bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Vapor Intrusion Risk from Ethylene Dibromide Using the Vertical Screening Distance Approach
Authors: Kolhatkar Ravi V. , Luo Hong (Emma) , Berns Erin C. , Gaule Christopher , Watterson Joe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractVapor intrusion (VI) occurs when volatile contaminants in the subsurface migrate through the vadose zone into overlying buildings. The 2015 U.S. EPA petroleum VI guidance recommends that additional investigation of the VI risk from gasoline hydrocarbons at the underground storage tank (UST) sites is not necessary where the vertical distance between a building and a vapor source exceeds a recommended vertical screening distance. However, due to the lack of soil‐gas data on the attenuation of ethylene dibromide (EDB), additional VI investigations to evaluate VI risk from EDB are recommended at UST sites with leaded gasoline releases containing EDB. We analyzed soil‐gas and groundwater concentrations of EDB from eight petroleum UST sites using a new analytical method with soil‐gas detection limit <0.16 μg/m3 EDB (VI screening level at the 10−6 risk level). The analysis included (1) assessing the frequency of EDB detections ≤0.16 μg/m3 at various vertical separation distances and (2) predicting vertical screening distances for EDB using the U.S. EPA PVIScreen model for different soil types in the vadose zone above dissolved‐phase and LNAPL sources. Ranges of estimated aerobic biodegradation rate constants for EDB, air exchange rates for residential buildings, and source vapor concentrations for other constituents were combined with conservative estimates of EDB source concentrations as model inputs. Concentrations of EDB in soil‐gas indicated that the U.S. EPA recommended vertical screening distances are protective of VI risk from EDB. Conversely, vertical screening distances predicted by modeling were >6 ft (1.8 m) for sites with sand and loam soil above dissolved phase sources and >15 ft (4.6 m) for sites with sand soil above LNAPL sources. This predicted dependence on the vapor source type and soil type in the vadose zone highlights the importance of soil characterization for VI screening at sites with EDB sources.
Climate and land‐use change drive habitat loss in a mountain bird species
Authors: Fumy Florian , Fartmann Thomas 
Published: March 2021

Mountain areas still feature remnants of traditional land use and consequently constitute a large proportion of the remaining species‐rich habitats in Central Europe. However, their biodiversity is increasingly threatened by changes in climate and land use. The Alpine Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus alpestris is a typical mountain bird that has recently declined in most of its breeding range. In this study we compared the historical (1986–1987) and recent (2017) distribution of breeding Ring Ouzels in 62 randomly selected 750 × 750 ‐m plots and analysed local colonization and extinction patterns in 558 subunits (= ‘grid cells’) in the southern Black Forest (south‐western Germany). Our study revealed that habitat occupancy has decreased by about one‐third, mainly at lower elevations and in depressed landforms, during the past three decades. Local colonization amounted to 25% and extinction to 66% of the previously vacant or occupied grid cells, respectively. Habitat occupancy and local colonization and extinction were driven by climate and habitat parameters. The Ring Ouzel preferred convex landscape formations such as mountain peaks and ridges with long snow‐cover duration for breeding. Sites with high proportions of deciduous forest and abandoned pasture were avoided. Local colonization was higher at convex landscape formations and by high coniferous forest coverage and forest‐edge length. Local extinction, on the other hand, was lower at convex landscape formations and high‐elevation sites. Our results suggest that shorter persistence of snow fields caused by climate change and degradation of feeding grounds through land‐use abandonment might severely deteriorate food availability for the species, which is likely to have contributed to the observed decline. For conservation of the Alpine Ring Ouzel, we recommend adopting measures to mitigate the negative effects of climate warming and improve habitat quality. The creation of small‐scale mosaics of sparse conifer forests and regularly grazed pastures, especially on north‐ and east‐facing slopes on the lee sides of hills, mountain peaks or ridges, should be supported.
Investigation of the molecular signature of greying hair shafts
Authors: Vyumvuhore Raoul , Verzeaux Laurie , Gilardeau Sophie , Bordes Sylvie , Aymard Elodie , Manfait Michel , Closs Brigitte 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveHair greying (i.e. canitie) is a physiological process occurring with the loss of melanin production and deposition within the hair shafts. Many studies reported the oxidation as the main biological process underlying this defect of pigmentation. Even though the overall appearance and biomechanical properties of hairs are reported to be altered with greying, there is a lack of information about molecular modifications occurring in grey hair shafts.The aim of this study was thus to investigate the molecular signature and associated changes occurring in greying hair shafts by confocal Raman microspectroscopy.MethodsThis study was conducted on pigmented, intermediate (i.e. grey) and unpigmented hairs taken from 29 volunteers. Confocal Raman microspectroscopy measurements were acquired directly on hair shafts.ResultsAutomatic classification of Raman spectra revealed 5 groups displaying significant differences. Hence, the analysis of the molecular signature highlighted the existence of 3 sub‐groups within grey hair: light, medium and dark intermediate. Among molecular markers altered in the course of greying, this study identified for the first time a gradual modification of lipid conformation (trans/gauche ratio) and protein secondary structure (α‐helix/β‐sheet ratio), referring respectively to an alteration of barrier function and biomechanical properties of greying hair.ConclusionThis study thus reports for the first time a highly specific molecular signature as well as molecular modifications within grey hair shaft.
THE WELL‐BEING OF NATIONS: ESTIMATING WELFARE FROM INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , Lee Seung Hoon , Lin Jeffrey 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe limitations of GDP as a measure of welfare are well known. We propose a new method of estimating the well‐being of nations. Using gross bilateral international migration flows and a discrete choice model in which everyone in the world chooses a country in which to live, we estimate each country's overall quality of life. Our estimates, by relying on revealed preference, complement previous estimates of well‐being that consider only income or a small number of factors, or rely on structural assumptions about how these factors contribute to well‐being.
Caring for cancer patients during COVID‐19 global pandemic: Risk factors and precautionary principle
Authors: Yashavantha Rao H. C. , Siddeeqh Salman , Taqui Syed Noeman 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current global pandemic COVID‐19 challenges oncologists to reorganise cancer care in order to strikingly reduce hospital visits and admissions. Cancer patients are more susceptible to infections and likely to get severe consequences compared with other patients. Health‐care facility services are quickly changing their systems and workflow in response to the global pandemic COVID‐19 crisis. These alterations mitigate infection risks and give profound effects on crucial aspects of care, including patients with cancer. Here, we discuss the current situations and a roadmap for cancer care during the COVID‐19 crisis. In the prevalence of global cancer and higher transmission of pandemic COVID‐19, there is an urgent need to realise the effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and their related life‐threatening outcomes specifically for cancer patients.
Improved transient silencing of gene expression in the mosquito female Aedes aegypti
Authors: McFarlane M. , Laureti M. , Levée T. , Terry S. , Kohl A. , Pondeville E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGene silencing using RNA interference (RNAi) has become a widely used genetic technique to study gene function in many organisms. In insects, this technique is often applied through the delivery of dsRNA. In the adult female Aedes aegypti, a main vector of human‐infecting arboviruses, efficiency of gene silencing following dsRNA injection varies greatly according to targeted genes. Difficult knockdowns using dsRNA can thus hamper gene function analysis. Here, by analysing silencing of three different genes in female Ae. aegypti (p400, ago2 and E75), we show that gene silencing can indeed be dsRNA sequence dependent but different efficiencies do not correlate with dsRNA length. Our findings suggest that silencing is likely also gene dependent, probably due to gene‐specific tissue expression and/or feedback mechanisms. We demonstrate that use of high doses of dsRNA can improve knockdown efficiency, and injection of a transfection reagent along with dsRNA reduces the variability in efficiency between replicates. Finally, we show that gene silencing cannot be achieved using siRNA injection in Ae. aegypti adult females. Overall, this work should help future gene function analyses using RNAi in adult females Ae. aegypti, leading toward a better understanding of physiological and infectious processes.
Dynamic production and pricing decisions in the presence of the snob effect
Authors: Sogo Keita , Matsubayashi Nobuo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study analyzes the production and pricing strategy of a monopoly firm in the presence of the snob effect, whereby consumers value a product more when its availability is lower. Real‐world firms often intentionally cause the snob effect by strategically reducing supply quantities or even causing shortages. This observation suggests the existence of a trade‐off between utilizing the snob effect and avoiding opportunity costs. We consider a general multiperiod model in which a monopoly firm determines the dynamic paths of price and sales quantity; although consumers are not forward looking, they evaluate past stockouts with a discount factor. We find that the optimal dynamic paths of the price and output level vary depending on the degree of consumer sensitivity to stockouts, the consumer's discount factor on past shortage, and the firm's discount factor on future profit. Nevertheless, the total profit monotonically increases with the degree of consumer sensitivity to stockouts.
Molecular dynamics study on the co‐doping effect of Al2O3 and fluorine to reduce Rayleigh scattering of silica glass
Authors: Urata Shingo , Nakamura Nobuhiro , Tada Tomofumi , Hosono Hideo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFurther attenuation of Rayleigh scattering of silica glass is required to extend the capacity of long‐distance optical fiber communication. To theoretically examine the effect of aluminum and fluorine co‐doping on the density fluctuations of silica glass, which is related to Rayleigh scattering, a set of force‐matching potentials (FMP) for simulating F‐doped aluminosilicates was developed using Bayesian optimization based on density functional theory calculations. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the new FMP could evaluate the densities of silica glasses to which a small amount of fluorine was doped and those of aluminosilicate glasses with a wide range of aluminum contents within reasonable accuracy. The FMP successfully represents the changing role of aluminum from a network former without a compensating cation (threefold coordination) to that with a compensating cation and a charge compensator in the aluminosilicates. Indeed, relative concentrations of four, five, and sixfold‐coordinated aluminum observed by NMR measurements were reproduced better than the original Teter potential at a high aluminum content. At an aluminum content lower than 1 mol%, threefold‐coordinated aluminum was observed, which is consistent with ESR measurements. After careful validations of the FMP, the effect of the co‐doping of alumina and fluorine on the density fluctuations of silica glass was computationally examined. Consequently, it was expected that the co‐doping might not sufficiently attenuate the Rayleigh scattering, even though 1 wt% fluorine would be able to reduce the density fluctuations of aluminosilicate glasses for some extent. This is because more alumina‐doping increases density fluctuations of silica glass if the drawing temperature and procedure are the same with those for silica glass fiber. Thereby, a possible fabrication process to sufficiently attenuate the Rayleigh scattering of the F‐doped aluminosilicate glass was proposed, according to the density fluctuation analysis at high temperature.
Europium‐doped barium chloride storage phosphor plate synthesized by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Bond Charles W. , Jin Yu , McDearman John C. , Howansky Adrian F. , Leonard Russell L. , Lubinsky Anthony R. , Petford‐Long Amanda K. , Johnson Jacqueline A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn computed radiography, scattering of the stimulation light by the storage phosphor crystals in the imaging plates negatively impacts spatial resolution. Storage phosphor plates with thinner phosphor layers have been developed to reduce scattering distance and increase spatial resolution, although at the expense of reduced x‐ray absorption. The authors hypothesize that a transparent or translucent nanostructured film, containing a much higher percentage of storage phosphor crystals than achievable in bulk glass‐ceramic materials made by conventional methods, may have acceptable photostimulated luminescence efficiency and imaging performance characteristics greater than commercial imaging plates. Films were produced via pulsed laser deposition by alternating target materials of the storage phosphor BaCl2:Eu2+ and either silica or silicon. X‐ray diffraction and photoluminescence characterization were conducted to confirm the presence of BaCl2:Eu2+ crystallites. The films were able to store optical data and be read out to produce x‐ray radiographs demonstrating 50‐µm spatial resolution. The performance of the experimental storage phosphor plates was compared to commercially available imaging plates. The authors demonstrate for the first time the synthesis of a glass‐ceramic imaging plate for computed radiography by pulsed laser deposition.
Behavioural response to songs between genetically diverged allopatric populations of Darwin’s small tree finch in the Galápagos
Authors: Colombelli‐Négrel Diane , Kleindorfer Sonia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEmpirical data that identify contemporary mechanisms of divergence shed light on how species could multiply. In this study, we measured population genetic structure, song syllable diversity and response to simulated intruder song in Darwin's small tree finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) on Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands, Galápagos archipelago. Our aim was to test whether the magnitude of contemporary behavioural response in resident birds was consistent with patterns of genetic or cultural differences between populations. We analysed genetic structure and the occurrence of song syllable types, and experimentally measured the response of resident birds to intruder bird song from different geographical origin (i.e., island) or syllable type. We discovered a weak signal of population genetic structure between Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands. Although some song syllables occurred on both islands, others were unique to each island; Santa Cruz Island males used more unique syllables than Floreana Island males. Both Santa Cruz and Floreana resident males discriminated their response towards a simulated intruder song based on the geographical origin of the intruder song, but not on the syllable type sung by the intruder. We conclude that the populations are diverging in genetic and cultural traits and identified a signal of contemporary behavioural response that could maintain divergence upon secondary contact.
Hybridization, ecogeographical displacement and the emergence of new lineages – A genotyping‐by‐sequencing and ecological niche and species distribution modelling study ofSempervivum tectorumL. (Houseleek)
Authors: Fabritzek Armin G. , Griebeler Eva Maria , Kadereit Joachim W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEcogeographical displacement of homoploid hybrid lineages from their parents is well documented and considered an important mechanism to achieve reproductive isolation. In this study, we investigated the origin of the flowering plant speciesSempervivum tectorumin the Massif Central (France) through homoploid hybridization between lineages of the species from the Rhine Gorge area (Germany) and the Pyrenees (France). We used genotyping‐by‐sequencing genetic data as evidence for the hybrid origin of the Massif Central lineage, and WorldClim climatic data and soil pH and soil temperature data collected by us for ecological niche and species distribution modelling. We could show that the Massif Central lineage shows hybrid admixture and that the niche of this lineage is significantly different from those of the parental lineages. In comparison with the parental niches, different variables of the niche of the hybrid lineage are intermediate, parental‐combined or extreme. The different niche of the Massif Central populations thus can plausibly be interpreted as hybridization‐derived. Our species distribution modelling for the Last Glacial Maximum and Mid‐Holocene showed that the potential distribution of the hybrid lineage at the likely time of its origin in the Quaternary possibly was parapatric in relation to the largely sympatric distributions of the parental lineages. We hypothesize that reproductive isolation of the hybrid lineage from the parental lineages resulted from the segregation of distribution ranges by a differential response of the three lineages to a warming climate.
Taxonomic revision and redescription of Microphysogobio hsinglungshanensis, the type species of MicrophysogobioMori, 1934 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Sun Zhi‐Xian , Kawase Seigo , Zhang Rui , Zhao Ya‐Hui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe genus Microphysogobio was established by Mori [Mori, T. (1934). The fresh water fishes of Jehol. In Report of the first scientific expedition to Manchoukuo. 1: pp. 1–61] based on a single specimen (Microphysogobio hsinglungshanensis) collected in the Luanhe River basin, Xinglong County, Hebei Province, China. Because the genus characteristics were derived from its type species, M. hsinglungshanensis, the detailed description is essential. In addition, to distinguish M. hsinglungshanensis and Microphysogobio chinssuensis, the description based on holotype and more specimens is needed. M. hsinglungshanensis can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: mouth shallow arc shaped and inferior; medial pad on lower lip inverted trapezoid and usually grooved; barbel short, 6.9%–14.3% in head length; lateral‐line scales 38–39; ventral region between pectoral‐fin origin and pelvic‐fin origin scaleless; scales above lateral line 4–4.5; predorsal scales 10–11; vertebrae 4 + 32 – 34; caudal‐fin membrane with two or three rows of irregular black spots. The characteristics of this genus were redefined based on M. hsinglungshanensis in this study.
VAT Treatment of the Financial Services: Implications for the Real Economy
Authors: BAYDUR ISMAIL , YILMAZ FATIH 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFinancial institutions are exempt from the value‐added tax (VAT) in most countries. We develop a general equilibrium model with endogenous firm entry and a banking sector to accommodate three key distortions related to exempt treatment: (i) self‐supply bias in the banking sector, (ii) under‐taxation of payment services, and (iii) input distortions in the business sector and tax cascading. We calibrate our model to the average of Germany, France, and the UK data. Our results show that repealing exempt treatment always increases tax revenues. However, welfare gains occur only at low VAT rates due to the hump‐shaped VAT Laffer curve.
Preface to an editorial controversy on α‐synuclein: How good are cellular models?
Authors: Hausmann Laura , Schulz Jörg B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn many scientific disputes, research evidence may support one side or the other of a working hypothesis, and even in case of largely coherent hypotheses, arguments may be in favor of discrepant points of view. In the case of α‐synuclein pathology and specific mechanisms of disease progression, various animal and cellular models have been established to pinpoint the physiological and pathological mechanisms. In the present ‘Editorial controversy’, two well‐reputed researchers, Hilal Lashuel and Tiago F. Outeiro, discuss—with view to findings from their own and others’ groups in the context of current status of knowledge—the question of how well models on α‐synuclein pathology can reflect actual pathomechanisms, and derive recommendations for future research from it that shall help advance our understanding not only of α‐synuclein‐related pathologies and its role in the formation of Lewy bodies in particular, but of cellular or animal models in general.
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Digital dissection of the head of the frogs Calyptocephalella gayi and Leptodactylus pentadactylus with emphasis on the feeding apparatus
Authors: Kunisch Stephanie , Blüml Valentin , Schwaha Thomas , Beisser Christian Josef , Handschuh Stephan , Lemell Patrick 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMicro‐computed tomography (microCT) of small animals has led to a more detailed and more accurate three‐dimensional (3D) view on different anatomical structures in the last years. Here, we present the cranial anatomy of two frog species providing descriptions of bone structures and soft tissues of the feeding apparatus with comments to possible relations to habitat and feeding ecology. Calyptocephalella gayi, known for its aquatic lifestyle, is not restricted to aquatic feeding but also feeds terrestrially using lingual prehension. This called for a detailed investigation of the morphology of its feeding apparatus and a comparison to a fully terrestrial species that is known to feed by lingual prehension such as Leptodactylus pentadactylus. These two frog species are of similar size, feed on similar diet but within different main habitats. MicroCT scans of both species were conducted in order to reconstruct the complete anatomical condition of the whole feeding apparatus for the first time. Differences in this regard are evident in the tongue musculature, which in L. pentadactylus is more massively built and with a broader interdigitating area of the two main muscles, the protractor musculus genioglossus and the retractor musculus hyoglossus. In contrast, the hyoid retractor (m. sternohyoideus) is more massive in the aquatic species C. gayi. Moreover, due to the different skull morphology, the origins of two of the five musculi adductores vary between the species. This study brings new insights into the relation of the anatomy of the feeding apparatus to the preferred feeding method via 3D imaging techniques. Contrary to the terrestrially feeding L. pentadactylus, the skeletal and muscular adaptations of the aquatic species C. gayi provide a clear picture of necessities prescribed by the habitat. Nevertheless, by keeping a certain amount of flexibility of the design of its feeding apparatus, C. gayi is able to employ various methods of feeding.