bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive psychometric analysis of autism‐spectrum quotient factor models using two large samples: Model recommendations and the influence of divergent traits on total‐scale scores
Authors: English Michael C. W. , Gignac Gilles E. , Visser Troy A. W. , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , Maybery Murray T. 
Published: August 2019

The Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a psychometric scale that is commonly used to assess autistic‐like traits and behaviors expressed by neurotypical individuals. A potential strength of the AQ is that it provides subscale scores that are specific to certain dimensions associated with autism such as social difficulty and restricted interests. However, multiple psychometric evaluations of the AQ have led to substantial disagreement as to how many factors exist in the scale, and how these factors are defined. These challenges have been exacerbated by limitations in study designs, such as insufficient sample sizes as well as a reliance on Pearson, rather than polychoric, correlations. In addition, several proposed models of the AQ suggest that some factors are uncorrelated, or negatively correlated, which has ramifications for whether total‐scale scores are meaningfully interpretable—an issue not raised by previous work. The aims of the current study were to provide: (a) guidance as to which models of the AQ are viable for research purposes, and (b) evidence as to whether total‐scale scores are adequately interpretable for research purposes. We conducted a comprehensive series of confirmatory factor analyses on 11 competing AQ models using two large samples drawn from an undergraduate population (n = 1,702) and the general population (n = 1,280). Psychometric evidence largely supported using the three‐factor model described by Russell‐Smith et al. [Personality and Individual Differences 51(2), 128–132 (2011)], but did not support the use of total‐scale scores. We recommend that researchers consider using AQ subscale scores instead of total‐scale scores. Autism Res 2020, 13: 45–60. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryWe examined 11 different ways of scoring subscales in the popular Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire in two large samples of participants (i.e., general population and undergraduate students). We found that a three‐subscale model that used “Social Skill,” “Patterns/Details,” and “Communication/Mindreading” subscales was the best way to examine specific types of autistic traits in the AQ. We also found some weak associations between the three subscales—for example, being high on the “Patterns/Details” subscale was not predictive of scores on the other subscales. This means that meaningful interpretation of overall scores on the AQ is limited.
Analysis of the Unbalanced Two‐Period Cross‐Over Design with Negligible Residual Effects
Authors: Gomez‐Marin O. , McHugh R. B. 
Published: August 2019

The analysis of variance proposed by Grizzle (1965) for the unbalanced two‐period crossover design when residual effects are omitted is shown to be appropriate only when the numbers of subjects in both treatment sequences, A : B and B : A, are equal. Following a general linear model approach, a valid analysis of variance is developed for the general unbalanced case.Explicit general expressions, both in algebraic and matrix form, are presented and a numerical example is given to illustrate the details of the analysis.
Redirection of the Glycolytic Flux Enhances Isoprenoid Production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kwak Suryang , Yun Eun Ju , Lane Stephan , Oh Eun Joong , Kim Kyoung Heon , Jin Yong‐Su 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSufficient supply of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is a prerequisite of the overproduction of isoprenoids and related bioproducts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although S. cerevisiae highly depends on the oxidative pentose phosphate (PP) pathway to produce NADPH, its metabolic flux toward the oxidative PP pathway is limited due to the rigid glycolysis flux. To maximize NADPH supply for the isoprenoid production in yeast, upper glycolytic metabolic fluxes are reduced by introducing mutations into phosphofructokinase (PFK) along with overexpression of ZWF1 encoding glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P) dehydrogenase. The PFK mutations (Pfk1 S724D and Pfk2 S718D) result in less glycerol production and more accumulation of G6P, which is a gateway metabolite toward the oxidative PP pathway. When combined with the PFK mutations, overexpression of ZWF1 caused substantial increases of [NADPH]/[NADP+] ratios whereas the effect of ZWF1 overexpression alone in the wild‐type strain is not noticeable. Also, the introduction of ZWF1 overexpression and the PFK mutations into engineered yeast overexpressing acetyl‐CoA C‐acetyltransferase (ERG10), truncated HMG‐CoA reductase isozyme 1 (tHMG1), and amorphadiene synthase (ADS) leads to a titer of 497 mg L–1 of amorphadiene (3.7‐fold over the parental strain). These results suggest that perturbation of upper glycolytic fluxes, in addition to ZWF1 overexpression, is necessary for efficient NADPH supply through the oxidative PP pathway and enhanced production of isoprenoids by engineered S. cerevisiae.
Determination, residue and risk assessment of trifloxystrobin, trifloxystrobin acid and tebuconazole in Chinese rice consumption
Authors: Luo Xiaoshuang , Qin Xinxian , Liu Zhengyi , Chen Dan , Yu Weiwei , Zhang Kankan , Hu Deyu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA simple and rapid analytical method for the detection of trifloxystrobin, trifloxystrobin acid and tebuconazole in soil, brown rice, paddy plants and rice hulls was established and validated by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Acceptable linearity (R2 > 0.99), accuracy (average recoveries of 74.3–108.5%) and precision (intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations of 0.9–8.8%) were obtained using the developed determination approach. In the field trial, the half‐lives of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in paddy plants were 5.7–8.3 days in three locations throughout China, and the terminal residue concentrations of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole were <100 and 500 μg/kg (maximum residue limits set by China), respectively, at harvest, which indicated that, based on the recommended application procedure, trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole are safe for use on rice. The risk assessment results demonstrated that, owing to risk quotient values of both fungicides being <100%, the potential risk of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole on rice was acceptable for Chinese consumers. These data could provide supporting information for the proper use and safety evaluation of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in rice.
Phytochemical Content, Antidiabetic, Anticholinergic, and Antioxidant Activities of Endemic Lecokia cretica Extracts
Authors: Aras Abdülmelik , Bursal Ercan , Türkan Fikret , Tohma Hatice , Kılıç Ömer , Gülçin İlhami , Köksal Ekrem 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe aim of this work was to investigate the enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds of Lecokia cretica (Lam.) DC. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and α‐glycosidase enzymes were strongly inhibited by the L. cretica extracts. IC50 values for the three enzymes were found as 3.21 mg/mL, 2.1 mg/mL, and 2.07 mg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activities were examined in both aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) extracts using CUPRAC, FRAP, and DPPH method. Also, the phenolic compounds of the endemic plant were identified and quantified by using HPLC/MS/MS. According to the results, the extracts have remarkable antioxidant activities. The most abundant phenolic acids of L. cretica in EtOH extract were determined as quinic acid (12.76 mg/kg of crude extract), chlorogenic acid (3.39 mg/kg), and malic acid (2.38 mg/kg).
Three‐dimensional Polypyrrole Derived N‐doped Carbon Nanotube Aerogel as a High‐performance Metal‐free Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Chuang , Ma Ben , Zhou Yingke 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA novel N‐doped carbon nanotube aerogel has been synthesized by pyrolysis of the three‐dimensional tubular polypyrrole networks and evaluated as a metal‐free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. The carbon aerogel catalysts are pyrolyzed at 500 °C (PPy/C‐500), 700 °C (PPy/C‐700), 900 °C (PPy/C‐900) and 1050 °C (PPy/C‐1050), and display the pyrolyzed temperature‐dependent activity and stability. The catalytic activity is increased with the increase of pyrolysis temperature from 500 °C to 1050 °C, ascribed to the high electronically conductive graphitic phases, the thin wall of the three‐dimensional tubular carbon aerogel framework and the increased effective active sites. The nitrogen content is reduced with the increase of pyrolysis temperature, and which plays an important role in the stability of the pyrolyzed catalyst. After 1500 cycles, the PPy/C‐1050 catalyst shows more positive half‐wave potential than the commercial Pt/C catalyst, and displays a quasi‐four‐electron pathway toward the oxygen reduction reaction in the acid solution. This work provides an effective strategy for preparing the low cost and metal‐free N‐doped carbon aerogel catalyst from the conjugated conducting polymer, to achieve high activity and stability.
k‐nearest reliable neighbor search in crowdsourced LBSs
Authors: Jang Hong‐Jun , Kim Byoungwook , Jung Soon‐Young 
Published: August 2019

SummaryTo improve the quality of spatial information in a location‐based services (LBS), crowdsourced LBS (cLBS) applications that receive additional information such as the visit time of static spatial objects from users have appeared. In this paper, we propose a new type of nearest neighbor (NN) query called the k‐nearest reliable neighbor (kNRN) query, which searches for objects that are likely to exist. Suppose that in cLBSs, the user wants to find a restaurant that is likely to exist and is close to the user. In such a case, a kNRN query is highly recommended. In this paper, we formally define a data model in cLBSs and define reliable objects and a kNRN problem. As a brute‐force approach to this problem in a massive dataset that has large computational and I/O costs, we propose a 3DR‐tree‐based baseline algorithm, 2DR‐tree‐based incremental algorithm, and an a3DR‐tree‐based branch‐and‐bound algorithm for kNRN queries. A performance study is conducted on both synthetic and real datasets. Our experimental results show the efficiency of our proposed methods.
Probiotics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: A review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tiderencel Kelly A. , Hutcheon Deborah A. , Ziegler Jane 
Published: August 2019

SummaryWith the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there is increased interest in probiotic supplementation for improving glycaemic control. This review evaluates nine randomized controlled trials that tested the effects of probiotics on glycaemic outcomes including fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, haemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance among adults with T2DM. Based on the evidence reviewed, multistrain probiotics that contain seven million to 100 billion colony forming units ofLactobacillus acidophilus,Streptococcus thermophilus,Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and/orBifidobacterium lactisadministered for 6 to 12 weeks may be efficacious for improving glycaemic control in adults with T2DM. Further research is needed to understand the role of the gut microbiota and the probiotic dose, medium, and duration of exposure that is most effective for disease management.
Early‐onset type 2 diabetes is associated with genetic variants of β‐cell function in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Kong Xiaomu , Xing Xiaoyan , Zhang Xuelian , Hong Jing , Yang Wenying 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsTo investigate the genetic factors contributing to early‐onset type 2 diabetes (EOD) in the Chinese Hans populations.Materials and methodsFor 2734 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and 4041 normal glycemic controls, 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 24 genomic loci linked to diabetes were successfully genotyped. Three genetic risk scores (GRSs) were constructed, including the weighted type 2 diabetes‐related GRS (wT‐GRS), the weighted β‐cell function‐related GRS (wB‐GRS), and the weighted GRS constructed by risk alleles not related to β‐cell function (wNB‐GRS). For patients with diabetes, EOD, middle‐age‐onset type 2 diabetes (MOD), and late‐onset type 2 diabetes (LOD) were defined by onset ages ≤40, 40 to 60, and ≥60 years, respectively.ResultsFrom single marker analysis, different gene profiles were identified between EOD and LOD patients. EOD patients had greater wT‐GRS and wB‐GRS values than LOD patients. After adjustment for sex, elevated wT‐GRS and wB‐GRS values were significantly associated with an increased risk for EOD by 1.11‐ and 1.21‐fold per allele (P = 1.69 × 10−7; 6.07 × 10−8). The wT‐GRS and wNB‐GRS were nominally related to an increased risk of LOD by 1.03‐fold per allele (P = 1.03 × 10−2, 1.78 × 10−2). In patients with diabetes, higher wT‐GRS and wB‐GRS were associated with younger onset age [wT‐GRS: β (SE) = –0.0033(0.0016), P = 3.74 × 10−2; wB‐GRS: −0.0076(0.0028), 7.45 × 10−3] and decreased insulinogenic index [wT‐GRS: –0.0384(0.0098), 9.39 × 10−5; wB‐GRS: −0.0722(0.0176), 4.21 × 10−5].ConclusionOur findings indicate a strong genetic predisposition for EOD, which can be mainly attributed to genetic variants linked to β‐cell function, suggesting the β‐cell dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of EOD in Chinese Han individuals.
Thirty years after Balbina Dam: Diversity and floristic composition of the downstream floodplain forest, Central Amazon, Brazil
Authors: da Rocha Maíra , de Assis Rafael Leandro , Piedade Maria Teresa Fernandez , Feitosa Yuri Oliveira , Householder John Ethan , Lobo Guilherme de Sousa , Demarchi Layon Oreste , Albuquerque Bianca Weiss , Quaresma Adriano Costa , Ramos José Ferreira , Schöngart Jochen , Wittmann Florian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe construction of hydroelectric dams causes changes in the diversity and floristic composition of floodplain forests due to the irregularity of the hydrological regime in rivers downstream from the dams. In the Amazon Basin, plans for the construction of dams are threatening the igapós, forests flooded by blackwater rivers. In these floodplains, the distribution of tree species is synchronized with periodic flood events of the topographic gradient. Previous studies on the Balbina Dam show an altered flood pulse downstream. This work discusses the potential long‐term impacts on the diversity and floristic composition of an igapó downstream of the dam (Uatumã River) and compares it with an area unaffected by the dam (Abacate River). An evaluation of the vegetation strata—adults, saplings, and seedlings—showed that for all strata, diversity was greater in the high igapó (higher topographies) in the Uatumã area. This may be due to the near‐total absence of flooding in the high igapó and to the extent of flooding in the low igapó (low topographies). Thus, in the Uatumã area, seeds of species typical of flooded areas cannot reach the high igapó by water and, thus, tend to be replaced by upland forest species (mainly seedlings). In the low igapó, the typical species have difficulty establishing. Therefore, the Uatumã vegetation forms two different communities, which does not occur in the Abacate area. These effects of the dam led to irreversible changes in the diversity and floristic composition across all strata throughout the entire topography in the downstream region.
Discovery of an unrecorded population of Yamato salamander (Hynobius vandenburghi) by GIS and eDNA analysis
Authors: Sakai Yusuke , Kusakabe Ayane , Tsuchida Kota , Tsuzuku Yuka , Okada Shogo , Kitamura Takuto , Tomita Sei , Mukai Takahiko , Tagami Masataka , Takagi Masaki , Yaoi Yuichi , Minamoto Toshifumi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundBiodiversity loss is a serious environmental problem, and human activities might be primarily responsible for the marked decline in animal populations globally. Amphibians, in particular, have significantly decreased in number in recent decades. One example is the endangered Yamato salamander (Hynobius vandenburghi), which is distributed in Central Japan and has a very restricted distribution in Gifu Prefecture.AimsWe aimed to discover new populations of H. vandenburghi using a combination of GIS and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.Materials & MethodsFirstly, we designed two primer sets for amplifying Hynobius species targeting mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes. Next, we performed aquarium experiments to detect H. vandenburghi DNA in aquarium water. We also conducted sequential eDNA detection surveys in five known habitats in Gifu City, Japan, 17 times from January to August 2016. Following these basic eDNA studies, we used GIS to characterize the vegetation and topography of known habitats of H. vandenburghi. We collected water samples in the potential habitats identified by GIS and analyzed eDNA for the presence of H. vandenburghi using the designed primers. Finally, we conducted physical collection surveys in these potential habitats.ResultsWe successfully developed two Hynobius‐specific primer sets and detected H. vandenburghi eDNA in aquarium water. The eDNA of the target species was detected in almost all (94%–100%) samples from four habitats, whereas only 29% of samples were positive for one habitat. We identified five potential habitats by GIS analysis. The DNA of H. vandenburghi was detected in three of five potential habitats. Finally, we discovered a new population in one of the potential sites.DiscussionOur approach combining GIS and eDNA enabled the detection of novel population of an endangered amphibian species. This study was conducted by high school students under the supervision of teachers with the help of university researchers, suggesting the applicability of eDNA studies as a tool of citizen science.ConclusionThe combination of GIS and eDNA will allow to detect cryptic populations on which conservation efforts may be focused and to alert people to the need for conservation action.
Use of Beta Cyclodextrin to Remove Cholesterol and Increase Astaxanthin Content in Shrimp Oil
Authors: Raju Navaneethan , Benjakul Soottawat 
Published: August 2019

AbstractShrimp oil is extracted from shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cephalothorax and subjected to the removal of cholesterol by β‐cyclodextrin (βCD). Different oil/βCD ratios (1:2, 1:3, and 1:4, w/w) and homogenization times (1, 10, and 20 min) are used. Cholesterol deduction is attained with increasing βCD levels and homogenization time. Astaxanthin content is augmented, while cholesterol concentration is reduced. Nevertheless, oil yield and astaxanthin concentration of treated oil are decreased as βCD levels are increased. To increase the oil yield, the used βCD is further extracted for three times with ethyl acetate at 1:10 (w/v) ratio, in which yield is increased from 44.6% to 64%. Cholesterol removal of 95% is obtained, while astaxanthin content is increased. Lipid oxidation is lowered as indicated by the lower TOTOX value, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and p‐anisidine value. However, lipid hydrolysis is slightly increased after treatment. Volatiles, especially aldehydes and alcohols, are decreased after treatment. FTIR spectra confirm the removal of phospholipid, which might be associated with the decreased oil yield after treatment. With the developed process, total fatty acid is increased by 15.6%, in which monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) are augmented. βCD could remove cholesterol, increase astaxanthin and fatty acid content.Practical Applications: Shrimp oil has been known to be a rich source of astaxanthin and PUFAs with health benefit. However, it also contains cholesterol, which can be a drawback for consumption as the supplement. The removal of cholesterol, while maintaining PUFA and astaxanthin could pave a way for promoting the intake of shrimp oil. Use of βCD for oil treatment with subsequent extraction of remaining oil in the used βCD could be implemented with ease. Another advantage of the developed process is to increase both fatty acid and astaxanthin contents in the resulting oil. As a consequence, shrimp oil with lowered cholesterol can be directly used as food ingredient and also for neutraceutical purpose.
Selfing ability and drift load evolve with range expansion
Authors: Koski Matthew H. , Layman Nathan C. , Prior Carly J. , Busch Jeremiah W. , Galloway Laura F. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractColonization at expanding range edges often involves few founders, reducing effective population size. This process can promote the evolution of self-fertilization, but implicating historical processes as drivers of trait evolution is often difficult and requires an explicit model of biogeographic history. In plants, contemporary limits to outcrossing are often invoked as evolutionary drivers of self-fertilization, but historical expansions may shape mating system diversity, with leading-edge populations evolving elevated selfing ability. In a widespread plant, Campanula americana, we identified a glacial refugium in the southern Appalachian Mountains from spatial patterns of genetic drift among 24 populations. Populations farther from this refugium have smaller effective sizes and fewer rare alleles. They also displayed elevated heterosis in among-population crosses, reflecting the accumulation of deleterious mutations during range expansion. Although populations with elevated heterosis had reduced segregating mutation load, the magnitude of inbreeding depression lacked geographic pattern. The ability to self-fertilize was strongly positively correlated with the distance from the refugium and mutation accumulation—a pattern that contrasts sharply with contemporary mate and pollinator limitation. In this and other species, diversity in sexual systems may reflect the legacy of evolution in small, colonizing populations, with little or no relation to the ecology of modern populations.
Motor learning requires myelination to reduce asynchrony and spontaneity in neural activity
Authors: Kato Daisuke , Wake Hiroaki , Lee Philip R. , Tachibana Yoshihisa , Ono Riho , Sugio Shouta , Tsuji Yukio , Tanaka Yasuyo H. , Tanaka Yasuhiro R. , Masamizu Yoshito , Hira Riichiro , Moorhouse Andrew J. , Tamamaki Nobuaki , Ikenaka Kazuhiro , Matsukawa Noriyuki , Fields R. Douglas , Nabekura Junichi , Matsuzaki Masanori 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMyelination increases the conduction velocity in long‐range axons and is prerequisite for many brain functions. Impaired myelin regulation or impairment of myelin itself is frequently associated with deficits in learning and cognition in neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, it has not been revealed what perturbation of neural activity induced by myelin impairment causes learning deficits. Here, we measured neural activity in the motor cortex during motor learning in transgenic mice with a subtle impairment of their myelin. This deficit in myelin impaired motor learning, and was accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude of movement‐related activity and an increase in the frequency of spontaneous activity. Thalamocortical axons showed variability in axonal conduction with a large spread in the timing of postsynaptic cortical responses. Repetitive pairing of forelimb movements with optogenetic stimulation of thalamocortical axon terminals restored motor learning. Thus, myelin regulation helps to maintain the synchrony of cortical spike‐time arrivals through long‐range axons, facilitating the propagation of the information required for learning. Our results revealed the pathological neuronal circuit activity with impaired myelin and suggest the possibility that pairing of noninvasive brain stimulation with relevant behaviors may ameliorate cognitive and behavioral abnormalities in diseases with impaired myelination.