bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A structural equation model linking past and present plant diversity in Alaska: a framework for evaluating future change
Authors: Roland Carl A. , Sadoti Giancarlo , Nicklen E. Fleur , McAfee Stephanie A. , Stehn Sarah E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecent findings of peak plant species diversity occurring in alpine tundra in Alaska may reflect the filtering of the regional species pool during Pleistocene Epoch cold periods. Specifically, herbaceous plant groups and those with far northern geographic distributions centered in Beringia may have persisted coincident with repeated diminution of tall‐statured and southern continental plant groups during cold intervals, thus potentially structuring current diversity patterns in relation to elevation. Numerous biotic and abiotic drivers of plant species distributions vary with elevation, raising questions concerning which of these drivers are responsible for these surprising diversity patterns. We used structural equation modeling to investigate relationships among a suite of biotic and abiotic covariates and the richness of species groups based on growth form (GF) and biogeographic affinity across interior Alaska. Our results confirm the primary importance of microclimate in controlling the distribution, abundance, and richness of woody plants, which increased in warm, south‐exposed plots. In contrast, the suite of other site factors had considerably stronger combined direct influences on richness of forbs, graminoids, and dwarf shrubs as compared to microclimate. Thus, species groups with negative richness responses to increasing temperature and potential solar radiation may have a competitive disadvantage to woody species, suggesting competitive displacement as one mechanism for these patterns. Our findings reveal that conditions associated with the high plant diversity (including cooler air temperatures, ground disturbance, and weakly acidic soil pH) are spatially restricted as compared to widespread conditions associated with low species diversity (warm lowlands with acidic soil reaction). Our results confirm a strong correspondence between localized richness patterns and variation in the overall fractions of the GF and biogeographic groups within the regional species pool. Our work suggests important links between current and historical drivers of plant diversity that help explain the apparent contradictions suggested by the relatively limited spatial extent of species‐rich habitats in Alaska. By elucidating the relationships among biotic and abiotic site characteristics and between these characteristics and richness, our findings provide a useful framework within which to evaluate possible changes to vegetation structure and species richness patterns caused by rapid warming.
Comparison of the combustion characteristics and kinetic study of coal, municipal solid waste, and refuse‐derived fuel: Model‐fitting methods
Authors: Azam Mudassar , Jahromy Saman Setoodeh , Raza Waseem , Jordan Christian , Harasek Michael , Winter Franz 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEnergy crisis and solid waste management have remained challenging issues for authorities in Pakistan. These issues tend to rise with increasing population and economic growth of the society. Therefore, environmentally sustainable waste‐to‐energy program must be part of the waste management system since they may substitute fossil fuels with renewable energy sources by enabling energy recovery instead of landfill of solid wastes. In this work, the combustion characteristics of fossil fuel (coal) and solid wastes such as municipal solid waste (MSW) and refuse‐derived fuel (RDF) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to compare their thermal decomposition behavior. Furthermore, proximate and ultimate analyses of these samples were carried out along with their heating values. The TGA profiles of samples indicate low reactivity of coal, whereas solid wastes present greater reaction rate reflecting their low ash and high volatile contents. It was found that the heating value of RDF sample was close to that of coal. The obtained thermal data were used to calculate the kinetic parameters using Arrhenius and Coats‐Redfern models with different reaction mechanisms. According to these models, the fuels could be arranged in order of activation energy as coal > RDF > MSW. The percentage difference between activation energy values found from Arrhenius and Coats‐Redfern models was in the range of 4.1%‐26.5%. However, the Coats‐Redfern model exhibited consistency in activation energy values, followed by a high value of R2. These results of the TGA could be very helpful to predict the combustion dynamics and confirm that MSW and RDF may be used as sustainable fuels, to meet the prevailing challenges of the energy crisis and solid waste management.
Effect of various postmortem processing times and blanching methods on quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) waste oil
Authors: Sabzipour Forouzan , Naseri Mahmood , Babaei Sedigheh , Imani Ahmad 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOil extracted from fish waste is considered as a value‐added product. The effect of postmortem processing times (0, 3, 6, and 9 hr) and blanching methods (sodium chloride, pH shift, and high temperature) on the extracted oil from rainbow trout viscera was studied. Blanching was applied six hours prior to oil extraction to counteract the effects of delayed processing time and increasing the oil stability. Autolysis by digestive enzymes is main culprit of higher contents of free fatty acids, lipid oxidation, saponified compound, and saturation degrees in case of postponed oil extraction. Results showed that PV was increased after pH shift and high temperature blanching, while there were no significant differences by using salt blanching. The lowest amount of TBA, AV, Totox, and saponification index was observed in salt blanched treatment. The colorimetric values including L*, b*, and whiteness index were decreased after pH shift, whereas redness was increased. Unfavorable coloration could be attributed to the lipid oxidation process that giving rise nonvolatile decomposition products with carbonyl groups. Our results indicated that salt blanching could reduce the effects of delayed processing time and lead to higher quality value‐added product from rainbow trout viscera.
Evaluation of oral tegafur‐uracil as metronomic therapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with non‐distant metastatic TNM stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jia‐Hong , Huang Wen‐Yen , Ho Ching‐Liang , Chao Tsu‐Yi , Lee Jih‐Chin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe study was aimed to evaluate the impact of accumulated oral tegafur‐uracil (UFUR) as maintenance chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for complete remission (CR) in non‐distant metastatic TNM stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsData were retrospectively analyzed from a database of patients with non‐distant metastatic TNM stage IV NPC, composed of those who underwent CCRT for CR from January 2010 through December 2017.ResultsThirty‐three patients were treated with CCRT (the non‐UFUR group), and the other 37 patients were treated with the same regimen, followed by additional oral UFUR (the UFUR group). Importantly, the 5‐year OS rates were 91.89% in the UFUR group and 57.58% in the non‐UFUR group (P = .004).ConclusionsAdding UFUR to CCRT was found to significantly improve the DFS and OS rates of patients with non‐distant metastatic TNM stage IV NPC. The authors cautiously suggest UFUR as possible maintenance therapy following CCRT.
A comparison of the effectiveness of the roots of two grass species in reducing soil erosion on alluvial fans in south‐east China
Authors: Jiang Fangshi , He Kaiwen , Lin Jiahui , Li Hui , Zhan Zhenzhi , Lin Jinshi , Ge Hongli , Wang Ming Kuang , Huang Yanhe 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe effects of root systems on soil detachment by overland flow are closely related to vegetation types. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of two gramineous roots (Paspalum mandiocanum with shallow roots and Pennisetum giganteum with deep roots) on soil detachment capacity, rill erodibility, and critical shear stress on alluvial fans of benggang in south‐east China. A 4‐m‐long and 0.12‐m‐wide flume was used. Slope steepness ranged from 9% to 27%, and unit flow discharge ranged from 1.39 × 10−3 to 4.19 × 10−3 m2 s−1. The mean detachment capacities of P. mandiocanum and P. giganteum lands were 18% and 38% lower than that of bare land, respectively, and the effects of root on reducing soil detachment were mainly reflected in the 0‐ to 5‐cm soil layer. The most important factors in characterizing soil detachment capacity were root length density and soil cohesion, and soil detachment capacity of the two grass lands could be estimated using flow shear stress, soil cohesion, and root length density (NSE = 0.90). With the increase in soil depth, rill erodibility increased, whereas shear stress decreased. The mean rill erodibilities of P. mandiocanum and P. giganteum lands were 81% and 61% as much as that of bare land, respectively. Additionally, rill erodibilities of the two grass lands could be estimated as an exponential function by root length density and soil cohesion (NSE = 0.88). The mean critical shear stress of P. mandiocanum and P. giganteum lands was 1.29 and 1.39 times that of bare land, respectively, and it could be estimated with a linear function by root length density (NSE = 0.76). This study demonstrated that planting of the two grasses P. mandiocanum and P. giganteum could effectively reduce soil detachment and enhance soil resistance to erosion on alluvial fans, with the deep roots of P. giganteum being more effective than the shallow roots of P. mandiocanum. The results are helpful for understanding the influencing mechanism of root systems on soil detachment process.
Asset restructuring performance prediction for failure firms
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Qian‐Xia , Hong Lu‐Yao , Zhou Qing 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study aims to forecast asset restructuring performance for failing public firms and to test the effectiveness of different strategies of assets restructuring by using ten models, including: standalone models of multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA), logistic regression (Logit), probit, case‐based reasoning (CBR), support vector machine (SVM), and their bagged ensembles. Moreover, this study proposes a knowledge base by collecting positive and negative samples and uses random down‐sampling method to pair success samples with failure samples in order to focus more on real‐happened failure samples when forming a balanced data set. After variables filtering process, ten financial ratios, covering aspects of debt‐paying, risk level, development, and operating abilities, are identified as significantly efficient predictors. The following empirical results are found, namely (a) adopting more means of asset restructuring leads to a higher chance for performance improvement; (b) equity transfer, asset stripping, and asset acquisition are the three most commonly used means, and the last two are among the most efficient means; (c) compared to the other 9 models, SVM has the most balanced prediction performance in terms of total accuracy, true positive ratio, and true negative ratio; and (d) predicting a failing event of achieving performance improvement with asset restructuring is more difficult than predicting a successful event, which needs more focus with the state‐of‐the‐art models.
Defining barriers to implementation of nutritional advice in patients with cachexia
Authors: Nasrah Rima , Van Der Borch Christina , Kanbalian Mary , Jagoe R. Thomas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundCancer cachexia is a multidimensional wasting syndrome and a reduced dietary intake is both common and strongly correlated with degree of weight loss. Many patients with cachexia do not achieve recommended dietary intake even after nutritional counselling. Prior reports suggest this is likely due to barrier symptoms, but other potential contributory factors have not been studied in detail.MethodsDietitian‐assigned barriers to successful nutritional intervention were recorded at each visit in all patients attending a multidisciplinary clinic for management of cancer cachexia. The barriers were grouped into 15 categories and classified as either symptom‐related or not symptom‐related. In addition, symptom scores, dietary intake, and weight change were recorded.ResultsData on 94 new patients showed that 89% of patients had at least one major barrier. Four of the five most common barriers and 65% of all barriers identified were not symptom‐related. Over sequential visits the specific barrier(s) in any one patient changed approximately 50% of the time. However, the presence of barriers did not render patients refractory to nutritional intervention and with intervention from the CNR‐JGH team, mean dietary intake increased significantly.ConclusionsIn advanced cancer patients with cachexia, non‐symptom‐related barriers to nutritional intervention are more common than symptom‐related. Barriers are dynamic, and repeated careful evaluation over time is required to achieve optimal impact with nutritional intervention in cancer cachexia. Members of the multidisciplinary team need appropriate expertise to address the barriers identified and achieve optimal results with nutritional intervention.
In Vitro Evidence for Cell‐Accelerated Corrosion Within Modular Junctions of Total Hip Replacements
Authors: Bijukumar Divya Rani , Salunkhe Shruti , Morris Dalton , Segu Abhijith , Hall Deborah J. , Pourzal Robin , Mathew Mathew T. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTCorrosion at modular junctions of total hip replacement (THR) remains a major concern today. Multiple types of damage modes have been identified at modular junctions, correlated with different corrosion characteristics that may eventually lead to implant failure. Recently, within the head‐taper region of the CoCrMo retrieval implants, cell‐like features and trails of etching patterns were observed that could potentially be linked to the involvement of cells of the periprosthetic region. However, there is no experimental evidence to corroborate this phenomenon. Therefore, we aimed to study the potential role of periprosthetic cell types on corrosion of CoCrMo alloy under different culture conditions, including the presence of CoCrMo wear debris. Cells were incubated with and without CoCrMo wear debris (obtained from a hip simulator) with an average particle size of 119 ± 138 nm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to evaluate the corrosion tendency, corrosion rate, and corrosion kinetics using the media after 24 h of cell culture as the electrolyte. Results of the study showed that there was lower corrosion resistance (p < 0.02) and higher capacitance (p < 0.05) within cell media from macrophages challenged with particles when compared with the other media conditions studied. The potentiodynamic results were also in agreement with the EIS values, showing significantly higher corrosion tendency (low Ecorr) (p < 0.0001) and high Icorr (p < 0.05) in media from challenged macrophages compared with media with H2O2 solution. Overall, the study provides in vitro experimental evidence for the possible role of macrophages in altering the chemical environment within the crevice and thereby accelerating corrosion of CoCrMo alloy. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:393‐404, 2020
Ultrasonic modification of pectin for enhanced 2‐furfurylthiol encapsulation: process optimization and mechanisms
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Feng Yiming , Chen Weijun , Wang Yueying , Wilder Geoffrey , Liu Donghong , Yin Yun 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDPectin is an intriguing polymer, which is usually regarded as a byproduct from agricultural and biological processes. In previous studies, ultrasound treatment has been explored to improve the functionality of pectin but most of that work focused on aspects of molecular structure and the chemical properties of pectin. In this study, we utilized ultrasound treatment to modify the physiochemical properties of pectin. Using ultrasound treatment, we evaluated the emulsifying capability of pectin as a function of ultrasonic time and power density, using a response surface approach. A very potent yet unstable coffee‐like aroma compound, 2‐furfurylthiol, was also used for comparing the encapsulation feasibility of emulsion made with original pectin and ultrasound‐treated pectin.RESULTSOur results showed that the particle size of pectin was highly correlated with power density and ultrasound time. Approximately 370 nm of pectin particle size could be reached at a power density of 1.06 W mL−1 for 40 min. Ultrasound treatment increased emulsion droplet size but significantly improved emulsifying capacities, such as centrifugal stability and surface loading, although it was highly dependent upon the ultrasound treatment condition. When used as the encapsulation wall material, the ultrasound‐modified pectin had significantly enhanced performance compared with the original, in terms of flavor retention over time at 45 °C and 65 °C.CONCLUSIONUltrasound treatment was able to modify the physiochemical properties of pectin, which thus improved emulsification stability and encapsulation feasibility by forming a thicker layer at the oil / water interface to protect the core materials. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Silkworm dropping extract regulates food allergy symptoms via inhibition of Th2‐related responses in an ovalbumin‐induced food allergy model
Authors: Jung Sun Young , See Hye‐Joeng , Kwon Da‐Ae , Choi Dae‐Woon , Lee So‐Young , Shon Dong‐Hwa , Shin Hee Soon 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDSilkworm droppings have long been used in traditional medicine to remedy allergic itching, palsy, blood circulation problems, and arthritis in Asian countries. To investigate the anti‐allergic effect of silkworm dropping extract (SDE) and its mechanism, we used a mouse model of food allergy induced by ovalbumin (OVA).RESULTSSDE ameliorated the symptoms of OVA‐induced food allergies, and the levels of T helper 2 (Th2)‐related cytokines [such as interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, and IL‐13] were found to be significantly decreased in both the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes by SDE. Furthermore, SDE treatment directly inhibited OVA permeation, IL‐4 production, and degranulation of mast cells; in contrast, immunoglobulin E (IgE) production from B cells was not affected.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that SDE has potential anti‐allergic activities, and SDE may be useful in the treatment/prevention of allergic disorders such as food allergies, serving as therapeutic agents. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Mass transfer during osmotic dehydrationand its effect on anthocyanin retention of microwave vacuum‐dried blackberries
Authors: Song Chunfang , Ma Xiaotong , Li Zhenfeng , Wu Tao , Raghavan GS Vijaya , Chen Haiying 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe combination of sugar osmotic dehydration and microwave vacuum drying is an effective method for the dehydration of blackberries, the retention of their antioxidant properties, and the extension of their shelf life. Mass transfer during the osmotic dehydration of blackberries in sugar solution was investigated together with its influence on microwave vacuum drying characteristics, and the retention rate of anthocyanins in dried frozen blackberries.RESULTSThe concentrations of the osmotic solutions that were tested contained 40%, 50%, and 60% sugar, and the osmotic solution temperatures were 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C. The solution‐to‐blackberry mass ratio was 10:1 (w/w) and the process duration varied from 0 to 5 h. A two‐parameter mathematical model was used to describe mass transfer in the osmotic dehydration of blackberry samples and estimate moisture loss and solid gain in the final equilibrium. The results showed that the dehydration rate and solid gain rate of the blackberries increased with an increase in osmotic concentration, osmotic time, and the temperature of the solution under certain experimental conditions. The effective diffusivity of moisture and solute were estimated using the analytical solution of Fick's second law of diffusion. The moisture and effective diffusivities of sugar in the above osmotic dehydration conditions were in the range of 1.77 × 10−9–2.10 × 10−9 and 1.36 × 10−9–1.60 × 10−9 m2 .s−1, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe pretreatment of sugar osmosis greatly reduced the microwave vacuum drying time in the latter part of the dehydration period and increased anthocyanin retention. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Utility of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for Early Therapeutic Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization
Authors: Watanabe Yukinobu , Ogawa Masahiro , Kumagawa Mariko , Hirayama Midori , Miura Takao , Matsumoto Naoki , Nakagawara Hiroshi , Yamamoto Toshiki , Moriyama Mitsuhiko 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be useful for early evaluation of the treatment response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThis study retrospectively selected HCCs in which homogeneous retention of iodized oil was confirmed on non–contrast‐enhanced computed tomography performed immediately after TACE. Therapeutic responses of HCCs were evaluated by CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE and by contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) approximately 4 weeks after TACE. We investigated the noninferiority of CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE to CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of the therapeutic response to TACE on HCC.ResultsEighty‐nine HCCs were enrolled in this study between April 2014 and June 2016. A complete response was observed in 57 of 89 nodules (64.0%), and an incomplete response was observed in the remaining 32 nodules (36.0%). The accuracy rates for CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE and CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE in the therapeutic effect of TACE on HCCs were 83.1% (95% confidence interval, 73.7%–90.2%) and 83.1% (95% confidence interval, 73.7%–90.2%), respectively. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between methods was 0%, which was below the predetermined noninferiority limit of 15%, and CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE was noninferior to CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE.ConclusionsOur results suggest that CEUS is a useful modality for early therapeutic evaluation of TACE for HCC, and we can thus plan the next treatment strategies for HCC within a few days after TACE.