bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth of GaSb Crystal and Evaluation of Its Thermoelectric Properties Along (111) Plane
Authors: Jin Min , Tang Ziqi , Zhang Rulin , Zhou Lina , Chen Yuqi , Zhao Su , Chen Yunxia , Wang Xianghu , Li Rongbin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this study, group III–V compound semiconductor gallium antimonide (GaSb) crystal is grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. A (111) twinning is generated in the as‐grown crystal due to its polarity behavior as the GaSb crystal has a zinc‐blende structure. Hall effect measurements illustrate that the as‐grown GaSb crystal has n‐type semiconductor behavior among the whole temperature range, and the carrier concentration reaches the highest value of 3.27 × 1018 cm3 at 900 K. Thermoelectric behavior of GaSb crystals along the (111) plane is investigated. It shows the lowest electrical conductivity of 53.2 S cm−1 and the highest Seebeck coefficient of −470.0 µV K−1 at 700 K. However, the largest power factor of 13.7 µW cm K−2 takes place at 600 K. For thermal conductivity (k), the k value always decreases with increasing temperature, and the lowest k that occurred at around 900 K is about 7.44 W m−1 K−1. Finally, a maximum figure of merit of 0.082 is obtained at 700 K.
Discovery and Exploration of the Efficient Acyclic Dehydration of Hexoses in Dimethyl Sulfoxide/Water
Authors: Taarning Esben , Sádaba Irantzu , Jensen Pernille Rose , Meier Sebastian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCurrent gaps in the development of sustainable processes include a lack of strategies to systematically identify and optimize the formation of new products. The dehydration of hexoses to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a particularly widely studied process. In an attempt to identify a new high‐selectivity conversion of glucose, quantitative NMR spectroscopy is used to screen conditions that have been reported to yield high conversions of glucose but low formation of HMF. In this manner, an olefinic six‐carbon byproduct is identified. By adding water, selectivity for the compound was nearly tripled relative to previous reports. The detection of high‐yielding side reactions in the formation of HMF is remarkable, considering how extensively HMF formation has been studied. High selectivity for the acyclic pathway allows hitherto unobserved intermediates in this pathway to be identified by using in situ NMR spectroscopy. An additional, presumably cyclic, pathway contributes to HMF formation.
Cytological features of micropapillary and plasmacytoid variants of urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Straccia Patrizia , Martini Maurizio , Sacco Emilio , Bassi Pier F. , Pierconti Francesco 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMicropapillary and plasmacytoid variants of urothelial carcinoma (UC) exhibit very aggressive clinical behavior. To date, only a small number of cytology cases have been reported in either of these variants. Herein, we report 15 cases of UC with combined micropapillary and plasmacytoid features based on urine cytology.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with carcinoma of bladder with predominant plasmacytoid and micropapillary histology who had been seen from 2005 to 2017. A total of 15 cases (six cases of plasmacytoid variant and nine cases of micropapillary variant of bladder cancer) with urine specimen were evaluated. The cytomorphological features were compared between two histological variants.ResultsFifteen urine cytology cases with the diagnosis of high‐grade UC were investigated. The ratio man to women was 5:1 with a median age of 79 years (range: 72‐90 years). Single‐cell pattern, flat sheets, three‐dimensional clusters, micropapillae, nuclear grade, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and necrosis, were evaluated in urine samples of micropapillary variant. The cytological features of plasmacytoid are characterized by large, discohesive, isolated tumor cells that have abundant, thick cytoplasm, and eccentrically located, hyperchromatic nuclei with coarse chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli.ConclusionIt is important to recognize the cytological characteristics of these uncommon but aggressive entities to determine a precise diagnosis. Attention to morphological features, together with clinical history and appropriate immunohistochemical studies may be useful to urologist in pre‐operative planning and may lead to a more aggressive surgical approach.
Assessment of a large number of empirical plant species niche models by elicitation of knowledge from two national experts
Authors: Smart Simon M. , Jarvis Susan G. , Mizunuma Toshie , Herrero‐Jáuregui Cristina , Fang Zhou , Butler Adam , Alison Jamie , Wilson Mike , Marrs Robert H. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractQuantitative models play an increasing role in exploring the impact of global change on biodiversity. To win credibility and trust, they need validating. We show how expert knowledge can be used to assess a large number of empirical species niche models constructed for the British vascular plant and bryophyte flora. Key outcomes were (a) scored assessments of each modeled species and niche axis combination, (b) guidance on models needing further development, (c) exploration of the trade‐off between presenting more complex model summaries, which could lead to more thorough validation, versus the longer time these take to evaluate, (d) quantification of the internal consistency of expert opinion based on comparison of assessment scores made on a random subset of models evaluated by both experts. Overall, the experts assessed 39% of species and niche axis combinations to be “poor” and 61% to show a degree of reliability split between “moderate” (30%), “good” (25%), and “excellent” (6%). The two experts agreed in only 43% of cases, reaching greater consensus about poorer models and disagreeing most about models rated as better by either expert. This low agreement rate suggests that a greater number of experts is required to produce reliable assessments and to more fully understand the reasons underlying lack of consensus. While area under curve (AUC) statistics showed generally very good ability of the models to predict random hold‐out samples of the data, there was no correspondence between these and the scores given by the experts and no apparent correlation between AUC and species prevalence. Crowd‐sourcing further assessments by allowing web‐based access to model fits is an obvious next step. To this end, we developed an online application for inspecting and evaluating the fit of each niche surface to its training data.
Spatiotemporal patterns of microbial composition and diversity in precipitation
Authors: Aho Ken A. , Weber Carolyn F. , Christner Brent C. , Vinatzer Boris A. , Morris Cindy E. , Joyce Rachel , Failor Kevin C. , Werth Jason T. , Bayless‐Edwards Aurora L. H. , Schmale David G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMicrobes in the atmosphere have broad ecological impacts, including the potential to trigger precipitation through species and strains that act as ice nucleation particles. To characterize spatiotemporal trends of microbial assemblages in precipitation we sequenced 16S (bacterial) and 18S (fungal) rRNA gene amplicon libraries collected from 72 precipitation events in three U.S. states (Idaho, Louisiana, and Virginia) over four seasons. We considered these data from the perspective of a novel metacommunity framework. In agreement with our heuristic, we found evidence for distinct mechanisms underlying the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal assemblages in precipitation. Specifically, we determined that (1) bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) composition of precipitation was strongly associated with macroscale drivers including season and high‐altitude characteristics of storms; (2) fungal OTU composition was strongly correlated with mesoscale drivers including particular spatial locations; (3) β‐diversity (heterogeneity of taxa among samples) for both bacteria and fungi was largely maintained by turnover of taxa; however, (4) bacterial assemblages had higher contributions to total β‐diversity from nestedness (i.e., lower richness assemblages were largely taxonomic subsets of richer assemblages), due to losses of taxa during dispersal, particularly among potential ice nucleation active bacteria; and (5) fungal assemblages had higher contributions to total β‐diversity from turnover due to OTU replacement. Spatiotemporal trends in precipitation‐borne metacommunities allowed delineation of a large number of statistically significant indicator taxa for particular sites and seasons, including trends for bacteria that are potentially ice nucleation active. Our findings advance understanding regarding the dispersion of aerosolized microbes via wet deposition, and the development of theory concerning potential assembly rules for bioaerosol assemblages.
Preparation and release mechanism of lavender oil microcapsules with different combinations of coating materials
Authors: Zhang Rui , Huang Liyun , Xiong Xiaomei , Qian Michael C. , Ji Hongbing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe aim of the work was to control morphology and release of lavender oil (LO) microcapsules produced using spray drying through different combination of coating materials (gum acacia, sodium caseinate, gelatin, chitosan, β‐cyclodextrin and polyvinyl alcohol). In addition, the properties of LO microcapsules including encapsulating efficiency (EE), loading capacity, mean particle size and morphology were characterized. Results displayed that the ternary formulations showed higher EE than the pure and binary mixtures; meantime, employment of pure gum acacia indicated the worse encapsulation efficiency. Images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that morphology of microcapsules has better sphericity because of the presence of polyvinyl alcohol, which illustrated that polyvinyl alcohol might be contributed to surface modification of particles. Furthermore, the release mechanism was described as two stages: burst release and diffusion. And four release models were mainly used to reveal the release mechanism of microcapsules in diffusion process. In most cases, the release of LO microcapsules was dominant by Fickian diffusion except particles prepared from gum acacia—polyvinyl alcohol and gum acacia—sodium caseinate—polyvinyl alcohol.
Effect of early‐stage Alzheimer's disease on household financial outcomes
Authors: Gresenz Carole Roan , Mitchell Jean M. , Marrone James , Federoff Howard J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSignificant limitations and rapid declines in financial capacity are a hallmark of patients with early‐stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). We use linked Health and Retirement Study and Medicare claims data spanning 1992–2014 to examine the effect of early‐stage AD, from the start of first symptoms to diagnosis, on household financial outcomes. We estimate household fixed‐effects models and examine continuous measures of liquid assets and net wealth, as well as dichotomous indicators for a large change in either outcome. We find robust evidence that early‐stage AD places households at significant risk for large adverse changes in liquid assets. Further, we find some, but more limited, evidence that early‐stage AD reduces net wealth. Our findings are consequential because financial vulnerability during the disease's early‐stage impacts the ability of afflicted individuals and their families to pay for care in the disease's later stage. Additionally, the findings speak to the value that earlier diagnosis may provide by helping avert adverse financial outcomes that occur before the disease is currently diagnosable with available tools. These results also point to a potentially important role for financial institutions in helping reduce exposure of vulnerable elderly to poor outcomes.
Wetlands and low‐gradient topography are associated with longer hydrologic transit times in Precambrian Shield headwater catchments
Authors: Lane Daniel , McCarter Colin P.R. , Richardson Murray , McConnell Chris , Field Tim , Yao Huaxia , Arhonditsis George , Mitchell Carl P.J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe estimation of hydrologic transit times in a catchment provides insights into the integrated effects of water storage, mixing dynamics, and runoff generation processes. There has been limited effort to estimate transit times in southern boreal Precambrian Shield landscapes, which are characteristically heterogeneous with surface cover including till, thin soils, bedrock outcrops, and depressional wetland features that play contrasting hydrologic roles. This study presents approximately 3.5 years of precipitation and streamflow water isotope data and estimates mean transit times (MTTs) and the young water fraction (py) across six small catchments in the Muskoka‐Haliburton region of south‐central Ontario. The main objectives were to define a typical range of MTTs for headwater catchments in this region and to identify landscape variables that best explain differences in MTTs/py using airborne light detection and ranging and digital terrain analysis. Of the transit time distributions, the two parallel linear reservoir and gamma distributions best describe the hydrology of these catchments, particularly because of their ability to capture more extreme changes related to events such as snowmelt. The estimated MTTs, regardless of the modelling approach or distribution used, are positively associated with the percent wetland area and negatively with mean slope in the catchments. In this landscape, low‐gradient features such as wetlands increase catchment scale water storage when antecedent conditions are dryer and decrease transit times when there is a moisture surplus, which plausibly explains the increases in MTTs and mean annual runoff from catchments with significant coverage of these landscape features.
Climatically induced temperature instability of groundwater‐dependent habitats will suppress cold‐adapted Clitellata species
Authors: Schenková Jana , Polášková Vendula , Bílková Martina , Bojková Jindřiška , Syrovátka Vít , Polášek Marek , Horsák Michal 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGroundwater‐dependent ecosystems are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, being, apart many negative human impacts, highly threatened also by ongoing climate warming. Clitellata (Annelida) are dominant invertebrates of permanent fauna in spring habitats, representing a heterogeneous group including both specialized cold‐stenothermic and ubiquitous eurythermic species. Therefore, they seem to be a good model group to compare the effects of local springwater temperature (recorded in situ by data loggers) and mesoclimate (i.e., local) air temperature. By the analysis of clitellate assemblages at 41 isolated Western Carpathian spring fens, we found that their species composition was significantly driven by mesoclimate air temperature and springwater temperature independently of other important environmental variables (i.e., water mineralization, oxygen content, and total organic carbon). The effect of various environment‐related and temperature‐related variables on the number of clitellate species was analyzed separately for two categories, that is, substrate dwellers (endobenthic species) and surface‐active (epibenthic) species. The decrease of the number of species with the increasing amount of inorganic particles <500 µm in substrate was observed in the substrate dwellers. Mesoclimate air temperature had no significant effect on the number of species of substrate dwellers. However, water temperature, specifically its daily fluctuation, turned out to have a strong effect. Only the sites with no or moderate fluctuation were inhabited by cold‐stenotherm spring specialists and cold‐water species. In contrast, no significant response to any temperature parameter was found for the number of surface‐active species, which was driven only by other environmental variables. Our results suggest that climatically induced increase in temperature fluctuation of spring waters can result in notable reduction of cold‐adapted clitellate species (mainly the family Lumbriculidae) at the expense of eurythermic species. Such a scenario predicts compositional changes leading to clitellate assemblages with a dominance of generalist and semi‐aquatic species.
Intersections of Literacy and Teaching With the Disciplines and Professions: We Asked Some Experts
Authors: Wolsey Thomas DeVere , Lapp Diane , Grant Maria C. , Karkouti Ibrahim M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA project to invite experts in various disciplines to converse with literacy professors and teachers with over 30 participants resulted in several insights about disciplinary literacy and student learning in the disciplines and professions. The authors suggest that such conversations or partnerships strengthen student learning for college, career, and civic life. The authors differentiate between professions and disciplines, highlighting how informed citizenship is an important outcome of teaching the literacies of the disciplines. The authors explore the purposes of communication within and between the disciplines. Insights and recommendations are presented.
Oral Iron Replacement Normalizes Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Iron-Deficient Patients With Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets
Authors: Imel Erik A , Liu Ziyue , Coffman Melissa , Acton Dena , Mehta Rakesh , Econs Michael J 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is caused by mutations impairing cleavage of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). FGF23 gene expression increases during iron deficiency. In humans and mice with the ADHR mutation, iron deficiency results in increased intact FGF23 concentrations and hypophosphatemia. We conducted a prospective open label pilot clinical trial of oral iron replacement over 12 months in ADHR patients to test the hypothesis that oral iron administration would normalize FGF23 concentrations. Eligibility criteria included: FGF23 mutation; and either serum iron &lt;50 μg/dL; or serum iron 50 to 100 μg/dL combined with hypophosphatemia and intact FGF23 &gt;30 pg/mL at screening. Key exclusion criteria were kidney disease and pregnancy. Oral iron supplementation started at 65 mg daily and was titrated based on fasting serum iron concentration. The primary outcome was decrease in fasting intact FGF23 by ≥20% from baseline. Six adults (three male, three female) having the FGF23-R176Q mutation were enrolled; five completed the 12-month protocol. At baseline three of five subjects had severely symptomatic hypophosphatemia (phosphorus &lt;2.5 mg/dL) and received calcitriol with or without phosphate concurrent with oral iron during the trial. The primary outcome was met by 4 of 5 (80%) subjects all by month 4, and 5 of 5 had normal intact FGF23 at month 12. Median (minimum, maximum) intact FGF23 concentration decreased from 172 (20, 192) pg/mL at baseline to 47 (17, 78) pg/mL at month 4 and 42 (19, 63) pg/mL at month 12. Median ferritin increased from 18.6 (7.7, 82.5) ng/mL at baseline to 78.0 (49.6, 261.0) ng/mL at month 12. During iron treatment, all three subjects with baseline hypophosphatemia normalized serum phosphorus, had markedly improved symptoms, and were able to discontinue calcitriol and phosphate. Oral iron repletion normalized FGF23 and phosphorus in symptomatic, iron-deficient ADHR subjects. Thus, the standard approach to ADHR should include recognition, treatment, and prevention of iron deficiency. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Downregulation of microRNA‐103a reduces microvascular endothelial cell injury in a rat model of cerebral ischemia by targeting AXIN2
Authors: Wu Zhiyan , Liang Yudan , Yu Shangzhen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMultiple microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be linked with cerebral ischemia. Thus, this study was employed to characterize the capabilities of miRNA‐103a (miR‐103a) on the brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) injury in rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by regulating AXIN2. The MCAO rat model was developed by the suture method, where normal saline, miR‐103a inhibitors, or its negative control were separately injected into the lateral ventricle to assess the function of miR‐103a inhibitors in BMECs apoptosis, microvessel density, as well as angiogenesis. In addition, the oxygen‐glucose deprivation model was induced in primarily cultured BMECs to unearth the functions of miR‐103a inhibitors on cell viability and apoptosis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and tube formation ability. Furthermore, the relationship between miR‐103a and AXIN2 was verified. The modeled rats of MCAO showed robustly expressed miR‐103a, poorly expressed AXIN2, severe neurological deficits, accelerated apoptosis and reduced angiogenesis. miR‐103a expression had a negative correlation with AXIN2 messenger RNA expression (r = −0.799; p < .05). In response to the treatment of miR‐103a inhibitors, the BMECs apoptosis was suppressed and angiogenesis was restored, corresponding to upregulated Bcl‐2, VEGF, and Ang‐1, in addition to downregulated caspase‐3 and Bax. Meanwhile, AXIN2 was verified to be the miR‐103a's target gene. More important, miR‐103a inhibitors led to promoted BMEC viability and tube formation and suppressed apoptosis and LDH release rate. This study highlights that miR‐103a targets and negatively regulates AXIN2, whereby reducing BMEC injury in cerebral ischemia.
Further studies on the signal enhancement effect in laser diode thermal desorption‐triple quadrupole mass spectrometry using microwell surface coatings
Authors: Gravel Alexia , Guérette Cassandra , Fortin Daniel , Auger Serge , Picard Pierre , Segura Pedro A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe laser diode thermal desorption (LDTD) ionization source allows ultrafast and sensitive analysis of small molecules by mass spectrometry. Signal enhancement in LDTD has been observed when coating the surface of sample microwells with a solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetic acid. Here we present a quantitative analysis of signal enhancement using solutions of diverse commercial proteins (lysozyme, immunoglobulin G, albumin, and fibrinogen) as coatings. Results showed that compounds with polar chemical functions such as carboxylic acid, sulfonyl, and nitro had signal enhancement factors, in most cases higher than 10, when using any of the tested proteins as coating agent. Analysis of variance revealed that immunoglobulin G and fibrinogen gave the best results. However, the signal enhancement factors obtained with these proteins were not superior to those observed with EDTA. To explain the signal enhancement effect of proteins, analysis by scanning electron microscopy of dried samples on the microwell sample plates was carried out. Images showed that salicylic acid, one of the compounds with the highest observed signal enhancement, formed a thick layer when applied directly on the uncoated surface, but it formed small crystals (<1 μm) in the presence of protein or EDTA coatings. Further crystallographic studies using powder X‐ray diffraction showed that the crystalline form of salicylic acid is modified in the presence of EDTA. Salicylic acid when mixed with EDTA had a higher percentage of amorphous phase (38.1%) than without EDTA (23.1%). These results appear to confirm that the diminution of crystal size of analytes and the increase of amorphous phase are implicated in signal enhancement effect observed in LDTD using microwell surface coatings. To design better coatings and completely elucidate the signal enhancement effect in LDTD, more studies are necessary to understand the effects of coatings on the ionization of analytes.