bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Embryonic staging of bats with special reference to Vespertilio sinensis and its cochlear development
Authors: Nojiri Taro , Fukui Dai , Werneburg Ingmar , Saitoh Takashi , Endo Hideki , Koyabu Daisuke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundHow bats deviate heterochronically from other mammals remains largely unresolved, reflecting the lack of a quantitative staging framework allowing comparison among species. The standard event system (SES) is an embryonic staging system allowing quantitative detection of interspecific developmental variations. Here, the first SES‐based staging system for bats, using Asian parti‐colored bat (Vespertilio sinensis) is introduced. General aspects of normal embryonic development and the three‐dimensional development of the bat cochlea were described for the first time. Recoding the embryonic staging tables of 18 previously reported bat species and Mus musculus into the SES system, quantitative developmental comparisons were performed.ResultsIt was found that limb bud development of V. sinensis is relatively late among 19 bat species and late limb development is a shared trait of vespertilionid bats. The inner ear cochlear canal forms before the semicircular canal in V. sinensis while the cochlear canal forms after the semicircular canal in non‐volant mammals.ConclusionsThe present approach using the SES system provides a powerful framework to detect the peculiarities of bat development. Incorporating the timing of gene expression patterns into the SES framework will further contribute to the understanding of the evolution of specialized features in bats.
Eutrophic status influences the impact of pesticide mixtures and predation on Daphnia pulex populations
Authors: Oliveira dos Anjos Talles Bruno , Polazzo Francesco , Arenas‐Sánchez Alba , Cherta Laura , Ascari Roberto , Migliorati Sonia , Vighi Marco , Rico Andreu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPesticides, nutrients, and ecological stressors such as competition or predation co‐occur in freshwater ecosystems impacted by agriculture. The extent to which combinations of these stressors affect aquatic populations and the role of nutrients availability in modulating these responses requires further understanding. In this study, we assessed how pesticides affecting different taxonomic groups and predation influence the response of Daphnia pulex populations under different trophic conditions. An outdoor experiment was designed following a factorial design, with the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the herbicide diuron, and the predation by Notonecta sp. individuals as key stressors. The single impact of each of these stressors, and their binary and tertiary combinations, was evaluated on D. pulex abundance and population structure under mesotrophic and eutrophic conditions for 21 days. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models estimated by means of a novel Bayesian shrinkage technique. Our study shows a significant influence of each of the evaluated stressors on D. pulex abundance; however, the impacts of the herbicide and predation were lower under eutrophic conditions as compared to the mesotrophic ones. We found that binary stressor interactions were generally additive in the mesotrophic scenario, except for the herbicide–predation combination, which resulted in synergistic effects. The impacts of the binary stressor combinations in the eutrophic scenario were classified as antagonistic, except for the insecticide–herbicide combination, which was additive. The tertiary interaction resulted in significant effects on some sampling dates; however, these were rather antagonistic and resembled the most important binary stressor combination in each trophic scenario. Our study shows that the impact of pesticides on freshwater populations depends on the predation pressure, and demonstrates that the combined effect of pesticides and ecological stressors is influenced by the food availability and organism fitness related to the trophic status of freshwater ecosystems.
Declines in occurrence of plants characteristic for a nutrient‐poor meadow habitat are partly explained by their responses to nutrient addition and competition
Authors: Höckendorff Stefanie , Peintinger Markus , Fiedler Felicitas , Stift Marc , van Kleunen Mark 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSpecies losses and local extinctions are alarmingly common, frequently as a consequence of habitat destruction. Nevertheless, many intact habitats also face species losses, most likely due to environmental changes. However, the exact drivers, and why they affect some species more than others in apparently intact habitats, are still poorly understood. Addressing these questions requires data on changes in occurrence frequency of many species, and comparisons of the responses of those species to experimental manipulations of the environment. Here, we use historic (1911) and contemporary (2017) data on the presence–absence of 42 plant species in 14 seemingly intactMoliniameadows around Lower Lake Constance to quantify changes in occurrence frequency. Then, we performed a common‐garden experiment to test whether occurrence frequencies in 1911 and changes therein by 2017 could be explained by responses of the 42 species to nutrient addition and competition with the acquisitive generalist grassPoa pratensis. Within the 14 still intactMoliniameadows, 36 of the 42 species had declined since 1911. As expected, nutrient addition generally led to increased biomass production of the 42 target species, and competition withP. pratensishad a negative effect. The latter was stronger at high nutrient availability. The more frequent species were in 1911 and the more they declined in frequency between 1911 and 2017, the less above‐ground biomass they produced in our experiment. Competition withP. pratensismagnified this effect. Our work highlights that environmental change can contribute to local extinction of species in otherwise intact habitat remnants. Specifically, we showed that increased nutrient availability negatively affected formerly widespreadMolinia‐meadow species in competition withP. pratensis. Our study thus identified a likely mechanism for the decline in occurrence frequency of species in the remainingMoliniameadows.
A comparative study: Influence of various drying methods on essential oil components and biological properties of Stachys lavandulifolia
Authors: Hazrati Saeid , Lotfi Kazem , Govahi Mostafa , Ebadi Mohammad‐Taghi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe genus Stachys is a member of the Lamiaceae family. These are important medicinal plants which grow all over the world and are known for their flavoring and therapeutic effects and Stachys lavandulifolia is an endemic species of Iran. To acquire high‐quality essential oil (EO), drying technique was implemented which is an essential part of this process. The present study designed to evaluate the influences of different drying techniques (fresh sample, shade, sunlight, freeze‐drying, microwave, and oven‐drying (40, 60, and 80°C) on EO yield and composition of S. lavandulifolia. The results indicated that the maximum EO yield was obtained by the shade‐drying method. The main compounds found in the fresh samples were spathulenol, myrcene, β‐pinene, δ‐cadinene, and α‐muurolol, while spathulenol, cyrene, δ‐cadinene, p‐cymene, decane, α‐terpinene, β‐pinene, and intermedeol were found to be the dominant compounds in the dry samples. Drying techniques were found to have a significant impact on the values of the main compositions, for example, monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α‐pinene, β‐pinene, myrcene, and β‐phellandrene were significantly reduced by microwave drying, oven‐drying (40, 60, and 80°C), and sunlight‐drying methods. Drying techniques increased the antioxidant activity of S. lavandulifolia EOs especially those acquired by freeze‐drying with the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values 101.8 ± 0.8 mg/ml in DPPH assay and 315.2 ± 2.1 mg/ml in decreasing power assay. As a result, shade‐, sun‐, and oven‐drying (40°C) were found to be the most important techniques for attaining maximum yields of EO.
Affective symptoms and regional cerebral tau burden in early‐stage Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tommasi Nicole S , Gonzalez Christopher , Briggs Danielle , Properzi Michael J , Gatchel Jennifer R , Marshall Gad A ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are often present in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. NPS are associated with structural and functional changes in the brain such as atrophy, regional hypometabolism, and hypoperfusion, considered proxies of neurodegeneration. Our objective was to evaluate the association between NPS and regional cerebral tau burden, a more direct representation of neurodegeneration, in cognitively normal (CN), MCI, and AD dementia individuals.MethodsCross‐sectional NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) in 410 CN, 199 MCI, and 61 AD dementia participants who underwent flortaucipir tau positron emission tomography as part of the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Total NPI score and two factors of NPS (affective and hyperactive) were used in analyses. Linear regression models with backward elimination were employed with NPI as dependent variable and regional tau or tau‐amyloid interaction as predictor of interest. Covariates included education, age, sex, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Total Learning, and Trail Making Test B.ResultsThere were significant associations (p < 0.05) between the NPI variables (total score, Affective factor) and entorhinal and precuneus tau across all participants. These associations were also significant for the tau‐amyloid interaction. These effects were significant in cognitively symptomatic participants (MCI and AD dementia), but not in CN participants.ConclusionsIncreased tau burden in the entorhinal and precuneus cortices was modestly associated with greater NPS in MCI and AD dementia. Further evaluation of NPS and their effect on early‐stage AD could aid in finding new interventions and slowing disease progression.
Mapping of multiple muscles with transcranial magnetic stimulation: absolute and relative test–retest reliability
Authors: Nazarova Maria , Novikov Pavel , Ivanina Ekaterina , Kozlova Ksenia , Dobrynina Larisa , Nikulin Vadim V. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe spatial accuracy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be as small as a few millimeters. Despite such great potential, navigated TMS (nTMS) mapping is still underused for the assessment of motor plasticity, particularly in clinical settings. Here, we investigate the within‐limb somatotopy gradient as well as absolute and relative reliability of three hand muscle cortical representations (MCRs) using a comprehensive grid‐based sulcus‐informed nTMS motor mapping. We enrolled 22 young healthy male volunteers. Two nTMS mapping sessions were separated by 5–10 days. Motor evoked potentials were obtained from abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi, and extensor digitorum communis. In addition to individual MRI‐based analysis, we studied normalized MNI MCRs. For the reliability assessment, we calculated intraclass correlation and the smallest detectable change. Our results revealed a somatotopy gradient reflected by APB MCR having the most lateral location. Reliability analysis showed that the commonly used metrics of MCRs, such as areas, volumes, centers of gravity (COGs), and hotspots had a high relative and low absolute reliability for all three muscles. For within‐limb TMS somatotopy, the most common metrics such as the shifts between MCR COGs and hotspots had poor relative reliability. However, overlaps between different muscle MCRs were highly reliable. We, thus, provide novel evidence that inter‐muscle MCR interaction can be reliably traced using MCR overlaps while shifts between the COGs and hotspots of different MCRs are not suitable for this purpose. Our results have implications for the interpretation of nTMS motor mapping results in healthy subjects and patients with neurological conditions.
Identifying healthcare cost drivers in Palestine
Authors: Morrar Rabeh , Jabr Samer , Ghandour Rula , Abu‐Rmeileh Niveen ME , Forgione Dana A. , Younis Mustafa 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe examine the relationship between national health expenditure and its drivers to help inform resource allocation policy decisions in Palestine. We forecast health expenditures from the financing agency perspective, and examine Granger‐Causality relationships to assess implied causality between health spending and exogenous variables, using estimates of vector autoregressions. We forecast national health expenditure to be US$1.45 billion in 2015 and grow at 7% annually through 2020. This is due to expected increases in government health expenditure, and household spending, at 5% and 7%, respectively, compared to 2014. The proportion of household spending on health services is expected to increase, while the government proportion is expected to decrease over the long run due to budget constraints. Population growth, ageing and changes in chronic disease patterns contribute significantly as drivers of the increase in healthcare costs. Our results suggest a need to review and modify the current health insurance scheme.
Computational analysis of gas permeability of slip flow through microannulus replete by based‐circular Sierpinski porous medium
Authors: Hader Montasir , Al‐Azzam Munis , Al‐Kouz Wael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere are wide applications for flow in a microporous medium. In this study, a computational analysis of airflow through a porous microannulus constructed by circular‐based Sierpinski has been performed in a slip flow regime, where several parameters played an important role in the flow characteristics. These parameters are the Knudsen number, the average friction factor, radius ratio, and porosity. The impacts of these parameters on permeability and the gas flow characteristics are examined and analyzed thoroughly. The ranges of the investigated parameters are as follows (0.001 ≤ Kn ≤ 0.1 and the porosity range is 0.75 ≤ ε ≤ 0.95). The results showed that porosity has a significant impact on the velocity distribution and Darcy number. The Knudsen number has also a direct effect on the velocity distribution, while it has a positive logarithmic proportionality with a dimensionless permeability but the radius ratio does have a neglected effect on the Darcy number. Moreover, the effect of the average friction factor has an inverse proportional relationship to the Darcy number.
An edge guided cascaded U‐net approach for accelerated magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction
Authors: Dhengre Nikhil , Sinha Saugata 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging, despite of its significant role in today's healthcare, suffers from long image acquisition time which leads to patient discomfort and cost increment. Compressive sensing magnetic resonance imaging, where clinically acceptable images are reconstructed using partially sampled k‐space data, is one possible approach to mitigate this problem. The recent evolution in compressive sensing magnetic resonance imaging field is the model based deep learning approach, which is comprised of cascaded convolutional neural network based denoizer and data consistency layer. In this paper, we propose an edge guided model based deep learning approach employing U‐net module as an artifact removal unit. The proposed model contains cascaded U‐net architectures with interleaved data consistency layer. To effectively retain the fine details in the reconstructed output, along with the image, edge maps of the image were also applied at the input of each stage in the cascaded structure and the edge map loss was incorporated in the objective function along with the pixel loss. Experiments were performed on MR‐PD and MR‐T1 images with different sampling patterns. Qualitative and quantitative comparison of the results obtained with the proposed method with other model based and deep learning methods validates the superiority of the proposed method in reconstructing high quality magnetic resonance images.
Calling for a Global Turn to Inform Digital Literacies Education
Authors: Lammers Jayne C. , Astuti Puji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLiteracies researchers have long argued that the new literacies made possible by the internet facilitate global connectedness. However, much of the research about digital literacies has centered the experiences of participants and researchers from only certain parts of the world. The field needs to embrace a more inclusive understanding of global, acting intentionally to seek out, include, and learn from people in the Global South to truly realize the role that digital literacies have in the life of a global meaning maker. In calling for a global turn in digital literacies research to inform education, the authors share stories from a study with Indonesian secondary students to spark dialogue about how conceptualizations of digital literacies need to shift as voices from the Global South get invited into the conversation.
The who, what, where, how, and why of endoscopic submucosal dissection in Canada: A survey among Canadian endoscopists
Authors: Rai Mandip , Motomura Douglas , Hookey Lawrence , Antillon Mainor R , Bechara Robert 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and AimEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an internationally accepted technique for the resection of superficial gastrointestinal neoplasia. ESD allows for en‐bloc removal when endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is unsuitable due to the size or depth of the lesion. The aim of this survey was to examine Canadian clinicians' experience and perceptions of ESD as its prevalence increases across the country.MethodsAn electronic survey consisting of 24 multiple‐choice questions was distributed via the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology email database and directly to those known to be performing or interested in ESD. The survey covered training, practice, obstacles in implementation, and perceptions of the future of ESD in Canada.ResultsA total of 21 participants completed the survey. ESD was performed primarily in the endoscopy suite exclusively (71%), and most operators (64%) performed it on an outpatient basis. Procedure time was selected as the greatest technical challenge in the performance of ESD by 86% of the participants. Both lack of formalized training and long procedure times were the highest ranked barriers to the adoption of ESD. Over the next 5 years, 95% believed there would be an increase in ESD volume in Canada, and 43% believed ESD was ready for adoption by more therapeutic endoscopists.InterpretationIn this survey, we explored the current practice, attitude, and challenges of ESD in the Canadian landscape. As the performance of ESD increases and gains more acceptance across Canada, there are opportunities to address technical challenges and barriers through the formalization of training, education, and practice guidelines.
Morquio‐like dysostosis multiplex presenting with neuronopathic features is a distinct GLB1‐related phenotype
Authors: Stockler‐Ipsiroglu Sylvia , Yazdanpanah Nahid , Yazdanpanah Mojgan , Moisa Popurs Marioara , Yuskiv Nataliya , Schmitz Ferreira Santos Mara Lúcia , Ae Kim Chong , Fischinger Moura de Souza Carolina , Marques Lourenço Charles , Steiner Carlos Eduardo , Federhen Andressa , Giugliani Luciana , Bastos Pereira Débora Maria , Durán‐Carabali Luz Elena , Giugliani Roberto 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMorquio B disease (MBD) is a distinct GLB1‐related dysostosis multiplex presenting a mild phenocopy of GALNS‐related Morquio A disease. Previously reported cases from European countries carry the W273L variant on at least one GLB1 allele and exhibit a pure skeletal phenotype (pure MBD). Only a minority of MBD cases have been described with additional neuronopathic findings (MBD plus).Objectives and MethodsWith the aim to further describe patterns of MBD‐related dysostosis multiplex, we analyzed clinical, biochemical, and genetic features in 17 cases with GLB1‐related dysostosis multiplex living and diagnosed in Brazil.ResultsAbout 14 of the 17 individuals had three or more skeletal findings characteristic of Morquio syndrome. Two had no additional neuronopathic features (pure MBD) and 12 exhibited additional neuronopathic features (MBD plus). Three of the 17 cases had mild dysostosis without distinct features of MBD. Seven of the 12 MBD plus patients had signs of spinal cord compression (SCC), as a result of progressive spinal vertebral dysostosis. There was an age‐dependent increase in the number of skeletal findings and in the severity of growth impairment. GLB1 mutation analysis was completed in 10 of the 14 MBD patients. T500A occurred in compound heterozygosity in 8 of the 19 alleles.ConclusionOur study extends the phenotypic spectrum of GLB1‐related conditions by describing a cohort of patients with MBD and GM1‐gangliosidosis (MBD plus). Targeting the progressive nature of the skeletal manifestations in the development of new therapies for GLB1‐related conditions is warranted.
Adaptive variation in the development of extraembryonic membranes of gekkotan embryos: A meta‐analytical approach
Authors: Andrews Robin M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHighly mineralized rigid‐shelled eggs characterize one lineage of gekkotans. In contrast, poorly mineralized flexible‐shelled eggs characterize basal lineages of gekkotans and all other squamates. Low oxygen permeability of rigid‐shelled eggs is associated with small eggs and hatchlings, and long incubation lengths compared to flexible‐shelled gekkotan eggs. These features represent a demographic cost for species with rigid‐shelled eggs. This cost is offset, at least in part, because mortality due to desiccation and predation is reduced for rigid‐shelled eggs relative to flexible‐shelled eggs. Developmental traits may also compensate for the low oxygen permeability of rigid‐shelled eggs. Oviposition, for example, occurs at earlier developmental stages for gekkotans with rigid‐ versus flexible‐shelled eggs. Such early oviposition facilitates development because eggs move from the relatively hypoxic oviduct to the much better oxygenated nest environment. In this study, I tested the hypothesis that the growth of the yolk sac (YS) and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of gekkotans with rigid‐shelled eggs is initiated and completed earlier than those of gekkotans with flexible‐shelled eggs. I measured the surface area of eggs covered by the YS and CAM from oviposition to hatching and determined which of four nonlinear models provide the best fit for growth curves. I also compiled a data set on embryonic metabolism of gekkotans and other lizards in order to place growth of the YS and CAM in the context of energy utilization of lizard embryos overall. Growth of the YS and CAM of gekkotans with rigid‐shelled eggs is accelerated relative to that of gekkotans with flexible‐shelled eggs and may serve to separate the cost of YS and CAM development from that of the embryo itself. Adaptive variation in YS and CAM development may extend to birds, crocodilians, and turtles as they also exhibit life history variation that affects oxygen availability to embryos during development.
In soil measurement of radiation dose caused by X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Lippold Eva , Kleinau Philip , Blaser Sebastian R. G. A. , Schlüter Steffen , Phalempin Maxime , Vetterlein Doris 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRadiation damage to plants through X‐ray exposure has been reported to impair root growth. The literature on the critical dose for growth impairment is inconclusive, partly as dose measurements in soil are scarce. Here we fill this gap and show that the dose in a typical single pot scan amounts to 1.2 Gy. In addition, we demonstrate the shortcomings of estimating the dose from scan settings using the RadPro Calculator and highlight the efficient reduction of X‐ray exposure by a lead shield.