bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the risk of illegal activity and evaluating law enforcement interventions in the western Serengeti
Authors: Denninger Snyder Kristen , Mneney Philemon B. , Wittemyer George 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIllegal activity within protected areas is a primary driver of species decline and threatens conservation efforts. In the western corridor of the Serengeti Ecosystem of northern Tanzania, the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves and Ikona Wildlife Management Area provide an important buffer between permanent settlements and Serengeti National Park, while simultaneously maintaining critical wildlife habitat. Understanding the spatial distribution and environmental drivers of illegal activity is critical to optimize biodiversity protection efforts in this important ecosystem. We examined a rare dataset containing detailed records of reserve game scout patrol effort and occurrences of illegal activity between 2013 and 2016. We used presence only data to construct predictive models of five categories of illegal activity. We derived spatial predictions of the likelihood of different activities and identified the environmental variables predictive of risk for each activity. The highest risk areas were located along reserve edges, further from roads and scout camps, suggesting avoidance of enforcement presence. Activities associated with wildlife offtake were the most widely distributed in the study area and extended into the national park. Permanent scout camps were more effective deterrents of all illegal activities than observation posts, but their limited spatial influence demonstrated additional enforcement strategies are required.
Different prognostic factors and strategies for early and late recurrence after adult living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hong Suk Kyun , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Yoon Kyung Chul , Kim Hyo‐Sin , Ahn Sung‐Woo , Kim Hyeyoung , Lee Jeong‐Moo , Cho Jae‐Hyung , Yi Nam‐Joon , Suh Kyung‐Suk 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundSome patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after LT show good long‐term survival. We aimed to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival after recurrence and to suggest treatment strategies.MethodsBetween January 2000 and December 2015, 532 patients underwent adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC. Among these, 92 (17.3%) who experienced recurrence were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates after recurrence were 59.5%, 23.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, time to recurrence >6 months and surgical resection after recurrence were related to longer survival after recurrence, while multi‐organ involvement at the time of primary recurrence was related to poorer survival. We classified patients into early (≤6 months) and late (>6 months) recurrence groups. In the early recurrence group, tumor size >5 cm in the explant liver, liver as the first detected site of recurrence, and multiple organ involvement at primary recurrence were related to survival on multivariate analysis. In the late recurrence group, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) usage and multi‐organ involvement were significantly associated with the prognosis on multivariate analysis.ConclusionsVarious therapeutic approaches are needed depending on the period of recurrence after LT and multiplicity of involved organs.
Glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes initiating second‐line therapy: Results from the global DISCOVER study programme
Authors: Khunti Kamlesh , Chen Hungta , Cid‐Ruzafa Javier , Fenici Peter , Gomes Marilia B. , Hammar Niklas , Ji Linong , Kosiborod Mikhail , Pocock Stuart , Shestakova Marina V. , Shimomura Iichiro , Tang Fengming , Watada Hirotaka , Nicolucci Antonio ,   on behalf of the DISCOVER investigators
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimTo assess glycaemic control and factors associated with poor glycaemic control at initiation of second‐line therapy in the DISCOVER programme.Materials and methodsDISCOVER (NCT02322762 and NCT02226822) comprises two similar prospective observational studies of 15 992 people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating second‐line glucose‐lowering therapy in 38 countries across six regions (Africa, Americas, South‐East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe and Western Pacific). Data were collected using a standardized case report form. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured according to standard clinical practice in each country, and factors associated with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c >8.0%) were evaluated using hierarchical regression models.ResultsHbA1c levels were available for 80.9% of patients (across‐region range [ARR] 57.5%‐97.5%); 92.2% (ARR 59.2%‐99.1%) of patients had either HbA1c or fasting plasma glucose levels available. The mean HbA1c was 8.3% (ARR 7.9%‐8.7%). In total, 26.7% of patients had an HbA1c level ≥9.0%, with the highest proportions in South‐East Asia (35.6%). Factors associated with having HbA1c >8.0% at initiation of second‐line therapy included low education level, low country income, and longer time since T2D diagnosis.ConclusionsThe poor levels of glycaemic control at initiation of second‐line therapy suggest that intensification of glucose‐lowering treatment is delayed in many patients with T2D. In some countries, HbA1c levels are not routinely measured. These findings highlight an urgent need for interventions to improve monitoring and management of glycaemic control worldwide, particularly in lower‐middle‐ and upper‐middle‐income countries.
Diachronic agency and practical entitlement
Authors: Heeney Matthew 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAs diachronic agents, we deliberate and decide in the present to perform future courses of action. Such future‐directed decisions normally enjoy a distinctive species of rational authority over subsequent thought and action. But what is the nature of this authority, and what underwrites its normative force? In this paper, I argue that our answer to this question must begin by situating future‐directed deciding within anintrapersonal model of cross‐temporal influence. The role of future‐directed deciding (and intending), then, is not togeneratea novel decision‐based reason for action, but instead topreservea certain positive normative status over time. I develop anentitlement approachto decisional authority, according to which an agent who rationally decides to ϕ enjoys a practical entitlement, rather than a reason‐based practical justification, to ϕ at the appointed time. This entitlement is underwritten, I argue, by the warrant‐preserving nature of the sequence taking an agent from deliberation to subsequent action.
Phosphorus rather than nitrogen enhances CO2 emissions in tropical forest soils: Evidence from a laboratory incubation study
Authors: Hui Dafeng , Porter Wesley , Phillips Jana R. , Aidar Marcos P.M. , Lebreux Steven J. , Schadt Christopher W. , Mayes Melanie A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEcosystem functional responses such as soil CO2 emissions are constrained by microclimate, available carbon (C) substrates and their effects upon microbial activity. In tropical forests, phosphorus (P) is often considered as a limiting factor for plant growth, but it is still not clear whether P constrains microbial CO2 emissions from soils. In this study, we incubated seven tropical forest soils from Brazil and Puerto Rico with different nutrient addition treatments (no addition, Control; C, nitrogen (N) or P addition only; and combined C, N and P addition (CNP)). Cumulative soil CO2 emissions were fit with a Gompertz model to estimate potential maximum cumulative soil CO2 emission (C
m) and the rate of change of soil C decomposition (k). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to quantify microbial biomass as bacteria and fungi. Results showed that P addition alone or in combination with C and N enhanced C
m, whereas N addition usually reduced C
m, and neither N nor P affected microbial biomass. Additions of CNP enhanced k, increased microbial abundances and altered fungal to bacterial ratios towards higher fungal abundance. Additions of CNP, however, tended to reduce C
m for most soils when compared to C additions alone, suggesting that microbial growth associated with nutrient additions may have occurred at the expense of C decomposition. Overall, this study demonstrates that soil CO2 emission is more limited by P than N in tropical forest soils and those effects were stronger in soils low in P.Highlights
A laboratory incubation study was conducted with nitrogen, phosphorus or carbon addition to tropical forest soils. Soil CO2 emission was fitted with a Gompertz model and soil microbial abundance was quantified using qPCR. Phosphorus addition increased model parameters C
m and soil CO2 emission, particularly in the Puerto Rico soils. Soil CO2 emission was more limited by phosphorus than nitrogen in tropical forest soils.
The magnitude of erosion‐induced carbon (C) flux and C‐sequestration potential of eroded lands in India
Authors: Mandal Debashis , Giri Nishita , Srivastava Pankaj 
Published: August 2019

AbstractGlobally, soil erosion transports a significant amount of carbon (C), but the magnitude of erosion‐associated loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) from India is poorly quantified. The present study quantified the C flux induced by accelerated erosion for different states of India where soil erosion is the most critical form of land degradation. The lateral transport of eroded C was estimated for individual Indian states using spatially referenced data for soil erosion rates that were assessed using the universal soil loss equation (USLE) applied to the information about 1649 soil association units and their SOC inventories across the country. The results indicated that soil erosion varies widely across the states. The states lying in the north region (Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) and all states of the north‐eastern Himalayan region, Peninsular plateau (Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and others) and Peninsular India (Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka) showed more soil loss due to water erosion. At the national level in India, erosion transported about 4.87 Pg of soil and 115.36 Tg of C every year, which consequently emits about 34.61 Tg of C to the atmosphere. Among the states in India, Madhya Pradesh had the highest value of erosion‐associated C loss (20.33 Tg C yr−1), followed by Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with losses of 9.98, 9.18, 9.11 and 8.70 Tg C yr−1, respectively. The possibility of C sequestration in various degraded lands was also explored. The results revealed that between 19 and 27 Tg C yr−1could be sequestered in soils by adopting achievable technological options in erosion‐affected areas of India, offering the potential to reduce approximately 24.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural soils of India (94 Tg C).HighlightsEroded carbon is an important factor in biogeochemical carbon (C) cycle in India.A new database on lateral transport of C is created for India.Quantity of C lost due to water erosion in India is 115.36 Tg yr−1.Erosion control will help to reduce C emission by 19–27 Tg C yr−1from India.
Visible light‐activated degradation of microcystin‐LR by ultrathin g‐C3N4 nanosheets‐based heterojunction photocatalyst
Authors: Xu Yifeng , Hu Bingkun , Liu Jining , Tao Kai , Wang Ranran , Ren Yang , Zhao Xiaofeng , Xu Jijin , Song Xuefeng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMicrocystins (MCs) is a harmful toxin generated by blue‐green algae in water, which has seriously threatened the ecological safety of water and human body. It is urgent to develop new catalysts and techniques for the degradation of MCs. A feasible electrostatic self‐assembly method was carried out to synthesize BiVO4/g‐C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst with highly efficient photocatalytic ability, where BiVO4 nanoplates with exposed {010} facets anchored to the g‐C3N4 ultrathin nanosheets. The morphology and microstructure of the heterojunction photocatalysts were identified by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and BET. The g‐C3N4 nanosheets have huge surface area over 200 m2/g and abundant mesoporous ranging from 2‐20 nm, which provides tremendous contact area for BiVO4 nanoplates. Meanwhile, the introduction of BiVO4 led to red‐shift of the absorption spectrum of photocatalyst, which was characterized by UV‐vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). Compared with pure BiVO4 and g‐C3N4, the BiVO4/g‐C3N4 heterojunction shows a drastically enhanced photocatalytic activity in degradation of microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) in water. The MC‐LR could be removed within 15 minutes under the optimal ratio of BiVO4/g‐C3N4. The outstanding performance of the photocatalyst is attributed to synergetic effect of interface Z‐scheme heterojunction and high active facets {010} of BiVO4 nanoplates, which provides an efficient transfer pathway to separate photoinduced carriers meanwhile endows the photocatalysts with strong redox ability.
Color‐tunable and white emission of Tm3+ doped transparent zinc silicate glass‐ceramics embedding ZnO nanocrystals
Authors: Zhou Jing , Song Bin , Qin Huijun , Lu Wangwei , Zhao Gaoling , Huang Zhongping , Han Gaorong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTm3+ doped zinc silicate glass‐ceramics composed of SiO2‐Al2O3‐ZnO‐K2O‐Tm2O3 embedded with ZnO nanocrystals were successfully fabricated by melt‐quenching method with subsequent heat treatment. Tm3+ ions and ZnO nanocrystals were introduced as blue and yellow luminescence centers, respectively. The effects of heat treatment, excitation wavelength and Tm3+ doping concentration on the photoluminescence behaviors of these glass‐ceramics were studied. Short‐time (5 minutes) heat treatment was considered as the optimal heat treatment time, which facilitates simultaneously emitting narrow blue peak located at 453 nm and a broad yellow band centered at 580 nm. Blue and yellow emissions could be attributed to the 1D2 → 3F4 transition of Tm3+ and Zni/Oi‐related defect emission of ZnO nanocrystals, respectively. The combination of these two emissions allows the realization of white light emitting in the glass‐ceramic samples. Furthermore, tunable luminescent color and chromaticity coordinates, including yellow, white and blue, can be realized by varying the pumping wavelengths as well as the content of Tm3+ dopant in the glass matrix. Nearly perfect white light emission with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinate (x = 0.33, y = 0.32) was achieved for the 0.05 mol% Tm3+ doped glass‐ceramic embedding ZnO nanocrystals by heat treatment at 750°C for 5 minutes under the excitation of 360 nm. These luminescent glass‐ceramics doped with Tm3+ ion and ZnO nanocrystals could be a promising candidate for white light emitting devices under near‐ultraviolet excitation.
Formation mechanism and microstructure evolution of Ba2Ti9O20 ceramics by reaction sintering method
Authors: Luo Ting , Yang Qihang , Yu Hongtao , Liu Jingsong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBa2Ti9O20 single‐phase ceramics were prepared by reaction sintering method using TiO2 and BaCO3 as raw materials after heat treating at 1150°C for 10 hours. Furthermore, the formation mechanism and microstructure evolution of Ba2Ti9O20 ceramics prepared by reaction sintering method were investigated. The formation behavior of Ba2Ti9O20 phase was analyzed from the perspective of diffusion, where the reaction activation energy required for the process was calculated to be about 386.17 kJ/mol. Combined with the scanning electron microscopy and the energy dispersive spectrometer, it was revealed that the pores on Ba2Ti9O20 grains in the process of reaction sintering might be caused by the absence of oxygen element. Meanwhile, the reason for the roughness of ceramic surface was that the local inhomogeneous distribution of barium on the surface of Ba2Ti9O20 grain leaded to the enrichment of titanium.
Oxidation resistance of Ti3AlC2 and Ti3Al0.8Sn0.2C2 MAX phases: A comparison
Authors: Drouelle Elodie , Brunet Veronique , Cormier Jonathan , Villechaise Patrick , Sallot Pierre , Naimi Foad , Bernard Frederic , Dubois Sylvain 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTi3AlC2 and Ti3Al0.8Sn0.2C2 MAX phase powders are densified using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique to obtain dense bulk materials. Oxidation tests are then performed over the temperature range 800°C‐1000°C under synthetic air on the two different materials in order to compare their oxidation resistance. It is demonstrated that, in the case of the Ti3Al0.8Sn0.2C2 solid solution, the oxide layers consist in TiO2, Al2O3, and SnO2. The presence of Sn atoms in the A planes of the solid solution leads to an easy diffusion of Sn out of the MAX phase which promote the formation of the nonprotective and fast growing SnO2 oxide. Moreover, the small Al/Ti atom's ratio promotes the growth of a nonprotective rutile‐TiO2 scale as well. In the case of the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase, the oxide layer consists in a protective alumina scale; a few TiO2 grains being observed on the top of the Al2O3 layer. The parabolic oxidation rate constants are about 3 orders of magnitude smaller for Ti3AlC2 compared to Ti3Al0.8Sn0.2C2.
Tubular solid oxide fuel cells fabricated by a novel freeze casting method
Authors: Panthi Dhruba , Hedayat Nader , Woodson Theo , Emley Benjamin J. , Du Yanhai 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFreeze casting is an established method for fabricating porous ceramic structures with controlled porosity and pore geometries. Herein, we developed a novel freeze casting and freeze drying process to fabricate tubular anode supports for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Freeze casting was performed by injecting aqueous anode slurry to a dual‐purpose freeze casting and freeze drying mold wrapped with peripheral coils for flowing a coolant. With the use of an ice barrier layer, proper control of the experimental setup, and adjustments in the drying temperature profile, complete drying of the individual anode tubes was achieved in 4 hours. The freeze‐cast anode tubes contained radially aligned columnar pore channels, thus significantly enhancing the gaseous diffusion. SOFC single cells with conventional Ni/yttria‐stabilized zirconia/strontium‐doped lanthanum manganite materials were prepared by dip coating the thin functional layers onto the anode support. Single cell tests showed that the concentration polarization was low owing to the highly porous anode support with directional pores. With H2/N2 (1:1) fuel, maximum power densities of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.27 W/cm2 were recorded at 800°C, 750°C, and 700°C, respectively. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using freeze casting to obtain tubular SOFCs with desired microstructures and fast turn‐around times.
Quality of life outcomes in adults with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis treated with dimethylfumarate (DMF): a post hoc analysis of the BRIDGE study
Authors: van de Kerkhof P.C.M. , Loewe R. , Mrowietz U. , Falques M. , Pau‐Charles I. , Szepietowski J.C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with quality of life (QoL) impairment. BRIDGE was a randomized, double‐blind, phase III study comparing the efficacy and safety of dimethylfumarate (DMF) with a fixed combination of fumaric acid esters (FAE) or placebo for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.ObjectivesThis post hoc analysis investigated treatment effect on QoL overall and by patient subgroups categorized by disease severity. Week 8 efficacy responses were also investigated as possible predictors of Week 16 Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) outcomes.MethodsPatients were randomized to receive a maximum daily dose of 720 mg of DMF, FAE (gradual up‐titration) or placebo for 16 weeks. Psoriasis Area Severity Index, Body Surface Area, Physician's Global Assessment and DLQI were assessed at baseline, Weeks 8 and 16. DLQI 0‐1 indicated ‘no effect on patient life’. Associations between baseline severity, Week 16 DLQI and Week 8 efficacy (as observed cases) were also examined.ResultsAt baseline, 671 patients were included in the full analysis set (267 randomized to DMF, 273 to FAE and 131 to placebo). DMF was superior to placebo (P < 0.001) and not significantly different to FAE regarding Week 16 DLQI outcomes (P > 0.05). Baseline disease severity did not impact DLQI outcomes at Week 16. In DMF‐ and FAE‐treated patients, Week 8 PASI 50/75 responders reported better DLQI responses at Week 16 vs non‐responders (P < 0.05). Week 8 PASI ≤ 3 and/or PGA 0‐1 responders were also more likely to report DLQI 0‐1 at Week 16 vs non‐responders (P < 0.05).ConclusionDimethylfumarate significantly improved DLQI outcomes vs. placebo and was not affected by baseline disease severity. Efficacy responses (PASI 50/75, PASI ≤3 and PGA 0‐1) as early as Week 8 were predictive of QoL outcomes at Week 16 in DMF‐ and FAE‐treated patients.
Identification and genotyping of Listeria monocytogenes in the chicken shredding line
Authors: Girgin Kadir E. , Çadirci Özgür 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe present research was carried out to determine the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the equipment, staff, and products in the chicken shredding facilities operating in Samsun, and to serotype and genotype the isolates by PCR and PFGE analysis, respectively. Of the total of 192 samples tested, 25 were found to be L. monocytogenes positive from which 51 isolates were acquired. In serotyping of the 51 isolates; 47 (92.2%) and four isolates (7.8%) were identified as 1/2a (3a) and 1/2c (3c), respectively. Twenty‐six of the 51 isolates (51%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 13 (25.5%) were resistant to more than one antibiotic. In the PFGE evaluation, at least 80% similarity was taken as a basis, and in the dendrogram, it was determined as a result of restricting with the Apal enzyme that the isolates were distributed to 25 different clusters and 45 subsets, and as a result of restricting with the AscI enzyme, they were distributed to 29 different clusters and 36 subsets.Practical ApplicationListeria monocytogenes constitutes a major problem for the food industry due to its widespread availability in nature and its role as an environmental contaminant in food processing plants.
Eugenol as an antimicrobial wash treatment reduces Campylobacter jejuni in postharvest poultry
Authors: Wagle Basanta R. , Arsi Komala , Shrestha Sandip , Upadhyay Abhinav , Upadhyaya Indu , Bhargava Kanika , Donoghue Annie , Donoghue Dan J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe efficacy of the natural plant‐derived compound, eugenol (EG), as an antimicrobial wash treatment to reduce Campylobacter jejuni in postharvest poultry was investigated. The antimicrobial efficacy of EG was studied as a suspension, emulsion, or nanoemulsion treatment (two trials each). In each trial, chicken skin samples were inoculated with C. jejuni (∼7.2 Log CFU/sample), washed with treatments (0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2% EG corresponds to 0, 7.61, 15.22, 30.45, 60.90, or 121.8 mM, respectively) for 1 min, drip dried for 2 min, and then processed at 0, 8, and 24 hr of refrigerated storage (n = 5 samples/treatment/time point). All doses of the EG suspension consistently reduced C. jejuni counts with the greatest reduction (>2.0 Log CFU/sample) for the 2% dose when compared with controls (p < .05). EG emulsions or nanoemulsions did not provide any additional reduction in C. jejuni when compared to EG suspension. Our results suggest that EG could be an effective postharvest intervention strategy for reducing C. jejuni contamination on poultry products.Practical ApplicationsCampylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of foodborne illness in humans, is strongly associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Interventions reducing C. jejuni contamination in poultry would reduce the risk of subsequent human infections. In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of eugenol was studied in three different delivery systems; suspension, emulsion, or nanoemulsion. Our results demonstrated that eugenol was effective in reducing C. jejuni counts on chicken skin and can be used as a potential strategy to reduce Campylobacter on poultry products.