bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating methods for extraction of α‐cellulose from leaves of Melaleuca quinquenervia for stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis
Authors: Greer Jacinta S. , McInerney Francesca A. , Vann David R. , Song Xin 
Published: February 2018

RationalePurification of α‐cellulose from plant tissues is commonly conducted to facilitate the reliable measurement of stable isotope ratios. Prior research has shown that different plant species and tissues react differently to standardised cellulose extraction techniques. Thus, no single method can be applied to all materials and careful consideration must be undertaken when selecting an extraction technique.MethodsIn order to evaluate their suitability for use on Melaleuca quinquenervia leaves, a suite of eight different cellulose extraction techniques were tested. Leaves of this species are preserved in perched lakes on southeast Queensland's sand islands and are a focus of ongoing palaeoclimate research. Elemental analyser/isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to measure stable carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios and sample composition was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.ResultsWe demonstrate that the standard Brendel extraction technique, particularly with a higher reagent volume and longer boiling time, produces cellulose with the lowest spread in isotopic ratios among replicates, and with the fewest impurities detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We also show that pre‐treating the leaves to extract leaf wax lipids in order to enable paired analysis from the same sub‐fossil leaves does not significantly affect the quality of the isotopic results.ConclusionsThe standard Brendel method allows the most precise stable carbon and oxygen information to be retrieved from the leaves of M. quinquenervia. This unlocks the potential to study palaeoclimate proxy records from our study site and potentially throughout the natural range of the species across eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.
Loon Copter: Implementation of a hybrid unmanned aquatic–aerial quadcopter with active buoyancy control
Authors: Alzu'bi Hamzeh , Mansour Iyad , Rawashdeh Osamah 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAquatic–aerial unmanned vehicles recently became the focus of many researchers due to their various possible applications. Achieving a fully operational vehicle that is capable of aerial, water‐surface, and underwater operations is a significant challenge considering the vehicle's air–water–air transition, propulsion system, and stability underwater. We present in this paper an unconventional unmanned hybrid aquatic–aerial quadcopter with active buoyancy control that is capable of aerial flight and water‐surface operation, as well as subaquatic diving. We report on the first successful prototype of the vehicle, named the Loon Copter, to provide initial evaluation results of its performance in both mediums. The Loon Copter uses a single set of motors and propellers for both air and underwater maneuvering. It utilizes a ballast system to control vehicle buoyancy and depth underwater, as well as to perform seamless air‐to‐water and water‐to‐air transitions. A closed loop control algorithm is utilized for the vehicle's aerial and water‐surface stability and maneuver, whereas an open loop control algorithm is used for underwater maneuver. The experimental results show a fully operational prototype with six degrees of freedom underwater, stable flight, operation capabilities on water surface, and agile maneuvering underwater.
Restructuring of littoral fish assemblages after drought differs in two lakes at the terminus of a heavily regulated river
Authors: Halliday B.T. , Wedderburn S.D. , Barton J.L. , Lester R.E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDrought significantly shifts the mix of functional groups present in river ecosystems and abundances of many aquatic fauna decline. The consequences of drought for fish often include the decline of ecological specialists and the predominance of generalist species. However, factors influencing the restructuring of littoral fish assemblages following prolonged drought in heavily regulated rivers are poorly understood. We compared the restructuring of littoral fish assemblages in 2 large connected lakes, which differ in hydrology and habitat availability, after 15 years of drought in their catchment. The once‐abundant and diverse fish assemblages showed limited signs of postdrought recovery after 5 years. There were differences between the 2 lakes related to the species present, their abundances, and the functional groups within fish assemblages. The functional groups present also shifted through time from alien‐dominated to freshwater generalist‐dominated. Only 2 of 5 native fish functional groups (freshwater generalist and diadromous) had increasing abundances (used as a proxy for recovery) following the drought, and these increases only occurred in the lake with the greater connectivity and diversity in habitat and hydrology. In contrast to patterns observed for natives, abundances of alien fishes in the littoral zone of the lakes declined after an initial spike in numbers associated with substantial river flows immediately following drought. This study shows that the recovery of native fish populations following prolonged drought in a heavily regulated semiarid river occurs over a time scale of years and recovery of some extant ecological specialists was incomplete after as many as 5 years.
Evaluating Interaction of Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells with Functionally Integrated Three-Dimensional Microenvironments
Authors: Mokhtari Saloomeh , Baptista Pedro M. , Vyas Dipen A. , Freeman Charles Jordan , Moran Emma , Brovold Matthew , Llamazares Guillermo A. , Lamar Zanneta , Porada Christopher D. , Soker Shay , Almeida-Porada Graça 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Despite advances in ex vivo expansion of cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (CB-HSPC), challenges still remain regarding the ability to obtain, from a single unit, sufficient numbers of cells to treat an adolescent or adult patient. We and others have shown that CB-HSPC can be expanded ex vivo in two-dimensional (2D) cultures, but the absolute percentage of the more primitive stem cells decreases with time. During development, the fetal liver is the main site of HSPC expansion. Therefore, here we investigated, in vitro, the outcome of interactions of primitive HSPC with surrogate fetal liver environments. We compared bioengineered liver constructs made from a natural three-dimensional-liver-extracellular-matrix (3D-ECM) seeded with hepatoblasts, fetal liver-derived (LvSt), or bone marrow-derived stromal cells, to their respective 2D culture counterparts. We showed that the inclusion of cellular components within the 3D-ECM scaffolds was necessary for maintenance of HSPC viability in culture, and that irrespective of the microenvironment used, the 3D-ECM structures led to the maintenance of a more primitive subpopulation of HSPC, as determined by flow cytometry and colony forming assays. In addition, we showed that the timing and extent of expansion depends upon the biological component used, with LvSt providing the optimal balance between preservation of primitive CB HSPC and cellular differentiation.
FeCl3‐Mediated Carbenium Ion‐Induced Intramolecular Cyclization of N‐Tethered Alkyne‐Benzyl Alkanols
Authors: Borah Madhurjya , Saikia Anil K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn intramolecular carbenium ion induced cyclization of N‐tethered alkyne‐benzyl alkanols mediated by ferric chloride (FeCl3) leading to substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines with exocyclic chloro‐alkylidene and ‐arylidene moiety in good yields has been described. The reaction proceeds in an anti‐fashion in both the cases. Ferric chloride acts both as Lewis acid as well as chloride nucleophile.
Pt‐Pd Bimetal Popcorn Nanocrystals: Enhancing the Catalytic Performance by Combination Effect of Stable Multipetals Nanostructure and Highly Accessible Active Sites
Authors: Ma Yanxia , Yin Lisi , Cao Guojian , Huang Qingli , He Maoshuai , Wei Wenxian , Zhao Hong , Zhang Dongen , Wang Mingyan , Yang Tao 
Published: February 2018

AbstractExploration of highly efficient electrocatalysts is significantly urgent for the extensive adoption of the fuel cells. Because of their high activity and super stability, Pt‐Pd bimetal nanocrystals have been widely recognized as one class of promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction. This article presents the synthesis of popcorn‐shaped Pt‐Pd bimetal nanoparticles with a wide composition range through a facile hydrothermal strategy. The hollow‐centered nanoparticles are surrounded by several petals and concave surfaces. By exploring the oxygen reduction reaction on the carbon supported Pt‐Pd popcorns in perchloric acid solution, it is found that compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst the present catalysts display superior catalytic performances in aspects of catalytic activity and stability. More importantly, the Pt‐Pd popcorns display minor performance degradations through prolonged potential cycling. The enhanced performances can be mainly attributed to the unique popcorn structure of the Pt‐Pd components, which allows the appearance and long existence of the high active sites with more accessibility. The present work highlights the key roles of accessible high active sites in the oxygen reduction reaction, which will ultimately guide the design of highly durable Pt‐Pd catalysts.
Pseudohalide‐Induced 2D (CH3NH3)2PbI2(SCN)2 Perovskite for Ternary Resistive Memory with High Performance
Authors: Cheng Xue‐Feng , Hou Xiang , Zhou Jin , Gao Bi‐Jun , He Jing‐Hui , Li Hua , Xu Qing‐Feng , Li Na‐Jun , Chen Dong‐Yun , Lu Jian‐Mei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecently, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHP) are studied in memory devices, but ternary resistive memory with three states based on OIHP is not achieved yet. In this work, ternary resistive memory based on hybrid perovskite is achieved with a high device yield (75%), much higher than most organic ternary resistive memories. The pseudohalide‐induced 2D (CH3NH3)2PbI2(SCN)2 perovskite thin film is prepared by using a one‐step solution method and fabricated into Al/perovskite film/indium–tin oxide (glass substrate as well as flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate) random resistive access memory (RRAM) devices. The three states have a conductivity ratio of 1:103:107, long retention over 10 000 s, and good endurance properties. The electrode area variation, impedance test, and current–voltage plotting show that the two resistance switches are attributable to the charge trap filling due to the effect of unscreened defect in 2D nanosheets and the formation of conductive filaments, respectively. This work paves way for stable perovskite multilevel RRAMs in ambient atmosphere.
Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Resistive Strain Sensors Based on Microstructured Metal Nanowire/Elastomer Composite Films
Authors: Kim Kang‐Hyun , Jang Nam‐Su , Ha Sung‐Hun , Cho Ji Hwan , Kim Jong‐Man 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHigh sensitivity and high stretchability are two conflicting characteristics that are difficult to achieve simultaneously in elastic strain sensors. A highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor comprising a microstructured metal nanowire (mNW)/elastomer composite film is presented. The surface structure is easily prepared by combining an mNW coating and soft‐lithographic replication processes in a simple and reproducible manner. The densely packed microprism‐array architecture of the composite film leads to a large morphological change in the mNW percolation network by efficiently concentrating the strain in the valley regions upon stretching. Meanwhile, the percolation network comprising mNWs with a high aspect ratio is stable enough to prevent electrical failure, even under high strains. This enables the sensor to simultaneously satisfy high sensitivity (gauge factor ≈81 at >130% strain) and high stretchability (150%) while ensuring long‐term reliability (10 000 cycles at 150% strain). The sensor can also detect strain induced by bending and pressure, thus demonstrating its potential as a versatile sensing tool. The sensor is successfully utilized to monitor a wide range of human motions in real time. Furthermore, the unique sensing mechanism is easily extended to detect more complex multiaxial strains by optimizing the surface morphology of the device.
The evolution of mollusc shells
Authors: McDougall Carmel , Degnan Bernard M. 
Published: February 2018

Molluscan shells are externally fabricated by specialized epithelial cells on the dorsal mantle. Although a conserved set of regulatory genes appears to underlie specification of mantle progenitor cells, the genes that contribute to the formation of the mature shell are incredibly diverse. Recent comparative analyses of mantle transcriptomes and shell proteomes of gastropods and bivalves are consistent with shell diversity being underpinned by a rapidly evolving mantle secretome (suite of genes expressed in the mantle that encode secreted proteins) that is the product of (a) high rates of gene co‐option into and loss from the mantle gene regulatory network, and (b) the rapid evolution of coding sequences, particular those encoding repetitive low complexity domains. Outside a few conserved genes, such as carbonic anhydrase, a so‐called “biomineralization toolkit” has yet to be discovered. Despite this, a common suite of protein domains, which are often associated with the extracellular matrix and immunity, appear to have been independently and often uniquely co‐opted into the mantle secretomes of different species. The evolvability of the mantle secretome provides a molecular explanation for the evolution and diversity of molluscan shells. These genomic processes are likely to underlie the evolution of other animal biominerals, including coral and echinoderm skeletons.This article is categorized under:

Comparative Development and Evolution > Regulation of Organ Diversity
Comparative Development and Evolution > Evolutionary Novelties
Active wake control: An approach to optimize the lifetime operation of wind farms
Authors: Kanev S.K. , Savenije F.J. , Engels W.P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe wind turbines within a wind farm impact each other's power production and loads through their wakes. Wake control strategies, aiming to reduce wake effects, receive increasing interest by both the research community and the industry. A number of recent simulation studies with high fidelity wake models indicate that wake mitigation control is a very promising concept for increasing the power production of a wind farm and/or reducing the fatigue loading on wind turbines' components. The purpose of this paper is to study the benefits of wake mitigation control in terms of lifetime power production and fatigue loading on several existing full‐scale commercial wind farms with different scale, layouts, and turbine sizes. For modeling the wake interactions, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands' FarmFlow software is used: a 3D parabolized Navier‐Stokes code, including a k‐ϵ turbulence model. In addition, an optimization approach is proposed that maximizes the lifetime power production, thereby incorporating the fatigue loads into the optimization criterion in terms of a lifetime extension factor.
PharmGKB: A worldwide resource for pharmacogenomic information
Authors: Barbarino Julia M. , Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Altman Russ B. , Klein Teri E. 
Published: February 2018

As precision medicine becomes increasingly relevant in healthcare, the field of pharmacogenomics (PGx) also continues to gain prominence in the clinical setting. Leading institutions have begun to implement PGx testing and the amount of published PGx literature increases yearly. The Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB; www.pharmgkb.org) is one of the foremost worldwide resources for PGx knowledge, and the organization has been adapting and refocusing its mission along with the current revolution in genomic medicine. The PharmGKB website provides a diverse array of PGx information, from annotations of the primary literature to guidelines for adjusting drug treatment based on genetic information. It is freely available and accessible to everyone from researchers to clinicians to everyday citizens. PharmGKB was found over 17 years ago, but continues to be a vital resource for the entire PGx community and the general public.This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
The Impact of Three-Dimensional Effects on the Simulation of Turbulence Kinetic Energy in a Major Alpine Valley
Authors: Goger Brigitta , Rotach Mathias W. , Gohm Alexander , Fuhrer Oliver , Stiperski Ivana , Holtslag Albert A. M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe correct simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is crucial for reliable weather forecasts in truly complex terrain. However, common assumptions for model parametrizations are only valid for horizontally homogeneous and flat terrain. Here, we evaluate the turbulence parametrization of the numerical weather prediction model COSMO with a horizontal grid spacing of $$\Delta x = 1.1\,\hbox {km}$$

Δ
x
=
1.1

km

for the Inn Valley, Austria. The long-term, high-resolution turbulence measurements of the i-Box measurement sites provide a useful data pool of the ABL structure in the valley and on slopes. We focus on days and nights when ABL processes dominate and a thermally-driven circulation is present. Simulations are performed for case studies with both a one-dimensional turbulence parametrization, which only considers the vertical turbulent exchange, and a hybrid turbulence parametrization, also including horizontal shear production and advection in the budget of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE). We find a general underestimation of TKE by the model with the one-dimensional turbulence parametrization. In the simulations with the hybrid turbulence parametrization, the modelled TKE has a more realistic structure, especially in situations when the TKE production is dominated by shear related to the afternoon up-valley flow, and during nights, when a stable ABL is present. The model performance also improves for stations on the slopes. An estimation of the horizontal shear production from the observation network suggests that three-dimensional effects are a relevant part of TKE production in the valley.
The Keggin Structure: An Important Factor in Governing NH3–SCR Activity Over the V2O5–MoO3/TiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Wu Rui , Zhang Ningqiang , Liu Xiaojun , Li Lingcong , Song Liyun , Qiu Wenge , He Hong 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Heteropolyacids and their salts have been effectively used in selective catalytic reduction because of the Keggin structure and extraordinarily strong acidity. Catalysts with and without the Keggin structure were synthesized to further investigate the effects of heteropolyoxometallate on low temperature NH3–SCR. XRD, BET, Raman, H2–TPR, NH3–TPD, FT-IR, and SO2–TPD techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts. Results indicate that catalysts with the Keggin structure had more surface Brönsted and Lewis acid sites, and these catalysts had significantly improved performances in the SCR reaction and in SO2 poisoning resistance.

Graphical Abstract
Computer simulations for assessing cognitively intensive instrumental activities of daily living in older adults
Authors: Rapp Stephen R. , Barnard Ryan T. , Sink Kaycee M. , Chamberlain Dana G. , Wilson Valerie , Lu Lingyi , Ip Edward H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionAim is to evaluate validity, reliability, diagnostic precision, and user acceptability of computer simulations of cognitively demanding tasks when administered to older adults with and without cognitive impairment.MethodsFive simulation modules were administered to 161 individuals aged ≥60 years with no cognitive impairment (N = 81), mild cognitive impairment (N = 52), or dementia (N = 28). Groups were compared on total accuracy and time to complete the tasks (seconds). Receiver operating characteristics were evaluated. Reliability was assessed over one month. Participants rated face validity and acceptability.ResultsTotal accuracy (P < .0001) and time (P = .0015) differed between groups. Test‐retest correlations were excellent (0.79 and 0.88, respectively). Area under the curve ranged from good (0.77) to excellent (0.97). User ratings supported their face validity and acceptability.DiscussionBrief computer simulations can be useful in assessing cognitive functional abilities of older adults and distinguishing varying degrees of impairment.
Length as a Phoneme in the German Vowel System
Authors: Mueller Hugo 
Published: February 2018

It is customary to represent the German vowel system as consisting of seven short vowels / i / , / e / , / a / , / o / , /u/, / ö / , /ü/ and seven long vowels / i : / , / e : / , / a : / , / o : / , / u :/, / ö : / , / ü : /. In this analysis the short vowels have the phonetic value [I, ε, α, ɔ, U, œ, Y], whereas the long vowels are described as consisting of short vowel plus the phoneme / : /.[: ] obviously does not only mean length, but it includes several features of quality, i.e. tenseness, fronting, and raising. It will be noted that the contrast tense-lax applies to every single pair: [i — I ] , [e — ε], [a — α], [o — ɔ], [u — U] [ö — œ], [ ü — Y].
Phonology and Language Teaching
Authors: Clair-Sobell James St. 
Published: February 2018

It is not surprising that many a conscientious language teacher is somewhat dismayed at the suggestion that his or her already arduous task should be further complicated by the introduction of scientific linguistic techniques. Languages have been taught for generations, nay for centuries, by more or less traditional standardised methods, and innovations in this work must naturally encounter the same passive, if not active, resistance that they, meet in other fields of human endeavour.Not the least discouraging factors determining such attitudes are the controversial nature of many linguistic issues and the forbidding hierarchy of unfamiliar technical terms about whose meaning and regular application scientific linguists themselves are by no means always in accord. The progressive teacher wishing to gain insight into some aspect of linguistics must be armed with fortitude when embarking upon the reading of a serious linguistic paper, where he is liable to encounter such terms as suprasegmental, bipolar, dyad, idiolect and the like.
‘Below English Line’: An ethnographic exploration of class and the English language in post-liberalization India
Authors: JAYADEVA SAZANA 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAnthropological studies of India's post-liberalization middle classes have tended to focus mainly on the role of consumption behaviour in the constitution of this class group. Building on these studies, and taking class as an object of ethnographic enquiry, I argue that, over the last 20 years, class dynamics in the country have been significantly altered by the unprecedentedly important and complex role that the English language has come to play in the production and reproduction of class. Based on 15 months of ethnographic fieldwork—conducted at commercial spoken-English training centres, schools, and corporate organizations in Bangalore—I analyse the processes by which this change in class dynamics has occurred, and how it is experienced on the ground. I demonstrate how, apart from being a valuable type of class cultural capital in its own right, proficiency in English has come to play a key role in the acquisition and performance of other important forms of capital associated with middle-class identity. As a result, being able to demonstrate proficiency in English has come to be experienced as a critical element in claiming and maintaining a space in the middle class, regardless of the other types of class cultural capital a person possesses.