bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STEM study of Li4Ti5O12 anode material modified with Ag nanoparticles
Authors: ANDRZEJCZUK M. , ROGUSKA A. , MICHALSKA M. , LIPIŃSKA L. , CZERWIŃSKI A. , CANTONI M. , KRAWCZYŃSKA A.T. , LEWANDOWSKA M. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryComprehensive scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) powder modified by deposited Ag nanoparticles was performed. Nanocomposite powders with Ag content of 1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 10 wt.% were fabricated in a chemical process from suspensions of Ag and LTO. Apart from the STEM results, the presence of pure silver on the surface of the ceramic powder was confirmed by XRD and XPS analyses. The silver particles deposited on the LTO particles were characterized using the EDS mapping technique. The quantified results of the EDS mapping showed a relatively homogenous distribution of silver nanoparticles on the powder surface for every metal content. The mean diameter of the nanoparticles deposited on the LTO powder was about 4 nm in all cases. An increase in the Ag content during chemical surface modification did not cause changes in the microstructure. Focusing on an analysis of the metallic nanoparticles on the ceramic powder, electron tomography was used as an investigative technique. A very precise analysis of three‐dimensional nanostructures is desirable for a comprehensive analysis of complex materials. The quantified analysis of the Ag nanoparticles visualized using electron tomography confirmed the results of the size measurements taken from the two‐dimensional EDS maps.
3D scanning and printing skeletal tissues for anatomy education
Authors: Thomas Daniel B. , Hiscox Jessica D. , Dixon Blair J. , Potgieter Johan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDetailed anatomical models can be produced with consumer‐level 3D scanning and printing systems. 3D replication techniques are significant advances for anatomical education as they allow practitioners to more easily introduce diverse or numerous specimens into classrooms. Here we present a methodology for producing anatomical models in‐house, with the chondrocranium cartilage from a spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and the skeleton of a cane toad (Rhinella marina) as case studies. 3D digital replicas were produced using two consumer‐level scanners and specimens were 3D‐printed with selective laser sintering. The fidelity of the two case study models was determined with respect to key anatomical features. Larger‐scale features of the dogfish chondrocranium and frog skeleton were all well‐resolved and distinct in the 3D digital models, and many finer‐scale features were also well‐resolved, but some more subtle features were absent from the digital models (e.g. endolymphatic foramina in chondrocranium). All characters identified in the digital chondrocranium could be identified in the subsequent 3D print; however, three characters in the 3D‐printed frog skeleton could not be clearly delimited (palatines, parasphenoid and pubis). Characters that were absent in the digital models or 3D prints had low‐relief in the original scanned specimen and represent a minor loss of fidelity. Our method description and case studies show that minimal equipment and training is needed to produce durable skeletal specimens. These technologies support the tailored production of models for specific classes or research aims.
Therapeutic effects of Wharton jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on rat abortion models
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Yang Xiaoqing , Wu Rongrong , Chen Weiwei , Xie Huihui , Qian Xia , Zhang Yuquan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Wharton jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ‐MSC) in a spontaneous‐abortion rat model.MethodsAn abortion model was established using intravenous injection of bromocriptine. WJ‐MSC were isolated and cultured from Wharton jelly of the human umbilical cord. The pathologic changes of placenta decidual tissues were observed after hematoxylin–eosin staining. The embryo absorption rate was counted. The protein and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)‐10, interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐17 in each group were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsAfter bromocriptine injection, decidual cells degenerated and the connections between them loosened. Furthermore, some of the decidual cells were necrotic and the nuclei had disappeared. However, the transplantation of a large population of WJ‐MSC prevented these damages from occurring. The changes of levels of IL‐10, IFN‐γ and IL‐17 in serum and placenta decidual tissues induced by bromocriptine were well restored by a high, but not a low, dose of WJ‐MSC engraft.ConclusionWJ‐MSC can ameliorate early pregnancy loss. The mechanism may be related to its upregulation of IL‐10 and downregulation of IFN‐γ and IL‐17.
Examining Discrimination, Ethnic‐Racial Identity Status, and Youth Public Regard Among Black, Latino, and White Adolescents
Authors: Douglass Sara , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. 
Published: May 2016

How positively adolescents believe others feel about their ethnic‐racial group (i.e., public regard) is an important part of their ethnic‐racial identity (ERI), which is likely informed by contextual and individual factors. Using cluster analyses to generate ERI statuses among Black, Latino, and White adolescents (n = 1,378), we found that associations between peer versus adult discrimination and public regard varied across ERI status and ethnic‐racial group. However, among all adolescents, an achieved ERI (i.e., having explored ethnicity‐race and having a clear sense about its personal meaning) buffered the negative association between adult discrimination and public regard, but not between peer discrimination and public regard. Implications for understanding the interplay between contextual and individual factors for public regard are discussed.
Neonatal encephalopathy in New Zealand: Demographics and clinical outcome
Authors: Battin M , Sadler L , Masson V , Farquhar C ,   on behalf of the Neonatal Encephalopathy Working Group of the PMMRC
Published: May 2016

AimTo establish the incidence of moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy (NE) in term infants from New Zealand and to document demographic characteristics and neonatal outcomes.MethodsCases were reported monthly via the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit (NZPSU). Data were collected from paediatricians for neonatal items and lead maternity carers for pregnancy and birth details. Term neonatal deaths in the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee dataset that were because of hypoxia and/or neonatal deaths from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy were added to the cases identified via the NZPSU, if they had not previously been ascertained.ResultsFor the period January 2010 to December 2012, there were 227 cases, equivalent to a rate of 1.30/1000 term births (95% CI 1.14–1.48). Rates of NE were high in babies of Pacific and Indian mothers but only reached statistical significance for the comparison between Pacific and NZ European. There was also a significant increase in NE rates with increasing deprivation.Resuscitation at birth was initiated for 209 (92.1%) infants with NE. Mechanical ventilation was required, following neonatal unit admission, in 171 (75.3%) infants. Anticonvulsants were used in 157 (69.2%) infants with phenobarbitone (65.6%), phenytoin (14.5%) and benzodiazapines (21.1%), the most common. Cooling was induced in 168 infants (74%) with 145 (86.3%) reported as commenced within a 6‐h window.ConclusionsThe rate of NE in New Zealand is consistent with reported international rates. Establishing antecedent factors for NE is an important part of improving care, which may inform strategic efforts to decrease rates of NE.
Outcome of outborn infants at the borderline of viability in Western Australia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Thompson Kirsten , Gardiner Jacqueline , Resnick Steven 
Published: May 2016

AimPreterm infants have a high risk of morbidity and mortality, which increases with decreasing gestational age. Inborn infants (infants born in tertiary perinatal centres) have higher survival and lower morbidity than outborn infants. We aimed to compare short‐term and 1‐year developmental outcomes of outborn infants at the borderline of viability (≥23 to ≤25 + 6 weeks gestation) with a similar cohort of inborn infants in the sole tertiary perinatal centre in Western Australia from 2001 to 2011.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. Outborn infants ≥23 to ≤25 + 6 weeks gestation who survived to be transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the perinatal centre were contemporaneously matched to the next inborn infant of comparable gestation and birth weight. We compared mortality, morbidity (including intraventricular haemorrhage, necrotising enterocolitis and chronic lung disease) and Griffiths General Quotient scores at 1‐year corrected age.ResultsThere were 54 outborn and 519 inborn births in the gestational age range during the study period. Thirty‐five (65%) outborn infants were transported to the NICU. Of the outborn infants, 21/54 (39%) survived to discharge compared with 375/519 (72%) inborn infants. For the 35 outborn infants transported to NICU, 14 (40%) died, compared with 6/35 (17%) of inborn infants. There were no differences in short‐term and developmental outcomes in surviving infants.ConclusionsOutborn extremely preterm infants <26 weeks gestation have higher mortality than inborn counterparts. However, those transported to a tertiary NICU have similar morbidity and developmental outcomes.
The C‐terminus of amelogenin enhances osteogenic differentiation of human cementoblast lineage cells
Authors: Kunimatsu R. , Yoshimi Y. , Hirose N. , Awada T. , Miyauchi M. , Takata T. , Li W. , Zhu L. , Denbesten P.K. , Tanimoto K. 
Published: May 2016

Background and ObjectivesAmelogenin proteins are the major constituent of developing extracellular enamel matrix and are believed to have an exclusively epithelial origin. Recent studies have suggested that amelogenins might induce the differentiation and maturation of various cells, including cementoblast lineage cells. However, the residues comprising the active site of amelogenin remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the active site region of amelogenin by studying the effects of amelogenin fragments on the osteogenic differentiation of cementoblasts.Material and MethodsAmelogenin fragments lacking the C‐terminus (rh163) and N‐terminus (rh128) and a fragment consisting of the C‐terminal region of rh174 (C11 peptide) were synthesized and purified. Human cementoblast lineage cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium and treated with 0, 10, 100 or 1000 ng/mL of rh163, rh128 or C11 peptide. The mRNA levels of bone markers were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition were also determined. Mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining.ResultsThe osteogenic differentiation of human cementoblast lineage cells was significantly enhanced by treatment with rh128 or C11 peptide, whereas rh163 had no significant effect as compared with untreated controls.ConclusionsThe C‐terminus of amelogenin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human cementoblast lineage cells, indicating the possible utility of C11 peptide in periodontal tissue regeneration.
Trichobaris weevils distinguish amongst toxic host plants by sensing volatiles that do not affect larval performance
Authors: Lee Gisuk , Joo Youngsung , Diezel Celia , Lee Eun Ju , Baldwin Ian T. , Kim Sang‐Gyu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHerbivorous insects use plant metabolites to inform their host plant selection for oviposition. These host‐selection behaviours are often consistent with the preference–performance hypothesis; females oviposit on hosts that maximize the performance of their offspring. However, the metabolites used for these oviposition choices and those responsible for differences in offspring performance remain unknown for ecologically relevant interactions. Here, we examined the host‐selection behaviours of two sympatric weevils, the Datura (Trichobaris compacta) and tobacco (T. mucorea) weevils in field and glasshouse experiments with transgenic host plants specifically altered in different components of their secondary metabolism. Adult females of both species strongly preferred to feed on D. wrightii rather than on N. attenuata leaves, but T. mucorea preferred to oviposit on N. attenuata, while T. compacta oviposited only on D. wrightii. These oviposition behaviours increased offspring performance: T. compacta larvae only survived in D. wrightii stems and T. mucorea larvae survived better in N. attenuata than in D. wrightii stems. Choice assays with nicotine‐free, JA‐impaired, and sesquiterpene‐over‐produced isogenic N. attenuata plants revealed that although half of the T. compacta larvae survived in nicotine‐free N. attenuata lines, nicotine did not influence the oviposition behaviours of both the nicotine‐adapted and nicotine‐sensitive species. JA‐induced sesquiterpene volatiles are key compounds influencing T. mucorea females’ oviposition choices, but these sesquiterpenes had no effect on larval performance. We conclude that adult females are able to choose the best host plant for their offspring and use chemicals different from those that influence larval performance to inform their oviposition decisions.
A synthesis of genetic connectivity in deep‐sea fauna and implications for marine reserve design
Authors: Baco Amy R. , Etter Ron J. , Ribeiro Pedro A. , von der Heyden Sophie , Beerli Peter , Kinlan Brian P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWith anthropogenic impacts rapidly advancing into deeper waters, there is growing interest in establishing deep‐sea marine protected areas (MPAs) or reserves. Reserve design depends on estimates of connectivity and scales of dispersal for the taxa of interest. Deep‐sea taxa are hypothesized to disperse greater distances than shallow‐water taxa, which implies that reserves would need to be larger in size and networks could be more widely spaced; however, this paradigm has not been tested. We compiled population genetic studies of deep‐sea fauna and estimated dispersal distances for 51 studies using a method based on isolation‐by‐distance slopes. Estimates of dispersal distance ranged from 0.24 km to 2028 km with a geometric mean of 33.2 km and differed in relation to taxonomic and life‐history factors as well as several study parameters. Dispersal distances were generally greater for fishes than invertebrates with the Mollusca being the least dispersive sampled phylum. Species that are pelagic as adults were more dispersive than those with sessile or sedentary lifestyles. Benthic species from soft‐substrate habitats were generally less dispersive than species from hard substrate, demersal or pelagic habitats. As expected, species with pelagic and/or feeding (planktotrophic) larvae were more dispersive than other larval types. Many of these comparisons were confounded by taxonomic or other life‐history differences (e.g. fishes being more dispersive than invertebrates) making any simple interpretation difficult. Our results provide the first rough estimate of the range of dispersal distances in the deep sea and allow comparisons to shallow‐water assemblages. Overall, dispersal distances were greater for deeper taxa, although the differences were not large (0.3–0.6 orders of magnitude between means), and imbalanced sampling of shallow and deep taxa complicates any simple interpretation. Our analyses suggest the scales of dispersal and connectivity for reserve design in the deep sea might be comparable to or slightly larger than those in shallow water. Deep‐sea reserve design will need to consider the enormous variety of taxa, life histories, hydrodynamics, spatial configuration of habitats and patterns of species distributions. The many caveats of our analyses provide a strong impetus for substantial future efforts to assess connectivity of deep‐sea species from a variety of habitats, taxonomic groups and depth zones.
Receptors rather than signals change in expression in four physiological regulatory networks during evolutionary divergence in threespine stickleback
Authors: Di Poi Carole , Bélanger Dominic , Amyot Marc , Rogers Sean , Aubin‐Horth Nadia 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms underlying behavioural evolution following colonization of novel environments are largely unknown. Molecules that interact to control equilibrium within an organism form physiological regulatory networks. It is essential to determine whether particular components of physiological regulatory networks evolve or if the network as a whole is affected in populations diverging in behavioural responses, as this may affect the nature, amplitude and number of impacted traits. We studied the regulation of four physiological regulatory networks in freshwater and marine populations of threespine stickleback raised in a common environment, which were previously characterized as showing evolutionary divergence in behaviour and stress reactivity. We measured nineteen components of these networks (ligands and receptors) usingmRNAand monoamine levels in the brain, pituitary and interrenal gland, as well as hormone levels. Freshwater fish showed higher expression in the brain of adrenergic (adrb2a), serotonergic (htr2a) and dopaminergic (DRD2) receptors, but lower expression of the htr2b receptor. Freshwater fish also showed higher expression of the mc2r receptor of the glucocorticoid axis in the interrenals. Collectively, our results suggest that the inheritance of the regulation of these networks may be implicated in the evolution of behaviour and stress reactivity in association with population divergence. Our results also suggest that evolutionary change in freshwater threespine stickleback may be more associated with the expression of specific receptors rather than with global changes of all the measured constituents of the physiological regulatory networks.
Applying landscape genetics to the microbial world
Authors: Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Tesson Sylvie V. M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLandscape genetics, which explicitly quantifies landscape effects on gene flow and adaptation, has largely focused on macroorganisms, with little attention given to microorganisms. This is despite overwhelming evidence that microorganisms exhibit spatial genetic structuring in relation to environmental variables. The increasing accessibility of genomic data has opened up the opportunity for landscape genetics to embrace the world of microorganisms, which may be thought of as ‘the invisible regulators’ of the macroecological world. Recent developments in bioinformatics and increased data accessibility have accelerated our ability to identify microbial taxa and characterize their genetic diversity. However, the influence of the landscape matrix and dynamic environmental factors on microorganism genetic dispersal and adaptation has been little explored. Also, because many microorganisms coinhabit or codisperse with macroorganisms, landscape genomic approaches may improve insights into how micro‐ and macroorganisms reciprocally interact to create spatial genetic structure. Conducting landscape genetic analyses on microorganisms requires that we accommodate shifts in spatial and temporal scales, presenting new conceptual and methodological challenges not yet explored in ‘macro’‐landscape genetics. We argue that there is much value to be gained for microbial ecologists from embracing landscape genetic approaches. We provide a case for integrating landscape genetic methods into microecological studies and discuss specific considerations associated with the novel challenges this brings. We anticipate that microorganism landscape genetic studies will provide new insights into both micro‐ and macroecological processes and expand our knowledge of species’ distributions, adaptive mechanisms and species’ interactions in changing environments.
Unusually limited pollen dispersal and connectivity of Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) refugial populations at the species' southern range margin
Authors: Moracho E. , Moreno G. , Jordano P. , Hampe A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLow‐latitudinal range margins of temperate and boreal plant species typically consist of scattered populations that persist locally in microrefugia. It remains poorly understood how their refugial habitats affect patterns of gene flow and connectivity, key components for their long‐term viability and evolution. We examine landscape‐scale patterns of historical and contemporary gene flow in refugial populations of the widespread European forest tree Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) at the species' southwestern range margin. We sampled all adult trees (n = 135) growing in a 20 km long valley and genotyped 724 acorns from 72 mother trees at 17 microsatellite loci. The ten oak stands that we identified were highly differentiated and formed four distinct genetic clusters, despite sporadic historical dispersal being detectable. By far most contemporary pollination occurred within stands, either between local mates (85.6%) or through selfing (6.8%). Pollen exchange between stands (2.6%) was remarkably rare given their relative proximity and was complemented by long‐distance pollen immigration (4.4%) and hybridization with the locally abundant Quercus pyrenaica (0.6%). The frequency of between‐stand mating events decreased with increasing size and spatial isolation of stands. Overall, our results reveal outstandingly little long‐distance gene flow for a wind‐pollinated tree species. We argue that the distinct landscape characteristics of oaks' refugial habitats, with a combination of a rugged topography, dense vegetation and humid microclimate, are likely to increase plant survival but to hamper effective long‐distance pollen dispersal. Moreover, local mating might be favoured by high tree compatibility resulting from genetic purging in these long‐term relict populations.
The magic dance of the alarmones (p)ppGpp
Authors: Steinchen Wieland , Bange Gert 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe alarmones (p)ppGpp are important second messengers that orchestrate pleiotropic adaptations of bacteria and plant chloroplasts in response to starvation and stress. Here, we review our structural and mechanistic knowledge on (p)ppGpp metabolism including their synthesis, degradation and interconversion by a highly diverse set of enzymes. Increasing structural information shows how (p)ppGpp interacts with an incredibly diverse set of different targets that are essential for replication, transcription, translation, ribosome assembly and metabolism. This raises the question how the chemically rather simple (p)ppGpp is able to interact with these different targets? Structural analysis shows that the diversity of (p)ppGpp interaction with cellular targets critically relies on the conformational flexibility of the 3′ and 5′ phosphate moieties allowing alarmones to efficiently modulate the activity of target structures in a broad concentration range. Current approaches in the design of (p)ppGpp‐analogs as future antibiotics might be aided by the comprehension of conformational flexibility exhibited by the magic dancers (p)ppGpp.