bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biofloc system improves protein utilization efficiency and growth performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fry: Experimental evidence
Authors: Zablon Wilfred O. , Ogello Erick O. , Getabu Albert , Omondi Reuben 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of biofloc technology (BFT) on protein utilization and growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus fry under green house for 14 weeks under a 3 × 2 factorial design involving three crude protein (CP) levels (22, 27 and 35%) and two different carbon sources. Molasses and glucose were independently used as carbon sources in the BFT tanks with aeration using air stones. Mono‐sex fish fry of mean weight 0.07 ± 0.01 g and total length 13.1 ± 0.01 mm were stocked at density of 1 fish per litre. The fishes were fed on the three commercial diets that were randomly assigned in triplicates, with the control treatment being 35% CP. Feeding was done twice daily at 5% body weight, while sludge was siphoned weekly. Calculations of specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), food conversion ratio (FCR), survival and measurement of water quality parameters were also performed. Protein levels and carbon sources had significant effects (p < 0.05) on dissolved oxygen (DO) and NH3 protein levels and carbon sources had significant interaction (p < 0.05) on pH. There was a significantly higher FCR in the control treatment (0.89) than in glucose (0.56–0.57) and molasses (0.59–0.63) bioflocs; furthermore, it was significantly different between the carbon sources. The PER was significantly higher in the control (8.42) than in glucose (5.03–7.99) and molasses (4.81–7.23) bioflocs. No significant interactions (p > 0.05) of protein levels and carbon sources were recorded on PER. However, it was significantly affected (p < 0.05) by protein levels and carbon sources. No significant effects (p > 0.05) of dietary protein level, carbon source, or their interaction were observed on SGR and condition factor. The SGR was significantly lower in the control (2.91) than glucose (3.52–3.59) and molasses (3.49‐3.56) bioflocs. The condition factor was significantly lower in the control (0.81) than glucose (1.72–1.83) and molasses (1.82–1.84) bioflocs. Survival rates were significantly higher in glucose (>97%) and molasses (>94%) than the control with a lower value of 74.7%. The biofloc increased protein utilization efficiency, which improved FCR and enhanced fish growth rate even with a lower dietary protein level. Further studies should evaluate the applicability of BFT in outdoor cultures.
Ploidy and local environment drive intraspecific variation in endoreduplication in Arabidopsis arenosa
Authors: Wos Guillaume , Macková Lenka , Kubíková Kateřina , Kolář Filip 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPremiseEndoreduplication, nonheritable duplication of a nuclear genome, is widespread in plants and plays a role in developmental processes related to cell differentiation. However, neither ecological nor cytological factors influencing intraspecific variation in endoreduplication are fully understood.MethodsWe cultivated plants covering the range‐wide natural diversity of diploid and tetraploid populations of Arabidopsis arenosa in common conditions to investigate the effect of original ploidy level on endoreduplication. We also raised plants from several foothill and alpine populations from different lineages and of both ploidies to test for the effect of elevation. We determined the endoreduplication level in leaves of young plants by flow cytometry. Using RNA‐seq data available for our populations, we analyzed gene expression analysis in individuals that differed in endoreduplication level.ResultsWe found intraspecific variation in endoreduplication that was mainly driven by the original ploidy level of populations, with significantly higher endoreduplication in diploids. An effect of elevation was also found within each ploidy, yet its direction exhibited rather regional‐specific patterns. Transcriptomic analysis comparing individuals with high vs. low endopolyploidy revealed a majority of differentially expressed genes related to the stress and hormone response and to modifications especially in the cell wall and in chloroplasts.ConclusionsOur results support the general assumption of higher potential of low‐ploidy organisms to undergo endoreduplication and suggest that endoreduplication is further integrated within the stress response pathways for a fine‐tune adjustment of the endoreduplication process to their local environment.
Amazonian run‐of‐river dam reservoir impacts underestimated: Evidence from a before–after control–impact study of freshwater turtle nesting areas
Authors: Bárcenas‐García Andrea , Michalski Fernanda , Gibbs James P. , Norris Darren 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Hydropower dams are associated with adverse impacts on biodiversity, yet there remains a lack of robust scientific evidence documenting the magnitude of these impacts, particularly across highly biodiverse tropical waterways. Aquatic and semi‐aquatic vertebrates are disproportionately affected by human changes to aquatic environments and hydropower expansion is an increasing threat to the Endangered yellow‐spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) across its tropical South American range.
Yellow‐spotted river turtle nesting areas were monitored as an indicator of dry season river level changes following run‐of‐river dam reservoir filling. A before–after control–impact (BACI) study design was used with multi‐year field campaigns monitoring turtle nesting areas upstream of the dam.
The cause and extent of changes in nesting areas were established using generalized additive models. Nesting area density was evaluated in relation to time (before vs. after), treatment (control vs. impact), time–treatment interaction (BACI), distance to the dam and precipitation. The extent of changes was examined by comparing the remaining proportion of nesting areas after reservoir filling.
Dam construction generated an immediate and apparently permanent dry season river‐level rise that extended more than 20 km beyond impact assessment limits. On average the density of nesting areas declined by 69% (from 0.48 to 0.15 per km) across 33 km of river directly affected by the dam. This loss was reflected in a significant BACI interaction. Nesting area density was not explained by seasonal precipitation.
Monitoring of freshwater turtle nesting areas provided an effective means to quantify hydropower dam impacts across biodiverse yet rapidly changing waterways. The adverse impacts documented in this study should be preventable by mitigation actions including habitat creation and dry season flow regulation. Such measures are also likely to benefit multiple sandbar‐nesting species (including turtles, crocodiles and birds) in tropical rivers increasingly influenced by run‐of‐river dams.
Associations of Body Mass Index With Pain and the Mediating Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers in People With Hand Osteoarthritis
Authors: Gløersen Marthe , Steen Pettersen Pernille , Neogi Tuhina , Jafarzadeh S. Reza , Vistnes Maria , Thudium Christian S. , Bay‐Jensen Anne‐Christine , Sexton Joe , Kvien Tore K. , Hammer Hilde B. , Haugen Ida K. 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with pain in people with hand osteoarthritis (OA), and explore whether this association, if causal, is mediated by systemic inflammatory biomarkers.MethodsIn 281 Nor‐Hand study participants, we estimated associations between BMI and hand pain, as measured by the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN; range 0–20) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; range 0–10); foot pain, as measured by NRS (range 0–10); knee/hip pain, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; range 0–20); painful total body joint count; and pain sensitization. We fit natural‐effects models to estimate natural direct and natural indirect effects of BMI on pain through inflammatory biomarkers.ResultsEach 5‐unit increase in BMI was associated with more severe hand pain (on average increased AUSCAN by 0.64 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.23, 1.08]), foot pain (on average increased NRS by 0.65 [95% CI 0.36, 0.92]), knee/hip pain (on average increased WOMAC by 1.31 [95% CI 0.87, 1.73]), generalized pain, and pain sensitization. Mediation analyses suggested that the effects of BMI on hand pain and painful total body joint count were partially mediated by leptin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), respectively. Effect sizes for mediation by leptin were larger for the hands than for the lower extremities, and were statistically significant for the hands only.ConclusionIn people with hand OA, higher BMI is associated with greater pain severity in the hands, feet, and knees/hips. Systemic effects of obesity, measured by leptin, may play a larger mediating role for pain in the hands than in the lower extremities. Low‐grade inflammation, measured by hsCRP, may contribute to generalized pain in overweight/obese individuals.
Wealth and depression: A scoping review
Authors: Ettman Catherine K. , Adam Gaelen P. , Clark Melissa A. , Wilson Ira B. , Vivier Patrick M. , Galea Sandro 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe inverse relation between income and depression is well established. Less is understood about the relation between wealth and depression. We therefore conducted a scoping review to answer the question: What is known from the existing literature about the relation between wealth and depression?MethodsWe searched for studies and articles in Medline (via PubMed), Embase, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, EconLit, and SocINDEX from inception through July 19, 2020. Ninety‐six articles were included in our review. Key article characteristics were year of publication, sample size, country, study design, definition of depression, definition of wealth, and association between wealth and depression. Thirty‐two longitudinal articles were included in a detailed charted review.ResultsDepression was defined in a relatively standard manner across articles. In contrast, definitions and measurements of wealth varied greatly. The majority of studies in the full review (n = 56, 58%) and half of the studies in the longitudinal charted review (n = 16, 50%) reported an inverse relation between wealth and depression. The longitudinal charted review showed that (1) macro‐economic events influenced depression, (2) wealth status influenced depression across the lifecourse, (3) wealth protected against depression in the face of stressors such as job loss, (4) subjective or psychosocial factors such as perception of wealth, relative comparison, and social status modified the relation between wealth and depression, and (5) savings interventions were successful in reducing depression and varied by context.ConclusionThese findings suggest that wealth should be included in our consideration of the forces that shape mental health.
Factors hinder the foreign entities business operation in Visegrad countries
Authors: Singh Devesh 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWhy do foreign firms and domestic firms face different hindering factors in a group of the same structural economies and business environment created by the same macroeconomic variables? This study addresses the essential question of the impact of a sound business environment in attracting or deterring foreign direct investment (FDI). This research utilizes the firm‐level World Enterprises Survey (WES) data and employed the parametric and non‐parametric methodology. The binary logistic regression and decision tree have been used to analyze the business environment. The author examines how macroeconomic factors influence the FDI investment decision. It was found that the two models perform very similarly in terms of predicting the business obstacle. Results of this study show that the trade regulation is the area of concern for a sound business environment that is identified by both methods in this study. Countries with stronger contract enforcement and more efficient international trade regulations create a pleasant business environment to attract more FDI.
A Treatise on Furan Cored Schiff Base Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(III) Complexes Accentuating Their Biological Efficacy: Synthesis, Thermal and Spectroscopic Characterization, DNA Interactions, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity Studies
Authors: Venkateswarlu Kadtala , Rambabu Aveli , Shankar Dasari Shiva , Lakshmi P. V. Anantha , Shivaraj  
Published: February 2022

AbstractThree metal complexes [Cu(FMIMDIP)2] (1), [Ni(FMIMDIP)2] (2) and [Co(FMIMDIP)3] (3) where, FMIMDIP=(((furan‐2‐yl)methylimino)methyl)‐4,6‐diiodophenol, were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopy. The analytical data revealed a square planar geometry for 1 and 2 and an octahedral geometry for 3. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the thermal decomposition steps were calculated from the thermograms. The quantum chemical parameters have been calculated using HOMO‐LUMO energies and reveal the stability of the complexes. The DNA interaction of 1–3 towards calf‐thymus DNA was investigated by absorption titration, fluorescence spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis. All the complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode with binding constant (Kb) values of 4.17×103 M−1 to 5.9×104 M−1 and also effectively cleave pBR322 DNA by oxidative and photolytic techniques. The synergistic action of metal chelates with ascorbic acid induced the generation of free radicals. The antibacterial activity of 1–3 was tested against B. thuringiensis, S. pneumoniae, E. coli, and P. putida. Complex 3 has the best activity among all the complexes.
New insight of itch mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Nguyen Hong Ha , Shinkuma Satoru , Hayashi Ryota , Katsumi Tatsuya , Nishiguchi Tomoki , Natsuga Ken , Fujita Yasuyuki , Abe Riichiro 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesEpidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary disorder characterized by mechanical stress‐induced blistering. The presence of extracutaneous complications such as cardiomyopathy and renal disease observed in severe EB subtypes and the fact that pruritus is a common symptom across all EB subtypes indicate that EB is not only a skin fragility disease but also a systemic inflammatory disorder. Our study aims to elucidate the basis of the systemic inflammation seen in EB patients.MethodsWe analyzed serum samples of 20 EB patients by Luminex bead‐based cytokine assays and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsThe serum levels of sIL‐2R, IL‐6, HGF, M‐CSF, SCGF‐β, IL‐8, IL‐16, IFN‐γ, MIF, MIP‐1α, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) (p < .01, p < .01, p < .01, p < .01, p < .01, p < .05, p < .05, p < .05, p < .05, p < .05, and p = .01, respectively) were found to be significantly elevated in EB patients, whereas TNF‐β (p < .01) was decreased. Th2 cytokines including IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 were not elevated in EB patients. In contrast, TSLP was significantly increased, and IL‐31 and oncostatin M were not statistically significant but tended to be higher in the patients than in healthy controls. Among proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α, IL‐6 was elevated in EB patients.ConclusionsThe imbalance of several itch mediators and proinflammatory cytokines was identified. Biologics targeting the cytokines found to be elevated in the sera of patients is considered as a beneficial treatment option for EB.
Identifying different sustainable practices to help companies to contribute to the sustainable development: Holistic sustainability, sustainable business and operations models
Authors: Sanchez‐Planelles Joaquin , Segarra‐Oña Marival , Peiro‐Signes Angel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCompanies are facing pressure in order to reduce their environmental impact. However, the managerial tools and frameworks to bring sustainability into practice are in their infancy. This paper is encompassed on the development of the Theory of Corporate Sustainability, and this work offers the practical implication of the theory to provide researchers and managers with a tool to analyse how companies integrate sustainability among their strategies and operations. The methodology has been based on the use of the case‐study protocol. Four interviews have been carried out and data obtained has been analysed using content analysis methodology. Results show that companies that have a formal structure to deal with sustainability are able to integrate sustainable practices in a higher degree than companies that adopt sustainability in a siloed way. Moreover, this paper shows how the process of sustainability integration differs between existing companies and new companies.
Inflammatory marker trajectories associated with frailty and ageing in a 20‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Samson Leonard Daniël , Buisman Anne‐Marie , Ferreira José A , Picavet H Susan J , Verschuren W M Monique , Boots Annemieke MH , Engelfriet Peter 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the development of low‐grade inflammation during ageing and its relationship with frailty.MethodsThe trajectories of 18 inflammatory markers measured in blood samples, collected at 5‐year intervals over a period of 20 years from 144 individuals aged 65–75 years at the study endpoint, were related to the degree of frailty later in life.ResultsIFN‐γ‐related markers and platelet activation markers were found to change in synchrony. Chronically elevated levels of IL‐6 pathway markers, such as CRP and sIL‐6R, were associated with more frailty, poorer lung function and reduced physical strength. Being overweight was a possible driver of these associations. More and stronger associations were detected in women, such as a relation between increasing sCD14 levels and frailty, indicating a possible role for monocyte overactivation. Multivariate prediction of frailty confirmed the main results, but predictive accuracy was low.ConclusionIn summary, we documented temporal changes in and between inflammatory markers in an ageing population over a period of 20 years, and related these to clinically relevant health outcomes.
Daphnetin inhibits the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through regulating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Chaohui , Pan Jiansheng , Liu Hongyu , Lin Rongkai , Chen Yijie , Zhang Chenghua 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEvidence has demonstrated that Daphnetin has antiangiogenesis activity, indicating it might be a new multi‐targeted medication for cancer therapy. Here, we aimed to reveal Daphnetin role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and the underlying mechanism. Huh7 and SK‐HEP‐1, two human HCC cell lines were used in this study. MTT （3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide）, colony formation, flow cytometry, and tumor‐bearing experiments were applied to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of Daphnetin on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and in vivo tumor formation, respectively. Real‐time PCR （Polymerase Chain Reaction）and western blotting were applied to measure the mRNA and protein levels of β‐catenin. We observed that Daphnetin inhibited cell viability and tumorigenesis, promoted cell apoptosis, and induced a G1 phase arrest in a dose‐dependent manner in both Huh7 and SK‐HEP‐1 cells, which were rescued by SKL2001, an activator of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Taken together, this study reveals that Daphnetin exerts an antitumor role in HCC through the inactivation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling.
Demographic partitioning of dynamic energy subsidies revealed with anOrnstein–Uhlenbeckspace use model
Authors: Eisaguirre Joseph M. , Booms Travis L. , Barger Christopher P. , Lewis Stephen B. , Breed Greg A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn populations across many taxa, a large fraction of sexually mature individuals do not breed but are attempting to enter the breeding population. Such individuals, often referred to as “floaters,” can play critical roles in the dynamics and stability of these populations and buffer them through periods of high adult mortality. Floaters are difficult to study, however, so we lack data needed to understand their roles in the population ecology and conservation status of many species. Here, we analyzed satellite telemetry data with a newly developed mechanistic space use model based on an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process to help overcome the paucity of data in studying the differential habitat selection and space use of floater and territorial golden eaglesAquila chrysaetos. Our sample consisted of 49 individuals tracked over complete breeding seasons across 4 years, totaling 104 eagle breeding seasons. Modeling these data mechanistically was required to disentangle key differences in movement and particularly to separate aspects of movement driven by resource selection from those driven by use of a central place. We found that floaters generally had more expansive space use patterns and larger home ranges, as well as evidence that they partition space with territorial individuals seemingly on fine scales through differential habitat and resource selection. Floater and territorial eagle home ranges overlapped markedly, suggesting that floaters use the interstices between territories. Furthermore, floater and territorial eagles differed in how they selected for uplift variables, key components of soaring birds’ energy landscape, with territorial eagles apparently better able to find and use thermal uplift. We also found relatively low individual heterogeneity in resource selection, especially among territorial individuals, suggesting a narrow realized niche for breeding individuals, which varied from the level of among‐individual variation present during migration. This work furthers our understanding of floaters’ potential roles in the population ecology of territorial species and suggests that conserving landscapes occupied by territorial eagles also protects floaters.