bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of topography and sedentary swidden cultivation on soils in the hilly uplands of North‐East India
Authors: Prokop Paweł , Kruczkowska Bogusława , Syiemlieh Hiambok J. , Bucała‐Hrabia Anna 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA hilly catchment (4 km2) was selected to quantify the changes in physico‐chemical soil properties when traditional shifting cultivation is converted to sedentary swidden cultivation (elements of slash and burn cultivation with short fallow period), locally called bun (cropping in rows of raised beds formed from soil), in the central part of the Meghalaya Plateau. Assuming that the monsoonal climate, deep‐weathered granites, and time are relatively uniform over the small catchment, the differences in soil were compared on two contrasting landforms (flat ridges and steep slopes) and three land use types (natural deciduous forest, sedentary swidden cultivation of potatoes, and fallow land with pine forest) within each landform. In contrast to previous studies in region, soil fertility indices calculated in the present study indicated that the bun system can also improve soil quality. Soil response significantly varied at spatial scales, however, and in terms of the possibility of continuing sustainable cultivation in the future. At a local scale on flat terrain upon granites, soil under swidden cultivation had the higher fertility indices, than fallow land and natural forest, whereas steep slope cultivated soil had the lowest fertility indices, following fallow land and natural forest. Therefore, bun system can be efficient in tropical regions with gentle terrain and limited forest resources. At a regional scale, low potato yield combined with a growing food demand forces farmers to expand potato cultivation on steep slopes, the dominant landform in the Meghalaya, increasing the risk of soil degradation. Introducing agroforestry with pine trees into bun cultivation can mitigate the rates of soil degradation on steep slopes.
Diazotroph community structure and the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle in the Chukchi Sea (western Arctic Ocean)
Authors: Shiozaki Takuhei , Fujiwara Amane , Ijichi Minoru , Harada Naomi , Nishino Shigeto , Nishi Shinro , Nagata Toshi , Hamasaki Koji 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMarine nitrogen fixation occurs not only in subtropical and tropical regions but also in colder regions. However, the distribution of diazotrophs, nitrogen fixation rate, and its contribution to the nitrogen cycle in the Arctic Ocean remain poorly understood. We examined the diazotroph community structure and activity in the shelf and off‐shelf regions of the Chukchi Sea, western Arctic Ocean, during late summer 2015. The nitrate and ammonium assimilation rates were determined simultaneously to gain insights into the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle of the region. The diazotroph community determined by Illumina sequencing was mainly composed of Cluster III nifH phylotypes (putative anaerobes), accounting for > 80% of the total sequences examined, except for one surface sample. This result is strikingly different from previous findings in other oceanic regions. The nifH sequences other than those from Cluster III were mostly affiliated with UCYN‐A2 (symbiotic cyanobacteria), which accounted for < 15% of the total sequences. UCYN‐A2 tended to be abundant (maximum 2.9 × 103 copies L−1) in the high‐temperature low‐salinity water mass that is characteristic of Pacific‐originating water. Nitrogen fixation rate was detectable at most stations, with a range of 0.08–3.60 nmol L−1 d−1, displaying no clear relationship with depth (light intensity) or nitrate or ammonium concentration. Nitrogen fixation locally exceeded nitrate assimilation, but accounted for 1.00% at most in the total nitrogen assimilation in the euphotic zone.
Predictors of Ultrasound Failure to Detect Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Samoylova Mariya L. , Mehta Neil , Roberts John P. , Yao Francis Y. 
Published: May 2018

Current guidelines recommend ultrasound (US) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in cirrhosis. We assess predictors of decreased US sensitivity for detecting HCC. At a single center in the United States, all HCC patients evaluated for liver transplantation (LT) received an abdominal US. From 2007‐2015, consecutive patients presenting for untreated lesions found on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 3 months of US were compared with US findings. Multivariate logistic regression models compared US sensitivities by patient characteristics. Of 1007 patients completing LT evaluation, 47.5% had indeterminate or previously treated nodules and were excluded; 10.4% had imaging that was too far apart or nondiagnostic. Median Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) of the cohort (n= 352) was 11 (interquartile range [IQR], 9‐14), median body mass index (BMI) was 28 kg/m2 (IQR, 25‐32 kg/m2), 39% had received locoregional therapy, and 10% had moderate/large ascites. Per‐patient sensitivity of US compared with CT/MRI was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.76‐0.86). Patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had a US sensitivity of 0.76 versus 0.87 for BMI < 30 kg/m2 (P = 0.01). MELD and ascites did not affect sensitivity. US sensitivity was decreased in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) versus other etiologies (0.59 versus 0.84; P = 0.02). Relative to CT/MRI, US is significantly less sensitive in patients with NASH or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Further study is necessary to examine the added value of cross‐sectional imaging for patients with NASH or obesity.
TGF‐β1‐Modified Hyaluronic Acid/Poly(glycidol) Hydrogels for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Böck Thomas , Schill Verena , Krähnke Martin , Steinert Andre F. , Tessmar Jörg , Blunk Torsten , Groll Jürgen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn cartilage regeneration, the biomimetic functionalization of hydrogels with growth factors is a promising approach to improve the in vivo performance and furthermore the clinical potential of these materials. In order to achieve this without compromising network properties, multifunctional linear poly(glycidol) acrylate (PG‐Acr) is synthesized and utilized as crosslinker for hydrogel formation with thiol‐functionalized hyaluronic acid via Michael‐type addition. As proof‐of‐principle for a bioactivation, transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) is covalently bound to PG‐Acr via Traut's reagent which does not compromise the hydrogel gelation and swelling behavior. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) embedded within these bioactive hydrogels show a distinct dose‐dependent chondrogenesis. Covalent incorporation of TGF‐β1 significantly enhances the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs compared to hydrogels with supplemented noncovalently bound TGF‐β1. The observed chondrogenic response is similar to standard cell culture with TGF‐β1 addition with each medium change. In general, multifunctional PG‐Acr offers the opportunity to introduce a range of biomimetic modifications (peptides, growth factors) into hydrogels and, thus, appears as an attractive potential material for various applications in regenerative medicine.
Morphology Regulation in Redox Destructible Amphiphilic Block Copolymers and Impact on Intracellular Drug Delivery
Authors: Bej Raju , Sarkar Jayita , Ray Debes , Aswal Vinod K. , Ghosh Suhrit 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn two ABA type amphiphilic block copolymers (P1, P2), the hydrophobic B block consists of a bioreducible segmented poly(disulfide) (PDS), while poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) or poly(triethyleneglycol)methylether‐methacrylate (PTEGMA) serve as the hydrophilic A blocks in P1 and P2, respectively, leading to the formation of polymersome and micelle, owing to the difference in the packing parameters. Both exhibit comparable doxorubicin (Dox) encapsulation efficiency, but glutathione (GSH) triggered release appears much faster from the polymersome than micelle owing to the complete degradation of the PDS segment in polymersome morphology unlike in micelle. Dox‐loaded polymers (P1‐Dox and P2‐Dox) exhibit minimum toxicity to normal cells like C2C12. By contrast, P1‐Dox shows excellent killing efficiency to the HeLa cells (cancer cell) (in which the GSH concentration is significantly higher). However, P2‐Dox reveals a rather poor activity even to HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy studies show comparable cellular uptake of P1‐Dox and P2‐Dox. But the polymersome entrapped dye escapes fast from the cargo and reach the nucleus, while the drug‐loaded micelle remains trapped in the perinuclear zone explaining the significant difference in the drug delivery performance of polymersome and micelle.
On the prime geodesic theorem for hyperbolic 3‐manifolds
Authors: Avdispahić Muharem 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThrough the Selberg zeta approach, we reduce the exponent in the error term of the prime geodesic theorem for cocompact Kleinian groups or Bianchi groups from Sarnak's to . At the cost of excluding a set of finite logarithmic measure, the bound is further improved to .
Boasting and aspiring, as status‐reinforcing mechanisms in status‐based loyalty programs
Authors: Sajtos Laszlo , Chong Yit Sean 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn the retail industry, status‐based loyalty programs (SBLP) are commonly used as an important marketing tool to award elevated status to customers who exceed certain level of spending. In contrast to previous studies that have considered “target and bystander” and “member–non‐member” differentiation, this study responds to the need to account for the dynamics in across‐tier effects in loyalty programs (LPs). By undertaking a scenario‐based experiment that focuses on a “face‐to‐face” across‐tier social event, this study examines the joint effects of exclusivity, status visibility and social comparison on LP members’ status perception and willingness to spend. Contrary to prior beliefs that the beneficial effects for targets (e.g., VIP members) in status hierarchies are offset by the negative effects on bystanders (e.g., non‐VIP members), this study concludes that situations when social comparisons occur in SBLPs are not necessarily zero‐sum games. Ultimately, this study uncovered two distinct status‐reinforcing mechanisms–“aspiring” and “boasting”–which LP members may experience in SBLPs. The outcome of this study highlights important implications for companies to pursue different strategies aimed at enhancing members’ status perceptions.
Sonographic median nerve change after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wang Jia‐Chi , Lin Kon‐Ping , Liao Kwong‐Kum , Chang Yue‐Cune , Wang Kevin A. , Huang Yu‐Fang , Chiu Jan‐Wei 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The sonographic changes of the median nerve after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) still require investigation. Methods: Sixty‐two patients with CTS were included. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was administered, and ultrasonographic examinations were performed before and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after steroid injection. At 12 weeks, general improvement was scored on a 6‐point Likert scale. Results: After treatment, the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve was significantly reduced at 2‐, 6‐, and 12‐week follow‐ups (for each, P < 0.001, analysis of variance). The “significant improvement” group (n = 39) had a significantly greater reduction in the CSA at the carpal tunnel inlet (P = 0.014) and CSA in the proximal carpal tunnel (P = 0.003) compared with the “little/no improvement” group (n = 23). Discussion: Sonographic measurement of CSA may be considered complementary to the standard clinical evaluation in monitoring of treatment response in patients with CTS. Muscle Nerve 58: 402–406, 2018
Isotopes and new norms: Investigating the emergence of early modern U.K. breastfeeding practices at St. Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen
Authors: Britton K. , McManus‐Fry E. , Cameron A. , Duffy P. , Masson‐MacLean E. , Czére O. , Smith N. , Stones J. , Winfield A. , Müldner G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this study, we aim to extend the chronological, geographical, and societal scope of previous bioarchaeological research on infant diet and age at weaning in Britain in the past through the analysis of the large medieval and post‐medieval skeletal assemblage from St. Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen, Scotland. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data were obtained from rib collagen from 67 sub‐adults across the two phases and were compared with mean adult female dietary isotope values. Nitrogen isotope data were modelled using the R Package WARN, along with previously published data sets, to provide quantitative age estimates for the commencement and completion of weaning at St. Nicholas Kirk and other medieval and post‐medieval sites. Data from Phase A (12th–15th century AD) suggest that breastfeeding may have continued up to and beyond the age of 2 years, likely in combination with other foods. This complements previously published data from urban and rural medieval contexts in England, highlighting similarities in infant feeding practices across very different contemporary populations. Data from post‐medieval Phase B at St. Nicholas Kirk (15th–18th century AD) give new insights into early modern period breastfeeding and weaning practices, indicating that weaning commenced soon after birth and was completed relatively early (within a year). These data bridge the gap between previously published studies on medieval and late 18th‐ to 19th‐century populations from the British Isles and suggest that trends observed at later urban sites may be rooted in preceding centuries, although the underlying reasons for this change are difficult to elucidate. Contributing factors may include the social and religious changes that occurred in the post‐reformation period, such as the decrease in the use of wet nurses, changes in the availability and acceptability of artificial feeding, increased urbanism, and even changes in the socio‐economic status of those interred in the Kirk.
Adaptive rejection of unmatched input disturbances for output tracking using a control separation LQ method
Authors: Wen Liyan , Tao Gang , Yang Hao 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIn this paper, an adaptive disturbance rejection scheme is developed for output tracking of multivariable nonminimum‐phase systems in the presence of uncertain unmatched input disturbances. Using a new cost function, a control separation–based LQ control framework is established for desired disturbance rejection and output tracking. The finite‐time and infinite‐time control separation–based LQ solutions are derived in an explicit composite controller structure, which has enhanced disturbance compensation and output tracking properties, as compared with a traditional LQ solution. An adaptive parameter update algorithm is used for estimation of uncertain disturbances, based on which an adaptive control separation–based LQ control solution is developed for plants in the presence of uncertain disturbances. Simulation results are presented to verify the desired adaptive disturbance rejection control system performance.
Morphology, mechanical properties and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene)/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: effects of maleic anhydride, carbon nanotube loading and processing method
Authors: Kuester Scheyla , Barra Guilherme MO , Demarquette Nicole R 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNanocomposites based on poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (SEBS/CNT) as well as SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐MA)/CNT were successfully prepared for electromagnetic shielding applications. Both SEBS/CNT and SEBS‐MA/CNT nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding and were post‐processed using two different techniques: tape extrusion and compression moulding. The different nanocomposites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and rheological analysis. Their mechanical properties, electrical properties (10-2–105 Hz) and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (8.2–12.4 GHz) were also evaluated. The results showed that the CNT loading amount, the presence of MA in the matrix and the shaping technique used strongly influence the final morphologies and properties of the nanocomposites. Whilst the nanocomposite containing 8 wt% CNTs prepared by compression moulding presented the highest electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (with a value of 56.73 dB, which corresponds to an attenuation of 99.9996% of the incident radiation), the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% CNTs prepared by tape extrusion presented the best balance between electromagnetic and mechanical properties and was a good candidate to be used as an efficient flexible electromagnetic interference shielding material. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of white mustard cover crop residue, soil chemical fumigation andTrichodermaspp. root treatment on black‐foot disease control in grapevine
Authors: Berlanas Carmen , Andrés‐Sodupe Marcos , López‐Manzanares Beatriz , Maldonado‐González María Mercedes , Gramaje David 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDBlack‐foot disease is one of the main soilborne fungal diseases affecting grapevine production worldwide. Two field experiments were established to evaluate the effect of white mustard cover crop residue amendment and chemical fumigation with propamocarb + fosetyl‐Al combined withTrichodermaspp. root treatment on the viability of black‐foot inoculum in soil and fungal infection in grafted plants and grapevine seedlings used as bait plants.RESULTSA total of 876 black‐foot pathogen isolates were collected from grafted plants and grapevine seedlings used as bait plants in both fields. White mustard biofumigation reduced inoculum ofDactylonectria torresensisand the incidence and severity of black‐foot of grapevine, but no added benefit was obtained when biofumigation was used withTrichodermaspp. root treatments. The effect of white mustard residues and chemical fumigation on populations ofD. torresensispropagules in soil was inconsistent, possibly because of varying pretreatment inoculum levels.CONCLUSIONBiofumigation with white mustard plants has potential for improving control of black‐foot disease in grapevines. This control strategy can reduce soil inoculum levels and protect young plants from infection, providing grape growers and nursery propagators with more tools for developing integrated and sustainable control systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Transnational families and child migration to France and Spain. The role of family type and immigration policies
Authors: Eremenko Tatiana , González‐Ferrer Amparo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDifferent family migration strategies and immigration policies may lead to the separation of family members and the formation of transnational families, some of which end up reunifying later on in the country of destination. Despite the growing interest in this issue, no systematic large‐scale study has analysed to what extent child reunification patterns vary among family types, but also in distinct policy contexts. In this paper, we examine the reunification patterns of children left‐behind by parents who migrated to France and Spain in order to understand whether children from standard two‐parent families differ in their chances of joining their migrant parents in the destination country compared to children in non‐standard families (single parent and blended families), as well as the potential role of immigration policies on these chances. We base our analyses on recent nationally representative surveys of immigrants in the two countries (TeO 2008 and ENI 2007), complemented by indicators on immigration policies coded in the ImPol database produced within the TEMPER project. We find that children belonging to non‐standard families are left‐behind for longer periods of time than those in two‐parent families, even after controlling for migrant parents' socio‐economic resources. Our results equally point to a disconnection between the procedure legally defined for family reunification of children and their actual migration trajectories, as well as an important role of regularizations in facilitating the family reunification process.
Accurate prediction of vertical electronic transitions of Ni(II) coordination compounds via time dependent density functional theory
Authors: Sciortino Giuseppe , Lihi Norbert , Czine Tamás , Maréchal Jean‐Didier , Lledós Agustí , Garribba Eugenio 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTime dependent density functional theory calculations are completed for five Ni(II) complexes formed by polydentate peptides to predict the electronic absorption spectrum. The ligands examined were glycyl‐glycyl‐glycine (GGG), glycyl‐glycyl‐glycyl‐glycine (GGGG), glycyl‐glycyl‐histidine (GGH), glycyl‐glycyl‐cysteine (GGC), and triethylenetetramine (trien). Fifteen functionals and two basis sets were tested. On the basis of the mean absolute percent deviation (MAPD), the ranking among the functionals is: HSE06 ∼ MPW1PW91 ∼ PBE0 > ω‐B97x‐D ∼ B3P86 ∼ B3LYP ∼ CAM‐B3LYP > PBE ∼ BLYP ∼ BP86 > TPSS > TPSSh > BHandHLYP > M06 ≫ M06‐2X. Concerning the basis sets, the triple‐ζdef2‐TZVP performs better than the double‐ζ LANL2DZ. With the functional HSE06 and basis setdef2‐TZVP the MAPD with respect to the experimental λmaxis 1.65% with a standard deviation of 1.26%. The absorption electronic spectra were interpreted in terms of vertical excitations between occupied and virtual MOs based on Ni‐datomic orbitals. The electronic structure of the Ni(II) species is also discussed.
Detection of acetyltransferase modification of kanamycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, in bacteria using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Perez Johnny J. , Chen Chin‐Yi 
Published: May 2018

RationaleThe occurrence of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria is a worldwide issue that has the potential, if not addressed, to eliminate classes of antibiotics that have extended life expectancy in the last century. An approach to confront this threat is the development of technologies that greatly accelerate the detection of antibiotic resistance to minimize unnecessary treatment involving antibiotics. Development of an analytical method for rapid detection of aminoglycoside resistance using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has not been reported in the literature and is described here.MethodsA strain of Escherichia coli carrying a plasmid encoding an aminoglycoside‐modifide enzyme (N‐acetyltransferase) was incubated with kanamycin, an aminoglycoside. The antibiotic and its modified form were observed using LC/MS. An ABSciex QTrap 6500+ was used for kinetic and quantitative analysis and high‐resolution structural elucidation was performed using a Thermo Fisher Q‐Exactive hybrid quadrupole‐orbitrap mass spectrometer.ResultsDetection of kanamycin modification was achieved in less than an hour of incubation. Calibration curves for both modified and unmodified kanamycin from 0.5 to 50 μg mL−1 were obtained. Generation and depletion of modified and unmodified kanamycin as a function of time were performed. High‐resolution mass spectrometry was employed for confirmation and structural elucidation of the novel precursor and product ion biomarkers with high mass accuracy (≤7 ppm).ConclusionsA newly developed analytical method is able to determine bacterial resistance to aminoglycosides (via acetylation of kanamycin), qualitatively and quantitatively, within 30 minutes and 6 hours of incubation with kanamycin, respectively. High‐resolution data support the placement of an acetyl group on kanamycin confirming aminoglycoside resistance and its mechanism. Quantification was achieved for both forms of the antibiotic 50‐ to 100‐fold lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration for the resistant bacteria and can be used to replace conventional antimicrobial susceptibility tests.