bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulse grazing by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can increase the phylogenetic diversity of vascular plant communities in the Fennoscandian tundra
Authors: Gibson Kate , Olofsson Johan , Mooers Arne Ø. , Monroe Melanie J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHerbivore grazing is an important determinant of plant community assemblages. Thus, it is essential to understand its impact to direct conservation efforts in regions where herbivores are managed. While the impacts of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) grazing on plant biodiversity and community composition in the Fennoscandian tundra are well studied, the impact of reindeer grazing on phylogenetic community structure is not. We used data from a multiyear quasi‐experimental study in northern Fennoscandia to analyze the effect of reindeer grazing on plant community diversity including its phylogenetic structure. Our study design used a permanent fence constructed in the 1960s and temporary fences constructed along the permanent fence to expose plant communities to three different grazing regimes: light (almost never grazed), pulse (grazed every other year), and press (chronic grazing for over 40 years). Similar to previous studies on low productivity ecosystems in this region, the species richness and evenness of plant communities with pulse and press grazing did not differ from communities with light grazing. Also consistent with previous studies in this region, we observed a transition from shrub‐dominated communities with light grazing to graminoid‐dominated communities with pulse and press grazing. Interestingly, communities with pulse, but not press, grazing were more phylogenetically dispersed than communities with light grazing. If grazing pulses can increase the phylogenetic diversity of plant communities, our result suggests changes in reindeer management allowing for pulses of grazing to increase phylogenetic diversity of plant communities.
Characterization of the spatial distribution of plateau pika burrows along an alpine grassland degradation gradient on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Qian Dawen , Li Qian , Fan Bo , Lan Yuting , Cao Guangmin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPlateau pika burrows are common feature of degraded grassland in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and serve as an important indicator of pika activity and grassland degradation. However, the current understanding of the spatial pattern changes of pika burrows and their critical thresholds across a degradation gradient in alpine grassland is deficient. In this study, we investigated and quantified changes in the spatial pattern of plateau pika burrows under typical degraded alpine shrub meadows in the northeastern QTP using an unmanned aerial vehicle and landscape pattern metrics. The degradation of the alpine shrub meadow leads to a change in landscape pattern from a two‐layered structure of alpine shrub and alpine meadow to a mosaic of alpine meadow and bare soil, with plateau pika burrows scattered throughout. Moderate degradation is the tipping point for changes in surface landscape patterns, followed by the disappearance of alpine shrub, the retreat of alpine meadows and the encroachment of bare soil, and the increasing density and size of pika burrows. The area characteristics of alpine meadows have influenced changes in the spatial pattern of pika burrow, and maintaining its proportional area is a vital measure to control the threat of pika burrows to pastures. The results of this paper provide a methodological reference and guidance for the sustainable utilization of grassland on the QTP.
Competition dynamics in long‐term propagations of Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain communities
Authors: Durão Paulo , Amicone Massimo , Perfeito Lília , Gordo Isabel 
Published: October 2021

AbstractExperimental evolution studies with microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast have been an increasingly important and powerful tool to draw long‐term inferences of how microbes interact. However, while several strains of the same species often exist in natural environments, many ecology and evolution studies in microbes are typically performed with isogenic populations of bacteria or yeast. In the present study, we firstly perform a genotypic and phenotypic characterization of two laboratory and eight natural strains of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We then propagated, in a rich resource environment, yeast communities of 2, 3, 4, and 5 strains for hundreds of generations and asked which fitness‐related phenotypes—maximum growth rate or relative competitive fitness—would better predict the outcome of a focal strain during the propagations. While the strain's growth rates would wrongly predict long‐term coexistence, pairwise competitive fitness with a focal strain qualitatively predicted the success or extinction of the focal strain by a simple multigenotype population genetics model, given the initial community composition. Interestingly, we have also measured the competitive fitness of the ancestral and evolved communities by the end of the experiment (≈370 generations) and observed frequent maladaptation to the abiotic environment in communities with more than three members. Overall, our results aid establishing pairwise competitive fitness as good qualitative measurement of long‐term community composition but also reveal a complex adaptive scenario when trying to predict the evolutionary outcome of those communities.
Local endemism and ecological generalism in the assembly of root‐colonizing fungi
Authors: Maciá‐Vicente Jose G. , Popa Flavius 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRoot‐colonizing fungi form species‐rich assemblages with key functions in principal ecosystem processes, making them prospectively important players in conservation and applied ecology. Harnessing the processes and services they drive requires a better understanding of their patterns of diversity and community structure, and how these link to function. Here, we search for possible adaptations to contrasting environmental and host conditions, indicative of participation in habitat‐specific processes. We surveyed heathland and grassland habitats across a latitudinal gradient in Western Europe, using a spatially explicit design to assess community variation at scales from centimeters, to thousands of kilometers. Root‐associated fungi assemble into strongly site‐specific communities irrespective of habitat type, shaped by environmental factors and spatial distance operating at different scales, but also by a high level of endemism, likely to be determined by local stochastic processes such as drift and dispersal limitation at short distances. Despite the high site specificity in communities, they are dominated everywhere by a core set of lineages with little preferences toward habitat conditions or host phylogeny. Our results suggest a convergent evolution across phylogenetically distant lineages toward the root‐colonizing habit, and a functional redundancy in strategies for habitat colonization and host interaction. Further efforts are needed to integrate functional trait composition in future community ecology studies of root‐colonizing fungi.
Melting and breaking characteristics of strands of high‐strength and high‐corrosion‐resistant OPGW due to DC arc discharge simulating high‐energy lightning strike
Authors: Iwata Mikimasa , Ohtaka Toshiya , Goda Yutaka , Yamagami Susumu , Kato Atsushi , Nagano Koji 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMetal strands of composite fiber‐optic ground wire (OPGW) are sometimes melted and broken by high‐energy lightning strikes. Direct current (DC) arc tests simulating the lightning strikes have thus been performed to obtain the melting and breaking characteristics of OPGW strands. J‐Power Transmission Network Co., Ltd. has developed high strength and high‐corrosion‐resistant OPGW for long‐span 500 kV overhead transmission lines crossing straits. This paper describes the melting and breaking characteristics of the OPGW strands due to DC arc discharge simulating high‐energy lightning strike. In this research, the tests were performed using two kinds of arc, one was the arc supposing summer lightning whose polarity was negative with a relatively short duration, and the other was the arc supposing winter lightning whose polarity was positive with a relatively long duration. Furthermore, the calculations regarding the melting and breaking of OPGW strands were carried out, and the calculation results showed a tendency similar to the test results.
Current detection circuit in multiple parallel connection circuit of high‐power semiconductor modules
Authors: Katoh Miyu , Nagasu Masahiro , Suzuki Sosuke , Inaba Masamitsu , Ishikawa Katsumi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe are developing current‐detection technology that directly measures the main current of a high‐power semiconductor module using the wiring inductance of the module. In a previous study, we proposed a circuit that detects current by integrating the voltage generated in the wiring inductance between the sense emitter and emitter terminals of the IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) module. In this study, we developed a total current detection scheme for parallel‐connected modules. The basic principle of this scheme is that the total current can be obtained by the total of each voltage generated on the wiring inductance of each module. It was realized by using only one integrating circuit. A challenge for this study was avoiding reflection caused by impedance mismatch. We addressed this by adding a termination resistance with the same value as the characteristic impedance.
Strategies for greening the economy in three Nordic countries
Authors: Khan Jamil , Johansson Bengt , Hildingsson Roger 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGreen economy is a concept frequently used by governments and international institutions to promote sustainable transformations of the economy. In this study, we explore how the transition towards a green economy is being conceptualised in policy terms in the three Nordic countries Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Comparing these cases, we analyse strategic policy documents on green growth, circular economy, bioeconomy, low‐carbon transitions, and sustainable development. While comprehensive national policy strategies on the green economy are lacking, the studied documents display policy approaches that reflect different aspects of a green economic transformations, such as low‐carbon developments, promotion of environmental technology sectors, and enhanced circularity. Our findings indicate the presence of a transformative Nordic model for greening the economy, in which the state plays an active role in supporting innovation and technology development, facilitating cooperation among societal actors, and securing social welfare and human wellbeing. It is underpinned by optimism about the opportunity to reconcile economic growth with sustainable development, while more radical beyond growth approaches are strikingly absent, reflecting their marginal roles in the established policy discourse of these countries. Rather, concepts such as circular economy, sharing economy, and sustainable production and consumption are highlighted as central for greening the economy.
Ultrafine CoPt3 nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen‐doped carbon nanospheres for efficient water electrolysis
Authors: Bi Junlu , Zhai Xuejun , Chi Jingqi , Wu Xueke , Chen Shaojin , Wang Xinping , Wang Lei 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRational design of nanostructures with excellent activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to realize efficient hydrogen production is essential for renewable energy development and conversion. Here, we have designed a special pyrolysis reduction method for the synthesis of CoPt3 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in N‐doped carbon nanospheres (CoPt3@NC). In this process, a facile impregnation combined with pyrolysis reduction strategy is carried out to produce well‐dispersed CoPt3 nanoparticles within the N‐doped carbon, and the resulting CoPt3@NC nanospheres with trace Pt content exhibit superior HER and OER activity to pure Pt@NC, which needs an ultralow overpotential of 65 mV and 360 mV to drive 10 mA/cm2 in 1.0 M KOH, respectively, and also with excellent long‐term durability. The excellent HER and OER activities of CoPt3@NC nanospheres are mainly ascribed to the high surface area, N‐doping, and synergistic effect between catalyst and carrier. This work provides a feasible strategy to design carbon‐based heterostructures with high catalytic activity and stable properties.
Glucose‐based carbon electrode for trace‐level detection of acetaminophen
Authors: Patil Vinoda B. , Sawkar Rakesh R. , Ilager Davalasab , Shetti Nagaraj P. , Tuwar Suresh M. , Aminabhavi Tejraj M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA highly sensitive electrochemical method for trace‐level detection of acetaminophen (AMP) was employed using glucose‐based carbon electrode (Gu/CPE) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Electrochemical properties of AMP were well suited in 0.2 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0 and peak intensity of AMP at the Gu/CPE was enhanced compared to the bare carbon paste electrode. Furthermore, the different parameters, such as pH of electrolyte, scan rate, accumulation time effects, were investigated by CV. The redox reaction of AMP was quasi‐reversible as controlled by a diffusion process with two protons and two electrons. As per DPV technique, a lower detection limit (LOD) of 3.72 × 10–8 M over a wide linearity range (0.6‐9.0 µM) was observed. The excipient study demonstrates the selectivity of the electrode toward the electrochemical detection of AMP. Furthermore, the electrode was utilized to quantify AMP in clinical and pharmaceutical samples.
Enzyme biosensor based on pH‐sensitive field‐effect transistors for assessment of total indole alkaloids content in tissue culture of Rauwolfia serpentina
Authors: Arkhypova Valentyna , Soldatkin Olexandr , Mozhylevska Lyudmyla , Konvalyuk Iryna , Kunakh Viktor , Dzyadevych Sergei 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA laboratory prototype of enzyme biosensor based on pH‐sensitive field‐effect transistors has been created to determine the total content of indole alkaloids in Rauwolfia serpentina tissue culture. Enzyme acetylcholinesterase was immobilized on the surface of pH‐sensitive field‐effect transistors using glutaraldehyde for covalent crosslinking with bovine serum albumin. The biosensor was characterized by high sensitivity to the total content of indole alkaloids (minimum limit of determination 0.5 μg/ml in the juice obtained from Rauwolfia serpentina tissue culture). The linear range of biosensor determination was from 2 to 15 μg/ml of the total content of indole alkaloids. The analysis of indole alkaloids using a biosensor is easy and fast; unlike traditional methods, no expensive equipment and special sample preparation are required for analysis. The created biosensor could be further used to control the total content of indole alkaloids in modern biotechnological and pharmaceutical processes of the production of drugs and dietary supplements.
Improvement of microbial fuel cell performance using novel kaolin earthenware membrane coated with a polybenzimidazole layer
Authors: Daud Siti Mariam , Abu Bakar Mimi Hani , Wan Daud Wan Ramli , Kim Byung Hong , Md Jahim Jamaliah , Muchtar Andanastuti , Somalu Mahendra Roa , Lee Pak Hoe , Abdul Peer Mohamed 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the most critical and expensive components in a dual‐chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) that separates the anode and cathode chambers. The novel macroporous kaolin earthenware coated with polybenzimidazole (NKE‐PBI) fabricated in this study could become an alternative to PEM membranes. Briefly, PBI powder was dissolved in dimethylacetamide. Thereafter, NKE was fabricated at different porosities (10%, 20%, and 30%) using different starch powder volumes, which acted as pore‐forming agents. The NKE‐PBI with 30 vol% starch powder content produced the highest power output of 2450 ± 25 mW m−2 (10.50 A m−2) and internal resistance of 71 ± 19 Ω under batch mode operation. The MFC–PEM reactor generated the lowest power output at the highest internal resistance of up to 1300 ± 15 mW m−2 (3.7 A m−2) and 313 ± 16 Ω, respectively. In this study, the nonselective porous NKE coated with PBI membranes improved proton conduction activity and displayed comparable power performance with that of Nafion 117 in a dual‐chambered MFC. Therefore, a porous earthenware membrane coated with a proton conductor could become a potential separator in a scaled‐up MFC system for commercialization.
Mixed mean‐field power control solution for layered networks
Authors: Chen Jiamei , Li Xinyue , Wang Yao , Li Yufeng , Wang Yupeng 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHigh‐density heterogeneous micro‐base stations are expected to be deployed in the next generation networks and they shall coexist with the existing macro‐base stations. In this article, we proposed a novel energy‐efficient power control algorithm by considering the energy consumption, interference coupling, and spatial‐temporal dynamic changes in the layered networks to support the future telecommunication users. First, the problem of power control is described as an original optimization problem and its related states and actions are defined. Then, a mixed mean‐field game (Mixed‐MFG) algorithm that combines the stochastic geometry theory and mean‐field theory is proposed to overcome the difficulties of the original problem and to optimize the power control policy. By considering the spatial‐temporal dynamics feature of the networks, we optimize the energy efficiency and reduce the coupling interference of the layered networks. The simulation results showed that the proposed Mixed‐MFG method outperforms the related methods in terms of energy efficiency utility while ensuring the quality of service.
Blocking Kallikrein 6 promotes developmental myelination
Authors: Yoon Hyesook , Triplet Erin M. , Simon Whitney L. , Choi Chan‐Il , Kleppe Laurel S. , De Vita Elena , Miller Aubry K. , Scarisbrick Isobel A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractKallikrein related peptidase 6 (Klk6) is a secreted serine protease highly expressed in oligodendrocytes and implicated in demyelinating conditions. To gain insights into the significance of Klk6 to oligodendrocyte biology, we investigated the impact of global Klk6 gene knockout on CNS developmental myelination using the spinal cord of male and female mice as a model. Results demonstrate that constitutive loss of Klk6 expression accelerates oligodendrocyte differentiation developmentally, including increases in the expression of myelin proteins such as MBP, PLP and CNPase, in the number of CC‐1+ mature oligodendrocytes, and myelin thickness by the end of the first postnatal week. Co‐ordinate elevations in the pro‐myelinating signaling pathways ERK and AKT, expression of fatty acid 2‐hydroxylase, and myelin regulatory transcription factor were also observed in the spinal cord of 7d Klk6 knockouts. LC/MS/MS quantification of spinal cord lipids showed sphingosine and sphingomyelins to be elevated in Klk6 knockouts at the peak of myelination. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs)‐derived from Klk6 knockouts, or wild type OPCs‐treated with a Klk6 inhibitor (DFKZ‐251), also showed increased MBP and PLP. Moreover, inhibition of Klk6 in OPC cultures enhanced brain derived neurotrophic factor‐driven differentiation. Altogether, these findings suggest that oligodendrocyte‐derived Klk6 may operate as an autocrine or paracrine rheostat, or brake, on pro‐myelinating signaling serving to regulate myelin homeostasis developmentally and in the adult. These findings document for the first time that inhibition of Klk6 globally, or specifically in oligodendrocyte progenitors, is a strategy to increase early stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin production in the CNS.
Playing remotely in times of crisis: A program to overcome social isolation
Authors: Brandão Lenisa , Bauer Magda Aline , Haas Aline Nogueira , Silveira Raquel da Silva , Alves Camila Pereira , Souza Daiana Neri de , Beber Bárbara Costa , Oliveira Walter Ferreira de 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to examine the feasibility of an intergenerational remote intervention program designed to promote the wellbeing and social connection of vulnerable older adults, mainly people with aphasia and dementia during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the south of Brazil. Undergraduate students were guided to lead weekly sessions of clowning, storytelling, dancing, and cooking‐related activities for 3 months (from November/2020 to February/2021).MethodThe mixed‐method design of the study addresses the implementation and feasibility of the program. Data analysis considered both quantitative—number of individuals who accepted the invitation to participate, voluntary dropouts, attendance—and qualitative data—participative observation and thematic analysis of evaluative conversations. An inclusive group of 34 older adults with stroke‐induced cognitive impairments, dementia and individuals without any neurological conditions enrolled in the program based on social and racial equity principles. Feasibility and acceptability were addressed in terms of recruitment, implementation, remote evaluation, delivery of remote intervention, adherence, and attendance. Activities and participants' perceptions are described.ResultsThe initial period of the program achieved 83.7% of adherence and sustainability for additional 3 months. Preliminary results suggest feasibility and acceptability, considering formal and informal support in digital inclusion. Participatory observations describe that the structure of sessions and activities were well received. The analysis of participants' perceptions detects the thematic saliency of feelings of social connection and a sense of having learned with the group.ConclusionsPreliminary results of this study demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the program, pointing to its potential mental health benefits.