bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can social behaviour drive accessory olfactory bulb asymmetries? Sister species of caviomorph rodents as a case in point
Authors: Fernández‐Aburto Pedro , Delgado Scarlett E. , Sobrero Raúl , Mpodozis Jorge 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn mammals, the accessory olfactory or vomeronasal system exhibits a wide variety of anatomical arrangements. In caviomorph rodents, the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) exhibits a dichotomic conformation, in which two subdomains, the anterior (aAOB) and the posterior (pAOB), can be readily distinguished. Interestingly, different species of this group exhibit bias of different sign between the AOB subdomains (aAOB larger than pAOB or vice versa). Such species‐specific biases have been related with contrasting differences in the habitat of the different species (e.g. arid vs. humid environments). Aiming to deepen these observations, we performed a morphometric comparison of the AOB subdomains between two sister species of octodontid rodents, Octodon lunatus and Octodon degus. These species are interesting for comparative purposes, as they inhabit similar landscapes but exhibit contrasting social habits. Previous reports have shown that O. degus, a highly social species, exhibits a greatly asymmetric AOB, in which the aAOB has twice the size of the pAOB and features more and larger glomeruli in its glomerular layer (GL). We found that the same as in O. degus, the far less social O. lunatus also exhibits a bias, albeit less pronounced, to a larger aAOB. In both species, this bias was also evident for the mitral/tufted cells number. But unlike in O. degus, in O. lunatus this bias was not present at the GL. In comparison with O. degus, in O. lunatus the aAOB GL was significantly reduced in volume, while the pAOB GL displayed a similar volume. We conclude that these sister species exhibit a very sharp difference in the anatomical conformation of the AOB, namely, the relative size of the GL of the aAOB subdomain, which is larger in O. degus than in O. lunatus. We discuss these results in the context of the differences in the lifestyle of these species, highlighting the differences in social behaviour as a possible factor driving to distinct AOB morphometries.
Prospective comparison of transient elastography, point shear wave elastography, APRI and FIB‐4 for staging liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Udompap Prowpanga , Sukonrut Kamonthip , Suvannarerg Voraparee , Pongpaibul Ananya , Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUltrasound‐based elastography and serum indexes have been individually validated as noninvasive methods for staging liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis. We aimed to compare the accuracy of transient elastography (TE), shear wave elastography (SWE), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet index (APRI) and Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) with the METAVIR liver fibrosis staging in viral hepatitis patients. We enrolled 121 treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B and C monoinfected patients. All underwent liver biopsy had biochemistry tests and liver stiffness measurements by TE using M and XL probes followed by point SWE performed on the same day. The accuracy of each method for predicting different fibrosis stages was demonstrated as an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves. The AUROCs of TE using M and XL probes, SWE, APRI and FIB‐4 were 0.771, 0.761, 0.700, 0.698 and 0.697, respectively, for significant fibrosis; 0.974, 0.973, 0.929, 0.738 and 0.859, respectively, for advanced fibrosis; and 0.954, 0.949, 0.962, 0.765 and 0.962, respectively, for cirrhosis. TE using the M probe was comparable to the XL probe in detecting all fibrosis stages. TE was superior to SWE for assessing significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis. For cirrhosis, the performances of TE, SWE and FIB‐4 were similar. APRI was least accurate in liver fibrosis staging. To conclude, for patients with viral hepatitis, TE using either M or XL probe is an effective noninvasive test for assessing liver fibrosis, particularly advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, while SWE and FIB‐4 possess an excellent accuracy in predicting cirrhosis.
Genetic consequences of plant edaphic specialization to solfatara fields: Phylogenetic and population genetic analysis of Carex angustisquama (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Nagasawa Koki , Setoguchi Hiroaki , Maki Masayuki , Goto Hayato , Fukushima Keitaro , Isagi Yuji , Suyama Yoshihisa , Matsuo Ayumi , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Sawa Kazuhiro , Sakaguchi Shota 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEdaphic specialization is one of the main drivers of plant diversification and has multifaceted effects on population dynamics. Carex angustisquama is a sedge plant growing only on heavily acidified soil in solfatara fields, where only extremophytes can survive. Because of the lack of closely related species in similar habitats and its disjunct distribution, the species offers ideal settings to investigate the effects of adaptation to solfatara fields and of historical biogeography on the genetic consequences of plant edaphic specialization to solfatara fields. Here, genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to reveal the phylogenetic origin of C. angustisquama, and 16 expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat markers were employed to infer population demography of C angustisquama. Molecular phylogenetic analysis strongly indicated that C. angustisquama formed a monophyletic clade with Carex doenitzii, a species growing on nonacidified soil in the sympatric subalpine zone. The result of population genetic analysis showed that C. angustisquama has much lower genetic diversity than the sister species, and notably, all 16 loci were completely homozygous in most individuals of C. angustisquama. Approximate Bayesian computation analysis supported the model that assumed hierarchical declines of population size through its evolutionary sequence. We propose that the edaphic specialist in solfatara fields has newly attained the adaptation to solfatara fields in the process of speciation. Furthermore, we found evidence of a drastic reduction in genetic diversity in C. angustisquama, suggesting that the repeated founder effects associated with edaphic specialization and subsequent population demography lead to the loss of genetic diversity of this extremophyte in solfatara fields.
Strategies to achieve adequate vitamin A intake for young children: options for Cameroon
Authors: Vosti Stephen A. , Kagin Justin , Engle‐Stone Reina , Luo Hanqi , Tarini Ann , Clermont Adrienne , Assiene Jules Guintang , Nankap Martin , Brown Kenneth H. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMeeting children's vitamin A (VA) needs remains a policy priority. Doing so efficiently is a fiscal imperative and protecting at‐risk children during policy transitions is a moral imperative. Using the Micronutrient Intervention Modeling tool and data for Cameroon, we predict the impacts and costs of alternative VA intervention programs, identify the least‐cost strategy for meeting targets nationally, and compare it to a business‐as‐usual (BAU) strategy over 10 years. BAU programs effectively cover ∼12.8 million (m) child‐years (CY) and cost ∼$30.1 m; ∼US$2.34 per CY effectively covered. Improving the VA‐fortified oil program, implementing a VA‐fortified bouillon cube program, and periodic VA supplements (VAS) in the North macroregion for 3 years effectively cover ∼13.1 m CY at a cost of ∼US$9.5 m, or ∼US$0.71 per CY effectively covered. The tool then identifies a sequence of subnational policy choices leading from the BAU toward the more efficient strategy, while addressing VA‐attributable mortality concerns. By year 4, fortification programs are predicted to eliminate inadequate VA intake in the South and Cities macroregions, but not the North, where VAS should continue until additional delivery platforms are implemented. This modeling approach offers a concrete example of the strategic use of data to follow the Global Alliance for VA framework and do so efficiently.
The effect of base‐in prism on vision‐related symptoms and clinical characteristics of young adults with convergence insufficiency; a placebo‐controlled randomised clinical trial
Authors: Nabovati Payam , Kamali Mohammad , Mirzajani Ali , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim , Khabazkhoob Mehdi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of base‐in prism on symptoms and clinical characteristics of young adults with convergence insufficiency.MethodsIn this randomised clinical trial, 64 CI patients aged 18–38 years who presented to Bina Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran between November 2018 and April 2019 were selected and randomly assigned to either prism or placebo groups. All participants underwent complete optometric examinations, including the measurement of visual acuity, objective and subjective refraction, and complete accommodative and binocular vision examinations. Clinical examinations were repeated after three months. The overall score of the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) was considered as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included near exophoria, positive fusional vergence at near, near point of convergence, vergence facility, monocular accommodative facility, accommodative response, negative relative accommodation and accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio.ResultsThe mean (S.D.) age of the participants was 25.5 (5.5) years and 44% of them were male. The mean CISS score was significantly lower in the prism group compared to the placebo group in the outcome examination (p < 0.001). Moreover, the values of monocular accommodative facility, accommodative response, and negative relative accommodation were significantly higher in the prism group versus the placebo group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in other parameters, including near positive fusional vergence, near point of convergence, vergence facility, and AC/A ratio between the two groups in the outcome examination (p > 0.10).ConclusionThe base‐in prism reduced symptoms in young adults with convergence insufficiency, while it had no significant effect on the near point of convergence, near positive fusional vergence, vergence facility and AC/A ratio. However, the results of this study only supports the symptomatic effectiveness of prism in the short term and further studies are needed to assess the long‐term effect of prism.
Selective responses of Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi to chemical footprints of preferred hosts
Authors: Gomes Lagôa Ana Carolina , Blassioli Moraes Maria Carolina , Borges Miguel , Laumann Raúl Alberto 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChemical trails of the hosts (footprints) are important cues for the host searching behaviour of egg parasitoids of the family Scelionidae. The present study aims to determine the influence of the footprints of three neotropical stink bugs (Euchistus heros, Dichelops melacanthus and Nezara viridula) on the foraging behaviour of two parasitoids, Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi, as well as a possible selective response to fooprints of their preferred hosts. Accordingly, Tr. basalis and Te. podisi females are allowed to forage on open arenas where E. heros, D. melacanthus or N. viridula had walked or on open arenas that had been treated with samples of an extract from each stink bug's footprints. Hexane extracts of stink bug footprints are obtained from solvent‐washed Petri dishes where insects were allowed to walk for 24 h, and these extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Each parasitoid responds selectively to the footprints of their preferred host (Tr. basalis to footprints of N. viridula and Te. podisi to footprints of E. heros). Twenty‐six compounds comprising of C18 to C35 (saturated and unsaturated) and methyl branched hydrocarbons were identified in extracts of E. heros, D. melacanthus and N. viridula, respectively. There are significant differences in the total amount of the compounds identified in the footprint stink bug's extracts and also a difference in the amounts of individual compounds. In addition, the behavioural assays showed that footprints of stink bugs are stimuli that are used by egg parasitoids to search, discriminate and selectively locate their preferred host.
Leishmania major adenylate kinase immunization offers partial protection to a susceptible host
Authors: Zutshi Shubhranshu , Kumar Sunil , Sarode Aditya , Roy Somenath , Sarkar Arup , Saha Bhaskar 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLeishmania major causes mild‐to‐severe cutaneous lesions resulting in significant disfigurations, if untreated. The drugs are toxic, and drug‐resistance parasites are emerging. Therefore, a prophylactic vaccination is an urgent need. As no vaccine is available, we compared the genes expressed by virulent and avirulent parasites. We identify L major adenylate kinase (AdeK) as a probable vaccine candidate after a series of experimentations. We cloned the gene in mammalian pcDNA6/HisA and pet28a+ vector for in vivo expression following immunization and in vitro protein expression for booster, respectively. We observed that immunization of susceptible BALB/c mice with AdeK resulted in significant protection against L major challenge infection. The protection was accompanied by increased IFN‐γ producing lymphocytes and reduced IL‐4, IL‐17 and IL‐10 secreting central and effector Th2, Th17 and Treg memory cells, respectively. These observations indicate L major AdeK as a potential vaccine candidate.
Kynurenine elevation correlates with T regulatory cells increase in acute Plasmodium vivax infection: A pilot study
Authors: dos Santos Rafaella Oliveira , Gonçalves‐Lopes Raquel M. , Lima Nathália F. , Scopel Kézia K. G. , Ferreira Marcelo U. , Lalwani Pritesh 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundDisease‐tolerance mechanisms limit infection severity by preventing tissue damage; however, the underlying mechanisms in human malaria are still unclear. Tryptophan (TRP), an essential amino acid, is catabolized into tolerogenic metabolites, kynurenines (KYN), by indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which can induce Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). In this study, we evaluated the relationship of these metabolites with Treg‐mediated tolerance induction in acute malaria infections.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study that evaluated asymptomatic, symptomatic malaria patients and endemic control patient groups. We assessed plasmatic concentration of cytokines by ELISA. Plasmatic TRP and KYN levels were measured by HPLC. Peripheral T regulatory cells were measured and phenotyped by flow cytometry.ResultsThe KYN/TRP ratio was significantly elevated in asymptomatic and symptomatic Plasmodium infection, compared to healthy controls. Also, Th1 and Th2 cytokines were elevated in the acute phase of malaria disease. IFN‐γ increase in acute phase was positively correlated with the KYN/TRP ratio and KYN elevation was positively correlated with the increase of peripheral FoxP3+ T regulatory cells.ConclusionsAdditional studies are needed not only to identify innate mechanisms that increase tryptophan catabolism but also the role of Tregs in controlling malaria‐induced pathology and malaria tolerance by the host.
Comparison of line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography images with histological sections: Validation of a new method for in vivo and non‐invasive quantification of superficial dermis thickness
Authors: Pedrazzani Mélanie , Breugnot Josselin , Rouaud‐Tinguely Pauline , Cazalas Maxime , Davis Arthur , Bordes Sylvie , Dubois Arnaud , Closs Brigitte 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundLine‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT) is an imaging technique providing “optical biopsies” of the skin in real time and non‐invasively. At a center optical wavelength of 1.3 µm, this innovative technology can be applied to dermo‐cosmetic product development due to both high image resolution (~2 µm) and sufficient penetration (~0.5 mm). Nevertheless, the precise dermal area analyzed with LC‐OCT has never been identified. In this study, the objective was to compare LC‐OCT images with histological sections of the same area, in order to validate a new method for in vivo and non‐invasive quantification of superficial dermis thickness. Once validated, this standardized and quantitative method was used to assess age‐related changes of the superficial dermis.Materials and MethodsEx vivo LC‐OCT acquisitions and hematoxylin‐eosin‐safran staining were performed on a panel of four healthy Caucasian female volunteers. In vivo LC‐OCT study of skin aging was performed on a panel of 37 healthy Caucasian female divided into five different age‐groups.ResultsComparison with histological sections revealed that LC‐OCT images allow the visualization and the quantification of the superficial portion of papillary dermis. Applied to different age‐group of volunteers, LC‐OCT images show a constant decrease in this superficial dermis thickness with age.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we have introduced LC‐OCT as a novel technique for in vivo and non‐invasive evaluation of superficial dermis thickness. This approach could be used in the future to demonstrate visually and quantitatively the capacity of a dermo‐cosmetic active ingredient to renormalize the structural properties of the dermis.
Does “Politicizing” Gun Violence Increase Support for Gun Control? Experimental Evidence from the Las Vegas Shooting
Authors: Kantack Benjamin R. , Paschall Collin E. 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveGun control advocacy regularly escalates in the aftermath of a mass shooting. But is the American public more susceptible to pro‐gun‐control arguments in the wake of mass gun violence?MethodsWe analyze a survey experiment fielded immediately before and after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.ResultsPro‐gun‐control arguments were not effective at increasing support for or confidence in expanded background checks before or after the Las Vegas shooting. Anti‐gun‐control arguments were less effective at reducing support for expanded background checks after the Las Vegas shooting.ConclusionEven the largest mass shooting in American history was insufficient to mobilize public opinion on gun control in a way that would affect federal policy.
Estimation of the burden of leptospirosis in New Zealand
Authors: Sanhueza Juan M. , Baker Michael G. , Benschop Jackie , Collins‐Emerson Julie M. , Wilson Peter R. , Heuer Cord 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundHuman leptospirosis mainly affects people in close occupational contact with domestic livestock and their products in New Zealand. The disease has an unquantified impact on both human health and animal production in the country. This study aimed to estimate the burden of leptospirosis in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) and cost associated with loss due to absence from work, treatment of disease, animal production loss and cost of vaccination.MethodsPreviously published studies of abattoir workers farmers, and veterinarians, reporting annual risks of influenza‐like illness attributable toLeptospirainfection, were used to estimate the expected number of cases in a year. The cost of lost animal production was based on results of observational studies in beef cattle, sheep and deer conducted in New Zealand.ResultsExpected median annual number of severe and mild cases of human leptospirosis was 2,025 (95% probability interval [95% PI] 1,138–3,422). Median annual DALYs were 0.42 (95% PI: 0.06–2.40) per 100,000 people for the entire population, and 15.82 (95% PI: 2.09–90.80) per 100,000 people working in at‐risk occupations (i.e. abattoir workers, farmers and veterinarians). Human infection resulted in a median cost of 4.42 (95% PI: 2.04–8.62) million US dollars (USD) due to absence from work and disease treatment. Median production loss cost in beef cattle, sheep and deer was USD 7.92 (95% PI: 3.75–15.48) million, while median vaccination cost in cattle, (including dairy), sheep and deer was USD 6.15 (95% PI: 5.30–7.03) million. Total annual cost of leptospirosis plus vaccination was USD 18.80 (95% PI: 13.47–27.15) million, equivalent to USD 440,000 (95% PI: 320,000–640,000) per 100,000 people.ConclusionThis study provides an estimate of the disease burden and cost of leptospirosis in New Zealand that could support occupational health authorities and livestock industries in assessing interventions for this disease.
Comprehensive Review on India’s Growth in Renewable Energy Technologies in Comparison With Other Prominent Renewable Energy Based Countries
Authors: Elavarasan Rajvikram Madurai 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Renewable energy will be the irrefutable future of mankind, where fulfilling fuel needs is concerned and its non-renewable predecessors were by definition, destined to short-lived in the grand scheme of things. Debating this issue is equivalent to flogging a dead horse, so now what is left is to optimize the utilization of these resources. This research work first reviews India’s technological advancements in the renewable energy field in recent decades. Simultaneously, it is going to be compared with the rate of other country’s work in the same field. The goal of this study is to identify the specific renewable methods of electricity generation where India is significantly trailing behind and that requires a redirection of the country’s efforts. A focus is given not only to the technological aspects of the various renewable energies but also to the obstacles faced while using them. And the policies to overcome those obstacles are also discussed. Other than China, India is the only other nation with a population exceeding 1.3 billion mark and the nation with the highest population density at a rather astonishing 382 humans/km2. India also has a population growth rate of 1.10%, compared with China’s 0.39%. Its current energy consumption model may prove unsustainable and will soon need to convert to renewable energy sources for basic survival.
Constructal Open Reactors for Thermochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Malley-Ernewein Alexandre , Lorente Sylvie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This work documents the study of two concepts of open reactors for thermochemical energy storage. While classical thermal storage uses sensible or latent heat to store thermal energy, thermochemical energy storage uses an endothermic / exothermic chemical reaction. The process studied is based on the hydration and dehydration of a reactive salt by a flow of moist air in order to release and store heat respectively. The first concept studied is a storage module composed by the pattern “one salt bed surrounded by an inlet and an outlet channel, placed in parallel”. The second concept is a storage module made of by tubes impregnated with the reactive salt on their intern face. In this configuration, the tubes and the impregnated salt layer length scales are in the order of micrometer. Both concepts are presented using the Constructal law of design.
In the first concept, air flows through the salt bed, corresponding to a forced convection through porous media problem, whereas in the second concept the air flow licks the impregnated salt and the chemical reaction occurs within the salt thanks to diffusion only.
The analytical part is based on the Constructal law approach. From the main trends in terms of pressures distribution the geometrical features are deduced to obtain the design of compact and thermally efficient systems.
Next, the discovered trends are backed up with numerical experiments. The geometrical dimensions are morphed with the purpose to move towards better performances. A ratio β between the heat produced by the chemical reaction within the entire module and the overall pumping power necessary to blow the fluid is determined to compare the configurations of each concepts.
In accord with Constructal design, the number of salt beds in the first concept is morphed to reach equipartition of imperfections. The results show that with this evolution, the ratio β increases. In the second concept, the salt volume must be allocated in such a way that the time for water vapor diffusion through the salt matches the time for hydration / dehydration.