bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of 47 Years of No Tillage and Stubble Retention on Soil Aggregation and Carbon Distribution in a Vertisol
Authors: Somasundaram Jayaraman , Reeves Steven , Wang Weijin , Heenan Marijke , Dalal Ram 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAggregation often provides physical protection and stabilisation of soil organic carbon (C). No tillage (NT) coupled with stubble retention (SR) and nitrogen (N) fertiliser application (90 N, 90 kg N ha−1 application) can help improve soil aggregation. However, information is lacking on the effect of long‐term NT, SR and N fertiliser (NT, SR + N) application on soil aggregation and C distribution in different aggregates in vertisols. We analysed the soil samples collected from 0‐ to 30‐cm depth from a long‐term (47 years) experiment for soil aggregation and aggregate‐associated C and N. This long‐term field experiment originally consisted of 12 treatments, having plot size of 61·9 × 6·4 m, and these plots were arranged in a randomised block design with four replications, covering an area of 1·9 ha. Soil organic C concentrations as well as stocks were significantly higher under the treatment of NT, SR + N only in 0–10 cm compared with other treatments such as conventional tillage, stubble burning + 0 N (no N application) and conventional tillage, SR + 0 N. Mineral‐associated organic C (MOC) of <0·053 mm was 5–12 times higher (r = 0·68, p < 0·05, n = 32) compared with particulate organic C (POC) (>0·053 mm) in the 0‐ to 30‐cm layer. We found that NT, SR + N treatment had a positive impact on soil aggregation, as measured by the mean weight diameter (MWD) through wet sieving procedure, but only in the top 0‐ to 10‐cm depth. MWD had significant positive correlation with water stable aggregates (r = 0·67, p < 0·05). Unlike MWD, water stable aggregates were not affected by tillage and stubble management. Large macroaggregates (>2 mm) had significantly higher organic C and N concentrations than small macroaggregates (0·25–2 mm) or microaggregates (0·053–0·25 mm). We also found that N application had a significant effect on MWD and soil organic C in vertisols. It is evident that better soil aggregation was recorded under NTSR90N could have a positive influence on soil C sequestration. Our results further highlight the importance of soil aggregation and aggregate‐associated C in relation to C sequestration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mangrove outwelling is a significant source of oceanic exchangeable organic carbon
Authors: Sippo James Z. , Maher Damien T. , Tait Douglas R. , Ruiz‐Halpern Sergio , Sanders Christian J. , Santos Isaac R. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractExchangeable dissolved organic carbon (EDOC) makes up a significant proportion of the oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool, yet EDOC sources to the coastal ocean are poorly constrained. We measured the exchange of EDOC and concentrations of EDOC and DOC in mangrove waters over a 26° latitudinal gradient. A clear latitudinal trend was observed, with the highest EDOC concentrations in the tropics. EDOC exports to the coastal ocean were 4.7 ± 1.9 mmol m−2 d−1, equivalent to 11% of DOC exports (42.1 ± 6.7 mmol m−2 d−1). Pore‐water and groundwater exchange were minor sources of EDOC. EDOC concentrations were equal to 13% ± 4% of DOC concentrations. Based on previous global DOC export estimates, and our EDOC : DOC ratios, mangroves outwell 3.1 Tg C yr−1 as EDOC, equivalent to ∼ 60% of the global EDOC flux from the ocean to the atmosphere. However, seasonality of mangrove EDOC cycling requires further research.
The root of the problem: Direct influence of riparian vegetation on estimation of stream ecosystem metabolic rates
Authors: Dodds Walter K. , Tromboni Flavia , Aparecido Saltarelli Wesley , Fernandes Cunha Davi Gasparini 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAbundant living roots can be found in some streams and other shallow marine and freshwater habitats. A reach of a small Brazilian forested stream had 28% cover by live roots and exhibited diurnal trends in dissolved oxygen that could be attributed to gross primary production, but we hypothesized that activity of riparian tree roots in the channel caused this pattern. During sunny periods, trees transpire deoxygenated water from roots to the canopy but not in the dark, resulting in diurnal cycles of dissolved oxygen. Whole‐stream shading experiments showed that photosynthesis in the stream is not responsible for the pattern. Sealed chamber measurements showed living roots of riparian vegetation had substantial respiratory activity and ammonium and nitrate uptake, and rates per unit area were greater than sand and less than silt (the other two dominant substrata), indicating roots can substantially alter in‐stream biogeochemistry.
Carbon accumulation in Amazonian floodplain lakes: A significant component of Amazon budgets?
Authors: Sanders Luciana M. , Taffs Kathryn H. , Stokes Debra J. , Sanders Christian J. , Smoak Joseph M. , Enrich‐Prast Alex , Macklin Paul A. , Santos Isaac R. , Marotta Humberto 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe Amazon floodplains cover approximately 10% of the Amazon Basin and are composed of predominantly anoxic sediments that may store large amounts of carbon. Our study combines 210Pb derived sedimentation rates from four recently analyzed sediment cores (n = 4) with previously published organic carbon (OC) burial estimates (n = 18) to provide a broad, first order estimate of carbon accumulation in Amazon floodplain lakes. The OC burial rates were 266 ± 57 g C m−2 yr−1. This rate is several folds greater than those reported for lakes in arctic, boreal, temperate, and tropical regions. The large amount and spatial variation of OC burial rates in these floodplain lakes highlights the need for increased sampling efforts to better measure these potentially important components of the Amazon Basin carbon budget.
Hysteresis in myo‐inositol utilization by Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Hellinckx Jessica , Fuchs Thilo M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGrowth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain 14028 with myo‐inositol (MI) as the sole carbon and energy source is characterized by a bistable phenotype that manifests in a growth phenotype with an extraordinarily long and length‐variable lag phase. However, in the presence of hydrogen carbonate, in the absence of IolR that represses the MI degradation pathway, or if cells are already adapted to minimal medium (MM) with MI, the lag phase is drastically shortened, and the bistable phenotype is abolished. We hypothesized that memory development or hysteresis is a further characteristic of MI degradation by S. Typhimurium; therefore, we investigated the transition from a short to a long lag phase in more detail. Growth experiments demonstrated that memory on the population level is successively lost within approximately 8 hr after cells, which had been adapted to MI utilization, were transferred to lysogeny broth (LB) medium. Flow cytometry (FC) analysis using a chromosomal fusion to PiolE, a promoter controlling the expression of the enzymatic genes iolE and iolG involved in MI degradation, indicated a gradual reversion within a few hours from a population in the “ON” status with respect to iolE transcription to one that is mainly in the “OFF” status. Growth and FC experiments revealed that IolR does not affect hysteresis.
Drug‐Mediated Regulation of Glycosaminoglycan Biosynthesis
Authors: Ghiselli Giancarlo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGlycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a heterogeneous family of unbranched polysaccharides that exist in either a free state or attached to proteins and are found on the cell surface as well as in the extracellular matrix. GAGs play essential roles in cellular and tissue homeostasis, and their metabolism is altered in response to several pathological conditions. Despite strong experimental evidence supporting the function of GAGs in various diseases, little is known about the regulation of GAG biosynthesis via pharmacological intervention. In recent studies, the effects of several experimental drugs on GAG biosynthesis in animal models of disease were examined and key enzymes involved in GAG biosynthesis were found to be druggable. In addition to experimental small‐molecule drugs that alter GAG biosynthesis, a number of clinically approved drugs modulate GAG metabolism, contributing to the therapeutic benefits associated with the use of these drugs. In this review article, we propose a classification scheme for drugs affecting GAG biosynthesis. Our goal is to present a rational approach to investigate the pharmacological regulation of these important biological molecules.
Electrophysiological testing is correlated with myasthenia gravis severity
Authors: Abraham Alon , Breiner Ari , Barnett Carolina , Katzberg Hans D. , Lovblom Leif E. , RT Mylan Ngo , Bril Vera 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionElectrophysiological studies play an important role in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG). The objectives of this study was to explore the correlation of jitter and decrement with various clinical symptoms and signs and disease severity.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of 75 MG patients who attended the neuromuscular clinic from April 2013 to May 2014. We compared clinical characteristics between patients with high jitter (>100 µs) and decrement (>10%), and patients with lower values to explore the correlations and optimal thresholds of jitter and decrement for different clinical features.ResultsHigh jitter and decrement values were associated with more severe disease, manifested by more frequent symptomatic bulbar and limb muscle weakness, more frequent ocular and limb muscle weakness on examination, higher quantitative MG score, and generalized disease.ConclusionsThe yield of the electrophysiological assessment in MG extends beyond disease diagnosis and correlates with disease severity and the presence of generalized disease. Muscle Nerve 56: 445–448, 2017
Vastus medialis and lateralis activity during voluntary and stimulated contractions
Authors: Visscher Rosa M.S. , Rossi Diego , Friesenbichler Bernd , Dohm‐Acker Markus , Rosenheck Thomas , Maffiuletti Nicola A. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relative activation of vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during voluntary and stimulated isometric contractions at different joint angles.MethodsSixteen healthy men (mean age: 26 years) completed maximal voluntary and stimulated contractions of the knee extensor muscles at 30°, 65°, and 100° of knee flexion. VM/VL ratios were calculated from voluntary electromyographic (EMG) and evoked torque recordings.ResultsBoth EMG and VM/VL torque ratios were significantly lower at 30° than at 100° of knee flexion (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results can be explained by the relatively small contribution of the VM muscle to knee extension torque at short muscle length. Such disadvantage of the VM muscle at extended knee positions does not seem to be compensated by an increased neural drive. Muscle Nerve 56: 968–974, 2017
Comparison of four different nerve conduction techniques of the superficial fibular sensory nerve
Authors: Saffarian Mathew R. , Condie Nathan C. , Austin Erica A. , Mccausland Katie E. , Andary Michael T. , Sylvain James R. , Mull Iian R. , Zemper Eric D. , Jannausch Mary L. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere are many different nerve conduction study (NCS) techniques to study the superficial fibular sensory nerve (SFSN). We present reference distal latency values and comparative data regarding 4 different NCS for the SFSN.MethodsFour different NCS techniques, Spartan technique, Izzo techniques (medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous branches), and Daube technique, were performed on (114) healthy volunteers. A total of 108 subjects with 164 legs were included.ResultsThe mean latency of the Spartan technique was longest (3.9 ± 0.3 ms) while the Daube technique was the shortest (3.6 ± 0.7 ms). The mean amplitude of the Daube technique displayed the highest (15.2 ± 8.2 μV) with the Spartan technique having the lowest (8.7 ± 4.2 μV). Among the absent sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), the Spartan technique was absent only twice (1.2%) and the Izzo Medial technique was absent more than the other techniques (2.9%).ConclusionsAll 4 techniques were reliable methods for obtaining the superficial fibular nerve SNAP, present in 95% of individuals. Muscle Nerve 56: 458–462, 2017
Validation of the italian version of the 15‐item Myasthenia Gravis Quality‐of‐Life questionnaire
Authors: Raggi Alberto , Leonardi Matilde , Ayadi Roberta , Antozzi Carlo , Maggi Lorenzo , Baggi Fulvio , Mantegazza Renato 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn this study we assess the Italian version of the 15‐item Myasthenia Gravis Quality‐of‐Life questionnaire (MG‐QOL15).MethodsThe validation protocol included the MG‐QOL15, the 36‐item Short Form (SF‐36), the Besta Neurological Institute Rating Scale for Myasthenia Gravis, and the MG‐Composite. We used the Cronbach α to test reliability, the Spearman correlation to test short‐term test–retest, the Kruskal–Wallis test to assess differences in MG‐QOL15 between patients with different disease severity, and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test to assess sensitivity to change.ResultsSeventy‐two patients were enrolled in the study. The mean MG‐QOL15 score was 15.2 ± 12.2, with α = 0.93 and test–retest correlation = 0.93. Compared with the SF‐36, the MG‐QOL15 was superior in differentiating patients with different MG types (P = 0.041) and severity (P = 0.004), showed higher sensitivity to change (P = 0.003 for improved and P = 0.024 for worsened patients), and had higher correlations with the MG‐Composite (rho = 0.367 vs. –0.213 and –0.154).ConclusionThe Italian version of the MG‐QOL15 is valid, reliable, stable, and sensitive to changes. Muscle Nerve 56: 716–720, 2017
Isoflavin‐β modifies muscle oxidative stress and prevents a thyrotoxicosis‐induced loss of muscle mass in rats
Authors: Marinello Poliana C. , Bernardes Sara S. , Guarnier Flávia A. , Da Silva Thamara N.X. , Borges Fernando H. , Lopes Natália M.D. , Simão Andréa N.C. , Armani André , Cecchini Rubens , Cecchini Alessandra L. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionWe sought to verify whether isoflavin‐beta (Iso‐β), a mixture of isoflavones with antioxidant properties, could prevent thyrotoxicosis‐induced loss of muscle mass and the participation of oxidative stress (OS) in the mechanisms of this prevention.MethodsTwo experimental periods of thyrotoxicosis induction were used in Wistar rats: 3 and 5 days to assess Iso‐β effects before and after thyrotoxicosis‐induced muscle wasting. After euthanasia, peritoneal fat and gastrocnemius muscle were collected, weighed, and muscle OS was assessed.ResultsIso‐β prevented the loss of gastrocnemius mass in thyrotoxic rats through the prevention of muscle OS generation during thyrotoxicosis, increasing muscle total antioxidant capacity and decreasing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl content.ConclusionIso‐β decreased oxidative modification of proteins, which is known to exert a major role during proteolysis induction and is present in thyrotoxic myopathy, highlighting the potential action of Iso‐β in this complication of the disease. Muscle Nerve 56: 975–981, 2017
Cardiometabolic health and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Timmins Hannah C. , Saw Wilfred , Cheah Benjamin C. , Lin Cindy S.Y. , Vucic Steve , Ahmed Rebekah M. , Kiernan Matthew C. , Park Susanna B. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionPatients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) generally have a limited medical history and a normal body mass index, raising the possibility of a premorbid ALS phenotype.MethodsThe prevalence of cardiometabolic factors was analyzed in 58 ALS patients via comprehensive cardiovascular assessments and compared with Australian population norms.ResultsALS patients had good cardiac fitness and no reported cardiovascular events. Average blood pressure, heart rate, PR interval, and corrected QT interval were in the normal range. There were significantly fewer obese women in the ALS cohort (13.6%, P < 0.05) and more men with a normal body mass index than in the general population (47.2%, P < 0.001). The percentage of individuals who had never smoked was greater for the ALS cohort (55.8%, P ≤ 0.001), and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was lower (38.7%) compared with the general population (74.4%, P < 0.001).ConclusionALS patients had good cardiometabolic health, with evidence of a reduced vascular risk profile. Muscle Nerve 56: 721–725, 2017
Source parameter inversion for wave energy focusing to a target inclusion embedded in a three‐dimensional heterogeneous halfspace
Authors: Karve Pranav M. , Fathi Arash , Poursartip Babak , Kallivokas Loukas F. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryWe discuss a methodology for computing the optimal spatio‐temporal characteristics of surface wave sources necessary for delivering wave energy to a targeted subsurface formation. The wave stimulation is applied to the target formation to enhance the mobility of particles trapped in its pore space. We formulate the associated wave propagation problem for three‐dimensional, heterogeneous, semi‐infinite, elastic media. We use hybrid perfectly matched layers at the truncation boundaries of the computational domain to mimic the semi‐infiniteness of the physical domain of interest. To recover the source parameters, we define an inverse source problem using the mathematical framework of constrained optimization and resolve it by employing a reduced‐space approach. We report the results of our numerical experiments attesting to the methodology's ability to specify the spatio‐temporal description of sources that maximize wave energy delivery. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiratory manifestations in 38 patients with Alström syndrome
Authors: Boerwinkle Caroline , Marshall Jan D. , Bryant Joy , Gahl William A. , Olivier Kenneth N. , Gunay‐Aygun Meral 
Published: December 2016

SummaryObjectives: Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare, multi‐system condition characterized by retinal degeneration, sensorineural hearing loss, obesity, insulin‐resistant diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, cardiomyopathy, hepatorenal disease, and recurrent respiratory infections. It belongs to a group of genetic disorders known as primary ciliopathies, which includes autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney diseases, as well as Joubert and Bardet–Biedl syndromes. Prior studies have suggested phenotypic overlap between primary ciliopathies affecting the non‐motile, sensory cilia, and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a motile ciliopathy characterized by respiratory tract disease. Methods: We describe the burden of oto‐sino‐pulmonary disease in 38 individuals with AS and examines the degree of clinical overlap between PCD and AS. Evaluation at the NIH Clinical Center included clinical examination, chest imaging, and clinical history surveys, as well as measurement of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) in nine patients. Results: Recurrent otitis media was ubiquitous in the AS cohort (92%) with 50% requiring pressure equalization tube placement. A history of bronchitis/pneumonia and sinusitis was reported in 61% and 50% of individuals, respectively. PCD‐characterizing symptoms (laterality defects, unexplained neonatal respiratory distress, year‐round nasal congestion, and wet cough) were far less prevalent in the AS cohort compared to PCD, and the average nNO production in the AS cohort was 232 ± 57.1 nl/min compared to a cut‐off of <77 nl/min for PCD. Conclusions: These data suggest that the oto‐sino‐respiratory complications in AS are prominent enough to warrant increased clinical attention, but significantly impaired respiratory cilia function as seen in PCD is unlikely in AS. (www.clinicaltrials.gov, trial NCT00068224) Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:487–493. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional similarities between the dictyostelium protein AprA and the human protein dipeptidyl‐peptidase IV
Authors: Herlihy Sarah E. , Tang Yu , Phillips Jonathan E. , Gomer Richard H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAutocrine proliferation repressor protein A (AprA) is a protein secreted by Dictyostelium discoideum cells. Although there is very little sequence similarity between AprA and any human protein, AprA has a predicted structural similarity to the human protein dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). AprA is a chemorepellent for Dictyostelium cells, and DPPIV is a chemorepellent for neutrophils. This led us to investigate if AprA and DPPIV have additional functional similarities. We find that like AprA, DPPIV is a chemorepellent for, and inhibits the proliferation of, D. discoideum cells, and that AprA binds some DPPIV binding partners such as fibronectin. Conversely, rAprA has DPPIV‐like protease activity. These results indicate a functional similarity between two eukaryotic chemorepellent proteins with very little sequence similarity, and emphasize the usefulness of using a predicted protein structure to search a protein structure database, in addition to searching for proteins with similar sequences.
Highly accurate benchmark calculations of the interaction energies in the complexes C6H6···C6X6 (X = F, Cl, Br, and I)
Authors: Wang Weizhou , Zhang Yu , Wang Yi‐Bo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDifferent from the case of the benzene dimer, the differences between the interaction energies are always less than 0.50 kcal/mol for face‐to‐face eclipsed, face‐to‐face staggered, and parallel‐displaced configurations of all investigated complexes C6H6···C6X6 (X = F, Cl, Br, and I). Hence, it is a great challenge for quantum chemists to accurately calculate the interaction energies for the three configurations of the complexes C6H6···C6X6. This work demonstrates that results obtained with the PBE0 density functional combined with the D3 dispersion correction (PBE0‐D3) and the basis set def2‐TZVPP are in excellent agreement with the estimates of the coupled‐cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] complete basis set (CBS) limit. The other finding in this study is that, in comparison with the gold‐standard CCSD(T)/CBS benchmark, the spin‐component scaled (SCS) zeroth‐order symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0), when paired with the basis set aug‐cc‐pVDZ, performs also very well, and its performance is even better than that of the PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP method or the conventional SAPT/aug‐cc‐pVQZ method. The findings of this study are very significant because both PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP and SCS‐SAPT0/aug‐cc‐pVDZ can deal with the systems with more than 200 atoms.