bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary productivity in patches of heterogeneous swards after 12 years of low‐intensity cattle grazing
Authors: Ebeling Dorothee , Tonn Bettina , Isselstein Johannes 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn low‐intensity grazing systems, patch grazing leads to a mosaic structure of short (frequently defoliated) and tall (rarely defoliated) patches, with the stocking rate determining the proportion of these patch types on the pasture. Little is known about the long‐term effects of patch grazing on the productivity of contrasting sward height patches developed under varying stocking rates. On a 12‐year low‐intensity cattle pasture we investigated aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and its seasonal variation in different patch types (‘short’, ‘medium’ and ‘tall’) under three stocking rates (‘moderate’, ‘lenient’ and ‘very lenient’) over two years. Additionally, we determined stocks of soil phosphorus, potassium and magnesium as well as soil pH. ANPP was affected by an interaction of patch type and stocking rate and ranged from less than 300 g/m2 in short patches under very lenient stocking to more than 1,000 g/m2 in medium patches under moderate stocking. In contrast with observations at the start of the experiment, ANPP in short patches was similar to or less than that in medium and tall patches. As topsoil phosphorus and potassium stocks were lowest in short patches, this indicates a long‐term redistribution of nutrients by grazing animals, which limits short‐patch productivity. Productivity of medium patches increased with stocking rate, and soil potassium concentration showed a similar trend, pointing towards enhanced nutrient cycling under more intensive stocking. We conclude that nutrient redistribution may lead to increasing trade‐offs between ecological and agronomic aims in long‐term low‐intensity grazing systems.
Thoracic nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma: expanded pathological spectrum with expression of thyroid transcription factor‐1 and neuroendocrine markers
Authors: Hung Yin P , Chen Athena L , Taylor Martin S , Huynh Tiffany G , Kem Marina , Selig Martin K , Nielsen G Petur , Lennerz Jochen K , Azzoli Christopher G , Dagogo‐Jack Ibiayi , Kradin Richard L , Mino‐Kenudson Mari 
Published: November 2020

AimsNuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma, an aggressive tumour driven by NUTM1 rearrangements, often involves the lung/mediastinum and shows squamous differentiation. We encountered an index patient with a thoracic NUT carcinoma diagnosed by molecular testing, showing extensive pleural involvement and diffuse thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1) expression, initially suggestive of lung adenocarcinoma with pseudomesotheliomatous growth. We thus gathered an institutional series of thoracic NUT carcinomas to examine their pathological spectrum.Methods and resultsWe searched for thoracic NUT carcinomas in our surgical pathology files and in 2289 consecutive patients with primary thoracic tumours investigated with RNA‐based assays. We performed NUT immunohistochemistry on 425 additional lung adenocarcinomas. Collectively, we identified six patients (five men and one woman; age 31–80 years; four never‐smokers) with thoracic NUT carcinomas confirmed by molecular testing (including five with positive NUT immunohistochemistry). They died at 2.3–12.9 months (median, 2.8 months) after presentation. Two patients were diagnosed by histopathological assessment, and the remaining four (including the index patient) were diagnosed by molecular testing. Analysis of the index case revealed expression of multiple neuroendocrine markers and TTF‐1; no ultrastructural evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation was noted. No additional NUT‐positive cases were found by immunohistochemical screening.ConclusionsAlthough NUT carcinoma classically shows squamous differentiation, it can rarely express TTF‐1 (even diffusely) and/or multiple neuroendocrine markers. This immunophenotypic spectrum may lead to diagnostic confusion with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumour, and others. To circumvent this pitfall, NUT immunohistochemistry and/or NUTM1 molecular testing should be considered in primitive‐appearing tumours, regardless of their immunophenotypic features.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia PCR test on upper respiratory tract swab
Authors: Sivaraj V , Cliff P , Douthwaite S , Smith M , Kulasegaram R 
Published: November 2020

ObjectivesPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. Upper respiratory tract (URT) swabs are routinely taken for testing viral and bacterial pathogens when patients present with respiratory symptoms in our hospital. We conducted a pilot service improvement project to explore the utility of URT swabs for PCP diagnosis using in‐house real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).MethodsTen URT swab samples obtained from HIV‐positive patients with PCP and a positive PCP PCR (AusDiagnostics) from lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples were retrospectively identified. Nine HIV‐positive patients with a negative PCR for PCP from LRT samples were identified. Stored aliquots of DNA extracted from these samples were retrieved and tested by an in‐house real‐time PCR for the presence of PCP DNA. Among PCP‐positive cases, URT swabs collected after PCP treatment initiation were excluded from the study.ResultsIn all, 10 URT samples from PCP‐positive patients and nine URT samples from PCP‐negative patients were tested for PCP by real‐time PCR. Eighteen out of 19 URT sample had a concordant result with the LRT samples. The sensitivity and specificity for URT sample PCR were 90% [confidence interval (CI): 55.50–99.75%] and 100% (CI: 66.37–100%). The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 90.9% (CI: 60.90–98.47%).ConclusionsUpper respiratory tract swab can reliably detect PCP DNA on real‐time PCR among people living with HIV with PCP.
Selection in the Finnhorse, a native all‐around horse breed
Authors: Kvist Laura , Honka Johanna , Niskanen Markku , Liedes Oona , Aspi Jouni 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSelection by breeders modifies the morphology, behaviour and performance of domesticated species. Here, we examined signs of selection in Finnhorse, the only native horse breed in Finland. We first searched divergent genomic regions between Finnhorses and other breeds, as well as between different breeding sections of the Finnhorse with data from Illumina Equine SNP70 BeadChip, and then studied several of the detected regions in more detail. We found altogether 35 common outlier SNPs between Finnhorses and other breeds using two different selection tests. Many of the SNPs were located close to genes affecting coat colour, performance, size, sugar metabolism, immune response and olfaction. We selected genes affecting coat colour (KIT, MITF, PMEL), performance (MSTN) and locomotion (DMRT3) for a more detailed examination. In addition, we looked for, and found, associations with height at withers and SNPs located close to gene LCORL. Among the four breeding sections of Finnhorses (harness trotters, riding horses, draught horses and pony‐sized horses), a single SNP located close to the DMRT3 gene was significantly differentiated and only between harness trotters and pony‐sized horses.
Effects of low‐intensity ultrasound on the biomass and metabolite ofGanoderma lucidumin liquid fermentation
Authors: Sun Ling , Liu Liping , Yang Lei , Wang Yazhen , Dabbour Mokhtar , Mintah Benjamin Kumah , He Ronghai , Ma Haile 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe use of ultrasound has the potential of improving the production of valuable substances inGanoderma lucidum(G. lucidum)—a well‐known fungus rich in bioactive compounds. The effect of different ultrasonic parameters on the fermentation ofG. lucidumwas studied. The results showed that under optimal ultrasonic conditions, the mycelium biomass and triterpenoids production increased by 26.99 and 33.62%, respectively (p< .05). Compared with the control, ultrasonication notably increased (p< .05) the content of intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides (by 18.48 and 35.90%) and flavonoids (by 30.27 and 12.00%) in mycelium. Ultrasonic treatment promoted growth, and increased metabolism ofG. lucidum. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that ultrasonic treatment caused moderate breakages in mycelium leading to leaked content at recovery time of 0.5 hr. When the recovery time lasted for 3 hr, the mycelium was recovered with increased branches and tighter winding. The findings of Fluo‐4/AM suggested that the intracellular calcium ion concentration of the mycelium improved after ultrasound treatment, demonstrating the altering‐influence of sonication on the cell membrane permeability of mycelium. These results suggest that ultrasound is an efficacious approach to produce more biomass and metabolites ofG. lucidumin liquid fermentation.Practical ApplicationsUltrasonic technology has been widely used in the field of food fermentation. By changing the ultrasonic time, power density or frequency or other conditions, the ultrasonic energy entering the cell suspension can be changed, thereby controlling the effect of ultrasound on microbial activity. The outcome of this work indicated that the use of ultrasonication in fermentation process ofG. lucidumpromoted its growth and metabolism. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ultrasonication technology in the microbial fermentation industry.
Modeling of Listeria monocytogenes survival and quality attributes of sliced mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) subjected to pulsed UV light
Authors: Koçer Alaşalvar Gamze , Keklik Nene Meltem 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPulsed ultraviolet (PUV) light technology holds the potential for surface decontamination of foods. In this study, the survival of L. monocytogenes and some quality attributes (color, moisture, water activity, and antioxidant activity) of sliced mushrooms subjected to PUV light were modeled using data obtained from a previous study. Three mathematical models, log‐linear model, Weibull model, and log‐logistic model were used to describe the inactivation of L. monocytogenes with respect to fluence (J/cm2) at three treatment distances (5, 8, and 13 cm) from the quartz window of the PUV‐light system. Weibull model (R2adj: 0.8598–0.9820, root mean square error [RMSE]: 0.09–0.24) described the inactivation better compared to log‐linear model (R2adj: 0.7205–0.9072, RMSE: 0.22) and log‐logistic model (R2adj: 0.4871–0.7629, RMSE: 0.24–0.46). The survival curves of L. monocytogenes at all treatment distances showed upward concavity. These findings indicate that the survival of L. monocytogenes on sliced mushrooms subjected to PUV light follows a non‐linear trend, and the Weibull model may be a useful tool to predict the behavior of L. monocytogenes on mushroom surface subjected to PUV light. For the quality attributes, zero‐order kinetics (R2: 0.8500–0.9974, mean square error (MSE): 1.55*10−8–2.3124) described the changes slightly better compared to first‐order kinetics (R2: 0.8451–0.9974, MSE: 1.55*10−8–2.3867).Practical ApplicationsPulsed UV light is one of the most effective methods for the control of different pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces of food products. The parameters related to the kinetics of the inactivation of the pathogenic microorganisms in foods such as mushroom are of great importance to maintain food safety. Mathematical models provide practical information about not only tested variables but also untested ones. Process evaluation with mathematical models is useful to verify the effectiveness of the food safety applications. In this study, inactivation of L. monocytogenes on sliced mushroom surface was modeled using log‐linear, Weibull, and log‐logistic models. In addition, zero‐order and first‐order kinetics were applied to quality attributes of sliced mushroom in order to better understand the effect of pulsed UV light application.
Administrative Justice in Wales
Authors: NASON SARAH , PRITCHARD HUW 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article examines some of the synergies between Phil Thomas’ work and the authors’ research into administrative justice in Wales. Like him, they have examined the impact of new rights‐based legislation on access to justice, and also share with him an interest in connections between politics, social policy, and access to justice. The article argues that Wales is not yet taken seriously as ‘a site in which [administrative] justice is done’, and that there remains an ‘implementation gap’ when it comes to putting innovative social policy into practice. The limited development of an administrative justice culture can hamper the achievement of social and economic justice in Wales; such a culture could be fostered with leadership from the Welsh Government and the Senedd, alongside improved training for administrators, and the potential addition of ‘a just Wales’ to the well‐being goals contained in the Well‐being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Sweet potato starch addition together with partial substitution of tilapia flesh effectively improved the golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) surimi quality
Authors: Liu Zhongyuan , Yuan Yiqiong , Qin Yige , Feng Aiguo , He Yanfu , Zhou Dayong , Dong Xiuping , Shen Xuanri , Cao Jun , Li Chuan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn order to improve the gel performance and edible quality of surimi for sustainable manufacture, the present study explored the feasibility of four kinds of starchs (potato, corn, sweet potato, and wheat) and fresh water fish tilapia as additives for golden pompano based surimi production. Sweet potato starch stood out as the most appropriate additive for golden pompano surimi due to the highest gel strength, lowest expressible moisture content and more compact microstructure. When the tilapia flesh substitution ratio reached 30%, best gel property of tilapia‐golden pompano compound surimi with best texture property and whiteness value was achieved. Moreover, addition of 5% sweet potato starch to the golden pompano‐tilapia (7:3) compound surimi comparatively obtained the optimal effect. Namely, it was observed that the texture parameters with hardness (3.62 N), gumminess (2.74 N), chewiness (17.35 mJ), cohesiveness (4.918), and springiness (0.872) being biggest values. On the other hand, the gel strength and expressible moisture content were 2,137.31 g. mm and 3.52%, respectively, which were overwhelming than other levels. Simultaneously, the whiteness of 5% addition group was 74.75, which was also a little higher than other groups. In summary, partial substitution of tilapia and proper addition of sweet potato starch effectively improved the gel performance and quality of golden pompano‐based surimi products, which has potential applications in the industry of surimi.
Methodology for analyzing the trade‐offs associated with multi‐objective optimization in transportation asset management under uncertainty
Authors: Bai Qiang , Miralinaghi Mohammad , Labi Samuel , Sinha Kumares C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTrade‐off analysis, one of the key tenets of multi‐objective optimization for the project selection problem in Transportation Asset Management (TAM), can help decision‐makers quantify and comprehend the consequences of different resource allocations in terms of the multiple measures of system performance. In analyzing TAM trade‐offs, it is vital to account duly for the uncertainties associated with these system‐wide performance measures. In this paper, we present a methodology that integrates chance‐constraint programming, the Lindeberg Central Limit Theorem, and a hybrid NSGA II method, to address the performance uncertainties associated with the TAM multi‐objective optimization problem. Through analyzing the trade‐offs between expenditure and performance, and between different performance measures, we generate Pareto frontiers at different confidence levels using a hybrid NSGA II method. We demonstrate the proposed methodology using a case study involving real‐life assets and the expected cost and performance benefits of projects associated with these assets. Regarding the trade‐off between cost and performance, we determine the extent to which the strengths of these relationships vary across different confidence levels. We find that, generally, for a given network performance level, a higher expenditure is needed to achieve a high confidence level compared to the expenditure needed to achieve a low confidence level, and more importantly, measures these sensitivities. This is the “Price of Confidence” concept. Regarding the trade‐off between different pairs of performance measures under budgetary constraints, we show how these relationships vary with the confidence level specified for the analysis, and we measure the extent to which higher confidence level requirements translate into lower levels of overall system‐wide performance.
Convolutional neural network for automated classification of jointed plain concrete pavement conditions
Authors: Hsieh Yung‐An , Yang Zhongyu , James Tsai Yi‐Chang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe detailed monitoring of jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) slab condition is essential for cost‐effective JPCP maintenance and rehabilitation. However, existing visual inspection practices for detailed slab condition classification are time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. In this paper, we proposed an automated JPCP slab condition classification model based on convolutional neural networks (ConvNets), which is the first to perform multi‐label classification on the JPCP slab condition based on both crack types and severity levels. To handle the different scales between JPCP slab condition states, the model includes a novel global context block with atrous spatial pyramid pooling, denoted as a GC‐ASPP block. The block can be flexibly applied to any ConvNets to effectively model the global context of images with the extraction of multiscale image features. The proposed model was evaluated using real‐world 3D JPCP surface data. With the GC‐ASPP block, our best model achieved an average precision of 85.42% on multi‐label slab condition classification.
Paediatric nursing management of renal replacement therapy: Intensive care nursing or dialysis nursing?
Authors: Prendin Angela , Marinelli Elena , Marinetto Anna , Daicampi Chiara , Trevisan Nicola , Strini Veronica , de Barbieri Ilaria 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundChildren who develop Acute Kidney Injury may start renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Paediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care Units (hereafter PICU or NICU); RRT can be delivered either by paediatric dialysis nurses or by critical care nurses. In both case, nurses devoted to this task must have a high level of competence in providing care to children receiving haemodialytic treatment in a specific technological environment.AimThe objective of this research was to investigate which models have been adopted to organize nursing care in RRT management in different Italian PICU and NICU, and to explore the training of ICU nurses on the management of RRT.MethodsA multi‐centre survey was conducted through an online questionnaire directed to the Italian PICU and NICU nurse coordinators.ResultsA total of 15 Intensive Care Units (12 PICU and 3 NICU) in 12 hospitals were involved. The mean nurse/patient ratio in these units is 1:3. In 72.7% of critical care units, dialysis treatment is delivered by critical care nurses belonging to the unit itself, while in 27.3% of units paediatric dialysis nurses are in charge of dialysis treatment in collaboration with critical care nurses. In 25% of surveyed units there is some structured form of collaboration between Paediatric Dialysis nurses and critical care nurses. However, 75% of units did not respond to this specific question. The different units adopt various forms of RRT training for nursing staff.ConclusionThe scenario resulting from this analysis showed how in our sample of Italian hospitals there is no standard practice for RRT nursing management. In addition, although various forms of training for nursing staff exist, a proper educational programme and/or a standardized specific training about RRT management for nursing staff is not in place in the surveyed hospitals.Relevance to clinical practiceThe lack of standardized protocols or guidelines for RRT delivery to critically ill children can compromise their safety. The structuring of these protocols and the production of best clinical practice guidelines would allow standardization of the nursing management of the RRT and of the corresponding training. This may help to provide the proper care and to guarantee the patients' safety.
Mature conifers assimilate nitrate as efficiently as ammonium from soils in four forest plantations
Authors: Zhou Xulun , Wang Ang , Hobbie Erik A. , Zhu Feifei , Qu Yuying , Dai Luming , Li Dejun , Liu Xueyan , Zhu Weixing , Koba Keisuke , Li Yinghua , Fang Yunting 
Published: November 2020

Summary

Conifers are considered to prefer to take up ammonium (NH4+) over nitrate (NO3−). However, this conclusion is mainly based on hydroponic experiments that separate roots from soils. It remains unclear to what extent mature conifers can use nitrate compared to ammonium under field conditions where both roots and soil microbes compete for nitrogen (N).

We conducted an in situ whole mature tree nitrogen‐15 (15N) labeling experiment (15NH4+ vs 15NO3−) over 15 d to quantify ammonium and nitrate uptake and assimilation rates in four 40‐yr‐old monoculture coniferous plantations (Pinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestris, Picea koraiensis and Larix olgensis, respectively).

For the whole tree, 15NO3− contributed 39% to 90% to total 15N tracer uptake among four plantations during the study period. At day 3, the 15NO3− accounted for 77%, 64%, 62% and 59% by Larix olgensis, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestris and Picea koraiensis, respectively.

Our study indicates that mature coniferous trees assimilated nitrate as efficiently as ammonium from soils even at low soil nitrate concentration, in contrast to the results from hydroponic experiments showing that ammonium uptake dominated over nitrate. This implies that mature conifers can adapt to increasing availability of nitrate in soil, for example, under the context of globalization of N deposition and global warming.
Rethinking temperature effects on leaf growth, gene expression and metabolism: Diel variation matters
Authors: Kronenberg Lukas , Yates Steven , Ghiasi Shiva , Roth Lukas , Friedli Michael , Ruckle Michael E. , Werner Roland A. , Tschurr Flavian , Binggeli Melanie , Buchmann Nina , Studer Bruno , Walter Achim 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPlants have evolved to grow under prominently fluctuating environmental conditions. In experiments under controlled conditions, temperature is often set to artificial, binary regimes with constant values at day and at night. This study investigated how such a diel (24 hr) temperature regime affects leaf growth, carbohydrate metabolism and gene expression, compared to a temperature regime with a field‐like gradual increase and decline throughout 24 hr. Soybean (Glycine max) was grown under two contrasting diel temperature treatments. Leaf growth was measured in high temporal resolution. Periodical measurements were performed of carbohydrate concentrations, carbon isotopes as well as the transcriptome by RNA sequencing. Leaf growth activity peaked at different times under the two treatments, which cannot be explained intuitively. Under field‐like temperature conditions, leaf growth followed temperature and peaked in the afternoon, whereas in the binary temperature regime, growth increased at night and decreased during daytime. Differential gene expression data suggest that a synchronization of cell division activity seems to be evoked in the binary temperature regime. Overall, the results show that the coordination of a wide range of metabolic processes is markedly affected by the diel variation of temperature, which emphasizes the importance of realistic environmental settings in controlled condition experiments.