bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Female and male fitness of a sexually deceptive orchid with a narrow distribution area: from phenotypic traits to spatial distribution patterns
Authors: Borràs J. , Cursach J. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

The Orchidaceae family presents one of the most extravagant pollination mechanisms: deception. While many studies on reproductive success have been performed on food‐deception orchids, less have been performed on sexually deceptive orchids. Here, we focused on Ophrys balearica P. Delforge, an endemic orchid of the Balearic Islands, to study its reproductive ecology, the spatio‐temporal variation of its reproductive success and the individual (floral display and geospatial position) and population parameters (patch size, shape and density) that affect its reproductive success.

We performed hand‐pollination experiments, along with the recording of floral display parameters and GPS position of over 1,100 individuals from seven populations in two consecutive years. We applied, for the first time, GIS tools to analyse the effects of individual’s position within the population on the reproductive success. Reproductive success was measured both in male (removed pollinia) and female (fruit set) fitness.

The results confirm that this species is pollinator‐dependent and mostly allogamous, but also self‐compatible. This species showed high values for the cumulative inbreeding depression index and high pollen limitation. Male fitness was almost equal to female fitness between years and populations, and reproductive success exhibited huge spatio‐temporal variation.

Although we did not find strong correlations between floral display and reproductive success, patches with low‐plant density and individuals in the external portion of the population showed significantly higher plant fitness. These findings must be considered in conservation actions for endangered orchid species, especially considering that most orchids are strongly dependent on pollinators for their species’ fitness.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus oviposition in an urban area of northeastern Brazil
Authors: Moura Márcia Cristina Bernardo de Melo , de Oliveira Josinaldo Vidal , Pedreira Rodrigo Moreira , Tavares Alessandre de Medeiros , de Souza Talita Araujo , de Lima Kenio Costa , Barbosa Isabelle Ribeiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyse abundance and spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus oviposition in the city of Natal‐RN, 2016 to 2018.MethodsThree hundred and seven oviposition traps were installed covered the whole city and were monitored weekly from January 2016 to December 2018. To verify the abundance of the vector based on its location, the formation of oviposition clusters was studied using the Kernel statistics. Egg Density Index (EDI) and Oviposition Positivity Index (OPI) values were calculated.ResultsTemperature and humidity presented weak and very weak correlation, respectively, with the oviposition indicators. The median of oviposition positivity index (OPI) was 60.5%, and the egg density index (EDI) was 45.4 eggs/trap. The OPI (71.1%) was higher in the second quarter of the year. The areas with the most persistent oviposition are located in a continuous strip that extends from the extreme of the northern district and extends along the western district of the city. Also noteworthy is the proximity to the strategic points.ConclusionThe spatio‐temporal distribution of oviposition revealed that there is spatial segregation and marked seasonality. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of maintaining surveillance targeting and control strategies focused on these areas, especially during the most important period of the year.
Quantification of axonal ingrowth and functional recovery in a myocutaneous flap model in rats with strong clinical implications
Authors: Xie Yun , Fang Fang , Su Ping , Xiao Jiting , Zheng Haibo , Zhuang Yuehong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe process of reinnervation, an important component of functional restoration after flap transfer, is understudied, making it necessary to carry out a further investigation for delineation of the exact timeline. Seventy‐six Sprague‐Dawley rats were used as the experimental animals. An anatomic study was first conducted to clarify the pattern of nerve distribution in the dorsal skin of 16 rats. Afterward, a myocutaneous flap was harvested on the right flanks of 40 rats, which were then assigned into seven time points. At each time point, skin samples were harvested and immunofluorescent staining was performed using α‐Bungarotoxin, and antibodies against NF‐200, p75, α‐SMA, and TH. One‐way analysis of variance was adopted for comparison of nerve density after surgery. For evaluation of functional return, cutaneous trunci muscle reflex (CTMr) test was performed on 10 additional rats, and the Chi‐square test was used for comparison of reflex intensity among six time points after surgery. The outcomes revealed that the cutaneous branches from the intercostal nerves and the dorsothoracic nerve from the brachial plexus could be found entering the dorsal skin, distributed in the skin proper and the panniculus carnosus, respectively. After flap surgery, full spontaneous reinnervation of the skin proper and vessels within the flaps could be achieved at day 180. However, if the stumps of cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves were damaged, the nerve density in the skin proper underwent a 2/3 decline. The panniculus carnosus in the cranial part had a much better reinnervation than that in the caudal part. The CTMr test showed that the flap could regain most of its sensate and motor activity. Our study shows that strong spontaneous reinnervation could be expected after flap surgery. The pattern of the original nerve distribution in both the recipient and donor sites may have a big impact on the reinnervation of the flap.
ELECTROSPUN STRONTIUM CROSS-LINKED SULFONATED POLY (ETHER ETHER KETONE) SPEEK NANOFIBER FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL
Authors: Engku Indong Engku Safiah , Ahmad Sekak Khairunnadim 
Published: September 2020

Strontium (Sr) cross-linked nanofibrous membranes of sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) were successfully prepared using the electrospinning technique. Metal-polymer physical cross-linked has been proposed as a way to improve the mechanical and chemical stabilities of the electrospun SPEEK membrane which we found in this finding can help to reduced water uptake compared with the non-crosslinked membrane. Physical cross-linked of Sr-SPEEK membranes were fabricated by immersion process which were than electrospun into nanofibrous membranes. The morphologies of electrospun Sr-SPEEK membrane, fabricated under different concentrations of Sr were presented which show up to 6% concentration of Strontium was able to be electrospun. On the electrical properties of the electrospun membrane, conductivity for the sample with 6% Sr weight percentage has given 0.188 S/cm which is about 80% higher than the film cast Nafion-117 at 80˚C as cited before. This particular result is a hallmark of the studies as it shows that a combination of nanostructured with crosslink is proven to work in favor of producing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) which performed much better than Nafion based membrane.
TISSUE OXYGEN LEVEL IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC WOUND: A COMPARISON STUDY
Authors: Philimon Sheena P. , Huong Audrey K. C. , Ngu Xavier T. I. 
Published: September 2020

Adequate oxygen supply to granulating tissue and its surroundings is considered as an elementary factor to render an optimum condition for proper wound healing. This paper focused on comparing the quantitative mean of transcutaneous oxygen saturation (StO2) between acute superficial wounds and chronic diabetic wounds in a randomized clinical study. A multispectral imaging system was employed for in-vivo measurement of wound StO2 across a visible wavelength range of nm. Processed StO2 maps of wounds using a reconstructed mathematical model revealed a mean StO2 of and , respectively, in acute and chronic wounds. The statistical test on the difference in the values between these two groups of wounds was shown to be statistically significant (). These crucial findings contribute to the existing knowledge on the StO2 range and its variation in different wound conditions. In conclusion, the proposed multispectral imaging system is able to produce clinical information of wound oxygenation level for a better understanding of the obligatory role of oxygen as a key determinant in healing outcomes.
Additional in‐series compliance does not affect the length dependence of activation in rat medial gastrocnemius
Authors: MacDougall Keenan B. , Kristensen Anders M. , MacIntosh Brian R. 
Published: September 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
The length dependence of activation (LDA) is typically explained by a length‐dependent increase in calcium sensitivity, but recently calcium‐independent mechanisms have been suggested: does active muscle shortening provided by a compliant in‐series component impact the muscle length at which force output is maximized, thus contributing to LDA?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Using an in situ rat medial gastrocnemius set‐up and varying the magnitude of muscle shortening via an artificial compliant series‐elastic component, we were unable to observe any change in optimal length between conditions, contrary to some previous findings. More research is therefore required to explain these discrepancies.

AbstractThe force–length relationship dictates the amount of force a muscle can produce as a function of its length, during maximal isometric contractions. When activation is submaximal, it has been shown that the length at which force production is highest (the optimal length) is longer. This is typically explained by a length‐dependent increase in Ca2+ sensitivity, known as the ‘length dependence of activation’. Recent reports have implicated shortening against in‐series compliance to be a potential factor in the observed optimal length (L0) of muscle, via the phenomenon of shortening‐induced force depression (a phenomenon which describes the relative reduction in muscle force when a muscle is actively shortening to a given length compared to contracting isometrically at that same length). In the current study, rat medial gastrocnemius was stimulated with single and triple pulses (200 Hz) over a range of lengths, both with and without additional in‐series compliance provided by a small piece of silicon tubing in series with the muscle, which allowed greater fascicle shortening upon activation. Fascicle length was measured using sonomicrometry crystals, and peak force (Fpeak) and L0 were estimated by curve‐fitting of the force–length data. The additional in‐series compliance significantly reduced Fpeak by approximately 14% and 25% for the single and triple pulses, respectively (P = 0.003, P < 0.001), yet L0 remained unchanged (P = 0.405), suggesting that in our model, shortening against in‐series compliance does not affect L0. We offer potential explanations for the discrepancies seen and discuss whether the velocity of shortening may have a role in the length dependence of force.
A Hybrid Numerical-Experimental Method for Determining Thermal Conductivities
Authors: Evangelakis G. A. , Lagaris I. E. , Papageorgiou D. G. , Prouskas K. , Zisopoulou A. E. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Determining the thermal conductivity of a material from temperature measurements in a cooling or heating process belongs to the class of inverse problems. In this article, we present a method for a simple experimental setup, consisting of a glass tube containing the material under investigation, two thermistors for temperature monitoring (one at the central axis and the other attached on the outer surface of the tube), and a water heat bath maintained at a desired temperature. We solve the direct problem, i.e., the transient heat conduction equation, treating the thermal conductivity as a parameter whose value is determined by minimizing the difference between the calculated and the experimentally measured temperatures. The method is based on the numerical solution of the one-dimensional transient heat conduction equation in cylindrical coordinates that accurately describes the temperature evolution of a material in a narrow, long glass tube. The technique has been validated by applying it to the lauric and capric acids, whose thermal conductivities are accurately known and therefore it could be a valuable tool for the determination of the thermal properties of phase change materials suitable for thermal storage applications.
An Experimental Investigation of Constrained Melting Heat Transfer of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials in a Horizontal Cylindrical Capsule Using Thermochromic Liquid Crystal Thermography
Authors: Hu Nan , Li Zi-Rui , Zhang Run-Hui , Liu Jia , Fan Li-Wu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The constrained melting of nano-enhanced phase change materials (NePCM) in a horizontal cylindrical capsule was investigated via the utilization of thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) technique for tracking the invisible phase interfaces. A parametric study was carried out by varying both the loading of NePCM (i.e., 0 wt %, 1 wt %, and 3 wt %) and the wall superheat (at 10 °C and 30 °C), leading to a total of six cases. Numerical simulations, based on the enthalpy-porosity method, were also performed to reveal the evolutions of temperature and convective flow fields during melting. It was first shown that the numerically predicted melting front evolutions are in good agreement with the TLC imaging results. A comparison among the six cases indicated that there is a similar melting pattern that heat conduction dominates the initial stage of melting and natural convection then takes over to play a more important role when melting proceeds. With the TLC-assisted reconstruction of the melting fronts, the instantaneous melting and heat storage rates were estimated, and melting was clearly found to slow down with increasing the loading of NePCM, as a result of the dramatically increased viscosity that deteriorates the contribution of natural convection to melting heat transfer.
A Numerical Simulation on the Effect of Vaccination and Treatments for the Fractional Hepatitis B Model
Authors: Habenom Haile , Suthar D. L. , Baleanu D. , Purohit S. D. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to develop a fractional order mathematical model for describing the spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We also provide a rigorous mathematical analysis of the stability of the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) and the endemic equilibrium of the system based on the basic reproduction number. Here, the infectious disease HBV model is described mathematically in a nonlinear system of differential equations in a caputo sense, and hence, Jacobi collocation method is used to reduce into a system of nonlinear equations. Finally, Newton Raphson method is used for the systems of nonlinear equations to arrive at an approximate solution and matlab 2018 has helped us to simulate the nature of each compartment and effects of the possible control strategies (i.e., vaccination and isolation).
Effects of Process Parameters on Graphene Growth Via Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Lee Byoungdo , Chu Weishen , Li Wei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Graphene has attracted enormous research interest due to its extraordinary material properties. Process control to achieve high-quality graphene is indispensable for graphene-based applications. This research investigates the effects of process parameters on graphene quality in a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) graphene growth process. A fractional factorial design of experiment is conducted to provide understanding on not only the main effect of process parameters, but also the interaction effect among them. Graphene quality including the number of layers and grain size is analyzed. To achieve monolayer graphene with large grain size, a condition with low CH4–H2 ratio, short growth time, high growth pressure, high growth temperature, and slow cooling rate is recommended. This study considers a large set of process parameters with their interaction effects and provides guidelines to optimize graphene growth via LPCVD focusing on the number of graphene layers and the grain size.
Multifunctional Three-Dimensional Curvilinear Self-Folding of Glassy Polymers
Authors: Lee Jae Gyeong , Won Sukyoung , Park Jeong Eun , Wie Jeong Jae 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The selective light absorption of prestretched thermoplastic polymeric films enables wireless photothermal shape morphing from two-dimensional Euclidean geometry of films to three-dimensional (3D) curvilinear architectures. For a facile origami-inspired programming of 3D folding, black inks are printed on glassy polymers that are used as hinges to generate light-absorption patterns. However, the deformation of unpatterned areas and/or stress convolution of patterned areas hinder the creation of accurate curvilinear structures. In addition, black inks remain in the film, prohibiting the construction of transparent 3D architectures. In this study, we demonstrate the facile preparation of transparent 3D curvilinear structures with the selection of the curvature sign and chirality via the selective light absorption of detachable tapes. The sequential removal of adhesive patterns allowed sequential folding and the control of strain responsivity in a single transparent architecture. The introduction of multiple heterogeneous nonresponsive materials increased the complexity of strain engineering and functionality. External stimuli responsive kirigami-based bridge triggered the multimaterial frame to build the Gaussian curvature. Conductive material casted on the film in a pattern retained the conductivity, despite local deformation. This type of tape patterning system, adopting various materials, can achieve multifunction including transparency and conductivity.
Changes in Self-Reported Physical Fitness, Performance, and Side Effects Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle Among Competitive Endurance Athletes
Authors: Solli Guro S. , Sandbakk Silvana B. , Noordhof Dionne A. , Ihalainen Johanna K. , Sandbakk Øyvind 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: To investigate changes in self-reported physical fitness, performance, and side effects across the menstrual cycle (MC) phases among competitive endurance athletes and to describe their knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC. Methods: The responses of 140 participants (older than 18 y) competing in biathlon or cross-country skiing at the (inter)national level were analyzed. Data were collected via an online questionnaire addressing participants’ competitive level, training volume, MC history, physical fitness, and performance during the MC, MC-related side effects, and knowledge and communication with coaches about the MC and its effects on training and performance. Results: About 50% and 71% of participants reported improved and reduced fitness, respectively, during specific MC phases, while 42% and 49% reported improved and reduced performance, respectively. Most athletes reported their worst fitness (47%) and performance (30%) and the highest number of side effects during bleeding (P < .01; compared with all other phases). The phase following bleeding was considered the best phase for perceived fitness (24%, P < .01) and performance (18%, P < .01). Only 8% of participants reported having sufficient knowledge about the MC in relation to training, and 27% of participants communicated about it with their coach. Conclusions: A high proportion of athletes perceived distinct changes in fitness, performance, and side effects across the MC phases, with their worst perceived fitness and performance during the bleeding phase. Because most athletes indicate a lack of knowledge about the MC’s effect on training and performance and few communicate with coaches on the topic, the authors recommend that more time be devoted to educating athletes and coaches.
Experiential Learning of University Students Delivering a Coaching Workshop in Belize
Authors: Jacobs Jennifer M. , Kuipers Karisa L. , Richards K. Andrew R. , Wright Paul M. 
Published: September 2020

Prior research has demonstrated the importance of engaging college students in a global curriculum that prepares them for the everchanging landscape of the sports industry. International learning experiences are one way to facilitate this type of professional preparation and often include the added benefit of having a deep personal impact. The purpose of this study was to understand university students’ experiences leading sessions for Belizean coaches as part of an international teaching experience. Participants were four university students pursuing interdisciplinary sport majors. Data sources included recorded interviews and daily group debrief sessions, reflective journals, social media-based photo journals, and observational fieldnotes. Qualitative data analysis resulted in the construction of three themes that described the participants’ experiences and learning outcomes: (a) personal and professional growth, (b) developing and maintaining relationships, and (c) engaging with culture. Results suggest that an international program designed to foster experiential, global learning was enhanced by the opportunity to teach in a new context, foster relationships with local stakeholders, and participate in pre- and posttrip training.
Relationship between high-sensitivity C reactive protein and the risk of gallstone disease: results from the Kailuan cohort study
Authors: Liu Tong , Siyin Sarah Tan , Yao Nan , Duan Ning , Xu Guoshuai , Li Wenqiang , Qu Jun , Liu Siqing 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesGallstone disease (GSD) can be caused by various health and clinical factors such as obesity, dyslipidaemia and an unhealthy diet, all of which are associated with higher high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations. Whether hs-CRP represents an independent risk factor for GSD is still unclear. We prospectively investigated hs-CRP in relation to the occurrence of GSD based on the Kailuan study.Study designProspective cohort study.SettingThe Kailuan cohort study was conducted in Tangshan City in northern China.Participants95 319 participants who were free from GSD were recruited in this study. Epidemiological data, anthropometric parameters and biochemical data of participants were collected.Primary and secondary outcome measuresCox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between hs-CRP concentrations and the risk of GSD after adjustments for potential confounders.ResultsDuring the mean 7.58 years of follow-up among 95 319 participants, 4205 participants were identified as newly diagnosed with GSD or having undergone cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. Compared with the hs-CRP<1 mg/L group, elevated hs-CRP concentrations were significantly associated with higher risk of GSD with the corresponding HR of 1.11 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.19), 1.12 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.22) in the 1≤hs-CRP≤3 mg/L and hs-CRP>3 mg/L group, respectively. The multivariate model which included hs-CRP not only had a better line of fitness but also had better predictive values to help identify new cases of GSD during follow-up.ConclusionElevated hs-CRP concentration is an independent risk factor for new-onset GSD among the Chinese population.Trial registration numberChiCTR-TNC-11001489.