bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A turn‐on fluorescence assay for heparin based on DNA‐templated gold nanoclusters via ET
Authors: Ou LiJuan , Yang FaGuo , Luo JianXin , Duan JiaoJie , Sun Aiming , Chen LanLan , Wang LingYun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA novel fluorescence turn‐on assay for heparin has been developed based on DNA‐templated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and Cytochrome c (Cyt c). In the design, poly A (A15) ssDNA was selected as a template for fabricating AuNCs. AuNCs possess strong fluorescence emission at 471 nm. Upon addition of Cyt c, the fluorescence of AuNCs was quenched effectively by electron transfer (ET) between AuNCs and the heme cofactor of Cyt c. In the presence of heparin, the much higher electrostatic binding of heparin to Cyt c caused Cyt c to be away from AuNCs, leading to a recovery of fluorescence intensity of AuNCs. The proposed method was found to be simple, fast, and sensitive for heparin detection, with a linear range from 0.5 μg/mL to 12 μg/mL, and a detection limit of 0.15 μg/mL. Furthermore, this work was successfully applied to detection of heparin in fetal bovine serum samples, with good recoveries from 93.53% to 103.6%.
Deciphering the Electronic Transitions of Thiophene‐Based Donor‐Acceptor‐Donor Pentameric Ligands Utilized for Multimodal Fluorescence Microscopy of Protein Aggregates
Authors: Gustafsson Camilla , Shirani Hamid , Leira Petter , Rehn Dirk R. , Linares Mathieu , Nilsson K. Peter R. , Norman Patrick , Lindgren Mikael 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAnionic pentameric thiophene acetates can be used for fluorescence detection and diagnosis of protein amyloid aggregates. Replacing the central thiophene unit by benzothiadiazole (BTD) or quinoxaline (QX) leads to large emission shifts and basic spectral features have been reported [Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 15133‐13137]. Here we present new detailed experimental results of solvent effects, time‐resolved fluorescence and examples employing multi‐photon microscopy and lifetime imaging. Quantum chemical response calculations elucidate how the introduction of the BTD/QX groups changes the electronic states and emissions. The dramatic red‐shift follows an increased conjugation and quinoid character of the π‐electrons of the thiophene backbone. An efficient charge transfer in the excited states S1 and S2 compared to the all‐thiophene analogue makes these more sensitive to the polarity and quenching by the solvent. Taken together, the results guide in the interpretation of images of stained Alzheimer disease brain sections employing advanced fluorescence microscopy and lifetime imaging, and can aid in optimizing future fluorescent ligand development.
Encourage stakeholder engagement in sustainable development: Drivers of consumers themselves benefits and society welfares
Authors: Chang Hsiu‐Hua , Chuang Wei‐Jen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSustainable development is viewed as a global goal to solve social, and encouraging stakeholders to become concerned about ecological conservation and to make efforts in engaging in sustainable activities is vital. Though the motivation behind consumer willingness to support the activities of social enterprises should be examined, the literature offers only limited work from the consumer perspective. This study thus integrates relationship marketing theory and an ethical decision‐making model to explore consumers' ethical judgments and behavioral intentions toward sustainability activities. The results show that the impact of perceived value influenced by social and economic benefits on consumers' ethical judgment and behavioral intentions toward sustainability activities is more powerful than that of altruism and environmental value. When consumers' judgments are positive and ethical, their ethical consumption involving sustainability activities and loyalty intentions toward social enterprise will improve. These findings identify research gaps for future research and offer important implications for businesses.
The colloidal gold nanoparticle‐based lateral flow immunoassay for fast and simple detection of plant‐derived doping agent, higenamine
Authors: Nuntawong Poomraphie , Ochi Akihiro , Chaingam Jiranan , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Seiichi , Morimoto Satoshi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHigenamine (HM), an alkaloid found in various plant species, is obtained when norcoclaurine synthase selectively condenses dopamine and 4‐hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde to give (S)‐higenamine ((S)‐HM). The World Anti‐doping Agency has listed HM as a prohibited agent in athletics. As a result, many commercial, academic, and regulatory bodies across the globe are invested in finding a rapid method for (S)‐HM detection. In the current study, a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) was developed in which the relevant biosensor was generated as a conjugate of the monoclonal antibody against (S)‐HM (namely, MAb E8) and colloidal gold nanoparticles. The HM–γ‐globulin conjugates and rabbit anti‐mouse IgG antibodies were placed in the test and control zones, respectively. The free (S)‐HM molecules in the samples and the immobilized HM–γ‐globulin conjugates competitively reacted with the developed biosensor in the LFA. An inverse relationship existed between the biosensors' visible response, which was noted by the variation in the intensity of a pinkish spot in the test zone, and the content of the free (S)‐HM. The limit of detection of the developed LFA was 156 ng/mL. Various validation methods confirmed that the LFA exhibited sufficient sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability, and reliability, making it ideal for (S)‐HM detection in plant samples and plant‐containing products. The developed system required only a small sample volume (20 μL) and a concise sample preparation time compared with conventional LFAs. Thus, the LFA reported in this study could serve as a rapid response kit for the detection of (S)‐HM in plant samples.
FastD: Fast detection of insecticide target‐site mutations and overexpressed detoxification genes in insect populations from RNA‐Seq data
Authors: Chen Longfei , Lang Kun , Mei Yang , Shi Zhenmin , He Kang , Li Fei , Xiao Huamei , Ye Gongyin , Han Zhaojun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTarget‐site mutations and detoxification gene overexpression are two major mechanisms conferring insecticide resistance. Molecular assays applied to detect these resistance genetic markers are time‐consuming and with high false‐positive rates. RNA‐Seq data contains information on the variations within expressed genomic regions and expression of detoxification genes. However, there is no corresponding method to detect resistance markers at present. Here, we collected 66 reported resistance mutations of four insecticide targets (AChE, VGSC, RyR, and nAChR) from 82 insect species. Next, we obtained 403 sequences of the four target genes and 12,665 sequences of three kinds of detoxification genes including P450s, GSTs, and CCEs. Then, we developed a Perl program, FastD, to detect target‐site mutations and overexpressed detoxification genes from RNA‐Seq data and constructed a web server for FastD (http://www.insect-genome.com/fastd). The estimation of FastD on simulated RNA‐Seq data showed high sensitivity and specificity. We applied FastD to detect resistant markers in 15 populations of six insects, Plutella xylostella, Aphis gossypii, Anopheles arabiensis, Musca domestica, Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Apis mellifera. Results showed that 11 RyR mutations in P. xylostella, one nAChR mutation in A. gossypii, one VGSC mutation in A. arabiensis and five VGSC mutations in M. domestica were found to be with frequency difference >40% between resistant and susceptible populations including previously confirmed mutations G4946E in RyR, R81T in nAChR and L1014F in VGSC. And 49 detoxification genes were found to be overexpressed in resistant populations compared with susceptible populations including previously confirmed detoxification genes CYP6BG1, CYP6CY22, CYP6CY13, CYP6P3, CYP6M2, CYP6P4 and CYP4G16. The candidate target‐site mutations and detoxification genes were worth further validation. Resistance estimates according to confirmed markers were consistent with population phenotypes, confirming the reliability of this program in predicting population resistance at omics‐level.
Analysis of echocardiographic video by dynamic mode decomposition
Authors: Mizuno Shuya , Oneyama Fuyuki , Sugino Masato , Semba Hiroaki , Jimbo Yasuhiko , Kotani Kiyoshi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUltrasonography is a popular method used for medical diagnosis since it is non‐invasive and does not require extensive equipment. However, it requires appropriate control of the probe position and orientation, which is difficult even for experts. As an approach to realize automatic ultrasonography, we analyze echocardiography video using dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) to obtain its feature value. The feature value can be calculated from the dominant modes extracted using DMD. This gives the dynamics on the structure which exhibits pulsating modes, and the entire heart structure can be extracted as well from the stationary mode.
Seasonal grassland productivity forecast for the U.S. Great Plains using Grass‐Cast
Authors: Hartman Melannie D. , Parton William J. , Derner Justin D. , Schulte Darin K. , Smith William K. , Peck Dannele E. , Day Ken A. , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Lutz Susan , Fuchs Brian A. , Chen Maosi , Gao Wei 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEvery spring, ranchers in the drought‐prone U.S. Great Plains face the same difficult challenge—trying to estimate how much forage will be available for livestock to graze during the upcoming summer grazing season. To reduce this uncertainty in predicting forage availability, we developed an innovative new grassland productivity forecast system, named Grass‐Cast, to provide science‐informed estimates of growing season aboveground net primary production (ANPP). Grass‐Cast uses over 30 yr of historical data including weather and the satellite‐derived normalized vegetation difference index (NDVI)—combined with ecosystem modeling and seasonal precipitation forecasts—to predict if rangelands in individual counties are likely to produce below‐normal, near‐normal, or above‐normal amounts of grass biomass (lbs/ac). Grass‐Cast also provides a view of rangeland productivity in the broader region, to assist in larger‐scale decision‐making—such as where forage resources for grazing might be more plentiful if a rancher’s own region is at risk of drought. Grass‐Cast is updated approximately every two weeks from April through July. Each Grass‐Cast forecast provides three scenarios of ANPP for the upcoming growing season based on different precipitation outlooks. Near real‐time 8‐d NDVI can be used to supplement Grass‐Cast in predicting cumulative growing season NDVI and ANPP starting in mid‐April for the Southern Great Plains and mid‐May to early June for the Central and Northern Great Plains. Here, we present the scientific basis and methods for Grass‐Cast along with the county‐level production forecasts from 2017 and 2018 for ten states in the U.S. Great Plains. The correlation between early growing season forecasts and the end‐of‐growing season ANPP estimate is >50% by late May or early June. In a retrospective evaluation, we compared Grass‐Cast end‐of‐growing season ANPP results to an independent dataset and found that the two agreed 69% of the time over a 20‐yr period. Although some predictive tools exist for forecasting upcoming growing season conditions, none predict actual productivity for the entire Great Plains. The Grass‐Cast system could be adapted to predict grassland ANPP outside of the Great Plains or to predict perennial biofuel grass production.
Tree seedling trait optimization and growth in response to local‐scale soil and light variability
Authors: Umaña María Natalia , Arellano Gabriel , Swenson Nathan G. , Zambrano Jenny 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAt local scales, it has been suggested that high levels of resources lead to increased tree growth via trait optimization (highly peaked trait distribution). However, this contrasts with (1) theories that suggest that trait optimization and high growth occur in the most common resource level and (2) empirical evidence showing that high trait optimization can be also found at low resource levels. This raises the question of how are traits and growth optimized in highly diverse plant communities. Here, we propose a series of hypotheses about how traits and growth are expected to be maximized under different resource levels (low, the most common, and high) in tree seedling communities from a subtropical forest in Puerto Rico, USA. We studied the variation in the distribution of biomass allocation and leaf traits and seedlings growth rate along four resource gradients: light availability (canopy openness) and soil K, Mg, and N content. Our analyses consisted of comparing trait kurtosis (a measurement of trait optimization), community trait means, and relative growth rates at three resource levels (low, common, and high). Trait optimization varied across the three resource levels depending on the type of resource and trait, with leaf traits being optimized under high N and in the most common K and Mg conditions, but not at any of the light levels. Also, seedling growth increased at high‐light conditions and high N and K but was not related to trait kurtosis. Our results indicate that local‐scale variability of soil fertility and understory light conditions result in shifts in species ecological strategies that increase growth despite a weak trait optimization, suggesting the existence of alternative phenotypes that achieve similar high performance. Uncovering the links between abiotic factors, functional trait diversity and performance is necessary to better predict tree responses to future changes in abiotic conditions.
A Better Understanding of Diethylstilbestrol Electro‐oxidation: Towards the Design of an Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Bibani Malek , Ktari Nadia , Fourati Najla , Zerrouki Chouki , Kalfat Rafik 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe obstacle for the development of a reliable electrochemical technique to trace diethylstilbestrol (DES) lies in the complex electrochemical behavior of this illicit hormone. The present study targeted to thoroughly investigate and understand the electro‐oxidation of DES in acetonitrile on gold electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. DES voltammogram has shown two anodic peaks, implicating two successive and irreversible processes. Adsorption and diffusion properties were studied and characterized using electrochemical, spectroscopic and morphological techniques. Avoiding adsorption, and under diffusion process only, a good linear correlation between peak current and DES concentration in the range of 0.25 to 1000 μmol/L was obtained with a detection and quantification limits of 0.2 μmol/L and 0.7 μmol/L, respectively, and a sensitivity of 0.016 A/mM. Competitivity tests, between DES and its structural analog hexestrol (HS), were carried out by chronoamperometry and SWV. HS even added in excess was found to merely affect DES electrochemical measurement. The established method exhibited high precision and reproducibility, and allows the easy and successful determination of DES in poultry feed sample. With a deep insight into its complex electrochemical behavior, this work paves the way to the development of selective, sensitive and easy‐to‐use electrochemical sensors directed towards this synthetic hormone and the related chemicals such as phenolic compounds.
Intolerance of uncertainty and maladaptive perfectionism as maintenance factors for eating disorders and obsessive‐compulsive disorder symptoms
Authors: Williams Brenna M. , Levinson Cheri A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveEating disorders (EDs) are highly comorbid with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). In order to develop treatments which better address commonly comorbid ED and OCD symptoms, it is important to identify potential shared mechanisms. Two potential shared mechanisms are maladaptive perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty (IU). We aimed to assess how maladaptive perfectionism and IU may contribute to the maintenance of ED and OCD symptoms in individuals with EDs.MethodsIn the current study (N = 168 individuals with an ED), we analysed cross‐sectional and prospective path models of maladaptive perfectionism and IU as maintenance factors of ED and OCD symptoms.ResultsWe found that IU was associated with both ED and OCD symptoms, and maladaptive perfectionism was associated with ED symptoms. We also found that maladaptive perfectionism and IU prospectively predicted OCD symptoms, but not ED symptoms.ConclusionsOverall, these findings suggest that it may be beneficial to target both maladaptive perfectionism and IU in individuals with a current ED diagnosis in order to prevent the development of OCD symptoms.
Point and density forecasting of macroeconomic and financial uncertainties of the USA
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Gupta Rangan , Ogbonna Ahamuefula E. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe forecast macroeconomic and financial uncertainties of the USA over the period of 1960:Q3 to 2018:Q4, based on a large dataset of 303 predictors using a wide array of constant‐parameter and time‐varying models. We find that uncertainty is indeed forecastable, but while accurate point forecasts can be achieved without incorporating time variation in the parameters of the small‐scale models for macroeconomic uncertainty and large‐scale models for financial uncertainty, this is indeed a requirement, along with a large dataset, for producing precise density forecasts under both types of uncertainty.
Parahippocampal area three gray matter is reduced in first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum: Discovery and replication samples
Authors: Curtis Mark T. , Coffman Brian A. , Salisbury Dean F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEarly course schizophrenia is associated with reduced gray matter. The specific structures affected first and how deficits impact symptoms and cognition remain unresolved. We used the Human Connectome Project multimodal parcellation (HCP‐MMP) to precisely identify cortical areas and investigate thickness abnormalities in discovery and replication samples of first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum individuals (FESz). In the discovery sample, T1w scans were acquired from 31 FESz and 31 matched healthy controls (HC). Thickness was calculated for 360 regions in Freesurfer. In the replication sample, high‐resolution T1w, T2w, and BOLD‐rest scans were acquired from 23 FESz and 32 HC and processed with HCP protocols. Thickness was calculated for regions significant in the discovery sample. After FDR correction (q < .05), left and right parahippocampal area 3 (PHA3) were significantly thinner in FESz. In the replication sample, bilateral PHA3 were again thinner in FESz (q < .05). Exploratory correlation analyses revealed left PHA3 was positively associated with hallucinations and right PHA3 was positively associated with processing speed, working memory, and verbal learning. The novel use of the HCP‐MMP in two independent FESz samples revealed thinner bilateral PHA3, suggesting this byway between cortical and limbic processing is a critical site of pathology near the emergence of psychosis.
Political instability and birth outcomes: Evidence from the 1981 military coup in Spain
Authors: Aparicio Fenoll Ainoa , González Libertad 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe study the effect of exposure to political instability in‐utero on health at birth. We exploit the coup d’état that took place in Spain on February 23, 1981. Although short‐lived and unsuccessful, the event generated stress and fear among the population, especially in areas that had suffered more repression during the Civil War and the recent dictatorship. We follow a difference‐in‐differences strategy and compare birth outcomes before and after the coup, in areas that were differentially “affected”. We find that children who were in utero during the coup in more affected areas were born with significantly lower birth‐weight (around 9 g lighter), especially if they were exposed to the coup in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. We contribute to the literature on the effects of maternal stress by focusing on an acute (and relatively common) source of distress that is unlikely to have affected newborn health via other channels.
Predicting early reading fluency based on preschool measures of low‐level visual temporal processing: A possible mediation by high‐level visual temporal processing skills
Authors: Liu Ningyu , Zhao Jing , Huang Chen , Xing Xiaopei , Lu Shan , Wang Zhengyan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFluent reading, which involves visual serial processing of letters/characters (i.e., visual temporal processing, VTP), greatly contributes to our daily life. The present study thus explored the underlying mechanism of reading fluency from the perspective of VTP. A longitudinal method was adopted to examine whether VTP skills in preschool (mean age of 5.03 ± 0.06 years) could predict reading fluency after 2 years (mean age of 7.10 ± 0.18 years). Low‐ and high‐level VTP skills were systematically measured. The results showed that VTP skills at both levels could significantly predict later development of reading fluency. Moreover, the relationship between low‐level VTP skills and character reading fluency was mediated by high‐level VTP skills, suggesting a possible mechanism underlying the relationship between VTP and reading fluency in Chinese. The possible role of VTP in fluent reading, which would have implications for the early diagnosis and remediation of reading disability, has been further discussed.Highlights
This study explored the power of visual temporal processing skills in preschool to predict later development of Chinese reading fluency.
Longitudinal methods were used to establish a systematic relationship between low‐/high‐level visual temporal skills and fluent reading.
A possible mechanism underlying reading fluency was uncovered from visual temporal aspect, which contributes to early diagnosis of reading dysfluency.
Inhibited histone deacetylase 3 ameliorates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat model by elevating microRNA‐19a‐3p and reducing cyclin‐dependent kinase 2
Authors: Song Kaiyou , Li Lianting , Quan Qingqing , Wei Yanjin , Hu Shunpeng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveOver the years, the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in human diseases have been investigated. This study focused on the effect of miR‐19a‐3p and HDAC3 in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury (MIRI) by targeting cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2).MethodsThe I/R rat models were established by coronary artery ligation, which were then treated with RGFP966 (an inhibitor of HDAC3), miR‐19a‐3p agomir or antagomir, or silenced CDK2 to explore their roles in the cardiac function, pathological changes of myocardial tissues, myocardial infarction area, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors in rats with MIRI. The expression of miR‐19a‐3p, HDAC3, and CDK2 was determined by RT‐qPCR and western blot assay, and the interaction among which was also verified by online prediction, luciferase activity assay and ChIP assay.ResultsThe results indicated that HDAC3 and CDK2 were upregulated while miR‐19a‐3p was downregulated in myocardial tissues of I/R rats. The inhibited HDAC3/CDK2 or elevated miR‐19a‐3p could promote cardiac function, attenuate pathological changes, inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress, myocardial infarction area and apoptosis of myocardial tissues. HDAC3 mediates miR‐19a‐3p and CDK2 is targeted by miR‐19a‐3p.ConclusionInhibited HDAC3 ameliorates MIRI in a rat model by elevating miR‐19a‐3p and reducing CDK2, which may contribute to the treatment of MIRI.