bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex and gender bias in the experimental neurosciences: the case of the maternal immune activation model
Authors: Coiro Pierluca , Pollak Daniela D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRecent and rapidly developing movements relating to the increasing awareness and reports of gender bias, discrimination, and abuse have reached the academic environments. The consideration that negative attitudes toward women and abuse of power creates a hostile environment for female scientists, facilitating sexual harassment and driving women out of science, can be easily related to. Rationally inaccessible gender biases are not only evident at the level of the researchers, but are also paralleled by a corresponding imbalance at the level of the research subjects. Here, we focus on the maternal immune activation (MIA) animal model to illustrate exemplarily the current state of ex-/inclusion of female research subjects and the consideration of sex as biological variable in the basic neurosciences. We demonstrate a strong sex disparity with a major emphasis on male animals in studies examining behavioral and neurochemical alterations in MIA offspring. We put forward the hypothesis that this neglect of female subjects in basic research may stem from a hard-wired sex/gender bias, which may also be reflected in a similar attitude toward female scientists. We suggest exploring the possibility that by dismantling sex bias and male dominance in basic research one would get an additional handle on favorably modifying the perception and appreciation for women in science.
Evidence for electron Landau damping in space plasma turbulence
Authors: Chen C. H. K. , Klein K. G. , Howes G. G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHow turbulent energy is dissipated in weakly collisional space and astrophysical plasmas is a major open question. Here, we present the application of a field-particle correlation technique to directly measure the transfer of energy between the turbulent electromagnetic field and electrons in the Earth’s magnetosheath, the region of solar wind downstream of the Earth’s bow shock. The measurement of the secular energy transfer from the parallel electric field as a function of electron velocity shows a signature consistent with Landau damping. This signature is coherent over time, close to the predicted resonant velocity, similar to that seen in kinetic Alfven turbulence simulations, and disappears under phase randomisation. This suggests that electron Landau damping could play a significant role in turbulent plasma heating, and that the technique is a valuable tool for determining the particle energisation processes operating in space and astrophysical plasmas
Macrophage achieves self-protection against oxidative stress-induced ageing through the Mst-Nrf2 axis
Authors: Wang Ping , Geng Jing , Gao Jiahui , Zhao Hao , Li Junhong , Shi Yiran , Yang Bingying , Xiao Chen , Linghu Yueyue , Sun Xiufeng , Chen Xin , Hong Lixin , Qin Funiu , Li Xun , Yu Jau-Song , You Han , Yuan Zengqiang , Zhou Dawang , Johnson Randy L. , Chen Lanfen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) production in phagocytes is a major defense mechanism against pathogens. However, the cellular self-protective mechanism against such potential damage from oxidative stress remains unclear. Here we show that the kinases Mst1 and Mst2 (Mst1/2) sense ROS and maintain cellular redox balance by modulating the stability of antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2. Site-specific ROS release recruits Mst1/2 from the cytosol to the phagosomal or mitochondrial membrane, with ROS subsequently activating Mst1/2 to phosphorylate kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) and prevent Keap1 polymerization, thereby blocking Nrf2 ubiquitination and degradation to protect cells against oxidative damage. Treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine disrupts ROS-induced interaction of Mst1/2 with phagosomes or mitochondria, and thereby diminishes the Mst-Nrf2 signal. Consistently, loss of Mst1/2 results in increased oxidative injury, phagocyte ageing and death. Thus, our results identify the Mst-Nrf2 axis as an important ROS-sensing and antioxidant mechanism during an antimicrobial response.
Publisher Correction: Artificial light-driven ion pump for photoelectric energy conversion
Authors: Xiao Kai , Chen Lu , Chen Ruotian , Heil Tobias , Lemus Saul Daniel Cruz , Fan Fengtao , Wen Liping , Jiang Lei , Antonietti Markus 
Published: February 2019

The original version of this Article contained errors in Figure 3. In Fig. 3d, the label ‘With light irradiation’ was originally incorrectly given as ‘Without light irradiation’. In Fig. 3f, the label ‘Without light irradiation’ was originally incorrectly given as ‘With light irradiation’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Taxonomy through the lens of neutral helium microscopy
Authors: Myles Thomas A. , Eder Sabrina D. , Barr Matthew G. , Fahy Adam , Martens Joel , Dastoor Paul C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe field of taxonomy is critically important for the identification, conservation, and ecology of biological species. Modern taxonomists increasingly need to employ advanced imaging techniques to classify organisms according to their observed morphological features. Moreover, the generation of three-dimensional datasets is of growing interest; moving beyond qualitative analysis to true quantitative classification. Unfortunately, biological samples are highly vulnerable to degradation under the energetic probes often used to generate these datasets. Neutral atom beam microscopes avoid such damage due to the gentle nature of their low energy probe, but to date have not been capable of producing three-dimensional data. Here we demonstrate a means to recover the height information for samples imaged in the scanning helium microscope (SHeM) via the process of stereophotogrammetry. The extended capabilities, namely sparse three-dimensional reconstructions of features, were showcased via taxonomic studies of both flora (Arabidopsis thaliana) and fauna (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). In concert with the delicate nature of neutral helium atom beam microscopy, the stereophotogrammetry technique provides the means to derive comprehensive taxonomical data without the risk of sample degradation due to the imaging process.
Combined morphological and functional liver MRI using spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame (T1ρ) in conjunction with Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MRI
Authors: Stief Jonas D. , Haase Moritz , Lüdemann Lutz , Theilig Dorothea , Schmelzle Moritz , Hamm Bernd , Denecke Timm , Geisel Dominik 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNoninvasive early detection of liver cirrhosis and fibrosis is essential for management and therapy. The aim was to investigated whether a combination of the functional parameter relative enhancement (RE) on Gadoxetic Acid magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI) and the fibrosis parameter T1ρ distinguishes cirrhosis and healthy liver. We analyzed patients with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and T1ρ mapping. Signal intensity was measured before and after contrast; RE was calculated. T1ρ was measured with circular regions of interest (T1ρ-cROI). A quotient of RE and T1ρ-cROI was calculated: the fibrosis function quotient (FFQ). Cirrhosis was evaluated based on morphology and secondary changes. 213 datasets were included. The difference between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic liver was 51.11 ms vs. 47.56 ms for T1ρ-cROI (p < 0.001), 0.59 vs. 0.70 for RE (p < 0.001), and 89.53 vs. 70.83 for FFQ (p < 0.001). T1ρ-cROI correlated with RE, r = −0.14 (p < 0.05). RE had an AUC of 0.73. The largest AUC had the FFQ with 0.79. The best cutoff value was 48.34 ms for T1ρ-cROI, 0.70 for RE and 78.59 ms for FFQ. In conclusion T1ρ and RE can distinguish between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic liver. The FFQ, which is the combination of the two, improves diagnostic performance.
Smart bone plates can monitor fracture healing
Authors: Lin Monica C. , Hu Diane , Marmor Meir , Herfat Safa T. , Bahney Chelsea S. , Maharbiz Michel M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThere are currently no standardized methods for assessing fracture healing, with physicians relying on X-rays which are only useful at later stages of repair. Using in vivo mouse fracture models, we present the first evidence that microscale instrumented implants provide a route for post-operative fracture monitoring, utilizing electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to track the healing tissue with high sensitivity. In this study, we fixed mouse long bone fractures with external fixators and bone plates. EIS measurements taken across two microelectrodes within the fracture gap were able to track longitudinal differences between individual mice with good versus poor healing. We additionally present an equivalent circuit model that combines the EIS data to classify fracture repair states. Lastly, we show that EIS measurements strongly correlated with standard quantitative µCT values and that these correlations validate clinically-relevant operating frequencies for implementation of this technique. These results demonstrate that EIS can be integrated into current fracture management strategies such as bone plating, providing physicians with quantitative information about the state of fracture repair to guide clinical decision-making for patients.
Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy associated with inhibition of autophagic degradation process and defects in mitochondrial respiration
Authors: Abdullah Chowdhury S. , Alam Shafiul , Aishwarya Richa , Miriyala Sumitra , Bhuiyan Mohammad Alfrad Nobel , Panchatcharam Manikandan , Pattillo Christopher B. , Orr A. Wayne , Sadoshima Junichi , Hill Joseph A. , Bhuiyan Md. Shenuarin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDoxorubicin (Dox) is a highly effective anticancer drug but cause acute ventricular dysfunction, and also induce late-onset cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Despite extensive studies, the pathogenic sequelae leading to the progression of Dox-associated cardiomyopathy remains unknown. We assessed temporal changes in autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and bioenergetics in mouse models of acute and chronic Dox-cardiomyopathy. Time course study of acute Dox-treatment showed accumulation of LC3B II in heart lysates. Autophagy flux assays confirmed that the Dox-induced accumulation of autophagosomes occurs due to blockage of the lysosomal degradation process. Dox-induced autophagosomes and autolysosome accumulation were confirmed in vivo by using GFP-LC3 and mRFP-GFP-LC3 transgenic (Tg) mice. Mitochondria isolated from acute Dox-treated hearts showed significant suppression of oxygen consumption rate (OCR). Chronic Dox-cardiotoxicity also exhibited time-dependent accumulation of LC3B II levels and increased accumulation of green puncta in GFP-LC3 Tg hearts. Mitochondria isolated from chronic Dox-treated hearts also showed significant suppression of mitochondrial OCR. The in vivo impairment of autophagic degradation process and mitochondrial dysfunction data were confirmed in vitro using cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes. Both acute and chronic Dox-associated cardiomyopathy involves a multifocal disease process resulting from autophagosomes and autolysosomes accumulation, altered expression of mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative phosphorylation regulatory proteins, and mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction.
Regional specificity of cortico-thalamic coupling strength and directionality during waxing and waning of spike and wave discharges
Authors: Lüttjohann Annika , Pape Hans-Christian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpike-wave discharges (SWDs) on the EEG during absence epilepsy are waxing and waning stages of corticothalamic hypersynchrony. While the somatosensory cortex contains an epileptic focus, the role of thalamic nuclei in SWD generation is debated. Here we assess the contribution of distinct thalamic nuclei through multiple-site unit recordings in a genetic rat model of absence epilepsy and cross-correlation analysis, revealing coupling strength and directionality of neuronal activity at high temporal resolution. Corticothalamic coupling increased and decreased during waxing and waning of SWD, respectively. A cortical drive on either sensory or higher order thalamic nuclei distinguished between onset and offset of SWD, respectively. Intrathalamic coupling steadily increased during maintained SWD activity, peaked at SWD offset, and subsequently displayed a sharp decline to baseline. The peak in intrathalamic coupling coincided with a sharp increase in coupling strength between reticular thalamic nucleus and somatosensory cortex. This increased influence of the inhibitory reticular thalamic nucleus is suggested to serve as a break for SWD activity. Overall, the data extend the cortical focus theory of absence epilepsy by identifying a regionally specific cortical lead over distinct thalamic nuclei, particularly also during waning of generalized epileptic discharges, thereby revealing a potential window and location for intervention.
Rosiglitazone blocks first trimester in-vitro placental injury caused by NF-κB-mediated inflammation
Authors: Kadam Leena , Kilburn Brian , Baczyk Dora , Kohan-Ghadr Hamid Reza , Kingdom John , Drewlo Sascha 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIncreased inflammation and abnormal placentation are common features of a wide spectrum of pregnancy-related disorders such as intra uterine growth restriction, preeclampsia and preterm birth. The inflammatory response of the human placenta has been mostly investigated in relation to cytokine release, but the direct molecular consequences on trophoblast differentiation have not been investigated. This study measured the general effects of LPS on both extravillous and villous trophoblast physiology, and the involvement of the transcription factors PPARγ and NF-κB, specifically using 1sttrimester explants and HTR-8/ SVneo cell line models. While both proteins are known for their roles in inflammatory pathways, PPARγ has been identified as an important molecule in trophoblast differentiation, suggesting its potential role in mediating a crosstalk between inflammation and trophoblast differentiation. Here, LPS (1 µg/ml) exposure of first trimester placental villous explants resulted in secretion of inflammatory cytokines, induction of apoptosis and reduction in trophoblast cell proliferation. Additionally, LPS significantly reduced expression of the trophoblast differentiation proteins GCM1 and β-hCG, and increased invasion of the extravillous trophoblast. Activation of PPARγ by Rosiglitazone (10 µM) reversed the LPS-mediated effects on inflammatory cytokine release, trophoblast apoptosis and proliferation compared to controls. Lastly, markers of trophoblast differentiation and invasion reverted to control levels upon activation of PPARγ and concomitant inhibition of NF-κB (either by Rosiglitazone or NF-κB specific inhibitor), revealing a new role for NF-κB in trophoblast invasion. This study reveals a novel PPARγ - NF-κB axis that coordinates inflammatory and differentiation pathways in the human placenta. The ability to reverse trophoblast-associated inflammation with Rosiglitazone offers promise that the PPARγ – NF-κB pathway could one day provide a therapeutic target for placental dysfunction associated with both inflammation and abnormal trophoblast differentiation.
DeepWeeds: A Multiclass Weed Species Image Dataset for Deep Learning
Authors: Olsen Alex , Konovalov Dmitry A. , Philippa Bronson , Ridd Peter , Wood Jake C. , Johns Jamie , Banks Wesley , Girgenti Benjamin , Kenny Owen , Whinney James , Calvert Brendan , Azghadi Mostafa Rahimi , White Ronald D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRobotic weed control has seen increased research of late with its potential for boosting productivity in agriculture. Majority of works focus on developing robotics for croplands, ignoring the weed management problems facing rangeland stock farmers. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to widespread uptake of robotic weed control is the robust classification of weed species in their natural environment. The unparalleled successes of deep learning make it an ideal candidate for recognising various weed species in the complex rangeland environment. This work contributes the first large, public, multiclass image dataset of weed species from the Australian rangelands; allowing for the development of robust classification methods to make robotic weed control viable. The DeepWeeds dataset consists of 17,509 labelled images of eight nationally significant weed species native to eight locations across northern Australia. This paper presents a baseline for classification performance on the dataset using the benchmark deep learning models, Inception-v3 and ResNet-50. These models achieved an average classification accuracy of 95.1% and 95.7%, respectively. We also demonstrate real time performance of the ResNet-50 architecture, with an average inference time of 53.4 ms per image. These strong results bode well for future field implementation of robotic weed control methods in the Australian rangelands.
Analysing the Motions of Spray Droplets on a Cow’s Surface to Relieve Heat Stress
Authors: Li Guangzhi , Wang Zonglun , Shi Zhengxiang , Ding Tao , He Qian , Hong Shuai 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExploring the behaviour of sprayed water droplets on dairy cow hair during the spraying process is of great significance to improve the effects of this process on cooling a dairy cow’s body. In this paper, we use a high-speed camera to examine the sprayed droplets of different diameters and then analyse the experimental results. The results show that the movements of sprayed droplets on the simulated dairy cow (SDC) surface can be divided into four categories: random scattering, aggregation, multiple deformations and flow slipping. Sprayed droplets with diameters of 0.56 mm and 0.8 mm exhibit more frequent random scattering than do other droplets. However, this behaviour is unfavourable for cooling the dairy cow body. By analysing the dimensionless parameter B, we find that sprayed droplets with a diameter of 1.1 mm, which have a higher frequency of aggregation, is not conducive for cooling the dairy cow body. However, multiple deformations can contribute to the cooling process of a SDC. By analysing the relationship between We and γ, we can find the range of We and γ in which the behaviour of random scattering and multiple deformations may appear more frequently. The results show that sprayed droplets with diameters of 0.8 mm–1.0 mm exhibit multiple deformations more frequently, which is beneficial for the cooling process of a SDC.
Enrichment of bacteria and alginate lyase genes potentially involved in brown alga degradation in the gut of marine gastropods
Authors: Ito Michihiro , Watanabe Kotaro , Maruyama Toru , Mori Tetsushi , Niwa Kentaro , Chow Seinen , Takeyama Haruko 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGut bacteria of phytophagous and omnivorous marine invertebrates often possess alginate lyases (ALGs), which are key enzymes for utilizing macroalgae as carbon neutral biomass. We hypothesized that the exclusive feeding of a target alga to marine invertebrates would shift the gut bacterial diversity suitable for degrading the algal components. To test this hypothesis, we reared sea hare (Dolabella auricularia) and sea snail (Batillus cornutus) for two to four weeks with exclusive feeding of a brown alga (Ecklonia cava). Pyrosequencing analysis of the gut bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed shifts in the gut microbiota after rearing, mainly due to a decrease in the variety of bacterial members. Significant increases in six and four 16S rRNA gene phylotypes were observed in the reared sea hares and sea snails, respectively, and some of them were phylogenetically close to known alginate-degrading bacteria. Clone library analysis of PL7 family ALG genes using newly designed degenerate primer sets detected a total of 50 ALG gene phylotypes based on 90% amino acid identity. The number of ALG gene phylotypes increased in the reared sea hare but decreased in reared sea snail samples, and no phylotype was shared between them. Out of the 50 phylotypes, 15 were detected only after the feeding procedure. Thus, controlled feeding strategy may be valid and useful for the efficient screening of genes suitable for target alga fermentation.
Indispensable role of β-arrestin2 in the protection of remifentanil preconditioning against hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury
Authors: Yang Yuting , Chen Caiyang , Cui Cui , Jiao Yingfu , Li Peiying , Zhu Ling , Yu Weifeng , Xia Qiang , Wen Daxiang , Yang Liqun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOur previous study demonstrated that remifentanil, an opioid agonist, conferred profound liver protection during hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI), in which Toll-like receptors (TLRs) played a crucial role in mediating the inflammatory responses. β-arrestin2, a well-known mu opioid receptor desensitizer, is also a negatively regulator of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammatory reactions in a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent manner. Using the rodent models of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury both in wild type and TLR4 knockout (TLR4 KO) mice, we found that remifentanil preconditioning could inhibit the expression of TLR4 and reduce the inflammatory response induced by HIRI in wild type but not in TLR4 KO mice. For the in-vitro study, LPS was used to treat RAW264.7 macrophage cells to mimic the inflammatory response induced by HIRI. Remifentanil increased β-arrestin2 expression both in vivo and in vitro, while after silencing β-arrestin2 RNA, the effect of remifentanil in reducing cell death and apoptosis, as well as decreasing phosphorylation of ERK and JNK were abolished in RAW264.7 cells. These data suggested that remifentanil could ameliorate mice HIRI through upregulating β-arrestin2 expression, which may function as a key molecule in bridging opioid receptor and TLR4 pathway.
Chlorophyll Rings around Ocean Eddies in the North Pacific
Authors: Xu Guangjun , Dong Changming , Liu Yu , Gaube Peter , Yang Jingsong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChlorophyll rings (CRs) are defined as elevated chlorophyll along eddy peripheries and have been observed in anticyclonic oceanic eddies occasionally. This study presents observations of CRs around both anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies from a large observational data set. An innovative algorithm is developed to identify CRs from satellite observations of sea level anomalies and near-surface chlorophyll concentration in the North Pacific Ocean between 2003 and 2010. The results show that only 1% of mesoscale eddies are associated with CRs, which implies the CRs are not ubiquitous. We propose two potential generation mechanisms for CRs: horizontal advection and wind-current interaction. The former dominates the formation of about two-thirds of the CRs. The CRs associated with both cyclones and anticyclones represents an important contribution to better understanding of mesoscale physical/biological coupled phenomena.