bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Carbamylated Biomolecules in Human Diseases
Authors: Badar Asim , Arif Zarina , Alam Khursheed
Published: March 2018

Carbamylation (or carbamoylation) is a non‐enzymatic modification of biomolecules mediated by cyanate, a dissociation product of urea. Proteins are more sensitive to carbamylation. Two major sites of carbamylation reaction are: Nα‐amino moiety of a protein N‐terminus and the Nɛ‐amino moiety of proteins’ lysine residues. In kidney diseases, urea accumulates and the burden of carbamylation increases. This may lead to alteration in the structure and function of many important proteins relevant in maintenance of homeostasis. Carbamylated proteins namely, carbamylated‐haemoglobin and carbamylated‐low density lipoprotein (LDL) have been implicated in hypoxia and atherosclerosis, respectively. Furthermore, carbamylation of insulin, oxytocin, and erythropoietin have caused changes in the action of these hormones vis‐à‐vis the metabolic pathways they control. In this short review, authors have compiled the data on role of carbamylated proteins, enzymes, hormones, LDL, and so on, in human diseases. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(4):267–275, 2018
Effects of delay fading and signals on self‐control choices by children
Authors: Vessells Julia , Sy Jolene R. , Wilson Alyssa , Green Leonard
Published: March 2018

The current study is a systematic replication and extension of work by Schweitzer & Sulzer‐Azaroff (1988). The effects of delay fading alone and in combination with signals on choices between larger, delayed reinforcers and smaller, immediate reinforcers by four children with language deficits were examined. For one of the two children exposed to delay fading alone, larger reinforcers were selected at longer delays relative to the initial self‐control assessment. For all four children, the delay‐fading‐plus‐signal condition resulted in selection of larger reinforcers at considerably longer delays relative to the self‐control assessment.
Electrochemical and biological characterization HA/Al2O3‐YSZ nano‐composite coatings using electrophoretic process
Authors: Askari Nayereh , Yousefpour Mardali , Rajabi Masoud
Published: March 2018

In this research work, hydroxyapatite/alumina/YSZ bio nanocomposite coatings on titanium substrate were created by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and reaction bonding process. By using the EPD process, uniform green form coatings containing HA, yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and aluminum particles were produced on titanium. After oxidation of aluminum at 660°C and sintering at 850°C, a dense and adherent HA/Al2O3/YSZ coating was produced. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometric and mechanical tests were employed to investigate the morphologies, compositions, hardness, toughness and bonding strength of the coatings. The corrosion studies and cell culturing experiment were carried out and the results show that the HA/YSZ/Al2O3 coatings are more bioactive and more resistance to corrosion than HA coatings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1916–1922, 2018.
Low Dose of Bisphosphonate Enhances Sclerostin Antibody-Induced Trabecular Bone Mass Gains in Brtl/+ Osteogenesis Imperfecta Mouse Model
Authors: Olvera Diana , Stolzenfeld Rachel , Marini Joan C , Caird Michelle S , Kozloff Kenneth M
Published: March 2018

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by altered bone quality and imbalanced bone remodeling, leading to skeletal fractures that are most prominent during childhood. Treatments for OI have focused on restoring pediatric bone density and architecture to recover functional strength and consequently reduce fragility. Though antiresorptive agents like bisphosphonates (BPs) are currently the most common intervention for the treatment of OI, a number of studies have shown efficacy of sclerostin antibody (SclAb) in inducing gains in bone mass and reducing fragility in OI mouse models. In this study, the effects of the concurrent use of BP and SclAb were evaluated during bone growth in a mouse harboring an OI-causing Gly→Cys mutation on col1a1. A single dose of antiresorptive BP facilitated the anabolic action of SclAb by increasing availability of surfaces for new bone formation via retention of primary trabeculae that would otherwise be remodeled. Chronic effects of concurrent administration of BP and SclAb revealed that accumulating cycles conferred synergistic gains in trabecular mass and vertebral stiffness, suggesting a distinct advantage of both therapies combined. Cortical gains in mass and strength occurred through SclAb alone, independent of presence of BP. In conclusion, these preclinical results support the scientific hypothesis that minimal antiresorptive treatment can amplify the effects of SclAb during early stages of skeletal growth to further improve bone structure and rigidity, a beneficial outcome for children with OI. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A theoretical investigation about the excited state behavior for 2‐(6'‐hydroxy‐2'‐pyridyl)benzimidazole: The water‐assisted excited state proton transfer process
Authors: Tong Yuping , Fu Jing , Ma Juntao
Published: March 2018

In this work, based on density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) methods, we theoretically investigate the excited‐state process of the 2‐(6'‐hydroxy‐2'‐pyridyl)benzimidazole (2HPB) system in acetonitrile and water solvents. Since acetonitrile is an aprotic solvent, it has no effect on the solvent‐assisted excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) process. Therefore, the 2HPB molecule cannot transfer the proton in acetonitrile, which is consistent with previous experimental observation. On the other hand, 2HPB can combine one water molecule (which is a protic solvent), forming the 2HPB–H2O complex in the S0 state. After photoexcitation, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds O1H2···O3 and O3H4···N5 both get strengthened in the S1 state, which leads to the possibility of a water‐assisted ESPT process. Further, the charge redistribution reveals the tendency of ESPT. By exploring the potential energy curves for the 2HPB–H2O complex in water, we confirm that a stepwise double proton transfer process occurs in the S1 state. Water‐assisted ESIPT can occur along O1H2···O3 or O3H4···N5 because of their similar potential barriers. Based on the stepwise ESPT mechanism, we reinterpret the absorption and fluorescence spectra mentioned in the experiments and confirm the rationality of the water‐assisted ESPT process.
A Marxist therapist treats a Trump‐supporting client: A tale of politics and psychotherapy
Authors: Yourman David B.
Published: March 2018

When there are politically polarizing events taking place in the world, can it be useful for a therapist to disclose his or her political views within the context of a psychotherapeutic dyad? This paper examines this question through the example of a Marxist therapist working with a politically conservative patient in the polarized political atmosphere following Donald Trump's election to the Presidency of the United States. Also explored are the patient's dynamics that might have made it particularly salient for the therapist to eschew a more neutral stance. The theoretical and technical bases for this disclosure are examined via the Affect Theory of Silvan S. Tomkins as well as the Person‐Centered Therapy of Carl Rogers. The family history of the patient is examined to further understand the context in which the political/therapeutic interactions take place.
Impulsivity as a mediator in the relationship between problem solving and suicidal ideation
Authors: Gonzalez Vivian M. , Neander Lucía L.
Published: March 2018

Objective

This study examined whether three facets of impulsivity previously shown to be associated with suicidal ideation and attempts (negative urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance) help to account for the established association between problem solving deficits and suicidal ideation.

Method

Emerging adult college student drinkers with a history of at least passive suicidal ideation (N = 387) completed measures of problem solving, impulsivity, and suicidal ideation. A path analysis was conducted to examine the mediating role of impulsivity variables in the association between problem solving (rational problem solving, positive and negative problem orientation, and avoidance style) and suicidal ideation.

Results

Direct and indirect associations through impulsivity, particularly negative urgency, were found between problem solving and severity of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Interventions aimed at teaching problem solving skills, as well as self‐efficacy and optimism for solving life problems, may help to reduce impulsivity and suicidal ideation.
Developmental trajectories of competency attainment amongst clinical psychology trainees across field placements
Authors: Deane Frank P. , Gonsalvez Craig , Joyce Caroline , Britt Eileen
Published: March 2018

Objective

This research aimed to describe the developmental trajectories of clinical psychology trainees across competency domains over multiple placements.

Method

Competency reviews of 252 trainees were completed at mid‐placement and end‐placement for up to four consecutive placements by 143 field supervisors. Competency was measured across multiple domains using the Clinical Psychology Practicum Competencies Rating Scale.

Results

There was an overall ascending stepped pattern occurring across all competency domains from early to late placements. The starting point of competency ratings varied across domains with the largest discrepancy between Response to supervision (highest) and Intervention competencies (lowest). There were significant increases from mid‐placement to end‐placement for all competencies within each of the four placements. There were few significant decreases in competency between different placements and these were largely restricted to the transition from placement one to placement two.

Conclusions

This research has the potential to be used as a benchmark to indicate expected levels of competency attainment for trainees across their training, allowing for early identification of difficulties and more targeted remediation plans.
Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Delafloxacin in Patients With End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Hoover Randall , Alcorn Harry , Lawrence Laura , Paulson Susan K. , Quintas Megan , Cammarata Sue K.
Published: March 2018

This was an open‐label, parallel‐group, crossover study that examined the pharmacokinetics and safety of delafloxacin, an anionic fluoroquinolone, after a single intravenous infusion in subjects with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD; creatinine clearance <15 mL/min) undergoing hemodialysis compared with healthy subjects. Subjects received 300 mg delafloxacin containing sulfobutylether‐β‐cyclodextrin in 2 periods separated by ≥14‐day washouts. Blood and urine samples were collected, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. The mean total exposure (area under the curve) of delafloxacin was about 2.1 and 2.6 higher for subjects with ESRD compared to healthy subjects when dosed 1 hour before or 1 hour after hemodialysis, respectively. Compared to subjects with normal renal function, the maximum exposure to delafloxacin was 13% and 33% higher for ESRD subjects given delafloxacin 1 hour before and 1 hour after hemodialysis, respectively. The mean clearance was 13.7 L/h for healthy subjects and was lower for subjects with ESRD when given before (7.39 L/h) or after (5.69 L/h) hemodialysis. The clearance of delafloxacin in dialysate was 4.74 L/h with about 19.2% of the delafloxacin dose recovered after a 4‐hour dialysis session. Delafloxacin was well tolerated in both healthy and ESRD subjects, with diarrhea being the most reported treatment‐emergent adverse event.
Prenatal development and histochemical characteristics of gastrointestinal mucins in sheep fetuses
Authors: Özbek Mehmet , Ergün Emel , Beyaz Feyzullah , Ergün Levent , Y?ld?r?m Nuh , Özgenç Özge , Erhan Füsun
Published: March 2018

The object of this study was to describe the prenatal development and histochemical properties of mucins in the sheep gastrointestinal tract. To determine changes in the mucin profile, the sections were stained with specific histochemical stains for carbohydrates. While neutral and mixed mucins were observed in the superficial epithelial cells of the abomasal pyloric region, acidic mucins were detected in the secretory ducts and corpus of the glands. Acidic mucins consisted predominantly of sialomucins. In the duodenal villi, the number of goblet cells containing neutral mucins increased toward the end of gestation, whereas Brunner's glands contained acidic mucins until the 95th day of gestation and both acidic and neutral mucins thereafter. The jejunal goblet cells contained either acidic, neutral, or mixed mucins. Goblet cells containing acidic mucins, which were mainly localized to the ileal crypts and villi, mostly contained sulfated mucins. While villi were observed in the proximal colon until the 115th day of gestation, later the typical crypt structure emerged. During the period in which the villi were found in the proximal colon, the goblet cells containing sulphomucins were predominant, whereas the goblet cells containing sialomucins were predominant after the typical crypt structure was formed. In conclusion, gastrointestinal mucins may be involved in the formation of meconium during the prenatal period, and acidic mucins may contribute to the strength of the intestinal barrier against pathogens and digestive enzymes, as the barrier is not fully functional after birth.
Imaging prostate cancer (PCa) with [99mTc(CO)3]finasteride dithiocarbamate
Authors: Shah Syed Qaiser , Gul‐e‐Raana  , Uddin Ghias
Published: March 2018

This investigation aimed to modify finasteride (1) to finasteride dithiocarbamate (2) for subsequent synthesis of the rhenium analogue (3) and [99mTc]tricarbonyl complexes (4), to assess its prostate cancer (PCa) targeting potential in a rat model. To validate the identity of (4), reference (3) has been synthesized by using fac‐[Net4]2[ReBr3(CO)3] precursor and characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis. The analogue (4) was synthesized by using fac‐[99mTc(H2O)3(CO)3]+ precursor, and its structure was confirmed by comparative HPLC by using (3) as a reference. Further, the suitability of (4) as a PCa imaging agent was investigated in vitro and in vivo. At room temperature, (4) had ≥99% radiochemical purity and remained ≥84% stable in serum. In preclinical studies, biodistribution of (4) in histopathologically established rat model showed adequately high in vivo uptake in the prostate attracting the possibility of using it for noninvasive imaging of PCa.
Prenatal cranial bone development of Thomas's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus thomasi): with special reference to petrosal morphology
Authors: Nojiri Taro , Werneburg Ingmar , Son Nguyen Truong , Tu Vuong Tan , Sasaki Takenori , Maekawa Yu , Koyabu Daisuke
Published: March 2018

Cochlear morphology has been regarded as one of the key traits to understand the origin and evolution of echolocation in bats, given its functionality and performance for receiving echolocation sonar. While numerous researchers have compared adult‐stage morphology, few have studied the prenatal development of the cochlea. Here, we provide the first detailed three‐dimensional description of the prenatal cranial development in bats, using Rhinolophus thomasi as a model, with particular interest to the petrosal which houses the cochlea. Results revealed that among all cranial bones the onset of the ossification of the petrosal is earlier in R. thomasi when compared to other reported mammals. Generally, the cochlea reaches adult size and shape before or around birth in placental mammals including bats, but we found that its shape and size growths continue until maturity in Rhinolophus species. The relationship of cochlear size and skull size is maintained constant throughout the postnatal ontogeny to adulthood in Rhinolophus, a pattern previously reported neither in any other bats nor other mammals. The peculiar developmental pattern in Rhinolophus possibly allows them to form their characteristically large cochlea and facilitate their distinctive echolocation behavior. A recent study reported that non‐echolocating Pteropodidae shares a similar prenatal cochlear size to laryngeal echolocating bats. The apparent resemblance of fetal cochlear size was proposed to be a vestigial signal of large cochlear size in the last common ancestor of bats and thus as supporting evidence for the single origin of laryngeal echolocation. However, results from the present observations suggest that limited aspects of the cochlear development were captured in this previous investigation and that the resulting interpretations may be questionable. We point out that diversity and patterns of cochlear development among bats are still not resolved, and the controversy on the origins of laryngeal echolocation is still open to discussion.
Scale diversity in bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus): Fat‐filled trabecular scales made of cellular bone
Authors: Wainwright Dylan K. , Ingersoll Sam , Lauder George V.
Published: March 2018

Tunas of the genus Thunnus possess many morphological and physiological adaptations for their high‐performance epipelagic ecology. Although Thunnus anatomy has been studied, there are no quantitative studies on the structure of their scales. We investigated the scales of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) from ten regions of the body using micro computed tomography (µCT)‐scanning and histology to quantitatively and qualitatively compare regional scale morphology. We found a diversity of scale sizes and shapes across the body of bigeye tuna and discriminant function analysis on variables derived from µCT‐data showed that scales across the body differ quantitatively in shape and size. We also report the discovery of a novel scale type in corselet, tail, and cheek regions. These modified scales are ossified shells supported by internal trabeculae, filled with fat, and possessing an internal blood supply. Histological analysis showed that the outer lamellar layers of these thickened scales are composed of cellular bone, unexpected for a perciform fish in which bone is typically acellular. In the fairing region of the anterior body, these fat‐filled scales are stacked in layers up to five scales deep, forming a thickened bony casing. Cheek scales also possess a fat‐filled internal trabecular structure, while most posterior body scales are more plate‐like and similar to typical teleost scales. While the function of these novel fat‐filled scales is unknown, we explore several possible hypotheses for their function.
Impaired decision‐making and functional neuronal network activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wu Bei‐Bei , Ma Ye , Xie Lei , Huang Jin‐Zhuang , Sun Zong‐Bo , Hou Zhi‐Duo , Guo Rui‐Wei , Lin Zhi‐Rong , Duan Shou‐Xing , Zhao Shan‐Shan , Yao‐Xie  , Sun Dan‐Miao , Zhu Chun‐Min , Ma Shu‐Hua
Published: March 2018

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with cognitive deficit but the exact neural mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose

To explore sequential brain activities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the performance of a decision‐making task, and to determine whether serum or clinical markers can reflect the involvement of the brain in SLE.

Subjects

Sixteen female SLE patients without overt clinical neuropsychiatric symptoms and 16 healthy controls were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T, T1‐weighted anatomic images, gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging sequence, and 3D images.

Assessment

The computer‐based Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) for assessing decision‐making was performed by SLE patients and 16 matched controls; brain activity was recorded via blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) fMRI. The amplitudes of the average BOLD responses were calculated for each individual subject, and activation data from fMRI experiments were compared between the two groups.

Statistical Tests

Two‐sample t‐test; repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA); linear regression analyses.

Results

Imaging revealed activity in a distributed network of brain regions in both groups, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and the striatum, as well as the insular, parietal, and occipital cortices. Compared to controls, SLE patients showed lower activation in a convergence zone and the limbic system, namely, the OFC, vmPFC, ACC, and PCC, but greater activation in memory, emotion, and behavior systems involving the dlPFC, the insular cortex and the striatum. Furthermore, brain activation in the vmPFC was positively correlated with IGT scores (r = 0.63, P < 0.001), but inversely related to disease activity (r = −0.57, P < 0.01).

Data Conclusion

The dynamics among the aforementioned neural systems (some hyperfunctioning, others hypofunctioning) may shed some light on the pathologic mechanisms underlying SLE without overt clinical neuropsychiatric symptoms. In addition, disease activity may potentially be used as an effective biomarker reflecting cerebral involvement in SLE.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1508–1517
Magnetic resonance elastography and T1 mapping for early diagnosis and classification of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Min , Gao Feng , Wang Xiaoqi , Liu Yanqing , Ji Ruoyun , Cang Lizhuo , Shi Yu
Published: March 2018

Background

Early detection and classification of chronic pancreatitis (CP) are both important and challenging.

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic performance of MR elastography (MRE) and T1 mapping of the pancreas for different stages of CP.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Clinical and imaging records of 81 patients (from 5/2015 to 7/2017) with suspected CP were analyzed. Patients were categorized into the normal control (n = 35), mild CP (n = 30), and moderate/severe CP groups (n = 16) according to the Cambridge Classification based on concordant endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ultrasound endoscopy findings.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T pancreatic MRI, which included MRE and T1 mapping.

Assessment

T1 relaxation times, pancreatic stiffness values, the main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, and pancreatic thickness were measured in all patients.

Statistical Tests: Cutoff values of T1 relaxation times and pancreatic stiffness values for diagnosis of CP were calculated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Associations of imaging parameters with different stages of CP were assessed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Both T1 relaxation times (865 ± 220 msec vs. 1075 ± 221 msec vs. 1350 ± 139 msec) and pancreatic stiffness (1.21 ± 0.13 kPa vs. 1.50 ± 0.15 kPa vs. 1.90 ± 0.16 kPa) differed significantly (P < 0.001) among the control, mild CP, and moderate/severe CP groups. Pancreatic stiffness (>1.34 kPa) achieved significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than T1 relaxation time (>908.4 msec) for detection of mild CP (AUC: 0.928 vs. 0.751, P = 0.011). Pancreatic stiffness values (>1.61 kPa) also achieved significantly higher AUC than T1 relaxation time (>1131.6 msec) (AUC: 0.981 vs. 0.910, P = 0.033) for diagnosing moderate/severe CP from the other two groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that T1 relaxation time and stiffness were the independent factors associated with mild CP (P = 0.025 and <0.001, respectively).

Data Conclusion

Both MRE and T1 mapping are promising quantitative imaging methods for evaluation of CP; MRE slightly outperformed T1 mapping.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:837–845.
Clinical and echocardiographic response of apical vs nonapical right ventricular lead position in CRT: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sharma Sharan Prakash , Dahal Khagendra , Dominic Paari , Sangha Rajbir S.
Published: March 2018

Background

Traditionally the right ventricular (RV) pacing lead is placed in the RV apex in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It is not clear whether nonapical placement of the RV lead is associated with a better response to CRT. We aimed to perform a meta‐analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared apical and nonapical RV lead placement in CRT.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and relevant references for studies and performed meta‐analysis using random effects model. Our main outcome measures were all‐cause mortality, composite of death and heart failure hospitalization, improvement in ejection fraction (EF), left ventricle end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricle end‐systolic volume (LVESV), and adverse events.

Results

Seven RCTs with a total population of 1641 patients (1199 apical and 492 nonapical) were included in our meta‐analysis. There was no difference in all‐cause mortality (5% vs 4.3%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45‐1.64; P = .65; I2 = 11%) and a composite of death and heart failure hospitalization (14.2% vs 12.9%, OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.61‐1.38; P = .68; I2 = 0) between apical and nonapical groups. No difference in improvement in EF (Weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.37; 95% CI: −2.75‐3.48; P = .82; I2 = 68%), change in LVEDV (WMD = 3.67; 95% CI: −4.86‐12.20; P = .40; I2 = 89%) and LVESV (WMD = −1.20; 95% CI: −4.32‐1.91; P = .45; I2 = 0) were noted between apical and nonapical groups. Proportion of patients achieving >15% improvement in EF was similar in both groups (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.62‐1.16; P = .31; I2 = 0).

Conclusion

In patients with CRT, nonapical RV pacing is not associated with improved clinical and echocardiographic outcomes compared with RV apical pacing.
Teleconnection influence of precipitation‐bearing synoptic types over the Snowy Mountains region of south‐east Australia
Authors: Theobald Alison , McGowan Hamish , Speirs Johanna
Published: March 2018

Precipitation falling in the Snowy Mountains region of south‐east Australia is a critical resource—providing water for hydroelectricity, as well as irrigated agriculture and environmental flows throughout the economically important Murray River system. Improved understanding of the drivers of precipitation variability is therefore a key research aim. Focussing on synoptic types responsible for delivering precipitation ≥10 mm per day, an analysis is presented of the large‐scale atmospheric circulation drivers (“teleconnections”) of seasonal synoptic type frequency using cross‐wavelet and boosted regression tree methods. Results demonstrate that relationships are not stationary over the period 1900–2012, and complex interactions between teleconnections and synoptic atmospheric circulation drive precipitation variability. Importantly, we demonstrate that teleconnections do not act in isolation. Relationships with the tropical Pacific Ocean are shown to be key drivers of synoptic types associated not only with the dominant tropical moisture pathways to the Snowy Mountains, but also with extra‐tropical sources. Tropical sea surface temperatures are therefore shown to drive synoptic type frequency and facilitate the dominance of synoptic types with tropical moisture sources, most notability since the 1950s.
Inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability of early‐ and late‐summer precipitation over northeast China and their background circulation
Authors: Zhao Junhu , Zhou Jie , Yang Liu , Hou Wei , Feng Guolin
Published: March 2018

Using precipitation data from weather stations in China and reanalysis data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR), the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability of early‐summer (May–June) and late‐summer (July–August) precipitation (hereinafter referred to as MJP and JAP, respectively) over northeast China (NEC) and their background circulation during 1951–2016 were analysed. The following new findings have been highlighted: (a) There are significantly different inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability characteristics between MJP and JAP over NEC. The inter‐annual variability of MJP is independent from that of JAP, while the inter‐decadal variability of the former is opposite to that of the latter. A significant shift to more MJP (less JAP) occurred in the early 2000s (late 1990s). (b) In terms of the inter‐annual timescale, the large‐scale atmospheric circulations‐associated MJP is notably different from JAP over NEC. The variation in MJP is mainly dominated by the northeast China low (NECL) and the Okhotsk blocking high (OBH), while JAP is mainly influenced by the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), the NEC south wind (NESW), and the NECL. (c) On the inter‐decadal timescale, MJP is associated with the inter‐decadal variation of the East Asia/Pacific (EAP) teleconnection, while JAP is closely related to the inter‐decadal variation of the NECL and NESW. When the EAP is in a positive phase, MJP is more than average. Furthermore in late summer, the strong NECL and NESW are both of benefit to the convergence of water vapour from the tropical southwest and East Asian subtropical westerlies over NEC, which contributes to the more JAP than average.
Different evolution features for two types of El Niño and possible causes for these differences
Authors: Li Huimin , Xu Haiming , Li Zhiyu , Deng Jiechun
Published: March 2018

Observed sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the central eastern equatorial Pacific exhibit two kinds of phase evolution, that is, transition and no‐transition, for both the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño events. The transition type of El Niño is characterized by a strong decay after its peak and followed by a rapid transition to a La Niña event in the subsequent winter, while the no‐transition type of both EP and CP El Niño is featured by a weaker decay after its mature phase and fails to develop a La Niña event in the decaying year. For the EP El Niño, the intensity of the anomalous easterly over the western equatorial Pacific in the transition type is stronger than that in the no‐transition type, which is likely determined by the coupling of the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) during the developing phase and the Indian Ocean basin‐wide mode (IOBM) during the decaying phase. For the CP El Niño, larger differences of easterly wind anomalies between the transition type and no‐transition type are found over the central eastern equatorial Pacific during the decaying year, which is also likely related to the IOD and IOBM coupling process. In addition, the rapid decay of warm subsurface (80–160 m) temperature anomalies in the central eastern equatorial Pacific during the decaying phases is crucial for the phase transition for the two types of El Niño, together with the eastwards propagation of cold subsurface (100–200 m) temperature anomalies in the western equatorial Pacific. What is more, analyses of the mixed‐layer heat budget show that the phase evolution of the EP El Niño depends on dynamic forcing (zonal advection) due to the difference of anomalous mixed‐layer ocean currents, while the CP El Niño’s different phase evolution is mainly caused by thermodynamic process, that is, net surface heat flux anomalies.
Observed and modelled temperature and precipitation extremes over Southeast Asia from 1972 to 2010
Authors: Cheong W. K. , Timbal B. , Golding N. , Sirabaha S. , Kwan K. F. , Cinco T. A. , Archevarahuprok B. , Vo V. H. , Gunawan D. , Han S.
Published: March 2018

Regional assessments of trends in climate extremes are necessary for countries to make informed decisions about adaptation strategies and to put these changes into a global context. A workshop bringing together several Southeast Asian countries has delivered a new set of daily weather observations suitable to analyse the changes in temperature and precipitation extremes between 1972 and 2010. The use of a consistent and widely tested methodology in this study allows a direct comparison with results from other parts of the world. Trends in a range of climate extremes indices were assessed focusing on spatial variation in these trends. For most locations temperature trends obtained in this study appear broadly consistent with previous assessments; for some locations stronger trends have been detected through the inclusion of new data. In contrast to earlier studies, evidence of trends in precipitation extremes is emerging, with significant increasing trends in both regional and subregional data. In addition, large correlations between regional rainfall extremes and large‐scale features such as El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole were identified. Finally, the observed trends are compared with a regional climate model reconstruction of the historical period. It was found that the model captures very well the trends and spatial variation of temperature extremes across the region, albeit with an underestimation of the more extreme indices. In contrast, the trends in precipitation extremes are largely overestimated, particularly in the western side of Southeast Asia.
The sea surface temperature configuration of Greenland Sea–subpolar region of North Atlantic and the summer rainfall anomaly in low‐latitude highlands of China
Authors: Cao Jie , Ding Yuchao , Wang Jian , Tao Yun
Published: March 2018

Based on reanalysis and observational data sets, the present study reveals that the variability of summer rainfall in the low‐latitude highlands of China (CLLH) is significantly correlated to the sea surface temperature (SST) configuration from the Greenland Sea (GS) southeastwards to the subpolar region of North Atlantic (NASR). The SST configuration orientated in northwest–southeast direction exerts its impact on the summer rainfall coming into the CLLH via modifying the activity of cold air in the northeast CLLH. When SST is warmer than normal in the GS and colder than normal around the NASR, a teleconnection with an anomalous cyclone over the Europe, an anomalous anticyclone around the Lake Baikal and an anomalous cyclone over the East Asia will be forced out by the dispersion of Rossby wave on the spherical surface of the earth. The teleconnection traversing Europe–East China is favourable to transportation of cold air from the East Siberian southwestwards to the CLLH and thus gives rise to the increase of summer rainfall in the CLLH. When SST is colder than normal in the GS and warmer than normal around the NASR, the similar teleconnection with opposite phase is forced out, causing a less than normal summer rainfall in the CLLH.
Nutritional Risk in Emergency‐2017: A New Simplified Proposal for a Nutrition Screening Tool
Authors: Marcadenti Aline , Mendes Larissa Loures , Rabito Estela Iraci , Fink Jaqueline da Silva , Silva Flávia Moraes
Published: March 2018

Background

There are many nutrition screening tools currently being applied in hospitals to identify risk of malnutrition. However, multivariate statistical models are not usually employed to take into account the importance of each variable included in the instrument's development.

Objective

To develop and evaluate the concurrent and predictive validities of a new screening tool of nutrition risk.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was developed, in which 4 nutrition screening tools were applied to all patients. Length of stay in hospital and mortality were considered to test the predictive validity, and the concurrent validity was tested by comparing the Nuritional Risk in Emergency (NRE)‐2017 to the other tools.

Results

A total of 748 patients were included. The final NRE‐2017 score was composed of 6 questions (advanced age, metabolic stress of the disease, decreased appetite, changing of food consistency, unintentional weight loss, and muscle mass loss) with answers yes or no. The prevalence of nutrition risk was 50.7% and 38.8% considering the cutoff points 1.0 and 1.5, respectively. The NRE‐2017 showed a satisfactory power to indentify risk of malnutrition (area under the curve >0.790 for all analyses). According to the NRE‐2017, patients at risk of malnutrition have twice as high relative risk of a very long hospital stay. The hazard ratio for mortality was 2.78 (1.03–7.49) when the cutoff adopted by the NRE‐2017 was 1.5 points.

Conclusion

NRE‐2017 is a new, easy‐to‐apply nutrition screening tool which uses 6 bi‐categoric features to detect the risk of malnutrition, and it presented a good concurrent and predictive validity.
Yield and nitrogen use efficiency of wheat increased with root length and biomass due to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium interactions
Authors: Duncan Elliott G. , O'Sullivan Cathryn A. , Roper Margaret M. , Palta Jairo , Whisson Kelley , Peoples Mark B.
Published: March 2018

Balanced applications of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are known to increase grain yield of wheat but the impact of the interactions among N, P, and K on root growth and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) have not been proven. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of balanced applications of N, P, and K on the rooting patterns and NUE of wheat. Two glasshouse experiments were conducted. A rhizobox study was used to assess the impact of interactions among N, P, and K fertilisers on total root length, biomass, specific root length, root length density, N use efficiency (NUE), and N uptake efficiency of the shoots (NUpEshoot) and N nutrition index. In a separate pot study, plants were grown to maturity to confirm the effect of the observed changes in root growth on NUE, NUpEgrain, and grain/biomass yield.

In the rhizobox experiment when plants were supplied with N+P+K, total root biomass increased approximately six‐fold relative to plants grown with N alone or with no fertiliser. Plants exposed to N+P+K had NUpEshoot and NUE values that were five and ten times higher, respectively, than plants that received just fertiliser N. Plants supplied with N+P or N+P+K had N nutrition indices close to one (N‐adequate), while plants that only received N had an index of 0.62 (N‐deficient). The pot study confirmed that the changes in root length and biomass in plants exposed to N+P+K resulted in significant increases in NUE, NUpEgrain, shoot biomass, and grain yield at maturity. Interactions among fertiliser N, P, and K played a critical role in influencing root biomass and length, which was associated with increases in NUE, NUpEshoot and NUpEgrain.
Zinc‐biofortified seeds improved seedling growth under zinc deficiency and drought stress in durum wheat
Authors: Candan Nilgun , Cakmak Ismail , Ozturk Levent
Published: March 2018

High zinc (Zn) concentration of seeds has beneficial effects both on seed vigor and human nutrition. This study investigated the effect of Zn biofortification on growth of young durum wheat (Triticum durum cv. Yelken) seedlings under varied Zn and water supply. The seeds differing in Zn concentrations were obtained by spraying ZnSO4 to durum wheat plants at different rates under field conditions. Three groups of seeds were obtained with the following Zn concentrations: 9, 20, and 50 mg Zn kg−1. The seeds differing in Zn were tested for germination rate, seedling height, shoot dry matter production, and shoot Zn concentration under limited and well irrigated conditions in a Zn‐deficient soil with and without Zn application. In an additional experiment carried out in solution culture, root and shoot growth and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of seedlings were studied under low and adequate Zn supply. Low seed Zn concentration resulted in significant decreases in seedling height both in Zn‐deficient and sufficient soil, but more clearly under water‐limited soil condition. Decrease in seed germination due to low seed Zn was also more evident under limited water supply. Increasing seed Zn concentration significantly restored impairments in seedling development. Drought‐induced decrease in seedling growth at a given seed Zn concentration was much higher when soil was Zn‐deficient. Increasing seed Zn concentration also significantly improved SOD activity in seedlings grown under low Zn supply, but not under adequate Zn supply. The results suggest that using Zn‐biofortified seeds assures better seed vigor and seedling growth, particularly when Zn and water are limited in the growth medium. The role of a higher antioxidative potential (i.e., higher SOD activity) is discussed as a possible major factor in better germination and development of seedlings resulting from Zn‐biofortified seeds.
Nutrient content in wheat grain and straw using sludge and compost from a wastewater treatment plant as a fertiliser
Authors: Mañas Pilar , De Las Heras Jorge
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed: (i) to evaluate the response of nutrient uptake after applying 15 ha−1 of sewage sludge, compost and a commercial fertiliser to soil in the grain and straw of winter wheat (Triticum turgidum L. cv. Vitron) and (ii) to investigate the composition of the same parameters in the original soil and compare them with soil after applying fertiliser treatments. A field‐scale experiment established the agronomic performance of air‐dried sewage sludge and composted sludge for winter wheat.

RESULTS

Sewage sludge promoted a higher grain Zn content and yield than compost or the commercial fertiliser. N, P and Zn were higher after harvests in soils where sludge or compost was applied, showing significant differences compared to those with a commercial fertiliser. When sludge or compost was used as an organic amendment, no significant differences were observed in pH or electrical conductivity in soils, as well as nutrient absorption for crop.

CONCLUSION

Because no nutritional imbalances were observed in either grain or straw of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. cv. Vitron), sewage sludge from the Alcázar de San Juan wastewater treatment plant has an aptitude for agricultural use and could be recommended as an alternative to the standard commercial fertilisation used in the study area. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Hyperspectral imaging for predicting the allicin and soluble solid content of garlic with variable selection algorithms and chemometric models
Authors: Rahman Anisur , Faqeerzada Mohammad A , Cho Byoung‐Kwan
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Allicin and soluble solid content (SSC) in garlic is the responsible for its pungent flavor and odor. However, current conventional methods such as the use of high‐pressure liquid chromatography and a refractometer have critical drawbacks in that they are time‐consuming, labor‐intensive and destructive procedures. The present study aimed to predict allicin and SSC in garlic using hyperspectral imaging in combination with variable selection algorithms and calibration models.

RESULTS

Hyperspectral images of 100 garlic cloves were acquired that covered two spectral ranges, from which the mean spectra of each clove were extracted. The calibration models included partial least squares (PLS) and least squares‐support vector machine (LS‐SVM) regression, as well as different spectral pre‐processing techniques, from which the highest performing spectral preprocessing technique and spectral range were selected. Then, variable selection methods, such as regression coefficients, variable importance in projection (VIP) and the successive projections algorithm (SPA), were evaluated for the selection of effective wavelengths (EWs). Furthermore, PLS and LS‐SVM regression methods were applied to quantitatively predict the quality attributes of garlic using the selected EWs. Of the established models, the SPA‐LS‐SVM model obtained an of 0.90 and standard error of prediction (SEP) of 1.01% for SSC prediction, whereas the VIP‐LS‐SVM model produced the best result with an of 0.83 and SEP of 0.19 mg g−1 for allicin prediction in the range 1000–1700 nm. Furthermore, chemical images of garlic were developed using the best predictive model to facilitate visualization of the spatial distributions of allicin and SSC.

CONCLUSION

The present study clearly demonstrates that hyperspectral imaging combined with an appropriate chemometrics method can potentially be employed as a fast, non‐invasive method to predict the allicin and SSC in garlic. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Visual evaluation of 3D image quality by viewer unexperienced in viewing autostereoscopic 3D
Authors: Lee Jaehyung , Yeo Wonjae , Hong Hyungki
Published: March 2018

Viewing positions of autostereoscopic 3D affect the observed 3D image quality. The response of the people who had little experience in viewing autostereoscopic 3D was investigated. Thirty participants with the normal stereoscopic vision were selected and took the visual evaluation of autostereoscopic 3D at the various viewing positions. Photograph was also taken for the quantitative analysis of the viewing zone characteristics and the uniformity of 3D screen of autostereoscopic 3D. In visual evaluation, the larger difference of good and bad 3D image quality was observed at the viewing distance of 300 cm than at other viewing distance. This result and the periodic trends accorded with the analysis of photos at various camera positions. From these, we found that even the unexperienced viewer can correctly evaluate whether 3D image quality is good or bad.
Redefining the nasal septal L‐strut: A quantitative analysis of septal arcs and angles
Authors: Han Peter S. , Liu Yuan F. , Messinger Kelton , Ardeshirpour Farhad , Inman Jared C.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To define and quantify common points and relationships within the anterior nasal septum and recognize the anatomic curvature of the dorsal and caudal septum as arcs with certain rises.

Study Design

Case series study.

Methods

Forty cadaveric quadrangular cartilages were dissected. Points along the septum were defined and relationships measured. Angles that composed the anterior septum using values that did account for the curvature of the anterior nasal septum, or classical L‐strut values, were compared to C‐strut values, which included rises away from the L‐strut.

Results

The mean arc of the nasal septum dorsum was significantly longer than the caudal arc (25.9 ± 5.14 mm vs. 23.96 ± 4.07 mm, P = 0.048); the mean rise of the dorsal arc was significantly shorter than the rise of the caudal arc (3.04 ± 1.25 mm vs. 3.88 ± 1.42 mm, P = 0.006). The mean point of furthest rise of the dorsal arc was slightly anterior to the midpoint of the dorsal strut (13.43 ± 5.07 mm); the mean caudal equivalent was slightly posterior to the midpoint of the caudal strut (8.55 ± 4.33 mm). Septal angles measured using L‐strut versus C‐strut values were significantly different.

Conclusion

The L‐strut leading edge is not congruent with the anatomic septum and can be better described as a C‐strut with arcs and rises away from classically interpreted straight L‐strut lines, all of which may guide surgeons in the creation of a more natural, supportive cartilage framework while encouraging quantifiable septorhinoplasty teaching.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 1806–1810, 2018