bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long transient response of vegetation dynamics after four millennia of anthropogenic impacts in an island ecosystem
Authors: Oro Daniel , Pueyo Yolanda , Bauzà Joan , Errea Maria Paz , Arroyo Antonio Ignacio 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAgents of global change commonly have a higher impact on island ecosystem dynamics. In the Mediterranean region, those dynamics have historically been influenced by anthropogenic impacts, for example, the introduction of invasive species and overharvesting of resources. Here, we analysed the spatio‐temporal dynamics of vegetation in sa Dragonera island, which experienced a large environmental change ca. 4000 years ago by the arrival of humans. Anthropogenic impacts, such as herbivory by goats and over‐logging, ended in the 1970s, while in 2011 the site became the largest Mediterranean island where rats were eradicated. Invasive rats and goats played the ecological role of two endemic species, the cave goat and the giant dormouse, which inhabited the island for more than 5 million years and were rapidly extinct by humans. We used Landsat imagery to explore NDVI as a proxy of vegetation productivity over the years 1984–2021, orthophotos to assess changes in land and vegetation covers and historical plant inventories to study the dynamics in plant diversity. Results showed that those indicators steadily increased both in spring and in summer, while the noise around the trends was partially explained by climate variability. The regime shifts in the temporal dynamics of vegetation productivity suggested a transient from a perturbed to a non‐perturbed stable state. Trends in successional dynamics, spatial self‐organization and plant diversity also showed the same type of transient dynamics. Historical perturbations related to harvesting (mainly the synergies between goat browsing, burning and forest over‐logging) were more important than rat eradication or the influence of climate to explain the vegetation dynamics. Our study shows the transient nature of this small island ecosystem after 4000 years of perturbations and its current path towards vegetation dynamics more controlled by ecological interactions lacking large herbivores and omnivores, drought dynamics and the carrying capacity of the island.
Exploring the long‐term psychosocial impact of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for nonmalignant diseases
Authors: Bense Joëll E. , ter Welle Lieke , Mekelenkamp Hilda , Schimmel Marieke , Louwerens Marloes , Lankester Arjan C. , Pieterse Arwen H. , de Pagter Anne P. J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIntroductionAn understanding of the long‐term psychosocial impact of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases is needed to optimize pre‐HSCT counselling, supportive care and long‐term follow‐up programmes after HSCT for this group of patients and caregivers.MethodsThis qualitative study included 14 patients who underwent transplantation for a nonmalignant disease during childhood. In‐depth interviews were held online to explore patients' perspectives on the long‐term psychosocial impact of HSCT on their lives. The results were analysed based on the Grounded Theory approach.ResultsPatients' median age at the time of the interview was 19 years (range: 14–49), and the median years after HSCT was 12 years (range: 3–33). Four main themes were identified: (1) doing okay, (2) experiencing persistent involvement with healthcare services, (3) influence on relationships with loved ones and (4) impact on the patient's life course. Subthemes extracted were doing okay, feeling of being cured, health limitations, sense of vulnerability, ongoing connection to the hospital, acceptance, friendship, family relations, development of own identity, not taking life for granted, social development, impact on (school) career and thinking about the future.ConclusionsPatients reported active coping strategies and resilience after this high‐impact treatment. The data highlight the need for patient‐adjusted supportive care, indicating more need for supportive care in the long‐term outpatient clinic.Patient ContributionThis study included patients as participants. Caregivers were approached if patients were below a certain age. Additionally, preliminary results were presented during a patient conference day.
Evaluating the potential of Pediococcus pentosaceus as a biocontrol agent against tenuazonic acid–producing Alternaria alternata on livestock feeds
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo Cardoso , Mendonça Carlos Miguel Nobrega , Verissimo Nathalia Vieira , de Almeida Sonia Regina Yokomizo , Correa Benedito , Watanabe Ii-Sei , de Azevedo Pamela Oliveira de Souza , Oliveira Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Aims
This study aims to demonstrate the potential of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Pediococcus pentosaceus LBM18 against the mycotoxin-producing Alternaria alternata TEF-1A and highlight its application as an effective grain silage inoculant to control mycotoxin contamination.

Methods and Results
The antifungal properties of Ped. pentosaceus lyophilized (PPL) were assessed by evaluating its effect on A. alternata TEF-1A grown in a corn silage-based medium, which included morphological changes by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations, growth rate, conidia production assays, and inhibition of Tenuazonic acid (TeA) production by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC–MS/MS) analyses. Furthermore, TeA biosynthesis was monitored for changes at the molecular level by PKS gene expression. The growth and sporulation processes of A. alternata TEF-1A were affected by Ped. pentosaceus LBM18 in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, a significant inhibition of TeA production (74.3%) and the transcription level of the PKS gene (42.9%) was observed.

Conclusions
Ped. pentosaceus is one of the promising LAB to be applied as an inoculant for corn silage preservation, aiming to inhibit mycotoxigenic fungi growth and their mycotoxin production.

Significance and impact of the study
Ped. pentosaceus could be used as an inoculant to reduce fungal and mycotoxins contamination in grain silage production.
Enhancement of antibacterial and growth-promoting effects of Paenibacillus polymyxa by optimizing its fermentation process
Authors: Liu Shoude , Liu Huamei , Zhou Li , Cheng Zhiguo , Wan Jun , Pan Yu , Xu Guang , Huang Fang , Wang Meng , Xiong Yuanyuan , Hu Guoyuan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Aims
We aimed to enhance the antibacterial and growth-promoting effects of Paenibacillus polymyxa by improving the yield of spores, lipopeptides and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the fermentation process.

Methods and Results
Through medium optimization by the response surface method and feeding fermentation, the number of spores reached 2.37 × 109 cfu ml−1 with an increase of 38%, the content of lipopeptides reached 60.8 mg L−1 with an increase of 89%, and the content of IAA reached 24.3 mg L−1 with an increase of 176%, respectively, comparing with the original (un-optimized) culture conditions. The fermentation culture of P. polymyxa from the optimized medium and feeding fermentation resulted in higher colonization of P. polymyxa in soils than that from the original culture during the 49 days for testing. Comparing with the supernatant of the original culture, the supernatant of the P. polymyxa culture from the optimized medium and feeding fermentation showed enhanced antibacterial effects and plant growth-promoting effects. The enhanced antibacterial effect was shown as the increase of the inhibition zone by 59%, 45% and 26% against Ralstonia solanacearum, Erwinia carotovora and Xanthomonas campestris. The enhanced growth-promoting effects on tomato and strawberry plants were the increase of plant height by 47% and 5%, root length by 23% and 15% and root weight by 65% and 110%.

Conclusions
The combination of medium optimization and feeding fermentation effectively improved the yield of spores, lipopeptides and IAA. Lipopeptides and IAA lead to enhanced antibacterial and plant growth-promoting effects of the P. polymyxa product.

Significance and impact of this study
The optimized fermentation method significantly improved the yield of spores, lipopeptides and IAA, thus providing theoretical and technical support for enhancing the antibacterial and growth-promoting effects of P. polymyxa products in agriculture.
Numerical model for solar drying mechanism of grapes using double glazed cabinet type solar dryer
Authors: Komble Sachin P. , Kulkarni Govind N. , Sewatkar Chandrashekhar M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA development of an integrated mathematical model based on heat and mass transfer process was used to predict the shrinkage, moisture content, and thermal properties of grapes under different climatic conditions. A lab‐scale experimental test setup has also been developed, and tests are performed. The results obtained from the mathematical model are compared with experimental results and found to be in agreement with a maximum error of 14%. The moisture content evaluated from the model showed a fair agreement with the experimental results. An energy balance equation is used to obtain the cabinet temperature. A time‐dependent radiation flux density (I(t)) at a certain day is obtained through meteorological records. The effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) is obtained using Fick's diffusion equation for all the investigated conditions. The model is also validated with the results reported in the literature. Moisture is reduced from the initial moisture content of 4.88 kg of water per kg of dry matter to the final moisture content of approximately 0.38 kg of water per kg dry matter. The average radius of the grape decreased by 34.67% at the end of drying process (moisture content ~13%). The maximum water activity is 0.37 for the highest moisture content. The maximum radius change was found 4.9 mm from 7.5 mm for 50°C case. The maximum temperature increase of grapes with respect to drying time is 18°C. The results obtained using the proposed mathematical model can be used to predict product temperature, moisture content, and drying time for cylindrical‐shaped products.
An increasing disinterest in fatherhood among childless men in the United States: A brief report
Authors: Bozick Robert 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this brief report is to document trends in expectations for and attitudes toward fatherhood among childless men across the first two decades of the 2000s.BackgroundChildless men account for more than a third of adult men in the United States, but it is unclear if they desire to become fathers, and if not, whether this sentiment changed over time.MethodTime trends for multiple measures of expectations for and attitudes toward fatherhood are plotted using samples of childless men from the National Survey of Family Growth, the Monitoring the Future study, and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics' Transition to Adulthood supplement.ResultsAcross the time series, a growing share of childless men do not want children and increasingly, a lack of children would not bother them at all. Additionally, certainty in having children among childless men has waned over time and fewer childless men are concerned with parental leave policies when evaluating their job options.ConclusionAcross the first two decades of the 2000s, there is an increasing disinterest in becoming fathers among childless men. These trends have broad implications for family researchers who study fertility rates, men's health, and family relationships.
Translingual neural stimulation affects resting‐state functional connectivity in mild‐moderate traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hou Jiancheng , Mohanty Rosaleena , Chu Daniel , Nair Veena A. , Danilov Yuri , Kaczmarek Kurt A. , Meyerand Beth , Tyler Mitchell , Prabhakaran Vivek 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackground and PurposeTraumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to movement and balance deficits. In addition to physical therapy, brain‐based neurorehabilitation efforts have begun to show promise in improving these deficits. The present study investigated the effectiveness of translingual neural stimulation (TLNS) on patients with mild‐to‐moderate TBI (mmTBI) and related brain connectivity using a resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) approach.MethodsResting‐state images with 5‐min on GE750 3T scanner were acquired from nine participants with mmTBI. Paired t‐test was used for calculating changes in RSFC and behavioral scores before and after the TLNS intervention. The balance and movement performances related to mmTBI were evaluated by Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI).ResultsCompared to pre‐TLNS intervention, significant behavioral changes in SOT and DGI were observed. The analysis revealed increased RSFC between the left postcentral gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule and left Brodmann Area 40, as well as the increased RSFC between the right culmen and right declive, indicating changes due to TLNS treatment. However, there were no correlations between the sensory/somatomotor (or visual or cerebellar) network and SOT/DGI behavioral performance.ConclusionsAlthough the limited sample size may have led to lack of significant correlations with functional assessments, these results provide preliminary evidence that TLNS in conjunction with physical therapy can induce brain plasticity in TBI patients with balance and movement deficits.
Diet Quality and School Attendance: Cost Analysis Informing Absence‐Reduction Strategies in Schools With Underserved Students
Authors: Kukla‐Acevedo Sharon A. , Ernst Micah G. , Sommer Evan C. , Adams Laura E. , Barkin Shari L. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAs school districts across the nation evaluate strategies and implement programs to reduce absenteeism, health‐related interventions remain largely underutilized. This study provides the estimated cost of improving students' diet quality as a means to increase attendance. Then, it compares the costs and efficacy of improving diet quality to those of other absence‐reduction interventions.METHODSThis study used child‐level diet quality data from the Growing Right Onto Wellness (GROW) randomized control trial merged with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) absences data, as well as food cost estimates from Rose et al. to study the cost effectiveness of improving underserved elementary student attendance through improved diet quality.RESULTSThe results suggest that improving diet quality might be a cost‐efficient way of improving attendance among elementary students in underserved areas. Further, improving diet quality compares favorably to other absence‐reduction strategies, in terms of cost and effectiveness.CONCLUSIONSInvestments in school food programs to improve diet quality may be a cost‐effective strategy to reduce student absenteeism, especially for schools with higher concentrations of students with lower diet quality. These results may assist decision‐makers who allocate scarce resources aimed at improving school attendance.
Effect of neurodevelopmental treatment in children with congenital Zika syndrome: A pilot study
Authors: Müller Wirtud I M , Gama Gabriela L , Borges Marcia C D , Bastos Bárbara M A M , Tavares Janiele S , Barros Emanuela S , Tavares Jousilene S , Amorim Melania M R , Melo Adriana 
Published: July 2022

AimTo evaluate the effects of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).MethodsThis prospective, interventional cohort study involved children with CZS undergoing follow‐up at a specialist centre in northeastern Brazil. The duration of the proposed NDT protocol was 1 year, with 45‐min sessions delivered one to five times weekly. Motor function, weight, height, head circumference and the incidence of comorbidities were evaluated in children before protocol initiation and then at 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment.ResultsThirty children were evaluated (age mean 30.1 ± 3 months). Motor function improved from baseline to 6 months (P = 0.001). No difference in weight and head circumference z‐score (P = 0.51 and P = 0.29, respectively), but an increase in height z‐score (P < 0.001) was observed over the evaluation period. There was a reduction in the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections over the follow‐up period.ConclusionsNDT proved to be a viable treatment approach that can improve motor function and reduce the incidence of comorbidities in children with CZS, while having no harmful effects on their growth.
New real‐time PCR assay for detecting the blueberry and cranberry twig blight pathogen
Authors: Dharmaraj Karthikeyan , Michalecka Monika , Alexander Brett J. R. , Toome‐Heller Merje 
Published: July 2022

AbstractDiaporthe vaccinii is a fungal pathogen of concern to Vaccinium species, responsible for twig blight disease. This fungus may survive in woody tissues without displaying symptoms, which makes the diagnostics more challenging. To provide a rapid and efficient diagnostic tool for D. vaccinii, a new and specific TaqMan real‐time PCR assay was developed using translation elongation factor 1 gene region. The assay was specific to D. vaccinii and did not cross‐react with any other tested Vaccinium pathogens. The sensitivity of the assay was found to be 1 pg of the pathogen DNA in water or in host DNA, which is equivalent to less than 20 hyphal cells. The assay was also used to test infected plant tissues, which determined that the assay can detect the pathogen from symptomatic as well as non‐symptomatic material. Furthermore, D. vaccinii was detected after mixing infected asymptomatic tissue with healthy stem tissues at a proportion of 1:10 by weight. To co‐amplify the D. vaccinii and the plant cytochrome oxidase gene as internal control in a single reaction, a duplex assay was successfully developed without any reduction in sensitivity. Inter‐laboratory testing of the assay showed consistent results, demonstrating that the developed assay is robust and transferrable to other laboratories.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of orally administered torasemide in healthy cats
Authors: Roche‐Catholy Marine , Paepe Dominique , Devreese Mathias , Broeckx Bart J. G. , Woehrlé Frederique , Schneider Marc , de Salazar Alcala Andrea Garcia , Hellemans Arnaut , Smets Pascale 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn people and dogs, torasemide has higher bioavailability, longer half‐life, and longer duration of action than equivalent doses of furosemide but data regarding pharmacological properties of torasemide in cats are limited.ObjectiveTo assess pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of torasemide in healthy cats, and to investigate the effects of a single administration of torasemide on indicators of diuresis, plasma creatinine concentration, blood pressure, electrolyte concentrations and markers of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS).AnimalsSix clinically healthy adult European shorthair cats.MethodsRandomized 4‐period crossover design with 3 groups and 4 treatments. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained using a noncompartmental analysis, and the clinically effective dose was assessed using a Hill model.ResultsMean absolute bioavailability was estimated at 88.1%. Mean total body clearance was 3.64 mL/h/kg and mean terminal half‐life was 12.9 hours. Urine output significantly increased after torasemide administration (P < .001). The urine sodium : potassium ratio (uNa : uK) paralleled and was statistically correlated to urine output (P < .001). Administration of a single torasemide dose led to a significant dose‐dependent increase in urine aldosterone : creatinine ratio (uAldo : C; P < .001) and a transient decrease in plasma potassium concentration (P < .001) but did not affect blood pressure or plasma creatinine concentration.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA single torasemide dose leads to a significant increase in diuresis and renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) activation in healthy cats, with high absolute bioavailability, and without clinically relevant adverse effects. Pharmacokinetic parameters indicate that once daily dosing of 0.27 mg/kg may be appropriate in a clinical setting.
Ondansetron in dogs with nausea associated with vestibular disease: A double‐blinded, randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Henze Lea , Foth Sarah , Meller Sebastian , Twele Friederike , Charalambous Marios , Kenward Hannah , Elliott Jonathan , Pelligand Ludovic , Volk Holger A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundNausea and emesis can be, among other signs, common manifestations of acute vestibular system dysfunction in dogs. Currently, antiemetic drugs, such as maropitant and metoclopramide, are used commonly, but do not appear to control nausea. A non‐placebo‐controlled preliminary study suggested good efficacy of 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonists, such as ondansetron, against nausea in dogs with vestibular syndrome.ObjectivesTo assess and confirm the effect of ondansetron on behavior suggestive of nausea in dogs with vestibular syndrome.AnimalsFourteen dogs with vestibular syndrome and clinical signs of nausea presented to a neurology service.MethodsPlacebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, crossover study. Behavioral assessment was performed hourly for 4 hours using an established numerical rating scale. The criteria salivation, lip licking, vocalization, restlessness, lethargy, and general nausea were scored. The occurrence of emesis was recorded. After scoring at T0 (pre‐dose) and T2 (2 hours post‐dose) either ondansetron (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo was injected IV. Two hours post‐dose, treatments were switched. Blood samples were collected to measure serum arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration, which previously has been shown to correlate with clinical signs of nausea.ResultsClinical resolution of nausea was observed 1 hour after administration of ondansetron, whereas serum AVP concentration decreased 4 hours after ondansetron administration.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceAdministration of ondansetron IV is beneficial for dogs with nausea secondary to acute vestibular syndrome. Ondansetron substantially and rapidly decreased clinical signs of nausea behavior and stopped emesis.