bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kajian Deskriptif Retrospektif Regimen Dosis Antibiotik Pasien Pneumonia Anak di RSUP. Dr. M. Djamil Padang
Authors: Juwita Dian Ayu , Arifin Helmi , Yulianti Nelfa
Published: December 2017

Pneumonia merupakan salah satu penyakit infeksi saluran pernafasan akut yang menduduki peringkat atas sebagai penyebab kematian pada anak dan balita. Peranan antibiotik dalam menurunkan morbilitas dan mortilitas penyakit infeksi ini masih sangat dominan. Penggunaan antibiotik yang tidak tepat dapat mengakibatkan berkembangnya bakteri yang resisten terhadap antibiotik serta timbulnya toksisitas/efek samping obat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji regimen dosis antibiotik yang diberikan pada pasien pneumonia anak dibandingkan dengan regimen dosis pada literatur resmi. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode observasi deskriptif retrospektif menggunakan data rekam medik pasien pneumonia anak selama tahun 2013. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya ketidaktepatan pada beberapa regimen dosis antibiotik, seperti ketidaktepatan dosis kloramfenikol (5%), meropenem (50%), eritromisin (100%), azitromisin (100%), seftazidim (100%) klindamisin (100%), ampisilin (100%) dan gentamisin (100%). Ketidaktepatan frekuensi pemberian (interval pemberian) ampisilin (50%), gentamisin (20%) sefotaksim (100%). Ketidaktepatan lama pemberian amoksisilin (44.45%), kloramfenikol (45%), gentamisin (70%), meropenem (33,34%), seftriakson (66,67%), ampisilin (50%), sefotaksim (100%). Sedangkan rute pemberian antibiotik sudah tepat 100%.
Efektifitas Antibiotik pada Pasien Ulkus Kaki Diabetik
Authors: Agistia Nesa , Mukhtar Husni , Nasif Hansen
Published: December 2017

Pasien Infeksi ulkus kaki diabetik memerlukan penggunaan antibiotik, antibiotik yang sering digunakan mempunyai sensitifitas rendah dan beberapa pasien pada penggunaannya dalam keadaan resistensi, evaluasi efektifitas antibiotik perlu dilakukan untuk mengatasi masalah penggunaan antibiotik saat ini. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan studi longitudinal dan teknik pengambilan sampel secara prospektif. Paramater yang diamati adalah keadaan leukosit, tanda infeksi dan demam seteleh pemberian antibiotik. Data yang terkumpul kemudian dianalisis secara deskriptif untuk menentukan efektifitas antibiotik berdasarkan literatur yang mendukung. Hasil perolehan sampel pada penelitian ini adalah sebanyak 19 sampel pasien infeksi ulkus kaki diabetik yang memenuhi kriteria dari 28 orang populasi terdiri dari 63,16% pasien laki-laki dan 36,84% pasien perempuan, 68,42 % usia 45-60 tahun dan lama diabetes terbanyak adalah > 10 tahun. Hasil evaluasi efektifitas antibiotik yaitu ditemukan 8 orang pasien yang menggunakan antibiotik secara dugaan (empiris) dan 11 orang pasien menggunakan antibiotik berdasarkan sensitifitas (definitif). Antibiotik efektif pada 15 orang subjek penelitian yaitu dapat memberikan respon pada leukosit, tanda infeksi dan parameter demam seteleh pemberian antibiotik 2-3 hari dan hasil terapi maksimal pada hari ke 7 sampai 21.
When Is a Priest Not a Priest? Religious Visual Literacy in an Era of Identity Politics
Authors: Gibbard Nathan
Published: December 2017

The study of superheroes and religion has often been approached through a mythological hermeneutic, or one that emphasizes what the characters represent. This, however, has often led to a failure to account adequately for the visual component that is a crucial element in talking about graphic narrative, especially when discussing religion and spirituality within comics. By closely examining one religious image within the context of The Incredible Hulk comics, the clerical collar, this article seeks to shed some light on the complexity of dealing with constantly evolving religious visual culture and its relation to religious identity. In this way, the article hopes to open up new lines of inquiry in regard to religion and comics.
Validation of the visual analog scale in the cervical spine
Authors: MacDowall Anna , Skeppholm Martin , Robinson Yohan , Olerud Claes
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

The visual analog scale (VAS) is frequently used to measure treatment outcome in patients with cervical spine disorders. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest change in a score that has clinical importance to the patient. Although it has been established for other medical fields, knowledge of the VAS MCID for the cervical spine is sparse, and it has rarely been considered in relation to measurement noise. The goals in this study were as follows: 1) to validate the VAS-neck and VAS-arm instruments for the cervical spine (e.g., repeatability); 2) to investigate the possible influence of predictive factors and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score on repeatability; and 3) to compute the MCID with 5 different methods.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis of a prospective randomized controlled trial with 151 patients undergoing surgery for cervical radiculopathy due to degenerative disc disease was performed. Information on age, sex, smoking habits, exercise, employment status, HADS score, and VAS-neck and VAS-arm scores was gathered before surgery and after 1 year. The VAS was applied twice on every occasion, with 15 minutes in between. Repeatability and the association with predictors and HADS score were analyzed using the 1-sample t-test, linear regression models, and Spearman correlation. The MCID was calculated with the following methods: average change, change difference, receiver operating characteristic curve, effect size, and minimum detectable change (MDC).

RESULTS

The repeatability in VAS-neck was 8.1 mm, and in VAS-arm it was 10.4 mm. Less consistent values on the VAS correlated to female sex and higher values on the HADS. For VAS-neck the MCID ranged from 4.6 to 21.4, and for VAS-arm it ranged from 1.1 to 29.1. The highest MCID came from the MDC method, which was the only method that gave values above the measurement noise in both VAS-neck and VAS-arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement noise in VAS-neck and VAS-arm for the cervical spine was influenced by female sex and HADS score. The only method to compute MCID that consistently gave results above the measurement noise in VAS-neck and VAS-arm was the MDC.

Clinical trial registration no.: 44347115 (www.isrctn.com).
Memantine for the Treatment of Dementia: A Review on its Current and Future Applications
Authors: Folch Jaume , Busquets Oriol , Ettcheto Miren , Sánchez-López Elena , Castro-Torres Ruben Dario , Verdaguer Ester , Garcia Maria Luisa , Olloquequi Jordi , Casadesús Gemma , Beas-Zarate Carlos , Pelegri Carme , Vilaplana Jordi , Auladell Carme , Camins Antoni
Published: December 2017

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence in the brain of extracellular amyloid-β protein (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), ionotropic glutamate receptor, are essential for processes like learning and memory. An excessive activation of NMDARs has been associated with neuronal loss. The discovery of extrasynaptic NMDARs provided a rational and physiological explanation between physiological and excitotoxic actions of glutamate. Memantine (MEM), an antagonist of extrasynaptic NMDAR, is currently used for the treatment of AD jointly with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. It has been demonstrated that MEM preferentially prevents the excessive continuous extrasynaptic NMDAR disease activation and therefore prevents neuronal cell death induced by excitotoxicity without disrupting physiological synaptic activity. The problem is that MEM has shown no clear positive effects in clinical applications while, in preclinical stages, had very promising results. The data in preclinical studies suggests that MEM has a positive impact on improving AD brain neuropathology, as well as in preventing Aβ production, aggregation, or downstream neurotoxic consequences, in part through the blockade of extrasynaptic NMDAR. Thus, the focus of this review is primarily to discuss the efficacy of MEM in preclinical models of AD, consider possible combinations of this drug with others, and then evaluate possible reasons for its lack of efficacy in clinical trials. Finally, applications in other pathologies are also considered.
Weighted clustering ensemble: Towards learning the weights of the base clusterings
Authors: Rouba Baroudi , Nait Bahloul Safia
Published: December 2017

Clustering ensemble refers to the problem of obtaining a final clustering of a dataset by combining multiple partitions computed by different clustering algorithms. The clustering ensemble has emerged as a prominent method for improving robustness of unsupervised classification solutions. This problem has been received an increasing attention in recent years but a little attention has been paid to weight the combined clusterings without access the original data. We address in this paper the problem of weighted clustering ensemble problem by defining an unsupervised method to compute the weight of each combined clustering without access the original data. The weight of each base clustering is computed using its quality and the quality of its neighbouring clusterings. The proposed method permits to estimate the right number of clusters of the final clustering before the combining step by exploiting the generated weights.
The Exceptionally Cold January of 2017 over the Balkan Peninsula: A Climatological and Synoptic Analysis
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Christina , Tolika Konstantia , Lazoglou Georgia , Maheras Panagiotis
Published: December 2017

An exceptionally cold episode occurred in January 2017 over the Balkan Peninsula. Analysis of historical records showed that it was one of the coldest extreme episodes. Even though the low temperatures of January 2017 did not break previous low records for all stations, the long duration was quite extreme, resulting in strong socioeconomic impacts in the region of interest. The 10-year to 100-year return values of minimum temperatures were calculated based on block maxima method and the maximum likelihood estimates. The estimated return periods of the absolute minimum temperature are approximately 15 or 20 years for almost all stations. For only one station, the absolute minimum temperature of January 2017 might happen once in every 300 years according to the return level results. Moreover, the extreme cold episode over the Balkans during the period of 5 January 2017 to 12 January 2017 was associated with a significant outbreak of arctic air masses into eastern–central Europe and the Balkans and a cutoff low at the level of 500 hPa over the region.
On the Precipitation and Precipitation Change in Alaska
Authors: Wendler Gerd , Gordon Telayna , Stuefer Martin
Published: December 2017

Alaska observes very large differences in precipitation throughout the state; southeast Alaska experiences consistently wet conditions, while northern Arctic Alaska observes very dry conditions. The maximum mean annual precipitation of 5727 mm is observed in the southeastern panhandle at Little Port Arthur, while the minimum of 92 mm occurs on the North Slope at Kuparuk. Besides explaining these large differences due to geographic and orographic location, we discuss the changes in precipitation with time. Analyzing the 18 first-order National Weather Service stations, we found that the total average precipitation in the state increased by 17% over the last 67 years. The observed changes in precipitation are furthermore discussed as a function of the observed temperature increase of 2.1 °C, the mean temperature change of the 18 stations over the same period. This observed warming of Alaska is about three times the magnitude of the mean global warming and allows the air to hold more water vapor. Furthermore, we discuss the effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which has a strong influence on both the temperature and precipitation in Alaska.
From Disability Rights to the Rights of the Dying (and Back Again)
Authors: Braswell Harold
Published: December 2017

This article argues for civil rights for dying people. The creation of such rights should be understood as complementary to, but distinct from, existing initiatives to provide dying people with social benefits. A basis for rights for terminally ill people can be found in the disability rights movement. Through an ethnographic case study of two dying individuals, I argue that terminally ill people can be subjected to disability discrimination as it is understood within the dominant theoretical framework of disability rights: the social model of disability. Nevertheless, while disability rights provides a theoretical basis for understanding discrimination against people who are dying, existing U.S. disability rights legislation largely does not recognize, nor address this discrimination. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a separate set of rights of the dying. I conclude by arguing that such “dying rights” are a logical extension of disability rights, and will bring ancillary benefits to both disabled people and the disability rights movement itself. There is thus a strong foundation for a legal and political alliance between disability rights advocates and advocates for people who are dying.
Effects of UV-Ozone Treatment on Sensing Behaviours of EGFETs with Al2O3 Sensing Film
Authors: Sun Cuiling , Zeng Ruixue , Zhang Junkai , Qiu Zhi-Jun , Wu Dongping
Published: December 2017

The effects of UV-ozone (UVO) treatment on the sensing behaviours of extended-gate field-effect transistors (EGFETs) that use Al2O3 as the sensing film have been investigated. The Al2O3 sensing films are UVO-treated with various duration times and the corresponding EGFET sensing behaviours, such as sensitivity, hysteresis, and long-term stability, are electrically evaluated under various measurement conditions. Physical analysis is also performed to characterize the surface conditions of the UVO-treated sensing films using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. It is found that UVO treatment effectively reduces the buried sites in the Al2O3 sensing film and subsequently results in reduced hysteresis and improved long-term stability of EGFET. Meanwhile, the observed slightly smoother Al2O3 film surface post UVO treatment corresponds to decreased surface sites and slightly reduced pH sensitivity of the Al2O3 film. The sensitivity degradation is found to be monotonically correlated with the UVO treatment time. A treatment time of 10 min is found to yield an excellent performance trade-off: clearly improved long-term stability and reduced hysteresis at the cost of negligible sensitivity reduction. These results suggest that UVO treatment is a simple and facile method to improve the overall sensing performance of the EGFETs with an Al2O3 sensing film.
Chirality-Dependent Interaction of d- and l-Menthol with Biomembrane Models
Authors: Gusain Pooja , Ohki Shinya , Hoshino Kunihide , Tsujino Yoshio , Shimokawa Naofumi , Takagi Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Chirality plays a vital role in biological membranes and has a significant effect depending on the type and arrangement of the isomer. Menthol has two typical chiral forms, d- and l-, which exhibit different behaviours. l-Menthol is known for its physiological effect on sensitivity (i.e. a cooling effect), whereas d-menthol causes skin irritation. Menthol molecules may affect not only the thermoreceptors on biomembranes, but also the membrane itself. Membrane heterogeneity (lipid rafts, phase separation) depends on lipid packing and acyl chain ordering. Our interest is to elaborate the chirality dependence of d- and l-menthol on membrane heterogeneity. We revealed physical differences between the two optical isomers of menthol on membrane heterogeneity by studying model membranes using nuclear magnetic resonance and microscopic observation.
Influence of Sterilization and Preservation Procedures on the Integrity of Serum Protein-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Dutz Silvio , Wojahn Stephanie , Gräfe Christine , Weidner Andreas , Clement Joachim
Published: December 2017

Protein-coated magnetic nanoparticles are promising candidates for various medical applications. Prior to their application into a biological system, one has to guarantee that the particle dispersions are free from pathogens or any other microbiologic contamination. Furthermore, to find entrance into clinical routine, the nanoparticle dispersions have to be storable for several months. In this study, we tested several procedures for sterilization and preservation of nanoparticle containing liquids on their influence on the integrity of the protein coating on the surface of these particles. For this, samples were treated by freezing, autoclaving, lyophilization, and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and characterized by means of dynamic light scattering, determination of surface potential, and gel electrophoresis afterwards. We found that the UV sterilization followed by lyophilization under the addition of polyethylene glycol are the most promising procedures for the preparation of sterilized long-term durable protein-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Ongoing work is focused on the optimization of used protocols for UV sterilization and lyophilization for further improvement of the storage time.
Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on a 30-s High-Intensity Inertial Cycle Ergometer Test
Authors: Domínguez Raul , Garnacho-Castaño Manuel , Cuenca Eduardo , García-Fernández Pablo , Muñoz-González Arturo , De Jesús Fernando , Lozano-Estevan María , Fernandes da Silva Sandro , Veiga-Herreros Pablo , Maté-Muñoz José
Published: December 2017

Background: Beetroot juice (BJ) is rich in inorganic nitrates and has proved effective at increasing blood nitric oxide (NO) levels. When used as a supplement BJ has shown an ergogenic effect on cardiorespiratory resistance exercise modalities, yet few studies have examined its impact on high intensity efforts. Objective: To assess the effects of BJ intake on anaerobic performance in a Wingate test. Methods: Fifteen trained men (age 21.46 ± 1.72 years, height 1.78 ± 0.07 cm and weight 76.90 ± 8.67 kg) undertook a 30-s maximum intensity test on an inertial cycle ergometer after drinking 70 mL of BJ (5.6 mmol NO3−) or placebo. Results: Despite no impacts of BJ on the mean power recorded during the test, improvements were produced in peak power (6%) (p = 0.034), average power 0–15 s (6.7%) (p = 0.048) and final blood lactate levels (82.6%) (p < 0.001), and there was a trend towards a shorter time taken to attain peak power (−8.4%) (p = 0.055). Conclusions: Supplementation with BJ has an ergonomic effect on maximum power output and on average power during the first 15 s of a 30-s maximum intensity inertial cycle ergometer test.
Flavonoids and Ellagitannins Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Phyllanthus acuminatus Vahl
Authors: Navarro Mirtha , Moreira Ileana , Arnaez Elizabeth , Quesada Silvia , Azofeifa Gabriela , Vargas Felipe , Alvarado Diego , Chen Pei
Published: December 2017

The phenolic composition of leaves from Phyllanthus acuminatus L., a plant commonly used in Costa Rica as traditional medicine, was studied using UPLC-ESI-MS on an enriched phenolic extract. A total of 20 phenolic compounds were identified, comprising eight flavonoids (two flavanones—pinocembrin isomers and six derivatives from apigenin, chrysin, quercetin, and kaempferol); seven ellagitannins, two flavan-3-ols (prodelphinidin B dimer and (epi)gallocatechin); and three phenolic acids (ellagic acid, trimethylellagic acid, and ferulic acid). All of these compounds are reported for the first time in P. acuminatus, while previously reported in the genus Phyllanthus. Antioxidant evaluation was performed for P. acuminatus phenolic extract obtaining DPPH results with a remarkably low IC50 value of 0.15 μg/mL. Also, cytotoxicity on gastric AGS and colon SW20 adenocarcinoma cell lines was evaluated, and highly promising results were obtained, with IC50 values of 11.3 μg/mL and 10.5 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, selectivity index values obtained when comparing cytotoxicity on normal Vero cells was SI > 20 for both cancer cell lines, indicating a particularly high selectivity. Additionally, Justicidin B, a metabolite extensively studied for its antitumoral activity, was isolated from a non-polar extract of P. acuminatus, and comparatively evaluated for both bioactivities. The DPPH value obtained for Justicidin B was moderate (IC50 = 14.28 μg/mL), while cytotoxicity values for both AGS (IC50 = 19.5 μg/mL) and SW620 (IC50 = 24.8 μg/mL) cell lines, as well as selectivity when compared with normal Vero cells (SI = 5.4 and 4.2 respectively), was good, but lower than P. acuminatus extract. These preliminary results suggest that P. acuminatus enriched phenolic extract containing flavonoids, ellagitannins, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids, reported for the first time in this plant, could be of interest for further cancer cytotoxicity studies to elucidate structure–bioactivity relationships, and the molecular mechanisms and pathways.
PVDF Membrane Morphology—Influence of Polymer Molecular Weight and Preparation Temperature
Authors: Haponska Monika , Trojanowska Anna , Nogalska Adrianna , Jastrzab Renata , Gumi Tania , Tylkowski Bartosz
Published: December 2017

In this study, we successfully prepared nine non-woven, supported polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes, using a phase inversion precipitation method, starting from a 15 wt % PVDF solution in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Various membrane morphologies were obtained by using (1) PVDF polymers, with diverse molecular weights ranging from 300 to 700 kDa, and (2) different temperature coagulation baths (20, 40, and 60 ± 2 °C) used for the film precipitation. An environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) was used for surface and cross-section morphology characterization. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to investigate surface roughness, while a contact angle (CA) instrument was used for membrane hydrophobicity studies. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that the fabricated membranes are formed by a mixture of TGTG’ chains, in α phase crystalline domains, and all-TTTT trans planar zigzag chains characteristic to β phase. Moreover, generated results indicate that the phases’ content and membrane morphologies depend on the polymer molecular weight and conditions used for the membranes’ preparation. The diversity of fabricated membranes could be applied by the End User Industries for different applications.
Ocean Wind and Current Retrievals Based on Satellite SAR Measurements in Conjunction with Buoy and HF Radar Data
Authors: Fang He , Xie Tao , Perrie William , Zhao Li , Yang Jingsong , He Yijun
Published: December 2017

A total of 168 fully polarimetric synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images are selected together with the buoy measurements of ocean surface wind fields and high-frequency radar measurements of ocean surface currents. Our objective is to investigate the effect of the ocean currents on the retrieved SAR ocean surface wind fields. The results show that, compared to SAR wind fields that are retrieved without taking into account the ocean currents, the accuracy of the winds obtained when ocean currents are taken into account is increased by 0.2–0.3 m/s; the accuracy of the wind direction is improved by 3 – 4 ° . Based on these results, a semi-empirical formula for the errors in the winds and the ocean currents is derived. Verification is achieved by analysis of 52 SAR images, buoy measurements of the corresponding ocean surface winds, and high-frequency radar measurements of ocean currents. Results of the comparisons between data obtained by the semi-empirical formula and data measured by the high-frequency radar show that the root-mean-square error in the ocean current speed is 12.32 cm/s and the error in the current direction is 6.32°.
A New Regionalization Scheme for Effective Ecological Restoration on the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Shang Jiali , Qian Budong , Jing Qi , Liu Jiangui
Published: December 2017

To prevent potentially unsuitable activities during vegetation restoration, it is important to examine the impact of historical restoration activities on the target ecological system to inform future restoration policies. Taking the Loess Plateau of China as an example, a regionalization method and corresponding scheme were proposed to select suitable vegetation types (forested lands, woody grasslands/bushlands, grasslands, or xerophytic shrublands and semi-shrublands) for a given location using remote sensing technology in order to analyze the vegetation growth status before and after the largest ecological conservation project in the country: The Grain for Green Program (GTGP). To design the scheme, remote sensing data covering the periods before and after the implementation of the GTGP (the 1980s and 2001–2013) were collected, along with soil, meteorological, and topographic data. The net primary production (NPP) values for 2001–2013 were calculated using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model. Locations representing the native vegetation and the restored vegetation were first recognized using maps of vegetation cover. Then, for the restored vegetation area, the places suitable for planting the covered vegetation type were selected by comparing the NPP value of the corresponding vegetation type in the native vegetation area to the NPP value in the site under consideration. Third, half of these sites were uniformly selected based on their NPP value, and these areas and the native vegetation area were used as training regions. Based on weather, soil, and topographic data, a new regionalization scheme was designed using standardized Euclidean distances. Finally, data from the remainder of the Loess Plateau were used to validate the new regionalization scheme, which was also compared to an existing Chinese eco-geographical regionalization scheme. The results showed that the new regionalization scheme performed well, with an average potential classification accuracy of 81.81%. Compared with the eco-geographical regionalization scheme, the new scheme exhibited improved the consistency of vegetation dynamics, reflecting the potential to better guide vegetation restoration activities on the Loess Plateau.
Variability of Temperature and Its Impact on Reference Evapotranspiration: The Test Case of the Apulia Region (Southern Italy)
Authors: Elferchichi Abderraouf , Giorgio Giuseppina , Lamaddalena Nicola , Ragosta Maria , Telesca Vito
Published: December 2017

The present study provides an assessment of the climate variability at a subnational scale, focusing on the case of the Apulia region, in Southeastern Italy. The variables considered for the purpose of a trend analysis were the minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures, and reference evapotranspiration. These are very important in an urban–rural planning context. The study was based on 38 monitoring stations and consisted in the application of the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test and a progressive trend analysis, both used to detect the changes. The 1950–2003 period was investigated on seasonal and annual scales. The results generally showed a warming process and an acceleration of the atmospheric evaporative demand which took place especially since the mid-1970s. The latter had a significant positive trend, while the period before the break point of the 70s had a cooling effect. Finally, the warming effect was more pronounced for minimum temperatures.
Enhanced Performance for Treatment of Cr (VI)-Containing Wastewater by Microbial Fuel Cells with Natural Pyrrhotite-Coated Cathode
Authors: Shi Junxian , Zhao Wenyan , Liu Chang , Jiang Tao , Ding Hongrui
Published: December 2017

Here we reported the investigation of enhanced performance for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) by a new microbial fuel cell (MFC) with natural pyrrhotite-coated cathode. By comparisons of the graphite-cathode, the MFCs equipped with a pyrrhotite-coated cathode generated the maximum power density of 45.4 mW·m−2 that was 1.3 times higher than that of with bare graphite cathode (35.5 mW·m−2). Moreover, the Cr (VI) removal efficiency of 97.5% achieved after 4.5 h compared with only 46.1% by graphite cathode MFC. In addition, Cr (VI) removal rate with different initial Cr (VI) concentrations for 10 mg/L and 30 mg/L was investigated and a decreased removal percentage with increasing Cr (VI) concentration was observed. Batches of experiments of different pH values from 3.0 to 9.0 in catholyte were carried out to optimize system performance. The complete Cr (VI) removal was achieved at pH 3.0 and 99.59% of Cr (VI) was removed after 10.5 h, which met the requirement of the Cr (VI) National Emission Standard. When the value of pH was decreasing, the removal rate was obviously increased and Cr (VI) could be removed successfully with a broad pH range indicating pyrrhotite-coated cathode MFC had more extensive usage scope. Furthermore, cathode treatment products were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Cr2O3, Cr (III)-acetate were detected on the cathode by the XPS Cr2p spectra and no Cr (VI) founded, indicating that the Cr on the surface of cathode was Cr (III) and Cr (VI) were reduced. On cathode, pyrrhotite not only played a significant role for catalyst of MFCs, but also acted as reactive sites for Cr (VI) reduction. Our research demonstrated that pyrrhotite, an earth-abundant and low-cost natural mineral was promised as an effective cathode material. Which had great potential applications in MFCs for reduction of wastewater containing heavy metals and other environmental contaminants in the future.
Evolution of the process underlying floral zygomorphy development in pentapetalous angiosperms
Authors: Bukhari Ghadeer , Zhang Jingbo , Stevens Peter F. , Zhang Wenheng
Published: December 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Observations of floral ontogeny indicated that floral organ initiation in pentapetalous flowers most commonly results in a median‐abaxial (MAB) petal during early development, a median‐adaxial (MAD) petal being less common. Such different patterns of floral organ initiation might be linked with different morphologies of floral zygomorphy that have evolved in Asteridae. Here, we provide the first study of zygomorphy in pentapetalous angiosperms placed in a phylogenetic framework, the goal being to find if the different patterns of floral organ initiation are connected with particular patterns of zygomorphy.

METHODS:

We analyzed patterns of floral organ initiation and displays of zygomorphy, extracted from floral diagrams representing 405 taxa in 330 genera, covering 83% of orders (30 out of 36) and 37% of families (116 out of 313) in core eudicots in the context of a phylogeny using ancestral state reconstructions.

KEY RESULTS:

The MAB petal initiation is the ancestral state of the pattern of floral organ initiation in pentapetalous angiosperms. Taxa with MAD petal initiation represent ∼30 independent origins from the ancestral MAB initiation. There are distinct developmental processes that give rise to zygomorphy in different lineages of pentapetalous angiosperms, closely related lineages being likely to share similar developmental processes.

CONCLUSIONS:

We have demonstrated that development indeed constrains the processes that give rise to floral zygomorphy, while phylogenetic distance allows relaxation of these constraints, which provides novel insights on the role that development plays in the evolution of floral zygomorphy.
Genetic, morphological, and spectral characterization of relictual Niobrara River hybrid aspens (Populus × smithii)
Authors: Deacon Nicholas John , Grossman Jake Joseph , Schweiger Anna Katharina , Armour Isabella , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine
Published: December 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Aspen groves along the Niobrara River in Nebraska have long been a biogeographic curiosity due to morphological differences from nearby remnant Populus tremuloides populations. Pleistocene hybridization between P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata has been proposed, but the nearest P. grandidentata populations are currently several hundred kilometers east. We tested the hybrid‐origin hypothesis using genetic data and characterized putative hybrids phenotypically.

METHODS:

We compared nuclear microsatellite loci and chloroplast sequences of Niobrara River aspens to their putative parental species. Parental species and putative hybrids were also grown in a common garden for phenotypic comparison. On the common garden plants, we measured leaf morphological traits and leaf‐level spectral reflectance profiles, from which chemical traits were derived.

KEY RESULTS:

The genetic composition of the three unique Niobrara aspen genotypes is consistent with the hybridization hypothesis and with maternal chloroplast inheritance from P. grandidentata. Leaf margin dentition and abaxial pubescence differentiated taxa, with the hybrids showing intermediate values. Spectral profiles allowed statistical separation of taxa in short‐wave infrared wavelengths, with hybrids showing intermediate values, indicating that traits associated with internal structure of leaves and water absorption may vary among taxa. However, reflectance values in the visible region did not differentiate taxa, indicating that traits related to pigments are not differentiated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Both genetic and phenotypic results support the hypothesis of a hybrid origin for these genetically unique aspens. However, low genetic diversity and ongoing ecological and climatic threats to the hybrid taxon present a challenge for conservation of these relictual boreal communities.
South African educational research journals
Authors: Henning Elizabeth
Published: December 2017

No abstract available.
Multiple fixed point theorems for contractive and Meir-Keeler type mappings defined on partially ordered spaces with a distance
Authors: Choban Mitrofan M , Berinde Vasile
Published: December 2017

We introduce and study a general concept of multiple fixed point for mappings defined on partially ordered distance spaces in the presence of a contraction type condition and appropriate monotonicity properties. This notion and the obtained results complement the corresponding ones from [M. Choban, V. Berinde, A general concept of multiple fixed point for mappings defined on  spaces with a distance, Carpathian J. Math. 33 (2017), no. 3, 275--286] and also simplifies some concepts of multiple fixed point considered by various authors in the last decade or so.
New method to determine the instrument spectral response function, applied to TROPOMI-SWIR
Authors: van Hees Richard M. , Tol Paul J. J. , Cadot Sidney , Krijger Matthijs , Persijn Stefan T. , van Kempen Tim A. , Snel Ralph , Aben Ilse , Hoogeveen Ruud W. M.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) is the single instrument on board of the ESA Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite. TROPOMI is a nadir-viewing imaging spectrometer with bands in the ultraviolet and visible, the near infrared and the short-wave infrared (SWIR). An accurate instrument spectral response function (ISRF) is required in the SWIR band where absorption lines of CO, methane and water vapor overlap. Therefore a novel method for ISRF determination for an imaging spectrometer was developed and applied to the TROPOMI-SWIR band. The ISRF of all detector pixels of the SWIR spectrometer has been measured during an on-ground calibration campaign. The accuracy of the derived ISRF is well within the requirement for accurate trace-gas retrievals. Long-term in-flight monitoring of the ISRF is guaranteed by the presence of five SWIR diode lasers.
Temporal variability of chlorophyll distribution in the Gulf of Mexico: bio-optical data from profiling floats
Authors: Pasqueron de Fommervault Orens , Perez-Brunius Paula , Damien Pierre , Camacho-Ibar Victor F. , Sheinbaum Julio
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Chlorophyll concentration is a key oceanic biogeochemical variable. In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), its distribution, which is mainly obtained from satellite surface observations and scarce in situ experiments, is still poorly understood. In 2011–2012, eight profiling floats equipped with biogeochemical sensors were deployed for the first time in the GOM and generated an unprecedented dataset that significantly increased the number of chlorophyll vertical distribution measurements in the region. The analysis of these data, once calibrated, permits us to reconsider the spatial and temporal variability of the chlorophyll concentration in the water column. At a seasonal scale, results confirm the surface signal seen by satellites, presenting maximum concentrations in winter and low values in summer. It is shown that the deepening of the mixed layer is the primary factor triggering the chlorophyll surface increase in winter. In the GOM, a possible interpretation is that this surface increase corresponds to a biomass increase. However, the present dataset suggests that the basin-scale climatological surface increase in chlorophyll content results from a vertical redistribution of subsurface chlorophyll and/or photoacclimation processes, rather than a net increase of biomass. One plausible explanation for this is the decoupling between the mixed-layer depth and the deep nutrient reservoir since mixed-layer depth only reaches the nitracline in sporadic events in the observations. Float measurements also provide evidence that the depth and the magnitude of the deep chlorophyll maximum is strongly controlled by the mesoscale variability, with higher chlorophyll biomass generally observed in cyclones rather than anticyclones.
Recent past (1979–2014) and future (2070–2099) isoprene fluxes over Europe simulated with the MEGAN-MOHYCAN model
Authors: Bauwens Maite , Stavrakou Trissevgeni , Müller Jean-François , Van Schaeybroeck Bert , De Cruz Lesley , De Troch Rozemien , Giot Olivier , Hamdi Rafiq , Termonia Piet , Laffineur Quentin , Amelynck Crist , Schoon Niels , Heinesch Bernard , Holst Thomas , Arneth Almut , Ceulemans Reinhart , Sanchez-Lorenzo Arturo , Guenther Alex
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Isoprene is a highly reactive volatile organic compound emitted by vegetation, known to be a precursor of secondary organic aerosol and to enhance tropospheric ozone formation under polluted conditions. Isoprene emissions respond strongly to changes in meteorological parameters such as temperature and solar radiation; in addition, the increasing CO2 concentration has a dual effect, as it causes both a direct emission inhibition as well as an increase in biomass through fertilization. In this study we used the MEGAN (Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature) emission model coupled with the MOHYCAN (Model of HYdrocarbon emissions by the CANopy) canopy model to calculate the isoprene fluxes emitted by vegetation in the recent past (1979–2014) and in the future (2070–2099) over Europe at a resolution of 0.1° × 0.1°. As a result of the changing climate, modeled isoprene fluxes increased by 1.1 % yr−1 on average in Europe over 1979–2014, with the strongest trends found over eastern Europe and European Russia, whereas accounting also for the CO2 inhibition effect led to reduced emission trends (0.76 % yr−1). Comparisons with field campaign measurements at seven European sites suggest that the MEGAN-MOHYCAN model provides a reliable representation of the temporal variability of the isoprene fluxes over time scales between 1 hour to several months. For the 1979–2014 period the model was driven by the ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis fields, whereas for the comparison of current with projected future emissions, we used meteorology simulated with the ALARO regional climate model. Depending on the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) scenarios for greenhouse gas concentration trajectories driving the climate projections, isoprene emissions were found to increase as a result of climate change by +7 % (RCP2.6), +33 % (RCP4.5) and +83 % (RCP8.5), compared to the control simulation, and even stronger increases were found when considering the potential impact of CO2 fertilization, +15 % (RCP2.6), +52 % (RCP4.5) and +141 % (RCP8.5). However, the inhibitory CO2 effect goes a long way in cancelling these increases. Based on two distinct parameterizations, representing strong or moderate inhibition, the projected emissions accounting for all effects were estimated to be 0–17 % (strong inhibition) and 11–65 % (moderate inhibition) higher than in the control simulation. The difference obtained using the two CO2 parameterizations underscores the large uncertainty associated to this effect.
Global change effects on decomposition processes in tidal wetlands: implications from a global survey using standardized litter
Authors: Mueller Peter , Schile-Beers Lisa M. , Mozdzer Thomas J. , Chmura Gail L. , Dinter Thomas , Kuzyakov Yakov , de Groot Alma V. , Esselink Peter , Smit Christian , D'Alpaos Andrea , Ibáñez Carles , Lazarus Magdalena , Neumeier Urs , Johnson Beverly J. , Baldwin Andrew H. , Yarwood Stephanie A. , Montemayor Diana I. , Yang Zaichao , Wu Jihua , Jensen Kai , Nolte Stefanie
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Tidal wetlands, such as tidal marshes and mangroves, are hotspots for carbon sequestration. The preservation of organic matter (OM) is a critical process by which tidal wetlands exert influence over the global carbon cycle and at the same time gain elevation to keep pace with sea-level rise (SLR). The present study provides the first global-scale field-based experimental evidence of temperature and relative sea level effects on the decomposition rate and stabilization of OM in tidal wetlands. The study was conducted in 26 marsh and mangrove sites across four continents, utilizing commercially available standardized OM. While effects on decomposition rate per se were minor, we show unanticipated and combined negative effects of temperature and relative sea level on OM stabilization. Across study sites, OM stabilization was 29 % lower in low, more frequently flooded vs. high, less frequently flooded zones. OM stabilization declined by ~ 90 % over the studied temperature gradient from 10.9 to 28.5 °C, corresponding to a decline of ~ 5 % over a 1 °C temperature increase. Additionally, data from the long-term ecological research site in Massachusetts, US show a pronounced reduction in OM stabilization by > 70 % in response to simulated coastal eutrophication, confirming the high sensitivity of OM stabilization to global change. We therefore provide evidence that rising temperature, accelerated SLR, and coastal eutrophication may decrease the future capacity of tidal wetlands to sequester carbon by affecting the initial transformations of recent OM inputs to soil organic matter.
Satellite drag effects due to uplifted oxygen neutrals during super magnetic storms
Authors: Lakhina Gurbax S. , Tsurutani Bruce T.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. During intense magnetic storms, prompt penetration electric fields (PPEFs) through E  ×  B forces near the magnetic equator uplift the dayside ionosphere. This effect has been called the dayside super-fountain effect. Ion-neutral drag forces between the upward moving O+ (oxygen ions) and oxygen neutrals will elevate the oxygen atoms to higher altitudes. This paper gives a linear calculation indicating how serious the effect may be during an 1859-type (Carrington) superstorm. It is concluded that the oxygen neutral densities produced at low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellite altitudes may be sufficiently high to present severe satellite drag. It is estimated that with a prompt penetrating electric field of ∼ 20 mV m−1 turned on for 20 min, the O atoms and O+ ions are uplifted to 850 km where they produce about 40-times-greater satellite drag per unit mass than normal. Stronger electric fields will presumably lead to greater uplifted mass.
Reporting Data Quality Assessment Results: Identifying Individual and
Organizational Barriers and Solutions
Authors: Callahan Tiffany J. , Barnard Juliana G. , Helmkamp Laura J. , Maertens Julie A. , Kahn Michael G.
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Electronic health record (EHR) data are known to have significant
data quality issues, yet the practice and frequency of assessing EHR data is unknown. We
sought to understand current practices and attitudes towards reporting data quality
assessment (DQA) results by data professionals.Methods: The project was conducted in
four Phases: (1) examined current DQA practices among informatics/CER stakeholders via
engagement meeting (07/2014); (2) characterized organizations conducting DQA by
interviewing key personnel and data management professionals (07-08/2014); (3) developed
and administered an anonymous survey to data professionals (03-06/2015); and (4)
validated survey results during a follow-up informatics/CER stakeholder engagement
meeting (06/2016).Results: The first engagement meeting identified the theme of
unintended consequences as a primary barrier to DQA. Interviewees were predominantly
medical groups serving distributed networks with formalized DQAs. Consistent with the
interviews, most survey (N=111) respondents utilized DQA processes/programs. A lack of
resources and clear definitions of how to judge the quality of a dataset were the most
commonly cited individual barriers. Vague quality action plans/expectations and data
owners not trained in problem identification and problem-solving skills were the most
commonly cited organizational barriers. Solutions included allocating resources for DQA,
establishing standards and guidelines, and changing organizational culture.Discussion:
Several barriers affecting DQA and reporting were identified. Community alignment
towards systematic DQA and reporting is needed to overcome these barriers.Conclusion:
Understanding barriers and solutions to DQA reporting is vital for establishing trust in
the secondary use of EHR data for quality improvement and the pursuit of personalized
medicine.
Extracting Deep Phenotypes for Chronic Kidney Disease Using Electronic Health
Records
Authors: Luong Duc Thanh Anh , Tran Dinh , Pace Wilson D. , Dickinson Miriam , Vassalotti Joseph , Carroll Jennifer , Withiam-Leitch Matthew , Yang Min , Satchidanand Nikhil , Staton Elizabeth , Kahn Linda S. , Chandola Varun , Fox Chester H.
Published: December 2017

Introduction: As chronic kidney disease (CKD) is among the most prevalent chronic
diseases in the world with various rate of progression among patients, identifying its
phenotypic subtypes is important for improving risk stratification and providing more
targeted therapy and specific treatments for patients having different trajectories of
the disease progression.Problem Definition and Data: The rapid growth and adoption of
electronic health records (EHR) technology has created a unique opportunity to leverage
the abundant clinical data, available as EHRs, to find meaningful phenotypic subtypes
for CKD. In this study, we focus on extracting disease severity profiles for CKD while
accounting for other confounding factors.Probabilistic Subtyping Model: We employ a
probabilistic model to identify precise phenotypes from EHR data of patients who have
chronic kidney disease. Using this model, patient’s eGFR trajectory is decomposed as a
combination of four different components including disease subtype effect, covariate
effect, individual long-term effect and individual short-term effect.Experimental
Results: The discovered disease subtypes obtained by Probabilistic Subtyping Model for
CKD are presented and their clinical relevance is analyzed.Discussion: Several clinical
health markers that were found associated with disease subtypes are presented with
suggestion for further investigation on their use as risk predictors. Several
assumptions in the study are also clarified and discussed.Conclusion: The large dataset
of EHRs can be used to identify deep phenotypes retrospectively. Directions for further
expansion of the model are also discussed.