bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological and morphological response of tomato plants to nano-chitosan used against bio-stress induced by root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV)
Authors: Khalil Mohamed Salah , Abd El-Aziz Mahmoud Hamdy , Selim Rasha El-Sayed 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRoot-knot nematodes (Meloidogynespp.) have been reported to be responsible for large economic losses of agricultural crops due to their wide host range and variety of suitable climates. The control measures of these parasitic nematodes depend upon synthetic nematicides and a small number bio-based products. Chemical nematicides are eliciting adverse effects on the environment and human health. In the present study, an alternative tool, nano-chitosan was tested for the control the root-knot nematodes,Meloidogyne incognita, andTobacco mosaic tobamovirus(TMV) in greenhouse-cultivated tomato. The effect of nano-chitosan on morphological (weight and length of shoot and root systems) and biochemical responses (Polyphenol oxidase, Peroxides, Total soluble phenol and Total protein) was assessed. The obtained results indicated that densities ofMeloidogyne incognitaalone or in the presence of TMV were decreased by nano-chitosan at a range of 45.89 to 66.61%, while root gall desntiy was reduced between 10.63 and 67.87%. Moreover, the density of TMV on tomato leaves singly or in the presence ofM. incognitawas suppressed at range of 10.26 to 65.00% after 20 days of infection, and reached up to 58.00% after 40 days of infection. However, soil application of nano-chitosan pre infection reduced TMV density only by 5.48%. Morphogenesis of tomato plants such as shoot and root systems were significantly improved. The impacts of nano-Chitosan applications on total soluble phenol, total protein, polyphenol oxidase and peroxides after 20 and 40 days of infections varied.
Molecular docking reveals Chitosan nanoparticle protection mechanism for dentin against Collagen-binding bacteria
Authors: Zhou Ziliang , Yang Yanyan , He Lu , Wang Junmei , Xiong Jie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe medical application of chitosan (Cs) has been for about half a century, but the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated yet. This study is to explore the antibacterial mechanism of chitosan nanoparticles (Csnp) in dentin at the atomic resolution level. Extracted tooth specimen was prepared in three groups: A. control group; B. Csnp treatment under ultrasonic agitation (UA); C. Csnp treatment without UA. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the Csnp distribution on the dentin surface. The incubations ofEnterococcus faecalis(E. faecalis) were performed. Further, we explored the protection mechanism of chitosan polymers to collagen type I, using molecular docking technique and crystal structure superimposition analysis. We revealed that Csnp under UA was evenly distributed on the dental surface and the Csnp-pretreated dentin had great antibacterial activity forE. faecalis. Our work demonstrated that Csnp occupied the grooves of the triple-helical collagen surface, strengthened by crosslinking, and interfered with the bond of collagen adhesin through steric hindrance effect and interrupting hydrophobic interaction. Csnp protects dentin againstE. faecalisby interacting and crosslinking with collagen type I and prevents bacterial collagen adhesin binding through steric hindrance effect and interrupting hydrophobic interaction.
On convex lower-level black-box constraints in bilevel optimization with an application to gas market models with chance constraints
Authors: Heitsch Holger , Henrion René , Kleinert Thomas , Schmidt Martin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBilevel optimization is an increasingly important tool to model hierarchical decision making. However, the ability of modeling such settings makes bilevel problems hard to solve in theory and practice. In this paper, we add on the general difficulty of this class of problems by further incorporating convex black-box constraints in the lower level. For this setup, we develop a cutting-plane algorithm that computes approximate bilevel-feasible points. We apply this method to a bilevel model of the European gas market in which we use a joint chance constraint to model uncertain loads. Since the chance constraint is not available in closed form, this fits into the black-box setting studied before. For the applied model, we use further problem-specific insights to derive bounds on the objective value of the bilevel problem. By doing so, we are able to show that we solve the application problem to approximate global optimality. In our numerical case study we are thus able to evaluate the welfare sensitivity in dependence of the achieved safety level of uncertain load coverage.
Migrant inventors as agents of technological change
Authors: Miguelez Ernest , Morrison Andrea 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHow do regions enter new and distant technological fields? Who is triggering this process? This work addresses these compelling research questions by investigating the role of migrant inventors in the process of technological diversification. Immigrant inventors can indeed act as carriers of knowledge across borders and influence the direction of technological change. We test these latter propositions by using an original dataset of immigrant inventors in the context of European regions during the period 2003–201. Our findings show that: immigrant inventors generate positive local knowledge spillovers; they help their host regions to develop new technological specialisations; they trigger a process of unrelated diversification. Their contribution comes via two main mechanisms: immigrant inventors use their own personal knowledge (knowledge creation); they import knowledge from their home country to the host region (knowledge transfer). Their impact is maximised when their knowledge is not recombined with the local one (in mixed teams of inventors), but it is reused (in teams made by only migrant inventors). Our work contributes to the existing literature of regional diversification by providing fresh evidence of unrelated diversification for European regions and by identifying important agents of structural change. It also contributes to the literature of migration and innovation by adding fresh evidence on European regions and by unveiling some of the mechanisms of immigrants’ knowledge transmission.
Binary space partitioning generates hierarchical and rectilinear neutral landscape models suitable for human-dominated landscapes
Authors: Etherington Thomas R. , Morgan Fraser J. , O’Sullivan David 
Published: May 2022

AbstractContextNeutral landscape models are useful and popular tools for exploring effects of spatial patterns on ecological processes. Most neutral landscape models mimic natural landscape patterns that often consist of curved, complex, and sometimes fractal shapes. However, human-dominated landscapes often have a spatial rectilinear pattern that is highly aligned and dominated by straight lines and right angles.ObjectivesAs existing rectilinear neutral landscape models lack controls over either the size, position, orientation, and shape of the rectilinear patches, or do not recognise the hierarchical structure of patch formation in human-dominated landscapes, our objective was to create a neutral landscape model capable of meeting these requirements.MethodsWe present binary space partitioning as a method that generates hierarchical and rectilinear neutral landscape models. In doing so we explain how to control the size, position, orientation, and shape of the rectilinear patches, as well as generate a tree that records the hierarchical patch structure.ResultsBinary space partitioning succeeds in providing a simple, repeatable, process to generate a range of neutral landscape models for human-dominated landscapes. A large variety of landscape patterns can be efficiently produced from only a very small number of parameters.ConclusionsBinary space partitioning based neutral landscape models would be useful in representing many human-dominated landscapes. Their implementation is straightforward and should be easily understood, used, and developed by landscape ecologists.
Log-convexity and the overpartition function
Authors: Mukherjee Gargi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractLet $$\overline{p}(n)$$

p
¯

(
n
)

denote the overpartition function. In this paper, we obtain an inequality for the sequence $$\Delta ^{2}\log \ \root n-1 \of {\overline{p}(n-1)/(n-1)^{\alpha }}$$

Δ
2

log

p
¯

(
n
-
1
)

/

(
n
-
1
)

α

n
-
1

which states that $$\begin{aligned}&\log \biggl (1+\frac{3\pi }{4n^{5/2}}-\frac{11+5\alpha }{n^{11/4}}\biggr )< \Delta ^{2} \log \ \root n-1 \of {\overline{p}(n-1)/(n-1)^{\alpha }}\\&< \log \biggl (1+\frac{3\pi }{4n^{5/2}}\biggr ) \ \ \text {for}\ n \ge N(\alpha ), \end{aligned}$$

log

(

1
+

3
π

4

n

5
/
2

-

11
+
5
α

n

11
/
4

)

<

Δ
2

log

p
¯

(
n
-
1
)

/

(
n
-
1
)

α

n
-
1

<
log

(

1
+

3
π

4

n

5
/
2

)

for

n
≥
N

(
α
)

,

where $$\alpha $$
α
is a non-negative real number, $$N(\alpha )$$

N
(
α
)

is a positive integer depending on $$\alpha $$
α
, and $$\Delta $$
Δ
is the difference operator with respect to n. This inequality consequently implies $$\log $$
log
-convexity of $$\bigl \{\root n \of {\overline{p}(n)/n}\bigr \}_{n \ge 19}$$

{

p
¯

(
n
)

/
n

n

}

n
≥
19

and $$\bigl \{\root n \of {\overline{p}(n)}\bigr \}_{n \ge 4}$$

{

p
¯

(
n
)

n

}

n
≥
4

. Moreover, it also establishes the asymptotic growth of $$\Delta ^{2} \log \ \root n-1 \of {\overline{p}(n-1)/(n-1)^{\alpha }}$$

Δ
2

log

p
¯

(
n
-
1
)

/

(
n
-
1
)

α

n
-
1

by showing $$\underset{n \rightarrow \infty }{\lim } \Delta ^{2} \log \ \root n \of {\overline{p}(n)/n^{\alpha }} = \dfrac{3 \pi }{4 n^{5/2}}.$$

lim

n
→
∞

Δ
2

log

p
¯

(
n
)

/

n
α

n

=

3
π

4

n

5
/
2

.
Comprehensive Water Footprint of a University Campus in Colombia: Impact of Wastewater Treatment Modeling
Authors: Osorio-Tejada Jose Luis , Varón-Hoyos Manuel , Morales-Pinzón Tito 
Published: May 2022

AbstractProtection of water resources implies the responsible consumption, and the return of this resource with the best physicochemical conditions. In organizations, water is consumed both directly in their facilities and indirectly in the products or services acquired for their operation, requiring a water accounting based on the life cycle perspective. This study aims to assess the comprehensive water footprint of the main campus of the Technological University of Pereira (Colombia), based on the ISO 14046:2014 standard, and analyze the influence of wastewater treatment. Impacts on water scarcity were evaluated using the AWARE method, while the impacts on human health and ecosystems were evaluated using the ReCiPe method. Specific modeling of the wastewater treatment plants on campus was conducted. A total of 102,670 m3.y−1 of water scarcity was accounted for. Water consumption per person was 17.8 m3 of which 86.2% corresponded to indirect activities. Similarly, indirect activities were responsible for more than 98% of the impacts on human health and ecosystems, where more than 95% were due to infrastructure construction and 2% due to electricity consumption. Although the wastewater treatment on campus reduced the impact on ecosystems by 14%, if a tertiary treatment was added, these impacts would have a 40% of additional reduction. Efforts in recycling programs were also quantified in 712 m3 of avoided water scarcity for secondary users. The findings suggest focusing actions on sustainable construction and purchases to improve water management in organizations.
Efficacy of atomoxetine plus oxybutynin in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with moderate pharyngeal collapsibility
Authors: Schweitzer Paula K. , Maynard James P. , Wylie Paul E. , Emsellem Helene A. , Sands Scott A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Preliminary studies have shown a significant decrease in severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with the use of a combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin, with patients having moderate pharyngeal collapsibility during sleep more likely to respond. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of AD036 (atomoxetine 80 mg and oxybutynin 5 mg) in the treatment of OSA.

Methods
This trial was a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study comparing AD036, atomoxetine 80 mg alone, and placebo during three home sleep studies, each separated by about 1 week. The trial included patients with OSA and moderate pharyngeal collapsibility as defined by a higher proportion of hypopneas to apneas and mild oxygen desaturation.

Results
Of 62 patients who were randomized, 60 were included in efficacy analyses. The apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) from a median (interquartile range) of 14.2 (5.4 to 22.3) events/h on placebo to 6.2 (2.8 to 13.6) with AD036 and 4.8 (1.4 to 11.6) with atomoxetine alone (p < .0001). Both drugs also decreased the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the hypoxic burden (p < .0001). AD036, but not atomoxetine alone, reduced the respiratory arousal index and improved ventilation at the respiratory arousal threshold (greater Vactive). There was a trend for total sleep time to be decreased more with atomoxetine alone than with AD036. The most common adverse event was insomnia (12% with AD036, 18% with atomoxetine).

Conclusion
AD036 significantly improved OSA severity in patients with moderate pharyngeal collapsibility. Atomoxetine may account for the majority of improvement in OSA severity, while the addition of oxybutynin may mitigate the disruptive effect of atomoxetine on sleep and further improve ventilation.

Trial registration
Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04445688).
Evaluation of Electronic Service-Learning (e-Service-Learning) Projects in Mainland China under COVID-19
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L. , Li Xiang , Yu Lu , Lin Li , Chen Yikang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe use of electronic service-learning (e-Service-Learning or e-SL) is valuable under COVID-19 because we can provide the service without physical contact. Unfortunately, evaluation of e-SL is not widespread and there is no known study in different Chinese societies. Besides, there are many methodological limitations of the existing studies in the field. In this paper, we evaluated e-SL projects implemented in summer 2020 and 2021 in three sites in China. First, we examined service providers’ changes based on pretest and posttest scores (i.e., objective outcome evaluation) and their perceptions of the e-SL projects (i.e., subjective outcome evaluation based on the service providers). Second, graduate student assessors in Chinese mainland universities and teachers of primary school students (i.e., service recipients) rated the SL program quality, service providers’ performance and benefits to the service recipients after program completion (i.e., subjective outcome evaluation of SL projects based on other stakeholders). Third, trained graduate student assessors evaluated service quality during the implementation process (i.e., process evaluation). We found that university students (i.e., service providers) showed higher posttest scores in positive youth development attributes, leadership attributes and life satisfaction relative to pretest scores. Besides, service providers showed positive perceptions of their learning experience, own performance, benefits to the service recipients and themselves in the SL projects. Similarly, other stakeholders also had positive evaluation of the SL projects and related benefits. Finally, trained graduate student assessors had positive assessment of the quality of program implementation. The findings underscore the utility of e-SL involving both online teaching and learning as well as online service, particularly in a Chinese context.
The land–river interface: a conceptual framework of environmental process interactions to support sustainable development
Authors: Grabowski Robert C. , Vercruysse Kim , Holman Ian , Azhoni Adani , Bala Brij , Shankar Vijay , Beale John , Mukate Shrikant , Poddar Arunava , Peng Jian , Meersmans Jeroen 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRivers and their surrounding lands are focal points of human development in the landscape. However, activities associated with development can greatly affect river processes, causing significant and often unintended environmental and human impacts. Despite the profound and varied environmental impacts that development-related alterations cause through hydrological, geomorphic, and ecological processes, they are not widely acknowledged outside of river management and affect resource availability and hazard exposure to people. In this paper, we propose a novel, interdisciplinary conceptual framework of river–land process interactions to support sustainable management and development. We introduce the term ‘land–river interface’ (LRI) to describe areas of the landscape in which river processes affect land, vegetation, and/or fauna, including humans, directly or indirectly. The multiple links between LRI processes and factors at the river basin, valley, and river channel (i.e. reach) scale are synthesized and a conceptual zonation of the LRI based on the process is proposed to serve as a framework to understand the impacts of human activity. Three examples of development-related activities (urbanization, dams and aggregate mining) illustrate how alteration to the form and functioning of river basins, valleys, and channels cause a range of impacts to be propagated throughout the landscape, often spatially or temporally distant from the activity. The diversity and severity of these impacts on the environment and people underscore the need to incorporate river processes, as represented in the LRI concept, into broader environmental management to better anticipate and mitigate negative impacts and maximize positive outcomes to deliver the benefits of sustainable development across society.
Ampullary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Identification of Prognostic Factors in a Multicentric Series of 119 Cases
Authors: Vanoli Alessandro , Grami Oneda , Klersy Catherine , Milanetto Anna Caterina , Albarello Luca , Fassan Matteo , Luchini Claudio , Grillo Federica , Spaggiari Paola , Inzani Frediano , Uccella Silvia , Parente Paola , Nappo Gennaro , Mattiolo Paola , Milione Massimo , Pietrabissa Andrea , Cobianchi Lorenzo , Schiavo Lena Marco , Partelli Stefano , Di Sabatino Antonio , Sempoux Christine , Capella Carlo , Pasquali Claudio , Doglioni Claudio , Sessa Fausto , Scarpa Aldo , Rindi Guido , Paulli Marco , Zerbi Alessandro , Falconi Massimo , Solcia Enrico , La Rosa Stefano 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNeuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the major and minor ampulla are rare diseases with clinico-pathologic features distinct from non-ampullary-duodenal NENs. However, they have been often combined and the knowledge on prognostic factors specific to ampullary NENs (Amp-NENs) is limited. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with metastatic potential and patient prognosis in Amp-NENs. We clinically and histologically investigated an international series of 119 Amp-NENs, comprising 93 ampullary neuroendocrine tumors (Amp-NETs) and 26 neuroendocrine carcinomas (Amp-NECs). Somatostatin-producing tubulo-acinar NET represented the predominant Amp-NET histologic subtype (58 cases, 62%, 12 associated with type 1 neurofibromatosis). Compared to Amp-NETs, Amp-NECs arose in significantly older patients and showed a larger tumor size, a more frequent small vessel invasion, a deeper level of invasion and a higher rate of distant metastasis, and, importantly, a tremendously worse disease-specific patient survival. In Amp-NETs, the WHO grade proved to be a strong predictor of disease-specific survival (hazard ratio: 12.61, p < 0.001 for G2 vs G1), as well as patient age at diagnosis > 60 years, small vessel invasion, pancreatic invasion, and distant metastasis at diagnosis. Although nodal metastatic disease was not associated with survival by itself, patients with > 3 metastatic lymph nodes showed a worse outcome in comparison with the remaining Amp-NET cases with lymphadenectomy. Tumor epicenter in the major ampulla, small vessel invasion, and tumor size > 16 mm were independent predictors of nodal metastases in Amp-NETs. In conclusion, we identified prognostic factors, which may eventually help guide treatment decisions in Amp-NENs.
A cranio-encephalic trauma due to electric-scooter accident: could the wearing of a helmet reduce this risk?
Authors: Aulino Giovanni , Polacco Matteo , Fattoruso Vincenzo , Cittadini Francesca 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNowadays, one of the most important health and social policy issues concerning all countries is the problem of road accident rates. Traffic is one of the most important risk factors. For this reason, ridesharing companies have been launching electric scooters in Rome since June 2019 with the aim of reducing car traffic. In the absence of relevant legislations, the risk is that of facing an increase in deaths due to electric scooter crashes. We report the case of an electric scooter accident victim with cranio-encephalic trauma associated with limb injuries that caused immediate death. This case report emphasizes how the obligation of using helmets must be extended to all ages, in order to reduce the risk of increasing the number of deaths. Compulsory helmet use can reduce fatalities in all cases where high-speed crashes are not involved.
IBRORS-MCL study: a Spanish retrospective and observational study of relapsed/refractory mantle-cell lymphoma treated with ibrutinib in routine clinical practice
Authors: Sancho Juan-Manuel , Marín-Niebla Ana , Fernández Silvia , Capote Francisco-Javier , Cañigral Carolina , Grande Carlos , Donato Eva , Zeberio Izaskun , Puerta Jose-Manuel , Rivas Alfredo , Pérez-Ceballos Elena , Vale Ana , Martín García-Sancho Alejandro , Salar Antonio , González-Barca Eva , Teruel Anabel , Pastoriza Carmen , Conde-Royo Diego , Sánchez-García Joaquín , Barrenetxea Cristina , Arranz Reyes , Hernández-Rivas José-Ángel , Ramírez María-José , Jiménez Aroa , Rubio-Azpeitia Eva 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis retrospective study evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with relapsed and/or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (R/R MCL) treated with ibrutinib in Spain in routine clinical practice. At diagnosis, patients had a median age of 64.5 years, 63.6% presented with intermediate/high sMIPI (simplified prognostic index for advanced-stage mantle cell lymphoma), 24.5% had the blastoid variant, and 55.6% had a Ki67 > 30%. Patients had received a median of 2 prior lines of therapy (range 1–2; min–max 1–7). Overall response rate was 63.5%, with 38.1% of patients achieving complete response (CR). With a median duration of ibrutinib exposure of 10.7 months (range 5.2–19.6; min–max 0.3–36), the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 20 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.8–31.1] and 32 months (95% CI 22.6–41.3), respectively, and were not reached in patients achieving CR. No grade ≥ 3 cardiovascular toxicity or bleeding was reported. This study supports that treatment with ibrutinib leads to high response rates and favorable survival outcomes in patients with R/R MCL.