bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floristic Quality Assessment: a critique, a defense, and a primer
Authors: Spyreas Greg 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFloristic Quality Assessment (FQA) measures have become extraordinarily influential ecological metrics in North America over the past 20 yr. Government agencies, conservation organizations, land managers, and researchers alike utilize this plant‐based measure to evaluate habitat conservation value, ecological integrity, and naturalness. Its relative uniqueness, utility, and ease of use, among vegetation measures, portend the continued popularity of FQA going forward. FQA's use and influence far exceeds its study—where the literature addressing questions and criticisms regarding its methodology and ecological meaning has not kept pace with reliance upon it. Furthermore, the lack of literature review has led to disorder and confusion among its users. This review addresses these issues in three parts. First, it concisely explains the metrics and their methods, and most importantly, it synthesizes the often‐misinterpreted conceptual basis behind FQA. The bulk of the review then tackles common questions from researchers and non‐technical users alike regarding the measures. It does this with two lists. The first list reviews FQA's most common criticisms and summarizes evidence for and against them. The second list confronts the most common mistakes surrounding FQA, regarding both its application and misunderstanding in the literature. In each instance, straightforward guidelines and answers to uncertainties are emphasized.
Evaluation of pyruvate decarboxylase‐negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for the production of succinic acid
Authors: Zahoor Ahmed , Küttner Felix T. F. , Blank Lars M. , Ebert Birgitta E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDicarboxylic acids are important bio‐based building blocks, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is postulated to be an advantageous host for their fermentative production. Here, we engineered a pyruvate decarboxylase‐negative S. cerevisiae strain for succinic acid production to exploit its promising properties, that is, lack of ethanol production and accumulation of the precursor pyruvate. The metabolic engineering steps included genomic integration of a biosynthesis pathway based on the reductive branch of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and a dicarboxylic acid transporter. Further modifications were the combined deletion of GPD1 and FUM1 and multi‐copy integration of the native PYC2 gene, encoding a pyruvate carboxylase required to drain pyruvate into the synthesis pathway. The effect of increased redox cofactor supply was tested by modulating oxygen limitation and supplementing formate. The physiologic analysis of the differently engineered strains focused on elucidating metabolic bottlenecks. The data not only highlight the importance of a balanced activity of pathway enzymes and selective export systems but also shows the importance to find an optimal trade‐off between redox cofactor supply and energy availability in the form of ATP.
Polyphenols extract from lotus seedpod (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.): Phenolic compositions, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities
Authors: Shen Yingbin , Guan Yifu , Song Xun , He Jialiang , Xie Zhenxing , Zhang Youwei , Zhang Hui , Tang Dan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSeedpod, the nonedible portion of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), was reported to be rich in polyphenols. The objective of this study was to investigate the major bioactive polyphenols of the lotus seedpods. The total polyphenol content (TPC) from ethanol extract of lotus seedpod (PELS) was found to be 34.23 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mg extract. Four polyphenolic compounds were identified in the PELS, comprised of one flavan‐3‐ol (catechin) and three flavonoids (kaemferol, quercetin and hyperoside). In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of the PELS were evaluated. PELS exhibited 89.38%, 99.82%, 68.25%, and 95.82% scavenging activities against 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, hydroxyl, and 2,2ʹazinobis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals, respectively, at 1.6 mg/ml. The Fe3+ reducing power of PELS was 0.605 at 0.32 mg/ml, which is comparable to glutathione (GSH). The PELS showed 31.79% metal chelating capacity and 87.79% inhibition of linoleic acid auto‐oxidation at 1.6 mg/ml. PELS showed cytotoxicity toward HepG2 and LNcap cell lines in vitro with IC50 values at 44.59 and 11.50 μg/ml, respectively. The findings of this study provide evidences that the inedible lotus seedpod could be a source for natural antioxidants and anticancer agents.
Implementation of continuous free play schedules in Australian childcare services: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jones Jannah , Wolfenden Luke , Grady Alice , Finch Meghan , Bolsewicz Katarzyna , Wedesweiler Taya , Yoong Sze Lin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIssue addressedModifying the scheduling of physical activity opportunities to provide children with more frequent opportunities for outdoor free play has been demonstrated to increase child physical activity while in care. The primary aim of this study was to describe the implementation of continuous free play schedules to allow children to access outdoor play areas, consistent with sector guidelines in a national sample of Australian childcare services. Secondary aims were to investigate the associations between the implementation of such schedules and service characteristics, and assess the perceived barriers and enablers to implementation.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was undertaken with a random sample of 326 centre‐based childcare services located across Australia. Childcare service characteristics, continuous free play scheduling and perceived barriers and enablers to implementation were assessed via a survey administered to service managers online or via telephone.ResultsA total of 203 service managers (62%) reported implementing a continuous free play schedule, for three periods of 126 minutes per period, each day on average. Service type (long day care services), size (services with higher numbers of child enrolments [≥80 children]) and socio‐economic area (services located in lower socio‐economic areas) were associated with the implementation of a continuous free play schedule. The most prevalent barriers to implementation included insufficient staff to ensure adequate supervision of children (69%) and service layout being unsuitable (65%), while the most prevalent enablers included advice on how to overcome staffing or supervision issues (89%) and to re‐orientate the service layout (54%).ConclusionsThere is scope to support the implementation of continuous free play schedules consistent with childcare sector guidelines.So what?Future intervention research that targets the reported barriers and enablers to implementation is needed.
Dual zinc catalysts for L‐lactide polymerization and reaction of CO2 with cyclohexene oxide
Authors: Wang Wei‐Chu , Hsu Shih‐Hsien , Su Yu‐Chia , Chen Hsuan‐Ying , Lin Chu‐Chieh 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA series of zinc complexes, [L
XZnEt] (1–5) and [L
XZn
2(OAc)
3] (6–9), associated with NNO‐tridentate Schiff base ligands (2‐(((2‐((cyclohexyl[methyl]amino)methyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenolate (CAP) derivatives), were synthesized, and their activity toward ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L‐lactide (LA) and the reaction of CO2 with cyclohexene oxide were also investigated. All of [L
XZnEt] revealed excellent catalytic activity to ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of LA in the presence of benzyl alcohol. Among them, [L
HZnEt] (1) showed the highest activity with 82% conversation within 45 s. In contrast, [L
XZn
2(OAc)
3] (6–9) were inactive in ROP of L‐lactide. In addition, all of these Zn complexes demonstrated moderate activity in the reaction of CO2 with cyclohexene oxide in the presence of Bu4NCl.
Work after work: The impact of new service delivery models on work hours
Authors: Bavafa Hessam , Terwiesch Christian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn many professional service organizations (PSOs), a single server such as a physician or lawyer delivers services to customers across multiple channels. In these settings, there exists a risk that work obligations encroach on the personal lives of the servers. We empirically examine this concern in the primary care setting of physicians providing care to patients following the introduction of a new service delivery channel, e‐visits. Our data cover an 8.5‐year timespan and include 3.3 million patient encounters, including about one million e‐visits. We find that e‐visit adoption nearly doubles the number of hours containing work (defined as office visits or e‐visits) each week. Of the additional hours containing such work, only 49% are in weekday business hours; the rest are in weekday evenings or early mornings (37%) and on weekends (14%). We also show that increases in office or e‐visit workloads lead to more post‐workday activity in the e‐visit channel. We conclude the analysis by examining the impact of these workloads on e‐visit work content, as measured by the number of words and amount of time spent on each e‐visit; we estimate precise but practically small effects of workload on these work content outcomes.
Phospholipid Content of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Is Modulated by the Growth Phase Rather Than the Immobilization State
Authors: Le Sénéchal Caroline , Crouzet Marc , Costaglioli Patricia , Barthe Christophe , Buré Corinne , Vilain Sébastien 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBiofilms have significance in medical, industrial, and environmental settings, and can cause important damage. As biofilms are tolerant to various stresses, including antibiotics, it is necessary to better understand their formation. For this reason, we characterized the phospholipidome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen involved in numerous infections, during the first steps of the biofilm development. By a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry time‐course analysis over a 24‐h period, we compared the phospholipid (PL) composition of immobilized (attached) and planktonic (unattached) P. aeruginosa PAO1 cells. Our results showed that the PL content of P. aeruginosa PAO1 was mainly modulated by the incubation time, thus related to bacterial growth but also, more modestly, by the immobilization state. We observed that relative amounts of PL varied over time with two main profiles and that these profiles are correlated to its fatty acid composition, including the degree of unsaturation. A statistical analysis revealed that the PL contents of both attached and unattached PAO1 cells were significantly different mainly after 3 and 6 h of incubation and that the amounts of two PL presented a statistical difference between attached and unattached cells all along the 24‐h period: PtdEtn 16:0_18:1 and PtdEtn 18:1_18:1.
Life History of the Gray Snapper at the Warm Edge of Its Distribution Range in the Caribbean
Authors: Andrade Hector , Santos Jorge 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Knowledge of the life history of populations at the warm edge of their distributional range can provide a better understanding of how they will adapt to climate warming, including potential poleward redistribution. The range of Gray Snapper Lutjanus griseus has the potential to expand along its northern temperate fringe, but little is known about this species in the warmest portion of its range. We studied the age, growth, reproduction, and mortality of commercially caught Gray Snapper in the Guatemalan Caribbean, where sea surface temperature consistently exceeds 26°C. Longevity was estimated as 10 years, and von Bertalanffy growth parameters that were consolidated through Bayesian estimation incorporating earlier estimates from the Caribbean region were as follows: asymptotic length (L∞) was 35 cm, the growth coefficient (K) was 0.56 year−1, and the theoretical age at zero length (t0) was −0.7 year. Gray Snapper grew slowest in April, prior to the rainy season, and at the onset of the reproductive season, which lasted to September. Fifty percent of the Gray Snapper matured at 31 cm and at 3.5 years of age. Gray Snapper had a lower maximum size, longevity, and peak reproductive investment, a protracted spawning season and reproductive life span, and elevated natural mortality at the warm edge of their distribution relative to temperate climates. Despite the plasticity in life history of Gray Snapper observed in this study, their potential to further adapt to warming remains unknown.
Eye‐controlled, power wheelchair performs well for ALS patients
Authors: Elliott Michael A. , Malvar Henrique , Maassel Lindsey L. , Campbell Jon , Kulkarni Harish , Spiridonova Irina , Sophy Noelle , Beavers Jay , Paradiso Ann , Needham Chuck , Rifley Jamie , Duffield Maggie , Crawford Jeremy , Wood Becky , Cox Emily J. , Scanlan James M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundOur pilot study tested the feasibility and performance of an eye‐controlled power wheelchair for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.MethodsIn this prospective pilot study, participants drove the wheelchair three times around an indoor course. We assessed the time to complete the course; starting and stopping on command; turning 90, 135, and 180 degrees; time to backup; and obstacle negotiation. Following their use of the wheelchair, subjects were given a questionnaire to assess user experience.ResultsTwelve patients participated, and all were able to complete three trials without difficulty. Eight participants completed all of the individual tasks (eg, turning, stopping, etc.) without any errors. Overall performance ratings were high across all participants (4.6/5‐excellent).ConclusionsOur eye‐controlled power wheelchair prototype is feasible and has a very favorable user experience. This system has the potential to improve the mobility and independence of ALS patients, and other groups with motor impairments.
Local FK506 delivery at the direct nerve repair site improves nerve regeneration
Authors: Davis Brett , Hilgart David , Erickson Sierra , Labroo Pratima , Burton Joshua , Sant Himanshu , Shea Jill , Gale Bruce , Agarwal Jay 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of local tacrolimus (FK506) delivery to improve outcomes in the setting of nerve transection injury.MethodsFK506 embedded poly(lactide‐co‐caprolactone) films capable of extended, localized release of FK506 were developed. FK506 rate of release testing and bioactivity assay was performed. Mouse sciatic nerve transection and direct repair model was used to evaluate the effect extended, local delivery of FK506 had on nerve regeneration outcomes.ResultsLinear release of FK506 was observed for 30 days and released FK506 matched control levels of neurite extension in the dorsal root ganglion assay. Groups treated with local FK506 had greater gastrocnemius muscle weight, foot electromyogram, and number of axons distal of the repair site than non‐FK506 groups.DiscussionResults of this study indicate that extended, localized delivery of FK506 to nerve injuries can improve nerve regeneration outcomes in a mouse sciatic nerve transection and repair.
Potential of very thin and high‐efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Sai Hitoshi , Oku Toshiki , Sato Yoshiki , Tanabe Mayumi , Matsui Takuya , Matsubara Koji 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThin crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells are highly attractive for realizing light‐weight and flexible wafer‐based solar cells as well as for reducing the material cost. Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) architecture using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) is suitable for realizing very thin c‐Si cells, because of its capability of excellent surface passivation. In this work, the potential of very thin c‐Si solar cells is examined by characterizing SHJ solar cells with a wide range of thicknesses from 50 to 400 μm. A trade‐off between the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and the short circuit current density (JSC) against wafer thickness is clearly observed in these SHJ cells, whereas a decrease in fill factor (FF) is found for thin SHJ cells below 80 μm. The loss analysis for the thin SHJ cells with numerical simulation clarifies that the infrared parasitic absorption loss due to the supporting layers is enhanced for thinner wafers, which limits the JSC in the thin SHJ cells. In addition, it is confirmed that the FF is more sensitive to surface recombination than the VOC, and this tendency becomes more pronounced with the decrease in the wafer thickness. A high efficiency of 22% is achieved in a SHJ solar cell with a thickness of only 46 μm, demonstrating a high potential for flexible high‐efficiency c‐Si solar cells.
A simplified version of adaptive super‐twisting control
Authors: Gutierrez Susana V. , De León‐Morales Jesús , Plestan Franck , Salas‐Peña Oscar 
Published: August 2019

SummaryIn this paper, a simplified super‐twisting control with adaptive gain is proposed for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems. A strong Lyapunov function is constructed to design a sliding mode controller with adaptive gain. Furthermore, the analysis of the finite time convergence towards the equilibrium point of the closed‐loop system is detailed. Regarding previous works from literature, the main contribution of this approach is the simplification of the gain tuning process by maintaining a high level of performance. Finally, simulation results for tracking control of a quadrotor are given to show the performance of the proposed algorithm.
A repairable connection for earthquake‐resisting moment frames
Authors: Richards Paul 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNominated for the Bernt Johansson Outstanding Paper Awards at Nordic Steel 2019Most steel moment frames are designed so that the beams act as structural fuses during earthquake loading. This approach, while good for saving lives, has poor resilience because it is difficult to replace damaged beams in a building. A repairable steel moment‐frame connection has been developed that may be attractive to engineers and building contractors. The connection has a fuse plate bolted to the beam bottom flange which experiences shear yielding during severe earthquakes, protecting both the column and the beam. After an earthquake, the fuse plates can be removed and replaced to unlock residual frame deformations and prepare the building for another event.Full‐scale experiments were conducted to validate the performance of this repairable connection. Two tests were performed with a W690 #αμπ##ξ000Δ7; 125 beam and W530 #αμπ##ξ000Δ7; 196 column. The tests demonstrated rotation capacities of at least 0.05 rad, which exceeds AISC requirements for special moment frames. The fuse plate was effective in preventing beam damage in each test, and the second test demonstrated that the connection could be repaired by replacing the fuse plate.
Compression behaviour of trapezoidal steel sheets with transverse corrugations
Authors: Vales Pedro Casariego , Ribera Miquel Casafont , Ballester Miquel Ferrer , Carvajal Frederic Marimón 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNominated for the Bernt Johansson Outstanding Paper Awards at Nordic Steel 2019Over the past few decades, the cold‐formed steel industry has developed a manufacturing technique for producing self‐supporting arches from trapezoidal steel sheets. The press‐forming procedure is based on introducing transverse corrugations into the main direction of the flat profile in order to bend it. The main problem is that these indentations, which are essential to curve the profile, change the effective properties of the original steel sheet. Currently, there is no design code or standardized test procedure that can be used to obtain the effective properties of the corrugated profile. This research project analyses the behaviour of the corrugated profile when it is subjected to pure compression and compares it with the behaviour of the flat profile.
Towards a prognosis of fatigue life using a Two‐Stage‐Model
Authors: Röscher Stefanie , Knobloch Markus 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNominated for the Bernt Johansson Outstanding Paper Awards at Nordic Steel 2019This paper presents a Two‐Stage‐Model for determining the fatigue life of steel structures. The model follows the distinction between crack initiation and crack propagation according to the phenomenological background. The first stage uses the local strain‐life approach to predict the number of cycles for crack initiation Ni considering the cyclic material behaviour as well as the load‐time history. The second stage calculates the crack propagation based on a linear‐elastic fracture mechanics approach. Using X‐FEM in combination with cyclic loading, an arbitrary, solution‐dependent crack path is achieved to determine the number of cycles for propagation Np. The Two‐Stage‐Model was applied to butt welds to determine their total fatigue life Nf in terms of a proof‐of‐concept study. The study investigated the ability of the model to consider the influence of the weld geometry, i.e. plate thickness and weld imperfections (excess and vertical offset). The results are presented by means of S‐N curves for initiation life, propagation life and total fatigue life. A comparison with experimental results provided in the literature shows that the Two‐Stage‐Model can reflect the weld quality of butt welds in terms of fatigue life.
Political ecologies of water in South Africa: A literature review
Authors: Bourblanc Magalie , Blanchon David 
Published: August 2019

AbstractGiven the existence of a thriving epistemic community on water sciences, the high politicization of environmental issues in the country as well as the active mobilization of a grassroot movement inspired by environmental justice, South Africa appears to be an ideal case to study the development of a political ecology (PE) approach. Moreover, since the apartheid regime, water issues have long represented a marker of extreme inequality.This paper aims at drawing a panorama of the PE of water in South Africa, its main topics and approaches. In our definition, the PE of water is concerned with human–environment relations, with explicit considerations for power relations. In the first section, we identified texts that, according to this definition, constitute the core of the PE of water in South Africa, going beyond a mere “politics of water.” In the second section and in the discussion, we undertook an in‐depth analysis of the main topics addressed by authors, such as environmental flows, “free basic water policy,” prepaid water meters. PE of water is strongly connected to international debates about the link between water and power, but also capable of addressing in a critical way the specificities of the South African waterscape. It stems from this review that critical PE in urban settings in particular dominates the discipline. We could also note that the PE of water in rural areas tends to put a bigger emphasis on the “politics of ecology” whereas urban PE tends to focus more on the “ecology in politics,” although both thrive to examine the human–environment relations in an integrated manner.This article is categorized under:
Human Water > Water Governance
Human Water > Value of Water
Human Water > Rights to Water
Symmetries near the horizon
Authors: Lin Henry W. , Maldacena Juan , Zhao Ying 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe consider a nearly-AdS2gravity theory on the two-sided wormhole geometry. We construct three gauge-invariant operators in NAdS2which move bulk matter relative to the dynamical boundaries. In a two-sided system, these operators satisfy an SL(2) algebra (up to non perturbative corrections). In a semiclassical limit, these generators act like SL(2) transformations of the boundary time, or conformal symmetries of the two sided boundary theory. These can be used to define an operator-state mapping. A particular large N and low temperature limit of the SYK model has precisely the same structure, and this construction of the exact generators also applies. We also discuss approximate, but simpler, constructions of the generators in the SYK model. These are closely related to the “size” operator and are connected to the maximal chaos behavior captured by out of time order correlators.