bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microhabitat comparison of swamp rabbit sites between periphery and core of the species range
Authors: Dumyahn Joseph B. , Zollner Patrick A. , Smith Winston P. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTSwamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) inhabit bottomland hardwood forests and rely on key microhabitat features found in this forested wetland system. Research comparing key features of swamp rabbit habitat across the species' geographic range is lacking. In this study, we compared 13 microhabitat characteristics at sites associated with 2 distinct behaviors (form and latrine) of swamp rabbits at the northern extent of their distribution (southwest Indiana, northwest Kentucky) with sites from the species' core distribution (Arkansas). There were significant differences in vegetation structure including canopy cover, basal area, stand density, and stem density between Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas sites for both form and latrine locations. At the northern periphery, where swamp rabbit populations are of conservation concern, we found that habitat is composed of fewer key components that are ecologically important to swamp rabbits such as canopy gaps, downed woody material, and cover. Wildlife managers interested in providing swamp rabbit habitat should recognize microhabitat components (i.e., canopy gaps, downed woody material) that are favorable for swamp rabbits and attempt to supply these elements through management actions such as uneven‐aged silvicultural practices. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Habitat manipulation influences northern bobwhite resource selection on a reclaimed surface mine
Authors: Brooke Jarred M. , Peters David C. , Unger Ashley M. , Tanner Evan P. , Harper Craig A. , Keyser Patrick D. , Clark Joseph D. , Morgan John J. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTMore than 600,000 ha of mine land have been reclaimed in the eastern United States, providing large contiguous tracts of early successional vegetation that can be managed for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). However, habitat quality on reclaimed mine land can be limited by extensive coverage of non‐native invasive species, which are commonly planted during reclamation. We used discrete‐choice analysis to investigate bobwhite resource selection throughout the year on Peabody Wildlife Management Area, a 3,330‐ha reclaimed surface mine in western Kentucky. We used a treatment‐control design to study resource selection at 2 spatial scales to identify important aspects of mine land vegetation and whether resource selection differed between areas with habitat management (i.e., burning, disking, herbicide; treatment) and unmanaged units (control). Our objectives were to estimate bobwhite resource selection on reclaimed mine land and to estimate the influence of habitat management practices on resource selection. We used locations from 283 individuals during the breeding season (1 Apr–30 Sep) and 136 coveys during the non‐breeding season (1 Oct–Mar 31) from August 2009 to March 2014. Individuals were located closer to shrub cover than would be expected at random throughout the year. During the breeding season, individuals on treatment units used areas with smaller contagion index values (i.e., greater interspersion) compared with individuals on control units. During the non‐breeding season, birds selected areas with greater shrub‐open edge density compared with random. At the microhabitat scale, individuals selected areas with increased visual obstruction >1 m aboveground. During the breeding season, birds were closer to disked areas (linear and non‐linear) than would be expected at random. Individuals selected non‐linear disked areas during winter but did not select linear disked areas (firebreaks) because they were planted to winter wheat each fall and lacked cover during the non‐breeding season. Individuals also selected areas treated with herbicide to control sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) throughout the year. During the breeding season, bobwhites avoided areas burned during the previous dormant season. Habitat quality of reclaimed mine lands may be limited by a lack of shrub cover and extensive coverage of non‐native herbaceous vegetation. Managers aiming to increase bobwhite abundance should focus on increasing interspersion of shrub cover, with no area >100 m from shrub cover. We suggest disking and herbicide application to control invasive species and improve the structure and composition of vegetation for bobwhites. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Nonlinear eigenvalue problems for quasilinear equations in unbounded domains
Authors: Drábek Pavel , Simader Christian G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe prove the existence of a solution of the nonlinear equation

in IRN and in exterior domains, respectively. We concentrate to the case when p ≥ N and the nonlinearity f(x, · ) is “superlinear” and “subcritical”.
Toric rings generated by special stable sets of monomials
Authors: De Negri Emanuela 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this paper we consider some subalgebras of the d‐th Veronese subring of a polynomial ring, generated by stable subsets of monomials. We prove that these algebras are Koszul, showing that the presentation ideals have Gröbner bases of quadrics with respect to suitable term orders. Since the initial monomials of the elements of these Gröbner bases are square‐ free, it follows by a result of STURMFELS [S, 13.15], that the algebras under consideration are normal, and thus Cohen‐Macaulay.
Mixed boundary value problems for nonlinear elliptic equations in multidimensional non‐smooth domains
Authors: Ebmeyer Carsten , Frehse Jens 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe nonlinear elliptic equation

is investigated. It is supposed that u fulfils a mixed boundary value condition and that Ω ⊂ IRn (n ≥ 3) has a piecewise smooth boundary. Ws,2 — regularity (s < 3/2) of u and Lp — properties of the first and the second derivatives of u are proven.
Sharp sobolev embeddings and related hardy inequalities: The critical case
Authors: Edmunds David E. , Triebel Hans 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe paper deals with sharp embeddings of the Sobolev spaces Hsp(IRn) and the Besov spaces Bsp,p(IRn) into rearrangement—invariant spaces and related Hardy inequalities. Here 1 < p < ∞ and s = n/p.
Potential bounds in problems on quasilinear elliptic equations
Authors: Krasnosel'Skii Mark , Mennicken Reinhard , Rachinskii Dmitrii 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe study quasilinear elliptic equations with strong nonlinear terms and systems of such equations. The methods developed by the authors in [1], [2] are used to prove the existence of solutions for boundary—value problems using some information on behavior of potential bounds for nonlinearities; the L–characteristics of elliptic operators and their fractional powers play an important role. New conditions are suggested for the existence of classical solutions of quasilinear second order elliptic equations.
On smooth rational threefolds of P5 with rational non—special hyperplane section
Authors: Mezzetti Emilia , Portelli Dario 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIt is known that the smooth rational threefolds of P5 having a rational non—special surface of P4 as general hyperplane section have degree d = 3, …, 7. We study such threefolds X from the point of view of linear systems of surfaces in P3, looking in each case for an explicit description of a birational map from P3 to X. For d = 3, … 6 we prove that there exists a line L on X such that the projection map of X centered at L is birational; we completely describe the base loci B of the linear systems found in this way and give a description of any such threefold X as a suitable blowing—down of the blowing—up of P3 along B. If d = 7, i.e., if X is a Palatini scroll, we prove that, conversely, a similar projection never exists.
Nonpharmacological treatments for patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bloem Bastiaan R. , de Vries Nienke M. , Ebersbach Georg 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSince 2013, a number of studies have enhanced the literature and have guided clinicians on viable treatment interventions outside of pharmacotherapy and surgery. Thirty‐three randomized controlled trials and one large observational study on exercise and physiotherapy were published in this period. Four randomized controlled trials focused on dance interventions, eight on treatment of cognition and behavior, two on occupational therapy, and two on speech and language therapy (the latter two specifically addressed dysphagia). Three randomized controlled trials focused on multidisciplinary care models, one study on telemedicine, and four studies on alternative interventions, including music therapy and mindfulness. These studies attest to the marked interest in these therapeutic approaches and the increasing evidence base that places nonpharmacological treatments firmly within the integrated repertoire of treatment options in Parkinson's disease. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Dynamic stress intensity factors of two 3D rectangular permeable cracks in a transversely isotropic piezoelectric material under a time‐harmonic elastic P‐wave
Authors: Liu Hai‐Tao , Zhou Zhen‐Gong 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe dynamic behavior of two 3D rectangular permeable cracks in a transversely isotropic piezoelectric material is investigated under an incident harmonic stress wave by using the generalized Almansi's theorem and the Schmidt method. The problem is formulated through double Fourier transform into three pairs of dual integral equations with the displacement jumps across the crack surfaces as the unknown variables. To solve the dual integral equations, the displacement jumps across the crack surfaces are directly expanded as a series of Jacobi polynomials. Finally, the relations among the dynamic stress field and the dynamic electric displacement filed near the crack edges are obtained, and the effects of the shape of the rectangular crack, the characteristics of the harmonic wave, and the distance between two rectangular cracks on the stress and the electric intensity factors in a piezoelectric composite material are analyzed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing Health‐Care Providers' Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Childhood Cancer Between Netherlands and Indonesia
Authors: Gunawan Stefanus , Arnoldussen Marijn , Gordijn Maartje S. , Sitaresmi Mei N. , van de Ven Peter M. , ten Broeke Chloé A.M. , Veerman Anjo J.P. , Mantik Max , Kaspers Gertjan J.L. , Mostert Saskia 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundUse of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among patients with childhood cancer. Health‐care providers (HCP) should address this need properly. Geographical and cultural differences seem likely. This study explores perspectives on CAM of HCP involved in the care of children with cancer in Netherlands and Indonesia. Health beliefs, components of CAM, encouraging or discouraging CAM, and knowledge about CAM were assessed.ProcedureWe conducted a cross‐sectional study using semi‐structured questionnaires at a Dutch and Indonesian academic hospital.ResultsA total of 342 HCP participated: 119 Dutch (response rate 80%) and 223 Indonesian (response rate 87%). Chemotherapy can cure cancer according to more Dutch than Indonesian HCP (87% vs. 53% respectively, P < 0.001). Combination of chemotherapy and CAM is the best way to cure cancer according to more Indonesian than Dutch HCP (45% vs. 25%, P < 0.001). Dutch and Indonesian HCP recommend and discourage CAM use differently. Most Dutch (77%) and Indonesian HCP (84%) consider their knowledge about CAM to be inadequate (P = ns). Fewer Dutch doctors than other HCP want to learn more about CAM (51% vs. 76%, P = 0.007), whereas there is no significant difference in eagerness to learn about CAM between Indonesian doctors (64%) and other HCP (72%).ConclusionsIndonesian HCP have more positive views about CAM than their Dutch colleagues. Both Dutch and Indonesian HCP consider their knowledge about CAM to be inadequate. Therefore, education programs about CAM tailored to the needs of HCP are recommended, knowing that CAM is used frequently. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydroxyurea Therapy for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Rationale and Design of the REACH Trial
Authors: McGann Patrick T. , Tshilolo Léon , Santos Brigida , Tomlinson George A. , Stuber Susan , Latham Teresa , Aygun Banu , Obaro Stephen K. , Olupot‐Olupot Peter , Williams Thomas N. , Odame Isaac , Ware Russell E. ,   for the REACH Investigators
Published: August 2015

BackgroundSickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited hematological disorder that causes a large but neglected global health burden, particularly in Africa. Hydroxyurea represents the only available disease‐modifying therapy for SCA, and has proven safety and efficacy in high‐resource countries. In sub‐Saharan Africa, there is minimal use of hydroxyurea, due to lack of data, absence of evidence‐based guidelines, and inexperience among healthcare providers.ProcedureA partnership was established between investigators in North America and sub‐Saharan Africa, to develop a prospective multicenter research protocol designed to provide data on the safety, feasibility, and benefits of hydroxyurea for children with SCA.ResultsThe Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea (REACH, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01966731) trial is a prospective, phase I/II open‐label dose escalation study of hydroxyurea that will treat a total of 600 children age 1–10 years with SCA: 150 at each of four different clinical sites within sub‐Saharan Africa (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Uganda). The primary study endpoint will be severe hematological toxicities that occur during the fixed‐dose treatment phase. REACH has an adaptive statistical design that allows for careful assessment of toxicities to accurately identify a safe hydroxyurea dose.ConclusionsREACH will provide data that address critical gaps in knowledge for the treatment of SCA in sub‐Saharan Africa. By developing local expertise with the use of hydroxyurea and helping to establish treatment guidelines, the REACH trial results will have the potential to transform care for children with SCA in Africa. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein dynamics and the all‐ferrous [Fe4S4] cluster in the nitrogenase iron protein
Authors: Tan Ming‐Liang , Perrin B. Scott , Niu Shuqiang , Huang Qi , Ichiye Toshiko 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase, the iron protein (FeP) binds to and subsequently transfers electrons to the molybdenum–FeP, which contains the nitrogen fixation site, along with hydrolysis of two ATPs. However, the nature of the reduced state cluster is not completely clear. While reduced FeP is generally thought to contain an [Fe4S4]1+ cluster, evidence also exists for an all‐ferrous [Fe4S4]0 cluster. Since the former indicates a single electron is transferred per two ATPs hydrolyzed while the latter indicates two electrons could be transferred per two ATPs hydrolyzed, an all‐ferrous [Fe4S4]0 cluster in FeP is potenially two times more efficient. However, the 1+/0 reduction potential has been measured in the protein at both 460 and 790 mV, causing the biological significance to be questioned. Here, “density functional theory plus Poisson Boltzmann” calculations show that cluster movement relative to the protein surface observed in the crystal structures could account for both measured values. In addition, elastic network mode analysis indicates that such movement occurs in low frequency vibrations of the protein, implying protein dynamics might lead to variations in reduction potential. Furthermore, the different reductants used in the conflicting measurements of the reduction potential could be differentially affecting the protein dynamics. Moreover, even if the all‐ferrous cluster is not the biologically relevant cluster, mutagenesis to stabilize the conformation with the more exposed cluster may be useful for bioengineering more efficient enzymes.
Hfqs in Bacillus anthracis: Role of protein sequence variation in the structure and function of proteins in the Hfq family
Authors: Vrentas Catherine , Ghirlando Rodolfo , Keefer Andrea , Hu Zonglin , Tomczak Aurelie , Gittis Apostolos G. , Murthi Athulaprabha , Garboczi David N. , Gottesman Susan , Leppla Stephen H. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHfq proteins in Gram‐negative bacteria play important roles in bacterial physiology and virulence, mediated by binding of the Hfq hexamer to small RNAs and/or mRNAs to post‐transcriptionally regulate gene expression. However, the physiological role of Hfqs in Gram‐positive bacteria is less clear. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, uniquely expresses three distinct Hfq proteins, two from the chromosome (Hfq1, Hfq2) and one from its pXO1 virulence plasmid (Hfq3). The protein sequences of Hfq1 and 3 are evolutionarily distinct from those of Hfq2 and of Hfqs found in other Bacilli. Here, the quaternary structure of each B. anthracis Hfq protein, as produced heterologously in Escherichia coli, was characterized. While Hfq2 adopts the expected hexamer structure, Hfq1 does not form similarly stable hexamers in vitro. The impact on the monomer–hexamer equilibrium of varying Hfq C‐terminal tail length and other sequence differences among the Hfqs was examined, and a sequence region of the Hfq proteins that was involved in hexamer formation was identified. It was found that, in addition to the distinct higher‐order structures of the Hfq homologs, they give rise to different phenotypes. Hfq1 has a disruptive effect on the function of E. coli Hfq in vivo, while Hfq3 expression at high levels is toxic to E. coli but also partially complements Hfq function in E. coli. These results set the stage for future studies of the roles of these proteins in B. anthracis physiology and for the identification of sequence determinants of phenotypic complementation.
Comparison of predicted pesticide concentrations in groundwater from SCI‐GROW and PRZM‐GW models with historical monitoring data
Authors: Estes Tammara L , Pai Naresh , Winchell Michael F 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDA key factor in the human health risk assessment process for the registration of pesticides by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an estimate of pesticide concentrations in groundwater used for drinking water. From 1997 to 2011, these estimates were obtained from the EPA empirical model SCI‐GROW. Since 2012, these estimates have been obtained from the EPA deterministic model PRZM‐GW, which has resulted in a significant increase in estimated groundwater concentrations for many pesticides.RESULTSHistorical groundwater monitoring data from the National Ambient Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program (1991–2014) were compared with predicted groundwater concentrations from both SCI‐GROW (v.2.3) and PRZM‐GW (v.1.07) for 66 different pesticides of varying environmental fate properties. The pesticide environmental fate parameters associated with over‐ and underprediction of groundwater concentrations by the two models were evaluated.CONCLUSIONIn general, SCI‐GROW2.3 predicted groundwater concentrations were close to maximum historically observed groundwater concentrations. However, for pesticides with soil organic carbon content values below 1000 L kg−1 and no simulated hydrolysis, PRZM‐GW overpredicted, often by greater than 100 ppb. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of axial‐induction‐based wind plant control using an engineering and a high‐order wind plant model
Authors: Annoni Jennifer , Gebraad Pieter M. O. , Scholbrock Andrew K. , Fleming Paul A. , Wingerden Jan‐Willem van 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWind turbines are typically operated to maximize their performance without considering the impact of wake effects on nearby turbines. Wind plant control concepts aim to increase overall wind plant performance by coordinating the operation of the turbines. This paper focuses on axial‐induction‐based wind plant control techniques, in which the generator torque or blade pitch degrees of freedom of the wind turbines are adjusted. The paper addresses discrepancies between a high‐order wind plant model and an engineering wind plant model. Changes in the engineering model are proposed to better capture the effects of axial‐induction‐based control shown in the high‐order model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering tailored nanoparticles with microbes: quo vadis?
Authors: Prasad Ram , Pandey Rishikesh , Barman Ishan 
Published: August 2015

In the quest for less toxic and cleaner methods of nanomaterials production, recent developments in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles have underscored the important role of microorganisms. Their intrinsic ability to withstand variable extremes of temperature, pressure, and pH coupled with the minimal downstream processing requirements provide an attractive route for diverse applications. Yet, controlling the dispersity and facile tuning of the morphology of the nanoparticles of desired chemical compositions remains an ongoing challenge. In this Focus Review, we critically review the advances in nanoparticle synthesis using microbes, ranging from bacteria and fungi to viruses, and discuss new insights into the cellular mechanisms of such formation that may, in the near future, allow complete control over particle morphology and functionalization. In addition to serving as paradigms for cost‐effective, biocompatible, and eco‐friendly synthesis, microbes hold the promise for a unique template for synthesis of tailored nanoparticles targeted at therapeutic and diagnostic platform technologies. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:316–330. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1363This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Molecular and cellular events involved in the completion of blastocyst implantation
Authors: Matsumoto Hiromichi , Fukui Emiko , Yoshizawa Midori 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBlastocyst implantation is an interactive process between the embryo and the uterus. The synchronization of embryonic development with uterine differentiation to a receptive state is essential for a successful pregnancy. The period of uterine receptivity for implantation is limited. Although implantation involves the interaction of numerous signaling molecules, our understanding of the hierarchical mechanisms that coordinate with the embryo–uterine dialogue is not yet sufficient to prevent infertility caused by implantation failure. This review highlights our knowledge on uterine receptivity and hormonal regulation of blastocyst implantation in mice. We also discuss the adhesion molecules, cross‐linker proteins, extracellular proteins, and matricellular proteins involved in blastocyst implantation. Furthermore, our recent study reveals that selective proteolysis in an activated blastocyst is associated with the completion of blastocyst implantation after embryo transfer. A better understanding of uterine and blastocyst biology during the peri‐implantation period would facilitate further development of reproductive technology.