bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Between the bay and a hard place: Altered diamondback terrapin nesting movements demonstrate the effects of coastal barriers upon estuarine wildlife
Authors: Winters Julianne M. , Avery Harold W. , Standora Edward A. , Spotila James R. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTHuman development can impede wildlife moving between complementary habitats, particularly in highly disturbed coastal ecosystems. Coastal barriers may affect the behavior of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), a salt‐tolerant estuarine turtle that requires access to complementary upland habitat for annual nesting. We used telemetry to quantify terrestrial and aquatic movements of 78 nesting female terrapins in response to coastal barriers at 2 sites in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, a heavily developed estuary. Nesting female terrapins traveled significantly greater distances with more tortuous paths or spent significantly more time in the water when their movements were obstructed than females nesting at beaches with no obstructions. We hypothesize that the additional effort and displacement associated with reproduction where obstructions exist will reduce terrapin fitness and potentially contribute to population declines. Our study demonstrates a unique approach to quantifying effects of barriers on organisms requiring complementary habitats, and improves our understanding of the impacts of shoreline hardening on estuarine wildlife threatened by encroaching coastal development. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Dissolved organic nitrogen: A relevant, complementary source of nitrogen for the seagrass Zostera marina
Authors: Alexandre Ana , Hill Paul W. , Jones Davey L. , Santos Rui 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDissolved organic nitrogen (DON) forms a significant pool of bioavailable N in the water column (62%) and in sediments of Ria Formosa lagoon (53%). We assessed the uptake rates of inorganic and organic nitrogen and its interactions in the seagrass Zostera marina, and further explored the possibility of seagrasses to use complex organic substrates (peptides). Uptake rates by leaves and roots were quantified in choice‐uptake experiments where plants were exposed to mixed N solutions containing both 15N inorganic (ammonium + nitrate) and 13C15N organic (alanine + trialanine) nitrogen at field‐relevant concentrations, and compared with uptake rates of single inorganic or organic N forms. Ammonia was the preferred N source, but plants preferred DON to nitrate. DON uptake was significantly higher through roots than leaves, coinciding with the one‐order of magnitude higher concentration of DON in the sediment than in the water. Not only amino acids, as reported elsewhere for other seagrasses, but also peptides constitute relevant N sources for Z. marina (10% and 4% of the total N uptake). Seagrasses may thus compete with microbes for organic substrates at an earlier stage of protein degradation in the N cycle than previously thought. Because no interactions occurred between inorganic and organic N sources, the total N uptake by Z. marina was higher when both sources were present, showing that organic nitrogen is a complementary rather than alternative source of nitrogen. The uptake of organic nitrogen should be included in future studies assessing the total N budgets of seagrass meadows.
Synthesis of Aliphatic Polyesters via Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Macrocyclic Oligoesters
Authors: Nakayama Yuushou , Sakaguchi Keisuke , Tanaka Ryo , Cai Zhengguo , Shiono Takeshi 
Published: April 2015

SummaryTo synthesize high molecular weight aliphatic polyesters, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of macrocyclic oligoesters made from several dicarboxylic acids and diols was investigated. Macrocyclic oligoesters used for the ROP were synthesized in ca. 50% yield via polycondensation of dicarboxylic acids (small excess) and diols under dilute condition in toluene, followed by washing with aq. NaHCO3 to remove linear oligomers. The obtained products were the mixtures of macrocyclic oligoesters with various ring size (dimer to heptamer). The polymerization of the macrocyclic oligoesters made from succinic acid and 1,4‐butanediol using rare earth catalysts such as Nd(BH3)(thf)3 and Nd(OiPr)3 was found to give high molecular weight polymers in good yields. Cyclic dimer of butylene succinate ((BS)2) was isolated from the mixture of the cyclic oligomers by column chromatography, and was similarly polymerized by the rare earth catalysts. Bulk polymerization of (BS)2 by Nd(BH3)(thf)3 yielded poly(butylene succinate) with Mn up to 38 000. Cyclic oligomers of trimethylene oxalate were not polymerized under the similar conditions applied in this study.
Advances in Switchable RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Moad Graeme , Keddie Daniel , Guerrero‐Sanchez Carlos , Rizzardo Ezio , Thang San H. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis paper reviews recent developments in RAFT Polymerization with proton switchable RAFT agents. We report on the successful use of N‐methyl‐N‐(4‐pyridinyl) dithiocarbamates RAFT agents for controlling the polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAm) in aqueous media, the dependence of the RAFT agent activity on acid type and acid strength (for best results a stoichiometric amount of a strong acid should be used), and the synthesis of block copolymers such as poly(DMAm)‐block‐poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone). We describe a new class of switchable RAFT agents, the N‐aryl‐N‐(4‐pyridinyl) dithiocarbamates. These RAFT agents are more active with more activated monomers (MAMs) in protonated (switched) form and more active with less activated monomers (LAMS) in non‐protonated (unswitched) form. Finally we examine the dependence of RAFT polymerization of N‐vinylcarbazole (NVC) on the type of RAFT agent used (dithiobenzoate, trithiocarbonate, xanthate, switchable dithiocarbamate). Contrary to popular belief, NVC does not behave as a typical LAM, its polymerization is best controlled with a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and NVC should be described as an intermediate activity monomer (IAM).
Density Profiles of Well‐Defined Poly(methyl 2‐propenyl ether) (PMPE) Near Water Interface
Authors: Oda Yukari , Kawaguchi Daisuke , Hirata Toyoaki , Yamada Norifumi L. , Kanaoka Shokyoku , Aoshima Sadahito , Tanaka Keiji 
Published: April 2015

SummaryPoly(methyl 2‐propenyl ether) (PMPE) is structually different in terms of the presence of an α‐methyl group on the main chain from poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), the phase behaviors of which have been widely characterized with polystyrene (PS) and water. Due to the incorporation of the α‐methyl group, PMPE is immiscible with both PS and water. These results encouraged us to investigate a PMPE/water interface more closely. Thus, the density profiles of PMPE in the vicinity of the water interface were probed by neutron reflectivity (NR) measurement. Even in the presence of the α‐methyl group on the main chain, PMPE slightly swelled near the water interface. The obtained results will give us an insight into a better design and construction of the polymers for several bioapplications.
Idiopathic phrenic neuropathies: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Podnar Simon 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Phrenic neuropathies (PNs) are a major cause of dyspnea, orthopnea, and hypercapnic respiratory failure. The aim of the study was to obtain diagnostic findings, assess therapeutic options, and review outcomes in PN patients.Methods: From 2004 to 2013, patients with PN referred to the author's institution were studied using clinical, pulmonary function, and electrodiagnostic tests. A PubMed search of published PN reports was also done. Unilateral PN (UPN) and bilateral PN (BPN) patients were compared.Results: The analysis consisted of 10 UPN and 9 BPN patients seen by the author, plus previous reports of 18 UPN and 40 BPN patients. BPN patients were older (in the author's series) and were more often hypertensive. They reported pain less often, dyspnea and orthopnea more often, and had worse results on pulmonary function tests than UPN patients.Conclusions: UPN and BPN are probably 2 variants of the same, immune‐mediated focal neuropathy. Electrodiagnosis is a valuable confirmatory test for PN.Muscle Nerve52: 986–992, 2015
Age‐related T2 changes in hindlimb muscles of mdx mice
Authors: Vohra Ravneet S. , Mathur Sunita , Bryant Nathan D. , Forbes Sean C. , Vandenborne Krista , Walter Glenn A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIntroductionMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor changes in the transverse relaxation time constant (T2) in lower hindlimb muscles of mdx mice at different ages.MethodsYoung (5 weeks), adult (44 weeks), and old mdx (96 weeks), and age‐matched control mice were studied. Young mdx mice were imaged longitudinally, whereas adult and old mdx mice were imaged at a single time‐point.ResultsMean muscle T2 and percent of pixels with elevated T2 were significantly different between mdx and control mice at all ages. In young mdx mice, mean muscle T2 peaked at 7–8 weeks and declined at 9–11 weeks. In old mdx mice, mean muscle T2 was decreased compared with young and adult mice, which could be attributed to fibrosis.ConclusionsMRI captured longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle integrity of mdx mice. This information will be valuable for pre‐clinical testing of potential therapeutic interventions for muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 53: 84–90, 2016
Tibial nerve F‐wave recordings
Authors: Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Barkhaus Paul E. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIntroductionTibial F‐wave recordings are remarkable for their complexity and persistence. We postulate that the signal recorded by the E2 (reference) electrode causes this pattern.MethodsTibial F‐wave recordings were made from the abductor hallucis (AH) muscle using the standard montage in 10 subjects. Additional far‐field simultaneous F‐wave recordings were made from the AH, the base of the large toe, and the base of the small toe with the E2 placed on the contralateral foot.ResultsF‐wave recordings made in the standard manner and from the base of the large or small toes showed complex waveforms and similar latencies. Recordings made from the AH‐contralateral foot had simple waveforms in most subjects; in 2 subjects the latencies were longer, and 1 showed reduced persistence.ConclusionsThe tibial F‐waves are composed primarily of volume conducted recordings of the tibial‐innervated foot muscles from the E2 electrode. Muscle Nerve 52: 997–1000, 2015
Synthesis and characterization of phenyl polysiloxane modified polyurea/polyurethanes
Authors: Xu Sixi , Xie Lisha , Yu Xuecheng , Xiong Ying , Tang Hongding 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTA series of phenyl polysiloxane‐modified polyurea/polyurethanes (SPUs) with different silicone loadings (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt %) have been designed and synthesized. The structures of SPUs were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FT‐IR. The impact of phenyl polysiloxane content on the properties of SPUs was fully studied. The residual methoxy groups on silicon could help SPUs form interpenetrating networks accompanying with the residual isocyanate under moisture, which was different with the conventional moisture‐crosslinking polyurethane system. The properties of SPUs films have been fully researched by attenuated total reflection flourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, tensile tests, water contact angle, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM, and AFM. Results indicated that the introduction of phenyl polysiloxane improved the thermal stability and remarkably increased the water contact angles accompanying with a comparable mechanical strength to the pure polyurethane. Meanwhile, it also brought out the decreased microphase separation and water absorption. The obvious surface migration has been observed in the SPUs, which changed their surface properties. Some voids were observed in all moisture curing SPUs system, but the phenyl silicone content impacted on the numbers and sizes of the voids. The phenyl groups introduced and carbon dioxide produced in the crosslinking procedure helped to form and stabilize the voids in the SPUs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1794–1805
Support Desired by Women Following Termination of Pregnancy for a Fetal Anomaly
Authors: Ramdaney Aarti , Hashmi Syed S. , Monga Manju , Carter Rebecca , Czerwinski Jennifer 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWith the rapidly evolving field of prenatal testing, there is a growing need to provide support for women pursuing termination of pregnancy following the discovery of a fetal anomaly. Previous studies have documented that women in this situation often feel unsupported, but the type of resources desired by this population remains undetermined. We studied the awareness and utilization of support resources in 51 women at the time of the procedure, at 6 weeks, and at 3 months following the event. Though largely knowledgeable of existing resources at the time of the procedure, only 50 % admitted contemplating their individualized need for support. Most expected to rely on the support of family and friends. Additionally, 50 % expressed the desire to commemorate the pregnancy, though none wanted direct contact with their healthcare provider(s). Responses from the 6 weeks and 3 months assessments were consistent with previous literature as many women indicated not coping as expected and were unprepared for the psychological consequences following the procedure. Our findings indicate that women in these situations may not realize what their long‐term support needs will be. They further indicate that guidelines for routine follow‐up care should be established among healthcare providers that respect this population's initial desires to avoid reminders of the pregnancy and promote a flexible timeframe for support uptake. Additional support resources that promote flexible uptake as well as meet the desires of anonymity and ease of access need to be developed for this population.
Uptake of Genetic Counseling, Knowledge of Bleeding risks and Psychosocial Impact in a South African Cohort of Female Relatives of People with Hemophilia
Authors: Gillham Anne , Greyling Brenda , Wessels Tina‐Marie , Mbele Bongi , Schwyzer Rosemarie , Krause Amanda , Mahlangu Johnny 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn excess of 200 people with hemophilia (PWH) and their families have received genetic counseling (GC) at the Hemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. However, very few of their at‐risk female relatives have attended GC to discuss their reproductive risks and options, or their potential bleeding risks. Limited research has been conducted internationally on factors influencing uptake of GC and testing amongst female relatives of PWH. This prospective study aimed to explore the factors that influence the uptake of GC and testing by female relatives of PWH. An open‐ended semi‐structured interview schedule was developed. Participants included female relatives of PWH who at least had a family member who had received GC. Seventeen participants were interviewed; 7 who had GC previously and 10 who had not. All participants who had previously received GC found the service helpful and were mothers referred because their sons had hemophilia. Of those who had not had GC, possible deterrents included: being unaware of GC service, focus in clinic on PWH and not potential carriers, misunderstood risks related to hemophilia and carrier status, fear of finding out carrier status, and non‐disclosure in families. Most participants were unaware of potential bleeding risks for carriers. The information will be used to provide a better service to female relatives of PWH with a goal being to set up a dedicated hemophilia carrier clinic.
The importance of residual habitats and crop management for the conservation of birds breeding in intensive orchards
Authors: Brambilla Mattia , Assandri Giacomo , Martino Giuseppe , Bogliani Giuseppe , Pedrini Paolo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntensive orchards are artificial habitats managed according to production criteria, but they may mimic open woodlands and harbour wild species. We investigated the effect of orchard features on the true abundance (estimated with occupancy models) of some bird species widespread in orchards. Our study was carried out in Val di Non (Trento province, Italy) where apple cultivation is the most widespread and intensive. We counted blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla, chaffinches Fringilla coelebs, and greenfinches Carduelis chloris three times at 44 transects 300‐m long. At each transect, we estimated the number of territories/pairs and recorded variables describing the cover of the habitats and management factors. Blackcap abundance was positively affected by the cover of shrubland and broadleaved woodland and by a low cover of coniferous forests. Chaffinch abundance was driven by a negative impact of anti‐hail nets and secondarily by bare ground and urbanized areas, with chaffinches more abundant in areas with grassland ground cover and 5–10 % cover of urban habitats. Greenfinch abundance increased with wetland cover, cover of other natural/semi‐natural habitats and tree height and decreased with grassland cover. Both the availability of natural and semi‐natural vegetation and the orchard traits determined by management can significantly affect the abundance of common species. The conservation of the remaining patches of woodland, shrubland, wetland (and other natural/semi‐natural habitats) is essential for bird conservation. The already reported negative impact of anti‐hail nets and the importance of the height of apple trees are confirmed; irrigation systems and bare ground may also be important factors.
Cleavage of Carboxylic Acid Moieties in Triacylglycerides During Non‐Catalytic Pyrolysis
Authors: Kubátová A. , Geetla A. , Casey J. , Linnen M. J. , Seames W. S. , Smoliakova I. P. , Kozliak E. I. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractNoncatalytic pyrolysis of triacylglyceride (TG) oils is an attractive option for production of renewable fuels and chemicals. This process produces 20–30 wt% of C2–C10 fatty acids due to the presence of carboxyl moieties in TG. To decipher this process’ mechanism, several compositionally distinct crop oil feedstocks with varied abundances of C18 saturated and unsaturated TG carboxylic acid chains were pyrolyzed for short residence times in a laboratory‐scale continuous turbulent flow reactor. A comprehensive gas chromatographic analysis of the oxygenated products revealed the selective formation of linear saturated monocarboxylic acids (LSMCA) of less than C11 in size, with a specific homological pattern featuring peaks for C2–C3, C7 and C9–C10 LSMCA. The relative abundance of these size groups varied amongst the feedstocks cracked due to variations in the abundance of triunsaturated (linolenic), diunsaturated (linoleic) and monounsaturated (oleic) acids, respectively, in the original TG. We proposed a mechanism explaining the observed product speciation and homology profiles by the formation of acyloxyl biradicals as essential intermediates. High‐temperature C=C π‐bond hydrogenation with a concomitant σ‐bond cleavage yields C9–C10 LSMCA. This new path was confirmed by pyrolysis experiments with triolein in a GC pyroprobe.
Effects of Curcumin on the Oxidative Stability of Oils Depending on Type of Matrix, Photosensitizers, and Temperature
Authors: Yi BoRa , Ka Hye Jung , Kim Mi‐Ja , Lee JaeHwan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe photosensitizing activity of curcumin was tested in corn oil and oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion systems under visible light irradiation. In addition, the antioxidative/prooxidative properties of curcumin were evaluated in corn oil at 100 °C and in O/W emulsion at room temperature under riboflavin photosensitization or at 60 °C in the dark. Curcumin acted as a photosensitizer in corn oil and O/W emulsions . The oxidative stability of corn oil samples containing curcumin (0–5.0 mmol/kg oil) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) at 100 °C, implying curcumin did not act as an antioxidant nor a prooxidant in corn oil. However, curcumin inhibited lipid oxidation in O/W emulsions under riboflavin photosensitization at room temperature and 60 °C in the dark. The photosensitization and antioxidant abilities of curcumin were greatly influenced by matrix types and presence of riboflavin. Therefore, antioxidative or prooxidative characteristics of curcumin should be evaluated considering matrix type including bulk oil or O/W emulsions and presence of visible light irradiation.
Characterization of Vanaspati Fat Produced in Iran
Authors: Farmani Jamshid , Gholitabar Ahdiyeh 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVanaspati is the main culinary fat consumed in Iran. It is produced from vegetable oils using different modification processes such as hydrogenation, fractionation, interesterification or blending. To characterize this product, samples from different Iranian brands were collected and their physicochemical properties were studied. Iranian vanaspati contains 0.3–6.2 % trans fatty acids and 24.8–30.5 % saturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid with a range of 32.5–40.3 % is the main unsaturated fatty acid of vanaspati. Iodine values and saponification values of the samples were in the range of 91.9–106.4 and 193.2–194.3, respectively. Free fatty acid contents between 0.04 and 0.10 % and peroxide values between 2.0 and 8.8 mequiv/kg were detected in samples. The induction period of oxidation of the samples was found to be between 8.5 and 15.4 h at 110 °C. With an average slip melting point of 32.9 °C, samples contained 10.0–22.6 % solid fat content at 10 °C, 4.2–10.6 % at 20 °C, 0.3–5.2 % at 30 °C and 0.0–0.5 % at 40 °C. The induction period of crystallization and crystallization rate of samples, were in the range of 0.0–33.11 min and 0.07–2.54 1/min, respectively. Lovibond red and yellow color indices of the product were found to be in the range of 5.0–7.3 and 69.5–70.2, respectively.
Automatic speech analysis for the assessment of patients with predementia and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: König Alexandra , Satt Aharon , Sorin Alexander , Hoory Ron , Toledo‐Ronen Orith , Derreumaux Alexandre , Manera Valeria , Verhey Frans , Aalten Pauline , Robert Phillipe H. , David Renaud 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the interest of using automatic speech analyses for the assessment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early‐stage Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsHealthy elderly control (HC) subjects and patients with MCI or AD were recorded while performing several short cognitive vocal tasks. The voice recordings were processed, and the first vocal markers were extracted using speech signal processing techniques. Second, the vocal markers were tested to assess their “power” to distinguish among HC, MCI, and AD. The second step included training automatic classifiers for detecting MCI and AD, using machine learning methods and testing the detection accuracy.ResultsThe classification accuracy of automatic audio analyses were as follows: between HCs and those with MCI, 79% ± 5%; between HCs and those with AD, 87% ± 3%; and between those with MCI and those with AD, 80% ± 5%, demonstrating its assessment utility.ConclusionAutomatic speech analyses could be an additional objective assessment tool for elderly with cognitive decline.