bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecohydrological interfaces as hot spots of ecosystem processes
Authors: Krause Stefan , Lewandowski Jörg , Grimm Nancy B. , Hannah David M. , Pinay Gilles , McDonald Karlie , Martí Eugènia , Argerich Alba , Pfister Laurent , Klaus Julian , Battin Tom , Larned Scott T. , Schelker Jacob , Fleckenstein Jan , Schmidt Christian , Rivett Michael O. , Watts Glenn , Sabater Francesc , Sorolla Albert , Turk Valentina 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe movement of water, matter, organisms, and energy can be altered substantially at ecohydrological interfaces, the dynamic transition zones that often develop within ecotones or boundaries between adjacent ecosystems. Interdisciplinary research over the last two decades has indicated that ecohydrological interfaces are often “hot spots” of ecological, biogeochemical, and hydrological processes and may provide refuge for biota during extreme events. Ecohydrological interfaces can have significant impact on global hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity, pollutant removal, and ecosystem resilience to disturbance. The organizational principles (i.e., the drivers and controls) of spatially and temporally variable processes at ecohydrological interfaces are poorly understood and require the integrated analysis of hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological processes. Our rudimentary understanding of the interactions between different drivers and controls critically limits our ability to predict complex system responses to change. In this paper, we explore similarities and contrasts in the functioning of diverse freshwater ecohydrological interfaces across spatial and temporal scales. We use this comparison to develop an integrated, interdisciplinary framework, including a roadmap for analyzing ecohydrological processes and their interactions in ecosystems. We argue that, in order to fully account for their nonlinear process dynamics, ecohydrological interfaces need to be conceptualized as unique, spatially and temporally dynamic entities, which represents a step change from their current representation as boundary conditions at investigated ecosystems.
A simple model of intraseasonal oscillations
Authors: Fuchs Željka , Raymond David J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe intraseasonal oscillations and in particular the MJO have been and still remain a “holy grail” of today's atmospheric science research. Why does the MJO propagate eastward? What makes it unstable? What is the scaling for the MJO, i.e., why does it prefer long wavelengths or planetary wave numbers 1–3? What is the westward moving component of the intraseasonal oscillation? Though linear WISHE has long been discounted as a plausible model for intraseasonal oscillations and the MJO, the version we have developed explains many of the observed features of those phenomena, in particular, the preference for large zonal scale. In this model version, the moisture budget and the increase of precipitation with tropospheric humidity lead to a “moisture mode.” The destabilization of the large‐scale moisture mode occurs via WISHE only and there is no need to postulate large‐scale radiatively induced instability or negative effective gross moist stability. Our WISHE‐moisture theory leads to a large‐scale unstable eastward propagating mode in n = −1 case and a large‐scale unstable westward propagating mode in n = 1 case. We suggest that the n = −1 case might be connected to the MJO and the observed westward moving disturbance to the observed equatorial Rossby mode.
Evaluating climate and soil effects on regional soil moisture spatial variability using EOFs
Authors: Wang Tiejun , Franz Trenton E. , Li Ruopu , You Jinsheng , Shulski Martha D. , Ray Chittaranjan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSoil moisture is an important state variable in terrestrial water cycles; however, only few studies are available on regional soil moisture spatial variability (SMSV), which yielded inconsistent findings about regional controls on SMSV. Here, long‐term soil moisture data were obtained from the Automated Weather Data Network and Soil Climate Analysis Network in three regions with different climate regimes across the continental U.S. Comprehensive data sets were compiled to examine regional controls on SMSV using the method of Empirical Orthogonal Function. One dominant spatial structure (EOF1) of soil moisture was found in the study regions, which explained over 75%, 67%, and 86% of the spatial variance in soil moisture in Nebraska, Utah, and the Southeast U.S., respectively. Despite the significant spatial variability in precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in all the study regions, the results showed that meteorological forcings had limited effects on regional SMSV in those regions with different climatic conditions, which differed from the traditional notion that SMSV is mainly controlled by meteorological forcings at the scale from 50 to 400 km. Instead, local factors related to soil (e.g., sand and clay fractions) were found to have significant correlations with EOF1, although the effects of other local factors (e.g., topography and vegetation) were generally negligible. This study provides strong field evidence that soil can exert much stronger impacts on regional SMSV than previously thought, which can override the effects of meteorological forcings. Future studies are still needed to elaborate on the relative roles of climate and soil in affecting regional SMSV.
Effects of compatibility on foaming behavior of polypropylene/polyolefin elastomer blends prepared using a chemical blowing agent
Authors: Kim Do Young , Kim Gi Hong , Lee Dong Yun , Seo Kwan Ho 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTPolypropylene (PP) exhibits poor foaming property because of its low melt strength arising from its linear chains and relatively narrow molecular weight distribution. To fabricate a PP foam without crosslinking, PP should be blended with polyolefin elastomers (POEs) using chemical blowing agents. In this study, the effects of POE types and contents in a PP matrix were studied by analyzing the melt flow index, morphology, and thermal and dynamic viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, the POE type/content and foaming conditions (i.e., foaming temperature and oven residence time) were optimized by investigating the volume expansion ratio (VER), cross‐sectional morphology, and hardness of the PP/POE foams. We focused on how the foaming behavior and foaming conditions were affected by the compatibility and POE content in the PP/POE blend. The results demonstrated that the optimal VER of ∼9 was obtained at 30 wt % POE and foaming conditions of 220 °C for 9 min. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45201.
Tau peptides and tau mutant protein aggregation inhibition by cationic polyethyleneimine and polyarginine
Authors: Nadimidla Keerthi , Ismail Tania , Kanapathipillai Mathumai 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTau protein plays a major role in Alzheimer's disease. The tau protein loses its functionality by self‐aggregation due to the two six‐amino acid sequences VQIVYK and VQIINK of the protein. Hence it is imperative to find therapeutics that could inhibit the self‐aggregation of this tau peptide fragments. Here, we study the inhibitory potential of a cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) and a cationic polypeptide arginine (Arg) on the aggregation of VQIVYK, and GKVQIINKLDL peptides, and tau mutant protein (P301L), found frequently in taupathy. Various characterization methods are employed including thioflavin S, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering to study the aggregation/inhibition process in vitro. Results show that PEI and Arg significantly inhibit tau peptides and protein aggregation. The study could be applied to understand tau protein aggregation mechanism in the presence of cationic polymers.
Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived epicardial progenitors can differentiate to endocardial‐like endothelial cells
Authors: Bao Xiaoping , Bhute Vijesh J. , Han Tianxiao , Qian Tongcheng , Lian Xiaojun , Palecek Sean P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDuring heart development, epicardial progenitors contribute various cardiac lineages including smooth muscle cells, cardiac fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. However, their specific contribution to the human endothelium has not yet been resolved, at least in part due to the inability to expand and maintain human primary or pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)‐derived epicardial cells. Here we first generated CDH5‐2A‐eGFP knock‐in hPSC lines and differentiated them into self‐renewing WT1+ epicardial cells, which gave rise to endothelial cells upon VEGF treatment in vitro. In addition, we found that the percentage of endothelial cells correlated with WT1 expression in a WT1‐2A‐eGFP reporter line. The resulting endothelial cells displayed many endocardium‐like endothelial cell properties, including high expression levels of endocardial‐specific markers, nutrient transporters and well‐organized tight junctions. These findings suggest that human epicardial progenitors may have the capacity to form endocardial endothelium during development and have implications for heart regeneration and cardiac tissue engineering.
Designing biomaterials with immunomodulatory properties for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Authors: Andorko James I. , Jewell Christopher M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRecent research in the vaccine and immunotherapy fields has revealed that biomaterials have the ability to activate immune pathways, even in the absence of other immune‐stimulating signals. Intriguingly, new studies reveal these responses are influenced by the physicochemical properties of the material. Nearly all of this work has been done in the vaccine and immunotherapy fields, but there is tremendous opportunity to apply this same knowledge to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This review discusses recent findings that reveal how material properties—size, shape, chemical functionality—impact immune response, and links these changes to emerging opportunities in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We begin by discussing what has been learned from studies conducted in the contexts of vaccines and immunotherapies. Next, research is highlighted that elucidates the properties of materials that polarize innate immune cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, toward either inflammatory or wound healing phenotypes. We also discuss recent studies demonstrating that scaffolds used in tissue engineering applications can influence cells of the adaptive immune system—B and T cell lymphocytes—to promote regenerative tissue microenvironments. Through greater study of the intrinsic immunogenic features of implantable materials and scaffolds, new translational opportunities will arise to better control tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
IgA and IgM protein primarily drive plasma corona‐induced adhesion reduction of PLGA nanoparticles in human blood flow
Authors: Sobczynski Daniel J. , Eniola‐Adefeso Omolola 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe high abundance of immunoglobulins (Igs) in the plasma protein corona on poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA)‐based vascular‐targeted carriers (VTCs) has previously been shown to reduce their adhesion to activated endothelial cells (aECs) in human blood flow. However, the relative role of individual Ig classes (e.g., IgG, IgA, and IgM) in causing adhesion reduction remains largely unknown. Here, we characterized the influence of specific Ig classes in prescribing the binding efficiency of PLGA nano‐sized VTCs in blood flow. Specifically, we evaluated the flow adhesion to aECs of PLGA VTCs with systematic depletion of various Igs in their corona. Adhesion reduction was largely eliminated for PLGA VTCs when all Igs were removed from the corona. Furthermore, re‐addition of IgA or IgM to the Igs‐depleted corona reinstated the low adhesion of PLGA VTCs, as evidenced by ∼40–70% reduction relative to particles with an Igs‐deficient corona. However, re‐addition of a high concentration of IgG to the Igs‐depleted corona did not cause significant adhesion reduction. Overall, the presented results reveal that PLGA VTC adhesion reduction in blood flows is primarily driven by high adsorption of IgA and IgM in the particle corona. Pre‐coating of albumin on PLGA VTCs mitigated the extent of adhesion reduction in plasma for some donors but was largely ineffective in general. Overall, this work may shed light into effective control of protein corona composition, thereby enhancing VTC functionality in vivo for eventual clinical use.
Body composition in men with anorexia nervosa: Longitudinal study
Authors: El Ghoch Marwan , Calugi Simona , Milanese Chiara , Bazzani Paola Vittoria , Dalle Grave Riccardo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare body composition patterns before and after complete weight restoration in men with anorexia nervosa.MethodDual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure body composition patterns in 10 men with anorexia nervosa before and after complete weight restoration, and in 10 healthy men matched to age and patients' post‐treatment body mass index (BMI).ResultsBefore weight restoration, men with anorexia nervosa displayed lower total body fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LBM) than those in the healthy comparison group, with a greater FM loss from the extremity than the trunk region. After short‐term weight restoration, patients displayed complete normalization in total LBM and FM, but greater deposition of FM in the trunk region.ConclusionShort‐term weight restoration can normalize body composition patterns in men with anorexia nervosa, but results in a central adiposity phenotype. The clinical implication of this finding is unknown, but should be explored given the high levels of concern about central adiposity in anorexia nervosa.
How clarification systems can affect virgin olive oil composition and quality at industrial scale
Authors: Gila Abraham , Beltrán Gabriel , Bejaoui Mohamed Aymen , Aguilera María Paz , Jiménez Antonio 
Published: April 2017

The effect of two different clarification systems, vertical centrifugal separator (VCS) with minimal water addition, and conical bottom settling tank (CBST), on virgin olive oil (VOO) composition and quality was studied at industrial scale for three crop years. In general, for the studied clarification systems, higher clarification values were reached for horizontal screw solid bowl (HSSB) oils with higher moisture and solid content. VCS showed higher clarification efficiency for HSSB oils with higher moisture and solid content. No notable differences were observed on the quality indices between evaluated clarification systems. Phenolic compounds showed a significant decrease when the HSSB oils were clarified by CBST. In general, a better sensory score was observed when the oils were clarified by VCS.Practical applications: The VCS with a minimal water addition could result a better option to produce VOO of improved quality, since is an efficient and quick operation that reduces the contact between oil and the remaining water and impurities content during the storage stage. This leads to prolong VOO shelf‐life and conservation of positive sensory notes, due to preservation of the quality indexes and minor components. Besides, this clarification system reduces the water consumption and generated wastewater regarding to conventional vertical centrifugation, and therefore can be considered more environmentally friendly.Effect of two different clarification systems (vertical centrifugal separator with minimal water addition and conical bottom settling tanks) on the virgin olive oil quality parameters, composition, and sensory characteristics.
Water–Energy Nexus Perspectives in the Context of Photovoltaic‐Powered Decentralized Water Treatment Systems: A Tanzanian Case Study
Authors: Richards Bryce S. , Shen Junjie , Schäfer Andrea I. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWater and energy are inextricably linked in today's society. This paper broadly introduces the water–energy nexus before focusing on sub‐Saharan Africa, where residents have the poorest access to both clean drinking water and electricity worldwide. Given that many of the affected people live in remote areas, new solutions are required to improve the quality of life. The potential of decentralized photovoltaic‐powered membrane filtration systems for the provision of potable water is highlighted. In particular, the potential of this technology is investigated for the removal of dissolved trace contaminants such as fluoride, which naturally occurs at extremely high concentrations in the water sources of northern Tanzania. Results from field research demonstrate the importance of matching the best membrane to a particular water source to achieve the highest permeate production that complies with drinking‐water guidelines at the lowest specific energy consumption.
Shorebird stopover habitat decisions in a changing landscape
Authors: Gillespie Caitlyn R. , Fontaine Joseph J. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTTo examine how habitat use by sandpipers (Calidrisspp.; Baird's sandpipers, dunlin, least sandpipers, pectoral sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, stilt sandpipers, and white‐rumped sandpipers) varies across a broad suite of environmental conditions, we conducted surveys at wetlands throughout the spring migratory period in 2013 and 2014 in 2 important stopover regions: the Rainwater Basin (RWB) in Nebraska, USA, and the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in South Dakota, USA. Because providing adequate energetic resources for migratory birds is a high priority for wetland management, we also measured invertebrate abundance at managed wetlands in the RWB to determine how food abundance influences the occupancy and abundance of sandpipers on wetlands throughout the migratory period. To quantify habitat use, we surveyed wetlands every 7–10 days in both regions and visually estimated wetland attributes. Our results indicate that invertebrate abundance predicted occupancy, but not abundance, of sandpipers at wetlands in the RWB. The wetland vegetation characteristics that predict sandpiper occupancy are similar in both regions, but wetlands in the PPR support a higher abundance of sandpipers than wetlands in the RWB. Our results suggest that sandpipers make stopover decisions that balance local and regional wetland conditions. Managers should maintain the cues (i.e., mudflat) and ecological conditions beyond invertebrate abundance that predict sandpiper habitat use to successfully provide resources for sandpipers during migratory stopover if that is a goal of wetland management. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Detecting fasciculations in cranial nerve innervated muscles with ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: O'gorman Cullen M. , Weikamp Janneke G. , Baria Michael , Van Den Engel‐hoek Lenie , Kassardjian Charles , Van Alfen Nens , Boon Andrea J. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionCranial muscle fasciculations may be difficult to detect in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ultrasound (US) detection of fasciculations in these muscles may have clinical utility.MethodsPatients with suspected ALS were prospectively enrolled. Nerve conduction studies, needle electromyography (EMG), and US examination of cranial muscles were performed. Controls were examined by US only. Fasciculations were counted and scored for each muscle after 10 or 30 seconds.ResultsThere were 84 patients with ALS. Fasciculations were most frequently found in the genioglossus muscle. Overall, detection rates by US and EMG were similar, but US was more likely to detect frequent fasciculations. Fasciculations were rare in controls, seen in 7 of 1,090 (0.6%) muscles. No control had > 5 fasciculations in any muscle.DiscussionFasciculations were frequently detected in cranial muscles of patients with ALS. US was found to be a sensitive method, and was not impaired by factors such as anxiety and the inability of the patient to relax. Muscle Nerve 56: 1072–1076, 2017
Altered axonal excitability properties in facial palsy
Authors: Eviston Timothy J. , Chong Lauren S.H. , Kwai Natalie C.G. , Clark Jonathan R. , Krishnan Arun V. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Axonal excitability measures give insight into the biophysical properties of peripheral nerve axons. In this study we applied these techniques to the study of facial palsy. Methods: Thirty patients with established facial palsy due to unresolved Bell's palsy or herpes zoster (>6 months duration), tumor invasion of the facial nerve, or traumatic facial nerve injury were assessed using facial nerve excitability techniques. Results: Full recordings were obtained in 23 patients (15 unrecovered Bell's palsy or herpes zoster, 5 trauma, 3 tumor‐related). Compared with normal controls, the facial palsy group demonstrated changes in stimulus response properties, threshold electrotonus, refractoriness, superexcitability, and I/V slope. Depolarizing threshold electrotonus distinguished between viral and non‐viral etiologies on subgroup analysis. Discussion: In this cross‐sectional study, established facial palsy demonstrated findings similar to those seen in studies of regenerated axons. The improved understanding of underlying axonal characteristics offered by the technique may guide future treatment. Muscle Nerve 57: 268–272, 2018
Quantitative electromyography in ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Verma Sumit , Lin Jenny , Travers Curtis , McCracken Courtney , Shah Durga 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study's objective was to evaluate quantitative electromyography (QEMG) using multiple‐motor‐unit (multi‐MUP) analysis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodsAmbulatory DMD boys, aged 5–15 years, were evaluated with QEMG at 6‐month intervals over 14 months. EMG was performed in the right biceps brachii (BB) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Normative QEMG data were obtained from age‐matched healthy boys. Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were performed.ResultsEighteen DMD subjects were enrolled, with a median age of 7 (interquartile range 7–10) years. Six‐month evaluations were performed on 14 subjects. QEMG showed significantly abnormal mean MUP duration in BB and TA muscles, with no significant change over 6 months.ConclusionsQEMG is a sensitive electrophysiological marker of myopathy in DMD. Preliminary data do not reflect a significant change in MUP parameters over a 6‐month interval; long‐term follow‐up QEMG studies are needed to understand its role as a biomarker for disease progression. Muscle Nerve 56: 1361–1364, 2017
Modulation of ionization and structural properties of weak polyelectrolytes due to 1D, 2D, and 3D confinement
Authors: Mella Massimo , Izzo Lorella 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTWhat is the impact of reducing the space available to molecules onto their properties is a fundamental question for capillary systems, molecular biology and transport, protein and material sciences. Possibly influenced by space restriction, ionization degree has rarely been studied for confined polyelectrolytes; Monte Carlo titrations and coarse‐grained models are thus used to investigate structural and ionization changes induced on a single polyelectrolyte chain by confinement into slit (1D), cylindrical (2D), or spherical (3D) cavities. Four polyelectrolyte models differing in chain stiffness and the possible formation of charged hydrogen bonds (cHbonds) are studied. Low pH effective ionization constants (pKa) of confined chains are lower than for the free species if cHbonds can be formed. This is especially evident for 3D‐confined stiff chains, a finding rationalized by the impact of global compression onto chain conformations. If no cHbonds are allowed, chain ionization is largely unaffected by 1D or 2D confinement, while it is depressed by 3D. Chain confinement Helmholtz energy (ΔAconf) was computed as a function of both pH and confining width (W) to gauge the impact of ionization‐induced stiffening onto ΔAconf versus W behavior, the partition coefficient
governing absorption, and the average number of cHbond formed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1088–1102