bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal pattern of wildlife‐train collisions in Poland
Authors: Krauze‐Gryz Dagny , Żmihorski Michał , Jasińska Karolina , Kwaśny Łukasz , Werka Joanna 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe development and modernization of railway infrastructures in many countries has increased the frequency of wildlife‐train collisions. Our objective was to describe the temporal pattern of train accidents related to wild ungulates (i.e., roe deer [Capreolus capreolus], red deer [Cervus elaphus], moose [Alces alces], and wild boar [Sus scrofa]) to determine when the risk of collision is highest. We gathered data on train collisions with wild ungulates throughout Poland between 2012 and 2015 from Polish Railways Polskie Koleje Państwowe SA. We used generalized additive mixed models to investigate whether the number of collisions changed over time. The number of wildlife‐train collisions varied depending on time of year. Most collisions occurred in autumn when animals form winter herds and migrate to and stay in winter refugia. The fewest collisions occurred in summer during breeding season. For all species except red deer, the number of collisions was significantly lower during weekends compared to weekdays. The distribution of collisions with regard to time of day was significantly different from simulated uniform random distribution, with peaks before dawn and after dusk, which reflect activity peaks of ungulates. During the day, the probability of collision was lower, with only single events observed between 0800 and 1600. We observed another collision‐free period after midnight until 0400, probably because train traffic was minimal during this period. Most train collisions with ungulates took place in relatively narrow time windows in terms of time of year and time of day (i.e., 50% of the recorded cases took place in ∼17% of the total time observed). Consequently, mitigation measures of lowering speed limits can be applied during times when the risk of collision is highest. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Dynamics of the North–South Capital Flows or Rise of South–South Land Deals? Features of Land Acquisition in Ethiopia
Authors: Teklemariam Dereje , Azadi Hossein , Nyssen Jan , Lanckriet Sil , Asfaha Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes , Haile Mitiku , Taheri Fatemeh , Witlox Frank 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTransnational land deals are among the most contested but inadequately understood topics. In this paper, we focus on the features of large‐scale transnational land deals (LSTLDs) in the Global South through an examination of Ethiopia. We apply a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) research design.Results indicate that in 2005–2015, the government leased nearly 2·47 million ha of the country's approximate total 114 million ha area and offered 11·5 million ha of cultivable land to domestic and transnational investors. We explore the prevalence of LSTLDs deals by companies of the Global South, particularly entrepreneurs from India. Ethiopia's example validates emerging arguments on the rise of South–South investment deals rather than the established explanation of North–South capital flows. However, 75% of the land deals show poor performance. The study shows that LSTLDs have contributed to raising domestic agricultural production but have resulted in non‐performing loans of the banks of the host country. In sum, the land deals have resulted in financial grabbing, where Ethiopian banks end up with non‐performing loans and then must chase investors to settle the approximate €791 million in loans that investors borrowed for their projects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of subduction and gravitational sinking in particle export, carbon sequestration, and the remineralization length scale in the California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Stukel Michael R. , Song Hajoon , Goericke Ralf , Miller Arthur J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractParticles and aggregates created in the surface layers of the ocean are transported not only by gravity, but also by the horizontal and vertical advection of the surrounding water. Subduction, in particular, can transport organic matter from the surface ocean to the mesopelagic in a manner that is not likely to be detected by typical in situ carbon export measurements (e.g., sediment traps and 238U‐234Th disequilibrium). To assess the importance of subduction to the biological pump, we combined in situ sediment trap, thorium, primary productivity, and particulate organic carbon (POC) measurements with a data‐assimilative physical circulation model and a Lagrangian particle tracking model. We develop a simple parameterization of two alternative particle sinking processes (Phytoplankton‐Fecal Pellet [PFP] and Aggregation) using results from 13 extensively sampled water parcels in the California Current Ecosystem. Both parameterizations suggested that subduction is an important, at times dominant, mechanism of POC vertical export in the region (median 44% and 23% contribution to total POC export for PFP and Aggregate parameterizations at the 100‐m depth horizon). The percentage contribution of subduction was highly variable across water parcels (ranging from 7% to 90%), with subduction typically more important in offshore, oligotrophic regions. On average the fate of particles that are passively transported out of the surface layer by advection is different from that of particles that sink across the 100‐m depth horizon. Subducted particles were predominantly remineralized shallower than 150 m, while approximately 50% of gravitationally exported POC was remineralized at depths > 500 m.
Dynamic properties of imidazolium orthoborate ionic liquids mixed with polyethylene glycol studied by NMR diffusometry and impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Filippov Andrei , Azancheev Nail , Gibaydullin Amal , Bhattacharyya Shubhankar , Antzutkin Oleg N. , Shah Faiz Ullah 
Published: July 2017

We used 1H pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance to study the self‐diffusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with average molecular mass of 200 and ions in mixtures of PEG with imidazolium bis(mandelato)borate (BMB) and imidazolium bis(oxalato)borate ionic liquids (ILs). The IL was mixed with PEG in the concentration range of 0–100 wt%. Within the temperature range of 295 to 353 K, the diffusion coefficient of BMB is slower than that of the imidazolium cation. The diffusion coefficients of PEG, as well as the imidazolium cation and BMB anions, differ under all experimental conditions tested. This demonstrates that the IL in the mixture is present in at least a partially dissociated state. Generally, increasing the concentration of PEG leads to an increase in the diffusion coefficients of PEG and both the ions and decreases their activation energy for diffusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift alteration analysis showed that the presence of PEG changes the chemical shifts of both ions but in different directions. Impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the ionic conductivity of the ILs mixed with PEG. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and Experimentation of RAFT Solution Copolymerization of Styrene and Butyl Acrylate, Effect of Chain Transfer Reactions on Polymer Molecular Weight Distribution
Authors: Jiang Jie , Wang Wen‐Jun , Li Bo‐Geng , Zhu Shiping 
Published: July 2017

AbstractChain transfer reactions widely exist in the free radical polymerization and controlled radical polymerization, which can significantly influence polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. In this work, the chain transfer reactions in modeling the reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) solution copolymerization are included and the effects of chain transfer rate constant, monomer concentration, and comonomer ratio on the polymerization kinetics and polymer molecular weight development are investigated. The model is verified with the experimental RAFT solution copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate, with good agreements achieved. This work has demonstrated that the chain transfer reactions to monomer and solvent can have significant impacts on the number‐average molecular weight (Mn) and dispersity (Ð).
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis in Flow Reactors: A Rapid and Convenient Preparation of Captopril
Authors: De Vitis Valerio , Dall'Oglio Federica , Pinto Andrea , De Micheli Carlo , Molinari Francesco , Conti Paola , Romano Diego , Tamborini Lucia 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe chemoenzymatic flow synthesis of enantiomerically pure captopril, a widely used antihypertensive drug, is accomplished starting from simple, inexpensive, and readily available reagents. The first step is a heterogeneous biocatalyzed regio‐ and stereoselective oxidation of cheap prochiral 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propandiol, performed in flow using immobilized whole cells of Acetobacter aceti MIM 2000/28, thus avoiding the use of aggressive and environmentally harmful chemical oxidants. The isolation of the highly hydrophilic intermediate (R)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoic acid is achieved in‐line by using a catch‐and‐release strategy. Then, three sequential high‐throughput chemical steps lead to the isolation of captopril in only 75 min. In‐line quenching and liquid–liquid separation enable breaks in the workflow and other manipulations to be avoided.
Relationships between Medication Adherence and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Control in Elderly Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Raebel Marsha A. , Dyer Wendy , Nichols Gregory A. , Goodrich Glenn K. , Schmittdiel Julie A. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Star program provides incentives to health plans when their patients with diabetes meet adherence targets to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) and statins. While a link between adherence and cardiovascular risk factor control is established, most studies included young patients with few comorbidities. Whether the Star adherence target is associated with reduced blood pressure or low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in complex older patients is not well understood.ObjectivesDetermine correlates of adherence and examine the effect of meeting Star adherence targets on blood pressure and LDL‐C in the Medicare‐aged diabetes population.Design and SubjectsRetrospective cohort study of 129,040 patients with diabetes aged 65 or older.MeasuresAdherence estimated using proportion of days covered target ≥ 0.8; blood pressure < 140/90 mg Hg; LDL‐C < 100 mg/dl. Modified Poisson regression used to assess relationships.ResultsAdherence differed little across elderly age groups. Compared to no comorbidity, high comorbidity (≥ 4) was associated with lower ACEI/ARB (risk ratio [RR] 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.89]) or statin (RR 0.91 [0.90–0.92]) adherence. ACEI/ARB adherence was not associated with blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg in patients ≥ 85 years (RR 1.01 [0.96–1.07]) or with multiple comorbidities (e.g., 3: RR 1.04 [0.99–1.08]). Statin adherence and LDL‐C < 100 mg/dl were associated in all elderly age groups (e.g., ≥ 85: RR 1.13 [1.09–1.16]) and comorbidity levels (e.g., ≥ 4: RR 1.13 [1.12–1.15]).ConclusionsAdherence to ACEI/ARB is not linked with reduced blood pressure in patients with diabetes who are at least 85 years or with multiple comorbidities.
The impact of multifocal perineural invasion on biochemical recurrence and timing of adjuvant androgen‐deprivation therapy in high‐risk prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Sun Guangxi , Huang Rui , Zhang Xingming , Shen Pengfei , Gong Jing , Zhao Jinge , Liu Jiandong , Tang Qidun , Shu Kunpeng , Yin Xiaoxue , Chen Ni , Zeng Hao 
Published: July 2017

Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a distinct pathologic entity and a recognized source of tumor spread. However, the role of PNI in high‐risk prostate cancer (PCa) has not been explored. The aims of the study were to investigate the impact of PNI on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and optimal timing of adjuvant androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) after radical prostatectomy (RP).Methods: A total of 265 prostatectomies, median follow‐up 45 months, were assessed for the presence and intensity of PNI (unifocal and multifocal) in RP specimens. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used to estimate BCR probabilities. Cox proportional hazard models were used to address predictors of BCR. Harrell's C‐index was conducted to further validate prognostic value of multi‐PNI.Results: A total of 123 patients (46.4%) were PNI positive, among which, 91 (74%) and 32 (26%) had unifocal PNI (uni‐PNI) and multifocal PNI (multi‐PNI), respectively. The presence of multi‐PNI was strongly associated with increasing incidence of BCR (HR = 3.87, 95%CI: 1.66‐9.01, P = 0.002). Patients with uni‐PNI had a similar BCR rate to those without PNI after adjuvant ADT. For men with multi‐PNI, immediate ADT was superior to delayed ADT in decreasing biochemical failure.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that detection of multi‐PNI in high‐risk RP specimens could be a prognosticator for early biochemical relapse post‐surgery. Initiation of adjuvant therapy may be appropriate in patients with multi‐PNI as soon as possible after surgery.
An environmental pollutant, 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone, activates human TRPA1 via critical cysteines 621 and 665
Authors: Muraki Katsuhiko , Sekine Takashi , Ando Yuna , Suzuki Hiroka , Hatano Noriyuki , Hirata Tadashi , Muraki Yukiko 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTransient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is activated by noxious cold, mechanical stimulation, and irritant chemicals. In our recent study, 9, 10‐phenanthrenequinone (9,10‐PQ) is the most potent irritant for activation of NRF2 among 1395 cigarette smoke components and it may be, therefore, important to find its additional targets. Here, we show that 9,10‐PQ functions as an activator of TRPA1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells expressing human wild‐type TRPA1 (HEK‐wTRPA1) and human alveolar A549 (A549) cells. Application of 9,10‐PQ at 0.1–10 μmol/L induced a concentration‐dependent Ca2+ response as well as inward currents at −50 mV in HEK‐wTRPA1 cells. The current response was blocked by TRPA1 antagonists, HC‐030031 (HC) and A‐967079. To test whether 9,10‐PQ affects the cysteine residues of TRPA1, we expressed mutant TRPA1 channels in HEK cells (HEK‐muTRPA1) in which six different cysteine residues were replaced with serine. Among them, a mutation of cysteine 621 (C621S) abolished the 9,10‐PQ‐induced Ca2+ and current responses. The channel activity induced by 9,10‐PQ was also abolished in excised inside‐out patches isolated from HEK‐muTRPA1 cells with the C621S substitution. Although a mutation of cysteine 665 (C665S) reduced the 9,10‐PQ‐induced response, channel sensitization by pretreatment with Cu2+ plus 1,10‐phenanthroline and by internal dialysis of 3 μmol/L Ca2+ restored the response. However, a double mutant with C621S and C665S substitutions had little response to 9,10‐PQ, even when sensitized by Ca2+ dialysis. In A549 cells, 9,10‐PQ induced an HC‐sensitive Ca2+ response. Our findings demonstrate that 9,10‐PQ activation of human TRA1 is dependent on cysteine residues 621 and 665.
Scatterometer estimates of the tropical sea‐breeze circulation near Darwin, with comparison to regional models
Authors: Brown Andrew L. , Vincent Claire L. , Lane Todd P. , Short Ewan , Nguyen Hanh 
Published: July 2017

In tropical coastal environments, simulating the diurnal cycle of wind and precipitation in numerical weather and climate models presents unique challenges due to the interaction of intraseasonal and mesoscale dynamics. This can lead not only to incorrect short‐term weather forecasts but also to unphysical energy and momentum transport by convective processes. In particular, the sea/land‐breeze circulation and its role in initiating convection has been identified as a possible source of errors in the timing and offshore extent of coastal precipitation in the Tropics.In this study, the offshore land/sea breeze around Darwin, Australia, is examined using scatterometer wind observations and two regional atmospheric models. Although the comparison is limited by satellite swath times which cluster around two times of day, useful results are obtained by sub‐sampling the simulated data to match the coverage of the scatterometer data.We find that offshore surface sea‐breeze characteristics (intensity and horizontal spatial extent) from the models and satellite estimates are generally in good agreement, with intensity differences less than 2 m s−1, and offshore extents not varying by more than approximately 150 km. The variation in offshore extent and amplitude of the land/sea‐breeze wind perturbations with monsoon regime is well simulated. Furthermore, despite the simplifying assumptions of linear sea‐breeze theory, the model and scatterometer results are in broad agreement with theoretical values, particularly in the presence of the weak background winds during the monsoon break period.
Introducing a globally consistent orbital‐based localization system
Authors: Boukas Evangelos , Gasteratos Antonios , Visentin Gianfranco 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn spite of the good performance of space exploratory missions, open issues still await to be solved. In autonomous or composite semi‐autonomous exploration of planetary land surfaces, rover localization is such an issue. The rovers of these missions (e.g., the MER and MSL) navigate relatively to their landing spot, ignoring their exact position on the coordinate system defined for the celestial body they explore. However, future advanced missions, like the Mars Sample Return, will require the localization of rovers on a global frame rather than the arbitrarily defined landing frame. In this paper we attempt to retrieve the absolute rover's location by identifying matching Regions of Interest (ROIs) between orbital and land images. In particular, we propose a system comprising two parts, an offline and an onboard one, which functions as follows: in advance of the mission a Global ROI Network (GN) is built offline by investigating the satellite images near the predicted touchdown ellipse, while during the mission a Local ROI Network (LN) is constructed counting on the images acquired by the vision system of the rover along its traverse. The last procedure relies on the accurate VO‐based relative rover localization. The LN is then paired with the GN through a modified 2D DARCES algorithm. The system has been assessed on real data collected by the ESA at the Atacama desert. The results demonstrate the system's potential to perform absolute localization, on condition that the area includes discriminative ROIs. The main contribution of this work is the enablement of global localization performed on contemporary rovers without requiring any additional hardware, such as long range LIDARs.
Metal Organic Frameworks: A New Generation Coordination Polymers for Visible Light Photocatalysis
Authors: Kuila Aneek , Surib Nur A. , Mishra Nirmalendu S. , Nawaz Ahmad , Leong Kah H. , Sim Lan C. , Saravanan Pichiah , Ibrahim Shaliza 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe twin associates, pollution and energy are the bottleneck for the sustainable development of present and future. Visible light driven nanomaterials have emerged as sustainable and eco‐friendly outlook to address these burning issues. Metal‐organic frameworks [MOFs] that was widely considered for gas storage and separations, notably for hydrogen have overlooked the conventional light driven nanomaterials owing to their excellence in materials characteristics; enormous surface area, analogous reactive sites and tuneable functionality. They soared slowly and gained interest as visible light photo catalyst, for driving the photocatalysis and can perform versatile reactions like elimination of aquatic organics, general organic synthesis, water split for hydrogen production, CO2 reduction and etc. Owing to their demand, we articulated the present review on MOFs as light driven nanomaterial that comprises of its evolution, synthesis, structure, functionality, application, and its future.
Metal‐Free Catalyst‐Controlled Chemoselective Synthesis of Aryl α‐Ketoesters and Primary α‐Ketoamides from Aryl Acetimidates
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Jaiswal Yogesh , Shaw Mukta , Kumar Amit 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA simple and chemoselective method has been developed for the divergent synthesis of aryl α‐ketoesters and primary α‐ketoamides from pre‐functionalized arylacetimidates under metal‐free conditions. The chemoselective outcome is controlled by the subtle catalyst. This methodology features operational simplicity with broad substrate scope, metal‐free catalyst, and usage of easy to handle reagents. Based on a series of control experiments, a plausible reaction mechanism is also proposed.
Genome‐wide map of Apn1 binding sites under oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Morris Lydia P. , Conley Andrew B. , Degtyareva Natalya , Jordan I. King , Doetsch Paul W. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe DNA is cells is continuously exposed to reactive oxygen species resulting in toxic and mutagenic DNA damage. Although the repair of oxidative DNA damage occurs primarily through the base excision repair (BER) pathway, the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway processes some of the same lesions. In addition, damage tolerance mechanisms, such as recombination and translesion synthesis, enable cells to tolerate oxidative DNA damage, especially when BER and NER capacities are exceeded. Thus, disruption of BER alone or disruption of BER and NER in Saccharomyces cerevisiae leads to increased mutations as well as large‐scale genomic rearrangements. Previous studies demonstrated that a particular region of chromosome II is susceptible to chronic oxidative stress‐induced chromosomal rearrangements, suggesting the existence of DNA damage and/or DNA repair hotspots. Here we investigated the relationship between oxidative damage and genomic instability utilizing chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with DNA microarray technology to profile DNA repair sites along yeast chromosomes under different oxidative stress conditions. We targeted the major yeast AP endonuclease Apn1 as a representative BER protein. Our results indicate that Apn1 target sequences are enriched for cytosine and guanine nucleotides. We predict that BER protects these sites in the genome because guanines and cytosines are thought to be especially susceptible to oxidative attack, thereby preventing large‐scale genome destabilization from chronic accumulation of DNA damage. Information from our studies should provide insight into how regional deployment of oxidative DNA damage management systems along chromosomes protects against large‐scale rearrangements. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.