bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sublethal effects of imidacloprid on the fecundity, longevity, and enzyme activity ofSitobion avenae(Fabricius) andRhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus)
Authors: Lu Y.-H. , Zheng X.-S. , Gao X.-W. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe aphid speciesSitobion avenaeandRhopalosiphum padiare the most important pests in wheat growing regions of many countries. In this study, we investigated the sublethal effects of imidacloprid on fecundity, longevity, and enzyme activity in both aphid species by comparing 3-h exposure for one or three generations. Our results indicated that 3-h exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid for one generation had no discernible effect on the survival, fecundity, longevity, or enzyme activity levels of aphids. However, when pulse exposures to imidacloprid were sustained over three generations, both fecundity and longevity were significantly decreased in bothS. avenaeandR. padi. Interestingly, the fecundity ofR. padihad almost recovered by the F5 generation, but its longevity was still deleteriously affected. These results indicated thatR. padilaid eggs in shorter time lags and has a more fast resilience. The change in reproduction behavior may be a phenomenon ofR. padito compensate its early death. If this is stable for the next generation, it means that the next generation is more competitive than unexposed populations, which could be the reason underlying population outbreaks that occur after longer-term exposure to an insecticide. This laboratory-based study highlights the sublethal effects of imidacloprid on the longevity and fecundity of descendants and provides an empirical basis from which to consider management decisions for chemical control in the field.
Has the use of the linear incision reduced skin complications in bone-anchored hearing aid implantation?
Authors: Roplekar R , Lim A , Hussain S S M 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjective:To compare the skin-related complications of the traditional skin flap method with a linear incision method of implantation.Method:All cases of bone-anchored hearing aid surgery performed by a single surgeon (n= 117) were compared over two periods: 1999–2011, when the traditional method of skin flap and soft tissue removal was used (group 1;n= 86), and 2012–2013, when linear incision without soft tissue removal was used (group 2;n= 31). All patients were followed up for one year and complications were recorded for that period.Results:There were 21 (24.4 per cent) skin-related complications in group 1 (skin overgrowth = 12, wound infection = 8 and numbness = 1) and 3 (9.7 per cent) complications in group 2 (wound infection = 3). Analysis using independentt-tests showed the results to be significant (p< 0.05; 95 per cent confidence interval = 0.0800–0.4473).Conclusion:The linear incision without soft tissue removal method for bone-anchored hearing aid implantation reduces skin complication rates.
The discovery of devil's gardens: an ant–plant mutualism in the cloud forests of the Eastern Amazon
Authors: Salas-Lopez Alex , Talaga Stanislas , Lalagüe Hadrien 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:Devil's gardens are one of the most remarkable mutualistic associations between ants and plants. Myrmelachista ants eliminate all vegetation from around their host plants, resulting in wide forest clearings which have intrigued scientists from the start. Despite their noticeability, here we report the discovery of devil's gardens in remote highland cloud forests of the Eastern Amazon, more than 2000 km away from their nearest known analogues in Western Amazonia. We describe the ecological characteristics of these gardens and consider what factors could have produced the geographic isolation of Eastern Amazonian devil's gardens. Three hypotheses are investigated: (1) the host plant distribution restricts the distribution of the mutualism, (2) the ecological tolerances of Myrmelachista explain the isolation, and (3) the devil's gardens of the Eastern Amazon constitute relicts from ancient forest refugia. The distribution of the possible associated myrmecophytes and previously described ecological ranges of devil's gardens cannot explain their ecological restriction to cloud forests in Eastern Amazonia, but our discovery is consistent with the biogeographic refuge hypothesis (i.e. highlands along the Amazon Basin constitute refugia for humid forests that spread during the Cenozoic). Our finding opens exciting perspectives for comparative studies of the origin, ecology and evolutionary history of this ant–plant mutualism.
Exercise-induced cardiopulmonary arrest in a child with aortic stenosis
Authors: Saiki Hirofumi , Sugimoto Masaya , Senzaki Hideaki 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe beneficial effect of exercise restriction in preventing sudden cardiac death in children with aortic stenosis remains unclear. We report the case of a 15-year-old boy with congenital aortic stenosis who was resuscitated after sudden cardiac arrest during exercise. The case led to the new concept that exercise restriction may prevent not only unpredictable ventricular ischaemic events and associated arrhythmias but also progressive ventricular hypertrophy.
Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a patient with absent inferior caval vein connection: a novel technique using a steerable guide catheter
Authors: Takaya Yoichi , Akagi Teiji , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAn alternative approach for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect is necessary in patients with absent inferior caval vein connection. In this report, we describe the successful transcatheter atrial septal defect closure via the transjugular approach using a steerable guide catheter.
Study of interaction and adsorption of aromatic amines by manganese oxides and their role in chemical evolution
Authors: Bhushan Brij , Nayak Arunima , Kamaluddin  
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe role of manganese oxides in concentrating organic moieties and offering catalytic activity for prebiotic reactions is investigated by studying their interaction with different aromatic amines such as aniline, p-chloroaniline, p-toluidine and p-anisidine. For all amines, metal oxides showed highest adsorption at neutral pH. The order of their adsorption capacity and affinity as revealed by the Langmuir constants was found to be manganosite (MnO) > bixbyite (Mn2O3) > hausmannite (Mn3O4) > and pyrolusite (MnO2). At alkaline pH, these manganese oxides offered their surfaces for oxidation of amines to form coloured oligomers. Analysis of the oxidation products by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed the formation of a dimer from p-anisidine and p-chloroaniline, while a trimer and tetramer is formed from p-toluidine and aniline, respectively. A reaction mechanism is proposed for the formation of the oligomers. While field-emission scanning electron microscopic studies confirm the binding phenomenon, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis suggests that the mechanism of binding of amines on the manganese oxides was primarily electrostatic. The adsorption behaviour of the studied aromatic amines followed the order: p-anisidine > p-toluidine > aniline > p-chloroaniline, which is related to the basicities and structure of the amines. Our studies confirmed the significance of the role of manganese oxides in prebiotic chemistry.
Evidence for the involvement of ASIC3 in sensory mechanotransduction in proprioceptors
Authors: Lin Shing-Hong , Cheng Yuan-Ren , Banks Robert W. , Min Ming-Yuan , Bewick Guy S. , Chen Chih-Cheng 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAcid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is involved in acid nociception, but its possible role in neurosensory mechanotransduction is disputed. We report here the generation ofAsic3-knockout/eGFPf-knockinmice and subsequent characterization of heterogeneous expression of ASIC3 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). ASIC3 is expressed in parvalbumin (Pv+) proprioceptor axons innervating muscle spindles. We further generate a floxed allele ofAsic3(Asic3f/f) and probe the role of ASIC3 in mechanotransduction in neurite-bearing Pv+ DRG neurons through localized elastic matrix movements and electrophysiology. Targeted knockout ofAsic3disrupts spindle afferent sensitivity to dynamic stimuli and impairs mechanotransduction in Pv+ DRG neurons because of substrate deformation-induced neurite stretching, but not to direct neurite indentation. In behavioural tasks, global knockout (Asic3−/−) andPv-Cre::Asic3f/fmice produce similar deficits in grid and balance beam walking tasks. We conclude that, at least in mouse, ASIC3 is a molecular determinant contributing to dynamic mechanosensitivity in proprioceptors.
An unforeseen polymorph of coronene by the application of magnetic fields during crystal growth
Authors: Potticary Jason , Terry Lui R. , Bell Christopher , Papanikolopoulos Alexandros N. , Christianen Peter C. M. , Engelkamp Hans , Collins Andrew M. , Fontanesi Claudio , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , Crampin Simon , Da Como Enrico , Hall Simon R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe continued development of novel drugs, proteins, and advanced materials strongly rely on our ability to self-assemble molecules in solids with the most suitable structure (polymorph) in order to exhibit desired functionalities. The search for new polymorphs remains a scientific challenge, that is at the core of crystal engineering and there has been a lack of effective solutions to this problem. Here we show that by crystallizing the polyaromatic hydrocarbon coronene in the presence of a magnetic field, a polymorph is formed in a β-herringbone structure instead of the ubiquitous γ-herringbone structure, with a decrease of 35° in the herringbone nearest neighbour angle. The β-herringbone polymorph is stable, preserves its structure under ambient conditions and as a result of the altered molecular packing of the crystals, exhibits significant changes to the optical and mechanical properties of the crystal.
MycoDB, a global database of plant response to mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Chaudhary V. Bala , Rúa Megan A. , Antoninka Anita , Bever James D. , Cannon Jeffery , Craig Ashley , Duchicela Jessica , Frame Alicia , Gardes Monique , Gehring Catherine , Ha Michelle , Hart Miranda , Hopkins Jacob , Ji Baoming , Johnson Nancy Collins , Kaonongbua Wittaya , Karst Justine , Koide Roger T. , Lamit Louis J. , Meadow James , Milligan Brook G. , Moore John C. , Pendergast IV Thomas H. , Piculell Bridget , Ramsby Blake , Simard Suzanne , Shrestha Shubha , Umbanhowar James , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , Walters Lawrence , Wilson Gail W. T. , Zee Peter C. , Hoeksema Jason D. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPlants form belowground associations with mycorrhizal fungi in one of the most common symbioses on Earth. However, few large-scale generalizations exist for the structure and function of mycorrhizal symbioses, as the nature of this relationship varies from mutualistic to parasitic and is largely context-dependent. We announce the public release of MycoDB, a database of 4,010 studies (from 438 unique publications) to aid in multi-factor meta-analyses elucidating the ecological and evolutionary context in which mycorrhizal fungi alter plant productivity. Over 10 years with nearly 80 collaborators, we compiled data on the response of plant biomass to mycorrhizal fungal inoculation, including meta-analysis metrics and 24 additional explanatory variables that describe the biotic and abiotic context of each study. We also include phylogenetic trees for all plants and fungi in the database. To our knowledge, MycoDB is the largest ecological meta-analysis database. We aim to share these data to highlight significant gaps in mycorrhizal research and encourage synthesis to explore the ecological and evolutionary generalities that govern mycorrhizal functioning in ecosystems.
Daphnia magna transcriptome by RNA-Seq across 12 environmental stressors
Authors: Orsini Luisa , Gilbert Donald , Podicheti Ram , Jansen Mieke , Brown James B. , Solari Omid Shams , Spanier Katina I. , Colbourne John K. , Rusch Douglas B. , Decaestecker Ellen , Asselman Jana , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C. , Ebert Dieter , Haag Christoph R. , Kvist Jouni , Laforsch Christian , Petrusek Adam , Beckerman Andrew P. , Little Tom J. , Chaturvedi Anurag , Pfrender Michael E. , De Meester Luc , Frilander Mikko J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe full exploration of gene-environment interactions requires model organisms with well-characterized ecological interactions in their natural environment, manipulability in the laboratory and genomic tools. The waterfleaDaphnia magnais an established ecological and toxicological model species, central to the food webs of freshwater lentic habitats and sentinel for water quality. Its tractability and cyclic parthenogenetic life-cycle are ideal to investigate links between genes and the environment. Capitalizing on this unique model system, the STRESSFLEA consortium generated a comprehensive RNA-Seq data set by exposing two inbred genotypes ofD. magnaand a recombinant cross of these genotypes to a range of environmental perturbations. Gene models were constructed from the transcriptome data and mapped onto the draft genome ofD. magnausing EvidentialGene. The transcriptome data generated here, together with the available draft genome sequence ofD. magnaand a high-density genetic map will be a key asset for future investigations in environmental genomics.
BRAID: A Unifying Paradigm for the Analysis of Combined Drug Action
Authors: Twarog Nathaniel R. , Stewart Elizabeth , Hammill Courtney Vowell , Shelat Anang A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWith combination therapies becoming increasingly vital to understanding and combatting disease, a reliable method for analyzing combined dose response is essential. The importance of combination studies both in basic and translational research necessitates a method that can be applied to a wide range of experimental and analytical conditions. However, despite increasing demand, no such unified method has materialized. Here we introduce the Bivariate Response to Additive Interacting Doses (BRAID) model, a response surface model that combines the simplicity and intuitiveness needed for basic interaction classifications with the versatility and depth needed to analyze a combined response in the context of pharmacological and toxicological constraints. We evaluate the model in a series of simulated combination experiments, a public combination dataset, and several experiments on Ewing’s Sarcoma. The resulting interaction classifications are more consistent than those produced by traditional index methods, and show a strong relationship between compound mechanisms and nature of interaction. Furthermore, analysis of fitted response surfaces in the context of pharmacological constraints yields a more concrete prediction of combination efficacy that better agrees with in vivo evaluations.
The photon pair source that survived a rocket explosion
Authors: Tang Zhongkan , Chandrasekara Rakhitha , Tan Yue Chuan , Cheng Cliff , Durak Kadir , Ling Alexander 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe report on the performance of a compact photon pair source that was recovered intact from a failed space launch. The source had been embedded in a nanosatellite and was designed to perform pathfinder experiments leading to global quantum communication networks using spacecraft. Despite the launch vehicle explosion soon after takeoff, the nanosatellite was successfully retrieved from the accident site and the source within it was found to be fully operational. We describe the assembly technique for the rugged source. Post-recovery data is compared to baseline measurements collected before the launch attempt and no degradation in brightness or polarization correlation was observed. The survival of the source through an extreme environment provides strong evidence that it is possible to engineer rugged quantum optical systems.
Event- and time-dependent decline of outcome information in the primate prefrontal cortex
Authors: Marcos Encarni , Tsujimoto Satoshi , Genovesio Aldo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe prefrontal cortex (PF) is involved in outcome-based flexible adaptation in a dynamically changing environment. The outcome signal dissipates gradually over time, but the temporal dynamics of this dissipation remains unknown. To examine this issue, we analyzed the outcome-related activity of PF neurons in 2 monkeys in a distance discrimination task. The initial prestimulus period of this task varied in duration, allowing us to dissociate the effects of time and event on the decline in previous outcome-related activity —previous correct versus previous error. We observed 2 types of decline in previous outcome representation: PF neurons that ceased to encode the previous outcome as time passed (time-dependent) and neurons that maintained their signal but it decreased rapidly after the occurrence of a new external event (event-dependent). Although the time-dependent dynamics explained the decline in a greater proportion of neurons, the event-dependent decline was also observed in a significant population of neurons.
Impacts of biogeographic history and marginal population genetics on species range limits: a case study of Liriodendron chinense
Authors: Yang Aihong , Dick Christopher W. , Yao Xiaohong , Huang Hongwen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSpecies ranges are influenced by past climate oscillations, geographical constraints and adaptive potential to colonize novel habitats at range limits. This study used Liriodendron chinense, an important temperate Asian tree species, as a model system to evaluate the roles of biogeographic history and marginal population genetics in determining range limits. We examined the demographic history and genetic diversity of 29 L. chinense populations using both chloroplast and nuclear microsatellite loci. Significant phylogeographic structure was recovered with haplotype clusters coinciding with major mountain regions. Long-term demographical stability was suggested by mismatch distribution analyses, neutrality tests and ecological niche models (ENM) and suggested the existence of LGM refuges within mountain regions. Differences in genetic diversity between central and marginal populations were not significant for either genomic region. However, asymmetrical gene flow was inferred from central populations to marginal populations, which could potentially limit range adaptation and expansion of L. chinense.
Origin of giant piezoelectric effect in lead-free K1−xNaxTa1−yNbyO3 single crystals
Authors: Tian Hao , Meng Xiangda , Hu Chengpeng , Tan Peng , Cao Xilong , Shi Guang , Zhou Zhongxiang , Zhang Rui 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA series of high-quality, large-sized (maximum size of 16 × 16 × 32 mm3) K1−xNaxTa1−yNbyO3 (x = 0.61, 0.64 and 0.70 and corresponding y = 0.58, 0.60 and 0.63) single crystals were grown using the top-seed solution growth method. The segregation of the crystals, which allowed for precise control of the individual components of the crystals during growth, was investigated. The obtained crystals exhibited excellent properties without being annealed, including a low dielectric loss (0.006), a saturated hysteresis loop, a giant piezoelectric coefficient d33 (d33 = 416 pC/N, determined by the resonance method and d33* = 480 pC/N, measured using a piezo-d33 meter) and a large electromechanical coupling factor, k33 (k33 = 83.6%), which was comparable to that of lead zirconate titanate. The reason the piezoelectric coefficient d33 of K0.39Na0.61Ta0.42Nb0.58O3 was larger than those of the other two crystals grown was elucidated through first-principles calculations. The obtained results indicated that K1−xNaxTa1−yNbyO3 crystals can be used as a high-quality, lead-free piezoelectric material.
Removing entorhinal cortex input to the dentate gyrus does not impede low frequency oscillations, an EEG-biomarker of hippocampal epileptogenesis
Authors: Meyer Martin , Kienzler-Norwood Friederike , Bauer Sebastian , Rosenow Felix , Norwood Braxton A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFollowing prolonged perforant pathway stimulation (PPS) in rats, a seizure-free “latent period” is observed that lasts around 3 weeks. During this time, aberrant neuronal activity occurs, which has been hypothesized to contribute to the generation of an “epileptic” network. This study was designed to 1) examine the pathological network activity that occurs in the dentate gyrus during the latent period, and 2) determine whether suppressing this activity by removing the main input to the dentate gyrus could stop or prolong epileptogenesis. Immediately following PPS, continuous video-EEG monitoring was used to record spontaneous neuronal activity and detect seizures. During the latent period, low frequency oscillations (LFOs), occurring at a rate of approximately 1 Hz, were detected in the dentate gyrus of all rats that developed epilepsy. LFO incidence was apparently random, but often decreased in the hour preceding a spontaneous seizure. Bilateral transection of the perforant pathway did not impact the incidence of hippocampal LFOs, the latency to epilepsy, or hippocampal neuropathology. Our main findings are: 1) LFOs are a reliable biomarker of hippocampal epileptogenesis, and 2) removing entorhinal cortex input to the hippocampus neither reduces the occurrence of LFOs nor has a demonstrable antiepileptogenic effect.
A Stochastic Point Cloud Sampling Method for Multi-Template Protein Comparative Modeling
Authors: Li Jilong , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGenerating tertiary structural models for a target protein from the known structure of its homologous template proteins and their pairwise sequence alignment is a key step in protein comparative modeling. Here, we developed a new stochastic point cloud sampling method, called MTMG, for multi-template protein model generation. The method first superposes the backbones of template structures, and the Cα atoms of the superposed templates form a point cloud for each position of a target protein, which are represented by a three-dimensional multivariate normal distribution. MTMG stochastically resamples the positions for Cα atoms of the residues whose positions are uncertain from the distribution, and accepts or rejects new position according to a simulated annealing protocol, which effectively removes atomic clashes commonly encountered in multi-template comparative modeling. We benchmarked MTMG on 1,033 sequence alignments generated for CASP9, CASP10 and CASP11 targets, respectively. Using multiple templates with MTMG improves the GDT-TS score and TM-score of structural models by 2.96–6.37% and 2.42–5.19% on the three datasets over using single templates. MTMG’s performance was comparable to Modeller in terms of GDT-TS score, TM-score, and GDT-HA score, while the average RMSD was improved by a new sampling approach. The MTMG software is freely available at: http://sysbio.rnet.missouri.edu/multicom_toolbox/mtmg.html.
Chemical State Mapping of Degraded B4C Control Rod Investigated with Soft X-ray Emission Spectrometer in Electron Probe Micro-analysis
Authors: Kasada R. , Ha Y. , Higuchi T. , Sakamoto K. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractB4C is widely used as control rods in light water reactors, such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, because it shows excellent neutron absorption and has a high melting point. However, B4C can melt at lower temperatures owing to eutectic interactions with stainless steel and can even evaporate by reacting with high-temperature steam under severe accident conditions. To reduce the risk of recriticality, a precise understanding of the location and chemical state of B in the melt core is necessary. Here we show that a novel soft X-ray emission spectrometer in electron probe microanalysis can help to obtain a chemical state map of B in a modeled control rod after a high-temperature steam oxidation test.