bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest floor plant diversity drives the use of mature spruce forests by European bison
Authors: Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Borysowicz Joanna , Cholewińska Olga 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe distribution of large ungulates in space is in large extent driven by the availability of forage, which in temperate forests depends on light availability, and associated plant diversity and cover. We hypothesized that the increased number of GPS fixes of European bison (Bison bonasus L.) in usually avoided spruce forests was an effect of higher plant species richness and cover of the forest floor, which developed owing to increased light availability enhanced by spruce mortality. We carried out 80 forest floor plant surveys combined with tree measurement on plots chosen according to the number of GPS locations of GPS‐collared European bison. The mean plant species richness per plot was higher on intensively visited plots (IV) than rarely visited (RV) plots (30 ± 5.75 (SD) versus. 26 ± 6.19 (SD)). The frequency of 34 plant species was higher on IV plots, and they were mainly herbaceous species (32 species), while a significant part of 13 species with higher frequency on RV plots was woody plants (5 species). The species richness of forbs was higher on IV plots, while other functional groups of plants did not differ. Tree stem density on the IV plots was lower than on the RV plots (17.94 ± 6.73 (SD) versus 22.9 ± 7.67 (SD)), and the mean value of Ellenberg's ecological indicator for light availability for all forest floor plant species was higher on IV plots. European bison visiting mature spruce forests was driven by higher forest floor plant cover and species richness, and high share and species richness of forbs. The two latter features may be translated into higher quality and diversity of forage. In spite of morphological characteristics suggesting that European bison is a species of mixed (mosaic) habitats, it seems to be well adapted to thrive in diverse forests.
Differences in morphology and in composition and release of parotoid gland secretion in introduced cane toads (Rhinella marina) from established populations in Florida, USA
Authors: Gardner Steven T. , Kepas Megen , Simons Casey R. , Horne Logan M. , Savitzky Alan H. , Mendonça Mary T. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCane toads are highly toxic bufonids invasive in several locations throughout the world. Although physiological changes and effects on native predators for Australian populations have been well documented, Florida populations have received little attention. Cane toads were collected from populations spanning the invaded range in Florida to assess relative toxicity, through measuring morphological changes to parotoid glands, likelihood of secretion, and the marinobufagenin (MBG) content of secretion. We found that residual body indices increased in individuals from higher latitude populations, and relative parotoid gland size increased with increasing toad size. There was no effect of latitude on the allometric relationship between gland size and toad size. We observed an increase in likelihood of secretion by cane toads in the field with increasing latitude. Individuals from southern and northern populations did not vary significantly in the quantity of MBG contained in their secretion. Laboratory‐acclimated cane toads receiving injections of epinephrine were more likely to secrete poison with increasing dose, although there was no difference in likelihood of secretion between southern and northern populations. This suggests that differences between populations in the quantities of epinephrine released in the field, due to altered hypothalamic sensitivity upon disturbance, may be responsible for the latitudinal effects on poison secretion. Our results suggest that altered pressures from northward establishment in Florida have affected sympathetic sensitivity and defensive mechanisms of cane toads, potentially affecting risk to native predators.
Climate sensitivity of understory trees differs from overstory trees in temperate mesic forests
Authors: Rollinson Christine R. , Alexander M. Ross , Dye Alex W. , Moore David J. P. , Pederson Neil , Trouet Valerie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe response of understory trees to climate variability is key to understanding current and future forest dynamics. However, analyses of climatic effects on tree growth have primarily focused on the upper canopy, leaving understory dynamics unresolved. We analyzed differences in climate sensitivity based on canopy position of four common tree species (Acer rubrum,Fagus grandifolia,Quercus rubra, andTsuga canadensis) using growth information from 1,084 trees across eight sites in the northeastern United States. Effects of canopy position on climate response varied, but were significant and often nonlinear, for all four species. Compared to overstory trees, understory trees showed stronger reductions in growth at high temperatures and varied shifts in precipitation response. This contradicts the prevailing assumption that climate responses, particularly to temperature, of understory trees are buffered by the overstory. Forest growth trajectories are uncertain in compositionally and structurally complex forests, and future demography and regeneration dynamics may be misinferred if not all canopy levels are represented in future forecasts.
A novel functionalized chitosan nanoadsorbent for efficient elimination of malachite green from aqueous media
Authors: Tohidi Azar , Chaibakhsh Naz , Mohammadi Asadollah 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, a novel chitosan‐based nanoadsorbent has been synthesized by the reaction between nanochitosan and epoxy‐triazinetrione. The commercial cationic dye, malachite green, was chosen as a model dye in order to inspect the adsorption efficiency of the prepared adsorbent. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process have been explored. According to the results, the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order model can well elucidate the adsorption process. The obtained thermodynamic parameters indicated that the removal process was spontaneous and endothermic (ΔH° = 95.0 kJ mol−1). The effects of several parameters on the dye elimination were studied using the response surface methodology approach. A high adsorption efficiency (95%) was obtained at 29.5 min, pH 7.9, and 7.5 mg of the adsorbent. At this condition, the removal efficiency of the unmodified adsorbent was 65.4%. The novel epoxy‐triazinetrione‐modified chitosan nanosorbent was found to be highly adequate for the treatment of wastewaters containing organic dyes.
MobiScan: An enhanced invisible screen‐camera communication system for IoT applications
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Liu Jiqiang , Ba Zhongjie , Tao Yaodong , Cheng Xiaochun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn recent years, dynamic and invisible screen‐camera short‐range communication for IoT devices have become a popular research field due to its superior user experience and no‐extra hardware required. However, most existing screen‐camera communication systems suffer from poor data security, high computational overhead, and limited capture angle, which make them infeasible in practice. In this work, we propose MobiScan, a dynamic and invisible screen‐to‐camera communication system that is able to ensure data security, real‐time communication, and flexible capture angle. MobiScan is composed of two parts: a novel fast frame correction scheme and a multilevel data pattern scheme to address the above problems. The fast frame correction scheme proposes a novel frame correct approach that utilizes the sensor data on the smartphone to correct the captured frame by reproducing the relationship between positions of the screen and the smartphone. Through this method, the scheme can save frame correction time without calculating frame content to identify the degree of deformation. The multilevel data pattern scheme protects the data privacy by sending the classified information to targeted users, which can reduce the time overhead and extend the application scenario by redesigning the data structure. The experimental results show that for flexible capture angle problem, the maximum capture angle is 180° in the rotate view and 60° in the side view, bottom view, and overlook view. For real‐time communication problem, the time overhead is reduced by 90% in the procedure of the frame correction. In the data decoding process, the time overhead is reduced by 10%. MobiScan enables a flexible capture angle on the PC platform for secure and real‐time communication.
Glassdoor's best places to work internationally: Are they best for shareholders?
Authors: Filbeck Greg , Zhao Xin , Warnaka Matthew 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn 2015, Glassdoor published its first international Best Places to Work list in the United Kingdom. Since then, Glassdoor has begun publishing 10 different Best Places to Work lists in 9 different countries. Glassdoor's Best Places to Work lists are unique in that rankings are solely based upon employee reviews and are not influenced by self‐nominations or a cost paid by a company. With 64 million unique visitors each month, these Glassdoor lists have the potential to impact investors. In this paper, we explore whether firms appearing on lists for Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom result in short‐term announcement effects or long‐term abnormal returns on a raw‐ and risk‐adjusted basis. We find that the Canadian sample earns statistically significant abnormal returns in the announcement window 5 days after the announcement date. In the long run, we find that the Canadian sample also outperforms its matched sample and local index on a risk‐based basis.
Consumers care and firms should too: On the benefits of disclosing supplier monitoring activities
Authors: Duan Yanji , Hofer Christian , Aloysius John A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStakeholders increasingly put pressure on firms to ensure their suppliers' adherence to corporate social responsibility principles and standards. A firm's supplier monitoring activities (SMA) are, thus, central to achieving supply chain transparency. In an effort to help build a business case for SMA, this research explores the effect of SMA disclosures on consumers' attitude toward the firm and purchase intention. In so doing, we also examine how consumer attitude and purchase intention vary as a function of SMA disclosure characteristics. The results of three behavioral studies reveal more positive consumer attitude and higher purchase intention when a firm discloses that its supplier monitoring extends to lower‐tier suppliers (SMA depth) and the firm monitors its lower‐tier suppliers directly rather than relying on its first‐tier suppliers or third parties to do so (lower‐tier supplier monitoring mechanism). Greater SMA breadth—monitoring both suppliers' social and environmental activities—in turn, is not associated with more positive consumer attitude and higher purchase intention. Further, attitude toward the firm mediates the relationship between SMA disclosure characteristics and purchase intention. Collectively, these findings underline that consumers value firms' SMA and point toward an economic rationale for a firm's transparency regarding its supplier monitoring efforts.
Tibiofemoral bony morphology features associated with ACL injury and sex utilizing three‐dimensional statistical shape modeling
Authors: Polamalu Sene K. , Musahl Volker , Debski Richard E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractStatistical shape modeling was employed to assess three‐dimensional (3D) bony morphology between distal femurs and proximal tibiae of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injured knees, the contralateral uninjured knees of ACL injured subjects, and knees with no history of injury. Surface models were created by segmenting bone from bilateral computed‐tomography scans of 20 subjects of their ACL injured knees and non‐injured contralateral knees, and 20 knees of control subjects with no history of a knee injury. Correspondence particles were placed on each surface, and a principal component analysis determined modes of variation in the positions of the correspondence particles describing anatomical variation. ANOVAs assessed the statistical differences of 3D bony morphological features with main effects of injury state and sex. ACL injured knees were determined to have a more lateral femoral mechanical axis and a greater angle between the long axis and condylar axis of the femur. A smaller anterior–posterior dimension of the lateral tibial plateau was also associated with ACL injured knees. Results of this study demonstrate that there are more bony morphological features predisposing individuals for ACL injury than previously established. These bony morphological parameters may cause greater internal and valgus torques increasing stresses in the ACL. No differences were determined between the ACL injured knees and their uninjured contralateral knees demonstrating that knees of ACL injured individuals are at similar risk for injury. Further understanding of the effect of bony morphology on the risk for ACL injury could improve individualized ACL injury treatment and prevention.
Synthesis of Polyaniline Under Electrolytic Plasma on Carbon Fiber Fabric
Authors: Kunicki Lucas , Becker Daniela , Fontana Luis C. , Dalmolin Carla 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolyaniline is synthetized on carbon fiber through electrolytic plasma applied in an acid monomer solution, without an oxidant. Pulsed‐plasma carbon fiber surface treatment is performed with two 1.0 kV pulses for 1 µs with an 200 µs off period. Different treatment times and ultrasound presence, to create microbubbles that can help plasma formation, are tested. The ultrasonic bath is not effective to produce higher quantities of polymer. Furthermore, the film formed on the carbon fiber is chemically characterized through treatment in a basic solution followed by immersion in NMP, and through FT‐IR and XPS. The presence of nitrogen in the carbon fiber surface and the characteristic FT‐IR bands of delocalized electrons indicate that the electrolytic plasma treatment is efficient to synthesize polyaniline in its conducting form. Electrochemical activity is accessed by cyclic voltammetry, indicating the formation of electrodes with good reversibility and stability, thereby suitable for supercapacitor applications.
Carbon Dioxide/Nitrogen Separation Through Oxygenated Carbon Nanotubes‐Containing Polysulfone Membranes
Authors: Flores Marcelo Costa , Figueiredo Kátia Cecília de Souza 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMultiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐containing polysulfone (PSf) mixed matrix membranes (MMM) are prepared using phase inversion by immersion precipitation. MWCNT are functionalized with oxygen groups to allow the dispersion of the filler in the polymer solution. Membranes with 0, 1, 3 and 5% w/w MWCNTs in PSf are prepared. The addition of the filler changed the permeability of pure PSf. The best results are found for the 1 wt% membrane, with increase in CO2 permeability of 660% and ideal selectivity CO2/N2 of 547%. The MMM also exhibited good thermal stability for gas separation. DSC and SEM results revealed that the addition of 1wt% of the filler caused changes in chain arrangements and membrane morphology.
Development and Characterization of Pequi Oil (Caryocar coriaceum wittm.) Microparticles by Vibration Nozzle Encapsulation
Authors: Castelo Rachel Menezes , da Silva Luana Carvalho , Sousa Juliana Rabelo , Magalhães Hilton César Rodrigues , Furtado Roselayne Ferro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPequi oil has a high content of bioactive compounds identified in its composition, which gives it excellent potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Oil microencapsulation offers favorable conditions for storage and controlled release in order to maintain its functional characteristics for a longer time. In this study, vibration nozzle microencapsulation technology is applied to the production of pequi oil microparticles using sodium alginate. After encapsulation, the electrolytic complexation of the particles with chitosan is performed. The influence of frequencies (1500, 1800, 2000, 2500 Hz) on particle size and morphology is evaluated using the 120 µm nozzle. The microparticles formed at 1800 and 2000 Hz presented smaller size and greater sphericity, respectively. The formation of the electrolytic complex from alginate and chitosan is confirmed by FTIR analysis. Frequency adjustment is important for obtaining spherical and homogeneous particles. The encapsulation efficiency of pequi oil in alginate‐chitosan matrix is 96.17%. Electrolytic complexation of the alginate particles with chitosan can improve the reinforcement of the matrix and favor future application in the industry.
Synthesis of Porous Polymeric Supports with PolyHIPE Structures Based on Styrene‐Divinylbenzene Copolymers
Authors: Torquato Ezaine C. C. , Brito Ana P. N. , Trovão Roberta S. , Oliveira Mirian A. , Smith Nathália S. , Pinto Martina C. C. , Pinto José Carlos , Cipolatti Eliane P. , Freire Denise M. G. , Marques Mônica R. C. , Costa Luciana C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHigh internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) can be applied as templates for synthesis of porous polymers, which can be used in several industrial areas as catalyst supports and column fillers. For this reason, the present work evaluated the use of HIPEs for synthesis of porous poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) (P[S‐co‐DVB]) particles through suspension polymerizations. Firstly, the effects of HIPE preparation conditions (surfactant concentration, stirring speed and the duration of the stirring step) on the properties of the obtained particles are investigated. As observed experimentally, the increase of the stirring speed, of the duration of the stirring step and of the surfactant concentration led to reduction of primary cavity dimensions and to higher number of interconnecting pores. Then, the effects of reaction parameters (DVB content, presence of a porogenic agent and the holdup of the organic phase) on the properties of obtained particles are also evaluated. It is observed that the addition of heptane as porogenic agent and the increase of the organic holdup led to increase of the specific area and porosity of the produced spherical polyHIPEs beads, which can exhibit specific area of 33 m².g−1, specific volume of pores of 0.25 cm³.g−1 and large pore diameters (ranging from 100–1100 Å). Thus, it is shown that the proposed technique can be used for manufacturing of new supports for enzyme immobilization.
Evaluation of Wet Bacterial Cellulose Degradation in Different Environmental Conditions
Authors: Camargo Michely Sayumi Alves , Cercal Ana Paula , Silveira Victoria Fonseca , Mancinelli Ketlin Critine Batista , Gern Regina Maria Miranda , Garcia Michele Cristina Formolo , Apati Giannini Pasiznick , dos Santos Schneider Andrea Lima , Pezzin Ana Paula Testa 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe pollution caused by polymer waste is becoming a serious problem, because many petrochemical polymers persist in the environment and pollute it. In contrast to non‐degradable polymers, natural polymers derived from renewable sources are environment‐friendly and sustainable. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an abundant and reproducible biopolymer that is biocompatible and biodegradable and has a wide range of applications in different industrial segments. In order to evaluate the degradation behavior of BC, wet membranes are exposed to different environmental conditions. BC membranes are synthesized by Komagataeibacter hansenii and purified in NaOH solution. The degradation of the membranes are evaluated at different times in soil (SO), estuarine environment (EE), natural weathering (NW), and accelerated aging chamber (AAC). The samples are examined by visual analysis (VA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. In general, in the soil and estuary environment, degradation is more intense, facilitating the presence of microorganisms in the media that promote microbial attack. The TGA and FTIR analyses, together with a VA, allowed the kinetics of membrane degradation to occur in the following order: SO > EE > NW > AAC.
Discriminating Dietary Responses by Combining Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Data in Nutrition Intervention Studies
Authors: Burton‐Pimentel Kathryn J , Pimentel Grégory , Hughes Maria , Michielsen Charlotte CJR , Fatima Attia , Vionnet Nathalie , Afman Lydia A , Roche Helen M , Brennan Lorraine , Ibberson Mark , Vergères Guy 
Published: December 2020

ScopeCombining different “omics” data types in a single, integrated analysis may better characterize the effects of diet on human health.Methods and resultsThe performance of two data integration tools, similarity network fusion tool (SNFtool) and Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent variable approaches for “Omics” (DIABLO; MixOmics), in discriminating responses to diet and metabolic phenotypes is investigated by combining transcriptomics and metabolomics datasets from three human intervention studies: a postprandial crossover study testing dairy foods (n = 7; study 1), a postprandial challenge study comparing obese and non‐obese subjects (n = 13; study 2); and an 8‐week parallel intervention study that assessed three diets with variable lipid content on fasting parameters (n = 39; study 3). In study 1, combining datasets using SNF or DIABLO significantly improve sample classification. For studies 2 and 3, the value of SNF integration depends on the dietary groups being compared, while DIABLO discriminates samples well but does not perform better than transcriptomic data alone.ConclusionThe integration of associated “omics” datasets can help clarify the subtle signals observed in nutritional interventions. The performance of each integration tool is differently influenced by study design, size of the datasets, and sample size.
Vitamin D Rescues Pancreatic β Cell Dysfunction due to Iron Overload via Elevation of the Vitamin D Receptor and Maintenance of Ca2+ Homeostasis
Authors: Lee Yoo Jeong , Kim Gyu Hee , Park Sang Ick , Lim Joo Hyun 
Published: December 2020

ScopeAccumulating evidence indicates that micronutrients are related to metabolic diseases. However, comparatively less attention has been devoted to their influence on each other during the development of metabolic diseases. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, the effects of iron and vitamin D on pancreatic β cell functions are examined.Methods and resultsIron overload is induced in INS‐1 rat insulinoma pancreatic β cells and it is found that iron overload dramatically reduce expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Iron overload‐induced β cell dysfunction is rescued by 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) cotreatment via restoration of VDR level and the consequent maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis. Iron accumulation is also observed in the islets of 22‐month‐old C57BL/6 mice fed with a chow diet (1000 IU vitamin D3 per kg). In contrast, islet iron accumulation and hyperinsulinemia are ameliorated in mice fed with a vitamin D3‐supplemented diet (20 000 IU kg−1).ConclusionThe authors show that functional failure of β cells due to iron accumulation is rescued by 1,25(OH)2D3, and iron overload significantly reduces VDR levels in β cells. These results suggest that iron and vitamin D inversely influence pancreatic β cell function.