bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On-farm experimentation for scaling-out conservation agriculture using an innovation systems approach in the north west province, South Africa.
Authors: Smith Hendrik J. , Trytsman Gerhardus , Nel Andre A. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

A project under the Farmer Innovation Programme (FIP) that aimed to adapt Conservation Agriculture (CA) among grain farmers in South Africa was implemented in a commercial farming area of the North West Province. The following on-farm, collaborative-managed trials produced key findings concerning: (i) plant population densities (high versus low) under CA; (ii) conventional crop systems versus CA crop systems; (iii) the testing and screening of cover crops; (iv) green fallow systems for soil restoration; and (v) livestock integration. Key results from these trials were that the yield of maize was significantly higher under high-density no-till (NT) systems compared to the normal NT systems. The yield of maize in local conventional systems was lower than the yield in NT systems tested on three farmer-managed trials. The screening trial assisted in testing and learning the suitability and the different attributes of a range of cover crops in that area. Cover crop mixtures used as a green fallow system with livestock showed that CA can facilitate the successful restoration of degraded soil.
Conservation agriculture for smallholder farmers in rainfed and irrigated systems in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain: lessons learned.
Authors: Haque Md Enamul , Bell Richard W. , Jahiruddin Mohammad 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture (CA), which delivers multiple benefits for crop cultivation, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. However, CA is not a single, ready-made or simple technology that can be adopted everywhere without necessary farm-level refinement. The CA practitioners may need to incorporate changes in practices and each needs a few years of experience to fully learn how to optimize the technology on a particular crop on each farm. Implementation of CA is challenging in resource-limited, intensively cropped and rice-based smallholder farms. This chapter is a reflection on lessons learned during the last two decades of research, farmers' adoption and service providers' (LSP) feedback on CA practice in rainfed and irrigated systems where farmers grow three crops per year including at least one transplanted rice crop. The researchers review smallholder farmers and LSP affordable and preferred CA planters, and the performance of CA in crop establishment and management, weed management, role and involvement of farmers' groups, farm level benefits, rice and upland crops. Case studies are also presented on the benefits of CA practice including resources optimization, long-term trends of crop yield and profit margin, soil organic carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) implications. These lessons may be useful for new practitioners, extensionists, researchers, teachers, students and policy planners to implement CA in smallholder regions considering food security, soil health and livelihoods and their contribution to mitigation of global warming.
Longitudinal waning of mRNA vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 detected by an LFIA rapid test
Authors: Wang Qiao , Feng Lili , Zhang Haohai , Gao Juehua , Mao Changchuin , Landesman-Bollag Esther , Mostoslavsky Gustavo , Lunderberg Justin M , Zheng Weina , Hao Shushun , Gao Wenda 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Although mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were highly efficacious against severe illness and hospitalization, they seem to be less effective in preventing infection months after vaccination, especially with the Delta variant. Breakthrough infections might be due to higher infectivity of the variants, relaxed protective measures by the general public in “COVID-19 fatigue”, and/or waning immunity post-vaccination. Determining the neutralizing antibody levels in a longitudinal manner may address this issue, but technical complexity of classic assays precludes easy detection and quick answers. We developed a lateral flow immunoassay NeutraXpress™ (commercial name of the test kit by Antagen Diagnostics, Inc.) and tested fingertip blood samples of subjects receiving either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines at various time points. With this device, we confirmed the reported clinical findings that mRNA vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies quickly wane after 3–6 months. Thus, using rapid tests to monitor neutralizing antibody status could help identify individuals at risk, prevent breakthrough infections, and guide social behavior to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Mixed pollination system and floral signals ofPaepalanthus(Eriocaulaceae): insects and geitonogamy ensure high reproductive success
Authors: Martins Junior Edivaldo Rodrigues , da Costa Ana Carolina Galindo , Milet-Pinheiro Paulo , Navarro Daniela , Thomas William Wayt , Giulietti Ana Maria , Machado Isabel Cristina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsEriocaulaceae exhibit a great variety of floral traits associated with insect (e.g. nectariferous structures) and wind pollination (unisexual flowers, exposed sexual organs and small pollen grains), as well as the ‘selfing syndrome’ (small flowers, short distance between stigma and anthers, and temporal overlap of male and female phases). Paepalanthus bifidus, P. subtilis and P. tortilis are related species that differ in form, size and colour of floral structures. We aimed to investigate the pollination and reproductive biology of these three species.MethodsWe analysed the floral biology, floral visitors, pollinator behaviour, and the contribution of insects, wind and spontaneous geitonogamy to fruit set. We also evaluated the floral colour and scent of the species. Colour reflectance of capitula of each species was measured and plotted in models of insect vision. Floral scent samples were extracted and the compounds were compared to vegetative scent samples.Key ResultsIn all species, the staminate and pistillate flowers are arranged in alternating cycles with a temporal overlap between these phases. Ants were the most frequent floral visitors and were effective pollinators in P. bifidus and P. tortilis, while flies were occasional pollinators in P. tortilis. Floral visitors were not observed in P. subtilis. In all species, fruits were produced by spontaneous geitonogamy, with no evidence of wind pollination. According to the models of insect vision, the colours of the capitula of P. bifidus and P. subtilis are the most inconspicuous for ants and flies. We found no difference between the emission of volatiles of inflorescences and vegetative structures.ConclusionsThis study suggests that ant pollination might be more widespread in Eriocaulaceae than currently assumed. Furthermore, for small monocarpic plants, mixed mating strategies are most favourable, by ensuring reproduction either by outcrossing when pollinators are abundant or by spontaneous geitonogamy when pollinations are scarce/absent.
Compensation and the Scope of Proportionality
Authors: Eggert Linda 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This paper examines whether the prospect of compensation may render otherwise disproportionate harms proportionate. It argues that we should reject this possibility. Instead, it distinguishes duties of compensation as a requirement of rectificatory justice from a harm’s degree of compensability, and argues that only the latter is relevant to proportionality. On this view, failing to compensate constitutes a distinct wrong, while harms that are not adequately compensable carry extra weight in proportionality calculations. This explains how the prospect of compensation affects permissions to harm, without relying on the dubious assumption that disproportionate harms may be rendered proportionate by future compensation.
Biomedical data, computational methods and tools for evaluating disease–disease associations
Authors: Xiang Ju , Zhang Jiashuai , Zhao Yichao , Wu Fang-Xiang , Li Min 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn recent decades, exploring potential relationships between diseases has been an active research field. With the rapid accumulation of disease-related biomedical data, a lot of computational methods and tools/platforms have been developed to reveal intrinsic relationship between diseases, which can provide useful insights to the study of complex diseases, e.g. understanding molecular mechanisms of diseases and discovering new treatment of diseases. Human complex diseases involve both external phenotypic abnormalities and complex internal molecular mechanisms in organisms. Computational methods with different types of biomedical data from phenotype to genotype can evaluate disease–disease associations at different levels, providing a comprehensive perspective for understanding diseases. In this review, available biomedical data and databases for evaluating disease–disease associations are first summarized. Then, existing computational methods for disease–disease associations are reviewed and classified into five groups in terms of the usages of biomedical data, including disease semantic–based, phenotype-based, function-based, representation learning–based and text mining–based methods. Further, we summarize software tools/platforms for computation and analysis of disease-disease associations. Finally, we give a discussion and summary on the research of disease–disease associations. This review provides a systematic overview for current disease association research, which could promote the development and applications of computational methods and tools/platforms for disease–disease associations.
Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Prescriptions in the United States—A Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Huang Ya Lin A , Zhu Weiming , Wiener Jeffrey , Kourtis Athena P , Hall H Irene , Hoover Karen W 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
Uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been increasing in the United States since its FDA approval in 2012; however, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected this trend. Our objective was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on PrEP prescriptions in the United States.

Methods
We analyzed data from a national pharmacy database from January 2017 through March 2021 to fit an interrupted time-series model that predicted PrEP prescriptions and new PrEP users had the pandemic not occurred. Observed PrEP prescriptions and new users were compared with those predicted by the model. Main outcomes were weekly numbers of PrEP prescriptions and new PrEP users based on a previously developed algorithm. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was quantified by computing rate ratios and percentage decreases between the observed and predicted counts during 15/3/2020–31/3/2021.

Results
In the absence of the pandemic, our model predicted that there would have been 1 058 162 PrEP prescriptions during 15/3/2020–31/3/2021. We observed 825 239 PrEP prescriptions, a 22.0% reduction (95% CI: 19.1–24.8%) after the emergency declaration. The model predicted 167 720 new PrEP users during the same period; we observed 125 793 new PrEP users, a 25.0% reduction (95% CI: 20.9–28.9%). The COVID-19 impact was greater among younger persons and those with commercial insurance. The impact of the pandemic varied markedly across states.

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted an increasing trend in PrEP prescriptions in the United States, highlighting the need for innovative interventions to maintain access to HIV-prevention services during similar emergencies.
An emigrant economist in the tropics: Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen on Brazilian inflation and development
Authors: de Carvalho André Roncaglia , Suprinyak Carlos Eduardo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen was a ‘travelling economist’ in a double sense: after emigrating from Romania in the late 1940s, he became involved with the economic problems of the developing world through his engagement in Vanderbilt University’s Graduate Program in Economic Development. One of his missions brought him multiple times to Brazil between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, leading to an article on the complicated dynamics between inflation and economic growth in developing countries – his sole incursion into the field of monetary economics. In this paper, we will set Georgescu-Roegen’s contribution against the background of the lively debates about inflation taking place in Brazil during the 1960s. Relatedly, we will show how he anticipated important aspects of later arguments about the perverse distributive effects of inflation. Finally, we will discuss why Georgescu-Roegen’s arguments had only limited influence, despite his prestige and connections within the Brazilian community of economists.
Component Fault Diagnosis and Fault Tolerance of Alternating Group Graphs
Authors: Huang Yanze , Lin Limei , Cheng Eddie , Xu Li 
Published: January 2022

AbstractReliability of a multiprocessor system becomes an important issue for parallel computing. Component diagnosability and component connectivity of a graph play crucial roles in assessing the vulnerability of an interconnection network, which are two significant indicators for the reliability and fault tolerance of a multiprocessor system. Until now, only a little knowledge of results have been known on $r$-component diagnosability and $r$-component connectivity. In this paper, we first propose the $r$-component diagnosability of $n$-dimensional alternating group graph $AG_{n}$ under PMC model. And then we promote our research on $AG_{n}$ by a fairly good construction for general $r$-component connectivity of $AG_{n}$, where $6\leq r\leq n-1$. The theoretical analysis and simulation show that the general $r$-component connectivity of $AG_{n}$ is larger than those of $Q_{n}$, $D_n$ and $FQ_{n}$.
The role of immunoglobulin E and mast cells in hypertension
Authors: Ge Weipeng , Guo Xiaoxiao , Song Xiaomin , Pang Junling , Zou Xuan , Liu Yonglin , Niu Yongliang , Li Zhengqing , Zhao Hongmei , Gao Ran , Wang Jing 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Aims
Hypertension is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases and global mortality. Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which plays crucial roles in allergic diseases, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular and cardiac remodelling via its receptor (FcεR1). In this study, we aimed to reveal the role of IgE and FcεR1 in hypertension.

Methods and results
Herein, we reported that IgE levels were significantly increased in hypertensive patients as well as in hypertensive mice induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II-induced vascular remodelling and hypertension were significantly alleviated in FcεR1 genetic knockout mice or in mice treated with anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Similarly, treatment with omalizumab (a clinical IgE antagonist) also markedly inhibited Ang II-induced hypertension. Furthermore, the cellular contribution of IgE–FcεR1 in hypertension was evaluated in mice with FcεR1 conditional knockout in mast cell (MC), smooth muscle cell (SMC), or endothelial cell (EC). Our data revealed that IgE-mediated hypertension is largely dependent on FcεR1 in MCs but not SMCs and ECs. Finally, RNA-seq and signalling pathway analyses of mouse bone marrow-derived MCs suggested that interleukin 6 (IL-6) is one of critical mediators in IgE-mediated hypertension. IL-6 derived from IgE-stimulated MCs promoted reactive oxygen species production and decreased the levels of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ECs, leading to endothelial dysfunction.

Conclusion
Our findings reveal that IgE contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension, at least partially through activating the IgE–FcεR1 signalling in MCs. Thus, IgE may represent a new therapeutic target for IgE-mediated hypertension.
The Effect of Synergistic Compounds on the Susceptibility of Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Pyrethroids
Authors: Boff Jéssica S , Reis Alexandre C , Patricia da S Gubiani , Pretto Venicius E , Garlet Cínthia G , Melo Adriano A , Bernardi Oderlei 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.), and the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), are key pests of soybean in South America. Low susceptibility to pyrethroids has been reported for both species in Brazil. Here, we evaluate the addition of synergistic compounds piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) to manage E. heros and C. includens with resistance to λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin. The LD50 of technical grade and commercial products containing λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin decreased against field-collected E. heros exposed to PBO and DEM relative to unexposed insects; synergistic ratios up to 4.75-fold. The mortality also increased when E. heros were exposed to commercial formulations containing λ-cyhalothrin (from 4 to 44%) and bifenthrin (from 44 to 88%) in the presence of synergists. There was also a higher susceptibility of field-collected C. includens to technical grade λ-cyhalothrin when PBO was used; synergistic ratio of 5.50-fold. High lethally of technical grade λ-cyhalothrin was also verified in the presence of PBO, with mortality increasing from 6 to 57%. Our findings indicate the potential utility of synergists in reversing the resistance to λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin in E. heros and C. includens and suggest a significant role of metabolic mechanisms underlying the detoxification of both pyrethroids.
Can the covid bailouts save the economy?
Authors: Elenev Vadim , Landvoigt Tim , Van Nieuwerburgh Stijn 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The covid-19 crisis has led to a sharp deterioration in firm and bank balance sheets. The government has responded with a massive intervention in corporate credit markets. We study equilibrium dynamics of macroeconomic quantities and prices, and how they are affected by this policy response. The interventions prevent a much deeper crisis by reducing corporate bankruptcies by about half and short-circuiting the doom loop between corporate and financial sector fragility. The additional fiscal cost is zero since programme spending replaces what would otherwise have been spent on financial sector bailouts. An alternative intervention that targets aid to firms at risk of bankruptcy prevents more bankruptcies at much lower fiscal cost, but only enjoys marginally higher welfare. Finally, we study longer-run consequences for firm leverage and intermediary health when pandemics become the new normal.
Parental smoking and young adult offspring psychosis, depression and anxiety disorders and substance use disorder
Authors: Sarala Marian , Mustonen Antti , Alakokkare Anni-Emilia , Salom Caroline , Miettunen Jouko , Niemelä Solja 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
To study the associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and paternal smoking before pregnancy and adult offspring psychiatric disorders.

Methods
Prospective general population cohort study in Northern Finland, with people from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986: 7259 subjects (77% of the original sample). Data on parental smoking were collected from parents during pregnancy using questionnaires. Outcomes were offspring’s register-based diagnoses: any psychiatric disorder, any non-organic psychosis, mood disorder, anxiety disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) until the age of 29–30 years. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and paternal smoking before pregnancy were pooled to three-class variables: (i) none; (ii) 1–9 and (iii) ≥10 cigarettes/day. Information regarding both parents’ alcohol use during pregnancy and at offspring age 15–16 years, maternal education level, family structure, parental psychiatric diagnoses and offspring gender, smoking, intoxication frequency and illicit substance use at the age of 15–16 years were investigated as covariates.

Results
In the multivariable analyses, maternal smoking during pregnancy did not associate with the studied outcomes after adjusting for offspring smoking and other substance use at offspring age 15–16 years and parental psychiatric disorders. However, paternal smoking ≥10 cigarettes/day before pregnancy [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7–11.2, P &lt; 0.001] and paternal psychiatric disorders (HR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.8, P = 0.028) associated with offspring SUD after adjustments.

Conclusions
Information across the offspring life course is essential in exploring the association between parental smoking and offspring psychiatric disorders. Paternal smoking before pregnancy and paternal psychiatric disorders may act as modifiers in elevating the risk of substance-use-related problems among offspring.
Inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacteria with formate
Authors: Voskuhl L , Brusilova D , Brauer V S , Meckenstock R U 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Despite hostile environmental conditions, microbial communities have been found in µL-sized water droplets enclosed in heavy oil of the Pitch Lake, Trinidad. Some droplets showed high sulfate concentrations and surprisingly low relative abundances of sulfate-reducing bacteria in a previous study. Hence, we investigated here whether sulfate reduction might be inhibited naturally. Ion chromatography revealed very high formate concentrations around 2.37 mM in 21 out of 43 examined droplets. Since these concentrations were unexpectedly high, we performed growth experiments with the three sulfate-reducing type strains Desulfovibrio vulgaris, Desulfobacter curvatus, and Desulfococcus multivorans, and tested the effects of 2.5, 8, or 10 mM formate on sulfate reduction. Experiments demonstrated that 8 or 10 mM formate slowed down the growth rate of D. vulgaris and D. curvatus and the sulfate reduction rate of D. curvatus and D. multivorans. Increasing formate concentrations delayed the onsets of growth and sulfate reduction of D. multivorans, which were even inhibited completely while formate was added constantly. Contrary to previous studies, D. multivorans was the only organism capable of formate consumption. Our study suggests that formate accumulates in the natural environment of the water droplets dispersed in oil and that such levels are very likely inhibiting sulfate-reducing microorganisms.
Ambient noise tomography in the Cerro Prieto Basin, Baja California, Mexico from laterally constrained surface wave inversion
Authors: Cruz-Hernández Favio , Gallardo Luis A , Calò Marco , Castro Raúl R , Romo-Jones José M 
Published: January 2022

SUMMARYWe apply a new technique for a laterally constrained surface wave inversion (LCSWI) to estimate the 3-D sedimentary structure of the Cerro Prieto Basin, Baja California, Mexico. The basin contains the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, which is considered one of the most productive in the world. The data used consist of group velocity measurements of Rayleigh waves extracted from cross-correlations of ambient noise registered at 12 stations distributed in an 18 × 12 km area. We estimated an S-wave velocity model that clearly shows three relatively homogeneous geoseismic units that correlate with the stratigraphic column reported in previous studies. The deepest geoseismic unit is the most heterogeneous and shows low-velocity zones likely associated with fluids. The resulting velocity model shows similarity with the conceptual geological model of the geothermal field reported in the literature and recent geophysical studies that suggest the potential existence of another deeper reservoir west of the current exploitation area.