bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the microbiome of invasive sympatric European brown hares and European rabbits in Australia
Authors: Shanmuganandam Somasundhari , Hu Yiheng , Strive Tanja , Schwessinger Benjamin , Hall Robyn N. 
Published: August 2020

Background
European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are invasive pest species in Australia, with rabbits having a substantially larger environmental impact than hares. As their spatial distribution in Australia partially overlaps, we conducted a comparative microbiome study to determine how the composition of gastrointestinal microbiota varies between these species, since this may indicate species differences in diet, physiology, and other internal and external factors.

Methods
We analysed the faecal microbiome of nine wild hares and twelve wild rabbits from a sympatric periurban reserve in Canberra, Australia, using a 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing approach. Additionally, we compared the concordance between results from Illumina and Nanopore sequencing platforms.

Results
We identified significantly more variation in faecal microbiome composition between individual rabbits compared to hares, despite both species occupying a similar habitat. The faecal microbiome in both species was dominated by the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, typical of many vertebrates. Many phyla, including Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria, were shared between rabbits and hares. In contrast, bacteria from phylum Verrucomicrobia were present only in rabbits, while phyla Lentisphaerae and Synergistetes were represented only in hares. We did not identify phylum Spirochaetes in Australian hares; this phylum was previously shown to be present at high relative abundance in European hare faecal samples. These differences in the composition of faecal microbiota may be indicative of less discriminate foraging behaviour in rabbits, which in turn may enable them to adapt quicker to new environments, and may reflect the severe environmental impacts that this species has in Australia.
Formulation of a Topical Tannic Acid and Chitosan Gel Haemostatic Drug Delivery System for Treatment of Wounds and Abrasions
Authors: Hafeji Aysha , Danckwerts Michael Paul 
Published: August 2020

Haemostatic agents accelerate blood clotting and help in wound healing processes for wounds or abrasions. The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate a haemostatic gauze impregnated with chitosan and tannic acid as two effective haemostatic agents. The haemostatic gauze was easy to prepare and produce by means of a simple solvent casting method followed by lyophylisation. Nine different concentration combinations of tannic acid and chitosan were impregnated onto a 50 mm x 50 mm 8 ply gauze strip and were prepared and evaluated for dissolution into simulated body fluid (SBF) and finally tested for in vitro blood clotting ability versus Quikclot© (a commercially imported haemostatic gauze).
There was an initial quick release of tannic acid from the haemostatic gauze strips within 60 secs and thereafter a constant release of tannic acid. The in vitro blood clotting ability was found to be better in all the formulated haemostatic gauze strips than that of Quikclot©. Best clotting extent was achieved from 0.5% w/v chitosan and 1% w/v tannic acid gauze strips at 180 secs. In conclusion, the combination of tannic acid and chitosan haemostatic gauze strips developed in this study presents an inexpensive and effective alternative to importing haemostatic gauzes and bandages.
Establishing a blood bank at a small hospital, in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwagbo D , Nwakoby B , Akpala C , Chukudebelu W , Ikeme A , Okaro J , Onah B , Okeke V , Egbuciem P , Ikeagu A ,   (The Enugu PMM Team
Published: July 2002

AbstractPreliminary studies: A facility review at Enugu‐Ukwu General Hospital in Anambra State revealed limited blood transfusion and no blood storage capabilities. Focus groups indicated fears and misconceptions in the population regarding risks of blood donation and transfusion. Interventions: In 1994, a blood bank was established, including a refrigerator, backup generator, reagents and supplies. Refresher training was provided to the laboratory technologist. A public education campaign was launched one year later to encourage blood donation and dispel fears of transfusion. Results: Voluntary blood donations in the hospital increased from zero units before the program to 15 in 1995. Transfusions increased from three in 1993 to 17 in 1995. Eight of the 17 were for obstetric cases. No donations or transfusions occurred until six months after the establishment of the blood bank. Problems encountered in obtaining the cooperation of hospital management may partly explain the delayed response. Costs: The cost of establishing the blood bank was US $8800: 51% material costs and 42% training. Conclusions: Improving the availability of blood at small hospitals need not be very expensive. Community education activities may increase blood donation, but sustained efforts are likely to be required. Ministry of Health (MOH) involvement is important to the success of interventions in government hospitals. © 1997 International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Maternal factors associated with severity of birth defects
Authors: Sheiner E , Shoham‐Vardi I , Sheiner E.K , Mazor M , Katz M , Carmi R 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective: Due to inbreeding and nutritional factors, the Bedouin Arabs represent a high risk population for birth defects. The severity of birth defects is probably related to the time and extent of interference with embryogenesis. The present study was aimed at identifying factors associated with severity of birth defects, in pregnancies of Bedouin women examined at a third level ultrasound clinic. Methods: The study population consisted of 295 Bedouin women who attended an ultrasound clinic at the Soroka Medical Center between 1990 and 1996. The case group included 188 women carrying fetuses with severe birth defects, defined as incompatible with life or which significantly interfere with normal living. For those defects the option of pregnancy termination was discussed. The comparison group consisted of 107 women whose fetuses were diagnosed with mild defects. Results: Women carrying fetuses with severe birth defects had more pregnancies and more deliveries than women carrying fetuses with mild defects (P=0.005, P=0.04, respectively). The severity of defects was found to be unrelated to maternal age, consanguinity, residence, birth order, previously uncompleted pregnancies and birth defects in the family. Conclusions: Higher birth order was associated with severity of birth defects detected at the second trimester.
Alterations in the regulatory pathway involving p16, pRb and cdk4 in human chondrosarcoma
Authors: Asp Julia , Inerot Sven , Block Joel A. , Lindahl Anders 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe Gl regulatory pathway involving p16, pRb and cdk4 in the cell cycle has been investigated in human chondrosarcoma. The protein expression of p16, pRb and cdk4 was analyzed by Western blot in cultured cells from eight chondrosarcomas and in two chondrosarcoma cell lines. Both cell lines and one other sample were negative for p16. Moreover, one of the cell lines was pRb‐negative and showed a high expression of cdk4 as well. In the other cell line and in three other samples pRb of expected size were detected in addition to a shorter form of the protein. To further investigate the reasons for down‐regulation of the p16 protein, the p16‐coding gene CDKN2 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), methyl‐specific PCR (MSP) and sequencing in all tumor samples as well as in corresponding tumor tissues from three of the samples. The p16‐negative samples were all found to have homozygous deletion of CDKN2. Another sample showed partial gene methylation and a heterozygous position in codon 148 was detected in one sample. The same base substitution was also found in two of the tissue samples. Finally, cytogenetic analysis of the samples with homozygously deleted CDKN2 revealed multiple structural abnormalities in all three cases. In conclusion, the p16/ pRb/cdk4 pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of some chondrosarcomas. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mice with a targeted disruption of the neurotrophin receptor trkB lose their gustatory ganglion cells early but do develop taste buds
Authors: Fritzsch B. , Sarai P.A. , Barbacid M. , Silos‐Santiago I. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe alleged ability of taste afferents to induce taste buds in developing animals is investigated using a mouse model with a targeted deletion of the tyrosine kinase receptor trkB for the neurotrophin BDNF. This neurotrophin was recently shown to be expressed in developing taste buds and the receptor trkB has been shown to be expressed in the developing ganglion cells that innervate the taste buds. Our data show a reduction of geniculate ganglion cells to about 5% of control animals in neonates. Degeneration of ganglion cells starts when processes reach the central target (solitary tract) but before they reach the peripheral target (taste buds). Degeneration of ganglion cells is almost completed in trkB knockout mice before taste afferents reach in control animals the developing fungiform papillae. Four days later the first taste buds can be identified in fungiform papillae of both control and trkB knockout mice in about equal number and density. Many taste buds undergo a normal maturation compared to control animals. However, the more lateral and caudal fungiform papillae grow less in size and become less conspicuous in older trkB knockout mice. No intragemmal innervation can be found in trkB knockout taste buds but a few extragemmal fibers enter the apex and end between taste bud cells without forming specialized synapses. Taste buds of trkB knockout mice appear less well organized than those of control mice, but some cells show similar vesicle accumulations as control taste bud cells in their base but no synaptic contact to an afferent. These data strongly suggest that the initial development of many fungiform papillae and taste buds is independent of the specific taste innervation. It remains to be shown why others appear to be more dependent on proper innervation.
Foundations for Soft, Smart Matter by Active Mechanical Metamaterials
Authors: Pishvar Maya , Harne Ryan L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEmerging interest to synthesize active, engineered matter suggests a future where smart material systems and structures operate autonomously around people, serving diverse roles in engineering, medical, and scientific applications. Similar to biological organisms, a realization of active, engineered matter necessitates functionality culminating from a combination of sensory and control mechanisms in a versatile material frame. Recently, metamaterial platforms with integrated sensing and control have been exploited, so that outstanding non‐natural material behaviors are empowered by synergistic microstructures and controlled by smart materials and systems. This emerging body of science around active mechanical metamaterials offers a first glimpse at future foundations for autonomous engineered systems referred to here as soft, smart matter. Using natural inspirations, synergy across disciplines, and exploiting multiple length scales as well as multiple physics, researchers are devising compelling exemplars of actively controlled metamaterials, inspiring concepts for autonomous engineered matter. While scientific breakthroughs multiply in these fields, future technical challenges remain to be overcome to fulfill the vision of soft, smart matter. This Review surveys the intrinsically multidisciplinary body of science targeted to realize soft, smart matter via innovations in active mechanical metamaterials and proposes ongoing research targets that may deliver the promise of autonomous, engineered matter to full fruition.
TERT mutations correlate with higher TMB value and unique tumor microenvironment and may be a potential biomarker for anti‐CTLA4 treatment
Authors: Li Huahua , Li Jia , Zhang Chenyue , Zhang Chenxing , Wang Haiyong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently changed therapeutic paradigms for patients across multiple cancer types. However, current biomarkers cannot accurately predict responses to ICIs. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mutations lead to an aberrant upregulation of TERT expression, and ultimately allow telomere maintenance, thus supporting immortalization of cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate whether the TERT mutation is a potential predictor of ICI treatment across all cancer types. TERT mutations positively correlated with a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) value, neoantigen load, and tumor purity. Lymphocyte infiltration, macrophage regulation, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) response, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) response which was representative immune‐expression signatures, all had higher signature scores in the TERT mutation group. Activated CD4 T cell, naïve B cell, activated dendritic cell, M0 macrophage, M1 macrophage, neutrophil, resting NK cell, and plasma cells all had relatively higher immune scores in the TERT mutation group, whereas Th series cells, memory B cell, resting mast cells, monocytes, and activated NK cells had lower immune scores. Notably, in the subgroup analysis of monotherapy and combination ICI treatment, only in the anti‐cytotoxic‐T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (anti‐CTLA4) group, patients with TERT mutations had a better prognosis, especially for melanoma. Therefore, TERT mutations were closely related to a higher TMB value and unique tumor microenvironment, which may be the reason that TERT mutations may be a potential biomarker for anti‐CTLA4 treatment.
Biomass‐derived nonprecious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction: The demand‐oriented engineering of active sites and structures
Authors: Du Lei , Zhang Gaixia , Liu Xianhu , Hassanpour Amir , Dubois Marc , Tavares Ana C. , Sun Shuhui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important electrochemical process for renewable energy conversion and storage applications such as fuel cells and metal‐air batteries. ORR is sluggish in kinetics and requires a large amount of platinum group metal (PGM)‐based catalysts to facilitate its slow reaction rate. Application of precious metals raises the cost and decreases the competitivity of these devices in the market. To address this challenge, PGM‐free ORR catalysts have been intensively investigated as an alternative to replace the PGM‐based catalysts and to promote the deployment of ORR‐related applications. In particular, the biomass holds promising potential to be used as the precursor material for PGM‐free ORR catalysts. This pathway has gained more and more attention in recent years. In this review, recent advances regarding biomass‐derived ORR catalysts are summarized with a focus on the rational design of both active sites and porous structures which are the two key factors in determining ORR performance of catalysts. At the end, the perspectives of development of biomass‐derived catalysts is discussed.
A DFT/machine‐learning hybrid method for the prediction of 3JHCCH couplings
Authors: Navarro‐Vázquez Armando 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA machine learning model for the prediction of vicinal proton–proton couplings has been developed based on a hybrid representation that includes geometrical and electronic parameters derived from natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of low‐level BLYP/STO‐3G computations. The model can predict 3JHH couplings with accuracy comparable or better than the well‐known Altona equation, and it can provide sensible 3JHH predictions in systems not well handled by the Altona equation such as epoxide or cyclopropane rings.
Citizenship Education in Niger: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Sagayar Moussa Mohamed 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis chapter proposes a set of reflections about citizenship education, as well as its anchoring in the multi-ethnic and religious context of Niger, a Sahelian country at the southern border of the Sahara Desert. To address these questions, the chapter first presents the theoretical bases and concepts for analyzing citizenship education in the Nigerien educational system. The second part of the chapter deals with the issue of how ethnic groups in Niger evolve and coexist. On this basis, the third part exposes the issues of citizenship and their implications for the teaching of civic and moral education. The final part discusses potentially useful citizen actions towards improving citizenship education, especially in areas where the Islamist terrorist movement, Boko Haram, is active.
Role of the IL-2 inducible tyrosine kinase ITK and its inhibitors in disease pathogenesis
Authors: Lechner Kristina S. , Neurath Markus F. , Weigmann Benno 
Published: August 2020

AbstractITK (IL-2-inducible tyrosine kinase) belongs to the Tec family kinases and is mainly expressed in T cells. It is involved in TCR signalling events driving processes like T cell development as well as Th2, Th9 and Th17 responses thereby controlling the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Studies have shown that ITK is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases as well as in carcinogenesis. The loss of ITK or its activity either by mutation or by the use of inhibitors led to a beneficial outcome in experimental models of asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis among others. In humans, biallelic mutations in the ITK gene locus result in a monogenetic disorder leading to T cell dysfunction; in consequence, mainly EBV infections can lead to severe immune dysregulation evident by lymphoproliferation, lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Furthermore, patients who suffer from angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma have been found to express significantly more ITK. These findings put ITK in the strong focus as a target for drug development.
Truss geometry and topology optimization with global stability constraints
Authors: Weldeyesus Alemseged Gebrehiwot , Gondzio Jacek , He Linwei , Gilbert Matthew , Shepherd Paul , Tyas Andrew 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce geometry optimization into an existing topology optimization workflow for truss structures with global stability constraints, assuming a linear buckling analysis. The design variables are the cross-sectional areas of the bars and the coordinates of the joints. This makes the optimization problem formulations highly nonlinear and yields nonconvex semidefinite programming problems, for which there are limited available numerical solvers compared with other classes of optimization problems. We present problem instances of truss geometry and topology optimization with global stability constraints solved using a standard primal-dual interior point implementation. During the solution process, both the cross-sectional areas of the bars and the coordinates of the joints are concurrently optimized. Additionally, we apply adaptive optimization techniques to allow the joints to navigate larger move limits and to improve the quality of the optimal designs.
Adverse selection, efficiency and the structure of information
Authors: Bar-Isaac Heski , Jewitt Ian , Leaver Clare 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper explores how the structure of asymmetric information impacts on economic outcomes in Akerlof’s (Q J Econ 84(3):488–500, 1970) Lemons model applied to the labour market and extended to admit a matching component between worker and firm. We characterize the nature of equilibrium and define measures of adverse selection and efficiency. We then characterize the joint distribution of outcomes—adverse selection, probability of trade, efficiency, profits, and wage—for the class of Gaussian basic games and information, and perform comparative statics with respect to a parsimonious parameterization of the information structure. We use this framework to revisit the classic issue, first addressed by Roy (Oxford Econ Pap 3(2):135-146, 1951), of selection into different sectors. We identify conditions under which an effect reversal—adverse selection at any realisation of public information but, overall, positive selection into the outside sector—can and cannot arise, and note the implications for empirical work. We also explore the divisions of expected total surplus between worker and firm that can be achieved as information varies. We show that, if the distribution of worker types is non-singular, any point in the set of possible surplus divisions can be achieved as a limit of a PBE for some information structure with asymmetric information. Finally, re-interpreting the model in an insurance context, where the matching component becomes consumer risk aversion, we use our framework to highlight sources of advantageous selection.
Does sexual cannibalism secure genetic benefits of polyandry in a size-dimorphic spider?
Authors: Weiss Katharina , Ruch Jasmin , Zimmer Stefanie S. , Schneider Jutta M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Females mate multiply despite numerous costs. It is well established that polyandry can result in sexual conflict, favoring male adaptations that prevent sperm competition often to the disadvantage of the female. Such adaptations are extreme in spiders with one-shot genitalia of which parts break off and act as mating plugs, rendering them dysfunctional. In the spider Argiope bruennichi, mating plugs effectively prevent further males from inseminating and males that inseminate and plug both genital openings of a female secure exclusive paternity. However, females frequently prevent monopolization by attacking and cannibalizing males during their first copulation, leaving their second spermatheca free for another male. Here, we test whether the high frequency of sexual cannibalism evolved as a female adaptation to resist monopolization and secure indirect benefits of polyandry. To standardize conditions, we double-mated females either with the same or two different males and prevented male consumption. Using a split-brood design, we raised offspring to maturity under poor and rich food conditions and measured their survival, duration of juvenile phase, and adult body mass. Under low food, daughters of polyandrous mothers matured later but slightly heavier than daughters of monandrous females. Since the adaptive value of this combination is unclear, these findings lend no conclusive support to our hypothesis. We discuss the stereotypic nature of the female attack in the context of antagonistic co-evolution considering previous studies that found modest direct benefits of cannibalism as well as a potential for non-additive benefits.

Significance statement
Sexual conflict is extreme in spiders where sexual cannibalism impairs male mating rates. Males of the spider Argiope bruennichi possess one-shot genitalia which they break off to plug female genital openings. They gain exclusive paternity with a female if two copulations are achieved and both genital openings plugged. Females, however, stereotypically attack every male at the onset of copulation, limiting most males to single copulation but retaining the option to secure potential benefits of polyandry. Previous studies revealed weak direct and non-additive indirect benefits of multiple mating. In this study, we tested for the presence of additive genetic benefits but again found only inconclusive evidence for adaptive differences in offspring quality between monandrous and polyandrous females. All results combined, we here speculate that the stereotypic female attack might be a ghost of a past antagonistic co-evolution.