bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary specialization in mutualistic acacia‐ants affects relative abundance but not identity of host‐associated bacteria
Authors: Rubin Benjamin E. R. , Kautz Stefanie , Wray Brian D. , Moreau Corrie S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAcacia‐ant mutualists in the genus Pseudomyrmex nest obligately in acacia plants and, as we show through stable isotope analysis, feed at a remarkably low trophic level. Insects with diets such as these sometimes depend on bacterial symbionts for nutritional enrichment. We, therefore, examine the bacterial communities associated with acacia‐ants in order to determine whether they host bacterial partners likely to contribute to their nutrition. Despite large differences in trophic position, acacia‐ants and related species with generalized diets do not host distinct bacterial taxa. However, we find that a small number of previously undescribed bacterial taxa do differ in relative abundance between acacia‐ants and generalists, including several Acetobacteraceae and Nocardiaceae lineages related to common insect associates. Comparisons with an herbivorous generalist, a parasite that feeds on acacias and a mutualistic species with a generalized diet show that trophic level is likely responsible for these small differences in bacterial community structure. While we did not experimentally test for a nutritional benefit to hosts of these bacterial lineages, metagenomic analysis reveals a Bartonella relative with an intact nitrogen‐recycling pathway widespread across Pseudomyrmex mutualists and generalists. This taxon may be contributing to nitrogen enrichment of its ant hosts through urease activity and, concordant with an obligately host‐associated lifestyle, appears to be experiencing genomewide relaxed selection. The lack of distinctiveness in bacterial communities across trophic level in this group of ants shows a remarkable ability to adjust to varied diets, possibly with assistance from these diverse ant‐specific bacterial lineages.
Taxon cycle predictions supported by model‐based inference in Indo‐Pacific trap‐jaw ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Odontomachus)
Authors: Matos‐Maraví Pável , Matzke Nicholas J. , Larabee Fredrick J. , Clouse Ronald M. , Wheeler Ward C. , Sorger Daniela Magdalena , Suarez Andrew V. , Janda Milan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNonequilibrium dynamics and non‐neutral processes, such as trait‐dependent dispersal, are often missing from quantitative island biogeography models despite their potential explanatory value. One of the most influential nonequilibrium models is the taxon cycle, but it has been difficult to test its validity as a general biogeographical framework. Here, we test predictions of the taxon cycle model using six expected phylogenetic patterns and a time‐calibrated phylogeny of Indo‐Pacific Odontomachus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae), one of the ant genera that E.O. Wilson used when first proposing the hypothesis. We used model‐based inference and a newly developed trait‐dependent dispersal model to jointly estimate ancestral biogeography, ecology (habitat preferences for forest interiors, vs. “marginal” habitats, such as savannahs, shorelines, disturbed areas) and the linkage between ecology and dispersal rates. We found strong evidence that habitat shifts from forest interior to open and disturbed habitats increased macroevolutionary dispersal rate. In addition, lineages occupying open and disturbed habitats can give rise to both island endemics re‐occupying only forest interiors and taxa that re‐expand geographical ranges. The phylogenetic predictions outlined in this study can be used in future work to evaluate the relative weights of neutral (e.g., geographical distance and area) and non‐neutral (e.g., trait‐dependent dispersal) processes in historical biogeography and community ecology.
Identification of a novel post‐insertion step in the assembly of a bacterial outer membrane protein
Authors: Peterson Janine H. , Hussain Sunyia , Bernstein Harris D. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAlthough the barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex has been shown to facilitate the insertion of β barrel proteins into the bacterial outer membrane (OM), the stage at which β barrels fold is unknown. Here, we describe insights into β barrel assembly that emerged from an analysis of a member of the autotransporter family of OM proteins (EspP) in Escherichia coli. EspP contains an extracellular ‘passenger’ domain that is translocated across the OM and then released from the covalently linked β barrel domain in an intra‐barrel cleavage reaction. We found that the mutation of an unusual lipid‐exposed lysine residue impairs a previously unidentified late folding step that follows both the membrane insertion of the β barrel domain and the secretion of the passenger domain but that precedes proteolytic maturation. Our results demonstrate that β barrel assembly can be completed at a post‐insertion stage and raise the possibility that interactions with membrane lipids can promote folding in vivo. Furthermore, by showing that the passenger domain is secreted before the β barrel domain is fully assembled, our results also provide evidence against the long‐standing hypothesis that autotransporters are autonomous protein secretion systems.
Oxygen isotopes in tree rings are less sensitive to changes in tree size and relative canopy position than carbon isotopes
Authors: Klesse Stefan , Weigt Rosemarie , Treydte Kerstin , Saurer Matthias , Schmid Lola , Siegwolf Rolf T.W. , Frank David C. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStable isotope ratios in tree rings have become an important proxy for palaeoclimatology, particularly in temperate regions. Yet temperate forests are often characterized by heterogeneous stand structures, and the effects of stand dynamics on carbon (δ13C) and oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) in tree rings are not well explored.In this study, we investigated long‐term trends and offsets in δ18O and δ13C of Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica in relation to tree age, size, and distance to the upper canopy at seven temperate sites across Europe. We observed strong positive trends in δ13C that are best explained by the reconstructed dynamics of individual trees below the upper canopy, highlighting the influence of light attenuation on δ13C in shade‐tolerant species. We also detected positive trends in δ18O with increasing tree size. However, the observed slopes are less steep and consistent between trees of different ages and thus can be more easily addressed.We recommend restricting the use of δ13C to years when trees are in a dominant canopy position to infer long‐term climate signals in δ13C when relying on material from shade‐tolerant species, such as beech and spruce. For such species, δ18O should be in principle the superior proxy for climate reconstructions.
The Imaginal Disc Growth Factors 2 and 3 participate in the Drosophila response to nematode infection
Authors: Yadav Shruti , Eleftherianos Ioannis 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe Drosophila imaginal disc growth factors (IDGFs) induce the proliferation of imaginal disc cells and terminate cell proliferation at the end of larval development. However, the participation of Idgf‐encoding genes in other physiological processes of Drosophila including the immune response to infection is not fully understood. Here, we show the contribution of Idgf2 and Idgf3 in the Drosophila response to infection with Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes carrying or lacking their mutualistic Xenorhabdus nematophila bacteria (symbiotic or axenic nematodes, respectively). We find that Idgf2 and Idgf3 are upregulated in Drosophila larvae infected with symbiotic or axenic Steinernema and inactivation of Idgf2 confers a survival advantage to Drosophila larvae against axenic nematodes. Inactivation of Idgf2 induces the Imd and Jak/Stat pathways, whereas inactivation of Idgf3 induces the Imd, Toll and Jak/Stat pathways. We also show that inactivation of the Imd pathway receptor PGRP‐LE upregulates Idgf2 against Steinernema nematode infection. Finally, we demonstrate that inactivation of Idgf3 induces the recruitment of larval haemocytes in response to Steinernema. Our results indicate that Idgf2 and Idgf3 might be involved in different yet crucial immune functions in the Drosophila antinematode immune response. Similar findings will promote the development of new targets for species‐specific pest control strategies.
Overuse injuries are prevalent in children’s competitive football: a prospective study using the OSTRC Overuse Injury Questionnaire
Authors: Leppänen Mari , Pasanen Kati , Clarsen Benjamin , Kannus Pekka , Bahr Roald , Parkkari Jari , Haapasalo Heidi , Vasankari Tommi 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence and burden of overuse injuries in children’s football as well as player characteristics and their association with overuse injury risk.MethodsThis investigation is based on the control arm (10 clubs) of a randomised controlled trial investigating prevention of injuries in youth football. We conducted a prospective 20-week follow-up study on overuse injuries among Finnish football players (n=733, aged 9–14 years). Each week, we sent a text message to players’ parents to ask if the player had sustained any injury during the past week. Players with overuse problem were interviewed over the phone using an overuse injury questionnaire. The main outcome measures were prevalence of all overuse injuries and substantial overuse injuries (those leading to moderate or severe reductions in participation or performance) and injury severity.ResultsThe average response rate was 95%. In total, 343 players (46.8%) reported an overuse problem while in the study. The average weekly prevalence of all overuse problems and substantial overuse problems was 12.8% and 6.0%, respectively. Injuries affecting the knee had the highest weekly prevalence (5.7% and 2.4% for all and substantial knee problems, respectively). Girls had a higher likelihood of knee problems (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.69 to 4.17), whereas boys had a higher likelihood of heel problems (OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.07 to 7.44). The likelihood of reporting an overuse problem increased with age (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.47).ConclusionOveruse injuries are prevalent in children’s competitive football. Knee overuse injuries represent the greatest burden on participation and performance.Trial registration numberISRCTN14046021.
Sex differences in impact of coronary artery calcification to predict coronary artery disease
Authors: Nakao Yoko M , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Higashi Masahiro , Noguchi Teruo , Ohishi Mitsuru , Kubota Isao , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Kawasaki Tomohiro , Furukawa Yutaka , Yoshimura Michihiro , Morita Hideaki , Nishimura Kunihiro , Kada Akiko , Goto Yoichi , Okamura Tomonori , Tei Chuwa , Tomoike Hitonobu , Naito Hiroaki , Yasuda Satoshi 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo assess sex-specific differences regarding use of conventional risks and coronary artery calcification (CAC) to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) using coronary CT angiography (CCTA).MethodsThe Nationwide Gender-specific Atherosclerosis Determinants Estimation and Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease Prospective Cohort study is a prospective, multicentre, nationwide cohort study. Candidates with suspected CAD aged 50–74 years enrolled from 2008 to 2012. The outcome was obstructive CAD defined as any stenosis ≥50% by CCTA. We constructed logistic regression models for obstructive CAD adjusted for conventional risks (clinical model) and CAC score. Improvement in discrimination beyond risks was assessed by C-statistic; net reclassification index (NRI) for CAD probability of low (<30%), intermediate (30%–60%) and high (≥60%); and risk stratification capacity.ResultsAmong 991 patients (456 women, 535 men; 65.2 vs 64.4 years old), women had lower CAC scores (median, 4 vs 60) and lower CAD prevalence (21.7% vs 37.0%) than men. CAC significantly improved model discrimination compared with clinical model in both sexes (0.66–0.79 in women vs 0.61–0.83 in men). The NRI for women was 0.33, which was much lower than that for men (0.71). Adding CAC to clinical model had a larger benefit in terms of moving an additional 43.3% of men to the most determinant categories (high or low risk) compared with −1.4% of women.ConclusionsThe addition of CAC to a prediction model based on conventional variables significantly improved the classification of risk in suspected patients with CAD, with sex differences influencing the predictive ability.Trial registration numberUMIN-CTR Clinical Trial: UMIN000001577.
Intimate partner violence against low-income women in Mexico City and associations with work-related disruptions: a latent class analysis using cross-sectional data
Authors: Gupta Jhumka , Willie Tiara C , Harris Courtney , Campos Paola Abril , Falb Kathryn L , Garcia Moreno Claudia , Diaz Olavarrieta Claudia , Okechukwu Cassandra A 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundDisrupting women’s employment is a strategy that abusive partners could use to prevent women from maintaining economic independence and stability. Yet, few studies have investigated disruptions in employment among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in low-income and middle-income countries. Moreover, even fewer have sought to identify which female victims of IPV are most vulnerable to such disruptions.MethodsUsing baseline data from 947 women in Mexico City enrolled in a randomised controlled trial, multilevel latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify women based on their reported IPV experiences. Furthermore, multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed on a subsample of women reporting current work (n=572) to investigate associations between LCA membership and IPV-related employment disruptions.ResultsOverall, 40.6% of women who were working at the time of the survey reported some form of work-related disruption due to IPV. LCA identified four distinct classes of IPV experiences: Low Physical and Sexual Violence (39.1%); High Sexual and Low Physical Violence class (9.6%); High Physical and Low Sexual Violence and Injuries (36.5%); High Physical and Sexual Violence and Injuries (14.8%). Compared with women in the Low Physical and Sexual Violence class, women in the High Physical and Sexual Violence and Injuries class and women in the High Physical and Low Sexual Violence and Injuries class were at greater risk of work disruption (adjusted relative risk (ARR) 2.44, 95% CI 1.80 to 3.29; ARR 2.05, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.70, respectively). No other statistically significant associations emerged.ConclusionIPV, and specific patterns of IPV experiences, must be considered both in work settings and, more broadly, by economic development programmes.Trial registration numberNCT01661504.
Side-to-side elbow range of movement variability in an ulnar neurodynamic test sequence variant in asymptomatic people
Authors: Tong Michelle Meng Yim , Liu Vincent Cheng-Hsin , Hall Toby 
Published: August 2018

Background: Range of motion (ROM) asymmetry between sides is one indicator of a positive neurodynamic test, but this has been less well studied for the ulnar nerve. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate side-to-side variation in elbow ROM during an ulnar neurodynamic test sequence, including contralateral cervical side flexion, in 40 asymptomatic subjects. Methods: A traditional goniometer was used to measure elbow flexion ROM at two end points, onset of resistance ([Formula: see text]1) and symptom onset ([Formula: see text]1). Two repeated measures of [Formula: see text]1 and [Formula: see text]1 were taken on each side. Results: Reliability for [Formula: see text]1 and [Formula: see text]1 was found to be good (ICC [Formula: see text], SEM [Formula: see text]) with no significant difference in mean ROM between sides. A significant relationship between sides was seen ([Formula: see text] values [Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text] values [Formula: see text]; this indicates at least 23% of the variance observed in one limb was accounted for by range in the opposite limb. This relationship was slightly stronger for [Formula: see text]1 than [Formula: see text]1. Lower bound scores indicate that intra-individual ROM difference [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]1 and 22° for [Formula: see text]1 would exceed normal ROM asymmetry. Conclusion: These findings provide clinicians with background information of ROM asymmetry during the ulnar neurodynamic test.
Loss of CXCR4 in Myeloid Cells Enhances Antitumor Immunity and Reduces Melanoma Growth through NK Cell and FASL Mechanisms
Authors: Yang Jinming , Kumar Amrendra , Vilgelm Anna E. , Chen Sheau-Chiann , Ayers Gregory D. , Novitskiy Sergey V. , Joyce Sebastian , Richmond Ann 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe chemokine receptor, CXCR4, is involved in cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. Several promising CXCR4 antagonists have been shown to halt tumor metastasis in preclinical studies, and clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of these agents in patients with cancer are ongoing. However, the impact of targeting CXCR4 specifically on immune cells is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that genetic deletion of CXCR4 in myeloid cells (CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ) enhances the antitumor immune response, resulting in significantly reduced melanoma tumor growth. Moreover, CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ mice exhibited slowed tumor progression compared with CXCR4WT mice in an inducible melanocyte BrafV600E/Pten−/− mouse model. The percentage of Fas ligand (FasL)–expressing myeloid cells was reduced in CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ mice as compared with myeloid cells from CXCR4WT mice. In contrast, there was an increased percentage of natural killer (NK) cells expressing FasL in tumors growing in CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ mice. NK cells from CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ mice also exhibited increased tumor cell killing capacity in vivo, based on clearance of NK-sensitive Yac-1 cells. NK cell–mediated killing of Yac-1 cells occurred in a FasL-dependent manner, which was partially dependent upon the presence of CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ neutrophils. Furthermore, enhanced NK cell activity in CXCR4MyeΔ/Δ mice was also associated with increased production of IL18 by specific leukocyte subpopulations. These data suggest that CXCR4-mediated signals from myeloid cells suppress NK cell–mediated tumor surveillance and thereby enhance tumor growth. Systemic delivery of a peptide antagonist of CXCR4 to tumor-bearing CXCR4WT mice resulted in enhanced NK-cell activation and reduced tumor growth, supporting potential clinical implications for CXCR4 antagonism in some cancers. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(10); 1186–98. ©2018 AACR.
Exploring the Use of Robots for Museum Settings and for Learning Heritage Languages and Cultures at the Chinese Heritage Centre
Authors: Pang Wee-Ching , Wong Choon-Yue , Seet Gerald 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this article, the challenges facing museums to offer more ways to provide information for learning have been reviewed. The use of social robotics has been explored within a museum setting, for guiding tours as well as for learning heritage languages and cultures. The article focuses on the design and development of two social robots for a heritage museum. The first robot is a virtual human character mounted on a mobile robotic platform. It has been implemented to serve as a museum guide. The second robot is a humanoid. It is programmed for bilingualism, which injected elements of culture learning and education. The objective was to develop robots as well as robotic and virtual reality applications primarily, and to explore the usability of these technologies in a heritage museum. The implemented robots have been deployed to validate the development work and to evaluate the feasibility of using these robots for cultural education among young children. Finally, we discuss our deployment experiences and offer suggestions for future work to improve the viability of the robots for a more elaborated deployment at public museums.
Description of the nymph of Miroculis (Miroculis) eldorado Gama-Neto &amp; Hamada, 2014 (Leptophlebiidae: Ephemeroptera) from Roraima, northern Brazil
Authors: BOLDRINI RAFAEL , LIMA LUCAS RAMOS COSTA , OTTONI-BOLDRINI BIANCA MAIRA DE PAIVA 
Published: August 2018

The genus Miroculis Edmunds, 1963 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) is represented by 23 species: two of them aredescribed based solely on nymphs, 10 based solely on male adults, and three based on nymphs and adults (Domínguez et al., 2006; Gama-Neto & Hamada, 2013, 2014; Raimundi et al., 2017). Currently, the genus is represented by six species in Roraima State, Brazil, all are described as adults but only one of them has the nymphal stage described (Gama-Neto & Hamada, 2013, 2014; Gama-Neto et al., 2018; Raimundi et al., 2017).
The Relation between Nocturnal MCS Evolution and Its Outflow Boundaries in the Stable Boundary Layer: An Observational Study of the 15 July 2015 MCS in PECAN
Authors: Grasmick Coltin , Geerts Bart , Turner David D. , Wang Zhien , Weckwerth T. M. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
The vertical structures of a leading outflow boundary ahead of a continental nocturnal MCS and of the upstream environment are examined in order to answer the question of whether this vertical structure affects new cell formation and thus MCS maintenance. The MCS in question, observed on 15 July 2015 as part of the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) experiment, formed near sunset as a surface-based, density current–driven system. As the night progressed and a stable boundary layer developed, convection became elevated, multiple fine lines became apparent (indicative of an undular bore), and convection increasingly lagged the outflow boundary. Bore-like boundaries became most apparent where the outflow boundary was oriented more perpendicular to the low-level jet, and the lower troposphere was more susceptible to wave trapping. This case study uses a rich array of radiosonde data, as well as airborne Raman lidar and ground-based interferometer data, to profile the temperature and humidity in the lower troposphere. In all soundings, the lifting of air in the residual mixed layer over a depth corresponding to the Raman lidar observed vertical displacement reduced CIN to near zero and enabled deep convection, even though most unstable CAPE steadily decreased during the evolution of this MCS. Both types of outflow boundaries (density currents and bores) initiated convection that helped maintain the MCS. In the case of density currents, cold pool depth and wind shear determined new cell formation and thus MCS maintenance. For bore-like boundaries, bore transformation and propagation were additional factors that determined whether convection initiated and whether it contributed to the MCS or remained separated.