bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird
Authors: Kolts Jaan R. , McRae Susan B.
Published: January 2017

A comprehensive understanding of spatiotemporal ecology is needed to develop conservation strategies for declining species. The king rail (Rallus elegans) is a secretive marsh bird whose range historically extended across the eastern United States. Inland migratory populations have been greatly reduced with most remaining populations inhabiting the coastal margins. Our objectives were to determine the migratory status of breeding king rails on the mid‐Atlantic coast and to characterize home range size, seasonal patterns of movement, and habitat use. Using radiotelemetry, we tracked individual king rails among seasons, and established that at least a segment of this breeding population is resident. Mean (±SE) home range size was 19.8 ± 5.0 ha (95% kernel density) or 2.5 ± 0.9 (50% kernel density). We detected seasonal variation and sex differences in home range size and habitat use. In the nonbreeding season, resident male home ranges coincided essentially with their breeding territories. Overwintering males were more likely than females to be found in natural emergent marsh with a greater area of open water. Females tended to have larger home ranges than males during the nonbreeding season. We report for the first time the use of wooded natural marsh by overwintering females. Brood‐rearing king rails led their young considerable distances away from their nests (average maximum distance: ~600 ± 200 m) and used both wooded natural and impounded marsh. King rails moved between natural marsh and managed impoundments during all life stages, but the proximity of these habitat types particularly benefitted brood‐rearing parents seeking foraging areas with shallower water in proximity to cover. Our results demonstrate the importance of interspersion of habitat types to support resident breeders. Summer draining of impounded wetlands that are seasonally flooded for wintering waterfowl allows regrowth of vegetation and provides additional habitat at a critical time for wading birds.
Determining the factors affecting the distribution of Muscari latifolium, an endemic plant of Turkey, and a mapping species distribution model
Authors: Yilmaz Hatice , Yilmaz Osman Yalçın , Akyüz Yaşar Feyza
Published: January 2017

Species distribution modeling was used to determine factors among the large predictor candidate data set that affect the distribution of Muscari latifolium, an endemic bulbous plant species of Turkey, to quantify the relative importance of each factor and make a potential spatial distribution map of M. latifolium. Models were built using the Boosted Regression Trees method based on 35 presence and 70 absence records obtained through field sampling in the Gönen Dam watershed area of the Kazdağı Mountains in West Anatolia. Large candidate variables of monthly and seasonal climate, fine‐scale land surface, and geologic and biotic variables were simplified using a BRT simplifying procedure. Analyses performed on these resources, direct and indirect variables showed that there were 14 main factors that influence the species’ distribution. Five of the 14 most important variables influencing the distribution of the species are bedrock type, Quercus cerris density, precipitation during the wettest month, Pinus nigra density, and northness. These variables account for approximately 60% of the relative importance for determining the distribution of the species. Prediction performance was assessed by 10 random subsample data sets and gave a maximum the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.93 and an average AUC value of 0.8. This study provides a significant contribution to the knowledge of the habitat requirements and ecological characteristics of this species. The distribution of this species is explained by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors. Hence, using biotic interaction and fine‐scale land surface variables in species distribution models improved the accuracy and precision of the model. The knowledge of the relationships between distribution patterns and environmental factors and biotic interaction of M. latifolium can help develop a management and conservation strategy for this species.
Influence of thermal treatment on the stability of vegetable “milk” obtained by ultrafiltration of aqueous oil body extracts from various sources
Authors: Naziri Eleni , Koupantsis Thomas , Mantzouridou Fani Th. , Paraskevopoulou Adamantini , Tsimidou Maria Z. , Kiosseoglou Vassilios
Published: January 2017

Vegetable “milk” obtained by aqueous extraction of oil bodies from maize germ, hazelnut, or sesame seed, followed by concentration of the extracts by ultrafiltration were subjected to thermal treatment to ensure their microbial quality and safety. Thermal treatment did not induce any important variations on the volatile profile of the hazelnut and sesame seed “milk” products, while the aroma character of maize germ “milk” was appreciably affected. The physical stability of both the maize germ and hazelnut “milk” was not adversely influenced by the thermal treatment as they exhibited satisfactory stability against droplet aggregation/coalescence during storage. On the contrary, the heated sesame seed “milk” was destabilized through the development of droplet aggregates. Studies on the oxidative stability of the “milk” products revealed a positive effect of heating while no losses in different classes of endogenous bioactive constituents (tocopherols and lignans) were observed. The potential industrial applications are discussed.

Practical applications: The consumption of food products with enhanced health benefits such as vegetable “milk” is gaining ground due to the change of the dietary habits of the consumers towards non‐dairy products. The stability of “milk” products based on concentrated (i.e., by ultrafiltration) aqueous oil body extracts of maize germ, hazelnut, and sesame seed has never been examined before. The investigation of the impact of thermal treatment on the microbiological, physical, and oxidative stability of such product is of scientific interest as well as of practical application since it reflects the quality assurance and the higher economic sustainability of such products in the market.

The hazelnut and maize germ “milks” are promising novel products while sesame seed “milk” can be used as raw material for other applications.
Cerium Chloride Catalyzed, 2‐Iodoxybenzoic Acid Mediated Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Multiple Heterocycles at Room Temperature
Authors: Hati Santanu , Sen Subhabrata
Published: January 2017

Catalytic cerium chloride was found to activate 2‐iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) for the oxidative dehydrogenation of tetrahydroisoquinolines, tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines, and thiazolidines to their dehydrogenated and aromatic forms at room temperature in moderate to excellent yields. The robustness of the protocol was demonstrated by scaling up the reactions to multigram quantities.
Isomotive dielectrophoresis for parallel analysis of individual particles
Authors: Allen Daniel J. , Accolla Robert P. , Williams Stuart J.
Published: January 2017

Two dielectrophoresis systems are introduced where the induced dielectrophoretic force is constant throughout the experimental region, resulting in uniform (isomotive) microparticle translation. Isomotive dielectrophoresis (isoDEP) is accomplished through a unique geometry where the gradient of the field‐squared (∇) is constant, a characteristic that is otherwise highly nonuniform in traditional DEP platforms. The governing isoDEP equations were derived herein and applied to two different isoDEP prototypes: (i) one fabricated from deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) of a conductive silicon wafer (1–10 Ω‐cm) whose patterned features served as electrodes and microchannel sidewalls simultaneously; (ii) a second where the electric field is applied lengthwise through a PDMS microchannel whose geometry follows a specific curvature. Both positive and negative dielectrophoresis was demonstrated with the isoDEP devices using silver‐coated hollow glass spheres and polystyrene particles, respectively. Particle tracking was used to compare particle trajectory with the expected dielectrophoretic response; further, particle velocity was used to measure the Clausius–Mossotti factor of individual polystyrene particles (18–24.9 μm) in both devices with a value of –0.40 ± 0.063 (n = 110) and –0.48 ± 0.055 (n = 18) for the DRIE and PDMS isoDEP platforms, respectively. The isoDEP platform is capable of analyzing multiple particles simultaneously, providing greater throughput than traditional electrorotation platforms.
Carbon Capture and Utilization Update
Authors: Al‐Mamoori Ahmed , Krishnamurthy Anirudh , Rownaghi Ali A. , Rezaei Fateme
Published: January 2017

In recent years, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has been proposed as a potential technological solution to the problems of greenhouse‐gas emissions and the ever‐growing energy demand. To combat climate change and ocean acidification as a result of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, efforts have already been put forth to capture and sequester CO2 from large point sources, especially power plants; however, the utilization of CO2 as a feedstock to make valuable chemicals, materials, and transportation fuels is potentially more desirable and provides a better and long‐term solution than sequestration. The products of CO2 utilization can supplement or replace chemical feedstocks in the fine chemicals, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current status of CO2‐capture technologies and their associated challenges and opportunities with respect to efficiency and economy followed by an overview of various carbon‐utilization approaches. The current status of combined CO2 capture and utilization, as a novel efficient and cost‐effective approach, is also briefly discussed. We summarize the main challenges associated with the design, development, and large‐scale deployment of CO2 capture and utilization processes to provide a perspective and roadmap for the development of new technologies and opportunities to accelerate their scale‐up in the near future.
Cultivation of Chlorella mutant in cellulosic ethanol wastewater using a static mixing airlift photo‐bioreactor for simultaneous wastewater treatment
Authors: Li Fei , Chang Chun , Zhang Quan , Bai Jing , Fang Shuqi
Published: January 2017

Cellulosic ethanol wastewater (CEW) is a mixture of wastewater from different procedures of cellulosic ethanol production. It cannot be completely purified with a secondary treatment method, such as anaerobic digestion. Microalgae cultivation is an effective way that can achieve advanced wastewater remediation and biomass production simultaneously. In this study, a static mixing airlift photo‐bioreactor (PBR) was designed for the cultivation of a Chlorella vulgaris mutant (named as Chlorella vulgaris CEW‐1) that was induced by ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis. The microalgae exhibited sufficient robustness to undiluted CEW and its growth process in CEW under different conditions was investigated. The maximum biomass productivity in the static mixing airlift PBR can reach up to 1.98 g/L. The chemical oxygen demands removal rate (CODrr), total ammonia nitrogen removal rate (TANrr) and total phosphorus removal rate (TPrr) of the CEW were 54.8%, 97.6%, and 84.2%, respectively. Moreover, the kinetics of cell growth and substrate consumption of CEW were developed with logistic and modified Luedeking–Piret models. The superior efficiency of the static mixing PBR in microalgae cultivation and CEW treatment was further validated and compared with the other two PBRs. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1274–1281, 2017
Modified seismic design of concentrically braced frames considering flexural demand on columns
Authors: Kumar P. C. Ashwin , Anand Shubham , Sahoo Dipti Ranjan
Published: January 2017

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) are considered as one of the most economical and effective lateral force‐resisting systems in structures located in the regions of high seismicity. Steel braces in a braced frame undergo large axial deformations in tension and compression to dissipate the seismic energy. However, past studies have shown that SCBFs exhibit the soft‐story hinge mechanisms and unpredictable failure patterns under earthquake loading conditions. These inelastic responses along with the use of continuous structural sections as columns over consecutive floors induce flexural demand that is not considered in the current design practice. In this study, the evaluation of seismic performance of nine SCBFs designed as per the current practice has been carried out for three different story heights (i.e., three‐story, six‐story, and nine‐story) and three types of brace configurations (namely, chevron, splitX, and singleX). Three additional design techniques are also explored based on (i) the inclusion of column moments in the design; (ii) the theory of formation of plastic hinges; and (iii) the design of braces considering the forces computed at their post‐buckled stages. Nonlinear dynamic analyses of these study frames have been evaluated numerically using a computer software Perform‐3D for a suite of 40 ground motions representing the design basis earthquake and maximum considered earthquake hazard levels. Analyses results showed that the SCBFs designed as per the modified procedures achieved the desired performance objectives without the formation of soft‐story mechanism. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of a tower solar collector‐aided coal‐fired power generation system
Authors: Duan Liqiang , Yu Xiaohui , Jia Shilun , Wang Buyun , Zhang Jinsheng
Published: January 2017

In this paper, a tower solar collector‐aided coal‐fired power generation (TSCACPG) system is proposed and studied in order to save the fossil energy and protect the environment. The integration scheme of tower solar collector and conventional coal‐fired power plant is proposed. Based on the simulation platform TRNSYS, the TSCACPG system model is established and the dynamic performance of the TSCACPG system with the operating mode of coal saving is studied. The TSCACPG system performances of 1 day and 1 year are all discussed by using the DNI data of typical year in Chinese typical city of Dunhuang. Then, the sensitivity analysis of the TSCACPG system is carried out by changing the heliostat field scale (the size of the molten salt tower also changes accordingly). The annual performance of the TSCACPG system is also acquired. In consideration of the economic costs, the heliostat field area with the maximum annual solar‐to‐electric efficiency is selected as the optimal value. The results show that, for the case studied, the optimal heliostat field area is 101,400 m2, and the maximum annual solar‐to‐electric efficiency is 16.74%. And under the optimal situation, the standard coal consumption rate of the original coal‐fired power plant is reduced from 301.5 g/kWh to 294.5 g/kWh.
A taxonomic note on the Cephalaria sect. Atrocephalae (Caprifoliaceae) from Iran
Authors: Ranjbar Massoud , Ranjbar Zahra
Published: January 2017

Cephalaria kleinii Ranjbar & Z. Ranjbar sp. nova from Iran is described and illustrated. It is confined to Mazandaran province in northern Iran. The new species is closely related to C. kotschyi Boiss. & Hohen., but differs from it by its abaxial leaves colour, its basal leaves shape, dissection and petiole length, by the shape of apices of lateral and terminal segments of the cauline leaves, by the shape of apices of lateral and terminal segments of the upper leaves and by peduncle length. Furthermore, C. axillaris is resurrected and lectotypes are designated for C. axillaris and C. kotschyi for the first time.
Effects of starch concentration on calcium‐enhanced black bullhead catfish protein gels
Authors: Paker Ilgin , Matak Kristen E.
Published: January 2017

Calcium‐enhanced protein recovered from black bullhead catfish was used to develop gels containing increasing amounts of potato starch (0–20 g/kg protein paste) and the effects of starch on functional, textural, and color properties were tested. Energy required to unfold protein groups was greater with the addition of 5 g starch/kg protein paste. Gels containing starch were harder, chewier, and less springy (p < .05) than gels without starch. For most measurements, regression analysis showed that increasing the starch concentration beyond 5 g/kg did not contribute to further significant textural changes. Torsional shear stress and strain along with Kramer shear force increased as the concentration of starch increased (R2 = .79, .79, and .53, respectively). The addition of ≥10 g starch/kg protein paste resulted in darker gels and gels got darker as more starch was added (R2 = .71). Results showed no benefit to increasing starch concentration in gels beyond 5 g starch/kg protein paste.
A step toward regionalized scale-consistent agricultural life cycle assessment inventories
Authors: Morais Tiago G , Teixeira Ricardo FM , Domingos Tiago
Published: January 2017

Life cycle inventory (LCI) regionalization (i.e., the determination of input and output flows from production processes at a subcountry scale) is a priority in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, particularly in the agri-food sector. Many regionalized LCAs fail to ensure that microlevel inventories are consistent with country-level aggregated data—or “scale consistent.” They also fail to construct LCIs using international reference guidelines and trustworthy standardized data sources. This failure generates inaccuracies and biases in inventories and can compromise comparability among international LCA studies. Our study introduces scale consistency as a principle for regionalized agri-food LCIs. We present a generic procedure that defines how scale-dependent LCI flows should be regionalized, depending on data availability. We then present a list of inventory flows that require regionalization and their suggested calculation procedures (methods and models) from 2 methodological guides developed by projects Agribalyse and World Food LCA Database. As proof of concept, we apply the procedure to Portugal and assess whether the methods and models proposed for each type of inventory flow in both guides can potentially be applied consistently with the data available. For 17 inventory flows, we apply calculated scale-consistent inventory flows for Portuguese agriculture, covering 260 products that can be used in future LCA studies. Comparing results with international databases, we show that this procedure can improve country-level estimates significantly. Our study is the first step in introducing scale consistency as a guiding principle for regionalized LCIs for agri-food LCA studies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:939–951. © 2017 SETAC

Key Points

This paper introduces the idea of scale consistency in life cycle inventory (LCI) regionalization for the agri-food sector and proposes an expedited method to operationalize this idea. Scale-consistency is not spontaneously reached by methods and models commonly proposed for inventory regionalization and requires explicit consideration in procedures to aid comparability between products from different countries. We use the Portuguese case to build a regionalized and scale-consistent LCI using the method proposed in this study.
Dynamics of the KB Proton Pathway in Cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus
Authors: von Ballmoos Christoph , Smirnova Irina , Poiana Federica , Gonska Nathalie , Chang Hsin‐Yang , Gennis Robert B. , Brzezinski Peter , Ädelroth Pia
Published: January 2017

The ba3 cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus is a B‐type oxygen‐reducing heme‐copper oxidase and a proton pump. It uses only one proton pathway for transfer of protons to the catalytic site, the KB pathway. It was previously shown that the ba3 oxidase has an overall similar reaction sequence to that in mitochondrial‐like A‐type oxidases. However, the timing of loading the pump site, and formation and decay of catalytic intermediates is different in the two types of oxidases. In the present study, we have investigated variants in which two amino acids of the KB proton pathway leading to the catalytic site were exchanged; Tyr‐248 (located ∼23 Å below the active site towards the cytoplasm) in subunit I (Y248T) and Glu‐15 (∼26 Å below the active site, ∼16 Å from Tyr‐248) in subunit II (E15IIQ). Even though the overall catalytic turnover in these two variants is similar and very low (<1 % of wildtype), the substitutions had distinctly different effects on the kinetics of proton transfer to the catalytic site. The results indicate that the Glu‐15II is the only essentially crucial residue of the KB pathway, but that the Tyr‐248 also plays a distinct role in defining an internal proton donor and controlling the dynamics of proton transfer to the pump site and the catalytic site.
Correlation between rapid HIV testing and fourth‐generation ELISA results for HIV detection among pregnant patients in the delivery room
Authors: Almaguer Alejandro G. , Mendoza‐Flores Lidia , Sánchez‐López Luis A. , Palau‐Dávila Laura A. , Padilla‐Orozco Magaly , Camacho‐Ortiz Adrián
Published: January 2017

Objective

To analyze the usefulness of rapid HIV testing in pregnant patients in the delivery room.

Methods

This prospective study compared a rapid test and a fourth‐generation enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) for HIV screening among pregnant patients admitted in labor with an unknown HIV status at a university hospital in Mexico between July 2015 and February 2016. Pearson correlation analysis was performed, and the diagnostic accuracy of the two tests was assessed with HIV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the reference method.

Results

Overall, 534 patients were included. With a signal‐to‐cutoff (S/CO) value of 1.0 or more as a diagnostic criterion, 6 (1.1%) patients had a positive ELISA result. Three had a negative rapid test and three had a positive test (r=0.705). With an S/CO value of 2.0 or more as cutoff, 4 (0.7%) patients had a positive ELISA result. Three had a positive rapid test and one had a negative test (r=0.865). Only three of six patients with an S/CO of 1.0 or more were confirmed to have HIV by RNA PCR.

Conclusion

The rapid test showed a strong correlation with the fourth‐generation ELISA. Therefore, rapid testing is a useful tool in the delivery room for patients with unknown HIV status.
Tetramethylpyrazine attenuates sinusoidal angiogenesis via inhibition of hedgehog signaling in liver fibrosis
Authors: Zhao Shifeng , Zhang Zili , Yao Zhen , Shao Jiangjuan , Chen Anping , Zhang Feng , Zheng Shizhong
Published: January 2017

Accumulating evidence indicates that hedgehog signaling plays a pivotal role in pathological angiogenesis and is involved in wound‐healing responses in a number of adult tissues, including the liver. We previously demonstrated that hedgehog signaling promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on hedgehog signaling and to further examine the molecular mechanisms of TMP‐induced antiangiogenesic effects in liver fibrosis. We found that TMP ameliorated the expression of proangiogenic markers vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF‐R2), platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB), platelet‐derived growth factor‐β receptor (PDGF‐βR) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α), concomitant with reduced abundance of endothelial markers platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1/CD31), CD34 and von willebrand factor in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, TMP attenuated the abundance of sonic hedgehog, smoothened (Smo) and glioblastoma but increased the expression of hedgehog‐interacting protein in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, which was underlying mechanism for the antiangiogenesic activity of TMP. Downregulation of Smo activity, using selective Smo inhibitor cyclopamine, lead to a synergistic effect with TMP, whereas Smo overexpression plasmid impaired the induction of antiangiogenesic effects of TMP. Overall, these results provide novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of TMP‐inhibited liver sinusoidal angiogenesis, by which points to the possibility of using TMP‐based antiangiogenic drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(2):115–127, 2017
Mutantelec: An In Silico mutation simulation platform for comparative electrostatic potential profiling of proteins
Authors: Valdebenito‐Maturana Braulio , Reyes‐Suarez Jose Antonio , Henriquez Jaime , Holmes David S. , Quatrini Raquel , Pohl Ehmke , Arenas‐Salinas Mauricio
Published: January 2017

The electrostatic potential plays a key role in many biological processes like determining the affinity of a ligand to a given protein target, and they are responsible for the catalytic activity of many enzymes. Understanding the effect that amino acid mutations will have on the electrostatic potential of a protein, will allow a thorough understanding of which residues are the most important in a protein. MutantElec, is a friendly web application for in silico generation of site‐directed mutagenesis of proteins and the comparison of electrostatic potential between the wild type protein and the mutant(s), based on the three‐dimensional structure of the protein. The effect of the mutation is evaluated using different approach to the traditional surface map. MutantElec provides a graphical display of the results that allows the visualization of changes occurring at close distance from the mutation and thus uncovers the local and global impact of a specific change. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systems approach to physiologic evolution: From micelles to consciousness
Authors: Torday John S. , Miller William B.
Published: January 2017

A systems approach to evolutionary biology offers the promise of an improved understanding of the fundamental principles of life through the effective integration of many biologic disciplines. It is presented that any critical integrative approach to evolutionary development involves a paradigmatic shift in perspective, more than just the engagement of a large number of disciplines. Critical to this differing viewpoint is the recognition that all biological processes originate from the unicellular state and remain permanently anchored to that phase throughout evolutionary development despite their macroscopic appearances. Multicellular eukaryotic development can, therefore, be viewed as a series of connected responses to epiphenomena that proceeds from that base in continuous iterative maintenance of collective cellular homeostatic equipoise juxtaposed against an ever‐changing and challenging environment. By following this trajectory of multicellular eukaryotic evolution from within unicellular First Principles of Physiology forward, the mechanistic nature of complex physiology can be identified through a step‐wise analysis of a continuous arc of vertebrate evolution based upon serial exaptations.
Re‐emerging of rabies in Shaanxi province, China, from 2009 to 2015
Authors: Ma Chaofeng , Hao Xiaoyun , Deng Huiling , Wu Rui , Liu Jifeng , Yang Yang , Li Shen , Han Yifei , Wei Mingmin , Zhang Junjun , Wang Jingjun , Li Hengxin , Tian Huaiyu , Xu Bing , Yu Pengbo , Wu Xiaokang
Published: January 2017

To explore the epidemiological, phylogeographic, and migration characteristics of human rabies in Shaanxi province, China from 2009 to 2015. The collected data were described and the sequenced glycoprotein (G) and nucleoprotein (N) genes were implemented to estimate the evolutionary rates and phylogeographic patterns using BEAST v.1.8.2. A total of 269 rabies cases were reported and 70.26% of the cases were male and 61.71% were between the ages of 19‐59. The majority of the cases were farmers (83.27%). The estimated evolutionary rate of the N genes was 2.4 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year and the G genes was 3.4 × 10−4. The time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) was estimated around 1990. We detected viral migration paths from Sichuan, Guizhou, and Hunan to Hanzhong prefecture of Shaanxi and then spreaded to Xi'an and other prefectures. The main population affected by rabies virus was male adult farmers. The evolution rate of rabies viruses in Shaanxi was similar with the prior results reported by others and the ancestor virus should be circulating in neighboring province Sichuan around 1990 and then transmitted to Shaanxi. Promptly standard wound treatment and timely post‐exposure prophylaxis should be compulsory for the dog‐bitten victims.
Root architectural responses of wheat cultivars to localised phosphorus application are phenotypically similar
Authors: Rabbi Sheikh M.F. , Guppy Chris N. , Tighe Matthew K. , Flavel Richard J. , Young Iain M.
Published: January 2017

Differences in nutrient recovery from fertiliser bands may improve cereal variety selection. The objective of this study was to identify the variation in root plasticity across commonly grown Australian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars in response to a phosphorus (P)‐enriched band. Ten wheat cultivars were screened for root proliferation within a 150 mg P kg−1 band in P‐responsive soil. Plants were destructively harvested at the four‐leaf phenological stage and various growth parameters, including root length density (RLD), were measured on banded and uniformly adequate P treatments. All wheat cultivars increased RLD between three and nine times in the P band. However, there was no significant difference in root plasticity among the cultivars tested. Although all cultivars produced longer, though ≈ 9% thinner roots when responding to the P band, the phenotypic response was unable to compensate fully for the lower P status encountered in the soil. Despite 23% longer root lengths in the P‐band treatments, P uptake per unit root length was 78% lower than in uniformly adequate P treatments. Our results indicate that root plasticity of wheat cultivars in a P‐enriched band was phenotypically similar. Further research is necessary before selecting for wheat cultivars that respond to localised nutrient patches with increased RLD.
Three‐dimensional printing of MRI‐visible phantoms and MR image‐guided therapy simulation
Authors: Mitsouras Dimitris , Lee Thomas C. , Liacouras Peter , Ionita Ciprian N. , Pietilla Todd , Maier Stephan E. , Mulkern Robert V.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To demonstrate the use of anatomic MRI‐visible three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed phantoms and to assess process accuracy and material MR signal properties.

Methods

A cervical spine model was generated from computed tomography (CT) data and 3D‐printed using an MR signal‐generating material. Printed phantom accuracy and signal characteristics were assessed using 120 kVp CT and 3 Tesla (T) MR imaging. The MR relaxation rates and diffusion coefficient of the fabricated phantom were measured and 1H spectra were acquired to provide insight into the nature of the proton signal. Finally, T2‐weighted imaging was performed during cryoablation of the model.

Results

The printed model produced a CT signal of 102 ± 8 Hounsfield unit, and an MR signal roughly 1/3rd that of saline in short echo time/short repetition time GRE MRI (456 ± 36 versus 1526 ± 121 arbitrary signal units). Compared with the model designed from the in vivo CT scan, the printed model differed by 0.13 ± 0.11 mm in CT, and 0.62 ± 0.28 mm in MR. The printed material had T2∼32 ms,
∼7 ms, T1∼193 ms, and a very small diffusion coefficient less than olive oil. MRI monitoring of the cryoablation demonstrated iceball formation similar to an in vivo procedure.

Conclusion

Current 3D printing technology can be used to print anatomically accurate phantoms that can be imaged by both CT and MRI. Such models can be used to simulate MRI‐guided interventions such as cryosurgeries. Future development of the proposed technique can potentially lead to printed models that depict different tissues and anatomical structures with different MR signal characteristics. Magn Reson Med 77:613–622, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
An indirect method for in vivo T2 mapping of [1‐13C] pyruvate using hyperpolarized 13C CSI
Authors: Joe Eunhae , Lee Hansol , Lee Joonsung , Yang Seungwook , Choi Young‐Suk , Wang Eunkyung , Song Ho‐Taek , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: January 2017

An indirect method for in vivo T2 mapping of 13C–labeled metabolites using T2 and T2* information of water protons obtained a priori is proposed. The T2 values of 13C metabolites are inferred using the relationship to T2′ of coexisting 1H and the T2* of 13C metabolites, which is measured using routine hyperpolarized 13C CSI data. The concept is verified with phantom studies. Simulations were performed to evaluate the extent of T2 estimation accuracy due to errors in the other measurements. Also, bias in the 13C T2* estimation from the 13C CSI data was studied. In vivo experiments were performed from the brains of normal rats and a rat with C6 glioma. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method provides accurate and unbiased 13C T2 values within typical experimental settings. The in vivo studies found that the estimated T2 of [1‐13C] pyruvate using the indirect method was longer in tumor than in normal tissues and gave values similar to previous reports. This method can estimate localized T2 relaxation times from multiple voxels using conventional hyperpolarized 13C CSI and can potentially be used with time resolved fast CSI.
Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines Catalyzed by a Polysilane/SiO2‐Supported Palladium Catalyst under Continuous‐Flow Conditions
Authors: Saito Yuki , Ishitani Haruro , Ueno Masaharu , Kobayashi Shū
Published: January 2017

Hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines with heterogeneous catalysts under liquid‐phase continuous‐flow conditions is described. Newly developed polysilane/SiO2‐supported Pd was found to be an effective catalyst and various nitriles were converted into primary amine salts in almost quantitative yields under mild reaction conditions. Interestingly, a complex mixture was obtained under batch conditions. Lifetime experiments showed that this catalyst remained active for more than 300 h (TON≥10 000) without loss of selectivity and no metal leaching from the catalyst occurred. By using this continuous‐flow hydrogenation, synthesis of venlafaxine, an antidepressant drug, has been accomplished.
Achieving reactive species specificity within plasma‐activated water through selective generation using air spark and glow discharges
Authors: Lu Peng , Boehm Daniela , Bourke Paula , Cullen Patrick J.
Published: January 2017

Plasma‐activated liquids (PAL) attract increasing interest with demonstrated biological effects. Plasma exposure in air produces stable aqueous reactive species which can serve as chemical diagnostics of PAL systems. Here, we tailor aqueous reactive species inside plasma‐activated water (PAW) through treating water with AC air spark and glow discharges in contact with water. Chemical probing demonstrated species specificity between two types of PAW. Spark discharge PAW contains and , while and are generated in glow discharge PAW. Species formation in different PAWs have been discussed in terms of discharge mechanisms and liquid phase chemistry process. Species specificity can provide richer parametric spaces for producing PALs with controlled impact and dosage achievable by combining discharge modes or mixing different PALs.
The modified respiratory index score (RIS) guides resource allocation in acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Chong Shu‐Ling , Teoh Oon Hoe , Nadkarni Nivedita , Yeo Joo Guan , Lwin Zaw , Ong Yong‐Kwang Gene , Lee Jan Hau
Published: January 2017

Background and Objective

Bronchiolitis is a common disease in early childhood with increasing healthcare utilization. We aim to study how well a simple and improved respiratory score (the modified Respiratory Index Score [RIS]) would perform when predicting for a warranted admission.

Methods

This is an observational prospective study, from June 2015 to December 2015 in a paediatric emergency department (ED) of a large tertiary hospital in Singapore. We included children aged less than 2 years old, presenting with typical symptoms and signs of bronchiolitis but excluded children with four or more previous wheezes, a gestation of <35 weeks, and known cardiopulmonary disease. We also performed a sensitivity analysis for children presenting with their first wheeze. We defined a warranted admission as a composite of: The need for airway intervention, intravenous hydration, and a hospital stay of 2 days or more.

Results

Among 1,818 patients, the median age was 10.8 months (IQR 7.2–15.9). The median modified RIS score was 4.0 (IQR 3.0–5.0). A total of 19 (1.0%) children required respiratory support, 101 (5.6%) received intravenous hydration, and 571 (31.4%) required a hospital stay of 2 days or more. After adjusting for age and duration of illness, a modified RIS score of >4 predicted significantly for a warranted admission (adjusted Odds Ratio: 3.28, 95% confidence interval: 2.62–4.12). The association remained significant among children presenting with their first wheeze.

Conclusions

This simple respiratory tool predicts for the need for respiratory support, intravenous hydration, and a significant hospital stay of 2 days or more. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017; 52:954–961. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glyphosate sorption/desorption on biochars – interactions of physical and chemical processes
Authors: Hall Kathleen E , Spokas Kurt A , Gamiz Beatriz , Cox Lucia , Papiernik Sharon K , Koskinen William C
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Biochar, a carbon‐rich product of biomass pyrolysis, could limit glyphosate transport in soil and remediate contaminated water. The present study investigates the sorption/desorption behavior of glyphosate on biochars prepared from different hardwoods at temperatures ranging from 350 to 900 °C to elucidate fundamental mechanisms.

RESULTS

Glyphosate (1 mg L−1) sorption on biochars increased with pyrolysis temperature and was highest on 900 °C biochars; however, total sorption was low on a mass basis (<0.1 mg g−1). Sorption varied across feedstock materials, and isotherms indicated concentration dependence. Biochars with a greater fraction of micropores exhibited lower sorption capacities, and specific surface groups were also found to be influential. Prepyrolysis treatments with iron and copper, which complex glyphosate in soils, did not alter biochar sorption capacities. Glyphosate did not desorb from biochar with CaCl2 solution; however, up to 86% of the bound glyphosate was released with a K2HPO4 solution.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study suggest a combined impact of surface chemistry and physical constraints on glyphosate sorption/desorption on biochar. Based on the observed phosphate‐induced desorption of glyphosate, the addition of P‐fertilizer to biochar‐amended soils can remobilize the herbicide and damage non‐target plants; therefore, improved understanding of this risk is necessary. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A simulation study of methods for selecting subgroup‐specific doses in phase 1 trials
Authors: Morita Satoshi , Thall Peter F. , Takeda Kentaro
Published: January 2017

Patient heterogeneity may complicate dose‐finding in phase 1 clinical trials if the dose‐toxicity curves differ between subgroups. Conducting separate trials within subgroups may lead to infeasibly small sample sizes in subgroups having low prevalence. Alternatively,it is not obvious how to conduct a single trial while accounting for heterogeneity. To address this problem,we consider a generalization of the continual reassessment method on the basis of a hierarchical Bayesian dose‐toxicity model that borrows strength between subgroups under the assumption that the subgroups are exchangeable. We evaluate a design using this model that includes subgroup‐specific dose selection and safety rules. A simulation study is presented that includes comparison of this method to 3 alternative approaches,on the basis of nonhierarchical models,that make different types of assumptions about within‐subgroup dose‐toxicity curves. The simulations show that the hierarchical model‐based method is recommended in settings where the dose‐toxicity curves are exchangeable between subgroups. We present practical guidelines for application and provide computer programs for trial simulation and conduct.
Team WPI‐CMU: Achieving Reliable Humanoid Behavior in the DARPA Robotics Challenge
Authors: DeDonato Mathew , Polido Felipe , Knoedler Kevin , Babu Benzun P. W. , Banerjee Nandan , Bove Christoper P. , Cui Xiongyi , Du Ruixiang , Franklin Perry , Graff Joshua P. , He Peng , Jaeger Aaron , Li Lening , Berenson Dmitry , Gennert Michael A. , Feng Siyuan , Liu Chenggang , Xinjilefu X , Kim Joohyung , Atkeson Christopher G. , Long Xianchao , Padır Taşkın
Published: January 2017

In the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC), participating human‐robot teams were required to integrate mobility, manipulation, perception, and operator interfaces to complete a simulated disaster mission. We describe our approach using the humanoid robot Atlas Unplugged developed by Boston Dynamics. We focus on our approach, results, and lessons learned from the DRC Finals to demonstrate our strategy, including extensive operator practice, explicit monitoring for robot errors, adding additional sensing, and enabling the operator to control and monitor the robot at varying degrees of abstraction. Our safety‐first strategy worked: we avoided falling, and remote operators could safely recover from difficult situations. We were the only team in the DRC Finals that attempted all tasks, scored points (14/16), did not require physical human intervention (a reset), and did not fall in the two missions during the two days of tests. We also had the most consistent pair of runs.
Non-Equilibrium Social Science and Policy
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey , Ormerod Paul , Rosewell Bridget , Nowak Andrzej , Zhang Yi-Cheng
Published: January 2017

Between 2011 and 2014 the European Non-Equilibrium Social Science Project (NESS) investigated the place of equilibrium in the social sciences and policy. Orthodox economics is based on an equilibrium view of how the economy functions and does not offer a complete description of how the world operates. However, mainstream economics is not an empty box. Its fundamental insight, that people respond to incentives, may be the only universal law of behaviour in the social sciences. Only economics has used equilibrium as a primary driver of system behaviour, but economics has become much more empirical at the microlevel over the past two decades. This is due to two factors: advances in statistical theory enabling better estimates of policy consequences at the microlevel, and the rise of behavioural economics which looks at how people, firms and governments really do behave in practice. In this context, this chapter briefly reviews the contributions of this book across the social sciences and ends with a discussion of the research themes that act as a roadmap for further research. These include: realistic models of agent behaviour; multilevel systems; policy informatics; narratives and decision making under uncertainty; and validation of agent-based complex systems models.
Global Systems Science and Policy
Authors: Dum Ralph , Johnson Jeffrey
Published: January 2017

The vision of Global Systems Science (GSS) is to provide scientific evidence and means to engage into a reflective dialogue to support policy-making and public action and to enable civil society to collectively engage in societal action in response to global challenges like climate change, urbanisation, or social inclusion. GSS has four elements: policy and its implementation, the science of complex systems, policy informatics, and citizen engagement. It aims to give policy makers and citizens a better understanding of the possible behaviours of complex social systems. Policy informatics helps generate and evaluate policy options with computer-based tools and the abundance of data available today. The results they generate are made accessible to everybody—policy makers, citizens—through intuitive user interfaces, animations, visual analytics, gaming, social media, and so on. Examples of Global Systems include epidemics, finance, cities, the Internet, trade systems and more. GSS addresses the question of policies having desirable outcomes, not necessarily optimal outcomes. The underpinning idea of GSS is not to precisely predict but to establish possible and desirable futures and their likelihood. Solving policy problems is a process, often needing the requirements, constraints, and lines of action to be revisited and modified, until the problem is ‘satisficed’, i.e. an acceptable compromise is found between competing objectives and constraints. Thus policy problems and their solutions coevolve much as in a design process. Policy and societal action is as much about attempts to understand objective facts as it is about the narratives that guide our actions. GSS tries to reconcile these apparently contradictory modes of operations. GSS thus provides policy makers and society guidance on their course of action rather than proposing (illusionary) optimal solutions.
Sociology and Non-Equilibrium Social Science
Authors: Anzola David , Barbrook-Johnson Peter , Salgado Mauricio , Gilbert Nigel
Published: January 2017

This chapter addresses the relationship between sociology and Non-Equilibrium Social Science (NESS). Sociology is a multiparadigmatic discipline with significant disagreement regarding its goals and status as a scientific discipline. Different theories and methods coexist temporally and geographically. However, it has always aimed at identifying the main factors that explain the temporal stability of norms, institutions and individuals’ practices; and the dynamics of institutional change and the conflicts brought about by power relations, economic and cultural inequality and class struggle. Sociologists considered equilibrium could not sufficiently explain the constitutive, maintaining and dissolving dynamics of society as a whole. As a move from the formal apparatus for the study of equilibrium, NESS does not imply a major shift from traditional sociological theory. Complex features have long been articulated in sociological theorization, and sociology embraces the complexity principles of NESS through its growing attention to complex adaptive systems and non-equilibrium sciences, with human societies seen as highly complex, path-dependent, far-from equilibrium, and self-organising systems. In particular, Agent-Based Modelling provides a more coherent inclusion of NESS and complexity principles into sociology. Agent-based sociology uses data and statistics to gauge the ‘generative sufficiency’ of a given microspecification by testing the agreement between ‘real-world’ and computer generated macrostructures. When the model cannot generate the outcome to be explained, the microspecification is not a viable candidate explanation. The separation between the explanatory and pragmatic aspects of social science has led sociologists to be highly critical about the implementation of social science in policy. However, ABM allows systematic exploration of the consequences of modelling assumptions and makes it possible to model much more complex phenomena than previously. ABM has proved particularly useful in representing socio-technical and socio-ecological systems, with the potential to be of use in policy. ABM offers formalized knowledge that can appear familiar to policymakers versed in the methods and language of economics, with the prospect of sociology becoming more influential in policy.