bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global change‐type drought‐induced tree mortality: vapor pressure deficit is more important than temperature per se in causing decline in tree health
Authors: Eamus Derek , Boulain Nicolas , Cleverly James , Breshears David D.
Published: July 2013

Drought‐induced tree mortality is occurring across all forested continents and is expected to increase worldwide during the coming century. Regional‐scale forest die‐off influences terrestrial albedo, carbon and water budgets, and land‐surface energy partitioning. Although increased temperatures during drought are widely identified as a critical contributor to exacerbated tree mortality associated with “global‐change‐type drought”, corresponding changes in vapor pressure deficit (D) have rarely been considered explicitly and have not been disaggregated from that of temperature per se. Here, we apply a detailed mechanistic soil–plant–atmosphere model to examine the impacts of drought, increased air temperature (+2°C or +5°C), and increased vapor pressure deficit (D; +1 kPa or +2.5 kPa), singly and in combination, on net primary productivity (NPP) and transpiration and forest responses, especially soil moisture content, leaf water potential, and stomatal conductance. We show that increased D exerts a larger detrimental effect on transpiration and NPP, than increased temperature alone, with or without the imposition of a 3‐month drought. Combined with drought, the effect of increased D on NPP was substantially larger than that of drought plus increased temperature. Thus, the number of days when NPP was zero across the 2‐year simulation was 13 or 14 days in the control and increased temperature scenarios, but increased to approximately 200 days when D was increased. Drought alone increased the number of days of zero NPP to 88, but drought plus increased temperature did not increase the number of days. In contrast, drought and increased D resulted in the number of days when NPP = 0 increasing to 235 (+1 kPa) or 304 days (+2.5 kPa). We conclude that correct identification of the causes of global change‐type mortality events requires explicit consideration of the influence of D as well as its interaction with drought and temperature.
Effects of vertical irregularity and thickness of unreinforced masonry infill on the robustness of RC framed buildings
Authors: Mondal Goutam , Tesfamariam Solomon
Published: July 2013

Presence of irregularities in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings increases seismic vulnerability. During severe seismic shaking, such buildings may suffer disproportionate damage or even collapse that can be minimized by increasing robustness. Robustness is a desirable property of structural systems that can mitigate susceptible buildings to disproportionate collapse. In this paper, the effects of vertical irregularity and thickness of unreinforced masonry infill on the robustness of a six‐story three‐bay RC frame are quantified. Nonlinear static analysis of the frame is performed, and parametric study is undertaken by considering two parameters: absence of masonry infill at different floors (i.e., vertical irregularities) and infill thickness. Robustness has been quantified in terms of stiffness, base shear, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity of the frame. It was observed that the infill thickness and vertical irregularity have significant influence on the response of RC frame. The response surface method is used to develop a predictive equation for robustness as a function of the two parameters. The predictive equation is validated further using 12 randomly selected computer simulations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does crustacean ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity vary during the molting cycle?
Authors: Hotard Kate , Zou Enmin
Published: July 2013

The authors examined fluctuation in microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in the hepatopancreas during the molting cycle of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. Results showed that microsomal EROD activity fluctuates significantly during the molting cycle, with the lowest enzymatic activity occurring in the late premolt stage. These results clearly show that molting physiology influences crustacean EROD activity, suggesting that when using crustacean EROD assays in evaluating pollution, only individuals from the same molt stage should be used. The authors propose that the high level of EROD activity in postmolt and intermolt stages is an additional mechanism crustaceans use to prevent any untimely rise in ecdysteroid levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2345–2348. © 2013 SETAC
Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Obese Children and Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Pacifico Lucia , Di Martino Michele , De Merulis Antonio , Bezzi Mario , Osborn John Frederick , Catalano Carlo , Chiesa Claudio
Published: July 2013

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may increase the risk for cardiac dysfunction. The present study aimed to determine whether, in children, NAFLD is associated with subclinical left ventricular (LV) structural and functional abnormalities independently of metabolic risk factors. We performed a complete echocardiographic study including tissue Doppler imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for measurement of hepatic fat fraction (HFF) and abdominal fat mass distribution, along with lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in 108 obese children, 54 with (HFF ≥5%) and 54 without NAFLD, and 18 lean healthy subjects. The three groups were matched for age, gender, and pubertal status, and obese children with NAFLD were matched for body mass index/standard deviation score with those without NAFLD. Forty-one of the children with NAFLD underwent liver biopsy. Compared to controls and children without liver involvement, those with NAFLD had features of LV diastolic dysfunction, including higher E-to-e' ratio and lower e' tissue velocity. The Tei index (reflecting the combined systolic and diastolic LV function) was also significantly higher in NAFLD children. Among children with biopsy-proven NAFLD, 26 had definite nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 15 were not-NASH. Patients with definite-NASH had significantly lower e' velocity and significantly higher E-to-e' and Tei index (

P

< 0.001, respectively) than those without NASH. In multiple logistic regression analysis, NAFLD was the only statistically significant variable associated with increased E-to-e' ratio, whereas NAFLD and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with increased Tei index.

Conclusion

: Asymptomatic obese children with NAFLD exhibit features of early LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and these abnormalities are more severe in those with NASH. (Hepatology 2014;59:461–470)
Soil water content vertical profiles under natural conditions: matching of experiments and simulations by a conceptual model
Authors: Morbidelli R. , Saltalippi C. , Flammini A. , Rossi E. , Corradini C.
Published: July 2013

The prediction of soil moisture content, θ, as a function of depth, z, and time, t, is of fundamental importance for applications in many hydrological processes. The main objective of this paper is to provide an approach to solve this problem at a local scale in soils with vegetation. The matching of soil moisture vertical profiles observed under natural conditions in grassy plots and their simulations by a conceptual model is presented. Experimental measurements were performed in a plot located in Central Italy, complete with hydrometeorological sensors specifically set up and equipped with a time domain reflectometry system providing the water content, θe(z, t). A conceptual model framework earlier proposed for two‐layered soil vertical profiles was modified and adopted for simulations. The changes concern the incorporation of evapotranspiration, the reduction of the original model for applications also to homogeneous soil vertical profiles, and a correction for the differences existing between assumed and observed initial moisture contents. In the model calibration, it was found that the effects of vegetation could be represented adequately by a fictitious soil vertical profile with a more permeable upper layer of saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, independent of time. Then, for the validation events, the model simulations in the stages of both infiltration and redistribution/evapotranspiration reproduced appropriately θe(z, t) with typical values of root mean square error in the range 0.0017–0.0657. Similar results were obtained by applying the modified two‐layered model for simulations of experimental data observed in three other plots located in Northern Italy and Germany. For all four vegetated sites, the two‐layer profile better matched the experimental data than the assumption of a homogeneous profile. Thus, the conceptual approach based on a two‐layered scheme for representing θ(z, t) in soils with vegetation appears to be appropriate for many hydrological applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Indole Derivatives from 2‐Alkynylanilines by Means of Gold Catalysis
Authors: Abbiati Giorgio , Marinelli Fabio , Rossi Elisabetta , Arcadi Antonio
Published: July 2013

The peculiar features of gold(III) and gold(I) species include exceptional carbophilicity and, at the same time, lone pair affinity. Such a combination offers many advantages for the development of more sustainable approaches to the synthesis of indole derivatives from readily available 2‐alkynylanilines. This mini‐review critically summarizes the literature reports in this field, with the aim to encourage further research activities in this promising area.
INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES FACING DRAINAGE WATER REUSE STRATEGY IN EGYPT USING EMPIRICAL MODELLING AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
Authors: Ghaffar Eman Abdel , Shaban M.
Published: July 2013

This research investigates the challenges facing drainage water reuse (DWR) strategy in Egypt using empirical modelling and sensitivity analysis. An empirical model, that can describe the relationship between the amount of DWR in the Nile Delta and its major challenges as predictor variables, was developed. A correlation was carried out followed by multiple regression analyses. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to detect the most effective challenge.

It was found that some of these predictors are useful for predicting DWR using a significant regression model at 0.1% level. The results revealed that fresh water released to irrigation (FWRI) is the best predictor of DWR, followed by the irrigation improvement project areas (IIP‐A) and rice cultivation area (RCA).

However, it was clear that the effect of the RCA on the DWR is much stronger than the effect of IIP‐As. Meanwhile drainage water quality (DWQ) varied within a narrow range without a clear tendency where DWR showed a positive trend (continuous increase). On the other hand, the sensitivity analysis revealed that reducing fresh water released to the irrigation system by 30% will lead to a reduction in drainage water reuse up to 50%, while reducing RCAs by 30% will result in a reduction of drainage water reuse by 14.8%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of metabolic and cardiovascular function by the leptin–brain melanocortin pathway
Authors: do Carmo Jussara M. , da Silva Alexandre A. , Dubinion John , Sessums Price O. , Ebaady Sabira H. , Wang Zhen , Hall John E.
Published: July 2013

Obesity is recognized as a major worldwide health problem. Excess weight gain is the most common cause of elevated blood pressure (BP) and markedly increases the risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and renal diseases. Although the mechanisms linking obesity with hypertension have not been fully elucidated, increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity contributes to elevated BP in obese subjects. Recent evidence indicates that leptin and the central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin system, including melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R), play a key role in linking obesity with increased SNS activity and hypertension. Leptin, a peptide‐hormone produced by adipose tissue, crosses the blood–brain barrier and activates brain centers that control multiple metabolic functions as well as SNS activity and BP via the CNS melanocortin system. The crosstalk between peripheral signals (e.g., leptin) and activation of CNS pathways (e.g., MC4R) that regulate energy balance, SNS activity and BP represents an important target for treating obesity and its metabolic and cardiovascular consequences. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(8):692–698, 2013
Chemical nanoroughening of Ti40Nb surfaces and its effect on human mesenchymal stromal cell response
Authors: Helth A. , Gostin P.F. , Oswald S. , Wendrock H. , Wolff U. , Hempel U. , Arnhold S. , Calin M. , Eckert J. , Gebert A.
Published: July 2013

Samples of low modulus beta‐type Ti40Nb and cp2‐Ti were chemically treated with 98% H2SO4 + 30% H2O2 (vol. ratio 1:1) solution. Surface analytical studies conducted with HR‐SEM, AFM, and XPS identified a characteristic nanoroughness of the alloy surface related with a network of nanopits of ∼25 nm diameter. This is very similar to that obtained for cp2‐Ti. The treatment enhances the oxide layer growth compared to mechanically ground states and causes a strong enrichment of Nb2O5 relative to TiO2 on the alloy surface. The in vitro analyses clearly indicated that the chemical treatment accelerates the adhesion and spreading of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC), increases the metabolic activity, and the enzyme activity of tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Surface structures which were generated mimic the cytoplasmic projections of the cells on the nanoscale. Those effects are more pronounced for the Ti40Nb alloy than for cp2‐Ti. The relation between alloy surface topography and chemistry and cell functions is discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 31–41, 2014.
In vitrobiocompatibility analysis of novel nano‐biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds in different composition ratios
Authors: Ebrahimi Mehdi , Pripatnanont Prisana , Suttapreyasri Srisurang , Monmaturapoj Naruporn
Published: July 2013

This study aimed to evaluatein vitrobiocompatibility of a composite of nanoscale biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and collagen (C) compared to pure BCP (P) in different composition ratios of nanohydroxyapatite to nano‐β‐tricalcium phosphate (HA/β‐TCP). Each study group comprised of three ratios of BCP (30/70, 40/60, and 50/50). For evaluation of cellular response toward each ratio, mouse osteoblast (MC3T3‐E1) cell line was cultivated on the scaffolds for 19 days. Analysis of cell proliferation, cell viability, cell attachment and morphology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin synthesis were done on culture days 1, 3, 7, 13, 15, and 19, appropriately. The scanning electron microscopy showed that the osteoblasts attached successfully to scaffolds surfaces in both BCP groups and in all different ratios by spreading their filopodia and expressing similar viability that was confirmed by confocal laser scanning electron microscope. BCP scaffold (P3070) showed remarkable ALP activity, whereas BCP (P5050) showed highest osteocalcin activity. Collagen coating supported high cell proliferation on culture day 1 and possessed limited benefit restricted to early phase of cell differentiation. In conclusion, the fabricated nanoscale BCP scaffolds offered high biocompatibility and supported well the cell proliferation and differentiation regardless the composition ratio. Furthermore, higher ratio of TCP supported the early phase of cell proliferation, whereas higher HA ratio influenced the later phase. Finally, BCP scaffolds P5050 and C4060 were suggested as candidates for clinical applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 52–61, 2014.
CuO‐CeO2 Nanocomposite: A Highly Efficient Recyclable Catalyst for the Green Synthesis of 1,8‐Dioxooctahydroxanthenes in Water
Authors: Albadi Jalal , Mansournezhad Azam , Abbaszadeh Hossein
Published: July 2013

CuO‐CeO2 nanocomposite is reported as a highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for the green synthesis of 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes in water. This catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and recycled up to 8 consecutive runs without any losing of its efficiency.
Repeatability of Baseline Corticosterone and Acute Stress Responses to Capture, and Patterns of Reproductive Hormones in Vitellogenic and Non‐Vitellogenic Female Fijian Ground Frog (Platymantis vitiana)
Authors: Narayan Edward J. , Hero Jean‐Marc
Published: July 2013

The survival of animal species and individuals is largely determined by their ability to express physiological stress responses to predictable and unpredictable environmental challenges. Currently, there is no empirical evidence presenting the stress endocrine responses of female frogs during breeding between different reproductive groups. In this study, non‐invasive urine sampling and standard capture and handling protocol were used to quantify baseline and short‐term corticosterone stress responses in vitellogenic and non‐vitellogenic female Fijian ground frog (Platymantis vitiana) during the annual breeding period. Urinary estrogen and progesterone metabolites were also quantified in the same frog urine samples. Repeated sampling of the female frogs (n = 20) on three occasions enabled repeatability (r) of reproductive and stress hormones to be quantified. All female frogs generated urinary corticosterone responses to the standard capture and handling stressor. Both baseline and short‐term corticosterone responses were significantly higher in magnitude in the vitellogenic females in comparison to the non‐vitellogenic female frogs. Vitellogenic females also showed significantly higher levels of urinary estrogen and progesterone metabolites in comparison to the non‐vitellogenic females. Baseline urinary corticosterone, short‐term corticosterone responses, urinary estrogen, and progesterone metabolites were highly repeatable for both female groups. The results highlight the importance of reproductive and stress hormones during the breeding period in female ground frogs. Future studies should determine the role of potential biological stressors (such as interactions with invasive species) that could be mediating the observed differences in stress endocrine responses of the vitellogenic and non‐vitellogenic female frogs. J. Exp. Zool. 319A: 471–481, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial and temporal distributions of bromoform and dibromomethane in the Atlantic Ocean and their relationship with photosynthetic biomass
Authors: Liu Yina , Yvon‐Lewis Shari A. , Thornton Daniel C. O. , Butler James H. , Bianchi Thomas S. , Campbell Lisa , Hu Lei , Smith Richard W.
Published: July 2013

Atmospheric mixing ratios and seawater concentrations of bromoform (CHBr3), dibromomethane (CH2Br2), and other brominated very short‐lived substances (BrVSLS) were measured during five cruises from 1994 to 2010. These cruises were conducted over large latitudinal (62°N–60°S) and longitudinal transects (11°W–86°W) in the Atlantic Ocean. Elevated seawater concentrations of CHBr3 and CH2Br2 were often observed in regions where chlorophyll a concentrations were also elevated, which suggests biogeochemical processes associated with photosynthetic biomass may be related to CHBr3 and CH2Br2 production. Our results suggest that, at least in the open ocean, several phytoplankton taxa may contribute to the production of these trace gases. While observed correlations between CHBr3 and CH2Br2 in different regions are usually interpreted as common sources for these compounds, results in this study suggest different biogeochemical processes may contribute separately to the production of these trace gases. Heterotrophic bacterial abundance was significantly correlated with CH2Br2, but not with CHBr3, which suggests the biogeochemical processes associated with heterotrophic bacteria may be related to CH2Br2 in seawater but probably not to CHBr3. In general, the Atlantic Ocean is a net source for CHBr3 and CH2Br2, except for a few locations where these trace gases were undersaturated in seawater. Assuming fluxes measured in the Atlantic open ocean are globally representative, the resulting extrapolated, global open‐ocean annual net sea‐to‐air fluxes calculated from data from the five cruises was estimated at 0.24–3.80 Gmol Br yr−1 for CHBr3 and 0.11–0.77 Gmol Br yr−1 for CH2Br2.
Summer nitrogenous nutrient transport and its fate in the Taiwan Strait: A coupled physical‐biological modeling approach
Authors: Wang Jia , Hong Huasheng , Jiang Yuwu , Chai Fei , Yan Xiao‐Hai
Published: July 2013

In order to understand the fate of nutrients in the Taiwan Strait during summer, we built a coupled physical‐biological numerical ocean model, which can capture the basic hydrographic and biological features within the strait. The nutrient that we chose to model is dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). The model includes individual reservoirs for nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4). Both the observational evidence and model results show that NO3 in the strait originates primarily from the upwelling subsurface water in the northern South China Sea (SCS) that enters the strait via the eastern and western routes separated by the Taiwan Bank. The coupled physical and biological effects on the NO3 transport at these two routes are highlighted in the study. For the western route, the shallow topography and the coastal upwelling intensify the biological uptake of NO3 in the whole water column. Consequently, the nitrogenous contribution by this route is mainly in form of the particulate organic nitrogen (PON). In contrast, NO3 is transported conservatively below the nitricline at the deep eastern route, contributing the whole NO3 supply in the TWS. The model estimates the fluxes of DIN and PON into the TWS, from the northern SCS, are 1.8 and 4 kmol s−1, respectively. Over half (∼1 kmol s−1) of the DIN is synthesized into PON by the phytoplankton in the strait. Overall, this study estimates the physical and biological effects on the nutrient transport in the TWS during summer.
Effect of tides on mouth bar morphology and hydrodynamics
Authors: Leonardi Nicoletta , Canestrelli Alberto , Sun Tao , Fagherazzi Sergio
Published: July 2013

Mouth bars are morphological units important for deltas, estuaries, or rivers debouching into the sea. Several processes affect the formation of these deposits. This paper focuses on the role of tides on shaping mouth bars, presenting both hydrodynamic and morphodynamic results. The effect of tides is analyzed in two end‐member configurations: a river with a small tidal discharge compared to the fluvial discharge (fluvial dominated) and a river with a very large tidal discharge (tidal dominated). Mouth bar formation is analyzed using the coupled hydrodynamic and morphodynamic model Delft3D. The presence of tides influences the hydrodynamics of the jet exiting the river mouth and causes an increase in the averaged jet spreading. At low tide the lower water depth in the basin promotes a drawdown water profile in the river and an accelerated flow near the mouth. The resulting velocity field is characterized by residual currents affecting growth and final shape of the mouth bar. Simulations indicate that mouth deposits are characterized by the presence of two channels for negligible tidal discharge, whereas three principal channels are present in the tidal‐dominated case, with a central channel typical of tidal inlets. On the basis of our numerical analyses, we present a robust criterion for the occurrence of mouth deposits with three channels. Trifurcations form when the tidal discharge is large with respect to the fluvial one and the tidal amplitude is small compared to the water depth. Finally, predicted mouth bar morphologies are compared with good agreement to river mouths in the Gulf of Mexico, USA.
The importance of mean and variance in predicting changes in temperature extremes
Authors: Parey Sylvie , Hoang Thi Thu Huong , Dacunha‐Castelle Didier
Published: July 2013

The important role of the evolution of mean temperature in the changes of extremes has been recently documented in the literature, and variability is known to play a role in the occurrence of extremes, too. This paper aims at further investigating the role of their evolutions in the observed changes of temperature extremes. Analyses are based on temperature time series for Eurasia and the United States and concern absolute minima in winter and absolute maxima in summer of daily minimum and maximum temperatures. A test is designed to check whether the extremes of the residuals after accounting for a time‐varying mean and standard deviation can be considered stationary. This hypothesis is generally true for all extremes, seasons, and locations. Then, the comparison between the directly fitted parameters and the retrieved ones from those of the residuals compares favorably. Finally, a method is proposed to compute future return levels from the stationary return levels of the residuals and the projected mean and variance at the desired time horizon. Comparisons with return levels obtained through the extrapolation of significant linear trends identified in the parameters of the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution show that the proposed method gives relevant results. It allows taking mean and/or variance trends into account in the estimation of extremes even though no significant trends in the GEV parameters can be identified. Moreover, the role of trends in variance cannot be neglected. Lastly, first results based on two CMIP5 climate models show that the identified link between mean and variance trends and trends in extremes is correctly reproduced by the models and is maintained in the future.
Reconciling soil thermal and hydrological lower boundary conditions in land surface models
Authors: Decharme Bertrand , Martin Eric , Faroux Stéphanie
Published: July 2013

The lower boundary condition of soil in land surface models is a key parameter, which can affect the energy and water budget at the surface/atmosphere interface. Indeed, it affects the thermal inertia of the ground as well as the water fluxes from the subsurface to the river‐aquifer system. In land surface models, it is well known that the soil must be sufficiently deep to compute a realistic soil temperature profile, while in terms of hydrology, the soil column should be substantially thinner in order to simulate realistic river discharges and therefore surface fluxes. In addition to the confirmation of this paradox, the goal of this study is to show how it is solved in the Interaction between Soil Biosphere Atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model. To reconcile hydrological and thermal lower boundary conditions, a simple approach is developed in which the soil temperature profile is extended below the hydrological column of the soil, and the water profile is extrapolated at each thermal node as the depth increases. ISBA is applied across France over 20 years and at a relatively high resolution. Additional experiments are also performed using the same lower boundary conditions of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 12 m for hydrological and thermal equations. The simulated river discharges and temperature profiles are compared to a dense network of in situ observations. The results confirm the paradox addressed previously and demonstrate that, if left unsolved, it could lead to poor simulation of the soil water and energy budgets, potentially affecting the performance of forecast studies, hydrological applications, and/or climate modeling.
Summer high temperature extremes in Southeast China associated with the East Asian jet stream and circumglobal teleconnection
Authors: Wang Weiwen , Zhou Wen , Wang Xin , Fong Soi Kun , Leong Ka Cheng
Published: July 2013

High temperature extremes (HTEs) have received increasing attention due to their rising impacts on human mortality, regional economies, and ecosystems. In this study, HTEs are defined as days with daily maximum temperature above the 90th percentile derived from a specific climatological period. Occurrences of summer HTEs in Southeast China (south of 35°N and east of 105°E) associated with atmospheric anomalies are investigated. Two key domains in the upper level that are associated with HTE variation, the “exit” and the “tail” of the East Asian Jet Stream (EAJS), are identified. Poleward displacement of the exit is associated with warming tropospheric temperatures over East Asia and tends to be linked with high HTE frequency, while enhancement of the tail is associated with cooling tropospheric temperatures in the northern Pacific and tends to be linked with low HTE frequency. A possible reflection effect of the stratosphere on cool summers in Southeast China is proposed. Furthermore, these two domains are in essence two sectors of the phase‐locked circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) pattern in the Northern Hemisphere. Linkages are found between HTEs in Southeast China and precipitation anomalies in the Indian summer monsoon region, and also in extratropical regions such as northeastern Europe. These teleconnections are set up through the CGT pattern associated with the westerly jet in the midlatitudes. These findings may be a source of variability and predictability of HTEs in Southeast China.
Discrimination of bed form scales using robust spline filters and wavelet transforms: Methods and application to synthetic signals and bed forms of the Río Paraná, Argentina
Authors: Gutierrez Ronald R. , Abad Jorge D. , Parsons Daniel R. , Best James L.
Published: July 2013

There is no standard nomenclature and procedure to systematically identify the scale and magnitude of bed forms such as bars, dunes, and ripples that are commonly present in many sedimentary environments. This paper proposes a standardization of the nomenclature and symbolic representation of bed forms and details the combined application of robust spline filters and continuous wavelet transforms to discriminate these morphodynamic features, allowing the quantitative recognition of bed form hierarchies. Herein the proposed methodology for bed form discrimination is first applied to synthetic bed form profiles, which are sampled at a Nyquist ratio interval of 2.5–50 and a signal‐to‐noise ratio interval of 1–20 and subsequently applied to a detailed 3‐D bed topography from the Río Paraná, Argentina, which exhibits large‐scale dunes with superimposed, smaller bed forms. After discriminating the synthetic bed form signals into three‐bed form hierarchies that represent bars, dunes, and ripples, the accuracy of the methodology is quantified by estimating the reproducibility, the cross correlation, and the standard deviation ratio of the actual and retrieved signals. For the case of the field measurements, the proposed method is used to discriminate small and large dunes and subsequently obtain and statistically analyze the common morphological descriptors such as wavelength, slope, and amplitude of both stoss and lee sides of these different size bed forms. Analysis of the synthetic signals demonstrates that the Morlet wavelet function is the most efficient in retrieving smaller periodicities such as ripples and smaller dunes and that the proposed methodology effectively discriminates waves of different periods for Nyquist ratios higher than 25 and signal‐to‐noise ratios higher than 5. The analysis of bed forms in the Río Paraná reveals that, in most cases, a Gamma probability distribution, with a positive skewness, best describes the dimensionless wavelength and amplitude for both the lee and stoss sides of large dunes. For the case of smaller superimposed dunes, the dimensionless wavelength shows a discrete behavior that is governed by the sampling frequency of the data, and the dimensionless amplitude better fits the Gamma probability distribution, again with a positive skewness. This paper thus provides a robust methodology for systematically identifying the scales and magnitudes of bed forms in a range of environments.
Pomegranate juice adulteration by addition of grape or peach juices
Authors: Nuncio‐Jáuregui Nallely , Calín‐Sánchez Ángel , Hernández Francisca , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

Pomegranate juice has gained a high reputation for its health properties and consequently is now a highly demanded product. However, owing to the limited production and high price of fresh pomegranates, adulteration of pomegranate juice seems to be happening. Hence it is imperative to establish criteria for detecting adulteration.

RESULTS

Addition of grape juice significantly increased the contents of Ca, Mg and Fe and especially tartaric acid and proline and simultaneously decreased the content of K. Addition of peach juice up to 10% (v/v) only resulted in a significant increase in sucrose content. Regarding the volatile composition, adulteration of pomegranate juice with grape juice resulted in significant increases in acetic acid, isoamyl butyrate and especially 1‐hexanol and linalool, while adulteration with peach juice resulted in significant increases in butyl acetate, isobutyl butyrate, benzyl acetate and especially isoamyl butyrate.

CONCLUSION

The control protocols used in this study can serve as a basis for identification of pomegranate juice adulteration. It is important to highlight that it is necessary to simultaneously analyze and have results from several parameters to conclude that a particular pomegranate juice has been adulterated by mixing with another fruit juice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Phenolic composition and mouthfeel characteristics resulting from blending Chilean red wines
Authors: Cáceres‐Mella Alejandro , Peña‐Neira Álvaro , Avilés‐Gálvez Pamela , Medel‐Marabolí Marcela , del Barrio‐Galán Rubén , López‐Solís Remigio , Canals Joan Miquel
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

The blending of wine is a common practice in winemaking to improve certain characteristics that are appreciated by consumers. The use of some cultivars may contribute phenolic compounds that modify certain characteristics in blended wines, particularly those related to mouthfeel. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Carménère, Merlot and Cabernet Franc on the phenolic composition, proanthocyanidin profile and mouthfeel characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

RESULTS

Significant differences in chemical composition were observed among the monovarietal wines. Separation using Sep‐Pak C18 cartridges revealed differences in the concentration but not in the proportion of various proanthocyanidins. Blending reduced polyphenol concentration differences among the various monovarietal wines. Although no major overall differences were observed after blending the monovarietal wines, this oenological practice produced clear differences in mouthfeel characteristics in such a way that the quality of the perceived astringency was different.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the use of a particular wine variety (Cabernet Sauvignon) in a higher proportion in wine blending produced blends that were less differentiable from the monovarietal wine, owing to a suppression effect, producing an apparent standardization of the wines regarding chemical composition. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
National Intellectual Capital and Economic Performance: Empirical Evidence from Developing Countries
Authors: Seleim Ahmed , Bontis Nick
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between national intellectual capital and economic performance in less developed countries. This study develops, measures, and tests a general model of the interrelationship among selected sub‐components of national intellectual capital and its impact on economic performance in 148 developing countries. The results indicate that national intellectual capital explains 70 per cent of the variance in economic performance in developing nations. Findings also indicate that national relational capital is a critical component in achieving economic performance. A variety of sub‐hypotheses were also tested and compared with those of the previous studies that focused on developed nations. The findings of this investigation contribute to the growing theory of national intellectual capital management by providing empirical evidence of the interrelationship among sub‐components and their impact on economic performance. Investigating national intellectual capital provides insights into the derivative of economic performance in less developed countries. This helps policy makers to rethink the economic development drivers of their countries and to formulate strategies that leverage unique sources of competitiveness. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of D–A Copolymers Based on 11,12‐Difluorodibenzo[a,c]phenazine Acceptor Unit
Authors: Wang Kun , Jiang Pei , Zhang Zhi‐Guo , Fu Qiang , Li Yongfang
Published: July 2013

Four conjugated D‐π‐A copolymers, P1–P4, based on 11,12‐difluorodibenzo[a,c]phenazine as an acceptor unit, benzodithiophene (BDT) with an alkoxy side chain (P1 and P2) or thiophene‐conjugated side chain (P3 and P4) as a donor unit, and thiophene π‐bridges, are designed and synthesized to investigate the effect of the side‐chain nature and position on the photovoltaic performance of the conjugated polymer donor materials in polymer solar cells (PSCs). It is found that the copolymers of P3 and P4 with thiophene conjugated side chains on the BDT unit demonstrate broader absorption and better photovoltaic performance than that of P1 and P2 with alkoxy side chains on the BDT unit. The photovoltaic performance of P1 and P3 with an alkyl side chain on the thiophene π‐bridge close to the acceptor unit is improved over that of P2 and P4 with an alkyl side chain on the thiophene π‐bridge close to the donor unit, due to the lower steric hindrance of P1 and P3. The results indicate that side‐chain engineering is very important for improving the photovoltaic performance of conjugated polymer donor materials.

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Structural Evolution of Perpendicular Lamellae in Diblock Copolymer Thin Films during Solvent Vapor Treatment Investigated by Grazing‐Incidence Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Zhang Jianqi , Posselt Dorthe , Sepe Alessandro , Shen Xuhu , Perlich Jan , Smilgies Detlef‐M. , Papadakis Christine M.
Published: July 2013

The structural evolution in poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene) (P(S‐b‐B)) diblock copolymer thin films during solvent vapor treatment is investigated in situ using time‐resolved grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS). Using incident angles above and below the polymer critical angle, structural changes near the film surface and in the entire film are distinguished. The swelling of the film is one‐dimensional along the normal of the substrate. During swelling, the initially perpendicular lamellae tilt within the film to be able to shrink. In contrast, at the film surface, the lamellae stay perpendicular, and eventually vanish at the expense of a thin PB wetting layer. During the subsequent drying, the perpendicular lamellae reappear at the surface, and finally, PS blocks protrude. By modeling, the time‐dependent height of the protrusions can be quantitatively extracted.

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The glial marker YKL‐40 is decreased in synucleinopathies
Authors: Olsson Bob , Constantinescu Radu , Holmberg Björn , Andreasen Niels , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik
Published: July 2013

Background

Microglia are resident immunosurveillant cells in the central nervous system, and astrocytes are important for blood flow, plasticity, and neurotransmitter regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether astrocyte and microglial activation, estimated through markers in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, differed between synucleinopathies, tauopathies, and controls.

Methods

We analyzed the glial activation markers YKL‐40 and soluble CD14 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from 37 controls, 50 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 79 P+ patients (those with progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and multiple system atrophy).

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of YKL‐40 were decreased significantly in patients who had PD compared with controls (P < 0.05), patients who had multiple system atrophy (P < 0.01), and patients who had tauopathies (P < 0.0001). In addition, cerebrospinal fluid levels of YKL‐40 were significantly lower in patients who had synucleinopathies than in those who had tauopathies (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The decreased cerebrospinal fluid levels of YKL‐40 suggest that glial activation is reduced in the brains of patients who have Parkinson's disease and synucleinopathies compared with patients who have tauopathies and controls. © 2013 International
Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Valproic acid protection against the brachial plexus root avulsion‐induced death of motoneurons in rats
Authors: Wu Dianxiu , Li Qiang , Zhu Xiaojuan , Wu Guangzhi , Cui Shusen
Published: July 2013

In this study, the role of valproic acid (VPA) in protecting motoneuron after brachial plexus root avulsion was investigated in adult rats. Sixty rats were used in this study, and underwent the brachial plexus root avulsion injury, which was created by using a micro‐hemostat forceps to pull out brachial plexus root from the intervertebral foramen. The animals were divided into two groups, VPA group administered with VPA dissolved in drinking water (300 mg/kg) daily, and control group had drinking water every day. The spinal cords (C5‐T1) were harvested at day 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 28 for immunohistochemistry analysis, TUNEL staining, Nissl staining, and electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that with VPA administration, the survival of motoneurons was promoted and the cell apoptosis was inhibited. The number of c‐Jun and Bcl‐2 positive motoneurons was increased immediately after avulsion both in control and VPA group, however, the percent of c‐Jun positive motoneurons was decreased and the percent of Bcl‐2 positive motoneurons was increased by VPA treatment significantly. Our results indicated that motoneurons were protected by VPA against cell death induced by brachial plexus root avulsion through c‐Jun inhibition and Bcl‐2 induction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:551–559, 2013.
The role of meperidine in reduction of postanesthetic shivering and its possible impact on flap outcomes
Authors: Chiang Min‐Hsien , Chung Kuan‐Chih , Syue Yuan‐Jhen , Chia‐Shen Yang Johnson , Chien Chih‐Yen , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: July 2013

Postoperative vascular compromise is a common but critical complication requiring emergent re‐exploration, and remains a chief cause of free flap failure. This study investigated the relationship between postanesthetic shivering (PAS) and the development of postoperative complications associated with free flap reconstruction. One hundred thirty‐six patients who underwent head and neck cancer resection and free flap reconstruction were retrospectively enrolled. Fifteen patients were assigned to the PAS group, while the others were assigned to the non‐PAS (NPAS) group. The odds ratios of acute re‐exploration or total failure of the free flap in the PAS group was 3.5 and 14.9, respectively. The dose of meperidine was positively correlated with PAS prevention in our statistical ROC curve analysis. The minimum effective dose of meperidine for PAS prevention was 0.35 mg/kg with 75% sensitivity and 60% specificity. These findings indicate that an optimal dose of meperidine could prevent PAS, which is shown to be associated with a decrease in the incidence of the early post‐surgical re‐exploration rate of these free flaps related to circulatory compromise. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:106–111, 2014.
Free anterolateral thigh flap with vascularized lateral femoral cutaneous nerve for the treatment of neuroma‐in‐continuity and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome after carpal tunnel release
Authors: Yamamoto Takumi , Narushima Mitsunaga , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Yamamoto Nana , Mihara Makoto , Koshima Isao
Published: July 2013

Treatment of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is challenging, especially in a case with recurrent CTS and a neuroma formation. Resection of the neuroma causing the syndrome, reconstruction of the nerve gap of the median nerve, and covering up the reconstructed median nerve with well‐vascularized soft tissue for prevention of CTS re‐recurrence are the essential procedures. We report a case of recurrent CTS with severe pain due to a neuroma‐in‐continuity successfully treated using a free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with a vascularized lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). A 2 cm neuroma existed in the median nerve and was resected. The nerve gap was repaired using a vascularized LFCN included in the ALT flap. The ALT flap was transferred to the wrist to cover the median nerve. The severe pain disappeared completely and the sensory and motor impairment of the median nerve improved 5 months after the free flap surgery, as the Tinel's sign moved distally away from the wrist and disappeared. The result of the Semmes‐Weinstein test improved from 5.08 to 4.31 and she was able to flex and extend the right wrist and fingers without pain. CTS did not recur 15 months after the surgery. A free ALT flap with vascularized LFCN allows nerve reconstruction for the median nerve gap created after neuroma resection and coverage of the median nerve with well‐vascularized soft tissue to prevent adhesion and CTS recurrence. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:145–148, 2014.
The Kelvin transformation as a tool for analyzing problems in medicine and technology
Authors: Baganis G. , Dassios G. , Hadjinicolaou M. , Protopapas E.
Published: July 2013

The well‐known Kelvin transformation for harmonic functions has been employed in order to derive solutions for the Dirichlet and Neumann problems for the case of nonconvex domains such as the inverted triangle. In addition, Kelvin's transformation has been extended to the irrotational and rotational Stokes flows. This enables us to derive solutions for problems arising in Medicine and Physiology, including blood flow and the sedimentation of red blood cells, potential problems in acoustic scattering and electrostatics, as well as other problems that cannot be solved by the standard spectral methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lamina propria: The functional center of the bladder?
Authors: Andersson Karl‐Erik , McCloskey Karen D.
Published: July 2013

The bladder mucosa consists of the urothelium, basement membrane, and lamina propria (LP). Although the urothelium has been given much attention, it may be regarded as one part of a signaling system involving another equally important component of the bladder mucosa, namely, the LP. The LP lies between the basement membrane of the mucosa and the detrusor muscle and is composed of an extracellular matrix containing several types of cells, including fibroblasts, adipocytes, interstitial cells, and afferent and efferent nerve endings. In addition, the LP contains a rich vascular network, lymphatic vessels, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle fascicles (muscularis mucosae). The roles of the LP and its components in bladder function have not been definitively established, though it has been suggested to be the capacitance layer of the bladder, determining bladder compliance and enabling adaptive changes to increasing volumes. However, the bladder LP may also serve as a communication center, with an important integrative role in signal transduction to the central nervous system (nociception, mechanosensation). The LP may also, by means of its different components, make it possible for the urothelium to transmit information to other components of the bladder wall, contributing to activation of the detrusor muscle. In addition, the LP may serve as a source for production of factors influencing the growth of both the overlying urothelium and the underlying detrusor muscle. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:9–16, 2014. © 2013 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.