bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repeatability and reliability of exploratory behavior in proactive and reactive zebrafish, Danio rerio
Authors: Baker Matthew R. , Goodman Alexander C. , Santo Jonathan B. , Wong Ryan Y. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBehavioral responses to novel situations often vary and can belong to a suite of correlated behaviors. Characteristic behaviors of different personality types (e.g. stress coping styles) are generally consistent across contexts and time. Here, we compare the repeatability and reliability of exploratory behaviors between zebrafish strains selectively bred to display contrasting behavioral responses to stressors that represent the proactive-reactive axis. Specifically, we measure exploratory behavior of individual fish in an open field test over five weeks. We quantified the stationary time, average swimming speed and time spent by a fish in the center area. We found a number of strain differences for each behavioral measure. Stationary time was the most repeatable and reliable measure for assessing proactive-reactive behavioral differences. Reactive zebrafish generally showed the highest reliability and repeatability of exploratory behavior compared to proactive zebrafish and a separate wild caught strain. Given the increased interest in the evolutionary consequences and proximate mechanisms of consistent individual differences, it will be important to continue to investigate how different selective pressures may influence expression of stress coping styles and their effects on the consistency of an animal’s behavior.
Lateralization influences contest behaviour in domestic pigs
Authors: Camerlink Irene , Menneson Sophie , Turner Simon P. , Farish Marianne , Arnott Gareth 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCerebral lateralization, i.e. hemispheric asymmetries in structure and function, relates in many species to a preference to attack from their left. Lateralization increases cognitive capacity, enabling the simultaneous processing of multiple sources of information. Therefore, lateralization may constitute a component of fighting ability (Resource Holding Potential), and/or influence the efficiency of information-gathering during a contest. We hypothesized that lateralization will affect contest outcome and duration, with an advantage for more strongly lateralized individuals. In 52 dyadic contests between weight-matched pigs (Sus scrofa; n = 104; 10 wk age), the direction of orientation towards the opponent was scan sampled every 10 s. Laterality indexes (LI) were calculated for the direction and strength of lateralization. Up to 12.5% of the individuals showed significant lateralization towards either the right or left but lateralization was absent at the population level. In line with our hypothesis, animals showing strong lateralization (irrespective of direction) had a shorter contest duration than animals showing weak lateralization. Winners did not differ from losers in their strength or direction of lateralization. Overall the results suggest that cerebral lateralization may aid in conflict resolution, but does not directly contribute to fighting ability, and will be of value in the study of animal contests.
Topographic aspect affects the vegetation restoration and artificial soil quality of rock-cut slopes restored by external-soil spray seeding
Authors: Li Ruirui , Zhang Wenjuan , Yang Siqian , Zhu Mengke , Kan Shasha , Chen Jiao , Ai Xiaoyan , Ai Yingwei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractExternal-soil spray seeding (ESSS), a technique of spraying artificial soil materials onto bare slopes for vegetation cover construction, has been widely used to restore rock-cut slopes. However, studies on the effect of the practical application of this technique on different topographic aspects have been rarely performed. In this study, two topographic aspects, namely, north-facing versus south-facing, were investigated under two railway lines, and two local natural slopes (north-facing versus south-facing) were selected as references. Vegetation and soil conditions, which are paramount aspects of ecological restoration assessment, were characterized in terms of the richness and diversity indices, vegetation canopy cover, basic soil physico-chemical properties, and structural characteristics of these slopes. Results showed that (1) the topographic aspect significantly affected the vegetation restoration and artificial soil quality of rock-cut slopes restored by ESSS; (2) the ecological restoration effect of north-facing slopes were better than that of south-facing slopes; and (3) the vegetation and soil conditions of natural slopes were better than those of rock-cut slopes. Therefore, additional scientific management measures should be implemented to promote the ecological restoration of rock-cut slopes, especially for south-facing slopes.
Oxidative stress decreases the redox ratio and folate content in the gut microbe, Enterococcus durans (MTCC 3031)
Authors: Jose Steffi , Bhalla Prerna , Suraishkumar G. K. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGut microbiome plays an important role in determining the effectiveness of cancer therapy. The composition of the microbiome is crucial to maintain good digestive health in the host, and to prevent and treat colorectal cancers. Most cancer therapies employ oxidative stress, which disturbs the redox status of the cell, and consequently affect growth, reductive biosynthesis and cell death. Therefore, oxidative stress can undesirably affect the gut microbiome. Hence, it is important to understand the impact of oxidative stress on gut bacteria to devise effective treatment strategies. The current study induces oxidative stress in the model gut bacterium Enterococcus durans (MTCC 3031) with menadione and H2O2. Oxidative stress considerably decreased the redox ratio (NADPH/NADP), an indicator of the redox status, by 55% (menadione) and 28% (H2O2). In addition, an oxidative stress induced decrease in redox ratio decreased folate synthesis by the bacteria, which is an undesirable consequence for the host, since folate deficiency can induce colorectal cancer. Further, oxidative stress considerably decreased growth and the biomass density by 61% (menadione) and 21% (H2O2). Thus, maintenance of the cellular redox status and management of oxidative stress in the gut microbiome may be crucial to the effectiveness of cancer treatment strategies.
Quantitative analysis of retinal and choroidal microvascular changes in patients with diabetes
Authors: Kim Mirinae , Choi Seung Yong , Park Young-Hoon 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe relationship between choroidal and retinal microvascular changes has not yet been well described, and there were limited data on diagnostic ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived vascular parameters for determining diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression. We quantitatively analyzed OCT-derived vascular parameters at superficial (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP), and choroid. We assessed foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density, vessel length density, and choroidal vascularity index in conjunction with DR stage. In this study, patients with diabetes and healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. One-hundred seventy-four eyes were divided into six groups as follows: Healthy controls, no DR, mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, and proliferative DR. There were significant quantitative changes in retinal and choroidal vascular parameters with DR progression. The FAZ area and perimeter correlated positively with worsening DR severity; the FAZ circularity index, retinal vessel density, retinal vessel length density, and choroidal vascularity index correlated negatively with worsening severity. Among these, FAZ circulatory index demonstrated good diagnostic performance for DR. Our results cautiously suggest that functional circulatory disturbances in retinal and choroidal vasculatures occur before DR presents. As DR progresses, DCP retinal microvasculature changes precede SCP changes.
Snake fungal disease alters skin bacterial and fungal diversity in an endangered rattlesnake
Authors: Allender Matthew C. , Baker Sarah , Britton Megan , Kent Angela D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSnake Fungal Disease (SFD), caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, is the most recently described fungal disease afflicting wildlife populations across North America and Europe. It has been proposed as a significant conservation threat yielding high mortality and yet much its ecology is unknown. We collected 144 skin swabs from Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) in 2015 and 2016 to determine document ongoing prevalence and assess differences in microbial assemblages between positive and negative individuals. Alpha diversity of fungi was reduced in SFD positive animals, while beta diversity identified distinct assemblages of microbes between SFD–positive and –negative samples. Ophidiomyces was present on the skin of affected animals, even on body sites distant to lesions indicating that the microbiome on entire surface of the skin is altered. Ophidiomyces was not detected in any non-SFD snake. There were smaller, but significant, influences of year sampled. Bacterial genera Janthinobacterium and Serratia were significantly increased in SFD snakes, while Xylanimicrobium, Cellulosimicrobium, and Rhodococcus were the only bacterial taxa significantly reduced. The relative abundance of fungi within the orders Pleosporales and Canopdiales was reduced in SFD-positive samples, though Pyrenochaetopsis pratorum was the only species found to differ significantly. This is the first study to determine the impact that this fungal pathogen has on the skin microbiome.
Ultra-rapid, sensitive and specific digital diagnosis of HIV with a dual-channel SAW biosensor in a pilot clinical study
Authors: Gray Eleanor R. , Turbé Valérian , Lawson Victoria E. , Page Robin H. , Cook Zara C. , Ferns R. Bridget , Nastouli Eleni , Pillay Deenan , Yatsuda Hiromi , Athey Dale , McKendry Rachel A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDespite widened access to HIV testing, around half of those infected worldwide are unaware of their HIV-positive status and linkage to care remains a major challenge. Current rapid HIV tests are typically analogue risking incorrect interpretation, no facile electronic data capture, poor linkage to care and data loss for public health. Smartphone-connected diagnostic devices have potential to dramatically improve access to testing and patient retention with electronic data capture and wireless connectivity. We report a pilot clinical study of surface acoustic wave biosensors based on low-cost components found in smartphones to diagnose HIV in 133 patient samples. We engineered a small, portable, laboratory prototype and dual-channel biochips, with in-situ reference control coating and miniaturised configuration, requiring only 6 µL plasma. The dual-channel biochips were functionalized by ink-jet printing with capture coatings to detect either anti-p24 or anti-gp41 antibodies, and a reference control. Biochips were tested with 31 plasma samples from patients with HIV, and 102 healthy volunteers. SH-SAW biosensors showed excellent sensitivity, specificity, low sample volumes and rapid time to result, and were benchmarked to commercial rapid HIV tests. Testing for individual biomarkers found sensitivities of 100% (anti-gp41) and 64.5% (anti-p24) (combined sensitivity of 100%) and 100% specificity, within 5 min. All positive results were recorded within 60 s of sample addition with an electronic readout. Next steps will focus on a smartphone-connected device prototype and user-friendly app interface for larger scale evaluation and field studies, towards our ultimate goal of a new generation of affordable, connected point-of-care HIV tests.
Neural precursor cells form integrated brain-like tissue when implanted into rat cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Pothayee Nikorn , Maric Dragan , Sharer Kathryn , Tao-Cheng Jung-Hwa , Calac Alec , Bouraoud Nadia , Pickel James , Dodd Stephen , Koretsky Alan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThere is tremendous interest in transplanting neural precursor cells for brain tissue regeneration. However, it remains unclear whether a vascularized and integrated complex neural tissue can be generated within the brain through transplantation of cells. Here, we report that early stage neural precursor cells recapitulate their seminal properties and develop into large brain-like tissue when implanted into the rat brain ventricle. Whereas the implanted cells predominantly differentiated into glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes, the host brain supplied the intact vasculature, oligodendrocytes, GABAergic interneurons, and microglia that seamlessly integrated into the new tissue. Furthermore, local and long-range axonal connections formed mature synapses between the host brain and the graft. Implantation of precursor cells into the CSF-filled cavity also led to a formation of brain-like tissue that integrated into the host cortex. These results may constitute the basis of future brain tissue replacement strategies.
Zinc deficiency causes delayed ATP clearance and adenosine generation in rats and cell culture models
Authors: Takeda Taka-aki , Miyazaki Shiho , Kobayashi Miki , Nishino Katsutoshi , Goto Tomoko , Matsunaga Mayu , Ooi Minami , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Tani Fumito , Kawamura Tatsuyoshi , Komai Michio , Kambe Taiho 
Published: August 2018

AbstractZinc deficiency causes myriad pathophysiological symptoms, but why distinct phenotypes are generated by zinc deficiency remains unclear. Considering that several ectoenzymes involved in purinergic signaling through extracellular adenine-nucleotide hydrolysis possess zinc ions in their active sites, and disorders in purinergic signaling result in diverse diseases that are frequently similar to those caused by zinc deficiency, herein we examine whether zinc deficiency affects extracellular adenine-nucleotide metabolism. Zinc deficiency severely impairs the activities of major ectoenzymes (ENPP1, ENPP3, NT5E/CD73, and TNAP), and also strongly suppresses adenine-nucleotide hydrolysis in cell-membrane preparations or rat plasma, thereby increasing ATP and ADP levels and decreasing adenosine levels. Thus, zinc deficiency delays both extracellular ATP clearance and adenosine generation, and zinc modulates extracellular adenine-nucleotide metabolism. Since the finely tuned balance between extracellular adenine nucleotides and adenosine is critical for purinergic signaling, these findings provide a novel insight into why zinc deficiency results in diverse symptoms.
X‐band 1/4λ dielectric‐strip resonator filter
Authors: Yang Wen‐Wen , Zhu Yan‐Yuan , Chen Jian‐Xin 
Published: August 2018

A novel quarter‐guided‐wavelength (1/4λ) dielectric‐strip resonator (DSR) with one short‐circuited end is proposed to design a compact and low‐loss filter at X‐band. One end of the DSR is metallised and then shorted to ground effectively to achieve a half‐cut conversion from 1/2λ DSR. As a result, the resonator length is reduced by half while the unloaded quality factor (Qu) of the 1/4λ DSR only has a slight reduction as compared to the corresponding 1/2λ DSR. For demonstration, a third‐order DSR bandpass filter centred at 10.45 GHz is designed, implemented and measured. Good agreement between simulated and measured results can be obtained, showcasing the advantages of compact size and low loss.
Extreme quasars at high redshift
Authors: Martínez-Aldama M. L. , del Olmo A. , Marziani P. , Sulentic J. W. , Negrete C. A. , Dultzin D. , D’Onofrio M. , Perea J. 
Published: August 2018

Context. Quasars radiating at extreme Eddington ratios (hereafter xA quasars) are likely a prime mover of galactic evolution and have been hailed as potential distance indicators. Their properties are still scarcely known.
Aims. We aim to test the effectiveness of the selection criteria defined on the “4D Eigenvector 1” (4DE1) for identifying xA sources. We provide a quantitative description of their rest-frame UV spectra (1300–2200 Å) in the redshift range 2 ≲ z ≲ 2.9, with a focus on major emission features.
Methods. Nineteen extreme quasar candidates were identified using 4DE1 selection criteria applied to SDSS spectra: Al IIIλ1860Si IIIλ1892 ≳0.5 and C IIIλ1909/Si IIIλ1892 ≲1. The emission line spectra was studied using multicomponent fits of deep spectroscopic observations (S/N  ≳  40 − 50; spectral resolution ≈250 km s−1) obtained with the OSIRIS at Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC).
Results. GTC spectra confirm that almost all of these quasars are xA sources with very similar properties. We provide spectrophotometric and line profile measurements for the Si IVλ1397+O  IV, C IVλ1549+He  IIλ1640, and the 1900 Å blend. This last feature is found to be predominantly composed of Al IIIλ1860, Si IIIλ1892 and Fe III emission features, with weak C IIIλ1909. The spectra can be characterized as very low ionization (ionization parameter, logU ∼ −3), a condition that explains the significant Fe III emission observed in the spectra. xA quasars show extreme properties in terms of C IVλ1549 equivalent width and blueshift amplitudes. C IVλ1549 shows low equivalent width, with a median value of 15 Å (≲30 Å for the most sources), and high or extreme blueshift amplitudes (–5000 ≲ c(1/2) ≲ –1000 km s−1). Weak-lined quasars appear as extreme xA quasars and not as an independent class. The C IVλ1549 high amplitude blueshifts coexists in all cases save one with symmetric and narrower Al IIIλ1860 and Si IIIλ1892 profiles. Estimates of the Eddington ratio using the Al IIIλ1860 FWHM as a virial broadening estimator are consistent with the ones of a previous xA sample.
Conclusions. xA quasars show distinguishing properties that make them easily identifiable in large surveys and potential “standard candles” for cosmological applications. It is now feasible to assemble large samples of xA quasars from the latest data releases of the SDSS. We provide evidence that Al IIIλ1860 could be associated with a low-ionization virialized subsystem, supporting previous suggestions that Al III is a reliable virial broadening estimator.
Merging Transition-Metal Catalysis with Photoredox Catalysis: An Environmentally Friendly Strategy for C–H Functionalization
Authors: Zhou Wen-Jun , Yu Da-Gang , Zhang Yi-Han , Gui Yong-Yuan , Sun Liang 
Published: August 2018

Transition-metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization is already a useful tool in organic synthesis, whilst the rapid development of photoredox catalysis provides new pathways for C–H functionalization with high selectivity and efficiency under mild reaction conditions. In this review, recent advances in C–H functionalization through merging transition­-metal catalysis with photoredox catalysis are discussed.1	Introduction2	Merging Nickel Catalysis with Photoredox Catalysis3	Merging Palladium Catalysis with Photoredox Catalysis4	Merging Cobalt Catalysis with Photoredox Catalysis5	Merging Photoredox Catalysis with Other Transition-Metal Catalysis­6	Conclusions
FromEl Gran MeaulnestoMeaulnes el Grande
Authors: Schnell Bettina , Rodríguez Nadia 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe present contribution aims at a comparative study of the Spanish retranslations of the French classicLe Grand Meaulnes. With the objective of identifying macro and micro-structural variations among the various retranslations, a parallel corpus is compiled, the source-text and the various translations are aligned and imported into a translation memory which allows for a targeted analysis of specific linguistic elements. The results obtained from the corpus analysis show that, despite their differences the retranslations display a relative homogeneity, in so far as they are largely source-text oriented and foreignizing. Relative homogeneity notwithstanding, differences can be observed between twentieth century-translations and those carried out in the twenty-first-century. The translators of the latter take a specific approach to translating the novel, either as a literary critic or by taking a critical stance towards a more assimilative approach adopted in an earlier translation.
Beyond muscle: the effects of creatine supplementation on brain creatine, cognitive processing, and traumatic brain injury
Authors: Dolan Eimear , Gualano Bruno , Rawson Eric S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe ergogenic and therapeutic effects of increasing muscle creatine by supplementation are well‐recognized. It appears that similar benefits to brain function and cognitive processing may also be achieved with creatine supplementation, however research in this area is more limited, and important knowledge gaps remain. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge about the influence of creatine supplementation on brain function in healthy individuals. It appears that brain creatine is responsive to supplementation, however higher, or more prolonged dosing strategies than those typically used to increase muscle creatine, may be required to elicit an increase in brain creatine. The optimal dosing strategy to induce this response, is currently unknown, and there is an urgent need for studies investigating this. When considering the influence of supplementation strategies on cognitive processes, it appears that creatine is most likely to exert an influence in situations whereby cognitive processes are stressed, e.g. during sleep deprivation, experimental hypoxia, or during the performance of more complex, and thus more cognitively demanding tasks. Evidence exists indicating that increased brain creatine may be effective at reducing the severity of, or enhancing recovery from mild traumatic brain injury, however, only limited data in humans are available to verify this hypothesis, thus representing an exciting area for further research.
Arch‐support foot‐orthoses normalize dynamic in‐shoe foot pressure distribution in medial tibial stress syndrome
Authors: Naderi Aynollah , Degens Hans , Sakinepoor Ainollah 
Published: August 2018

AbstractExcessive foot pronation during gait is a risk factor in medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Arch‐support foot‐orthoses are commonly used to manage overpronation, but it is unknown whether it is effective to manage MTSS. The present study investigated the effects of bilateral foot orthoses during running on dynamic foot‐pressure distribution patterns in recreational runners with MTSS. Fifty novice (started within the last 4 months) runners diagnosed with MTSS (20.7 ± 2.2 years; 71.1 ± 8.6 kg; 1.78 ± 0.07 m; mean ± SD) and 50 anthropometrically‐matched healthy novice runners (21.9 ± 2.4 years; 71.4 ± 8.8 kg; 1.73 ± 0.07 m) participated in this study. The dynamic foot‐pressure distribution during running with and without bilateral arch‐support foot‐orthoses was measured using pedobarography. MTSS novice runners have more medially directed pressures during the touchdown phase of the forefoot flat (p = 0.009) and heel off (p = 0.009), and a lateral pressure distribution during forefoot push‐off phase (p = 0.007) during running than healthy runners. When using the arch‐support foot‐orthoses the foot‐pressure distribution during all phases was not significantly different from that seen in participants without MTSS. These findings indicate that during running the medial shift of foot pressures during the loading response phase and the lateral shift during the propulsion phase of foot roll‐over in MTSS are effectively corrected by using arch‐support foot‐orthoses. The use of such arch‐support orthoses may thus be an effective tool to normalize foot‐pressure distribution patterns during running, indicating the potential to treat and prevent MTSS in recreational runners.