bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental test of water, nutrients, and microclimate on leaf litter mass loss in headwater riparian forests
Authors: Ramey Tonya L. , Richardson John S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLeaf litter decomposition is an essential function in forest ecosystems, and riparian areas may contribute to faster rates of litter mass loss due to higher moisture and nutrient levels in riparian than upland soils. We experimentally tested whether mass loss of red alder leaf litter was (1) greater closer to the stream than further away and (2) increased by nutrient and water additions in riparian habitat near four headwater streams in southwestern British Columbia. We set up blocks of nine transects extending from the bankfull edge of the stream into upland habitat. Leaf litter bags were placed at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 m from the stream along each transect, and data loggers recorded ambient air temperature and relative humidity at each distance. Litterbags received either water or fertilizer additions, both, or neither along each transect. Four trials were run which varied in duration (3 months to 1 yr). Relative humidity was on average 2.6% higher, air temperature 0.25°C lower, and vapor pressure deficit 0.14 kPa lower at 1 m from the stream compared to distances further upland. The addition of water significantly increased litter mass loss by 0.14 g (4%) on average than control litterbags. The addition of fertilizer was a significant factor in some trials but not in others, and its effect on mass loss varied. Although distance from the stream was not a significant parameter in the averaged models for each trial, it was in several top models. We conclude that (1) riparian communities within 1 m of the stream experience a different microclimate during the warmer, drier summer than those communities further upland, though this was not generally reflected in alder mass loss rates, and (2) water was a primary limiting factor to alder leaf mass loss in our study sites.
The role of spatial structure in the collapse of regional metapopulations
Authors: White Easton R. , Smith Andrew T. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMany wildlife populations are either naturally, or as a result of human land use, patchily distributed in space. The degree of fragmentation—specifically the remaining patch sizes and habitat configuration—is an important part of population dynamics. Demographic stochasticity is also likely to play an important role in patchy habitats that host small local populations. We develop a simulation model to evaluate the significance of demographic stochasticity and the role fragmentation plays in the determination of population dynamics and the risk of extinction of populations on habitat patches. Our model is formulated as a Markov‐chain stochastic process on a finite, spatially explicit array of patches in which probability of successful dispersal is a function of interpatch distance. Unlike past work, we explicitly model local population dynamics and examine how these scale up to the entire population. As a test case, we apply the model to the American pika (Ochotona princeps) population living on the ore dumps in the ghost mining town of Bodie, California. This population has been studied nearly continuously for over four decades and has been of conservation concern as the southern half of the population declined precipitously beginning in 1989. Our model suggests that both the specific configuration of habitat and landscape heterogeneity are necessary and sufficient predictors of the eventual extinction of the southern constellation of patches. This example has important implications, as it suggests that fragmentation alone can lead to regional extinctions within metapopulations.
Effect of MgO and TiO2 Coating on the Electrochemical Performance of Li‐Rich Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xiao Bin , Wang Peng-bo , He Zhen-jiang , Yang Zhuo , Tang Lin-bo , An Chang-sheng , Zheng Jun-chao 
Published: October 2018

0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 cathode materials with nano‐MgO and nano‐TiO2 coating layers are synthesized via a facile approach. These nanocoating layers with a thickness of ≈20 nm are homogeneously coated on the surface of the materials. With the nano‐MgO and nano‐TiO2 coating layers, the modified materials deliver excellent electrochemical performance. Nano‐MgO‐coated and nano‐TiO2‐coated Li‐rich materials exhibit 147.56 and 137.96 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 1C rate and deliver 156.13 and 130.69 mAh g−1 at 2C rate, respectively, in the voltage range of 2.0–4.8 V. The materials with nano‐MgO and nano‐TiO2 coating layers also show a high discharge voltage retention of more than 90% after 50 cycles, low impedance for Li+ migration, and high diffusion coefficients of the lithium ions. Nano‐MgO and nano‐TiO2 coating layers help decrease the content of Li2CO3 on the surface of the materials and suppress side reactions. Thus, these materials play a significant role in strengthening the electrochemical performance of Li‐rich cathode materials.
TODDLERS’ USE OF GESTURE AND SPEECH IN SERVICE OF EMOTION REGULATION DURING DISTRESSING ROUTINES
Authors: Konishi Haruka , Karsten Ashley , Vallotton Claire D. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTResearch on the intersections of young children's emerging communication skills and emotion regulation has increased, following recognition of the link between these skills as they emerge in toddlerhood and the long‐term impact of these skills on academic success. However, little is known about how toddlers use gesture and emerging language for emotion regulation. The current study describes toddlers’ use of both words and gestures in naturally occurring distressing routines in childcare (diaper change, separation from parents). Seventeen toddlers between 11 and 28 months old were observed over the course of 3½ months in a childcare setting where symbolic gestures (“infant signs”) were used as part of daily routines. Results show that toddlers communicated more frequently using gestures than speech, and used a greater range of self‐regulatory strategies through gesture than through speech. Moreover, older, verbal toddlers continued to use gestures during heightened distress when they could not find their words. Findings suggest that toddlers use symbolic communication to implement complex and diverse emotion regulation strategies during distressing daily routines, and that gestures provide children with opportunities to employ more diverse emotion regulation strategies than does speech alone, which may ultimately enhance children's abilities to regulate their emotions.
Study on the three‐dimensional orientation of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint using simulated weight‐bearing CT
Authors: Kleipool Roeland P. , Dahmen Jari , Vuurberg Gwen , Oostra Roelof‐Jan , Blankevoort Leendert , Knupp Markus , Stufkens Sjoerd A.S. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to describe the normal 3D orientation and shape of the subtalar calcaneal posterior facet. This is not adequately described in current literature. In a supine position both feet of 20 healthy subjects were imaged in a simulated weight‐bearing CT. A cylinder and plane were fitted to the posterior facet of the surface model. The orientation of both shapes was expressed by two angles in (1) the CT‐based coordinate system with the axis of the foot aligned with the sagittal axis and (2) a coordinate system based on the geometric principal axes of the subject's calcaneus. The subtalar vertical angle was determined in the intersection in three different coronal planes of the cylinder. The cylinder's axis oriented from supero‐postero‐laterally to infero‐antero‐medially. The plane's normal directed supero‐antero‐medially in the CT‐based coordinate system, and supero‐antero‐laterally in the other coordinate system. The subtalar vertical angle was significantly different (p < 0.001) between the three defined coronal planes and increased from anterior to posterior. The mean diameter of the fitted cylinder was 42.0 ± 7.7 mm and the root mean square error was 0.5 ± 0.1 mm. The posterior facet can be modelled as a segment of a cylinder with a supero‐postero‐lateral to infero‐antero‐medial orientation. The morphometry of the posterior facet in a healthy population serves as a reference in identifying abnormal subtalar joint morphology. More generally this study shows the need to include the full 3D morphology in assessing the orientation of the subtalar posterior facet. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 9999:1–8, 2018.
A mini‐corer for precision sampling of the water‐sediment interface in subglacial lakes and other remote aqueous environments
Authors: Keen Peter , Saw Kevin , Rundle Nicholas , Brown Robin , Wyatt James , Shorter Stephen , Edwards Michael , Siegert Martin , Mowlem Matthew 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRecent interest in Antarctic subglacial lakes has seen the development of bespoke systems for sampling them. These systems are considered pristine environments potentially harboring undisturbed sedimentary sequences and ecosystems adapted to these cold oligotrophic environments in the absence of sunlight. The water/sediment interface is considered a prime location for the detection of microbial life and so is of particular interest. This article describes the development of a small corer to capture and retain a short core that includes the water/sediment interface specifically to address the question of whether life exists in these lakes. This apparatus was developed as part of the UK led project to access, measure, and sample subglacial Lake Ellsworth. In addition to addressing the constraints of coring in this difficult environment, the results of subsequent testing suggest that this corer can be applied to sampling sediments in other environments and would be particularly useful in low energy environments when the water‐sediment interface is indistinct or unconsolidated.
Hyperbolic Metamaterial Devices for Wavefront Manipulation
Authors: Yin Xiang , Zhu Hua , Guo Huijie , Deng Ming , Xu Tao , Gong Zhijie , Li Xun , Hang Zhi Hong , Wu Chao , Li Hongqiang , Chen Shuqi , Zhou Lei , Chen Lin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMetasurfaces have shown great potential to reshape the wavefront of electromagnetic (EM) waves, but transmissive meta‐devices face challenges of low‐efficiency and/or fabrication complexities. Here, an alternative approach to realize high‐efficiency transmission‐mode meta‐devices to control EM wavefronts, based on hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) waveguides supporting tailored spoof surface plasmons (SSPs) on their side walls, is proposed. By manipulating the dispersions of SSPs through adjusting the HMM geometrical parameters, the phases of EM waves passing through such waveguides, which enables the design of meta‐devices with desired transmission‐phase profiles for particular wave‐manipulation applications, can be controlled. Microwave experiments are implemented to demonstrate two wave‐control effects based on the mechanism, that is, beam‐deflection and focusing, and a maximum conversion efficiency of 42.9% is achieved for the anomalous refracted beam. By scaling down the HMM meta‐devices, the proposal herein is applicable to optical frequencies and in principle promises significantly raised conversion efficiencies. The scheme herein can offer a higher effective refractive index and more tunable dispersion without using high‐index dielectric materials, and thus can serve as an effective and robust approach to make high‐efficiency transmissive meta‐devices with diversified functionalities.
Cortical dynamics within and between parietal and motor cortex in essential tremor
Authors: Roy Arnab , Coombes Stephen A. , Chung Jae Woo , Archer Derek B. , Okun Michael S. , Hess Christopher W. , Wagle Shukla Aparna , Vaillancourt David E. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundEvidence from functional imaging in essential tremor suggests that activity within parietal and motor cortices may be associated with worsening of tremor at increased visual feedback.ObjectivesExamine how cortical oscillations within these regions and the connectivity between these regions is associated with worsening of tremor in essential tremor in response to high visual feedback.MethodThe study included 24 essential tremor participants and 17 controls. We measured cortical activity and tremor magnitude at low and high feedback conditions. Cortical activity was measured using high‐density electroencephalogram and isolated using source localization.ResultsChanges in power across feedback in the 4–12 Hz and 12–30 Hz bands were reduced within the contralateral motor cortex of essential tremor patients compared to controls. The 12–30 Hz bidirectional connectivity between the parietal and contralateral motor cortex was decreased in essential tremor patients. Worsening of tremor from low to high visual feedback was associated with 4–12 Hz activity in contralateral motor cortex. The greatest separation between groups was found when using the difference of the contralateral motor cortex activity at high and low feedback, rather than either feedback condition alone.ConclusionOur findings provide new evidence that tremor in essential tremor is associated with reduced power across feedback in the motor cortex and reduced connectivity between the parietal and motor cortices. Combined with previous work on the cerebellar‐thalamo‐cortical motor circuit, our findings suggest that the network level disturbances associated with essential tremor extend to the cortico‐cortical pathway between the parietal cortex and motor cortex. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Penetrance and expressivity of the R858H CACNA1C variant in a five‐generation pedigree segregating an arrhythmogenic channelopathy
Authors: Gardner R. J. McKinlay , Crozier Ian G. , Binfield Alex L. , Love Donald R. , Lehnert Klaus , Gibson Kate , Lintott Caroline J. , Snell Russell G. , Jacobsen Jessie C. , Jones Peter P. , Waddell‐Smith Kathryn E. , Kennedy Martin A. , Skinner Jonathan R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundIsolated cardiac arrhythmia due to a variant in CACNA1C is of recent knowledge. Most reports have been of singleton cases or of quite small families, and estimates of penetrance and expressivity have been difficult to obtain. We here describe a large pedigree, from which such estimates have been calculated.MethodsWe studied a five‐generation family, in which a CACNA1C variant c.2573G>A p.Arg858His co‐segregates with syncope and cardiac arrest, documenting electrocardiographic data and cardiac symptomatology. The reported patients/families from the literature with CACNA1C gene variants were reviewed, and genotype–phenotype correlations are drawn.ResultsThe range of phenotype in the studied family is wide, from no apparent effect, through an asymptomatic QT interval prolongation on electrocardiography, to episodes of presyncope and syncope, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden death. QT prolongation showed inconsistent correlation with functional cardiology. Based upon analysis of 28 heterozygous family members, estimates of penetrance and expressivity are derived.ConclusionsThese estimates of penetrance and expressivity, for this specific variant, may be useful in clinical practice. Review of the literature indicates that individual CACNA1C variants have their own particular genotype–phenotype correlations. We suggest that, at least in respect of the particular variant reported here, “arrhythmogenic channelopathy” may be a more fitting nomenclature than long QT syndrome.
Functional lung imaging with transient spoiled gradient echo
Authors: Bauman Grzegorz , Pusterla Orso , Bieri Oliver 
Published: October 2018

PurposeTo introduce an alternative framework for perfusion and ventilation lung imaging at 3 T using transient spoiled gradient echo (tSPGR) acquisitions.MethodsSets of coronal 2D time‐resolved lung image series were acquired in 5 healthy volunteers using tSPGR and compared with contemporary SPGR and ultrafast balanced SSFP (uf‐bSSFP) implementations at 1.5 T and 3 T. Sequence parameters and view ordering were optimized for tSPGR to yield maximum signal intensity in the lung tissue. Signal‐to‐noise ratio and contrast‐to‐noise ratio analyses were performed in all acquired tSPGR, SPGR, and uf‐bSSFP data sets. Matrix pencil decomposition was applied to generate functional parameter maps, including fractional ventilation, relative perfusion, and blood arrival time.ResultsFor the lung, the signal intensity of tSPGR imaging was maximal for minimal TR and TE settings of 0.99 ms and 0.43 ms, respectively. Moreover, low RF spoiling increments in combination with a centric view ordering resulted in a further signal‐to‐noise ratio increase of about 30% to 40%. The average signal‐to‐noise ratio in the lung parenchyma was 73.3 for uf‐bSSFP, 38.1 for tSPGR, 20.7 for SPGR at 1.5 T, and 31.2 for uf‐bSSFP, 35.6 for tSPGR, and 21.3 for SPGR at 3 T. The average ventilation and perfusion contrast‐to‐noise ratio was 33.2 and 36.2 for uf‐bSSFP, 15.4 and 12.5 for tSPGR, 13.5 and 4.1 for SPGR at 1.5 T, and 16.5 and 11.3 for uf‐bSSFP, 29.7 and 50.8 for tSPGR, and 22.4 and 16.5 for SPGR at 3 T, respectively.ConclusionAt 3 T, application of balanced SSFP is limited, so tSPGR offers an alternative framework for successful lung function assessment using matrix pencil MRI.
Effect of Eccentric Initiation on the Fragment Velocity Distribution of D‐Shaped Casings Filled with Explosive Charges
Authors: Guo Zhi‐wei , Huang Guang‐yan , Liu Chun‐mei , Feng Shun‐shan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIrregular casings filled with explosive charges are increasingly being developed for the designs of new warheads and explosive protection. In this work, we studied the fragment velocity of a semicircular D‐shaped casing, which is a typical asymmetric casing. Static explosive experiments were conducted with D‐shaped casings with different eccentric detonation coefficients (1/8, 3/8, 5/8, and 7/8) to determine their circumferential fragment velocity distributions. An empirical formula was then established to calculate the circumferential fragment velocity distribution for the D‐shaped casing, and the calculation results of formula were found to agree well with experimental data. The D‐shaped casing would have a uniform circumferential fragment velocity distribution when detonated at its central point, and the central point was determined by considering the empirical formula and the experimental data in combination. The results of the current work pave way for the innovative design of directional warhead and for further studying the dynamic response of asymmetric casing.
Grafting of Polyacrylic Acid onto Thermo‐Sensitive Polyvinyl Methyl Ether for Fluoxetine Extraction from Human Urine and Plasma
Authors: Mohammadvalipour Sanaz , Panahi Homayon A. , Nezhati Mahshid N. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this research, a new solid adsorbent was prepared by grafting acrylic acid monomer onto polyvinyl methyl ether for extraction and determination of trace amount of fluoxetine in biological human samples. Poly acrylic acid was grafted on the backbone of polyvinyl methyl ether as a thermo‐sensitive polymer by radical polymerization for thermal‐controlled sorption of fluoxetine as a target drug. The effect of pH, temperature and contact time on adsorption has been evaluated. The synthetic polymer was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The proposed method has been successfully operated selective for fluoxetine. The profile of fluoxetine uptake with the new sorbent indicated good availability and accessibility of the reactive sites in the polymeric sorbent. From the mathematical calculation, the equilibrium adsorption findings of fluoxetine by the novel polymer were evaluated using a Langmuir isotherm model. The introduced method by using thermo‐sensitive monomer was used for assessment of fluoxetine in human plasma and urine samples by high performance liquid chromatography with great results.
Conversion of Fructose and Xylose into Platform Chemicals Using Organo‐Functionalized Mesoporous Material
Authors: Kalita Pranjal , Datta Prantu , Baruah Pranjal K 
Published: October 2018

Abstract5‐Hydroxymethyl furfural and furfural are considered as platform chemicals. Due to global warming and climate change, more attention is now being paid for renewable feed stocks such as lignocellulosic biomass due to their easy availability for production of these important platform chemicals. Such greener routes for producing value‐added compounds include liquid bio‐fuels in the ranges of C8‐C15 through aldol‐condensation followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis or hydrogenation or hydrodeoxygenation. Herein we describe the use of KIT‐5 mesoporous material functionalized with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in the conversion of fructose and xylose. The yield of the desired products 5‐hydroxymethyl furfural and furfural were found to be 80 and 75% within 6 hrs, respectively.
Development of Non‐Traditional Vegetable‐Oil‐Based Two‐Pack Polyurethane for Wood‐Finished Coating: An Alternative Approach
Authors: Raychura Ashish J. , Dholakiya Bharatkumar Z. , Patel Kalpesh I. , Jauhari Smita 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNowadays, the use of non‐traditional vegetable oils as polymer precursors is the subject of growing interest because of increasing price of crude oil and eco‐friendly approach. In this context, present work reports the synthesis of mahua oil fatty amide (MFA) from the mahua oil. The synthesized MFA was characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods and utilized as a hydroxyl component of “two‐component polyurethane (2K‐PU)” system. The prepared 2K‐PU was used as wood protective coating material. The coating performance of the formulated 2K‐PU was evaluated by the measurement of mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties as well as water and chemical resistance. The study reveals that MFA can be used as the hydroxyl component in 2K‐PU coating system. MFA was derived from a relatively economical and renewable resource and the use of MFA can substantially reduce the cost of polyurethane coating formulations.
Modulation of Lactam‐Lactim Tautomerism of Quinoxalin‐2‐one Induced by Cucurbit[7]uril: A Comparative Study with Oxazin‐2‐one
Authors: Aliaga Margarita E. , De la Fuente Julio R. , García‐Rio Luis , Rojas‐Romo Carlos , Uribe Iván , Díaz‐Hernández Dafne , Fierro Angélica , Cañete. Álvaro 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe formation of inclusion complexes between cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and N,N‐(dimethylamino)styrylquinoxalin‐2‐one (Me2NSQx) or the N,N‐(dimethylamino)styryloxazin‐2‐one (Me2NSOxa) dyes, was carried out using spectroscopy techniques (UV‐vis, fluorescence and NMR), flash photolysis, mass spectrometry and docking studies. Results show that: (i) both dyes form inclusion complexes with a CB7 excess, which depicts huge bathochromic shifts (>100 nm); (ii) Me2NSQx and Me2NSOxa, firstly form a 1:1 complex and at higher CB7 concentrations, a 2:1 host:guest complex is generated; (iii) the inclusion complex for Me2NSQx changes from its stable lactam form to the lactim tautomer, while for Me2NSOxa the equilibrium is shifted to the oxazinium tautomer. Finally, in the case of Me2NSQx dye, spectroscopic and docking studies indicate that the most stable complex is Me2NSQx@CB7 (1:2) in its lactim form, while in Me2NSOxa the equilibrium is shifted to the oxazinium containing complex. Therefore, our results evidence the importance of the interaction of CB7 as another form of controlling the tautomerism equilibrium of lactam or lactones derivatives.