bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Analysis of Skeletal Muscle in Aged Mice
Authors: Uchitomi Ran , Hatazawa Yukino , Senoo Nanami , Yoshioka Kiyoshi , Fujita Mariko , Shimizu Takahiko , Miura Shinji , Ono Yusuke , Kamei Yasutomi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSarcopenia is the age-induced, progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. To better understand changes in skeletal muscle during sarcopenia, we performed a metabolomic analysis of skeletal muscle in young (8-week-old) and aged (28-month-old) mice by using capillary electrophoresis with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis showed clear changes in metabolites between young and aged mice. Glucose metabolism products were decreased in aged mice, specifically fructose 1,6-diphosphate (0.4-fold) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (0.6-fold), possibly from decreased glycolytic muscle fibers. Multiple metabolic products associated with phospholipid metabolism were significantly changed in aged mice, which may reflect changes in cell membrane phospholipids of skeletal muscle. Products of polyamine metabolism, which are known to increase nucleic acid and protein synthesis, decreased in spermine (0.5-fold) and spermidine (0.6-fold) levels. By contrast, neurotransmitter levels were increased in skeletal muscle of aged mice, including acetylcholine (1.8-fold), histamine (2.6-fold), and serotonin (1.7-fold). The increase in acetylcholine might compensate for age-associated dropout of neuromuscular junctions, whereas the increases in histamine and serotonin might be due to muscle injury associated with aging. Further analysis focusing on the altered metabolites observed in this study will provide essential data for understanding aging muscles.
Transcriptome analysis identifies a robust gene expression program in the mouse intestinal epithelium on aging
Authors: Kazakevych Juri , Stoyanova Elena , Liebert Anke , Varga-Weisz Patrick 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe intestinal epithelium undergoes constant regeneration driven by intestinal stem cells. How old age affects the transcriptome in this highly dynamic tissue is an important, but poorly explored question. Using transcriptomics on sorted intestinal stem cells and adult enterocytes, we identified candidate genes, which change expression on aging. Further validation of these on intestinal epithelium of multiple middle-aged versus old-aged mice highlighted the consistent up-regulation of the expression of the gene encoding chemokine receptor Ccr2, a mediator of inflammation and several disease processes. We observed also increased expression of Strc, coding for stereocilin, and dramatically decreased expression of Rps4l, coding for a ribosome subunit. Ccr2 and Rps4l are located close to the telomeric regions of chromosome 9 and 6, respectively. As only few genes were differentially expressed and we did not observe significant protein level changes of identified ageing markers, our analysis highlights the overall robustness of murine intestinal epithelium gene expression to old age.
Factors triggering queen executions in the Argentine ant
Authors: Abril Sílvia , Gómez Crisanto 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCompetition among queens in polygynous societies may result in queen executions or conflicts over personal reproduction. Understanding the factors that mediate the executions of ant queens should provide insight into how queen numbers are regulated in polygynous insect societies. The Argentine ant is a widespread invasive species that displays secondary polygyny, and workers execute 90% of their nestmate queens each spring. In this study, we investigated: (1) whether ambient temperature, queen number, and protein deprivation have an effect on queen executions and (2) whether workers select the queens slated for execution based on their cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles. We found that the percentage of queens executed was positively correlated with temperature and queen number but that protein deprivation did not play a role. As for queen fate, the levels of some CHCs were higher in surviving queens. One of these CHCs is associated with queen productivity (i.e egg-laying rate and ovarian index) suggesting that workers execute the least productive queens. Our findings suggest that chemical cues related to fertility signaling may mediate queen executions in Argentine ants.
Morphological features of the inferior fascicle of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament
Authors: Edama M. , Takeishi M. , Kurata S. , Kikumoto T. , Takabayashi T. , Hirabayashi R. , Inai T. , Ikezu M. , Kaneko F. , Kageyama I. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this study, the inferior fascicle of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) was classified to provide basic information to help elucidate the mechanism of ankle joint anterolateral impingement, and the morphological features of each type were compared for the purpose of clarification. This investigation examined 100 feet from 52 cadavers. The AITFL was classified into four types according to the presence or absence of the inferior fascicle and the positional relationship between the AITFL and the inferior fascicle of the AITFL. The morphological features of the AITFL that were measured included the fibre bundle length, fibre bundle width, fibre bundle angle, and the distance between the joint levels. A distinct, independent inferior fascicle of the AITFL was identified in 15 feet (15%). There were no significant differences in the morphological features based on differences in the AITFL classification. Therefore, these findings suggest that the presence or absence of the inferior fascicle and the difference in the positional relationship between the AITFL and the inferior fascicle of the AITFL are less likely to be involved in impingement during ankle dorsiflexion.
An asymmetry of treatment between lotteries involving gains and losses in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Nioche Aurélien , Bourgeois-Gironde Sacha , Boraud Thomas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDecision-making in humans is known to be subject to several biases. For instance, when facing bets, humans demonstrate some asymmetry concerning their preference for the riskiest option depending on whether stakes involve potential gains or potential losses. They are indeed risk-averse for bets involving gains but risk seeking for bets involving losses. They also exhibit a distorted perception of probabilities. It is not clear whether non-human primates exhibit the same biases. Setting up a protocol that allowed two rhesus monkeys to make choices between lotteries involving either gains or losses, we demonstrated that rhesus monkeys facing bets exhibited an asymmetry in the treatment of gains and losses comparable with that of humans.
MRI-based radiomics signature is a quantitative prognostic biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Ming Xue , Oei Ronald Wihal , Zhai Ruiping , Kong Fangfang , Du Chengrun , Hu Chaosu , Hu Weigang , Zhang Zhen , Ying Hongmei , Wang Jiazhou 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to develop prognosis signatures through a radiomics analysis for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by their pretreatment diagnosis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 208 radiomics features were extracted for each patient from a database of 303 patients. The patients were split into the training and validation cohorts according to their pretreatment diagnosis date. The radiomics feature analysis consisted of cluster analysis and prognosis model analysis for disease free-survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS). Additionally, two prognosis models using clinical features only and combined radiomics and clinical features were generated to estimate the incremental prognostic value of radiomics features. Patients were clustered by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) into two groups. It showed high correspondence with patients’ T stage (p < 0.00001) and overall stage information (p < 0.00001) by chi-squared tests. There were significant differences in DFS (p = 0.0052), OS (p = 0.033), and LRFS (p = 0.037) between the two clustered groups but not in DMFS (p = 0.11) by log-rank tests. Radiomics nomograms that incorporated radiomics and clinical features could estimate DFS with the C-index of 0.751 [0.639, 0.863] and OS with the C-index of 0.845 [0.752, 0.939] in the validation cohort. The nomograms improved the prediction accuracy with the C-index value of 0.029 for DFS and 0.107 for OS compared with clinical features only. The DFS and OS radiomics nomograms developed in our study demonstrated the excellent prognostic estimation for NPC patients with a noninvasive way of MRI. The combination of clinical and radiomics features can provide more information for precise treatment decision.
Contactless, nondestructive determination of dopant profiles of localized boron-diffused regions in silicon wafers at room temperature
Authors: Nguyen Hieu T. , Li Zhuofeng , Han Young-Joon , Basnet Rabin , Tebyetekerwa Mike , Truong Thien N. , Wu Huiting , Yan Di , Macdonald Daniel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe develop a photoluminescence-based technique to determine dopant profiles of localized boron-diffused regions in silicon wafers and solar cell precursors employing two excitation wavelengths. The technique utilizes a strong dependence of room-temperature photoluminescence spectra on dopant profiles of diffused layers, courtesy of bandgap narrowing effects in heavily-doped silicon, and different penetration depths of the two excitation wavelengths in silicon. It is fast, contactless, and nondestructive. The measurements are performed at room temperature with micron-scale spatial resolution. We apply the technique to reconstruct dopant profiles of a large-area (1 cm × 1 cm) boron-diffused sample and heavily-doped regions (30 μm in diameter) of passivated-emitter rear localized-diffused solar cell precursors. The reconstructed profiles are confirmed with the well-established electrochemical capacitance voltage technique. The developed technique could be useful for determining boron dopant profiles in small doped features employed in both photovoltaic and microelectronic applications.
Nucleophilic reactivity of a copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex
Authors: Kim Bohee , Jeong Donghyun , Ohta Takehiro , Cho Jaeheung 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCopper(II)-hydroperoxo species are often detected as key intermediates in metalloenzymes and biomimetic compounds containing copper. However, the only reactivity has previously been observed for the copper(II)-hydroperoxo complexes is electrophilic, occurring through O-O bond cleavage. Here we report that a mononuclear end-on copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex, which has been successfully characterized by various physicochemical methods including UV-vis, rRaman, CSI-MS and EPR, is a reactive oxidant that utilizes a nucleophilic mechanism. In addition, DFT calculations fully support the electronic structure of this complex as a copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex with trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. A positive Hammett ρ value (2.0(3)) is observed in the reaction of copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex with para-substituted acyl chlorides, which clearly indicates nucleophilic character for the copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex. The copper(II)-hydroperoxo complex is an especially reactive oxidant in aldehyde deformylation with 2-PPA and CCA relative to the other metal-bound reactive oxygen species reported so far. The observation of nucleophilic reactivity for a copper(II)-hydroperoxo species expands the known chemistry of metal-reactive oxygen species.
TheMycobacterium tuberculosiscapsule: a cell structure with key implications in pathogenesis
Authors: Kalscheuer Rainer , Palacios Ainhoa , Anso Itxaso , Cifuente Javier , Anguita Juan , Jacobs William R. , Guerin Marcelo E. , Prados-Rosales Rafael 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBacterial capsules have evolved to be at the forefront of the cell envelope, making them an essential element of bacterial biology. Efforts to understand the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) capsule began more than 60 years ago, but the relatively recent development of mycobacterial genetics combined with improved chemical and immunological tools have revealed a more refined view of capsule molecular composition. A glycogen-like α-glucan is the major constituent of the capsule, with lower amounts of arabinomannan and mannan, proteins and lipids. The major Mtb capsular components mediate interactions with phagocytes that favor bacterial survival. Vaccination approaches targeting the mycobacterial capsule have proven successful in controlling bacterial replication. Although the Mtb capsule is composed of polysaccharides of relatively low complexity, the concept of antigenic variability associated with this structure has been suggested by some studies. Understanding how Mtb shapes its envelope during its life cycle is key to developing anti-infective strategies targeting this structure at the host–pathogen interface.
Answers to naysayers regarding microbial extracellular vesicles
Authors: Coelho Carolina , Casadevall Arturo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
It is now over 30 years since the discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in Gram-negative bacteria. However, for cell-walled microbes such as fungi, mycobacteria and Gram-positive bacteria it was thought that EV release would be impossible, since such structures were not believed to cross the thick cell wall. This notion was disproven 10 years ago with the discovery of EVs in fungi, mycobacteria, and gram-positive bacteria. Today, EVs have been described in practically every species tested, ranging from Fungi through Bacteria and Archaea, suggesting that EVs are a feature of every living cell. However, there continues to be skepticism in some quarters regarding EV release and their biological significance. In this review, we list doubts that have been verbalized to us and provide answers to counter them. In our opinion, there is no doubt as to existence and physiological function of EVs and we take this opportunity to highlight the most pressing topics in our understanding of the biological processes underlying these structures.
Temperament in Adults Who Stutter and Its Association With Stuttering Frequency and Quality-of-Life Impacts
Authors: Lucey Jaclyn , Evans David , Maxfield Nathan D. 
Published: July 2019

PurposeThe study aim was to determine whether self-reported temperament traits differentiate adults who stutter (AWS) from adults who do not stutter (AWNS). Additionally, associations between temperament and stuttering frequency, and between temperament and quality of life impacts of stuttering, were investigated in AWS.MethodSelf-reported temperament traits were documented for 33 AWS and 43 AWNS using the Adult Temperament Questionnaire (ATQ;Evans & Rothbart, 2007). Quality-of-life impacts of stuttering were assessed using the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience with Stuttering (Yaruss & Quesal, 2010). Stuttering frequency was calculated from 100-word monologue and reading samples.ResultsA between-groups difference in scores on the ATQ Positive Affect subscale was nominally significant (i.e., before correcting for multiple tests) and also approached statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. Positive Affect scores were lower for AWS, and the size of this trending effect was moderate. Within AWS, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between impact scores on the General Information section of the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience with Stuttering and ATQ Frustration subscale scores after Bonferroni correction. No associations were detected between temperament traits and stuttering frequency.ConclusionsResults reveal a nontrivial tendency for AWS to experience decreased positive affect compared to AWNS. In addition, increased frustration was found to be associated with reduced general knowledge about stuttering in AWS. Neither effect has been previously reported for adults or children who stutter. Finally, self-reported temperament traits were not found to vary with stuttering frequency in adults, consistent with previous results for AWS.
Speech Production Accuracy and Variability in Monolingual and Bilingual Children With Cochlear Implants: A Comparison to Their Peers With Normal Hearing
Authors: Sosa Anna V. , Bunta Ferenc 
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study investigates consonant and vowel accuracy and whole-word variability (also called
token-to-token variability
or
token-to-token inconsistency
) in bilingual Spanish–English and monolingual English-speaking children with cochlear implants (CIs) compared to their bilingual and monolingual peers with normal hearing (NH).

Method

Participants were 40 children between 4;6 and 7;11 (years;months;
M
age
= 6;2),
n
= 10 each in 4 participant groups: bilingual Spanish–English with CIs, monolingual English with CIs, bilingual Spanish–English with NH, and monolingual English with NH. Spanish and English word lists consisting of 20 words of varying length were generated, and 3 productions of each word were analyzed for percent consonants correct, percent vowels correct, and the presence of any consonant and/or vowel variability.

Results
Children with CIs demonstrated lower accuracy and more whole-word variability than their peers with NH. There were no differences in rates of accuracy or whole-word variability between bilingual and monolingual children matched on hearing status, and bilingual children had lower accuracy and greater whole-word variability in English than in Spanish.

Conclusions
High rates of whole-word variability are prevalent in the speech of children with CIs even after many years of CI experience, and bilingual language exposure does not appear to negatively impact phonological development in children with CIs. Contributions to our understanding of underlying sources of speech production variability and clinical implications are discussed.
GenSynth: a generative synthesis approach to learning generative machines for generate efficient neural networks
Authors: Wong Alexander , Javad Shafiee Mohammad , Chwyl Brendan , Li Francis 
Published: July 2019

The tremendous potential exhibited by deep learning is often offset by architectural and computational complexity, making widespread deployment a challenge for edge scenarios such as mobile and other consumer devices. To tackle this challenge, we explore the following idea: Can we learn generative machines to automatically generate deep neural networks with efficient network architectures? In this study, we introduce the idea of generative synthesis, which is premised on the intricate interplay between a generator‐inquisitor pair that work in tandem to garner insights and learn to generate highly efficient deep neural networks that best satisfies operational requirements. Experimental results for image classification, semantic segmentation, and object detection tasks illustrate the efficacy of generative synthesis (GenSynth) in producing generators that automatically generate highly efficient deep neural networks (which we nickname FermiNets with higher model efficiency and lower computational costs (reaching more efficient and fewer multiply‐accumulate operations than several tested state‐of‐the‐art networks), as well as higher energy efficiency (reaching improvements in image inferences per joule consumed on a Nvidia Tegra X2 mobile processor). As such, GenSynth can be a powerful, generalised approach for accelerating and improving the building of deep neural networks for on‐device edge scenarios.
Quadratic‐boost‐double‐flyback converter
Authors: Guepfrih Marcelo Flavio , Waltrich Gierri , Lazzarin Telles Brunelli 
Published: July 2019

Combining low‐voltage power sources with loads that require high‐voltage levels is a challenge, especially for power devices above 500 W. In this context, this study presents a new dc–dc high‐gain converter using coupled inductors. The new converter uses only one switch and output capacitors with low values. It also allows the use of energy from the leakage inductors and enables the input current to operate in the continuous mode. The experimental concept validation was carried out in a prototype of 1 kW with an input voltage between 48 and 96 V and an output voltage of 800 V. The results obtained were coherent, with no significant semiconductor over‐voltage and high efficiency was achieved for a wide power range.
Reconstructing solar magnetic fields from historical observations
Authors: Pevtsov Alexei A. , Tlatova Kseniya A. , Pevtsov Alexander A. , Heikkinen Elina , Virtanen Ilpo , Karachik Nina V. , Bertello Luca , Tlatov Andrey G. , Ulrich Roger , Mursula Kalevi 
Published: July 2019

Context. Systematic observations of magnetic field strength and polarity in sunspots began at Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), USA in early 1917. Except for a few brief interruptions, this historical dataset has continued until the present.
Aims. Sunspot field strength and polarity observations are critical in our project of reconstructing the solar magnetic field over the last hundred years. We provide a detailed description of the newly digitized dataset of drawings of sunspot magnetic field observations.
Methods. The digitization of MWO drawings is based on a software package that we developed. It includes a semiautomatic selection of solar limbs and other features of the drawing, and a manual entry of the time of observations, measured field strength, and other notes handwritten on each drawing. The data are preserved in an MySQL database.
Results. We provide a brief history of the project and describe the results from digitizing this historical dataset. We also provide a summary of the final dataset and describe its known limitations. Finally, we compare the sunspot magnetic field measurements with those from other instruments, and demonstrate that, if needed, the dataset could be continued using modern observations such as, for example, the Vector Stokes Magnetograph on the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun platform.
Monoklonale Gammopathie unklarer Signifikanz – ein häufiger Nebenbefund
Authors: Schieferdecker Aneta , Binder Mascha , Weisel Katja , Bokemeyer Carsten 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMonoclonal gammopathy of unclear significance (MGUS) is detected at high frequency in a variety of disciplines as an incidental finding. MGUS can be associated with non-malignant diseases, but it also can be a precursor of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (multiple myeloma, Waldenstroem’s disease, other non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, light chain (AL) – amyloidosis). However, many of these patients remain asymptomatic throughout their lives. Screening is performed by serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation and determination of quantitative immunoglobulins and free light chains in serum. Currently, general population screening is not recommended. There are three subtypes with different rates and types of progression: IgM-MGUS, non-IgM-MGUS, and light-chain MGUS. The scope of further diagnostics and follow-up is based on the clinical findings and risk stratification (monoclonal protein in serum < or ≥ 15 g/l and normal or abnormal free light chain ratio in serum). If paraprotein-associated disease is detected, gammopathy is of clinical significance and should not be referred to as MGUS.