bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding and Controlling the Dielectric Response of Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Ryder Matthew R. , Donà Lorenzo , Vitillo Jenny G. , Civalleri Bartolomeo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetal–organic framework (MOF) materials have recently been shown to have promising electronic and dielectric properties. This study involves investigating a diverse range of MOFs to rationalise how the different building blocks that form the structure can affect the electronic properties and dielectric response. The analysis, based on quantum mechanical calculations, includes the contribution from the metals involved, the organic linkers and the symmetry and topology of the framework and makes suggestions for future work on low‐κ dielectric MOFs. The results confirm that the band gap is primarily due to the electronic levels of the organic linkers and that tuning the band gap can be easily achieved either by linker functionalisation or by increasing the aromaticity. The relevance of simple structure–property relationships for different families of isoreticular MOFs through the use of Hammett sigma constants is also highlighted. It is also shown that the polarisability of the framework can be tuned comparably to the band gap. However, the expected low static dielectric constant is less influenced by the composition of the MOF and can be modified by acting on the crystal structure. Indeed, it is shown that it can be directly linked to the framework porosity.
A model to measure sustainable development in the hotel industry: A comparative study
Authors: Suárez‐Cebador Manuel , Rubio‐Romero Juan Carlos , Pinto‐Contreiras Joaquim , Gemar German 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDespite measurement difficulties, several studies have recognized the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a tool to promote sustainability. The aim of this paper is to design a model to measure the implementation of CSR practices in hotels in two well‐known tourist regions, namely the Algarve in Portugal and the Costa del Sol in Spain. To do this, a Delphi method was applied: 16 experts from the two regions were asked to quantify the desirability of implementing 32 CSR practices in three areas: environmental, social, and economic. As a result, a three‐dimensional model was constructed to provide a quantitative overview of the hotel industry's commitment to and preferences in implementing CSR practices. Despite the high level of consistency between the two groups, statistically significant differences were found in the priority assigned to four CSR practices.
A comprehensive three‐dimensional sustainability measure: The ‘missing P’ of ‘people’ – a vital stakeholder in sustainable development
Authors: Gallagher Vickie Coleman , Hrivnak Mary Wilson , Valcea Sorin , Mahoney Christine Brown , LaWong Diane 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSustainability depends on a balanced relationship of the triple bottom line – people, profit and planet. However, limited research exists on how employees comprise the people component as vital stakeholders. The advancement of sustainability research has been hampered by the lack of a comprehensive measure incorporating three dimensions. Hence, three studies were conducted to develop a measure. In Study 1, qualitative interviews with 16 sustainability executives and a literature review led to development of 41 items. In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis of the measure with 102 working adults confirmed three dimensions and reduced it to 34 items. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis of panel data from 119 human resource managers resulted in a fit with three dimensions. SEM analysis indicated an antecedent relationship with innovative culture, learning orientation, and a supportive and collaborative culture. The people dimension is related to organizational identification as an important outcome. Strengths, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
A novel flow cytometry tool for fibrosis scoring through hepatic stellate cell differentiation
Authors: Amer Johnny , Salhab Ahmad , Doron Sarit , Morali Gilles , Safadi Rifaat 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a central fibrogenic cell type that contributes to collagen accumulation during chronic liver disease. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from HCV patients are phagocytized by HSCs and induce their differentiation. This study aimed to characterize HSCs differentiation using a flow cytometry tool for fibrosis scoring. NK cells from healthy donors and from patients with chronic HCV with various severities of fibrosis were co‐cultured with a human HSC line (LX2). LX2 phagocytosis of NK cells were stained for NK cells (CD45/CD56/CD3) and NK activation marker (CD107a) as well as INF‐γ, apoptosis (Annexin‐V) and α‐smooth‐muscle‐actin (αSMA, as a marker of LX2 activation). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the senescence marker P15 were analyzed prior to flow cytometry analysis. LX2 mono‐cultures demonstrated a homogenous cell‐population according to size (forward‐scattered; FSC), granularity and αSMA expressions. However, on their co‐culture with NK cells, the HSCs formed four subpopulations, which were stratified by αSMA intensities and cell size. NK cells isolated from heathy donors did not activate LX2‐cells. In contrast, HCV exposed to NK cells from both F1 and F4 fibrosis grade patients, showed elevated CD107a and INF‐γ levels and increased αSMA intensities in two of the four cell populations, with fibrosis scoring showing a linear correlation with αSMA intensities and NK phagocytosis. The αSMAintermediate/SizeLow HSCs sub‐population showed higher proliferation following F4‐NK cells with higher phagocytosis ability, suggesting an active/regulatory population. The αSMAhigh/Sizehigh subpopulations showed low proliferation and phagocytosis capacity, and were correlated with higher apoptosis, increased ROS and P15 intensities, suggesting senescing cells. Taken together, NK cells lead to heterogeneous differentiation of HSCs. Flow‐cytometry may provide a novel means of characterizing HSCs in relation to the severity of liver fibrosis. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Seasonal bat activity related to insect emergence at three temperate lakes
Authors: Salvarina Ioanna , Gravier Dorian , Rothhaupt Karl‐Otto 
Published: March 2018

AbstractKnowledge of aquatic food resources entering terrestrial systems is important for food web studies and conservation planning. Bats, among other terrestrial consumers, often profit from aquatic insect emergence and their activity might be closely related to such events. However, there is a lack of studies which monitor bat activity simultaneously with aquatic insect emergence, especially from lakes. Thus, our aim was to understand the relationship between insect emergence and bat activity, and investigate whether there is a general spatial or seasonal pattern at lakeshores. We assessed whole‐night bat activity using acoustic monitoring and caught emerging and aerial flying insects at three different lakes through three seasons. We predicted that insect availability and seasonality explain the variation in bat activity, independent of the lake size and characteristics. Spatial (between lakes) differences of bat activity were stronger than temporal (seasonal) differences. Bat activity did not always correlate to insect emergence, probably because other factors, such as habitat characteristics, or bats’ energy requirements, play an important role as well. Aerial flying insects explained bat activity better than the emerged aquatic insects in the lake with lowest insect emergence. Bats were active throughout the night with some activity peaks, and the pattern of their activity also differed among lakes and seasons. Lakes are important habitats for bats, as they support diverse bat communities and activity throughout the night and the year when bats are active. Our study highlights that there are spatial and temporal differences in bat activity and its hourly nocturnal pattern, that should be considered when investigating aquatic–terrestrial interactions or designing conservation and monitoring plans.
Overstorey evapotranspiration in a seasonally dry Mediterranean eucalypt forest: Response to groundwater and mining
Authors: Macfarlane Craig , Grigg Andrew , McGregor Rod , Ogden Gary , Silberstein Richard 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGroundwater levels in the northern jarrah forest have declined at rates up to 0.5 m year−1 owing to increased aridity in south‐western Australia in the last 40 years. The forest has also been mined and rehabilitated resulting in significant areas of postmining forest. We tested the impact of declining groundwater levels and mining on evapotranspiration by jarrah forest overstorey. We hypothesized that trees in jarrah forest are facultative phreatophytes (will use groundwater where available but are not reliant on it) and water use per unit overstorey leaf area index (Los) of postmining forest is the same as that of postharvest forest. We measured sapflow at 7 sites in the northern jarrah forest and measured rainfall interception by the canopy at 9 sites. Stemflow was measured at 3 sites. Shallow depth to groundwater was associated with a larger ratio of transpiration per unit leaf area (Eos/Los), but there was little difference in Eos/Los between postmining and postharvest jarrah forest. Eos/Los ranged from 250 ‐ 340 mm year−1 (m2 m−2)−1 at sites where depth to groundwater was >15 m but was up to 400–500 mm year−1 (m2 m−2)−1 at some sites with shallow groundwater. Based on relationships between transpiration, rainfall interception, and Los, it is possible to estimate overstorey evapotranspiration in jarrah forest from Los, especially if spatial layers are available for depth to groundwater. We conclude that jarrah forest is conservative in its water use and likely to be resilient to a drying climate. Management implications for the northern jarrah forest are briefly discussed.
Monitoring marine mammals using unmanned aerial vehicles: quantifying detection certainty
Authors: Aniceto Ana S. , Biuw Martin , Lindstrøm Ulf , Solbø Stian A. , Broms Fredrik , Carroll JoLynn 
Published: March 2018

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being recognized as potentially useful for detection of marine mammals in their natural habitats, but an important consideration is the associated uncertainties in animal detection. We present a study based on field trials using UAVs to carry out image‐based monitoring of cetaceans in two fjords in northern Norway. We conducted 12 missions to assess the effects of both environmental‐ and aircraft‐related variables on detection certainty. Images were inspected for animal presence and its associated detection certainty. Images were also assessed for potentially important covariates such as wave turbulence (sea state), luminance, and glare. Aircraft variables such as altitude, pitch, and roll were combined into a single variable—pixel size. We recorded a total of 50 humpback whales, 63 killer whales (KW), and 118 unidentified sightings. We also recorded 57 harbor porpoise sightings. None of the environmental conditions (sea state, glare, and luminance) affected the detection certainty of harbor porpoises. In contrast, increasing sea state and luminance had negative and positive effects, respectively, on the detection certainty of humpback and KW. The detection certainty was not significantly affected by pixel size for both harbor porpoises, and humpback and KW. Our results indicate that at lower altitudes, variations in aircraft position (pitch and roll) do not have a variable effect on detection certainty. Overall, this study shows the importance of measuring variability in both environmental and flight‐related variables, in order to attain unbiased estimates of detectability for UAV‐based marine mammal surveys, particularly in Arctic and sub‐Arctic regions.
Reliable estimates of beta diversity with incomplete sampling
Authors: Roden Vanessa Julie , Kocsis Ádám T. , Zuschin Martin , Kiessling Wolfgang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBeta diversity, the compositional variation among communities or assemblages, is crucial to understanding the principles of diversity assembly. The mean pairwise proportional dissimilarity expresses overall heterogeneity of samples in a data set and is among the most widely used and most robust measures of beta diversity. Obtaining a complete list of taxa and their abundances requires substantial taxonomic expertise and is time consuming. In addition, the information is generally incomplete due to sampling biases. Based on the concept of the ecological significance of dominant taxa, we explore whether determining proportional dissimilarity can be simplified based on dominant species. Using simulations and six case studies, we assess the correlation between complete community compositional data and reduced subsets of a varying number of dominant species. We find that gross beta diversity is usually depicted accurately when only the 80th percentile or five of the most abundant species of each site is considered. In data sets with very high evenness, at least the 10 most abundant species should be included. Focusing on dominant species also maintains the rank‐order of beta diversity among sites. Our new approach will allow ecologists and paleobiologists to produce a far greater amount of data on diversity patterns with less time and effort, supporting conservation studies and basic science.
PCMT1 is an unfavorable predictor and functions as an oncogene in bladder cancer
Authors: Dong Liming , Li Yanpei , Xue Dongwei , Liu Yili 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe role of protein l‐isoaspartate (d‐aspartate) O‐methyltransferase (PCMT1) in human cancer was generally cognized. The clinical significance and biological function of PCMT1 in bladder cancer is still unknown. PCMT1 mRNA and protein expression levels in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by qRT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, or western blot. The correlation between PCMT1 expression and clinicopathological factors was analyzed through immunohistochemistry in 108 bladder cancer patients. Loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function studies were conducted to explore the biological function of PCMT1 in bladder cancer cell lines in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In our results, we found that PCMT1 was overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared with normal urothelium tissues in microarray datasets (GSE3167). Then, we confirmed PCMT1 mRNA and protein expression were increased in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines compared with paired normal urothelium tissues and normal uroepithelial cell line. PCMT1 protein expression was obviously correlated with clinical stage, muscularis invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Survival analysis showed that PCMT1 protein high‐expression was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for bladder cancer patients. The in vitro experiments showed PCMT1 regulated bladder cancer cells migration and invasion through modulating epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐associated genes expression including E‐cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Slug, but had no effect on proliferation. In conclusion, PCMT1 is an unfavorable prognostic biomarker and involves in cells migration and invasion through regulating EMT‐associated genes. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(4):291–299, 2018
Factors influencing elk recruitment across ecotypes in the Western United States
Authors: Lukacs Paul M. , Mitchell Michael S. , Hebblewhite Mark , Johnson Bruce K. , Johnson Heather , Kauffman Matthew , Proffitt Kelly M. , Zager Peter , Brodie Jedediah , Hersey Kent , Holland A. Andrew , Hurley Mark , McCorquodale Scott , Middleton Arthur , Nordhagen Matthew , Nowak J. Joshua , Walsh Daniel P. , White P. J. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTUngulates are key components in ecosystems and economically important for sport and subsistence harvest. Yet the relative importance of the effects of weather conditions, forage productivity, and carnivores on ungulates are not well understood. We examined changes in elk (Cervus canadensis) recruitment (indexed as age ratios) across 7 states and 3 ecotypes in the northwestern United States during 1989–2010, while considering the effects of predator richness, forage productivity, and precipitation. We found a broad‐scale, long‐term decrease in elk recruitment of 0.48 juveniles/100 adult females/year. Weather conditions (indexed as summer and winter precipitation) showed small, but measurable, influences on recruitment. Forage productivity on summer and winter ranges (indexed by normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI] metrics) had the strongest effect on elk recruitment relative to other factors. Relationships between forage productivity and recruitment varied seasonally and regionally. The productivity of winter habitat was more important in southern parts of the study area, whereas annual variation in productivity of summer habitat had more influence on recruitment in northern areas. Elk recruitment varied by up to 15 juveniles/100 adult females across the range of variation in forage productivity. Areas with more species of large carnivores had relatively low elk recruitment, presumably because of increased predation. Wolves (Canis lupus) were associated with a decrease of 5 juveniles/100 adult females, whereas grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) were associated with an additional decrease of 7 juveniles/100 adult females. Carnivore species can have a critical influence on ungulate recruitment because their influence rivals large ranges of variation in environmental conditions. A more pressing concern, however, stems from persistent broad‐scale decreases in recruitment across the distribution of elk in the northwestern United States, irrespective of carnivore richness. Our results suggest that wildlife managers interested in improving recruitment of elk consider the combined effects of habitat and predators. Efforts to manage summer and winter ranges to increase forage productivity may have a positive effect on recruitment. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Aerogels Derived from Polymer Nanofibers and Their Applications
Authors: Qian Zhenchao , Wang Zhen , Zhao Ning , Xu Jian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAerogels are gels in which the solvent is supplanted by air while the pores and networks are largely maintained. Owing to their low bulk density, high porosity, and large specific surface area (SSA), aerogels are promising for many applications. Various inorganic aerogels, e.g., silica aerogels, are intensively studied. However, the mechanical brittleness of common inorganic aerogels has seriously restricted their applications. In the past decade, nanofibers have been developed as building blocks for the construction of aerogels to improve their mechanical property. Unlike traditional frameworks constructed by interconnected particles, nanofibers can form chemically cross‐linked and/or physically entangled 3D skeletons, thus showing flexibility instead of brittleness. Therefore, excellent elasticity and toughness, ultralow density, high SSA, and tunable chemical composition can be expected for the polymer nanofiber‐derived aerogels (PNAs). In this review, recent research progress in the fabrication, properties, and applications of PNAs is summarized. Various nanofibers, including nanocelluloses, nanochitins, and electrospun nanofibers are included, as well as carbon nanofibers from the corresponding organic precursors. Typical applications in supercapacitors, electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction, flexible electrodes, oil absorbents, adsorbents, tissue engineering, stimuli‐responsive materials, and catalyst carriers, are presented. Finally, the challenges and future development of PNAs are discussed.
A Nonconjugated Zwitterionic Polymer: Cathode Interfacial Layer Comparable with PFN for Narrow‐Bandgap Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zhendong , Chen Qiaoyun , Liu Yanfeng , Ding Lan , Zhang Kaicheng , Zhu Kai , Yuan Ligang , Dong Bin , Zhou Yi , Song Bo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA nonconjugated, alcohol‐soluble zwitterionic polymer, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (denoted by PSBMA), is employed as cathode interfacial layer (CIL) in polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on PTB7‐Th:PC71BM. Compared with the control device without CIL, PSCs with PSBMA CILs show significant enhancement on the resulting performance, and the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.27% is achieved. Under parallel conditions, PSCs with PSBMA as CIL show comparable performance than those with widely used poly[(9,9‐bis(30‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐ioctylfluorene)] as CIL. The polar groups of PSBMA not only provide a solvent orthogonal solubility in the process of preparation of the devices but also lead to interfacial dipole to the electrode, which promises a better energy level alignment. In addition, PSBMA‐based devices show better abilities of hole blocking. These results indicate that the zwitterionic polymer PSBMA should be a promising CIL in PSC‐based narrow‐bandgap polymers.
Sleeping Sickness in the ‘Omics Era
Authors: Tiberti Natalia , Sanchez Jean‐Charles 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei parasites, affecting the poorest communities in sub‐Saharan Africa. The great efforts done by the scientific community, local governments, and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) via active patients’ screening, vector control, and introduction of improved treatment regimens have significantly contributed to the reduction of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) incidence during the last 15 years. Consequently, the WHO has announced the objective of HAT elimination as a public health problem by 2020. Studies at both parasite and host levels have improved our understanding of the parasite biology and the mechanisms of parasite interaction with its mammalian host. In this review, the impact that ‘omics studies have had on sleeping sickness by revealing novel properties of parasite's subcellular organelles are summarized, by highlighting changes induced in the host during the infection and by proposing potential disease markers and therapeutic targets.
Left‐handed meta‐surface loaded with ring resonator modelling for satellite application
Authors: Hasan Md. Mehedi , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Islam Mohammad Tariqul 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA new geometry of compact meta‐surface, loaded with the ring resonator for satellite application (Ku‐band), is presented in this paper. The diamond‐shaped meta‐surface is designed by the metallic ring resonator with metallic ground plane separated by a dielectric substrate layer, while epoxy resin fibre is utilized as a dielectric substrate layer. The proposed meta‐surface structure is successfully simulated, fabricated, and measured. Effects of the design specifications on the surface current and field distribution are also investigated elaborately. Theoretical and simulated results show that the diamond‐shape structure resonance is at 15.84 GHz, whereas the measured results are slightly shifted around at 15.87 GHz. The designed meta‐surface structure also exhibits the left‐handed characteristics at 15.88 GHz, where the estimations of permittivity is −4 + 0.28j, permeability is −19.2 − 134.6j, and negative index is −5.51 − 3.86j. Further, the lumped element equivalent circuit model of the proposed meta‐surface unit cell is explained. Moreover, the 10 × 10 mm2 meta‐surface single‐unit‐cell prototype is compact in size and the impact on the performance by modifying the meta‐surface structure is investigated. Therefore, the meta‐surface integrated antenna shows resonance frequency bands from 14.0 to 14.50 GHz, which is used as INSAT‐4A communication satellite uplink frequency.