bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors driving nutrient trends in streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Authors: Ator Scott W. , Blomquist Joel D. , Webber James S. , Chanat Jeffrey G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDespite decades of effort toward reducing nitrogen and phosphorus flux to Chesapeake Bay, water‐quality and ecological responses in surface waters have been mixed. Recent research, however, provides useful insight into multiple factors complicating the understanding of nutrient trends in bay tributaries, which we review in this paper, as we approach a 2025 total maximum daily load (TMDL) management deadline. Improvements in water quality in many streams are attributable to management actions that reduced point sources and atmospheric nitrogen deposition and to changes in climate. Nutrient reductions expected from management actions, however, have not been fully realized in watershed streams. Nitrogen from urban nonpoint sources has declined, although water‐quality responses to urbanization in individual streams vary depending on predevelopment land use. Evolving agriculture, the largest watershed source of nutrients, has likely contributed to local nutrient trends but has not affected substantial changes in flux to the bay. Changing average nitrogen yields from farmland underlain by carbonate rocks, however, may suggest future trends in other areas under similar management, climatic, or other influences, although drivers of these changes remain unclear. Regardless of upstream trends, phosphorus flux to the bay from its largest tributary has increased due to sediment infill in the Conowingo Reservoir. In general, recent research emphasizes the utility of input reductions over attempts to manage nutrient fate and transport at limiting nutrients in surface waters. Ongoing research opportunities include evaluating effects of climate change and conservation practices over time and space and developing tools to disentangle and evaluate multiple influences on regional water quality.
Development and validation of stability indicating chromatographic methods for simultaneous determination of citicoline and piracetam
Authors: Abdelrahman Maha M. , Ahmed Amal B. , Omar Mahmoud A. , Derayea Sayed M. , Abdelwahab Nada S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCiticoline and piracetam were subjected separately to different stress conditions as recommended by the international conference on harmonization. In addition, new stability indicating thin layer chromatographic and ultra high performance liquid chromatographic methods have been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of citicoline and piracetam in presence of their degradation products. Separation on the proposed thin layer chromatographic method was carried out using a developing system containing methanol:chloroform:ammonium chloride buffer (9:1:2, v/v/v) on silica gel plates at 230 nm. On the other hand, the mobile phase in the ultra high performance liquid chromatographic method was composed of water (containing 0.1% triethylamine):ethanol (92:8, v/v). The flow rate was 1 mL/min and ultraviolet detection was at 230 nm. Moreover, results of the developed methods were statistically compared to those obtained by the reported high‐performance liquid chromatography method and no significant difference between them was found. The greenness profile of ultra high performance liquid chromatographic method was assessed and compared with those of the previously published high‐performance liquid chromatography methods, it was noticed that the proposed ultra high performance liquid chromatographic method more environmentally friendly and greener than other methods.
Distributed Feedback Lasers Based on Green Fluorescent Protein and Conformal High Refractive Index Oxide Layers
Authors: Karl Markus , Meek Andrew , Murawski Caroline , Tropf Laura , Keum Changmin , Schubert Marcel , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Turnbull Graham A. , Gather Malte C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFluorescent proteins have emerged as an attractive gain material for lasers, especially for devices requiring biocompatibility. However, due to their optical properties, integration with distributed feedback (DFB) resonators is not readily achievable. Here, a DFB laser with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as the gain material is demonstrated by incorporating a thin (65 nm), high refractive index (n = 2.12) ZrO2 interlayer as waveguide core. Deposition of ZrO2 via atomic layer deposition yields a smooth and conformal film as required to minimize optical losses. Lasing emission is obtained from 2D second‐order DFB eGFP lasers at pump power densities above 56.6 kW cm–2 and a wavelength tuning range of Δλ = 51.7 nm is demonstrated. Furthermore, it is shown that in contrast to conventional organic DFB lasers, both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes are accessible. The effective refractive index of these modes can be predicted accurately through optical modelling. Using far‐field imaging, the laser beam profile is studied and TE and TM modes are distinguished.
3D Mesh Releasing Method: A Retrospective Analysis of Fractional CO2 Treatment on Contracture Scars
Authors: Xi Wenjing , Xie Yixin , Zhang Zheng , Li Ke , Wang Jingyan , Li Jie , Feng Shaoqing , Hultman C. Scott , Liu Ying , Zhang Yixin 
Published: May 2020

Background and ObjectivesThere has been reports on fractional CO2 laser successfully improving contracture scars that impair the function of a joint. It seems that certain contracture problems could be solved by laser instead of surgery. However, the clinical application could be difficult when the efficacy of the method remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to report the releasing capacity of the fractional CO2 laser on contracture scars based on a defined treatment method.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study in patients with limited function in joints caused by contracture scars. Fractional CO2 laser and our “3D mesh releasing” protocol were applied. The primary outcome was the improvement measured in range of motion (ROM) of the relevant joint before all intervention and 6 months after the last treatment.ResultFrom November 2016 to January 2018, 11 joints of 10 cases were treated by the fractional CO2 laser. Patients went through 2.27 (standard deviation [SD] 1.42, 1‐5) sessions. The average progress of ROM before and 6 months after all treatments was 19.13° (SD 10.25, P < 0.02). In six cases, we recorded that there was an 8.53° (SD 5.81, P < 0.02) of increase in ROM immediately after the laser session, and the average improvement reached up to 13.58° (SD 8.15, P < 0.02) after 2–3 months during the next follow‐up.ConclusionThe fractional CO2 laser could achieve functional improvement in contracture scars and it maintained its effect for at least 6 months. The “3D Mesh Releasing” protocol would help to standardize the treatment procedure. This modality has minimal‐invasiveness and potentially could become a supplement to the current treatment choices for mild contracture scars. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Improvement in Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Transparent Semi‐Aromatic Polyimide by Crosslinking
Authors: Chen Zhigeng , Zhang Sen , Feng Qi , Wu Yancheng , Liu Shumei , Zhao Jianqing 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBoth the formation of insoluble salt for aliphatic diamines and the poor reactivity for aliphatic dianhydrides result in semi‐aromatic polyimide (SAPI) with low molecular weight and, thereby, in highly brittle SAPI films in nature. To solve the above problems, a cyclic‐olefin copolymer synthesized from norbornene and maleic anhydride is used as the third monomer (crosslinking agent) to prepare the crosslinked SAPI (cSAPI) films. The relative viscosity of the precursor solution of cSAPI is increased with the loading of cyclic‐olefin copolymer, giving rise to the improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of cSAPI films. The tensile modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break of cSAPI film with 5 wt% cyclic‐olefin copolymer are increased to 4.49 GPa, 137 MPa, and 14.9% from 3.57 GPa, 111 MPa, and 7.6%, respectively, compared to those of the baseline SAPI film. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperature of cSAPI films is increased to 282 from 270 °C of the SAPI film, which is advantageous to better meet the requirement for high‐temperature manufacturing processes such as lead‐free solder reflowing. In addition, all cSAPI films exhibit good optical transparency in the entire visible region.
Selectivity of Thermal Analysis in the Branching Analysis of Low Density Polyethylene
Authors: Eselem Bungu PaulSeverin , Pflug Kristina , Pasch Harald 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLow density polyethylene (LDPE) exhibits a complex branching architecture that is characterized by the numbers and lengths of the branches. In previous work, it has been demonstrated that comprehensive microstructural information on LDPE can only be obtained via multiple preparative fractionations and subsequent advanced analysis of the fractions. In this work, microstructural differences of LDPE with similar molar masses but different melt flow indexes are addressed. The samples are fractionated using the multiple preparative fractionation concept to generate narrowly distributed branch and molar mass fractions, respectively. The individual fractions are cross‐fractionated by stepwise recrystallization using successive self‐nucleation and annealing to obtain endotherms with multiple peaks (seeds). Each seed represents a population of chains with similar branching structure or crystallizable methylene sequences. The methylene sequence lengths (MSLs) and the seed contents of the seeds with the highest population are compared for fractions with similar fractionation characteristics. Fractions showing significant differences in their MSL and/or seed content are investigated further using advanced analytical techniques and 2D liquid chromatography (2D‐LC), to correlate MSL or seed content to the branching structure.
Conformation and Diffusivity of Ring and Linear Polyethylene Oxide in Aqueous Solution: Molecular Topology Dependent Concentration Effects and Comparison with Experimental Data
Authors: Tsalikis Dimitrios G. , Alexiou Terpsichori S. , Alatas Panagiotis V. , Mavrantzas Vlasis G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAtomistic molecular dynamics simulations are performed on aqueous solutions of ring and linear polyethylene oxide (PEO) under good solvent conditions for the investigation of their conformation and diffusion dynamics. The systems simulated span a wide range of molecular weights (from 2 to 10 k) and polymer concentrations. In the limit of infinite dilution, both conformational and dynamic properties appear to be practically molecular topology independent as far as their dependence on chain length and concentration is concerned, and a very favorable agreement is observed with respect to relevant well‐established theoretical predictions, experimental data, and earlier simulation studies. Crossing over to the semidilute regime, molecular topology starts to bear a distinct effect on the observed conformations of the two different molecular geometries. On the other hand, the diffusion dynamics of PEO in the semidilute regime appears to be practically molecular topology independent judging from the dependence of the chain center‐of‐mass diffusivity on chain length and concentration. Indeed, and despite the fact that ring molecules exhibit consistently a faster dynamics than their linear homologs over the entire concentration range simulated, the estimated concentration scalings for both types of architecture are strikingly similar. The findings of this work are compared with scaling arguments and available experimental data.
Concentration and effective T2 relaxation times of macromolecules at 3T
Authors: Landheer Karl , Gajdošík Martin , Treacy Michael , Juchem Christoph 
Published: May 2020

PurposeWe aimed to investigate the concentration and effective T2 relaxation time of macromolecules assessed with an ultra‐short TE sLASER sequence in 2 brain regions, the occipital and frontal cortex, in both genders at 3T.MethodsAn optimized sLASER sequence was used in conjunction with a double‐inversion preparation module to null the metabolites. Eight equally spaced TEs were chosen from 20.1 to 62.1 ms, and the macromolecules were modeled by 10 line broadened singlets. The amplitude of each of the macromolecule signals was extracted at each TE and fit to a monoexponential function to extract the respective effective T2 values. Absolute quantification of the macromolecule resonances was performed using water signal as a reference. A total of 10 young healthy adult subjects (5 females) were scanned, with spectra being obtained from both the frontal and occipital cortex. Differences in the effective T2 relaxation times and concentrations were investigated between both regions and genders.ResultsA wide disparity was observed between the effective T2 values of the individual resonances; however, no significant differences between gender or region for any of the measured macromolecule concentration or effective T2 values were found.ConclusionThe effective T2 relaxation times and concentration of 10 different macromolecule resonances were measured and found to be well represented by the monoexponential model. These results will be useful for absolute quantification of macromolecules in future studies, or in the generation of synthetic basis sets for optimization or machine learning.
Effects of a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone IIa 5/20-μg/kg Dose versus a 20/80-μg/kg Dose on Channel Catfish Ovulation
Authors: Quiniou Sylvie M A , Bosworth Brian G 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The production of (male Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus × female Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus) F1 hybrids by U.S. catfish farmers has increased dramatically during the last 15 years. However, hybrid catfish production requires hormone-induced ovulation of female Channel Catfish and remains an inefficient process. Previously, we demonstrated that GnRH IIa given as a two-dose injection (priming/induction) of 20/80 μg/kg of female body weight resulted in superior ovulation rates for Channel Catfish compared with salmon GnRH IIIa and mammalian LHRHa, which are products that are currently used at commercial catfish hatcheries. The objective of the current study was to determine whether GnRH IIa given at a quarter dose (5/20 μg/kg) would achieve results similar to those that were obtained with the full dose (20/80 μg/kg) and whether the response varied over the spawning season. Trials were conducted at three timepoints during the 2017 spawning season: early (May 1), middle (May 15), or late (June 5). At each timepoint, 20 females received an intraperitoneal injection with a full dose of GnRH IIa and 20 females received an injection with a quarter dose of GnRH IIa. Data were collected for female weight, latency, incidence of ovulation, and stripped eggs weight (g) per kilogram of female body weight. The data indicated that the quarter dose of GnRH IIa (5/20 μg/kg of female body weight) achieved results that were similar to those that were obtained with the full dose of 20/80 μg/kg.
Goal‐oriented model reduction of parametrized nonlinear partial differential equations: Application to aerodynamics
Authors: Yano Masayuki 
Published: May 2020

SummaryWe introduce a goal‐oriented model reduction framework for rapid and reliable solution of parametrized nonlinear partial differential equations with applications in aerodynamics. Our goal is to provide quantitative and automatic control of various sources of errors in model reduction. Our framework builds on the following ingredients: a discontinuous Galerkin finite element (FE) method, which provides stability for convection‐dominated problems; reduced basis (RB) spaces, which provide rapidly convergent approximations; the dual‐weighted residual method, which provides effective output error estimates for both the FE and RB approximations; output‐based adaptive RB snapshots; and the empirical quadrature procedure (EQP), which hyperreduces the primal residual, adjoint residual, and output forms to enable online‐efficient evaluations while providing quantitative control of hyperreduction errors. The framework constructs a reduced model which provides, for parameter values in the training set, output predictions that meet the user‐prescribed tolerance by controlling the FE, RB, and EQP errors; in addition, the reduced model equips, for any parameter value, the output prediction with an effective, online‐efficient error estimate. We demonstrate the framework for parametrized aerodynamics problems modeled by the Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations; reduced models provide over two orders of magnitude online computational reduction and sharp error estimates for three‐dimensional flows.
Molar Entropy and Enthalpy of CO Adsorbed in Zeolites as Derived from VTIR Data: Role of Intermolecular Modes
Authors: Garrone Edoardo , Otero Areán Carlos , Rodríguez Delgado Montserrat , Bonelli Barbara 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDetailed analysis of recently reported variable‐temperature IR (VTIR) spectra of carbon monoxide adsorbed in alkaline zeolites shows how, not only the corresponding values of standard adsorption enthalpy (
) and entropy (
) can be obtained, but also the thermodynamic values of molar entropy and enthalpy which characterize the adsorbed gas phase. In addition, it is shown that the so obtained molar entropy data can lead to new insights into soft molecular modes, which would be hardly accessible by conventional IR spectroscopic techniques.
Enhancing the promiscuity of a member of the Caspase protease family by rational design
Authors: Öhlknecht Christoph , Petrov Drazen , Engele Petra , Kröß Christina , Sprenger Bernhard , Fischer Andreas , Lingg Nico , Schneider Rainer , Oostenbrink Chris 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe N‐terminal cleavage of fusion tags to restore the native N‐terminus of recombinant proteins is a challenging task and up to today, protocols need to be optimized for different proteins individually. Within this work, we present a novel protease that was designed in‐silico to yield enhanced promiscuity toward different N‐terminal amino acids. Two mutations in the active‐site amino acids of human Caspase‐2 were determined to increase the recognition of branched amino‐acids, which show only poor binding capabilities in the unmutated protease. These mutations were determined by sequential and structural comparisons of Caspase‐2 and Caspase‐3 and their effect was additionally predicted using free‐energy calculations. The two mutants proposed in the in‐silico studies were expressed and in‐vitro experiments confirmed the simulation results. Both mutants showed not only enhanced activities toward branched amino acids, but also smaller, unbranched amino acids. We believe that the created mutants constitute an important step toward generalized procedures to restore original N‐termini of recombinant fusion proteins.
Field detection and predicted evolution of spinosad resistance in Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Guillem‐Amat Ana , Sánchez Lucas , López‐Errasquín Elena , Ureña Enric , Hernández‐Crespo Pedro , Ortego Félix 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe sustainable control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is compromised by the development of resistance to malathion and lambda‐cyhalothrin in Spanish field populations. At present, field populations remain susceptible to spinosad. However, the resistant strain JW‐100s has been obtained under laboratory selection with spinosad, and resistance has been associated with the presence of different mutations causing truncated transcripts of the α6 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChRα6).RESULTSAn F1 screen assay followed by the molecular characterization of surviving flies has been used to search for spinosad‐resistant alleles in field populations. Two different resistant alleles giving rise to truncated isoforms of Ccα6 have been identified, which corresponds to an estimated allelic frequency of at least 0.0023–0.0046. The fitness values of the resistant nAChRα6 alleles found in the laboratory strain JW‐100s were estimated to be 0.4 for RR and 0.2 for SR. Mathematical modelling predicted that spinosad‐resistant alleles will rapidly decline over time in field populations if their fitness cost was the same as estimated for laboratory‐resistant alleles. However, they are predicted to increase in the field if their fitness cost is lower and resistance management strategies are not implemented.CONCLUSIONSpinosad‐resistant alleles have been detected in field populations for the first time. Our modelling simulations indicate that the best option to delay the appearance of spinosad resistance would be its rotation with other insecticides without cross‐resistance. The integrated F1 screen/molecular genetic analysis presented here can be used for future monitoring studies. © 2020 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Predation interactions among henhouse‐dwelling arthropods, with a focus on the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae
Authors: Zriki Ghais , Blatrix Rumsaïs , Roy Lise 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnalysis of the poorly explored food webs of henhouse‐dwelling arthropods would improve biological control against the poultry red mite (PRM) Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer). This study aimed to identify trophic links among native predatory arthropods, PRM, and alternative preys. In vitro predation tests were carried out to assess (i) the ability of native predators to feed on PRM juvenile and adult stages in two physiological statuses (unfed and freshly blood‐fed) in the absence of any physical barrier, (ii) predator preferences between PRM and astigmatic mites, and (iii) predation interactions between PRM predators.RESULTSTen arthropod taxa fed on PRM with predation rates ranging from 4% to 95% in our experimental conditions. They belonged to (i) Acari: Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese), Cheyletus spp., Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli), M. penicilliger (Berlese), Parasitus fimetorum (Berlese), Dendrolaelaps spp. and Uroobovella fimicola (Berlese); (ii) other Arachnida: Lamprochernes nodosus (Schrank) (Pseudoscorpionida) and a linyphiid spider; and (iii) Insecta: Lyctocoris campestris (Fabricius). These predators varied in their preference for PRM stages and physiological statuses (unfed or freshly blood‐fed). When given a choice, most predators preferred to feed on PRM than astigmatic mites. Bidirectional predation occurred within two pairs of PRM predators (M. penicilliger–Lamprochernes nodosus and A. casalis–Cheyletus spp.), and M. penicilliger had a 100% predation rate on A. casalis.CONCLUSIONOur study highlights the potential of various arthropod predators occurring naturally in poultry houses for conservation and augmentative biological control of PRM. Predation interactions between these predators should be accounted for before developing biocontrol agents against PRM. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry