bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moving south: effects of water temperatures on the larval development of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) in cool‐temperate Australia
Authors: Wijethunga Uditha , Greenlees Matthew , Shine Richard 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe distributional limits of many ectothermic species are set by thermal tolerances of early‐developmental stages in the life history; embryos and larvae often are less able to buffer environmental variation than are conspecific adults. In pond‐breeding amphibians, for example, cold water may constrain viability of eggs and larvae, even if adults can find suitable thermal conditions in terrestrial niches. Invasive species provide robust model systems for exploring these questions, because we can quantify thermal challenges at the expanding range edge (from field surveys) and larval responses to thermal conditions (in the laboratory). Our studies on invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) at the southern (cool‐climate) edge of their expanding range in Australia show that available ponds often average around 20°C during the breeding period, 10°C lower than in many areas of the toads’ native range, or in the Australian tropics. Our laboratory experiments showed that cane toad eggs and larvae cannot develop successfully at 16°C, but hatching success and larval survival rates were higher at 20°C than in warmer conditions. Lower temperatures slowed growth rates, increasing the duration of tadpole life, but also increased metamorph body mass. Water temperature also influenced metamorph body shape (high temperatures reduced relative limb length, head width, and body mass) and locomotor performance (increased speed from intermediate temperatures, longer hops from high temperatures). In combination with previous studies, our data suggest that lower water temperatures may enhance rather than reduce recruitment of cane toads, at least in areas where pond temperatures reach or exceed 20°C. That condition is fulfilled over a wide area of southern Australia, suggesting that the continuing expansion of this invasive species is unlikely to be curtailed by the impacts of relatively low water temperatures on the viability of early life‐history stages.
Ecological role of vertebrate scavengers in urban ecosystems in the UK
Authors: Inger Richard , Cox Daniel T. C. , Per Esra , Norton Briony A. , Gaston Kevin J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRecent research has demonstrated how scavenging, the act of consuming dead animals, plays a key role in ecosystem structure, functioning, and stability. A growing number of studies suggest that vertebrate scavengers also provide key ecosystem services, the benefits humans gain from the natural world, particularly in the removal of carcasses from the environment. An increasing proportion of the human population is now residing in cities and towns, many of which, despite being highly altered environments, contain significant wildlife populations, and so animal carcasses. Indeed, non‐predation fatalities may be higher within urban than natural environments. Despite this, the fate of carcasses in urban environments and the role vertebrate scavengers play in their removal have not been determined. In this study, we quantify the role of vertebrate scavengers in urban environments in three towns in the UK. Using experimentally deployed rat carcasses and rapid fire motion‐triggered cameras, we determined which species were scavenging and how removal of carcass biomass was partitioned between them. Of the 63 experimental carcasses deployed, vertebrate scavenger activity was detected at 67%. There was a significantly greater depletion in carcass biomass in the presence (mean loss of 194 g) than absence (mean loss of 14 g) of scavengers. Scavenger activity was restricted to three species, Carrion crows Corvus corone, Eurasian magpies Pica pica, and European red foxes Vulpes vulpes. From behavioral analysis, we estimated that a maximum of 73% of the carcass biomass was removed by vertebrate scavengers. Despite having low species richness, the urban scavenger community in our urban study system removed a similar proportion of carcasses to those reported in more pristine environments. Vertebrate scavengers are providing a key urban ecosystem service in terms of carcass removal. This service is, however, often overlooked, and the species that provide it are among some of the most disliked and persecuted.
From the ground up: biotic and abiotic features that set the course from genes to ecosystems
Authors: Benkman Craig W. , Jech Sierra , Talluto Lauren 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSpatial variation in cone serotiny in Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia) across Yellowstone National Park influences initial pine recruitment after stand‐replacing fire with tremendous population, community, and ecosystem consequences. A previous study showed that much of the spatial variation in serotiny results from the balance of selection arising from high frequencies of fire favoring serotiny countered by opposing selection exerted by American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) as seed predators. This earlier study, however, assumed stable local red squirrel densities over multiple generations of pines. Here, we examine environmental properties that might contribute to long‐term stability in the densities of red squirrels among sites. We found that the amount of clay in the soil, an indicator of plant and fungal growth—the latter an important food resource for red squirrels—and the coefficient of variation (CV) in diameter at breast height (DBH) of forest trees together account for a substantial amount of variation in red squirrel density. Soil development occurs over very long time scales, and thus, intersite variation in the amount of clay is unlikely to shift across pine generations. However, CV of DBH and squirrel density increase with stand age, which acts to amplify selection against serotiny with increasing interfire interval. Regardless, much of the variation in the CV of DBH is accounted for by soil bulk density, mean annual temperature, and surface curvature, which are unlikely to vary in their relative differences among sites over time. Consequently, these soil and abiotic attributes could contribute to consistent spatial patterns of red squirrel densities from one pine generation to the next, resulting in consistent local and spatial variation in selection exerted by red squirrels against serotiny.
Postpolymerization modification of a hydroxy monolith precursor. Part I. Epoxy alkane and octadecyl isocyanate modified poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐pentaerythritol triacrylate) monolithic capillary columns for reversed‐phase capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Khadka Shantipriya , El Rassi Ziad 
Published: September 2016

A novel precursor monolithic capillary column referred to as “hydroxy monolith” or OHM was prepared by the in situ copolymerization of hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) yielding the neutral poly(HEMA‐co‐PETA) monolith. The neutral precursor OHM capillary thus obtained was subjected to postpolymerization modifications of the hydroxyl functional groups present on its surface with 1,2‐epoxyalkanes catalyzed by boron trifluoride (BF3) ultimately providing Epoxy OHM C‐m capillary column at varying alkyl chain lengths where m = 8, 12, 14, and 16 for RP‐CEC. Also, the same precursor OHM was grafted with octadecyl isocyanate yielding Isocyanato OHM C‐18 column to provide an insight into the effect of the nature of the linkage to the surface hydroxyl groups of the OHM precursor. While the epoxide reaction leaves on the surface of the OHM precursor hydroxy‐ether linkages, the isocyanato reaction leaves carbamate linkages on the same surface of the OHM precursor. This study revealed that changing the alkyl chain length resulted in changing the column phase ratio (ϕ) and also the solute distribution constant (K). While increasing the surface alkyl chain length increased steeply the solute hydrophobic selectivity, i.e. methylene group selectivity, the nature of the ligand linkage produced different retention for the same solutes and affected the selectivity of slightly polar solutes. The various monoliths proved very useful for RP‐CEC of different small solutes at varying polarity over a wide range of mobile phase composition.
Lithium–Sulfur Batteries with High Rate and Cycle Performance by using Multilayered Separators coated with Ketjen Black
Authors: Tang Hao , Yao Shanshan , Shen Xiangqian , Xi Xiaoming , Xiao Kesong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe commercialization of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries remains challenging due to their poor rate performance and low cycle stability, which can be partly attributed to the insulation of sulfur/lithium sulfide and the migration of polysulfides from the sulfur cathode to the anode. While much effort has been devoted to designing the structure of sulfur cathodes for suppressing the dissolution of polysulfides, relatively little emphasis has been placed on modifying the separator. In this work, we demonstrated an approach to modify the pristine separator by coating a Ketjen Black (KB) layer, and we mainly investigated the impact of different layers of modified‐separator on electrochemical performance of Li–S battery. With the three layers of modified‐separator, the battery possess a high initial discharge capacity of 1430 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and deliver discharge capacities of 770 mAh g−1 and 522 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles, respectively, at high rate of 2 C and 4 C. Moreover, when the rate is increased to 6 C, the cell can also deliver a discharge capacity of 300 mAh g−1. These encouraging electrochemical results highlight the excellent rate capability and high cycle stability of Li–S battery, which could be attributed to high electron conductivity of the KB layer and the new cell configuration. This facile approach to restrain the shuttle effect of polysulfides makes further progress in obtaining enhanced performance of Li–S battery.
Electrocaloric Refrigeration Cycles with Large Cooling Capacity in Barium Titanate Ceramics Near Room Temperature
Authors: Bai Yang , Han Xi , Ding Kai , Qiao Lijie 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis paper reports electrocaloric effect (ECE) refrigeration with large cooling capacity in BaTiO3 ceramics near room temperature, which is repeated cycling near a first‐order phase transition despite the hysteresis. ECE refrigeration is well manipulated by electric fields around the orthorhombic–tetragonal phase transition. After heating under an electric field of 5 kV cm−1 and removing the field at 14.5 °C, a large ECE cooling of 0.38 J g−1 (ΔT/E=1.7 K m MV−1) is produced and recorded by direct heat‐flow measurements. The cycle can be completed and repeated after cooling to 10.5 °C or lower temperatures and by applying electric fields. Stronger electric fields will induce a larger endothermic value over a wide temperature window. The large ECE value is also confirmed by quasidirect entropy change measurements, which further predict its variation under higher electric fields.
Monitoring of contaminants in recycled paperboard for food contact applications
Authors: Giannetti Vanessa , Boccacci Mariani Maurizio , Mannino Paola 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe lack of harmonized European legislation on food packaging led the Confederation of European Paper Industries to the proposal of a voluntary Industry Guideline for the compliance of paper and board materials for food contact applications. In the present work, a previously established method for the simultaneous determination of contaminants commonly found in recycled paperboard was improved and its applicability as a quality control tool in the paper industry was also assessed. The method involves a sample pre‐treatment followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis.RESULTSFor analysis, paperboard samples were collected both from three sections of the same reel and from different reels belonging to the same production run. Results highlighted no significant differences in terms of contaminant distribution among samples, which ensured good sampling representativeness. The performance of the method was considerably improved in terms of linearity range, limits of detection and quantification (5‐ to 2‐fold lower) by using a quadrupole GC/MS system instead of an ion trap GC/MS system.CONCLUSIONThe proposed method could offer a key strategy for analysis of benzophenone derivatives, diisopropyl naphthalene and phthalates in recycled paperboard in order to assess compliance of food packaging with the voluntary limits recommended by the Industry Guideline. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Mannanase Man23 mutant library construction based on a novel cell‐free protein expression system
Authors: Zhou Haiyan , Yong Jie , Gao Han , Li Tong , Xiao Hongshi , Wu Yongyao 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDMannanases are important enzymes which are widely used as a tool in agriculture and food industries. To improve the performance of mannanase Man23, a mutant library was created with rational design, and mutations were introduced on loops around the catalytic region. The Brevibacillus brevis B16 cell‐free system which was created in this experiment provided the ability to express the mutant library efficiently. The activities of mutants were measured with a multi‐volume spectrophotometer.RESULTSThe mutant Man1606 gained from this system is a sextet which has mutations of N146G, S147H, S156P, T157Y, Q206S and T249H simultaneously on loops 6, 8 and 10. Man1606 showed higher activity and stability than Man23. The optimal temperature of Man1606 rose by 5 °C (from 55 to 60 °C) and the optimal pH increased slightly but its range became broader.CONCLUSIONThis experiment demonstrated the B. brevis cell‐free system shortens the expression time and is an efficient tool for mannanase engineering. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Stimulated Raman scattering in natural crystals of fluorapatite, Ca5(PO4)3F
Authors: Kaminskii Alexander A. , Bohatý Ladislav , Lux Oliver , Rhee Hanjo , Eichler Hans Joachim , Libowitzky Eugen , Kleinschrodt Reiner , Yoneda Hitoki , Shirakawa Akira , Becker Petra 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHexagonal Ca5(PO4)3F, known as natural crystal fluorapatite and oldest host‐crystal for Ln3+‐lasant ions, is presented as a Raman‐active material. High‐order Raman‐induced χ(3)‐nonlinear processes are discovered in natural crystals of fluorapatite under picosecond pumping at 1.064 μm and 0.532 μm wavelength. A multitude of Stokes and anti‐Stokes components is generated in the ultraviolet, visible and near‐infrared spectral region by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and Raman four‐wave mixing (FWHM), resulting in a frequency comb with a width of 520 THz. The spectral lines are identified and attributed to the ν1(Ag) vibration mode of the tetrahedral [PO4] units which is related to a Raman shift of ωSRS ≈ 965 cm−1. The first Stokes steady‐state Raman gain coefficient in the near‐infrared spectral range is estimated to be >0.38 cm·GW−1. Finally, a short review of SRS‐promoting vibration modes and observed χ(3)‐ nonlinear interactions in all known SRS‐active natural crystals (minerals) is given.
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Adiabatic process of higher electronically excited states: luminescence from an excited state biradical generated by irradiation of benzophenone‐substituted cyclopropanes
Authors: Matsui Yasunori , Oishi Toru , Ohta Eisuke , Ikeda Hiroshi 
Published: September 2016

Adiabatic photochemical reactions of cyclopropanes possessing a benzophenone moiety (trans‐ and cis‐5), which generate a luminescent excited biradical 16••*, were studied. Various photochemical and spectroscopic techniques were used for this purpose. Excitation (350 nm, n,π* band) of 5 at 77 K affords the lowest excited state 15* that undergoes intersystem crossing to form 35*, which deactivates through phosphorescence. In contrast, 295‐nm excitation (π,π* band) of 5 affords the higher electronically excited state 15**, which undergoes adiabatic C–C bond cleavage reaction to form the excited biradical 16••* that luminesces at 630 nm. The results suggest that 5 follows 2 photoreaction modes depending on the excitation wavelength, a finding that disobeys Kasha's rule.
The relationship between the Madden–Julian Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Jiang Zhina , Feldstein Steven B. , Lee Sukyoung 
Published: September 2016

In this study, the relationship between the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is investigated by analysing NAO events both when the MJO is active and inactive. The European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Re‐Analysis (ERA‐Interim) dataset is used, for the years 1979–2006 and the months December–February.When the MJO is active, negative (positive) NAO events are preceded by enhanced MJO convection over the tropical western and central Pacific Ocean (tropical Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent). The accompanying sea‐level pressure (SLP) anomaly fields reveal patterns that closely resemble the northern annular mode (NAM). The MJO‐related negative NAO events are preceded by an increase in the vertical propagation of planetary‐scale wave activity into the stratosphere, followed by a marked weakening of the zonally symmetric component of the lower stratospheric zonal wind. The opposite behaviour is found for the MJO‐related positive NAO events. The MJO‐related NAO events are also long‐lived, persisting for approximately 30 days. In contrast, when the MJO is inactive, there is little change to the zonally symmetric component of the lower stratospheric zonal wind, these events are relatively short‐lived, lasting for about 10 days, and the NAO corresponds to a dipole that is confined to the North Atlantic.
Making Sense of Science Texts: A Mixed‐Methods Examination of Predictors and Processes of Multiple‐Text Comprehension
Authors: Davis Dennis S. , Huang Becky , Yi Tanisha 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPrevious research has identified various factors that contribute to readers’ comprehension of expository texts, including strategy expertise, language proficiency, prior knowledge, and more recently, readers’ beliefs about knowledge. This study addresses the need to understand the relative contributions of these predictors to readers’ comprehension of multiple texts and the processes used by readers to make sense of texts. Eighty‐three students (grades 5–7) participated in this mixed‐methods study. The sample consisted of monolingual students and emergent and proficient bilingual students who completed measures of expository comprehension, strategic knowledge and awareness, English‐language proficiency, prior content knowledge, and epistemic beliefs. Ten bilingual students from this sample also completed a think‐aloud protocol to allow for close examination of their meaning‐making processes. In a multiple regression analysis, English‐language proficiency was the strongest predictor of comprehension, followed by content knowledge. Strategy knowledge and awareness and epistemic beliefs were not related to multiple‐text comprehension in the model. The relationship between English‐language proficiency and comprehension was stronger for bilingual students than for monolingual students. Students in the think‐aloud sample demonstrated emergent knowledge of processes of disciplinary reading of multiple texts, including metacognitive monitoring, theorizing authorial identity, and intertextual integration, while also displaying a tendency to defer to institutionalized authority when evaluating credibility of the texts. The findings provide directions for future research on the way young adolescents comprehend and learn from expository texts in the discipline of science.
Emerging roles and context of circular RNAs
Authors: Panda Amaresh C. , Grammatikakis Ioannis , Munk Rachel , Gorospe Myriam , Abdelmohsen Kotb 
Published: September 2016

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a large class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have recently emerged as regulators of gene expression. They have been shown to suppress microRNAs, thereby increasing the translation and stability of the targets of such microRNAs. In this review, we discuss the emerging functions of circRNAs, including RNA transcription, splicing, turnover, and translation. We also discuss other possible facets of circRNAs that can influence their function depending on the cell context, such as circRNA abundance, subcellular localization, interacting partners (RNA, DNA, and proteins), dynamic changes in interactions following stimulation, and potential circRNA translation. The ensuing changes in gene expression patterns elicited by circRNAs are proposed to drive key cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, that govern health and disease. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1386. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1386This article is categorized under:

RNA-Based Catalysis > RNA Catalysis in Splicing and Translation
RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Disclosure of the Resident Role in the Interventional Radiology Suite: How Do Interventional Radiologists Balance Patient Care and Resident Education?
Authors: Zener Rebecca , Wiseman Daniele 
Published: September 2016

Purpose The study sought to assess how academic interventional radiologists determine and disclose to patients the intraprocedural role of radiology residents in the interventional radiology (IR) suite. Methods A qualitative study consisting of in-person interviews with 9 academic interventional radiologists from 3 hospitals was conducted. Interviews were transcribed, and underwent modified thematic analysis. Results Seven themes emerged. 1) Interventional radiologists permit residents to perform increasingly complex procedures with graded responsibility. While observed technical ability is important in determining the extent of resident participation, possessing good judgement and knowing personal limitations are paramount. 2) Interventional radiologists do not explicitly inform patients in detail about residents' intraprocedural role, as trainee involvement is viewed as implicit at academic institutions. 3) While patients are advised of resident participation in IR procedures, detailed disclosure of their role is viewed as potentially detrimental to both patient well-being and trainee education. 4) Interventional radiologists believe that patients might be less likely to refuse resident involvement if they meet them prior to procedures. 5) While it is rare that patients refuse resident participation in their care, interventional radiologists' duty to respect patient autonomy supersedes their obligation to resident education. 6) Interventional radiologists are responsible for any intraprocedural, trainee-related complication. 7) Trainees should be present when complications are disclosed to patients. Conclusion Interventional radiologists recognize the confidence placed in them, and they do not inform patients in detail about residents' role in IR procedures. Respecting patient autonomy is paramount, and while rare, obeying patients' wishes can potentially be at the expense of resident education.