bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance, intestinal morphometry, and incubation parameters of broiler chickens submitted to in ovo feeding with different techniques and amino acids
Authors: Groff-Urayama Priscila , Padilha Joselaine , Einsfeld Suelen , Pertile Simone , Gorges Mateus , de Andrade Mariana , di Domenico Adriana , Maeda Emilyn Midori , Takahashi Sabrina 
Published: April 2019

The objective of this research was to evaluate techniques, incubation period, and effects of amino acids in ovo feeding. First, 240 hatching eggs were selected and distributed in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two techniques and 3 d). The parameters of incubation, relative weight of gastrointestinal organs, and classification of embryonic mortality were evaluated. In the second stage, 720 hatching eggs were incubated with five treatments: control, methionine (20 and 30 mg), and lysine (20 and 30 mg). These animals were housed during 14 d. The animals were divided with five treatments, nine replicates, and groupings based on sex. Incubation parameters, performance, intestinal morphometry, and relative weight of digestive tract organs were evaluated. The results indicate that the technique using a 45° needle axis passing through the air chamber hinders hatchability. In the organ weighing, there was no difference between the evaluated factors. For intestinal morphometry, there was only a significant difference between the dose factor for the crypt villi and crypt diameter. To conclude, the technique using a 90° angle without passing through the air chamber is safer for the embryos. The inoculation of methionine (20 and 30 mg) obtained data similar to the control group.
Genetic correlations among selected traits in Canadian Holsteins
Authors: Martin P. , Baes C. , Houlahan K. , Richardson C.M. , Jamrozik J. , Miglior F. 
Published: April 2019

In the Canadian dairy industry, there are currently over 80 traits routinely evaluated, and more are considered for potential selection. Particularly, in the last few years, recording has commenced for several new phenotypes required to introduce novel traits with high economic importance into the selection program. However, without a systematic estimation of the genetic correlations that exist among traits, the potential results of indirect selection are unknown. Therefore, 29 traits representative of the trait diversity for first lactation Canadian animals were selected. Their two-by-two genetic correlations were estimated from a dataset of 62 498 first lactation Holstein cows, using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo Gibbs sampling approach. The general tendencies among the groups of traits confirm that production traits are negatively correlated with fertility traits and that functional traits are positively correlated with one another. The association of udder depth with fertility and disease resistance has also been highlighted. This contribution offers a comprehensive overview of current estimates across traits and includes correlations with novel traits that constitute an original addition to the literature. These new estimates can be used for newly developed genomic evaluation models and possibly lead to more accurate estimations of the dairy cows’ overall genetic merit.
Effects of the combined application of biomaterial amendments and polyacrylamide on soil water and maize growth under deficit irrigation
Authors: Hu Yajin , Guo Nini , Hill Robert L. , Wu Shufang , Dong Qin’ge , Ma Penghui 
Published: April 2019

Combined applications of mixed biomaterial amendments and polyacrylamide (MBAP) to maize in semiarid areas have the potential to improve soil physical properties such that improved crop performance may be obtained under deficient irrigation management. In this study, three MBAP applications were C0 (conventional N fertilization application) and C2 and C4 (MBAP applied at rates of 2 and 4 t ha−1, respectively); three irrigation levels were W3 (nearly full irrigation, 85%–100% of field capacity), W2 (light deficit irrigation, 65%–75% of field capacity), and W1 (medium deficit irrigation, 55%–65% of field capacity). Under the same irrigation level, the MBAP significantly decreased soil bulk densities and increased soil hydraulic conductivities and soil water contents. The effects of irrigation levels on soil bulk densities and soil saturated hydraulic conductivities were not significant. Consequently, MBAP improved soil conditions for maize growth and increased grain and biomass yields, especially at the two deficit irrigation levels. Compared with that of C0, grain yields for C2 and C4 were increased by 52.8% and 39.3% under W2, and by 23.5% and 13.7% under W1, respectively. The MBAP and irrigation had significant interaction effects on evapotranspiration during sowing to jointing and on plant heights at 32 d after sowing. The incorporation of MBAP (2 t ha−1) and chemical fertilizer (111.8 kg N ha−1) resulted in the greatest yields under light deficit irrigation and seemed the best approach to improve soil physical properties and sustain maize productivity using limited water resources in dryland regions.
An Efficient and High-Speed Implementation of QRD-MGS Algorithm for STAP Application Based on Floating Point FPGAs
Authors: Hasanikhah Narjes , Amin-Nejad Siavash , Darvish Ghafar , Moniri M. R. 
Published: April 2019

Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) can harness the efficacy of interference and clutter significantly. Calculations of the STAP weights involve solving linear equations which require very intensive computations. In this paper, the QR decomposition (QRD) using the modified gram-schmidt (MGS) algorithm is parameterized with vector size to create a trade-off between the hardware resources utilization and computation time. To achieve an efficient floating point structure, the proposed architecture of QRD-MGS algorithm is simulated and implemented in two modes: single-vector and multi-vector. Results show that the multi-vector method can lead to a high-performance design with higher operating frequency, lower power consumption, and less resource utilization than the single-vector method. For example, Modelism simulations show that the decomposition of a [Formula: see text] matrix with vector size of 17 takes 7.86[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s with the maximum clock frequency of 282[Formula: see text]MHz, for implementation on the Arria10 FPGA. In real STAP applications, the matrix sizes are too large to be fit on FPGAs and the update rate of the weights are high. Therefore, this method can fit any matrix in the contemporary FPGAs with an acceptable update rate.
AVIAN INNATE IMMUNITY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CHICKEN MELANOMA DIFFERENTIATION-ASSOCIATED GENE 5 (MDA5)
Authors: Lee Chih-Chun , Tung Chun-Yu , Wu Ching Ching , Lin Tsang Long 
Published: April 2019

Avian species have immune system to fight invading pathogens. The immune system comprises innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity relies on pattern recognition receptors to sense particular molecules present in pathogens, i.e. pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), or danger signals in the environment, i.e. danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Cytoplasmic retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) are the sensors recognizing cytoplasmic PAMP and/or DAMP. Among common avian species, chickens do not have RIG-I whereas ducks and finches do. Therefore, the other RLR member, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), is believed to play an important role to recognize intracellular pathogens in chickens. Chicken MDA5 has been identified and its function determined. Chicken MDA5 maintains the same domain architecture compared with MDA5 analogs in other animal species. The expression of chicken MDA5 was upregulated when a synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acids (poly(I:C)), was transfected into chicken cells, whereas that did not change when cells were incubated with poly(I:C). The enhanced expression of chicken MDA5 in chicken cells upregulated the expression of chicken interferon-[Formula: see text] (IFN-[Formula: see text]). The infection of dsRNA infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in non-immune cells triggered the activation of chicken MDA5 signaling pathway, leading to the production of IFN-[Formula: see text] and subsequent response of IFN-stimulated genes. Furthermore, in immune cells like macrophages, chicken MDA5 participated in sensing the infection of IBDV by activating downstream antiviral genes and molecules and modulating adaptive immunity.On the contrary, one of cytoplasmic NLR member, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), was cloned and functionally characterized in chicken cells. Chicken NLRP3 conserved the same domain architecture compared with NLRP3 analogs in other animal species. Chicken NLRP3 was highly expressed in kidney, bursa of Fabricius and spleen. The production of mature chicken interleukin 1 [Formula: see text] (IL-1[Formula: see text] in chicken macrophages was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment followed by short ATP exposure.In summary, chicken MDA5 was a cytoplasmic dsRNA sensor that mediated the production of type I IFN upon ligand engagement, whereas NLRP3 sensed danger signals, such as ATP, in the cytoplasm and cleaved pro-IL-1[Formula: see text] to produce mature IL-1[Formula: see text]. Chicken MDA5 was not only involved in the activation of innate immune responses in non-immune and immune cells, but it also participated in modulating adaptive immunity in immune cells. Chicken NLRP3 participated in the production of mature chicken IL-1[Formula: see text] upon ligand engagement.
Cardioprotective roles of sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity
Authors: Li Ruiting , Huang Yin , Semple Ian , Kim Myungjin , Zhang Zunjian , Lee Jun Hee 
Published: April 2019

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy medication widely used to treat a variety of cancers. Even though it offers one of the most effective anti-cancer treatments, its clinical use is limited because of its strong cardiotoxicity that can lead to fatal conditions. Here, we show that sestrin 1 and sestrin 2, members of the sestrin family of proteins that are stress-inducible regulators of metabolism, are critical for suppressing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity and coordinating the AMPK-mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) autophagy signaling network for cardioprotection. Expression of both sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 was highly increased in the mouse heart after doxorubicin injection. Genetic ablation of sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 rendered mice more vulnerable to doxorubicin and exacerbated doxorubicin-induced cardiac pathologies including cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. These pathologies were associated with strong dysregulation of the cardiac signaling network, including suppression of the AMPK pathway and activation of the mTORC1 pathway. Consistent with AMPK downregulation and mTORC1 upregulation, autophagic activity of heart tissue was diminished, leading to prominent accumulation of autophagy substrate, p62/SQSTM1. Taken together, our results indicate that sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 are important cardioprotective proteins that coordinate metabolic signaling pathways and autophagy to minimize cardiac damage in response to doxorubicin insult. Augmenting this protective mechanism could provide a novel therapeutic rationale for prevention and treatment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Doxorubicin is a highly efficient chemotherapeutic medicine; however, its use is limited because of its strong cardiotoxicity. Here, we show that sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 are critical protectors of cardiomyocytes from doxorubicin damage. By upregulating AMPK and autophagic activities and suppressing mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and oxidative stress, sestrins counteract detrimental effects of doxorubicin on cardiomyocytes. Correspondingly, loss of sestrin 1 and sestrin 2 produced remarkable dysregulation of these pathways, leading to prominent cardiac cell death and deterioration of heart function.
Association of intronic DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation alterations in the epigenetic etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tabish Ali M. , Arif Mohammed , Song Taejeong , Elbeck Zaher , Becker Richard C. , Knöll Ralph , Sadayappan Sakthivel 
Published: April 2019

In this study, we investigated the role of DNA methylation [5-methylcytosine (5mC)] and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), epigenetic modifications that regulate gene activity, in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A MYBPC3 mutant mouse model of DCM was compared with wild type and used to profile genomic 5mC and 5hmC changes by Chip-seq, and gene expression levels were analyzed by RNA-seq. Both 5mC-altered genes (957) and 5hmC-altered genes (2,022) were identified in DCM hearts. Diverse gene ontology and KEGG pathways were enriched for DCM phenotypes, such as inflammation, tissue fibrosis, cell death, cardiac remodeling, cardiomyocyte growth, and differentiation, as well as sarcomere structure. Hierarchical clustering of mapped genes affected by 5mC and 5hmC clearly differentiated DCM from wild-type phenotype. Based on these data, we propose that genomewide 5mC and 5hmC contents may play a major role in DCM pathogenesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our data demonstrate that development of dilated cardiomyopathy in mice is associated with significant epigenetic changes, specifically in intronic regions, which, when combined with gene expression profiling data, highlight key signaling pathways involved in pathological cardiac remodeling and heart contractile dysfunction.
Loss of Notch1 Activity Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth and Metastasis and Sensitizes Prostate Cancer Cells to Antiandrogen Therapies
Authors: Rice Meghan A. , Hsu En-Chi , Aslan Merve , Ghoochani Ali , Su Austin , Stoyanova Tanya 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Prostate cancer remains among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men. Patients with aggressive disease typically undergo hormone deprivation therapy. Although treatment is initially very successful, these men commonly progress to lethal, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in 2 to 3 years. Standard therapies for CRPC include second-generation antiandrogens, which prolong patient lifespan by only several months. It is imperative to advance our understanding of the mechanisms leading to resistance to identify new therapies for aggressive prostate cancer. This study identifies Notch1 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. Loss of NOTCH1 in aggressive prostate cancer cells decreases proliferation, invasion, and tumorsphere formation. Therapeutic inhibition of Notch1 activity with gamma secretase inhibitors RO4929097 or DAPT in prostate cancer cells further results in decreased proliferative abilities. Loss of NOTCH1 and treatment of immunocompromised mice bearing prostate cancer xenografts with RO4929097 display significantly impaired tumor growth. Loss of NOTCH1 additionally decreased metastatic potential of prostate cancer cells in invasion assays in vitro as well as in vivo experiments. Moreover, treatment with gamma secretase inhibitors or NOTCH1 gene deletion synergized with antiandrogen therapies, enzalutamide or abiraterone, to decrease the growth of prostate cancer cells. Combination of gamma secretase inhibitors with abiraterone significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, while combination with enzalutamide reversed enzalutamide-induced migration and invasion. These collective findings suggest loss of NOTCH1 delays growth of CRPC and inhibits metastasis, and inhibition of Notch1 activation in conjunction with second-generation antiandrogen therapies could delay growth and progression of prostate cancer.
As competições de julgamento simulado como instrumento de ensino jurídico
Authors: Bianchini Carolina Bonini , Haertel Letícia Machado 
Published: April 2019

O presente trabalho visa a apresentar o papel das competições de julgamento simulado, i.e. Moot Court Competitions, na educação em Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos (“DIDH”). Para isso, apresentar-se-á a experiência da Atividade de Cultura e Extensão da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo (FDUSP) “Atuação em Sistemas Regionais e Globais de Direitos Humanos”, a qual, além de promover o ensino do DIDH, envia anualmente competidores para três competições internacionais: a Competição de Julgamento Simulado do Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos, a Price Media Law Moot Court Competition e a Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
A fim de que se pudesse mensurar o impacto de tais competições no aprendizado e no desenvolvimento de habilidades dos alunos de graduação da FDUSP, foi aplicado um questionário a todos os estudantes que participaram de ao menos uma das competições oferecidas pelo grupo entre 2009 e 2017. No questionário, foi solicitado aos alunos que se autoavaliassem sobre diversas habilidades, antes e depois da participação nas competições. Dessa forma, o presente artigo apresenta os resultados da pesquisa empírica, concluindo pela efetividade das competições de julgamento simulado como instrumento de ensino.
New plant distribution records to Indian states and addition to the flora of Myanmar
Authors: Pradheep Kanakasabhapathi , Harish Ganjalagatta Dasaiah , Rathi Ranbir Singh , Kattukkunnel Joseph John , Sultan Sheikh Mohmmad , Naveen Khoisnam , Jaisankar Iyyappan , Pandey Anjula , Ahlawat Sudhir Pal , Gupta Rita 
Published: April 2019

Plant genetic resource collection expedition across various parts of India and herbarium study of Amaranthus and Luffa genera at Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata and Coimbatore revealed the distribution of 18 plant taxa new to various Indian states/union territory, viz., Arunachal Pradesh (7), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (5), Jammu & Kashmir (3), Andhra Pradesh (2), Manipur (1), and Tamil Nadu (1). Out of these, 14 taxa have importance as wild relatives of 12 crop species. In addition, herbarium studies at the BSI, Kolkata revealed the natural distribution of a cucurbitaceous species – Siraitia siamensis in Myanmar, which remained unnoticed and unreported so far. Locality of herbarium/ germplasm collection, habitat and other field observations have been highlighted here.
Nesting trees of the Red Giant Gliding Squirrel Petaurista petaurista (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) in a tropical forest of Namdapha National Park, India
Authors: Krishna Murali Chatakonda , Kumar Awadhesh , Tripathi Om Prakash 
Published: April 2019

The present study investigated the nesting habits of the Red Giant Gliding Squirrel in the tropical forest of Namdapha National Park, India within the time period of 2012–2013. Gliding squirrel nest trees were located by searching for them with using spotlighting during evenings and early mornings. For each den site we recorded data on nesting tree species, total height of tree, height of the nest on tree, tree diameter at breast height (DBH), and canopy connectivity of the nesting tree. We observed P. petaurista using cavity nests (n=27) in eight tree species. The majority of nest trees observed were in Altingia excelsa (40.7%) and Terminalia myriocarpa (22.2%). Trees with less canopy connectivity were preferred for nesting where 59.3% of nest trees had <25% canopy connectivity. Petaurista petaurista nested in trees with an average of 31.1±0.86m (Mean ± SE) height and the nests were located at a mean height of 17.8±0.89m (SE) (min & max: 9.3m & 35.2m). Mean DBH of nesting trees was 70.6±0.98cm (SE) (min & max: 38.2cm & 168.8cm). This data helps in filling the gaps on the denning ecology of the species and may be useful for the management and conservation purpose of forest trees.
The Nepal Pipewort Eriocaulon nepalense var. luzulifolium (Commelinids: Poales: Eriocaulaceae): a new distribution record for southern India
Authors: Soumya Murugan , Nair Maya Chandrasekaran 
Published: April 2019

Eriocaulon nepalense var. luzulifolium (Mart.) Praj. & J. Parn is described as a new record for South India from Nelliyampathy hills of Kollengode range forests, Nemmara forest Division, Palakkad district, Kerala. A detailed taxonomic description, nomenclatural status and photographs of the plant parts have been provided.
Resource selection by Javan Slow Loris Nycticebus javanicus E. Geoffroy, 1812 (Mammalia: Primates: Lorisidae) in a lowland fragmented forest in Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Sodik Mahfut , Pudyatmoko Satyawan , Yuwono Pujo Semedi Hargo , Imron Muhammad Ali 
Published: April 2019

Habitat loss and forest fragmentation have negative impacts on Javan Slow Loris Nycticebus javanicus, a Critically Endangered nocturnal primate endemic to Java. Reports confirmed that less than 9% of forest area remains on Java Island. One of the remaining natural habitats of the Javan Slow Loris is the fragment of Kemuning Forest in Temanggung Regency, Central Java. The purpose of this study was to determine resource selection and habitat variables that determine the presence of Javan Slow Loris. Habitat variables measured were basal area, tree connectivity, crown coverage on tree stage, slope, elevation, and distance to river. Data analysis performed was logistic regression, likelihood ratio test, and Akaike’s Information Criterion with a backward elimination procedure. We also used direct observation and interviews with locals to collect data on environment and anthropogenic features of this forest. The results showed that the Javan Slow Loris uses resources selectively on a microhabitat scale. The habitat factors that influence the probability of resource selection by the species are canopy cover and slope. Habitat characteristics preferred by the Javan Slow Loris in Kemuning Forest are secondary lowland tropical rainforest with dense canopy cover located on a steep slope with low level of habitat disturbances. Although this study uses a small sample size, the expectation is that the results can be used as preliminary information for the habitat and population management of Javan Slow Loris in Kemuning Forest to guide conservation efforts and design management strategies.
Nexus of Mobility
Authors: Kwee (郭慧娟) Hui Kian 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn historical studies of Chinese diaspora, an increasing focus is currently being placed on Chinese “organizational genius,” that is, Chinese are said to have been adept at providing mutual aid and promoting economic ventures overseas, and also effective in governing their own internal affairs and fending off racial discrimination in the age of Euro-American imperialism. This paper examines Chinese migration to West Borneo in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It argues that Chinese social imaginaries and organizational forms ultimately relied on two cardinal institutions: the Chinese deity cults and ancestral cults, with their associated rituals. By studying an early case of Chinese migration to Southeast Asia, this paper hopes to lay a foundation for comparative research on similar organizations developed by Fujian and Guangdong people in Taiwan, China and other parts of the world; and argues that the nexus of Chinese mobility and Chinese people’s relatively successful economic achievements should be located in these symbolic institutions.