bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low and variable pH decreases recruitment efficiency in populations of a temperate coral naturally present at a CO2 vent
Authors: Caroselli Erik , Gizzi Francesca , Prada Fiorella , Marchini Chiara , Airi Valentina , Kaandorp Jaap , Falini Giuseppe , Dubinsky Zvy , Goffredo Stefano 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAtmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment alters seawater carbonate chemistry, thus threatening calcifying organisms such as corals. Coral populations at carbon dioxide vents are natural acidification experiments that mimic organism responses to seawater pH values projected for 2100. Even if demographic traits are paramount information to assess ecological relationships and habitat suitability, population dynamics studies on corals thriving under acidified conditions are lacking. Here, we investigate the demography and reproduction of populations of the solitary, symbiotic, temperate coral Balanophyllia europaea naturally living along a pH gradient at a Mediterranean CO2 vent. Gametogenesis and larval production were unaffected while recruitment efficiency collapsed at low and variable pH, contributing to coral abundance decline and suggesting that life stages between larval release and early polyp growth are hindered by acidification. Exploring these processes is crucial to assess coral fate in the forthcoming acidified oceans, to preserve coral ecosystems and the socioeconomic services they provide.
Dual effects of TiSiO4 composite nanoparticles on dispersion stability and lubrication performance of vegetable oil‐in‐water emulsions
Authors: Taheri Reza , Kosasih Buyung , Zhu Hongtao , Tieu Anh Kiet 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVegetable oil‐in‐water emulsions are potential metal‐working lubricants. These emulsions are susceptible to oil‐water phase separation due to the oil droplets' coalescence. In this study, we enhance the dispersion stability and lubricity of such emulsions with TiSiO4 nanoparticles (NPs). With 1 vol% soybean oil, stable emulsions are obtained with 0.25 to 0.75 wt% NPs, attributed to formation of shielding layers of NPs around the droplets. Lowest friction and wear are obtained without and with 0.25 wt% NPs, respectively. With increasing the NPs' mass fraction, NP‐shielded droplets become less attracted to metal surfaces. Association of NPs within boundary film is also found when NPs' mass fraction is above 0.5 wt%, inducing third body abrasive behaviour. Further increasing the NPs' mass fraction results in the formation of agglomerates of NPs in emulsions which increases vibration, friction, and wear. Findings suggest that a mass fraction of NPs exists at which stable emulsions with improved lubrication performance are obtained.
A Reversible Proton Generator with On/Off Thermoswitch
Authors: Yang Long , Caire da Silva Lucas , Thérien‐Aubin Héloïse , Bannwarth Markus B. , Landfester Katharina 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA reversible polymer photoacid with a thermal on/off switch at physiological temperature able to trigger a large pH modulation of its environment is prepared. Light is used to control the acidity of the solution. Additionally, the temperature could be used to modulate the photoacid efficiency, practically turning on and off the ability of the polymer to produce protons. The behavior of this thermoresponsive photoacid copolymer is the result of the combined action of the temperature‐responsive N‐isopropylacrylamide and of a reversible photoacid monomer based on a spiropyran derivative. The acidification of the aqueous medium is activated by irradiation at λ = 460 nm. The reverse reaction is achieved by removing the light stimuli or by exposing the solution to UV‐light. Increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of the copolymer deactivates the photoacid and irradiation at λ = 460 nm does not lead to the generation of protons or to any detectable change in the pH value of the solution. Hence, the addition of N‐isopropylacrylamide as a comonomer acts as a thermal on/off switch for the photoacid and the coupling of temperature‐and light‐responsiveness in the polyphotoacids yields a “thermophotoacid”.
Random Forest Model with Combined Features: A Practical Approach to Predict Liquid‐crystalline Property
Authors: Chen Chia‐Hsiu , Tanaka Kenichi , Funatsu Kimito 
Published: December 2018

AbstractQuantitative structure−property relationships were developed to predict the liquid crystalline (LC) of a large dataset of aromatic organic compounds using machine learning algorithms and different molecular descriptors. The aim of this study was to find appropriate models and descriptors for the prediction of a large variety of liquid crystalline behaviors. Furthermore, descriptor calculations based on LC structural templates were proposed to understand the structural effects on the LC behaviors. The results suggest that random forest classifier and combined features which consists of structural templates were usable for LC behavior prediction. The best performance of prediction models showed high accuracy and F1 score (90 % and 93 %). Furthermore, the random forest has strong abilities to large input feature, quick training and easy model‐tuning for constructing LC prediction model. Therefore, the prediction model allows experimentalists to seek the synthesis of a predicted molecule that would exhibit the desired LC properties to accelerate the progress in the discovery of new LC materials.
Update to the Toe-Width Methodology: Determining Preferred Discharges for Spawning and Rearing Salmonids
Authors: Pacheco James M. , Kohr Jonathan H. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
The impacts of changing streamflow on fish habitat are often assessed using instream flow methodologies that relate changes in streamflow to changes in habitat availability. Direct measurements of the streamflow-to-habitat relationship are time consuming and not feasible to do on all streams. Measuring the width of the stream channel for species-specific regression equations (referred to as the toe-width method) provides a quick and cost-effective estimate of the preferred spawning and rearing discharges for specified fish species. Despite continued use of the toe-width method since the late 1970s, it has not been updated or tested against more modern methods. We designed a clearer methodology for identifying and measuring the toe-width in Washington State. We used preferred discharges from 69 fish-habitat-to-streamflow studies compared with the toe-width at these study sites to develop new equations and tested the new methodology for reproducibility. Additionally, all fish-habitat-to-streamflow studies used the latest version of Washington State's habitat suitability criteria. The three indicators used to locate the toe of the bank and the three channel characteristics used to select toe-width transect locations result in reproducible measurements. All the updated toe-width regression equations for spawning and rearing salmonids had lower percent standard errors than the original methodology. Our instructions and subsequent testing of the revised method with varied samplers provide us with confidence that the updated methodology is a more understandable, accurate, and consistent way to identify the toe of the bank and to measure the toe-width.
Pitfall in genetic screening in a pregnancy involving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipient
Authors: Xu Li‐Li , Li Dong‐Zhi 
Published: December 2018

What's already known about this topic?

Successful pregnancies have been reported in female HSCT recipients and in female partners of male HSCT recipients.
Most of the time, prenatal genetic screening is performed by testing of blood samples taken from the parents.
What does this study add?

For HSCT recipients, the hematological and DNA testing results of peripheral blood represent donors' information and not the information that is passed on to the offspring.
A medical history record of couples, especially related to a HSCT status, should be specifically requested and implemented into prenatal screening programs.
Computational design and characterization of new thieno‐expanded tricyclic purine analogs
Authors: Zhang Laibin , Wang Mei , Zheng Mengmeng , Kong Xiangmu 
Published: December 2018

AbstractUnnatural nucleobases are under intense research due to their widespread applications in nucleic acids research. In this work, four new thieno‐expanded purine analogs comprising ttzA, tthA, ttzG, and tthG were computationally designed based on the isomorphic tz‐ and th‐bases. These base analogs can also be seen as modified derivatives of the previously reported tricyclic purine analogs (ttA and ttG). The structural, electronic, and photophysical properties are studied by means of DFT and TDDFT calculations. We find out that these new bases can form stable Watson‐Crick base pairs with natural counterparts, thus potentially mimicking natural nucleobases in DNA/RNA duplexes. Calculations reveal that these bases have smaller AIPs and HOMO‐LUMO gaps than natural ones, suggesting that they are candidates for applications in nanowire technology. Particularly, the photophysical properties were explored, and the results are compared with those for tz‐, th‐, and tt‐bases. The nature of the low‐lying excited states is discussed, and analyses reveal that the thiophene‐homologation would not change excitation maxima of thA and tzA, while it will result in large red‐shifts of those of thG and tzG. Meanwhile, thiophene insertion has relatively larger influences on the emissions thA and tzG, for which the fluorescence was 37 nm blue‐shifted and 19 nm red‐shifted, respectively. Taking these new bases as derivatives of ttA and ttG, it was found that the modifications would result in large red‐shifts of both the excitation maxima and the fluorescence. The effects of water solution and base paring on the phtotophysical properties were also considered.
The SO2 Resistance Improvement of Mn‐Fe/ZSM‐5 for NH3‐SCR at Low Temperature by Optimizing Synthetic Method
Authors: Zou Chunlei , Wu Xu , Meng Hao , Du Yali , Li Zhe 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMn‐Fe/ZSM‐5 was prepared via co‐precipitation (CP) and precipitation–chemical vapor deposition (P‐CVD) methods. Catalytic performance investigation showed that Mn‐Fe/ZSM‐5 by P‐CVD method had higher catalytic activity and SO2 resistance than the ones by CP method for NH3‐SCR at low temperature. Characterization results proved that the amount of ammonium sulfate deposited on the surface of Mn‐Fe/ZSM‐5(P‐CVD) was less than that of Mn‐Fe/ZSM‐5(CP) catalyst. Further investigations revealed that the deposition and decomposition of ammonium sulfate proceeded in a dynamic balance on Mn‐Fe/ZSM‐5(P‐CVD) catalyst, which was crucial for the excellent catalytic performances in the presence of SO2 and H2O.
Study of K‐Feldspar and Lime Hydrothermal Reaction at 190 °C: Phase, Kinetics and Mechanism with Reaction Time
Authors: Liu Shanke , Han Cheng , Liu Jianming 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAn artificial silicate composite material prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of K‐feldspar and lime, showed excellent performance in remediating the soil. To elucidate the physicochemical properties of the artificial silicate composite material, K‐feldspar and lime were reacted in mild hydrothermal conditions (T=190 °C; P∼12.4 atm; t=0∼36 h). The hydrothermal product was systematically investigated using various techniques such as X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). Quantitative evaluation of the extent of reaction by ICP–OES and XRPD methods enabled the analysis of hydrothermal evolution with prolonged time. The hydrothermal treatment of K‐feldspar with lime exhibits complex product phases, including leftover K‐feldspar, calcium hydroxide, calcite, grossular, tobermorite, alpha‐dicalcium silicate hydrate, potassium carbonate, bütschliite, and amorphous calcium silicate hydrate. The analysis of the reaction reveals that the K‐feldspar dissolution showed a clear transition, with the hydrothermal reaction beginning to slow down after 20 h. The slowdown of the K‐feldspar dissolution was essentially caused by different reaction kinetics and mechanisms before and after 20 h. The study yields vital and valuable insights into comprehending the chemistry and mineralogy of the artificial silicate composite material and producing a multielement reservoir from potassium‐rich rocks.
Detection of NO2 Down to One ppb Using Ion‐in‐Conjugation‐Inspired Polymer
Authors: Zhou Jin , Cheng Xue‐Feng , Gao Bi‐Jun , Yu Chuang , He Jing‐Hui , Xu Qing‐Feng , Li Hua , Li Na‐Jun , Chen Dong‐Yun , Lu Jian‐Mei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractNitrogen dioxide (NO2) emission has severe impact on human health and the ecological environment and effective monitoring of NO2 requires the detection limit (limit of detection) of several parts‐per‐billion (ppb). All organic semiconductor‐based NO2 sensors fail to reach such a level. In this work, using an ion‐in‐conjugation inspired‐polymer (poly(3,3′‐diaminobenzidine‐squarine, noted as PDBS) as the sensory material, NO2 can be detected as low as 1 ppb, which is the lowest among all reported organic NO2 sensors. In addition, the sensor has high sensitivity, good reversibility, and long‐time stability with a period longer than 120 d. Theoretical calculations reveal that PDBS offers unreacted amine and zwitterionic groups, which can offer both the H‐bonding and ion‐dipole interaction to NO2. The moderate binding energies (≈0.6 eV) offer high sensitivity, selectivity as well as good reversibility. The results demonstrate that the ion‐in‐conjugation can be employed to greatly improve sensitivity and selectivity in organic gas sensors by inducing both H‐bonding and ion‐dipole attraction.
YHp as a highly stable, hyper‐copy, hyper‐expression plasmid constructed using a full 2‐μm circle sequence in cir0 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Misumi Yukie , Nishioka Satoko , Fukuda Akira , Uemura Takeshi , Nakamura Mikiko , Hoshida Hisashi , Akada Rinji 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast episomal plasmid (YEp), containing a partial sequence from a natural 2‐μm plasmid, has been frequently used to induce high levels of gene expression. In this study, we used Japanese sake yeast natural cir0 strain as a host for constructing an entire 2‐μm plasmid with an expression construct using the three‐fragment gap‐repair method without Escherichia coli manipulation. The 2‐μm plasmid contains two long inverted repeats, which is problematic for the amplification by polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, we amplified it by dividing into two fragments, each containing a single repeat together with an overlapping sequence for homologous recombination. TDH3 promoter‐driven yEmRFP (TDH3p‐yEmRFP) and the URA3 were used as a reporter gene and a selection marker, respectively, and inserted at the 3′ end of the RAF1 gene on the 2‐μm plasmid. The three fragments were combined and used for the transformation of sake yeast cir0 ura3‐ strain. The resulting transformant colonies showed a red or purple coloration, which was significantly stronger than that of the cells transformed with YEp‐TDH3p‐yEmRFP. The 2‐μm transformants were cultured in YPD medium and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Almost all cells showed strong fluorescence, suggesting that the plasmid was preserved during nonselective culture conditions. The constructed plasmid maintained a high copy state similar to that of the natural 2‐μm plasmid, and the red fluorescent protein expression was 54 fold compared with the chromosomal integrant. This vector is named YHp, the Yeast Hyper expression plasmid.
Efficacy of Borides in Grain Refining Al-Si Alloys
Authors: Bolzoni Leandro , Hari Babu Nadendla 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
The grain refining efficacy of titanium, aluminum, and niobium borides, as well as niobium aluminides, introduced via commercial and lab made master alloys on Al-Si alloys was investigated. Significant grain refinement is achieved via the introduction of these heterogeneous nuclei regardless of their chemistry, stoichiometry of the master alloy, and addition rate. However, the grain refinement is affected by variable such as contact time, as the inoculating particle may sediment or be poisoned, and cooling rate. Specifically, a faster cooling rate generally leads to finer grains due to the lower time for grain growth. In the case of borides, the chemical inoculation efficiency is greatly affected by their thermodynamic stability in molten Al-Si alloys. Conversely, the grain refining potency of properitectic Al3Nb remains unaffected. The underlying grain refining mechanism was finally investigated using current models based on the growth restriction factor Q to simultaneously consider the effect of nucleant potency and alloy chemistry. Among Ti-, Al-, and Nb-based borides with similar particle size and distribution, the latter are the most efficient to grain refine Al-Si alloys.
Putative Microbial Population Shifts Attributable to Nasal Administration of Streptococcus salivarius 24SMBc and Streptococcus oralis 89a
Authors: De Grandi Roberta , Drago Lorenzo , Bidossi Alessandro , Bottagisio Marta , Gelardi Matteo , De Vecchi Elena 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Changes in bacterial composition of nasal microbiota may alter the host’s susceptibility to several infectious and allergic diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 1-week administration of a probiotic product, composed by a combination of Streptococcus salivarius 24SMBc and Streptococcus oralis 89a, on the nostril microbiota. Differences in the nasal microbiota composition were investigated by using a next-generation sequencing approach. A strong and significant decrease in Staphylococcus aureus abundance was detected immediately after the bacterial administration. Moreover, comparing the microbial networks of nostril microbiota before and 1 month after the end of treatment, we detected an increase in the total number of both bacterial nodes and microbial correlations, with particular regard to the beneficial ones. Furthermore, a less abundance of microbial genera commonly associated to potential harmful bacteria has been observed. These results suggest a potential ability of S. salivarius 24SMBc and S. oralis 89a to regulate and reorganize the nasal microbiota composition, possibly favoring those microorganisms that may be able to limit the overgrowth of potential pathogens.
Fecal calprotectin role in diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and treatment follow-up
Authors: Mahdipour Mahsa , Shafaghi Afshin , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz , Hojati Amineh , Joukar Farahnaz , Mavaddati Sara 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjective Ulcerative colitis usually affects the rectum and potentially can involve the whole colon. Noninvasive methods such as fecal calprotectin measurement may be considered as a reliable and inexpensive approach in assessing disease severity or treatment change strategy.Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, records of 56 ulcerative colitis patients who hospitalized with exacerbation between May 2016 and April 2017 were assessed based on IBD Data Bank Software in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases and Research Center (GLDRC), Guilan province, Iran between. A questionnaire of demographic characteristics, clinical findings and fecal calprotectin level was completed. Montreal classification severity of ulcerative colitis and Mayo disease activity index were scored. Data were analyzed for descriptive and analytical analysis.Results Fecal calprotectin was significantly different in terms of disease severity based on both Mayo score (p = 0.007) and Montreal classification (p = 0.001). In patients with mild symptoms, no increase in fecal calprotectin was observed, but in patients with moderate and severe elevations in fecal calprotectin levels was significant. Also, C-Reactive Protein surge was related to disease severity (p = 0.02). Furthermore, regression comparison among high-chance patients based on fecal calprotectin was significantly related to higher Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate levels and smoking, p = 0.01 and p = 0.05, respectively.Conclusion It seems fecal calprotectin levels are related to the disease severity. Non-invasive methods, such as fecal calprotectin assay, may seem to be an alternative to aggressive, costly and time-consuming methods, such as colonoscopy and biopsy, to reduce the suffering of patients and ultimately help improve the patients’ life quality.
Sharing is not always a good thing: Use of a DNA marker to investigate the potential for ward-to-ward dissemination of healthcare-associated pathogens
Authors: Alhmidi Heba , Cadnum Jennifer L. , Jencson Annette L. , Gweder Ali Abdulfatah , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA DNA marker inoculated onto portable equipment on a medical ward was disseminated to other wards when equipment was shared and to a physician work room and the hospital cafeteria by personnel. These results demonstrate the plausibility of pathogen transmission in healthcare facilities in the absence of shared ward exposure.
Use of diagnostic stewardship practices to improve urine culturing among SHEA Research Network hospitals
Authors: Sullivan Kaede V. , Morgan Daniel J. , Leekha Surbhi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis survey investigated interventions used by acute-care hospitals to reduce the detection of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Half of the respondents reported using reflex urine cultures but with varied urinalysis criteria and perceived outcomes. Other diagnostic stewardship interventions for urine culture ordering and specimen quality were less common.
The ‘cash value’ of the rules of treaty interpretation
Authors: Zarbiyev Fuad 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe rules of treaty interpretation are ordinarily met with scepticism not only by critically-minded international law theorists, but also by mainstream international legal scholars who otherwise believe in international law’s normative power. The objective of this article is to inquire whether, despite their much-discussed shortcomings, the rules of treaty interpretation have any ‘cash value’ in the sense given to this expression by one of the founding fathers of the philosophy of pragmatism William James, in other words, whether they make any practical difference. To do so, this article revisits the traditional understanding of the rules of treaty interpretation and argues that they cannot directly bridge the gap between the signifier and signified, but rather are designed to impose a ‘common discipline’ with respect to the admissible means that can be used in treaty interpretation.