bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nano‐selenium attenuates nickel‐induced testosterone synthesis disturbance through inhibition of MAPK pathways in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Gan Xiaoqin , Zhang Xiaotian , E Qiannan , Zhang Qiong , Ye Yixing , Cai Yunyu , Han Aijie , Tian Minmin , Wang Caixia , Su Zheng , Su Li , Liang Changhao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Nano‐Se against Ni‐induced testosterone synthesis disorder in rats and determine the underlying protective mechanism. Sprague‐Dawley rats were co‐treated with Ni (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and Nano‐Se (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg, oral gavage) for 14 days after which various endpoints were evaluated. The Ni‐induced abnormal pathological changes and elevated 8‐OHdG levels in the testes were attenuated by Nano‐Se administration. Importantly, decreased serum testosterone levels in the Ni‐treated rats were significantly restored by Nano‐Se treatment, particularly at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of testosterone synthetase were increased by Nano‐Se compared to the Ni group, whereas phosphorylated protein expression levels of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were suppressed by Nano‐Se administration in the Ni‐treated rats. Overall, the results suggest that Nano‐Se may ameliorate the Ni‐induced testosterone synthesis disturbance via the inhibition of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK MAPK pathways.
The communicative advantage: how kinematic signaling supports semantic comprehension
Authors: Trujillo James P. , Simanova Irina , Bekkering Harold , Özyürek Asli 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHumans are unique in their ability to communicate information through representational gestures which visually simulate an action (eg. moving hands as if opening a jar). Previous research indicates that the intention to communicate modulates the kinematics (e.g., velocity, size) of such gestures. If and how this modulation influences addressees’ comprehension of gestures have not been investigated. Here we ask whether communicative kinematic modulation enhances semantic comprehension (i.e., identification) of gestures. We additionally investigate whether any comprehension advantage is due to enhanced early identification or late identification. Participants (n = 20) watched videos of representational gestures produced in a more- (n = 60) or less-communicative (n = 60) context and performed a forced-choice recognition task. We tested the isolated role of kinematics by removing visibility of actor’s faces in Experiment I, and by reducing the stimuli to stick-light figures in Experiment II. Three video lengths were used to disentangle early identification from late identification. Accuracy and response time quantified main effects. Kinematic modulation was tested for correlations with task performance. We found higher gesture identification performance in more- compared to less-communicative gestures. However, early identification was only enhanced within a full visual context, while late identification occurred even when viewing isolated kinematics. Additionally, temporally segmented acts with more post-stroke holds were associated with higher accuracy. Our results demonstrate that communicative signaling, interacting with other visual cues, generally supports gesture identification, while kinematic modulation specifically enhances late identification in the absence of other cues. Results provide insights into mutual understanding processes as well as creating artificial communicative agents.
Antennal sensory structures in water bugs of Nepoidea (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nepomorpha), their morphology and function
Authors: Nowińska Agnieszka , Brożek Jolanta 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Nepoidea superfamily belongs to the water bugs’ infraorder (Nepomorpha) and consists of two families—Belostomatidae and Nepidae. Species from those families are the largest of all nepomorphans and are considered to be top predators in aquatic ecosystems. A characteristic feature of the group is the existence of short antennae concealed in grooves behind the eyes, which is an adaptation to the water habitat. The antennae bear many types of sensillar structures, which receive signals from the environment. Among such structures, mechanosensilla were of the greatest diversity. The antennal sensilla of species from both families were examined under the scanning electron microscope. 11 essential morphological types of sensilla were distinguished, including 5 new mechanosensilla types (sensilla paddle-like, cone-like, squamiformia, brush-like and club-like). Basal types of mechanosensilla such as trichodea, chaetica, basiconica (subtype 1) and campaniformia occur in Nepoidea and other Heteroptera. In some representatives of both families, sensilla paddle-like and sensilla basiconica type 1 were observed. Moreover, sensilla chaetica and cone-like were found in some species of Belostomatidae, whereas in Nepidae sensilla squamiformia, brush-like and club-like were observed. Apart from mechanosensilla, one type of thermo-hygrosensilla (ampullacea) and two different shaped olfactory sensilla basiconica (subtypes 2, 3) and coeloconica (subtypes 1, 2, 3) were found. It could indicate sensilla use in the identification of the water reservoirs and locating prey.
Spiral Steel Wire Based Fiber-Shaped Stretchable and Tailorable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wearable Power Source and Active Gesture Sensor
Authors: Xie Lingjie , Chen Xiaoping , Wen Zhen , Yang Yanqin , Shi Jihong , Chen Chen , Peng Mingfa , Liu Yina , Sun Xuhui 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Continuous deforming always leads to the performance degradation of a flexible triboelectric nanogenerator due to the Young’s modulus mismatch of different functional layers. In this work, we fabricated a fiber-shaped stretchable and tailorable triboelectric nanogenerator (FST–TENG) based on the geometric construction of a steel wire as electrode and ingenious selection of silicone rubber as triboelectric layer. Owing to the great robustness and continuous conductivity, the FST–TENGs demonstrate high stability, stretchability, and even tailorability. For a single device with ~ 6 cm in length and ~ 3 mm in diameter, the open-circuit voltage of ~ 59.7 V, transferred charge of ~ 23.7 nC, short-circuit current of ~ 2.67 μA and average power of ~ 2.13 μW can be obtained at 2.5 Hz. By knitting several FST–TENGs to be a fabric or a bracelet, it enables to harvest human motion energy and then to drive a wearable electronic device. Finally, it can also be woven on dorsum of glove to monitor the movements of gesture, which can recognize every single finger, different bending angle, and numbers of bent finger by analyzing voltage signals.
17 December 1996: Six ICRC delegates assassinated in Chechnya
Authors: Bugnion François 
Published: May 2019

In the early hours of 17 December 1996, six delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross were assassinated in a brutal attack by gunmen at the ICRC hospital in Novye Atagi, near Grozny.In late summer 1996, the ICRC had decided to open a field hospital in Chechnya because the main hospitals in Grozny had been seriously damaged, thus leaving large numbers of war-wounded without proper care.
Geographic variation and conservation of the Moustached Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes falcirostris, an endemic and threatened species of north-eastern Brazil
Authors: da Silva José Maria Cardoso , Oren David C. 
Published: May 2019

We correct the limits of the range and analyse the geographical variation of the Moustached Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes falcirostris, an endemic species of north-eastern Brazil. A single, undated specimen of Moustached Woodcreeper from Posse, Goiás, in the Paranā River Valley was probably collected somewhere on the left bank of the Sāo Francisco River. Analysis of the plumage variation and five body measurements indicates that it is not always possible to separate the populations of the Moustached Woodcreeper into the two subspecies currently recognized. In spite of this, given the importance of this bird as an indicator species for conservation, we suggest that the current recognition of the subspecies be maintained until genetic studies provide a definitive answer to this taxonomic question. Moustached Woodcreepers are particularly associated with patches of dry forest growing on rich soils, in north-eastern Brazil. In the past decades, this type of vegetation has been drastically modified by human activities. Only an urgent plan to establish a network of reserves for tropical dry forests in north-eastern Brazil can prevent the complete destruction of this habitat and of its poorly known biological resources.Nós corrigimos os limites da distribuiçāo e analisamos a variaçāo geográfica do Cochi-do-nordeste Xiphocolaptes falcirostris, uma espécie endêmica do Nordeste brasileiro. Um único espécime sem data de X. falcirostris coletado em Posse, Goiás, no vale do rio Paranā, foi provavelmente coletado em algum lugar na margem esquerda do vale do rio Sāo Francisco. Análise da variaçāo da plumagem e de cinco medidas do corpo indicam que nāo é sempre possivel separar as populaçōes de Cochi-do-nordeste em duas subespécies, tal como é feito atualmente. Apesar disso, em consideraçāo à importância desse arapacu como espécie indicadora, nós sugerimos que o Cochi-do-nordeste ainda seja considerado uma espécie com duas subéspecies, até que essa questāo taxonômica seja resolvida definitivamente através de estudos genéticos. Cochis-do-nordeste sâo particularmente associados com manchas de florestas secas crescendo sobre solos ricos no Nordeste brasileiro. Nas ultimas décadas, este tipo de vegetaçāo tem sido drasticamente modificado por atividades humanas. Nós sugerimos que somente um piano urgente visando o estabelecimento de um sistema de reservas para as florestas tropicais secas no nordeste do Brasil possa prevenir a completa destruiçāo desse habitat e de seus pouco conhecidos recursos biológicos.
Coupling landscapes and river flows to restore highly modified rivers
Authors: Whipple A. A. , Viers J. H. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractModifications to landscapes and flow regimes of rivers have altered the function, biodiversity, and productivity of freshwater ecosystems globally. Reestablishing geomorphological and hydrological conditions necessary to sustain ecosystems is a central challenge for restoration within highly altered systems. Meeting this challenge requires simultaneously addressing multiple and interacting stressors within the context of irreversible changes and socio‐economic constraints. Traditionally, river restoration approaches either physically change the landscape or channel (channel‐floodplain manipulation) or adjust hydrology (environmental flows), and such actions are often independent. We juxtapose these two subfields of river restoration, which have undergone parallel transformations, from goals of reproducing static representations of form and flow regime to goals of reestablishing processes. The parallel transformations have generated shared ideas, which point to benefits of coupling channel‐floodplain manipulation and environmental flow actions to achieve process‐based goals. Such coupling supports comprehensive river restoration efforts aimed at supporting resilient ecosystems within human dominated landscapes in a nonstationary climate. We identify four elements of coupled approaches for restoring highly modified rivers: (1) identify physical and ecological process potential given interactive effects of altered landscapes and flows; (2) consider capacity for sustaining identified processes under potential future change; (3) model alternatives for coupled restoration actions to support identified processes; and (4) evaluate alternatives using metrics representing integrative effects of coupled actions. We suggest these emergent elements contribute to the development of standard practices for restoring highly modified rivers and encourage an increasing number and quality of coupled applications.
Effects of an Explosive Polar Cyclone Crossing the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone
Authors: Vichi Marcello , Eayrs Clare , Alberello Alberto , Bekker Anriëtte , Bennetts Luke , Holland David , de Jong Ehlke , Joubert Warren , MacHutchon Keith , Messori Gabriele , Mojica Jhon F. , Onorato Miguel , Saunders Clinton , Skatulla Sebastian , Toffoli Alessandro 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAntarctic sea ice shows a large degree of regional variability, which is partly driven by severe weather events. Here we bring a new perspective on synoptic sea ice changes by presenting the first in situ observations of an explosive extratropical cyclone crossing the winter Antarctic marginal ice zone (MIZ) in the South Atlantic. This is complemented by the analysis of subsequent cyclones and highlights the rapid variations that ice‐landing cyclones cause on sea ice: Midlatitude warm oceanic air is advected onto the ice, and storm waves generated close to the ice edge contribute to the maintenance of an unconsolidated surface through which waves propagate far into the ice. MIZ features may thus extend further poleward in the Southern Ocean than currently estimated. A concentration‐based MIZ definition is inadequate, since it fails to describe a sea ice configuration which is deeply rearranged by synoptic weather.
Injection‐locked frequency divider with a hybrid 3D multi‐path and single‐path inductor
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Lu Chien‐Hsing , Yang Jia‐Ching 
Published: May 2019

This Letter proposes a divide‐by‐2 injection‐locked frequency divider (ILFD) with a new passive resonator. The ILFD in the 0.18 μm 1P6M CMOS process uses a three‐dimensional inductor consisted of three series single‐path and multi‐path inductors. Measured data shows that the varactor‐less divide‐by‐2 ILFD has wide locking range, low power consumption and occupies a small area of 0.4446 × 0.9198 mm2.
Integration of non‐isolated DC–DC converters in battery storage systems – a topological exploration
Authors: Khanaki Razieh , Walker Geoffrey R. , Broadmeadow Mark A H. , Ledwich Gerard F. 
Published: May 2019

This paper presents a topological exploration and evaluation of modularised battery systems with integrated non‐isolated DC–DC converters (battery‐integrated‐converters). Converter requirements for battery operation in charging/discharging, charge balance, bypass, and pass‐through modes have been considered. Topological variations have been derived to permit all battery operation modes. Design considerations and equations for each topology have been presented. The topological requirements have been summarised in tabular form with a 380 V bus storage system case study presented to demonstrate application of the design consideration discusses to a typical battery system specification. The comparison shows the buck, boost, and non‐inverting buck‐boost‐based converters are all similarly suitable, and other performance metrics are likely to determine the best choice for a given set of circumstances.
Updated orbital ephemeris of the ADC source X 1822-371: a stable orbital expansion over 40 years
Authors: Mazzola S. M. , Iaria R. , Di Salvo T. , Gambino A. F. , Marino A. , Burderi L. , Sanna A. , Riggio A. , Tailo M. 
Published: May 2019

Aims. Source X 1822-371 is an eclipsing compact binary system with a period close to 5.57 h and an orbital period derivative Ṗorb of 1.51(7)×10−10 s s−1. The very high value of Ṗorb is compatible with a super-Eddington mass transfer rate from the companion star, as suggested by X-ray and optical data. The XMM-Newton observation taken in 2017 allows us to update the orbital ephemeris and verify whether the orbital period derivative has been stable over the past 40 yr.
Methods. We added two new values obtained from the Rossi-XTE (RXTE) and XMM-Newton observations performed in 2011 and 2017, respectively, to the X-ray eclipse arrival times from 1977 to 2008. We estimated the number of orbital cycles and the delays of our eclipse arrival times spanning 40 yr, using as reference time the eclipse arrival time obtained from the RXTE observation taken in 1996.
Results. Fitting the delays with a quadratic model, we found an orbital period Porb = 5.57062957(20) h and a Ṗorb value of 1.475(54)×10−10 s s−1. The addition of a cubic term to the model does not significantly improve the fit quality. We also determined a spin-period value of Pspin = 0.5915669(4) s and its first derivative Ṗspin = − 2.595(11) × 10−12 s s−1.
Conclusions. Our results confirm the scenario of a super-Eddington mass transfer rate; we also exclude a gravitational coupling between the orbit and the change in the oblateness of the companion star triggered by the nuclear luminosity of the companion star.
Simplified Rapid Protocol for Assessing the Thoracic Aortic Dimensions and Pathology with Noncontrast MR Angiography
Authors: Verma Megha , Yarlagadda Bharath , Hendrani Aditya , Bhat Ambarish P. , Kumar Senthil 
Published: May 2019

AbstractContrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is limited by long acquisition time and contrast exposure in aortic emergencies. To compare the effcacy of dark blood (DB) and bright blood (BB) noncontrast sequences with the gold standard CE-MRA using a novel protocol for performing consistent thoracic aortic measurements and thoracic aortic pathologies identifications. A total of 66 patients with suspected or known thoracic aortic pathology who underwent CE-MRA underwent DB and BB imaging prior to CE-MRA for planning purposes. Aortic dimension was measured at 10 standard reference points in the ascending, arch, and descending aorta. Detection of aortic pathologies was recorded individually for each noncontrast sequence. When comparing the CE-MRA to the DB images and CE-MRA to the BB images, a majority of the measurement differences were less than or equal to 2 mm or resulted in no change of diagnostic class (95% for CE-MRA vs. DB and 96% for CE-MRA vs. BB). Of the patients who had major changes in diagnostic class (e.g., changes in two or three classes), the absolute measurements were not clinically significant in any given patient to warrant a change in management. Individually, the DB and BB sequences allowed for accurate recognition of all 47 aortic pathologies. DB and BB sequences produced comparable and consistent measurements of the thoracic aorta when compared with CE-MRA. In a situation where CE-MRA is not readily available or contraindicated, noncontrast MRA using our protocol is a reliable alternative to CE-MRA for assessment of aortic pathologies.
Health Determinants of Asthma among Hispanic/Latino Children Enrolled in the Michigan Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs
Authors: Farabi Nabila , Song SuJin , Crockett Elahé , Song Won 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIncreasing prevalence of asthma in children in the United States is a major public health issue. Children in the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) program are one of the most vulnerable populations in the United States, with high rates of health disparities. We examined health determinants of asthma among Hispanic/Latino children enrolled in the Michigan MSHS programs. This study was a secondary data analysis based on the 2012 to 2013 ChildPlus dataset collected by Michigan Telamon Corporation. Sociodemographic and health information of 905 children aged 0 to 5 years was obtained from the dataset. Data were collected through interviews with parents by Telamon's specialists at each of the 18 Michigan MSHS centers. To determine children having asthma, health specialists at each center asked parents if their child/children had ever received asthma treatment. Weight status of children was categorized into nonoverweight/obese, overweight, and obese according to age- and sex-specific World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart standards. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify asthma determinants. The overall prevalence of taking asthma treatment among Michigan MSHS children was 5.5%. Obese children had a higher odds ratio (OR) of asthma compared with nonoverweight/obese children (OR: 2.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.33–4.78). Children's age, health insurance status, and mothers' employment status were associated with asthma (p-values < 0.05). MSHS children are vulnerable to asthma, and their sociodemographic and obesity status are key determinants of having asthma. Identifying determinants of asthma might be helpful to design health policies and programs as well as implement health services for this population.
TLR1/2 ligand enhances antitumor efficacy of CTLA-4 blockade by increasing intratumoral Treg depletion
Authors: Sharma Naveen , Vacher Jean , Allison James P. 
Published: May 2019

Significance
To overcome the challenge of nonresponsiveness or low effectiveness to current checkpoint blockade drugs, various combination therapies are under investigation for cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated a combination of Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2) ligand and anti–CTLA-4 antibody in a mouse model of melanoma. TLR1/2 ligand enhanced the antitumor efficacy of anti–CTLA-4 by increasing Fcγ receptor IV expression, which in turn increased the depletion of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Whether ipilimumab causes Treg depletion in human patients is debatable; therefore, combining ipilimumab with Pam3CSK4 could lead to greater antitumor efficacy by introducing this modality. These findings are likely extensible to other checkpoint antibodies in cancer patients.
Ambient temperature influences metabolic substrate oxidation curves during running and cycling in healthy men
Authors: Gagnon Dominique D. , Perrier Lina , Dorman Sandra C. , Oddson Bruce , Larivière Céline , Serresse Olivier 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFat oxidation in cold environments and carbohydrate (CHO) use in hot environments are increased during exercise at steady‐state submaximal workloads. However, the influence of cold and heat on fat and CHO oxidation curves remain unknown. We therefore examined the influence of a cold and warm ambient temperature on fat and CHO oxidation across a wide range of exercise intensities during treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise. Nine, young, healthy, male subjects completed four trials, during which they performed an incremental peak oxygen consumption (⩒O2peak) test on a cycle ergometer or treadmill in a 4.6°C or 34.1°C environment. Substrate oxidation, maximal fat oxidation rate (MFO), and exercise intensity where MFO occurs (Fatmax) were assessed via indirect calorimetry. MFO was significantly greater in the cold vs. warm during the treadmill exercise (0.66 ± 0.31 vs. 0.43 ± 0.23 g min−1; p = 0.02) but not during cycling (0.45 ± 0.24 vs. 0.29 ± 0.11 g min−1; p = 0.076). MFO was also greater during treadmill vs. cycling exercise, irrespective of ambient temperature (0.57 g min−1 vs. 0.37 g min−1; p = 0.04). Fatmax was greater in the cold vs. warm for both treadmill (57 ± 20 vs. 37 ± 17%⩒O2peak; p = 0.025) and cycling (62 ± 28 vs. 36 ± 13%⩒O2peak; p = 0.003). Multiple, linear, mixed‐effects regressions revealed a strong influence of ambient temperature on substrate oxidation. We demonstrated that exercising in a cold environment increases MFO and Fatmax, predominantly during treadmill exercise. These results validate the implication of ambient temperature on energy metabolism over a wide range of exercise intensities.
How different is the evolution of sex-biased gene expression between plants and animals? A commentary on: ‘Sexual dimorphism and rapid turnover in gene expression in pre-reproductive seedlings of a dioecious herb’
Authors: Muyle Aline 
Published: May 2019

This article comments on:
Guillaume G. Cossard, Melissa A. Toups and John R. Pannell. 2019. Sexual dimorphism and rapid turnover in gene expression in pre-reproductive seedlings of a dioecious herb. Annals of Botany 123(7): 1119–1131.