bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentiment Analysis of Nigerian Opinions Using Logistic Regression and Random Forest Algorithms: A Comparative Study
Authors: Abia Victor Mfon , Johnson E. Henry , Obot Akaninyene B.
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the efficacy of Logistic Regression and Random Forest models in sentiment analysis using Nigerian-based datasets, namely "Gangs of Lagos" and "PeterObi Politics." Sentiment analysis, a vital component of Natural Language Processing (NLP), plays a crucial role in understanding public opinion and sentiment trends, particularly in the context of Nigerian socio-political discourse. Leveraging machine learning techniques, the study examines the performance of these models in predicting sentiment classes, including positive, negative, and neutral sentiments, within the datasets. The findings shed light on the strengths and limitations of Logistic Regression and Random Forest in discerning sentiment nuances prevalent in Nigerian language expressions with Logistic Regression outperforming Random Forest in both cases. This research contributes to the advancement of sentiment analysis methodologies tailored to Nigerian linguistic and cultural contexts, with implications for various applications, including social media monitoring, political analysis, and market research.
Identification of a stable complex between a [NiFe]‐hydrogenase catalytic subunit and its maturation protease
Authors: Albareda Marta , Buchanan Grant , Sargent Frank
Published: December 2016

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium has the ability to use molecular hydrogen as a respiratory electron donor. This is facilitated by three [NiFe]‐hydrogenases termed Hyd‐1, Hyd‐2, and Hyd‐5. Hyd‐1 and Hyd‐5 are homologous oxygen‐tolerant [NiFe]‐hydrogenases. A critical step in the biosynthesis of a [NiFe]‐hydrogenase is the proteolytic processing of the catalytic subunit. In this work, the role of the maturation protease encoded within the Hyd‐5 operon, HydD, was found to be partially complemented by the maturation protease encoded in the Hyd‐1 operon, HyaD. In addition, both maturation proteases were shown to form stable complexes, in vivo and in vitro, with the catalytic subunit of Hyd‐5. The protein–protein interactions were not detectable in a strain that could not make the enzyme metallocofactor.
Nucleation process of magnitude 2 repeating earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault predicted by rate‐and‐state fault models with SAFOD drill core data
Authors: Kaneko Yoshihiro , Carpenter Brett M. , Nielsen Stefan B.
Published: December 2016

Recent laboratory shear‐slip experiments conducted on a nominally flat frictional interface reported the intriguing details of a two‐phase nucleation of stick‐slip motion that precedes the dynamic rupture propagation. This behavior was subsequently reproduced by a physics‐based model incorporating laboratory‐derived rate‐and‐state friction laws. However, applying the laboratory and theoretical results to the nucleation of crustal earthquakes remains challenging due to poorly constrained physical and friction properties of fault zone rocks at seismogenic depths. Here we apply the same physics‐based model to simulate the nucleation process of crustal earthquakes using unique data acquired during the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) experiment and new and existing measurements of friction properties of SAFOD drill core samples. Using this well‐constrained model, we predict what the nucleation phase will look like for magnitude ∼2 repeating earthquakes on segments of the San Andreas Fault at a 2.8 km depth. We find that despite up to 3 orders of magnitude difference in the physical and friction parameters and stress conditions, the behavior of the modeled nucleation is qualitatively similar to that of laboratory earthquakes, with the nucleation consisting of two distinct phases. Our results further suggest that precursory slow slip associated with the earthquake nucleation phase may be observable in the hours before the occurrence of the magnitude ∼2 earthquakes by strain measurements close (a few hundred meters) to the hypocenter, in a position reached by the existing borehole.
Extensive and drastically different alpine lake changes on Asia's high plateaus during the past four decades
Authors: Zhang Guoqing , Yao Tandong , Piao Shilong , Bolch Tobias , Xie Hongjie , Chen Deliang , Gao Yanhong , O'Reilly Catherine M. , Shum C. K. , Yang Kun , Yi Shuang , Lei Yanbin , Wang Weicai , He You , Shang Kun , Yang Xiankun , Zhang Hongbo
Published: December 2016

Asia's high plateaus are sensitive to climate change and have been experiencing rapid warming over the past few decades. We found 99 new lakes and extensive lake expansion on the Tibetan Plateau during the last four decades, 1970–2013, due to increased precipitation and cryospheric contributions to its water balance. This contrasts with disappearing lakes and drastic shrinkage of lake areas on the adjacent Mongolian Plateau: 208 lakes disappeared, and 75% of the remaining lakes have shrunk. We detected a statistically significant coincidental timing of lake area changes in both plateaus, associated with the climate regime shift that occurred during 1997/1998. This distinct change in 1997/1998 is thought to be driven by large‐scale atmospheric circulation changes in response to climate warming. Our findings reveal that these two adjacent plateaus have been changing in opposite directions in response to climate change. These findings shed light on the complex role of the regional climate and water cycles and provide useful information for ecological and water resource planning in these fragile landscapes.
Applications of the Jupiter Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model: A case study of auroral electron energy deposition
Authors: Egert Austin , Waite J. Hunter , Bell Jared
Published: December 2016

We investigate auroral energy deposition by using a nonhydrostatic global atmospheric model coupled to a two‐stream electron transport model. We present several electron beam study cases, discussing energy flux and electron energy effects on the ion and neutral densities, the atmospheric thermal profile, H3+ and hydrocarbon infrared (IR) emissions, H2 far ultraviolet (FUV) emissions and color ratios, and vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen. Using the nonhydrostatic Jupiter Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model, we find that FUV spectral characteristics consistent with previous Hubble Space Telescope results derive primarily from electrons with energies above 10 keV, over energy fluxes of 10–100 erg/cm2 s, while IR emissions are predominantly due to electrons with energies below 10 keV, over energy fluxes of 10–100 erg/cm2 s. Electrons with energies below about 10 keV produce enough H2(ν) to deplete the H+ population, modifying the ionospheric composition, and consequently the H3+ emissions, which can be used to directly relate H2 vibrational excitation to auroral observations. New observations by Juno will provide better electron energy distributions to constrain the electron energy spectrum and magnitude at the upper boundary of the model and simultaneously provide a determination of the FUV and IR spectra that can be cross‐correlated with the observations.
Fast 3‐D large‐scale gravity and magnetic modeling using unstructured grids and an adaptive multilevel fast multipole method
Authors: Ren Zhengyong , Tang Jingtian , Kalscheuer Thomas , Maurer Hansruedi
Published: December 2016

A novel fast and accurate algorithm is developed for large‐scale 3‐D gravity and magnetic modeling problems. An unstructured grid discretization is used to approximate sources with arbitrary mass and magnetization distributions. A novel adaptive multilevel fast multipole (AMFM) method is developed to reduce the modeling time. An observation octree is constructed on a set of arbitrarily distributed observation sites, while a source octree is constructed on a source tetrahedral grid. A novel characteristic is the independence between the observation octree and the source octree, which simplifies the implementation of different survey configurations such as airborne and ground surveys. Two synthetic models, a cubic model and a half‐space model with mountain‐valley topography, are tested. As compared to analytical solutions of gravity and magnetic signals, excellent agreements of the solutions verify the accuracy of our AMFM algorithm. Finally, our AMFM method is used to calculate the terrain effect on an airborne gravity data set for a realistic topography model represented by a triangular surface retrieved from a digital elevation model. Using 16 threads, more than 5800 billion interactions between 1,002,001 observation points and 5,839,830 tetrahedral elements are computed in 453.6 s. A traditional first‐order Gaussian quadrature approach requires 3.77 days. Hence, our new AMFM algorithm not only can quickly compute the gravity and magnetic signals for complicated problems but also can substantially accelerate the solution of 3‐D inversion problems.
Pressure dependence of electrical conductivity in forsterite
Authors: Yoshino Takashi , Zhang Baohua , Rhymer Brandon , Zhao Chengcheng , Fei Hongzhan
Published: December 2016

Electrical conductivity of dry forsterite has been measured in muli‐anvil apparatus to investigate the pressure dependence of ionic conduction in forsterite. The starting materials for the conductivity experiments were a synthetic forsterite single crystal and a sintered forsterite aggregate synthesized from oxide mixture. Electrical conductivities were measured at 3.5, 6.7, 9.6, 12.1, and 14.9 GPa between 1300 and 2100 K. In the measured temperature range, the conductivity of single crystal forsterite decreases in the order of [001], [010], and [100]. In all cases, the conductivity decreases with increasing pressure and then becomes nearly constant for [100] and [001] and slightly increases above 7 GPa for [010] orientations and a polycrystalline forsterite sample. Pressure dependence of forsterite conductivity was considered as a change of the dominant conduction mechanism composed of migration of both magnesium and oxygen vacancies in forsterite. The activation energy (ΔE) and activation volume (ΔV) for ionic conduction due to migration of Mg vacancy were 1.8–2.7 eV and 5–19 cm3/mol, respectively, and for that due to O vacancy were 2.2–3.1 eV and −1.1 to 0.3 cm3/mol, respectively. The olivine conductivity model combined with small polaron conduction suggests that the most part of the upper mantle is controlled by ionic conduction rather than small polaron conduction. The previously observed negative pressure dependence of the conductivity of olivine with low iron content (Fo90) can be explained by ionic conduction due to migration of Mg vacancies, which has a large positive activation volume.
Hydrographic and ecologic implications of foraminiferal stable isotopic response across the U.S. mid‐Atlantic continental shelf during the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Makarova Maria , Wright James D. , Miller Kenneth G. , Babila Tali L. , Rosenthal Yair , Park Jill I.
Published: December 2016

We present new δ13C and δ18O records of surface (MorozovellaandAcarinina) and thermocline dwelling (Subbotina) planktonic foraminifera and benthic foraminifera (Gavelinella,Cibicidoides, andAnomalinoides) during the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) from Millville, New Jersey, and compare them with three other sites located along a paleoshelf transect from the U.S. mid‐Atlantic coastal plain. Our analyses show different isotopic responses during the PETM in surface versus thermocline and benthic species. Whereas all taxa record a 3.6–4.0‰ δ13C decrease associated with the carbon isotope excursion, thermocline dwellers and benthic foraminifera show larger δ18O decreases compared to surface dwellers. We consider two scenarios that can explain the observed isotopic records: (1) a change in the water column structure and (2) a change in habitat or calcification season of the surface dwellers due to environmental stress (e.g., warming, ocean acidification, surface freshening, and/or eutrophication). In the first scenario, persistent warming during the PETM would have propagated heat into deeper layers and created a more homogenous water column with a thicker warm mixed layer and deeper, more gradual thermocline. We attribute the hydrographic change to decreased meridional thermal gradients, consistent with models that predict polar amplification. The second scenario assumes that environmental change was greater in the mixed layer forcing surface dwellers to descend into thermocline waters as a refuge or restrict their calcification to the colder seasons. Although both scenarios are plausible, similar δ13C responses recorded in surface, thermocline, and benthic foraminifera challenge mixed layer taxa migration.
Electrostatic thermal noise in a weakly ionized collisional plasma
Authors: Martinović M. M. , Zaslavsky A. , Maksimović M. , Šegan S.
Published: December 2016

Quasi‐thermal noise (QTN) spectroscopy is a plasma diagnostic technique which enables precise measurements of local electron velocity distribution function moments. This technique is based on measurements and analysis of voltage fluctuations at the antenna terminals, induced by thermal motion of charged particles. In this work, we accommodate, for the first time, this technique to weakly ionized collisional plasmas. It turns out that the QTN spectrum is modified both at low frequencies, increasing the level of power spectrum, and around the plasma frequency, where collisions damp the plasma oscillations and therefore broaden and reduce the amplitude of so called “plasma peak,” while the spectrum at high frequencies is nearly unmodified compared to the collisionless case. Based on these results, we show that QTN spectroscopy enables independent measurements of the collision frequency, electron density, and temperature, provided the ratio of collision frequency to plasma frequency is ν/ωp∼0.1. The method presented here can be used for precise estimation of plasma parameters in laboratory devices and unmagnetized ionospheres, while application in the ionosphere of Earth is possible but limited to small, low‐frequency range due to magnetic field influence.
Impact of Defect‐Induced Strain on Device Properties
Authors: Reiche Manfred , Kittler Martin , Pippel Eckhard , Uebensee Hartmut , Kosina Hans , Grill Alexander , Stanojevic Zlatan , Baumgartner Oskar
Published: December 2016

A significant increase of the drain current appears if defined arrangements of dislocations are present in the channel of MOSFETs. Furthermore, analyses of the electronic properties of individual defects refer to a supermetallic behavior of dislocations. The reason is the extremely high strain in the dislocation core exceeding values of ϵ ≅ 0.1. Such high strain causes substantial changes of the band structure and means that dislocations represent quantum wires. Quantum mechanical device simulations based on this conclusion demonstrated the transport of carriers on dislocations. The effect of gate voltage and strain in the dislocation core was analyzed in detail.
Effective Use of Electrically Insulating Units in Organic Semiconductor Thin Films for High‐Performance Organic Transistors
Authors: Kang Boseok , Ge Feng , Qiu Longzhen , Cho Kilwon
Published: December 2016

The electrical properties of organic semiconductors (OSCs), whether they are conjugated small molecules or polymers, can be tailored by incorporating electrically insulating units (EIUs), which are organic moieties consisting of nonconjugated units. EIUs can be introduced to a thin film by synthetically connecting them to the otherwise conjugated OSC molecules or by blending them in as separate EIU molecules with the OSCs during the thin‐film fabrication process. The engineered EIUs are capable of imparting various additional functions to the OSC thin film and improving their electrical properties. In this review article, a comprehensive overview of various effects of EIUs on OSC thin films and their consequent electrical performance when used as active layers in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) is provided. A broad range of studies of the synthetic approaches of incorporating EIUs, such as those using side chains, block copolymers, and conjugation‐break spacers, and of the blending approaches with organic insulators is discussed. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives for future research in this field are presented.
Intensified and safe ozonolysis of fatty acid methyl esters in liquid CO2 in a continuous reactor
Authors: Lundin Michael D. , Danby Andrew M. , Akien Geoffrey R. , Venkitasubramanian Padmesh , Martin Kevin J. , Busch Daryle H. , Subramaniam Bala
Published: December 2016

We demonstrate a continuous reactor for performing the ozonolysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using liquid CO2 as solvent. The fast reaction kinetics allows the use of small‐volume reactors to completely convert the FAMEs, forming secondary ozonides as the primary products. The short residence times also help maximize the yields of the secondary ozonides by minimizing over‐oxidation and the formation of oligomeric products. The liquid CO2 medium promotes safe reactor operation by providing an essential fraction of overall reactor cooling and by diluting the vapor phase organics. We also demonstrate a continuous stirred reactor for the safe thermal decomposition of the secondary ozonides to their corresponding acids and aldehydes. Using a lumped kinetic model for the thermal decomposition of the ozonolysis products, we estimate activation energy values of 108.6 ± 0.6 kJ mol−1 for the decomposition of secondary ozonides and 122 ± 3 kJ mol−1 for the decomposition of the undesired oligomeric species. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 2819–2826, 2017
Facile Construction of Imidazo‐benzothia‐/oxazepines by a Quick and Efficient van Leusen Protocol
Authors: Saha Debasmita , Kaur Tanpreet , Sharma Anuj
Published: December 2016

A facile, elegant, and operationally simple van Leusen protocol for the synthesis of bicyclic dihydrodibenzo[b,f]imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]thiazepines and dihydrodibenzo[b,f]imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]oxazepines is developed. The reaction proceeds without any catalyst and in high yields to provide bicyclic imidazo‐dibenzothia‐/oxazepines at room temperature by using dibenzothiazepines or dibenzoxazepines as imine counterparts.
Controllable Synthesis of Hexagonal WO3 Nanoplates for Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Oxygen Production
Authors: Wang Yu Lei , Wang Xue Lu , Li Yu Hang , Fang Li Jun , Zhao Jun Jie , Du Xu Lei , Chen Ai Ping , Yang Hua Gui
Published: December 2016

Facilitating charge‐carrier separation and transfer is fundamentally important to improve the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor materials. Herein, two‐dimensional hexagonal WO3 nanoplates were synthesized by a two‐step route: rapid evaporation and solid‐phase sintering. The as‐prepared WO3 exhibits an enhanced activity of photocatalytic water oxidation compared to bulk monoclinic WO3. The electron dynamics analysis reveals that a more efficient charge‐carrier separation in the former can be obtained, the origin of which can be attributed to an increased number of surface defects in hexagonal WO3 nanoplates. This work not only presents a novel and simple method to produce two‐dimensional hexagonal WO3 nanoplates, but also demonstrates that surface defects and two‐dimensional geometric structures can promote the charge separation, which may be extended to the design of other efficient photocatalysts.
HIPE Polymerization Materials Functionalized with Iodic‐BODIPY on the Surface as Porous Heterogeneous Visible‐Light Photocatalysts
Authors: Li Wenliang , Li Leijiao , Cui Guihua , Bai Yu , Xiao Xiao , Li Yuxin , Yan Lesan
Published: December 2016

A high internal phase emulsion polymerization (PolyHIPE) material, with iodine‐functionalized boron‐dipyrromethene (iodic‐BODIPY) immobilized on its surface, composes a porous heterogeneous organic photocatalyst (iodic‐BODIPY‐PolyHIPE). It shows high catalytic efficiency on the selective oxidation reaction of aromatic sulfides under visible light. The substrates were almost fully converted to their corresponding sulfoxides and no sulfones were observed. Most importantly, iodic‐BODIPY‐PolyHIPE shows >1.6‐fold reaction rate compared to the previous non‐inorganic heterogeneous photocatalysts.
Solid‐phase microextraction of methadone in urine samples by electrochemically co‐deposited sol–gel/Cu nanocomposite fiber
Authors: Mohammadiazar Sirwan , Hasanli Fateme , Maham Mehdi , Payami Samarin Somayeh
Published: December 2016

Electrochemically co‐deposited sol–gel/Cu nanocomposites have been introduced as a novel, simple and single‐step technique for preparation of solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) coating to extract methadone (MDN) (a synthetic opioid) in urine samples. The porous surface structure of the sol–gel/Cu nanocomposite coating was revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Direct immersion SPME followed by HPLC‐UV determination was employed. The factors influencing the SPME procedure, such as the salt content, desorption solvent type, pH and equilibration time, were optimized. The best conditions were obtained with no salt content, acetonitrile as desorption solvent type, pH 9 and 10 min equilibration time. The calibration graphs for urine samples showed good linearity. The detection limit was about 0.2 ng mL−1. Also, the novel method for preparation of nanocomposite fiber was compared with previously reported techniques for MDN determination. The results show that the novel nanocomposite fiber has relatively high extraction efficiency.
Synthesis and in vitro Bioactivity Evaluation of New Galactose and Fructose Ester Derivatives of 5‐Aminosalicylic Acid
Authors: Yousefi Samira , Bayat Saadi , Rahman Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul , Ibrahim Zalikha , Abdulmalek Emilia
Published: December 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the main risk factor for developing colorectal cancer which is common in patients of all ages. 5‐Aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA), structurally related to the salicylates, is highly active in the treatment of IBD with minor side effects. In this study, the synthesis of galactose and fructose esters of 5‐ASA was planned to evaluate the role of glycoconjugation on the bioactivity of the parent drug. The antibacterial activity of the new compounds were evaluated against two Gram‐negative and two Gram‐positive species of bacteria, with a notable effect observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in comparisons with the 5‐ASA. Cytotoxicity testing over HT‐29 and 3T3 cell lines indicated that the toxicity of the new products against normal cells was significantly reduced compared with the original drug, whereas their activity against cancerous cells was slightly decreased. The anti‐inflammatory activity test in RAW264.7 macrophage cells indicated that the inhibition of nitric oxide by both of the monosaccharide conjugated derivatives was slightly improved in comparison with the non‐conjugated drug.
Characteristics and Mechanisms of Kaolinite‐Supported Zero‐Valent Iron/H2O2 System for Nitrobenzene Degradation
Authors: Wu Yaoguo , Yao Hairui , Khan Shamshad , Hu Sihai , Wang Lei
Published: December 2016

Kaonilite‐supported zero‐valent iron (ZVI‐K) was employed with H2O2 to build a Fenton‐like system. Batch tests were conducted to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of the system for nitrobenzene (NB) degradation. The results showed that ZVI‐K was an efficient Fenton catalyst with several advantages, including an extended pH range to 7.02, a near‐neutral final pH of the treated water, and excellent stability and reusability. NB degradation was affected by initial pH, initial H2O2 concentration, and ZVI‐K dose. For NB concentration of 38.6 mg/L, their optimum values were 4.61, 170 mg/L, and 0.025 g/L, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, NB degradation reached 92% at 480 min reaction time via ZVI‐K reduction as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton reactions in the ZVI‐K/H2O2 system. During the first period of the treatments (<150 min), NB degradation was attributed by the reduction of ZVI‐K and heterogeneous Fenton reactions. However, both simultaneously occurred on the surface of ZVI‐K, thus affected each other and produced their antagonistic effects on each other. In the next period (>150 min), although limited amounts of iron were leached during NB degradation, the homogeneous Fenton reaction occurred, which benefited the ZVI‐K reduction. Thus, the synergistic effect between the Fenton reaction and ZVI‐K reduction occurred. Because all of these reactions simultaneously occurred and shared a synergistic effect, NB was degraded efficiently in the ZVI‐K/H2O2 system. Therefore, the system could be used to degrade NB.
Alpha‐PVP as an active component of herbal highs in Poland between 2013 and 2015
Authors: Byrska Bogumiła , Stanaszek Roman , Zuba Dariusz
Published: December 2016

Alpha‐PVP (alpha‐pyrrolidinovalerophenone, α‐PVP) is a synthetic derivative of cathinone. It has been one of the most frequently detected new psychoactive substances (NPS) available on the drug market in recent years in Poland. The usual routes of administration of the drug include oral, insufflation, and injection. Unexpectedly, we dealt with a great number of herbal samples that turned out to contain α‐PVP. A total number of 352 herbal samples from 19 cases in which we detected synthetic cathinones, were investigated in the Institute of Forensic Research (IFR) from 2013 to 2015. The seized products that were received by our laboratory were first screened by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Quantification of α‐PVP and other cathinones was performed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UPLC‐PDA). Of the samples, 84% contained only α‐PVP. Other groups of products were those containing only α‐PVT, α‐PVP and α‐PVT, α‐PVP and synthetic cannabinoid A‐834, 735, and α‐PVP and cannabis. In one herbal sample, α‐PVP was detected along with caffeine and tadalafil. The herbal products present on the market containing only α‐PVP usually had a mass of 0.3 to 0.6 g, and concentration range in this group of samples was 3.0–44.0% (content: 13.0–222.0 mg per package). The amount of α‐PVP in samples below 0.30 g was in a range 9–18 mg whiles in samples above 0.60 g it was in the range 30–716 mg. There were also products containing a mixture of α‐PVP and α‐PVT. In those samples, α‐PVP concentrations were: 3.0–6.0% (amount: 15.0–34.0 mg). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to the sampling designs of the National Ecological Observatory Network Terrestrial Observation System
Authors: Thorpe Andrea S. , Barnett David T. , Elmendorf Sarah C. , Hinckley Eve‐Lyn S. , Hoekman David , Jones Katherine D. , LeVan Katherine E. , Meier Courtney L. , Stanish Lee F. , Thibault Katherine M.
Published: December 2016

Global change drivers influence ecological processes at multiple scales and manifest across most of Earth as changes in biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, infectious disease incidence, and ecohydrology. Small‐scale investigations provide compelling evidence of specific effects of global change on local systems, but are of limited use in modeling complex ecological processes at continental‐to‐global scales. Long‐term observations distributed across a diversity of habitat types are needed to improve the ability to forecast ecological change at large spatial and temporal scales. This special issue introduces the Terrestrial Observation System (TOS) of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), a long‐term, continental‐scale ecological research platform designed to deliver these large‐scale datasets. The TOS measures biodiversity of key biota (soil microbes, insects, plants, small mammals), ecosystem productivity and biogeochemistry, infectious disease dynamics, phenology, and population dynamics. The articles in this special issue describe the scientific rationale for the sampling designs of the TOS, including an overview of protocols, locations, and frequencies of measurements. The science designs are a culmination of design requirements scoped by NEON and the National Science Foundation, best available practices put forth by the scientific community, input from technical working groups, and consideration of logistical and financial constraints by NEON staff. Within each site, measurements have been collocated to the extent possible to optimize linkages among different sampling elements. Integrated analyses of terrestrial observations with sensor‐based, imagery, and remote‐sensing data collected by other NEON subsystems can facilitate scaling of measured parameters to larger spatial and temporal scales. NEON is designed to collect data for 30 years, and make these data freely available on a public data portal (data.neonscience.org). Samples and specimens will be archived and available to the scientific community upon request. The open access approach to the Observatory will provide users with the resources necessary to map, understand, and predict the effects of global change drivers on ecological processes at a continental scale.
Impacts of invasive plants on carbon pools depend on both species’ traits and local climate
Authors: Martin Philip A. , Newton Adrian C. , Bullock James M.
Published: December 2016

Invasive plants can alter ecosystem properties, leading to changes in the ecosystem services on which humans depend. However, generalizing about these effects is difficult because invasive plants represent a wide range of life forms, and invaded ecosystems differ in their plant communities and abiotic conditions. We hypothesize that differences in traits between the invader and native species can be used to predict impacts and so aid generalization. We further hypothesize that environmental conditions at invaded sites modify the effect of trait differences and so combine with traits to predict invasion impacts. To test these hypotheses, we used systematic review to compile data on changes in aboveground and soil carbon pools following non‐native plant invasion from studies across the World. Maximum potential height (Hmax) of each species was drawn from trait databases and other sources. We used meta‐regression to assess which of invasive species’Hmax, differences in this height trait between native and invasive plants, and climatic water deficit, a measure of water stress, were good predictors of changes in carbon pools following invasion. We found that aboveground biomass in invaded ecosystems relative to uninvaded ones increased as the value ofHmaxof invasive relative to native species increased, but that this effect was reduced in more water stressed ecosystems. Changes in soil carbon pools were also positively correlated with the relativeHmaxof invasive species, but were not altered by water stress. This study is one of the first to show quantitatively that the impact of invasive species on an ecosystem may depend on differences in invasive and native species’ traits, rather than solely the traits of invasive species. Our study is also the first to show that the influence of trait differences can be altered by climate. Further developing our understanding of the impacts of invasive species using this framework could help researchers to identify not only potentially dangerous invasive species, but also the ecosystems where impacts are likely to be greatest.
Simple Synthesis of γ‐Spirolactams by Birch Reduction of Benzoic Acids
Authors: Krüger Tobias , Kelling Alexandra , Schilde Uwe , Linker Torsten
Published: December 2016

A convenient synthesis of γ‐spirolactams in only two steps was developed. Birch reduction of benzoic acids and immediate alkylation with chloroacetonitrile afforded cyclohexadienes in high yields. The products could be isolated by crystallization on a large scale in analytically pure form. Subsequent hydrogenation with platinum(IV) oxide as the catalyst reduced the nitrile functionality and the double bonds in the same step with excellent stereoselectivity. The relative configurations were determined unequivocally by X‐ray analyses. Direct cyclization of the intermediary formed amino acids afforded the desired γ‐spirolactams in excellent overall yields. The procedure is characterized by few steps, cheap reagents, and can be performed on a large scale, interesting for industrial processes.
Touchscreen auf der Haut
Authors: Steimle Jürgen , Bolduan Gordon
Published: December 2016

Integriert, leistungsstark und oft kaum sichtbar: Schon bald wird in nahezu jedem Objekt ein Computer stecken. Informatiker arbeiten daran, die Schnittstellen für die Mensch‐Maschine‐Interaktion zu verbessern. Der Trend geht zu buchstäblich flexiblen Lösungen.
Reduced perfusion in Broca's area in developmental stuttering
Authors: Desai Jay , Huo Yuankai , Wang Zhishun , Bansal Ravi , Williams Steven C. R. , Lythgoe David , Zelaya Fernando O. , Peterson Bradley S.
Published: December 2016

Objective

To study resting cerebral blood flow in children and adults with developmental stuttering.

Methods

We acquired pulsed arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging data in 26 participants with stuttering and 36 healthy, fluent controls. While covarying for age, sex, and IQ, we compared perfusion values voxel‐wise across diagnostic groups and assessed correlations of perfusion with stuttering severity within the stuttering group and with measures of motor speed in both groups.

Results

We detected lower regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF) at rest in the stuttering group compared with healthy controls in Broca's area bilaterally and the superior frontal gyrus. rCBF values in Broca's area bilaterally correlated inversely with the severity of stuttering and extended posteriorly into other portions of the language loop. We also found increased rCBF in cerebellar nuclei and parietal cortex in the stuttering group compared with healthy controls. Findings were unchanged in child‐only analyses and when excluding participants with comorbid illnesses or those taking medication.

Conclusions

rCBF is reduced in Broca's region in persons who stutter. More severe stuttering is associated with even greater reductions in rCBF to Broca's region, additive to the underlying putative trait reduction in rCBF relative to control values. Moreover, a greater abnormality in rCBF in the posterior language loop is associated with more severe symptoms, suggesting that a common pathophysiology throughout the language loop likely contributes to stuttering severity. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1865–1874, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Molecular Weight and Coumarin Amount on Photo‐Responsive Polyurethane Properties
Authors: Salgado Cástor , Arrieta Marina P. , Peponi Laura , Fernández‐García Marta , López Daniel
Published: December 2016

Photo‐reversible polyurethane (PU) coatings based on coumarin diol (CD) are obtained. Initially, pre‐polymers based on different amounts of coumarin (5, 15, and 25 mol%) and 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate are prepared to obtain PUs with a large incorporation of CD and high molecular weight. The pre‐polymer is posterior reacted with poly(ε‐caprolactone) diol (PCL‐diol), either with molecular weight = 530 or 2000 g mol–1. The thermal stabilities of the PUs are studied using thermogravimetric analysis. Polymers with a higher content of CD present higher stability. The thermal transitions and the mechanical response are analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and strain‐stress tests, respectively. Moreover, the photo‐reversibility of CD‐based PUs is followed by UV absorption. In general, photo‐dimerization induces better mechanical properties of the final PUs. Materials obtained with short PCL‐diol ( = 530 g mol–1) and the highest amount of CD present higher reversibility processes. Therefore, these polymers are promising for application as coating systems.

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Evaluation of accuracy and precision in polymer gel dosimetry
Authors: Maynard Evan , Hilts Michelle , Heath Emily , Jirasek Andrew
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To assess the overall reproducibility and accuracy of an X‐ray computed tomography (CT) polymer gel dosimetry (PGD) system and investigate what effects the use of generic, interbatch, and intrabatch gel calibration have on dosimetric and spatial accuracy.

Methods

A N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)‐based gel formulation optimized for X‐ray CT gel dosimetry was used, and the results over four different batches of gels were analyzed. All gels were irradiated with three 6 MV beams in a calibration pattern at both the bottom and top of the dosimeter. Postirradiation CT images of the gels were processed using background subtraction, image averaging, adaptive mean filtering, and remnant artifact removal. The gel dose distributions were calibrated using a Monte Carlo (Vancouver Island Monte Carlo system) calculated dose distribution of the calibration pattern. Using the calibration results from all gels, an average or “generic” calibration curve was calculated and this generic calibration curve was used to calibrate each of the gels within the sample. For each of the gels, the irradiation pattern at the bottom of the dosimeter was also calibrated using the irradiation pattern at the top of the dosimeter to evaluate intragel calibration.

Results

Comparison of gel measurements with Monte Carlo dose calculations found excellent dosimetric accuracy when using an average (or generic) calibration with a mean dose discrepancy of 1.8% in the low‐dose gradient region which compared to a “best‐case scenario” self‐calibration method with a mean dose discrepancy of 1.6%. The intragel calibration method investigated produced large dose discrepancies due to differences in dose response at the top and bottom of the dosimeter, but the use of a dose‐dependent correction reduced these dose errors. Spatial accuracy was found to be excellent for the average calibration method with a mean distance‐to‐agreement (DTA) of 0.63 mm and 99.6% of points with a DTA < 2 mm in high‐dose gradient regions. This compares favorably to the self‐calibration method which produced a mean DTA of 0.61 mm and 99.8% of points with a DTA < 2 mm. Gamma analysis using a 3%/3 mm criterion also found good agreement between the gel measurement and Monte Carlo dose calculation when using either the average calibration or self‐calibration methods (96.8% and 98.2%, respectively).

Conclusions

An X‐ray CT PGD system was evaluated and found to have excellent dosimeteric and spatial accuracy when compared to Monte Carlo dose calculations and the use of generic and interbatch calibration methods were found to be effective. The establishment of the accuracy and reproducibility of this system provides important information for clinical implementation.
What cancer means to the patients and their primary caregivers in the family‐accounted Korean context: A dyadic interpretation
Authors: Jeong Ansuk , An Ji Yeong , Park Jong Hyock , Park Keeho
Published: December 2016

Objective

When cancer hits a family, the entire family members start to adapt to the new status. This study aimed to investigate the main issue of the family with cancer patient and their way of solving it.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted as a qualitative research. Thirty‐three participants described their experience either as cancer patients or as family caregivers.

Results

Guided by the grounded theory, we identified the main concern of the families being primary caregiver selection. The primary caregiver was determined by the conditions of the patient and the family, but the primary caregiver accepted his/her role believing no alternative was plausible in the family. The processes of the entire family have change since cancer showed their “adapting living,” which was identified as the core variable.

Conclusions

On the basis of the current study's limitations, suggestions were made for future studies in which cultural attributes are distinguished from the medical system attributes.
Report from the EMA workshop on qualification and reporting of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation
Authors: Zhao P
Published: December 2016

On Nov 21, 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) hosted a workshop to discuss its draft guideline on qualification and reporting of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) analysis.1 Published on July 21, 2016, the draft PBPK guideline is currently under the period of public comments.
Self‐Reported Questionnaire Detects Family History of Cancer in a Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Lucas Aimee L. , Tarlecki Adam , Van Beck Kellie , Lipton Casey , RoyChoudhury Arindam , Levinson Elana , Kumar Sheila , Chung Wendy K. , Frucht Harold , Genkinger Jeanine M.
Published: December 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer death; approximately 5–10% of PDAC is hereditary. Self‐administered health history questionnaires (HHQs) may provide a low‐cost method to detail family history (FH) of malignancy. Pancreas Center patients were asked to enroll in a registry; 149 with PDAC completed a HHQ which included FH data. Patients with FH of PDAC, or concern for inherited PDAC syndrome, were separately evaluated in a Prevention Program and additionally met with a genetic counselor (GC) to assess PDAC risk (n = 61). FH obtained through GC and HHQ were compared using Wilcoxon signed‐rank sum and generalized linear mixed models with Poisson distribution. Agreement between GC and HHQ risk‐assessment was assessed using kappa (κ) statistic. In the Prevention Program, HHQ was as precise in detecting FH of cancer as the GC (all p > 0.05). GC and HHQ demonstrated substantial agreement in risk‐stratification of the Prevention Program cohort (κ = 0.73, 95% CI 0.59–0.87.) The sensitivity of the HHQ to detect a patient at elevated risk (i.e., moderate‐ or high‐risk) of PDAC, compared to GC, was 82.9% (95% CI 67.3–92.3%) with a specificity of 95% (95% CI 73.1–99.7%). However, seven patients who were classified as average‐risk by the HHQ were found to be at an elevated‐risk of PDAC by the GC. In the PDAC cohort, 30/149 (20.1%) reported at least one first‐degree relative (FDR) with PDAC. The limited sensitivity of the HHQ to detect patients at elevated risk of PDAC in the Prevention Program cohort suggests that a GC adds value in risk‐assessment in this population. The HHQ may offer an opportunity to identify high‐risk patients in a PDAC population.
Factors Associated with Parental Adaptation to Children with an Undiagnosed Medical Condition
Authors: Yanes Tatiane , Humphreys Linda , McInerney‐Leo Aideen , Biesecker Barbara
Published: December 2016

Little is known about the adaptive process and experiences of parents raising a child with an undiagnosed medical condition. The present study aims to assess how uncertainty, hope, social support, and coping efficacy contributes to adaptation among parents of children with an undiagnosed medical condition. Sixty‐two parents of child affected by an undiagnosed medical condition for at least two years completed an electronically self‐administered survey. Descriptive analysis suggested parents in this population had significantly lower adaptation scores when compared to other parents of children with undiagnosed medical conditions, and parents of children with a diagnosed intellectual and/or physical disability. Similarly, parents in this population had significantly lower hope, perceived social support and coping efficacy when compared to parents of children with a diagnosed medical condition. Multiple linear regression was used to identify relationships between independent variables and domains of adaptation. Positive stress response was negatively associated with emotional support (B = −0.045, p ≤ 0.05), and positively associated with coping efficacy (B = 0.009, p ≤ 0.05). Adaptive self‐esteem was negatively associated with uncertainty towards one's social support (B = −0.248, p ≤ 0.05), and positively associated with coping efficacy (B = 0.007, p ≤ 0.05). Adaptive social integration was negatively associated with uncertainty towards one's social support (B‐0.273, p ≤ 0.05), and positively associated with uncertainty towards child's health (B = 0.323, p ≤ 0.001), and affectionate support (B = 0.110, p ≤ 0.001). Finally, adaptive spiritual wellbeing was negatively associated with uncertainty towards one's family (B = −0.221, p ≤ 0.05). Findings from this study have highlighted the areas where parents believed additional support was required, and provided insight into factors that contribute to parental adaptation.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Surfactants Based on 2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio)butanoic Acid: 2. Non‐ionic Surfactants
Authors: Yu Guangzhe , Shahrashoob Zahra , Long Scott , Liu Yanjun , da Silva Ariklenio Alves , Grady Brian P. , Harwell Jeff , Arhancet Graciela
Published: December 2016

This manuscript describes the study of a novel sulfoxide‐based surfactant class, namely the partially oxidized 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butyrate esters. The acid group was reacted with a primary alkyl alcohol or alkyl amine to form esters or amides, respectively, and the sulfide was partially oxidized to the sulfoxide. These sulfoxide surfactants behave as non‐ionic surfactants in response to electrolytes, and have very good water solubility with high cloud temperatures. Surface tensions at the critical micelle concentration as low as 30 mN/m were measured. These surfactants were synergistic with anionic surfactants in the mixed micelle and adsorbed surface monolayer. They exhibited fast surface tension decay, good wetting and foaming performance, and performed equally well as a nonyl‐phenol ethoxylate surfactant in an enzyme‐containing laundry formulation.
Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acid Profile is Altered in Both Septic and Non‐Septic Critically Ill: A Correlation with Inflammatory Markers and Albumin
Authors: Novak František , Borovska J. , Vecka M. , Rychlikova J. , Vavrova L. , Petraskova H. , Zak A. , Novakova O.
Published: December 2016

This study analyzes fatty acid (FA) composition in plasma lipids and erythrocyte phospholipids while comparing septic and non‐septic critically ill patients. The aim was to describe impacts of infection and the inflammatory process. Patients with severe sepsis (SP, n = 13); age‐, sex‐ and APACHE II score‐matched non‐septic critically ill with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (NSP, n = 13); and age‐/sex‐matched healthy controls (HC, n = 13) were included in a prospective case–control study during the first 24 h after admission to the intensive care unit. In both SP and NSP, lower n‐6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) accompanied by higher proportions of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) in plasma phospholipids (PPL) was observed relative to HC. MUFA proportion was negatively correlated with n‐6 PUFA, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), and albumin. MUFA was positively correlated with C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukins (IL‐6, IL‐10), oxidized low density lipoproteins (ox‐LDL), and conjugated dienes (CD). In both SP and NSP, inflammatory and lipid peroxidation markers were significantly higher—CRP (p < 0.001; p = 0.08), IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α (p < 0.01, p = 0.06), ox‐LDL, and CD while total cholesterol, HDL‐C, LDL‐C albumin, and 20:4n‐6/22:6n‐3 and n‐6/n‐3 ratios were lower compared to HC. In conclusion, the changes in plasma lipid FA profile relate to the intensity of inflammatory and peroxidative response regardless of insult etiology. The lower MUFA and higher n‐6 PUFA proportions in PPL were inversely correlated with cholesterol and albumin levels.