bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Electrochemical Sensing with Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Bismuth and Magnetic Nanoparticles in a Lab‐on‐a‐Chip
Authors: Jothimuthu Preetha , Hsu Joe L. , Chen Robert , Inayathullah Mohammed , Pothineni Venkata Raveendra , Jan Antony , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Rajadas Jayakumar , Nicolls Mark R. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIron plays an especially important role in human physiological functions and pathological impairments. The superior properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their modification with bismuth and magnetic nanoparticles as developed in this work have led to an extraordinary and novel material to facilitate ultrasensitive detection in the nanomolar range. Here, we present the development of an electrochemical sensor for detection of ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) iron by means of CNTs modified with bismuth and magnetic nanoparticles for higher sensitivity of detection. The sensor fabrication includes microfabrication methodologies, soft lithography, and electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry are used for the electroanalytical studies and detection of the ions in samples. The sensor has a dynamic range of detection from 0.01 nm to 10 mm. The performance of the sensor with modified CNTs was explored for sensitivity and specificity. CNTs, modified with bismuth and magnetic nanoparticles by means of electrodeposition, enhanced the detection limit significantly down to 0.01 nm.
Impact of stray inductances of the power loop on false trigger‐on in the zero‐voltage‐switching full‐bridge converter
Authors: Qian Qinsong , Zhang Taizhi , Sun Weifeng , Lu Shengli 
Published: June 2016

SummaryHere, we propose an exhaustive theoretical investigation and experimental verification of the false trigger‐on phenomenon, which would lead to the interaction between the upper and lower devices during the switching transient, in the zero‐voltage‐switching (ZVS) full‐bridge converter. An equivalent model of the converter, which takes not only the parasitic capacitors of the metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors into account but also the stray inductances of the main circuit, is presented. Based on the model, a comprehensive study of the false trigger‐on phenomenon is carried out. According to the analysis results, the stray inductances of the metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors have negligible influence on the false trigger‐on phenomena since the soft‐switching is realized. The false trigger‐on phenomenon is induced by the stray inductances of the main circuit. Moreover, the arrangement of the switching sequence would cause significant discriminations in the false trigger‐on phenomena because of the specific working mode of the ZVS full‐bridge converter. According to the investigation results, optimization methods are presented to suppress the induced voltage. At last, the theoretical investigations are verified by tests of a ZVS full‐bridge converter. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silver nanoparticles for the detection of cell surface antigens in mass cytometry
Authors: Schulz Axel Ronald , Stanislawiak Silke , Baumgart Sabine , Grützkau Andreas , Mei Henrik E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMass cytometry has pioneered >40‐parameter single‐cell analyses that allow for the characterization of complex cellular networks at unprecedented depth. Up to 135 parameters can be simultaneously detected, but limited availability of metal tags suitable for labeling of specific probes prevents optimal exploitation of the analytical capacity of mass cytometers. To this end, we here establish the application of elemental silver nanoparticles (AgNP) of different size for reporting cell surface antigens on human leukocytes in mass cytometry assays. The mass channels at 107 Da and 109 Da are uniquely occupied by silver isotopes and do not interfere with other mass cytometry reagents. Streptavidin‐coated AgNP (SA‐AgNP) facilitated distinct and specific detection of various antigens, such as CD8, CD244 and CD294 on peripheral blood leukocytes pre‐incubated with respective biotinylated primary antibodies. Signal intensities elicited by 40 nm‐sized AgNP allowed specific detection of the low abundance antigen CD25 on both, peripheral blood regulatory T cells and CD25loCD127+CD4+T cells, enabling their distinct clustering in viSNE plots. SA‐AgNP were of high elemental purity, showed minor background binding to cells in immunoassays, and were compatible with previously established staining protocols for PBMC and leukocytes, facilitating their use in complex mass cytometry panels. Considering the synthesis of AgNP from isotopically purified silver, the usage of AgNP extends the analytical capacity of mass cytometry panels by one, prospectively two, additional parameters, suitable for the detection of cellular targets of low abundance. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Whitebark pine facilitation at treeline: potential interactions for disruption by an invasive pathogen
Authors: Tomback Diana F. , Blakeslee Sarah C. , Wagner Aaron C. , Wunder Michael B. , Resler Lynn M. , Pyatt Jill C. , Diaz Soledad 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn stressful environments, facilitation often aids plant establishment, but invasive plant pathogens may potentially disrupt these interactions. In many treeline communities in the northern Rocky Mountains of the U.S. and Canada, Pinus albicaulis, a stress‐tolerant pine, initiates tree islands at higher frequencies than other conifers – that is, leads to leeward tree establishment more frequently. The facilitation provided by a solitary (isolated) P. albicaulis leading to tree island initiation may be important for different life‐history stages for leeward conifers, but it is not known which life‐history stages are influenced and protection provided. However, P. albicaulis mortality from the non‐native pathogen Cronartium ribicola potentially disrupts these facilitative interactions, reducing tree island initiation. In two Rocky Mountain eastern slope study areas, we experimentally examined fundamental plant–plant interactions which might facilitate tree island formation: the protection offered by P. albicaulis to leeward seed and seedling life‐history stages, and to leeward krummholz conifers. In the latter case, we simulated mortality from C. ribicola for windward P. albicaulis to determine whether loss of P. albicaulis from C. ribicola impacts leeward conifers. Relative to other common solitary conifers at treeline, solitary P. albicaulis had higher abundance. More seeds germinated in leeward rock microsites than in conifer or exposed microsites, but the odds of cotyledon seedling survival during the growing season were highest in P. albicaulis microsites. Planted seedling survival was low among all microsites examined. Simulating death of windward P. albicaulis by C. ribicola reduced shoot growth of leeward trees. Loss of P. albicaulis to exotic disease may limit facilitation interactions and conifer community development at treeline and potentially impede upward movement as climate warms.
Forest edges have high conservation value for bird communities in mosaic landscapes
Authors: Terraube Julien , Archaux Frédéric , Deconchat Marc , van Halder Inge , Jactel Hervé , Barbaro Luc 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA major conservation challenge in mosaic landscapes is to understand how trait‐specific responses to habitat edges affect bird communities, including potential cascading effects on bird functions providing ecosystem services to forests, such as pest control. Here, we examined how bird species richness, abundance and community composition varied from interior forest habitats and their edges into adjacent open habitats, within a multi‐regional sampling scheme. We further analyzed variations in Conservation Value Index (CVI), Community Specialization Index (CSI) and functional traits across the forest‐edge‐open habitat gradient. Bird species richness, total abundance and CVI were significantly higher at forest edges while CSI peaked at interior open habitats, i.e., furthest from forest edge. In addition, there were important variations in trait‐ and species‐specific responses to forest edges among bird communities. Positive responses to forest edges were found for several forest bird species with unfavorable conservation status. These species were in general insectivores, understorey gleaners, cavity nesters and long‐distance migrants, all traits that displayed higher abundance at forest edges than in forest interiors or adjacent open habitats. Furthermore, consistently with predictions, negative edge effects were recorded in some forest specialist birds and in most open‐habitat birds, showing increasing densities from edges to interior habitats. We thus suggest that increasing landscape‐scale habitat complexity would be beneficial to declining species living in mosaic landscapes combining small woodlands and open habitats. Edge effects between forests and adjacent open habitats may also favor bird functional guilds providing valuable ecosystem services to forests in longstanding fragmented landscapes.
Sex determination, longevity, and the birth and death of reptilian species
Authors: Sabath Niv , Itescu Yuval , Feldman Anat , Meiri Shai , Mayrose Itay , Valenzuela Nicole 
Published: June 2016

AbstractVertebrate sex‐determining mechanisms (SDMs) are triggered by the genotype (GSD), by temperature (TSD), or occasionally, by both. The causes and consequences of SDM diversity remain enigmatic. Theory predicts SDM effects on species diversification, and life‐span effects on SDM evolutionary turnover. Yet, evidence is conflicting in clades with labile SDMs, such as reptiles. Here, we investigate whether SDM is associated with diversification in turtles and lizards, and whether alterative factors, such as lifespan's effect on transition rates, could explain the relative prevalence of SDMs in turtles and lizards (including and excluding snakes). We assembled a comprehensive dataset of SDM states for squamates and turtles and leveraged large phylogenies for these two groups. We found no evidence that SDMs affect turtle, squamate, or lizard diversification. However, SDM transition rates differ between groups. In lizards TSD‐to‐GSD surpass GSD‐to‐TSD transitions, explaining the predominance of GSD lizards in nature. SDM transitions are fewer in turtles and the rates are similar to each other (TSD‐to‐GSD equals GSD‐to‐TSD), which, coupled with TSD ancestry, could explain TSD's predominance in turtles. These contrasting patterns can be explained by differences in life history. Namely, our data support the notion that in general, shorter lizard lifespan renders TSD detrimental favoring GSD evolution in squamates, whereas turtle longevity permits TSD retention. Thus, based on the macro‐evolutionary evidence we uncovered, we hypothesize that turtles and lizards followed different evolutionary trajectories with respect to SDM, likely mediated by differences in lifespan. Combined, our findings revealed a complex evolutionary interplay between SDMs and life histories that warrants further research that should make use of expanded datasets on unexamined taxa to enable more conclusive analyses.
Resource partitioning and functional diversity of worldwide freshwater fish communities
Authors: Comte Lise , Cucherousset Julien , Boulêtreau Stéphanie , Olden Julian D. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDespite significant progress in recent years, understanding the rules governing the assembly of natural communities is still challenging and knowledge of how the integration of nonnative species may disrupt community structure and function is needed. To address this challenge, we collated stable isotope data for 159 freshwater fish communities around the world with and without nonnative species and quantified spatial variation in both community isotopic functional diversity and intraspecific variation in species niches. Using a null model and partial least squares path analysis, we then evaluated how the interplay between abiotic (historical, energetic, climatic, habitat size) and biotic (niche segregation) factors shape community structure and functional diversity, and how these relationships have changed, and with what consequences, in the presence of nonnative species. We found that niche partitioning is a primary force underlying the structure and functional redundancy of native fish communities, which may be governed by a synergism between contemporary climate, productivity and habitat size. We also found evidence of a legacy of historical climate on functional diversity, independent from species richness. By contrast, path models of communities containing nonnative species demonstrated lower explanatory power and had no clear association with any of the abiotic or biotic factors. In conclusion, we demonstrated that strong spatial patterns in community structure and functional diversity of freshwater fish communities exist at the global scale, underlined by the complex interplay between external and internal filters, but that these patterns may be blurred by anthropogenic species introductions. Our results further highlighted the importance of accounting for realized species niches and species status (i.e., native and nonnative) when investigating questions related to the assembly and functional diversity of multitrophic communities.
Fog drip maintains dry season ecological function in a California coastal pine forest
Authors: Fischer Douglas T. , Still Christopher J. , Ebert Colin M. , Baguskas Sara A. , Park Williams A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFog drip is recognized as an important source of water for many ecosystems that often harbor a disproportionate fraction of endemic species. Characterizing and quantifying the ecological importance of fog drip in these ecosystems requires a range of approaches. We report on a multi‐faceted study of Bishop pine (Pinus muricata D. Don) along a coastal‐inland transect on an island off Southern California. Hourly sampling included micrometeorology, sap flux, and soil moisture. Monthly measurements included changes in tree girth, plant water stress, and isotopic values of fogwater, rainwater, and xylem water. These data show that summertime fog drip clearly affected soil moisture and maintained aspects of tree function, including leaf water relations, sap flux dynamics, and growth rates. Although water from fog drip to the soil surface was occasionally taken up by pine trees, as quantified with isotopic measurements and a Bayesian mixing model, this utilization of fog drip was highly variable in space and time. The proportion of fogwater inferred to have been used is also much less than has been demonstrated in more mesic coastal forest ecosystems using isotopic methods. These results thus suggest high ecosystem sensitivity to even moderate amounts of fog drip, a finding with important implications as climate change differentially affects fog and rain patterns.
Striking the Balance Between Renewable Energy Generation and Water Status Protection: Hydropower in the context of the European Renewable Energy Directive and Water Framework Directive
Authors: Abazaj Jonida , Moen Øystein , Ruud Audun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis article addresses the theoretical and practical challenge faced by the European policy community and Member States trying to simultaneously pursue renewable energy and environmental goals, as incorporated in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and the Water Framework Directive. Through the case of hydropower, which is today at a crossroads between being a renewable electricity source − answering to climate change and energy security concerns − and a local environmental challenge in the light of degradation of river ecosystems and local biodiversity, the article explores the way renewable energy and water protection objectives are integrated inside the Common Implementation Strategy at the EU level. Based on document analysis and interviews, the mapping of the different frameworks shows that old conflicts and controversies related to the hydropower technology have been reopened and reframed to accommodate both the issue of energy security and the discourse on EU sustainability and climate change. Conclusions reveal that despite the creation of a multi‐stakeholder platform for negotiation and collaboration, the Common Implementation Strategy fails on several occasions to explain how to achieve the right balance and leaves unclear what specifically has to be integrated and to what degree. Hence, given the plurality and diversity of values, interests and concerns in relation to hydropower and goals of the Water Framework Directive, a prioritization between water, climate and energy policy goals might be needed, with the possibility of having real winners and losers of the integration process. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Experimental investigation and numerical modelling of the fire performance for epoxy resin carbon fibre composites of variable thicknesses
Authors: Fateh T. , Zhang J. , Delichatsios M. , Rogaume T. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryThis paper applies a unique integrated approach to determine the flammability properties of a composite material (epoxy with carbon fibre) and compares its fire behaviour at two different thicknesses (2.1 and 4.2 mm) by performing small scale (thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA)/Fourier transform infrared radiation) and meso‐scale tests (cone calorimeter). For small‐scale tests, experiments were conducted in nitrogen using TGA coupled to gas analysis by Fourier transform infrared radiation. These results allow the determination of thermal stability, main degradation temperature and main gaseous emissions released during the thermal degradation. For meso‐scale tests, experiments were carried out using a cone calorimeter with sample dimensions of 100 × 100 mm at five heat fluxes (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 kW/m2). The results show that the ignition time increases with an increase in the thickness of the material. Relative hazard classification of the fire performance of the current composites has also been compared with other materials using parameters obtained elsewhere. In addition, the effective ignition, thermal and pyrolysis properties obtained from the ignition and mass loss rate experiments for the 4.2‐mm thick samples were used in a numerical model for pyrolysis to predict well ignition times, back‐surface temperatures and mass pyrolysis rates for all heat fluxes as well as for the 2.1‐mm thick samples. Note that the ignition temperature obtained in the cone agrees with the main degradation temperature in the TGA. The flammability properties deduced here can be used to predict the heat release rate for real fire situations using CFD modelling. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intercalated montmorillonite by cyclotriphosphazene imidazole derivative and its thermal properties used in polyester
Authors: Wang Jiaoning , Chen Guanyu , Su Xingyong , Mao Zhiping 
Published: June 2016

SummaryMontmorillonite (MMT) and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) are two focal materials to investigate in improving the thermal properties of polymer in recent years. They are used to improve the thermal performance of polymer from different aspects. MMT usually could play an important role in preventing or slowing down the penetration of heat and flame by layers of the mineral. However, making polymer dehydrate and carbonize and generating incombustible ammonia, which can dilute the concentration of combustible gas, are the major ways from HCCP. In this study, a novel intercalated MMT containing high content of phosphorus and nitrogen was synthesized by MMT and HCCP (HCCP‐in‐MMT). It was applied to improve the thermal performance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer.1H NMR and31P NMR technology were used to track the structures of a series of intermediates. The composites were prepared by melt‐blending neat PET with HCCP‐in‐MMT and named as PET/HCCP‐in‐MMT material. Three levels of HCCP‐in‐MMT (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were considered for the blends. The preliminary application in improving the thermal performance of PET was studied by thermo‐gravimetric (TG) analysis and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry study showed that the introduction of HCCP‐in‐MMT would inhibit the pyrolysis of PET during heating or burning. The flame retardancy performance of PET composites was characterized by limiting oxygen index tests and UL‐94 test. The result showed that the composites could pass UL‐94 V‐1 and limiting oxygen index value 28.3% just only containing 5 wt% of HCCP‐in‐MMT. TEM showed that the inserted layer structure was formed between PET matrix and synthetic flame retardant HCCP‐in‐MMT. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low Plasma Level of Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing 17 (LRRc17) Is an Independent and Additive Risk Factor for Osteoporotic Fractures in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hong Namki , Kim Beom-Jun , Kim Chong Hwa , Baek Ki Hyun , Min Yong-Ki , Kim Deog-Yoon , Lee Seung Hun , Koh Jung-Min , Kang Moo-Il , Rhee Yumie 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT

A novel role of leucine-rich repeat-containing 17 (LRRc17), an LRR protein secreted by osteoblasts, as a negative regulator of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand–induced osteoclast differentiation was found. However, the clinical association between LRRc17 and osteoporotic fracture (OF) has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that low circulating plasma level of LRRc17 might serve as an independent and additive risk factor for OF, including vertebral fractures (VF) and non-vertebral fractures (non-VF). In this case-control study, 102 OF cases and 102 age- and body mass index–matched controls (mean age, 63.2 years) were analyzed among 532 postmenopausal women. VF (n = 49) and non-VF (n = 60) participants were identified using lateral thoracolumbar radiographs and an interviewer-assisted questionnaire, respectively. Median LRRc17 levels were significantly lower in participants with any OF (117.5 versus 197.3 pg/mL, p &lt; 0.001), VF (93.2 versus 172.4 pg/mL, p = 0.002), and non-VF (124.5 versus 206.9 pg/mL, p = 0.008) compared with the respective controls without fractures. The prevalence of OF increased from the highest LRRc17 tertile (≥228.5 pg/mL, 33.8%) to the lowest (&lt;95.6 pg/mL, 63.2%). Each log unit decrease of LRRc17 was associated with greater risk of OF (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.96; p = 0.009) and VF (OR = 2.42; 95% CI 1.39–4.23; p = 0.002). Plasma LRRc17 significantly improved discrimination of OF, particularly VF, when added to models including clinical risk factors and bone mineral density according to the area under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC 0.71 to 0.81, p = 0.036), category-free net reclassification improvement (0.79; 95% CI 0.37–1.21; p &lt; 0.001), and integrated discrimination improvement (0.13; 95% CI 0.06–0.20; p &lt; 0.001). Low plasma LRRc17 was an independent risk factor for OF, which improved risk stratification, particularly in the spines of postmenopausal women. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.