PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Preference and effect of gustatory sense on sugar-feeding of fire ants
items: Morphology of the genital organs of male and female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
items: Small-scale variation in a pristine montane cloud forest: evidence on high soil fungal diversity and biogeochemical heterogeneity
items: Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake: a comparison between Chinese ethnic Han and Hui groups
items: Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis
items: Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing
items: Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe)
items: The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study
items: Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay
items: Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study

Preference and effect of gustatory sense on sugar-feeding of fire ants
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The red imported fire ant is one of the notorious species of ants all over the world. Sugar is one of the most important components of food and necessary for the survival of ants. Because more than 70% food of fire ants is honeydew produced by Homopteran insects such as aphids and scales. Methodology It is well known that beetles, flies, and honey bees can recognize the sugar taste through their legs and antennae, but in the case of fire ants, no records regarding gustatory sense were published. In the current study, considering the importance of sugar bait, we investigated the gustatory sense of the fire ant workers to sucrose via behavioral sequence and gustatory behavior. First, the feeding sequence (ethogram) of the fire ant workers on most preferred sugar (sucrose) solution was observed and categorized. Secondly, the gustatory behavior of treated fire ant workers (without flagellum and foreleg tarsi treated with HCL solution) was observed on the sucrose solution. In addition, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, we identified the possible porous sensilla types on antenna flagellum and foreleg tarsi of fire ant workers. Results Based on the results of feeding sequence, foreleg tarsi of workers were the main body appendages in the detection of the sucrose droplet as compared to antennae flagellum and palps. Feeding time of treated workers with HCL solution was significantly decreased on sucrose solution as compared to those workers having no flagellum. While both types of treated workers have less feeding time in comparison to normal workers. Based on the results of feeding sequence analysis and feeding time, it is indicating that the foreleg tarsi of workers play a more important role in the detection of sucrose solution as compared to antennae flagellum. Based on the SEM results, sensilla chaetic, trichoid II, and basiconic I and II have a clear pore at their tip. This study provides a substantial basis for elucidating the gustatory f…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Waqar Jaleel
creator: Qunchen Li
creator: Qingxing Shi
creator: Lihua LYU
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11943
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Jaleel et al.
abstract: Background The red imported fire ant is one of the notorious species of ants all over the world. Sugar is one of the most important components of food and necessary for the survival of ants. Because more than 70% food of fire ants is honeydew produced by Homopteran insects such as aphids and scales. Methodology It is well known that beetles, flies, and honey bees can recognize the sugar taste through their legs and antennae, but in the case of fire ants, no records regarding gustatory sense were published. In the current study, considering the importance of sugar bait, we investigated the gustatory sense of the fire ant workers to sucrose via behavioral sequence and gustatory behavior. First, the feeding sequence (ethogram) of the fire ant workers on most preferred sugar (sucrose) solution was observed and categorized. Secondly, the gustatory behavior of treated fire ant workers (without flagellum and foreleg tarsi treated with HCL solution) was observed on the sucrose solution. In addition, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, we identified the possible porous sensilla types on antenna flagellum and foreleg tarsi of fire ant workers. Results Based on the results of feeding sequence, foreleg tarsi of workers were the main body appendages in the detection of the sucrose droplet as compared to antennae flagellum and palps. Feeding time of treated workers with HCL solution was significantly decreased on sucrose solution as compared to those workers having no flagellum. While both types of treated workers have less feeding time in comparison to normal workers. Based on the results of feeding sequence analysis and feeding time, it is indicating that the foreleg tarsi of workers play a more important role in the detection of sucrose solution as compared to antennae flagellum. Based on the SEM results, sensilla chaetic, trichoid II, and basiconic I and II have a clear pore at their tip. This study provides a substantial basis for elucidating the gustatory f…
bibliographic citation: Jaleel et al. (2021) Preference and effect of gustatory sense on sugar-feeding of fire ants. PeerJ 9:e11943 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11943
date submitted: 2020-10-08
date accepted: 2021-07-19
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Jaleel
  given name: Waqar
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Qunchen
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Qingxing
author list: Agent
  family name: LYU
  given name: Lihua
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11943
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: © 2021 Jaleel et al.
attribution name: Jaleel et al.

Morphology of the genital organs of male and female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The giant anteater belongs to the supraorder Xenarthra which occupies a systematically isolated position among placental mammals. The species is categorized as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and understanding its reproductive characteristics is critical for future conservation efforts. Methods Gross and microscopic anatomy of the genital organs of 23 male and 21 female adult and young roadkill giant anteaters in Brazil were studied. Results Male giant anteaters presented a short conical penis, intraabdominal testes, and prostate, vesicular and bulbourethral glands. A tubular remnant of the partially fused Müllerian ducts extended from the seminal colliculus through the prostate gland, continued cranially in the genital fold, bifurcated, and attached with one elongation each to the left and right epididymal corpus. The structure presented a total length of up to 10 cm and contained a yellowish liquid in its lumen. Histologically, the caudal section of this structure resembled the female vagina, the middle portion corresponded to the uterus, and the extensions showed characteristics of uterine tubes. In adult female giant anteaters, ovoid ovaries with occasional seminiferous cord-like structures were observed. The animals possessed a simple uterus, which was directly continuous with the vaginal canal. The caudal portion of the vagina had two lumina, separated by a longitudinal septum and opening into two apertures into the vaginal vestibule, cranial to the urethral opening. In the urethral and the lateral vestibular wall, glandular structures with characteristics of male prostate and bulbourethral glands, respectively, were found. The vestibule opened through a vertical vulvar cleft to the exterior. A pair of well-differentiated Wolffian ducts with a central lumen originated ventrally at the vaginal opening into the vestibule and passed in a cranial direction through the ventral vaginal and uterine wall. Each duct extended…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Lilja Fromme
creator: Débora R. Yogui
creator: Mario Henrique Alves
creator: Arnaud L.J. Desbiez
creator: Marion Langeheine
creator: André Quagliatto
creator: Ursula Siebert
creator: Ralph Brehm
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Veterinary Medicine
subject: Zoology
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Histology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11945
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Fromme et al.
abstract: Background The giant anteater belongs to the supraorder Xenarthra which occupies a systematically isolated position among placental mammals. The species is categorized as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and understanding its reproductive characteristics is critical for future conservation efforts. Methods Gross and microscopic anatomy of the genital organs of 23 male and 21 female adult and young roadkill giant anteaters in Brazil were studied. Results Male giant anteaters presented a short conical penis, intraabdominal testes, and prostate, vesicular and bulbourethral glands. A tubular remnant of the partially fused Müllerian ducts extended from the seminal colliculus through the prostate gland, continued cranially in the genital fold, bifurcated, and attached with one elongation each to the left and right epididymal corpus. The structure presented a total length of up to 10 cm and contained a yellowish liquid in its lumen. Histologically, the caudal section of this structure resembled the female vagina, the middle portion corresponded to the uterus, and the extensions showed characteristics of uterine tubes. In adult female giant anteaters, ovoid ovaries with occasional seminiferous cord-like structures were observed. The animals possessed a simple uterus, which was directly continuous with the vaginal canal. The caudal portion of the vagina had two lumina, separated by a longitudinal septum and opening into two apertures into the vaginal vestibule, cranial to the urethral opening. In the urethral and the lateral vestibular wall, glandular structures with characteristics of male prostate and bulbourethral glands, respectively, were found. The vestibule opened through a vertical vulvar cleft to the exterior. A pair of well-differentiated Wolffian ducts with a central lumen originated ventrally at the vaginal opening into the vestibule and passed in a cranial direction through the ventral vaginal and uterine wall. Each duct extended…
bibliographic citation: Fromme et al. (2021) Morphology of the genital organs of male and female giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). PeerJ 9:e11945 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11945
date submitted: 2021-04-26
date accepted: 2021-07-20
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Fromme
  given name: Lilja
author list: Agent
  family name: Yogui
  given name: Débora R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alves
  given name: Mario Henrique
author list: Agent
  family name: Desbiez
  given name: Arnaud L.J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Langeheine
  given name: Marion
author list: Agent
  family name: Quagliatto
  given name: André
author list: Agent
  family name: Siebert
  given name: Ursula
author list: Agent
  family name: Brehm
  given name: Ralph
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11945
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: ©2021 Fromme et al.
attribution name: Fromme et al.

Small-scale variation in a pristine montane cloud forest: evidence on high soil fungal diversity and biogeochemical heterogeneity
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Montane cloud forests are fragile biodiversity hotspots. To attain their conservation, disentangling diversity patterns at all levels of ecosystem organization is mandatory. Biotic communities are regularly structured by environmental factors even at small spatial scales. However, studies at this scale have received less attention with respect to larger macroscale explorations, hampering the robust view of ecosystem functioning. In this sense, fungal small-scale processes remain poorly understood in montane cloud forests, despite their relevance. Herein, we analyzed soil fungal diversity and ecological patterns at the small-scale (within a 10 m triangular transect) in a pristine montane cloud forest of Mexico, using ITS rRNA gene amplicon Illumina sequencing and biogeochemical profiling. We detected a taxonomically and functionally diverse fungal community, dominated by few taxa and a large majority of rare species (81%). Undefined saprotrophs represented the most abundant trophic guild. Moreover, soil biogeochemical data showed an environmentally heterogeneous setting with patchy clustering, where enzymatic activities suggest distinctive small-scale soil patterns. Our results revealed that in this system, deterministic processes largely drive the assemblage of fungal communities at the small-scale, through multifactorial environmental filtering.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Patricia Velez
creator: Yunuen Tapia-Torres
creator: Felipe García-Oliva
creator: Jaime Gasca-Pineda
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Mycology
subject: Soil Science
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11956
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Velez et al.
abstract: Montane cloud forests are fragile biodiversity hotspots. To attain their conservation, disentangling diversity patterns at all levels of ecosystem organization is mandatory. Biotic communities are regularly structured by environmental factors even at small spatial scales. However, studies at this scale have received less attention with respect to larger macroscale explorations, hampering the robust view of ecosystem functioning. In this sense, fungal small-scale processes remain poorly understood in montane cloud forests, despite their relevance. Herein, we analyzed soil fungal diversity and ecological patterns at the small-scale (within a 10 m triangular transect) in a pristine montane cloud forest of Mexico, using ITS rRNA gene amplicon Illumina sequencing and biogeochemical profiling. We detected a taxonomically and functionally diverse fungal community, dominated by few taxa and a large majority of rare species (81%). Undefined saprotrophs represented the most abundant trophic guild. Moreover, soil biogeochemical data showed an environmentally heterogeneous setting with patchy clustering, where enzymatic activities suggest distinctive small-scale soil patterns. Our results revealed that in this system, deterministic processes largely drive the assemblage of fungal communities at the small-scale, through multifactorial environmental filtering.
bibliographic citation: Velez et al. (2021) Small-scale variation in a pristine montane cloud forest: evidence on high soil fungal diversity and biogeochemical heterogeneity. PeerJ 9:e11956 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11956
date submitted: 2021-03-12
date accepted: 2021-07-21
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Velez
  given name: Patricia
author list: Agent
  family name: Tapia-Torres
  given name: Yunuen
author list: Agent
  family name: García-Oliva
  given name: Felipe
author list: Agent
  family name: Gasca-Pineda
  given name: Jaime
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11956
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: © 2021 Velez et al.
attribution name: Velez et al.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake: a comparison between Chinese ethnic Han and Hui groups
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Relatively few studies have compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following a disaster among children of different ethnicities. We sought to investigate the differences in PTSD symptoms between the ethnic Hui and Han child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Methods This study collected data from 1,951 Han and 247 Hui child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The children ranged from 7 to 15 years of age. Earthquake-related exposures were measured using a modified version of the PsySTART Rapid Triage System. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the University of California, Los Angeles PTSD-Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). Personality characteristics were assessed using the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (JEPQ). Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the severity of PTSD symptoms. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the percentage of screening positive for PTSD symptoms. Results The average UCLA PTSD-RI total score of the ethnic Hui group (27.01 ± 9.24) was significantly higher than that of the ethnic Han group (25.12 ± 9.17) (t = −3.05, p = 0.002), as were the avoidance/numbness (Hui: 10.02 ± 4.82; Han: 9.04 ± 4.60, t = −3.12, p = 0.002) and arousal scores (Hui: 9.36 ± 3.64; Han: 8.79 ± 3.42, t = −2.44, p = 0.015). The percentage of screening positive for D criteria (arousal symptoms) also differed significantly between the ethnic Han (41.9%, 95% CI [39.7–44.1%]) and Hui (48.6%, 95% CI [42.3–54.9%]) groups (χ2 = 3.97, p = 0.046). Ethnicity was associated with the avoidance/numbness symptom score following adjustments for sex, age, personality traits and earthquake exposure experiences by multiple linear regression (B: 0.61, 95% CI [0.04–1.17], p = 0.035). The initial significant associations between the ethnicity and the arousal symptoms score and the PTSD total score disappeared while adj…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiacan Chen
creator: Bin Li
creator: Wan-Jun Guo
creator: Jia-Jun Xu
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11967
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Chen et al.
abstract: Background Relatively few studies have compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following a disaster among children of different ethnicities. We sought to investigate the differences in PTSD symptoms between the ethnic Hui and Han child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Methods This study collected data from 1,951 Han and 247 Hui child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The children ranged from 7 to 15 years of age. Earthquake-related exposures were measured using a modified version of the PsySTART Rapid Triage System. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the University of California, Los Angeles PTSD-Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). Personality characteristics were assessed using the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (JEPQ). Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the severity of PTSD symptoms. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the ethnicity and the percentage of screening positive for PTSD symptoms. Results The average UCLA PTSD-RI total score of the ethnic Hui group (27.01 ± 9.24) was significantly higher than that of the ethnic Han group (25.12 ± 9.17) (t = −3.05, p = 0.002), as were the avoidance/numbness (Hui: 10.02 ± 4.82; Han: 9.04 ± 4.60, t = −3.12, p = 0.002) and arousal scores (Hui: 9.36 ± 3.64; Han: 8.79 ± 3.42, t = −2.44, p = 0.015). The percentage of screening positive for D criteria (arousal symptoms) also differed significantly between the ethnic Han (41.9%, 95% CI [39.7–44.1%]) and Hui (48.6%, 95% CI [42.3–54.9%]) groups (χ2 = 3.97, p = 0.046). Ethnicity was associated with the avoidance/numbness symptom score following adjustments for sex, age, personality traits and earthquake exposure experiences by multiple linear regression (B: 0.61, 95% CI [0.04–1.17], p = 0.035). The initial significant associations between the ethnicity and the arousal symptoms score and the PTSD total score disappeared while adj…
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2021) Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among child survivors of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake: a comparison between Chinese ethnic Han and Hui groups. PeerJ 9:e11967 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11967
date submitted: 2020-04-23
date accepted: 2021-07-22
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xiacan
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Bin
author list: Agent
  family name: Guo
  given name: Wan-Jun
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Jia-Jun
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11967
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: © 2021 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with persistent synovitis. In the present study, the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was explored to determine methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Methods First, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from a collagen-induced rat RA model. Next, MCP-1-overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into human and rat FLSs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of FLSs following MCP-1 transfections, respectively. Furthermore, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β in FLSs following MCP-1 transfection. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to analyze the expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), estrogen receptor, MCP-1 and pentraxin-3 in patients with clinical RA, followed by correlation analysis of clinical data. Finally, expression validation, diagnostic and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of MCP-1 were performed. Results MCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected the apoptosis of FLSs. In addition, the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β were also affected by MCP-1. In patients with clinical RA, the expression level of MCP-1 was increased. Moreover, CRP expression level was significantly up-regulated in RA. Clinically, MCP-1 was strongly correlated with tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analog scale for general health and disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-MCP-1, and was moderately correlated with DAS28 and DAS28-CRP. PPI analysis showed that MCP-1 mainly interacted with other inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion In conclusion, MCP-1 may play a significant regulatory role in RA, and could be used as a measurement index of clinical RA acti…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xiang Tong
creator: Dongdong Yu
creator: Li Yu
creator: Weiqian Chen
creator: Yanling Wen
creator: Pengcheng Gu
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Immunology
subject: Rheumatology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11973
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Tong et al.
abstract: Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with persistent synovitis. In the present study, the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was explored to determine methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Methods First, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from a collagen-induced rat RA model. Next, MCP-1-overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into human and rat FLSs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of FLSs following MCP-1 transfections, respectively. Furthermore, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β in FLSs following MCP-1 transfection. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to analyze the expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), estrogen receptor, MCP-1 and pentraxin-3 in patients with clinical RA, followed by correlation analysis of clinical data. Finally, expression validation, diagnostic and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of MCP-1 were performed. Results MCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected the apoptosis of FLSs. In addition, the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β were also affected by MCP-1. In patients with clinical RA, the expression level of MCP-1 was increased. Moreover, CRP expression level was significantly up-regulated in RA. Clinically, MCP-1 was strongly correlated with tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analog scale for general health and disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-MCP-1, and was moderately correlated with DAS28 and DAS28-CRP. PPI analysis showed that MCP-1 mainly interacted with other inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion In conclusion, MCP-1 may play a significant regulatory role in RA, and could be used as a measurement index of clinical RA acti…
bibliographic citation: Tong et al. (2021) Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis. PeerJ 9:e11973 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11973
date submitted: 2021-02-04
date accepted: 2021-07-23
issued: 2021-08-11
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tong
  given name: Xiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Dongdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Yu
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Weiqian
author list: Agent
  family name: Wen
  given name: Yanling
author list: Agent
  family name: Gu
  given name: Pengcheng
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11973
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-11
copyright: ©2021 Tong et al.
attribution name: Tong et al.

Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: This study investigated how word meanings can be learned from natural story reading. Three experiments with adult participants compared naturalistic incidental learning with intentional learning of new meanings for familiar words, and examined the role of immediate tests in maintaining memory of new word meanings. In Experiment 1, participants learned new meanings for familiar words through incidental (story reading) and intentional (definition training task) conditions. Memory was tested with cued recall of meanings and multiple-choice meaning-to-word matching immediately and 24 h later. Results for both measures showed higher accuracy for intentional learning, which was also more time efficient than incidental learning. However, there was reasonably good learning from both methods, and items learned incidentally through stories appeared less susceptible to forgetting over 24 h. It was possible that retrieval practice at the immediate test may have aided learning and improved memory of new word meanings 24 h later, especially for the incidental story reading condition. Two preregistered experiments then examined the role of immediate testing in long-term retention of new meanings for familiar words. There was a strong testing effect for word meanings learned through intentional and incidental conditions (Experiment 2), which was non-significantly larger for items learned incidentally through stories. Both cued recall and multiple-choice tests were each individually sufficient to enhance retention compared to having no immediate test (Experiment 3), with a larger learning boost from multiple-choice. This research emphasises (i) the resilience of word meanings learned incidentally through stories and (ii) the key role that testing can play in boosting vocabulary learning from story reading.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rachael C. Hulme
creator: Jennifer M. Rodd
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11693
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Hulme and Rodd
abstract: This study investigated how word meanings can be learned from natural story reading. Three experiments with adult participants compared naturalistic incidental learning with intentional learning of new meanings for familiar words, and examined the role of immediate tests in maintaining memory of new word meanings. In Experiment 1, participants learned new meanings for familiar words through incidental (story reading) and intentional (definition training task) conditions. Memory was tested with cued recall of meanings and multiple-choice meaning-to-word matching immediately and 24 h later. Results for both measures showed higher accuracy for intentional learning, which was also more time efficient than incidental learning. However, there was reasonably good learning from both methods, and items learned incidentally through stories appeared less susceptible to forgetting over 24 h. It was possible that retrieval practice at the immediate test may have aided learning and improved memory of new word meanings 24 h later, especially for the incidental story reading condition. Two preregistered experiments then examined the role of immediate testing in long-term retention of new meanings for familiar words. There was a strong testing effect for word meanings learned through intentional and incidental conditions (Experiment 2), which was non-significantly larger for items learned incidentally through stories. Both cued recall and multiple-choice tests were each individually sufficient to enhance retention compared to having no immediate test (Experiment 3), with a larger learning boost from multiple-choice. This research emphasises (i) the resilience of word meanings learned incidentally through stories and (ii) the key role that testing can play in boosting vocabulary learning from story reading.
bibliographic citation: Hulme et al. (2021) Learning new word meanings from story reading: the benefit of immediate testing. PeerJ 9:e11693 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11693
date submitted: 2021-03-11
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hulme
  given name: Rachael C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rodd
  given name: Jennifer M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11693
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Hulme and Rodd
attribution name: Hulme and Rodd

Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Formalized classification of the class Isoëto-Nanojuncetea has not been performed in Poland. We used 69,562 relevés stored in Polish Vegetation Database. Based on the literature and expert knowledge we selected 63 diagnostic species for the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class. Unequivocal classification was applied in this work according to Cocktail method. A set of formal definitions was established using a combination of logical operators of total cover of species in case of high-rank syntaxa while sociological species groups and cover of particular species were used for logical formulas describing class, alliances and associations. An Expert System was prepared and applied to classify the whole data set of PVD and 1,340 relevés were organized at the class level. We stratifies the data and finally we used data set of 903 relevés to prepare synoptic tables, distribution maps and descriptions of the syntaxa. Twelve associations and two plant communities were identified. Vegetation of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class occur in Poland’s central and southern part, with scattered stands in northern region. We described two new plant communities within Eleocharition and Radiolion alliance. The first formal classification of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class revealed a high diversity of ephemeral vegetation wetland found in Poland in the eastern boundary of their geographical distribution in Europe.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Zygmunt Kącki
creator: Andrzej Łysko
creator: Zygmunt Dajdok
creator: Piotr Kobierski
creator: Rafał Krawczyk
creator: Arkadiusz Nowak
creator: Stanisław Rosadziński
creator: Agnieszka Anna Popiela
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11703
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Kącki et al.
abstract: Formalized classification of the class Isoëto-Nanojuncetea has not been performed in Poland. We used 69,562 relevés stored in Polish Vegetation Database. Based on the literature and expert knowledge we selected 63 diagnostic species for the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class. Unequivocal classification was applied in this work according to Cocktail method. A set of formal definitions was established using a combination of logical operators of total cover of species in case of high-rank syntaxa while sociological species groups and cover of particular species were used for logical formulas describing class, alliances and associations. An Expert System was prepared and applied to classify the whole data set of PVD and 1,340 relevés were organized at the class level. We stratifies the data and finally we used data set of 903 relevés to prepare synoptic tables, distribution maps and descriptions of the syntaxa. Twelve associations and two plant communities were identified. Vegetation of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class occur in Poland’s central and southern part, with scattered stands in northern region. We described two new plant communities within Eleocharition and Radiolion alliance. The first formal classification of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class revealed a high diversity of ephemeral vegetation wetland found in Poland in the eastern boundary of their geographical distribution in Europe.
bibliographic citation: Kącki et al. (2021) Formalized classification of ephemeral wetland vegetation (Isoëto-Nanojuncetea class) in Poland (Central Europe). PeerJ 9:e11703 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11703
date submitted: 2020-11-26
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kącki
  given name: Zygmunt
author list: Agent
  family name: Łysko
  given name: Andrzej
author list: Agent
  family name: Dajdok
  given name: Zygmunt
author list: Agent
  family name: Kobierski
  given name: Piotr
author list: Agent
  family name: Krawczyk
  given name: Rafał
author list: Agent
  family name: Nowak
  given name: Arkadiusz
author list: Agent
  family name: Rosadziński
  given name: Stanisław
author list: Agent
  family name: Popiela
  given name: Agnieszka Anna
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11703
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: © 2021 Kącki et al.
attribution name: Kącki et al.

The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Timely sowing is an important agronomic measure to ensure the normal germination, stable seedling establishment, and yield formation for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Delayed sowing frequently occurs in the current multi-cropping system and mechanized production of this crop. However, the ways in which different sowing dates affect yield and its potential mechanism is still unknown in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin. We sought to provide a theoretical basis for these mechanisms to improve regional wheat production. Methods We investigated the wheat’s yield differences in a two-year field study under different sowing dates and took into account related growth characteristics including meteorological conditions, growth period, tillers, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and nitrogen accumulation (NA). We used the logistic curve model to simulate DMA and NA dynamics of single stem wheat under different sowing dates. We then analyzed and compared wheat accumulation for different sowing dates. Results Our results showed that grain yield declined by 0.97 ± 0.22% with each one-day change (either early or delayed) in sowing beyond the normal sowing date. The yield loss could be explained by the inhibition of crop growth, yield components, biomass and nitrogen (N) production. The negative effects of delayed sowing were caused by environmental limitations including adverse weather factors such as low temperature during vegetative growth, shortened duration of various phases of crop development, and increased temperature during the grain-filling period. The grain yield gap decreased between the late and normal sowing periods owing to a compensatory effect between the highest average rates (Vt) and the rapid accumulation period (T) of DMA and NA for single stem wheat. The grain yield was maintained at 6,000 kg ha−1 or more when the ratio of DMA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MD/JD) and the ratio of NA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MN/JN) was 4.06 (P < 0.…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kaizhen Liu
creator: Chengxiang Zhang
creator: Beibei Guan
creator: Rui Yang
creator: Ke Liu
creator: Zhuangzhi Wang
creator: Xiu Li
creator: Keyin Xue
creator: Lijun Yin
creator: Xiaoyan Wang
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11700
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Liu et al.
abstract: Background Timely sowing is an important agronomic measure to ensure the normal germination, stable seedling establishment, and yield formation for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Delayed sowing frequently occurs in the current multi-cropping system and mechanized production of this crop. However, the ways in which different sowing dates affect yield and its potential mechanism is still unknown in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin. We sought to provide a theoretical basis for these mechanisms to improve regional wheat production. Methods We investigated the wheat’s yield differences in a two-year field study under different sowing dates and took into account related growth characteristics including meteorological conditions, growth period, tillers, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and nitrogen accumulation (NA). We used the logistic curve model to simulate DMA and NA dynamics of single stem wheat under different sowing dates. We then analyzed and compared wheat accumulation for different sowing dates. Results Our results showed that grain yield declined by 0.97 ± 0.22% with each one-day change (either early or delayed) in sowing beyond the normal sowing date. The yield loss could be explained by the inhibition of crop growth, yield components, biomass and nitrogen (N) production. The negative effects of delayed sowing were caused by environmental limitations including adverse weather factors such as low temperature during vegetative growth, shortened duration of various phases of crop development, and increased temperature during the grain-filling period. The grain yield gap decreased between the late and normal sowing periods owing to a compensatory effect between the highest average rates (Vt) and the rapid accumulation period (T) of DMA and NA for single stem wheat. The grain yield was maintained at 6,000 kg ha−1 or more when the ratio of DMA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MD/JD) and the ratio of NA at the mature-to-jointing stage (MN/JN) was 4.06 (P < 0.…
bibliographic citation: Liu et al. (2021) The effect of different sowing dates on dry matter and nitrogen dynamics for winter wheat: an experimental simulation study. PeerJ 9:e11700 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11700
date submitted: 2021-01-22
date accepted: 2021-06-08
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Kaizhen
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Chengxiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Guan
  given name: Beibei
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Rui
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Ke
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Zhuangzhi
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xiu
author list: Agent
  family name: Xue
  given name: Keyin
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Lijun
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Xiaoyan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11700
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Liu et al.
attribution name: Liu et al.

Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The dynamics of potential oxygen consumption at the sediment surface in a seasonally hypoxic bay were monitored monthly by applying a tetrazolium dye (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride [INT]) reduction assay to intact sediment core samples for two consecutive years (2012–2013). Based on the empirically determined correlation between INT reduction (INT-formazan formation) and actual oxygen consumption of sediment samples, we inferred the relative contribution of biological and non-biological (chemical) processes to the potential whole oxygen consumption in the collected sediment samples. It was demonstrated that both potentials consistently increased and reached a maximum during summer hypoxia in each year. For samples collected in 2012, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes derived from the sediment surface revealed a sharp increase in the relative abundance of sulfate reducing bacteria toward hypoxia. In addition, a notable shift in other bacterial compositions was observed before and after the INT assay incubation. It was Arcobacter (Arcobacteraceae, Campylobacteria), a putative sulfur-oxidizing bacterial genus, that increased markedly during the assay period in the summer samples. These findings have implications not only for members of Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria that are consistently responsible for the consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO) year-round in the sediment, but also for those that might grow rapidly in response to episodic DO supply on the sediment surface during midst of seasonal hypoxia.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Fumiaki Mori
creator: Yu Umezawa
creator: Ryuji Kondo
creator: Gregory N. Nishihara
creator: Minoru Wada
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Microbiology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11836
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Mori et al.
abstract: The dynamics of potential oxygen consumption at the sediment surface in a seasonally hypoxic bay were monitored monthly by applying a tetrazolium dye (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride [INT]) reduction assay to intact sediment core samples for two consecutive years (2012–2013). Based on the empirically determined correlation between INT reduction (INT-formazan formation) and actual oxygen consumption of sediment samples, we inferred the relative contribution of biological and non-biological (chemical) processes to the potential whole oxygen consumption in the collected sediment samples. It was demonstrated that both potentials consistently increased and reached a maximum during summer hypoxia in each year. For samples collected in 2012, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes derived from the sediment surface revealed a sharp increase in the relative abundance of sulfate reducing bacteria toward hypoxia. In addition, a notable shift in other bacterial compositions was observed before and after the INT assay incubation. It was Arcobacter (Arcobacteraceae, Campylobacteria), a putative sulfur-oxidizing bacterial genus, that increased markedly during the assay period in the summer samples. These findings have implications not only for members of Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria that are consistently responsible for the consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO) year-round in the sediment, but also for those that might grow rapidly in response to episodic DO supply on the sediment surface during midst of seasonal hypoxia.
bibliographic citation: Mori et al. (2021) Potential oxygen consumption and community composition of sediment bacteria in a seasonally hypoxic enclosed bay. PeerJ 9:e11836 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11836
date submitted: 2021-04-21
date accepted: 2021-07-01
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mori
  given name: Fumiaki
author list: Agent
  family name: Umezawa
  given name: Yu
author list: Agent
  family name: Kondo
  given name: Ryuji
author list: Agent
  family name: Nishihara
  given name: Gregory N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wada
  given name: Minoru
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11836
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Mori et al.
attribution name: Mori et al.

Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The strong and long lockdown adopted by the Italian government to limit COVID-19 spreading represents the first threat-related mass isolation in history that can be studied in depth by scientists to understand individuals’ emotional response to a pandemic. Methods We investigated the effects on individuals’ mental wellbeing of this long-term isolation by means of an online survey on 71 Italian volunteers. They completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Fear of COVID-19 Scale and judged valence, arousal, and dominance of words either related or unrelated to COVID-19, as identified by Google search trends. Results Emotional judgments changes from normative data varied depending on word type and individuals’ emotional state, revealing early signals of individuals’ mental distress to COVID-19 confinement. All individuals judged COVID-19-related words to be less positive and dominant. However, individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear also judged COVID-19-unrelated words to be less positive and dominant. Moreover, arousal ratings increased for all words among individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear but decreased among individuals with less negative feelings and COVID-19 fear. Discussion Our results show a rich picture of emotional reactions of Italians to tight and 2-month long confinement, identifying early signals of mental health distress. They are an alert to the need for intervention strategies and psychological assessment of individuals potentially needing mental health support following the COVID-19 situation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Maria Montefinese
creator: Ettore Ambrosini
creator: Alessandro Angrilli
subject: Health Policy
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.11858
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2021 Montefinese et al.
abstract: Background The strong and long lockdown adopted by the Italian government to limit COVID-19 spreading represents the first threat-related mass isolation in history that can be studied in depth by scientists to understand individuals’ emotional response to a pandemic. Methods We investigated the effects on individuals’ mental wellbeing of this long-term isolation by means of an online survey on 71 Italian volunteers. They completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Fear of COVID-19 Scale and judged valence, arousal, and dominance of words either related or unrelated to COVID-19, as identified by Google search trends. Results Emotional judgments changes from normative data varied depending on word type and individuals’ emotional state, revealing early signals of individuals’ mental distress to COVID-19 confinement. All individuals judged COVID-19-related words to be less positive and dominant. However, individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear also judged COVID-19-unrelated words to be less positive and dominant. Moreover, arousal ratings increased for all words among individuals with more negative feelings and COVID-19 fear but decreased among individuals with less negative feelings and COVID-19 fear. Discussion Our results show a rich picture of emotional reactions of Italians to tight and 2-month long confinement, identifying early signals of mental health distress. They are an alert to the need for intervention strategies and psychological assessment of individuals potentially needing mental health support following the COVID-19 situation.
bibliographic citation: Montefinese et al. (2021) Online search trends and word-related emotional response during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: a cross-sectional online study. PeerJ 9:e11858 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11858
date submitted: 2021-01-09
date accepted: 2021-07-05
issued: 2021-08-10
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Montefinese
  given name: Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Ambrosini
  given name: Ettore
author list: Agent
  family name: Angrilli
  given name: Alessandro
doi: 10.7717/peerj.11858
volume: 9
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2021-08-10
copyright: ©2021 Montefinese et al.
attribution name: Montefinese et al.

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359