bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic Engineering toward Near‐Infrared Absorption of Materials Containing Perylene Diimide
Authors: Cann Jonathan R. , Cabanetos Clement , Welch Gregory C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe ability to tune the dye structure synthetically has been crucial in the development of materials with tailored properties for given applications. In this contribution, a series of discrete molecules are reported, which are constructed from the perylene diimide (PDI) chromophore and three dyes, namely thienyl diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPPTh2), pyridyl diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPPPyr2), and thienoisoindigo (TII). Through the choice of dye molecule and linking of the dye and PDI through conjugated acetylene bridges, the light‐harvesting characteristics can be engineered to exhibit optical absorption in the range 300–900 nm. Each molecule shows ambipolar redox behavior, leading to unique electrochromic behavior.
Evaluation of markers out of the steroid profile for the screening of testosterone misuse. Part II: Intramuscular administration
Authors: Kotronoulas Aristotelis , Gomez‐Gómez Àlex , Fabregat Andreu , Segura Jordi , Yang Sheng , Xing Yanyi , Moutian Wu , Marcos Josep , Joglar Jesús , Ventura Rosa , Pozo Oscar J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn the fight against doping, the introduction of alternative markers to the steroid profile can be considered as an effective approach to improve the screening capabilities for the detection of testosterone (T) misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of several T metabolites (cysteinyl conjugated and glucuronoconjugated resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis) to detect both the transdermal and the intramuscular administration of T. In Part I of the study, we studied the potential of these metabolites for the detection of T transdermal administration. Results revealed that resistant glucuronides can be a suitable complement to the current steroid profile. In this, Part II, dedicated to the intramuscular administration, we studied the potential of cysteinyl conjugated, resistant glucuronoconjugated and 1‐cyclopentenoylglycine (1‐CPG) for the detection of a single intramuscular injection of T cypionate. Possible differences in the excretion profile of all markers were explored between individuals with low basal (n=6) and medium basal (n=6) values of the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio (T/E). The results showed that all tested markers presented low intra‐individual stability in basal conditions. Despite this, all glucuronoconjugated markers and 1‐CPG, but not the cysteinyl conjugated markers, provided detection windows that were similar or longer than those obtained by markers currently included in the steroid profile. Based on the results obtained from the 2 parts of this study and from previously reported data, the potential applicability and the limitations of including these markers in the steroid profile are discussed.
Wild bee and floral diversity co‐vary in response to the direct and indirect impacts of land use
Authors: Papanikolaou Alexandra D. , Kühn Ingolf , Frenzel Mark , Kuhlmann Michael , Poschlod Peter , Potts Simon G. , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Schweiger Oliver 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLoss of habitat area and diversity poses a threat to communities of wild pollinators and flowering plants in agricultural landscapes. Pollinators, such as wild bees, and insect‐pollinated plants are two groups of organisms that closely interact. Nevertheless, it is still not clear how species richness and functional diversity, in terms of pollination‐relevant traits, of these two groups influence each other and how they respond to land use change. In the present study, we used data from 24 agricultural landscapes in seven European countries to investigate the effect of landscape composition and habitat richness on species richness and functional diversity of wild bees and insect‐pollinated plants. We characterized the relationships between the diversity of bees and flowering plants and identified indirect effects of landscape on bees and plants mediated by these relationships. We found that increasing cover of arable land negatively affected flowering plant species richness, while increasing habitat richness positively affected the species richness and functional diversity of bees. In contrast, the functional diversity of insect‐pollinated plants (when corrected for species richness) was unaffected by landscape composition, and habitat richness showed little relation to bee functional diversity. We additionally found that bee species richness positively affected plant species richness and that bee functional diversity was positively affected by both species richness and functional diversity of plants. The relationships between flowering plant and bee diversity were modulated by indirect effects of landscape characteristics on the biotic communities. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that landscape properties affect plant and bee communities in both direct and indirect ways. The interconnection between the diversities of wild bees and insect‐pollinated plants increases the risk for parallel declines, extinctions, and functional depletion. Our study highlights the necessity of considering the interplay between interacting species groups when assessing the response of entire communities to land use changes.
‘Local gradient’ and between‐site variability of erosion rate on badlands in the Karoo, South Africa
Authors: Favis‐Mortlock David , Boardman John , Foster Ian , Greenwood Philip 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSite‐average values of local gradient, defined as the steepest slope angle measured at a point, are a powerful predictor of long‐term rates of soil loss as measured by erosion pins on the non‐channel floor portions of ten badland study sites in the Karoo area of South Africa. Local gradient may be easily measured using a smartphone clinometer. The successful use of local gradient here is in strong contrast to the previous failure of other site‐specific attributes, including other measures of gradient and relief, to explain between‐site variation in erosion rate on these study sites.Each measurement of local gradient may be thought of as a sample of the site's microtopography. Microrelief is a strong determinant of the emergent patterns of inter‐channel overland flow, and hence of the patterns of inter‐channel erosion by flow. Local gradient changes most rapidly during the initial stages of channel incision. When channels are established, local gradient changes more slowly leading to almost‐parallel retreat of channel sidewalls.A sensitivity analysis suggests that measurements of local gradient are not all equal with regard to prediction of long‐term erosion rate. A greater share of predictive power is contributed by measurements made on very steep or vertical channel side wall areas, and a lesser share is contributed by measurements made on interfluves. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproducibility ofEEG‐MEGfusion source analysis of interictal spikes: Relevance in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy
Authors: Chowdhury Rasheda Arman , Pellegrino Giovanni , Aydin Ümit , Lina Jean‐Marc , Dubeau François , Kobayashi Eliane , Grova Christophe 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFusion of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data using maximum entropy on the mean method (MEM‐fusion) takes advantage of the complementarities between EEG and MEG to improve localization accuracy. Simulation studies demonstrated MEM‐fusion to be robust especially in noisy conditions such as single spike source localizations (SSSL). Our objective was to assess the reliability of SSSL using MEM‐fusion on clinical data. We proposed to cluster SSSL results to find the most reliable and consistent source map from the reconstructed sources, the so‐calledconsensus map. Thirty‐four types of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) were analyzed from 26 patients with well‐defined epileptogenic focus. SSSLs were performed on EEG, MEG, and fusion data and consensus maps were estimated using hierarchical clustering. Qualitative (spike‐to‐spike reproducibility rate, SSR) and quantitative (localization error and spatial dispersion) assessments were performed using the epileptogenic focus as clinical reference. Fusion SSSL provided significantly better results than EEG or MEG alone. Fusion found at least one cluster concordant with the clinical reference in all cases. This concordant cluster was always the one involving the highest number of spikes. Fusion yielded highest reproducibility (SSR EEG = 55%, MEG = 71%, fusion = 90%) and lowest localization error. Also, using only few channels from either modality (21EEG + 272MEG or 54EEG + 25MEG) was sufficient to reach accurate fusion. MEM‐fusion with consensus map approach provides an objective way of finding the most reliable and concordant generators of IEDs. We, therefore, suggest the pertinence of SSSL using MEM‐fusion as a valuable clinical tool for presurgical evaluation of epilepsy.
Estimating restorable wetland water storage at landscape scales
Authors: Jones Charles Nathan , Evenson Grey R. , McLaughlin Daniel L. , Vanderhoof Melanie K. , Lang Megan W. , McCarty Greg W. , Golden Heather E. , Lane Charles R. , Alexander Laurie C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGlobally, hydrologic modifications such as ditching and subsurface drainage have significantly reduced wetland water storage capacity (i.e., volume of surface water a wetland can retain) and consequent wetland functions. While wetland area has been well documented across many landscapes and used to guide restoration efforts, few studies have directly quantified the associated wetland storage capacity. Here, we present a novel raster‐based approach to quantify both contemporary and potential (i.e., restorable) storage capacities of individual depressional basins across landscapes. We demonstrate the utility of this method by applying it to the Delmarva Peninsula, a region punctuated by both depressional wetlands and drainage ditches. Across the entire peninsula, we estimated that restoration (i.e., plugging ditches) could increase storage capacity by 80%. Focusing on an individual watershed, we found that over 59% of restorable storage capacity occurs within 20 m of the drainage network, and that 93% occurs within 1 m elevation of the drainage network. Our demonstration highlights widespread ditching in this landscape, spatial patterns of both contemporary and potential storage capacities, and clear opportunities for hydrologic restoration. In Delmarva and more broadly, our novel approach can inform targeted landscape‐scale conservation and restoration efforts to optimize hydrologically mediated wetland functions.
Delineation of flood generating processes and their hydrological response
Authors: Keller Luise , Rössler Ole , Martius Olivia , Weingartner Rolf 
Published: November 2017

AbstractKnowledge about flood generating processes can be beneficial for numerous applications. Especially in the context of climate change impact assessment, daily patterns of meteorological and catchment state conditions leading to flood events (i.e., storylines) may be of value. Here, we propose an approach to identify storylines of flood generation using daily weather and snow cover observations. The approach is tested for and applied to a typical pre‐Alpine catchment in the period between 1961 and 2014. Five precipitation parameters were determined that describe temporal and spatial characteristics of the flood associated precipitation events. The catchment's snow coverage was derived using statistical relationships between a satellite‐derived snow cover climatology and station snow measurements. Moreover, (pre‐) event snow melt sums were estimated using a temperature‐index model. Based on the precipitation and catchment state parameters, 5 storylines were identified with a cluster analysis: These are (a) long duration, low intensity precipitation events with high precipitation depths, (b) long duration precipitation events with high precipitation depths and episodes of high intensities, (c) shorter duration events with high or (d) low precipitation intensity, respectively, and (e) rain‐on‐snow events. The event groups have distinct hydrological characteristics that can largely be explained by the storylines' respective properties. The long duration, high intensity storyline leads to the most adverse hydrological response, namely, a combination of high peak magnitudes, high volumes, and long durations of threshold exceedance. The results show that flood generating processes in mesoscale catchments can be distinguished on the basis of daily meteorological and catchment state parameters and that these process types can explain the hydrological flood properties in a qualitative way. Hydrological simulations of daily resolution can thus be analysed with respect to flood generating processes.
Impacts of climate change on the discharge and glacier mass balance of the different glacierized watersheds in the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia
Authors: Xu Min , Wu Hao , Kang Shichang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Tianshan Mountains represent an important water source for the arid and semi‐arid regions of Central Asia. The discharge and glacier mass balance (GMB) in the Tianshan Mountains are sensitive to changes in climate. In this study, the changes in temperature, precipitation, and discharge of six glacierized watersheds of Tianshan Mountains were explored using non‐parametric tests and wavelet transforms during 1957–2004. On the basis of the statistical mechanics and maximum entropy principle model, the GMB at the watershed scale were reconstructed for the study period. The discharge and GMB responses to climate change were examined in different watersheds. The results showed that regional climate warming was obvious, especially after 1996. The warming trend increased gradually from east to west, and the increase in temperature was greater on the north slope than on the south slope. The changing trends in precipitation increased from eastern region to central region, and then, the trend decreased in the western region, although the value was higher than that in the eastern region. The discharge presented significant periods of 2.7–5.4 years and increased from east to west. Significant periodicity indicated that the discharge in the different watersheds exhibited obviously different patterns. The GMB losses were larger in south and east than in north. The large glaciers had more stable interannual variations in discharge, and large fluctuations in discharge will be observed as the glacier areas shrink. Precipitation was the dominant factor for discharge during the study period, although the influence of increasing temperatures on hydrological regimes should not be neglected in the long term. Systematic differences in discharge and the GMB in glacierized watersheds in response to climate change are apparent in the Tianshan Mountains.
Immunoglobulin G; structure and functional implications of different subclass modifications in initiation and resolution of allergy
Authors: Scott‐Taylor Timothy H. , Axinia Stefan‐Claudiu , Amin Sumeya , Pettengell Ruth 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIgE and not IgG is usually associated with allergy. IgE lodged on mast cells in skin or gut and basophils in the blood allows for the prolonged duration of allergy through the persistent expression of high affinity IgE receptors. However, many allergic reactions are not dependent on IgE and are generated in the absence of allergen specific and even total IgE. Instead, IgG plasma cells are involved in induction of, and for much of the pathogenesis of, allergic diseases. The pattern of IgG producing plasma cells in atopic children and the tendency for direct or further class switching to IgE are the principle factors responsible for long‐lasting sensitization of mast cells in allergic children. Indirect class switching from IgG producing plasma cells has been shown to be the predominant pathway for production of IgE while a Th2 microenvironment, genetic predisposition, and the concentration and nature of allergens together act on IgG plasma cells in the atopic tendency to undergo further immunoglobulin gene recombination. The seminal involvement of IgG in allergy is further indicated by the principal role of IgG4 in the natural resolution of allergy and as the favourable immunological response to immunotherapy. This paper will look at allergy through the role of different antibodies than IgE and give current knowledge of the nature and role of IgG antibodies in the start, maintenance and resolution of allergy.
Possible protective mechanisms exerted by metformin or metformin and vitamin E in isoproterenol‐induced cardiac injury
Authors: Al‐Rasheed Nawal M. , Al‐Rasheed Nouf M. , AL‐Rabeeah Danah A. , AL‐Barrak Heba S. , AL‐Salman Salma A. , Ibrahim Shahd A. , AL‐Hassab Sulafa A. , Al‐Amin Maha A. , Hasan Iman H. , Al‐Ajmi Hanaa N. , AL‐Shammari Tahani K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSeveral studies have reported that metformin is cardioprotective for diabetic and non‐diabetic ischemic hearts through mechanisms that cannot be entirely attributed to its anti‐hyperglycemic effect. This study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of metformin with and without vitamin E after induction myocardial infarction (MI) in rats, using isoproterenol. Administration of metformin or vitamin E significantly reduced the cardiac mass index (P < 0.01), ameliorated the changes to cardiac biomarkers, and attenuated oxidative stress levels compared to the isoproterenol group. Interestingly, combination therapy showed a slight synergistic effect. Histopathological analysis suggested that metformin treatment reduced NF‐κB expression and protected against isoproterenol‐induced MI. Our results indicate that metformin mediates a cardioprotective effect against isoproterenol‐induced MI via antioxidant activity and modulation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. This suggests that metformin would be beneficial in MI treatment.
A Review of Competency‐Based Learning: Tools, Assessments, and Recommendations
Authors: Henri Maria , Johnson Michael D. , Nepal Bimal 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundOver the past decade, there has been a shift in science, technology, engineering and math education, especially in engineering, towards a competency‐based pedagogy. Competency‐based learning (CBL) is an outcome‐based, student‐centered form of instruction where students progress to more advanced work upon mastering the necessary prerequisite content and skills. Many articles have been published on the implementation of CBL in engineering higher education; however, the literature lacks a systematic review that summarizes prior work to inform both future research and practice.PurposeThe purpose of this review is to integrate previous literature as well as identify gaps in competency‐based engineering higher education research. It summarizes the different approaches for implementing CBL, the effects of the pedagogy on student outcomes, tools to enhance its effectiveness, and assessment strategies. In addition, suggestions and recommendations for future research are provided.MethodEngineering education articles were obtained from several EBSCO educational databases. The search was limited to articles published from 2005‐2015, and inclusion criteria consisted of peer‐reviewed journal articles that address the use of CBL in engineering higher education. Articles were then classified into several categories, summarized, and evaluated.ConclusionsTheoretical and applied perspectives are provided that address both the theoretical basis for the effectiveness of CBL and practical aspects of implementing successful CBL instruction in engineering education. There are gaps in the literature regarding how CBL programs should be structured and assessed. Future research directions include empirical quantitative evaluation of CBL's pedagogical effectiveness and the use of CBL for teaching professional skills.
Breast lesion characterization using whole‐lesion histogram analysis with stretched‐exponential diffusion model
Authors: Liu Chunling , Wang Kun , Li Xiaodan , Zhang Jine , Ding Jie , Spuhler Karl , Duong Timothy , Liang Changhong , Huang Chuan 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundDiffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) has been studied in breast imaging and can provide more information about diffusion, perfusion and other physiological interests than standard pulse sequences. The stretched‐exponential model has previously been shown to be more reliable than conventional DWI techniques, but different diagnostic sensitivities were found from study to study.PurposeThis work investigated the characteristics of whole‐lesion histogram parameters derived from the stretched‐exponential diffusion model for benign and malignant breast lesions, compared them with conventional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and further determined which histogram metrics can be best used to differentiate malignant from benign lesions.Study TypeThis was a prospective study.PopulationSeventy females were included in the study.Field Strength/SequenceMulti‐b value DWI was performed on a 1.5T scanner.AssessmentHistogram parameters of whole lesions for distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC), heterogeneity index (α), and ADC were calculated by two radiologists and compared among benign lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive carcinoma confirmed by pathology.Statistical TestsNonparametric tests were performed for comparisons among invasive carcinoma, DCIS, and benign lesions. Comparisons of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to show the ability to discriminate malignant from benign lesions.ResultsThe majority of histogram parameters (mean/min/max, skewness/kurtosis, 10–90th percentile values) from DDC, α, and ADC were significantly different among invasive carcinoma, DCIS, and benign lesions. DDC10% (area under curve [AUC] = 0.931), ADC10% (AUC = 0.893), and αmean (AUC = 0.787) were found to be the best metrics in differentiating benign from malignant tumors among all histogram parameters derived from ADC and α, respectively. The combination of DDC10% and αmean, using logistic regression, yielded the highest sensitivity (90.2%) and specificity (95.5%).Data ConclusionDDC10% and αmean derived from the stretched‐exponential model provides more information and better diagnostic performance in differentiating malignancy from benign lesions than ADC parameters derived from a monoexponential model.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1701–1710.
Intensified influence of the ENSO Modoki on boreal summer tropical cyclone genesis over the western North Pacific since the early 1990s
Authors: Liu Yong , Chen Guanghua 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThis study presents the inter‐decadal intensified impact of the ENSO Modoki (ENM) on tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the western North Pacific (WNP) since the early 1990s. We find that this intensified impact may be largely attributed to the inter‐decadal change of the spatio‐temporal variability of the ENM, which includes an increasing period and expansive sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly over the central Pacific after the early 1990s. Because of the inter‐decadal change of the ENM, especially the expansive SST pattern, the response of large‐scale atmospheric circulation was enhanced and had expanded northwards and westwards since the early 1990s, which has led to significant TC genesis anomalies over a large fraction of the WNP. The spatial changes of the ENM may possibly be modulated by the inter‐decadal SST change over the Pacific.