bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecology of the growth of Anolis nebulosus (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in a seasonal tropical environment in the Chamela region, Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: Hernández‐Salinas Uriel , Ramírez‐Bautista Aurelio , Cruz‐Elizalde Raciel , Meiri Shai , Berriozabal‐Islas Christian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractJuvenile growth rates are thought to be restricted by available food resources. In animals that grow throughout the year, such as tropical lizards, growth is therefore predicted to be faster during the rainy season. We test this prediction using a population of Anolis nebulosusby describing the growth trajectories of both sexes using nonlinear regression models, and we then correlate the growth rates of individuals with food available in the environment, precipitation, and temperature. The Von Bertalanffy model fits the growth rates of the females better, while the logistic‐by‐length model fits the males better. According to both models, the males grew faster than females, reaching slightly smaller sizes at adulthood. Males reached sexual maturity when 35 mm long, at an age of seven months, and females matured at 37 mm (SVL), taking nine months to reach this size. In 1989, juvenile males and females grew more in both seasons (rainy and dry) than adults; for 1990, there were no differences by season or between age classes. These results are interesting since in the 1989 and 1990 rainy seasons, practically the same orders of prey and the greatest abundance of prey available in the environment were registered. A possible explanation could be that predation was more intense in 1990 than in 1989. There is little evidence that food, temperature, and humidity affect growth rates of A. nebulosus, refuting our predictions. This is mainly due to the low variation in growth observed in 1990. Therefore we think that the growth of this species reflects a complex combination of ecological and genetic factors.
Highly reliable wireless communication system using polarization rotating wave for M2M application
Authors: Takei Ken , Yamada Hiroki 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA new radio system that deterministically uses reflection waves is proposed. This system transfers data on the rotating polarization wave (RPW), which rotates the polarization at enough lower frequency than that of propagation to digitally control it. The receiver discriminating a deterministic reflection wave of the RPW by selecting the polarization that the transmitter uses achieves good nonline‐of‐sight communication quality.
Extreme winter warm event causes exceptionally early bud break for many woody species
Authors: Ladwig Laura M. , Chandler Jennifer L. , Guiden Peter W. , Henn Jonathan J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn many ecosystems, climate is changing faster during winter compared to other seasons. However, we lack basic information about the responses of many species to winter climate change, including extreme warm events. Extreme warm events may have particularly strong influences at the end of winter, when some species begin to break dormancy while the risk of freezing remains high. Here, we monitored bud burst of 101 temperate woody species following an extreme warm event during winter to investigate species responses to this anomalous event and determine whether functional traits predicted species responses. Following six consecutive days of extreme warm temperatures in winter, nearly half the surveyed tree and shrub species had an advanced stage of bud phenology. Responding species were most likely to be shade‐intolerant, phylogenetically related, and have weaker dormancy requirements. Based on established species response thresholds to spring temperatures in the region, species were expected to be unresponsive to warm temperatures this early in the year, yet many species broke dormancy. Species responses to this extreme winter warm event highlighted how climate change can alter well‐established species–climate associations. In an era of increasing climate change creating novel winter conditions, continued monitoring both long‐term and following extreme events is needed to understand new species–climate dynamics.
Are avian population targets achievable through programs that restore habitat on private‐lands?
Authors: Reiley Bryan M. , Stodola Kirk W. , Benson Thomas J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAgricultural intensification has negatively affected biodiversity throughout the world. In the United States, population declines of many early successional bird species have been linked with habitat loss due to agriculture. In light of this, recent efforts have attempted to prioritize conservation actions at continental scales. Importantly, these efforts have used existing data to estimate the global population size for declining species and set future population goals. Though these efforts consider broad scales for conservation efforts and provide population targets, they lack explicit plans to achieve established goals. One way to achieve these population goals is through the process of habitat restoration, such as voluntary private‐land conservation programs that restore habitat in agricultural landscapes and are implemented at a sufficiently large scale to achieve population goals. Our goal was to understand how private‐land conservation programs can be used to achieve population goals for declining species. To do this, we examined the population‐level impacts of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a program that has created more than 57,000 ha of restored habitat in Illinois, for four declining conservation priority species, the Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii bellii), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailli trailli). We surveyed 172 randomly chosen restored fields in 10 counties in central and west‐central Illinois during the 2012–2015 breeding seasons. We found that current private‐land conservation efforts in Illinois are probably effective in achieving state population goals for rare species with restricted habitat preferences such as the Bell's Vireo and may be close to achieving the goal for the Willow Flycatcher. However, more than 10 times the current amount of restored habitat (~1% of land used for agriculture in Illinois) would be required to achieve the population goals set for all of our focal species. Our results suggest that achieving population goals for early successional bird species using land restored through private‐land programs may be possible for some rare species, but the large amount of habitat needed for many species makes achieving these goals only possible with significant increases in private‐land habitat.
Irregular pacing of ventricular cardiomyocytes induces pro‐fibrotic signalling involving paracrine effects of transforming growth factor beta and connective tissue growth factor
Authors: Slawik Jonathan , Adrian Lucas , Hohl Mathias , Lothschütz Sarah , Laufs Ulrich , Böhm Michael 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimsAtrial fibrillation is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia associated with arrhythmic ventricular contractions, incident heart failure, increased morbidity and mortality. The relationship between arrhythmic contractions and ventricular remodelling is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of irregular contractions on pro‐fibrotic signalling in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVM).Methods and resultsNeonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were paced via field stimulation at 3 Hz for 24 h. Irregularity was created by pseudorandomized variation of stimulation intervals and compared to regular pacing. Treatment of neonatal cardiac fibroblasts (NCF) with medium of irregularly paced NRVM increased protein expression of collagen I (206 ± 62%, P = 0.0121) and collagen III (51 ± 37%, P = 0.0119). To identify the underlying mechanism, expression of pro‐fibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) was assessed. In irregularly paced NRVM, increased protein expression of CTGF (80 ± 22%, P = 0.0035) and TGF‐β (122 ± 31%, P = 0.0022) was associated with enhanced excretion of both proteins into the medium. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed an increased production of reactive oxygen species (46 ± 21%, P = 0.0352) after irregular pacing accompanied by increased 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine staining (214 ± 53%, P = 0.0011). Irregular pacing was associated with elevated mRNA levels of anti‐oxidative superoxide dismutase 1 (25 ± 7%, P = 0.0175), superoxide dismutase 3 (20 ± 7%, P = 0.0309), and catalase (20 ± 7%, P = 0.046).ConclusionThese data demonstrate that irregular pacing is an important inductor of pro‐fibrotic signalling in NRVM involving paracrine effects of CTGF and TGF‐β as well as increased oxidative stress. Thus, irregularity of the heart beat might directly be involved in the progression of maladaptive remodelling processes in atrial fibrillation.
Impaired antigen‐specific lymphocyte priming in mice after Toll‐like receptor 4 activation via induction of monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells
Authors: Tsukamoto Hiroki , Kozakai Sao , Kobayashi Yohei , Takanashi Risako , Aoyagi Takuya , Numasaki Muneo , Ohta Shoichiro , Tomioka Yoshihisa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn sepsis, the pathology involves a shift from a proinflammatory state toward an immunosuppressive phase. We previously showed that an agonistic anti‐TLR4 antibody induced long‐term endotoxin tolerance and suppressed antigen‐specific secondary IgG production when primed prior to immunization with antigen. These findings led us to speculate that TLR4‐induced innate tolerance due to primary infection causes an immunosuppressive pathology in sepsis. Therefore, the mechanism underlying impaired antigen‐specific humoral immunity by the TLR4 antibody was investigated. We showed, in a mouse model, that primary antigen‐specific IgG responses were impaired in TLR4 antibody‐induced tolerized mice, which was the result of reduced numbers of antigen‐specific GC B cells and plasma cells. Ovalbumin‐specific CD4 and CD8 T‐cell responses were impaired in TLR4 antibody‐injected OT‐I and ‐II transgenic mice ex vivo. Adoptive transfer studies demonstrated suppression of OVA‐specific CD4 and CD8 T‐cell responses by the TLR4 antibody in vivo. The TLR4 antibody induced Gr1+CD11b+ myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (MDSC) expansion with suppression of T‐cell activation. Monocytic MDSCs were more suppressive and exhibited higher expression of PD‐L1 and inducible nitric oxidase compared with granulocytic MDSCs. In conclusion, immune tolerance conferred by TLR4 activation induces the expansion of monocytic MDSCs, which impairs antigen‐specific T‐cell priming and IgG production.
3D‐printed Portable Platform for Mechanized Handling and Injection of Microvolumes Coupled to Electrochemical Detection
Authors: Mendonça Dianderson M. H. , Rocha Diego P. , Dutra Gustavo S. V. , Cardoso Rafael M. , Batista Alex D. , Richter Eduardo M. , Munoz Rodrigo A. A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe present a low‐cost mechanized system fabricated using fused deposition modelling 3D‐printing technology to manipulate microvolumes and perform injections on an electrochemical cell in wall‐jet configuration. As a proof‐of‐concept, the amperometric detection of paracetamol (model analyte) on a screen‐printed electrode using 0.5 μL aliquots resulted in highly reproducible responses (RSD <3 %). Moreover, handling of microliter aliquots of butylhydroxytoluene (phenolic antioxidant) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) to promote the radical‐scavenging reaction to determine antioxidant capacity by electrochemical detection of residual DPPH was demonstrated (time‐controlled reaction). A final application of the system was devoted to the analysis of cocaine and a common adulterant found in seized samples. The mechanized 3D‐printed analytical platform is capable to execute diverse sample preparation steps on board by handling microliter aliquots and subsequent electrochemical detection. 3D‐printing technology enabled the fabrication of a versatile and low‐cost (<U$200) mechanized system accessible to general chemistry labs.
Insulator‐based dielectrophoresis combined with the isomotive AC electric field and applied to single cell analysis
Authors: Tada Shigeru , Eguchi Masanori , Okano Kohei 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe developed an insulator‐based dielectrophoretic (iDEP) creek‐gap device that enables the isomotive movement of cells and that is suitable for determining their DEP properties. In the iDEP creek‐gap device, a pair of planar insulators forming a single fan‐shaped channel allows the induction of the isomotive iDEP force on cells. Hence, the cells’ behavior is characterized by straight motion at constant velocity in the longitudinal direction of the channel. Operation of the device was demonstrated using human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) by applying an AC voltage of Vpp = 34 V peak‐to‐peak and frequencies of 200 kHz and 50 MHz to the device. Subsequently, the magnitude of DEP forces and the real part of the ClausiusMossotti (CM) factor, Re(β), were deduced from the measured cell velocity. The values of Re(β) were 0.14 ± 0.01 for the frequency of 200 kHz and −0.12 ± 0.01 for 50 MHz. These results demonstrated that the DEP properties of the cells could be extracted over a wide field frequency range. Therefore, the proposed iDEP creek‐gap device was found to be applicable to cell analysis.
Two‐step signal amplification for high‐sensitivity detection of biomarkers using gold nanoparticle–based conjugates
Authors: Zhang Pengjuan , Yang Jie , Liu Dingbin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe measurement of biomarkers in bodily fluids is extremely important for diagnosing disease, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment efficacy. In this paper, we present a highly sensitive and compatible gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐based, two‐step signal amplification system for biomarker detection. First, AuNPs were coated onto the surfaces of 96‐well plates to generate rough surfaces, which enable immobilization of many more capture antibodies than a smooth substrate. As a result, detection sensitivity was enhanced significantly. Second, the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐conjugated detection antibodies were labeled on large‐size AuNPs, which increase the localized amounts of HRP and thus further lower the detection limit. Based on the consecutive signal amplification system, a high‐sensitivity assay was achieved, with a LOD of 0.07 ng/mL for prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). This assay was allowed to detect the PSA levels in clinical samples without changing the current standard immunoassay setups, showing great potential in many settings where immunoassays are needed.
Predictable genome-wide sorting of standing genetic variation during parallel adaptation to basic versus acidic environments in stickleback fish
Authors: Haenel Quiterie , Roesti Marius , Moser Dario , MacColl Andrew D. C. , Berner Daniel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGenomic studies of parallel (or convergent) evolution often compare multiple populations diverged into two ecologically different habitats to search for loci repeatedly involved in adaptation. Because the shared ancestor of these populations is generally unavailable, the source of the alleles at adaptation loci, and the direction in which their frequencies were shifted during evolution, remain elusive. To shed light on these issues, we here use multiple populations of threespine stickleback fish adapted to two different types of derived freshwater habitats—basic and acidic lakes on the island of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland—and the present-day proxy of their marine ancestor. In a first step, we combine genome-wide pooled sequencing and targeted individual-level sequencing to demonstrate that ecological and phenotypic parallelism in basic-acidic divergence is reflected by genomic parallelism in dozens of genome regions. Exploiting data from the ancestor, we next show that the acidic populations, residing in ecologically more extreme derived habitats, have adapted by accumulating alleles rare in the ancestor, whereas the basic populations have retained alleles common in the ancestor. Genomic responses to selection are thus predictable from the ecological difference of each derived habitat type from the ancestral one. This asymmetric sorting of standing genetic variation at loci important to basic-acidic divergence has further resulted in more numerous selective sweeps in the acidic populations. Finally, our data suggest that the maintenance in marine fish of standing variation important to adaptive basic-acidic differentiation does not require extensive hybridization between the marine and freshwater populations. Overall, our study reveals striking genome-wide determinism in both the loci involved in parallel divergence, and in the direction in which alleles at these loci have been selected.
A high‐order discontinuous Galerkin method for the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations on arbitrary grids
Authors: Zhang Fan , Cheng Jian , Liu Tiegang 
Published: January 2019

SummaryA high‐order discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is proposed in this work for solving the two‐dimensional steady and unsteady incompressible Navier‐Stokes (INS) equations written in conservative form on arbitrary grids. In order to construct the interface inviscid fluxes both in the continuity and in the momentum equations, an artificial compressibility term has been added to the continuity equation for relaxing the incompressibility constraint. Then, as the hyperbolic nature of the INS equations has been recovered, the local Lax‐Friedrichs (LLF) flux, which was previously developed in the context of hyperbolic conservation laws, is applied to discretize the inviscid term. Unlike the traditional artificial compressibility method, in this work, the artificial compressibility is introduced only for the construction of the inviscid numerical fluxes; therefore, a consistent discretization of the INS equations is obtained, irrespective of the amount of artificial compressibility used. What is more, as the LLF flux can be obtained directly and straightforward, no numerical iteration for solving an exact Riemann problem is entailed in our method. The viscous term is discretized by the direct DG method, which was developed based on the weak formulation of the scalar diffusion problems on structured grids. The performance and the accuracy of the method are demonstrated by computing a number of benchmark test cases, including both steady and unsteady incompressible flow problems. Due to its simplicity in implementation, our method provides an attractive alternative for solving the INS equations on arbitrary grids.
Effect of clove powder on quality characteristics and shelf life of kimchi paste
Authors: Kang Miran , Park JeongSun , Yoo SeungRan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractClove has been shown to extend the shelf life of various foods. This study investigated whether it can prolong the shelf life of kimchi paste. Clove powder at concentrations of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% was added to kimchi paste, which was then sealed and stored at 10°C for 20 days. Changes in microbial counts, gas composition, sugar and organic acid contents, pH, titratable acidity, and reducing sugar content were evaluated. Adding clove powder inhibited the growth of total aerobic and lactic acid bacteria and delayed changes in O2 and CO2 concentration and sugar and organic acid contents. It also slowed the decrease in pH, increase in titratable acidity, and changes in reducing sugar content. These results indicate that clove powder effectively prolongs the quality attributes and thus extends the shelf life of kimchi paste.
Associations between handgrip strength and mild cognitive impairment in middle‐aged and older adults in six low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , Stubbs Brendon , Firth Joseph , Smith Lee , Swinnen Nathalie , Koyanagi Ai 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesA number of small‐scale, single‐country studies have suggested that muscular weakness may be a biomarker for cognitive health, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. However, multinational, representative studies are lacking, particularly from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Thus, we assessed the association between muscular strength (measured by maximal handgrip) and MCI in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa), using nationally representative data.MethodsCross‐sectional, community‐based data on individuals aged 50 years or older from the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. MCI was defined according to the National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association criteria. Weak handgrip strength was defined as less than 30 kg for men and less than 20 kg for women using the average value of two handgrip measurements of the dominant hand. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between muscular strength and MCI.ResultsA total of 32 715 participants were included (mean age 62 ± SD 15.6 y and 51.7% female). The prevalence of MCI and weak handgrip strength was 15.3% (95% CI, 14.4%‐16.3%) and 46.5% (95% CI, 43.6%‐49.5%), respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, weak handgrip strength was associated with 1.41 (95% CI, 1.23‐1.61) times higher odds for MCI. The corresponding figures for those aged 50 to 64 years and 65 years or older were 1.35 (95% CI, 1.14‐1.60) and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.27‐1.86), respectively.ConclusionsMuscular weakness may provide a clinically useful indicator of MCI risk. Increasing our understanding of the connection between muscular and cognitive function could ultimately lead to the development and broader implementation of resistance training interventions targeting both physical and cognitive health.
Determining thermal diffusivity using near‐surface periodic temperature variations and its implications for tracing groundwater movement at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Qiongying , Chen Shunyun , Jiang Liangwen , Wang Dong , Yang Zhuzhuan , Chen Lichun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe thermal diffusivity is the key parameter that controls near‐surface temperature where periodic temperature variation is progressively attenuated and delayed with depth. This article presents the results of apparent thermal diffusivity using temperatures recorded by a bedrock temperature measurement network in the fault zones of western Sichuan. High sensitivity temperature sensors (10−4 K) were installed at a maximum depth reaching 30 m. The apparent thermal diffusivities were deduced from both amplitude damping and phase shifting of annual temperature variations between two different depths. Under pure conduction, the thermal diffusivity determined through the phase method (αΦ) should be equivalent to that determined through the amplitude method (αA), whereas effects of the upward (downward) water flow are evidently reflected in the amplitude decay to make αΦ larger (lesser) than αA. The discrepancy between αΦ and αA can thus be a tracer of water movement or convective heat transfer. The calculated αΦ of the measurement stations varies from 1.22 × 10−6 to 3.00 × 10−6 m2/s, and the estimated αA ranges from 0.93 × 10−6 to 2.41 × 10−6 m2/s. Two regimes of heat transfer underground were suggested from the results. Conductive heat transport prevails over the nonconductive processes at five stations, which is characterized by αΦ coincident with αA for the same depth pair. On the contrary, the values of αΦ differ from αA at six stations in the intersection area of the Y‐shaped fault system, implying that convective heat transfer also plays a comparably important role. This finding is consistent with the hot springs distribution of the area. The results also indicate that water moves upward with an average Darcy velocity of approximately −1 × 10−7 m/s in this region. Our research provides new evidence for the hydrothermal activity in the fault zones at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.