bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Titanium Dioxide Particle Size in Water-based Micro/Nanofluid as Quench Medium in Heat Treatment Process
Authors: Prayogo I.F , Muhammad F. , Rakhman D. , Putra W.N. , Harjanto S.
Published: September 2019

Recently, nanofluid is used to improve the thermal conductivity of the quench medium in the heat treatment industry. In this research, ball-milled micro-sized TiO2 powder and nano-sized TiO2 particle were used and compared for their cooling characteristic in a micro/nanofluid. The micro/nanofluids were produced by mixing 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% volume of both micro- and nano-sized particle into 100 ml of distilled water. The planetary ball mill was used at 500 rpm for 15 hours to reduce the dimension of micron-sized TiO2. Composition characterization by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the powder used were free from impurities. Nanofluids were then used to quench S45C carbon steel samples, which heated at 1000°C for 1 hour. The hardness test result showed that the sample quenched with 0.5%addition of the nano-sized particle in nanofluid had the highest number up to 691 HV, almost 100HV increment from a water-quenched sample where the hardness was 598 HV, showing that the cooling rate in the nanofluid was much higher. The addition of micro-size particle in fluid generally had a lower cooling rate than the addition of nano-size particle.
The spatial-temporal distributions of controlling factors on vegetation growth in Tibet Autonomous Region, Southwestern China
Authors: You Guangyong , Arain M Altaf , Wang Shusen , McKenzie Shawn , Zou Changxin , Wang Zhi , Li Haidong , Liu Bo , Zhang Xiaohua , Gu Yangyang , Gao Jixi
Published: September 2019

Due to cold and arid climate of Tibet Autonomous Region, vegetation growth is considered to be controlled by both moisture availability and warmth. In order to reveal the patterns of regional climate change and the mechanisms of climate-vegetation interactions, long term (1982–2013) datasets of climate variables and vegetation activities were collected from Climatic Research Unit (CRU) and Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System (GIMMS). Principal regression analysis and (partial) correlation analysis were conducted to reveal the contributions of controlling factors on vegetation growth. Study results showed that (1) Annual mean air temperature (TMP) had increased by 0.38 °C per decade (P = 0.00) and annual precipitation (PRE) had increased by 17.25 mm per decade (P = 0.15). A significant change point around the year 1997/1998 was detected by Mann-Whitney-Pettit test, coinciding with the occurrence of El Niño event. (2) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) had an insignificant positive trend. Spatially, pixels of high NDVI values, great NDVI trends and high inter-annual deviations are distributed in the densely vegetated eastern part. Principal regression analysis revealed that, alpine grassland (northern and western part) is mostly controlled by temperature, steppe meadow (middle and southern part) is mostly controlled by precipitation, and shrub/mixed needle leaved and broad leaved forest (eastern part) is mostly controlled by cloud coverage. (3) Partial correlation analyses showed that regions with high sensitivity to precipitation nearly overlapped with regions of high sensitivity to minimum temperature. And the high importance of cold index (CDI, accumulated negative difference between TMP and 5 °C) revealed in this study implied the effects of regional glacial melting and permafrost degradation. We concluded that the regional climate change can be characterized as warming and wetting. Different regions and vegetation types in Tibet Autonomous Region demonstrated different driving climate factors and climate-vegetation relationships.
The orthonormal Strichartz inequality on torus
Authors: Nakamura Shohei
Published: September 2019

In this paper, motivated by recent works due to Frank-Lewin-Lieb-Seiringer and Frank-Sabin, we study the Strichartz inequality on torus with the orthonormal system input and obtain sharp estimates in a certain sense. In particular, we will reveal the tradeoff relation between Sobolev regularity and Schatten exponent gain where the

1

/

p

1/p

derivative-loss Strichartz inequality plays an important role as in the context on compact manifold due to Burq-Gérard-Tzvetkov. An application of the inequality shows the local well-posedness to the periodic Hartree equation describing the infinitely many quantum particles interacting with the power type potential.
New versus old guidelines for sarcopenia classification: What is the impact on prevalence and health outcomes?
Authors: Petermann-Rocha Fanny , Chen Minghao , Gray Stuart R , Ho Frederick K , Pell Jill P , Celis-Morales Carlos
Published: September 2019

Introduction

recently, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) established a new operational definition and cut-off points for sarcopenia. The aim of this study was, therefore, to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associations with different health outcomes using the old (EWGSOP1) and new (EWGSOP2) definitions of sarcopenia in the UK Biobank cohort.

Methods

sarcopenia was defined as low grip strength plus low muscle mass. Using both EWGSOP cut-off points, we created specific sarcopenia variables. Prevalence of sarcopenia derived using both EWGSOP definitions was calculated and compared as well as prospective health outcomes including all-cause mortality as well as incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Results

the prevalence of sarcopenia based on the EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 classifications were 8.14 and 0.36%, respectively. Sarcopenia defined by EWGSOP1 was associated with a higher risk of respiratory disease and COPD as well as mortality from all-cause, CVD and respiratory diseases. However, only respiratory incidence remained associated with sarcopenia when EWGSOP2 was used (HR: 1.32 [95% CI: 1.05–1.66]). Moreover, although individuals classified as sarcopenic using both classifications had the highest risk of all-cause mortality and respiratory disease, those with sarcopenia based on EWGSOP1 only experienced a more extensive range of poorer health outcomes.

Conclusion

in comparison with EWGSOP1, the new classification (EWGSOP2) produced a lower estimate of sarcopenia prevalence and fewer associations with adverse health outcomes. Although these associations were higher, many become non-significant.
Angiotensin-(1-7): Translational Avenues in Cardiovascular Control
Authors: Medina Daniela , Arnold Amy C
Published: September 2019

Despite decades of research and numerous treatment approaches, hypertension and cardiovascular disease remain leading global public health problems. A major contributor to regulation of blood pressure, and the development of hypertension, is the renin-angiotensin system. Of particular concern, uncontrolled activation of angiotensin II contributes to hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk, with antihypertensive therapies currently available to block the formation and deleterious actions of this hormone. More recently, angiotensin-(1–7) has emerged as a biologically active intermediate of the vasodilatory arm of the renin-angiotensin system. This hormone antagonizes angiotensin II actions as well as offers antihypertensive, antihypertrophic, antiatherogenic, antiarrhythmogenic, antifibrotic and antithrombotic properties. Angiotensin-(1–7) elicits beneficial cardiovascular actions through mas G protein-coupled receptors, which are found in numerous tissues pivotal to control of blood pressure including the brain, heart, kidneys, and vasculature. Despite accumulating evidence for favorable effects of angiotensin-(1–7) in animal models, there is a paucity of clinical studies and pharmacokinetic limitations, thus limiting the development of therapeutic agents to better understand cardiovascular actions of this vasodilatory peptide hormone in humans. This review highlights current knowledge on the role of angiotensin-(1–7) in cardiovascular control, with an emphasis on significant animal, human, and therapeutic research efforts.
Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Taxonomy of Australasian Teals
Authors: Kennedy Martyn , Spencer Hamish G.
Published: September 2019

The taxonomy of the Australasian teals has been particularly unstable. Australasian Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) and Chestnut Teal (A. castanea) are widely viewed as specifically distinct, but the taxonomy of the New Zealand teals remains unsettled. Because conservation status is affected by taxonomic rank, it is important to resolve the status of the rare subantarctic teals. To estimate phylogenetic relationships of teals, we sequenced three mitochondrial DNA genes (12S, and ATPase 6 and 8). The resultant phylogeny unequivocally groups the Chestnut Teal with the Grey Teal, rather than with the New Zealand teals as has traditionally been held (Fleming 1953). A greater level of sequence divergence occurred within the New Zealand teals than between the Grey and Chestnut teals. This diversity, together with morphological and behavioral differences, implies that the New Zealand teals should be accorded specific status as A. aucklandica, A. nesiotis, and A. chlorotis. Although it is most likely that the teal that colonized the Auckland Islands and Campbell Islands originated in New Zealand, our data do not allow us to determine whether the ancestors of the Campbell Island Teal came from mainland New Zealand or the Auckland Islands. This uncertainty arises because, as our data show, the colonization events were separated by a short period of time.
Display Behaviors, Mechanical Sounds, and Evolutionary Relationships of The Club-Winged Manakin (Machaeropterus Deliciosus)
Authors: Bostwick Kimberly S.
Published: September 2019

Male Club-winged Manakins (Machaeropterus deliciosus) are known to produce a unique mechanical sound with their extremely modified secondary feathers, yet the species remains poorly known behaviorally. I observed lekking males in Reserva Maquipucuna, Pichincha Province, Ecuador, to better understand the role of mechanical sounds, the behavioral repertoire, and other details of the natural history of this species. The behavioral repertoire of M. deliciosus is much more diverse than previously documented; it includes four mechanical phrases, two vocal sounds, and seven display behaviors. Mechanical sounds constitute the most prominent elements of the species' displays, replacing vocal sounds for territorial advertisement. I examine possible homology of the observed behaviors and propose a new phylogenetic hypothesis, that Machaeropterus forms a monophyletic clade with the genus Pipra, based on the existence of a complex shared courtship display.
Temporal Flexibility of Reproduction in Temperate-Breeding Dabbling Ducks
Authors: Krapu Gary L.
Published: September 2019

I compared nesting intervals during three consecutive years in five species of temperate-nesting dabbling ducks (Mallard [Anas platyrhynchos], Northern Pintail [Anas acuta], Northern Shoveler [Anas clypeata], Blue-winged Teal [Anas discors], Gadwall [Anas strepera]) and assessed whether differences existed in timing of refractoriness. Most nesting by females of all five species ended by the summer solstice. Nesting ended earliest for Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails and latest for Gadwalls. Some Mallards, Blue-winged Teal, and Gadwalls continued to nest into mid- and late summer, whereas Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails did not. Mallards, Blue-winged Teal, and Gadwalls accounted for 99% (81 of 82) of flightless broods resulting from nests initiated during mid- or late summer in North Dakota and 98% (58 of 59) of flightless juveniles shot on or after 1 October by a random sample of duck hunters from across the United States. Early cessation of breeding by Northern Shovelers may have evolved in response to the species' limited flexibility in diet. Photorefractory mechanisms that limit most breeding to spring presumably evolved in response to severe constraints on reproductive success when nesting continued through summer (e.g. mortality of late-hatched young and molting females due to low temperatures). Interspecific differences in photosensitivity may account for variation in timing of cessation of nesting in late spring, but controlled experiments are needed to assess the possible role of non-photic influences. My results suggest that the refractory mechanisms controlling length of the breeding season in temperate-nesting dabbling ducks are more varied and complex than previously thought, with non-photic influences (e.g. water conditions, food availability, food quality) having a larger role than indicated by earlier research.
Dynamics of Conjunctivitis and Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infections in House Finches
Authors: Hartup Barry K. , Bickal Jean M. , Dhondt Andre A. , Ley David H. , Kollias George V.
Published: September 2019

Conjunctivitis, an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), has produced a significant decline in eastern House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) of North America. In this paper, we present findings from two complementary studies designed to clarify annual and seasonal trends of MG infections in House Finches from the northeastern United States. The first was a field study of House Finches common to urban and residential habitat from Mercer County, New Jersey. We documented conjunctivitis in 11% (188/1,651) of the birds examined. Conjunctivitis prevalence in House Finches ranged from 0 to 43% per month, and exhibited marked seasonal fluctuation (elevations during fall and winter months and lower disease prevalence during the breeding season). There was excellent intermethod agreement on disease prevalence when measured by either presence of physical signs (conjunctivitis) or MG infection (kappa = 0.75). During the peak of the breeding season (April through June), conjunctivitis was present in a greater proportion of males lacking a cloacal protuberance than males with a cloacal protuberance (P < 0.01), but was similar between breeding and nonbreeding females. The second study, a volunteer survey, revealed the proportion of northeastern U.S. monitoring sites with at least one diseased House Finch each month ranged from a peak of 59% (August 1995) to a minimum of 12% (July 1999). Subsequent to the epidemic peak of disease in 1995, a series of recurring cycles occurred, with elevations in those proportions noted in late fall and winter and minima during the breeding season. Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis now appears endemic among House Finches of that region and demonstrates dynamics consistent with annual variation in host density.
Patterns of Consumption and Diet Differentiation for Three Breeding Warbler Species During a Spruce Budworm Outbreak
Authors: McMartin B. , Bellocq I. , Smith S. M.
Published: September 2019

Diets of three warbler species were analyzed during a spruce budworm outbreak in the boreal forest of northern Ontario. Beetles constituted a large portion of the food items consumed by Cape May (Dendroica tigrina), Bay-breasted (Dendroica castanea), and Tennessee (Vermivora peregrina) warblers early in the breeding season (7–11 June), and caterpillars were the most frequently used food category shortly later (18–24 June). Differences in diet served to differentiate the warbler species in the earlier period when Bay-breasted Warblers consumed more beetles, Tennessee Warblers consumed more caterpillars, and Cape May Warblers consumed more flies than the other species. Only Bay-breasted Warblers' continuing preference for beetles differentiated the warblers' diets in the later period. Food-niche overlaps increased for two of the three warbler species pairs between the two periods in June, but there was no change in the overlap between Bay-breasted and Cape May warbler diets.
Seabird Supertrees: Combining Partial Estimates of Procellariiform Phylogeny
Authors: Kennedy Martyn , Page Roderic D. M.
Published: September 2019

The growing use of comparative methods to address evolutionary questions has generated an increased need for robust hypotheses of evolutionary relationships for a wide range of organisms. Where a phylogeny exists for a group, often more than one phylogeny will exist for that group, and it is uncommon that the same taxa are in each of the existing trees. The types of data used to generate evolutionary trees can also vary greatly, and thus combining data sets is often difficult or impossible. To address comparative questions for groups where multiple phylogenetic hypotheses already exist, we need to combine different hypotheses in a way that provides the best estimate of the phylogeny for that group. Here, we combine seven seabird phylogenies (based on behavioral, DNA–DNA hybridization, isozyme, life history, morphological, and sequence data) to generate a comprehensive supertree for the Procellariiformes using matrix representation with parsimony. This phylogeny contains 122 taxa and represents a conservative estimate of combined relationships presented in the original seven source trees. We compared the supertree with results of a combined sequence data supermatrix for 103 seabird taxa. Results of the two approaches are broadly concordant, but matrix representation with parsimony provides a more comprehensive and more conservative estimate of the phylogeny of the group because it is less influenced by the largest of the source studies (which uses a single, relatively quickly evolving gene). Genetic data sets that can be combined in a supermatrix approach are currently less likely to be available than phylogenies that can be combined using some form of supertree approach. Although there are limitations to both of those approaches, both would be simpler if all phylogenetic studies made both their data sets and trees they generate available through databases such as TREEBASE.
Western Sandpipers (Calidris Mauri) During the Nonbreeding Season: Spatial Segregation on a Hemispheric Scale
Authors: Nebel Silke , Lank David B. , O'Hara Patrick D. , Fernández Guillermo , Haase Ben , Delgado Francisco , Estela Felipe A. , Ogden Lesley J. Evans , Harrington Brian , Kus Barbara E. , Lyons James E. , Mercier Francine , Ortego Brent , Takekawa John Y. , Warnock Nils , Warnock Sarah E.
Published: September 2019

The nonbreeding distribution of Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) was documented using 19 data sets from 13 sites along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas. Western Sandpipers showed latitudinal segregation with regard to sex and age. Females wintered farther south than males. A “U” shaped pattern was found with respect to age, with juveniles occurring at higher proportions at both the northern and southern ends of the range. Distribution of sexes might be affected by differences in bill length and a latitudinal trend in depth distribution of prey. For age class distribution, two different life-history tactics of juveniles might exist that are related to the higher cost of feather wear for juveniles compared to adults. Most juveniles complete three long-distance migrations on one set of flight feathers whereas adults complete two. Juveniles may winter either far north, thereby reducing feather wear induced by ultraviolet light, migration, or both, or far south and spend the summer on the nonbreeding area.
scds: computational annotation of doublets in single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Bais Abha S , Kostka Dennis
Published: September 2019

Motivation

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies enable the study of transcriptional heterogeneity at the resolution of individual cells and have an increasing impact on biomedical research. However, it is known that these methods sometimes wrongly consider two or more cells as single cells, and that a number of so-called doublets is present in the output of such experiments. Treating doublets as single cells in downstream analyses can severely bias a study’s conclusions, and therefore computational strategies for the identification of doublets are needed.

Results

With scds, we propose two new approaches for in silico doublet identification: Co-expression based doublet scoring (cxds) and binary classification based doublet scoring (bcds). The co-expression based approach, cxds, utilizes binarized (absence/presence) gene expression data and, employing a binomial model for the co-expression of pairs of genes, yields interpretable doublet annotations. bcds, on the other hand, uses a binary classification approach to discriminate artificial doublets from original data. We apply our methods and existing computational doublet identification approaches to four datasets with experimental doublet annotations and find that our methods perform at least as well as the state of the art, at comparably little computational cost. We observe appreciable differences between methods and across datasets and that no approach dominates all others. In summary, scds presents a scalable, competitive approach that allows for doublet annotation of datasets with thousands of cells in a matter of seconds.

Availability and implementation

scds is implemented as a Bioconductor R package (doi: 10.18129/B9.bioc.scds).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Neural crest-derived tumor neuroblastoma and melanoma share 1p13.2 as susceptibility locus that shows a long-range interaction with the SLC16A1 gene
Authors: Avitabile Marianna , Succoio Mariangela , Testori Alessandro , Cardinale Antonella , Vaksman Zalman , Lasorsa Vito Alessandro , Cantalupo Sueva , Esposito Matteo , Cimmino Flora , Montella Annalaura , Formicola Daniela , Koster Jan , Andreotti Virginia , Ghiorzo Paola , Romano Maria Fiammetta , Staibano Stefania , Scalvenzi Massimiliano , Ayala Fabrizio , Hakonarson Hakon , Corrias Maria Valeria , Devoto Marcella , Law Matthew H , Iles Mark M , Brown Kevin , Diskin Sharon , Zambrano Nicola , Iolascon Achille , Capasso Mario
Published: September 2019

Neuroblastoma (NB) and malignant cutaneous melanoma (CMM) are neural crest cells (NCC)-derived tumors and may have a shared genetic basis, but this has not been investigated systematically by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We took a three-staged approach to conduct cross-disease meta-analysis of GWAS for NB and CMM (2101 NB cases and 4202 controls; 12 874 CMM cases and 23 203 controls) to identify shared loci. Findings were replicated in 1403 NB cases and 1403 controls of European ancestry and in 636 NB, 508 CMM cases and 2066 controls of Italian origin. We found a cross-association at locus 1p13.2 (rs2153977, odds ratio = 0.91, P = 5.36 × 10−8). We also detected a suggestive (P < 10−7) NB-CMM cross-association at 2q37.1 with opposite effect on cancer risk. Pathway analysis of 110 NB-CMM risk loci with P < 10−4 demonstrated enrichment of biological processes such as cell migration, cell cycle, metabolism and immune response, which are essential of human NCC development, underlying both tumors. In vitro and in silico analyses indicated that the rs2153977-T protective allele, located in an NB and CMM enhancer, decreased expression of SLC16A1 via long-range loop formation and altered a T-box protein binding site. Upon depletion of SLC16A1, we observed a decrease of cellular proliferation and invasion in both NB and CMM cell lines, suggesting its role as oncogene. This is the largest study to date examining pleiotropy across two NC cell-derived tumors identifying 1p13.2 as common susceptibility locus for NB and CMM risk.

We demonstrate that combining genome-wide association studies results across cancers with same origins can identify new loci common to neuroblastoma and melanoma arising from tissues which originate from neural crest cells. Our results also show 1p13.2 confer risk to neuroblastoma and melanoma by regulating SLC16A1.
Neural Representations of Abstract Concepts: Identifying Underlying Neurosemantic Dimensions
Authors: Vargas Robert , Just Marcel Adam
Published: September 2019

The abstractness of concepts is sometimes defined indirectly as lacking concreteness, this view provides little insight into their cognitive or neural basis. Multivariate pattern analytic techniques applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging data were used to characterize the neural representations of 28 individual abstract concepts. A classifier trained on the concepts’ neural signatures reliably decoded their neural representations in an independent subset of data for each participant. There was considerable commonality of the neural representations across participants as indicated by the accurate classification of each participant’s concepts based on the neural signatures obtained in other participants. Group-level factor analysis revealed 3 semantic dimensions underlying the 28 concepts, suggesting a brain-based ontology for this set of abstract concepts. The 3 dimensions corresponded to 1) the degree a concept was Verbally Represented; 2) whether a concept was External (or Internal) to the individual, and 3) whether the concept contained Social Content. Further exploration of the Verbal Representation dimension suggests that the degree a concept is verbally represented can be construed as a point on a continuum between language faculties and perceptual faculties. A predictive model, based on independent behavioral ratings of the 28 concepts along the 3 factor dimensions, provided converging evidence for the interpretations.
The United States under President Trump: Gravedigger of International Law
Authors: Talmon Stefan
Published: September 2019

The United States’ recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan has been widely considered a flagrant breach of international law. This illegal act gives reason to examine the relationship between the United States under President Trump and international law more generally. Unlike its predecessors, the Trump administration has not just violated international law whenever U.S. economic, political, or strategic interests demanded it to do so, it has rather challenged international law and its institutions as such, and has actively undermined them. The attitude of the Trump administration towards international law and its institutions is marked by an unparalleled contempt or disdain. This article delivers a powerful “J’accuse” against this international law nihilism.
Lopinavir-Ritonavir Impairs Adrenal Function in Infants
Authors: Kariyawasam Dulanjalee , Peries Marianne , Foissac Frantz , Eymard-Duvernay Sabrina , Tylleskär Thorkild , Singata-Madliki Mandisa , Kankasa Chipepo , Meda Nicolas , Tumwine James , Mwiya Mwiya , Engebretsen Ingunn , Flück Christa E , Hartmann Michaela F , Wudy Stefan A , Hirt Deborah , Treluyer Jean Marc , Molès Jean-Pierre , Blanche Stéphane , Van De Perre Philippe , Polak Michel , Nagot Nicolas ,   ANRS 12174 Trial Group, Nagot N , Vallo R , Marechal V , Neveu D , Peries M , Van de Perre P , Kankasa C , Mwiya M , Siuluta C , Rutagwera D , Tumwine J K , Kwagala M , Ndeezi G , Meda N , Traore H , Some E , Neboua D , Hofmeyr G J , Sunday A , Singata M , Hofmeyr G J , Sunday A , Jackson D , Engebretsen I M S , Sommerfelt H , Tylleskar T , Lombard C , Blanche S , Sommerfelt H , Rekacewicz C
Published: September 2019

Background

Perinatal treatment with lopinavir boosted by ritonavir (LPV/r) is associated with steroidogenic abnormalities. Long-term effects in infants have not been studied.

Methods

Adrenal-hormone profiles were compared at weeks 6 and 26 between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1–exposed but uninfected infants randomly assigned at 7 days of life to prophylaxis with LPV/r or lamivudine (3TC) to prevent transmission during breastfeeding. LPV/r in vitro effect on steroidogenesis was assessed in H295R cells.

Results

At week 6, 159 frozen plasma samples from Burkina Faso and South Africa were assessed (LPV/r group: n = 92; 3TC group: n = 67) and at week 26, 95 samples from Burkina Faso (LPV/r group: n = 47; 3TC group: n = 48). At week 6, LPV/r-treated infants had a higher median dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) level than infants from the 3TC arm: 3.91 versus 1.48 ng/mL (P < .001). Higher DHEA levels (>5 ng/mL) at week 6 were associated with higher 17-OH-pregnenolone (7.78 vs 3.71 ng/mL, P = .0004) and lower testosterone (0.05 vs 1.34 ng/mL, P = .009) levels in LPV/r-exposed children. There was a significant correlation between the DHEA and LPV/r AUC levels (ρ = 0.40, P = .019) and Ctrough (ρ = 0.40, P = .017). At week 26, DHEA levels remained higher in the LPV/r arm: 0.45 versus 0.13 ng/mL (P = .002). Lopinavir, but not ritonavir, inhibited CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 activity in H295R cells.

Conclusions

Lopinavir was associated with dose-dependent adrenal dysfunction in infants. The impact of long-term exposure and potential clinical consequences require evaluation.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT00640263
Developmental competence and ultrastructural changes of heat-stressed mouse early blastocysts produced in vitro
Authors: Qu Pingping , Tian Wenru , Li Tao , Jiang Zhongling , Gao Shansong , Tian Zhongjie , Wang Mingzhi
Published: September 2019

Mouse early blastocysts were exposed to temperatures of 39°C and 41°C for 2 h, respectively, to determine their developmental competence and ultrastructural changes. The results showed that heat stress at 41°C for 2 h, significantly reduced the percentages of expanded and hatched blastocysts, but not at 39°C for 2 h. The average cell numbers in expanded blastocysts, which developed from early blastocysts heat-stressed at temperatures of 39°C and 41°C, were significantly reduced. The average cell numbers in hatched blastocysts subjected to heat stress were no different from those in the control group cultured at 37°C. The mitochondria of the early blastocysts heat-stressed at 39°C for 2 h, were slightly swollen, but they had recovered after culturing at 37°C for 2 h. However, the mitochondria in the blastocysts heat stressed at 41°C for 2 h were severely swollen, and their number increased. The ribosomes shed from the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the number of secondary lysosomes in the plasma increased. The integrity of desmosomes was disrupted. The space between the nuclear envelope and the perivitelline membrane enlarged. The fibre fraction and the particulate fraction of nucleoli were separated. The heterochromatin in nucleoli was also increased in its quantity. There were some lamellar-shape structures and heterogeneous dense materials exhibiting in the cytoplasm. The ultrastructural changes induced by heat shock at 41°C for 2 h were not reversible. In conclusion, the damage of heat stress to mitochondria, lysosomes, ribosomes and cell nucleus, may be one of the most important factors that inhibit the normal development of mouse early blastocysts.
Adjustment of the annual cycle to climatic change in a long-lived migratory bird species
Authors: Møller A. P. , Flensted-Jensen E. , Mardal W.
Published: September 2019

Climate change has advanced the phenology of many organisms. Migratory animals face particular problems because climate change in the breeding and the wintering range may be asynchronous, preventing rapid response to changing conditions. Advancement in timing of spring migration may have carry-over effects to other parts of the annual cycle, simply because advancement of one event in the annual cycle also advances subsequent events, gradually causing a general shift in the timing of the entire annual cycle. Such a phenotypic shift could generate accumulating effects over the years for individuals, but also across generations. Here we test this novel hypothesis of phenotypic response to climate change by using long-term data on the Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea. Mean breeding date advanced by almost three weeks during the last 70 years. Annual arrival date at the breeding grounds during a period of 47 years was predicted by environmental conditions in the winter quarters in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic and by mean breeding date the previous year. Annual mean breeding date was only margiually determined by timing of arrival the current year, but to a larger extent by arrival date and breeding date the previous year. Learning affected arrival date as shown by a positive correlation between arrival date in year (i + 1) relative to breeding date in year (i) and the selective advantage of early breeding in year (i). This provides a mechanism for changes in arrival date being adjusted to changing environmental conditions. This study suggests that adaptation to changing climatic conditions can be achieved through learning from year to year.
Prophylactic effect of vitamin E against hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, haematological indices and histopathology induced by diazinon insecticide in mice
Authors: El-Shenawy Nahla S. , Al-Eisa Rasha A. , El-Salmy Fawzia , Salah Omema
Published: September 2019

Considering that the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the toxicity of various pesticides, this study was designed to study the ameliorative effect of Vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight) on mice (25 - 30 mg) treated with diazinon (32.5 or 16.25 mg/kg body weight) organophosphate insecticide for 14 days. Subchronic DZN exposure and the protective effects of vitamins E (vitE) were evaluated for their effects on haematological indices, the enzymes concerning liver damage [plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotaransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatise (AIP), and some parameters of kidney function (urea and creatinine) in mice. Additionally, the histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissue were examined. The high dose of diazinon (DZNH) decreased the body weight significantly at the end of experiment. Additionally, the liver and kidney were examines for histopathological changes. The high dose of diazinon decreased body weight significantly. Moreover, there was a statistically significant decrease in haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and hematocrit (Hct) in diazinon-treated mice compared to controls. This decrease was partially remedied in the diazinon-treated group that also received vitE. Damage in the liver and kidney tissues was also evident as elevated plasma ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine. VitE partially counteracts the toxic effect of DZN and repairs tissue damage in the liver and kidney, especially when supplemented to 1/4 LD50 intoxicated animals. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney were observed only in 32.5 mg/kg DZN given group. These results suggest that the effects of DZN are dose dependent. No pathological findings were observed in vitE + DZN treated groups. According to the present study, we conclude that vitE can reduce the detrimental impacts of diazinon on haematological indicies, as well as liver and kidney function.
Life cycle of Craspedacusta sowerbyi xinyangensis
Authors: Xu Shanliang , Wang Danli
Published: September 2019

To explore the life cycle of Craspedacusta, the authors collected male and female specimens of the Craspedacusta sowerbyi xinyangensis in a small fire-fighting pond in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province in July, 2005 and 2006. The development of C. sowerbyi xinyangensis was studied from zygote to medusa by means of light microscopy and digital camera. The zygotes of C. sowerbyi xinyangensis are globular and smooth (90 - 105 μm diameter) and have an equal, total cleavage to the two-cell stage 15 min after fertilization. The embryos enter the four-cell stage after another 15 min and become multicellular embryos after 3h 15 min. At this stage the embryos have a diameter similar to fertilized eggs but have uneven surfaces that are distinct from the smooth surfaces of the uncleaved zygotes. Solid gastrulae are formed 7 h after fertilization. These are spherical planulae with short surface cilia that begin to swim in slow clockwise circles. After 12 h, they lose their cilia, cease swimming and become elongated planulae with one end larger than the other. Rod-like planulae, similar in thickness at both ends, are formed after an additional 7 h. After 4 days, the planulae develop into tiny polyps having two germ layers and a gastrovascular cavity. The polyp mouth is 50 - 62 µm in diameter, lacking tentacles but having nematocysts around the mouth. Planulae become mature polyps after 10 days (15 days after fertilization). Medusa buds (45 - 88 μm diameter) are formed by polyp budding, which soon become free-living medusae with 8 tentacles (380 - 620 μm diameters). Sometimes, the movement of frustules, which are formed by the polyps and similar to planulae in morphology can also be observed.
Mechanisms of species divergence through visual adaptation and sexual selection: Perspectives from a cichlid model system
Authors: Maan Martine E. , Seehausen Ole
Published: September 2019

The theory of ecological speciation suggests that assortative mating evolves most easily when mating preferences are directly linked to ecological traits that are subject to divergent selection. Sensory adaptation can play a major role in this process, because selective mating is often mediated by sexual signals: bright colours, complex song, pheromone blends and so on. When divergent sensory adaptation affects the perception of such signals, mating patterns may change as an immediate consequence. Alternatively, mating preferences can diverge as a result of indirect effects: assortative mating may be promoted by selection against intermediate phenotypes that are maladapted to their (sensory) environment. For Lake Victoria cichlids, the visual environment constitutes an important selective force that is heterogeneous across geographical and water depth gradients. We investigate the direct and indirect effects of this heterogeneity on the evolution of female preferences for alternative male nuptial colours (red and blue) in the genus Pundamilia. Here, we review the current evidence for divergent sensory drive in this system, extract general principles, and discuss future perspectives.
Can color vision variation explain sex differences in invertebrate foraging by capuchin monkeys?
Authors: Melin Amanda D. , Fedigan Linda M. , Young Hilary C. , Kawamura Shoji
Published: September 2019

Invertebrates are the main source of protein for many small-to-medium sized monkeys. Prey vary in size, mobility, degree of protective covering, and use of the forest, i.e. canopy height, and whether they are exposed or embed themselves in substrates. Sex-differentiation in foraging patterns is well documented for some monkey species and recent studies find that color vision phenotype can also affect invertebrate foraging. Since vision phenotype is polymorphic and sex-linked in most New World monkeys - males have dichromatic vision and females have either dichromatic or trichromatic vision - this raises the possibility that sex differences are linked to visual ecology. We tested predicted sex differences for invertebrate foraging in white-faced capuchins Cebus capucinus and conducted 12 months of study on four free-ranging groups between January 2007 and September 2008. We found both sex and color vision effects. Sex: Males spent more time foraging for invertebrates on the ground. Females spent more time consuming embedded, colonial invertebrates, ate relatively more “soft” sedentary invertebrates, and devoted more of their activity budget to invertebrate foraging. Color Vision: Dichromatic monkeys had a higher capture efficiency of exposed invertebrates and spent less time visually foraging. Trichromats ate relatively more “hard” sedentary invertebrates. We conclude that some variation in invertebrate foraging reflects differences between the sexes that may be due to disparities in size, strength, reproductive demands or niche preferences. However, other intraspecific variation in invertebrate foraging that might be mistakenly attributed to sex differences actually reflects differences in color vision.
Anti-bat tiger moth sounds: Form and function
Authors: Corcoran Aaron J. , Conner William E. , Barber Jesse R.
Published: September 2019

The night sky is the venue of an ancient acoustic battle between echolocating bats and their insect prey. Many tiger moths (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) answer the attack calls of bats with a barrage of high frequency clicks. Some moth species use these clicks for acoustic aposematism and mimicry, and others for sonar jamming, however, most of the work on these defensive functions has been done on individual moth species. We here analyze the diversity of structure in tiger moth sounds from 26 species collected at three locations in North and South America. A principal components analysis of the anti-bat tiger moth sounds reveals that they vary markedly along three axes: (1) frequency, (2) duty cycle (sound production per unit time) and frequency modulation, and (3) modulation cycle (clicks produced during flexion and relaxation of the sound producing tymbal) structure. Tiger moth species appear to cluster into two distinct groups: one with low duty cycle and few clicks per modulation cycle that supports an acoustic aposematism function, and a second with high duty cycle and many clicks per modulation cycle that is consistent with a sonar jamming function. This is the first evidence from a community-level analysis to support multiple functions for tiger moth sounds. We also provide evidence supporting an evolutionary history for the development of these strategies. Furthermore, cross-correlation and spectrogram correlation measurements failed to support a “phantom echo” mechanism underlying sonar jamming, and instead point towards echo interference.
Developmental ecology of the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus
Authors: Botton Mark L. , Tankersley Richard A. , Loveland Robert E.
Published: September 2019

During spawning events, horseshoe crab eggs are released from the female's oviducts, and fertilized by one or more males. Eggs are shaped by the female into discrete clutches deposited in nests at depths of 10-20 cm on intertidal estuarine beaches. Distinguishing between fresh eggs and the early developmental stages is obfuscated by the large amount of dense, opaque yolk. The first unambiguous confirmation of development is the formation of the rudimentary prosomatic appendages at the "limb bud" stage. Several days thereafter, the outer chorion is shed and the developing embryo expands and undergoes a series of molts within the clear inner egg membrane. The trilobite (first instar) stage thus attained may remain within the beach sediments for several more weeks, until hatching is facilitated by environmental factors such as hydration, agitation, and osmotic shock that accompany the infiltration of seawater into the nests. Trilobites exhibit endogenous circatidal swimming rhythms that are entrained by mechanical agitation, suggesting that peaks in larval swimming are timed to coincide with periods of high water and the inundation of the nests. Larval swimming is limited and does not appear to result in long-distance dispersal. The limited dispersal of the larvae has important implications for the population dynamics of relatively isolated populations. The rate of larval development is highly plastic and is influenced by temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and the presence of pollutants. The broad environmental tolerances of horseshoe crab embryos and larvae are important in understanding their current geographic distribution and their evolutionary persistence.
Seasonal movements of American horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire (USA)
Authors: Schaller Susanne Y. , Chabot Christopher C. , Watson Winsor H.
Published: September 2019

The goal of this study was to determine the year round movement patterns of American horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire (USA) by using acoustic telemetry to track the movements of 37 adult Limulus, for periods ranging from 2 to 31 months. During the winter (December-March) horseshoe crabs moved very little. In the spring, when water temperatures exceeded 11oC, horseshoe crabs moved at least 1 km further up into the estuary to shallower subtidal areas about a month prior to spawning. The mean distance traveled during spring migrations was 2.6 ± 0.5 (n=20) km up the estuary. Mating occurred in May and June and during these months animals spent most of their time in shallow subtidal areas adjacent to mating beaches. In the summer (July-August), animals moved 1.5 ± 0.5 (n=26) km down the estuary, towards the ocean, and ranged widely, using extensive portions of the estuary. In the fall (September-November) movement was more limited (0.5 ± 0.5 km; n = 24) while animals settled into wintering locations, where they remained until spring. The mean annual linear range for all animals was 4.5 ± 0.3 km (n =35) and the maximum distance traveled by an individual horseshoe crab within one year was 9.2 km. There was no evidence that any of the horseshoe crabs tracked during this study left the estuary.
The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
Authors: Minol Jan-Philipp , Dimitrova Vanessa , Petrov Georgi , Langner Robert , Boeken Udo , Rellecke Philipp , Aubin Hug , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Sixt Stephan , Huhn Ragnar , Sugimura Yukiharu , Albert Alexander , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVES

Mitral valve repair is the preferred method used to address mitral valve regurgitation, whereas transcatheter mitral valve repair is recommended for high-risk patients. We evaluated the risk-predictive value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aa-CCI) in the setting of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

METHODS

The perioperative course and 1-year follow-up of 537 patients who underwent isolated or combined minimally invasive mitral valve surgery were evaluated for 1-year mortality as the primary end point and other adverse events. The predictive values of the EuroSCORE II and STS score were compared to that of the aa-CCI by a comparative analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves. Restricted cubic splines were applied to find optimal aa-CCI cut-off values for the increased likelihood of experiencing the predefined adverse end points. Consequently, the perioperative course and postoperative outcome of the aa-CCI ≥8 patients and the remainder of the sample were analysed.

RESULTS

The predictive value of the aa-CCI does not significantly differ from those of the EuroSCORE II or STS score. Patients with an aa-CCI ≥8 were identified as a subgroup with a significant increase of mortality and other adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

The aa-CCI displays a suitable predictive ability for patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. In particular, multimorbid or frail patients may benefit from the extension of the objectively assessed parameters, in addition to the STS score or EuroSCORE II. Patients with an aa-CCI ≥8 have a very high surgical risk and should receive very careful attention.