bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niobium Doping in BiVO4: Interplay Between Effective Mass, Stability, and Pressure
Authors: Sarker Hori Pada , Rao Pratap M. , Huda Muhammad N. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe have applied density functional theory to study the electronic structure changes caused by Nb incorporation in BiVO4 and the application of external pressure. The overall solubility of Nb in BiVO4 is usually high, and the presence of oxygen vacancies affect the dopability of Nb in BiVO4. Through the analyses of the chemical‐potential landscape, we have determined the single‐phase stability zone of BiVO4 with the Nb doping. The most favorable Nb doping is simultaneous substitutions at both V‐ and Bi‐sites. Even though Nb substitution at only V‐site is next favorable, the band gap change is not very significant which agrees with an earlier experiment. However, it does change the electron effective mass by 20 % owing to the presence of Nb 4d bands in the conduction bands, which explains better catalytic activity by Nb‐doped BiVO4. In addition, application of external pressure the single‐phase stability zone in the chemical‐potential landscape. We have also focused on the local structural distortions near the Nb doping site, especially on the BiO8 octahedra. We have shown here that pressure‐induced symmetrization of BiO8 dodecahedron lowers the electron's effective mass further and therefore can help to improve the photoconduction property of BiVO4.
ArCH2+: A Detectable Noble Gas Molecule
Authors: Fortenberry Ryan C. , Ascenzi Daniela 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe noble gas molecular cation, ArCH2+, has been observed in mass spectrometry experiments, and the present work is providing high‐level quantum chemical predictions for the vibrational and rotational spectroscopic data necessary to observe this molecule in situ in other laboratory conditions. The Ar−C stretch in this cation is a bright fundamental vibrational frequency that should be observable in the early regions of the far‐infrared at 421.2 cm−1 for the universally most common 36Ar isotope. The near‐prolate nature of this molecule and its 2.91 D dipole moment should also make it distinguishable for submillimeter detection, as well. Furthermore, the Ar−C bond strength in ArCH2+ is greater than the global minimum for the dissociation of the experimentally known ArOH+ cation. As a result, the infrared spectrum of this simple organo‐noble gas molecule is likely waiting to be observed and may already exist in the spectra of hydrocarbon cations in argon‐matrix condensed phase experiments.
DServ‐LB: Dynamic server load balancing algorithm
Authors: S Wilson Prakash , P Deepalakshmi 
Published: October 2018

SummaryIn recent years, web services have been largely accessed by the customer, and it increases the network traffic on the internet. To provide the services for the large number of customer, dynamic clustering concept has been implemented that provides the ability to add or remove the servers on demand. But managing and processing the large set of traffic are very complicated. Load balancing technic helps to resolve the problems of network traffic and give efficient network management. In this paper, we proposed a dynamic server load balancing algorithm (DServ‐LB) using OpenFlow switches in software‐defined networking. The OpenFlow switches support the dynamic programmability. Also, we used the sFlow protocol, which is used to monitor the servers resource information periodically and the controller. Based on the server resource availability, the controller installs forwarding rules in the OpenFlow switches. For implementation, we used Mininet for network emulation, POX controller, and Docker container as Mininet hosts. The result shows that the proposed DServ‐LB improves the overall network performance and efficiently utilizes the server resources if compared with existing load balancing algorithms.
The implications of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulatory coordination for understanding child adjustment
Authors: Rudd Kristen L. , Yates Tuppett M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe autonomic nervous system (ANS) is comprised of sympathetic and parasympathetic branches that control core adaptive systems, including cardiac regulation, across periods of rest, reactivity, and recovery. Despite their heavily intertwined functions, research examining the coordination of parasympathetic and sympathetic ANS regulation is limited. This study examined the effects of 6‐year‐olds’ (N = 198; 49.5% female; 46% Latinx) capacity for ANS reactivity and recovery in both sympathetic (i.e., pre‐ejection period [PEP]) and parasympathetic (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) systems on their caregiver‐ and examiner‐reported adaptability and attention problems at age 8. Results indicated that children's later adaptation was better accounted for by the coordination of their PEP and RSA activity than by either system in isolation. Children who evidenced optimal reactivity and recovery patterns, which entail reciprocal sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, evidenced more adaptability and fewer attention problems at age 8. In contrast, children who displayed discoordinated ANS reactivity patterns (e.g., high activation of both systems) or a total failure to recover (e.g., short PEP connoting high sympathetic activity and low RSA connoting low parasympathetic activity) evidenced poorer adjustment. These findings illustrate the incremental knowledge afforded by the joint consideration of both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of ANS regulation in concert, as well as the importance of considering both ANS reactivity and recovery capacities for understanding adaptation.
Noninvasive western lowland gorilla's health monitoring: A decade of simian immunodeficiency virus surveillance in southern Cameroon
Authors: Villabona‐Arenas Christian Julian , Ayouba Ahidjo , Esteban Amandine , D'arc Mirela , Mpoudi Ngole Eitel , Peeters Martine 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSimian immunodeficiency virus (SIVgor) causes persistent infection in critically endangered western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) from west central Africa. SIVgor is closely related to chimpanzee and human immunodeficiency viruses (SIVcpz and HIV‐1, respectively). We established a noninvasive method that does not interfere with gorillas' natural behaviour to provide wildlife pathogen surveillance and health monitoring for conservation. A total of 1,665 geo‐referenced fecal samples were collected at regular intervals from February 2006 to December 2014 (123 sampling days) in the Campo‐Ma'an National Park (southwest Cameroon). Host genotyping was performed using microsatellite markers, SIVgor infection was identified by serology and genetic amplification was attempted on seropositive individuals. We identified at least 125 distinct gorillas, 50 were resampled (observed 3.5 times in average) and 38 were SIVgor+ (seven individuals were seroconverters). Six groups of gorillas were identified based on the overlapping occurrence of individuals with apparent high rates of gene flow. We obtained SIVgor genetic sequences from 25 of 38 seropositive genotyped gorillas and showed that the virus follows exponential growth dynamics under a strict molecular clock. Different groups shared SIVgor lineages demonstrating intergroup viral spread and recapture of positive individuals illustrated intra‐host viral evolution. Relatedness and relationship genetic analysis of gorillas together with Bayesian phylogenetic inference of SIVgor provided evidence suggestive of vertical transmission. In conclusion, we provided insights into gorilla social dynamics and SIVgor evolution and emphasized the utility of noninvasive sampling to study wildlife health populations. These findings contribute to prospective planning for better monitoring and conservation.
Evolutionary effects of fishing gear on foraging behavior and life‐history traits
Authors: Claireaux Marion , Jørgensen Christian , Enberg Katja 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFishing gears are designed to exploit the natural behaviors of fish, and the concern that fishing may cause evolution of behavioral traits has been receiving increasing attention. The first intuitive expectation is that fishing causes evolution toward reduced boldness because it selectively removes actively foraging individuals due to their higher encounter rate and vulnerability to typical gear. However, life‐history theory predicts that fishing, through shortened life span, favors accelerated life histories, potentially leading to increased foraging and its frequent correlate, boldness. Additionally, individuals with accelerated life histories mature younger and at a smaller size and therefore spend more of their life at a smaller size where mortality is higher. This life‐history evolution may prohibit increases in risk‐taking behavior and boldness, thus selecting for reduced risk‐taking and boldness. Here, we aim to clarify which of these three selective patterns ends up being dominant. We study how behavior‐selective fishing affects the optimal behavioral and life‐history traits using a state‐dependent dynamic programming model. Different gear types were modeled as being selective for foraging or hiding/resting individuals along a continuous axis, including unselective fishing. Compared with unselective harvesting, gears targeting hiding/resting individuals led toward evolution of increased foraging rates and elevated natural mortality rate, while targeting foraging individuals led to evolution of decreased foraging rates and lower natural mortality rate. Interestingly, changes were predicted for traits difficult to observe in the wild (natural mortality and behavior) whereas the more regularly observed traits (length‐at‐age, age at maturity, and reproductive investment) showed only little sensitivity to the behavioral selectivity.
The metric matters when assessing diversity: Assessing lepidopteran species richness and diversity in two habitats under different disturbance regimes
Authors: Kirkpatrick Lucinda , Mitchell Sonia N. , Park Kirsty J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHow we measure diversity can have important implications for understanding the impacts of anthropogenic pressure on ecosystem processes and functioning. Functional diversity quantifies the range and relative abundance of functional traits within a given community and, as such, may provide a more mechanistic understanding of ecosystems. Here, we use a novel approach to examine how lepidopteran richness and diversity, weighted by species abundance, differ between habitats under different disturbance regimes (highly disturbed non‐native plantations and less disturbed broadleaf woodlands), both with and without constraining by similarity due to shared taxonomy or functional traits. Comparisons of diversity between the two habitats differed according to which metric was being used; while species richness was 58% greater in broadleaf woodlands, after accounting for species similarity due to shared functional traits, there was little difference between woodland types under two different disturbance regimes. Functional diversity varied within the landscape but was similar in paired broadleaf and plantation sites, suggesting that landscape rather than local factors drive biotic homogenization in plantation dominated landscapes. The higher richness in broadleaf sites appears to be driven by rare species, which share functional traits with more common species. Moth populations in disturbed, plantation sites represent a reduced subset of moth species compared to broadleaf sites, and may be more vulnerable to disturbance pressures such as clear‐felling operations due to low community resilience.
Short‐term, low‐level nitrogen deposition dampens a trophic cascade between bears and plants
Authors: Grinath Joshua B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHuman activities have substantially increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in ecosystems worldwide, often leading to higher plant quality for herbivores and greater herbivory. Predators frequently suppress herbivores and indirectly benefit plants via “trophic cascades”, and the strength of these interactions can also depend on N availability. However, the evidence for N deposition effects on cascades primarily comes from studies of high‐level N deposition. Most terrestrial ecosystems currently receive elevated, but low‐level N deposition, and it is unclear whether this subtle N enrichment has any effect on cascades. Here, I asked whether low‐level N deposition alters a trophic cascade from black bears to plants in Colorado. In this ecological network, bears indirectly benefit plants by consuming ants and suppressing positive effects of ants on herbivores. Using a three year N enrichment experiment, I assessed changes in this cascade by measuring plant and arthropod responses to simulated N deposition, bear damage to ant nests, and the presence of mutualist herbivores and ants. I found that low‐level N enrichment and bears had interacting effects on plant reproduction. In ambient N conditions, bears indirectly increased plant reproduction by causing ant nests to become inactive and suppressing positive ant effects on herbivores that were detrimental for plants. Yet, bear‐induced ant nest inactivity had no effect on plant reproduction in N‐enriched conditions. When N was added, ants had greater positive effects on herbivores, but herbivores had weak effects on plants, potentially because plants were more resistant to herbivores. Ultimately, the results indicate that N enrichment strengthened resource control of the community and weakened plant–herbivore interactions and the cascade from bears to plants. This study suggests that common rates of low‐level N deposition are changing the strength of trophic cascades and may have already altered resource versus consumer control of ecological community structure in many ecosystems.
Differing patterns of plant spinescence affect blue duiker (Bovidae: Philantomba monticola) browsing behavior and intake rates
Authors: Musariri Tongai , Pegg Nicola , Muvengwi Justice , Muzama Faith 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe ways in which spines and thorns on plants affect browsing behavior and instantaneous intake rate (IIR) have been investigated for several medium and large ungulates, with most authors concluding that spines either affect the ability to obtain a full bite, or prevent the removal of twig material. We investigated how a very small ruminant, the blue duiker (Philantomba monticola; mass 5 kg), altered its feeding strategy when confronted with intact or despined branches of three species of woody plant that differed in leaf and spine size, density, and arrangement, viz. Dichrostachys cinerea africana, Vachellia (Acacia) karroo and Ziziphus mucronata. Increasing spine length and density reduced IIR (g/min), while bite size was directly related to leaf area. Bite rate and the lag time to taking the first bite did not differ among treatments. In all treatments, blue duikers cropped leaves in preference to pruning shoots. High spine density forced duikers to crop leaves at the ends of branches where spines were softer. At low spine density and on despined treatments, leaves midway along branches were preferred. Single bites (using incisors) were used preferentially in the presence of spines, with a shift to cheek bites on despined branches. We conclude that, as found with larger browsers, spines coupled with small leaf size provide the best defense against defoliation.
Tissue‐resident MAIT cell populations in human oral mucosa exhibit an activated profile and produce IL‐17
Authors: Sobkowiak Michał J. , Davanian Haleh , Heymann Robert , Gibbs Anna , Emgård Johanna , Dias Joana , Aleman Soo , Krüger‐Weiner Carina , Moll Markus , Tjernlund Annelie , Leeansyah Edwin , Sällberg Chen Margaret , Sandberg Johan K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMucosa‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional T lymphocytes defined by their innate‐like characteristics and broad antimicrobial responsiveness. Whether MAIT cells are part of the tissue‐resident defense in the oral mucosal barrier is unknown. Here, we found MAIT cells present in the buccal mucosa, with a tendency to cluster near the basement membrane, and located in both epithelium and the underlying connective tissue. Overall MAIT cell levels were similar in the mucosa compared to peripheral blood, in contrast to conventional T cells that showed an altered representation of CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. The major mucosal MAIT cell subset displayed a tissue‐resident and activated profile with high expression of CD69, CD103, HLA‐DR, and PD‐1, as well as a skewed subset distribution with higher representation of CD4–/CD8– double‐negative cells and CD8αα+ cells. Interestingly, tissue‐resident MAIT cells had a specialized polyfunctional response profile with higher IL‐17 levels, as assessed by polyclonal stimulus and compared to tissue nonresident and circulating populations. Furthermore, resident buccal MAIT cells were low in perforin. Together, these data indicate that MAIT cells form a part of the oral mucosal T cell compartment, where they exhibit a tissue‐resident‐activated profile biased toward IL‐17 production.
On‐chip pressure generation using a gel membrane fabricated outside of the microfluidic network
Authors: Xia Ling , Yanagisawa Naoki , Deb Rajesh , Dutta Debashis 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOn‐chip generation of pressure gradients via electrokinetic means can offer several advantages to microfluidic assay design and operation in a variety of applications. In this article, we describe a simple approach to realizing this capability by employing a polyacrylamide‐based gel structure fabricated within a fluid reservoir located at the terminating end of a microchannel. Application of an electric field across this membrane has been shown to block a majority of the electroosmotic flow generated within the open duct yielding a high pressure at the channel–membrane junction. Experiments show the realization of higher pressure‐driven velocities in an electric field‐free separation channel integrated to the micropump with this design compared to other similar micropumps described in the literature. In addition, the noted velocity was found to be less sensitive to the extent of Debye layer overlap in the channel network, and therefore more impressive when working with background electrolytes having higher ionic strengths. With the current system, pressure‐driven velocities up to 3.6 mm/s were realized in a 300‐nm‐deep separation channel applying a maximum voltage of 3 kV at a channel terminal. To demonstrate the separative performance of our device, a nanofluidic pressure‐driven ion‐chromatographic analysis was subsequently implemented that relied on the slower migration of cationic analytes relative to the neutral and anionic ones in the separation channel likely due to their strong electrostatic interaction with the channel surface charges. A mixture of amino acids was thus separated with resolutions greater than those reported by our group for a similar analysis previously.
Dielectrophoretic choking phenomenon in a converging‐diverging microchannel for Janus particles
Authors: Zhou Teng , Ji Xiang , Shi Liuyong , Zhang Xianman , Deng Yongbo , Joo Sang Woo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe dielectrophoretic (DEP) choking phenomenon is revisited for Janus particles that are transported electrokinetically through a microchannel constriction by a direct‐current (DC) electric field. The negative DEP force that would block a particle with a diameter significantly smaller than that of the constriction at its inlet is seen to be relaxed by the rotation of the Janus particle in a direction that minimizes the magnitude of the DEP force. This allows the particle to pass through the constriction completely. An arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian (ALE) numerical method is used to solve the nonlinearly coupled electric field, flow field, and moving particle, and the DEP force is calculated by the Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method. The results show how Janus particles with non‐uniform surface potentials overcome the DEP force and present new conditions for the DEP choking by a parametric study. Particle transportation through microchannel constrictions is ubiquitous, and particle surface properties are more likely to be non‐uniform than not in practical applications. This study provides new insights of importance for non‐uniform particles transported electrokinetically in a microdevice.
Placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder: A pooled analysis of two randomized parallel‐group clinical trials
Authors: Blom Thomas J. , Guerdjikova Anna I. , McElroy Susan L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to explore predictors and clinical correlates of placebo response and cessation in binge eating disorder (BED).MethodData from two identically designed, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, and multicenter pharmacotherapy studies for adults with moderate to severe BED were pooled.ResultsOf 360 placebo recipients, 134 (37%) were responders and 53 (15%) achieved 4‐week binge eating cessation. Placebo response and cessation were each associated with higher baseline disability scores but not with measures of BED symptomatology severity. Compared with placebo noncessation, placebo cessation was further associated with increased blood pressure at baseline and greater improvement in pulse and triglyceride levels at endpoint.DiscussionFuture clinical trial design for BED pharmacotherapy trials might consider disability level among participants to enhance signal detection. Cessation of binge eating with placebo might be associated with improvement in cardiovascular and metabolic variables, at least over the short term.
Effects of skin region and relative lipophilicity on percutaneous absorption in the toad Rhinella marina
Authors: Llewelyn Victoria K. , Berger Lee , Glass Beverley D. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Owing to the dynamic interaction between frog skin and the environment, xenobiotics in frog habitats are of particular concern, and knowledge of percutaneous absorption in frog skin is necessary for risk-mitigation purposes. Baseline transdermal kinetics in adult aquatic and arboreal frog species have recently been reported; however, there is little information regarding absorption kinetics in adult terrestrial species. The present study investigated the in vitro absorption kinetics of 3 model chemicals—caffeine, benzoic acid, and ibuprofen—through different skin regions in the terrestrial toad Rhinella marina. Caffeine flux was consistently higher than that of the other 2 chemicals (p &lt; 0.001), whereas the fluxes of the moderately and highly lipophilic chemicals (benzoic acid and ibuprofen) were similar, regardless of skin region. When considering individual chemicals, caffeine demonstrated increased flux through the ventral pelvic skin compared with the ventral thoracic or dorsal skin regions. Flux did not differ between skin regions for either benzoic acid or ibuprofen. These findings have implications for management of environmental contamination in frog habitats, as many environmental xenobiotics are of moderate to high lipophilicity and would be expected to be equally absorbed from all skin surfaces in terrestrial toads. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:361–367. © 2018 SETAC