bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rise of the machines: Integrating technology with playback experiments to study cetacean social cognition in the wild
Authors: King Stephanie L. , Jensen Frants H. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Cetaceans represent an evolutionary peak in terms of their cognitive capacities, complex communication systems and their structured, multilevel societies. However, the difficulty of observing their behaviour underwater means that studying whale and dolphin sociality in the wild poses some significant methodological challenges.

Traditionally, playback experiments have been used to explore aspects of communication and cognition in whales and dolphins, particularly with trained animals under human care. However, while these studies have provided major breakthroughs in our understanding of cetacean social cognition, it is difficult to know whether these findings generalize to wild animals.

In recent years, new state‐of‐the‐art technology (drones and non‐invasive sound and movement tags) have revolutionized the field of marine mammal behaviour, providing unparalleled information on the fine‐scale behaviour of individuals in the wild. Here, we review the state of the field, combining published studies with our own extensive experience, to demonstrate how these new technologies fundamentally change the behavioural metrics that we are able to measure; allowing us to move from categorical observations to quantifying fine‐scale changes in movement, activity and vocal behaviour.

We discuss how conducting playback experiments alongside these new technologies combines rigorous experimental design with strong ecological validity and increased reproducibility and can be adapted for many social species, setting the standard for high‐calibre, field‐based experiments that explore animal social cognition in the wild.
The management of neovascular age‐related macular degeneration: A systematic literature review of patient‐reported outcomes, patient mental health and caregiver burden
Authors: Gale Richard P. , Finger Robert P. , Eldem Bora , Aslam Tariq , Barratt Jane , Daien Vincent , Kodjikian Laurent , Loewenstein Anat , Okada Mali , Wong Tien Yin , Sylvanowicz Michelle , Rodríguez Francisco J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this systematic literature review was to describe patient‐reported outcomes, mental health and caregiver burden in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in routine clinical practice.MethodsElectronic searches were conducted in Embase and MEDLINE according to pre‐defined criteria.ResultsOf 856 records identified, 63 met inclusion criteria. Depression or depressive symptoms were reported in up to 42% of patients with nAMD. Of 25/63 (40%) studies evaluating quality of life (QoL) and using various tools, eight studies reported composite National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire scores following anti‐VEGF treatment. Of these, seven reported a statistically significant improvement at the earliest time point measured (Month 3–12) and approximately 50% reported sustained QoL benefits at 12 months. In studies comparing the attributed or different regimens, the most important factor from the patient's perspective was the likelihood that a particular regimen would maintain vision. There was a preference towards treat and extend, which was associated with a perceived reduction in patient and caregiver burden, compared to fixed dosing.ConclusionsA coordinated holistic approach to patient care is key to optimizing patient well‐being as well as visual outcomes. Further research regarding the patient‐reported impact of nAMD management outside the trial setting (particularly international longitudinal studies) is warranted. Standardization of QoL studies would assist in establishing whether sustained QoL improvement, rather than prevention of QoL decline, should be a realistic expectation of treatment of nAMD in the longer term.
Day‐to‐day variation in students’ academic success: The role of self‐regulation, working memory, and achievement goals
Authors: Blume Friederike , Irmer Andrea , Dirk Judith , Schmiedek Florian 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSelf‐regulation was found to be positively associated with school performance. Interrelations between self‐regulation, working memory (WM), and achievement goals, in particular mastery goals, have been established, as well as associations with academic outcomes. It stands to reason that self‐regulation, WM, achievement goals, and academic success are related on a daily level. However, previous research rarely considered this level of analysis. Here, we therefore addressed the relations of daily self‐regulation, WM, and achievement goals, and their relevance for daily and general academic success. Data were obtained through ambulatory assessments in 90 students before (Study 1; Mage = 9.83, SDage = 0.50) and 108 students after their transition to secondary school (Study 2; Mage = 10.12, SDage = 0.45) across 20 school days. Students reported about daily achievement goals prior to school, self‐regulation at school, and perceived academic success after school, as well as report card grades. Daily WM was assessed at school. Study 1 showed positive associations between daily mastery goals and self‐regulation, but not with WM. Together, daily performance‐approach goals and self‐regulation, but not other goals or WM uniquely contributed to daily perceived academic success. Study 2 showed positive associations between daily mastery goals and self‐regulation, but not with WM. Average daily mastery goals predicted daily WM. Together, daily mastery goals and self‐regulation, but not WM, uniquely contributed to daily perceived academic success. In both studies, average levels of WM, but not achievement goals or self‐regulation predicted report card grades. Results thus corroborate theoretical considerations on the importance of distinguishing self‐regulation processes at between‐ and within‐person levels.Research Highlights
Analyses of intensive longitudinal data on daily self‐regulation, working memory, and achievement goal orientations in the school context of 9‐ to 11‐year‐olds.
In primary and secondary school, days with higher mastery goals and self‐regulation are days with higher academic success.
In primary and secondary school, days with higher mastery goals are days with higher self‐regulation.
In secondary school, students with higher average mastery goals show better daily WM performance.
Average working memory performance predicts report card grades beyond the influence of prior grades and achievement goal orientations.
Linkage between microbial functional genes and net N mineralisation in forest soils along an elevational gradient
Authors: Wang Jieying , He Liyuan , Xu Xiaofeng , Ren Chengjie , Wang Jun , Guo Yaoxin , Zhao Fazhu 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSoil net nitrogen (N) mineralisation, the difference between organic nitrogen mineralisation and mineral nitrogen immobilisation, changes with elevation, thereby determining plant productivity and soil N cycling along elevation gradients. However, it has yet to be established how different microbial functional genes influence the rate of soil net N mineralisation along such gradients. To address this deficiency in our current knowledge, we performed metagenomic sequencing to identify soil microbial functional genes encoding enzymes involved in N cycling at five forest sites along an elevational gradient spanning a range from 1503 to 3182 m above sea level. Our results indicate that the rate of net N mineralisation follows a unimodal pattern with increasing elevation, with a peak (0.18 mg kg−1d−1) being detected at the mid‐high elevation site. Further, we detected a significant correlation between the abundance of genes encoding enzymes involved in denitrification and ammonia assimilation pathways and net N mineralisation rate (p < 0.05). Moreover, we established that microbial species in the phylaCyanobacteria,AcidobacteriaandPlanctomycetes, harbouring keystone functional genes, play a predominant role in determining the rate of net N mineralisation. Our findings also revealed soil substrate content (ammonium nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and C:N ratio) and soil environment (soil temperature and soil moisture) to be the major drivers of net N mineralisation in soil via their regulatory effects on the composition of microbial communities and functional genes. Our characterisation of the microbial metagenomic basis of net N mineralisation in forest soils accordingly highlights the importance of the combined contributions of soil microbial functional genes, soil substrate, and environmental factors in determining the cycling of N in forest soils at different elevations.HighlightsNet N mineralisation rate followed a unimodal pattern along an elevational gradient.Denitrification and ammonia assimilation genes were correlated with net N mineralisation rate.Cyanobacteriaplay a dominant role in determining net N mineralisation rate.Soil substrate and environment determine microbial functional gene distribution.
Grazing and topography control nutrient pools in low Arctic soils of Southwest Greenland
Authors: van Soest Maud A. J. , Anderson N. John , Bol Roland , Dixon Liz R. , Haygarth Philip M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSoil nutrient pools in the dry low Arctic are likely to be released under climatic change and this bioavailability has the potential to increase both terrestrial and aquatic productions. As well as the direct effect of warming, external disturbances such as nutrient deposition and grazing can also drive ecosystem change. This study in the low Arctic Kangerlussuaq area of southwest Greenland compared soil nutrient pools in terms of both topographic position on a catena and by soil depth in two small catchments with contrasting muskox abundance. We tested the hypotheses that there were differences between soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) across a soil catena (ridge ‐ slope ‐ valley) and by soil depth (litter ‐ 0–5 cm ‐ 25–30 cm) for the two sites (SS17b, muskox present, versus ‐ SS85, no muskox). Total C and N concentrations of soils were on average lower at SS17b compared to SS85. Moreover, the soil N concentration increased downslope in the catena with higher amounts in the valleys compared to the slopes and ridges. Soil P concentration (0.70 g P kg−1) was similar between catchments; however, litter P content was substantially different. The difference in soil nutrients between the two catchments was most likely due to the presence of muskox at SS17b, and hence grazing associated processes (defecation, altered microbiology and nutrient cycling). This study emphasises the heterogeneity of arctic landscapes and need for ecosystem specific research.Highlights
Soil nutrient pools in two low‐arctic catchments in Greenland were compared.
Grazing and dung inputs by muskox affect soil nutrient pools in Greenland.
Soil P stores in Kangerlussuaq are similar to intensively managed farmland in Europe.
The heterogeneity of arctic landscapes and need for ecosystem‐specific research are emphasised.
Effect of biochar on soil properties and infiltration in a light salinized soil: Experiments and simulations
Authors: Li Yi , Liu Chuncheng , Liang Zhijie , Wang Xiaofang , Fan Xiangyang , Liu De Li , Biswas Asim 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe sustainable development of agriculture in Xinjiang Province, China has been threatened by soil salinization. Biochar can be an effective amendment to improve salt‐affected soils. An appropriate amount of biochar application and incorporation depth are key factors for amending performance. However, few studies have investigated the effects of differing biochar application amounts on saline soil properties, including soil water infiltration, using a combination of experiments and simulations. In this study, acidulated biochar was applied at rates of 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha−1 to a farmland topsoil to investigate the impacts of biochar on Xinjiang saline soil's physical and chemical properties and infiltration characteristics. The soil's physical and chemical properties that were investigated included soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil water retention curves, and infiltration characteristics including cumulative infiltration (CI) and wetting front (Zf). HYDRUS‐1D was applied to predict soil water movement under different biochar incorporation depths. Results showed that the rate of change of soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content and Ks were −0.009, 0.102 g kg−1, 0.045 g kg−1 and 0.035 cm day−1, respectively, per ton of biochar applied. Soil water retention curves showed that biochar enhanced soil water retention capacity and available soil water content (AWC) in the silt clay loam soil. The Philip model was a good (R2 > 0.80) fit to soil water infiltration and indicated that biochar amendment promoted infiltration rates. The van Genuchten model was good for describing soil hydraulic parameters (R2 > 0.99) and could be used for HYDRUS‐1D simulations (R2 > 0.99, RRMSE <6.8% and NSE >0.98). The optimum biochar application amount for the light salinised soil in Xinjiang was recommended as 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth based on the AWC, soil salt content and incorporation depths. The study provides a reference for future field experiment design.Highlights
Effects of biochar on salt‐affected soil studied using a combination of experiments and simulations.
Acidulated biochar amendment of saline soils can reduce pH and increase SOC.
Biochar incorporation depth was considered to affect soil water infiltration.
The biochar application amount at 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth was recommended
Diel light cycles affect phytoplankton competition in the global ocean
Authors: Tsakalakis Ioannis , Follows Michael J. , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Follett Christopher L. , Vallino Joseph J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAimLight, essential for photosynthesis, is present in two periodic cycles in nature: seasonal and diel. Although seasonality of light is typically resolved in ocean biogeochemical–ecosystem models because of its significance for seasonal succession and biogeography of phytoplankton, the diel light cycle is generally not resolved. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the impact of diel light cycles on phytoplankton competition and biogeography in the global ocean.LocationGlobal ocean.Major taxa studiedPhytoplankton.MethodsWe use a three‐dimensional global ocean model and compare simulations of high temporal resolution with and without diel light cycles. The model simulates 15 phytoplankton types with different cell sizes, encompassing two broad ecological strategies: small cells with high nutrient affinity (gleaners) and larger cells with high maximal growth rate (opportunists). Both are grazed by zooplankton and limited by nitrogen, phosphorus and iron.ResultsSimulations show that diel cycles of light induce diel cycles in limiting nutrients in the global ocean. Diel nutrient cycles are associated with higher concentrations of limiting nutrients, by 100% at low latitudes (−40° to 40°), a process that increases the relative abundance of opportunists over gleaners. Size classes with the highest maximal growth rates from both gleaner and opportunist groups are favoured by diel light cycles. This mechanism weakens as latitude increases, because the effects of the seasonal cycle dominate over those of the diel cycle.Main conclusionsUnderstanding the mechanisms that govern phytoplankton biogeography is crucial for predicting ocean ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles. We show that the diel light cycle has a significant impact on phytoplankton competition and biogeography, indicating the need for understanding the role of diel processes in shaping macroecological patterns in the global ocean.
Quantitative analysis of in vitro biofilm formation by clinical isolates of dermatophyte and antibiofilm activity of common antifungal drugs
Authors: Yazdanpanah Somayeh , Sasanipoor Forozan , Khodadadi Hossein , Rezaei‐Matehkolaei Ali , Jowkar Farideh , Zomorodian Kamiar , Kharazi Mahboobeh , Mohammadi Tooba , Nouripour‐Sisakht Sadegh , Nasr Reza , Motamedi Marjan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe ability of dermatophytes to develop biofilm, as one of the virulence factors in fungal infections which contribute to antifungal resistance, is an outstanding aspect of dermatophytosis that has been noted recently. Because of the paucity of data about the biofilm formation by dermatophytes and their susceptibility to antifungal drugs, this study evaluated the biofilm formation by clinical isolates of dermatophytes and antibiofilm activity of common antifungals widely used to manage dermatophytosis.MethodsThe ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions sequencing for species identification of 50 clinical dermatophyte isolates was performed. The ability of isolates to form biofilm and inhibitory activity of itraconazole, terbinafine, and griseofulvin against biofilm formation was assayed by the crystal violet staining method. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied for the visualization of the biofilm structures.ResultsTrichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes (n: 14; 28%) and T. rubrum (n: 13;26%) were included in more than half of the dermatophyte isolates. Biofilm formation was observed in 37 out of 50 (74%) isolates that were classified as follows: nonproducers (n: 13; 26%), weak producers (n: 4; 8%), moderate producers (n: 16; 32%), and strong producers (n: 17; 34%) by comparison of the absorbance of biofilms produced by clinical strains with control. The mean IC50 values for terbinafine, griseofulvin, and itraconazole were 2.42, 3.18, and 3.78 μg/ml, respectively.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that most of the clinical dermatophyte isolates are capable to form biofilm in vitro with variable strength. Moreover, terbinafine can be suggested as the first‐line choice for the treatment of biofilm‐formed dermatophytosis.
Proposed international standard on auditing financial statements of less complex entities: IAASB IAAER roundtables—Breakout 1 authority and groups
Authors: van Nieuw Amerongen C (Niels) M. , Duits Hans B. , Gordon Elizabeth A. , Street Donna L. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis commentary summarizes stakeholder views voiced during roundtables on the 2021 International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board's (IAASB) Exposure Draft: Proposed International Standard on Auditing of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities (ED LCE). For EDs, IAASB's due process includes seeking stakeholder views in a formal consultation format on a specified number of issues deemed relevant to further improve the proposed standard. Following its mission, the International Association for Accounting Education and Research—together with the IAASB—facilitated roundtables linking audit practitioners, academics, and financial statements users. The three roundtables followed a structured agenda including the same (but not all) topics on which the IAASB seeks views. In this commentary, we summarize views heard during the first roundtable breakout session focused on authority and groups and provide recommendations to the IAASB regarding the way forward.
The potential role of insulin‐like growth factor 1 in acne vulgaris and its correlation with the clinical response before and after treatment with metformin
Authors: Albalat Waleed , Darwish Hend , Abd‐Elaal Walaa H. , AbouHadeed Mohamed Hussein , Essam Reham 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAcne vulgaris (AV) is a complex and multifactorial inflammatory disease affecting the pilosebaceous follicles. Optimum treatment of AV is important to reduce the disease severity and recurrence.AimTo evaluate the role of metformin in the treatment of acne vulgaris by reducing the level of insulin‐like growth factor 1.MethodsFifty patients with AV were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 16 to 30 years, and they had different grades of the disease. IGF‐1 levels were measured in all patients before and after the treatment with metformin.ResultsAfter 4 months of therapy, there was a clinical improvement detected by an improvement in the global acne grading system (GAGS) score and also a significant decrease in IGF‐level.ConclusionIGF‐1 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of acne; also we can presume that oral metformin is an effective and safe line in the treatment of AV.
Partnering with healthcare organisations to teach pre‐registration health professions students about quality improvement: A systematic review
Authors: Mak Verity , Brand Gabrielle , Morphet Julia 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAims and ObjectivesTo describe what higher education and healthcare organisation partnerships can be identified in the published literature to teach pre‐registration health professions students quality improvement and the impact of these partnerships.BackgroundQuality improvement has been gaining traction in the Western world and has been incorporated in varying degrees into the curricula for pre‐registration health professions students. Providing quality improvement education in partnership with healthcare organisations has been found to be a valuable experiential learning solution, but the impacts of higher education and healthcare organisation partnerships have not been explored.Design and MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was undertaken using the Ovid MEDLINE, Emcare, CINAHL, Scopus and Eric databases. Studies were subject to quality appraisal using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program validated tools and a thematic analysis and narrative synthesis was undertaken.ResultsEight studies were included in this review. Features of existing quality improvement partnerships included experiential learning, time pressures and barriers to successful quality improvement partnerships. The impacts of quality improvement partnerships were demonstrated by an increase in quality improvement knowledge and understanding, students leading change and the implementation of quality improvement projects.ConclusionSeveral key elements were identified that may act as barriers or enablers to successful implementation of quality improvement partnerships. This review advances understandings of the need for a shift in focus that pays attention to the culture of teaching quality improvement in education partnerships and how this can be achieved in a mutually beneficial way.Relevance to Clinical PracticeThe development of quality improvement partnerships has been found to increase student knowledge and understanding, potentially improving patient outcomes, systems performance and professional development. More research is required on the establishment of quality improvement partnerships and the benefit these collaborations have on students, staff and patients.