bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical investigation on the optical and EPR spectra for Cu2+‐doped ZnO‐CdS nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang H.M. , Yan C. , Zhu Q.S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe three optical absorption bands and EPR parameters of the [CuO6]10− center in the ZnO‐CdS composite nanopowders are theoretically studied from the perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach. In the formulas, the contributions to EPR parameters arising from the ligand orbital and spin–orbit coupling interactions via covalence effect are considered. For the studied [CuO6]10− cluster, the Cu–O bond lengths are suggested to show a relative elongation ratio ρ (≈ 4.1%) along the z‐axis due to Jahn–Teller effect. The defect models suggested in this work are different from the previous assumption that the impurity Cu2+ can replace the host Zn2+ site when it enters the lattices of the ΖnO and ΖnS nanocrystals, forming the tetrahedral [CuΧ4]6− clusters (Χ = O, S). The validity of the proposed model is discussed. The differences between the present calculations and the previous ones for the interstitial Cu2+ center in ZnO nanocrystals are analyzed in view of the dissimilar impurity behaviors due to the new composition CdS and distinct preparation conditions.
Fire hazard suppression of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene based on a novel Ni‐containing char‐forming agent
Authors: Dong Xiang , Qin Ruxiang , Nie Shibin , Yang Jinian , Zhang Chi , Wu Wei 
Published: December 2018

Reducing the fire hazard of polypropylene (PP) is an important research direction in the fields of fire safety materials. In this article, a novel Ni‐containing char‐forming agent (TTPN) was successfully synthesized, using tris(2‐hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC), terephthalic acid, and nickel dihydrogen phosphate. Then, TTPN was combined with the silica‐gel microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (OS‐MCAPP) to prepare intumescent flame retardant PP composites. From the results of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test and cone calorimeter, the composite containing 30% IFR (OS‐MCAPP: TTPN = 3:2) shows the highest LOI value of 33.5%, and its peak heat release rate is 275.5 kWm−2, decreased by 79.0% and 37.4% than those of pure PP and the composite containing the char‐forming agent without Ni. Meanwhile, the composite containing TTPN present the best smoke and CO2/CO suppression. The results indicate that TTPN has an excellent ability to dramatically reduce the fire hazard of PP.
Structural, morphological, optical and dielectric properties of M3+/PVA/PEG SPE Films (M = La, Y, Fe or Ir)
Authors: Mohammed Ghada , El Sayed Adel Mohamed 
Published: December 2018

Low band gap polymer complexes are promising due to its flexibility, and exhibiting electronic and optical properties of inorganic semiconductors. The effect of PEG on the physical properties of PVA was evaluated. Then, blend (PVA: PEG = 50:50) doped with rare earth (La or Y) and transition metal (Fe or Ir) chlorides to obtain solid polymer electrolyte films. XRD shows that adding PEG to PVA results in a new peak, 2θ = 23owith increased intensity as PEG ratio increases. However, doping with La3+, Fe3+or Ir3+eliminate this peak and decrease the crystallinity. SEM exhibits significant changes in the morphology of films. FTIR confirms miscibility between PVA & PEG and the complexation of the salts. The optical band gap (Eg) of PVA ~ 5.37 eV, decreased slightly by blending with PEG. While it decreased significantly to 2.64 eV and 2.78 eV after doping with Fe3+or Ir3+. There are a consistency betweenEgvalues obtained by Tauc's model and that obtained from the optical dielectric loss. The dielectric constant and loss, in temperature range 303–405 K & frequency range 1.0 kHz ‐ 5.0 MHz, indicate one or two relaxation peak(s) depending on the film composition. Accordingly, conduction mechanism varied between correlated barrier hopping and large polaron tunneling. The DC conductivity was strongly depend on the dielectric loss. The transition metal salts appear to be more effective than the rare earth ones in increasingσacof films to higher values that candidates them in semiconductors industry.
Gene ontology improves template selection in comparative protein docking
Authors: Hadarovich Anna , Anishchenko Ivan , Tuzikov Alexander V. , Kundrotas Petras J. , Vakser Ilya A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractStructural characterization of protein‐protein interactions is essential for our ability to study life processes at the molecular level. Computational modeling of protein complexes (protein docking) is important as the source of their structure and as a way to understand the principles of protein interaction. Rapidly evolving comparative docking approaches utilize target/template similarity metrics, which are often based on the protein structure. Although the structural similarity, generally, yields good performance, other characteristics of the interacting proteins (eg, function, biological process, and localization) may improve the prediction quality, especially in the case of weak target/template structural similarity. For the ranking of a pool of models for each target, we tested scoring functions that quantify similarity of Gene Ontology (GO) terms assigned to target and template proteins in three ontology domains—biological process, molecular function, and cellular component (GO‐score). The scoring functions were tested in docking of bound, unbound, and modeled proteins. The results indicate that the combined structural and GO‐terms functions improve the scoring, especially in the twilight zone of structural similarity, typical for protein models of limited accuracy.
Disruption of sex‐specific doublesex exons results in male‐ and female‐specific defects in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon
Authors: Chen Xien , Cao Yanghui , Zhan Shuai , Tan Anjiang , Palli Subba Reddy , Huang Yongping 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDDoublesex (dsx), the downstream gene in the insect sex‐determination pathway, is a key regulator of sexually dimorphic development and behavior across a variety of insects. Manipulating expression of dsx could be useful in the genetic control of insects. However, information on the sex‐specific function of dsx in non‐model insects is lacking.RESULTSIn this work, we isolated a dsx homolog, which is alternatively spliced into six female‐specific and one male‐specific isoforms, from an important agricultural pest, the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. Studies on the expression of sex‐specific Aidsx mRNA during embryonic development showed that the sixth hour post oviposition is the key stage for sex determination in A. ipsilon. Functional analysis of Aidsx was conducted using a CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting female‐ and male‐specific Aidsx exons. Disruptions of sex‐specific Aidsx exons resulted in sex‐specific, sexually dimorphic defects in external genitals, gonads and antennae, and expression of sex‐specific genes as well as production of offspring in both sexes.CONCLUSIONOur results not only demonstrate that dsx is a key player determining A. ipsilon sexually dimorphic traits, but also provide a potential method for the genetic control of this pest. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Distributed containment control for first‐order and second‐order multiagent systems with arbitrarily bounded delays
Authors: Xiong Quan , Lin Peng , Chen Zhiyong , Ren Wei , Gui Weihua 
Published: December 2018

SummaryThis paper studies containment control with communication delays and switching topologies. Firstly, a containment control algorithm for first‐order discrete‐time followers is proposed. Then, it is extended to handle double‐integrator dynamics. The main approach is to use the convexity of the convex hull spanned by multiple stationary leaders to verify the nonincreasing monotonicity of the largest distance from the followers to the convex hull. It is shown that both algorithms are robust to arbitrarily bounded communication delays as long as each follower jointly has a path from some leaders to itself. Finally, a numerical example is implemented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Regional sustainable development: The relationship between natural capital utilization and economic development
Authors: Hou Xianhui , Liu Jingming , Zhang Daojun 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWith the importance of sustainable development widely accepted, the relationship between natural capital utilization and economic development has become a global focus. This study analyzes the relationship between the utilization of natural capital and economic development in the countries along China's “Belt and Road” initiative using a panel regression model. The results show that the labor force, rural and urban populations, and exports and imports have a significant impact on both natural capital consumption and economic development. However, the impact of exports and imports on economic development here is contrary to economic theory and experience. We also find that there is still resource dependence in economic development and that natural capital consumption has a long‐run impact on it. To address this, the “Belt and Road” countries should adopt comprehensive national and regional measures to build a mutually beneficial cooperative mechanism and trade environment.
South African General Surgeon Preparedness for Humanitarian Disasters
Authors: Chu Kathryn M. , Karjiker Parveen , Naidu Priyanka , Kruger Deirdre , Taylor Allan , Trelles Miguel , Dominguez Lynette , Rayne Sarah 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundHumanitarian medical organizations provide surgical care for a broad range of conditions including general surgical (GS), obstetric and gynecologic (OBGYN), orthopedic (ORTHO), and urologic (URO) conditions in unstable contexts. The most common humanitarian operation is cesarean section. The objective of this study was to identify the proportion of South African general surgeons who had operative experience and current competency in GS, OBGYN, ORTHO, and URO humanitarian operations in order to evaluate their potential for working in humanitarian disasters.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional online survey of South African general surgeons administered from November 2017–July 2018. Rotations in OBGYN, ORTHO, and URO were quantified. Experience and competency in eighteen humanitarian operations were queried.ResultsThere were 154 SA general surgeon participants. Prior to starting general surgery (GS) residency, 129 (83%) had OBGYN, 125 (81%) ORTHO, and 84 (54%) URO experience. Experience and competency in humanitarian procedures by specialty included: 96% experience and 95% competency for GS, 71% experience and 51% competency for OBGYN, 77% experience and 66% competency for ORTHO, and 86% experience and 81% competency for URO. 82% reported training, and 51% competency in cesarean section.ConclusionsSA general surgeons are potentially well suited for humanitarian surgery. This study has shown that most SA general surgeons received training in OBGYN, ORTHO, and URO prior to residency and many maintain competence in the corresponding humanitarian operations. Other low‐ to middle‐income countries may also have broad‐based surgery training, and the potential for their surgeons to offer humanitarian assistance should be further investigated.
‘Across the Divide’: Developing Professional Learning Ecosystems in STEM Education
Authors: Ralls Deborah , Bianchi Lynne , Choudry Sophina 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper reports the findings from a cross-sector research project designed to question how the development of university-school partnerships can influence university academics’ pedagogic practice in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Findings from this research are offered at time when, in parallel with countries around the world, universities and schools in England are being encouraged to review and reflect on the quality of teaching and professional development, in line with the Teaching Excellence Framework consultation (2016) and the Standards for Professional Development (Department for Education 2016b) (Bianchi 2017). This paper seeks to develop a coherent response to two major issues; the policy imperative to develop greaterscienceexpertise in schools and to improve the quality of teaching and learning of science in higher education institutions. The research seeks to advance the notion of critical reflection on the quality of cross-sector STEM teaching and learning, by moving to what the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2015, p.15) terms a “‘meso’ networked level” of professional development in STEM education. This paper highlights how interpreting the imperative of constant change in education reform as a relational, outward looking endeavour offers the potential to help both universities and schools to better address the global education challenges that lie ahead.
Dimensions of Reproductive Attitudes and Knowledge Related to Unintended Childbearing Among U.S. Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Guzzo Karen Benjamin , Hayford Sarah R. , Lang Vanessa Wanner , Wu Hsueh-Sheng , Barber Jennifer , Kusunoki Yasamin 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Measures of attitudes and knowledge predict reproductive behavior, such as unintended fertility among adolescents and young adults. However, there is little consensus as to the underlying dimensions these measures represent, how to compare findings across surveys using different measures, or how to interpret the concepts captured by existing measures. To guide future research on reproductive behavior, we propose an organizing framework for existing measures. We suggest that two overarching multidimensional concepts—reproductive attitudes and reproductive knowledge—can be applied to understand existing research using various measures. We adapt psychometric analytic techniques to analyze two data sets: the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life study (RDSL). Although the specific survey measures and sample composition of the two data sets are different, the dimensionality of the concepts and the content of the items used to measure their latent factors are remarkably consistent across the two data sets, and the factors are predictive of subsequent contraceptive behavior. However, some survey items do not seem strongly related to any dimension of either construct, and some dimensions of the two concepts appear to be poorly measured with existing survey questions. Nonetheless, we argue that the concepts of reproductive attitudes and reproductive knowledge are useful for categorizing and analyzing social psychological measures related to unintended fertility. The results can be used to guide secondary data analyses to predict reproductive behavior, compare results across data sets, and structure future data collection efforts.
Links Between Strokes and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Chowdhury Farah N. , Chandrarathne G. Sanjaya , Masilamani Kristopher D. , LaBranche Jennifer T. N. , Malo Shaun , Svenson Lawrence W. , Jeerakathil Thomas , Vethanayagam Dilini P. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a disease of abnormal vasculature where patients are predisposed to strokes of multiple etiologies. We assessed yearly stroke incidence among Albertans with HHT and compared with the general population. Given the tendency for stroke in HHT patients, we expected HHT patients to have higher stroke incidence, in particular at younger ages.MethodsPopulation-based administrative health data on inpatient and ambulatory admissions were extracted over a 16-year period using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10, Canada codes. We analyzed overall occurrence of strokes in Alberta by age, gender, stroke subtype, and diagnosis of HHT.ResultsThe age-standardized incidence rate of stroke in HHT was 450 per 100,000 compared with 260 per 100,000 in the general population with a rate ratio of 1.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) [1.046-2.842]). This study found a higher HHT prevalence in Alberta (1 in 3800) compared to the world average of 1 in 5000. Women were also more likely to be diagnosed with HHT, with a 3.25:1 female gender preponderance in the yearly incidence.InterpretationThis study not only shows that HHT patients are at higher risk of having a stroke but also quantifies that risk using an age-adjusted metric in Alberta. This province has a higher than expected disease burden of HHT, with the majority of cases affecting women. Our study found that acute ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks are far more common than hemorrhage in HHT. As HHT is a rare, multi-system, chronic disease, these patients should be referred to an HHT Centre of Excellence.
The verbatim access effect: implicature in experimental context
Authors: SIEGEL MUFFY , ZEHR JÉRÉMY , BACOVCIN HEZEKIAH AKIVA , SCHOFIELD LYNNE STEUERLE , SCHWARZ FLORIAN 
Published: December 2018

abstractImplicature interpretation is sensitive to many contextual factors. This experimental study investigates two:(A)instructions to think carefully about exactly what is said(B)access to the verbatim form of what has been saidParticipants encountered (1) below, which can give rise to the contradictory relevance implicature in (2), as feedback during a decoy task:(1)I’m not suggesting that you’re responding too slowly, but it’s important to give the first response that comes to mind.(2)(I am suggesting that) you’re responding too slowly.When participants were questioned post-task, (B) significantly reduced rates of agreement that the speaker of (1) had said (2), whether the verbatim form provided was written (Experiment 1) or audio (Experiment 2). (A) had no such effect. In Experiment 3, we added a final task for participants: to recall (1) verbatim. One-third had forgotten it, typically substituting the implicature (2). We argue that this memory loss can explain the lower implicature rates associated with verbatim access: verbatim access reminds forgetful participants of (1)’s compositional interpretation, and that interpretation is inconsistent with the implicature in (2). Consequently, verbatim access reduces the chances of endorsing (2), thus introducing an inherent literal meaning bias in interpreting previous conversation.
Ecology and distribution ofDermatocarpon(Verrucariaceae,Ascomycota) in the catchment areas of two Bulgarian rivers
Authors: SHIVAROV Veselin V. , DENCHEV Cvetomir M. , THÜS Holger 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTemperature preferences and small-scale distribution patterns of fourDermatocarpontaxa in the catchment areas of two Bulgarian rivers were analyzed. Taxa with an overall alpine or arctic-alpine distribution were restricted to microhabitats with the lowest water and rock surface temperatures. A trend for increasingDermatocarpon rivulorumthallus diameter and colony size (aggregates of thalli) with decreasing temperature was identified. Data on pH and conductivity of the water for the study sites are provided for all taxa.Dermatocarpon arnoldianumis reported for the first time from Bulgaria, confirmed by ITS sequence data, and its known range extends to South-East Europe. All previous records ofD. rivulorumfrom Bulgaria were based on misidentified specimens ofD. arnoldianum. Freshwater taxa ofDermatocarponare proposed as a tool for monitoring the biological effects of temperature changes due to global climate change. Thallus and colony size are recommended as additional features for monitoring populations of threatenedDermatocarponspecies.
From natural forest to coffee agroforest: implications for communities of large mammals in the Ethiopian highlands
Authors: Mertens Jan E. J. , Emsens Willem-Jan , Jocqué Merlijn , Geeraert Lore , De Beenhouwer Matthias 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn tropical regions the extent of agricultural land is increasing rapidly at the expense of natural forest, with associated losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Agroforestry has long been proposed as a more sustainable agricultural system, conserving biodiversity while providing significant local livelihoods. In this context, camera traps were deployed to compare communities of large mammals between natural forest (22,272 hours across 24 deployments) and extensively managed coffee forest (19,059 hours, 23 deployments) for the first time in the south-west Ethiopian highlands. Mammal communities in the two forest types were similar in species richness and Shannon diversity but differed in community composition. Significant indicator species of coffee forest were the crested porcupineHystrix cristataand the Ethiopian hareLepus fagani, whereas leopardsPanthera pardusand civetsCivettictis civettahad a preference for natural forest. The number of detections of mammals was higher in coffee forest, where activity patterns were predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, which may be a direct adaptation to frequent human disturbance. In natural forest, mammal activity peaked during daytime. Despite the high mammal diversity in extensively managed coffee forest, it cannot fully replace natural forest as a habitat for large mammals. We suggest that a balanced landscape mosaic of coffee and natural forest may be a valuable combination for both conservation and coffee cultivation.
Effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on prefrontal-striatal connectivity is dependent on the level of TNF-α in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhao Xiaohua , Lu Xiaobing , Zhu Xiaoxia , Chen Hui , Wang Mengmeng , Yan Weixin , Jing Linlin , Deng Yanjia , Yu Lin , Wu Huawang , Wen Ge , Sun Xuegang , Lv Zhiping 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe hypothesize that the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may play a role in disturbing the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on the striatal connectivity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsWe performed a longitudinal observation by combining resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and biochemical analyses to identify the abnormal striatal connectivity in MDD patients, and to evaluate the effect of TNF-α level on these abnormal connectivities during SSRI treatment. Eighty-five rs-fMRI scans were collected from 25 MDD patients and 35 healthy controls, and the scans were repeated for all the patients before and after a 6-week SSRI treatment. Whole-brain voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC) was calculated by correlating the rs-fMRI time courses between each voxel and the striatal seeds (i.e. spherical regions placed at the striatums). The level of TNF-α in serum was evaluated by Milliplex assay. Factorial analysis was performed to assess the interaction effects of ‘TNF-α × treatment’ in the regions with between-group FC difference.ResultsCompared with controls, MDD patients showed significantly higher striatal FC in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and bilateral middle/superior temporal cortices before SSRI treatment (p < 0.001, uncorrected). Moreover, a significant interaction effect of ‘TNF-α × treatment’ was found in MPFC-striatum FC in MDD patients (p = 0.002), and the significance remained after adjusted for age, gender, head motion, and episode of disease.ConclusionThese findings provide evidence that treatment-related brain connectivity change is dependent on the TNF-α level in MDD patients, and the MPFC-striatum connectivities possibly serve as an important target in the brain.