bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gamma radiation aging of EVA/EPDM blends: Effect of vinyl acetate (VA) content and radiation dose on the alteration in mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior
Authors: Sharma Bhuwanesh Kumar , Krishnanand Kumar , Mahanwar P.A. , Sarma K.S.S. , Ray Chowdhury Subhendu 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTA series of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/ethylene‐propylene diene elastomer (EPDM) blends (50/50 ratio) with four types of EVAs were prepared using brabender type batch mixer followed by compression molding. All compression‐molded samples were exposed to gamma radiation at 500, 1000, and 1500 kGy doses and were subjected to mechanical, compression set, thermal and morphological test. The % retention in tensile strength, elongation, and hardness were found higher for higher vinyl acetate (VA) containing radiation aged EVA/EPDM blends. The compression set value was decreased with increase of VA content. The thermal degradation kinetics of high VA containing irradiated blend (EVA40/EPDM) (EVA40 is 40%VA containing EVA) was found slower than those of lower VA containing blend (EVA18/EPDM). The surface morphology for EVA18/EPDM sample was transformed into more irregular one with more cracks and fragmented segments by aging at 1500 kGy dose while surface for EVA40/EPDM sample was found comparatively smooth, fine, and continuous with very few cracks and fragmented parts at similar dose. Thus, from the measured properties and morphology, it was revealed that the degree of degradation of blends kept on decreasing with increase in VA content. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46216.
Preparation of dummy template‐imprinted polymers for the rapid extraction of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs residues in aquatic environmental samples
Authors: Guo Ping , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Xiaohui , Zhao Longshan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized and applied as a sorbent in the solid‐phase extraction device. The imprinted polymer was characterized by fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that imprinted polymer possess sensitive selectivity and reliable adsorption properties for five NSAIDs. The imprinted polymer was successfully applied to the pre‐concentration for five NSAIDs in different water samples prior to UPLC‐MS/MS. In the early studies, several factors were investigated, including pH adjustment, the kind of elution solvent and the volume of elution solvent. Finally, we found that the pH 5 and an aliquot of 2 mL methanol were suitable for the water samples. The limits of detection and limits of quantitation of five nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs varied from 0.007 to 0.480 μg L−1 and 0.03 to 1.58 μg L−1, respectively. The spiking recoveries of the target analytes were 50.33‐127.64% at the levels of 0.2 μg L−1, 2 μg L−1 and 5 μg L−1. The precision and accuracy of this method showed a great increase compared with traditional solid‐phase extraction. The developed method was successfully applied to extraction and analysis of NSAIDs in different water samples with satisfactory results which could help us better understand their environmental fate and risk to ecological health.
Experimental Observation of Thermally Excited Triplet States of Heavier Group 15 Element Centered Diradical Dianions
Authors: Fang Yong , Zhang Li , Cheng Cheng , Zhao Yue , Abe Manabu , Tan Gengwen , Wang Xinping 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOne‐electron reductions of Mes*As=Fl* (1; Fl*=2,7‐di‐tert‐butylfluorenylidene, Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu3C6H2) and diarsaalkenes [1,2‐b]‐IF(=AsMes*)2 (2; IF=indenofluorene) with potassium led to the isolation of the arsenic‐centered radical anion salts 1K and 2K, respectively. The diradical dianion salts 2K2 and 3K2 were afforded by the reduction of 2 and 2,8‐tBu2‐[2,1‐b]‐IF(=AsMes*)2 (3) with an excess amount of KC8. The radicals have been investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, EPR, and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, along with theoretical calculations. The calculations revealed that 2K2 and 3K2 feature open‐shell singlet ground states with singlet‐triplet energy gaps of 2.1 and 1.0 kcal mol−1, respectively. They are readily thermally excited to triplet states as demonstrated by EPR spectroscopy. The obtained diradicals represent the first examples of heavier Group 15 element centered diradicals with experimentally observable triplet states.
Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes Derived from Tröger's Base‐Based Microporous Polyimide for Gas Separation
Authors: Wang Zhenggong , Ren Huiting , Zhang Shenxiang , Zhang Feng , Jin Jian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCarbon molecular sieve (CMS)‐based membranes have attracted great attention because of their outstanding gas‐separation performance. The polymer precursor is a key point for the preparation of high‐performance CMS membranes. In this work, a microporous polyimide precursor containing a Tröger's base unit was used for the first time to prepare CMS membranes. By optimizing the pyrolysis procedure and the soaking temperature, three TB–CMS membranes were obtained. Gas‐permeation tests revealed that the comprehensive gas‐separation performance of the TB–CMS membranes was greatly enhanced relative to that of most state‐of‐the‐art CMS membranes derived from polyimides reported so far.
Pregnancy greatly affects the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport
Authors: Mullen Jenny , Gadot Yifat , Eklund Emma , Andersson Alexander , J. Schulze Jenny , Ericsson Magnus , Lindén Hirschberg Angelica , Rane Anders , Ekström Lena 
Published: January 2018

AbstractConcentrations of urinary steroids are measured in anti‐doping test programs to detect doping with endogenous steroids. These concentrations are combined into ratios and followed over time in the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The most important ratio in the ABP is the testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio but this ratio is subject to intra‐individual variations, especially large in women, which complicates interpretation. In addition, there are other factors affecting T/E. Pregnancy, for example, is known to affect the urinary excretion rate of epitestosterone and hence the T/E ratio. However, the extent of this variation and how pregnancy affect other ratios has not been fully evaluated. Here we have studied the urinary steroid profile, including 19‐norandrosterone (19‐NA), in 67 pregnant women and compared to postpartum. Epitestosterone was higher and, consequently, the T/E and 5αAdiol/E ratios were lower in the pregnant women. Androsterone/etiocholanolone (A/Etio) and 5αAdiol/5βAdiol, on the other hand, were higher in the first trimester as compared to postpartum (p<0.0001 and p=0.0396, respectively). There was no difference in A/T during pregnancy or after. 19‐NA was present in 90.5% of the urine samples collected from pregnant women. In this study, we have shown that the steroid profile of the ABP is affected by pregnancy, and hence can cause atypical passport findings. These atypical findings would lead to unnecessary confirmation procedures, if the patterns of pregnancy are not recognized by the ABP management units.
Activity and resource selection of a threatened carnivore: the case of black bears in northwestern Mexico
Authors: Lara‐Díaz Nalleli E. , Coronel‐Arellano Helí , López‐González Carlos A. , Sánchez‐Rojas Gerardo , Martínez‐Gómez Juan Esteban 
Published: January 2018

AbstractManagement and conservation strategies for endangered species require information on their temporal and spatial behavioral and habitat use relationships. We evaluated activity patterns and resource selection of black bears in northwestern Mexico. We surveyed 29 localities with 1450 camera traps stations from 2009 to 2013 in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico. In each locality, we calculated the proportion of diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular activity through a kernel density estimator based on the time of independent photographic events, and we built a beta regression between diurnal density and annual temperature, seasonal rainfall (SR), human density, road density, daylight hours, season, and management type. To evaluate resource selection, we built a binomial logistic regression model incorporating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), mean and coefficient of variation of annual temperature, human population density (PD), terrain roughness, and season. Black bear activity was primarily diurnal with a bimodal tendency around sunrise and sunset. Diurnal activity (between sunrise and sunset) was positively influenced by daylight hours, SR, and private reserves and negatively influenced by anthropogenic factors. Resource selection was positively influenced by the coefficient of variation in temperature and NDVI and negatively associated with average annual temperature, PD, and terrain roughness. Activity patterns and resource use were similar to other regions in North America. However, temperature was one of the main factors influencing black bear activity and resource selection in our study areas and should be considered when developing management plans given projected increases in temperature expected under climate change scenarios. We present the first work of its kind for northwestern Mexico and considered it as an important component in future survey and management protocols for the species in the southern portion of its distribution.
CYR61/CCN1 Regulates Sclerostin Levels and Bone Maintenance
Authors: Zhao Gexin , Huang Bau-Lin , Rigueur Diana , Wang Weiguang , Bhoot Chimay , Charles Kemberly R , Baek Jongseung , Mohan Subburaman , Jiang Jie , Lyons Karen M 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

CYR61/CCN1 is a matricellular protein that resides in the extracellular matrix, but serves regulatory rather than structural roles. CYR61/CCN1 is found in mineralized tissues and has been shown to influence bone healing in vivo and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. In this study we generated Cyr61 bone-specific knockout mice to examine the physiological role of CYR61/CCN1 in bone development and maintenance in vivo. Extensive analysis of Cyr61 conditional knockout mice showed a significant decrease in both trabecular and cortical bone mass as compared to WT littermates. Our data suggest that CYR61/CCN1 exerts its effects on mature osteoblast/osteocyte function to modulate bone mass. Specifically, changes were observed in osteocyte/osteoblast expression of RankL, VegfA, and Sost. The increase in RankL expression was correlated with a significant increase in osteoclast number; decreased VegfA expression was correlated with a significant decrease in bone vasculature; increased Sost expression was associated with decreased Wnt signaling, as revealed by decreased Axin2 expression and increased adiposity in the bone marrow. Although the decreased number of vascular elements in bone likely contributes to the low bone mass phenotype in Cyr61 conditional knockout mice, this cannot explain the observed increase in osteoclasts and the decrease in Wnt signaling. We conducted in vitro assays using UMR-106 osteosarcoma cells to explore the role CYR61/CCN1 plays in modulating Sost mRNA and protein expression in osteocytes and osteoblasts. Overexpression of CYR61/CCN1 can suppress Sost expression in both control and Cyr61 knockout cells, and blocking Sost with siRNA can rescue Wnt responsiveness in Cyr61 knockout cells in vitro. Overall, our data suggest that CYR61/CCN1 modulates mature osteoblast and osteocyte function to regulate bone mass through angiogenic effects as well as by modulating Wnt signaling, at least in part through the Wnt antagonist Sost. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Association between pre‐sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and bone mineral density in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Bering Tatiana , Diniz Kiara G.D. , Coelho Marta Paula P. , Vieira Diego A. , Soares Maria Marta S. , Kakehasi Adriana M. , Correia Maria Isabel T.D. , Teixeira Rosângela , Queiroz Dulciene M.M. , Rocha Gifone A. , Silva Luciana D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPreserved skeletal muscle is essential for the maintenance of healthy bone. Loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle strength, considered a predictor of BMD, have been demonstrated in patients with cirrhosis, but they are poorly studied in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) without cirrhosis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of low BMD and its association with body composition, muscle strength, and nutritional status in CHC.MethodsOne hundred and four subjects [mean age, 50.5 ± 11.3 years; 75.0% males; 67.3% non‐cirrhotic; and 32.7% with compensated cirrhosis] with CHC, prospectively, underwent scanning of the lean tissue, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), fat mass, lumbar spine, hip, femoral neck, and whole‐body BMD by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength was assessed by dynamometry. Sarcopenia was defined by the presence of both low, ASM/height2 (ASMI) and low muscle strength according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. The cut‐off points for low ASMI and low muscle strength, for women and men, were < 5.45 and < 7.26 kg/m2 and < 20 and < 30 kg, respectively. According to the adopted World Health Organization criteria in men aged > 50 years, the T‐score of osteopenia is between −1.0 and −2.49 standard deviation (SD) below the young average value and of osteoporosis is ≥−2.5 SD below the young normal mean for men, and the Z‐score of low bone mass is ≤−2.0 SD below the expected range in men aged < 50 years and women in the menacme. Nutritional status evaluation was based on the Controlling Nutritional Status score.ResultsLow BMD, low muscle strength, pre‐sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity were observed in 34.6% (36/104), 27.9% (29/104), 14.4% (15/104), 8.7% (9/104), and 3.8% (4/104) of the patients, respectively. ASMI was an independent predictor of BMD (P < 0.001). Sarcopenia was independently associated with bone mineral content (P = 0.02) and malnutrition (P = 0.01). In 88.9% of the sarcopenic patients and in all with sarcopenic obesity, BMI was normal. The mid‐arm muscle circumference was positively correlated with ASMI (r = 0.88; P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate that ASM is an independent predictor of BMD in CHC. Mid‐arm muscle circumference coupled with handgrip strength testing should be incorporated into routine clinical practice to detect low muscle mass, which may be underdiagnosed when only BMI is used. These findings may influence clinical decision‐making and contribute to the development of effective strategies to screen the musculoskeletal abnormalities in CHC patients, independently of the stage of the liver disease.
Ecophysiology of the internal cycling of nitrogen for tree growth
Authors: Millard Peter 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInternal cycling of nitrogen has been shown to be a major source of nitrogen used for the seasonal growth of both evergreen and deciduous trees providing up to 90% of N used for leaf growth of some species. The processes of internal cycling comprise seasonal nitrogen storage, followed by remobilisation during either periods of growth (e.g. in the spring) or during leaf senescence. The ecophysiology of these processes is reviewed, along with the methods used to quantify their contribution to tree growth.Nitrogen budget studies have been widely used to estimate internal cycling, particularly in relation to soil fertility. These studies have shown that as trees develop their rate of N uptake decreases, but as they grow their storage capacity increases, However, budget studies are imprecise and have not always quantified remobilisation adequately. An alternative approach has been the use of 15N to quantify N uptake and partitioning, allowing precise measurements of N storage and remobilisation to be made. The use of isotopes has allowed experiments to be run which have shown that environmental factors such as soil fertility influence the amount of N stored, but have no direct influence upon the amount of N remobilised. These methods are discussed in light of recent research on N remobilisation, which has provided an understanding of the processes of storage and remobilisation which potentially allows direct measurements to be made in field grown trees for the first time.
Genesis and dynamics of an oxic dystrochrept and a typic haploperox from ultrabasic rock in the tropical rain forest climate of south‐east Brazil
Authors: Pfisterer Ulrich , Blume Hans‐Peter , Kanig Martin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOxisols are a product of long and intense weathering. Their actual characteristics can neither be traced back to a certain climatic period, nor do they reveal the present soil‐forming factors. In this paper, therefore, a reconstruction of the soil genesis of a strongly weathered Oxisol is attempted by comparing the present mineralogical status and the recent dynamics of selected elements with a nearby Inceptisol from the same catena. The parent rock of both soils is serpentinized dunite with nepheline‐syenitic veins; the soil moisture regime is udic. Chemical and mineralogical parameters, as well as the concentration of elements in the soil solution of a Typic Haploperox and an Oxic Dystrochrept from the same catena were analyzed for one year. The dynamics of Si and Mg strongly depended on the state of weathering. In the saprolite of the Dystrochrept, Si is partially removed and partially fixed by the formation of quartz and mixed layer minerals. Mg is first fixed in mixed layer minerals, but is during consecutive weathering leached from the transition zone from saprolite to the oxic horizon. Due to the high redox potential, Fe is not soluble, forming goethite in the upper part of the saprolite. Al is also not removed and is finally fixed in kaolinite. In the weathered upper part of both profiles the concentration of Al, Si, Mg and Fe in the soil solution is too low to perceive a further weathering.The present dynamics of Fe, Al, Mg and Si and the mineralogical status of the Dystrochrept indicate that these processes are similar to those that have led to the formation of the Haploperox. The soils, therefore, developed exclusively by the relative enrichment of Al and Fe, the partial loss of Si and the almost complete loss of Mg. Desilification and ‘laterisation’ are hence processes occurring also presently under a tropical rain forest climate.
Are they all “serendipitous”?
Authors: Morita Takeyuki , Johnston Charles Samuel 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMcKercher's cultural tourist typology (2002) has been used widely for destinations. This research began as a replication of McKercher; the current paper reports new insights. The aims are to examine the typology at New Zealand's Bay of Islands and modify it accordingly. Our modification provides improved understanding of the Serendipitous tourist. The relatively large number of Serendipitous tourists visiting the Bay of Islands suggested that they could be broken into 2 different groups, expanding McKercher's original 5 typologies into a conventional 2‐by‐3 matrix. “Serendipitous” remains a useful label for one group, and “Ancillary” was chosen for the newly identified subtype. Differences between them are explained.
Population-Specific Migration Patterns of Wild Adult Summer-Run Chinook Salmon Passing Wells Dam, Washington
Authors: Mann Ryan D. , Snow Charles G. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Summer-run Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha migrating over Wells Dam, Washington, enter a habitat characterized by blocked upstream access, high tributary water temperature regimes, and robust tribal and recreational fisheries. In 2011, we initiated a 2-year radiotelemetry study to identify population-specific run timing, movement, and mortality of naturally produced fish passing the dam. Five hundred seventeen salmon were radio-tagged at Wells Dam over 2 years of study. The highest proportion (44%) of tagged fish escaped to the Okanogan River, but spawning populations from the Methow River (16%), Wenatchee River (6%), Entiat River (5%), and the Columbia River upstream (14%) and downstream of Wells Dam (14%) were also represented. In general, tributary-spawning fish had significantly earlier run timing than did main-stem–spawning fish. We observed very little movement among spawning tributaries, but a significant proportion of fish (~30%) were detected holding in the tailrace of Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River prior to spawning, including fish from populations many kilometers downstream of Wells Dam. Fallback was common in each year of the study, and we calculated that passage at Wells Dam was overestimated by 27.5% in 2011 and 32.0% in 2012 due to fallback and re-ascension. Of the fish that remained upstream, 16% in 2011 and 22% in 2012 were estimated to have died prior to spawning, excluding fish that were known or suspected to have been harvested. In 2012, warm water temperatures (&gt;20°C) in the Okanogan River resulted in a thermal barrier that delayed migration but did not affect spawning distribution within the river compared with 2011, when no significant thermal barrier was detected. Our results highlight some of the complex migration and distribution patterns of natural-origin Chinook Salmon passing Wells Dam and should assist managers in upstream population and fishery modeling efforts.
Evaluation of Unbaited Hoop Nets for Simultaneously Assessing Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish populations in the Minnesota River
Authors: Sindt Anthony R. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Fisheries managers desire efficient sampling methods with sufficient precision for monitoring ictalurid catfish populations. For this study, I conducted single unbaited hoop-net surveys in the Minnesota River to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneously assessing stock-size (≥280-mm) Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and quality-size (≥510-mm) Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris populations. I compared catch rates and length-frequency distributions among months (April–September) and used resampling procedures to estimate the number of hoop-net samples needed to achieve desirable precision of catch rate estimates and adequate statistical power. Catch rates (mean ± SE) were 2.1 ± 0.3 fish/net-night for Channel Catfish and 0.8 ± 0.1 fish/net-night for Flathead Catfish. Resampling procedures demonstrated that desirable precision (i.e., relative SE ≤ 25) and adequate statistical power (≥0.80 with α = 0.10) to detect 50% reductions in mean catch rates with two-tailed t-tests could be achieved for both species with as few as 68 hoop-net samples during August. Unbaited hoop nets are effective for simultaneously assessing Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish populations in the Minnesota River, and conducting surveys during August provides the best balance between catch rate and precision while minimizing perceived environmental and behavioral biases. However, the amount of sampling effort needed to detect small population changes (&lt;50%) and to collect sufficient sample sizes for age and growth analyses may be logistically prohibitive. This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating precision and statistical power of sampling methods so that fisheries managers can identify the most suitable methods for their specific objectives.