bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal rearrangements, phenotypic variation and modularity: a case study from a contact zone between house mouse Robertsonian races in Central Italy
Authors: Franchini Paolo , Colangelo Paolo , Meyer Axel , Fruciano Carmelo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe Western European house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, is well‐known for the high frequency of Robertsonian fusions that have rapidly produced more than 50 karyotipic races, making it an ideal model for studying the mechanisms of chromosomal speciation. The mouse mandible is one of the traits studied most intensively to investigate the effect of Robertsonian fusions on phenotypic variation within and between populations. This complex bone structure has also been widely used to study the level of integration between different morphogenetic units. Here, with the aim of testing the effect of different karyotypic assets on the morphology of the mouse mandible and on its level of modularity, we performed morphometric analyses of mice from a contact area between two highly metacentric races in Central Italy. We found no difference in size, while the mandible shape was found to be different between the two Robertsonian races, even after accounting for the genetic relationships among individuals and geographic proximity. Our results support the existence of two modules that indicate a certain degree of evolutionary independence, but no difference in the strength of modularity between chromosomal races. Moreover, the ascending ramus showed more pronounced interpopulation/race phenotypic differences than the alveolar region, an effect that could be associated to their different polygenic architecture. This study suggests that chromosomal rearrangements play a role in the house mouse phenotypic divergence, and that the two modules of the mouse mandible are differentially affected by environmental factors and genetic makeup.
Sperm performance in conspecific and heterospecific female fluid
Authors: Cramer Emily R. A. , Stensrud Even , Marthinsen Gunnhild , Hogner Silje , Johannessen Lars Erik , Laskemoen Terje , Eybert Marie‐Christine , Slagsvold Tore , Lifjeld Jan T. , Johnsen Arild 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDivergent sexual selection within allopatric populations may result in divergent sexual phenotypes, which can act as reproductive barriers between populations upon secondary contact. This hypothesis has been most tested on traits involved in precopulatory sexual selection, with less work focusing on traits that act after copulation and before fertilization (i.e., postcopulatory prezygotic traits), particularly in internally fertilizing vertebrates. However, postcopulatory sexual selection within species can also drive trait divergence, resulting in reduced performance of heterospecific sperm within the female reproductive tract. Such incompatibilities, arising as a by‐product of divergent postcopulatory sexual selection in allopatry, can represent reproductive barriers, analogous to species‐assortative mating preferences. Here, we tested for postcopulatory prezygotic reproductive barriers between three pairs of taxa with diverged sperm phenotypes and moderate‐to‐high opportunity for postcopulatory sexual selection (barn swallowsHirundo rusticaversus sand martinsRiparia riparia, two subspecies of bluethroats,Luscinia svecica svecicaversusL. s. namnetum,and great titsParus majorversus blue titsCyanistes caeruleus). We tested sperm swimming performance in fluid from the outer reproductive tract of females, because the greatest reduction in sperm number in birds occurs as sperm swim across the vagina. Contrary to our expectations, sperm swam equally well in fluid from conspecific and heterospecific females, suggesting that postcopulatory prezygotic barriers do not act between these taxon pairs, at this stage between copulation and fertilization. We therefore suggest that divergence in sperm phenotypes in allopatry is insufficient to cause widespread postcopulatory prezygotic barriers in the form of impaired sperm swimming performance in passerine birds.
Improved spatial delineation of streambed properties and water fluxes using distributed temperature sensing
Authors: Halloran Landon J. S. , Roshan Hamid , Rau Gabriel C. , Andersen Martin S. , Acworth R. Ian 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA new method was developed for analysing and delineating streambed water fluxes, flow conditions and hydraulic properties using coiled fibre‐optic distributed temperature sensing or closely spaced discrete temperature sensors. This method allows for a thorough treatment of the spatial information embedded in temperature data by creating a matrix visualization of all possible sensor pairs. Application of the method to a 5‐day field dataset reveals the complexity of shallow streambed thermal regimes. To understand how velocity estimates are affected by violations of assumptions of one‐dimensional, saturated, homogeneous flow and to aid in the interpretation of field observations, the method was also applied to temperature data generated by numerical models of common field conditions: horizontal layering, presence of lateral flow and variable streambed saturation. The results show that each condition creates a distinct signature visible in the triangular matrices. The matrices are used to perform a comparison of the behaviour of one‐dimensional analytical heat‐tracing models. The results show that the amplitude ratio‐based method of velocity calculation leads to the most reliable estimates. The minimum sensor spacing required to obtain reliable velocity estimates with discrete sensors is also investigated using field data. The developed method will aid future heat‐tracing studies by providing a technique for visualizing and comparing results from fibre‐optic distributed temperature sensing installations and testing the robustness of analytical heat‐tracing models. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesenchymal stem cells and alginate microcarriers for craniofacial bone tissue engineering: A review
Authors: Saltz Adam , Kandalam Umadevi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCraniofacial bone is a complex structure with an intricate anatomical and physiological architecture. The defects that exist in this region therefore require a precise control of osteogenesis in their reconstruction. Unlike traditional surgical intervention, tissue engineering techniques mediate bone development with limited postoperative risk and cost. Alginate stands as the premier polymer in bone repair because of its mild ionotropic gelation and excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and injectability. Alginate microcarriers are candidates of choice to mediate cells and accommodate into 3‐D environment. Several studies reported the use of alginate microcarriers for delivering cells, drugs, and growth factors. This review will explore the potential use of alginate microcarrier for stem cell systems and its application in craniofacial bone tissue engineering. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1276–1284, 2016.
In situ plasma fabrication of ceramic‐like structure on polymeric implant with enhanced surface hardness, cytocompatibility and antibacterial capability
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhang Wei , Shi Haigang , Yang Kun , Wang Gexia , Wang Pingli , Ji Junhui , Chu Paul K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPolymeric materials are commonly found in orthopedic implants due to their unique mechanical properties and biocompatibility but the poor surface hardness and bacterial infection hamper many biomedical applications. In this study, a ceramic‐like surface structure doped with silver is produced by successive plasma implantation of silicon (Si) and silver (Ag) into the polyamine 66 (PA66) substrate. Not only the surface hardness and elastic modulus are greatly enhanced due to the partial surface carbonization and the ceramic‐like structure produced by the reaction between energetic Si and the carbon chain of PA66, but also the antibacterial activity is improved because of the combined effects rendered by Ag and SiC structure. Furthermore, the modified materials which exhibit good cytocompatibility upregulate bone‐related genes and proteins expressions of the contacted bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). For the first time, it explores out that BMSCs osteogenesis on the antibacterial ceramic‐like structure is mediated via the iNOS and nNOS signal pathways. The results reveal that in situ plasma fabrication of an antibacterial ceramic‐like structure can endow PA66 with excellent surface hardness, cytocompatibility, as well as antibacterial capability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1102–1112, 2016.
Activation of mTORC1 in B Lymphocytes Promotes Osteoclast Formation via Regulation of β-Catenin and RANKL/OPG
Authors: Xu Song , Zhang Yue , Liu Bin , Li Kai , Huang Bin , Yan Bo , Zhang Zhongmin , Liang Kangyan , Jia Chunhong , Lin Jun , Zeng Chun , Cai Daozhang , Jin Dadi , Jiang Yu , Bai Xiaochun 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

The cytokine receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) induces osteoclast formation from monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. However, the mechanisms by which RANKL expression is controlled in cells that support osteoclast differentiation are still unclear. We show that deletion of TSC1 (tuberous sclerosis complex 1) in murine B cells causes constitutive activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and stimulates RANKL but represses osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and subsequently promotes osteoclast formation and causes osteoporosis in mice. Furthermore, the regulation of RANKL/OPG and stimulation of osteoclastogenesis by mTORC1 was confirmed in a variety of RANKL-expressing cells and in vivo. Mechanistically, mTORC1 controls RANKL/OPG expression through negative feedback inactivation of Akt, destabilization of β-catenin mRNA, and downregulation of β-catenin. Our findings demonstrate that mTORC1 activation-stimulated RANKL expression in B cells is sufficient to induce bone loss and osteoporosis. The study also established a link between mTORC1 and the RANKL/OPG axis via negative regulation of β-catenin. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Baleen wear reveals intraoral water flow patterns of mysticete filter feeding
Authors: Werth Alexander J. , Straley Janice M. , Shadwick Robert E. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTA survey of macroscopic and microscopic wear patterns in the baleen of eight whale species (Cetacea: Mysticeti) discloses structural, functional, and life history properties of this neomorphic keratinous tissue, including evidence of intraoral water flow patterns involved in filter feeding. All baleen demonstrates wear, particularly on its medial and ventral edges, as flat outer layers of cortical keratin erode to reveal horn tubes, also of keratin, which emerge as hair‐like fringes. This study quantified five additional categories of specific wear: pitting of plates, scratching of plates, scuffing of fringes, shortening of fringes, and reorientation of fringes (including fringes directed between plates to the exterior of the mouth). Blue whale baleen showed the most pitting and sei whale baleen the most scratching; gray whale baleen had the most fringe wear. The location of worn baleen within the mouth suggests that direct contact with the tongue is not responsible for most wear, and that flowing water as well as abrasive prey or sediment carried by the flowing water likely causes pitting and scratching of plates as well as fringe fraying, scuffing, shortening, and reorientation. Baleen also has elevated vertical and horizontal ridges that are unrelated to wear; these are probably related to growth and may allow for age determination. J. Morphol. 277:453–471, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does hydration status affect MRI measures of brain volume or water content?
Authors: Meyers Sandra M. , Tam Roger , Lee Jimmy S. , Kolind Shannon H. , Vavasour Irene M. , Mackie Emilie , Zhao Yinshan , Laule Cornelia , Mädler Burkhard , Li David K.B. , MacKay Alex L. , Traboulsee Anthony L. 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo determine whether differences in hydration state, which could arise from routine clinical procedures such as overnight fasting, affect brain total water content (TWC) and brain volume measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsTwenty healthy volunteers were scanned with a 3T MR scanner four times: day 1, baseline scan; day 2, hydrated scan after consuming 3L of water over 12 hours; day 3, dehydrated scan after overnight fasting of 9 hours, followed by another scan 1 hour later for reproducibility. The following MRI data were collected: T2 relaxation (for TWC measurement), inversion recovery (for T1 measurement), and 3D T1‐weighted (for brain volumes). Body weight and urine specific gravity were also measured. TWC was calculated by fitting the T2 relaxation data with a nonnegative least‐squares algorithm, with corrections for T1 relaxation and image signal inhomogeneity and normalization to ventricular cerebrospinal fluid. Brain volume changes were measured using SIENA. TWC means were calculated within 14 tissue regions.ResultsDespite indications of dehydration as demonstrated by increases in urine specific gravity (P = 0.03) and decreases in body weight (P = 0.001) between hydrated and dehydrated scans, there was no measurable change in TWC (within any brain region) or brain volume between hydration states.ConclusionWe demonstrate that within a range of physiologic conditions commonly encountered in routine clinical scans (no pretreatment with hydration, well hydrated before MRI, and overnight fasting), brain TWC and brain volumes are not substantially affected in a healthy control cohort. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:296–304.
Contribution of mechanical unloading to trabecular bone loss following non‐invasive knee injury in mice
Authors: Anderson Matthew J. , Diko Sindi , Baehr Leslie M. , Baar Keith , Bodine Sue C. , Christiansen Blaine A. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTDevelopment of osteoarthritis commonly involves degeneration of epiphyseal trabecular bone. In previous studies, we observed 30–44% loss of epiphyseal trabecular bone (BV/TV) from the distal femur within 1 week following non‐invasive knee injury in mice. Mechanical unloading (disuse) may contribute to this bone loss; however, it is unclear to what extent the injured limb is unloaded following injury, and whether disuse can fully account for the observed magnitude of bone loss. In this study, we investigated the contribution of mechanical unloading to trabecular bone changes observed following non‐invasive knee injury in mice (female C57BL/6N). We investigated changes in gait during treadmill walking, and changes in voluntary activity level using Open Field analysis at 4, 14, 28, and 42 days post‐injury. We also quantified epiphyseal trabecular bone using μCT and weighed lower‐limb muscles to quantify atrophy following knee injury in both ground control and hindlimb unloaded (HLU) mice. Gait analysis revealed a slightly altered stride pattern in the injured limb, with a decreased stance phase and increased swing phase. However, Open Field analysis revealed no differences in voluntary movement between injured and sham mice at any time point. Both knee injury and HLU resulted in comparable magnitudes of trabecular bone loss; however, HLU resulted in considerably more muscle loss than knee injury, suggesting another mechanism contributing to bone loss following injury. Altogether, these data suggest that mechanical unloading likely contributes to trabecular bone loss following non‐invasive knee injury, but the magnitude of this bone loss cannot be fully explained by disuse. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1680–1687, 2016.
Patterns and drivers of carbohydrate budgets in ice algal assemblages from first year Arctic sea ice
Authors: Aslam Shazia N. , Michel Christine , Niemi Andrea , Underwood Graham J. C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOngoing changes in sea ice distribution will have major implications for the ecology of the Arctic Ocean. First year ice (FYI) supports abundant ice‐algae communities that produce dissolved and particulate carbohydrates, including extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are significant carbon sources, influence ice formation and microbial survival within sea ice, and water column carbon cycling following ice melt. Key drivers of the distribution and composition of these carbohydrates are poorly characterised. Carbohydrates and chlorophyll a concentrations were linearly related in springtime bottom FYI at 36 sites in the Canadian Archipelago region, with high levels of spatial heterogeneity. Nanoeukaryote cell density and phosphate concentration were strong drivers of total and dissolved carbohydrate and uronic acid concentrations. Particulate carbohydrates were strongly related to total bacterial abundance. Dissolved carbohydrates contributed 77% of total carbohydrate: the most abundant (51%) size fraction being dissolved carbohydrates < 8 kDa in size, with dissolved EPS contributing 7% to total carbohydrate. Carbohydrate fractions differed in monosaccharide profiles; dissolved components being glucose rich; particulate EPS containing more mannose, xylose, fucose and arabinose. These profiles corresponded to those of cultured sea‐ice diatoms. Microbial abundance, silicate, nitrate and phosphate concentration and ice thickness were important environmental drivers, with thicker ice containing relatively more particulate EPS, with thinner ice containing high amounts of glucose‐rich smaller‐sized carbohydrate moieties. Changes in ice characteristics will alter the relative balance of labile and refractory carbohydrates generated within bottom ice layers, with implications for food webs and carbon turnover in the warming Arctic Ocean.
Effects of amorphous poly(3‐hexylthiophene) on active‐layer structure and solar cells performance
Authors: Liu Chung‐Hao , Tseng Wei‐Hsuan , Cheng Chih‐Yang , Wu Chih‐I , Chou Pi‐Tai , Tung Shih‐Huang 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTA key challenge to the development of polymer‐based organic solar cells is the issue of long‐term stability, which is mainly caused by the unstable time‐dependent morphology of active layers. In this study, poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/[6,6]‐phenyl C60‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend is used as a model system to demonstrate that the long‐term stability of power conversion efficiency can be significantly improved by the addition of a small amount of amorphous regiorandom P3HT into semicrystalline regioregular one. The optical properties measured by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence reveal that regiorandom P3HT can intimately mix with PCBM and prevent the segregation of PCBM. In addition, X‐ray scattering techniques were adopted to evidence the retardation of phase separation between P3HT and PCBM when regiorandom P3HT is added, which is further confirmed by optical microscopy that shows a reduction of large PCBM crystals after annealing at high temperature in the presence of regiorandom P3HT. The improvement of the long‐term stability is attributed to the capability of amorphous P3HT to be thermodynamically miscible with PCBM, which allows the active layer to form a more stable structure that evolves slower and hence decelerates the device decay. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 975–985
Aging and computational systems biology
Authors: Mooney Kathleen M. , Morgan Amy E. , Mc Auley Mark T. 
Published: January 2016

Aging research is undergoing a paradigm shift, which has led to new and innovative methods of exploring this complex phenomenon. The systems biology approach endeavors to understand biological systems in a holistic manner, by taking account of intrinsic interactions, while also attempting to account for the impact of external inputs, such as diet. A key technique employed in systems biology is computational modeling, which involves mathematically describing and simulating the dynamics of biological systems. Although a large number of computational models have been developed in recent years, these models have focused on various discrete components of the aging process, and to date no model has succeeded in completely representing the full scope of aging. Combining existing models or developing new models may help to address this need and in so doing could help achieve an improved understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms which underpin aging. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:123–139. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1328This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
A folded-sandwich polarization-entangled two-color photon pair source with large tuning capability for applications in hybrid quantum systems
Authors: Dietz Otto , Müller Chris , Kreißl Thomas , Herzog Ulrike , Kroh Tim , Ahlrichs Andreas , Benson Oliver 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
We demonstrate a two-color entangled photon pair source which can be adapted easily to a wide range of wavelength combinations. A Fresnel rhomb as a geometrical quarter-wave plate and a versatile combination of compensation crystals are key components of the source. Entanglement of two photons at the Cs D1 line (894.3 nm) and at the telecom O-band (1313.1 nm) with a fidelity of

$$F=0.753 \pm 0.021$$

F
=
0.753
±
0.021

is demonstrated, and improvements of the setup are discussed.
Efficient Synthesis of Octacosanol Linoleate Catalyzed by Ionic Liquid and Its Structure Characterization
Authors: He Wen‐Sen , Liu Qiao , Yu Huan , Si Xiao‐Jing , Zhang Jin‐Ku 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOctacosanol, as the major active policosanol, has attracted much attention due to the potential beneficial effects for human health. However, free octacosanol has a high melting point, poor oil solubility and low bioavailability, which greatly restricts its practical application. In this study, we report a highly efficient method for an ionic liquids (IL)‐catalyzed synthesis of octacosanol ester by direct esterification with linoleic acid. The synthesized product was purified, subsequently characterized by FT‐IR, MS and NMR and finally confirmed to be octacosanol linoleate. The reaction parameters were investigated and the conversion reached 91.3 ± 4.8 % under the optimum conditions: IL 1‐butylsulfonate‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([BSO3HMim][HSO4]) as catalyst, IL dose 1.5 % (related to the mass of both reactants), 1:1 molar ratio of octacosanol to linoleic acid, 80 °C, and 1 h. The melting point and oil solubility of octacosanol were greatly improved by esterification with linoleic acid, facilitating the incorporation into a variety of oil‐based systems.
Symmetric experimental designs: conditions for equivalence of panel data estimators
Authors: Oaxaca Ronald L. , Dickinson David L. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper
specifies the panel data experimental design condition under which ordinary least squares, fixed effects, and random effects estimators yield identical estimates of treatment effects. This condition is relevant to the large body of laboratory experimental research that generates panel data. Although the point estimates and the true standard errors of the estimated average treatment effects are identical across the three estimators, the estimated standard errors differ. A standard F test as well as asymptotic reasoning guide the choice of which estimated standard errors are the appropriate ones to use for statistical inference.