bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corralling a black swan: natural range of variation in a forest landscape driven by rare, extreme events
Authors: Donato Daniel C. , Halofsky Joshua S. , Reilly Matthew J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe natural range of variation (NRV) is an important reference for ecosystem management, but has been scarcely quantified for forest landscapes driven by infrequent, severe disturbances. Extreme events such as large, stand‐replacing wildfires at multi‐century intervals are typical for these regimes; however, data on their characteristics are inherently scarce, and, for land management, these events are commonly considered too large and unpredictable to integrate into planning efforts (the proverbial “Black Swan”). Here, we estimate the NRV of late‐seral (mature/old‐growth) and early‐seral (post‐disturbance, pre‐canopy‐closure) conditions in a forest landscape driven by episodic, large, stand‐replacing wildfires: the Western Cascade Range of Washington, USA (2.7 million ha). These two seral stages are focal points for conservation and restoration objectives in many regions. Using a state‐and‐transition simulation approach incorporating uncertainty, we assess the degree to which NRV estimates differ under a broad range of literature‐derived inputs regarding (1) overall fire rotations and (2) how fire area is distributed through time, as relatively frequent smaller events (less episodic), or fewer but larger events (more episodic). All combinations of literature‐derived fire rotations and temporal distributions (i.e., “scenarios”) indicate that the largest wildfire events (or episodes) burned up to 105–106 ha. Under most scenarios, wildfire dynamics produced 5th–95th percentile ranges for late‐seral forests of ~47–90% of the region (median 70%), with structurally complex early‐seral conditions composing ~1–30% (median 6%). Fire rotation was the main determinant of NRV, but temporal distribution was also important, with more episodic (temporally clustered) fire yielding wider NRV. In smaller landscapes (20,000 ha; typical of conservation reserves and management districts), ranges were 0–100% because fires commonly exceeded the landscape size. Current conditions are outside the estimated NRV, with the majority of the region instead covered by dense mid‐seral forests (i.e., a regional landscape with no historical analog). Broad consistency in NRV estimates among widely varied fire regime parameters suggests these ranges are likely relevant even under changing climatic conditions, both historical and future. These results indicate management‐relevant NRV estimates can be derived for seral stages of interest in extreme‐event landscapes, even when incorporating inherent uncertainties in disturbance regimes.
Assessing precipitation, evapotranspiration, andNDVIas controls of U.S. Great Plains plant production
Authors: Chen Maosi , Parton William J. , Hartman Melannie D. , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Smith William K. , Knapp Alan K. , Lutz Susan , Derner Justin D. , Tucker Compton J. , Ojima Dennis S. , Volesky Jerry D. , Stephenson Mitchell B. , Schacht Walter H. , Gao Wei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractProductivity throughout the North American Great Plains grasslands is generally considered to be water limited, with the strength of this limitation increasing as precipitation decreases. We hypothesize that cumulative actual evapotranspiration water loss (AET) from April to July is the precipitation‐related variable most correlated to aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in the U.S. Great Plains (GP). We tested this by evaluating the relationship ofANPPtoAET, precipitation, and plant transpiration (Tr). We used multi‐yearANPPdata from five sites ranging from semiarid grasslands in Colorado and Wyoming to mesic grasslands in Nebraska and Kansas, mean annualNRCS ANPP, and satellite‐derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. Results from the five sites showed that cumulative April‐to‐JulyAET, precipitation, and Tr were well correlated (R2: 0.54–0.70) to annual changes inANPPfor all but the wettest site.AETand Tr were better correlated to annual changes inANPPcompared to precipitation for the drier sites, and precipitation in August and September had little impact on productivity in drier sites. April‐to‐July cumulative precipitation was best correlated (R2 = 0.63) with interannual variability inANPPin the most mesic site, whileAETand Tr were poorly correlated withANPPat this site. Cumulative growing season (May‐to‐September)NDVI(iNDVI) was strongly correlated with annualANPPat the five sites (R2 = 0.90). UsingiNDVIas a surrogate forANPP, we found that county‐level cumulative April–JulyAETwas more strongly correlated toANPPthan precipitation for more than 80% of theGPcounties, with precipitation tending to perform better in the eastern more mesic portion of theGP. Including the ratio ofAETto potential evapotranspiration (PET) improved the correlation ofAETto bothiNDVIand mean county‐levelNRCS ANPP. Accounting for how different precipitation‐related variables controlANPP(AETin drier portion, precipitation in wetter portion) provides opportunity to develop spatially explicit forecasting ofANPPacross theGPfor enhancing decision‐making by land managers and use of grasslandANPPfor biofuels.
Synthesis of Functionalized Novel α‐Amino‐β‐alkoxyphosphonates through Regioselective Ring Opening of Aziridine‐2‐phosphonates
Authors: Polat‐Cakir Sidika , Beksultanova Nurzhan , Dogan Özdemir 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAziridines are highly useful compounds as building blocks for the synthesis of important organic compounds. Amino acid synthesis by aziridine ring opening reaction is a good example to the use of aziridines. Although this reaction is studied by many groups, the synthesis of amino phosphonic acids is less explored. In this study, we have carried out the ring opening reaction of aziridinyl phosphonates with a variety of alcohols including the more functional propargylic and allylic alcohols. These reactions provided functionalized α‐amino‐β‐alkoxyphosphonates in 40–91 % yield.
Unsteady MHD flow of laminar liquid film over a porous medium using DTM‐Pade approximation
Authors: Dash R. K. , Mishra S. R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn analysis is carried out for the flow of an unsteady electrically conducting liquid film on a horizontal stretching surface embedded with porous medium. In addition, a uniform heat source is taken care of in the present problem to model the governing equations of momentum and thermal energy to enhance the thermal properties of the considered fluid. Similarity variable as well as transformations are used to transform these equations into nondimensional. Solutions of these transformed ordinary differential equations are obtained using approximate analytical method, such as differential transformation method, and their refinement is verified by Pade approximant. The methodology of the analytical approach is presented clearly. Further, for validation, the numerical solutions are obtained and compared with the present analytical solution. The characteristics of the exhibiting parameters are shown via graphs and then discussed.
A numerical approach for MHD Al2O3–TiO2/H2O hybrid nanofluids over a stretching cylinder under the impact of shape factor
Authors: Ghobadi Amir Hossein , Hassankolaei Mosayeb Gholinia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this research, the heat transfer and magnetohydrodynamic stagnation point flow of a (Al2O3–TiO2/H2O) hybrid nanofluid past a stretching cylinder under the impact of heat generation, nonlinear thermal radiation, and nanoparticles shape factor has been analyzed using the Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg fifth order numerically method. The impact of changing diverse parameters, such as nanoparticles shape factor, named hexahedron and lamina, on temperature and velocity profiles and induced magnetic field, has been explored. The main motivation of this article is using hybrid nanoparticles to improve heat transfer. The novel findings of the current research illustrate that the Lorentz force produced by increasing magnetic field parameter () causes a decline in velocity profile; also increasing solar radiation, shape factor and the use of hybrid nanoparticles caused increment in the temperature profile. Furthermore, the lamina nanoparticle shape has more impact on Nusselt number () compared with hexahedron‐shaped nanoparticle.
Performance investigation of a solar water distiller integrated with a parabolic collector using fuzzy technique
Authors: Aldoori Wadhah H. , Ahmed Ahmed H. , Ahmed Anmmar M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA recent study of the design of solar distillation with solar radiation concentration was carried out by an independent device. Transformer oil was used as a fluid to transfer heat to the distilled basin. The design and operational variables are essential, such as distiller dimensions, concentration ratio, pressure, and temperature. A mathematical model was proposed to simulate the system for 2 July 2018 from 10 am to 4
pm in the climatic conditions of the city of Kirkuk, Iraq. Fuzzy logic (FL) was used to select the affected parameters: water temperature (Tw), water pressure (Pw), glass temperature (Tg), and vapor pressure (Pg) which have a separated membership function that control the linguistic variables. The results showed that the best performance of the distiller is at Tw = 100°C, Pg = 10 000 Pa, Tg = 20°C, and Pw = 20 000 Pa, and concentration ratio of 30. This study used FL to analyze solar distiller performance and identify optimum temperature, pressure, and concentration ratio on the productivity of solar distiller.
RETRACTED: The value of endocervical and endometrial lidocaine flushing before office hysteroscopy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shoab Amira Y. , Maged Ahmed M. , Ramadan Wafaa , Dahab Sherif , Deeb Wesam S. , Ali Yahia Z.A. , Mostafa Walaa A.I. , Hussein Eman A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of flushing the cervical canal and the uterine cavity with local anesthetic in order to reduce the pain felt by patients during office hysteroscopy.MethodsA double‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted between May 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, involving 260 women undergoing office hysteroscopy at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Women were randomized using a computerized random number generator to intrauterine and intracervical instillation 5 minutes before the procedure of either 5 mL lidocaine 2% diluted in 15 mL normal saline, or 20 mL normal saline alone. The primary outcome measure was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score reported by women during the procedure. Secondary outcomes included VAS score at 10 and 30 minutes after the procedure, the need for analgesia, and occurrence of vasovagal attacks.ResultsWomen in the lidocaine flushing group reported a significantly lower VAS score during the procedure (1.8 ± 1.1 vs 5.2 ± 1.8) and 10 and 30 minutes after it (1.3 ± 1.15 and 0.8 ± 0.9 vs 4.3 ± 2.1 and 2.98 ± 1.96) when compared with control women (P<0.001). More women without lidocaine flushing experienced vasovagal attacks (25/130 vs 9/130, P<0.001) and needed analgesia (84/130 vs 13/130, P<0.001) when compared with women with lidocaine flushing.ConclusionFlushing of the cervical canal and uterine cavity with local anesthetic significantly decreased pain sensation in women undergoing office hysteroscopy.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03530488
Exploration research on the fusion of multimodal spectrum technology to improve performance of rapid diagnosis scheme for thyroid dysfunction
Authors: Chen Cheng , Du Guoli , Tong Dongni , Lv Guodong , Lv Xiaoyi , Si Rumeng , Tang Jun , Li Hongyi , Ma Hongbing , Mo Jiaqing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe spectral fusion by Raman spectroscopy and Fourier infrared spectroscopy combined with pattern recognition algorithms is utilized to diagnose thyroid dysfunction serum, and finds the spectral segment with the highest sensitivity to further advance diagnosis speed. Compared with the single infrared spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy, the proposal can improve the detection accuracy, and can obtain more spectral features, indicating greater differences between thyroid dysfunction and normal serum samples. For discriminating different samples, principal component analysis (PCA) was first used for feature extraction to reduce the dimension of high‐dimension spectral data and spectral fusion. Then, support vector machine (SVM), back propagation neural network, extreme learning machine and learning vector quantization algorithms were employed to establish the discriminant diagnostic models. The accuracy of spectral fusion of the best analytical model PCA‐SVM, single Raman spectral accuracy and single infrared spectral accuracy is 83.48%, 78.26% and 80%, respectively. The accuracy of spectral fusion is higher than the accuracy of single spectrum in five classifiers. And the diagnostic accuracy of spectral fusion in the range of 2000 to 2500 cm−1 is 81.74%, which greatly improves the sample measure speed and data analysis speed than analysis of full spectra. The results from our study demonstrate that the serum spectral fusion technique combined with multivariate statistical methods have great potential for the screening of thyroid dysfunction.
Hepatoprotective effect of boldine against diethylnitrosamine‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis in wistar rats
Authors: Subramaniam Nirmala , Kannan Pugazhendhi , K Ashokkumar , Thiruvengadam Devaki 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDiscovering the utmost effective and targeted chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma is still a significant challenge. In the present study, diethylnitrosamine was used as a liver carcinogen and boldine a compound of boldo. We anticipated the hypothesis that boldine endow antiproliferative and promote apoptosis on hepatocarcinoma rats. We analyzed that boldine alters the tumor biomarkers and liver markers enzyme levels. Also, we determined boldine modulate the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities, as well as messenger RNA and protein expressions of Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. It was also manifested by histopathology studies in liver tissues of HCC rats. Our finding suggested that boldine has antioxidant activity, and moreover, also contributes apoptotic nature by upregulating the protein expression of Bax, and cleaved caspase 3. Our data accomplishes that boldine a candidate drug has dynamic therapeutic activity and suitable for the treatment of HCC.
Lack of health insurance is associated with delays in PrEP initiation among young black men who have sex with men in Atlanta, US: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Serota David P , Rosenberg Eli S , Thorne Annie L , Sullivan Patrick S , Kelley Colleen F 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionDelays between receiving a PrEP prescription and taking a first dose increase the risk of HIV infection. This is especially relevant in populations with high HIV incidence, such as young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the United States. Additionally, YBMSM have relatively low levels of health insurance. We investigated whether lack of health insurance and reliance on PrEP funding through the manufacturer assistance programme (MAP) leads to delays in initiation of PrEP.MethodsHIV‐negative YBMSM were offered PrEP as part of a prospective cohort. Enrolment began in June 2015 with follow‐up through February 2019. Interested participants attended a PrEP clinician visit and received a prescription. Those with health insurance received a copay assistance card; those without insurance accessed PrEP using the MAP. The primary outcome was the days between prescription and initiation. The effect of insurance status on this delay was modelled using a Cox proportional hazards model.Results and DiscussionThe median delay between receipt of a PrEP prescription and taking a first dose was 12 days (IQR 3 to 32). Compared to uninsured participants, the adjusted hazard ratio for PrEP initiation for those with insurance was 2.72 (95% CI 1.82 to 4.06). The adjusted median time to initiation for insured participants was 5 days versus 21 days for those without insurance (p < 0.0001). Older age and STI diagnosis were also associated with faster PrEP initiation. Despite equivalent access to PrEP provided by the study, YBMSM without insurance had longer delays in initiation after receipt of a prescription. Overall, the observed delay in PrEP initiation increases the chances of HIV infection and the possibility of PrEP initiation after undetected seroconversion.ConclusionsThe extended time period between PrEP prescription and taking a first dose increases the risk of HIV transmission. Younger YBMSM and those without health insurance had longer delays in PrEP initiation. Immediate PrEP initiation programmes could decrease the likelihood of this occurrence and mitigate the disparity in initiation between those with and without health insurance. Clinical Trial Number: NCT02503618.
Altered Ascending Aorta Hemodynamics in Patients After Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: van der Palen Roel L.F. , Deurvorst Quirine S. , Kroft Lucia J.M. , van den Boogaard Pieter J. , Hazekamp Mark G. , Blom Nico A. , Lamb Hildo J. , Westenberg Jos J.M. , Roest Arno A.W. 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundPatients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) have an altered aortic geometry after an arterial switch operation (ASO), with neo‐aortic root dilatation as an important complication. Geometry‐related aortic hemodynamics have been assumed to contribute to pathology of the ascending aorta (AAo).PurposeTo evaluate aortic flow displacement (FD) and regional wall shear stress (WSS) in relation to ascending neo‐aortic geometry in children after ASO.Study TypeProspective.PopulationTwenty‐eight TGA patients after ASO and 10 healthy volunteers.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T/4D flow (segmented fast‐spoiled echo pulse), noncontrast‐enhanced MR angiography (Dixon), and anatomic images (SSFP).AssessmentAortic diameters and body surface area‐indexed aortic dimensions (Z‐scores), normalized FD and planar ascending aortic WSS.Statistical TestsMann–Whitney and chi‐square tests for differences in FD magnitude, WSS, and FD directionality between groups, respectively. Spearman rank correlation to assess the degree of association between aortic geometry, FD and WSS parameters. Shapiro–Wilk test to evaluate distribution normality on the absolute differences in octant location between FD and WSS.ResultsTGA patients showed a significantly dilated proximal AAo and relatively small mid‐AAo dimensions at the level of the pulmonary arteries (Z‐scores neo‐aortic root: 4.38 ± 1.96 vs. 1.52 ± 0.70, P < 0.001; sinotubular junction: 3.48 ± 2.67 vs. 1.38 ± 1.30, P = 0.010; mid‐AAo: 0.32 ± 3.06 vs. 1.69 ± 1.24, P = 0.001). FD magnitude was higher in TGA patients (neo‐aortic root: 0.048 ± 0.027 vs. 0.021 ± 0.006, P < 0.001; sinotubular junction: 0.054 ± 0.037 vs. 0.029 ± 0.013, P < 0.05) and was related to the neo‐aortic Z‐score. Clear areas of higher WSS at the right and anterior aortic wall regions along the distal AAo were detected in TGA patients, most pronounced in those with relatively smaller mid‐AAo diameters.Data ConclusionTGA‐specific geometry related to the ASO, evidenced by neo‐aortic root dilatation and a sudden change in vessel diameter at mid‐AAo level, leads to more aortic flow asymmetry in the proximal AAo and WSS distribution with higher WSS at the right and anterior aortic wall regions along the distal AAo.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy Stage: 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1105–1116.
Low‐Toxic and Nonirritant Biosurfactant Surfactin and its Performances in Detergent Formulations
Authors: Fei Dan , Zhou Guang‐Wei , Yu Zhou‐Qiang , Gang Hong‐Ze , Liu Jin‐Feng , Yang Shi‐Zhong , Ye Ru‐Qiang , Mu Bo‐Zhong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDeveloping eco‐friendly, nonirritant, low‐toxic, and high‐efficient surface active ingredients for detergents is an ongoing challenge in the detergent field. Surfactin is one of the representative lipopeptides produced by microorganisms. In this article, we report the surfactin isolated from cell‐free broth of Bacillus subtilis HSO121 and purified by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography for detergent formulations. The biodegradability, acute dermal irritation, acute oral toxicity (LD50 and LC50), surface activity, washing efficiency, and compatibility with hard water of the purified biosurfactant surfactin have been studied to explore the feasibility for applications of the surfactin in detergents. Acute oral toxicity tests (LD50 > 5000 mg kg−1, LC50 > 1000 mg kg−1) and skin irritation tests (PII = 0) indicate that the surfactin is a low‐toxic and nonirritant ingredient for detergent formulation. Moreover, the surfactin shows excellent surface and interfacial properties of emulsification and wettability, high compatibility, and stability in a wide range of temperatures, pH, and hard water and acceptable properties in biodegradability and foaming ability, which suggests that the biosurfactant surfactin is a promising ingredient for detergent formations in our daily life and for industrial applications.
Microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum as an alternative to fish oil in enriching table eggs with n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Kralik Zlata , Kralik Gordana , Grčević Manuela , Hanžek Danica , Margeta Polonca 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe research deals with the addition of microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum as an alternative to fish oil in a feed‐mixture for laying‐hens and its effect on the deposition of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3‐PUFAs) [α‐linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] in the lipids of egg yolks. In the study, 240 Tetra SL laying hens housed in enriched cages were used, divided into six groups, each in five repetitions. Groups E1, E3 and E5 were given 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% microalgae and groups E2, E4 and E6 were given feed mixtures with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% fish oil. The mixtures were modified on the basis of 17% of the crude protein and 11.7 MJ ME kg‐1.RESULTSThe results showed satisfactory disposal of n‐3 PUFA in egg yolks of laying‐hens fed mixtures with the addition of either fish oil or microalgae. Eggs of E1, E3 and E5 groups contained in 100 g: 321.07 mg, 361.60 mg and 399.34 mg n‐3 PUFA, respectively (P < 0.001). Eggs of E2, E4 and E6 groups contained in 100 g: 346.25 mg, 346.17 mg and 369.02 mg n‐3 PUFA, respectively (P < 0.001). By increasing the content of fish oil or microalgae in feed‐mixtures for laying hens, the ratio of n‐6/n‐3 PUFA in egg yolk lipids (P < 0.001) was decreased.CONCLUSIONOur results justified the usage of the microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum in the enrichment of table eggs with n‐3 fatty acids as an alternative feed to fish oil. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry