bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dramatic effect of black soldier fly larvae on fungal community in a compost
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatiana A , Vecherskii Maksim V , Khayrullin David R , Stepankov Aleksandr A , Maximova Irina A , Kachalkin Aleksey V , Ushakova Nina A 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDBlack soldier fly larvae (BSFL) offer very good prospects for the production of cheap and high‐quality dietary protein. This insect is able to consume low‐quality substrates, including food waste. The properties and safety of the compost obtained are largely determined by its microbiome. However, while the bacterial component of the BSFL‐compost microbiome has been much studied, little is known about its fungal component. In plant‐based rearing substrates both the biomass and the metabolic activity of fungi often exceed the biomass and the activity of prokaryotes. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the fungal community of the compost produced by BSF larvae reared on a food waste substrate.RESULTSCommunity structure was determined by metabarcoding of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. Species composition and abundance were determined using the plating technique and subsequent identification of the isolated pure cultures. It was found that the primary mycobiome of the food waste substrate that was used consisted of 19 families, represented mainly by phytopathogenic and endophytic genera. Larva incubation led to the complete elimination of all mycelial fungi from the resulting compost. The final mycobiome consisted of only two yeast species,Pichia kudriavzeviiandDiutina rugosa,with a total abundance of 1.2 × 107 CFU g−1.CONCLUSIONSThe rearing of BSFL led to the complete elimination of mycelial fungi from its feed substrate. The final compost lacked harmful fungi, including molds. This information may be crucial for BSF compost utilization. The phenomenon was also an interesting aspect of zoomicrobial interactions in nature and agriculture. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The applicability of high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for preparative separation of biosynthesis products: Glycosylation products as example
Authors: Zou Denglang , Cui Yunbin , Li Si , Sang Duocheng , Liu Weimeng , Zhao Tianshu , Gu Xueli , Chen Tao , Li Yulin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBiosynthesis is a promising way to manufacture desired products, however, the purification of its final products is a tough work due to the huge amount of reaction matrix. Liquid stationary phase of high‐speed counter‐current chromatography could easily avoid the commonly disadvantages that occurred in traditional column chromatography in the field of biosynthesized products purification. This characteristic makes high‐speed counter‐current chromatography particularly applicable for final products separation in biosynthesis. In this study, the glycosylation products of Silybin B by one‐pot glycosylation were successfully purified by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography to show the applicability of high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for preparative separation of biosynthesis products. An optimized n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (2:5:2:3, v/v/v/v) system was applied in this study. As a result, four Silybin B glycosylation products, including 7 mg of Silybin B‐5‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (SG‐1), 12 mg of Silybin B‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (SG‐2), 10 mg of Silybin B‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (SG‐3), and 24 mg of Silybin B‐20‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (SG‐4), were simultaneously separated from 200 mg of glycosylation crude products, with the purity of 89.3, 95.2, 96.4, and 97.5%, respectively. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis.
Impacts of catchment restoration on water availability and drought resilience in Ethiopia: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Meaza Hailemariam , Abera Wuletawu , Nyssen Jan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe coupled land degradation‐drought impacts have been central challenges to ecosystem functioning and livelihood of farmers in Ethiopia. As a response, catchment restoration initiatives have been implemented since the 1970s. The objective of this article is to analyze the effects of such catchment restoration initiatives on water resources and drought resilience, using metadata from 106 peer‐reviewed journal articles comprising 361 paired‐catchment case‐studies. The study shows exclosures, fanya juu (ditches with embankments along the contour), and soil or stone bunds are the major soil and water conservation (SWC) practices implemented to restore degraded catchments in regions prone to land degradation (with a high value for Fournier's degradation coefficient). Runoff depth was less in the treated catchments (97 ± 29 mm yr‐1) than in the control catchments (168 ± 77) mm yr‐1 (n = 217, p < 0.0001). A paired t‐test also shows lower runoff coefficients in the treated (13 ± 10%) catchments than in the control catchments (25 ± 15%) (n = 57, p < 0.0001). The conjunctive use of SWC measures enhanced water infiltration into the vadose and aquifer zones. These measures are effective in reducing unproductive water losses. Moreover, the water level in shallow wells raised from a depth of 18 ± 11 to 2 ± 1 m after catchment management. In the dry season, well‐functioning catchments promoted upstream‐downstream hydrological linkages. The resulting base flow reduced hydrological, agricultural, and socioeconomic drought effects in the treated catchments. To conclude, catchment restoration practices in degraded landscapes have twin goals: enhancing freshwater availability and building drought resilience. We suggest scientists, donors, and managers to work on spreading restoration efforts to other degraded landscapes to improve water yield in the face of climate variability.
Rhizosphere bacterial community structure of three minor grain crops: A case‐study from paired field sites in northern China
Authors: Tian Lixin , Wang Yunhao , Yang Junxue , Zhang Liyuan , Feng Baili 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRhizosphere bacteria are critical to plant health and ecological functioning. However, our understanding of rhizosphere bacterial community turnover and co‐occurrences with minor grain crops remains limited, especially at regional scales. Herein, we compared the turnover and networks of foxtail millet, proso millet, and sorghum rhizosphere bacterial communities across nine paired fields in northern China. Remarkable differences in community composition, diversity between three minor grain crops, and the influence of region on these indicators was greater than that of crop type. Community richness of foxtial millet, proso millet, and sorgum showed a unimodal curve with latitude increased. Compared to spatial factors, environmental variables had greater effects on the rhizosphere bacterial community turnover in three minor grain crops. Edaphic variables were more important than climatic variables for rhizosphere bacterial community composition in foxtail millet fields. In addition, soil organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (TN) were the key factors influencing the turnover of rhizosphere communities in foxtail millet and sorghum. In contrast, pH and TN were important factors influencing the turnover of rhizosphere communities in proso millet. Rhizosphere bacterial networks were more closely interconnected in proso millet fields than in the other two crops, showing the lower average path length and diameter, greater average clustering, and graph density. In addition, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria played major roles in the rhizosphere bacterial network structures and were predicted to maintain generalist metabolic diversity. These findings provide new insights for expanding our knowledge of the biogeography and coexistence theory of minor grain crop ecosystems at a large scale.
Perfusion MRI using endogenous deoxyhemoglobin as a contrast agent: Preliminary data
Authors: Poublanc Julien , Sobczyk Olivia , Shafi Reema , Sayin Ece Su , Schulman Jacob , Duffin James , Uludag Kamil , Wood John C. , Vu Chau , Dharmakumar Rohan , Fisher Joseph A. , Mikulis David J. 
Published: October 2021

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of mapping cerebral perfusion metrics with BOLD MRI during modulation of pulmonary venous oxygen saturation.MethodsA gas blender with a sequential gas delivery breathing circuit was used to implement rapid isocapnic changes in the partial pressure of oxygen of the arterial blood. Partial pressure of oxygen was initially lowered to a baseline of 40 mmHg. It was then rapidly raised to 95 mmHg for 20 s before rapidly returning to baseline. The induced cerebral changes in deoxyhemoglobin concentration were tracked over time using BOLD MRI in 6 healthy subjects and 1 patient with cerebral steno‐occlusive disease. BOLD signal change, contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and time delay metrics were calculated. Perfusion metrics such as mean transit time, relative cerebral blood volume, and relative cerebral blood flow were calculated using a parametrized method with a mono‐exponential residue function. An arterial input function from within the middle cerebral artery was used to scale relative cerebral blood volume and calculate absolute cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow.ResultsIn normal subjects, average gray and white matter were: BOLD change = 6.3 ± 1.2% and 2.5 ± 0.6%, contrast‐to‐noise ratio = 4.3 ± 1.3 and 2.6 ± 0.7, time delay = 2.3 ± 0.6 s and 3.6 ± 0.7 s, mean transit time = 3.9 ± 0.6 s and 5.5 ± 0.6 s, relative cerebral blood volume = 3.7 ± 0.9 and 1.6 ± 0.4, relative cerebral blood flow = 70.1 ± 8.3 and 20.6 ± 4.0, cerebral blood flow volume = 4.1 ± 0.9 mL/100 g and 1.8 ± 0.5 mL/100 g, and cerebral blood flow = 97.2 ± 18.7 mL/100 g/min and 28.7 ± 5.9 mL/100 g/min.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that induced abrupt changes in deoxyhemoglobin can function as a noninvasive vascular contrast agent that may be used for cerebral perfusion imaging.
Enhancing the spatial resolution of hyperpolarized carbon‐13 MRI of human brain metabolism using structure guidance
Authors: Ehrhardt Matthias J. , Gallagher Ferdia A. , McLean Mary A. , Schönlieb Carola‐Bibiane 
Published: October 2021

PurposeDynamic nuclear polarization is an emerging imaging method that allows noninvasive investigation of tissue metabolism. However, the relatively low metabolic spatial resolution that can be achieved limits some applications, and improving this resolution could have important implications for the technique.MethodsWe propose to enhance the 3D resolution of carbon‐13 magnetic resonance imaging (13C‐MRI) using the structural information provided by hydrogen‐1 MRI (1H‐MRI). The proposed approach relies on variational regularization in 3D with a directional total variation regularizer, resulting in a convex optimization problem which is robust with respect to the parameters and can efficiently be solved by many standard optimization algorithms. Validation was carried out using an in silico phantom, an in vitro phantom and in vivo data from four human volunteers.ResultsThe clinical data used in this study were upsampled by a factor of 4 in‐plane and by a factor of 15 out‐of‐plane, thereby revealing occult information. A key finding is that 3D super‐resolution shows superior performance compared to several 2D super‐resolution approaches: for example, for the in silico data, the mean‐squared‐error was reduced by around 40% and for all data produced increased anatomical definition of the metabolic imaging.ConclusionThe proposed approach generates images with enhanced anatomical resolution while largely preserving the quantitative measurements of metabolism. Although the work requires clinical validation against tissue measures of metabolism, it offers great potential in the field of13C‐MRI and could significantly improve image quality in the future.
Identifying a patient‐centered outcome measure for a comparative effectiveness treatment trial in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Narayanaswami Pushpa , Sanders Donald B. , Bibeau Kathie , Krueger Andrew , Venitz Jurgen , Guptill Jeffrey T. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsData regarding the comparative effectiveness of myasthenia gravis (MG) treatments is not available. We used patient input to identify a patient‐centered outcome measure (PCOM) for PROMISE‐MG, a comparative effectiveness trial of MG treatments.MethodsFirst, a questionnaire survey was administered to 58 people with MG at the patient meeting of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), evaluating the impact of MG‐related symptoms and MG treatments on patients' lives. Second, an online focus group of 13 patients with MG was conducted. Third, a potential outcome measure was selected. Fourth, the selected PCOM was evaluated by patients to assess how completely and accurately it captured their experiences with MG.ResultsThe patient survey showed that limb weakness had the most impact on patients' lives. Weight gain, mood swings, insomnia, and diarrhea were the most bothersome treatment side effects. Avoiding hospitalization was very important. Focus group participants reported fatigue as one of the most bothersome symptoms and differentiated it from myasthenic weakness. They defined an ideal treatment as having minimal or no side effects and an 80% improvement in symptoms.DiscussionBased on patient input, the 15‐item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life—Revised (MG‐QOL15R) scale, a validated patient‐reported outcome measure (PRO), was selected as the primary PCOM for PROMISE‐MG. Avoiding hospitalization and having minimal to no treatment adverse effects were selected as additional outcome measures. The patient‐centeredness of a PRO depends on the context of a study: PROs should be evaluated for appropriateness as a PCOM for every study.
An integrated approach to the evaluation of patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic hyperCKemia
Authors: Gemelli Chiara , Traverso Monica , Trevisan Lucia , Fabbri Sabrina , Scarsi Elena , Carlini Barbara , Prada Valeria , Mongini Tiziana , Ruggiero Lucia , Patrone Serena , Gallone Salvatore , Iodice Rosa , Pisciotta Livia , Zara Federico , Origone Paola , Rota Eugenia , Minetti Carlo , Bruno Claudio , Schenone Angelo , Mandich Paola , Fiorillo Chiara , Grandis Marina 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsCurrently, there are no straightforward guidelines for the clinical and diagnostic management of hyperCKemia, a frequent and nonspecific presentation in muscle diseases. Therefore, we aimed to describe our diagnostic workflow for evaluating patients with this condition.MethodsWe selected 83 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with persistent hyperCKemia for participation in this Italian multicenter study. Patients with facial involvement and distal or congenital myopathies were excluded, as were patients with suspected inflammatory myopathies or predominant respiratory or cardiac involvement. All patients underwent a neurological examination and nerve conduction and electromyography studies. The first step of the investigation included a screening for Pompe disease. We then evaluated the patients for myotonic dystrophy type II–related CCTG expansion and excluded patients with copy number variations in the DMD gene. Subsequently, the undiagnosed patients were investigated using a target gene panel that included 20 genes associated with isolated hyperCKemia.ResultsUsing this approach, we established a definitive diagnosis in one third of the patients. The detection rate was higher in patients with severe hyperCKemia and abnormal electromyographic findings.DiscussionWe have described our diagnostic workflow for isolated hyperCKemia, which is based on electrodiagnostic data, biochemical screening, and first‐line genetic investigations, followed by successive targeted sequencing panels. Both clinical signs and electromyographic abnormalities are associated with increased diagnostic yields.
COMPARED: A solvent vapor explosion in Germany and a combustible dust explosion in the United States
Authors: Cartwright Paul , Prugh Richard W. , Ebadat Vahid 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCombustible dust explosions and gas/vapor explosions have many features in common—but there are important differences. We take the opportunity to look at two recent industrial explosions and explore the similarities and the differences between solvent vapor and dust cloud explosions as a means of improving our understanding of both dust and vapor explosions.
Plausible changes in wheat‐growing periods and grain yield in China triggered by future climate change under multiple scenarios and periods
Authors: Liu Yujie , Chen Qiaomin , Chen Jie , Pan Tao , Ge Quansheng 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWheat is one of the most common and productive crops in the world, and the growth and production of wheat are sensitive to climate change. Climate change affects wheat phenology by influencing sowing/maturity dates and the duration of growing stages, and ultimately affects the grain yield. Reliable prediction of changes in wheat yield is significant for maintaining global food security. However, studies addressing the potential impact of crop phenology changes on grain yield are rarely reported, which is a big challenge. Using the CERES‐Wheat model and first‐order differential equation models, we quantified the impact of future climate change on wheat phenology and grain yield for two periods (P1: 2011–2040; P2: 2041–2070) under three representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) in China's two main wheat‐growing areas (Northwest Spring Wheat‐Growing Area (NWSWA) and Huang–Huai–Hai Winter Wheat‐Growing Area (HHWWA)); the baseline period was 1981–2010. Accumulated thermal time during the whole growing period (WGP) tends to significantly increase in NWSWA and HHWWA under all RCPs and periods. This rising accumulated thermal time will reduce the time to anthesis and maturity and shorten the vegetative growing period (VGP), reproductive growing period (RGP), and the WGP. In P2, spring wheat grain yield is projected to diminish by a regional average of 2.67% for RCP2.6, 4.07% for RCP4.5, and 5.66% for RCP8.5, which is dominated by the lower accumulated solar radiation during the VGP in NWSWA. Additionally, for the winter wheat grain yield in HHWWA in P2, its grain yield reduction is projected to decline by 4.8% (RCP2.6), 7.9% (RCP4.5), and 9.8% (RCP8.5), which is caused by increasing accumulated thermal time in the VGP. These results suggest that breeding high‐temperature‐tolerant varieties with high calorie requirements is an adaptive strategy to mitigate the negative impact of climate change on wheat yield in the study areas.
Climate variability and impacts on maize (Zea mays) yield in Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Atiah Winifred A. , Amekudzi Leonard K. , Akum Robert A. , Quansah Emmanuel , Antwi‐Agyei Philip , Danuor Sylvester K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRain‐fed agriculture is predominantly the primary source of livelihood in sub‐Saharan Africa. In Ghana, it employs over 60% of the population and contributes to about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite the relevance of rain‐fed agriculture to the socioe‐conomic development of the country, studies investigating the impacts of climate variability on crop yield in the region are limited. This prevents the growth of relevant policy frameworks to address the threats posed by climate variability on crop production. As a contribution to guide policy planning and food security in Ghana, the present study seeks to analyze the vulnerability of maize yield to rainfall, soil moisture, and minimum and maximum temperature variability in Ghana. Moreover, the study assesses the impact of below‐normal and above‐normal rainfall conditions on maize yield in the country. The results show a decreasing trend in rainfall and soil moisture and an increasing trend in the maize yield and minimum and maximum temperature in Ghana. The individual climate variables (rainfall, soil moisture, minimum and maximum temperature) account for approximately 4.2, 22.5, 39.2, and 23.1%, respectively, of the annual maize yield variations throughout the study period. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that soil moisture and minimum and maximum temperature account for approximately 75% of the variation of maize yield under wetter‐than‐normal conditions in Ghana. This implies that, under wetter‐than‐normal rainfall conditions, 25% of the variation in maize yield could be attributable to non‐climatic conditions or practices. In like manner, climatic parameters account for 40.8% of maize yield under drier‐than‐normal rainfall conditions in the country. This study, therefore, recommends investment in climate‐smart agronomic technologies such as access to improved seed, extension and mechanization services, and other farm management practices to maximize maize yield in the country.
Resource origins and search
Authors: Felin Teppo , Kauffman Stuart , Zenger Todd 
Published: October 2021

AbstractResearch SummaryThe search for new resources is costly and difficult within the resource‐based view. Because search is costly, a common prescription is for firms to focus on their endowments—the resources they already possess. However, is there a way for firms to somehow find value amongst the “vast reservoirs” of external resources? We review existing forms of resource search and then suggest an alternative. Extending arguments from biology, we develop the idea of a firm‐specific search image and highlight how search images can reveal resources not obvious to others. The search image notion speaks to how firms might uniquely identify dormant resources, even in seemingly efficient factor markets. We conclude with a discussion of how our arguments pertain to the resource‐based view and the origins of resources.Managerial SummaryHow do managers and entrepreneurs search, identify, and find assets and resources in relentlessly competitive markets? Existing arguments largely suggest that firms shouldnotengage in costly and competitive “external” search—instead they should focus “inside,” leveraging the endowments and resources they already possess. We argue that vast reservoirs of dormant resources are available, and that a particular form of external resource search offers a powerful alternative to the prescription to “look inside.” Specifically, we highlight how a “search image” can enable entrepreneurs and managers to search and see resources and value that is not obvious to others. In particular, the search for a functional need—and solution to a formulated problem—can help firms recognize and find dormant resources and create value.