bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The presence of F cells with a fetal phenotype in adults with hemoglobinopathies limits the utility of flow cytometry for quantitation of fetomaternal hemorrhage
Authors: Othman Jad , Orellana Daniel , Chen Lin Selina , Russell Megan , Khoo Teh‐Liane 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundDetection and quantitation of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) can be difficult in patients with pre‐existing elevations of HbF, such as those with hemoglobinopathies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of dual‐color flow cytometry with the Fetal Cell Count Kit (FCCK) in differentiating adult and fetal HbF in this population, as compared to flow cytometry (FC) using HbF alone.MethodsPeripheral blood was obtained from normal adults and patients with hemoglobinopathies (β‐thalassemia and sickle cell disease), including a small number of pregnant females. Cord blood was used to spike some samples with 5% fetal cells. Analysis by single color (HbF) and dual‐color (HbF and carbonic anhydrase) FC was performed on these samples. Fetal cells were defined as those with high HbF fluorescence on single‐color FC, and those that were HbF + CA− using the FCCK. The quantity of fetal cells detected by each technique was compared.ResultsForty‐six adult patients were included. In non‐pregnant adults with hemoglobinopathies, a population of red cells with a fetal cell phenotype were detected by both techniques. The dual‐color method reported lower quantities of these cells. In nineteen samples spiked with cord blood the FCCK consistently underestimated the quantity of fetal cells.ConclusionsPatients with β‐thalassemia and sickle cell disease have a population of HbF‐containing cells which are phenotypically similar to fetal cells. Even with dual‐color flow cytometry (FCCK), the detection and quantification of FMH by flow cytometry in this population remains difficult. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Behavioral flexibility in learning to sit
Authors: Rachwani Jaya , Soska Kasey C. , Adolph Karen E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWhat do infants learn when they learn to sit upright? We tested behavioral flexibility in learning to sit—the ability to adapt posture to changes in the environment—in 6‐ to 9‐month‐old infants sitting on forward and backward slopes. Infants began with slant at 0°; then slant increased in 2° increments until infants lost balance. Infants kept balance on impressively steep slopes, especially in the forward direction, despite the unexpected movements of the apparatus. Between slant adjustments while the slope was stationary, infants adapted posture to the direction and degree of slant by leaning backward on forward slopes and forward on backward slopes. Postural adaptations were nearly optimal for backward slopes. Sitting experience predicted greater postural adaptations and increased ability to keep balance on steeper changes of slant, but only for forward slopes. We suggest that behavioral flexibility is integral to learning to sit and increases with sitting experience.
Vigilance for threat accounts for inter‐individual variation in physiological responses to adversity in rhesus macaques: A cognition × environment approach
Authors: Mandalaywala Tara M. , Petrullo Lauren A. , Parker Karen J. , Maestripieri Dario , Higham James P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEarly life adversity (ELA) can lead to poor health later in life. However, there is significant variation in outcomes, with some individuals displaying resilience even in the face of adversity. Using longitudinal data collected from free‐ranging rhesus macaques between birth and 3 years, we examined whether individual variation in vigilance for threat, an early emerging attentional bias, can account for variation in long‐term outcomes between individuals reared in similar environments. We found that ELA and vigilance during infancy interact to predict physiological dysregulation in Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal (HPA) stress responses during juvenility. During high stress periods, High ELA juveniles with high vigilance exhibit less asymmetry than High ELA juveniles with low vigilance. This suggests that although increased vigilance is viewed as a negative consequence of ELA, it might also be a mechanism by which vulnerable individuals proactively buffer themselves from negative outcomes in unstable or threatening environments.
Rapid extirpation of a North American frog coincides with an increase in fungal pathogen prevalence: Historical analysis and implications for reintroduction
Authors: Adams Andrea J. , Pessier Allan P. , Briggs Cheryl J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAs extinctions continue across the globe, conservation biologists are turning to species reintroduction programs as one optimistic tool for addressing the biodiversity crisis. For repatriation to become a viable strategy, fundamental prerequisites include determining the causes of declines and assessing whether the causes persist in the environment. Invasive species—especially pathogens—are an increasingly significant factor contributing to biodiversity loss. We hypothesized thatBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), the causative agent of the deadly amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, was important in the rapid (<10 years) localized extirpation of a North American frog (Rana boylii) and that Bd remains widespread among extant amphibians in the region of extirpation. We used an interdisciplinary approach, combining interviews with herpetological experts, analysis of archived field notes and museum specimen collections, and field sampling of the extant amphibian assemblage to examine (1) historical relative abundance ofR. boylii; (2) potential causes ofR. boyliideclines; and (3) historical and contemporary prevalence of Bd. We found thatR. boyliiwere relatively abundant prior to their rapid extirpation, and an increase in Bd prevalence coincided withR. boyliideclines during a time of rapid change in the region, wherein backcountry recreation, urban development, and the amphibian pet trade were all on the rise. In addition, extreme flooding during the winter of 1969 coincided with localized extirpations inR. boyliipopulations observed by interview respondents. We conclude that Bd likely played an important role in the rapid extirpation ofR. boyliifrom southern California and that multiple natural and anthropogenic factors may have worked in concert to make this possible in a relatively short period of time. This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing historical ecological contexts in making future management and reintroduction decisions.
Plant community composition and species richness in the High Arctic tundra: From the present to the future
Authors: Nabe‐Nielsen Jacob , Normand Signe , Hui Francis K. C. , Stewart Lærke , Bay Christian , Nabe‐Nielsen Louise I. , Schmidt Niels Martin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractArctic plant communities are altered by climate changes. The magnitude of these alterations depends on whether species distributions are determined by macroclimatic conditions, by factors related to local topography, or by biotic interactions. Our current understanding of the relative importance of these conditions is limited due to the scarcity of studies, especially in the High Arctic. We investigated variations in vascular plant community composition and species richness based on 288 plots distributed on three sites along a coast‐inland gradient in Northeast Greenland using a stratified random design. We used an information theoretic approach to determine whether variations in species richness were best explained by macroclimate, by factors related to local topography (including soil water) or by plant‐plant interactions. Latent variable models were used to explain patterns in plant community composition. Species richness was mainly determined by variations in soil water content, which explained 35% of the variation, and to a minor degree by other variables related to topography. Species richness was not directly related to macroclimate. Latent variable models showed that 23.0% of the variation in community composition was explained by variables related to topography, while distance to the inland ice explained an additional 6.4 %. This indicates that some species are associated with environmental conditions found in only some parts of the coast–inland gradient. Inclusion of macroclimatic variation increased the model's explanatory power by 4.2%. Our results suggest that the main impact of climate changes in the High Arctic will be mediated by their influence on local soil water conditions. Increasing temperatures are likely to cause higher evaporation rates and alter the distribution of late‐melting snow patches. This will have little impact on landscape‐scale diversity if plants are able to redistribute locally to remain in areas with sufficient soil water.
Taking movement data to new depths: Inferring prey availability and patch profitability from seabird foraging behavior
Authors: Chimienti Marianna , Cornulier Thomas , Owen Ellie , Bolton Mark , Davies Ian M. , Travis Justin M. J. , Scott Beth E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDetailed information acquired using tracking technology has the potential to provide accurate pictures of the types of movements and behaviors performed by animals. To date, such data have not been widely exploited to provide inferred information about the foraging habitat. We collected data using multiple sensors (GPS, time depth recorders, and accelerometers) from two species of diving seabirds, razorbills (Alca torda, N = 5, from Fair Isle, UK) and common guillemots (Uria aalge, N = 2 from Fair Isle and N = 2 from Colonsay, UK). We used a clustering algorithm to identify pursuit and catching events and the time spent pursuing and catching underwater, which we then used as indicators for inferring prey encounters throughout the water column and responses to changes in prey availability of the areas visited at two levels: individual dives and groups of dives. For each individual dive (N = 661 for guillemots, 6214 for razorbills), we modeled the number of pursuit and catching events, in relation to dive depth, duration, and type of dive performed (benthic vs. pelagic). For groups of dives (N = 58 for guillemots, 156 for razorbills), we modeled the total time spent pursuing and catching in relation to time spent underwater. Razorbills performed only pelagic dives, most likely exploiting prey available at shallow depths as indicated by the vertical distribution of pursuit and catching events. In contrast, guillemots were more flexible in their behavior, switching between benthic and pelagic dives. Capture attempt rates indicated that they were exploiting deep prey aggregations. The study highlights how novel analysis of movement data can give new insights into how animals exploit food patches, offering a unique opportunity to comprehend the behavioral ecology behind different movement patterns and understand how animals might respond to changes in prey distributions.
Understanding predation risk and individual variation in risk avoidance for threatened boreal caribou
Authors: Mumma Matthew A. , Gillingham Michael P. , Johnson Chris J. , Parker Katherine L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPredation risk is a driver of species’ distributions. Animals can increase risk avoidance in response to fluctuations in predation risk, but questions remain regarding individual variability and the capacity to respond to changes in spatial risk across human‐altered landscapes. In northeast British Columbia, Canada, boreal caribou populations declined as roads and seismic lines have increased, which are theorized to increase gray wolf predation. Our goal was to model risk and to evaluate individual variability and the development of risk perception by examining individual risk avoidance in response to reproductive status and age. We used locations from collared caribou and wolves to identify landscape features associated with the risk of a potential wolf‐caribou encounter and risk of being killed given an encounter. We built resource selection functions to estimate individual responses to risk. We used general linear regressions to evaluate individual risk and linear feature avoidance as a function of age and reproductive status (calf or no calf). Linear features increased the risk of encounter. Older caribou and caribou with calves demonstrated stronger avoidance of the risk of encounter and roads, but weaker avoidance in late summer to the risk of being killed relative to younger and calf‐less individuals. Mechanisms explaining the inverse relationships between the risk of encounter and risk of being killed are uncertain, but it is conceivable that caribou learn to avoid the risk of encounter and roads. Responses by females with vulnerable calves to the risk of encounter and risk of being killed might be explained by a trade‐off between these two risk types and a prioritization on the risk of encounter. Despite the capacity to alter their responses to risk, the global decline in Rangifer populations (caribou and wild reindeer) suggests these behaviors are insufficient to mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances.
Impact of Added Phytosteryl/Phytostanyl Fatty Acid Esters on Chemical Parameters of Margarines upon Heating and Pan‐Frying
Authors: Raczyk Marianna , Bonte Anja , Matthäus Bertrand , Rudzińska Magdalena 
Published: October 2017

The effect of the thermal treatment on chemical parameters of margarines enriched with phytosteryl fatty acid esters is evaluated. Sterols, fatty acids, polar and volatile compounds, dimers, trimers, tocopherols, 3‐MCPD and glycidyl esters are analyzed applying GPC‐RI, GC‐FID, GC‐MS, and HPLC. Additionally, a Rancimat test is performed to compare the oxidative stability of margarines. This study shows that margarines with and without added phytosteryl esters are both stable at a mild temperature of 60 °C over a period of at least 7 days. On the other side after 15 min of pan‐frying at 180 °C a degradation of unsaturated fatty acids (14–47%), phytosterols (31–49%), and vitamin‐E‐active compounds (71–100%) is found. The supplementation of margarines with phytosteryl fatty acid esters have no effect on their oxidative stability during pan‐frying characterized by Rancimat test and total polar compounds. Volatile, degradation products of fatty acids as well as phytosterols, are found after pan‐frying. The composition of volatiles after pan‐frying significantly differed depends on the presence of additional PSE in margarines. For the first time, it is shown that pan‐frying with margarines over a period of 15 min results in a remarkable formation of 3‐MCPD esters while the increase of glycidyl esters is only very moderate.Practical Application: Based on this study results additional phytosteryl esters do not have antioxidative properties on margarines upon pan‐frying. What is more, they are not stable during pan‐frying at 180 °C. A significant amount of nutritionals as phytosterols, vitamin E active compounds, unsaturated fatty acids are degraded within 15 min and other undesired compounds as dimers, trimers, 3‐MCPD esters are formed. According to the research, heating at a high temperature over longer time should not be applied to this kind of product to avoid oxidation of valuable constituents and formation of degradation products. Volatile compounds which were found are characteristic for fatty acids and phytosterols degradation and can be used as indicators of margarines oxidation.The research presents chemical changes in margarines with and without additional phytosteryl/phytostanyl fatty acid esters. In the graphical abstract compounds which naturally occur in those margarines are presented and compounds which are formed after thermo‐oxidative degradation during pan‐frying.
Determination of lipid bilayer affinities and solvation characteristics by electrokinetic chromatography using polymer‐bound lipid bilayer nanodiscs
Authors: Penny William M. , Palmer Christopher P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractStyrene‐maleic acid polymer‐bound lipid bilayer nanodiscs have been investigated and characterized by electrokinetic chromatography. Linear solvation energy relationship analysis was employed to characterize the changes in solvation environment of nanodiscs of varied belt to lipid ratio, belt polymer chemistry and molecular weight, and lipid composition. Increases in the lipid to belt polymer ratio resulted in smaller, more cohesive nanodiscs with greater electrophoretic mobility. Nanodisc structures with belt polymers of different chemistry and molecular weight were compared and showed only minor changes in solvent characteristics and selectivity consistent with changes in structure of the lipid bilayer. Seven phospholipid and sphingomyelin nanodiscs of different lipid composition were characterized. Changes in lipid head group structure had a significant effect on bilayer‐solute interactions. In most cases, changes in alkyl tail structure had no discernible effect on solvation environment aside from those explained by changes in the gel‐liquid transition temperature. Comparison to vesicles of similar lipid composition show only minor differences in solvation environment, likely due to differences in lipid composition and bilayer curvature. Together these results provide evidence that the dominant solute‐nanodisc interactions are with the lipid bilayer and that head group chemistry has a greater impact on bilayer‐solute interactions than alkyl tail or belt polymer structure. Nanodisc electrokinetic chromatography is demonstrated to allow characterization of solute interactions with lipid bilayers of varied composition.
Electrification of Road Transport in Singapore and its Integration into the Power System
Authors: Massier Tobias , Recalde Dante , Sellmair Reinhard , Gallet Marc , Hamacher Thomas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBeing a small well‐organized city state, Singapore appears to be an ideal place to establish a fully electric road transport system. To analyze the challenges and potential of electric mobility (or “electromobility”), TUMCREATE Ltd., a company funded by Singapore's National Research Foundation, was launched in 2011 as “Centre for Electromobility in Megacities”. During the first five years, the research at TUMCREATE covered everything “from the molecule to the megacity”, that is, from fundamental research on new materials for energy storage systems to battery cells, battery packs, vehicle technology, in‐vehicle electronics to road infrastructure and the power system. One outcome was a prototype for an electric taxi for tropical megacities called EVA with a battery capacity of 50 kWh and fast charging capability of 160 kW. This paper presents a review of past and ongoing activities in the field of integration of electromobility into Singapore's power system. The focus of this publication lies on charging of electric vehicles (EVs). Results show that the integration of EVs into the power system is feasible, leads to lower emissions, and can even offer new services and support integration of renewable energies.
Real-time social selection maintains honesty of a dynamic visual signal in cooperative fish
Authors: Bachmann Judith C. , Cortesi Fabio , Hall Matthew D. , Marshall N. Justin , Salzburger Walter , Gante Hugo F. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOur understanding of animal communication has been largely driven by advances in theory since empirical evidence has been difficult to obtain. Costly signaling theory became the dominant paradigm explaining the evolution of honest signals, according to which communication reliability relies on differential costs imposed on signalers to distinguish animals of different quality. On the other hand, mathematical models disagree on the source of costs at the communication equilibrium. Here, we present an empirical framework to study the evolution of honest signals that generates predictions on the form, function, and sources of reliability of visual signals. We test these predictions on the facial color patterns of the cooperatively breeding Princess of Burundi cichlid, Neolamprologus brichardi. Using theoretical visual models and behavioral experiments we show that these patterns possess stable chromatic properties for efficient transmission in the aquatic environment, while dynamic changes in signal luminance are used by the fish to communicate switches in aggressive intent. By manipulating signal into out-of-equilibrium expression and simulating a cheater invasion, we demonstrate that social costs (receiver retaliation) promote the honesty of this dynamic conventional signal. By directly probing the sender of a signal in real time, social selection is likely to be the mechanism of choice shaping the evolution of inexpensive, yet reliable context-dependent social signals in general.
Impact of sample collection participation on the validity of estimated measures of association in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study when assessing gene‐environment interactions
Authors: Jenkins Mary M. , Reefhuis Jennita , Herring Amy H. , Honein Margaret A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTo better understand the impact that nonresponse for specimen collection has on the validity of estimates of association, we examined associations between self‐reported maternal periconceptional smoking, folic acid use, or pregestational diabetes mellitus and six birth defects among families who did and did not submit buccal cell samples for DNA following a telephone interview as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). Analyses included control families with live born infants who had no birth defects (N = 9,465), families of infants with anorectal atresia or stenosis (N = 873), limb reduction defects (N = 1,037), gastroschisis (N = 1,090), neural tube defects (N = 1,764), orofacial clefts (N = 3,836), or septal heart defects (N = 4,157). Estimated dates of delivery were between 1997 and 2009. For each exposure and birth defect, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression stratified by race‐ethnicity and sample collection status. Tests for interaction were applied to identify potential differences between estimated measures of association based on sample collection status. Significant differences in estimated measures of association were observed in only four of 48 analyses with sufficient sample sizes. Despite lower than desired participation rates in buccal cell sample collection, this validation provides some reassurance that the estimates obtained for sample collectors and noncollectors are comparable. These findings support the validity of observed associations in gene‐environment interaction studies for the selected exposures and birth defects among NBDPS participants who submitted DNA samples.