bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can coyote predation risk induce reproduction suppression in white‐tailed deer?
Authors: Cherry Michael J. , Morgan Keri E. , Rutledge Brandon T. , Conner L. Mike , Warren Robert J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPredators can have powerful nonconsumptive effects on their prey by inducing behavioral, physiological, and morphological responses. These nonconsumptive effects may influence prey demography if they decrease birthrates or increase susceptibility to other sources of mortality. The Reproductive Suppression Model suggests that iteroparous species may maximize their lifetime reproductive success by suppressing their reproduction until a future time, when conditions may be more favorable. Coyote (Canis latrans) range expansion in the United States has exposed white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations to increased predation risk, and coyote predation can have profound effects on white‐tailed deer reproductive success. We evaluated effects of temporal variation in predation risk (i.e., coyote–deer ratios) on fecundity and reproductive success of white‐tailed deer on the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in southwestern Georgia, United States, by exploiting a rapid decline in coyote abundance to establish a natural experiment. We measured fecundity by examining ovaries for evidence of ovulation, and measured reproductive success using evidence of lactation from deer harvested before and after the decline in coyote abundance. We found that incidence of ovulation and lactation increased following the decline in predation risk. Our results suggest coyotes may be able to influence deer recruitment, independent of direct predation, through interactions that result in reduced fecundity. More broadly, our study suggests that in order to understand the totality of the effect of predators on prey population dynamics, studies should incorporate measures of direct and indirect predator effects.
Temperature Compensation by Calibration Transfer for an AC Voltammetric Analyzer of Electroplating Baths
Authors: Jaworski Aleksander , Wikiel Hanna , Wikiel Kazimierz 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe application of methods for mitigating the effects of temperature fluctuations on the analytical performance of an in‐situ DC‐ and AC‐voltammetric sensor employed for electroplating process control in semiconductor manufacturing is presented. This sensor is a part of an automated analytical system capable of predicting concentration values of deliberately‐added bath constituents based on the component‐specific multivariate voltammetric responses. However, these responses include physicochemical phenomena, some of which are strongly dependent on temperature; therefore temperature fluctuations can produce an additional source of variance in the voltammetric responses adversely affecting the accuracy of analyte concentration predictions. Several calibration‐transfer‐based techniques, both discrete and continuous, using Piecewise Direct Standardization and Direct Standardization combined with PCR and PLS analytical models are comparatively validated for temperature compensation using AC voltammetric data for the example of accelerator additive. An extension of implementation of continuous methods for Direct Standardization is proposed along with an introduction of a new hybrid method of Standardization Models.
The Osmium Tetroxide Bipyridine‐labeled DNA Probe: Hairpin Conformations and Characterization of Redox‐label Behavior
Authors: Joda Hamdi , Sedova Ada , Awan Waqas , Flechsig Gerd‐Uwe 
Published: October 2016

AbstractOsmium tetroxide bipyridine ([OsO4(bpy)]) is a versatile label for DNA electrochemistry. Here we report our efforts to create an osmium tetroxide‐labeled immobilized DNA probe for use in biosensing experiments. Our label is applied in‐house, as opposed to many other covalent redox labels used with DNA. We developed an on‐electrode labeling method that was able to avoid attack of our disulfide‐based linker by the [OsO4(bpy)]. Our results include two different hairpin‐based signal‐off hybridization detection assays, each with robust, reproducible signal decrease on binding to complementary target. We also found that 6‐mercapto‐1‐hexanol was able to interact with [OsO4(bpy)] in a stable manner when assembled at the surface, but was able to remove excess [OsO4(bpy)], which was found to adsorb strongly to the gold surface, and avoid MCH transformation, when applied after the labeling process. Furthermore, we found an increased adsorption affinity of [OsO4(bpy)]‐labeled DNA onto gold, characterized the redox behavior of adsorbed [OsO4(bpy)], and determined voltammetric signals on the HMDE of our intact disulfide linker while verifying that this linker is attacked by [OsO4(bpy)] when in solution.
How to Control the Discharge Product in Sodium–Oxygen Batteries: Proposing New Pathways for Sodium Peroxide Formation
Authors: Schröder Daniel , Bender Conrad L. , Pinedo Ricardo , Bartuli Waldemar , Schwab Matthias G. , Tomović Željko , Janek Jürgen 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIt is an unsolved problem how to steer between sodium superoxide and sodium peroxide as discharge products in sodium–oxygen batteries. Sodium peroxide yields a higher theoretical energy density; thus, it is preferred in view of maximized energy density. Three novel approaches to form sodium peroxide are presented: First, cells loaded with sodium superoxide are further discharged in argon, with the aim of reducing sodium superoxide to peroxide. Second, carbon nanotube electrodes preloaded with sodium peroxide are utilized. Third, sodium peroxide is dissolved in the electrolyte to enhance precipitation of solid sodium peroxide. Interestingly, all approaches yield sodium superoxide as a discharge product. Thus, it might not be possible to have high energy density sodium–oxygen batteries with sodium peroxide as the discharge product. However, potential pathways for peroxide formation during discharge have been excluded to help to find the true factors that govern the competition between superoxide and peroxide formation.
Optimized design of a hybrid PV‐wind‐diesel energy system for sustainable development at coastal areas in Bangladesh
Authors: Rashid Sumon , Rana S. , Shezan S.K.A. , A.B. Karim Sayuti , Anower Shamim 
Published: October 2016

Power generation capacity of Bangladesh needs to be enhanced to support the rising electricity demand. Bangladesh has predominantly used fossil fuel generators for the past decades. Saint Martin's Island and Kuakata are two significant areas that lie at or near the coast of Bangladesh with an average annual solar radiation of 4.81 and 4.65 kWh m−2 day−1, respectively. The monthly average wind speeds at a height of 25 meters are 4.79 and 4.54 m s−1, respectively. Considering this data and the benefits of the optimized hybrid systems, HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable) is used to optimize a system for each of these areas. The costs of energy found from the proposed optimized PV‐wind‐diesel hybrid Energy system for Saint Martin's island and Kuakata are 0.393 and 0.392 USD kW−1 h−1, respectively, the net present cost (NPC) also has been evaluated as 168767.831 USD which are quite reasonable with respect to the present situation in Bangladesh. The major objective of this proposed optimized design is to supply the maximum load demand using renewable sources with the minimum cost of energy (COE) and reduce the burning of fuel and also reduce the emission of CO2. The proposed energy system is able to meet 67.3 and 62.3% load demand using renewable sources, which helps to reduce the GHG (Green Houses Gas) emission by 67 and 64% for Saint Martin's island and Kuakata, respectively when compared to a diesel system. Total load served throughout the year is 33,611 kWh, which is 16% higher than the previously designed system with approximately equivalent COE. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 297–304, 2017
Pollution, toxicity, and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface river sediments of a large basin undergoing rapid economic development
Authors: Tang Wenzhong , Zhang Chao , Zhao Yu , Shan Baoqing , Song Zhixin 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

A comprehensive and detailed investigation of heavy metal pollution, toxicity, and ecological risk assessment was conducted for the surface river sediments of the Haihe Basin in China based on 220 sampling sites selected in 2013. The average concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were 129 mg/kg, 63.4 mg/kg, 36.6 mg/kg, 50.0 mg/kg, and 202 mg/kg, respectively. As indicated by the geoaccumulation and pollution load indices, most surface river sediments of the Haihe Basin were contaminated with the investigated metals, especially in the junction region of the Zi Ya He and Hei Long Gang watersheds. The 5 heavy metals in the sediments all had anthropogenic sources, and the enrichment degrees followed the order Cu &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cr &gt; Ni, with mean enrichment factors of 3.27, 2.77, 2.58, 1.81, and 1.44, respectively. According to the mean index of comprehensive potential ecological risk (38.9), the studied sediments of the Haihe Basin showed low potential ecological risk, but the sediments were potentially biologically toxic based on the mean probable effect concentration quotient (0.547), which may be the result of speciation of the 5 metals in the sediments. The results indicate that heavy metal pollution should be considered during the development of ecological restoration strategies in the Haihe Basin. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1149–1155. © 2016 SETAC
Check‐hybrid GLDPC codes: Systematic elimination of trapping sets and guaranteed error correction capability
Authors: Ravanmehr Vida , Khatami Mehrdad , Declercq David , Vasic Bane 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we propose a new approach to construct a class of check‐hybrid generalized low‐density parity‐check (CH‐GLDPC) codes, which are free of small trapping sets. The approach is based on converting some selected check nodes involving a trapping set into super checks corresponding to a 2‐error‐correcting component code. Specifically, we follow 2 main purposes to construct the check‐hybrid codes; first, on the basis of the knowledge of trapping sets of an LDPC code, single parity checks are replaced by super checks to disable the trapping sets. We show that by converting specified single check nodes, denoted as critical checks, to super checks in a trapping set, the parallel bit flipping decoder corrects the errors on a trapping set. The second purpose is to minimize the rate loss through finding the minimum number of such critical checks. We also present an algorithm to find critical checks in a trapping set of a column‐weight 3 LDPC code of girth 8 and then provide upper bounds on the minimum number of such critical checks such that the decoder corrects all error patterns on elementary trapping sets. Guaranteed error correction capability of the CH‐GLDPC codes is also studied. We show that a CH‐GLDPC code in which each variable node is connected to 2 super checks corresponding to a 2‐error‐correcting component code corrects up to 5 errors. The results are also extended to column‐weight 4 LDPC codes of girth 6. Finally, we investigate eliminating of trapping sets of a column‐weight 3 LDPC code of girth 8 using the Gallager B decoding algorithm.
Continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites: influence of processing on fire retardant properties
Authors: Lin Qing , Ferriol Michel , Cochez Marianne , Vahabi Henri , Vagner Christelle 
Published: October 2016

SummaryFiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composite materials can find numerous applications in the transportation sector and replace thermoset composites. However, they have to comply with strict standards, particularly with those concerning their fire behavior. In this frame, composites based on an acrylic resin Elium® (Arkema), a woven fiberglass, (taffetas tissue Chomarat G‐Weave 600 P/A) and Exolit OP930 (Clariant) as fire retardant were prepared by using three processes. The thermal stability and fire behavior were studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry. The obtained results allowed to highlight the drawbacks of each processing method and to select the most appropriate. The improvement of the fire behavior by combining post‐curing of the composites, addition of a cross‐linking agent, and addition of aluminum trihydroxide was also investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐scale experimental investigations of the thermal degradation of pine needles
Authors: Fateh T. , Richard F. , Zaida J. , Rogaume T. , Joseph P. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn this work, the thermal degradation of pine needles (from a Mediterranean species) was studied using a thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimeter that were coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The thermogravimetric analyses were carried out at four heating rates, in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. The evolution of gaseous components, mass loss and mass loss rate were recorded as a function of time and temperature. In order to account for the observed behaviours of the materials, we have also proposed a mechanism for the thermal degradation of pine needles, by primarily analysing the evolutions of both mass loss rate and gaseous components under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The kinetic parameters were subsequently estimated by using a genetic algorithm method. The cone calorimetric measurements were mainly conducted with a view to investigating the influence of thermal transfer processes, occurring in a porous bed of pine needles with regard to its thermal degradation. The experiments were conducted at five external heat fluxes under a well‐ventilated atmosphere. Measurements consisted of the mass loss, mass loss rate and the amount of gaseous emissions. The main gases emitted during the thermal degradation and the combustion of the pine needles were found to be CH4, CO, CO2, NO and water vapour. In addition, the evolution of the temperature was measured by using a set of five thermocouples, placed in a vertical position at the centreline of the sample. The results obtained showed that the bed of pine needles behaved as a thermally thick fuel. On the contrary, at higher external heat fluxes, the sample behaved as a thermally thin sample. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Medical Expenditure Risk in Portfolio Allocation Decisions
Authors: Ayyagari Padmaja , He Daifeng 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEconomic theory suggests that medical spending risk affects the extent to which households are willing to accept financial risk, and consequently their investment portfolios. In this study, we focus on the elderly for whom medical spending represents a substantial risk. We exploit the exogenous reduction in prescription drug spending risk because of the introduction of Medicare Part D in the U.S. in 2006 to identify the causal effect of medical spending risk on portfolio choice. Consistent with theory, we find that Medicare‐eligible persons increased risky investment after the introduction of prescription drug coverage, relative to a younger, ineligible cohort. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Earlier and more specific detection of persistent neck disease with diffusion‐weighted MRI versus subsequent PET/CT after definitive chemoradiation for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yu Yao , Mabray Marc , Silveira William , Shen Peter Y. , Ryan William R. , Uzelac Alina , Yom Sue S. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to test if diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) identified persistent neck disease after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for oropharyngeal cancer earlier and as accurately as subsequent positron emission tomography (PET)/CT.MethodsWe performed a review of patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with definitive CRT who underwent DWI and PET/CT at a median of 8 and 14 weeks posttreatment. Imaging characteristics were correlated with pathologically proven neck failure.ResultsForty‐one patients and 58 hemi‐necks were analyzed. With a median follow‐up of 120 weeks, 4 neck failures were identified. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of lymph node failures was lower (1220 vs 1910 μm2/s; p = .003) than non‐failures. Using an ADC threshold of 1500 μm2/s, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV; NPV) were 100% (4/4), 92% (46/50), 50% (4/8), and 100% (46/46) for DWI, respectively, and 100% (3/3), 71% (22/31), 25% (3/12), and 100% (22/22) for PET/CT, respectively.ConclusionEarlier DWI produced similar sensitivity and better specificity in identifying persistent neck disease as 3‐month PET/CT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 432–438, 2017
Financial Cycle, Business Cycle and Monetary Policy: Evidence from Four Major Economies
Authors: Ma Yong , Zhang Jinglan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEconomists used to think that financial factors are not important in the business cycle, but the 2008 global financial crisis has made it apparent that financial cycle plays a much larger role in macroeconomic dynamics than anticipated. Against this background, economists endeavor to introduce financial factors into macroeconomic models. In this paper, we incorporate financial cycle into a four‐equation model to study the linkages and interactions between financial cycle, business cycle and monetary policy. The results suggest that financial cycle plays a significant role in the business cycle, and that financial cycle shock has become a main driving force for macroeconomic fluctuations, especially during times of financial instability. In addition, by comparing the performance of the finance‐augmented Taylor rule with that of the conventional Taylor rule, we find that both the financial system and the real economy will be better stabilized under the finance‐augmented Taylor rule. This result adds new evidence to the argument that monetary policy has an important role in safeguarding the financial system and that financial stability should be adopted as a target for monetary policy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel silk protein barrier membranes for guided bone regeneration
Authors: Smeets Ralf , Knabe Christine , Kolk Andreas , Rheinnecker Michael , Gröbe Alexander , Heiland Max , Zehbe Rolf , Sachse Manuela , Große‐Siestrup Christian , Wöltje Michael , Hanken Henning 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study assesses the biocompatibility of novel silk protein membranes with and without modification, and evaluates their effect on facilitating bone formation and defect repair in guided bone regeneration. Two calvarian bone defects 12 mm in diameter were created in each of a total of 38 rabbits. Four different types of membranes, (silk‐, hydroxyapatite‐modified silk‐, β‐TCP‐modified silk‐ and commonly clinically used collagen‐membranes) were implanted to cover one of the two defects in each animal. Histologic analysis did not show any adverse tissue reactions in any of the defect sites indicating good biocompatibility of all silk protein membranes. Histomorphometric and histologic evaluation revealed that collagen and β‐TCP modified silk membranes supported bone formation (collagen: bone area fraction p = 0.025; significant; β‐TCP modified silk membranes bone area fraction: p = 0.24, not significant), guided bone regeneration and defect bridging. The bone, which had formed in defects covered by β‐TCP modified silk membranes, displayed a more advanced stage of bone tissue maturation with restoration of the original calvarial bone microarchitecture when compared to the bone which had formed in defects, for which any of the other test membranes were used. Micro‐CT analysis did not reveal any differences in the amount of bone formation between defects with and without membranes. In contrast to the collagen membranes, β‐TCP modified silk membranes were visible in all cases and may therefore be advantageous for further supporting bone formation beyond 10 weeks and preventing soft tissue ingrowth from the periphery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2603–2611, 2017.
Development and Validation of a Novel Laboratory-Specific Correction Equation for Total Serum Calcium and Its Association With Mortality Among Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Obi Yoshitsugu , Nguyen Danh V , Streja Elani , Rivara Matthew B , Rhee Connie M , Lau Wei Ling , Chen Yanjun , Kovesdy Csaba P , Mehrotra Rajnish , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Conventional albumin-corrected calcium is inaccurate in predicting ionized calcium, and hidden hypercalcemia, characterized as high ionized calcium with normal total calcium, is associated with higher mortality in hemodialysis patients. By using a national cohort of hemodialysis patients in the Unites States, a novel laboratory-specific prediction equation composed of total calcium, albumin, and phosphorus was derived from 242 patients in the South Atlantic division (adjusted R2 = 0.80 versus 0.71 for the conventional equation) and then validated among 566 patients in the other divisions (adjusted R2 = 0.79 versus 0.68 for the conventional equation). Compared with the conventional equation, the novel equation showed a greater correlation with intact parathyroid hormone. Its relative performance against the conventional equation was consistent across subgroups based on medications related to calcium metabolism. The novel equation also had a higher sensitivity (57% versus 34%) and an equivalent specificity (99% versus 100%) against ionized hypercalcemia at a cut-off value of 10.2 mg/dL. Sensitivity and specificity at 9.4 mg/dL was 94% and 76% (versus 87% and 82% for the conventional equation), respectively. A survival analysis in 87,779 incident hemodialysis patients showed that among patients who were categorized as having a high-normal calcium status (ie, &gt;9.4 to 10.2 mg/dL) by the conventional equation, there appeared a trend toward higher adjusted mortality risk across higher calcium status defined according to the novel equation. Meanwhile, the mortality risk was consistent across calcium strata defined according to the conventional equation within the categories defined by the novel equation. In conclusion, in comparison to the conventional equation, a novel laboratory-specific correction equation derived for correction of total calcium performs significantly better in ascertaining hidden hypercalcemia in hemodialysis patients, and aids in identifying patients at higher risk for mortality. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.