bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parasite rearing and infection temperatures jointly influence disease transmission and shape seasonality of epidemics
Authors: Shocket Marta S. , Vergara Daniela , Sickbert Andrew J. , Walsman Jason M. , Strauss Alexander T. , Hite Jessica L. , Duffy Meghan A. , Cáceres Carla E. , Hall Spencer R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSeasonal epidemics erupt commonly in nature and are driven by numerous mechanisms. Here, we suggest a new mechanism that could determine the size and timing of seasonal epidemics: rearing environment changes the performance of parasites. This mechanism arises when the environmental conditions in which a parasite is produced impact its performance—independently from the current environment. To illustrate the potential for “rearing effects”, we show how temperature influences infection risk (transmission rate) in a Daphnia‐fungus disease system through both parasite rearing temperature and infection temperature. During autumnal epidemics, zooplankton hosts contact (eat) fungal parasites (spores) reared in a gradually cooling environment. To delineate the effect of rearing temperature from temperature at exposure and infection, we used lab experiments to parameterize a mechanistic model of transmission rate. We also evaluated the rearing effect using spores collected from epidemics in cooling lakes. We found that fungal spores were more infectious when reared at warmer temperatures (in the lab and in two of three lakes). Additionally, the exposure (foraging) rate of hosts increased with warmer infection temperatures. Thus, both mechanisms cause transmission rate to drop as temperature decreases over the autumnal epidemic season (from summer to winter). Simulations show how these temperature‐driven changes in transmission rate can induce waning of epidemics as lakes cool. Furthermore, via thermally dependent transmission, variation in environmental cooling patterns can alter the size and shape of epidemics. Thus, the thermal environment drives seasonal epidemics through effects on hosts (exposure rate) and the infectivity of parasites (a rearing effect). Presently, the generality of parasite rearing effects remains unknown. Our results suggest that they may provide an important but underappreciated mechanism linking temperature to the seasonality of epidemics.
Competitive and agonistic interactions between the invasive Asian shore crab and juvenile American lobster
Authors: Baillie Christopher J. , Grabowski Jonathan H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInvasive species can have profound ecological and evolutionary impacts on native fauna, particularly those from overlapping guilds. Intraguild predation and competition often occur simultaneously, and ontogenetic shifts in competitive strength can dictate the magnitude and direction of species interactions. The recent introduction of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus to the Atlantic coast of North America has resulted in the potential for considerable intraguild interactions with juvenile American lobsters Homarus americanus, with which it now co‐occupies rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats. We present data from 5 yr of monthly (May–October) field sampling revealing a significant decline in lobster density as H. sanguineus density increased in the low intertidal. To investigate potential mechanisms behind this pattern, we conducted three mesocosm experiments designed to examine whether competitive interactions between H. americanus and H. sanguineus are size‐ or density‐dependent. Larger early benthic phase lobsters (16–34 mm CL) outcompeted H. sanguineus for both food and shelter resources. These lobsters fed faster and more in the presence of H. sanguineus, effectively defended shelter, were responsible for the majority of agonistic interactions, and, in multiple instances, killed and consumed H. sanguineus. Effects on sheltering and agonstic interactions by these lobsters were independent of H. sanguineus density; however, prior shelter residency increased lobster agonistic behavior towards crabs. In contrast, H. sanguineus outcompeted smaller, early benthic phase lobsters (7.2–11.2 mm CL) for shelter, and these interactions were density dependent. Displacement of lobsters from shelter by crabs and cumulative agonistic interactions instigated by crabs towards lobsters scaled positively with H. sanguineus density. Given the similarity of the invasion documented here and others occurring globally, these experiments demonstrate the importance of considering how factors such as ontogeny, density‐dependence, and primacy influence the outcomes of interactions between intraguild predators. Disentangling how these factors structure intraguild interactions between invasive and endemic species will both advance our fundamental understanding of community ecology and enhance efforts to conserve and manage natural resources.
Study on correlation between geometrical correction and aerodynamic performance of microscale supersonic wind tunnel
Authors: Murai Naoki , Yamamoto Ryouto , Rikuno Kouhei , Toriyama Toshiyuki 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this paper, flow visualization of the oblique shock waves of a single‐crystal silicon microscale supersonic wind tunnel is described. The microscale supersonic wind tunnel has a convergent–divergent section and a throat area of 1000 μm × 300 μm, and designed for realizing supersonic flow of Mach 2 in microscale domain. The schlieren system with integrated optical microscope was used for visualization of the oblique shock waves generated in the microscale domain. To investigate the effect of nonisentropic flow state on the inclination angle to the shock, a numerical integration of the modified Shapiro's differential equation was applied.
Decorating Pt/C Nanoparticles with Ru by Wall‐Jet Configuration: The Role of Coverage Degree on the Catalyst Activity for Glycerol Electrooxidation
Authors: Alencar Leticia M. , Martins Cauê A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHere, we built Ru‐decorated Pt/C nanoparticles with different coverage degrees (θRu) by wall‐jet configuration for the first time, and we investigated their catalytic properties towards glycerol electrooxidation in acidic medium. Moreover, we used the most active catalysts as the anode in electrolysis to produce carbonyl compounds. The use of an electrochemical cell in wall‐jet configuration allows for the controlling of electrodeposition through easily handling parameters; namely, the θRu is controlled by changing the concentration of the metallic precursor, speed, and volume of injection onto a Pt/C‐modified glassy carbon electrode under applied potential. Excess of Ru on a Pt surface inhibits glycerol dissociative adsorption, which limits further electrooxidation; whereas low θRu do not provide surface oxygen species to the anodic reaction. Hence, intermediates θRu reveal active catalysts – namely, θRu=0.42 shifts the onset potential 170 mV towards lower values and increases 1.65‐fold the current density at 0.5 V. The stability of this catalyst is also enhanced by maintaining a more constant current density during successive potential cycles in the presence of glycerol and by avoiding Ru leaching from the surface. The electrolysis on Ru‐decorated Pt/C is shown to lead the reaction towards formic acid (‘high oxidation state’), decreasing the amounts of glyceradehyde, glycolic acid, and dihydroxyacetone, as a result of the improved catalytic properties.
Living landscapes: Muddy and vegetated floodplain effects on fluvial pattern in an incised river
Authors: Kleinhans Maarten G. , de Vries Bente , Braat Lisanne , van Oorschot Mijke 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCohesive floodplain sediment and vegetation are both thought to cause meandering river patterns. Our aims are to compare the isolated and combined effects of mud and vegetation on river planform and morphodynamics in the setting of intermediate‐sized valley rivers. We use a numerical model for century‐scale simulation of flow, sediment transport and morphology coupled with riparian vegetation settlement, growth and mortality as functions of species traits on which flow resistance depends. Mud fluxes were predicted by excess shear stress relations in combination with the active layer formulation. We found that valley‐flooding water levels increase with vegetation density, causing a higher braiding intensity rather than meandering tendency. The shear stress during floods carves channels through the muddy floodplain surface. Higher mud concentration, on the other hand, increases floodplain aggradation, reduces the overbank flow frequency and ultimately causes formation of a single‐thread channel. Vegetation causes mud to deposit closer to the river channel as a levee, showing that mud sedimentation and vegetation settling mutually enhance floodplain formation. However, mud and vegetation counteract in two ways. First, vegetation enhances floodplain accretion, which ultimately increases plant desiccation for high mud concentrations. Second, vegetation increases the tendency of periodic chute cutoffs in valleys. The chute cutoffs locally reset the landscape and create new windows of opportunity for the vegetation. Surprisingly, in systems with a high mud concentration this causes hysteretic loops of vegetation cover and delayed mud deposition. Ramifications for the interpretation of Palaeozoic fluvial facies are that even rootless vegetation, capturing cohesive mud closer to the river channel to form thicker floodplain on the point bar, can enhance the tendency to meander and, under high mud supply, form stable channels. However, meandering is more unlikely in narrower valley rivers with higher vegetation density. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis and rate optimization of GFDM‐based cognitive radios
Authors: Mohammadian Amirhossein , Baghani Mina , Tellambura Chintha 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGeneralized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) is suitable for cognitive radio networks due to its low out‐of‐band emission and high spectral efficiency. In this paper, we thus consider the use of GFDM to allow an unlicensed secondary user (SU) to access a spectrum hole. However, in extremely congested spectrum scenarios, both active incumbent primary users on the left and right channels of the spectrum hole will experience out‐of‐band interference. While constraining this interference, we thus investigate the problem of power allocation to the SU transmitter to maximize the overall data rate where the SU receiver is employing a matched filter or zero‐forcing receiver. The power allocation problem is thus solved as a classic convex optimization problem. Finally, total transmission rate of GFDM is compared with that of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. For instance, when right and left interference should be below 10 dBm, the capacity gain of GFDM over OFDM is 400%.
An overview of outdoor visible light communications
Authors: Ndjiongue A.R. , Ferreira H.C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn visible light communication (VLC) technology, the outdoor applications are less explored when compared to those indoors. This is due to the fact that: (1) the dual use of light‐emitting diodes is not always practicable in the outdoor VLC environment; (2) the level of interference and noise is considerably higher in outdoor VLC; (3) many other communication technologies are available to be used which, due to their specific characteristics, adapt better to the outdoor environment when compared to VLC technology. Nevertheless, several outdoor VLC applications have been identified. They include and are not limited to building‐to‐building, vehicle‐to‐vehicle, and road‐to‐vehicle communications. Deploying light fidelity (Li‐Fi) using street and park lights is also feasible. Finally, some applications exploit the ability of solar panels to simultaneously harvest the electrical energy and serve as a VLC receiving antenna. The implementation of these communication systems faces lots of challenges. Most of them are related to environmental factors such as fog, rain, sunlight, haze, snow, dust, and atmospheric disturbances. Some challenges are based on parameters such as the geometrical aspect of the light diffusion, which is Lambertian in most cases. These challenges contribute to lower interest in outdoor VLC to date. However, the environment presents several opportunities. In this article, we explore the outdoor VLC environment, review, and present some promising applications selected from the literature. Furthermore, we underline likely research opportunities based on the actual state‐of‐the‐art and our outdoor VLC characterization experiments.
Hybrid Cellulose–Silica Materials from Renewable Secondary Raw Resources: An Eco‐friendly Method
Authors: Vasquez‐Zacarias Leticia , Ponce‐Peña Patricia , Pérez‐López Tezozomoc , Franco‐Urquiza Edgar A. , Ramirez‐Galicia Guillermo , Poisot Martha 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHybrid organic–inorganic materials based on cellulose matrix and silica particles are obtained from wastes of the local paper recycling mill and sugarcane mill as renewable secondary raw materials. The performance comparison of these hybrid materials made from secondary raw materials against the materials made from pure, raw sources is discussed. The Fourier transform infrared spectra show that cellulose features prevail even at 43 wt% silica nanoparticles in the hybrid materials. Such a high content of silica originated from sugarcane bagasse ash and hollow glass microspheres contributes to the high thermal stability of the final composites, as seen by thermogravimetric analysis with very low water absorption. This one‐step approach of biobased hybrid materials represents an excellent way to produce high‐performance materials with high content of inorganic nanoparticles for a wide variety of applications like energy efficient building material completely cement‐free.
A Typology of Scientific Advisory Committees
Authors: Groux Gaëlle M. N. , Hoffman Steven J. , Ottersen Trygve 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe era of evidence‐informed decision‐making has seen increased use of the scientific advisory committee (SAC) to provide decision‐makers with scientific advice, despite limited evidence of the effectiveness or best strategies for designing these committees. In this study, an in‐depth review of academic and gray literature is undertaken to outline the global landscape of SACs. The development of a typology is also undertaken that categorizes SACs along six dimensions: 1) sector, 2) level of operation, 3) permanence, 4) target audience, 5) autonomy, and 6) nature of advice. It is found that SACs differ profoundly in each of these dimensions and provide examples demonstrating this variation. The landscape and typology can help decision‐makers understand the key elements of SAC design and reform, and the results will also inform future research on the design and effectiveness of SACs. With SACs expected to promote evidence‐informed decision‐making, it is imperative that the design of these committees themselves is guided by evidence.
Douropteris alvareziigen. nov., sp. nov., a new medullosalean pteridosperm from the Late Pennsylvanian of Portugal
Authors: Correia Pedro , Šimůnek Zbynĕk , Cleal Christopher J. , Sá Artur A. 
Published: June 2018

A new plant fossil‐genus,Douropteris alvareziigen. nov., sp. nov., is described from the Douro Basin (lower Stephanian C [lower Gzhelian], Upper Pennsylvanian) in north‐western Portugal.Douropteris alvareziihas a remarkable morphology characterized by an unusual combination of features seen in several different fossil‐genera belonging to ferns and pteridosperms. Its unique and distinguishing features place it nearest to the medullosalean pteridospermsMargaritopterisandCallipteridium, suggesting close affinities with the fossil‐family Cyclopteridaceae. Morphologically,Margaritopterisis the closest relative with basis on the strong resemblance to the veining pattern ofDouropterisgen. nov. Here,Douropterisrepresents a potential “Lazarus taxon” or evolutionary descendant from theMargaritopterislineage.
Geochemistry and tectonic implications of Early Permian granitic rocks in the Xingxingxia area of Chinese Central Tianshan Arc Terrane
Authors: Wen Ding‐Jun , He Zhen‐Yu , Zhang Ze‐Ming 
Published: June 2018

The Chinese Central Tianshan Arc Terrane (CTA) in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is characterized by voluminous Palaeozoic to Mesozoic (500–240 Ma) granites, with a magmatic “flare‐up” at Early Permian time (ca. 280 Ma). However, the tectonic setting of the Early Permian granites in the CTA is highly debated. In this study, Early Permian (ca. 280 Ma) granitic intrusions, including quartz diorite and dioritic enclave, amphibole granite, biotite granite, dioritic porphyry dyke, and a weakly mylonitic granitic dyke, were revealed from the Xingxingxia area of the CTA by LA‐ICP‐MS zircon UPb dating. These granitic rocks show magnesian and calc‐alkaline affinities and are characterized by Nb, Ta, P, Ti, and MREE depletion [(Dy/Yb)N = 1.02–1.51] with no significant Eu anomalies, suggesting geochemical characteristics of typical active continental margin magmatic rocks. Zircon trace element geochemistry of these Early Permian granitic rocks also indicates a continental arc setting with high U/Yb and Gd/Yb ratios. Among these granitic intrusions, the dioritic porphyry dyke has negative zirconεHf(t) values (−8.0 to −5.7), suggesting that the magma was produced by partial melting of the ancient crustal basements of the CTA. The rest intrusions show positive but largely varied zirconεHf(t) values of +4.1 to +10.9 (5 samples), suggesting that the magmas were probably derived from the mantle wedge with variable contributions from ancient crustal component during the magma evolution. These granitic intrusions were coeval with high‐temperature metamorphic rocks, mafic‐ultramafic rocks, and Cu‐Ni sulphide deposits in the CTA. Therefore, we propose a geodynamic model of oceanic ridge subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean during Early Permian involving upwelling of asthenospheric mantle through slab window and partial melting of the mantle wedge. The multiple‐derived magmas, including those from mantle wedge and/or ancient crustal basement, and their blendings formed the studied Early Permian granitic associations in the CTA.
Hours worked by general practitioners and waiting times for primary care
Authors: Swami Megha , Gravelle Hugh , Scott Anthony , Williams Jenny 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe decline in the working hours of general practitioners (GPs) is a key factor influencing access to health care in many countries. We investigate the effect of changes in hours worked by GPs on waiting times in primary care using the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life longitudinal survey of Australian doctors. We estimate GP fixed effects models for waiting time and use family circumstances to instrument for GP's hours worked. We find that a 10% reduction in hours worked increases average patient waiting time by 12%. Our findings highlight the importance of GPs' labor supply at the intensive margin in determining the length of time patients must wait to see their doctor.
The impact of the 2008/2009 financial crisis on specialist physician activity in Canada
Authors: Lavergne M. Ruth , Hedden Lindsay , Law Michael R. , McGrail Kim , Ahuja Megan , Barer Morris 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFee‐for‐service physicians are responsible for planning for their retirements, and there is no mandated retirement age. Changes in financial markets may influence how long they remain in practice and how much they choose to work. The 2008 crisis provides a natural experiment to analyze elasticity in physician service supply in response to dramatic financial market changes. We examined quarterly fee‐for‐service data for specialist physicians over the period from 1999/2000 to 2013/2014 in Canada. We used segmented regression to estimate changes in the number of physicians receiving payments, per‐physician service counts, and per‐physician payments following the 2008 financial crisis and explored whether patterns differed by physician age. The number of specialist physicians increased more rapidly in the period since 2008 than in earlier years, but increases were largest within the youngest age group, and we observed no evidence of delayed retirement among older physicians. Where changes in service volume and payments were observed, they occurred across all ages and not immediately following the 2008 financial crisis. We conclude that any response to the financial crisis was small compared with demographic shifts in the physician population and changes in payments per service over the same time period.
Lung clearance index is elevated in young children with symptom‐controlled asthma
Authors: Racette Christine , Lu Zihang , Kowalik Krzysztof , Cheng Olivia , Bendiak Glenda , Amin Reshma , Dubeau Aimee , Jensen Renée , Balkovec Susan , Gustafsson Per , Ratjen Felix , Subbarao Padmaja 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary function testing has been recommended as an adjunct to symptom monitoring for assessment of asthma control. Lung clearance index (LCI) measures ventilation inhomogeneity and is thought to represent changes in the small airways. It has been proposed as a useful early marker of airway disease in asthmatic subjects, and determining it is feasible in preschool children. This study aims to assess whether LCI remains elevated in symptomatically controlled asthmatic children with a history of severe asthma, compared with healthy controls. A secondary aim was to determine whether the results were consistent across the preschool and school‐aged populations.MethodsUsing a case‐control design, we compared 33 children with currently well‐controlled symptoms who had a history of severe asthma, to 45 healthy controls (age 3‐15 years) matched by age, height, and sex. We performed multiple breath washout tests using sulfur hexafluoride as a tracer gas, to determine their LCI and Scond values.ResultsIn the overall study, LCI z‐score values were on average 0.86 units (95% confidence interval: 0.24‐1.47, P = 0.01, t‐test) higher in children with a history of severe asthma with current well‐controlled symptoms compared with healthy controls. In addition, within the subgroup of preschool children (age ≤ 6), the asthmatic had significantly higher LCI z‐score values than their healthy controls peers (mean (SD), 0.57 (2.18) vs −1.10 (1.00), P = 0.03, t‐test). Twenty‐seven percent (27%; 9/33) of subjects had an LCI value greater than the upper limit of our healthy controls despite being symptom controlled. Amongst preschool children, 5 (42%; 5/12) of the asthmatic children had abnormal LCI at the individual level.ConclusionsLCI is elevated in children with asthma, which may be driven by differences in the preschool population. LCI may be useful in defining preschool asthma endotypes with persistent ventilation inhomogeneity despite symptomatic control.
The mental health burden of Mayan women in rural Guatemala
Authors: Hernandez Sasha , Han Esther , Ajanel Juan M.C. , Jones Leah , Edwardson Jill 
Published: June 2018

Indigenous women in Guatemala with mental health disorders are likely to be from urban areas, have multiple comorbidities, and to not work outside the home. This article includes a Spanish translation, available in the Supporting Information section.