bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of biological crust coverage on soil hydraulic properties for the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Guanghui , Liu Fa , Geng Ren , Wang Lunjiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBiological soil crusts (BSCs) are ubiquitous living covers that have been allowed to grow on abandoned farmlands over the Loess Plateau because the “Grain for Green” project was implemented in 1999 to control serious soil erosion. However, few studies have been conducted to quantify the effects of BSC coverage on soil hydraulic properties. This study was performed to assess the effects of BSC coverage on soil hydraulic properties, which are reflected by the soil sorptivity under an applied pressure of 0 (S0) and −3 (S3) cm, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), wetting front depth (WFD), and mean pore radius (λm), for the Loess Plateau of China. Five classes of BSC coverage (i.e., 1–20%, 20–40%, 40–60%, 60–80%, and 80–100%) and a bare control were selected at both cyanobacteria‐ and moss‐covered sites to measure soil hydraulic properties using a disc infiltrometer under 2 consecutive pressure heads of 0 and −3 cm, allowing the direct calculation of S0, S3, Ks, and λm. The WFD was measured onsite using a ruler immediately after the experiments of infiltration. The results indicated that both cyanobacteria and moss crusts were effective in changing the soil properties and impeding soil infiltration. The effects of moss were greater than those of cyanobacteria. Compared to those of the control, the S0, S3, Ks, WFD, and λm values of cyanobacteria‐covered soils were reduced by 13.7%, 11.0%, 13.3%, 10.6%, and 12.6% on average, and those of moss‐covered soils were reduced by 27.6%, 22.1%, 29.5%, 22.2%, and 25.9%, respectively. The relative soil sorptivity under pressures of 0 (RS0) and −3 (RS3) cm, the relative saturated hydraulic conductivity (RKs), the relative wetting front depth (RWFD), and the relative mean pore radius (Rλm) decreased exponentially with coverage for both cyanobacteria‐ and moss‐covered soils. The rates of decrease in RS0, RS3, RKs, RWFD, and Rλm of cyanobacteria were significantly slower than those of moss, especially for the coverage of 0–40%, with smaller ranges. The variations of soil hydraulic properties with BSC coverage were closely related to the change in soil clay content driven by the BSC coverage on the Loess Plateau. The results are useful for simulating the hydraulic parameters of BSC‐covered soils in arid and semiarid areas.
Climate moderates potential shifts in streamflow from changes in pinyon‐juniper woodland cover across the westernU.S.
Authors: Niemeyer Ryan J. , Link Timothy E. , Heinse Robert , Seyfried Mark S. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPinyon‐juniper (PJ) cover has increased up to 10‐fold in many parts of the western U.S. in the last 140+ years. The impacts of these changes on streamflows are unclear and may vary depending on the intra‐annual distribution and amount of precipitation. Given the importance of streamflow in the western U.S., it is important to understand how shifts in PJ woodland cover may produce changes in streamflow across the region's diverse hydroclimates. To this end, we simulated the land surface water balance with contrasting woodland and grassland cover with the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) model at a 4‐km resolution across the distribution of PJ woodlands in the western U.S. We used shifts in evapotranspiration (ET) between woodland and grassland cover as a proxy for potential changes in streamflows. Comparison of HBV model results with paired catchment studies indicated the model reasonably simulated annual decreases in ET with changes from woodland to grassland cover. For the northern and western ecoregions of the PJ distribution in the western U.S. where precipitation predominantly occurs in the winter, HBV simulated a 25 mm (37%) annual decrease in ET with conversion to grassland from woodland. Conversely, in southern ecoregions of PJ distribution with prominent summer monsoons, annual differences in ET were only 6 mm (19%). Our results suggest that only 29% of the PJ distribution, compared to an estimated 45% based on precipitation amount alone, has the potential for meaningful increases in streamflow with land cover change from woodland to grassland.
Influences of PON1 on airway inflammation and remodeling in bronchial asthma
Authors: Chen Wei‐Qiang , Xie Zuo‐Zhou , Wang Xiang , Zhao Jin‐Hong , Hu Qin , Chen Ying‐Hua , Gao Wen‐Yong , Liu Yi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study aims to explore the influences of Paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) involved in airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Mice were divided into control, asthma, asthma + PON1 and asthma + NC groups, and asthma models were established via aerosol inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA). HE, Masson, and PAS stains were used to observe airway inflammation and remodeling, Giemsa staining to assess inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), qRT‐PCR and Western blot to detect PON1 expression, lipid peroxidation and glutathione assays to quantify malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) levels, ELISA to determine inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin, and colorimetry to detect PON1 activities. Additionally, mice lung macrophages and fibroblasts were transfected with PON1 plasmid in vitro; ELISA and qRT‐PCR were performed to understand the effects of PON1 on inflammatory cytokines secreted by lung macrophages, MTT assay for lung fibroblasts proliferation and qRT‐PCR and Western blot for the expressions of PON1, COL1A1, and fibronectin. After overexpression of PON1, the asthma mice had decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis degree, and airway wall thickness; inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in BALF were also reduced, expressions of OVA‐IgE and IgG1, and MDA activity were decreased, but the expressions of OVA‐IgG2a and INF‐γ and GSH levels were increased. Besides, PON1 significantly inhibited microphage expression of LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines, lung fibroblast proliferation, and COL1A1 and fibronectin expression. Thus, PON1 could relieve airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and inhibit the secretion of LPS‐induced macrophage inflammatory cytokines and the proliferation of lung fibroblasts.
Intraoperative sonographic guidance for intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer
Authors: Akbas Tugana , Ugurluer Gamze , Acil Meltem , Arpaci Taner , Serin Meltem 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo describe the role and benefits of intraoperative sonographic (US) guidance in intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer.MethodsThe data of 142 patients who received tandem‐based intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer between January 2010 and June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. US guidance was carried out for tandem selection and appropriate application. The complications and applicator conformity were assessed with planning CT.ResultsIntracavitary brachytherapy was performed under US guidance for 412 insertions in 113 consecutive patients with cervical cancer. Before we started to use US guidance, applications were done in 29 patients: uterine perforation occurred in two patients (6.9%), the tandem length was short in two patients (6.9%), the tandem length was long in four patients (13.8%), and tandem was in myometrium in three patients (10.3%). We then decided to use US guidance routinely. With US guidance, only 1 of 113 patients had uterine perforation (0.9%), tandem length was short in only one patient (0.9%), and tandem was in myometrium in one patient (0.9%).ConclusionsReal‐time US provided safe and effective guidance for intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer resulting in decreased rates of perforations and misplacement of applicators. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:8–13, 2018;
Sonographic localization of a retained urethral foreign body in an elderly patient
Authors: Shokoohi Hamid , Kendrick Zachary , Sikka Neal , Boniface Keith S. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTA retained urethral foreign body is an uncommon presentation in the Emergency Department. The diagnosis and treatment of retained urethral foreign bodies are determined by their size, location, shape, and mobility and often require specialty consultation and operative intervention. In this case of a 74‐year‐old man with a self‐inserted, retained urethral foreign body, we present the utility of a bedside ultrasound to detect the depth, size, and distance from the meatus of the object to guide the approach to extraction of the object at the bedside in the Emergency Department. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:296–298, 2018
PL10 DEAD‐Box Protein is Expressed during Germ Cell Differentiation in the Reptile Podarcis sicula (Family Lacertidae)
Authors: Milani Liliana , Pecci Andrea , Cifaldi Carmine , Maurizii Maria Gabriella 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTAmong genes involved in the regulation of germ cell differentiation, those of DDX4/Vasa and the Ded1/DDX3 subfamilies encode for DEAD‐box ATP‐dependent RNA helicases, proteins involved in many mechanisms related to RNA processing. For the first time in reptiles, using specific antibodies at confocal microscopy, we analysed the localization pattern of a Ded1/DDX3 subfamily member in testis and ovary of Podarcis sicula (Ps‐PL10) during the reproductive cycle. In testis, Ps‐PL10 is expressed in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and it is not detected in spermatogonia. Differently from Ps‐VASA, in round spermatids, Ps‐PL10 is not segregated in the chromatoid body but it accumulates in the cytoplasm of residual bodies, and mature spermatozoa are unstained. These observations suggest that in males, Ps‐PL10 (1) is involved in spermatogenesis and (2) is then eliminated with residual bodies. In the ovary, Ps‐PL10 is present with granules in the cytoplasm of early meiotic cells of the germinal bed (GB), while it is not present in oogonia and somatic cells of the GB stroma. In follicular cells of ovarian follicles, Ps‐PL10 expression starts after their fusion with the oocyte. Numerous Ps‐PL10 spots are visible in pyriform (nurse‐like) cells concomitantly with the protein accumulation in the cytoplasm of differentiating oocyte. In pyriform cells, Ps‐PL10 spots are present in the cytoplasm and nuclei, as observed for Ps‐VASA, and in the nucleoli, suggesting for Ps‐PL10 a role in rRNA processing and in the transport of molecules from the nucleus to cytoplasm and from nurse cells to the oocyte.
Application of pretreatment methods on agricultural products prior to frying: a review
Authors: Oladejo Ayobami Olayemi , Ma Haile , Qu Wenjuan , Zhou Cunshan , Wu Bengang , Uzoejinwa Benjamin Bernard , Onwude Daniel I , Yang Xue 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFrying is one of the methods of processing foods, which imparts flavour, taste, colour and crispness in the fried foods. In spite of an increase in the demand for fried foods by consumers all over the world, the danger posed by consuming too much fat is still a challenge. Many researchers have put forward many ideas on how to reduce the oil uptake and improve the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of foods during frying. Several pretreatment techniques applied to food materials prior to frying have been investigated by researchers in a bid to reduce the oil uptake and improve the quality parameters of fried foods. Therefore, this review focuses on the various pretreatment methods and the recent novel methods like ultrasound, infrared, superheated steam drying, microwave technique and pulsed electric field applied to foods prior to frying and its effects on the qualities of fried foods. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Does the use of arteriovenous loops increase complications rates in posttraumatic microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction?—A matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Momeni Arash , Lanni Michael A. , Levin Lawrence S. , Kovach Stephen J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe use of arteriovenous (AV) loops in microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction is a controversial topic. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of AV loops on complication rates following microsurgical reconstruction of posttraumatic lower extremity defects.Patients and MethodsPatients who underwent free flap coverage of posttraumatic defects in combination with an AV loop (Group 1) were identified and matched for age, body mass index (BMI), tobacco use, defect location, and flap type with patients who underwent reconstruction without vein grafts (Group 2). Outcomes of interest included complication rate and flap loss rate.ResultsGroups 1 and 2 consisted of 10 patients each with a mean age of 51 years (range, 21–79 years) and 47.3 years (range, 22–69 years), respectively (P = 0.596). No differences were noted regarding flap loss (P = 1.0), intraoperative (P = 0.474) or postoperative complication rate [surgical site infection (P = 1.0), bleeding (P = 1.0), delayed wound healing (P = 0.23), dehiscence (P = 0.58), and osseous non‐union (P = 1.0)]. Only one flap loss was noted in Group 1. The only differences were increased operative time (P = 0.03) and increased length of stay (P = 0.009) in Group 1.ConclusionOur results suggest that utilization of vein grafts with creation of AV loops followed by single‐stage division and free flap transfer for reconstruction of posttraumatic lower extremity defects achieve reconstructive outcomes similar to those obtained in patients in whom no vein grafts are necessary.
CyberKnife with integrated CT‐on‐rails: System description and first clinical application for pancreas SBRT
Authors: Papalazarou Chrysi , Klop Gijsbert J. , Milder Maaike T.W. , Marijnissen Johannes P.A. , Gupta Vikas , Heijmen Ben J.M. , Nuyttens Joost J.M.E. , Hoogeman Mischa S. 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThis article reports on the integration of a sliding‐gantry CT‐on‐rails with a robotic linear accelerator.MethodsThe system consists of a SOMATOM Definition AS CT scanner (Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany) and a CyberKnife M6 FIM (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Additional movement programs were implemented in the robotic treatment table (RoboCouch, Accuray Inc.) to move between CT and treatment position. Acceptance testing was performed on the CT scanner according to AAPM83 guidelines, as well as safety tests for collision avoidance and electromagnetic (EM) compatibility. For the first clinical application of the system, daily dose was evaluated in five pancreas SBRT patients. A second envisioned use is the optimal alignment of the treatment beams to soft‐tissue targets without the use of implanted fiducials. To this end, an offset vector feature has been implemented, which shifts the treatment center according to the daily position of the tumor relative to the spine (established by a CT scan). This offset can be applied by either moving the treatment couch (physical couch shift) or by moving the CyberKnife robot (virtual couch shift). An End‐to‐End (E2E) test was specifically designed to evaluate the accuracy of this feature using the Xsight Lung Tracking Phantom (Computerized Imaging Reference Systems, Inc., Norfolk, VA, USA). The position of the tumor with respect to the spine was varied by moving the insert inside the phantom and a CT scan was made for each position. The treatment plan was subsequently delivered to the phantom employing spine tracking. The test was repeated four times for a physical couch shift and four times for a virtual couch shift.ResultsAll acceptance, safety and EM compatibility testing was successful. For the first pancreas SBRT patients treated using daily CT imaging, the volume of stomach, duodenum, or small bowel receiving >35 Gy was found to increase or remain constant during treatment; however, the clinical constraint of 5 cc was not violated. For the offset vector E2E test, the reference accuracy (without any tumor shift) was (0.74, −0.61, −0.33) mm in the inferior, left, and anterior direction respectively. The difference in deviation with respect to the reference was (−0.1 ± 0.15, 0.01 ± 0.16, −0.17 ± 0.25) mm, when applying a physical couch shift. With a virtual couch shift, the deviations were (0.02 ± 0.15, 0.06 ± 0.23, −0.4 ± 0.31) mm.ConclusionsThe first combination of a CyberKnife treatment unit with a sliding‐gantry CT scanner is operational in our department enabling future developments toward image‐guided online‐adaptive SBRT supported by diagnostic‐quality CT imaging.
Effect of myelin water exchange on DTI‐derived parameters in diffusion MRI: Elucidation of TE dependence
Authors: Lin Mu , He Hongjian , Tong Qiqi , Ding Qiuping , Yan Xu , Feiweier Thorsten , Zhong Jianhui 
Published: June 2017

PurposeWater exchange exists between different neuronal compartments of brain tissue but is often ignored in most diffusion models. The goal of the current study was to demonstrate the dependence of diffusion measurements on echo time (TE) in the human brain and to investigate the underlying effects of myelin water exchange.MethodsFive healthy subjects were examined with single‐shot pulsed‐gradient spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging with fixed duration (δ) and separation (Δ) of diffusion gradient pulses and a set of varying TEs. The effects of water exchange and intrinsic T2 difference in cellular environments were investigated with Monte Carlo simulations.ResultsBoth in vivo measurements and simulations showed that fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial diffusivity (AD) had positive correlations with TE, while radial diffusivity (RD) showed a negative correlation, which is consistent with a previous study. The simulation results further indicated the sensitivity of TE dependence to the change of g‐ratio.ConclusionThe exchange between myelin and intra/extra‐axonal water pools often plays a non‐negligible role in the observed TE dependence of diffusion parameters, which may accompany or alter the effect of intrinsic T2 in causing such dependence. The TE dependence may potentially serve as a biomarker for demyelination processes (e.g., in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease). Magn Reson Med 79:1650–1660, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Investigating the importance of self‐acceptance and self‐efficacy on weight management in a developing country
Authors: Arli Denni , Sutanto Nadia 
Published: June 2017

The growing rates of obesity in both developed and developing countries are alarming. Most studies on obesity mainly focus on individuals in developed countries with ready access to food. Limited studies explore obesity in developing countries with limited access to healthier foods. In addition, studies show self‐acceptance and self‐efficacy are essential to healthier well‐being. The purpose of this study is (a) to explore the impact of self‐acceptance on individuals' self‐efficacy to weight management and (b) to investigate the impact of self‐efficacy on individuals' attitude and intention in regard to weight managements. Using data from Indonesia (N = 499), the respondents are divided based on their body mass index. The results show that self‐acceptance significantly influenced individuals' self‐efficacy, especially for individuals who are obese. Furthermore, self‐efficacy did not influence individual attitude toward weight management. Finally, attitude toward weight management only influenced people who are obese and not individuals who are overweight. The results of this study will have significant implications to government, social marketers, and not‐for‐profit organizations in fighting the epidemic in developing countries.
Characterization and evaluation of commercial poly (vinylidene fluoride)‐g‐sulfonatedPolystyrene as proton exchange membrane
Authors: Abdel‐Hady E.E. , Abdel‐Hamed M.O. , Awad S. , Hmamm M.F.M. 
Published: June 2017

The possibility of developing low‐cost commercial grafted and sulfonated Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF‐g‐PSSA) membranes as proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications have been investigated. PVDF‐g‐PSSA membranes were systematically prepared and examined with the focus of understanding how the polymer microstructure (degree of grafting and sulfonation, ion‐exchange capacity, etc) affects their methanol permeability, water uptake, and proton conductivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the changes of the membrane's microstructure after grafting and sulfonation. The results showed that the PVDF‐g‐PSSA membranes exhibited good thermal stability and lower methanol permeability. The proton conductivity of PVDF‐g‐PSSA membranes was also measured by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. It was found that the proton conductivity of PVDF‐g‐PSSA membranes depends on the degree of sulfonation. All the sulfonated membranes show high proton conductivity at 92°C, in the range of 27 to 235 mScm−1, which is much higher than that of Nafion212 (102 mScm−1 at 80°C). The results indicated that the PVDF‐g‐PSSA membranes are particularly promising membranes to be used as polymer electrolyte membranes due to their excellent stability, low methanol permeability, and high proton conductivity.
Kinetics and thermochemistry of the unusual [2π + 2σ + 2σ]‐cycloaddition of quadricyclane with some dienophiles
Authors: Kiselev Vladimir D. , Kornilov Dmitry A. , Anikin Oleg V. , Sedov Igor A. , Konovalov Alexander I. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractKinetic parameters of the unusual [2π + 2σ + 2σ]‐cycloaddition reactions of quadricyclane (1) with tetracyanoethylene (2), 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (3), N‐phenylmaleimide (4), and diethyl azodicarboxylate (5) are determined experimentally. Additionally, the enthalpies of 1 + 2 reaction in 1,4‐dioxane solution (−236.6 ± 1.0 kJ mol−1) and 1 + 3 reaction in toluene (−255.0 ± 2.8 kJ mol−1) are determined calorimetrically and shown to be the largest in absolute magnitude among all known cycloaddition reactions involving these dienophiles. Solvent effect on the rate of 1 + 3 reaction in 11 solvents is studied and found to be moderate and similar to that of the conventional Diels‐Alder and ene reactions. The difference in the reaction rate constants of 1 with different dienophiles can be up to 9 orders of magnitude and is mainly caused by the difference in activation enthalpies. This difference is not correlated with the standard enthalpies of reactions and is likely the result of high sensitivity of the [2π + 2σ + 2σ] reaction rates to the energy of donor‐acceptor interactions between the reactants.