bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in soil carbon fractions and enzyme activities under different vegetation types of the northern Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Wu Jiangqi , Li Guang , Yan Lijuan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractKnowledge of the soil organic carbon components and enzyme activities during long‐term natural vegetation restoration is essential for managing the restoration of vegetation. In this study, the variations of soil organic carbon components (i.e., soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), easily oxidized carbon (EOC), particulate organic carbon (POC)) and enzyme activities (i.e., amylase, catalase, urease, and sucrase) were measured in four vegetation types: control (grasslands, GL), forest (Xanthoceras sorbifolia, XS), and shrublands (Hippophae rhamnoides, HR; Caragana korshinskii, CK). We found that vegetation types significantly affect soil organic carbon components and enzyme activities. The SOC content of the XS plot is higher than HR, CK, and GL by 88.43%, 117.09%, and 37.53% at the 0–20 cm layer; the soil SOC content of the XS plot is higher than HR and CK by 27.04% and 26.87%, and lower than GL 12.90% at the 20–40 cm layer. The highest POC and urease were observed in the XS plot at a depth of 0–20 cm, that is, 1.32 g/kg and 98.51 mg/kg, respectively. The highest EOC, amylase, and sucrase were observed in GL at a depth of 0–20 cm, that is, 5.44 g/kg, 39.23, and 607.62 mg/g. On the vertical section of the soil, the SOC fractions and the enzyme activities were greater in the upper layer than in the lower layer for each vegetation type except for MBC and catalase activity. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the SOC and POC content significantly influenced urease and sucrase activities and that MBC significantly influenced catalase activity. These results provide important information about SOC fractions and enzyme activities resulting from vegetation types in the Loess Plateau and also supplement our understanding of soil C sequestration in vegetation restoration.
Reframing tropical savannization: linking changes in canopy structure to energy balance alterations that impact climate
Authors: Stark Scott C. , Breshears David D. , Aragón Susan , Villegas Juan Camilo , Law Darin J. , Smith Marielle N. , Minor David M. , de Assis Rafael Leandro , de Almeida Danilo Roberti Alves , de Oliveira Gabriel , Saleska Scott R. , Swann Abigail L. S. , Moura José Mauro S. , Camargo José Luis , da Silva Rodrigo , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Oliveira R. Cosme 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTropical ecosystems are undergoing unprecedented rates of degradation from deforestation, fire, and drought disturbances. The collective effects of these disturbances threaten to shift large portions of tropical ecosystems such as Amazon forests into savanna‐like structure via tree loss, functional changes, and the emergence of fire (savannization). Changes from forest states to a more open savanna‐like structure can affect local microclimates, surface energy fluxes, and biosphere–atmosphere interactions. A predominant type of ecosystem state change is the loss of tree cover and structural complexity in disturbed forest. Although important advances have been made contrasting energy fluxes between historically distinct old‐growth forest and savanna systems, the emergence of secondary forests and savanna‐like ecosystems necessitates a reframing to consider gradients of tree structure that span forest to savanna‐like states at multiple scales. In this Innovative Viewpoint, we draw from the literature on forest–grassland continua to develop a framework to assess the consequences of tropical forest degradation on surface energy fluxes and canopy structure. We illustrate this framework for forest sites with contrasting canopy structure that ranges from simple, open, and savanna‐like to complex and closed, representative of tropical wet forest, within two climatically distinct regions in the Amazon. Using a recently developed rapid field assessment approach, we quantify differences in cover, leaf area vertical profiles, surface roughness, albedo, and energy balance partitioning between adjacent sites and compare canopy structure with adjacent old‐growth forest; more structurally simple forests displayed lower net radiation. To address forest–atmosphere feedback, we also consider the effects of canopy structure change on susceptibility to additional future disturbance. We illustrate a converse transition—recovery in structure following disturbance—measuring forest canopy structure 10 yr after the imposition of a 5‐yr drought in the ground‐breaking Seca Floresta experiment. Our approach strategically enables rapid characterization of surface properties relevant to vegetation models following degradation, and advances links between surface properties and canopy structure variables, increasingly available from remote sensing. Concluding, we hypothesize that understanding surface energy balance and microclimate change across degraded tropical forest states not only reveals critical atmospheric forcing, but also critical local‐scale feedbacks from forest sensitivity to additional climate‐linked disturbance.
Environmental DNA shedding and decay rates from diverse animal forms and thermal regimes
Authors: Andruszkiewicz Allan Elizabeth , Zhang Weifeng Gordon , C. Lavery Andone , F. Govindarajan Annette 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) analysis from water samples is a promising new method to identify both targeted species and whole communities of aquatic organisms. However, the current literature regarding eDNA shedding rates primarily focuses on fish and most decay rate constants are reported for warm sunlit waters. Here, we conducted experiments to investigate how eDNA shedding differs between animal forms and how long eDNA can persist in waters of varying temperature and light conditions. We designed quantitative PCR assays for one fish (mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus), one crustacean (grass shrimp, Palaemon spp.), and two scyphomedusae (moon jelly, Aurelia aurita and nettle, Chrysaora spp.) to estimate eDNA shedding and decay rates. We found that shedding rates were highly variable for all organisms, but grass shrimp had the lowest shedding rate. We quantified eDNA decay rate constants at 6, 15, and 23°C and found that decay rate constants of mummichog and grass shrimp were larger at higher temperatures, while those of scyphomedusae did not show clear temperature dependence. We also found that higher‐order decay models with tails fit the data better than first‐order log‐linear models, suggesting temporal variability in eDNA decay rates. Results indicate that different animal forms shed different types of eDNA, impacting both shedding and decay rates. These findings fill critical knowledge gaps regarding variation in eDNA shedding and decay across animal forms under a range of realistic marine temperature conditions. These data will be useful for interpreting field studies that utilize eDNA to investigate ocean habitats that are otherwise difficult to access.
Effects of different pretreatment methods on the drying characteristics and quality of potatoes
Authors: Sun Xiangfeng , Jin Xin , Fu Nan , Chen Xiaodong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe effects of different pretreatments on the vitamin C content of peeled fresh potato, the drying characteristics, and several quality attributes of dehydrated potatoes were investigated. Citric acid pretreatment (0.1%–0.3%, 10–30 min), steam blanching (100ºC, 1–2 min), and water blanching (95°C, 1–2 min) were found to have no obvious effect on the drying rate of potatoes, whereas temperature was the main influencing factor. In terms of quality of dehydrated diced potato, 20 min of citric acid pretreatment resulted in the highest vitamin C retention and better color. Furthermore, dehydrated potato pretreated with citric acid all showed similar dynamic moisture adsorption curves, namely type II sorption isotherm. The moisture adsorption curves can be well fitted using the Guggenheim–Anderson–deBoer model withR2higher than .97.
A Baseline Measurement of Quality of Life in 322 Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Gooijer Koert , Harsevoort Arjan G J , van Dijk Fleur S , Withaar Hendrikje (Rik) , Janus Guus J M , Franken Anton A M 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and secondary features such as blue sclerae, dentinogenesis imperfecta, hearing loss, ligamentous laxity, and short stature. It was thought that health‐related quality of life (QoL) in patients with OI mainly depends on the severity of the skeletal deformities. However, it has become clear that additional factors can affect the QoL in all patients with OI. In this study, we compare dimensions of QoL in adults with OI with a control population. The SF‐36 questionnaire was distributed among 330 adult patients with different OI types. Results were compared with two control populations from the Netherlands. Age‐matched comparisons were made with one of the two control populations. The results were summarized in eight domains: general and mental health, physical and social function, bodily pain, vitality, and physical and emotional role. General health and physical function in all types of OI are low compared with controls, except patients with OI type 4 aged 55+ years. Bodily pain in patients with OI appeared significantly worse than in the control population. There was no significant difference between OI types regarding pain and vitality. Vitality was only in the OI type 1 group significantly lower compared with controls. Patients with OI type 1 had a significantly reduced mental health. Social functioning appeared most effective in type 3 around 20 years of age. QoL in adult patients with OI should be an important outcome measure in every OI clinic, but the amount of baseline data on this subject is sparse. This baseline measurement study is the largest study to date investigating QoL in adult patients with OI. The mean scores indicate that people with OI generally have a significantly lower QoL than the control population. Further qualitative evaluation of QoL and its influences is important for future management. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Highly efficient separation membrane based on cellulose acetate/chitosan fibrous composite substrate with activated carbon functional adsorption layer
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Wu Qian , Huang Chen , Wei Huidan , Wang Ruichen , Wang Chenyi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFor improving the permeability and selectivity of adsorption separation membranes, membrane materials, structural morphology and separation technology must continue to be investigated. Development of a membrane that is environmentally friendly, cost‐effective and with high filter precision is an important direction in current research.RESULTSThe air pressure spraying method was used to prepare an activated carbon (AC)–cellulose acetate/chitosan (CA/CS) composite membrane. The CA/CS fiber composite membrane was prepared as substrate layer, and AC was loaded on the surface of the CA/CS composite membrane as a functional adsorption layer. When the spraying pressure was 0.01 MPa and the mass ratio of AC/CS was 2:1, a composite membrane with even and compact morphology could be obtained. Both the compact AC functional layer and complete CA/CS substrate layer endowed the AC–CA/CS composite membrane with an excellent water filtration property. At low feeding pressure, the permeate flux and rejection rate of bisphenol A (BPA) could reach 9.27 × 103 L m−2 h−1 and 98.31%, respectively. Meanwhile, the adsorption capacities of the membrane were investigated. It tended to equilibrate quickly in 2 min for dyes and BPA. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of the membrane for acid blue, acid yellow and BPA were 175.80, 164.0815 and 79.58 mg g−1, respectively. The adsorption process conformed to pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and the Langmuir monolayer adsorption model.CONCLUSIONSThis work could provide a practical and effective feasibility for membrane separation technology. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Using schema training to facilitate students' understanding of challenging engineering concepts in heat transfer and thermodynamics
Authors: Yang Dazhi , Streveler Ruth , Miller Ronald L. , Senocak Inanc , Slotta Jim 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundChi and colleagues have argued that some of the most challenging engineering concepts exhibit properties of emergent systems. However, students often lack a mental framework, or schema, for understanding emergence. Slotta and Chi posited that helping students develop a schema for emergent systems, referred to as schema training, would increase the understanding of challenging concepts exhibiting emergent properties.PurposeWe tested the effectiveness of schema training and explored the nature of challenging concepts from thermodynamics and heat transfer. We investigated if schema training could (a) repair misconceptions in advanced engineering students and (b) prevent them in beginning engineering students.MethodWe adapted Slotta and Chi's schema training modules and tested their impact in two studies that employed an experimental design. Items from the Thermal and Transport Concept Inventory and expert‐developed multiple‐choice questions were used to evaluate conceptual understanding of the participants. The language used by students in their open‐ended explanations of multiple‐choice questions was also coded.ResultsIn both studies, students in the experimental groups showed larger gains in their understanding of some concepts—specifically in dye diffusion and microfluidics in Study One, and in the final test for thermodynamics in Study Two. But in neither study did students exhibit any gain in conceptual questions about heat transfer.ConclusionOur studies suggest the importance of examining the nature of the phenomena underlying the concepts being taught because the language used in instruction has implications for how students understand them. Therefore, we suggest that instructors reflect on their own understanding of the concepts.
Mechanisms and microstructures of 2A97 Al‐Li alloy under the hot forming with synchronous quenching process
Authors: Zhang Peng , Chen Ming‐He , Chen Wei , Zhang Shi‐Hong , Xu Yong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAluminum‐lithium alloy is regarded as the most promising light material in the aircraft and aerospace industries. For the production of complex and high‐precision parts, the hot forming with synchronous quenching (HFSQ) process has become an effective and attractive forming method. In order to achieve the performance and microstructure evolution of the 2A97 Al‐Li alloy under the HFSQ process, the specimens were subjected to solution treatment at 520°C and held at 90 min in the Gleeble 3,500 thermal simulator. Then the hot tensile test with simultaneous quenching was conducted directly at a temperature of 300–500°C and a strain rate of 0.1–0.001 s−1 with the same equipment. Through analyzing the macroscopic stress–strain curves and microscopic fractures, it was concluded that the optimal forming temperature was 450°C with the strain rate being 0.1 s−1 and its forming mechanism under the process was presented. To obtain the microstructure evolution of 2A97 Al‐Li alloy under the HFSQ process, the material was subjected to constant strain tensile test with synchronous quenching and then treated with two‐stage artificial aging 200°C and 6 hr + 165°C and 6 hr. The microstructure of the alloy was observed by means of electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). And its evolution process and the influence of temperature, strain rate, and strain on the microstructure under the process were attained.
Determination of total iron‐binding capacity of transferrin using metal organic framework‐based surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy
Authors: Das Anupam , Choi Namhyun , Moon Joung‐Il , Choo Jaebum 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe report the rapid and sensitive determination of the total iron‐binding capacity of transferrin (Tf) in human serum using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Herein, metal organic framework (MOF)–gold nanoparticle (AuNP) complexes were used as the SERS substrate. The highly porous MOF preconcentrates the reporter molecules and accelerates the approach of the reporter molecules to the vicinity of the AuNPs on the surface of the MOF. As a result, a significant number of reporter molecules are trapped close to SERS‐active “hot spots,” and their Raman signals are greatly enhanced. Additionally, Tf acts as an anchor to form a three‐dimensional assembly of MOF–AuNP units via specific binding to the Fe(III) ions of adjacent MOF units when MOF–AuNP complexes are added to human serum. This leads to further enhancement of the Raman signals of Raman reporter molecules with increasing Tf concentration. Quantitative estimation of Tf is possible by monitoring the variations in the intensity of the Raman signal of Raman reporter molecules adsorbed on MOF–AuNP complexes as a function of the Tf concentration. In this work, SERS‐based analysis using the MOF–AuNP complexes was performed to determine the concentration of Tf in the human serum for diagnosing iron deficiency. The limit of detection of Tf was determined to be 0.51 μM in spiked human serum. This SERS‐based analysis of Tf using MOF–AuNPs provides new insight for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of iron deficiency in human serum.
LC/MS study of the diversity and distribution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Crotalaria species growing in Colombia
Authors: Prada Fausto , Stashenko Elena E. , Martínez Jairo René 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHepatotoxic and genotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been involved in the acute poisoning of animals and humans. Crotalaria (Fabaceae) species contain these alkaloids. In this work, the diversity and distribution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds of Crotalaria pallida, Crotalaria maypurensis, Crotalaria retusa, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria incana, and Crotalaria nitens were studied. Matrix solid‐phase dispersion and ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry were successfully employed in pyrrolizidine alkaloids extraction and analysis, respectively. Forty‐five pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected and their identification was based on the mass spectrometry accurate mass measurement and fragmentation pattern analysis. The cyclic retronecine‐type diesters monocrotaline, crotaleschenine, integerrimine, usaramine, and their N‐oxides were predominantly present. Five novel alkaloids were identified for the first time in Crotalaria species, namely 14‐hydroxymonocrotaline, 12‐acetylcrotaleschenine, 12‐acetylmonocrotaline, 12‐acetylintegerrimine, and dihydrointegerrimine. Due to a lack of commercially available standards, the response factor of monocrotaline was used for quantification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N‐oxides. Seeds and flowers possessed higher pyrrolizidine alkaloids amounts than roots and leaves. Due to their 1,2‐unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids content, the ingestion of Crotalaria plant seeds or other parts through herbal products, infusions, or natural remedies is a serious health threat to humans and livestock.
Utilization and Influence of Online Support Communities in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis Patients
Authors: Verma Sunil P. , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Berry Lynne D. , Anderson Catherine , Francis David O. , Gelbard Alexander 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesTo determine the factors that shape utilization of social media‐based online support communities (OSCs) and study the influence of these communities on medical decision‐making in patients with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis (iSGS).Study designSurvey study.MethodsA survey investigating OSC use was sent to the 1,056 members of the North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC) iSGS1000 cohort in January 2018. Responses were merged with the existing NoAAC data set containing extensive demographic data, disease‐specific history, and responses to validated patient‐reported outcome measures.ResultsA total of 755 individuals with iSGS and mean age of 51.8 ± 11.6 years were included (99% female, 98% white, 63% college educated) and 58% were OSC users. Younger age, female gender, and college education were each associated with OSC use (P < .05). Users spent 2.5 ± 3.3 hours per week on the platforms. Time spent on OSC was not associated with total number of prior treatments. Higher disease anxiety (FoP‐Q, R = 0.26, P < .001), lower social support (MOS, R = −0.12, P = .037), and lower level of shared‐decision‐making with the treating physician (SDM‐Q9, R = −0.16, P = .007) were weakly associated with more hours spent engaging an OSC. OSC use influenced treatment and physician choice in 35% and 26% of users, respectively. Increased time spent on OSC use was associated with increased influence on patient medical decisions regarding treatment, surgery, and physician choice (P < .05).ConclusionOSC engagement is common in patients with iSGS. Disease anxiety, social support, and relationship with the physician may influence OSC utilization. More OSC engagement weakly associated with greater OSC influence on patient medical decision‐making.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 131:1821–1827, 2021
Heterogeneity and hierarchy of the tissue stem cells in the human newborn vocal fold mucosa
Authors: Sato Kiminori , Chitose Shun‐ichi , Sato Fumihiko , Sato Kiminobu , Ono Takeharu , Umeno Hirohito 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesThere is growing evidence that the cells in the maculae flavae (MFe) are tissue stem cells and the MFe are a stem cell niche of the human vocal fold mucosa. Heterogeneity and hierarchy of tissue stem cells in the MFe of newborn vocal fold were investigated in vivo.Study designHistologic analysis of the human vocal folds.MethodsFive normal human newborn vocal folds were investigated under transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy.ResultsCobblestone‐like polygonal cells, vocal fold stellate cell‐like cells, and fibroblast‐like spindle cells were intermingled in the newborn MFe in vivo, indicating that the cells in the MFe had heterogeneity. However, cobblestone‐like polygonal cells were predominant. Free ribosomes were well developed in the cytoplasm. The cells in some cases formed gap junctions with each other. The cells in some cases were attached to other cells and formed cell junctions with each other. These findings indicated cells in the newborn maculae flavae possessed features of mesenchymal cells (cells in mesenchyme). Colony‐forming‐unit‐like cell aggregate was observed, indicating the cells in the newborn MFe had stemness. The cobblestone‐like polygonal cells expressed SSEA‐3 (a human pluripotent stem cell marker), indicating they were at the top of a cellular hierarchy in the stem cell system.ConclusionsThe cells in the MFe of the human newborn vocal fold mucosa had heterogeneity and hierarchy in the stem cell system in vivo. At birth, newborn maculae flavae are ready to start the growth of the vocal fold mucosa as a vibrating tissue.