bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change impact on migration, travel, travel destinations and the tourism industry
Authors: Semenza Jan C , Ebi Kristie L
Published: April 2019

Background: Climate change is not only increasing ambient temperature but also accelerating the frequency, duration and intensity of extreme weather and climate events, such as heavy precipitation and droughts, and causing sea level rise, which can lead to population displacement. Climate change-related reductions in land productivity and habitability and in food and water security can also interact with demographic, economic and social factors to increase migration. In addition to migration, climate change has also implications for travel and the risk of disease. This article discusses the impact of climate change on migration and travel with implications for public health practice.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: Migrants may be at increased risk of communicable and non-communicable diseases, due to factors in their country of origin and their country of destination or conditions that they experience during migration. Although migration has not been a significant driver of communicable disease outbreaks to date, public health authorities need to ensure that effective screening and vaccination programmes for priority communicable diseases are in place.

Population growth coupled with socio-economic development is increasing travel and tourism, and advances in technology have increased global connectivity and reduced the time required to cover long distances. At the same time, as a result of climate change, many temperate regions, including high-income countries, are now suitable for vector-borne disease transmission. This is providing opportunities for importation of vectors and pathogens from endemic areas that can lead to cases or outbreaks of communicable diseases with which health professionals may be unfamiliar.

Conclusion: Health systems need to be prepared for the potential population health consequences of migration, travel and tourism and the impact of climate change on these. Integrated surveillance, early detection of cases and other public health interventions are critical to protect population health and prevent and control communicabledisease outbreaks.
On the saturation of acoustic mode frequencies at high solar activity
Authors: Rabello Soares M Cristina
Published: April 2019

Acoustic mode frequencies obtained by applying spherical harmonic decomposition to HMI, MDI, and GONG observations were analysed throughout the solar cycle. Evidence of a deviation from a linear relation with solar radio flux was found indicating a saturation effect at high solar activity. The Gompertz model, which is one of the most frequently used sigmoid functions to fit growth data, is used. It is shown that its fitting to MDI and GONG data are statistically significant and a median saturation of 400 sfu is estimated. This saturation level is 50 per cent larger than any obtained in the last century, hence the small effect observed in the minimum-to-maximum frequency shift. However, as shown here, it should not be disregarded.
Data-driven characterization of molecular phenotypes across heterogeneous sample collections
Authors: Mehtonen Juha , Pölönen Petri , Häyrynen Sergei , Dufva Olli , Lin Jake , Liuksiala Thomas , Granberg Kirsi , Lohi Olli , Hautamäki Ville , Nykter Matti , Heinäniemi Merja
Published: April 2019

Existing large gene expression data repositories hold enormous potential to elucidate disease mechanisms, characterize changes in cellular pathways, and to stratify patients based on molecular profiles. To achieve this goal, integrative resources and tools are needed that allow comparison of results across datasets and data types. We propose an intuitive approach for data-driven stratifications of molecular profiles and benchmark our methodology using the dimensionality reduction algorithm t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) with multi-study and multi-platform data on hematological malignancies. Our approach enables assessing the contribution of biological versus technical variation to sample clustering, direct incorporation of additional datasets to the same low dimensional representation, comparison of molecular disease subtypes identified from separate t-SNE representations, and characterization of the obtained clusters based on pathway databases and additional data. In this manner, we performed an integrative analysis across multi-omics acute myeloid leukemia studies. Our approach indicated new molecular subtypes with differential survival and drug responsiveness among samples lacking fusion genes, including a novel myelodysplastic syndrome-like cluster and a cluster characterized with CEBPA mutations and differential activity of the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent DNA methylation pathway. In summary, integration across multiple studies can help to identify novel molecular disease subtypes and generate insight into disease biology.
Improved Perinatal and Postpartum Human Immunodeficiency Virus Outcomes After Use of a Perinatal Care Coordination Team
Authors: Hackett Stephanie , Badell Martina L , Meade Christina M , Davis Jennifer M , Blue Jeronia , Curtin Lisa , Camacho-Gonzalez Andres , Chahroudi Ann , Chakraborty Rana , Nguyen Minh Ly T , Palmore Melody P , Sheth Anandi N
Published: April 2019

In a high-volume clinic in the Southeastern United States, pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had improved HIV outcomes up to 6 months after delivery following the introduction of a multidisciplinary perinatal care coordination team.
Microarray results as an indicator of sexual abuse
Authors: Russell Vanessa , Nikkel Sarah M , Ward Michelle G K
Published: April 2019

This case report illustrates the unexpected identification of intrafamilial sexual abuse of a young mother through genetic testing of her child. The child’s genome was found to have a relatively common chromosomal condition with congruent clinical manifestations, but the microarray also suggested a close biological relationship between the parents because of a high degree of homozygosity. This prompted a child protection investigation as the mother had been a minor at the time of conception, and intrafamilial sexual abuse was confirmed. Both the intended and unintended results of microarray should be considered with respect to the health and social context of the child and their biological parents. This becomes particularly important for young mothers and raises protection concerns when significant amounts of homozygosity (consanguinity) are detected.
A Motor Learning Paradigm Combining Technology and Associative Learning to Assess Prone Motor Learning in Infants
Authors: Tripathi Tanya , Dusing Stacey , Pidcoe Peter E , Xu Yaoying , Shall Mary Snyder , Riddle Daniel L
Published: April 2019

Background

Associative learning is the ability to discover a relationship between two or more events. We combined principles of learning and technology to develop a paradigm to assess associative learning in prone.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3- to 6-month-old infants can demonstrate: (1) short-term learning of an association between their upper body movements in prone and activation of a toy, and (2) retention of the association learned on day 1, 24 hours later.

Methods

Twenty-eight infants who were 3 to 6 months of age and who were typically developing were tested for 2 consecutive days in an instrumented play gym. Both days of testing had a baseline and 4 acquisition phases (2 minutes each). During the acquisition phase, the toy activated for a maximum of 10 seconds when the infant's head was above a threshold. A criterion was set a priori to distinguish infants as short-term learners and retainers of the association learned on day 1.

Results

Of 28 infants, 22 and 14 infants completed all phases of the testing on day 1 and day 2, respectively. Fourteen (50%) of the infants met the criteria for short-term learners. On day 2, there was an analyzable sample of 9 short-term learners. Three of the 12 short-term learners (25%) demonstrated retention on day 2.

Conclusion

Consistent with prior infant motor learning research, half of the infants demonstrated associative learning in this novel assessment in prone; however, based on study criteria, the infants had limited retention of the association on day 2.
ASSESSMENT OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN MALAYSIA’S BUILDING MATERIALS
Authors: Abdullahi Shittu , Ismail Aznan Fazli , Samat Supian
Published: April 2019

The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides from common building materials used by Malaysian people for construction purposes were studied using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The measured activity concentrations of the aforementioned radionuclides range from 10 ± 1 Bq kg−1 (limestone) to 155 ± 61 Bq kg−1 (feldspar), 12 ± 3 Bq kg−1 (limestone) to 274 ± 8 Bq kg−1 (kaolin) and 62 ± 19 Bq kg−1 (limestone) to 1114 ± 20 Bq kg−1 (pottery stone) for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The measured activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides reported herein were found to be in accordance with other previous studies. In general, the activity concentration of the natural radionuclides revealed that all the determined values were below the recommended limit.
Defence spending and women in research: A cross-country comparison
Authors: Saxon Tyler , Weiler Stephan
Published: April 2019

This article explores whether greater levels of national defence spending effectively push women away from research careers in science and engineering due to the biases that defence spending can foster in research and development (R&D) institutions. Defence R&D spending shapes the orientation of R&D both through the direct subsidisation of R&D, as well as through procurement, which creates demand for military technologies. These biases created by defence spending potentially alter and shape career tracks in ways that may be more antithetical to feminine gender norms and job values than those of men, thus reducing women’s participation in research careers and reducing gender diversity among developers of new technology. We evaluate this gender asymmetry empirically through a panel dataset of thirty-three nations. Our findings indicate that greater levels of defence spending are indeed associated with lower participation of women in research careers, particularly in government and higher education.
The Dutch foundation—changes to governance and other Dutch legal and tax headlines
Authors: van Steensel Martijn , van der Velden Rick
Published: April 2019

The Dutch foundation is a very flexible, multipurpose legal entity. The level of supervision within the foundation is largely dependent on the design of (the articles of association of) the foundation and its internal governance. Recently, the Dutch government introduced a bill to parliament that aims to modernize and harmonize the legal framework on management and supervision of all legal entities, including the foundation. In this article, the effect of this legislative proposal on the governance of Dutch foundations is discussed, in addition to other Dutch law developments in the Netherlands affecting Dutch foundations.
Implications of common reporting standard for Liechtenstein foundations and trusts—taking stock
Authors: Arnold Hannes , Herdina Sophie
Published: April 2019

Three years after the implementation of the common reporting standard (CRS), it is time to take stock and assess the impact that the CRS had on Liechtenstein’s financial centre, in particular on the approximately 15,000 foundations and trusts located in the Principality. Especially the particularities in transposition, eg the interpretation regarding the requirements of the managed by test, as well as the manner of information procurement, which is closely linked to the reporting obligations under the CRS, are of special interest in this regard.
Elevated temperature differently affects growth, photosynthetic capacity, nutrient absorption and leaf ultrastructure of Abies faxoniana and Picea purpurea under intra- and interspecific competition
Authors: Yu Lei , Song Mengya , Xia Zhichao , Korpelainen Helena , Niinemets Ülo , Li Chunyang
Published: April 2019

There is a limited understanding of the impacts of global warming on intra- and interspecific plant competition. Resolving this knowledge gap is important for predicting the potential influence of global warming on forests, particularly on high-altitude trees, which are more sensitive to warming. In the present study, effects of intra- and interspecific competition on plant growth and associated physiological, structural and chemical traits were investigated in Abies faxoniana and Picea purpurea seedlings under control (ambient temperature) and elevated temperature (ET, 2 °C above ambient temperature) conditions for 2 years. We found that A. faxoniana and P. purpurea grown under intra- and interspecific competition showed significant differences in dry matter accumulation (DMA), photosynthetic capacity, nutrient absorption, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents and leaf ultrastructure under ET conditions. ET increased leaf, stem and root DMA of both conifers under both competition patterns. Moreover, under ET and interspecific competition, P. purpurea had overall superior competitive capacity characterized by higher organ (leaf, stem and root) and total DMA, height growth rate, net photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, water use efficiency (δ13C), leaf and root N and NSC concentrations and greater plasticity for absorption of different soil N forms. Thus, the growth of P. purpurea benefitted from the presence of A. faxoniana under ET. Our results demonstrated that ET significantly affects the asymmetric competition patterns in subalpine conifer species. Potential alteration of plant competitive interactions by global warming can influence the composition, structure and functioning of subalpine coniferous forests.
VIII Renaissance Drama: Excluding Shakespeare
Authors: McEvilla Joshua , Sharrett Elizabeth , Cryar Jennifer , Ragni Cristiano , Equestri Alice
Published: April 2019

This chapter has three sections: 1. Editions and Textual Matters; 2. Theatre History; 3. Criticism. Section 1 is by Joshua McEvilla; section 2 is by Elizabeth Sharrett; section 3(a) is by Jennifer Cryar; section 3(b) is by Cristiano Ragni; section 3(c) is by Alice Equestri.
Recurrent evolution of extreme longevity in bats
Authors: Wilkinson Gerald S. , Adams Danielle M.
Published: April 2019

Bats live longer than similar-sized mammals, but the number of lineages that have independently evolved extreme longevity has not previously been determined. Here we reconstruct the evolution of size-corrected longevity on a recent molecular phylogeny and find that at least four lineages of bats have lifespans more than fourfold those of similar-sized placental mammals, with the ancestral bat projected to live 2.6 times as long. We then evaluate a series of phylogenetic generalized least-squares models containing up to nine variables hypothesized to influence extrinsic mortality. These analyses reveal that body mass and hibernation predict longevity. Among hibernators, longevity is predicted by the absolute value of the median latitude of the species range and cave use, while cave use and lack of sexual dimorphism predict longevity among non-hibernators. The importance of torpor in extending lifespan is further supported by the one lineage with extreme longevity that does not hibernate but exhibits flexible thermoregulation, the common vampire bat. We propose several potential mechanisms that may enable bats to live so long, and suggest that the ability to tolerate a wide range of body temperatures could be important for surviving viral or other pathogen infections.
Adhesive-based tendon-to-bone repair: failure modelling and materials selection
Authors: Avgoulas Evangelos I. , Sutcliffe Michael P. F. , Linderman Stephen W. , Birman Victor , Thomopoulos Stavros , Genin Guy M.
Published: April 2019

Surgical reattachment of tendon to bone is a procedure marked by high failure rates. For example, nearly all rotator cuff repairs performed on elderly patients with massive tears ultimately result in recurrence of tearing. These high failure rates have been attributed to stress concentrations that arise due to the mechanical mismatch between tendon and bone. Although recent studies have identified potential adhesives with mechanical properties tuned to alleviate these stress concentrations, and thereby delay the onset of failure, resistance to the progression of failure has not been studied. Here, we refined the space of adhesive material properties that can improve surgical attachment by considering the fracture process. Using cohesive zone modelling and physiologically relevant values of mode I and mode II adhesive fracture toughnesses, we predicted the maximum displacement and strength at failure of idealized, adhesively bonded tendon-to-bone repairs. Repair failure occurred due to excessive relative displacement of the tendon and bone tissues for strong and compliant adhesives. The failure mechanism shifted to rupture of the entire repair for stiffer adhesives below a critical shear strength. Results identified a narrow range of materials on an Ashby chart that are suitable for adhesive repair of tendon to bone, including a range of elastomers and porous solids.
Lévy walk process in self-organization of pedestrian crowds
Authors: Murakami Hisashi , Feliciani Claudio , Nishinari Katsuhiro
Published: April 2019

Similar to other animal groups, human crowds exhibit various collective patterns that emerge from self-organization. Recent studies have emphasized that individuals anticipate their neighbours' motions to seek their paths in dynamical pedestrian flow. This path-seeking behaviour results in deviation of pedestrians from their desired directions (i.e. the direct path to their destination). However, the strategies that individuals adopt for the behaviour and how the deviation of individual movements impact the emergent organization are poorly understood. We here show that the path-seeking behaviour is performed through a scale-free movement strategy called a Lévy walk, which might facilitate transition to the group-level behaviour. In an experiment of lane formation, a striking example of self-organized patterning in human crowds, we observed how flows of oppositely moving pedestrians spontaneously separate into several unidirectional lanes. We found that before (but not after) lane formation, pedestrians deviate from the desired direction by Lévy walk process, which is considered optimal when searching unpredictably distributed resources. Pedestrians balance a trade-off between seeking their direct paths and reaching their goals as quickly as possible; they may achieve their optimal paths through Lévy walk process, facilitating the emergent lane formation.
Automatic acoustic identification of individuals in multiple species: improving identification across recording conditions
Authors: Stowell Dan , Petrusková Tereza , Šálek Martin , Linhart Pavel
Published: April 2019

Many animals emit vocal sounds which, independently from the sounds’ function, contain some individually distinctive signature. Thus the automatic recognition of individuals by sound is a potentially powerful tool for zoology and ecology research and practical monitoring. Here, we present a general automatic identification method that can work across multiple animal species with various levels of complexity in their communication systems. We further introduce new analysis techniques based on dataset manipulations that can evaluate the robustness and generality of a classifier. By using these techniques, we confirmed the presence of experimental confounds in situations resembling those from past studies. We introduce data manipulations that can reduce the impact of these confounds, compatible with any classifier. We suggest that assessment of confounds should become a standard part of future studies to ensure they do not report over-optimistic results. We provide annotated recordings used for analyses along with this study and we call for dataset sharing to be a common practice to enhance the development of methods and comparisons of results.
Improved spatial ecological sampling using open data and standardization: an example from malaria mosquito surveillance
Authors: Sedda Luigi , Lucas Eric R. , Djogbénou Luc S. , Edi Ako V. C. , Egyir-Yawson Alexander , Kabula Bilali I. , Midega Janet , Ochomo Eric , Weetman David , Donnelly Martin J.
Published: April 2019

Vector-borne disease control relies on efficient vector surveillance, mostly carried out using traps whose number and locations are often determined by expert opinion rather than a rigorous quantitative sampling design. In this work we propose a framework for ecological sampling design which in its preliminary stages can take into account environmental conditions obtained from open data (i.e. remote sensing and meteorological stations) not necessarily designed for ecological analysis. These environmental data are used to delimit the area into ecologically homogeneous strata. By employing Bayesian statistics within a model-based sampling design, the traps are deployed among the strata using a mixture of random and grid locations which allows balancing predictions and model-fitting accuracies. Sample sizes and the effect of ecological strata on sample sizes are estimated from previous mosquito sampling campaigns open data. Notably, we found that a configuration of 30 locations with four households each (120 samples) will have a similar accuracy in the predictions of mosquito abundance as 200 random samples. In addition, we show that random sampling independently from ecological strata, produces biased estimates of the mosquito abundance. Finally, we propose standardizing reporting of sampling designs to allow transparency and repetition/re-use in subsequent sampling campaigns.
Insights into coral reef benthic dynamics from nonlinear spatial forecasting
Authors: McNamara Dylan E. , Cortale Nick , Edwards Clinton , Eynaud Yoan , Sandin Stuart A.
Published: April 2019

Nonlinear time-series forecasting, or empirical dynamic modelling, has been used extensively in the past two decades as a tool for distinguishing between random temporal behaviour and nonlinear deterministic dynamics. Previous authors have extended nonlinear time-series forecasting to continuous spatial data. Here, we adjust spatial forecasting to handle discrete data and apply the technique to explore the ubiquity of nonlinear determinism in irregular spatial configurations of coral and algal taxa from Palmyra Atoll, a relatively pristine reef in the central Pacific Ocean. We find that the spatial distributions of coral and algal taxa show signs of nonlinear determinism in some locations and that these signals can change through time. We introduce the hypothesis that nonlinear spatial determinism may be a signal of systems in intermediate developmental (i.e. successional) stages, with spatial randomness characterizing early (i.e. recruitment dominated) and late-successional (i.e. ‘climax’ or attractor) phases. Common state-based metrics that sum community response to environmental forcing lack resolution to detect dynamics of (potential) recovery phases; incorporating signal of spatial patterning among sessile taxa holds unique promise to elucidate dynamical characters of complex ecological systems, thereby enhancing study and response efforts.
An update of the chemiosmotic theory as suggested by possible proton currents inside the coupling membrane
Authors: Morelli Alessandro Maria , Ravera Silvia , Calzia Daniela , Panfoli Isabella
Published: April 2019

Understanding how biological systems convert and store energy is a primary purpose of basic research. However, despite Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory, we are far from the complete description of basic processes such as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and photosynthesis. After more than half a century, the chemiosmotic theory may need updating, thanks to the latest structural data on respiratory chain complexes. In particular, up-to date technologies, such as those using fluorescence indicators following proton displacements, have shown that proton translocation is lateral rather than transversal with respect to the coupling membrane. Furthermore, the definition of the physical species involved in the transfer (proton, hydroxonium ion or proton currents) is still an unresolved issue, even though the latest acquisitions support the idea that protonic currents, difficult to measure, are involved. Moreover, F
o
F
1
-ATP synthase ubiquitous motor enzyme has the peculiarity (unlike most enzymes) of affecting the thermodynamic equilibrium of ATP synthesis. It seems that the concept of diffusion of the proton charge expressed more than two centuries ago by Theodor von Grotthuss is to be taken into consideration to resolve these issues. All these uncertainties remind us that also in biology it is necessary to consider the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle, which sets limits to analytical questions.
Models and mechanisms of the rapidly reversible regulation of photosynthetic light harvesting
Authors: Bennett Doran I. G. , Amarnath Kapil , Park Soomin , Steen Collin J. , Morris Jonathan M. , Fleming Graham R.
Published: April 2019

The rapid response of photosynthetic organisms to fluctuations in ambient light intensity is incompletely understood at both the molecular and membrane levels. In this review, we describe research from our group over a 10-year period aimed at identifying the photophysical mechanisms used by plants, algae and mosses to control the efficiency of light harvesting by photosystem II on the seconds-to-minutes time scale. To complement the spectroscopic data, we describe three models capable of describing the measured response at a quantitative level. The review attempts to provide an integrated view that has emerged from our work, and briefly looks forward to future experimental and modelling efforts that will refine and expand our understanding of a process that significantly influences crop yields.
Autumn freeze-thaw events carry over to depress late-winter reproductive performance in Canada jays
Authors: Sutton Alex O. , Strickland Dan , Freeman Nikole E. , Newman Amy E. M. , Norris D. Ryan
Published: April 2019

Evidence suggests that range-edge populations are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but few studies have examined the specific mechanisms that are driving observed declines. Species that store perishable food for extended periods of time may be particularly susceptible to environmental change because shifts in climatic conditions could accelerate the natural degradation of their cached food. Here, we use 40 years of breeding data from a marked population of Canada jays (Perisoreus canadensis) located at the southern edge of their range in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, to examine whether climatic conditions prior to breeding carry over to influence reproductive performance. We found that multiple measures of Canada jay reproductive performance (brood size, nest success and nestling condition) in the late winter were negatively correlated with the number of freeze–thaw events the previous autumn. Our results suggest that freeze–thaw events have a significant detrimental impact on the quality and/or quantity of cached food available to Canada jays. Future increases in such events, caused by climate change, could pose a serious threat to Canada jays and other food caching species that store perishable foods for long periods of time.
Experimental study on seismic performance of a low-energy consumption composite wall structure of a pre-fabricated lightweight steel frame
Authors: Suizi Jia , Wanlin Cao , Zibin Liu
Published: April 2019

This study developed a low-energy consumption composite wall structure constructed with a pre-fabricated lightweight steel frame that is suitable for houses in villages and towns and evaluated its anti-seismic performance. A low-reversed cyclic-loading test was conducted on four full-scale pre-fabricated structure specimens, including a lightweight, concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) column frame specimen (abbreviated as SFCF), a lightweight CFST column frame composite wall specimen (abbreviated as SFCFW), an H-steel column frame specimen (abbreviated as HSCF) and an H-steel column frame composite wall specimen (abbreviated as HSCFW). The failure characteristics, hysteretic behaviour, strength, rigidity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of each specimen were compared and analysed. The results demonstrated that the pre-fabricated, double L-shaped beam–column joint with a stiffener rib which was proposed in this study worked reliably and exhibited good anti-seismic performance. The yield, ultimate and frame yield loads of the specimen SFCFW were 1.72, 1.80 and 2.03 times higher than those of specimen SFCF. The yield load, ultimate load and frame yield loads of specimen HSCFW were 1.27, 1.68 and 1.82 times higher than those of specimen HSCF. This indicates that the embedded composite wall contributed significantly to the horizontal bearing capacities of the SFCF and HSCF specimens. The embedded composite wall was divided into multiple strip-shaped composite panels during failure and achieved a stable support for the frame in the later stages of elastoplastic deformation. The horizontal strips of the tongue-and-groove connection between the strip-shaped composite panels produced reciprocating bite displacements, and ultimately improved the structure's energy dissipation capacity significantly.
Ultrastructural evidence of a mechanosensory function of scale organs (sensilla) in sea snakes (Hydrophiinae)
Authors: Crowe-Riddell Jenna M. , Williams Ruth , Chapuis Lucille , Sanders Kate L.
Published: April 2019

The evolution of epidermal scales was a major innovation in lepidosaurs, providing a barrier to dehydration and physical stress, while functioning as a sensitive interface for detecting mechanical stimuli in the environment. In snakes, mechanoreception involves tiny scale organs (sensilla) that are concentrated on the surface of the head. The fully marine sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) are closely related to terrestrial hydrophiine snakes but have substantially more protruding (dome-shaped) scale organs that often cover a larger portion of the scale surface. Various divergent selection pressures in the marine environment could account for this morphological variation relating to detection of mechanical stimuli from direct contact with stimuli and/or indirect contact via water motion (i.e. ‘hydrodynamic reception’), or co-option for alternate sensory or non-sensory functions. We addressed these hypotheses using immunohistochemistry, and light and electron microscopy, to describe the cells and nerve connections underlying scale organs in two sea snakes,
Aipysurus laevis
and
Hydrophis stokesii
. Our results show ultrastructural features in the cephalic scale organs of both marine species that closely resemble the mechanosensitive Meissner-like corpuscles that underlie terrestrial snake scale organs. We conclude that the scale organs of marine hydrophiines have retained a mechanosensory function, but future studies are needed to examine whether they are sensitive to hydrodynamic stimuli.
A new standard reference film for oxygen gas transmission measurements
Authors: Xie Lan-Gui , Zhao Xia , Dou Si-Hong , Tang Long , Sun Hui-Min
Published: April 2019

A novel reference film was characterized to improve the oxygen gas transmission measurement accuracy of plastic materials for pharmaceutical packaging. The material processing, homogeneity, stability, jointly determined value and uncertainty evaluation were discussed. The film is the first reference film characterized by multiple laboratories using both manometric and coulometric methods. The oxygen transmission rate of the reference film was 20.53 with the expanded uncertainty of 1.36. The newly characterized reference film can be used in the calibration and self-calibration of oxygen transmission measurement equipment and analytical method verification to improve the measurement accuracy and achieve traceable data.
Indentation into a plastic fluid layer
Authors: Ball Thomasina V. , Balmforth Neil J. , Hewitt Ian J.
Published: April 2019

We study the indentation of a rigid object into a layer of a cohesive or non-cohesive plastic material. Existing approaches to this problem using slip-line theory assume that the penetration depth is relatively small, employing perturbation theory about a flat surface. Here, we use two alternative approaches to account for large penetration depths, and for the consequent spreading and uplift of the surrounding material. For a viscoplastic fluid, which reduces to an ideal plastic under the limit of vanishing viscosity, we adopt a viscoplastic version of lubrication theory. For a Mohr–Coulomb material, we adopt an extension of slip-line theory between two parallel plates to account for arbitrary indenter shapes. We compare the theoretical predictions of penetration and spreading with experiments in which a flat plate, circular cylinder or sphere are indented into layers of Carbopol or glass spheres with successively higher loads. We find reasonable agreement between theory and experiment, though with some discrepancies that are discussed. There is a clear layer-depth dependence of the indentation and uplift for the viscoplastic material. For a cylinder indented into a Mohr–Coulomb material, there is a much weaker dependence on layer depth.
The history, genome and biology of NCTC 30: a non-pandemic
Vibrio cholerae
isolate from World War One
Authors: Dorman Matthew J. , Kane Leanne , Domman Daryl , Turnbull Jake D. , Cormie Claire , Fazal Mohammed-Abbas , Goulding David A. , Russell Julie E. , Alexander Sarah , Thomson Nicholas R.
Published: April 2019

The sixth global cholera pandemic lasted from 1899 to 1923. However, despite widespread fear of the disease and of its negative effects on troop morale, very few soldiers in the British Expeditionary Forces contracted cholera between 1914 and 1918. Here, we have revived and sequenced the genome of NCTC 30, a 102-year-old
Vibrio cholerae
isolate, which we believe is the oldest publicly available live
V. cholerae
strain in existence. NCTC 30 was isolated in 1916 from a British soldier convalescent in Egypt. We found that this strain does not encode cholera toxin, thought to be necessary to cause cholera, and is not part of
V. cholerae
lineages responsible for the pandemic disease. We also show that NCTC 30, which predates the introduction of penicillin-based antibiotics, harbours a functional β-lactamase antibiotic resistance gene. Our data corroborate and provide molecular explanations for previous phenotypic studies of NCTC 30 and provide a new high-quality genome sequence for historical, non-pandemic
V. cholerae
.
Sexual ornaments but not weapons trade off against testes size in primates
Authors: Lüpold Stefan , Simmons Leigh W. , Grueter Cyril C.
Published: April 2019

Males must partition their limited reproductive investments between traits that promote access to females (sexual ornaments and weapons) and traits that enhance fertilization success, such as testes and ejaculates. Recent studies show that if the most weaponized males can monopolize access to females through contest competition, thereby reducing the risk of sperm competition, they tend to invest less in sperm production. However, how males invest in sexual ornaments relative to sperm production remains less clear. If male ornaments serve as badges of status, with high-ranking males attaining near-exclusive access to females, similar to monopolizing females through combat, their expression should also covary negatively with investment in post-mating traits. In a comparative study across primates, which exhibit considerable diversification in sexual ornamentation, male weaponry and testes size, we found relative testes size to decrease with sexual ornaments but increase with canine size. These contrasting evolutionary trajectories might be driven by differential selection, functional constraints or temporal patterns of metabolic investment between the different types of sexual traits. Importantly, however, our results indicate that the theory of relative investments between weapons and testes in the context of monopolizing females can extend to male ornaments.
Exogenous glucocorticoids amplify the costs of infection by reducing resistance and tolerance, but effects are mitigated by co-infection
Authors: Schoenle Laura A. , Moore Ignacio T. , Dudek Alana M. , Garcia Ellen B. , Mays Morgan , Haussmann Mark F. , Cimini Daniela , Bonier Frances
Published: April 2019

Individual variation in parasite defences, such as resistance and tolerance, can underlie heterogeneity in fitness and could influence disease transmission dynamics. Glucocorticoid hormone concentrations often change in response to fluctuating environmental conditions and mediate changes in immune function, resource allocation and tissue repair. Thus, changes in glucocorticoid hormone concentrations might mediate individual variation in investment in resistance versus tolerance. In this study, we experimentally increased glucocorticoid concentrations in red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) that were naturally infected with haemosporidian parasites, and assessed changes in resistance and tolerance of infection. Glucocorticoid treatment increased burdens ofPlasmodium, the parasite causing avian malaria, but only in the absence of co-infection with another Haemosporidian,Haemoproteus. Thus, glucocorticoids might reduce resistance to infection, but co-infection can mitigate the negative consequences of increased hormone concentrations. Glucocorticoid treatment also decreased tolerance of infection. We found no evidence that the inflammatory immune response or rate of red blood cell production underlie the effects of glucocorticoids on resistance and tolerance. Our findings suggest that exogenous glucocorticoids can increase the costs of haemosporidian infections by both increasing parasite numbers and reducing an individual's ability to cope with infection. These effects could scale up to impact populations of both host and parasite.
Male density, a signal for population self-regulation in
Alligator sinensis
Authors: Zhao Lan , Fang Li-Ming , Wan Qiu-Hong , Fang Sheng-Guo
Published: April 2019

The regulation of population density is suggested to be indirect and occurs with a time-lag effect, as well as being female centred. Herein, we present a quantitative analysis on the precise, timely and male-dominated self-regulation of Chinese alligator (
Alligator sinensis
) populations. Analysis of 31 years of data revealed gender differences in regulation patterns. Population dynamics were restricted by male density rather than population density, and population growth was halted (birth rate = 0) when male density exceeded 83.14 individuals per hectare, until some males were removed, especially adult males. This rapid and accurate response supports the notions of intrinsic mechanisms and population-wide regulation response. Furthermore, density stress affected mating success rather than parental care to juveniles, i.e. females avoided unnecessary reproduction costs, which may represent an evolutionary advantage. Our findings highlighted the importance of further studies on related physiological mechanisms that focus on four characteristics: quantity breeds quality, gender differences, male density thresholds and nonlinearity.
Background mortality drivers of European tree species: climate change matters
Authors: Taccoen Adrien , Piedallu Christian , Seynave Ingrid , Perez Vincent , Gégout-Petit Anne , Nageleisen Louis-Michel , Bontemps Jean-Daniel , Gégout Jean-Claude
Published: April 2019

Increases in tree mortality rates have been highlighted in different biomes over the past decades. However, disentangling the effects of climate change on the temporal increase in tree mortality from those of management and forest dynamics remains a challenge. Using a modelling approach taking tree and stand characteristics into account, we sought to evaluate the impact of climate change on background mortality for the most common European tree species. We focused on background mortality, which is the mortality observed in a stand in the absence of abrupt disturbances, to avoid confusion with mortality events unrelated to long-term changes in temperature and rainfall. We studied 372 974 trees including 7312 dead trees from forest inventory data surveyed across France between 2009 and 2015. Factors related to competition, stand characteristics, management intensity, and site conditions were the expected preponderant drivers of mortality. Taking these main drivers into account, we detected a climate change signal on 45% of the 43 studied species, explaining an average 6% of the total modelled mortality. For 18 out of the 19 species sensitive to climate change, we evidenced greater mortality with increasing temperature or decreasing rainfall. By quantifying the mortality excess linked to the current climate change for European temperate forest tree species, we provide new insights into forest vulnerability that will prove useful for adapting forest management to future conditions.
Effects of landscape complexity on pollinators are moderated by pollinators' association with mass-flowering crops
Authors: Fijen Thijs P. M. , Scheper Jeroen A. , Boekelo Bastiaen , Raemakers Ivo , Kleijn David
Published: April 2019

Conserving and restoring semi-natural habitat, i.e. enhancing landscape complexity, is one of the main strategies to mitigate pollinator decline in agricultural landscapes. However, we still have limited understanding of how landscape complexity shapes pollinator communities in both crop and non-crop habitat, and whether pollinator responses to landscape complexity vary with their association with mass-flowering crops. Here, we surveyed pollinator communities on mass-flowering leek crops and in nearby semi-natural habitat in landscapes of varying complexity. Surveys were done before and during crop bloom and distinguished between pollinators that visit the crop frequently (dominant), occasionally (opportunistic), or not at all (non-crop). Forty-seven per cent of the species in the wider landscape were also observed on leek flowers. Crop pollinator richness increased with local pollinator community size and increasing landscape complexity, but relationships were stronger for opportunistic than for dominant crop pollinators. Relationships between pollinator richness in semi-natural habitats and landscape complexity differed between groups with the most pronounced positive effects on non-crop pollinators. Our results indicate that while dominant crop pollinators are core components of crop pollinator communities in all agricultural landscapes, opportunistic crop pollinators largely determine species-richness responses and complex landscapes are local hotspots for both biodiversity conservation and potential ecosystem service provision.
Lethal and sublethal synergistic effects of a new systemic pesticide, flupyradifurone (Sivanto
®
), on honeybees
Authors: Tosi S. , Nieh J. C.
Published: April 2019

The honeybee (
Apis mellifera
L.) is an important pollinator and a model for pesticide effects on insect pollinators. The effects of agricultural pesticides on honeybee health have therefore raised concern. Bees can be exposed to multiple pesticides that may interact synergistically, amplifying their side effects. Attention has focused on neonicotinoid pesticides, but flupyradifurone (FPF) is a novel butenolide insecticide that is also systemic and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist. We therefore tested the lethal and sublethal toxic effects of FPF over different seasons and worker types, and the interaction of FPF with a common SBI fungicide, propiconazole. We provide the first demonstration of adverse synergistic effects on bee survival and behaviour (poor coordination, hyperactivity, apathy) even at FPF field-realistic doses (worst-case scenarios). Pesticide effects were significantly influenced by worker type and season. Foragers were consistently more susceptible to the pesticides (4-fold greater effect) than in-hive bees, and both worker types were more strongly affected by FPF in summer as compared with spring. Because risk assessment (RA) requires relatively limited tests that only marginally address bee behaviour and do not consider the influence of bee age and season, our results raise concerns about the safety of approved pesticides, including FPF. We suggest that pesticide RA also test for common chemical mixture synergies on behaviour and survival.
Human mitochondrial variant annotation with HmtNote
Authors: Preste R. , Clima R. , Attimonelli M.
Published: April 2019

HmtNote is a Python package to annotate human mitochondrial variants from VCF files.

Variants are annotated using a wide range of information, which are grouped into basic, cross-reference, variability and prediction subsets so that users can either select specific annotations of interest or use them altogether.

Annotations are performed using data from HmtVar, a recently published database of human mitochondrial variations, which collects information from several online resources as well as offering in-house pathogenicity predictions.

HmtNote also allows users to download a local annotation database, that can be used to annotate variants offline, without having to rely on an internet connection.

HmtNote is a free and open source package, and can be downloaded and installed from PyPI (https://pypi.org/project/hmtnote) or GitHub (https://github.com/robertopreste/HmtNote).
A network-based data-mining approach to investigate indole-related microbiota-host co-metabolism
Authors: Neves Ana Luisa , Rodriguez-Martinez Andrea , Ayala Rafael , Posma Joram M , Abellona U MR , Chilloux Julien , Nicholson Jeremy K , Dumas Marc-Emmanuel , Hoyles Lesley
Published: April 2019

Motivation

Indoles have been shown to play a significant role in cardiometabolic disorders. While some individual bacterial species are known to produce indole-adducts, to our best knowledge no studies have made use of publicly available genome data to identify prokaryotes, specifically those associated with the human gut microbiota, contributing to the indole metabolic network.

Results

Here, we propose a computational strategy, comprising the integration of KEGG and BLAST, to identify prokaryote-specific metabolic reactions relevant for the production of indoles, as well as to predict new members of the human gut microbiota potentially involved in these reactions. By identifying relevant prokaryotic species for further validation studiesin vitro, this strategy represents a useful approach for those interrogating the metabolism of other gut-derived microbial metabolites relevant to human health.

Availability

All R scripts and files (gut microbial dataset, FASTA protein sequences, BLASTP output files) are available fromhttps://github.com/AndreaRMICL/Microbial_networks.

Contact

ARM:andrea.rodriguez-martinez13@imperial.ac.uk; LH:lesley.hoyles@ntu.ac.uk.