bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coastal Erosion of Permafrost Soils Along the Yukon Coastal Plain and Fluxes of Organic Carbon to the Canadian Beaufort Sea
Authors: Couture Nicole J. , Irrgang Anna , Pollard Wayne , Lantuit Hugues , Fritz Michael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractReducing uncertainties about carbon cycling is important in the Arctic where rapid environmental changes contribute to enhanced mobilization of carbon. Here we quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) contents of permafrost soils along the Yukon Coastal Plain and determine the annual fluxes from coastal erosion. Different terrain units were assessed based on surficial geology, morphology, and ground ice conditions. To account for the volume of wedge ice and massive ice in a unit, SOC contents were reduced by 19% and sediment contents by 16%. The SOC content in a 1 m2 column of soil varied according to the height of the bluff, ranging from 30 to 662 kg, with a mean value of 183 kg. Forty‐four per cent of the SOC was within the top 1 m of soil and values varied based on surficial materials, ranging from 30 to 53 kg C/m3, with a mean of 41 kg. Eighty per cent of the shoreline was erosive with a mean annual rate of change of −0.7 m/yr. This resulted in a SOC flux per meter of shoreline of 132 kg C/m/yr, and a total flux for the entire 282 km of the Yukon coast of 35.5 × 106 kg C/yr (0.036 Tg C/yr). The mean flux of sediment per meter of shoreline was 5.3 × 103 kg/m/yr, with a total flux of 1,832 × 106 kg/yr (1.832 Tg/yr). Sedimentation rates indicate that approximately 13% of the eroded carbon was sequestered in nearshore sediments, where the overwhelming majority of organic carbon was of terrestrial origin.
Silver‐catalyzed Double Decarboxylative Radical Alkynylation/Annulation of Arylpropiolic Acids with α‐keto Acids: Access to Ynones and Flavones under Mild Conditions
Authors: Meng Mengting , Wang Guofang , Yang Liangfeng , Cheng Kai , Qi Chenze 
Published: January 2018

AbstractYnones are privileged building blocks in various organic syntheses of heterocyclic derivatives due to their multifunctional nature, and flavones are an important class of natural products with a wide range of biological activities. We describe the catalytic double decarboxylative alkynylation of arylpropiolic acids with α‐keto acids. With Ag(I)/persulfate as the catalysis system, the valuable ynones bearing various substituents could be easily obtained. The introduction of hydroxyl substituent onortho‐site of α‐keto acids make this strategy further applicable to the construction of flavone derivatives via heteroannulation in moderate to good yields with a similar silver‐catalyzed system. The reactions proceed under relatively mild reaction conditions and tolerate a wide variety of functional groups. Control experiments indicated that both the reactions undergo radical processes.magnified image
Novel natural rubber composites with geopolymer filler
Authors: Yangthong Hassarutai , Pichaiyut Skulrat , Jumrat Saysunee , Wisunthorn Suwaluk , Nakason Charoen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to apply geopolymer (GP) particles as novelty fillers in natural rubber (NR) composites with various loadings (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 phr). Influence of GP particles on cure characteristics, mechanical, dynamic, thermal, and morphological properties of the NR/geopolymer composites was investigated. It was found that incorporation of geopolymer particles significantly affected the cure characteristics and the mechanical properties. That is, faster curing was observed due to acceleration by metal oxide impurities. It was also found that 100% modulus and tensile strength increased with the addition of 10 phr GP. This is attributed to the physical interactions of GP particles with NR molecules. In addition, the Payne effect and improved thermal stability were also observed in the GP‐filled NR composites. It was concluded that 10 phr of GP in NR composites might be suitable for some industrial applications.
Maternal hormonal milieu influence on fetal brain development
Authors: Miranda Alexandra , Sousa Nuno 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn adverse maternal hormonal environment during pregnancy can be associated with abnormal brain growth. Subtle changes in fetal brain development have been observed even for maternal hormone levels within the currently accepted physiologic ranges. In this review, we provide an update of the research data on maternal hormonal impact on fetal neurodevelopment, giving particular emphasis to thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids. Thyroid hormones are required for normal brain development. Despite serum TSH appearing to be the most accurate indicator of thyroid function in pregnancy, maternal serum free T4 levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are the major determinant of postnatal psychomotor development. Even a transient period of maternal hypothyroxinemia at the beginning of neurogenesis can confer a higher risk of expressive language and nonverbal cognitive delays in offspring. Nevertheless, most recent clinical guidelines advocate for targeted high‐risk case finding during first trimester of pregnancy despite universal thyroid function screening. Corticosteroids are determinant in suppressing cell proliferation and stimulating terminal differentiation, a fundamental switch for the maturation of fetal organs. Not surprisingly, intrauterine exposure to stress or high levels of glucocorticoids, endogenous or synthetic, has a molecular and structural impact on brain development and appears to impair cognition and increase anxiety and reactivity to stress. Limbic regions, such as hippocampus and amygdala, are particularly sensitive. Repeated doses of prenatal corticosteroids seem to have short‐term benefits of less respiratory distress and fewer serious health problems in offspring. Nevertheless, neurodevelopmental growth in later childhood and adulthood needs further clarification. Future studies should address the relevance of monitoring the level of thyroid hormones and corticosteroids during pregnancy in the risk stratification for impaired postnatal neurodevelopment.
Immune responses of human dental pulp stem cells in lipopolysaccharide‐induced microenvironment
Authors: Bindal Priyadarshini , Ramasamy Thamil Selvee , Kasim Noor Hayaty Abu , Gnanasegaran Nareshwaran , Chai Wen Lin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effect of inflammatory stimuli on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) by assessing their proliferation and expression of genes as well as proteins in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced microenvironment (iDPSCs). DPSCs were first characterized for their mesenchymal properties prior to challenging them with a series of LPS concentrations from 12 to 72 h. Following to this, their proliferation and inflammatory based genes as well as protein expression were assessed. iDPSCs had demonstrated significant expression of mesenchymal markers. Upon exposure to LPS, the viability dropped distinctly with increasing concentration, as compared to control (P < 0.05). The expression of pro‐inflammatory genes such as interleukin 6, interleukin 8 were augmented with exposure to LPS (P < 0.05). Similarly, cytokines like tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin 1α had increased in dose dependant manner upon LPS exposure (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that LPS concentration between 1 and 2 μg/mL demonstrated inflammation induction in DPSCs that may simulate inflamed microenvironment of dental pulp in clinical scenario. Thus, optimizing iDPSCs secretome profile could be a promising approach to test various regenerative protocols in inflamed microenvironment.
Boryl‐ and Silyl‐Substituted Mixed Sandwich Compounds of Scandium
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Damme Alexander , Dück Klaus , Krummenacher Ivo , Paprocki Valerie , Radacki Krzysztof , Ramler Jacqueline , Schiller Carl , Schneider Christoph 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn improved, one‐pot synthesis of the linear sandwich compound [Sc(η5‐C5H5)(η8‐C8H8)] is presented. The synthetic procedure is amenable to boryl‐ and silyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands, thereby yielding the first functionalized derivatives. We found that the synthesis of the silyl‐substituted mixed sandwich complexes produces higher yields when the ligand exchange is carried out stepwise, by isolating the intermediate trimethylsilylated half‐sandwich complex [Sc(η8‐C8H7SiMe3)Cl(THF)] (THF=tetrahydrofuran). The molecular structures of the parent complex, as well as of its mono‐boryl‐substituted derivatives, have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the optical and electrochemical properties of the mixed sandwich complexes are reported.
Reaction Pathway Dependence in Plasmonic Catalysis: Hydrogenation as a Model Molecular Transformation
Authors: Barbosa Eduardo C. M. , Fiorio Jhonatan L. , Mou Tong , Wang Bin , Rossi Liane M. , Camargo Pedro H. C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation in plasmonic nanoparticles can enhance or mediate chemical transformations. Increased reaction rates for several reactions have been reported due to this phenomenon; however, the fundamental understanding of mechanisms and factors that affect activities remains limited. Here, by investigating hydrogenation reactions as a model transformation and employing different reducing agents, H2 and NaBH4, which led to different hydrogenation reaction pathways, we observed that plasmonic excitation of Au nanoparticle catalysts can lead to negative effects over the activities. The underlying physical reason was explored using density functional theory calculations. We observed that positive versus negative effects on the plasmonic catalytic activity is reaction‐pathway dependent. These results shed important insights on our current understanding of plasmonic catalysis, demonstrating reaction pathways must be taken into account for the design of plasmonic nanocatalysts.
Insight into Metal Removal from Peptides that Sequester Copper for Methane Oxidation
Authors: Baslé Arnaud , El Ghazouani Abdelnasser , Lee Jaeick , Dennison Christopher 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMethanobactins (Mbns) are modified peptides that sequester copper (Cu) methanotrophs use to oxidize methane. Limited structural information is available for this class of natural products, as is an understanding of how cells are able to utilize Mbn‐bound Cu. The crystal structure of Methylosinus sporium NR3K CuI–Mbn provides further information about the structural diversity of Mbns and the first insight into their Cu‐release mechanism. Nitrogen ligands from oxazolone and pyrazinediol rings chelate CuI along with adjacent coordinating sulfurs from thioamides. In vitro solution data are consistent with a CuI–Mbn monomer as found for previously characterized Mbns. In the crystal structure, the N‐terminal region has undergone a conformational change allowing the formation of a CuI2–Mbn2 dimer with CuI sites bound by chelating units from adjacent chains. Such a structural alteration will facilitate CuI release from Mbns.
Intermediate‐severity wind disturbance in mature temperate forests: legacy structure, carbon storage, and stand dynamics
Authors: Meigs Garrett W. , Keeton William S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWind is one of the most important natural disturbances influencing forest structure, ecosystem function, and successional processes worldwide. This study quantifies the stand‐scale effects of intermediate‐severity windstorms (i.e., blowdowns) on (1) live and dead legacy structure, (2) aboveground carbon storage, and (3) tree regeneration and associated stand dynamics at four mature, mixed hardwood–conifer forest sites in the northeastern United States. We compare wind‐affected forests to adjacent reference conditions (i.e., undisturbed portions of the same stands) 0–8 yr post‐blowdown using parametric (ANOVA) and nonparametric (NMSordination) analyses. We supplement inventory plots and downed coarse woody detritus (DCWD) transects with hemispherical photography to capture spatial variation in the light environment. Although recent blowdowns transferred a substantial proportion of live overstory trees toDCWD, residual live tree basal area was high (19–59% of reference areas). On average, the initial post‐blowdown ratio ofDCWDcarbon to standing live tree carbon was 2.72 in blowdown stands and 0.18 in reference stands, indicating a large carbon transfer from live to dead pools. Despite these dramatic changes, structural complexity remained high in blowdown areas, as indicated by the size and species distributions of overstory trees, abundance of sound and rotten downed wood, spatial patterns of light availability, and variability of understory vegetation. Furthermore, tree species composition was similar between blowdown and reference areas at each site, with generally shade‐tolerant species dominating across multiple canopy strata. Community response to intermediate‐severity blowdown at these sites suggests a dynamic in which disturbance maintains late‐successional species composition rather than providing a regeneration opportunity for shade‐intolerant, pioneer species. Our findings suggest that intermediate‐severity wind disturbances can contribute to stand‐scale structural complexity as well as development toward late‐successional species composition, at least when shade‐tolerant regeneration is present pre‐blowdown. Advance regeneration thus enhances structural and compositional resilience to this type of disturbance. This study provides a baseline for multi‐cohort silvicultural systems designed to restore heterogeneity associated with natural disturbance dynamics.
Modelling of heat release rate in upholstered furniture fire
Authors: Zou G. W. , Huo Y. , Chow W. K. , Chow C. L. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryMany fatal residential fires started from burning upholstered furniture, and so upholstered furniture fire has been studied rather extensively in developed countries. As many upholstered furniture were made in China, the hidden fire risk should be studied more. In this paper, full‐scale experiments on the burning of upholstered furniture manufactured in China were conducted and analyzed. The oxygen consumption method was used to measure the heat release rate in a room calorimeter. An ignition source of a 20‐kW gasoline pool fire of 0.2‐m diameter was used to test square foam cushions and 4‐seater sofas. A model of heat release rate predicting upholstered furniture fire in a room was developed on the basis of earlier Swedish works. Results were then used to justify the application of the Combustion Behaviour of Upholstered Furniture model to predict the heat release rate of furniture manufactured in China. The numerical values of key parameters in the model were determined. It is proposed to build up a database that can be used to model heat release rates upon burning furniture. Detailed procedures are illustrated in this paper.
Population Pharmacokinetics of the TNF‐α and IL‐17A Dual‐Variable Domain Antibody ABT‐122 in Healthy Volunteers and Subjects With Psoriatic or Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of Phase 1 and 2 Clinical Trials
Authors: Khatri Amit , Othman Ahmed A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractABT‐122 is an IgG1 dual‐variable domain immunoglobulin that specifically blocks TNF‐α and IL‐17A. This work characterized ABT‐122 pharmacokinetics using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling and ABT‐122 serum concentrations from 72 healthy subjects, 196 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 144 subjects with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) enrolled in 4 phase 1 and 2 phase 2 studies (0.1–10 mg/kg intravenously and 0.3–3 mg/kg subcutaneous single doses and 0.3–3.0 mg/kg subcutaneous and 60–240 mg subcutaneous doses weekly or every other week). A 2‐compartment model with a combination of linear clearance (0.419 L/day) and nonlinear clearance (relevant only at low doses; Vmaxand Kmof 0.155 mg/day and 0.0458 mg/L, respectively) described ABT‐122 pharmacokinetics. Subcutaneous bioavailability was 35%–58% across formulations and populations. Body weight was a significant covariate for ABT‐122 clearance, with subjects with body weight of 140 and 40 kg estimated to have 38% lower and 43% higher ABT‐122 AUC, respectively, compared with a 70‐kg reference subject. ABT‐122 antidrug antibody (ADA) titer (ADA incidence, 47%; 0 to 519 000 titer range in the data set) was a continuous covariate on ABT‐122 clearance. An ADA titer of 100 units resulted in a 5‐fold increase in clearance. Sex, age, and baseline serum albumin or baseline C‐reactive protein level did not impact ABT‐122 exposure. Fixed‐effects and random‐effects parameters were estimated with a relative standard error of ≤17% and ≤28%, respectively, and the model was qualified using bootstrap analysis and visual predictive checks. This analysis characterized ABT‐122 exposure across populations and supported exposure–response analyses of ABT‐122 efficacy in RA and PsA.
The Risk of Preterm Births Among Pregnant Women With Adenomyosis
Authors: Shin You Jung , Kwak Dong Wook , Chung Jin Hoon , Kim Moon Young , Lee Si Won , Han You Jung 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesFew studies have examined the effect of adenomyosis on pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in women with adenomyosis diagnosed during pregnancy.MethodsA computerized ultrasonography database was used to identify singleton pregnant women with adenomyosis in the first trimester from January 2010 to December 2011. Only cases with a known pregnancy outcome were included. We reviewed the medical records and analyzed pregnancy outcomes according to the presence of adenomyosis and conception method.ResultsAmong 11,173 singleton pregnant women, adenomyosis was detected in 88 (0.8%), and 8316 pregnant women (including 72 with adenomyosis) were included. The adenomyosis group was associated with significantly higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight than the non‐adenomyosis group (12.5% versus 4.1%; P < .001; 13.9% versus 3.1%; P < .001, respectively). In a subgroup analysis according to the conception method, incidences of preterm birth and low birth weight were not different in the non‐adenomyosis group. However, the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight in the adenomyosis group were significantly higher in pregnant women who conceived by assisted reproductive technologies than in women who conceived naturally (28.0% versus 4.3%; P < .01; 28.0% versus 6.4%; P < .05, respectively).ConclusionsUltrasonographic findings suggesting adenomyosis in early pregnancy were associated with increased risks of preterm delivery and low birth weight in women who conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technologies but not in women who conceived spontaneously.
A comparison of gantry‐mounted x‐ray‐based real‐time target tracking methods
Authors: Montanaro Tim , Nguyen Doan Trang , Keall Paul J. , Booth Jeremy , Caillet Vincent , Eade Thomas , Haddad Carol , Shieh Chun‐Chien 
Published: January 2018

PurposeMost modern radiotherapy machines are built with a 2D kV imaging system. Combining this imaging system with a 2D‐3D inference method would allow for a ready‐made option for real‐time 3D tumor tracking. This work investigates and compares the accuracy of four existing 2D‐3D inference methods using both motion traces inferred from external surrogates and measured internally from implanted beacons.MethodTumor motion data from 160 fractions (46 thoracic/abdominal patients) of Synchrony traces (inferred traces), and 28 fractions (7 lung patients) of Calypso traces (internal traces) from the LIGHT SABR trial (NCT02514512) were used in this study. The motion traces were used as the ground truth. The ground truth trajectories were used in silico to generate 2D positions projected on the kV detector. These 2D traces were then passed to the 2D‐3D inference methods: interdimensional correlation, Gaussian probability density function (PDF), arbitrary‐shape PDF, and the Kalman filter. The inferred 3D positions were compared with the ground truth to determine tracking errors. The relationships between tracking error and motion magnitude, interdimensional correlation, and breathing periodicity index (BPI) were also investigated.ResultsLarger tracking errors were observed from the Calypso traces, with RMS and 95th percentile 3D errors of 0.84–1.25 mm and 1.72–2.64 mm, compared to 0.45–0.68 mm and 0.74–1.13 mm from the Synchrony traces. The Gaussian PDF method was found to be the most accurate, followed by the Kalman filter, the interdimensional correlation method, and the arbitrary‐shape PDF method. Tracking error was found to strongly and positively correlate with motion magnitude for both the Synchrony and Calypso traces and for all four methods. Interdimensional correlation and BPI were found to negatively correlate with tracking error only for the Synchrony traces. The Synchrony traces exhibited higher interdimensional correlation than the Calypso traces especially in the anterior‐posterior direction.ConclusionInferred traces often exhibit higher interdimensional correlation, which are not true representation of thoracic/abdominal motion and may underestimate kV‐based tracking errors. The use of internal traces acquired from systems such as Calypso is advised for future kV‐based tracking studies. The Gaussian PDF method is the most accurate 2D‐3D inference method for tracking thoracic/abdominal targets. Motion magnitude has significant impact on 2D‐3D inference error, and should be considered when estimating kV‐based tracking error.
Monitoring compositional data using multivariate exponentially weighted moving average scheme
Authors: Tran Kim Phuc , Castagliola Philippe , Celano Giovanni , Khoo Michael B. C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRecently, the monitoring of compositional data by means of control charts has been investigated in the statistical process control literature. In this article, we develop a Phase II multivariate exponentially weighted moving average control chart, for the continuous surveillance of compositional data based on a transformation into coordinate representation. We use a Markov chain approximation to determine the performance of the proposed multivariate control chart. The optimal multivariate exponentially weighted moving average smoothing constants, control limits, and out‐of‐control average run lengths have been computed for different combinations of the in‐control average run lengths and the number of variables. Several tables are presented and enumerated to show the statistical performance of the proposed control chart. An example illustrates the use of this chart on an industrial problem from a plant in Europe.
Prestige-seeking small states: Danish and Norwegian military contributions to US-led operations
Authors: Jakobsen Peter Viggo , Ringsmose Jens , Saxi Håkon Lunde 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this article we broaden the conventional understanding of prestige and show that prestige-seeking played a major role in the Danish and Norwegian decisions to provide military support to post-Cold War US-led wars. Both countries made costly military contributions in the hope of increasing their standing and prestige in Washington. Both governments regarded prestige as a form of soft power, which they could later convert into access, influence, and US support. Our findings are far from trivial. They make a theoretical contribution by demonstrating that small powers understand and seek prestige in ways that differ fundamentally from the ways great powers do. They also help to explain why smaller US allies made costly contributions to the Balkan, Afghan, Iraq, and Libyan wars at a time when there was no direct threat to their national security and their security dependence on the United States was low. The high value that small US allies attach to their visibility and prestige in Washington suggests that it is far easier for the United States to obtain military support from smaller allies than Realist studies of burden-sharing and collective action problems would lead us to expect.