bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scale‐dependent effects of environmental factors on soil organic carbon, soil nutrients and stoichiometry under two contrasting land‐use types
Authors: Zhu Qing , Liao Kaihua , Lai Xiaoming , Lv Ligang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractVariations in and control of soil total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) and their stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P and N:P) are critical in agricultural nutrient management. This study examined the scale‐dependent effects of environmental factors on these soil properties under two contrasting land‐use types (tea versus. bamboo) at plot scale (70 × 70 m) and landscape scale (2 × 2 km). Results showed that at both scales, the tea garden generally had higher TOC and nutrient concentrations and lower stoichiometric ratios than the bamboo forest, because of fertilizer and green manure applications in the tea garden. Influences of topography and soil texture on TOC, nutrients and stoichiometric ratios were scale‐dependent. In the tea garden plot, as scale increased, influences of topography and soil texture on TOC, TN and C:N ratio increased, whereas their influence on TP, C:P ratio and N:P ratio decreased. Similar patterns were observed in the forest plot. At the landscape scale, the effects of influences of topography and soil texture on TOC and nutrients were not obvious. The spatial variations in TOC, nutrients and stoichiometric ratios were controlled by both topography and soil texture at the plot scale but were mainly influenced by soil texture at the landscape scale. The influences of topography and soil texture on TOC, nutrients and stoichiometric ratios were generally weaker at landscape than at plot scale. This study confirmed that the effect of scale must be considered when predicting the spatial variations in TOC and nutrients.
Convalescent plasma therapy for the treatment of patients with COVID‐19: Assessment of methods available for antibody detection and their correlation with neutralising antibody levels
Authors: Harvala Heli , Robb Matthew L. , Watkins Nick , Ijaz Samreen , Dicks Steven , Patel Monika , Supasa Piyada , Wanwisa Dejnirattisai , Liu Chang , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Bown Abbie , Bailey Daniel , Vipond Richard , Grayson Nicholas , Temperton Nigel , Gupta Sunetra , Ploeg Rutger J. , Bolton Jai , Fyfe Alex , Gopal Robin , Simmonds Peter , Screaton Gavin , Thompson Craig , Brooks Tim , Zambon Maria , Miflin Gail , Roberts David J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe lack of approved specific therapeutic agents to treat coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has led to the rapid implementation of convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) trials in many countries, including the United Kingdom. Effective CPT is likely to require high titres of neutralising antibody (nAb) in convalescent donations. Understanding the relationship between functional neutralising antibodies and antibody levels to specific SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins in scalable assays will be crucial for the success of a large‐scale collection. We assessed whether neutralising antibody titres correlated with reactivity in a range of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) targeting the spike (S) protein, the main target for human immune response.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 52 individuals with a previous laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. These were assayed for SARS‐CoV‐2 nAbs by microneutralisation and pseudo‐type assays and for antibodies by four different ELISAs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to further identify sensitivity and specificity of selected assays to identify samples containing high nAb levels.ResultsAll samples contained SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies, whereas neutralising antibody titres of greater than 1:20 were detected in 43 samples (83% of those tested) and >1:100 in 22 samples (42%). The best correlations were observed with EUROimmun immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity (Spearman Rho correlation coefficient 0.88; p < 0.001). Based on ROC analysis, EUROimmun would detect 60% of samples with titres of >1:100 with 100% specificity using a reactivity index of 9.1 (13/22).DiscussionRobust associations between nAb titres and reactivity in several ELISA‐based antibody tests demonstrate their possible utility for scaled‐up production of convalescent plasma containing potentially therapeutic levels of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 nAbs.
Success in completing cross‐border acquisitions by emerging market firms: What matters?
Authors: Zhou Jing , Jiang Yunwen , Tam On Kit , Lan Wei , Ye Silin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhile cross‐border acquisitions (CBAs) by emerging market firms (EMFs) have grown rapidly in recent years, many have failed to bring the acquisitions to completion. Compared with acquisitions initiated by acquirers from developed economies, little is known about the possible determinants of completion or abandonment of CBAs conducted by EMFs. This paper investigates what contributes to the successful completion of CBAs by EMFs. Based on data of 637 announced CBAs by Chinese firms during 2000–17, we find that investing firms’ self‐learning experience from previous acquisitions can significantly increase the completion rate of subsequent related CBAs, while their industrial spillover experience helps raise the completion rate of unrelated CBAs. Our findings also show that the value of acquisition experience is significant only when the target firm is domiciled in countries with comparable level of institutional quality. Our results provide new insights into the complexity of the global M&A market and lessons for EMFs intending to conduct CBAs in the future.
Cell blocks in veterinary medicine: A comparison of two methods (cell tube and agar) in 52 effusions from dogs and cats
Authors: Melega Maverick , Santos Marta , Caniatti Mario , Valenti Paola , Miniscalco Barbara , Sulce Majlind , Marcos Ricardo , Riondato Fulvio 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCell blocks are alternative preparations of fluid cytological specimens. They can be used for immunochemical studies as complementary tools or when other techniques (eg, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry) are not available.ObjectivesWe aimed to provide comparative morphologic, immunohistochemical, and technical features of agar‐based cell blocks (ACBs) and cell tube blocks (CTBs) from cavitary effusions.MethodsAgar‐based cell blocks and CTBs were obtained from canine and feline effusions with neoplastic/atypical cells or with packed cell volumes ≥3%. Cellularity, RBC separation, and cellular features were evaluated on digitalized H&E slides with evaluators blinded to the method. The immunohistochemical intensity and nonspecific background were assessed on pan‐cytokeratin and vimentin‐stained slides. Overall yield was calculated, and morphologic and immunohistochemical features were compared among paired samples. Technical and cellular features were also described.ResultsAgar‐based cell blocks and CTBs yielded evaluable sections in 100% (52/52) and 98% (51/52) of the cases, respectively. Cellularity and RBC separation scores were significantly higher in CTBs. Similar staining intensities were observed, and background staining was more frequently seen in pan‐cytokeratin‐stained ACBs. Only basic materials and equipment were required for both methods. Agar‐based cell block preparations were more operator dependent and difficult to standardize, whereas CTBs were easier to prepare, but laboratory processing was more demanding.ConclusionsBoth methods can be used to produce good sections for immunohistochemistry staining with no significant differences. Cell tube blocks are beneficial for RBC‐rich samples, and little additional training is required to prepare the blocks. Both types of cell blocks are reliable, cost‐effective methods that could be introduced in diagnostic laboratories to further characterize canine and feline effusions.
Functional resilience of activated sludge exposed toBacillus globigiiand bacteriophage MS2
Authors: Smith Matthew , Stuntz Sean , Xing Yun , Magnuson Matthew , Phillips Rebecca , Harper Willie F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of two biocontaminant surrogates on the activity and performance of activated sludge. In the presence of bacteriophage MS2 at 3.2 × 108PFU/ml, the peak respiration rates varied between 9.1 and 10.5 mg O2/gVSS/hr, generally similar to the rates observed in negative controls. MS2 did not alter the molar CO2‐produced‐to‐O2consumed stoichiometry observed during respiration. Similar results were observed forBacillus globigii(BG). Ethanol, a potential co‐contaminant associated with biocontamination incidents, can inhibit initial oxygen uptake. MS2 and BG both adsorbed to activated sludge; post‐exposure viability was confirmed for BG but not for MS2. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of BG and MS2 on activated sludge, and it presents a protocol that can be used in operational situations.
Evaluation of the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs that visit off‐leash dog parks in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Kotwa Jonathon D. , Greer Tyler , Jardine Claire M. , Weese J. Scott , Isaksson Mats , Pearl David L. , Berke Olaf , Mercer Nicola , Peregrine Andrew S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPrior to 2012, Echinococcus multilocularis was not known to occur in any host in Ontario, Canada. However, since that year, five cases of alveolar echinococcosis have been diagnosed in dogs that resided at the western end of Lake Ontario. In addition, E. multilocularis has been shown to be a common infection in wild canids (i.e. coyotes and foxes) across southern Ontario with a high‐risk infection cluster in the area surrounding the western shores of Lake Ontario and northern shores of Lake Erie. In regions endemic for E. multilocularis, dog ownership is considered a risk factor for human alveolar echinococcosis. A study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of E. multilocularis intestinal infections in dogs within the high‐risk infection cluster. From May to November 2018, faecal samples were collected from 477 dogs aged ≥6 months that visited 12 off‐leash dog parks in the Halton, Hamilton and Niagara public health units. Faecal samples were analysed via a magnetic capture probe DNA extraction and real‐time PCR method for E. multilocularis DNA. Overall, 0% (97.5% CI: 0%–0.80%) of samples tested positive. This result informs preventive recommendations for E. multilocularis infections in dogs in this region.
Tribological Properties of Ti-Doped Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings Under Boundary Lubrication With ZDDP
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Wang Yang , Kang Jiajie , Ma Guozheng , Zhu Lina , Wang Haidou , Fu Zhiqiang , Huang Haipeng , Yue Wen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings containing 0.7%, 5.8%, and 23.3% Ti were deposited via pulsed cathodic arc deposition and magnetron sputtering on AISI 316L stainless steel substrates. The varied Ti content was controlled by setting Ti target current at 3, 5, and 7A. The composition, microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of Ti-doped DLC (Ti-DLC) coatings were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, and ball-on-disc tribometer. The results show that TiC formed when Ti content in the coating was higher than 5.8 at% and the ID/IG ratios increased gradually with the increasing Ti content. Ti-DLC with 0.7 at% Ti had the highest H/E and H3/E2 ratios and exhibited optimal tribological properties under lubrication, especially when zinc dialkyldithio-phosphate (ZDDP) was contained in the oil. Furthermore, ZDDP tribofilms played an important role in wear reduction by protecting the rubbing surfaces against the adhesion and suppressing the tribo-induced graphitization of DLC coatings.
Nonlinear Smart Beam Model for Energy Harvesting
Authors: Zhu Wenguo , Morandini Marco 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this paper, the nonlinear modeling of beam energy harvester embedded with piezoelectric transducers is presented. Starting from a multibody dynamics perspective, a fully coupled electromechanical nonlinear beam model was derived and a geometrically exact finite volume beam element, including the circuit equation is developed. In this model, the beam resultants-strain constitutive law and mass properties are obtained from a two-dimensional beam cross-sectional modeling in which the electromechanical coupling effects are included. The results are verified against numerical and experimental results reported in the literature.
Dynamic Characteristic Analysis of Rotating Blade With Transverse Crack—Part I: Modeling, Modification, and Validation
Authors: Yang Lai-Hao , Yang Zhe-Shuai , Mao Zhu , Wu Shu-Ming , Chen Xue-Feng , Yan Ru-Qiang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This study aims at the systematical improvement and comparative analysis of analytical crack models for the rotating blade. Part I of this study focuses on analytical modeling, model modification, and model validation of transverse crack for the rotating blade. The most widely applied analytical crack models for the rotating blade are reviewed and compared, and then their limitations are discussed. It is indicated that the conventional analytical crack models suffer from low physical interpretability and vibration prediction accuracy. By considering these limitations of conventional analytical crack models, model modification is performed to enhance the physical meaning and improve the accuracy. First, the stress-based breathing crack model is modified by direct calculation of the breathing function based on the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics and resetting the correction factor of centrifugal stiffening stiffness. Second, the vibration-based breathing crack models, including bilinear breathing crack model and cosine breathing crack model, are modified by introducing the coupling effect between bending stress and centrifugal stress based on the stress state at the blade crack section. The additional bending moment induced by the blade part outside the crack section is considered in all analytical models. The modified crack models’ validity is verified by comparing vibration responses obtained by the modified crack models, the finite element contact crack model, and the conventional crack models. The comparative results suggest that the modified models promote the physical interpretability and improve the vibration prediction accuracy of analytical crack models.
Rapid gravity flow transformation revealed in a single climbing ripple
Authors: Baas Jaco H. , Best Jim , Peakall Jeff 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Sediment gravity flows demonstrate a wide range of rheological behaviors, and past work has shown how transformations between flow types generate spatiotemporal changes in the resultant sedimentary successions. We used the geometrical characteristics of a single climbing ripple to demonstrate how such flows can transform from a turbulent to a quasi-laminar plug flow, with the transitional clay flow sequence being manifested by abnormally large heterolithic sand-clay current ripples with small backflow ripples, and then abundant clay deposition associated with smaller ripples. Analysis of ripple size, angle of climb, grain size, internal erosional surfaces, and soft-sediment deformation suggests that transformation in the rheological character of the sediment gravity flow was rapid, occurring over a period of tens of minutes, and thus probably over a spatial scale of hundreds of meters to several kilometers. Our study indicates how the character of flow transformation can be elucidated from the details of a small-scale sedimentary structure.
Drill core from seismically active sandstone gas reservoir yields clues to internal deformation mechanisms
Authors: Verberne Berend A. , Hangx Suzanne J.T. , Pijnenburg Ronald P.J. , Hamers Maartje F. , Drury Martyn R. , Spiers Christopher J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEurope’s largest gas field, the Groningen field (the Netherlands), is widely known for induced subsidence and seismicity caused by gas pressure depletion and associated compaction of the sandstone reservoir. Whether compaction is elastic or partly inelastic, as implied by recent experiments, is a key factor in forecasting system behavior and seismic hazard. We sought evidence for inelastic deformation through comparative microstructural analysis of unique drill core recovered from the seismogenic center of the field in 2015, 50 yr after gas production started, versus core recovered before production (1965). Quartz grain fracturing, crack healing, and stress-induced Dauphiné twinning are equally developed in the 2015 and 1965 cores, with the only measurable effect of gas production being enhanced microcracking of sparse K-feldspar grains in the 2015 core. Interpreting these grains as strain markers, we suggest that reservoir compaction involves elastic strain plus inelastic compression of weak clay films within grain contacts.
Short-term effects of wood ash application on soil properties, growth, and foliar nutrition ofPicea marianaandPicea glaucaseedlings in a plantation trial
Authors: Couch Robin L. , Luckai Nancy , Morris Dave , Diochon Amanda 
Published: December 2020

Burning biomass for energy generates ash that could be applied as a soil amendment to ameliorate acidity and mitigate nutrient losses associated with biomass harvesting. These soil improvements may also enhance tree growth and foliar nutrition. In this study, we applied low- and high-carbon wood-derived ash at rates of 0 (control), 1000, and 10 000 kg·ha−1(dry weight equivalents) to soils planted with Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss in a replicated (5) factorial design. We measured soil properties, tree seedling height, and foliar nutrient contents prior to and 4 mo after wood ash addition to determine the immediate effects on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and tree seedling performance. We conclude that there were no negative effects of applying either wood ash and that application of ash at 10 000 kg·ha−1, particularly with the low-carbon ash, produced the greatest changes. We anticipate that changes may become more evident over the longer term, especially with respect to tree growth and nutritional responses (e.g., as nutrient uptake demand increases) once the seedlings become more established.
Inhomogeneous phases in the quark-meson model with explicit chiral-symmetry breaking
Authors: Buballa Michael , Carignano Stefano , Kurth Lennart 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe investigate the existence of inhomogeneous chiral phases in the quark-meson model with explicit chiral-symmetry breaking. We find that the inhomogeneous region shrinks with increasing pion masses but survives for the physical value of mπ. The instability towards inhomogeneous matter occurs in the scalar channel, while pseudoscalar modes are disfavored.
Estimating compressibility from maximal-mass compact star observations
Authors: Barnaföldi Gergely G. , Pósfay Péter , Szigeti Balázs E. , Jakovác Antal 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe investigated recent observation data of pulsar masses of PSR J0740+6620, PSR J0348+0432, and PSR J1614−2230 based on the extended σ-ω model. We assumed that these pulsars are maximal mass compact star, which suggest that the core approximation can be applied. Using the linear relations between the microscopic and macroscopic parameters of neutron stars suggested by this model, we estimated the values of the nucleon Landau mass and nuclear compressibility
mL=776.0−84.9+38.5 MeV and
K=242.7−28.0+57.2 MeV, respectively.
Chiral phase transition and kaon-to-pion ratios in the entanglement SU(3) PNJL model
Authors: Blaschke D. , Friesen A. V. , Kalinovsky Yu. L. , Radzhabov A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWithin the three-flavor PNJL and EPNJL chiral quark models we have obtained pseudoscalar meson properties in quark matter at finite temperature T and baryochemical potential μB. We compare the meson pole (Breit-Wigner) approximation with the Beth-Uhlenbeck (BU) approach that takes into account the continuum of quark-antiquark scattering states when determining the partial densities of pions and kaons. We evaluate the kaon-to-pion ratios along the (pseudo-)critical line in the T − μB plane as a proxy for the chemical freezeout line, whereby the variable x = T∕μB is introduced that corresponds to the conserved entropy per baryon as initial condition for the heavy-ion collision experiments. We present a comparison with the experimental pattern of kaon-to-pion ratios within the BU approach and using x-dependent pion and strange quark potentials. A sharp “horn” effect in the energy dependence K+∕π+ ratio is explained by the enhanced pion production at energies above √sNN=8 GeV, when the system enters the regime of meson dominance. This effect is in line with the enhancement of low-momentum pion spectra that is discussed as a precursor of the pion Bose condensation and entails the occurrence of a nonequilibrium pion chemical potential of the order of the pion mass. We elucidate that the horn effect is not related to the existence of a critical endpoint in the QCD phase diagram.
Microwave Assisted ZnO Nanoparticles by Simple Precipitation Method: A Novel Approach
Authors: Deshmukh Lalita D. 
Published: December 2020

Stated work consisted synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by the irradiation of microwaves. Material is formed by a simple chemical precipitation method by using Zinc Acetate Dehydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2[Formula: see text]2H2O) and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as base chemicals in aqueous media for two different pH (12 and 14) values. This synthesis was carried out at room temperature. Synthesized NPs are dried in Microwave oven for 3 min of duration each. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the trend of incremental crystallinity upon increasing pH. XRD reveals the existence of (100), (002), (101), (102) and (110) reflections at [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] two theta values, respectively. Crystallite size was determined by both Scherrer formula and W–H plot method. UV-Vis spectroscopy is utilized to probe the optical features of ZnO NPs. This confirms intrinsic excitonic transition properties of ZnO. UV absorbance shows decrement upon increasing pH value. Band gap depicts the decremental behavior upon increasing pH. Stated method is a novel and time saving method for ZnO NPs synthesis; a large scale production is also feasible by this method.