bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perovskite Solar Cells: From the Laboratory to the Assembly Line
Authors: Abate Antonio , Correa‐Baena Juan‐Pablo , Saliba Michael , Su'ait Mohd Sukor , Bella Federico 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite the fact that perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a strong potential as a next‐generation photovoltaic technology due to continuous efficiency improvements and the tunable properties, some important obstacles remain before industrialization is feasible. For example, the selection of low‐cost or easy‐to‐prepare materials is essential for back‐contacts and hole‐transporting layers. Likewise, the choice of conductive substrates, the identification of large‐scale manufacturing techniques as well as the development of appropriate aging protocols are key objectives currently under investigation by the international scientific community. This Review analyses the above aspects and highlights the critical points that currently limit the industrial production of PSCs and what strategies are emerging to make these solar cells the leaders in the photovoltaic field.
Regression analysis of bivariate current status data under the proportional hazards model
Authors: Hu Tao , Zhou Qingning , Sun Jianguo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article discusses the regression analysis of bivariate current status or case I interval‐censored failure time data under the marginal proportional hazards model. Several estimation procedures have been proposed for this problem, but each method either applies only to limited situations or no theoretical justification has been provided. Using Bernstein polynomials and the copula model we develop a sieve maximum likelihood estimation approach that applies to more general situations. In particular this method leaves the underlying copula model completely unspecified and can be easily implemented. The proposed estimators are shown to be strongly consistent and the asymptotic normality and efficiency of the regression parameter estimator are established. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed method. An illustrative example is also provided.The Canadian Journal of Statistics45: 410–424; 2017 © 2017 Statistical Society of Canada
Polymer Segments at the Folding Limit: Raman Scattering for the Diglyme Benchmark
Authors: Bocklitz Sebastian , Suhm Martin A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMethyl‐capped polyethers model flexible polar polymer chains. Their intrinsic all‐trans conformational preference gives way to folded conformations if the chain is sufficiently long. We find by Raman cryospectroscopy in the gas phase and quantum chemical calculations that diglyme still prefers the stretched state, although folded variants come very close in energy. Three‐body dispersion correction or higher‐order electron correlation is important to match experiments, despite the polar character of C−O bonds. This turns oligoglymes into challenging benchmark systems for a balanced description of intra‐chain torsion and inter‐segment van der Waals attraction.
Reliable effective number of breeders/adult census size ratios in seasonal‐breeding species: Opportunity for integrative demographic inferences based on capture–mark–recapture data and multilocus genotypes
Authors: Sánchez‐Montes Gregorio , Wang Jinliang , Ariño Arturo H. , Vizmanos José Luis , Martínez‐Solano Iñigo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe ratio of the effective number of breeders (Nb) to the adult census size (Na), Nb/Na, approximates the departure from the standard capacity of a population to maintain genetic diversity in one reproductive season. This information is relevant for assessing population status, understanding evolutionary processes operating at local scales, and unraveling how life‐history traits affect these processes. However, our knowledge on Nb/Na ratios in nature is limited because estimation of both parameters is challenging. The sibship frequency (SF) method is adequate for reliable Nb estimation because it is based on sibship and parentage reconstruction from genetic marker data, thereby providing demographic inferences that can be compared with field‐based information. In addition, capture–mark–recapture (CMR) robust design methods are well suited for Na estimation in seasonal‐breeding species. We used tadpole genotypes of three pond‐breeding amphibian species (Epidalea calamita, Hyla molleri, and Pelophylax perezi, n = 73–96 single‐cohort tadpoles/species genotyped at 15–17 microsatellite loci) and candidate parental genotypes (n = 94–300 adults/species) to estimate Nb by the SF method. To assess the reliability of Nb estimates, we compared sibship and parentage inferences with field‐based information and checked for the convergence of results in replicated subsampled analyses. Finally, we used CMR data from a 6‐year monitoring program to estimate annual Na in the three species and calculate the Nb/Na ratio. Reliable ratios were obtained for E. calamita (Nb/Na = 0.18–0.28) and P. perezi (0.5), but in H. molleri, Na could not be estimated and genetic information proved insufficient for reliable Nb estimation. Integrative demographic studies taking full advantage of SF and CMR methods can provide accurate estimates of the Nb/Na ratio in seasonal‐breeding species. Importantly, the SF method provides results that can be readily evaluated for reliability. This represents a good opportunity for obtaining robust demographic inferences with wide applications for evolutionary and conservation research.
Keystone nonconsumptive effects within a diverse predator community
Authors: Meadows Amanda J. , Owen Jeb P. , Snyder William E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe number of prey killed by diverse predator communities is determined by complementarity and interference among predators, and by traits of particular predator species. However, it is less clear how predators' nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) scale with increasing predator biodiversity. We examined NCEs exerted on Culex mosquitoes by a diverse community of aquatic predators. In the field, mosquito larvae co‐occurred with differing densities and species compositions of mesopredator insects; top predator dragonfly naiads were present in roughly half of surveyed water bodies. We reproduced these predator community features in artificial ponds, exposing mosquito larvae to predator cues and measuring resulting effects on mosquito traits throughout development. Nonconsumptive effects of various combinations of mesopredator species reduced the survival of mosquito larvae to pupation, and reduced the size and longevity of adult mosquitoes that later emerged from the water. Intriguingly, adding single dragonfly naiads to ponds restored survivorship of larval mosquitoes to levels seen in the absence of predators, and further decreased adult mosquito longevity compared with mosquitoes emerging from mesopredator treatments. Behavioral observations revealed that mosquito larvae regularly deployed “diving” escape behavior in the presence of the mesopredators, but not when a dragonfly naiad was also present. This suggests that dragonflies may have relaxed NCEs of the mesopredators by causing mosquitoes to abandon energetically costly diving. Our study demonstrates that adding one individual of a functionally unique species can substantially alter community‐wide NCEs of predators on prey. For pathogen vectors like mosquitoes, this could in turn influence disease dynamics.
Environmental change, shifting distributions, and habitat conservation plans: A case study of the California gnatcatcher
Authors: Hulton VanTassel Heather L. , Bell Michael D. , Rotenberry John , Johnson Robert , Allen Michael F. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMany species have already experienced distributional shifts due to changing environmental conditions, and analyzing past shifts can help us to understand the influence of environmental stressors on a species as well as to analyze the effectiveness of conservation strategies. We aimed to (1) quantify regional habitat associations of the California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica); (2) describe changes in environmental variables and gnatcatcher distributions through time; (3) identify environmental drivers associated with habitat suitability changes; and (4) relate habitat suitability changes through time to habitat conservation plans. Southern California's Western Riverside County (WRC), an approximately 4,675 km2 conservation planning area. We assessed environmental correlates of distributional shifts of the federally threatened California gnatcatcher (hereafter, gnatcatcher) using partitioned Mahalanobis D2 niche modeling for three time periods: 1980–1997, 1998–2003, and 2004–2012, corresponding to distinct periods in habitat conservation planning. Highly suitable gnatcatcher habitat was consistently warmer and drier and occurred at a lower elevation than less suitable habitat and consistently had more CSS, less agriculture, and less chaparral. However, its relationship to development changed among periods, mainly due to the rapid change in this variable. Likewise, other aspects of highly suitable habitat changed among time periods, which became cooler and higher in elevation. The gnatcatcher lost 11.7% and 40.6% of highly suitable habitat within WRC between 1980–1997 to 1998–2003, and 1998–2003 to 2004–2012, respectively. Unprotected landscapes lost relatively more suitable habitat (−64.3%) than protected landscapes (30.5%). Over the past four decades, suitable habitat loss within WRC, especially between the second and third time periods, was associated with temperature‐related factors coupled with landscape development across coastal sage scrub habitat; however, development appears to be driving change more rapidly than climate change. Our study demonstrates the importance of providing protected lands for potential suitable habitat in future scenarios.
Evolution to environmental contamination ablates the circadian clock of an aquatic sentinel species
Authors: Coldsnow Kayla D. , Relyea Rick A. , Hurley Jennifer M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEnvironmental contamination is a common cause of rapid evolution. Recent work has shown that Daphnia pulex, an important freshwater species, can rapidly evolve increased tolerance to a common contaminant, sodium chloride (NaCl) road salt. While such rapid evolution can benefit organisms, allowing them to adapt to new environmental conditions, it can also be associated with unforeseen tradeoffs. Given that exposure to environmental contaminants can cause circadian disruption, we investigated whether the circadian clock was affected by evolving a tolerance to high levels of road salt. By tracking the oscillations of a putative clock gene, period, we demonstrated that D. pulex express per mRNA with approximately 20‐hr oscillations under control conditions. This putative circadian rhythm was ablated in response to high levels of salinity; populations adapted to high NaCl concentrations exhibited an ablation of period oscillation. Moreover, we showed that while gene expression is increased in several other genes, including clock, actin, and Na+/K+‐ATPase, upon the adaptation to high levels of salinity, per expression is unique among the genes we tracked in that it is the only gene repressed in response to salt adaptation. These results suggest that rapid evolution of salt tolerance occurs with the tradeoff of suppressed circadian function. The resultant circadian disruption may have profound consequences to individuals, populations, and aquatic food webs by affecting species interactions. In addition, our research suggests that circadian clocks may also be disrupted by the adaptation to other environmental contaminants.
Degradation of Edible Oil During Deep‐Frying Process by Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy and Physicochemical Appreciation
Authors: Liu Ying , Wang Yuanpeng , Cao Peirang , Liu Yuanfa 
Published: October 2017

During frying process of edible oil, lipid oxidation occurs, which is a complex process and involves free radical chain reactions. The impacts of oil with different fatty acid composition on free radicals were evaluated. An ESR study was performed to identify and quantify the formed radicals, along with the assessment of physicochemical parameters including peroxide value, oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, and volatile profile. Results showed an increase of formed free radicals in frying oils over frying time. Besides, frying oils with higher content of unsaturated fatty acids were more prone to be oxidized, as well as physicochemical parameters evidencing this phenomenon. Volatile compounds produced by β‐scission homolytic cleavage of peroxide group during thermal oxidation in frying oils were detected by GC‐MS/MS. Results implied major aldehyde volatile compounds were derived from hydroperoxide and oil with higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids are more likely to produce volatile oxidation products.In order to compare the degree of lipid oxidation in deep‐fried sunflower oil (high degree of unsaturation) and palm oil (high degree of saturation), the formed free radicals based on ESR, along with the assessment of physicochemical parameters including peroxide value, oxidative stability, fatty acid composition, and volatile profile to improve comprehensive assessment of degradation in oil with different fatty acid composition are investigated.
Paeoniflorin attenuates postoperative pain by suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9/2 in mice
Authors: Fan Y.‐x. , Hu L. , Zhu S.‐h. , Han Y. , Liu W.‐t. , Yang Y.‐j. , Li Q.‐p. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have implicated that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 and MMP‐2 play key roles in neuropathic pain due to their facilitation of inflammatory cytokine maturation and induction of neuroinflammation. However, the role of MMP‐9/2 in postoperative pain is still unclear. We previously suggested that the natural compound paeoniflorin inhibited microglia activation induced by morphine treatment. In the present study, we demonstrated that paeoniflorin could alleviate postoperative pain via specific inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).MethodsMice received a plantar incision surgery and their mechanical allodynia was assessed with von Frey filaments. The activity of MMP‐9/2 was determined by gelatin zymography. Cell signalling was assayed by western blot and immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe expression of MMP‐9/2 was significantly increased in mice spinal cords with plantar incision surgery. Paeoniflorin remarkably suppressed the activity of MMP‐9/2 and relieved plantar incision‐induced mechanical allodynia. Interestingly, the administration of paeoniflorin blocked the maturation of interleukin‐1β, which is a critical substrate of MMPs. Thereafter, paeoniflorin markedly suppressed microglia activation, inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the expression of neuronal c‐Fos.ConclusionThese results indicated that MMP‐9/2 activation in spinal microglia plays a key role in incision‐induced mechanical allodynia in mice. Moreover, utilizing paeniflorin blockage of the microglia MMP‐9/2 activity might represent a valuable alternative for treating postoperative pain.SignificanceOur results provided direct evidence for the first time that paeoniflorin can inhibit plantar incision‐induced microglia TLR4/MMP‐9/2/IL‐1β signalling pathway and suppress postoperative pain. Thus, regulation of microglia MMP‐9/2 may provide a new strategy for ameliorating postoperative pain.
Frost sorting on slopes by needle ice: A laboratory simulation on the effect of slope gradient
Authors: Li Anyuan , Matsuoka Norikazu , Niu Fujun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFollowing a previous attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns on a level surface, we report the results of a full‐scale laboratory simulation on frost sorting produced by needle ice activity on inclined surfaces. Four models, with different slope gradients (5°, 7°, 9°, 11°), were designed. Stones 6 mm in diameter placed in a grid covered 20% of the surface of frost‐susceptible water‐saturated soil. These models were subjected to 20–40 freeze–thaw cycles between 10°C and −5°C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns was visually traced by photogrammetry. Needle ice growth and collapse induced downslope movement and concentrations of stones. A model produced incipient sorted circles on a 5° slope, whereas it resulted in three distinct sorted stripes on a 7° slope. The average diameter or spacing of these forms is 9.7–19.4 cm, comparable to those in the field dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Surface parallel displacements of stone markers were traced with motion analysis software. The observed downslope stone displacements agree with those expected assuming that surface soil and stones move by repeated heaving perpendicular to the surface and vertical settlement due to gravity, although the growth of curved needle adds complexity to the overall displacements. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying geomorphological principles and engineering science to develop a phased Sediment Management Plan for Mount St Helens, Washington
Authors: Sclafani Paul , Nygaard Chris , Thorne Colin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThirty‐seven years post‐eruption, erosion of the debris avalanche at Mount St Helens continues to supply sediment to the Toutle–Cowlitz River system in quantities that have the potential to lower the Level of Protection (LoP) against flooding unacceptably, making this one of the most protracted gravel‐bed river disasters to date. The Portland District, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently revised its long‐term plan for sediment management (originally published in 1985), in order to maintain the LoP above the Congressionally‐authorized level, while reducing impacts on fish currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, and minimizing the overall cost of managing sediment derived from erosion at Mount St Helens. In revising the plan, the USACE drew on evidence gained from sediment monitoring, modelling and uncertainty analysis, coupled with assessment of future LoP trends under a baseline scenario (continuation of the 1985 sediment management strategy) and feasible alternatives. They applied geomorphological principles and used engineering science to develop a phased Sediment Management Plan that allows for uncertainty concerning future sediment yields by implementing sediment management actions only as, and when, necessary. The phased plan makes best use of the potential to enhance the sediment trap efficiency and storage capacity of the existing Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) by incrementally raising its spillway and using novel hydraulic structures to build islands in the North Fork Toutle River (NFTR) and steepen the gradient of the sediment plain upstream of the structure. Dredging is held in reserve, to be performed only when necessary to react to unexpectedly high sedimentation events or when the utility of other measures has been expended. The engineering‐geomorphic principles and many of the measures in the phased Sediment Management Plan are transferrable to other gravel‐bed river disasters. The overriding message is that monitoring and adaptive management are crucial components of long‐term sediment‐disaster management, especially in volcanic landscapes where future sediment yields are characterized by uncertainty and natural variability. © 2017 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Development and application of a biotic ligand model for predicting the chronic toxicity of dissolved and precipitated aluminum to aquatic organisms
Authors: Santore Robert C. , Ryan Adam C. , Kroglund Frode , Rodriguez Patricio H. , Stubblefield William A. , Cardwell Allison S. , Adams William J. , Nordheim Eirik 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) toxicity to aquatic organisms is strongly affected by water chemistry. Toxicity-modifying factors such as pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, and temperature have a large impact on the bioavailability and toxicity of Al to aquatic organisms. The importance of water chemistry on the bioavailability and toxicity of Al suggests that interactions between Al and chemical constituents in exposures to aquatic organisms can affect the form and reactivity of Al, thereby altering the extent to which it interacts with biological membranes. These types of interactions have previously been observed in the toxicity data for other metals, which have been well described by the biotic ligand model (BLM) framework. In BLM applications to other metals (including cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc), these interactions have focused on dissolved metal. A review of Al toxicity data shows that concentrations of Al that cause toxicity are frequently in excess of solubility limitations. Aluminum solubility is strongly pH dependent, with a solubility minimum near pH 6 and increasing at both lower and higher pH values. For the Al BLM, the mechanistic framework has been extended to consider toxicity resulting from a combination of dissolved and precipitated Al to recognize the solubility limitation. The resulting model can effectively predict toxicity to fish, invertebrates, and algae over a wide range of conditions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:70–79. © 2017 SETAC
Morphology of subcortical brain nuclei is associated with autonomic function in healthy humans
Authors: Ruffle James K. , Coen Steven J. , Giampietro Vincent , Williams Steven C.R. , Apkarian A. Vania , Farmer Adam D. , Aziz Qasim 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a brain body interface which serves to maintain homeostasis by influencing a plethora of physiological processes, including metabolism, cardiorespiratory regulation and nociception. Accumulating evidence suggests that ANS function is disturbed in numerous prevalent clinical disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. While the brain is a central hub for regulating autonomic function, the association between resting autonomic activity and subcortical morphology has not been comprehensively studied and thus was our aim. In 27 healthy subjects [14 male and 13 female; mean age 30 years (range 22–53 years)], we quantified resting ANS function using validated indices of cardiac sympathetic index (CSI) and parasympathetic cardiac vagal tone (CVT). High resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired, and differences in subcortical nuclei shape, that is, ‘deformation’, contingent on resting ANS activity were investigated. CSI positively correlated with outward deformation of the brainstem, right nucleus accumbens, right amygdala and bilateral pallidum (all thresholded to corrected P < 0.05). In contrast, parasympathetic CVT negatively correlated with inward deformation of the right amygdala and pallidum (all thresholded to corrected P < 0.05). Left and right putamen volume positively correlated with CVT (r = 0.62, P = 0.0047 and r = 0.59, P = 0.008, respectively), as did the brainstem (r = 0.46, P = 0.049). These data provide novel evidence that resting autonomic state is associated with differences in the shape and volume of subcortical nuclei. Thus, subcortical morphological brain differences in various disorders may partly be attributable to perturbation in autonomic function. Further work is warranted to investigate these findings in clinical populations. Hum Brain Mapp 39:381–392, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.