bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation status, ex situ priorities and emerging threats to small carnivores
Authors: Willcox D. 
Published: October 2020

Madagascar contains the highest concentration of threatened carnivore species anywhere in the world. The country's deteriorating protected‐area network makes it a priority for small carnivore conservation, and several species may need some form of ex situ action. Small carnivores in South East Asia are under significant pressure from hunting to supply the illegal wildlife trade, as well as habitat loss, and the interactions between these two factors. Owston's civet Chrotogale owstoni is the conservation priority from this region. The rapidly declining status of Large‐spotted civet Viverra megaspila needs careful monitoring, as it may warrant intervention soon. Otters (Lutrinae) in Asia are in decline and there may exist as yet undescribed conservation units that are extremely threatened. Hairy‐nosed otter Lutra sumatrana is not yet a priority for ex situ conservation because of low feasibility; efforts should focus on managing the populations of Smooth‐coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata and Asian small‐clawed otter Aonyx cinereus already in human care. The future of European mink Mustela lutreola and Black‐footed ferret Mustela nigripes will depend on ongoing support to conservation‐breeding efforts, as well as threat reduction. To a lesser extent, Red panda Ailurus fulgens conservation is also dependent on continued support to its integrated conservation plan. There are no obvious candidate species for ex situ conservation of small carnivores from Africa, though the bushmeat trade, planned large‐scale infrastructure projects and a growing transnational wildlife trade link to Asia may change this assessment in the near future. It is unclear what role ex situ conservation would have for Pygmy raccoon Procyon pygmaeus: the main threat to this species is hurricanes. A speculative assessment of emerging threats to small carnivores includes: infrastructural development in the tropics, illegal wildlife trade networks that include Latin American, African and Asian markets, and the growing Vietnamese and Chinese diasporas that operate in other Asian countries, Africa and Latin America, and the interactions between all of these factors.
The development of the Red panda Ailurus fulgens EEP: from a failing captive population to a stable population that provides effective support to in situ conservation
Authors: Kappelhof J. , Weerman J. 
Published: October 2020

The Red panda Ailurus fulgens is an Endangered small carnivore that occurs in Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and the People's Republic of China. Wild populations of Red pandas have declined by 50% over the last three generations as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting and poaching. In 1979 an international studbook was established for the species to monitor the demographically small and unstable population in human care. At that time the breeding results were poor. In 1985 a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) was initiated and from then onwards the Red panda population started to grow as improved breeding techniques were utilized. As at 31 December 2019 there were 407 Red pandas: 177.228.2 (♂♂.♀♀.??) in the EEP housed at 182 institutions. The EEP developed in stages over four decades, from a small population of Red pandas with low breeding success and high mortality, to a popular breeding programme with high breeding success and direct links to in situ conservation. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as mean kinship and genetic diversity, climate change and its effects on juvenile mortality, and the welfare of individuals housed in long‐term bachelor groups. These issues are highlighted to encourage future research into the conservation of this species with some indications given of what zoos can do to find solutions to the most‐pressing challenges.
Multivariate adaptability and stability of soya bean genotypes for abiotic stresses
Authors: Steiner Fábio , Zuffo Alan Mario , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Aguilera Jorge González , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDrought stress, salinity and aluminium toxicity are considered the most critical abiotic factors limiting the growth of soya bean plants, accounting for the low yield of the crop in the Cerrado region. Our hypothesis is that soya bean cultivars have differential morphological responses to stressful environmental conditions. Thus, an experiment was carried out with the purpose of identifying and recommending soya bean genotypes that simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for morphological traits when subjected to stressful environmental conditions. Drought, saline and aluminium stresses were induced in seeds of 25 soya bean cultivars. Seed germination, and length and dry mass of the seedlings were measured. For each trait, adaptability and stability were evaluated by the Lin & Binns method and simultaneously considering all traits for the set of environments. There was significant GxE interaction for all traits evaluated. The genotypes 97R50 IPRO, BMX Bônus IPRO and 98R31 IPRO simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for all traits measured. These genotypes can be cultivated both under optimal and abiotic stress conditions, such as those investigated in this study. Additionally, they can be used as parents in crossing blocks aiming at obtaining genotypes resistant to drought, saline and aluminium toxicity stresses.
Electromagnetic water enhanced metabolism and agro‐physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under saline conditions
Authors: Akrimi Rawaa , Hajlaoui Hichem , Batelli Giorgia , Ruggiero Alessandra , Badri Mounawer , Grillo Stefania , Mhamdi Mahmoud 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSaline irrigation compromises the utility of agricultural soil, limiting ion uptake and productivity worldwide. Electromagnetic water might provide a possible solution to enhance ion mobilization. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of saline irrigation on yield, metabolism and some physiological traits of potato over two growing seasons. The drip experiment treatments comprised the following: saline water (SW), electromagnetic saline water (MSW) and ground water (C) applied to three potato varieties (Spunta, Bellini and Alaska) since vegetative growth stage (12 days after planting). Results showed that soil salinity was reduced by 25% under MSW relative to SW. Both C and MSW had a promotional effect on root growth. Tuber number was increased with MSW in Spunta and Alaska. The highest values of photosynthesis, water status attributes and ion content of Alaska variety were associated with an elevated StSOS1 expression level. The effective osmotic adjustment with proline for Spunta and Alaska varieties was associated with differential expression of proline synthesis (StP5CS1) and catabolism (StP5CDH) genes. Accordingly, Alaska seems to be more resistant to salinity than Spunta and Bellini, and electromagnetic water may be useful to enhance potato production in areas suffering from water salinization.
Zeolites‐containing geopolymers obtained from biomass fly ash: Influence of temperature, composition, and porosity
Authors: Simão Lisandro , De Rossi Andreia , Hotza Dachamir , Ribeiro Manuel J. , Novais Rui M. , Klegues Montedo Oscar R. , Raupp‐Pereira Fabiano 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this research, compositional and processing parameters were varied to obtain zeolites‐containing geopolymers using mainly biomass fly ash wastes. In addition to curing temperatures, another primary factor affecting the typologies of the resulting zeolites was composition. The mixture composition used in the synthesis crucially affects the nature of the zeolitic crystalline phases in the geopolymeric matrix. Using 10 mol/L NaOH solution, faujasite‐type zeolites produced in geopolymers show a surface area of ~100 m2/g (BET), while those prepared by 8 mol/L NaOH solution have a much lower surface area of ~19 m2/g.
Surface resistivity and bonding strength of atmosphere plasma sprayed copper‐coated alumina substrate
Authors: Liu Guanghua , Zhong Xiqiang , Xing Yan , Li Tianjun , Pan Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCeramic substrate metallization is widely used in electronic device packaging and ceramic circuit board. Currently used methods of ceramic metallization are thick film technology (TFC), activity metal blazing (AMB), direct bonded copper (DBC), and direct plated copper (DPC) etc Here we report a facile approach for the metallization of alumina substrate using an atmosphere plasma spray (APS) process. The APS‐coated copper layer is dense, high purity, and attached very firmly with alumina substrate. The maximum bonding strength is 9.02 MPa, which is higher than that obtained by conventional methods. With EDS mapping, it is found that element interdiffusion occurred at the interface region during coating, which may be one of the reason of high bonding strength. The high dense and purity Cu layer demonstrates quite lower surface resistivity as 8.7 × 10−5Ω⋅mm. The influence of APS current on the quality of Cu coating has been systematically investigated, and the results proved that the method is efficient and economical.
Synthesis of YB2C2 by high‐energy ball milling and reactive spark plasma sintering
Authors: Nguyen Van‐Quyet , Kim Jun‐Seop , Lee Sea‐Hoon 
Published: October 2020

AbstractX‐ray pure yttrium diborodicarbide (YB2C2) was synthesized for the first time via modified spark plasma sintering (SPS) using Y2O3, B4C, and carbon as starting materials. Homogeneous intermixing of the raw powder by high energy ball milling (HEBM) promoted the formation of YB2C2 powder with layered structure by boro/carbo‐thermal reduction. The average particle size of the synthesized powder at an optimum synthesis temperature (1625℃) was 568 nm. Small amount of YB2C was formed by consuming YB4 at and above 1625°C. The metal basis purity of the synthesized YB2C2 powder was 99.84%. X‐ray pure YB2C2 was obtained by densifying the synthesized YB2C2 powder at 1900°C for 60 minutes at a pressure of 80 MPa using SPS. This study reports a simple method for the fabrication of X‐ray pure rare earth metal diborodicarbides (ReB2C2).
Synthesis and enhanced supercapacitor performance of carbon self‐doping graphitic carbon nitride/NiS electrode material
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Yang Huafang , Zhu Han , Wang Lixi , Fu Zhenxiao , Zhang Qitu , Zhu Haikui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe thermal oxidation carbon self‐doped graphitic carbon nitride/NiS (TC‐g‐C3N4/NiS) composites with high electrochemical performance were synthesized by combining nickel sulfide with carbon self‐doping carbon nitride through a hydrothermal method. The graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) could improve charge fluidity by carbon self‐doping process, and be etched by further heat treatment, which provides conditions for the introduction of NiS particles. NiS particles uniformly adhered to the layers of g‐C3N4, thus avoiding particle aggregation. The as‐prepared active composite maintains high specific capacitance (1162 F/g at the current density of 1 A·g−1) and shows great cycle stability (capacitance retention rate of 82.0% after 8000 cycles). The conductivity of active composite has also been improved. Moreover, the assembled TC‐g‐C3N4/NiS//AC exhibit a relatively high‐energy density of 27 Wh/kg and exhibits excellent cycling performance with a capacity retention rate of 87.9% after 8000 cycles. Hence one can see that TC‐g‐C3N4/NiS composites have broad application prospects in the field of supercapacitors.
Shock‐driven depolarization behaviors and electrical output in BiAlO3‐doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Xiong Zhengwei , Liu Gaomin , Nie Hengchang , Liu Yi , Gao Zhipeng , Liu Qian , Chen Xuefeng , Li Jun , Fang Leiming , Yang Qiang , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Tang Jinlong , Wang Genshui , Dong Xianlin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFerroelectric materials under shock compression can generate current and power by a drastic change of the remnant polarizations and surface bound charge. This behavior has been employed in applications involving nuclear fusion trigger, energy storage devices, and high pulse power sources. Despite the large power output in lead‐containing ferroelectrics, lead‐free materials are highly desirable owing to the environmental concerns. Herein, the phase transition behaviors and current outputs of 0.92Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐0.08BiAlO3 (BNT‐8BA) materials are studied under high pressure. The BNT‐8BA ferroelectric ceramics can be completely depolarized from polar to the nonpolar state under shock compression, resulting in a current output in the external circuit. The phase‐transition‐induced depolarization pressures of BNT‐8BA are lower than those of the pure Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 under both dynamic and static high‐pressure loads. These results can allow the understanding of the high‐pressure behavior of BNT‐8BA for application as ferroelectric pulsed power supply.
Thermally activated giant piezoelectricity and enhanced interface elastic strain‐mediated magnetoelectric coupling
Authors: Du Qin , Wang Wenli , Wang Zhiguang , Su Wei , Deng Zhiyuan , Wu Jingen , Ma Ming , Hu Zhongqiang , Zhou Ziyao , Liu Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPerovskite materials with compositions in the vicinity of the steep morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) exhibit various intriguing properties including giant piezoelectricity and large dielectric constant. Aside from composition, the phase configuration of the perovskites is also strongly related to the ambient temperature. Here, we report a giant piezoelectricity of 10 980 pm/V at 93°C in the 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.3PbTiO3 (PMN‐PT) single crystals which is more than five times larger than that at room temperature. The enhanced piezoelectricity can be attributed to the instability of the thermally induced tetragonal phase which can be converted to the orthorhombic phase by the external electric field in the <011> oriented single crystal. The transverse piezoelectricity has been investigated by measuring the electric‐field‐dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) field in the CoFeB/PMN‐PT magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructures. The ME coupling coefficient has been increased from 49.3 to 476 Oe cm/kV as temperature increased from 25 to 90°C. The findings reveal that both longitudinal and transverse piezoelectricity in the PMN‐PT single crystals can be greatly enhanced by proper setting of ambient temperature, indicating an effective route for the design of strain‐mediated tunable devices with ultralow driving voltage.
Cross‐sector service use patterns among children with developmental disabilities in a district in Canada
Authors: McLennan John D. , Bahadur Alexander , Cobigo Virginie , Hrycko Sophia , Fulford Casey 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is a lack of information about cross‐sector service use by children with developmental disabilities despite their need for services from multiple sectors.MethodsResponses to service use questions from a parent‐completed survey on school‐aged children who attended clinics specific for those with developmental disabilities at a Canadian children's hospital were examined.ResultsSchool meetings were the most common of three professional meeting types attended in the last 12 months (64.9%) for the sample of 205 children. Recreational services were the most common of five service types received in the same time period (79.0%). Using ordinal logistic regression models, a higher number of behavioural difficulties was the only variable consistently related to indices of more meeting types (school, physician, other) attended and more service types received (recreation, respite, etc.).ConclusionsThe service relationship with behavioural problems, and not socio‐demographic variables, is consistent with a needs‐based oriented delivery system.
Association of septal late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance with ventricular tachycardia ablation targets in nonischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kuo Ling , Liang Jackson J. , Han Yuchi , Frankel David S. , Santangeli Pasquale , Callans David J. , Zado Erica S. , Marchlinski Francis E. , Desjardins Benoit , Nazarian Saman 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAblation of septal substrate‐associated ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is challenging. We sought to standardize the characterization of septal substrates on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and to examine the association of that substrate with VT exit and isthmus sites on invasive mapping.MethodsLGE‐CMR was performed before electroanatomic mapping and ablation for VT in 20 NICM patients. LGE extent and distribution were quantified using myocardial signal‐intensity Z scores (SI‐Z). The SI‐Z thresholds correlating to previously validated voltage thresholds, for abnormal tissue and dense scar were defined.ResultsBipolar and unipolar (electrogram) voltage amplitude measurements from the LV and RV were negatively associated with SI‐Z from LGE‐CMR imaging (p < .05). SI‐Z thresholds for appropriate CMR identification of septal substrates were determined to be greater than −.15 for border zone and greater than .03 for a dense scar. Among all patients, 34 critical VT sites were identified with SI‐Z distribution in the range of −.97 to .06. Thirty (88.2%) critical sites were located in the dense LGE, 1 (2.9%) in the border zone, and 3 (8.9%) in healthy tissue but within 7 mm of LGE. Of note, critical VT sites were all located at the basal septum close to valves (distance to aortic valve: 17.5 ± 31.2 mm, mitral valve: 21.2 ± 8.7 mm) in nonsarcoidosis cases.ConclusionsCritical sites of septal VT in NICM patients are predominantly in the CMR defined dense scar when using standardized signal‐intensity thresholds.
Association of crossing capillaries in the finger nailfold with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shikama Maiko , Sonoda Nao , Morimoto Akiko , Suga Sayaka , Tajima Tetsuya , Kozawa Junji , Maeda Norikazu , Otsuki Michio , Matsuoka Taka‐Aki , Shimomura Iichiro , Ohno Yuko 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionCrossing capillaries in the finger nailfold might potentially be a novel diabetic retinopathy (DR) biomarker that could be assessed non‐invasively in the clinical setting. However, the association between crossing capillaries and DR is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between the percentage of crossing capillaries in the finger nailfold and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study enrolled 108 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (aged 40–75 years) who visited the outpatient diabetic clinic at Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, Japan, between May and October 2019. Capillary morphology was assessed using nailfold capillaroscopy based on the simple capillaroscopic definitions of the European League Against Rheumatism Study Group. Details of DR and other laboratory data were obtained from medical records. The association between the tertile of the percentage of the crossing capillary and DR was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex, diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitor and antihyperlipidemic medication, the percentage of crossing capillaries was significantly associated with DR (multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios for increasing tertiles of the percentage of crossing capillary: 1 [reference], 2.05 [95% confidence interval 0.53–7.94], and 4.33 [95% confidence interval 1.16–16.21]; P‐trend = 0.028).ConclusionsA higher percentage of crossing capillaries in the nailfold was associated with a higher risk of DR, independent of traditional risk and inhibiting factors, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Skin‐Related complications of Klippel–Trenaunay Syndrome: a retrospective review of 410 patients
Authors: Anderson K.R. , Nguyen H. , Schoch J.J. , Lohse C.M. , Driscoll D.J. , Tollefson M.M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about skin‐related complications in Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome (KTS), a complex vascular anomaly defined by capillary malformation (CM), venous malformation (VM) ± lymphatic malformation (LM) and limb overgrowth. Reported skin‐related complications of KTS include ulceration, vascular ectasias (blebs), bleeding and infection.ObjectiveTo determine the spectrum, prevalence and predictors of skin‐related complications in KTS.MethodsA retrospective review of 410 patients fulfilling KTS criteria was performed to assess for the presence of skin‐related complications.ResultsSkin‐related complications were present in 45% of patients. Most prevalent were CM‐related complications including blebs, bleeding, thickening (25%), cellulitis (22%) and ulceration (21%). Features positively associated with skin‐related complications were presence of LM (OR 17.17; P < 0.001), VM on the buttocks/perineum/genitalia (OR 1.92; P = 0.009), CM on the feet (OR 1.77; P = 0.039) and male sex (OR 1.63; P = 0.034). Features negatively associated with skin‐related complications were CM on the trunk (OR 0.59; P = 0.029) and tissue hypertrophy of the hands (OR 0.27; P = 0.025).ConclusionSkin‐related complications affect nearly half of patients with KTS. Those with lymphatic involvement or malformation presence in the undergarment area or feet are most at risk.
Combined effects of rearing and testing temperatures on sperm traits
Authors: Iglesias‐Carrasco Maider , Harrison Lauren , Jennions Michael D. , Head Megan L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTemperature experienced during early development can affect a range of adult life‐history traits. Animals often show seemingly adaptive developmental plasticity—with animals reared at certain temperatures performing better as adults at those temperatures. The extent to which this type of adaptive response occurs in gonadal tissue that affects sperm traits is, however, poorly studied. We initially reared male mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki) at either 18°C or 30°C, and then measured their sperm reserves as adults. We also looked at the velocity of their sperm, at both the matched and mismatched temperatures. Although males reared at 30°C were larger than those initially reared at 18°C, there was no detectable effect of rearing temperature on absolute sperm number. Sperm swam faster at 30°C than 18°C regardless of the male's rearing temperature. Therefore, we found no evidence of adaptive developmental plasticity. Rearing temperature did, however, significantly influence the relationship between male body size and sperm velocity. Larger males had faster sperm when reared at the warmer temperature and slower sperm when reared at the cooler temperature. This suggests that rearing temperature could alter the relationship between pre‐copulatory sexual selection and post‐copulatory sexual selection as male size affects mating success. Finally, there was a positive correlation between velocities at the two test temperatures, suggesting that temperature experienced during sperm competition is unlikely to affect a male's relative fertilization success.