bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early bilirubinemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation—an endothelial complication
Authors: Dai Hao , Penack Olaf , Radujkovic Aleksandar , Schult David , Majer-Lauterbach Joshua , Blau Igor Wolfgang , Bullinger Lars , Jiang Sihe , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Dreger Peter , Luft Thomas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHyperbilirubinemia occurs frequently after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Causes include primary liver damage and endothelial complications as major contributors. Here, we have investigated the impact of early bilirubinemia (EB) on posttransplant outcomes. Maximum total bilirubin levels (days 0–28) were categorized using maximally selected log rank statistics to identify a cut off for the endpoint non-relapse mortality (NRM) in a training cohort of 873 patients. EB above this cut off was correlated with NRM and overall survival (OS) and with pre- and posttransplant Angiopoietin-2, interleukin (IL)18, CXCL8 and suppressor of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) serum levels, and the endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX). Clinical correlations were validated in a sample of 388 patients transplanted in an independent institution. The EB cut off was determined at 3.6 mg/dL (61.6 µM). EB predicted OS (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.21–2.12, p < 0.001), and NRM (CSHR 2.14; 1.28–3.56, p = 0.004), also independent of typical endothelial complications such as veno-occlusive disease, refractory acute graft-versus-host disease, or transplant-associated microangiopathy. However, EB correlated with high Angiopoietin-2, EASIX-pre and EASIX-day 0, as well as increased levels of posttransplant CXCL8, IL18, and ST2. In summary, EB indicates a poor prognosis. The association of EB with endothelial biomarkers suggests an endothelial pathomechanism also for this posttransplant complication.
CLUE: exact maximal reduction of kinetic models by constrained lumping of differential equations
Authors: Ovchinnikov Alexey , Pérez Verona Isabel , Pogudin Gleb , Tribastone Mirco 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMotivationDetailed mechanistic models of biological processes can pose significant challenges for analysis and parameter estimations due to the large number of equations used to track the dynamics of all distinct configurations in which each involved biochemical species can be found. Model reduction can help tame such complexity by providing a lower-dimensional model in which each macro-variable can be directly related to the original variables.ResultsWe present CLUE, an algorithm for exact model reduction of systems of polynomial differential equations by constrained linear lumping. It computes the smallest dimensional reduction as a linear mapping of the state space such that the reduced model preserves the dynamics of user-specified linear combinations of the original variables. Even though CLUE works with non-linear differential equations, it is based on linear algebra tools, which makes it applicable to high-dimensional models. Using case studies from the literature, we show how CLUE can substantially lower model dimensionality and help extract biologically intelligible insights from the reduction.Availability and implementationAn implementation of the algorithm and relevant resources to replicate the experiments herein reported are freely available for download at https://github.com/pogudingleb/CLUE.Supplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Snake-like calls in breeding tits
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Gil Diego , Liang Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Hole-nesting tits belonging to the family Paridae produce a hissing display that resembles the exhalatory hiss of a snake. When a predatory animal enters the nest hole of a tit, tits often hiss vigorously, while lunging their head forward and shaking their wings and tail, until the intruder retreats. We assessed the acoustic similarity between such hiss calls from 6 species of tits, snake hisses, and tit syllables used in alarm vocalizations, as well as white noise as a control. Tit hiss calls showed a high degree of similarity with snake hisses from 3 different snake families. Tit hisses had lower similarity to syllable alarm calls, suggesting convergence of tit hisses in their spectral structure. Hiss calls would only be effective in protecting nest boxes if nest predators responded to these calls. In order to test this hypothesis, we trained individual Swinhoe’s striped squirrels, Tamiops swinhoei hainanus, a common predator of egg and nestling tits, to feed at feeders in proximity to nest boxes. We compared the aversive response of squirrels to tit’s hiss calls and white noise, presented in random order. Squirrels showed a higher degree of avoidance of feeders when hiss calls were played back than when white noise was presented. In conclusion, our study suggests that hole-nesting birds have evolved convergent snake-like hiss calls, and that predators avoid to prey on the contents of nest boxes from which snake-like hisses emerge.
Endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation of the lower termite
Authors: Ye Chenxu , Song Zhuanzhuan , Wu Taoyu , Zhang Wenxiu , Saba Noor us , Xing Lianxi , Su Xiaohong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Caste differentiation in termites is one of the most conspicuous examples of facultative polyphenism in animals. It is clear that specific cuticular formation occurs in hard exocuticles during caste differentiation. However, the developmental pattern of the soft endocuticle in the differentiation pathways of castes is unknown. To reveal whether the endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation, we compared the exocuticle and endocuticle thickness of individuals in 2 pathways (nymph line and worker line) of caste differentiation in the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis. The endocuticle protein genes were identified by transcriptome analysis and the expression patterns of these genes were confirmed in caste differentiation. We found that the endocuticle structure showed dynamic changes in 2 pathways, and the first difference in endocuticle structure occurred after larvae differentiation bifurcated into workers and nymphs. The thinning of the endocuticle was a significant event from nymphs developing into alates with the thickest exocuticle and thinnest endocuticle. The thickest endocuticle layers were found in the heads of the workers and the ultrastructure of the endocuticle in the heads was more complex than that in the thorax–abdomens. Six endocuticle protein genes were identified and annotated as endocuticle structural glycoproteins SgAbd-2, SgAbd-9, and Abd-5. The expression levels of endocuticle protein genes changed dramatically during caste development and the expression levels in neotenic reproductives (secondary reproductives) were significantly higher than those in alates (primary reproductives). These results reveal the roles of endocuticles in caste differentiation and adaptation to the environment.
Influence of lighting environment on social preferences in sticklebacks from two different photic habitats. I. mate preferences of wild-caught females
Authors: Hiermes Meike , Reher Stephanie , Rick Ingolf P , Bakker Theo C M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) A signals (320–400 nm) are important in mate choice in numerous species. The sensitivity for UV signals is not only assumed to be costly, but also expected to be a function of the prevailing ecological conditions. Generally, those signals are favored by selection that efficiently reach the receiver. A decisive factor for color signaling is the lighting environment, especially in aquatic habitats, as the visibility of signals, and thus costs and benefits, are instantaneously influenced by it. Although ecological aspects of color signal evolution are relatively well-studied, there is little data on specific effects of environmental UV-light conditions on signaling at these shorter wavelengths. We studied wild-caught gravid female 3-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus of 2 photic habitat types (tea-stained and clear-water lakes), possessing great variation in their UV transmission. In 2 treatments, tea-stained and clear-water, preferences for males viewed under UV-present (UV+) and UV-absent (UV–) conditions were tested. A preference for males under UV+ conditions was found for females from both habitat types, thus stressing the significance of UV signals in stickleback’s mate choice decisions. However, females from both habitat types showed the most pronounced preferences for males under UV+ conditions under clear-water test conditions. Moreover, reflectance measurements revealed that the carotenoid-based orange-red breeding coloration in wild-caught males of both habitat types differed significantly in color intensity (higher in clear-water males) and hue (more red shifted in clear-water males) while no significant differences in UV coloration were found. The differential reflection patterns in longer wavelengths suggest that sticklebacks of both habitat types have adapted to the respective water conditions. Adaptations of UV signals in a sexual context to ambient light conditions in both behavior and coloration seem less evident.
Tri-axial accelerometry shows differences in energy expenditure and parental effort throughout the breeding season in long-lived raptors
Authors: López-López Pascual , Perona Arturo M , Egea-Casas Olga , Morant Jon , Urios Vicente 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCutting-edge technologies are extremely useful to develop new workflows in studying ecological data, particularly to understand animal behavior and movement trajectories at the individual level. Although parental care is a well-studied phenomenon, most studies have been focused on direct observational or video recording data, as well as experimental manipulation. Therefore, what happens out of our sight still remains unknown. Using high-frequency GPS/GSM dataloggers and tri-axial accelerometers we monitored 25 Bonelli’s eagles Aquila fasciata during the breeding season to understand parental activities from a broader perspective. We used recursive data, measured as number of visits and residence time, to reveal nest attendance patterns of biparental care with role specialization between sexes. Accelerometry data interpreted as the overall dynamic body acceleration, a proxy of energy expenditure, showed strong differences in parental effort throughout the breeding season and between sexes. Thereby, males increased substantially their energetic requirements, due to the increased workload, while females spent most of the time on the nest. Furthermore, during critical phases of the breeding season, a low percentage of suitable hunting spots in eagles’ territories led them to increase their ranging behavior in order to find food, with important consequences in energy consumption and mortality risk. Our results highlight the crucial role of males in raptor species exhibiting biparental care. Finally, we exemplify how biologging technologies are an adequate and objective method to study parental care in raptors as well as to get deeper insight into breeding ecology of birds in general.
Nested association mapping reveals the genetic architecture of spike emergence and anthesis timing in intermediate wheatgrass
Authors: Altendorf Kayla R , Larson Steven R , DeHaan Lee R , Crain Jared , Neyhart Jeff , Dorn Kevin M , Anderson James A 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is an outcrossing, cool season grass species currently undergoing direct domestication as a perennial grain crop. Though many traits are selection targets, understanding the genetic architecture of those important for local adaptation may accelerate the domestication process. Nested association mapping (NAM) has proven useful in dissecting the genetic control of agronomic traits many crop species, but its utility in primarily outcrossing, perennial species has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we introduce an intermediate wheatgrass NAM population developed by crossing ten phenotypically divergent donor parents to an adapted common parent in a reciprocal manner, yielding 1,168 F1 progeny from 10 families. Using genotyping by sequencing, we identified 8,003 SNP markers and developed a population-specific consensus genetic map with 3,144 markers across 21 linkage groups. Using both genomewide association mapping and linkage mapping combined across and within families, we characterized the genetic control of flowering time. In the analysis of two measures of maturity across four separate environments, we detected as many as 75 significant QTL, many of which correspond to the same regions in both analysis methods across 11 chromosomes. The results demonstrate a complex genetic control that is variable across years, locations, traits, and within families. The methods were effective at detecting previously identified QTL, as well as new QTL that align closely to the well-characterized flowering time orthologs from barley, including Ppd-H1 and Constans. Our results demonstrate the utility of the NAM population for understanding the genetic control of flowering time and its potential for application to other traits of interest.
Interaction Between Physical Activity and Polygenic Score on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Older Black and White Participants From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Wu Yan Yan , Thompson Mika D , Youkhana Fadi , Pirkle Catherine M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This study investigated the association of lifestyle factors and polygenic risk scores (PGS), and their interaction, on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We examined data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, a prospective longitudinal cohort of adults aged 50 years and older, containing nationally representative samples of Black and White Americans with precalculated PGS for T2D (N = 14 001). Predicted prevalence and incidence of T2D were calculated with logistic regression models. We calculated differences in T2D prevalence and incidence by PGS percentiles and for interaction variables using nonparametric bootstrap method. Black participants had approximately twice the prevalence of Whites (26.2% vs 14.2%), with a larger difference between the 90th and 10th PGS percentile from age 50 to 80 years. Significant interaction (pinteraction = .0096) was detected between PGS and physical activity among Whites. Among Whites in the 90th PGS percentile, T2D prevalence for moderate physical activity was 17.0% (95% CI: 14.8, 19.6), 6.8% lower compared to no/some physical activity (23.8%; 95% CI: 20.4, 27.5). T2D prevalence was similar (~10%) for both groups in the 10th PGS percentile. Incident T2D in Whites followed a similar pattern (pinteraction = .0325). No significant interactions with PGS were detected among Black participants. Interaction of different genetic risk profiles with lifestyle factors may inform understanding of varying inventions’ efficacy for different groups of people, potentially improving clinical and prevention interventions.
Correlates of Strength and Balance Training Exercises in Older African American Adults
Authors: Jiakponnah Nwanyieze Ngozi , Unson Christine , Chukwurah Queendaleen Chinenye 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background and Objectives
This study investigated the behavioral and psychological correlates of strength and balance training (SBT) participation among older African Americans.

Research Design and Methods
A cross-sectional survey of 90 older African Americans (M = 66.7 ± 8.7 years; 70% female) was conducted to assess correlates of intention to undertake SBT exercises and the number of days that they currently engage in SBT. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the threat appraisal of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) were used as frameworks for the analyses.

Results
The intention to do SBT exercises was positively associated with favorable attitudes and subjective norm, knowledge about the benefits of SBT, and hours worked per week. The frequency of SBT participation was significantly correlated with behavioral intention, high fear of falling, and a low score on the kinesiophobia scale.

Discussion and Implications
This study demonstrated the utility of the TPB and PMT’s threat appraisal construct in modeling intention and number of days of SBT participation among African American older adults. The study affirmed the link between intention and behavior and between knowledge of the benefits of SBT and intention. Fear of falling’s positive association with days of SBT suggests that respondents’ saw SBT’s efficacy in reducing falls. The unique contributions of this study are the inclusions of kinesiophobia as a correlate and multiple threat appraisals in the PMT. Health promotion interventions should consider the interrelationship among these constructs.
Economic evaluation of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) using hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software—a case study of rural India
Authors: Sharma Kamal Kant , Gupta Akhil , Kumar Raman , Chohan Jasgurpreet Singh , Sharma Shubham , Singh J , Khalilpoor Nima , Issakhov Alibek , Chattopadhyaya Somnath , Dwivedi Shashi Prakash 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This paper unveils a sustainable energy plan for optimal utilization of available electrical energy resources for an energy-deficient village. The chosen village is Nangal, near Barnala, Punjab, India. Primarily, the requirements of electric energy are recorded and elaborated for around 450 households. Aiming this, the potential to harness electric power and its effective utilization has been identified from the available resources of energy: biomass, agriculture waste and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. In order to achieve this, a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) model is proposed whose performance is evaluated by implementing it in hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software. HOMER software provides optimal solution for a commercial biogas plant for catering cooking gas demand. Also, a coordinated solution for solar PV-operated water pumps used for irrigation, village water supply and solar PV street lights is presented and analyzed. In this way, the accurateness of proposed model is investigated by estimating the optimal electric power demand and its economic benefits. It has been revealed that the computed cost of energy and total net present cost are $0.032/KWh and $76,837, respectively, by the parametric assessment of proposed HRES system. It is envisaged that the proposed model can be a road map for future research engineers in designing an effective energy utilization for villages.
Pericyte migration and proliferation are tightly synchronized to endothelial cell sprouting dynamics
Authors: Payne Laura Beth , Darden Jordan , Suarez-Martinez Ariana D , Zhao Huaning , Hendricks Alissa , Hartland Caitlin , Chong Diana , Kushner Erich J , Murfee Walter L , Chappell John C 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPericytes are critical for microvascular stability and maintenance, among other important physiological functions, yet their involvement in vessel formation processes remains poorly understood. To gain insight into pericyte behaviors during vascular remodeling, we developed two complementary tissue explant models utilizing ‘double reporter’ animals with fluorescently-labeled pericytes and endothelial cells (via Ng2:DsRed and Flk-1:eGFP genes, respectively). Time-lapse confocal imaging of active vessel remodeling within adult connective tissues and embryonic skin revealed a subset of pericytes detaching and migrating away from the vessel wall. Vessel-associated pericytes displayed rapid filopodial sampling near sprouting endothelial cells that emerged from parent vessels to form nascent branches. Pericytes near angiogenic sprouts were also more migratory, initiating persistent and directional movement along newly forming vessels. Pericyte cell divisions coincided more frequently with elongating endothelial sprouts, rather than sprout initiation sites, an observation confirmed with in vivo data from the developing mouse brain. Taken together, these data suggest that (i) pericyte detachment from the vessel wall may represent an important physiological process to enhance endothelial cell plasticity during vascular remodeling, and (ii) pericyte migration and proliferation are highly synchronized with endothelial cell behaviors during the coordinated expansion of a vascular network.
Crayfish Eating in Snakes: Testing How Anatomy and Behavior Affect Prey Size and Feeding Performance
Authors: Gripshover N D , Jayne B C 
Published: January 2021

Synopsis
Quantifying the performance of animals is a powerful methodology for determining the functional consequences of morphological variation. For example, snakes consume prey whole, and variation in the anatomy of their trophic apparatus directly affects gape and limits maximal prey size. However, for the foraging ecology of snakes and other systems, scant data exist regarding how often maximal capacities are taxed in nature. Hence, we quantified: (1) maximal gape, (2) the size of prey relative to maximal gape, and (3) how the type and relative size of prey affected behavior and prey handling times (HTs) for two species of natricine snakes that primarily eat soft- (Regina septemvittata) or hard-shelled (Liodytes alleni) crayfish. Liodytes alleni had significantly larger maximal gape than R. septemvittata with equal snout–vent length. The percentages of large prey (&gt;60% maximal gape area) consumed in the field were low in both R. septemvittata (22%) and L. alleni (2%). However, R. septemvittata, especially juveniles, ate relatively larger prey than L. alleni. Strategies for dealing with the seasonal scarcity of small crayfish differed as juvenile R. septemvittata commonly removed and ate only chelipeds from crayfish too large to swallow whole, whereas juvenile L. alleni ate many small odonate nymphs. During laboratory trials, unlike R. septemvittata, L. alleni usually used its body to restrain prey with behaviors that depended on relative prey size and prey hardness. Liodytes alleni consumed soft-shelled crayfish significantly faster than R. septemvittata and significantly faster than hard-shelled crayfish. Several of the differences in gape, prey size, and prey HTs and behavior between the crayfish-eating snakes resemble those between two phylogenetically distant species of homalopsid snakes that consume either hard- or soft-shelled crabs. In both groups of crustacean-eating snakes, the decreased capture success in captivity and the rare consumption of relatively large hard-shelled crustaceans in the field suggest that the ability to capture this type of prey constrains prey size more commonly than maximal gape. Based on data integrating snake size and gape with the relative mass of intact prey, the predicted potential feeding performance R. septemvittata consuming intact prey exceeded that of the other three species.