bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of Wheat to NP Fertilizer Rates, Precursor Crops and Types of Vertisols in Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Molla Adamu
Published: March 2018

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of bread wheat under different NP fertilizer rates, precursor crops and types of Vertisols in order to determine higher agronomic and economic yielding combination of levels of these factors. The first field experiment comparing factorial combinations of 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N ha-1 with 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha-1 in 2006-2007 on four farmers’ fields, with four replications in each field, resulted in recommendation of 151/40 and 192/60 kg N/P ha-1 for further on-farm evaluation as compared to old recommendation (87/20 kg N/P ha-1) and to the farmers’ highest rate (256/80 kg N/P ha-1) under dominant precursor crops and types of Vertisols. Thus the second field experiment compared the above four treatments on 32 farmers’ fields (no replication in each field) on lentil (Lens culinaris) and tef (Eragrostis tef) precursors on Bushella and Mererie Vertisols in 2012-2013. Grain yield response of bread wheat to N/P rates following lentil precursor on Mererie was significantly (p < 0.01) quadratic while responses following lentil precursor on Bushella, and tef precursor on both types of Vertisols were significantly (p < 0.05) linear. Application of the highest rate (256/80 kg N/P ha-1) on wheat following lentil precursor gave grain yield of 5001 and 3407 kg ha-1 on Mererie and Bushella Vertisols, respectively. The same rate on wheat following tef precursor gave grain yield of 4143 and 3904 kg ha-1 on Mererie and Bushella Vertisols, respectively. However, application of 167/45 kg N/P ha-1 was more economical (79.7-134.1% marginal return) and is suggested to be promoted for bread wheat production following tef and lentil precursors on both types of Vertisols of the test locations and similar areas in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Further studies are also suggested to improve fertilizer use efficiency and reduce such high rate recommendations which could pose environmental risks.
Effects of Protein Levels on the Growth Performance of Giant African Land Snails (Achatina achatina) in Captivity
Authors: Merlin Tchowan Guy , Ferdinand Ngoula , Augustave Kenfack , Joseph Tchoumboue
Published: March 2018

In order to preserve and conserve the Giant African Land Snails, a study was carried out between September 2015 and January 2017 at the University of Buea (South-West Region, Cameroon), to assess the effect of protein level on the characteristics of growth of Achatina achatina in captivity. 90 young snails of one month old, weighing between 1 and 1.5 g, of shell length between 15.5-23.85 mm and shell diameter between 12.60-16.85 mm and free from wounds or shell defects were divided into 3 groups of 5 snails each and 6 replicates in cages equipped with feeders and drinking troughs. Each treatment was randomly assigned to one of the experimental feed with variable protein levels (20, 22 and 24%) in addition to pawpaw leaves as a staple feed. These were previously weighed as well as the remnants using a 0.5g precision balance. The cultured substrates were watered daily (0.50 liter/substrate). At the beginning of the test, and then every week, the snails were weighed, and shell measurements done using a digital caliper of 0.05 mm accuracy. The animals were monitored for fourteen months. The results show that feed intake (3.01±1.57), weight gain (24.50±5.72), daily weight gain (0.058±0.016), gain of shell length (30.26±4.19) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in snails receiving 24% protein in the diet compared to snails from the other treatments. The highest consumption index was recorded in snails receiving 20% protein in the diet but the statistical analyses did not find any significant difference. In conclusion, the protein level of 24% can be retained in the diet of growing snails.
Penicillium and Talaromyces Communities of Sugarcane Soils (Saccharum officinarum L.): Ecological and Phylogenetic Aspects
Authors: Ramos Sérgio Murilo Sousa , Cruz Roberta , Barbosa Renan do Nascimento , Machado Alexandre Reis , Costa Antônio Félix da , Motta Cristina Maria de Souza , Oliveira Neiva Tinti de
Published: March 2018

Penicillium and Talaromyces are fungal genera with high ecological and biotechnological importance. However, studies on exploration and ecology of these fungi in soils are scarce. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the species diversity of these genera in soils of sugarcane and fallow. Identification of the isolates was performed by morphological examination and partial sequencing of Beta-tubulin. For ecological analyses, indexes were applied and principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. A total of 1,344 isolates were obtained: 1,108 of Penicillium (13 species) and 236 of Talaromyces (three species). Seven isolates did not cluster with any known species. The diversity and equitability indexes were similarly high for the two areas analyzed. Penicillium wotroi and Talaromyces murroi were more abundant. The PCA was significant and showed 2 groups: fallow and cultivated. Soils of sugarcane cultivation present distinct communities of Penicillium and Talaromyces species that are rare and/or not yet described by science.
Sugarcane and Pine Biochar as Amendments for Greenhouse Growing Media for the Production of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Seedlings
Authors: Webber III Charles L. , White Jr Paul M. , Gu Mengmeng , Spaunhorst Douglas J. , Lima Isabel M. , Petrie Eric C.
Published: March 2018

Louisiana sugarcane farmers in 2016 harvested 11.7 million Mg of millable sugarcane from 163,000 ha, producing 1.47 million Mg of raw sugar and an estimated 3.5 million Mg of bagasse. Even though Louisiana sugar mills use 80% to 90% of the bagasse for fuel production, another 350,000 to 700,000 Mg of bagasse accumulates each year. The conversion of the excess bagasse into biochar is one solution to reduce the excess supply. Research was conducted to determine the impact of sugarcane biochar as an amendment to soilless planting media for the production of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings. Sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB) and pine biochar (PB) were each combined by volume with a commercial certified organic soilless growing media into 5 combinations (0%:100%, 25%:75%, 50%:50%, 75%:25%, and 100%:0%, biochars and growing media, respectively). Green bean variety ‘Bowie’ seeds were planted in each of the different planting mixtures. The particle size distribution for the two biochars are in stark contrast to each other with the PB particle median, mean, geometric mean, and mode much greater than those of the SBB. As amendments to the soilless greenhouse growing media, the biochars (SBB and PB) functioned very well, especially at the 25% and 75% levels. The 100% SBB performed as well as the 100% commercial soilless growing media and slightly better than the 100% PB when comparing seedling fresh and dry weights. The 100% PB is not recommended as a soilless growing media even with the supplemental fertilizer used in these experiments. These results indicate that the volume of a standard soilless greenhouse growing media can be successfully extended by adding 25% to 75% SBB and PB without reducing bean seedling growth. Future research is needed to evaluate these biochars for the production of additional plant species.
Effective Preemergence Herbicides for Rigid Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) Control in Irrigated Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Tanji Abbes , Boutfirass Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Three on-farm weed control experiments were conducted in irrigated bread wheat in the Doukkala perimeter, Morocco, in 2015-16 and 2016-17 in order to study the efficacy of 4 pre-emergence herbicide treatments for controlling rigid ryegrass that is resistant to 13 post-emergence herbicides. Results showed that 3 pre-emergence herbicides [i) chlorotoluron, 2000 g/ha + isoxaben, 74.8 g/ha; ii) prosulfocarb, 4000 g/ha; iii) prosulfocarb, 2000 g/ha + s-metolachlor, 300 g/ha] reduced rigid ryegrass shoot biomass by > 90% 1 to 3 months after treatments (MAT). Pendimethalin (1320 g ha-1) achieved 83-99% rigid ryegrass control 1 to 3 MAT. The four herbicide treatments were safe on wheat in one experiment, but reduced wheat density in 2 other experiments due to heavy rain (about 100 mm) after herbicide treatments and before crop emergence. Grain yields in sprayed plots ranged from 6.6 to 9.8 t ha-1, 4.4 to 7.4 t ha-1, 7.3 to 8.9 t ha-1 in experiments 1 to 3, respectively. Straw yields were 11.4 to 15.4, 9.6 to 15.8, and 10.1 to 14.5 t ha-1 in the 3 experiments, respectively. These preemergence herbicides need to be used by wheat growers as part of an integrated weed management program. Further research is needed to explore ways to avoid wheat injury, that could be occasionally caused by heavy rain or irrigation, after preemergence herbicide application and before crop emergence.
Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis in Patients With Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology and College of American Pathologists Joint Review
Authors: Merker Jason D. , Oxnard Geoffrey R. , Compton Carolyn , Diehn Maximilian , Hurley Patricia , Lazar Alexander J. , Lindeman Neal , Lockwood Christina M. , Rai Alex J. , Schilsky Richard L. , Tsimberidou Apostolia M. , Vasalos Patricia , Billman Brooke L. , Oliver Thomas K. , Bruinooge Suanna S. , Hayes Daniel F. , Turner Nicholas C.
Published: March 2018

Purpose.—

Clinical use of analytical tests to assess genomic variants in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is increasing. This joint review from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists summarizes current information about clinical ctDNA assays and provides a framework for future research.

Methods.—

An Expert Panel conducted a literature review on the use of ctDNA assays for solid tumors, including preanalytical variables, analytical validity, interpretation and reporting, and clinical validity and utility.

Results.—

The literature search identified 1338 references. Of those, 390, plus 31 references supplied by the Expert Panel, were selected for full-text review. There were 77 articles selected for inclusion.

Conclusions.—

The evidence indicates that testing for ctDNA is optimally performed on plasma collected in cell stabilization or EDTA tubes, with EDTA tubes processed within 6 hours of collection. Some ctDNA assays have demonstrated clinical validity and utility with certain types of advanced cancer; however, there is insufficient evidence of clinical validity and utility for the majority of ctDNA assays in advanced cancer. Evidence shows discordance between the results of ctDNA assays and genotyping tumor specimens, and supports tumor tissue genotyping to confirm undetected results from ctDNA tests. There is no evidence of clinical utility and little evidence of clinical validity of ctDNA assays in early-stage cancer, treatment monitoring, or residual disease detection. There is no evidence of clinical validity or clinical utility to suggest that ctDNA assays are useful for cancer screening, outside of a clinical trial. Given the rapid pace of research, reevaluation of the literature will shortly be required, along with the development of tools and guidance for clinical practice.
What's Your Evidence? Making Evidence-Based Claims and Why This Matters
Authors: Bieda Kristen , Crespo Sandra
Published: March 2018

These are a sampling of the kinds of headlines that reach our email in-boxes on a weekly basis. The widespread use of Twitter (#iteachmath) and blogs (#mtbos) brings prospective and in-service teachers unprecedented access to knowledge and guidance that can inform teaching, but the sheer volume of information available comes at a cost. The cost is that authors feel that they have to entice readers with catchier titles and bolder claims, a phenomenon that is referred to in the popular media as clickbait. As we are learning from our current political climate, our U.S. culture may be becoming increasingly entranced with compelling headlines and less engaged with the evidence provided to support those headlines.
Endoscopic transaxillary prepectoral conversion for submuscular breast implants
Authors: Park Si-Hyun , Sim Hyung-Bo
Published: March 2018

Background During breast augmentation, the transaxillary approach provides the advantage of allowing the mammary prosthesis to be placed through incisions that are remote from the breast itself, thereby reducing the visibility of postoperative scars. For patients experiencing capsular contracture who do not want additional scars, the previous transaxillary scar can be used for site change and implant exchange.

Methods This study analyzed 17 patients (34 breasts) with submuscular breast implants with grade III-IV capsular contracture who received treatment from 2010 to 2015. The mean age of the patients was 29 years (range, 20–38 years). The inclusion criterion was a pinch test of more than 3 cm at the upper pole of the breast. Previous axillary scars were used to expose the pectoralis fascia, and submuscular breast implants were removed carefully. The dissection underneath the pectoralis fascia was performed with endoscopic assistance, using electrocautery under direct visualization.

Results The mean follow-up period was 14 months (range, 6–24 months). The entire dissection plane was changed from the submuscular plane to the subfascial plane. Round textured gel implants were used, with a mean implant size of 220 mL (range, 160–300 mL). Two patients developed grade II capsular contracture. There were no cases of malposition or asymmetry. Three patients complained of minor implant palpability. None of the patients required additional surgery.

Conclusions Endoscopic subfascial conversion may be an effective technique for treating capsular contracture and avoiding scarring of the breast in selected patients.
In vivo tracking of adipose tissue grafts with cadmium-telluride quantum dots
Authors: Deglmann Claus J. , Błażków-Schmalzbauer Katarzyna , Moorkamp Sarah , Wallmichrath Jens , Giunta Riccardo E. , Rogach Andrey L. , Wagner Ernst , Baumeister Ruediger G. , Ogris Manfred
Published: March 2018

Background Fat grafting, or lipofilling, represent frequent clinically used entities. The fate of these transplants is still not predictable, whereas only few animal models are available for further research. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals which can be conveniently tracked in vivo due to photoluminescence.

Methods Fat grafts in cluster form were labeled with cadmium-telluride (CdTe)-QD 770 and transplanted subcutaneously in a murine in vivo model. Photoluminescence levels were serially followed in vivo.

Results Tracing of fat grafts was possible for 50 days with CdTe-QD 770. The remaining photoluminescence was 4.9%±2.5% for the QDs marked fat grafts after 30 days and 4.2%± 1.7% after 50 days. There was no significant correlation in the relative course of the tracking signal, when vital fat transplants were compared to non-vital graft controls.

Conclusions For the first-time fat grafts were tracked in vivo with CdTe-QDs. CdTe-QDs could offer a new option for in vivo tracking of fat grafts for at least 50 days, but do not document vitality of the grafts.
Analysis of Kinetics and Efficacy of Anti-Cancer via Oxygen-Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Jui-Teng Lin  , Kuo-Ti Chen  , Hsia-Wei Liu
Published: March 2018

Photodynamic therapy (PDT has been widely used in many medical applications. PDT for anti-cancer is one of the clinically important subjects. This study will analyze the photochemical kinetics and the efficacy of anti-cancer via the critical factors including: the concentrations of photosensitizers and oxygen in the treated target, the exposure time, intensity and does (energy) of the light applied to the target. To achieve high efficacy, one requires the oxygen source term to re-supply the depletion of oxygen and photosensitizers. Higher light intensity has faster rising curve of the efficacy, but it reaches the same steady-state value as that of low intensity. The efficacy follows the Bunsen-Roscoe law (BRL) of reciprocity only when there is no oxygen source term. Higher initial concentration of oxygen and photosensitizers, C0, always provide higher efficacy. To achieve the same efficacy, minimum dose and/or less exposure time for accelerated procedure may be achieved by using a higher intensity (but same dose) for the case of P=0. However, with P>0, higher intensity requires a higher fluence to achieve the same efficacy and it does not follow the BRL reciprocity law.
Ozone Therapy: General protocols based on evidences [abstract]
Authors: Menendez-Cepero Silvia
Published: March 2018

Ozone has been used as a therapeutical agent for the treatment of different diseases and beneficial effects have been observed. However, ozone biological effects remain controversial due to the scarce knowledge of its biochemical and pharmacodynamic mechanisms [1]. Taking into account that ozone therapy is gathering more interest, day by day, and it has been used in apparently nonrelated diseases with beneficial effects, the National Center for Scientific Research (Havana, Cuba) in collaboration with different research centers and health institutions have studied the ozone toxicology and its pharmacological actions as well as its biochemical mechanisms. The most remarkable experiences, in preclinical and clinical studies, developed in Cuba during the last 30 years, in order to prove unequivocally ozone therapy validity, are presented in this lecture. On the basis of the oxidant properties of ozone, we postulate that controlled ozone administration (named as ozone oxidative pre-/postconditioning mechanism) is able to promote a slight and transient oxidative stress which in turn re-establishes the signalling pathways which have been lost in pathological conditions, preserving the cellular redox balance (increasing antioxidant endogenous system), mitochondrial function as well as the regulation of transcription factors and the modulation of the immunological system [2]. It is evident that membrane-associated ozone peroxides, 4-hydroxialkenals, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, among others, are going to play an important role in cellular signals as well as in the pathology of different diseases [2,3]. Regulation of these biomolecules by ozone preconditioning has been demonstrated in several preclinical and clinical studies as ischaemia-reperfusion phenomenom, parkinson, senile dementia, disk herniation, retinitis pigmentosa, ischemic cardiopathy, arterial insufficiencies, diabetes, osteoarthritis, asthma, vestibulocochlear syndrome, among others [2,4]. Nitric oxide modulation, as well as the increase in A1 adenosine receptors achieved with this therapy has an important role in brain blood flux, in the formation of memory, in the release of neurotransmitters and in the inflammatory processes [5,6]. Ozone therapy seems to induce a simultaneous resuscitation of functions that had gone wrong, reactivating and re-equilibrating physiological activities. This lecture contributes to clarify the ozone mechanism of action and its different pharmacology effects. It is concluded that ozone therapy can be useful in the treatment of several diseases, either as adjuvant of ortodox medicine or taking part positively in those where conventional therapy has had no success, all this with a common purpose: to favour the patients and contribute to a better quality of life.
Efficacy and safety of Ozone Therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial [abstract]
Authors: Yu Hong , Chen Pingyan , Chen Jilin , Dai Wei , Wu Zhimin , Guo Yabing
Published: March 2018

Background.
Ozone therapy has a long history. Some studies proved that ozone therapy was useful in treatment of virus hepatitis.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of new medical ozone therapy system for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Method.
One hundred eighty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in this open-label, phase 3 study, and randomly assigned to receive ozone autohemotherapy with experimental ozone generator TianYi (group 1) or with ozone generator Humares (group 2) or oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules (group 3) in a 1:1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was sera HBV DNA level of less than 1×103 IU/ml or having a more than 2 log10 reduction in HBV DNA level at the end of 12 weeks treatment as compared to baseline HBV DNA level. Secondary end points included HBeAg seroconversion, biochemical response, and combined response.

Results.
At the end of 12 weeks treatment, the proportion of patients reached the primary end point of virologic response in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were 22.4% (13/58, 95% CI, 12.5 to 35.3), 14.7 (9/61, 95% CI, 7.0 to 26.2) and 3.9% (2/51, 95% CI, 0.5 to 13.5), respectively (p=0.021) in the pre-protocol population. Virologic response occurred in more patients receiving ozone therapy with experimental device than patients receiving oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules (mean difference 18.5%, 95% CI 6.3 to 31.5, p=0.005). However, there was no statistical difference in VR12 rates between the treatment of medical ozone therapy system with experimental device (group 1) and with Humares (group 2) (mean difference 7.7%, 95% CI -6.5 to 22.0, p=0.282). More HBeAg seroconversion in patients treated by Tianyi ozone therapy system than those treated by Humares ozone therapy device and oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules (14.8%, 5.1% and 7.3%, respectively, P = 0.272). Higher biochemical response rate was observes in patients receiving ozone therapy than oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules (31.6%, 36.7% and 24.0%, respectively, p = 0.359). The safety profile was similar for the three treatment groups and adverse events were .scare infrequent and mild.

Conclusions.
Ozone therapy had superior antiviral efficacy with a similar safety profile as compared with oral diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules through week 12 treatment. Ozone therapy is also associated with normalized ALT and AST levels, demonstrating that ozone therapy could benefit the patients with chronic hepatitis B.
The efficacy of Ozone Therapy on different types of lumbar disc herniation: Proposal for guidance updates [abstract]
Authors: He Xiaofeng
Published: March 2018

Objective.
To explore the possible mechanisms of pain relief by ozone therapy in patients with different types of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

Methods.
The medical records of a total of 250 patients with protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc (159 males, 91 females, aged 14–85 years) admitted in the South Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc were divided into four groups according to T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography findings during ozone injection:
- type I, fibrous ring rupture without nucleus pulposus protrusion,
- type II, fibrous ring rupture with nucleus pulposus protrusion,
- type III, non-ruptured fibrous ring without nucleus pulposus protrusion,
- type IV, non-ruptured fibrous ring with nucleus pulposus protrusion.
Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were used to evaluate treatment efficacy among patients with different types of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion before surgery, and at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.

Results.
Atrophy of the nucleus pulposus was observed in 63% of type II and IV patients within 1 year after surgery. The VAS scores at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery decreased by an average of 4.47, 4.41, 4.77, and 4.85 for type I to IV disease, respectively. More specifically, scores of type I patients were decreased by 4.57, 4.72, 4.98, and 4.93, respectively, during the follow-up period. Scores of type II patients were decreased by 4.78, 461, 5.08, and 5; type III cases by 3.72, 377, 3.97, and 4.84, respectively; and type IV cases by 4.24, 4.10, 4.45, and 4.41, respectively. In addition, the postoperative VAS score of 94.4%, 91.6%, 89.6% and 90.8% of patients were decreased by > 25%, i.e., the pain was alleviated, with type I patients demonstrating a pain relief rate of 96.3% during the entire follow-up period, along with 93.5% and 89.8%, and 89.8%, respectively for type II patients, 76.9%, 84.6%, 76.9%, and 87.2%, respectively for type III patients, and 77.6%, 79.6%, 79.6%, and 79.6%, respectively for type IV patients.

Conclusion.
Ozone therapy is an effective pain-relief therapy for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. The degree of pain relief was closely related to rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Pain relief efficacy was improved in patients with fibrous ring rupture and nucleus pulposus, while the pain relief effects in patients without fibrous ring rupture or nucleus pulposus protrusion were poor.
Chronic Kidney Disease - CKD [abstract]
Authors: Kakkad Vipul J.
Published: March 2018

Total Number of CKD patients treated with OZONE THERAPY (rectal or IV saline): 40 (Most of them are under the treatment of Nephrologists)

Two categories:
- Serum Creatine 3 till 14 (Stage 4-5) No. of pts.17

1) Improvement observed for Stage 1-2-3 that is 1st category: On the basis of Clinical evaluation & Pathological criteria, 100% pts. improvement, with stable patho & physiological criteria, for more than 18 months
2) Improvement observed - for Stage 4-5 that is 2nd category:
- On the basis of Clinical evaluation & Pathological criteria, 80% pts. Improved - Clinically & Pathologically. (Stable for > 3 months).
- No improvement was observed in 20% of pts.
60% patients have shown Clinical & Pathological improvement & maintained for 6-12months.
80% patients have shown Clinical & Pathological improvement & maintained for 3-6 months.

Clinical improvement as follows:
- Anorexia decreased
- Sense of well-being improved
- Energy level increased
- Edema decreased
- No changes in weight except +/- 1kg.

Pathological improvement:
- Hb improved
- Serum Creatinine & Serum BUN reduction
- Proteinuria decreased.

Ozone rectal insufflation are found to be more effective than IV ozone saline.

Conclusion: Patients who received rectal ozone continuously for more then 10 procedures are better improved and could maintain the improvement.
Growth under cold conditions in perennial ryegrass is under tight genetic control
Authors: Förster Lena , Grant Jim , Michel Thibauld , Ng Carl , Barth Susanne
Published: March 2018

Background. Perennial ryegrass is a cool-season grass species from the family Poaceae and is widely cultivated in temperate regions because it exhibits rapid growth and establishment, and possesses high forage quality. The extension of the growing season in Ireland in spring and autumn is a breeding target to make farming more profitable since a grass-fed diet based on grazing is the cheapest way of nutrition for ruminants. Methods. Fifty-seven perennial ryegrass accessions were screened for their ability to grow under typical Irish spring conditions as taken from long term temperature records in controlled climate chambers. They were grown in low temperature (8°C/2°C day/night) and control conditions (15°C/8°C day/night) in three consecutive independent experiments. Fresh weight, height, chlorophyll content and electrolyte leakage were measured, and these parameters were used to rank plant performance under low temperature growth conditions. Results. The results showed that height, yield and electrolyte leakage are excellent measures for the impact of cold stress tolerance. Little variation in growth was seen under cold stress, but a wide variety of responses were observed under control conditions. Discussion. Our results suggest that cold stress is under tight genetic control. Interestingly, the various genotypes responded differentially to more amenable control conditions, indicating that a quick response to more amenable growth conditions is a better target for breeding programmes.
Effects of xylo-oligosaccharide and flavomycin on the immune function of broiler chickens
Authors: Yuan Lin , Li Wanli , Huo Qianqian , Du Chenhong , Wang Zhixiang , Yi Baodi , Wang Mingfa
Published: March 2018

This study investigated the effects of xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) and flavomycin (FLA) on the performance and immune function of broiler chickens. A total of 150 ArborAcres broilers were randomly divided into three groups and fed for six weeks from one day of age in cascade cages. The diets of each test group were (1) a basal diet, (2) the basal diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg FLA, and (3) the basal diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg XOS. At 21 and 42 days, the growth performance index values and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the cecum were quantified. Furthermore, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and plasma interleukin 2 (IL-2) as well as mRNA expression of LPS-Induced TNF-alpha Factor (LITAF), Toll-like receptor-5 (TLR5) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) in the jejunum were quantified. The results showed that administration of XOS or FLA to chickens significantly improved the average daily gain. Supplementation with XOS increased acetate and butyrate in the cecum, while FLA supplementation increased propionate in the cecum. An increase in plasma IgG was observed in XOS-fed 21-day-old broilers, but FLA supplementation decreased IgG in the plasma of 42-day-old broilers and increased plasma IL-2. Furthermore, FLA or XOS supplementation downregulated mRNA expression of IFNγ, LITAF and TLR5. The above data suggest that addition of XOS and FLA to the diet could improve the growth performance of broilers and reduce the expression of cytokine genes by stimulating SCFA.
Spurious Additional Warming Reconstructed From Borehole Temperatures Corrected for the Effect of the Last Glacial Cycle
Authors: Šafanda Jan
Published: March 2018

Reconstructions of past ground surface temperature changes from temperature logs conducted in several hundred meter deep boreholes have proved to be a valuable independent source of information on climate variations over the last millennium. The reconstruction techniques have been evolving for more than two decades to extract optimally the climate signal of the last millennium contained in the temperature logs of different length performed in sites with different histories of the Last Glacial Cycle. This paper analyzes the method of the Last Glacial Cycle thermal effect removal from such borehole temperature profiles used by Beltrami et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071317) in reconstructing the last 500 year history. I show that the reported results of additional warming in this period reconstructed from the corrected borehole data for North America are an artifact generated by the correction.
Hydromechanical Earthquake Nucleation Model Forecasts Onset, Peak, and Falling Rates of Induced Seismicity in Oklahoma and Kansas
Authors: Norbeck J. H. , Rubinstein J. L.
Published: March 2018

The earthquake activity in Oklahoma and Kansas that began in 2008 reflects the most widespread instance of induced seismicity observed to date. We develop a reservoir model to calculate the hydrologic conditions associated with the activity of 902 saltwater disposal wells injecting into the Arbuckle aquifer. Estimates of basement fault stressing conditions inform a rate‐and‐state friction earthquake nucleation model to forecast the seismic response to injection. Our model replicates many salient features of the induced earthquake sequence, including the onset of seismicity, the timing of the peak seismicity rate, and the reduction in seismicity following decreased disposal activity. We present evidence for variable time lags between changes in injection and seismicity rates, consistent with the prediction from rate‐and‐state theory that seismicity rate transients occur over timescales inversely proportional to stressing rate. Given the efficacy of the hydromechanical model, as confirmed through a likelihood statistical test, the results of this study support broader integration of earthquake physics within seismic hazard analysis.
Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by Detrended Total Electron Content Maps Over Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo C. A. O. B. , Takahashi H. , Wrasse C. M. , Otsuka Y. , Shiokawa K. , Barros D.
Published: March 2018

A ground‐based network of Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers has been used to monitor medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs). MSTIDs were studied using total electron content perturbation maps and keograms over south‐southeast of Brazil during the period from December 2012 to February 2016. In total, 826 MSTIDs were observed mainly in daytime, thus presenting median values of horizontal wavelength, period, and horizontal phase velocity of 452 ± 107 km, 24 ± 4 min. and 323 ± 81 m/s, respectively. The direction of propagation varies on the season: during the winter (June–August), the waves preferentially propagated to north‐northeast, while in the other seasons the waves propagated to other directions. The anisotropy observed in the MSTID propagation direction could be associated with the region of the gravity wave generation that takes place in the troposphere. We also found that the MSTIDs were observed most frequently during the daytime, between 11 and 15 local time in winter and near to dusk solar terminator (17–19 local time) in the other seasons. Furthermore, the occurrence of MSTIDs was higher in winter. We suggest that atmospheric gravity waves in the thermosphere, mesosphere, and troposphere could play an important role in generating the MSTIDs and the propagation direction may depend on location of the wave sources.
Polar Cap Energy Deposition Events During the 5–6 August 2011 Magnetic Storm
Authors: Horvath Ildiko , Lovell Brian C.
Published: March 2018

We study the 5–6 August 2011 storm for its energy deposition events occurring deep in the polar cap region, where the consequential localized intensifications of earthward directed Poynting flux led to the development of their related localized neutral density increases. For unraveling the underlying physical processes, we investigate the relations among Poynting flux intensifications, flow channels (FCs), and localized neutral density enhancements plus the nature of the underlying reconnection events. Observational results demonstrate Poynting flux increase deep in the polar cap in a FC‐2 type FC during magnetopause reconnections and in a FC‐4 type FC during lobe reconnections. During the latter stages of these different types of reconnection events, energy/momentum transfer occurred along old‐open field lines and commonly led to the development of localized neutral density increases during their respective upwelling events fueled by field‐aligned currents and above/within these polar FCs. The prevailing BY domination and the pulsed nature of this storm created favorable conditions for the development of these FC‐2 and FC‐4 types in the sunlit northern summer hemisphere and caused the observed Poynting flux intensifications deep in the polar cap. The solar wind source of these reconnections taking place along old‐open field lines was situated in the high‐latitude boundary layer. Thus, the high‐latitude boundary layer dynamo provided a vigorous source of energy/momentum transfer during the latter‐stage reconnections unfolding along old‐open field lines.
Seismicity Induced by Wastewater Injection in Washington County, Ohio: Influence of Preexisting Structure, Regional Stress Regime, and Well Operations
Authors: Currie Brian S. , Free James C. , Brudzinski Michael R. , Leveridge Max , Skoumal Robert J.
Published: March 2018

Recent seismicity in Washington County, Ohio, has been suggested to be induced by wastewater disposal operations despite injection ~2 km above the Precambrian basement. We investigated the relationships between disposal well locations and operational histories, spatiotemporal patterns of seismicity enhanced by waveform correlation, and mapped subsurface structures. We also analyzed proxies for in situ stress conditions to evaluate existing principal stress orientations and magnitudes. Double‐difference relocations of small (ML ≤ 2.1) seismicity revealed linear clusters defining a NE‐SW orientation that parallels the trend of small‐amplitude folds in Upper Paleozoic rocks within 1–2 km of the injection well. Hypocenter depths of ~3.1 to 4.3 km indicate seismicity occurred along faults below the Silurian injection interval in lower Paleozoic strata and Precambrian crystalline basement. Similar folds/faults imaged in nearby seismic reflection lines were associated with basement‐involved fault systems that cut the injection interval targeted by the injection well, providing permeability pathways for fluid pressure increases that initiated slip. Interpreted faults were also optimally oriented in the regional stress field for reactivation due to injection‐related decreases in effective stress. Well completion records suggest that during the recorded seismicity, the Long Run‐1 well was injecting disposal fluids close to or above the fracture pressure of the targeted Silurian injection interval. A comparison of observed seismicity rates and monthly injection records from the disposal well also indicate a close correspondence between earthquake frequency and injection rate. Taken together, these results provide a physical framework for understanding why wastewater disposal operations induced the Washington County seismic sequence.
Aerosol and Urban Land Use Effect on Rainfall Around Cities in Indo‐Gangetic Basin From Observations and Cloud Resolving Model Simulations
Authors: Sarangi Chandan , Tripathi S. N. , Qian Yun , Kumar Shailendra , Ruby Leung L.
Published: March 2018

Coupling of urban land use land cover (LULC) and aerosol loading on rainfall around cities in the Gangetic Basin (GB) is examined here. Long‐term observations illustrate more rainfall at urban core and climatological downwind regions compared to the upwind regions of Kanpur, a metropolitan area located in central GB. In addition, analysis of a 15 day cloud resolving simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting model also illustrated similar rainfall pattern around other major cities in the GB. Interestingly, the enhancement of downwind rainfall was greater than that over urban regions, and it was positively associated with both the urban area of the city and ambient aerosol loading during the propagating storm. Further, to gain a process‐level understanding, a typical storm that propagated northwestward across Kanpur was simulated using Weather Research and Forecasting under three different scenarios. Case 1 has realistic LULC representation of Kanpur, while the grids representing the Kanpur urban region were replaced by cropland LULC pattern in Case 2. Comparison illustrated that urban heat island effect caused convergence of winds and moisture in the lower troposphere, which enhances convection over urban region and induced more rainfall over the urban core compared to upwind regions. Case 3 is similar to Case 1 but lower aerosol concentration (by a factor of 100) over the storm region. Analysis shows that aerosol‐induced microphysical changes delay the initiation of warm rain (over the upwind region) but enhance ice phase particle formation in latter stages (over the urban and downwind regions) resulting in increase in downwind rainfall.
Watershed System Model: The Essentials to Model Complex Human‐Nature System at the River Basin Scale
Authors: Li Xin , Cheng Guodong , Lin Hui , Cai Ximing , Fang Miao , Ge Yingchun , Hu Xiaoli , Chen Min , Li Weiyue
Published: March 2018

Watershed system models are urgently needed to understand complex watershed systems and to support integrated river basin management. Early watershed modeling efforts focused on the representation of hydrologic processes, while the next‐generation watershed models should represent the coevolution of the water‐land‐air‐plant‐human nexus in a watershed and provide capability of decision‐making support. We propose a new modeling framework and discuss the know‐how approach to incorporate emerging knowledge into integrated models through data exchange interfaces. We argue that the modeling environment is a useful tool to enable effective model integration, as well as create domain‐specific models of river basin systems. The grand challenges in developing next‐generation watershed system models include but are not limited to providing an overarching framework for linking natural and social sciences, building a scientifically based decision support system, quantifying and controlling uncertainties, and taking advantage of new technologies and new findings in the various disciplines of watershed science. The eventual goal is to build transdisciplinary, scientifically sound, and scale‐explicit watershed system models that are to be codesigned by multidisciplinary communities.
Flux and Seasonality of Dissolved Organic Matter From the Northern Dvina (Severnaya Dvina) River, Russia
Authors: Johnston Sarah Ellen , Shorina Natalia , Bulygina Ekaterina , Vorobjeva Taisya , Chupakova Anna , Klimov Sergey I. , Kellerman Anne M. , Guillemette Francois , Shiklomanov Alexander , Podgorski David C. , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: March 2018

Pan‐Arctic riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes represent a major transfer of carbon from land‐to‐ocean, and past scaling estimates have been predominantly derived from the six major Arctic rivers. However, smaller watersheds are constrained to northern high‐latitude regions and, particularly with respect to the Eurasian Arctic, have received little attention. In this study, we evaluated the concentration of DOC and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) via optical parameters, biomarkers (lignin phenols), and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry in the Northern Dvina River (a midsized high‐latitude constrained river). Elevated DOC, lignin concentrations, and aromatic DOM indicators were observed throughout the year in comparison to the major Arctic rivers with seasonality exhibiting a clear spring freshet and also some years a secondary pulse in the autumn concurrent with the onset of freezing. Chromophoric DOM absorbance at a350 was strongly correlated to DOC and lignin across the hydrograph; however, the relationships did not fit previous models derived from the six major Arctic rivers. Updated DOC and lignin fluxes were derived for the pan‐Arctic watershed by scaling from the Northern Dvina resulting in increased DOC and lignin fluxes (50 Tg yr−1 and 216 Gg yr−1, respectively) compared to past estimates. This leads to a reduction in the residence time for terrestrial carbon in the Arctic Ocean (0.5 to 1.8 years). These findings suggest that constrained northern high‐latitude rivers are underrepresented in models of fluxes based from the six largest Arctic rivers with important ramifications for the export and fate of terrestrial carbon in the Arctic Ocean.
Average information‐weighted consensus filter for target tracking in distributed sensor networks with naivety issues
Authors: Yao Peng , Liu Gang , Liu Yanfei
Published: March 2018

In the consensus‐based state estimation, multiple neighboring nodes iteratively exchange their local information with each other and the goal is to get more accurate and more convergent state estimation on each node. In order to improve network scalability and fault tolerance, the distributed sensor networks are desirable because the requirements of the fusion node are eliminated. However, the state estimation becomes challenging in the case of limited sensing regions and/or distinct measurement‐noise covariances. A novel distributed average information‐weighted consensus filter (AICF) is proposed, which does not require the knowledge of the total number of sensor nodes. Based on the weighted average consensus, AICF effectively addresses the naivety issues caused by unequal measurement‐noise covariances. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification show that AICF can approach the optimal centralized state estimation.
Lithiation/Delithiation Synthesis of Few Layer Silicene Nanosheets for Rechargeable Li–O2 Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wenyu , Sun Libo , Nsanzimana Jean Marie Vianney , Wang Xin
Published: March 2018

Silicene has recently received increasing interest due to its unique properties. However, the synthesis of silicene remains challenging, which limits its wide applications. In this work, a top‐down lithiation and delithiation process is developed to prepare few layer silicene‐like nanosheets from ball‐milled silicon nanopowders. It is found that delithiation solvent plays a critical role in the structure evolution of the final products. The use of isopropyl alcohol renders 2D silicene‐like products 30–100 nm in length and ≈2.4 nm in thickness. The electrochemical characterization analysis suggests that the product shows high performance for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries with 73% energy efficiency and high stability. The top‐down synthesis strategy proposed in this work not only provides a new solution to the challenging preparation issue of few layer silicene but also demonstrates the feasibility of producing 2D materials from nonlayered starting structures.
Nanomaterials for Cancer Precision Medicine
Authors: Wang Yilong , Sun Shuyang , Zhang Zhiyuan , Shi Donglu
Published: March 2018

Medical science has recently advanced to the point where diagnosis and therapeutics can be carried out with high precision, even at the molecular level. A new field of “precision medicine” has consequently emerged with specific clinical implications and challenges that can be well‐addressed by newly developed nanomaterials. Here, a nanoscience approach to precision medicine is provided, with a focus on cancer therapy, based on a new concept of “molecularly‐defined cancers.” “Next‐generation sequencing” is introduced to identify the oncogene that is responsible for a class of cancers. This new approach is fundamentally different from all conventional cancer therapies that rely on diagnosis of the anatomic origins where the tumors are found. To treat cancers at molecular level, a recently developed “microRNA replacement therapy” is applied, utilizing nanocarriers, in order to regulate the driver oncogene, which is the core of cancer precision therapeutics. Furthermore, the outcome of the nanomediated oncogenic regulation has to be accurately assessed by the genetically characterized, patient‐derived xenograft models. Cancer therapy in this fashion is a quintessential example of precision medicine, presenting many challenges to the materials communities with new issues in structural design, surface functionalization, gene/drug storage and delivery, cell targeting, and medical imaging.
Preparation and the swelling properties of sodium alginate graft poly (acrylic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamide‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid)/graphene oxide hydrogel composite
Authors: Zhu Linhui , Liu Yangwenyi , Wang Fangyuan , He Tengteng , Tang Yaoji , Yang Jing
Published: March 2018

Sodium alginate graft poly (acrylic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamide‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid)/graphene oxide (SA‐g‐P(AA‐co‐AMPS)/GO) hydrogel composite is prepared. The composite is characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The swelling properties of the composite are investigated. GO acts as part of the cross‐linking points, which improves the swelling property of the composite. Maximal amount of absorption capacity in water and 0.9% NaCl is 862.3 and 164.7 g/g, respectively, with a GO content of 5 wt% of total mass of monomers. However, the absorption of water and 0.9% NaCl is only 390.3 and 52.5 g/g, respectively, without the incorporation of GO. Water retention properties of the composite are also tested.