bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are tiny subterranean ants top predators affecting aboveground ant communities?
Authors: Ohyama Leo , King Joshua R. , Jenkins David G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAnts are a widespread group of ecologically important insects. Therefore, ants that are important predators of other ants are likely to play key roles by changing the abundance and impacts of their prey. Familiar arthropod predators, like army ants, are known for their overwhelming raids on invertebrate prey but are limited to mostly tropical systems. Thief ants (Genus: Solenopsis Westwood) are a cosmopolitan group of mostly subterranean ants found in a wide variety of ecosystem types. They are known for their extremely small sizes and their specialized predation where they stealthily tunnel into the nests of other larger ant species to capture and consume only immature ants (larvae and pupae). Predation of ant colonies by other ants, and specialized predatory behaviors of presumed top ant predators (e.g., army ants) are well known. However long‐term predation effects, such as across several seasons, are still poorly understood because of a lack of experimental studies. Here we report results of a ~1.5‐year press field experiment where thief ants were reduced in natural ant communities. Potential impacts, such as predator‐release, were quantified by sampling the co‐occurring ant community. Compared to control plots, overall worker abundance and biomass increased where thief ants were reduced, and effects varied among ant species. Results suggest predator release as select aboveground foraging ant species increased in abundance and that thief ants may act as significant predators. Because thief ants are abundant and widespread, similar predatory effects may occur in many ant communities, and our understanding of important predators may need to adjust to include thieving species as well as army ants. Thief ants are very abundant, tiny, specialized to consume immature life stages, equipped with powerful venom, eusocial, and subterranean. This suite of adaptive traits seems unique to eusocial predators compared to animals, where “thieving” predators are usually larger in size compared to their adult‐sized prey. Future work quantifying top‐down regulation of prey and cascading consumptive and non‐consumptive effects will help to understand thief ant predation and potential effects on ecosystem processes.
Exergy analysis of a diesel engine fuelled with Aegle marmelos de‐oiled seed cake pyrolysis oil opus
Authors: Baranitharan P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBiofuel is a renewable fuel and can be used as a replacement for diesel. Pyrolysis oil can be derived from non‐edible de‐oiled seed cakes. This investigation focuses on the exergy investigation of a compression ignition (CI) engine to maximize the work exergy (availability) and minimize the destroyed exergy, powered by Aegle marmelos (AM) de‐oiled seed cake bio‐oil blends. A dual blend of diesel and AM pyrolysis oil was taken in ratios, F0 = 100 + 0, F5 = 95 + 5, F10 = 90 + 10, F15 = 85 + 15, and F20 = 80 + 20 and were tested on a constant speed CI engine at standard compression ratio. The investigational analysis exhibited that a high amount of oxygen content in AM pyrolysis oil blends increased the brake thermal efficiency and decreased the brake‐specific fuel consumption compared with diesel (F0). The owing exergy efficiency was obtained from the F20 blend (57.21%) at 100% load (W). Based on the investigation, considering availability and performance behavior of F5, F10, F15, and F20 blends were suggested as suitable biofuel alternatives to diesel.
Energy Management Controller for Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle Based on Sat‐Nav Data
Authors: Al‐Sagheer Y. , Steinberger‐Wilckens R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe hybridization of fuel cells (FC) and battery in electric vehicles necessitates designing an energy management system (EMS) for optimal energy use of the two power sources. The EMS represents a high‐level controller (HLC) calculating the optimal power split between the two power sources, using a prediction model for the vehicle's electric load over a planned journey trajectory. However, the instantaneous actual power demand of the vehicle is likely to deviate from the prediction due to varying traffic circumstances. This power offset needs to be compensated for whilst the optimality is still considered. A control approach is proposed here that converts the optimal power split into a dimensionless power split ratio (PSR). This ratio is passed to a low‐level controller (LLC) to be implemented as a set‐point. The LLC is responsible for simultaneously controlling the power of the FC and the battery using solely one control element, which is the DC‐DC boost converter. The PSR will be maintained whatever the actual power demand of the vehicle is. This approach will result in a fully controlled optimal power utilization, so that the high efficiency of the battery and the extended range enabled by the FC system are used to best effect.
Influence of Structural Modification of Micro‐Porous Layer and Catalyst Layer on Performance and Water Management of PEM Fuel Cells: Hydrophobicity and Porosity
Authors: Mohseninia A. , Kartouzian D. , Eppler M. , Langner P. , Markötter H. , Wilhelm F. , Scholta J. , Manke I. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe influence of hydrophobicity and porosity of the catalyst layer (CL) and cathode microporous layer (MPLC) on water distribution and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is investigated. Hydrophobicity of the layers is altered with the addition of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and mono‐dispersed polymer particles are utilized to introduce the macro‐pores with a diameter of 0.5 µm and 30 µm within the CL and MPLC, respectively.The treated materials are implemented in a specially designed fuel cell with an active area of 8 cm2 to perform operando high‐resolution neutron tomography measurements. At high current density and humid operating conditions, MPLs with higher PTFE content increase the overall water content of the cell. The more hydrophobic MPL (40 wt.% PTFE) performs below the corresponding reference MPL (20 wt.% PTFE), whereas the performance result of double layer MPLC gives hint for further potential improvements of such design. The local water saturation beneath the land regions with the presence of perforated CL and MPLC is increased which is explained by lower capillary pressure barriers of bigger pores. Despite a higher water content, the perforated layers enhance the performance of the cell at both dry (RH 70%) and humid conditions (RH 120%), indicating that the parallel two‐phase flow is facilitated where the oxygen is transported through small pores and the water is preferentially transported through the bigger pores.
Proton and photon radiosensitization effects of niraparib, a PARP‐1/‐2 inhibitor, on human head and neck cancer cells
Authors: Wang Li , Cao Jianzhong , Wang Xiaochun , Lin Eric , Wang Zeming , Li Yuting , Li Yupeng , Chen Mei , Wang Xianliang , Jiang Bo , Zhang Ruiping , Sahoo Narayan , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhu X. Ronald , Myers Jeffrey N. , Frank Steven J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundCombining photon or proton radiotherapy with targeted therapy shows promise for head and neck cancer (HNSCC). The poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]‐ribose) polymerase‐1/2 inhibitor niraparib targets DNA damage repair (DDR). We evaluated the effects of niraparib in combination with photons or protons, and its effects on the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons, in human HNSCC cell lines.MethodsRadiosensitivity was assessed and RBE was calculated with clonogenic survival assays; unrepaired DNA double‐strand breaks were evaluated using immunocytochemical analysis of 53BP1 foci.ResultsNiraparib reduced colony formation in two of the four cell lines tested (P < .05), enhanced radiosensitivity in all four cell lines, delayed DDR (P < .05), and increased proton vs photon RBE.ConclusionNiraparib enhanced the sensitivity of four HNSCC cell lines to both photons and protons and increased the RBE of protons, possibly by inhibiting DDR. Niraparib may enhance the effectiveness of both photon and proton radiotherapy for patients with HNSCC.
Improving outcomes for marginalised rural families through a care navigator program
Authors: Kirby Sue , Edwards Karen , Yu Serena , van Gool Kees , Powell‐Davies Gawaine , Harris‐Roxas Ben , Gresham Ellie , Harris Mark , Hall Jane 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIssues addressedHealth promotion programs are based on the premise that health and well‐being is impacted by a person's living circumstances, not just factors within the health arena. Chronic health issues require integrated services from health and social services. Navigator positions are effective in assisting chronic disease patients to access services. This family program in a small rural town in Western New South Wales targeted marginalised families with children under five years of age with a chronic health issue. The navigator developed a cross‐sectoral care plan to provide services to address family issues. The study aimed to identify navigator factors supporting improved family outcomes.MethodsParticipants included parent/clients (n = 4) and the cross‐sectoral professional team (n = 9) involved in the program. During the interview, participants were asked about their perspective of the program. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed informed by the Chronic Care Model underpinned by Health Promotion Theory.ResultsThe program improved client family's lives in relation to children's health and other family health and social issues. Trust in the care navigator was the most important factor for parents to join and engage with the program. The care navigator role was essential to maintaining client engagement and supporting cooperation between services to support families.ConclusionEssential care navigator skills were commitment, ability to persuade and empower parents and other professionals.So what?This descriptive study demonstrated the positive influence of the care navigator and the program on high risk families in a small isolated community. It can be adopted by other communities to improve life for families at risk.
Health literacy needs in weight management of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Lim Siew , Smith Caroline A. , Costello Michael F. , MacMillan Freya , Moran Lisa , Teede Helena , Ee Carolyn 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIssue addressedLifestyle modification plays a key role in weight management and chronic disease prevention in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS experience challenges in adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours, which may be related to health literacy. The aims of this study were to explore the health literacy needs of women with PCOS in lifestyle and weight management to inform research and practice.MethodsTen women with PCOS participated in focus groups and semi‐structured telephone interviews on lifestyle and weight management in PCOS.ResultsFor functional health literacy, women with PCOS are highly motivated for lifestyle and weight management due to the long‐term consequences of PCOS. For interactive health literacy, barriers included delayed diagnosis and poor communication. Women with PCOS were resourceful in accessing a wide range of weight management services but some experience barriers such as costs or the feelings of embarrassment associated with accessing relevant services. For critical health literacy, no facilitators and barriers could be identified for the domain of participation in making decisions for health.ConclusionsWomen with PCOS experience facilitators and barriers in functional and interactive health literacy in lifestyle and weight management.So what?Future interventions should seek to further understand and address these gaps in health literacy by increasing weight management skills through behaviour change techniques, improving health professional‐patient communication through tools such as question prompt lists, enhancing peer support by increasing distributed health literacy in PCOS support groups and by providing opportunities for co‐design of interventions.
Sustained release of human platelet lysate growth factors by thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan hydrogel promotes skin wound healing in rats
Authors: Lim Thou , Tang Qian , Zhu Zhenzhong , Wei Xiaojuan , Zhang Changqing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of thermosensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) hydrogel loaded with human platelet lysate (hPL) on skin wound healing in rats. hPLs were generated by freeze–thaw method of platelet‐rich plasma from healthy donors. Successful grafting of hydroxybutyl group to chitosan molecular chain to obtain HBC hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. HBC/hPL was prepared by combining 10% (vol/vol) hPL with HBC solution. Surface morphologies were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy, rheological properties were measured by rheometer, and sustained release of factors from HBC/hPL was measured by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. We evaluated the in vitro effect of HBC/hPL on human umbilical cord vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The effect of growth factors released from HBC/hPL in promoting skin wound healing was evaluated by gross observation, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence in vivo. Rheological analyses indicated the gelation temperatures of HBC and HBC/hPL were 17 and 14°C, respectively. ELISA showed sustained release of human platelet‐derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor‐β1 from HBC/hPL hydrogel. In vitro studies revealed HBC/hPL promoted greater levels of HUVECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation than the HBC and control groups. In vivo studies showed better wound healing, greater amounts of newly formed collagen, as well as neovascular and neo‐epidermis markers in the wound site of HBC/hPL‐treated group compared to the HBC and control groups. HBC/hPL is a promising potential therapeutic agent for promoting skin wound healing via the sustained release of growth factors.
Creation of a contractile biomaterial from a decellularized spinach leaf without ECM protein coating: An in vitro study
Authors: Robbins Emily R. , Pins George D. , Laflamme Michael A. , Gaudette Glenn R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) results in the death of cardiac tissue, decreases regional contraction, and can lead to heart failure. Tissue engineered cardiac patches containing human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS‐CMs) can restore contractile function. However, cells within thick patches require vasculature for blood flow. Recently, we demonstrated fibronectin coated decellularized leaves provide a suitable scaffold for hiPS‐CMs. Yet, the necessity of this additional coating step is unclear. Therefore, we compared hiPS‐CM behavior on decellularized leaves coated with collagen IV or fibronectin extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to noncoated leaves for up to 21 days. Successful coating was verified by immunofluorescence. Similar numbers of hiPS‐CMs adhered to coated and noncoated decellularized leaves for 21 days. At Day 14, collagen IV coated leaves contracted more than noncoated leaves (3.25 ± 0.39% vs. 1.54 ± 0.60%; p < .05). However, no differences in contraction were found between coated leaves, coated tissue culture plastic (TCP), noncoated leaves, or noncoated TCP at other time points. No significant differences were observed in hiPS‐CM spreading or sarcomere lengths on leaves with or without coating. This study demonstrates that cardiac scaffolds can be created from decellularized leaves without ECM coatings. Noncoated decellularized leaf surfaces facilitate robust cell attachment for an engineered tissue patch.
Audit quality and audit size: Evidence from auditor mergers in China
Authors: Zhan Jun , Her Young‐Won , Chen Keji 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFocusing on the surge of mergers among Chinese local accounting firms around the year 2000, this study examines the impacts of auditor mergers on audit quality, and documents increased earnings quality for non‐Big 5 clients during the postmerger period. The study also brings up the question for further investigation, whether the Big 5 auditors provide significant higher quality audits than the non‐Big auditors do in China, a far less litigious audit market environment, during the period of 1999–2002. We find limited differences in terms of audit quality between the Big 5 and non‐Big 5 auditors. We do not find significant differences in reported discretionary accruals and probability of reporting losses between Big 5 clients and non‐Big 5 clients. Only with the earnings conservatism proxy, clients with Big 5 recognize bad news more quickly than non‐Big 5 clients. Furthermore, findings of this study suggest the Big 5 audits do not contribute to the accruals quality differences in China, implying legal enforcement and litigation risks have greater propensity to drive auditor incentives.
Induction and maintenance of specific multipotent progenitor stem cells synergistically mediated by Activin A and BMP4 signaling
Authors: Chen Yanglin , Wu Baojiang , Zheng Li , Wu Caixia , Wei Mengyi , Chen Chen , Li Xihe , Bao Siqin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe recently reported that epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs)‐like cells could be derived from preimplantation embryos (named as AFSCs). Here, we established AFSCs from pre‐implantation embryos of multiple mouse strains and showed that unlike EpiSCs, the derivation efficiency of AFSCs was affected by the genetic background. We then used AFSCs lines to dissect the roles of Activin A (Act A) and basic fibroblast growth factor and reported that Act A alone was capable of maintaining self‐renewal but not developmental potential in vivo. Finally, we established a novel experimental system, in which AFSCs were efficiently converted to multipotent progenitor stem cells using Act A and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (named as ABSCs). Importantly, these ABSCs contributed to neural mesodermal progenitors and lateral plate mesoderm in postimplantation chimeras. Taken together, our study established a robust experimental system for the generation of specific multipotent progenitor stem cells that was self‐renewable and capable of contributing to embryonic and extra‐embryonic tissues.
Neuroprotective effect of melatonin on radiation‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats
Authors: Motallebzadeh Elham , Tameh Abolfazl Azami , Zavareh Sayyed Alireza Talaei , Farhood Bagher , Aliasgharzedeh Akbar , Mohseni Mehran 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin on irradiation‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the brainstem region of Wistar rats. Therefore, the animals underwent whole‐brain X‐radiation with a single dose of 25 Gy in the presence or absence of melatonin pretreatment at a concentration of 100 mg/kg BW. The rats were allocated into four groups (10 rats in each group): namely, vehicle control (VC), 100 mg/kg of melatonin alone (MLT), irradiation‐only (RAD), and irradiation plus 100 mg/kg of melatonin (RAM). An hour before irradiation, the animals received intraperitoneal (IP) melatonin and then were killed after 6 hr, followed by measurement of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brainstem region. Furthermore, the western blot analysis technique was performed to assess the caspase‐3 expression level. Results showed significantly higher MDA and NO levels in the brainstem tissues for the RAD group when compared with the VC group (p < .001). Moreover, the irradiated rats exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAC (p < .01, p < .001, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively) in comparison to the VC group. The results of apoptosis assessment revealed that the expression level of caspase‐3 significantly rose in the RAD group in comparison with the VC group (p < .001). Pretreatment with melatonin ameliorated the radiation‐induced adverse effects by decreasing the MDA and NO levels (p < .001) and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities (p < .001). Consequently, the caspase‐3 protein expression level in the RAM group showed a significant reduction in comparison with the RAD group (p < .001). In conclusion, melatonin approximately showed a capacity for neuroprotective activity in managing irradiation‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats; however, the use of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent in humans requires further study, particularly clinical trials.
Prenatal two‐and three‐dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis of anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta: Case report and literature review
Authors: Ma Jianing , Zhang Ying , Wang Yu , Zhao Leisheng 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn utero diagnosis of anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta (AOPA) has been rarely reported, although this malformation has a high mortality rate due to the rapid development of pulmonary hypertension. We report two cases of AOPA, in which either the left or the right pulmonary artery originated from the distal part of the ascending aorta. Scanning around the three‐vessel view to search for the origin of the left and right pulmonary arteries is essential for the diagnosis. In addition, recognition of an abnormal vessel at the three‐vessel tracheal view is also useful. Three‐dimensional echocardiography with high‐definition flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation technique facilitates the identification of the anomalous origin of the pulmonary artery and should be considered a complementary modality in fetal cardiac examinations.
A multi‐century meteo‐hydrological analysis for the Adda river basin (Central Alps). Part I: Gridded monthly precipitation (1800–2016) records
Authors: Crespi Alice , Brunetti Michele , Ranzi Roberto , Tomirotti Massimo , Maugeri Maurizio 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe 1800–2016 monthly precipitation record for the upper Adda river basin is presented. It is computed by applying the anomaly method to a quality‐checked and homogenized observation database. The reconstruction accuracy and its evolution over the study period is evaluated at both station and grid‐cell levels. The anomaly‐based interpolation provides rather robust estimates even for the early years of sparse station coverage with basin precipitation reconstruction errors around 10%. The Theil‐Sen trend analysis on the basin precipitation series shows significant (Mann‐Kendall p value <.05) long‐term tendencies of −3.8 ± 1.9% and −9.3 ± 3.8% century−1 for annual and autumn precipitation, respectively, even though the annual trend is not significant by excluding the first decades from the evaluation. As the basin precipitation record is expected to be underestimated due to the rain‐gauge snow undercatch, the monthly precipitation fields are subjected to a correction procedure which allows to derive the multiplicative correcting constant to be applied to the basin annual precipitation series. The comparison between 1845 and 2016 yearly corrected precipitation and runoff records highlights current annual water losses of about 400 mm while the annual runoff coefficients exhibit a long‐term significant decrease of −6.4 ± 1.0% century−1. This change in the hydrological cycle is mostly to be ascribed to the strong long‐term reduction in annual runoff values (−11.8 ± 3.2% century−1) driven by increasing evapotranspiration due to both temperature increase and, likely, land‐use changes.