bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Rotational Grazing Systems on the Pasture Crop Coefficient for Irrigation Scheduling
Authors: KC Birendra , Mohssen Magdy , Chau Henry Wai , Curtis Andrew , Cuenca Richard , Bright John , Srinivasan Ms , Hu Wei , Cameron Keith 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCrop coefficient (Kc) estimations of ryegrass pasture (Lolium perenne) that matches the actual plant canopy represented by height (h) in rotational grazing systems have been assessed. This study investigated the impacts of grazing rotations on Kc, using non‐weighing percolation lysimeters. The FAO Penman–Monteith equation was used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration (ETr) from daily weather data. A water balance approach was applied to drainage data from 20 lysimeters to calculate actual evapotranspiration (ETa). Based on ETa and ETr, Kc was estimated for the different pasture growth stages of a grazing rotation.Results showed that Kc and h can be modelled by a linear relationship. Pre‐ and post‐grazing pasture heights were typically 30 and 10 cm, respectively, for which estimated Kc values were 1.0 and 0.6, respectively. Thus, due to variations in pasture height at different grazing stages, the conventional irrigation scheduling using a single Kc of 1.0 does not take into account the dynamic water demand for rotationally grazed pasture. Irrigation scheduling that incorporates variations in Kc with pasture growth stage will lead to more efficient water use and importantly less drainage and overland flow, perhaps the biggest environmental challenge for pastoral irrigators in New Zealand, without impacting on productivity. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preclinical evaluation of melanocyte transplantation by chitosan‐based melanocyte spheroid patch to skin prepared by controlled sunburn blistering
Authors: Fan Sabrina Mai‐Yi , Chen Po‐Hua , Tseng Yu‐Ting , Hong Jin‐Bon , Chen Wannhsin , Tsai Tsen‐Fang , Lin Sung‐Jan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTransplantation of autologous cultured melanocytes as cell suspension has been used for the treatment of vitiligo. The recipient site is often prepared by laser‐mediated dermabrasion. Such procedures encounter disadvantages including prolonged transplantation duration, unsecured cell adherence to lesional skin and potential scarring. To improve this, here we propose a method by preparing recipient sites before transplantation by psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA)‐induced sunburn followed by transplanting cells with a chitosan‐based melanocyte spheroid patch. We evaluated the method in nude mice. Application of methoxsalen‐soaked filter paper on skin for 30 min followed by ultraviolet A exposure induced controlled sunburn blisters in 2 days. Upon transplantation, the blister roof could be quickly peeled off by a waxing patch. The chitosan membrane on which melanocytes were precultured into multicellular spheroids was transplanted with cells facing the skin. The chitosan patch adhered well to skin and secured the contact of melanocytes with the recipient site. One day later, melanocyte spheroids already detached from the chitosan membrane and adhered to the recipient skin. Our results suggest that the combination of chitosan‐based melanocyte spheroid patch with epidermal ablation by PUVA‐induced sunburn reaction can be a feasible method to facilitate melanocyte transplantation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2535–2543, 2018.
MiR‐15b/HOTAIR/p53 form a regulatory loop that affects the growth of glioma cells
Authors: Sun Guan , Wang Yingyi , Zhang Junxia , Lin Ning , You Yongping 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAmong the malignant tumors of the human central nervous system, gliomas have the highest incidence and recurrence rate. Therefore, exploration of the molecular mechanism that underlies the development and progression of gliomas is of great clinical significance. Many studies have demonstrated that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the development and progression of tumors. In the present study, both an RNAhybrid analysis and a dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that microRNA‐15b (miR‐15b) binding sites were present in the sequence of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR). The present study further demonstrated that miR‐15b, HOTAIR, and p53 formed a mutually regulated loop. MiR‐15b upregulated the expression of p53 but inhibited the expression of HOTAIR. In addition, miR‐15b was able to regulate the expression of HOTAIR through p53. P53 promoted miR‐15b expression but inhibited HOTAIR expression. Furthermore, the examination of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion revealed that both miR‐15b and p53 inhibited the proliferation and invasion, but promoted the apoptosis, of glioma cells. In contrast, HOTAIR exerted effects that were the opposite of those exerted by miR‐15b and p53 on glioma cells. The upregulation of HOTAIR suppressed the inhibitory effects of miR‐15b and p53 on cell proliferation and invasion as well as the promoting effect of miR‐15b and p53 on apoptosis. Therefore, it can be concluded that miR‐15b, HOTAIR, and p53 constitute a regulatory loop that is capable of regulating the growth of glioma cells. This finding provides a new target for the treatment of gliomas.
Behind the lines: Toward an aesthetic framework for psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Authors: Pivnick Billie A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article describes the author's development of an aesthetic approach to psychoanalytic psychotherapy of patients suffering from traumatic levels of grief by describing her experiences as a patient, a therapist, and a consultant to the design firm that partnered with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Using Aristotle'sOn Poeticsas an inspiration, this article explores the ways dialogical storytelling creates a therapeutic “action‐plot” that transforms reversals of fortune. Attending to patients’ first‐person phenomenological experience (without attributing cause), therapists help them transform their losses by listening to their stories. Therapists dwell with them in uncertainties while marking time in regularly scheduled meetings; they accompany their patients on a journey while also orienting to their modes of travel. They simultaneously co‐construct tales of the journey, attentive to the poetic dimensions of sight, sound, and space that they encounter. In so doing, therapists serve not just guides and judges, but artists, bringing meanings to the trail.
Rainfall variability over Malawi during the late 19th century
Authors: Nash David J. , Pribyl Kathleen , Endfield Georgina H. , Klein Jørgen , Adamson George C. D. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTEstablishing long‐term records of rainfall variability is essential for understanding changes in the magnitude and frequency of extreme events. The need is particularly pressing for much of Africa, where the instrumental meteorological record rarely stretches back beyond the early 20th century. This study extends the rainfall record for present‐day Malawi back to the mid‐19th century through the analysis of historical documentary materials from British and African archives. Textual evidence within documents is used to construct a semi‐quantitative chronology of rainfall variability spanning the period 1858–1900. Widespread and severe droughts are identified during the austral summer rainy seasons of 1861–1863, 1877–1879, 1885–1888, and 1892–1894, and two unusually wet periods in 1889–1892 and 1894–1898. Instrumental rainfall data from Cape Maclear, Bandawe, and Kaningina spanning the period 1876–1880 – the earliest so far discovered for Malawi – are compared with nearby long‐term records from the Global Historical Climatology Network database. These analyses confirm the classifications for the equivalent years in the semi‐quantitative chronology. The results of this study are considered alongside other annually resolved rainfall reconstructions for the southern African summer rainfall zone to assess the spatial extent of late 19th century drought and wetter episodes and to explore the distribution of teleconnections arising from historical El Niño events. The very strong 1877 El Niño event was associated with drought from northern Malawi to the Eastern Cape. In contrast, drier conditions during the strong 1885 El Niño extended from Malawi as far south as the southern Kalahari, with Lesotho and KwaZulu‐Natal experiencing relatively wet conditions. The very strong 1891 El Niño was associated with very wet conditions from Malawi to KwaZulu‐Natal. In contrast, wetter conditions only extended as far south as Zimbabwe following the moderate 1896 El Niño. The study concludes with suggestions on how to extend historical climate information for the region.
Characteristics of climate change and its relationship with land use/cover change in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Shi Haiyun , Chen Ji 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis study analysed the characteristics of climate change (including temporal trend and spatial distribution of temperature and precipitation) in Yunnan Province, China during 1961–2011 based on the observed data from 22 meteorological stations, and its relationship with land use/cover change (LUCC) was also discussed. The results showed that: (1) Significant increasing trend in temperature was observed at the annual scale, especially for the period 1987–2011. At the seasonal scale, such trend was the most prominent in winter. (2) Temporally, the annual precipitation showed a non‐significant decreasing trend, which was dominant by the rainy season; spatially, the annual precipitation showed the east‐to‐west and north‐to‐south increasing trends over this region. (3) This study analysed the impacts of elevation and geographical location on climate change patterns, and the statistical equations to estimate the annual temperature and precipitation as well as their changing rates were established based on longitude, latitude and elevation. (4) Through analysing the relationship between climate change and the LUCC, the correlation between the LUCC and temperature was stronger than that between the LUCC and precipitation. The results would be valuable for researchers and managers to better understand the characteristics of climate change as well as its relationship with the LUCC and to make better decisions in future.
Dynamic monitoring of soil erosion in the upper Minjiang catchment using an improved soil loss equation based on remote sensing and geographic information system
Authors: Guo Bing , Yang Guang , Zhang Feifei , Han Fang , Liu Chenggang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe upper Minjiang catchment has suffered intensive soil erosion due to frequent geologic hazards and its fragile ecosystem zone with steep slopes. This study fully considers the topographic features and surface cover and introduces improved methods of K, LS, and C to establish a soil loss equation for the upper Minjiang catchment based on remote sensing and geographic information system. Spatial–temporal change patterns of soil erosion intensity and its driving mechanisms are then analyzed and discussed. Results show that (a) the soil erosion modulus of the upper Minjiang catchment for 2005 and 2015 were 1,577.29 t km−2 a−1 and 1,619.77 t km−2 a−1, both of which belong to a level of mild erosion. The slight and mild erosion zones covered the largest area and were widely distributed in the northern part of the study area, whereas zones of intensive and severe erosion were mostly concentrated in Wenchuan County and the lower reaches of the Heishui and Zagunao Rivers. (b) During 2005–2015, changes in erosion intensity showed a trend of “overall stability, local deterioration.” Zones of mild, moderate, and intensive increase were mainly concentrated in the Longmen Mountain Fault Zone, such as southern Maoxian and western Wenchuan Counties. (c) Returning cultivated land to forest and grasslands greatly reduced the erosion intensity and erosion amount, whereas geologic hazards aggravated the soil erosion condition. Zones with a slope of <35° had a positive relationship with soil erosion intensity; these areas are crucial control areas for soil preservation and containing soil loss. In addition, grassland is more effective in conserving soil and water than forestland in the upper Minjiang catchment in areas of steep terrain. These results provide an important reference for estimating soil loss intensity in southwest mountainous regions of China, particularly in the Hengduan Mountains, and greatly contribute to the planning of soil and water conservation.
Treated urban wastewater irrigation effects on bioenergy sorghum biomass, quality, and soil salinity in an arid environment
Authors: Ganjegunte Girisha , Ulery April , Niu Genhua , Wu Yanqi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLand degradation due to elevated salinity and sodicity is a serious problem affecting many irrigated regions of the world. Salinity coupled with freshwater scarcity has forced many farmers in arid regions to abandon agricultural lands. This study evaluated irrigation potential of marginal quality treated urban wastewater to produce bioenergy sorghum on saline soils collected from an abandoned degraded salt affected lands in Texas and New Mexico under greenhouse conditions. Study results indicated that the energy sorghum biomass production and quality under wastewater irrigation were comparable to that irrigated with freshwater on nonsaline soils. Soil salinity especially in the subsurface increased over time under wastewater irrigation compared to that under freshwater irrigation. Soil sodicity (measured by sodium adsorption ratios) increased over time in all water–soil treatment combinations. Sodicity values were higher in treatments that received wastewater irrigation with no addition of calcium to counter sodium. Although sodicity exceeded the threshold value, no impairment in soil permeability was observed. Study results indicated a great potential for marginal quality water irrigation to improve degraded saline land productivity. Further field studies are required to confirm our greenhouse study results and the potential of bioenergy crops especially on saline soils and to highlight treated wastewater as a potential irrigation source.
Magnetically Actuated Rolling of Star‐Shaped Hydrogel Microswimmer
Authors: Hu Narisu , Wang Lefeng , Zhai Wenhe , Sun Mengmeng , Xie Hui , Wu Zhiguang , He Qiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA magnetically powered, star‐shaped poly(vinylalcohol)/alginate (PVA/ALG) hydrogel microswimmer is described as a biodegradable motile vehicle for potential biomedical applications. The star‐shaped microswimmer is fabricated by the addition of a mixture containing PVA, ALG, and magnetic nanoparticles in the optimal ratio into the designed star‐shape silicon pattern and subsequent gelation of the mixture inside the pattern. This hydrogel microswimmer displays efficient and controllable propulsion in biological media under a vertical rotating magnetic field. Such star‐shaped hydrogel microswimmers have excellent biodegradability and mechanical capability and thus show promise in biomedical applications such as drug transport and surgery.
Obesity Impairs Oligopeptide/Amino Acid‐Induced Ghrelin Release and Smooth Muscle Contractions in the Human Proximal Stomach
Authors: Vancleef Laurien , Thijs Theo , Baert Florence , Ceulemans Laurens J. , Canovai Emilio , Wang Qiaoling , Steensels Sandra , Segers Anneleen , Farré Ricard , Pirenne Jacques , Lannoo Matthias , Tack Jan , Depoortere Inge 
Published: January 2018

ScopeThe satiation properties of proteins involve effects on gut peptide release and gastrointestinal motility which may be altered during obesity. This study compares the in vitro response and role of amino acid (AA) taste receptors (TASR) in the effect of AAs and a casein hydrolysate on ghrelin release and smooth muscle (SM) contractions in the proximal gut of lean and obese patients.Methods and resultsBasal ghrelin release, measured from mucosal segments, is maximal in the fundus and decreased distally. Obesity selectively impaires the stimulatory effect of a casein hydrolyaste on ghrelin release in the fundus but does not affect its inhibitory effect in the small intestine (SI). The SM contractions induced by a casein hydrolysate and AAs are stronger in strips from the SI than from the fundus but are reduced in the stomach of obese patients. The region‐dependent expression of AA‐TASRs in the mucosa and SM layer is affected by obesity. Most of the AA‐induced responses are reduced by the umami antagonist, lactisole. l‐Met‐induced responses involve bitter taste receptors.ConclusionRegion‐specific targeting of AA taste receptors on both enteroendocrine and SM cells with specific AA‐enriched diets might be a useful strategy to combat obesity as well as hypomotility disorders.
Fast nonlinear susceptibility inversion with variational regularization
Authors: Milovic Carlos , Bilgic Berkin , Zhao Bo , Acosta‐Cabronero Julio , Tejos Cristian 
Published: January 2018

PurposeQuantitative susceptibility mapping can be performed through the minimization of a function consisting of data fidelity and regularization terms. For data consistency, a Gaussian‐phase noise distribution is often assumed, which breaks down when the signal‐to‐noise ratio is low. A previously proposed alternative is to use a nonlinear data fidelity term, which reduces streaking artifacts, mitigates noise amplification, and results in more accurate susceptibility estimates. We hereby present a novel algorithm that solves the nonlinear functional while achieving computation speeds comparable to those for a linear formulation.MethodsWe developed a nonlinear quantitative susceptibility mapping algorithm (fast nonlinear susceptibility inversion) based on the variable splitting and alternating direction method of multipliers, in which the problem is split into simpler subproblems with closed‐form solutions and a decoupled nonlinear inversion hereby solved with a Newton‐Raphson iterative procedure. Fast nonlinear susceptibility inversion performance was assessed using numerical phantom and in vivo experiments, and was compared against the nonlinear morphology‐enabled dipole inversion method.ResultsFast nonlinear susceptibility inversion achieves similar accuracy to nonlinear morphology‐enabled dipole inversion but with significantly improved computational efficiency.ConclusionThe proposed method enables accurate reconstructions in a fraction of the time required by state‐of‐the‐art quantitative susceptibility mapping methods. Magn Reson Med 80:814–821, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Evaluating Mid‐Upper Arm Circumference Z‐Score as a Determinant of Nutrition Status
Authors: Stephens Karen , Escobar April , Jennison Erika Nicole , Vaughn Lindsey , Sullivan Rhonda , Abdel‐Rahman Susan ,   on behalf of the CMH Nutrition Services Z‐Score Research Team
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundMid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) z‐score, has recently been listed as an independent indicator for pediatric malnutrition. This investigation examined the relationship between MUAC z‐score and the z‐scores for conventional indicators (ie, weight‐for‐length and body mass index) to expand the available evidence for nutrition classification z‐score threshold ranges in U.S. practice settings.MethodsThis was a single‐center study of children through 18 years of age seen between October 2015 and September 2016. Height and weight were obtained on intake. MUAC was measured at midpoint of the humerus, between the acromion and olecranon. Age‐specific and gender‐specific z‐score values were calculated using published λ, μ, and σ values derived from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference data. Nutrition status was determined from biochemical data; prior history; anthropometrics; weight gain velocity; weight loss, if present; and nutrient intake.Results5,004 children (7.5 ± 5.7 years, 53% boys) were evaluated. As expected, MUAC z‐scores were significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.789, P < .01) and weight‐for‐length (r = 0.638, P < .01) z‐scores. There was a large degree of overlap in z‐scores for all indicators between nutrition status groups; however, MUAC z‐scores spanned a narrower range of values such that mean MUAC z‐scores are lower in children classified as overweight/obese and higher in children who were severely malnourished than the corresponding body mass index or weight‐for‐length z‐scores.ConclusionThese data are the first to suggest that the z‐score ranges used to define various stages of malnutrition may not be the same for all indicators.
Chronic Critical Illness: Application of What We Know
Authors: Rosenthal Martin D. , Kamel Amir Y. , Rosenthal Cameron M. , Brakenridge Scott , Croft Chasen A. , Moore Frederick A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOver the last decade, chronic critical illness (CCI) has emerged as an epidemic in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors worldwide. Advances in ICU technology and implementation of evidence‐based care bundles have significantly decreased early deaths and have allowed patients to survive previously lethal multiple organ failure (MOF). Many MOF survivors, however, experience a persistent dysregulated immune response that is causing an increasingly predominant clinical phenotype called the persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS). The elderly are especially vulnerable; thus, as the population ages the prevalence of this CCI/PICS clinical trajectory will undoubtedly grow. Unfortunately, there are no proven therapies to prevent PICS, and multimodality interventions will be required. The purpose of this review is to: (1) discuss CCI as it relates to PICS, (2) identify the burden on healthcare and poor outcomes of these patients, and (3) describe possible nutrition interventions for the CCI/PICS phenotype.
Using hydrogen‐doped In2O3 films as a transparent back contact in (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Keller Jan , Shariati Nilsson Nina , Aijaz Asim , Riekehr Lars , Kubart Tomas , Edoff Marika , Törndahl Tobias 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study evaluates the potential of hydrogen‐doped In2O3 (IOH) as a transparent back contact material in (Agy,Cu1‐y)(In1‐x,Gax)Se2 solar cells. It is found that the presence of Na promotes the creation of Ga2O3 at the back contact during (Agy,Cu1‐y)(In1‐x,Gax)Se2 growth. An excessive Ga2O3 formation results in a Ga depletion, which extends deep into the absorber layer. Consequently, the beneficial back surface field is removed and a detrimental reversed electrical field establishes. However, for more moderate Ga2O3 amounts (obtained with reduced Na supply), the back surface field can be preserved. Characterization of corresponding solar cells suggests the presence of an ohmic back contact, even at absorber deposition temperatures of 550°C. The best solar cell with an IOH back contact shows a fill factor of 74% and an efficiency (η) of 16.1% (without antireflection coating). The results indicate that Ga2O3 does not necessarily act as a transport barrier in the investigated system. Observed losses in open circuit voltage (VOC) as compared to reference samples with a Mo back contact are ascribed to a lower Na concentration in the absorber layer.