bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid on the Surgical Field in Primary Cleft Palate Surgery on Children—A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Durga Padmaja , Raavula Parvathi , Gurajala Indira , Gunnam Poojita , Veerabathula Prardhana , Reddy Mukund , Upputuri Omkar , Ramachandran Gopinath
Published: December 2014

Objective

To assess the effect of tranexamic acid on the quality of the surgical field.

Design

Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Setting

Institutional, tertiary referral hospital.

Participants

American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I patients, aged 8 to 60 months with Group II or III (Balakrishnan's classification) clefts scheduled for cleft palate repair.

Interventions

Children were randomized into two groups. The control group received saline, and the tranexamic acid group received tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg as a bolus, 15 minutes before incision.

Main Outcome Measures

Grade of surgical field on a 10-point scale, surgeon satisfaction, and primary hemorrhage.

Results

Significant improvements were noted in surgeon satisfaction and median grade of assessment of the surgical field (4 [interquartile range, 4 to 6] in the control group vs. 3 [interquartile range, 2 to 4] in the test group; P = .003) in the tranexamic acid group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Preincision administration of 10 mg/kg of tranexamic acid significantly improved the surgical field during cleft palate repair.
Combining near infrared spectra of feces and geostatistics to generate forage nutritional quality maps across landscapes
Authors: Jean Pierre-Olivier , Bradley Robert L. , Tremblay Jean-Pierre , Côté Steeve D.
Published: December 2014

An important asset for the management of wild ungulates is recognizing the spatial distribution of forage quality across heterogeneous landscapes. To do so typically requires knowledge of which plant species are eaten, in what abundance they are eaten, and what their nutritional quality might be. Acquiring such data, however, may be difficult and time consuming. Here, we are proposing a rapid and cost‐effective forage quality monitoring tool that combines near infrared (NIR) spectra of fecal samples and easily obtained data on plant community composition. Our approach rests on the premise that NIR spectra of fecal samples collected within low population density exclosures reflect the optimal forage quality of a given landscape. Forage quality can thus be based on the Mahalanobis distance of fecal spectral scans across the landscape relative to fecal spectral scans inside exclosures (referred to as DISTEX). The Gi* spatial autocorrelation statistic can then be applied among neighboring DISTEX values to detect and map “hot spots” and “cold spots” of nutritional quality over the landscape. We tested our approach in a heterogeneous boreal landscape on Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada), where white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations over the landscape have ranged from 20 to 50 individuals/km2 for at least 80 years, resulting in a loss of most palatable and nutritious plant species. Our results suggest that hot spots of forage quality occur when old‐growth balsam fir stands comprise >39.8% of 300 ha neighborhoods, whereas cold spots occur in laggs (i.e., transition zones from forest to peatland). In terms of ground‐level indicator plant species, the presence of Canada bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) was highly correlated with hot spots, whereas tamarack (Larix laricina) was highly correlated with cold spots. Mean DISTEX values were positively and significantly correlated with the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin contents of feces. While our approach would need more independent field trials before it is fully validated, its low cost and ease of execution should make it a valuable tool for advancing both the basic and applied ecology of large herbivores.
Fish population persistence in hydrologically variable landscapes
Authors: Bond Nick R. , Balcombe Stephen R. , Crook David A. , Marshall Jonathan C. , Menke Norbert , Lobegeiger Jaye S.
Published: December 2014

Forecasting population persistence in environments subjected to periodic disturbances represents a general challenge for ecologists. In arid and semiarid regions, climate change and human water use pose significant threats to the future persistence of aquatic biota whose populations typically depend on permanent refuge waterholes for their viability. As such, habitats are increasingly being lost as a result of decreasing runoff and increasing water extraction. We constructed a spatially explicit population model for golden perch Macquaria ambigua (Richardson), a native freshwater fish in the Murray‐Darling Basin in eastern Australia. We then used the model to examine the effects of increased aridity, increased drought frequency, and localized human water extraction on population viability. Consistent with current observations, the model predicted golden perch population persistence under the current climate and levels of water use. Modeled increases in local water extraction greatly increased the risk of population decline, while scenarios of increasing aridity and drought frequency were associated with only minor increases in this risk. We conclude that natural variability in abundances and high turnover rates (extinction/recolonization) of local populations dictate the importance of spatial connectivity and periodic cycles of population growth. Our study also demonstrates an effective way to examine population persistence in intermittent and ephemeral river systems by integrating spatial and temporal dynamics of waterhole persistence with demographic processes (survival, recruitment, and dispersal) within a stochastic modeling framework. The approach can be used to help understand the impacts of natural and anthropogenic drivers, including water resource development, on the viability of biota inhabiting highly dynamic environments.
Why timing is everything: Energetic costs and reproductive consequences of resource mismatch for a chick‐rearing seabird
Authors: Regular Paul M. , Hedd April , Montevecchi William A. , Robertson Gregory J. , Storey Anne E. , Walsh Carolyn J.
Published: December 2014

Timing reproduction to overlap with peak prey availability is vital to success for many species. This may be especially true for species that rely on one or a few prey species that exhibit strong seasonal peaks in abundance. Any mismatch must be mediated by parents that provision offspring through flexible behavioral changes within the bounds of their physiological tolerances. In Newfoundland, common murre Uria aalge breeding coincides with the inshore movement of capelin Mallotus villosus—their primary prey—such that peak prey availability overlaps with chick‐rearing, the most energy demanding phase of breeding. We use colony‐based observations and temperature‐depth recorders to track the behavioral responses of murres to temporal match and mismatch with capelin availability. Activity budgets, daily energy expenditure (DEE) and chick‐provisioning rates were constant across years when chick and capelin timing matched. However, when capelin were late, despite increasing diving effort and DEE, parents delivered fewer fish to chicks per day and reduced breeding success was observed. While parents partially buffered the effects of variable capelin abundance by reducing co‐attendance time (time spent at the colony with mates) and increasing foraging time, physiological constraints on energy output likely limited their ability to maintain chick‐provisioning rates in a mismatch year. Such responses could have demographic consequences if ocean climate changes decouple the timing of chick‐rearing and prey availability.
Genetics and Heritability of Shoot Drought Tolerance in Cowpea Seedlings
Authors: Verbree David A. , Singh Bir B. , Payne William A.
Published: December 2014

Phenotyping a large population of breeding lines for drought tolerance is time consuming and often unreliable due to multiple possible mechanisms involved. In cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), a box‐screening method was used to accelerate phenotyping of shoot drought tolerance in cowpea seedlings. This reduces the confounding effects of adaptive root traits by restricting root growth and provides a homogeneous soil moisture environment across genotypes. Nonetheless, multiple mechanisms of shoot drought tolerance have been reported which further complicate phenotyping. The objective of this study was to determine the most reliable indicators of shoot drought tolerance using the box screening method and to explore genetic basis and heritability of two mechanisms of shoot drought tolerance previously reported in cowpea. Trifoliate necrosis was found to be the most reliable indicator of overall shoot drought tolerance in cowpea seedlings. Stem diameter was highly correlated with unifoliate and trifoliate necrosis but not well correlated with resistance to wilting, suggesting that carbohydrates stored in the stem may help to mitigate water stress. A unifoliate stay‐green trait was discovered that segregates as a single recessive gene. However, it did not cosegregate with resistance to trifoliate necrosis, therefore it is unlikely to confer drought tolerance, and it does not appear to be related to the single dominant gene for drought tolerance previously reported.
Pollen‐mediated Gene Flow in Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz
Authors: Walsh Kimberly D. , Hills Melissa J. , Martin Sara L. , Hall Linda M.
Published: December 2014

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is a biofuel crop with application on the Great Western Plains of North America that is being developed using genetic engineering. Before release of genetically engineered cultivars, the potential for pollen‐mediated gene flow (PMGF) needs to be assessed to determine if they can coexist with conventional cultivars without causing market harm. Medium‐scale field experiments (40‐m diameter) were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to quantify PMGF using a seed‐expressed florescent marker and bar gene that confers resistance to glufosinate [2‐amino‐4‐(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid] in Alberta, Canada. More than 17 million seeds were screened to quantify outcrossing. Pollen‐mediated gene flow best fit an exponential decay model in which the highest average PMGF (0.78%) occurred adjacent to the donor crop and rapidly declined to 0.09% by 20 m. Pollen‐mediated gene flow was leptokurtic, with a 50% reduction in gene flow 1.5 m from the pollen source. No directional trends were detected, suggesting wind dispersal was not influencing experimental results. The risk of PMGF at longer distances is minimal, but not zero, in this primarily self‐pollinating species.
Evaluation of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Lines and Hybrids Possessing Bs1 for Resistance against Multiple Isolates of Botrytis squamosa
Authors: Hyde Peter T. , Leckie Brian M. , Carpenter Sara C. D. , Lorbeer James W. , Hoepting Christine A. , Ullrich Maire R. , Mutschler Martha A.
Published: December 2014

Onion (Allium cepa L.) lines resistant to Botrytis leaf blight (BLB) were produced by backcrossing the Bs1 BLB resistance of Allium roylei Stearn into cultivated onion. This study evaluated important issues for the commercial use of BLB‐resistant onions: the relative degree of BLB control possible when Bs1 is homozygous rather than heterozygous, the control achieved against multiple pathogen isolates, and the potential for negative traits associated with transfer of Bs1. Homozygous BLB‐resistant onions tested in inoculated growth chamber screens with five distinct Botrytis squamosa Walker isolates and in naturally infested regional field trials showed significantly lower BLB symptoms than susceptible commercial hybrid controls. F1 hybrids heterozygous for the Bs1 gene showed levels of BLB symptoms between those of the homozygous resistant and susceptible controls, confirming previous reports of partial dominance. The difference in BLB control in plants heterozygous for Bs1 compared with homozygous plants was more noticeable under heavier disease pressure. Hybrids heterozygous for Bs1 had similar level of BLB control in most of the field trials as their parental homozygous BLB‐resistant lines, indicating that either heterozygous or homozygous BLB resistant hybrids could be used commercially for BLB control. There were no differences in the degree of pathogenicity across the five B. squamosa isolates, which were genetically different based on polymorphism for DNA markers, or among the naturally occurring pathogens present at the six different field locations used. No obvious association was noted between presence of the Bs1 resistance gene with unfavorable characteristics such as reduced bulb size or yield.
Identification and Fine Mapping of a Mutation Conferring Salt‐Sensitivity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Deng Ping , Shi Xingyu , Zhou Jingwei , Wang Fuzheng , Dong Yanmin , Jing Wen , Zhang Wenhua
Published: December 2014

Single‐gene mutants tolerant or sensitive to salt stress are ideal materials for identifying and cloning genes related to salt tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the present study, a salt‐sensitive mutant was obtained from the ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)‐induced Nipponbare bank. The mutant, designated rice salt sensitive 4 (rss4), showed a significant increase in salt sensitivity at the seedling stage and accumulated high levels of Na+ in shoots, particularly in the blades of old leaves, under conditions of NaCl stress. Genetic analysis indicated that the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for shoot Na+ content was performed using an F2 population derived from a cross between the rss4 mutant and the indica cultivar Zhaiyeqing 8 (ZYQ8). Three QTLs were identified and one located on the long arm of chromosome 6 was determined to be the candidate locus of the rss4 gene based on comparison and analysis, which explained 40.5% of the phenotypic variance in the shoot Na+ content of the F2 population. Further analysis of recombination events in 165 mutant individuals of an enlarged mapping population of rss4/ZYQ8 defined the rss4 locus to an interval of 230.5 kb bracketed by markers RM20566 and IM28706 on chromosome 6.
Metabolic Responses of Two Contrasting Sorghums to Water‐Deficit Stress
Authors: Burke John J. , Payton Paxton , Chen Junping , Xin Zhanguo , Burow Gloria , Hayes Chad
Published: December 2014

Water‐deficit stress responses in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] have been described in the literature as preflowering drought tolerant (postflowering senescent) or postflowering drought tolerant (preflowering drought sensitive). The underlying physiological mechanisms associated with these drought traits remain unclear. It was hypothesized that the preflowering drought sensitivity of stay‐green lines could be related to reported differences in osmotic potential among stay‐green and senescent lines resulting in an inability of the cultivars to either sense or respond the soil drying until the rate of drying is too great for the stay‐green lines to compensate. The objective of this study was to measure stress‐induced changes in relative water content, abscisic acid (ABA), proline, dhurrin, sucrose, and carbon assimilation during the onset of water‐deficit stress in the preflowering drought‐tolerant line SC1211–11E and the postflowering drought‐tolerant line BTx642 to determine if there were differential responses to the onset of soil drying. In both greenhouse and field studies, it was found that SC1211–11E had lower relative water contents and accumulated higher levels of ABA and proline than the BTx642. The SC1211–11E also showed increases in carbon assimilation shortly after the cessation of irrigation that declined with prolonged stress. These results provide new insights into the differential responses of pre and postflowering drought‐tolerant sorghum lines.
Characterization of Stem Rust Resistance in Wheat Cultivar Gage
Authors: Kumssa Tadele T. , Baenziger P.S. , Rouse M.N. , Guttieri M. , Dweikat I. , Brown‐Guedira G. , Williamson S. , Graybosch R.A. , Wegulo S.N. , Lorenz A.J. , Poland J.
Published: December 2014

Wheat (Triticum spp.) stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. and E. Henn. (Pgt), re‐emerged as a devastating disease of wheat because of virulent race Ug99 (TTKSK). Many bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars grown in North America are susceptible to Ug99 or its derivative races that carry additional virulence. ‘Gage’ was released in 1963 mainly for its excellent field resistance to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks) and stem rust. However, Gage's resistance has not been genetically characterized, which would facilitate its use in breeding programs. To better define the nature of the resistance in Gage, we created an F2 population and the corresponding F2:3 and F4:5 families from crosses between Gage and stem rust susceptible cultivar ‘Bill Brown’. Inheritance of resistance to Pgt race QFCSC and molecular marker analysis indicated that Sr2 and additional genes explain the stem rust resistance of Gage. Using seedling plant infection types from the F2, F2:3, and F4:5 families, we found that at least one dominant and, most likely, one recessive gene are involved in Gage's resistance. Seedling resistance genes acted independently of Sr2 since Sr2 is effective only at the adult plant stage.
Evaluating Testing Strategies for Plant Breeding Field Trials: Redesigning a CIMMYT International Wheat Nursery
Authors: Arief Vivi N. , DeLacy Ian H. , Crossa Jose , Payne Thomas , Singh Ravi , Braun Hans‐J. , Tian Ting , Basford Kaye E. , Dieters Mark J.
Published: December 2014

Genotypes produced from plant breeding programs for annual crops are evaluated in multiyear, multilocation field trials where a large number of genotypes grown in a few locations in the first year are progressively reduced by selection and tested in a greater number of locations in successive years. Provided fixed resources are specified, the efficiencies of testing strategies differing in the number of locations and replications used and in the number of genotypes tested in successive years can be evaluated by three statistics (genetic repeatability, acceptance probability, and potential gain) calculated from five variance components applicable to the field trials. The five variance components required are deployed genetic variance, genotype‐by‐year, genotype‐by‐location, and genotype‐by‐year‐by‐location interaction variances and the residual (error) variance. Strictly, known variance components are required, but the statistics and their standard errors can be calculated using robust estimates of the variance components obtained from a combined analysis over years of a large set of historical data from field trials that are connected by shared genotypes across years, as genotype‐by‐year and genotype‐by‐year‐by‐location variance components are estimable. Single‐year analyses are unsuitable, as no estimate of the interactions with year are available, and such analyses produce biased estimates of genetic variance and genotype‐by‐location interaction variance. These procedures are illustrated using an example from the CIMMYT international wheat breeding program to evaluate 2‐yr testing strategies for CIMMYT's Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trials that has been distributed and evaluated internationally since 1979.
Oil Content is Superior to Oil Mass for Identification of Haploid Seeds in Maize Produced with High‐Oil Inducers
Authors: Melchinger Albrecht E. , Schipprack Wolfgang , Mi Xuefei , Mirdita Vilson
Published: December 2014

Rapid production of inbred lines by in vivo haploid induction has become a routine method in maize breeding. Limitations of the present method can be overcome by use of inducers with high seed‐oil content for discrimination of haploid (H) from diploid crossing (C) seeds. With regard to the optimum application of this new approach, our goal was to find the most accurate discrimination method comparing the directly measured parameters oil mass (OM) and seed weight (SW) with the derived parameter oil content (OC). For this, we compared the distribution properties of H and C seeds from 11 induction crosses with high‐oil inducers for all three traits. The distributions of H and C seeds overlapped almost completely for SW but overlapped less for OC than for OM owing to a much smaller coefficient of variation in both fractions. Thus, the false discovery rate and false negative rate for sorting of H and C seeds were generally smaller for OC than for OM. The optimal bivariate discrimination function on the basis of OM and SW yielded similar error rates as a univariate discrimination function on the basis of OC alone. In conclusion, we recommend to measure seeds from induction crosses produced with high‐oil inducers for SW in addition to OM and use OC as a simple and robust criterion for sorting of H and C seeds.
Genetic Gains in Grain Yield Through Genomic Selection in Eight Bi‐parental Maize Populations under Drought Stress
Authors: Beyene Yoseph , Semagn Kassa , Mugo Stephen , Tarekegne Amsal , Babu Raman , Meisel Barbara , Sehabiague Pierre , Makumbi Dan , Magorokosho Cosmos , Oikeh Sylvester , Gakunga John , Vargas Mateo , Olsen Michael , Prasanna Boddupalli M. , Banziger Marianne , Crossa Jose
Published: December 2014

Genomic selection incorporates all the available marker information into a model to predict genetic values of breeding progenies for selection. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic gains in grain yield from genomic selection (GS) in eight bi‐parental maize populations under managed drought stress environments. In each population, 148 to 300 F2:3 (C0) progenies were derived and crossed to a single‐cross tester from a complementary heterotic group. The resulting testcrosses of each population were evaluated under two to four managed drought stress and three to four well‐watered conditions in different locations and genotyped with 191 to 286 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The top 10% families were selected from C0 using a phenotypic selection index and were intermated to form C1. Selections both at C1 and C2 were based on genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). The best lines from C0 were also advanced using a pedigree selection scheme. For genetic gain studies, a total of 55 entries representing the eight populations were crossed to a single‐cross tester, and evaluated in four managed drought stress environments. Each population was represented by bulk seed containing equal amounts of seed of C0, C1, C2, C3, parents, F1s, and lines developed via pedigree selection. Five commercial checks were included for comparison. The average gain from genomic selection per cycle across eight populations was 0.086 Mg ha–1. The average grain yield of C3–derived hybrids was significantly higher than that of hybrids derived from C0. Hybrids derived from C3 produced 7.3% (0.176 Mg ha–1) higher grain yield than those developed through the conventional pedigree breeding method. The study demonstrated that genomic selection is more effective than pedigree‐based conventional phenotypic selection for increasing genetic gains in grain yield under drought stress in tropical maize.
Condensed Tannins in Sainfoin: Composition, Concentration, and Effects on Nutritive and Feeding Value of Sainfoin Forage
Authors: Wang Yuxi , McAllister Tim A. , Acharya Surya
Published: December 2014

Legume forage is the most economical source of nutrients for ruminants. Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is high nutritive forage growing worldwide and possesses polyphenolics including condensed tannins (CT) that contribute to some of its superior nutritional properties such as improved protein utilization, bloat‐free, and anthelmintic characteristics. This review attempts to capture the latest research in characterizing the impact of polyphenolics on the feeding value of sainfoin with an emphasis on CT. Sainfoin contains a diverse array of polyphenolics and its CT content declines as the plant matures, with an increase in the degree of polymerization and a decreasing proportion of prodelphinidins, resulting in a reduction in biological activity. This forage is best to be utilized between bud to flowering stage to balance the biological activity of CT and biomass yield. Incorporation of sainfoin into alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pasture has been effective in reducing alfalfa pasture bloat due to the presence of CT. New sainfoin populations suitable for survival in high‐performance grazing systems have been developed and have demonstrated superior anti bloat activity due to the increased grazing persistence. Fresh sainfoin is the best feed for cattle for maximum effect of CT, but if it needs to be preserved then hay would be better than silage in terms of preservation of the biological activity of CT. Although greater CT content is desirable for this forage in terms of antibloat and antiparasitic activity, sainfoin with CT concentration at about 50 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) offer the best feed value.
Modelling the hydrological impacts of rural land use change
Authors: McIntyre Neil , Ballard Caroline , Bruen Michael , Bulygina Nataliya , Buytaert Wouter , Cluckie Ian , Dunn Sarah , Ehret Uwe , Ewen John , Gelfan Alexander , Hess Tim , Hughes Denis , Jackson Bethanna , Kjeldsen Thomas R. , Merz Ralf , Park Jong-Sook , O'Connell Enda , O'Donnell Greg , Oudin Ludovic , Todini Ezio , Wagener Thorsten , Wheater Howard
Published: December 2014

The potential role of rural land use in mitigating flood risk and protecting water supplies continues to be of great interest to regulators and planners. The ability of hydrologists to quantify the impact of rural land use change on the water cycle is however limited and we are not able to provide consistently reliable evidence to support planning and policy decisions. This shortcoming stems mainly from lack of data, but also from lack of modelling methods and tools. Numerous research projects over the last few years have been attempting to address the underlying challenges. This paper describes these challenges, significant areas of progress and modelling innovations, and proposes priorities for further research. The paper is organised into five inter-related subtopics: (1) evidence-based modelling; (2) upscaling to maximise the use of process knowledge and physics-based models; (3) representing hydrological connectivity in models; (4) uncertainty analysis; and (5) integrated catchment modelling for ecosystem service management. It is concluded that there is room for further advances in hydrological data analysis, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis methods and modelling frameworks, but progress will also depend on continuing and strengthened commitment to long-term monitoring and inter-disciplinarity in defining and delivering land use impacts research.
Assessing the impact of projected climate change on drought vulnerability in Scotland
Authors: Gosling Richard
Published: December 2014

Although Scotland is relatively water resource rich in a UK and European context, water resource scarcity can occur during exceptional dry periods such as those experienced in North West Scotland during July 2012. Precipitation and flow anomaly indices have been recently developed and introduced operationally by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, in order to assess the severity of dry episodes and use this information within the decision-making process when managing the ecological implications of measures required to ensure continuity of water supply. The latest projections of future climate in the UK (UKCP09) point to warmer, drier summers across much of Scotland and, as such, imply an increased frequency of periods of water shortage. This study makes use of the results from a collaborative project in which projected values of climate variables have been used to derive projected river flows at a number of catchments across the UK. These datasets have been used to evaluate the change in frequency of significant precipitation and flow deficits in Scotland. The findings suggest a marked increase in frequency of summer water resource scarcity across much of Scotland which has implications for water resource management, particularly where current storage is relatively low.
Streamflow and hydrogen ion interrelationships identified using data-based mechanistic modelling of high frequency observations through contiguous storms
Authors: Jones Timothy D. , Chappell Nick A.
Published: December 2014

With the aim of quantifying the purely hydrological control on fast water quality dynamics, a modelling approach was used to identify the structure (and dynamic response characteristics or DRCs) of the relationship between rainfall and hydrogen ion (H+) load, with reference to rainfall to streamflow response. Unlike most hydrochemistry studies, the method used makes no a priori assumptions about the complexity of the dynamics (e.g., number of flow-paths), but instead uses objective statistical methods to define these (together with uncertainty analysis). The robust models identified are based on continuous-time transfer functions and demonstrate high simulation efficiency with a constrained uncertainty allowing hydrological interpretation of dominant flow-paths and behaviour of H+ load in four upland headwaters. Identified models demonstrated that the short-term dynamics in H+ concentration were closely associated with the streamflow response, suggesting a dominant hydrological control. The second-order structure identified for the rainfall to streamflow response was also seen as the optimal model for rainfall to H+ load, even given the very dynamic concentration response, possibly indicating the same two flow-paths being responsible for both integrated responses.
Evaluating wider benefits of natural flood management strategies: an ecosystem-based adaptation perspective
Authors: Iacob Oana , Rowan John S. , Brown Iain , Ellis Chris
Published: December 2014

Climate change is projected to alter river flows and the magnitude/frequency characteristics of floods and droughts. Ecosystem-based adaptation highlights the interdependence of human and natural systems, and the potential to buffer the impacts of climate change by maintaining functioning ecosystems that continue to provide multiple societal benefits. Natural flood management (NFM), emphasising the restoration of innate hydrological pathways, provides important regulating services in relation to both runoff rates and water quality and is heralded as a potentially important climate change adaptation strategy. This paper draws together 25 NFM schemes, providing a meta-analysis of hydrological performance along with a wider consideration of their net (dis) benefits. Increasing woodland coverage, whilst positively linked to peak flow reduction (more pronounced for low magnitude events), biodiversity and carbon storage, can adversely impact other provisioning service – especially food production. Similarly, reversing historical land drainage operations appears to have mixed impacts on flood alleviation, carbon sequestration and water quality depending on landscape setting and local catchment characteristics. Wetlands and floodplain restoration strategies typically have fewer disbenefits and provide improvements for regulating and supporting services. It is concluded that future NFM proposals should be framed as ecosystem-based assessments, with trade-offs considered on a case-by-case basis.
Overcoming barriers for the management of scarce water resources in northern China
Authors: Starkl M. , Brunner N. , Zhong Y. , Li P. , Wang Y. , Ericson M.
Published: December 2014

A study aimed at identifying barriers for more efficient water management was carried out on the Yongding river basin (the Yongding being a tributary of the Hai river) in northern China. The basin suffers from severe water scarcity, whereby agricultural water demand is the largest water user with about 66% of the total demand. The study identified two main policy problems: inadequate use of efficient irrigation technologies and a far too low agricultural water price. The study elaborated on policy instruments that could be used to overcome these two policy problems and assessed them using the Planning-Oriented Sustainability Assessment Framework (Starkl et al., 2013), which applies a novel application of the analytical hierarchy process to assess and interpret the individual preferences of interviewed stakeholders based on their experiences with the policy instruments. Respondents agreed that all the considered policy instruments can be implemented. Indeed, most of them are already implemented somewhere in China. However, respondents expect that high levels of effort are needed. For, while policy makers are perceived to accept these instruments, the public in rural communities may not be ready for change. Thus, the promotion of water saving technology appears likely to gain more public support than increased water prices.
Linking drought characteristics to impacts on a spatial and temporal scale
Authors: Karavitis Christos A. , Tsesmelis Demetrios E. , Skondras Nikolaos A. , Stamatakos Demetrios , Alexandris Stavros , Fassouli Vassilia , Vasilakou Constantina G. , Oikonomou Panagiotis D. , Gregorič Gregor , Grigg Neil S. , Vlachos Evan C.
Published: December 2014

Drought is a complex natural phenomenon that lacks a universally accepted definition, thus it is difficult to confront holistically. Several efforts have been made towards managing the widespread and catastrophic drought impacts. In this quest, the concept of vulnerability to drought seems to offer some significant potential. In the present attempt, a standardized drought vulnerability index (SDVI) is presented, applied, and spatially visualized through geostatistical methods on a country scale. Greece, experiencing frequent and intense droughts, was selected as the study site. In an effort to link drought characteristics to impacts, the index incorporates water supply information, demand data, the state of the relevant water infrastructure and climatic parameters represented by the standardized precipitation index. The index showed potential in portraying various vulnerability states and followed satisfactorily the vulnerability fluctuations in Greece in relation to recorded drought hazard dimensions and impacts. The SDVI may be considered as a first step for the emergence of an integrated SDVI with multi-scalar applications in environmental research and decision-making. It is believed that improving techniques in index formulation may complement more reasonable and acceptable solutions to water challenges posed by droughts and help avoid a drifting sense of continuous ‘water crises’.
Drinking water safety plans: barriers and bridges for small systems in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Perrier Erika , Kot Megan , Castleden Heather , Gagnon Graham A.
Published: December 2014

Water safety plans provide a relatively new management approach for identifying and addressing risks in a water supply. In 2011, the province of Alberta (Canada) became the first jurisdiction in North America to require that all water supplies develop drinking water safety plans (DWSPs). This research explored the implementation of DWSPs through the experiences of ‘early adopter’ operators who work in small communities. Specifically, in-person open-ended qualitative interviews with operators from 15 small communities from across Alberta were conducted to explore implementation challenges and opportunities. The findings highlight a number of barriers associated with the relationships between decision-making bodies, regulatory authorities and water operators, all of which have the potential to support or hinder the uptake of a DWSP. Findings also indicate that a DWSP can act as a bridge, providing a much-needed tool to facilitate communication about water supplies and help to support and manage relationships between stakeholders. This study revealed a number of important and useful insights to the small community early DWSP adopter experience in Canada that could be applied in other jurisdictions looking to adopt similar practices.
Epidemiology and genetics of hypodontia and microdontia: A study of twin families
Authors: Jeong Kwang Ho , Kim Daeeun , Song Yun-Mi , Sung Joohon , Kim Young Ho
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to hypodontia and microdontia by using Korean twin family data.

Materials and Methods: 

A total of 1267 individuals (525 men and 742 women; 180 monozygotic twins [MZ] and 43 dizygotic twins [DZ] from 282 families) underwent an oral examination as part of the Healthy Twin Study in Korea. Dental anomalies classified as hypodontia or microdontia were diagnosed using radiographs and clinical examinations. In order to estimate genetic contributions to dental anomalies, we estimated the pairwise concordance rate (PCR), recurrence risk ratio (RRR), and heritability (h2).

Results: 

The prevalence of hypodontia and microdontia was 3.55% and 3.00%, respectively. MZ had the highest PCR and RRR (13.0–15.3). The PCR and RRR values for both anomalies were much higher for DZ (5.0–11.9) than for siblings (1.4–2.6), despite the fact that DZ pairs and sibling pairs share 50% genetic identity. Further genetic analysis revealed both an additive genetic effect (0.38 when hypodontia and microdontia were pooled) and a strong “twin effect” (0.52 when hypodontia and microdontia were pooled).

Conclusions: 

This twin-based study revealed that the formation of dental anomalies is affected by both genetic and environmental factors, and that the impact of these factors varies according to the specific dental anomaly.
Dentoskeletal changes following mini-implant molar intrusion in anterior open bite patients
Authors: Hart Tyler R. , Cousley Richard R. J. , Fishman Leonard S. , Tallents Ross H.
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To evaluate skeletal and dental changes after intrusion of the maxillary molars in subjects with anterior open bite.

Materials and Methods: 

This retrospective cephalometric study evaluated skeletal and dental changes resulting from the use of maxillary orthodontic mini-implants in 31 consecutively treated patients. Radiographs were taken at the start and end of maxillary molar intrusion to evaluate the associated changes. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-sample t-test.

Results: 

The mean treatment observation time was 1.31 years (SD  =  2.03). The maxillary first molars (P  =  0.0026) and second molars (P  =  0.039) were intruded. However, the mandibular first molars (P  =  0.0004) and second molars (P  =  0.003) erupted in adolescent patients. Both the maxillary and mandibular first molars inclined distally (P  =  0.025 and P  =  0.044, respectively). The mandibular plane angle decreased (P  =  0.036), lower facial height decreased (P  =  0.002), and the occlusal plane angle increased (P  =  0.009). The overbite increased (P < .0001). The ANB angle decreased (P < .0001). Mandibular dental and skeletal changes were more apparent in adolescents, while adults tended toward maxillary changes.

Conclusions: 

Vertical traction from orthodontic mini-implants reduces the maxillary posterior dentoalveolar height, thereby assisting orthodontic closure of anterior open bite. However, simultaneous eruption or extrusion of the mandibular molars should be controlled. Adolescent patients tend to demonstrate more favorable effects of mandibular autorotation than do adults.
TLC densitometric method for screening of lycopsamine in comfrey root (Symphytum officinale L.) extracts using retrorsine as a reference compound
Authors: Janeš Damjan , Kreft Samo
Published: December 2014

Due to severe toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, their quantification in medicinal products is very important. The idea of this research was to use retrorsine as a surrogate reference compound instead of lycopsamine reference or lycopsamine isolated from comfrey. A method for the analysis of lycopsamine in extracts of comfrey roots was developed and validated, employing thin layer chromatography, derivatisation with Dann-Mattocks reagent followed by densitometric analysis. The new method showed linearity within 0.70 to 7.0 μg of lycopsamine per application of 10 μL of a solution. It has also been proven to be specific and precise (repeatability RSD 2-4 % within the plate). The method was successfully employed for quantification of lycopsamine in comfrey root and comfrey root medicinal products such as ointments.
Influence of different formulations and process parameters during the preparation of drug-loaded PLGA microspheres evaluated by multivariate data analysis
Authors: Vysloužil Jakub , Doležel Petr , Kejdušová Martina , Mašková Eliška , Mašek Josef , Lukáč Robert , Košťál Vratislav , Vetchý David , Dvořáčková Kateřina
Published: December 2014

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the formulation and process parameters on PLGA microparticles containing a practically insoluble model drug (ibuprofen) prepared by the o/w solvent evaporation method. Multivariate data analysis was used. The effects of altered stirring speed of a mechanical stirrer (600, 1000 rpm), emulsifier concentrations (PVA concentration 0.1 %, 1 %) and solvent selection (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate) on microparticle characteristics (encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, burst effect) were observed. It was found that with increased stirring speed, the PVA concentration or the use of ethyl acetate had a significantly negative effect on encapsulation efficiency. In addition, ethyl acetate had an adverse effect on the burst effect, while increased stirring speed had the opposite effect. Drug load was not affected by any particular variable, but rather by the interactions of evaluated variables.
High-performance liquid chromatography and derivative spectrophotometry for simultaneous determination of pravastatin and fenofibrate in the dosage form
Authors: Hefnawy Mohamed M. , Mohamed Mostafa S. , Abounassif Mohammed A. , Alanazi Amer M. , Mostafa Gamal A. E.
Published: December 2014

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and second-order derivative spectrophotometry have been used for simultaneous determination of pravastatin (PS) and fenofibrate (FF) in pharmaceutical formulations. HPLC separation was performed on a phenyl HYPERSIL C18 column (125 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle diameter) in the isocratic mode using a mobile phase acetonitrile/0.1 % diethyl amine (50:50, V/V, pH 4.5) pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1. Measurement was made at 240 nm. Both drugs were well resolved on the stationary phase, with retention times of 2.15 and 5.79 min for PS and FF, respectively. Calibration curves were linear (R = 0.999 for PS and 0.996 for FF) in the concentration range of 5-50 and 20-200 µg mL-1 for PS and FF, respectively. Pravastatin and fenofibrate were quantitated in combined preparations also using the second-order derivative response at 237.6 and 295.1 nm for PS and FF, respectively. Calibration curves were linear, with the correlation coefficient R = 0.999 for pravastatin and fenofibrate, in the concentration range of 5-20 and 3-20 µg mL-1 for PS and FF, respectively. Both methods were fully validated and compared, the results confirmed that they were highly suitable for their intended purpose.
Seasonal phytochemical study and antimicrobial potential of Vetiveria zizanioides roots
Authors: Dos Santos Delair Silveira , Oberger Júlia Vieira , Niero Rivaldo , Wagner Theodoro , Delle Monache Franco , Cruz Alexandre Bella , Martin-Quintal Zhelmy , Cechinel Filho Valdir
Published: December 2014

This paper describes the seasonal phytochemical variation and the antimicrobial potential of V. zizanioides roots collected in Brazil. Considering the high levels of chemical constituents and their biological activity in dichloromethane fraction, the plants were grown in different seasons and the respective dichloromethane fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against several pathogenic microorganisms by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the agar dilution method. Yields of dichloromethane fractions from plants collected in the autumn and spring occurred in a higher proportion than in other seasons. Khusimol (2) was isolated by column chromatography and identified by NMR and CG-MS, along with other sesquiterpenes, including β-vetivenene (1), vetiselinenol (3), isovalencenol (4), vetivenic acid (5), α-vetivone (6) and β-vetivone (7). Some extracts showed promising antimicrobial effects, with MICs ranging from 31.25 to 500 μg mL-1. Kushimol was slightly active against the tested microorganisms.
Crystal, molecular and electronic structure of (5S,8aS)-5-methyl-4,6,7,8,8a,9-hexahydrothieno-[ 3,2-f] indolizinium iodide
Authors: Vrábel Viktor , Sivý Július , Šafař Peter , Žúžiová Jozefína
Published: December 2014

The molecules of the title compound, C11H16NS·I, crystallize as single enantiomer with two stereogenic centre, their absolute configuration were confirmed by anomalous dispersion effects in diffraction measurements on the crystals. The conformation of the pyrrolidine ring is close to that of an envelope, with the flap atom N1 displaced by 0.661 (2) A from the plane of the oder remaining four atoms. The central six-membered ring of the indolizine moiety adopt a half-chair conformation with atom C5 displaced by -0.686 (2) Å from the plane of the oder remaining five atoms. The crystal structure of the title compound is stabilized by C-H···I···H-C hydrogen interactions.
Sample preparation procedures for analysis of organochlorinated pollutants and PAHs in surface water samples
Authors: Vyviurska Olga , Špánik Ivan
Published: December 2014

This review focuses on sample preparation procedures used for chromatographic analysis of the most common organochlorinated pollutants and PAHs in water samples. The studied pollutants have a long persistence in environment, possible carcinogenic effects, and their application has been banned in many countries. The standard ISO procedures with the modern sample preparation procedures were compared in the term of recovery effectiveness for target analytes.
Water effect on the bond dissociation energy of O–H and N–H bonds in phenol and aniline: The testing of simple molecular dynamics model
Authors: Michalík Martin , Vagánek Adam , Poliak Peter
Published: December 2014

A chemical microsolvation model for solution phase bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) evaluation by means of molecular dynamics is presented. In this simple model, the primary solvent effect on the BDE values was estimated by placing of five water molecules nearby the studied functional groups evenly. Furthermore, the secondary solvent effect was reflected using the conductor like screening model (COSMO). From the quantum-chemical point of view, the molecular dynamics simulations based on the B3LYP functional in rather small basis set were performed. Despite of the constitutional limitations of the proposed model, the obtained O-H and N-H BDE values in phenol (363 kJ mol-1) and aniline (369 kJ mol-1) are in good agreement with the experimental solution phase data.
Autonomous Control System for a Squeeze Mode Mr Vibration Isolator in an Automotive Engine Mount
Authors: Rosół Maciej , Sapiński Bogdan
Published: December 2014

The investigated autonomous control system for a squeeze mode magnetorheological (MR) vibration isolator is based on an ultra-low power microcontroller MSP430F5529. The design structure of the control system and the dedicated real-time system are briefly presented and the laboratory testing data are summarised.
Functional and Structural Analysis of Wing Folding Mechanism Based on Cockchafer (Melolontha Melolontha)
Authors: Geisler Tomasz , Rosikoń Piotr , Sochacki Wojciech , Topczewska Sandra
Published: December 2014

Insects are among nature’s most nimble flyers. In this paper we present the functional and structural analysis of wing joint mechanism. Detailed action of the axillary plates and their mutual interaction was also described. Because of the small dimensions of the wing joint elements and the limited resolution of the light microscope, the authors used a scanning electron microscope. Based upon the knowledge of working principles of beetle flight apparatus a wing joint mechanism kinematics model has been developed.