bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc Oxide Nanorods Shielded with an Ultrathin Nickel Layer: Tailoring of Physical Properties
Authors: Mudusu Devika , Nandanapalli Koteeswara Reddy , Dugasani Sreekantha Reddy , Park Sung Ha , Tu Charles W.
Published: June 2016

We report on the development of Ni-shielded ZnO nanorod (NR) structures and the impact of the Ni layer on the ZnO NR properties. We developed nickel-capped zinc oxide nanorod (ZnO/Ni NR) structures by e-beam evaporation of Ni and the subsequent annealing of the ZnO/Ni core/shell nanostructures. The core/shell NRs annealed at 400 °C showed superior crystalline and emission properties. More interestingly, with the increase of annealing temperature, the crystallinity of the Ni shells over the ZnO NRs gradually changed from polycrystalline to single crystalline. The presence of the Ni layer as a polycrystalline shell completely hindered the light emission and transmission of the ZnO NR cores. Further, the band gap of ZnO NRs continuously decreased with the increase of annealing temperature.
Transcriptional quiescence of paternal mtDNA in cyprinid fish embryos
Authors: Wen Ming , Peng Liangyue , Hu Xinjiang , Zhao Yuling , Liu Shaojun , Hong Yunhan
Published: June 2016

Mitochondrial homoplasmy signifies the existence of identical copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and is essential for normal development, as heteroplasmy causes abnormal development and diseases in human. Homoplasmy in many organisms is ensured by maternal mtDNA inheritance through either absence of paternal mtDNA delivery or early elimination of paternal mtDNA. However, whether paternal mtDNA is transcribed has remained unknown. Here we report that paternal mtDNA shows late elimination and transcriptional quiescence in cyprinid fishes. Paternal mtDNA was present in zygotes but absent in larvae and adult organs of goldfish and blunt-snout bream, demonstrating paternal mtDNA delivery and elimination for maternal mtDNA inheritance. Surprisingly, paternal mtDNA remained detectable up to the heartbeat stage, suggesting its late elimination leading to embryonic heteroplasmy up to advanced embryogenesis. Most importantly, we never detected the cytb RNA of paternal mtDNA at all stages when paternal mtDNA was easily detectable, which reveals that paternal mtDNA is transcriptionally quiescent and thus excludes its effect on the development of heteroplasmic embryos. Therefore, paternal mtDNA in cyprinids shows late elimination and transcriptional quiescence. Clearly, transcriptional quiescence of paternal mtDNA represents a new mechanism for maternal mtDNA inheritance and provides implications for treating mitochondrion-associated diseases by mitochondrial transfer or replacement.
Prognostic Value of EMT-inducing Transcription Factors (EMT-TFs) in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Imani Saber , Hosseinifard Hossein , Cheng Jingliang , Wei Chunli , Fu Junjiang
Published: June 2016

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital control point in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, and ZEB1, as key EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), are involved in MBC through different signaling cascades. This updated meta-analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the expression of EMT-TFs and prognostic value in MBC patients. A total of 3,218 MBC patients from fourteen eligible studies were evaluated. The pooled hazard ratios (HR) for EMT-TFs suggested that high EMT-TF expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis in MBC patients (HRs = 1.72; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.53–1.93; P = 0.001). In addition, the overexpression of SLUG was the most impactful on the risk of MBC compared with TWIST1 and SNAIL1, which sponsored fixed models. Strikingly, the increased risk of MBC was less associated with ZEB1 expression. However, the EMT-TF expression levels significantly increased the risk of MBC in the Asian population (HR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.70–2.62) without any publication bias (t = 1.70, P = 0.11). These findings suggest that the overexpression of potentially TWIST1, SNAIL1 and especially SLUG play a key role in the aggregation of MBC treatment as well as in the improvement of follow-up plans in Asian MBC patients.
Transient cerebral hypoperfusion and hypertensive events during atrial fibrillation: a plausible mechanism for cognitive impairment
Authors: Anselmino Matteo , Scarsoglio Stefania , Saglietto Andrea , Gaita Fiorenzo , Ridolfi Luca
Published: June 2016

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, independent of strokes. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this association, but altered cerebral blood flow dynamics during AF has been poorly investigated: in particular, it is unknown how AF influences hemodynamic parameters of the distal cerebral circulation, at the arteriolar and capillary level. Two coupled lumped-parameter models (systemic and cerebrovascular circulations, respectively) were here used to simulate sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. For each simulation 5000 cardiac cycles were analyzed and cerebral hemodynamic parameters were calculated. With respect to SR, AF triggered a higher variability of the cerebral hemodynamic variables which increases proceeding towards the distal circulation, reaching the maximum extent at the arteriolar and capillary levels. This variability led to critical cerebral hemodynamic events of excessive pressure or reduced blood flow: 303 hypoperfusions occurred at the arteriolar level, while 387 hypertensive events occurred at the capillary level during AF. By contrast, neither hypoperfusions nor hypertensive events occurred during SR. Thus, the impact of AF per se on cerebral hemodynamics candidates as a relevant mechanism into the genesis of AF-related cognitive impairment/dementia.
Spin polarization of excitons in organic multiferroic composites
Authors: Han Shixuan , Yang Liu , Gao Kun , Xie Shijie , Qin Wei , Ren Shenqiang
Published: June 2016

Recently, the discovery of room temperature magnetoelectricity in organic charge transfer complexes has reignited interest in the multiferroic field. The solution processed, large-area and low cost organic semiconductor materials offer new possibilities for the functional all organic multiferroic devices. Here we report the spin polarization of excitons and charge transfer states in organic charge transfer composites by using extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model including Coulomb interaction and spin-flip effect. With the consideration of spin polarization, we suggest a possible mechanism for the origin of excited ferromagnetism.
Fabrication of Pd/P nanoparticle networks with high activity for methanol oxidation
Authors: Zhang Ke , Wang Caiqin , Bin Duan , Wang Jin , Yan Bo , Shiraishi Yukihide , Du Yukou
Published: June 2016

The as-prepared Pd/P nanoparticle networks efficiently exhibit electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation.
Inorganic clusters with a [Fe2MoOS3] core—a functional model for acetylene reduction by nitrogenases
Authors: Yoshimoto Koji , Yatabe Takeshi , Matsumoto Takahiro , Tran Viet-Ha , Robertson Andrew , Nakai Hidetaka , Asazawa Koichiro , Tanaka Hirohisa , Ogo Seiji
Published: June 2016

We report the first example of a wholly inorganic mimic of a part of the FeMoco active centre of nitrogenases.
Chiral carbene–borane adducts: precursors for borenium catalysts for asymmetric FLP hydrogenations
Authors: Lam Jolie , Günther Benjamin A. R. , Farrell Jeffrey M. , Eisenberger Patrick , Bestvater Brian P. , Newman Paul D. , Melen Rebecca L. , Crudden Cathleen M. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: June 2016

A series of chiral borenium cations are prepared characterized and evaluated in metal-free asymmetric hydrogenations of imines.
Dependence of infrared absorption properties on the Mo doping contents in MxWO3with various alkali metals
Authors: Wang Tingyu , Xiong Yuanpeng , Li Ruixing , Cai Hongnian
Published: June 2016

Mo doping is an effective process for enhancing the infrared absorption properties of MxWO3with various alkali metals.
Barton decarboxylation under ultrasonic continuous flow
Authors: Banaszak-Léonard Estelle , Mangin Floriane , Len Christophe
Published: June 2016

Barton decarboxylation was performed in ultrasonic continuous flow for bulkier syntheses and enhanced yields compared to conventional heating.
Nanoparticles of chitosan conjugated to organo-ruthenium complexes
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Pitto-Barry Anaïs , Habtemariam Abraha , Romero-Canelon Isolda , Sadler Peter J. , Barry Nicolas P. E.
Published: June 2016

The synthesis of nanoparticles of conjugates of caffeic acid-modified chitosan with ruthenium arene complexes is described.
Magnetic nanoparticles of Ni/NiO nanostructured in film form synthesized by dead organic matrix of yeast
Authors: Salvadori Marcia Regina , Ando Rômulo Augusto , Muraca Diego , Knobel Marcelo , Oller Nascimento Cláudio Augusto , Corrêa Benedito
Published: June 2016

Schematic of the synthesis of Ni/NiO magnetic nanoparticles organized in film form by a dead organic matrix of yeast.
In vitro imaging of β-cells using fluorescent cubic bicontinuous liquid crystalline nanoparticles
Authors: Miceli V. , Meli V. , Blanchard-Desce M. , Bsaibess T. , Pampalone M. , Conaldi P. G. , Caltagirone C. , Obiols-Rabasa M. , Schmidt J. , Talmon Y. , Casu A. , Murgia S.
Published: June 2016

Imaging of rat pancreatic β-cells using cubic bicontinuous liquid crystalline nanoparticles loaded with the TB139 fluorescent dye.
Dispersion polymerization of acrylamide with living character and controlled morphologies initiated and mediated by cobalt porphyrin
Authors: Wang Liying , Zhao Huanqin , Wang Baolong , Sun Junmin , Zhang Yongfeng , Ji Lichun , Cao Zhenzhu
Published: June 2016

Dispersion polymerization of acrylamide (AM) catalyzed by cobalt porphyrin [cobalt tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin, (TMOP)Co(ii)] with the feature of living radical polymerization (LRP) in alcohol/water or dimethylformamide (DMF)/water is described.
Role of salt in the aqueous two-phase copolymerization of acrylamide and cationic monomers: from screening to anion-bridging
Authors: Fan Weixiao , Shang Kuanxiang , Shan Guorong , Pan Pengju
Published: June 2016

Mechanism for the anions effect on the aqueous two-phase copolymerization (ATPP) of acrylamide and cationic monomers in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous solution was proposed.
Brookite TiO2 photocatalyzed degradation of phenol in presence of phosphate, fluoride, sulfate and borate anions
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Xiong Xianqiang , Xu Yiming
Published: June 2016

A significant enhancement of phenol degradation over brookite TiO2 in presence of phosphate, fluoride, sulfate and borate anions is reported.
Coordination polymer hydrogels through Ag(i)-mediated spontaneous self-assembly of unsubstituted nucleobases and their antimicrobial activity
Authors: Sharma Bhagwati , Mahata Arup , Mandani Sonam , Sarma Tridib K. , Pathak Biswarup
Published: June 2016

The formation of effective antimicrobial metallogels through Ag(i) ion mediated self-assembly of unsubstituted nucleobases is reported. The Ag–pyrimidine gels could further reduce Ag+ ions to Ag nanoparticles decorated along the nanofibers.
Ultrasound-assisted bioalcohol synthesis: review and analysis
Authors: Ranjan Amrita , Singh Shuchi , Malani Ritesh S. , Moholkar Vijayanand S.
Published: June 2016

The present article highlights the efficacy of ultrasound in the intensification of all the steps of bioalcohol synthesis with a critical analysis of the literature.
Mass transport improvement in microscale using diluted ferrofluid and a non-uniform magnetic field
Authors: Hejazian Majid , Phan Dinh-Tuan , Nguyen Nam-Trung
Published: June 2016

We investigate the mass transport enhancement of a non-magnetic fluorescent dye with the help of diluted ferrofluid and a non-uniform magnetic field.
Highly luminescent N-doped carbon quantum dots from lemon juice with porphyrin-like structures surrounded by graphitic network for sensing applications
Authors: Mondal Tapas Kumar , Gupta Abhisek , Shaw Bikash Kumar , Mondal Supriya , Ghorai Uttam Kumar , Saha Shyamal K.
Published: June 2016

Green synthetic approach to synthesizing highly luminescent N-doped carbon quantum dots with porphyrin like moiety for sensitive and selective detection of Fe3+.
Diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized polycyclic benzosultams via tandem cyclisations of cyclic N-sulfonylimines with in situ generated Huisgen 1,4-dipoles
Authors: Zhao Hong-Wu , Chen Xiao-Qin , Pang Hai-Liang , Tian Ting , Li Bo , Song Xiu-Qing , Meng Wei , Yang Zhao , Zhao Yu-Di , Liu Yue-Yang
Published: June 2016

The tandem cycloadditions of cyclic N-sulfonylimines with in situ generated Huisgen 1,4-dipoles underwent readily, and delivered 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-fused benzosultams in acceptable chemical yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.
New insight on facet-dependent physicochemical properties of anatase TiO2 nanostructures for efficient photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Wei , Fang Jiaojiao , Zhou Yingjie , Zhang Wenyan , Lu Chunhua
Published: June 2016

Crystal growth mechanisms and physicochemical properties associated with the photocatalytic activities have been systematically investigated.
The interaction of molecular oxygen on LaO terminated surfaces of La2NiO4
Authors: Akbay Taner , Staykov Aleksandar , Druce John , Téllez Helena , Ishihara Tatsumi , Kilner John A.
Published: June 2016

The surface composition and electronic structure of perovskite related oxides play a significant role in their electro-catalytic behaviour.
Underwater superoleophobic carbon nanotubes/core–shell polystyrene@Au nanoparticles composite membrane for flow-through catalytic decomposition and oil/water separation
Authors: Zhang Lei , Gu Jincui , Song Liping , Chen Lu , Huang Youju , Zhang Jiawei , Chen Tao
Published: June 2016

A hierarchical composite membrane with underwater superoleophobic surface and underlying catalytic microspheres is fabricated to achieve simultaneous flow-through catalytic decomposition and oil/water separation.
Silicon nanoparticles embedded in a porous carbon matrix as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Lili , Yang Juan , Zhou Xiangyang , Zhang Manfang , Ren Yongpeng , Nie Yang
Published: June 2016

Si nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix have been prepared by a carbonization process followed by a magnesiothermic reduction process.
Smart pH-responsive and high doxorubicin loading nanodiamond for in vivo selective targeting, imaging, and enhancement of anticancer therapy
Authors: Li Lin , Tian Lu , Wang Yongli , Zhao Wenjing , Cheng Fangqin , Li Yingqi , Yang Binsheng
Published: June 2016

We introduce a simple and effective strategy to design a promising drug delivery platform for improving the biomedical applications of smart nanodiamond carriers.
High mobility polycrystalline indium oxide thin-film transistors by means of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
Authors: Yeom H.-I. , Ko J. B. , Mun G. , Park S.-H. Ko
Published: June 2016

A thin-film transistor with a 5 nm-thick indium oxide active layer deposited by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) showed outstanding performance even with a polycrystalline phase.
A single-source precursor approach to solution processed indium arsenide thin films
Authors: Marchand Peter , Sathasivam Sanjayan , Williamson Benjamin A. D. , Pugh David , Bawaked Salem M. , Basahel Sulaiman N. , Obaid Abdullah Y. , Scanlon David O. , Parkin Ivan P. , Carmalt Claire J.
Published: June 2016

Highly crystalline, stoichiometric InAs films have been deposited utilising a novel InAs cluster as a single source precursor.
Switching control optimisation strategy of segmented transmitting coils for on‐road charging of electrical vehicles
Authors: Liu Han , Huang Xueliang , Tan Linlin , Guo Jinpeng , Wang Wei
Published: June 2016

Resonant wireless power transfer presents the opportunity of on‐road charging of electrical vehicles. In this study, a system with controllable square transmitting coils in series is proposed. Circuit model of multiple transmitting coils is first built to derive unified resonant condition of primary side and receiving power of secondary side. On the basis of numerical analysis of mutual inductance in a system without control strategy and transmitter spacing are fixed, receiving power variations along with the number of energised transmitting coils and horizontal misalignment between transmitting and receiving devices are further investigated. Taking power demand, receiving power fluctuation requirement and switching frequency of transmitting coils into consideration, this study presents an optimal switching control strategy of transmitting coils based on the width‐variable window searching method. With the proposed strategy in this study, the switching frequency is reduced while the power demand and the power fluctuation requirement can be satisfied simultaneously. The theoretical analysis is confirmed by experimental results.
Au thin‐film electrodes based potentiometric CO2 sensor using Li3PO4 as both the reference material and the solid electrolyte
Authors: Wang Hairong , Chen Di , Liu Zhen , Zhang Mi
Published: June 2016

Thin‐film Au electrodes prepared by magnetron sputtering method were used to develop a potentiometric CO2 gas sensor. The thermal evaporated Li3PO4 played the role of electrolyte and sensing material. This design can simplify the fabrication process compared with the conventional solid electrolyte potentiometric CO2 sensor (c‐sensor) and improve the performance compared with the thick‐film Au electrodes sensor (t‐sensor). The designed CO2 sensor (d‐sensor) presented good response characteristics at the CO2 concentration range of 250–2500 ppm and the electromotive force (EMF), ΔEMF/dec, response and recovery time were investigated. The EMF values of the sensor were linearly dependent on logarithm of CO2 partial pressure at the working temperatures between 420°C and 500°C. The d‐sensor showed a sensitivity of 79.1–93.7 mV/dec at working temperatures range of 420–500°C which was much higher than the sensitivities of c‐sensor and the t‐sensor. The response and recovery time of the fabricated sensors were 10 and 14 s at working temperature of 500°C, respectively. The surface morphology of Au thin films was considered to increase the three‐phase interface area and be good for the reaction gases to diffuse from Au film to lithium phosphate, allowing rapid chemical reaction equilibrium, getting a more stable EMF output.
The Use of Hydrogels as Biomimetic Materials for 3D Cell Cultures
Authors: Du Eric Y. , Martin Adam D. , Heu Celine , Thordarson Pall
Published: June 2016

With the recent developments in cell cultures and biomimetic materials, there is growing evidence indicating that long-established two-dimensional (2D) cell culture techniques are slowly being phased out and replaced with three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. This is due to the 3D cell cultures better mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) where cells are found. The emergence of self-assembled hydrogels as an ECM mimic has revolutionised the field owing to their ability to closely simulate the fibrous nature of the ECM. Here, we review recent progress in using hydrogels as biomimetic materials in 3D cell cultures, particularly supramolecular peptide hydrogels. With greater comprehension of the behaviour of cells in these hydrogels, a cell culture system that can be used in a wide array of 3D culture-based applications can be developed.
Rapid stomatal response to fluctuating light: an under-explored mechanism to improve drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Qu Mingnan , Hamdani Saber , Li Wenzhen , Wang Shimei , Tang Jiuyou , Chen Zhuo , Song Qingfeng , Li Ming , Zhao Honglong , Chang Tiangen , Chu Chengcai , Zhu Xinguang
Published: June 2016

Light inside a canopy constantly fluctuates. Under fluctuating light (FL) conditions, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate constantly change. In this study, we explored whether this dynamics of stomata movements upon FL influenced the water use efficiency of rice in the field. We used a USDA-curated rice mini-core diversity panel consisting of 204 worldwide distributed accessions. A priori model on dynamic stomatal response to FL was utilised to identify kinetic parameters describing the stomatal delays during the closing (τcl) and the opening (τop) phase. Result showed that τcl had a larger variation than τop across the mini-core panel. τcl was negatively correlated with water use efficiency (WUE) related traits, stem diameter, grain weight per tiller and heading time, but positively correlated with maximum annual temperature, carbon assimilation related traits and biomass (P < 0.05). We further showed a strong correlation of τcl with the relative decrease of biomass under drought in 14 accessions with different τcl. We discussed the adjustment of stomatal conductance under fluctuating light in light of the trade-off between optimising CO2 uptake and optimising water saving. This study suggests that stomatal dynamics under fluctuating light is closely related to drought resistance and hence detailed study is needed to enable its application in breeding drought tolerance in rice.
Is there a relationship between primary school children's enjoyment of recess physical activities and health‐related quality of life? A cross‐sectional exploratory study
Authors: Hyndman Brendon , Benson Amanda C. , Lester Leanne , Telford Amanda
Published: June 2016

Issue addressed

An important strategy for increasing children's physical activity is to enhance children's opportunities for school recess physical activities, yet little is known about the influence of school recess physical activities on children's health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between Australian primary school children's enjoyment of recess physical activities and HRQOL.

Methods

The study consisted of children at two Australian primary schools (n = 105) aged 8–12 years. The Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play questionnaire was used to measure school children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 was used to measure children's HRQOL. Researchers applied linear regression modelling in STATA (ver. 13.0) to investigate the relationship between children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities and HRQOL.

Results

It was discovered that primary school children's enjoyment of more vigorous‐type school recess physical activities and playing in a range of weather conditions was associated with children's improved HRQOL.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that health providers and researchers should consider providing primary school children with opportunities and facilities for more vigorous‐intensity school recess physical activities as a key strategy to enhance children's HRQOL.

So what?

Considering a social‐ecological model framework of the key predictors of children's enjoyment of school recess physical activities may provide valuable insight for school health providers into the multiple levels of influence on children's HRQOL when developing school settings and activities for school recess.
Nocturnal sampling reveals usage patterns of intertidal marsh and subtidal creeks by penaeid shrimp and other nekton in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Becker Alistair , Taylor Matthew D.
Published: June 2016

The life cycle of most penaeid prawns includes a juvenile phase in protected coastal environments such as estuaries and embayments. In the tropics, some penaeids are known to utilise intertidal habitats, yet in temperate regions of Australia the use of marshes has not been investigated. We focused on determining the extent to which Melicertus plebejus and Metapenaeus macleayi directly utilise intertidal marsh habitat using fyke nets. Using cast nets, we also assessed the abundance of the two focal species in middle and edge habitat of adjacent subtidal creeks. Despite collecting 8300 crustaceans and 4259 teleosts, only 8M. plebejus were sampled on the marsh. Abundances of M. macleayi were greater with 90 individuals collected. Within the subtidal creeks larger M. macleayi were collected in the middle habitat and the abundance of both penaeids varied among different creeks. The nekton community as a whole also differed among creeks within marshes. This study has demonstrated that juvenile M. plebejus and M. macleayi do not directly utilise intertidal marsh habitats. Despite this, marshes may provide important resources for prawns through the export of carbon. Future isotope studies would provide valuable information in this regard, providing a broader understanding of penaeids and specific estuarine habitats.
Chaparral growth-ring analysis as an indicator of stand biomass development
Authors: Uyeda Kellie A. , Stow Douglas A. , O'Leary John F. , Tague Christina , Riggan Philip J.
Published: June 2016

Chaparral wildfires typically create even-aged stands of vegetation that grow quickly in the first 2 decades following a fire. Patterns of this growth are important for understanding ecosystem productivity and re-establishment success, but are logistically challenging to measure over long time periods. We tested the utility of a novel method of using shrub growth rings to estimate stand-level biomass accumulation at an annual time scale in southern California chaparral. We examined how temporal variation in precipitation and spatial variation in solar irradiation influence that accumulation. Using field measurements and a relationship between stem basal area and aboveground biomass, we estimated current biomass levels in an 11-year-old chaparral stand, and used growth-ring diameters to estimate growth in each year from age 4 to 11 years. We found that annual growth as measured by shrub growth rings tracked closely with patterns of annual precipitation, but not with time since fire. Solar irradiation was not found to be a significant covariate with total biomass by plot, possibly due to sampling area limitations. The close relationship of annual biomass accumulation with annual precipitation indicates that shrub growth-ring measurements can provide a useful metric of stand-level recovery.
Acid rain mitigation experiment shifts a forested watershed from a net sink to a net source of nitrogen
Authors: Rosi-Marshall Emma J. , Bernhardt Emily S. , Buso Donald C. , Driscoll Charles T. , Likens Gene E.
Published: June 2016

Significance

Acid rain has stripped forests of soil calcium, with consequences for forest health and downstream ecosystems. In 1999, researchers initiated a whole-watershed experiment, with the goal of replacing all the calcium lost. This experiment increased the pH and acid-neutralizing capacity of soils and streamwater, and forest growth increased. In 2010, nitrogen export from the treated watershed began to increase, and by 2013, annual inorganic N losses from the experimental watershed were 30-times higher than from the adjacent reference watershed, a proportional increase only seen in whole-watershed clear-cutting experiments. The discovery that calcium enrichment can convert a watershed from a sink to a source of N suggests unforeseen consequences of acid rain mitigation and provides new insights into watershed dynamics.
Acquisition of time and locative phrases in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Jia Hongyi , Liu Feng-hsi
Published: June 2016

In this study we explore the role played by input saliency in L2 acquisition of the time phrase and the locative phrase in Mandarin Chinese. In Chinese the time phrase that indicates when an event takes place and the locative phrase that indicates where an event takes place are similar in that neither can occur after the verb. L1 English L2 learners of Chinese have to learn to place both phrases pre-verbally. Our goal is to find out whether learners acquire the placement of the two types of phrases equally well. On the basis of input saliency measured in terms of form-function mapping and type frequency, we predicted that the time phrase will be easier to acquire than the locative phrase. We then conducted an experiment and put the hypothesis to test on learners at an early stage. The findings largely support our hypothesis: Simple time phrases are easier to acquire than simple locative phrases for beginning learners. In addition, the same group of learners had difficulty with both complex time phrases and complex locative phrases, suggesting that structural complexity also plays a role.
Influence of Stream Condition on Habitat Diversity and Fish Assemblages in an Impaired Upper Snake River Basin Watershed
Authors: Walrath John D. , Dauwalter Daniel C. , Reinke Drew
Published: June 2016

Habitat diversity reflects the range of available habitats used by species with different niche requirements and, therefore, influences species diversity. Land use influences stream condition, and streams in poor condition are often wide, shallow, sediment‐laden channels with low instream habitat diversity. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of instream habitat diversity on fish species diversity, the effect of stream habitat condition on habitat diversity, and the effect of habitat diversity, stream condition, and other natural stream features on fish assemblage structure (proportional abundance) in an impaired upper Snake River basin watershed containing a locally diverse but regionally depauperate species pool. We sampled fishes and instream and riparian habitat at 41 sites, focusing on measures of instream habitat diversity and the following stream condition indicators: livestock trails on streambanks, streambank stability, channel width‐to‐depth ratio, percent fine substrates, and woody riparian vegetation. Multiple regression revealed that fish species diversity was positively associated with all four components of habitat diversity, that is, diversity in substrate, cover, water depth, and water velocity (P < 0.09, adjusted R2 = 0.642). All four components of habitat diversity increased with stream size, and each component was negatively but weakly associated with at least one stream condition indicator (P < 0.10, adjusted R2 = 0.23 to 0.61). Fish assemblage structure was influenced primarily by natural stream features (gradient, temperature) and secondarily by stream condition indicators and streamflow diversity. Our results connect fish species diversity increases in larger streams with concomitant increases in four dimensions of instream habitat diversity. The findings show how stream condition reflecting land uses, such as riparian over‐grazing, can negatively impact habitat diversity within that stream‐size continuum, thus emphasizing the role land management plays in maintaining fish species diversity.

Received November 6, 2015; accepted February 20, 2016 Published online June 22, 2016
The what, why, and how of spirituality in the workplace revisited: a 14-year update and extension
Authors: Houghton Jeffery D. , Neck Christopher P. , Krishnakumar Sukumarakurup
Published: June 2016

Over the past two decades, conceptual and empirical research on the concept of workplace spirituality has increased and expanded significantly. An early and influential article by Krishnakumar and Neck (2002,Journal of Managerial Psychology17 (3): 153–164) helped provide direction and structure to the nascent field of workplace spirituality by examining the “what” – the definitions and meanings of multiple views of workplace spirituality, the “why” – the potential benefits for organizations from encouraging such differing views of workplace spirituality among their members, and the “how” – the ways in which spirituality may be encouraged or implemented within organizations. The current paper provides a retrospective update and extension of the Krishnakumar and Neck (2002) “what, why, and how” framework and “spiritual freedom” model. More specifically, the paper reviews the development and expansion of the workplace spirituality literature over the past decade and a half and considers the potential contributions of a number of contemporary leadership approaches including self-leadership, shared leadership, and authentic leadership to spirituality in the workplace. The paper concludes with an examination of key directions for future research in the workplace spirituality domain.
Design and Testing of a Mesocosm-Scale Habitat for Culturing the Endangered Devils Hole Pupfish
Authors: Feuerbacher Olin , Bonar Scott A , Barrett Paul J
Published: June 2016

Captive propagation of desert spring fishes, whether for conservation or research, is often difficult, given the unique and often challenging environments these fish utilize in nature. High temperatures, low dissolved oxygen, minimal water flow, and highly variable lighting are some conditions a researcher might need to recreate to simulate their natural environments. Here we describe a mesocosm-scale habitat created to maintain hybrid Devils Hole × Ash Meadows Amargosa Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis × C. nevadensis mionectes) under conditions similar to those found in Devils Hole, Nevada. This 13,000-L system utilized flow control and natural processes to maintain these conditions rather than utilizing complex and expensive automation. We designed a rotating solar collector to control natural sunlight, a biological reactor to consume oxygen while buffering water quality, and a reverse-daylight photosynthesis sump system to stabilize nighttime pH and swings in dissolved oxygen levels. This system successfully controlled many desired parameters and helped inform development of a larger, more permanent desert fish conservation facility at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada. For others who need to raise fish from unique habitats, many components of the scalable and modular design of this system can be adapted at reasonable cost.
Effects of Cold Winters on the Genetic Diversity of an Estuarine Fish, the Spotted Seatrout
Authors: O'Donnell Timothy P. , Arnott Stephen A. , Denson Michael R. , Darden Tanya L.
Published: June 2016

Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus are recreationally important fish that have been harvested in South Carolina for centuries. The Spotted Seatrout in South Carolina suffered substantial declines in estuarine abundance during the cold winters of 2000, 2009, and 2010, when water temperatures dropped below their tolerance threshold. As these population declines may result in genetic bottlenecks and their repetitive occurrence over a short timescale could reduce the population's adaptive potential, we estimated the genetic diversity and effective population size (Ne) of the Charleston Harbor Spotted Seatrout population at six time points related to recent cold winters using a suite of 13 microsatellite markers. Grouping individuals by year-class (fish spawned in the same year) was the most appropriate and effective method for measuring interannual fluctuations in observed and expected heterozygosity and allelic richness, superior to partitioning fish by collection year. The genetic diversity of Spotted Seatrout was significantly influenced by catch per unit effort, although only minor changes were observed and Ne remained high. Short overlapping generations appear to allow Spotted Seatrout to genetically recover during population growth and maintain moderate levels of genetic diversity.

Received May 7, 2015; accepted February 2, 2016
Common Interest and Signaling Games: A Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Martínez Manolo , Godfrey-Smith Peter
Published: June 2016

We present a dynamic model of the evolution of communication in a Lewis signaling game while systematically varying the degree of common interest between sender and receiver. We show that the level of common interest between sender and receiver is strongly predictive of the amount of information transferred between them. We also discuss a set of rare but interesting cases in which common interest is almost entirely absent, yet substantial information transfer persists in a “cheap talk” regime, and offer a diagnosis of how this may arise.
To What Extent Is Aquaculture Socially Beneficial? A Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Regnier Esther , Schubert Katheline
Published: June 2016

This article offers a theoretical analysis of the impact that the introduction of aquaculture has on wild fish stocks and consumer utility, taking into account three key components: (1) the dependence of aquaculture on reduction fisheries for the feeding of the farmed species; (2) biological interactions between the wild edible species—the predator—and the wild feed species—the prey; and (3) consumer preferences for wild and farmed fish. Fisheries are in open access, while the aquaculture sector is competitive. We show that when biological interactions are moderate, the introduction of aquaculture is beneficial in the long run: it improves consumer utility and alleviates the pressure on the edible fish stock. Results are deeply modified when biological interactions are strong: the stock of edible wild fish is reduced and the introduction of aquaculture may even cause a decrease in consumer utility. We then explore the consequences of improving aquaculture efficiency and the sensitivity of consumer preferences to the farmed fish characteristics, in the case where biological interactions are absent. Lastly, we analyze how our outcomes on the entry of aquaculture are affected when the wild edible fishery is optimally regulated, in combination with different assumptions on the regulation of the feed fishery. Results are again conditional on the intensity of biological interactions.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Laboratory Test Results
Authors: Luo Yuan , Szolovits Peter , Dighe Anand S , Baron Jason M
Published: June 2016

Objectives

While clinical laboratories report most test results as individual numbers, findings, or observations, clinical diagnosis usually relies on the results of multiple tests. Clinical decision support that integrates multiple elements of laboratory data could be highly useful in enhancing laboratory diagnosis.

Methods

Using the analyte ferritin in a proof of concept, we extracted clinical laboratory data from patient testing and applied a variety of machine-learning algorithms to predict ferritin test results using the results from other tests. We compared predicted with measured results and reviewed selected cases to assess the clinical value of predicted ferritin.

Results

We show that patient demographics and results of other laboratory tests can discriminate normal from abnormal ferritin results with a high degree of accuracy (area under the curve as high as 0.97, held-out test data). Case review indicated that predicted ferritin results may sometimes better reflect underlying iron status than measured ferritin.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the substantial informational redundancy present in patient test results and offer a potential foundation for a novel type of clinical decision support aimed at integrating, interpreting, and enhancing the diagnostic value of multianalyte sets of clinical laboratory test results.
A novel approach for selecting combination clinical markers of pathology applied to a large retrospective cohort of surgically resected pancreatic cysts
Authors: Masica David L , Dal Molin Marco , Wolfgang Christopher L , Tomita Tyler , Ostovaneh Mohammad R , Blackford Amanda , Moran Robert A , Law Joanna K , Barkley Thomas , Goggins Michael , Irene Canto Marcia , Pittman Meredith , Eshleman James R , Ali Syed Z , Fishman Elliot K , Kamel Ihab R , Raman Siva P , Zaheer Atif , Ahuja Nita , Makary Martin A , Weiss Matthew J , Hirose Kenzo , Cameron John L , Rezaee Neda , He Jin , Joon Ahn Young , Wu Wenchuan , Wang Yuxuan , Springer Simeon , Diaz Luis L , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Hruban Ralph H , Kinzler Kenneth W , Vogelstein Bert , Karchin Rachel , Marie Lennon Anne
Published: June 2016

Objective: Our objective was to develop an approach for selecting combinatorial markers of pathology from diverse clinical data types. We demonstrate this approach on the problem of pancreatic cyst classification.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed 1026 patients with surgically resected pancreatic cysts, comprising 584 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 332 serous cystadenomas, 78 mucinous cystic neoplasms, and 42 solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms. To derive optimal markers for cyst classification from the preoperative clinical and radiological data, we developed a statistical approach for combining any number of categorical, dichotomous, or continuous-valued clinical parameters into individual predictors of pathology. The approach is unbiased and statistically rigorous. Millions of feature combinations were tested using 10-fold cross-validation, and the most informative features were validated in an independent cohort of 130 patients with surgically resected pancreatic cysts.

Results: We identified combinatorial clinical markers that classified serous cystadenomas with 95% sensitivity and 83% specificity; solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms with 89% sensitivity and 86% specificity; mucinous cystic neoplasms with 91% sensitivity and 83% specificity; and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with 94% sensitivity and 90% specificity. No individual features were as accurate as the combination markers. We further validated these combinatorial markers on an independent cohort of 130 pancreatic cysts, and achieved high and well-balanced accuracies. Overall sensitivity and specificity for identifying patients requiring surgical resection was 84% and 81%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our approach identified combinatorial markers for pancreatic cyst classification that had improved performance relative to the individual features they comprise. In principle, this approach can be applied to any clinical dataset comprising dichotomous, categorical, and continuous-valued parameters.
The Teachers of Quality Academy: A Learning Community Approach to Preparing Faculty to Teach Health Systems Science
Authors: Baxley Elizabeth G. , Lawson Luan , Garrison Herbert G. , Walsh Danielle , Lazorick Suzanne , Lake Donna , Higginson Jason
Published: June 2016

Problem

Although efforts to integrate health systems science (HSS) topics, such as patient safety, quality improvement (QI), interprofessionalism, and population health, into health professions curricula are increasing, the rate of change has been slow.

Approach

The Teachers of Quality Academy (TQA), Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, was established in January 2014 with the dual goal of preparing faculty to lead frontline clinical transformation while becoming proficient in the pedagogy and curriculum design necessary to prepare students in HSS competencies. The TQA included the completion of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety; participation in six 2-day learning sessions on key HSS topics; completion of a QI project; and participation in three online graduate courses.

Outcomes

Twenty-seven faculty from four health science programs completed the program. All completed their QI projects. Nineteen (70%) have been formally engaged in the design and delivery of the medical student curriculum in HSS. Early into their training, TQA participants began to apply new knowledge and skills in HSS to the development of educational initiatives beyond the medical student curriculum.

Next Steps

Important next steps for TQA participants and program planners include further incorporation as faculty advisors and contributors to the full implementation of the longitudinal HSS curriculum; expanded involvement with the Leaders in Innovative Care Scholars student leadership distinction track; continued in-depth evaluation of the impact of TQA participation on patient care, teaching, and role modeling; and the recruitment of the next cohort of TQA participants.
Striving for Gender Equity in Academic Medicine Careers: A Call to Action
Authors: Bates Carol , Gordon Lynn , Travis Elizabeth , Chatterjee Archana , Chaudron Linda , Fivush Barbara , Gulati Martha , Jagsi Reshma , Sharma Poonam , Gillis Marin , Ganetzky Rebecca , Grover Amelia , Lautenberger Diana , Moses Ashleigh
Published: June 2016

Women represent approximately half of students entering medical schools and more than half of those entering PhD programs. When advancing through the academic and professional fields, however, women continually face barriers that men do not. In this Commentary, the authors offer ideas for coordinating the efforts of organizations, academic institutions, and leaders throughout the scientific and medical professions to reduce barriers that result in inequities and, instead, strive for gender parity. Specific areas of focus outlined by the authors include facilitating women’s access to formal and informal professional networks, acknowledging and addressing the gender pay gap as well as the lack of research funding awarded to women in the field, and updating workplace policies that have not evolved to accommodate women’s lifestyles. As academic institutions seek access to top talent and the means to develop those individuals capable of generating the change medicine and science needs, the authors urge leaders and change agents within academic medicine to address the systemic barriers to gender equity that impede us from achieving the mission to improve the health of all.
Attending Physician Adherence to a 29-Component Central Venous Catheter Bundle Checklist During Simulated Procedures*
Authors: Barsuk Jeffrey H. , Cohen Elaine R. , Nguyen Duyhuu , Mitra Debi , O’Hara Kelly , Okuda Yasuharu , Feinglass Joe , Cameron Kenzie A. , McGaghie William C. , Wayne Diane B.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Central venous catheter insertions may lead to preventable adverse events. Attending physicians’ central venous catheter insertion skills are not assessed routinely. We aimed to compare attending physicians’ simulated central venous catheterinsertion performance to published competency standards.

Design:

Prospective cohort study of attending physicians’ simulated internal jugular and subclavian central venous catheter insertion skills versus a historical comparison group of residents who participated in simulation training.

Setting:

Fifty-eight Veterans Affairs Medical Centers from February 2014 to December 2014 during a 2-day simulation-based education curriculum and two academic medical centers in Chicago.

Subjects:

A total of 108 experienced attending physicians and 143 internal medicine and emergency medicine residents.

Intervention:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Using a previously published central venous catheter insertion skills checklist, we compared Veterans Affairs Medical Centers attending physicians’ simulated central venous catheter insertion performance to the same simulated performance by internal medicine and emergency medicine residents from two academic centers. Attending physician performance was compared to residents’ baseline and posttest (after simulation training) performance. Minimum passing scores were set previously by an expert panel. Attending physicians performed higher on the internal jugular (median, 75.86% items correct; interquartile range, 68.97–86.21) and subclavian (median, 83.00%; interquartile range, 59.00–86.21) assessments compared to residents’ internal jugular (median, 37.04% items correct; interquartile range, 22.22–68.97) and subclavian (median, 33.33%; interquartile range, 0.00–70.37; both p < 0.001) baseline assessments. Overall simulated performance was poor because only 12 of 67 attending physicians (17.9%) met or exceeded the minimum passing score for internal jugular central venous catheter insertion and only 11 of 47 (23.4%) met or exceeded the minimum passing score for subclavian central venous catheter insertion. Resident posttest performance after simulation training was significantly higher than attending physician performance (internal jugular: median, 96%; interquartile range, 93.10–100.00; subclavian: median, 100%; interquartile range, 96.00–100.00; both p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates highly variable simulated central venous catheter insertion performance among a national cohort of experienced attending physicians. Hospitals, healthcare systems, and governing bodies should recognize that even experienced physicians require periodic clinical skill assessment and retraining.