bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cast‐tape drying and freeze drying of tucumã pulp into powder
Authors: da Silva Rafael Sarmento , Aguiar Nayara Vilhena , Durigon Angelise , de Oliveira Antônio Martins 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the drying of tucumã pulp into powder by cast‐tape drying (CTD) and freeze drying (FD). Bioactive compounds and the physicochemical properties of the pulp and powder were investigated. Tucumã pulp (2 mm thick pulp) was dehydrated by cast‐tape drying in a short time (8 min) due to the high drying rate, and by freeze drying for 21 h at 0.02 kPa. The powders presented moisture content of 0.04 g/g (d.b.) and water activity lower than 0.40. The degradation of bioactive compounds was of 55.8 and 37.5% of antioxidant activity index, as well as 50.1 and 26.9% of total phenolic compounds in the pulp dried by CTD and by FD, respectively. The greater degradation of bioactive compounds in the powder obtained by CTD is due to the higher pulp temperature and oxidation reactions. Both drying processes reduced β‐carotene, accounting for 45.8% for powders obtained by CTD and 31.2% by FD. However, the degradation of carotenoids did not influence the color of the pulp reconstituted when compared to the raw pulp. Despite possible biocomposite losses due to drying, the results showed that tucumã powders present relatively good values of bioactive compounds in relation to the data reported in the literature. Therefore, FD and CTD processes are appropriate to dehydrate tucumã pulp without adding carrier agents and that can be marketed without refrigeration, which is essential in regions with transport logistics issues. The advantage of CTD over FD is the higher drying rates.Practical ApplicationsTucumã is a typical exotic fruit from the Amazon region, which is rich in phenolics and antioxidants. This fruit is of great importance in the Amazon and deserves studies that make its conservation viable. Freeze drying and cast‐tape drying processes are considered appropriate conservation methods for the tucumã pulp, as they enable to retain a part of the bioactive compounds of the raw material. Moreover, tucumã powder has potential applications in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical areas.
Factors associated with food choice among long‐term weight loss maintainers
Authors: Young Jacob , Phelan Suzanne , Alarcon Noemi , Roake James , Rethorst Chad D. , Foster Gary D. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to examine motivations for food choice among long‐term weight loss maintainers (WLM) in a widely used commercial weight management program.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was employed where determinants of food choice were measured in the USA using validated scales: Food Choice Questionnaire, Consideration of Future Consequences, and Eating in the Absence of Hunger. Participants were 3806 WLM following a commercial weight management program (WW International, Inc.) who had maintained a weight loss ≥ 9.1 kg (mean 24.7 kg) for 3.3 years and had a body mass index (BMI) of 27.6 kg m2. A control group of weight stable individuals with obesity (controls; n = 519) had a BMI of 38.9 kg m2 and a weight change < 2.3 kg over the previous 5 years.ResultsWLM vs. controls made food decisions more based on health (18.9 vs. 16.3; ηp2 = 0.052) and weight control (9.9 vs. 7.5; ηp2 = 0.16) and less based on price (8.4 vs. 9.1; ηp2 = 0.10). WLM also scored higher than controls with respect to considering future consequences of behaviours (44.3 vs. 38.4; ηp2 = 0.060) and reported less external eating in the absence of hunger (7.1 vs. 7.5; ηp2 = 0.058). Standard canonical coefficients indicated that making food choices based on weight (0.717) with less value placed on price (−0.33) and greater consideration of future consequences (0.262) contributed independently and most (overall r = 0.593; p = 0.0001) to discriminating WLM from controls.ConclusionsIn a widely used commercial weight management program, successful WLM reported food decisions based more on weight and less on price and considered future consequences of current behaviours.
SGIP1 modulates kinetics and interactions of the cannabinoid receptor 1 and G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 3 signalosome
Authors: Gazdarica Matej , Noda Judith , Durydivka Oleh , Novosadova Vendula , Mackie Ken , Pin Jean‐Philippe , Prezeau Laurent , Blahos Jaroslav 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), a G protein‐coupled receptor, plays a fundamental role in synaptic plasticity. Abnormal activity and deregulation of CB1R signaling result in a broad spectrum of pathological conditions. CB1R signaling is regulated by receptor desensitization including phosphorylation of residues within the intracellular C terminus by G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) that may lead to endocytosis. Furthermore, CB1R signaling is regulated by the protein Src homology 3‐domain growth factor receptor‐bound 2‐like (SGIP1) that hinders receptor internalization, while enhancing CB1R association with β‐arrestin. It has been postulated that phosphorylation of two clusters of serine/threonine residues, 425SMGDS429 and 460TMSVSTDTS468, within the CB1R C‐tail controls dynamics of the association between receptor and its interaction partners involved in desensitization. Several molecular determinants of these events are still not well understood. We hypothesized that the dynamics of these interactions are modulated by SGIP1. Using a panel of CB1Rs mutated in the aforementioned serine and threonine residues, together with an array of Bioluminescence energy transfer‐based (BRET) sensors, we discovered that GRK3 forms complexes with Gβγ subunits of G proteins that largely independent of GRK3’s interaction with CB1R. Furthermore, CB1R interacts only with activated GRK3. Interestingly, phosphorylation of two specific residues on CB1R triggers GRK3 dissociation from the desensitized receptor. SGIP1 increases the association of GRK3 with Gβγ subunits of G proteins, and with CB1R. Altogether, our data suggest that the CB1R signalosome complex is dynamically controlled by sequential phosphorylation of the receptor C‐tail and is also modified by SGIP1.
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Class formation and capital accumulation in the countryside: Artisanal and small‐scale gold mining in South Kivu, DR Congo
Authors: Radley Ben 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTo date, the expansive social science literature on artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) in Africa has received little attention from scholars of agrarian political economy. This paper attempts to bridge this gap, based on an in‐depth study of ASM in South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The main argument is that the capital–labour social relation underpinning ASM in South Kivu has facilitated the emergence of a capitalist managerial class of dynamic and prosperous rural Congolese. This class has, in turn, been driving increasing sectoral productivity via technological assimilation and capital formation, while also making commercial and productive investments in other, non‐mining sectors. Drawing from the findings, the common conceptualisation of African ASM as a low productivity, subsistence activity is questioned, and the perception in the existing literature that African ASM miners and foreign mining corporations are not in competition for the same mineral deposits is challenged.
A randomized comparative study of the effect of two different flow rates of carboxytherapy in the treatment of infraorbital dark circles
Authors: Roshdy Ossama Hussein , Abd Elall Heba Mahmoud , Eid Amira Abulfotooh 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCarboxytherapy is a minimally invasive, relatively safe modality that has been used for the treatment of dark circles; however, different flow rates and different injection techniques have been described in the literature.AimTo study the effect of the flow rate on the therapeutic outcome of carboxytherapy in infraorbital dark circles.MethodsEighty patients with infraorbital dark circles were divided into two equal groups: Group A received carboxytherapy at a flow rate of 30 ml/min, and group B received carboxytherapy at a flow rate of 60 ml/min. Patients received weekly sessions for 6 weeks, and the treatment response was evaluated 6 weeks after the last treatment session.ResultsSignificant improvement of the dark circles was detected in both treatment groups. However, no significant difference in the treatment response was found when both flow rates were compared. The frequency of development of side effects was significantly higher in the group receiving CO2 at a flow rate of 60 ml/min. No significant difference in the overall post‐treatment patient satisfaction between the two groups was detected.ConclusionCarboxytherapy is an effective therapeutic modality for infraorbital dark circles. Lower flow rates achieve therapeutic responses similar to higher flow rates but with fewer side effects.
Interplay between abiotic (drought) and biotic (virus) stresses in tomato plants
Authors: Mishra Ritesh , Shteinberg Moshik , Shkolnik Doron , Anfoka Ghandi , Czosnek Henryk , Gorovits Rena 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWith climate warming, drought becomes a vital challenge for agriculture. Extended drought periods affect plant–pathogen interactions. We demonstrate an interplay in tomato between drought and infection with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Infected plants became more tolerant to drought, showing plant readiness to water scarcity by reducing metabolic activity in leaves and increasing it in roots. Reallocation of osmolytes, such as carbohydrates and amino acids, from shoots to roots suggested a role of roots in protecting infected tomatoes against drought. To avoid an acute response possibly lethal for the host organism, TYLCV down‐regulated the drought‐induced activation of stress response proteins and metabolites. Simultaneously, TYLCV promoted the stabilization of osmoprotectants' patterns and water balance parameters, resulting in the development of buffering conditions in infected plants subjected to prolonged stress. Drought‐dependent decline of TYLCV amounts was correlated with HSFA1‐controlled activation of autophagy, mostly in the roots. The tomato response to combined drought and TYLCV infection points to a mutual interaction between the plant host and its viral pathogen.
Understanding the root xylem plasticity for designing resilient crops
Authors: Cornelis Salves , Hazak Ora 
Published: December 2021

AbstractXylem is the main route for transporting water, minerals and a myriad of signalling molecules within the plant. With its onset during early embryogenesis, the development of the xylem relies on hormone gradients, the activity of unique transcription factors, the distribution of mobile microRNAs, and receptor–ligand pathways. These regulatory mechanisms are often interconnected and together contribute to the plasticity of this water‐conducting tissue. Environmental stresses, such as drought and salinity, have a great impact on xylem patterning. A better understanding of how the structural properties of the xylem are regulated in normal and stress conditions will be instrumental in developing crops of the future. In addition, vascular wilt pathogens that attack the xylem are becoming increasingly problematic. Further knowledge of xylem development in response to these pathogens will bring new solutions against these diseases. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the molecular mechanisms of xylem formation that largely come from Arabidopsis research with additional insights from tomato and monocot species. We emphasize the impact of abiotic factors and pathogens on xylem plasticity and the urgent need to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the multidisciplinary approach to model xylem capacities in crops.
Gamer's nodulesBRIEF REPORT
Authors: O’Sullivan Sorcha Louise , Mellerio Jemima E. , Semkova Kristina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA 15‐year‐old boy presented with a two‐year history of subcutaneous nodules on his feet that were painful on palpation and with footwear. The patient is an avid gamer, and his mother had noted a distinct sitting position as he sat playing his console. Skin biopsy showed features of a collagenoma, consistent with previous reports of repetitive pressure lesions associated with various sports and religious practices. It is important to be aware of these “gamer's nodules” that result from prolonged periods of fixed seating postures.
Approaches to ethics in the Laozi (Lao‐Tzu)
Authors: D’Ambrosio Paul J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper will look at five major approaches to interpreting “ethics” in theLaozi. There is a good deal of controversy over what type of ethics might be promoted in theLaoziand additional discussions of whether or not any the text includes ethical concerns at all. We begin with a basic introduction todao道 (way) and certain patterns of thinking in theLaozibefore moving on to a sketch ofziran自然 or “self‐so” andwuwei無為 or “nonaction.” The first approach finds an account of ethics already within these two concepts. The second sees Confucian virtues along with sincerity, simplicity, purity, and genuineness as ethical guides. Looking to the underpinnings of these reading, the third approach findsdaoitself as moral, and any action in accordance withdaois deemed ethical. However, likedao, being ethical in this manner is considered ineffable. The fourth type of interpretation argues that theLaoziis critical of ethics itself. Finally, we look at how the model of the “sage” can be related to “ethics” or “êthos” in a broad sense. In the short conclusion general agreements that pervade all five approaches will be outlined. These include resisting standardization of ethics and an implicit understanding of human nature as “okay.”
Formation of Coelenteramine from 2‐Peroxycoelenterazine in the Ca2+‐Binding Photoprotein Aequorin
Authors: Inouye Satoshi , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Hosoya Takamitsu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAequorin consists of apoprotein (apoAequorin) and (S)‐2‐peroxycoelenterazine (CTZ‐OOH) and is considered to be a transient‐state complex of an enzyme (apoAequorin) and a substrate (coelenterazine and molecular oxygen) in the enzymatic reaction. The degradation process of CTZ‐OOH in aequorin was characterized under various conditions of protein denaturation. By acid treatment, the major product from CTZ‐OOH was coelenteramine (CTM), but not coelenteramide (CTMD), and no significant luminescence was observed. The counterparts of CTM from CTZ‐OOH were identified as 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (4HPPA) and 4‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPAA) by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐TOF‐MS). In the luminescence reaction of aequorin with Ca2+, similar amounts of 4HPPA and 4HPAA were detected, indicating that CTM is formed by two pathways from CTZ‐OOH through dioxetanone anion and not by hydrolysis from CTMD.
Operational collaboration between rivals: The impact of cost reduction
Authors: Geng Xin , Krishnan Harish , Sohoni Milind G. 
Published: December 2021

Business rivals often collaborate on specific aspects of their operations in order to achieve cost efficiency. To better understand and manage such an operational collaboration, we formulate a multi‐stage duopoly competition model to study the strategic and welfare implications of a cost‐reducing cooperation between competing firms. Without any additional agreement beyond the collaborative effort in deterministic cost reduction, we characterize intuitive conditions under which there exists a unique equilibrium for the operational collaboration, where the high‐cost firm inputs more effort. Furthermore, the equilibrium cost reduction would benefit both firms when they have similar costs and/or their products have small substitutability. Moreover, such a pure operational collaboration never hurts consumer surplus. We then consider the effect of facilitating agreements and find that, with a properly designed unit transfer payment, the competition may be softened so that both firms are willing to collaborate. However, consumer surplus may decrease as a consequence. Finally, we assume that firms could receive signals of some random shock on the cost reduction process and examine the resulting Bayesian game. If the random shock is on the cost reduction fraction, then firms' equilibrium efforts could be independent of the random signal. If, however, the random shock is on the effort, then we apply simplifying assumptions and use special stochastic orders to capture the impact of signal variability on firms' effort levels. Our findings provide useful managerial insights into the underlying drivers of an operational collaboration between rivals.
Spatial pattern of COVID-19 in Bangladesh: an ecological study
Authors: Islam Jahirul , Guo Xiya , Ali Md Ahasan , Islam Md Ashraful , Qi Xin , Zhuang Guihua 
Published: December 2021

ObjectiveTo analyse the spatial clustering of COVID-19 case fatality risks in the districts of Bangladesh and to explore the association of sociodemographic indicators with these risks.Study designEcological study.Study settingSecondary data were collected for a total of 64 districts of Bangladesh.MethodsThe data for district-wise COVID-19 cases were collected from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh from March 2020 to June 2020. Socioeconomic and demographic data were collected from National Census Data, 2011. Retrospective spatial analysis was conducted based on district-wise COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh. Global Moran’sIwas adopted to find out the significance of the clusters. Furthermore, generalised linear model was conducted to find out the association of COVID-19 cases with sociodemographic variables.ResultsTotal 87 054 COVID-19 cases were included in this study. The epidemic hotspots were distributed in the 11 most populous cities. The most likely clusters are primarily situated in the central, south-eastern and north-western regions of the country. High-risk clusters were found in Dhaka (Relative Risk (RR): 5.22), Narayanganj (RR: 2.70), Chittagong (RR: 1.69), Munshiganj (RR: 2.31) Cox’s Bazar (RR: 1.63), Faridpur (RR: 1.65), Gazipur (RR: 1.33), Bogra (RR: 1.35), Khulna (RR: 1.22), Barishal (RR: 1.07) and Noakhali (RR: 1.06). Weekly progression of COVID-19 cases showed spatially clustered by Moran’sIstatistics (p value ranging from 0.013 to 0.436). After fitting a Poisson linear model, we found a positive association of COVID-19 with floating population rate (RR=1.542, 95% CI 1.520 to 1.564), and urban population rate (RR=1.027, 95% CI 1.026 to 1.028).ConclusionThis study found the high-risk cluster areas in Bangladesh and analysed the basic epidemiological issues; further study is needed to find out the common risk behaviour of the patients and other relative issues that involve the spreading of this infectious disease.
Association between functional disability and depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rong Jian , Wang Xueqin , Ge Yanhong , Chen Guimei , Ding Hong 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between functional disability and depressive symptoms, focusing on whether an interaction exists between functional disability, demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China.DesignA cross-sectional study using multistage, stratified random sampling.SettingData from 18 villages in Anhui Province of China between January to July 2018.Participants3491 Chinese participants aged 60 and over.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 were used to evaluate depressive symptoms and functional disability, respectively. Data were analysed using SPSS statistics V.25.0 program with χ2test, Mann-Whitney U test, binary logistic regression analysis and classification and regression tree (CART) model.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms in 3336 interviewed older people was 52.94%. After adjustment, subjects who had problems in mobility domain (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.842, 95% CI 1.503 to 2.258), getting along domain (AOR 1.616, 95% CI 1.299 to 2.010), life activities domain (AOR 1.683, 95% CI 1.370 to 2.066) and participation domain (AOR 3.499, 95% CI 2.385 to 4.987) had an increased depressive symptoms risk. However, cognition domain (AOR 0.785, 95% CI 0.647 to 0.953) negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Additionally, the CART model showed that those who had problems in mobility domain, getting along domain and were unemployed, the possibility of having depressive symptoms was the highest.ConclusionsMore attention should be paid to unemployed older adults, and those with problems in participation, life activities, getting along and mobility and no problems in cognition to maintain a good psychological state.
Smoking prevention in adolescents: a cross-sectional and qualitative evaluation of a newly implemented prevention program in Switzerland
Authors: Meienberg Andrea , Mayr Michael , Vischer Annina , Zellweger Michael J , Burkard Thilo 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesIn 2014, a hospital-based smoking prevention programme ‘Nichtrauchen ist clever!’ (NIC!) for adolescents aged 12–14 was initiated. The aim of the study was to evaluate participants’ smoking behaviour and to explore the acceptance of the programme, and participants’ awareness on smoking-related diseases and factors that promote smoking initiation.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional survey to evaluate participant’s acceptance of the NIC! program and their smoking habits. A total of 1658 participants completed the survey between January 2016 and December 2019. A qualitative approach, including analysing feedback from students gathered at 77 prevention events between June 2014 and December 2019, was used to assess their view on reasons for smoking initiation and their knowledge about smoking-related diseases.ResultsTwenty-six per cent (429/1658) have already tried tobacco products (so called triers), specifically cigarettes, electronic (e)-cigarettes and shisha. The use of e-cigarettes was most popular among triers 58% (252/429). Eighty-eight per cent of participants (1408/1604) reported they had acquired good or excellent knowledge about smoking, and 89% (1439/1617) of participants stated that they intend not to smoke in the future. Particularly lung cancer and cancer in general, heart—and vascular diseases were frequently mentioned to be smoking related; where, on the other hand, a large number of relevant smoking-associated diseases were mentioned irregularly. Peer pressure, stress and coolness were identified as reasons for smoking initiation, whereas the influence of marketing and multimedia, as well as socioeconomic—and lifestyle-related factors on smoking behaviour was barely noticed.ConclusionNIC! had a high acceptance among the participants and a large number of students reported relevant gain of knowledge. We identified important knowledge-gaps relating to smoking initiation and smoking-related diseases, helping to improve further smoking prevention approaches.