bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extreme precipitation events over north China in August 2010 and their link to eastward‐propagating wave‐trains across Eurasia: observations and monthly forecasting
Authors: Orsolini Yvan J. , Zhang Ling , Peters Dieter H. W. , Fraedrich Klaus , Zhu Xiuhua , Schneidereit Andrea , van den Hurk Bart 
Published: June 2015

Over the Far East in summer, climate is strongly influenced by the fluctuating Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), and strong precipitation is often associated with southeasterly low‐level wind that brings moist air from the southern China seas. The WPSH intraseasonal variability is partly influenced by quasi‐stationary wave‐trains propagating eastwards from Europe across Asia along the two westerly jets: the Silk‐Road wave‐train along the Asian jet at midlatitudes and the polar wave‐train along the sub‐polar jet. In the unusual summer of 2010, northeast China experienced its worst seasonal flooding for a decade, triggered by unusually severe precipitation. That summer was also characterized by a record‐breaking heat wave over eastern Europe and Russia, whose impact on the precipitation further east over China has been little explored. Here, we examine the role of the Silk‐Road and polar wave‐trains, and their impact on precipitation over northeast China throughout August 2010, using station precipitation data and re‐analyses. We found that there is a strong link between the Silk‐Road wave‐train and extreme precipitation events.Forecasting such regional precipitation events at the monthly time‐scale remains a big challenge for operational global prediction systems. In this study, we use simulations with the atmospheric model of the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to highlight the key role of the Silk‐Road and polar wave‐trains in modulating extreme precipitation over north and northeast China in August 2010. While the ensemble‐mean of the forecasts fails to predict the pulses of the Silk‐Road wave‐train, some model members show a high spatial correlation in upper‐level meridional winds with re‐analyses. Similarly, there is high spatial correlation between model meridional winds and precipitation. These results highlight the importance of better representing the intraseasonal evolution of the Silk‐Road wave‐train in order to improve the monthly prediction of summer precipitation over the Far East.
Assessment of the Ecological Reservoir Operation in the Yangtze Estuary Based on the Salinity Requirements of the Indicator Species
Authors: Wang C. , Yu Y. , Wang P. F. , Sun Q. Y. , Hou J. , Qian J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn conventional reservoir operations, energy and economic benefits are typically optimized, and ecosystem values are only addressed as constraints. To reduce the negative influence of reservoir operation on the downstream ecological environment, ecological targets should be incorporated into reservoir operations. The concept of environmental flow was developed to define the quantity, quality and timing of water flows that are required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. Based on the salinity requirements of the indicator species and the relationship between salinity and the freshwater inflows, environmental flows for the Yangtze Estuary were determined. Subsequently, an ecological reservoir operation model was established that incorporated the ecological target for the protection of the Qingcaosha water source; the Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II was applied to the model. Three typical periods of wet, normal and dry years were selected, and the operation results were analysed for the downstream Datong cross‐section and the environmental flows. The results showed that joint scheduling should be performed for the reservoirs upstream of the Yangtze Estuary. In June of wet and normal years, the current run‐off of the Datong should be reduced by 13.5% and 5%, respectively. In July and September of wet years, current run‐off should be reduced by 30.6% and 25.5%, respectively, as these reductions will not negatively affect the drinking‐water sources. The results of this study should provide guidance in decision‐making to improve the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive advantages of dietary mixing different‐aged foliage within conifers for a generalist defoliator
Authors: Johns Rob C. , Tobita Hiroyuki , Hara Hideho , Ozaki Kenichi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFew herbivores are well adapted to feeding on all foliage age classes available and most have evolved traits that are attuned to the characteristics of either developing or mature foliage; however, recent evidence has shown a number of insect herbivores that may mix different‐aged foliage as a means of enhancing fitness. We carried out a series of laboratory and field experiments to investigate whether larvae of Asian gypsy moth [L. umbrosa (Butler) = L. dispar hokkaidoensis Goldschmidt] (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) engage in and benefit from foliage‐age dietary mixing in common conifer species that naturally occur in its native range of Hokkaido, Japan. In a laboratory experiment, early instar larvae were observed on both developing and mature foliage when both age classes were available; however, larval survival and weight were highest on hosts with developing foliage available (larch, fir, and pine), whereas all larvae died on spruce where only mature foliage was available. In contrast, laboratory and field experiments indicated that late‐instar larvae often consumed both developing and mature foliage on all conifer species studied, although there was general preference bias towards mature foliage. Field bioassays indicated that late‐instar larvae provided both foliage age classes (a ‘mixed’ diet) had similar performance to those provided only developing or mature foliage. Results of this study indicate that larvae obtain limited performance benefits from mixing different foliage age‐classes into their diet, other than perhaps the benefits accrued from having a broader resource pool available on a single host tree.
“Hand Surgeons Probably don't Starve”: Patient's Perceptions of Physician Reimbursements for Performing an Open Carpal Tunnel Release
Authors: Kokko Kyle P. , Lipman Adam J. , Sapienza Anthony , Capo John T. , Barfield William R. , Paksima Nader 
Published: June 2015

Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient's perceptions of physician reimbursement for the most commonly performed surgery on the hand, a carpal tunnel release (CTR). Methods Anonymous physician reimbursement surveys were given to patients and non-patients in the waiting rooms of orthopaedic hand physicians' offices and certified hand therapist's offices. The survey consisted of 13 questions. Respondents were asked (1) what they thought a surgeon should be paid to perform a carpal tunnel release, (2) to estimate how much Medicare reimburses the surgeon, and (3) about how health care dollars should be divided among the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the hospital or surgery center. Descriptive subject data included age, gender, income, educational background, and insurance type. Results Patients thought that hand surgeons should receive $5030 for performing a CTR and the percentage of health care funds should be distributed primarily to the hand surgeon (56 %), followed by the anesthesiologist (23 %) and then the hospital/surgery center (21 %). They estimated that Medicare reimburses the hand surgeon $2685 for a CTR. Most patients (86 %) stated that Medicare reimbursement was “lower” or “much lower” than what it should be. Conclusion Respondents believed that hand surgeons should be reimbursed greater than 12 times the Medicare reimbursement rate of approximately $412 and that the physicians (surgeons and anesthesiologist) should command most of the health care funds allocated to this treatment. This study highlights the discrepancy between patient's perceptions and actual physician reimbursement as it relates to federal health care. Efforts should be made to educate patients on this discrepancy.
An Inaccuracy in the Determination of Cocoamidopropyl Betaine by the Potentiometric Method
Authors: Mostafalu Ramin , Banaei Abbas , Ghorbani Fatemeh 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is one of the most important amphoteric surfactants frequently used in cosmetic products, especially shampoos and bath products. Potentiometric and two‐phase active titrations of commercial grade CAPB are not in good agreement. The findings of this study suggest dimethylaminopropylamine‐betaines interfere with potentiometic titration.
Inhibition of Cycloartenol Synthase (CAS) Function in Tobacco BY‐2 Cells
Authors: Gas‐Pascual Elisabet , Simonovik Biljana , Schaller Hubert , Bach Thomas J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTobacco BY‐2 cell suspensions are our preferred model for studying isoprenoid biosynthesis pathways, due to their easy genetic transformation and the efficient absorption of metabolic precursors, intermediates, and/or inhibitors. Using this model system, we have analyzed the effects of chemical and genetic blockage of cycloartenol synthase (CAS, EC 5.4.99.8), an oxidosqualene cyclase that catalyzes the first committed step in the sterol pathway of plants. BY‐2 cells were treated with RO 48‐8071, a potent inhibitor of oxidosqualene cyclization. Short‐term treatments (24 h) resulted in accumulation of oxidosqualene with no changes in the final sterol products. Interestingly, long‐term treatments (6 days) induced down‐regulation in gene expression not only of CAS but also of the SMT2 gene coding sterol methyltransferase 2 (EC 2.1.1.41). This explains some of the increase in 24‐methyl sterols at the expense of the 24‐ethyl sterols stigmasterol and sitosterol. In our alternative strategy, CAS gene expression was partially blocked by using an inducible artificial microRNA. The limited effectiveness of this approach might be explained by some dependence of the machinery for RNAi formation on an operating MVA/sterol pathway. For comparison we checked the effect of RO 48‐8071 on a green cell suspension of Arabidopsis and on seedlings, containing a small spectrum of triterpenes besides phytosterols. Triterpenes remained essentially unaffected, but phytosterol accumulation was clearly diminished.
Elucidation of Kinetic and Symmetry Effects on the Viscosity and Flow Behavior of Stearic and Oleic Triacylglycerols
Authors: Bouzidi Laziz , Baker Mark , Garti Nissim , Narine Suresh S. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe flow behavior and viscosity of TAGs containing oleic and stearic acids were examined in the liquid phase as well as at temperatures close to the onset of crystallization by means of a temperature‐controlled rheometer. Gelling and crystallization transitions were unambiguously identified by singularities in the viscosity versus temperature curves of the TAGs. An additional transition between the gelling and onset of crystallization temperatures, attributed to the reorganization of the gel, was observed in the symmetrical TAGs only. The effect of the cooling rate, ranging between 0.1 and 5 °C/min, was investigated. The flow behavior of the studied TAGs was shown to be strongly determined by structural parameters (symmetry, degree of unsaturation). The flow behavior was also affected significantly by the cooling rate, suggesting that to certain extents the flow behavior determined by structural parameters could be changed by manipulating the cooling rate. The study confirmed that TAG crystallization is initiated by and depends, at least in part, on complex molecular short range order transformations occurring in the melt. The findings of the study may be valuable for evaluating systems and equipment that are involved in the storage, handling and processing of materials incorporating these TAGs.
Research into Reconciliation and Forgiveness at the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Homi Bhabha’s “Architecture of the New”
Authors: Krog Antjie 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The central argument of this article is that within the discourse around the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), many scholars have insufficiently applied the concept of an indigenous African worldview in their analysis of the TRC’s work, leading them at times to describe the process as coerced, contradictory, and politically manipulated. Using the different stages of my research as well as the different texts that “lit up” every phase, I argue that through a focus on language and translation, the pervasiveness of a particular worldview of interconnectedness can be traced that enabled the commission to execute its mandate creatively and without incidences of revenge. The acknowledgement of an indigenous interconnectedness has wide implications for the concept of transitional justice as it rejuvenates the main concepts of healing, amnesty, and reconciliation. As a journalist who reported on the daily activities of the commission, I move in this piece between the different epistemic communities of journalism, writing, and academia in order to understand the way in which language and its underlying epistemology provides an important access route to understanding the workings of the TRC and the testimonies provided by witnesses.
Self-organized braiding in solar coronal loops
Authors: Berger M. A. , Asgari-Targhi M. , DeLuca E. E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the evolution of braided solar coronal loops. We assume that coronal loops consist of several internal strands which twist and braid about each other. Reconnection between the strands leads to small flares and heating of the loop to x-ray temperatures. Using a method of generating and releasing braid structure similar to a forest fire model, we show that the reconnected field lines evolve to a self-organised critical state. In this state, the frequency distributions of coherent braid sequences as well as flare energies follow power law distributions. We demonstrate how the presence of net helicity in the loop alters the distribution laws.
Alternative strategies in newborns and infants with major co-morbidities to improve congenital heart surgery outcomes at an emerging programme
Authors: Dodge-Khatami Jannika , Dodge-Khatami Ali , Knudson Jarrod D. , Seals Samantha R. , Aggarwal Avichal , Taylor Mary B. , Salazar Jorge D. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionDebilitating patient-related non-cardiac co-morbidity cumulatively increases risk for congenital heart surgery. At our emerging programme, flexible surgical strategies were used in high-risk neonates and infants generally considered in-operable, in an attempt to make them surgical candidates and achieve excellent outcomes.Materials and methodsBetween April, 2010 and November, 2013, all referred neonates (142) and infants (300) (average scores: RACHS 2.8 and STAT 3.0) underwent 442 primary cardiac operations: patients with bi-ventricular lesions underwent standard (n=294) or alternative (n=19) repair/staging strategies, such as pulmonary artery banding(s), ductal stenting, right outflow patching, etc. Patients with uni-ventricular hearts followed standard (n=96) or alternative hybrid (n=34) staging. The impact of major pre-operative risk factors (37%), standard or alternative surgical strategy, prematurity (50%), gestational age, low birth weight, genetic syndromes (23%), and major non-cardiac co-morbidity requiring same admission surgery (27%) was analysed on the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mortality, length of intubation, as well as ICU and hospital length of stays.ResultsThe need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (8%) and hospital survival (94%) varied significantly between surgical strategy groups (p=0.0083 and 0.028, respectively). In high-risk patients, alternative bi- and uni-ventricular strategies minimised mortality, but were associated with prolonged intubation and ICU stay. Major pre-operative risk factors and lower weight at surgery significantly correlated with prolonged intubation, hospital length of stay, and mortality.DiscussionIn our emerging programme, flexible surgical strategies were offered to 53/442 high-risk neonates and infants with complex CHDs and significant non-cardiac co-morbidity, in order to buffer risk and achieve patient survival, although at the cost of increased resource utilisation.
Risk for prolonged QT interval and associated outcomes in children with early restrictive eating patterns
Authors: Guerrier Karine , Mitan Laurie , Wang Yu , Czosek Richard J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimThis study aimed to describe the frequency of QTc prolongation in children with restrictive eating disorders early in the course of disease admitted for inpatient therapy, to determine the frequency of associated ventricular arrhythmia, and to evaluate the relationship between QTc interval and concomitant electrolyte abnormalities and rate of weight loss.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 11–25 years with early restrictive eating disorders.ResultsIn all, 82 patients met the inclusion criteria (84% female). In total, 9.8% had prolonged QTc interval during hospitalisation. Patients with prolonged QTc had significantly higher resting heart rates (p=0.006), but there was no association with hypokalaemia (p=0.31), hypomagnesaemia (p=0.43), hypophosphataemia (p=1), or rate of weight loss (p=1).ConclusionMild QTc prolongation in patients with restrictive eating disorders is not related to electrolyte abnormalities or rate of weight loss in this population, suggesting that investigation about other potential risk factors of prolonged QTc interval may be warranted.
Mitochondrial E3 ligase March5 maintains stemness of mouse ES cells via suppression of ERK signalling
Authors: Gu Hao , Li Qidong , Huang Shan , Lu Weiguang , Cheng Fangyuan , Gao Ping , Wang Chen , Miao Lin , Mei Yide , Wu Mian 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEmbryonic stem cells (ESCs) possess pluripotency, which is the capacity of cells to differentiate into all lineages of the mature organism. Increasing evidence suggests that the pluripotent state of ESCs is regulated by a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The underlying mechanisms, however, are not completely understood. Here, we show that March5, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is involved in maintaining mouse-ESC (mESC) pluripotency. Knockdown of March5 in mESCs led to differentiation from naive pluripotency. Mechanistically, as a transcriptional target of Klf4, March5 catalyses K63-linked polyubiquitination of Prkar1a, a negative regulatory subunit of PKA, to activate PKA, thereby inhibiting the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Moreover, March5 is able to replace a MEK/ERK inhibitor to maintain mESC pluripotency under serum-free culture conditions. In addition, March5 can partially replace the use of Klf4 for somatic cell reprogramming. Collectively, our study uncovers a role for the Klf4–March5–PKA–ERK pathway in maintaining the stemness properties of mESCs.
Optogenetic control of contractile function in skeletal muscle
Authors: Bruegmann Tobias , van Bremen Tobias , Vogt Christoph C. , Send Thorsten , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Sasse Philipp 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOptogenetic stimulation allows activation of cells with high spatial and temporal precision. Here we show direct optogenetic stimulation of skeletal muscle from transgenic mice expressing the light-sensitive channel Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). Largest tetanic contractions are observed with 5-ms light pulses at 30 Hz, resulting in 84% of the maximal force induced by electrical stimulation. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by selectively stimulating with a light guide individual intralaryngeal muscles in explanted larynges from ChR2-transgenic mice, which enables selective opening and closing of the vocal cords. Furthermore, systemic injection of adeno-associated virus into wild-type mice provides sufficient ChR2 expression for optogenetic opening of the vocal cords. Thus, direct optogenetic stimulation of skeletal muscle generates large force and provides the distinct advantage of localized and cell-type-specific activation. This technology could be useful for therapeutic purposes, such as restoring the mobility of the vocal cords in patients suffering from laryngeal paralysis.
Vimentin filament organization and stress sensing depend on its single cysteine residue and zinc binding
Authors: Pérez-Sala Dolores , Oeste Clara L. , Martínez Alma E. , Carrasco M. Jesús , Garzón Beatriz , Cañada F. Javier 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe vimentin filament network plays a key role in cell architecture and signalling, as well as in epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Vimentin C328 is targeted by various oxidative modifications, but its role in vimentin organization is not known. Here we show that C328 is essential for vimentin network reorganization in response to oxidants and electrophiles, and is required for optimal vimentin performance in network expansion, lysosomal distribution and aggresome formation. C328 may fulfil these roles through interaction with zinc. In vitro, micromolar zinc protects vimentin from iodoacetamide modification and elicits vimentin polymerization into optically detectable structures; in cells, zinc closely associates with vimentin and its depletion causes reversible filament disassembly. Finally, zinc transport-deficient human fibroblasts show increased vimentin solubility and susceptibility to disruption, which are restored by zinc supplementation. These results unveil a critical role of C328 in vimentin organization and open new perspectives for the regulation of intermediate filaments by zinc.
Pushing the limits of radiofrequency (RF) neuronal telemetry
Authors: Yousefi Tara , Diaz Rodolfo E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn a previous report it was shown that the channel capacity of an in vivo communication link using microscopic antennas at radiofrequency is severely limited by the requirement not to damage the tissue surrounding the antennas. For dipole-like antennas the strong electric field dissipates too much power into body tissues. Loop-type antennas have a strong magnetic near field and so dissipate much less power into the surrounding tissues but they require such a large current that the antenna temperature is raised to the thermal damage threshold of the tissue. The only solution was increasing the antenna size into hundreds of microns, which makes reporting on an individual neuron impossible. However, recently demonstrated true magnetic antennas offer an alternative not covered in the previous report. The near field of these antennas is dominated by the magnetic field yet they don’t require large currents. Thus they combine the best characteristics of dipoles and loops. By calculating the coupling between identical magnetic antennas inside a model of the body medium we show an increase in the power transfer of up to 8 orders of magnitude higher than could be realized with the loops and dipoles, making the microscopic RF in-vivo transmitting antenna possible.