bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Hydrological Connectivity on Plankton Communities in Natural and Reconstructed Side‐Arms of a Large New Zealand River
Authors: Ginders M. A. , Collier K. J. , Duggan I. C. , Hamilton D. P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe sampled natural and reconstructed side‐arms during different stages of hydrological connectivity with a large floodplain river in northern New Zealand, to determine whether re‐establishment of connectivity would be an effective strategy for restoring plankton communities in former side‐arms. Connectivity between side‐arms and the river was moderated by water level and influenced flow rates and closure of inlets and outlets. Physicochemical conditions were more strongly related to the connectivity phase than to habitat type (river, natural or reconstructed side‐arm), except during low connectivity when natural side‐arms in particular were characterised by higher ammonium (NH4‐N) and total phosphorus (P) concentrations, as well as specific conductivity. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (PO4‐P), water temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were identified as explanatory variables of phytoplankton and zooplankton community composition, which along with total nitrogen (phytoplankton) or total suspended solids (zooplankton) explained 44–52% of variation. Phytoplankton community composition and the abundance of several dominant or discriminatory taxa were affected by connectivity but not habitat type, whereas habitat and connectivity both had significant effects on zooplankton communities and abundances of the cladoceran Bosmina meridionalis. Significant interactions between connectivity and paired habitat types occurred for abundances of the diatom Asterionella, the cryptophyte Cryptomonas, the rotifer Synchaeta oblonga and cyclopoid copepods, reflecting differential responses to connectivity among habitats by these taxa. Overall, these results underscore the importance of hydrological connectivity between side‐arms and rivers in moderating plankton community composition, and highlight unpredictable trajectories of community development and alternative transient states that can occur soon after side‐arm reconnection. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Citizen science: from detecting pollution to evaluating ecological restoration
Authors: Huddart Joseph E. A. , Thompson Murray S. A. , Woodward Guy , Brooks Stephen J. 
Published: February 2016

The proliferation of citizen science water quality monitoring networks suggests there is potential for developing an equivalent river Restoration Assessment Initiative (RAI). This is currently lacking, especially at larger (e.g., national and international) scales. As such, the RAI would provide a much‐needed new tool for stakeholders to evaluate and compare the efficacy of their restoration efforts. We propose a standardized protocol to quantify biotic responses (e.g., changes to the macroinvertebrate community) to restoration efforts, which would facilitate a large‐scale, open‐access database revealing success or failure of commonly used restoration techniques. By combining biotic and abiotic (e.g., habitat and water quality) assessments, a feature typically lacking from restoration monitoring schemes and cited as a major constraint limiting development of the field, integrative approaches (e.g., meta‐analyses and coordinated field experiments) could help untangle their respective effects on restoration outcomes. Water quality initiatives (e.g., the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative) have paved the way for volunteer‐driven pollution monitoring, and provide models designed for sustaining long‐lasting volunteer participation in stream monitoring. These could be developed for the RAI to better detect restoration signals (e.g., adopt a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) approach) while continuing to address the key practical challenges associated with implementing citizen science initiatives (e.g., volunteer skills and data quality assurance). Once established, the resultant infrastructure would facilitate expansion to an international scale, increasing the statistical power of the combined database enormously and allowing the addition of novel measures (e.g., ecosystem process rates) for assessing restoration. Clearly citizen scientists need a role in restoration assessment, especially as they are becoming increasingly important drivers of practices on the ground. Developing a coordinated citizen science RAI to ensure data are standardized and disseminated effectively will advance restoration on a more global scale, and also provides a timely solution to keep society and science connected. WIREs Water 2016, 3:287–300. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1138This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Human Water > Water Governance
Science of Water > Water Quality
Small RNAs: essential regulators of gene expression and defenses against environmental stresses in plants
Authors: Wang Hsiao‐Lin V. , Chekanova Julia A. 
Published: February 2016

Eukaryotic genomes produce thousands of diverse small RNAs (smRNAs), which play vital roles in regulating gene expression in all conditions, including in survival of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. SmRNA pathways intersect with most of the pathways regulating different steps in the life of a messenger RNA (mRNA), starting from transcription and ending at mRNA decay. SmRNAs function in both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments; the regulation of mRNA stability and translation in the cytoplasm and the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the nucleus are the main and best‐known modes of smRNA action. However, recent evidence from animal systems indicates that smRNAs and RNA interference (RNAi) also participate in the regulation of alternative pre‐mRNA splicing, one of the most crucial steps in the fast, efficient global reprogramming of gene expression required for survival under stress. Emerging evidence from bioinformatics studies indicates that a specific class of plant smRNAs, induced by various abiotic stresses, the sutr‐siRNAs, has the potential to target regulatory regions within introns and thus may act in the regulation of splicing in response to stresses. This review summarizes the major types of plant smRNAs in the context of their mechanisms of action and also provides examples of their involvement in regulation of gene expression in response to environmental cues and developmental stresses. In addition, we describe current advances in our understanding of how smRNAs function in the regulation of pre‐mRNA splicing. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:356–381. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1340This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Photoluminescence of Zinc(II) and Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers Based on Semiflexible 1,4‐Bis(4‐phenoxy)benzenedicarboxylate
Authors: Zheng Changge , Long Ruixue , Hong Jianquan , Wang Yazhao 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHydrothermal reactions of Co(NO3)2·6H2O and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O with 1,4‐bis(4‐phenoxy)benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2bcpb) resulted in the formation of the coordination polymers [Zn(bcpb)(Py)]n (1), and [Co(bcpb)(Py)2]n (2), respectively. Their structures were studied by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction methods and further characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Single X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complex 1 has a 1D loop chain. Each repeated unit contains two carboxylate ligands and two SBUs (secondary building units), whereas complex 2 has a 2D 4‐connected sql sheet with point symbol (44.62). The complexes are further expanded to 3D supramolecular structures through non‐covalent bonding interactions. Besides, photoluminescent property of complex 1 was also investigated in the solid state at room temperature.
Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrahedral Zinc(II) Complexes with 3, 6,7‐Triamino‐7H‐[1, 2,4]triazolo[4, 3‐b][1, 2,4]triazole as Nitrogen‐Rich Ligand
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Schmid Philipp C. , Stierstorfer Jörg , Szimhardt Norbert 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTriaminotriazolotriazole (TATOT) was used as a nitrogen‐rich ligand for the formation of the energetic ZnII complexes [ZnCl2(TATOT)2]·H2O (2), [Zn(H2O)(TATOT)3](NO3)2·2H2O (3), and [Zn(TATOT)4](ClO4)2·2H2O (4). The zinc species were prepared in a straightforward and inexpensive synthesis. The complexes 2–4 were structurally characterized using X‐ray diffraction. Additionally, the compounds were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Finally, the sensitivities toward thermal and mechanical stimuli were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und ‐prüfung) methods.
Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Across a Provincial Healthcare System: The ERAS Alberta Colorectal Surgery Experience
Authors: Nelson Gregg , Kiyang Lawrence N. , Crumley Ellen T. , Chuck Anderson , Nguyen Thanh , Faris Peter , Wasylak Tracy , Basualdo‐Hammond Carlota , McKay Susan , Ljungqvist Olle , Gramlich Leah M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) colorectal guideline implementation has occurred primarily in standalone institutions worldwide. We implemented the guideline in a single provincial healthcare system, and our study examined the effect of the guideline on patient outcomes [length of stay (LOS), complications, and 30‐day post‐discharge readmissions] across a healthcare system.MethodsWe compared pre‐ and post‐guideline implementation in consecutive elective colorectal patients, ≥18 years, from six Alberta hospitals between February 2013 and December 2014. Participants were followed up to 30 days post discharge. We used summary statistics, to assess the LOS and complications, and multivariate regression methods to assess readmissions and to estimate cost impacts.ResultsA total of 1333 patients (350 pre‐ and 983 post‐ERAS) were analysed. Of this number, 55 % were males. Median overall guideline compliance was 39 % in pre‐ and 60 % in post‐ERAS patients. Median LOS was 6 days for pre‐ERAS compared to 4.5 days in post‐ERAS patients with the longest implementation (p value <0.0001). Adjusted risk ratio (RR) was 1.71, 95 % CI 1.09–2.68 for 30‐day readmission, comparing pre‐ to post‐ERAS patients. The proportion of patients who developed at least one complication was significantly reduced, from pre‐ to post‐ERAS, difference in proportions = 11.7 %, 95 % CI 2.5–21.0, p value: 0.0139. The net cost savings attributable to guideline implementation ranged between $2806 and $5898 USD per patient.ConclusionThe findings in our study have shown that ERAS colorectal guideline implementation within a healthcare system resulted in patient outcome improvements, similar to those obtained in smaller standalone implementations. There was a significant beneficial impact of ERAS on scarce health system resources.
Price-based load coordination revisited: augmenting open-loop coordination approaches
Authors: Flath Christoph M. , Gottwalt Sebastian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe activation of flexible loads through demand side management offers opportunities for more efficient power systems operations. Price-based incentive are a straight-forward form for decentral coordination of these flexible loads. However, their applicability has recently been seen more pessimistic as they may induce new load peaks due to herding effects. We revisit these results by characterizing desynchronized posted pricing approaches. Illustrating highly flexible load by means of electric vehicle charging, we show that these desynchronized rate can mitigate the occurrence of extreme load spikes, improve the utilization of renewable generation and in summary create significant system cost savings. Our results show that simple open-loop pricing can almost match the efficiency of closed-loop adaptive pricing in settings with limited system flexibility. We find that the more renewable generation and flexible load are present in the system, the better more complex pricing schemes fare compared to simple ones. This insight may guide regulators and utilities in establishing more effective pricing schemes in retail electricity markets.
Effects of blade configuration parameters on helicopter rotor structural dynamics and whirl tower loads
Authors: Kumar M. Rohin , Venkatesan C. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe influence of the blade geometric parameters on the structural dynamic characteristics, response and loads of a helicopter rotor under hover condition in a whirl tower was investigated. A general geometry was considered for the rotor blade which included configuration parameters like root offset, torque offset, pre-twist, pre-cone, pre-droop, pre-sweep, tip-sweep and tip-anhedral. The option of placing concentrated masses at any location on the blade was also included. Natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes of the rotating blade were obtained by solving the linear, undamped structural dynamics model in the finite element domain. For calculating the response and loads on the rotor, the complete aeroelastic equation was solved in modal space. Aerodynamic models used in the aeroelastic loads calculations were Peters-He dynamic wake theory for inflow and themodifiedONERA dynamic stall theory for airloads calculations. From the study, the blade structural dynamic characteristics are found to be sensitive to variation in blade geometric parameters. Tip-sweep was found to have significant effects on root oscillatory moments. The moments at the tip junction with the straight portion of the blade were found to be substantially affected by tip-sweep and tip-anhedral.
Stagnation pressure effect on the supersonic flow parameters with application for air in nozzles
Authors: Salhi Merouane , Zebbiche Toufik , Mehalem Abderrahmane 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTWhen the stagnation pressure of a perfect gas increases, the specific heat and their ratio do not remain constant anymore and start to vary with this pressure. The gas doesn't stay perfect. Its state equation changes and it becomes a real gas. In this case, the effects of molecular size and intermolecular attraction forces intervene to correct the state equation. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of stagnation pressure on the thermodynamic, physical and geometrical supersonic flow parameters in order to find a general form for real gas. With the assumptions that Berthelot's state equation accounts for molecular size and intermolecular force effects, expressions are developed for analysing the supersonic flow for thermally and calorically imperfect gas lower than the dissociation molecules threshold. The design parameters of the supersonic nozzle-like thrust coefficient depend directly on the stagnation parameters of the combustion chamber. The application made for air. A computation of error was made in this case to give a limit of the perfect gas model compared to the real gas model.
Towards imperfection insensitive buckling response of shell structures-shells with plate-like post-buckled responses
Authors: White S. C. , Weaver P. M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe imperfection sensitivity of cylindrical panels under compression loading is shown to be not only reduced but effectively eliminated using stiffness tailoring techniques. Shells are designed with variable angle-tow (VAT) laminae, giving their laminates variable-stiffness properties over the surface co-ordinates. By employing an asymptotic model of the non-linear shell behaviour and a genetic algorithm, the post-buckling stability was maximised with respect to the VAT design variables. Results for optimised straight-fibre and VAT shells are presented in comparison with quasi-isotropic designs. In the straight-fibre case, small improvements in the post-buckling stability are shown to be possible but at the expense of the buckling load. In the VAT case, on the other hand, considerable improvements in the post-buckling stability are obtained and drops in axial stiffness and load associated with buckling are reduced to negligible levels. The improvements are shown to be a result of a benign membrane stress distribution prior to buckling and a localisation of the buckling mode. The asymptotic results are compared with non-linear finite-element analyses and are found to be in good agreement. Potential future multi-objective optimisation studies are discussed.
LEX and wing tip plates’ interaction on the Rocket Plane in tailless configuration
Authors: Kwiek A. , Figat M. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe article includes study on the influence of a LEX (leading-edge extension) and wing tip plates on aerodynamic characteristics of the Rocket Plane in tailless configuration for manned suborbital flights. The research was conducted only for the low speed regime in the wind tunnel at the Warsaw University of Technology. Tests were carried out for a few configurations of the Rocket Plane. Moreover, two shapes of LEX were investigated. Analysis of results was focused on the aerodynamic synergism effect only. The influence of LEX and the wing tip plates of the Rocket Plane on the aerodynamic coefficients was identified.
Board Gender Quotas: Exploring Ethical Tensions From A Multi-Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Terjesen Siri , Sealy Ruth 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT:Despite 40 years of equal opportunities policies and more than two decades of government and organization initiatives aimed at helping women reach the upper echelons of the corporate world, women are seriously underrepresented on corporate boards. Recently, fifteen countries sought to redress this imbalance by introducing gender quotas for board representation. The introduction of board gender quota legislation creates ethical tensions and dilemmas which we categorize in terms of motivations, legitimacy, and outcomes. We investigate these tensions through four overarching theoretical perspectives: institutional, stakeholder, social identity, and social capital. We outline a future research agenda based on how these tensions offer greater focus to research on quotas and more broadly to ethics and diversity in organizations in terms of theory, anticipated ethical tensions, data, and methodology. In sum, our review seeks to synthesize existing multidisciplinary research and stimulate future enquiry on this expanding set of legislation.
THE PROBLEM OF TYPOLOGY IN CHINESE ARCHAEOLOGY
Authors: Hein Anke 
Published: February 2016

AbstractChinese and Western archaeologists (especially those of the anthropologically-oriented tradition) often seem to be talking past each other, not only because they are publishing in different languages, but also because of differences in theory and method. While most of the major theoretical works in Western languages are by now available in Chinese translations, hardly any English-language publications exist that explain Chinese approaches to archaeological method and theory. This article helps to bridge the gap by introducing the history of debates on archaeological method in China to a Western audience, focusing particularly on issues of typology and classification. Discussing in detail the merits—and issues—of approaches suggested by four of the most influential Chinese archaeologists (Li Chi, Xia Nai, Su Bingqi, and K. C. Chang), this article provides a deeper understanding of the preconditions of archaeological research in China. It also suggests future directions for archaeological work by local and foreign archaeologists, including but also going beyond the classification of the rich body of artifacts coming to light in Chinese excavations.
Incidence and reporting of sharps injuries amongst ENT surgeons
Authors: Vijendren A , Sanchez J , Yung M 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackground:Sharps injuries are a common occupational hazard amongst surgeons. Limited work has been conducted on their effects within the ENT community.Methods:A literature review was performed and a survey on sharps injuries was distributed to the entire membership of ENT-UK electronically.Results:The literature review revealed 3 studies, with 2 of them performed more than 20 years ago. A total of 323 completed questionnaires were returned (24 per cent response rate). Of the respondents, 26.6 per cent reported having experienced sharps injuries. There was no statistical difference between the occurrence of sharps injuries and the grade, length of time spent in the specialty or subspecialty of respondents. Only 33.7 per cent of afflicted clinicians reported all their injuries as per local institutional policies. No seroconversions were reported.Conclusion:The study found poor evidence on sharps injuries amongst ENT surgeons, and low reporting rates that were comparable to other studies conducted in the UK. This highlights the need for further research and increasing awareness on sharps injuries regulations within the specialty.
Myxozoans as biological tags for stock identification of the Argentine hake, Merluccius hubbsi (Gadiformes: Merlucciidae)
Authors: CANTATORE D. M. P. , IRIGOITIA M. M. , HOLZER A. S. , TIMI J. T. 
Published: February 2016

SUMMARYMyxozoans have been successfully used as tags for fish stock identification around the world. However, few studies using myxozoan tags have been carried out in the Southern Atlantic, a region with complex oceanography that constitutes a potentially suitable scenario for testing the utility of myxozoans as indicators. Its usefulness was tested using six samples of Merluccius hubbsi in two different regions of the Argentine Sea. Generalized linear models were performed to assess the effects of fish size and sex, and year and region of capture and selected using the Information Theoretic approach. Three myxozoan species were recorded: Kudoa rosenbuschi, Myxoproteus meridionalis and Fabespora sp. Results of modelling species individually showed differential capabilities for detecting geographical population structure at different spatial scales, with K. rosenbuschi and Fabespora sp. allowing the discrimination of northern and southern stocks, but Fabespora sp. also as a promissory indicator of intrapopulation sub-structure due to different migratory routes during non-reproductive periods. This work confirms that myxozoans offer a set of suitable markers at different spatial scales, which can be selected individually or in any combination, depending on the geographical extent of the study, constituting tools adaptable to the objectives of further research on fish population structure.
“Which mouse kissed the frog?”Effects of age of onset, length of exposure, and knowledge of case marking on the comprehension ofwh-questions in German-speaking simultaneous and early sequential bilingual children
Authors: ROESCH ANNE DOROTHEE , CHONDROGIANNI VASILIKI 
Published: February 2016

AbstractStudies examining age of onset (AoO) effects in childhood bilingualism have provided mixed results as to whether early sequential bilingual children (eL2) differ from simultaneous bilingual children (2L1) and L2 children on the acquisition of morphosyntax. Differences between the three groups have been attributed to other factors such as length of exposure (LoE), language abilities, and the phenomenon to be acquired. The present study investigates whether four- to five-year-old German-speaking eL2 children differ from 2L1 children on the acquisition ofwh-questions, and whether these differences can be explained by AoO, LoE, and/or knowledge of case marking. The 2L1 children outperformed the eL2 children in terms of accuracy; however, both bilingual groups exhibited similar error patterns. This suggests that 2L1 and eL2 bilingual children are sensitive to the same morphosyntactic cues, when comprehendingwh-questions. Finally, children's performance on the different types ofwh-questions was explained by a combination of knowledge of case marking, LoE, and AoO.