bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new emphasis on root traits for perennial grass and legume varieties with environmental and ecological benefits
Authors: Marshall Athole H. , Collins Rosemary P. , Humphreys Mike W. , Scullion John 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGrasslands cover a significant proportion of the agricultural land within theUKand across theEU, providing a relatively cheap source of feed for ruminants and supporting the production of meat, wool and milk from grazing animals. Delivering efficient animal production from grassland systems has traditionally been the primary focus of grassland‐based research. But there is increasing recognition of the ecological and environmental benefits of these grassland systems and the importance of the interaction between their component plants and a host of other biological organisms in the soil and in adjoining habitats. Many of the ecological and environmental benefits provided by grasslands emanate from the interactions between the roots of plant species and the soil in which they grow. We review current knowledge on the role of grassland ecosystems in delivering ecological and environmental benefits. We will consider how improved grassland can deliver these benefits, and the potential opportunities for plant breeding to improve specific traits that will enhance these benefits whilst maintaining forage production for livestock consumption. Opportunities for exploiting new plant breeding approaches, including high throughput phenotyping, and for introducing traits from closely related species are discussed.
Integrating ecosystem services into crop protection and pest management: Case study with the soil fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene and its use in tomato production in Italy
Authors: Deacon Samantha , Alix Anne , Knowles Steve , Wheeler James , Tescari Enzo , Alvarez Lara , Nicolette Joseph , Rockel Mark , Burston Peter , Quadri Giorgia 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Ecosystems provide the conditions for producing food, regulating water, and providing wildlife habitats; these, among others, are known as ecosystem services (ESs). Food production is both economically and culturally important to southern European farmers, particularly in Italy where farmers grow flavorsome tomatoes with passion and pride. Growers rely on pesticides for crop protection, the potential environmental impact of which is often questioned by regulators and other stakeholders. The European regulatory system for the approval of pesticides includes a thorough evaluation of risks to the environment and is designed to be protective of ecosystems. The consideration of ESs in environmental decision making is a growing trend, and the present case study provides an example of how ESs evaluation could be used to enhance agricultural practices and regulatory policy for crop protection. By attacking plant roots, nematodes may affect the growth and yield of fruit and vegetable crops, and the income earned by farmers at harvest time. Available solutions include chemical treatments such as 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), physical treatments (solarization), and biological treatments (biofumigation). In order to characterize the risks and benefits associated with the use of 1,3-D in crop protection, ESs and socioeconomic analyses were applied to its use in the control of nematodes in tomato cultivation in southern Italy. The present study confirmed the benefits of 1,3-D to tomato production in Italy, with significant positive effects on production yields and farm income when compared to limited and transient potential impacts on services such as soil function. It was confirmed that 1,3-D allows farm income to be maintained and secures tomato production in these regions for the future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:801–810. © 2016 SETAC
The Evolution of Fe‐catalyzed Nucleophilic Activation of Acceptor‐substituted Vinyl‐ and Arylcyclopropanes
Authors: Lin Che‐Hung , Plietker Bernd 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAcceptor‐substituted vinyl‐ (VCP) and arylcyclopropanes (ACP) are reactive substrates for nucleophilic activation using Bu4N[Fe(CO)3(NO)] (TBA[Fe]). In this account, the application of this catalytic strategy in traceless allylic substitution, [3+2]‐cycloaddition, and Cloke‐Wilson rearrangement will be presented. Additional information, derived from detailed spectroscopic and theoretical investigations, is discussed. These results not only lead to a deeper understanding of the reactivity of the catalyst in VCP and ACP activation, but also set the stage for a new type of catalyst activation using photochemical irradiation at 415 nm.
Sustained presentation of BMP‐2 enhances osteogenic differentiation of human adipose‐derived stem cells in gelatin hydrogels
Authors: Samorezov Julia E. , Headley Emma B. , Everett Christopher R. , Alsberg Eben 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHuman adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) show great potential for healing bone defects. Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) has been reported to stimulate their osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Here, methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogels were evaluated as a system to deliver BMP‐2 to encapsulated hASCs from two different donors, and BMP‐2 delivered from the hydrogels was compared to BMP‐2 presented exogenously in culture media. GelMA hydrogels were shown to provide sustained, localized presentation of BMP‐2 due to electrostatic interactions between the growth factor and biomaterial after an initial burst release. Both donors exhibited similar responses to the loaded and exogenous growth factor; BMP‐2 from the hydrogels had a statistically significant effect on hASC osteogenic differentiation compared to exogenous BMP‐2. Expression of alkaline phosphatase was accelerated, and cells in hydrogels with loaded BMP‐2 deposited more calcium at one, two, and four weeks than cells without BMP‐2 or with the growth factor presented in the media. There were no statistically significant differences in calcium content between groups with 25, 50, or 100 µg/mL loaded BMP‐2, suggesting that using a lower growth factor dose may be as effective as a higher loading amount in this system. Taken together, these findings suggest that controlled delivery of BMP‐2 from the GelMA enhances its osteogenic bioactivity compared to free growth factor presented in the media. Thus, the GelMA system is a promising biomaterial for BMP‐2‐mediated hASC osteogenesis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1387–1397, 2016.
Micro/nanostructured surface modification using femtosecond laser pulses on minimally invasive electrosurgical devices
Authors: Lin Chia‐Cheng , Lin Hao‐Jan , Lin Yun‐Ho , Sugiatno Erwan , Ruslin Muhammad , Su Chen‐Yao , Ou Keng‐Liang , Cheng Han‐Yi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to examine thermal damage and a sticking problem in the tissue after the use of a minimally invasive electrosurgical device with a nanostructured surface treatment that uses a femtosecond laser pulse (FLP) technique. To safely use an electrosurgical device in clinical surgery, it is important to decrease thermal damage to surrounding tissues. The surface characteristics and morphology of the FLP layer were evaluated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy; element analysis was performed using energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the animal model, monopolar electrosurgical devices were used to create lesions in the legs of 30 adult rats. Animals were sacrificed for investigations at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively. Results indicated that the thermal damage and sticking situations were reduced significantly when a minimally invasive electrosurgical instrument with an FLP layer was used. Temperatures decreased while film thickness increased. Thermographic data revealed that surgical temperatures in an animal model were significantly lower in the FLP electrosurgical device compared with that in the untreated one. Furthermore, the FLP device created a relatively small area of thermal damage. As already mentioned, the biomedical nanostructured layer reduced thermal damage and promoted the antisticking property with the use of a minimally invasive electrosurgical device. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 865–873, 2017.
Effect of Low-Magnitude Mechanical Stimuli on Bone Density and Structure in Pediatric Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Leonard Mary B , Shults Justine , Long Jin , Baldassano Robert N , Brown J Keenan , Hommel Kevin , Zemel Babette S , Mahboubi Soroosh , Howard Whitehead Krista , Herskovitz Rita , Lee Dale , Rausch Joseph , Rubin Clinton T 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Pediatric Crohn's Disease (CD) is associated with low trabecular bone mineral density (BMD), cortical area, and muscle mass. Low-magnitude mechanical stimulation (LMMS) may be anabolic. We conducted a 12-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 10 minutes daily exposure to LMMS (30 Hz frequency, 0.3 g peak-to-peak acceleration). The primary outcomes were tibia trabecular BMD and cortical area by peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) and vertebral trabecular BMD by QCT; additional outcomes included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole body, hip and spine BMD, and leg lean mass. Results were expressed as sex-specific Z-scores relative to age. CD participants, ages 8 to 21 years with tibia trabecular BMD &lt;25th percentile for age, were eligible and received daily cholecalciferol (800 IU) and calcium (1000 mg). In total, 138 enrolled (48% male), and 121 (61 active, 60 placebo) completed the 12-month trial. Median adherence measured with an electronic monitor was 79% and did not differ between arms. By intention-to-treat analysis, LMMS had no significant effect on pQCT or DXA outcomes. The mean change in spine QCT trabecular BMD Z-score was +0.22 in the active arm and –0.02 in the placebo arm (difference in change 0.24 [95% CI 0.04, 0.44]; p = 0.02). Among those with &gt;50% adherence, the effect was 0.38 (95% CI 0.17, 0.58, p &lt; 0.0005). Within the active arm, each 10% greater adherence was associated with a 0.06 (95% CI 0.01, 1.17, p = 0.03) greater increase in spine QCT BMD Z-score. Treatment response did not vary according to baseline body mass index (BMI) Z-score, pubertal status, CD severity, or concurrent glucocorticoid or biologic medications. In all participants combined, height, pQCT trabecular BMD, and cortical area and DXA outcomes improved significantly. In conclusion, LMMS was associated with increases in vertebral trabecular BMD by QCT; however, no effects were observed at DXA or pQCT sites. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Advanced treatment of biologically treated medium density fiberboard (MDF) wastewater with Fenton and Fenton enhanced hydrodynamic cavitation process
Authors: Balcik‐Canbolat Cigdem , Sakar Hacer , Karagunduz Ahmet , Keskinler Bulent 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiological treatment processes are often ineffective for the treatment of medium density fiberboard (MDF) wastewater due the presence of non‐biodegradable and refractory compounds. Fenton and Fenton enhanced hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) processes may be cost effective solutions for the treatment of such wastewater.RESULTSRemovals of COD, formaldehyde and color by Fenton and Fenton enhanced HC processes were investigated in this study. The optimum H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio at the initial pH of 3 for the optimum COD removal efficiency was 2.5/1 in 70 min reaction time. Furthermore, faster removal rates of pollutants were also observed with HC enhanced Fenton process. The presence of various herbicides and fungicides in the wastewater were detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).CONCLUSIONSThe Fenton enhanced process resulted in faster COD removal rates than those obtained in Fenton alone. The Fenton enhanced HC process appears to be a cost‐effective alternative for the treatment of highly toxic and non‐biodegradable MDF wastewater. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
An Investigation of Structure–Property Relationships in Silicone‐Based Dielectric Electroactive Elastomers by Varying Stoichiometric Imbalance of the Network
Authors: Zhang Mengjia , Denes Istvan , Buchmeiser Michael R. 
Published: January 2016

Silicone‐based elastomers are promising materials for future dielectric elastomer actuators. To ensure optimum performance and the long‐term reliability of the actuators, it is essential to gain a fundamental understanding of the correlation between the elastomer's network structure and the mechanical and electrical responses of the material. For this purpose, mechanical and electrical tests are performed on a series of silicone elastomer films with different crosslinking densities, which are prepared by changing the stoichiometric imbalance of the network. It is determined that higher cross‐linking density leads to a higher elastic modulus and a longer fatigue lifetime, whereas reduced permittivity is observed because of lower chain mobility. Dielectric breakdown strength is also observed to increase in line with increasing cross‐linking density, and the variations in relation to the measured elastic modulus and permittivity agree well with the Stark–Garton model based on electromechanical instability.
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Inpatient Physiotherapy for Functional (Psychogenic) Gait Disorder: A Case Series of 35 Patients
Authors: Matthews Audrey , Brown Melanie , Stone Jon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractView Supplementary Video 1Patients with functional gait disorder (FGD) are often referred for physiotherapy, but data on their outcome is limited. The authors present a case series of 35 patients who received targeted physiotherapy for FGD at a regional neuroscience center (mean number of sessions, 11). Significant improvements in the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (score range, 0–40) were recorded between pretreatment and posttreatment (mean pretreatment vs. posttreatment score, 20 vs. 37, respectively). Improvements also were seen in patients who had chronic symptoms, including those with symptom duration over 6 months (mean pretreatment vs. posttreatment score, 21 vs. 33, respectively) and in patients who had no psychological intervention. These data support the hypothesis that specific physiotherapy for FGD can be surprisingly effective and further encourage the development of larger randomized trials to test efficacy.
Optimizing Control and State Estimation of a Continuous Polymerization Process in a Tubular Reactor with Multiple Side‐Streams
Authors: Hashemi Reza , Kohlmann Daniel , Engell Sebastian 
Published: January 2016

In this contribution, a nonlinear model‐based optimizing control for continuous polymerization of acrylic acid in tubular reactors with multiple side injections of monomer is developed. The background of this work is to transfer the production of polymers from semibatch to continuous operations. The configuration of the tubular reactor, which imposes long delays between the inputs and the measurements, and the lack of intermediate measurements as well as the nonlinear reaction kinetics and sharp moving fronts of concentrations when the inflows are changed, make the application of the optimizing control very challenging. In order to simulate the sharp fronts of the reactor system faithfully and fast, the spatial domain of the partial differential equations model of the tubular reactor is discretized by applying the weighted essentially non‐oscillatory scheme. We formulate the controller such that it optimizes the productivity of the reactor directly, while the product quality parameters are imposed as constraints. A particle filter is implemented to estimate the states of the reactor system and to initialize the process model. The simulation results show that the controller can increase the product throughput considerably compared to an initial operating point and has a robust performance against the measurement noise. Furthermore, the effect of formulating the quality constraints as hard or soft constraints as well as a changeover scenario between the different grades of a polymer are studied.
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α‐trideuteromethyl[15N]glutamine: A long‐lived hyperpolarized perfusion marker
Authors: Durst Markus , Chiavazza Enrico , Haase Axel , Aime Silvio , Schwaiger Markus , Schulte Rolf F. 
Published: January 2016

PurposeWe characterized the performance of a novel hyperpolarized perfusion marker, α‐trideuteromethyl[15N]glutamine, for direct comparison with a 13C‐based hyperpolarized perfusion marker, [13C, 15N2]urea.MethodsA hardware platform and pulse sequence for in vivo 15N experiments were established. Hyperpolarized solutions of α‐trideuteromethyl[15N]glutamine and [13C, 15N2]urea were injected into healthy male Lewis rats. Kidney slice images were acquired using a single‐shot spiral readout. Both compounds were compared to determine in vivo signal lifetime and tracer distribution. Mass spectrometry was performed to evaluate excretion of the compound.ResultsCompared with 13C‐labeled urea, a significantly increased signal lifetime was observed. While the urea signal was gone after 90 s, decay of the glutamine compound was sufficiently slow to obtain a quantifiable signal, even after 5 min. The glutamine derivative showed strong localization in the kidneys with little background signal. Effective T1 of α‐trideuteromethyl[15N]glutamine was approximately eight‐fold higher than that of urea. Mass spectrometry results confirmed rapid excretion within the time scale of the measurement.ConclusionHyperpolarized α‐trideuteromethyl[15N]glutamine is a highly promising candidate for renal studies because of its long signal lifetime, strong localization and rapid excretion. Magn Reson Med 76:1900–1904, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Genotype–phenotype relationships in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with FUS/TLS mutations in Japan
Authors: Akiyama Tetsuya , Warita Hitoshi , Kato Masaaki , Nishiyama Ayumi , Izumi Rumiko , Ikeda Chikako , Kamada Masaki , Suzuki Naoki , Aoki Masashi 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We investigated possible genotype–phenotype correlations in Japanese patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) carrying fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) gene mutations. Methods: A consecutive series of 111 Japanese FALS pedigrees were screened for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and FUS/TLS gene mutations. Clinical data, including onset age, onset site, disease duration, and extramotor symptoms, were collected. Results: Nine different FUS/TLS mutations were found in 12 pedigrees. Most of the patients with FUS/TLS‐linked FALS demonstrated early onset in the brainstem/upper cervical region, and relatively short disease duration. A few mutations exhibited phenotypes that were distinct from typical cases. Frontotemporal dementia was present in 1 patient. Conclusions: This study revealed a characteristic phenotype in FUS/TLS‐linked FALS patients in Japan. FUS/TLS screening is recommended in patients with FALS with this phenotype. Muscle Nerve 54: 398–404, 2016
The role of cranial and thoracic electromyography within diagnostic criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Jenkins Thomas M. , Alix James J.P. , Kandler Rosalind H. , Shaw Pamela J. , McDermott Christopher J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The contribution of cranial and thoracic region electromyography (EMG) to diagnostic criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has not been evaluated. Methods: Clinical and EMG data from each craniospinal region were retrospectively assessed in 470 patients; 214 had ALS. Changes to diagnostic classification in Awaji‐Shima and revised El Escorial criteria after withdrawal of cranial/thoracic EMG data were ascertained. Results: Sensitivity for lower motor neuron involvement in ALS was highest in the cervical/lumbar regions; specificity was highest in cranial/thoracic regions. Cranial EMG contributed to definite/probable Awaji‐Shima categorization in 1.4% of patients. Thoracic EMG made no contribution. For revised El Escorial criteria, cranial and thoracic data reclassified 1% and 5% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Cranial EMG data make small contributions to both criteria, whereas thoracic data contribute only to the revised El Escorial criteria. However, cranial and thoracic region abnormalities are specific in ALS. Consideration should be given to allowing greater diagnostic contribution from thoracic EMG. Muscle Nerve 54: 378–385, 2016
Influence of gas generation in electro‐osmosis consolidation
Authors: Yuan Jiao , Hicks Michael A. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThis paper presents a numerical model for the elasto‐plastic electro‐osmosis consolidation of unsaturated clays experiencing large strains, by considering electro‐osmosis and hydro‐mechanical flows in a deformable multiphase porous medium. The coupled governing equations involving the pore water flow, pore gas flow, electric flow and mechanical deformation in unsaturated clays are derived within the framework of averaging theory and solved numerically using finite elements. The displacements of the solid phase, the pressure of the water phase, the pressure of the gas phase and the electric potential are taken as the primary unknowns in the proposed model. The nonlinear variation of transport parameters during electro‐osmosis consolidation are incorporated into the model using empirical expressions that strongly depend on the degree of water saturation, whereas the Barcelona Basic Model is employed to simulate the elasto‐plastic mechanical behaviour of unsaturated clays. The accuracy of the proposed model is evaluated by validating it against two well‐known numerical examples, involving electro‐osmosis and unsaturated soil behaviour respectively. Two further examples are then investigated to study the capability of the computational algorithm in modelling multiphase flow in electro‐osmosis consolidation. Finally, the effects of gas generation at the anode, the deformation characteristics, the degree of saturation and the time dependent evolution of the excess pore pressure are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes of three sling procedures at the time of abdominal sacral colpopexy
Authors: Tubre Ryan W. , Padmanabhan Priya , Frilot Clifton F. , Porta Wesley , Gomelsky Alex 
Published: January 2016

IntroductionA sling at time of sacral colpopexy (SCP) for apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is valuable in the treatment of overt, urodynamic, and occult stress urinary incontinence (SUI). As there is no current agreement regarding the optimal choice of sling in these women, we compare the outcomes of three sling procedures in this population: autologous rectus fascia bladder neck sling (ARF), retropubic midurethral sling (RPM), and transobturator midurethral sling (TOM).MethodsWe performed a retrospective single institution, single‐surgeon review of data identifying women with minimum follow‐up of 12 months who underwent a concomitant sling and SCP following urodynamics with and without POP reduction. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included objective and subjective assessment. Cure required absence of subjective and objective SUI.ResultsOut of 187 women, 152 (81%) met inclusion criteria (49 ARF, 58 RPM, and 45 TOM). There were no significant differences among sling groups regarding demographics. SUI cure rates were not significantly different between sling groups, or within each group after stratification by overt and occult SUI. QoL indices improved significantly after surgery for the entire cohort.ConclusionsAll three sling types appear to produce similar cure rates of SUI when done concomitantly with SCP. There did not appear to be any significant differences when stratified by occult or overt SUI. No sling type was associated with more postoperative complications. Larger studies are necessary to confirm the findings of this single‐institution, retrospective study. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:482–485, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.