bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions between the developmental and adult social environments mediate group dynamics and offspring traits in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Morimoto Juliano , Ponton Fleur , Tychsen Ilona , Cassar Jason , Wigby Stuart 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDevelopmental conditions can strongly influence adult phenotypes and social interactions, which in turn affect key evolutionary processes such as sexual selection and sexual conflict. While the implications of social interactions in phenotypically mixed populations at the individual level are increasingly well known, how these effects influence the fate of groups remains poorly understood, which limits our understanding of the broader ecological implications. To address this problem we manipulated adult phenotypes and social composition inDrosophila melanogaster– by experimentally manipulating the larval density of the group-members – and measured a range of group-level outcomes across the lifespan of groups. Adult groups composed of exclusively low larval-density individuals showed high courtship levels, and low early reproductive rates, group growth rates, offspring mass and offspring eclosion success, relative to high larval-density or mixed larval-density groups. Furthermore, high larval-density groups had lower survival. Offspring mass increased with time, but at a reduced rate in groups when male group members (but not females) were from a mixture of larval-densities; peak reproductive rates were also earlier in these groups. Our results suggest that that variation in developmental conditions experienced by adult group members can modify the reproductive output of groups.
Hydrogen gas protects IP3Rs by reducing disulfide bridges in human keratinocytes under oxidative stress
Authors: Wu Ching-Ying , Hsu Wen-Li , Tsai Ming-Hsien , Liang Jui-Lin , Lu Jian-He , Yen Chia-Jung , Yu Hsin-Su , Noda Mami , Lu Chi-Yu , Chen Chu-Huang , Yan Shian-Jang , Yoshioka Tohru 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBased on the oxidative stress theory, aging derives from the accumulation of oxidized proteins induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cytoplasm. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) elicits ROS that induces skin aging through oxidation of proteins, forming disulfide bridges with cysteine or methionine sulfhydryl groups. Decreased Ca2+ signaling is observed in aged cells, probably secondary to the formation of disulfide bonds among Ca2+ signaling-related proteins. Skin aging processes are modeled by treating keratinocytes with H2O2. In the present study, H2O2 dose-dependently impaired the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced Ca2+ response, which was partially protected via co-treatment with β-mercaptoethanol, resulting in reduced disulfide bond formation in inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Molecular hydrogen (H2) was found to be more effectively protected H2O2-induced IP3R1 dysfunction by reducing disulfide bonds, rather than quenching ROS. In conclusion, skin aging processes may involve ROS-induced protein dysfunction due to disulfide bond formation, and H2 can protect oxidation of this process.
c-Abl regulates gastrointestinal muscularis propria homeostasis via ERKs
Authors: Xiang Jinnan , Zhang Yiqun , Bao Dandan , Cao Na , Zhang Xin , Li Ping , Qiu Shoutao , Guo Jigang , He Dan , Li Baojie , Yao Liqing , Liu Huijuan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe gastrointestinal tract is responsible for food digestion and absorption. The muscularis propria propels the foodstuff through the GI tract and defects in intestine motility may cause obstruction disorders. Our present genetic studies identified non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl as an important regulator of the muscularis propria homeostasis and a risk factor for rectal prolapse. Mouse deficient for c-Abl showed defects in the muscularis propria of gastrointestinal tract and older c-Abl−/− mice developed megaesophagus and rectal prolapse. Inhibition of c-Abl with imatinib mesylate, an anti-CML drug, or ablation of c-Abl using Prx1-Cre, which marks smooth muscle cells, recapitulated most of the muscularis propria phenotypes. The pathogenesis of rectal prolapse was attributable to overproliferation of smooth muscle cells, which was caused by enhanced ERK1/2 activation. Administration of ERK inhibitor U0126 impeded the development of rectal prolapse in c-Abl deficient mice. These results reveal a role for c-Abl-regulated smooth muscle proliferation in the pathogenesis of rectal prolapse, and imply that long-term use of imatinib mesylate may cause gastrointestinal problems in patients while ERK inhibitor may be effective in treating rectal prolapse.
Applying modern psychometric techniques to melodic discrimination testing: Item response theory, computerised adaptive testing, and automatic item generation
Authors: Harrison Peter M. C. , Collins Tom , Müllensiefen Daniel 
Published: June 2017

AbstractModern psychometric theory provides many useful tools for ability testing, such as item response theory, computerised adaptive testing, and automatic item generation. However, these techniques have yet to be integrated into mainstream psychological practice. This is unfortunate, because modern psychometric techniques can bring many benefits, including sophisticated reliability measures, improved construct validity, avoidance of exposure effects, and improved efficiency. In the present research we therefore use these techniques to develop a new test of a well-studied psychological capacity: melodic discrimination, the ability to detect differences between melodies. We calibrate and validate this test in a series of studies. Studies 1 and 2 respectively calibrate and validate an initial test version, while Studies 3 and 4 calibrate and validate an updated test version incorporating additional easy items. The results support the new test’s viability, with evidence for strong reliability and construct validity. We discuss how these modern psychometric techniques may also be profitably applied to other areas of music psychology and psychological science in general.
Design of a Peripheral Building Block for H-Bonded Dendritic Frameworks and Analysis of the Void Space in the Bulk Dendrimers
Authors: Lee Cheng-Hua , Soldatov Dmitriy V. , Tzeng Chung-Hao , Lai Long-Li , Lu Kuang-Lieh 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThree dendrimers, (t-Bu-G
2
N)
2
, CC(t-Bu-G
1
N)
3
and (t-Bu-G
1
N)
2
, with 3,5-di-tert-butyl amidobenzene as a common peripheral moiety were prepared in 64–83% yields and characterized. The bulk solids had high BET surface areas of 136–138 m2/g, which were similar for the three dendrimers in spite of their different molecular weight (ranging from 1791 to 2890). It was concluded that the peripheral amide groups do not imbed in the interstitial space of neighbouring dendrimer molecules but rather build a supramolecular architecture through strong intermolecular H-bonds. This mode of assembly generates voids in the bulk dendrimers responsible for sorption properties. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of a compound representing the peripheral moiety of the dendrimers and the FT-IR and powder-XRD data for (t-Bu-G
1
N)
2
suggest the proposed supramolecular structure. The isosteric heats of CO2 sorption (Qst) for (t-Bu-G
2
N)
2
were significantly higher than those for the other two dendrimers, which is consistent with the formation of a different type of voids within the interstitial space of the molecule. It is suggested that the interstitial void space can be designed and tuned to adjust its properties to a particular task, such as the separation of gases or a catalytic reaction facilitated by the dendrimer.
Validation of optimal reference genes for quantitative real time PCR in muscle and adipose tissue for obesity and diabetes research
Authors: Perez Lester J. , Rios Liliam , Trivedi Purvi , D’Souza Kenneth , Cowie Andrew , Nzirorera Carine , Webster Duncan , Brunt Keith , Legare Jean-Francois , Hassan Ansar , Kienesberger Petra C. , Pulinilkunnil Thomas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe global incidence of obesity has led to an increasing need for understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive this epidemic and its comorbidities. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) is the most reliable and widely used method for gene expression analysis. The selection of suitable reference genes (RGs) is critical for obtaining accurate gene expression information. The current study aimed to identify optimal RGs to perform quantitative transcriptomic analysis based on RT-qPCR for obesity and diabetes research, employing in vitro and mouse models, and human tissue samples. Using the ReFinder program we evaluated the stability of a total of 15 RGs. The impact of choosing the most suitable RGs versus less suitable RGs on RT-qPCR results was assessed. Optimal RGs differed between tissue and cell type, species, and experimental conditions. By employing different sets of RGs to normalize the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), we show that sub-optimal RGs can markedly alter the PGC1α gene expression profile. Our study demonstrates the importance of validating RGs prior to normalizing transcriptional expression levels of target genes and identifies optimal RG pairs for reliable RT-qPCR normalization in cells and in human and murine muscle and adipose tissue for obesity/diabetes research.
Formation of Biphasic Hydroxylapatite-Beta Magnesium Tricalcium Phosphate in Heat Treated Salmonid Vertebrae
Authors: Butler Don H. , Shahack-Gross Ruth 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIchthyoarchaeological evidence is uncommon at ancient hunter-gatherer sites from various regions and timeframes. This research contributes to the development of microarchaeological techniques useful for identifying fishing economies in situations where classifiable bones are unavailable. Specifically, traces of heat altered bone mineral in domestic hearths are expected to provide markers for discarded fish remains. We used a series of laboratory incineration experiments to characterize the mineralogy of burned salmonid vertebrae. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction distinguished the formation of beta magnesium tricalcium phosphate (βMgTCP) at temperatures as low as 600 °C. Bones from a sample of game mammals and birds did not form this phase at temperatures below 1,000 °C. We propose that this neoformed mineral can serve as a proxy for hunter-gatherer salmonid fishing when typical ichthyoarchaeological evidence is absent. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it will be possible to rapidly and inexpensively determine the presence of βMgTCP in fragmentary burned bone remains associated with combustion features. The occurrence of βMgTCP in archaeological hearth features will offer a new means of further evaluating the temporal, geographic, and cultural scope of salmonid harvesting. We also acknowledge the value of biphasic hydroxylapatite-βMgTCP recovered from Atlantic salmon vertebrae as a bioceramic.
Real-time monitoring of laser powder bed fusion process using high-speed X-ray imaging and diffraction
Authors: Zhao Cang , Fezzaa Kamel , Cunningham Ross W. , Wen Haidan , De Carlo Francesco , Chen Lianyi , Rollett Anthony D. , Sun Tao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe employ the high-speed synchrotron hard X-ray imaging and diffraction techniques to monitor the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process of Ti-6Al-4V in situ and in real time. We demonstrate that many scientifically and technologically significant phenomena in LPBF, including melt pool dynamics, powder ejection, rapid solidification, and phase transformation, can be probed with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. In particular, the keyhole pore formation is experimentally revealed with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The solidification rate is quantitatively measured, and the slowly decrease in solidification rate during the relatively steady state could be a manifestation of the recalescence phenomenon. The high-speed diffraction enables a reasonable estimation of the cooling rate and phase transformation rate, and the diffusionless transformation from β to α
’
phase is evident. The data present here will facilitate the understanding of dynamics and kinetics in metal LPBF process, and the experiment platform established will undoubtedly become a new paradigm for future research and development of metal additive manufacturing.
Neo-actinomycins A and B, natural actinomycins bearing the 5H-oxazolo[4,5-b]phenoxazine chromophore, from the marine-derived Streptomyces sp. IMB094
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhang Yixuan , Wang Mian , Tan Yi , Hu Xinxin , He Hongwei , Xiao Chunling , You Xuefu , Wang Yiguang , Gan Maoluo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNeo-actinomycins A and B (1 and 2), two new natural actinomycins featuring an unprecedented tetracyclic 5H-oxazolo[4,5-b]phenoxazine chromophore, were isolated from the marine-derived actinomyceteStreptomycessp. IMB094. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The presence of this ring system was proposed to originate from a condensation between actinomycin D (3) with α-ketoglutarate and pyruvate, respectively. Compound 1 showed potent cytotoxic activities against human cancer HCT116 and A549 cell lines in the nanomolar range (IC50: 38.7 and 65.8 nM, respectively) and moderate antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistantEnterococci(VRE) strains.
Hair bundles of cochlear outer hair cells are shaped to minimize their fluid-dynamic resistance
Authors: Ciganović Nikola , Wolde-Kidan Amanuel , Reichenbach Tobias 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe mammalian sense of hearing relies on two types of sensory cells: inner hair cells transmit the auditory stimulus to the brain, while outer hair cells mechanically modulate the stimulus through active feedback. Stimulation of a hair cell is mediated by displacements of its mechanosensitive hair bundle which protrudes from the apical surface of the cell into a narrow fluid-filled space between reticular lamina and tectorial membrane. While hair bundles of inner hair cells are of linear shape, those of outer hair cells exhibit a distinctive V-shape. The biophysical rationale behind this morphology, however, remains unknown. Here we use analytical and computational methods to study the fluid flow across rows of differently shaped hair bundles. We find that rows of V-shaped hair bundles have a considerably reduced resistance to crossflow, and that the biologically observed shapes of hair bundles of outer hair cells are near-optimal in this regard. This observation accords with the function of outer hair cells and lends support to the recent hypothesis that inner hair cells are stimulated by a net flow, in addition to the well-established shear flow that arises from shearing between the reticular lamina and the tectorial membrane.
Ecological diversity and co-occurrence patterns of bacterial community through soil profile in response to long-term switchgrass cultivation
Authors: He Shubin , Guo Lixiang , Niu Mengying , Miao Fuhong , Jiao Shuo , Hu Tianming , Long Mingxiu 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a cellulosic biofuel feedstock and their effects on bacterial communities in deep soils remain poorly understood. To reveal the responses of bacterial communities to long-term switchgrass cultivation through the soil profile, we examined the shift of soil microbial communities with depth profiles of 0–60 cm in five-year switchgrass cultivation and fallow plots. The Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene showed that switchgrass cultivation significantly increased microbial OTU richness, rather than microbial Shannon diversity; however, there was no significant difference in the structure of microbial communities between switchgrass cultivation and fallow soils. Both switchgrass cultivation and fallow soils exhibited significant negative vertical spatial decay of microbial similarity, indicating that more vertical depth distant soils had more dissimilar communities. Specifically, switchgrass cultivation soils showed more beta-diversity variations across soil depth profile. Through network analysis, more connections and closer relationships of microbial taxa were observed in soils under switchgrass cultivation, suggesting that microbial co-occurrence patterns were substantially influenced by switchgrass cultivation. Overall, our study suggested that five-year switchgrass cultivation could generated more beta-diversity variations across soil depth and more complex inter-relationships of microbial taxa, although did not significantly shape the structure of soil microbial community.
Quadratic Characteristics of Environment Induced Voltage Shot Noise in Josephson Junctions
Authors: Wang Jyh-Yang , Chung Tao-Hsiang , Lee Teik-Hui , Chen Chii-Dong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe investigate theoretically and experimentally the environment-induced voltage shot noise in current biased Josephson junctions induced by phase particle tunneling. Quantum mechanical treatment based on the Caldeira-Leggett model with tight-binding formulation in local Wannier bases gives a clear picture of the voltage shot noise. A universal form of the zero-frequency noise spectrum is obtained, which exhibits a quadratic dependence on the mean voltage in small bias region. The quadratic dependence is verified experimentally on junctions covering a wide range of parameters, and is found also in junction arrays of various array sizes.
Dating early animal evolution using phylogenomic data
Authors: Dohrmann Martin , Wörheide Gert 
Published: June 2017

AbstractInformation about the geological timeframe during which animals radiated into their major subclades is crucial to understanding early animal ecology and evolution. Unfortunately, the pre-Cambrian fossil record is sparse and its interpretation controversial. Relaxed molecular-clock methods provide an alternative means of estimating the timing of cladogenesis deep in the metazoan tree of life. So far, thorough molecular clock studies focusing specifically on Metazoa as a whole have been based on relatively small datasets or incomplete representation of the main non-bilaterian lineages (such as sponges and ctenophores), which are fundamental for understanding early metazoan evolution. Here, we use a previously published phylogenomic dataset that includes a fair sampling of all relevant groups to estimate the timing of early animal evolution with Bayesian relaxed-clock methods. According to our results, all non-bilaterian phyla, as well as total-group Bilateria, evolved in an ancient radiation during a geologically relatively short time span, before the onset of long-term global glaciations (“Snowball Earth”; ~720–635 Ma). Importantly, this result appears robust to alterations of a number of important analytical variables, such as models of among-lineage rate variation and sets of fossil calibrations used.
Trait choice profoundly affected the ecological conclusions drawn from functional diversity measures
Authors: Zhu Linhai , Fu Bojie , Zhu Huoxing , Wang Cong , Jiao Lei , Zhou Ji 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAlthough trait choice is crucial to quantify functional diversity appropriately, the quantitative methods for it are rarely compared and discussed. Meanwhile, very little is known about how trait choice affects ecological conclusions drawn from functional diversity measures. We presented the four methods of trait selection as alternatives to the ordination axis-based method, which directly identify a subset of key traits to represent the main variation of all the traits. To evaluate their performance, we compared the closeness of association obtained by different methods between species richness and functional diversity indices (FAD, FD, Q, FDis) in the six ecosystems. The evaluation was also benchmarked against the results obtained by calculating the possible indices using all the trait combinations (the complete search method). We found that the trait selection methods were potential alternatives to axis-based method to gain a mechanistic understanding of functional responses and effects of traits, while these methods as well as the axis-based method possibly use mismatched information to interpret the investigated ecosystem properties. Trait choice profoundly affected the ecological conclusions drawn from functional diversity measures. The complete search method should be used to assess the rationale of different trait choice methods and the quality of the calculated indices.
Biodistribution and residence time of adenovector serotype 5 in normal and immunodeficient mice and rats detected with bioluminescent imaging
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zhou Shuya , Fan Changfa , Huang Weijin , Li Qianqian , Liu Susu , Wu Xi , Li Baowen , Wang Youchun 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAs concerns increase about adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) being a safe gene transfer vector, it is important to evaluate its distribution, residence time, and possible toxicity in immunodeficient populations. To characterize the potential risk associated with different Ad5 vector delivery modes, we used immunocompetent and immunodeficient Rag2−/− animals to establish mouse and rat models that could be monitored with bioluminescent imaging following intramuscular or intravascular infection with an engineered replication-incompetent Ad5 virus carrying the firefly luciferase gene (Ad5-Fluc). The Ad5 vector was less well-tolerated by Rag2−/− animals than by wildtype ones, with delayed residence time, wider virus dissemination, less weight gain, and relatively severe pathological changes. In intravascularly Ad5-Fluc-infected Rag2−/− mice, systemic virus dissemination extended from the abdomen to the limbs and head on day 9 post-infection. Additionally, significant increases in plasma TNF-α and IFN-γ, which may be important factors in the heightened immunopathology in the liver and brain, were detected in the Rag2−/− mice 30 days after intravascular delivery. The Ad5 vector was better tolerated after intramuscular delivery than after intravascular delivery. Ad5-Fluc/Rag2−/− mice and rats can be used as reliable models of an immunodeficient population in which to evaluate the safety of Ad5-vectored vaccines or gene therapy products.
Anger provocation in violent offenders leads to emotion dysregulation
Authors: Tonnaer Franca , Siep Nicolette , van Zutphen Linda , Arntz Arnoud , Cima Maaike 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAnger and anger regulation problems that result in aggressive behaviour pose a serious problem for society. In this study we investigated differences in brain responses during anger provocation or anger engagement, as well as anger regulation or distraction from anger, and compared 16 male violent offenders to 18 non-offender controls. During an fMRI adapted provocation and regulation task participants were presented with angry, happy and neutral scenarios. Prior research on violent offenders indicates that a combination of increased limbic activity (involved in emotion), along with decreased prefrontal activity (involved in emotion regulation), is associated with reactive aggression. We found increased ventrolateral prefrontal activity during anger engagement in violent offenders, while decreased dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal activity was found during anger distraction. This activity pattern was specific for anger. We found no exclusive pattern for happiness. In violent offenders, this suggests an increased need to regulate specifically during anger engagement and regulation difficulties when explicitly instructed to distract. The constant effort required for violent offenders to regulate anger might exhaust the necessary cognitive resources, resulting in a risk for self-control failure. Consequently, continuous provocation might ultimately contribute to reactive aggression.