bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micronutrients and mangroves: Experimental evidence for copper limitation
Authors: Alongi Daniel M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTesting the availability and requirements of micronutrients during early mangrove growth is essential for understanding their recruitment success across intertidal gradients. Recent research has highlighted the role of dissolved iron in mangrove growth, but the role of other trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mo) in supporting and possibly limiting tree growth is unknown. In outdoor experiments, dissolved copper, supplied at a rate mimicking those in natural forests, limited early growth of five species of mangroves. Rates of stem extension and biomass increase from seedling to sapling stage of Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Avicennia marina, and Ceriops tagal increased linearly with increasing rates of Cu supply (0.0 μmol m−2 d−1, 0.005 μmol m−2 d−1, 0.01 μmol m−2 d−1, 0.02 μmol m−2 d−1, and 0.05 μmol m−2 d−1); early growth of Xylocarpus moluccensis best‐fit Gaussian curves with maximal growth at a Cu supply rate of 0.02 μmol m−2 d−1 with toxicity evident at the highest Cu supply rate. Most copper was stored in roots and leaves. Zinc and molybdenum were not limiting for growth of any of the five species, but X. moluccensis growth declined with increasing Mo supply, suggesting lower tolerance and greater toxicity. Differences in such requirements among species, especially during early establishment, may be a key driver in fostering changing patterns in species composition among forests.
System reliability analysis of slopes using multilayer perceptron and radial basis function networks
Authors: Kang Fei , Li Junjie , Xu Qing 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThis paper presents a system reliability analysis method for soil slopes on the basis of artificial neural networks with computer experiments. Two types of artificial neural networks, multilayer perceptrop (MLP) and radial basis function networks (RBFNs), are tested on the studied problems. Computer experiments are adopted to generate samples for constructing the response surfaces. On the basis of the samples, MLP and RBFN are used for establishing the response surface to approximate the limit state function, and Monte Carlo simulation is performed via the MLP and RBFN response surfaces to estimate the system failure probability of slopes. Experimental results on 3 examples show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Disulfide bonds and disorder in granulin‐3: An unusual handshake between structural stability and plasticity
Authors: Ghag Gaurav , Holler Christopher J. , Taylor Georgia , Kukar Thomas L. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Rangachari Vijayaraghavan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGranulins (GRNs) are a family of small (∼6 kDa) proteins generated by the proteolytic processing of their precursor, progranulin (PGRN), in many cell types. Both PGRN and GRNs are implicated in a plethora of biological functions, often in opposing roles to each other. Lately, GRNs have generated significant attention due to their implicated roles in neurodegenerative disorders. Despite their physiological and pathological significance, the structure‐function relationships of GRNs are poorly defined. GRNs contain 12 conserved cysteines forming six intramolecular disulfide bonds, making them rather exceptional, even among a few proteins with high disulfide bond density. Solution NMR investigations in the past have revealed a unique structure containing putative interdigitated disulfide bonds for several GRNs, but GRN‐3 was unsolvable due to its heterogeneity and disorder. In our previous report, we showed that abrogation of disulfide bonds in GRN‐3 renders the protein completely disordered (Ghag et al., Prot Eng Des Sel 2016). In this study, we report the cellular expression and biophysical analysis of fully oxidized, native GRN‐3. Our results indicate that both E. coli and human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells do not exclusively make GRN‐3 with homogenous disulfide bonds, likely due to the high cysteine density within the protein. Biophysical analysis suggests that GRN‐3 structure is dominated by irregular loops held together only by disulfide bonds, which induced remarkable thermal stability to the protein despite the lack of regular secondary structure. This unusual handshake between disulfide bonds and disorder within GRN‐3 could suggest a unique adaptation of intrinsically disordered proteins towards structural stability.
A framework for maximum likelihood parameter identification applied on MAVs
Authors: Burri Michael , Bloesch Michael , Taylor Zachary , Siegwart Roland , Nieto Juan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWith the growing availability of agile and powerful micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), accurate modeling is becoming more important. Especially for highly dynamic flights, model‐based estimation and control combined with a good simulation framework is key. While detailed models are available in the literature, measuring the model parameters can be a time‐consuming task and requires access to special equipment or facilities. In this paper, we propose a principled approach to accurately estimate physical parameters based on a maximum likelihood (ML) estimation scheme. Unlike many current methods, we make direct use of both raw inertial measurement unit measurements and the rotor speeds of the MAV. We also estimate the spatial‐temporal alignment to a modular pose sensor. The proposed ML‐based approach finds the parameters that best explain the sensor readings and also provides an estimate of their uncertainty. Although we derive the proposed method for use with an MAV, the approach is kept general and can be extended to other sensors or flying platforms. Extensive evaluation on simulated data and on real‐world experimental data demonstrates that the approach yields accurate estimates and exhibits a large region of convergence. Furthermore, we show that the estimation can be performed using only on‐board sensing, requiring no external infrastructure.
Myocardial strain assessment using velocity vector imaging in normally grown fetuses at term
Authors: Alsolai A. A. , Bligh L. N. , Greer R. M. , Gooi A. , Kumar S. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess prospectively fetal myocardial deformation at term in normally grown fetuses using the velocity vector imaging (VVI) two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking technique, and to explore myocardial deformation changes over the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational cohort study of 276 women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy who underwent fortnightly ultrasound from 36 weeks' gestation until delivery at the Mater Mother's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Fetal myocardial deformation (assessed by global and segmental longitudinal systolic myocardial strain and strain rate of both right and left ventricles) was measured using VVI software.ResultsMean global longitudinal left and right ventricular strain and strain rate values decreased between each time point. At 36, 38 and 40 weeks' gestation, left ventricular global strain (%) and strain rate (/s) decreased, respectively, as follows: –14.6 ± 3.8% and –1.2 ± 0.3/s at 36 weeks; –13.6 ± 3.3% and –1.1 ± 0.3/s at 38 weeks; and –12.3 ± 3.1% and –1.0 ± 0.3/s at 40 weeks. At 36, 38 and 40 weeks, mean right ventricular global strain (%) and mean strain rate (/s) decreased, respectively, as follows: –14.2 ± 3.4% and –1.2 ± 0.2/s at 36 weeks; –13.4 ± 3.0% and –1.1 ± 0.2/s at 38 weeks; and –12.8 ± 2.8% and –1.1 ± 0.2/s at 40 weeks.ConclusionsGlobal ventricular strain values diminish with advancing gestational age. Myocardial deformation imaging is feasible in late gestation and may be useful as an adjunct for the assessment of fetal cardiac function close to birth. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Is climate change a new kind of problem? The role of theology and imagination in climate ethics
Authors: Clingerman Forrest , O'Brien Kevin J. 
Published: June 2017

Some scholars and activists assume that climate change is entirely sui generis: a brand new kind of problem that calls for new kinds of thinking and activism. Others communicate the seriousness of climate change by arguing that it is prefigured by the biggest events in human history, such as the moral crime of slavery or the political challenge of World War II. While the choice between these two frames for climate change is often implicit, it shapes the research and arguments that follow. This can be illustrated by examining Christian theology and ethics: Those theologians who see climate change as sui generis tend to embrace the inevitability of apocalyptic change, increasing instability, and an Anthropocene age that calls for new kinds of religion and spirituality. Those who see climate change as prefigured, by contrast, tend to emphasize the continued relevance of established religious traditions, in particular their commitments to social justice and their opposition to destructive political and economic structures. The two approaches offer different frames for climate change and different theological imaginations of the problem. When the question of whether climate change is new and the imaginaries that question inspires are explicit, arguments in theology and ethics are clearer and more defined. Interdisciplinary connections then suggest that this exercise of exploring how climate change is framed, characterized, and imagined will be relevant to a wide range of scholars and activists. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e480. doi: 10.1002/wcc.480This article is categorized under:

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts
Image‐based computational fluid dynamics in the lung: virtual reality or new clinical practice?
Authors: Burrowes Kelly S. , De Backer Jan , Kumar Haribalan 
Published: June 2017

The development and implementation of personalized medicine is paramount to improving the efficiency and efficacy of patient care. In the respiratory system, function is largely dictated by the choreographed movement of air and blood to the gas exchange surface. The passage of air begins in the upper airways, either via the mouth or nose, and terminates at the alveolar interface, while blood flows from the heart to the alveoli and back again. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a well‐established tool for predicting fluid flows and pressure distributions within complex systems. Traditionally CFD has been used to aid in the effective or improved design of a system or device; however, it has become increasingly exploited in biological and medical‐based applications further broadening the scope of this computational technique. In this review, we discuss the advancement in application of CFD to the respiratory system and the contributions CFD is currently making toward improving precision medicine. The key areas CFD has been applied to in the pulmonary system are in predicting fluid transport and aerosol distribution within the airways. Here we focus our discussion on fluid flows and in particular on image‐based clinically focused CFD in the ventilatory system. We discuss studies spanning from the paranasal sinuses through the conducting airways down to the level of the alveolar airways. The combination of imaging and CFD is enabling improved device design in aerosol transport, improved biomarkers of lung function in clinical trials, and improved predictions and assessment of surgical interventions in the nasal sinuses. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1392. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1392This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models
Brief report: Trait emotional intelligence, peer nominations, and scholastic achievement in adolescence
Authors: Mancini Giacomo , Andrei Federica , Mazzoni Elvis , Biolcati Roberta , Baldaro Bruno , Trombini Elena 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTCurrent research on trait EI in adolescents suggests that the construct impacts on several important domains of youths' psychological functioning, including school adjustment and achievement. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of trait EI and of its subcomponents, on adolescent's academic achievement. Data were collected from 321 Italian adolescents (162 female; Mage = 15.5, SD = 1.86; aged 13–18 years) recruited from secondary schools. The effects of perceived and actual peer nominations, gender, personality dimensions, and non‐verbal cognitive abilities were also controlled. Results highlight that trait EI as assessed by means of the TEIQue impacts Italian but not math's grades, while trait EI's factors predicted both academic subjects, with significant contributions of Self‐Control and Sociability. Limitations and implications are discussed.
Gimbaled-thruster based nonlinear attitude control of a small spacecraft during thrusting manoeuvre
Authors: Fani Saberi Farhad , Kabganian Mansour , Kouhi Hamed , Shahravi Morteza 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a novel thrusting manoeuvre control scheme is proposed for a small spacecraft which is based only on the gimbaled thrust vector control (TVC) system. The spacecraft structure is composed of a body and a gimbaled thruster where common attitude control systems such as reaction control system (RCS) and spin stabilisation are not employed. A nonlinear two-body model is considered for the characterisation of the gimbaled-nozzle spacecraft where the gimbal actuator provides the only active control input. The spacecraft attitude is affected by a large exogenous disturbance torque which is generated by a thrust vector misalignment from the centre of mass (CM). To achieve some performance goals in the both transient and steady-state modes, a new control scheme is derived based on the combination of two linear and nonlinear controllers. The proposed method ensures the attitude and thrust vector stability during an impulsive orbital manoeuvre while eliminating and rejecting an exogenous disturbance torque. The numerical simulations illustrate the applicability of this method for using in a small spacecraft and its efficiency in sustained operation.
Utilizing a Pediatric Disaster Coalition Model to Increase Pediatric Critical Care Surge Capacity in New York City
Authors: Frogel Michael , Flamm Avram , Sagy Mayer , Uraneck Katharine , Conway Edward , Ushay Michael , Greenwald Bruce M. , Pierre Louisdon , Shah Vikas , Gaffoor Mohamed , Cooper Arthur , Foltin George 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA mass casualty event can result in an overwhelming number of critically injured pediatric victims that exceeds the available capacity of pediatric critical care (PCC) units, both locally and regionally. To address these gaps, the New York City (NYC) Pediatric Disaster Coalition (PDC) was established. The PDC includes experts in emergency preparedness, critical care, surgery, and emergency medicine from 18 of 25 major NYC PCC-capable hospitals. A PCC surge committee created recommendations for making additional PCC beds available with an emphasis on space, staff, stuff (equipment), and systems. The PDC assisted 15 hospitals in creating PCC surge plans by utilizing template plans and site visits. These plans created an additional 153 potential PCC surge beds. Seven hospitals tested their plans through drills. The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the need for planning for disasters involving children and to provide a stepwise, replicable model for establishing a PDC, with one of its primary goals focused on facilitating PCC surge planning. The process we describe for developing a PDC can be replicated to communities of any size, setting, or location. We offer our model as an example for other cities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:473–478)
Assessment of Healthcare Worker Protocol Deviations and Self-Contamination During Personal Protective Equipment Donning and Doffing
Authors: Kwon Jennie H. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Reske Kimberly A. , Liang Stephen Y. , Hink Tiffany , Wallace Meghan A. , Shupe Angela , Seiler Sondra , Cass Candice , Fraser Victoria J. , Dubberke Erik R. 
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVETo evaluate healthcare worker (HCW) risk of self-contamination when donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) using fluorescence and MS2 bacteriophage.DESIGNProspective pilot study.SETTINGTertiary-care hospital.PARTICIPANTSA total of 36 HCWs were included in this study: 18 donned/doffed contact precaution (CP) PPE and 18 donned/doffed Ebola virus disease (EVD) PPE.INTERVENTIONSHCWs donned PPE according to standard protocols. Fluorescent liquid and MS2 bacteriophage were applied to HCWs. HCWs then doffed their PPE. After doffing, HCWs were scanned for fluorescence and swabbed for MS2. MS2 detection was performed using reverse transcriptase PCR. The donning and doffing processes were videotaped, and protocol deviations were recorded.RESULTSOverall, 27% of EVD PPE HCWs and 50% of CP PPE HCWs made ≥1 protocol deviation while donning, and 100% of EVD PPE HCWs and 67% of CP PPE HCWs made ≥1 protocol deviation while doffing (P=.02). The median number of doffing protocol deviations among EVD PPE HCWs was 4, versus 1 among CP PPE HCWs. Also, 15 EVD PPE protocol deviations were committed by doffing assistants and/or trained observers. Fluorescence was detected on 8 EVD PPE HCWs (44%) and 5 CP PPE HCWs (28%), most commonly on hands. MS2 was recovered from 2 EVD PPE HCWs (11%) and 3 CP PPE HCWs (17%).CONCLUSIONSProtocol deviations were common during both EVD and CP PPE doffing, and some deviations during EVD PPE doffing were committed by the HCW doffing assistant and/or the trained observer. Self-contamination was common. PPE donning/doffing are complex and deserve additional study.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1077–1083
Holocene environments of central Iturup Island, southern Kuril archipelago, Russian Far East
Authors: Lozhkin Anatoly , Minyuk Pavel , Cherepanova Marina , Anderson Patricia , Finney Bruce 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTwo lake records document Holocene changes in sea level, vegetation, and climate on the Okhotsk and Pacific sides of central Iturup Island, southern Kuril Islands. The sediment cores originated within tidal flats that subsequently developed into a marine strait which crosscut the island as sea levels rose during the early Holocene. Brackish lagoons and eventually freshwater lakes formed by ~7100 cal yr BP associated with warmer than present conditions. Past vegetation changes indicate a clear Holocene thermal maximum recorded on the Pacific coast but a less distinct optimum on the western shores (~7200–6100 cal yr BP). A gradual cooling toward modern levels occurred ~6100–3500 cal yr BP. Four prominent layers of coarse sediment found in mid- to late Holocene lake deposits may correspond to intervals of climate cooling/dune formation previously documented in coastal sections. Although chronological limitations question the synchronicity of these events across the south Russian Far East, it seems probable that they have a regional signature. However, the mechanisms responsible for Holocene climatic changes are likely the result of complex interactions of hemispheric-scale atmospheric patterns, marine characteristics, and regional feedbacks rather than simply fluctuations in sea levels as suggested in the current interpretative model.
Dietary calcium intake and rate of bone loss in men
Authors: Bristow Sarah M. , Gamble Gregory D. , Horne Anne M. , Reid Ian R. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA high Ca intake has been recommended for osteoporosis prevention; however, little research has examined the relationship between dietary Ca and bone health in men. We examined associations between dietary Ca intake, bone mineral density (BMD) and change in BMD at the total body, hip and spine over 2 years in a cohort of men (mean age 57 years, BMI 26 kg/m2) from a trial. Data from the total cohort (n323) were used in the analysis of Ca intake and BMD at baseline, and data from the placebo group (n99) were used in the longitudinal analysis of Ca intake and change in BMD. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the markers of bone turnover serum total alkaline phosphatase activity, serum C-telopeptide and serum procollagen type-1 N-terminal propeptide were measured in a subset of participants at baseline (n150), and associations with dietary Ca at baseline were examined. Mean Ca intake was 870 mg/d. Baseline BMD was not related to dietary Ca intake at any site, before or after adjustment for covariables. Similarly, bone loss over 2 years was not related to Ca intake at any site, before or after adjustment. Dietary Ca intake was inversely correlated with PTH at baseline (r−0·19,P=0·02), but was not associated with the markers of bone turnover. BMD and rates of bone loss were unrelated to Ca intake in these men. This suggests that strategies to increase Ca intake are unlikely to impact on the prevalence of and morbidity from male osteoporosis.
FIELD EVALUATION OF SOIL AND WHEAT RESPONSES TO COMBINED APPLICATION OF HARDWOOD BIOCHAR AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS IN ACIDIC SANDY LOAM SOIL
Authors: SARMA BANASHREE , GOGOI NIRMALI , BHARALI MADHURI , MALI PRIYANKA 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYBiochar application appears to be a promising method to improve soil physicochemical and biological properties by increasing soil carbon. Along with the influence of hardwood biochar on wheat growth, yield and soil quality for a period of two years, this study also evaluates the major soil parameters to be taken as minimum data set while assessing the impact of hardwood biochar in an acidic sandy loam soil. Five fertilizer treatments combining inorganic fertilizers and biochar were applied: unfertilized control (T1); 100% NPK (T2); 5 Mg ha−1biochar (T3); 100% NPK + 5 Mg ha−1biochar (T4); and 50% N + 100% PK + 5 Mg ha−1biochar (T5). Biochar application (T3 vs. T1; T4 and T5 vs. T2) significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, leaf N concentration and above and below-ground biomass, with improved wheat yield and grain quality (total grain protein and carbohydrate). Soil pH, water-holding capacity, available nutrients (N, P and K), organic carbon and its fractions also enhanced in biochar applied plots with reduced bulk density. Increased activities of soil enzymes urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase, fluorescein di-acetate and arylsulphatase were recorded in biochar treatment along with significant increase in N recovery index (22%) and agronomic efficiency (40%). Multivariate analysis identified activity of phosphatase, pH and humic acid to fulvic acid ratio as the indicators to explain the total variance from biochar addition in acidic sandy loam soil under wheat cultivation. Soil quality index showed a significant improvement when biochar was added with reduced N doses (T5). This study confirms the efficacy of biochar as a soil conditioner when applied with reduced N fertilizer and would be a sustainable option to improve wheat production and soil quality in acidic sandy loam soils of northeast India.