bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Glycocalyx Development by Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Non‐Digestible Carbohydrates
Authors: Kong Chunli , Elderman Marlies , Cheng Lianghui , de Haan Bart J. , Nauta Arjen , de Vos Paul 
Published: May 2019

ScopeThe epithelial glycocalyx development is of great importance for microbial colonization. Human milk oligosaccharides (hMOs) and non‐digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) may modulate glycocalyx development.Methods and resultsThe effects of hMOs and NDCs on human gut epithelial cells (Caco2) are investigated by quantifying thickness and area coverage of adsorbed albumin, heparan sulfate (HS), and hyaluronic acid (HA) in the glycocalyx. Effects of hMOs (2′‐FL and 3‐FL) and NDCs [inulins with degrees of polymerization (DP) (DP3‐DP10, DP10‐DP60, DP30‐DP60) and pectins with degrees of methylation (DM) (DM7, DM55, DM69)] are tested using immunofluorescence staining at 1 and 5 days stimulation. HMOs show a significant enhancing effect on glycocalyx development but effects are structure‐dependent. 3‐FL induces a stronger albumin adsorption and increases HS and HA stronger than 2′‐FL. The DP3‐DP10, DP30‐60 inulins also increase glycocalyx development in a structure‐dependent manner as DP3‐DP10 selectively increases HS, while DP30‐DP60 specifically increases HA. Pectins have less effects, and only increase albumin adsorption.ConclusionHere, it is shown that 2′‐FL and 3‐FL and inulins stimulate glycocalyx development in a structure‐dependent fashion. This may contribute to formulation of effective hMO and NDC formulations in infant formulas to support microbial colonization and gut barrier function.
Increase of cortisol levels after temperature stress activates dmrt1a causing female‐to‐male sex reversal and reduced germ cell number in medaka
Authors: Adolfi Mateus Contar , Fischer Peter , Herpin Amaury , Regensburger Martina , Kikuchi Mariko , Tanaka Minoru , Schartl Manfred 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn vertebrates, there is accumulating evidence that environmental factors as triggers for sex determination and genetic sex determination are not two opposing alternatives but that a continuum of mechanisms bridge those extremes. One prominent example is the model fish species Oryzias latipes which has a stable XX/XY genetic sex determination system, but still responds to environmental cues, where high temperatures lead to female‐to‐male sex reversal. However, the mechanisms behind are still unknown. We show that high temperatures increase primordial germ cells (PGC) numbers before they reach the genital ridge, which, in turn, regulates the germ cell proliferation. Complete ablation of PGCs led to XX males with germ cell less testis, whereas experimentally increased PGC numbers did not reverse XY genotypes to female. For the underlying molecular mechanism, we provide support for the explanation that activation of the dmrt1a gene by cortisol during early development of XX embryos enables this autosomal gene to take over the role of the male determining Y‐chromosomal dmrt1bY.
Assessing Acoustic Tagging Effects on Survival, Growth, and Swimming Ability of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon
Authors: McCabe M. M. , Chiotti J. A. , Boase J. C. , Fisk A. T. , Pitcher T. E. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Acoustic telemetry is used to quantify fish movement, ecology, and habitat use and can contribute to assessing the success of species supplementation. In this field, a better understanding of the effects of tag burden (or the impact of an acoustic telemetry tag, which is related to the ratio of tag weight to body weight) is critical to ensure postrelease monitoring. Research on the effects of acoustic tag burden on imperiled fishes at different ontogenic stages, such as juvenile Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, is limited. Our study provides key information for the selection of the largest acoustic tag with the greatest battery life possible (taking into account tag burden) to monitor the release success and movements of juvenile Lake Sturgeon stocked for reintroduction. We characterized tag burden effects by examining survival, TL, weight, Fulton's condition factor, and swim performance of individuals. We examined four groups of fish: control (anesthetized and no acoustic tag inserted; n = 24), sham control (anesthetized with incision sutured but no acoustic tag inserted; n = 24), Vemco V8 acoustic tag (2.0 g in air; n = 24), and Vemco V9 tag (4.4 g in air; n = 24). Acoustic tags were inserted into anesthetized fish, and the incision was sutured; tag burden (mean ± SE) ranged from 2.2 ± 0.06% to 4.6 ± 0.10% of total body weight. Results showed that the two tag burden treatments had no significant effects on growth or survival (compared to both control groups) across a 114-d study period and that critical swim speed at 12–20 d postsurgery was not significantly impacted by increasing tag burden. Because neither of the acoustic tag sizes had significant deleterious effects on the metrics studied, we recommend using a larger V9 tag (i.e., the most powerful tag with the longest battery life) for postrelease monitoring of reintroduced juvenile Lake Sturgeon.
The effects of weight loss and metformin on cognition among breast cancer survivors: Evidence from the Reach for Health study
Authors: Hartman Sheri J. , Nelson Sandahl H. , Marinac Catherine R. , Natarajan Loki , Parker Barbara A. , Patterson Ruth E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveBreast cancer survivors experience problems with cognition that interfere with daily life and can last for years. In the general population, obesity and diabetes are risk factors for cognitive decline, and weight loss can improve cognition; however, the impact of intentional weight loss on cancer survivors' cognition has not been tested. We investigated the impact of weight loss and metformin on changes in cognitive function in a sample of breast cancer survivors.MethodsOverweight/obese postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (n = 333) were randomized to a weight loss intervention versus control and metformin versus placebo in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Outcomes were changes in five cognitive domains from baseline to 6 months measured by objective neurocognitive tests.ResultsThere were no statistically significant intervention effects for the metformin or weight loss interventions in five neurocognitive domains. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was a significant effect modifier of the changes in verbal functioning for the weight loss (P = 0.009) and metformin interventions (P = 0.0125). These effect modifications were independent of percent weight loss achieved during the 6‐month study period.ConclusionsThis randomized controlled trial of weight loss and metformin interventions that examined changes to cognition among breast cancer survivors suggests that these interventions may not improve cognitive functioning among breast cancer survivors in general. However, weight loss may improve verbal functioning among individuals with a higher BMI.
Facile Synthesis of Porous‐Carbon Nanoarchitectures as Advanced and Durable Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Lu Yongzhuang , Zeng Siqi , Zhou Lijun , Huang Xiaolin , Zeng Yinxiang , Zheng Dezhou , Xu Wei , Lu Xihong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCarbon nanomaterials with remarkable capacitance are highly notable. Although electronic double‐layer capacitors exhibit high power density, their low energy density blocks the practical utility of these carbon materials. Herein, a type of porous‐carbon nanoarchitecture with significant capacitive performance is successfully synthesized using a ZnO template and KOH activation. Benefiting from its excellent conductivity, ultrahigh surface area, and porous architecture, the as‐prepared porous carbon delivers a high capacitance of 245.4 mF cm−2 at a current density of 2 mA cm−2 with impressive rate performance. Moreover, it shows superior cycling durability with more than 99% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles. A cost‐effective, eco‐friendly, and promising strategy is proposed for the large‐scale preparation of porous‐carbon nanomaterial electrodes.
Synergistic effects of the capsaicinoid nonivamide and rosuvastatin on obesity‐related endothelial dysfunction in rat fed a high‐fat diet
Authors: Sivasinprasasn Sivanan , Wikan Naruemon , Tocharus Jiraporn , Pantan Rungusa , Chaichompoo Waraluck , Suksamrarn Apichart , Tocharus Chainarong 
Published: May 2019

Capsaicinoid nonivamide (PAVA) and rosuvastatin (RSV) have been shown to exert antioxidant and anti‐obesity effects in various animal models, but it is unknown whether their combination would be an effective treatment for obesity‐related endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of PAVA in synergy with RSV. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were given a high‐fat diet (HFD) or normal diet during a 20‐week period. At 16 weeks, rats in each diet group were divided into subgroups. Normal diet rats were divided into Normal diet control, Normal diet with PAVA, and Normal diet with RSV groups. HFD rats were subdivided into HFD control, HFD with PAVA, HFD with RSV, and HFD with PAVA + RSV groups and evaluated for metabolic parameters, blood pressure, aortic function, and histological change of the aorta in rats. Our results showed the combined therapy had a significantly greater effect than the monotherapy in all measured parameters; this was indicated by improvement in insulin sensitivity and aortic function, decreased blood pressure, lower oxidative stress, and prevention of vascular damage. The synergistic effect of the PAVA and RSV can protect HFD‐induced obesity‐related endothelial dysfunction, suggesting that the combination of PAVA and RSV could be an effective alternative treatment for obesity‐related complications in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index and number of spanning trees of a zigzag polyhex nanotube TUHC[2n, 2]
Authors: Li Shuchao , Sun Wanting , Wang Shujing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLet Ln denote the linear hexagonal chain containing n hexagons. Then identifying the opposite lateral edges of Ln in ordered way yields TUHC[2n, 2], the zigzag polyhex nanotube, whereas identifying those of Ln in reversed way yields Mn, the hexagonal Möbius chain. In this article, we first obtain the explicit formulae of the multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index, the Kemeny's invariant, the total number of spanning trees of TUHC[2n, 2], respectively. Then we show that the multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index of TUHC[2n, 2] is approximately one‐third of its Gutman index. Based on these obtained results we can at last get the corresponding results for Mn.
Partial dam removal restores passage for a threatened salmonid
Authors: Sullivan Brittany G. , Taylor Mark K. , Carli Chris , Ward Taylor D. , Lennox Robert J. , Cooke Steven J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDams represent one of the major forms of river alteration. As these structures reach the end of their lifespan, they often require extensive refurbishments or removal. A small‐scale water supply dam in Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada) was partially removed, creating a breach that allowed water to scour a new passage resembling a nature‐like fishway. We investigated the permeability of the partially removed dam as a means of validating the conservation benefits of the partial dam removal. We quantified the proportion of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a threatened species in Canada, that approached and passed the fishway using radio telemetry receiver stations. The proportion of bull trout that approached the fishway was low (37.0%; N = 27 of 73), but was consistent with upstream reference sites (33%; N = 20 of 60). For those that did approach, the proportion of bull trout that passed yielded a high passage efficiency (77.8%; N = 21 of 27 that approached). The probability that a fish passed the fishway was related to water depth and time of day. Bull trout were more likely to pass when water depths were high (>0.40 m), and at night. Passage duration ranged from 5‐mins to 13‐days, suggesting that this resident species used the fishway for a variety of purposes (e.g., station holding and foraging) and not just transiting. Some individuals underwent large‐scale movements 2‐km upstream (15.1%; N = 11 of 73), or 2‐km downstream (2.7%; N = 2 of 73) following a successful passage event. This study provides new insight on how, in some instances, a breach in a dam can function as a nature‐like fishway, accommodating year‐round stream flows and providing hydraulic conditions suitable for fish passage without costly engineering or construction.
Ultrahigh Responsivity UV Photodetector Based on Cu Nanostructure/ZnO QD Hybrid Architectures
Authors: Li Ming‐Yu , Yu Muni , Su Dong , Zhang Jianbing , Jiang Shenglin , Wu Jiang , Wang Qingping , Liu Sisi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractStrong near‐surface electromagnetic field formed by collective oscillation of electrons on Cu nanostructure a shows a strong dependence on geometry, offering a promising approach to boost the light absorption of ZnO photoactive layers with enhanced plasmon scattering. Here, a facile way to fabricate UV photodetectors with tunable configuration of the self‐assembled Cu nanostructures on ZnO thin films is reported. The incident lights are effectively confined in ZnO photoactive layers with the existence of the uplayer Cu nanostructures, and the interdiffusion of Cu atoms during fabrication of the Cu nanostructures can improve the carrier transfer in ZnO thin films. The optical properties of the hybrid architectures are successfully tailored over a control of the geometric evolution of the Cu nanostructures, resulting in significantly enhanced photocurrent and responsivity of 2.26 mA and 234 A W−1 under a UV light illumination of 0.62 mW cm−2 at 10 V, respectively. The photodetectors also exhibit excellent reproducibility, stability, and UV–visible rejection ratio (R370 nm/R500 nm) of ≈370, offering an approach of high‐performance UV photodetectors for practical applications.
The Future Mandate of the Constitution of Slovenia: A Potent Tradition Under Strain
Authors: Bardutzky Samo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe 1991 Constitution of Slovenia belongs to the category of strong constitutions, with a detailed list of rights. The report informs that the concept of the rule of law mostly draws on German commentaries on the constitutional Rechtsstaat, and its main elements are expressly entrenched in constitutional provisions. Particularly notable are the detailed limits on the power of the state in prosecuting crimes and detailed guarantees for judicial protection, which are identified as more extensive than those in the ECHR and the EU Charter. The constitutional amendments for EU and international co-operation contain a clause on the respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The report extensively documents areas where the above, potent constitutional tradition has come under strain in the context of EU law. The examples range from the Data Retention Directive – the implementation of which was rushed under the threat of EU fines – to concerns by scholars with regard to Viking Line and Laval that the Constitution limits the limitations on fundamental rights, and that economic freedoms ought not to trump fundamental rights despite the status that the former have been accorded by the ECJ. A particularly acute awareness emerges with regard to the changing role of courts in European Arrest Warrant cases, with warnings by lawyers about the danger of instrumentalising judges, and transforming judges into ‘ticking box’ automatons neglecting their duty of safeguarding fundamental rights. The constitutional protection of the right to water has also been debated with reference to an EU directive. More broadly, the report expresses concern that because of the different approach to judicial review of EU measures, the heavy books with commentary on the Constitution are no longer carried by civil servants to meetings to identify constraints on the exercise of public power placed by the Constitutional Court.
The Role of the Polish Constitution (Pre-2016): Development of a Liberal Democracy in the European and International Context
Authors: Biernat Stanisław , Kawczyńska Monika 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe report outlines the Polish constitutional culture and explores the interaction with EU and international law before the 2015–2018 illiberal turn in the country. The report recalls that the Communist Constitution had been political and its observance was fictional. After the transition in 1989 and in the new 1997 Constitution, emphasis was on the direct application of constitutional provisions, the rule of law principle, the democratic and social state, a broad catalogue of rights and freedoms with the precise permissible grounds for their limitation, as well as institutional guarantees and judicial procedures against violations of those rights and freedoms. The Constitutional Tribunal carried out stringent review of legal provisions. The main grounds for declaration of unconstitutionality were violation of the rule of law, the right to a fair trial, the principle of proportionality and exceeding powers delegated to the executive. The Constitutional Tribunal also exercised review over EU and international treaties and measures implementing EU law. Although the Constitutional Tribunal stated that the Constitution was the supreme law of Poland, it respected the autonomy of EU law and the competences of the ECJ, adopting the approach of a consistent interpretation of Polish law with EU law. Some key examples of the case law include constitutional challenges regarding the Accession Treaty, the Brussels I Regulation, the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) and the ESM Treaty. The EAW judgment led to a constitutional amendment allowing the surrender of Polish citizens under certain circumstances. The conditions and grounds for limitation of rights are more restrictive than in EU law.
The Constitution of Latvia – A Bridge Between Traditions and Modernity
Authors: Krūma Kristīne , Statkus Sandijs 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Latvian constitutional system is based on the principle of State continuity after the Soviet occupation, and this is reflected in the reinstatement of the 1922 Constitution (Satversme). Unlike other constitutions in the post-communist area, it is characterised as a laconic and predominantly procedural constitution. However, important amendments were introduced in 1996 and 1998, establishing the Constitutional Court and introducing a catalogue of fundamental rights. The constitutional culture has been influenced by German traditions in constitutional jurisprudence, and the adjudication of legislation on substantive grounds has been stringent. This is particularly evident in the annulment of about 40% of measures reviewed in the context of the economic crisis (2009–2011). Of particular interest is the constitutional adjudication of the IMF-mandated drastic austerity measures, including a law that envisaged a notable 70% cut in the payments to pensioners. The Constitutional Court stood out by virtue of strong protection of fundamental rights and the principle of legitimate expectations, with similarities to the approach subsequently taken by the Portuguese Constitutional Court. Additionally, the Constitutional Court underlined that taking international loans is an important matter of public life which must be decided by the legislator, and that the government cannot restrict fundamental rights by assuming international obligations. However, measures such as the European Arrest Warrant or Data Retention Directive have not been subject to a constitutional debate. The Constitution contains a range of EU amendments.
The Bulgarian Constitutional Order, Supranational Constitutionalism and European Governance
Authors: Tanchev Evgeni , Belov Martin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBulgaria’s 1991 Constitution is regarded as a ‘reactive constitution’, reflecting the transition from totalitarianism to democracy. It aims to introduce a genuinely new political model based on different concepts about the individual and the state, with legally defensible human rights, and makes the Constitution a substantial part of enforceable law. Whilst there are issues in practice, including the need for the EU post-accession monitoring process, the approach to constitutional review emerges as stringent. During the period 1991–2006, in the 158 challenges against Acts of Parliament, the Acts were declared to be partially or fully unconstitutional in 79 cases, often on rule of law grounds. With regard to EU integration, the Constitution has been amended extensively. The report considers such amendments to be important, as otherwise the Constitution would lose its regulative force for citizens. The report identifies the paradox that while minor domestic changes need to pass strict constitutional amendment hurdles, the transfer of constitutional powers to the EU can be done by the easier procedure for ratification of treaties. There has been no significant debate in Bulgaria regarding EU measures such as the European Arrest Warrant. The slogan ‘Brussels wills it!’ has functioned as a key explanatory strategy. Nevertheless, the report recalls that under the Bulgarian Constitution a reduction of rights protection is legitimate only on limited grounds, and finds that higher integration goals and teleological excuses based on efficiency arguments could not justify a reduction of the standard of protection.
The Constitution of Austria in International Constitutional Networks: Pluralism, Dialogues and Diversity
Authors: Lachmayer Konrad 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe report shows that the Austrian constitutional framework is composed of a range of domestic and international instruments. The core constitutional act from 1920 is detailed, as are amendments regarding EU and international law. However, the 1867 State Basic Law provides only a generic bill of rights, and therefore the ECHR is the main, constitutionalised source of fundamental rights protection. The Constitutional Court reads the relevant provisions from the different instruments together, to provide a comprehensive protection. Earlier, the constitutional culture had been characterised as formalistic; this changed in the 1980s under the influence of the German Constitutional Court and the ECtHR towards a strict approach to the rule of law and rights. Constitutional review is marked by the principles of legality and reasonability. It is notable that several cases at the heart of the present research project have originated from Austrian courts, such as Data Retention (Seitlinger), Heinrich, Schmidberger and Weidacher. Regarding the European Arrest Warrant, the Austrian courts stand out with a rights-protective approach. The challenge to the ESM Treaty led to constitutional amendments that ensure parliamentary authorisation for increased expenditure. The report outlines areas where EU law has improved fundamental rights protection as well as those where it has been weakened. The report makes a case for retaining the pluralism and diversity of constitutional cultures, finding that it is necessary to see the incommensurability of the various legal traditions and the impracticability of attempting to unify all traditions in one common constitutional tradition.