title: PeerJ description: Articles published in PeerJ link: https://peerj.com/articles/index.rss3?journal=peerj&page=693 creator: info@peerj.com PeerJ errorsTo: info@peerj.com PeerJ language: en title: Influence of environmental factors and body condition on the post-oviposition behavior in the emerald glass frog Espadarana prosoblepon (Centrolenidae) link: https://peerj.com/articles/13616 last-modified: 2022-06-16 description: In species with parental care behaviors, parents may adjust the intensity and duration of their care if fluctuation in factors such as environmental variables or body condition affects offspring survival. In the face of environmental changes, many egg-laying species remain with their clutch for extended periods if this behavioral adjustment provides tangible benefits to the offspring. However, the length of time parents stay with the offspring may also differ depending on the individual’s body condition. In the glass frog family (Centrolenidae), several species exhibit long-term egg attendance in which they remain with their clutch for several days after oviposition takes place. For some of them, changes in environmental variables lead to increased parental care efforts. For the species in which parents remain with their offspring for a short period (less than 24 hours), it is less clear if this constitutes parenting behavior, and whether parents adjust their efforts as a function of environmental change or the parent’s body condition remains unexplored. We studied a population of the Emerald Glass Frog, Espadarana prosoblepon, a species that exhibits a short period of quiescence after oviposition (less than three hours). Our study aimed to determine whether females alter the length of their post-oviposition quiescence period in response to changes in environmental variables (i.e., temperature, humidity, rainfall, and mean wind speed) or female body condition. Pairs in amplexus were captured in the field and transported to semi-natural enclosures to record the duration of post-oviposition quiescence using infrared cameras. Females’ post-oviposition quiescence lasted an average of 67.4 ± 26.6 min (range = 22.7–158.3 min). We did not find a significant relationship between the duration of the post-oviposition quiescence and any of the environmental variables tested. Similarly, post-oviposition quiescence duration was not influenced by female body condition. Because the variation observed in the duration of post-oviposition quiescence was not related to changes in extrinsic (environmental) or intrinsic (body condition) factors, we found no evidence that females of E. prosoblepon modify their post-oviposition behavior in response to any of the variables examined in this study. Future research investigating the adaptive significance of the post-oviposition quiescence observed in this species is needed to understand how this behavior is related to parental care efforts. creator: Johana Goyes Vallejos creator: Abner D. Hernández-Figueroa uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13616 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Goyes Vallejos and Hernández-Figueroa title: Agrochemical control of gene expression using evolved split RNA polymerase link: https://peerj.com/articles/13619 last-modified: 2022-06-16 description: Chemically-inducible gene expression systems are valuable tools for rational control of gene expression both for basic research and biotechnology. However, most chemical inducers are confined to certain groups of organisms. Therefore, dissecting interactions between different organisms could be challenging using existing chemically-inducible systems. We engineered a mandipropamid-induced gene expression system (Mandi-T7) based on evolved split T7 RNAP system. As a proof-of-principle, we induced GFP expression in E. coli cells grown inside plant tissue. creator: Yuan Yuan creator: Jin Miao uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13619 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Yuan and Miao title: Are all thermometers equal? A study of three infrared thermometers to detect fever in an African outpatient clinic link: https://peerj.com/articles/13283 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: Infrared thermometry has certain advantages over traditional oral thermometry including quick, non-invasive administration and an absence of required consumables. This study compared the performance of tympanic, temporal artery and forehead contactless thermometers with traditional oral electronic thermometer as the reference in measuring temperature in outpatients in a Nigerian secondary care hospital. A convenience sample of 100 male and 100 female adult patients (Mean age = 38.46 years, SD = 16.33 years) were recruited from a secondary care hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Temperature measurements were taken from each patient using the tympanic, temporal artery and contactless thermometers and oral electronic thermometer. Data was analyzed to assess bias and limits using scatterplots and Bland-Altman charts while sensitivity analysis was done using ROC curves. The tympanic and temporal artery thermometers systematically gave higher temperature readings compared to the oral electronic thermometer. The contactless thermometer gave lower readings compared to the oral electronic thermometer. The temporal artery thermometer had the highest sensitivity (88%) and specificity (88%) among the three infrared thermometers. The contactless thermometer showed a low sensitivity of 13% to detect fever greater than 38 °C. Our study shows that replacing oral thermometers with infrared thermometers must be done with caution despite the associated convenience and cost savings. creator: Nirmal Ravi creator: Mathura Vithyananthan creator: Aisha Saidu uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13283 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Ravi et al. title: Habitat variability and faunal zonation at the Ægir Ridge, a canyon-like structure in the deep Norwegian Sea link: https://peerj.com/articles/13394 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: The Ægir Ridge System (ARS) is an ancient extinct spreading axis in the Nordic seas extending from the upper slope east of Iceland (∼550 m depth), as part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to a depth of ∼3,800 m in the Norwegian basin. Geomorphologically a rift valley, the ARS has a canyon-like structure that may promote increased diversity and faunal density. The main objective of this study was to characterize benthic habitats and related macro- and megabenthic communities along the ARS, and the influence of water mass variables and depth on them. During the IceAGE3 expedition (Icelandic marine Animals: Genetics and Ecology) on RV Sonne in June 2020, benthic communities of the ARS were surveyed by means of a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and epibenthic sledge (EBS). For this purpose, two working areas were selected, including abyssal stations in the northeast and bathyal stations in the southwest of the ARS. Video and still images of the seabed were usedtoqualitatively describebenthic habitats based on the presence of habitat-forming taxa and the physical environment. Patterns of diversity and community composition of the soft-sediment macrofauna, retrieved from the EBS, were analyzed in a semiquantitative manner. These biological data were complemented by producing high-resolution bathymetric maps using the vessel’s multi-beam echosounder system. As suspected, we were able to identify differences in species composition and number of macro- and megafaunal communities associated with a depth gradient. A biological canyon effect became evident in dense aggregates of megafaunal filter feeders and elevated macrofaunal densities. Analysis of videos and still images from the ROV transects also led to the discovery of a number ofVulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) dominated by sponges and soft corals characteristic of the Arctic region. Directions for future research encompass a more detailed, quantitative study of the megafauna and more coherent sampling over the entire depth range in order to fully capture the diversity of the habitats and biota of the region. The presence of sensitive biogenic habitats, alongside seemingly high biodiversity and naturalness are supportive of ongoing considerations of designating part of the ARS as an “Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area” (EBSA). creator: Saskia Brix creator: Stefanie Kaiser creator: Anne-Nina Lörz creator: Morgane Le Saout creator: Mia Schumacher creator: Frederic Bonk creator: Hronn Egilsdottir creator: Steinunn Hilma Olafsdottir creator: Anne Helene S. Tandberg creator: James Taylor creator: Simon Tewes creator: Joana R. Xavier creator: Katrin Linse uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13394 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Brix et al. title: Impact of sarcopenia on intertrochanteric femoral fracture in the elderly link: https://peerj.com/articles/13445 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of skeletal sarcopenia on the prognosis of intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly.MethodsWe collected information on 144 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture (FIF). The influence of sarcopenia on the chance of death was determined using binary Probit regression analysis. For additional analysis, the Chow test was utilized to select the best distinguishing node in the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) score. We looked for characteristics that were linked to a higher probability of death and a poor IADL outcome within 1 year. The data collected above were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The internal calibration degree and model validity were assessed by GiViTI calibration.ResultsSarcopenia, EuroQol-5D 1 month score, age, gender, and hypertension were identified as risk factors for death in older patients with FIF within a year by logistic regression analysis. Sarcopenia, psychotropics, BMI, and length of hospital stay were all found to be risk factors for poor IADL outcomes (P < 0.1). The calibration curves indicated that the anticipated and actual probabilities of these two models were very close. The study’s reliability coefficient was 0.671, showing a satisfactory level of reliability.ConclusionIn elderly patients with FIF, sarcopenia, EuroQol-5D score, age, gender, and hypertension were risk factors for death; sarcopenia, hospital stay length, BMI were risk factors for poor quality of life. creator: Shunli Jiang creator: Yu Ding creator: Lixing Kang uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13445 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Jiang et al. title: A new gigantic carnivore (Carnivora, Amphicyonidae) from the late middle Miocene of France link: https://peerj.com/articles/13457 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: Serravallian terrestrial vertebrates are very uncommon in the northern margin of the Pyrenean Mountains. A mandible of a new large sized amphicyonid (ca. 200 kg) is here described from the marine deposits of Sallepisse (12.8–12.0 Mya). Despite that this new taxon is close in size to some European amphicyonids from the Miocene (e.g., Amphicyon, Megamphicyon, and Magericyon), the unique morphology of its p4, unknown in this clade, allows the erection of the new genus Tartarocyon cazanavei nov. gen. & sp. This taxon may be derived from a Cynelos-type amphicyonine. The description of this new taxon highlights the erosion of the ecological and morphological diversity of the Amphicyonidae in response to well-known Miocene events (i.e., Proboscidean Datum Event, Middle Miocene Climatic Transition, Vallesian Crisis). creator: Floréal Solé creator: Jean-François Lesport creator: Antoine Heitz creator: Bastien Mennecart uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13457 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Solé et al. title: Individual characteristics, including olfactory efficiency, age, body mass index, smoking and the sex hormones status, and food preferences of women in Poland link: https://peerj.com/articles/13538 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: BackgroundFood choices made by most people mainly depend on food preferences. Knowing how certain factors affect food preferences can help dietitians working with women to understand the relationship between individual factors and the challenges faced by the women in changing eating habits. The aim of the study was to examine the food preferences of women and to assess the impact of the sense of smell, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking and hormonal status (phase of the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception) on the declared pleasure derived from eating various types of food.MethodsA total of 190 women living in the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolis in Poland aged 18–75 (19.29–26.71 RNO) years participated in the study. The collected survey data included age, BMI, smoking, phase of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception. Olfactory sensitivity was measured by T08 olfactometer. Additionally, food preferences were assessed, using 24 different food types, which were presented as pictures. To evaluate food preferences 10 cm visual analogue scale was used.ResultsThe most liked foods were: fruits (M = 8.81, SD = 1.67), sweet desserts (M = 8.44, SD = 2.30), vegetables and salads (M = 8.08, SD = 2.24), chocolate (M = 7.84, SD = 2.76), and poultry (M = 7.30, SD = 2.47). The least liked foods were: salty products (M = 4.98, SD = 3.03), milk soup (M = 3.30, SD = 3.13), and seafood (M = 2.99, SD = 3.28). The influence of the analyzed factors on the degree of liking six food types was shown. Women with better ability to name scents preferred sausages/ham and beef/pork. Women with a higher BMI had lower preference for jellybeans and broth. Women who were heavier smokers had lower preference for milk soup. In women using hormonal contraception, pleasure from eating sausages and ham was higher than compared to women in all phases of the monthly cycle. In women in the follicular phase the pleasure from eating pasta was lower when compared to women in the ovulatory phase, the luteal phase and those using hormonal contraception. In women in the ovulatory phase the pleasure from eating candies and jellybeans was lower when compared to women in the follicular phase, the luteal phase and those using hormonal contraception. In women in the ovulatory phase, also pleasure from eating broth was lower when compared to women in the luteal phase and those using hormonal contraception.ConclusionsAmong women in Poland, the top five preferred food types are fruits, sweet desserts, vegetables/salads, chocolate and poultry. To confirm the extent to which the declared pleasure derived from eating these food types translates into health condition, further research on the consumption of these food types is necessary. The impact of the sense of smell, BMI, smoking, or menstrual cycle phase and hormonal contraception on the declared pleasure derived from eating was observed for six out of twenty-four food types. The hormonal status was the factor most significantly influencing food preferences. creator: Magdalena Hartman-Petrycka creator: Joanna Witkoś creator: Agata Lebiedowska creator: Barbara Błońska-Fajfrowska uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13538 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Hartman-Petrycka et al. title: Leptin administration does not influence migratory behaviour in white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) link: https://peerj.com/articles/13584 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: Migratory flights by birds are among the most energetically demanding forms of animal movement, and are primarily fueled by fat as an energy source. Leptin is a critical fat-regulation hormone associated with energy balance in non-avian species but its function in birds is highly controversial. Prior research indicated the effects of leptin differed between birds in migratory condition or not, but no research has assessed the effect of leptin on migratory behaviour itself. In this study, our objective was to determine if leptin affects migratory restlessness and fat deposition in migratory songbirds. We used photoperiod manipulation to induce spring migratory condition, and measured migratory restlessness in leptin-injected and saline-injected white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis). Leptin treatment had no effect on migratory restlessness nor fat deposition, providing evidence that leptin does not influence avian migratory motivation or behaviour. Our results also further support the idea that birds in a hyperphagic migratory condition may be insensitive to leptin. creator: Emma Churchman creator: Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13584 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Churchman and MacDougall-Shackleton title: Machine-learning based prediction and analysis of prognostic risk factors in patients with candidemia and bacteraemia: a 5-year analysis link: https://peerj.com/articles/13594 last-modified: 2022-06-15 description: Bacteraemia has attracted great attention owing to its serious outcomes, including deterioration of the primary disease, infection, severe sepsis, overwhelming septic shock or even death. Candidemia, secondary to bacteraemia, is frequently seen in hospitalised patients, especially in those with weak immune systems, and may lead to lethal outcomes and a poor prognosis. Moreover, higher morbidity and mortality associated with candidemia. Owing to the complexity of patient conditions, the occurrence of candidemia is increasing. Candidemia-related studies are relatively challenging. Because candidemia is associated with increasing mortality related to invasive infection of organs, its pathogenesis warrants further investigation. We collected the relevant clinical data of 367 patients with concomitant candidemia and bacteraemia in the first hospital of China Medical University from January 2013 to January 2018. We analysed the available information and attempted to obtain the undisclosed information. Subsequently, we used machine learning to screen for regulators such as prognostic factors related to death. Of the 367 patients, 231 (62.9%) were men, and the median age of all patients was 61 years old (range, 52–71 years), with 133 (36.2%) patients aged >65 years. In addition, 249 patients had hypoproteinaemia, and 169 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during hospitalisation. The most common fungi and bacteria associated with tumour development and Candida infection were Candida parapsilosis and Acinetobacter baumannii, respectively. We used machine learning to screen for death-related prognostic factors in patients with candidemia and bacteraemia mainly based on integrated information. The results showed that serum creatinine level, endotoxic shock, length of stay in ICU, age, leukocyte count, total parenteral nutrition, total bilirubin level, length of stay in the hospital, PCT level and lymphocyte count were identified as the main prognostic factors. These findings will greatly help clinicians treat patients with candidemia and bacteraemia. creator: Yali Gao creator: Mingsui Tang creator: Yaling Li creator: Xueli Niu creator: Jingyi Li creator: Chang Fu creator: Zihan Wang creator: Jiayi Liu creator: Bing Song creator: Hongduo Chen creator: Xinghua Gao creator: Xiuhao Guan uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13594 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: © 2022 Gao et al. title: The seasonal investigation of Symbiodiniaceae in broadcast spawning, Acropora humilis and brooding, Pocillopora cf. damicornis corals link: https://peerj.com/articles/13114 last-modified: 2022-06-14 description: The density and diversity of Symbiodiniaceae associated with corals can be influenced by seasonal changes . This study provided the first annual investigation of Symbiodiniaceae density and diversity associated with Acropora humilis and Pocillopora cf. damicornis corals in the Gulf of Thailand using both zooxanthellae cell count and next-generation sequencing (ITS-1, ITS-2 regions) techniques, respectively. The results from this study indicated that zooxanthellae cell densities in both coral species differ significantly. The number of zooxanthellae was negatively correlated with the physical environment variable (light intensity). The diversity within A. humilis consisted of two genera, Cladocopium (Cspc_C3: 56.39%, C3w: 33.62%, C93type1: 4.42% and Cspf: 3.59%) and a small amount of Durusdinium (D1: 1.03%) whereas P. cf. damicornis was found to be 100% associated with Durusdinium (D1: 95.58%, D6: 1.01% and D10: 2.7%) suggesting that each coral species may select their appropriate genus/species of Symbiodiniaceae in response to local environmental stressors. The results of this study provided some information on the coral-Symbiodiniaceae relationship between seasons, which may be applied to predict the potential adaptation of corals in localized reef environments. creator: Suppakarn Jandang creator: Voranop Viyakarn creator: Yuki Yoshioka creator: Chuya Shinzato creator: Suchana Chavanich uri: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13114 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ rights: ©2022 Jandang et al.