bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food‐web energy fluxes, energy transfer efficiency, and diversity respond distinctively to pollution and water diversion in rivers
Authors: de Guzman Ioar , Montoya José M. , Elosegi Arturo , Pérez‐Calpe Ana Victoria , von Schiller Daniel , González Jose M. , Larrañaga Aitor 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Water diversion and pollution are two pervasive stressors for river ecosystems that often co‐occur. The individual effects of both stressors on river communities and energy transfer across the food webs are well described; however, how they interact remains unknown. We hypothesised that low‐to‐moderate nutrient pollution gradient would cause a mild increase in invertebrate driven herbivory and water diversion a strong reduction in detritivory, whereas their joint effect would reduce invertebrate abundance and diversity, as well as total energy fluxes (from basal resources to invertebrates and fish). We also expected a shift in body size spectra slope with increased energy transfer between trophic levels with moderate pollution, but not with water diversion.

To test these hypotheses, we selected four rivers across a range of nutrient pollution levels (a proxy of water quality) subject to similar water diversion schemes and compared food webs upstream and downstream of their diversion weirs.

Both stressors changed the availability of basal food resources. Nutrient pollution induced changes in the green food web (i.e., biofilm‐based) by enhancing biofilm stocks, whereas water diversion affected the brown food web (i.e., detritus‐based) by decreasing stocks of detritus.

The propagation of the effects to higher trophic levels differed with each stressor: pollution increased the homogeneity of community within the reach, whereas water diversion made communities more heterogeneous. Moreover, pollution induced changes within omnivores, increasing herbivory and carnivory, whereas diversion reduced the total energy fluxes through a decrease in detritivory, especially with pollution.

Although most of the variables studied seemed to be more sensitive to water diversion, pollution often accentuated the response, being the interaction between both stressors more explanatory than any of the two stressors on its own.

The effects of water diversion on diversity and energy flow through food webs are more detrimental to moderately polluted rivers than to systems with high quality water.

We show that the use of tools merging knowledge on trophic relationships among species and their metabolic requirements enables disturbances to be detected that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Pink salmon productivity is driven by catchment hydrogeomorphology and can decline under a changing climate
Authors: Yamada Taihei , Urabe Hirokazu , Nakamura Futoshi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Increased flood magnitude and frequency due to climate change can reduce the population productivity of organisms such as amphibian and fish species in river and stream systems; therefore, conserving habitats that maintain high productivity under such conditions is crucial. Here, we examined the relationship between the freshwater productivity of anadromous salmonids (measured as fry migrating to the ocean per spawner) and catchment hydrogeomorphology and identified the characteristics of rivers and streams that are prone to flood disturbance.

We surveyed the spawner abundance and number of fry of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and measured environmental factors, including the average catchment slope and stream power, as characteristics of hydrogeomorphology, in 10 streams in the Shiretoko Peninsula, northern Japan. We then used generalised linear mixed models to predict the freshwater productivity of pink salmon populations in each catchment across the study region under current and future climatic conditions.

The productivity of pink salmon in the study region differed among the sampled catchments and was negatively affected by the average catchment slope, stream power, and maximum daily precipitation averaged over the catchment. Namely, flood disturbance reduced the freshwater productivity of pink salmon, and salmon productivity in individual catchments was explained by catchment hydrogeomorphology. The predicted future productivity with increased precipitation was also lower than the current productivity.

Our approach can be applied to other salmonids that have similar spawning behaviour to pink salmon. Highly productive catchments under the future climatic conditions predicted by the present study should be prioritised for conservation to ensure a sustainable salmonid population.
Nutritional changes in trees during drought‐induced mortality: A comprehensive meta‐analysis and a field study
Authors: He Peng , Sardans Jordi , Wang Xiaoyu , Ma Chengcang , Man Liang , Peñuelas Josep , Han Xingguo , Jiang Yong , Li Mai‐He 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBoth macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for tree growth and development through participating in various ecophysiological processes. However, the impact of the nutritional status of trees on their ability to withstand drought‐induced mortality remains inconclusive. We thus conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis, compiling data on 11 essential nutrients from 44 publications (493 independent observations). Additionally, a field study was conducted on Pinus sylvestris L. trees with varying drought‐induced vitality loss in the “Visp” forest in southern Switzerland. No consistent decline in tree nutritional status was observed during tree mortality. The meta‐analysis revealed significantly lower leaf potassium (K), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations with tree mortality. However, the field study showed no causal relationships between nutritional levels and the vitality status of trees. This discrepancy is mainly attributed to the intrinsic differences in the two types of experimental designs and the ontogenetic stages of target trees. Nutrient reductions preceding tree mortality were predominantly observed in non‐field conditions, where the study was conducted on seedlings and saplings with underdeveloped root systems. It limits the nutrient uptake capacity of these young trees during drought. Furthermore, tree nutritional responses are also influenced by many variables. Specifically, (a) leaf nutrients are more susceptible to drought stress than other organs; (b) reduced tree nutrient concentrations are more prevalent in evergreen species during drought‐induced mortality; (c) of all biomes, Mediterranean forests are most vulnerable to drought‐induced nutrient deficiencies; (d) soil types affect the direction and extent of tree nutritional responses. We identified factors that influence the relationship between tree nutritional status and drought survival, and proposed potential early‐warning indicators of impending tree mortality, for example, decreased K concentrations with declining vitality. These findings contribute to our understanding of tree responses to drought and provide practical implications for forest management strategies in the context of global change.
Nitrogen rate and harvesting time based on growing degree days influenced winter cereal rye morphological traits, forage yield, quality, and farm profit in poorly drained Alfisols
Authors: Vaughn Kelsey , Adeyemi Oladapo , Zandvakili Omid R. , Battaglia Martin L. , Babaei Sirwan , Nair Jayakrishnan , Still Steven , Burkett Gabriella , Sadeghpour Amir 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWinter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) (WCR) is often double cropped with maize for silage (Zea mays L.) to increase farm forage supply and profit. Spring nitrogen (N) fertilization to WCR could influence its production and quality at different harvesting times. Therefore, two on‐farm trials were conducted in the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 growing seasons to evaluate the effect of harvesting time (late‐March to end‐of‐April considering the growth stage) and spring N fertilization (0, 23, 47, and 71 kg N ha−1) on WCR morphology, forage yield, nutrient removal, quality, and farm profit. Only two N treatments (0 and 47 kg N ha−1) were evaluated for each harvesting time in trial 1. A quadratic model best explained an increase in WCR dry matter (DM) yield in response to growing degree days (GDD) accumulation (R2 = 0.81). An increase in GDD linearly decreased WCR relative forage quality (RFQ). Benchmarking RFQ at 150 for dairy milk production indicates WCR should be harvested at a GDD of 543, at which WCR plant height was 31.8 cm and DM yield was 0.77 Mg ha−1. This resulted in loss of profit in both study years compared to later harvesting dates at higher GDDs. Benchmarking RFQ at 125 for heifer production indicated that harvest should occur at a GDD of 668, at which the WCR was 71 cm tall, and its DM yield was 2.25 Mg ha−1. Nitrogen balances were negative at the N0 treatment (0 kg N ha−1), indicating a need for some N to maximize WCR yield. We found that a rate between 21 and 47 kg N ha−1 maximizes yields reflecting slightly positive balances, in which the highest profits occur. Our results suggest that the harvesting time can be predicted by GDD and should be adjusted for RFQ. We conclude that less than 47 kg N ha−1 N fertilizer is required for WCR production in soils with manure history and high soil organic matter (>30 g kg−1).
Effect of different ionic valence state doping on the structure and characteristic of BiFeO3‐BaTiO3‐based ceramics
Authors: Guo Xiangtai , Sun Yu , Liu Liangliang , Yu Zilong , Liu Juan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBiFeO3‐BaTiO3‐based ceramics are promising multiferroic materials for a wide range of applications. In this paper, the effects of different ionic valence state((Ga0.5Ta0.5)4+, Ta5+) doping on the structure and properties of 0.73BiFeO3‐0.27BaTi1‐y(Ga1‐xTax)yO3 ceramics were investigated. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that all samples were determined by rhombohedral R3c phase and tetragonal P4mm phase. A frequency‐independent dielectric anomaly with obvious thermal hysteresis was detected in all samples, indicating the first‐order ferroelectric phase transition, and the Curie temperatures were all above 600°C. The ferroelectric analysis found that the doping of donor element Ta reduced the coercive field, with a slight decrease of remanent polarization, which can be attributed to the soft effect of Ta element. Meanwhile, the magnetic properties were enhanced for all samples, with a maximum in 15T (x = 1, y = .015) sample, where Mr = .13 emu/g. According to relevant analysis, high‐valence element substitution can enhance the magnetic properties and reduce the coercive field of BiFeO3, while low‐valence element substitution can reduce dielectric loss. This result points out a way for us to choose appropriate doping elements to improve the performance of BiFeO3 ceramics.
Optimizing the structural and photocatalytic performance of Ag‐decorated ZnO/Zn(OH)2 nanoparticles for RhB degradation
Authors: Erdogan Erman , Eden Cigdem , Canpolat Nurtac , Cirak Cagri , Yilmaz Mehmet 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this study, as‐prepared and Ag‐decorated ZnO/Zn(OH)2 composite nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained using the sol–gel technique. First, the effect of aging on the structural, optical, and morphological features was examined. Ag NPs can interact with the electronic structure of ZnO/Zn(OH)2 NPs, resulting in changes in their energy levels. It was found that the composite NPs obtained after 6 h solution aging increased in full width at half maximum and good crystallinity of the structures from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The Raman spectrum supports the experimental data obtained from XRD and Fourier transform infrared, a material containing a mixture of ZnO and Zn(OH)2. From the morphological study, Ag NPs were successfully decorated on the ZnO/Zn(OH)2 surface, and composite NPs did not change the morphological appearance of the structure. Second, the photocatalytic performance of the samples was investigated. In the experimental setting, ultra‐violet A light was employed as the irradiation source, whereas rhodamine B (RhB) was used as the dyestuff. The photo‐degradation of the RhB dyestuff on composite NPs was observed to be 98.5% and 92.5% for 6 and 2 h aged samples, respectively. On Ag NPs, the catalytic performance of the sample was increased up to 95% after 180 min.
Mechanical and electrical properties of 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites sintered at different temperatures
Authors: Liu Weikang , Huang Ting , Chen Yucong , Huang Yingying , Yao Zhenhua 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVarious amounts of TiSi2 (30, 40, and 50 wt.%) were added to 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y‐TZP) to fabricate 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites by vacuum sintering. The effects of the TiSi2 added amount, as well as the sintering temperature on the microstructure, mechanical, and electrical characteristics of the 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites were examined. The sintered samples consisted of three phases: tetragonal (t‐ZrO2), TiSi2, and reaction product Ti5Si3. The maximum bending strength and relative density of the composites, reaching 501.20 MPa and 98.59% respectively, were achieved at a TiSi2 content of 30 wt.% and sintering temperature of 1500°C. The resistivity of 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites showed a nonlinear decrease with increasing TiSi2 content. These results indicated that 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites had a typical percolation threshold phenomenon due to the different TiSi2 content and a conductivity model of 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites at room temperature was founded on the generalized effective medium equation. The resistivity of the composites could optionally adjust between 102 and 10−4Ω·cm with 30–50 wt.% TiSi2 under room temperature. Overall, the 3Y‐TZP/TiSi2 composites show great potential for applications in the heat‐not‐burn tobacco field.
Nickel element doping impacts on structure features and Faraday effects of magneto‐optical transparent holmium oxide ceramics
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Lu Bin , You Bo , Pei Ruijie , Sun Zhigang , Li Ji‐Guang , Sakka Yoshio , Zhuang Naifeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe nickel element doped holmium oxide (Ho2O3:Ni) transparent magneto‐optical ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering and the dopant impacts on structure features and Faraday effects were investigated. The starting oxide powders were synthesized by pyrolyzing the resulting layered holmium‐based hydroxide nanosheets prepared from a chemical precipitation route using the sodium hydroxide as precipitant at the freezing temperature. Upon high‐temperature sintering, the defect is introduced by Ni2+ substitution for Ho3+ to form the interstitial solid solution. The 1 at.% Ni2+ doped Ho2O3 ceramic sample exhibits an in‐line transmittance of ∼70.04% at 1 550 nm with a relative density of ∼99.88%, while more Ni2+ incorporation (e.g., 2‒5 at.%) even leads to a completely opaque state. The magneto‐optical transparent Ho2O3:1%Ni ceramic developed in this work has Verdet constants of ∼−195, −65, and −29 rad/(T·m) at 635, 1 064, and 1 550 nm, respectively, which are ∼1.8‐fold higher than the commercial terbium gallium garnet crystal or ∼1.4‐fold higher than the pure Ho2O3 ceramic. This material also possesses relatively large figure of merit of ∼14.6°/T at 1 064 nm and relatively high thermal conductivity of ∼7.5 W/(m·K) at room temperature.
Improved water vapor corrosion resistance of SiC bricks via in situ formation of microporous Yb2Si2O7 bonding phase
Authors: Zhang Xifei , Chen Ding , Xue Haitao , Huang Ao , Gu Huazhi , Fu Lvping 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSiC‐based lining refractories used in incinerators faced serious hot water vapor corrosion. The pores in SiC‐based refractories played a crucial role in corrosion resistance because both the penetration of water vapor and the expulsion of corrosion products depended on diffusion channels provided by pores. The in situ microporous Yb2Si2O7 bonding phase formed in the SiC bricks after sintering at 1550°C under air atmosphere, which simultaneously decreased the apparent porosity and pore size. The optimization of pore structures reduced the permeability to gases of SiC bricks by 37.5%, which prevented the penetration of hot water vapor into SiC bricks. The microporous Yb2Si2O7‐bonded SiC bricks presented only .15% permanent linear change and showed good thermal shock resistance after corrosion at 1000°C for 100 h under hot water vapor atmosphere. Some SiC particles in the refractories could be adopted as high‐temperature pore‐forming agents; the gaseous oxidation products of SiC bricks, including SiO(g) and CO(g), contributed to the generation of microporous Yb2Si2O7 (pore size ≤5 μm) and SiC whiskers during sintering, which obviously improved mechanical properties and water vapor corrosion resistance of SiC bricks.
Does intensity‐modulated radiation therapy by helical tomotherapy for prostate cancer increase the subsequent risk of bladder cancer? A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Tsukuda Fumio , Tanaka Yasunari , Narita Shuichiro , Shimizu Toshihiro , Nakasuka Shu , Hagiwara Kiichi , Sakamoto Noboru , Toshihiro Kawano , Horiguchi Yutaka , Koga Shoji 
Published: January 2024

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the risk of bladder cancer after intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using helical tomotherapy for prostate cancer in comparison to the risk post‐radical prostatectomy (RP) using propensity score‐matched analysis and to assess the risk factors for bladder cancer.MethodsThis retrospective study included 2067 patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer treated at our institution between June 2007 and December 2016. Of these, 1547 patients were treated with IMRT and 520 underwent RP. The propensity scores were calculated using age, National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification, prostate volume, Brinkman index, and follow‐up time as matched covariates. A propensity score‐matched patient cohort (n = 718; IMRT: 359, RP: 359) was created, and the risk of bladder cancer after treatment was compared.ResultsIn total, bladder cancer was detected in 33 patients. Five patients in the IMRT group and one in the RP group died of bladder cancer. In the propensity score‐matched analysis, the 5‐year bladder cancer‐free survival rate was significantly lower in the IMRT group than in the RP group (91.7% and 96.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that IMRT and the Brinkman index were the risk factors for bladder cancer in this cohort (odds ratio = 5.085, 95% confidence interval = 1.436–18.008, p = 0.012 and odds ratio = 1.001, 95% confidence interval = 1.000–1.001, p = 0.010, respectively).ConclusionsIMRT for prostate cancer using helical tomotherapy increases the subsequent risk of bladder cancer compared with RP and is an independent risk factor for bladder cancer similar to smoking.
Phase purity and evolution in sol–gel derived single component and multicomponent rare‐earth disilicates
Authors: Salanova Alejandro , Opila Elizabeth J. , Ihlefeld Jon F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRare‐earth disilicates are a focus of study for use as environmental barrier coatings in gas‐turbine engines. These coatings require thermomechanical and thermochemical stability at elevated temperatures and properties can be tailored through the use of multicomponent rare‐earth disilicates. Producing rare‐earth disilicates via sol–gel is documented in literature, but there are differing procedures with varying phase purities. This work establishes trends that dictate the effects of water content, pH, and heat treatment conditions that determine the final phase purity of Yb, Er, Lu, Sc, and Y disilicate powders made via sol–gel. The phase(s) of the powders were identified and quantified using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) to extract weight fractions. In situ XRD during heating from room temperature to 1200°C was used to observe the crystallization and phase evolution of the sol–gel‐based powders, allowing for the identification of a rarely reported low temperature triclinic phase in ytterbium‐, erbium‐, and lutetium‐based disilicate sol–gels that forms prior to transformation into a monoclinic phase. Ex situ XRD allowed for the phase identification of sol–gels processed at 1400°C. These experiments demonstrated that phase‐pure disilicates could be formed under conditions with no intentional water additions, a target pH of 2, and long heat treatment times at high temperatures (e.g., 1400°C). These conditions remain valid for not only single‐cation rare‐earth disilicates of Yb, Er, Lu, Sc, and Y but also a multicomponent disilicate containing equimolar concentrations of all of these cations.
Predictors of the right ventricular perforation caused by active‐fixation pacing and defibrillator leads: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Celikyurt Umut , Acar Burak , Yavuz Sadan , Agacdiken Aysen , Vural Ahmet 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionActive‐fixation leads have been associated with higher incidence of cardiac perforation. Large series specifically evaluating radiographic predictors of right ventricular (RV) lead perforation are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study including 1691 consecutive patients implanted with an active fixation pacing and defibrillator lead at our institution between January 2015 and January 2021. Fourteen patients who had clinically relevant RV perforation caused by pacemaker and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator leads were included in the study.ResultsUnivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of RV perforation. In multivariate analysis, lead slack score (odds ratio [OR]: 3.694, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.066–12.807; p = .039), change in lead slack height (OR: 1.218, 95% CI: 1.011–1.467; p = .038) and width (OR: 1.253, 95% CI: 1.120–1.402; p = .001), left ventricular ejection fraction (OR: 0.995, 95% CI: 0.910–1.088; p = .032) were independent predictors of RV perforation.ConclusionFluoroscopic predictors of RV perforation associated with RV lead can be easily determined during implantation. Identification of these predictors may prevent the sequelae of RV perforation associated with active‐fixation leads.