bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cannonball jellyfish digestion: an insight into the lipolytic enzymes of the digestive system
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Raul B. , Rodríguez Jorge A. , Leyva Soto Luis Alonso , Gortáres-Moroyoqui Pablo , Diaz-Tenorio Lourdes M. 
Published: September 2020

The digestive system and metabolism of the cannonball jellyfishStomolophussp. 2 are not well-known. The digestion study was critical to explain its ecology and bloom success. Different enzymes are involved in food digestion, which hydrolyze carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. This study detected lipolytic activity in enzymatic extracts from gastric pouches ofStomolophussp. 2 collected in the summer of 2013 at Bahía de Kino, Sonora, México (28°47′47″N 111°57′25″W). Lipase/esterase activity showed optimal pH at 11.0 and 50–60 °C with a half-life (t1/2) of 33 min at 55 °C, whereas halotolerance of this activity was recorded from 0-4 M NaCl. Metal ions Ca2+and Mn2+did not affect the activity, but Mg2+decreased it 14.2% ± 3.15, while chelating agents as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid reduced the activity 8.55% ± 2.13. Inhibition of lipase/esterase activity with tetrahydrolipstatin and paraoxon-ethyl decreased the activity 18.2% ± 2.3, and 62.80% ± 0.74, respectively, whereas phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (a protease inhibitor) did not affect it. The enzyme displayed a higher specificity for short-chain triglycerides, but triolein, coconut oil, olive oil, and fish oil were hydrolyzed. For the first time, phospholipase activity from the gastric pouch ofStomolophussp. 2 was detected using L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine from chicken egg yolk as a substrate. These results suggest thatStomolophussp. 2 hydrolyze several kinds of lipids, and lipolytic enzymes are active at alkaline pH under different saline conditions, which may be essential to digest different preys.
Resilience is inversely associated with self-harm behaviors among Chinese adolescents with childhood maltreatment
Authors: Tian Xin , Yang Guangya , Jiang Linling , Yang Runxu , Ran Hailiang , Xie Fujia , Xu Xiufeng , Lu Jin , Xiao Yuanyuan 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundAbundant studies have identified the association between childhood maltreatment and self-harm (SH), but little has been discussed with regard to the role of resilience in SH behaviors of adolescents who had experienced childhood maltreatment. In this study, we investigated if resilience, as well as its five dimensions, could present negative associations with presence, repetition, and severity of SH among maltreated and neglected adolescents in China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey including 2,084 maltreated teenagers aged from 10 to 17 years was conducted in southwest China Yunnan province. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), The Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents (RSCA), and the Modified version of Adolescents Self-Harm Scale (MASHS) were adopted to measure childhood maltreatment experiences, psychological resilience, and SH behaviors of the respondents, respectively. Binary univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to discuss the associations between resilience and occurrence, repetition, severity of SH.ResultsAmong the participants who met the criteria of CTQ, the prevalence rates of SH were 63.83%, 73.94%, 71.50%, 55.53%, and 58.21% for physical abuse (PA), emotional abuse (EA), sexual abuse (SA), physical neglect (PN), and emotional neglect (EN). Final regression model demonstrated that resilience was in general inversely associated with SH, repeated SH, and severe SH for all types of childhood maltreatment, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) ranging from 0.29 (95% CI: 0.19-0.44) to 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26-0.81). Of the five dimensions of resilience, emotion regulation served as the strongest associated factor of SH among abused youths, regardless of maltreatment types. Besides, compared with those who had lower level of goal concentration and interpersonal assistance, subjects with higher resilience level reported significantly decreased risks of SH occurrence, SH repetition, and more severe SH, in adolescents who had experienced EA and PN.ConclusionsResilience showed inverse association with childhood maltreatment related SH in Chinese adolescents. These findings preliminarily indicated that interventions targeting on building up resilience, especially enhancing emotion regulation ability, improving goal concentration, and consolidating interpersonal assistance, could be effective in reducing SH risk, repetition, and severity in maltreated Chinese teenagers.
Reduced organizational skills in adults with ADHD are due to deficits in persistence, not in strategies
Authors: Durand Guillaume , Arbone Ioana-Smarandita , Wharton Monica 
Published: September 2020

Background
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with poor organizational skills, as per the definition of ADHD. However, the contribution of each of the following factors (and their interactions) to the aforementioned poor organization, while comparing individuals with and without ADHD, has not been analyzed in-depth: Work Organization; Communication Clarity; Punctuality; Goal-oriented behaviour; Assiduity; Workspace Organization; Strategies; and Attentiveness. The purpose is to examine the self-reported levels of organizational skills in adults with and without ADHD.

Methods
Seven hundred seventy-four (n = 303 with a diagnosis of ADHD) adults from the community were recruited online. Participants completed a measure of organizational skills and a screening measure of ADHD.

Results
Participants with a diagnosis of ADHD displayed lower scores than individuals without a diagnosis of ADHD on all organizational skills with the exception of using strategies to remain organized and learn new information. Higher levels of education were associated with higher levels of organizational skills. While there was no difference between males and females with ADHD, females without ADHD scored higher than males without ADHD.

Conclusion
This study supports that individuals with ADHD can efficiently develop strategies, but may have difficulties using those strategies in a continuous manner. Suggestions to increase organizational skills in adults with ADHD are presented.
Mechanisms of diversity maintenance in dung beetle assemblages in a heterogeneous tropical landscape
Authors: Rivera Jose D. , Gómez Benigno , Navarrete-Gutiérrez Darío A. , Ruíz-Montoya Lorena , Delgado Leonardo , Favila Mario E. 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundAnthropized landscapes play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, as they encompass about 90% of the remaining tropical forest. Effective conservation strategies require a deep understanding of how anthropic disturbances determine diversity patterns across these landscapes. Here, we evaluated how attributes and assembly mechanisms of dung beetle communities vary across the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve (REBISO) landscape.MethodsCommunity attributes (species diversity, abundance, and biomass) were assessed at the landscape scale, using spatial windows and vegetation classes. Windows were categorized as intact, variegated, or fragmented based on their percent cover of tropical forest. The vegetation classes analyzed were tropical forest, second-growth forest, and pastures.ResultsWe collected 15,457 individuals and 55 species. Variegated windows, tropical forests, and second-growth forests showed the highest diversity values, while the lowest values were found in intact windows and pastures. Landscape fragmentation was positively and strongly related to dung beetle diversity and negatively related to their abundance; biomass was positively associated with forest cover. Beta diversity was the primary driver of the high dung beetle diversity in the landscape analyzed.DiscussionThe landscape heterogeneity and its biodiversity-friendly matrix facilitate the complementarity of dung beetle assemblages in the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve. Random processes govern beta diversity patterns in intact and variegated windows. Therefore, vegetation cover in the region is sufficient to maintain a continuous flow of dung beetles between forested landscape segments. However, intense anthropic disturbances acted as deterministic environmental filters in fragmented windows and pastures sites, leading to biotic homogenization processes. Our results suggest that increasing habitat variegation in highly fragmented sites is an effective strategy to prevent or buffer homogenization processes in the REBISO landscape.
Savings Level and Investment Behaviour of Cooperative Farmers (Analysis and Prospects) in Jos East Local Government Area, Plateau State
Authors: Iheoma Chizea Chizobam , Chidiebere Alamanjo Cosmos 
Published: September 2020

The study was carried out in Jos East Local government area Plateau state on savings level and investment behavior of cooperative farmers (Assessment and Prospects). A total of 99 respondents were purposively selected and cross-sectional data was collected using structured questionnaires, the data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and 4 point Likert scale. Findings showed that 35.4% of the respondents were between the ages brackets of 31-40 years, 58.6% were male. Also, 43.4% of the respondents saved between 51,000 – 100,000 Naira annually and 40% of the respondents engaged in saving of food stuff which they sell when prices rises to get better price. The findings shows that the savings levels of cooperative farmers are low; also better investment should be harnessed to improve the income of the farmers. Cooperative societies are meant to provide marketing information, easy access to finance and other support to their members, but from our findings this is yet to be achieved.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Pathogenesis, Immune Responses, and Treatment Options
Authors: Eswaran Nandini , Krishna Shwetha 
Published: September 2020

Background: The emergence and the spread of the novel coronavirus or the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a devastating impact on the economy and has become a pressing issue globally. Due to the significant increase in the number of confirmed cases and death tolls worldwide, and certain countries reporting second waves, there is an immediate need for an effective vaccine or other therapeutic intervention to control the spread of the disease. Improving our understanding on the host’s anti-viral immune response on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the potential immune evasion mechanisms adopted by the virus, and the speculated role of antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis will aid in identifying and designing effective therapeutics.
Aim: This review aims to provide an in-depth view of the current knowledge available on the range of host defense mechanisms activated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and various immune evasion mechanisms utilized by the virus. In addition, it also highlights the postulated role of ADE in viral pathogenesis and covers the different preventive and therapeutic options available for the treatment of COVID-19 based on current literature.
Discussion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic serves as a timely reminder on the constant evolutionary process the virus undergoes to emerge as a novel strain and to spread undetected within the population. Similar to other infectious diseases, the host defence mechanism is triggered, and it plays a central role in dampening viral replication by recruiting immune cells and activating anti-viral mechanisms to control the spread of infection by SARS-CoV-2. However, the virus has adopted different immune evasion mechanisms to circumvent host surveillance to successfully establish infection. Hence, understanding the host’s immune responses triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical for identifying and designing novel and effective therapeutics. Currently, over 70% of the population are either asymptomatic or they showcase mild to moderate symptoms and reasons for why some people can mount immune responses more quickly than others are unknown. However, a growing body of research speculates that the ADE mechanism may facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entry and can contribute to severe clinical manifestations. With the constant rise in the number of confirmed cases, there is an immediate need for an effective vaccine to mitigate the spread of the virus. Presently, there is no treatment for COVID-19 although several vaccine candidates are in clinical trials. Therefore, preventive measures like social distancing, isolation, and travel restrictions, may be the key to controlling the rapid spread of COVID-19.
Gibberellic Acid Application and Plant Spacing Effects on Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Akter Taslima , Islam Md. Nazrul , Rahman Md. Jahedur , Sultana Rebaka , Dey Puja Chaity , Islam Farzana , Sarker Md. Rezwan , Rahman Md. Mofizur 
Published: September 2020

Aims: This study aimed to optimize the levels of gibberellic acid (GA3) and plant spacing on growth and yield of lettuce.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: Horticulture farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, from November 2013 to January 2014.
Methodology: The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A- two levels of gibberellic acid (GA3,) application, viz. G1= 25 ppm and G2= 50 ppm in relation to a control G0 and factor B- four plant spacing viz. S1=15cm x 15cm, S2=20 cm x 20 cm, S3=25 cm x 25 cm and S4=30 cm x 30 cm. GA3 was applied twice as a foliar application by hand sprayer at 20 and 30 days after sowing. First, second and final harvesting was done at 25, 35 and 45 days after sowing respectively.
Results: The growth and yield characters of lettuce showed significant variation for different levels of GA3 and plant spacing. Among GA3 levels, 25 ppm GA3 produced the maximum number of leaves (15.6), leaf area (283.9 cm2), fresh weight (91.6 g plant-1), dry weight (11.8 g plant-1), fresh yield (1794 g plot-1) and gross yield (12 t ha-1) at final harvesting compared to control where GA3 was not used. Under plant spacing, highest plant height (17.5 cm), leaf area (281.1 cm2), fresh weight (99.1 g plant-1) and dry weight (12.1 g plant-1) was revealed from wider spacing 30 cm x 30 cm followed by optimum spacing 25cm x 25cm. Meanwhile, closure spacing 15 cm x 15 cm showed maximum fresh yield (1710 g plant-1) and gross yield (15.5 t ha-1) due to higher plant density at final harvesting. Besides, lower chlorophyll content (0.43%) and the highest number of leaves (16.2) was found from 25 cm x 25 cm at final harvesting. So, optimum spacing 25 cm x 25 cm would be more suitable considering different points of view. Moreover, the treatment combinations 25 ppm GA3 with 25 cm x 25 cm exhibited highest benefit-cost ratio (2.04) than other treatments.
Conclusions: It is concluded that the combinations 25 ppm GA3 application with 25cm x 25cm spacing would be optimum for better growth and yield of lettuce
Longitudinal Measurements of Glucocerebrosidase activity in Parkinson’s patients
Authors: Alcalay Roy N. , Wolf Pavlina , Chiang Ming Sum Ruby , Helesicova Karolina , Zhang Xiaokui Kate , Merchant Kalpana , Hutten Samantha J. , Scherzer Clemens , Caspell‐Garcia Chelsea , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Foroud Tatiana , Nudelman Kelly , Gan‐Or Ziv , Simuni Tanya , Chahine Lana M. , Levy Oren , Zheng Dandi , Li Gen , Sardi Sergio Pablo ,   The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveReduction in glucocerebrosidase (GCase; encoded by GBA) enzymatic activity has been linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we correlated GCase activity and PD phenotype in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort.MethodsWe measured GCase activity in dried blood spots from 1559 samples of participants in the inception PPMI cohort, collected in four annual visits (from baseline visit to Year‐3). Participants (PD, n = 392; controls, n = 175) were fully sequenced for GBA variants by means of genome‐wide genotyping arrays, whole‐exome sequencing, whole‐genome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and RNA‐sequencing.ResultsFifty‐two PD participants (13.4%) and 13 (7.4%) controls carried a GBA variant. GBA status was strongly associated with GCase activity. Among noncarriers, GCase activity was similar between PD and controls. Among GBA p.E326K carriers (PD, n = 20; controls, n = 5), activity was significantly lower in PD carriers than control carriers (9.53 µmol/L/h vs. 11.68 µmol/L/h, P = 0.035). Glucocerebrosidase activity was moderately (r = 0.45) associated with white blood cell (WBC) count. Next, we divided the noncarriers with PD to tertiles based on WBC count‐corrected enzymatic activity. Members of the lower tertile had higher MDS‐Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor score in the “off” medication examination at year‐III exam. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated slight reduction of activity in samples collected earlier on in the study, likely because of longer storage time.InterpretationGCase activity is associated with GBA genotype, WBC count, and among p.E326K variant carriers, with PD status. Reduced activity may also be associated with worse phenotype but longer follow up is required to confirm this observation.
Altered multimodal magnetic resonance parameters of basal nucleus of Meynert in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zheng Weimin , Li Hui , Cui Bin , Liang Peipeng , Wu Ye , Han Xu , Li Chiang‐shan R. , Li Kuncheng , Wang Zhiqun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to examine how gray matter volume (GMV), regional blood flow (rCBF), and resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) of the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM) are altered in 40 patients with AD, relative to 30 healthy controls (HCs).MethodsWe defined the BNM on the basis of a mask histochemically reconstructed from postmortem human brains. We examined GMV with voxel‐based morphometry of high‐resolution structural images, rCBF with arterial spin labeling imaging, and whole‐brain FC with published routines. We performed partial correlations to explore how the imaging metrics related to cognitive and living status in patients with AD. Further, we employed receiver operating characteristic analysis to compute the “diagnostic” accuracy of these imaging markers.ResultsAD relative to HC showed lower GMV and higher rCBF of the BNM as well as lower BNM connectivity with the right insula and cerebellum. In addition, the GMVs of BNM were correlated with cognitive and daily living status in AD. Finally, these imaging markers predicted AD (vs. HC) with an accuracy (area under the curve) of 0.70 to 0.86. Combination of BNM metrics provided the best prediction accuracy.ConclusionsBy combining multimode MR imaging, we demonstrated volumetric atrophy, hyperperfusion, and disconnection of the BNM in AD. These findings support cholinergic dysfunction as an etiological marker of AD and related dementia.
Transition‐Metal Phosphides: Activity Origin, Energy‐Related Electrocatalysis Applications, and Synthetic Strategies
Authors: Pu Zonghua , Liu Tingting , Amiinu Ibrahim Saana , Cheng Ruilin , Wang Pengyan , Zhang Chengtian , Ji Pengxia , Hu Weihua , Liu Jian , Mu Shichun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDeveloping highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts plays an important role in energy‐related electrocatalysis fields. Transition‐metal phosphides (TMPs) possess a series of advantages, such as high conductivity, earth‐abundance reserves, and good physicochemical properties, therefore arousing wide attention. In this review, the electrochemical activity origin of TMPs, allowing the rational design and construction of phosphides toward various energy‐relevant reactions is first discussed. Subsequently, their unique energy‐related electrocatalysis nature toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), urea oxidation reaction (UOR), methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and others is highlighted. Then, the TMPs’ synthetic strategies are analyzed and summarized systematically. Finally, the existing key issues, countermeasures, and the future challenges of TMPs toward efficient energy‐related electrocatalysis are briefly discussed.
Injectable Drug‐Releasing Microporous Annealed Particle Scaffolds for Treating Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Fang Jun , Koh Jaekyung , Fang Qizhi , Qiu Huiliang , Archang Maani M. , Hasani‐Sadrabadi Mohammad Mahdi , Miwa Hiromi , Zhong Xintong , Sievers Richard , Gao Dong‐Wei , Lee Randall , Di Carlo Dino , Li Song 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntramyocardial injection of hydrogels offers great potential for treating myocardial infarction (MI) in a minimally invasive manner. However, traditional bulk hydrogels generally lack microporous structures to support rapid tissue ingrowth and biochemical signals to prevent fibrotic remodeling toward heart failure. To address such challenges, a novel drug‐releasing microporous annealed particle (drugMAP) system is developed by encapsulating hydrophobic drug‐loaded nanoparticles into microgel building blocks via microfluidic manufacturing. By modulating nanoparticle hydrophilicity and pregel solution viscosity, drugMAP building blocks are generated with consistent and homogeneous encapsulation of nanoparticles. In addition, the complementary effects of forskolin (F) and Repsox (R) on the functional modulations of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells in vitro are demonstrated. After that, both hydrophobic drugs (F and R) are loaded into drugMAP to generate FR/drugMAP for MI therapy in a rat model. The intramyocardial injection of MAP gel improves left ventricular functions, which are further enhanced by FR/drugMAP treatment with increased angiogenesis and reduced fibrosis and inflammatory response. This drugMAP platform represents a new generation of microgel particles for MI therapy and will have broad applications in regenerative medicine and disease therapy.
Canopy greenness as a midseason nitrogen management tool in corn production
Authors: dos Santos Caio L. , Roberts Trenton L. , Purcell Larry C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAn in‐season nitrogen (N) assessment tool would be valuable in improving N management in corn (Zea mays L.). This study evaluated the intensity of canopy greenness, as determined by the Dark Green Color Index (DGCI) measured from aerial digital images, to serve as a guideline for in‐season N management. Measurements of DGCI from high N (258 kg N ha−1) experimental units were used as a reference DGCI (RDGCI) to correct for variable lighting conditions. Ability of DGCI to assess in‐season N status was investigated by predicting leaf N (LN) concentration and relative grain yield (RGY) as functions of DGCI and RDGCI. Eight field studies were conducted on silt loam soils in Arkansas. Digital images and leaf samples were collected at the 10th collared leaf stage (V10), the 12th collared leaf stage (V12), and tasseling (VT). Across a wide range of environmental lighting conditions, LN was described by a regression (P < .0001) as a function of DGCI and RDGCI with a root mean square error of 3.49 g N kg−1 and a bias of −0.03 g N kg−1. Likewise, RGY was regressed against DGCI and RDGCI (P < .0001) and predicted RGY with a RMSE of 10.3% and a bias of −0.3%. Measurements of DGCI and RDGCI predicted LN and RGY accurately, demonstrating the potential to assess N status and improve N management in corn. These relationships provide reliable metrics for N status during late vegetative and early reproductive growth using aerial images.