bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics and Modeling of the Heat and Mass Transfer During the Solar Drying of Cassava Slices Under Natural Convection Mode
Authors: Komolafe Clement A. , Mumuni Fuseini , Jimoh Kabiru A. , Akendola Frederick A. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The kinetics and modeling of heat and mass transfer during the solar drying of cassava slices integrated with the pebble's sensible thermal storage material (PSTSM) were investigated. Fifteen thin layer drying models were adopted to model the drying curves following standard criteria for fitness. The maximum temperatures were 52.5 °C and 55 °C for plywood drying chamber (PLC) and Perspex glass chamber (PGC), respectively. It took both drying systems with Perspex and plywood chambers 38 h to reduce the moisture content of cassava slices from 56% w.b. to 10.62 and 15.20% w.b., respectively. The effective moisture diffusivity (De) for the system with Perspex glass and plywood chambers were 6.28 × 10−10 m2/s and 4.53 × 10−10 m2/s, respectively. The activation energy values were 20.56 kJ/mol and 20.82 kJ/mol for the system with Perspex and plywood, respectively. The mass transfer coefficient values for the cassava slices dried in Perspex and plywood were 1.70 × 10−6 and 1.67 × 10−6 m/s, respectively. At the same time, the heat transfer coefficients were 2.63 and 2.08 W/m2.K. The Midilli et al. and modified Henderson and Pabis models were adjudged the best to describe the solar drying of cassava slices using the Perspex and plywood drying chamber, respectively. Therefore, the obtained results would be useful in the design of solar drying equipment for agricultural products under natural convection mode.
Effects of the Birthplace Altitude and Training Volume on Hematological Characteristics in Youth and Junior Male Colombian Cyclists
Authors: Mancera-Soto Erica , Garzon Mauricio , Comtois Alain S. , Millet Grégoire P. 
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The long-term development of talent in endurance sports is a topic of interest. Among various factors, the importance of total hemoglobin mass (tHbmass) and the potential benefits of being an altitude-native athlete remain unclear, particularly in young categories. This study aimed to investigate the impact of altitude and training content on hematological characteristics by comparing young male cyclists age 15–16 and 17–18 years who were born and trained at a moderate altitude (ie, greater than or equal to 2500 m; MA) and cyclists who were born and trained at low altitude (below 1000 m; LA). Methods: tHbmass (in grams and grams per kilogram), measured by using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method during an incremental test on a cycle ergometer; hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration; and erythrocyte, blood, and plasma volume were measured in youth male cyclists age 15–16 years and junior cyclists age 17–18 years who were born and trained at MA versus LA. All variables were analyzed with a 2-way (age [youth cyclist vs junior cyclist] × altitude level [MA vs LA]) analysis of variance with subsequent Tuckey post hoc test. Results and Conclusion: Some altitude-induced benefits were reported in cyclists at age 15–16 years in the MA group with higher values in hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration, and tHbmass (grams per kilogram) (P < .05) than their LA counterparts. This was also observed at age 17–18 years (P < .001), except for tHbmass, wherein no significant difference was found between MA and LA groups. In contrast, plasma volume was lower in MA than LA junior cyclists. New Findings: (1) The altitude of birth and residence could generate an advantage in tHbmass in young male cyclists age 15–16 and 17–18 years who train at MA compared with cyclists who are born and train at LA. (2) Altitude-induced benefits in physiological variables (hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration, tHbmass in g·kg−1) were reported in cyclists at age 15–16 years and partially at age 17–18 years. In contrast, plasma volume was lower in MA than in LA junior cyclists. This may impact the strategies for identifying and developing talent in cycling.
Sensitivity of Minimally Invasive Protocols to Monitor Changes in Endurance Performance in Elite Junior Football (Soccer) Players
Authors: Schimpchen Jan , Correia Paulo F. , Meyer Tim 
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Adequate physical fitness is a key requirement for elite footballers. Maximal fitness tests are the standard for evaluating fitness but are often fatiguing and time consuming. This study investigated the ability of various minimally invasive protocols to reflect changes in standard parameters of football players’ physical fitness. Methods: Twenty-one elite junior footballers performed 2 standard fitness tests (stepwise incremental treadmill test with blood-lactate and heart-rate [HR] measurements and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery 1 test) and various proxy fitness evaluations (submaximal runs with measurement of exercise HR and HR recovery and external-to-internal load ratios with data collected during match play) 3 times over the course of 19 weeks. Changes in the standard parameters were compared with changes in proxy parameters. Results: Changes in maximal endurance performance showed small to moderate associations with HR-based proxy parameters (r = −.1 to −.46; P = .004–.56), whereas changes in the running velocity at anaerobic threshold had trivial to moderate associations (r = −.07 to −.39; P = .01–.67). Alterations in HR recovery following 2 short, submaximal runs were very largely correlated with changes in the running velocity corresponding to an HR of 170 beats·min−1 (r = −.74 and r = –.75; P < .001). Changes in external-to-internal load ratios derived from match play were not significantly correlated with changes in any of the standard parameters (r = −.03 to .31; P > .05). Conclusions: Parameters of maximal running performance and parameters describing physiological thresholds do not seem to be adequately captured by different minimally invasive protocols. In contrast, HR recovery following short, submaximal runs may be a valid tool to monitor changes in aerobic endurance adaptations.
Associations Between Substitution of Sedentary Behavior Patterns With Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Volpato Leonardo Alex , Weber Vinícius Muller Reis , Lopes Wendell Arthur , Sasaki Jeffer Eidi , Romanzini Catiana Leila Possamai , Ronque Enio Ricardo Vaz , Romanzini Marcelo 
Published: September 2024

Background: Little is known on how the substitution of time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) patterns with time spent in physical activity impacts cardiovascular risk factors during adolescence. The study aimed to investigate how the substitution of time spent in SB and sedentary bouts with time spent in different physical activity intensities was associated with longitudinal changes in cardiovascular risk factors in analyses stratified by sex. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study with a mean follow-up period of 3.2 (±0.34) years, involving 109 (60 girls and 49 boys) Brazilian adolescents. Body mass index, waist circumference, and cardiorespiratory fitness were the cardiovascular risk factors considered. A cardiovascular risk score was calculated. Sedentary bouts, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured by accelerometers. Multivariate linear regression models adopting the isotemporal substitution were used to analyze the association between substitution of 10 minutes per day of sedentary bouts with LPA and MVPA and risk factors. All analyses considered 5% significance levels. Results: Substitutions of SB, short and long bouts, with MVPA were associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness in boys (β = 0.077; 95% confidence interval, 0.001 to 0.55; β = 0.076; 95% confidence interval, 0.003 to 0.154; and β = 0.084; 95% confidence interval, 0.001 to 0.167, respectively). No associations were observed when analyses involved substitution of sedentary bouts with LPA, adiposity, cardiovascular risk score, and girls. Conclusions: Substituting SB bouts with MVPA appears to favorably influence changes of cardiorespiratory fitness in boys during adolescence. Greater benefits appear to occur when longer sedentary bouts are substituted by MVPA.
Engagement in Sedentary and Physically Active After-School Programs Among African American Children with ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Authors: Ramer Jared D. , Santiago-Rodriguez María Enid , Rusch Dana B. , Mehta Tara G. , Cua Grace E. , Frazier Stacy L. , Atkins Marc S. , Hamstra-Wright Karrie L. , Bustamante Eduardo E. 
Published: September 2024

Context: Sport and physical activity (PA) programs are an important developmental resource for youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. The purpose of this study is to assess sport participation rates, PA participation, and after-school supervision rates among African American children with ADHD and/or Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Design: In this cross-sectional study, parents of African American children with elevated symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and/or conduct disorder (N = 175, 6- to 12-y-old, 31% female) reported after-school program participation over the past year. Methods: Logistic regression analyses tested relationships between ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder symptoms, and conduct disorder symptoms, likelihood of regular participation (≥2 d/wk) in sport, PA, and sedentary after-school programs, and likelihood of being supervised and unsupervised after school. All regressions controlled for age, sex, income, and medication status. Sample participation rates were descriptively compared with participation rates of same-aged peers regionally, and nationally, reported in 3 national surveys. Results: Parents in the local sample reported higher rates of sedentary after-school program participation (54%) but lower rates of PA program participation (31%), and sport participation (12%) compared with same-aged peers. The local sample was less likely to be unsupervised after-school compared with same-aged peers with only 27% of parents reporting that their child was unsupervised ≥ 2 days per week. Children endorsing oppositional defiant disorder (odds ratio = 2.05; P < .05) and conduct disorder (odds ratio = 5.74; P < .05) were more likely to be unsupervised more frequently after-school as compared with those not meeting endorsement. Conclusions: Given demonstrated benefits of youth sport programming and observed inequities in participation, there is a need to develop support models that connect parents, coaches, and social services agencies to facilitate inclusion. Sports medicine professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts, as they are often key opinion leaders in both the youth sport and health care contexts.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Does Not Increase the Risk for a Future Concussion: A Unidirectional Phenomenon
Authors: McPherson April L. , Larson Dirk R. , Shirley Matthew B. , Dancy Malik E. , Bates Nathaniel A. , Schilaty Nathan D. 
Published: September 2024

Context: Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury after concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reverse relationship exists, specifically whether there is an increased risk of concussion after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a population-based cohort. Design: Retrospective cohort. Methods: The Rochester Epidemiology Project was searched between 2000 and 2017 for International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th Revision codes relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of concussion and ACL tear. A total of 1294 unique patients with acute, isolated ACL tears and no previous history of concussion were identified. Medical records for cases were reviewed to confirm ACL tear diagnosis and to determine history of concussion after the ACL injury. Cases were matched by age, sex, and Rochester Epidemiology Project availability to patients without an ACL tear (1:3 match), resulting in 3882 controls. Medical records of matched control patients were reviewed to rule out history of ACL injury. The hazard ratio of concussion injury following an ACL injury was determined. Results: Nine patients with an ACL injury suffered concussion up to 3 years after the ACL injury. The rate of concussion was no different between ACL-injured cases (0.7%) compared with matched controls with no ACL injury (1.2%), which corresponded to a hazard ratio of 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.3–1.1; P = .10). Conclusions: Based on the current evidence, there does not appear to be a significant association between ACL injury and subsequent concussion, which suggests that a concussion uniquely affects the risk of future subsequent musculoskeletal injury.
Investigations of microbial adaptation to singular, binary, and fully formulated quaternary ammonium compounds
Authors: Willmott Thomas , Kelly Paul P. , Jadaan Layali , Gifford Danna R. , Mercer Steven D. , Humphreys Gavin J. , Knight Christopher G. , Lu Jian R. , McBain Andrew J. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to inform risk assessments concerning microbial exposure to quaternary ammonium biocides (QUATs) by investigating their effects on 10 microbial strains of hygiene relevance. Biocides were divided into three categories: simple aqueous solutions, biocide mixtures, and formulated biocides. Organisms were grown in the presence of biocides for 10 generations and then subsequently for another 10 generations in biocide-free media. Control organisms were passaged 20 times in biocide-free media. Strains were then assessed for biocide and antibiotic susceptibility, changes in growth dynamics, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Biocide mixtures demonstrated greater antimicrobial potency than singular and formulated biocides. Susceptibility changes of under twofold were observed for all biocides tested. Susceptibility decreased significantly for organisms passaged with singular biocides (1.29- to 4.35-fold) and biocide mixtures (1.4- to 1.5-fold), but not for formulated biocides (1.3- to 1.84-fold) compared to controls. Antibiotic susceptibility both increased and decreased in passaged organisms, with heightened susceptibility occurring more frequently in the singular biocide group. Changes in susceptibility and growth dynamics were similar in the passaged and unexposed controls for fitness measures of adapted bacteria; there were no significant differences between biocide groups, but significantly lower generation and doubling times in organisms exposed to singular biocides. Similar frequencies in SNPs occurred for the three biocide groups and unexposed controls. While some adaptations occurred, particularly with singular biocides, the impact on antibiotic resistance and genomic mutations was limited. These findings suggest that the use of formulated QUATs may pose a comparatively lower risk for antimicrobial resistance.

IMPORTANCE
Biocides are used globally to control microbial growth and effective assessment of the risks and benefits of their use is therefore a high priority. Much of the data used to assess risk has been based on sub-lethal exposure of bacteria to singular biocides in simple aqueous solutions. This work builds on limited prior realism-based studies to demonstrate enhanced potency in biocidal mixtures; the mitigation of resistance selection by formulations and inconsistent cross-resistance effects with both increases and decreases in susceptibility for a wide range of antibiotics. These data can be used to better inform risk assessments of biocide deployment.
MecE, MecB, and MecC proteins orchestrate methyl group transfer during dichloromethane fermentation
Authors: Soder-Walz Jesica M. , Deobald Darja , Vicent Teresa , Marco-Urrea Ernest , Adrian Lorenz 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Dichloromethane (DCM), a common hazardous industrial chemical, is anaerobically metabolized by four bacterial genera:
Dehalobacter
,
Dehalobacterium
,
Ca
. Dichloromethanomonas, and
Ca
. Formimonas. However, the pivotal methyltransferases responsible for DCM transformation have remained elusive. In this study, we investigated the DCM catabolism of
Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum
strain EZ94, contained in an enriched culture, using a combination of biochemical approaches. Initially, enzymatic assays were conducted with cell-free protein extracts, after protein separation by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the slices with the highest DCM transformation activity, a high absolute abundance of the methyltransferase MecC was revealed by mass spectrometry. Enzymatic activity assays with heterologously expressed MecB, MecC, and MecE from strain EZ94 showed complete DCM transformation only when all three enzymes were present. Our experimental results, coupled with the computational analysis of MecB, MecC, and MecE sequences, enabled us to assign specific roles in DCM transformation to each of the proteins. Our findings reveal that both MecE and MecC are zinc-dependent methyltransferases responsible for DCM demethylation and re-methylation of a product, respectively. MecB functions as a cobalamin-dependent shuttle protein transferring the methyl group between MecE and MecC. This study provides the first biochemical evidence of the enzymes involved in the anaerobic metabolism of DCM.

IMPORTANCE

Dichloromethane (DCM) is a priority regulated pollutant frequently detected in groundwater. In this work, we identify the proteins responsible for the transformation of DCM fermentation in
Dehalobacterium formicoaceticum
strain EZ94 using a combination of biochemical approaches, heterologous expression of proteins, and computational analysis. These findings provide the basis to apply these proteins as biological markers to monitor bioremediation processes in the field.
Campylobacter
infection of young children in Colombia and its impact on the gastrointestinal environment
Authors: Burcham Zachary M. , Tweedie Jessie L. , Farfán-García A. E. , Nolan Vikki G. , Donohoe Dallas , Gómez-Duarte Oscar G. , Johnson Jeremiah G. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter
infections are a leading cause of bacterial-derived gastroenteritis worldwide with particularly profound impacts on pediatric patients in low- and middle-income countries. It remains unclear how
Campylobacter
impacts these hosts, though it is becoming increasingly evident that it is a multifactorial process that depends on the host immune response, the gastrointestinal microbiota, various bacterial factors, and host nutritional status. Since these factors likely vary between adult and pediatric patients in different regions of the world, it is important that studies define these attributes in well-characterized clinical cohorts in diverse settings. In this study, we analyzed the fecal microbiota and the metabolomic and micronutrient profiles of asymptomatic and symptomatic pediatric patients in Colombia who were either infected or uninfected with
Campylobacter
during a case-controlled study on acute diarrheal disease. Here, we report that the microbiome of
Campylobacter-
infected children only changed in their abundance of
Campylobacter
spp. despite the inclusion of children with or without diarrhea. In addition to increased
Campylobacter,
computational models were used to identify fecal metabolites that were associated with
Campylobacter
infection and found that glucose-6-phosphate and homovanillic acid were the strongest predictors of infection in these pediatric patients, which suggests that colonocyte metabolism is impacted during infection. Despite changes to the fecal metabolome, the concentrations of intestinal minerals and trace elements were not significantly impacted by
Campylobacter
infection but were elevated in uninfected children with diarrhea.

IMPORTANCE

Gastrointestinal infection with pathogenic
Campylobacter
species has long been recognized as a significant cause of human morbidity. Recently, it has been observed that pediatric populations in low- and middle-income countries are uniquely impacted by these organisms in that infected children can be persistently colonized, develop enteric dysfunction, and exhibit reduced development and growth. While the association of
Campylobacter
species with these long-term effects continues to emerge, the impact of infection on the gastrointestinal environment of these children remains uncharacterized. To address this knowledge gap, our group leveraged clinical samples collected during a previous study on gastrointestinal infections in pediatric patients to examine the fecal microbiota, metabolome, and micronutrient profiles of those infected with
Campylobacter
species and found that the metabolome was impacted in a way that suggests gastrointestinal cell metabolism is affected during infection, which is some of the first data indicating how gastrointestinal health in these patients may be affected.
Isolation and characterization of the new
Streptomyces
phages Kamino, Geonosis, Abafar, and Scarif infecting a broad range of host species
Authors: Rackow Bente , Rolland Clara , Mohnen Isabelle , Wittmann Johannes , Müsken Mathias , Overmann Jörg , Frunzke Julia 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Streptomyces
, a multifaceted genus of soil-dwelling bacteria belonging to the phylum
Actinomycetota
, features intricate phage-host interactions shaped by its complex life cycle and the synthesis of a diverse array of specialized metabolites. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of four novel
Streptomyces
phages infecting a variety of different host species. While phage Kamino, isolated on
Streptomyces kasugaensis
, is predicted to be temperate and encodes a serine integrase in its genome, phages Geonosis (isolated on
Streptomyces griseus
) and Abafar and Scarif, isolated on
Streptomyces albidoflavus
, are virulent phages. Phages Kamino and Geonosis were shown to amplify well in liquid culture leading to a pronounced culture collapse already at low titers. Determination of the host range by testing >40 different
Streptomyces
species identified phages Kamino, Abafar, and Scarif as broad host-range phages. Overall, the phages described in this study expand the publicly available portfolio of phages infecting
Streptomyces
and will be instrumental in advancing the mechanistic understanding of the intricate antiviral strategies employed by these multicellular bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

The actinobacterial genus
Streptomyces
is characterized by multicellular, filamentous growth and the synthesis of a diverse range of bioactive molecules. These characteristics also play a role in shaping their interactions with the most abundant predator in the environment, bacteriophages—viruses infecting bacteria. In this study, we characterize four new phages infecting
Streptomyces
. Out of those, three phages feature a broad host range infecting up to 15 different species. The isolated phages were characterized with respect to plaque and virion morphology, host range, and amplification in liquid culture. In summary, the phages reported in this study contribute to the broader collection of publicly available phages infecting
Streptomyces
, playing a crucial role in advancing our mechanistic understanding of phage-host interactions of these multicellular bacteria.