bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genes on the edge: A framework to detect genetic diversity imperiled by climate change
Authors: Carvalho Sílvia Benoliel , Torres João , Tarroso Pedro , Velo‐Antón Guillermo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOngoing global warming is disrupting several ecological and evolutionary processes, spanning different levels of biological organization. Species are expected to shift their ranges as a response to climate change, with relevant implications to peripheral populations at the trailing and leading edges. Several studies have analyzed the exposure of species to climate change but few have explored exposure at the intraspecific level. We introduce a framework to forecast exposure to climate change at the intraspecific level. We build on existing methods by combining correlative species distribution models, a model of species range dynamics, and a model of phylogeographic interpolation. We demonstrate the framework by applying it to 20 Iberian amphibian and reptile species. Our aims were to: (a) identify which species and intraspecific lineages will be most exposed to future climate change; (b) test if nucleotide diversity at the edges of species ranges are significantly higher or lower than on the overall range; and (c) analyze if areas of higher species gain, loss, and turnover coincide with those predicted for lineages richness and nucleotide diversity. We found that about 80% of the studied species are predicted to contract their range. Within each species, some lineages were predicted to contract their range, while others were predicted to maintain or expand it. Therefore, estimating the impacts of climate change at the species level only can underestimate losses at the intraspecific level. Some species had significant high amount of nucleotide at the trailing or leading edge, or both, but we did not find a consistent pattern across species. Spatial patterns of species richness, gain, loss, and turnover were fairly concurrent with lineages richness and nucleotide diversity. Our results support the need for increased attention to intraspecific diversity regarding monitoring and conservation strategies under climate change.
Enhancement of bonding strength between lead wires and ceramic matrix of metal ceramic heater
Authors: Zhu Feng , Liu Huachen , Yan Baijun , Deng Tengfei 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn recent years, metal ceramic heaters (MCHs) have become widely used in daily life and industrial applications. This paper introduces a method for producing an MCH with high bonding strength of the bonding wires by adding oxide additives (Al2O3, SiO2, and MgO) to a metal slurry. Pilot experiments were carried out at 1600°C under a protective atmosphere. The results indicate that the temperature coefficient of resistance of the samples decreases whereas the bonding strength vastly increases, and the pulling forces of the bonding wires in the samples extends from 2 to 32 N. The pulling forces are progressively increased as the content of the spinel phase in the oxide additives increases. The mechanism of enhancement of the bonding strength is discussed herein. The microstructure characterization, element mapping, and element analysis of different samples were performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the formation of a W‐Si solid solution in the sample is the main reason for the decrease in temperature coefficient of resistance. The interface between the metal and spinel layers forms a zigzag and interlocked shape, which significantly improves the bonding strength between the lead wires and the ceramic matrix of the MCH.
Novel SiC synthesis method applicable to SiC solid phase sintering
Authors: Usukawa Ryutaro , Ishikawa Toshihiro 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMost of the present production processes of SiC sintered bodies require some powder mixing using a mechanical milling process (ball milling, and so on). In this case, relatively long hours are required, and there is the problem of contamination during the preparation process. To avoid these problems, we developed a new process for obtaining a self‐sinterable, stoichiometric SiC powder, whose precursor material is water‐soluble; the precursor material was synthesized from aqueous silica and citric acid containing a small amount of aluminum compound. In order to obtain the stoichiometric SiC composition, the above aqueous precursor material was adequately cured in air (200°C‐400°C); subsequently carbonization reaction (~800°C) in nitrogen atmosphere, carbothermal reduction (~1600°C) in argon atmosphere, and pressureless sintering (~1900°C) were performed. Among these processes, the curing process (cross‐linking process) is very important for obtaining the equivalent composition (silica and carbon) for the subsequent carbothermal reduction. In this study, the adequate curing temperature and suitable preparation condition for the carbothermal reduction were investigated for the production of stoichiometric self‐sinterable SiC powder. The pressureless sintered body achieved using the obtained SiC powder demonstrated a desirable trans‐crystalline fracture behavior.
Chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40): novel biomarker of lichen planus
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Said Nora M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundLichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disorder of unknown etiology. Chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40) is a multifunctional proinflammatory protein, which has an important role not only in immunity and inflammation, but also in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.Aim of the workThe present study was designed to investigate the serum level of YKL‐40 in patients with different clinical presentations of LP in comparison to healthy participants in order to study its possible role in the pathogenesis of LP.Patients and methodsA total of 60 consecutive subjects were enrolled in this prospective case‐control study including 30 patients with different clinical variants of LP (16 male and 14 female patients) in addition to 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The serum level of serum YKL‐40 was evaluated by means of ELISA method in both patients and controls.ResultsThe serum YKL‐40 level was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients than in controls. Also, significantly higher levels were found in patients with oral type than in patients with cutaneous type who do not have oral lesions (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of serum YKL‐40 were 62.5 and 81.8%, respectively, (cut off value of 151 pg/ml) for the diagnosis of oral lesions in LP.ConclusionThe findings in our study support the role of YKL‐40 in the pathogenic process of LP and may help in treatment of lichen planus.
Natural course of acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation—Is routine follow‐up imaging indicated or not?
Authors: Schoene Katharina , Sepehri Shamloo Alireza , Sommer Philipp , Jahnke Cosima , Paetsch Ingo , Hindricks Gerhard , Arya Arash 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionThermal injury during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) can lead to pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). The aim of the present study was to analyze the natural course of RFA‐induced PVS with regard to the grade of stenosis, clinical symptoms, and mortality during long‐term follow‐up.Methods and ResultsAll patients with follow‐up imaging for radiofrequency‐induced untreated PVS were retrospectively assessed. From 2004 to 2017, the total rate of PVS following AF ablation in our center was 0.78% (87 of 11 103). Thirty‐eight patients with a total of 54 untreated PVS underwent follow‐up including imaging scan. The mean degree of stenosis at the time of diagnosis was 57% ± 27% vs 45% ± 35% (P = .05) after a mean follow‐up of 43 ± 31 months. There was a shift in severity of the PVS: 18 of 54 (33%) vs 16 of 54 (30%) severe PVS, 19 of 54 (35%) vs 10 of 54 (18%) moderate PVS, and 17 of 54 (32%) vs 28 of 54 (52%) mild PVS (P = .0001). The mean symptom score decreased significantly during follow‐up (1.8 ± 1.0 vs 0.4 ± 0.5, P = .0001). Each of the four patients with progression of PVS underwent another pulmonary vein isolation for AF recurrence following pulmonary vein reconduction during follow‐up period.ConclusionThis study showed a spontaneous reduction in stenosis grade and symptoms of PVS over a 3.5‐year follow‐up. Consequently, routine follow‐up imaging of PVS seems not to be necessary. However, additional RF energy delivery to stenotic pulmonary veins should be avoided if possible. In case of conduction recovery, the ablation line should be done wide‐antrally and follow‐up imaging of PVS is recommended.
Association of A‐197G polymorphism in interleukin‐17 gene with chronic periodontitis: Evidence from six case‐control studies with a computational biology approach
Authors: Farmohammadi Amir , Tavangar Atefeh , Ehteram Mohammad , Karimian Mohammad 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) A‐197G gene polymorphism with chronic periodontitis (CP) in a case‐control study, a meta‐analysis, and an in silico approach.MethodsIn the case‐control study, 122 cases with CP and 126 healthy controls were recruited; IL‐17 A‐197G genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. In the meta‐analysis, comprehensive literature retrieval was performed on valid databases to identify relevant studies. Bioinformatics tools were employed to investigate the effects of A‐197G transition on the promoter region of IL‐17.ResultsOur case‐control study revealed a significant association between IL‐17 A‐197G transition and CP. The overall meta‐analysis revealed significant associations between the IL‐17 A‐197G polymorphism and CP risk in homozygote co‐dominant and recessive models. The stratified analysis also showed a statistically significant association between the mentioned transition and CP risk in the Caucasian population. The in silico analysis revealed that the A‐197G polymorphism could make changes in protein‐binding sites of the IL‐17 promoter region.ConclusionsOur study supports that IL‐17 A‐197G transition could be a genetic risk factor for CP. However, further studies with a larger sample size among different ethnicities are required to obtain a more accurate conclusion.
A Transaction Cost Perspective of Alliance Portfolio Diversity
Authors: Penney Christopher R. , Combs James G. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAlliance portfolio diversity (APD) helps firms access diverse capabilities and knowledge. APD can also increase transaction costs, but it is unknown whether and how transaction cost theory’s (TCT’s) insights about hierarchical integration operate at the portfolio level. We adapt TCT to the portfolio level to suggest that the transaction costs from APD encourage integration into alliance partners’ industries, and we introduce the concept of shared‐specific investments to pinpoint one source of transaction costs within portfolios and predict which industries will be integrated. Using data from 1996–2013 on S&P 500 firms, we find evidence in support of our theorising. Juxtaposing results with other theoretical perspectives suggests that TCT offers complementary insights about which activities to perform in the firm versus the alliance portfolio.
Transformational Strategies and Productivity Growth: A Transformational‐Activities Perspective on Stagnation in the New‐Normal Business Landscape
Authors: Clougherty Joseph A. , Duso Tomaso , Seldeslachts Jo , Ciari Lorenzo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDeclines in productivity growth substantially explain new‐normal business stagnation; yet in order to address situations of slack productivity growth, firms can choose from six generic transformational strategies: retirement, renewal, retrenchment, replication, redeployment, and recombination. While the extant literature focuses on specific transformational strategies that particular firms, or industries, take in responding to productivity threats, questions regarding which transformational strategies are commonly employed and commonly successful have been neglected. Answering these broader questions allows factoring how firms might respond to new‐normal conditions; and yields normative implications regarding the transformational strategies – and policies – that enhance productivity growth and reverse new‐normal stagnation. Using cross‐industry panel data, we identify the transformational strategies that are both commonly employed and commonly successful. Our empirical results indicate that firms react to productivity threats via a variety of strategic responses; yet, engaging in renewal and recombination uniquely address such threats.
Evolutionary patterns of major urinary protein scent signals in house mice and relatives
Authors: Sheehan Michael J. , Campbell Polly , Miller Caitlin H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractScent marks are important mediators of territorial behaviour and sexual selection, especially among mammals. The evolution of compounds used in scent marks has the potential to inform our understanding of signal evolution in relation to social and sexual selection. A major challenge in studies of chemical communication is that the link between semiochemical compounds and genetic changes is often unclear. The major urinary proteins (MUPs) of house mice provide information on sex, status and individual identity. Importantly, MUPs are a direct protein product of genes, providing a clear link between genotype and phenotype. Here, we examine the evolution of urinary protein signals among house mice and relatives by examining the sequences and patterns of mRNA expression of Mup genes related to urinary scent marks. MUP patterns have evolved among mouse species both by gene duplication and variation in expression. Notably, protein scent signals that are male specific in well‐studied inbred laboratory strains vary in sex‐specificity among species. Our data reveal that individual identity signals in MUPs evolved prior to 0.35 million years ago and have rapidly diversified through recombining a modest number of amino acid variants. Amino acid variants are much more common on the exterior of the protein where they could interact with vomeronasal receptors, suggesting that chemosensory perception may have played a major role in shaping MUP diversity. These data highlight diverse processes and pressures shaping scent signals, and suggest new avenues for using wild mice to probe the evolution of signals and signal processing.
The Arabidopsis anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome subunit 8 is required for male meiosis
Authors: Xu Rong‐Yan , Xu Jing , Wang Liudan , Niu Baixiao , Copenhaver Gregory P. , Ma Hong , Zheng Binglian , Wang Yingxiang 
Published: June 2019

Summary

Faithful chromosome segregation is required for both mitotic and meiotic cell divisions and is regulated by multiple mechanisms including the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which is the largest known E3 ubiquitin‐ligase complex and has been implicated in regulating chromosome segregation in both mitosis and meiosis in animals. However, the role of the APC/C during plant meiosis remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis APC8 is required for male meiosis.

We used a combination of genetic analyses, cytology and immunolocalisation to define the function of AtAPC8 in male meiosis.

Meiocytes from apc8‐1 plants exhibit several meiotic defects including improper alignment of bivalents at metaphase I, unequal chromosome segregation during anaphase II, and subsequent formation of polyads. Immunolocalisation using an antitubulin antibody showed that APC8 is required for normal spindle morphology. We also observed mitotic defects in apc8‐1, including abnormal sister chromatid segregation and microtubule morphology.

Our results demonstrate that Arabidopsis APC/C is required for meiotic chromosome segregation and that APC/C‐mediated regulation of meiotic chromosome segregation is a conserved mechanism among eukaryotes.
Subsets of NLR genes show differential signatures of adaptation during colonization of new habitats
Authors: Stam Remco , Silva‐Arias Gustavo A. , Tellier Aurelien 
Published: June 2019

SummaryNucleotide binding site, leucine‐rich repeat receptors (NLRs) are canonical resistance (R) genes in plants, fungi and animals, functioning as central (helper) and peripheral (sensor) genes in a signalling network. We investigateNLRevolution during the colonization of novel habitats in a model tomato species,Solanum chilense.We usedR‐gene enrichment sequencing to obtain polymorphism data atNLRs of 140 plants sampled across 14 populations covering the whole species range. We inferred the past demographic history of habitat colonization by resequencing whole genomes from threeS. chilenseplants from three key populations and performing approximate Bayesian computation using data from the 14 populations.Using these parameters, we simulated the genetic differentiation statistics distribution expected under neutralNLRevolution and identified small subsets of outlierNLRs exhibiting signatures of selection across populations.NLRs under selection between habitats are more often helper genes, whereas those showing signatures of adaptation in single populations are more often sensor‐NLRs. Thus, centrality in theNLRnetwork does not constrainNLRevolvability, and new mutations in central genes in the network are key forR‐gene adaptation during colonization of different habitats.
Differential immune response to Eimeria maxima infection in fast‐ and slow‐growing broiler genotypes
Authors: Giles Tim , Sakkas Panagiotis , Belkhiri Aouatif , Barrow Paul , Kyriazakis Ilias , Foster Neil 
Published: June 2019

AbstractVery little has been reported comparing resistance to coccidiosis in fast or slow growing broilers, the latter of which are becoming more prevalent in the broiler industry. We examined mRNA expression in the intestines of fast and slow growing broilers following Eimeria infection. We show that by day 13 post‐infection (d pi) with 2500 or 7000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima, slower‐growing (Ranger Classic) broilers significantly (P < 0.01) upregulated expression of proinflammatory cyclooxygenase genes (LTB4DH, PTSG1 and PTSG2) above that detected in fast growing (Ross 308) broilers. Expression of CD8α mRNA was downregulated in Ross 308 at day 6d pi with either 2500 or 7000 oocysts of E maxima (P < 0.05), compared to uninfected controls, but was not differentially expressed in Ranger Classic. CD4 genes were not differentially expressed in either chicken line infected with either infectious oocyst dose at d6 pi, compared to uninfected controls. However, at d13 pi, CD4 expression was significantly upregulated in both chicken lines infected with either infectious oocyst dose, compared to uninfected controls (P < 0.05) but this was significantly greater in Ranger Classic broilers compared to Ross 308 (P < 0.05). At d13 pi, expression of CD3 chains (required for T lymphocyte activation) was significantly increased in Ranger Classic compared to Ross 308, infected with either oocyst dose (P < 0.05‐0.01). Expression of IL‐2 and IL‐15 mRNA, required for T lymphocyte proliferation was also significantly upregulated, or maintained longer, in Ranger Classic broilers compared to Ross 308. These differences in immune response to E maxima corresponded with a reduction in E maxima genome detected in the intestines of Ranger Classic compared to Ross 308.
Temporomandibular Joint Bioengineering Conference: Working Together Toward Improving Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Almarza Alejandro J. , Mercuri Louis G. , Arzi Boaz , Gallo Luigi M. , Granquist Eric , Kapila Sunil , Detamore Michael S. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The sixth temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Bioengineering Conference (TMJBC) was held on June 14–15 2018, in Redondo Beach, California, 12 years after the first TMJBC. Speakers gave 30 presentations and came from the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The goal of the conference has remained to foster a continuing forum for bioengineers, scientists, and surgeons and veterinarians to advance technology related to TMJ disorders. These collective multidisciplinary interactions over the past decade have made large strides in moving the field of TMJ research forward. Over the past 12 years, in vivo approaches for tissue engineering have emerged, along with a wide variety of degeneration models, as well as with models occurring in nature. Furthermore, biomechanical tools have become more sensitive and new biologic interventions for disease are being developed. Clinical directives have evolved for specific diagnoses, along with patient-specific biological and immunological responses to TMJ replacement devices alloplastic and/or bioengineered devices. The sixth TMJBC heralded many opportunities for funding agencies to advance the field: (1) initiatives on TMJ that go beyond pain research, (2) more training grants focused on graduate students and fellows, (3) partnership funding with government agencies to translate TMJ solutions, and (4) the recruitment of a critical mass of TMJ experts to participate on grant review panels. The TMJ research community continues to grow and has become a pillar of dental and craniofacial research, and together we share the unified vision to ultimately improve diagnoses and treatment outcomes in patients affected by TMJ disorders.
Using Contrast Motion to Generate Patient-Specific Blood Flow Simulations During Invasive Coronary Angiography
Authors: Zhuk Sergiy , Smith Olivia , Thondapu Vikas , Halupka Kerry , Moore Stephen 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Virtual fractional flow reserve (vFFR) is an emerging technology employing patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to infer the hemodynamic significance of a coronary stenosis. Patient-specific boundary conditions are an important aspect of this approach and while most efforts make use of lumped parameter models to capture key phenomena, they lack the ability to specify the associated parameters on a patient-specific basis. When applying vFFR in a catheter laboratory setting using X-ray angiograms as the basis for creating the simulations, there is some indirect functional information available through the observation of the radio-opaque contrast agent motion. In this work, we present a novel method for tuning the lumped parameter arterial resistances (commonly incorporated in such simulations), based on simulating the physics of the contrast motion and comparing the observed and simulated arrival times of the contrast front at key points within a coronary tree. We present proof of principle results on a synthetically generated coronary tree comprised of multiple segments, demonstrating that the method can successfully optimize the arterial resistances to reconstruct the underlying velocity and pressure fields, providing a potential new means to improve the patient specificity of simulation-based technologies in this area.