bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex-dependent differences in central artery haemodynamics in normal and fibulin-5 deficient mice: implications for ageing
Authors: Cuomo Federica , Ferruzzi Jacopo , Agarwal Pradyumn , Li Chen , Zhuang Zhen W. , Humphrey Jay D. , Figueroa C. Alberto
Published: January 2019

Mouse models provide unique opportunities to study vascular disease, but they demand increased experimental and computational resolution. We describe a workflow for combining
in vivo
and
in vitro
biomechanical data to build mouse-specific computational models of the central vasculature including regional variations in biaxial wall stiffness, thickness and perivascular support. These fluid–solid interaction models are informed by micro-computed tomography imaging and
in vivo
ultrasound and pressure measurements, and include mouse-specific inflow and outflow boundary conditions. Hence, the model can capture three-dimensional unsteady flows and pulse wave characteristics. The utility of this experimental–computational approach is illustrated by comparing central artery biomechanics in adult wild-type and fibulin-5 deficient mice, a model of early vascular ageing. Findings are also examined as a function of sex. Computational results compare well with measurements and data available in the literature and suggest that pulse wave velocity, a spatially integrated measure of arterial stiffness, does not reflect well the presence of regional differences in stiffening, particularly those manifested in male versus female mice. Modelling results are also useful for comparing quantities that are difficult to measure or infer experimentally, including local pulse pressures at the renal arteries and characteristics of the peripheral vascular bed that may differ with disease.
A double-Hertz model for adhesive contact between cylinders under inclined forces
Authors: Yan Ji-Feng , Huang Gan-Yun
Published: January 2019

A generalized double-Hertz (D-H) model has been proposed to consider the adhesive contact between an elastic cylinder and an elastic half space under inclined forces. The normal traction is exactly the same as that in the conventional D-H model. The shear traction of finite value is distributed into a slipping zone and a non-slipping zone. In the slipping zone, the shear traction is proportional to the compressive pressure. With the model, adhesive contact behaviour between cylinders has been numerically illustrated. The shear-induced peeling has been demonstrated. The value of the ratio for shear traction to normal traction larger than friction coefficient has been found in part of the non-slipping zone. Those altogether are consistent with experiments.
Extreme and rapid bursts of functional adaptations shape bite force in amniotes
Authors: Sakamoto Manabu , Ruta Marcello , Venditti Chris
Published: January 2019

Adaptation is the fundamental driver of functional and biomechanical evolution. Accordingly, the states of biomechanical traits (absolute or relative trait values) have long been used as proxies for adaptations in response to direct selection. However, ignoring evolutionary history, in particular ancestry, passage of time and the rate of evolution, can be misleading. Here, we apply a recently developed phylogenetic statistical approach using significant rate shifts to detect instances of exceptional rates of adaptive changes in bite force in a large group of terrestrial vertebrates, the amniotes. Our results show that bite force in amniotes evolved through multiple bursts of exceptional rates of adaptive changes, whereby whole groups—including Darwin's finches, maniraptoran dinosaurs (group of non-avian dinosaurs including birds), anthropoids and hominins (fossil and modern humans)—experienced significant rate increases compared to the background rate. However, in most parts of the amniote tree of life, we find no exceptional rate increases, indicating that coevolution with body size was primarily responsible for the patterns observed in bite force. Our approach represents a template for future studies in functional morphology and biomechanics, where exceptional rates of adaptive changes can be quantified and potentially linked to specific ecological factors underpinning major evolutionary radiations.
A selective fungal transport organ (mycangium) maintains coarse phylogenetic congruence between fungus-farming ambrosia beetles and their symbionts
Authors: Skelton James , Johnson Andrew J. , Jusino Michelle A. , Bateman Craig C. , Li You , Hulcr Jiri
Published: January 2019

Thousands of species of ambrosia beetles excavate tunnels in wood to farm fungi. They maintain associations with particular lineages of fungi, but the phylogenetic extent and mechanisms of fidelity are unknown. We test the hypothesis that selectivity of their mycangium enforces fidelity at coarse phylogenetic scales, while permitting promiscuity among closely related fungal mutualists. We confirm a single evolutionary origin of theXylosandruscomplex—a group of several xyleborine genera that farm fungi in the genusAmbrosiella. Multi-level co-phylogenetic analysis revealed frequent symbiont switching within majorAmbrosiellaclades, but not between clades. The loss of the mycangium inDiuncus, a genus of evolutionary cheaters, was commensurate with the loss of fidelity to fungal clades, supporting the hypothesis that the mycangium reinforces fidelity. Finally,in vivoexperiments tracked symbiotic compatibility throughout the symbiotic life cycle ofXylosandrus compactusand demonstrated that closely relatedAmbrosiellasymbionts are interchangeable, but the probability of fungal uptake in the mycangium was significantly lower in more phylogenetically distant species of symbionts. Symbiont loads in experimental subjects were similar to wild-caught beetles. We conclude that partner choice in ambrosia beetles is achieved in the mycangium, and co-phylogenetic inferences can be used to predict the likelihood of specific symbiont switches.
Biotic predictors complement models of bat and bird responses to climate and tree diversity in European forests
Authors: Barbaro Luc , Allan Eric , Ampoorter Evy , Castagneyrol Bastien , Charbonnier Yohan , De Wandeler Hans , Kerbiriou Christian , Milligan Harriet T. , Vialatte Aude , Carnol Monique , Deconchat Marc , De Smedt Pallieter , Jactel Hervé , Koricheva Julia , Le Viol Isabelle , Muys Bart , Scherer-Lorenzen Michael , Verheyen Kris , van der Plas Fons
Published: January 2019

Bats and birds are key providers of ecosystem services in forests. How climate and habitat jointly shape their communities is well studied, but whether biotic predictors from other trophic levels may improve bird and bat diversity models is less known, especially across large bioclimatic gradients. Here, we achieved multi-taxa surveys in 209 mature forests replicated in six European countries from Spain to Finland, to investigate the importance of biotic predictors (i.e. the abundance or activity of defoliating insects, spiders, earthworms and wild ungulates) for bat and bird taxonomic and functional diversity. We found that nine out of 12 bird and bat diversity metrics were best explained when biotic factors were added to models including climate and habitat variables, with a mean gain in explained variance of 38% for birds and 15% for bats. Tree functional diversity was the most important habitat predictor for birds, while bats responded more to understorey structure. The best biotic predictors for birds were spider abundance and defoliating insect activity, while only bat functional evenness responded positively to insect herbivory. Accounting for potential biotic interactions between bats, birds and other taxa of lower trophic levels will help to understand how environmental changes along large biogeographical gradients affect higher-level predator diversity in forest ecosystems.
Exploring the causes of small effective population sizes in cyst nematodes using artificialGlobodera pallidapopulations
Authors: Montarry Josselin , Bardou-Valette Sylvie , Mabon Romain , Jan Pierre-Loup , Fournet Sylvain , Grenier Eric , Petit Eric J.
Published: January 2019

The effective size of a population is the size of an ideal population which would undergo genetic drift at the same rate as the real population. The balance between selection and genetic drift depends on the effective population size (Ne), rather than the real numbers of individuals in the population (N). The objectives of the present study were to estimateNein the potato cyst nematodeGlobodera pallidaand to explore the causes of a lowNe/Nratio in cyst nematodes using artificial populations. Using a temporal analysis of 24 independent populations, the medianNewas 58 individuals (minNe= 25 and maxNe= 228).Neis commonly lower thanNbut in the case of cyst nematodes, theNe/Nratio was extremely low. Using artificial populations showed that this low ratio did not result from migration, selection and overlapping generations, but could be explain by the fact thatG. pallidapopulations deviate in structure from the assumptions of the ideal population by having unequal sex ratios, high levels of inbreeding and a high variance in family sizes. The consequences of a lowNe, resulting in a strong intensity of genetic drift, could be important for their control becauseG. pallidapopulations will have a low capacity to adapt to changing environments.
Ion counting demonstrates a high electrostatic potential of the nucleosome
Authors: Gebala Magdalena , Johnson Stephanie , Narlikar Geeta , Herschlag Daniel
Published: January 2019

The fundamental unit of chromatin is the nucleosome, which comprises of DNA wrapped around a histone protein octamer. The association of positively charged histone proteins with negatively charged DNA is intuitively thought to attenuate the electrostatic repulsion of DNA, resulting in a weakly charged nucleosome complex. In contrast, theoretical and computational studies suggest that the nucleosome retains a strong, negative electrostatic field. Despite their fundamental implications for chromatin organization and function, these opposing models have not been experimentally tested. Herein, we directly measure nucleosome electrostatics and find that while nucleosome formation reduces the complex charge by half, the nucleosome nevertheless maintains a strong negative electrostatic field. Further, our results show that the wrapping of DNA around a histone octamer increases the propensity of the DNA to make interactions with multivalent cations like Mg2+. These findings indicate that presentation of DNA on a nucleosome may more strongly attract positively-charged DNA binding proteins. Our studies highlight the importance of considering the polyelectrolyte nature of the nucleosome and its impact on processes ranging from factor binding to DNA compaction.
An evolutionary recent IFN-IL-6-CEBP axis is linked to monocyte expansion and tuberculosis severity in humans
Authors: Delgobo Murilo , Mendes Daniel A. G. B. , Kozlova Edgar , Rocha Edroaldo Lummertz , Rodrigues-Luiz Gabriela F. , Mascarin Lucas , Dias Greicy , Patrício Daniel O. , Dierckx Tim , Bicca Maíra A. , Breton Gaëlle , de Menezes Yonne Karoline Tenório , Starick Márick R. , Rovaris Darcita , Del Moral Joanita , Mansur Daniel S. , Van Weyenbergh Johan , Báfica André
Published: January 2019

Monocyte counts are increased during human tuberculosis (TB) but it has not been determined whetherMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) directly regulates myeloid commitment. We demonstrated that exposure toMtbdirects primary human CD34+cells to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages. In vitro myeloid conversion did not require type I or type II IFN signaling. In contrast,Mtbenhanced IL-6 responses by CD34+cell cultures and IL-6R neutralization inhibited myeloid differentiation and decreased mycobacterial growth in vitro. Integrated systems biology analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic and genomic data of large data sets of healthy controls and TB patients established the existence of a myeloidIL-6/IL6R/CEBPgene module associated with disease severity. Furthermore, genetic and functional analysis revealed theIL6/IL6R/CEBPgene module has undergone recent evolutionary selection, including Neanderthal introgression and human pathogen adaptation, connected to systemic monocyte counts. These results suggestMtbco-opts an evolutionary recent IFN-IL6-CEBP feed-forward loop, increasing myeloid differentiation linked to severe TB in humans.
Comprehensive Substrate Specificity Profiling of the Human Nek Kinome Reveals Unexpected Signaling Outputs
Authors: van de Kooij Bert , Creixell Pau , van Vlimmeren Anne , Joughin Brian A. , Miller Chad J. , Haider Nasir , Linding Rune , Stambolic Vuk , Turk Benjamin E. , Yaffe Michael B.
Published: January 2019

Human NimA-related kinases (Neks) have multiple mitotic and non-mitotic functions, but few substrates are known. We systematically determined the phosphorylation-site motifs for the entire Nek kinase family, except for Nek11. While all Nek kinases strongly select for hydrophobic residues in the −3 position, the family separates into four distinct groups based on specificity for a serine versus threonine phospho-acceptor, and preference for basic or acidic residues in other positions. Unlike Nek1-Nek9, Nek10 is a dual-specificity kinase that efficiently phosphorylates itself and peptide substrates on serine and tyrosine, and its activity is enhanced by tyrosine auto-phosphorylation. Nek10 dual-specificity depends on residues in the HRD+2 and APE-4 positions that are uncommon in either serine/threonine or tyrosine kinases. Finally, we show that the phosphorylation-site motifs for the mitotic kinases Nek6, Nek7 and Nek9 are essentially identical to that of their upstream activator Plk1, suggesting that Nek6/7/9 function as phospho-motif amplifiers of Plk1 signaling.
Reversible silencing of endogenous receptors in intact brain tissue using two-photon pharmacology
Authors: Pittolo Silvia , Lee Hyojung , Lladó Anna , Tosi Sébastien , Bosch Miquel , Bardia Lídia , Gómez-Santacana Xavier , Llebaria Amadeu , Soriano Eduardo , Colombelli Julien , Poskanzer Kira E. , Perea Gertrudis , Gorostiza Pau
Published: January 2019

The physiological activity of proteins is often studied with loss-of-function genetic approaches, but the corresponding phenotypes develop slowly and can be confounding. Photopharmacology allows direct, fast and reversible control of endogenous protein activity, with spatiotemporal resolution set by the illumination method. Here, we combine a photoswitchable allosteric modulator (alloswitch) and two-photon excitation (2PE) using pulsed near-infrared lasers to reversibly silence mGlu5 receptor activity in intact brain tissue. Endogenous receptors can be photoactivated in neurons and astrocytes with pharmacological selectivity and with an axial resolution between 5 and 10 μm. Thus, two-photon pharmacology (2PP) using alloswitch allows investigating mGlu5-dependent processes in wild type animals, including synaptic formation and plasticity, and signaling pathways from intracellular organelles.
Single-molecule imaging reveals molecular coupling between transcription and DNA repair in live cells
Authors: Ho Han Ngoc , Oijen Antoine van , Ghodke Harshad
Published: January 2019

Actively transcribed genes are preferentially repaired in a conserved repair reaction known as transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair1–3. During this reaction, stalled transcription elongation complexes at sites of lesions serve as a signal to trigger the assembly of nucleotide excision repair factors (reviewed in ref.4,5). In the model organismEscherichia coli, the transcription-repair coupling factor Mfd displaces the stalled RNA polymerase and hands-off the stall site to the nucleotide excision repair factors UvrAB for damage detection6–9. Despitein vitroevidence, it remains unclear how in live cells the stall site is faithfully handed over to UvrB from RNA polymerase and whether this handoff occurs via the Mfd-UvrA2-UvrB complex or via alternate reaction intermediates. Here, we visualise Mfd, the central player of transcription-coupled repair in actively growing cells and determine the catalytic requirements for faithful completion of the handoff during transcription-coupled repair. We find that the Mfd-UvrA2complex is arrested on DNA in the absence of UvrB. Further, Mfd-UvrA2-UvrB complexes formed by UvrB mutants deficient in DNA loading and damage recognition, were also impaired in successful handoff. Our observations demonstrate that in live cells, the dissociation of Mfd is tightly coupled to successful loading of UvrB, providing a mechanism via which loading of UvrB occurs in a strand-specific manner during transcription-coupled repair.
Anterior Cleft Palate due to Cbfb deficiency and its rescue by folic acid
Authors: Sarper Safiye E. , Inubushi Toshihiro , Kurosaka Hiroshi , Minagi Hitomi Ono , Murata Yuka , Kuremoto Koh-ichi , Sakai Takayoshi , Taniuchi Ichiro , Yamashiro Takashi
Published: January 2019

Core binding factor β (Cbfb) is a cofactor of Runx transcription factors. Among Runx transcription factors, Runx1 is a prerequisite for anterior-specific palatal fusion. However, whether Cbfb serves as a modulator or obligatory factor in Runx signaling that regulates palatogenesis is unclear. We herein report that Cbfb is essential and indispensable in anterior palatogenesis. Palatal fusion inCbfbmutants is disturbed due to failed disintegration of the fusing epithelium specifically at the anterior portion, as is observed inRunx1mutants. In this mutants, theTgfb3expression is disturbed at the corresponding area of the failed palatal fusion, where phosphorylation of Stat3 is also disturbed. TGFB3 protein rescues the palatal fusionin vitro.Strikingly, the anterior cleft palate inCbfbmutants is further rescued by pharmaceutical application of folic acid that activates suppressed Stat3 phosphorylation andTgfb3expressionin vitro.With these findings, we provide the first evidence that Cbfb is a prerequisite for anterior palatogenesis as an obligatory cofactor in the Runx1/Cbfb-Stat3-Tgfb3 signaling axis. Furthermore, the rescue of the mutant cleft palate using folic acid may elucidate potential therapeutic targets by Stat3 modification for the prevention and pharmaceutical intervention of cleft palate.

Summary Statement

Epithelial deletion of Cbfb results in an anterior cleft palate with impaired fusion of the palatal process and folic acid application rescues the mutant phenotype with Stat3 activationin vitro.
Performance in a novel environment subject to ghost competition
Authors: Bisschop Karen , Mortier Frederik , Bonte Dries , Etienne Rampal S.
Published: January 2019

Background

A central tenet of the evolutionary theory of communities is that competition impacts evolutionary processes such as local adaptation. Species in a community exert a selection pressure on other species and may drive them to extinction. We know, however, very little about the influence of unsuccessful or ghost species on the evolutionary dynamics within the community.

Methods

Here, we studied the long-term influence of a ghost competitor on the performance of a more successful species using experimental evolution. We transferred the spider mite Tetranychus urticae onto a novel host plant under initial presence or absence of a competing species, the congeneric mite T. ludeni.

Results

The latter species unintentionally went extinct soon after the start of the experiment, but we nevertheless completed the experiment and found that the initial density of this ghost competitor positively affected the performance (i.e. fecundity) of the more successful species.

This effect on T. urticae even lasted for at least 25 generations.

Discussion

Our study supports the hypothesis that early experienced selection pressures can exert a persistent evolutionary signal on species’ performance in novel environments.
Epithelial invagination by vertical telescoping
Authors: Li Jingjing , Economou Andrew D. , Green Jeremy B.A.
Published: January 2019

Epithelial bending is a fundamental process that shapes organs during development. All currently known mechanisms involve cells locally changing shape from columnar to wedge-shaped. Often this shape change occurs by cytoskeletal contraction at cell apices (“apical constriction”) but mechanisms such as basal nuclear positioning (“basal wedging”) or extrinsic compression are also known. Here we demonstrate a completely different mechanism which occurs without cell wedging. In mammalian salivary glands and teeth, we show that initial invagination occurs through coordinated vertical cell movement. Specifically, we show that cells towards the periphery of the placode move vertically upwards while their more central neighbours move downwards to create the invagination. We further show that this occurs by active cell-on-cell migration: outer cells migrate with an apical leading edge protrusion, depressing the central cells to “telescope” the epithelium downwards into the underlaying mesenchyme. Cells remain basally attached to the underlying lamina while their apical protrusions are dynamic and planar polarised centripetally. These protrusions depend on the actin cytoskeleton, and inhibition of the branching molecule Arp2/3 inhibits them and the invagination. FGF and Hedgehog morphogen signals are also required, with FGF providing a directional cue. These findings show that epithelial bending can be achieved by novel morphogenetic mechanism of coordinated cell rearrangement quite distinct from previously recognised invagination processes.
The RNA-binding ubiquitin ligase MKRN1 functions in ribosome-associated quality control of poly(A) translation
Authors: Hildebrandt Andrea , Brüggemann Mirko , Boerner Susan , Rücklé Cornelia , Heidelberger Jan Bernhard , Dold Annabelle , Busch Anke , Hänel Heike , Voigt Andrea , Ebersberger Stefanie , Ebersberger Ingo , Roignant Jean-Yves , Zarnack Kathi , König Julian , Beli Petra
Published: January 2019

Cells have evolved quality control mechanisms to ensure protein homeostasis by detecting and degrading aberrant mRNAs and proteins. A common source of aberrant mRNAs is premature polyadenylation, which can result in non-functional protein products. Translating ribosomes that encounter poly(A) sequences are terminally stalled, followed by ribosome recycling and decay of the truncated nascent polypeptide via the ribosome-associated quality control (RQC). Here, we demonstrate that the conserved RNA-binding E3 ubiquitin ligase Makorin Ring Finger Protein 1 (MKRN1) promotes ribosome stalling at poly(A) sequences during RQC. We show that MKRN1 interacts with the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) and is positioned upstream of poly(A) tails in mRNAs. Ubiquitin remnant profiling uncovers PABP and ribosomal protein RPS10, as well as additional translational regulators as main ubiquitylation substrates of MKRN1. We propose that MKRN1 serves as a first line of poly(A) recognition at the mRNA level to prevent production of erroneous proteins, thus maintaining proteome integrity.
Out-migration of university enrolment: the mobility behaviour of Italian students
Authors: D’Agostino Antonella , Ghellini Giulio , Longobardi Sergio
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Student mobility from the south to the north/centre of Italy is an increasingly crucial topic because the most important consequence is the continual depletion of universities situated in the southern regions. Using micro-data from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), the purpose of this paper is to investigate how contextual factors affect this mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical evidence is provided by developing a multilevel logit model of student decisions to move at university enrolment that allows us to identify the unique effects that student and province characteristics have on out-migration. Multilevel analysis is appropriate because the research questions focus on the role of province characteristics, variables that are measured at the macro level, on student-level outcome (out-migration) while controlling for student-level characteristics, variables that are measured at the micro level.

Findings

The present paper intends to contribute to the literature by quantifying the way in which contextual factors affect student mobility from the south to the north/centre of Italy. Findings show that province differences remain significant even after controlling for individual characteristics stressing the importance of the geographical dimension for student mobility. These findings have important policy implications for the future of university system in Italy.

Originality/value

This paper is relevant to the literature concerning this issue because most of the empirical applications are based on spatial models that do not take into account individual characteristics of the students. In addition, the multilevel methodology proposed can be easily generalise to other countries.
Non-performing loans and financial development: new evidence
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of financial development on non-performing loans (NPL).

Design/methodology/approach

The model used in this study follows the NPL model of Louzis et al. (2012), Ozili (2015) and Beck et al. (2015).

Findings

The findings indicate that financial development, measured as foreign bank presence and financial intermediation, are positively associated with NPLs. Also, bank efficiency, loan loss coverage ratio, competition and banking system stability are inversely associated with NPLs, while NPLs are positively associated with banking crises and bank concentration. In the regional analysis, NPLs are negatively associated with regulatory capital and bank liquidity, implying that banking sectors with greater regulatory capital and liquidity experience fewer NPLs.

Practical implications

National bank regulators/supervisor should not only consider the role that financial development structures play in influencing aggregate NPLs but also ensure that thorough supervision of the lending practices of banks is in place as well as the active monitoring of the financial intermediation process in the country.

Originality/value

The study is the first to use a global sample to examine the direct relationship between NPL and financial development.
Detecting spatial-temporal clusters of violent behavior in South Korea with space-time permutation scan statistics
Authors: Yeom Yunho
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detect spatial-temporal clusters of violence in Gwanak-gu, Seoul with space-time permutation scan statistics (STPSS) and identifies the temporal threshold for such detection to alert law enforcement officers quickly.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study was the Gwanak Police Station Call Database 2017 where civilian calls reporting violence were georeferenced with coordinated points. In analyzing the database, this study used the STPSS requiring only individual case data, such as time and location, to detect clusters of investigated phenomena. This study executed a series of experiments using different minimum and maximum temporal thresholds in detecting clusters of violence.

Findings

Results of the STPSS analyses with different temporal thresholds detected spatial-temporal clusters in Gwanak-gu. Number, location and duration of clusters depended on the temporal settings of the scanning window. Among four models, a model allowing the possible clusters to be detected within a 7-day minimum and 30-day maximum temporal threshold was more representative of reality than other models.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the clustering of violence with the STPSS by detecting spatial-temporal clusters of violence and identifying the appropriate temporal threshold in detecting such clusters. Identification of such a threshold is useful to alert law enforcement officers quickly and enables them to allocate their resources optimally.
How to assess Drosophila heat tolerance: Unifying static and dynamic tolerance assays to predict heat distribution limits
Authors: Jørgensen Lisa Bjerregaard , Malte Hans , Overgaard Johannes
Published: January 2019

Thermal tolerance is a critical determinant of ectotherm distribution, which is likely to be influenced by future climate change. To predict such distributional changes, simple and comparable measures of heat tolerance are needed and these measures should ideally correlate with the characteristics of the species current thermal environments.

A recent model (thermal tolerance landscapes—TTLs) uses the exponential relation between temperature and knockdown time to describe the thermal tolerance of ectotherms across time/temperature scales. Here, we established TTLs for 11 Drosophila species representing different thermal ecotypes by measuring knockdown time at 9–17 stressful temperatures (0.5°C intervals). These temperatures caused knockdown times ranging from <10 min to >12 hrs and all species displayed the expected exponential relation between temperature and knockdown time (average R2 = 0.98).

Previous studies using TTLs have reported a trade‐off between tolerance to acute and chronic heat stress in ectotherms. The present study did not find evidence to support this trade‐off in drosophilids. Instead, we show how this “trade‐off” can arise as an analytical artefact caused by insufficient data collection and excessive data extrapolation.

Dynamic assays represent an alternative method to describe heat tolerance of ectotherms, where animals are exposed to gradually increasing temperatures until knockdown. The comparability of static and dynamic assays has previously been questioned, but here we show that static and dynamic assays give comparable information on heat tolerance. Using the constants derived from static TTLs, we mathematically model the expected dynamic knockdown temperature and subsequently confirm this model by comparison to empirically obtained knockdown temperatures from all 11 species.

Characterisation of heat tolerance in laboratory settings is an important tool in thermal biology, but more so if the measures correlate with the environmental gradients that characterise the fundamental niche of species. Here, we show that both static and dynamic assays were characterised by strong correlations to precipitation of the driest month and maximum temperature of the warmest month combined (R2 = 0.68–0.71). This demonstrates that both assay types offer simple measures of heat tolerance that are ecologically relevant for the tested drosophilids.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Caffeine enhances activity thermogenesis and energy expenditure in rats
Authors: Clark Kathryn S. , Coleman Claire , Shelton Rhiannon , Heemstra Lydia A. , Novak Colleen M.
Published: January 2019

Caffeine and its derivatives have been used, alone and in combination with other phytochemicals, as weight‐loss supplements. Caffeine affects several physiological and behavioural aspects of energy balance, including increasing locomotor activity. This study investigates the potential for caffeine to enhance activity thermogenesis and energy expenditure (EE) even when activity level is held constant. To do this, EE and muscle thermogenesis were measured in rats during treadmill walking regimens, with and without caffeine (25 mg/kg, ip). Activity‐related EE was significantly increased throughout the treadmill walking protocol. Muscle heat dissipation, on the other hand, was significantly increased by caffeine only at the end of the 25‐minute treadmill test. This study demonstrates that caffeine increases the caloric cost of physical activity, compared to the caloric cost of that same physical activity without caffeine, implicating decreased muscle work efficiency. Combined with the known ability of caffeine to increase locomotor activity, the decreased locomotor efficiency imparted by caffeine may further augment the potential for caffeine to enhance caloric expenditure.
Fluorescent Pseudomonas and cyclic lipopeptide diversity in the rhizosphere of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
Authors: Oni Feyisara Eyiwumi , Geudens Niels , Omoboye Olumide Owolabi , Bertier Lien , Hua Hoang Gia Khuong , Adiobo Amayana , Sinnaeve Davy , Martins José C. , Höfte Monica
Published: January 2019

Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.)), an important tuber crop in the tropics, is severely affected by the cocoyam root rot disease (CRRD) caused by Pythium myriotylum. The white cocoyam genotype is very susceptible while the red cocoyam has some field tolerance to CRRD. Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates obtained from the rhizosphere of healthy red and white cocoyams from three different fields in Cameroon were taxonomically characterized. The cocoyam rhizosphere was enriched with P. fluorescens complex and P. putida isolates independent of the plant genotype. LC–MS and NMR analyses revealed that 50% of the Pseudomonas isolates produced cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) including entolysin, lokisin, WLIP, putisolvin and xantholysin together with eight novel CLPs. In general, CLP types were linked to specific taxonomic groups within the fluorescent pseudomonads. Representative CLP‐producing bacteria showed effective control against CRRD while purified CLPs caused hyphal branching or hyphal leakage in P. myriotylum. The structure of cocoyamide A, a CLP which is predominantly produced by P. koreensis group isolates within the P. fluorescens complex is described. Compared with the white cocoyam, the red cocoyam rhizosphere appeared to support a more diverse CLP spectrum. It remains to be investigated whether this contributes to the field tolerance displayed by the red cocoyam.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the Chan‐hua fungus Isaria cicadae: a tale of intron evolution in Cordycipitaceae
Authors: Fan Wen‐Wen , Zhang Shu , Zhang Yong‐Jie
Published: January 2019

Isaria cicadae is an entomogenous fungus of great medicinal value. Its nuclear genome has been reported, while its mitogenome remains unknown. Herein, we first described its mitogenome and then inferred intron evolution from both intraspecific and interspecific perspectives. The fungus represented the largest mitogenome (56.6 kb in strain CCAD02) known in Cordycipitaceae due to the presence of 25 introns interrupting nine genes. Comparison of three I. cicadae strains revealed intron presence/absence dynamics at six intron loci plus a few indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the placement of I. cicadae in Cordycipitaceae. Comparison of 10 Cordycipitaceae species revealed a high degree of synteny and conserved genetic content. They, however, varied in intron numbers (1–25 per species) with overall 34 intron loci identified, which resulted in more than twofold variations in mitogenome sizes (24.5–56.6 kb). An rnl intron encoding ribosomal protein S3 was present in all species, suggesting its early invasion in Cordycipitaceae, while further divergence occurred for this intron. The other introns identified in this study were present in some, but not all of the species and have undergone multiple gains and losses in Cordycipitaceae. This study greatly enhanced our understanding of intron evolution in Cordycipitaceae.
Cooperative Islands in Capitalist Waters: Limited‐equity Housing Cooperatives, Urban Renewal and Gentrification
Authors: Vidal Lorenzo
Published: January 2019

Improving the habitat of residents in central‐city neighbourhoods without simultaneously gentrifying these is becoming a pressing dilemma in right‐to‐housing and right‐to‐the‐city agendas, both in the global North and the global South. This article explores what possibilities limited‐equity housing cooperativism can bring to the table. Insights are drawn from two urban ‘renewal’ processes in which limited‐equity housing cooperatives have played an important role: in Vesterbro (Copenhagen) and Ciudad Vieja (Montevideo). The article analyses the everyday politics within and around these cooperatives through a broader institutional and political‐economy lens. This approach sheds light on mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion that operate within these cooperatives, as well as on the processes through which they have been directly and indirectly implicated in the displacement of low‐income neighbours. Despite providing a grassroots housing alternative for local ‘non‐owners’, individual cooperatives participate in, and are vulnerable to, urban transformations that traverse multiple scales. They are inserted, moreover, within wide‐ranging unequal social structures that the cooperative's formal equality has limited tools to offset. The ways in which cooperatives interlink as a sector and how this sector relates to the state are two key dimensions to be considered in challenging capitalist‐space economies.
Using an automated measure of breast density to explore the association between ethnicity and mammographic density in Australian women
Authors: Bell Robin J , Evans Jill , Fox Jane , Pridmore Vicki
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate mammographic density in a sample of Victorian women and explore a possible association between mammographic density and ethnicity.

Methods

Categories of mammographic density, using Volpara Density Grade, were reported using two editions of Volpara automated software in a data set of women attending two Victorian sites for mammographic screening. The variables available for analysis were age, self‐reported exposure to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and ethnicity based on country of birth.

Results

Data from 16,943 women were available for analysis. Using the VDG 4th edition, 40% of women were classified in the higher two categories (42% for the 5th edition) and 76.9% of women were in the same VDG category using both systems. In the sample, 87.7% of women were in the age range currently invited for screening in Victoria (50–74 years). Of the total group, 82.5% could be classified on the basis of country of birth. In multivariable logistic regression analyses examining factors associated with higher VDG, age (protective), use of MHT (risk factor) and being born in a country with predominantly Asian ancestry (risk factor) were all statistically significant at P < 0.001 for both editions irrespective of whether the reference category was the lowest two or three VDG categories.

Conclusions

Mammographic density as assessed by VDG was positively associated with ever exposure to MHT and inversely associated with age. Being born in a country with predominantly Asian ancestry was associated with higher VDG when controlled for age and MHT exposure.
Physical function and actigraphy in intensive care survivors—A prospective 3‐month follow‐up cohort study
Authors: Estrup Stine , Kjer Cilia K. W. , Vilhelmsen Frederik , Poulsen Lone M. , Gøgenur Ismail , Mathiesen Ole
Published: January 2019

Background

Impaired physical function after intensive care unit (ICU) stay is common. We aimed to study the association between activity levels in the ward after discharge from ICU and physical function at 3‐month follow‐up.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to the ICU for more than 24 hours. Patients wore an accelerometer for up to 7 days at the ward. At discharge from ICU and at 3‐month follow‐up, patients were tested with the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool (CPAx).

Results

We screened 66 consecutive, eligible patients; 41 completed actigraphy and 19 patients were visited at 3 months. The median CPAx increased from 31 (IQR 23‐41) at discharge from ICU to 47 (IQR 44‐49) at follow‐up (P < 0.0001). Mean daily activity for the first week was correlated with CPAx at ICU discharge (R2 = 0.14, P = 0.017; all 41 patients). For the 19 visited patients, we found no significant correlation for activity levels with CPAx at ICU discharge (R2 = 0.12, P = 0.14) nor at visit (R2 = 0.2, P = 0.058).

Conclusion

We found improved physical function for most patients 3 months after ICU treatment. Activity levels for 1 week after ICU discharge at the ward were not associated with better physical function at 3‐month follow‐up.
Corporate Multinationality and Acquirer Returns
Authors: Agyei‐Boapeah Henry , Fosu Samuel , Ntim Collins G.
Published: January 2019

This paper provides evidence on how corporate multinationality from the perspective of acquiring firms relates to M&A returns. Using multivariate regressions and a large dataset of over 6,000 M&As (both cross‐border and domestic) by UK firms during 1987 to 2014, the paper finds multinationality to be associated with significantly higher short‐run announcement returns and long‐run operating performance. While the multinationality premium (higher M&A returns for multinationals) persists over time, it seems to be restricted to firms with superior resource/managerial capabilities and minimal agency problems. Finally, the multinationality premium appears to be driven by foreign acquisitions into advanced economies. The results are robust to correcting for sample selection bias and controlling for several firm and deal characteristics, as well as accounting for firm‐, industry‐, and year‐fixed effects. Collectively, the findings imply that multinationality could be a source of value creation for acquiring firms, particularly in foreign acquisitions, which tend to be complex, and, thereby, require superior managerial capabilities to succeed.
A sustainable method to reduce postoperative oxycodone discharge prescribing in a metropolitan tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Stevens J. , Trimboli A. , Samios P. , Steele N. , Welch S. , Thompson P. , Halvorsen C. , Kerr S.
Published: January 2019

The primary objective of this quality improvement project was to measure and reduce the number of oxycodone immediate‐release tablets dispensed to overnight stay surgical patients at discharge. The secondary objective was to reduce the proportion of inappropriate oxycodone immediate‐release prescriptions at discharge. Interrupted time series analysis was performed in four surgical wards of St Vincent's Public Hospital, Sydney. The baseline period was from January 2005 to August 2013. Interventions and follow‐up occurred until July 2017. Baseline audit of oxycodone immediate‐release tablet numbers showed prescribing increased significantly with a monthly linear trend of 1.8 (95%CI = 1.4–2.3; p = 0.001) tablets/100 surgical admissions from January 2005 to August 2013. Four sequential interventions produced no significant change in the primary objective. At the end of the first month of a fifth intervention, comprising audit‐feedback plus individual academic detailing, the average number of oxycodone tablets decreased by 77 (95%CI 39–115) tablets/100 surgical cases, and the postintervention linear trend was a monthly reduction of 3.2 (coefficient −3.2 (95%CI −4.5 to −1.8); p = 0.001) tablets/100 surgical admissions. Baseline audit showed 27% of oxycodone prescriptions to be inappropriate. Following our intervention, this dropped to 17% (p = 0.048), and then to 10% (p = 0.002) after 3 years.
Preoperative anti‐inflammatory treatment of diabetic patients does not improve recovery from cataract surgery when postoperatively treated with a combination of prednisolone acetate and nepafenac
Authors: Danni Reeta , Viljanen Antti , Aaronson Alexander , Tuuminen Raimo
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To examine preoperative anti‐inflammatory treatment on recovery from cataract surgery in eyes of diabetic patients.

Methods

A Prospective randomized clinical trial. One hundred and three eyes of 103 patients with diabetes undergoing routine cataract surgery were randomized (1:1) not to receive any preoperative anti‐inflammatory medication or to receive preoperative topical anti‐inflammatory medication with a combination of prednisolone acetate (10 mg/ml) and nepafenac (1 mg/ml). All eyes received postoperative anti‐inflammatory combination therapy for 3 weeks. Recovery from surgery was recorded by a structured home questionnaire. Clinical outcome parameters were recorded at 28 days and 3 months.

Results

Patient age and gender distribution, and all baseline ophthalmic and systemic parameters were comparable between the study groups. After surgery, conjunctival injection lasted 2.4 ± 1.7 days (mean ± SD) and irritation of the eye 3.3 ± 3.9 days in eyes without preoperative treatment, when compared to 1.6 ± 1.6 days (p = 0.067) and 2.4 ± 4.0 days (p = 0.431), respectively, in eyes with preoperative treatment. At 28 days, central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) increased 2.2 ± 20.2 μm in eyes without preoperative treatment, when compared 0.1 ± 25.2 μm (p = 0.670) in eyes with preoperative treatment. At 3 months, the respective CSMT change from baseline was −1.5 ± 26.9 μm and −3.4 ± 26.2 μm (p = 0.762). None of the eyes were reported with pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME) in either group.

Conclusion

Lack of preoperative anti‐inflammatory treatment does not impair recovery from surgery or predispose diabetic patients to increased risk of PCME in eyes postoperatively treated with combination therapy of prednisolone acetate and nepafenac.
Contact tinning: A millennia‐old plating technology
Authors: Welter J.‐M.
Published: January 2019

Tinning copper and copper alloy objects by putting them into (electrical) contact with metallic tin in a boiling aqueous solution of potassium hydrogen tartar is a very old technique, but is nowadays almost forgotten. It was possibly invented by the Gauls and used intensively until the 20th century. This paper first briefly recounts the history of this galvanic process. To understand better the parameters influencing the thickness of the coat and thus to reconstruct this ancient technique, laboratory tests were undertaken by varying a series of parameters. The results are then presented with a short interpretation.
‘H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, PEE! Get it? Pee!’: Siblings’ shared humour in childhood
Authors: Paine Amy L. , Howe Nina , Karajian Gassiaa , Hay Dale F. , DeHart Ganie
Published: January 2019

Humour is a central feature of social interactions in childhood that has received little attention. In a sample of 86 7‐year‐old children (M age = 7.82 years, SD = 0.80), we investigated patterns and individual differences in spontaneous humour observed during free play with their older (M age = 9.55 years, SD = 0.88) or their younger sibling (M age = 5.87 years, SD = 0.96). We coded children's instances, categories, and responses to humour. We investigated the nature of children's humour on the dyadic and individual level. Humour was common, and siblings’ production of humour was highly interdependent between play partners. Dyadic humour differed according to structural features of the sibling relationship (age, gender composition), and 7‐year‐old focal children's humour varied according to gender. This study contributes to knowledge regarding the dyadic nature of children's humour and individual patterns of humour beyond the preschool years.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Humour is an integral part of children's close and intimate interactions.

Children produce humour from an early age and increasingly produce more complex humour as they develop.

Few studies examine children's humour with siblings and beyond the fourth year of life.

What does this study add?

Children's humour during free play with siblings was common and highly dyadic.

Sibling dyads’ humour differed according to age and gender composition.

Seven‐year‐old boys produced more humour than girls.