bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carotenoid‐based plumage colour saturation increases with temperature in Australian passerines
Authors: Prasetya Audrey Miranda , Peters Anne , Delhey Kaspar 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimBirds are often coloured yellow, olive, orange or red by carotenoids, which are plant pigments that are ingested with food. Here we test whether there are consistent patterns of intraspecific geographic variation in male carotenoid‐based plumage coloration linked to latitude, temperature, precipitation and primary productivity. It has been suggested that patterns of geographic variation should be different for yellow, compared to the metabolically derived red carotenoid‐based coloration, but this has not been tested.LocationAustralia.TaxaForty‐nine randomly selected species of Australian passerine birds (Passeriformes), 30 with yellow and 19 with red carotenoid‐based plumage coloration.MethodsCarotenoid‐based plumage patches of male museum specimens were measured using reflectance spectrometry, and spectra analysed using models of avian colour vision. For each species, we used linear models to determine whether geographic variation in carotenoid‐based colour correlated with latitude, temperature, precipitation or primary productivity. To determine whether effects are consistent across species, we used phylogenetic meta‐analyses.ResultsAlthough spatial environmental effects on carotenoid‐based plumage coloration varied across species, overall, species tended to have more saturated carotenoid‐based coloration at lower latitudes, and warmer regions. These effects applied mainly to resident species (as opposed to migratory or nomadic) and were stronger for red compared to yellow carotenoid‐based colours. We found no consistent effects of precipitation or primary productivity.Main conclusionsGeographic variation in male carotenoid‐based plumage coloration of Australian passerines is unlikely to be caused by variation in plant productivity (the ultimate source of carotenoids), and may be better explained by latitudinal gradients in the intensity of sexual selection or predation risk. Alternatively, temperature effects on red carotenoid‐based coloration may be driven by the hypothesized link between carotenoid and cellular metabolism. Latitudinal and temperature effects have the potential to generate perceivable differences in coloration across realistic spatial scales, contributing to divergence in visual signals.
Combined inner and outer loop feedback in an intelligent tutoring system for statistics in higher education
Authors: Tacoma Sietske , Drijvers Paul , Jeuring Johan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) can provide inner loop feedback about steps within tasks, and outer loop feedback about performance on multiple tasks. While research typically addresses these feedback types separately, many ITSs offer them simultaneously. This study evaluates the effects of providing combined inner and outer loop feedback on social sciences students' learning process and performance in a first‐year university statistics course. In a 2 x 2 factorial design (elaborate inner loop vs. minimal inner loop and outer loop vs. no outer loop feedback) with 521 participants, the effects of both feedback types and their combination were assessed through multiple linear regression models. Results showed mixed effects, depending on students' prior knowledge and experience, and no overall effects on course performance. Students tended to use outer loop feedback less when also receiving elaborate inner loop feedback. We therefore recommend introducing feedback types one by one and offering them for substantial periods of time.
CtBP1 promotes tumour‐associated macrophage infiltration and progression in non–small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Zhao Yan , Xu Hongyan , Liang Feihai , Zou Qingxu , Wang Chen , Jiang Jingyuan , Lin Fengwu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe progression of lung cancer is majorly facilitated by TAMs (tumour‐associated macrophages). However, how the TAMs infiltrate the NSCLC microenvironment and the associated biochemical are not fully elaborated. Research has revealed that changes in CtBP1 modulates innate immunity. Here, we investigated if CtBP1 facilitates infiltration of TAM and the subsequent progression of NSCLC. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out in 96 NSCLC patients to estimate the clinicopathological importance of CtBP1 in the disease. CtBP1 overexpression and knockdown were carried out to assess the activity of CtBP1 in NSCLC cells. Elevated expression of CtBP1 correlated positively with TAMs infiltration into NSCLC tissues, induced EMT (epithelial‐mesenchymal transition) in NSCLC cells and modulated the activated NF‐κB signalling pathway leading to increase in CCL2 secretion from NSCLC cells, thus promoting TAM recruitment and polarization. TAM induction and polarization reduced significantly on exhausting p65 in NSCLC cells with CtBP1. Moreover, infiltration of TMAs was reduced remarkably on antagonist‐mediated blocking of CCR2 and impeded the progression of NSCLC in a mouse model. These findings thus show a novel insight into the process of CtBP1‐regulated TAM infiltration in NSCLC.
PLA2G16 is a mutant p53/KLF5 transcriptional target and promotes glycolysis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Xia Wei , Bai Hansong , Deng Ying , Yang Yi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPLA2G16 is a member of the phospholipase family that catalyses the generation of lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) from phosphatidic acid. In the current study, we explored the functional role of PLA2G16 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and the genetic/epigenetic alterations leading to its dysregulation. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Then, PANC‐1 and MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells harbouring TP53 mutations were used for cellular and animal studies. Results showed that PL2G16 expression was significantly up‐regulated in PAAD tissue and was associated with unfavourable survival. PLA2G16 inhibition suppressed pancreatic cell growth in vitro and in vivo and also inhibited aerobic glycolysis. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that KLF5 was positively correlated with PLA2G16 expression in PAAD tumours with TP53 mutation. TP53 or KLF5 inhibition significantly reduced PLA2G16 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Dual‐luciferase and chromatin Immunoprecipitation‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays showed that KLF5 directly bound to the PLA2G16 promoter and activated its transcription. Co‐immunoprecipitation assay indicated that mutant p53 had a physical interaction with KLF5. Inhibition of mutant p53 impaired the transcriptional activating effects of KLF5. In PAAD cases in TCGA, PLA2G16 expression was positively correlated with its copy number (Pearson's r = 0.51, P < 0.001), but was strongly and negatively correlated with the methylation level of cg09518969 (Pearson's r = −0.64, P < 0.001), a 5’‐cytosine‐phosphodiester bond‐guanine‐3’ site within its gene locus. In conclusion, this study revealed a novel mutant p53/KLF5‐PLA2G16 regulatory axis on tumour growth and glycolysis in PAAD.
Spatio‐temporal partitioning and sharing of parasitoids by fall armyworm and maize stemborers in Cameroon
Authors: Abang Albert F. , Fotso Kuate Apollin , Nanga Nanga Samuel , Okomo Esi Rosa M. , Ndemah Rose , Masso Cargele , Fiaboe Komi K. M. , Hanna Rachid 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBiological invasion is a global concern with species deployed out of native range, the most recent in Africa being the invasion by fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). One of the most mentioned ecological consequences is the capacity of invaders to change native communities' structure. Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has long been the most destructive pests of maize in Africa. Few or no studies have attempted to look at the interaction between FAW and native maize pests over a cropping cycle for sustainable management. Maize trials were established over two cropping cycles in Cameroon to investigate the nature of such interactions and eventual sharing of parasitoids. FAW incidence decreased with maize growth, while the reverse was observed for stemborers. Few cases of co‐occurrence were recorded at the later maize growth stage. There was a clear indication that FAW infestation was associated with vegetative stages, while stemborers were associated with reproductive stages. Only FAW eggs were found on abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces, while only stemborer eggs were inside leaf sheaths. Similarly, while larvae of both groups were found in maize whorl and on ears, only FAW larvae were found in closed tassels, while only stemborers were found inside stems. These results are in favour of segregation in time and space in plant colonization by native and invasive pests, which may limit competition and exacerbates damage if no control is provided. The same egg, larval and pupal parasitoids respectively Telenomus remus, Cotesia icipe and Procerochasmias nigromaculatus emerged from isolated FAW and B. fusca eggs, larvae, and pupae. The sharing of parasitoids by both species provides a unique opportunity for augmentative biocontrol.
Enablers and challenges to pharmacy practice change in Kuwait hospitals: a qualitative exploration of pharmacists’ perceptions
Authors: Katoue Maram Gamal 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesThe practice of hospital pharmacists in many developing countries has been changing to include the delivery of direct patient care services, but practice change can be a challenging process. This article explores the perceptions of hospital pharmacists in Kuwait about the enablers and challenges to expanding their scope of practice to include direct patient care.MethodsA phenomenological qualitative approach was employed to conduct focus group interviews to explore pharmacists’ perceptions about their professional practice at different hospitals across Kuwait. Data were collected from 110 pharmacists using 11 focus group interviews. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using framework analysis.ResultsThe practice of most hospital pharmacists includes limited direct patient care role. However, a growing number of pharmacists have been introducing clinical pharmacy services at hospitals. Three themes about enablers to practice change emerged from data: (a) increasing physicians’ acceptance to pharmacists’ role in patient care, (b) patients’ trust in pharmacists’ knowledge about medications, and (c) pharmacists’ perceived benefits of providing direct patient care. These benefits includes enhancing patients’ safety and adherence to therapy and improving the professional identity of pharmacists. Participants’ perceived challenges to practice change include professional, individual, and organizational challenges. Most participants welcomed assuming direct patient care role. They agreed that pharmacists need to receive adequate education and training and to be equipped with a clinical degree to responsibly provide direct patient care services at hospitals.ConclusionsPharmacists have been increasingly attempting to provide clinical pharmacy services in Kuwait hospitals. This qualitative data revealed breadth of challenges hindering pharmacists’ attempts to expand their professional practice to include direct patient care role. It also outlines facets of improvement and enablers to practice change. The collaboration between different stakeholders in the profession is essential to support pharmacists’ efforts in achieving the change in the scope of pharmacy practice to improve patient care services.
The unknown diversity of the genus Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) in the Chocó biogeographic region, Colombian Andes: Two new species supported by morphological and molecular data
Authors: Agudelo‐Zamora Henry D. , Tavera José , Murillo Yiskar D. , Ortega‐Lara Armando 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTwo new species of Characidium, C. tatama and C. dule, are described from the biogeographic Chocó region in western Colombia. Both new species are supported by both morphological and molecular data. C. tatama from the San Juan River in the Pacific and C. dule from the Atrato River in the Caribbean portion of Colombia are both distributed in the upper and lower portions of these basins. An extensive comparison with other trans‐ and cis‐Andean species of Characidium was made, in addition to species delimitation, using COI sequences by distinct methods (GMYC, ABGD, bPTP).
Heart rates of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar during a critical swim speed test and subsequent recovery
Authors: Hvas Malthe , Folkedal Ole , Oppedal Frode 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this study, heart rate (HR) bio‐loggers were implanted in the abdominal cavity of 12 post‐smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar weighing 1024 ± 31 g and acclimated to 12°C sea water. One week after the surgical procedure, a critical swim speed (Ucrit) test was performed on tagged and untagged conspecifics, whereafter tagged fish were maintained in their holding tanks for another week. The Ucrit was statistically similar between tagged and untagged fish (2.67 ± 0.04 and 2.74 ± 0.05 body lengths s−1, respectively) showing that the bio‐logger did not compromise the swimming performance. In the pre‐swim week, a diurnal cycle was apparent with HR peaking at 65 beats min−1 during the day and approaching 40 beats min−1 at night. In the Ucrit test, HR increased approximately exponentially with swimming speed until a plateau was reached at the final speed before fatigue with a maximum of 85.2 ± 0.7 beats min−1. During subsequent recovery tagged fish could be divided into a surviving group (N = 8) and a moribund group (N = 4). In surviving fish HR had fully recovered to pre‐swim levels after 24 h, including reestablishment of a diurnal HR cycle. In moribund fish HR never recovered and remained elevated at c. 80 beats min−1 for 4 days, whereafter they started dying. We did not identify a proximal cause of death in moribund fish, but possible explanations are discussed. Tail beat frequency (TBF) was also measured and showed a more consistent response to increased swimming speeds. As such, when exploring correlations between HR, TBF and metabolic rates at different swimming speeds, TBF provides better predictions. On the contrary, HR measurements in free swimming fish over extended periods of time are useful for other purposes such as assessing the accumulative burden of various stressors and recovery trajectories from exhaustive exercise.
A C‐type lectin with antibacterial activity in weather loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Wen , Yang Cong‐Hui , Zhang Hong‐Quan , Pan Xin‐Tong , Jin Ze‐Yu , Zhang Hong‐Wei , Xia Xiao‐Hua 
Published: September 2020

AbstractC‐type lectins are carbohydrate‐binding proteins that play important roles in immunity by serving as pattern recognition receptors. In the present study, a novel nattectin‐like C‐type lectin was obtained from the weather loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, designated as MaCTL. MaCTL encodes a peptide with 165 amino acids, with a signal peptide and a single C‐type lectin domain (CTLD), containing a galactose‐specific QPD motif and a conserved Ca2+‐binding site. Transcripts of MaCTL were significantly upregulated after immune challenge with its pathogen A. hydrophila. In vitro assays with recombinant MaCTL protein revealed that it exhibited hemagglutinating and bacterial agglutinating activities, in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. MaCTL was found to bind to a wide range of bacteria, as well as bind to bacterial polysaccharides LPS and PGN. Moreover, MaCTL displayed antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. These results collectively suggest that MaCTL is involved in the antibacterial defence of weather loach.
A comparative study on the efficiency of two modeling approaches for predicting moisture content of apple slice during drying
Authors: Dalvi‐Isfahan Mohsen 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe efficiency of two different modeling approaches for predicting moisture content of apple slices during drying were evaluated and compared. The experiments were performed at four air‐drying temperatures and at three levels of air velocity in the convective hot air dryer. Moisture content of apple during drying was predicted using theoretical model and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) models. The theoretical model was developed by solving heat and mass transfer equations simultaneously using numerical technique. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network and radial basis function (RBF) network were used to develop neural network modeling. The agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical model predictions was quite good by considering the shrinkage dependent effective diffusivity in the model. Among different ANN structures, the best results were obtained for the MLP network with two hidden layers based on the statistical criteria (the coefficient of determination [R2] and mean squared error [MSE]). Although both two approaches could reasonably forecast the moisture content of apple slice during drying, the ANN model demonstrated better goodness of fit than theoretical model.Practical applicationMoisture content and water activity are important parameters in production of dried fruit, which have traditionally been measured by destructive and time‐consuming methods. Hence, quick tools are required to evaluate the moisture concentration and monitor changes during drying. Modeling can be considered as a helpful tool for prediction of moisture content as a function of time and space. The results of this study show that the two types of models can successfully predict changes in moisture content during drying. Applying these models at the commercial level can reduce variability in product quality and improve repeatability of the drying process.
Neural network and computational fluid dynamics modeling for the gelatinization kinetics of instant controlled pressure drop treated parboiled rice
Authors: Chakraborty Sourav , Gautam Swapnil Prashant , Bordoloi Tridisha , Hazarika Manuj Kumar 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEffects of treatment pressure (TP) and treatment time (TT) on the degree of gelatinization (DG) and its impact on the quality attributes of instant controlled pressure drop (ICPD) treated parboiled rice were investigated. Water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics were established for controlling the quality attributes of parboiled rice. Fick's second law was implemented for the evaluation of water diffusion kinetics. DG was fitted with first order reaction kinetics, which showed a rising trend of reaction rate constant from 0.03 to 0.05 s−1 with the variation of TP. Simulation of gelatinization temperature front and its effect on the gelatinization kinetics were modeled by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Process modeling of DG as a function of TP, TT, and moisture content (MC) was accomplished on the basis of 3‐7‐1 artificial neural network (ANN) architecture. Parboiled rice treated at 0.6 MPa TP showed the best quality in terms of broken percentage, ease of cooking, micro‐structural characteristics, and improved cooking and pasting properties.Practical applicationInstant controlled pressure drop (ICPD) treated parboiling process is an innovative approach for producing rice with improved quality attributes. Investigation of water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics is a vital aspect in order to control the milling quality of ICPD treated parboiled rice. Further, mapping of gelatinization temperature front is also necessary in order to control DG with the variation of ICPD treatment pressure and time. Therefore, this study was conducted to enumerate the effects of water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics on the quality attributes of ICPD treated parboiled rice.
Effect of simultaneous dual‐frequency ultrasound aided ethanolic pretreatment on drying kinetics, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical properties of apple slices using pulsed vacuum dryer
Authors: Amanor‐Atiemoh Robert , Zhou Cunshan , Mujumdar Arun , Osae Richard , Taiye Mustapha Abdullateef , Wahia Hafida , Sampson Gilbert , Amoa‐Owusu Abigail , Ma Haile 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis work aims at investigating effect of different pretreatments and varied temperature on the drying kinetics, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, microstructure and functional group of apple slices using pulsed vacuum dryer. Pretreated apple slices (Ethanol, US + W, and US + E) dried at varied temperature (60, 70, and 80°C) were analyzed to determine total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH+), 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS+), color, microstructure and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The findings revealed that US + E pretreatment significantly (p < .05) decreased drying time (20–33.33%). Activation energy and moisture effective diffusivity were 17.60–29.86 kJ/mol and 1.52–3.60 × 10−8m2/s, respectively. Microstructure evaluation showed disruption of cells structure and microchannels formation but was more prominent in US + E pretreatment with noticeable larger pores and several microchannels. US + E pretreatment retained TPC (64.89–75.75 mg/100 g GAE dw), TFC (45.96–56.25 mg/100 g ER dw), DPPH+(66.85–73.34%) and ABTS+(62.58–71.17%) than Ethanol, US + W, and control and was further corroborated by the observed peaks as revealed by the FT‐IR spectroscopy. Color (L*,a*,b*, whiteness) was better retained by Ethanol and US + E pretreatments. US + E pretreatment decreased drying time and also preserved bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and color of apple slices.Practical applicationApples are popularly consumed fruits and confer various nutritional and health benefits to humans. Drying is the most common approach for apple processing and shelf life extension. However, drying often leads to a reduction in quality parameters as well as degradation of nutritional components of the apple. Novel pretreatment techniques like ultrasonic aided ethanolic pretreatment preceding to apple drying provides an added advantage over conventional drying methods in that it reduces dehydration time as a result of faster moisture removal, lowers energy consumption, improves process efficiency leading to industrial competiveness and it also preserves the nutritional and sensorial parameters of dried apple slices.