bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple stressors prevent gains in native plant diversity following invasive species removal
Authors: Collings Jeremy , Endriss Stacy B. , Dávalos Andrea 
Published: March 2023

AbstractLand managers spend substantial resources managing invasive species to mitigate their negative ecological and economic impacts. However, invasive species management is seldom coupled with empirical assessments of management outcomes or the ecological impacts of the target species. Additionally, the study of invasive species has, until recently, neglected to acknowledge co‐stressors on native communities, which often are the drivers of ecological degradation. We assessed the effects of the invasive plant Vincetoxicum rossicum and its removal on understory plant communities, as well as whether these effects were mediated by deer and invasive earthworms. We used paired fenced and open plots with V. rossicum and an open plot without V. rossicum at each of the three forested sites in New York State Parks from 2017 to 2020. Following a nested design, we located paired sets of open and fenced plots in areas where V. rossicum was experimentally removed and in areas where it was unmanaged. After three years of V. rossicum removal, V. rossicum significantly declined. However, the ultimate goal of management was native plant recovery. Contrary to this aim, native plant diversity and cover increased if V. rossicum was left unmanaged but did not change with V. rossicum removal. Thus, we provide strong evidence that reducing target species abundance does not always translate into native plant recovery. This disparity may be because deer and invasive earthworms are stronger drivers of understory plant communities than V. rossicum, as native plant cover and diversity were lower the more earthworms were in a plot and invasive plant species declined after fencing to exclude deer. Management that prioritizes reducing deer and earthworm impacts over invasive plant removal is therefore worth exploring, especially when coupled with continued monitoring to assess if these actions result in the desired management outcomes. Overall, our findings underscore the need to collect data to test management assumptions: reducing the abundance of an invader may not always result in native plant recovery, especially if other stressors are the ultimate drivers of change in invaded communities.
Six years of demography data for 11 reef coral species
Authors: Madin Joshua S. , Baird Andrew H. , Connolly Sean R. , Dornelas Maria A. , Álvarez‐Noriega Mariana , McWilliam Michael J. , Barbosa Miguel , Blowes Shane A. , Cetina‐Heredia Paulina , Christie Alec P. , Cumbo Vivian R. , Diaz Marcela , Emms Madeleine A. , Graham Erin , Hansen Dominique , Hisano Mizue , Howells Emily , Kuo Chao‐Yang , Palmer Caroline , Hong James Tan Chun , Zhi En Teo Theophilus , Woods Rachael M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractScleractinian corals are colonial animals with a range of life‐history strategies, making up diverse species assemblages that define coral reefs. We tagged and tracked ~30 colonies from each of 11 species during seven trips spanning 6 years (2009–2015) to measure their vital rates and competitive interactions on the reef crest at Trimodal Reef, Lizard Island, Australia. Pairs of species were chosen from five growth forms in which one species of the pair was locally rare (R) and the other common (C). The sampled growth forms were massive (Goniastrea pectinata [R] and G. retiformis [C]), digitate (Acropora humilis [R] and A. cf. digitifera [C]), corymbose (A. millepora [R] and A. nasuta [C]), tabular (A. cytherea [R] and A. hyacinthus [C]) and arborescent (A. robusta [R] and A. intermedia [C]). An extra corymbose species with intermediate abundance, A. spathulata was included when it became apparent that A. millepora was too rare on the reef crest, making the 11 species in total. The tagged colonies were visited each year in the weeks prior to spawning. During visits, two or more observers each took two or three photographs of each tagged colony from directly above and on the horizontal plane with a scale plate to track planar area. Dead or missing colonies were recorded and new colonies tagged to maintain ~30 colonies per species throughout the 6 years of the study. In addition to tracking tagged corals, 30 fragments were collected from neighboring untagged colonies of each species for counting numbers of eggs per polyp (fecundity); and fragments of untagged colonies were brought into the laboratory where spawned eggs were collected for biomass and energy measurements. We also conducted surveys at the study site to generate size structure data for each species in several of the years. Each tagged colony photograph was digitized by at least two people. Therefore, we could examine sources of error in planar area for both photographers and outliners. Competitive interactions were recorded for a subset of species by measuring the margins of tagged colony outlines interacting with neighboring corals. The study was abruptly ended by Tropical Cyclone Nathan (Category 4) that killed all but nine of the more than 300 tagged colonies in early 2015. Nonetheless, these data will be of use to other researchers interested in coral demography and coexistence, functional ecology, and parametrizing population, community, and ecosystem models. The data set is not copyright restricted, and users should cite this paper when using the data.
Soil microbial responses to large changes in precipitation with nitrogen deposition in an arid ecosystem
Authors: Yu Hongying , Li Lang , Ma Quanhui , Liu Xiaodi , Li Yibo , Wang Yuhui , Zhou Guangsheng , Xu Zhenzhu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractClimatic change severely affects terrestrial ecosystem functioning by modifying soil microbial communities, especially in arid ecosystems. However, how precipitation patterns affect soil microbes and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear, particularly under long‐term dry–wet cycling and vice versa in field settings. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to quantify soil microbial responses and resilience to precipitation changes with nitrogen addition. We established five levels of precipitation with nitrogen addition over the first 3 years and then balanced this with compensatory precipitation in the fourth year (i.e., reversed the precipitation treatments), to recover to the levels expected over 4 years in a desert steppe ecosystem. Soil microbial community biomass increased with increasing precipitation, and the reversed precipitation reversed these responses. The soil microbial response ratio was constrained by the initial reduction in precipitation, whereas the resilience and limitation/promotion index of most microbial groups tended to increase. Nitrogen addition reduced the response rates of most microbial groups, depending on the soil depth. The soil microbial response and limitation/promotion index could be distinguished by antecedent soil features. The precipitation regime can regulate the responses of soil microbial communities to climatic change via two potential mechanisms: (1) concurrent nitrogen deposition and (2) soil chemical and biological mediation. Soil microbial behaviors and their associations with soil properties should be considered when assessing the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climatic change.
The importance of calibration in policy mixes: Environmental policy integration in the implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy in Germany (2014–2022)
Authors: Grohmann Pascal , Feindt Peter H. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractEnvironmental policy integration (EPI), that is, the incorporation of environmental concerns in non‐environmental policy areas, has been widely adopted in public policies. However, EPI research has found much discrepancy between environmental objectives and actual implementation. This paper argues that analyzing EPI in the context of policy mixes with multiple objectives, multiple instruments and their calibrations helps to better understand unavoidable tensions and limitations. We develop a framework to assess EPI at these three levels of policy output, synthesizing the EPI and policy mix literatures. We further distinguish four analytical dimensions to assess calibrations: stringency, specificity, flexibility, and temporality. A case study of the national implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Germany 2014–2022 is used to elaborate the conceptual argument. The CAP has saliently incorporated environmental objectives, while implementation, including the calibrations of most instruments within predetermined corridors, is left to member states. A systematic meta‐review of 142 texts evaluating policy instruments and calibrations in the CAP 2014–2022, focusing on Germany, found that several CAP instruments link most farm income support to pro‐environmental behavior. These instruments could potentially have high environmental effectiveness and efficiency. But actual policy calibrations delivered weak EPI due to low stringency and specificity, while high flexibility and temporal accommodation of farmers' needs might support EPI by increasing acceptance. Weak EPI resulted from instrument calibrations in the face of unavoidable trade‐offs between competing objectives. Our results demonstrate that calibrations can significantly affect the strength of EPI adoption, and the priorities within policy mixes more generally.
Psychometric validation of the full Yale food addiction scale for children 2.0 among adolescents from the general population and adolescents with a history of mental disorder
Authors: Horsager Christina , LaFata Erica M. , Færk Emil , Lauritsen Marlene Briciet , Østergaard Søren Dinesen , Gearhardt Ashley N. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveFood addiction is a phenotype characterised by an addiction‐like attraction to highly processed foods. Adolescence is a sensitive period for developing addictive disorders. Therefore, a valid measure to assess food addiction in adolescents is needed. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to establish a categorical scoring option for the full version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children 2.0 (YFAS‐C 2.0), and to psychometrically validate the full YFAS‐C 2.0.MethodThe data stem from the Food Addiction Denmark (FADK) Project. Random samples of 3750 adolescents from the general population aged 13–17 years, and 3529 adolescents with a history mental disorder of the same age were invited to participate in a survey including the full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out and the weighted prevalence of food addiction was estimated.ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis of the YFAS‐C 2.0 supported a one‐factor model in both samples. The weighted prevalence of food addiction was 5.0% in the general population, and 11.2% in the population with a history of mental disorder.ConclusionsThe full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0 is a psychometrically valid measure for assessing clinically significant food addiction in adolescents.
Vitamin D status among infants and children in Shanghai, China: A hospital‐based study
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Fang , Li Aiguo , Gao Jiangfang , Li Bosheng , Sheng Huiming , Ma Jun , Liao Xiang‐Peng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe variation in vitamin D status is still unclear. We aim to describe the vitamin D status among healthy infants and children in Shanghai (31° N latitude), one of the largest cities in China. We conducted a hospital‐based, 2‐year retrospective observational study and recruited children for health examination at the Tongren Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to December 2020. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 6164 children aged 0–11 years were included. Of these, 94.4% of the serum 25(OH)D measurements at first assessment were within the range of 12–50 ng/mL. The median 25(OH)D level was 31.3 (IQR 25.6, 38.1) ng/mL, the percentages of 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL and 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL were 10.0% and 43.8%, respectively. Low vitamin D status (deficiency and insufficiency) differed significantly by age group (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and schoolers) and seasonality (all p < .001), but not by gender. For the sub‐group (n = 855) of children with repeated assessments, their low 25(OH)D levels increased significantly whether after about a 7‐month (n = 351) or 12‐month (n = 504) interval, and the increments of median 25(OH)D levels were 8.1 ng/mL and 2.1 ng/mL respectively (p < .001). This study documents the vitamin D status in Shanghai, showing that low vitamin D status is common in infants and children and suggesting that the assessment of 25(OH)D level is necessary for individuals who are at risk for deficiency or excess.
Individual nutrients and serum klotho levels in adults aged 40–79 years
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Hillesund Elisabet R. , Øverby Nina C. , Vik Frøydis N. , Medin Anine C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSeveral dietary factors (including adherence to the Mediterranean diet or higher nut intake) seem to positively affect circulating antiaging Klotho protein levels; yet, a description of possible relationships between individual nutrients and Klotho activity has not been evaluated. We analyzed the association of dietary intake of individual macro‐ and micronutrients and nonnutritive food components with circulating Klotho levels in a sample of 40‐ to 79‐year‐old US adults. Data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Nutrient/food component intakes were calculated in relation to total energy intake using the nutrient density method, and available pristine serum samples were analyzed for serum Klotho concentrations. The final study sample consisted of 2637 participants (mean age 59.0 ± 10.7 years; 52% women). Higher Klotho concentrations were found with higher intake of carbohydrates (p < .001), total sugars (p < .001), dietary fibers (p < .001), vitamin D (p = .05), total folates (p = .015), and copper (p = .018). The results of the regression analysis with a crude model showed significant associations among five nutrients/food components (carbohydrates, alcohol, total sugars, dietary fibers, and niacin) and soluble Klotho levels across the sample. After adjusting the models for age and gender, the nutrient/food component–Klotho association remained significant for carbohydrates, total sugars, and alcohol (p < .05). Dietary exposure to individual nutrients and nonnutritive food components appears to be associated with Klotho activity; however, additional research is needed to investigate the relationship between cause and effect in diet composition–Klotho interplay.
Health financing and public financial management during the Covid‐19 pandemic: Evidence from Pakistan as low‐income country
Authors: Khan Mohsin Raza , Nazir Muhammad Arsalan , Afzal Sabeen , Sohail Jahanzaib 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposeThis article aims to explore the areas of misalignment between the public financial management (PFM) and health financing during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Pakistan.Originality/ValueTo the best of our knowledge, it is the first study on South Asian countries to adopt a framework and bring forward the dominant themes that cause the misalignment between PFM and health financing. The timing of the research was excellent as the world was facing the biggest health challenge in the form of COVID‐19 which has put pressure on the PFM and has seriously hampered health service delivery. Therefore, the findings of the study are helpful for the ministry of health to draft policies to improve health allocations and move towards Universal Health Coverage.Design/Methodology/ApproachIn‐depth semi‐structured interviews of 15 participants were used to explore the areas of misalignment between PFM and health financing. Based on qualitative data, thematic content analysis has been carried out.FindingsThe findings of the study can be divided into five clusters and their explanations. First overall budget allocation has an impact on the health sector budget. For example, the budget for priority health interventions is not reflected in the budget allocation process. Further, the budget is classified by inputs rather than disease and finally, the budget is not released by the health priorities. The second cluster was the devolution of health to provinces which is unfinished agenda. Under this cluster fiscal decentralisation has been found to cause problems for the provinces as they have not provided fiscal autonomy to spend the money and there is a lack of coordination between the federal and provincial authorities. The third cluster was donor funding, and it was observed that it is not aligned with the government policies and priorities. Forth cluster was procurement and it was discovered that it is a lengthy process and caused delays in procuring the essential health equipment. The fifth cluster was an organisational culture that is not conducive to the health sector. Under this cluster, the attitude, knowledge, and practices of departments responsible for the health sector require complete revamping.
Exploring the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa
Authors: Steventon Roberts Kathryn J. , Smith Colette , Toska Elona , Cluver Lucie , Wittesaele Camille , Langwenya Nontokozo , Shenderovich Yulia , Saal Wylene , Jochim Janina , Chen‐Charles Jenny , Marlow Marguerite , Sherr Lorraine 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study explores the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa compared to existing reference data, and explores development by child age bands to examine relative levels of development. Cross‐sectional analyses present data from 954 adolescents (10–19 years) and their first‐born children (0–68 months). All adolescents completed questionnaires relating to themselves and their children, and standardized child cognitive assessments (Mullen Scales of Early Learning) were undertaken. Cognitive development scores of the sample were lower than USA reference population scores and relative performance compared to the reference population was found to decline with increasing child age. When compared to children born to adult mothers in the sub‐Saharan African region, children born to adolescent mothers (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] unexposed; n = 724) were found to have lower cognitive development scores. Findings identify critical periods of development where intervention may be required to bolster outcomes for children born to adolescent mothers.Highlights
An exploration of the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
Cognitive development scores of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa were lower compared to USA norm reference data and declined with child age.
Previous studies utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning within sub‐Saharan Africa were summarized, and comparisons were made with the current sample.
Findings highlight a potential risk of developmental delay among children born to adolescent mothers compared to children of adult mothers in the sub‐Saharan African region.
Perioperative FLOT plus ramucirumab for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: A randomized phase II/III trial of the German AIO and Italian GOIM
Authors: Goetze Thorsten O. , Hofheinz Ralf‐Dieter , Gaiser Timo , Schmalenberg Harald , Strumberg Dirk , Goekkurt Eray , Angermeier Stefan , Zander Thomas , Kopp Hans G. , Pink Daniel , Siegler Gabriele , Schenk Michael , de Vita Ferdinando , Galizia Gennaro , Maiello Evaristo , Bechstein Wolf O. , Elshafei Moustafa , Loose Maria , Sookthai Disorn , Brulin Tanita , Pauligk Claudia , Homann Nils , Al‐Batran Salah‐Eddin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis multicenter, randomized phase II/III study evaluated the addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 inhibitor ramucirumab to FLOT as perioperative treatment for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Patients received either FLOT alone (Arm A) or combined with ramucirumab followed by ramucirumab monotherapy (Arm B). The primary endpoint for the phase II portion was the pathological complete or subtotal response (pCR/pSR) rate. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both arms with a high rate of tumors signet‐ring cell component (A:47% B:43%). No between‐arm difference in pCR/pSR rate was seen (A:29% B:26%), therefore the transition to phase III was not pursued. Nevertheless, the combination was associated with a significantly increased R0‐resection rate compared with FLOT alone (A:82% B:96%; P = .009). In addition, the median disease‐free survival was numerically improved in Arm B (A:21 months B:32 months, HR 0.75, P = 0.218), while the median overall survival was similar in both treatment arms (A:45 months B:46 months, HR 0.94, P = 0.803). Patients with Siewert type I tumors receiving transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis showed an increased risk of serious postoperative complications after ramucirumab treatment, therefore recruitment of those patients was stopped after the first‐third of the study. Overall, surgical morbidity and mortality was comparable, whereas more non‐surgical grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed with the combination, especially anorexia (A:1% B:11%), hypertension (A:4% B:13%) and infections (A:19% B:33%). The combination of ramucirumab and FLOT as perioperative treatment shows efficacy signals, particularly in terms of R0 resection rates, for a study population with a high proportion of prognostically poor histological subtypes, and further evaluation in this subgroup seems warranted.
Aptamer‐based extracellular vesicle isolation, analysis and therapeutics
Authors: Zhu Lin , Tian Wenhai , Yuan Lijie , Chi Caixing , Wang Yulin , Xiao Qiaoling , Zheng Meiyu , Yang Chaoyong , Song Yanling 
Published: March 2023

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in many physiological processes. Thus, EV analysis has a great value for the understanding of mechanisms underlying disease progress or diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. The overlapped physical and immune properties between EVs and events in body fluids, as well as the phenotypic heterogeneity of EVs, require efficient isolation and analysis methods. The unique properties of aptamers, such as facile modification and programmability, make them easily assembled as powerful platforms for EV isolation and analysis. EVs can also be used as vehicles for drug delivery, benefiting from the properties of homing ability, hypo‐immunogenicity, and strong tolerance. The affinity recognition ability to targets and the feature of single stranded DNA of aptamers make them useful in promoting the targetability of EVs and delivery of nucleic acid drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in aptamer‐based EV isolation, analysis, and aptamer‐functionalized EVs for therapeutics.
The quality by design approach for optimization of slayer exciter based low power portable atmospheric plasma jet on bactericidal efficacy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Sidhartha P. N. , Ch. Sanjay , Ghosh Balaram , Chappanda Karumbaiah N. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA simple, portable, economical low‐temperature atmospheric plasma (LTAP) for bactericidal efficacy of Gram‐negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with different carrier gases (argon, helium, and nitrogen) using the quality by design (QbD) approach, design of experiments (DoE), and response surface graphs (RSG) is presented. Box–Behnken design was used as the DoE to narrow down and further optimize the experimental factors of LTAP. Plasma exposure time, input DC voltage, and carrier gas flow rate were varied to examine the bactericidal efficacy using the zone of inhibition (ZOI). A higher bactericidal efficacy was achieved under the optimal bactericidal factors having ZOI of 50.837 ± 2.418 mm2 with the plasma power density of 132 mW/cm3 for LTAP‐Ar at 61.19 s, 14.8747 V, and 219.379 sccm than LTAP‐He and LTAP‐N2. The LTAP‐Ar was further evaluated at different frequencies and probe lengths to achieve a ZOI of 58.237 ± 4.01 mm2.