bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulating the effects of harvest and biofuel production on the forest system carbon balance of the Midwest, USA
Authors: Peckham Scott D. , Gower Stith T. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractForests of the Midwestern United States are an important source of fiber for the wood and paper products industries. Scientists, land managers, and policy makers are interested in using woody biomass and/or harvest residue for biofuel feedstocks. However, the effects of increased biomass removal for biofuel production on forest production and forest system carbon balance remain uncertain. We modeled the carbon (C) cycle of the forest system by dividing it into two distinct components: (1) biological (net ecosystem production, net primary production, autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration, vegetation, and soil C content) and (2) industrial (harvest operations and transportation, production, use, and disposal of major wood products including biofuel and associated C emissions). We modeled available woody biomass feedstock and whole‐system carbon balance of 220 000 km2 of temperate forests in the Upper Midwest, USA by coupling an ecosystem process model to a collection of greenhouse gas life‐cycle inventory models and simulating seven forest harvest scenarios in the biological ecosystem and three biofuel production scenarios in the industrial system for 50 years. The forest system was a carbon sink (118 g C m−2 yr−1) under current management practices and forest product production rates. However, the system became a C source when harvest area was doubled and biofuel production replaced traditional forest products. Total carbon stores in the vegetation and soil increased by 5–10% under low‐intensity management scenarios and current management, but decreased up to 3% under high‐intensity harvest regimes. Increasing harvest residue removal during harvest had more modest effects on forest system C balance and total biomass removal than increasing the rate of clear‐cut harvests or area harvested. Net forest system C balance was significantly, and negatively correlated (R2 = 0.67) with biomass harvested, illustrating the trade‐offs between increased C uptake by forests and utilization of woody biomass for biofuel feedstock.
The incentive gap: LULUCF and the Kyoto mechanism before and after Durban
Authors: Ellison David , Petersson Hans , Lundblad Mattias , Wikberg Per‐Erik 
Published: January 2013

AbstractTo‐date, forest resource‐based carbon accounting in land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol (KP), European Union (EU) and national level emission reduction schemes considers only a fraction of its potential and fails to adequately mobilize the LULUCF sector for the successful stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Recent modifications at the 2011 COP17 meetings in Durban have partially addressed this basic problem, but leave room for improvement. The presence of an Incentive Gap (IG) continues to justify reform of the LULUCF carbon accounting framework. Frequently neglected in the climate change mitigation and adaptation literature, carbon accounting practices ultimately define the nuts and bolts of what counts and which resources (forest, forest‐based or other) are favored and utilized. For Annex I countries in the Kyoto Mechanism, the Incentive Gap under forest management (FM) is significantly large: some 75% or more of potential forestry‐based carbon sequestration is not effectively incentivized or mobilized for climate change mitigation and adaptation (Ellison et al. 2011a). In this paper, we expand our analysis of the Incentive Gap to incorporate the changes agreed in Durban and encompass both a wider set of countries and a larger set of omitted carbon pools. For Annex I countries, based on the first 2 years of experience in the first Commitment Period (CP1) we estimate the IG in FM at approximately 88%. Though significantly reduced in CP2, the IG remains a problem. Thus our measure of missed opportunities under the Kyoto and UNFCCC framework – despite the changes in Durban – remains important. With the exception perhaps of increased energy efficiency, few sinks or sources of reduced emissions can be mobilized as effectively and efficiently as forests. Thus, we wonder at the sheer magnitude of this underutilized resource.
A method for screening the relative long‐term stability of biochar
Authors: Cross Andrew , Sohi Saran P. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBiochar is being actively explored as a tool for long‐term soil carbon sequestration. However, in order for this to be effective the long‐term environmental stability of biochar must be assured. Here, we define and test an accelerated ageing method that seeks to reflect the oxidative nature of biochar degradation in soil. The method was applied to a systematic set of biochar samples produced from sugarcane bagasse, and a set of biochar samples produced from four different biomass sources. The stability of carbon in these samples was found to range between 41.6% and 76.1%, loosely correlating with biochar O : C ratio (r = 0.73). Increasing intensity of oxidative treatment eliminated more carbon. It also increased surface O : C ratio in a manner reported for naturally aged charcoal samples. The method effectively discriminated biochar produced under contrasting pyrolysis conditions and could be used as a proxy for environmental ageing of approximately 100 years under temperate conditions.
Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Biederman Lori A. , Harpole W. Stanley 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBiochar is a carbon‐rich coproduct resulting from pyrolyzing biomass. When applied to the soil it resists decomposition, effectively sequestering the applied carbon and mitigating anthropogenicCO2emissions. Other promoted benefits of biochar application to soil include increased plant productivity and reduced nutrient leaching. However, the effects of biochar are variable and it remains unclear if recent enthusiasm can be justified. We evaluate ecosystem responses to biochar application with a meta‐analysis of 371 independent studies culled from 114 published manuscripts. We find that despite variability introduced by soil and climate, the addition of biochar to soils resulted, on average, in increased aboveground productivity, crop yield, soil microbial biomass, rhizobia nodulation, plant K tissue concentration, soil phosphorus (P), soil potassium (K), total soil nitrogen (N), and total soil carbon (C) compared with control conditions. SoilpHalso tended to increase, becoming less acidic, following the addition of biochar. Variables that showed no significant mean response to biochar included belowground productivity, the ratio of aboveground : belowground biomass, mycorrhizal colonization of roots, plant tissue N, and soil P concentration, and soil inorganic N. Additional analyses found no detectable relationship between the amount of biochar added and aboveground productivity. Our results provide the first quantitative review of the effects of biochar on multiple ecosystem functions and the central tendencies suggest that biochar holds promise in being a win‐win‐win solution to energy, carbon storage, and ecosystem function. However, biochar's impacts on a fourth component, the downstream nontarget environments, remain unknown and present a critical research gap.
Aboveground productivity and soil carbon storage of biofuel crops in Ohio
Authors: Bonin Catherine L. , Lal Rattan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBiofuel crops may help achieve the goals of energy‐efficient renewable ethanol production and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation through carbon (C) storage. The objective of this study was to compare the aboveground biomass yields and soil organic C (SOC) stocks under four crops (no‐till corn, switchgrass, indiangrass, and willow) 7 years since establishment at three sites in Ohio to determine if high‐yielding biofuel crops are also capable of high levels of C storage. Corn grain had the highest potential ethanol yields, with an average of more than 4100 L ha−1, and ethanol yields increased if both corn grain and stover were converted to biofuel, while willow had the lowest yields. The SOC concentration in soils under biofuels was generally unaffected by crop type; at one site, soil in the top 10 cm under willow contained nearly 13 Mg C ha−1 more SOC (or 29% more) than did soils under switchgrass or corn. Crop type affected SOC content of macroaggregates in the top 10 cm of soil, where macroaggregates in soil under corn had lower C, N and C : N ratios than those under perennial grasses or trees. Overall, the results suggest that no‐till corn is capable of high ethanol yields and equivalent SOC stocks to 40 cm depth. Long‐term monitoring and measurement of SOC stocks at depth are required to determine whether this trend remains. In addition, ecological, energy, and GHG assessments should be made to estimate the C footprint of each feedstock.
Molecular characterization and immunolocalization of the olfactory co‐receptor Orco from two blood‐feeding muscid flies, the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans, L.) and the horn fly (Haematobia irritans irritans, L.)
Authors: Olafson P. U. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBiting flies are economically important blood‐feeding pests of medical and veterinary significance. Chemosensory‐based biting fly behaviours, such as host/nutrient source localization and ovipositional site selection, are intriguing targets for the development of supplemental control strategies. In an effort to expand our understanding of biting fly chemosensory pathways, transcripts encoding the highly conserved insect odorant co‐receptor (Orco) were isolated from two representative biting fly species, the stable fly (Scal\Orco) and the horn fly (Hirr\Orco). Orco forms a complex with an odour‐specific odorant receptor to form an odour‐gated ion channel. The biting fly transcripts were predicted to encode proteins with 87–94% amino acid similarity to published insect Orco sequences and were detected in various immature stages as well as in adult structures associated with olfaction, i.e. the antennae and maxillary palps, and gustation, i.e. the proboscis. Further, the relevant proteins were immunolocalized to specific antennal sensilla using anti‐serum raised against a peptide sequence conserved between the two fly species. Results from the present study provide a basis for functional evaluation of repellent/attractant effects on as yet uncharacterized stable fly and horn fly conventional odorant receptors.
Phosphorothioate‐modified CpG oligodeoxynucleotides mimic autoantigens and reveal a potential role for Toll‐like receptor 9 in receptor revision
Authors: Doster Anne , Ziegler Saskia , Foermer Sandra , Rieker Ralf Joachim , Heeg Klaus , Bekeredjian‐Ding Isabelle 
Published: January 2013

SummaryRe‐expression of recombinase activating genes (RAG) in mature B cells may support autoreactivity by enabling revision of the B‐cell receptor (BCR). Recent reports suggest that administration of Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) ‐stimulating CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) could trigger the manifestation of autoimmune disease and that TLR are involved in the selection processes eliminating autoreactive BCR. The mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. This prompted us to ask, whether TLR9 could be involved in receptor revision. We found that phosphorothioate‐modified CpG ODN (CpGPTO) induced expression of Ku70 and re‐expression of RAG‐1 in human peripheral blood B lymphocytes and Igλ expression in sorted Igκ+ B cells. Further results revealed unselective binding specificity of CpGPTO‐induced immunoglobulin and suggested that CpGPTO engage and/or mimic IgM receptor signalling, an important prerequisite for the initialization of receptor editing or revision. Altogether, our data describe a potential role for TLR9 in receptor revision and suggest that CpGPTO could mimic chromatin‐bearing autoantigens by simultaneously engaging the BCR and TLR9 on IgM+ B cells.
An Exploration of the Perceptions of Male Partners Involved in the Birthing Experience at a Regional Australian Hospital
Authors: Porrett Liesel , Barkla Sally , Knights Janice , de Costa Caroline , Harmen Sonia 
Published: January 2013

Introduction: The benefits to women of having their male partners present during labor and birth have been well documented, but the effects on men of sharing the birth experience have been less well explored. Several studies have suggested that male partners’ positive experiences at this time may benefit partner and family relationships subsequently, whereas negative experiences may translate into later difficulties in these relationships. This study explored the perceptions of male partners involved in the birthing experience in the Integrated Women's Health Unit of Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns, Australia, over a 6‐month period in 2010. The aims of the study were to document male partners’ self‐reported perceptions of their antenatal, labor, and birth experiences and birth expectations and birth involvement and to determine whether these perceptions influenced their feelings that their presence during birth was beneficial to the birthing woman.Methods: Participants were men experiencing for the first time their partner giving birth. A self‐administered 14‐item questionnaire was used to collect data; 163 of 200 eligible participants returned completed questionnaires. Continuous variables were converted to categorical variables and chi‐square testing was used to determine significant differences between groups. The relationship between beneficial presence and antenatal, labor, and birthing experiences was assessed using correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis.Results: There was a significant relationship demonstrated between perceived benefit of the partners’ presence and positive perception of both antenatal experience and birth involvement. There also was a positive relationship between realized birth expectations and both antenatal experience and birth involvement.Discussion: This study suggests that male partners’ perceptions of beneficial presence during the birth experience can be enhanced by their feeling well informed and supported during the antenatal period and feeling involved and supported by staff during birth. These findings have implications for the provision of information and support to male partners by midwives and childbirth educators and provide the basis for further research in this area.
Preparation and Characterisation of Two Geochemical Reference Materials: DG‐H (Granite) and AM‐H (Amphibolite) from the Himalayan Orogenic Belt
Authors: Saini Naresh K. , Khanna Param P. , Mukherjee Pulok K. , Purohit Kishor K. 
Published: January 2013

Two geochemical reference materials of Himalayan origin named DG‐H (a granite) and AM‐H (an amphibolite) prepared by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology Dehradun are described. Both samples were collected from the NW Himachal Himalaya in India. With the participation of analysts from more than forty international laboratories, element determination data collected during the past 10 years for characterisation of the samples was processed to assign working values using statistical procedures in use for this purpose. Earlier work published on these samples is incorporated in the present communication making it an updated document. The typical chemical and petrological characteristics of these two samples may prove useful for method validation and calibration of analytical instruments used for analysing similar rock types, and for widening the analytical range of several analytical methods used for geochemical analysis.
The Psychological Impact of Abuse on Men and Women with Severe Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Rowsell A. C. , Clare I. C. H. , Murphy G. H. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundIn other populations, the psychological impact of abuse has been conceptualized as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, DSM‐IV, American Psychiatric Association (APA), 1994), but little is known about whether this is appropriate for adults with severe intellectual disabilities and very limited communication skills.MethodsAn informant interview, based on the framework provided by PTSD, but supplemented with additional questions, was developed and was used to elicit the emotional, behavioural and physiological symptoms of alleged abuse in 18 people with intellectual disabilities at three time points: in the 3 months immediately prior to the alleged abuse (Time 1), in the 3 months immediately after the abuse (Time 2) and in the last 3 months prior to interview (Time 3).ResultsThe reports of the family and carer informants indicated that, following their alleged abuse, the victims experienced marked increases in the frequency and severity of emotional, physiological and behavioural symptoms of psychological distress. Over time, there was some alleviation of these difficulties, but psychological functioning remained severely compromised.ConclusionsWhile the established PTSD framework is appropriate for examining the psychological impact of abuse, some amendments are required to enable clinicians to examine fully the distress of alleged victims with severe intellectual disabilities.
Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death Due to Radiofrequency Ablation Within the Coronary Sinus and Subsequent Total Occlusion of the Circumflex Artery
Authors: MAKIMOTO HISAKI , ZHANG QINGYONG , TILZ ROLAND RICHARD , WISSNER ERIK , CUNEO ALESSANDRO , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , OUYANG FEIFAN 
Published: January 2013

Aborted Cardiac Death After Ablation of Coronary SinusWe report a case of aborted sudden cardiac death and subsequent development of malignant drug‐refractory incessant ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in a patient with acute coronary artery occlusion following radiofrequency ablation within the CS. Catheter ablation is a well‐established therapy for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients with longstanding persistent AF extensive left atrial ablation and ablation inside the coronary sinus (CS) is frequently performed. Perimitral flutter following AF ablation is the most common form of left atrial macroreentry, especially in patients with previous ablation of complex fractionated electrograms and incomplete linear lesion sets within the left atrium. Successful ablation of this type of tachycardia is generally difficult and in about 60–70% patients requires additional ablation within the CS to achieve termination of tachycardia or/and left atrial isthmus (LAI) block. A limited number of case reports have been published describing acute coronary artery occlusion during or immediately after LAI ablation within the CS. This case exhibits a potential lethal risk of radiofrequency ablation within the CS.
Correlation Between Total Atrial Conduction Time Estimated via Tissue Doppler Imaging (PA‐TDI Interval), Structural Atrial Remodeling and New‐Onset of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: MÜLLER PATRICK , HARS CHRISTINE , SCHIEDAT FABIAN , BÖSCHE LEIF I. , GOTZMANN MICHAEL , STRAUCH JUSTUS , DIETRICH J.W. , VOGT MARKUS , TANNAPFEL ANDREA , DENEKE THOMAS , MÜGGE ANDREAS , EWERS AYDAN 
Published: January 2013

Atrial Conduction TimeBackgroundRecent studies identified total atrial conduction time (TACT) as an independent and powerful predictor of new‐onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the degree of atrial fibrosis, TACT, and frequency of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.Methods and ResultsSixty patients in sinus rhythm (mean ± SD age 66 ± 10 years; 22% women) and without a history of AF undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled. TACT was measured preoperatively in the left atrium by tissue‐Doppler Imaging (PA‐TDI interval). Holter‐ECG/telemetry was used to screen for POAF throughout 10 days after cardiac surgery. Right atrial appendages (RAA) were obtained in 33 patients during surgery; atrial fibrosis was assessed by visual quantification (% area of positive van Gieson elastic staining). POAF occurred in 23 patients (38%). Fibrosis extent of RAA was higher in patients with POAF as compared to those without (27.5 ± 1.93 vs 15.8 ± 0.81% area; mean ± SEM; P < 0.001). PA‐TDI interval was longer in patients with POAF versus patients who maintained in sinus rhythm (152.1 ± 3.0 vs 120.8 ± 1.8 milliseconds; P < 0.001) and correlated with the degree of atrial fibrosis (r = 0.73; P < 0.01). At the cut‐off value of 133 milliseconds, TACT sensitivity and specificity related to POAF were 100% and 86%, respectively.ConclusionPA‐TDI interval is useful to identify patients at risk for POAF undergoing cardiac surgery and correlates with the degree of atrial fibrosis.
Double Cryoenergy Application (Freeze‐Thaw‐Freeze) at Growing Myocardium: Lesion Volume and Effects on Coronary Arteries Early After Energy Application. Implications for Efficacy and Safety in Pediatric Patients
Authors: SCHNEIDER HEIKE E. , STAHL MAJA , KRIEBEL THOMAS , SCHILLINGER WOLFGANG , SCHILL MANFRED , JAKOBI JOHANNES , PAUL THOMAS 
Published: January 2013

Modified Cryoenergy at Growing MyocardiumIntroductionData on radiofrequency current application (RFA) at growing myocardium suggest that coronary artery stenosis may occur with a low incidence. Cryoenergy has emerged as an effective alternative to RFA. Although already used in clinical practice, experience with cryoenergy is low due to lack of data concerning effects of a modified double cryoenergy application, a freeze‐thaw‐freeze cycle, at growing myocardium. Purpose of the study was to assess lesion volume (efficacy) and risk of coronary artery damage (safety) early, 48 hours, after modified double cryoenergy application in a piglet model.Methods and ResultsIn 5 piglets, following selective coronary angiography, two sequential cycles of cryoenergy were delivered at −75 °C for 4 minutes, interrupted by thawing for one minute, at the atrioventricular groove. Piglets were restudied after 48 hours by coronary angiography and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS). Ablation lesions were examined morphologically and lesion volume was determined by 3‐dimensional morphometric analysis.Lesion volume was 109.21 ± 39.61 mm3 for atrial and 150.30 ± 53.21 mm3 (P = 0.02) for ventricular lesions. Lesion depth was not significantly different for atrial, 3.07 ± 1.08 mm, versus ventricular lesions, 3.56 ± 1.3 mm. Cryoenergy induced minor coronary artery damage with medial and adventitial necrosis but a preserved intimal layer was present in 2/31 lesions, which had not been detected by coronary angiography or ICUS.ConclusionEarly after double cryoenergy application, subclinical minor changes of the coronary artery wall could be detected occasionally whereas the intimal layer remained intact. These findings may have implications on efficacy and safety when cryoenergy is applied for tachycardia substrates in pediatric patients.