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Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious infection of the cornea, typically associated with contact lens wear. Here, we present a case of AK caused by the Acanthamoeba genotype T4D/T4e in a patient without identifiable risk factors: a 34-year-old woman who initially presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of herpetic keratitis, and who did not respond to conventional treatment. Corneal culture and targeted metagenomic analysis (18S rRNA, 16S-like rRNA) revealed the presence of an Acanthamoeba species closely related to the ‘Nagington’ strain. Despite intensive anti-Acanthamoeba therapy, complications arose necessitating penetrating keratoplasty. In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of considering Acanthamoeba as a causal agent of keratitis in non-contact-lens wearers. The identification of Acanthamoeba genotype T4D/T4e challenges the previous understanding of its pathogenic potential. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for ongoing research into the pathogenicity of different Acanthamoeba subtypes. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing vision-threatening complications associated with AK.

Chitin has proven to be a valuable alternative to mineral fertilizers in growing media. We recently hypothesized that chitin might work as a biostimulant, attracting plant growth-promoting microbes to the rhizosphere. In particular, Mortierellales species increase in abundance massively with chitin application and might have a profound role in chitin-mediated plant growth promotion. We isolated four strains of this order classified as Linnemannia elongata from chitin-enriched growing medium and the lettuce rhizosphere. The isolates induced a consistent increase in shoot and root fresh weight and increased chlorophyll content of Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro, as measured by multispectral imaging. By studying the isolate's genomes, we postulated that this growth promotion was induced through auxin production, translocation of calcium to the plant, or both. The synergy between chitin and L. elongata was demonstrated by (i) the chitinase activity and chitin degradation potential of all isolates and (ii) the positive effect of chitin and L. elongata seed coating on germination of A. thaliana seeds compared with L. elongata seed coating without chitin. We conclude that chitin-related growth promotion is dependent on activation of the microbial community, with L. elongata as a key species. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

IntroductionVarious draft horse breeds, especially breeds with abundant feathering on the lower limbs, are known to be susceptible to chorioptic mange. Clinical signs of chorioptic mange encompass intense pruritus leading to self-mutilation and hair loss, thickening of the epidermis, and the formation of hyperkeratotic crusts and scabs. Despite the frequent occurrence and high impact of this condition, treatment options are limited, with a conspicuous absence of registered products formulated for equines, and especially foals. This limited availability of approved products highlights the necessity for alternative approaches to effectively address chorioptic mange in draft horse populations, given the severity of the clinical signs and their negative impact on the well-being of infested horses.MethodsTwo 9-months old Belgian draft horse foals with clinical signs of severe pruritus and skin scaling on the distal legs were included. Both horses tested positive for living mites by means of superficial skin scrapings. Topical treatment with ivermectin at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight was applied twice with 1 week interval, directly onto the distal legs of the horses.ResultsIn both cases, the mites were morphologically identified as Chorioptes bovis. Negative scrapings were obtained 7 days after the second treatment. Pruritus resolved in both horses within 2 days after the first treatment. Clinical signs consisting of skin scaling and crusting in the pastern region had resolved as well at 1 week and 3 weeks after the second treatment, respectively.ConclusionThis case report presents the first successful treatment of two clinical cases of chorioptic mange in Belgian draft horse foals with 1 mg/kg topical ivermectin, applied directly onto the distal legs.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a 5-week dynamic finger flexor strength training program on bouldering performance and climbing-specific strength tests. Advanced to elite level boulderers (n = 31) were randomized to a dynamic finger strength training group (DFS) or a control group (CON). The DFS training program consisted of 3 weekly sessions (3–5 sets, 4–10 repetitions per session). Both groups continued bouldering training as usual throughout the intervention period. Pre- and post-intervention measures included bouldering performance, maximal dynamic finger strength, isometric finger strength (peak and average force), and rate of force development (RFD). The DFS demonstrated greater improvement in dynamic finger strength (11.5%, 3.9 kg) than the CON (5.3%, 1.7 kg; p = 0.075, ES = 0.90), but there were no differences between the groups in 1RM (p = 0.075, ES = 0.67), bouldering performance (p = 0.39, ES = 0.35), isometric finger strength (p = 0.42–0.56, ES = 0.20–0.22) or RFD (p = 0.30, ES = 0.46). The DFS improved dynamic (p < 0.01, ES = 1.83) and isometric peak and average (p < 0.01, ES = 0.98, and p < 0.01, ES = 0.75, respectively) finger strength, while the CON only increased dynamic finger strength (p < 0.05, ES = 0.58). None of groups improved bouldering performance or RFD (p = 0.07–0.58). In conclusion, 5 weeks of DFS training improving dynamic strength to a greater extent than bouldering alone in addition to improving isometric finger strength among advanced boulderers. Isolated bouldering improved dynamic finger flexor strength, but importantly, increased finger strength (dynamic or isometric) did not improve bouldering performance.

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of resistance training through full range of motion and static stretching (SS) of the hip and lower back extensors on flexibility and strength in healthy, physically active, adults. Methods Eighteen participants (age: 24.2 ± 3.0 years, body mass: 71.3 ± 8.9 kg, height: 172.8 ± 7.5 cm) were randomly assigned to either a Resistance Training (RT) (n = 6), SS (n = 6), or control (CON) group (n = 6). The sit & reach (S&R) flexibility test and maximum isometric straight legged deadlift (ISLDL) at 95% and 50% range of motion (ROM) were tested pre- and post-intervention with significance set at p

Abstract Background The need for advanced home healthcare (HHC) is expected to increase, with registered nurses (RNs) as key figures. Given the difficulties recruiting and retaining RNs in the HHC sector, understanding their work satisfaction is imperative. Aim This study aimed to explore RNs’ experiences of work satisfaction in the municipal HHC. Methods Individual interviews were conducted with RNs (n = 8) in four municipalities in Norway. The data were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results Work satisfaction in HHC was organised into one theme ‘alone and together’ under four categories—the patient, the co-worker, the registered nurse, and the organisation—and 15 subcategories, including patient diversity, supportive co-workers and professional environment, appropriate workload and responsibilities, and provision of preconditions for self-management. Conclusions Patients, co-workers, and organisations were identified as crucial areas affecting RNs’ work satisfaction in the municipal HHC. Awareness of these areas is essential to promote RNs’ work satisfaction. Patients’ diversity adds positively to RNs’ work satisfaction. Notably, RNs working alone can affect their work satisfaction not only negatively but also positively.

Abstract Background Only seven cases of ocular Spiroplasma infection have been reported to date, all presenting as congenital cataracts with concomitant intraocular inflammation. We describe the first case of Spiroplasma infection initially presenting as a corneal infiltrate. Case presentation A 1-month-old girl was referred for a corneal infiltrate in the left eye. She presented in our hospital with unilateral keratouveitis. Examination showed a stromal corneal infiltrate and dense white keratic precipitates in the left eye. Herpetic keratouveitis was suspected and intravenous acyclovir therapy was initiated. Two weeks later, the inflammation in the left eye persisted and was also noticed in the right eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and a cataract with dilated iris vessels extending onto the anterior lens capsule developed in the left eye. The inflammation resolved after treatment with azithromycin. Iridectomy, synechiolysis and lensectomy were performed. Bacterial metagenomic sequencing (16 S rRNA) and transmission electron microscopy revealed Spiroplasma ixodetis species in lens aspirates and biopsy. Consequently, a diagnosis of bilateral Spiroplasma uveitis was made. Conclusions In cases of congenital cataract with concomitant intraocular inflammation, Spiroplasma infection should be considered. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of congenital Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe keratouveitis, cataract and angle-closure glaucoma in newborns. Performing molecular testing on lens aspirates is essential to confirm diagnosis. Systemic macrolides are suggested as the mainstay of treatment.

A 5-level crowding intensity scale for directing and auditing the crowding of Atlantic salmon in sea cages based on surface observations is currently included in standards, manuals, and guidelines for fish farmers. Here we test the feasibility of using this scale to create distinct crowding levels, the effects of these different levels upon fish welfare, and the suitability of a set of possible operational welfare indicators (OWIs) and laboratory-based welfare indicators (LABWIs) to be included in toolboxes for monitoring and assessing fish welfare in relation to the crowding of salmon in sea cages. Crowding level 1 was not included in this study since this is a very light level of crowding, and also not level 5 as this level clearly would harm the fish and lead to mortalities. We were able to use the scale to create three distinct crowding levels in two of three separate crowding events in 12×12m2 sea cages. Although the farm personnel were experienced, it soon became evident that underwater monitoring of fish behaviour and how the net was tightened around the fish was important to make sure that no pockets or irregularities that could harm the fish were formed during the crowding. Despite evidence of increased stress and epidermal damage with increased crowding intensity, there were no clear indications that this led to any long-term detrimental effects on fish welfare. In conclusion an OWI-toolbox for crowding should include both surface and underwater observations, monitoring of oxygen conditions, and morphological injury data to steer decisions to prevent welfare problems and mortalities. In addition, qualitative assessment of fish behaviour, plasma cortisol, and skin histology can be included in a LABWI-toolbox if more in-depth information on the effects from the crowding is wanted.

Abstract Over the last 10 years, the spawning population of invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) has increased in the river systems in northern Norway to a level that is causing concern about their impact on endemic fauna and ecosystem processes. The scale of transfer of pink salmon carcasses into the terrestrial ecosystem is likely to be a key determinant of terrestrial impact. Bears (Ursus sp.) are responsible for most such transfers in North America but are rare in Norway. The white‐tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is common however, and a candidate to be a main cause of such transfers. To evaluate this hypothesis, data on the abundance of white‐tailed eagles and pink salmon were collected along the river Skallelv in northern Norway in 2021, a year the pink salmon spawned in the river, and in 2022, a year no pink salmon spawned in the river. The abundance of white‐tailed eagles along the river was much higher the year pink salmon spawned in the river. Furthermore, white‐tailed eagles were observed aggregating and catching pink salmon where and when pink salmon were present at the spawning and post‐spawning stages. Based on our observations, we suggest that the white‐tailed eagle is the main species involved in the transport of pink salmon from the river into the riparian zone in northern Norway and that other scavengers, in particular the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and common raven (Corvus corax), play an important role in transporting pink salmon carcasses from the riparian zone to the wider terrestrial ecosystem.

Although they commonly are associated with recreation, summer camps for children can be seen as educational arenas that both supplement and challenge school education. Summer camps provide education in a broad sense of "bildung." The article aims at describing what is experienced in summer camps and proposes various theoretical frames for these bildung processes. The main focus is on summer camps in Russia, and we interviewed Russian informants who participated in summer camps. The findings were that learning in the camps tends to be non-instrumental, allowing room for play and experimentation for both pupils and teachers. Social learning is marked by collective elements such as camp rituals and spontaneous solidarity, both forming an individual personality. Outdoor activities are important because they connect children to nature and develop a sense of place marked by biophilia. Furthermore, nature's materiality creates a sense of being in the world, which means developing a sense of multiple relational settings, spanning from the materialities of geography, place, and objects to experiencing new social settings in the form of solidarity, ritual, and friendship.

Growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is severely hampered by low temperatures, even when cultivated under greenhouse conditions. Root-associated bacteria might promote plant growth under stressful conditions. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of low temperatures on the lettuce root-associated microbiome to evaluate whether microbiome-based selection aids in identiying bacteria that stimulate plant growth in the cold. 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to examine the compositional differences in the lettuce root-associated microbiome when grown under low- and control-temperature conditions. Chilling temperatures significantly altered the lettuce root endosphere composition, whereas their effects were less severe in the rhizosphere and absent in the bulk soil. Several cold-enriched families were found in both the rhizosphere and the root endosphere, nine of which were Oxalobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, Microscillaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Comamonadaceae, Devosiaceae, Methylophilaceae and env.OPS_17. Concurrently, a collection of lettuce root-colonizing bacteria was established and, based on correlation with these families, representative isolates were screened. None of the lettuce root isolates showed growth-promoting effects but three growth-promoting Flavobacterium strains from an available collection of grass root-colonizing bacteria were identified. Amplicon sequence variant (ASV) annotation of the lettuce and grass strains revealed that strains matching cold-enriched or highly abundant ASVs in at least one soil promoted growth in the cold. Overall, our data demonstrate that microbiome analyses, combined with high-throughput bacterial isolations might be a helpful tool to isolate effective cold growth-promoting strains.

Societal Impact Statement To help save our planet, we need to shift to plant‐based protein food and enhance sustainable agricultural practices. Cultivation of legumes, including soybean, will be key because they produce protein‐rich beans without high applied fertilizer input. This complex challenge involves many stakeholders beyond the agricultural sector. In the ‘Soy in 1000 Gardens’ project, we engaged more than thousand citizens in a 6‐month gardening project aiming at facilitating sustainable soybean cultivation in Belgium. Our work shows that with the right approach, citizen science can provide insights to develop more sustainable agri‐food systems when integrated with fundamental and applied science. Summary The global food system faces numerous challenges in its pursuit of sustainability. Shifting to more plant‐based protein sources as well as transitioning to self‐reliant agri‐food systems is one way to meet these challenges. This transition requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders beyond the agricultural sector such as the citizens themselves. In this study, we employed a citizen science approach through the ‘Soy in 1000 Gardens’ project, which engaged more than 1000 citizen scientists in a 6‐month gardening project during which citizens not only observed plant growth but also executed plant growth measurements that meet scientific standards. We aimed at increasing the awareness about the power of soybean and its symbionts for sustainable plant protein production and at isolating efficient nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia to be used by local farmers to produce protein‐rich soybeans. The results suggest that the success of citizen science projects depends on the level of engagement and the provision of adequate support, among other factors. This study thus highlights the potential of citizen science to address complex challenges and contribute to more sustainable agri‐food systems when properly integrated. Unique in its scope, the project provided important insights into the drivers of participation, attrition and data quality.

Abstract Prospective audit with feedback during infectious diseases ward rounds (IDWR) is a common antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practice on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). These interdisciplinary meetings rely on the quality of handover, with high risk of omission of information. We developed an electronic platform integrating infection-related patient data (COSARAPed). In the mixed PICU of a Belgian tertiary hospital we conducted an observational prospective cohort study comparing patient handovers during IDWRs using the COSARAPed-platform to those with access only to conventional resources. The quality of handover was investigated directly by assessment if the narrative was in accordance with Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation principles and if adequate demonstration of diagnostic information occurred, and also indirectly by registration if this was only achieved after intervention by the non-presenting AMS team members. We also recorded all AMS-recommendations. During a 6-month study period, 24 IDWRs and 82 patient presentations were assessed. We could only find a statistically significant advantage in favor of COSARAPed by indirect evaluation. We registered 92 AMS-recommendations, mainly resulting in reduced antibiotic pressure. We concluded that the IDWR is an appropriate platform for AMS on the PICU and that the utilisation of COSARAPed may enhance the quality of patient handover.

Abstract Background Climbing is an intricate sport composed of various disciplines, holds, styles, distances between holds, and levels of difficulty. In highly skilled climbers the potential for further strength-specific adaptations to increase performance may be marginal in elite climbers. With an eye on the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, more climbers are trying to maximize performance and improve training strategies. The relationships between muscular strength and climbing performance, as well as the role of strength in injury prevention, remain to be fully elucidated. This narrative review seeks to discuss the current literature regarding the effect of resistance training in improving maximal strength, muscle hypertrophy, muscular power, and local muscular endurance on climbing performance, and as a strategy to prevent injuries. Main Body Since sport climbing requires exerting forces against gravity to maintain grip and move the body along the route, it is generally accepted that a climber`s absolute and relative muscular strength are important for climbing performance. Performance characteristics of forearm flexor muscles (hang-time on ledge, force output, rate of force development, and oxidative capacity) discriminate between climbing performance level, climbing styles, and between climbers and non-climbers. Strength of the hand and wrist flexors, shoulders and upper limbs has gained much attention in the scientific literature, and it has been suggested that both general and specific strength training should be part of a climber`s training program. Furthermore, the ability to generate sub-maximal force in different work-rest ratios has proved useful, in examining finger flexor endurance capacity while trying to mimic real-world climbing demands. Importantly, fingers and shoulders are the most frequent injury locations in climbing. Due to the high mechanical stress and load on the finger flexors, fingerboard and campus board training should be limited in lower-graded climbers. Coaches should address, acknowledge, and screen for amenorrhea and disordered eating in climbers. Conclusion Structured low-volume high-resistance training, twice per week hanging from small ledges or a fingerboard, is a feasible approach for climbers. The current injury prevention training aims to increase the level of performance through building tolerance to performance-relevant load exposure and promoting this approach in the climbing field.

We compared the performance and physiological response of diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) following 21 days of either unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) or no disturbance (control). Thereafter, all four groups were challenged with a novel acute stressor consisting of crowding, netting and transfer into another tank. Growth was monitored during the 21-day period, and stress response to the novel acute stress challenge was assessed by blood chemistry parameters and pituitary gene expression. Plasma parameters were analyzed before (0) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 240, and 300 min after acute stress induction, whereas gene expression was analyzed at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. The results showed: a) similar growth rate and condition factor reductions from UCS in triploids and diploids, b) higher post-stress plasma Acth and cortisol levels in triploids compared with diploids, c) wider post-stress fluctuations in most of the other plasma parameters for triploids compared with diploids, particularly for glucose and lactate, d) pomca1, pomcb, crf-r1a and crf-r1b mRNA levels were more upregulated in control diploids than control triploids, and e) only minor changes in pituitary gene expression from UCS in both diploids and triploids, but with a noticeable upregulation of pomca2 and crf-r1a and crf-r1b in the triploids. Our results suggest that triploid Atlantic salmon have a higher energy cost in response to stress than diploids salmon. This can make them more sensitive to suboptimal conditions and episodes of acute and chronic stress.

Current practices of eco-conscious photography, informed by the ongoing climate crisis and post-humanist theory, share characteristics such as collectivity, co-creation, and pro- cess orientation. By way of examples from the UK and the Nordic region, we investigate how these aspects are made (in)visible within the framework of photographic institu- tions: artist-led organizations, photographic festivals, exhibitions, and museums. We ask what implications can, or even should, eco-conscious photography have for the ways researchers, curators and institutions think about and engage with photography, both as an image and a practice.

Mental health conditions are among the highest disease burden on society, affecting approximately 20% of children and adolescents at any point in time, with depression and anxiety being the leading causes of disability globally. To improve treatment outcomes, healthcare organizations turned to clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) that offer patient-specific diagnoses and recommendations. However, the economic impact of CDSS is limited, especially in child and adolescent mental health. This systematic literature review examined the economic impacts of CDSS implemented in mental health services. We planned to follow PRISMA reporting guidelines and found only one paper to describe health and economic outcomes. A randomized, controlled trial of 336 participants found that 60% of the intervention group and 32% of the control group achieved symptom reduction, i.e. a 50% decrease as per the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), a method to evaluate psychological problems and identify symptoms. Analysis of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio found that for every 1% of patients with a successful treatment result, it added €57 per year. There are not enough studies to draw conclusions about the cost-effectiveness in a mental health context. More studies on economic evaluations of the viability of CDSS within mental healthcare have the potential to contribute to patients and the larger society.

Abstract Background Thermography is a popular tool to assess plant water-use behavior, as plant temperature is influenced by transpiration rate, and is commonly used in field experiments to detect plant water deficit. Its application in indoor automated phenotyping platforms is still limited and mainly focuses on differences in plant temperature between genotypes or treatments, instead of estimating stomatal conductance or transpiration rate. In this study, the transferability of commonly used thermography analysis protocols from the field to greenhouse phenotyping platforms was evaluated. In addition, the added value of combining thermal infrared (TIR) with hyperspectral imaging to monitor drought effects on plant transpiration rate (E) was evaluated. Results The sensitivity of commonly used TIR indices to detect drought-induced and genotypic differences in water status was investigated in eight maize inbred lines in the automated phenotyping platform PHENOVISION. Indices that normalized plant temperature for vapor pressure deficit and/or air temperature at the time of imaging were most sensitive to drought and could detect genotypic differences in the plants’ water-use behavior. However, these indices were not strongly correlated to stomatal conductance and E. The canopy temperature depression index, the crop water stress index and the simplified stomatal conductance index were more suitable to monitor these traits, and were consequently used to develop empirical E prediction models by combining them with hyperspectral indices and/or environmental variables. Different modeling strategies were evaluated, including single index-based, machine learning and mechanistic models. Model comparison showed that combining multiple TIR indices in a random forest model can improve E prediction accuracy, and that the contribution of the hyperspectral data is limited when multiple indices are used. However, the empirical models trained on one genotype were not transferable to all eight inbred lines. Conclusion Overall, this study demonstrates that existing TIR indices can be used to monitor drought stress and develop E prediction models in an indoor setup, as long as the indices normalize plant temperature for ambient air temperature or relative humidity.

Abstract Background Norwegian school health services received a national best-practice guideline in 2017. To promote healthy life skills and identify adolescents needing support, the guideline includes strong recommendations for individual consultations with all 8th graders and increased collaboration with schools. To help implement the recommendations, a blended implementation strategy (SchoolHealth) was co-created with school nurses, students, and stakeholders. SchoolHealth consists of three implementation elements: Digital dialog and administration tool (audit and feedback +), Dialog support (external consultation), and Collaboration materials (targeted dissemination). This hybrid study will test the main and combined effects of the elements on guideline fidelity and effectiveness. Methods The GuideMe study is a factorial cluster randomized controlled trial examining SchoolHealth's effectiveness on guideline fidelity and guideline effectiveness goals. Forty Norwegian secondary schools will be randomized to eight different combinations of the elements in SchoolHealth. Participants will include school nurses and school personnel from these schools, and 8th grade students (n = 1200). Primary outcomes are school nurses' fidelity to the guidelines and student's ability to cope with their life (i.e., health literacy, positive health behaviors and self-efficacy). Quantitative methods will be used to test effects and mechanisms, while mixed- and qualitative methods will be used to explore mechanisms, experiences, and other phenomena in depth. Participants will complete digital questionnaires at the start and end of the schoolyear, and after the consultation during the schoolyear. The study will run in two waves, each lasting for one school year. The multifactorial design allows testing of interactions and main effects due to equal distribution of all factors within each main effect. Sustainment and scale-up of optimized SchoolHealth elements using national infrastructure are simultaneously prepared. Discussion The study will investigate possible effects of the implementation elements in isolation and in combination, and hypothesized implementation mechanisms. In-depth study of user experiences will inform improvements to elements in SchoolHealth. The results will yield causal knowledge about implementation strategies and the mechanisms through which they assert effects. Mixed-methods will provide insights into how and when the elements work. Optimizing guideline implementation elements can support adolescents in a crucial life phase. Trail registration ISRCTN24173836. Registration date 8 August 2022.

Dietary fiber incorporation in bread offers potential health benefits but poses challenges due to its impact on dough rheology and bread quality. This study evaluated the effects of pea, cocoa, and apple fiber on wheat-based dough and bread properties using rheological methods (farinograph, alveograph, pasting, and proofing) and baking trials. Substituting flour with fiber at 1%, 5%, or 10% increased water absorption and affected dough development, stability, and extensibility, particularly at high fiber concentrations. Pasting properties showed varying gelatinization behaviors influenced by fiber type and concentration. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted the clustering of dough and bread characteristics based on fiber concentration and type. At low fiber concentrations (up to 5% of flour replacement), negative effects were minimal, suggesting no need for comprehensive compositional analysis. However, high fiber concentrations (10%) introduced significant variability and complexity in dough properties. New farinographic parameters (FU4, FU6, FU8, FU10, and FU12) improved the explanatory power of PCA, enhancing the understanding of fiber-rich dough dynamics. The significant alterations in moisture content and texture underscore the intricate relationship between type of fiber, concentration, and dough functionality. Optimizing rheological parameters for fiber-enriched flour is crucial for adapting the bread-making process to produce high-quality bread with desired characteristics and enhanced nutritional benefits.

The common house mosquito (Culex pipiens) is a native vector for West Nile virus (WNV). Invasive species like the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) are rapidly spreading through Europe, posing a major threat as vectors for dengue, chikungunya (CHIKV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). These mosquitoes share a similar ecological niche as larvae, but the carry-over effects of aquatic larval interactions to the terrestrial adult stage remain largely unknown and their medical relevance requires further investigation. This study examines the context dependency of larval interactions among Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Culex pipiens. The survival, development time, growth, and energetic storage were measured in different European populations within density-response (intraspecific) experiments and replacement (interspecific) experiments at 20 °C and 26 °C. Overall, Ae. japonicus was the weakest competitor, while competition between Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens varied with temperature. Adults emerging from this larval competition were infected as follows: Culex pipiens with WNV, Ae. albopictus with CHIKV, and Ae. japonicus with JEV. While no JEV infection was observed, mosquitoes experiencing interspecific interactions during their larval stages exhibited higher infection rates and viral RNA titers for CHIKV and WNV. This increased susceptibility to viral infection after larval competition suggests a higher risk of arbovirus transmission in co-occurring populations.

Detailed information on forest tree species is crucial to inform management and policy and support environmental and ecological research. Sentinel-2 imagery is useful for obtaining spatially explicit and frequent information on forest tree species due to its suitable spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions. However, classification workflows often do not generalise well to time periods that are not seen by the model during the calibration phase. This study investigates the temporal transferability of dominant tree species classification. To this end, the Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Multilayer Perceptron algorithms were used to classify five tree species in Flanders (Belgium) with regularly spaced Sentinel-2 time series from 2018 to 2022. Cross-year single-year input scenarios were compared with same-year single-year input scenarios to quantify the temporal transferability of the five evaluated years. This resulted in a decrease in overall accuracy between 2.30 and 14.92 percentage points depending on the algorithm and evaluated year. Moreover, our results indicate that the cross-year classification performance could be improved by using multi-year training data, reducing the drop in overall accuracy. In some cases, gains in overall accuracy were even observed. This study highlights the importance of including interannual spectral variability during the training stage of tree species classification models to improve their ability to generalise in time.

Abstract The concept of cumulative impacts is widespread in policy documents, regulations and ecological studies, but quantification methods are still evolving. Infrastructure development usually takes place in landscapes with preexisting anthropogenic features. Typically, their impact is determined by computing the distance to the nearest feature only, thus ignoring the potential cumulative impacts of multiple features. We propose the cumulative ZOI approach to assess whether and to what extent anthropogenic features lead to cumulative impacts. The approach estimates both effect size and zone of influence (ZOI) of anthropogenic features and allows for estimation of cumulative effects of multiple features distributed in the landscape. First, we use simulations and an empirical study to understand under which circumstances cumulative impacts arise. Second, we demonstrate the approach by estimating the cumulative impacts of tourist infrastructure in Norway on the habitat of wild reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus), a near‐threatened species highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. In the simulations, we showed that analyses based on the nearest feature and our cumulative approach are indistinguishable in two extreme cases: when features are few and scattered and their ZOI is small, and when features are clustered and their ZOI is large. The empirical analyses revealed cumulative impacts of private cabins and tourist resorts on reindeer, extending up to 10 and 20 km, with different decaying functions. Although the impact of an isolated private cabin was negligible, the cumulative impact of ‘cabin villages’ could be much larger than that of a single large tourist resort. Focusing on the nearest feature only underestimates the impact of ‘cabin villages’ on reindeer. The suggested approach allows us to quantify the magnitude and spatial extent of cumulative impacts of point, linear, and polygon features in a computationally efficient and flexible way and is implemented in the oneimpact R package. The formal framework offers the possibility to avoid widespread underestimations of anthropogenic impacts in ecological and impact assessment studies and can be applied to a wide range of spatial response variables, including habitat selection, population abundance, species richness and diversity, community dynamics and other ecological processes.

Herbivores play a crucial role in shaping tundra ecosystems through their effects on vegetation, nutrient cycling, and soil abiotic factors. Understanding their habitat use, co-occurrence, and overlap is therefore essential for informing ecosystem-based management and conservation. In the High Arctic, only a marginal proportion of the land area is vegetated, and climate change is impacting herbivore population sizes and their habitats. In this study, we assessed the spatial habitat overlap of a vertebrate herbivore community based on: 1) regional predictive summer habitat suitability models for the resident Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), resident Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea), and the migratory pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), and 2) presence of fecal pellets, reflecting the annual habitat use of reindeer, ptarmigan, and geese, including the pink-footed goose and barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis). Our findings revealed that only small proportions of the available land cover (∼ 12,516 km2; all land area excluding glaciers and freshwater) are suitable for each of the species (habitat suitability [HS] > 0.5): reindeer (22 %), ptarmigan (11 %), and pink-footed goose (4 %). Overlapping suitable habitat [HS > 0.5] for reindeer and goose accounted for only 3 % of the total vegetated area (∼ 8848 km2) and was primarily found in heath and moist habitats dominated by mosses, graminoids, and herbaceous plants. The overlapping suitable habitat for reindeer and ptarmigan covered 8 % of the vegetated area, in higher elevation ridges with vegetation on drier substrates. The shared habitat for ptarmigan and goose, and all three species of herbivores, was less than 1 % of the vegetated area. Additionally, an assessment of fecal pellets suggested that the highest overlap in habitat use among reindeer and goose occurred in bird cliff moss tundra, followed by moss tundra and heath habitats. The small proportion of the vegetated area suitable for all three herbivores indicates a high degree of habitat differentiation. Therefore, different habitats need to be considered for the management and conservation of resident and migratory herbivore species in this High Arctic Archipelago. Moreover, our results underscore the importance of the small but productive parts of the landscape that were used by all herbivores.

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence shows a role of the hospital wastewater system in the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms, such as carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales (CPE). Several sequential outbreaks of CPE on the geriatric ward of the Ghent University hospital have led to an outbreak investigation. Focusing on OXA-48 producing Citrobacter freundii, the most prevalent species, we aimed to track clonal relatedness using whole genome sequencing (WGS). By exploring transmission routes we wanted to improve understanding and (re)introduce targeted preventive measures. Methods Environmental screening (toilet water, sink and shower drains) was performed between 2017 and 2021. A retrospective selection was made of 53 Citrobacter freundii screening isolates (30 patients and 23 environmental samples). DNA from frozen bacterial isolates was extracted and prepped for shotgun WGS. Core genome multilocus sequence typing was performed with an in-house developed scheme using 3,004 loci. Results The CPE positivity rate of environmental screening samples was 19.0% (73/385). Highest percentages were found in the shower drain samples (38.2%) and the toilet water samples (25.0%). Sink drain samples showed least CPE positivity (3.3%). The WGS data revealed long-term co-existence of three patient sample derived C. freundii clusters. The biggest cluster (ST22) connects 12 patients and 8 environmental isolates taken between 2018 and 2021 spread across the ward. In an overlapping period, another cluster (ST170) links eight patients and four toilet water isolates connected to the same room. The third C. freundii cluster (ST421) connects two patients hospitalised in the same room but over a period of one and a half year. Additional sampling in 2022 revealed clonal isolates linked to the two largest clusters (ST22, ST170) in the wastewater collection pipes connecting the rooms. Conclusions Our findings suggest long-term circulation and transmission of carbapenemase producing C. freundii clones in hospital sanitary installations despite surveillance, daily cleaning and intermittent disinfection protocols. We propose a role for the wastewater drainage system in the spread within and between rooms and for the sanitary installations in the indirect transmission via bioaerosol plumes. To tackle this problem, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary including careful design and maintenance of the plumbing system.