bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Artemia spp. (Crustacea, Anostraca) populations by predators in the Crimean hypersaline lakes: A review of the evidence
Authors: Shadrin Nickolai , Yakovenko Vladimir , Anufriieva Elena 
Published: January 2019

AbstractArtemia spp. play a key role in hypersaline ecosystems. Artemia can live in a salinity range from 10 to 300–340 g/L, but in water bodies where salinity is between 10 and 100 g/L, it may be absent. Is the absence of Artemia in some Crimean lakes determined by the presence of predators or by salinity? To answer this question field long‐term and experimental data collected in the Crimean lakes were used. With the least probability, the populations of Artemia existed in the lakes with a salinity of up to 50 g/L or above 300 g/L. Self‐reproducing Artemia populations (all age stages) were most likely (≥80% of occurrence) noted in the salinity range of 150–200 g/L. Long‐term monitoring in two lakes showed that in different years, a significant negative correlation of Artemia abundance with the numbers of amphipod Gammarus aequicauda and ostracod Eucypris mareotica was found in both lakes. This correlation can be explained by ostracod and amphipod predation on Artemia. In years without predator populations, the number of Artemia was higher by several times. Experiments showed that these amphipods and ostracods consume brine shrimps of different developmental stages. There are at least 12 crustacean species, 5 insect species, and 2 fish species, all listed in this paper, which inhabit Crimean hypersaline waters and can eat Artemia. Their predation on Artemia often is a main cause of its absence in the salinity range from 10 to 150 g/L.
A “best fit” approach for synergistic surface parameters to guide the design of candidate implant surfaces
Authors: Ay Birol , Mendes Vanessa C. , Zhang Li , Davies John E. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHuman bone resorption surfaces can provide a template for endosseous implant surface design. We characterized the topography of such sites using four synergistic parameters (fractal dimension, lacunarity, porosity, and surface roughness) and compared the generated values with those obtained from two groups of candidate titanium implant surfaces. For the first group (n = 5/group): grit‐blasted acid etched (BAE), BAE with either discrete calcium phosphate crystal deposition or nanotube formation, machined titanium with nanotubes, or a nanofiber surface; each measured synergistic parameter was statistically compared with that of the resorbed bone surface and scored for inclusion in a “best fit” analysis. The analysis informed changes that could be made to a candidate implant surface to render it a closer “best fit” to that of the resorbed bone surface. In a second group of either titanium or titanium alloy implants their micro‐topography, created by dual acid etching, was the same for each material substrate; but their nanotopographic complexity was changed by varying the degree of calcium phosphate crystalline deposits. These implants were also used in vivo where bone anchorage was tested using a tensile disruption test; and the “best fit” of synergistic parameters coincided with the best biological outcome for both titanium and titanium alloy implants. In conclusion, the four chosen synergistic parameters can be used to guide the sub‐micron surface design of candidate implants, and our “best fit” approach is capable of identifying the surfaces with the best biological outcomes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2165–2177, 2019.
Synthesis and Insecticidal Evaluation of Novel N‐pyridylpyrazole Derivatives Containing Diacylhydrazine/1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Moieties
Authors: Wang Wei , Zheng Xiao‐Rui , Huang Xiao‐Ying , Mao Ming‐Zhen , Liu Kang‐Yun , Xue Chao , Wang Lie‐Ping , Ning Bin‐Ke 
Published: January 2019

Two series of novel N‐pyridylpyrazole derivatives containing diacylhydrazine/1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties were designed and synthesized based on the structure of chlorantraniliprole and characterized via 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis. The preliminary bioassay indicated that some of the title compounds I and II exhibited larvicidal activities against Mythimna separata with 90–100% death rates at 500 mg/L. The further test showed that these compounds had weak insecticidal activity against Mythimna separata and Plutella xylostella at 200 mg/L and might be not suitable as insecticide lead compound for further optimization.
Fetal brain development at 25–39 weeks gestational age: A preliminary study using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Yuan Xiao , Yue Cui , Yu Mei , Chen Ping , Du Pang , Shao Chang‐Hua , Cheng Si‐Chao , Bian Ren‐Jie , Wang Shao‐Yu , Wang Wen , Cui Guang‐Bin 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundThe fetal brain developmental changes of water diffusivity and perfusion has not been extensively explored.Purpose/HypothesisTo evaluate the fetal brain developmental changes of water diffusivity and perfusion using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging (IVIM‐DWI).Study TypeProspective.PopulationSeventy‐nine normal singleton fetuses were scanned without sedation of healthy pregnant women.Field Strength/Sequence5 T MRI/T1/2‐weighted image and IVIM‐DWI.AssessmentPure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) values were calculated in the frontal (FWM), temporal (TWM), parietal (PWM), and occipital white matter (OWM) as well as cerebellar hemisphere (CH), basal ganglia region (BGR), thalamus (TH), and pons using an IVIM model.Statistical TestsOne‐way analysis of variable (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post‐hoc multiple comparison was employed to reveal the difference of IVIM parameters among the investigated brain regions. The linear and the nonlinear polynomial regression analyses were utilized to reveal the correlation between gestational age (GA) and IVIM parameters.ResultsThere were significant differences in both D (F(7,623) = 96.64, P = 0.000) and f values (F(7,623) = 2.361, P = 0.0219), but not D* values among the varied brain regions. D values from TWM (r2 = 0.1402, P = 0.0002), PWM (r2 = 0.2245, P = 0.0002), OWM (r2 = 0.2519, P = 0.0002), CH (r2 = 0.2245, P = 0.0002), BGR (r2 = 0.3393, P = 0.0001), TH (r2 = 0.1259, P = 0.0001), and D* value from pons (r2 = 0.2206, P = 0.0002) were significantly correlated with GA using linear regression analysis. Quadratic regression analysis led to results similar to those using the linear regression model.Data ConclusionIVIM‐DWI parameters may indicate fetal brain developmental alterations but the conclusion is far from reached due to the not as high‐powered correlation between IVIM parameters and GA.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy Stage: 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:899–909.
Effect of auxins on the native proteolytic activity of forest soils
Authors: Holik Ladislav , Vranová Valerie , Rejšek Klement 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe soil proteolytic complex plays an important role within mineral nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Both auxins and proteases are produced by soil microbiota, and reciprocally, their activities affect the metabolic role of biota in soil. The objective of this study was to find out whether auxins (indole‐3‐acetic acid, indole‐3‐butyric acid, 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid and 2‐naphthoxyacetic acid) have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the activity of native proteases in soil. The results presented here demonstrate the positive effect of auxins on the native proteolytic forest soil activity. For example, in organic Oe horizons synthetically produced auxins stimulated native proteolytic activity in the European beech stands, where NOA led to the highest increase in L‐tyrosine production (from 564.02 µg at 0 µg auxin to 645.19 µg at the auxin dose of 100 µg). Comparing organic and organomineral horizons, auxins promote a higher stimulation of protease activity in the organic horizons. Comparing the different forest stands, auxins promote a high stimulation of protease activity in European beech stands. In the organomineral soil horizons, auxins promote a high stimulation of protease activity in Leptosols in European beech stands and Cambisols in pedunculate oak stands. The results confirmed the interrelationships between auxins and the native proteolytic forest soil activity from the viewpoint of dead organic matter decomposition. Furthermore, the general importance of substances produced in the rhizosphere for nitrogen cycling was verified.
A study on differences in human perception between a real and an AR scene viewed in an OST‐HMD
Authors: Gao Yuan , Liu Yue , Normand Jean‐Marie , Moreau Guillaume , Gao Xue , Wang Yongtian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWith the recent growth in the development of augmented reality (AR) technologies, it is becoming important to study human perception of AR scenes. In order to detect whether users will suffer more from visual and operator fatigue when watching virtual objects through optical see‐through head‐mounted displays (OST‐HMDs), compared with watching real objects in the real world, we propose a comparative experiment including a virtual magic cube task and a real magic cube task. The scores of the subjective questionnaires (SQ) and the values of the critical flicker frequency (CFF) were obtained from 18 participants. In our study, we use several electrooculogram (EOG) and heart rate variability (HRV) measures as objective indicators of visual and operator fatigue. Statistical analyses were performed to deal with the subjective and objective indicators in the two tasks. Our results suggest that participants were very likely to suffer more from visual and operator fatigue when watching virtual objects presented by the OST‐HMD. In addition, the present study provides hints that HRV and EOG measures could be used to explore how visual and operator fatigue are induced by AR content. Finally, three novel HRV measures are proposed to be used as potential indicators of operator fatigue.
Tetra‐proline‐modified calix[4]arene‐bonded silica stationary phase for simultaneous reversed‐phase/hydrophilic interaction mixed‐mode chromatography
Authors: Zhang Wenfen , Zhang Yongming , Zhang Guangrui , Ba Xin , Xia Shaige , Zhao Wuduo , Yin Dan , Zhang Shusheng 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA new water‐soluble tetra‐proline‐modified calix[4]arene‐bonded silica stationary phase was prepared straightforwardly by an indirect method and characterized by elemental analysis, energy dispersive Spectrometry, solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Due to the simultaneous introduction of polar tetra‐proline and nonpolar calix[4]arene, the developed column possessing a double retention mode of reverse‐phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. A series of hydrophobic and hydrophilic test samples, including nucleosides and nucleotides, amines, monosubstituted benzenes, chiral compounds, and phenols, were used to evaluate the developed stationary phase. A rapid separation capability, high separation efficiency, and selectivity were achieved based on the multiple interactions between solutes and tetra‐proline‐modified calix[4]arene‐bonded silica stationary phase. Moreover, the developed stationary phase was further used to detect and separate hexamethylenetetramine in rice flour. All the results indicated the potential merits of the developed stationary phase for simultaneous separation of complex hydrophobic and hydrophilic samples with high selectivity.
Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) Induced Crystallization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Super Performing Nanocomposite Films
Authors: Ben Shalom Tal , Nevo Yuval , Leibler David , Shtein Zvi , Azerraf Clarite , Lapidot Shaul , Shoseyov Oded 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study is aimed to explore the properties of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films with and without 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), a nontoxic crosslinker. CNC and CNC‐PVA nanocomposite films are prepared using solution‐casting technique. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses show that crosslinking increased the glass transition temperature but reduced the melting temperature and crystallinity. Furthermore, high CNC concentrations in the PVA matrix interfere with PVA crystallinity, whereas in specific ratio between CNC and PVA, two different crystalline structures are observed within the PVA matrix. Film surfaces and fracture topographies characterized using scanning electron microscope indicate that at certain CNC‐PVA ratios, micron‐sized needle‐like crystals have formed. These crystalline structures correlate with the remarkable improvement in mechanical properties of the CNC‐PVA nanocomposite films, that is, enhanced tensile strain and toughness to 570% and 202 MJ m−3, respectively, as compared to pristine PVA. BTCA enhances the tensile strain, ultimate tensile stress, toughness, and modulus of CNC films compared to pristine CNC films. Water absorption of crosslinked CNC and CNC‐PVA nanocomposite films is significantly reduced, while film transparency is significantly improved as a function of PVA and crosslinker content. The presented results indicate that CNC‐PVA nanocomposite films may find applications in packaging, and though materials applications.
Grafting from Starch Nanoparticles with Synthetic Polymers via Nitroxide‐Mediated Polymerization
Authors: Cazotti Jaime C. , Fritz Alexander T. , Garcia‐Valdez Omar , Smeets Niels M. B. , Dubé Marc A. , Cunningham Michael F. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractNitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) is employed to graft synthetic polymers from polysaccharides. This work demonstrates the first successful polymer grafting from starch nanoparticles (SNPs) via NMP. To graft synthetic polymers from the SNPs' surface, the SNPs are first functionalized with 4‐vinylbenzyl chloride prior to reaction with BlocBuilder MA yielding a macroinitiator. Methyl methacrylate with styrene, acrylic acid, or methyl acrylate are then grafted from the SNPs. The polymerizations exhibited linear reaction kinetics, indicating that they are well controlled. Thermal gravimetric analysis and spectroscopic techniques confirmed the synthesis of the precursors materials and the success of the grafting from polymerizations. The incorporation of hydrophobic synthetic polymers on hydrophilic SNPs yields new hybrid materials that could find use in several industrial applications including paper coatings, adhesives, and paints.
De novo and inherited pathogenic variants in collagen‐related osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Zhytnik Lidiia , Maasalu Katre , Duy Binh Ho , Pashenko Andrey , Khmyzov Sergey , Reimann Ene , Prans Ele , Kõks Sulev , Märtson Aare 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic bone fragility disorder. In the current study, differences between the genotypes and phenotypes of de novo and inherited collagen‐related OI were investigated.MethodsA comparative analysis was performed of the genotypes and phenotypes of 146 unrelated inherited and de novo collagen I OI cases from Estonia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Mutational analysis of the subjects and all available parents were performed with Sanger sequencing.ResultsResults showed that 56.16% of the OI cases were caused by de novo pathogenic variants. The proportion of OI types OI1, OI4, and OI3 among subjects with inherited OI was 45.31%, 46.88%, and 7.81%, respectively. Among subjects with de novo OI, the proportions of OI types (OI1, OI4, and OI3) were almost equal. Both inherited and de novo OI pathogenic variants occurred more often in the COL1A1 gene than in the COL1A2. The majority of de novo cases were missense pathogenic variants, whereas inherited OI was mostly caused by loss of function pathogenic variants.ConclusionIn summary, there were significant differences between the phenotypes and genotypes of subjects with de novo and inherited OI. These findings may promote the further understanding of OI etiology, and assist with diagnostics procedures, as well as with family planning.
A compact ultra‐wide band planar antenna with corrugated ladder ground plane for multiple applications
Authors: Baudha Sudeep , Yadav Manish Varun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn this article, a compact UWB planar antenna with corrugated ladder ground plane is presented. The antenna has a compact size of 15 × 20 × 1.5 mm3. The proposed antenna is fabricated on low cost, easily available FR‐4 substrate with relative permittivity εr = 4.3, permeability μ = 1, and loss tangent of 0.025. The thickness of the FR‐4 substrate is 1.5 mm. The impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna (magnitude of S11 <−10 dB) is 130.4% (2.4‐11.4 GHz). The peak gain of the proposed antenna is 3.5 dB and the peak radiation efficiency of the proposed antenna is 76%. Stable omnidirectional radiation patterns (H‐plane) and bidirectional radiation patterns (E‐plane) are observed in the entire operating frequency range. One side of the antenna with corrugated ladder ground plane results in the reduction of operating frequency of the proposed antenna and it reaches till 2.4 GHz whereas the other side of the antenna consist of the circular patch with a circular slot which results to resonant the proposed antenna in the higher operating band. With these properties, the proposed planar antenna is suitable for 2.4 (Wi‐Fi), 2.5/3.5/5.5 GHz (WiMAX) bands, 2.5/5.2/5.8 GHz (WLAN) bands, and other UWB wireless communication applications.
In vivo comprehensive multiphase NMR
Authors: Liaghati Mobarhan Yalda , Soong Ronald , Lane Daniel , Simpson Andre J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTraditionally, due to different hardware requirements, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has developed as two separate fields: one dealing with solids, and one with solutions. Comprehensive multiphase (CMP) NMR combines all electronics and hardware (magic angle spinning [MAS], gradients, high power Radio Frequency (RF) handling, lock, susceptibility matching) into a universal probe that permits a comprehensive study of all phases (i.e., liquid, gel‐like, semisolid, and solid), in intact samples. When applied in vivo, it provides unique insight into the wide array of bonds in a living system from the most mobile liquids (blood, fluids) through gels (muscle, tissues) to the most rigid (exoskeleton, shell). In this tutorial, the practical aspects of in vivo CMP NMR are discussed including: handling the organisms, rotor preparation, sample spinning, water suppression, editing experiments, and finishes with a brief look at the potential of other heteronuclei (2H, 15N, 19F, 31P) for in vivo research. The tutorial is aimed as a general resource for researchers interested in developing and applying MAS‐based approaches to living organisms. Although the focus here is CMP NMR, many of the approaches can be adapted (or directly applied) using conventional high‐resolution magic angle spinning, and in some cases, even standard solid‐state NMR probes.
The effect of stress boundary conditions on fluid‐driven fracture propagation in porous media using a phase‐field modeling approach
Authors: Shiozawa Sogo , Lee Sanghyun , Wheeler Mary F. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryA phase‐field approach for fluid‐driven fracture propagation in porous media with varying constant compatible stress boundary conditions is discussed and implemented. Since crack opening displacement, fracture path, and stress values near the fracture are highly dependent on the given boundary conditions, it is crucial to take into account the impact of in situ stresses on fracturing propagation for realistic applications. We illustrate several numerical examples that include the effects of different boundary conditions on the fracture propagation. In addition, an example using realistic boundary conditions from a reservoir simulator is included to show the capabilities of our computational framework.
Pulse sequence considerations for quantification of pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion kPL in hyperpolarized 13C imaging
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Yu , Gordon Jeremy W. , Bok Robert A. , Cao Peng , von Morze Cornelius , van Criekinge Mark , Milshteyn Eugene , Carvajal Lucas , Hurd Ralph E. , Kurhanewicz John , Vigneron Daniel B. , Larson Peder E.Z. 
Published: January 2019

Hyperpolarized 13C MRI takes advantage of the unprecedented 50 000‐fold signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement to interrogate cancer metabolism in patients and animals. It can measure the pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion rate, kPL, a metabolic biomarker of cancer aggressiveness and progression. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate kPL reliably. In this study, three sequence components and parameters that modulate kPL estimation were identified and investigated in model simulations and through in vivo animal studies using several specifically designed pulse sequences. These factors included a magnetization spoiling effect due to RF pulses, a crusher gradient‐induced flow suppression, and intrinsic image weightings due to relaxation. Simulation showed that the RF‐induced magnetization spoiling can be substantially improved using an inputless kPL fitting. In vivo studies found a significantly higher apparent kPL with an additional gradient that leads to flow suppression (kPL,FID‐Delay,Crush/kPL,FID‐Delay = 1.37 ± 0.33, P < 0.01, N = 6), which agrees with simulation outcomes (12.5% kPL error with Δv = 40 cm/s), indicating that the gradients predominantly suppressed flowing pyruvate spins. Significantly lower kPL was found using a delayed free induction decay (FID) acquisition versus a minimum‐TE version (kPL,FID‐Delay/kPL,FID = 0.67 ± 0.09, P < 0.01, N = 5), and the lactate peak had broader linewidth than pyruvate (Δωlactate/Δωpyruvate = 1.32 ± 0.07, P < 0.000 01, N = 13). This illustrated that lactate's T2*, shorter than that of pyruvate, can affect calculated kPL values. We also found that an FID sequence yielded significantly lower kPL versus a double spin‐echo sequence that includes spin‐echo spoiling, flow suppression from crusher gradients, and more T2 weighting (kPL,DSE/kPL,FID = 2.40 ± 0.98, P < 0.0001, N = 7). In summary, the pulse sequence, as well as its interaction with pharmacokinetics and the tissue microenvironment, can impact and be optimized for the measurement of kPL. The data acquisition and analysis pipelines can work synergistically to provide more robust and reproducible kPL measures for future preclinical and clinical studies.
Blockchain and smart contracts for higher education registry in Brazil
Authors: Palma Lucas M. , Vigil Martín A. G. , Pereira Fernando L. , Martina Jean E. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThe validation of academic credits and issuance of academic degree certificates in the Brazilian education system currently occurs in a semi or completely noncomputerized way. The actual digitization of this system could make it more secure and decrease bureaucracy in terms of document validation, saving in storage and labor. Due to the recent increase in forgeries and loss of records, it is paramount that this process becomes more transparent and reliable for all involved parties. This article presents a proposal and an implementation for the digitization of degree certificates and academic credits for higher education in the Brazilian education system. A transparent model based on blockchain is proposed, in which higher education institutions register students and their academic credits in a chain of records using the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure for identity management. This information, associated with smart contracts, enables the reliable and decentralized issuance of degree certificates through the validation of a historical database and the triggering of transactions using smart contracts. The focus of this article is the demonstration of an experiment that validates this proposal.