bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of consumer surface sterilization on diet DNA metabarcoding data of terrestrial invertebrates in natural environments and feeding trials
Authors: Miller‐ter Kuile Ana , Apigo Austen , Young Hillary S. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

DNA metabarcoding is an emerging tool used to quantify diet in environments and consumer groups where traditional approaches are unviable, including small‐bodied invertebrate taxa. However, metabarcoding of small taxa often requires DNA extraction from full body parts (without dissection), and it is unclear whether surface contamination from body parts alters presumed diet presence or diversity.

We examined four different measures of diet (presence, rarefied read abundance, richness, and species composition) for a terrestrial invertebrate consumer (the spider Heteropoda venatoria) both collected in its natural environment and fed an offered diet item in contained feeding trials using DNA metabarcoding of full body parts (opisthosomas). We compared diet from consumer individuals surface sterilized to remove contaminants in 10% commercial bleach solution followed by deionized water with a set of unsterilized individuals.

We found that surface sterilization did not significantly alter any measure of diet for consumers in either a natural environment or feeding trials. The best‐fitting model predicting diet detection in feeding trial consumers included surface sterilization, but this term was not statistically significant (β = −2.3, p‐value = .07).

Our results suggest that surface contamination does not seem to be a significant concern in this DNA diet metabarcoding study for consumers in either a natural terrestrial environment or feeding trials. As the field of diet DNA metabarcoding continues to progress into new environmental contexts with various molecular approaches, we suggest ongoing context‐specific consideration of the possibility of surface contamination.
Predicting the potential global distribution of Ageratina adenophora under current and future climate change scenarios
Authors: Changjun Gu , Yanli Tu , Linshan Liu , Bo Wei , Yili Zhang , Haibin Yu , Xilong Wang , Zhuoga Yangjin , Binghua Zhang , Bohao Cui 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimInvasive alien species (IAS) threaten ecosystems and humans worldwide, and future climate change may accelerate the expansion of IAS. Predicting the suitable areas of IAS can prevent their further expansion. Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed over 30 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the potential suitable areas of A. adenophora remain unclear along with its response to climate change. This study explored and mapped the current and future potential suitable areas of Ageratina adenophora.LocationGlobal.TaxaAsteraceae A. adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob. Commonly known as Crofton weed.MethodsBased on A. adenophora occurrence data and climate data, we predicted its suitable areas of this weed under current and future (four RCPs in 2050 and 2070) by MaxEnt model. We used ArcGIS 10.4 to explore the potential suitable area distribution characteristics of this weed and the “ecospat” package in R to analyze its altitudinal distribution changes.ResultsThe area under the curve (AUC) value (>0.9) and true skill statistics (TSS) value (>0.8) indicated excelled model performance. Among environment factors, mean temperature of coldest quarter contributed most to the model. Globally, the suitable areas for A. adenophora invasion decreased under climate change scenarios, although regional increases were observed, including in six biodiversity hotspot regions. The potential suitable areas of A. adenophora under climate change would expand in regions with higher elevation (3,000–3,500 m).Main conclusionsMean temperature of coldest quarter was the most important variable influencing the potential suitable area of A. Adenophora. Under the background of a warming climate, the potential suitable area of A. adenophora will shrink globally but increase in six biodiversity hotspot regions. The potential suitable area of A. adenophora would expand at higher elevation (3,000–3,500 m) under climate change. Mountain ecosystems are of special concern as they are rich in biodiversity and sensitive to climate change, and increasing human activities provide more opportunities for IAS invasion.
The effect of riparian woodland cover on ecosystem service delivery by river floodplains: a scenario assessment
Authors: Vermaat Jan E. , Palt Martin , Piffady Jeremy , Putnins Arturs , Kail Jochem 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSixteen ecosystem services were quantified for the riverine landscapes of the Nahe, Stever (Germany), Bresse plain, and Azergues (France), to assess the effects of riparian woodland cover. Future woodland cover in 2050 was modeled to reflect contrasting scenarios of river management aligned to the well‐established shared socioeconomic pathways. The scenarios are labeled as current, pessimistic, best practice, and ambitious riparian management practices (RMPs). We linked services to floodplain land use and river morphology and quantified them separately for spatial segments (0.5–1 km in length, n = 118–3419, depending on river length), using an analytical framework, the “Mononen cascade.” Conservative monetary value estimates were based on net producer income before tax and subsidy, a shadow market price for carbon, flood damage functions, or willingness to pay for recreation and non‐use. Most services were linked to land use, some affected the value of other services through simple rules (woodland shade affected trout survival hence angling benefit, a minimum of woodland affected pest regulation, hence crop productivity). In the current landscape state, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services all showed optimum curves with woodland cover: Provisioning services and cultural services were maximal around 45%, whereas this was around 30% for regulating services. More woodland was present in steeper near‐source segments. Averaged across rivers, mean total service provision was estimated at 1084 ± 4 €·ha−1·yr−1, with 40%, 36%, and 24% contributed by, respectively, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. The three scenarios led to a limited change in total ecosystem service delivery, even if mean woodland cover was reduced from 27% to 17% in the pessimistic RMP and increased to 70% in the ambitious RMP for the most extreme case of the Stever. Provisioning services declined with increased woodland cover and cultural services increased. Regulating services did not change that much, because they are dominated by flood prevention in our assessment. The “best practice” scenario appeared to combine a modest increase in cultural services with a slight increase in provisioning service. An ambitious nature conservation objective as in the ambitious RMP appears possible without seriously compromising overall societal benefit.
A composite metric for predicting benefit from spironolactone in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Belkin Mark N. , Blair John E. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Alenghat Francis J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimsThe TOPCAT trial showed no benefit for spironolactone in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Post‐hoc, spironolactone helped participants from the Americas, but not Eastern Europe. Determining which patients with HFpEF could respond like TOPCAT's responders should help guide their care. We aimed to develop a TOPCAT Trial Score (TS) as a composite metric to identify such patients.Methods and resultsFrom the TOPCAT individual‐level data, we calculated a TS of age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, creatinine, potassium, glucose, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial volume for each participant as a weighted distance in multidimensional space from the theoretical perfectly average Americas participant. Logistic regression was used to measure TS and spironolactone as predictors of TOPCAT's primary outcome. The relationship between TS and the H2FPEF score was also determined in TOPCAT and a registry cohort of real‐world patients in the U.S. with HFpEF. A bimodal distribution of TS separated American (n = 1766) and Eastern European (n = 1,677) participants. Those with lower TS showed no significant response to spironolactone. Spironolactone's benefit rose with rising TS [βinteraction = ‐0.28 (P < 0.01)]. Significantly more American participants had benefit from spironolactone based on higher TS (> 1.14), in addition to higher likelihood of HFpEF based on higher H2FPEF scores (≥3). The cohort of real‐world patients with HFpEF had even higher TS than American TOPCAT participants.ConclusionsPatients with HFpEF can be quantified by the TS to capture the likelihood of benefit from spironolactone.
Product Inhibited Enzymatic Reactions on the Rotating Disk Electrodes
Authors: Lovrić Milivoj 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA model of cyclic staircase voltammetry of enzymatic reactions on the rotating disk electrode is developed and the inhibition by the product is investigated. The responses are mostly time – dependent current – potential curves with maxima in the forward but not in the backward branch. If the maxima appear in both branches, the inhibition is potential – dependent either directly or indirectly. The source of the second maximum is explained.
Preparative continuous flow electrophoretic instrumentation for purification of biological samples
Authors: Stastna Miroslava , Slais Karel 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe constructed a preparative instrumentation and developed the methods that are based on separation of the samples by bidirectional isotachophoresis/moving boundary electrophoresis in continuous divergent flow. The described instrumentation can be used for a variety of the samples, however, it can be easily optimized and tailored for the specific sample. The trapezoid separation bed from nonwoven textile exhibited minimum adsorption effect for sample and it can be used repeatedly. By the addition of different spacers via separation space inlets, the sections of pH gradient can be modified to enhance the separation. The liquid flow from two inlets positioned on each side of the sample inlet prevented the contact of the sample with anolyte and catholyte at the analysis beginning. One pair of thin electrodes (graphite and stainless‐steel) was placed at the separation space output. The electrode products were washed out into drains without disturbing the focusing process. The influence of EOF was managed by tilting the separation bed in the direction from cathodic to anodic side. The components of spirulina supernatant and color pI markers were separated in the pH gradient from 3.9 to 10.1. pH gradient was stable for at least 4.5 h and spirulina supernatant from about 0.12 g of dry powder was processed. Compared to other preparative methods used for spirulina separation, the presented method/instrumentation working with a continuous divergent flow had essential advantages. The efficient separation was fast, and no intermediate steps were necessary to obtain liquid fractions with separated components compatible with further biological experiments.
Primate conservation: Lessons learned in the last 20 years can guide future efforts
Authors: Chapman Colin A. , Peres Carlos A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTwenty years ago, we published an assessment of the threats facing primates and with the passing of two decades, we re‐evaluate identified threats, consider emerging pressures, identify exciting new avenues of research, and tackle how to change the system to rapidly advance primate and primate habitat conservation. Habitat destruction and hunting have increased, the danger of looming climate change is clearer, and there are emerging threats such as the sublethal effects of microplastics and pesticides. Despite these negative developments, protected areas are increasing, exciting new tools are now available, and the number of studies has grown exponentially. Many of the changes that need to occur to make rapid progress in primate conservation are in our purview to modify. We identify several dimensions indicating the time is right to make large advances; however, the question that remains is do we have the will to prevent widespread primate annihilation and extinction?
Spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice varieties with different panicle sizes
Authors: Liu Kun , Chen Yun , Huang Jian , Qiu Yuanyuan , Li Siyu , Zhuo Xinxin , Yu Feng , Gao Jie , Li Guoming , Zhang Weiyang , Zhang Hao , Gu Junfei , Liu Lijun , Yang Jianchang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAn essential feature of modern high‐yielding rice varieties is the production of numerous spikelets, but the physiological mechanism underlying spikelet formation in these varieties remains unclear. In this study, we explored the characteristics of spikelet differentiation and degeneration and the relevant physiological characteristics of rice varieties with different panicle sizes. The regulatory effects of alternate wetting and moderate soil drying (AWMD) on spikelet formation were also measured. We determined that the high spikelet number per panicle and grain yields of large‐panicle rice varieties were primarily due to a higher number of differentiated and surviving secondary spikelets. Furthermore, shoot dry weight, plant nitrogen (N) uptake, plant N concentration, non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) accumulation in stems, leaf area, and leaf photosynthetic rate from branch differentiation stage (BDS) to spikelet differentiation stage (SDS) were positively correlated with the number of differentiated secondary spikelets per panicle. Plant N concentration, NSC accumulation in stems, and leaf photosynthetic rate at pollen mother cell meiosis (PMC) were negatively correlated with the number of degenerated secondary spikelets. Finally, the number of differentiated secondary spikelets of Huaidao 5 (small panicle size) and Yongyou 2640 (large panicle size) varieties was promoted by 19.2% and 6.6%, and the number of degenerated secondary spikelets was reduced by 14.4% and 6.3%, respectively, under AWMD treatment compared to continuously flooded treatment. Prominent spikelet formation under AWMD resulted from the shoot dry weight, plant N uptake, plant N concentration, NSC accumulation in stems, leaf area, and leaf photosynthetic rate. Collectively, improvements in these key aboveground indices mentioned above during the BDS to SDS and the plant N concentration, NSC accumulation in stems, and leaf photosynthetic rate at the PMC stage would benefit spikelet formation by promoting differentiation and reducing degeneration of secondary spikelets, thereby enhancing yield of large‐panicle rice varieties.
Subsurface hydrology of tile‐drained headwater catchments: Compatibility of concepts and hydrochemistry
Authors: Van Stempvoort Dale R. , MacKay D. Ross , Koehler Geoff , Collins Pamela , Brown Susan J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractConcepts and terms used in previous multidisciplinary studies of tile‐drained aquitard‐dominated catchments (TDADC) are inconsistent and confusing. We provide a well‐defined, comprehensive conceptual model of the subsurface hydrology of TDADC by selecting seven mutually compatible and consistent concepts. These concepts are: (1) groundwater as the main source of baseflow in headwater streams, (2) dominance of ‘pre‐event’ water in stormflow, (3) importance of both macropores and matrix, (4) changes in flowpaths with rate of stream discharge, (5) dominance of shallow, lateral subsurface flow, (6) interactive nature of subsurface water, (7) transpiration of groundwater. This conceptual model was successfully ‘field‐tested’ by examining data collected in a TDADC in a rural area of southern Ontario, Canada. The data consist mainly of chemical and isotopes tracers in water samples (headwater streams, groundwater, precipitation, tile water, soil‐surface water), supplemented by water levels and meteorological data.
Circulating microRNA breast cancer biomarker detection in patient sera with surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor
Authors: Wong Chi Lok , Loke Sau Yeen , Lim Hann Qian , Balasundaram Ghayathri , Chan Patrick , Chong Bee Kiang , Tan Ern Yu , Lee Ann Siew Gek , Olivo Malini 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this article, we report for the first time, the detection of circulating miRNA as a breast cancer biomarker in patient sera using surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor. The advantage of this approach lies in the rapid, label‐free and sensitive detection. The sensor excites plasmonic resonance on the gold sensor surface and specific DNA‐miRNA molecular bindings elucidate responses in the plasmonic resonance image. Experiments of detecting synthetic miRNA molecules (miR‐1249) were performed and the sensor resolution was found to be 63.5 nM. The sensor was further applied to screen 17 patient serum samples from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Sensor intensity response was found to differ by 20% between malignant and benign cases and thus forms, a potential and an important metric in distinguishing benignity and malignancy.
Abnormal Bone Tissue Organization and Osteocyte Lacunocanalicular Network in Early‐Onset Osteoporosis Due to SGMS2 Mutations
Authors: Mäkitie Riikka E. , Blouin Stéphane , Välimäki Ville‐Valtteri , Pihlström Sandra , Määttä Kirsi , Pekkinen Minna , Fratzl‐Zelman Nadja , Mäkitie Outi , Hartmann Markus A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPathological variants in SGMS2, encoding sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), result in a rare autosomal dominant skeletal disorder with cranial doughnut lesions. The disease manifests as early‐onset osteoporosis or a more severe skeletal dysplasia with low bone mineral density, frequent fractures, long‐bone deformities, and multiple sclerotic cranial lesions. The exact underlying molecular features and skeletal consequences, however, remain elusive. This study investigated bone tissue characteristics in two adult males with a heterozygous SGMS2 mutation p.Arg50* and significant bone fragility. Transiliac bone biopsy samples from both (patient 1: 61 years; patient 2: 29 years) were analyzed by bone histomorphometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI). Bone histomorphometry portrayed largely normal values for structural and turnover parameters, but in both patient 1 and patient 2, respectively, osteoid thickness (−1.80 SD, −1.37 SD) and mineralizing surface (−1.03 SD, −2.73 SD) were reduced and osteoid surface increased (+9.03 SD, +0.98 SD), leading to elevated mineralization lag time (+8.16 SD, +4.10 SD). qBEI showed low and heterogeneous matrix mineralization (CaPeak −2.41 SD, −3.72 SD; CaWidth +7.47 SD, +4.41 SD) with a chaotic arrangement of collagenous fibrils under polarized light. Last, osteocyte lacunae appeared abnormally large and round in shape and the canalicular network severely disturbed with short‐spanned canaliculi lacking any orderliness or continuity. Taken together, these data underline a central role for functional SMS2 in bone matrix organization and mineralization, lacunocanalicular network, and in maintaining skeletal strength and integrity. These data bring new knowledge on changes in bone histology resulting from abnormal sphingomyelin metabolism and aid en route to better understanding of sphingolipid‐related skeletal disorders. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lysine245 plays a crucial role in stability and function of glycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpd1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Pallapati Anusha R. , Sirigiri Sri D. , Jain Swati , Ratnala Vamsi , Roy Ipsita 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGlycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (Gpd1 isoform) catalyzes the rate limiting step of glycerol synthesis and is a critical component of the osmo‐responsive machinery in yeast. The three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme is similar to the enzyme from many other organisms, including humans. A recent study with the human enzyme has proposed K120 (K152 in yeast) to be in the correct orientation for catalysis; K204 (K245 in yeast) is out of plane and is not a participant in the catalytic cycle. The current work was carried out to establish the role of K245 in the catalytic cycle of yeast Gpd1. K245A mutant was found to possess lower catalytic activity. Osmotically stressed cells expressing Gpd1 (K245A) showed no change in intracellular glycerol as compared with wild‐type cells which showed ~60% increase. Fluorescence microscopy, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Thioflavin T spectrofluorimetry showed a relatively unstable, aggregation‐ and degradation‐prone conformation for the mutant. In silico studies showed an aggregation “hotspot” around K245. This study establishes the requirement of K245 for conformational stability and functional adaptation of Gpd1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
RETRACTED: Analyzing the factors affecting the attitude of public toward lockdown, institutional trust, and civic engagement activities
Authors: Xie Qing , Sundararaj Vinu , MR Rejeesh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe early 2020 witnessed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic followed by a nationwide lockdown in the whole history for the first time. The entire world had to go for nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of such contagious and deadly disease. In short, the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown had created a storm in the world giving rise to change in public with respect to parameters like trust in the government institutions, civic engagement, and so on. In this raising dilemma, multiple countries have acknowledged the significance of trusting institutions, especially during lockdown. It is also widely accepted that lives of individuals had been undergoing change ever since the spread of COVID‐19. Likewise, public's trust in the institutions is directly related to the civic engagement. Civic engagement is commonly understood as a phenomenon that develops a difference in an individual's civic life by combining values, skills, motivation, as well as knowledge. Different forms of civic engagement include national service, volunteering, societal services, and so forth. The main focus of this article is to examine the influence of COVID‐19 outbreak on general attitude of the citizens of Malaysia and India, their trust on the governing institutions, and the civic engagement. In other words, this study tries to assess the impact of the pandemic on variables such as attitude toward the lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement. For this, the study adopted cross‐sectional community questionnaire survey in two countries—Malaysia and India. The respondents selected for the study was 1437. The respondent's demographics, attitude toward lockdown, trust in institutions, and civic engagement during the lockdown were collected by means of convenience sampling technique. Later the collected data were measured in terms of descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings of the study stated that public's trust in the institution can be increased by enhancing the civic activities and implementing policies that govern and build the society.