bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Preparation Conditions on Microbubble Flotation Process of Ultra Clean Coal Using Box Behnken Design Model
Authors: Hao Chengliang , Chu Mo , Wang Lingshuang , Zhou Lingmei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhen coal is widely used as fuel, it also produces lower combustion efficiency and environmental pollution due to direct utilization of coal. The demineralization of coal to prepare ultra clean coal can improve utilization value and reduce pollutant emissions. Thus, Taixi anthracite is chosen to prepare ultra clean coal by microbubble flotation method. Box Behnken design (BBD), a response surface model is introduced as a factorial design of experiments setup and used to find those parameters, which affect the ash content and yield of ultra clean coal and to adjust these parameters in order to achieve the optimized effect. Especially, their interaction effect of different factors in flotation process could be explored by the mathematical model. To explore the mechanism of preparing ultra clean coal, X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) results are analysed. Combining XRF with SEM‐EDS analysis, the concentrate is polluted by composite particles with particle size of less than 2 μm and organic matter accounting for more than 95 %. Through XRD and SEM‐EDS analysis, it can be shown that a small amount of fine clay minerals including kaolinite and illite agglomerate heterogeneously with coal particles during flotation and pollute concentrate. Further, the existence of composite particles and slime coatings were the main reason of limiting deep demineralization in microbubble flotation process.
A Synthetic Approach to PW2‐Like Compounds
Authors: Forastieri Pamela S. , Luna Liliana E. , Cravero Raquel M. , Labadie Guillermo R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe 9H‐xanthene derivatives, like PW2, displayed a wide spectrum of bioactivities. Herein, we reported a rapid and simple synthetic route for compounds containing the xanthenic moiety in their structure and amides. The efficient preparation of novel 1,8‐dioxo‐2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9‐octahydro‐1‐xanthen‐9‐yl‐ acetic acid alkyl esters by multicomponent tandem Michael‐cyclization reactions starting from cyclohexanediones and alkynes is described. Iodine and cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate were used for the oxidative aromatization step proving a series of 1,8‐mono and dialkoxy‐alkyl‐xanthenyl‐9‐yl acetic acid esters in good yields. The proposed mechanism for the oxidative aromatization involves several organic transformations. The final step was the incorporation of an amide to mimic the PW2 structure that was prepared by hydrolysis of the esters, followed by the amide formation using N,N‐dimethyl‐1,3‐ propandiamine, and benzylamine.
Cyclodextrin‐Based Nanosponges for Improving Solubility and Sustainable Release of Curcumin
Authors: Gharakhloo Mosayeb , Sadjadi Samahe , Rezaeetabar Mahdi , Askari Fahimeh , Rahimi Azam 
Published: February 2020

AbstractConsidering the utility of cyclodextrin nanosponges for the encapsulation of drugs, in this study, the effect of drug loading method on the release property of the resulting complex is studied. To this purpose, curcumin as a model substrate was loaded into the cyclodextrin nanosponge via three different methods, including freeze drying, impregnation and physical mixing.All three complexes were characterized and the release profile of curcumin from them was investigated.
Sorbitol Cyclodehydration to Isosorbide Catalyzed by Acidic Carbon Obtained from Reaction By‐Product
Authors: Zhang Yi , Chen Tong , Zhang Gang , Wang Gongying , Zhang Hua 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA carbonaceous solid acid catalyst obtained from by‐products of sorbitol dehydration process, was prepared via facile one‐step carbonization and sulfonation method. The results of various characterization technologies showed that as‐prepared acidic carbon bearing ‐SO3H, ‐COOH and ‐OH groups with Brønsted acid sites was effective for solvent‐free dehydration of sorbitol to produce isosorbide. Full complete sorbitol conversion with 72.1% isosorbide yield was achieved at 170 °C after 2 h reaction. Catalyst could be used for three cycles retaining the most of its initial catalytic activity. Importantly, the catalyst and reaction by‐products in this process could be easily recycled and facilely utilized, offering sustainable process in production of isosorbide from sorbitol.
Synthesis and Application of a Naphthol‐Based Fluorescent Probe for Mercury(II) Detection
Authors: Wu Xiaoming , Duan Ning , Yang Shaoxiang , Tian Hongyu , Sun Baoguo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA sensitive analytical method for detecting trace levels of mercury(II) in diverse samples is desperately needed owing to its notoriously toxic. In this study, we have developed a novel fluorescent probe 2,2′‐((6‐hydroxynaphthalen‐2‐yl) methylene) bis (sulfanediyl) diacetic acid (Probe 1) for the sensitive detection of Hg2+. Probe 1 could detect Hg2+ content in CH3CN/buffer (pH 6.0) solution. Probe 1 has a low detection limit (1.34 nM) and the detection range was 0–8 μM. The luminescent intensity of Probe 1 in a CH3CN/buffer (pH 6.0) solution increased with the concentration of Hg2+ over two minutes, as observed under a 254 nm UV lamp. Furthermore, this phenomenon was observed using test papers of Probe 1. Importantly, Probe 1 could detect Hg2+ in wheat, mineral water, rice, tap water, and kelp samples.
Material Design and Fabrication Strategies for Stretchable Metallic Nanocomposites
Authors: Joo Hyunwoo , Jung Dongjun , Sunwoo Sung‐Hyuk , Koo Ja Hoon , Kim Dae‐Hyeong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStretchable conductive nanocomposites fabricated by integrating metallic nanomaterials with elastomers have become a vital component of human‐friendly electronics, such as wearable and implantable devices, due to their unconventional electrical and mechanical characteristics. Understanding the detailed material design and fabrication strategies to improve the conductivity and stretchability of the nanocomposites is therefore important. This Review discusses the recent technological advances toward high performance stretchable metallic nanocomposites. First, the effect of the filler material design on the conductivity is briefly discussed, followed by various nanocomposite fabrication techniques to achieve high conductivity. Methods for maintaining the initial conductivity over a long period of time are also summarized. Then, strategies on controlled percolation of nanomaterials are highlighted, followed by a discussion regarding the effects of the morphology of the nanocomposite and postfabricated 3D structures on achieving high stretchability. Finally, representative examples of applications of such nanocomposites in biointegrated electronics are provided. A brief outlook concludes this Review.
Synthesis Protocols of the Most Common Layered Carbide and Nitride MAX Phases
Authors: Haemers Joachim , Gusmão Rui , Sofer Zdeněk 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMAX phases represent a large group of carbide‐ and nitride‐layered ternary compounds. Their general formula is Mn+1AXn, where n = 1–3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A‐group element, and X is either carbon or nitrogen. The MAX phases combine properties of metals (good electrical and thermal conductivity, machinability, low hardness, thermal shock resistance, and damage tolerance) with those of ceramics (high elastic moduli, temperature strength, and oxidation and corrosion resistance). Publications on MAX phases have increased considerably in recent years. A late development causing heightened interest in MAX phases is the possibility by which these can be selectively etched to MXenes by removal of the A‐group element. In view of optimizing properties for prospective applications, the synthesis protocols of some of the most common carbide and nitride MAX phases are reviewed. Characterization of their physical, mechanical, and corrosion/oxidation properties is also discussed. Recent developments have revealed the potential for further practical application and have led to accessible strategies to synthesize new MAX phases using the pressure‐less sintering, spark plasma sintering, or molten salt routes.
Introducing Oxygen Defects into Phosphate Ions Intercalated Manganese Dioxide/Vertical Multilayer Graphene Arrays to Boost Flexible Zinc Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Yan , Deng Shengjue , Pan Guoxiang , Zhang Haozhe , Liu Bo , Wang Xun‐Li , Zheng Xusheng , Liu Qi , Wang Xiuli , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDesigned and fabricated flexible high‐performance MnO2 cathode materials are highly desirable for developing advanced rechargeable Zn–MnO2 batteries. In this work, a facile phosphorization process is reported for introducing oxygen defects into phosphate ions intercalated manganese dioxide/vertical multilayer graphene (VMG) arrays, forming an integrated P‐MnO2‐x@VMG cathode. The oxygen defects and phosphate ions intercalation are achieved simultaneously via phosphorization. The former can increase the electrical conductivity of MnO2, while the latter is able to expand its interlayer spacing accelerating ion transfer. Furthermore, flexible VMG conductive networks provide excellent peripheral charge transfer and endow the cathode with favorable mechanical strength. Benefiting from these virtues, the obtained P‐MnO2‐x@VMG cathode demonstrates high capacity (302.8 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1) and long‐term cycling stability (>90% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1) in aqueous electrolytes. More impressively, the P‐MnO2‐x@VMG cathode exhibits a high energy density of 369.5 Wh kg−1 in quasi‐solid‐state flexible devices (P‐MnO2‐x@VMG//Zn@VMG), and thereby shows great prospects for applications in wearable electronics. This work demonstrates a new synergistic way to construct high‐performance electrodes for energy storage toward divalent metal ions.
Debugging the Writing Process: Lessons From a Comparison of Students’ Coding and Writing Practices
Authors: Hassenfeld Ziva R. , Bers Marina Umaschi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSince the 1960s, a group of educators and researchers have championed the idea that learning coding and learning to read and write are, in some sense, part of the same skill set, but the grounds for asserting that similarity have continually shifted. Some have argued that as texts increasingly integrate digital components, expertise in coding will become a central part of reading in the 21st century. Others seem to use the wordliteracysimply to mean an important skill, without necessarily asserting a deeper similarity. In this study of novice writers and programmers in a second‐grade classroom, the authors explored a third hypothesis: that there is a fundamental relation between the activities involved in creating a written story and in creating a computer program. The findings of this research suggest that teachers can use a combination of coding and writing to reinforce students’ acquisition of the writing process.
First report of a canine morbillivirus infection in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in Brazil
Authors: Debesa Belizário Granjeiro Melissa , Lima Kavasaki Mayara , Morgado Thais O. , Avelino Dandolini Pavelegini Lucas , Alves de Barros Marisol , Fontana Carolina , de Assis Bianchini Mateus , de Oliveira Souza Aneliza , Gonçalves Lima Oliveira Santos Amanda R. , Lunardi Michele , Colodel Edson M. , de Aguiar Daniel M. , Jorge Mendonça Adriane 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCanine morbillivirus, also known as canine distemper virus (CDV), induces a contagious multisystemic disease caused by an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. CDV replicates readily in epithelial, nerve and lymphoid tissues; it is excreted in urine, feces, saliva, oral and nasal discharge; and its major route of entry for infection is through the respiratory system. Although the virus was originally believed to infect domestic dogs, new studies have shown that it can also naturally or experimentally infect non‐domestic hosts. A recent blood test performed on a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) found Lentz inclusions in the animal's leucocytes. A rapid CDV test, an RT‐PCR assay and pathology findings confirmed this report of canine morbillivirus in this species, which corresponds to the second report of CDV infection in the order Pilosa, family Myrmecophagidae in central west Brazil.
Machine‐learning scoring functions for structure‐based drug lead optimization
Authors: Li Hongjian , Sze Kam‐Heung , Lu Gang , Ballester Pedro J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMolecular docking can be used to predict how strongly small‐molecule binders and their chemical derivatives bind to a macromolecular target using its available three‐dimensional structures. Scoring functions (SFs) are employed to rank these molecules by their predicted binding affinity (potency). A classical SF assumes a predetermined theory‐inspired functional form for the relationship between the features characterizing the structure of the protein–ligand complex and its predicted binding affinity (this relationship is almost always assumed to be linear). Recent years have seen the prosperity of machine‐learning SFs, which are fast regression models built instead with contemporary supervised learning algorithms. In this review, we analyzed machine‐learning SFs for drug lead optimization in the 2015–2019 period. The performance gap between classical and machine‐learning SFs was large and has now broadened owing to methodological improvements and the availability of more training data. Against the expectations of many experts, SFs employing deep learning techniques were not always more predictive than those based on more established machine learning techniques and, when they were, the performance gain was small. More codes and webservers are available and ready to be applied to prospective structure‐based drug lead optimization studies. These have exhibited excellent predictive accuracy in compelling retrospective tests, outperforming in some cases much more computationally demanding molecular simulation‐based methods. A discussion of future work completes this review.This article is categorized under:
Computer and Information Science > Chemoinformatics
Breeding biology of the endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata in Brazil
Authors: Beier Christian , Fontana Carla Suertegaray 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe Yellow Cardinal,Gubernatrix cristata, has a small geographic range in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. We studied the natural history of the only known Brazilian population of this “Endangered” species (∼50 individuals), which is socially monogamous and may breed cooperatively. During two breeding seasons (October to February 2013–2015), we monitored nests and described the main breeding traits. The breeding season started from the first week of October, with a peak of active nests in mid-November and lasted until mid-February. We found 32 nests, of which 30 were monitored. Female built the open-cup nests in six days (n= 1). All nests were built onProsopistrees, on average at 2.4 m from the ground. Modal clutch size was three eggs (n= 19), and female incubated for 13 days on average (n= 7). Hatching rate was 76% and nestlings fledged after 16 days (n= 6). Nestling survival rate was 67% with mean productivity of 1.6 fledglings/successful nest. Shiny Cowbird,Molothrus bonariensis, parasitized nests of the Yellow Cardinal, with a frequency of 67% and intensity of 1.9 egg per parasitized nest (1–4 eggs;n= 13). Parasitism in nestlings by botfly larvae (Philornissp.) occurred in 33% of nests with nestlings. Nest predation was the main cause of nest losses (73%) and we recorded a Geoffroy’s Cat,Leopardus geoffroyi, preying on a nest with eggs. The probability of success using the Program MARK was 13%. Fledgling survival rate during the first month outside the nest was 62% (8/13 fledglings). We found a longer breeding season, occurrence of second broods, and higher rates but fewer nest losses due to brood parasitism in comparison to the Argentinian population. We highlight the importance of natural history studies for the conservation of different populations of the same species.
Observation of Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii in Suriname on South American mainland
Authors: Kasius Bert , Witkamp Cees , Ingels Johan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAfter a first-year Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii was spotted in Trinidad on 10 December 2016, a second-year individual was now seen and photographed on 22 March 2018 in the mouth of the Suriname River near Paramaribo in Suriname. This record is the first of this species for that country and for mainland South America.
Distinguishing females of capuchino seedeaters: call repertoires provide evidence for species-level diagnosis
Authors: Repenning Márcio , Fontana Carla Suertegaray 
Published: February 2020

AbstractReliable identification of cryptic Neotropical capuchino seedeater females remains as a recurrent and non-trivial issue in field ornithology. Even in the hand, capuchino females cannot be accurately diagnosed to the species level based solely on visual plumage examination, which may present a problem for future research on this group. During 10 years of field research on this group, we observed subtle vocal differences. We studied females of two parapatric species that may breed in syntopic upland grassland areas in southern Brazil: Tawny-bellied SeedeaterSporophila hypoxanthaand Black-bellied SeedeaterSporophila melanogaster. Our main aim was to measure dissimilarities between inter-specific and intersexual repertory calls. We found unequivocal inter-specific divergences in call type repertoires revealed by cluster analysis, and no intersexual differences in the co-specific repertoire calls. These combined results enhance the understanding about the role of repertoire calls on species-specific recognition and interbreeding isolation processes (assortative mating), and provide a way to overcome the problem of field identification of female capuchinos at the species level.
The avifauna of the Catimbau National Park, an important protected area in the Brazilian semiarid
Authors: Las-Casas Flor Maria Guedes , da Pereira Iolanda Maria Silva , dos Santos Lilia D’ark Nunes , Naka Luciano Nicolás 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe Catimbau National Park is a protected area, located within the Caatinga Dry Forest, in the central region of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. This protected area encompasses ~60,000 ha of an exceptional diversity of habitats, resulting in a high avian diversity, including several rare and endemic species. The park is considered an area of high biological importance and of conservation priority. Despite its relevance for conservation, human degradation due to chronic anthropogenic disturbances (hunting, birds trapping, selective logging, and livestock grazing) has modified the park’s natural environments. In 2014, we initiated avian inventories within the park, as part of a long-term ecological research (LTER). Although the avifauna of the park has been described before, our systematic surveys allowed us to have a better understating of the park’s avifauna and resulted in several additions to the species list. Here, we update and reevaluate the park’s avifauna, discuss the presence of resident and migratory species, and include comments on endemic and rare species that occur within the park’s boundaries. We sampled the avifauna through systematic surveys (point counts) and opportunistic observations between 2014 and 2017, including both dry and rainy seasons. We recorded a total of 192 species, including 25 species new to the park’s list. During our point counts, we detected 117 species in the dry season, whereas 34 were recorded exclusively during the rainy season. Nearly 10% of the park’s avifauna (19 species) is represented by migratory species, such as Elaenia chilensis and Turdus amaurochalinus. Catimbau National Park is important for the conservation of the Caatinga avifauna, since it harbors endemic, range-restricted, migratory, and globally threatened species. Therefore, we emphasize that environmental education and ecological restoration projects, allied to enforcing environmental laws are urgent for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Catimbau National Park.
Habitat use and home range of a migratory bird, Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius, in an urban park in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Authors: Vitório Juliana Gomes , de Frenedozo Rita Cássia , de Barbosa Karlla Vanessa Camargo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDetailed studies on the home range size and habitat use of a species are important for the understanding of population dynamics and density. The Southern Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius) is a common, widely distributed austral migrant in Brazil that inhabits open areas, forest edges and urban parks. Surprisingly, very little information exists on even basic aspects of its natural history, and details about its habitat use and home range are essentially unknown. We estimated home range size and habitat selection byM. m. solitariusduring the 2017–2018 breeding season at Parque Ecológico do Tietê, an urban park in São Paulo, Brazil. We mist-netted and banded three adult individuals, which were followed for a total of 91 h and 50 min to assess their habitat use and home range. Home range size was 5.40 ± 2.45 ha (95% kernel density) and 2.46 ± 1.70 ha (50% kernel density). We obtained 428 sight records of the three individuals, and the strata most frequently used were the canopy and mid-story, in some places with a relatively high percentage of tree cover. These individuals had a clear preference for forested areas (n= 408), as compared to isolated trees in open areas (n= 20). This study contributes to enhance our knowledge of the natural history of the species and offers important new data on various aspects related to the use of space. These results also suggest that urban green areas promote the occurrence of this species in cities, using urban parks to breed and as stopover sites during migration.
Beyond a feeding and thermoregulatory structure: toucan’s bill as a sword and pincer
Authors: de Guaraldo André Camargo , Antqueves Letícia Mara Ceolin , Manica Lilian Tonelli 
Published: February 2020

AbstractToucans (Ramphastidae) have always attracted researcher’s attention for their exuberant bill shape and size, which function has been often related to feeding strategies and thermal regulation. In this study, we discuss the importance and use of the bill by Ramphastidae species in intraspecific disputes. We present novel data and video recordings on agonistic encounters between females of the Spot-billed Toucan Selenidera maculirostris, along with a compilation of data from the Brazilian citizen science platform WikiAves and previous studies on six other Ramphastidae species. Until now, only a couple of species was known for using their bill in fights against conspecifics. Our study highlights the between-species behavioral similarities and the widespread occurrence of such behavior in the family, suggesting that this may be more common than previously thought and proposing hypotheses on the likely roles of such intraspecific contests.