bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies to mitigate economic hardship among family dairy farms of Central Mexico
Authors: Martínez-García Carlos Galdino , Clugston Claire , Arriaga-Jordán Carlos Manuel , Olmos-Colmenero Jesús , Wattiaux Michel André
Published: May 2021

The economic hardship of dairy producers has worsened in the last decade because of increasing costs of production. A field survey with 51 dairy farmers was conducted to explore strategies to mitigate economic hardship. Factor and cluster analyses were conducted to characterize the farmers and their farms. Differences among groups regarding changes adopted to increase incomes, to reduce costs, and to pay bills were tested using Fisher’s exact test. Four factors explained 76.2% of the cumulative variance and four groups were identified: “stagnant farms” were in group 1, with the lowest daily income over concentrate feed cost (DIOCFC) and the least number of changes, “effectively management farms” were in group 2, with the highest DIOCFC and the highest number of income-increasing changes, the “cost reducing farms” were in group 3, with the smallest in size with a focus on cutting cost, and the “mixed strategy farms” were in group 4, with the largest herd size. Most prevalent income-increasing strategies included attempts to improve cow nutritional balance and milk composition, whereas the most prevalent cost-reducing strategies included reductions in input purchases of inputs (concentrates and fertilizers) and selected household expenses. Selling cows was a common strategy to generate cash in acute hardship situations. In conclusion, responses to economic hardship varied substantially among groups of farms, cost-reducing strategies were linked to lower cow productivity and lower technological levels, but income-increasing strategies were linked to higher cow productivity and higher DIOCFC. Our findings may contribute to the design of extension initiatives to promote useful strategies to help mitigate economic hardship on dairy farms.
Cadomian orogenic collapse in the Ibor and Alcudia anticlines of the Central Iberian Zone, Spain
Authors: Álvaro J. Javier , Lorenzo Saturnino
Published: May 2021

In the Central Iberian Zone, the Cadomian orogenic collapse is represented by chaotic megabreccias, olistostromes and mélange deposits reflecting a drastic change from slope-related deposits, fed by denudation of the Cadomian arc, to offshore-dominant settings episodically punctuated by phosphogenetic processes. In the Ibor and Alcudia anticlines, the pre-rift unconformity is marked by paraconformable to angular discordant contacts separating variable tilted strata of the Ediacaran Lower Alcudian – Domo Extremeño Supergroup and the upper Ediacaran – lower Terreneuvian Ibor Group from the overlying Terreneuvian San Lorenzo and Fuentepizarra formations. The sedimentation of the San Lorenzo Formation reflects two palaeogeographic scenarios: (i) a low-angle stable basement recording shoaling-upward siliciclastic cycles, and (ii) perturbations of basement fault scarps feeding slope-related conglomeratic channels, with NE-directed palaeocurrents, and sourced from topographic palaeohighs controlled by the movement along synsedimentary normal fault systems, such as the so-called El Guijo Fault. The intra-Fortunian age of the pre-rift unconformity is constrained by the ichno- and microfossil content of the succession, and is bracketed between the first occurrence of Treptichnus pedum in the Arrocampo Formation (Ibor Group) and of Anabarella plana in the Fuentepizarra Formation.
Subglottic and tracheal stenosis associated with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Scholfield D W , Warner E , Ahmed J , Ghufoor K
Published: May 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 critical care patients endure prolonged periods of intubation. Late tracheostomy insertion, large endotracheal tubes and high cuff pressures increase their risk of subglottic and tracheal stenosis. This patient cohort also often appears to have co-morbidities associated with laryngotracheal stenosis, including high body mass index and laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Methods

This paper presents three coronavirus disease 2019 patients who were intubated for a mean of 28 days before tracheostomy, leading to complex multi-level stenoses.

Results

All patients underwent multiple endoscopic tracheoplasty procedures and two required tracheal resections. There was a mean of 33.9 days between interventions. Coronavirus disease 2019 patients do not appear to respond as well to steroid, laser and balloon dilatation as other adult stenosis patients.

Conclusion

Intubated coronavirus disease 2019 patients have an increased risk of laryngotracheal stenosis, as a result of multiple factors. Otolaryngology teams should be vigilant in investigating for this complication. International guidelines on time to tracheostomy should be followed, despite a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019.
In Praise of Meliboeus: Calpurnius Siculus and Columella
Authors: Nauta Ruurd
Published: May 2021

In discussion over the dating of theBucolicsof Calpurnius Siculus, an important role has always been played by attempts to identify the character of Meliboeus, who is to be read as a bucolic allegory of the poet's patron. By providing a new interpretation of the description of Meliboeus’ literary production, I argue that he must be the agricultural writer Columella. A consideration of other aspects of Meliboeus confirms this identification, as does the analysis of a number of significant allusions toDe cultu hortorum, the poem that makes up the tenth book of Columella'sDe re rustica. I then establish the date of Columella and discuss the consequences for dating Calpurnius, placing some parts of his book later in the reign of Nero than has been customary.
Prime geodesics and averages of the Zagier L-series
Authors: BALKANOVA OLGA , FROLENKOV DMITRY , RISAGER MORTEN S.
Published: May 2021

The Zagier L-series encode data of real quadratic fields. We study the average size of these L-series, and prove asymptotic expansions and omega results for the expansion. We then show how the error term in the asymptotic expansion can be used to obtain error terms in the prime geodesic theorem.
High but slightly declining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and reasons for vaccine acceptance, Finland April to December 2020
Authors: Hammer Charlotte C. , Cristea Veronica , Dub Timothee , Sivelä Jonas
Published: May 2021

We investigated likelihood to vaccinate and reasons for and against accepting a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among adult residents of Finland. Vaccine acceptance declined from 70% in April to 64% in December 2020. Complacency and worry about side effects were main reasons against vaccination while concern about severe disease was a strong motive for vaccination. Convenience of vaccination and recommendations by healthcare workers were identified as enablers for vaccination among those aged under 50 years. Understanding barriers and enablers behind vaccine acceptance is decisive in ensuring a successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programmes, which will be key to ending the pandemic.
Modelling suitable breeding habitat and GAP analysis for the endangered Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus: implications for conservation
Authors: XU WENYU , SOLOVYEVA DIANA , VARTANYAN SERGEY , ZHENG HAIFENG , PRONKEVICH VLADIMIR , GONG YE , WANG HAITAO
Published: May 2021

The Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus is a globally ‘Endangered’ species breeding in north-east Asia. Limited by information on the geographic distribution of suitable habitat, the conservation management programme has not been comprehensive or spatially explicit for the breeding population. This study combines potentially important environmental variables with extensive data on species occurrence to create the first species distribution model for the breeding Scaly-sided Merganser, followed by a GAP analysis to highlight the unprotected areas containing suitable habitat. The predictive map showing the most suitable breeding habitat for the Scaly-sided Merganser covered broad-leaved deciduous forest distributed in six provincial regions in south-east Russia, north-east China, and North Korea. The conservation GAP, i.e. 90% (38,813 km2) of highly suitable habitat, is mainly concentrated in the Sikhote-Alin and Changbai mountain ranges. This study suggests that prioritizing conservation of unprotected broad-leaved deciduous riverine forests within the above two mountainous regions should be included in international conservation planning, and the remaining suitable patches need to be preserved to allow range expansion in future. This predictive map improves the expert global assessment of breeding Scaly-sided Merganser distribution and provides a basic reference for establishing conservation areas or implementing conservation actions for the breeding Scaly-sided Merganser in north-east Asia.
European GoldfinchesCarduelis carduelisas pets in Algeria: numbers and social dimension of a conservation issue
Authors: LOUADJ ALDJIA , RAZKALLAH IMANE , ATOUSSI SADEK , NIJMAN VINCENT , BARA MOUSLIM , HOUHAMDI MOUSSA , BOUSLAMA ZIHAD
Published: May 2021

Since antiquity, the keeping of finches as pets has been common throughout the Mediterranean countries and it remains a widespread hobby to the present day. Since most finches are sourced from the wild this hobby can have implications for their conservation, especially for already imperilled species. We conducted a survey of 257 households in the city of Guelma, in the north-east of Algeria, and of 70 participants to a European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisshow contest in Algiers, to understand the owners’ motives for keeping cage birds and find solutions to mitigate any negative effects on the trade. Keeping and showing finches in Algeria is a male-dominated hobby, especially for the 30–40 year age bracket. Our surveys indicate that almost 60% of households had a cage bird, with the European Goldfinch being the most popular species. With a mean of 0.75 goldfinches per household we estimate that in Guelma alone some 17,000 are kept in captivity. Between 70% and 90% of the owners indicated that their birds were indeed wild-sourced, and over 85% of them were aware of the protected status of the European Goldfinch in Algeria. Our findings underline the need for strict enforcement of existing laws and better targeted awareness campaigns to influence the behaviour of owners in order to reduce the demand for wild specimens.
Folate and vitamin B12 status: associations with maternal glucose and neonatal DNA methylation sites related to dysglycaemia, in pregnant women with obesity
Authors: van Weelden Wenneke , Seed Paul T. , Antoun Elie , Godfrey Keith M. , Kitaba Negusse T. , Lillycrop Karen A. , Dalrymple Kathryn V. , Sobczyńska-Malefora Agata , Painter Rebecca C. , Poston Lucilla , White Sara L. , Flynn Angela C.
Published: May 2021

Recent studies implicate maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in differential methylation of infant DNA. Folate and vitamin B12 play a role in DNA methylation, and these vitamins may also influence GDM risk. The aims of this study were to determine folate and vitamin B12 status in obese pregnant women and investigate associations between folate and vitamin B12 status, maternal dysglycaemia and neonatal DNA methylation at cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites previously observed to be associated with dysglycaemia. Obese pregnant women who participated in the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial were included. Serum folate and vitamin B12 were measured at the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) visit. Cord blood DNA methylation was assessed using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Regression models with adjustment for confounders were used to examine associations. Of the 951 women included, 356 (37.4%) were vitamin B12 deficient, and 44 (4.6%) were folate deficient. Two-hundred and seventy-one women (28%) developed GDM. Folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were not associated with neonatal DNA methylation. Higher folate was positively associated with 1-h plasma glucose after OGTT (β = 0.031, 95% CI 0.001–0.061, p = 0.045). There was no relationship between vitamin B12 and glucose concentrations post OGTT or between folate or vitamin B12 and GDM. In summary, we found no evidence to link folate and vitamin B12 status with the differential methylation of neonatal DNA previously observed in association with dysglycaemia. We add to the evidence that folate status may be related to maternal glucose homoeostasis although replication in other maternal cohorts is required for validation.
Federalism and Mitigating Climate Change: The Merits of Flexibility, Experimentalism, and Dissonance
Authors: Reich Johannes
Published: May 2021

Federalism is ostensibly misplaced to mitigate climate change as a global public concern as it is prone to import the inadequate incentive structures existing at the international level into the domestic domain. Drawing from the legal structures and procedures of Swiss federalism, this article attempts to provide a more nuanced assessment of the relationship between laws designed to mitigate climate change and federalism. It seeks to demonstrate that federalism may support effective policies to mitigate climate change, provided that the architecture of domestic climate change law meets certain criteria. These include considerable federal powers, a degree of institutional flexibility, robust formal channels of influence for subnational actors on policy formulation at the federal level, ample room for regulatory experimentalism at the lower layers of federalism, and the ‘right to act’ conferred on the Federation to avoid political impasse among the constituent units.
Short and long-term outcome after common femoral artery hybrid	procedure in patients with intermittent claudication and chronic limb	threatening ischemia
Authors: Woronowicz-Kmiec Sandra , Betz Thomas , Töpel Ingolf , Bröckner Stefan , Steinbauer Markus , Uhl Christian
Published: May 2021

Summary: Background: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the outcomes of patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) who underwent a hybrid procedure comprising common femoral artery endarterectomy and endovascular therapy. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective single-center study of all patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) who underwent the hybrid procedure between March 2007 and August 2018. The primary endpoint was primary patency after 7 years. The secondary endpoints were primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival. Results: During the follow-up period, 427 limbs in 409 patients were treated. A total of 267 and 160 patients presented with clinical signs of IC and CLTI, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 1.4% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 3.8%, p=0.001). The overall 30-day major amputation rate was 1.6% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 4.4, p=0.001). The rates of primary and secondary patency after 7 years were 63% and 94%, respectively, in the IC group and 57% and 88%, respectively, in the CLTI group; the difference was not significant. Limb salvage (94% vs. 82%, p=0.000) and survival (58% vs. 29%, p=0.000) were significantly higher in the IC group. In a multivariate analysis, CLTI was the only risk factor for major amputation. CLTI and single vessel run-off were risk factors for death. Statin therapy was a protective factor. Conclusions: The hybrid procedure provides excellent results as a treatment option for multilevel lesions in patients with PAD. However, patients with CLTI had a shorter long-term survival and lower limb salvage rate.
Präferenzen des alltäglichen Lebens in der Pflegedokumentation
Authors: Rommerskirch-Manietta Mike , Roes Martina , Palm Rebecca , Albers Bernd , Müller-Widmer René , Stacke Tobias Ingo , Bergmann Johannes Michael , Manietta Christina , Purwins Daniel
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: In Deutschland existierte bisher kein Instrument zur systematischen Erfassung von Präferenzen des alltäglichen Lebens älterer und pflegebedürftiger Menschen. In der Folge wurde in einer Pilotstudie ein entsprechendes Instrument kultursensibel übersetzt (PELI-D), pilotiert sowie psychometrisch getestet. Im Sinne der Dokumentationsqualität ist es wichtig, dass die von den Pflegenden erfassten Präferenzen mittels PELI-D plausibel anhand des Pflegeprozesses in der Pflegedokumentation verschriftlicht werden. Ziel: Dieses bestand darin, herauszufinden, welche in der Pilotstudie mit dem PELI-D durch die Pflegenden erhobenen Präferenzen in der Pflegedokumentation verschriftlicht wurden. Methode: Es wurde eine explorative Dokumentenanalyse durchgeführt. Eingeschlossen wurden 13 Pflegedokumentationen und fünf Gesprächsteilnehmende aus fünf Einrichtungen in drei Pflegesettings. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv sowie mittels einer strukturierenden Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Es wurden insgesamt 2% der mithilfe des PELI-D erfassten Präferenzen in der Pflegedokumentation dokumentiert und sind möglicherweise auf die Anwendung des PELI-D zurückzuführen. Inhaltlich wurden vor allem Präferenzen aus den Kategorien „Maßnahmen“ und „Biographie“ dokumentiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die mit dem PELI-D erfassten Präferenzen wurden zu 98% nicht in der Pflegedokumentation verschriftlicht. Dies kann wahrscheinlich darauf zurückgeführt werden, dass es sich bei dem PELI-D um eine „Neuerung“ für die Pflegenden handelte. Folglich erscheint die Durchführung einer Implementierungsstudie als sinnvoll, um die Plausibilität der erfassten PELI-D-Daten in der Pflegedokumentation zu verbessern. Im Rahmen dessen ist es außerdem empfehlenswert zu analysieren, wie das PELI-D pflegerische Prozesse und Inhalte der Pflegedokumentation beeinflusst.
Global Dynamics of the Stationary M2Mode‐1 Internal Tide
Authors: Kelly Samuel M. , Waterhouse Amy F. , Savage Anna C.
Published: May 2021

A reduced‐physics model is employed at 1/25° to 1/100° global resolution to determine (a) if linear dynamics can reproduce the observed low‐mode M2internal tide, (b) internal‐tide sensitivity to bathymetry, stratification, surface tides, and dissipation parameterizations, and (c) the amount of power transferred to the nonstationary internal tide. The simulations predict 200 GW of mode‐1 internal‐tide generation, consistent with a general circulation model and semianalytical theory. Mode‐1 energy is sensitive to damping, but a simulation using parameterizations for wave drag and wave‐mean interaction predicts 84% of satellite observed sea‐surface height amplitude variance on a 1° × 1° grid. The simulation energy balance indicates that 16% of stationary mode‐1 energy is scattered to modes 2–4 and negligible energy propagates onto the shelves. The remaining 84% of energy is lost through parameterizations for high‐mode scattering over rough topography (54%) and wave‐mean interactions that transfer energy to the nonstationary internal tide (29%).
Diatom Hotspots Driven by Western Boundary Current Instability
Authors: Oliver Hilde , Zhang Weifeng G. , Smith Walker O. , Alatalo Philip , Chappell P. Dreux , Hirzel Andrew J. , Selden Corday R. , Sosik Heidi M. , Stanley Rachel H. R. , Zhu Yifan , McGillicuddy Dennis J.
Published: May 2021

Climatic changes have decreased the stability of the Gulf Stream (GS), increasing the frequency at which its meanders interact with the Mid‐Atlantic Bight (MAB) continental shelf and slope region. These intrusions are thought to suppress biological productivity by transporting low‐nutrient water to the otherwise productive shelf edge region. Here we present evidence of widespread, anomalously intense subsurface diatom hotspots in the MAB slope sea that likely resulted from a GS intrusion in July 2019. The hotspots (at ∼50 m) were associated with water mass properties characteristic of GS water (∼100 m); it is probable that the hotspots resulted from the upwelling of GS water during its transport into the slope sea, likely by a GS meander directly intruding onto the continental slope east of where the hotspots were observed. Further work is required to unravel how increasingly frequent direct GS intrusions could influence MAB marine ecosystems.
High Latitude Zones of GeV Heavy Ions at the Inner Edge of Jupiter's Relativistic Electron Belt
Authors: Becker Heidi N. , Alexander James W. , Connerney John E. P. , Brennan Martin J. , Guillaume Alexandre , Adumitroaie Virgil , Florence Meghan M. , Kollmann Peter , Mauk Barry H. , Bolton Scott J.
Published: May 2021

Juno has discovered signatures of a high energy heavy ion population (>100 MeV/nucleon) within the inner edge of Jupiter's relativistic electron belt. The particles were detected in narrow zones in the high‐latitude lobes of the synchrotron emission region, a location never explored by prior spacecraft (∼31°–46° magnetic latitude; radial distances 1.12–1.41 Jovian radii, M‐shells 1.5–2.37). The population was revealed by extremely high signal ionization signatures seen in images collected by Juno's Stellar Reference Unit star camera (equivalent to 0.2–0.7 MeV of deposited energy per pixel). Signature morphology indicates a population of GeV ions (Z > 1) with atomic mass as high as sulfur, although species with 2 ≤ Z ≤ 8 potentially account for all of the signatures. The detections have occurred while the spacecraft is magnetically connected to Jupiter's halo and gossamer rings, but not while it is connected to the main ring; similar to equatorial observations of GeV carbon and sulfur ions by the Galileo Probe. We find that the particles reside on magnetic drift shells that suggest they are stably trapped within Jupiter's magnetosphere. Because the cosmic ray albedo neutron decay mechanism can only produce protons and electrons, it cannot be the source of this trapped Z > 1 ion population; other galactic cosmic ray origins are suspected. Inward radial transport of tens of keV heavy ions from the outer magnetosphere is another potential source.
Holy Water: Miracle Accounts and Proxy Data Tell a Climate Story
Authors: Howley Korena
Published: May 2021

In 6th century Italy, saints were said to perform an unusual number of water miracles. Paleoclimatological data from a stalagmite may reveal why.
Severe Hailstorms Are Costly and Hard to Predict
Authors: Dzombak Becca
Published: May 2021

Hail causes huge financial losses worldwide every year. But we still can’t predict when hail will strike. Climate scientists from around the world are teaming up to figure out how to change that.
Simultaneously controlling heat conduction and infrared absorption with a textured dielectric film to enhance the performance of thermopiles
Authors: He Yunqian , Wang Yuelin , Li Tie
Published: May 2021

The heat conduction and infrared absorption properties of the dielectric film have a great influence on the thermopile performance. Thinning the dielectric film, reducing its contact area with the silicon substrate, or adding high-absorptivity nanomaterials has been proven to be effective in improving thermopiles. However, these methods may result in a decrease in the structural mechanical strength and increases in the fabrication complexity and cost. In this work, a new performance-enhancement strategy for thermopiles by simultaneously controlling the heat conduction and infrared absorption with a TExtured DIelectric (TEDI) film is developed and presented. The TEDI film is formed in situ by a simple hard-molding process that is compatible with the fabrication of traditional thermopiles. Compared to the control FLat DIelectric (FLDI) film, the intrinsic thermal conductance of the TEDI film can be reduced by ~18–30%, while the infrared absorption can be increased by ~7–13%. Correspondingly, the responsivity and detectivity of the fabricated TEDI film-based thermopile can be significantly enhanced by ~38–64%. An optimized TEDI film-based thermopile has achieved a responsivity of 156.89 V·W−1 and a detectivity of 2.16 × 108 cm·Hz1/2·W−1, while the response time constant can remain <12 ms. These results exhibit the great potential of using this strategy to develop high-performance thermopiles and enhance other sensors with heat transfer and/or infrared absorption mechanisms.
Viruses infecting a warm water picoeukaryote shed light on spatial co-occurrence dynamics of marine viruses and their hosts
Authors: Bachy Charles , Yung Charmaine C M , Needham David M , Gazitúa Maria Consuelo , Roux Simon , Limardo Alexander J , Choi Chang Jae , Jorgens Danielle M , Sullivan Matthew B , Worden Alexandra Z
Published: May 2021

The marine picoeukaryote Bathycoccus prasinos has been considered a cosmopolitan alga, although recent studies indicate two ecotypes exist, Clade BI (B. prasinos) and Clade BII. Viruses that infect Bathycoccus Clade BI are known (BpVs), but not that infect BII. We isolated three dsDNA prasinoviruses from the Sargasso Sea against Clade BII isolate RCC716. The BII-Vs do not infect BI, and two (BII-V2 and BII-V3) have larger genomes (~210 kb) than BI-Viruses and BII-V1. BII-Vs share ~90% of their proteins, and between 65% to 83% of their proteins with sequenced BpVs. Phylogenomic reconstructions and PolB analyses establish close-relatedness of BII-V2 and BII-V3, yet BII-V2 has 10-fold higher infectivity and induces greater mortality on host isolate RCC716. BII-V1 is more distant, has a shorter latent period, and infects both available BII isolates, RCC716 and RCC715, while BII-V2 and BII-V3 do not exhibit productive infection of the latter in our experiments. Global metagenome analyses show Clade BI and BII algal relative abundances correlate positively with their respective viruses. The distributions delineate BI/BpVs as occupying lower temperature mesotrophic and coastal systems, whereas BII/BII-Vs occupy warmer temperature, higher salinity ecosystems. Accordingly, with molecular diagnostic support, we name Clade BII Bathycoccus calidus sp. nov. and propose that molecular diversity within this new species likely connects to the differentiated host-virus dynamics observed in our time course experiments. Overall, the tightly linked biogeography of Bathycoccus host and virus clades observed herein supports species-level host specificity, with strain-level variations in infection parameters.
Peanut and hazelnut occurrence as allergens in foodstuffs with precautionary allergen labeling in Canada
Authors: Manny Emilie , La Vieille Sébastien , Barrere Virginie , Théolier Jérémie , Godefroy Samuel Benrejeb
Published: May 2021

Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is widely used by food industries. Occurrence studies revealed that few analyzed products contained the allergen(s) present in the statement, but little is known in Canada. To improve manufacturing practices and better manage allergen cross-contamination, occurrence data is needed to determine the exposure of allergic individuals eating those products. Samples were analyzed for peanuts (n = 871) and hazelnuts (n = 863) using ELISA methods. Within samples analyzed for peanuts, 72% had a PAL (n = 628), 1% had peanuts as a minor ingredient (n = 9) and 27% were claimed “peanut-free” (n = 234). Most hazelnut samples had a PAL for tree nuts/hazelnuts (94%; n = 807) with 6% claimed “nut-free” (n = 56). Peanuts and hazelnuts were found in 4% (0.6–28.1 ppm) and 9% (0.4–2167 ppm) of all samples, respectively. Chocolates were mostly impacted; they should be treated apart from other foods and used in risk assessments scenarios to improve manufacturing practices, reducing unnecessary PAL use.
Multimodal integrated approaches in low grade glioma surgery
Authors: Ius Tamara , Mazzucchi Edoardo , Tomasino Barbara , Pauletto Giada , Sabatino Giovanni , Della Pepa Giuseppe Maria , La Rocca Giuseppe , Battistella Claudio , Olivi Alessandro , Skrap Miran
Published: May 2021

Surgical management of Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas (DLGGs) has radically changed in the last 20 years. Awake surgery (AS) in combination with Direct Electrical Stimulation (DES) and real-time neuropsychological testing (RTNT) permits continuous intraoperative feedback, thus allowing to increase the extent of resection (EOR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the technological advancements and integration of multidisciplinary techniques on EOR. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients affected by DLGG were enrolled. Cases were stratified according to the surgical protocol that changed over time: 1. DES; 2. DES plus functional MRI/DTI images fused on a NeuroNavigation system; 3. Protocol 2 plus RTNT. Patients belonging to Protocol 1 had a median EOR of 83% (28–100), while those belonging to Protocol 2 and 3 had a median EOR of 88% (34–100) and 98% (50–100) respectively (p = 0.0001). New transient deficits with Protocol 1, 2 and 3 were noted in 38.96%, 34.31% and 31,08% of cases, and permanent deficits in 6.49%, 3.65% and 2.7% respectively. The average follow-up period was 6.8 years. OS was influenced by molecular class (p = 0.028), EOR (p = 0.018) and preoperative tumor growing pattern (p = 0.004). Multimodal surgical approach can provide a safer and wider removal of DLGG with potential subsequent benefits on OS. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings.
Leaf trait variation in species-rich tropical Andean forests
Authors: Homeier Jürgen , Seeler Tabea , Pierick Kerstin , Leuschner Christoph
Published: May 2021

Screening species-rich communities for the variation in functional traits along environmental gradients may help understanding the abiotic drivers of plant performance in a mechanistic way. We investigated tree leaf trait variation along an elevation gradient (1000–3000 m) in highly diverse neotropical montane forests to test the hypothesis that elevational trait change reflects a trend toward more conservative resource use strategies at higher elevations, with interspecific trait variation decreasing and trait integration increasing due to environmental filtering. Analysis of trait variance partitioning across the 52 tree species revealed for most traits a dominant influence of phylogeny, except for SLA, leaf thickness and foliar Ca, where elevation was most influential. The community-level means of SLA, foliar N and Ca, and foliar N/P ratio decreased with elevation, while leaf thickness and toughness increased. The contribution of intraspecific variation was substantial at the community level in most traits, yet smaller than the interspecific component. Both within-species and between-species trait variation did not change systematically with elevation. High phylogenetic diversity, together with small-scale edaphic heterogeneity, cause large interspecific leaf trait variation in these hyper-diverse Andean forests. Trait network analysis revealed increasing leaf trait integration with elevation, suggesting stronger environmental filtering at colder and nutrient-poorer sites.
Author Correction: Task engagement and mental workload involved in variation and repetition of a motor skill
Authors: Lelis-Torres Natália , Ugrinowitsch Herbert , Apolinário-Souza Tércio , Benda Rodolfo N. , Lage Guilherme M.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Tiny, ornamented eggs and eggshell from the Upper Cretaceous of Utah represent a new ootaxon with theropod affinities
Authors: Oser Sara E. , Chin Karen , Sertich Joseph J. W. , Varricchio David J. , Choi Seung , Rifkin Jeffrey
Published: May 2021

A new Cretaceous ootaxon (eggshell type) from the Kaiparowits Formation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is among a growing number of very small eggs described from the Mesozoic. Analyses of two partial eggs (~ 17.7 mm in diameter) and 29 eggshell fragments reveal that this new ootaxon exhibits nodose ornamentation with distinctive branching pore canals that open atop the nodes. Its two-layered microstructure consists of a mammillary layer and a continuous layer with rugged grain boundaries between calcite grains. Although the exact identity of the egg producer is unknown, the eggshell microstructure and small size is consistent with a small-bodied avian or non-avian theropod. The specific combination of small egg size, branching pores, two-layered microstructure, and dispersituberculate ornamentation preserved in this new ootaxon is unique among theropod eggs. This underscores that both eggshell and skeletal fossils of Cretaceous theropods can display a mosaic of transitional morphological and behavioural features characteristic of both avian and non-avian taxa. As such, this new ootaxon increases the diversity of Cretaceous eggs and informs our understanding of the evolution of theropod eggshell microstructure and morphology.
The SoftWipe tool and benchmark for assessing coding standards adherence of scientific software
Authors: Zapletal Adrian , Höhler Dimitri , Sinz Carsten , Stamatakis Alexandros
Published: May 2021

Scientific software from all areas of scientific research is pivotal to obtaining novel insights. Yet the coding standards adherence of scientific software is rarely assessed, even though it might lead to incorrect scientific results in the worst case. Therefore, we have developed an open source tool and benchmark called , that provides a relative software coding standards adherence ranking of 48 computational tools from diverse research areas. can be used in the review process of software papers and to inform the scientific software selection process.
Erosion of tropical bird diversity over a century is influenced by abundance, diet and subtle climatic tolerances
Authors: Curtis Jenna R. , Robinson W. Douglas , Rompré Ghislain , Moore Randall P. , McCune Bruce
Published: May 2021

Human alteration of landscapes leads to attrition of biodiversity. Recommendations for maximizing retention of species richness typically focus on protection and preservation of large habitat patches. Despite a century of protection from human disturbance, 27% of the 228 bird species initially detected on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, a large hilltop forest fragment isolated by waters of Gatun Lake, are now absent. Lost species were more likely to be initially uncommon and terrestrial insectivores. Analyses of the regional avifauna, exhaustively inventoried and mapped across 24 subregions, identified strong geographical discontinuities in species distributions associated with a steep transisthmian rainfall gradient. Having lost mostly species preferring humid forests, the BCI species assemblage continues to shift from one originally typical of wetter forests toward one now resembling bird communities in drier forests. Even when habitat remnants are large and protected for 100 years, altered habitat characteristics resulting from isolation produce non-random loss of species linked with their commonness, dietary preferences and subtle climatic sensitivities.
Increased disease activity in early arthritis patients with anti-carbamylated protein antibodies
Authors: Regueiro Cristina , Nuño Laura , Triguero-Martinez Ana , Ortiz Ana M. , Villalba Alejandro , Bóveda María Dolores , Martínez-Feito Ana , Conde Carmen , Balsa Alejandro , González-Alvaro Isidoro , Gonzalez Antonio
Published: May 2021

The initial management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a high impact on disease prognosis. Therefore, we need to select the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible. This goal requires biomarkers of disease severity and prognosis. One such biomarker may be the presence of anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (ACarPA) because it is associated with adverse long term outcomes as radiographic damage and mortality. Here, we have assessed the ACarPA as short-term prognostic biomarkers. The study was conducted in 978 prospective early arthritis (EA) patients that were followed for two years. Our results show the association of ACarPA with increased levels of all the disease activity measures in the first visit after arthritis onset. However, the associations were more significant with the high levels in local measures of inflammation and physician assessment than with the increases in systemic inflammation and patient-reported outcomes. More notably, disease activity was persistently increased in the ACarPA positive patients during the two years of follow-up. These differences were significant even after accounting for the presence of other RA autoantibodies. Therefore, the ACarPA could be considered short-term prognostic biomarkers of increased disease activity in the EA patients.
Detecting infected asymptomatic cases in a stochastic model for spread of Covid-19: the case of Argentina
Authors: Barreiro N. L. , Govezensky T. , Bolcatto P. G. , Barrio R. A.
Published: May 2021

We have studied the dynamic evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in Argentina. The marked heterogeneity in population density and the very extensive geography of the country becomes a challenge itself. Standard compartment models fail when they are implemented in the Argentina case. We extended a previous successful model to describe the geographical spread of the AH1N1 influenza epidemic of 2009 in two essential ways: we added a stochastic local mobility mechanism, and we introduced a new compartment in order to take into account the isolation of infected asymptomatic detected people. Two fundamental parameters drive the dynamics: the time elapsed between contagious and isolation of infected individuals ($$\alpha$$
α
) and the ratio of people isolated over the total infected ones (p). The evolution is more sensitive to the $$p-$$

p
-

parameter. The model not only reproduces the real data but also predicts the second wave before the former vanishes. This effect is intrinsic of extensive countries with heterogeneous population density and interconnection.The model presented has proven to be a reliable predictor of the effects of public policies as, for instance, the unavoidable vaccination campaigns starting at present in the world an particularly in Argentina.
The large extracellular loop of CD63 interacts with gp41 of HIV-1 and is essential for establishing the virological synapse
Authors: Ivanusic Daniel , Madela Kazimierz , Bannert Norbert , Denner Joachim
Published: May 2021

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists lifelong in infected individuals and has evolved unique strategies in order to evade the immune system. One of these strategies is the direct cell-to-cell spread of HIV-1. The formation of a virological synapse (VS) between donor and target cell is important for this process. Tetraspanins are cellular proteins that are actively involved in the formation of a VS. However, the molecular mechanisms of recruiting host proteins for the cell–cell transfer of particles to the VS remains unclear. Our study has mapped the binding site for the transmembrane envelope protein gp41 of HIV-1 within the large extracellular loop (LEL) of CD63 and showed that this interaction occurs predominantly at the VS between T cells where viral particles are transferred. Mutations within the highly conserved CCG motif of the tetraspanin superfamily abrogated recruiting of expressed HIV-1 GFP fused Gag core protein and CD63 to the VS. This demonstrates the biological significance of CD63 for enhanced formation of a VS. Since cell–cell spread of HIV-1 is a major route of persistent infection, these results highlight the central role of CD63 as a member of the tetraspanin superfamily during HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis.
Carbon nanoparticle suspension could help get a more accurate nodal staging for patient with rectal cancer
Authors: Ge Wei , Li Qiang , Liu Wen-jia , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Fan Xiang-shan , Shao Li-hua , Tao Liang , Guan Wen-xian , Chen Gang
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to evaluate whether carbon nanoparticles could improve the accuracy of nodal staging in colorectal cancer (CRC). We performed a randomized controlled trial with CRC at the department of general surgery, the affiliated hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. A total of 160 patients were recruited in this research and 132 patients were included in the safety analyses. Among these patients, 72 cases were classified into control group and 60 cases into study group. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested from patients in study group was 19.3 ± 6.7 (range from 4 to 38), which was higher than that in control group (15.1 ± 5.7 (range from 3 to 29)) (p < 0.001). The mean number of positive lymph nodes got from patients in study group was 1.7 ± 3.5 (range from 0 to 22), which was also higher than that in control group (0.7 ± 1.4 (range from 0 to 7)) (p = 0.045). In study group, there were 30 patients (50%) proved to be N0, and remaining 30 patients (50%) were N1 or N2. However, 50 patients (69.4%) were N0 and 22 patients (30.6%) were N1 or N2 in control group. The rate of N0 in control group was significantly higher than that in study group (p = 0.023). Injecting carbon nanoparticle suspension could get a more accurate nodal staging to receive enough chemoradiotherapy, improving prognosis. Besides, injecting carbon nanoparticles suspension at four points 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm away from the anus by “sandwich” method was a new try.

Trial registration: This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number ChiCTR1900025127 on 12/8/2019.
Retraction Note: Childhood iron deficiency anemia leads to recurrent respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis
Authors: Jayaweera Jayaweera Arachchige Asela Sampath , Reyes Mohammed , Joseph Anpalaham
Published: May 2021

Editor's Note: this Article has been retracted; the Retraction Note is available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90018-8.
Associative learning and extinction of conditioned threat predictors across sensory modalities
Authors: Koenen Laura. R. , Pawlik Robert. J. , Icenhour Adriane , Petrakova Liubov , Forkmann Katarina , Theysohn Nina , Engler Harald , Elsenbruch Sigrid
Published: May 2021

The formation and persistence of negative pain-related expectations by classical conditioning remain incompletely understood. We elucidated behavioural and neural correlates involved in the acquisition and extinction of negative expectations towards different threats across sensory modalities. In two complementary functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in healthy humans, differential conditioning paradigms combined interoceptive visceral pain with somatic pain (study 1) and aversive tone (study 2) as exteroceptive threats. Conditioned responses to interoceptive threat predictors were enhanced in both studies, consistently involving the insula and cingulate cortex. Interoceptive threats had a greater impact on extinction efficacy, resulting in disruption of ongoing extinction (study 1), and selective resurgence of interoceptive CS-US associations after complete extinction (study 2). In the face of multiple threats, we preferentially learn, store, and remember interoceptive danger signals. As key mediators of nocebo effects, conditioned responses may be particularly relevant to clinical conditions involving disturbed interoception and chronic visceral pain.
Depletion of kinesin motor KIF20A to target cell fate control suppresses medulloblastoma tumour growth
Authors: Qiu Runxiang , Wu Jun , Gudenas Brian , Northcott Paul A. , Wechsler-Reya Robert J. , Lu Qiang
Published: May 2021

During mammalian brain development, neural progenitor cells proliferate extensively but can ensure the production of correct numbers of various types of mature cells by balancing symmetric proliferative versus asymmetric differentiative cell divisions. This process of cell fate determination may be harnessed for developing cancer therapy. Here, we test this idea by targeting KIF20A, a mitotic kinesin crucial for the control of cell division modes, in a genetic model of medulloblastoma (MB) and human MB cells. Inducible Kif20a knockout in both normal and MB-initiating granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) causes early cell cycle exit and precocious neuronal differentiation without causing cytokinesis failure and suppresses the development of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-activated MB. Inducible KIF20A knockdown in human MB cells inhibits proliferation both in cultures and in growing tumors. Our results indicate that targeting the fate specification process of nascent daughter cells presents a novel avenue for developing anti-proliferation treatment for malignant brain tumors.
JRAB/MICAL-L2 undergoes liquid–liquid phase separation to form tubular recycling endosomes
Authors: Sakane Ayuko , Yano Taka-aki , Uchihashi Takayuki , Horikawa Kazuki , Hara Yusuke , Imoto Issei , Kurisu Shusaku , Yamada Hiroshi , Takei Kohji , Sasaki Takuya
Published: May 2021

Elongated tubular endosomes play essential roles in diverse cellular functions. Multiple molecules have been implicated in tubulation of recycling endosomes, but the mechanism of endosomal tubule biogenesis has remained unclear. In this study, we found that JRAB/MICAL-L2 induces endosomal tubulation via activated Rab8A. In association with Rab8A, JRAB/MICAL-L2 adopts its closed form, which functions in the tubulation of recycling endosomes. Moreover, JRAB/MICAL-L2 induces liquid–liquid phase separation, initiating the formation of tubular recycling endosomes upon overexpression. Between its N-terminal and C-terminal globular domains, JRAB/MICAL-L2 contains an intrinsically disordered region, which contributes to the formation of JRAB/MICAL-L2 condensates. Based on our findings, we propose that JRAB/MICAL-L2 plays two sequential roles in the biogenesis of tubular recycling endosomes: first, JRAB/MICAL-L2 organizes phase separation, and then the closed form of JRAB/MICAL-L2 formed by interaction with Rab8A promotes endosomal tubulation.
Protein nanofibril design via manipulation of hydrogen bonds
Authors: Aggarwal Nidhi , Eliaz Dror , Cohen Hagai , Rosenhek-Goldian Irit , Cohen Sidney R. , Kozell Anna , Mason Thomas O. , Shimanovich Ulyana
Published: May 2021

The process of amyloid nanofibril formation has broad implications including the generation of the strongest natural materials, namely silk fibers, and their major contribution to the progression of many degenerative diseases. The key question that remains unanswered is whether the amyloidogenic nature, which includes the characteristic H-bonded β-sheet structure and physical characteristics of protein assemblies, can be modified via controlled intervention of the molecular interactions. Here we show that tailored changes in molecular interactions, specifically in the H-bonded network, do not affect the nature of amyloidogenic fibrillation, and even have minimal effect on the initial nucleation events of self-assembly. However, they do trigger changes in networks at a higher hierarchical level, namely enhanced 2D packaging which is rationalized by the 3D hierarchy of β-sheet assembly, leading to variations in fibril morphology, structural composition and, remarkably, nanomechanical properties. These results pave the way to a better understanding of the role of molecular interactions in sculpting the structural and physical properties of protein supramolecular constructs.
Selective hydrosilylation of allyl chloride with trichlorosilane
Authors: Inomata Koya , Naganawa Yuki , Wang Zhi An , Sakamoto Kei , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Sato Kazuhiko , Nakajima Yumiko
Published: May 2021

The transition-metal-catalysed hydrosilylation reaction of alkenes is one of the most important catalytic reactions in the silicon industry. In this field, intensive studies have been thus far performed in the development of base-metal catalysts due to increased emphasis on environmental sustainability. However, one big drawback remains to be overcome in this field: the limited functional group compatibility of the currently available Pt hydrosilylation catalysts in the silicon industry. This is a serious issue in the production of trichloro(3-chloropropyl)silane, which is industrially synthesized on the order of several thousand tons per year as a key intermediate to access various silane coupling agents. In the present study, an efficient hydrosilylation reaction of allyl chloride with trichlorosilane is achieved using the Rh(I) catalyst [RhCl(dppbzF)]2(dppbzF= 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene) to selectively form trichloro(3-chloropropyl)silane. The catalyst enables drastically improved efficiency (turnover number, TON, 140,000) and selectivity (>99%) to be achieved compared to conventional Pt catalysts.