bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of multivariate and multiscalar drought indices in identifying impacts on crop production
Authors: Masud M. Badrul , Qian Budong , Faramarzi Monireh 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe assessment of drought characteristics often depends on drought indices, geographic location, hydro‐climatic condition, and timescale. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought events using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Multivariate Standardized Drought Index (MSDI). We developed a novel framework using hydro‐climatic variables from a high‐resolution process‐based hydrologic model to understand factors that alter drought indices at various timescales, and their impact on crop yields in a large agricultural region of western Canada. These indices were used to quantify droughts for each month of the year by examining 1–12‐month drought timescales in 2255 sub‐basins, simulated in 17 main river basins across Alberta, for 1981–2017. Temporal variations of the Standardized Yield Residuals Series (SYRS) of three major cereal crops (spring wheat, barley, and canola) were analysed for 1981–2017. Drought characteristics resulting from two indices varied due to differences in the input variables and timescales. The MSDI‐based results showed more frequent droughts during the fall and winter for shorter timescales, while the SPEI‐based results showed more during spring and summer. Comparing drought frequencies at the decadal scale, we found more droughts during 1996–2005 than during 1986–1995 and 2006–2015. The spatial evolution of drought events based on the MSDI showed more sub‐basins with increasing dryness during the study period than did results from the SPEI. The relationship between detrended drought indices and the SYRS varied depending on timescale, geographic location, and growth stage of crops. Overall, both indices performed similarly for agricultural impact assessment; however, the MSDI performed better early in the growing season for wheat and barley, indicating high crop production sensitivity to soil moisture deficiency.
Nonstationarity of summer temperature extremes in Texas
Authors: Carney Meagan , Azencott Robert , Nicol Matthew 
Published: June 2019

AbstractModelling seasonal temperature extremes in weather patterns allows for better forecasting and prediction. Analysis of extreme values over a given time period is usually done by fitting a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to the maximum values in the data; however, lack of sufficient weather recordings due to missing data or violation of independence assumptions (block maxima should be over a large time interval) may result in a poor fit for the GEV model. Modelling over larger, clustered regions may overcome some of these problems and can provide insight into macroscopic weather and climate changes. In this article, we analyse temperature measurements in July and August taken from stations across Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. We introduce clustering techniques which group stations by temperature trends and mutual information before performing extreme value analysis on the clusters of time series. This obviates some of the problems commonly encountered in analysing single station weather data. Extreme analysis of the resulting clusters provides compelling evidence of nonstationarity of the distributional parameters in the GEV model and points to an increased likelihood from the period roughly 1980 to present of observing higher extreme temperatures for the months of July and August. We tabulate the probabilities of extreme temperatures in the clusters according to a nonstationary model. Our techniques can be easily adapted to a wide range of climatological problems.
Seasonal patterns of pollen and the use of pollen as a chronometer in the north‐western Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Hu Caili , Ma Yuzhen , Meng Hongwei , Guo Chao , Wang Wei , Li Dandan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe use of high‐resolution and highly precise age models is essential for quantitative environmental reconstructions. To assess the reliability of pollen as a chronometer in laminated lake sediments, pollen traps and lake cores, statistical methods were used to study seasonal pollen signals. The results showed that (a) the pollen assemblages from air traps and lake/reservoir surface sediment traps in the north‐western Loess Plateau of China displayed distinct seasonal patterns, which were confirmed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS); and (b) The pollen assemblages of the dark and light layers in the Zhenhu Lake cores allowed detection of the seasonality of sediment deposition based on the results of the pollen traps. The NMDS method also showed statistically significant differences between the pollen assemblages of the dark and light layers. Furthermore, instrumental monitoring data and characteristic time markers of historical events (1958 and 2011) were used to cross‐check the chronologies obtained by the pollen assemblages, and the results strengthened the credibility and reliability of pollen as a chronometer.
Raman opalescence of a destabilizing soft mode near the phase transition in quartz monocrystals
Authors: Gorelik V.S. , Pyatyshev A.Yu. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA microscopic reason of the opalescence phenomenon observed earlier near the α–β phase transition point at 846 K in crystalline quartz is established. It was shown that the opalescence in quartz crystals is of dynamic nature and results from a sharp increase of Raman scattering spectral intensity (Raman opalescence phenomenon) due to huge fluctuations of the destabilizing soft mode responsible for instability of the crystalline lattice. The Raman opalescence of a destabilizing soft mode is estimated experimentally in the x (zz)y light scattering geometry by recording temperature dependencies of spectral Raman intensity I(ω′,T) (ω′=ω0‐Ω=const) at fixed frequencies ω′. The strong intensity increase of Raman scattering intensity (Raman opalescence) observed at the exact phase‐transition temperature in crystalline quartz is explained by taking into account interaction of the destabilizing soft mode with a low‐frequency high‐finesse oscillator.
Untargeted screening of the bound / free phenolic composition in tomato cultivars for industrial transformation
Authors: Rocchetti Gabriele , Senizza Biancamaria , Putnik Predrag , Bursać Kovačević Danijela , Barba Francisco J , Trevisan Marco , Lucini Luigi 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDTomato is one of the most important agricultural crops and it is characterized by a wide bioactive compound profile. However, little information is reported on its comprehensive polyphenol profile. In this work, 13 commercial tomato cultivars for industrial transformation were screened by ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS) for both free and bound phenolic profiles. Thereafter, the in vitro antioxidant activity of each cultivar was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance activity (ORAC) assays. Multivariate statistics, i.e. orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA), were then used to model samples according to their distinct phenolic signatures, thus providing compounds that better discriminated between the distributions of the cultivars that were considered.RESULTSMore than 350 phenolic compounds could be identified across the samples that were considered: flavonoids (such as flavones and flavanols), hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, and lower‐molecular‐weight phenolics were the most frequently observed classes of phenolics in tomato berries. Anthocyanins were the most abundant class among bound phenolics (being highest in the Leader F1 and Defender F1 cultivars), followed by tyrosols (mainly in Heinz cultivars). However, flavones and hydroxybenzoic acids were the most represented discriminant phenolics in the bound fraction.CONCLUSIONSUntargeted metabolomics allowed significant differences in phenolic composition to be outlined across the tomato cultivars that were analyzed. Such differences were particularly evident regarding the free‐to‐bound phenolic ratio, hence allowing differences in the bioaccessibility of phenolics to be postulated. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Pectin recovery and characterization from lemon juice waste streams
Authors: Dimopoulou Maria , Alba Katerina , Campbell Grant , Kontogiorgos Vassilis 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDPectin characteristics from different parts of lemon fruit (Citrus limon L.) were studied as a basis for assessing their suitability for functional applications. Pectin was extracted from lemon albedo, lemon core parts and membranes, and lemon extract using an aqueous extraction protocol. The composition and structural properties of the isolated pectins were examined by means of complementary analytical methods to assess their molecular characteristics for potential industrial applications.RESULTSThe isolation protocol yielded pectins that were predominantly composed of galacturonic acid, with differences in the degree of methylation and neutral sugars content, and with low protein content, indicating high‐purity materials. The same extraction protocol resulted in differences in yield and purity between the three different parts of lemon fruit, and in structural variations in the pectin backbone, as evidenced by differences in sugar composition and molecular weight. Solutions of the isolated lemon pectins exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. Macromolecular characterization showed that the lemon extract pectin had the highest molecular weight and hydrodynamic volume, followed by lemon core and lemon albedo pectin.CONCLUSIONThe work demonstrates that pectins with distinct structural properties may be extracted from different parts of lemon wastes and used for different technological purposes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Metal 3D‐printed catalytic jet and flame ionization detection for in situ trace carbon oxides analysis by gas chromatography
Authors: Gras Ronda , Hua Yujuan , Luong Jim , Qiao Peiqi , Yang Xiuhan Grace , Yang Peilin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA gas chromatographic approach for the determination and quantification of trace levels of carbon oxides in gas phase matrices for in situ or near‐line/at‐line analysis has been successfully developed. Catalytic conversion of the target compounds to methane via the methanation process was conducted inside a metal 3D‐printed jet that also acted as a hydrogen burner for the flame ionization detector. Modifications made to a field transportable gas chromatograph enabled the leveraging of advantaged microfluidic‐enhanced chromatography capability for improved chromatographic performance and serviceability. The compatibility with adsorption chromatography technology was demonstrated with in‐house constructed columns. Sustained reliable conversion efficiencies of greater than 99% with respectable peak symmetries were attained at 400°C. Quantification of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at a parts‐per‐million level over a range from 0.2 ppm to 5% v/v for both compounds with a respectable precision of less than 3% relative standard deviation for peak area (n = 10) and a detection limit of 0.1 ppm v/v was achieved. Linearity with correlation coefficients of R2 greater than 0.9995 and measured recoveries of >99% for spike tests were achieved. The 3D‐printed steel jet was found to be reliable and resilient against potential contamination from the matrices owing to the in situ backflushing capability.
Introducing key microbes from high productive soil transforms native soil microbial community of low productive soil
Authors: Kandasamy Saveetha , Liu Elaine Yi Ran , Patterson Greg , Saldias Soledad , Ali Shimaila , Lazarovits George 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to understand the changes in rhizosphere microbial structure and diversity of an average corn yielding field site soil with the introduced microbial candidates from a high‐yielding site. Soils used in this study were from two growers’ fields located in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, where one of the farms has an exceptional high corn yield (G‐site soil; ca 20 tons/acre) and the other yields an average crop (H‐site soil; 12 tons/acre) (8 years of unpublished A & L data). In growth room experiments using wheat as the indicator crop, calcium alginate beads with microbes composed of Azospirillum lipoferum, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Burkholderia ambifaria, Burkholderia graminis, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, Pseudomonas lurida, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, Kosakonia cowanii, and Paenibacillus polymyxa was introduced into the soil at planting to the average‐yielding soil. These bacteria had been isolated from the high‐yielding farm soil. Among the nine microbial candidates tested, three (P. polymyxa, E. acetylicum and K. cowanii) significantly impacted the plant health and biometrics in addition to microbial richness and diversity, where the microbial profile became very similar to the high productive G‐site soil. One hundred and forty‐two bacterial terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) were involved in the community shift and 48 of them showed significant correlation to several interacting soil factors. This study indicates the potential of shifting microbial profiles of average‐yielding soils by introducing key candidates from highly productive soils to increase biological soil health.
Functional characterization of a SNP (F51S) found in human alpha 1‐antitrypsin
Authors: Trinh Hong‐Nhung , Jang Sei‐Heon , Lee ChangWoo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlpha 1‐antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency is related to lung and liver diseases, including pulmonary emphysema and liver cirrhosis in humans. Genetic variations including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SERPINA1 are responsible for A1AT deficiency, but the characteristics of the SNPs are not well‐understood. Here, we investigated the features of a rare SNP (F51S) of A1AT, which introduces an additional N‐glycosylation site in the N‐terminal region of A1AT.MethodsWe evaluated the F51S variant compared with the wild‐type (WT) A1AT with regard to expression in CHO‐K1 cells, trypsin inhibitory activity, polymerization, and thermal stability.ResultsThe recombinant F51S protein expressed in CHO‐K1 cells was mostly retained inside cells. The F51S variant had trypsin inhibitory activity, but reduced thermal stability compared with the WT A1AT. The native acrylamide gel data showed that F51S tended to prevent polymerization of A1AT.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that Phe51 and the surrounding hydrophobic residue cluster plays an important role in the conformation and secretion of A1AT and suggest the harmful effects of a rare F51S SNP in human health.
In vivo validation of T2‐ and susceptibility‐based SvO2 measurements with jugular vein catheterization under hypoxia and hypercapnia
Authors: Miao Xin , Nayak Krishna S. , Wood John C. 
Published: June 2019

PurposeTo investigate the mutual agreement of T2‐based and susceptibility‐based methods as well as their agreement with jugular catheterization, for quantifying venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) at a broad range of brain oxygenation levels.MethodsSvO2 measurements using T2‐relaxation‐under‐spin‐tagging (TRUST) and susceptibility‐based oximetry (SBO) were performed in 13 healthy subjects under room air, hypoxia, and hypercapnia conditions. Agreement between TRUST and SBO was quantitatively evaluated. In two of the subjects, TRUST and SBO were compared against the clinical gold standard, co‐oximeter measurement via internal jugular vein catheterization.ResultsAbsolute SvO2 measurements using TRUST and SBO were highly correlated across a range of saturations from 45% to 84% (Pearson r = 0.91, P < .0001). SvO2‐TRUST was significantly lower than SvO2‐SBO under hypoxia and room air conditions, but the two were comparable under hypercapnia. TRUST demonstrated a larger SvO2 increase under hypercapnia than SBO and had good agreement with jugular catheterization under hypercapnia but significantly underestimated SvO2 under room air and hypoxia. The agreement between SvO2‐SBO and the reference did not depend on the physiological state.ConclusionA systematic bias was observed between T2‐based and susceptibility‐based methods that depended on the oxygenation state. In vivo validation with jugular catheterization indicated potential underestimation of TRUST under room air and hypoxia conditions. Our findings suggested that caution should be employed in comparison of absolute SvO2 measurements using either TRUST or SBO.
Association between pulmonary function and left ventricular volume and function in duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Khokhar Arshjot , Nair Athira , Midya Vishal , Kumar Ashutosh , Sinharoy Ankita , Ahmad Tariq Ali , Abu‐Hasan Mutasim , Mondal Pritish 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by absence of the subsarcolemmal protein dystrophin, present in skeletal muscles and cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that progressive respiratory and left ventricular (LV) insufficiencies in DMD could be parallel and interrelated phenomena. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 27 patients with DMD. Our primary objective was to compare the rates of decline between pulmonary function test (PFT) measures (forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate, maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure) and echocardiographic estimates of LV end‐diastolic volume and LV ejection fraction. Results: The rates of decline/year of PFTs and LV estimates were not significantly different. Pulmonary function test measures of ventilatory efficiency and strength had strong intercorrelations. Pulmonary function tests and LV estimates had weak but statistically significant correlations. Discussion: A comparable rate of decline in PFTs and LV indices in DMD provides evidence for concurrently progressive deterioration in respiratory and LV functions. Muscle Nerve, 2019
Predictors of mortality after admission to pediatric intensive care unit in oncohematologic patients without history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A single‐center experience
Authors: Pillon Marta , Sperotto Francesca , Zattarin Emma , Cattelan Manuela , Carraro Elisa , Contin Anna E. , Massano Davide , Pece Federico , Putti Maria C. , Messina Chiara , Pettenazzo Andrea , Amigoni Angela 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundPediatric oncohematologic patients are a high‐risk population for clinical deterioration that might require pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. Several studies have described outcomes and mortality predictors for patients post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but fewer data exist regarding the category of non‐HSCT patients.ProcedureAll oncohematologic non‐HSCT patients ≤18 years requiring PICU admission from 1998 to 2015 in our tertiary‐care academic hospital were retrospectively evaluated by means of the pediatric hematology‐oncology unit database and the Italian PICUs data network database. We assessed the relation between demographic and clinical characteristics and 90‐day mortality after PICU admission.ResultsOf 3750 hospitalized oncohematologic patients, 3238 were non‐HSCT and 63 (2%) of them were admitted to the PICU. Patients were mainly affected by hematological malignancies (70%) and mostly were in the induction‐therapy phase. The main reasons for admission were respiratory failure (40%), sepsis (25%), and seizures (16%). The median PICU stay was 5 days (range 1‐107). The mortality rate at PICU discharge was 30%, and at 90 days it was 35%. Fifty‐five percent of deaths happened in the first 2 days of the PICU stay. Cardiac arrest (P = .007), presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC, P = .007), and acute kidney injury (AKI) at PICU admission (P < .001) and during PICU stay (P = .021) were significant predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis. Respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation were not associated with mortality.ConclusionsA relatively small percentage of non‐HSCT patients required PICU admission, but the mortality rate was still high. Hemodynamic instability, DIC, and AKI, but not respiratory failure, were significant predictors of mortality.
Targeted therapy and disease monitoring in CNTRL‐FGFR1‐driven leukaemia
Authors: Brown Lauren M. , Bartolo Ray C. , Davidson Nadia M. , Schmidt Breon , Brooks Ian , Challis Jackie , Petrovic Vida , Khuong‐Quang Dong‐Anh , Mechinaud Francoise , Khaw Seong L. , Majewski Ian J. , Oshlack Alicia , Ekert Paul G. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe report two patients with leukaemia driven by the rare CNTRL‐FGFR1 fusion oncogene. This fusion arises from a t(8;9)(p12;q33) translocation, and is a rare driver of biphenotypic leukaemia in children. We used RNA sequencing to report novel features of expressed CNTRL‐FGFR1, including CNTRL‐FGFR1 fusion alternative splicing. From this knowledge, we designed and tested a Droplet Digital PCR assay that detects CNTRL‐FGFR1 expression to approximately one cell in 100 000 using fusion breakpoint‐specific primers and probes. We also utilised cell‐line models to show that effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which may be included in treatment regimens for this disease, are only those that block FGFR1 phosphorylation.
Association between Anticholinergic Medication Use and Risk of Dementia among Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Sheu Jau‐Jiuan , Tsai Meng‐Ting , Erickson Steven R. , Wu Chung‐Hsuen 
Published: June 2019

Study ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between anticholinergic medication use, categorized by anticholinergic cognitive burden (primary objective) and cumulative dose (secondary objective), and the risk of developing dementia among patients with Parkinson's disease.DesignRetrospective cohort study with an active comparator design.Data SourceNational Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan (2001–2011).PatientsA total of 1232 adults with Parkinson's disease who were diagnosed between 2002 and 2004 and taking at least one antiparkinson medication during this period were included. Of these patients, 694 were exposed to anticholinergic medications categorized as mild (reference group), and 538 were exposed to anticholinergic medications categorized as moderate or severe (exposure group).Measurements and Main ResultsExposure to different types of anticholinergic medications was categorized by using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale, and cumulative doses of anticholinergic medications were measured by using the cumulative minimum doses (cMD) method. Associations between anticholinergic medication use and risk of dementia were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The type of anticholinergics used (moderate or severe vs mild ACB) was not significantly associated with an increased risk of developing dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72–1.27). After adjusting for confounders, a high cumulative dose of anticholinergic drug (> 1095 cumulative minimum doses [cMDs]) was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of developing dementia when compared with a low cumulative dose of anticholinergic drug (≤ 90 cMDs) (HR 3.06, 95% CI 1.35–6.97).ConclusionAmong patients with Parkinson's disease in Taiwan, those with a high cumulative dose of anticholinergics had an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Physicians should consider prescribing the lowest therapeutic dose of anticholinergic medication when making treatment decisions for patients with Parkinson's disease.