bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the remarkable nesting biology of an Australian bee in the genus Trichocolletes Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)
Authors: Houston Terry F 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNests and life‐cycle stages of bees in the endemic Australian bee genus Trichocolletes have been little studied hitherto. Discovery of a nesting aggregation of Trichocolletes orientalis near Perth, Western Australia, provided an excellent opportunity to extend knowledge of the genus, and some surprising facts have emerged from observations made in the field and laboratory. Brood cells were more or less vertically oriented, had cemented earthen walls and were lined internally with thin membranes of cellophane‐like material as is usual for Colletidae. Cell plugs, however, were unusual in that the inner surface of each was thinly coated with white, dry foam and had a central pore. Simple tests indicated that the foam was composed of a wax‐like lipid. Adults were in flight at the nesting site during August and September but absent in November and December when brood cells were excavated. These cells contained mature, pre‐defaecating larvae (not prepupae, as was expected) and no pollen provision or faeces. The larvae and the cell walls around them were heavily coated with oil, evidently pollenkitt derived from pollen in the larval mid‐gut. The possible function and fate of this oil is discussed. Larvae remained dormant through summer, then defaecated, pupated and reached pharate adult stage by late April. Adults eclosed in late May and early June and had very well‐developed fat bodies, so presumably, they overwinter in the nests. Notes on nests of some other Trichocolletes species are included for comparison.
Imagined contact with strongly identified outgroup members: Do religious trappings make the man?
Authors: Razpurker‐Apfeld Irene , Shamoa‐Nir Lipaz 
Published: May 2020

This research examined the interactive effects of imagined contact and the characteristics of the imagined person on intergroup anxiety and prejudice, among two groups in Israel: Jewish majority and Arab‐Muslim minority. In total, 128 Jewish and 128 Arab‐Muslim participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. They were exposed to an outgroup person wearing either casual clothing or religious‐ethnic trappings. Then they were required to imagine either a pleasant conversation with that person at a cafeteria or a pleasant hike in which the outgroup person was just seen strolling around. Finally, participants filled out questionnaires of intergroup anxiety and prejudice. For Jewish participants in the hiking conditions, higher intergroup anxiety was found after imagining a strongly identified outgroup person rather than a weakly identified person. This effect was eliminated after imagining a pleasant conversation with the outgroup member in the cafeteria conditions. In addition, Jewish participants reported more outgroup prejudice following imagined scenarios which included the strongly identified person compared to scenarios involving the weakly identified person. For Arab‐Muslim participants, however, no effects were found. This study highlights the importance of considering the characteristics of outgroup counterparts in the field of imagined contact. Furthermore, the implications of imagined contact with individuals wearing religious‐ethnic trappings are discussed.
Three‐dimensional simulation analysis of microdissection testicular sperm extraction for patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Ichioka Kentaro , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Terada Naoki , Negoro Hiromitsu , Goto Takayuki , Ogawa Osamu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMicrodissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) is considered the gold standard method of sperm retrieval from patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA). For careful and thorough examination of seminiferous tubules during microTESE, maximizing surface area of the testicles which we are able to search is essential.ObjectivesTo develop a systematic procedure for microTESE to maximize surface area and to achieve high sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in microTESE.Materials and methodsWe simulated microTESE using three‐dimensional (3D) simulation model and analyzed mathematically the sum of the surface area in various methods. The best method obtained from this simulation model was applied to 102 patients with NOA from 2014 to 2018. These new clinical results were compared with those of 56 patients who underwent a previous method of microTESE from 2011 to 2014.ResultsThe mathematical 3D simulation model of microTESE indicated that a longitudinal incision on the tunica albuginea and following transverse slicing incisions of testicular parenchyma maximized the surface area coverage. Forty‐six (45%) out of 102 patients who underwent microTESE with the new method had successful retrieval of testicular spermatozoa compared with 16 (29%) of 56 patients with the previous method of microTESE (P = .04).DiscussionTransverse resections of parenchyma in our method run parallel to the courses of intratesticular arteries and do not interfere with the blood supply. The small amount of extracted seminiferous tubules was equivalent to that of the previous method, and no patients exhibited post‐operative symptoms of androgen deficiency in our study. As for post‐operative pain, our new method was comparable with the previous method. Although our study needs a longer follow‐up, there will be limited effects on testicular functions.ConclusionLongitudinal incision on the tunica albuginea and following transverse slicing incisions in the testicular parenchyma maximized the surface area and improved the SRR of microTESE.
Emergency contraceptive pill use among women in Denmark, Norway and Sweden: Population‐based survey
Authors: Guleria Sonia , Munk Christian , Elfström K. Miriam , Hansen Bo T. , Sundström Karin , Liaw Kai‐Li , Nygård Mari , Kjaer Susanne K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionEmergency contraceptive pill (ECP) use is reported to have increased in several countries over time. In this multi‐country population‐based questionnaire study, we aimed to describe the patterns of ECP use and identify factors associated with its use.Material and methodsIn 2011‐2012, women aged 18‐45 years were randomly selected from national registers in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and invited to respond to questions related to lifestyle and contraceptive use. We used generalized logistic models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing women who had used ECP with women who had never used ECP.ResultsOf the 45 445 women, 33.9% (Denmark = 32.3%, Norway = 35.1%, Sweden = 34.6%) had used ECP at least once in their lifetime. Among ECP users, 15.8% had used ECP within the last year and 50.0% had used ECP more than once in their life. After adjusting for country, age at response and response type, ECP use was associated with higher education (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.54‐2.84) and being single, divorced or widowed (OR 3.17, 95% CI 2.87‐3.49). Binge drinking and smoking increased the odds of ECP use. Furthermore, early age at first intercourse (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08‐1.55), having a new partner in the last 6 months (≥3 partners: OR 6.44, 95% CI 5.46‐7.60) and lack of condom use with a recent new partner (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.22‐1.66) were found to be associated with ECP use.ConclusionsOur study shows that ECP use is common among Scandinavian women. Higher education and being single were associated with increased odds of ECP use. Risk behaviors such as smoking and early age at first sex were also associated with increased odds of ECP use. Since ECP use is not protective against sexually transmitted infections, our findings highlight the need to encourage awareness and regular use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in women.
The evolution and physiology of male pregnancy in syngnathid fishes
Authors: Whittington Camilla M. , Friesen Christopher R. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTThe seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons (Syngnathidae) are among the few vertebrates in which pregnant males incubate developing embryos. Syngnathids are popular in studies of sexual selection, sex‐role reversal, and reproductive trade‐offs, and are now emerging as valuable comparative models for the study of the biology and evolution of reproductive complexity. These fish offer the opportunity to examine the physiology, behavioural implications, and evolutionary origins of embryo incubation, independent of the female reproductive tract and female hormonal milieu. Such studies allow us to examine flexibility in regulatory systems, by determining whether the pathways underpinning female pregnancy are also co‐opted in incubating males, or whether novel pathways have evolved in response to the common challenges imposed by incubating developing embryos and releasing live young. The Syngnathidae are also ideal for studies of the evolution of reproductive complexity, because they exhibit multiple parallel origins of complex reproductive phenotypes. Here we assay the taxonomic distribution of syngnathid parity mode, examine the selective pressures that may have led to the emergence of male pregnancy, describe the biology of syngnathid reproduction, and highlight pressing areas for future research. Experimental tests of a range of hypotheses, including many generated with genomic tools, are required to inform overarching theories about the fitness implications of pregnancy and the evolution of male pregnancy. Such information will be widely applicable to our understanding of fundamental reproductive and evolutionary processes in animals.
EHF promotes colorectal carcinoma progression by activating TGF‐β1 transcription and canonical TGF‐β signaling
Authors: Wang Lan , Ai Meiling , Nie Miaoting , Zhao Li , Deng Guangxu , Hu Shasha , Han Yue , Zeng Weiting , Wang Yiqing , Yang Minhui , Wang Shuang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractETS homologous factor (EHF) plays a critical function in epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation. However, the roles of EHF in cancer remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels, precise function and mechanism of EHF in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). We observed significantly elevated EHF expression in CRC cell lines and tissues. EHF overexpression correlated positively with poor differentiation, advanced T stage, and shorter overall survival of CRC patients. Function experiments revealed that EHF overexpression promoted CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, EHF could directly upregulate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) expression at the transcription level, thereby activating canonical TGF‐β signaling. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of EHF in tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis of CRC, which may help to provide new therapeutic targets for CRC intervention.
Early neutrophil count relates to infarct size and fatal outcome after large hemispheric infarction
Authors: Cui Li‐li , Zhang Yan , Chen Zhong‐yun , Su Ying‐ying , Liu Yawu , Boltze Johannes 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsTo investigate the relationship between peripheral leukocyte dynamics and the outcome of large hemispheric infarction (LHI) patients.MethodsPatients with acute LHI admitted to the neuro‐intensive care unit of Xuanwu Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were prospectively enrolled and followed up for 6 months after LHI.ResultsA total of 84 LHI patients were included, 38 patients suffered brain herniation and 20 patients died from stroke. Compared to patients with benign course, LHI patients with fatal outcome showed larger infarcts and more severe brain edema (P < .01), as well as increased WBC and neutrophil counts throughout the first week after stroke (P < .05). Correlation analysis revealed that neutrophil counts on D2 after LHI positively correlated with infarct and edema volumes measured from CT/MRI (R2 = 0.22 and R2 = 0.15, P < .01) and negatively correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale (ρ = −0.234, P < .05). Patients with D2 neutrophils > 7.14 × 109/L had higher risk of brain herniation [odds ratio (OR) = 7.5, 95% CI: 2.0‐28.1, P = .001], and patients with D2 neutrophils > 7.79 × 109/L had a higher risk of death (OR = 5.8, 95% CI: 1.2‐27.0, P = .015).ConclusionEarly peripheral neutrophil count after stroke relates to infarct size and the fatal outcome of LHI patients, which might help guiding acute LHI management such as reduction of intracranial pressure and potential antiinflammatory therapy in the future.
Number needed to treat in cardiovascular outcome trials of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists: A systematic review with temporal analysis
Authors: Davies Melanie J. , Kloecker David E. , Webb David R. , Khunti Kamlesh , Zaccardi Francesco 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) investigating the safety and efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) have highlighted some important differences among these medications. The recent American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus underlines that each trial constitutes a single experiment; therefore, it remains unclear if, and to what extent, the observed differences reflect the heterogeneous pharmacological properties of each compound. To help clarify the evidence, in this systematic review we investigated differences in trial characteristics which may have had an impact on the primary and secondary trial results, including baseline control of risk factors, prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, absolute rates of events, duration of the study, and definitions of the inclusion criteria and outcomes. Aiming at enhancing the clinical interpretation of these CVOTs, we quantified the absolute treatment effect over time in terms of the number needed to treat to avoid one major adverse cardiovascular event, showing variations among GLP‐1RAs.
Participation of TRPV1 in the activity of the GnRH system in male rats
Authors: Surkin Pablo Nicolás , Dmytrenko Ganna , Di Giorgio Noelia Paula , Bizzozzero Marianne , De Laurentiis Andrea , Fernández‐Solari Javier 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGnRH neuron activity is under the influence of multiple stimuli, including those coming from the endocannabinoid and the immune systems. Since it has been previously suggested that some of the main elements controlling the GnRH pulse generator possess the TRPV1 receptor, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the participation of the hypothalamic TRPV1, through its pharmacological blockade, in the activity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis in male rats under basal or acute inflammatory conditions. Our hypothesis was based on the idea that the hypothalamic TRPV1 participates in the synthesis of the main neuromodulatory signals controlling GnRH, and therefore the reproductive axis. Our results showed that the hypothalamic TRPV1 blockade induced pro‐inflammatory effects by increasing Tnfα and Il‐1β mRNA hypothalamic levels and inhibited the reproductive axis by affecting Gnrh, Kiss1 and Rfrp3 mRNA levels and decreasing plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone under basal conditions, without significant additive effects in rats exposed to systemic LPS. Altogether, these results suggest that the hypothalamic TRPV1 receptor participates in the regulation of the GnRH system, probably by modulating immune‐dependent mechanisms.
Describing and explaining the reaction of soils with phosphate using existing observations
Authors: Barrow N. J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSorption of phosphate by soils is an important determinant of fertiliser efficiency. Its extent and rate differ between soils. This paper considers both how these differences can be described and how they can be explained. Published data on the rate of reaction of soil with phosphate are assembled. There are 88 soil samples from five continents, as reported in six publications. In almost all cases, sorption (S) was related to solution concentration (c) and time (t) by: S = a cb1tb2 – qtb3. The term after the minus sign describes the rate of desorption; its value is affected by soil phosphate status. The “a” parameter reflects the amount of adsorbing surfaces present plus their affinity for phosphate. The b1 parameter, which describes the curvature of the sorption plots, reflects the composition of the adsorbing surfaces and their phosphate status. Large values are obtained for soils with a small range of electric potentials of their reacting surfaces and a low phosphate status, as is common for Australian virgin surface soils. The greatest influence on the b2 parameter, which describes the curvature of the plots against time, is the method of measurement. Large values were observed when soil and solution were shaken together and are probably an artefact caused by mutual abrasion of the soil particles. When this problem was avoided, large values of b2 were associated with very phosphate‐deficient soils; small values of b2 often occurred when b1 was also small, suggesting surfaces of varying potential were present. If the substances present included components such as kaolin, that might explain both the range in potentials and limited penetration.Highlights
The effect of solution concentration (c) and time (t) on sorption (S) can be described by S = acb1tb2 – qtb3 and the other terms are parameters.
Small values of the “curvature” term b1 are associated with large values for heterogeneity of the reacting surfaces.
Mutual abrasion of the soil particles causes large values of rate parameter b2 when soil and solution are shaken.
When this problem is avoided the value of b2 depends on the rate of penetration.
Parasitoids as drivers of symbiont diversity in an insect host
Authors: Hafer‐Hahmann Nina , Vorburger Christoph 
Published: May 2020

AbstractImmune systems have repeatedly diversified in response to parasite diversity. Many animals have outsourced part of their immune defence to defensive symbionts, which should be affected by similar evolutionary pressures as the host’s own immune system. Protective symbionts provide efficient and specific protection and respond to changing selection pressure by parasites. Here we use the aphid Aphis fabae, its protective symbiont Hamiltonella defensa, and its parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum to test whether parasite diversity can maintain diversity in protective symbionts. We exposed aphid populations with the same initial symbiont composition to parasitoid populations that differed in their diversity. As expected, single parasitoid genotypes mostly favoured a single symbiont that was most protective against that particular parasitoid, while multiple symbionts persisted in aphids exposed to more diverse parasitoid populations, which in turn affected aphid population density and rates of parasitism. Parasite diversity may be crucial to maintaining symbiont diversity in nature.
Mutualistic ants and parasitoid communities associated with a facultative myrmecophilous lycaenid, Arhopala japonica, and the effects of ant attendance on the avoidance of parasitism
Authors: Nakabayashi Yui , Mochioka Yukari , Tokuda Makoto , Ohshima Issei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHerbivorous insects have evolved various defensive strategies to avoid their primary enemies, parasitoids. Many species of Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) have food‐for‐protection mutualism with ants in their larval stages, where larvae produce nectar for ants and in return ants exclude parasitoids as well as predators. Myrmecophilous relationships are divided into two categories, obligate and facultative, by degrees of myrmecophily. Although parasitoids attacking obligate lycaenids always encounter lycaenid‐specific ant species, parasitoids that use facultative lycaenids are likely to encounter diverse ant species showing various defense systems. However, we know little about the parasitoid community of facultative lycaenid larvae. In this study, we investigated the mutualistic ant and parasitoid communities of a facultative myrmecophilous species, Arhopala japonica, in seven localities in Japan. The present field observation newly recorded four ant species attending A. japonica larvae, and combined with the previous data, the number of attending ant species reached 16, which is nearly the maximum number of reported attending ant species among myrmecophilous lycaenids. However, the present study revealed that almost all parasitized A. japonica larvae were attacked by a single braconid species, Cotesia sp. near inducta. We also assessed the efficiency of facultative ant defense against the parasitoid in the laboratory and revealed that oviposition by Cotesia sp. near inducta females was almost completely hindered when A. japonica larvae were attended by ants. This suggests that the dominant parasitoid does not have effective traits to overcome defensive behavior of ants and that the female wasps oviposit mainly in A. japonica larvae without intensive attendance.
Failure of serological testing for antigens A and C of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi to identify guttural pouch carriers
Authors: Durham Andy E. , Kemp-Symonds Jeremy 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerology is commonly used as a means of identifying horses that might be chronic and silent carriers of S. equi but its sensitivity is rarely examined.ObjectivesThe study was designed to investigate the sensitivity of serological testing for antibodies against S. equi antigens A and C to detect guttural pouch carriers of S. equi.Study designRetrospective clinical study.MethodsAs part of routine surveillance and quarantine procedures horses arriving at a welfare charity quarantine unit were subject to both microbiological sampling of guttural pouches and also serological testing for antibodies directed at S. equi antigens A and C. Laboratory results and endoscopic findings were examined to determine associations between serological results and guttural pouch carriage of S. equi.ResultsOf 287 included horses, 9 (3.1%) were found to be guttural pouch carriers. There was no significant association between serological status and guttural pouch carriage of S. equi Only one of the nine carriers (11%) was seropositive using a cut‐off of OD ≥ 0.5, and only three of nine (33%) using a cut‐off of OD ≥ 0.3.Main limitationsHorses examined in this study were new arrivals at a welfare centre rather than from a general, well‐managed, equid population. As a retrospective clinical study, the laboratory test results could not be repeated for further confirmation.ConclusionsCaution is advised when relying on seronegativity to antigens A and C in order to discount the possibility of chronic carriage of S. equi in guttural pouches.
Modelling the vibration response of a gas turbine using machine learning
Authors: Zárate Josué , Juárez‐Smith Perla , Carmona Javier , Trujillo Leonardo , de Lara Salvador 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis work deals with modelling the vibration response of a gas turbine obtained during the start‐up process until reaching the nominal speed for power generation. Analysing the vibrations of a complex systems like a gas turbine is useful for the diagnostic of faults or damages in the internal mechanical components of the different stages that integrate a turbine. This work focuses on the study of the shaft vibrations of the bearing radial type mounted between the shaft and the bearing compressor associated with the speed of the turbine. This relationship is studied using experimental data collected from a particular gas turbine model. In particular, we propose a methodology to synthesize a computational model following a supervised learning approach implemented through different machine learning techniques, including a multi‐layers perceptron network, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and genetic programming (GP) with local search. Results show that SVM, RF and GP perform very well in this task, producing accurate predictive models. Moreover, there are some interesting trade‐offs between the methods, regarding generalization error, overfitting and model interpretability that are relevant for future applications and research.