bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep spindle dynamics during NREM and REM sleep following distinct general anaesthesia in control rats and in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease cholinopathy
Authors: Lazic Katarina , Ciric Jelena , Saponjic Jasna 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOn the basis of our previous studies and the important role of the thalamo‐cortical network in states of unconsciousness, such as anaesthesia and sleep, and in sleep spindles generation, we investigated sleep spindles (SS) and high‐voltage sleep spindle (HVS) dynamics during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep following different types of general anaesthesia in both physiological controls and in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) cholinopathy, to follow the impact of anaesthesia on post‐anaesthesia sleep at the thalamo‐cortical level through an altered sleep spindle dynamics. We recorded 6 hr of spontaneous sleep in all rats, both before and 48 hr after ketamine/diazepam or pentobarbital anaesthesia, and we used 1 hr of NREM or REM sleep from each to validate visually the automatically detected SS or HVS for their extraction and analysis. In the controls, SS occurred mainly during NREM, whereas HVS occurred only during REM sleep. Ketamine/diazepam anaesthesia promoted HVS, prolonged SS during NREM, induced HVS of increased frequency during REM, and increased SS/HVS densities during REM versus NREM sleep. Pentobarbital anaesthesia decreased the frequency of SS during NREM and the HVS density during REM sleep. Although the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus lesion prolonged SS only during NREM sleep, in these rats, ketamine/diazepam anaesthesia suppressed HVS during both sleep states, whereas pentobarbital anaesthesia promoted HVS during REM sleep. The different impacts of two anaesthetic regimens on the thalamo‐cortical regulatory network are expressed through their distinct sleep spindle generation and dynamics that are dependent on the NREM and REM state regulatory neuronal substrate.
Developing a core outcome set for childhood obesity prevention: A systematic review
Authors: Matvienko‐Sikar Karen , Griffin Ciara , McGrath Niamh , Toomey Elaine , Byrne Molly , Kelly Colette , Heary Caroline , Devane Declan , Kearney Patricia M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSynthesis of effects of infant feeding interventions to prevent childhood obesity is limited by outcome measurement and reporting heterogeneity. Core outcome sets (COSs) represent standardised approaches to outcome selection and reporting. The aim of this review is to identify feeding outcomes used in infant feeding studies to inform an infant feeding COS for obesity prevention interventions. The databases EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and PsycINFO searched from inception to February 2017. Studies eligible for inclusion must examine any infant feeding outcome in children ≤1 year. Feeding outcomes include those measured using self‐report and/or observational methods and include dietary intake, parent–child interaction, and parental beliefs, among others. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction form. Outcomes were assigned to outcome domains using an inductive, iterative process with a multidisciplinary team. We identified 82 unique outcomes, representing nine outcome domains. Outcome domains were “breast and formula feeding,” “introduction of solids,” “parent feeding practices and styles,” “parent knowledge and beliefs,” “practical feeding,” “food environment,” “dietary intake,” “perceptions of infant behaviour and preferences,” and “child weight outcomes.” Heterogeneity in definition and frequency of outcomes was noted in reviewed studies. “Introduction of solids” (59.5%) and “breastfeeding duration” (55.5%) were the most frequently reported outcomes. Infant feeding studies focus predominantly on consumption of milks and solids and infant weight. Less focus is given to modifiable parental and environmental factors. An infant feeding COS can minimise heterogeneity in selection and reporting of infant feeding outcomes for childhood obesity prevention interventions.
A diet rich in C3 plants reveals the sensitivity of an alpine mammal to climate change
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sabuj , Dawson Deborah A. , Hipperson Helen , Ishtiaq Farah 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPlant–herbivore interactions provide critical insights into the mechanisms that govern the spatiotemporal distributions of organisms. These interactions are crucial to understanding the impacts of climate change, which are likely to have an effect on the population dynamics of alpine herbivores. The Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei, hereafter pika) is a lagomorph found in the western Himalaya and is dependent on alpine plants that are at risk from climate change. As the main prey of many carnivores in the region, the pika plays a crucial role in trophic interactions. We examined topographical features, plant genera presence and seasonal dynamics as drivers of the plant richness in the pika's diet across an elevational gradient (2,600–4,450 m). We identified 79 plant genera in the faecal pellets of pikas, of which 89% were forbs, >60% were endemic to the Himalaya, and 97.5% of the diet plant genera identified followed the C3 photosynthetic pathway. We found that, during the premonsoon season, the number of genera in the pika's diet decreased with increasing elevation. We demonstrate that a large area of talus supports greater plant diversity and, not surprisingly, results in higher species richness in the pika's diet. However, in talus habitat with deep crevices, pikas consumed fewer plant genera suggesting they may be foraging suboptimally due to predation risk. The continued increase in global temperature is expected to have an effect on the distribution dynamics of C3 plants and consequently influence pika diet and distribution, resulting in a significant negative cascading effect on the Himalayan ecosystem.
Are we underestimating the occurrence of sympatric populations?
Authors: Jorde Per Erik , Andersson Anastasia , Ryman Nils , Laikre Linda 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSympatric populations are conspecific populations that coexist spatially. They are of interest in evolutionary biology by representing the potential first steps of sympatric speciation and are important to identify and monitor in conservation management. Reviewing the literature pertaining to sympatric populations, we find that most cases of sympatry appear coupled to phenotypic divergence, implying ease of detection. In comparison, phenotypically cryptic, sympatric populations seem rarely documented. We explore the statistical power for detecting population mixtures from genetic marker data, using commonly applied tests for heterozygote deficiency (i.e., Wahlund effect) and the structure software, through computer simulations. We find that both tests are efficient at detecting population mixture only when genetic differentiation is high, sample size and number of genetic markers are reasonable and the sympatric populations happen to occur in similar proportions in the sample. We present an approximate expression based on these experimental factors for the lower limit of FST, beyond which power for structure collapses and only the heterozygote‐deficiency tests retain some, although low, power. The findings suggest that cases of cryptic sympatry may have passed unnoticed in population genetic screenings using number of loci typical of the pre‐genomics era. Hence, cryptic sympatric populations may be more common than hitherto thought, and we urge more attention being diverted to their detection and characterization.
The effect of a multispecies probiotic on microbiota composition in a clinical trial of patients with diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Hod Keren , Dekel Roy , Aviv Cohen Nathaniel , Sperber Ami , Ron Yishai , Boaz Mona , Berliner Shlomo , Maharshak Nitsan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough probiotics are increasingly used in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), their mechanism of action has not been elucidated sufficiently. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a multispecies probiotic on enteric microbiota composition in women with diarrhea‐predominant‐IBS (IBS‐D) and to determine whether these effects are associated with changes in IBS symptoms or inflammatory markers.MethodsIn a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, Rome III IBS‐D women completed a two‐week run‐in period and eligible women were assigned at random to a probiotic capsule (BIO‐25) or an indistinguishable placebo, twice daily for 8 weeks. IBS symptoms and stool consistency were rated daily by visual analogue scales and the Bristol stool scale. High sensitivity C‐reactive protein, fecal calprotectin and microbial composition were tested at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. Microbial sequencing of the 16S rRNA was performed and data were analyzed to compare patients who responded to treatment with those who did not.Key Results172 IBS‐D patients were recruited and 107 eligible patients were allocated to the intervention (n = 54) or placebo (n = 53) group. Compared to placebo, BIO‐25 did not result in changes in microbial diversity or taxa proportions, except for higher relative proportions of Lactobacillus in the BIO‐25 group (P = 0.002). Symptomatic responders to BIO‐25 showed a reduction in the proportion of Bilophila(P = 0.003) posttreatment. Patients with beneficial inflammatory‐marker changes had higher baseline proportions of Faecalibacterium(P = 0.03), Leuconostoc (P = 0.03), and Odoribacter (P = 0.05) compared to corresponding non‐responders.Conclusions & InferencesIdentifying patients with a more amenable microbiome at treatment initiation may result in better treatment response.
Intermittent Price Changes in Production Plants: Empirical Evidence Using Monthly Data
Authors: Nilsen Øivind A. , Vange Magne 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe price‐setting behaviour of manufacturing plants is examined using a large panel of monthly surveyed plant‐ and product‐specific prices. The sample shows a high frequency of zero changes, relatively small price changes and a strong seasonal price‐change pattern. The intermittent feature of price changes is modelled with thresholds which are smaller in January, and a quadratic loss function associated with the distance from the target price. The findings show statistically significant pricing thresholds, which are only two‐thirds in January, and partial adjustment parameters implying that 60% of the deviation between the target price and the current price is closed each month.
A regulatory role of autophagy for resetting the memory of heat stress in plants
Authors: Sedaghatmehr Mastoureh , Thirumalaikumar Venkatesh P. , Kamranfar Iman , Marmagne Anne , Masclaux‐Daubresse Celine , Balazadeh Salma 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAs sessile life forms, plants are repeatedly confronted with adverse environmental conditions, which can impair development, growth, and reproduction. During evolution, plants have established mechanisms to orchestrate the delicate balance between growth and stress tolerance, to reset cellular biochemistry once stress vanishes, or to keep a molecular memory, which enables survival of a harsher stress that may arise later. Although there are several examples of memory in diverse plants species, the molecular machinery underlying the formation, duration, and resetting of stress memories is largely unknown so far. We report here that autophagy, a central self‐degradative process, assists in resetting cellular memory of heat stress (HS) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Autophagy is induced by thermopriming (moderate HS) and, intriguingly, remains high long after stress termination. We demonstrate that autophagy mediates the specific degradation of heat shock proteins at later stages of the thermorecovery phase leading to the accumulation of protein aggregates after the second HS and a compromised heat tolerance. Autophagy mutants retain heat shock proteins longer than wild type and concomitantly display improved thermomemory. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism for HS memory in plants.
Intervening into mechanisms: Prospects and challenges
Authors: Kästner Lena , Andersen Lise Marie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn contemporary philosophy of science, the consensus view seems to be that scientific explanations describe mechanisms responsible for the phenomena to be explained. Two kinds of explanatory relevance figure in mechanistic accounts of explanation: causal (etiological) and constitutive. Following prominent accounts, it seems natural to analyze both these relations in terms of systematic interventions into some factor X with respect to another factor Y. However, such interventions are tailored to uncover causal relations only. Construing the constitutive relationship between parts and wholes in terms of interventions thus raises metaphysical, conceptual, and epistemological questions. We here review the barriers that intervention‐based inquiry into mechanisms encounters and consider some solutions.
Qualitative zoning of groundwater to assessment suitable drinking water using fuzzy logic spatial modelling via GIS
Authors: Mohebbi Tafreshi Amin , Mohebbi Tafreshi Ghazaleh , Bijeh Keshavarzi Mohammad Hosein 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDue to shortage of surface water, resources of ground water in Iran (like many other countries with dry and semi‐dry weather) have turned into the most important and reliable source for water supply. Thus, it is necessary to consider the quality of this resource for drinking purposes. The aim of this study was to assessment suitable drinking water based on a fuzzy approach in Asalem region, Iran. For reduce the uncertainty, fuzzy logic spatial modelling via GIS was applied. To receive these aims, four stages were performed. In stage 1, we calculate the values of eighteen conventional and effective factors used for drinking water quality classification upon analysing the statistical quality data regarding various ions existing in 15 sample wells dug in 2015. In stage 2, interpolate these factors by kriging method via ArcGIS software. In stage 3, parameter standardization with fuzzy membership function were done. And in stage 4, for Aggregation factors, several fuzzy overlay operations were used. Finally, to identify the best operation, the ‘Optimum Index Factor’ was used. Results showed that the ‘GAMMA 0.9’ with highest OIF in most of the factors, is the best overly operation in our study area. According to classified the best operation map, 1.42% of understudied regions are classified in very poor class, 12.48% is grouped in poor class, 78.55% is grouped in fair class, 7.53% is classified in good group and 0.01% is classified as excellent group. In this regard only central parts of the study area have ‘fair’ to ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ groundwater quality for drinking water and in other parts, the quality is within ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ to ‘fair’.
Elimination of donor CD47 protects against vascularized allograft rejection in mice
Authors: Chen Mo , Wang Yuantao , Wang Hui , Sun Liguang , Fu Yaowen , Yang Yong‐Guang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCD47 is a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a complex role in regulation of cell survival and function. We have previously shown that the interspecies incompatibility of CD47 plays an important role in triggering rejection of cellular xenografts by macrophages. However, the role of CD47 in solid organ transplantation remains undetermined. Here, we explored this question in mouse models of heart allotransplantation. We observed that the lack of CD47 in donor hearts had no deleterious effect on graft survival in syngeneic or single MHC class I‐mismatched recipients, in which both wild‐type (WT) and CD47 knockout (CD47 KO) mouse hearts survived long term with no sign of rejection. Paradoxically, elimination of donor CD47 was beneficial for graft survival in signal MHC class II‐ and class I‐ plus class II‐mismatched combinations, in which CD47 KO donor hearts showed significantly improved survival compared to WT donor hearts. Similarly, CD47 KO donor hearts were more resistant than WT hearts to humoral rejection in α1,3‐galactosyltransferase‐deficient mice. Moreover, a significant prolongation of WT allografts was observed in recipient mice treated with antibodies against a CD47 ligand thrombospondin‐1 (TSP1) or with TSP1 deficiency, indicating that TSP1‐CD47 signaling may stimulate vascularized allograft rejection. Thus, unlike cellular transplantation, donor CD47 expression may accelerate the rejection of vascularized allografts.
Kinematics and Force Analysis of Flexible Screw Mechanism for a Worm Robot
Authors: Zhang Yanheng , Xu Jian , Wang Wei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a new type of flexible screw mechanism (FSM), which is composed of a nut, flexible axle, and roller. It can be used in a worm robot to achieve flexible peristaltic motion, as well as curvilinear motion and deformation. This type of FSM uses a roller to decrease the friction. We investigated the transmission principle and the kinematic characteristics of this FSM, established the model of the velocity, acceleration of the roller, characterized the feed motion characteristics of the flexible shaft, and achieved an analytical solution of the flexible shaft's velocity. Furthermore, by considering the position of the pure rolling section of the roller, the spin slide model is proposed based on Hertz theory. To investigate the friction loss between the roller and the flexible axle, we established a friction work model of the entire FSM system. Finally, the motion characteristics of the FSM are evaluated through experiments.
Mixing Time Scale Measurement With Fast Exothermic Reactions Using Microchannel Reaction Calorimetry
Authors: Reichmann Felix , Jirmann Yannick , Kockmann Norbert 
Published: August 2018

Continuous reaction calorimetry in microreactors is a powerful technology for the investigation of fast and exothermic reactions regarding thermokinetic data. A Seebeck element based reaction calorimeter has been designed, manufactured, and its performance has been shown in previous works using neutralization reaction in a microreactor made from PVDF-foils [1]. The Seebeck elements allow for spatial and temporal resolution of heat flux profiles across the reactor. Therefore, hot spots and regions of main reaction progress are detected. Finally, heat of reaction has been determined in good agreement with literature data [1].
However, more information can be retrieved related to chemical transformations using the continuously operated reaction calorimeter. In this work, mixing time scale is determined for instantaneous and exothermic reactions. Volumetric flow rate is varied and the region of main reaction progress is shifted within the microreactor. The reaction occurs near the reactor outlet for low flow rates. Here, mixing is dominated by diffusion. However, the reaction and hot spot are shifted towards the reactor inlet for high flow rates as convective mixing regime is reached and secondary flow profile with Dean vortices develop due to curvature of the reaction channel. Finally, mixing time scales can be derived from the location of heat flux peaks. Results display a decrease in mixing time at increased flow rates. Additionally, passive micromixers can be evaluated regarding their efficiency and comparison can be drawn.
Moreover, pumps can be characterized and evaluated regarding low-pulsation dosing using the Seebeck element based reaction calorimeter.
A Simplified Model for Species Transport in Very Large Scale Microfluidic Networks
Authors: Taher Ahmed , Jones Ben , Peumans Peter , Lagae Liesbet 
Published: August 2018

A novel modeling technique for fluid flow and species transport in very large scale microfluidic networks is developed with applications to massively parallelized microreactors. Very large scale integration (VLSI) of microfluidic circuits presents an attractive solution for many biological testing applications such as gene expression, DNA sequencing and drug screening, which require massive parallelization of reactions to increase throughput and decrease time-to-result. However, the design and modeling of VLSI microfluidics remains challenging with conventional 2D or 3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques due to the large computational resources required. Using simplified models is crucial to reduce simulation time on existing computational resources. Many microfluidic networks can be solved using resistance based networks similar to electrical circuits; however, simplified models for species transport (diffusion plus advection) in microfluidic networks has received much less attention.
Here, we introduce a simplified model based on resistance network based modeling for flow dynamics and couple it with a one-dimensional discretization of the advection-diffusion transport equation. The developed model was validated against CFD simulations using ANSYS Fluent for a flow network consisting of a 4 by 4 array of microreactors. It showed good agreement with 2D CFD simulations with less than 6% error in total pressure drop across the network for channels with a length to width ratio of 10. The error was only 3% for a channel length to width ratio of 20. The developed model was then used to optimize the design of a 100-microreactors network used for high purity cyclical loading of reagents. The reactor configuration with a minimum cycle time for reagent loading and unloading and minimum operating pressure were evaluated with the code. In theory, the simulation can be scaled to much larger reactor arrays after further optimizations of the code and utilizing parallel processing.