bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on the equivalent complex impedance of multiparameter 2 × n LC network
Authors: Luo LiJin , Luo FengHua 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe multiparameter 2 × n LC complex impedance network is one of the difficult problems of the resistor network problem. In this study, the equivalent complex impedance problem of the four‐parameter 2 × n LC network model has been considered, where the network model contains four arbitrary L and C parameters. Our study involves four main steps: Firstly, a general difference equation model with current parameters has been established by utilizing Kirchhoff's law. Secondly, the general solution of the difference equation model has been obtained by matrix transformation. Thirdly, a matrix equation with boundary current parameters has been established, and the special solution of the boundary current has been obtained by substituting the general solution in the previous step. Finally, based on Ohm's law, the equivalent complex impedance formula has been obtained by using the special solution of the boundary current. The analysis of the derived equivalent complex impedances, Zab(n) and Zac(n), shows that they have different characteristics in different frequency ranges, and their variation is related to the mesh number n. The results of this study offer a theoretical basis for the related applied research.
Influence of deep‐freezing and MGG staining on DNA and RNA quality in different types of lung adenocarcinoma cytological smears
Authors: Harabajsa Suzana , Begić Valerija , Gršković Paula , Šimić Vesna , Branica Božica Vrabec , Badovinac Sonja , Smojver‐Ježek Silvana , Korać Petra 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundPreserving the optimal quality of DNA and RNA is mandatory for molecular testing in lung adenocarcinoma cytological smears (LACSs).MethodsDNA and RNA were isolated from 90 frozen unstained and 46 May Grünwald Giemsa (MGG) stained LACSs prepared from bronchial washing (BW), bronchial brushing (BB), and pleural effusion (PE) samples during 3 years. Concentrations of nucleic acids in all LACSs were assessed by spectrophotometric analysis. Fragmentation of DNA and RNA was determined by PCR amplification of selected genes. Amplicons of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 bp were used for DNA and 108 bp‐long HPRT1 transcript fragment for RNA fragmentation analysis.ResultsAmong 90 frozen LACSs, significantly lower DNA concentrations of BB and RNA concentrations of BW samples frozen for 6–10 months were observed in comparison with samples frozen for longer periods (p < .05). Among 46 paired LACSs, 44 (95.7%) frozen and 15 (32.6%) MGG‐stained samples showed 600 bp‐long DNA amplicons. Statistically significant difference (p < .05) in the fragmentation of DNA between frozen and MGG‐stained LACSs was observed (p < .05), with DNA being less fragmented in frozen LACSs. In addition, 33 (71.7%) frozen and 36 (78.2%) MGG‐stained LASCs showed HPRT1 gene amplicon of 108 bp. RNA was less fragmented in 3‐year old MGG‐stained samples than in LACSs frozen for 3 years.ConclusionDNA and RNA extracted from frozen and MGG‐stained LACSs showed different results depending on the time of storage and/or type of samples, but in general all samples had adequate quantity and quality for downstream molecular testing.
Urbanization alters interactions between Darwin's finches and Tribulus cistoides on the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Rivkin L. Ruth , Johnson Reagan A. , Chaves Jaime A. , Johnson Marc T. J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that humans shape the ecology and evolution of species interactions. Islands are particularly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance due to the fragility of their ecosystems; however, we know little about the susceptibility of species interactions to urbanization on islands. To address this gap, we studied how the earliest stages of urban development affect interactions between Darwin's finches and its key food resource, Tribulus cistoides, in three towns on the Galápagos Islands. We measured variation in mericarp predation rates, mericarp morphology, and finch community composition using population surveys, experimental manipulations, and finch observations conducted in habitats within and outside of each town. We found that both seed and mericarp removal rates were higher in towns than natural habitats. We also found that selection on mericarp size and defense differed between habitats in the survey and experimental populations and that towns supported smaller and less diverse finch communities than natural habitats. Together, our results suggest that even moderate levels of urbanization can alter ecological interactions between Darwin's finches and T. cistoides, leading to modified natural selection on T. cistoides populations. Our study demonstrates that trophic interactions on islands may be susceptible to the anthropogenic disturbance associated with urbanization. Despite containing the highest diversity in the world, studies of urbanization are lacking from the tropics. Our study identified signatures of urbanization on species interactions in a tropical island ecosystem and suggests that changes to the ecology of species interactions has the potential to alter evolution in urban environments.
Genetic variation and reproductive patterns in wetland mosses suggest efficient initial colonization of disturbed sites
Authors: Hedenäs Lars , Hylander Kristoffer , Lönnell Niklas , Bisang Irene 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTo understand colonization processes, it is critical to fully assess the role of dispersal in shaping biogeographical patterns at the gene, individual, population, and community levels. We test two alternative hypotheses (H I and H II) for the colonization of disturbed sites by clonal plants, by analyzing intraspecific genetic variation in one and reproductive traits in two typical fen mosses with separate sexes and intermittent spore dispersal, comparing disturbed, early‐succession (limed) fens and late‐successional rich fens. H I suggests initial colonization of disturbed sites by diverse genotypes of which fewer remain in late‐successional fens and an initially balanced sex ratio that develops into a possibly skewed population sex ratio. H II suggests initial colonization by few genotypes and gradual accumulation of additional genotypes and an initially skewed sex ratio that alters into the species‐specific sex ratio, during succession. Under both scenarios, we expect enhanced sexual reproduction in late‐successional fens due to resource gains and decreased intermate distances when clones expand. We show that the intraspecific genetic diversity, assessed by two molecular markers, in Scorpidium cossonii was higher and the genetic variation among sites was smaller in disturbed than late‐successional rich fens. Sex ratio was balanced in S. cossonii and Campylium stellatum in disturbed fens and skewed in C. stellatum in late‐successional fens, thus supporting H I. In line with our prediction, sex expression incidence was higher in, and sporophytes were confined to, late‐succession compared to disturbed rich fens. Late‐successional S. cossonii sites had more within‐site patches with two or more genotypes, and both species displayed higher sex expression levels in late‐successional than in disturbed sites. We conclude that diverse genotypes and both sexes disperse efficiently to, and successfully colonize new sites, while patterns of genetic variation and sexual reproduction in late‐successional rich fens are gradually shaped by local conditions and interactions over extended time periods.
Quantifying moss moisture stresses in undrained, afforested and rewetted peatlands located in Republic of Ireland using laboratory measurements and computer modelling
Authors: Tilak Amey S. , Byrne Kenneth A. , Jovani‐Sancho A. Jonay , Saunders Matthew , Hoyne Seamus 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis study utilized site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties (inverse of air‐entry pressure, α; pore size distribution index, n; saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks; and pore tortuosity, L) as inputs into the HYDRUS 1‐D computer model for quantifying moss moisture stresses on Irish peatlands. The site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties computed using pedotransfer functions obtained from laboratory measured bulk density (BD) and % organic matter (OM). The peat samples obtained from undrained sites (Scohaboy, Pollagoona and Lough Ghe), three afforested sites (S18, S28 and S44) and rewetted sites (Scohaboy and Pollagoona). The moss moisture stresses quantified using a known ecohydrological threshold of −100 cm. The site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties, four initial WTDs (3, 8, 20 and 30 cm) and two distinct precipitation regimes (single and consecutive 4 years having severely dry [SD], extremely dry [ED], near normal [NN], very wet [VW] and extremely wet [EW] periods) were inputs into HYDRUS 1‐D model. The modelling results showed that none of the peatland sites ever reached −100 cm threshold in single year simulations at all initial WTDs. However, in the consecutive 4‐year simulations, Scohaboy, Pollagoona and Lough Ghe undrained, S28 afforested and Pollagoona rewetted sites first reached −100 cm threshold on 516, 508, 624, 1329 and 517 day, respectively. In the consecutive 4‐year simulations, undrained Scohaboy, Pollagoona, Lough Ghe, S28 afforested and Pollagoona rewetted reached −100 cm threshold in ED and SD years. We concluded that moss recolonization is likely to be successfully on peatlands having minimal to no −100 cm threshold days.
A Phosphonate Substituent in a 1,10‐Phenanthroline Ligand Boosts Light‐Driven Catalytic Water Oxidation Performance Sensitized by Ruthenium Chromophores
Authors: Amthor Sebastian , Keil Philip , Nauroozi Djawed , Perleth Daniel , Rau Sven 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA series of new Ruthenium(II) complexes based on the (1,10‐phenanthrolin‐5‐yl)diethyl phosphonate ligand L2 and their corresponding phosphonic acid along with reference compounds are synthesized in order to evaluate the influence of the phosphonate substitution on the catalytic performance of such molecules. UV‐vis absorption and emission spectroscopy show, that introduction of a phosphonate moiety into the periphery of the phenanthroline ligand does not alter the photophysical properties of the complex. In contrast, the electrochemical features of all compounds are affected upon respective functionalization compared to the reference molecule [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 in aqueous medium. Photostability tests in water or in water/persulfate show a dependency of the stability towards photodecomposition on quenching efficiency with persulfate anion. The lower quenching efficiency thus leads to increased stability based on the negative charge of the phosphonate moiety in 2 and P1 in aqueous medium following a quenching efficiency trend of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2>1>2>P1. Photocatalytic water oxidation using [Ru(dpp)(pic)2](PF6)2 reveals that compound 1 and [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 doe not exhibit any activity under the utilized conditions, P1 shows a negligible TON of 7, whereas compound 2 reaches a TON of 140 after 1 h. This fact highlights that the redox potential is not the sole driver in the catalytic cycle and accentuates the importance of different criteria determining the suitability of photosensitizers in light‐driven water oxidation, such as light absorption, redox potential of the RuIII/RuII event, photostability towards and quenching efficiency with the sacrificial agent.
Continuous Flow Synthesis of Sulfur‐ and Selenium−NHC Compounds (NHC=N‐Heterocyclic Carbene)
Authors: Cauwenbergh Thibault , Scattolin Thomas , Simoens Andreas , Tzouras Nikolaos V. , Stevens Christian V. , Nolan Steven P. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe first continuous flow syntheses of sulfur‐ and selenium−NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) adducts in unprecedented short reaction times and high yields are reported. The importance of these species in coordination chemistry or as efficient tools for determining the π‐acceptor character of NHC ligands make any improvement in their synthesis a worthy goal. Thiourea derivatives bearing both saturated and unsaturated NHCs were obtained using NEt3 as a weak base (homogeneous setup) in conjunction with a bed of elemental sulfur (S8). The synthetic route proving optimal for selenoureas involves the use of a simple Se/K2CO3 heterogeneous microreactor design.
Phenomenological hysteretic model for superelastic NiTi shape memory alloys accounting for functional degradation
Authors: Lee Chang Seok , Jeon Jong‐Su 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis study presents a simple hysteretic model to reproduce the stress–strain relationship of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs). The proposed model explicitly includes the functional degradation of SMAs, which has been ignored in earthquake engineering applications. This effect causes a reduction in the transformation stress and accumulation of residual strain. Because SMA devices are mainly used for seismic retrofit and account for a small portion of the structural system, their numerical model should not increase the computational time needed to perform nonlinear dynamic analyses. Computational efficiency can be achieved by representing their stress–strain response in a phenomenological way. Additionally, practitioners who may not have a professional background in materials science can easily manipulate the proposed model for the appropriate reproduction of model parameters such as transformation stress and residual strain. The ability to properly reproduce the experimental stress–strain response is validated for the test results of 65 NiTi SMA specimens. The amount of forward and reverse transformation stress degradation and the amount of residual strain accumulation per cycle, which are observed in the experimental results, are captured with reasonable accuracy in the proposed model. Additionally, the response of SMA braces in a four‐story steel moment frame is modeled using the proposed model to examine the residual story drift of the SMA braced frame under a set of ground motions. At higher intensity levels, the functional degradation of SMA braces increased the residual story drift up to 60% in comparison to the SMA‐braced model without functional degradation.
The effect of patient perceived involvement on patient loyalty in primary care: The mediating role of patient satisfaction and the moderating role of the family doctor contract service
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Qian , Li Xinru , Shao Weiya , Ma Jingyu , Zhang Ruijie , Zhou Angdi , Li Jinghua 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe Chinese government has taken many incentives to promote the implementation of the family doctor (FD) contract service; however, whether primary health care providers establishing a strong relationship with patients that shapes their loyalty is still unknown. Under this circumstance, drawing the public attention to patient loyalty in primary care and clarifying the underlying mechanism of loyalty is imperative to the development of primary care.ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of patient perceived involvement on patient loyalty in primary care, investigate the mediating role of patient satisfaction, and explore the moderating role of the FD contract service on the relationship between patient perceived involvement and patient loyalty.MethodsA cross‐sectional questionnaire survey of patients in primary health facilities was conducted in Jilin province of China. Participants comprised 1334 patients selected via a multi‐stage sampling method.ResultsPatient perceived involvement not only had a direct positive impact on patient loyalty but also had an indirect effect on patient loyalty via patient satisfaction. Furthermore, for patients who contracted with FDs, patient perceived involvement had a higher direct effect and indirect effect on patient loyalty when compared with patients who did not contract with FDs.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that health managers should encourage patients to participate in medical visits to improve patient satisfaction. Additionally, customised and tailored health services that meet individuals' specific needs and preferences should be designed and implemented to attract more patients to contract the FD contract service.
Topographically moderated soil water seasons impact vegetation dynamics in semiarid mountain catchments: Illustrations from the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed, Idaho, USA
Authors: Poulos Michael J. , Smith Toni J. , Benner Shawn G. , Pierce Jennifer L. , Flores Alejandro N. , Seyfried Mark S. , McNamara James P. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWater stored in soils, in part, controls vegetation productivity and the duration of growing seasons in wildland ecosystems. Soil water is the dynamic product of precipitation, evapotranspiration and soil properties, all of which vary across complex terrain making it challenging to decipher the specific controls that soil water has on growing season dynamics. We assess how soil water use by plants varies across elevations and aspects in the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed in southwest Idaho, USA, a mountainous, semiarid catchment that spans low elevation rain to high elevation snow regimes. We compare trends in soil water and soil temperature with corresponding trends in insolation, precipitation and vegetation productivity, and we observe trends in the timing, rate and duration of soil water extraction by plants across ranges in elevation and aspect. The initiation of growth‐supporting conditions, indicated by soil warming, occurs 58 days earlier at lower, compared with higher, elevations. However, growth‐supporting conditions also end earlier at lower elevations due to the onset of soil water depletion 29 days earlier than at higher elevations. A corresponding shift in peak NDVI timing occurs 61 days earlier at lower elevations. Differences in timing also occur with aspect, with most threshold timings varying by 14–30 days for paired north‐ and south‐facing sites at similar elevations. While net primary productivity nearly doubles at higher elevations, the duration of the warm‐wet period of active water use does not vary systematically with elevation. Instead, the greater ecosystem productivity is related to increased soil water storage capacity, which supports faster soil water use and growth rates near the summer solstice and peak insolation. Larger soil water storage does not appear to extend the duration of the growing season, but rather supports higher growing season intensity when wet‐warm soil conditions align with high insolation. These observations highlight the influence of soil water storage capacity in dictating ecological function in these semiarid steppe climatic regimes.
Novel induced charge electrokinetic based microfluidic design for trapping of micro and nanoparticles: Numerical simulation approach
Authors: Salimian Rizi Farideh , Talebi Shahram , Mohammadi Mehdi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractICEK phenomena have recently been used for separating particles. The most critical issue in separating the nanoparticles (e.g., exosome, viruses, or bacteria) in complex biofluids is implementing a two‐step procedure (I) trapping the larger particles (e.g., red blood cells) from the blood and (II) trapping the nanoparticles. The purpose of this paper is to propose a design framework for the separation of considered particles in one chip. The model considered evaluating the feasibility of two‐step micro and nanoparticle separations, for instance, exosome (30–120 nm) from red blood cells (5–7 μm) or other cells in biological samples. A low voltage direct current (DC) electric field is used to generate vortices around the obstacles to trap microparticles (e.g., red blood cells) and nanoparticles (e.g., exosome) before the first and second obstacles, respectively. The achieved results demonstrated that the generated vortices are adequately strong to trap both micro and nanoparticles. This chip has several advantages, consisting of low voltage requirement and easy to manufacture design.
Competition and slack: The role of tariffs on cost stickiness
Authors: Zhang Rengong (Alex) , Hora Manpreet , John Sarin , Wier Heather A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSlack exists when entities hold resources in excess of those required to support current operations. “Sticky” spending is a specific type of slack spending that occurs when a firm reduces spending by less when sales fall than it increases spending when sales rise by an equivalent amount. Changes in a firm's environment affect its propensity to engage in sticky spending. We examine how competition influences sticky spending, positing two hypotheses. First, we hypothesize that competition will be positively associated with firms' investment in sticky spending both for cost of goods manufactured (COGM) and selling, general, and administrative (SG&A). Second, we hypothesize that competition moderates the relation between sticky spending and firm performance. Utilizing variations of tariff rates as exogenous shocks to reflect competition, we measure sticky spending in the firm's COGM and SG&A spending. To empirically verify our hypotheses, we draw data from three different sources, industry‐level tariff data, Compustat, and the Hoberg–Phillips data library, for firms in the manufacturing sector from 1974 through 2017. Our regression analyses confirm that managers maintain more stickiness in spending as competition increases. The market's assessment of firm performance (as measured by Tobin's Q) is largely positively associated with sticky spending as competition increases. This expectation of higher performance is evidenced by immediate improvements in the firm's return on assets (ROA) when we consider COGM spending, but not when we consider SG&A spending.
Trends and socioeconomic factors associated with overweight/obesity among three reproductive age groups of women in Nepal
Authors: Shariful Islam Md. , Ola Oluwadara , Alaboson Joan , Dadzie Jeffrey , Hasan Md. , Islam Nazmul , Mainali Shristi , Saif‐Ur‐Rahman KM 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionOverweight/obesity represents a major and increasing burden in Nepal where women in reproductive‐aged groups are highly affected. We aimed to explore the trends and association of overweight by socioeconomic position among the different reproductive‐aged women in Nepal.MethodsWe used datasets from five nationally representative surveys, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 1996 and 2016. A sample of 33,503 nonpregnant women aged 15–49 was included. Markers of socioeconomic position were education level, occupation, and household wealth. Descriptive analysis, crude and adjusted prevalence trends, and multiple logistic regression models were carried out.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight/obesity increased fivefold (7.5–35.2%) among women of reproductive age between 1996 and 2016 in Nepal. The prevalence increase of overweight was higher among women aged 25 to < 35 and 35–49. The overweight prevalence increased from 5.2% to 42.3% among women involved in manual work. Women aged 35–49 from the richest households were more likely overweight (adjusted odds ratio 5.68; 95% CI 4.62–6.99). Women with higher education had higher body weight irrespective of reproductive age.ConclusionIn Nepal, women aged 35–49 from the richest households and women with higher education were the highest risk groups for being overweight in Nepal. To improve the situation of overweight in Nepal, strategies prioritizing the vulnerable groups should be incorporated into the National Nutrition Policy and Strategies.
A Research Note on Laterality and Lineality in Austronesian Relationship Terminologies
Authors: Fox James J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis research note identifies seven patterns of laterality and/or lineality that occur in the 1st ascending generation of Austronesian relationship terminologies. It lists, in relation to these patterns, some of the main Austronesian societies that possess each of these patterns. This brief note forms part of a larger ongoing comparative research analysis of Austronesian kinship.