bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting responses of different functional groups stabilize community responses to a dominant shrub under global change
Authors: Bai Yuxuan , Michalet Richard , She Weiwei , Qiao Yangui , Liu Liang , Miao Chun , Qin Shugao , Zhang Yuqing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Changes in precipitation regimes and nitrogen deposition levels due to global change are altering terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Most attempts at understanding how biotic interactions affect plant species and community responses to global change have focused on biotic interactions measured at the community level. However, these approaches ignore that communities include functionally dissimilar species that might respond differently to changes in the effects of dominant neighbours along environmental gradients. We test the hypothesis that plant species with differences in functional traits may exhibit contrasting interactions with a dominant shrub species within a single community, thereby stabilizing community‐level responses to the effects of global change.

We manipulated water and nitrogen applications in a semi‐arid dune community in northern China, quantified the biomass of herbaceous species occurring below the dominant shrub, Artemisia ordosica, and in adjacent open patches (without the shrub), and measured herbaceous species height and leaf dry matter content. The effects of A. ordosica were quantified at the species, group and community levels using the relative interaction index (RII). Redundancy analysis was performed on species traits and the RII values to assess the relationships between functional differences in species and plant–plant interactions. Species were then grouped using a cluster analysis and the RII values were recalculated at the group level.

The redundancy analysis showed that species height and leaf dry matter content were significantly correlated to the changes in species' responses to the effect of A. ordosica along treatments. The four groups of species identified by the cluster analysis showed contrasting variations in competitive or facilitative responses depending on species traits and environmental treatments. However, the interactions measured at the group level balanced the community‐level responses, as we found no significant changes in the effects of A. ordosica along treatments for community biomass, richness and functional diversity indices.

Synthesis. Our findings indicate that species with different functional strategies within a community exhibit contrasting responses to a dominant shrub along environmental gradients. These contrasting changes in plant–plant interactions of functionally different species may balance the responses of community‐level metrics. This suggests that functional differences between species groups and the balance of plant–plant interactions stabilize community responses to global change.
Experimental evidence of microbial inheritance in plants and transmission routes from seed to phyllosphere and root
Authors: Abdelfattah Ahmed , Wisniewski Michael , Schena Leonardo , Tack Ayco J. M. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryWhile the environment is considered the primary origin of the plant microbiome, the potential role of seeds as a source of transmitting microorganisms has not received much attention. Here we tested the hypothesis that the plant microbiome is partially inherited through vertical transmission. An experimental culturing device was constructed to grow oak seedlings in a microbe‐free environment while keeping belowground and aboveground tissues separated. The microbial communities associated with the acorn's embryo and pericarp and the developing seeding's phyllosphere and root systems were analysed using amplicon sequencing of fungal ITS and bacterial 16S rDNA. Results showed that the seed microbiome is diverse and non‐randomly distributed within an acorn. The microbial composition of the phyllosphere was diverse and strongly resembled the composition found in the embryo, whereas the roots and pericarp each had a less diverse and distinct microbial community. Our findings demonstrate a high level of microbial diversity and spatial partitioning of the fungal and bacterial community within both seed and seedling, indicating inheritance, niche differentiation and divergent transmission routes for the establishment of root and phyllosphere communities.
The Australian Economy in 2020–21: The COVID‐19 Pandemic and Prospects for Economic Recovery
Authors: Lim Guay , Nguyen Viet , Robinson Tim , Tsiaplias Sarantis , Wang Jiao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article summarises developments in the Australian economy in 2020. It describes the economic growth and labour market ramifications associated with COVID‐19, and the fiscal and monetary policies implemented to help counter its effects. COVID‐19 has resulted in considerable slack in an economy that was weak pre‐pandemic. While current policies are appropriately focused on stimulating demand and supporting employment, existing challenges such as weak growth in productivity, gross domestic product and real wages are also likely to remain relevant post‐pandemic.
Romantic partners and young adult offending: Considering the role of partner's socioeconomic characteristics
Authors: Widdowson Alex O. , Hay Carter , Siennick Sonja E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this study, we examined whether and to what extent the effects on offending of marriage and different types of cohabitating partnerships depend on the romantic partner's socioeconomic status (SES). Such research addresses a key gap in knowledge regarding potential heterogeneity of effects on behavior of romantic partnerships. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, we examined the within‐individual effects of three romantic partner's socioeconomic characteristics–education, employment, and income–on offending from ages 18 to 34. Results revealed that marriage was related to reductions in arrest only for those whose spouse was employed (full or part time) and had income. In contrast to marriage, partner SES was not related to arrest among those who cohabited with a partner they never married. Additionally, partner SES was often associated with reductions in arrest among those who cohabited with a partner they later married, but the reductions were statistically indistinguishable across levels of partner SES. Lastly, these effects were experienced similarly for low‐ and high‐SES individuals alike, and no gender differences were detected in these effects. Our findings suggest that important life events such as marriage and cohabitation can be behavior‐altering transitions, but the effects of these events are variable.
An apple in one hand, a gun in the other: Public support for arming our nation's schools
Authors: Jonson Cheryl Lero , Burton Alexander L. , Cullen Francis T. , Pickett Justin T. , Burton Velmer S. 
Published: January 2021

Research summaryIn the wake of repeated school shootings, today's youth have acquired the label of the “mass shooting generation.” Another fitting label would be the “armed school generation.” Most states now permit school security officers to carry firearms, and at least 466 school districts in 19 states allow teachers or staff members to be armed. In this context, understanding public opinion about guns in schools is essential. Using a 2018 national survey of 1,100 American adults, we examined public support for arming our nation's schools. Although consensus exists for school resource officers carrying weapons, respondents are divided about arming teachers and nonteaching staff. Those who believe in gun defensive effectiveness, lean right politically, are racially resentful, older, and have children are more likely to endorse arming nonlaw enforcement school personnel. National Rifle Association membership and altruistic fear are associated with support for arming teachers, while a belief in the moral wrongness of harming others predicts opposition to teachers having a gun in one hand and an apple in the other.Policy implicationsThe controversy around arming teachers will likely be ongoing. With decisions made locally, public opinion will continue to play an influential role in this debate. Our study provides important new evidence about the extent and correlates of public opinion on guns in schools. The next step is to examine how public attitudes change in response to information about the policy issues associated with arming schools. Future polls should examine the impact being armed has on the teaching profession and localized variations in support for arming the school.
Metabolism of glutamic acid to alanine, proline, and γ‐aminobutyric acid during takuan‐zuke processing of radish root
Authors: Kobayashi Wataru , Kobayashi Taito , Takahashi Asaka , Kumakura Kei , Matsuoka Hiroki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTakuan‐zuke is a traditional Japanese fermented pickle, prepared by dehydration of radish root (daikon) by salt‐pressing or sun‐drying followed by aging with salt. We previously reported that alanine, proline, and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulate during daikon dehydration, whereas the level of glutamic acid, their precursor, decreases. We have also reported that dehydration and salt‐aging markedly influence the dynamics of free amino acids. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed free amino acid levels, enzyme activity, and gene expression to characterize takuan‐zuke amino acid metabolism. Enzyme activities related to alanine, proline, GABA, and glutamic acid metabolism were sustained during dehydration. Moreover, genes encoding alanine, proline, and GABA synthases (ALT1, P5CS1, and GAD4) were significantly upregulated during dehydration. These effects may represent cellular stress responses to the dehydration process. The biological response of daikon contributes to the healthy functional aspects that characterize takuan‐zuke. These findings could guide the selection of suitable vegetable varieties to produce pickled vegetables with health‐promoting properties.Practical ApplicationThe fermented pickle takuan‐zuke, prepared by dehydration of radish root (daikon), accumulates amino acids, such as alanine, proline, and GABA, during preparation that provide taste and health benefits. In this study, the aforementioned amino acids were found to accumulate because of the stress response of daikon during the dehydration process and not because of the action of microorganisms during fermentation. Takuan‐zuke processing is a method for improving the nutrition of daikon.
Neutrophil extracellular traps and inflammatory response: Implications for the immunopathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Zambrano‐Zaragoza José Francisco , Gutiérrez‐Franco Jorge , Durán‐Avelar Ma. de Jesús , Vibanco‐Pérez Norberto , Ortiz‐Martínez Liliana , Ayón‐Pérez Miriam Fabiola , Vázquez‐Reyes Alejandro , Agraz‐Cibrián Juan Manuel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) pathogenesis has focused on the adaptive immune response; however, innate immune responses may also play a role in the inflammatory response of AS. Dysregulated neutrophil activation can induce tissue damage and contribute to the pathogenesis of immune‐related diseases. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of immune complexes formed with the p30 of Salmonella typhimurium and anti‐p30 antibodies present in the sera of AS patients and controls in inducing the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines.MethodsWe collected polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from healthy donors. The PMNs isolated were stimulated with p30 alone or in immunocomplexes formed with antibodies presents in sera of AS patients or control subjects. Then, the NETs were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐8 and IL‐10, were determined using the Cytometric Bead Array kit.ResultsSignificant difference was observed in the release of NETs between the neutrophils stimulated with p30 + AS (70.52 ± 16.24) those unstimulated neutrophils (9.94 ± 12.12; P = .0095), stimulated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (39.78 ± 14.50; P = .0190), stimulated with control serum (CS) (10.85 ± 5.33; P = .0082) and serum of AS patient (10.28 ± 6.15; P = .0087). The stimulation of neutrophils with p30 alone induced a relatively low production of IL‐6 (64.5 pg/mL), IL‐8 (2658.3 pg/mL), IL‐1β (31.11 pg/mL), and TNF‐α (3.8 pg/mL), compared to p30 + AS and p30 + CS groups.ConclusionOur results show that neutrophils release NETs and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to p30 in immunocomplexes. These findings could improve our understanding of the role of innate immunity in the initiation and/or maintenance of inflammatory responses, and in the progression of AS.
Genetic diversity, population structure and rapid early detection of the parasitoid Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) inside eggs of spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
Authors: Manzoor Atif , Zhang Yan‐Long , Xin Bei , Wei Ke , Wang Xiao‐Yi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSpotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is a native pest of more than 70 plant species in China. To date, only two parasitoids are well recognised for biological control of this pest, among which, the egg parasitoid Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is known to account for approximately 69% of parasitism observed in the field. Variable emergence timings have been observed in different geographic populations in this parasitoid. To understand the genetic structure among A. orientalis populations we sequenced partial mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and the D2 region of the nuclear 28S gene across five regions of China (Beijing, Gansu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Shandong). We identified 16 COI haplotypes among these populations and the lowest level of haplotype diversity was found in the Ningxia population Hd = 0.583 ± 0.133). Results from the analysis of molecular variance indicated that most of the genetic variation is present within the populations. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a weak geographic structure among the populations. To evaluate parasitism rapidly, we developed a 558‐bp species‐specific molecular marker which could efficiently detect parasitoids of any developmental stage inside their host eggs. Sensitivity analysis of markers revealed that our assay could detect as low a DNA template concentration as 0.025 pg/μl. This method provided more rapid and accurate detection of parasitoids compared with regular natural rearing methods.
MiR‐103‐3p targets the m6A methyltransferase METTL14 to inhibit osteoblastic bone formation
Authors: Sun Zhongyang , Wang Han , Wang Yuxiang , Yuan Guodong , Yu Xin , Jiang Hui , Wu Qi , Yang Binkui , Hu Zebing , Shi Fei , Cao Xinsheng , Zhang Shu , Guo Ting , Zhao Jianning 
Published: January 2021

AbstractImpaired osteoblast function is involved in osteoporosis, and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation may cause abnormal osteoblast osteogenic activity. However, the influence of miRNA on osteoblast activity and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, miR‐103‐3p was found to be negatively correlated with bone formation in bone specimens from elderly women with fractures and ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Additionally, miR‐103‐3p directly targeted Mettl14 to inhibit osteoblast activity, and METTL14‐dependent N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation inhibited miR‐103‐3p processing by the microprocessor protein DGCR8 and promoted osteoblast activity. Moreover, miR‐103‐3p inhibited bone formation in vivo, and therapeutic inhibition of miR‐103‐3p counteracted the decreased bone formation in OVX mice. Further, METTL14 was negatively correlated with miR‐103‐3p but positively correlated with bone formation in bone specimens from elderly women with fractures and OVX mice. Collectively, our results highlight the critical roles of the miR‐103‐3p/METTL14/m6A signaling axis in osteoblast activity, identifying this axis as a potential target for ameliorating osteoporosis.
The Effects of Anger on Alcohol Demand and Subjective Alcohol Craving
Authors: Ellis Jennifer D. , Grekin Emily R. 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundAnger and anger‐related traits have been related to alcohol use in both cross‐sectional and prospective studies. However, only a small number of studies have experimentally manipulated anger to examine whether the manipulation of anger influences alcohol craving or the relative reinforcing value of alcohol.MethodsParticipants (N = 231) recruited through Amazon’s MTurk were randomly assigned to a provocation condition or a neutral condition prior to completing both the Alcohol Purchase Task and a self‐report measure of alcohol craving. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of the anger induction, trait hostility, frequency of alcohol use in the past month, and relevant demographic characteristics (gender, age, income) on alcohol craving and indices of alcohol demand.ResultsParticipants assigned to the provocation condition had greater PMax (B = 0.17, p = 0.012) and breakpoint (B = 0.18, p = 0.006) values, less elastic demand (B = −0.15, p = 0.020), and lower drinking intensity (B = −0.14, p = 0.025) than participants assigned to the neutral condition. Trait hostility was positively related to OMax (B = 0.22, p = 0.001), intensity of demand (B = 0.27, p < 0.001), and subjective alcohol craving posttask (B = 0.32, p < 0.001), but did not moderate the relationship between condition and outcomes.ConclusionsAlthough most persistence indices of alcohol demand were sensitive to the anger induction, we did not observe higher scores on amplitude indices or subjective craving in the provocation condition relative to the neutral condition. Further investigation into the role which anger plays in alcohol use is warranted.
Common neurofunctional dysregulations characterize obsessive–compulsive, substance use, and gaming disorders—An activation likelihood meta‐analysis of functional imaging studies
Authors: Klugah‐Brown Benjamin , Zhou Xinqi , Pradhan Basant K. , Zweerings Jana , Mathiak Klaus , Biswal Bharat , Becker Benjamin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCompulsivity and loss of behavioral control represent core symptoms in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorder (SUD), and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Despite elaborated animal models suggesting that compulsivity is mediated by cortico‐striatal circuits and a growing number of neuroimaging case–control studies, common neurofunctional alterations in these disorders have not been systematically examined. The present activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis capitalized on previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies to determine shared neurofunctional alterations among the three disorders. Task‐based fMRI studies of individuals with SUD, OCD, or IGD were obtained. ALE was performed within each disorder. Next, contrast and conjunction meta‐analyses were performed to determine differential and common alterations. Task‐paradigm classes were group according to Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) domains to determine contributions of underlying behavioral domains. One hundred forty‐four articles were included representing data from n = 6897 individuals (SUD = 2418, controls = 2332; IGD = 361, controls = 360; OCD = 715, controls = 711) from case–control studies. Conjunction meta‐analyses revealed shared alterations in the anterior insular cortex between OCD and SUDs. SUD exhibited additionally pronounced dorsal‐striatal alterations compared with both, OCD and IGD. IGD shared frontal, particularly cingulate alterations with all SUDs, while IGD demonstrated pronounced temporal alterations compared with both, SUD and OCD. No robust overlap between IGD and OCD was observed. Across the disorders, neurofunctional alterations were mainly contributed by cognitive systems and positive valence RDoC domains. The present findings indicate that neurofunctional dysregulations in prefrontal regions engaged in regulatory‐control represent shared neurofunctional alterations across substance and behavioral addictions, while shared neurofunctional dysregulations in the anterior insula may mediate compulsivity in substance addiction and OCD.
Does dental fluorosis affect electric pulp test response and/or optimum probe placement site?
Authors: Idon Paul I. , Nwamba Patricia N. , Udoye Christopher I. , Jafarzadeh Hamid 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe placement site of electric pulp tester (EPT) probe on the tooth affects the threshold values obtained. The aim of this study was to determine and compare threshold levels and appropriate placement sites for EPT probe on fluorotic and normal teeth. Equal numbers of fluorotic and non‐fluorotic maxillary central incisors of 40 subjects were assessed. The mean of three threshold readings from an EPT was taken from the labial surface at the incisal edge, incisal third, middle third and cervical third. Kruskal–Wallis and Friedman ANOVA followed by post hoc tests were used to compare threshold scores. Significantly higher thresholds were recorded for fluorotic teeth at the incisal edge and incisal third. The lowest thresholds were obtained for the incisal edge in both fluorotic and non‐fluorotic teeth when compared to the cervical third. There was no statistically significant difference among corresponding test sites between the genders and age groups.
Novel approaches to needle tracking and visualisation
Authors: McLeod G. A. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryThe accuracy and reliability of ultrasound are still insufficient to guarantee complete and safe nerve block for all patients. Injection of local anaesthetic close to, but not touching, the nerve is key to outcomes, but the exact relationship between the needle tip and nerve epineurium is difficult to evaluate, even with ultrasound. Ultrasound has insufficient resolution, tissues are difficult to discern due to acoustic impedance and needles are more difficult to see with increased angulation. The limitations of ultrasound have shifted the focus of innovation towards bio‐markers that help detect needle tip position by utilising the physical properties of tissues, (e.g. pressure, electrical, optics, acoustic and elastic). Although most are at the laboratory stage and results are as yet only available from phantom or cadaver studies, clinical trials are imminent. For example, fine optical fibres placed within the lumen of block needles can measure needle tip pressure. Electrical impedance differentiates between intraneural and perineural needle tip placement. A new tip tracker needle has a piezo element embedded at its distal end that tracks the needle tip in‐plane and out‐of‐plane as a blue/red or green circle depending on its relative location within the beam. Micro‐ultrasound at the tip of the needle is in development. Early images using 40MHz in anaesthetised pigs reveal muscle striation, distinct epineurium and 30–40 fascicles > 75 micron in diameter. The next few years will see a technological revolution in tip‐tracking technology that has the potential to improve patient safety and, in doing so, change practice.