bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respirometric anatomy of the OSA process: microbial basis of enhanced sludge reduction mechanism
Authors: Yağcı Nevin , Pala‐Özkök İlke , Sarıalioğlu Feraye , Allı Buşra , Artan Nazik , Orhon Derin , Sözen Seval
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Extensive research effort has been devoted to the performance of the OSA system. Despite all studies focused on the assessment of observed sludge yield values, their explanations of the mechanisms causing sludge reduction remained highly speculative.

RESULTS

A laboratory‐scale OSA system fed with peptone mixture was operated together with a system consisting only of a sequencing batch reactor. The experimental program focused on the assessment of the nature and characteristics of all streams by calibrating an appropriate model by oxygen uptake rate profiles obtained under different conditions. Results indicated that the interchange stream contained a significant fraction of heterotrophic biomass. Therefore, interpretations of the microbial functions in the OSA/oxic reactor should account for active heterotrophic input through the interchange stream. As also justified by corresponding mass balance expressions, the OSA/oxic reactor sustained a substantially higher active biomass concentration as compared with the control reactor. In this way, the relative magnitude of the endogenous decay was significantly increased with respect to microbial growth and the observed experimental results totally accounting for the excess sludge reduction in the tested lab‐scale OSA system.

CONCLUSION

The experimental results in this study provided conclusive proof that enhanced endogenous decay due to higher active biomass level sustained in the OSA/oxic reactor should be regarded as the major cause of excess sludge reduction in the OSA system. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Sex differences in adolescent ethanol drinking to behavioral intoxication
Authors: Westbrook Sara R. , Kang Minsu , Sherrill Luke K. , O'Hearn Dylan , Krishnamani Tanya , Gulley Joshua M.
Published: May 2018

Rodent models have been especially useful for investigating adolescent ethanol exposure. However, there is a paucity of studies examining sex differences in behavioral intoxication from adolescent ethanol drinking. Here, we used an ethanol drinking model to investigate if adolescent rats of both sexes readily drink ethanol to measurable behavioral intoxication, indicated by increased impulsive action and motor incoordination. Beginning on postnatal day (P) 28, male and female Long‐Evans rats were given 30‐min access to a solution of sucrose (20%) or sweetened ethanol (20% sucrose +15% ethanol) every other day until P60 and once after 2 weeks of forced abstinence (on P75). On alternate (nondrinking) days, rats were reinforced with a food pellet for making a cued nosepoke response. Beginning on P56, rats were tested in this task after drinking sessions to assess ethanol‐induced changes in impulsive action, defined as premature responding prior to cue presentation. Motor coordination was assessed before and after drinking sessions using an incline plane test. Adolescent male and female rats readily consumed ethanol to behavioral intoxication, measured as reduced motor coordination. Following forced abstinence, females displayed greater ethanol‐induced impulsive action. These studies provide evidence for sex differences in behavioral intoxication following adolescent ethanol drinking.
Ballistic tongue projection in a miniaturized salamander
Authors: Deban Stephen M. , Bloom Segall V.
Published: May 2018

Miniaturization of body size is often accompanied by peculiarities in morphology that can have functional consequences. We examined the feeding behavior and morphology of the miniaturized plethodontid salamander Thorius, one of the smallest vertebrates, to determine if its performance and biomechanics differ from those of its larger relatives. High‐speed imaging and dynamics analysis of feeding at a range of temperatures show that tongue projection in Thorius macdougalli is ballistic and achieves accelerations of up to 600 G with low thermal sensitivity, indicating that tongue projection is powered by an elastic‐recoil mechanism. Preceding ballistic projection is an unusual preparatory phase of tongue protrusion, which, like tongue retraction, shows lower performance and higher thermal sensitivity that are indicative of movement being powered directly by muscle shortening. The variability of tongue‐projection kinematics and dynamics is comparable to larger ballistic‐tongued plethodontids and reveals that Thorius is capable of modulating its tongue movements in response to prey distance. Morphological examination revealed that T. macdougalli possesses a reduced number of myofibers in the tongue muscles, a large projector muscle mass relative to tongue mass, and an unusual folding of the tongue skeleton, compared with larger relatives. Nonetheless, T. macdougalli retains the elaborated collagen aponeuroses in the projector muscle that store elastic energy and a tongue skeleton that is free of direct myofiber insertion, two features that appear to be essential for ballistic tongue projection in salamanders.
Author Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Antimicrobial stewardship without infectious disease physician
Authors: Murakami Minoru , Komatsu Hirokazu
Published: May 2018

We were pleased to read the letter to our article and decided to respond to the letter.
A Review: Synthesis and Medicinal Importance of Nicotinonitriles and Their Analogous
Authors: Gouda Moustafa A. , Hussein Belal H. M. , Helal Mohamed H. , Salem Mohammed A.
Published: May 2018

The biological, therapeutic, and medicinal properties of nicotinonitriles (cyanopyridines) and its analogues have prompted enormous research aimed at developing synthetic routes to these heterocyles. This review presents a systematic and comprehensive survey of the method of preparation, the chemical reactivity, and biological properties associated with this system.
Synthesis and in vitro Biological Evaluation of Some Novel Triazole‐Based Heterocycles as Potential Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Sahi Seema , Sodhi Ravinderpal Kour , Jamwal Babita , Paul Satya
Published: May 2018

A series of novel 6‐{5‐aryl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio}methyl‐3‐substituted‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles and 2‐{(5‐aryl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio)‐N‐4‐aryl}acetamides containing 1,2,4‐triazole moiety were synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C, DEPT, and D2O. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against three strains of bacteria along with antifungal activity against five fungal species. It has been found that tested compounds showed moderate activity.
Antitubercular Activity and Synergistic Study of Novel Pyrazole Derivatives
Authors: Jadhav Sunil B. , Fatema Samreen , Sanap Gajanan , Farooqui Mazahar
Published: May 2018

A series of 20 novel pyrazole derivatives were designed and prepared, characterized by 1H‐NMR, mass spectra (ES‐MS), 13C‐NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their growth inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 initially. Rifampicin was used as standard reference. In this screening, derivatives 9, 10, and 11 presented superior inhibition compared with standard. Later, these three compounds were exposed for their Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv inhibitory assay using rifampicin as standard reference. Encouraging M. smegmatis mc2 155 inhibition (9 μg/mL), M. tuberculosis H37Rv inhibition (1.9 μg/mL), and synergism with the first‐line and second‐line antibiotics made compound 10 as lead and safe antitubercular agent among the series.
Effects of Leader Humility on the Performance of Virtual Groups
Authors: Swain Jordon E.
Published: May 2018

Personal humility contributes to leadership effectiveness in a number of situations. However, causal mechanisms linking leader humility to positive outcomes appear to vary by task and by context. The present study investigated a mediation model where leader humility was hypothesized to lead to both a sense of psychological safety in the group and an increased sense of liking for the leader when conducting a highly interdependent task in a virtual environment. In turn, psychological safety and liking for the leader were theorized to positively affect the flow of information in the group, thereby improving group performance. Findings from three experimental studies supported the idea that leader humility positively affects psychological safety in virtual groups and increases liking for the leader. However, psychological safety and liking for the leader only mediated the intent to improve the flow of information in the group. While actual information flow and group performance under a humble leader were in the anticipated direction, the results were not statistically significant, even after controlling for the age and gender of group members. Reasons for humble leaders’ lack of effect on information flow and group performance during the conduct of a conjunctive task in a virtual environment are discussed and future research directions are identified.
Characterization of HPC‐based photoreduced SERS substrates and detection of different organic dyes
Authors: Retko Klara , Ropret Polonca , Cerc Korošec Romana , Sanchez‐Cortes Santiago , Cañamares María Vega
Published: May 2018

Silver nanoparticles were fabricated in situ in the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) matrix by irradiation at different wavelengths (365 and 254 nm) following the principles of green chemistry. HPC is involved in the silver reduction process and in the stabilization as well. Characteristics of the dispersions depend on the weight ratio between silver ions and HPC, irradiation time, and energy of the incident irradiation. Interaction at higher energies leads to higher degradation of the HPC matrix, resulting also in lower pH values of the dispersion. The latter is even more pronounced when using lower initial concentrations of silver nitrate. Different formulations were tested as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates with alizarin solutions and several other probes. Different spectral responses are related to different surface availability and/or to differences in microenvironment or macroenvironment of the nanoparticles. Substrates irradiated at lower energies show superior properties in terms of stability, whereas the substrates with a lower concentration of silver ions and irradiated with higher energies are more suitable for the detection of compounds with acidic properties (such as carminic acid and lac dye) due to lower electrostatic repulsion between the compounds and nanoparticles.
Facet joint degeneration in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: G. Bisson Daniel , Lama Polly , Abduljabbar Fahad , Rosenzweig Derek H. , Saran Neil , Ouellet Jean A. , Haglund Lisbet
Published: May 2018

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a poorly understood deformity of the thoracolumbar spine which affects the intervertebral discs (IVDs) and the articular facet joints. The knowledge concerning facet joints in this context is very limited, although facet joint degeneration is a known contributor of back pain. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was performed to characterize the facet joint chondrocytes and extracellular matrix within the scoliotic spine. Surgically removed articular facet joint tissues were collected from patients undergoing spinal corrective surgery for AIS deformities, while non‐scoliotic articular facet joint tissues were obtained from cadaveric organ donors. Alterations in cartilage tissue structure were evaluated histologically with safranin‐O fast green and a modified OARSI grading scale. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines, matrix‐degrading proteases, and fragmented matrix molecules associated with cartilage degradation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Safranin‐O fast green staining revealed that young scoliotic facet joints show clear signs of degeneration with substantial proteoglycan loss, similar to osteoarthritis (OA). The proteoglycan levels were significantly lower than in healthy asymptomatic non‐scoliotic control individuals. In comparison to controls, scoliotic articular facets showed increased cell density, increased expression of the proliferation marker Ki‐67, and higher expression of MMP‐3, MMP‐13, and IL‐1β. Expression and fragmentation of the small leucine‐rich proteins (SLRPs) chondroadherin, decorin, biglycan, lumican, and fibromodulin were analyzed with western blot. Chondroadherin and decorin were fragmented in cartilage from patients with a curve greater than 70°, whereas biglycan and fibromodulin did not show curve‐related fragmentation. AIS facet joint cartilage shows hallmarks of OA including proteoglycan loss, overexpression of pro‐inflammatory mediators, increased synthesis of matrix‐degrading proteases and fragmentation of SLRPs. As with patients with age‐related OA, the premature joint degeneration seen in scoliotic patients is likely to contribute to the pain perceived in some individuals.
Community social responsibility and the performance of small tourism enterprises: Moderating effects of entrepreneurs' demographics
Authors: Wang Caiping , Xu Honggang , Li Gang , Chen Jason Li
Published: May 2018

This study investigated the two main dimensions of small tourism enterprises' (STEs') community social responsibility and their impact on firms' objective and subjective performance. It also explored the moderating effects of STE owners' demographics on the relationships between the two community social responsibility dimensions and firm performance. By the survey data from STEs in the historical towns in southwestern China, the empirical findings suggested that engaging in socially responsible behavior at the community level contributes to STEs' subjective performance; and the influence of community engagement on STEs' performance is moderated by the owners' demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and birthplace.
Impact of topography and sedentary swidden cultivation on soils in the hilly uplands of North‐East India
Authors: Prokop Paweł , Kruczkowska Bogusława , Syiemlieh Hiambok J. , Bucała‐Hrabia Anna
Published: May 2018

A hilly catchment (4 km2) was selected to quantify the changes in physico‐chemical soil properties when traditional shifting cultivation is converted to sedentary swidden cultivation (elements of slash and burn cultivation with short fallow period), locally called bun (cropping in rows of raised beds formed from soil), in the central part of the Meghalaya Plateau. Assuming that the monsoonal climate, deep‐weathered granites, and time are relatively uniform over the small catchment, the differences in soil were compared on two contrasting landforms (flat ridges and steep slopes) and three land use types (natural deciduous forest, sedentary swidden cultivation of potatoes, and fallow land with pine forest) within each landform. In contrast to previous studies in region, soil fertility indices calculated in the present study indicated that the bun system can also improve soil quality. Soil response significantly varied at spatial scales, however, and in terms of the possibility of continuing sustainable cultivation in the future. At a local scale on flat terrain upon granites, soil under swidden cultivation had the higher fertility indices, than fallow land and natural forest, whereas steep slope cultivated soil had the lowest fertility indices, following fallow land and natural forest. Therefore, bun system can be efficient in tropical regions with gentle terrain and limited forest resources. At a regional scale, low potato yield combined with a growing food demand forces farmers to expand potato cultivation on steep slopes, the dominant landform in the Meghalaya, increasing the risk of soil degradation. Introducing agroforestry with pine trees into bun cultivation can mitigate the rates of soil degradation on steep slopes.
Diazotroph community structure and the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle in the Chukchi Sea (western Arctic Ocean)
Authors: Shiozaki Takuhei , Fujiwara Amane , Ijichi Minoru , Harada Naomi , Nishino Shigeto , Nishi Shinro , Nagata Toshi , Hamasaki Koji
Published: May 2018

Marine nitrogen fixation occurs not only in subtropical and tropical regions but also in colder regions. However, the distribution of diazotrophs, nitrogen fixation rate, and its contribution to the nitrogen cycle in the Arctic Ocean remain poorly understood. We examined the diazotroph community structure and activity in the shelf and off‐shelf regions of the Chukchi Sea, western Arctic Ocean, during late summer 2015. The nitrate and ammonium assimilation rates were determined simultaneously to gain insights into the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle of the region. The diazotroph community determined by Illumina sequencing was mainly composed of Cluster III nifH phylotypes (putative anaerobes), accounting for > 80% of the total sequences examined, except for one surface sample. This result is strikingly different from previous findings in other oceanic regions. The nifH sequences other than those from Cluster III were mostly affiliated with UCYN‐A2 (symbiotic cyanobacteria), which accounted for < 15% of the total sequences. UCYN‐A2 tended to be abundant (maximum 2.9 × 103 copies L−1) in the high‐temperature low‐salinity water mass that is characteristic of Pacific‐originating water. Nitrogen fixation rate was detectable at most stations, with a range of 0.08–3.60 nmol L−1 d−1, displaying no clear relationship with depth (light intensity) or nitrate or ammonium concentration. Nitrogen fixation locally exceeded nitrate assimilation, but accounted for 1.00% at most in the total nitrogen assimilation in the euphotic zone.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Goyet Catherine
Published: May 2018

ZEEBE, RICHARD E. and DIETER WOLF‐GLADROW. 2001. CO2 in Seawater: Equilibrium, Kinetics, Isotopes. Elsevier. ISBN 0‐444‐50946‐1 (paperback). 360 p. US $69.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Williams Peter J. le B.
Published: May 2018

HANSELL, DENNIS A. and CRAIG A. CARLSON (eds.) 2002. Biogeochemistry of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter. Academic Press. ISBN 0‐12‐323841‐2 (hardbound). xxii + 774 p. US $89.95.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Dobbs Fred C.
Published: May 2018

CRAMER, DEBORAH. 2001. Great Waters—An Atlantic Passage. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. ISBN 0‐393‐02019‐3 (hardbound). 442 p. US $27.95.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Gradinger Rolf
Published: May 2018

THOMAS, DAVID N. and GERHARD S. DIECKMANN (eds.) 2003. Sea Ice: An Introduction to its Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geology. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0‐63‐205808‐0 (hardbound). xiv + 402 p. US $155.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Søndergaard Morten
Published: May 2018

CLOSS, GERRY, BARBARA DOWNES, AND ANDREW BOULTON. 2003. Freshwater Ecology: A Scientific Introduction. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0‐632‐05266‐X (paperback). xiv + 221 p. US $60.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Prairie Yves
Published: May 2018

BRÖNMARK, CHRISTER, and LARS‐ANDERS HANSSON. 2005. The Biology of Lakes and Ponds Second Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0‐19‐851613‐4 (paperback). xiv + 285 p. US $45; also available as ISBN 0‐19‐851612‐6 (hardcover) US $100.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Karl David M.
Published: May 2018

SARMIENTO, JORGE L., and NICOLAS GRUBER. 2006. Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0–691–01707–7 (cloth). xii + 503 p. US $75.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Davis Joy A.
Published: May 2018

FRY, BRIAN. 2006. Stable Isotope Ecology. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. ISBN 978–0–387–30513–4 (hardcover). xii + 308 p. US $70.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Piehler Michael F.
Published: May 2018

VALIELA, IVAN. 2006. Global Coastal Change. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 978‐1‐405‐13685‐3 (paperback). vii + 368 p. US $90.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Turley Carol
Published: May 2018

WEISMAN, ALAN. 2007. The World Without Us. Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0‐312‐34729‐4 (hardback). 336 p. US $24.95
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Calbet Albert
Published: May 2018

ALAN G. HILDREW, DAVID G. RAFFAELLI, RONNI EDMONDS‐BROWN (eds). 2007. Body Size: The Structure and Function of Aquatic Ecosystems. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521679671 (paperback) ‐ 9780521861724 (hardcover)‐343 p. US $65 (paperback), $140 (hardcover).
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Kooistra Wiebe H. C.F.
Published: May 2018

ROUND, F.E., CRAWFORD, R.M., and D. G. MANN. 1990. The Diatoms: Biology and Morphology of the Genera. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521714693 US$ 80.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Ducklow Hugh
Published: May 2018

DAVID L. KIRCHMAN (EDS). 2008. Microbial Ecology of the Oceans, 2nd Edition. Edited by David L. Kirchman Wiley. ISBN: 978‐0‐470‐04344‐8. 594 p. US$99.95
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Laws Edward
Published: May 2018

SARAH P. OTTO AND T. DAY. 2007. A Biologists Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution. Princeton University Press, ISBN13: 978‐0‐691‐12344‐8 (hardcover) 752p. US$65.00
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Fisher Jonathan A.D. , Frank Kenneth T.
Published: May 2018

FRANCK COURCHAMP, LUDEK BEREC, AND JOANNA GASCOIGNE. 2008. Allee Effects in Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978‐0‐19‐857030‐1. 256 p. US$90.00
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Montagnes David J.S.
Published: May 2018

DENIS H. LYNN. 2008. The Ciliated Protozoa: Characterization, Classification, and Guide to the Literature, 3rd ed. Springer. ISBN: 978‐1‐4020‐8238‐2. 606 p. $249
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Agatha Sabine
Published: May 2018

MARIE ABBOUD‐ABI SAAB. 2008. Tintinnids of the Lebanese Coastal Waters (Eastern Mediterranean). CNRS – Lebanon/UNEP/MAP/RAC/SPA (paperback). 192 p. Available from the author: mabisaab@cnrs.edu.lb
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Riera Pascal , Andersen Ann , Davoult Dominique
Published: May 2018

COLIN LITTLE, GRAY A. WILLIAMS AND CYNTHIA D. TROWBRIDGE. 2009. The Biology of Rocky Shores, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978‐0198564904. 352 p. US$120
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Visser André
Published: May 2018

DAVID B. DUSENBERY. 2009. Living At Micro Scale: The Unexpected Physics of Being Small. Harvard University Press. ISBN‐13: 978‐0674031166. 448p. US$49.95.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Ibelings Bas W.
Published: May 2018

FREDERIC THOMAS, JEAN‐FRANÇOIS GUEGAN AND FRANÇOIS RENAUD (Eds). 2009. Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism. Oxford University Press. ISBN13: 9780199535330. 240 pp. US $70.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Maier Conny
Published: May 2018

J. MURRAY ROBERTS, ANDREW WHEELER, ANDRE FREIWALD and STEPHEN CAIRNS. 2009. Cold‐water corals. The Biology and Geology of Deep‐Sea Coral Habitats. Cambridge University Press. ISBN‐13: 9780521884853, 334 p. UK £65 (Hardback). Also available as e‐book: ISBN‐13: 9780511537233, US$ 100.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Beisner Beatrix E. , Prairie Yves T.
Published: May 2018

WALTER K. DODDS AND MATT R. WHILES. 2010. Freshwater Ecology (2nd Ed.) Academic (Elsevier) Press. ISBN‐13: 978‐0123747242. 829 pp. $99.95
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Marra John F.
Published: May 2018

GIULO PONTECORVO AND WILLIAM E. SCHRANK. 2009. Fisheries Management: Pandemic Failure, Workable Solutions. Emerald Group Publishing, UK. ISBN‐13: 978‐1848552166. 176 pp. $134.95
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Schaffner Linda C.
Published: May 2018

SCHINDLER, D.W. AND J.R. VALLENTYNE. 2008. The Algal Bowl, Overfertilization of the World's Freshwaters and Estuaries. ISBN 9781844076239 344 pp.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Mayzaud Patrick
Published: May 2018

BIANCHI, T.S., AND E.A. CANUEL. 20111. Chemical Biomarkers in Aquatic Ecosystems. ISBN: 9781400839100, 392pp., $95.00
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Brewer Peter G.
Published: May 2018

JEAN‐PIERRE GATTUSO AND LINA HANSSON (eds). 2011. Ocean Acidification. Oxford University Press, ISBN‐13: 978‐0199591091, 408 pp, $58
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Mantoura R. Fauzi C.
Published: May 2018

SUZANNE ROY, CAROLE LLEWELLYN, EINAR SKARSTAD EGELAND AND GEIR JOHNSEN (eds). 2011. Phytoplankton Pigments: Characterisation, Chemotaxonomy and Applications in Oceanography. Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978‐1‐107‐00066‐7, 845 pp Hardcover $140.00
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Calbet Albert
Published: May 2018

JOHN R. DOLAN, DAVID J.S. MONTAGNES, SABINE AGATHA, D. WAYNE COATS, DIANE K. STOECKER (eds). 2013 The Biology and Ecology of Tintinnid Ciliates: Models for Marine Plankton. Wiley‐Blackwell. ISBN‐13: 978‐0470671511 (hardcover)‐304 p. US $120.69 (hardcover).
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Pawlowski Jan , Holzmann Maria
Published: May 2018

BRASIER M. 2012. Secret Chambers: The Inside Story of Cells & Complex Life. Oxford University Press, ISBN‐13: 978‐0199644001, 256 pp, $29.95 (hardcover)
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Hood Raleigh R.
Published: May 2018

CHARLES B. MILLER AND PATRICIA A. WHEELER. 2012. Biological Oceanography 2nd Ed. Wiley‐Blackwell, ISBN‐13: 978‐1444333022, 480 pp. $64 (paperback)
Predictors of Ultrasound Failure to Detect Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Samoylova Mariya L. , Mehta Neil , Roberts John P. , Yao Francis Y.
Published: May 2018

Current guidelines recommend ultrasound (US) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in cirrhosis. We assess predictors of decreased US sensitivity for detecting HCC. At a single center in the United States, all HCC patients evaluated for liver transplantation (LT) received an abdominal US. From 2007‐2015, consecutive patients presenting for untreated lesions found on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 3 months of US were compared with US findings. Multivariate logistic regression models compared US sensitivities by patient characteristics. Of 1007 patients completing LT evaluation, 47.5% had indeterminate or previously treated nodules and were excluded; 10.4% had imaging that was too far apart or nondiagnostic. Median Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) of the cohort (n= 352) was 11 (interquartile range [IQR], 9‐14), median body mass index (BMI) was 28 kg/m2 (IQR, 25‐32 kg/m2), 39% had received locoregional therapy, and 10% had moderate/large ascites. Per‐patient sensitivity of US compared with CT/MRI was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.76‐0.86). Patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had a US sensitivity of 0.76 versus 0.87 for BMI < 30 kg/m2 (P = 0.01). MELD and ascites did not affect sensitivity. US sensitivity was decreased in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) versus other etiologies (0.59 versus 0.84; P = 0.02). Relative to CT/MRI, US is significantly less sensitive in patients with NASH or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Further study is necessary to examine the added value of cross‐sectional imaging for patients with NASH or obesity.
TGF‐β1‐Modified Hyaluronic Acid/Poly(glycidol) Hydrogels for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Böck Thomas , Schill Verena , Krähnke Martin , Steinert Andre F. , Tessmar Jörg , Blunk Torsten , Groll Jürgen
Published: May 2018

In cartilage regeneration, the biomimetic functionalization of hydrogels with growth factors is a promising approach to improve the in vivo performance and furthermore the clinical potential of these materials. In order to achieve this without compromising network properties, multifunctional linear poly(glycidol) acrylate (PG‐Acr) is synthesized and utilized as crosslinker for hydrogel formation with thiol‐functionalized hyaluronic acid via Michael‐type addition. As proof‐of‐principle for a bioactivation, transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) is covalently bound to PG‐Acr via Traut's reagent which does not compromise the hydrogel gelation and swelling behavior. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) embedded within these bioactive hydrogels show a distinct dose‐dependent chondrogenesis. Covalent incorporation of TGF‐β1 significantly enhances the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs compared to hydrogels with supplemented noncovalently bound TGF‐β1. The observed chondrogenic response is similar to standard cell culture with TGF‐β1 addition with each medium change. In general, multifunctional PG‐Acr offers the opportunity to introduce a range of biomimetic modifications (peptides, growth factors) into hydrogels and, thus, appears as an attractive potential material for various applications in regenerative medicine.
Morphology Regulation in Redox Destructible Amphiphilic Block Copolymers and Impact on Intracellular Drug Delivery
Authors: Bej Raju , Sarkar Jayita , Ray Debes , Aswal Vinod K. , Ghosh Suhrit
Published: May 2018

In two ABA type amphiphilic block copolymers (P1, P2), the hydrophobic B block consists of a bioreducible segmented poly(disulfide) (PDS), while poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) or poly(triethyleneglycol)methylether‐methacrylate (PTEGMA) serve as the hydrophilic A blocks in P1 and P2, respectively, leading to the formation of polymersome and micelle, owing to the difference in the packing parameters. Both exhibit comparable doxorubicin (Dox) encapsulation efficiency, but glutathione (GSH) triggered release appears much faster from the polymersome than micelle owing to the complete degradation of the PDS segment in polymersome morphology unlike in micelle. Dox‐loaded polymers (P1‐Dox and P2‐Dox) exhibit minimum toxicity to normal cells like C2C12. By contrast, P1‐Dox shows excellent killing efficiency to the HeLa cells (cancer cell) (in which the GSH concentration is significantly higher). However, P2‐Dox reveals a rather poor activity even to HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy studies show comparable cellular uptake of P1‐Dox and P2‐Dox. But the polymersome entrapped dye escapes fast from the cargo and reach the nucleus, while the drug‐loaded micelle remains trapped in the perinuclear zone explaining the significant difference in the drug delivery performance of polymersome and micelle.
On the prime geodesic theorem for hyperbolic 3‐manifolds
Authors: Avdispahić Muharem
Published: May 2018

Through the Selberg zeta approach, we reduce the exponent in the error term of the prime geodesic theorem for cocompact Kleinian groups or Bianchi groups from Sarnak's to . At the cost of excluding a set of finite logarithmic measure, the bound is further improved to .
Boasting and aspiring, as status‐reinforcing mechanisms in status‐based loyalty programs
Authors: Sajtos Laszlo , Chong Yit Sean
Published: May 2018

In the retail industry, status‐based loyalty programs (SBLP) are commonly used as an important marketing tool to award elevated status to customers who exceed certain level of spending. In contrast to previous studies that have considered “target and bystander” and “member–non‐member” differentiation, this study responds to the need to account for the dynamics in across‐tier effects in loyalty programs (LPs). By undertaking a scenario‐based experiment that focuses on a “face‐to‐face” across‐tier social event, this study examines the joint effects of exclusivity, status visibility and social comparison on LP members’ status perception and willingness to spend. Contrary to prior beliefs that the beneficial effects for targets (e.g., VIP members) in status hierarchies are offset by the negative effects on bystanders (e.g., non‐VIP members), this study concludes that situations when social comparisons occur in SBLPs are not necessarily zero‐sum games. Ultimately, this study uncovered two distinct status‐reinforcing mechanisms–“aspiring” and “boasting”–which LP members may experience in SBLPs. The outcome of this study highlights important implications for companies to pursue different strategies aimed at enhancing members’ status perceptions.
Sonographic median nerve change after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wang Jia‐Chi , Lin Kon‐Ping , Liao Kwong‐Kum , Chang Yue‐Cune , Wang Kevin A. , Huang Yu‐Fang , Chiu Jan‐Wei
Published: May 2018

Introduction: The sonographic changes of the median nerve after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) still require investigation. Methods: Sixty‐two patients with CTS were included. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was administered, and ultrasonographic examinations were performed before and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after steroid injection. At 12 weeks, general improvement was scored on a 6‐point Likert scale. Results: After treatment, the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve was significantly reduced at 2‐, 6‐, and 12‐week follow‐ups (for each, P < 0.001, analysis of variance). The “significant improvement” group (n = 39) had a significantly greater reduction in the CSA at the carpal tunnel inlet (P = 0.014) and CSA in the proximal carpal tunnel (P = 0.003) compared with the “little/no improvement” group (n = 23). Discussion: Sonographic measurement of CSA may be considered complementary to the standard clinical evaluation in monitoring of treatment response in patients with CTS. Muscle Nerve 58: 402–406, 2018
Isotopes and new norms: Investigating the emergence of early modern U.K. breastfeeding practices at St. Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen
Authors: Britton K. , McManus‐Fry E. , Cameron A. , Duffy P. , Masson‐MacLean E. , Czére O. , Smith N. , Stones J. , Winfield A. , Müldner G.
Published: May 2018

In this study, we aim to extend the chronological, geographical, and societal scope of previous bioarchaeological research on infant diet and age at weaning in Britain in the past through the analysis of the large medieval and post‐medieval skeletal assemblage from St. Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen, Scotland. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data were obtained from rib collagen from 67 sub‐adults across the two phases and were compared with mean adult female dietary isotope values. Nitrogen isotope data were modelled using the R Package WARN, along with previously published data sets, to provide quantitative age estimates for the commencement and completion of weaning at St. Nicholas Kirk and other medieval and post‐medieval sites. Data from Phase A (12th–15th century AD) suggest that breastfeeding may have continued up to and beyond the age of 2 years, likely in combination with other foods. This complements previously published data from urban and rural medieval contexts in England, highlighting similarities in infant feeding practices across very different contemporary populations. Data from post‐medieval Phase B at St. Nicholas Kirk (15th–18th century AD) give new insights into early modern period breastfeeding and weaning practices, indicating that weaning commenced soon after birth and was completed relatively early (within a year). These data bridge the gap between previously published studies on medieval and late 18th‐ to 19th‐century populations from the British Isles and suggest that trends observed at later urban sites may be rooted in preceding centuries, although the underlying reasons for this change are difficult to elucidate. Contributing factors may include the social and religious changes that occurred in the post‐reformation period, such as the decrease in the use of wet nurses, changes in the availability and acceptability of artificial feeding, increased urbanism, and even changes in the socio‐economic status of those interred in the Kirk.
Adaptive rejection of unmatched input disturbances for output tracking using a control separation LQ method
Authors: Wen Liyan , Tao Gang , Yang Hao
Published: May 2018

In this paper, an adaptive disturbance rejection scheme is developed for output tracking of multivariable nonminimum‐phase systems in the presence of uncertain unmatched input disturbances. Using a new cost function, a control separation–based LQ control framework is established for desired disturbance rejection and output tracking. The finite‐time and infinite‐time control separation–based LQ solutions are derived in an explicit composite controller structure, which has enhanced disturbance compensation and output tracking properties, as compared with a traditional LQ solution. An adaptive parameter update algorithm is used for estimation of uncertain disturbances, based on which an adaptive control separation–based LQ control solution is developed for plants in the presence of uncertain disturbances. Simulation results are presented to verify the desired adaptive disturbance rejection control system performance.
Morphology, mechanical properties and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene)/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: effects of maleic anhydride, carbon nanotube loading and processing method
Authors: Kuester Scheyla , Barra Guilherme MO , Demarquette Nicole R
Published: May 2018

Nanocomposites based on poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (SEBS/CNT) as well as SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐MA)/CNT were successfully prepared for electromagnetic shielding applications. Both SEBS/CNT and SEBS‐MA/CNT nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding and were post‐processed using two different techniques: tape extrusion and compression moulding. The different nanocomposites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and rheological analysis. Their mechanical properties, electrical properties (10-2–105 Hz) and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (8.2–12.4 GHz) were also evaluated. The results showed that the CNT loading amount, the presence of MA in the matrix and the shaping technique used strongly influence the final morphologies and properties of the nanocomposites. Whilst the nanocomposite containing 8 wt% CNTs prepared by compression moulding presented the highest electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (with a value of 56.73 dB, which corresponds to an attenuation of 99.9996% of the incident radiation), the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% CNTs prepared by tape extrusion presented the best balance between electromagnetic and mechanical properties and was a good candidate to be used as an efficient flexible electromagnetic interference shielding material. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of white mustard cover crop residue, soil chemical fumigation andTrichodermaspp. root treatment on black‐foot disease control in grapevine
Authors: Berlanas Carmen , Andrés‐Sodupe Marcos , López‐Manzanares Beatriz , Maldonado‐González María Mercedes , Gramaje David
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Black‐foot disease is one of the main soilborne fungal diseases affecting grapevine production worldwide. Two field experiments were established to evaluate the effect of white mustard cover crop residue amendment and chemical fumigation with propamocarb + fosetyl‐Al combined withTrichodermaspp. root treatment on the viability of black‐foot inoculum in soil and fungal infection in grafted plants and grapevine seedlings used as bait plants.

RESULTS

A total of 876 black‐foot pathogen isolates were collected from grafted plants and grapevine seedlings used as bait plants in both fields. White mustard biofumigation reduced inoculum ofDactylonectria torresensisand the incidence and severity of black‐foot of grapevine, but no added benefit was obtained when biofumigation was used withTrichodermaspp. root treatments. The effect of white mustard residues and chemical fumigation on populations ofD. torresensispropagules in soil was inconsistent, possibly because of varying pretreatment inoculum levels.

CONCLUSION

Biofumigation with white mustard plants has potential for improving control of black‐foot disease in grapevines. This control strategy can reduce soil inoculum levels and protect young plants from infection, providing grape growers and nursery propagators with more tools for developing integrated and sustainable control systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Transnational families and child migration to France and Spain. The role of family type and immigration policies
Authors: Eremenko Tatiana , González‐Ferrer Amparo
Published: May 2018

Different family migration strategies and immigration policies may lead to the separation of family members and the formation of transnational families, some of which end up reunifying later on in the country of destination. Despite the growing interest in this issue, no systematic large‐scale study has analysed to what extent child reunification patterns vary among family types, but also in distinct policy contexts. In this paper, we examine the reunification patterns of children left‐behind by parents who migrated to France and Spain in order to understand whether children from standard two‐parent families differ in their chances of joining their migrant parents in the destination country compared to children in non‐standard families (single parent and blended families), as well as the potential role of immigration policies on these chances. We base our analyses on recent nationally representative surveys of immigrants in the two countries (TeO 2008 and ENI 2007), complemented by indicators on immigration policies coded in the ImPol database produced within the TEMPER project. We find that children belonging to non‐standard families are left‐behind for longer periods of time than those in two‐parent families, even after controlling for migrant parents' socio‐economic resources. Our results equally point to a disconnection between the procedure legally defined for family reunification of children and their actual migration trajectories, as well as an important role of regularizations in facilitating the family reunification process.
In Situ Imaging of Dislocation Expansion in FZ‐Si Seeds During Temperature Ramp Heating Process
Authors: Tsoutsouva Maria G. , Riberi‐Béridot Thècle , Regula Gabrielle , Reinhart Guillaume , Baruchel José , Mangelinck‐Noël Nathalie
Published: May 2018

The impact of the thermal field in a directional solidification furnace on the generation and propagation of dislocations is investigated in intrinsic floating zone single crystal silicon. Seeds with different crystallographic orientations are wire‐cut from mono‐crystalline wafers and dislocation sources are solely left at the edges. Thermal annealing experiments are carried out in situ at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the evolution of the silicon crystalline quality is studied by X‐ray diffraction imaging technique. At 1073 K, dislocations nucleate only at the edges and their strain field remains local. At higher temperature (1373 K), dislocations propagate throughout the entire width of the seed via the preferential activation of slip planes, related to the crystallographic orientation of the seed. These results confirm the high importance of seed preparation in mono‐like silicon growth process. Both mechanical and chemical polishing of all seed surfaces, including their edges, are mandatory to prevent dislocation expansion and multiplication.
Size‐Independent and Ultrahigh CO Gas Sensor Based on TiO2 Modified ZnO Tetrapods
Authors: Santhaveesuk Theerapong , Shimanoe Kengo , Suematsu Koichi , Choopun Supab
Published: May 2018

ZnO tetrapods modified by TiO2 powder are synthesized using a simple fast thermal oxidation method, and theirs CO sensing properties are investigated. The ZnO tetrapods modified by TiO2 powder sensor is tested at 250–400 °C under different CO concentrations compared with pure ZnO tetrapods, ZnO nanoparticle, and ZnO powder sensors. With a good crystallinity and a high pore size, the ZnO tetrapods modified by TiO2 powder sensor shows the highest sensing response compared to other sensors, exhibiting a size‐independent property for CO. Additionally, the response time of ZnO tetrapods modified by TiO2 powder sensor is reduced. The improvement of the sensing properties is attributed to microstructure, lattice, surface area, and conductance modification of TiO2 additive together with a high diffusion process deeply inside the sensing layer through the large pore size.
All‐Dielectric Frequency Selective Surface Based on 3D Printing Materials
Authors: Li Liyang , Wang Jun , Feng Mingde , Du Hongliang , Ma Hua , Wang Jiafu , Zhang Jieqiu , Qu Shaobo
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the authors demonstrate a method of using low permittivity 3D printing materials to design all‐dielectric frequency selective surface (FSS). The 3D printing method can be used to fabricate complex structures rapidly and freely. The relative permittivity of materials used in 3D printing is in the range of ≈2.5–4.5. These low permittivity materials are usually transparent to the electromagnetic (EM) waves. In this paper, these low permittivity materials are used to realize stop band FSS to inspire the localized enhanced electric resonances and magnetic resonances by the periodic design. With the ability of using different dielectric materials with low permittivity, FSS with more functional effects may be designed and fabricated in an inexpensive and bio‐friendly way.
Tailoring Threshold Voltage in Indium‐Zinc‐Oxide Thin‐Film Transistors by Inserting a 2‐(4‐Biphenylyl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole Buffer Layer
Authors: Shan Fei , Kim Sung‐Jin
Published: May 2018

The authors investigate solution‐processed indium‐zinc‐oxide (IZO) thin‐film transistors (TFTs) into which the authors insert a 2‐(4‐biphenylyl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (PBD) buffer layer. The proposed buffer layer tune an efficient energy level between the oxide semiconducting channel and metal electrode by increasing the charge extraction, thereby shifting the threshold voltage from 3.52 V to 8.96 V and enhancing overall device performance. In particular, based on 10‐nm‐thick PBD film, the IZO TFTs exhibit an excellent result and show a field‐effect mobility of 2.07 cm2 Vs−1, a high Ion/Ioff ratio of 1.3 × 107, a threshold voltage of 6.36 V, and a subthreshold swing of 0.53 V dec−1.
Improving the Quality of CH3NH3PbI3 Films via Chlorobenzene Vapor Annealing
Authors: Lei Jie , Wang Haoxu , Gao Fei , Liu Shengzhong
Published: May 2018

Crystalline quality of perovskite materials is crucial to the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a chlorobenzene (CB) vapor annealing approach is introduced to prepare high quality CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films. During the annealing process, the CB vapor diffuses into the CH3NH3PbI3 films and dissolves residual DMSO solvent, and volatilizes out of the CH3NH3PbI3 films to help residual DMSO solvent evaporate. This promotes the crystallization of the CH3NH3PbI3 films and the small grains integrate and merge together to form larger grains. The fabricated planar perovskite solar cells based on the CB vapor annealed CH3NH3PbI3 films have an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.9% and the highest PCE of 18.5%. In contrast, the planar perovskite solar cells fabricated using the traditional‐annealed CH3NH3PbI3 films give an average PCE of 16.4% and the highest PCE of 16.8%. The enhanced photovoltaic performance is due to the CH3NH3PbI3 film quality improvement, with higher crystallinity, larger grains, and longer carrier lifetime.
Study of the Temperature Dependence of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with Oxygen Plasma Treatment
Authors: Wang Chong , He Qing , Wu Ji , Zheng Xue‐Feng , He Yun‐Long , Wang Xin , Tian Ye , Mao Wei , Ma Xiao‐Hua , Zhang Jin‐Cheng , Hao Yue
Published: May 2018

The temperature‐dependent characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and recessed‐gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs combined with oxygen plasma treatment (rec + oxy HEMTs) are investigated over a range from 25 to 300 °C. The peak transconductance and saturation current of both types of devices decrease with the increase of temperature due to the decline of channel electron mobility. It is interesting to find that the threshold voltage (VTH) exhibits a positive shift in the conventional HEMT, while a negative shift in the rec + oxy HEMT with temperature increases. The increase in gate leakage current with the temperature is dominated by tunneling mechanism. Furthermore, the annealing process of 300 and 400 °C for 2 min in N2 ambient are utilized in these two kinds of devices for further estimation, respectively. It is found that the channel mobility can be recovered after the 400 °C annealing process, but the VTH shows an obvious negative shift in rec + oxy HEMTs.