bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitigating errors in surface temperature forecasts using approximate radiation updates
Authors: Hogan Robin J. , Bozzo Alessio 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDue to computational expense, the radiation schemes in many weather and climate models are called infrequently in time and/or on a reduced spatial grid. The former can lead to a lag in the diurnal cycle of surface temperature, while the latter can lead to large surface temperature errors at coastal land points due to surface fluxes computed over the ocean being used where the skin temperature and surface albedo are very different. This paper describes a computationally efficient solution to these problems, in which the surface longwave and shortwave fluxes are updated every time step and grid point according to the local skin temperature and albedo. In order that energy is conserved, it is necessary to compute the change to the net flux profile consistent with the changed surface fluxes. The longwave radiation scheme has been modified to compute also the rate of change of the profile of upwelling longwave flux with respect to the value at the surface. Then at each grid point and time step, the upwelling flux and heating‐rate profiles are updated using the new value of skin temperature. The computational cost of performing approximate radiation updates in the ECMWF model is only 2% of the cost of the full radiation scheme, so increases the overall cost of the model by only of order 0.2%. Testing the new scheme by running daily 5 day forecasts over an 8 month period reveals significant improvement in 2 m temperature forecasts at coastal stations compared to observations.
Multi‐agent adaptive consensus of networked systems on directed graphs
Authors: Radenkovic Miloje , Tadi Mohsen 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThis paper considers adaptive consensus problem on directed graphs of multi‐agent systems with unknown control directions. The proposed consensus protocol assumes that each agent receives information about delayed values of state and control signals of respective neighbors. In case of unknown sign of the high‐frequency gain of agent dynamics, the proposed algorithm employs Nussbaum‐like switching function. The algorithm allows for a designer to select low gain or high gain consensus protocols. Assuming that the underlying graph is strongly connected, it is proved that all agent states converge toward the same value, and the inter‐agent coupling parameters are convergent functions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intraneural GJB1 gene delivery improves nerve pathology in a model of X‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
Authors: Sargiannidou Irene , Kagiava Alexia , Bashiardes Stavros , Richter Jan , Christodoulou Christina , Scherer Steven S. , Kleopa Kleopas A. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveX‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT1X) is a common inherited neuropathy caused by mutations in the GJB1 gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32). Clinical studies and disease models indicate that neuropathy mainly results from Schwann cell autonomous, loss‐of‐function mechanisms; therefore, CMT1X may be treatable by gene replacement.MethodsA lentiviral vector LV.Mpz‐GJB1 carrying the GJB1 gene under the Schwann cell–specific myelin protein zero (Mpz) promoter was generated and delivered into the mouse sciatic nerve by a single injection immediately distal to the sciatic notch. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene expression was quantified and Cx32 expression was examined on a Cx32 knockout (KO) background. A gene therapy trial was performed in a Cx32 KO model of CMT1X.ResultsEGFP was expressed throughout the length of the sciatic nerve in up to 50% of Schwann cells starting 2 weeks after injection and remaining stable for up to 16 weeks. Following LV.Mpz‐GJB1 injection into Cx32 KO nerves, we detected Cx32 expression and correct localization in non–compact myelin areas where gap junctions are normally formed. Gene therapy trial by intraneural injection in groups of 2‐month‐old Cx32 KO mice, before demyelination onset, significantly reduced the ratio of abnormally myelinated fibers (p = 0.00148) and secondary inflammation (p = 0.0178) at 6 months of age compared to mock‐treated animals.InterpretationGene delivery using a lentiviral vector leads to efficient gene expression specifically in Schwann cells. Restoration of Cx32 expression ameliorates nerve pathology in a disease model and provides a promising approach for future treatments of CMT1X and other inherited neuropathies. Ann Neurol 2015;78:303–316
Palladium and Bimetallic Palladium–Nickel Nanoparticles Supported on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes: Application to CarbonCarbon Bond‐Forming Reactions in Water
Authors: Ohtaka Atsushi , Sansano José M. , Nájera Carmen , Miguel‐García Izaskun , Berenguer‐Murcia Ángel , Cazorla‐Amorós Diego 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPalladium and bimetallic Pd–Ni nanoparticles (NPs) protected by polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared by the reduction‐by‐solvent method and deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The catalytic activity of these NPs to carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions was studied by using 0.1 mol % Pd loading, at 120 °C for 1 h and water as a solvent under ligand‐free conditions. The Suzuki–Miyaura reaction took place quantitatively for the cross‐coupling of 4‐bromoanisole with phenylboronic acid, better than those obtained with potassium phenyltrifluoroborate, with Pd50Ni50/MWCNTs as a catalyst and K2CO3 as a base and TBAB as an additive, with good recyclability during 4 cycles with some Ni leaching. The Hiyama reaction of 4‐iodoanisole with trimethoxyphenylsilane, under fluoride‐free conditions using 50 % aqueous NaOH solution, was performed with Pd/MWCNTs as a catalyst in 83 % yield with low recyclability. For the Mizoroki‐Heck reaction 4‐iodoanisole and styrene gave the corresponding 4‐methoxystilbene quantitatively with Pd50Ni50/MWCNTs using K2CO3 as a base and TBAB as an additive although the recycle failed. In the case of the Sonogashira‐Hagihara reaction, Pd/MWCNTs had to be used as a catalyst and pyrrolidine as a base for the coupling of 4‐iodoanisole with phenylacetylene under copper‐free conditions. The corresponding 4‐methoxytolane was quantitatively obtained allowing the recycling of the catalyst during 3 cycles.
Ecosystem recharge by volcanic dust drives broad‐scale variation in bird abundance
Authors: Gunnarsson Tómas Grétar , Arnalds Ólafur , Appleton Graham , Méndez Verónica , Gill Jennifer A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAcross the globe, deserts and volcanic eruptions produce large volumes of atmospheric dust, and the amount of dust is predicted to increase with global warming. The effects of long‐distance airborne dust inputs on ecosystem productivity are potentially far‐reaching but have primarily been measured in soil and plants. Airborne dust could also drive distribution and abundance at higher trophic levels, but opportunities to explore these relationships are rare. Here we use Iceland's steep dust deposition gradients to assess the influence of dust on the distribution and abundance of internationally important ground‐nesting bird populations. Surveys of the abundance of breeding birds at 729 locations throughout lowland Iceland were used to explore the influence of dust deposition on bird abundance in agricultural, dry, and wet habitats. Dust deposition had a strong positive effect on bird abundance across Iceland in dry and wet habitats, but not in agricultural land where nutrient levels are managed. The abundance of breeding waders, the dominant group of terrestrial birds in Iceland, tripled on average between the lowest and highest dust deposition classes in both wet and dry habitats. The deposition and redistribution of volcanic materials can have powerful impacts in terrestrial ecosystems and can be a major driver of the abundance of higher trophic‐level organisms at broad spatial scales. The impacts of volcanic ash deposition during eruptions and subsequent redistribution of unstable volcanic materials are strong enough to override effects of underlying variation in organic matter and clay content on ecosystem fertility. Global rates of atmospheric dust deposition are likely to increase with increasing desertification and glacier retreat, and this study demonstrates that the effects on ecosystems are likely to be far‐reaching, both in terms of spatial scales and ecosystem components.
Invasive plants may promote predator‐mediated feedback that inhibits further invasion
Authors: Smith Lauren M. , Schmitz Oswald J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractUnderstanding the impacts of invasive species requires placing invasion within a full community context. Plant invaders are often considered in the context of herbivores that may drive invasion by avoiding invaders while consuming natives (enemy escape), or inhibit invasion by consuming invaders (biotic resistance). However, predators that attack those herbivores are rarely considered as major players in invasion. Invasive plants often promote predators, generally by providing improved habitat. Here, we show that predator‐promoting invaders may initiate a negative feedback loop that inhibits invasion. By enabling top‐down control of herbivores, predator‐promoting invaders lose any advantage gained through enemy escape, indirectly favoring natives. In cases where palatable invaders encounter biotic resistance, predator promotion may allow an invader to persist, but not dominate. Overall, results indicate that placing invaders in a full community context may reveal reduced impacts of invaders compared to expectations based on simple plant–plant or plant–herbivore subsystems.
Spatial variability of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in a large floodplain river: control factors and relations with phytoplankton during a low water period
Authors: Mayora Gisela , Devercelli Melina , Frau Diego 
Published: May 2015

AbstractChromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) affects ecological processes in freshwater environments. Few studies assessed its spatial variability and relations with phytoplankton in floodplain rivers. Therefore, these topics were examined in a hydrological connectivity gradient in the Middle Paraná system. Absorption coefficients at 250 and 365 nm were measured to estimate CDOM concentration and molecular weight (MW), to find their explanatory limnological variables (Redundancy Analysis, RDA), and to assess their contribution to the explanation of phytoplankton structure (Canonical Correspondence Analysis, CCA). Conductivity and turbidity explained CDOM significantly. Increased conductivity from the main channel to floodplain lakes was associated with increased CDOM concentration. The lake indirectly connected to the river showed the highest turbidity associated with high‐MW‐CDOM, while the isolated lake showed the highest conductivity associated with low‐MW‐CDOM. Phytoplankton structure was significantly explained by conductivity, turbidity, and high‐MW‐CDOM (CCA). Environments directly connected to the river (with the lowest conductivity) were associated with diatoms. Phytoflagellates were associated with turbidity and high‐MW‐CDOM in the lake indirectly connected to the river, whereas Cyanobacteria were associated with conductivity and low‐MW‐CDOM in the isolated lake. The combined effect of physical factors and CDOM explained the highest fraction of species variation (partial CCA). As a conclusion: (1) CDOM increases as hydrological connectivity with the river decreases; (2) lake sediment resuspension is linked to an increase of high‐MW‐CDOM; (3) lake isolation from the river corresponds to an increase in low‐MW‐CDOM; and (4) CDOM explains phytoplankton structure significantly and should be considered as an important variable in studies of microalgal assembly. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Baroreflex activation therapy for the treatment of heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction: safety and efficacy in patients with and without cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Zile Michael R. , Abraham William T. , Weaver Fred A. , Butter Christian , Ducharme Anique , Halbach Marcel , Klug Didier , Lovett Eric G. , Müller‐Ehmsen Jochen , Schafer Jill E. , Senni Michele , Swarup Vijay , Wachter Rolf , Little William C. 
Published: May 2015

AimsIncreased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity contribute to heart failure (HF) symptoms and disease progression. Carotid baroreceptor stimulation (baroreflex activation therapy, BAT) results in centrally mediated reduction of sympathetic and increase in parasympathetic activity. Because patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may have less sympathetic/parasympathetic imbalance, we hypothesized that there would be differences in the response to BAT in patients with CRT vs. those without CRT.Methods and resultsNew York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III patients with an ejection fraction (EF) ≤35% were randomized (1 : 1) to ongoing guideline‐directed medical and device therapy (GDMT, control) or ongoing GDMT plus BAT. Safety endpoint was system‐/procedure‐related major adverse neurological and cardiovascular events (MANCE). Efficacy endpoints were Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Quality of Life (QoL), 6‐min hall walk distance (6MHWD), N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and HF hospitalization rate. In this sample, 146 patients were randomized (70 control; 76 BAT) and were 140 activated (45 with CRT and 95 without CRT). MANCE‐free rate at 6 months was 100% in CRT and 96% in no‐CRT group. At 6 months, in the no‐CRT group, QoL score, 6MHWD, LVEF, NT‐proBNP and HF hospitalizations were significantly improved in BAT patients compared with controls. Changes in efficacy endpoints in the CRT group favoured BAT; however, the improvements were less than in the no‐CRT group and were not statistically different from control.ConclusionsBAT is safe and significantly improved QoL, exercise capacity, NTpro‐BNP, EF, and rate of HF hospitalizations in GDMT‐treated NYHA Class III HF patients. These effects were most pronounced in patients not treated with CRT.
No impact of DvSnf7 RNA on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) adults and larvae in dietary feeding tests
Authors: Tan Jianguo , Levine Steven L. , Bachman Pamela M. , Jensen Peter D. , Mueller Geoffrey M. , Uffman Joshua P. , Meng Chen , Song Zihong , Richards Kathy B. , Beevers Michael H. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is the most important managed pollinator species worldwide and plays a critical role in the pollination of a diverse range of economically important crops. This species is important to agriculture and historically has been used as a surrogate species for pollinators to evaluate the potential adverse effects for conventional, biological, and microbial pesticides, as well as for genetically engineered plants that produce pesticidal products. As part of the ecological risk assessment of MON 87411 maize, which expresses a double-stranded RNA targeting the Snf7 ortholog (DvSnf7) in western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), dietary feeding studies with honey bee larvae and adults were conducted. Based on the mode of action of the DvSnf7 RNA in western corn rootworm, the present studies were designed to be of sufficient duration to evaluate the potential for adverse effects on larval survival and development through emergence and adult survival to a significant portion of the adult stage. Testing was conducted at concentrations of DvSnf7 RNA that greatly exceeded environmentally relevant exposure levels based on expression levels in maize pollen. No adverse effects were observed in either larval or adult honey bees at these high exposure levels, providing a large margin of safety between environmental exposure levels and no-observed–adverse-effect levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:287–294. © 2015 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Uptake and toxicity of methylmethacrylate-based nanoplastic particles in aquatic organisms
Authors: Booth Andy M. , Hansen Bjørn Henrik , Frenzel Max , Johnsen Heidi , Altin Dag 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

The uptake and toxicity of 2 poly(methylmethacrylate)-based plastic nanoparticles (PNPs) with different surface chemistries (medium and hydrophobic) were assessed using aquatic organisms selected for their relevance based on the environmental behavior of the PNPs. Pure poly(methylmethacrylate) (medium; PMMA PNPs) and poly(methylmethacrylate-co-stearylmethacrylate) copolymer (hydrophobic; PMMA–PSMA PNPs) of 86 nm to 125 nm were synthesized using a miniemulsion polymerization method. Fluorescent analogs of each PNP were also synthesized using monomer 7-[4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin]acrylamide and studied. Daphnia magna, Corophium volutator, and Vibrio fischeri were employed in a series of standard acute ecotoxicity tests, being exposed to the PNPs at 3 different environmentally realistic concentrations (0.01 mg/L, 0.1 mg/L, and 1.0 mg/L) and a high concentration 500 mg/L to 1000 mg/L. In addition, sublethal effects of PNPs in C. volutator were determined using a sediment reburial test, and the uptake and depuration of fluorescent PNPs was studied in D. magna. The PNPs and fluorescent PNPs did not exhibit any observable toxicity at concentrations up to 500 mg/L to 1000 mg/L in any of the tests except for PMMA–PSMA PNPs and fluorescent PNPs following 48-h exposure to D. magna (median lethal concentration values of 879 mg/L and 887 mg/L, respectively). No significant differences were observed between labeled and nonlabeled PNPs, indicating the suitability of using fluorescent labeling. Significant uptake and rapid excretion of the fluorescent PNPs was observed in D. magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1641–1649. © 2015 SETAC
An approach formulated in terms of conserved variables for the characterisation of propellant combustion in internal ballistics
Authors: Otón‐Martínez R. A. , Monreal‐González G. , García‐Cascales J. R. , Vera‐García F. , Velasco F. J. S. , Ramírez‐Fernández F. J. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryA model formulated in terms of conserved variables is proposed for its use in the study of internal ballistic problems of pyrotechnical mixtures and propellants. It is a transient two‐phase flow model adapted from the non‐conservative Gough model. This conversion is mathematically attractive because of the wide range of numerical methods for this kind of systems that may be applied. We propose the use of the AUSM+, AUSM + up and Rusanov schemes as an efficient alternative for this type of two‐phase problem. A splitting technique is applied, which solves the system of equations in several steps. A second‐order approach based on Monotonic Upstream‐Centred Scheme for Conservation Laws (MUSCL) is also used. Some tests are used to validate the code, namely a shock wave test, a contact discontinuity problem and an internal ballistics problem. In this last case, one‐dimensional numerical results are compared with experimental data of 155‐mm gunshots. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic analysis of knee synovial fluid as a potential diagnostic approach for osteoarthritis
Authors: Mickiewicz Beata , Kelly Jordan J. , Ludwig Taryn E. , Weljie Aalim M. , Wiley J. Preston , Schmidt Tannin A. , Vogel Hans J. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTOsteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic joint pain in the older human population. Diagnosis of OA at an earlier stage may enable the development of new treatments to one day effectively modify the progression and prognosis of the disease. In this work, we explore whether an integrated metabolomics approach could be utilized for the diagnosis of OA. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected from symptomatic chronic knee OA patients and normal human cadaveric knee joints. The samples were analyzed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) followed by multivariate statistical analysis. Based on the metabolic profiles, we were able to distinguish OA patients from the controls and validate the statistical models. Moreover, we have integrated the 1H NMR and GC‐MS results and we found that 11 metabolites were statistically important for the separation between OA and normal SF. Additionally, statistical analysis showed an excellent predictive ability of the constructed metabolomics model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 1.0). Our findings indicate that metabolomics might serve as a promising approach for the diagnosis and prognosis of degenerative changes in the knee joint and should be further validated in clinical settings. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1631–1638, 2015.
Fluorescence‐based source tracking of organic sediment in restored and unrestored urban streams
Authors: Larsen Laurel , Harvey Jud , Skalak Katherine , Goodman Marissa 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFine sediment is a leading cause of impairment of waterways, but its dynamics are generally poorly understood. Most fingerprinting studies focus on the mineral component of fine sediment, yet the organic fraction has distinct effects on ecosystem processes. Here we employed a novel combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and end‐member mixing analysis (EMMA) to distinguish between sources of particulate organic material (POM) in streams with and without restoration structures, situated within urban watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay. Suspended sediment samples and potential source end‐member samples were leached and analyzed for their fluorescence excitation‐emission (EEM) spectra. EEMs were resolved into fluorescent components using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). Six conservative components comprised the inputs to EMMA. The final model distinguished seven categories of source contributions: old and recent banks, the streambed, impervious surfaces, forested soils, algae, and a general category of allochthonous contributions from the watershed. The poorly characterizable allochthonous category dominated all samples, particularly at baseflow. During storms, the stream with restoration structures transported larger concentrations of fluorescent POM than the unrestored stream, with greater contributions from banks and soil. However, the bed contribution was greater for the unrestored stream, reflecting greater instream storage of fine sediment during interstorm periods. Relative source contributions in the model were insensitive to variability in the precise spectral characteristics of source end members or the number of end members, and varied in a manner consistent with external measurements, providing confidence in the approach.
The “Whack‐a‐Mole” Sign in Functional Movement Disorders
Authors: Park Jung E. , Maurer Carine W. , Hallett Mark 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMaking the diagnosis of functional movement disorders can be challenging. Identifying positive physical signs and diagnostic maneuvers is critical to this process. Distractibility, entrainability, and variability are examples of classic physical findings in these patients. In this case series, we identify and characterize another phenomenon observed in some of these patients. In this phenomenon, movement suppression of one body part is followed by immediate reemergence of movement in another. We propose that this phenomenon be referred to as the “whack‐a‐mole” sign. This name is derived from the arcade game whack‐a‐mole, in which a mole, when hit into its original hole, re‐emerges elsewhere. We present a case series of 4 patients with functional movement disorders who exhibit this sign.