bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Impact of Biodiversity (Species Evenness) on The Trophic Position of an Invasive Species (Apple Snails) in Native and Non-Native Habitats Using Stable Isotopes.
Authors: Scriber II Kevin Emmanuel , France Christine A.M. , Jackson Fatimah L.C. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Invasive apple snails negatively impact non-native habitats and also human well-being. Here the trophic position of Pomacea canaliculata in native habitats (Maldonado, Uruguay) and non-native habitats (Hangzhou, China and Hawaii, USA) are compared to explain their differential impacts therein. Detritus samples and tissue samples from apple snails were collected in all sites. Apple snail trophic levels were calculated as the difference between the mean δ15N values of detritus samples and corresponding apple snail tissue samples, divided by the mean δ15N fractionation for nitrogen per trophic level in freshwater habitats. The mean δ15N values of detritus in sites served as a baseline (i.e.: zero trophic level), allowing for direct comparisons. Linear regression analysis established correlation between species evenness and apple snail trophic level (R2 = 0.8602); in line with a Pearson's product-moment correlation value (-0.83) and 95% Confidence Interval (-0.87, -0.77). Normal quartile plots indicated two normally distributed subsets of apple snail trophic level data: (1) a biodiverse subset containing the Uruguayan and Chinese Lake Sites and (2) the homogenized Hawaiian and Chinese Creek Sites. A precipice value for species evenness, between (3.7) and (2.4), once descended to, or beneath, separates, statistically distinct, normal distributions of invasive apple snail trophic level data from diverse versus homogenized habitats. This value is akin to a fence separating biodiversity from homogenization, or habitats exhibiting biotic resistance from others with open niche space. This plausible mechanism explains invasive apple snails’ variable ecological impacts in native versus non-native habitats, and may predict the latters’ susceptibility to adverse impacts.
Relationship between peripheral blood eosinophil count and the severity and prognosis of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy : a new potentially useful predictor?
Authors: Jiang Zhi , Liao Hongmei , Wu Liwen , Hu Wenjing , Yang Liming , Chen Bo , Ning Zeshu , Tang Jingwen , Xu Rong , Chen Mei , Guo Feng , Liu Shulei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of peripheral blood eosinophil count on the severity and prognosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy（DMD).Method The clinical data of 145 patients with DMD and 150 normal healthy children in the same period were collected retrospectively. The results of the two groups were analysed and compared. Logistic regression and Cox regression analysis were used to explore the influence of eosinophils on DMD. The relationship between eosinophils and the long-term efficacy and prognosis of DMD were followed up.Result Compared with the control group, the eosinophil count of children in DMD group was slightly lower(Z=2.163,p=0.031).Eosino-phil count at visit and follow-up was slightly negatively correlated with muscle strength score to visit and follow-up, and the correlati-on coefficients were as follows: ρ=-0.245，p=0.040，ρ=-0.137，p=0.032.Eosinophils were the protective factor for high muscle strength score of visit,OR=0.007,95%CI(0.001-0.276)，p=0.008,OR=0.038,95%CI(0.002-0.752), p=0.032 after adjusting for age and other factors. Eosinophils were also the protective factor for elevated muscle stre-ngth score at follow-up visit,(OR=0.012,95%CI0.001-0.645,p=0.029), after adjusting for age and other factors (OR=0.033,95%CI0.001-0.121,p=0.039). Univariate analysis found that eosinophils affected the curative effect during follow-up visit, HR=2.739,95%CI(1.294-5.979)p=0.008. Further adjustment for age and other factors multivariate Cox regression analysis found that eosinophils affected the curative effect(HR=1.127,95% CI 1.109-1.246,p=0.020）.Conclusion The eosinophil count in peripheral blood was related to the severity of DMD, and can predict the curative effect and prognosis to a certain extent. Eosinophil count may be a potentially useful predictor.
Critical structural elements for the antigenicity of wheat allergen LTP1 (Tri a 14) revealed by site-directed mutagenesis
Authors: Mameri Hamza , Denery-Papini Sandra , Gaudin Jean-Charles , Lollier Virginie , Tranquet Olivier , Brossard Chantal , Pietri Manon , Marion Didier , Codreanu-Morel Fanny , Beaudouin Etienne , Wien Frank , Gohon Yann , Briozzo Pierre 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) were identified as allergens in a large variety of pollens and foods, including cereals. LTPs belong to the prolamin superfamily and display an α-helical fold, with a bundle of four α-helices held together by four disulfide bonds. Wheat LTP1 is involved in allergic reactions to food such as anaphylaxis and wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. To identify critical structural elements of antibody binding to wheat LTP1 in the context of food allergy to wheat, we used site-directed mutagenesis on wheat recombinant LTP1. We evaluated the modifications induced by these mutations on LTP1 secondary structure by synchrotron radiation circular dichroism and on its antigenicity with patient’s sera and with mouse monoclonal antibodies. Disruption of the C28-C73 disulfide bond significantly affected IgE-binding and caused protein denaturation, while removing C13-C27 bond decreased LTP1 antigenicity and slightly modified LTP1 overall folding. In addition, we showed Lys72 to be a key residue; the K72A mutation did not affect global folding but modifid the local 3D structure of LTP1 and strongly reduced IgE-binding. This work revealed a cluster of residues (C13, C27, C28, C73 and K72), four of which embedded in disulfide bonds, which play a critical role in LTP1 antigenicity.
Predictors of Shorter- and Longer-Term Mortality after COVID-19 Presentation among Dialysis Patients: Parallel Use of Machine Learning Models in Latin and North American Countries
Authors: Guinsburg Adrián M , Jiao Yue , Bessone María Inés Díaz , Monaghan Caitlin K , Magalhães Beatriz , Kraus Michael A , Kotanko Peter , Hymes Jeffrey L , Kossmann Robert J , Berbessi Juan Carlos , Maddux Franklin W , Usvyat Len A , Larkin John W 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background:
We developed machine learning models to understand the predictors of shorter-, intermediate-, and longer-term mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients affected by COVID-19 in four countries in the Americas.
Methods:
We used data from adult HD patients treated at regional institutions of a global provider in Latin America (LatAm) and North America who contracted COVID-19 in 2020 before SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were available. Using 93 commonly captured variables, we developed machine learning models that predicted the likelihood of death overall, as well as during 0–14, 15–30, > 30 days after COVID-19 presentation and identified the importance of predictors. XGBoost models were built in parallel using the same programming with a 60%:20%:20% random split for training, validation, & testing data for the datasets from LatAm (Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador) and North America (United States) countries.
Results:
Among HD patients with COVID-19, 28.8% (1,001/3,473) died in LatAm and 20.5% (4,426/21,624) died in North America. Mortality occurred earlier in LatAm versus North America; 15.0% and 7.3% of patients died within 0–14 days, 7.9% and 4.6% of patients died within 15–30 days, and 5.9% and 8.6% of patients died > 30 days after COVID-19 presentation, respectively. Area under curve ranged from 0.73 to 0.83 across prediction models in both regions. Top predictors of death after COVID-19 consistently included older age, longer vintage, markers of poor nutrition and more inflammation in both regions at all timepoints. Unique patient attributes (higher BMI, male sex) were top predictors of mortality during 0–14 and 15–30 days after COVID-19, yet not mortality > 30 days after presentation.
Conclusions:
Findings showed distinct profiles of mortality in COVID-19 in LatAm and North America throughout 2020. Mortality rate was higher within 0–14 and 15–30 days after COVID-19 in LatAm, while mortality rate was higher in North America > 30 days after presentation. Nonetheless, a remarkable proportion of HD patients died > 30 days after COVID-19 presentation in both regions. We were able to develop a series of suitable prognostic prediction models and establish the top predictors of death in COVID-19 during shorter-, intermediate-, and longer-term follow up periods.
The acceptability and utility of Indigenous youth health assessments: A narrative systematic review
Authors: Fraser Jed , Askew Deborah , Mahoney Ray , Spurling Geoffrey 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background:The time between childhood and adulthood is when an individual acquires the physical, cognitive, social, and economic resources that are foundational to health and wellbeing later in life. The psychological and physiological transitions of youth are compounded by profound transitions in social role, including those related to employment, education, and family role. Additionally, Indigenous youth are developing their cultural identity while also contending with challenges of ongoing colonisation and everyday lived experiences of racism which negatively impacts their health and wellbeing. A comprehensive assessment of Indigenous youths’ health and wellbeing could enable early diagnosis and respond to physical and mental ill health concerns. This narrative systematic review synthesizes evidence about the acceptability and utility of primary health care-based health assessments for improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth.Methods:A systematic search strategy was applied to 20 electronic databases (four bibliographic and 16 grey literature). Studies were included if they reported on health assessments conducted in primary health care with youth aged 12–24 years who were Indigenous to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA), Taiwan, and the arctic regions of Scandinavia and Russia. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.Results:Of the 3061 unique studies identified, seven met the eligibility criteria and were included: four mixed-methods studies, two qualitative studies and one quantitative study. Included studies showed youth health assessments were useful for making new diagnoses, detecting social and emotional wellbeing concerns, and some biomedical parameters. Co-created health assessments with Indigenous youth conducted by clinicians familiar to community were well accepted. Digital health assessments administered using an electronic tablet provide advantages. No health outcomes were reported. Additionally, no health assessments addressed the impacts of colonisation and racism.Conclusion:There is insufficient evidence to make firm conclusions about benefits of health assessments; however, health assessments can be useful for detecting new diagnoses and concerns regarding social determinants of health and social and emotional wellbeing. Future development of Indigenous youth health assessments needs to involve Indigenous youth’s perspectives, ideas and, interpretations of health.
The novel DNA binding mechanism of ridinilazole, a precision Clostridiodes difficile antibiotic.
Authors: Mason Clive , Avis Tim , Hu Chenlin , Nagalingam Nabeetha , Mudaliar Manikhandan , Coward Chris , Begum Khurshida , Gajewski Kathleen , Alam M Jahangir , Moss Stephen , Reich Stefanie , Duperchy Esther , Fox Keith , Garey Kevin , Powell David 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide with limited antibiotic treatment options. Ridinilazole is a precision bisbenzimidazole antibiotic being developed to treat CDI and reduce unacceptably high rates of infection recurrence in patients. Although in Phase 3 clinical development, the precise mechanism of action by which ridinilazole elicits its bactericidal activity has remained elusive. Here we present conclusive biochemical and structural data to demonstrate that ridinilazole has a primary DNA binding mechanism, with a co-complex structure confirming binding to the DNA minor groove. Additional RNA-seq data indicated early pleiotropic changes to transcription, with broad effects on multiple C. difficile compartments and significant effects on energy generation pathways particularly. DNA binding and genomic localization was confirmed through confocal microscopy utilizing the intrinsic fluorescence of ridinilazole upon DNA binding. As such, ridinilazole has the potential to be the first antibiotic approved with a DNA minor groove binding mechanism of action.
Applications of Spatial Statistics and Spatial Analysis in Flooding Assessment Using GIS: A Case Study in Darab Watershed, Iran
Authors: Shariati Mohsen , Kazemi Mohamad , Samani Reza Naderi , Rad Abdullah Kaviani 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Floods are amongst the most catastrophic natural disasters, having enormous impacts on both infrastructure and humans. Between 1998 and 2017, this detrimental phenomenon afflicted more than two billion individuals globally. The present investigation utilized two phases of spatial analysis and spatial statistics from ArcGIS in order to precisely assess the hazard of flooding in the Darab watershed, Iran. Following a survey of literature and case studies, seven criteria for flood risk were recognized to be effective: dem, slope, drainage density, NDVI, land cover, geology, and rainfall. The initial phase was operated using fuzzy logic and AHP in order to overlap layers. In order to prepare of flood hazard mapping, kernel density and zonal statistics were used to compute flood hazard density and flood hazard zoning. In flood hazard zones, spatial statistics in ArcGIS Pro were applied to detect high-and low-risk clusters. An innovation in this study is the use of local data to detect high-risk and low-risk flood clusters. According to the findings, the Gamma operator (0.9) was recognized as the optimal operator for flooding zoning, and only 7344/63432 hectares of the study area had a high risk of flooding, with only two high-risk flooding clusters in the Darab watershed. The boundary was near the heights in the north and northeast of the study, which corresponded to townships with a population of less than 5,000 people. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated that clusters and outliers' analysis, as well as hotspot analysis, are effective complementary techniques to recognize high- and low-risk flood clusters. Combining spatial analysis with spatial statistics may be a reliable and efficient approach for natural scientific investigations.
Morphological and molecular comparison of three centric diatoms (Bacillariophyceae: Chaetoceros) isolated from the coast of Eastern Thailand
Authors: Hiransuchalert Rachanimuk , Kutako Maliwan , Watchasit Sarayut , Kaewduang Mookthida , Setthamongkol Pakawan , Chindudsadeegul Parinya , Gunbua Vichaya , Jaritkhuan Somtawin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify Chaetoceros species using microscopic observations, sequence analysis of 18S rDNA, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) barcoding and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Chaetoceros were obtained from three different algae laboratories: Center of Excellence for Marine Biotechnology (CEMB), Chanthaburi Coastal Fisheries Research and Development (CHAN) and Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University (BIM). Genomic DNA for the RAPD analysis was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method, followed by 18S rDNA amplification. The 18S rDNA sequence analysis showed that Chaetoceros CEMB was most similar to C. gracilis (e-value = 0.0, identity = 98%), Chaetoceros CHAN was most similar to C. debilis (e-value = 0.0, identity = 99%) and Chaetoceros BIM was most similar to C. debilis (e-value = 0.0, identity = 98%). The RAPD results revealed differences in the three Chaetoceros isolates with polymorphisms between 30.43% and 60.00%, and Chaetoceros CEMB showed high polymorphic bands. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that Chaetoceros CEMB were larger and had larger setae compared with the other isolates (P < 0.05). The results of the NMR characterization of metabolites were consistent with the results of the sequence and morphological analyses. The concentrations of several metabolites, including chlorophyll c1, chlorophyll a, myo-inositol, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, were lower in Chaetoceros CEMB than in Chaetoceros BIM and CHAN. However, high concentrations of fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid and arachidic acid, were observed in all isolates. Generally, the results of this study will aid future studies examining the diversity of Chaetoceros in various culture environments.
Effect of Land Preparation, Water Management Practices and Planting Operation on Planting Quality in Rice Production
Authors: MAIRGHANY MODATHER , Adam Nor Maria , Elsoragaby Suha 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Water irrigation management, drainage, with land preparation in paddy field has crucial effects on rice planting quality and rice production. This study investigated the effects of water and land management on the performance of mechanical transplanting machines and the quality of planting. The investigation included the effect of land preparation before planting, soil condition during planting, and water management. Long field flooding periods combined with short sedimentation periods reduce the soil penetration resistance and soil bulk density which affect negatively the mechanical transplanting performance causing planting losses. The result showed the soil's physical properties penetration resistance and bulk density have a negative relation to planting losses. When the sedimentation period increased, the soil penetration resistance increased. There were strong relationships between the flooding period, sedimentation period, field water depth, and soil physical properties with transplanting speed, planting density, planting spacing, planting losses, and the depth of planting. About 50.5% of the farmers used the right required amount of water irrigation, and also the right time for irrigation.
Novel pyroptosis-associated genes signature for predicting the prognosis of Sarcoma
Authors: Wen Hao , Guo Dandan , Zhao Zhenguo , Xin Xin , Cao Jiachen , Chen ChengXin , Shi Qi , Li Ya , Li Yujun , Jiang Yuliang , Liu Chunxia , Li Feng 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal malignant tumor. Recently, pyroptosis has been reported to be a mode of programmed cell death. Nonetheless, levels of pyroptosis-associated genes in sarcoma and its relevance to prognostic outcomes are yet to be elucidated.
Results
We established 33 pyroptosis regulatory genes in sarcoma. Sarcoma cases were classified into two subtypes with regards to differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We constructed a polygenic profile using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort to assess the prognostic significance of pyroptosis-associated genes for survival. We established a profile composed of 7 genes and classified the sarcoma patients into low- and high-risk groups throughleast absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. Survival rate of low-risk sarcoma patients was markedly higher, relative to high-risk group (P < 0.001). In combination with clinical features, the risk score was established to be an independent predictive factor for OS of sarcoma patients. Chemotherapeutic Drug Sensitivity response analysis found 65 drugs with higher drug sensitivity in low-risk, than in high-risk group and 14 drugs with higher drug sensitivity in the high-risk patient group, compared to low-risk patient group. Consequently, Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), immune responses and mutations analyses were used to investigate the reasons for the result, which indicated that immune cells infiltration, especially T cell infiltration, and mutations in certain genes, such as TP53 and RB1, may be responsible for poor survival in high-risk patient group.
Conclusions
our research suggest that pyroptosis is closely associated with Sarcoma, and these findings confirm that pyroptosis-associated seven genes (IGHG2, PODXL2, LRRC17, GABRA3, SCUBE3, HLF, RFLNB) have a critical role in sarcoma and are potential prognostic factors for sarcoma.
Altered perception of emotional faces in lonely adults
Authors: Akram Umair , Stevenson Jodie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The evidence based concerning the relationship between loneliness and the perception of facial cues of emotion remains mixed. This study further examined the categorisation accuracy, and perceived emotional intensity and emotional valence of facial expressions of emotion in adults displaying high, medium, and low levels of loneliness, whilst controlling for symptoms of insomnia anxiety and depression. Using the University of California Loneliness Scale, participants were stratified into those experiencing high (N=83), medium (N=97), and low levels (N=93) of loneliness. Observing facial expressions of emotion from the Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces database, participants were assessed on their categorisation accuracy and ratings of emotional intensity and valence. Greater levels of loneliness were associated with positively valanced ratings of angry faces; negatively valanced ratings of facially expressed sadness and happiness; and difficulties in identifying happy faces after controlling for comorbid psychiatric symptoms. The outcomes present psychosocial implications for individuals experiencing loneliness.
A watershed water quality prediction model based on attention mechanism and Bi-LSTM
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Wang Ruiqi , Qi Ying , Wen Fei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Accurate prediction of water quality is conducive to intelligent management and control of watershed ecology. Water quality data has time series characteristics, and although methods such as LSTM can capture sequence correlations in time series data, these methods do not consider the impact of bidirectional neighborhoods on the model, and they are not able to pay attention to the feature sequences to varying degrees. Aiming at this problem, this paper proposes a watershed water quality prediction model based on attention mechanism and bidirectional LSTM neural network (AT-BILSTM). The model mainly contains the Bi-LSTM layer and the temporal attention layer, and the attention mechanism is introduced after the bidirectional feature extraction of the water quality time series data to highlight the data series that have a key impact on the prediction results, and effectively use the sequence correlation of the watershed water quality data to improve the accuracy of the model. Finally, the actual datasets of four monitoring sites in the Lanzhou section of the Yellow River Basin in China were used to verify the effectiveness of the method. After comparing the reference model, the results show that the proposed model combines the bidirectional nonlinear mapping ability of Bi-LSTM and the feature-weighted characteristics of the attention mechanism. Taking FuHe Bridge as an example, compared with the original LSTM model, the RMSE and MAE of the model are reduced to 0.101 and 0.059, respectively, and the R2 is increased to 0.970, which has the best prediction performance in four sections, which can provide decision-making basis for comprehensive water quality management and pollutant control in the river basin.