bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marine protected areas rescue a sexually selected trait in European lobster
Authors: Sørdalen Tonje Knutsen , Halvorsen Kim Tallaksen , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn , Moland Even , Olsen Esben Moland 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMarine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly implemented worldwide to maintain and restore depleted populations. However, despite our knowledge on the myriad of positive responses to protection, there are few empirical studies on the ability to conserve species’ mating patterns and secondary sexual traits. In male European lobsters (Homarus gammarus), the size of claws relative to body size correlates positively with male mating success and is presumably under sexual selection. At the same time, an intensive trap fishery exerts selection against large claws in males. MPAs could therefore be expected to resolve these conflicting selective pressures and preserve males with large claws. We explored this hypothesis by contrasting claw size of males and females in three pairs of MPAs and nearby fished areas in southern Norway. By finding that male lobsters have up to 8% larger claws inside MPAs compared to similarly sized males in fished areas, our study provides evidence that MPAs rescue a secondary sexual trait. Recovery from harvest selection acting on claws is the most likely explanation; however, the higher abundance of lobster inside MPAs does not rule out a plastic response on claw size due to increased competition. Regardless of the underlying cause, our study demonstrates (a) the value of protected areas as a management tool for mitigating fisheries‐induced evolution and (b) that MPAs help maintaining the scope for sexual selection in populations with vulnerable life histories and complex mating system.
Deep OCR for Arabic script‐based language like Pastho
Authors: Naz Saeeda , Khan Naila H. , Zahoor Shizza , Razzak Muhammad I. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDeveloping cursive script recognition systems have always been a challenging task for researchers. This article proposes a ligature‐based recognition system for the cursive Pashto script using four pre‐trained CNN models using a fine‐tuned approach. The SqueezeNet, ResNet, MobileNet and DenseNet models have been observed for the classification and the recognition of Pashto sub‐word (ligature). Overall, the proposed system is divided into two domains (Source and Target). The source domain contains the pre‐trained models used on the ImageNet Dataset. These models are later fine‐tuned using the transfer learning approach to be used for the Pashto ligature recognition. The data augmentation techniques of negative and contour are used to increase the representation of ligature images and the dataset size. The CNN models have been evaluated on the benchmarks Pashto ligatures FAST‐NU dataset. The proposed system achieved the highest recognition rate of up to 99.31% using the DenseNet architecture of Convolutional Neural Network for Pashto ligature.
Comparison of low cycle fatigue behavior of 304 stainless steels induced by tensile and torsional prestrain
Authors: Jin Xin , Ji Shengyuan , Liu Caiming , Shi Shouwen , Chen Xu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe effect of tensile and torsional prestrains on fatigue lives of 304 stainless steels is compared. The fatigue life as a function of prestrain amplitudes exhibits an ‘S’ curve, and the inflexion point of the S curve is affected by prestrain modes and cyclic strain amplitudes. An interesting phenomenon is that when the onset stress of secondary hardening reaches 300 MPa, intergranular martensite begins to be formed. Combining martensite distribution, fatigue life and cyclic stress responses, the onset stress of secondary hardening is proposed to reflect the location of martensite nucleation sites. Compared with tensile prestrain, torsional prestrain results in higher stress. In addition, higher prestrain and cyclic amplitudes also lead to higher cyclic stress and hence earlier nucleation of intergranular martensite. Furthermore, the influence mechanism of prestrain modes and cyclic strain amplitudes on the inflexion point of S curve is revealed.
Enterococcus faecalis induces necroptosis in human osteoblastic MG63 cells through the RIPK3 / MLKL signalling pathway
Authors: Dai X. , Deng Z. , Liang Y. , Chen L. , Jiang W , Zhao W. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimTo explore the activation of necroptosis triggered by Enterococcus faecalis in human osteoblastic MG63 cells and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of refractory apical periodontitis.MethodologyThe viability of MG63 cells exposed to live E. faecalis was investigated using the cell counting kit‐8 assay. The relative expressions of specific markers for necroptosis, namely p‐RIPK3 and p‐MLKL, were determined by western blotting. Cells pretreated with necrosulfonamide and GSK’872, which are specific inhibitors for MLKL and RIPK3, respectively, were then subjected to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry analysis and Hoechst 33342/PI double fluorescence staining. Lentiviral‐delivered short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting MLKL was employed to further confirm the activation of necroptosis in MG63 cells infected with E. faecalis. Transmission electron microscopy was additionally used to observe the morphological characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t‐tests or one‐way ANOVA followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls test.ResultsThe infection with E. faecalis significantly inhibited the viability of MG63 cells in a multiplicity of infection‐ and infection time‐dependent manners (P < 0.05). In line with this, the expression levels of necroptosis‐related markers, p‐RIPK3 and p‐MLKL, were significantly increased postinfection (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in death rate were detected in the case of E. faecalis‐infected MG63 cells following pretreatment with the inhibitors of RIPK3 and MLKL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, silencing of MLKL by shRNA significantly decreased LDH release (P < 0.01) and resulted in less mitochondrial swelling and vacuole‐like changes, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum expansion.ConclusionsEnterococcus faecalis infection‐induced necroptosis of MG63 cells via the RIPK3/MLKL signalling pathway, which may exert a negative influence on the healing process of refractory apical periodontitis. This study may offer novel insights into the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of refractory apical periodontitis.
The Australian burden of invasive group A streptococcal disease: a narrative review
Authors: Wright Cameron M. , Langworthy Kristyn , Manning Laurens 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Australian and New Zealand governments have allocated significant funding to advance efforts towards a group A Streptococcus (Strep A) vaccine. The argument for Strep A vaccine development has to date focussed on prevention of non‐invasive disease (e.g. pharyngitis) and immune‐mediated complications (especially rheumatic heart disease). Because of the poorer prognosis and theoretically more precisely known burden of invasive, compared to non‐invasive disease, exploration of the burden of invasive Strep A disease could lend further support to the vaccine business case. This narrative review critically assesses the Australian incidence of invasive Strep A disease. Case notification data were first assessed through government sources, expressing annual incidence as cases per 100 000 population. Published literature accessed through PubMed and MEDLINE was assessed to March 2020. Where estimates could be updated by replicating reported methods with publicly available data, this was performed. Invasive Strep A disease is currently notifiable in Queensland and the Northern Territory only. The magnitude, degree of certainty and recency of estimates vary by state/territory and between sub‐populations, including higher incidence among Indigenous Australians compared to non‐Indigenous Australians. According to inpatient records from 2017 to 2018, the Australian incidence of invasive Strep A disease was 8.3 per 100 000. However, this is likely to be an underestimate. Preventing invasive Strep A disease is an important use for a Strep A vaccine. This narrative review highlights deficiencies in our current understanding of the Australian disease burden. These difficulties would be overcome by nationally consistent mandatory case reporting.
Role of energy transfer, defect, and lattice dimension in photophysical characteristics of AWO4:Nd3+ (A=Ca, Sr and Ba)
Authors: Datrik Chandra S. , Sudarshan Kathi , Gupta Santosh K. , Nandi Purnananda 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe fact that the scheelite based compounds are of high technological importance in the area of scintillator and optoelectronics, makes their detailed photophysical study relevant not only for fundamental material science but also in tailoring their optical properties for advanced applications. With this view, we have carried out a very systematic study on near infra‐red (NIR) emitting Nd3+ doped CaWO4, SrWO4, and BaWO4 compounds. Light emitting efficiency in AWO4:Nd3+ is governed strongly by radiative/nonradiative properties, host‐dopant energy transfer (HDET) efficiency and defect density. We have used photoluminescence, positron annihilation, and photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy to study the factors effecting light emission. These scheelites are known to exhibit self activated luminescence in visible region due to charge transfer within the tungstate group and wavelength maxima exhibited red shift as we move from Ca→Sr→Ba. This can provide a new strategy to achieve spectral tunability in AWO4 scheelite by changing A2+ ionic radius. The fractional intensity in the green region is least in the case of SrWO4 samples suggesting that the oxygen vacancy density is minimal in case of SrWO4 which is well‐supported by the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Based on our studies, we found that the HDET was highly efficient in CaWO4:Nd3+ and minimal in BaWO4:Nd3+ which get's reflected in photoluminescence intensity. Emission lifetimes are shorter in CaWO4 and highest in SrWO4 host which are in sync with positron annihilation lifetime values. Based on our results of PALS, it was found that CaWO4:Nd3+ has the highest concentration of defects i.e. cation vacancies; so larger is the probability of nonradiative signals and hence higher PA intensity from it.
Predictions of structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of TMBCs (TM = Ti, Zr, and Hf) ceramics
Authors: Bao Longke , Qu Deyi , Kong Zhuangzhuang , Duan Yonghua 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the present work, we have investigated the structural, electronic, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of transition‐metal boron‐carbon compounds (TMBCs) (TM = Ti, Zr, Hf) using the first‐principles calculations. The results showed that TMBCs are energetically and thermodynamically stable, and the sequence of phase stability is HfBC > ZrBC > TiBC. B‐C bonds can be formed in TMBCs ceramics due to the strong hybridization between B‐2p and C‐2p states. The elastic anisotropies of TMBCs were illustrated by elastic anisotropy indexes, 3D surface constructions, and 2D projections, and the results indicated that the sequence of elastic anisotropy is ZrBC > TiBC > HfBC. Finally, the calculated minimum thermal conductivities, based on the Clarke's and Cahill's models, of all TMBCs are anisotropic with the sequence of ZrBC > TiBC > HfBC.
Recovery and chemical disinfection of foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever viruses from porous concrete surfaces
Authors: Gabbert L.R. , Neilan J.G. , Rasmussen M. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
Develop an effective laboratory method to consistently recover viral loads from porous concrete coupons sufficient for disinfectant efficacy testing. Investigate the role of concrete matrix pH on the recovery of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and African Swine Fever virus (ASFV) from porous concrete. Compare parameters off FMDV and ASFV inactivation on porous and nonporous surfaces in quantitative carrier tests of a liquid chemical disinfectant.

Methods and results
Concrete test coupons were fabricated from commercial and industrial sources and carbonated by exposure to 5% CO2 in a humidified incubator, lowering the matrix pH. Neither dried FMDV nor ASFV were recovered from high-pH concrete control coupons. Recovery of infectious virus from lower pH carbonated concrete was similar to stainless steel coupon controls. Exposure to the liquid disinfectant Virkon™ S inactivated FMDV and ASFV on porous concrete.

Conclusions
Concrete matrix pH had a greater impact than surface porosity on the ability to recover viable virus from unsealed concrete.

Significance and Impact of the Study
Concrete is commonly found in environments where virus decontamination is required. This study demonstrates a reproducible method to recover sufficient viral loads from porous concrete coupons to facilitate quantitative carrier testing. This method provides a basis for evidence-based validation testing of chemical disinfectants to inactivate pH-sensitive viruses on unsealed concrete.
Comparison of high‐power and conventional‐power radiofrequency energy deliveries in pulmonary vein isolation using unipolar signal modification as a local endpoint
Authors: Ejima Koichiro , Higuchi Satoshi , Yazaki Kyoichiro , Kataoka Shohei , Yagishita Daigo , Kanai Miwa , Shoda Morio , Hagiwara Nobuhisa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionNegative component abolition of the unipolar signal (unipolar signal modification [USM]) reflects the lesion transmurality. The purpose of this study was to compare the procedural safety and outcome between high‐power and conventional‐power atrial radiofrequency applications during a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using USM as a local endpoint.Methods and ResultsHigh‐power (50 W) and conventional‐power (25‐40 W) applications were compared among 120 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent a USM‐guided PVI. The first 60 patients were treated with conventional‐power (CP) group and last 60 with high‐power (HP) group. The atrial radiofrequency applications lasted for 5 to 10 seconds (CP group) or 3 to 5 seconds (HP group) after the USM. All procedures were performed using 3D mapping systems with image integration and esophageal temperature monitoring. The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The HP group had fewer acute PV reconnections (62% vs 78%; P = .046) and a reduced procedure time (119.3 ± 28.1 vs 140.1 ± 51.2 minutes; P = .04). Freedom from recurrence after a single ablation procedure without any antiarrhythmic drugs was higher in the HP group than CP group (88.3% vs 73.3% at 12‐months after the procedure, log‐rank; P = .0423). There were no major complications that required any intervention.ConclusionsThe high‐power PVI guided by USM decreased the procedural time and may improve the procedural outcomes without compromising the safety.
Inhibition of TGFβ‐activated protein kinase 1 ameliorates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury via endoplasmic reticulum stress suppression
Authors: Zeng Jingjing , Jin Qike , Ruan Yongxue , Sun Changzheng , Xu Guangyu , Chu Maoping , Ji Kangting , Wu Lianpin , Li Lei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTransforming growth factor β‐activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1) involves in various biological responses and is a key regulator of cell death. However, the role of TAK1 on acute myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is unknown. We observed that TAK1 activation increased significantly after MI/R and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), and we hypothesized that TAK1 has an important role in MI/R injury. Mice (TAK1 inhibiting by 5Z‐7‐oxozeaenol or silencing by AAV9 vector) were exposed to MI/R injury. Primary cardiomyocytes (TAK1 silencing by siRNA; and overexpressing TAK1 by adenovirus vector) were used to induce H/R injury model in vitro. Inhibition of TAK1 significantly decreased MI/R‐induced myocardial infarction area, reduced cell death and improved cardiac function. Mechanistically, TAK1 silencing suppressed MI/R‐induced myocardial oxidative stress and attenuated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the inhibition of ROS by NAC partially reversed the damage of TAK1 in vitro. Our study presents the first direct evidence that inhibition of TAK1 mitigated MI/R injury, and TAK1 mediated ROS/ER stress/apoptosis signal pathway is important for the pathogenesis of MI/R injury.
Evidence and Power in EU Governance of Health Promotion: Discursive Obstacles to a “Health in All Policies” Approach
Authors: Godziewski Charlotte 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article explores the relation between the meaning of what constitutes ‘evidence’ in the European Commission (EC) and the Health in All Policies (HiAP) concept. Since the 2006 Finnish EU presidency, HiAP is regularly referred to by the Commission, but has not yet been implemented as an overarching political vision. While there is a growing literature on technical implementation of HiAP, little work has delved into the political obstacles to HiAP. This article explores three ways in which the dominant meaning of ‘evidence’ in the EC reinforces neoliberal institutional characteristics in a way that undermines HiAP: The problematization of health reinforces constitutional asymmetry; the definition of ‘EU added value’ hampers positive integration; and the politicization of evidence strengthens the Better Regulation meta‐regulatory agenda. The article suggests that the meaning of evidence in the EC reinforces neoliberal rationality present at institutional level, and calls for more dialogue across public health ontologies.
Roles of Adenylate Cyclases in Ciliary Responses of Paramecium to Mechanical Stimulation
Authors: Kawano Mutsumi , Tominaga Takashi , Ishida Masaki , Hori Manabu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractParamecium shows rapid forward swimming due to increased beat frequency of cilia in normal (forward swimming) direction in response to various kinds of stimuli applied to the cell surface that cause K+‐outflow accompanied by a membrane hyperpolarization. Some adenylate cyclases are known to be functional K+ channels in the membrane. Using gene‐specific knockdown methods, we examined nine paralogues of adenylate cyclases in P. tetraurelia to ascertain whether and how they are involved in the mechanical stimulus‐induced hyperpolarization‐coupled acceleration of forward swimming. Results demonstrated that knockdown of the adenylate cyclase 1 (ac1)‐gene and 2 (ac2)‐gene inhibited the acceleration of forward swimming in response to mechanical stimulation of the cell, whereas that spared the acceleration response to external application of 8‐Br‐cAMP and dilution of extracellular [K+] induced hyperpolarization. Electrophysiological examination of the knockdown cells revealed that the hyperpolarization‐activated inward K+ current is smaller than that of a normal cell. Our results suggest that AC1 and AC2 are involved in the mechanical stimulus‐induced acceleration of ciliary beat in Paramecium.
The use of Carboxytherapy alone or in combination with fractional CO2 laser for facial rejuvenation: A split‐face comparative study
Authors: El‐Domyati Moetaz , Hosam El‐Din Wael , Medhat Walid , Ibrahim Michel R. , Khaled Yasmin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundA wide variety of minimally invasive treatments are available for skin aging. Recently, carbon dioxide therapy (CDT) or carboxytherapy was used in many cosmetic indications including facial rejuvenation.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of CDT alone versus combined CDT and fractional CO2 laser in management of facial aging.MethodsTwenty‐Five female patients with bilateral and symmetrical facial aging were included in the study. The right (Rt) hemiface received 8 sessions of CDT whereas the left (Lt) side was treated with combined technique (6 sessions of CDT and 2 sessions of fractional CO2 in between. Clinical and objective evaluation using 3D skin analysis, histological, and morphometric analysis were performed.ResultsClinical evaluation demonstrated that all patients (100%) were satisfied with no significant difference between both sides of the face (P > .05). Regarding texture and pigmentation improvement, the Lt side (combined) showed significant improvement compared to the Rt side (P < .05). Using Antera 3D camera, there was a significant difference (P < .05) in 3D improvement percent in textural changes while there was no significant difference (P > .05) in the 3D percent of wrinkles improvement between both sides. The Lt side showed more significant increase in epidermal thickness after treatment when compared to the Rt side (P < .05) with evident neocollagen formation.ConclusionCarboxytherapy is an easy, safe, simple, and a relatively effective method for facial rejuvenation with minimal downtime. Better results were achieved when used in combination with fractional CO2 laser.
Effect of long‐term overfeeding of a high‐energy diet on glucose tolerance in Shetland pony mares
Authors: d' Fonseca Nicky M. M. , Gibson Charlotte M. E. , van Doorn David A. , de Ruijter‐Villani Marta , Stout Tom A. E. , Roelfsema Ellen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundOverfeeding is associated with obesity and insulin dysregulation (ID), which are both risk factors for equine metabolic syndrome. How chronic overfeeding affects development of these factors is poorly understood.ObjectivesTo examine the influence of long‐term high‐energy diet provision on body condition and ID.AnimalsEleven Shetland pony mares.MethodsIn a 3‐phase study, the high‐energy group (n = 7) was fed 200% of net energy (NE) requirements (hay; concentrate: 36% sugar and starch, 13% fat) for 24 weeks, followed by 17 weeks hay‐only feeding before resuming the high‐energy diet (n = 4) for an additional 29 weeks. Mares were weighed weekly. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed 3 to 4 times per dietary period. Results were compared with those of a control group (phase 1, n = 4; phases 2 and 3, n = 6) that received 100% NE requirements, using a general linear mixed model with post hoc Bonferroni testing.ResultsThe mean body weight of the high‐energy group increased by 27% per high‐energy feeding period. During both feeding periods, area under the curve (AUC) for plasma glucose concentration decreased (P < .01), whereas AUC for plasma insulin concentration increased. Mean basal plasma glucose concentration and peak plasma insulin concentrations were higher (P < .05) in the high‐energy group than in the control group.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceFeeding a high‐energy diet to healthy nonobese Shetland pony mares led to more efficient glucose metabolism within 5 weeks, followed by significant hyperinsulinemia and obesity. Hyperinsulinemic status was reversed during 17 weeks of hay‐only feeding, regardless of body condition, but returned rapidly after restarting the high‐energy diet.