bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged experimental drought reduces plant hydraulic conductance and transpiration and increases mortality in a piñon–juniper woodland
Authors: Pangle Robert E. , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Plaut Jennifer A. , Yepez Enrico A. , Hudson Patrick J. , Boutz Amanda L. , Gehres Nathan , Pockman William T. , McDowell Nate G. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPlant hydraulic conductance (ks) is a critical control on whole‐plant water use and carbon uptake and, during drought, influences whether plants survive or die. To assess long‐term physiological and hydraulic responses of mature trees to water availability, we manipulated ecosystem‐scale water availability from 2007 to 2013 in a piñon pine (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus monosperma) woodland. We examined the relationship between ks and subsequent mortality using more than 5 years of physiological observations, and the subsequent impact of reduced hydraulic function and mortality on total woody canopy transpiration (EC) and conductance (GC). For both species, we observed significant reductions in plant transpiration (E) and ks under experimentally imposed drought. Conversely, supplemental water additions increased E and ks in both species. Interestingly, both species exhibited similar declines in ks under the imposed drought conditions, despite their differing stomatal responses and mortality patterns during drought. Reduced whole‐plant ks also reduced carbon assimilation in both species, as leaf‐level stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthesis (An) declined strongly with decreasing ks. Finally, we observed that chronically low whole‐plant ks was associated with greater canopy dieback and mortality for both piñon and juniper and that subsequent reductions in woody canopy biomass due to mortality had a significant impact on both daily and annual canopy EC and GC. Our data indicate that significant reductions in ks precede drought‐related tree mortality events in this system, and the consequence is a significant reduction in canopy gas exchange and carbon fixation. Our results suggest that reductions in productivity and woody plant cover in piñon–juniper woodlands can be expected due to reduced plant hydraulic conductance and increased mortality of both piñon pine and juniper under anticipated future conditions of more frequent and persistent regional drought in the southwestern United States.
Pathogenic bacteria and timing of laying
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Soler Juan J. , Nielsen Jan Tøttrup , Galván Ismael 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPathogenic bacteria constitute a serious threat to viability of many organisms. Because growth of most bacteria is favored by humid and warm environmental conditions, earlier reproducers in seasonal environments should suffer less from the negative consequences of pathogenic bacteria. These relationships, and the effects on reproductive success, should be particularly prominent in predators because they are frequently exposed to pathogenic microorganisms from sick prey. Here, we presented and tested this hypothesis by sampling bacteria on adult and nestling goshawksAccipiter gentilis. We predicted that early breeders and their offspring should have fewer bacteria than those reproducing later during the breeding season. Adult goshawks with a high abundance ofStaphylococcuson their beak and claws were easier to capture and their laying date was delayed. Moreover, goshawks that laid their eggs later had offspring with moreStaphylococcuson their beaks and claws. The strength of the association between laying date and bacterial density of nestlings was stronger during the warm spring of 2013, when nestlings suffered from a higher abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Hatching failure and fledging failure were more common in nests with a higher abundance ofStaphylococcusindependently of the number of years occupied, laying date, and age of the female nest owner. These findings imply that timing of reproduction may be under the influence of pathogenic bacteria. Because early breeding goshawks produce more recruits than later breeders, our results suggest a role for pathogenic bacteria in the optimal timing of reproduction.
Power in the Governance of Common‐Pool Resources: A comparative analysis of irrigation management decentralization in Turkey
Authors: Kadirbeyoglu Zeynep , Özertan Gökhan 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe global trend in common‐pool resource (CPR) governance is to decentralize resource use management to local user groups. Since the survival and sustainability of self‐governing organizations are closely linked to the satisfaction of its members, listening to users who have the largest stake in CPR sustainability is crucial. The literature on CPR governance has two shortcomings: its analyses are restricted to the local community, excluding higher institutional and government levels; and power asymmetry among users is neglected, even though it can undermine collective action and hinder effective CPR management. In this study, multiple governance levels were linked, and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework – which contextualizes how interactions among local actors lead to institutional outcomes that shape both individual and collective actions – was extended by controlling for the impact of power relations on institutional performance. The outcomes of irrigation management decentralization were assessed via three case studies on locally managed irrigation institutions from two provinces in Turkey. It was found that power asymmetries have a significant impact on user satisfaction across the cases, albeit in different directions. The implication of this finding is that, in contexts where land distribution is highly unequal, inequalities may have contradictory effects depending on how power operates and is reflected in CPR management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Seeing through the dark: New insights into the immune regulatory functions of vitamin A
Authors: Brown Chrysothemis C. , Noelle Randolph J. 
Published: March 2015

The importance of vitamin A for host defense is undeniable and the study of its mechanisms is paramount. Of the estimated 250 million preschool children who are vitamin A‐deficient (VAD), 10% will die from their increased susceptibility to infectious disease. Vitamin A supplementation was established in the 1980s as one of the most successful interventions in the developing world. Understanding how vitamin A controls immunity will help curb the mortality and morbidity associated with vitamin A deficiency and exploit the immune‐enhancing capacity of vitamin A to heighten host resistance to infectious disease. The discoveries that retinoic acid (RA) imprints the homing of leukocytes to the gut and enhances the induction of regulatory T cells, highlighted a potential role for RA in mucosal tolerance. However, more recently emerging data tell of a more profound systemic impact of RA on leukocyte function and commitment. In animal models using genetic manipulation of RA signaling, we learned when and how RA controls T cell fate. Here, we review the role for RA as a critical checkpoint regulator in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells within the immune system.
Facile Preparation of Ammonium Molybdophosphate/Al‐MCM‐41 Composite Material from Natural Clay and Its Use in Cesium Ion Adsorption
Authors: Sun Chunyan , Zhang Feng , Wang Xiao , Cheng Fangqin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOrdered hexagonal mesoporous aluminosilicate matrix (Al‐MCM‐41) with incorporated ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) was successfully synthesized by a one‐pot synthesis method with natural clay from low‐grade potash ores of Qinghai salt lake as the silica and aluminum source. We introduced a modified “liquid‐phase transport” step, which allowed the use of impure natural clay as a starting material to directly produce pure product without sedimentation pretreatment. The resultant product was characterized by X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, 27Al and 31P magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption, which indicated that the AMP was immobilized in the mesoporous structure of Al‐MCM‐41. The adsorption capacity of the final product for the removal of cesium ions in solution was also investigated. The results suggested that salt lake clay is a promising low‐cost precursor for the production of mesoporous aluminosilicate supports through one‐pot syntheses, and the final composite material is effective for the adsorption of cesium ions from solutions containing other alkali metal ions.
Synthetic, Structural, and Spectroscopic Studies of Bis(porphyrinzinc) Complexes Linked by Two‐Atom Conjugating Bridges
Authors: Harper Shannon R. , Pfrunder Michael C. , Esdaile Louisa J. , Jensen Paul , McMurtrie John C. , Arnold Dennis P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractFour ZnII 5,10,15‐triphenylporphyrin (TriPP) complexes meso–meso linked by two‐atom bridges, namely, C2H2 (2), C2 (3), CH=N (4), and N2 (5), were prepared, for comparison of ground‐state inter‐porphyrin conjugation. The X‐ray crystal structure of azoporphyrin 5·py2 (py = pyridine) was determined: it exhibits a stepped‐offset shape and a porphyrin–azo torsion angle of 34.8°. Some new monoporphyrin starting materials were prepared, and ZnTriPPNH2 (27), ZnTriPPCHO (23), NiTriPPCHO (7), and ZnTriPPCH2CH2Ph (18), as well as the byproduct butadiyne‐linked dimer 26 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The conjugation in the dimers was assessed by electronic absorption and steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy. All show variously split B bands: azoporphyrin 5 clearly has the strongest ground‐state inter‐porphyrin interactions. Imine 4 and azo 5 show strongly quenched fluorescence emission, which indicates the presence of efficient relaxation pathways afforded by the N‐containing linkers.
A Convergent Synthesis of 6‐O‐Branched β‐Glucan Oligosaccharides
Authors: Liao Guochao , Burgula Srinivas , Zhou Zhifang , Guo Zhongwu 
Published: March 2015

Abstractβ‐Glucans are important carbohydrate antigens that are found on the surface of fungal cells, and they could be useful for the development of antifungal vaccines. This paper describes a highly convergent and efficient strategy for the synthesis of structurally defined branched β‐glucan oligosaccharides that can be used for detailed studies of β‐glucans and for the design of β‐glucan‐based vaccines. The strategy was highlighted by assembling three target compounds through preactivation‐based glycosylation with thioglycosides as glycosyl donors. It was used to successfully prepare β‐glucan oligosaccharides consisting of a β‐1,3‐linked nonaglucan backbone linked to a β‐1,6‐glucotetraose, a β‐1,3‐glucodiose, or a β‐1,3‐glucotetraose branch at the 6‐O‐position of the nonaglucan central sugar unit. The structure and size of the glycosyl donors and acceptors used in the syntheses did not significantly affect the efficiency of the glycosylation, which suggests that this strategy can be generally useful for the synthesis of more complex structures.
Effects of compression at myofascial trigger points in patients with acute low back pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Takamoto K. , Bito I. , Urakawa S. , Sakai S. , Kigawa M. , Ono T. , Nishijo H. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundAlthough there is some evidence that massage therapy, especially compression at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), is effective for sub‐acute and chronic low back pain, the effectiveness of massage therapy with compression at MTrPs for acute low back pain has not been studied.MethodsTo evaluate the effectiveness of compression at MTrPs for acute low back pain, 63 patients with acute low back pain were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the MTrP group who received compression at MTrPs (N = 23), the non‐MTrP group who received compression at non‐trigger points (N = 21), and the effleurage massage group who received superficial massage (N = 19). The patients received the assigned treatment 3 times/week for 2 weeks. The subjective pain intensity in static and dynamic conditions and disability caused by low back pain were measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Roland–Morris questionnaire (RMQ), respectively; along with the range of motion (ROM) at the lumbar region and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at trigger points before treatment (baseline), 1 week after the start of treatment, and 1 month after the end of treatment (follow‐up).ResultsStatic and dynamic VAS score, PPT and ROM were significantly improved in the MTrP group compared with those in the non‐MTrP and effleurage groups.ConclusionsThese results indicate that compression at MTrPs is effective to treat acute low back pain compared with compression at non‐MTrPs and superficial massage.For this article, a commentary is available at the Wiley Online Library.
That is how we do it around here: Levels of identification, masculine honor, and social activism against organized crime in the south of Italy
Authors: Travaglino Giovanni A. , Abrams Dominic , Randsley de Moura Georgina , Russo Giuseppina 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMasculine honor is an important cultural code in the south of Italy. Italian criminal organizations (COs) manipulate and exploit this code to maintain legitimacy among local populations and exert social control in the territory where they operate. This research tested the hypothesis that different levels of identification—the region and the nation—would have opposite associations with male honor‐related values and, indirectly, with intentions to oppose COs collectively. Results from a sample of young southern Italians (N = 170) showed that regional identification positively predicted endorsement of male honor‐related values, which in turn were associated with lowered intentions to oppose COs. In contrast, national identification negatively predicted male honor‐related values, associated in turn with stronger intentions to oppose COs. These results also held when perceived risk and social dominance orientation were taken into account. Directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional energetic and exergetic analysis of the injection orientation of DI diesel engine under different engine speeds
Authors: Taghavifar Hadi , Khalilarya Shahram , Jafarmadar Samad 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3‐D) computational code was implemented to solve conservation equations based on finite volume method as to simulate 1.8 L Ford diesel engine. Velocity and pressure of each computational cell is achieved by SIMPLE (semi‐implicit method for pressure‐linked equations) algorithm. For the exergetic aspect, the initial condition is set at 0.1 MPa and 300 K. The engine modeling is performed with 130 °, 140 °, and 150 ° with respect to x‐axis under 1500 and 2500 rpm engine speeds. The results, however, indicate better air/fuel mixture (near stoichiometric equivalence ratio) for 130 ° of injection angle, albeit smaller spray droplets (lower sauter mean diameter) were introduced with 140 °. It is seen that higher soot and NOx mass fraction is attributed to 1500 rpm engine speed. The highest NOx and soot are exhausted at 130 ° and 150 ° of injection, respectively. Second law efficiency was calculated for different spray angle and engine speed schemes such that 36.62%, 30.2%, and 32.07% are associated with 130 °, 140 °, and 150 ° of injection angle under 1500 rpm, respectively. In terms of engine performance, that is, indicated mean effective pressure, indicated specific fuel consumption, and temperature, the best performance metrics are of 130 ° equal to 15.4 bar, 0.3856 kg/kW‐h, and 2074.97 K under 1500 rpm, respectively. Instant irreversibility rate is the highest amount with peak value of 17.48 J/deg for 130 deg‐1500 rpm, while 140 ° shows higher mean irreversibility rate over crank angle (CA) period.
Statistical and empirical analyses of the triggers of coastal chalk cliff failure
Authors: Letortu Pauline , Costa Stéphane , Cador Jean‐Michel , Coinaud Cyril , Cantat Olivier 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe triggering factors of rock falls remain unknown due to a lack of exhaustive, regular and accurate surveys. Based on an inventory of 331 rock falls collected weekly between 2002 and 2009 from Veules‐les‐Roses to Le Treport (Upper Normandy), the relationships between coastal chalk cliff rock falls (dates and geomorphological features) and external factors commonly agreed as triggering (rainfall, temperature variations, tide and wind) are studied. The combination of multivariate statistical and empirical analyses indicates that (1) ‘cold and dry weather’ and ‘high rainfall and high wind’ are the conditions most likely to trigger rock falls, (2) the main triggering factors of rock falls are effective rainfall (for rock falls mostly between 200 and 1400 m3 or larger than 10 000 m3 and coming from the whole cliff face), freeze/thaw cycles (especially for rock falls smaller than 200 m3 and coming from the foot and top of the cliff face) and marine roughness (rock falls mainly smaller than 200 m3 and coming from the cliff foot). However, the contribution of each factor to triggering is difficult to determine because of combinations of factors (85% of 331 cases), relays of processes and hysteresis phenomena. In view of these first results, it is still presumptuous to predict the location and time of triggering of rock falls. However, the statistical and naturalistic approaches adopted and the observations made in this study are from an original database, and constitute a real starting point for the prediction and prevention of the hazard of coastal chalk cliff rock falls in Upper Normandy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on the extraction and purification of glycoprotein from the yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda Bleeker
Authors: Su Yuting , Xu Yongjian 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe optimum parameters of extraction for glycoprotein from seahorse were examined and determined by Box‐Behnken combined with ultrasonic extraction technology. Column chromatography of glycoprotein was used for further purification. The optimal extraction conditions of seahorse glycoprotein were extracting time 4.3 h, salt concentration 0.08 mol/L, extracting temperature 73°C, raw material, and water ratio 1:6. At the optimal conditions, the yield of saccharide reached to 1.123%, and the yield of protein reached to 5.898%. For purifying the crude glycoprotein, the stage renounces of DEAE‐52 column chromatography were done, respectively, with 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 mol/L NaHCO3 solution, and further purification was done with Sephadex G‐100 column chromatography. Finally, two pieces of seahorse glycoprotein were obtained by the column chromatography, that is, HG‐11 and HG‐21. The saccharide content was 56.7975% and 39.479%, the protein content was 30.5475% and 51.747%, respectively.
Stochastic Skew and Target Volatility Options
Authors: Grasselli Martino , Marabel Romo Jacinto 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTarget volatility options (TVO) are a new class of derivatives whose payoff depends on some measure of volatility. These options allow investors to take a joint exposure to the evolution of the underlying asset, as well as to its realized volatility. In equity options markets the slope of the skew is largely independent of the volatility level. A single‐factor Heston based volatility model can generate steep skew or flat skew at a given volatility level but cannot generate both for a given parameterization. Since the payoff corresponding to TVO is a function of the joint evolution of the underlying asset and its realized variance, the consideration of stochastic skew is a relevant question for the valuation of TVO. In this sense, this article studies the effect of considering a multifactor stochastic volatility specification in the valuation of the TVO as well as forward‐start TVO. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:174–193, 2016
Booms and Busts in Commodity Markets: Bubbles or Fundamentals?
Authors: Brooks Chris , Prokopczuk Marcel , Wu Yingying 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper considers whether there were periodically collapsing rational speculative bubbles in commodity prices over a 40‐year period from the late 1960s. We apply a switching regression approach to a broad range of commodities using two different measures of fundamental values—estimated from convenience yields and from a set of macroeconomic factors believed to affect commodity demand. We find reliable evidence for bubbles only among crude oil and feeder cattle, showing the popular belief that the extreme price movements observed in commodity markets were caused by pure speculation to be unsustainable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:916–938, 2015
Coevolution of radial glial cells and the cerebral cortex
Authors: De Juan Romero Camino , Borrell Víctor 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRadial glia cells play fundamental roles in the development of the cerebral cortex, acting both as the primary stem and progenitor cells, as well as the guides for neuronal migration and lamination. These critical functions of radial glia cells in cortical development have been discovered mostly during the last 15 years and, more recently, seminal studies have demonstrated the existence of a remarkable diversity of additional cortical progenitor cell types, including a variety of basal radial glia cells with key roles in cortical expansion and folding, both in ontogeny and phylogeny. In this review, we summarize the main cellular and molecular mechanisms known to be involved in cerebral cortex development in mouse, as the currently preferred animal model, and then compare these with known mechanisms in other vertebrates, both mammal and nonmammal, including human. This allows us to present a global picture of how radial glia cells and the cerebral cortex seem to have coevolved, from reptiles to primates, leading to the remarkable diversity of vertebrate cortical phenotypes. GLIA 2015;63:1303–1319
Suicide in the oldest old: an observational study and cluster analysis
Authors: Sinyor Mark , Tan Lynnette Pei Lin , Schaffer Ayal , Gallagher Damien , Shulman Kenneth 
Published: March 2015

ObjectivesThe older population are at a high risk for suicide. This study sought to learn more about the characteristics of suicide in the oldest‐old and to use a cluster analysis to determine if oldest‐old suicide victims assort into clinically meaningful subgroups.MethodsData were collected from a coroner's chart review of suicide victims in Toronto from 1998 to 2011. We compared two age groups (65–79 year olds, n = 335, and 80+ year olds, n = 191) and then conducted a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis using Ward's method to identify distinct clusters in the 80+ group.ResultsThe younger and older age groups differed according to marital status, living circumstances and pattern of stressors. The cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters in the 80+ group. Cluster 1 was the largest (n = 124) and included people who were either married or widowed who had significantly more depression and somewhat more medical health stressors. In contrast, cluster 2 (n = 50) comprised people who were almost all single and living alone with significantly less identified depression and slightly fewer medical health stressors. All members of cluster 3 (n = 17) lived in a retirement residence or nursing home, and this group had the highest rates of depression, dementia, other mental illness and past suicide attempts.ConclusionsThis is the first study to use the cluster analysis technique to identify meaningful subgroups among suicide victims in the oldest‐old. The results reveal different patterns of suicide in the older population that may be relevant for clinical care. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.