bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of phenolic compounds extraction with antioxidant activity from açaí, blueberry and goji berry using response surface methodology
Authors: Soares dos Reis Cristiane de Moura, Amália , Vanderlei Aparecido de Lima Letícia Dangui da Silva, , Cadorin Oldoni Tatiane Luiza , Pereira Celeide , Carpes Solange Teresinha
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the best extraction conditions of phenolic compounds present in açaí, blueberry and goji berry fruits using the response surface methodology (RSM). The phenolic compounds profile by high-performance liquid chromatography, antioxidant activity was also determined. A factorial 23 design was used to analyze the effect of the solvent (ethanol and water), time (30 and 60 min) and temperature (30 °C and 60 °C) on the extraction of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and activity antioxidant (AA). The variables time and temperature had a positive effect on antioxidant activity (AA) in their highest levels, 60 min and 60 °C, respectively. The solvent ethanol 800 g/mL was more efficient in TPC extracting with AA in all matrices. Rutin was present in high amounts in blueberry and goji berry, and the myricetin in açaí. The açaí showed higher in vitro antioxidant activity when extracted at 60 °C for 60 min. The high correlation coefficient (0.98) of global response (GR) showed that we can find out single and global response in research with multiple dependent variables.  The GR analysis indicated the highest values of the TPC and AA when the fruits were extracted at 60°C for 60 min using ethanol as solvent and it was very useful for simplifying and improving the phenolic compounds extraction performance.
Construction and Uncertainty Estimation of a Satellite‐Derived Total Precipitable Water Data Record Over the World's Oceans
Authors: Mears Carl A. , Smith Deborah K. , Ricciardulli Lucrezia , Wang Junhong , Huelsing Hannah , Wentz Frank J.
Published: April 2018

Measurements of total precipitable water (TPW) from 11 satellite‐borne microwave imaging radiometers are intercalibrated and merged into a single gridded monthly data set starting in January 1988 and continuing to the present. The resulting data set shows a global mean, ocean‐only trend in TPW of 0.436 kg/m2 per decade (1.49% per decade), and a trend in the deep tropics (20°S–20°N) of 0.629 kg/m2 per decade (1.503% per decade). The uncertainty in the merged TPW results is analyzed on multiple time and distance scales using a Monte Carlo approach. This analysis results in an uncertainty ensemble that can be used to evaluate the effects of construction uncertainty on any subsequent application of the data set. We compare the merged data set with measurements of TPW from ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System sensors on small islands. These comparisons show no systematic long‐term drifts in the differences, and the observed differences were largely explained by our uncertainty analysis. As an example of the use of the uncertainty ensemble, we evaluate the increase in TPW over the Gulf of Mexico during summer months over 1988–2017.
Functions of Flavonoid and Betalain Pigments in Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants
Authors: Davies Kevin M. , Albert Nick W. , Zhou Yanfei , Schwinn Kathy E.
Published: April 2018

In addition to providing pigmentation to facilitate plant reproduction, flavonoid and betalain metabolites have important functions in plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Flavonoids are ubiquitous in land plants, and the biosynthetic pathway is thought to have arisen during the period when plants were emerging onto the land around 500 million years ago. Flavonoids have been demonstrated to assist in tolerance to a wide range of stresses, and their production can be induced by cold, high light, nutrient deprivation, UV light, desiccation, salinity, senescence, metal toxicity, and pest and pathogen attack. Betalains are thought to be a much more recent acquisition by plants, as their occurrence is limited to the core Caryophyllales. As with flavonoids, a range of stress‐tolerance functions for red betalain pigments have been proposed; however, their production in response to elevated salinity is of particular note. In this article, we review aspects of these pathways of much current interest: the possible mechanisms of flavonoids and betalains in providing abiotic stress tolerance and recent advances in our understanding of the transcriptional regulation that controls the induction of their biosynthetic pathways in relation to stress.
Exploring the Role of the Ovule in Cereal Grain Development and Reproductive Stress Tolerance
Authors: Wilkinson Laura G. , Bird Dayton C. , Tucker Matthew R.
Published: April 2018

Maintaining and enhancing grain production in cereal crops is a key priority for global research efforts. The formation of floral organs impacts the number and quality of grain produced, and is an important component of cereal yield. The grain is derived predominantly from the ovule, a multifunctional tissue located in the ovary of the flower that specifies and nurtures the female germline, produces a female gametophyte, and supports embryo and endosperm development after fertilisation. Grain cannot form without successful production and fertilisation of the female gametophyte, and the stages of floral development encompassing gametophyte formation are particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations. A deeper fundamental understanding of female reproductive development from a tissue‐ and cell‐type‐specific perspective may provide opportunities to sustain and increase grain yields. In this article, we consider flower and ovule development, with a particular focus on pre‐fertilisation stages in cereals and their role in stress tolerance and downstream grain formation.
Abiotic Stress Responses are Governed by Reactive Oxygen Species and Age
Authors: Kanojia Aakansha , Dijkwel Paul P.
Published: April 2018

Plants grown under abiotic stress conditions such as salinity, drought, cold, or heat display a variety of molecular, biochemical, and physiological changes including excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The over‐production of ROS causes DNA damage and protein cross‐linking, which can lead to poor molecular transport, reduced enzyme activity, and loss of cell functions. The accumulation of ROS in response to stress also activates several signalling pathways which, in coordination with hormones such as ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA), allow for an adaptive response to stress, resulting in adjustments in plant growth and development in an attempt to maximise survival. Thus, the increase in ROS level by environmental stress results in both damage and an adaptive response; the outcome of the stress, i.e. survival or death then depends on the severity of the stress in combination with the stress response. In this article, we review elements of abiotic stress responses, in particular how ROS work together with the hormones ethylene and ABA to induce distinct stress responses in tissues of different age.
Toward the Effective Exploitation of Topological Phases of Matter in Catalysis: Chemical Reactions at the Surfaces of NbAs and TaAs Weyl Semimetals
Authors: Politano Antonio , Chiarello Gennaro , Li Zhilin , Fabio Vito , Wang Lin , Guo Liwei , Chen Xiaolong , Boukhvalov Danil W.
Published: April 2018

By means of density functional theory and experiments, surface chemical reactivity of single crystals of NbAs and TaAs Weyl semimetals is studied. Weyl semimetals exhibit outstanding reactivity toward simple molecules (oxygen, carbon monoxide, and water), with several active sites available for surface chemical reactions (adsorption, decomposition, formation of reaction products, recombination of decomposition fragments). When different chemical species are adsorbed on Weyl semimetals, strong lateral interactions between coadsorbed species occur, evidenced by CO‐promoted water decomposition at room temperature. The resulting OH groups react with CO to form HCOO, which is an intermediate species in water–gas shift reaction. These findings unambiguously demonstrate that Weyl semimetals could be effectively used in catalysis, whereas their employment in nanoelectronics or plasmonics is complicated by the poor ambient stability, due to the rapid surface oxidation, inevitably occurring unless protective capping layers are used.
Targeting CXCR4–CXCL12 Axis for Visualizing, Predicting, and Inhibiting Breast Cancer Metastasis with Theranostic AMD3100–Ag2S Quantum Dot Probe
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Ma Yi , Yu Xiyuan , Niu Qi , Han Zhihao , Wang Han , Li Tingting , Fu Dingping , Achilefu Samuel , Qian Zhiyu , Gu Yueqing
Published: April 2018

Breast cancer metastasis remains the primary cause of death and efforts to predict and reduce metastatic risk are particularly appealing. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is reported as a specific metastasis due to its chemotactic homing to CXCL12. Herein, conjugation of a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, to a fluorescent silver sulfide quantum dot (Ag2S) core (QD‐AMD) allows accurate detection of CXCR4 expression in tumor. Particularly, the probe precisely distinguishes highly metastatic breast cancer cells from those of lower metastatic ability. Longitudinal in vivo imaging predicts at early stages that the high CXCR4 expressing orthotopic 4T1 tumor would subsequently metastasize to lungs 14 d after tumor inoculation, while no metastasis forms from the low CXCR4 expressing MCF‐7 tumor. Correlative measurements find that the CXCL12 levels in lung increase with tumor progression. Perturbations of either CXCR4 on tumor cells by QD‐AMD or CXCL12 in the lungs by antibody successfully inhibit cancer metastasis. Intravenous injection of QD‐AMD in primary 4T1 tumor model effectively reduces lung metastasis. More importantly, due to the intrinsic photothermal effect, the metastatic spread is more thoroughly abrogated along with substantial shrinkage of primary tumor. Altogether, the probe is promising to detect, predict, and inhibit the metastatic spread of breast tumor.
Virus‐Inspired Nanogenes Free from Man‐Made Materials for Host‐Specific Transfection and Bio‐Aided MR Imaging
Authors: Zhu Jing‐Yi , Zhang Ming‐Kang , Ding Xian‐Guang , Qiu Wen‐Xiu , Yu Wu‐Yang , Feng Jun , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: April 2018

Many viruses have a lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane that contributes much to the host specificity and the cellular invasion. This study puts forward a virus‐inspired technology that allows targeted genetic delivery free from man‐made materials. Genetic therapeutics, metal ions, and biologically derived cell membranes are nanointegrated. Vulnerable genetic therapeutics contained in the formed “nanogene” can be well protected from unwanted attacks by blood components and enzymes. The surface envelope composed of cancer cell membrane fragments enables host‐specific targeting of the nanogene to the source cancer cells and homologous tumors while effectively inhibiting recognition by macrophages. High transfection efficiency highlights the potential of this technology for practical applications. Another unique merit of this technology arises from the facile combination of special biofunction of metal ions with genetic therapy. Typically, Gd(III)‐involved nanogene generates a much higher T1 relaxation rate than the clinically used Gd magnetic resonance imaging agent and harvests the enhanced MRI contrast at tumors. This virus‐inspired technology points out a distinctive new avenue for the disease‐specific transport of genetic therapeutics and other biomacromolecules.
A Multimaterial Scaffold With Tunable Properties: Toward Bone Tissue Repair
Authors: Feng Pei , Wu Ping , Gao Chengde , Yang Youwen , Guo Wang , Yang Wenjing , Shuai Cijun
Published: April 2018

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)/β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds are expected to be able to combine the excellent mechanical strength of PEEK and the good bioactivity and biodegradability of β‐TCP. While PEEK acts as a closed membrane in which β‐TCP is completely wrapped after the melting/solidifying processing, the PEEK membrane degrades very little, hence the scaffolds cannot display bioactivity and biodegradability. The strategy reported here is to blend a biodegradable polymer with PEEK and β‐TCP to fabricate multi‐material scaffolds via selective laser sintering (SLS). The biodegradable polymer first degrades and leaves caverns on the closed membrane, and then the wrapped β‐TCP is exposed to body fluid. In this study, poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) is adopted as the biodegradable polymer. The results show that large numbers of caverns form on the membrane with the degradation of PLLA, enabling direct contact between β‐TCP and body fluid, and allowing for their ion‐exchange. As a consequence, the scaffolds display the bioactivity, biodegradability and cytocompatibility. Moreover, bone defect repair studies reveal that new bone tissues grow from the margin towards the center of the scaffolds from the histological analysis. The bone defect region is completely connected to the host bone end after 8 weeks of implantation.
The macromorphoscopic databank
Authors: Hefner Joseph T.
Published: April 2018

The development of identification standards in forensic anthropology requires large and appropriate reference samples comprising individuals with modern birth years. Recent advances in macromorphoscopic trait data collection and analysis have created a need for reference data for classification models and biological distance analyses. The Macromorphoscopic Databank (N ∼ 7,397) serves that function, making publicly available trait scores for a large sample (n = 2,363) of modern American populations and world‐wide groups of various geographic origins (n = 1,790). In addition, the MaMD stores reference data for a large sample (n = 3,244) of pre‐, proto‐ and historic Amerindian data, useful for biodistance studies and finer‐levels of analysis during NAGPRA‐related investigations and repatriations. In developing this database, particular attention was given to the level of classification needed during the estimation of ancestry in a forensic context. To fill the knowledge gap that currently exists in the analysis of these data, the following overview outlines many of the issues and their potential solutions. Developing valuable tools that are useful to other practitioners is the purpose of growing a databank. As the Macromorphoscopic Databank develops through data collection efforts and contributions from the field, its utility as a research and teaching tool will also mature, in turn creating a vital resource for forensic anthropologists for future generations.
Rhenium(I)‐Catalyzed ortho‐C−H Addition to Bicyclic Alkenes
Authors: Prakash Sekar , Chang Yu‐Che , Cheng Chien‐Hong
Published: April 2018

Hydroarylation of bicyclic alkenes has been developed using a low‐valent ReI‐catalyzed, directing group‐assisted C−H bond activation strategy. The addition of sodium acetate significantly improves the reaction efficiency; moreover, bicyclic alkenes such as 7‐oxa and aza benzonorbornadienes worked efficiently under this reaction condition. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that, after the alkene insertion, the rhenacycle preferentially undergoes protonolysis rather than reductive elimination.
Implicit learning seems to come naturally for children with autism, but not for children with specific language impairment: Evidence from behavioral and ERP data
Authors: Zwart Fenny S. , Vissers Constance Th.W.M. , Kessels Roy P.C. , Maes Joseph H.R.
Published: April 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and specific language impairment (SLI) are two neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication skills. These skills are thought to develop largely through implicit—or automatic—learning mechanisms. The aim of the current paper was to investigate the role of implicit learning abilities in the atypical development of communication skills in ASD and SLI. In the current study, we investigated Response Times (RTs) and Event Related Potentials (ERPs) during implicit learning on a Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task in a group of typically developing (TD) children (n = 17), a group of autistic children (n = 16), and a group of children with SLI (n = 13). Findings suggest that learning in both ASD and SLI are similar to that in TD. However, electrophysiological findings suggest that autistic children seem to rely mainly on more automatic processes (as reflected by an N2b component), whereas the children with SLI seem to rely on more controlled processes (as reflected by a P3 component). The TD children appear to use a combination of both learning mechanisms. These findings suggest that clinical interventions should aim at compensating for an implicit learning deficit in children with SLI, but not in children with ASD. Future research should focus on developmental differences in implicit learning and related neural correlates in TD, ASD, and SLI. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1050–1061. © 2018 The Authors Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Autism and Specific Language Impairment (SLI) are two disorders characterized by problems in social communication and language. Social communication and language are believed to be learned in an automatic way. This is called “implicit learning.” We have found that implicit learning is intact in autism. However, in SLI there seems different brain activity during implicit learning. Maybe children with SLI learn differently, and maybe this different learning makes it more difficult for them to learn language.
Cntn6 deficiency impairs allocentric navigation in mice
Authors: Mu Di , Xu Yiliang , Zhao Tian , Watanabe Kazutada , Xiao Zhi‐Cheng , Ye Haihong
Published: April 2018

Introduction

CNTN6 is an immunoglobulin domain‐containing cell adhesion molecule that belongs to the contactin family. It is involved in the development of the nervous system. We aim to determine the effect of Cntn6 deficiency on the allocentric navigation in mice.

Methods

We recorded the travel distance and escape time of wild‐type and Cntn6 mutant male and female mice in the Morris water maze task according to the protocol.

Results

There was hardly any Cntn6 expression in the hippocampus of postnatal day 0 (P0) mice, while obvious Cntn6 expression was present in the hippocampal CA1 region of the P7 mice. During the acquisition period of Morris water maze task (Day 1 to 4), Cntn6−/− male mice failed to shorten the escape time to reach platform on the third day, while the travel distance to platform was not significantly different. There was no significant difference in both escape time and travel distance to the platform among all female subjects. In the probe trial test (Day 5), spatial memory of the female mutant mice was mildly affected, while Cntn6−/− male mice were normal. In the spatial relearning test (Day 7 to 10), Cntn6−/− male mice showed no difference in escape time to the platform compared to the wild‐type male mice, while Cntn6 deficient female mice required shorter escape time to travel to the platform on day 7, day 8, and day 10.

Conclusions

Cntn6 is expressed in the developing hippocampus in mice. Cntn6 deficiency affects spatial learning and memory, indicating that Cntn6 plays a role in the development of hippocampus and affects allocentric navigation of the animals.
Medication state at the time of the offense: Medication noncompliance, insight and criminal responsibility
Authors: Parrott Caroline Titcomb , Jones Michelle A. , Brodsky Stanley L. , Shealy Clayton
Published: April 2018

This study used a mixed quantitative‐qualitative methodology to examine whether mock jurors considered a defendant's meta‐responsibility – specifically, the defendant's medication noncompliance and degree of insight into his/her schizophrenia – when determining the person's criminal responsibility. The degree of expert witness explanation regarding these factors was also varied. Participants (n = 173) were grouped into 30 juries, randomized across five conditions, and shown mock testimony and attorney arguments based on a real not guilty by reason of insanity court case. Linear mixed‐modeling analysis showed that manipulations of medication compliance, insight, and expert testimony elaboration did not predict differential verdict and meta‐responsibility outcomes. Nevertheless, qualitative exploration of focus groups from five juries (n = 29) indicated that participants across groups strongly considered meta‐responsibility, but did so in a way that, along with a host of other considerations, suggested mock jurors were unable and/or unwilling to follow their duties as the triers of fact. Implications for legal participants, expert witnesses, and researchers are discussed.
Dyshidrosiform palmoplantar pemphigoid with low‐titer autoantibodies against BP180 NC16A
Authors: Nakazawa Shinsuke , Izumi Kentaro , Nishie Wataru , Shimizu Hiroshi , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: April 2018

Dyshidrosiform pemphigoid (DP) is a variant of bullous pemphigoid, presenting with a bullous or vesicular eruption localized on the soles and palms, and thus, DP has clinical resemblance with dyshidrosiform dermatitis. Here, we report a case of DP with literature review, focusing on the titer of antibodies directing the NC16A domain and other regions on BP180. Our case had a low titer of anti‐BP180 NC16A antibodies, and our survey of literature disclosed that 10 of 20 cases of DP had low titers (index: <150, or <87.5 U/mL) of anti‐BP180 NC16A antibodies. It is an issue whether DP is caused merely by a low titer of anti‐BP180 NC16A antibodies or by BP‐autoantibodies targeting other regions of BP180. We therefore examined our case with full‐length BP180 ELISA and found the absence of such antibodies. Our study suggests that DP is associated with low‐titer anti‐NC16A antibodies but not with the presence of antibodies against other parts of BP180.
History of the Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis
Authors: Katayama Ichiro
Published: April 2018

Historical trends of Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis (JSDCD) are summarized since the establishment of these two societyes. On December 8, 2017, the Japanese Society for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis (JSDCD) and the Skin Vessels/Connective Tissue Diseases Study Group were integrated as the Japanese Society for Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy (JSCIA). As the newly organized JSCIA is in charge of the important task of providing education for the above‐mentioned dermatologists.
Sub‐topographic maps for regionally enhanced analysis of visual space in the mouse retina
Authors: El‐Danaf Rana N. , Huberman Andrew D.
Published: April 2018

In many species, neurons are unevenly distributed across the retina, leading to nonuniform analysis of specific visual features at certain locations in visual space. In recent years, the mouse has emerged as a premiere model for probing visual system function, development, and disease. Thus, achieving a detailed understanding of mouse visual circuit architecture is of paramount importance. The general belief is that mice possess a relatively even topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)—the output neurons of the eye. However, mouse RGCs include ∼30 subtypes; each responds best to a specific feature in the visual scene and conveys that information to central targets. Given the crucial role of RGCs and the prominence of the mouse as a model, we asked how different RGC subtypes are distributed across the retina. We targeted and filled individual fluorescently tagged RGC subtypes from across the retinal surface and evaluated the dendritic arbor extent and soma size of each cell according to its specific retinotopic position. Three prominent RGC subtypes: On‐Off direction selective RGCs, object‐motion‐sensitive RGCs, and a specialized subclass of nonimage‐forming RGCs each had marked topographic variations in their dendritic arbor sizes. Moreover, the pattern of variation was distinct for each RGC subtype. Thus, there is increasing evidence that the mouse retina encodes visual space in a region‐specific manner. As a consequence, some visual features are sampled far more densely at certain retinal locations than others. These findings have implications for central visual processing, perception, and behavior in this prominent model species.
Bioequivalence of Canakinumab Injected Subcutaneously via an Autoinjector Device or a Prefilled Safety Syringe Device in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Anumolu SivaNaga S. , Lindgren Sam , Vemula Janardhana , Floch David , Reynolds Christine , Wallny Hans‐Joachim , Sun Haiying
Published: April 2018

Canakinumab, a high‐affinity human anti‐interleukin‐1β monoclonal antibody, is being used for the treatment of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. This phase 1 study compared the relative bioavailability of a single dose of subcutaneous canakinumab either self‐administered with an autoinjector (AI) or administered by a health care professional (HCP) with a prefilled safety syringe (SS) in healthy subjects. The study enrolled 80 subjects randomized 1:1 to receive 150 mg/mL of a liquid formulation of canakinumab via an AI or SS into either the thigh or abdomen. The geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval [CI]) of Cmax was 1.09 (0.97‐1.21), AUClast was 1.06 (0.96‐1.17), and AUCinf was 1.05 (0.94‐1.18) for the AI versus SS. The 2‐sided 90%CIs that compared self‐administration with the AI versus administration by an HCP using the SS were entirely within the bioequivalence limits of 80%‐125%. Two subjects in the AI group and 1 in the SS group experienced mild injection‐site reactions. No immunogenicity response was detected in the 307 samples analyzed for immunogenicity. No discontinuations because of adverse events were reported in this trial. Canakinumab administration with an AI or SS has a comparable bioavailability, meeting bioequivalence criteria.
Effects of Inhibitors on Hsp90′s Conformational Dynamics, Cochaperone and Client Interactions
Authors: Schmid Sonja , Götz Markus , Hugel Thorsten
Published: April 2018

The molecular chaperone and heat‐shock protein Hsp90 has become a central target in anti‐cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the effect of Hsp90 inhibition is still not understood at the molecular level, preventing a truly rational drug design. Here we report on the effect of the most prominent drug candidates, namely, radicicol, geldanamycin, derivatives of purine, and novobiocin, on Hsp90′s characteristic conformational dynamics and the binding of three interaction partners. Unexpectedly, the global opening and closing transitions are hardly affected by Hsp90 inhibitors. Moreover, we find no significant changes in the binding of the cochaperones Aha1 and p23 nor of the model substrate Δ131Δ. This holds true for competitive and allosteric inhibitors. Therefore, direct inhibition mechanisms affecting only one molecular interaction are unlikely. We suggest that the inhibitory action observed in vivo is caused by a combination of subtle effects, which can be used in the search for novel Hsp90 inhibition mechanisms.
Early life conditions that impact song learning in male zebra finches also impact neural and behavioral responses to song in females
Authors: Sewall Kendra B. , Anderson Rindy C. , Soha Jill A. , Peters Susan , Nowicki Stephen
Published: April 2018

Early life stressors can impair song in songbirds by negatively impacting brain development and subsequent learning. Even in species in which only males sing, early life stressors might also impact female behavior and its underlying neural mechanisms, but fewer studies have examined this possibility. We manipulated brood size in zebra finches to simultaneously examine the effects of developmental stress on male song learning and female behavioral and neural response to song. Although adult male HVC volume was unaffected, we found that males from larger broods imitated tutor song less accurately. In females, early condition did not affect the direction of song preference: all females preferred tutor song over unfamiliar song in an operant test. However, treatment did affect the magnitude of behavioral response to song: females from larger broods responded less during song preference trials. This difference in activity level did not reflect boldness per se, as a separate measure of this trait did not differ with brood size. Additionally, in females we found a treatment effect on expression of the immediate early gene ZENK in response to tutor song in brain regions involved in song perception (dNCM) and social motivation (LSc.vl, BSTm, TnA), but not in a region implicated in song memory (CMM). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that developmental stressors that impair song learning in male zebra finches also influence perceptual and/or motivational processes in females. However, our results suggest that the learning of tutor song by females is robust to disturbance by developmental stress. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018
Mixed phylogenetic signal in fish toxicity data across chemical classes
Authors: Hylton Andrew , Chiari Ylenia , Capellini Isabella , Barron Mace G. , Glaberman Scott
Published: April 2018

Chemical use in society is growing rapidly and is one of the five major pressures on biodiversity worldwide. Since empirical toxicity studies of pollutants generally focus on a handful of model organisms, reliable approaches are needed to assess sensitivity to chemicals across the wide variety of species in the environment. Phylogenetic comparative methods (PCM) offer a promising approach for toxicity extrapolation incorporating known evolutionary relationships among species. If phylogenetic signal in toxicity data is high, i.e., closely related species are more similarly sensitive as compared to distantly related species,PCMcould ultimately help predict species sensitivity when toxicity data are lacking. Here, we present the largest ever test of phylogenetic signal in toxicity data by combining phylogenetic data from fish with acute mortality data for 42 chemicals spanning 10 different chemical classes. Phylogenetic signal is high for some chemicals, particularly organophosphate pesticides, but not necessarily for many chemicals in other classes (e.g., metals, organochlorines). These results demonstrate thatPCMmay be useful for toxicity extrapolation in untested species for those chemicals with clear phylogenetic signal. This study provides a framework for usingPCMto understand the patterns and causes of variation in species sensitivity to pollutants.
Immunological larval polyphenism in the map butterfly Araschnia levana reveals the photoperiodic modulation of immunity
Authors: Baudach Arne , Lee Kwang‐Zin , Vogel Heiko , Vilcinskas Andreas
Published: April 2018

The bivoltine European map butterfly (Araschnia levana) displays seasonal polyphenism characterized by the formation of two remarkably distinct dorsal wing phenotypes: The spring generation (A. levana levana) is predominantly orange with black spots and develops from diapause pupae, whereas the summer generation (A. levana prorsa) has black, white, and orange bands and develops from subitaneous pupae. The choice between spring or summer imagoes is regulated by the photoperiod during larval and prepupal development, but polyphenism in the larvae has not been investigated before. Recently, it has been found that the prepupae of A. levana display differences in immunity‐related gene expression, so we tested whether larvae destined to become spring (short‐day) or summer (long‐day) morphs also display differences in innate immunity. We measured larval survival following the injection of a bacterial entomopathogen (Pseudomonas entomophila), the antimicrobial activity in their hemolymph and the induced expression of selected genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Larvae of the short‐day generation died significantly later, exhibited higher antibacterial activity in the hemolymph, and displayed higher induced expression levels of AMPs than those of the long‐day generation. Our study expands the seasonal polyphenism of A. levana beyond the morphologically distinct spring and summer imagoes to include immunological larval polyphenism that reveals the photoperiodic modulation of immunity. This may reflect life‐history traits that manifest as trade‐offs between immunity and fecundity.
Expression and characterization of αvβ5 integrin on intestinal macrophages
Authors: Kumawat Ashok K. , Yu Chen , Mann Elizabeth A. , Schridde Anika , Finnemann Silvia C. , Mowat Allan McI
Published: April 2018

Macrophages play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the intestine, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated fully. Here, we show for the first time that mature intestinal macrophages in mouse intestine express high levels of αvβ5 integrin, which acts as a receptor for the uptake of apoptotic cells and can activate molecules involved in several aspects of tissue homeostasis such as angiogenesis and remodeling of the ECM. αvβ5 is not expressed by other immune cells in the intestine, is already present on intestinal macrophages soon after birth, and its expression is not dependent on the microbiota. In adults, αvβ5 is induced during the differentiation of monocytes in response to the local environment and it confers intestinal macrophages with the ability to promote engulfment of apoptotic cells via engagement of the bridging molecule milk fat globule EGF‐like molecule 8. In the absence of αvβ5, there are fewer monocytes in the mucosa and mature intestinal macrophages have decreased expression of metalloproteases and IL 10. Mice lacking αvβ5 on haematopoietic cells show increased susceptibility to chemical colitis and we conclude that αvβ5 contributes to the tissue repair by regulating the homeostatic properties of intestinal macrophages.
Engulfment of Hb‐activated platelets differentiates monocytes into pro‐inflammatory macrophages in PNH patients
Authors: Singhal Rashi , Chawla Sheetal , Batra Harish , Gupta Sameer , Ojha Amrita , Rathore Deepak K. , Seth Tulika , Guchhait Prasenjit
Published: April 2018

The distinct response shown by different phenotypes of macrophages and monocytes under various clinical conditions has put the heterogeneity of these cells into focus of investigation for several diseases. Recently, we have described that after engulfing hemoglobin (Hb)‐activated platelets, classical monocytes differentiated into pro‐inflammatory phenotypes, which were abundant in the circulation of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and sickle cell disease patients. Our current study shows that upon engulfment of Hb‐activated platelets, monocytes differentiate into M1‐macrophages under M1‐polarization stimulus (GM‐CSF, IFN‐γ + LPS). When grown under M2‐polarization stimulus (M‐CSF, IL‐4 + IL13), the cells exhibited an M1‐like phenotype, secreted elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines including TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and displayed loss of the secretion of cytokine such as IL‐10 and also phagocytic ability unlike the conventional M2 macrophages. Interestingly, when differentiated under the above polarization stimulus, monocytes from PNH patients expressed high levels of CD80 and phospho‐STAT1, like M1 macrophages. Hemolytic mice also exhibited a gradual increase in monocyte–platelet aggregates in circulation and accumulation of CD80high macrophages in thioglycollate‐induced inflamed peritoneum. The spleen of the mice was also populated by CD80high macrophages with compromised phagocytic capacity. Our findings suggest that the hemolytic environment and specifically the Hb‐activated platelets, which are abundant in circulation during intravascular hemolysis, closely regulate monocyte differentiation.
Operating Cost and Treatment of Boron from Aqueous Solutions by Electrocoagulation in Low Concentration
Authors: Deniz Fatma , Akarsu Ceyhun
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study is to determine the optimum parameters of electrocoagulation process in treatment of boron in low concentrations. Especially, studies on electrode optimization in low boron concentrated waters are insufficient. Therefore, the effect of electrode combination (Al–Al, Al–Fe, Al–SS, Fe–Al, Fe–Fe, and Fe–SS), pH (5–9), current density (8–24 mA cm−2), distance (1–3 cm), and electrolysis time (10–90 min) on treatment of boron containing wastewater is studied to obtain maximum removal efficiency. The maximum removal efficiency of boron is obtained as 95.6%. Operation conditions for maximum removal are the electrode combination of Fe–Al, current density of 16 mA cm−2, pH 7.0, concentration of 30 mg L−1 and the reaction time of 70 min. Operating cost of the electrocoagulation process is calculated as 2.35 $ m−3. This study indicates that the electrocoagulation process can be successfully applied in order to treat boron‐polluted wastewaters at low initial concentrations.
Analysis of nonstationarity in low flow in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Yu Kun‐xia , Gottschalk Lars , Zhang Xiang , Li Peng , Li Zhanbin , Xiong Lihua , Sun Qian
Published: April 2018

An approach for nonstationary low‐flow frequency analysis is developed and demonstrated on a dataset from the rivers on the Loess Plateau of China. Nonstationary low‐flow frequency analysis has drawn significant attention in recent years by establishing relationships between low‐flow series and explanatory variables series, but few studies have tested whether the time‐varying moments of low flow can be fully described by the time‐varying moments of the explanatory variables. In this research, the low‐flow distributions are analytically derived from the 2 basic explanatory variables—the recession duration and the recession coefficient—with the assumption that the recession duration and recession coefficient variables follow exponential and gamma distributions, respectively; the derived low‐flow distributions are applied to test whether the time‐varying moments of explanatory variables can explain the nonstationarities found in the low‐flow variable. The effects of ecosystem construction measures, that is, check dam, terrace, forest, and grassland, on the recession duration and recession coefficient are further discussed. Daily flow series from 11 hydrological stations from the Loess Plateau are used and processed with a moving average technique. Low‐flow data are extracted following the pit under threshold approach. Six of the 11 low‐flow series show significant nonstationarities at the 5% significance level, and the trend curves of the moments of low flow are in close agreement with the curves estimated from the derived distribution with time‐dependent moments of the recession duration and time‐constant moments of the recession coefficient. It is indicated that the nonstationarity in the low‐flow distribution results from the nonstationarity in the recession duration in all 6 cases, and the increase in the recession duration is resulted from large‐scale ecosystem constructions rather than climate change. The large‐scale ecosystem constructions are found to have more influence on the decrease in streamflow than on the increase in watershed storage, thus resulting in the reduction of low flow. A high return period for the initial fixed design value decreases dramatically with an increasing recession duration.
Une Approche Participative Pour Améliorer La Maintenance Du Reseau Et La Gestion De L'eau Dans Un Périmètre Irrigué Au mali
Authors: Dicko Mohamed , Diawara Bandiougou , Tangara Bréhima , Jamin Jean‐Yves , Rougier Jean‐Emmanuel , Bah Sékou
Published: April 2018

Le déficit de maintenance est un problème récurrent dans la plupart des grands périmètres irrigués. Cela concerne donc également l'Office du Niger, au Mali. Pour traiter cette question, une approche participative a été utilisée pendant deux ans au niveau d'une maille hydraulique comprenant un canal secondaire et des canaux tertiaires, avec les agriculteurs de deux villages. Les agriculteurs ont été largement impliqués dans la co‐construction de solutions et leur mise en œuvre. Cette approche a nécessité de nombreuses rencontres et des discussions avec les acteurs à travers deux forums: une Communauté de Pratique (CoP) au niveau local, et un forum des acteurs (LPA) pour les niveaux régional et national.

Cette approche a permis une amélioration significative de la maintenance des canaux et l'efficience de l'eau d'irrigation. Selon les agriculteurs, ‘bien que l'approche soit très contraignante, car non conforme à nos habitudes de réunion et de partage de connaissances, elle est sans aucun doute très avantageuse car elle nous met au centre de la prise de décision'. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intergenerational mobility: New evidence from consumption data
Authors: Bruze Gustaf
Published: April 2018

The intergenerational persistence of consumption describes the extent to which children inherit the living standards of their parents. Evidence on this parameter is scarce due to limited data on the joint consumption of parents and children. This paper identifies parents who participated in the Danish Expenditure Survey, links them to their children through population‐wide Danish registries, and estimates the intergenerational elasticity of consumption in Denmark. The results suggest that, consistent with intergenerational consumption smoothing, the persistence of consumption across generations is higher than the persistence of earnings and income.
Dual‐wavelength hybrid optoacoustic‐ultrasound biomicroscopy for functional imaging of large‐scale cerebral vascular networks
Authors: Rebling Johannes , Estrada Héctor , Gottschalk Sven , Sela Gali , Zwack Michael , Wissmeyer Georg , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Razansky Daniel
Published: April 2018

A critical link exists between pathological changes of cerebral vasculature and diseases affecting brain function. Microscopic techniques have played an indispensable role in the study of neurovascular anatomy and functions. Yet, investigations are often hindered by suboptimal trade‐offs between the spatiotemporal resolution, field‐of‐view (FOV) and type of contrast offered by the existing optical microscopy techniques. We present a hybrid dual‐wavelength optoacoustic (OA) biomicroscope capable of rapid transcranial visualization of large‐scale cerebral vascular networks. The system offers 3‐dimensional views of the morphology and oxygenation status of the cerebral vasculature with single capillary resolution and a FOV exceeding 6 × 8 mm2, thus covering the entire cortical vasculature in mice. The large‐scale OA imaging capacity is complemented by simultaneously acquired pulse‐echo ultrasound (US) biomicroscopy scans of the mouse skull. The new approach holds great potential to provide better insights into cerebrovascular function and facilitate efficient studies into neurological and vascular abnormalities of the brain.
Long‐term feasibility and biocompatibility of directly microsurgically implanted intrafascicular electrodes in free roaming rabbits
Authors: Zhen Gehua , Chen Huanwen , Tsai Shin‐Yi , Zhang Jian , Chen Tongyi , Jia Xiaofeng
Published: April 2018

Novel neural interfaces capable of reliably capturing electrical signals are crucial for the development of prostheses. Longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes (LIFEs) have been proposed as a promising technology, and their feasibility and biocompatibility need to be investigated for long‐term implantation. In this study, custom‐designed 95%Pt–5%Ir intrafascicular electrodes were implanted into the sciatic nerves of 14 rabbits using our novel direct microsurgical technique. The biocompatibility and their ability to record electrophysiological signals were serially investigated up to 9 months after implantation. Nerve tissues were examined using light and transmitted electron microscopy, and axon diameters were quantified, evaluated over time, and compared with sham‐control (N = 4). Selective stimulation and stable recording properties of electrical signals were achieved by intrafascicular electrodes along the experimental period. While electrophysiological signal amplitude decreased by as early as 1 month after implantation (p < 0.05), the signal strength recovered to baseline levels by 3–5 months (p > 0.05). Axon diameter results showed a similar trend of initial decline (10.8% reduction, p < 0.01) followed by gradual recovery by 6 months (p > 0.05). Microstructural and ultrastructural analysis revealed modest tissue damage at the implantation site after implantation with gradual normalization over time. Intrafascicular electrodes implanted with direct microsurgical techniques demonstrated good biocompatibility and have great potential for long‐term implantation and electrophysiological recordings. Though subtle tissue damage impaired ability to capture electrophysiological signals in the first 2 months, this damage gradually normalized after 3 months, and was fully normalized by 6 months. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 435–444, 2019.
Degree sum and vertex dominating paths
Authors: Faudree Jill , Faudree Ralph J. , Gould Ronald J. , Horn Paul , Jacobson Michael S.
Published: April 2018

A vertex dominating path in a graph is a path P such that every vertex outside P has a neighbor on P. In 1988 H. Broersma [5] stated a result implying that every n‐vertex k‐connected graph G such that contains a vertex dominating path. We provide a short, self‐contained proof of this result and further show that every n‐vertex k‐connected graph such that contains a vertex dominating path of length at most , where T is a minimum dominating set of vertices. An immediate corollary of this result is that every such graph contains a vertex dominating path with length bounded above by a logarithmic function of the order of the graph. To derive this result, we prove that every n‐vertex k‐connected graph with contains a path of length at most , through any set of T vertices where .
Sufficient conditions for the existence of a path‐factor which are related to odd components
Authors: Egawa Yoshimi , Furuya Michitaka , Ozeki Kenta
Published: April 2018

In this article, we are concerned with sufficient conditions for the existence of a ‐factor. We prove that for , there exists such that if a graph G satisfies for all , then G has a ‐factor, where is the number of components C of with . On the other hand, we construct infinitely many graphs G having no ‐factor such that for all .
No optimal 1‐planar graph triangulates any nonorientable closed surface
Authors: Nagasawa Taku , Noguchi Kenta , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: April 2018

Suzuki [Discrete Math. 310 (2010), 6–11] proved that for any orientable closed surface F2 other than the sphere, there exists an optimal 1‐planar graph which can be embedded on F2 as a triangulation. However, for nonorientable closed surfaces, the existence of such graphs is unknown. In this article, we prove that no optimal 1‐planar graph triangulates a nonorientable closed surface.
Visible Light‐Induced Synthesis of Biscoumarin Analogs under Catalyst‐Free Conditions
Authors: Nadaf Ankusab Noorahmadsab , Shivashankar Kalegowda
Published: April 2018

Biscoumarin analogs were synthesized by the reaction between two equivalent of 4‐hydroxycoumarin and one equivalent of aryl aldehydes induced by visible light [22 W compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulb]. This new method is simple, cost‐effective, and furnished excellent yields with broad substrate generality in short reaction time.