bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of land‐use change on avian taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in a tropical montane rainforest
Authors: Rurangwa Marie Laure , Aguirre‐Gutiérrez Jesús , Matthews Thomas J. , Niyigaba Protais , Wayman Joseph P. , Tobias Joseph A. , Whittaker Robert J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimAlthough land use change is a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide, there is scant information on the extent to which it has affected the structure and composition of bird communities in the Afrotropical region. This study aimed to quantify the effects of habitat transformation on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in Afrotropical bird communities.LocationNyungwe landscape, a montane rainforest with adjoining farmland in south‐west Rwanda.MethodsData on bird occurrence, abundance and functional traits were collected in 2017/18 using point counts. We also collected data on habitat and morphological traits for all bird species recorded. We quantified bird diversity using a range of metrics, including the inverse Simpson index, functional dispersion and the standardized effect size of mean nearest taxon distance.ResultsIn comparison with primary forest areas, even low levels of land use change altered species composition and reduced species diversity. Although overall functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity were similar across land use types, we found a significant contraction of trophic and locomotory trait structures of bird communities in restored areas and cultivated areas, respectively. Soil moisture, elevation and lower vegetation height were major factors influencing taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dimensions of bird communities, although their effects varied across these dimensions.Main conclusionsThe sensitivity of forest species to minor habitat disturbance emphasizes the value of conserving primary vegetation. Long‐term conservation of bird communities in Afromontane ecosystems requires halting wide‐scale destruction of primary forest, promoting vegetation heterogeneity in the ecological restoration of degraded habitats and adopting wildlife‐friendly agricultural practices. Our results suggest that monitoring and conservation in these landscapes can be refined using taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity metrics to provide complementary information about the current and likely future impacts of land use change.
Voluntary suppression of associated activity decreases force steadiness in the active hand
Authors: Colomer‐Poveda David , Zijdewind Inge , Dolstra Jurian , Márquez Gonzalo , Hortobágyi Tibor 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnilateral muscle contractions are often accompanied by the activation of the ipsilateral hemisphere, producing associated activity (AA) in the contralateral homologous muscles. However, the functional role of AA is not fully understood. We determined the effects of voluntary suppression of AA in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), on force steadiness during a constant force isometric contraction of the contralateral FDI. Participants (n = 17, 25.5 years) performed two trials of isometric FDI contractions as steadily as possible. In Trial 1, they did not receive feedback or explicit instructions for suppressing the AA in the contralateral homologous FDI. In Trial 2, participants received feedback and were asked to voluntarily suppress the AA in the contralateral nontarget FDI. During both trials, corticospinal excitability and motor cortical inhibition were measured. The results show that participants effectively suppressed the AA in the nontarget contralateral FDI (−71%), which correlated with reductions in corticospinal excitability (−57%), and the suppression was also accompanied by increases in inhibition (27%) in the ipsilateral motor cortex. The suppression of AA impaired force steadiness, but the decrease in force steadiness did not correlate with the magnitude of suppression. The results show that voluntary suppression of AA decreases force steadiness in the active hand. However, due to the lack of association between suppression and decreased steadiness, we interpret these data to mean that specific elements of the ipsilateral brain activation producing AA in younger adults are neither contributing nor detrimental to unilateral motor control during a steady isometric contraction.
Understanding societal approval of the fishing industry and the influence of third‐party sustainability certification
Authors: Robinson Lucy M. , van Putten Ingrid , Cavve Blake S. , Longo Catherine , Watson Matt , Bellchambers Lynda , Fisher Emily , Boschetti Fabio 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCommercial fisheries are increasingly interested in greater social acceptance of their operations and practices. For harvesters, achieving acceptance is complex because expectations arise from many societal groups who can differ greatly in their perceptions. Historically, third‐party certification programmes assisted industry in gaining market acceptance (from consumer and investor groups) by improving the ecological sustainability of fishing practices. This focus is diversifying as societal expectations expand beyond ecological concerns to encompass, for instance, equal access and fair distribution of benefits as well as fisheries management and ethical aspects. In this study, we draw on theoretical work from the social acceptance and social licence literature to create a conceptual model that includes eight variables, representing different aspects of societal approval of fisheries. We applied this model to examine the influence of third‐party certification on societal approval of fisheries in Western Australia (WA). Based on study respondents' perceptions, third‐party certification had a statistically significant influence on facilitating government and regulatory approval of industry. Most respondents perceived certification to facilitate industry acceptance from stakeholders, but this was less so for the local community and general public. Contrary to expectations, but perhaps specific to WA because seafood is mostly sold without the ecolabel, certification was less influential on domestic and export market acceptance. Our findings, in WA, highlight certification was not equally influential on all societal approval aspects. Additionally, the conceptual model is sufficiently flexible to assist other fisheries (and industries) in understanding the influence of certification (and other factors) on different societal approval aspects.
Contemporary screen time usage among children 9–10‐years‐old is associated with higher body mass index percentile at 1‐year follow‐up: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Nagata Jason M. , Iyer Puja , Chu Jonathan , Baker Fiona C. , Gabriel Kelley Pettee , Garber Andrea K. , Murray Stuart B. , Bibbins‐Domingo Kirsten , Ganson Kyle T. 
Published: June 2021

SummaryObjectiveThere is a paucity of prospective research exploring the relationship among contemporary screen time modalities (e.g., video streaming, video chatting, texting and social networking) and body mass index (BMI) percentile. The objective of this study was to determine the prospective associations between screen time behaviours in a large and demographically diverse population‐based cohort of 9–10‐year‐old children and BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up.MethodsWe analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 11 066). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between baseline screen time behaviours (exposure) and BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up, adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, household income, parent education, depression, binge‐eating disorder and baseline BMI percentile.ResultsEach additional hour of total screen time per day was prospectively associated with a 0.22 higher BMI percentile at 1‐year follow‐up (95% CI 0.10–0.34) after adjusting for covariates. When examining specific screen time behaviours, each additional hour of texting (B = 0.92, 95% CI 0.29–1.55), video chat (B = 0.72, 95% CI 0.09–1.36) and video games (B = 0.42, 95% CI 0.06–0.78) was significantly prospectively associated with higher BMI percentile.ConclusionsScreen time is prospectively associated with a higher BMI percentile 1 year later among children 9–10 years old.
Genetic risk score prediction of leg fat and insulin sensitivity differs by race/ethnicity in early pubertal children
Authors: Fowler Lauren A. , Fernández José R. , Deemer Sarah E. , Gower Barbara A. 
Published: June 2021

SummaryBackgroundIn the United States, the underlying reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes risk remain unclear. However, differences in genetic risk for insulin resistance and peripheral adipose tissue distribution may be contributing factors.ObjectiveTo investigate racial/ethnic differences in associations of genetic risk for insulin resistance with leg fat and insulin sensitivity in a cohort of American children.MethodsParticipants were healthy European–American (n = 83), African–American (n = 79) and Hispanic–American (n = 74) children aged 7–12 years. Genetic risk scores were derived from published variants associated with insulin resistance phenotypes in European adults. Body composition was assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity was determined from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and minimal modelling. Statistical models were adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage and body composition.ResultsIn the combined cohort, risk score was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (p = 0.033) but not leg fat (p = 0.170). Within Hispanic Americans, risk score was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (p = 0.027) and leg fat (p = 0.005), while associations were non‐significant in European and African Americans (p > 0.200).ConclusionsThe higher type 2 diabetes risk observed among Hispanic Americans may have a genetic basis related to an inability to store lipid in peripheral adipose tissue.
Puerarin attenuates intracerebral hemorrhage‐induced early brain injury possibly by PI3K/Akt signal activation‐mediated suppression of NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Zeng Jun , Zheng Shizhong , Chen Yizhao , Qu Yaoming , Xie Jiayu , Hong Enhui , Lv Hongzhu , Ding Rui , Feng Liang , Xie Zhichong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can induce intensively oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and brain cell apoptosis. However, currently, there is no highly effective treatment available. Puerarin (PUE) possesses excellent neuroprotective effects by suppressing the NF‐κB pathway and activating the PI3K/Akt signal, but its role and related mechanisms in ICH‐induced early brain injury (EBI) remain unclear. In this study, we intended to observe the effects of PUE and molecular mechanisms on ICH‐induced EBI. ICH was induced in rats by collagenase IV injection. PUE was intraperitoneally administrated alone or with simultaneously intracerebroventricular injection of LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signal). Neurological deficiency, histological impairment, brain edema, hematoma volume, blood–brain barrier destruction, and brain cell apoptosis were evaluated. Western blot, immunohistochemistry staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed. PUE administration at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg could significantly reduce ICH‐induced neurological deficits and EBI. Moreover, PUE could notably restrain ICH‐induced upregulation of the NF‐κB pathway, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, ROS level, and apoptotic pathway and activate the PI3K/Akt signal. However, LY294002 delivery could efficaciously weaken these neuroprotective effects of PUE. Overall, PUE could attenuate ICH‐induced behavioral defects and EBI possibly by PI3K/Akt signal stimulation‐mediated inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway, and this made PUE a potential candidate as a promising therapeutic option for ICH‐induced EBI.
HDAC6 inhibitor ACY1215 inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in acute liver failure by regulating the ATM/F‐actin signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Qian , Wang Yao , Jiao Fangzhou , Cao Pan , Shi Chunxia , Pei Maohua , Wang Luwen , Gong Zuojiong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAcute liver failure (ALF) is a rare and critical medical condition. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of ACY1215 in ALF mice. Our findings suggested that ACY1215 treatment ameliorates the pathological hepatic damage of ALF and decreases the serum levels of ALT and AST. Furthermore, ACY1215 pretreatment increased the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF. Moreover, ACY1215 inhibited the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF. The ATM inhibitor KU55933 could decrease the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. The F‐actin inhibitor cytochalasin B decreased the level of F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. However, cytochalasin B had no effect on protein levels of ATM, Chk2, p53 and p21 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. Cytochalasin B could dramatically increase the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. These results indicated that ACY1215 exhibited hepatoprotective properties, which was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and this effect of ACY1215 was connected with upregulation of the ATM/F‐actin mediated signalling pathways.
Effects of a reduced in‐office bleaching protocol with 37.5% hydrogen peroxide on effectiveness and tooth sensitivity: A double‐blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Meireles Sônia Saeger , Santos Mariana Evangelista , Lustosa Ísis Moreira Cardoso , Leite Eva Lis Lopes 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness and tooth sensitivity (TS) of 37.5% hydrogen peroxide (37.5HP) in‐office bleaching with reduced protocol.Materials and methodsForty participants with shade mean C2 or darker for the six maxillary anterior teeth were randomly allocated into two treatment groups (n = 20): two (37.5HP2) or three (37.5HP3) 8 min applications/clinical session. Three clinical sessions were performed with a 1 week interval. Color evaluations were done with a spectrophotometer at baseline and 1 week post‐bleaching. TS was measured during and up to 48 h after bleaching using a five‐point numeric rating scale. Color change was evaluated by Student's t‐test for independent samples. The absolute risk and intensity of TS were analyzed by Fisher's and Mann–Whitney/Friedman tests (p < 0.05).ResultBoth treatment groups resulted in a significant tooth whitening 1 week post‐bleaching (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between 37.5HP2 and 37.5HP3 for ΔE*ab, ΔE00 and ∆WID. Also, there were not differences between groups regarding high absolute risk (p = 1.0) and low intensity of TS at all time assessments (p > 0.7).ConclusionsThe in‐office bleaching with two 37.5% HP applications produced the same whitening degree, risk and intensity of TS to that performed with three gel applications.Clinical significanceClinicians should opt to use a neutral 37.5% HP in‐office bleaching gel for two 8 min applications/clinical session because produces the same whitening effectiveness, risk and low intensity of TS as the protocol proposed by manufacturer (three 8 min applications).
Do immigrants’ health advantages remain after unemployment? Variations by race‐ethnicity and gender
Authors: Zheng Hui , Yu Wei‐hsin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractImmigrants tend to display more favorable health outcomes than native‐born co‐ethnics. At the same time, they face considerable employment instability. It is unclear whether immigrants’ job conditions may compromise their health advantage. Using U.S. National Health Interview Survey data, this study shows that the experience of unemployment reduces immigrants’ health advantage, but unemployed foreign‐born Blacks, White women, and Asian women still have lower mortality rates than their native‐born employed counterparts. Overall, unemployment is less detrimental to immigrants than to natives, and immigrants’ “survival advantage after unemployment” persists as their duration of residence extends. We further find substantial heterogeneity in the unemployment effect within immigrants. Asian immigrants display a much sharper gender difference in the mortality consequence of unemployment than other immigrants. Asian men's worse general health and substantially higher smoking rate, especially among the unemployed, lead them to fare much worse than Asian women following unemployment.
Associations between Afrotropical bats, eukaryotic parasites, and microbial symbionts
Authors: Lutz Holly L. , Gilbert Jack A. , Dick Carl W. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSkin is the largest mammalian organ and the first defensive barrier against the external environment. The skin and fur of mammals can host a wide variety of ectoparasites, many of which are phylogenetically diverse, specialized, and specifically adapted to their hosts. Among hematophagous dipteran parasites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to serve as important attractants, leading parasites to compatible sources of blood meals. VOCs have been hypothesized to be mediated by host‐associated bacteria, which may thereby indirectly influence parasitism. Host‐associated bacteria may also influence parasitism directly, as has been observed in interactions between animal gut microbiota and malarial parasites. Hypotheses relating bacterial symbionts and eukaryotic parasitism have rarely been tested among humans and domestic animals, and to our knowledge have not been tested in wild vertebrates. In this study, we used Afrotropical bats, hematophagous ectoparasitic bat flies, and haemosporidian (malarial) parasites vectored by bat flies as a model to test the hypothesis that the vertebrate host microbiome is linked to parasitism in a wild system. We identified significant correlations between bacterial community composition of the skin and dipteran ectoparasite prevalence across four major bat lineages, as well as striking differences in skin microbial network characteristics between ectoparasitized and nonectoparasitized bats. We also identified links between the oral microbiome and presence of malarial parasites among miniopterid bats. Our results support the hypothesis that microbial symbionts may serve as indirect mediators of parasitism among eukaryotic hosts and parasites.
An efficient cutting scheme for a section view of the large‐scale infrastructure models
Authors: Luo Guoliang , Wang Rui , Xiao Meihua , Yang Hui , Xiao Qian , Zeng Jiangyou , Liao Chenghui 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWith the advancement of the three‐dimensional (3D) modeling techniques in the recent decade, civil infrastructure design (CID) has been used to produce large‐scale 3D infrastructure models that contain a large set of 3D models with a significantly large number of vertices. In the meantime, such large‐scale data necessitates a higher requirement for efficient data processing techniques. Two‐dimensional (2D)‐plane cutting is one of the basic techniques used to observe and analyze 3D models in CID. This paper presents an efficient cutting scheme for a section view of large‐scale 3D infrastructure models in CID. The proposed cutting scheme contains a pipeline of locating the intersected faces, computing the intersection points, and the polygon triangulation for visualization. Furthermore, an optimized data structure is introduced to realize the parallel implementation of the efficiency cutting scheme. After integrating to our existing 3D design and visualization platform, the experimental results with different 3D infrastructure model datasets, such as the large‐scale electrical substation models, have demonstrated both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed cutting scheme.
Novel Escherichia coli active site dnaE alleles with altered base and sugar selectivity
Authors: Vaisman Alexandra , Łazowski Krystian , Reijns Martin A. M. , Walsh Erin , McDonald John P. , Moreno Kristiniana C. , Quiros Dominic R. , Schmidt Marlen , Kranz Harald , Yang Wei , Makiela‐Dzbenska Karolina , Woodgate Roger 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Escherichia coli dnaE gene encodes the α‐catalytic subunit (pol IIIα) of DNA polymerase III, the cell’s main replicase. Like all high‐fidelity DNA polymerases, pol III possesses stringent base and sugar discrimination. The latter is mediated by a so‐called “steric gate” residue in the active site of the polymerase that physically clashes with the 2′‐OH of an incoming ribonucleotide. Our structural modeling data suggest that H760 is the steric gate residue in E.coli pol IIIα. To understand how H760 and the adjacent S759 residue help maintain genome stability, we generated DNA fragments in which the codons for H760 or S759 were systematically changed to the other nineteen naturally occurring amino acids and attempted to clone them into a plasmid expressing pol III core (α‐θ‐ε subunits). Of the possible 38 mutants, only nine were successfully sub‐cloned: three with substitutions at H760 and 6 with substitutions at S759. Three of the plasmid‐encoded alleles, S759C, S759N, and S759T, exhibited mild to moderate mutator activity and were moved onto the chromosome for further characterization. These studies revealed altered phenotypes regarding deoxyribonucleotide base selectivity and ribonucleotide discrimination. We believe that these are the first dnaE mutants with such phenotypes to be reported in the literature.
Assessing the impact of FFP3 masks to oxygen saturation and pulse rate in the Oral Surgery department at the Glasgow Dental Hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic: an observational study
Authors: Rehman Ilyaas , Ali Sarah , O’Brien Conor , Goodall Christine 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimThe impact on physiological parameters and well‐being from potential respiratory distress caused by FFP3 masks, particularly during extensive clinical sessions, has been widely speculated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the effect of FFP3 mask wear on clinicians’ pulse rate and oxygen saturation.Material & MethodsClinical staff within the Oral Surgery department recorded their oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate prior to donning an FFP3 mask, prior to doffing FFP3 mask and after doffing FFP3 mask using a finger pulse oximeter for a two‐week period in May–June 2020. The duration of wear, the session (AM/PM), the brand of mask and the presence of previous COVID‐19 symptoms were also recorded.ResultsTwenty‐eight data sets were collected from twelve participants (1M:11F). Of the FFP3 masks worn, nineteen (67.86%) were ARCOTM, eight (28.57%) were 3MTM masks and one (3.57%) was 3M+TM. At baseline, the mean SpO2 was 98.39% and the mean pulse rate was 72.11. Prior to mask removal, the mean SpO2 was 97.82% and the mean pulse rate was 70.04. At the end of the session, the mean SpO2 was 98.14% and the mean pulse rate was 69.54. The mean duration of wear was 150.34 min. Data sets were collected evenly across AM (14) and PM (14) sessions. Five participants (17.86%) reported previous COVID‐19 symptoms.ConclusionThe data demonstrated a mean reduction of 0.25% in oxygen saturation and 3.56% in pulse rate, following the use of an FFP3 mask. These changes in physiological parameters are not clinically significant and sessional use appears to be safe.