bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny structures species' interactions in experimental ecological communities
Authors: Lemos‐Costa Paula , Miller Zachary R. , Allesina Stefano 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpecies' traits and interactions are products of evolutionary history. Despite the long‐standing hypothesis that closely related species possess similar traits, and thus experience stronger competition, measuring the effect of evolutionary history on the ecology of natural communities remains challenging. We propose a novel framework to test whether phylogeny influences patterns of coexistence and abundance of species assemblages. In our approach, phylogenetic trees are used to parameterize species' interactions, which in turn determine the abundance of species in a given assemblage. We use likelihoods to score models parameterized with a given phylogeny, and contrast them with models built using random trees, allowing us to test whether phylogenetic information helps to predict species' abundances. Our statistical framework reveals that interactions are indeed structured by phylogeny in a large set of experimental plant communities. Our results confirm that evolutionary history can help predict, and potentially manage or conserve, the structure and function of complex ecological communities.
Circulating endocannabinoidome signatures of disease activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Dubbioso Raffaele , Iannotti Fabio Arturo , Senerchia Gianmaria , Verde Roberta , Iuzzolino Valentina Virginia , Spisto Myriam , Fasolino Ines , Manganelli Fiore , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Piscitelli Fabiana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and purposePreclinical studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have shown altered endocannabinoid (eCB) signalling that may contribute to the disease. Results from human studies are sparse and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the association between serum levels of eCBs or their congeners, the so‐called endocannabinoidome, and disease status and activity in ALS patients.MethodsSerum concentrations of 2‐arachidonoylglycerol and N‐arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), and AEA congeners palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), eicosapentaenoylethanolamide (EPEA), 2‐docosahexaenoylglycerol (2‐DHG) and docosahexaenoylethanolamide (DHEA) were measured in samples from 65 ALS patients, 32 healthy controls (HCs) and 16 neurological disease controls (NALS). A subset of 46 ALS patients underwent a longitudinal study. Disease activity and progression were correlated with eCB and congener levels.ResultsMost circulating mediators were higher in ALS than HCs (all p < 0.001), but not NALS. Across clinical stages, ALS patients showed increased levels of PEA, OEA and EPEA (all p < 0.02), which were confirmed by the longitudinal study (all p < 0.03). Serum PEA and OEA levels were independent predictors of survival and OEA levels were higher in patients complaining of appetite loss. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct profiles of circulating mediators associated with corresponding patterns of disease activity (severe vs. mild). Patients belonging to the ‘severe’ cluster showed significantly higher levels of OEA and PEA and lower levels of 2‐DHG compared to NALS and HCs.ConclusionCirculating endocannabinoidome profiles are indicative of disease activity, thus possibly paving the way to a personalized, rather than a ‘one‐fits‐all’, therapeutic approach targeting the endocannabinoidome.
Genetic profiles of multiple system atrophy revealed by exome sequencing, long‐read sequencing and spinocerebellar ataxia repeat expansion analysis
Authors: Li Xu‐Ying , Lai Hong , Li Xian , Xu Fanxi , Song Yang , Wang Zhanjun , Li Qibin , Lin Ruichai , Xu Zhiheng , Wang Chaodong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeMultiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive, adult‐onset neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by combinations of autonomic failure, parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal signs. Although a few genetic factors have been reported to contribute to the disease, its mutational profiles have not been systemically studied.MethodsTo address the genetic profiles of clinically diagnosed MSA patients, exome sequencing and triplet repeat detection was conducted in 205 MSA patients, including one familial case. The pathogenicity of variants was determined according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology guidelines.ResultsIn the familial patient, a novel heterozygous COQ2 pathogenic variant (p.Ala351Thr) was identified in the MSA pedigree. In the sporadic patients, 29 pathogenic variants were revealed in 21 genes, and the PARK7 p.Ala104Thr variant was significantly associated with MSA (p = 0.0018). Moreover, burden tests demonstrated that the pathogenic variants were enriched in cerebellar ataxia‐related genes in patients. Furthermore, repeat expansion analyses revealed that two patients carried the pathogenic CAG repeat expansion in the CACNA1A gene (SCA6), one patient carried the (ACAGG)exp/(ACAGG)exp expansion in RFC1 and one carried the GAA‐pure expansion in FGF14 gene.ConclusionIn conclusion, a novel COQ2 pathogenic variant was identified in a familial MSA patient, and repeat expansions in CACNA1A, RFC1 and FGF14 gene were detected in four sporadic patients. Moreover, a PARK7 variant and the burden of pathogenic variants in cerebellar ataxia‐related genes were associated with MSA.
Stress induced by children born of rape and the parental alliance in the DR Congo
Authors: Foussiakda Cécilia A. , Balegamire Juvenal B. , Mugumaarhahama Yannick , Gavray Claire , Blavier Adelaïde 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe goal was to understand how children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo induce parental stress and how parents work together to care for these children.BackgroundAbundant literature is devoted to children born of rape, but nothing is known about the stress undergone by their parents in the care process.MethodTwenty‐four rape survivor couples and 26 control couples with children aged 6–17 were subjected to Parenting Alliance Inventory (PAI) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI) tests in the east part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.ResultsThe parental alliance of the rape survivor couples was comparable to that of the controls. However, for survivor couples, mothers received more support from their husbands for girls than for boys. Parental stress was low among fathers. It was high among mothers of boys and low among fathers of girls. Finally, it was high among mothers of boys compared with fathers.ConclusionBoys born of rape induce high parental stress compared with girls born of rape, and mothers experience more stress than fathers.ImplicationsSupport programs for families of rape survivors must be gender specific for both parents and children, and preferably a family‐centered approach should be considered.
Global assessment of aquatic Isoëtes species ecology
Authors: Azzella Mattia M. , Vecchia Alice Dalla , Abeli Thomas , Alahuhta Janne , Amoroso Victor B. , Ballesteros Enric , Bertrin Vincent , Brunton Daniel , Bobrov Alexander A. , Caldeira Cecilio , Ceschin Simona , Chemeris Elena V. , Čtvrtlíková Martina , de Winton Mary , Gacia Esperança , Grishutkin Oleg G. , Hofstra Deborah , Ivanova Daniella , Ivanova Maria O. , Konotop Nikita K. , Larson Danelle M. , Magrini Sara , Mjelde Marit , Mochalova Olga A. , Oliveira Guilherme , Pedersen Ole , Pereira Jovani B. de S. , Ribaudo Cristina , Romero Buján María Inmaculada , Troìa Angelo , Vinogradova Yulia S. , Volkova Polina A. , Zandonadi Daniel Basílio , Zueva Nadezhda V. , Bolpagni Rossano 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Isoëtes are iconic but understudied wetland plants, despite having suffered severe losses globally mainly because of alterations in their habitats. We therefore provide the first global ecological assessment of aquatic Isoëtes to identify their environmental requirements and to evaluate if taxonomically related species differ in their ecology.

The assessment resulted in an extensive new database on aquatic Isoëtes, ecological niche analyses, and descriptive species accounts. We compiled a global database that includes all known environmental data collected from 1935 to 2023 regarding aquatic Isoëtes. We then evaluated the environmental drivers of 16 species using 2,179 global records. Additionally, we used hypervolume analysis to quantify the ecological niches of the two species with the greatest number of records, finding significant differences and evidence that Isoëtes echinospora occupies a wider ecological niche than Isoëtes lacustris.

Fifty‐nine species (30% of the c. 200 Isoëtes species known today) were categorised as aquatic and were mainly reported in the Americas and northern Europe. About 38% of the aquatic species are threatened with extinction or are endemic to a small region, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List in 2023. Many species were determined to be sensitive to certain water physical and chemical factors, generally preferring oligotrophic conditions such as low total phosphorus, moderate total nitrogen, moderate to low pH, and low conductivity.

This analysis includes ecological data in the assessment of rare/threatened aquatic plants globally. This new database and the ecological analyses completed defined the ecological requirements of several species and identified knowledge gaps, which can aid management actions and future research.

This paper highlights ecological significance and environmental sensitivities of aquatic Isoëtes. The current level of knowledge is inadequate for a large proportion of known taxa. We affirm the extreme need to support global, collaborative initiatives on which to build future conservation strategies.
A red flag for public goods? The correlates of civil society restrictions
Authors: Smidt Hannah , Mitchell Neil J. , Bakke Kristin M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGovernments increasingly restrict civil society organizations (CSOs). Different theories converge on the expectation that CSOs are important for public goods. A largely unexplored implication is that increased restrictions on CSOs will signal the under‐delivery of public goods. Using data on government‐imposed restrictions on CSOs for a global sample of countries, we test this implication. Controlling for unobserved cross‐country heterogeneity, temporal shocks, and confounding variables, we find that the accumulation of restrictions on CSOs negatively correlate with public goods‐oriented government spending and positively correlate with corruption and clientelism in the future. Our evidence also suggests that the mechanism underpinning these findings is that persistent restrictions on CSOs negatively correlate with engaged society and, to some extent, protest. While global governance actors warn of the negative consequences of restrictions on CSOs, our analyses provide evidence that restrictions are indeed a red flag for governments' failure to live up to their public goods commitment.
Queer joy, queer killjoy: Queerness, nation, and affect in the Reykjavík pride parade 2000–2019
Authors: Vilhjálmsson Þorsteinn , Ellenberger Íris 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn recent years, “queer joy” has become a prominent topic in queer circles in the West. It refers to a defiant sense of joy felt by LGBTQ + people in the face of an increasingly hostile environment. However, the political use of queer joy has a troubling history. In Iceland, the LGBTQ + movement has worked under the banner of joy since the turn of the century. This is encapsulated in the Reykjavík pride parade, which has, since its inception in 2000, been referred to as “The March of Joy.” This March has been a massive success. Recent parades have seen up to a hundred thousand people participate, a fourth of the Icelandic population. During the same period, the legal and social status of some Icelandic LGBTQ + people has improved vastly. Employing a queer‐historical and affect‐theoretical stance, this article analyzes the problematic side of this development. It traces how the national celebration of LGBTQ + people's joy has shifted the Icelandic national imaginary, strengthened Icelandic (homo)nationalism, and contributed to a forgetting and erasing of the past. While drawing some LGBTQ + people into the national imaginary, joy has excluded others, both critical, non‐homonormative queers and immigrants stereotyped as at once backwards, joyless, and homophobic. This shows both the potential power of queer joy and the dangers inherent in its political use. Queer joy, if it is to have its intended effect, must be radical, intersectional, and defiantly queer from the start. Inspiration for such queer joy may, we suggest, be drawn from the figure of the queer killjoy.
Complementary Field and Laboratory Batch Studies to Quantify Generation Rates of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in a Contaminated Agricultural Topsoil with Unknown Precursors
Authors: Haluska Alexander Arthur , Röhler Klaus , Fabregat‐Palau Joel , Alexandrino Diogo A. M. , Abramov Sergey , Thompson Katharine J. , Straub Daniel , Kleindienst Sara , Bugsel Boris , Zweigle Jonathan , Zwiener Christian , Grathwohl Peter 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSoil microbiome changes and generation rates of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) precursors were studied in a contaminated agricultural field using a combination of field and laboratory batch microcosm studies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to track how microbial community composition changed over time, while perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) generation rates were quantified using a combination of field and batch incubations combined with the direct total oxidizable precursor (dTOP) assay. The study site in Brilon‐Scharfenberg, North Rhine‐Westphalia, Germany, has PFAS contamination in the topsoil (0 to 30 cm) originating from compost. Generation rate constants of these short‐chain PFAA estimated from batch incubations (0.12 to 0.75 1/year) were higher but similar to rate constants from the fields (0.05 to 0.22 1/year). Long‐term field mass discharge data (2009 to 2023) suggest that at least 60 years are needed to remove 99.99% of short‐chain PFAA and their precursors. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data revealed a major impact of PFAA on the biodiversity of soil microorganisms, with batch‐incubated contaminated soils showing higher richness and diversity indexes than field control soils. However, most of these impacts occurred at lower taxonomical ranks and did not seem to have a prominent impact on the overall structure of the autochtonous microbial communities of the soils where PFAA were produced and accumulated. Overall, our findings demonstrate that well‐controlled aerobic batch test combined with the results of dTOP assay are a suitable approach for estimating short‐chain PFAA generation rates. Additionally, our research suggests that the complete removal of PFAA precursors from topsoil will take decades.
Studies in Parameter Estimation for Analytical Transport Equations
Authors: Mills Andrew 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThree new programs have been developed to perform parameter estimation to assist in the calibration of analytical contaminant transport models. The Domenico equation was chosen as an example analytical model for each of the three programs rather than a model with the exact solution, because the former is a closed‐form expression involving significantly less processing time. One of the programs studied is a quasi‐exhaustive search method and the second is a successive parameter variation method. The third program is based on Box's Complex nonlinear, direct‐search optimization method. The three programs and an already available calibration tool (PEST) were compared in tests using data from two different sites in southeastern Pennsylvania. These tests demonstrated the validity of the three programs as examples to assist the calibration of groundwater analytical transport models. The final estimates for the parameter values for the three methods and PEST applied to the data from each of the two sites compared quite closely and, with two exceptions were well within an order of magnitude of each other. The three newly available programs individually should serve as calibrating tools indispensable for field hydrogeologists, environmental project managers, and others who have been asked to run analytical transport models. The results from the runs performed on the two sites indicate the Complex method to be the best option as a calibration tool, with the quasi‐exhaustive method and the successive parameter estimation method being acceptable alternatives.
Effects of Latilactobacillus sakeiLZ217 on Gastric Mucosal Colonization, Metabolic Interference, and Urease Expression in Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Xia Chenlan , Chen Ziqi , Chen Yongqiang , Wei Fangtong , Wu Shiying , Zhou Qingqing , Li Ping , Gu Qing 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTEmerging evidence suggests differential antagonism of lactic acid‐producing bacteria (LAB) to Helicobacter pylori, posing challenges to human health and food safety due to unclear mechanisms. This study assessed 21 LAB strains from various sources on H. pylori growth, urease activity, and coaggregation. Composite scoring revealed that Latilactobacillus sakei LZ217, derived from fresh milk, demonstrates strong inhibitory effects on both H. pylori growth and urease activity. L. sakei LZ217 significantly reduced H. pylori adherence of gastric cells in vitro, with inhibition ratios of 47.62%. Furthermore, in vivo results showed that L. sakei LZ217 alleviated H. pylori‐induced gastric mucosa damage and inflammation in mice. Metabolomic exploration revealed metabolic perturbations in H. pylori induced by L. sakei LZ217, including reduced amino acid levels (e.g., isoleucine, leucine, glutamate, aspartate, and phenylalanine) and impaired carbohydrate and nucleotide synthesis, contributing to the suppression of ureA (28.30%), ureE (84.88%), and ureF (59.59%) expressions in H. pylori. This study underscores the efficacy of LAB against H. pylori and highlights metabolic pathways as promising targets for future interventions against H. pylori growth and colonization.
Effect of localized task‐based language teaching on Chinese secondary school English learners’ oral production in examination‐oriented contexts
Authors: Lu Jinmiao , Ma Qing , Li Shaofeng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDespite the abundance of pedagogical reforms conducted in task‐based language teaching (TBLT), few studies have fully explored the adaptation of TBLT to cater to the specific language learning requirements and cultural contexts of local communities. It is important to consider localized TBLT, referring to a context‐specific adaptation of the classical TBLT approach, tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of a particular teaching environment. This study seeks to bridge this gap by examining the effects of a localized TBLT approach on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ oral production in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency in examination‐oriented contexts. A total of 101 Chinese secondary school students participated in this study and were divided into two groups, namely, an experimental group (N = 50), which was taught employing the localized TBLT approach, and a comparison group (N = 51), which received traditional presentation–practice–production (PPP) instruction. The intervention spanned 15 weeks, with three instructional sessions per week. The results revealed that localized TBLT instruction had a significantly larger effect on fluency and complexity than traditional PPP instruction. The study has implications for localizing TBLT to better suit local contexts and achieve improved student learning outcomes in other similar EFL settings characterized by a focus on examination preparation.
Evaluation of physiochemical composition, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of Kombucha produced from Thunbergia laurifolia as a potential functional food
Authors: Essiedu Justice Amakye , Areerate Panadda , Withayagiat Ulaiwan 
Published: August 2024

SummaryKombucha has gained global attention for its beneficial bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate Thunbergia laurifolia tea as a potential substrate for Kombucha production due to its rich polyphenol content and biological properties, including antioxidant and anticancer properties, through monoculture and simultaneous mixed coculture fermentation. The pH and brix of the teas decreased significantly during fermentation, indicating sugar hydrolysis and organic acid synthesis by fermenting microbes. The alcohol content was higher in yeast monocultures (45.80 ± 0.00¬50.23 ± 0.08 g L−1) compared to mixed coculture fermented (CBY) tea (20.16 ± 0.00 g L−1). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity increased significantly in CBY tea compared to non‐fermented and monoculture teas. CBY also exhibited the highest cumulative phenolic compound content, including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, rutin, catechin, and quercetin, compared to monoculture teas. Overall, Thunbergia laurifolia tea shows promise as a substrate for kombucha production, with improved bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity.
Multivariate analysis for understanding spoilage in cooked Turkey ham
Authors: Blanco‐Lizarazo Carla María , Sierra‐Cadavid Andrea , Ospina‐E Juan Camilo 
Published: August 2024

SummaryThis study aimed to comprehend the spoilage of cooked turkey ham caused by various Leuconostoc species using multivariate analysis to link the growth of these microorganisms, pH kinetics, and mesophilic counts for predicting ham spoilage at 8 and 12 °C. The methodology assesses changes in Leuconostoc spp. growth behaviour using the Baranyi and Roberts model, pH kinetics employing the Weibull model, and milkiness and swelling through quantitative descriptive analysis during storage at 8 and 12 °C, with artificial contamination of Leuconostoc carnosum and L. mesenteroides at 102 and 104 CFU g−1. Multivariate analysis encompasses linear quadratic discriminant and Pearson correlation analysis. Biokinetic growth parameters do not significantly differ among Leuconostoc species, temperatures, or inoculum levels. In discriminant analysis, pH is the most influential variable in spoilage grade classification, followed by LAB log counts. Furthermore, correlation analysis reveals a strong positive correlation between the rate of pH reduction and the storage time for spoilage onset.
Investigating the impact of lecithin addition on rheological and textural properties of oleogels prepared from soy protein isolate‐xanthan gum
Authors: Sinha Saumya Sonam , Upadhyay Ashutosh , Singh Anurag 
Published: August 2024

SummaryThis study delves into the influence of soy lecithin addition aimed at augmenting the structural recovery and enhancing textural similarities between protein oleogels and solid fats. The co‐oleogelation of soy protein isolate (SPI) and xanthan gum (XG) with lecithin was explored to structure sunflower oil. Oleogels incorporating lecithin concentrations ranging from 4% to 12% were examined for their textural properties and structural recovery performance. Results indicate that these oleogel formulations exhibit comparable textural properties to solid fats, signifying the potential of lecithin as a co‐oleogelator. Moreover, the incorporation of lecithin enhanced the structural recovery of the SPI‐XG oleogel, leading to no oil release when put under pressure, further emphasising its role in improving the overall quality of protein‐based oleogel systems.