bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating shrinkage corrected drying characteristics, rehydration, color profile and microstructural evolution during solar drying of pineapple slices
Authors: Rani Poonam , Tripathy Punyadarshini Punam 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe study describes the solar drying characteristics of pineapple slices with incorporation of shrinkage and influence of drying and rehydration on structural alterations, color profile and microstructure. Samples were dried in mixed mode solar dryer at an air velocity of 0.5 m/s, with recorded average solar radiation, ambient and drying chamber temperature of 665 W/m2, 33°C and 65°C, respectively, from initial moisture content of 89.9% to a final moisture content of 23% in 6.5 h. Samples showed 43.7% higher drying rate and 82.25% lesser moisture diffusivity on consideration of shrinkage. Moisture diffusivity was increased with a reduction in moisture content during drying on ignoring the shrinkage, while it was initially increased and then gradually reduced at later hours when shrinkage effect was considered. The slices showed overall shrinkage of 86.95% during drying but could recover only 35–45.57% of its volume during rehydration. The water absorption and volume recovery were consistently higher at rehydration temperature of 60°C followed by 45°C and 30°C. Solar dried and rehydrated samples demonstrated overall color change of 16.80 ± 1.15 and 5.87 ± 2.5–7.56 ± 1.43, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs of solar dried samples presented collapsed cellular matrix but rehydrated samples showed porous microstructure indicating regaining of honeycomb network.Practical ApplicationsSolar drying is an essential sustainable approach to reduce the tremendous post‐harvest losses of fruits and it also offers the advantages of energy cost saving, higher affordability level and greater payback power to farmers. Present study explored the drying characteristics, followed by rehydration characteristics and effect of drying and rehydration on quality attributes of pineapple slices. Therefore, results are helpful for food processors and engineers in optimization of drying and rehydration processes to obtain best quality products, shelf‐life extension of perishable fruits. Solar dried pineapple slices will give better returns to farmers. Moreover, dried pineapple can be utilized as dried chips/snacks, powder, etc. and also can be further rehydrated to reconstitute for utilization in different value added food products like ice‐cream, cakes, flakes, granules etc.
Antimicrobial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis
Authors: He Yiping , Capobianco Joseph , Irwin Peter , Reed Sue , Lee Joe 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEngineered nanoparticles have been explored for their potential to serve as additives to foods, their packages, and contact surfaces because they are stable in a wide range of harsh environments and display inherent antimicrobial properties. However, while nanometer sized particles have demonstrated unique properties that can potentially benefit food technologies, size and shape of the particles may have significant impact on their antimicrobial activities and toxicity as well. This manuscript characterized the size and morphology of five commercially available ZnO nanoparticles and determined the antimicrobial performance for two common foodborne pathogens, Campylobacter and Salmonella. The results indicate that all grades of ZnO powders displayed antimicrobial properties on Campylobacter within 30 min, and that statistical methods could not differentiate between the grades when treated as categorical variables. Similarly, ZnO powders were found to be effective antimicrobial agents for Salmonella, though longer exposure times were needed and the grades did not perform equally. From comparison of the particle size distribution data and microscopic images of the grades of ZnO powders used in the study, it can be deduced that not only size, but also morphology have an impact on the antimicrobial activity.
A new early hominin calcaneus from Kromdraai (South Africa)
Authors: Harper Christine M. , Zipfel Bernhard , DeSilva Jeremy M. , McNutt Ellison J. , Thackeray Francis , Braga José 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe Kromdraai site in South Africa has yielded numerous early hominin fossils since 1938. As a part of recent excavations within Unit P, a largely complete early hominin calcaneus (KW 6302) was discovered. Due to its role in locomotion, the calcaneus has the potential to reveal important form/function relationships. Here, we describe KW 6302 and analyze its preserved morphology relative to human and nonhuman ape calcanei, as well as calcanei attributed to Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus sediba, Homo naledi, and the Omo calcaneus (either Paranthropus or early Homo). KW 6302 calcaneal morphology is assessed using numerous quantitative metrics including linear measures, calcaneal robusticity index, relative lateral plantar process position, Achilles tendon length reconstruction, and a three‐dimensional geometric morphometric sliding semilandmark analysis. KW 6302 exhibits an overall calcaneal morphology that is intermediate between humans and nonhuman apes, although closer to modern humans. KW 6302 possesses many traits that indicate it was likely well‐adapted for terrestrial bipedal locomotion, including a relatively flat posterior talar facet and a large lateral plantar process that is similarly positioned to modern humans. It also retains traits that indicate that climbing may have remained a part of its locomotor repertoire, such as a relatively gracile tuber and a large peroneal trochlea. Specimens from Kromdraai have been attributed to either Paranthropus robustus or early Homo; however, there are no definitively attributed calcanei for either genus, making it difficult to taxonomically assign this specimen. KW 6302 and the Omo calcaneus, however, fall outside the range of expected variation for an extant genus, indicating that if the Omo calcaneus was Paranthropus, then KW 6302 would likely be attributed to early Homo (or vice versa).
National registry‐based data of adverse events in Finnish long‐term professional homecare in 2009–2019
Authors: Kivimäki Taina , Stolt Minna , Katajisto Jouko , Charalambous Andreas , Suhonen Riitta 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAims and objectivesThe aim of this study was to discover the nature of the adverse events in Finnish long‐term professional homecare reported by professionals, and to identify the circumstances in which adverse events occur and their consequences.BackgroundAdverse events are incidents causing unintended and unnecessary harm to older people at home. Safety is a basic human right and a fundamental prerequisite for independent living among older people at home. Few studies have focused on both long‐term professional homecare environment and the safety of older people.DesignThe research was a descriptive registry‐based study.MethodsThis study consisted of adverse events (N = 61248) in Finnish public long‐term professional homecare (2009–2019). Data were described using frequencies and percentages. STROBE statement checklist was chosen for reporting the study process.ResultsBy profession, practical nurses and registered nurses reported the most of adverse events (89.8%). These were either critical incidents (78.3%) or near misses (20.0%) and concerned medicine, injuries and accidents, information flow or management. Consequences for older people were usually rated from no‐harm to moderate harm. For long‐term professional homecare, image harm, extra financial costs, no‐harm and prolonged care for older people were among the consequences. Personnel frequently observed the older people afterwards and informed older people of adverse events, yet some of actions were unknown.ConclusionsMany harmful adverse events are considered harmless for older people. Sometimes this can lead to unmet care needs or missed care. The degree of harm needs to be assessed in terms of physical, mental and social health with the HaiPro reporting system for homecare.Relevance to clinical practiceAn understanding and a comprehensive view of the situation and holistic assessment of care needs includes safety and safety risks to increase safety and feeling of safety for older people at home.
Recurrent cervical cancer with PD‐L1 amplification treated with nivolumab: A case enrolled in the BELIEVE trial
Authors: Yoshimoto Daisuke , Taguchi Ayumi , Tanikawa Michihiro , Sone Kenbun , Shimoi Tatsunori , Tsuruga Tetsushi , Oda Katsutoshi , Osuga Yutaka 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPatients with cervical cancer benefiting from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are limited. Recently, PD‐L1 amplification has been attracted attention as a reliable marker of ICIs. A 47‐year‐old woman with stage IIB cervical cancer experienced disease progression during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer genomic profiling revealed that the tumor was microsatellite stable with PD‐L1 amplification, therefore, nivolumab was administered by enrolling in the BELIEVE trial. Despite nivolumab treatment, remarkable disease progression was observed. At the beginning of nivolumab treatment, the patient already had multiple liver metastases with severe systemic inflammation as indicated by a high neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), both of which are negative predictive markers for ICI. Despite the presence of PD‐L1 amplification, nivolumab was ineffective in cancer progression, which may be attributable to the presence of liver metastasis and high NLR. ICI is recommended to be administered at an early stage of cancer treatment to enhance its effectiveness.
Risk of fractures and subsequent mortality in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wester Axel , Hagström Hannes 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundStudies suggest an association between osteoporosis and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but whether patients with NAFLD are at increased risk of fractures is unknown.ObjectivesThe aim was to determine the rate and risk of fractures and the mortality rate after fracture in patients with NAFLD compared to the general population.MethodsThis was a nationwide population‐based cohort study using data from the Swedish National Patient Registry on 10,678 patients with NAFLD from 1987 to 2016. Patients were matched for sex, age, and municipality with 99,176 controls from the Swedish Total Population Registry. Cox regression was used to estimate fracture rates. The risk of fractures was assessed while accounting for competing risks (death and liver transplantation).ResultsA total of 12,312 fractures occurred during 761,176 person‐years of follow‐up. Patients with NAFLD (17.5 per 1000 person‐years) had a slightly higher fracture rate than controls (16.1 per 1000 person‐years; adjusted hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.19), although the 5‐year risk of fractures was similar (8.0%, 95% CI 7.4–8.6 versus 7.3%, 95% CI 7.2–7.5). Additionally, 1‐year mortality after fracture was similar in NAFLD and controls.ConclusionsPatients with NAFLD have a slightly higher rate of fractures but long‐term risk of fractures comparable to the general population. This suggests that broad surveillance of risk factors for fractures in patients with NAFLD is not motivated.
Facing the heat: Political instability and firm new product innovation in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Krammer Sorin M. S. , Kafouros Mario I. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe examine how political instability (PI) affects firms' product innovation and the strategies that firms can employ in response to PI. We argue that while higher levels of PI influence firms' innovation negatively, greater international exposure (through foreign ownership and exporting) can help firms partly overcome this external challenge and innovate. We test these predictions using a dataset of 3000 manufacturing firms across 15 countries from Sub‐Saharan Africa. The empirical results confirm a robust and negative effect of PI on firms' product innovation through several mechanisms. They also suggest that all firms in a country, regardless of ownership structure, are equally affected by PI. Finally, higher levels of exporting weaken the deleterious effects of PI on innovation for both domestic and foreign firms. Our study offers insights into the barriers of innovation in emerging economies and explicates why some firms are more innovative than others in politically unstable contexts.
Effect of stocking density on growth performance and gonadal maturity of all‐female giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Rahman Md. Moshiur , Salin Krishna R. , Tsusaka Takuji W. , Anal Anil Kumar , Rahi Md. Lifat , Yakupitiyage Amararatne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAll‐female stocks of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, hold immense potential for aquaculture but early sexual maturity might still be a constraint in all‐female prawn farming. The growth performance and gonadal maturation of all‐female M. rosenbergii reared in 1,000 L tanks for 60‐days were tested at five stocking densities of 4 (T1), 8 (T2), 16 (T3), 24 (T4), and 32 (T5) prawns/m2 in triplicates. The mean initial weights (±SD) of prawns were 5.20 ± 0.42 g (T1), 5.10 ± 0.48 g (T2), 5.18 ± 0.54 g (T3), 4.87 ± 0.92 g (T4), and 5.05 ± 1.09 g (T5), respectively. The survival rate (83.3%), mean final weight (24.93 g), daily weight gain (0.33 g), and specific growth rate (2.61) were the highest in T1, while the most efficient feed conversion ratio (1.57) was in T2. The prawn yields were higher at higher stocking densities (T3 to T5). The stocking density of 8 prawns/m2 is feasible for good growth performance, while the estimated density for optimum yield was 23.5 prawns/m2, indicating that all‐female prawns are amenable to intensive farming. The presence of virgin females ranged from 30% in T1 to 14% in T5, but the distribution of ovarian stages was not significantly different among the stocking densities tested. The gonadosomatic index values showed no significant difference among the treatments. The results indicated that while the stocking density significantly affected growth parameters, it had no significant effect on the all‐female prawns' gonadal maturation.
Impact of NAFLD on the outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B in Asia
Authors: Yang Ming , Wei Lai 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two major causes of chronic liver disease (CLD) that can cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a trend to superimpose NAFLD on chronic HBV infection in Asia. This review presents the epidemiology of concurrent NAFLD in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and focuses on the impact of concurrent NAFLD on the outcome of CHB patients in Asia. Although CHB patients tend to have a lower prevalence and incidence of NAFLD than the general population, concurrent NAFLD among CHB patients is still common and has an upward trend over time. Concurrent NAFLD can promote hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and might inhibit HBV replication but exacerbate liver fibrosis. The impacts of concurrent NAFLD on HCC risk, all‐cause mortality and antiviral treatment response in CHB patients remain controversial.
Fine‐scale genome‐wide signature of Pleistocene glaciation in Thitarodes moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), host of Ophiocordyceps fungus in the Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Wang Zhengyang , Pierce Naomi E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe Hengduan Mountains region is a biodiversity hotspot known for its topologically complex, deep valleys and high mountains. While landscape and glacial refugia have been evoked to explain patterns of interspecies divergence, the accumulation of intra‐species (i.e., population level) genetic divergence across the mountain‐valley landscape in this region has received less attention. We used genome‐wide restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to reveal signatures of Pleistocene glaciation in populations of Thitarodes shambalaensis (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), the host moth of parasitic Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) or "caterpillar fungus” endemic to the glacier of eastern Mt. Gongga. We used moraine history along the glacier valleys to model the distribution and environmental barriers to gene flow across populations of T. shambalaensis. We found that moth populations separated by less than 10 km exhibited valley‐based population genetic clustering and isolation‐by‐distance (IBD), while gene flow among populations was best explained by models using information about their distributions at the local last glacial maximum (LGML, 58 kya), not their contemporary distribution. Maximum likelihood lineage history among populations, and among subpopulations as little as 500 m apart, recapitulated glaciation history across the landscape. We also found signals of isolated population expansion following the retreat of LGML glaciers. These results reveal the fine‐scale, long‐term historical influence of landscape and glaciation on the genetic structuring of populations of an endangered and economically important insect species. Similar mechanisms, given enough time and continued isolation, could explain the contribution of glacier refugia to the generation of species diversity among the Hengduan Mountains.
What happens after drought ends: synthesizing terms and definitions
Authors: Vilonen Leena , Ross Maggie , Smith Melinda D. 
Published: April 2022

SummaryDrought is intensifying globally with climate change, creating an urgency to understand ecosystem response to drought both during and after these events end to limit loss of ecosystem functioning. The literature is replete with studies of how ecosystems respond during drought, yet there are far fewer studies focused on ecosystem dynamics after drought ends. Furthermore, while the terms used to describe drought can be variable and inconsistent, so can those that describe ecosystem responses following drought. With this review, we sought to evaluate and create clear definitions of the terms that ecologists use to describe post‐drought responses. We found that legacy effects, resilience and recovery were used most commonly with respect to post‐drought ecosystem responses, but the definitions used to describe these terms were variable. Based on our review of the literature, we propose a framework for generalizing ecosystem responses after drought ends, which we refer to as ‘the post‐drought period’. We suggest that future papers need to clearly describe characteristics of the imposed drought, and we encourage authors to use the term post‐drought period as a general term that encompasses responses after drought ends and use other terms as more specific descriptors of responses during the post‐drought period.
The transcriptional regulator RbcR controls ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) genes in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Bolay Paul , Schlüter Susan , Grimm Samuel , Riediger Matthias , Hess Wolfgang R. , Klähn Stephan 
Published: April 2022

Summary

Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved in cyanobacteria, primary producers of striking ecological importance. Like plants, cyanobacteria use the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle for CO2 fixation, fuelled by ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). In a competitive reaction this enzyme also fixes O2 which makes it rather ineffective. To mitigate this problem, cyanobacteria evolved a CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) to pool CO2 in the vicinity of RuBisCO. However, the regulation of these carbon (C) assimilatory systems is understood only partially.

Using the model Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 we characterized an essential LysR‐type transcriptional regulator encoded by gene sll0998. Transcript profiling of a knockdown mutant revealed diminished expression of several genes involved in C acquisition, including rbcLXS, sbtA and ccmKL encoding RuBisCO and parts of the CCM, respectively.

We demonstrate that the Sll0998 protein binds the rbcL promoter and acts as a RuBisCO regulator (RbcR). We propose ATTA(G/A)‐N5‐(C/T)TAAT as the binding motif consensus. Our data validate RbcR as a regulator of inorganic C assimilation and define the regulon controlled by it.

Biological CO2 fixation can sustain efforts to reduce its atmospheric concentrations and is fundamental for the light‐driven production of chemicals directly from CO2. Information about the involved regulatory and physiological processes is crucial to engineer cyanobacterial cell factories.
The incidence of lumbar spine surgery following Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression and Superion Indirect Decompression System for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: a retrospective review
Authors: Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Yadav Abhishek , D’Souza Ryan S. , DeTemple Nathan , Wolff Jason S. , Parmele James B. , Deer Timothy R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionLumbar spinal stenosis affects more than 200,000 adults in the United States, resulting in approximately 38,000 operations among the Medicare population and greater than $1.5 billion in hospital bills alone. Fortunately, Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) and the Superion Indirect Decompression System have shown lasting benefit and cost savings compared to more aggressive surgical options.ObjectiveOur primary objective was to retrospectively determine the rate of lumbar decompression surgery following the MILD and Superion procedures.Materials and MethodsThis was a pooled retrospective review of LSS patients who received MILD and/or Superion procedures between January 2011 and July 2019. Adult patients with CPT codes for MILD and Superion procedures were identified. Patients were included if they had a follow‐up visit at least 2 years from the procedure date, preprocedural MRI results, and surgical notes.ResultsA total of 199 patients were included in the final analysis, of which 57 patients (28.6%) underwent MILD procedure only, 124 patients (62.3%) underwent Superion only, and 18 patients (9.0%) underwent an MILD procedure initially followed by a Superion procedure. Two patients had an MILD procedure performed twice at the same level at separate encounters. A total of four patients in the entire cohort (2.0%; MILD 5.3%, Superion 0.8%) underwent subsequent lumbar spine surgery when followed for at least 2 years. It is notable that some of these patients may not have been surgical candidates and this may have skewed the results.ConclusionsPatients undergoing minimally invasive decompression treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis have low rates of subsequent open surgery which potentially results in cost savings and a reduction in severe adverse events. The reason for low surgical rate may reflect improvement in their symptoms, a preference to avoid surgery, or being deemed not a surgical candidate.