bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon2Chem® – A Cross‐Industry Approach to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Oles Markus , Lüke Wiebke , Kleinschmidt Ralph , Büker Karsten , Weddige Hans‐Jörn , Schmöle Peter , Achatz Reinhold
Published: January 2018

Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen und Begrenzung der Erderwärmung auf deutlich unter 2 °C sind die großen Ziele des Pariser Klimaschutzabkommens. Die technische Realisierung dieser Ziele stellt viele emissionsreiche Industriesparten weiterhin vor große Herausforderungen. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz ist der synergetische Verbund von Großindustrien in cross‐industriellen Netzwerken. Mit Carbon2Chem® ist erstmals der Zusammenschluss der Sparten Stahl, Chemie und Energie gelungen. Ziel der Initiative ist es, Hüttengase aus der Stahlproduktion als Ausgangsstoff für chemische Produkte zu nutzen.
Role of mineral flotation technology in improving bitumen extraction from mined Athabasca oil sands: I. Flotation chemistry of water‐based oil sand extraction
Authors: Zhou Joe , Li Haihong , Zhao Liyan , Chow Ross
Published: January 2018

The role of surface hydrophobicity in water‐based oil sand extraction is examined from the perspective of mineral flotation separation. Although anionic carboxylates (sulphonates) released from bitumen are helpful for charging bitumen and liberating bitumen from sand grains, their presence in oil sand slurries tends to make bitumen and bubbles less hydrophobic. In addition, solid hydrophobization under oil sand extraction conditions can occur through different mechanisms of carboxylate adsorption. It is the hydrophobized fine solids that present challenges for achieving a high bitumen recovery with a good froth quality, due to their competition with bitumen for attachment to bubbles. While chemisorption of carboxylates contributes to hydrophobization of heavy minerals present in oil sands, carboxylate adsorption activated by hydrolyzed metal cations alters silica and clays from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Different adsorption mechanisms of calcium on silica, clays, and other minerals are analyzed to explain why fine solids of varying mineralogy in combination with calcium affect bitumen extraction differently. Metal ions that activate solid hydrophobization under oil sand extraction conditions are identified from dynamic attachment of solids from mature fine tailings (MFT) to bitumen. To mitigate the effect of fines on oil sand extraction, selective flocculation of fine solids is recognized as especially feasible for bitumen flotation recovery from oil sand middling streams. Future research in reducing or eliminating caustic addition, understanding the role of inorganic anions, and searching for feasible techniques for treating MFT based on different mineralogy and surface properties, are briefly discussed.
Chemie Pur – Unterrichten in der Natur: Ätherischen Ölen auf der Spur
Authors: Engl Alexander , Schmelzer Alexandra , Risch Björn
Published: January 2018

Chemieunterricht muss nicht zwangsläufig auf den Klassenraum beschränkt sein. Die natürliche Umgebung der Schulen stellt einen gut zu erreichenden außerschulischen Lernort dar. Hier können naturnahe Kontexte in den Chemieunterricht integriert werden, um zum einen ein Bewusstsein für Naturphänomene und ‐prozesse zu entwickeln und zum anderen das Fach‐ und Sachinteresse zu steigern. Das Projekt „Chemie Pur – Unterrichten in der Natur“ setzt genau an diesem Punkt an. Das Konzept wurde entwickelt, um Jugendliche verstärkt für die Natur und die dort ablaufenden Prozesse zu sensibilisieren. Die Philosophie von Chemie Pur wird im Rahmen des Artikels vorgestellt, anhand der erprobten Lerneinheit „Ätherischen Ölen auf der Spur” konkretisiert und mit ausgewählten Forschungsergebnissen flankiert. Die Lerneinheit fokussiert den Kompetenzbereich Erkenntnisgewinnung und orientiert sich inhaltlich am Basiskonzept „Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehungen“ des Fachs Chemie der Sekundarstufe II.
Hollow Mesoporous Silica@Metal–Organic Framework and Applications for pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Jia Xiaomin , Yang Zhiyuan , Wang Yujun , Chen Ya , Yuan Haitao , Chen Heyin , Xu Xiaoxiang , Gao Xueqing , Liang Zuozhong , Sun Yu , Li Jian‐Rong , Zheng Haoquan , Cao Rui
Published: January 2018

Metal−‐organic frameworks (MOFs), a new type of porous crystalline material, hold great potential in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery. However, the efficacy of drug delivery is limited by low drug loading. In this work, we synthesized hollow mesoporous silica (HMS)@MOF capsules that can be used as a pH‐responsive drug delivery system for the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). DOX is loaded into the inner cavity of HMS. Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles are then coated on the outer surface of the DOX‐loaded HMS. The obtained material is a capsule (denoted as DOX/HMS@ZIF), in which DOX is encapsulated. The DOX/HMS@ZIF can be used as an efficient pH‐responsive drug delivery system. DOX is not released under physiological conditions (pH 7.4), but is released at low pH (4–6) from DOX/HMS@ZIF. The DOX/HMS@ZIF capsule shows much higher cytotoxicity than free DOX and alters the delivery pathway for DOX in cancer cells, while the drug‐free HMS@ZIF shows excellent biocompatibility. This opens new opportunities to construct a safe and efficient delivery system for targeted molecules using pH‐responsive release for a wide range of applications.
Impact of time to testosterone rebound and comorbidity on the risk of cause‐specific mortality in men with unfavorable‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: McDuff Susan G.R. , Chen Ming‐Hui , Renshaw Andrew A. , Loffredo Marian J. , Kantoff Philip W. , D'Amico Anthony V.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Herein, the authors evaluated how the time to testosterone rebound (TTR) after radiotherapy (RT) and 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) impacted the risk of prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) and cardiovascular‐specific mortality (CVM) among men with varying comorbidity extent.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2001, a total of 206 men who were randomized to receive RT either alone or with 6 months of ADT for unfavorable‐risk PC and who had a comorbidity score assigned using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 metric comprised the study cohort. Multivariable competing risk regression was used to evaluate the impact of and possible interaction between comorbidity and TTR on PCSM and CVM.

RESULTS

After a median follow‐up of 18.19 years, 30 men (18.6%), 39 men (24.2%), and 92 men (57.1%), respectively, had died of PC, CV disease, or other causes. As TTR increased, PCSM significantly decreased in men with no or minimal (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.53, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.34‐0.84 [P =.007]) and moderate to severe (AHR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.14‐0.99 [P = .048]) comorbidity. However, increasing TTR significantly increased the risk of CVM among men with moderate to severe comorbidity (AHR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.40‐2.49 [P <.001]), but not those with no or minimal comorbidity (AHR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.57‐1.29 [P =.46]), leading to a significant interaction between TTR and comorbidity (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study indicate that considering an intermittent course of ADT such that the TTR approaches 18 months, instead of continuous long‐term administration of ADT, in men with moderate to severe comorbidity and high‐risk PC may reduce the increased risk of CVM without increasing the risk of PCSM. Cancer 2018;124:1391‐9. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Margins in breast cancer: How much is enough?
Authors: Pilewskie Melissa , Morrow Monica
Published: January 2018

The appropriate negative margin width for women undergoing breast‐conserving surgery for both ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma is controversial. This review examines the available data on the margin status for invasive breast cancer and DCIS, and highlights the similarities and differences in tumor biology and standard treatments that affect the local recurrence (LR) risk and, therefore, the optimal surgical margin. Consensus guidelines support a negative margin, defined as no ink on tumor, for invasive carcinoma treated with breast‐conserving therapy. Because of differences in the growth pattern and utilization of systemic therapy, a margin of 2 mm has been found to minimize the LR risk for women with DCIS undergoing lumpectomy and radiation therapy (RT). Wider negative margins do not improve local control for DCIS or invasive carcinoma when they are treated with lumpectomy and RT. Re‐excision for negative margins should be individualized, and the routine practice of performing additional surgery to obtain a wider negative margin is not supported by the literature. Cancer 2018;124:1335‐41. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Modulating Gene Expression in Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV)‐Positive B Cell Lines with CRISPRa and CRISPRi
Authors: Wang Liang Wei , Trudeau Stephen J. , Wang Chong , Gerdt Catherine , Jiang Sizun , Zhao Bo , Gewurz Benjamin E.
Published: January 2018

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) transforms small resting primary B cells into large lymphoblastoid cells which are able to grow and survive in vitro indefinitely. These cells represent a model for oncogenesis. In this unit, variants of conventional clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), namely the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) methods, are discussed in the context of gene regulation at genomic DNA promoter and enhancer elements. Lymphoblastoid B cell lines (LCLs) stably expressing nuclease‐deficient Cas9 (dCas9)‐VP64 (Cas9 associated with CRISPRa) or dCas9‐KRAB (Cas9 associated with CRISPRi) are transduced with lentivirus that encodes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) that targets a specific gene locus. The ribonucleoprotein complex formed by the dCas9 molecule and its cognate sgRNA enables sequence‐specific binding at a promoter or enhancer of interest to affect the expression of genes regulated by the targeted promoter or enhancer. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sepsis‐induced activation of endogenous GLP‐1 system is enhanced in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Perl Sivan H. , Bloch Olga , Zelnic‐Yuval Dana , Love Itamar , Mendel‐Cohen Lior , Flor Hadar , Rapoport Micha J.
Published: January 2018

Background

High levels of circulating GLP‐1 are associated with severity of sepsis in critically ill nondiabetic patients. Whether patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) display different activation of the endogenous GLP‐1 system during sepsis and whether it is affected by diabetes‐related metabolic parameters are not known.

Methods

Serum levels of GLP‐1 (total and active forms) and its inhibitor enzyme sDPP‐4 were determined by ELISA on admission and after 2 to 4 days in 37 sepsis patients with (n = 13) and without T2D (n = 24) and compared to normal healthy controls (n = 25). Correlations between GLP‐1 system activation and clinical, inflammatory, and diabetes‐related metabolic parameters were performed.

Results

A 5‐fold (P < .001) and 2‐fold (P < .05) increase in active and total GLP‐1 levels, respectively, were found on admission as compared to controls. At 2 to 4 days from admission, the level of active GLP‐1 forms in surviving patients were decreased significantly (P < .005), and positively correlated with inflammatory marker CRP (r = 0.33, P = .05). T2D survivors displayed a similar but more enhanced pattern of GLP‐1 response than nondiabetic survivors. Nonsurvivors demonstrate an early extreme increase of both total and active GLP‐1 forms, 9.5‐fold and 5‐fold, respectively (P < .05). The initial and late levels of circulating GLP‐1 inhibitory enzyme sDPP‐4 were twice lower in all studied groups (P < .001), compared with healthy controls.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data indicate that endogenous GLP‐1 system is activated during sepsis. Patients with T2D display an enhanced and prolonged activation as compared to nondiabetic patients. Extreme early increased GLP‐1 levels during sepsis indicate poor prognosis.
Useful surrogates of soil texture for plant ecologists from airborne gamma‐ray detection
Authors: Read Cassia F. , Duncan David H. , Ho Chiu Yee Catherine , White Matt , Vesk Peter A.
Published: January 2018

Plant ecologists require spatial information on functional soil properties but are often faced with soil classifications that are not directly interpretable or useful for statistical models. Sand and clay content are important soil properties because they indicate soil water‐holding capacity and nutrient content, yet these data are not available for much of the landscape. Remotely sensed soil radiometric data offer promise for developing statistical models of functional soil properties applicable over large areas. Here, we build models linking radiometric data for an area of 40,000 km2 with soil physicochemical data collected over a period of 30 years and demonstrate a strong relationship between gamma radiometric potassium (40K), thorium (²³²Th), and soil sand and clay content. Our models showed predictive performance of 43% with internal cross‐validation (to held‐out data) and ~30% for external validation to an independent test dataset. This work contributes to broader availability and uptake of remote sensing products for explaining patterns in plant distribution and performance across landscapes.
Swift action increases the success of population reinforcement for a declining prairie grouse
Authors: Hardy Michael A. , Hull Scott D. , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: January 2018

Translocations have become an increasingly valuable tool for conservation in recent years, but assessing the successfulness of translocations and identifying factors that contribute to their success continue to challenge biologists. As a unique class of translocation, population reinforcements have received relatively little attention despite representing a substantial portion of translocation programs. Here, we conducted population viability analyses to quantify the effects of 216 reinforcement scenarios on the long‐term viability of four populations of Greater Prairie‐Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) in Wisconsin, USA, and used multiple linear regression to identify factors that had the greatest relative influence on population viability. We considered reinforcements from outside of the study area in addition to translocations among Wisconsin populations. We observed the largest decreases in site‐specific extinction probability and the largest increases in the number of sites persisting for 50 years when more vulnerable populations were targeted for reinforcement. Conversely, reinforcing the most stable sites caused the greatest reduction in regional extinction probability. We found that the number of translocated hens was a comparatively poor predictor of changes in long‐term population viability, whereas the earlier onset of reinforcement was consistently associated with the greatest increases in viability. Our results highlight the value of evaluating alternative reinforcement strategies a priori and considering the effects of reinforcement on metrics of long‐term population persistence.
The century experiment: the first twenty years of UC Davis' Mediterranean agroecological experiment
Authors: Wolf Kristina M. , Torbert Emma E. , Bryant Dennis , Burger Martin , Denison R. Ford , Herrera Israel , Hopmans Jan , Horwath Will , Kaffka Stephen , Kong Angela Y. Y. , Norris R. F. , Six Johan , Tomich Thomas P. , Scow Kate M.
Published: January 2018

The Century Experiment at the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility at the University of California, Davis provides long‐term agroecological data from row crop systems in California's Central Valley starting in 1993. The Century Experiment was initially designed to study the effects of a gradient of water and nitrogen availability on soil properties and crop performance in ten different cropping systems to measure tradeoffs and synergies between agricultural productivity and sustainability. Currently systems include 11 different cropping systems–consisting of four different crops and a cover crop mixture–and one native grass system. This paper describes the long‐term core data from the Century Experiment from 1993–2014, including crop yields and biomass, crop elemental contents, aerial‐photo‐based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, soil properties, weather, chemical constituents in irrigation water, winter weed populations, and operational data including fertilizer and pesticide application amounts and dates, planting dates, planting quantity and crop variety, and harvest dates. This data set represents the only known long‐term set of data characterizing food production and sustainability in irrigated and rainfed Mediterranean annual cropping systems. There are no copyright restrictions associated with the use of this dataset.
Litter removal in a tropical rain forest reduces fine root biomass and production but litter addition has few effects
Authors: Rodtassana C. , Tanner E. V. J.
Published: January 2018

Many old‐growth lowland tropical rain forests are potentially nutrient limited, and it has long been thought that many such forests maintain growth by recycling nutrients from decomposing litter. We investigated this by continuously removing (for 10 yr) freshly fallen litter from five (45 m × 45 m) plots, adding it to five other plots, there were five controls. From monthly measures over 1 yr we show that litter removal caused lower: fine root (≤2 mm diameter) standing mass, fine root standing length, fine root length production and fine root length survivorship. Litter addition did not significantly change fine root mass or length or production. Nutrient concentrations in fine roots in litter removal plots were lower than those in controls for nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), concentrations in fine roots in litter addition plots were higher for N and Ca. Chronic litter removal has resulted in reduced forest growth due to lack of nutrients, probably nitrogen. Conversely, long‐term litter addition has had fewer effects.
A Hexanuclear Cadmium Metal–Organic Framework Exhibiting Dual Mechanisms to Trigger a Fluorescence‐Quenching Response toward Iron(III) Ions
Authors: Li Long‐Sheng , Wang Xi , Jia Yan‐Yuan , Xu Shi‐Xian , Yu Mei‐Hui , Zhang Ying‐Hui
Published: January 2018

A hexanuclear CdII metal–organic framework (1) based on 4‐(1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamido)benzoic acid (H2L) and featuring a three‐dimensional microporous framework was synthesized. Notably, 1 shows a unique fluorescence‐quenching response toward Fe3+ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity (Stern–Volmer constant KSV = 2.07 × 104 m–1). The response is attributable to the coaction of absorption competition and energy‐transfer (ET) mechanism. Furthermore, spectral analysis indicates that the energy‐transfer mechanism makes the dominant contribution to the fluorescence quenching of 1.
Machine‐learned analysis of quantitative sensory testing responses to noxious cold stimulation in healthy subjects
Authors: Weyer‐Menkhoff I. , Thrun M.C. , Lötsch J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Pain in response to noxious cold has a complex molecular background probably involving several types of sensors. A recent observation has been the multimodal distribution of human cold pain thresholds. This study aimed at analysing reproducibility and stability of this observation and further exploration of data patterns supporting a complex background.

Method

Pain thresholds to noxious cold stimuli (range 32–0 °C, tonic: temperature decrease −1 °C/s, phasic: temperature decrease −8 °C/s) were acquired in 148 healthy volunteers. The probability density distribution was analysed using machine‐learning derived methods implemented as Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM), emergent self‐organizing maps and self‐organizing swarms of data agents.

Results

The probability density function of pain responses was trimodal (mean thresholds at 25.9, 18.4 and 8.0 °C for tonic and 24.5, 18.1 and 7.5 °C for phasic stimuli). Subjects' association with Gaussian modes was consistent between both types of stimuli (weighted Cohen's κ = 0.91). Patterns emerging in self‐organizing neuronal maps and swarms could be associated with different trends towards decreasing cold pain sensitivity in different Gaussian modes. On self‐organizing maps, the third Gaussian mode emerged as particularly distinct.

Conclusion

Thresholds at, roughly, 25 and 18 °C agree with known working temperatures ofTRPM8 andTRPA1 ion channels, respectively, and hint at relative local dominance of either channel in respective subjects. Data patterns suggest involvement of further distinct mechanisms in cold pain perception at lower temperatures. Findings support data science approaches to identify biologically plausible hints at complex molecular mechanisms underlying human pain phenotypes.

Significance

Sensitivity to pain is heterogeneous. Data‐driven computational research approaches allow the identification of subgroups of subjects with a distinct pattern of sensitivity to cold stimuli. The subgroups are reproducible with different types of noxious cold stimuli. Subgroups show pattern that hints at distinct and inter‐individually different types of the underlying molecular background.
Mn3O4 Nanoparticle‐Decorated Carbon Cloths with Superior Catalytic Activity for the VII/VIII Redox Reaction in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Zeng L. , Zhao T. S. , Wei L. , Zeng Y. K. , Zhou X. L.
Published: January 2018

Mn3O4 nanoparticle‐decorated carbon cloths are prepared as the electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles are prepared using a two‐step process, in which MnOOH nanoflakes are electrodeposited on the surface of the carbon cloth and subsequently converted to Mn3O4 nanoparticles by a thermal treatment. The prepared electrode exhibits a superior electrocatalytic activity toward the VII/VIII redox reaction. It is demonstrated that the peak potential separation of the VII/VIII redox reaction on the as‐prepared electrode is reduced from 402.0 mV to 82.4 mV at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1 when the pristine carbon cloth is deposited with Mn3O4 nanoparticles. The flow battery with carbon cloths decorated with 0.31 mg cm−2 of Mn3O4 nanoparticles as the electrode exhibits an energy efficiency of 88 %, which is 17 % higher than that of the battery assembled with the pristine carbon cloth at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. Therefore, the superior electrocatalytic activity of Mn3O4 nanoparticles reported offers a promising approach to improve the performance of carbon‐based electrodes, which can reduce the capital cost of vanadium redox flow batteries.
Acute toxicity of 6 neonicotinoid insecticides to freshwater invertebrates
Authors: Raby Melanie , Nowierski Monica , Perlov Dmitri , Zhao Xiaoming , Hao Chunyan , Poirier David G. , Sibley Paul K.
Published: January 2018

Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides commonly used in agriculture. Due to their high water solubility, neonicotinoids can be transported to surface waters and have the potential to be toxic to aquatic life. The present study assessed and compared the acute (48- or 96-h) toxicity of 6 neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) to 21 laboratory-cultured and field-collected aquatic invertebrates spanning 10 aquatic arthropod orders. Test conditions mimicked species’ habitat, with lentic taxa exposed under static conditions, and lotic taxa exposed under recirculating systems. Median lethal concentrations (LC50s) and median effect concentrations (EC50s; immobility) were calculated and used to construct separate lethal- and immobilization-derived species sensitivity distributions for each neonicotinoid, from which 5th percentile hazard concentrations (HC5s) were calculated. The results showed that the most sensitive invertebrates were insects from the orders Ephemeroptera (Neocloeon triangulifer) and Diptera (Chironomus dilutus), whereas cladocerans (Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia) were the least sensitive. The HC5s were compared with neonicotinoid environmental concentrations from Ontario (Canada) monitoring studies. For all neonicotinoids except imidacloprid, the resulting hazard quotients indicated little to no hazard in terms of acute toxicity to aquatic communities in Ontario freshwater streams. For the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, a moderate hazard was found when only invertebrate immobilization, and not lethality, data were considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1430–1445. © 2018 SETAC
The ethnobotanical importance and conservation value of native plants in eastern Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Heneidy Selim Z. , Halmy Marwa Waseem A. , Bidak Laila M.
Published: January 2018

The eastern coastal area of the Arabian Peninsula is subject to overgrazing, agricultural activities, oil pollution and urban encroachments. These activities cause habitat destruction and may have changed species composition. The current study aimed at assessing conservation and ethnobotanical importance of plants and how they are affected by environmental threats. The natural vegetation composition was studied and the ethnobotanical relative importance (RI) index and the species conservation index (SCI) were calculated. The results showed that native plants provide many ecological and socioeconomic services, including the provisioning of food, medicine, and energy. The native species (>77%) were reported to potentially be used for more than 170 therapeutic applications and for curing various human ailments. The medicinal plants (15%) attained RI value >50% reflecting high versatility and importance in local pharmacopeia. The number of threats to species showed significant positive association with SCI index and insignificant positive association with RI index. The study indicated that the current human activities may have negatively impacted provisioning of ecosystem services especially those offered by native plants. The ability of the natural ecosystems to sustainably provide services will be enhanced by adoption of land management practices that restore species and reduce pressure on native plants.
What is Aspidistra tonkinensis (Gagnep.) Wang et Lang (Asparagaceae)?
Authors: Tillich Hans‐Juergen , Lin Chun‐Rui , Averyanov Leonid V.
Published: January 2018

Aspidistra formosa Aver. & Tillich (Asparagaceae) from Northern Vietnam and adjacend China, Prov. Guangxi is shown to be synonymous to A. tonkinensis (Gagnep.) Wang & Lang. On the other hand, A. tonkinensis clearly differs from A. fungilliformis Wan from China, Guangxi with perigone tube cupulate, outside white (vs, campanulate, purple), and pistil table shaped, stigma discoid (vs. mushroom shaped, stigma hemispherical).
MtnSEON and social–ecological systems science in complex mountain landscapes
Authors: Alessa Lilian , Kliskey Andrew , Gosz James , Griffith David , Ziegler Amber
Published: January 2018

The Mountain Social Ecological Observatory Network (MtnSEON) is a US National Science Foundation‐funded Research Coordination Network that focuses on social–ecological systems (SES) science approaches to understanding the vulnerability, resilience, and sustainability of complex mountain landscapes. Papers from members of several MtnSEON working groups are presented in this Special Issue, with topics ranging from applying an SES conceptual approach to social–ecological observatories to dealing with the human aspects of predator–livestock interactions in the American West. All of these articles portray varying degrees of integration of social and ecological sciences and methodologies in order to better address both complex and “wicked” problems inherent to many coupled natural and human systems. The diversity of approaches presented here reflect the different project histories, disciplines being integrated, fields of expertise, and nature of the environmental problems and issues being addressed.
Bark beetles as agents of change in social–ecological systems
Authors: Morris Jesse L , Cottrell Stuart , Fettig Christopher J , DeRose R Justin , Mattor Katherine M , Carter Vachel A , Clear Jennifer , Clement Jessica , Hansen Winslow D , Hicke Jeffrey A , Higuera Philip E , Seddon Alistair WR , Seppä Heikki , Sherriff Rosemary L , Stednick John D , Seybold Steven J
Published: January 2018

Due to recent outbreaks of native bark beetles, forest ecosystems have experienced substantial changes in landscape structure and function, which also affect nearby human populations. As a result, land managers have been tasked with sustaining ecosystem services in impacted areas by considering the best available science, public perceptions, and monitoring data to develop strategies to suppress bark beetle epidemics, and in some cases to restore affected lands and ecosystem services. The effects of bark beetle outbreaks are often detrimental to the provision of ecosystem services, including degraded landscape aesthetics and diminished air and water quality. However, there have been instances where bark beetle outbreaks have benefited communities by, for example, improving habitat for grazing animals and enhancing real‐estate values. As a consequence of the interaction of a warming climate and susceptible forest stand conditions, the frequency, severity, and extent of bark beetle outbreaks are expected to increase and therefore will continue to challenge many social–ecological systems. We synthesize experiences from recent outbreaks to encourage knowledge transfer from previously impacted communities to potentially vulnerable locations that may be at risk from future bark beetle epidemics.
Benefiting From Disagreement: Counterarguing Reduces Prechoice Bias in Information Evaluation
Authors: Chaxel Anne‐Sophie , Han Yegyu
Published: January 2018

Confirmatory information processing (i.e., information distortion) is a robust phenomenon with no known mitigation. This research proposes that information distortion might be mitigated by disrupting its driver, namely, the need for cognitive consistency. Priming a counterarguing mindset should induce people to refute their emerging preferences, thereby disrupting the operation of cognitive consistency. Five studies confirm this prediction. Study 1 demonstrates that priming a counterarguing mindset decreases information distortion. Studies 2 and 3 replicate Study 1 and further show that the influence of a head start on choice diminishes when counterarguing is primed. Study 4 shows that priming counterarguing inhibits consistency‐related concepts. Finally, Study 5 demonstrates that counterarguing not only reduces distortion but also yields reduced commitment to the preferred alternative.
The Name Game: How Naming Products Increases Psychological Ownership and Subsequent Consumer Evaluations
Authors: Stoner Jennifer L. , Loken Barbara , Stadler Blank Ashley
Published: January 2018

Naming products is quite prevalent in American culture; however, we are not aware of any consumer research that explores the effects of this phenomenon. Across three studies, we demonstrate that when consumers name products, their evaluations of those products increase (e.g., attitudes, purchase intentions, and willingness to accept). We find that name fit and creativity as well as subsequent psychological ownership drive this effect. We also demonstrate that the naming effect is quite robust—replicating across multiple products, presentation formats, and populations as well as persisting over time. These results contribute to consumer research by opening up a new substantive line of inquiry into the effects of naming products.
Promotional Games: Trick or Treat?
Authors: Briley Donnel A. , Danziger Shai , Li En
Published: January 2018

Some marketers use game settings to offer deals. Though research has studied the conditions under which consumers engage in such games, we know little about how they respond to deal offers won through the gaming process. We hypothesize that when faced with deal offers from games, such as scratch cards or trivia quizzes, consumers who are high (vs. low) in choice freedom needs often feel reactance and reject the offer. We find converging evidence for this prediction in both controlled experiments (studies 1 and 3) and in a field study (study 2), when using ethnic backgrounds as a proxy for participants’ choice freedom needs (study 1), when directly measuring these needs (study 2), and when manipulating beliefs about the importance of free choice (study 3).
Beyond Beauty: Design Symmetry and Brand Personality
Authors: Bajaj Aditi , Bond Samuel D.
Published: January 2018

Our research explores connections between a fundamental element of visual design, namely symmetry, and consumer inferences regarding brand personality. In contrast to prior work focused on broad affective responses, we propose that symmetry plays an additional, nuanced role in the communication of brand personality. Results of four experiments reveal that asymmetry in visual brand elements is associated by consumers with brand excitement, and that the effect is driven in part by the experience of subjective arousal. These findings contribute to growing interest in visual design and consumer processing, while extending current understanding regarding the communication of brand personality.
Projecting Lower Competence to Maintain Moral Warmth in the Avoidance of Prosocial Requests
Authors: Liu Peggy J. , Lin Stephanie C.
Published: January 2018

When faced with prosocial requests, consumers face a difficult decision between taking on the request's burden or appearing unwarm (unkind, uncaring). We propose that the desire to refuse such requests while protecting a morally warm image leads consumers to under‐represent their competence. Although consumers care strongly about being viewed as competent, five studies showed that they downplayed their competence to sidestep a prosocial request. This effect occurred across both self‐reported and behavioral displays of competence. Further, the downplaying competence effect only occurred when facing an undesirable prosocial request, not a similarly undesirable proself request. The final studies showed that people specifically downplayed competence and not warmth. We further distinguished between social warmth (e.g., humor) and moral warmth (e.g., kindness), showing that when competence, social warmth, and moral warmth were all requisite skills for a prosocial task, people downplayed competence and social warmth more than moral warmth. These findings underscore that although people care strongly about being viewed as competent, they willingly trade off competence evaluations if evaluations of warmth—particularly moral warmth—are at risk.
Brand (in)fidelity: When Flirting with the Competition Strengthens Brand Relationships
Authors: Consiglio Irene , Kupor Daniella M. , Gino Francesca , Norton Michael I.
Published: January 2018

We document the existence and consequences of brand flirting: a short‐lived experience in which a consumer engages with and/or indulges in the alluring qualities of a brand without committing to it. We propose that brand flirting is exciting, and that when consumers flirt with a brand other than their typically preferred brand in the same product category, they can transfer this excitement to their preferred brand—resulting in even greater love and desire for it. Consistent with this conceptual account, we demonstrate that this brand flirting effect is mediated by excitement. Moreover, the brand flirting effect is most likely to emerge under conditions that facilitate arousal transfer: when consumers are highly committed to their preferred brand, and when the brand with which consumers flirt is similar to their preferred brand.
Microblogging and the Value of Undirected Communication
Authors: Buechel Eva C. , Berger Jonah
Published: January 2018

Online social networks have become extremely popular, but what drives sharing through these channels? We demonstrate that one of the most popular features of online social networks, microblogging (e.g., tweeting or sharing Facebook status updates), is driven in part by its undirected nature. Microblogging allows people to simultaneously express themselves to a large number of potential communication partners without having to address anyone in particular. As a result, this communication channel is particularly valued when people feel socially apprehensive; it allows them to reach out without having to impose communication and potentially bother anyone in particular. These findings shed light on one reason why people use online social networks and provide insight into the value of undirected communication.
Off‐Task Social Breaks and Group Creativity
Authors: Breslin Dermot
Published: January 2018

This study investigates the effect of off‐task breaks, where individuals engage in a collective off‐task activity, on group creativity. Using an experimental method comprising 36 groups of 5 individuals, the relationships between different types of off‐task group break and performance in creative tasks post‐break are explored. When compared to the no‐break case, it is seen that off‐task breaks, in which all individuals participate in the group activity, lead to more original ideas being generated post‐break. On the other hand, individual incubation breaks and self‐organizing group breaks, lead to lower levels of post‐break idea originality when compared with the no‐break case. This research thus highlights the positive benefits of off‐task breaks involving full member participation, on the creative process in groups.
Drift sand fields as a result of past and current deforestation in the Silesian‐Cracow Upland, Poland
Authors: Dulias Renata
Published: January 2018

The Silesian‐Cracow Upland, due to the exceptionally large reserves of various natural resources, was under the influence of intense human activity throughout the last millennium. Economic development of the Upland began in the Middle Ages by mining and smelting of iron ore, silver, and lead; from the 18th to the 20th century, the area experienced intense exploitation of coal, zinc and lead ores, stowing sands, as well as dolomites and limestone. Mining and metallurgy have almost always been associated with deforestation. The sandy substrate devoid of vegetation was subjected to aeolian processes, resulting in numerous fields of drift sands. In this paper, based on the analysis of archival and contemporary cartographic materials, as well as historical and archaeological studies and field research, spatial distribution of drift sands was determined, its origin, the time of creation, and durability in the landscape. Research showed that drift sands appeared in the Middle Ages and its ‘desert’ character persisted for 200–300 years, often even for 400–500 years. In the second half of the 20th century, most of the former areas with drift sands were afforested. Currently, bare sands are found only on 2 areas in the Silesian‐Cracow Upland. As unique landscapes, they require special protection because of the biodiversity and geodiversity. Research confirmed that historical interpretations are a valuable source of information about the old landscapes. This knowledge can and should be used by local authorities, institutions, and societies to manage the space, respecting the traces of the settlement and the economic past.
A Tough Composite Hydrogel can Controllably Deliver Hydrophobic Drugs under Ultrasound
Authors: Li Guo , Wang Youpeng , Wang Shuwei , Jiang Jinqiang
Published: January 2018

Hydrogels are promising materials for biomedical uses, but they usually lack the ability to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs with proper drug‐releasing stimulating method. Here a composite hydrogel with ultrasound controllable hydrophobic drug release behavior is reported, hydrophobic drug‐loaded silicone oil were dispersed in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel as microdroplets, which not only act as drug reservoirs but also notably enhance the toughness of the hydrogel. Ultrasound is used to trigger the hydrophobic drug release from the hydrogel, high on–off drug release ratios are obtained in the surveyed samples. Mechanism of ultrasound controlled drug release is studied, and the results indicate the mechanical effect is the main reason. The facile and general method of encapsulation and controlled release of hydrophobic drugs from hydrogels proposed in this contribution can be readily extended to other hydrogel system and can potentially broaden the application scope of hydrogel drug delivery.
Testosterone Suppression with Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Agonists in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wilke Derek , Patil Nikhilesh , Hollenhorst Helmut , Bowes David , Rutledge Robert , Ago Casely
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To characterize the probability of testosterone escape during a course of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation (ADT) in patients with prostate cancer, and examine predictors of testosterone escape, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels during testosterone escape, and the impact of testosterone escape on outcome.

Patients and Methods

To participate in the database review, necessary data included: (i) type of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) administered, date of initiation, and date of cessation or duration of therapy, (ii) radiotherapy information (start date and dose) with at least 6 months of follow‐up after radiotherapy, (iii) radiotherapy to the prostate or prostate bed, and (iv) at least one serum testosterone and PSA measurement.

Results

Five hundred sixty patients in the database were identified as being treated with radiotherapy and ADT. Three hundred seventy‐five patients had at least one measurement of testosterone and PSA, and the type of LHRHa used could be determined in 361 patients. Median follow‐up of patients still living was 4.7 years. The median number of testosterone measurements per patient was six. The incidence of testosterone escape per patient course of treatment was buserelin, 9.3%; goserelin, 10.5%; intramuscular leuprolide, 11.5%; leuprolide subcutaneous, 23.9%; and triptorelin, 6.7% (p = 0.02). There was no difference in either biochemical failure‐free survival or overall survival in patients stratified by testosterone escape. The modal PSA level during a testosterone escape was an undetectable PSA.

Conclusions

An undetectable PSA does not rule out the presence of higher than desired levels of testosterone during ADT. In this cohort of patients, there appears to be no impact of testosterone escape on either biochemical relapse‐free survival or overall survival.
Nanoscale Janus Particles with Dual Protein Functionalization
Authors: Kadam Reshma , Zilli Marina , Maas Michael , Rezwan Kurosch
Published: January 2018

Biofunctionalized Janus particles with tailored surface chemistry are gathering interest for applications as catalysts, multifunctional cell surface targets, nanomotors, and drug delivery systems. The dual nature of the surface chemistry of Janus particles can be exploited to immobilize drugs, cell surface targets, and/or other functional molecules on both sides of the particle surface. In this study, a model system is established for the scalable preparation of nanoscale Janus particles with dual protein functionalization with the proteins ferritin and streptavidin. 80 nm silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) modified with azidosilane are used to prepare Pickering emulsions with molten wax as the droplet phase. The azide‐functionalized SiNPs on the Pickering emulsion droplets are further subjected to face‐selective silanization with biotin‐polyethylene glycol ethoxy silane. Afterward, ferritin is grafted on the azide‐functionalized side via a click‐reaction and the biotin groups are conjugated with streptavidin which is labeled with ultrasmall gold nanoparticles. In order to elucidate the advantages and limits of this approach, a detailed characterization is performed of the particles at every process step. The results show that this method represents a scalable platform for the versatile preparation of nanoscale Janus nanoparticles that can potentially be used with a wide variety of proteins.
Building identity in online environments: An information science perspective
Authors: Ryan Frances VC , Cruickshank Peter , Hall Hazel , Lawson Alistair
Published: January 2018

The research presented in this poster is concerned with the ways in which people use information to build identities for themselves online with reference to the themes of personal reputation management. To date these two themes have been under‐explored together in the research literature, both in general and from an information science perspective. The poster content shares findings related to three areas of identity building: (1) the creation and use of online personas and identities; (2) the use of anonymity and pseudonyms through information sharing – or concealment – practices; and (3) the blurring or merging together of participants’ private and professional selves. This study used participant diaries and in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 45 UK‐based participants. The main finding presented here is that individuals present elements of their online persona or personality using online information, but that they do not do so with the intention of building identity. The findings explored in this presentation are contextualised with reference to identity building in the more formal setting of academic reputation management, i.e., through the use of citations.
Synthesis, Thermal Properties and Sensitivity of Ladder‐Like Nitrocellulose Grafted by Polyethylene Glycol
Authors: Meng Xiangjun , Xiao Zhenggang
Published: January 2018

The sensitivity study of propellants has been receiving heightened attentions from a lot of investigators. These propellants based on nitrocellulose are sensitive to accidental stimuli that result in catastrophic accidents. Thus energetic thermoplastic elastomers have been used as binders to replace some nitrocellulose to prepare insensitive high energy propellants. However, some defects are presented in the application of these binders. Based on the reason above, a novel binder named as step ladder‐like nitrocellulose was synthesized by isophorone diisocyanate reacting with free hydroxyl groups of nitrocellulose first, and then reacting with polyethylene glycol. The reaction product was characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC and sensitivity tests. Results show that step ladder‐like nitrocellulose is successfully synthesized from nitrocellulose, and it has a quasi‐spherical shape and regular crystal structure. Furthermore, the thermal weight loss course of step ladder‐like nitrocellulose is relatively gentle in the range of 175–450 °C and its mechanical sensitivity is less than that of raw nitrocellulose.
Synthesis of 4,8‐Dinitraminodifurazano[3, 4‐b,e]pyrazine Derived Nitrogen‐Rich Salts as Potential Energetic Materials
Authors: Li Wei , Tian Junjun , Qi Xiujuan , Wang Kangcai , Jin Yunhe , Wang Binshen , Zhang Qinghua
Published: January 2018

A series of new energetic compounds based on 4,8‐dinitraminodifurazano[3, 4‐b,e]pyrazine were synthesised and fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The structures of compounds 3‐a, 3‐c, 3‐f, and 3‐g were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The physicochemical and energetic properties of these energetic compounds including density, thermal stability, and energetic performance (e. g., detonation velocities and detonation pressures) were investigated. The combination of nitrogen‐rich 4,8‐dihydrodifurazano[3, 4‐b,e]pyrazine framework with highly energetic nitramino moieties endowed these as‐synthesised compounds with excellent detonation performance. Among these as‐synthesised compounds, five energetic salts (3‐a, 3‐b, 3‐c, 3‐f, and 3‐g) exhibited satisfactory calculated detonation velocities (8921–9413 m s‐1), which were superior to cyclo‐1,3,5‐trimethylene‐2,4,6‐trinitamine (RDX) (8878 m s‐1). Notably, compound 3‐f exhibits an excellent calculated detonation velocity of 9166 m s‐1 and also acceptable impact and friction sensitivities (IS=8 J, FS=108 N). The prominent detonation performance with moderate sensitivities indicates that compound 3‐f has the potential to compete with traditional high explosives.