bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in prey composition and digestion in small mammal predator assemblages
Authors: Andrews P. , Fernández‐Jalvo Y. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMany aspects of taphonomy have a time dimension which affects the way modifications develop. Weathering is an obvious aspect of this, and for this there is an added aspect of variations by geography or latitude. A long‐term taphonomy project in Wales was set up to investigate how small mammal assemblages may have changed in relation to seasonal and climatic variation. A collection of 304 pellets produced by a single pair of tawny owls (Strix aluco) spanned 40 months from 1982 to 1986, and pellets were collected from the roosting site on a monthly basis. The project ended in March 1986, when the owls left their roosting place, with a follow‐up collection from the same site but from a different owl individual in 1987. Both the species composition of the owls' prey, and the digestion of their prey, differed from month to month, with the major differences being between summer and winter and variations in the local climate. Earthworms were the most abundant prey, but they were more abundant during the summer months and during mild winters.Microtus agrestiswas the most abundant mammal species in the pellets and the next most common prey species, closely followed byApodemusand a large beetle species. Digestion of arvicolid teeth and post‐crania was greater during the winter months, but no difference was found for murid teeth between summer and winter collections because the summer sample was too small. Amphibian bones were also more digested in winter. Digestion ofApodemusmolars was about half that ofMicrotus, but digestion of incisors was the same, and where both occurred in the same pellets they were on average one stage behind that ofMicrotusmolars. It is concluded that seasonality and local climate are important factors both in the prey composition and the degrees of digestion of prey in tawny owl assemblages.
Examining the influence of hide processing on Native American upper limb morphology
Authors: Cameron M.E. , Lapham H. , Shaw C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe commercial pelt trade between Native Americans and Europeans flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the impact of this economic change and increased hide processing efforts on Native American upper limb morphology is unknown. The hide scraping hypothesis, tested in living subjects, suggests that hide processing efforts may lead to significant changes in humeral morphology. Two modern human Native North American skeletal collections from south‐western Virginia, USA, were studied to test if intensive hide processing led to changes in humeral morphology. At the earlier Late Woodland Crab Orchard site, animal skins and furs were prepared for household use. During the occupation of the later early historic Trigg site, processing activities intensified to produce surplus hides for the commercial pelt trade. In this study, the cross‐sectional geometric properties at the mid‐distal humerus (35% of length) of Crab Orchard and Trigg adult males and females were examined. We assessed whether Trigg site individuals had increased humeral symmetry, changes to diaphyseal shape, and increased robusticity. Additionally, humerus morphological properties were compared between males and females to assess if there were sex‐based differences.Trigg site males had greater humeral robusticity than Crab Orchard males. The humeri of females from the Trigg and Crab Orchard sites were both relatively anteroposterior strengthened and displayed quite low levels of bilateral asymmetry. This pattern suggests that females at both sites may have employed techniques that involved bimanual hide processing tools. The differences between the morphologies predicted and those observed in these Native American populations may indicate (a) adaptation to bimanual hide processing techniques or (b) adaptation to osteogenic tasks not involved in hide processing but associated with postcontact economic changes.
Permanently antistatic and high transparent PMMA terpolymer: Compatilizer, antistatic agent, and the antistatic mechanism
Authors: Chen Si , Zhou Bo , Ma Meng , Shi Yanqin , Wang Xu 
Published: March 2018

Permanently antistatic and high transparent PMMA terpolymer, P(MMA‐co‐HPA‐co‐SPMA), were reported in this paper, providing a new method to significantly improve the antistatic properties of PMMA without sacrificing transparency. 2‐Hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA) was chosen as a kind of compatilizer because of the good compatibility with both methyl methacrylate (MMA) and sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMA), a potential antistatic agent with a strong hydrophilic group. The mechanical and optical properties of P(MMA‐co‐HPA‐co‐SPMA) terpolymer barely show any visibly differences compared to PMMA homopolymer, confirmed through Fourier transform infrared, dynamic mechanical analysis, and a haze meter. Furthermore, antistatic property analysis indicates that only a small amount of SPMA can significantly improve the antistatic properties of the obtained PMMA terpolymers. The surface resistivity of the P(MMA‐co‐HPA‐co‐SPMA) sheets could be reduced to 109 Ω sq−1 order of magnitude, while the SPMA content reached 0.72 wt%. The hydrophilic groups, the hydroxyl and acrylate sulfonate, on the surface contributed to attract the water molecules, which rendered it a reasonably good antistatic property. These selected terpolymers will provide more opportunities to develop high‐performance and antistatic products made from PMMA materials.
Characterizing cardiac dysfunction in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Cruz‐Lemini Mónica , Valenzuela‐Alcaraz Brenda , Granados‐Montiel Julio , Martínez Josep M. , Crispi Fátima , Gratacós Eduard , Cruz‐Martínez Rogelio 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate cardiac function by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).MethodsConventional echocardiography (myocardial performance index, ventricular filling velocities, and E/A ratios) and tissue Doppler imaging (annular myocardial peak velocities, E/E′ and E′/A′ ratios) in mitral, septal, and tricuspid annulus were evaluated in a cohort of 31 left‐sided CDH fetuses and compared with 75 controls matched for gestational age 2:1.ResultsIn comparison to controls, CDH fetuses had prolonged isovolumetric time periods (isovolumetric contraction time 35 ms vs 28 ms, P < .001), with higher myocardial performance index (0.49 vs 0.42, P < .001) and tricuspid E/A ratios (0.77 vs 0.72, P = .033). Longitudinal function assessed by tissue Doppler showed signs of impaired relaxation (mitral lateral A′ 8.0 vs 10.1 cm/s, P < .001 and an increased mitral lateral E′/A′ ratio 0.93 vs 0.78, P < .001) in the CDH fetuses as compared with controls, with preserved systolic function.ConclusionLeft CDH fetuses show echocardiographic signs of diastolic dysfunction, probably secondary to fetal heart compression, maintaining a preserved systolic function.
Magnetic nanoparticles embedded in pectin‐based hydrogel for the sustained release of diclofenac sodium
Authors: Babaladimath Gangadhar , Badalamoole Vishalakshi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA supermagnetic polysaccharide‐based nanocomposite gel has been developed as a potential drug delivery system. The gel was made via graft copolymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid on pectin using ammonium peroxodisulfate as an initiator and N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker under microwave irradiation. The magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were incorporated within the gel network via an in situ method of diffusion of Fe2+/Fe3+ followed by reduction with ammonia solution. The graft copolymer gel and its nanocomposite were characterized using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer and mechanical properties using a tensile compressive tester. The gel was evaluated for adsorption and release of the drug diclofenac sodium. The presence of MNPs is observed to enhance significantly the mechanical properties, swelling capacity, drug loading and release ability of the graft polymer gel. The increased porosity of the gel network and higher surface area of MNPs allowed for 20% higher adsorption of diclofenac sodium molecules compared to the parent nonmagnetic gel. About 95% of the loaded drug was released from the MNP‐containing gel. The drug release pattern followed first‐order kinetic model and the Higuchi square root model, indicating swelling‐controlled diffusion to be the mode of drug release. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
On the topology of highly branched polyethylenes prepared by amine−imine nickel and palladium complexes: the effect of ortho‐aryl substituents
Authors: Mundil Robert , Hermanová Soňa , Peschel Martin , Lederer Albena , Merna Jan 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTSeries of nickel and palladium complexes bearing amine−imine ligands in various ortho‐aryl and backbone positions were prepared and investigated in ethene polymerization. Ethene polymerization initiated by symmetrically ortho‐substituted nickel and palladium amine−imine catalysts is controlled. Mono‐substitution in the ortho‐aryl positions of nickel complexes is not as efficient in protecting centers from chain transfer as di‐substitution. Both the central metal and the size of the ortho‐aryl substituent have a significant effect on the polyethylene (PE) topology. Based on detailed characterization by high temperature SEC‐IR‐η, SEC with multi‐angle laser light scattering and 13C NMR data, PEs prepared by nickel amine−imine complexes have a linear rather than dendritic topology. In contrast, palladium amine−imine complexes with small ortho‐aryl substituents at low ethene pressure were shown for the first time to form dendritic PEs with topology comparable to PEs formed by α‐diimine palladium catalyst. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Study and development of rear‐emitter Si heterojunction solar cells and application of direct copper metallization
Authors: Yang Lifei , Zhong Sihua , Zhang Wenbin , Li Xingbing , Li Zhengping , Zhuang Yufeng , Wang Xin , Zhao Lei , Cao Xinmin , Deng Xunming , Wang Qi , Shen Wenzhong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe have presented a comprehensive study on the development of rear emitter silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, which shows more freedom for device optimization than the standard front emitter SHJ counterparts. The optimization of the p‐type hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H(p)) layer is liberated from the parasitic absorption issue, while the n‐type hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H(n)) layer is optimized considering the tradeoff between the light absorption loss and field‐effect passivation. The front transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer can be designed stressing on its optical properties because the lateral transport of the majority carriers at the front side of the cell is supported by the Si substrate, while the rear TCO layer is free to be tuned for suppressing the TCO/a‐Si:H(p) contact resistance. A rear emitter SHJ solar cell (225.47 cm2) fabricated by industry compatible process has been achieved with an efficiency of over 22%. We have further demonstrated the replacement of screen‐printed silver metallization with a low cost direct copper metallization in the rear emitter SHJ solar cells. We report an exciting 22.06% cell efficiency which is comparable to that of the screen‐printed counterpart.
Motivational interviewing as a positive response to high‐school bullying
Authors: Cross Donna S. , Runions Kevin C. , Resnicow Ken A. , Britt Eileen F. , Gray Caitlin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntervention approaches to bullying are largely preventive in nature, and even these have been shown to be ineffective, if not iatrogenic, with adolescents. Responses to bullying are limited to traditional punitive approaches or “no‐blame” approaches aiming to restore the relationship between the targeted students. Neither of these approaches may effectively engage the perpetrator of bullying at a motivational level, and we propose motivational interviewing (MI) as a means of promoting meaningful behavioral change among youths who bully. We provide a narrative review of MI and map its core features onto the extant literature on self‐reported motivations for bullying, highlighting the ways that MI fits with bullying and could serve as a potent solution that could be deployed by school psychologists and other student support staff members. Qualitative preliminary feedback and initial competency in MI from trained practitioners are presented as preliminary data from a cluster‐randomized control trial, documenting school staff perspectives on the integration of MI into their approach to bullying with recommendations for integrating MI into school settings.
Systematic Evaluation of Immobilized Trypsin‐Based Fast Protein Digestion for Deep and High‐Throughput Bottom‐Up Proteomics
Authors: Shen Xiaojing , Sun Liangliang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractImmobilized trypsin (IM) has been recognized as an alternative to free trypsin (FT) for accelerating protein digestion 30 years ago. However, some questions of IM still need to be answered. How does the solid matrix of IM influence its preference for protein cleavage and how well can IM perform for deep bottom‐up proteomics compared to FT? By analyzing Escherichia coli proteome samples digested with amine or carboxyl functionalized magnetic bead–based IM (IM‐N or IM‐C) or FT, it is observed that IM‐N with the nearly neutral solid matrix, IM‐C with the negatively charged solid matrix, and FT have similar cleavage preference considering the microenvironment surrounding the cleavage sites. IM‐N (15 min) and FT (12 h) both approach 9000 protein identifications (IDs) from a mouse brain proteome. Compared to FT, IM‐N has no bias in the digestion of proteins that are involved in various biological processes, are located in different components of cells, have diverse functions, and are expressed in varying abundance. A high‐throughput bottom‐up proteomics workflow comprising IM‐N‐based rapid protein cleavage and fast CZE‐MS/MS enables the completion of protein sample preparation, CZE‐MS/MS analysis, and data analysis in only 3 h, resulting in 1000 protein IDs from the mouse brain proteome.
A randomized controlled trial of a group intervention for siblings of children with cancer: Changes in symptoms of anxiety in siblings and caregivers
Authors: Barrera Maru , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Schulte Fiona , Nathan Paul C. , Hancock Kelly , Saleh Amani 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study assessed the effects of a group intervention—Siblings Coping Together (SibCT)—on siblings' and caregivers' anxiety symptoms compared to controls, and potential moderators.MethodsSeventy healthy siblings of children on or off treatment (7‐16 y old, 41 males) participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 2 arms/groups: SibCT (n = 41) and an attention control (CG) (n = 34). Both groups had eight 2‐hour weekly sessions. EG followed SibCT's educational, social, and problem‐solving activities. CG had planned games and crafts. Siblings and caregivers self‐reported on anxiety symptoms at baseline, intervention end, and 3 months later. Multivariable mixed model analyses examined the intervention effect over time, and potential moderators (gender, on/off ill child's treatment).ResultsNo main effects of group or time were found in sibling scores. A group × gender interaction (P < .05) indicated that in the intervention group female siblings reported less total anxiety symptoms than male siblings, with no significant gender differences in the control group. Caregivers' total anxiety symptoms declined over time (P < .02). A group × on/off treatment interaction in physiological/panic subscale (P < .03) indicated that when ill child was on treatment, caregivers of siblings in SibCT reported less anxiety compared with caregivers of CG.ConclusionsThere was no clear SibCT intervention effect. SibCT may benefit female siblings, and caregivers whose ill child is on active treatment. Contextual factors (gender) seem to influence psychosocial intervention in this population.
Quantification of Urinary Protein Biomarkers of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease by Parallel Reaction Monitoring
Authors: Rauniyar Navin , Yu Xiaoqing , Cantley Jennifer , Voss Edward Z. , Belcher Justin , Colangelo Christopher M. , Stone Kathryn L. , Dahl Neera , Parikh Chirag , Lam TuKiet T. , Cantley Lloyd G. 
Published: March 2018

PurposeAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a life‐long disease in which the genes responsible are known, but the pathogenesis of cyst formation and cyst growth are not understood. Cyst growth ultimately leads to end‐stage renal failure in most patients. Analysis of the urinary proteome offers the potential to identify proteins that indicate the presence of cysts (and thus provides diagnosis) as well as the rates of cyst growth (providing prognostic information).Experimental designA scheduled parallel reaction monitoring (sPRM) assay is performed on urine samples from 14 patients and 18 normal controls. For relative quantification, stable isotope‐labeled synthetic peptides are spiked in the urinary protein digests prior to data collection. The data are subsequently normalized to creatinine and protein concentration in the respective urine samples to control for variations in water intake between individuals.ResultsOut of the 143 urinary proteins targeted for sPRM assay, 69 proteins are observed to be significantly dysregulated in ADPKD. The dysregulated proteins are used to cluster ADPKD patients into those who are more or less similar to normal controls.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis study shows that sPRM is a promising approach to rapidly screen large numbers of proteins in urine in order to provide earlier diagnosis and potentially better understand the pathogenesis of ADPKD development and progression.
New Formula for Fragment Velocity in the Aiming Direction of an Asymmetrically Initiated Warhead
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Xiaogang , Xiong Shihui , Wen Yuquan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFragment velocity is an important parameter for fragmentation warheads, but for an asymmetrically initiated warhead, formulas for calculating the fragment velocity in the aiming direction are rare. In this work, new formulas for calculating fragment velocities in the aiming direction and the initiation side of an asymmetrically initiated warhead were established by taking the long element from the warhead section and applying one‐dimensional gas dynamics. Accounting for the assumptions made during the formulas establishing, three experimentally verified warheads modelling of different charge ratios were used to verify the formulas. It is found that the velocity ratios of the modelling to the formulas’ calculations of different warheads are very similar. Hence the fitted curves for the velocity ratios versus the warhead charge ratios were used as correction factors for the established formulas. Finally experiments were designed and conducted to validate the revised formulas, which shows acceptable relative errors of 2.8 % and 9.9 %, better than already existing formulas. The established formulas could be a good reference for the damage evaluation of aimable warheads and for fragment velocity distribution research.
Effect of tadalafil on chronic pelvic pain and prostatic inflammation in a rat model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis
Authors: Okamoto Ken , Kurita Maki , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Numakura Yuki , Oka Michiko 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundExperimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) shares important clinical features with clinical chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain. We investigated the effect of tadalafil on pelvic pain and prostatic inflammation in a rat EAP model.MethodsEAP was induced in rats by intradermal injection of rat prostate antigen and complete Freund's adjuvant on days 0 and 28. Rats were treated with tadalafil (2 mg/kg, p.o.; EAP‐tadalafil) or vehicle (EAP‐vehicle) once daily from day 0, while sham‐operated animals were treated with vehicle only (Sham). Tactile allodynia was measured on days 28, 35, and 42 by applying von Frey filaments to the lower abdomen as an index of pelvic pain. On day 42, the plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and the testosterone/estradiol ratio were measured and histopathological analysis of the prostate was performed.ResultsTactile allodynia in the pelvic region was observed on days 28, 35, and 42 after EAP induction. The tactile allodynia observed on day 42 was significantly reduced by repeated treatment with tadalafil. Plasma IgG concentrations increased after EAP induction but the increase was not changed by tadalafil treatment. Prostate tissues were characterized by epithelial necrosis, infiltration of neutrophils and/or lymphocytes to acini and stroma, and fibrosis, in addition to a high stroma‐to‐epithelium ratio. Tadalafil treatment significantly suppressed the severity of the lesions.ConclusionsEAP rats developed pelvic pain, prostatic inflammation and increased plasma IgG concentrations. Tadalafil inhibited the chronic pelvic pain and prostatic inflammation, suggesting that its anti‐inflammatory action may contribute to its blocking of pain development in the EAP model.
Interaction of spirodiclofen with insecticides for the control of Brevipalpus yothersi in citrus
Authors: Della Vechia Jaqueline F , Ferreira Marcelo C , Andrade Daniel J 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe mite Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is of great importance in citriculture because it is a vector of the disease citrus leprosis. The frequency of application of a combination of pesticides has increased because of an increase in the occurrence of economically important pests of citrus. However, the combined effect of acaricide and other insecticides targeting B. yothersi is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of spirodiclofen and other insecticides on the control of B. yothersi.RESULTSAnalysis using spirodiclofen alone resulted in 97.22% efficiency in the control of B. yothersi on day 7 after application. A combination of spirodiclofen with either phosmet or imidacloprid resulted in 55% and 59% efficiency, respectively. A reduction in the efficiency of mite control by up to 42% was observed when the mites were exposed to a combination of acaricide with other insecticides.CONCLUSIONSApplication of a combination of spirodiclofen with phosmet or imidacloprid compromises the efficiency of acaricide in the control of B. yothersi. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry