bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic plasticity in growth and fecundity induced by strong population fluctuations affects reproductive traits of female fish
Authors: Karjalainen Juha , Urpanen Olli , Keskinen Tapio , Huuskonen Hannu , Sarvala Jouko , Valkeajärvi Pentti , Marjomäki Timo J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFish are known for their high phenotypic plasticity in life‐history traits in relation to environmental variability, and this is particularly pronounced among salmonids in the Northern Hemisphere. Resource limitation leads to trade‐offs in phenotypic plasticity between life‐history traits related to the reproduction, growth, and survival of individual fish, which have consequences for the age and size distributions of populations, as well as their dynamics and productivity. We studied the effect of plasticity in growth and fecundity of vendace females on their reproductive traits using a series of long‐term incubation experiments. The wild parental fish originated from four separate populations with markedly different densities, and hence naturally induced differences in their growth and fecundity. The energy allocation to somatic tissues and eggs prior to spawning served as a proxy for total resource availability to individual females, and its effects on offspring survival and growth were analyzed. Vendace females allocated a rather constant proportion of available energy to eggs (per body mass) despite different growth patterns depending on the total resources in the different lakes; investment into eggs thus dictated the share remaining for growth. The energy allocation to eggs per mass was higher in young than in old spawners and the egg size and the relative fecundity differed between them: Young females produced more and smaller eggs and larvae than old spawners. In contrast to earlier observations of salmonids, a shortage of maternal food resources did not increase offspring size and survival. Vendace females in sparse populations with ample resources and high growth produced larger eggs and larvae. Vendace accommodate strong population fluctuations by their high plasticity in growth and fecundity, which affect their offspring size and consequently their recruitment and productivity, and account for their persistence and resilience in the face of high fishing mortality.
Head Pose‐Invariant Eyelid and Iris Tracking Method
Authors: TAMURA KIMIMASA , HASHIMOTO KIYOSHI , AOKI YOSHIMITSU 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYThese days, there is more demand for a camera‐based gaze estimation method for new interfaces and new marketing measurement tools. Considering these applications, the system should track a new user without any operation such as calibration. It should also admit user's natural head pose changes. Previous methods, however, need a calibration procedure before execution and have less accuracy in a head moving situation. In this paper, we propose a method which tracks the user's eyelids and iris automatically and accurately. Our method is a pretreatment of gaze estimation without any calibration and head pose restraint. First of all, we track the facial feature points from an input face image and estimate its head pose, extracting the eye region image. On the eye region image, we track the eyelid shape based on an eyelid shape model generated beforehand from PCA. Finally we track the iris inside the eyelid based on the eyeball model. The eyelid and iris tracking is processed by Particle Filter. An evaluation against a database including head pose changes confirmed that the accuracy of eyelid and iris tracking was improved compared with previous methods.
Evaluation of Residential PV‐EV System for Supply and Demand Balance of Power System
Authors: AACHIQ MUSTAPHA , JUNIOR JOAO GARI DA SILVA FONSECA , OOZEKI TAKASHI , IWAFUNE YUMIKO 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYIn recent years, there has been a growing interest in ecofriendly technologies such as residential photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicles (EVs). PV systems and EVs will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the residential sector and the transportation sector, respectively. In spite of that, high penetration of PV systems into the power grid can cause grid voltage and frequency stability problems. Also, the growth of the EV market will create an extra electricity load (for charging the EV fleet), leading to an increase in power utility fuel costs. In this research, we proposed the usage of the PV‐EV system as a method of mitigating the impact the spread of residential PV systems and EV on the power grid. We built an PV‐EV system simulation model and investigated the PV‐EV system contribution to the balance of power supply and demand and to reducing the total cost of the household under different electricity pricing scenarios. We also evaluated the effect of uncertainty in the forecasting of load and PV output on the performance of the PV‐EV system.
Activation of Si–Si and Si–H Bonds at a Platinum Bis(diphenylphos­phanyl)ferrocene (dppf) Complex: Key Steps for the Catalytic Hydro­genolysis of Disilanes
Authors: Kalläne Sabrina I. , Laubenstein Reik , Braun Thomas , Dietrich Maren 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTreatment of the platinum(0) complex [Pt(dppf)(nbe)] [1; dppf = 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene, nbe = norbornene] with the 1,2‐dihydrodisilanes HPh2SiSiPh2H or HMe2SiSiMe2H gave [Pt(SiR2H)2(dppf)] (2, R = Ph; 4, R = Me) by oxidative addition of the Si–Si bond. The bis‐silyl complexes 2 and 4 react with H2 to give [Pt(H)(SiR2H)(dppf)] (3, R = Ph; 5, R = Me) and H2SiR2. Adding HPh2SiSiPh2H to the hydrido silyl complex 3, which can also be prepared through Si–H activation of H2SiPh2 at 1, resulted in the regeneration of 2 as well as in the release of H2SiPh2. Treatment of HR2SiSiR2H with H2 (1.7 bar) in the presence of 2 or 4 under moderate conditions led to the catalytic formation of H2SiR2 with TONs up to 25. The catalytic conversions are distinguished by a high selectivity for the hydrogenolysis of the 1,2‐dihydrodisilanes, and no significant tendency for redistribution reactions at Si was observed.
Nickel(II)–PPh3 Complexes of S,N‐Substituted Thiosemicarbazones – Structure, DFT Study, and Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Güveli Şükriye , Agopcan Çınar Sesil , Karahan Özlem , Aviyente Viktorya , Ülküseven Bahri 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFive 2‐hydroxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones with [–N4H–R–(SH)] (where R is ethyl or phenyl) and [–N4H–R–(SR1)] (where R/R1 denote methyl/methyl, methyl/propyl, or phenyl/methyl) substituents on the thioamide group were synthesized. The ligands have an ONS or ONN donor set, and the reaction of the dibasic ligands with [Ni(PPh3)2Cl2] yields chelate complexes with general formula [Ni(L)(PPh3)]. The stable solid complexes were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The crystallographic structures of two complexes, one with an S‐methyl‐N4‐phenyl‐ and the other with an S‐propyl‐N4‐methyl‐substituted thiosemicarbazidato ligand, are reported. The complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n, and the nickel centers have a distorted square‐planar environment. The coupling reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with bromobenzene was used to determine the catalytic activities of the nickel(II) complexes prepared, and the results show that the ONN complexes provide higher yields relative to those with ONS donors. The catalytic efficiency of the nickel complexes was modeled by using density functional theory (DFT).
Rare‐Earth Tetracyanidoborate Salts – Structural Features and Properties Including Luminescence of [RE­(H2O)8][B(CN)4]3·nH2O and [RE­(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}][B(CN)4]2 (RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; n ≤ 3)
Authors: Falk Fanni , Hackbarth Liisa , Lochbrunner Stefan , Marciniak Henning , Köckerling Martin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNew tetracyanidoborate salts with hydrated rare‐earth‐metal cations (RE3+) were synthesized by the reactions of rare‐earth‐metal oxides or hydroxides with tetracyanidoboronic acid, H[B(CN)4]·nH2O. Two groups of isostructural compounds were obtained with the formulas [RE(H2O)8][B(CN)4]3·nH2O (structure I) and [RE(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}][B(CN)4]2 (structure II) for RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu and n ≤ 3. Both structures have discrete eight‐coordinate RE3+ complex cations, as [RE(H2O)8]3+ in structure I and [RE(H2O)7{κ1N‐B(CN)4}]2+ in structure II. The heating of the compounds to temperature of ca. 160 °C gives anhydrous samples, but elongated heating to temperatures above ca. 200 °C leads to the slow decomposition of the tetracyanidoborates. The luminescence properties of a solid sample of the anhydrous Tb salt and a solution of the Dy salt were investigated. Both show intense lines in their excitation and emission spectra that were assigned to electronic transitions within the f and d shells.
Rapid and Scalable Synthesis of cis‐Fused Guaiane‐Type Sesquiterpenes
Authors: Serba Christelle , Lagoutte Roman , Winssinger Nicolas 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSesquiterpenes have been a rich source of bioactive compounds and have inspired innovative methodological developments. Herein we report a rapid and scalable synthesis of a substrate for a 4+3 cycloaddition in order to access the cis‐fused bicyclic system of the guaianes. We further show diverse and efficient functionalizations of the bicyclic system. The relative stereochemistry was assigned based on the crystal structure of a key product.
Mercury correlations among blood, muscle, and hair of northern elephant seals during the breeding and molting fasts
Authors: Peterson Sarah H. , Ackerman Joshua T. , Costa Daniel P. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring and toxicological risk assessments for marine mammals commonly sample different tissues, making comparisons with toxicity benchmarks and among species and regions difficult. Few studies have examined how life-history events, such as fasting, influence the relationship between total Hg (THg) concentrations in different tissues. The authors evaluated the relationships between THg concentrations in blood, muscle, and hair of female and male northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) at the start and end of the breeding and molting fasts. The relationships between tissues varied among tissue pairs and differed by sampling period and sex. Blood and muscle were generally related at all time periods; however, hair, an inert tissue, did not strongly represent the metabolically active tissues (blood and muscle) at all times of year. The strongest relationships between THg concentrations in hair and those in blood or muscle were observed during periods of active hair growth (end of the molting period) or during time periods when internal body conditions were similar to those when the hair was grown (end of the breeding fast). The results indicate that THg concentrations in blood or muscle can be translated to the other tissue type using the equations developed but that THg concentrations in hair were generally a poor index of internal THg concentrations except during the end of fasting periods. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2103–2110. © 2016 SETAC
Sex-specific changes in thyroid gland function and circulating thyroid hormones in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) following embryonic exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers by maternal transfer
Authors: Fernie Kim J. , Marteinson Sarah C. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

High concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulate in predatory birds. Several PBDE congeners are considered thyroid disruptors; however, avian studies are limited. The authors examined circulating thyroid hormones and thyroid gland function of nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) at 17 d to 20 d of age, following embryonic exposure by maternal transfer only to environmentally relevant levels of PBDEs (DE-71 technical mixture). Nestlings were exposed to in ovo sum (Σ) PBDE concentrations of 11 301 ± 95 ng/g wet weight (high exposure), 289 ± 33 ng/g wet weight (low exposure), or 3.0 ± 0.5 ng/g wet weight (controls, background exposure). Statistical comparisons are made to controls of the respective sexes and account for the relatedness of siblings within broods. Circulating concentrations of plasma total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) in female nestlings were significantly influenced overall by the exposure to DE-71. Following intramuscular administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone, the temporal response of the thyroid gland in producing and/or releasing TT4 was also significantly affected by the females' exposure to DE-71. The altered availability of T4 for conversion to T3 outside of the gland and/or changes in thyroid-related enzymatic activity may explain the lower TT3 concentrations (baseline, overall) and moderately altered temporal TT3 patterns (p = 0.06) of the treatment females. Controlling for the significant effect on TT3 levels of the delayed hatching of treatment females, baseline TT3 levels were significantly and positively correlated with body mass (10 d, 15 d, 20 d), with PBDE-exposed females generally being smaller and having lower TT3 concentrations. Given that exposure concentrations were environmentally relevant, similar thyroidal changes and associated thyroid-mediated processes relating to growth may also occur in wild female nestlings. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2084–2091. © 2016 SETAC
Possible Involvement of the Inhibition of NF‐κB Factor in Anti‐Inflammatory Actions That Melatonin Exerts on Mast Cells
Authors: Maldonado M.D. , García‐Moreno H. , González‐Yanes C. , Calvo J.R. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTMelatonin is a molecule endogenously produced in a wide variety of immune cells, including mast cells (RBL‐2H3). It exhibits immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties. The physiologic mechanisms underlying these activities of melatonin have not been clarified in mast cells. This work is designed to determine the anti‐inflammatory effect and mechanism of action of melatonin on activated mast cells. RBL‐2H3 were pre‐treated with exogenous melatonin (MELx) at physiological (100nM) and pharmacological (1 mM) doses for 30 min, washed and activated with PMACI (phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187) for 2 h and 12 h. The data shows that pre‐treatment of MELx in stimulated mast cells, significantly reduced the levels of endogenous melatonin production (MELn), TNF‐α and IL‐6. These effects are directly related with the MELx concentration used. MELx also inhibited IKK/NF‐κB signal transduction pathway in stimulated mast cells. These results indicate a molecular basis for the ability of melatonin to prevent inflammation and for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases through the down‐regulation of mast cell activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1926–1933, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ECM‐Dependence of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Features
Authors: Siavashi Vahid , Nassiri Seyed Mahdi , Rahbarghazi Reza , Vafaei Rana , Sariri Reyhaneh 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTPreserving self‐renewal, multipotent capacity, and large‐scale expansion of highly functional progenitor cells, including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), is a controversial issue. These current limitations, therefore, raise the need of developing promising in vitro conditions for prolonged expansion of EPCs without loss of their stemness feature. In the current study, the possible role of three different natural extracellular substrates, including collagen, gelatin, and fibronectin, on multiple parameters of EPCs such as cell morphology, phenotype, clonogenic, and vasculogenic properties was scrutinized. Next, EPCs from GFP‐positive mice were pre‐expanded on each of these ECM substrates and then systemically transplanted into sublethaly irradiated mice to analyze the potency of these cells for marrow reconstitution. Our results revealed considerable promise for fibronectin for EPC expansion with maintenance of stemness characteristics, whereas gelatin and collagen matrices directed the cells toward a mature endothelial phenotype. Transplantation of EPCs pre‐expanded on fibronectin resulted in widespread distribution and appropriate engraftment to various tissues with habitation in close association with the microvasculature. In addition, fibronectin pre‐expanded cells were gradually enriched in the bone marrow after transplantation, resulting in marrow repopulation and hematologic recovery, leading to improved survival of recipient mice whereas gelatin‐ and collagen‐expanded cells failed to reconstitute the bone marrow. This study demonstrated that, cell characteristics of in vitro expanded EPCs are determined by the subjacent matrix. Fibronectin‐expanded EPCs are heralded as a source of great promise for bone marrow reconstitution and neo‐angiogenesis in therapeutic bone marrow transplantation. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1934–1946, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of female Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Hui , Li Bo‐Liao , Li Chuan‐Ren 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTPhyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) is an important pest of Brassicaceae in Southeast Asia and North America. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed the external structure, number, and distribution of the antennal sensilla in P. striolata females to discuss the putative function of these sensilla in host location and oviposition behaviors. The antenna of female P. striolata is filiform, composed of a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum with 9 flagellomeres. Five types of sensilla were identified, including sensilla cheaetica, sensilla trichodea, Böhm bristles, sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica (five subtypes, SB1–SB2). External structure and distribution of antennal sensilla are compared with data from other insect species. In addition, we discuss the possible functions of antennal sensilla based on their characteristics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:219–226, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alterations of neocortico‐limbic association fibers and correlation with diet in prediabetes diagnosed by impaired fasting glucose
Authors: Hou Yi‐Cheng , Yang Shwu‐Huey , Wu Yu‐Te , Lai Chien‐Han 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo assess the existence of alterations in the micro‐integrity of the fasciculus in prediabetic subjects. The issue of micro‐integrity in white matter tracts has not been adequately addressed in prediabetes.Materials and MethodsSixty‐four prediabetic subjects and 54 controls were enrolled. All participants completed 24‐hour diet records and 3‐day diet records and received diffusion tensor imaging at 3T. The data for white matter micro‐integrity were analyzed and compared between prediabetic subjects and controls with age and gender as covariates. In addition, voxel‐wise regression between white matter micro‐integrity, diet, and preprandial glucose levels were used to explore the relationship between white matter micro‐integrity and diet or serum glucose levels.ResultsWe found that prediabetic subjects had significant reductions in the micro‐integrity of bilateral anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and left superior longitudinal fasciculus (corrected P < 0.05). In addition, total carbohydrate intake amount and preprandial serum glucose levels were negatively correlated with the micro‐integrity in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and left anterior thalamic radiation (r: –0.47, corrected P < 0.05).ConclusionRestrictive alterations in the white matter micro‐integrity of the anterior thalamic radiation and inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi might represent the initial “hot spots” for white matter tract alterations, which might play a role in the development of prediabetes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1500–1506.
The Impact of Heavy Grazing on Soil Quality and Pasture Production in Rangelands of SW Spain
Authors: Pulido Manuel , Schnabel Susanne , Lavado Contador Joaquín Francisco , Lozano‐Parra Javier , González Francisco 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSoil degradation phenomena, including water erosion and physical and biological processes, have already been reported in rangelands of southwestern Spain. The increasing numbers of livestock since 1986 have been highlighted as one of the key causes. The main goal of this work is to analyse the effects of the excessive number of animals on soil quality and pasture production on privately owned farms dedicated to extensive ranching. Soil properties and surface cover, pasture production, rainfall and land management variables such as livestock density were analysed during a period of 3 years (2008–2011). The study was carried out in 22 livestock enclosures selected from ten farms distributed throughout the Spanish region of Extremadura. The occurrence of bare soil patches and water erosion processes, as well as an increase of mean bulk density in the soil layer from 5 to 10 cm in depth, was observed in the enclosures with animal stocking rates exceeding 1 AU ha−1. Indications that confirm the negative effects of increased bulk density on pasture production and quality were also found. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fractionated bipolar radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency potentiated by infrared light for treating striae: A prospective randomized, comparative trial with objective evaluation
Authors: Harmelin Yona , Boineau Dominique , Cardot‐Leccia Nathalie , Fontas Eric , Bahadoran Philippe , Becker Anne‐lise , Montaudié Henri , Castela Emeline , Perrin Christophe , Lacour Jean‐Philippe , Passeron Thierry 
Published: January 2016

Background and ObjectiveVery few treatments for striae are based on prospective randomized trials. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of bipolar fractional radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency potentiated with infrared light, alone or combined, for treating abdominal stretch marks.Study Design/Materials and MethodsBicentric prospective interventional randomized controlled trial in the department of Dermatology of University Hospital of Nice and Aesthetics Laser Center of Bordeaux, France. Men and women of age 18 years or above, who presented for the treatment of mature or immature abdominal striae were included. The patients’ abdomens were divided into four equal quadrants. Bipolar radiofrequency potentiated with infrared light and fractional bipolar radiofrequency were applied, alone or combined, and compared to the remaining untreated quadrant. The main criterion of evaluation was the measurement of depth of striae, using 3D photography at 6 months follow‐up. A global assessment was also rated by the physician performing the treatment and by the patients. Histological analysis and confocal laser microscopy were additionally performed.ResultsA total of 22 patients were enrolled, and 384 striae were measured. In per protocol analysis mean striae depth was decreased by 21.64%, observed at 6 months follow‐up with the combined approach, compared to an increase of 1.73% in the control group (P < 0.0001). No significant difference in striae width was observed between the treated or control quadrants. Global assessment by the physician who performed the treatment and by the patient both showed greater improved with the combination treatment compared to control areas (P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively). A more homogeneous interlacing pattern and thicker collagen fibers with a decreased proportion of elastic fibers was observed after treatment.ConclusionFractional bipolar radiofrequency, combined with bipolar radiofrequency potentiated by infrared light, is an effective treatment of both immature and mature striae of the abdomen. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:245–253, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.