bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using rarefaction to isolate the effects of patch size and sampling effort on beta diversity
Authors: Stier Adrian C. , Bolker Benjamin M. , Osenberg Craig W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBeta diversity describes how species composition varies across space and through time. Current estimators of beta diversity typically ignore the effects of within‐patch sample size, determined jointly by local abundance and sampling effort. Many ecological processes such as immigration, predation, or nutrient limitation affect abundance and asymptotic beta diversity concurrently; thus, existing metrics may confound changes in asymptotic beta diversity with changes that result from differences in abundance or sampling. Results from a stochastic simulation model illustrate how decreasing within‐patch sample size may either increase or decrease observed beta diversity, depending on the type of metric, sample size, and community properties; these changes are easy to understand, and predict, by considering the effects of sampling on variance. A modified, patch‐level form of rarefaction controls for variation in within‐patch sample size; two case studies illustrate the utility of this approach. Studies seeking a mechanistic link between ecological process and beta diversity will continue to benefit from explicit consideration of sampling effects.
Guiding phosphorus stewardship for multiple ecosystem services
Authors: Macdonald Graham K. , Jarvie Helen P. , Withers Paul J. A. , Doody Donnacha G. , Keeler Bonnie L. , Haygarth Philip M. , Johnson Laura T. , Mcdowell Richard W. , Miyittah Michael K. , Powers Stephen M. , Sharpley Andrew N. , Shen Jianbo , Smith Douglas R. , Weintraub Michael N. , Zhang Tiequan 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The essential role of phosphorus (P) for agriculture and its impact on water quality has received decades of research attention. However, the benefits of sustainable P use and management for society due to its downstream impacts on multiple ecosystem services are rarely acknowledged. We propose a conceptual framework—the “phosphorus‐ecosystem services cascade” ()—to integrate the key ecosystem processes and functions that moderate the relationship between P released to the environment from human actions and ecosystem services at distinct spatial and temporal scales. Indirect pathways in the cascade via soil and aquatic processes link anthropogenic P to biodiversity and multiple services, including recreation, drinking water provision, and fisheries. As anthropogenic P cascades through catchments, it often shifts from a subsidy to a stressor of ecosystem services. Phosphorus stewardship can have emergent ecosystem service co‐benefits due to synergies with other societal or management goals (e.g., recycling of livestock manures and organic wastes could impact soil carbon storage). Applying the framework, we identify key research priorities to align P stewardship with the management of multiple ecosystem services, such as incorporating additional services into agri‐environmental P indices, assessing how widespread recycling of organic P sources could differentially impact agricultural yields and water quality, and accounting for shifting baselines in P stewardship due to climate change. Ultimately, P impacts depend on site‐specific agricultural and biogeophysical contexts, so greater precision in targeting stewardship strategies to specific locations would help to optimize for ecosystem services and to more effectively internalize the downstream costs of farm nutrient management.
A whole‐systems approach for assessing measures to improve arable ecosystem sustainability
Authors: Hawes C. , Begg G. S. , Iannetta P. P. M. , Karley A. J. , Squire G. R. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
There is increasing pressure on the agricultural industry to maintain or increase production of high‐quality food while maintaining long‐term environmental sustainability. and policies and practices have been developed and implemented in an attempt to improve the sustainability and efficiency of arable farming and satisfy these potentially conflicting requirements. However, to the authors' knowledge, there has been no attempt to quantify whether new interventions have the desired effect on improving sustainability at a whole‐systems level. Most studies focus on one, or a few, elements of a specific system and therefore fail to account for trade‐offs and conflicts between the many different interacting components. Here, we propose a whole‐systems approach based on a suite of indicators for a complete and holistic assessment of the efficacy of policies to improve economic, environmental, and ecological sustainability.
Enhanced Energy Storage using Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.15(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 Ceramics with BaO–SrO–TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2–BaF2 Glass Addition
Authors: Liu Wenfeng , Ping Weiwei , Li Shengtao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe addition of the glass BaO–SrO–TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2–BaF2 was employed to improve the microstructures and energy storage properties of Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.15(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ceramics, which exhibited a large dielectric constant of 3458 at 25 °C under 1 kHz, slim hysteresis loop with the maximum polarization of 12.53 μC cm−2, and a remnant polarization of 4.05 μC cm−2. Characterization of the microstructure indicated that the average grain size was reduced significantly with increasing glass concentration. Macroscopically the glass ceramics exhibited diffusion phase transition with reduced peak dielectric constant, but a broad peak with a relatively large dielectric constant of approximately 1000 near room temperature. Meanwhile the electrical breakdown strength (BDS) of the glass modified ceramics was nearly quadruple that of the pure ceramic. The energy storage performance of the glass‐modified ceramics (419.4 kJ m−3 calculated from the product of dielectric constant and square of BDS and 192.8 kJ m−3 from the integration of the hysteresis loop under an electric field of 9.6 kV mm−1) showed significant superiority to that of the pure ceramic material.
Heavy metal concentrations in female wild mink (Neovison vison) in Sweden: Sources of variation and associations with internal organ weights
Authors: Ljungvall Karl , Magnusson Ulf , Korvela Marcus , Norrby Mattias , Bergquist Jonas , Persson Sara 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

The American mink is an invasive species in Sweden, and it is legally hunted all year. Therefore, the mink is well suited as a sentinel species for environmental monitoring. In the present study female mink (n = 91) from 6 different areas in Sweden were analyzed for the concentrations of silver, cadmium, mercury and lead in liver tissue using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The wet concentrations in liver tissue were 42.6 ± 52.7 ng/g for silver, 99.5 ± 100 ng/g for cadmium, 652 ± 537 ng/g for mercury, and 196 ± 401 ng/g for lead (expressed as mean ± standard deviation). There were associations between the sample area and the concentrations of silver, lead, and mercury. The concentrations of lead and cadmium varied with season of capture and lead, cadmium, and mercury were positively associated with increasing age. Relative liver weight was positively associated with concentrations of mercury and negatively associated with lead and cadmium. Relative kidney weight was negatively associated with lead concentrations. In summary, it is of importance to take age and season of capture into account when assessing levels of heavy metals in wild mink. Also, liver and kidneys seem to be potential targets for heavy metal toxicity in wild female mink in Sweden. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2030–2035. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC
Development and evaluation of floating alginate microspheres for oral delivery of anthocyanins – A preliminary investigation
Authors: Celli Giovana B. , Ghanem Amyl , Brooks Marianne S. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe goal of this study was to develop floating microspheres that could be used as gastroretentive systems for the delivery of anthocyanins (ACNs). These compounds are absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and insufficient residence time in these organs could result in limited absorption and contribute to degradation. The microparticles containing freeze‐dried haskap berry extract (321.96 ± 8.35 mg cyanidin 3‐glucoside equivalents per g) were prepared by ionotropic gelation of alginate (9%, w/w) with calcium ions (CaCl2 at 2%, w/v) in the gelation bath, with calcium carbonate as the gas‐generating compound (added at different ratios in the alginate/extract mixture). The effect of acetic acid concentration (2 and 10%, v/v) in the gelation medium was investigated. Increasing the carbonate : alginate weigh ratio from 0 to 3:4 resulted in different degrees of floatability, larger particles, higher encapsulation efficiency, and lower amount of ACN released. The power law equation fitted the experimental data well, indicating that release occurred mainly by diffusion. This is the first time floating microspheres are proposed as gastroretentive platforms for the delivery of ACNs.
Acquisition or greenfield entry into Africa? Responding to institutional dynamics in an emerging continent
Authors: Chen Ruiyuan , Cui Lin , Li Sali , Rolfe Robert 
Published: December 2016

Research SummaryForeign direct investment establishment mode literature has focused on the impact of unidimensional measures of institutional status, despite that institutional environments in emerging economies undergo substantial and continuous changes in multiple dimensions. This study integrates the dynamic institution‐based view with the theoretical construct of institutional competitive advantages to examine the heterogeneous strategic responses of investing firms to host country institutional dynamics. Empirical results from 2,245 FDIs into Africa during the period 2008–2013 show that multinational enterprises MNEs are more likely to adopt: (1) a greenfield mode in countries with rapid development of formal institutions; and (2) an acquisition mode in countries with rapid development of factor markets. Moreover, the regional experience of MNEs strengthens the first effect, while the institutional ties strengthen both effects.Managerial summaryThe dynamic development of a host country's institutional and factor market conditions is a critical consideration for multinational enterprises when entering emerging countries. By studying 2,245 foreign direct investments into Africa during the period 2008–2013, we find that MNEs are more likely to enter African countries that have formal institutions that are rapidly improving via greenfield investments. This is especially true for those MNEs with prior investment experience in Africa or with local government connections. We also find that acquisition modes are more likely to be adopted in African countries with rapidly improving factor market conditions, especially by MNEs with local government connections. We promote a dynamic perspective for MNEs for assessing business opportunities and entry modes in Africa. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Catch‐up via agglomeration: A study of township clusters
Authors: Jia Liangding , Li Sali , Tallman Steve , Zheng Yaqin 
Published: December 2016

Research SummaryThis study examines both the horizontal and the vertical dimensions of Chinese township industrial clusters in order to disentangle the determinants of catch‐up performance. By examining 87 township clusters in Jiangsu Province, we find that a cluster's competitive intensity partially mediates the relationship between cluster size and cluster performance and that the number of R&D centers and interfirm joint actions in a cluster positively affects a cluster's innovativeness which, in turn, contributes to cluster performance. Our study not only helps shed light on what strategic factors led Chinese manufacturing clusters to catch up in the global value chain, but our findings can be used as a basis for comparison with other types of clusters around the world.Managerial summaryDespite the emergence of Chinese manufacturing industries over the past 30 years, little is known about how local clusters have helped Chinese firms catch up in global competition. By analyzing the performance of 87 township industrial clusters in Jiangsu Province, we find that the level of competition in a cluster mediates the relationship between cluster size and cluster performance and that a cluster's number of R&D centers and interfirm collaborations positively affect a cluster's innovativeness which, in turn, contributes to cluster performance. Our study contributes to a better understanding of cluster catch‐up strategies, helping compare and contrast the differences between clusters from developing countries and ones from developed countries. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Maternal guidance in at‐risk mother–child dyads: Associations with contextual variables
Authors: Briscoe Ciara , Stack Dale M. , Serbin Lisa A. , Ledingham Jane E. , Schwartzman Alex E. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe present study was designed to explore how maternal guidance (i.e., involvement and monitoring) is associated with parent‐level and contextual factors in unstructured and structured tasks. Participants were mothers who had histories of risk and disadvantage (mean age = 30.47) with their preschool‐aged children (aged 2–6 years; n males = 39, n females = 50). Maternal guidance was divided into two categories: directive (i.e., commands and command repetitions) and nondirective (i.e., queries, verbal prompts, and explanations). Results revealed that mothers with more directive guidance had higher levels of parental stress and higher levels of maternal childhood histories of social withdrawal. Furthermore, more nondirective maternal guidance was associated with higher quality of home environments. Taken together, results suggest that parenting practices are best understood in relation to contextual variables. Findings have implications for developing and implementing parenting interventions for at‐risk mothers.Highlights

Explored the association between contextual factors (e.g., parent stress, home environment) and maternal guidance (mother's use of commands vs. hints or prompts).
Maternal guidance was assessed observationally and commands were associated with more parental stress while hints were associated with a higher quality home environment.
Understanding parents as a whole by exploring contextual factors, rather than through isolated parenting practices, may be beneficial in the application of future parenting interventions.
Differences in the expression of cell cycle genes in osteoblasts and endothelial cells cultured on the surfaces of Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys
Authors: Walkowiak‐Przybyło M. , Komorowski P. , Walkowiak B. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThree medically used alloys (Ti6Al4V, Ti6Al7Nb, and AISI 316 L) are compared due to proliferative potential and metabolic response of human cells (osteoblasts line Saos‐2 and endothelial cells line EA.hy‐926) seeded on the surfaces of these alloys. Although no statistically significant difference in the proliferative potential of the cells cultured on the surfaces of examined biomaterials was observed, it does not exclude relevant differences in metabolic response of these cells assessed as changes in genes’ expression. As a result of our studies it was demonstrated that the changes in the expression of examined genes were very common. Our observation suggests the presence of the process of selective recognition of the contacted biomaterials by the cells seeded on their surfaces. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1607–1617, 2017.
Hemocompatibility evaluation of poly(1,8‐octanediol citrate) blend polyethersulfone membranes
Authors: Zailani Muhamad Zulhilmi , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Goh Pei Sean , Hasbullah Hasrinah , Abdullah Mohd Sohaimi , Ng Be Cheer , Kamal Fatmawati 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this study, poly (1,8‐octanediol citrate) (POC) was used to modify polyethersulfone (PES)‐based membrane to enhance its hemocompatibility. Different compositions of POC (0–3%) were added into the polyethersulfone (PES) dope solutions and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as pore forming agent. The hemocompatible POC modified PES membranes were fabricated through phase‐inversion technique. The prepared membranes were characterized using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic‐force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, Zeta‐potential, membrane porosity and pore size and pure water flux (PWF) and BSA rejection. The hemocompatibility of the modified PES membranes was evaluated by human serum fibrinogen (FBG) protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin–antithrombin III (TAT), complement (C3a and C5a) activation and Ca2+absorption on membrane. Results showed that by increasing POC concentration, FBG adsorption was reduced, less platelets adhesion, prolonged APTT and PT, lower TAT, C5a and C3a activation and absorb more Ca2+ion. These results indicated that modification of PES with POC has rendered improved hemocompatibility properties for potential application in the field of blood purification, especially in hemodialysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1510–1520, 2017.
Cell adhesive peptides functionalized on CoCr alloy stimulate endothelialization and prevent thrombogenesis and restenosis
Authors: Castellanos Maria Isabel , Guillem‐Marti Jordi , Mas‐Moruno Carlos , Díaz‐Ricart Maribel , Escolar Ginés , Ginebra Maria Pau , Gil Francisco Javier , Pegueroles Marta , Manero Jose María 
Published: December 2016

AbstractImmobilization of bioactive peptide sequences on CoCr surfaces is an effective route to improve endothelialization, which is of great interest for cardiovascular stents. In this work, we explored the effect of physical and covalent immoblization of RGDS, YIGSR and their equimolar combination peptides on endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) adhesion and on thrombogenicity. We extensively investigated using RT‐qPCR, the expression by ECs cultured on functionalised CoCr surfaces of different genes. Genes relevant for adhesion (ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1), vascularization (VEGFA, VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2) and anti‐thrombogenicity (tPA and eNOS) were over‐expressed in the ECs grown to covalently functionalized CoCr surfaces compared to physisorbed and control surfaces. Pro‐thrombogenic genes expression (PAI‐1 and vWF) decreased over time. Cell co‐cultures of ECs/SMCs found that functionalization increased the amount of adhered ECs onto modified surfaces compared to plain CoCr, independently of the used peptide and the strategy of immobilization. SMCs adhered less compared to ECs in all surfaces. All studied peptides showed a lower platelet cell adhesion compared to TCPS. Covalent functionalization of CoCr surfaces with an equimolar combination of RGDS and YIGSR represented prevailing strategy to enhance the early stages of ECs adhesion and proliferation, while preventing SMCs and platelet adhesion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 973–983, 2017.
Prenatal transplantation of epidermal neural crest stem cells in malformation of cortical development mouse model
Authors: Omidi Ameneh , Akbari Mohammad , Mortezaee Keywan , Eqlimi Ehsan , Beyer Cordian , Zendedel Adib , Ragerdi Kashani Iraj 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPrenatal interventions may offer an immense opportunity in therapeutic protocols of malformations of cortical development (MCD). Epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI‐NCSCs) of the hair follicle bulge exhibit features of both embryonic and adult stem cells; these cells maintain their neurologic differentiation capability because of their neural crest origin. However, it is unknown if prenatal use of EPI‐NCSCs could be beneficial in targeting methylazoxymethanol (MAM)‐induced MCD, which further addressed in the present work. EPI‐NCSCs were prenatally infused to the MAM‐exposed mice. Thicknesses of various cerebral cortex areas as well as corpus callosum was measured; there were markedly decrease in MAM group (p < .001 vs. untreated), but a significant increase in EPI‐NCSC group (p < .05 vs. MAM), except for corpus callosum. Real‐time PCR analysis showed high expressions for absent, small, or homeotic 2‐like protein, nestin, doublecortin (DCX), neuronal specific nuclei protein (NeuN), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in MAM group (p < .001 vs. untreated), except for G‐protein‐coupled C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and CXC motif ligand 12 (CXCL12), whereas there were low expressions in EPI‐NCSCs group (p < .01 vs. MAM). Immunohistochemistry of NeuN, GFAP, ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule (Iba1), and oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (Olig2) was also revealed the same pattern as real‐time PCR (p < .001 MAM vs. untreated, and p < .05 EPI‐NCSCs vs. MAM). Our findings suggest prenatal use of EPI‐NCSCs as a possible candidate for cell‐based therapy of cortical injury through affecting neural markers and their relationship with glial.
Optimal dosage regimen for rituximab in ABO‐incompatible living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Egawa Hiroto , Umeshita Koji , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundRituximab has greatly improved the outcomes of ABO‐incompatible living donor liver transplantation (ABO‐I LDLT). To clarify the optimal regimen for rituximab in adult ABO‐I LDLT, a multicenter study was conducted in Japan.MethodsClinical data of 33 adult patients undergoing ABO‐I LDLT at 15 centers in 2013 were retrospectively corrected.ResultsThe targeted blood type was A1 in 18, B in 14, and AB in one patient. Rituximab was administered at 7 to 48 days before LT, at a dose of 375 mg/m2 in 12 patients, 500 mg in 15 patients, 300 mg in five patients, and 100 mg in one patient. Adverse effects of rituximab were tolerable. Overall 1‐year patient survival was 81%; antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) occurred in three patients (9%), two of whom died. Rituximab dose was significantly lower in patients with AMR (P < 0.001, 137 ± 61 vs. 307 ± 66 mg/m2). Among rituximab dose (n = 28), local infusion (n = 11), splenectomy (n = 23), prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulins (n = 12), preoperative tacrolimus (n = 9), preoperative antimetabolites (n = 21), and plasmapheresis (n = 23), only rituximab dose was a significantly favorable factor for AMR (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe use of rituximab at sufficient doses is recommended in adult ABO‐I LDLT.