bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating canopy transpiration and water use of two typical planted tree species in the dryland Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhang Handan , Wei Wei , Chen Liding , Yang Lei 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLarge‐scale vegetation restoration has been conducted in China's Loess Plateau over the past several decades to control soil and water loss. However, these efforts have not followed any specific guidelines to select plant species that balance the twin goals of vegetation restoration and water demand. In the present study, we measured canopy transpiration characteristics of oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis), two species that are commonly planted in restoration efforts, and recorded water input and output for these two species during the growing season. P. tabulaeformis had a higher tolerance than P. orientalis to warmer and drier environments and used water over a wider time span. Canopy transpiration significantly increased when rainfall exceeded 15 mm and was negatively correlated with net change of soil water content. Meanwhile, rainless intervals also affected canopy transpiration recovery. Canopy transpiration of P. tabulaeformis was 25.4% higher than that of P. orientalis. Soil water content under P. orientalis declined by 28.4% after the growing season, while it slightly increased under P. tabulaeformis (0.7%). Our results suggested that although P. tabulaeformis plantation had higher canopy transpiration, this water use did not drastically reduce soil water content, mainly due to the lower evaporation caused by the dense canopy cover. However, the low soil water content also implied that a better management, such as a mixed plantation of these two species and other supplemental water‐conservation techniques, should be considered to better use water in this semiarid region.
Plant size affects mutualistic and antagonistic interactions and reproductive success across 21 Brassicaceae species
Authors: Schlinkert Hella , Westphal Catrin , Clough Yann , Grass Ingo , Helmerichs Juliane , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPlant size has been hypothesized to be a major driver of biotic interactions. However, it is little understood how plant size affects plant mutualists vs. antagonists and the plant's resulting reproductive success. We established a common garden experiment covering an interspecific plant size gradient (from 10 to 130 cm height) across 21 annual Brassicaceae species, thereby standardizing features of habitat and surrounding landscape. We assessed flower‐visiting pollinators and florivores (pollen beetle adults and larvae) and the resulting effects of all these flower‐visiting insects on plant reproductive success. Besides flower characteristics (size, abundance, color), plant size had a generally positive effect on abundance and species richness of pollinators as well as on abundance of pollen beetle adults and larvae. Pollen beetles reduced seed number as well as thousand‐seed weight, whereas pollinators increased seed number only. Overall, increasing plant size led to less thousand‐seed weight but had no effect on seed number, indicating counterbalancing effects of herbivory and pollination. In conclusion, seed number of large plant species should benefit from locations with many pollinators and few herbivores and small plant species' seed number from locations with few pollinators and many herbivores.
Evaluating the influence of anthropogenic landscape change on wolf distribution: implications for woodland caribou
Authors: Ehlers Libby P. W. , Johnson Chris J. , Seip Dale R. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAcross much of the range of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), predator–prey dynamics have changed as a result of large‐scale industrial development. Land clearing and associated early‐successional forests have resulted in a greater density and distribution of moose (Alces alces), deer (Odocoileusspp.), and their associated predators. This process of apparent competition has resulted in increased predation on woodland caribou. We employed a combination of field and statistical methods to better understand the distribution and interactions of wolves (Canis lupus) and caribou across a region with high levels of industrial development. We used count models to investigate the frequency of wolf occurrence relative to landcover types, disturbance features, and caribou habitat. As predicted, the co‐occurrence between caribou and wolves was rare. Similarly, the remains of caribou were identified at a small proportion of the sites where wolves killed large prey. Caribou occurred at low densities across the study area, and thus, wolves likely pursued other more abundant deer species. Encounters between wolves and caribou habitat was most likely to occur in the low‐elevation boreal forest and areas closer to and with higher densities of forestry cutblocks. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the spatial dynamics of multi‐species interactions when developing recovery strategies for threatened and endangered species.
Can functional traits predict plant community response to global change?
Authors: Kimball Sarah , Funk Jennifer L. , Spasojevic Marko J. , Suding Katharine N. , Parker Scot , Goulden Michael L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractOne primary goal at the intersection of community ecology and global change biology is to identify functional traits that are useful for predicting plant community response to global change. We used observations of community composition from a long‐term field experiment in two adjacent plant communities (grassland and coastal sage shrub) to investigate how nine key plant functional traits were related to altered water and nitrogen availability following fire. We asked whether the functional responses of species found in more than one community type were context dependent and whether community‐weighted mean and functional diversity were significantly altered by water and nitrogen input. Our results suggest varying degrees of context dependency. We found that plants with high leaf nitrogen concentration (specifically nitrogen fixers), shallow roots, and low leaf mass per unit area and plant‐level transpiration were similarly negatively influenced by added nitrogen across community types. In contrast, responses to water manipulations exhibited greater context dependency; plants with high water‐use efficiency, lower plant‐level transpiration rates, and shallower roots were negatively impacted by simulated drought in the shrub‐dominated community, but there was no significant relationship between these traits and changes in water inputs in the grassland community. Similarly, we found context dependency in community‐wide trait responses to global change. Functional diversity tended to be higher in plots with reduced water as compared to those with added water in grassland, while the opposite trend was observed in coastal sage scrub. Our results indicate that some traits are strong predictors of species and community response to altered water and nitrogen availability, but the magnitude and direction of the response may be modulated by the abiotic and biotic context.
Heart failure in haemoglobinopathies: pathophysiology, clinical phenotypes, and management
Authors: Farmakis Dimitrios , Triposkiadis Filippos , Lekakis John , Parissis John 
Published: December 2016

AbstractHereditary haemoglobinopathies, mainly beta‐thalassemia and sickle cell disease, constitute the most common monogenic disorders in humans, and although once geographically confined, they are currently globally distributed. They are demanding clinical entities that require multidisciplinary medical management. Despite their genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity, the haemoglobinopathies share several similarities in pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, therapeutic requirements, and complications, among which heart failure (HF) represents a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. However, haemoglobinopathies have generally been addressed in a rather fragmentary manner. A unifying approach focusing on the underlying similarities of HF attributes in the two main entities might contribute to their better understanding, characterization, and management. In the present review, we attempt such an approach to the pathophysiology, clinical phenotypes, and management of HF in haemoglobinopathies.
Rump and shoulder muscles from grass and linseed fed cattle as important sources of n‐3 fatty acids for beef consumers
Authors: Kronberg Scott L. , Scholljegerdes Eric J. , Maddock Robert J. , Barceló‐Coblijn Gwendolyn , Murphy Eric J. 
Published: December 2016

Ground beef has potential to be a relatively inexpensive and sustainable source of n‐3 fatty acids (FA) for people who frequently consume it, but don't consume n‐3 containing fish. To enhance n‐3 FA content in ground beef, we evaluated FA content in pertinent muscles from grass‐fed cattle that were supplemented with flaxseed for 75 days before slaughter and compared them with loin muscle from these cattle. Lipids from rump (m. biceps femoris), shoulder (m. triceps brachii), and loin (m. longissimus dorsi) were separated into neutral and phospholipids and FA mass determined using gas liquid chromatography. In phospholipids, concentration of α‐linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n‐3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n‐3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3) were higher in shoulder and rump compared to loin (p < 0.0001). Compared to shoulder, FA concentration was higher in the rump (p < 0.0001) except for DPA (p = 0.53). ALA, EPA, DPA, and DHA were increased between 1.5‐ and 1.8‐fold in the rump and 1.3‐ and 1.5‐fold in the shoulder compared to loin, respectively. Lean ground beef made with rump and shoulder muscles from grass‐fed cattle supplemented with flaxseed has potential to be a source of dietary n‐3 FA for many people.Practical applications: Frequently consumed foods containing n‐3 FA may help reduce chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease when consumed early in life. Given that many people do not consume recommended amounts of n‐3 containing fish, foods they do consume frequently, such as ground beef, should be evaluated as potential useful sources of n‐3 FA. Muscles from the rump and shoulder of cattle that are raised on a grass‐based diet with flaxseed supplementation have potential to provide more n‐3 FA to ground beef consumers than is generally appreciated.Compared to bovine loin muscle, bovine shoulder and rump muscles tend to have higher concentrations of alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n‐3) and the long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n‐3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3). This is healthful for many people in that shoulder and rump muscles are less expensive beef which is eaten by millions of people as ground/minced beef in foods such as hamburgers, tacos, and empanadas; thus, providing a practical source of omega‐3 fatty acids for people who seldom eat expensive sources such as salmon and tuna.
Carbon Dioxide Absorption using Solid Sorbents Incorporating Purified Components of Tetraethylenepentamine
Authors: Numaguchi Ryohei , Chowdhury Firoz A. , Yamada Hidetaka , Yogo Katsunori 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) components are separated by fractional distillation, and the structure of each fraction is established using spectroscopic methods. Then, solid sorbents incorporating these components are prepared, and the capacities and rates of CO2 absorption of the sorbents are evaluated to elucidate how the molecular structure affects the absorption performance.
Experimental study of deformable connection consisting of buckling‐restrained brace and rubber bearings to connect floor system to lateral force resisting system
Authors: Tsampras Georgios , Sause Richard , Fleischman Robert B. , Restrepo Jose I. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryThis paper presents experimental and numerical studies of a full‐scale deformable connection used to connect the floor system of the flexible gravity load resisting system to the stiff lateral force resisting system (LFRS) of an earthquake‐resistant building. The purpose of the deformable connection is to limit the earthquake‐induced horizontal inertia force transferred from the floor system to the LFRS and, thereby, to reduce the horizontal floor accelerations and the forces in the LFRS. The deformable connection that was studied consists of a buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) and steel‐reinforced laminated low‐damping rubber bearings (RB).The test results show that the force–deformation responses of the connection are stable, and the dynamic force responses are larger than the quasi‐static force responses. The BRB+RB force–deformation response depends mainly on the BRB response. A detailed discussion of the BRB experimental force–deformation response is presented. The experimental results show that the maximum plastic deformation range controls the isotropic hardening of the BRB. The hardened BRB force–deformation responses are used to calculate the overstrength adjustment factors. Details and limitations of a validated, accurate model for the connection force–deformation response are presented. Numerical simulation results for a 12‐story reinforced concrete wall building with deformable connections show the effects of including the RB in the deformable connection and the effect of modeling the BRB isotropic hardening on the building seismic response. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐method (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th) age bracketing of the Tschirgant rock avalanche (Eastern Alps): implications for absolute dating of catastrophic mass‐wasting
Authors: Ostermann Marc , Ivy‐Ochs Susan , Sanders Diethard , Prager Christoph 
Published: December 2016

AbstractCorrect and precise age determination of prehistorical catastrophic rock‐slope failures prerequisites any hypotheses relating this type of mass wasting to past climatic regimes or palaeo‐seismic records. Despite good exposure, easy accessibility and a long tradition of absolute dating, the age of the 230 million m3 carbonate‐lithic Tschirgant rock avalanche event of the Eastern Alps (Austria) still is relatively poorly constrained. We herein review the age of mass‐wasting based on a total of 17 absolute ages produced with three different methods (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th). Chlorine‐36 (36Cl) cosmogenic surface exposure dating of five boulders of the rock avalanche deposit indicates a mean event age of 3.06 ± 0.62 ka. Uranium‐234/thorium‐230 (234U/230Th) dating of soda‐straw stalactites formed in microcaves beneath boulders indicate mean precipitation ages of three individual soda straws at 3.20 ± 0.26 ka, 3.04 ± 0.10 ka and 2.81 ± 0.15 ka; notwithstanding potential internal errors, these ages provide an ‘older‐than’ (ante quam) proxy for mass‐wasting.Based on radiocarbon ages (nine sites) only, it was previously suggested that the present rock avalanche deposit represents two successive failures (3.75 ± 0.19 ka bp, 3.15 ± 0.19 ka bp). There is, however, no evidence for two events neither in surface outcrops nor in LiDAR derived imagery and drill logs. The temporal distribution of all absolute ages (14C, 36Cl, 234U/230Th) also does not necessarily indicate two successive events but suggest that a single catastrophic mass‐wasting took place between 3.4 and 2.4 ka bp. Taking into account the maximum age boundary given by reinterpreted radiocarbon datings and the minimum U/Th‐ages of calcite precipitations within the rock avalanche deposits, a most probable event age of 3.01 ± 0.10 ka bp can be proposed. Our results underscore the difficulty to accurately date catastrophic rock slope failures, but also the potential to increase the accuracy of age determination by combining methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test method for characterising the thermal protective performance of fabrics exposed to flammable liquid fires
Authors: Kemp S.E. , Annaheim S. , Rossi R.M. , Camenzind M.A. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryPeople, such as emergency service and military personnel, require protection from fires involving flammable liquids and liquefiable solids (Class B fires) in a number of situations. Fires involving flammable liquids typically reach higher temperatures sooner when compared to other types of fuel, yet there appears to be little literature that specifically investigates the protective performance of fabrics against such fires. Therefore, a new method was developed to enable the characterisation of the protective performance of fabrics when exposed to flammable liquid fires. Fabric samples were mounted on a sample plate inclined to three different angles of incidence. Known volumes of hydrocarbon fuel were pipetted into a fuel reservoir, ignited, then tipped onto fabric samples. Ten thermocouples embedded in the sample plate measured the resultant change in temperature at the technical rear of the fabric samples throughout the exposure. Significant differences were observed between fabrics for maximum temperature, time to maximum temperature, maximum heat flux, transferred energy and estimated burn risk. Therefore, this new methodology enabled discrimination among fabrics based on the protection they provide. Differences were also observed when the volume of fuel and the angle of incidence varied and, therefore, these device settings must be controlled for repeatable results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomimetic calcium phosphate/polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings for sequential delivery of multiple biological factors
Authors: Jacobs E. E. , Gronowicz G. , Hurley M. M. , Kuhn L.T. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractCombinations of growth factors synergistically enhance tissue regeneration, but typically require sequential, rather than co‐delivery from biomaterials for maximum efficacy. Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings can deliver multiple factors without loss of activity; however, sequential delivery from PEM has been limited due to interlayer diffusion that results in co‐delivery of the factors. This study shows that addition of a biomimetic calcium phosphate (bCaP) barrier layer to a PEM coating effectively prevents interlayer diffusion and enables sequential delivery of two different biomolecules via direct cell access. A simulated body fluid method was used to deposit a layer of bCaP followed by 30 bilayers of PEM made with poly‐l‐Lysine (+) and poly l‐Glutamic acid (−) (bCaP‐PEM). Measurements of MC3T3‐E1 proliferation and viability over time on bCaP‐PEM were used to demonstrate the sequential delivery kinetics of a proliferative factor [fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2)] followed by a cytotoxic factor (antimycin A, AntiA). FGF‐2 and AntiA both retained their bioactivity within bCaP‐PEM, yet no release of FGF‐2 or AntiA from bCaP‐PEM was observed when cells were absent indicating a cell‐mediated, local delivery process. This coating technique is useful for a variety of applications that would benefit from highly localized, sequential delivery of multiple biomolecules governed by cell initiated degradation that avoids off‐target effects associated with diffusion‐based release. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1500–1509, 2017.
IL‐7 and procalcitonin are useful biomarkers in the comprehensive evaluation of the severity of acute cholangitis
Authors: Suwa Yusuke , Matsuyama Ryusei , Goto Koki , Kadokura Toshiaki , Sato Mari , Mori Ryutaro , Kumamoto Takafumi , Taguri Masataka , Miyasho Taku , Endo Itaru 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of biliary tract infection (BTI), especially healthcare‐associated cholangitis, is increasing. However, there are few reports concerning biomarkers of acute cholangitis. We therefore performed an exhaustive investigation of several biomarkers.MethodsWe retrospectively measured 11 cytokines, six chemokines and procalcitonin (PCT), and endotoxin activity assay (EAA) values (IRB: 110512019) of 61 samples with acute cholangitis.ResultThe 28‐day mortality rate was 9.8%. The levels of most cytokines and chemokines were significantly correlated with each other. A low IL‐7 level was found to predict blood culture positivity. Low IL‐7 level was also found to predict disseminated intravascular coagulation. Low IL‐7 levels and a high PCT level were found to be predictors of severe cholangitis. The 28‐day mortality in the group of patients with an IL‐7 level of ≤6.0 and a PCT level of >0.5 was 18.2%. It was significantly higher than in the other group.ConclusionThe combined use of IL‐7 and PCT may be useful for evaluating severe acute cholangitis; these results may suggest that severe acute cholangitis is affected by immunosuppressive changes.
Spatial downscaling of TRMM‐based precipitation data using vegetative response in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Shi Peijun , Singh Vijay P. , Fan Keke , Huang Jiajun 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTStation‐based observed precipitation data are available in a limited way and only at low spatial resolution. High‐resolution satellite rainfall products can help to monitor precipitation changes over large areas. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 3B43 (TRMM 3B43) precipitation data with coarse spatial resolution and low data accuracy are capable of depicting the spatial variability of precipitation, but fail to estimate the accurate magnitude. These data available in Xinjiang, China, need to be evaluated, especially because Xinjiang has a complex terrain and application of such data becomes a challenging task. Based on the relation between precipitation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a proxy for vegetation, a new statistical downscaling algorithm is proposed in this study. The calibration was based on geographical difference analysis (GDA) and the monthly fractions derived from the un‐calibrated TRMM data can be used to disaggregate high‐resolution annual precipitation to high‐resolution monthly precipitation. The accuracy of downscaled TRMM precipitation was evaluated based on station‐based observed precipitation for a period of 1998–2010. Results indicated that: (1) optimal relations shown by R2 between TRMM precipitation and NDVI at different temporal and spatial scales were different: the largest R2 value was 0.69 for the period of 1998–2010 at a spatial resolution of 1.00° × 1.00°, was 0.70 for the dry year (2001 in this study) at a spatial resolution of 0.75° × 0.75°, and was 0.67 for the wet year (2010 in this study) at a spatial resolution of 1.25° × 1.25°; (2) the downscaled TRMM precipitation data obtained using NDVI described spatial patterns of precipitation reasonably well at a spatial resolution of 8 km × 8 km with more detailed information when compared to the raw TRMM precipitation at a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25°; (3) the downscaled TRMM precipitation with GDA calibration, PDSGDA, can exclude the regions with irrigation‐ and/or ground water‐induced vegetation coverage. Therefore, PDSGDA obtained in this study can be regarded as estimated alternative precipitation data across Xinjiang for management of water resources and agricultural irrigation activities.