bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global monthly sea surface nitrate fields estimated from remotely sensed sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, and modeled mixed layer depth
Authors: Arteaga Lionel , Pahlow Markus , Oschlies Andreas
Published: January 2015

Information about oceanic nitrate is crucial for making inferences about marine biological production and the efficiency of the biological carbon pump. While there are no optical properties that allow direct estimation of inorganic nitrogen, its correlation with other biogeochemical variables may permit its inference from satellite data. Here we report a new method for estimating monthly mean surface nitrate concentrations employing local multiple linear regressions on a global 1° by 1° resolution grid, using satellite‐derived sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, and modeled mixed layer depth. Our method is able to reproduce the interannual variability of independent in situ nitrate observations at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series, the Hawaii Ocean Time series, the California coast, and the southern New Zealand region. Our new method is shown to be more accurate than previous algorithms and thus can provide improved information on temporal and spatial nutrient variations beyond the climatological mean at regional and global scales.
Near‐cloud aerosols in monsoon environment and its impact on radiative forcing
Authors: Konwar M. , Panicker A. S. , Axisa D. , Prabha T. V.
Published: January 2015

In order to understand the near‐cloud aerosol properties and their impact on radiative forcing, we utilized in situ aircraft measurements of aerosol particles and cloud droplets during the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment carried out over the Indian subcontinent in the monsoon season. From the measurement of aerosol size distribution of diameter range from 0.1 to 50 µm, we reported that aerosol concentrations could be enhanced by 81% and the effective diameter (deff, µm) by a factor of 2 near the cloud edges when compared with regions far from the cloud. These enhanced aerosol concentrations are a function of the relative humidity (RH) in the cloud‐free zone, attributed to mixing and entrainment processes in the cloud edges. It is also found that for warm clouds, RH increases exponentially in the near‐cloud regions. In addition, deff was increased linearly with RH. Through model simulations, we found that aerosol optical depth decreases with distance from the cloud edge. Further, aerosols in cloud edges were found to increase the reflected flux by 20% compared to cloud‐free regions, thus brightening the near‐cloud areas.
Satellite‐based climatology of low‐level continental clouds in southern West Africa during the summer monsoon season
Authors: van der Linden Roderick , Fink Andreas H. , Redl Robert
Published: January 2015

Synoptic observations and various satellite products have been utilized for computing climatologies of low‐level stratus over southern West Africa for the wet monsoon seasons July–September of 2006–2011. Previous studies found inconsistencies between satellite cloud products; climate models often fail to reproduce the extensive stratus decks. Therefore, a better observational reference and an understanding of its limitations are urgently needed to better validate models. Most detailed information of the spatiotemporal characteristics of low‐level clouds was obtained from two Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite‐based data sets. However, CALIPSO and CloudSat cross sections of cloud occurrence frequency suggest that both MSG products underestimate the low‐level cloudiness over Nigeria due to shielding by abundant upper level and midlevel clouds and reveal that the stratus is lower over the continent than over the ocean. The Terra Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer product appears to overestimate the morning extent of low‐level clouds. The climatology presented here shows that the zone of abundant low‐level stratiform clouds is at its diurnal minimum south of 6–7°N around sunset (~1800 UTC). Thereafter, it starts to spread inland and reaches its maximum northward extent of 10–11°N between 0900 and 1000 UTC. The maximum affected area is approximately 800,000 km2. After about 1000 UTC, the northern boundary gets fragmented due to the breakup of stratus decks into fair‐weather cumuli. The stratus is most frequent around Cape Palmas, over Ivory Coast, and at the windward sides of the Mampong Range (Ghana) and Oshogbo Hills (Nigeria).
Quantifying snowfall and avalanche release synchronization: A case study
Authors: Crouzy Benoît , Forclaz Romain , Sovilla Betty , Corripio Javier , Perona Paolo
Published: January 2015

We quantify the synchronization between snowfall and natural avalanches in relation to terrain properties at the detachment zone. We analyze field statistics of 549 avalanche events in terms of slope, aspect, timing, coordinate, and release area, identified by a georeferencing procedure applied on terrestrial photography. The information from the digital pictures, together with associated meteorological data, provides us with the input needed for model calibration, namely, the magnitude of snowfall, the snow compaction rate, and the timing of precipitation and of avalanche events. Synchronization between snowfall and avalanches is established for different slope categories. We obtain an average probability of release after a snow event of 30% and 16% for the high‐ and low‐slope categories (average slope 44° and 36°, respectively). Using the notion of information entropy, we quantify the uncertainty in predicting avalanche occurrence from a snow event. The steeper slopes correspond to a larger entropy in avalanche prediction. Further, the presented method allows us to establish the return period of avalanches without requiring a long series of data. When considering events regardless of their release depth, the avalanches had a return period of 48 days (higher slopes) and 88 days (lower slopes). Finally, we determine the average daily detachment rate as a function of snow depth and the return period of avalanches as a function of the release depth.
Density, specific surface area, and correlation length of snow measured by high‐resolution penetrometry
Authors: Proksch Martin , Löwe Henning , Schneebeli Martin
Published: January 2015

Precise measurements of snow structural parameters are crucial to understand the formation of snowpacks by deposition and metamorphism and to characterize the stratigraphy for many applications and remote sensing in particular. The area‐wide acquisition of structural parameters at high spatial resolution from state‐of‐the‐art methods is, however, still cumbersome, since the time required for a single profile is a serious practical limitation. As a remedy we have developed a statistical model to extract three major snow structural parameters: density, correlation length, and specific surface area (SSA) solely from the SnowMicroPen (SMP), a high‐resolution penetrometer, which allows a meter profile to be measured with millimeter resolution in less than 1 min. The model was calibrated by combining SMP data with 3‐D microstructural data from microcomputed tomography which was used to reconstruct full‐depth snow profiles from different snow climates (Alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic). Density, correlation length, and SSA were derived from the SMP with a mean relative error of 10.6%, 16.4%, and 23.1%, respectively. For validation, we compared the density and SSA derived from the SMP to traditional measurements and near‐infrared profiles. We demonstrate the potential of our method by the retrieval of a two‐dimensional stratigraphy at Kohnen Station, Antarctica, from a 46 m long SMP transect. The result clearly reveals past depositional and metamorphic events, and our findings show that the SMP can be used as an objective, high‐resolution tool to retrieve essential snow structural parameters efficiently in the field.
Any of them will do: In‐group identification, out‐group entitativity, and gang membership as predictors of group‐based retribution
Authors: Vasquez Eduardo A. , Wenborne Lisa , Peers Madeline , Alleyne Emma , Ellis Kirsty
Published: January 2015

In non‐gang populations, the degree of identification with an in‐group and perceptions of out‐group entitativity, the perception of an out‐group as bonded or unified, are important contributors to group‐based aggression or vicarious retribution. The link between these factors and group‐based aggression, however, has not been examined in the context of street gangs. The current study assessed the relationship among in‐group identification, perceptions of out‐group entitativity, and the willingness to retaliate against members of rival groups who did not themselves attack the in‐group among juvenile gang and non‐gang members in London. Our results showed the predicted membership (gang/non‐gang) × in‐group identification × entitativity interaction. Decomposition of the three‐way interaction by membership revealed a significant identification × entitativity interaction for gang, but not for non‐gang members. More specifically, gang members who identify more strongly with their gang and perceived a rival group as high on entitativity were more willing to retaliate against any of them. In addition, entitativity was a significant predictor of group‐based aggression after controlling for gender, in‐group identification, and gang membership. Our results are consistent with socio‐psychological theories of group‐based aggression and support the proposal that such theories are applicable for understanding gang‐related violence. Aggr. Behav. 41:242–252, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do Knee Osteoarthritis and Fat‐Free Mass Interact in Their Impact on Health‐Related Quality of Life in Men? Results From a Population‐Based Cohort
Authors: Visser A. Willemien , de Mutsert Renée , Bloem Johannes L. , Reijnierse Monique , Kazato Hanako , le Cessie Saskia , den Heijer Martin , Rosendaal Frits R. , Kloppenburg Margreet ,   for the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study Group
Published: January 2015

Objective

To investigate whether obesity and other risk factors interact with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in its adverse impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

In 1,262 participants of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study, a population‐based cohort (age 45–65 years, 53% women, and median body mass index [BMI] 27 kg/m2), knee OA was defined following modified American College of Rheumatology criteria. BMI and fat‐free mass (as proxy for muscle mass) were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and comorbidities by self‐report. HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form 36 physical component summary (PCS) score. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between knee OA and PCS score, adjusting for age and sex and stratified for BMI, fat‐free mass, and comorbidities.

Results

Knee OA (prevalence 16%) was associated with a 7.2‐points lower PCS score (95% confidence interval −9.5, −4.8). PCS score was also negatively associated with obesity and comorbidities; however, no interaction with knee OA was seen. Low fat‐free mass was associated with a lower PCS score and interacted with knee OA in men. Interaction between concurring OA and low fat‐free mass attributed to 64% of the decrease in PCS score, as compared with men without OA and with high fat‐free mass.

Conclusion

Knee OA was associated with a lower HRQOL, as were its risk factors, obesity, comorbidities, and low fat‐free mass. In men, fat‐free mass interacted with knee OA, leading to an additional decrease of HRQOL in the case of concurrence. Especially in the former, improvement of fat‐free mass may improve HRQOL in knee OA patients.
Effect of bed size on hydrodynamics in 3‐D gas–solid fluidized beds
Authors: Verma Vikrant , Padding Johan T. , Deen Niels G. , (Hans) Kuipers J. A. M.
Published: January 2015

It is well known that hydrodynamics observed in large scale gas–solid fluidized beds are different from those observed in smaller scale beds. In this article, an efficient two‐fluid model based on kinetic theory of granular flow is applied, with the goal to highlight and investigate hydrodynamics differences between three‐dimensional fluidized beds of diameter 0.10, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, and 1.0 m, focusing on the bubble and solids flow characteristics in the bubbling regime. Results for the 0.30 m diameter bed are compared with experimental results from the literature. The bubble size evolution closely follows a correlation proposed by Werther for small beds, and a correlation proposed by Darton for sufficiently large beds. The bubble size increases as the bed diameter is increased from 0.10 to 0.30 m, and remains approximately constant for bed diameters from 0.30 to 1.0 m. Concurrently, an increase in bubble rise velocity is observed, with a much high bubble rise velocity in the largest bed of diameter 1.0 m due to gulf stream circulations. The dynamics in shallow and deep beds is predicted to be different, with marked differences in bubble size and solids circulation patterns. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1492–1506, 2015
Influence of sexual competition and social context on homosexual behavior in adolescent female Japanese macaques
Authors: Gunst Noëlle , Leca Jean‐Baptiste , Vasey Paul L.
Published: January 2015

We explored the role that sexual and social partners play in the expression of female homosexual behavior among adolescent female Japanese macaques at Arashiyama, Japan. Our data fully or partially supported all the predictions related to four non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses, namely the “adult male disinterest in adolescent females” hypothesis, the “numerous homosexual adult females” hypothesis, the “safer homosexual interactions” hypothesis and the “same‐sex sexual interactions” hypothesis. Our results show that both sexual context (e.g., lack of adolescent female attractivity toward adult males, presence of motivated same‐sex sexual partners), and social context (e.g., risk of aggression) help explain the high frequency and prevalence of homosexual behavior in adolescent females in the Arashiyama group of Japanese macaques. As with adult females, whose homosexual consortships do not reflect generalized patterns of social affiliation or kinship, we found that adolescent females’ same‐sex sexual partners were neither kin, nor were they non‐kin individuals with whom adolescent females were closely affiliated outside of a consortship context. Our study furthers the growing database of female homosexual behavior in Japanese macaques and provides additional evidence that homosexual behavior as expressed by adolescent female Japanese macaques is, like heterosexual behavior, sexual in nature. We discuss the relevance of our findings to a broader comparative approach that may shed light upon the development and evolution of human homosexuality. Am. J. Primatol. 77:502–515, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cultural interaction and biological distance in postclassic period Mexico
Authors: Ragsdale Corey S. , Edgar Heather J.H.
Published: January 2015

Economic, political, and cultural relationships connected virtually every population throughout Mexico during Postclassic period (AD 900–1520). Much of what is known about population interaction in prehistoric Mexico is based on archaeological or ethnohistoric data. What is unclear, especially for the Postclassic period, is how these data correlate with biological population structure. We address this by assessing biological (phenotypic) distances among 28 samples based upon a comparison of dental morphology trait frequencies, which serve as a proxy for genetic variation, from 810 individuals. These distances were compared with models representing geographic and cultural relationships among the same groups. Results of Mantel and partial Mantel matrix correlation tests show that shared migration and trade are correlated with biological distances, but geographic distance is not. Trade and political interaction are also correlated with biological distance when combined in a single matrix. These results indicate that trade and political relationships affected population structure among Postclassic Mexican populations. We suggest that trade likely played a major role in shaping patterns of interaction between populations. This study also shows that the biological distance data support the migration histories described in ethnohistoric sources. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:121–133, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mixed‐matrix membranes based on polyurethane containing nanohydroxyapatite and its potential applications
Authors: Ciobanu Gabriela , Ciobanu Octavian
Published: January 2015

In this study, new asymmetric polyurethane (PU) mixed‐matrix membranes with different nanohydroxyapatite loadings were prepared via a dry–wet phase inversion method by the dispersion of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles in the PU matrix. The HA nanopowder was obtained by a wet chemical precipitation method; it showed an average crystallite size of 58.3 nm, a specific surface area of 261 m2/g, and a pore size of about 1.6 nm. The effects of the HA loading (10–50 wt %) on the PU membrane characteristics were studied. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the HA nanoparticles were well dispersed enough in the PU matrix. The average pore size in the top layer and porosity of the membranes slowly decreased, whereas the hydrophilicity and water permeability increased with increasing content of HA. The evaluation of the nanofiltration performance was performed by investigation of the NaCl rejection. The composite membranes had a higher salt‐removal capacity than the unfilled PU membrane. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 41813.
New GH16 β‐glucanase from Paenibacillus barcinonensis BP‐23 releases a complex pattern of mixed‐linkage oligomers from barley glucan
Authors: Cerda Liliana Alexandra , Valenzuela Susana Valeria , Diaz Pilar , Pastor Francisco I. Javier
Published: January 2015

The gene coding for a lichenase from Paenibacillus barcinonensis BP‐23, a powerful carbohydrate‐degrading strain, was obtained using a genome walking strategy and expressed in Escherichia coli for further characterization. The amino acid sequence deduced from lic16A revealed that the lichenase is a single‐domain enzyme belonging to the GH16 family. Purified recombinant Lic16A showed exclusive activity on β‐1,3–1,4‐glucans, showing a Km of 16.88 mg/mL and a Vmax of 266.09 U/mg using lichenan as a substrate. Lic16A was stable at 55 °C for at least 3 H in moderate pH conditions. Thin‐layer chromatography analysis showed that the enzyme released a complex mixture of hydrolysis products, which consisted of different length oligosaccharides of intermediate mobility among cellooligomers. The health benefits of β‐glucans's consumption and the increased interest for the use of their oligomers as prebiotics add interest to the study of Lic16A for the production of β‐glucan‐derived oligosaccharides and the evaluation of their biotechnological potential. This is the first report on β‐1,3–1,4‐glucanase produced by P. barcinonensis.
Child Neglect and Onset of Substance Use Disorders among Child Welfare‐Involved Adolescents
Authors: Lalayants Marina , Prince Jonathan D.
Published: January 2015

In relation to child abuse, child neglect has been understudied even though it is more common and causes at least as much harm. While child maltreatment (in a single category) has been linked to substance use disorders (SUD), and while child abuse alone (without neglect) has been linked to SUD, it remains unclear whether differences exist in the link between SUD and child abuse alone (without neglect) versus SUD and child neglect alone (without abuse). Utilising the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II, 2014): Wave I – 2008–09; Wave II – 18 months later: N = 5872), we used logistic regression to longitudinally assess whether past‐year abuse versus past‐year neglect in Wave I are equally influential in predicting newly diagnosed substance dependence in Wave II (among youth without SUD in Wave I). After adjusting for several factors, we found that past‐year child neglect in Wave I was a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence in Wave II among youth who did not have SUD in Wave I. Other forms of youth maltreatment were unrelated. The findings suggest that child welfare and substance abuse professionals could pay special attention to youth with past‐year neglect in order to help prevent the emergence of new substance dependence disorders. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘Child neglect has been understudied even though it is more common and causes at least as much harm’

Key Practitioner Messages

Child neglect was found to be a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence.

Child welfare and substance abuse professionals could pay special attention to youth in the child welfare system to help prevent the emergence of new substance dependence disorders.

Models such as differential response and home visitation could help address child neglect and prevent negative outcomes.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘Neglect was found to be a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence’
Interleukin‐13 promotes expression of Alix to compromise renal tubular epithelial barrier function
Authors: Xu Chen , Sun Guangdong , Yang Jie , Sun Qianmei , Tong Zhaohui
Published: January 2015

The epithelial barrier dysfunction plays a critical role in a number of kidney diseases. The mechanism is unclear. Alix is a protein involving in protein degradation in epithelial cells. This study aims to investigate that interleukin (IL)‐13 inhibits Alix to compromise the kidney epithelial barrier function. In this study, the murine collecting duct cell line (M‐1) was cultured in Transwell inserts to investigate the significance of Alix in compromising the epithelial barrier functions. T cell (Teff cells) proliferation assay was employed to assess the antigenicity of ovalbumin (OVA) that was transported across the M‐1 monolayer barrier. The results showed that M‐1 cells express Alix. Exposure to interleukin (IL)‐13 markedly decreased the expression of Alix in M‐1 cells, which compromised the M‐1 monolayer barrier functions by showing the increases in the permeability to OVA. Over‐expression of Alix abolished the IL‐13‐induced M‐1 monolayer barrier dysfunction. Knockdown of Alix significantly increased M‐1 monolayer permeability. The OVA collected from the Transwell basal chambers induced the OVA‐specific T cell proliferation. We conclude that IL‐13 compromises M‐1 epithelial barrier functions via inhibiting Alix expression.
Isolation, identification and differentiation of human embryonic cartilage stem cells
Authors: Fu Changhao , Yan Zi , Xu Hao , Zhang Chen , Zhang Qi , Wei Anhui , Yang Xi , Wang Yi
Published: January 2015

We isolated human embryonic cartilage stem cells (hECSCs), a novel stem cell population, from the articular cartilage of eight‐week‐old human embryos. These stem cells demonstrated a marker expression pattern and differentiation potential intermediate to those of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human adult stem cells (hASCs). hECSCs expressed markers associated with both hESCs (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA‐3 and SSEA‐4) and human adult stem cells (hASCs) (CD29, CD44, CD90, CD73 and CD10). These cells also differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, neurons and islet‐like cells under specific inducing conditions. We identified N6, 2′‐O‐dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) as an inducer of chondrogenic differentiation in hECSCs. Similar results using N6, 2′‐O‐ dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐ monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) were obtained for two other types of human embryonic tissue‐derived stem cells, human embryonic hepatic stem cells (hEHSCs) and human embryonic amniotic fluid stem cells (hEASCs), both of which exhibited a marker expression pattern similar to that of hECSCs. The isolation of hECSCs and the discovery that N6, 2′‐O‐ dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐ monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) induces chondrogenic differentiation in different stem cell populations might aid the development of strategies in tissue engineering and cartilage repair.
Analysis of gene expression profiles reveals the regulatory network of cold‐inducible RNA‐binding protein mediating the growth of BHK‐21 cells
Authors: Tang Cheng , Wang Yuanwei , Lan Daoliang , Feng Xiaohui , Zhu Xin , Nie Peiting , Yue Hua
Published: January 2015

Cold‐inducible RNA‐binding protein (Cirp), the first cold‐shock protein identified in mammals, is a sensor protein whose expression increases in response to stress. Recent reports have shown that Cirp is involved in cell proliferation, development, circadian modulation under physiological conditions, and tumor formation and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the activities of Cirp in the mammalian kidney cells remain unclear. In this study, we constructed BHK‐21cells overexpressing Cirp (Cirp + BHK‐21) knockdown BHK‐21 cells (Cirp − BHK‐21) to investigate the function of Cirp in cell proliferation. We analyzed the gene expression of Cirp − BHK‐21 cells using genome‐wide expression microarrays to explore the molecular mechanism of Cirp action. We found that (1) Cirp overexpression significantly enhanced cell proliferation, whereas Cirp knockdown dramatically reduced cell proliferation, suggesting that Cirp is a positive regulator of BHK‐21 cell proliferation. (2) Differentially expressed genes in Cirp − BHK‐21 and control cells were shown to be involved in many biological processes. (3) Pathway analysis showed that five enriched pathways, namely, Focal adhesion, Mapk, Wnt, Apoptosis, and Cancer‐related signaling pathways, were identified as central pathway networks regulated by Cirp. These results can provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cirp function.
Role of ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in porcine oocyte in vitro maturation
Authors: Lin Zi‐Li , Kim Nam‐Hyung
Published: January 2015

Ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is critical for the DNA damage response, cell cycle checkpoints, and apoptosis. Significant effort has focused on elucidating the relationship between ATM and other nuclear signal transducers; however, little is known about the connection between ATM and oocyte meiotic maturation. We investigated the function of ATM in porcine oocytes. ATM was expressed at all stages of oocyte maturation and localized predominantly in the nucleus. Furthermore, the ATM‐specific inhibitor KU‐55933 blocked porcine oocyte maturation, reducing the percentages of oocytes that underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and first polar body extrusion. KU‐55933 also decreased the expression of DNA damage‐related genes (breast cancer 1, budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1, and P53) and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of AKT and other cell cycle‐regulated genes that are predominantly expressed during G2/M phase, including bone morphogenetic protein 15, growth differentiation factor 9, cell division cycle protein 2, cyclinB1, and AKT. KU‐55933 treatment decreased the developmental potential of blastocysts following parthenogenetic activation and increased the level of apoptosis. Together, these data suggested that ATM influenced the meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes, potentially by decreasing their sensitivity to DNA strand breaks, stimulating the AKT pathway, and/or altering the expression of other maternal genes.
Activated endothelial cells limit inflammatory response, but increase chemoattractant potential and bacterial clearance by human monocytes
Authors: Mancilla‐Herrera Ismael , Alvarado‐Moreno José Antonio , Cérbulo‐Vázquez Arturo , Prieto‐Chávez Jessica L. , Ferat‐Osorio Eduardo , López‐Macías Constantino , Estrada‐Parra Sergio , Isibasi Armando , Arriaga‐Pizano Lourdes
Published: January 2015

Inflammation is the normal immune response of vascularized tissues to damage and bacterial products, for which leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM) is critical. The effects of cell‐to‐cell contact seen in both leukocyte and endothelial cells include cytoskeleton rearrangement, and dynamic expression of adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases. TEM induces expression of anti‐apoptotic molecules, costimulatory molecules associated with antigen presentation, and pattern recognition receptors (PRR), such as TLR‐4, in monocytes. However, little is known about how TLR‐4 increment operates in monocytes during an inflammatory response. To understand it better, we used an in vitro model in which monocytes crossed a layer of IL‐1β stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). After TEM, monocytes were tested for the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, their phenotype (CD14, CD16, TLR‐4 expression), and TLR‐4 canonical [Nuclear Factor kappa B, (NF‐κB) pathway] and non‐canonical [p38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 pathway] signal transduction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Phagocytosis and bacterial clearance were also measured. There was diminished secretion of LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) and higher secretion of chemokines (CXCL8/IL‐8 and CCL2/MCP‐1) in supernatant of TEM monocytes. These changes were accompanied by increases in TLR‐4, CD14 (surfaces expression), p38, and ERK1/2 phosphorylated cytoplasmic forms, without affecting NF‐κB activation. It also increased bacterial clearance after TEM by an O2‐independent mechanism. The data suggest that interaction between endothelial cells and monocytes fine‐tunes the inflammatory response and promotes bacterial elimination.
Sexual dimorphism and phenotypic plasticity in the antennal lobe of a stingless bee, Melipona scutellaris
Authors: Roselino Ana Carolina , Hrncir Michael , da Cruz Landim Carminda , Giurfa Martin , Sandoz Jean‐Christophe
Published: January 2015

Among social insects, the stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini), a mainly tropical group of highly eusocial bees, present an intriguing variety of well‐described olfactory‐dependent behaviors showing both caste‐ and sex‐specific adaptations. By contrast, little is known about the neural structures underlying such behavioral richness or the olfactory detection and processing abilities of this insect group. This study therefore aimed to provide the first detailed description and comparison of the brains and primary olfactory centers, the antennal lobes, of the different members of a colony of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. Global neutral red staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and 3D reconstructions were used to compare the brain structures of males, workers, and virgin queens with a special emphasis on the antennal lobe. We found significant differences between both sexes and castes with regard to the relative volumes of olfactory and visual neuropils in the brain and also in the number and volume of the olfactory glomeruli. In addition, we identified one (workers, queens) and three or four (males) macroglomeruli in the antennal lobe. In both sexes and all castes, the largest glomerulus (G1) was located at a similar position relative to four identified landmark glomeruli, close to the entrance of the antennal nerve. This similarity in position suggests that G1s of workers, virgin queens, and males of M. scutellaris may correspond to the same glomerular entity, possibly tuned to queen‐emitted volatiles since all colony members need this information. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1461–1473, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of main metabolites of XLR‐11 and its thermal degradation product in human hepatoma HepaRG cells and human urine
Authors: Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Kanda Koji , Yamamuro Tadashi , Kuwayama Kenji , Tsujikawa Kenji , Iwata Yuko Togawa , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: January 2015

The metabolism of (1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)(2,2,3,3‐tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (XLR‐11), a novel synthetic cannabinoid, was studied using a HepaRG cell culture. The HepaRG cells were incubated with the drug for 48 hours and the metabolites were extracted from the culture medium by liquid‐liquid extraction. The extract was analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to detect the metabolites. N‐(5‐Hydroxypentyl) metabolite and N‐pentanoic acid metabolite were identified in the culture medium of XLR‐11, and several other metabolites, presumably formed by oxidation of the first two metabolites and XLR‐11, were detected. The extract of an XLR‐11 user's urine was also analyzed; however, the metabolites detected in the urine were different from XLR‐11 metabolites in the medium. A metabolic experiment with the thermal degradation product of XLR‐11, XLR‐11 degradant, using HepaRG cells revealed that the urinary metabolites were almost identical to the XLR‐11 degradant metabolites. These findings suggest that most of the XLR‐11 was degraded by heating when the user smoked the herbal product containing XLR‐11. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No species is an island: testing the effects of biotic interactions on models of avian niche occupation
Authors: Morelli Federico , Tryjanowski Piotr
Published: January 2015

Traditionally, the niche of a species is described as a hypothetical 3D space, constituted by well‐known biotic interactions (e.g. predation, competition, trophic relationships, resource–consumer interactions, etc.) and various abiotic environmental factors. Species distribution models (SDMs), also called “niche models” and often used to predict wildlife distribution at landscape scale, are typically constructed using abiotic factors with biotic interactions generally been ignored. Here, we compared the goodness of fit of SDMs for red‐backed shrike Lanius collurio in farmlands of Western Poland, using both the classical approach (modeled only on environmental variables) and the approach which included also other potentially associated bird species. The potential associations among species were derived from the relevant ecological literature and by a correlation matrix of occurrences. Our findings highlight the importance of including heterospecific interactions in improving our understanding of niche occupation for bird species. We suggest that suite of measures currently used to quantify realized species niches could be improved by also considering the occurrence of certain associated species. Then, an hypothetical “species 1” can use the occurrence of a successfully established individual of “species 2” as indicator or “trace” of the location of available suitable habitat to breed. We hypothesize this kind of biotic interaction as the “heterospecific trace effect” (HTE): an interaction based on the availability and use of “public information” provided by individuals from different species. Finally, we discuss about the incomes of biotic interactions for enhancing the predictive capacities on species distribution models.
Integrated survival analysis using an event‐time approach in a Bayesian framework
Authors: Walsh Daniel P. , Dreitz Victoria J. , Heisey Dennis M.
Published: January 2015

Event‐time or continuous‐time statistical approaches have been applied throughout the biostatistical literature and have led to numerous scientific advances. However, these techniques have traditionally relied on knowing failure times. This has limited application of these analyses, particularly, within the ecological field where fates of marked animals may be unknown. To address these limitations, we developed an integrated approach within a Bayesian framework to estimate hazard rates in the face of unknown fates. We combine failure/survival times from individuals whose fates are known and times of which are interval‐censored with information from those whose fates are unknown, and model the process of detecting animals with unknown fates. This provides the foundation for our integrated model and permits necessary parameter estimation. We provide the Bayesian model, its derivation, and use simulation techniques to investigate the properties and performance of our approach under several scenarios. Lastly, we apply our estimation technique using a piece‐wise constant hazard function to investigate the effects of year, age, chick size and sex, sex of the tending adult, and nesting habitat on mortality hazard rates of the endangered mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) chicks. Traditional models were inappropriate for this analysis because fates of some individual chicks were unknown due to failed radio transmitters. Simulations revealed biases of posterior mean estimates were minimal (≤ 4.95%), and posterior distributions behaved as expected withRMSEof the estimates decreasing as sample sizes, detection probability, and survival increased. We determined mortality hazard rates for plover chicks were highest at <5 days old and were lower for chicks with larger birth weights and/or whose nest was within agricultural habitats. Based on its performance, our approach greatly expands the range of problems for which event‐time analyses can be used by eliminating the need for having completely known fate data.
Sublinear response in lacZ mutant frequency of Muta™Mouse spermatogonial stem cells after low dose subchronic exposure to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea
Authors: O'Brien Jason M. , Walker Mike , Sivathayalan Ahalya , Douglas George R. , Yauk Carole L. , Marchetti Francesco
Published: January 2015

The transgenic rodent mutation assay was used to compare the dose–response relationship of lacZ mutant frequency (MF) in spermatogonial stem cells exposed acutely or subchronically to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU). Muta™Mouse males were exposed orally to 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ENU for acute exposures and 0, 1, 2, or 5 mg/(kg day) for 28‐day subchronic exposures. LacZ MF was measured in sperm collected 70 days post‐exposure to target spermatogonial stem cells. Dose–response data were fit to linear, quadratic, exponential, or power models. Acute exposure resulted in a dose‐dependent increase in MF that was significant (P < 0.05) at all doses tested and was best described by a quadratic dose–response model that was linear in the low dose range. In contrast, similar total doses fragmented over a 28‐day subchronic exposure only resulted in a significant increase in lacZ MF at the highest dose tested. Therefore, the subchronic no observable genotoxic effect level (NOGEL) was 2 mg/(kg day) (or 56 mg/kg total dose). The subchronic dose–response was best described by the exponential and power models, which were sublinear in the low dose range. Benchmark dose lower confidence limits (BMDLs) for acute and subchronic exposure were 3.0 and 1.0 mg/(kg day) (or 27.4 mg/kg total dose), respectively. These findings are supportive of a saturable DNA repair mechanism as the mutagenic mode of action for ENU in spermatogonia and imply that sufficiently low exposures would not cause appreciable genotoxic effects over background. This may have important implications for the quantitative risk assessment of germ cell mutagens. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:347–355, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical analysis of propane dispersion under continuous release condition in a multi‐room building
Authors: Wang Z.R. , Hu Y.Y. , Luo Q.K. , Jiang J.C.
Published: January 2015

Propane dispersion after the continuous leaking in the residential building is numerically simulated with FLUENT by computational fluid dynamic method. The variation characteristics of the concentration contribution and explosive range of propane are analyzed. The propane diffusion scope and explosive area increase with time. The highest concentration appears in the kitchen while the lowest concentration appears in the bedroom. Propane explosive area appears only in the kitchen and in the sunroom. Obvious stratification of the propane over the vertical height is due to gravity. The concentration, diffusion scope, and explosive area decrease with the number of windows open. The explosive range appears in the kitchen and the sunroom, but does not appear in the bedroom, the living room, or the bathroom. The research results can provide scientific support and references for risk evaluation, accident prevention and emergency rescue of propane hazards in the building. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 973–981, 2015
Development of a heating system using CPV technology and heat pipes
Authors: Lee Dong Il , Baek Seung Wook
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this research was to increase the generating efficiency of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology within a restricted area using solar tracking and heat pipes. We propose a system with the ability to extract thermal energy from CPV devices using a thermal absorber containing heat pipes and cooling water. This energy can then be used for a heating system or hot‐water supply.

We performed a parametric analysis of the velocity and entrance location of the cooling water in the thermal absorber with respect to the operating temperature of the CPV devices and the outlet temperature of the cooling water in the thermal absorber. We also examined the effect of the lens concentration ratio. Simulated and experimental results for the thermal absorber containing heat pipes were in good agreement.

Given that the results of an economic feasibility study were positive in terms of payback time, the proposed system is practical and realistic. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1197–1207, 2015
Heterogeneous distributions of CO2 may be more important for dissolution and karstification in coastal eogenetic limestone than mixing dissolution
Authors: Gulley Jason D. , Martin Jonathon B. , Moore Paul J. , Brown Amy , Spellman Patricia D. , Ezell John
Published: January 2015

Mixing dissolution, a process whereby mixtures of two waters with different chemical compositions drive undersaturation with respect to carbonate minerals, is commonly considered to form cavernous macroporosity (e.g. flank margin caves and banana holes) in eogenetic karst aquifers. On small islands, macroporosity commonly originates when focused dissolution forms globular chambers lacking entrances to the surface, suggesting that dissolution processes are decoupled from surface hydrology. Mixing dissolution has been thought to be the primary dissolution process because meteoric water would equilibrate rapidly with calcium carbonate as it infiltrates through matrix porosity and because pCO2 was assumed to be homogeneously distributed within the phreatic zone. Here, we report data from two abandoned well fields in an eogenetic karst aquifer on San Salvador Island, Bahamas, that demonstrate pCO2 in the phreatic zone is distributed heterogeneously. The pCO2 varied from less than log −2.0 to more than log −1.0 atm over distances of less than 30 m, generating dissolution in the subsurface where water flows from regions of low to high pCO2 and cementation where water flows from regions of high to low pCO2. Using simple geochemical models, we show dissolution caused by heterogeneously distributed pCO2 can dissolve 2.5 to 10 times more calcite than the maximum amount possible by mixing of freshwater and seawater. Dissolution resulting from spatial variability in pCO2 forms isolated, globular chambers lacking initial entrances to the surface, a morphology that is characteristic of flank margin caves and banana holes, both of which have entrances that form by erosion or collapse after cave formation. Our results indicate that heterogeneous pCO2, rather than mixing dissolution, may be the dominant mechanism for observed spatial distribution of dissolution, cementation and macroporosity generation in eogenetic karst aquifers and for landscape development in these settings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon dioxide concentration in temperate climate caves and parent soils over an altitudinal gradient and its influence on speleothem growth and fabrics
Authors: Borsato Andrea , Frisia Silvia , Miorandi Renza
Published: January 2015

Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in caves and parent soils in the Italian Alps have been studied along a 2100 m altitudinal range – corresponding to a mean annual temperature (MAT) range of 12°C – in order to investigate the relationship between MAT, soil pCO2 and cave air pCO2, and to test the influence of soil pCO2 on speleothem growth and fabric to ultimately gain insight into their palaeoclimatic significance in temperate climate settings.

Our findings indicate that soil CO2 is linearly correlated to MAT and its mean annual concentration is described by the equation: soil CO2 (ppmv) = 1112 + 460 MAT. Soil pCO2 can also be exponentially correlated to actual evapotranspiration. The pCO2 in the aquifer is linearly correlated to MAT at the infiltration site and is more influenced by summer soil pCO2. Cave air CO2 in the innermost part of the caves exhibits a similar seasonal pattern, and commonly reaches concentrations of about 15% to 35%, with respect to the corresponding soil values, and is exponentially correlated to the MAT at the infiltration site.

The combination of these parameters (soil pCO2, dripwater pCO2 and cave air pCO2) results in speleothem growth and controls their fabrics which are typical of four MAT/elevation belts broadly corresponding to the present‐day vegetation zones. In the lower montane zone [100–800 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] speleothems mostly consist of columnar fabric, in the upper montane zone (800–1600 m a.s.l.) both columnar and dendritic fabrics are common, the Subalpine zone (1600–2200 m a.s.l.) is characterized mostly by moonmilk deposits, whereas in the Alpine zone (above 2200 m a.s.l.) no speleothems are forming today. Therefore, fabric changes in fossil speleothem can potentially be used to reconstruct MAT changes in temperate climate karst areas. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amorphous silica mobilization by inter‐rill erosion: insights from rainfall experiments
Authors: Clymans Wim , Struyf Eric , Van den Putte An , Langhans Christoph , Wang Zhengang , Govers Gerard
Published: January 2015

Amorphous silica (ASi) carried in suspension by rivers is an important component in the global Si budget. Water erosion processes in cultivated catchments are likely to drive ASi delivery to the river system. However, no studies have investigated the controls on ASi mobilization by erosional processes in croplands. Rainfall experiments were performed on split fields (i.e. a part conventionally ploughed and a part under reduced tillage) to simulate ASi mobilization by inter‐rill erosion in croplands, and identify its dependency on soil, field and rainfall characteristics. The ASi content of the soil and the inter‐rill erosion rate were determined as the major controls on ASi mobilization. Variables such as tillage technique and crop type did not have a consistent direct or indirect effect. Inter‐rill erosion is clearly selective with respect to ASi, indicating association of ASi with the fine soil fraction and with soil organic carbon. Our experiments demonstrate that erosion increases due to human perturbation will increase the delivery of reactive Si to aquatic systems. We estimate that globally, c. 7% of all reactive Si that enters aquatic systems is derived from erosion of agricultural soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.