bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of macaques as seed dispersers
Authors: Sengupta Asmita , Gazagne Eva , Albert‐Daviaud Aurelie , Tsuji Yamato , Radhakrishna Sindhu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeed dispersal is an ecological process crucial for forest regeneration and recruitment. To date, most studies on frugivore seed dispersal have used the seed dispersal effectiveness framework and have documented seed‐handling mechanisms, dispersal distances and the effect of seed handling on germination. In contrast, there has been no exploration of “disperser reliability” which is essential to determine if a frugivore is an effective disperser only in particular regions/years/seasons or across a range of spatio‐temporal scales. In this paper, we propose a practical framework to assess the spatial reliability of frugivores as seed dispersers. We suggest that a frugivore genus would be a reliable disperser of certain plant families/genera if: (a) fruits of these plant families/genera are represented in the diets of most of the species of that frugivore, (b) these are consumed by the frugivore genus across different kinds of habitats, and (c) these fruits feature among the yearly staples and preferred fruits in the diets of the frugivore genus. Using this framework, we reviewed frugivory by the genus Macaca across Asia to assess its spatial reliability as seed dispersers. We found that the macaques dispersed the seeds of 11 plant families and five plant genera including at least 82 species across habitats. Differences in fruit consumption/preference between different groups of macaques were driven by variation in plant community composition across habitats. We posit that it is essential to maintain viable populations of macaques across their range and keep human interventions at a minimum to ensure that they continue to reliably disperse the seeds of a broad range of plant species in the Anthropocene. We further suggest that this framework be used for assessing the spatial reliability of other taxonomic groups as seed dispersers.
Intensification of epoxidation of vegetable oils using a continuous mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactor
Authors: Abdul Rahim Mohamad Akmal , Phan Anh N. , Harvey Adam P. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEpoxidized vegetable oils (EVOs) are widely used in the polymer industry as plasticizers, stabilizers, polyols synthesis and elsewhere as precursors for lubricants. Currently, the epoxidation uses peracids (peracetic or performic acid) and is carried out in a semi‐batch or batch reactor. The reaction is highly exothermic, necessitating the gradual addition (typically over 2 hours) of the hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) at a moderate temperature (~60°C), to prevent thermal runaway. In practice, this leads to reaction times of 8 hours or more. In this study, rapeseed oil was epoxidized in a mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactor (“meso‐OBR”), operating in continuous mode, to investigate the feasibility of using this reactor design to convert this batch reaction to continuous. It was found that the continuous meso‐OBR could exceed the product specification of the commercial batch operation. Yields over 75% were achieved, at 10 minutes residence times because a higher molar ratio of acetic acid and HOOH to oil could be used due to the enhanced heat transfer characteristics of the reactor. Based on these findings, an OBR operating at the same production rate as the commercial batch reactor would be approximately 144 times smaller, due to the reduction in residence time, and removal of the various inherent inefficiencies of the batch cycle.
Effect of CO2 Bubbles on Crystallization Behavior of Anhydrous Milk Fat
Authors: Adhikari Bhaskar Mani , Truong Tuyen , Bansal Nidhi , Bhandari Bhesh 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA study was designed to observe the effect of bubbles created from dissolved CO2 (0–2000 ppm) on crystallization and melting behavior, fat polymorphs, microstructure, and hardness of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) under nonisothermal crystallization conditions. Calculated amounts of dry ice were added to generate 2000 ppm CO2 at low partial pressure, and an ultrasound (205 kHz, 10 s; US) treatment was delivered at 35 °C through a noncontact metal transducer on the molten AMF to generate bubbles (~500 nm) of CO2. The generated CO2 bubbles were found to induce a higher onset of crystallization temperature during cooling from 35 to 5°C at the rate of 0.5°C min−1. The changes in crystallization behavior owing to the generation of a smaller and significant number of TAG crystals also increased the hardness of the AMF at room temperature and refrigerated conditions. The work suggested the potential use of CO2 nanobubbles derived from the dry ice with the emission of low power US to control the crystallization behavior and thereby the physical properties of milk fat‐containing dairy products.
Changes in mean platelet volume and hematologic indices in patients with panic disorder due to oxidative stress
Authors: Naghipour Hamzekolaei Maryam , Jafarisani Moslem , Farajzadeh Asghar , Aghayan Seyed Shahrokh , Atashi Amir , Yarmohammadi Maryam , Sadeghi Iman , Tashakori Mersedeh 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveCardiovascular disorders are common in patients with panic disorder (PD), usually mediated by platelets. The present study was conducted to evaluate oxidative stress conditions and complete analysis of blood cells in patients with PD.Setting and Sample PopulationSixty healthy individuals and 60 patients were included in the study. Whole blood and serum samples were obtained from patients and controls.Materials & MethodHematological studies, including blood cells count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, were carried out on whole blood samples. In addition, oxidative stress indices including total antioxidant capacity, free oxygen species, and malondialdehyde concentration were measured in serum samples.ResultsResults showed that patients with PD had a significant increase in mean platelet volume index (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) compared with healthy subjects (p < .05). Also, oxidative stress indices were significantly elevated in patients with PD compared with control group (p < .05).ConclusionElevated MPV is a hematologic indicator for patients with PD. This disorder may be caused by impaired serotonin metabolism, resulting in increased oxidative stress, as well as in platelet serotonin transporters. Regarding elevated oxidative stress, the risk of cardiovascular complications is high in patients with PD.
System Design Rules for Intensifying the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to CO on Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Bhargava Saket S. , Proietto Federica , Azmoodeh Daniel , Cofell Emiliana R. , Henckel Danielle A. , Verma Sumit , Brooks Christopher J. , Gewirth Andrew A. , Kenis Paul J. A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractElectroreduction of CO2 (eCO2RR) is a potentially sustainable approach for carbon‐based chemical production. Despite significant progress, performing eCO2RR economically at scale is challenging. Here we report meeting key technoeconomic benchmarks simultaneously through electrolyte engineering and process optimization. A systematic flow electrolysis study ‐ performing eCO2RR to CO on Ag nanoparticles as a function of electrolyte composition (cations, anions), electrolyte concentration, electrolyte flow rate, cathode catalyst loading, and CO2 flow rate ‐ resulted in partial current densities of 417 and 866 mA/cm2 with faradaic efficiencies of 100 and 98 % at cell potentials of −2.5 and −3.0 V with full cell energy efficiencies of 53 and 43 %, and a conversion per pass of 17 and 36 %, respectively, when using a CsOH‐based electrolyte. The cumulative insights of this study led to the formulation of system design rules for high rate, highly selective, and highly energy efficient eCO2RR to CO.
Enhancing Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence on Platinum Electrodes through Surface Modification
Authors: Fiorani Andrea , Eßmann Vera , Santos Carla Santana , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIncreasing the light emission of electrogenerated chemiluminescence is an important goal for enhancing the sensitivity for potential practical applications. Electrogenerated chemiluminescence is primarily triggered by a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, for which the electrode material plays a pivotal role. We investigated how a platinum electrode, one of the most used but poorly efficient noble metal electrode materials in electrogenerated chemiluminescence, can be modified to enhance light emission. A polypyrrole layer was deposited on the platinum electrode through electrochemically induced polymerization, and subsequently pyrolyzed with the formation of a carbonaceous film. Electrochemiluminescence of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+/tri‐n‐propylamine system on such carbon film electrodes showed an enhancement of up to a 4 times increase, as compared with the bare platinum electrode.
Distant metastasis of salivary gland cancer: Incidence, management, and outcomes
Authors: Mimica Ximena , McGill Marlena , Hay Ashley , Karassawa Zanoni Daniella , Shah Jatin P. , Wong Richard J. , Ho Alan , Cohen Marc A. , Patel Snehal G. , Ganly Ian 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundDistant metastases (DMs) are the primary cause of treatment failure in patients with salivary gland carcinoma. There is no consensus on the standard treatment.MethodsPatients with DMs were identified from an institutional database of 884 patients with salivary gland cancer who underwent resection of the primary tumor between 1985 and 2015. Survival outcomes for patients with DMs were determined with the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with DM.ResultsOf the 884 patients identified, 137 (15%) developed DMs during follow‐up. Most of the primary tumors (n = 77 [56%]) were located in a major salivary gland. At clinical presentation, 53% of the tumors were classified as T3 or T4, and 32% had clinical node metastases. The median time to DM was 20.3 months. The factors associated with shorter distant recurrence–free survival were male sex, high‐risk tumor histology, and advanced pathological T and N classifications. Patients with bone metastases had a lower survival rate than patients with lung metastases. The total number of DMs in a patient was inversely associated with survival. Patients who underwent surgical resection of DMs had a significantly higher 5‐year rate of metastatic disease–specific survival than patients who underwent observation or nonsurgical treatment (44%, 29%, and 19%, respectively; P = .003).ConclusionsIn patients with DMs of salivary gland carcinoma, survival is negatively associated with high‐grade histology, bone DMs, and the total number of DMs. Metastasectomy can help to lengthen disease‐free survival.
Aqueous Spray Pyrolysis of Cu2O Films: Influence of Reducing Agent and Acetic Acid Addition
Authors: Plankensteiner Nina , Kautek Wolfgang , Dimopoulos Theodoros 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCu2O is attractive as abundant and low‐cost material for energy‐related applications. This study investigated the versatile spray pyrolysis of Cu2O films from aqueous solutions. The appropriate deposition temperature and amount of copper acetate in the sprayed precursor solution was determined in order to eliminate unwanted copper oxide phases. It was shown that the addition of a reducing agent containing primary/secondary OH‐groups with suitable decomposition properties is necessary in order to obtain copper in the +I oxidation state. The influence of the pH value, determined by the addition of acetic acid to solutions containing varying reducing agents, on the structural film properties, was investigated. D‐sorbitol is for the first time proposed as suitable reducing agent to obtain compact and thick (ca. 500 nm) Cu2O films with an optical band gap of 2.3 eV.
Cylindroid‐Like Li4Ti5O12 Mesocrystals for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Shan Zhongqiang , Tian Jianhua 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA high rate and long life are two crucial factors for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we report cylindroid‐like Li4Ti5O12 mesocrystals (CL‐LTO‐MC) obtained by a simple solvothermal reaction and following short thermal annealing process. Owing to the single‐crystal nature and mesoporous structures, CL‐LTO‐MC demonstrates a high specific capacity (174.7 mA h g−1 at 1 C), superior rate performance (145 mA h g−1 at 50 C) and excellent cycling stability (95.5% capacity retention after 3000 cycles at 20 C). Besides, the CL‐LTO‐MC/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 full cells also display a remarkable cycle performance with 95.7% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5 C. These results indicate that CL‐LTO‐MC is a promising anode material for high‐rate and long‐cycling LIBs.
Statistical inference for a hybrid system model with incomplete observed data under adaptive progressive hybrid censoring
Authors: Shi Xiaolin , Zhan Pei , Shi Yimin 
Published: February 2020

SummaryIn this article, the statistical inference of a hybrid system with incomplete observed data is studied based on the adaptive type‐II progressive hybrid censored samples. It is assumed that the lifetime of the component in hybrid systems follows an identical Weibull distribution. The maximum likelihood estimates of the unknown parameters and reliability function are obtained by using the fixed‐point iteration method. Under general entropy loss function, the Bayesian estimates and the highest posterior density credible intervals of the unknown parameters and reliability function are derived using Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. In addition, the approximate confidence intervals and Bootstrap confidence intervals are constructed. Finally, Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out to illustrate the performances of two different point estimates and different confidence intervals.
Dynamic theoretic proactive caching placement game for energy saving in H‐CRAN
Authors: Mrad Safa , Hamouda Soumaya 
Published: February 2020

SummaryEdge caching is an effective feature of the next 5G network to guarantee the availability of the service content and a reduced time response for the user. However, the placement of the cache content remains an issue to fully take advantage of edge caching. In this paper, we address the proactive caching problem in Heterogeneous Cloud Radio Access Network (H‐CRAN) from a game theoretic point of view. The problem is formulated as a bargaining game where the remote radio heads (RRHs) dynamically negotiate and decide which content to cache in which RRH under energy saving and cache capacity constraints. The Pareto optimal equilibrium is proved for the cooperative game by the iterative Nash bargaining algorithm. We compare between cooperative and noncooperative proactive caching games and demonstrate how the selfishness of different players can affect the overall system performance. We also showed that our cooperative proactive caching game improves the energy consumption of 40% as compared with noncooperative game and of 68% to no‐game strategy. Moreover, the number of satisfied requests at the RRHs with the proposed cooperative proactive caching scheme is significantly increased.
Aquatic and riparian ecosystem recovery from debris flows in two western Washington streams, USA
Authors: Foster Alex D. , Claeson Shannon M. , Bisson Peter A. , Heimburg John 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAn exceptionally powerful storm struck southwestern Washington in December 2007 causing large debris flows in two adjacent streams. The two affected streams had been studied prior to the storm, providing a rare opportunity to examine ecosystem recovery. We monitored the streams and their riparian zones for six years after the disturbances to determine whether recovery rates of biota, physical habitat, and water temperature differed, and if so, what factors affected resilience. Along both streams, the debris flows removed wide swaths of soil, rock, and coniferous riparian forests, widening the active channel and increasing solar exposure and summer water temperatures. Initially depauperate of vegetation, after four years red alder trees dominated the riparian plant communities. The warmer water, greater solar radiation, and unstable substrates likely contributed to variable benthic insect and tailed frog tadpole densities over time, although benthic insect communities became more similar after three years. The debris flows also decreased channel slopes and removed channel step barriers such that cutthroat trout were able to rapidly occupy habitats far upstream, but sculpins were slower to recolonize and both fish species exhibited some differences in recovery between the two streams. Crayfish were severely impacted by the debris flows; this may be due to attributes of their life history and the timing of the flows. Overall, we found that recolonizing aquatic species exhibited varying levels of resilience and recovery after the disturbances being related to the influence of physical habitat conditions, species dispersal ability, and the presence of nearby source populations.
Small fibre pathology in chronic whiplash‐associated disorder: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Farrell Scott F. , Sterling Michele , Irving‐Rodgers Helen , Schmid Annina B. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundMechanisms underpinning ongoing symptoms in chronic whiplash associated‐disorder (WAD) are not well understood. People with chronic WAD can exhibit sensory dysfunction consistent with small nerve fibre pathology, including thermal hypoaesthesia and hyperalgesia. This study investigated small fibre structure and function in chronic WAD.MethodsTwenty‐four people with chronic WAD (median [IQR] age 49 [15] years, 16 females) and 24 pain‐free controls (50 [17] years, 16 females) were recruited. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and dermal innervation were assessed by skin biopsy. This was performed at (a) the lateral index finger on the primary side of pain and (b) superior to the lateral malleolus on the contralateral side. Quantitative sensory testing was performed over the hand.ResultsThe WAD group exhibited lower IENFD at the finger (WAD: median [IQR] 4.5 [4.9] fibres/mm; control 7.3 [3.9]; p = .010), but not the ankle (WAD: mean [SD] 7.3 [3.7] fibres/mm; control 9.3 [3.8]; p = .09). Dermal innervation was lower in the WAD group at the finger (WAD: median [IQR] 3.7 [2.8] nerve bundles/mm2; controls: 4.9 [2.1]; p = .017) but not the ankle (WAD: median [IQR] 2.1 [1.9] nerve bundles/mm2; controls: 1.8 [1.8]; p = .70). In the WAD group, hand thermal and light touch detection were impaired, and heat pain thresholds were lowered (p ≤ .037).ConclusionsFindings suggest small fibre structural and functional deficits in chronic WAD, implicating potential involvement of small fibre pathology.SignificanceOur study found decreased intraepidermal nerve fibre density, reduced dermal innervation, thermal hypoaesthesia and hypersensitivity in people with chronic WAD, suggestive of small fibre pathology. This observation of peripheral nervous system pathology in chronic whiplash provides novel insights on mechanisms underpinning symptoms and challenges commonly held beliefs regarding this condition.
Pain thresholds and intensities of CRPS type I and neuropathic pain in respect to sex
Authors: Meyer‐Frießem Christine H. , Attal Nadine , Baron Ralf , Bouhassira Didier , Finnerup Nanna B. , Freynhagen Rainer , Gierthmühlen Janne , Haanpää Maija , Hansson Per , Jensen Troels S. , Kemp Harriet , Kennedy Donna , Leffler Anne‐Sofie , Rice Andrew S. C. , Segerdahl Märta , Serra Jordi , Sindrup Soeren , Solà Roma , Tölle Thomas , Schuh‐Hofer Sigrid , Treede Rolf‐Detlef , Pogatzki‐Zahn Esther , Maier Christoph , Vollert Jan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsHealthy women have generally been found to have increased experimental pain perception and chronic pain has a higher prevalence in female as compared to male patients. However, no study has investigated whether pain intensity and pain perception thresholds are distinct or similar between sexes within various chronic pain entities. We investigated whether average pain intensities and pain thresholds assessed using quantitative sensory testing (QST) differed between women and men suffering from three distinct chronic pain conditions: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS type I), peripheral nerve injury (PNI) or polyneuropathy (PNP), as compared to paired healthy volunteers.MethodsQST data of 1,252 patients (669 female, 583 male) with PNI (n = 342), PNP (n = 571) or CRPS (n = 339), and average pain intensity reports from previously published studies were included. Absolute and z‐values (adjusted for age and body region) of cold, heat, pressure (PPT) and pinprick pain thresholds were compared in generalized linear models with aetiology, duration of underlying pain disease and average pain intensity as fixed effects.ResultsAverage pain intensity during the past four weeks did not differ between women and men, in both mean and range. In women absolute pain thresholds for cold, heat and pinprick were lower than in males across all diagnoses (p < .05). However, after z‐transformation these differences disappeared except for PPT in CRPS (p = .001).DiscussionPain thresholds in patients show only minor sex differences. However, these differences mimic those observed in healthy subjects and do not seem to be linked to specific pathophysiological processes.SignificanceFemale healthy participants and female patients with neuropathic pain conditions or CRPS I report lower pain thresholds compared to males, but pain intensity is similar and there is no sex difference in the extent to which the thresholds are altered in neuropathic pain or CRPS. Thus, the sex differences observed in various chronic pain conditions mimic those obtained in healthy participants, indicating that these differences are not linked to specific pathophysiological processes and are of minor clinical relevance.
Two‐phase flow in microfluidic‐chip design of hydrodynamic filtration for cell particle sorting
Authors: Yoon Kyu , Jung Hyun Wook , Chun Myung‐Suk 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAs one of the flow‐based passive sorting, the hydrodynamic filtration using a microfluidic‐chip has shown to effectively separate into different sizes of subpopulations from cell or particle suspensions. Its model framework involving two‐phase Newtonian or generalized Newtonian fluid (GNF) was developed, by performing the complete analysis of laminar flow and complicated networks of main and multiple branch channels. To predict rigorously what occurs in flow fields, we estimated pressure drop, velocity profile, and the ratio of the flow fraction at each branch point, in which the analytical model was validated with numerical flow simulations. As a model fluid of the GNF, polysaccharide solution based on Carreau type was examined. The objective parameters aiming practical channel design include the number of the branches and the length of narrow section of each branch for arbitrary conditions. The flow fraction and the number of branches are distinctly affected by the viscosity ratio between feed and side flows. As the side flow becomes more viscous, the flow fraction increases but the number of branches decreases, which enables a compact chip designed with fewer branches being operated under the same throughput. Hence, our rational design analysis indicates the significance of constitutive properties of each stream.