bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonality constraints to livestock grazing intensity
Authors: Fetzel Tamara , Havlik Petr , Herrero Mario , Erb Karl‐Heinz 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIncreasing food production is essential to meet the future food demand of a growing world population. In light of pressing sustainability challenges such as climate change and the importance of the global livestock system for food security as well asGHGemissions, finding ways to increasing food production sustainably and without increasing competition for food crops is essential. Yet, many unknowns relate to livestock grazing, in particular grazing intensity, an essential variable to assess the sustainability of livestock systems. Here, we explore ecological limits to grazing intensity (GI; i.e. the fraction of net primary production consumed by grazing animals) by analysing the role of seasonality in natural grasslands. We estimate seasonal limitations toGIby combining monthly net primary production data and a map of global livestock distribution with assumptions on the length of nonfavourable periods that can be bridged by livestock (e.g. by browsing dead standing biomass, storage systems or biomass conservation). This allows us to derive a seasonality‐limited potentialGI, which we compare with theGIprevailing in 2000. We find thatGIin 2000 lies below its potential on 39% of the total global natural grasslands, which has a potential for increasing biomass extraction of up to 181 MtC/yr. In contrast, on 61% of the areaGIexceeds the potential, made possible by management. Mobilizing this potential could increase milk production by 5%, meat production by 4% or contribute to free up to 2.8 Mio km² of grassland area at the global scale if the numerous socio‐ecological constraints can be overcome. We discuss socio‐ecological trade‐offs, which may reduce the estimated potential considerably and require the establishment of sound monitoring systems and an improved understanding of livestock system's role in the Earth system.
Grassland gross carbon dioxide uptake based on an improved model tree ensemble approach considering human interventions: global estimation and covariation with climate
Authors: Liang Wei , Lü Yihe , Zhang Weibin , Li Shuai , Jin Zhao , Ciais Philippe , Fu Bojie , Wang Shuai , Yan Jianwu , Li Junyi , Su Huimin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGrassland ecosystems act as a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and provide vital ecosystem services for many species. However, these low‐productivity and water‐limited ecosystems are sensitive and vulnerable to climate perturbations and human intervention, the latter of which is often not considered due to lack of spatial information regarding the grassland management. Here by the application of a model tree ensemble (MTE‐GRASS) trained on local eddy covariance data and using as predictors gridded climate and management intensity field (grazing and cutting), we first provide an estimate of global grassland gross primary production (GPP). GPP from our study compares well (modeling efficiency NSE = 0.85 spatial; NSE between 0.69 and 0.94 interannual) with that from flux measurement. Global grassland GPP was on average 11 ± 0.31 Pg C yr−1 and exhibited significantly increasing trend at both annual and seasonal scales, with an annual increase of 0.023 Pg C (0.2%) from 1982 to 2011. Meanwhile, we found that at both annual and seasonal scale, the trend (except for northern summer) and interannual variability of the GPP are primarily driven by arid/semiarid ecosystems, the latter of which is due to the larger variation in precipitation. Grasslands in arid/semiarid regions have a stronger (33 g C m−2 yr−1/100 mm) and faster (0‐ to 1‐month time lag) response to precipitation than those in other regions. Although globally spatial gradients (71%) and interannual changes (51%) in GPP were mainly driven by precipitation, where most regions with arid/semiarid climate zone, temperature and radiation together shared half of GPP variability, which is mainly distributed in the high‐latitude or cold regions. Our findings and the results of other studies suggest the overwhelming importance of arid/semiarid regions as a control on grassland ecosystems carbon cycle. Similarly, under the projected future climate change, grassland ecosystems in these regions will be potentially greatly influenced.
A Spatially Periodic Solute Boundary for MT3DMS and PHT3D
Authors: Laattoe Tariq , Post Vincent E. A. , Werner Adrian D. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe assumption of spatial repetition is commonly made when producing bedform scale models of the hyporheic zone. Two popular solute transport codes, MT3DMS and PHT3D, do not currently provide the necessary boundary condition required to simulate spatial periodicity in hyporheic zone transport problems. In this study, we develop a spatially periodic boundary (SPB) for solutes that is compatible with a SPB that was previously developed for MODFLOW to simulate the flow component of spatially periodic problems. The approach is ideal for simulating groundwater flow and transport patterns under repeating surface features, such as ripples or dunes on the bottom of a lake or stream. The appropriate block‐centered finite‐difference approach to implement the boundary is presented and the necessary source code modifications are discussed. The performance of the solute SPB, operating in conjunction with the groundwater flow SPB, is explored through comparison of a multi‐bedform hyporheic‐zone model with a single bedform variant. The new boundary conditions perform well in situations where both dispersive effects and lateral seepage flux in the underflow regime beneath the hyporheic zone are minimal.
Offending Characteristics of Male Ex‐Armed Forces Personnel in Prison
Authors: WAINWRIGHT VERITY , LENNOX CHARLOTTE , MCDONNELL SHARON , SHAW JENNY , SENIOR JANE 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEx‐armed forces represent the largest occupational subset of offenders in prison in England yet we know little about their offending behaviour. One‐hundred‐and‐five veterans in prison were interviewed and their offending histories reviewed. Most were serving their first custodial sentence, predominantly for violent and sexual crimes and had previous convictions recorded: a number had offended before their service. High levels of alcohol misuse and pre‐service adversity were found. There were significant differences between offence types: violent offenders were more likely than sexual or other offenders to have offended before service. Findings suggest that interventions should focus on violent behaviour and alcohol misuse.
Rape Politics, Policies and Practice: Exploring the Tensions and Unanticipated Consequences of Well‐Intended Victim‐Focused Measures
Authors: CARLINE ANNA , GUNBY CLARE 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe inability of the criminal justice system to respond effectively to rape has led to numerous law and policy reforms in England and Wales. Nevertheless, difficulties remain, with problems often linked to the impact of rape myths and implementation failure. This article, however, adopts a different lens through which to explore the ongoing challenges faced by rape complainants. Drawing on interviews with 14 barristers in the north‐west of England, the article asks: how have rape law and policy reforms impacted practice for this group of practitioners? The findings highlight that numerous tensions emerged from these reforms. In particular, measures that were perceived to be politically driven and well intended were often perceived to generate unanticipated negative consequences for complainants, as opposed to improving their experience. In concluding, we emphasise the importance of a close working practice between the policy maker and practitioner, in order to institute more effective responses.
Wetting and interfacial phenomena of Ni‐Ta alloys on CVD‐SiC
Authors: Valenza Fabrizio , Gambaro Sofia , Muolo Maria Luigia , Cacciamani Gabriele , Tatarko Peter , Saunders Theo Graves , Reece Mike J. , Schmidt Andreas , Schubert Thomas , Weißgärber Thomas , Passerone Alberto 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWhen designing high‐temperature brazing processes for ceramic materials, the interfacial phenomena between the liquid media and the adjoining surfaces must be known to design reliable joints. In order to assess the feasibility of using Ta‐containing alloys for high‐temperature brazing of SiC‐based composites, the wetting of molten Ni‐Ta alloys on ultra‐pure chemical vapor deposited (CVD) SiC substrates has been investigated using the sessile drop technique. For all of the compositions and experimental conditions, good wetting was observed with fast spreading. The interfacial behavior is determined by the competition between the typical interfacial phenomena of the pure elements; specifically, either the dissolution of the ceramic phase by Ni or the formation of a new interfacial layer, TaC, by reaction between Ta and CVD‐SiC, which prevails depends on the relative amount of the single element in the alloy.
Understanding ‘change’ through spatial thinking using Google Earth in secondary geography
Authors: Xiang X. , Liu Y. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractUnderstanding geographic changes has become an indispensable element in geography education. Describing and analyzing changes in space require spatial thinking skills emphasized in geography curriculum but often pose challenges for secondary school students. This school‐based research targets a specific strand of spatial thinking skills and investigates whether students using geospatial technology, such as Google Earth, are able to develop their thinking about spatio‐temporal changes. An experiment was conducted in a Singaporean secondary school in which skill development was framed within the formal geography curriculum. It compared the effectiveness of two pedagogical approaches: learning with Google Earth versus traditional instruction without the use of such a technology. Findings indicate that the use of Google Earth significantly increased students' ability to identify spatial and temporal changes and analyse these changes. Qualitative data complemented the results by showing that Google Earth could offer students more opportunities to observe and infer changes, thus facilitating their understanding about the dynamic and the complex nature of changes.Lay DescriptionWhat is already known about this topic:

The advantages of Google Earth utilized as a learning tool over traditional teaching means are obvious regarding building up skills in spatial thinking.
Many studies have suggested that incorporating Google Earth into the classroom could help facilitate spatial thinking from the perspective of curriculum design and implementation.
What this paper adds:

Empirical evidence on the learning effects of using Google Earth in secondary geography education on students' spatial and temporal skills and higher order thinking is provided.
Three factors that potentially influence the effects of utilizing geospatial technologies on developing spatial thinking are highlighted.
The roles Google Earth plays to assist the development of students' spatial and temporal thinking are identified.
Implications for practice and policy:

Our findings support the policy to include geospatial technologies as an integral part of school curriculum for effective teaching and learning of spatial thinking.
Teachers should be encouraged to incorporate geospatial technologies in classroom to promote spatial skills and higher order thinking.
Improvement of the technology‐based learning environment may benefit from considering students' prior knowledge on spatial concepts, the sequence of introducing spatial skills, the type of spatial stimulus used and the depth of technology‐based learning activities.
Prospective multicentre cohort study on 9154 surgical procedures to assess the risk of postoperative bleeding – a DESSI study
Authors: Koenen W. , Kunte C. , Hartmann D. , Breuninger H. , Moehrle M. , Bechara F.G. , Schulze H.J. , Lösler A. , Löser C.R. , Wetzig T. , Pappai D. , Rapprich S. , Weiß C. , Faulhaber J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo date, there is still a debate how to deal with patients receiving antithrombotic agents prior to surgical procedures on the skin.ObjectiveTo prospectively assess complications after dermatosurgical interventions, especially bleeding, depending on anticoagulation therapy.MethodsPatients underwent surgery consecutively as scheduled, without randomization, whether or not they were currently taking anticoagulants. Nine institutions of the DESSI (DErmatoSurgical Study Initiative) working group documented patient data prospectively on a standardized study sheet prior to and after 9154 dermatosurgical interventions.ResultsBleeding complications were observed in 7.14% of cases (654/9154 surgeries). A severe bleed requiring intervention by a physician occurred in 83 surgeries (0.91%). In multivariate analysis, INR, length of the defect, perioperative antibiotic treatment, current treatment with anticoagulation therapy, age and surgery on hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS/AI) were significant parameters independently influencing the risk of bleeding. Discontinuation of phenprocoumon therapy and subsequent switching to low molecular weight heparin was associated with the highest risk of bleeding (9.26%).ConclusionBleeding complications in skin surgery are generally rare. Even if slightly increased complication rates are found in patients taking anticoagulants during skin surgery, platelet inhibitors should not be stopped prior to surgery. If a surgical procedure in patients on a combination therapy of 2 or more antiplatelet cannot be postponed, it should be conducted with the patient remaining on combination therapy. Discontinuation of DOACs is recommended 24 h prior to surgery. Bridging of phenprocoumon should be terminated. In patients with a bleeding history, the INR value should be within the therapeutic range.
A nomogram based on preoperative inflammatory markers predicting the overall survival of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Jie , Shi Ke‐Qing , Chen Bi‐Cheng , Huang Zhi‐Peng , Lu Fei‐Yu , Zhou Meng‐Tao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground and AimsDeveloping a preoperative prediction model for estimating the risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients before pancreaticoduodenectomy is a difficult task. The purpose of current study was to develop a prognostic nomogram based on inflammatory markers for PDAC patients.MethodsCox regression analysis was performed to calculate the overall survival (OS) and assess the prognostic factors based on 265 PDAC patients undergone surgery. The nomogram was built to estimate the probability of 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year OS. The predictive accuracy of nomogram was determined by concordance index, calibration curve, and time dependent receiver operating characteristics.ResultsIn multivariable Cox analysis, vascular invasion, Tumor Grade, TNM stage, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, and albumin/globulin ratio were significantly associated with OS, which were all assembled into nomogram. The calibration curves for probability of survival showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The concordance index for 1‐year, 3‐year and 5‐year OS prediction were 0.860 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.837–0.885), 0.837 (95%CI: 0.819–0.856), and 0.809 (95%CI: 0.787–0.829), respectively. The area under time dependent receiver operating characteristics curve of 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year OS prediction were 0.938 (95%CI: 0.886–0.989), 0.844 (95%CI: 0.782–0.906), and 0.884 (95%CI: 0.792–0.976), suggesting high discriminative ability of nomogram. It allowed significant distinction survival outcomes by grouping the patients evenly into three subgroups after sorting by total points.ConclusionsBased on clinicopathology characteristics and inflammatory markers, we developed a nomogram providing an individualized risk estimate for PDAC patients.
Entity Normalization in Life Cycle Assessment: Hybrid Schemes Applied to a Transportation Agency Case Study
Authors: Langfitt Quinn , Haselbach Liv 
Published: December 2016

SummaryGovernment agencies, companies, and other entities are using environmental assessments, like life cycle assessment (LCA), as an input to decision‐making processes. Communicating the esoteric results of an LCA to these decision makers can present challenges, and interpretation aids are commonly provided to increase understanding. One such method is normalizing results as a means of providing context for interpreting magnitudes of environmental impacts. Normalization is mostly carried out by relating the environmental impacts of a product (or process) under study to those of another product or a spatial reference area (e.g., the United States). This research is based on the idea that decision makers might also benefit from normalization that considers comparisons to their entity's (agency, company, organization, etc.) total impacts to provide additional meaning and aid in comprehension. Two hybrid normalization schemes have been developed, which include aspects of normalization to both spatially based and entity‐based impacts. These have been named entity‐overlaid and entity‐accentuated normalization, and the schemes allow for performance‐based planning or emphasizing environmental impact types that are most relevant to an entity's operational profile, respectively. A hypothetical case study is presented to demonstrate these schemes, which uses environmental data from a U.S. transportation agency as the basis for entity normalization factors. Results of this case study illustrate how entity‐related references may be developed, and how this additional information may enhance the presentation of LCA results using the hybrid normalization schemes.
Vagal nerve stimulation modifies neuronal activity and the proteome of excitatory synapses of amygdala/piriform cortex
Authors: Alexander Georgia M. , Huang Yang Zhong , Soderblom Erik J. , He Xiao‐Ping , Moseley M. Arthur , McNamara James O. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractVagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy® is a United States Food and Drug Administration approved neurotherapeutic for medically refractory partial epilepsy and treatment‐resistant depression. The molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are unclear. We hypothesized that one mechanism involves neuronal activity‐dependent modifications of central nervous system excitatory synapses. To begin to test this hypothesis, we asked whether VNS modifies the activity of neurons in amygdala and hippocampus. Neuronal recordings from adult, freely moving rats revealed that activity in both amygdala and hippocampus was modified by VNS immediately after its application, and changes were detected following 1 week of stimulation. To investigate whether VNS modifies the proteome of excitatory synapses, we established a label‐free, quantitative liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry workflow that enables global analysis of the constituents of the postsynaptic density (PSD) proteome. PSD proteins were biochemically purified from amygdala/piriform cortex of VNS‐ or dummy‐treated rats following 1‐week stimulation, and individual PSD protein levels were quantified by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We identified 1899 unique peptides corresponding to 425 proteins in PSD fractions, of which expression levels of 22 proteins were differentially regulated by VNS with changes greater than 150%. Changes in a subset of these proteins, including significantly increased expression of neurexin‐1α, cadherin 13 and voltage‐dependent calcium channel α2δ1, the primary target of the antiepileptic drug gabapentin, and decreased expression of voltage‐dependent calcium channel γ3, were confirmed by western blot analysis of PSD samples. These results demonstrate that VNS modulates excitatory synapses through regulating a subset of the PSD proteome. Our study reveals molecular targets of VNS and point to possible mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects, including activity‐dependent formation of excitatory synapses.
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Dehydroepiandrosterone Heightens Aggression and Increases Androgen Receptor and Aromatase mRNA Expression in the Brain of a Male Songbird
Authors: Wacker D. W. , Khalaj S. , Jones L. J. , Champion T. L. , Davis J. E. , Meddle S. L. , Wingfield J. C. 
Published: December 2016

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a testosterone/oestrogen precursor and known modulator of vertebrate aggression. Male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia morphna) show high aggression during breeding and nonbreeding life‐history stages when circulating DHEA levels are high, and low aggression during molt when DHEA levels are low. We previously showed that androgen receptor and aromatase mRNA expression are higher during breeding and/or nonbreeding in brain regions associated with reproductive and aggressive behaviour, although the potential role of DHEA in mediating these seasonal changes remained unclear. In the present study, nonbreeding male song sparrows were captured and held in the laboratory under short days (8 : 16 h light/dark cycle) and implanted with s.c. DHEA‐filled or empty (control) implants for 14 days. DHEA implants increased aggression in a laboratory‐based simulated territorial intrusion. Brains of DHEA‐implanted birds showed higher aromatase mRNA expression in the preoptic area (POA) and higher androgen receptor mRNA expression in the periventricular nucleus of the medial striatum (pvMSt) and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. The DHEA‐induced increases in aromatase expression in the POA and androgen receptor expression in the pvMSt are consistent with previously reported seasonal increases in these markers associated with naturally elevated DHEA levels. This suggests that DHEA facilitates seasonal increases in aggression in nonbreeding male song sparrows by up‐regulating steroid signalling/synthesis machinery in a brain region‐specific fashion.