bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Complex Effects of the Invasive Amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus on Leaf Litter Breakdown in Rivers
Authors: Kralj Tomislav , Bromberger Susann , Winkelmann Carola , Worischka Susanne , Žganec Krešimir , Valić Damir 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Allochthonous organic matter is an essential resource of aquatic food webs, and freshwater amphipods, particularly species of the genus Gammarus, play a significant role in leaf litter decomposition. However, this important ecological function may be affected by the invasion of alien amphipods such as Dikerogammarus villosus, which has been reported to show lower leaf litter decay rates than native gammarids. The aim of this study was to determine whether the invasion of D. villosus would disrupt the ecological function of leaf litter breakdown under field conditions by comparing leaf litter decay rates at invaded and uninvaded river sites.

The experiment was conducted at six locations, four in Croatia and two in Germany, with one site upstream and one site downstream of an invasion front at each location. At each site, we placed preconditioned willow leaves in the river and sampled them three times to estimate leaf litter breakdown rates and invertebrate colonisation.

We hypothesized that leaf litter breakdown rates would be higher at the sites without D. villosus (upstream of the invasion front) compared to the invaded sites. Contrary to this hypothesis, the results indicated contrasting and obviously context dependent outcomes. This indicates a change but no general disruption of leaf litter processing by the invasion of the omnivorous D. villosus, even when it displaces native shredders.

The outcome of the experiments most probably depended on the biomass of native shredders in the leaf bags. At three locations with low biomass of native shredders in the upstream leaf bags, the downstream sites with D. villosus presence showed higher breakdown rates than the upstream sites. At the three locations with high biomass of native shredders, the downstream sites with D. villosus had lower breakdown rates than the upstream sites.

These findings underscore the complex interactions between invasive and native species in freshwater ecosystems and their potential impact on ecosystem services.
River Drying Causes Local Losses and Regional Gains in Aquatic Invertebrate Metacommunity Diversity: A Cross‐Continental Comparison
Authors: Escobar‐Camacho Daniel , Crabot Julie , Stubbington Rachel , England Judy , Sarremejane Romain , Bonada Núria , Fernández‐Calero José María , Cañedo‐Argüelles Miguel , Rezende Carla Ferreira , Chanut Pierre , Csabai Zoltán , Encalada Andrea C. , Laini Alex , Mykrä Heikki , Moya Nabor , Pařil Petr , Rosero‐López Daniela , Datry Thibault 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTDrying river networks include non‐perennial reaches that cease to flow or dry, and drying is becoming more prevalent with ongoing climate change. Biodiversity responses to drying have been explored mostly at local scales in a few regions, such as Europe and North America, limiting our ability to predict future global scenarios of freshwater biodiversity. Locally, drying acts as a strong environmental filter that selects for species with adaptations promoting resistance or resilience to desiccation, thus reducing aquatic α‐diversity. At the river network scale, drying generates complex mosaics of dry and wet habitats, shaping metacommunities driven by both environmental and dispersal processes. By repeatedly resetting community succession, drying can enhance β‐diversity in space and time. To investigate the transferability of these concepts across continents, we compiled and analyzed a unique dataset of 43 aquatic invertebrate metacommunities from drying river networks in Europe and South America. In Europe, α‐diversity was consistently lower in non‐perennial than perennial reaches, whereas this pattern was not evident in South America. Concomitantly, β‐diversity was higher in non‐perennial reaches than in perennial ones in Europe but not in South America. In general, β‐diversity was predominantly driven by turnover rather than nestedness. Dispersal was the main driver of metacommunity dynamics, challenging prevailing views in river science that environmental filtering is the primary process shaping aquatic metacommunities. Lastly, α‐diversity decreased as drying duration increased, but this was not consistent across Europe. Overall, drying had continent‐specific effects, suggesting limited transferability of knowledge accumulated from North America and Europe to other biogeographic regions. As climate change intensifies, river drying is increasing, and our results underscore the importance of studying its effects across different regions. The importance of dispersal also suggests that management efforts should seek to enhance connectivity between reaches to effectively monitor, restore and conserve freshwater biodiversity.
Vulnerability of Labile Organic Matter to Eutrophication and Warming in Temperate Mangrove Ecosystems
Authors: Thomson Timothy , Pilditch Conrad A. , Fusi Marco , Prinz Natalie , Lundquist Carolyn J. , Ellis Joanne I. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe sediments in mangrove forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle due to high inputs of organic matter (OM) and low decomposition rates, making them highly efficient at sequestering carbon. The balance between OM sequestration and decomposition in these systems is influenced by a complex interplay of environmental factors. However, there is a large amount of uncertainty surrounding decomposition rates from mangrove forests, particularly at regional scales. We used standardized decomposition assays of a labile and recalcitrant substrate in 30 estuaries, spanning a gradient in human land use intensity, to identify dominant drivers of OM decomposition in temperate mangrove forests. Our results reveal that, while labile OM decomposition is strongly driven by eutrophication, recalcitrant OM decomposition is primarily influenced by increases in the minimum sediment temperature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that nutrient enrichment from human land use, in combination with increased sediment temperature, synergistically accelerates the decomposition of labile OM, thereby threatening the carbon sequestration potential of these ecosystems. This suggests that coastal eutrophication can exacerbate the effects of warming on decomposition, leading to heightened vulnerability of carbon storage and potential feedbacks between local and global stressors.
Vegetation Structural Complexity Across Elevational Gradients: Insights From the Tropical Andes
Authors: Camacho Luis F. , Schwartz Naomi , Avilés Leticia 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTAimAssessing how vegetation volume, fill, and complexity covary along elevation gradients is crucial for understanding the spatial distribution of animal diversity, a key question in biogeography and ecology. Across ecosystems, canopy height sets a limit to vegetation volume, which, combined with vegetation fill, should determine the amount of structures and resources available to animal populations; the structural complexity of the vegetation should, in turn, promote niche differentiation. To facilitate future animal diversity studies, we address how these structural variables covary with each other across an elevation gradient in a biodiversity hotspot where climate and ecosystem productivity are well characterised.Location3800 m elevation gradient on the Eastern slopes of the tropical Andes.Time PeriodPresent day.Major Taxa StudiedTerrestrial plants.MethodsWe used land surveys and digital photographs to assess the structure and complexity of the vegetation along the 3800 m gradient, quantifying complexity using information theory metrics.ResultsWhereas canopy height decreased with elevation, the density of the vegetation inside the forest increased monotonically as elevation increased, causing the amount of vegetation structures to peak at mid‐elevations. The mid‐elevation peak was greatest when the vegetation growing over trees, mainly epiphytes, was considered. With few exceptions, measures of vegetation structural complexity in the forest interior, including the diversity of plant life forms, vertical stratification, and patterns in digital photographs at the stand and microhabitat levels, peaked at intermediate elevations coinciding with ecosystem productivity patterns.Main ConclusionsWe show that the amount of vegetation substrate and its structural complexity peak at intermediate elevations in this region of the Andes, coinciding with peaks in ecosystem productivity and cloud forest conditions. Given the monotonic decrease in temperature with elevation, our data provide an opportunity to assess the relative importance of vegetation structure and climate in shaping biodiversity along mountain slopes and other ecosystems.
The role of spontaneous strategy use in verbal episodic memory impairment in adult ADHD
Authors: Laine Matti , Kunnari Anton , Eräste Tilda , Ritakallio Liisa , Hedberg Benjamin , Salmi Juha 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with diverse cognitive deficits of which problems related to memory and learning are well‐established but poorly understood. In an online experiment, we studied whether verbal memory impairment in adult ADHD is related to differences in spontaneous use of memory strategies that hinge upon metacognitive and executive skills. Eighty‐one ADHD adults and 209 neurotypical controls performed a Word List Learning task where the same words were presented three times, each time coupled with an open strategy report. Bayesian analyses indicated that the ADHD group recalled less words, did not differ from controls in efficacy of strategy use, but exhibited more limited strategy use than the controls. This suggests that less versatile strategy employment, possibly related to core executive deficits, may play a role in verbal memory impairment in adults with ADHD. Concerning treatment implications, future research could probe to what extent external strategy instruction might increase the versatility of mnemonic strategy use in adult ADHD, and thereby partly compensate for their verbal memory deficits.
Autologous Fat Graft Combined With Botulinum Toxin Injection for Breast Augmentation in Poland Syndrome: A Prospective and Comparative Study
Authors: Wang Na , Wei Siming , Qiang Shuai , Wang Juan , Zeng Xianhui , Zhang Zhaoxiang 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundPoland syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by unilateral breast deformity. Autologous fat transplantation has emerged as the preferred treatment due to its minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, absence of rejection reactions, and potential for multiple surgeries to enhance postoperative outcomes. Previous animal studies have shown that botulinum toxin significantly improves fat retention rates following fat transplantation. Therefore, we aim to initiate a clinical study to investigate the effects of botulinum toxin on human fat transplantation.ObjectiveThis prospective comparative clinical study aims to evaluate the impact of combining botulinum toxin with autologous fat grafting on fat retention rates in patients with Poland syndrome.MethodFrom October 2017 to December 2023, we enrolled 20 Poland syndrome patients, assigning them to an experimental group receiving fat and botulinum toxin for breast augmentation and a control group undergoing standard autologous fat grafting. Postoperative fat retention rates were compared, and outcomes were assessed using the Breast‐Q score, alongside baseline patient data.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups. At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the fat retention rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Regarding Breast‐Q scores, the control group exhibited significantly lower scores in the Satisfaction with breast domain than the experimental group, with no notable differences in other domains.ConclusionThe injection of a mixture of fat and botulinum toxin significantly enhances fat retention rates in patients with isolated breast deformities associated with Poland syndrome.Trial RegistrationThis study has been registered with the China Clinical Trial Center (ChiCTR2100054878)
A New Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease of Common Fig Caused by Pantoea agglomerans in Iran
Authors: Basavand Esmaeil , Khodaygan Pejman , Aćimović Srđan G. , Ghelardini Luisa , Asadi Esmaeil 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIn May 2016, leaf spot symptoms were observed on five‐year‐old common fig trees, located in Sari County (Mazandaran Province). Symptoms comprised irregular and brown necrotic spots, surrounded by yellow halos. Yellow‐coloured, mucoid bacterial colonies were consistently isolated from the infected samples. Bacterial isolates were identified by using biochemical, molecular and pathogenicity assays. All isolates showed identical biochemical characteristics typical of the genus Pantoea. Furthermore, based on the nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA and gyrB genes, the causal agent was identified as Pantoea agglomerans. Upon artificial inoculations under greenhouse conditions, the isolated strains caused symptoms in mature leaves of common fig saplings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first worldwide report of P. agglomerans causing bacterial leaf spot on common fig.
Cellodextrin Metabolism and Phosphotransferase System‐Catalyzed Uptake in Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Combret Victor , Rincé Isabelle , Cochelin Ronan , Desriac Florie , Muller Cécile , Soussan Diane , Hartke Axel , Deutscher Josef , Sauvageot Nicolas 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTTwo PTS transporters involved in the uptake of cellobiose and short cellooligosaccharides were identified in Enterococcus faecalis. Genes coding for the different EII proteins are found in a locus composed of three operonic structures expressing two distinct EIIC (CelC1 and CelC2), two identical EIIB (CelB1 and CelB2) and a unique EIIA (CelA1). The EIIA plays a central role in β‐glucoside uptake because it is required not only for β‐homodiholosides but also for the diheteroside N‐acetylglucosamine‐L‐asparagine. Depending on their size, cellooligosaccharides are preferably transported either by CelC1 (di‐saccharides) or by CelC2 (4 glycosidic residues and more), with tri‐saccharides being taken up by both EIIC transporters. Moreover, CelA1B2C2 require CelGHI to be functional, three small proteins, the function of which remains unknown. CelA1B1C1 is the main but not exclusive transporter of cellobiose and chitobiose. It is involved in the transport of other β‐glucodisaccharides, such as laminaribiose and sophorose. This PTS can be complemented by other transporters highlighting the existence of a network for β‐glucoside uptake. This locus is under the control of CelR, a LevR‐like transcription activator.
Swiss Dental Hygienists’ Attitudes on Treating Elderly Patients
Authors: Grandjean Marie‐Laure , Jeannot Emilien , Stillhart Angela , Srinivasan Murali 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis survey evaluated the attitudes of Swiss dental hygienists toward treating elderly patients and their opinions on the geriatric curriculum in their educational programs.Methods and ResultsQualified dental hygienists working in private practices (PP) and dental hygiene students (DHS) were recruited. The Geriatric Attitude Scale (GAS‐14) questionnaire and an additional questionnaire on the geriatric curriculum were used. Demographic information including age, sex, nationality, religion, marital‐, and accommodation‐status was collected. Three hundred and five hygienists (PP: n = 148, mean‐age: 43.7 ± 11.9 years; DHS: n = 157, mean‐age: 25.4 ± 4.6 years) participated. The overall mean GAS‐14 scores were significantly different (p = 0.008) between PP (3.48 ± 0.36) and DHS (3.61 ± 0.42). GAS‐14 scores were not correlated to demographic parameters. DHS valued the geriatric curriculum more (p = 0.002) and rated their training higher (p = 0.001). PP lacked confidence in treating elderly patients alone (p < 0.001). DHS wanted more hands‐on training (p < 0.001). PP preferred hospital‐ (p < 0.001) or nursing home‐ (p = 0.039) treatment settings, DHS preferred mobile clinics (p = 0.028) for treating immobile elders.ConclusionsSwiss dental hygienist students and hygienists in private practice exhibit a favorable attitude toward treating elderly patients, with students showing a slightly more positive perspective. The results underscore the need for continuing education programs and hands‐on workshops in geriatric dentistry to boost the practitioners' confidence and attitudes.
Pioneering Advances in Hemodialysis: A Review of Contemporary Machines
Authors: Mitra Vikram , Zaidi Syed , Mitra Sandip 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis review article describes the evolution of dialysis technologies spanning the past few decades and discusses the current advancements in hemodialysis devices. These advancements aim to meet the growing global demand for hemodialysis through improved engineering and patient‐centered developments that enhance treatment accessibility, automation and sustainability. This article aims to bring together hemodialysis hardware, its clinical utility and the philosophy underpinning it—aiming to improve outcomes, user experience and restore independence for patients with end‐stage kidney failure undergoing dialysis care.
Preparing for the worst: The irrationality of emotionally recalcitrant reasoning
Authors: Armitage Ed 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe question of what exactly is irrational about recalcitrant emotions—those that occur in tension or conflict with our beliefs—has been widely debated. Sabine Döring claims that such irrationality only emerges if we act on our recalcitrant emotion or engage in emotion‐relevant reasoning in light of it. I here provide an account that acts as an extension to the latter part of this claim by considering in more depth the question of what is irrational about that reasoning, i.e., emotionally recalcitrant reasoning. In doing so, I offer a somewhat alternative explanation to Döring's as to the form of irrationality involved. Where Döring argues that emotionally recalcitrant reasoning involves epistemic irrationality by way of conflicting judgments that are involved, I argue that our engagement in this reasoning is, in fact, practically irrational. This is because, I claim, it involves us “accepting”—treating as true—propositions that we do not believe to be true, in the absence of the kind of reasons that would usually rationalize doing so. Doing so constitutes a form of practical, rather than epistemic, irrationality. This is a conclusion I arrive at through a consideration of the nature of the reasoning our emotions in general tend to motivate.
Diagnostic analysis in scale mixture of skew‐normal linear mixed models
Authors: Travassos Keyliane , Matos Larissa A. , Schumacher Fernanda L. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractDetecting influential observations and verifying their impact on model fitting and parameter estimation are essential steps in statistical modeling. Different approaches can be utilized to that end, including the case‐deletion method, which evaluates the individual impact on the estimation process, and the local influence approach, which investigates the model sensitivity under some perturbation. This paper introduces case‐deletion measures and influence diagnosis for a flexible class of longitudinal models, the scale mixture of skew‐normal linear mixed models. This approach includes skewed and heavier‐than‐normal‐tailed distributions while accounting for useful within‐subject dependence structures. The method's capability of detecting atypical observations under repeated measurements and the impact of outliers on parameter estimation from models accounting for different distributions are evaluated in simulation studies and a real data illustration.
Galilean symmetry of the KdV hierarchy
Authors: Xu Jianghao , Yang Di 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBy solving the infinitesimal Galilean symmetry for the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) hierarchy, we obtain an explicit expression for the corresponding one‐parameter Lie group, which we call the Galilean symmetry of the KdV hierarchy. As an application, we establish an explicit relationship between the non‐abelian Born–Infeld partition function and the generalized Brézin–Gross–Witten partition function.
Practitioner experiences of developing and implementing two UK ED-based hospital violence intervention programmes: a process evaluation
Authors: Moore Simon , Van Godwin Jordan , Moore Graham , Hamilton Megan , O’Reilly David 
Published: February 2025

Background
EDs can address modifiable risks of patients attending due to violence. Hospital-based violence intervention programmes (HVIPs) can reduce patients’ exposure to violence but can place additional burdens on staff. We explored practitioners’ views on two nurse-led HVIPs’ design and delivery, response to patient need, engagement with ED health professionals, adaptation to local context and analysed documents relevant to these objectives.

Methods
This was a qualitative process evaluation, from January to September 2023, of two nurse-led HVIPs implemented in a major trauma centre and a large urban hospital in the UK. Interview participants (N=49) were involved with the commission and implementation of the HVIPs, or worked within the broader violence-prevention ecology. We gathered perspectives on intervention implementation and undertook documentary analysis on local and national policies, and guidance relating to HVIPs development, implementation and delivery (N=46). Documentary data were subject to thematic and content analyses, interview data to thematic analysis.

Results
HVIPs were developed in response to a perceived under-provision of services for patients attending EDs due to violence. The HVIP nurses had access to clinical records facilitating the identification of eligible patients. They provided patient-centred care, addressing needs through referrals into health and community-based services. Over 60% of eligible patients engaged. The nurses were seen as credible champions working towards a minimally burdensome service that supported and trained ED staff. Embedding HVIPs into usual care took time and was limited by the perceived short-term nature of the intervention.

Conclusion
The implementation of nurse-led HVIPs enables access to clinical records, facilitating patient engagement, and can provide an additional service aligned to usual emergency care, supporting both patients and ED staff.

Pre-Registration

The protocol was pre-registered (
NCT15286575
; March 13, 2023) and published before data collection was complete.