bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon and water relations of contrasting Arctic plants: implications for shrub expansion in West Greenland
Authors: Cahoon Sean M. P. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Post Eric 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe recent expansion of deciduous shrubs is a common observation throughout the Arctic. However, we lack a complete understanding of how physiological differences between deciduous shrubs and coexisting species may confer competitive advantages to shrubs. We combined leaf gas exchange and stable isotope analyses of two important species, Betula nana and Poa pratensis, to elucidate the processes governing seasonal carbon (C) gain in West Greenland. We tested two competing hypotheses. On one hand, we anticipated the cooler, drier soils beneath the Betula canopy could result in greater drought sensitivity in this species. Alternatively, because Poa tends to occupy sites with wetter soils, we hypothesized that it may be more sensitive to drought. Our results revealed greater drought sensitivity in Poa, which displayed reductions in Amax and gs during periods of high atmospheric demand and dry soils. Additionally, leaf Δ13C and Δ18O were negatively correlated in Poa, suggesting strong stomatal influence on Δ13C. Conversely, there was no relationship between gs and canopy or soil microclimates and no correlation between leaf Δ13C and Δ18O in Betula, indicating that variation in Δ13C may have been driven by variation in photosynthesis. Our results suggest that Poa is more susceptible to drought than Betula, whereas Betula was able to maintain steady, yet conservative, C gain. These differences in C‐H2O relations may confer a competitive advantage to Betula in a warmer, drier climate.
Toward a more ecologically informed view of severe forest fires
Authors: Hutto Richard L. , Keane Robert E. , Sherriff Rosemary L. , Rota Christopher T. , Eby Lisa A. , Saab Victoria A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe use the historical presence of high‐severity fire patches in mixed‐conifer forests of the western United States to make several points that we hope will encourage development of a more ecologically informed view of severe wildland fire effects. First, many plant and animal species use, and have sometimes evolved to depend on, severely burned forest conditions for their persistence. Second, evidence from fire history studies also suggests that a complex mosaic of severely burned conifer patches was common historically in the West. Third, to maintain ecological integrity in forests born of mixed‐severity fire, land managers will have to accept some severe fire and maintain the integrity of its aftermath. Lastly, public education messages surrounding fire could be modified so that people better understand and support management designed to maintain ecologically appropriate sizes and distributions of severe fire and the complex early‐seral forest conditions it creates.
Teaching for higher levels of thinking: developing quantitative and analytical skills in environmental science courses
Authors: Bravo Adriana , Porzecanski Ana , Sterling Eleanor , Bynum Nora , Cawthorn Michelle , Fernandez Denny S. , Freeman Laurie , Ketcham Stuart , Leslie Timothy , Mull John , Vogler Donna 
Published: June 2016

AbstractProfessionals with strong quantitative and analytical skills are essential to understanding and responding to current environmental challenges. The goal of this study was to promote and evaluate the development of data analysis (DA) skills in undergraduate students through targeted interventions in environmental science courses. We developed materials to promote practice, instruction, and assessment of four core DA dimensions: the ability to make appropriate calculations, convert data to graphical representations, interpret graphical or mathematical information, and draw conclusions based on the analysis of data. We integrated two conservation exercises as pre/post assessment tools, flanking differentiated teaching interventions, into selected science courses and used a standardized rubric to measure students' performance level. We found that students improved their DA skills in a single semester, but the level of improvement varied across skill dimensions. Students struggled with dimensions that require higher levels of thinking such as data interpretation and drawing conclusions. The use of additional exercises targeting these dimensions and alternative practices might enhance gains. Importantly, students also gained content knowledge in ecological principles while developing skills, and demonstrated an increase in self‐confidence with their DA skills. Our approach and open‐access materials can be integrated into existing courses to develop and assess data skills in undergraduate learners.
Allocating responsibility for environmental risks: A comparative analysis of examples from water governance
Authors: Doorn Neelke 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

The focus of the present study is on the allocation of responsibilities for addressing environmental risks in transboundary water governance. Effective environmental management in transboundary situations requires coordinated and cooperative action among diverse individuals and organizations. Currently, little insight exists on how to foster collective action such that individuals and organizations take the responsibility to address transboundary environmental risks. On the basis of 4 cases of transboundary water governance, it will be shown how certain allocation principles are more likely to encourage cooperative action. The main lesson from these case studies is that the allocation of responsibilities should be seen as a risk distribution problem, including considerations of effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:371–375. © 2016 SETAC

Key Points
Effective environmental management in transboundary situations requires coordinated and cooperative action between diverse individuals and organizations. Allocation of responsibilities is crucial for effectively addressing environmental risks. Allocation principles for responsibilities that take into account considerations of efficiency, effectiveness and fairness are more likely to encourage cooperative action.
Chemical Clogging of Emitters and Evaluation of Their Suitability for Saline Water Drip Irrigation
Authors: Lili Zhangzhong , Yang Peiling , Ren Shumei , Li Yunkai , Liu Yu , Xia Yuhong 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDrip irrigation with saline water is one of the most effective methods to ease the current worldwide water shortage. However, there are more ionic compositions in saline water, resulting in easy clogging of drip irrigation emitters. In this study, we selected five common emitters as study subjects and conducted a saline water drip irrigation experiment in the Hetao Irrigation District (Inner Mongolia, China). The results showed that, as the running time increased, the discharge ratio variation (Dra) and coefficient of uniformity (CU) both declined. The Dra and CU of cylindrical emitters decreased gently, while those of flat emitters showed a 'slow–fast' downward trend. The Dra of the five different emitters decreased to 46.3–78.6% and the CU dropped to 23.5–85.0% over the course of the experiment. Cylindrical emitters with higher flow showed better anti‐clogging capacity. The temporal and spatial distribution of clogging materials within emitters differed. Specifically, the dry weights (DW) of clogging materials in different positions occurred in the order of DWhead < DWmiddle < DWend laterally, and clogging materials accumulated gradually with time. The average clogging materials distribution density showed a significant negative linear relationship with Dra and CU (R2 = 0.81 and 0.88). It indicated that as the clogging materials accumulated, the anti‐clogging capacity of emitters degraded. The chemical constituents of the clogging materials in the different emitters were the same (Ca + Mg carbonate, quartz, silicate and litter sodium chloride). The amounts of Ca + Mg carbonate showed a strong positive correlation with Dra and CU (R2 = 0.93 and 0.92), while the amounts of quartz showed a remarkable negative linear relationship with Dra and CU (R2 = 0.85 and 0.87). The main material responsible for emitter clogging was calcium carbonate deposits, which accounted for >88.1% of the total. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption and conformational modification of fibronectin and fibrinogen adsorbed on hydroxyapatite. A QCM‐D study
Authors: Fernández‐Montes Moraleda Belén , San Román Julio , Rodríguez‐Lorenzo Luís M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHydroxyapatite is a bioactive ceramic frequently used for bone engineering/replacement. One of the parameters that influence the biological response to implanted materials is the conformation of the first adsorbed protein layer. In this work, the adsorption and conformational changes of two fibroid serum proteins; fibronectin and fibrinogen adsorbed onto four different hydroxyapatite powders are studied with a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM‐D). Each of the calcined apatites adsorbs less protein than their corresponding synthesized samples. Adsorption on synthesized samples yields always an extended conformation whereas a reorganization of the layer is observed for the calcined samples. Fg acquires a “Side on” conformation in all the samples at the beginning of the experiment except for one of the synthesized samples where an “End‐on” conformation is obtained during the whole experiment. The Extended conformation is the active conformation for Fn. This conformation is favored by apatites with large specific surface area (SSA) and on highly concentrated media. Apatite surface features should be considered in the selection or design of materials for bone regeneration, since it is possible to control the conformation mode of attachment of Fn and Fg by an appropriate selection of them. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2585–2594, 2016.
Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin on Neurochemical and Behavioral Deficits in Rotenone Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease: Modulating Autophagy (Quercetin on Experimental Parkinson's Disease)
Authors: El‐Horany Hemat E. , El‐latif Rania N. Abd , ElBatsh Maha M. , Emam Marwa N. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTAutophagy is necessary for neuronal homeostasis and its dysfunction has been implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) as it can exacerbate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ER stress‐induced apoptosis. Quercetin is a flavonoid known for its neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. The present study investigated the protective, autophagy‐modulating effects of quercetin in the rotenone rat model of PD. Rotenone was intraperitoneally injected at dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 4 weeks. Simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of quercetin was given at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day also for 4 weeks. Neurobehavioral changes were studied. Oxidative/antioxidant status, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Beclin‐1, and dopamine levels were assessed. DNA fragmentation and histopathological changes were evaluated. This research work revealed that quercetin significantly attenuated rotenone‐induced behavioral impairment, augmented autophagy, ameliorated ER stress‐ induced apoptosis with attenuated oxidative stress. From the current study, quercetin can act as an autophagy enhancer in PD rat model and modulates the microenvironment that leads to neuronal death.
Unique Colorability and Clique Minors
Authors: Kriesell Matthias 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFor a graph G, let denote the largest k such that G has k pairwise disjoint pairwise adjacent connected nonempty subgraphs, and let denote the largest k such that G has k pairwise disjoint pairwise adjacent connected subgraphs of size 1 or 2. Hadwiger's conjecture states that , where is the chromatic number of G. Seymour conjectured for all graphs without antitriangles, that is, three pairwise nonadjacent vertices. Here we concentrate on graphs G with exactly one ‐coloring. We prove generalizations of the following statements: (i) if and G has exactly one ‐coloring then , where the proof does not use the four‐color‐theorem, and (ii) if G has no antitriangles and G has exactly one ‐coloring then .
Effect of 3,4‐diaminopyridine at the murine neuromuscular junction
Authors: Ng Fiona , Lee Diana C. , Schrumpf Leah A. , Mazurek Mary E. , Lee Lo Victoria , Gill Sharleen K. , Maselli Ricardo A. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We investigated the effects of 3,4‐diaminopyridine (3,4‐DAP) and its acetylated metabolite, N‐(4‐amino‐pyridin‐3‐yl) acetamide (3‐Ac), at the mammalian neuromuscular junction. Methods: Quantal release of acetylcholine was studied in diaphragm muscles of mice, using in vitro intracellular microelectrode recordings. Results: Under conditions of low probability of release, 3,4‐DAP produced a 1,000% increase in quantal release, but 3‐Ac had no effect. Under conditions of normal probability of release, the effect of 3,4‐DAP was modest and limited by concurrent depletion of synaptic vesicles, especially with high concentrations of 3,4‐DAP and high frequencies of nerve stimulation. Conclusions: These findings predict 3,4‐DAP is most effective in conditions with low probability of quantal release, such as Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A beneficial effect is also expected in disorders of neuromuscular transmission in which the effect of 3,4‐DAP on quantal release is not limited by depletion of synaptic vesicles, such as postsynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 223–231, 2017
Variations of lumbrical muscle innervation patterns in the hand, focusing on the dual innervation of the third lumbrical muscle
Authors: Hur Mi‐sun 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: This study was conducted to clarify the innervation patterns of the lumbrical muscles by identifying the origin of the nerve fascicles innervating these muscles. Methods: The lumbricals in the hand were investigated in 50 specimens of embalmed Korean adult cadavers. Results: Dual innervation of the third lumbrical was most frequently observed in 64.0%. The third lumbrical was innervated by a branch arising from the median nerve (MN) distal to site at which the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve (sUN) joins the MN in 34%. When separating and tracing the nerve fascicles from the MN distal to the communicating branch from the sUN to MN, the fascicles contained parts of the MN and sUN in 18% and part of the MN in 16%. Conclusions: These results will be helpful for accurate diagnoses, surgical procedures, and electrophysiological examinations in lesions of the MN and ulnar nerve in the hand. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 160–165, 2017
Mixed Lagrangian formulation for size‐dependent couple stress elastodynamic and natural frequency analyses
Authors: Deng Guoqiang , Dargush Gary F. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryCouple stress formulations have been given much attention lately because of the possibility to explain cases, when the classical theory of elasticity fails to describe adequately the mechanical behavior. Such cases may include size‐dependent stiffness, high stress gradients, and the response of materials with microstructure. Here, a new mixed Lagrangian formulation is developed for elastodynamic response within consistent size‐dependent skew‐symmetric couple stress theory. With a specific choice of mixed variables, the formulation can be written with only C0 continuity requirements, without the need to introduce a Lagrange multiplier or penalty method. Furthermore, this formulation permits, for the first time, the determination of natural frequencies within the consistent couple stress theory. Details for the strong form of the equilibrium equations, constitutive model relations, boundary conditions, and the corresponding weak form are provided. In addition, the discrete forms are also discussed with two approaches for reducing variables. Several simple two‐dimensional computational example problems are then examined, along with a brief investigation of the effect of couple stress on natural frequencies, which exhibit size‐dependence for most, but not all, modes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Faculty Mentors' Perspectives on E‐Mentoring Post‐Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students
Authors: Doyle Nancy , Jacobs Karen , Ryan Cathryn 
Published: June 2016

AbstractE‐mentoring is a viable option for mentoring students in occupational therapy educational programs. The objective of this study was to investigate faculty perspectives of faculty‐to‐student e‐mentoring in an online post‐professional doctor of occupational therapy program. In a retrospective mixed‐method design, nine faculty members described features and outcomes of e‐mentoring 48 doctoral students. Online survey results were analysed quantitatively for descriptive statistics; transcripts from structured interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that successful, satisfactory e‐mentoring is student‐centered, flexible, frequent, academically and psychosocially supportive; faculty members must be skilled in adapting e‐mentoring to the needs and objectives of each mentee; e‐mentoring provides opportunities for faculty members and students to achieve academic and professional objectives and growth. The findings suggest that implementation of e‐mentoring may be a useful model in other occupational therapy programs. There is a need for future studies with broader participant pool, observable measures of e‐mentoring, standardized measures of satisfaction and success and comparison between e‐mentoring with and without web camera. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flammability and flame‐retardant mechanism of high density polyethylene/wood fiber/modified ammonium polyphosphate composite
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Wang Dongxia , Zhang Yin , Bai Ting , Li Jing 
Published: June 2016

Fabrication and characterization of a novel high density polyethylene/wood fiber/modified ammonium polyphosphate (HDPE/WF/MAPP) composite have been carried out. The flammability of the composite is characterized by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), and cone calorimetry. The flame‐retardant mechanism is investigated by Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electronic micrograph (SEM).The results indicate that, with the optimum formulation, the LOI and UL‐94 of the HDPE/WF/MAPP composite are 38.0% and V‐0 rating, respectively. Comparing with HDPE/WF, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) of the HDPE/WF/MAPP composite decreases from 432 to 166 kW m−2, and total heat release (THR) decreases from 66 to 33 MJ m−2. Cone calorimeter analysis suggest that the smoke production rate (SPR), total smoke production (TSP), mass loss rate (MLR), and time to ignition (TTI) of the HDPE/WF/MAPP system significantly decrease. In addition, the thermal stabilities of the composite are studied by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), which shows there are two stages decomposition during the thermal degradation process. With the addition of MAPP, char residue of the composite increase from 12.06% to 34.67%. The char residue containing P‐OH, P‐N‐C, P‐O‐P, P‐O‐C, and aryl groups can directly affect the flame retardance. The flexural modulus of the HDPE/WF/MAPP system is improved greatly in the presence of MAPP. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1192–1199, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effectiveness of airway clearance techniques in children hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Van Ginderdeuren F. , Vandenplas Y. , Deneyer M. , Vanlaethem S. , Buyl R. , Kerckhofs E. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of two airway clearance techniques (ACT's) in children <24 months hospitalized with mild to moderate bronchiolitis.DesignOne hundred and three children were randomly allocated to receive one 20‐min session daily, either assisted autogenic drainage (AAD), intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV), or bouncing (B) (control group), ninety‐three finished the study.Outcome measuresMean time to recovery in days was our primary outcome measure. The impact of the treatment and the daily improvement was also assessed by a validated clinical and respiratory severity score (WANG score), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SaO2).ResultsMean time to recovery was 4.5 ± 1.9 days for the control group, 3.6 ± 1.4 days, P < 0.05 for the AAD group and 3.5 ± 1.3 days, P = 0.03 for the IPV group. Wang scores improved significantly for both physiotherapy techniques compared to the control group.ConclusionBoth ACT's reduced significantly the length of hospital stay compared to no physiotherapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:225–231. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lipopeptides from a novel Bacillus methylotrophicus 39b strain suppress Agrobacterium crown gall tumours on tomato plants
Authors: Frikha‐Gargouri Olfa , Ben Abdallah Dorra , Ghorbel Imen , Charfeddine Ikram , Jlaiel Lobna , Triki Mohamed Ali , Tounsi Slim 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study aims to characterise the antibacterial activity of a novel Bacillus methylotrophicus strain named 39b against tumourigenic Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 and B6 strains. It also aims to identify the compound that is responsible for its activity and to evaluate its efficiency to control crown gall disease in tomato plants.RESULTSB. methylotrophicus strain 39b was found to stop the growth of phytopathogenic A. tumefaciens strains in in vitro experiments. Lipopeptides – surfactins, iturins and fengycins – were detected under various isoforms by mass spectrometry analysis of the methanolic extract. The active principle acting against Agrobacterium strains was isolated from TLC plates and identified by mass spectrometry as surfactin. The strain was effective in reducing the weight and the number of galls induced by A. tumefaciens strains on tomato plants. Total inhibition of gall formation was observed using the antibacterial compounds.CONCLUSIONB. methylotrophicus strain 39b exhibited antibacterial activity against phytopathogenic A. tumefaciens C58 and B6 both in vitro and in vivo. Lipopeptides are the main compounds that confer the biocontrol ability. This strain has the potential to be developed as a biological control agent for crown gall disease. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Downstream Regime Relations for Single‐Thread Channels
Authors: Thayer J. B. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNew empirically derived downstream hydraulic geometry relations are developed for single‐thread gravel/cobble‐bed and sand‐bed channels using the independent variables bankfull discharge, channel slope, and median bed grain size. Differences in channel response to the controlling variables are observed between gravel/cobble‐bed and sand‐bed channels. It is found that the inclusion of channel slope into regime relations is necessary for accurate channel geometry predictions and that bed grain size becomes an unnecessary variable. Accuracy of predictions is superior to many existing relations and comparable with those that already include slope as an independent variable. Variability of prediction errors is comparable with existing relations. Applications and implications of the new relations are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.