bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mosaic metabolic ageing: Basal and standard metabolic rates age in opposite directions and independent of environmental quality, sex and life span in a passerine
Authors: Briga Michael , Verhulst Simon 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCrucial to our understanding of the ageing process is identifying how traits change with age, which variables alter their ageing process and how these traits associate with fitness.Here we investigated metabolic ageing in outdoor‐living captive zebra finches experiencing foraging costs. We longitudinally monitored 407 individuals over 6 years and collected 3,213 measurements of two independent mass‐adjusted metabolic traits: basal metabolic rate (BMRm) at thermoneutral temperatures and standard metabolic rate (SMRm), measured as BMRmbut at ambient temperatures below thermoneutrality.We define mosaic or asynchronous ageing as the difference in standardized absolute ageing rates between traits, and we estimate the degree of asynchrony using the within‐individual correlation of change in trait values with age.BMRmdecreasedlinearly with age, consistent with earlier reports. In contrast, SMRmincreasedlinearly with age. The absolute standardized change with age was significantly faster for BMRmcompared to SMRm,and the within‐individual correlation of age related change was negligible. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantification of SMRmageing, and the finding that SMRmand BMRmage in opposite directions.Neither metabolic rate nor metabolic ageing rate were associated with variation in life span between individuals. Moreover, experimental manipulations of environmental quality that decreased BMRmand SMRmand shortened life span by 6 months (12%) did not affect the ageing of either metabolic trait. Females lived 2 months (4%) shorter than males, but none of the metabolic traits showed sex‐specific differences at any age.Our findings indicate, in contrast to the current view, that baseline energy requirements increase with age, because animals do not generally live in thermoneutral conditions, and illustrate the importance of studying the ageing phenotype in an ecologically realistic setting.A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Observation and theoretical calibration of the fluid flow mechanism of artificial porous rocks with various size fractures
Authors: Ding Pinbo , Wei Jianxin , Di Bangrang , Li Xiang‐Yang , Zeng Lianbo 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTFractures usually spread over various scales and strongly influence velocity and anisotropy. We investigate elastic velocity and anisotropy in rocks with fractures of different sizes. Based on synthetic rocks with controlled fracture geometries, we create a set of rocks with fracture diameter of 2, 3 and 4 mm and the fracture thickness is 0.06 mm. P‐ and S‐wave velocities are measured at 0.1 MHz, while the rocks are saturated with water and air. For a fixed measurement frequency (0.1 MHz), velocities are higher in rocks with larger fractures, while anisotropy is higher in rocks with smaller fractures, even for the same fracture density. These phenomena are associated with the wave‐induced fluid flow process. Some novel effective medium theories are adopted to calibrate with the laboratory data and analyse the anisotropy affected by the fluid flow mechanism and fracture size. The results of our study demonstrate the significant effects of fracture scale on wave responses by effective medium theories in different ways. We suggest that these scale effects should be of considerable concern in some disciplines (e.g. shear wave splitting in earth's crust and hydraulic fracture monitoring with microseismic data). Considering the scale effects of fractures, the accuracy during these investigations would be improved.
Effect of sonication conditions: Time, temperature and amplitude on physicochemical, textural and sensory properties of yoghurt
Authors: Kenari Reza Esmaeilzadeh , Razavi Razie 
Published: March 2021

The influence of sonication conditions (amplitude of ultrasound probe = 50, and 75%, time = 5, 10 and 15 min and temperature = 45, 55 and 65 ºC) on the properties of yoghurt was investigated. The apparent viscosity, hardness and lightness increased when sonication time, temperature and amplitude increased. At 75% of amplitude, the pH, syneresis and flavour decreased but acidity, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, redness, yellowness and overall acceptance increased. As the sonication temperature increased, acidity, syneresis, adhesiveness and yellowness decreased. Based on the physicochemical and sensorial results, sonication at 55 °C, 10 min and 75% of amplitude, effectively improved the properties of yoghurt.
Bilateral multifocality, a marker for aggressive disease, is not an independent prognostic factor for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Yan Ting , Qiu Wangwang , Song Jianlu , Ying Tao , Fan Youben , Yang Zhili 
Published: March 2021

AbstractContextMultifocality and bilaterality are common in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, their clinical behaviours and prognostic implications remain controversial.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between multifocality and classically aggressive characteristics and outcomes in patients with PTMC.MethodsClinical data of 3005 patients with PTMC were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary medical centre. The role of unilateral and bilateral multifocality in aggressive characteristics and clinical outcomes of PTMC was evaluated using propensity score matching (PSM).ResultsA total of 573 patients had bilateral multifocal disease (B‐MFD), 272 had unilateral multifocal disease (U‐MFD), and 2160 had unifocal disease (UFD). Univariate analysis showed that patients in the multifocal disease (MFD) groups showed significantly different characteristics compared to patients in the UFD group in terms of age, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), follicular variant PTMC, tumour diameter, aggressive growth, including extrathyroidal extension (ETE), central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM), and TNM stage, and underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Further stratified analysis revealed that patients in the B‐MFD group reflected the differences between the MFD and UFD groups. However, those in the U‐MFD group showed slight differences only in sex, CLT and cell subtypes, compared to the UFD group. In addition, PSM indicated differences in ETE, CLNM and LLNM between the B‐MFD and UFD groups (p < .001), while only ETE differed between the U‐MFD and UFD groups (p < .001). After a median follow‐up period of 60 months, no difference was observed in recurrence‐free survival between the UFD and B‐MFD (p = .294) or U‐MFD (p = .603) groups using PSM.ConclusionThis propensity score matching analysis provides strong evidence that bilateral multifocality, rather than unilateral multifocality, should be considered as an aggressive marker at presentation, and neither is an independent prognostic factor for clinical outcome in PTMC.
Experimental evolution on heat tolerance and thermal performance curves under contrasting thermal selection in Drosophila subobscura
Authors: Mesas Andrés , Jaramillo Angélica , Castañeda Luis E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEctotherms can respond to global warming via evolutionary change of their upper thermal limits (CTmax). Thus, the estimation of CTmax and its evolutionary potential is crucial to determine their vulnerability to global warming. However, CTmax estimations depend on the thermal stress intensity, and it is not completely clear whether its evolutionary capacity can be affected. Here, we performed an artificial selection experiment to increase heat tolerance using fast‐ and slow‐ramping selection protocols in Drosophila subobscura. We found that heat tolerance evolved in both selection protocols, exhibiting similar evolutionary change rates and realized heritabilities. Additionally, we estimated the thermal performance curves (TPC) to evaluate correlated responses to selection on heat tolerance. We detected that thermal optimum increased in fast‐ramping selection lines, but with a cost at the thermal performance breadth. Conversely, we did not detect changes in the TPC for the slow‐ramping selection lines, indicating that thermal stress intensity has important effects on the evolution of thermal physiology of ectotherms. These findings, together with previous studies in D. subobscura reporting interpopulation variability and significant heritabilities for heat tolerance, suggest that evolutionary change can contribute to insect persistence in thermally changing environments and adaptation to global warming conditions.
Lu–Hf garnet dating and the timing of collisions: Palaeoproterozoic accretionary tectonics revealed in the Southeastern Churchill Province, Trans‐Hudson Orogen, Canada
Authors: Godet Antoine , Guilmette Carl , Labrousse Loic , Smit Matthijs A. , Cutts Jamie A. , Davis Donald W. , Vanier Marc‐Antoine 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDating the onset of continental collision is fundamental in defining orogenic cycles and their effects on regional tectonics and geodynamic processes through time. Part of the Palaeoproterozoic Trans‐Hudson Orogen, the Southeastern Churchill Province (SECP) is interpreted to result from the amalgamation of Archean to Palaeoproterozoic crustal blocks (amalgamated as the central Core Zone) that diachronically collided with the margins of the North Atlantic and Superior cratons, resulting in two bounding transpressive orogens: the Torngat and New Quebec Orogens. The SECP exposes mainly gneissic middle to lower orogenic crust in which deformation and amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism and anatexis overprinted the early geological features classically used to constrain the timing of collisional events. To enable improved tectonic models for the development of the SECP, and the Trans‐Hudson as a whole, we investigated granulite facies supracrustal sequences from the Tasiuyak Complex (TC) accretionary prism and the western margin of the North Atlantic Craton—that is, Saglek Block (upper plate)—using a multi‐chronometer approach coupled with trace element geochemistry. In particular, the use of garnet Lu–Hf geochronology provides an important minimal time constraint for crustal thickening and collision. Garnet growth in the TC is constrained at 1885 ± 12 Ma (Lu–Hf), indistinguishable from U–Pb age of prograde monazite at 1873 ± 5 Ma. Zircon growth during melt crystallization occurred at 1848 ± 12 Ma. Garnet from the overriding Saglek Block is dated at 2567 ± 4.4 Ma (Lu–Hf) and indicates that gneissic rocks from the upper plate did not record the metamorphic imprint of the Torngat Orogeny. The diachronicity of the integrated metamorphic record across the strike of the SECP is explained by the location of terrane boundaries, consistent with the westward growth of the Churchill plate margin through sequential amalgamation of narrow crustal blocks during accretionary tectonics from c. 1.9 to 1.8 Ga.
A remarkable group of thick‐headed Triassic Period archosauromorphs with a wide, possibly Pangean distribution
Authors: Nesbitt Sterling J. , Stocker Michelle R. , Chatterjee Sankar , Horner John R. , Goodwin Mark B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe radiation of archosauromorph reptiles in the Triassic Period produced an unprecedented collection of diverse and disparate forms with a mix of varied ecologies and body sizes. Some of these forms were completely unique to the Triassic, whereas others were converged on by later members of Archosauromorpha. One of the most striking examples of this is with Triopticus primus, the early dome‐headed form later mimicked by pachycephalosaurid dinosaurs. Here we fully describe the cranial anatomy of Triopticus primus, but also recognize a second dome‐headed form from a Upper Triassic deposit in present‐day India. The new taxon, Kranosaura kuttyi gen. et sp. nov., is likely the sister taxon of Triopticus primus based on the presence of a greatly expanded skull roof with a deep dorsal opening (possibly the pineal opening) through the dome, similar cranial sculpturing, and a skull table that is expanded more posterior than the posterior extent of the basioccipital. However, the dome of Kranosaura kuttyi gen. et sp. nov. extends anterodorsally, unlike that of any other archosauromorph. Histological sections and computed tomographic reconstructions through the skull of Kranosaura kuttyi gen. et sp. nov. further reveal the uniqueness of the dome of these early archosauromorphs. Moreover, our integrated analysis further demonstrates that there are many ways to create a dome in Amniota. The presence of ‘dome‐headed’ archosauromorphs at two localities on the western and eastern portions of Pangea suggests that these archosauromorphs were widespread and are likely part of more assemblages than currently recognized.
Division of Baby Care in Heterosexual and Lesbian Parents: Expectations Versus Reality
Authors: Ascigil Esra , Wardecker Britney M. , Chopik William J. , Edelstein Robin S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveWe examined the extent to which prenatal expectations matched postpartum reality, and the implications of expectancy violation for relationship quality at postpartum, among heterosexual and lesbian couples transitioning to parenthood.BackgroundDuring the transition to parenthood, soon‐to‐be parents form expectations about how their lives will change after their baby is born; however, these expectations may not match reality.MethodWe longitudinally examined (a) expectancy violation in division of baby care among 47 heterosexual and lesbian couples transitioning to first‐time parenthood (total N = 94 participants) and (b) the associations between expectancy violation and relationship quality at 3 and 10‐months postpartum.ResultsWe found that expectations matched reality for lesbian couples, but not for heterosexual couples: Heterosexual mothers did more baby care than they expected, and fathers did less. Heterosexual birth mothers were less satisfied when they did more baby care than they expected, whereas fathers were both less satisfied and less invested in their relationship when they did more baby care than they expected. In contrast, for lesbian birth mothers and nonbirth mothers, doing more baby care than anticipated was not associated with postpartum relationship quality. These results remained even after controlling for prenatal relationship quality and timing of postpartum assessments.ConclusionThe extent to which prenatal expectations match postpartum reality, and the outcomes of expectancy violation, may be different for heterosexual and lesbian couples.
Current knowledge and future perspectives of the use of seaweeds for livestock production and meat quality: a systematic review
Authors: Costa Mónica , Cardoso Carlos , Afonso Cláudia , Bandarra Narcisa M. , Prates José A. M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe effects of dietary macroalgae, or seaweeds, on growth performance and meat quality of livestock animal species are here reviewed. Macroalgae are classified into Phaeophyceae (brown algae), Rhodophyceae (red algae) and Chlorophyceae (green algae). The most common macroalga genera used as livestock feedstuffs are: Ascophyllum, Laminaria and Undaria for brown algae; Ulva, Codium and Cladophora for green algae; and Pyropia, Chondrus and Palmaria for red algae. Macroalgae are rich in many nutrients, including bioactive compounds, such as soluble polysaccharides, with some species being good sources of n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. To date, the incorporation of macroalgae in livestock animal diets was shown to improve growth and meat quality, depending on the alga species, dietary level and animal growth stage. Generally, Ascophyllum nodosum can increase average daily gain (ADG) in ruminant and pig mostly due to its prebiotic activity in animal's gut. A. nodosum also enhances marbling score, colour uniformity and redness, and can decrease saturated fatty acids in ruminant meats. Laminaria sp., mainly Laminaria digitata, increases ADG and feed efficiency, and improves the antioxidant potential of pork. Ulva sp., and its mixture with Codium sp., was shown to improve poultry growth at up to 10% feed. Therefore, seaweeds are promising sustainable alternatives to corn and soybean as feed ingredients, thus attenuating the current competition among food‐feed‐biofuel industries. In addition, macroalgae can hinder eutrophication and participate in bioremediation. However, some challenges need to be overcome, such as the development of large‐scale and cost‐effective algae production methods and the improvement of algae digestibility by monogastric animals. The dietary inclusion of Carbohydrate‐Active enZymes (CAZymes) could allow for the degradation of recalcitrant macroalga cell walls, with an increase of nutrients bioavailability. Overall, the use of macroalgae as feedstuffs is a promising strategy for the development of a more sustainable livestock production.
ZNF718, HOXA4, and ZFP57 are differentially methylated in periodontitis in comparison with periodontal health: Epigenome‐wide DNA methylation pilot study
Authors: Hernández Hernán G. , Hernández‐Castañeda Anne A. , Pieschacón Maria P. , Arboleda Humberto 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the differences in the epigenomic patterns of DNA methylation in peripheral leukocytes between patients with periodontitis and gingivally healthy controls evaluating its functional meaning by functional enrichment analysis.BackgroundThe DNA methylation profiling of peripheral leukocytes as immune‐related tissue potentially relevant as a source of biomarkers between periodontitis patients and gingivally healthy subjects has not been investigated.MethodsA DNA methylation epigenome‐wide study of peripheral leukocytes was conducted using the Illumina MethylationEPIC platform in sixteen subjects, eight diagnosed with periodontitis patients and eight age‐matched and sex‐matched periodontally healthy controls. A trained periodontist performed the clinical evaluation. Global DNA methylation was estimated using methylation‐sensitive high‐resolution melting in LINE1. Routine cell count cytometry and metabolic laboratory tests were also performed. The analysis of differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) was made using R/Bioconductor environment considering leukocyte populations assessed in both routine cell counts and using the FlowSorted.Blood.EPIC package. Finally, a DMP and DMR intersection analysis was performed. Functional enrichment analysis was carried out with the differentially methylated genes found in DMP.ResultsDMP analysis identified 81 differentially hypermethylated genes and 21 differentially hypomethylated genes. Importantly, the intersection analysis showed that zinc finger protein 718 (ZNF718) and homeobox A4 (HOXA4) were differentially hypermethylated and zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57) was differentially hypomethylated in periodontitis. The functional enrichment analysis found clearly immune‐related ontologies such as “detection of bacterium” and “antigen processing and presentation.”ConclusionThe results of this study propose three new periodontitis‐related genes: ZNF718, HOXA4, and ZFP57 but also evidence the suitability and relevance of studying leukocytes’ DNA methylome for biological interpretation of systemic immune‐related epigenetic patterns in periodontitis.
Chinese herbal medicine versus antispasmodics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Min , Qin Di , Huang Shi‐Le , Tang Tai‐Chun , Zheng Hui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundChinese herbal medicine (CHM) is gaining popularity in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although its efficacy was shown in recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it is rarely compared with antispasmodics to confirm its effectiveness. We aimed to resolve this uncertainty through a network meta‐analysis.MethodsWe searched for RCTs that compared CHM or antispasmodics with placebo or one of them in the treatment of IBS. The primary outcomes were adequate relief of global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain. The data were pooled using a random‐effects model. The effect size measure was pooled relative risk (RR), and treatments were ranked according to their P‐scores.Key ResultsWe included 57 RCTs (n = 8869). After completion of treatment, drotaverine, individual CHM, otilonium, cimetropium, standard CHM, and pinaverium were efficacious in adequate relief of global IBS symptoms, and drotaverine ranked the first (RR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.31–4.14], P‐score =0.91); no difference was found between these treatments. After completion of treatment, drotaverine, standard CHM, pinaverium, and individual CHM were efficacious in abdominal pain, and drotaverine ranked the first (RR, 2.71 [95% CI, 1.69–4.36], P‐score =0.91); no difference was found between these treatments. Standard CHM had significantly more adverse events than placebo (RR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.12–2.94]) and other treatments.ConclusionsCHM and antispasmodics were efficacious for improvement of global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain. The adverse events of CHM were higher than antispasmodics; however, the heterogeneity of CHM formulas and the very low quality of the evidence warrants further investigation.
A novel Arabidopsis gene RGAT1 is required for GA‐mediated tapetum and pollen development
Authors: Qian Qian , Yang Yuhua , Zhang Wenbin , Hu Yilong , Li Yuge , Yu Hao , Hou Xingliang 
Published: March 2021

Summary

The phytohormone gibberellin (GA) is critical for anther development. RGA, a member of the DELLA family of proteins that are central GA signalling repressors, is a key regulator of male fertility in plants. However, the downstream genes in GA–RGA‐mediated anther development remain to be characterised.

We identified RGA Target 1 (RGAT1), a novel Arabidopsis gene, that functions as an important RGA‐regulated target in pollen development. RGAT1 is predominantly expressed in the tapetum and microspores during anther stages 8–11, and can be directly activated by RGA and suppressed by GA in inflorescence apices.

Both loss of function and gain of function of RGAT1 led to abnormal tapetum development, resulting in abortive pollen and short siliques. In RGAT1‐knockdown and overexpression lines, pollen abortion occurred at stage 10. Loss of RGAT1 function induced the premature degeneration of tapetal cells with defective ER‐derived tapetosomes, while RGAT1 overexpression delayed tapetum degeneration. TUNEL assay confirmed that RGAT1 participates in timely tapetal programmed cell death. Moreover, reducing RGAT1 expression partially rescued the tapetal developmental defects in GA‐deficient ga1‐3 mutant.

Our findings revealed that RGAT1 is a direct target of RGA and plays an essential role in GA‐mediated tapetum and pollen development.
The politics of FinTech: Technology, regulation, and disruption in UK and German retail banking
Authors: Hodson Dermot 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecent studies suggest that Uber and other tech start‐ups disrupt markets through regulatory entrepreneurship. This practice describes how such companies operate outside of regulation or in legal gray areas before mobilizing their customers in support of regulatory change. Financial technology (FinTech) is sometimes called the “Uber of banking,” but banking reveals different political dynamics than the car‐for‐hire sector. Exploring the rise of online‐only banks in the UK and Germany, this article finds that start‐ups such as Starling, Monzo, and N26 challenged incumbents without breaking or remaking regulation. The regulatory entrepreneurship approach, which sees FinTech as a difficult case, and the state world of regulatory innovation, which views policy‐makers as seizing the opportunity created by new technology to reassess their relationship with incumbents, help to explain these findings. Its conclusions have relevance for wider debates about the governance of health care and legal services and the politics of disruption more generally.