processing using MATLAB
Authors: Oni Olubukola A. , Aizebeokhai Ahzegbobor P. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study focuses on the evaluation of magnetic field variation in a two-dimensional plot in form of a contour map by carrying out interpolation on the magnetic field data and mapping regional structures to infer the direction of dykes. To pinpoint areas of magnetic highs and lows, MATLAB program was used to delineate magnetic field trends on the data. The program was also used to produce graphical, colourized and contoured plots of data from XYZ files (data with random locations) using interpolation functions. The program was used for both gridding and smoothening of the magnetic field data and also allow the setting of contour values and utilization of vivid colour scales. The aeromagnetic data vector may contain outliers which are due to instrumental error and data extraction during field data collection. These outliers were removed and replaced using three interpolation methods including linear, nearest-neighbour and cubic spline to have a non-distorted representation plot and they were also used to fit surfaces to the gridded data. The result shows that the piecewise cubic spline interpolant contour plot has finer precision with higher details at the output edges. From the piecewise linear surface B(X,Y), where X is normalized by mean 2.235e+05 and standard deviation of 3.202e+04 and Y is normalized by mean 7.809e+05 and standard deviation of 551. The residual magnetic intensity plot shows the magnetic field range between -200 nT for magnetic low and 200 nT for magnetic high. However, the use of MATLAB is not to displace Oasis Montaj geosoftware but to give more scientific meaning to the automation of the filtering techniques used in Oasis.
Application of 2-D resistivity and seismic tomography in the control of environmental degradation
Authors: Adewoyin O. O. , Omeje M. , Adagunodo T. A. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
One of the most serious dangers facing the world today is environmental degradation. The disruption of the earth is one of the factors that compose deterioration of the environment. The adverse effect of this cannot be downgraded. As important as site characterization is, if not properly managed can adversely affect our environment. As a result, alternative approaches may be considered to the traditional method of investigation, which is characterized by digging and invasion of the subsurface. Two methods of investigation were deployed in this study, they are electrical resistivity and seismic refraction tomography. The results obtained from these methods showed that the subsurface is non-homogeneous and vary in condition from place to place. The depth to competent layer for engineering construction purposes is between 7.5 and 16 meters, according to this survey, hence pile foundation is advised for building construction. This survey also discovered that the depth to competent layer for engineering construction purposes is between 7.5 m and 16 m, thus pile foundation is recommended for building construction. This research effort clearly revealed that engineering site characterization can be conducted without altering the original state of our environment.
The effects of microplastics in oceans and marine environment on public health – a mini-review
Authors: Emenike P.C. , Araoye O.V. , Academe S.O. , Unokiwedi P. , Omole D.O. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Plastic’s versatility is one reason why production or use has not decreased over the years. The production of plastic globally was 359 million metric tons as of 2018, and this number increased by 3.5% in 2019. Microplastics, which are tiny particles of various types and forms of plastic, can be found in cosmetics, fabrics, car parts, machinery, footwear,products packaging, polythene bags and so on. Over time, these particles, through the process of wear and tear of these various plastic products, indiscriminate disposal, runoffs, and erosion, find their way into water bodies from rivers and streams into larger water bodies like seas and oceans. These tiny non-biodegradable particles find their way into living organisms carrying along with them other harmful chemical contaminants. This study reviews the effects that microplastics found in marine environments have on public health in general. It covers the types and sources of microplastics and the various ways in which microplastics have affected human health and different aquatic species in the marine environment. The review showed all pointers of microplastics present in the environment to have negative impacts on the ecosystem. Certain research gaps are pointed out, like the integration of researchinto policies to help improve the environment and the standardization of dedicated procedures and methods of reporting microplastic pollution. Suggestions were made for possible solutions like the reduction of plastic use for product packaging, provision of biodegradable and eco-friendly materials as substitutes, and general public awareness on the harm of microplastic pollution in the immediate environement.
Association of Tai Chi exercise with physical and neurocognitive functions, frailty, quality of life and mortality in older adults: Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study
Authors: Lee Shuen Yee , Nyunt Ma Shwe Zin , Gao Qi , Gwee Xinyi , Chua Denise Qian Ling , Yap Keng Bee , Wee Shiou Liang , Ng Tze Pin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
real-world observations on the long-term benefits of Tai Chi (TC) exercise, in terms of physical and cognitive functioning, frailty, quality of life (QOL) and mortality are lacking.

Methods
prospective cohort study participants were community-dwelling adults aged 55+, including 5,407 non-frequent TC participants (&lt;1x/week) and 572 frequent TC participants (≥1x/week). Outcome measures at baseline and 3–5 years follow-up included physical performance (Knee Extension Strength, POMA Balance and Gait, Timed-up-and-go, Gait Speed) and neurocognitive performance (attention and working memory, visual-motor tracking and mental flexibility, verbal learning and memory, visual memory, spatial and constructional ability), Frailty Index ≥0.10, impaired QOL (SF12 physical and mental component) and all-cause mortality from mean 13 years follow-up. Effect estimates were adjusted for socio-demographics, other physical activities, nutritional risk and presence of cardiometabolic diseases.

Results
frequent TC participation was associated with 0.7-fold lower prevalence of impaired physical QOL [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–0.91], decreased 0.4-fold odds of incident prefrailty/frailty among robust participants at baseline and 0.7-fold odds of impaired mental QOL at follow-up among participants with normal mental QOL at baseline. Lower odds of mortality risk (HR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.72–1.09) were not significant after controlling for socioeconomic, behavioural and health factors. Composite indexes of physical functional and neurocognitive performance were maintained at high level or increased at follow-up among frequent TC participants.

Conclusion
TC exercise practised among community-dwelling older adults is associated with better physical, cognitive and functional wellbeing.
A Forced Choice Performance Validity Test for the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status
Authors: Crowell Timothy A , Terpstra Alex R 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to assess the utility of a novel and easy-to-administer performance validity test (PVT), the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Forced Choice recognition trial (RFC), compared with previously developed RBANS PVTs.

Method
We compared the RFC with the RBANS Effort Index (EI) and Effort Scale (ES) in a sample of 62 non-litigating older adults (mean age = 74 years, 52% female) with varying levels of cognitive impairment.

Results
A significantly greater proportion of the sample met EI criteria for non-credible performance (EI &gt; 2; 31%) compared with RFC criteria (RFC &lt; 9; 15%). Among participants with Major Neurocognitive Disorder, 60% met EI criteria for non-credible performance, 32% met ES criteria (ES &gt; 12), and 24% met RFC criteria.

Conclusions
The RFC may have greater specificity than other RBANS PVTs among individuals with more severe cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to establish the classification accuracy of the RFC for assessing performance validity.
Interleukin-10 and its receptors at the maternal–conceptus interface: expression, regulation, and implication for T helper 2 cytokine predominance and maternal immune tolerance in the pig, a true epitheliochorial placentation species
Authors: Han Jisoo , Yoo Inkyu , Lee Soohyung , Cheon Yugyeong , Yun Cheol-Heui , Ka Hakhyun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe appropriate balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is important for the maternal immune tolerance during pregnancy in mammals. Among the various cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 (IL10) plays an essential role in anti-inflammatory responses, while IL12 is involved in pro-inflammatory responses during pregnancy. However, the roles of IL10 and IL12 in the endometrium during pregnancy have not been studied in pigs. Thus, we investigated the expression of IL10, IL12 (IL12A and IL12B), and their receptors (IL10RA, IL10RB, IL12RB1, and IL12RB2) at the maternal–conceptus interface. IL10, IL12, and their receptors were expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in a pregnancy stage-specific manner. During pregnancy, IL10 expression increased on Day 15, whereas the expression of IL12A and IL12B decreased after the implantation period. IL10 protein was localized to luminal epithelial (LE), stromal cells, and macrophages; IL10RA protein to LE, endothelial, stromal, and T cells; and IL10RB mRNA to LE cells in the endometrium. IL10 and IL10RA proteins and IL10RB mRNA were also localized to chorionic epithelial (CE) cells. In endometrial explants, the expression of IL10RA and IL10RB was induced by estradiol-17β, IL-1β, and/or interferon-γ. Heme oxygenase 1, an IL10-inducible factor, was expressed in the endometrium with the highest levels on Day 30 of pregnancy and was localized to LE and CE cells. These results in pigs suggest that conceptus-derived signals change the endometrial immune environment by regulating the expression of IL10 and IL10 receptors at the maternal–conceptus interface and that IL10 may provide anti-inflammatory conditions for the maternal immune tolerance.
Semiparametric marginal regression for clustered competing risks data with missing cause of failure
Authors: Zhou Wenxian , Bakoyannis Giorgos , Zhang Ying , Yiannoutsos Constantin T 
Published: March 2022

SummaryClustered competing risks data are commonly encountered in multicenter studies. The analysis of such data is often complicated due to informative cluster size (ICS), a situation where the outcomes under study are associated with the size of the cluster. In addition, the cause of failure is frequently incompletely observed in real-world settings. To the best of our knowledge, there is no methodology for population-averaged analysis with clustered competing risks data with an ICS and missing causes of failure. To address this problem, we consider the semiparametric marginal proportional cause-specific hazards model and propose a maximum partial pseudolikelihood estimator under a missing at random assumption. To make the latter assumption more plausible in practice, we allow for auxiliary variables that may be related to the probability of missingness. The proposed method does not impose assumptions regarding the within-cluster dependence and allows for ICS. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators for both regression coefficients and infinite-dimensional parameters, such as the marginal cumulative incidence functions, are rigorously established. Simulation studies show that the proposed method performs well and that methods that ignore the within-cluster dependence and the ICS lead to invalid inferences. The proposed method is applied to competing risks data from a large multicenter HIV study in sub-Saharan Africa where a significant portion of causes of failure is missing.
Affect, Creativity and Migrant Belonging
Authors: Wilding Raelene , Winarnita Monika 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAffect and creativity are proposed as offering an important lens for examining the politics of belonging in the everyday lives of migrants and refugees. Mobile emotions are circulated, intensified, and transformed in creative ways through digital media, demanding attention to new opportunities for challenging hierarchies, creating belonging, transforming gendered structures, and reinforcing the foundations of inequality and exclusion.
Outcome of patients undergoing isolated tricuspid repair or replacement surgery
Authors: Russo Marco , Di Mauro Michele , Saitto Guglielmo , Lio Antonio , Berretta Paolo , Taramasso Maurizio , Scrofani Roberto , Della Corte Alessandro , Sponga Sandro , Greco Ernesto , Saccocci Matteo , Calafiore Antonio , Bianchi Giacomo , Leviner Dror B , Biondi Andrea , Livi Ugolino , Sharoni Erez , De Vincentiis Carlo , Di Eusanio Marco , Antona Carlo , Troise Giovanni , Solinas Marco , Laufer Guenther , Musumeci Francesco , Andreas Martin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The interest in isolated tricuspid valve disease has rapidly increased recently. However, clinical trials and registry data are rare in the surgical literature. This study aimed to describe the early and long-term outcomes of a real-world experience in isolated tricuspid procedures comparing repair and replacement strategies.

METHODS
The Surgical-Tricuspid study is a multicentre retrospective study that enrolled adult patients who had undergone isolated tricuspid valve surgery at 13 international sites. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare repair versus replacement.

RESULTS
A cohort of 426 patients was enrolled [mean age: 55 (16) years; 56% female]. After matching, 175 comparable pairs were analysed. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 55(9) vs 56(9) (P = 0.8) while moderate–severe tricuspid regurgitation was present in 95% of cases. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.0% vs 8.0% in the repair and replacement groups, respectively (P = 0.115). The rates of re-exploration for bleeding (6.9% vs 13.1% P = 0.050), permanent pacemaker implantation (5.1% vs 12.0%; P = 0.022) and blood transfusion (46% vs 62%; P = 0.002) were higher in the replacement group. Cumulative survival rates at 3, 5 and 7 years in the repair group were 84 (3)%, 75 (4)% and 56 (9)% vs 71 (4)%, 66 (5)% and 58 (5)% in the replacement group (P = 0.001) while cumulative incidence for reoperation at 10 years did not differ between groups [repair 10 (1)% vs replacement 9 (1)%; P = 0.469].

CONCLUSIONS
The data from the Surgical-Tricuspid study reported a high risk for patients undergoing tricuspid surgery. Isolated valve repair offered reduced early and late mortality with no difference regarding reoperation rate when compared with replacement.
Evaluating the utility of identity-by-descent segment numbers for relatedness inference via information theory and classification
Authors: Smith Jesse , Qiao Ying , Williams Amy L 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Despite decades of methods development for classifying relatives in genetic studies, pairwise relatedness methods’ recalls are above 90% only for first through third-degree relatives. The top-performing approaches, which leverage identity-by-descent segments, often use only kinship coefficients, while others, including estimation of recent shared ancestry (ERSA), use the number of segments relatives share. To quantify the potential for using segment numbers in relatedness inference, we leveraged information theory measures to analyze exact (i.e. produced by a simulator) identity-by-descent segments from simulated relatives. Over a range of settings, we found that the mutual information between the relatives’ degree of relatedness and a tuple of their kinship coefficient and segment number is on average 4.6% larger than between the degree and the kinship coefficient alone. We further evaluated identity-by-descent segment number utility by building a Bayes classifier to predict first through sixth-degree relationships using different feature sets. When trained and tested with exact segments, the inclusion of segment numbers improves the recall by between 0.28% and 3% for second through sixth-degree relatives. However, the recalls improve by less than 1.8% per degree when using inferred segments, suggesting limitations due to identity-by-descent detection accuracy. Last, we compared our Bayes classifier that includes segment numbers with both ERSA and IBIS and found comparable recalls, with the Bayes classifier and ERSA slightly outperforming each other across different degrees. Overall, this study shows that identity-by-descent segment numbers can improve relatedness inference, but errors from current SNP array-based detection methods yield dampened signals in practice.
The PH/MyTH4/FERM molecule MAX-1 inhibits UNC-5 activity in the regulation of VD growth cone protrusion in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Mahadik Snehal S , Lundquist Erik A 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
UNC-6/Netrin is a secreted conserved guidance cue that regulates dorsal-ventral axon guidance of Caenorhabditis elegans and in the vertebral spinal cord. In the polarity/protrusion model of VD growth cone guidance away from ventrally expressed UNC-6 (repulsion), UNC-6 first polarizes the growth cone via the UNC-5 receptor such that filopodial protrusions are biased dorsally. UNC-6 then regulates a balance of protrusion in the growth cone based upon this polarity. UNC-5 inhibits protrusion ventrally, and the UNC-6 receptor UNC-40/DCC stimulates protrusion dorsally, resulting in net dorsal growth cone outgrowth. UNC-5 inhibits protrusion through the flavin monooxygenases FMO-1, 4, and 5 and possible actin destabilization, and inhibits pro-protrusive microtubule entry into the growth cone utilizing UNC-33/CRMP. The PH/MyTH4/FERM myosin-like protein was previously shown to act with UNC-5 in VD axon guidance utilizing axon guidance endpoint analysis. Here, we analyzed the effects of MAX-1 on VD growth cone morphology during outgrowth. We found that max-1 mutant growth cones were smaller and less protrusive than wild type, the opposite of the unc-5 mutant phenotype. Furthermore, genetic interactions suggest that MAX-1 might normally inhibit UNC-5 activity, such that in a max-1 mutant growth cone, UNC-5 is overactive. Our results, combined with previous studies suggesting that MAX-1 might regulate UNC-5 levels in the cell or plasma membrane localization, suggest that MAX-1 attenuates UNC-5 signaling by regulating UNC-5 stability or trafficking. Alternately, MAX-1 might inhibit UNC-5 independent of this known mechanism. We also show that the effects of MAX-1 in growth cone protrusion are independent of UNC-40/DCC, UNC-33/CRMP, and UNC-34/Enabled. In summary, in the context of growth cone protrusion, MAX-1 inhibits UNC-5, demonstrating the mechanistic insight that can be gained by analyzing growth cones during outgrowth in addition to axon guidance endpoint analysis.
Chromosome-length genome assembly and linkage map of a critically endangered Australian bird: the helmeted honeyeater
Authors: Robledo-Ruiz Diana A , Gan Han Ming , Kaur Parwinder , Dudchenko Olga , Weisz David , Khan Ruqayya , Lieberman Aiden Erez , Osipova Ekaterina , Hiller Michael , Morales Hernán E , Magrath Michael J L , Clarke Rohan H , Sunnucks Paul , Pavlova Alexandra 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe helmeted honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix) is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to Victoria, Australia. To aid its conservation, the population is the subject of genetic rescue. To understand, monitor, and modulate the effects of genetic rescue on the helmeted honeyeater genome, a chromosome-length genome and a high-density linkage map are required.ResultsWe used a combination of Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies to assemble a chromosome-length genome of the helmeted honeyeater, comprising 906 scaffolds, with length of 1.1 Gb and scaffold N50 of 63.8 Mb. Annotation comprised 57,181 gene models. Using a pedigree of 257 birds and 53,111 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, we obtained high-density linkage and recombination maps for 25 autosomes and Z chromosome. The total sex-averaged linkage map was 1,347 cM long, with the male map being 6.7% longer than the female map. Recombination maps revealed sexually dimorphic recombination rates (overall higher in males), with average recombination rate of 1.8 cM/Mb. Comparative analyses revealed high synteny of the helmeted honeyeater genome with that of 3 passerine species (e.g., 32 Hi-C scaffolds mapped to 30 zebra finch autosomes and Z chromosome). The genome assembly and linkage map suggest that the helmeted honeyeater exhibits a fission of chromosome 1A into 2 chromosomes relative to zebra finch. PSMC analysis showed a ∼15-fold decline in effective population size to ∼60,000 from mid- to late Pleistocene.ConclusionsThe annotated chromosome-length genome and high-density linkage map provide rich resources for evolutionary studies and will be fundamental in guiding conservation efforts for the helmeted honeyeater.