bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting academic success for students of color within STEM majors
Authors: Gipson John
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine what pre-college characteristics predict college success for students of color enrolled within science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, as measured by cumulative grade point average (GPA) after three years of initial enrollment.

Design/methodology/approach

To increase the generalizability by avoiding a single-year focus, the sample includes 954 first-year students entering one predominantly White research university during Fall 2010, Fall 2011 and Fall 2012 (Allen and Bir, 2011); GPAs were collected following three years of initial enrollment. IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) Statistics 22 was utilized to conduct correlation and multiple linear regression analyses.

Findings

Within all conditional models, after controlling for multiple variables, the number of advanced placement (AP) credits, standardized test scores and specific type of high school GPA were significantly related to cumulative college GPA after three years of enrollment. However, when multiple forms of high school GPA were included within a full model, only the number of AP credits and standardized test scores remained statistically related to cumulative college GPA. Further, high school core GPA is more strongly correlated with cumulative college GPA after three years of enrollment than overall high school GPA, high school science GPA and high school mathematics GPA.

Originality/value

This study adds to prior research by identifying that high school core GPA is an important predictor of college success and that the cumulative effect of enrollment within AP credits may be more beneficial than the cumulative effect of involvement within dual enrollment courses.
Mutations in the drug resistance‐determining region of Mycobacterium lepromatosis isolated from leprosy patients in Mexico
Authors: Kai Masanori , Fafutis‐Morris Mary , Miyamoto Yuji , Mukai Tetsu , Mayorga‐Rodriguez Jorge , Rodriguez‐Castellanos Marco Antonio , Martínez‐Guzman Marco Alonso , Matsuoka Masanori
Published: June 2016

Mycobacterium lepromatosis, an independent species from Mycobacterium leprae, has been found to be a causative agent for diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL) in Mexico, but remains poorly studied. Here, the drug resistance‐determining regions (DRDR) of folP1, rpoB and gyrA (conferring resistance to dapsone, rifampicin and quinolone, respectively) in M. lepromatosis from leprosy patients in Mexico were characterized. No mutations or silent mutations were found at previously characterized major sites in DRDR of M. lepromatosis. However, a non‐synonymous mutation was found in codon 54 between two major sites of the folP1 DRDR in M. lepromatosis sequences. All M. lepromatosis isolates showed CAG sequence in codon 54 of folP1. Because the next codons 53 and 55 are known as major mutation sites for drug resistance, more detailed analysis using more samples is needed to determine whether it influences susceptibility to dapsone and/or efficiency of folate biosynthesis in M. lepromatosis or not.
Iron and Fur in the life cycle of the zoonotic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Pajuelo David , Hernández‐Cabanyero Carla , Sanjuan Eva , Lee Chung‐Te , Silva‐Hernández Francisco Xavier , Hor Lien‐I , MacKenzie Simon , Amaro Carmen
Published: June 2016

In this study, we aimed to analyze the global response to iron in the broad‐range host pathogen Vibrio vulnificus under the hypothesis that iron is one of the main signals triggering survival mechanisms both inside and outside its hosts. To this end, we selected a strain from the main zoonotic clonal‐complex, obtained a mutant in the ferric‐uptake‐regulator (Fur), and analyzed their transcriptomic profiles in both iron‐excess and iron‐poor conditions by using a strain‐specific microarray platform. Among the genes differentially expressed, we identified around 250 as putatively involved in virulence and survival‐related mechanisms. Then, we designed and performed a series of in vivo and in vitro tests to find out if the processes highlighted by the microarray experiments were in fact under iron and/or Fur control. Our results support the hypothesis that iron acts as a niche marker, not always through Fur, for V. vulnificus controlling its entire life cycle. This ranges from survival in the marine environment, including motility and chemotaxis, to survival in the blood of their hosts, including host‐specific mechanisms of resistance to innate immunity. These mechanisms allow the bacterium to multiply and persist inside and between their hosts.
Fetal brain imaging following laser surgery in twin‐to‐twin surgery
Authors: Stirnemann J , Chalouhi G , Essaoui M , Bahi‐Buisson N , Sonigo P , Millischer A‐E , Lapillonne A , Guigue V , Salomon LJ , Ville Y
Published: June 2016

Objective

To describe the incidence and nature of prenatal brain damage following fetoscopic laser selective coagulation (FLSC) of placental vessels for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Single center cohort.

Population

All consecutive cases referred for TTTS treated by FLSC between 2003 and 2015.

Methods

After the FLSC, patients were followed weekly by ultrasound. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were systematically planned at 30–32 weeks of gestation.

Main outcome measures

Brain damage diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound or MRI.

Results

In total, 1023 cases were reviewed. Brain damage was diagnosed prenatally in 22/1023 (2.1%) cases. Diagnosis was performed by ultrasound prior to MRI in 18 (82%) cases. All lesions were within the spectrum of ischaemic haemorrhagic lesions. Postoperative twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence and recurrence of TTTS were significantly associated with brain damage.

Conclusion

The incidence of prenatal brain damage is low following FSLC, and is strongly associated with incomplete surgery.

Tweetable abstract

Following FSLC for TTTS, prenatal brain damage occurs in 2% of cases and is associated with incomplete surgery.
Magnetic resonance imaging for abnormally invasive placenta: the added value of intravenous gadolinium injection
Authors: Millischer A‐E , Salomon LJ , Porcher R , Brasseur‐Daudruy M , Gourdier A‐L , Hornoy P , Silvera S , Loisel D , Tsatsaris V , Delorme B , Boddaert N , Ville Y , Sentilhes L
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To assess the added value of intravenous gadolinium injection to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ‐based diagnosis of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) and to examine this in relation to the radiologist's experience.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Between March 2009 and October 2012, 31 pregnant women who had previous caesarean delivery together with a placenta praevia and suspected placenta accreta on ultrasound in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Population

All were offered MRI examination, and made aware of the limited (but so far reassuring) data regarding fetal safety of gadolinium. Twenty pregnant women agreed to undergo prenatal MRI (1.5 T), with and without gadolinium injection.

Methods

Two sets of MRI examinations without and with gadolinium were reviewed independently 2 months apart by two senior and two junior radiologists; all were blinded to the outcome (known in all cases). Histopathological findings and clinical signs of AIP were considered as the defining criteria of diagnosis.

Main outcome measure

accuracy of MRI with and without gadolinium was assessed.

Results

Eight of the 20 women had confirmed abnormal placental invasion. The overall performance of both sets of readers in detecting AIP increased with gadolinium—sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% (42.0–100%) and 47.9% (19.9–75.9%) increasing to 87.5% (57.1–100%) and 60.4% (33.9–86.9%), respectively (P = 0.04). The added value of gadolinium remained irrespective of radiologist's experience, although senior radiologists performed better overall (sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 62.5% versus 62.5% and 33.3%, respectively, increasing with injection to 93.8% and 70.8% versus 81.3% and 50%, respectively; P < 10−4).

Conclusion

There was an association between gadolinium use and improvement in MRI‐based diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of AIP, for both junior and senior radiologists.

Tweetable abstract

Gadolinium injection improves MRI performance of radiologists for the diagnosis of placenta accreta.
A New Species of Amsassia from the Ordovician of Korea and South China: Paleobiological and Paleogeographical Significance
Authors: LEE Mirinae , PARK Heeju , TIEN Nguyen Viet , CHOH Suk‐Joo , ELIAS Robert J. , LEE Dong‐Jin
Published: June 2016

A new species of the probable calcareous alga Amsassia, A. koreanensis, is recognized from the Duwibong Formation (Middle Ordovician, Darriwilian) of the Taebaeksan Basin in mid‐eastern Korea. This is the first report of the genus from the Korean Peninsula, expanding its geographical range to the eastern Sino‐Korean Block. The new species also occurs in the Xiazhen Formation (Upper Ordovician, Katian) at Zhuzhai in the South China Block. Amsassia koreanensis is the smallest species of this modular genus, having a maximum module diameter of 0.28 mm. Module increase is by bipartite, tripartite and quadripartite types of longitudinal axial fission, but unlike other species of the genus, quadripartite fission is common. The types of fission are comparable to those in some Tetradiida (now Prismostylales, florideophycean rhodophyte algae), although the processes of fission are different. The distribution of A. koreanensis further strengthens the biogeographical connection between the Sino‐Korean and South China blocks, suggesting that these two paleocontinents were located closer together during the Middle to Late Ordovician than previously speculated.
Dimorphism of Bivalved Arthropod Branchiocaris? Yunnanensis from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota, South China
Authors: Yu WU , Dongjing FU , Xingliang ZHANG , DALEY Allison C. , Degan SHU
Published: June 2016

The bivalved arthropod Branchiocaris? yunnanensis Hou, 1987 is redescribed on the basis of new fossil material from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota, South China. In total, 81 specimens have been examined. The carapace comprises two identical valves, each valve are sub‐circular in outline, ranging from 24 mm to 58 mm in length, and from 15 mm to 46 mm in height. The dorsal margin is straight and bears two short cardinal spines. The valve surface is either smooth or ornamented with polygonal reticular structures, which may result from different preservation conditions. Two morphotypes have been recognized based on the presence or absence of a subdorsal swelling of the valve, which is convex dorsolaterally and extends beyond the dorsal margin when it appears. Statistic and ontogenetic analyses show both morphotypes grow isometrically and have the same growth trajectory. Therefore, the two morphotypes are interpreted as dimorphism within the same species. Our results are helpful for investigating the taxonomy and ontogeny of arthropod fossils and suggest that dimorphism might be fairly common in these early arthropods.
Early Cretaceous Tectonics and Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhenhan WU , Zhen ZHAO , BAROSH Patrick J. , Peisheng YE
Published: June 2016

Selected geological data on Early Cretaceous strata, structures, magmatic plutons and volcanic rocks from the Kunlun to Himalaya Mountains reveal a new view of the Early Cretaceous paleo‐tectonics and the related geodynamic movement of the Tibetan Plateau. Two major paleo‐oceans, the Mid‐Tethys Ocean between the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks, and the Neo‐Tethys Ocean between the Lhasa and Himalayan blocks, existed in the Tibetan region in the Early Cretaceous. The Himalayan Marginal and South Lhasa Seas formed in the southern and northern margins of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean, the Central Tibet Sea and the Qiangtang Marginal Sea formed in the southern and northern margins of the Mid‐Tethys Ocean, respectively. An arm of the sea extended into the southwestern Tarim basin in the Early Cretaceous. Early Cretaceous intensive thrusting, magmatic emplacement and volcanic eruptions occurred in the central and northern Lhasa Block, while strike‐slip formed along the Hoh‐Xil and South Kunlun Faults in the northern Tibetan region. Early Cretaceous tectonics together with magmatic K2O geochemistry indicate an Early Cretaceous southward subduction of the Mid‐Tethys Oceanic Plate along the Bangoin‐Nujiang Suture which was thrust ∼87 km southward during the Late Cretaceous‐Early Cenozoic. No intensive thrust and magmatic emplacement occurred in the Early Cretaceous in the Himalayan and southern Lhasa Blocks, indicating that the spreading Neo‐Tethys Oceanic Plate had not been subducted in the Early Cretaceous. To the north, terrestrial basins of red‐beds formed in the Hoh‐Xil, Kunlun, Qilian and the northeastern Tarim blocks in Early Cretaceous, and the Qiangtang Marginal Sea disappeared after the Qiangtang Block uplifted in the late Early Cretaceous.
The Exhumation History of North Qaidam Thrust Belt Constrained by Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology: Implication for the Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xiaogan CHENG , Xiubin LIN , Lei WU , Hanlin CHEN , Ancheng XIAO , Junfeng GONG , Fengqi ZHANG , Shufeng YANG
Published: June 2016

Determining the spatio‐temporal distribution of the deformation tied to the India‐Eurasian convergence and the impact of pre‐existing weaknesses on the Cenozoic crustal deformation is significant for understanding how the convergence between India and Eurasia contributed to the development of the Tibetan Plateau. The exhumation history of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was addressed in this research using a new apatite fission track (AFT) study in the North Qaidam thrust belt (NQTB). Three granite samples collected from the Qaidam Shan pluton in the north tied to the Qaidam Shan thrust, with AFT ages clustering in the Eocene to Miocene. The other thirteen samples obtained from the Luliang Shan and Yuka plutons in the south related to the Luliang Shan thrust and they have showed predominantly the Cretaceous AFT ages. Related thermal history modeling based on grain ages and track lengths indicates rapid cooling events during the Eocene‐early Oligocene and since late Miocene within the Qaidam Shan, in contrast to those in the Cretaceous and since the Oligocene‐Miocene in the Luliang Shan and Yuka region. The results, combined with published the Cretaceous thermochronological ages in the Qaidam Shan region, suggest that the NQTB had undergo rapid exhumation during the accretions along the southern Asian Andean‐type margin prior to the India‐Eurasian collision. The Cenozoic deformation initially took place in the North Qaidam thrust belt by the Eocene, which is consistent with the recent claim that the deformation of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau initiated in the Eocene as a response to continental collision between India and Eurasia. The immediate deformation responding to the collision is tentatively attributed to the pre‐existing weaknesses of the lithosphere, and therefore the deformation of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau should be regarded as a boundary‐condition‐dependent process.
Magnetotelluric Constraints on the Occurrence of Lower Crustal Earthquakes in the Intra‐plate Setting of Central Indian Tectonic Zone
Authors: ABDUL AZEEZ K. K.
Published: June 2016

Lower crustal earthquake occurrence in the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) of the Indian sub‐continent was investigated using magnetotelluric (MT) data. MT models across the CITZ, including the new resistivity model across the 1938 Satpura lower crustal earthquake epicenter, show low resistive (<80 Ωm) mid‐lower crust and infer small volume (<1 vol%) of aqueous fluids existing in most part of lower crust. This in conjunction with xenoliths and other geophysical data supports a predominant brittle/semi‐brittle lower crustal rheology. However, the local deep crustal zones with higher fluid content of 2.2%–6.5% which have been mapped imply high pore pressure conditions. The observation above and the significant strain rate in the region provide favorable conditions (strong/moderate rock strength, moderate temperature, high pore pressure and high strain rate) for brittle failure in the lower crust. It can be inferred that the fluid‐rich pockets in the mid‐lower crust might have catalyzed earthquake generation by acting as the source of local stress (fluid pressure), which together with the regional stress produced critical seismogenic stress conditions. Alternatively, fluids reduce the shear strength of the rocks to favor tectonic stress concentration that can be transferred to seismogenic faults to trigger earthquakes.
Platinum‐group Mineral (PGM) and Base‐metal Sulphide (BMS) Inclusions in Chromitites of the Zedang Ophiolite, Southern Tibet, China and their Petrogenetic Significance
Authors: Guolin GUO , Jingsui YANG , ROBINSON Paul T. , Xiaodong LIU , Xiangzhen XU , Fahui XIONG
Published: June 2016

Voluminous platinum‐group mineral (PGM) inclusions including erlichmanite (Os,Ru)S2, laurite (Ru,Os)S2, and irarsite (Ir,Os,Ru,Rh)AsS, as well as native osmium Os(Ir) and inclusions of base metal sulphides (BMS), including millerite (NiS), heazlewoodite (Ni3S2), covellite (CuS) and digenite (Cu3S2), accompanied by native iron, have been identified in chromitites of the Zedang ophiolite, Tibet. The PGMs occur as both inclusions in magnesiochromite grains and as small interstitial granules between them; most are less than 10 μm in size and vary in shape from euhedral to anhedral. They occur either as single or composite (biphase or polyphase) grains composed solely of PGM, or PGM associated with silicate grains. Os‐, Ir‐, and Ru‐rich PGMs are the common species and Pt‐, Pd‐, and Rh‐rich varieties have not been identified. Sulfur fugacity and temperature appear to be the main factors that controlled the PGE mineralogy during crystallization of the host chromitite in the upper mantle. If the activity of chalcogenides (such as S, and As) is low, PGE clusters will remain suspended in the silicate melt until they can coalesce to form alloys. Under appropriate conditions of fS2 and fO2, PGE alloys might react with the melt to form sulfides‐sulfarsenides. Thus, we suggest that the Os, Ir and Ru metallic clusters and alloys in the Zedang chromitites crystallized first under high temperature and low fS2, followed by crystallization of sulphides of the laurite‐erlichmanite, solid‐solution series as the magma cooled and fS2 increased. The abundance of primary BMS in the chromitites suggests that fS2 reached relatively high values during the final stages of magnesiochromite crystallization. The diversity of the PGE minerals, in combination with differences in the petrological characteristics of the magnesiochromites, suggest different degrees of partial melting, perhaps at different depths in the mantle. The estimated parental magma composition suggests formation in a suprasubduction zone environment, perhaps in a forearc.
Newly Discovered Native Gold and Bismuth in the Cihai Iron‐Cobalt Deposit, Eastern Tianshan, Northwest China
Authors: Jiahao ZHENG , Jingwen MAO , Fuquan YANG , Fengmei CHAI , Feng LIU
Published: June 2016

The Cihai iron‐cobalt deposit is located in the southern part of the eastern Tianshan iron‐polymetallic metallogenic belt. Anomalous native gold and bismuth have been newly identified in Cinan mining section of the Cihai deposit. Ore formation in the deposit can be divided into three stages based on geological and petrographical observations: (I) skarn, with the main mineral assemblage being garnet‐pyroxene‐magnetite; (II) retrograde alteration, forming the main iron ores and including massive magnetite, native gold, native bismuth, and cobalt‐bearing minerals, with the main mineral assemblage being ilvaite‐magnetite‐native gold‐native bismuth; and (III) quartz‐calcite‐sulfide assemblage that contains quartz, calcite, pyrrhotite, cobaltite, and safflorite. Native gold mainly coexists with native bismuth, and they are paragenetically related. The temperature of initial skarn formation was higher than 340°C, and then subsequently decreased to ∼312°C and ∼266°C. The temperature of the hydrothermal fluid during the iron ore depositional event was higher than the melting point of native bismuth (271°C), and native bismuth melt scavenged gold in the hydrothermal fluid, forming a Bi‐Au melt. As the temperature decreased, the Bi‐Au melt was decomposed into native gold and native bismuth. The native gold and native bismuth identified during this study can provide a scientific basis for prospecting and exploration for both gold‐ and bismuth‐bearing deposits in the Cihai mining area. The gold mineralization in Cihai is a part of the Early Permian Cu‐Ni‐Au‐Fe polymetallic ore‐forming event, and its discovery has implications for the resource potential of other iron skarn deposits in the eastern Tianshan.
Hydrogen Incorporation in Crystalline Jadeite: Insight from First Principles Calculations
Authors: Xiaoling ZHANG , Xiaoyu FAN , Dawei MENG , Xiuling WU , Weiping LIU
Published: June 2016

Hydrogen incorporation is critical for explaining defect energies, structure parameters and other physical characteristics of minerals and understanding mantle dynamics. This work analyzed the hydrogen complex defects in jadeite by the plane‐wave pseudo‐potential method based on density functional theory, and optimized the atomic positions and lattice constants in all configurations (different defective systems). Incorporation mechanisms considered for hydrogen (H) in jadeite include: (1) hydrogen incorporating with the 02 site oxygen and coexisting with M2 vacancy; (2) one H atom combined with an Al atom replacing Si in tetrahedron; (3) 4H atoms directly replacing Si in tetrahedron and (4) 3H atoms replacing Al on the Ml site. The four incorporation mechanisms mentioned above form the corresponding VNa‐Hi, AlSi‐Hi, VSi‐4Hi and VAl‐3Hi point defects. The molecular dynamics simulation to the ideal, VNa‐Hi, Alsi‐Hi, VSi‐4Hi and VAl‐3Hi point defects under the P‐T conditions of 900 K, 2 GPa, the VNa‐Hi and AlSi‐Hi point defects under different pressures at T = 900 K, and AlSi‐Hi point defects under different temperatures at P = 3 GPa was performed to examine the preferential mode of hydrogen incorporation in jadeite by means of first‐principles calculations. The calculations show that the averaged O–H bond‐length in the hydrogen point defects system decreased in the order of AlSi‐Hi, VNa‐Hi, Vsr‐4Hi and VAl 3Hi. VNa‐Hi complex defects result in a contraction of the jadeite volume and the presence of AlSi‐Hi, VSi‐4Hi and VAl‐3Hi defects could increase the supercell volume, which is the most obvious in the VAl‐3Hi defects. The energy of formation of AISi‐Hi and VAl‐3Hi complex defects was much lower than that of other defect systems. The VAl‐3Hi defects system has the lowest energy and the shortest O–H bond‐length, suggesting that this system is the most favorable. The analytical results of vacancy formation energy, O‐H bond‐length, and the stability of the hydrogen defects in jadeite have suggested that the preferred hydration incorporation mode in jadeite is VAl‐3Hi complex defect.
Diagenesis of the Triassic Yanchang Formation Tight Sandstone Reservoir in the Xifeng–Ansai Area of Ordos Basin and its Porosity Evolution
Authors: Mingjie LIU , Zhen LIU , Peng WANG , Gaofeng PAN
Published: June 2016

This work aims to reveal the evolution of the porosity in the Triassic Yanchang Formation tight sandstone reservoir of the Xifeng–Ansai area of Ordos Basin. Based on destructive diagenesis (compaction and cementation) and constructive diagenesis (dissolution) of sandstone reservoirs, this study analyzed the diagenesis characteristics of the tight sandstone reservoirs in this area, and discussed the relationship between sandstone diagenesis and porosity evolution in combination with present porosity profile characteristics of sandstone reservoir. The effect simulation principle was employed for the mathematical derivation and simulation of the evolution of porosity in the Yanchang Formation tight sandstone reservoirs. The result shows that compaction always occurs in tight sandstone reservoirs in the Yanchang Formation, and cementation occurs when the burial depth increases to a certain value and remains ever since. Dissolution occurs only at a certain stage of the evolution with window features. In the corresponding present porosity profile, diagenesis is characterized by segmentation. From the shallow to the deep, compaction, compaction, cementation and dissolution, compaction and cementation occur successively. Therefore, the evolution of sandstone porosity can be divided into normal compaction section, acidification and incremental porosity section, and normal compaction section after dissolution. The results show that the evolution of sandstone porosity can be decomposed into porosity reduction model and porosity increase model. The superposition of the two models at the same depth in the three stages or in the same geological time can constitute the evolution simulation of the total porosity in sandstone reservoirs. By simulating the evolution of sandstone reservoir porosity of the eighth member in Xifeng area and the sixth member in Ansai area, it shows that they are similar in the evolution process and trend. The difference is caused by the regional uplift or subsidence and burial depth.
Groundwater Recharge and Mixing in Arid and Semiarid Regions: Heihe River Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Guoliang CAO , Chunmiao ZHENG , SIMMONS Craig T.
Published: June 2016

A sound understanding of groundwater recharged from various sources occurring at different time scales is crucial for water management in arid and semi‐arid river basins. Groundwater recharge sources and their geochemical evolution are investigated for the Heihe River Basin (HRB) in northwest China on the basis of a comprehensive compilation of geochemical and isotopic data. Geochemical mass‐balance modeling indicates that mountain‐block recharge accounts for a small fraction (generally less than 5%) of the shallow and deep groundwater sustaining the oasis, whereas infiltration of rivers and irrigation water contribute most of the groundwater recharge. Dedolomitization is the primary process responsible for the changes in groundwater chemical and carbon isotope compositions from the piedmont to the groundwater discharge zone, where the dedolomitization is very likely enhanced by modern agricultural activities affecting the shallow groundwater quality. Analysis of radioactive isotopes suggests that these primary recharge sources occur at two different time scales. Radiocarbon‐derived groundwater age profiles indicate a recharge rate of approximately 12 mm/year, which probably occurred during 2000–7000 years B.P., corresponding to the mid‐Holocene humid period. The recharge of young groundwater on the tritium‐dated time scale is much higher, about 360 mm/year in the oasis region. Infiltration from irrigation canals and irrigation return flow are the primary contributors to the increased young groundwater recharge. This study suggests that groundwater chemistry in the HRB has been influenced by the complex interaction between natural and human‐induced geochemical processes and that anthropogenic effects have played a more significant role in terms of both groundwater quantity and quality.
Early Cretaceous Climate Changes Recorded in Magnetic Susceptibility and Color Index Variations of the Lower Liupanshan Group, Central China
Authors: Shuang DAI , Qiang ZHU , Yongbo HUANG , Christine DA SILVA A. , Jie ZHAO , Junwei LIU , Li KONG , Dongxiang PENG , Lingling LUO , Ningyun YAN , Wenjie WANG , Xiang ZHANG
Published: June 2016

This study carried out comprehensive analysis on sedimentology, magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and color data of the continental sediments of the Liupanshan Group in Central China so as to obtain climatic change information during the 129.14–122.98 Ma interval. Based on the results of the χlf and of the redness (a*), the section can be divided into two segments: (1) 129.14–126.3 Ma, with the lowest χlf values and strongly variable relatively high values of redness and (2) 126.3–122.98 Ma, with high χlf values and relatively low redness. Analysis of the lithology and facies as well as the magnetic minerals and their contents points to a detrital origin of the magnetic minerals and this allow us to interpret the relationship between magnetic susceptibility variations and climate changes. Our study shows that the climate was significantly dry and hot during the whole studied interval although the interval between 126.3 Ma and 122.98 was a little bit cooler with increased humidity.
Reducing pre‐operative fasting while preserving operating room scheduling flexibility: feasibility and impact on patient discomfort
Authors: De Jonghe B. , Fajardy A. , Mérian‐Brosse L. , Fauconnier A. , Chouillard E. , Debit N. , Solus H. , Tabary N. , Séguier J.‐C. , Melchior J.‐C.
Published: June 2016

Background

The need to preserve operating room (OR) scheduling flexibility can challenge adherence to the 2‐h pre‐operative fasting period recommendation before elective surgery. Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility of a pre‐operative carbohydrate (CHO) drink delivery strategy preserving OR scheduling flexibility.

Methods

During the 1st study phase, patients admitted for elective surgery fasted overnight (Control group); during the 2nd phase, patients fasted overnight and received a pre‐operative CHO drink (CHO group). CHO delivery time was set to allow any patient to be ready for surgery 30 min ahead of the scheduled time and any patient with an operation scheduled in the afternoon to be ready at 13:00 hours; patients admitted the morning of an early morning operation would not be allowed to take a CHO drink.

Results

We included 194 patients in the Control group and 199 in the CHO group. In the CHO group, the morning CHO dose was delivered to 66.3% of the patients (95% CI 59.3–72.9%), with a median pre‐operative fasting time period of 4 h 57 min. After excluding patients admitted the morning of an operation scheduled before 10:00 hours, the delivery rate was 77.2% (70.2–83.3%). Patients in the CHO group experienced significantly less pre‐operative thirst (median 2 vs. 5 on a 0–10 scale, P < 0.0001) and hunger (0 vs. 2, P < 0.0001) than those in the Control group.

Conclusion

Although preservation of OR scheduling flexibility resulted in a longer fasting time than recommended, CHO drink can be made available to a large proportion of patients with significantly reduced perioperative discomfort.
A Genetic Variant rs1020760at NFKB1 is Associated with Clinical Features of Psoriasis Vulgaris in a Han Chinese Population
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Zhu Zhengwei , Zhu Caihong , Zheng Xiaodong , Zuo Xianbo , Chen Gang , Zhou Fusheng , Liang Bo , Tang Huayang , Wang Zaixing , Zhang Xuejun , Sun Liangdan
Published: June 2016

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with complex genetic susceptibility. Recently, we identified a single‐nucleotide variant rs1020760 at NFKB1 significantly associated with psoriasis in a Han Chinese population in deep analysis of exome and targeted sequencing (P = 1.76 × 10−8). To investigate the potential association between rs1020760 and phenotypes of psoriasis vulgaris, we performed a genotype–phenotype analysis. A total of 9946 cases and 9906 controls with detailed clinical and demographic information were involved in this study, while the genotype data of rs1020760 was available in the previous targeted sequencing study of psoriasis. Genotype‐based association testing revealed the additive model might provide the best fit for rs1020760 (P = 5.44 × 10−8). Case‐only analysis showed that the distribution of allele G was significantly different between the cases with and without family history (Pallele = 4.07 × 10−3,Pgenotype = 5.75 × 10−3). The differences in allele and genotype frequencies were observed between all the subphenotypes and controls except for the genotype frequency of the late onset subgroup, while no difference was found in case‐only analysis for the other two subphenotypes. Rs1020760 was preferentially associated with family history of psoriasis, implying that NFKB1 might not only play important roles in the development of psoriasis, but might also contribute to the special phenotypes of this disease.
De Novo Truncating Mutation of TRIM8 Causes Early‐Onset Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Sakai Yasunari , Fukai Ryoko , Matsushita Yuki , Miyake Noriko , Saitsu Hirotomo , Akamine Satoshi , Torio Michiko , Sasazuki Momoko , Ishizaki Yoshito , Sanefuji Masafumi , Torisu Hiroyuki , Shaw Chad A , Matsumoto Naomichi , Hara Toshiro
Published: June 2016

Background

Early‐onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by infantile‐onset intractable epilepsy and unfavourable developmental outcomes. Hundreds of mutations have been reported to cause EOEE; however, little is known about the clinical features of individuals with rare variants.

Case report and methods

We present a 10‐year‐old boy with severe developmental delay. He started experiencing recurrent focal seizures at 2 months old. Serial electroencephalograms persistently detected epileptiform discharges from the left hemisphere. Whole‐exome sequencing and array‐comparative genome hybridization were performed to search for de novo variations. Two‐week‐old C57Bl/6 mice were used for immunofluorescence studies.

Results

This case had a paternally inherited, 0.2‐Mb duplication at chromosome 22q11.22. The whole‐exome sequencing identified a de novo truncating mutation of tripartite motif containing 8 (TRIM8) (NM_030912:c.1099_1100insG:p.C367fs), one of the epileptic encephalopathy‐associated genes. We verified that the murine homologues of these genes are expressed in the postnatal mouse brain.

Conclusion

This is the second case of EOEE caused by a de novo truncating mutation of TRIM8. Further studies are required to determine the functional roles of TRIM8 in the postnatal development of the human brain and its functional relationships with other EOEE‐associated genes.
Retraction: Promoter Methylation of the RASSF1A Gene may Contribute to Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility: A Meta‐Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Wang* He‐Ling , Liu Peng , Zhou Ping-Yi , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2016

The above article, published online on Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) on 13 March 2014, has been retracted by agreement between the Journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Mark G. Thomas, University College London, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.  The retraction has been agreed due to evidence indicating that the peer review of this paper was compromised.  It is believed that the paper was accepted based on recommendations from reviewers not suitably qualified.
Papaya (Carica papaya) leaf methanolic extract modulates in vitro rumen methanogenesis and rumen biohydrogenation
Authors: Jafari Saeid , Goh Yong M. , Rajion Mohamed A. , Jahromi Mohammad F. , Ahmad Yusof H. , Ebrahimi Mahdi
Published: June 2016

Papaya leaf methanolic extract (PLE) at concentrations of 0 (CON), 5 (LLE), 10 (MLE) and 15 (HLE) mg/250 mg dry matter (DM) with 30 mL buffered rumen fluid were incubated for 24 h to identify its effect on in vitro ruminal methanogenesis and ruminal biohydrogenation (BH). Total gas production was not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of PLE compared to the CON at 24 h of incubation. Methane (CH4) production (mL/250 mg DM) decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of PLE. Acetate to propionate ratio was lower (P <0.05) in MLE (2.02) and HLE (1.93) compared to the CON (2.28). Supplementation of the diet with PLE significantly (P <0.05) decreased the rate of BH of C18:1n‐9 (oleic acid; OA), C18:2n‐6 (linoleic acid; LA), C18:3n‐3 (linolenic acid; LNA) and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to CON after 24 h incubation, which resulted in higher concentrations of BH intermediates such as C18:1 t11 (vaccenic acid; VA), c9t11 conjugated LA (CLA) (rumenic acid; RA) and t10c12 CLA. Real‐time PCR analysis indicated that the total bacteria, total protozoa, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and methanogen population in HLE decreased (P <0.05) compared to CON, but the total bacteria and B. fibrisolvens population were higher (P < 0.05) in CON compared to the PLE treatment groups.
Effects of surrounding land use and water depth on seagrass dynamics relative to a catastrophic algal bloom
Authors: Breininger David R. , Breininger Robert D. , Hall Carlton R.
Published: June 2016

Seagrasses are the foundation of many coastal ecosystems and are in global decline because of anthropogenic impacts. For the Indian River Lagoon (Florida, U.S.A.), we developed competing multistate statistical models to quantify how environmental factors (surrounding land use, water depth, and time [year]) influenced the variability of seagrass state dynamics from 2003 to 2014 while accounting for time‐specific detection probabilities that quantified our ability to determine seagrass state at particular locations and times. We classified seagrass states (presence or absence) at 764 points with geographic information system maps for years when seagrass maps were available and with aerial photographs when seagrass maps were not available. We used 4 categories (all conservation, mostly conservation, mostly urban, urban) to describe surrounding land use within sections of lagoonal waters, usually demarcated by land features that constricted these waters. The best models predicted that surrounding land use, depth, and year would affect transition and detection probabilities. Sections of the lagoon bordered by urban areas had the least stable seagrass beds and lowest detection probabilities, especially after a catastrophic seagrass die‐off linked to an algal bloom. Sections of the lagoon bordered by conservation lands had the most stable seagrass beds, which supports watershed conservation efforts. Our results show that a multistate approach can empirically estimate state‐transition probabilities as functions of environmental factors while accounting for state‐dependent differences in seagrass detection probabilities as part of the overall statistical inference procedure.
Forgetting of Foreign‐Language Skills: A Corpus‐Based Analysis of Online Tutoring Software
Authors: Ridgeway Karl , Mozer Michael C. , Bowles Anita R.
Published: June 2016

We explore the nature of forgetting in a corpus of 125,000 students learning Spanish using the Rosetta Stone® foreign‐language instruction software across 48 lessons. Students are tested on a lesson after its initial study and are then retested after a variable time lag. We observe forgetting consistent with power function decay at a rate that varies across lessons but not across students. We find that lessons which are better learned initially are forgotten more slowly, a correlation which likely reflects a latent cause such as the quality or difficulty of the lesson. We obtain improved predictive accuracy of the forgetting model by augmenting it with features that encode characteristics of a student's initial study of the lesson and the activities the student engaged in between the initial and delayed tests. The augmented model can predict 23.9% of the variance in an individual's score on the delayed test. We analyze which features best explain individual performance.
Effects of drought stress on oviposition preference and offspring performance of the lace bugCorythucha marmorataon its goldenrod host,Solidago altissima
Authors: Helmberger Maxwell S. , Craig Timothy P. , Itami Joanne K.
Published: June 2016

Stress and vigor are endpoints on a continuum of the suitability of plants for insect herbivores. Senescence‐feeding insects, such as the chrysanthemum lace bug,Corythucha marmorata(Uhler) (Hemiptera:Tingidae,Tingitini), are hypothesized to benefit from any stressor hastening the senescence of plant tissues, such as drought. They are also hypothesized to prefer feeding and ovipositing on stressed plants, due to increased performance of themselves and their offspring. We conducted choice and no‐choice field‐cage experiments to test the effects of drought stress on the oviposition preference and nymph survival ofC. marmorataon its goldenrod host,Solidago altissimaL. (Asteraceae). We placed lace bugs on high‐ and low‐water treatment plants, surveyed egg and nymph densities twice weekly, and at the end of the experiment, collected newly developed adults, weighed them, and determined their nitrogen concentration. Low‐water treatment plants experienced decreased growth and increased leaf senescence. Lace bug nymphs had significantly greater survival, faster maturation, and higher adult mass on low‐water treatment plants than on high‐water treatment plants. We observed a non‐significant, though consistent trend toward increased oviposition preference for low‐water treatment plants. Nitrogen concentrations of lace bugs did not differ by treatment, but lace bugs from low‐water treatment plants contained more nitrogen in total due to their higher mass. These results suggest that lace bugs perform better on drought‐stressed plants due to mobilization of structural nitrogen increasing the nutritional quality of stressed tissues.
Olfactory learning and memory in Grapholita molesta
Authors: Sant'Ana Josué , Gregório Patrícia L.F.
Published: June 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of previous exposure to the essential oil of lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf (Poaceae)] on the chemotactic behavior of Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae and adults. All insect responses were evaluated using a Y‐tube (dual choice) olfactometer. Experience with the essential oil for 48 h after hatching did not change the chemotactic behavior of larvae; however, when they were exposed to lemongrass for 10–12 consecutive days, they did not present a preference for either treatment. Adults originating from larvae exposed to the essential oil odor until the formation of pupae responded more to this treatment in comparison to acetone. Similar results were obtained with insects exposed for only 24 h (at the end of the last instar) to the same treatment. Similar to inexperienced individuals, adults exposed for 48 h after emergence to acetone were significantly more responsive to this compound than to the essential oil. However, insects exposed to lemongrass odor during the same period displayed no preference for either treatment. This study demonstrated that both larvae and adults of G. molesta are capable of non‐associative learning and the memory acquired in the larval stage is maintained for at least 48 h after emergence.
Temporal changes in olfactory and oviposition responses of the diamondback moth to herbivore‐induced host plants
Authors: Ang Gurion C.K. , Zalucki Myron P. , Furlong Michael J.
Published: June 2016

Temporal changes in the pre‐ and post‐alighting responses of mated female diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), to two species of Brassica (Brassicaceae) host plants induced by larval feeding were studied using olfactometer and oviposition assays. Females displayed strong olfactory and oviposition preferences for herbivore‐induced common cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. sugarloaf) plants over intact plants; these preferences decreased with time and disappeared by the 7th day after induction. In herbivore‐induced common cabbage plants, eggs were clustered near feeding damage on the younger leaves (leaves 5–7), whereas in intact plants, eggs were clustered on the stem and lower leaves (leaves 1–4) . However, as the time interval between larval feeding and oviposition increased, more eggs were laid on the lower leaves of induced plants. This demonstrates a change in egg distribution from the pattern associated with induced plants to that associated with intact plants. In contrast, females displayed strong olfactory and oviposition preferences for intact Chinese cabbage [Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt cv. Wombok] plants over induced plants; these preferences decreased with time and disappeared by the 5th day after induction. More eggs were laid on the upper leaves (leaves 4–6) than on the lower leaves (leaves 1–3) of intact Chinese cabbage plants at first, but the distribution changed over time until there were no significant differences in the egg count between upper and lower leaves by the 4th day post induction. For both host plant species, pre‐alighting responses of moths were reliable indicators of post‐alighting responses on the first 2 days post induction. The results suggest that temporal changes in a plant's profile (chemical or otherwise) following herbivory may influence attractiveness to an insect herbivore and be accompanied by changes in olfactory and oviposition preferences.
Using elemental profiling to determine intrinsic markers to track the dispersal of Prostephanus truncatus, a pest of stored grain with alternative natural hosts
Authors: Tigar Barbara J. , Hursthouse Andrew S.
Published: June 2016

Detecting sources of insects attacking grain stores can help to develop more effective pest management tools. This study considers combinations of chemical elements as intrinsic markers for tracing resource use by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), a pest of stored maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) which occurs in natural environments where alternative hosts may support reservoirs of infestation. Prostephanus truncatus were laboratory‐reared on maize or field‐caught in pheromone‐baited flight‐traps. Beetles and hosts were screened for multiple elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). For elements above detection limits, we tested relationships between determinations for various host plants, and for beetles according to environment where captured. An alternative host, Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae), contained more Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Si, and Sr than maize, and less P and Zn. Elemental profiles of beetles were associated with environment, with significantly lower Al, Ca, Cu, Cr, Fe, P, S, Si, Sr, Ti, and Zn determinations in maize‐reared beetles than in beetles captured in agricultural or natural environments. Additionally, Al, Ba, K, P, Sr, and Ti determinations of field beetles captured in agricultural vs. natural environments were significantly different. This suggests Al, Sr, and Ti as candidate markers for environment, and possibly others as elemental concentrations (except B, Ba, Ni, and P) were significantly different in comparisons of all field‐collected vs. maize‐reared beetles. We present a robust practical solution which successfully identified combinations of elemental markers for remotely tracing resource use and dispersal by P. truncatus. We discuss the application of chemical characterisation for identifying intrinsic markers of pests, particularly species with alternative hosts. We discuss how to manage the low replication and unbalanced sample sizes inherent in insect elemental screening, particularly when rarer elements are potential markers.