bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving river dolphin monitoring using aerial surveys
Authors: Fürstenau Oliveira Julia S. , Georgiadis George , Campello Silvana , Brandão Reuber A. , Ciuti Simone 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObtaining correct abundance estimates to model population dynamics and promptly adjust management actions is a key goal of threatened species conservation. For elusive aquatic mammals like river dolphins, however, gathering such basic data can be extremely challenging. River dolphins in shallow waters are surveyed from canoes, with the (untested) assumption that visual counts are exhaustive estimates of animal population. These counts, however, should take into consideration that river dolphins usually emerge for very short periods and show very little of their body when surfacing. Recently, aerial survey methods have been introduced as new technology aiming to improve the reliability of wildlife censuses. Herein, we developed and tested a new survey method using a digital camera mounted on a blimp (non‐rigid airship system) for aerial survey of river dolphins. We conducted our experiment by surveying the recently described Araguaian river dolphin (Inia araguaiaensis) during the low water season in the Parque Estadual do Cantão, a seasonally flooded lake system in the Amazonian forest, Brazil. Our survey, which was designed to monitor the river dolphin in 56 survey units within six main survey sectors, implied deploying two canoes navigating simultaneously: the first one with a single operator holding the blimp and recording data from its camera and the second one with three observers performing standard visual counts of dolphins. In contrast to common expectations, visual counts detected on average <75% of the dolphins recorded by the blimp's camera. Compared to the visual survey, the aerial method was able to detect more individuals, more dolphin groups, and to record more calves, which are usually difficult to detect. The differences in performance between the two methods were remarkable when surveyed sectors were larger. We showed that visual counts from canoes are less exhaustive surveys than aerial surveys, and provided a less expensive method (one operator needed to handle the blimp, compared to three visual observers) to count aquatic mammals. Our results can be used to correct current visual count estimates. With further development of blimps and drones in wildlife surveys, we foresee a promising future for the conservation and management of threatened species.
Human disturbance alters the predation rate of moose in the Athabasca oil sands
Authors: Neilson Eric W. , Boutin Stan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHuman disturbance can alter predation rates to prey in various ways. Predators can use human disturbance to facilitate hunting, thereby increasing exposure to prey. Conversely, when predators avoid human disturbance and prey do not, prey refugia are generated. Because the direction and magnitude of such effects are not always predictable, it is important to examine if and how predation rates vary with human disturbance. Alberta's Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) is a region of boreal forest characterized by extensive human disturbance and is home to moose (Alces alces) and wolf (Canis lupus) populations. We examined whether the wolf predation rate of moose varies with human disturbance in theAOSR. We compared the distribution of wolf kills of moose to a spatial index of moose density in uplands and wetlands, near and far from rivers, mines and facilities, and at high and low densities of linear features near human habitation. Moose were killed closer to mines and rivers and at lower densities of linear features than expected by random. When compared to the relative availability of habitats, more kills of moose occurred in upland forest than in wetlands. However, when compared to the relative density of moose, kills only increased with decreasing distance to mines and rivers. We conclude that predation rates of moose have increased near human disturbance inAOSRbecause the mining footprint has removed habitat causing changes to the intensity of wolf use of areas near the boundary of mines. We discuss possibility of sink habitat near mining features and whether that is expected to reduce moose population density acrossAOSR.
Parallel environmental factors drive variation in insect density and plant resistance in the native and invaded ranges
Authors: Sakata Yuzu , Craig Timothy P. , Itami Joanne K. , Yamasaki Michimasa , Ohgushi Takayuki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGeographic variation in the traits of a species is shaped by variation in abiotic conditions, biotic interactions, and evolutionary history of its interactions with other species. We studied the geographic variation in the density of the lace bug, Corythucha marmorata, and the resistance of tall goldenrod Solidago altissima to the lace bug herbivory in their native range in the United States and invaded range in Japan. We conducted field surveys and reciprocal transplant experiments to examine what abiotic and biotic factors influence variation in lace bug density, and what ecological and evolutionary factors predict the resistance of the host plant between and within the native and invaded ranges. Lace bug density was higher throughout the invaded range than in the native range, higher in populations with warmer climates, and negatively affected by foliage damage by other insects in both ranges. The higher lace bug density in warmer climates was explained by the shorter developmental time of the lace bugs at higher temperatures. The resistance of S. altissima to lace bugs was higher in populations with lace bugs compared to populations without lace bugs in both native and invaded ranges, indicating that the evolutionary history of the interaction with the lace bugs was responsible for the variation in S. altissima resistance in both ranges. The present study revealed that abiotic and biotic factors, including temperature and other herbivorous insects, can drive the geographic variation in lace bug density, which in turn selects for variation in plant resistance in both in the native and invaded ranges. We conclude that the novel combination of factors such as higher temperature and lower number of other herbivorous insects is responsible for the higher lace bug density in the invaded range than in the native range.
Thermomechanical Energy Conversion Potential of Lead‐Free 0.50Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8 )O3–0.50(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 Bulk Ceramics
Authors: Patel Satyanarayan , Chauhan Aditya , Rojas Virginia , Novak Nikola , Weyland Florian , Rödel Jürgen , Vaish Rahul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhen employed appropriately, ferroelectric materials present themselves as one of the most efficient means of waste (thermal/mechanical) energy scavenging. A large conversion potential can be obtained when appropriate materials are combined with high‐field actuation (Ericsson cycle). However, waste energy rarely presents itself in an isolated form (heat or vibration). There is also a distinct lack of systems capable of simultaneous thermomechanical energy conversion, especially in the low‐frequency range. In this regard a systematic approach to the concept of combined energy harvesting and storage potential of a singular material system is presented. Polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops were gathered as a function of temperature, uniaxial compressive stress, and electric field. Thereafter, a theoretical assessment was made to the effect of the biased and unbiased energy conversion potential of 0.50 Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.50 (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 bulk lead‐free ferroelectric material. Maximum energy conversion potentials of 150 and 210 kJ m−3 were obtained for thermal (5 MPa, 24–96 °C) and mechanical cycles (24 °C, 5–160 MPa), respectively. A slightly improved performance of 220 kJ m−3 was obtained under simultaneous depolarization, despite performance degradation through individual biasing. However, the energy‐storage density improved by 100 % (80 kJ m−3) and 50 % (60 kJ m−3), respectively, when operated under elevated stress (60 MPa) and temperature (90 °C). Results are indicative of a singular material system that could be used for combined thermomechanical energy conversion and on‐board storage capacity.
Mercury bioavailability, transformations, and effects on freshwater biofilms
Authors: Dranguet Perrine , Le Faucheur Séverine , Slaveykova Vera I. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) compounds represent an important risk to aquatic ecosystems because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification potential. In the present review, we critically examine state-of-the-art studies on the interactions of Hg compounds with freshwater biofilms, with an emphasis on Hg accumulation, transformations, and effects. Freshwater biofilms contain both primary producers (e.g., algae) and decomposers (e.g., bacteria and fungi), which contribute to both aquatic food webs and the microbial loop. Hence they play a central role in shallow water and streams, and also contribute to Hg trophic transfer through their consumption. Both inorganic and methylated mercury compounds accumulate in biofilms, which could transform them mainly by methylation, demethylation, and reduction. Accumulated Hg compounds could induce diverse metabolic and physiological perturbations in the microorganisms embedded in the biofilm matrix and affect their community composition. The bioavailability of Hg compounds, their transformations, and their effects depend on their concentrations and speciation, ambient water characteristics, biofilm matrix composition, and microorganism-specific characteristics. The basic processes governing the interactions of Hg compounds with biofilm constituents are understudied. The development of novel conceptual and methodological approaches allowing an understanding of the chemo- and biodynamic aspects is necessary to improve the knowledge on Hg cycling in shallow water as well as to enable improved use of freshwater biofilms as potential indicators of water quality and to support better informed risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3194–3205. © 2017 SETAC
Considering Resources Beyond Water: Irrigation and Drainage Management in the Context of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus
Authors: Avellán Tamara , Ardakanian Reza , Perret Sylvain R. , Ragab Ragab , Vlotman Willem , Zainal Hayati , Im Sangjun , Gany Hafied A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhile the world is facing unprecedented transitions and threats we need to deeply rethink the relationships between water and energy use, food production, and ecosystem protection. This includes the development and deployment of ambitious, out‐of‐the‐box solutions towards sustainable development. This paper is based upon recent discussions before and during the 2nd World Irrigation Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand.This paper takes stock of current knowledge and analyses the most recent trends in water, irrigation and the environment. It discusses the requirements for strategic approaches and the contributions of irrigation and drainage to Sustainable Development Goals. Firstly, we concentrated on renewed and more balanced relationships between water, energy, food and ecosystems in the context of irrigation and drainage management. Secondly, we assessed the positive and negative impact of agricultural water use in order to demonstrate and improve its performance. Given exacerbated competition and water resource scarcity, a better understanding of the positive effects and valuable ecosystem services provided by irrigation and drainage systems could pave the way to maximizing benefits and safeguarding the environment. Lastly, we tried to address the role of stakeholders in irrigation governance. This includes active contribution to policy‐making and planning, incentives, and most importantly, capacity development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial activity and cytotoxycity of gelatine‐conjugated lysine‐based peptides
Authors: Kaisersberger Vincek Maja , Mor Amram , Gorgieva Selestina , Kokol Vanja 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe effect of the coupling approach (chemical by using carbodiimide chemistry, and enzymatic by using transglutaminase) of a hydrophilic ɛ‐poly‐L‐lysine (ɛPL) and a structurally‐hydrophobic oligo‐acyl‐lysyl (OAK) to a gelatine (GEL) macromolecule, and their antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative E. coli and Gram‐positive S. aureus bacteria, as well as cytotoxicity to human osteoblast cells was studied as potential macromolecules for biomedical applications. Different spectroscopic (ultraviolet‐visible, infrared, fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance) and separation (size‐exclusion chromatography and capillary zone electrophoresis) techniques, as well as zeta‐potential analysis were performed to confirm the ɛPL/OAK covalent coupling and to determine their amount and orientation of the immobilization. The highest and kinetically the fastest reduction of bacteria (≥77% against E. coli vs. ≥82% against S. aureus) was achieved with GEL functionalized with ɛPL/OAK by the chemical grafting‐to approach being correlated with conformationally the highly‐flexible ˝brush‐like˝ orientation linkage of peptides, enable its targeted and rapid interactions with bacteria membrane. The up to 400‐fold lower yield of OAKs being immobilized may be related also to its cationic charge and hydrophobic alkyl chain moieties, compared to more hydrophilic ɛPL easily causing random polymerization and self‐conjugation. The ɛPL/OAK‐functionalized GEL did not induce citotoxicity to osteoblasts, even at ∼25‐fold higher concentration than bacterial minimum inhibitory (MIC) concentration of ɛPL/OAK. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3110–3126, 2017.
Induction of transient cell cycle arrest by H2O2 via modulation of ultradian oscillations of Hes1, Socs3, and p‐Stat3 in fibroblast cells
Authors: Babaei Khalili Masoumeh , Yazdanparast Razieh , Nowrouzi Azin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBiological clocks, time‐keeping systems, enable the living organisms to synchronize their biochemical processes with their environment. Among these molecular oscillators, ultradian oscillators have been identified with volatility less than 24 h. Transcription factor Hes1, a member of the basic Helix‐loop‐Helix (bHLH) protein family, has an oscillation duration of 2 h in vertebrates. Due to the pivotal role of oxidative stress in many human diseases, we evaluated the effect(s) of oxidative stress on Hes1 oscillator, its upstream regulators, and its downstream cell cycle regulators. NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cells were treated with sublethal (250 μM) and lethal (1000 μM) doses of H2O2 for 30 min. H2O2 generated a delay in p‐Stat3 and Socs3 mRNAs followed by suppression of Hes1 protein. These events were accompanied by simultaneous upregulation of p21 and downregulation of cyclinD1, resulting in a temporary arrest of the cell cycle. In conclusion, the elimination of Hes1 protein oscillation by H2O2 may represent a defense mechanism against oxidative stress in fibroblast cells.
cAMP/PKA signaling pathway contributes to neuronal apoptosis via regulating IDE expression in a mixed model of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li Huajie , Yang Song , Wu Jian , Ji Lei , Zhu Linfeng , Cao Liping , Huang Jinzhong , Jiang Qingqing , Wei Jiang , Liu Meng , Mao Keshi , Wei Ning , Xie Wei , Yang Zhilong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) may play a relevant role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, the underlying mechanism was not clear yet. We developed an animal model presenting both AD and T2D, morris water maze (MWM) test and recognition task were performed to trace the cognitive function. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined to trace the metabolism evolution. TUNEL assay and apoptosis‐related protein levels were analyzed for the detection of neuronal apoptosis. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) agonist bucladesine or protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor H‐89 were used to determine the effects of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway on IDE expression and neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that T2D contributes to the AD progress by accelerating and worsening spatial memory and recognition dysfunctions. Metabolic parameters and glucose tolerance were significantly changed in the presence of the AD and T2D. The significantly induced neuronal apoptosis and increased pro‐apoptotic proteins in mice with AD and T2D were also observed. We showed the decreased expression level of IDE and the activating of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in AD and T2D mice. Further studies indicated that cAMP agonist decreased the expression level of IDE and induced the neuronal apoptosis in mice with AD and T2D; whereas PKA inhibitor H‐89 treatment showed the completely opposite results. Our study indicated that, in the T2D and AD mice, cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and IDE may participate in the contribute role of T2D in accelerating the pathological process of AD via causing the accumulation of Aβ and neuronal apoptosis.
Molecular prenatal diagnosis of alpha and beta thalassemia in pregnant Hakka women in southern China
Authors: Zhao Pingsen , Wu Heming , Zhong Zhixiong , Lan Liubing , Zeng Mei , Lin Hualan , Wang Huaxian , Zheng Zhiyuan , Su Luxian , Guo Wei 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundTo date, there has been no systematic study of DNA‐based prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in pregnant Hakka women in southern China.MethodsA total of 279 pregnant Hakka women with confirmed cases of thalassemia who had been treated at the Meizhou People's Hospital in China's Guangdong Province from January 2014 to December 2016 were here enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of couples and villus, amniotic fluid, or fetal cord blood. DNA‐based diagnosis was performed on the tissues of fetuses whose parents had tested positive for α‐ and β‐globin gene mutations were found using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow‐through hybridization technique. Follow‐up visits were performed 6 months after the fetuses were born. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on 279 fetuses in at‐risk pregnancies.ResultsHere, 211 α‐thalassemia fetuses were confirmed, including 41 (19.43%) that tested positive for Bart's hydrops syndrome and 15 (7.11%) for Hb H disease. There were 103 (48.81%) heterozygotes. β‐thalassemia was confirmed in 68 fetuses, including 23 (33.82%) with severe thalassemia and 27 (39.71%) heterozygotes. Another 12 cases were confirmed with α+β‐thalassemia, including three cases of severe β‐thalassemia. DNA‐based testing prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia was found to be highly reliable.ConclusionsOur findings provide key information for clinical genetic counseling of prenatal diagnosis for major thalassemia in pregnant Hakka women in southern China.
Low‐frequency snow changes over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Zhibiao , Wu Renguang , Huang Gang 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTSnow change over the Tibetan Plateau may exert a large influence on climate variability in the surrounding regions. However, the characteristics of snow changes at different time scales and the factors for these changes are still not clear. The present study documents linear trends in snow cover and snow water equivalent over the Tibetan Plateau and their relationship to surface air temperature changes during 1979–2006 based on satellite data. The long‐term snow variations display a remarkable regional difference and an obvious seasonal dependence. A significant decreasing trend is observed in the western part for snow cover and snow water equivalent in summer and fall and in the southern part for snow cover in all the four seasons. A significant increasing trend is identified in the central‐eastern part for snow cover in fall, winter, and spring and in the eastern and far western parts for snow water equivalent in winter and spring. The relationship between snow and surface air temperature changes features regional disparity. The temperature increase is accompanied by snow cover decrease in the southern and western parts, but by snow cover and snow water equivalent increase in the central‐eastern part. The reasons for the snow changes vary with the season. The increase in snowmelt following the temperature increase may be the reason for the snow cover decrease in the western and southern parts in summer. The snowfall change induced by vertical motion change appears to be a factor for the snow water equivalent increase in the far western part and the snow cover decrease in the southern part in winter. The increase in snowfall induced by the increase in atmospheric moisture following the temperature increase and the enhanced upward motion may contribute to the snow increase in the eastern part in winter.
Combination of optimal control approaches for aircraft conflict avoidance via velocity regulation
Authors: Cafieri Sonia , Cellier Loïc , Messine Frédéric , Omheni Riadh 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThis paper deals with optimal control applied to one of the most crucial and challenging problems in Air Traffic Management that of aircraft conflict avoidance. We propose an optimal control model where aircraft separation is achieved by changing the speeds of aircraft, and the integral over a time window of their squared accelerations is minimized. Pairwise aircraft separation constraints constitute the main difficulties to be handled. We propose an original decomposition of the problem into 3 zones, in such a way that in two of them, no conflict occurs. Then, using the Pontryagin maximum principle, 2 new formulations of the original optimal control problem are proposed and solved via direct shooting methods. Thanks to our decomposition, these numerical methods are applied on subproblems having reduced size with respect to the original one, thus improving the efficiency of the solution process. Thirty problem instances are numerically solved, showing the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Influence of early phase clinical trial enrollment on patterns of end‐of‐life care for children with advanced cancer
Authors: Ananth Prasanna , Monsereenusorn Chalinee , Ma Clement , Al‐Sayegh Hasan , Wolfe Joanne , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 125 pediatric oncology patients who died in 2010–2014 to explore how healthcare utilization, pediatric palliative care (PPC) receipt, and end‐of‐life care (EOLC) differed between patients enrolled in early phase clinical trials (EP) and those not enrolled (NEP). Baseline characteristics and healthcare utilization did not significantly differ between groups. EP patients received PPC consultation closer to death than NEP patients (median days before death = 58 [interquartile range = 16–84] vs. 85 [32–173]; P = 0.04). Our findings suggest that early phase trial enrollment does not substantially alter EOLC for children with advanced cancer but may contribute to later PPC engagement. Future studies should definitively assess the relationship between trial enrollment and PPC timing.