bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst to Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Influence of Protective Gas Flowing on Its Activity
Authors: Xiong Zhong-ping , Si Yu-jun , Yu Hong , Li Min-jiao , Chen Mao-xue
Published: May 2016

A non-precious metal catalyst MnHMTA/C to oxygen reduction reaction was prepared by pyrolyzing a precursor from manganese chloride, hexamethylenetetramine and acetylene black in nitrogen gas atmosphere. The effect of heat treatment temperature and flowing of nitrogen gas were investigated. A catalyst with the highest activity can be obtained at 700 °C. Mn(II) ion was changed to MnO in heat treatment, which improved the catalytic activity of the catalyst. Hexamethylenetetramine takes part in the formation of active site of the catalyst as its decomposed gases. The flowing of protective gas takes the decomposed gases out of the tube furnace and brings negative effect on the catalytic activity of the MnHMTA/C catalyst.
Incorporation of Reactive Corrosion Inhibitor in Waterborne Acrylic Polyurethane Coatings and Evaluation of its Corrosion Performance
Authors: Gu Lin , Ding Ji-heng , Liu Shuan , Yu Hai-bin
Published: May 2016

Hydroxyl-epoxy phosphate (HEP) as a reactive corrosion inhibitor was innovatively synthesized by the reaction of bisphenol A epoxy resin with phosphoric acid. HEP was mixed with hydroxyl acrylate resin, and crosslinked with waterborne isocyanate curing agent, which was used to form waterborne HEP/acrylic polyurethane composite (HEP-APU) coatings on Q235 steel surfaces. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curves were applied to analyze the corrosion behavior of the HEP-APU coatings in 3.5wt% NaCl solutions. The results indicated that the HEP-APU coatings show a superior passivation property and efficient corrosion protection of Q235 steel. The waterborne acrylic polyurethane coating containing 0.5wt% HEP exhibited the best corrosion performance among all the coating specimens. The improved flash-rust resistance can be attributed to the introduction of the phosphate group which could form phosphate film on the steel substrate.
Laser Linewidth and Spectral Resolution in Infrared Scanning Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy System
Authors: Wei Feng , Xia Wen-xiu , Hu Zhong-jin , Li Wen-hui , Zhang Ji-ying , Zheng Wan-quan
Published: May 2016

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) is a robust technique for interfacial investigation at molecular level. The performance of SFG-VS mostly depends on the spectral resolution of the SFG system. In this research, a simplified function was deduced to calculate the spectral resolution of picosecond SFG system and the lineshape of SFG spectra based on the Guassian shaped functions of IR beam and visible beam. The function indicates that the lineshpe of SFG spectra from nonresonant samples can be calculated by the Guassian widths of both IR beam and visible beam. And the Voigt lineshape of SFG spectra from vibrational resonant samples can be calculated by the Homogeneous broadening (Lorentzian width) and Inhomogeneous broadening (Guassian width) of vibrational modes, as well as the Guassian widths of both IR beam and visible beam. Such functions were also applied to verify the spectral resolution of the polarization-resolved and frequency-resolved picosecond SFG-VS system which was developed by our group recently. It is shown that the linewidths of IR beams that generated from current laser system are about 1.5 cm−1. The calculated spectral resolution of current picosecond IR scanning SFG-VS system is about 4.6 cm−1, which is consist with he spctral resolution shown in the spectra of cholesterol monolayer (3.5–5 cm−1).
Corrigendum to: Quantum-chemical Ab Initio Calculations on the Donor–Acceptor Complex Pyridine–Borabenzene (C5H5N–BC5H5)
Authors: Mbarki M. , Oettinghaus M. , Raabe G.
Published: May 2016

The adduct of borabenzene (C5H5B) and pyridine (C5H5N) was studied by means of quantum-chemical ab initio and time-dependent density functional theory calculations at different levels of theory. In the fully optimized structure (MP2/6-311++G**) of the free donor–acceptor complex (C2), the C–B–C angle amounts to 120.6°. The planes of the two aromatic rings enclose a torsion angle of ~40° with a barrier to rotation about the B–N bond of less than 3kcalmol–1 (1kcalmol–1=4.186kJmol–1). The highest computational level applied in this study (complete basis set limit, coupled cluster with single and double excitations (CCSD)) results in an energy associated with the reaction of borabenzene with pyridine of –52.2kcalmol–1. Natural bond orbital analyses were performed to study the bond between the borabenzene and the pyridine unit of the adduct. The UV-vis spectrum of the adduct was calculated employing time-dependent density functional theory methods and the symmetry-adapted cluster-configuration interaction method. Our calculated electronic excitation spectrum of the pyridine adduct as well as its spectrum of the normal modes qualitatively reproduce the characteristic features of the IR and the UV-vis spectra described by experimentalists and thus allows assignment of the observed absorption bands, which in part agree with those by other authors.
Raymond John Stalker 1930–2014
Authors: Stalker Caroline , Morgan Richard , Tanner Roger I.
Published: May 2016

Raymond John Stalker was born in Dimboola, Victoria on 6 August 1930 and died in Brisbane on 9 February 2014. He had a distinguished academic career at the Australian National University in Canberra and at the University of Queensland. His work on hypersonic flow was universally recognized, and the ‘Stalker Tube' facilities he pioneered were able to reach unprecedented flow speeds and were reproduced in many laboratories around the world.
Shifting fire regimes from late to early dry-season fires to abate greenhouse emissions does not completely equate with terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity co-benefits on Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Authors: Perry Justin J. , Vanderduys Eric P. , Kutt Alex S.
Published: May 2016

Carbon farming initiatives have rapidly developed in recent years, influencing broad scale changes to land management regimes. In the open carbon market a premium can be secured if additional benefits, such as biodiversity conservation or social advancement, can be quantified. In Australia, there is an accepted method for carbon abatement that requires shifting fire frequency from predominantly late, defined as fires occurring after August 1, to early dry-season fires or by reducing overall fire frequency. There is an assumption and some evidence that this might accrue co-benefits for biodiversity. We tested this assumption by comparing terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity patterns (richness and abundance of reptiles, birds and mammals) against increasing fire frequency in the early and late dry-season at the same spatial resolution as the fire management for emission abatement method. We systematically sampled 202 sites on Cape York Peninsula, and examined the relationship between vertebrate fauna, fire and environmental metrics. We found that within the approved vegetation type, open woodlands in tropical savanna woodland, early and late dry-season fire frequency had the same weak linear relationship with only some elements of the observed fauna. Additionally, the response of each taxa to fire frequency were different across broad vegetation structural categories, suggesting that a more nuanced species-specific monitoring approach is required to expose links between savanna burning for carbon abatement and burning for biodiversity benefit.
A novel nucleoside hydrolase from Lactobacillus buchneri LBK78 catalyzing hydrolysis of 2′-O-methylribonucleosides
Authors: Mitsukawa Yuuki , Hibi Makoto , Matsutani Narihiro , Horinouchi Nobuyuki , Takahashi Satomi , Ogawa Jun
Published: May 2016

2′-O-Methylribonucleosides (2′-OMe-NRs) are promising raw materials for nucleic acid drugs because of their high thermal stability and nuclease tolerance. In the course of microbial screening for metabolic activity toward 2′-OMe-NRs, Lactobacillus buchneri LBK78 was found to decompose 2′-O-methyluridine (2′-OMe-UR). The enzyme responsible was partially purified from L. buchneri LBK78 cells by a four-step purification procedure, and identified as a novel nucleoside hydrolase. This enzyme, LbNH, belongs to the nucleoside hydrolase superfamily, and formed a homotetrameric structure composed of subunits with a molecular mass around 34 kDa. LbNH hydrolyzed 2′-OMe-UR to 2′-O-methylribose and uracil, and the kinetic constants were Km of 0.040 mM, kcat of 0.49 s−1, and kcat/Km of 12 mM−1 s−1. In a substrate specificity analysis, LbNH preferred ribonucleosides and 2′-OMe-NRs as its hydrolytic substrates, but reacted weakly with 2′-deoxyribonucleosides. In a phylogenetic analysis, LbNH showed a close relationship with purine-specific nucleoside hydrolases from trypanosomes.
A three-dimensional cellular automaton model of dendrite growth with stochastic orientation during the solidification in the molten pool of binary alloy
Authors: Gu C. , Wei Y. , Zhan X. , Li Y.
Published: May 2016

A three-dimensional (3D) cellular automaton model is developed for the prediction of dendrite growth with stochastic orientation during solidification process in the molten pool of binary alloy. An angle-information transfer method is proposed for improving cellular automaton technique to simulate the growth of the dendrites whose preferred growth direction owns stochastic misorientation with respect to the direction of the coordinate system. Dendrite morphologies and solute distributions of single dendrite growth and multi-dendrite growth are able to be obtained by the simulation using present model. The model is also employed to study the difference between two-dimensional simulation and 3D simulation on solute segregation and dendritic growth. Using the established model, 3D multi-columnar dendrites with stochastic crystallographic orientations can be obtained efficiently, and the competitive growth and impinging of dendrites can be reproduced in practice. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results.
Invigorating spiritual engagement: reflections for organisational leaders, managers, and “people-of-faith”
Authors: Humphries Maria , Jamil Nazarina , Jordan Lee-Ann
Published: May 2016

In the context of intensifying globalization, and emanating from their responsibilities in large or small businesses, leaders, managers, and people-of-faith must respond to the impacts of increasing competition for resources, jobs, and liveable environments along with everybody else. These competitive dynamics exacerbate tensions among individuals, communities, organizations, and nations. Such tensions are often given religious attributions. Encouragement to express religious influences openly may further exacerbate such tensions. Paradoxically perhaps, we advocate for greater engagement with religious diversity as a source of value rather than a driver of divisions. Managers must ensure such value is realized. We posit that dangerous competitiveness must be transformed to life-sustaining ways of being human. We encourage management educator and practitioner participation in conversations at the conceptual level in order to contribute pragmatically to the confluence of faith, hope, and love to achieve organizational well-being based on ideals of universal justice, environmental restoration, and global peace.
Smashing Idols: A Paradoxical Semiotics
Authors: Leone Massimo
Published: May 2016

The evolution of monotheism within a polytheist culture is strictly connected with the institution of the dialectics between “monolatry” and “idolatry.” On the one hand, one divinity among many becomes the center of an increasingly exclusive cult; on the other hand, this exclusivity unfolds in parallel with the stigmatization of any alternative veneration. The establishment of monolatry is substantiated both in sacred texts, which designate the only god, forbid all others, prescribe the legitimate cult, and condemn deviations, and in liturgy that avoids any reference to multiplicity of transcendence. The liturgical work of monolatry, however, is not only positive, since in addition to regulating the material, verbal, and actional signs of the cult, it also entails a destructive tension. Thus, in establishing monolatry, determining formulae for evoking the only transcendence is as essential as destroying any signs that might contaminate it by representing a rival divinity.
Metrics with four conic singularities and spherical quadrilaterals
Authors: Eremenko Alexandre , Gabrielov Andrei , Tarasov Vitaly
Published: May 2016

A spherical quadrilateral is a bordered surface homeomorphic to a closed disk, with four distinguished boundary points called corners, equipped with a Riemannian metric of constant curvature

1
1

, except at the corners, and such that the boundary arcs between the corners are geodesic. We discuss the problem of classification of these quadrilaterals and perform the classification up to isometry in the case that two angles at the corners are multiples of

π
\pi

. The problem is equivalent to classification of Heun’s equations with real parameters and unitary monodromy.
Data Science and Management for Large Scale Empirical Applications in Agricultural and Applied Economics Research
Authors: Woodard Joshua D.
Published: May 2016

The increased availability of high resolution data and computing power has spurred enormous interest in “Big Data”. While analysts typically source data from a wide variety of agencies, even within the USDA no comprehensive data warehouse exists with which researchers can interact. This leads to massive duplication in efforts, inefficient data sourcing, and great potential for error. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of this state of affairs within the community. An overview of a prototype warehouse is also provided, as are thoughts on future directions.
Evidence for asymmetrical hybridization despite pre- and post-pollination
reproductive barriers between two Silene species
Authors: Zhang Jin-Ju , Montgomery Benjamin R. , Huang Shuang-Quan
Published: May 2016

Interspecific hybridization is widespread among plants; nevertheless, pre- and post-zygotic isolating mechanisms may maintain species integrity for interfertile species in sympatry despite some gene flow. Interspecific hybridization and potential isolating barriers were evaluated between co-flowering Silene asclepiadea and Silene yunnanensis in an alpine community in southwest China. We investigated morphological and molecular (nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast gene sequence) variation in sympatric populations of S. asclepiadea and S. yunnanensis. Additionally, we analyzed pollinator behaviour and compared reproductive success between the putative hybrids and their parental species. Both the molecular and morphological data indicate that there were putative natural hybrids in the field, with S. asclepiadae the ovule parent and S. yunnanensis the pollen parent. Bumblebees were the primary visitors to S. asclepiadae and putative hybrids, while butterflies were the primary visitors to S. yunnanensis . Pollen production and viability were significantly lower in putative hybrids than the parental species. The direction of hybridization is quite asymmetric from S. yunnanensis to S. asclepiadea . Protandry combined with later peak flowering of S. yunnanensis , and pollinator preference may have contributed to the asymmetric pattern of hybridization, but putative hybrids were rare. Our results thus suggest that despite gene flow, S. asclepiadea and S. yunnanensis can maintain species boundaries, perhaps as a result of floral isolation and low fecundity of the hybrids.
Intraspecific variation in thermal acclimation of photosynthesis across a
range of temperatures in a perennial crop
Authors: Zaka Serge , Frak Ela , Julier Bernadette , Gastal François , Louarn Gaëtan
Published: May 2016

Interest in the thermal acclimation of photosynthesis has been stimulated by the increasing relevance of climate change. However, little is known about intra-specific variations in thermal acclimation and its potential for breeding. In this article, we examined the difference in thermal acclimation between alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) cultivars originating from contrasting origins, and sought to analyze the mechanisms in play. A series of experiments was carried out at seven growth temperatures between 5 and 35 °C using four cultivars from temperate and Mediterranean origin. Leaf traits, the photosynthetic rate at 25 °C ( A  400  25 ), the photosynthetic rate at optimal temperature ( A  400  opt ), the thermal optimum of photosynthesis ( T  opt ), and the photosynthetic parameters from the Farqhuar model were determined. Irrespective of cultivar origin, a clear shift in the temperature responses of photosynthesis was observed as a function of growth temperature, affecting thermal optimum of photosynthesis, photosynthetic rate at optimal temperature and photosynthetic rate at 25 °C. For both cultivars, T  opt values increased linearly in leaves grown between 5 and 35 °C. Relative homeostasis of A  400  25 and A  400  opt was found between 10 °C and 30 °C growth temperatures, but sharp declines were recorded at 5 and 35 °C. This homeostasis was achieved in part through modifications to leaf nitrogen content, which increased at extreme temperatures. Significant changes were also recorded regarding nitrogen partitioning in the photosynthetic apparatus and in the temperature dependence of photosynthetic parameters. The cultivars differed only in terms of the temperature response of photosynthetic parameters, with Mediterranean genotypes displaying a greater sensitivity of the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation to elevated temperatures. It was concluded that intra-specific variations in the temperature acclimation of photosynthesis exist among alfalfa cultivars, but that Mediterranean genotypes presented no evidence of superior performance at high temperatures.
Florivory and pollinator visitation: a cautionary tale
Authors: Tsuji Kaoru , Dhami Manpreet K. , Cross David J.R. , Rice Carolyn P. , Romano Nic H. , Fukami Tadashi
Published: May 2016

Florivory, or damage to flowers by herbivores, can make flowers less attractive to pollinators, potentially resulting in reduced plant fitness. However, not many studies have combined observations with experiments to assess the causal link between florivory and pollination. We conducted field observations at eight sites in northern California, combined with field experiments that involved artificial floral damage, to study the effect of florivory on pollination in the hummingbird-pollinated sticky monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus . We used two indicators of pollinator visitation, stigma closure and the presence of microorganisms in floral nectar. The field observations revealed that stigma closure was less frequent in damaged flowers than in intact flowers. In the experiments, however, floral damage did not decrease stigma closure or microbial detection in nectar. Instead, neighbouring flowers were similar for both indicators. These results suggest that the observed negative association between florivory and pollination is not causal and that the location of flowers is more important to pollinator visitation than florivory in these populations of M. aurantiacus .
Foraging responses of bumble bees to rewardless floral patches: importance of
within-plant variance in nectar presentation
Authors: Nakamura Shoko , Kudo Gaku
Published: May 2016

Spatiotemporal variation in nectar distribution is a key factor affecting pollinator movements between flowers and plants within a population. Pollinators having systematic searching ability can flexibly respond to the reward condition of floral patches, and they tend to revisit rewarding patches. However, foraging behaviour may be influenced by the nectar distribution within populations. To evaluate the effects of unrewarding experiences and plant distribution, we compared bumble bee foraging behaviours between naturally rewarding and artificially rewardless (by nectary removal) patches in two aconite populations with different plant densities. Visitation frequency to the patches, number of successive flower visits within inflorescences, and successive inflorescence visits within patches were recorded. Nectar production and standing crop were also measured. Bumble bees increased the movements between neighbouring inflorescences instead of leaving the patches when they faced rewardless flowers. A large variance in nectar production existed among flowers within plants. This might explain the observed bumble bee behaviour, because they could be rewarded by moving to the adjacent inflorescences even after a rewardless experience. Our results imply that a highly variable nectar reward in a population might mask the disadvantage of completely rewardless individuals.
SoFIA: a data integration framework for annotating high-throughput datasets
Authors: Childs Liam Harold , Mamlouk Soulafa , Brandt Jörgen , Sers Christine , Leser Ulf
Published: May 2016

Motivation: Integrating heterogeneous datasets from several sources is a common bioinformatics task that often requires implementing a complex workflow intermixing database access, data filtering, format conversions, identifier mapping, among further diverse operations. Data integration is especially important when annotating next generation sequencing data, where a multitude of diverse tools and heterogeneous databases can be used to provide a large variety of annotation for genomic locations, such a single nucleotide variants or genes. Each tool and data source is potentially useful for a given project and often more than one are used in parallel for the same purpose. However, software that always produces all available data is difficult to maintain and quickly leads to an excess of data, creating an information overload rather than the desired goal-oriented and integrated result.

Results: We present SoFIA, a framework for workflow-driven data integration with a focus on genomic annotation. SoFIA conceptualizes workflow templates as comprehensive workflows that cover as many data integration operations as possible in a given domain. However, these templates are not intended to be executed as a whole; instead, when given an integration task consisting of a set of input data and a set of desired output data, SoFIA derives a minimal workflow that completes the task. These workflows are typically fast and create exactly the information a user wants without requiring them to do any implementation work. Using a comprehensive genome annotation template, we highlight the flexibility, extensibility and power of the framework using real-life case studies.

Availability and Implementation:  https://github.com/childsish/sofia/releases/latest under the GNU General Public License

Contact:  liam.childs@hu-berlin.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Dicarboxylate Transporter, LjALMT4, Mainly Expressed in Nodules of Lotus japonicus
Authors: Takanashi Kojiro , Sasaki Takayuki , Kan Tomohiro , Saida Yuka , Sugiyama Akifumi , Yamamoto Yoko , Yazaki Kazufumi
Published: May 2016

Legume plants can establish symbiosis with soil bacteria called rhizobia to obtain nitrogen as a nutrient directly from atmospheric N2 via symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Legumes and rhizobia form nodules, symbiotic organs in which fixed-nitrogen and photosynthetic products are exchanged between rhizobia and plant cells. The photosynthetic products supplied to rhizobia are thought to be dicarboxylates but little is known about the movement of dicarboxylates in the nodules. In terms of dicarboxylate transporters, an aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) family is a strong candidate responsible for the membrane transport of carboxylates in nodules. Among the seven ALMT genes in the Lotus japonicus genome, only one, LjALMT4, shows a high expression in the nodules. LjALMT4 showed transport activity in a Xenopus oocyte system, with LjALMT4 mediating the efflux of dicarboxylates including malate, succinate, and fumarate, but not tricarboxylates such as citrate. LjALMT4 also mediated the influx of several inorganic anions. Organ-specific gene expression analysis showed LjALMT4 mRNA mainly in the parenchyma cells of nodule vascular bundles. These results suggest that LjALMT4 may not be involved in the direct supply of dicarboxylates to rhizobia in infected cells but is responsible for supplying malate as well as several anions necessary for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, via nodule vasculatures.
Translocation of Oxathiapiprolin in Bell Pepper Plants and Systemic Protection of Plants Against Phytophthora Blight
Authors: Qu Tianli , Grey Timothy L. , Csinos Alexander S. , Ji Pingsheng
Published: May 2016

Production of bell pepper is seriously affected by Phytophthora capsici, the causal agent of Phytophthora blight. Limited approaches are available for effective management of the disease. Oxathiapiprolin is a fungicide recently registered in the United States that suppressed P. capsici and reduced Phytophthora blight on bell pepper significantly in our previous studies. It is unknown whether oxathiapiprolin translocates in bell pepper plants systemically after application. Experiments were conducted to determine uptake of oxathiapiprolin by bell pepper plants and its systemic movement in the plant. Quantification of oxathiapiprolin in plant tissues was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that detected the compound sensitively and selectively. Percentage of recovery of oxathiapiprolin from plant tissues was calculated by comparing the quantities in plant tissues determined by HPLC with known quantities of the compound added to the plant tissues. Recovery rates of oxathiapiprolin from pepper plant tissues ranged from 87.0 to 119.3%. When oxathiapiprolin was applied to roots of bell pepper plants grown in hydroculture, the compound was detected in the root within 4 h and in the cotyledon, first true leaf, and second true leaf within 8 h. It was detectable in the top new leaf 48 h after application to the root. In greenhouse studies with bell pepper plants grown in pots, oxathiapiprolin was applied as a soil drench at 100 and 400 μg/ml. The compound was detected in the root within 3 days and in the stem and first true leaf within 6 days when applied at 100 μg/ml. It was detected in the root, stem, first true leaf, and top new leaf within 3 days when applied at 400 μg/ml. Phytophthora blight on pepper foliage was significantly reduced when oxathiapiprolin was applied as a soil drench at 100 or 400 μg/ml under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report indicating systemic movement of oxathiapiprolin in pepper plants that provides useful information for designing fungicide application programs for effective management of the disease.
Factors Associated with Leguminous Green Manure Incorporation and Fusarium Wilt Suppression in Watermelon
Authors: Himmelstein J. , Maul J. E. , Balci Y. , Everts K. L.
Published: May 2016

Fall-planted Vicia villosa or Trifolium incarnatum cover crops, incorporated in spring as a green manure, can suppress Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum) of watermelon. During cover crop growth, termination, and incorporation into the soil, many factors such as arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization, leachate, and soil respiration differ. How these cover-crop-associated factors affect Fusarium wilt suppression is not fully understood. Experiments were conducted to evaluate how leachate, soil respiration, and other green-manure-associated changes affected Fusarium wilt suppression, and to evaluate the efficacy of the biocontrol product Actinovate AG (Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108). General and specific suppression was examined in the field by assessing the effects of cover crop green manures (V. villosa, T. incarnatum, Secale cereale, and Brassica juncea) on soil respiration, presence of F. oxysporum spp., and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of watermelon. Cover crop treatments V. villosa, T. incarnatum, and S. cereale and no cover crop were evaluated both alone and in combination with Actinovate AG in the greenhouse. Additionally, in vitro experiments were conducted to measure the effects of cover crop leachate on the mycelial growth rates of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 1 and Trichoderma harzianum. Soil microbial respiration was significantly elevated in V. villosa and Trifolium incarnatum treatments both preceding and following green manure incorporation, and was significantly negatively correlated with Fusarium wilt, suggesting that microbial activity was higher under the legumes, indicative of general suppression. Parallel to this, in vitro growth rates of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Trichoderma harzianum on V. villosa leachate amended media were 66 and 213% greater, respectively, than on nonamended plates. The F. oxysporum spp. population (based on CFU and not differentiated into formae specialis or races) significantly increased in V. villosa-amended field plots. Additionally, the percentage of watermelon roots colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizae following V. villosa and Trifolium incarnatum green manures was significantly higher than in watermelon following bare ground (58 and 44% higher, respectively). In greenhouse trials where cover crops were amended to soil, Actinovate AG did not consistently reduce Fusarium wilt. Both general and specific disease suppression play a role in reducing Fusarium wilt on watermelon.
In Vivo Monitoring of Sevoflurane-induced Adverse Effects in Neonatal Nonhuman Primates Using Small-animal Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Liu Shuliang , Newport Glenn D. , Paule Merle G. , Callicott Ralph , Thompson James , Liu Fang , Patterson Tucker A. , Berridge Marc S. , Apana Scott M. , Brown Christina C. , Maisha Mackean P. , Hanig Joseph P. , Slikker William , Wang Cheng
Published: May 2016

AbstractAbstract

Sevoflurane exposure increased glial activation, a surrogate for neurotoxicity, as indicated by increased uptake of 18F-labeled fluoroethoxybenzyl-N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl) acetamide in the frontal and temporal lobes. Acetyl-l-carnitine mitigated the adverse effects of sevoflurane. Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor can serve as biomarkers of anesthetic neurotoxicity; as such, the extent of anesthetic-induced injury can be evaluated spatially and over longer periods of time noninvasively in vivo.

Background

Animals exposed to sevoflurane during development sustain neuronal cell death in their developing brains. In vivo micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography imaging has been utilized as a minimally invasive method to detect anesthetic-induced neuronal adverse effects in animal studies.

Methods

Neonatal rhesus monkeys (postnatal day 5 or 6, 3 to 6 per group) were exposed for 8 h to 2.5% sevoflurane with or without acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC). Control monkeys were exposed to room air with or without ALC. Physiologic status was monitored throughout exposures. Depth of anesthesia was monitored using quantitative electroencephalography. After the exposure, microPET/computed tomography scans using 18F-labeled fluoroethoxybenzyl-N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl) acetamide (FEPPA) were performed repeatedly on day 1, 1 and 3 weeks, and 2 and 6 months after exposure.

Results

Critical physiologic metrics in neonatal monkeys remained within the normal range during anesthetic exposures. The uptake of [18F]-FEPPA in the frontal and temporal lobes was increased significantly 1 day or 1 week after exposure, respectively. Analyses of microPET images recorded 1 day after exposure showed that sevoflurane exposure increased [18F]-FEPPA uptake in the frontal lobe from 0.927 ± 0.04 to 1.146 ± 0.04, and in the temporal lobe from 0.859 ± 0.05 to 1.046 ± 0.04 (mean ± SE, P < 0.05). Coadministration of ALC effectively blocked the increase in FEPPA uptake. Sevoflurane-induced adverse effects were confirmed by histopathologic evidence as well.

Conclusions

Sevoflurane-induced general anesthesia during development increases glial activation, which may serve as a surrogate for neurotoxicity in the nonhuman primate brain. ALC is a potential protective agent against some of the adverse effects associated with such exposures.
Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma in children: our experience and a literature review
Authors: Corominas Laura , Sanpera Ignacio , Sanpera-Iglesias Julia , Ramos-Ansesio Rafael Felix
Published: May 2016

Calcified aponeurotic fibroma is a rare benign fibrous tumour with characteristic histopathological features commonly observed in children and adolescents. It usually involves the most distal part of the extremities. Despite being a benign tumour, it has a high risk of local recurrence. We report our experience treating four children with calcifying aponeurotic fibroma who underwent surgical excision of the tumour. Two of them developed a local recurrence: one required a surgical revision, whereas the other currently continues to be under observation. The incidence found over a 5-year period (2010–2015) may lead us to consider that this condition is not as rare as reported and may often be misdiagnosed.
Preliminary Results of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods for Early Onset Scoliosis
Authors: Ridderbusch Karsten , Rupprecht Martin , Kunkel Philip , Hagemann Christian , Stücker Ralf
Published: May 2016

Background:

Growth-sparing techniques for the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) have developed significantly over the last years. Traditional growing rods (GRs) require repeated surgical lengthening under anesthesia. Since June 2011 we have been using the magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR) to treat patients with progressive EOS.

Methods:

Thirty-five patients with EOS of different etiologies underwent treatment with MCGR. We record about our preliminary results of 24 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of a minimum follow-up (FU) of 12 month and >3 lengthenings. The mean age at surgery was 8.9±2.5 years. Correction of the primary curve after the index surgery and after lengthenings was measured on standing radiographs using the Cobb technique. T1-T12 and T1-S1 spinal length were also measured. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results:

The mean FU was 21.1±7.3 months. All patients had a minimum of 3 outpatient lengthenings [mean, 4.6±1.5 (range, 3 to 8)]. The mean primary curve was 63±15 degrees (range, 40 to 96 degrees) and improved to 29±11 degrees (range, 11 to 53 degrees; P<0.001) after MCGR. The mean major curve after most recent lengthening was 26 degrees (range, 8 to 60 degrees; P<0.07). The T1-T12 as well as the T1-S1 length increased significantly (P<0.001). The mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis decreased from 43±24 degrees (range, −32 to 86 degrees) to 27±12 degrees (range, 9 to 50 degrees; P<0.001) after surgery, respectively, and measured 32±12 degrees (range, 12 to 64 degrees; P<0.05) at last FU. In 1 patient a loss of distraction occurred making rod exchange necessary. Three patients developed a proximal junctional kyphosis and in another patient a screw pull out occurred that required revision surgery.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that MCGR is a safe and effective nonfusion technique in the treatment of progressive EOS avoiding repeated surgical lengthening procedures. It provides adequate distraction similar to standard GR. The magnetically induced transcutaneous lengthening allows noninvasive distraction achieving spinal growth comparable to conventional GR techniques.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—retrospective nonrandomized objective study.
Combined Exercise and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Neto Mansueto Gomes , Martinez Bruno Prata , Conceição Cristiano Sena , Silva Paulo Eugênio , Carvalho Vitor Oliveira
Published: May 2016

PURPOSE:

Studies have reported the benefits of exercise and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients with heart failure (HF); however, there is no meta-analysis on the effects of the combination of exercise and IMT in patients with HF. The objective of this study was to determine whether combined exercise/IMT was more effective than conventional exercise on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in patients with HF.

METHODS:

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (from the earliest date available to April 2015) for randomized controlled trials, examining effects of combined exercise/IMT versus conventional exercise on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life measurements in patients with HF. Two reviewers selected studies independently. Weighted mean differences and 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS:

Three studies met the study criteria. Combined exercise/IMT resulted in improvement in maximal inspiratory pressure weighted mean differences (20.89 cm H2O; 95% CI, 14.0-27.78) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire weighted mean differences (4.43; 95% CI, 0.72-8.14). Nonsignificant difference was observed in peak

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2 for participants in the combined exercise/IMT group compared with the conventional exercise group. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

Combined exercise/IMT may improve maximal inspiratory pressure and quality of life in patients with HF and should be considered for inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Utility of Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Marzolini Susan , Sarin Michael , Reitav Jaan , Mendelson Monique , Oh Paul
Published: May 2016

PURPOSE:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease and is often undiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of communicating OSA risk with the patients in a diabetes and cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) and primary care physicians.

METHODS:

Following an OSA education session, 295 patients in diabetes and CRPs were screened for OSA and daytime sleepiness by STOP-BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires. Letters were sent to patients at high risk or noncompliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment and their physicians. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to patients 6 months later.

RESULTS:

Of the 295 patients screened, 16.6% (n = 49) had an OSA diagnosis and had been prescribed CPAP. A smaller proportion patients in the diabetes program than in the CRP had discontinued CPAP (22.2% vs 45.2%; P = .03) with discomfort being the greatest barrier. Three of the 7 patients (42.9%) who had contact with their physician resumed CPAP. Of the remaining 246 patients who scored high on ≥1 questionnaire (77.6%; n = 191) and returned the 6-month questionnaire (53.9%; n = 103), communication of risk assessment resulted in 49.5% (n = 51) of patients consulting with their physician. Of those, half were referred for polysomnography. All were diagnosed with OSA.

CONCLUSION:

More than three quarters of patients in diabetes and CRPs scored high on ≥1 questionnaire suggesting signs/symptoms of OSA. However, only 16.6% were prescribed CPAP and compliance to treatment was poor (63.3%). Education and communication of OSA risk with patients and physicians resulted in a de novo diagnosis in at least 1 of 10 patients screened and 16.7% restarted CPAP.
Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Mellitus in Contemporary Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Khadanga Sherrie , Savage Patrick D. , Ades Philip A.
Published: May 2016

PURPOSE:

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in contemporary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and to compare clinical responses in CR between these subsets of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS:

The study cohort included 818 patients enrolled in CR and separated into 3 groups: (1) individuals with normal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (NoIR: HbA1c < 5.7%); (2) individuals with IR (IR: HbA1c ≥ 5.7 to <6.5%); (3) and individuals with T2DM (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%).

RESULTS:

The combined prevalence of IR (44%) and T2DM (23%) was 67%, which paralleled the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), present in 65% of patients. Women had a higher prevalence of IR and MetSyn than men (73% vs 64%, 72% vs. 63%, respectively) and a greater percentage with an elevated waist circumference (71% vs 60%) (all P < .05). All 3 groups experienced decreases in body weight (NoIR = −2.3 ± 4.0, IR = −1.7 ± 4.0, T2DM = −1.0 ± 4.2 kg) and increases in maximal metabolic equivalents (METs) at exercise testing (NoIR = +2.2 ± 2.5 vs IR = +2.1 ± 2.8 vs T2DM = +1.3 ± 2.3) (all P < .05). Individuals with NoIR achieved greater improvements in weight, body mass index, and METs than patients with T2DM (all P < .05). Selected individuals who participated in a 4-session behavioral weight-loss program lost more than twice the weight as nonparticipants.

CONCLUSIONS:

The combined prevalence of IR and T2DM in patients with CHD enrolled in CR was remarkably high (67%). To reverse the deleterious consequences of IR and T2DM, targeted interventions involving exercise and weight loss need to be a central focus of CR programming.
Severity of Depressive Symptoms Pre- and Postcardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Ghisi Gabriela Lima de Melo , Santos Claudia Victoria Anchique , Benaim Briseida , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco , Herdy Artur Haddad , Inojosa Jose Medina , Terzic Carmen M. , Janovik Lisiane , Rojas Maria Fernanda , Grace Sherry L.
Published: May 2016

PURPOSE:

Depression is 3 times more prevalent in the cardiac than the general population in high-income countries and is particularly high in middle-income countries. Comorbid depression is associated with twice the mortality after a cardiovascular event. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare depressive symptoms pre- and postcardiac rehabilitation (CR) among patients in high-income countries and middle-income countries in the Americas.

METHODS:

The study design was prospective and observational. A convenience sample of CR participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at CR intake and again at program discharge. Clinical data were extracted from medical charts.

RESULTS:

There were 779 participants: 45 Brazilian (5.8% of sample), 214 Canadian (27.5%), 126 Colombian (16.2%), 309 American (39.7%), and 85 Venezuelan (10.9%). Pre-CR depressive symptoms significantly differed between countries (P < .05), with Colombian participants reporting higher scores than Canadians and Venezuelans. Total PHQ-9 scores significantly decreased during CR in Colombia (mean change =−2.33; P < .001), the United States (mean change =−1.12; P < .001), and Venezuela (mean change =−2.14; P < .001), but not in Brazil (where less psychosocial intervention was offered) or Canada (where pre-CR scores were low). Among the 102 (13.1%) participants with scores in the elevated range pre-CR, the mean change in PHQ-9 scores was −6.57 ± 1.09 and 40 (39.2%) participants no longer had elevated symptoms postprogram.

CONCLUSIONS:

Depressive symptoms are variable among patients with CR in South and North American countries. CR programs incorporating psychosocial components can reduce these symptoms.
Short- and Long-Term Prognostic Utility of the HEART Score in Patients Evaluated in the Emergency Department for Possible Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Jain Tarun , Nowak Richard , Hudson Michael , Frisoli Tiberio , Jacobsen Gordon , McCord James
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

The HEART score is a risk-stratification tool that was developed and validated for patients evaluated for possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED). We sought to determine the short-term and long-term prognostic utility of the HEART score.

Methods:

A retrospective single-center analysis of 947 patients evaluated for possible ACS in the ED in 1999 was conducted. Patients were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 30 days: death, acute myocardial infarction, or revascularization procedure. All-cause mortality was assessed at 5 years. The HEART score was compared with the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score.

Results:

At 30 days, 14% (135/947) of patients had an MACE: 48 deaths (5%), 84 acute myocardial infarctions (9%), and 48 (5%) revascularization procedures. The MACE rate in patients with HEART score ≤3 was 0.6% (1/175) involving a revascularization procedure, 9.5% (53/557) in patients with HEART score between 4 and 6, and 38% (81/215) with HEART score ≥7. The C-statistic for the HEART score was 0.82 and 0.68 for the TIMI score for predicting 30-day MACE (P < 0.05). Patients with HEART score ≤3 had lower 5-year mortality rate compared with those with TIMI score of 0 (10.6% vs. 20.5%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

The HEART score is a valuable risk-stratification tool in predicting not only short-term MACE but also long-term mortality in patients evaluated for possible ACS in the ED. The HEART score had a superior prognostic value compared with the TIMI score.
Chest Pain Risk Stratification
Authors: Stopyra Jason P. , Miller Chadwick D. , Hiestand Brian C. , Lefebvre Cedric W. , Nicks Bret A. , Cline David M. , Askew Kim L. , Riley Robert F. , Russell Gregory B. , Burke Greg L. , Herrington David , Hoekstra James W. , Mahler Simon A.
Published: May 2016

Background:

The 2-hour accelerated diagnostic protocol (ADAPT) and the history electrocardiogram age risk factors troponin (HEART) Pathway are decision aids designed to identify Emergency Department (ED) patients with chest pain who are safe for early discharge. Both have demonstrated high sensitivity (>99%) for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days and early discharge rates ≥20%. The objective of this study is to compare the sensitivity and early discharge rates of the ADAPT and HEART Pathway decision aids in a cohort of ED patients with acute chest pain.

Methods:

A secondary analysis of participants enrolled and randomized to the HEART Pathway arm of the HEART pathway randomized controlled trial was conducted. Each patient was prospectively classified as low risk (suitable for early discharge) or high risk by ADAPT and the HEART Pathway. Sensitivity for MACE at 30 days and the number of patients identified as low-risk were calculated for each decision aid. Decision aid performance was compared using McNemar’s test.

Results:

MACE occurred in 8 of 141 (5.7%); there were no deaths, 7 patients had myocardial infarction, and 1 patient had coronary revascularization without myocardial infarction. ADAPT and the HEART pathway identified all patients with MACE as high risk; sensitivity for MACE of 100% [95% confidence interval (CI): 63–100%]. ADAPT identified 34 of 141 patients (24%; 95% CI: 17–32%) as low-risk, whereas the Heart pathway identified 66 of 141 patients (47%, 95% CI: 38–55%) as low risk (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Within a cohort of ED patients with acute chest pain, ADAPT and the HEART pathway had high sensitivity for MACE. The HEART pathway outperformed ADAPT by correctly identifying more patients as low risk and safe for early discharge.