bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting altitudinal patterns of diversity between bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited flowers: Poverty of bumblebee diversity in a high mountain of Japan
Authors: Egawa Shin , Itino Takao 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRange shifts of mountain organisms toward higher elevations in response to global warming may result in spatial mismatches between plants and their pollinators. Here, we aimed to examine whether bumblebee diversity decreases in a high‐altitude zone, and whether it parallels a decrease in the altitudinal diversity of bumblebee‐visited plants. We surveyed the alpha diversities of flower‐visiting bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited plants along an altitudinal gradient on a Japanese high mountain. Then, we examined whether the alpha diversities of bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited plants could be explained by altitude, or by other factors such as season, surveyed area and flower abundance. We found that a model including only altitude best explained bumblebee diversity, and that flower abundance and plant diversity had considerable value in explaining bumblebee diversity. In contrast, none of the studied factors explained plant diversity. Bumblebee diversity was minimal in the high‐altitude zone (1,900–2,600 m a.s.l.), where the only dominant bumblebee species, Bombus beaticola, visited many species of flowering plants. In contrast, five to seven bumblebee species were distributed in the low‐ (700–1,300 m a.s.l.) and middle‐ (1,300–1,900 m a.s.l.) altitude zones. These results show that plant–pollinator mutualism in high‐altitude zone of a Japanese mountain is asymmetric: many bee‐pollinated plants rely almost exclusively on one bumblebee species (B. beaticola) for pollination. Monitoring future changes in the distribution and abundance of B. beaticola is indispensable for the conservation of alpine plant in Japan.
Mitigation Strategies for the Reduction of 2‐ and 3‐MCPD Esters and Glycidyl Esters in the Vegetable Oil Processing Industry
Authors: Oey Sergio B. , van der Fels‐Klerx H.J. , Fogliano Vincenzo , van Leeuwen Stefan P.J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe refining of vegetable oils leads to the formation of 2‐ and 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol esters (2‐ and 3‐MCPD‐E), and glycidyl esters (Gly‐E). A literature review was performed aiming to provide up‐to‐date knowledge on mitigation strategies during oil refining that can reduce the formation of these three processing contaminants. The review used the database Scopus and covered the period from 2009 to 2017. Most of the 18 papers dealt with palm oil and two papers with vegetable oil. Most studies focused on 3‐MCPD‐E, some on Gly‐E, and none on 2‐MCPD‐E. Water degumming was able to reduce the concentrations of 3‐MCPD‐E by 84% and Gly‐E by 26%. Neutralization of the oil reduced concentrations of 3‐MCPD‐E by 81% and Gly‐E by 84%. Bleaching with synthetic magnesium silicate reduced the 3‐MCPD‐E concentration by 67%. For the deodorization step, several mitigation strategies, such as double‐deodorization, the addition of various antioxidants, or a longer deodorization time, can reduce the formations of 3‐MCPD‐E by 82% and Gly‐E by 78%. Postrefining mitigation, including the use of absorbents, enzymes, or rebleaching of the oil, has also been reported to produce desirable contaminant reduction. Postrefining treatment with calcinated zeolite was able to reduce the 3‐MCPD‐E concentration by 19% and the Gly‐E concentration by 77%. Applying combined mitigation strategies to multiple steps of oil refining is likely crucial in order to adequately reduce levels of 3‐MCPD‐E and Gly‐E.
Dietary restriction and gonadal signaling differentially regulate post‐development quality control functions in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Shpigel Nufar , Shemesh Netta , Kishner Mor , Ben‐Zvi Anat 
Published: January 2019

AbstractProtein homeostasis is remodeled early in Caenorhabditis elegans adulthood, resulting in a sharp decline in folding capacity and reduced ability to cope with chronic and acute stress. Endocrine signals from the reproductive system can ameliorate this proteostatic collapse and reshape the quality control network. Given that environmental conditions, such as food availability, impact reproductive success, we asked whether conditions of dietary restriction (DR) can also reverse the decline in quality control function at the transition to adulthood, and if so, whether gonadal signaling and dietary signaling remodel the quality control network in a similar or different manner. For this, we employed the eat‐2 genetic model and bacterial deprivation protocol. We found that animals under DR maintained heat shock response activation and high protein folding capacity during adulthood. However, while gonadal signaling required DAF‐16, DR‐associated rescue of quality control functions required the antagonistic transcription factor, PQM‐1. Bioinformatic analyses supported a role for DAF‐16 in acute stress responses and a role for PQM‐1 in cellular maintenance and chronic stress. Comparing the stress activation and folding capacities of dietary‐ and gonadal‐signaling mutant animals confirmed this prediction and demonstrated that each differentially impacts cellular quality control capabilities. These data suggest that the functional mode of cellular quality control networks can be differentially remodeled, affecting an organism's ability to respond to acute and chronic stresses during adulthood.
Histological and functional comparisons of four anatomical regions of porcine skin with human abdominal skin
Authors: Khiao In Maneenooch , Richardson Kenneth C. , Loewa Anna , Hedtrich Sarah , Kaessmeyer Sabine , Plendl Johanna 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBecause of the shortage of human skin for research purposes, porcine skin has been used as a model of human skin. The aim of this study was to identify the region of German Landrace pig skin that could be used as the best possible substitute for human abdominal skin. Porcine samples were collected from the ear, flank, back and caudal abdomen; human abdominal skin samples were excised during plastic surgery. Histological and ultrastructural assessments were carried out on the epidermis and dermis, with emphasis on the dermo‐epidermal interface length, dermo‐epidermal thickness ratio as well as densities of; hair follicles, arrector pili muscles, blood vessels and sweat glands. In the pig, the barrier function of the four anatomical regions was assessed. Results showed that both histologically and ultrastructurally, all four regions of porcine skin were similar to human skin. These include the shapes of keratinocytes, structure of cell contacts and presence of Weibel Palade bodies in endothelial cells. Other parameters such as the thickness of epidermis, the thickness of stratum basale, spinosum and granulosum and the number of cell layers in the stratum corneum were similar in human abdominal and in all four regions of porcine skin. However, there were also significant differences especially in the thickness of the stratum corneum, the dermo‐epidermal interface length and the blood vessel density.
Treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment with or without cerebrovascular disease: Expert consensus on the use of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761®
Authors: Kandiah Nagaendran , Ong Paulus Anam , Yuda Turana , Ng Li‐Ling , Mamun Kaysar , Merchant Reshma Aziz , Chen Christopher , Dominguez Jacqueline , Marasigan Simeon , Ampil Encarnita , Nguyen Van Thong , Yusoff Suraya , Chan Yee Fai , Yong Fee Mann , Krairit Orapitchaya , Suthisisang Chuthamanee , Senanarong Vorapun , Ji Yong , Thukral Ramesh , Ihl Ralf 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Ginkgo biloba special extract, EGb 761® has been widely used in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodsTo guide clinical practice in the Asian region, the Asian Clinical Expert Group on Neurocognitive Disorders compiled evidence‐based consensus recommendations regarding the use of EGb 761® in neurocognitive disorders with/without cerebrovascular disease.ResultsKey randomized trials and robust meta‐analyses have demonstrated significant improvement in cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life with EGb 761®versus placebo in patients with mild‐to‐moderate dementia. In those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), EGb 761® has also demonstrated significant symptomatic improvement versus placebo. World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry guidelines list EGb 761® with the same strength of evidence as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonists e.g. memantine (Grade 3 recommendation; Level B evidence). Only EGb 761® had Level B evidence in improving cognition, behaviour, and ADL in both AD and vascular dementia patients. Safety analyses show EGb 761® to have a positive risk‐benefit profile. While concerns have been raised regarding a possible increased bleeding risk, several randomized trials and two meta‐analyses have not supported this association.ConclusionsThe Expert Group foresee an important role for EGb 761®, used alone or as an add‐on therapy, in the treatment of MCI and dementias, particularly when patients do not derive benefit from acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or NMDA antagonists. EGb 761® should be used in alignment with local clinical practice guidelines.
Keeping the Result in Sight and Mind: General Cognitive Principles and Language‐Specific Influences in the Perception and Memory of Resultative Events
Authors: Sakarias Maria , Flecken Monique 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe study how people attend to and memorize endings of events that differ in the degree to which objects in them are affected by an action:Resultativeevents show objects that undergo a visually salient change in state during the course of the event (peeling a potato), andnon‐resultativeevents involve objects that undergo no, or only partial state change (stirring in a pan). We investigate general cognitive principles, and potential language‐specific influences, in verbal and nonverbal event encoding and memory, across two experiments with Dutch and Estonian participants. Estonian marks a viewer's perspective on an event's result obligatorily via grammatical case on direct object nouns: Objects undergoing a partial/full change in state in an event are marked with partitive/accusative case, respectively. Therefore, we hypothesized increased saliency of object states and event results in Estonian speakers, as compared to speakers of Dutch. Findings show (a) a general cognitive principle of attending carefully to endings of resultative events, implying cognitive saliency of object states in event processing; (b) a language‐specific boost on attention and memory of event results under verbal task demands in Estonian speakers. Results are discussed in relation to theories of event cognition, linguistic relativity, and thinking for speaking.
Lung clearance of inhaled aerosol of Tc‐99m‐methoxyisobutyl isonitrile: relationships with cigarette smoking, age and gender
Authors: Mohan Hosahalli K. , Livieratos Lefteris , Peters A. Michael 
Published: January 2019

SummaryTc‐99m‐methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (Tc‐99m‐MIBI) is a radiolabelled xenobiotic, the disappearance rate of which from lungs following inhalation as a radioaerosol correlates inversely with bronchopulmonary multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) expression. Tc‐99m‐MIBI clearance has previously been shown to be delayed in cigarette smokers. The aim of the current study was to determine whether smoking correlates with bronchopulmonary MRP1 expression, to confirm that Tc‐99m‐MIBI disappearance rate from the lungs following inhalation is delayed in smokers, and to determine the effects of gender and age on disappearance rate. Participants underwent dynamic imaging for 40 min over the lungs following inhalation of Tc‐99m‐MIBI using a double‐headed gamma camera. The half‐time of clearance was obtained from geometric mean of anterior and posterior counts and averaged between the two lungs. Paraffin‐embedded tissue obtained from healthy lung during surgery in 13 patients was graded immunohistochemically for MRP1 as negative (0), weak (1), moderate (2) or strong (3). In 4 non‐smokers, grading was 1 in three and 0 in one. In 9 smokers, in contrast, expression was graded 2–3 in 8 and 1 in one (P<0·02). Mean clearance half‐time in smokers (142 ± 29 min; n = 17) was longer than in non‐smokers (91 ± 14 min; n = 18; P<0·0001). In non‐smokers, half‐times were not significantly different between men (96 ± 16; n = 6) min and women (88 ± 12 min; P = 0·2). Combining genders into one group, half‐time correlated with participant age (P = 0·0005). We conclude that smoking upregulates MRP1 and delays clearance of inhaled Tc‐99m‐MIBI. There is no significant gender difference in non‐smokers but ageing is associated with longer clearance half‐times.
Inequality of Opportunity in China's Labor Earnings: The Gender Dimension
Authors: Golley Jane , Zhou Yixiao , Wang Meiyan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the inequality of opportunity in China's labor earnings, defined as the component of inequality determined by personal circumstances that lie beyond the control of an individual, of which gender is one, as opposed to the component determined by personal efforts. Using the Survey of Women's Social Status in China (2010), we measure the share of inequality of opportunity in the total inequality of individual labor earnings for people aged 26–55 years, and separately for six birth cohorts and for female and male subsamples. Gender is revealed as the single most important circumstance determining nationwide individual labor earnings, with one's region of residence, father's occupation, father's education, birth cohort and holding rural or urban hukou also playing significant roles. A further investigation into the roles of circumstances and personal efforts (including education level, occupation, Communist Party membership, migration and marital status) confirms that circumstances play an alarmingly high role in shaping labor earnings distribution in China, and reveals notable gender differences that cannot be attributed to personal effort alone. These results provide the basis for recommending ways to improve gender equality of opportunity in the future.
Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in Heliconius melpomene
Authors: Darragh Kathy , Byers Kelsey J. R. P. , Merrill Richard M. , McMillan W. Owen , Schulz Stefan , Jiggins Chris D. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract1. Condition‐dependent traits can act as honest signals of mate quality, with fitter individuals being able to display preferred phenotypes. Nutrition is known to be an important determinant of individual condition, with diet known to affect many secondary sexual traits.2. In Heliconius butterflies, male chemical signalling plays an important role in female mate choice. Potential male sex pheromone components have been identified previously, although it is unclear what information they convey to the female.3. In the present study, the effect of diet on androconial and genital compound production is tested in male Heliconius melpomene rosina. To manipulate larval diet, larvae are reared on three different Passiflora host plants: Passiflora menispermifolia, the preferred host plant, Passiflora vitifolia and Passiflora platyloba. To manipulate adult diet, adult butterflies are reared with and without access to pollen, a key component of their diet.4. No evidence is found to suggest that adult pollen consumption affects compound production in the first 10 days after eclosion. There is also a strong overlap in the chemical profiles of individuals reared on different larval host plants. The most abundant compounds produced by the butterflies do not differ between host plant groups. However, some compounds found in small amounts differ both qualitatively and quantitatively. Some of these compounds are predicted to be of plant origin and the others synthesised by the butterfly. Further electrophysiological and behavioural experiments will be needed to determine the biological significance of these differences.
Sustained atrial tachycardia in horses and treatment by transvenous electrical cardioversion
Authors: Van Steenkiste G. , De Clercq D. , Vera L. , Decloedt A. , van Loon G. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundAtrial tachycardia including focal atrial tachycardia and macroreentrant atrial tachycardia (atrial flutter), are occasionally found in horses. Diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of these arrhythmias has been inadequately described.ObjectivesTo describe the findings on surface electrocardiography (ECG), intra‐atrial electrogram recording and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), the response to treatment by transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC), and TDI follow‐up, of sustained atrial tachycardia in horses.Study designCase series.MethodsRecords from horses with sustained atrial tachycardia treated by biphasic TVEC at Ghent University were reviewed. Horses with atrial fibrillation were not included.ResultsSeven horses with sustained atrial tachycardia were treated with TVEC. In six cases an exercise ECG was available and in 4 a 12‐lead ECG had been recorded. The mean bias between atrial cycle length measured from a right atrial intra‐atrial electrogram and from TDI ranged between −2 and 3 ms depending on the sampled region. All seven cases converted to sinus rhythm during the first TVEC procedure. TDI showed atrial contractile function recovery similar to cases that were treated for atrial fibrillation. One case developed atrial fibrillation 1 day after TVEC treatment, another case showed recurrence 8 years post conversion. The other five cases were still in sinus rhythm at 9 months – 5 years after TVEC.Main limitationsDue to the small number of patients, data on recurrence and follow‐up of atrial recovery should be interpreted with caution. Since no invasive electrophysiology studies were performed, differentiation between focal atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter remains speculative.ConclusionsTreatment of focal atrial tachycardia or atrial flutter by TVEC has a very high success rate. Tissue Doppler imaging allows noninvasive measurement of atrial cycle length and suggests reduced atrial function after cardioversion. Long‐term prognosis after cardioversion seemed similar compared to horses with atrial fibrillation, although early recurrence (<24 h) occurred in one horse.
The characteristics and spectrum of F9 mutations in Chinese sporadic haemophilia B pedigrees
Authors: Lu Yeling , Wu Xi , Dai Jing , Ding Qiulan , Wu Wenman , Wang Xuefeng 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionSporadic haemophilia B (HB) without obvious familial history poses challenges for genetic diagnosis and counselling.AimTo identify the F9 variants in sporadic HB patients and probe the origin of these de novo mutations.MethodA total of 294 unrelated HB pedigrees sought genetic diagnosis were analysed in this single‐centre study. The F9 gene was analysed by direct sequencing, and AccuCopy technique was adopted to screen for gene copy number variations. Six short tandem repeats approximal or within F9 gene were applied for linkage analysis. Mosaicism of sequence variant was determined by ddNTP Primer Extension method.ResultsSporadic HB patients constituted 36% (61/294) of cases enrolled in current study. The sporadic and familial HB patients shared similar spectrum of F9 variants, with single nucleotide substitution as predominant form of disease‐causing mutation and no mutation prone hotspot sites, including CpG dinucleotide sequences, had been identified. Majority of the mothers of sporadic HB patients were F9 mutation carriers (70%, 43/61), and most of them (95%, 41/43) had the inherited bleeding trait traced back to maternal grandfathers. Although most de novo mutations occur in germ cells, 2 maternal grandfathers, who had somatic mosaic mutations of F9, were also revealed to be the source of genetic variations identified in patients. In our cohort, FIX inhibitor incidence was 1%, developed only in patients carrying null mutations.ConclusionThe diversity of F9 genetic variants and possible mosaicism of de novo mutation demand extensive study and more cautious in genetic counselling of sporadic HB.
Durable aluminate toughened zirconate composite thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials for high temperature operation
Authors: Schmitt Michael P. , Stokes Jamesa L. , Rai Amarendra K. , Schwartz Andrew J. , Wolfe Douglas E. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractResearch on advanced thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials capable of operating beyond 1200°C has primarily focused on the rare earth zirconate pyrochlores, particularly gadolinium zirconate (Gd2Zr2O7 – GZO). The drawback of this material is a significant reduction in durability due to a low fracture toughness. This study investigates utilization of a thermodynamically compatible gadolinia alumina perovskite (GdAlO3 – GAP) toughening phase to improve the durability of GZO. Dense pellets were fabricated to assess the material properties with minimal microstructural influence. Thermal stability, elastic modulus, hardness, indentation fracture resistance and erosion durability were evaluated for GZO, GAP, and composite pellets containing 10, 30, and 50 wt.% GAP. It was demonstrated that GAP and GZO are thermodynamically compatible through 1600°C and thus capable of operating well beyond the limits of traditional 7 wt.% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Grain sizes are maintained due to a lack of diffusion, and thus microstructural stability is enhanced. The GAP fracture toughness was shown to be over 2X that of GZO while exhibiting a lower elastic modulus and similar hardness. The 50:50 GZO‐GAP composite exhibited a 63% reduction in the absolute erosion rate, demonstrating the immense toughening capabilities of this system. The implications for composite TBCs utilizing this system are discussed, along with future work.
Bond theory, terahertz spectra, and dielectric studies in donor‐acceptor (Nb‐Al) substituted ZnTiNb2O8 system
Authors: Luo Weijia , Li Lingxia , Yu Shihui , Li Jining , Zhang Bowen , Qiao Jianli , Chen Siliang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAs a donor and acceptor separately, Nb5+ and Al3+ are used to substitute Ti4+ in the ixiolite ZnTiNb2O8 system for the first time. The dielectric responses in the terahertz range of this system are initially studied based on the data from terahertz time‐domain transmitted spectroscopy. Combined with ligand field theory, the formation of a secondary phase of ZnAl2O4 is reasonably explicated. Then, the origins of the lower dielectric loss and the terahertz wave absorption coefficient are determined to be the high chemical bond covalency and effective phase control. For the composition of ZnTi0.85(Al0.5Nb0.5)0.15Nb2O8 sintered at 1180°C, a low dielectric loss (<5 × 10−3 @ 0.5 THz) and absorption coefficient (<10/cm @ 0.5 THz) are obtained, which make this kind of material propitious for developing terahertz dielectric devices.