bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Same species, different population dynamics: Spatio‐temporal differences of Undaria pinnatifida (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) in the intertidal of North Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Arcángel Andrea Evangelina , Rodríguez Emiliano Alexis , Saad Juan Francisco , de la Barra Paula , Narvarte Maite Andrea , Storero Lorena Pía , Pereyra Patricio Javier 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPopulation dynamics can be influenced by physical and biological factors, particularly in stressful environments. Introduced species usually have great physiological plasticity, resulting in populations with different traits. Undaria pinnatifida, a macroalga originally described from northeast Asia, was introduced in Northern Patagonia, Argentina (San Matías Gulf) around 2010. To describe the spatio‐temporal variability in population structure and morphometry of U. pinnatifida, we conducted monthly field samplings for 2 years at the intertidal area of two contrasting sites in the San Matías Gulf. Individuals of U. pinnatifida were classified by developmental stage, and their morpho‐gravimetric variables were measured. In both intertidal sites juveniles were found in higher proportion during austral autumn and grew and matured during the autumn‐winter months (from May onwards), and individuals senesced during early austral summer (December and January). Conversely, density and biomass were largely different between sites, and individuals showed slight morphological variability between sites. Environmental (e.g., nutrient concentration, available substrate) and biological factors (e.g., facilitation, competition) may explain the observed differences. Since there is not a macroalga with U. pinnatifida morphometrical characteristics in the intertidal environments of San Matías Gulf, studying this recent introduction gives us a better understanding of its potential ecological effects.
Urban nutrition situation in the slums of three cities in Asia during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Auma Carolyn I. , Pradeilles Rebecca , Ohly Heather , Eymard‐Duvernay Sabrina , Brizendine Kristian A. , Blankenship Jessica , Singhkumarwong Anusara , Goudet Sophie 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUrban‐poor households are disproportionately food insecure. The Status and Determinants of Food Insecurity and Undernutrition in Poor Urban Settings (SDFU) cross‐sectional surveys were conducted in 2020–2021 to assess the impacts of COVID‐19 on food security and diet quality among urban poor women of reproductive age (WRA) and children under 5 (CU5) in Jakarta, Quezon City, and Yangon. Data, collected on food insecurity and child and maternal diet quality using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI), were compared with prepandemic surveys. Prevalence for food insecurity and diet quality indicators were computed. Eight in 10 households in all three cities reported reduced incomes, with 6 in 10 worried about food the previous year. Over 10% of households in all cities substituted nutrient‐dense (ND) foods with cheaper alternatives; yet less than 50% of children 6–59 months ate sugar‐sweetened beverages or sweet and savoury snacks. Compared with baseline, women's minimum dietary diversity (MDD) in the three cities was significantly lower (up to 30% lower in Yangon and Jakarta), while the prevalence of children (6–23 months) meeting MDD was lower by 17.4%–42.5% in all cities. MDD was attained by >40% of children (24–59 months) in Yangon and Jakarta but only 12.6% in Quezon City. To improve food security and diet quality, multi‐sectoral interventions are needed, including distributing ND foods and cash assistance to vulnerable households with CU5 and WRA and delivering targeted nutrition training to encourage appropriate complementary feeding practices and purchasing and consumption of ND foods.
Microbial biomarkers of tree water status for next‐generation biomonitoring of forest ecosystems
Authors: Cambon Marine C. , Trillat Marine , Lesur‐Kupin Isabelle , Burlett Régis , Chancerel Emilie , Guichoux Erwan , Piouceau Lucie , Castagneyrol Bastien , Le Provost Grégoire , Robin Stéphane , Ritter Yves , Van Halder Inge , Delzon Sylvain , Bohan David A. , Vacher Corinne 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNext‐generation biomonitoring proposes to combine machine‐learning algorithms with environmental DNA data to automate the monitoring of the Earth's major ecosystems. In the present study, we searched for molecular biomarkers of tree water status to develop next‐generation biomonitoring of forest ecosystems. Because phyllosphere microbial communities respond to both tree physiology and climate change, we investigated whether environmental DNA data from tree phyllosphere could be used as molecular biomarkers of tree water status in forest ecosystems. Using an amplicon sequencing approach, we analysed phyllosphere microbial communities of four tree species (Quercus ilex, Quercus robur, Pinus pinaster and Betula pendula) in a forest experiment composed of irrigated and non‐irrigated plots. We used these microbial community data to train a machine‐learning algorithm (Random Forest) to classify irrigated and non‐irrigated trees. The Random Forest algorithm detected tree water status from phyllosphere microbial community composition with more than 90% accuracy for oak species, and more than 75% for pine and birch. Phyllosphere fungal communities were more informative than phyllosphere bacterial communities in all tree species. Seven fungal amplicon sequence variants were identified as candidates for the development of molecular biomarkers of water status in oak trees. Altogether, our results show that microbial community data from tree phyllosphere provides information on tree water status in forest ecosystems and could be included in next‐generation biomonitoring programmes that would use in situ, real‐time sequencing of environmental DNA to help monitor the health of European temperate forest ecosystems.
Cross‐entropy‐based adaptive fuzzy control for visual tracking of road cracks with unmanned mobile robot
Authors: Zhang Jianqi , Yang Xu , Wang Wei , Guan Jinchao , Liu Wenbo , Wang Hainian , Ding Ling , Lee Vincent C. S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractVisual tracking of road cracks in unstructured road environment was, is, and remains a crucial and challenging task, which plays a vital role in accurate crack sealing for automated road cracks repair. However, many problems have not been well solved in existing automated road cracks repair, such as the low automation due to partial dependence on manual and the interrupted traffic flow caused by the heavy equipment used. In this article, a cross‐entropy‐based adaptive fuzzy control (CEAFC) method is proposed, which reaches visual tracking with unmanned mobile robot (VT‐UMbot) for road cracks. Specifically, the CEAFC method uses cross‐entropy optimization iteration to tune parameters for the tracking controller, and fuzzy logic is constructed to explore robustness improvement. Moreover, a framework of VT‐UMbot based on a four‐wheel independent differential drive is established, and visual servo and tracking control are integrated into the system. Our experiment shows that the proposed method is extensively evaluated on three road cracks scenarios and achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance with high efficiency.
Does spaced practice have the same effects on different second language vocabulary learning activities? Fill‐in‐the‐blanks versus flashcards
Authors: Kim Su Kyung , Webb Stuart 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study examined the effects of spaced practice on second language (L2) vocabulary learning under different learning conditions. One hundred fifty Korean learners of L2 English were divided into five groups: one control (no treatment) and four experimental groups based on learning condition (fill‐in‐the‐blanks vs. flashcards) and spacing type (massed [no spacing interval] vs. spaced [1‐day interval]). The participants studied 48 low‐frequency English words. Results showed that the effects of spaced practice were greater for fill‐in‐the‐blanks than flashcards on an immediate posttest and that spaced practice was more effective than massed practice for both activities on a 2‐week delayed posttest with no overall significant difference between the learning gains from the two activities. Feedback timing (immediate, delayed) did not affect vocabulary learning in either activity.
Memory making in critical care: A qualitative thematic synthesis
Authors: MacEachen Doreen , Johnston Bridget , McGuire Margaret 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundCaring for bereaved families is an important aspect of the nursing role in critical care. Memory making practices are one way in which dying, death and bereavement can be acknowledged and supported within critical care. Memory making was introduced into the care of stillborn babies and neonatal deaths to improve parents' experiences of bereavement, and has since become common practice in adult critical care.AimsThe aim of this qualitative thematic synthesis was to explore families' experiences of memory making in critical care, with a view of gaining greater understanding of the ways in which memory making impacts bereaved families.MethodsA systematic search strategy was developed, and five databases were searched (Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase and ASSIA). Seven qualitative studies were included: four were conducted in adult and three in paediatric critical care settings in which memory making was initiated between 2014 and 2020. Memory making practices included, patient diaries, general keepsakes, word clouds and photography.ResultsThe thematic synthesis generated four main themes to describe families' experience of memory making in critical care: ‘connection’, ‘compassion’, ‘engagement and creation’ and ‘continuation’.ConclusionsMemory making is a meaningful activity for families whose loved one dies in critical care; it brings focus and meaning during a devastating process in a highly technical environment. Families rely heavily on nursing staff for support and guidance. The creation of memories and/or keepsakes can have a positive impact on the bereavement experience for families and can facilitate a continuing bond with their loved one.Relevance to Clinical PracticeMemory making is a worthwhile practice to support and guide family bereavement within critical care. It can provide structure and purpose during an emotionally challenging transition, by supporting families to focus on a meaningful activity during a devasting time.
The ancestral chromatin landscape of land plants
Authors: Hisanaga Tetsuya , Wu Shuangyang , Schafran Peter , Axelsson Elin , Akimcheva Svetlana , Dolan Liam , Li Fay‐Wei , Berger Frédéric 
Published: October 2023

Summary

Recent studies have shown that correlations between chromatin modifications and transcription vary among eukaryotes. This is the case for marked differences between the chromatin of the moss Physcomitrium patens and the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Mosses and liverworts diverged from hornworts, altogether forming the lineage of bryophytes that shared a common ancestor with land plants. We aimed to describe chromatin in hornworts to establish synapomorphies across bryophytes and approach a definition of the ancestral chromatin organization of land plants.

We used genomic methods to define the 3D organization of chromatin and map the chromatin landscape of the model hornwort Anthoceros agrestis.

We report that nearly half of the hornwort transposons were associated with facultative heterochromatin and euchromatin and formed the center of topologically associated domains delimited by protein coding genes. Transposons were scattered across autosomes, which contrasted with the dense compartments of constitutive heterochromatin surrounding the centromeres in flowering plants.

Most of the features observed in hornworts are also present in liverworts or in mosses but are distinct from flowering plants. Hence, the ancestral genome of bryophytes was likely a patchwork of units of euchromatin interspersed within facultative and constitutive heterochromatin. We propose this genome organization was ancestral to land plants.
Phytochrome B phosphorylation expanded: site‐specific kinases are identified
Authors: Viczián András , Nagy Ferenc 
Published: October 2023

SummaryThe phytochrome B (phyB) photoreceptor is a key participant in red and far‐red light sensing, playing a dominant role in many developmental and growth responses throughout the whole life of plants. Accordingly, phyB governs diverse signaling pathways, and although our knowledge about these pathways is constantly expanding, our view about their fine‐tuning is still rudimentary. Phosphorylation of phyB is one of the relevant regulatory mechanisms, and – despite the expansion of the available methodology – it is still not easy to examine. Phosphorylated phytochromes have been detected using various techniques for decades, but the first phosphorylated phyB residues were only identified in 2013. Since then, concentrated attention has been turned toward the functional role of post‐translational modifications in phyB signaling. Very recently in 2023, the first kinases that phosphorylate phyB were identified. These discoveries opened up new research avenues, especially by connecting diverse environmental impacts to light signaling and helping to explain some long‐term unsolved problems such as the co‐action of Ca2+ and phyB signaling. This review summarizes our recent views about the roles of the identified phosphorylated phyB residues, what we know about the enzymes that modulate the phospho‐state of phyB, and how these recent discoveries impact future investigations.
Disparity in organ distribution in Gauteng province in South Africa: Challenges and solutions
Authors: Walabh Priya , Palweni Sechaba T. , Hajinicolaou Christina , Meyer Anja 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundDespite South Africa's rich heritage as pioneers in organ transplantation, access to organs remains a major issue in the Gauteng province. This is secondary to an array of socioeconomic and political factors that have implications for organ distribution. Our aim was to assess the contribution of the public sector to solid organ transplantation in Gauteng province and compare the distribution of solid organs between the recipient groups.MethodsThis was a retrospective registry review of consented brain‐dead donors from the public sector within Gauteng from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2021, coordinated at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, a tertiary academic hospital.ResultsRecords of 49 deceased donors were analyzed. Mean donor age was 31.5 years with the age group 30–39 years constituting the majority of deceased donors at 15/49 (30.6%); 10/49 (16%) were from pediatric donors. There was a significant discrepancy in allocation between public and private sector in cardiac (p = .012) and liver allocation (p < .001) and adult and pediatric recipients for all solid organs (p < .001). There was a significant increase in the rate and number (p = .0026) of pediatric kidney transplants occurring after March 1, 2020, when there was a transition to a public sector‐mandated kidney transplant waitlist.ConclusionCurrent disparities in organ distribution have a significant impact on public sector recipients, especially pediatric patients. This is likely secondary to paucity of legislation and resource limitations which would benefit from improved governmental policies and explicit pediatric prioritization policies in transplant units.
Linear integration of multisensory signals in the pupil
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Cheng Yuhui , Yuan Xiangyong , Jiang Yi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe pupil of the eye responds to various salient signals from different modalities, but there is no consensus on how these pupillary responses are integrated when multiple signals appear simultaneously. Both linear and nonlinear integration have been found previously. The current study aimed to reexamine the nature of pupillary integration, and specifically focused on the early, transient pupillary responses due to its close relationship with orienting. To separate the early pupillary responses out of the pupil time series, we adopted a pupil oscillation paradigm in which sensory stimuli were periodically presented. The simulation analysis confirmed that the amplitude of the pupil oscillation, induced by stimuli repeatedly presented at relatively high rates, can precisely reflect the early, transient pupillary responses without involving the late and sustained pupillary responses. The experimental results then showed that the amplitude of pupil oscillation induced by a series of simultaneous audiovisual stimuli equaled to a linear summation of the oscillatory amplitudes when unisensory stimuli were presented alone. Moreover, the tonic arousal levels, indicated by the baseline pupil size, cannot shift the summation from linear to nonlinear. These findings together support the additive nature of multisensory pupillary integration for the early, orienting‐related pupillary responses. The additive nature of pupillary integration further implies that multiple pupillary responses may be independent of each other, irrespective of their potential cognitive and neural drivers.
Blood metabolic pattern and somatic cells dynamic in Achai and Holstein Friesian cows during transition period
Authors: Ullah Nasib , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Naz Shabana , Alhidary Ibrahim A. , Khan Rifat Ullah , Losacco Caterina , Pugliese Gianluca , Tufarelli Vincenzo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study focused on assessing blood metabolites and somatic cell count (SCC) during the transition period in Achai and Holstein Friesian cows. Blood samples were collected from cows of both breeds on days −21, −14, −7 (pre‐partum period), on day 0 (parturition day) and then on days 7, 14 and 21 (post‐partum period). Additionally, milk samples were obtained on the day of parturition and on days 7, 14 and 21 post‐partum for SCC assessment. Among Holstein cows, blood glucose levels showed a significant increase on day −21 before calving, and a decrease on the 14th and 21st days post‐partum. Similarly, the blood triglycerides concentration exhibited a significant rise in Holstein cows 21 days before calving, while Achai cows experienced a significant decline in blood triglycerides on the day of parturition and throughout the entire post‐partum period. Comparing Holstein and Achai cows, blood cholesterol was significantly higher in Holstein cows on day −21 before calving, whereas Achai cows had significantly lower blood cholesterol levels on the day of parturition. Regarding blood protein, Holstein cows exhibited significantly higher levels on day 14 post‐partum, while Achai cows had lower protein levels 7 days before calving. The results further demonstrated that SCC was significantly elevated in Holstein cows on day 21 of parturition and lower on the day of parturition in Achai cows. Overall, the metabolic profile trend and SCC were comparable, yet the studied parameters were more pronounced in Holstein Friesian compared to Achai cows.
Fish and aquatic salamander responses to the creation of riparian canopy gaps along forested headwater streams
Authors: Swartz Allison , Warren Dana 
Published: October 2023

Many headwaters across temperate North America have uniform mid‐succession riparian forests recovering from historic land clearing. These young riparian stands contrast with late‐succession forests, which have complex structural characteristics including canopy gaps. Canopy gaps provide structural diversity that can be important for terrestrial species, and they are also hypothesized to be important features for aquatic environments. The light patches below gaps create productivity hotspots in streams and therefore create potential for increased stream apex predator abundances through bottom‐up food web drivers. However, increasing light may also affect stream temperature, a consideration for coldwater fish (salmonids). We established an experimental before‐after control‐impact study to explicitly assess how creating canopy gaps in the riparian forest affects the abundance and biomass of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) and Pacific giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) in paired reference and treatment reaches at five replicate streams. Gaps were designed to resemble those in old‐growth forests in the treatment reach of each system although wood was explicitly left out of the stream. At four of five sites, we found small and generally consistent positive responses in adult cutthroat trout and total vertebrate biomass to localized increases in light but only 2 years after treatment. Results suggest that opening riparian canopies adjacent to streams via gaps is a viable tool to enhance structural complexity of riparian forests without negatively impacting stream vertebrates; however, a single gap alone had small effects on aquatic vertebrates. More or larger gaps would likely be needed to notably enhance aquatic apex predators.
Searching for a brighter future—Lived experiences of ongoing recovery processes following COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Andersen Ingrid C. , Nissen Nina , Agerskov Hanne , Beck Malene , Bodtger Uffe , Tang Lars , Skou Søren T. , Simonÿ Charlotte 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundResearch in Denmark indicates that approximately 30% of people with confirmed COVID‐19 infection experience at least one physical symptom 6–12 months after the acute infection. The lived experiences of undergoing prolonged recovery processes and how these processes unfold need further attention.AimTo contribute in‐depth knowledge about recovery, as experienced over time by people living with the post COVID‐19 condition.MethodsWithin a qualitative research design, nine women and six men were interviewed. Ten of them gave a follow‐up interview. Prompt cards and participant‐generated photographs were included. A phenomenological‐hermeneutic approach inspired by Ricoeur's theory of interpretation guided the data analysis.FindingsLiving with long‐term health problems associated with the post COVID‐19 condition involved recovery processes where participants struggled with reduced capacity, new unpredictability and uncertainty in everyday life. Participants continuously searched for improvement and aimed for regaining former health and well‐being. Lack of knowledge, acknowledgement and support made it difficult to find clear directions for improvement. Participants created a protective shield and struggled, often jointly with family and friends, to cope with bodily, cognitive, emotional, existential and social challenges. Over time, some participants realised that they might not be able to fully return to their earlier habitus. However, some of them gained a new foothold and sense of hope for the future.ConclusionThis study provides in‐depth insight into the experience of changing and open‐ended recovery processes while living with the post COVID‐19 condition. Over time, some participants learned to rebuild their lives, adapting to their reduced capacities. Future care and rehabilitation models for these patients must address the complex and challenging nature of recovery processes associated with living with post‐COVID‐19 condition.