bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
State of Conservation and Population Structure of Bird Species Inhabiting in Various Subtropical Urban Forests
Authors: Rajpar M. N. , Zakaria M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To determine the conservation status and population structure of avian species living in various subtropical broadleaved urban forests, namely Dob Ghar, Kamal Khan, Kityari, Palamar, Seya Sar and Shahabad of Pakistan, we aimed to use the distance sampling line transect process. To avoid double counting of the same bird individual, a total of 180 counting points were set at 250 m from each other. In all, between December 2017 and November 2018, 2,879 individuals representing 53 species, 28 families and 9 orders were detected. One species was vulnerable (VU) out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were the least concerned (LC). In particular, the results of the distance analysis indicate that, in six subtropical broad-leaved forests, the bird population can vary. For eg, Palamar (0.954 ± 0.221 birds/ha) and Kityari (0.938 ± 0.162 birds/ha) were densely populated by bird species, while Kamal Khan (0.102 ± 0.178 birds/ha) was less concerm. Similarly, the CAP findings showed that bird species in Dob Ghar were more diverse (H’ = 33.92 ± 1.368) and equally distributed (E = 0.9657 ± 0.004) and that the Shahabad ecosystem was rich in bird species (R1 = 8.007 ± 0.053) compared to other habitats. In addition, the length of the twigs and topological changes in the dendrogram have shown that bird diversity may vary from habitat to habitat. The bird species were classified into eight foraging guilds. Insectivores were the most abundant bird species using all habitats in abundance. By cons, Carnivore/Piscivore/Insectivore averted to use the forest habitats Dob Ghar and Frugivore Kamal Khan and Dob Ghar. The findings of this study revealed that broad-leaved subtropical urban forests are home to a wide range of avian species. However, habitat selection among bird species varied across habitats according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements.
Co-occurrence of Relapsing Polychondoritis and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Nakajima Toshiki , Yoshifuji Hajime , Yamano Yoshihisa , Yurugi Kimiko , Miura Yasuo , Maekawa Taira , Yoshida Tsuneyasu , Handa Hiroshi , Ohmura Koichiro , Mimori Tsuneyo , Terao Chikashi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRelapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilageous tissues. RP has characteristics of autoimmune disease and some reports have noted co-occurrence with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), consisting of Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). However there have been no detailed studies on the co-occurrence of RP and AITD. In this study, we aimed to determine whether patients with RP tend to be complicated with AITD. We also analyzed clinical and genetic profiles of patients in whom these diseases co-occur. MethodsWe recruited 117 patients with RP and reviewed their medical records. Furthermore, we genotyped Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-A, B Cw, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 alleles for 93 of the 117 patients. The prevalence of AITD among the patients with RP was compared with that among the general Japanese population. We also analyzed the clinical and genetic features of the patients with both RP and AITD. ResultsThe prevalence of GD among the patients with RP was 4.3% (5 among 117 patients), significantly higher than that among Japanese (0.53%) (p=2.49×10-3, odds ratio (OR) 8.27). RP patients with GD tended to have nasal involvement (p=0.023) (OR 2.58) and HLA-DPB1*02:02 (p=0.035, OR 10.41). We did not find significant enrichment of HT in patients with RP. ConclusionsPatients with RP appear to be at elevated risk of GD. Nasal involvement and HLA-DPB1*02:02 characterize the subset of RP patients with GD, which may guide attempts to characterize distinct subtype of RP for precision medicine.
Effect of Fe Doping on The Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of BaSnO3
Authors: John Jibi , S Suresh , S Savitha Pillai , Philip Reji , Pillai V. P. Mahadevan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Doping at the possible A or B site in the ABO3 perovskite can alter the structural, morphological and optical properties of the compounds. Perovskite alkaline earth stannate BaSnO3 doped with Fe resulted in BaSn1-xFexO3 compounds having different concentrations (x=0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) were prepared by solid-state method. The Rietveld analyzes were performed to determine the phase purity and the changes in structural parameters. Morphological analysis identifies the formation of hexagonal nanorods with doping. The non linear optical property of the prepared samples shows optical power limiting behaviour. Magnetic property signifies the existence of ferromagnetic order and EPR studies reveal the possible ferromagnetic ordering of Fe doped samples. Dielectric loss decreases with Fe doping and has a gradual decrease in the higher frequency regime and has applications in high frequency devices.
Enhancing Bioethanol Production by Deleting Phosphoenolpyruvate Synthase and ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase, and Shunting Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle In Synechocystis Sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Gao E-Bin , Ye Penglin , Qiu Haiyan , Wu Junhua , Chen Huayou 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The outstanding ability of directly assimilating carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce biofuels and chemicals impels photosynthetic cyanobacteria to become attractive organisms for the solution to the global warming crises and the world energy growth. The cyanobacteria-based method for ethanol production has been increasingly regarded as alternatives to food biomass-based fermentation and traditional petroleum-based production. Therefore, we engineered the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to synthesize ethanol and optimized the biosynthetic pathways for improving ethanol production under photoautotrophic conditions.Results: In this study, we successfully achieved the photosynthetic production of ethanol from atmospheric carbon dioxide by an engineered mutant Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with over-expressing the heterologous genes encoding Zymomonas mobilis pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and Escherichia coli NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (YqhD). The engineered strain was further optimized by an alternative engineering approach to improve cell growth, and increase the intracellular supply of the precursor pyruvate for ethanol production under photoautotrophic conditions. This approach includes blocking phosphoenolpyruvate synthetic pathway from pyruvate, removing glycogen storage, and shunting carbon metabolic flux of tricarboxylic acid cycle. Through redirecting and optimizing the metabolic carbon flux of Synechocystis, a high ethanol-producing efficiency was achieved (248 mg L-1 day-1) under photoautotrophic conditions with atmospheric CO2 as the sole carbon source. Conclusions: The engineered strain SYN009 (∆slr0301/pdc-yqhD, ∆slr1176/maeB) would become a valuable biosystem for photosynthetic production of ethanol and for expanding our knowledge of exploiting cyanobacteria to produce value chemicals directly from atmospheric CO2.
Sphagnum response to nitrogen deposition and nitrogen saturation – a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yinying , Huang Yuxin , Peng Xiaoxue , Xu Junfeng , Hu Yuekai 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Sphagnum plants are sensitive to nitrogen deposition changes. However, previous literature is inconclusive on the response of Sphagnum species to nitrogen deposition, little is known about the nitrogen saturation of Sphagnum growth, and the effects of climatic, spatial and fertilization variables on the response of Sphagnum plants are still unclear.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 66 experiments on nitrogen application to Sphagnum plants. The combined effect size of a random-effects model was used to analyze the effect of nitrogen deposition on Sphagnum growth. A mixed-effects model was established to determine the significance of each factor for the response of Sphagnum plants to nitrogen deposition. The nitrogen saturation value for Sphagnum species was obtained by fitting the regression function.Results: Sphagnum growth is promoted by moderate nitrogen deposition, and when nitrogen deposition exceeds the saturation value, Sphagnum growth is inhibited. The current nitrogen deposition saturation value for Sphagnum species is 19.34 kg ha-2 yr-1 globally and varies in different latitudinal zones. When Sphagnum plants are affected by excessive nitrogen deposition, low-water-table microhabitats and excessive temperature and precipitation can all exacerbate Sphagnum growth inhibition.Conclusions: Excessive nitrogen deposition will inhibit Sphagnum growth, and the nitrogen saturation values we obtained for Sphagnum species can be used to adjust fertilizer applications to protect Sphagnum plants from excessive chemical fertilizer application.
Parametric investigation of the cyclic response of hysteretic steel dampers in braced buildings
Authors: Gandelli Emanuele , Domenico Dario De , Quaglini Virginio 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Hysteretic steel dampers have been effectively used to improve the seismic performance of framed buildings by confining the dissipation of seismic energy into sacrifical, replaceable devices which are not part of the gravity framing system. The number of cycles sustained by the dampers during the earthquake is a primary design parameter, since it can be associated to low-cycle fatigue, with ensuing degradation of the mechanical properties and potential failure of the system. Current standards, like e.g. the European code EN 15129, indeed prescribe, for the initial qualification and the production control of hysteretic steel dampers, cyclic tests in which the devices are assessed over ten cycles with amplitude equal to the seismic design displacement dbd. This paper presents a parametric study focused on the number of effective cycles of the damper during a design earthquake in order to assess the reliability of the testing procedure proposed by the standards. The study considers typical applications of hysteretic steel dampers in low- and medium rise steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings and different ductility requirements. The results point out that the cyclic engagement of the damper is primarily affected by the fundamental period of the braced building and the design spectrum, and that, depending on these parameters, the actual number of cycles can be substantially smaller or larger that that recommended by the standards. A more refined criterion for establishing the number of cycles to be implemented in testing protocols is eventually formulated.
Abnormal Spontaneous Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Zhao Lei , Bo Qijing , Zhang Zhifang , Li Feng , Zhou Yuan , Wang Chuanyue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: No consistent evidence on the specific brain regions is available in the default mode network (DMN), which show abnormal spontaneous activity in bipolar disorder (BD). We aim to identify this region that is particularly impaired in patients with BD by using several different indices measuring spontaneous brain activity and then investigate its functional connectivity (FC).Methods: A total of 56 patients with BD and 71 healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Three commonly used functional indices were used to identify the brain region showing abnormal spontaneous brain activity in BD. Then, this region served as the seed region for resting-state FC analysis to identify its functional networks altered in BD.Results: The BD group exhibited decreased fALFF, ReHo, and DC values in the left precuneus. The BD group had decreased rsFC within the DMN, indicated by decreased resting-state FC within the left precuneus and between the left precuneus and the medial prefrontal cortex. The BD group had decreased negative connectivity between the left precuneus and the left putamen, extending to the left insula.Conclusions: The findings provide convergent evidence for the abnormalities in the DMN of BD, particularly located in the left precuneus. Decreased FC within the DMN and the disruptive anticorrelation between the DMN and the salience network are found in BD. These findings suggest that the DMN is a key aspect for understanding the neural basis of BD, and the altered functional patterns of DMN may be a potential candidate biomarker of BD.
Associations of Symptomatic- and Anatomical-Based Severity of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Patients' Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Lei Chenyang , Sun Zeyu , Yao Jiashu , Luo Xiandan , Xiong Gaoyun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have a high incidence rate of anxiety and depression. However, changes in anxiety and depression with different severities of CRS,and the effects of symptoms and anatomical factors on the anxiety and depression of CRS patients remain unclear.Methods A total of 112 patients were enrolled in the study. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-22) score, Lund-Mackay scale and Lund-Kennedy scale were used to assess the severity of CRS, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate anxiety and depression in patients. Results In the univariate analysis, SNOT-20 scores, nasal symptom scores, facial/ear symptom scores and sleep scores are significantly positively correlated with patients’ GAD-7 scores (all P<0.05); the patients’ SNOT-20 scores, nasal symptom scores, facial/ear symptom scores, sleep scores, and the higher side of the anterior ethmoid sinus and frontal sinus Lund-Mackay scores were significantly positively correlated with the patients’ PHQ-9 scores (all P<0.05). In a multivariate linear regression model, however, none of the covariates were found to be statistically associated with GAD-7. Another multivariate model indicated associations among the SNOT-20 sleep domain scores, the higher side of frontal sinus Lund- Mackay scores and PHQ-9 scores (both P < 0.01). Conclusions Exacerbated nasal and facial/ear symptoms, sleep dysfunction increase patients’ depression and anxiety. Lesions of the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid sinus may be related to patients' depression. Treatment should be tailored to patients with these symptoms.
Tunable Yellow-Red Emission via Energy Transfer in Dy3+, Mn4+: NaLaMgWO6 Phosphors for UV-Excited LED
Authors: wu yonghua , Yang Fugui , Yan Fengpo , Zuo Ruijuan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The Dy3+, Mn4+: NaLaMgWO6 phosphors are synthesized successfully using the technique of solid-state reaction at 1150 ℃. The XRD and SEM-EDS are measured to analyze the phase purity. The concentrations of Dy3+, Mn4+, Mg2+, Na+, La3+ and W6+ are measured by ICP. The absorption and excited spectra are presented, which indicate the 390 nm is suitable for the tunable yellow-red light excitation. Using the 390 nm LED as the excitation source, the emission spectra with different doped concentrations ratios of Dy3+to Mn4+ are obtained, which shows good tunable yellow-red emission performance.
Allelopathic and Competitive Interactions Between Native and Alien Plants
Authors: Yuan Ling , Li Junmin , Yu Feihai , Oduor Ayub , Kleunen Mark van 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The novel-weapons and homeland-security hypotheses are based on the idea that aliens and natives are not adapted to each other’s allelochemicals as they did not co-evolve. However, as only a few studies have tested this, it remains unclear how important co-evolutionary history is in determining the strength of allelopathic interactions between aliens and natives. Here, we tested for potential pairwise allelopathic effects on each other of five alien and five native herbaceous species in China. We did a germination and a competition experiment. In the germination experiment, we tested whether aqueous extracts of the ten study species had allelopathic effects on each other’s seed germination. In the competition experiment, we tested whether the alien and native species differed in their competitive effects and responses, and whether these were changed by the presence of activated carbon –a presumed allelopathy neutralizer– in the soil. Plant extracts had negative allelopathic effects on seed germination. This was particularly the case for extracts from the native species. Moreover, aqueous extracts had slightly stronger negative effects on germination of the aliens than on germination of the natives. In the competition experiment, on the other hand, the natives suffered more from competition than the alien species did, but we could not relate this to allelopathy. Alien plants had negative competitive and allelopatic effects on native plants, and the reverse was also true. These alien-native interactions, however, were not consistently stronger or weaker than native-native interactions or alien-alien interactions.
Optimization and Effectiveness of The Placement of Energy Dissipators In Rc Frame Structures&nbsp;
Authors: Dominguez David Jesus 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This document explores and analyzes the optimization of the use and placement of energy dissipators in the bays of frame structures located in seismic zones. This study may be applied to new and existing buildings. In order to do this, three RC frames of 5, 10 and 15 stories are analyzed and compared, using four brace arrangements (Chevron braces San Andrés cross and diagonal braces (two cases)). The behavior of these frames is analyzed in terms of modal parameters, capacity curves (Push-over) and dynamic analyses (Time-History). For the study, the Lorca record of mean magnitude was used, also in this case, hysteretic dissipators have been used as they are cheap and easy to install solutions. The efficiency of the energy dissipators is improved as the frames increase in height. In the lower height frames, the use of braced solutions without any device improves the structural behavior. The ductility of all frames increases with the placement of dissipators.
Enhanced Phase-Change Condensation Using Inverse Opals
Authors: Adera Solomon , Mandsberg Nikolaj K. , Naworski Lauren , Shneidman Anna V. , Alvarenga Jack , Aizenberg Joanna 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Phase-change condensation is commonplace in power and process engineering. Due to high surface energy, most condenser surfaces exhibit filmwise mode wherein the condensate is removed due to gravity when the weight overcomes pinning forces. Here, we use cracks (fabrication defects), which form when a copper tube is coated with inverse opals, to transport the condensate away from the condensing surface. Our visualization and experiments show that the cracks have high hydraulic conductivity that preferentially transports the condensate towards the ends of the copper tube. This improves the heat transfer coefficient to ~ 80 kW/m2·K from ~ 12 kW/m2·K for filmwise condensation on smooth copper tubes. Additionally, when the porous inverse opals are impregnated with a lubrication film, the heat transfer coefficient increases by an additional 30% to 103 kW/m2·K. Repeated experiments show that our material design is durable. The insights gained from this work informs the rational design of condenser surfaces.
Investigating Ecosystem Service Trade-offs/synergies and their Influencing Factors: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Delta region of China
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhao Jie , Yang Wenfu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the trade-off/synergy relationships that exist among multiple ecosystem services (ESs) has become increasingly important for ecological management and sustainable development. However, the determination of the factors that promote trade-off/synergy relationships and the extent to which the driving factors affect these complex relationships have not been well studied, limiting the effectiveness of sustainable ecosystem management. This study employed the Yangtze River Delta region in China as the study area and investigated the spatiotemporal changes in three ESs, namely, carbon storage (CS), water purification (WP), and habitat quality (HQ), from 2005 to 2015. A trade-off/synergy degree (TSD) indicator was developed that allowed for the quantification of the trade-off/synergy intensity, and the spatial pattern of the TSD between ESs in the YRD region was analyzed. Furthermore, a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to analyze the relationship between the driving factors and trade-offs/synergies. The results revealed that CS, WP, and HQ decreased by 1.17%, 2.49%, and 3.38%, respectively. The TSD indicator showed that the trade-off/synergy relationships and their magnitudes were spatially heterogeneous. The coefficients of the natural and socioeconomic factors obtained from the GWR indicated that their impacts on the trade-offs/synergies vary spatiotemporally. The impact factors had both positive and negative effects on the trade-offs/synergies. The values of R2 and AIC implied that the selected factors had significant explanatory power for the trade-off/synergy relationships between paired ESs. The findings could improve the understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of trade-offs/synergies and their spatially heterogeneous correlations with related factors.
Horizontal Transfer of Domains in ssrA gene Among Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: ¹ Tamilmaran Nagarajan , ¹ Ramamoorthy Sankaranarayanan , Selvakumar Punitha , Munavar M. Hussain Munavar 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe tmRNA (transfer messenger RNA), encoded by ssrA gene, is involved in rescuing of stalled ribosomes by a process called trans-translation. Additionally, regions of the ssrA gene act as recognition sites for various integrases. Variations in ssrA genes were widely reported among the members of Enterobacteriaceae, but the functional relevance in the course of evolution are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the horizontal gene transfer of tmRNA among the members of Enterobacteriaceae. Methods and ResultsHorizontal gene transfer in tmRNA was found by predicting recombination signals in the tmRNA belong to Enterobacteriaceae using recombination detection program (RDP5). Our results revealed 7 recombination signals in tmRNA among different species. We further showed that the recombination signals was more in the domains present in the 3’ end than the domains in the 5’ end of tmRNA. Of note, the mRNA region, which codes for the peptide tag was reported in many recombination signals. Further, members belonging to genera Yersinia, Erwinia, Dickeya, and Enterobacter were highly represented in the recombination signatures.Conclusions Taken together, our results revealed a high level of recombination among specific regions of tmRNA of Enterobacteriaceae and suggest the possible role of recombination in the diversification of SsrA function in proteolysis and other pathways.