bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic stress and captivity alter the cloacal microbiome of a wild songbird
Authors: Madden Anne A. , Oliverio Angela M. , Kearns Patrick J. , Henley Jessica B. , Fierer Noah , Starks Philip T. B. , Wolfe Benjamin E. , Romero L. Michael , Lattin Christine R. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
There are complex interactions between an organism's microbiome and its response to stressors, often referred to as the ‘gut–brain axis’; however, the ecological relevance of this axis in wild animals remains poorly understood. Here, we used a chronic mild stress protocol to induce stress in wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus), and compared microbial communities among stressed animals, those recovering from stress, captive controls (unstressed) and a group not brought into captivity. We assessed changes in microbial communities and abundance of shed microbes by culturing cloacal samples on multiple media to select for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi. We complemented this with cultivation-independent 16S and ITS rRNA gene amplification and sequencing, pairing these results with host physiological and immune metrics, including body mass change, relative spleen mass and plasma corticosterone concentrations. We found significant effects of stress and captivity on the house sparrow microbiomes, with stress leading to an increased relative abundance of endotoxin-producing bacteria – a possible mechanism for the hyperinflammatory response observed in captive avians. While we found evidence that the microbiome community partially recovers after stress cessation, animals may lose key taxa, and the abundance of endotoxin-producing bacteria persists. Our results suggest an overall link between chronic stress, host immune system and the microbiome, with the loss of potentially beneficial taxa (e.g. lactic acid bacteria), and an increase in endotoxin-producing bacteria due to stress and captivity. Ultimately, consideration of the host's microbiome may be useful when evaluating the impact of stressors on individual and population health.
Inactivity and the passive slowing effect of cold on resting metabolism as the primary drivers of energy savings in overwintering fishes
Authors: Reeve Connor , Rowsey Lauren E. , Speers-Roesch Ben 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
Winter dormancy is a seasonal survival strategy common among temperate ectotherms, characterized by inactivity, fasting and low metabolic rates. Previous reports of metabolic rate depression (MRD) in winter-dormant ectotherms, including many fishes, may have resulted from confounding influences of temperature-dependent variation in activity on metabolic rate measurements. We hypothesize that, as demonstrated recently in the winter-dormant cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), inactivity and the passive physicochemical (Arrhenius) effect of cold on standard metabolic rate (SMR) are the common primary mechanisms underlying the low metabolic rates among winter-dormant fishes. Using automated video tracking, we investigated threshold temperatures for winter dormancy onset (major reductions in activity, increased sheltering and fasting) in four phylogenetically diverse teleost species reported to be winter dormant: cunner, pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). All species showed large activity and feeding reductions, but the magnitude of change and dormancy threshold temperature was species-specific. We propose that a continuum of overwintering responses exists among fishes from dormant to lethargic to active. The relationship between activity and metabolic rate was then measured using video-recorded automated respirometry during acute cooling and following cold acclimation in pumpkinseed, mummichog and eel. In all species, activity and metabolic rate were strongly correlated at all temperatures, and cooling caused reduced activity and metabolic rate. When variation in activity was controlled for across temperatures spanning the dormancy thresholds, the thermal sensitivity of metabolic rate including SMR indicated the predominance of passive physicochemical influences (mean Q10&lt;3.5), rather than active MRD. Activity reductions and physicochemical slowing of metabolism owing to cold appear to be the primary energy-saving mechanisms in overwintering fishes.
Thermo-Responsive Silver Nanocube Assembled Films
Authors: Mitomo Hideyuki , Takeuchi Chie , Sugiyama Ryo , Tamada Kaoru , Ijiro Kuniharu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Cube-structured silver nanoparticles (AgNCs) were synthesized and modified with oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG)-attached alkane-thiol ligands. They showed thermo-responsive color changes dispersed in water and also good dispersibility in CHCl3. They formed well-packed assembled structures at the air-water interface. AgNC assembled films also showed a strong plasmonic property and thermo-responsiveness.
Preparticipation Screening before Physical Activity in Community Lifestyle Interventions
Authors: Armstrong Marni , Paternostro-Bayles Madeline , Conroy Molly B. , Franklin Barry A. , Richardson Caroline , Kriska Andrea 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
Behavioral lifestyle interventions in the community setting are effective in reducing the risk and burden of chronic diseases. The promotion and implementation of physical activity plays a key role in these community-based lifestyle programs. New guidelines on preparticipation screening for cardiovascular disease before physical activity have been released which include substantive modifications. These updated recommendations represent a substantial paradigm shift toward a more liberal approach that results in fewer individuals needing to seek medical clearance before starting a physical activity program. This shift has significant implications for those promoting physical activity within the community setting. The objectives of this commentary are to review the updated recommendations within the context of community-based lifestyle intervention programs such as those currently being offered throughout the United States for the primary purpose of diabetes prevention and to discuss the implications for those providers developing and implementing such programs.
Αντιλήψεις γονέων για τη συμβολή του παιχνιδιού στην ανάπτυξη της μαθηματικής σκέψης βρεφών ηλικίας 11 μηνών έως 2 ετών-Μελέτη Περίπτωσης
Authors: Πέτρου Παυλίνα , Παναούρα Αρετή 
Published: March 2022

Η παρούσα έρευνα αποτελεί μέρος ερευνητικού προγράμματος το οποίο στοχεύει στη διερεύνηση της επίδρασης που μπορεί να έχει η τυπική και μη τυπική διδασκαλία μέσω παιχνιδιού στην ανάπτυξη της μαθηματικής σκέψης βρεφών ηλικίας 11 μηνών – 2 ετών. Στο παρόν κείμενο επικεντρωνόμαστε σε μία διάσταση του θέματος η οποία κρίνεται ιδιαίτερα σημαντική στη συγκεκριμένη ηλικία, το ρόλο και τις αντιλήψεις των γονιών σε αυτό. Τα ποσοτικά και ποιοτικά δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από γονείς ενός βρεφονηπιοκομικού σταθμού στην Κύπρο, ο οποίος αποτέλεσε μελέτη περίπτωσης. Συγκεκριμένα δόθηκε ερωτηματολόγιο σε γονείς, ενώ μία μικρότερη ομάδα έλαβε μέρος σε ατομική συνέντευξη και παρέδωσε ημερολόγιο με δραστηριότητες που οργάνωσαν με τα παιδιά τους. Μέσα από τις αναλύσεις των ποιοτικών αλλά και των ποσοτικών δεδομένων προέκυψαν βασικά συμπεράσματα για τις αντιλήψεις των γονιών ως προς το ρόλο του παιχνιδιού γενικά, στη μαθηματική εκπαίδευση των παιδιών τους ειδικά, για το ρόλο των βρεφονηπιοκόμων και των δραστηριοτήτων που οργανώνουν οι ίδιοι στο φυσικό περιβάλλον των παιδιών. Φάνηκε ότι οι γονείς πιστεύουν ότι το παιχνίδι οποιασδήποτε μορφής και τύπου (αυτοσχέδιο ή εργοστασιακό, ελεύθερο ή οργανωμένο, εσωτερικό παιχνίδι στο σπίτι ή υπαίθριο παιχνίδι) αποτελεί το σημαντικότερο εργαλείο διδασκαλίας, αλλά και οικοδόμησης των διαφόρων μαθηματικών εννοιών από παιδιά ηλικίας 11 μηνών – 2 ετών, αφού αποτελεί μέρος της φυσικής ανάγκης των ιδίων των παιδιών. Οι ίδιοι, είτε παίρνουν ιδέες από τους εκπαιδευτικούς για να οργανώνουν δραστηριότητες με τα παιδιά τους, είτε επιλέγουν τα εργοστασιακά παιχνίδια. Με βάση τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας συζητείται ο ρόλος που μπορεί να έχει η μη τυπική εκπαίδευση των βρεφών με δραστηριότητες που οργανώνονται στο φυσικό τους περιβάλλον από τους γονείς.
SPATIAL DATABASES OF AGRONOMIC GEOINFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Pavlova Anna I. 
Published: March 2022

The work is devoted to the development of spatial databases for the assessment of agricultural land. The geodatabase is aimed at geoinformation support of assessment, agroecological typing (groups, types of land) of agricultural lands, development of adaptive-landscape farming systems. The paper presents the structure of the database of regional and local levels. Three different ways of user interaction with the AgroGIS database are proposed. For practical implementation, it is proposed to use the object-functional approach to database development, based on the use of cloud data storage technology in the DBMS SQlite.
Background. Geoinformation support of agronomic geoinformation systems (AgroGIS) is aimed at assessing natural-territorial conditions and environmental factors in agrolandscapes, development of adaptive landscape farming systems. AgroGIS geodatabases serve to store, analyze and present spatial information on agricultural land. As shown by an analysis of literary sources, the term “geodatabase” was formed more than twenty years ago. At the same time different geodatabases are known: archaeological, cartographic, soil and others. They differ in the object of research, structure and content, as well as the way of data organization. This indicates the relevance of the topics of the present research.
Purpose. The purpose of the work is to develop the structure and content of the geodatabase agronomic GIS.
Materials and methods. The object-functional approach to database development, which is supported by object-oriented database management systems (DBMS) and classical relational DBMS, is used. The essence of this approach is to implement functional tasks taking into account the needs of the user.
Results. The main components of geodatabase in the form of separate sets of spatial classes (Climate, Relief, Soil, Vegetation, Hydrography, Agrolandscape) are proposed. At the same time the paper shows the need for practical implementation of agronomic geoinformation geodatabases from several aspects.
Conclusion. In the development of spatial databases of agronomic GIS the most important feature is the ability to constantly update information in the form of temporal component. Practical implementation of temporal geodatabases is possible with the use of non-relational database management systems, as well as methods of processing big data (Big Data).
The role of antenatal education as a prevention of emerging disorders during pregnancy
Authors: Janicka-Kubiak Elżbieta , Kubiak Tomasz , Baranowska Agata , Bulsa Marek , Ciosek Żaneta 
Published: March 2022

Introduction. The presented work is the result of a literature`s studies in the field of feeding pregnant women and experimental analysis on their knowledge and health behaviors. The study highlighted the importance of preventive actions by medical staff and school instructors in giving birth to the education of future mothers. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of pregnant women about the principles of proper nutrition. The analysis verified the ability to use the obtained data in the daily life of the respondents.
Materials and method. The research group consisted of 101 pregnant women, including 51 patients from one of the Poznan`s Hospitals of Gynecological and Obstetrics Department and 50 participants of Birth School in the same city. The research tool was an authoritative questionnaire that included questions about the knowledge of pregnant women about the impact of a rational diet for a developing fetus.
Results. On the basis of the data obtained it can be stated that students of childbirth schools were more willing and more likely to undertake pro-health activities than those who were never participants in such courses. The effectiveness of knowledge transfer by professionals is an important element of prevention of disorders during pregnancy. In educational programs, emphasis should be placed on the practical application of the acquired knowledge.
Conclusions. The future mother should have clearly defined goals and principles in the rush of all the information. Thanks to them she will be able to consciously and without risk of complications as a result of bad eating habits, survive the period of nine consecutive months and enjoy the correct course of pregnancy and its completion.
A Machine Learning–Enabled Partially Observable Markov Decision Process Framework for Early Sepsis Prediction
Authors: Liu Zeyu , Khojandi Anahita , Li Xueping , Mohammed Akram , Davis Robert L , Kamaleswaran Rishikesan 
Published: March 2022

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection. In the United States, 1.7 million cases of sepsis occur annually, resulting in 265,000 deaths. Delayed diagnosis and treatment are associated with higher mortality rates. An exponential rise in the availability of medical data has allowed for the development of sophisticated machine learning algorithms to predict sepsis earlier than the onset. However, these models often underperform, as the training data are retrospective and do not fully capture the uncertain future. In this study, we develop a novel framework, which we refer to as MLePOMDP, to leverage and combine the underlying, high-level knowledge about sepsis progression and machine learning (ML) for classification. Specifically, we use a hidden Markov model to describe sepsis development at a high level, where the ML model makes the higher-order “observations” from temporal data. Consequently, a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) model is developed to make classification decisions. We analytically establish that the optimal policy is of threshold-type, which we exploit to efficiently optimize MLePOMDP. MLePOMDP is calibrated and tested using high-frequency physiological data collected from bedside monitors. Different from past POMDP-based frameworks, MLePOMDP is developed for a prediction task using a very small state definition, produces highly interpretable results, and accounts for a novel and clinically meaningful action space. Our results show that MLePOMDP outperforms machine learning–based benchmarks by up to 8% in precision. Importantly, MLePOMDP is able to reduce false alarms by up to 28%. An additional experiment is conducted to show the generalizability of MLePOMDP to different patient cohorts. Summary of Contribution: This study develops a novel real-time decision support framework for early sepsis prediction by integrating well-known machine learning models (random forest and neural networks) with a well-established sequential decision-making model, namely, a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP). The structural properties of the optimal policy are further explored and a threshold-type structure is established, which is then leveraged to develop a customized algorithm to solve the problem more efficiently. The resulting framework demonstrates the benefit of applying POMDPs to augment machine learning outputs. Specifically, the framework results in the reduction of false alarms in sepsis predictions where decisions are made in real time, hence improving the overall prediction precision.
Religious Affiliation and Wrongdoing: Evidence from U.S. Nursing Homes
Authors: Mohliver Aharon , Ody-Brasier Amandine 
Published: March 2022

We explore the relationship between organizational religious affiliation and wrongdoing using a unique data set on inspections in 16,101 nursing homes over five years. We find that violations of standards of care are more severe in religiously affiliated homes. We track this difference to a reduction in the likelihood that organizational members file complaints rather than poorer behaving caretakers or differential treatment by enforcement agents. Fewer complaints increase the time that religiously affiliated homes operate without monitoring, which allows violations to escalate before they are detected. Our findings highlight an understudied process in the literature on organizational wrongdoing: Although much attention has been devoted to how inspector bias can lead to incorrect conclusions about the true rates of wrongdoing across organizations, religious affiliation can lead to similarly incorrect conclusions—but through an internal organizational process. This paper was accepted by Lamar Pierce, organizations. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4350 .
Equipartition of a Segment
Authors: Avvakumov Sergey , Karasev Roman 
Published: March 2022

We prove that, for any positive integer m, a segment may be partitioned into m possibly degenerate or empty segments with equal values of a continuous function f evaluated on segments, assuming that f may take positive and negative values, but its value on degenerate or empty segments is zero. Funding: S. Avvakumov’s research was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme [ERC Grant StG 716424–CASe]. R. Karasev’s research was partially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research [Grant 19-01-00169].
Assessment of First-Generation Cotton Module Technology for Chopped Switchgrass
Authors: Womac Alvin Ray , Bitra Venkata Sambasiva Prasad 
Published: March 2022

HighlightsPhysical scale models of a first-generation cotton module builder and module loader were used to determine the dry bulk density and module integrity failures for switchgrass modules.Three switchgrass particle size distributions were created and tested for various moisture contents and module building factors, such as the number of fill layers and the number of tamps per layer.Mean dry bulk density ranged from 71.5 to 94.7 kg m-3, with slightly increased densities for a reduced knifemill particle size distribution and a narrowed particle size distribution from a forage harvester.A propensity of module integrity failures was noted among 69% of all 48 modules. Only the modules for one test condition of increased knifemill particle size distribution and six fill layers had no integrity failures among all replications for the 15 test conditions.Abstract. Physical scale models of a first-generation cotton module builder and a module loader were used to test three different switchgrass particle size distributions using various levels of moisture content, module fill layers, and number of tamps per layer. The objective was to determine mean dry bulk density of the quasi-confined biomass module and the propensity of module integrity failures during emptying from the builder and during loader operations. Model designs resembled prototypes for minimizing inadvertent module upset and reduced the required module contents by a factor of 141. Overall mean dry bulk density was 80.4 kg m-3. Mean dry bulk density increased with increased narrowness of the switchgrass particle size distribution from a forage harvester. Particle size and tamping response appeared to be a unique phenomenon that slightly affected mean bulk density. Results suggested that modules should be constructed using increased numbers of fill layers with uniform tamping of each layer with at least no skips in progressive tamper action. Overall, 33 of the 48 modules exhibited integrity failures at a rate of 69% failures. Keywords: Biomass, Dry bulk density, Logistics, Module failure, Module integrity, Particle size, Processing, Switchgrass.
The Modular Isomorphism Problem: A Survey
Authors: Margolis Leo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Modular Isomorphism Problem asks if an isomorphism of group algebras of two finite$p$p-groups$G$Gand$H$Hover a field of characteristic$p$p, implies an isomorphism of the groups$G$Gand$H$H. We survey the history of the problem, explain strategies which were developed to study it and present the recent negative solution of the problem. The problem is also compared to other isomorphism problems for group rings and various question remaining open are included.
Seroepidemiology of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever among cattle in Cameroon: Implications from a One Health perspective
Authors: González Gordon Lina , Bessell Paul R. , Nkongho Egbe F. , Ngwa Victor N. , Tanya Vincent N. , Sander Melissa , Ndip Lucy , Morgan Kenton L. , Handel Ian G. , Mazeri Stella , Bronsvoort Barend MdeC , Kelly Robert F. 
Published: March 2022

Background
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonotic disease distributed across several continents and recognized as an ongoing health threat. In humans, the infection can progress to a severe disease with high fatality, raising public health concerns due to the limited prophylactic and therapeutic options available. Animal species, clinically unaffected by the virus, serve as viral reservoirs and amplifier hosts, and can be a valuable tool for surveillance. Little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in Cameroon. Knowledge on CCHFV exposure and the factors associated with its presence in sentinel species are a valuable resource to better understand transmission dynamics and assess local risks for zoonotic disease emergence.

Methods and findings
We conducted a CCHFV serological survey and risk factor analysis for animal level seropositivity in pastoral and dairy cattle in the North West Region (NWR) and the Vina Division (VD) of the Adamawa Region in Cameroon. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for sampling design-effects and test performance. In addition, explanatory multivariable logistic regression mixed-effects models were fit to estimate the effect of animal characteristics, husbandry practices, risk contacts and ecological features on the serological status of pastoral cattle. The overall seroprevalence was 56.0% (95% CI 53.5–58.6) and 6.7% (95% CI 2.6–16.1) among pastoral and dairy cattle, respectively. Animals going on transhumance had twice the odds of being seropositive (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8), indicating that animal movements could be implicated in disease expansion. From an ecological perspective, absolute humidity (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9) and shrub density (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2) were associated with seropositivity, which suggests an underlying viral dynamic connecting vertebrate host and ticks in a complex transmission network.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated high seroprevalence levels of CCHFV antibodies in cattle in Cameroon indicating a potential risk to human populations. However, current understanding of the underlying dynamics of CCHFV locally and the real risk for human populations is incomplete. Further studies designed using a One Health approach are required to improve local knowledge of the disease, host interactions and environmental risk factors. This information is crucial to better project the risks for human populations located in CCHFV-suitable ecological niches.