bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The hydrology of the Bois‐des‐Bel peatland restoration: hydrophysical properties limiting connectivity between regenerated Sphagnum and remnant vacuum harvested peat deposit
Authors: McCarter Colin P. R. , Price Jonathan S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe Bois‐des‐Bel peatland was restored in the winter of 1999; since then, an ~15–20 cm Sphagnum moss carpet has regenerated over the site, but it is currently unknown how the structure of the regenerated Sphagnum moss and cutover peat influences the hydrology of Bois‐des‐Bel. This study evaluates the hydrophysical properties of Bois‐des‐Bel, based on a combination of field and monolith experiments at a restored (RES), natural (NAT) and unrestored (UNR) site. The lowest field soil moisture in the Sphagnum moss at RES was 0.09 cm3 cm−3, while 0.20 cm3 cm−3 at NAT. These results were similar in both the monolith experiments and individual core hydraulic parameterization (i.e. soil water retention and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity). The low soil moisture and relatively abundant large pores (>397 µm) in the RES Sphagnum resulted in low unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (0·23 cm day−1 at ψ = −35 cm) and high specific yield (0·45) compared with NAT Sphagnum (1·2 cm day−1 and 0·10, respectively). The abundance of large pores at RES resulted in hydrological conditions dissimilar to NAT and limited connectivity with the cutover peat, the latter being similar to UNR. To negate the implications of limited connectivity on water transfer from the cutover peat to the regenerated Sphagnum, the water table would need to fluctuate almost entirely within the regenerated Sphagnum layer. This will occur in time, as decomposition and compression cause a decrease in average pore size of the regenerated moss, thus detaining water and resulting in a higher water table. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling particle residence times in agricultural river basins using a sediment budget model and fallout radionuclide tracers
Authors: Smith Hugh G. , Blake William H. , Taylor Alex 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTContemporary patterns in river basin sediment dynamics have been widely investigated but the timescales associated with current sediment delivery processes have received much less attention. Furthermore, no studies have quantified the effect of recent land use change on the residence or travel times of sediment transported through river basins. Such information is crucial for understanding contemporary river basin function and responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances or management interventions. To address this need, we adopt a process‐based modelling approach to quantify changes in spatial patterns and residence times of suspended sediment in response to recent agricultural land cover change. The sediment budget model SedNet was coupled with a mass balance model of particle residence times based on atmospheric and fluvial fluxes of three fallout radionuclide tracers (7Be, excess 210Pb and 137Cs). Mean annual fluxes of suspended sediment were simulated in seven river basins (38–920 km2) in south‐west England for three land cover surveys (1990, 2000 and 2007). Suspended sediment flux increased across the basins from 0.5–15 to 1.4–37 kt y‐1 in response to increasing arable land area between consecutive surveys. The residence time model divided basins into slow (upper surface soil) and rapid (river channel and connected hillslope sediment source area) transport compartments. Estimated theoretical residence times in the slow compartment decreased from 13–48 to 5.6–14 ky with the increase in basin sediment exports. In contrast, the short residence times for the rapid compartment increased from 185–256 to 260–368 d as the modelled connected source area expanded with increasing sediment supply from more arable land. The increase in sediment residence time was considered to correspond to longer sediment travel distances linked to larger connected source areas. This novel coupled modelling approach provides unique insight into river basin responses to recent environmental change not otherwise available from conventional measurement techniques. © 2014 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Estimation of daily aluminum intake in Japan based on food consumption inspection results: impact of food additives
Authors: Sato Kyoko , Suzuki Ippei , Kubota Hiroki , Furusho Noriko , Inoue Tomoyuki , Yasukouchi Yoshikazu , Akiyama Hiroshi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDietary aluminum (Al) intake by young children, children, youths, and adults in Japan was estimated using the market basket method. The Al content of food category (I–VII) samples for each age group was determined by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). The Al content in processed foods and unprocessed foods ranged from 0.40 to 21.7 mg/kg and from 0.32 to 0.54 mg/kg, respectively. For processed foods in all age groups, the Al content in food category VI samples, sugar and confections/savories, was the highest, followed by those in category II, cereals. The daily dietary Al intake from processed foods was much larger than that from unprocessed foods. The mean weekly percentages of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI, established by the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 2011) from processed foods for all age groups are 43.1, 22.4, 17.6 and 15.1%, respectively. Only the highest consumer Al exposure value (>P95) of the young children group exceeded the PTWI.
Effect of heat–moisture treatment on digestibility of different cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam) starch
Authors: Senanayake Suraji , Gunaratne Anil , Ranaweera K. K. D. S. , Bamunuarachchi Arthur 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDifferent heat–moisture levels were applied to native starches from different cultivars of sweet potatoes available in Sri Lanka (Wariyapola red, Wariyapola white, Pallepola variety, Malaysian variety and CARI 273) to study the digestibility level. Samples were treated with 20, 25, and 30% moisture at 85°C and 120°C for 6 h and in vitro starch digestibility was tested with porcine pancreatin enzyme. A range of 19.3–23.5% digestibility was shown by the native starches with no significant difference (P < 0.05). Significant changes were observed in the digestibility level of the hydrothermally modified starches and the moisture content showed a positive impact on the digestibility. Heat–moisture treatment at 85°C brought an overall increase in digestibility and temperature beyond 85°C had a negative impact. No significant difference (P < 0.05) in the digestibility was observed with 20% and 25% moisture at 85°C and increased level were seen at 85°C and 30% moisture.
Transport modeling at multiple scales for the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project
Authors: Roy William R. , Mehnert Edward , Berger Peter M. , Damico James R. , Okwen Roland T. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe application of reactive‐transport models is essential to understand and predict the impacts of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage in deep saline reservoirs. This study was conducted to generate preliminary information in support of the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project (IBDP) using two modeling approaches: (i) flow and transport modeling of CO2 at the basin scale, and (ii) geochemical modeling of CO2‐saturated brine interactions with the primary seal at the IBDP. Using the TOUGH2‐MP simulator, a flow and transport approach was developed to evaluate possible impacts of carbon sequestration at the basin scale. These modeling results should provide useful geologic and hydrogeologic data for future developers of carbon sequestration projects in the Illinois Basin and serve as a template for evaluating geologic carbon sequestration in other deep saline reservoirs. The modeling results demonstrated the significance of the geologic model for understanding the distribution of CO2 and the predicted pressure changes with time. Geochemical modeling was applied to further understand potential interactions of CO2‐saturated brine with the Eau Claire Shale. Geochemical simulations were conducted using TOUGHREACT, a numerical simulator that includes reactive chemistry, and Geochemist's Workbench®, which contains kinetic and reactive‐transport modules. Simulations conducted for a 1000‐year time frame yielded a decrease in porosity throughout the profile because of mineral precipitation. It was concluded that the rate by which ions diffuse into the caprock had little impact on changes in porosity when compared to the rates of mineral reaction.
Human chorionic gonadotropin decreases human breast cancer cell proliferation and promotes differentiation
Authors: Liao Xing‐Hua , Wang Yue , Wang Nan , Yan Ting‐Bao , Xing Wen‐Jing , Zheng Li , Zhao Dong‐Wei , Li Yan‐Qi , Liu Long‐Yue , Sun Xue‐Guang , Hu Peng , Zhang Tong‐Cun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractHuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein produced by placental trophoblasts. Previous studies indicated that hCG could be responsible for the pregnancy‐induced protection against breast cancer in women. It is reported that hCG decreases proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MCF‐7 cells. Our research also demonstrates that hCG can reduce the proliferation of MCF‐7 cells by downregulating the expression of proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and proliferation‐related Ki‐67 antigen (Ki‐67). Interestingly, we find here that hCG elevates the state of cellular differentiation, as characterized by the upregulation of differentiation markers, β‐casein, cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18), and E‐cadherin. Inhibition of hCG secretion or luteinizing hormone/hCG receptors (LH/hCGRs) synthesis can weaken the effect of hCG on the induction of cell differentiation. Furthermore, hCG can suppress the expression of estrogen receptor alpha. hCG activated receptor‐mediated cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway. These findings indicated that a protective effect of hCG against breast cancer may be associated with its growth inhibitory and differentiation induction function in breast cancer cells. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(5):352–360, 2014
Budding process during the organogenesis of the ventral prostatic lobe in mongolian gerbil
Authors: Sanches Bruno Domingos Azevedo , Biancardi Manoel Francisco , Dos Santos Fernanda Cristina Alcantara , GóEs Rejane Maira , Vilamaior PatríCia Simone Leite , Taboga SebastiãO Roberto 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThe prostate is a mammalian gland that shows a complex process of organogenesis. Here, a morphological study to characterize the organogenesis of the ventral prostate lobe in male gerbils was conducted. The urogenital sinus (UGS) was dissected out and processed for paraffin embedding. Histological sections were subjected to cytochemical, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, and three‐dimensional reconstruction techniques. We found that the first ventral buds emerged from the ventral urethral epithelium between the days 20 and 21 of prenatal life, reaching the ventral mesenchymal pad and initiating the branching process on the first day of postnatal life. The buds presented a V‐shaped elongation, suggesting that the smooth muscle layer (SML) plays an important role during budding events. Indeed, whereas the androgen receptor (AR) was preferentially found in the UGS mesenchyme (UGM), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was localized in both the UGM and in the emerging buds. This study characterized the morphological aspects of the budding process in a different rodent from rat and mice, serving as a new model for future studies on developmental biology of the prostate. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:458–466, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Penetrability of AH plus and MTA fillapex after endodontic treatment and retreatment: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study
Authors: Kok Daniela , Da Rosa Ricardo Abreu , Barreto Mirela Sangoi , Busanello Fernanda Hoffmann , Santini Manuela Favarin , Pereira Jefferson Ricardo , Só Marcus ViníCius Reis 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to assess the penetrability of two endodontic sealers (AH Plus and MTA Fillapex) into dentinal tubules, submitted to endodontic treatment and subsequently to endodontic retreatment. Thirty ex vivo incisors were prepared using ProTaper rotary system up to F3 instrument and divided in three groups according to the endodontic sealer used for root canal filling: AH Plus (AHP), MTA Fillapex (MTAF), and control group (CG) without using EDTA previously to the root canal filling. Rhodamine B dye (red) was incorporated to the sealers in order to provide the fluorescence which will enable confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) assessment. All specimens were filled with gutta‐percha cones using the lateral compaction technique. The specimens were submitted to endodontic retreatment using ProTaper Retreatment system, re‐prepared up to F5 instruments and filled with gutta‐percha cones and the same sealer used during endodontic retreatment. Fluorescein dye (green) was incorporated to the sealer in order to distinguish from the first filling. The roots were sectioned 2 mm from the apex and assessed by CLSM. No difference was found between the two experimental groups (P > 0.05). On the other hand, in the control group the sealers were not capable to penetrate into dentinal tubules after endodontic treatment (P > 0.05). In retreatment cases, none of the sealers were able to penetrate into dentin tubules. It can be concluded that sealer penetrability is high during endodontic treatment. However, MTA Fillapex and AH Plus do not penetrate into dentinal tubules after endodontic retreatment. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:467–471, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular cloning of VIP and distribution of VIP/VPACR system in the testis ofPodarcis sicula
Authors: Agnese Marisa , Rosati Luigi , Coraggio Francesca , Valiante Salvatore , Prisco Marina 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTUsing molecular, biochemical, and cytological tools, we studied the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence of PHI/VIP and the distribution of VIP/VPAC receptor system in the testis of the Italian wall lizardPodarcis siculato evaluate the involvement of such a neuropeptide in the spermatogenesis control. We demonstrated that (1)Podarcis siculaVIP had a high identity with other vertebrate VIP sequences, (2) differently from mammals, VIP was synthesized directly in the testis, and (3) VIP and its receptor VPAC2were widely distributed in germ and somatic cells, while the VPAC1R had a distribution limited to Leydig cells. Our results demonstrated that inPodarcis siculathe VIP sequence is highly preserved and that this neuropeptide is involved in lizard spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.J. Exp. Zool. 321A: 334–347, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automated detection of the arterial input function using normalized cut clustering to determine cerebral perfusion by dynamic susceptibility contrast‐magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Yin Jiandong , Sun Hongzan , Yang Jiawen , Guo Qiyong 
Published: April 2014

PurposeTo propose a new clustering method for the automatic detection of arterial input function (AIF) with high accuracy in dynamic susceptibility contrast‐magnetic resonance imaging (DSC‐MRI).Materials and MethodsA novel method for automatically determining the AIF was proposed to facilitate the analysis of MR perfusion, which relied on normalized cut (Ncut) clustering. Its performance was compared with those of two other previously reported clustering methods: k‐means and fuzzy c‐means (FCM) techniques, in terms of the detection accuracy and computational time. Both simulated perfusion data and data collected from 42 healthy human subjects were applied to investigate the feasibility of the proposed approach.ResultsIn the simulation study, the partial volume effect (PVE) level, peak value (PV), time to peak (TTP), full width at half maximum (FWHM), area under AIF curve (AUC), root mean square error (RMSE) between the estimated AIF and true AIF, and M value given by [PV/(FWHM×TTP)] were 45.45, 4.2737, 29.92, 6.4563, 76.4836, 0.0519, and 0.0221 for Ncut‐based AIF, 96.45, 3.8385, 31.74, 7.5133, 75.7364, 0.3295, and 0.0161 for FCM‐based AIF, 91.18, 3.8990, 31.73, 7.4544, 76.0476, 0.3128, and 0.0165 for k‐means‐based AIF, 0, 4.4592, 29.51, 6.2016, 76.8669, 0, and 0.0244 for true AIF. In the clinical study, the mean PV, TTP, FWHM, AUC, M, error between estimated AIF and manual AIF were 1.7395, 30.95, 5.5923, 19.1081, 0.0397, and 0.4406 for Ncut‐based AIF, 1.3629, 31.31, 6.8616, 17.9992, 0.0123, and 0.0846 for k‐means‐based AIF, 1.2101, 31.61, 7.1729, 16.6238, 0.0102, and 0.1016 for FCM‐based AIF. The differences in PV, M, FWHM, and error reached a significant level (P = 0.032, 0.010, 0.003, and 0.002, respectively) between Ncut and k‐means methods as well as between Ncut and FCM methods (P = 0.013, 0.008, 0.007, and 0.009, respectively). There was no significant difference in TTP between Ncut and each of the other two methods (P = 0.173 and 0.097, respectively). For AUC, a significant difference was found between Ncut and FCM algorithms (P = 0.025), but not between Ncut and k‐means methods (P = 0.138). The mean execution time was 0.4406 for the Ncut method, 0.2649 for the k‐means method, and 0.1371 for the FCM method, and the differences were significant both between Ncut and k‐means methods (P = 0.002) and between Ncut and FCM methods (P = 0.004).ConclusionNcut clustering yield AIFs more in line with the expected AIF, and might be preferred to FCM and k‐means clustering methods sensitive to randomly selected initial centers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1071–1078. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modelling the effect of soil moisture variability on summer precipitation variability over East Asia
Authors: Li Zhongxian , Zhou Tianjun , Chen Haishan , Ni Donghong , Zhang Rong‐Hua 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThe potential role of surface soil moisture (SSM) in improving the simulation of interannual East Asian summer precipitation is investigated using a coupled land‐atmosphere climate model, the Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3). Forced by specified observational sea surface temperature (SST), two ensemble simulations for 22 boreal‐summer seasons (1979–2000) are conducted, one with interannually varying SSM (SSMinter) forcing and another with climatological SSM (SSMclim) forcing. Results show that, relative to the SSMclim run, interannual variability of East Asian summer precipitation is better simulated in the SSMinter run over the mid‐ and high‐latitudes of East Asia, especially in northwest China, where the correlation coefficient between precipitation simulated and observed from the Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) is increased from 0.12 to 0.56 during 1979–2000. Meanwhile, positive relationships between anomalies of local soil evaporation and summer precipitation in northwest China can be better reproduced in the SSMinter run than in the SSMclim run. Possible mechanisms for the improved simulations of the interannual summer precipitation variability in northwest China are analysed; the improvement is resulted from the reasonable reproduction of anomalous atmospheric circulation in Siberia and Iranian plateau.
Survival of Atlantic Flyway resident population Canada geese in New Jersey
Authors: Beston Julie A. , Nichols Theodore C. , Castelli Paul M. , Williams Christopher K. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTAtlantic Flyway Resident Population Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are long‐lived birds that were established during the mid‐1900s. At high densities, resident Canada geese reduce water quality, impair landscape aesthetic, damage crops, and cause safety concerns. Managers need information about survival to more effectively manage these populations via implementation of harvest and cull regulations. We analyzed records for 39,711 Canada geese captured 54,309 times during 1994–2011, of which 5,883 were recovered by the summer of 2012. We used the Burnham model to estimate survival, recapture rate, recovery, and fidelity and identify factors that affect them. Candidate models included combinations of sex, age class, year, hunting season length, bag limit, total harvest, number culled, the North Atlantic Oscillation Index, density, an indicator for urban banded birds, and percent agriculture, natural, rural, and urban land cover at the last known capture location. The best‐supported model included effects of age class, year, and whether the individual was banded in an urban or rural locale on survival and effects of year and locale on Seber recovery rate. We used it to construct a hierarchical model to estimate mean survival and Seber recovery rates for urban and rural birds and their variances. Mean survival of after‐hatch‐year urban Canada geese was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.675–0.772) and that of after‐hatch‐year rural geese was 0.718 (0.665–0.770). Based on estimates of survival and recovery, mean harvest rate was 3.8% (3.4–4.2%) for after‐hatch‐year urban geese and 7.8% (6.7–9.0%) for after‐hatch‐year rural geese. Hatch‐year geese in rural areas had lower survival and higher harvest rates than after‐hatch‐year geese, but the opposite was true in urban areas. Survival generally decreased over the course of the study and harvest increased. Hatch‐year males had the lowest fidelity of any group, and after‐hatch‐year geese of both sexes had fidelity greater than 85%. Knowledge of survival and its relationship with management and environmental factors will allow managers to better predict population responses to harvest and cull and to achieve population goals. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Analysis of Parkinson's disease brain–derived DNA for alpha‐synuclein coding somatic mutations
Authors: Proukakis Christos , Shoaee Maryiam , Morris James , Brier Timothy , Kara Eleanna , Sheerin Una‐Marie , Charlesworth Gavin , Tolosa Eduardo , Houlden Henry , Wood Nicholas W. , Schapira Anthony H. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough alpha‐synuclein (SNCA) is crucial to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), mutations in the gene appear to be rare. We have recently hypothesized that somatic mutations in early development could contribute to PD.MethodsExpanding on our recent negative small study, we used high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis to screen SNCA coding exons for somatic point mutations in DNA from 539 PD and DLB cerebellar samples, with two additional regions (frontal cortex, substantia nigra) for 20 PD cases. We used artificial mosaics to determine sensitivity where possible.ResultsWe did not detect any evidence of somatic coding mutations. Three cases were heterozygous for known silent polymorphisms. The protocol we used was sensitive enough to detect 5% to 10% mutant DNA.ConclusionUsing DNA predominantly from cerebellum, but also from frontal cortex and substantia nigra (n = 20 each), we have not detected any somatic coding SNCA point mutations. © 2014 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.