bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global synthesis of the temperature sensitivity of leaf litter breakdown in streams and rivers
Authors: Follstad Shah Jennifer J. , Kominoski John S. , Ardón Marcelo , Dodds Walter K. , Gessner Mark O. , Griffiths Natalie A. , Hawkins Charles P. , Johnson Sherri L. , Lecerf Antoine , LeRoy Carri J. , Manning David W. P. , Rosemond Amy D. , Sinsabaugh Robert L. , Swan Christopher M. , Webster Jackson R. , Zeglin Lydia H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractStreams and rivers are important conduits of terrestrially derived carbon (C) to atmospheric and marine reservoirs. Leaf litter breakdown rates are expected to increase as water temperatures rise in response to climate change. The magnitude of increase in breakdown rates is uncertain, given differences in litter quality and microbial and detritivore community responses to temperature, factors that can influence the apparent temperature sensitivity of breakdown and the relative proportion of C lost to the atmosphere vs. stored or transported downstream. Here, we synthesized 1025 records of litter breakdown in streams and rivers to quantify its temperature sensitivity, as measured by the activation energy (Ea, in eV). Temperature sensitivity of litter breakdown varied among twelve plant genera for which Ea could be calculated. Higher values of Ea were correlated with lower‐quality litter, but these correlations were influenced by a single, N‐fixing genus (Alnus). Ea values converged when genera were classified into three breakdown rate categories, potentially due to continual water availability in streams and rivers modulating the influence of leaf chemistry on breakdown. Across all data representing 85 plant genera, the Ea was 0.34 ± 0.04 eV, or approximately half the value (0.65 eV) predicted by metabolic theory. Our results indicate that average breakdown rates may increase by 5–21% with a 1–4 °C rise in water temperature, rather than a 10–45% increase expected, according to metabolic theory. Differential warming of tropical and temperate biomes could result in a similar proportional increase in breakdown rates, despite variation in Ea values for these regions (0.75 ± 0.13 eV and 0.27 ± 0.05 eV, respectively). The relative proportions of gaseous C loss and organic matter transport downstream should not change with rising temperature given that Ea values for breakdown mediated by microbes alone and microbes plus detritivores were similar at the global scale.
Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers and their use in collections of Erianthus arundinaceus in China
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Bo , Yan Jia‐Jun , Shen Xiao‐Yun , Bai Shi‐Qie , Li Da‐Xun , Zhang Yu , You Ming‐Hong , Zhang Yu 
Published: December 2016

AbstractErianthus arundinaceus (Retz.) Jeswiet is not only a candidate plant for sugarcane breeding programs, but also a potential bioenergy grass. However, there are no simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for E. arundinaceus, and information on genetic structure essential in genetics based on Chinese wild germplasm is limited. Therefore, in this study, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers for E. arundinaceus were developed, and genetic variation and genetic structure of Chinese wild E. arundinaceus was studied. Genetic variation of 164 individuals of 18 populations collected from natural habitats in six Chinese provinces was analyzed using developed SSR markers, which generated 105 polymorphic bands. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 11 with a mean of 9. Among and within the populations, the percentage of polymorphic bands was 91.18% and 46.45%, effective number of alleles was 1.63 and 1.30, Shannon's information index was 0.52 and 0.25, respectively. The populations were clustered into seven groups exhibiting a high level of genetic differentiation, which was highly associated with geographic origins of respective germplasm populations, and was significantly associated with geographic distances between the populations. The developed SSR markers had advantages in revealing genetic diversity and the variance among populations of Chinese E. arundinaceus. Large genetic variation among Chinese E. arundinaceus germplasm and the genetic structure of E. arundinaceus populations effected by geographic landforms and environments were revealed, which will be highly valuable in genetic improvement and the genetics research.
Structure and electrical properties of perovskite layer (1−x)Sr2Nb2O7‐x(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 high‐temperature piezoceramics
Authors: Chen Tao , Liang Ruihong , Li Yuchen , Zhou Zhiyong , Dong Xianlin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe structure and electrical properties of perovskite layer structured (PLS) (1−x)Sr2Nb2O7‐x(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 (SNO‐NBT) prepared by solid‐state reaction method are investigated. The addition of NBT is beneficial to speed up mass transfer and particle rearrangement during sintering, leading to better sinterability and higher bulk density up to 96.8%. The solid solution limit x in the SNO‐NBT system is below 0.03, over which Ti4+ is preferable to aggregate and results in the generation of secondary phase. After the modification by NBT, all SNO‐NBT ceramics have a Curie temperature Tc up to over 1300°C and piezoelectric constant d33 about 1.0 pC/N. The breakthrough of piezoelectricity can mainly be attributed to rotation and distortion of oxygen octahedron as well as higher poling electric field resulting from the improved bulk density. This study not only demonstrates how to improve piezoelectricity by NBT addition, but also opens up a new direction to design PLS piezoceramics by introducing appropriate second phase.
Accurate determination of fiber strength distributions
Authors: Callaway Evan Benjamin , Zok Frank W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTensile strengths of small‐diameter ceramic fibers are commonly obtained from measured fracture loads on individual fibers and the average cross‐sectional area of the entire fiber population. The goal of the present article is to provide a critical assessment of the consequences of using the average fiber area in the inferred strength distribution. The issues are addressed through established theorems in convolution and uncertainty propagation as well as Monte Carlo simulations. Systematic errors introduced by using the average area are well‐represented by simple analytical formulae. The formulae are couched in terms of the coefficient of variation in fiber area and the dispersion in fiber strengths, characterized by the Weibull modulus. In turn, the formulae are used to determine the true values of Weibull modulus and reference strength from their nominal values. Random uncertainties associated with a finite number of tests decay slowly with number, in accordance with an inverse root scaling. When systematic errors are conflated with random uncertainties, accurate determination of the true Weibull modulus becomes increasingly challenging, even for seemingly large numbers of strength measurements. The results are used to assess the fidelity of previously‐reported experimental results based on nominal strength data.
Influence of A‐site nonstoichiometry on the electrical properties of BT‐BMT
Authors: Muhammad Raz , Khesro Amir 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA stoichiometric and 2 mol% Ba deficient samples in the formulation 0.5BaTiO3‐0.5BiMg1/2Ti1/2O3 (BT‐BMT) were processed via a mixed oxide solid‐state route. The deficient sample exhibited a high relative permittivity (2100±15%) over the temperature range 90‐450°C and a low dielectric loss (tanδ < 0.01), maintained up to high temperature (430°C). The samples exhibited intrinsic conduction mechanism and showed an n‐type character. By introducing 2 mol% Ba vacancies, a dramatic influence on the dielectric loss was observed which was mainly associated with the trapping of electrons by barium‐oxygen vacancy pair associated with the intentionally produced cation vacancies. Thus, control of composition by creating deficiency allows fine tuning of the dielectric properties of BT‐BMT ceramics for applications in high‐temperature multilayered ceramic capacitors.
Effect of point defects on Curie temperature of lithium niobate
Authors: Koyama Chihiro , Nozawa Jun , Fujiwara Kozo , Uda Satoshi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe effect of point defects on the Curie temperature (Tc) of LiNbO3 (LN) was investigated by combining Tc measurements with an analysis of the defect structures of LN doped with impurities having various valences. The data show that Tc of congruent LN increases with the impurity concentration up to around 3 and 2 mol% for divalent and trivalent impurities, respectively, whereas it decreases continuously with increased concentrations of tetravalent impurities. These Tc variations were examined with respect to the defect structures of impurity‐doped LN, which are expressed in the form chemical formulae using Kröger‐Vink notation. The defect structures of divalent and trivalent impurity‐doped LN are and , respectively (NbLi: Nb at Li sites; VLi: vacancies at Li sites, MLi: impurities at Li sites, and Li/Nb = the congruent ratio). The defect structure in the case of tetravalent impurities is . Analyses of the defect structures indicated that the NbLi concentration decreases with divalent or trivalent impurity doping, which increases Tc. In contrast, the NbLi concentration increases with tetravalent impurity doping, which decreases Tc. In addition, the divalent or trivalent impurity concentrations at which the NbLi concentration becomes zero were found to correspond to the concentrations at which Tc is maximized, suggesting that Tc of LN depends on the NbLi concentration.
Use of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Older Adults with Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: McGrath Emer R. , Go Alan S. , Chang Yuchiao , Borowsky Leila H. , Fang Margaret C. , Reynolds Kristi , Singer Daniel E. 
Published: December 2016

ObjectivesTo explore barriers to anticoagulation in older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) at high risk of stroke and to identify opportunities for interventions that might increase use of oral anticoagulants (OACs).DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTwo large community‐based AF cohorts.ParticipantsIndividuals with ischemic stroke surviving hospitalization (N = 1,405, mean age 79).MeasurementsUsing structured chart review, reasons for nonuse of OAC were identified, and 1‐year poststroke survival was assessed. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of OAC nonuse.ResultsMedian CHA2DS2‐VASc score was 5, yet 44% of participants were not prescribed an OAC at discharge. The most‐frequent (nonmutually exclusive) physician reasons for not prescribing OAC included fall risk (26.7%), poor prognosis (19.3%), bleeding history (17.1%), participant or family refusal (14.9%), older age (11.0%), and dementia (9.4%). Older age (odds ratio (OR) = 8.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.01–16.04 for aged ≥85 vs <65) and disability (OR = 12.58, 95% CI = 5.82–27.21 for severe vs no deficit) were the most‐important independent predictors of nonuse of OACs. By 1 year, 42.5% of those not receiving an OAC at discharge had died, versus 19.1% of those receiving an OAC (P < .001), far higher than recurrent stroke rates.ConclusionDespite very high stroke risk, more than 40% of participants were not discharged with an OAC. Dominant reasons included fall risk, poor prognosis, older age, and dementia. These individuals’ high 1‐year mortality rate confirmed their high level of comorbidity. To improve anticoagulation decisions and outcomes in this population, future research should focus on strategies to mitigate fall risk, improve assessment of risks and benefits of anticoagulation in individuals with AF, and determine whether newer anticoagulants are safer in complex elderly and frail individuals.
Effect of Resting Heart Rate on All‐Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events According to Age
Authors: Li Kuibao , Yao Chonghua , Yang Xinchun , Dong Lei 
Published: December 2016

ObjectivesTo examine whether the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular events differs according to age.DesignProspective cohort.SettingCommunity in Beijing, China.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 40 and older without cardiovascular disease at baseline (N = 6,209).MeasurementsTrained investigators interviewed participants using a standard questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics, medical history and lifestyle risk factors in 1991. RHR was evaluated according to quartiles (<72, 72–76, 76–84, ≥84 beats/min). Cox regression models were used to assess the associations between RHR and all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular events.ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up of 8.3 years, 840 subjects died, and 676 experienced a cardiovascular event. Higher RHR was significantly associated with all‐cause mortality (P trend < .001) and cardiovascular events (P trend = .002) in older (≥60) but not younger (<60) participants (both P trend > .05). There were significant modifying effects of age on the association between RHR and all‐cause mortality (P interaction < .001) and cardiovascular events (P interaction =.002). Similar results were observed after exclusion of individuals who died (n = 100) or had a cardiovascular event (n = 45) during the first 2 years of follow‐up.ConclusionHigh RHR appears to be an independent determinant of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular events in older but not younger individuals.
Pathway from Delirium to Death: Potential In‐Hospital Mediators of Excess Mortality
Authors: Dharmarajan Kumar , Swami Sunil , Gou Ray Y. , Jones Richard N. , Inouye Sharon K. 
Published: December 2016

Objectives(1) To determine the relationship of incident delirium during hospitalization with 90‐day mortality; (2) to identify potential in‐hospital mediators through which delirium increases 90‐day mortality.DesignAnalysis of data from Project Recovery, a controlled clinical trial of a delirium prevention intervention from 1995 to 1998 with follow‐up through 2000.SettingLarge academic hospital.ParticipantsPatients ≥70 years old without delirium at hospital admission who were at intermediate‐to‐high risk of developing delirium and received usual care only.Measurements(1) Incident delirium; (2) potential mediators of delirium on death including use of restraining devices (physical restraints, urinary catheters), development of hospital acquired conditions (HACs) (falls, pressure ulcers), and exposure to other noxious insults (sleep deprivation, acute malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia); (3) death within 90 days of admission.ResultsAmong 469 patients, 70 (15%) developed incident delirium. These patients were more likely to experience restraining devices (37% vs 16%, P < .001), HACs (37% vs 12%, P < .001), other noxious insults (63% vs 49%, P = .03), and 90‐day mortality (24% vs 6%, P < .001). The inverse probability weighted hazard of death due to delirium was 4.2 (95% CI = 2.8–6.3) in bivariable analyses, increased in a graded manner with additional exposures to restraining devices, HACs, and other noxious insults, and declined by 10.9% after addition of these potential mediator categories, providing evidence of mediation.ConclusionRestraining devices, HACs, and additional noxious insults were more frequent among patients with delirium, increased mortality in a graded manner, and were responsible for a significant percentage of the association of delirium with death. Additional efforts to prevent potential downstream mediators through which delirium increases mortality may help to improve outcomes among hospitalized older adults.
Unique Associations Between Big Five Personality Aspects and Multiple Dimensions of Well‐Being
Authors: Sun Jessie , Kaufman Scott Barry , Smillie Luke D. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectivePersonality traits are associated with well‐being, but the precise correlates vary across well‐being dimensions and within each Big Five domain. This study is the first to examine the unique associations between the Big Five aspects (rather than facets) and multiple well‐being dimensions.MethodTwo samples of U.S. participants (total N = 706; Mage = 36.17; 54% female) recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk completed measures of the Big Five aspects and subjective, psychological, and PERMA well‐being.ResultsOne aspect within each domain was more strongly associated with well‐being variables. Enthusiasm and Withdrawal were strongly associated with a broad range of well‐being variables, but other aspects of personality also had idiosyncratic associations with distinct forms of positive functioning (e.g., Compassion with positive relationships, Industriousness with accomplishment, and Intellect with personal growth).ConclusionsAn aspect‐level analysis provides an optimal (i.e., parsimonious yet sufficiently comprehensive) framework for describing the relation between personality traits and multiple ways of thriving in life.
Infection Process of Burkholderia glumae in Rice Spikelets
Authors: Li Lu , Wang Ling , Liu Lian Meng , Hou Yu Xuan , Huang Shi Wen , Li Qi Qin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBurkholderia glumae, which causes bacterial panicle blight of rice (BPBR), is a well‐known pathogen. The pathogen‐induced symptoms include seedling rot, grain rot and leaf‐sheath browning in rice plants. B. glumae can incubate in rice plants as endophytes before booting stage of rice. In this study, we constructed a gfp‐labelled system of B. glumae LMG 2196 and used SEM to clarify the colonization course of B. glumae at the heading stage. New locations of B. glumae were found. The pathogens initially distributed on the surface of the glumes and colonized in the glume hairs and cells of the edge of sterile lemma, palea and lemma. The base of glume hairs was the initial position for colonization. Bacterial population raised around glume hairs, penetrated into the inner surface of the palea and lemma, and spread on the gynoecium and stamens through contact. The spreading of B. glumae among the panicles mainly occurred through the contact or friction among glumes or leaf sheaths, but the inner spread of the stamens mainly occurred through the connective tissue of anther. We also detected the differences of bacterial content in stamens, gynoecia and glumes. The growing stage of B. glumae in spikelets could be divided into two sections. The biomass of all parts continued to increase to nearly 108 CFU/g at 10 DAI. This caused wilt symptoms and stopped the pollination. This work showed that glume hairs played an important role in the initial colonization of B. glumae, and provides a foundation for further studies of the infection manner of B. glumae and other pathogenic bacteria.
Utilization of teledentistry as a tool to screen for dental caries among 12‐year‐old school children in a rural region of India
Authors: Purohit Bharathi M. , Singh Abhinav , Dwivedi Ashish 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe study aims to assess the reliability of video‐graphic method as a tool to screen the dental caries among 12‐year‐old school children in a rural region of India.MethodsA total of 139 school children participated in the study. Visual tactile examinations were conducted using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Simultaneously, standardized video recording of the oral cavity was performed. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for video‐graphic assessment of dental caries. Bland–Altman plot was used to assess agreement between the two methods of caries assessment. Likelihood ratio (LR) and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the predictive accuracy of the video‐graphic method.ResultsMean DMFT for the study population was 2.47 ± 2.01 and 2.46 ± 1.91 by visual tactile and video‐graphic assessment (P = 0.76; > 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity values of 0.86 and 0.58 were established for video‐graphic assessment. A fair degree of agreement was noted between the two methods with Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value of 0.56. LR for video‐graphic assessment was 2.05. Bland–Altman plot confirmed the level of agreement between the two assessment methods. The area under curve was 0.69 (CI 0.57, 0.80, P = 0.001).ConclusionTeledentistry examination is comparable to clinical examination when screening for dental caries among school children. This study provides evidence that teledentistry may be used as an alternative screening tool for assessment of dental caries and is viable for remote consultation and treatment planning. Teledentistry offers to change the dynamics of dental care delivery and may effectively bridge the rural–urban oral health divide.
Metformin-loaded alginate nanoparticles as an effective antidiabetic agent for controlled drug release
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Bhanjana Gaurav , Verma Ritesh Kumar , Dhingra Dinesh , Dilbaghi Neeraj , Kim Ki-Hyun 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Objectives
Present modalities for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes still suffer from certain limitations such as erratic absorption, need of high dose, poor sensitivity or specificity, resistance, substantial morbidity and mortality, long-term complications, and patient-to-patient variability with lifetime treatment.

Methods
This study focused on the development of a water-in-oil-in-water metformin nanoemulsion as an effective method in diabetes treatment. As a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class III drug, metformin is hydrophilic in nature with high solubility and poor absorption characteristics. To simultaneously facilitate gastrointestinal absorption and intestinal permeability, metformin was loaded into alginate nanocapsules prepared by an emulsion cross-linking technology.

Key findings
These prepared metformin-loaded alginate nanoparticles (MLANs) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS)-based particle size analysis.

Conclusions
The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency in MLANs were 3.12 mg (the amount of metformin added in 100 mg of nanoparticles) and 78%, respectively. The results of in-vitro drug release studies and in-vivo efficacy tests (using animal models) demonstrated enhanced efficiency and response of MLANs relative to pure metformin. The efficacy of MLANs (46.8 mg/kg) was overall about three times higher than that of pure metformin150 mg/kg.
Bacteriophage formulated into a range of semisolid and solid dosage forms maintain lytic capacity against isolated cutaneous and opportunistic oral bacteria
Authors: Brown Teagan L , Thomas Tereen , Odgers Jessica , Petrovski Steve , Spark Marion Joy , Tucci Joseph 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Background
Resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial agents is of grave concern. Further research into the development of bacteriophage as therapeutic agents against bacterial infections may help alleviate this problem.

Objectives
To formulate bacteriophage into a range of semisolid and solid dosage forms and investigate the capacity of these preparations to kill bacteria under laboratory conditions.

Methods
Bacteriophage suspensions were incorporated into dosage forms such as creams, ointments, pastes, pessaries and troches. These were applied to bacterial lawns in order to ascertain lytic capacity. Stability of these formulations containing phage was tested under various storage conditions.

Key findings
A range of creams and ointments were able to support phage lytic activity against Propionibacterium acnes. Assessment of the stability of these formulations showed that storage at 4 °C in light-protected containers resulted in optimal phage viability after 90 days. Pessaries/suppositories and troches were able to support phage lytic activity against Rhodococcus equi.

Conclusions
We report here the in-vitro testing of semisolid and solid formulations of bacteriophage lytic against a range of bacteria known to contribute to infections of the epithelia. This study provides a basis for the future formulation of diverse phage against a range of bacteria that infect epithelial tissues.