bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photostability and Moisture Stability of CH3NH3PbI3‐based Solar Cells by Ethyl Cellulose
Authors: He Jian , Ng Chun‐Fai , Young Wong King , Liu Weifeng , Chen Tao 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOrganic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have achieved high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of around 22 %, comparable to conventional silicon and thin‐film solar cells. However, the poor stability of the perovskite material is one of the significant drawbacks for its practical application. In moderate humidity, the perovskite hydrates and decomposes within hours or a few days, which deteriorates the device efficiency rapidly. Herein, is demonstrated the moisture stability and photostability of CH3NH3PbI3 can be greatly improved through the interaction between ethyl cellulose (EC) and perovskite crystals. It is found that the CH3NH3PbI3 film with EC incorporation is stable over 5 days in 60 % relative humidity (RH) under ambient indoor light, whereas the conventional CH3NH3PbI3 film without EC is degraded in 1 day. After being stored in 60 % RH under ambient indoor light for 2.5 days, the solar cell with EC incorporation shows a PCE decrement from 14.08 % to 8.21 %, whereas that without EC is nearly entirely degraded (PCE=0 %). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy shows that hydrogen bonding between EC and CH3NH3PbI3 accounts for the improved moisture stability by stabilizing the crystal structure.
The clonal root system of balsam poplar in upland sites of Quebec and Alberta
Authors: Adonsou Kokouvi E. , DesRochers Annie , Tremblay Francine , Thomas Barb R. , Isabel Nathalie 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBalsam poplar seeds are short‐lived and require moist seedbeds soon after they are released to germinate. In addition to sexual reproduction, balsam poplar stands can regenerate clonally by root suckering. The origin of stands will in turn affect their genetic structure and root system architecture, which are poorly understood for upland forest stands. Three stands were hydraulically excavated in Quebec (moist) and Alberta (dry) to determine the origin of trees and to characterize root systems with respect to presence of parental roots and root grafts connections. Clones were identified using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), and all stems, roots and root grafts were aged using dendrochronology techniques. All 82 excavated trees were of sucker origin, and four of the six stands contained a single clone. Parental root connections were found between 22% and 25% of excavated trees, and 53% and 48% of trees were linked with a root graft between the same or different clones, in Alberta and Quebec, respectively. Mean distance between trees connected by parental root was significantly lower than the distance between unconnected trees (0.47 ± 0.25 m vs. 3.14 ± 0.15 m and 1.55 ± 0.27 m vs. 4.25 ± 0.13 m) in Alberta and in Quebec, respectively. The excavations also revealed many dead stumps with live roots, maintained through root connections with live trees. This research highlights that balsam poplar growing in upland stands is a clonal species that can maintain relatively high genotypic diversity, with frequent root connections between trees at maturity. Maintaining an extensive root system through root connections increases the chances of a clone surviving when the above ground tree is dead and may also enhance the resilience of balsam poplar stands after disturbance.
Multiple interaction types determine the impact of ant predation of caterpillars in a forest community
Authors: Clark Robert E. , Farkas Timothy E. , Lichter‐Marck Isaac , Johnson Emily R. , Singer Michael S. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDirect and indirect effects of predators are highly variable in complex communities, and understanding the sources of this variation is a research priority in community ecology. Recent evidence indicates that herbivore community structure is a primary determinant of predation strength and its cascading impacts on plants. In this study, we use variation in herbivore community structure among plant species to experimentally test two hypotheses in a temperate forest food web. First, variation in the strength of predator effects, such as ant predation of caterpillars, is predicted to be density dependent, exhibiting stronger effects when prey abundance is high (density‐dependent predation hypothesis). Second, mutualistic interactions between ants and sap‐feeding herbivores are expected to increase the abundance of predatory ants, strengthening predation effects on herbivores with cascading effects on host plants (keystone mutualism hypothesis). Using a large‐scale predator exclusion experiment across eight dominant tree species, we tracked changes in insect density on 862 plants across two years, recording 2,322 ants, 1,062 sap‐feeders, 5,322 caterpillars, and quantifying herbivory on 199, 338 leaves. In this experiment, density‐dependent predation did not explain variation in the direct or indirect effects of ants on caterpillars and herbivory. In partial support of the keystone mutualism hypothesis, sap‐feeders strengthened top‐down effects of ants on caterpillars under some conditions. However, stronger ant predation of caterpillars did not lead to measurable trophic cascades on trees occupied by sap‐feeders. Instead, the presence of sap‐feeders was associated with increased per capita feeding damage by caterpillars, and this bottom‐up effect attenuated the indirect effects of ants on host plants. These findings demonstrate that examining the multi‐trophic impacts of mutualisms and predation in the context of the broader community can reveal patterns otherwise masked by compensatory interactions.
Native–exotic richness relationships: a biogeographic approach using turnover in island plant populations
Authors: Burns K. C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSpatial variation in exotic species richness is often correlated with native species richness, for reasons that are poorly understood. To better understand the mechanisms underpinning native–exotic richness relationships, I quantified the colonization and extinction of 18 exotic and 16 native plant species on 39 small islands located off the coast of New Zealand for 8 consecutive yr. Results revealed a positive native–exotic richness relationship, which could be explained by similar demographic responses of native and exotic species to island area. However, native and exotic species showed subtle differences in their response to other island attributes. Turnover in native species declined with island isolation, whereas turnover in exotic species increased with the exposure of islands to ocean‐borne disturbances. Overall results illustrate how long‐term observations of species turnover can be used to better understand the mechanisms underpinning native–exotic richness relationships, and demonstrate that large, exposed islands can be especially susceptible to invasions by exotic species.
Normal fault growth and linkage in the Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben, Western Turkey, revealed by transient river long‐profiles and slope‐break knickpoints
Authors: Kent Emiko , Boulton Sarah J. , Whittaker Alexander C. , Stewart Iain S. , Cihat Alçiçek M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe Gediz (Alaşehir) Graben is located in the highly tectonically active and seismogenic region of Western Turkey. The rivers upstream of the normal fault‐bounded graben each contain a non‐lithologic knickpoint, including those that drain through inferred fault segment boundaries. Knickpoint heights measured vertically from the fault scale with footwall relief and documented fault throw (vertical displacement). Consequently, we deduce these knickpoints were initiated by an increase in slip rate on the basin‐bounding fault, driven by linkage of the three main fault segments of the high‐angle graben bounding fault array. Fault interaction theory and ratios of channel steepness suggest that the slip rate enhancement factor on linkage was a factor of 3. We combine this information with geomorphic and structural constraints to estimate that linkage took place between 0.6 Ma and 1 Ma. Calculated pre‐ and post‐linkage throw rates are 0.6 and 2 mm/yr respectively. Maximum knickpoint retreat rates upstream of the faults range from 4.5 to 28 mm/yr, faster than for similar catchments upstream of normal faults in the Central Apennines and the Hatay Graben of Turkey, and implying a fluvial landscape response time of 1.6 to 2.7 Myr. We explore the relative controls of drainage area and precipitation on these retreat rates, and conclude that while climate variation and fault throw rate partially explain the variations seen, lithology remains a potentially important but poorly characterised variable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical preparation of nasal defects to enhance the implant‐retained facial prostheses: A case report
Authors: Hofstede Theresa M. , Jacob Rhonda F. , Montgomery Patricia , Wesley Peggy 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundSkin cancers requiring nasal resection may be surgically reconstructed and/or prosthetically reconstructed. Singular surgical reconstruction may be ideal for smaller defects in which the nasal bone and cartilaginous portions of the nose are maintained, but surgical reconstruction falls short of providing acceptable aesthetic results for more extensive nasal defects. Prosthetic rehabilitation, or a combination of surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation, is more appropriate for larger defects, but prosthesis retention can be challenging when adhesives are required on adjacent mobile and secreting skin.MethodsWe report 2 cases of patients with extensive nasal defects who were successfully rehabilitated with nasal prostheses. The nasal defects were surgically optimized with immediate preparation of the surgical margins, placement of a split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) within the nasal cavities and exposed maxillary sinuses, and immediate placement of osseointegrated implants.ResultsExcellent prosthetic retention can be achieved without the need for adhesives. A skin graft‐lined defect has minimal secretions and allows for improved defect cleansing.ConclusionThe success of a nasal prosthesis depends on appropriate surgical management of the defect, and, thus, collaboration between the various surgical and prosthetic teams is essential. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: E4–E11, 2017
The impact of ditch blocking on the hydrological functioning of blanket peatlands
Authors: Holden Joseph , Green Sophie M. , Baird Andy J. , Grayson Richard P. , Dooling Gemma P. , Chapman Pippa J. , Evans Christopher D. , Peacock Mike , Swindles Graeme 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDitch blocking in blanket peatlands is common as part of peatland restoration. The effects of ditch blocking on flow regimes and nearby water tables were examined in a field trial. After an initial 6‐month monitoring period, eight ditches had peat dams installed 10 m apart along their entire length (dammed), four of these ditches were also partially infilled through bank reprofiling (reprofiled). Four ditches were left open with no dams or reprofiling (open). These 12 ditches and the surrounding peat were monitored for 4 more years. An initial five‐fold reduction in discharge occurred in the dammed and the reprofiled ditches with the displaced water being diverted to overland flow and pathways away from the ditches. However, there was a gradual change over time in ditch flow regime in subsequent years, with the overall volume of water leaving the dammed and the reprofiled ditches increasing per unit of rainfall to around twice that which occurred in the first year after blocking. Hence, monitoring for greater than one year is important for understanding hydrological impacts of peatland restoration. Overland flow and flow in the upper ~4 cm of peat was common and occurred in the inter‐ditch areas for over half of the time after ditch blocking. There was strong evidence that topographic boundaries of small ditch catchments, despite being defined using a high‐resolution Light Detection And Ranging‐based terrain model, were not always equivalent to actual catchment areas. Hence, caution is needed when upscaling area‐based fluxes, such as aquatic carbon fluxes, from smaller scale studies including those using ditches and small streams. The effect of ditch blocking on local water tables was spatially highly variable but small overall (time‐weighted mean effect <2 cm). Practitioners seeking to raise water tables through peatland restoration should first be informed either by prior measurement of water tables or by spatial modelling to show whether the peatland already has shallow water tables or whether there are locations that could potentially undergo large water‐table recoveries.
Design and demonstration of an intracortical probe technology with tunable modulus
Authors: Simon Dustin M. , Charkhkar Hamid , St. John Conan , Rajendran Sakthi , Kang Tong , Reit Radu , Arreaga‐Salas David , McHail Daniel G. , Knaack Gretchen L. , Sloan Andrew , Grasse Dane , Dumas Theodore C. , Rennaker Robert L. , Pancrazio Joseph J. , Voit Walter E. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntracortical probe technology, consisting of arrays of microelectrodes, offers a means of recording the bioelectrical activity from neural tissue. A major limitation of existing intracortical probe technology pertains to limited lifetime of 6 months to a year of recording after implantation. A major contributor to device failure is widely believed to be the interfacial mechanical mismatch of conventional stiff intracortical devices and the surrounding brain tissue. We describe the design, development, and demonstration of a novel functional intracortical probe technology that has a tunable Young's modulus from ∼2 GPa to ∼50 MPa. This technology leverages advances in dynamically softening materials, specifically thiol‐ene/acrylate thermoset polymers, which exhibit minimal swelling of < 3% weight upon softening in vitro. We demonstrate that a shape memory polymer‐based multichannel intracortical probe can be fabricated, that the mechanical properties are stable for at least 2 months and that the device is capable of single unit recordings for durations up to 77 days in vivo. This novel technology, which is amenable to processes suitable for manufacturing via standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, offers the capability of softening in vivo to reduce the tissue‐device modulus mismatch to ultimately improve long term viability of neural recordings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 159–168, 2017.
A Novel Peptide Derived From Tissue‐Type Plasminogen Activator Potently Inhibits Angiogenesis and Corneal Neovascularization
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Kyung , Choi Jun‐Sub , Lee Seung Woo , Joo Choun‐Ki , Joe Young Ae 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe recombinant protein TK1‐2, which consists of two kringle domains of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. ɪn this study, we examined the anti‐angiogenic activities of peptides derived from kringle 2 domain of t‐PA to identify the functional core sequence. Seven peptides were constructed from the kringle 2 sequence, based on the structure and characteristics of amino acid residues, and were analyzed for their inhibitory effects on endothelial cells (ECs). Among them, TP‐7 (derived from a β‐sheet motif) potently inhibited proliferation, tube formation, and migration of ECs in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas truncation of 3–9 amino acid residues from either N or C terminus of TP‐7 abrogated its inhibitory effects on ECs. TP‐7 also potently inhibited angiogenesis in a Matrigel plug assay in vivo. Moreover, TP‐7 dose‐dependently suppressed corneal neovascularization induced by an acute chemical burn in a rat model. At the molecular level, TP‐7 inhibited VEGF‐ or bFGF‐induced phosphorylation of FAK and ERK1/2 and drastically disrupted VEGF‐ or bFGF‐induced formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes. In addition, TP‐7 markedly suppressed attachment and spreading of ECs on a collagen type I or fibronectin matrix. Adhesion of ECs to immobilized TP‐7 increased dose‐dependently, which was disrupted strongly by pretreatment with soluble TP‐7 and slightly by an integrin α2β1‐blocking antibody. These results suggest that TP‐7 is a potent anti‐angiogenic peptide in part affecting the integrin α2β1‐dependent pathway and that it can be used for treatment of corneal neovascularization by targeting VEGF and non‐VEGF pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1132–1143, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole‐body MRI, FDG‐PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy, for the assessment of bone marrow involvement in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma
Authors: Albano Domenico , Patti Caterina , Lagalla Roberto , Midiri Massimo , Galia Massimo 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo compare whole‐body MRI (WB‐MRI) with diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), FDG‐PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy (BMB), for the evaluation of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Two independent radiologists and one nuclear medicine specialist reviewed all WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT scans prospectively performed on 104 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma (53 males; 47 Hodgkin; mean age: 44 years; range, 15–86 years) between 2013 and 2015. The delay between imaging scans and BMBs was up to 10 days. The diagnostic accuracy of WB‐MRI (1.5 Tesla MR scanner, with T1w, T2w‐STIR, and DWI sequences) was evaluated using BMB and FDG‐PET/CT as the reference standard. We applied Cohen's kappa coefficient to assess the inter‐observer agreement in WB‐MRI interpretation and to compare WB‐MRI, FDG‐PET/CT and BMB. The Student's t test was done to compare pelvic marrow ADC values of patients with positive and negative BMB. A P‐value of < 0.01 was considered significant.ResultsInter‐observer agreement was excellent (k = 0.937). Agreement between WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT was excellent, with a k = 0.935. Agreement between WB‐MRI and BMB was moderate (k = 0.489), and fair between FDG‐PET/CT and BMB (k = 0.370). WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT were falsely negative in four indolent non‐Hodgkin lymphomas with BMI < 30% of marrow cellularity. Conversely, WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT detected all cases with a BMI>30% of marrow cellularity. Mean ADC values in patients with positive and negative BMB were not significantly different (P = 0.049).ConclusionWB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT are valuable tools for the assessment of BMI.Level of Evidence: 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1082–1089
Reducing Sediment Connectivity Through man‐Made and Natural Sediment Sinks in the Minizr Catchment, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Mulatie , Keesstra Saskia D. , Baartman Jantiene E. M. , Stroosnijder Leo , Maroulis Jerry 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMan‐made and natural sediment sinks provide a practical means for reducing downstream reservoir sedimentation by decreasing soil erosion and enhancing the rate of sedimentation within a catchment. The Minizr catchment (20 km2) in the northwest Ethiopian highlands contains numerous man‐made soil and water conservation (SWC) structures such as soil bunds (Erken), fanya juu ridge (Cab) and micro‐trenches and natural sediment sinks such as wetlands, floodplains and grassed waterways. These sediment sinks reduce downstream sedimentation into the Koga reservoir, located at the catchment outlet, however, a large quantity of sediment is still reaching the reservoir. This study evaluates the function and effectiveness of both man‐made SWC structures and natural sediment sinks in reducing sediment export from the Minizr catchment. SWC structures and natural sediment sinks were digitized using Google Earth Imagery. Sediment pins and vertical sampling through the deposit were used to quantify the amount of deposited sediment. In addition, inflow and outflow of suspended sediment data were used to calculate the sediment‐trapping efficacies (STE) of man‐made SWC structures (soil bunds and fanya juu ridges) and natural sediment sinks. Results reveal that 144 km soil bunds and fanya juu ridges trapped 7,920 Mg y−1 (55 kg m−1 y−1) and micro‐trenches trapped 13·26 Mg y−1, each micro‐trench on average trapped 23 kg y−1. The 17 ha floodplain located in the centre of the catchment trapped 9,970 Mg y−1 (59 kg m−2 y−1), while a wetland with a surface area of 24 ha, located near the outlet of the catchment, trapped 8,715 Mg y−1 (36 kg m−2 y−1). The STEs of soil bunds and fanya juu ridges, wetlands and floodplains were 54%, 85% and 77%, respectively. Substantial differences were observed between the STE of grassed and un‐grassed waterways at 75% and 21%, respectively. Existing man‐made and natural sediment sinks played an important role in trapping sediment, with 38% (26,600 Mg y−1) of transported sediment being trapped, while 62% (43,000 Mg y−1) is exported from the catchment and thus enters the Koga reservoir. Therefore, additional catchment treatment measures are required as an integrated catchment scale sediment trapping approach to help reduce sediment loads entering Koga reservoir. Moreover, to maximize the effectiveness of sediment trapping measures, avoid structural failure and ensure their sustainability, regular maintenance is needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent‐Free Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene over Silica‐Supported Tungsten–Oxo Perhydrocarbyl Catalysts
Authors: Larabi Cherif , Szeto Kai C. , Bouhoute Yassine , Charlin Marc O. , Merle Nicolas , Mallmann Aimery De , Gauvin Regis M. , Delevoye Laurent , Taoufik Mostafa 
Published: September 2016

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene (norbornene) is carried out over silica‐supported catalysts based on tungsten complexes bearing an oxo ligand (1: [(SiO)W(O)(CH2SiMe3)3, 2: [(SiO)W(O)(CHCMe2Ph)(dAdPO)], dAdPO  2,6 diadamantyl‐4‐methylphenoxide, 3: [(SiO)2W(O)(CH2SiMe3)2]). The evaluation of the catalytic activities of the aforementioned materials in ROMP indicates that at low reaction time (0.5 min), the highest polymer yield is obtained with catalyst 2. However, for longer reaction time (>2 min), complex 3, a model of the industrial catalyst, exhibits a better monomer conversion. The polymers obtained are characterized. Moreover, these catalysts are shown to be rather preferentially selective to give the cis polynorbornene (>65%), characterized by high melting points (≈300 °C). The experimental values of the average molecular weight (Mn) of polynorbornenes are found to be close to the theoretical ones for the polymers prepared using catalyst 2 and higher for those originated from catalyst 3.
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A mix of apple pomace polysaccharide improves mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress in the liver of high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Chen Lei , Liu Lei , Li Caixia , Hu ChengLi , Su Fan , Liu Run , Zeng Mengqi , Zhao Daina , Liu Jiankang , Guo Yurong , Long Jiangang 
Published: September 2016

ScopeApple pomace polysaccharides (APP), a free radical scavenger, is one of the major compounds derived from apple pomace. However, whether APP has beneficial effects on metabolic disorders is still unknown.Methods and resultsIn the present study, water‐soluble APP was isolated from the pomace of the locally abundant “Qinguan” apple and chemically characterized. Then, APP was orally administrated to high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. We found that APP significantly reduced HFD‐induced body weight gain and ameliorated HFD‐induced hepatic metabolic disorders and oxidative stress. In a palmitate‐loaded HepG2 cell model, APP protected the cells from palmitate‐induced insulin resistance and loss of viability by suppressing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and rescuing mitochondrial respiratory function.ConclusionOur work suggests that APP, a promising bioactive food component, successfully improved obesity‐associated hepatic metabolic disorder, most likely though the activation of hepatic mitochondrial function and the suppression of mitochondria oxidative stress.