bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The geographic mosaic of arms race coevolution is closely matched to prey population structure
Authors: Hague Michael T. J. , Stokes Amber N. , Feldman Chris R. , Brodie Edmund D. , Brodie Edmund D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractReciprocal adaptation is the hallmark of arms race coevolution. Local coadaptation between natural enemies should generate a geographic mosaic pattern where both species have roughly matched abilities across their shared range. However, mosaic variation in ecologically relevant traits can also arise from processes unrelated to reciprocal selection, such as population structure or local environmental conditions. We tested whether these alternative processes can account for trait variation in the geographic mosaic of arms race coevolution between resistant garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) and toxic newts (Taricha granulosa). We found that predator resistance and prey toxin levels are functionally matched in co-occurring populations, suggesting that mosaic variation in the armaments of both species results from the local pressures of reciprocal selection. By the same token, phenotypic and genetic variation in snake resistance deviates from neutral expectations of population genetic differentiation, showing a clear signature of adaptation to local toxin levels in newts. Contrastingly, newt toxin levels are best predicted by genetic differentiation among newt populations, and to a lesser extent, by the local environment and snake resistance. Exaggerated armaments suggest that coevolution occurs in certain hotspots, but prey population structure seems to be of particular influence on local phenotypic variation in both species throughout the geographic mosaic. Our results imply that processes other than reciprocal selection, like historical biogeography and environmental pressures, represent an important source of variation in the geographic mosaic of coevolution. Such a pattern supports the role of “trait remixing” in the geographic mosaic theory, the process by which non-adaptive forces dictate spatial variation in the interactions among species.
Effects of submerged liquid fermentation of Bacillus subtilis WX‐17 using okara as sole nutrient source on the composition of a potential probiotic beverage
Authors: Mok Wai Kit , Tan Yong Xing , Lyu Xiao Mei , Chen Wei Ning 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis work aims to produce a functional probiotic beverage using okara as the sole nutrient source. Hence, okara was fermented with Bacillus subtilis WX‐17 in submerged liquid fermentation and the supernatant was tested. Metabolomic analysis showed that the nutritional profile of the beverage was enhanced after fermentation. Essential amino acids as well as short‐chain fatty acids were significantly (p < .05) upregulated. Total phenolic content and antioxidant content (in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity) increased by 6.32 and 1.55 times, respectively. After 6 weeks, probiotic viability remains unchanged when stored at 4°C and the cell count is above the minimum dosage to confer health benefits. Antimicrobial activity was also detected against gram‐positive bacteria. The findings of this work showed the potential of submerged liquid fermentation of Bacillus subtilis WX‐17 using okara as sole substrate to produce a functional and low‐cost probiotic beverage.
Improvement of selection of pregnant women for intrapartum polymerase chain reaction screening for vaginal Group B Streptococci (GBS) colonization by adding GBS urine screening at 35–37 weeks of pregnancy
Authors: Khalil Mohammed R. , Uldbjerg Niels , Thorsen Poul B. , Møller Jens K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate whether systematic antepartum screening for Group B Streptococci (GBS) by urine culture improves the risk factor‐based selection of pregnant women for intrapartum GBS screening with a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted between April 2013 and June 2014. GBS colonization judged by urine culture at 35–37 weeks of gestation was compared with the result of a vaginal GBS PCR test at labor as outcome. The results of urine culture were used as exposure variable. The PCR test was performed on intrapartum vaginal samples.ResultsScreening for urine GBS in 902 unselected pregnant Danish women at 35–37 weeks of gestation predicted intrapartum PCR GBS status with a sensitivity of 33.6%. A positive predictive value of 41.2% was seen among women with low GBS counts (<104 CFU/mL) and 83.3% among women with high GBS counts (≥104 CFU/mL). Systematic GBS screening of urine at 35–37 weeks of gestation added 30.9% extra women for intrapartum GBS PCR screening in the study group.ConclusionSystematic antepartum GBS screening of urine should be implemented in order to improve risk stratification for early onset GBS by offering laboring women an intrapartum GBS PCR test.
Measuring the slowly evolving trend in US inflation with professional forecasts
Authors: Nason James M. , Smith Gregor W. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryMuch research studies US inflation history with a trend‐cycle model with unobserved components, where the trend may be viewed as the Fed's evolving inflation target or long‐horizon expected inflation. We provide a novel way to measure the slowly evolving trend and the cycle (or inflation gap), by combining inflation predictions from the Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) with realized inflation. The SPF forecasts may be treated either as rational expectations (RE) or updating according to a sticky information (SI) law of motion. We estimate RE and SI state‐space models with stochastic volatility on samples of consumer price index and gross national product/gross domestic product deflator inflation and the associated SPF inflation predictions using a particle Metropolis–Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler. The trend converges to 2% and its volatility declines over time—two tendencies largely complete by the late 1990s.
A novel nonsense mutation of ZEB2 gene in a Chinese patient with Mowat‐Wilson syndrome
Authors: Hu Yuan , Peng Qi , Ma Keze , Li Siping , Rao Chunbao , Zhong Baimao , Lu Xiaomei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundMowat‐Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and multiple anomalies caused by haploinsufficiency of the ZEB2 gene. We investigated the genetic causes of MWS in a 14‐year‐old girl who had characteristic features of MWS.MethodsClinical data and peripheral blood DNA samples were collected from the proband. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole‐exome sequencing was conducted to detect genetic variants. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to predict the function of the mutant gene.ResultsMutation analysis of the proband identified a novel nonsense mutation (c.250G > T, p.E84*) within exon 3 of the ZEB2 gene. This novel alteration resulted in a termination codon at amino acid position 84, which was predicted to encode a truncated protein. This variant was not present in unrelated healthy control samples that were obtained from the exome sequence databases ExAc browser (http://exac.broadinstitute.org/) and gnomAD browser (http://gnomad.broadinstitute.org/). It is a novel variant that was determined to be a deleterious mutation according to the variant interpretation guidelines of the ACMG. The results of our study suggest that the p.E84* mutation in the ZEB2 gene was probably the pathogenic mutation that caused MWS in the proband.ConclusionsThis study reports the novel mutation in the proband will provide a basic foundation for further investigations to elucidate the ZEB2‐related mechanisms of MWS.
An evaluation of surface roughness after staining of different composite resins using atomic force microscopy and a profilometer
Authors: Karatas Ozcan , Gul Pınar , Gündoğdu Mustafa , Iskenderoglu Demet T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare the surface roughness of different composite resins using atomic force microscope (AFM) and a profilometer after storage in different solutions.Materials and methodsEight different composite resins were used in this study. Twenty specimens of each composite resin material were prepared using a 2‐mm thick and 8‐mm diameter stainless steel mold. After the composites had been placed in the mold, they were polymerized with a LED curing unit. The surfaces of all specimens were polished using aluminum oxide discs, and the specimens were then divided into four groups. The specimens in the experimental groups were stored in cola, coffee, or red wine, while the control group was stored in distilled water. Specimen surface roughness was examined after 30 days using an AFM and a profilometer, and the data obtained were subjected to analysis.ResultsEvaluation of the surface roughness of composite resins using a profilometer revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups, but significant differences were found using the AFM. The mean surface roughness of nanohybrid composites was lower than that of microhybrid composites.ConclusionsThe surface roughness of the composite resins varies with storage in different solutions, depending on the organic matrix structure and inorganic fillers of the resin.
Male–female differences in quality of life and coping style in patients with Marfan syndrome and hereditary thoracic aortic diseases
Authors: Thijssen Carlijn G. E. , Doze Daphne E. , Gökalp Arjen L. , Timmermans Janneke , Peters Jeannette B. , Elbers‐van de Ven Laura H. C. , van Royen Niels , Takkenberg Johanna J. M. , Roos‐Hesselink Jolien W. , van Kimmenade Roland R. J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHereditary thoracic aortic diseases (HTAD) such as Marfan syndrome (MFS) affect multiple organ systems and provide a risk of acute aortic dissection, which causes lifelong uncertainties. Although health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) was found to be reduced in HTAD patients, no studies have evaluated male–female‐specific aspects of HRQOL and coping in this population. This study aims to evaluate HRQOL in HTAD patients compared to the general population; assess male–female differences in HRQOL and factors associated with HRQOL; evaluate coping styles in male and female HTAD patients and identify factors associated with acceptance. All consecutive adult patients who visited the specialized HTAD outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2018 were asked to complete three HRQOL questionnaires: the Short Form 36 (SF‐36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Nijmegen Clinical Screening Instrument (NCSI). In total, 142 patients were included (mean age 42.1 years, 65 females, 123 MFS). Compared to the general population, HTAD patients scored significantly lower on multiple SF‐36 sub‐domains (males: General Health 54.5 ± 18.8 vs. 71.6 ± 20.6, p < .001; Vitality 58.3 ± 20.4 vs. 71.9 ± 18.3, p < .001; females: Physical Functioning 67.5 ± 23.8 vs. 80.4 ± 24.2, p = .003; Role Physical 58.3 ± 45.1 vs. 73.8 ± 38.5, p = .047; General Health 49.4 ± 24.3 vs. 69.9 ± 20.6, p < .001; Social Functioning 73.5 ± 22.0 vs. 82.0 ± 23.5, p = .027). Females scored significantly lower than males on the SF‐36 physical component score (41.6 [IQR 35.5–53.1] vs. 49.3 [IQR 42.3–54.6], p = .035). Males scored significantly higher on the coping style denial than females (2.75 [IQR 2.00–3.25] vs. 2.25 [IQR 1.75–3.25], p = .018). High scores on acceptance were found in 38 (26.8%) of HTAD patients, and these patients showed significantly better scores on the NCSI, SF‐36, and HADS, except on NCSI Satisfaction Relationships and SF‐36 Physical Functioning and Mental Health. Acceptance was associated with more medication use (beta blocker use, p = .008; angiotensin receptor blocker use, p = .003) and less hypertension (p = .001). In patients with MFS, employment was strongly associated with better scores on the NCSI. In conclusion, HTAD patients showed subnormal HRQOL, especially females. Interestingly, in both males and females factors such as employment, coping style, and disease acceptance seem more important for HRQOL than disease‐related factors. This highlights the importance of genetic counseling and guidance for HTAD patients, and offers valuable leads for HRQOL improvement.
Extrapulmonary and atypical clinical presentations of COVID‐19
Authors: Abobaker Anis , Raba Ali Ahmed , Alzwi Aboubaker 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV2) has led to an outbreak of multiple cases of pneumonia in Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease caused by this virus was named coronavirus disease 2019 or “COVID‐19”, which was declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic in March 2020. It typically presents with respiratory symptoms and febrile illness. However, there are few reported extrapulmonary and atypical presentations, such as hemoptysis, cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal, ocular, and cutaneous manifestations, as well as venous and arterial thrombosis. Lack of awareness of these presentations might lead to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and isolation of suspected patients which increases the risk of transmission of infection between patients and doctors. All these issues will be discussed in this review.
Examining the Influence of Mood on the Bright Side and the Dark Side of Creativity
Authors: Yefet Matan , Glicksohn Joseph 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe current exploratory study was designed to examine whether an expert‐generated rating of the creativity of a product and of its darkness‐brightness would both be influenced by the mood of the participants who had created that product. Positive and negative moods of the participants were induced by watching an emotional video, followed by appropriate instrumental music. Our participants were students of art and architecture, and they were asked to produce short texts and drawings while being in a specific mood. Their products tend to be subsequently rated by judges as being more bright and as being more creative when they had been generated while in a positive mood, and to be rated as being less bright and as being less creative when they had been generated in a negative mood. We also found an effect for the task, the drawings being rated as being more bright than the texts. In addition, those studying architecture generated more brightly rated products. Both positive and negative moods may result in creative products—and these will differ on a dark–bright rating scale.
Iodine uptake and translocation in apple trees grown under protected cultivation
Authors: Budke Christoph , Mühling Karl Hermann , Daum Diemo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and Aims: Agronomic biofortification of food crops with iodine may improve the dietary intake of this trace element, which is essential for human development and health. So far, little is known about the suitability of this technique in pome fruits. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate uptake and translocation of exogenously applied iodine in apple trees, (2) to identify possible strategies of iodine biofortification for this type of fruit, and (3) to evaluate interactions between foliar applied iodine and selenium.Methods: Apple trees were cultivated in a plastic tunnel for two growing seasons. Iodine was applied via leaves or substrate. During the 2nd year, simultaneous foliar application of iodine and selenium were tested as well. At harvest time, iodine and selenium content in leaves and fruits were determined. The phytoavailable iodine concentration in the growing medium was analyzed following an extraction with calcium chloride. In addition, the dynamics of iodine applied as potassium iodide and iodate in a peat‐based substrate was investigated in an incubation experiment without plants.Results: The iodine concentration in washed apples increased more than 100‐fold, valuing around 50 µg (100 g FM)−1 by foliar application of iodine as compared to the control treatment. However, this level was only achieved in fruits which were directly wetted by the spray solution. The translocation of leaf‐absorbed iodine to fruits was negligible. Following a substrate fertilization, the fruit iodine content remained rather low due to a strong retention of iodine in the growing medium. When using foliar sprays, the addition of selenium did not affect the iodine enrichment of the apple fruits.Conclusions: Foliar fertilization of iodine seems to be a promising method to biofortify apples with iodine. The level of I achieved in apple fruits by means of foliar fertilization can significantly contribute to the daily I intake requirement of humans.
Relationships between chlorophyll content of vine leaves, predawn leaf water potential at veraison, and chemical and sensory attributes of wine
Authors: Sánchez Ramón , González María Rosa , Fernández‐Fernández Encarnación , Rodríguez‐Nogales José Manuel , Martín Pedro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundWater deficit and iron deficiency (iron chlorosis) are common environmental stresses that affect grapevine production in the Mediterranean area. Studies on the impact of both stresses, when they act simultaneously, are rare. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the combined effects of the incidence of iron chlorosis and the vine water status on quality of Tempranillo wine. For this, 20 non‐irrigated vineyard subzones (10 m × 10 m each), from non‐affected to moderately affected by iron chlorosis, were monitored in the Ribera del Duero area (north‐central Spain) during two consecutive seasons.ResultsFactorial analyses of variance were performed to study the effects of predawn leaf water potential and foliar chlorophyll content, both measured at veraison, on chemical and sensory characteristics of wine. With an impact much greater than water status, the incidence of iron stress decreased pH of the wine and enhanced sensory attributes as tonality, layer intensity, flavour intensity, and persistence in the mouth. There were increases in red colour, astringency, and persistence of the wine associated with chlorosis, although they might be restricted in water‐deficit conditions.ConclusionThe results have demonstrated that mild to moderate iron stress can have positive effects on chemical and sensory attributes of Tempranillo wine. Measurements of foliar chlorophyll content at veraison could be very useful to map quality potential in rainfed vineyards affected by iron deficiency. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Social Support Moderates the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Duration and Treatment Outcomes in Telemedicine‐Based Treatment Among Rural Veterans
Authors: Campbell Sarah B. , Erbes Christopher , Grubbs Kathleen , Fortney John 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFor patients participating in trauma‐focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), pretreatment characteristics may moderate treatment effectiveness. For instance, preexisting supportive relationships may encourage skill utilization or provide contrasts to maladaptive cognitive biases highlighted in trauma‐focused treatments for PTSD. Such pretreatment characteristics are important to study in rural individuals, who may experience barriers to initiating and completing treatment. The aim of this study was to examine whether pretreatment social support, measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, would moderate the association between CPT duration (i.e., number of sessions attended) and change in PTSD symptoms, using data from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a telemedicine‐based collaborative care intervention for rural veterans (N = 225). Social support moderated the association between CPT duration and PTSD symptom change, B = −0.016, SE = −.006; 95% CI [−0.028, −0.005], such that increased duration was associated with more PTSD symptom change only at average or higher levels of support. This effect was found for overall and emotional support but not tangible support. Additionally, on average, among participants who attended eight or more CPT sessions, only those at or above 1 standard deviation above the mean social support score demonstrated a reliable change in PTSD symptoms. The results indicate that the link between CPT treatment duration and treatment outcomes may be stronger for veterans with higher levels of pretreatment social support.
Introduced goats reduce diversity and biomass of herbs in Caatinga dry forest
Authors: Menezes Tatiane , Carmo Rodrigo , Wirth Rainer , Leal Inara R. , Tabarelli Marcelo , Laurênio André , Melo Felipe P. L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHerbivores are considered important drivers of vegetation shifts in rangelands worldwide. In the Brazilian Caatinga years in 16 paired exclosure versus free‐access plots. Exclosure of goats caused a small but significant increase in the species diversity and above‐ground biomass of herbs that varied strongly with time. Taxonomic dissimilarity between exclosure and free‐access was small and due to the turnover of a few species, however, tended to increase with time. Environmental co‐variables, such as rainfall, forest cover, and grazing pressure were also important and have varying effects on herbaceous communities, adding complexity to the processes of species assembly of Caatinga rangelands. Management of grazed ecosystems must take into account that goats can shift plant species composition and diversity with potential cascading effects on ecosystem functions.
Aggregation and Crosslinking of Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐b‐pullulan Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymers
Authors: Plucinski Alexander , Willersinn Jochen , Lira Rafael B. , Dimova Rumiana , Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe self‐assembly of polymers is a major topic in current polymer chemistry. In here, the self‐assembly of a pullulan based double hydrophilic block copolymer, namely pullulan‐b‐poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐co‐poly(diacetone acrylamide) (Pull‐b‐(PDMA‐co‐PDAAM)) is described. The hydrophilic block copolymer induces phase separation at high concentration in aqueous solution. Additionally, the block copolymer displays aggregates at lower concentration, which show a size dependence on concentration. In order to stabilize the aggregates, crosslinking via oxime formation is described, which enables preservation of aggregates at high dilution, in dialysis and in organic solvents. With adequate stability by crosslinking, double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) aggregates open pathways for potential biomedical applications in the future.
Optimizing the Power Production in an Osmotic Engine via Microfluidic Fabricated and Surface Crosslinked Hydrogels Utilizing Fresh and Salt Water
Authors: Jangizehi Amir , Fengler Christian , Arens Lukas , Wilhelm Manfred 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSalinity gradients between seawater and river water is a renewable source of energy having a worldwide potential capacity of about 3.1 TW. This energy can be extracted by e.g., an osmotic engine, using hydrogels with high water uptake capacity. Consecutive exposing hydrogels to fresh and saline water makes swelling–shrinking cycles, which can be utilized to move a piston in an osmotic engine. The production of power with this method is significantly suppressed by gelblocking, where voids between particles are blocked so that the water flow is limited and the absorbency significantly retarded. To improve the power production, the gelblocking is minimized within this article by using spherical mono‐dispersed hydrogels made by microfluidic technique. In this study mono‐disperse poly(acrylic acid‐co‐sodium acrylate) hydrogels with varying diameters (100‐600 µm) and varying degrees of neutralization (DN = 10–75 mol%) are synthesized. In addition, hydrogels with different DN are utilized for additional surface crosslinking to fabricate core–shell particles. The maximum power of 0.67 W kg−1 is obtained for hydrogels with a diameter of 105 µm, degree of crosslinking (DC) = 1.7 mol%, DN = 75 mol%, and a core‐shell architecture, which is three times higher compared to hydrogels having undefined size without a core–shell framework.