bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase transition and energy storage behavior of antiferroelectric PLZT thin films epitaxially deposited on SRO buffered STO single crystal substrates
Authors: Gao Min , Tang Xiao , Leung Chung Ming , Dai Steve , Li Jiefang , Viehland Dwight D. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract(Pb0.98, La0.02)(Zr0.95, Ti0.05)O3 (PLZT) thin films of 300 nm thickness were epitaxially deposited on (100), (110), and (111) SrTiO3 single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X‐ray diffraction line and reciprocal space mapping scans were used to determine the crystal structure. Tetragonal ((001) PLZT) and monoclinic MA ((011) and (111) PLZT) structures were found, which influenced the stored energy density. Electric field‐induced antiferroelectric to ferroelectric (AFE→FE) phase transitions were found to have a large reversible energy density of up to 30 J/cm3. With increasing temperature, an AFE to relaxor ferroelectric (AFE→RFE) transition was found. The RFE phase exhibited lower energy loss, and an improved energy storage efficiency. The results are discussed from the perspective of crystal structure, dielectric phase transitions, and energy storage characteristics. Besides, unipolar drive was also performed, providing notably higher energy storage efficiency values due to low energy losses.
Experimental evolution reveals divergence in female genital teeth morphology in response to sexual conflict intensity in a moth
Authors: McNamara Kathryn B. , Dougherty Liam R. , Wedell Nina , Simmons Leigh W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe rapid evolutionary divergence of male genital structures under sexual selection is well documented. However, variation in female genital traits and the potential for sexual conflict to drive the coevolution between male and female traits has only recently received attention. In many lepidopterans, females possess genital teeth (collectively, signa). Comparative studies suggest these teeth, involved in the deflation of spermatophores, may have coevolved with male spermatophore thickness via sexually antagonistic coevolution in a contest over the rate of deflation of spermatophores within the reproductive tract. We tested the hypothesis that sexual conflict should generate coevolution between genital teeth and spermatophore morphology by examining these traits under experimental manipulation of sexual conflict intensity. Using micro‐CT scanning, we examined spermatophore and teeth morphology in populations of the Indian moth, Plodia interpunctella, which had been evolving for 110 generations under different adult sex‐ratio biases. We found divergence in female signa morphology in response to sexual conflict: females from female‐biased populations (reduced sexual conflict) developed wider signa. However, we found no evidence of coevolution between signa traits and spermatophore thickness as reported from comparative studies.
Symbiosis interruption in the olive fly: Effect of copper and propolis on Candidatus Erwinia dacicola
Authors: Bigiotti Gaia , Pastorelli Roberta , Belcari Antonio , Sacchetti Patrizia 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe relationship between Bactrocera oleae (Rossi 1790) and its endosymbiont Candidatus Erwinia dacicola is important to achieving effective control of the olive fly population in the field. This bacterium plays a crucial role in the life of B. oleae and is necessary for its fitness. Thus, in the absence of the endosymbiont, B. oleae wild populations in the field might decrease considerably. Copper is one of the most used antimicrobials for horticultural crops worldwide, and its efficacy against Ca. E. dacicola has been demonstrated in field trials. Propolis is another natural antimicrobial compound largely used for its activity in several fields. If propolis and copper prove to be efficient against wild populations of the endosymbiont B. oleae in the field, such a biological restraint might improve sustainable agriculture. We evaluated, under laboratory conditions, the effect of two different copper products (at two different concentrations, 5% and 20%) and propolis on the content of Ca. E. dacicola in the eggs and in the adult oesophageal bulbs of B. oleae. Bulbs were extracted twice, after 2 and 5 weeks of exposure. Real‐time PCR on the bulbs showed a reduction in Ca. E. dacicola content in flies treated with copper (at both 5% and 20%), and from the first to the second extraction, while flies treated with propolis showed an increment of the relative abundance of Ca. E. dacicola. Both copper products (5% and 20%) reduced the egg production after 2 and 5 weeks in comparison with the control and propolis treatments. Moreover, adult mortality was significantly higher with propolis compared with the other treatments. Thus, our results encourage further research in order to develop new tools for the control of the olive fly in the framework of an integrated pest management strategy.
The future in and of criticality assessments
Authors: Ioannidou Dimitra , Heeren Niko , Sonnemann Guido , Habert Guillaume 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn recent literature, the concept of criticality aspires to provide a multifaceted risk assessment of resource supply shortage. However, most existing methodologies for the criticality assessment of raw materials are restricted to a fixed temporal and spatial reference system. They provide a snapshot in time of the equilibrium between supply and demand/economic importance and do not account for temporal changes of their indicators. The static character of criticality assessments limits the use of criticality methodologies to short‐term policy making of raw materials. In the current paper, we argue for an enhancement of the criticality framework to account for three key dynamic characteristics, namely changes of social, technical, and economic features; consideration of the spatial dimension in site‐specific assessments; and impact of changing governance frameworks. We illustrate how these issues were addressed in studies outside of the field of criticality and identify the dynamic parameters that influence resource supply and demand based on a review of studies that belong to the general field of resource supply and demand. The parameters are grouped in seven categories: extraction, social, economic, technical, policy, market dynamics, and environmental. We explore how these parameters were considered in the reviewed studies and propose ways and specific examples of addressing the dynamic effects in the criticality indicators. Furthermore, we discuss the current work on future scenarios to provide reference points for indicator benchmarks. The insights and guidelines derived from the review and our recommendations for future research set the foundations for an enhanced dynamic and site‐specific criticality assessment framework.
Extracapsular invasion: A potential prognostic marker for Carcinoma ex‐pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands? A Systematic Review
Authors: de Morais Everton Freitas , Pinheiro Juliana Campos , Sena Dáurea Adília Cóbe , Galvão Hébel Cavalcanti , de Souza Lélia Batista , de Almeida Freitas Roseana 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to integrate available data published in the literature on extracapsular invasion in cases of CXPA that correlated findings with the prognosis of analysed patients.MethodsAn electronic search was carried out at the MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Collaboration Library databases. Articles that assessed the relationship between extracapsular invasion and survival of patients diagnosed with CXPA were selected for the systematic review. Quality assessment was performed, in duplicate, for each eligible study by independent reviewers who used the operationalized prognostic biomarker reporting the REMARK guidelines.ResultsEight published articles met all the inclusion criteria and were selected. Extracapsular invasion was evaluated in all selected studies and was correlated with clinical and pathological parameters. Recurrence and death due to the neoplastic process became a frequent finding in cases of tumours with extracapsular invasion >1.5 mm, being an important cut‐off point in the prognostic analysis of cases diagnosed as CXPA.ConclusionsThis systematic review demonstrates the importance of evaluating extracapsular invasion in cases diagnosed as CXPA, considering that tumours with invasion >1.5 mm, regardless of histopathological subtype, are associated with a worse prognosis. It is important to analyse the extracapsular invasion, especially as an auxiliary method to assess the prognosis of cases diagnosed in the initial clinical stages, thus identifying the possible biological behaviour of the neoplastic process and guiding the most appropriate patient management.
Morphometric analysis of spinal cord termination in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Sparks Courtney R. , Robertson Ian , Olby Natasha J. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThere is an association between Chiari malformations, syringomyelia (CMSM) and tethered cord syndrome (TCS) in people, suggesting Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with CMSM could also have TCS. Currently there are no data on the position of the caudal spinal cord structures in CKCS.ObjectiveTo describe and compare location of spinal cord termination in CKCS with weight‐matched controls and to examine the relationship between SM and spinal cord termination.AnimalsThirty‐nine CKCS and 33 controls with thoracolumbar MRIs; 34 of 39 CKCS also had cervical MRIs.MethodsBlinded retrospective study. Spinal cord and dural sac termination were determined from T2‐weighted sagittal and transverse images and half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin echo sequences. Intra‐observer reliability was determined using kappa analysis. Presence of SM was compared with location of spinal cord and dural sac termination.ResultsIntra‐observer reliability was moderate for identifying spinal cord termination (Kappa = 0.6) and good for dural sac termination (Kappa = 0.8). The spinal cord terminated at lumbar vertebra 6 (L6) in 1, 7 (L7) in 22, and sacrum in 16 CKCS versus 9 at L6, 23 at L7, 1 at sacrum in controls. Spinal cord (P< .001) and dural sac (P= .002) termination were significantly more caudal in CKCS compared to controls. The presence of thoracolumbar SM was associated with more caudal dural sac termination in CKCS (P= .03).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe relationship between TL SM and possible spinal cord tethering because of a more caudal dural sac termination should be investigated.
Spatial and temporal changes in reef fish assemblages on disturbed coral reefs, north Pacific coast of Costa Rica
Authors: Arias‐Godínez Gustavo , Jiménez Carlos , Gamboa Carlos , Cortés Jorge , Espinoza Mario , Alvarado Juan José 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBenthic structure of coral reefs determines the availability of refuges and food sources. Therefore, structural changes caused by natural and anthropogenic disturbances can have negative impacts on reef‐associated communities. During the 1990s, coral reefs from Bahía Culebra were considered among the most diverse ecosystems along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica; however, recently they have undergone severe deterioration as consequence of chronic stressors such as El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and harmful algal blooms. Reef fish populations in this area have also been intensely exploited. This study compared reef fish assemblages during two periods (1995–1996 and 2014–2016), to determine whether they have experienced changes as a result of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. For both periods, benthic composition and reef fish abundance were recorded using underwater visual censuses. Live coral cover (LCC) decreased from 43.09 ± 18.65% in 1995–1996 to 1.25 ± 2.42% in 2014–2016 (U = 36, p < 0.05). Macroalgal cover (%) in 2014–2016 was sixfold higher than mean values reported for the Eastern Tropical Pacific region. Mean (±SD) fish species richness in 1995–1996 (36.67 ± 14.20) was higher than in 2014–2016 (23.00 ± 9.14; U = 20, p < 0.05). Over 40% of reef fish orders observed in 1995–1996 were not detected in the 2014–2016 surveys, including large‐bodied predators. Reduction in abundance of fish predators such as sharks, grunts, and snappers is likely attributed to changes in habitat structure. Herbivorous such as parrotfishes and pufferfishes increased their abundance at sites with low LCC, probably in response to predators decline and increased algal cover. These findings revealed significant degradation and drastic loss of structural complexity in coral reefs from Bahía Culebra, which now are dominated by macroalgae. The large reduction in structural complexity of coral reefs has resulted in the loss of diversity and key ecological roles (e.g., predation and herbivory), thus potentially reducing the resilience of the entire ecosystem.
Maintenance of the virulence plasmid in Shigella flexneri is influenced by Lon and two functional partitioning systems
Authors: McVicker Gareth , Hollingshead Sarah , Pilla Giulia , Tang Christoph M. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryMembers of the genus Shigella carry a large plasmid, pINV, which is essential for virulence. In Shigella flexneri, pINV harbours three toxin‐antitoxin (TA) systems, CcdAB, GmvAT and VapBC that promote vertical transmission of the plasmid. Type II TA systems, such as those on pINV, consist of a toxic protein and protein antitoxin. Selective degradation of the antitoxin by proteases leads to the unopposed action of the toxin once genes encoding a TA system have been lost, such as following failure to inherit a plasmid harbouring a TA system. Here, we investigate the role of proteases in the function of the pINV TA systems and demonstrate that Lon, but not ClpP, is required for their activity during plasmid stability. This provides the first evidence that acetyltransferase family TA systems, such as GmvAT, can be regulated by Lon. Interestingly, S. flexneri pINV also harbours two putative partitioning systems, ParAB and StbAB. We show that both systems are functional for plasmid maintenance although their activity is masked by other systems on pINV. Using a model vector based on the pINV replicon, we observe temperature‐dependent differences between the two partitioning systems that contribute to our understanding of the maintenance of virulence in Shigella species.
Deconstructing the eradication of new world screwworm in North America: retrospective analysis and climate warming effects
Authors: Gutierrez A. P. , Ponti L. , Arias P. A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBefore its eradication from North America, the subtropical‐tropical new world screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) invaded southwestern temperate areas of the U.S.A., where it caused myiasis in wildlife and livestock. Outbreaks of the fly occurred during years when adult migrants were carried northward on North American monsoon winds from the northern areas of Mexico and south Texas. We deconstruct, retrospectively, the biology and the effect of weather on the eradication of the fly in North America. Screwworm was found to be an ideal candidate for eradication using the sterile insect technique (SIT) because females mate only once, whereas males are polygynous, and, although it has a high reproductive potential, field population growth rates are low in tropical areas. In northern areas, eradication was enhanced by cool‐cold weather, whereas eradication in tropical Mexico and Central America is explained by the SIT. Despite low average efficacy of SIT releases (approximately 1.7%), the added pressure of massive SIT releases reduced intrinsically low fly populations, leading to mate‐limited extinction. Non‐autochthonous cases of myiasis occur in North America and, if the fly reestablishes, climate warming by 2045–2055 will expand the area of favourability and increase the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
The role of melatonin in targeting cell signaling pathways in neurodegeneration
Authors: Shukla Mayuri , Chinchalongporn Vorapin , Govitrapong Piyarat , Reiter Russel J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases are typified by neuronal loss associated with progressive dysfunction and clinical presentation. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the intra‐ and extracellular conglomeration of misfolded proteins that occur because of abnormal protein dynamics and genetic manipulations; these trigger processes of cell death in these disorders. The disrupted signaling mechanisms involved are oxidative stress–mediated mitochondrial and calcium signaling deregulation, alterations in immune and inflammatory signaling, disruption of autophagic integrity, proteostasis dysfunction, and anomalies in the insulin, Notch, and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways. Herein, we accentuate some of the contemporary translational approaches made in characterizing the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Melatonin‐induced cognitive enhancement and inhibition of oxidative signaling substantiates the efficacy of melatonin in combating neurodegenerative processes. Our review considers in detail the possible roles of melatonin in understanding the synergistic pathogenic mechanisms between aggregated proteins and in regulating, modulating, and preventing the altered signaling mechanisms discovered in cellular and animal models along with clinical evaluations pertaining to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, this review showcases the therapeutic potential of melatonin in preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases with optimum prognosis.
MAIT cells, TCR γδ+ cells and ILCs cells in human breast milk and blood from HIV infected and uninfected women
Authors: Bedin Anne‐Sophie , Molès Jean‐Pierre , Rutagwera David , Nagot Nicolas , Kankasa Chipepo , Tylleskär Thorkild , Valverde‐Villegas Jaqueline M. , Durand Mèlusine , Van de Perre Philippe , Tuaillon Edouard 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundHuman breast milk cells remain poorly characterized for the presence of unconventional T lymphocytes and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).MethodsEarly breast milk was collected from eight HIV‐uninfected and 11 HIV‐infected women 3‐12 days after delivery. Mucosal‐associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells), TCR γδ cells, and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) were analyzed in breast milk and paired blood samples.ResultsCD161+/TRAV1‐2 + MAIT cells were detected in breast milk, accounting for a median (IQR) of 0.08% (0.06‐0.16) and 0.17% (0.16‐0.31) of CD45+ breast milk cells in HIV‐uninfected and HIV‐infected women, respectively. A selective compartmentalization of γδ T lymphocytes was observed in breast milk. Median (IQR) frequency of γδ T lymphocytes was 8.95% (8.64‐12.14) among breast milk lymphocyte cells compared to 2.54% (1.81‐4.10) in blood (P = 0.03) in HIV‐uninfected women, and 7.26% (4.22‐10.54) in breast milk versus 3.31% (2.54‐3.80) in blood (P = 0.004) from HIV‐infected women. The proportion of group 1 ILC (ILC1) among total ILCs was higher in breast milk compared to blood in HIV‐uninfected women (P = 0.03) and HIV‐infected women (P = 0.001). The frequency of ILC2 among total ILCs tends to be lower in breast milk compared to blood in HIV‐uninfected women (P = 0.06) and HIV‐infected women (P = 0.03).ConclusionUnconventional T cells and ILCs that may be involved in both the protection against infection of the lactating mammary gland and maturation of infant's gut and microbiomes account for a detectable fraction of breast milk cells.
Exploring the potential for marine aquaculture to contribute to ecosystem services
Authors: Gentry Rebecca R. , Alleway Heidi K. , Bishop Melanie J. , Gillies Chris L. , Waters Tiffany , Jones Robert 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMarine aquaculture is growing quickly and has substantial effects on people and the environment. Existing research has demonstrated that marine aquaculture can contribute to ecosystem service provisioning that extends beyond production of a resource; however, the extent and significance of these goods and services are not well understood. Here we review existing knowledge of ecosystem service provision by marine aquaculture by systematically examining 129 peer reviewed papers that describe the provision of nine distinct ecosystem services by operational or experimental marine aquaculture farms. We quantify service provision and classify services by type and by farm characteristics. We show that while certain services, such as nutrient absorption by kelp aquaculture, are well understood and have been documented across multiple species, scales and environments, the evidence for other services, such as the cultural service of tourism, is currently minimal. Importantly, we identify ecosystem services associated with a diversity of farm types (including fish, bivalve, algae and polyculture farms) but find that certain services were most often delivered by specific farm types (e.g. habitat services were most often associated with fish farms). Incorporating acknowledgement of ecosystem services into farm design and planning has the potential to improve environmental performance and sustainable management of aquaculture. However, outstanding questions, including how spatial expansion of marine aquaculture will affect the provisioning of these services, are important challenges facing sustainable development.
Biometric Elections in Poor Countries: Wasteful or a Worthwhile Investment?
Authors: Gelb Alan , Diofasi Anna 
Published: February 2019

AbstractElections have emerged as a leading area for the application of biometric technology in developing countries, despite its high costs and uncertainty over its effectiveness. Why then do countries pursue such programs, often with the support of donors? The paper considers the costs and benefits of technology, where the latter involves its potential to reduce the probability of seriously disputed elections that escalate into violence. Based on the limited data available, it finds that a reduction in the probability of postelection violence by only a few percentage points could offset the cost of the technology. However, this is far from assured; we argue that biometric technology can only contribute to less disputed and less violent elections in particular settings, those where democracy is not yet well institutionalized but where political parties value the legitimacy conferred by elections that are sufficiently credible for their results to be accepted. One priority is therefore to screen potential cases carefully, before investing in costly programs that have a low probability of success. Another step toward using technology more effectively to underpin sustainable elections would be to build on voter registration drives to strengthen permanent identification assets such as civil registration and national ID programs that can serve as the basis for the voter roll.