bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of invasive gobies for transmission of acanthocephalans of the genus Pomphorhynchus in the River Rhine
Authors: Nachev Milen , Hohenadler Michael , Bröckers Nicklas , Grabner Daniel , Sures Bernd 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Ponto-Caspian gobies became highly abundant in many regions outside their native distribution range (e.g. Rhine River system). In the newly invaded habitats, the parasite communities of the invasive gobies are characterized by a lower species richness compared to their native range. However, acanthocephalans of the genus Pomphorhynchus are highly abundant, whereas in gobies they do not become mature and mostly remain encapsulated in the abdominal cavity as preadults. Thus, gobiids could either represent a dead-end host leading to a decline of the Pomphorhynchus sp. population (dilution effect) or act as a paratenic host that could increase the infection pressure to the original host community (spill back). To determine the importance of gobiids for one or the other process mentioned, we conducted two infection experiments using smaller and larger individuals of the definitive host chub (Squalius cephalus), which were infected with preadults of P. bosniacus collected from the abdominal cavity of Neogobius melanostomus. The results showed that preadults obtained from gobiids can develop and mature in the definitive host with mean recovery rates of 17.9 % in smaller and 27.0 % in larger chubs. No infection was observed in 38.0 % and 20.0 % for smaller and larger chubs respectively. Our study clearly demonstrated that gobies serve as a paratenic host for acanthocephalans of genus Pomphorhynchus and thus spill back the infection into the local fish community. However, comparisons with previous experimental studies conducted with cystacanths from intermediate gammarid hosts showed that the preadults have significantly lower recovery rates than cystacanths.
Uncovering the Influence of Hydrological and Climate Variables in Chlorophyll-A Concentration in Tropical Reservoirs with Machine Learning
Authors: Carvalho Taís Maria Nunes , Neto Iran Eduardo Lima , Filho Francisco de Assis de Souza 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Climate variability and change, associated with increasing water demands, can have significant implications for water availability. In the Brazilian semi-arid, eutrophication in reservoirs raises the risk of water scarcity. The reservoirs have also a high seasonal and annual variability of water level and volume, which can have important effects on Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla). Assessing the influence of climate and hydrological variability on phytoplankton growth can be important to find strategies to achieve water security in tropical regions with similar problems. This study explores the potential of machine learning models to predict Chla in reservoirs and to understand their relationship with hydrological and climate variables. The model is based mainly on satellite data, which makes the methodology useful for data-scarce regions. Tree-based ensemble methods had the best performances among six machine learning methods and one parametric model. This performance can be considered satisfactory as classical empirical relationships between Chla and phosphorus may not hold for tropical reservoirs. Water volume and the mix-layer depth are inversely related to Chla, while mean surface temperature, water level, and surface solar radiation have direct relationships with Chla. These findings provide insights on how seasonal climate prediction and reservoir operation might influence water quality in regions supplied by superficial reservoirs.
Birefringent Properties of Aqueous Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions
Authors: Lane Connor Piers , Rode David Wang , Rösgen Thomas 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Birefringence measurements of aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspensions are reported. Seven suspensions with concentrations between 0.7–1.3 percentage per weight are sheared in a Taylor-Couette type setting and characterized using a birefringent measurement technique based on linear polarized light and acquisition with a polarization camera. Steady state measurements with shear rates up to 31 1/s show extinction angles of 23–40° and birefringence in the order of 1e-5. The findings demonstrate the utility of CNC suspensions for flow birefringence studies.
Effects of Furfural residues on community composition and diversity of rhizosphere microbe of seed production
Authors: Zhao Yunchen , Chen Guangquan , Yan Zhibin , Wang Zhijiang , Fu Wenjiang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The influence of furfural residue on rhizosphere microbiota of corn seed production after long-term cropping need to be understood. High-throughput sequencing and field plots was employed to investigate its influence on the rhizosphere microbe of maize seed production. The results showed that unplanted, chemical fertilizer (only), furfural residue, and seasonal soil batches recruited distinct rhizosphere microbiota. The microbial community diversity and OTUs increased compared with that of unplanted soil. With exception of Ascomycota, maize plants grown under field conditions were preferentially colonized by Zygomycota in unplanted soil, Mortierellomycota in chemical fertilizer-only soil, while Basidiomycota in frufural residue-treated soil. Potential pathogens as Alternaria, Trichocladium, Bipolaris etc. were not detected, while beneficial microbes as Penicillium, Schizothecium and Rhizophlyctis were presented. Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes increased, and Actinobacteria and Firmicutes decreased in furfural residue application. The core bacteria after long-term continuous cropping were MND1, RB41, UTCFX1, Nitrospira, Cellvibrio, Adhaeribacter etc. The relative abundances of Clostridium, Pseudarthrobacter and Roseiflexus decreased; Haliangium, Nitrospira and MND1 increased; and Pirellula, Ellin6067 and Luteimonas reduced in different seasonal soil batches. Amendment with furfural residue promoted the development of beneficial microbes and decreased the relative abundance of pathogens. Also, the amendment increased cellulose- degrading and complex carbon-decomposing microbes, decreased the number of reductive substance-decomposing microbes, which led to a shift in microbial community structure over time and improved the rhizosphere environment. Furfural residue can be used as a soil amendment to relieve soil-borne diseases and to establish beneficial soil microbes.
Evaluation of Chronotype and Sleep Quality in Infertile Population and Comparison With Fertile Population: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Özçelik Ceren , Varlı Bulut , Gökçe Ali , Takmaz Taha , Çetin Çağlar , Özcan Pinar 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Infertility is a stressful condition for couples and can affect patients' circadian rhythm and sleep quality. The goal of this study is to see if there were any differences in chronotype and sleep quality between infertile and fertile people.Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a university hospital-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic. The infertile patient population was a study group and consisted of patients with infertility. Primiparous patients who presented for routine cervical cancer screening follow-up were included in the control group. The Turkish version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated between groups.Results: A total of 227 patients were assessed, and their MEQ and PSQI values compared according to their fertility situation. There were 110 patients in the study (infertile) group and 117 patients in the control (fertile) group. The evening type chronotype proportion (23.6% vs 0.9%, p<0.001) was more common in the infertile group. There was no statistical important difference according to intermediate chronotype proportion between two groups (61.8% vs 59.8%; p=0.35). PSQI > 5 patients were higher in the infertile group proportionally (72.7% vs. 21.4%, p<0.001). The median of MEQ score was significantly higher in the fertile patients (50, IQR=43 – 55 vs. 56, IQR= 51 – 59; p<0.001), and the median of PSQI score was significantly higher in the infertile patients (5, IQR= 4 – 6, vs. 4, IQR= 3 – 5; p<0.001)Conclusions: In the present study we found significantly worse sleep quality, and more evening chronotype in the patients with infertility.
An Expeditious Tool for the Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Structures in Post-Earthquake Reconstruction
Authors: De Santis Stefano 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Post-earthquake reconstruction activities need tools for assessing the vulnerability of structures, based on visual inspection and quick survey. So far, the public administrations in charge of granting the funds and monitoring reconstruction have adopted different methods taken from scientific literature or developed ad hoc for specific events. The time is ripe for a standard method to be developed, treasuring from the lessons learned in the field. This paper proposes an expeditious tool based on visual survey for the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings, starting from available methods, whose parameters were reassessed and recalibrated, and scientific evidence from recent literature. The influence of the main structural features was considered to calculate a vulnerability index in the 0 ÷ 100 range. The effects of materials and arrangement of masonry were quantitatively evaluated through the masonry quality index, which represents an advancement with respect to current practice. The method was validated on a sample of 50 masonry aggregates and nearly 200 structural units of L’Aquila, Italy, where reconstruction is underway after a destructive earthquake in 2009, which is representative of the built heritage of other earthquake prone areas in Italy and many European Countries.
Relationship of High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Cardiovascular, Diabetic, and Hepatic Biomarkers
Authors: Krishnamurthy Hari Krishnan , Reddy Swarnkumar , Jayaraman Vasanth , Krishna Karthik , Song Qi , Rajasekaran Karenah E. , Wang Tianhao , Bei Kang , Rajasekaran John J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Biomarkers are early predictors of various disorders, circulating level of C-reactive protein is a sensitive biomarker of systemic inflammation and may also be associated with the development of diabetic, hepatic, and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between circulating levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and various biomarkers for hepatic, diabetic, and cardiovascular health. The retrospective analysis included 438 individuals who were tested for these panels simultaneously at Vibrant America Clinical Laboratory. The study population included free-living individuals without any preexisting clinical conditions. Among the cardiovascular markers, a positive correlation and significant association was found between high levels of hs-CRP and the serum levels of triglycerides (r = 0.0964, p < 0.0428). Quantitative analysis also exhibited a negative correlation of HDL (r=-0.1423, p < 0.0027) and Apo A (r=-0.1216, p < 0.0105) with circulating levels of hs-CRP. Among all the diabetic markers glucose (r = 0.1547, p < 0.0011) and glycated serum protein (r = 0.1725, p < 0.0003) were positively correlated with circulating hs-CRP. In the hepatic panel, AST a transaminase that plays a vital role in amino acid metabolism was found to have a strong positive correlation with hs-CRP (r = 0.2139, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results clearly show the association of hs-CRP with diabetic, hepatic, and cardiovascular risk factors indicating its central value as a key marker for several lifestyle-associated disorders.
Adaptive Contacts Rates via Indirect Human Behavior Induces Complex Dynamics of Schistosomiasis
Authors: TRIPATHI JAI PRAKASH , Bajiya Vijay Pal , Mubayi Anuj 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with more than 240 million people currently infected, primarily ( 90%) in sub-Saharan Africa. It is treated and primarily controlled through mass drug administration (MDA) in endemic regions. Determining the extent to which an intervention to control Schistosomiasis has been suc- cessful, is essential, but its evaluation become complicated by the potential for an outbreak to evolve over time via change in behaviors of individuals in the affected community. We study the role of changes in population behaviors on the patterns of Schistosomiasis via a novel transmission dynamics model which explicitly involves two free living larval stages, the Cercariae and Miracidia , and two host populations, the snail and the human. The average number of Miracidia reduces due to the change in human behaviors (like avoid wading, swimming and other contacts to contaminated water), consequently, reduction in the average number of Miracidia affect the rate of infection transmission. Thus, the model assumes that change in population behaviors indirectly affect the rate of infection transmission. Rigorous mathematical analysis on the model was carried and it suggests threshold behavior in long term dynamics governed by reproductive number R 0 . The dynamics shows existence of at least two equilibria (disease-free and endemic state) and regions of their global stability in the parameter space. Our results also suggest that removal of snails from the water bodies is most effective control strategy for elimination of Schistosomiasis infection as compared to either increasing of human treatment rates or cleaning of free-living Cercariae from local water bodies. The indirect human behav- ioral changes do not affect the likelihood of the existence/eradication of epidemic (i.e., R 0 does not depend on parameters related to behavioral change), however, their impact are critical on the endemic prevalence. Our results provide some new understanding about elimination of Schistosomiasis and could be useful for optimal distribution of resources for control programs.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of GATA family genes in wheat
Authors: Yu Qian , Liu Wenxing , Feng Xue , Zeng Jianbin , He Xiaoyan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Transcription factors GATAs were a member of zinc finger protein, which could bind DNA regulatory regions to control expression of target genes, thus influencing plant growth and development either in normal condition or environmental stresses. Recently, GATA genes have been found and functionally characterized in a number of plant species. However, little information of GATA genes were annotated in wheat. In the current study, 79 GATA genes were identified in wheat, which were unevenly located on 21 chromosomes. According to the analysis of phylogenetic tree and functional domain structures, TaGATAs were classified into four subfamilies (I, II, III, and IV), consist of 35, 21, 12, and 11 genes, respectively. Meanwhile, the amino acids of 79 TaGATAs exhibited apparent difference in four subfamilies according to GATA domains comparison, gene structures and conserved motif analysis. We then analyze the gene duplication and synteny between the genomes of wheat and Arabidopsis, rice and barley, which provided insights into evolutionary characteristics. In addition, expression patterns of TaGATAs were analyzed, and they showed obvious difference in diverse tissues and abiotic stresses. In general, these results provide useful information for future TaGATA gene function analysis, and it helps to better understand molecular breeding and stress response in wheat.
Self-Testing for COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil: Results of a Population-Based Values and Attitudes Survey
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Guillermo Z. , Shilton Sonjelle , Saruê Maíra , Cesario Hilton , Banerji Abhik , Batheja Deepshikha , Cunha João Paulo , Baptista Rachel , Schirmer Janine , Reipold Eleva Ivanova , Dias Alvaro Machado 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background Brazil is among the countries in South America where the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the general population hardest. Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is one of the community-based strategies that could help asymptomatic individuals at-risk of COVID-19, as well as those living in areas that are difficult for health personnel to reach, to know their infectious status and contribute to impeding further transmission of the virus. Methods A population-based survey was conducted in November 2021, to assess the acceptability of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing among the population of São Paulo. Survey respondents were approached at more than 400 different street-points that were randomly selected using a five-stage randomization process. A 35-item structured questionnaire was used. Dependent variables for our analyses were the likelihood to use and willingness to pay for self-testing, and the likelihood of taking preventive measures to prevent onward transmission of COVID-19 following a reactive self-test result. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results Overall,417 respondents (44.12% female) participated; 19.66% had previously had COVID-19 disease. A minority (9.59%) felt at high-risk of COVID-19. The majority of both females and males (73.91% and 60.09%, respectively) were in favor of the idea of COVID-19 self-testing. Overall, if self-tests were available, almost half of the sample would be very likely (n = 54, 12.95%) or likely (n = 151, 36.21%) to use one if they felt they needed to. Upon receiving a positive self-test result, the majority of respondents would communicate it (88.49%), request facility-based post-test counseling (98.32%), self-isolate (97.60%), and warn their close contacts (96.64%).Conclusion Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing could be an acceptable screening tool in São Paulo. The population would be empowered by having access to a technology that would allow them to test, even if asymptomatic, when traveling, or going to work or school. If there is a surge in the incidence of cases,self-testing could be a good approach for mass case detection by Brazil’s already overstretched Unified Health System.
Ammoniated Straw Incorporation Improves Soil Structure with Increasing Grain Productivity in Dryland Areas
Authors: Li Yue , Li Jinchao , Feng Hao , Siddique Kadambot H.M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
To meet the increasing challenges for food security, agricultural management should aim to maximize grain yield and export from the field while improving soil fertility. However, the effects of different straw incorporation on soil aggregates, grain yield and soil C and N contents as well as their potential linkages remain poorly understood. In this study in China, we simultaneously investigated soil aggregates, SOC and TN and grain yield. The three treatments: (i) no straw (CK, the local traditional practice), (ii) straw plowed into the soil (SP), and (iii) ammoniated straw plowed into the soil (ASP, straw with low C/N ratios). The SOC content in the macro-aggregates (> 5 mm) and the micro-aggregates (≤ 0.25 mm) differed among the CK, SP, and ASP plots after 5 growing years, i.e., ASP > SP > CK. In addition, the ASP treatment had the highest grain yield, 5-year mean grain yield and aboveground biomass compared with CK and SP treatments. The ASP treatment significantly increased SOC and TN content in topsoil layers, relative to CK and SP treatments. These results suggest that we could potentially shape soil structure, increase yield stability, soil C and N content under ASP treatment. Our results highlight the importance of optimal crop straw returning on soil structure, grain yield and SOC and TN content, whereas long-term continuous measurements and observations are still required to have a good understanding of sustainable agriculture.
The exploitation of SnO2/Polypyrrole interface for the sensing of ammonia vapors using SPR technique: a theoretical and experimental analysis
Authors: Gahlot Ajay Pratap Singh , Paliwal Ayushi , Kapoor Avinashi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
We use a laboratory-assembled Surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) system for the application of gas sensors around the room temperature for our work, as described in this publication. The SPR system gas sensor is based on the variance in the refractive index at the nanocomposite sensing material of SnO2/Polypyrrole (PPy) interface with gas adsorption (NH3). The value of the best thickness of the nanocomposite of SnO2 as Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOX ) and Polypyrrole(PPy), as Polymer, thin films were optimized using theoretical calculations based on the sharp SPR reflectance curve. In this work, we also include theoretical SPR curves by changing, one by one, the thickness of the SnO2 layer and PPy layer. The Surficial interaction of Ammonia (NH3 ) gas with our system of prism/Au/ SnO2/Polypyrrole nanocomposite gas sensing material was also studied experimentally for the validation of the theoretical findings. The gas sensing layer in the SnO2/Polypyrrole nanocomposite multilayer structure system is used to design a sensitive and effective ammonia gas sensor based on the phenomenon of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). The results obtained, highlighting the usefulness of the SPR setup for the study of the Ammonia vapors interaction of the metal-dielectric/polypyrrole nanocomposite material.
Efficient Tactile Encoding of Object Slippage
Authors: Willemet Laurence , Huloux Nicolas , Wiertlewski Michaël 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Humans exhibit a remarkably robust reaction to external perturbations that prevent dropping objects held in hand, using only tactile inputs. In less than 200 ms, the sensorimotor system processes tactile information stemming from the deformation of the skin, to determine the frictional strength of the contact and to react accordingly. Given the thousands of afferents innervating the fingertips, it is unclear how the nervous system can process such a large influx of data in a sufficiently short time span. In this study, we measured the deformation of the skin during the initial stages of incipient sliding for a wide range of frictional conditions. We show that the dominant patterns of deformation are sufficient to estimate the distance between the frictional force and the frictional strength of the contact. From these stereotypical patterns, a classifier is able to predict if an object is about to slide during the initial stages of incipient slip. The prediction is robust to the actual value of the interfacial friction, showing sensory invariance. These results suggest that the nervous system efficiently encodes tactile information by projecting the measured deformation of the skin onto a compact basis of deformation patterns, that we call Eigenstrains. Our findings suggest that only 6 of these Eigenstrains are necessary to classify the slippage sensed by tens of thousands of afferents. These findings are relevant to the understanding of the unconscious regulation of grasp, and the insights are directly applicable to the design of robotic grippers and prosthetics that rapidly react to external perturbations.