bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent and future changes in the combination of annual temperature and precipitation throughout China
Authors: Liu Jie , Du Haibo , Wu Zhengfang , He Hong S. , Wang Lei , Zong Shengwei
Published: April 2016

Climate involves different combinations of temperature and precipitation, and each year's combination of factors can be assigned a climatic year type (CYT; e.g. Warm‐Humid). Describing the changes in the CYT provides more information than describing the temperature or precipitation data alone. In this study, we defined nine CYTs using the probability density function of annual temperature and precipitation. Recent and future spatiotemporal changes in CYT were analysed using 507‐station observational data and projected data obtained from the CMIP5 multi‐model ensemble under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 scenarios. China was divided into six subregions to analyse the spatiotemporal changes. Obvious differences in spatial patterns among the various CYTs reflect the climate regime throughout China. The warmth‐associated CYTs (Warm‐Humid, Warm‐Dry, and Warm‐Normal) mainly occur in West China (e.g. Southwest China). The cold‐associated CYTs (Cold‐Humid, Cold‐Dry, and Cold‐Normal) dominate at high latitudes and high altitudes (e.g. Northeast China and the Tibetan Plateau). The climate in China changed from cold to warm in the last half‐century, accompanying the transformation of Cold‐Humid, Cold‐Dry, and Cold‐Normal before the early 1990s to Warm‐Humid, Warm‐Dry, and Warm‐Normal from the early 1990s onward. In the 21st century, the projected CYTs are mainly Warm‐Humid, Warm‐Dry, and Warm‐Normal in China. Warm‐Humid dominates in West China, North China, and Northeast China. Warm‐Dry is mainly projected in the Yellow River Valley and South China. High‐frequency Warm‐Normal is projected in the Yellow River Valley. Warm‐Humid is projected to increase whereas Warm‐Dry and Warm‐Normal are projected to decrease from 2015 to 2099. All three CYTs are projected to exhibit larger changes in trends under stronger versus weaker RCPs (RCP8.5 > RCP4.5 > RCP2.6). Compared with temperature or precipitation data alone, CYTs provide more complete information on climate change and more accurately characterize regional differences in climate throughout China.
Flow‐modulated targeted signal enhancement for volatile organic compounds
Authors: Hayward Taylor , Gras Ronda , Luong Jim
Published: April 2016

Comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography is a technique that is becoming more widespread within the analytical community, especially in the separation of complex mixtures. Modulation in comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography can be achieved by manipulating temperature or flow and offers many advantages such as increased separation power, but one underutilized advantage is increased detectability due to the reduction of peak width from the use of a modulator. A flow modulator was used to selectively target analytes for increased detectability with a standard flame ionization detector operated at 100 Hz, without the need for cryogens or advanced modulation software. By the collection of the entire peak volume followed by peak transfer rather than further separation, an increase of 12 times in peak height and detectability was realized for the analytes tested using an internal loop modulator configuration. An external loop flow modulator configuration allowed for more volatile analytes (with k < 5), and demonstrated an analyte detectability enhancement factor of at least 6. The collection loop size can be readily increased with an external loop configuration to accommodate for these naturally broader peaks. This novel flow modulated targeted signal enhancement approach was applied to industrially significant analyses like the analysis of methanol in a hydrocarbon streams. Methanol was detected at 7 ppb with a conventional flame ionization detector and without the need for pre‐concentration.
Factors influencing nest survival in resident Canada geese
Authors: Guerena Katherine B. , Castelli Paul M. , Nichols Theodore C. , Williams Christopher K.
Published: April 2016

Overpopulation of Canada goose (Branta canadensis) that make up the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) in New Jersey led to the implementation of a management program that includes hunter harvest, culling programs, and efforts to reduce recruitment through nest destruction. We investigated clutch size, hatchability, and nest survival of Canada goose nests in the AFRP in New Jersey during 1985–1989, 1995–1997, and 2009–2010, and identified ecological, temporal, and spatial variables associated with nest survival to better understand the factors influencing population growth. Mean (±SE) clutch size was 4.86 eggs (±0.04), and mean hatchability of all eggs was 0.61 ± 0.04 across the study. Mean hatchability in 2009–2010 was significantly lower than in the 1980s and 1990s, whereas we did not detect any significant differences in mean clutch size across the decades. Nest survival decreased across the decades, with survival probabilities ranging from 0.68 ± 0.03 in 1988 to 0.45 ± 0.02 in 2010, likely related to reproductive control programs. Nest survival was influenced by date within the nesting season, decade, precipitation, and extreme high temperature. Further, nest survival was associated with commercial‐industrial, agricultural, and urban residential land use at a site level (0.25 km), and natural and urban residential land use at a landscape level (2.25 km and 0.75 km, respectively). Commercial land use (e.g., corporate parks and golf courses) offers favorable Canada goose nesting habitat at the site level, with manicured lawns, man‐made ponds, and decreased predator habitat (e.g., dense tree, shrub cover). We recommend targeting population management efforts in commercial, industrial, and urban residential areas these land uses were associated with increased nest survival. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Survival of reintroduced Asian houbara in United Arab Emirates’ reserves
Authors: Azar Joseph F. , Rautureau Pierrick , Lawrence Mark , Calabuig Gustau , Hingrat Yves
Published: April 2016

Increasing knowledge of post‐release survival and habitat requirements of translocated animals is critical to improve success of conservation programs. We estimated survival of reintroduced captive‐bred Asian houbara bustards (Chlamydotis macqueenii) in reserves of western United Arab Emirates where plantations exist as supplementary feeding sites. We explored factors influencing short‐ (3 months after release) and long‐term (tri‐monthly periods after third month of release) survival rates of released birds. We modeled life histories of individually tracked houbara using Program MARK. Mean short‐term survival probability (0.76 ± 0.14 SD) was lower than mean long‐term survival (0.86 ± 0.03 SD), and observed group size and the age of released birds positively correlated with short‐term survival. We hypothesize that higher quality habitat (plantations) affected survival; larger groups occurred in plantations and older birds might be better able to maintain access to plantations. Long‐term survival was negatively influenced by subsequent release events. Releasing more individuals increases local houbara density. This may lead to food depletion, increase in density‐dependent mechanisms between individuals, or both. Short‐ and long‐term survival rates suggest that food availability at the release sites, together with intraspecific interactions, may influence survival of newly released and established individuals. To improve the management of translocated animals, the impact of managed food resources should be quantified to assess how it might affect population vital rates. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Refining the utility and role of Frozen section in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma resection
Authors: Du Eugenie , Ow Thomas J. , Lo Yung‐Tai , Gersten Adam , Schiff Bradley A. , Tassler Andrew B. , Smith Richard V.
Published: April 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Previous studies report high‐accuracy rates for intraoperative frozen sections, but reliability of frozen sections in predicting the ultimate final margin status is unknown. We compared frozen and permanent reads to identify risk factors for overall discrepancies between intraoperative and final margin status.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Pathology reports of 437 surgical resections between 2010 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 253 cases, generating 1,109 individual specimens, met inclusion criteria. Patient demographics, treatment, recurrence, and survival, as well as pathology data pertaining to the specimen, were recorded.

Results

Frozen read accuracy was 96.7% (83.1% sensitivity, 97.9% specificity) relative to permanent evaluation. However, 4.3% of cases had a final positive margin not detected by frozen section; 17.8% had a close margin not detected by frozen section. In eight of 11 cases with missed positive margins, the involved margin was never sampled intraoperatively. Cases where intraoperative margins were only taken from surrounding tissue had a higher risk of missing a close or positive final margin when compared to cases where some or all margins were taken from the specimen (odds ratio = 5.05, 95% confidence interval [2.31, 11.07], P <0.0001). Disease subsite, risk score, prior radiation, staging, and p16 expression were not significantly associated with the likelihood of missing a close or positive final margin.

Conclusion

Individual frozen section reads are highly accurate. However, negative intraoperative margins do not guarantee margin‐negative resections. The process of selecting representative margins for intraoperative analysis, specifically the practice of sampling the resection bed, should be refined.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 126:1768–1775, 2016
Head and neck Epstein‐Barr virus mucocutaneous ulcer: Case report and literature review
Authors: Au Joshua K. , Said Jonathan W. , Sepahdari Ali R. , St. John Maie A.
Published: April 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To report the clinical presentation, treatment, and management outcomes of patients with Epstein‐Barr virus‐positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) of the head and neck, which is a newly characterized pathologic entity with aggressive morphology but follows an indolent, self‐limiting clinical course.

Study Design

Case report and literature review.

Methods

A case of EBVMCU of the base of tongue is reported and a retrospective review of all cases of EBVMCU of the head and neck at a single academic institution was conducted between January 1, 1986 and April 1, 2015. The MEDLINE database was additionally queried from January 1, 1950 to April 1, 2015 for all reports of EBVMCU of the head and neck, and all pertinent clinical data were extracted.

Results

The clinical presentation, treatment, and response of a patient with EBVMCU of the base of tongue are presented. Interim follow‐up of the patient has revealed a complete remission with discontinuation of immunosuppression and rituximab therapy. A review of the literature supports conservative management and reduction of immunosuppression. Overall, 96.6% of patients with follow‐up greater than 2 months achieved complete remission with conservative management. The current study is the largest series to report on the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of EBVMCU of the head and neck.

Conclusions

EBVMCU tends to follow an indolent and self‐limiting clinical course, responding to reduction of immunosuppression and conservative treatment. It is imperative for clinicians to consider EBVMCU in the differential diagnosis of mucocutaneous ulcers of the head and neck to avoid excessive treatment.

Level of Evidence

Laryngoscope, 126:2500–2504, 2016
Are industry financial ties associated with greater scholarly impact among academic otolaryngologists?
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Bobian Michael , Lin Ho‐Sheng , Setzen Michael , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson , Folbe Adam J.
Published: April 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

In response to concerns regarding physician–industry relationships, the Physician Sunshine Act of 2010 was passed in an effort to increase transparency and accountability. Our objective was to determine whether there is an association between industry support and scholarly impact among academic otolaryngologists.

Methods

Faculty listings, academic rank, and fellowship training of academic otolaryngologists were accessed from departmental websites. H‐indices, number of publications, and publication range (years) of each individual were calculated using the Scopus database. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments database was used to determine industry payments during 2014 to each otolaryngologist.

Results

Of 1,515 otolaryngologists, 65.4% received industry support and 15.8% received support > $1,000. No difference in impact, as measured by the h‐index, was noted upon comparison of those receiving support and those who did not (P > 0.05). Individuals receiving > $1,000 had higher h‐indices and total publications than those receiving < $1,000 or receiving no support (H = 17.8 vs. 10.9, P < 0.0001), even upon controlling for academic seniority. Upon organization by subspecialty, individuals receiving > $1,000 had greater scholarly impact among most subspecialties. Industry contributions increased with advancing experience.

Conclusion

Receiving industry contributions greater than $1,000 is associated with greater scholarly impact among academic otolaryngologists. In a smaller surgical specialty, such as otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, direct industry research support—as well as indirect contributions through the support of educational programs, consulting, and other expenses—potentially impacts scholarly discourse; these findings do not reflect a causal relationship and may require further characterization.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:87–94, 2017
Cell‐specific overactivation of nuclear erythroid 2 p45‐related factor 2–mediated gene expression in myeloid cells decreases hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Lee Lung‐Yi , Harberg Calvin , Matkowskyj Kristina A. , Cook Shelly , Roenneburg Drew , Werner Sabine , Johnson Delinda A. , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Foley David P.
Published: April 2016

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is an unavoidable consequence of liver transplantation that can lead to postoperative hepatic dysfunction. Myeloid cells that include Kupffer cells, monocytes, and neutrophils contribute to the inflammatory response and cellular injury observed during hepatic IRI. We hypothesize that overactivation of the nuclear erythroid 2 p45‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway in myeloid cells leads to decreased cellular damage after hepatic IRI. We constructed transgenic mice with constitutively active nuclear erythroid 2 p45‐related factor 2 (caNrf2) that over activates the Nrf2‐ARE pathway in myeloid cells (lysozyme M cre recombinase [LysMcre]+/caNrf2+, n = 9), and their littermate controls lacking transgene expression (LysMcre+/caNrf2−, n = 11). The mice underwent either sham or partial hepatic ischemia surgery, with 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. After IRI, LysMcre+/caNrf2+ mice demonstrated significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and decreased areas of necrosis. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblot of caspase 3 showed a significantly decreased cleaved to full‐length caspase 3 ratio in LysMcre+/caNrf2+ animals. Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G and CD68 staining demonstrated reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. LysMcre+/caNrf2+ animals also had significantly decreased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL) 1β, IL6, tumor necrosis factor α, chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2, and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 10, and significantly decreased levels of 8‐isoprostanes. In our model, Nrf2 overactivation in myeloid cells leads to decreased hepatocellular damage, necrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Pharmacologic targeting of the Nrf2‐ARE pathway in myeloid cells may be a novel strategy to mitigate hepatic IRI. Liver Transplantation 22 1115–1128 2016 AASLD
Effect of pressure on supercritical CO2 compatibility of structural alloys at 750 °C
Authors: Pint B.A. , Brese R.G. , Keiser J.R.
Published: April 2016

Several power generation technologies have interest in employing a supercritical CO2 (sCO2) cycle but relatively little compatibility work has been conducted at the target pressure range of 200–300 bar, particularly at ≥700 °C. With the goal of utilizing lower pressure data sets (especially with controlled O2 and H2O contents), this initial assessment compared the effect of CO2 pressure at 1–300 bar on the compatibility of potential Fe‐ and Ni‐base structural alloys after 500 h exposures at 750 °C. For highly‐alloyed alumina‐ and chromia‐forming alloys, a minimal effect of pressure was observed on the mass change and reaction products, which were similar to those observed in 1 bar dry air, CO2, CO2–0.15%O2 and CO2–10%H2O. After these relatively short exposures, there was no obvious indication of internal carburization and the Cr depletion in the precipitation strengthened Ni‐base alloys (740 and 282) was minimal. In addition to coupons, 25 mm long tensile specimens of alloy 740, 247, 310HCbN, and E‐Brite (Fe–Cr) were exposed in each condition but did not show any detrimental effect of the high‐purity CO2 environments on room temperature tensile properties.
A Precision Ethylene‐Styrene Copolymer with High Styrene Content from Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization of 4‐Phenylcyclopentene
Authors: Neary William J. , Kennemur Justin G.
Published: April 2016

Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of 4‐phenylcyclopentene is investigated for the first time under various conditions. Thermodynamic analysis reveals a polymerization enthalpy and entropy sufficient for high molar mass and conversions at lower temperatures. In one example, neat polymerization using Hoveyda–Grubbs second generation catalyst at −15 °C yields 81% conversion to poly(4‐phenylcyclopentene) (P4PCP) with a number average molar mass of 151 kg mol−1 and dispersity of 1.77. Quantitative homogeneous hydrogenation of P4PCP results in a precision ethylene‐styrene copolymer (H2‐P4PCP) with a phenyl branch at every fifth carbon along the backbone. This equates to a perfectly alternating trimethylene‐styrene sequence with 71.2% w/w styrene content that is inaccessible through molecular catalyst copolymerization strategies. Differential scanning calorimetry confirms P4PCP and H2‐P4PCP are amorphous materials with similar glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 17 ± 2 °C. Both materials present well‐defined styrenic analogs for application in specialty materials or composites where lower softening temperatures may be desired.

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Are Patients with Psychogenic Movement Disorders More Likely to be Healthcare Workers?
Authors: Perry Christina G. , Holmes Katherine G. , Gruber‐Baldini Ann L. , Anderson Karen E. , Shulman Lisa M. , Weiner William J. , Reich Stephen G.
Published: April 2016

Background

Reported risk factors for the development of a psychogenic movement disorder (PMD) include young age, female gender, history of abuse, current or past psychiatric disorder, lower levels of education and socioeconomic status, and employment as a healthcare worker. Although employment in healthcare is included in several diagnostic criteria for PMD, as well as in many case series, this association has never been validated.

Methods

Using the University of Maryland Movement Disorder Database (UMMDD), we identified PMD cases, as well as patients with isolated focal dystonia as controls. An experienced movement disorder specialist diagnosed all patients, and all cases met criteria for clinically established PMD. Demographic and occupational histories were obtained from medical records and were supplemented by telephone interviews. PMD cases and controls were compared using t tests/χ2 tests.

Results

Controls (n = 148) were older than PMD cases (n = 132), with an average age of 61.4 and 52.1 years, respectively (P < 0.001); there were no significant differences between groups with respect to gender, education level, and ethnicity. The proportion of healthcare workers was not significantly different between PMD cases and controls (25% of PMD cases vs. 20% of controls; P = 0.28).

Conclusions

In contrast to traditional teaching, this investigation demonstrates that in our patient population, patients with a PMD were no more likely to be employed as healthcare workers than patients with isolated focal dystonia. This study calls into question the use of employment in healthcare as a reliable criterion to support the diagnosis of PMD.
Strong consistency of random gradient‐free algorithms for distributed optimization
Authors: Chen Xing‐Min , Gao Chao
Published: April 2016

A distributed multi‐agent convex optimization problem over a network with time‐varying connectivity is considered, where the agents are to collectively minimize a sum of nonsmooth but Lipschitz continuous functions subject to a convex constraint set. Based on Gaussian smoothing of the objective functions, a distributed projective random gradient‐free algorithm is considered for the constrained optimization problem, where each agent performs a local averaging operation, takes the one‐sided or two‐sided randomized gradient approximates instead of the subgradients to minimize its own objective function, and projects on the constraint set. The bounds on the limiting performance of the algorithm in mean are obtained, and it is proven that there is mean consensus between agents for diminishing step sizes. It is showed that with appropriately selected step sizes, the agent estimates generated by the algorithm converge to the same stationary point of the smoothed version of the problem with probability 1. Therefore, with sufficient small smoothing parameters, we obtain the result of consensus and convergence of the agent estimates to an optimal solution with probability 1. A numerical example is provided to justify the theoretical analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validating the proposed ICD‐11 domains
Authors: Mulder Roger T. , Horwood John , Tyrer Peter , Carter Janet , Joyce Peter R.
Published: April 2016

Aim

The ICD‐11 Personality Disorders Committee has proposed five personality domains: Detached, Anankastic, Negative Affective, Dissocial and Disinhibited. We attempted to validate these proposed domains in a large sample of patients with major depression.

Methods

Participants from five treatment studies received a SCID assessment interview to assess DSM‐5 personality disorder symptoms. Personality disorder symptoms were assigned to the five proposed domains. Confirmatory factor analysis in an exploratory framework was used to test the hypothesized domain structure.

Results

A total of 606 patients were included in the analysis. A series of models were tested on the data set. The best fitting model produced five domains. Three domains detached, anankastic and negative affective were similar to the ICD‐11 proposed domains. The Disinhibited domain did not emerge as a distinct factor but loaded onto a single Dissocial/Disinhibited factor. The model was improved by adding a separate Antisocial domain. The remaining domain incorporating borderline, histrionic and narcissistic symptoms is tentatively labelled Borderline to retain continuity with clinical practice and research.

Conclusions

The proposed ICD‐11 personality disorder domains were partially validated. We have five domains currently labelled Detached, Anankastic, Negative Emotional, Antisocial and Borderline. The sample studied limits the generalizability of our findings. In particular, the broad domain we have called Borderline requires further study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical properties and passivation effects of silicon nitride three layer stacks deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kluska S. , Hejduk K. , Drabczyk K. , Lipiński M.
Published: April 2016

In this work, we investigate the optical properties and passivation effects of silicon nitride stacks deposited by the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system. A stack of three SiNx:H layers with different refractive indices were deposited at 310 °C using silane (SiH4) and ammonia (NH3) as precursor gases. The chemical composition of the films was modulated by varying the gas flow ratio r = [NH3]/[SiH4]. Details of the optical optimization procedure are presented. Thanks to spectrophotometric and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements we confirmed the suitability of a three layered SiNx:H stack for antireflective coating. Passivation effects were evaluated by measurements of effective carrier lifetimes. Simulated short‐circuit currents were also calculated for two fixed internal quantum efficiency IQE spectra. It was found that a triple‐layered silicon nitride coating provides lower optical reflection and better passivation for silicon p‐type than those of a single‐layered silicon nitride coating.
Training Rehabilitation as an Effective Treatment for Patients With Vascular Cognitive Impairment With No Dementia
Authors: Feng Haixia , Li Guohong , Xu Cuirong , Ju Changping , Qiu Xichenhui
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of cognitive training on the cognitive function of patients with vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia (VCIND).

Design:

A randomized controlled trial.

Method:

Seventy-three cases of VCIND patients were used as subjects, of which 36 patients were subjected to routine care with systemic cognitive training and classified as the intervention group, whereas the other 37 patients were subjected to a routine care only and classified as the control group. Multidimensional neuropsychological assessments were performed 3 months before and after the intervention.

Findings:

The patients’ performance on functional tests was significantly improved after intervention (p < .05) except from Stroop Color-Word Test (p ≥ .05).

Conclusions:

After systemic cognitive training, VCIND patients showed a significant improvement in visuospatial function, memory function, language function, and attention function, whereas their execution function was partially improved.

Clinical Relevance:

Despite the promising results, there is still a need to improve the support for patients affected by VCIND requiring rehabilitation.
21,21,21‐Trifluorothevinone: the Straightest Way to Fluorinated Thevinols and Orvinols
Authors: Sandulenko Irina V. , Kovaleva Ekaterina S. , Peregudov Alexandr S. , Kalinin Valery N. , Moiseev Sergey K.
Published: April 2016

Thevinone is the key starting material for preparations of thevinols and orvinols, the well‐known opioid receptor ligands. Some of them have found applications both in human medicine and veterinary. Herein we disclose the convenient multigram‐scale preparation of 21,21,21‐trifluorothevinone that opens the straightest way to the relative C(21)‐fluorinated thevinols and orvinols, the putative opiod receptor ligands as well as the valuable objects for investigations of the structure‐activity relationship in the thevinol/orvinol series. 21,21,21‐Trifluorothevinone was prepared by a reaction of the thebaine‐based [4+2]‐adduct of acroleine with CF3SiMe3 followed by the Swern oxidation of the fluorinated alcohol thus obtained.
The Power of Talk: Making Room for All Voices to Be Heard
Authors: Kaplan Staci
Published: April 2016

View From the Chalkboard essays share readers' reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Response of plant functional traits to grazing for three dominant species in alpine steppe habitat of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Wang Jianxun , Zhong Mengying , Wu Ruixin , Dong QuanMin , Wang Kun , Shao Xinqing
Published: April 2016

Above‐ground biomass (AGB) is an important indicator of grassland ecosystem performance. Easily measured plant functional traits (PFTs) may provide useful predictors of the response of plants to grazing. Understanding the response of PFTs to grazing and the relationship between PFTs and AGB is very important for effectively predicting the response of ecosystems to grazing and rangeland management. A grazing experiment was conducted in Gangcha County, Qinghai Province, in the northeastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in 2012 and 2013. We investigated the response of PFTs in three dominant species (Elymus nutans, Kobresia humilis, and Stipa purpurea) to grazing, using six stocking rates. Plant height (PH), plant weight, leaf area, and leaf dry biomass of these three dominant species had significantly negative relationships with stocking rate. Leaf thickness (LT) of these three species usually showed a unimodal response to grazing. Specific leaf area generally showed a quadratic relationship with grazing intensity. No consistent effects of grazing were observed on nitrogen content per unit mass (Nmass) and nitrogen content per unit area (Narea). PH, leaf area, and leaf dry mass (LDM) were positively associated with AGB, but LT, Nmass, and Narea had no statistically significant association with AGB. We thus conclude that PH, leaf area, and LDM best predict the effects of grazing on AGB. Finally, 2.87 sheep/ha is recommended as the optimal stocking rate in this region to maintain the health of this grassland ecosystem and to allow for sustainable development.
Eucaloric Ketogenic Diet Reduces Hypoglycemia and Inflammation in Mice with Endotoxemia
Authors: Nandivada Prathima , Fell Gillian L. , Pan Amy H. , Nose Vania , Ling Pei‐Ra , Bistrian Bruce R. , Puder Mark
Published: April 2016

Dietary strategies to alter the immune response to acute inflammation have the potential to improve outcomes in critically ill patients. A eucaloric ketogenic diet (EKD), composed predominantly of fat with very small amounts of carbohydrate, can provide adequate caloric support while minimizing spikes in blood glucose and reducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an EKD on glycemic control and the inflammatory response after acute endotoxemia in mice. Mice received either an EKD or a carbohydrate‐based control diet (CD) for 4 weeks. Animals subsequently underwent either a 2‐h fast (postprandial) or an overnight fast (postabsorptive), and half of the animals in each diet group were randomized to receive either intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline. Glycemic response, insulin resistance, inflammatory cytokine levels, and the expression of key inflammatory and metabolic genes were measured. After endotoxin challenge, hypoglycemia was more frequent in mice fed a CD than an EKD in the postprandial period. This was due in part to the preservation of hepatic glycogen stores despite endotoxin exposure and prolonged fasting in mice fed an EKD. Furthermore, mice fed the CD had higher levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in the postabsorptive period, with a fivefold higher expression of hepatic NFκB compared to mice fed the EKD in both fasting periods. These results suggest that the unique metabolic state induced by an EKD can alter the response to acute inflammation in mice.
Composition of Rice Bran Stearin from Various Refineries Across China
Authors: Shi Can , Liu Ruijie , Chang Ming , Jin Qingzhe , Wang Xingguo
Published: April 2016

In this study, we evaluated the composition of rice bran stearin (RBS) from various refineries across China. Here, we report the physicochemical parameters of RBS. The slip melting point ranged from 20.8 to 35.3 °C. The free fatty acid content (0.05–0.27 %) and peroxide value (0.34–3.70 mequiv oxygen/kg) was quite low, indicating that the RBS was of good quality. The iodine value ranged from 85.8–102.9 g/100 g, indicating a high unsaturated bond content. There was a significant difference in the unsaponifiable matter content (1.20–3.87 %) among RBS samples. The oxidative stability index (OSI) ranged from 0.56 to 5.85 h. The palmitic acid content in RBS refined by molecular distillation was significantly higher than the RBS that was refined physically and chemically. The major triacylglycerol was LLO/OLL, PLL/LPL, OLO, PLP, OOO and POO (L, linoleic acid; O, oleic acid; P, palmitic acid). RBS contained high levels of micronutrients, including total tocopherols (23.3–117.9 mg/100 g), oryzanol (0.1–2.1 %), and total sterols (682.9–1787.3 mg/100 g). Moreover, three different kinds of solid fat curves were distinguished. The results presented here are probably the first report regarding RBS on an industrial scale, meanwhile the potential utilization of RBS is discussed.
“Mad Scared” versus “I Was Sad”: Emotional expression and response in urban adolescent males
Authors: Reigeluth Christopher S. , Pollastri Alisha R. , Cardemil Esteban V. , Addis Michael E.
Published: April 2016

Decades of masculinity research have concluded that society places higher demands on males to adhere to norms for low emotional expression; yet, countless studies find that emotional expression is integral to well‐being. Unfortunately, this contradiction places boys and men in a tenuous position as they must navigate a bombardment of societal messages about the importance of emotional stoicism and invincibility. For urban adolescents, the situation is more complicated as they encounter environmental stressors that place greater emphasis on projecting a tough façade. Thus, our primary aim was to assess to what degree dyads of close adolescent male friends from urban, low‐income neighborhoods are able to engage in emotional expression and response and to explore some of the underlying mechanisms and interpersonal processes. Qualitative findings from our sample suggest that urban boys exhibit a wide range of behaviors when participating in dyadic emotional disclosure and response, including being highly emotionally expressive and supportive in the context of close male friendship.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis: population-based study
Authors: Hung S H , Lin H C , Kao L T , Wu C S , Chung S D
Published: April 2016

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the association of chronic rhinosinusitis with sudden sensorineural hearing loss using a population-based database.

Methods:

Sampled subject data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. A total of 3325 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were identified and 9975 controls were randomly selected. A conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio for having been previously diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, for cases and controls.

Results and conclusion:

The adjusted odds ratio of having prior chronic rhinosinusitis among cases compared to controls was 1.36 (95 per cent confidence interval = 1.16–1.60). The significant relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and chronic rhinosinusitis was most pronounced among those patients aged 44 years or less (compared to controls) (odds ratio = 2.18; 95 per cent confidence interval = 1.63–2.92). However, the significant relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and prior chronic rhinosinusitis was not sustained for patients older than 60 years compared to controls.
Functional morphology ofCardiomya cleryana(d'Orbigny, 1842) (Bivalvia: Anomalodesmata: Cuspidariidae) from Brazilian waters: new insights into the lifestyle of carnivorous bivalves
Authors: Machado Fabrizio Marcondes , Morton Brian , Passos Flávio Dias
Published: April 2016

Of the more than 800 Recent species of Anomalodesmata only 16 have been studied alive. The Septibranchia, comprising a number of carnivorous bivalve superfamilies, are no exception to this generalization and, until recently, no living member of this group has been studied since the 1980s. Collected from the shallow, shelf seabed off Brazil,Cardiomya cleryanais one of only a few species to have its morphology described in recent years and the first ever anomalodesmatan to be filmed alive. Important anatomical features such as a greatly extensible foot to secure itself in the sediment with a single byssal thread, exhalant siphon inter-tentacular projections and micro-papillae on the surface of the siphonal tentacles are described. Observations on the species’ behaviour have revealed a lifestyle hitherto not recorded for any septibranch, indeed any anomalodesmatan. The anchoring mechanism ofC. cleryanausing an extraordinarily long byssal thread is described for the first time. The life position ofC. cleryanais at 45° to the sediment-water interface whereas other cuspidariids have been considered to orient themselves vertically. An anatomical comparison betweenCardiomyaandBathyneaerahas revealed close affinities. This study thus provides new insights into the morphology and behaviour of the Cuspidariidae.
Transfer from implicit to explicit phonological abilities in first and second language learners
Authors: JANSSEN CARESSA , SEGERS ELIANE , MCQUEEN JAMES M. , VERHOEVEN LUDO
Published: April 2016

Children's abilities to process the phonological structure of words are important predictors of their literacy development. In the current study, we examined the interrelatedness between implicit (i.e., speech decoding) and explicit (i.e., phonological awareness) phonological abilities, and especially the role therein of lexical specificity (i.e., the ability to learn to recognize spoken words based on only minimal acoustic-phonetic differences). We tested 75 Dutch monolingual and 64 Turkish–Dutch bilingual kindergartners. SEM analyses showed that speech decoding predicted lexical specificity, which in turn predicted rhyme awareness in the first language learners but phoneme awareness in the second language learners. Moreover, in the latter group there was an impact of the second language: Dutch speech decoding and lexical specificity predicted Turkish phonological awareness, which in turn predicted Dutch phonological awareness. We conclude that language-specific phonological characteristics underlie different patterns of transfer from implicit to explicit phonological abilities in first and second language learners.
Why Do Voters Change Their Evaluations of a President? A Taiwanese Case
Authors: TANG YEN-CHEN , CHANG ALEX CHUAN-HSIEN
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we analyze how citizens evaluate their president, especially focusing on why voters lower their evaluations at an individual-level perspective. We assert that citizens raise their evaluations of a new president when their expectations are met and lower their opinions when his or her performance disappoints them. Furthermore, the evaluations of the president are not only affected by a government's economic and diplomatic performance, but are also influenced by individual awareness of salient political issues, the contents of the news, and their own perceived influence on politics. We test the theoretical hypotheses using Taiwan's Election and Democratization Study (TEDS) panel survey data. The statistical results support our theoretical hypotheses and show that when President Ma's performance did not meet respondents’ expectations of unification and economic prosperity, the respondents updated their evaluations of Ma. In addition, it also shows that the extent of respondents’ media exposure and political efficacy are significantly associated with the change in their opinions of Ma.
Consumer-run services research and implications for mental health care
Authors: Segal S. P. , Hayes S. L.
Published: April 2016

Mental health consumers/survivors developed consumer-run services (CRSs) as alternatives to disempowering professionally run services that limited participant self-determination. The objective of the CRS is to promote recovery outcomes, not to cure or prevent mental illness. Recovery outcomes pave the way to a satisfying life as defined by the individual consumer despite repetitive episodes of disorder. Recovery is a way of life, which through empowerment, hope, self-efficacy, minimisation of self-stigma, and improved social integration, may offer a path to functional improvement that may lead to a better way to manage distress and minimise the impact of illness episodes. ‘Nothing about us without us’ is the defining objective of the process activity that defines self-help. It is the giving of agency to participants. Without such process there is a real question as to whether an organisation is a legitimate CRS or simply a non-governmental organisation run by a person who claims lived experience. In considering the effectiveness of CRSs, fidelity should be defined by the extent to which the organisation's process conveys agency. Unidirectional helping often does for people what they can do for themselves, stealing agency. The consequence of the lack of fidelity in CRSs to the origins of the self-help movement has been a general finding in multisite studies of no or little difference in outcomes attributable to the consumer service. This, from the perspective of the research summarised herein, results in the mixing of programmatic efforts, some of which enhance outcomes as they are true mutual assistance programmes and some of which degrade outcomes as they are unidirectional, hierarchical, staff-directed helping efforts making false claims to providing agency. The later CRS interventions may provoke disappointment and additional failure. The indiscriminate combining of studies produces the average: no effect.
Electrons Thrown Off Course in Near-Earth Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Higginson Aleida
Published: April 2016

NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission detects energy differences in electrons scattered by magnetic reconnection.
Transcriptome analysis of interactions between silkworm and cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus
Authors: Jiang Liang , Peng Zhengwen , Guo Youbing , Cheng Tingcai , Guo Huizhen , Sun Qiang , Huang Chunlin , Zhao Ping , Xia Qingyou
Published: April 2016

Bombyx moricytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) specifically infects silkworm midgut (MG) and multiplication occurs mainly in posterior midgut (PM). In this study, MG and fat body (FB) were extracted at 0, 3, 24, and 72 h after BmCPV infection. The total sequence reads of each sample were more than 1510000, and the mapping ratio exceeded 95.3%. Upregulated transcripts increased in MG during the infection process. Gene ontology (GO) categories showed that antioxidants were all upregulated in FB but not in MG. BGI001299, BGI014434, BGI012068, and BGI009201 were MG-specific genes with transmembrane transport function, the expression of which were induced by BmCPV. BGI001299, BGI014434, and BGI012068 expressed in entire MG and may be involved in BmCPV invasion. BGI009201 expressed only in PM and may be necessary for BmCPV proliferation. BmPGRP-S2 and BGI012452 (a putative serine protease) were induced by BmCPV and may be involved in immune defense against BmCPV. The expression level of BmCPV S1, S2, S3, S6, and S7 was high and there was no expression of S9 in MG 72 h, implying that the expression time of structural protein coding genes is earlier. These results provide insights into the mechanism of BmCPV infection and host defense.
Accumulation of isolevuglandin-modified protein in normal and fibrotic lung
Authors: Mont Stacey , Davies Sean S. , Roberts L. Jackson , Mernaugh Raymond L. , McDonald W. Hayes , Segal Brahm H. , Zackert William , Kropski Jonathan A. , Blackwell Timothy S. , Sekhar Konjeti R. , Galligan James J. , Massion Pierre P. , Marnett Lawrence J. , Travis Elizabeth L. , Freeman Michael L.
Published: April 2016

Protein lysine modification by γ-ketoaldehyde isomers derived from arachidonic acid, termed isolevuglandins (IsoLGs), is emerging as a mechanistic link between pathogenic reactive oxygen species and disease progression. However, the questions of whether covalent modification of proteins by IsoLGs are subject to genetic regulation and the identity of IsoLG-modified proteins remain unclear. Herein we show that Nrf2 and Nox2 are key regulators of IsoLG modification in pulmonary tissue and report on the identity of proteins analyzed by LC-MS following immunoaffinity purification of IsoLG-modified proteins. Gene ontology analysis revealed that proteins in numerous cellular pathways are susceptible to IsoLG modification. Although cells tolerate basal levels of modification, exceeding them induces apoptosis. We found prominent modification in a murine model of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, two diseases considered to be promoted by gene-regulated oxidant stress. Based on these results we hypothesize that IsoLG modification is a hitherto unrecognized sequelae that contributes to radiation-induced pulmonary injury and IPF.
Pronounced peptide selectivity for melanoma through tryptophan end-tagging
Authors: Duong Dinh Thuy , Singh Shalini , Bagheri Mojtaba , Verma Navin Kumar , Schmidtchen Artur , Malmsten Martin
Published: April 2016

Effects of oligotryptophan end-tagging on the uptake of arginine-rich peptides into melanoma cells was investigated under various conditions and compared to that into non-malignant keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and erythrocytes, also monitoring resulting cell toxicity. In parallel, biophysical studies on peptide binding to, and destabilization of, model lipid membranes provided mechanistic insight into the origin of the selectivity between melanoma and non-malignant cells. Collectively, the results demonstrate that W-tagging represents a powerful way to increase selective peptide internalization in melanoma cells, resulting in toxicity against these, but not against the non-malignant cells. These effects were shown to be due to increased peptide adsorption to the outer membrane in melanoma cells, caused by the presence of anionic lipids such as phosphatidylserine and ganglioside GM1, and to peptide effects on mitochondria membranes and resulting apoptosis. In addition, the possibility of using W-tagged peptides for targeted uptake of nanoparticles/drug carriers in melanoma was demonstrated, as was the possibility to open up the outer membrane of melanoma cells in order to facilitate uptake of low Mw anticancer drugs, here demonstrated for doxorubicin.
0.26-Hz-linewidth ultrastable lasers at 1557 nm
Authors: Wu Lifei , Jiang Yanyi , Ma Chaoqun , Qi Wen , Yu Hongfu , Bi Zhiyi , Ma Longsheng
Published: April 2016

Narrow-linewidth ultrastable lasers at 1.5 μm are essential in many applications such as coherent transfer of light through fiber and precision spectroscopy. Those applications all rely on the ultimate performance of the lasers. Here we demonstrate two ultrastable lasers at 1557 nm with a most probable linewidth of 0.26 Hz by independently frequency-stabilizing to the resonance of 10-cm-long ultrastable Fabry-Pérot cavities at room temperature. The fractional frequency instability of each laser system is nearly 8 × 10−16 at 1–30 s averaging time, approaching the thermal noise limit of the reference cavities. A remarkable frequency instability of 1 × 10−15 is achieved on the long time scale of 100–4000 s.
Semiconductor Electronic Label-Free Assay for Predictive Toxicology
Authors: Mao Yufei , Shin Kyeong-Sik , Wang Xiang , Ji Zhaoxia , Meng Huan , Chui Chi On
Published: April 2016

While animal experimentations have spearheaded numerous breakthroughs in biomedicine, they also have spawned many logistical concerns in providing toxicity screening for copious new materials. Their prioritization is premised on performing cellular-level screening in vitro. Among the screening assays, secretomic assay with high sensitivity, analytical throughput and simplicity is of prime importance. Here, we build on the over 3-decade-long progress on transistor biosensing and develop the holistic assay platform and procedure called semiconductor electronic label-free assay (SELFA). We demonstrate that SELFA, which incorporates an amplifying nanowire field-effect transistor biosensor, is able to offer superior sensitivity, similar selectivity and shorter turnaround time compared to standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We deploy SELFA secretomics to predict the inflammatory potential of eleven engineered nanomaterials in vitro and validate the results with confocal microscopy in vitro and confirmatory animal experiment in vivo. This work provides a foundation for high-sensitivity label-free assay utility in predictive toxicology.