Showing papers by "California State University, Long Beach published in 2014"
TL;DR: The total number of plastic particles and their weight floating in the world's oceans is estimated from 24 expeditions across all five sub-tropical gyres, costal Australia, Bay of Bengal and the Mediterranean Sea conducting surface net tows and visual survey transects of large plastic debris.
Abstract: Plastic pollution is ubiquitous throughout the marine environment, yet estimates of the global abundance and weight of floating plastics have lacked data, particularly from the Southern Hemisphere and remote regions. Here we report an estimate of the total number of plastic particles and their weight floating in the world’s oceans from 24 expeditions (2007–2013) across all five sub-tropical gyres, costal Australia, Bay of Bengal and the Mediterranean Sea conducting surface net tows (N5680) and visual survey transects of large plastic debris (N5891). Using an oceanographic model of floating debris dispersal calibrated by our data, and correcting for wind-driven vertical mixing, we estimate a minimum of 5.25 trillion particles weighing 268,940 tons. When comparing between four size classes, two microplastic ,4.75 mm and meso- and macroplastic .4.75 mm, a tremendous loss of microplastics is observed from the sea surface compared to expected rates of fragmentation, suggesting there are mechanisms at play that remove ,4.75 mm plastic particles from the ocean surface.
3,091 citations
TL;DR: Mark A. Hixon et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a method to identify the most likely species for a particular species of fish in the Pacific Ocean, based on the results of a study conducted at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
Abstract: Mark A. Hixon1*, Darren W. Johnson2, and Susan M. Sogard3 Department of Biology, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Hawai’i, HI, USA Department of Biology, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, CA, USA *Corresponding Author: tel: +1 808 956 6437; e-mail: hixonm@hawaii.edu
448 citations
TL;DR: The association of using glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the disease endemic area and its unique metal chelating properties, is hypothesized to explain similar kidney disease epidemics observed in Andra Pradesh (India) and Central America.
Abstract: The current chronic kidney disease epidemic, the major health issue in the rice paddy farming areas in Sri Lanka has been the subject of many scientific and political debates over the last decade. Although there is no agreement among scientists about the etiology of the disease, a majority of them has concluded that this is a toxic nephropathy. None of the hypotheses put forward so far could explain coherently the totality of clinical, biochemical, histopathological findings, and the unique geographical distribution of the disease and its appearance in the mid-1990s. A strong association between the consumption of hard water and the occurrence of this special kidney disease has been observed, but the relationship has not been explained consistently. Here, we have hypothesized the association of using glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the disease endemic area and its unique metal chelating properties. The possible role played by glyphosate-metal complexes in this epidemic has not been given any serious consideration by investigators for the last two decades. Furthermore, it may explain similar kidney disease epidemics observed in Andra Pradesh (India) and Central America. Although glyphosate alone does not cause an epidemic of chronic kidney disease,
248 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that UV/H2O2 and UV/S2O8(2-) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are capable of degrading β-lactam antibiotics decreasing consequently the antibiotic activity of treated waters.
226 citations
TL;DR: By integrating the advantages of the 1D TiO2 architecture with those of Ti(3+) self-doping, this work provides a versatile tool toward the fabrication of efficientTiO2 photoanodes, and reveals that higher charge-carrier density owing to N2H4 reduction contributes to the observed improvement.
Abstract: A new synthetic method to fabricate Ti3+-modified, highly stable TiO2 photoanodes for H2O oxidation is reported. With Ti foil as both the conducting substrate and the Ti3+/Ti4+ source, one-dimensional blue Ti3+/TiO2 crystals were grown by a one-step hydrothermal reaction. The concentration of Ti3+ was further tuned by N2H4 reduction, leading to a greater photoelectrocatalytic activity, as evidenced by a high photocurrent density of 0.64 mA cm−2 at 1.0 V vs RHE under simulated AM 1.5 G illumination. Electron paramagnetic resonance and Mott–Schottky plots reveal that higher charge-carrier density owing to N2H4 reduction contributes to the observed improvement. The generality of this synthesis method was demonstrated by its effectiveness in improving the performance of other types of photoanodes. By integrating the advantages of the 1D TiO2 architecture with those of Ti3+ self-doping, this work provides a versatile tool toward the fabrication of efficient TiO2 photoanodes.
215 citations
TL;DR: This review summarizes the current understanding of the influence of the complement system on macrophage polarization with an emphasis on C1q and related molecules.
Abstract: Complement is a critical system of enzymes, regulatory proteins and receptors that regulates both innate and adaptive immune responses. Natural mutations in complement molecules highlight their requirement in regulation of a variety of human conditions including infectious disease and autoimmunity. As sentinels of the immune system, macrophages are specialized to respond to infectious microbes, as well as normal and altered self, and dictate appropriate immune responses. Complement components such as anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and opsonins (C3b, C1q, MBL) influence macrophage responses. While anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a trigger inflammasome activation, opsonins such as C1q and related molecules (MBL and adiponectin) downregulate inflammasome activation and inflammation, and upregulate engulfment of apoptotic cells consistent with a pro-resolving or M2 macrophage phenotype. This review summarizes our current understanding of the influence of the complement system on macrophage polarization with an emphasis on C1q and related molecules.
190 citations
TL;DR: It is reported that crystallization of homochiral camphorate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly sensitive to ionic radii of lanthanides and can be used to selectively crystallize a lanthanide element into predesigned MOFs.
Abstract: Lanthanides (Ln) are a group of important elements usually found in nature as mixtures. Their separation is essential for technological applications but is made challenging by their subtly different properties. Here we report that crystallization of homochiral camphorate metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly sensitive to ionic radii of lanthanides and can be used to selectively crystallize a lanthanide element into predesigned MOFs. Two series of camphorate MOFs were synthesized with acetate (Type 1 with early lanthanides La–Dy) or formate (Type 2 with late lanthanides Tb–Lu and Y) as the auxiliary ligand, respectively. The Ln coordination environment in each type exhibits selectivity for Ln3+ of different sizes, which could form the basis for a new cost-effective method for Ln separation.
129 citations
129 citations
TL;DR: Gender appearance rigidity was prevalent in 267 4-year-old children in the United States from African American, Chinese, Dominican, and Mexican immigrant low-income backgrounds and extended to a more diverse population.
Abstract: Many young children pass through a stage of gender appearance rigidity; girls insist on wearing dresses, often pink and frilly, whereas boys refuse to wear anything with a hint of femininity. In 2 studies, we investigated the prevalence of this apparent hallmark of early gender development and its relation to children's growing identification with a gender category. Study 1a examined the prevalence of this behavior and whether it would exhibit a developmental pattern of rigidity followed by flexibility, consistent with past research on identity-related cognitions. Interviews with 76 White, middle-class parents and their 3- to 6-year-old children revealed that about two thirds of parents of 3- and 4-year-old girls and almost half (44%) of parents of 5- and 6-year-old boys reported that their children had exhibited a period of rigidity in their gender-related appearance behavior. Appearance rigidity was not related to parents' preferences for their children's gender-typed clothing. Study 1b examined whether cognitive theories of identity development could shed light on gender appearance rigidity. The more important and positive children considered their gender and the more children understood that gender categories remain stable over time (gender stability), the more likely children were to wear gender-typed outfits. In Study 2, we extended this research to a more diverse population and found that gender appearance rigidity was also prevalent in 267 4-year-old children in the United States from African American, Chinese, Dominican, and Mexican immigrant low-income backgrounds. Results suggest that rigid gender-related appearance behavior can be seen among young children from different backgrounds and might reflect early developing cognitions about gender identity.
117 citations
TL;DR: The IOL power estimation in challenging eyes with prior LASIK/photorefractive keratectomy was most accurately predicted by IRB/ORA, significantly more accurate than the other preoperative methods.
116 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reconstruct the dextral pull-apart structures of the marginal basins in global plate tectonic settings at four key times: 50, 35, 15 and 5 Ma.
TL;DR: The literature does not support the hypothesis that surgically repaired HCTs have an unacceptably low rate of success, and existing studies of repaired H CTs show a comparable success rate to repairs of other types of meniscal tears.
Abstract: Purpose: Despite the well-documented advantages of meniscal repair over meniscectomy, horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) are often not repaired. Reported reasons include difficulty performing the repair, potential suture failure due to mechanical stresses, and poor healing rates. In addition, many surgeons have the perception that debriding the tear until the superior and inferior laminae are stable results in a good clinical outcome. Furthermore, many of the tears occur in patients who are older than the generally accepted indicated age for repair and may also have a degenerative component, making them potentially less likely to benefit from repair. This review was performed to evaluate the published outcomes of HCT repairs and test the hypothesis that surgically repaired HCTs have an unacceptably low rate of success. Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases was performed in December 2013 to identify studies in which meniscal HCTs were repaired. Inclusion criteria for the analysis were English language, reference to a patient with an HCT repaired by any method, and a report of at least 1 postoperative outcome. For the purposes of this review, a failed outcome was defined as the need for reoperation. Results: More than 16,000 abstracts were returned in the search. From these abstracts, we identified 210 articles for further review, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 98 repairs of horizontal tears were evaluated in these studies. By use of reoperation as the criterion for treatment failure, 77 of the repairs were successful, for an overall success rate of 77.8%. Conclusions: The literature does not support the hypothesis that surgically repaired HCTs have an unacceptably low rate of success. Rather, our results show that existing studies of repaired HCTs show a comparable success rate to repairs of other types of meniscal tears. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that TLS1 is a B transport facilitator in maize, highlighting the importance of B homeostasis in meristem function.
Abstract: The element boron (B) is an essential plant micronutrient, and B deficiency results in significant crop losses worldwide. The maize (Zea mays) tassel-less1 (tls1) mutant has defects in vegetative and inflorescence development, comparable to the effects of B deficiency. Positional cloning revealed that tls1 encodes a protein in the aquaporin family co-orthologous to known B channel proteins in other species. Transport assays show that the TLS1 protein facilitates the movement of B and water into Xenopus laevis oocytes. B content is reduced in tls1 mutants, and application of B rescues the mutant phenotype, indicating that the TLS1 protein facilitates the movement of B in planta. B is required to cross-link the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) in the cell wall, and the percentage of RG-II dimers is reduced in tls1 inflorescences, indicating that the defects may result from altered cell wall properties. Plants heterozygous for both tls1 and rotten ear (rte), the proposed B efflux transporter, exhibit a dosage-dependent defect in inflorescence development under B-limited conditions, indicating that both TLS1 and RTE function in the same biological processes. Together, our data provide evidence that TLS1 is a B transport facilitator in maize, highlighting the importance of B homeostasis in meristem function.
TL;DR: The 155° neck-shaft angle was more prone to scapular bone contact during adduction but was more stable at the internally rotated position, which was the least stable humeral rotation position.
TL;DR: Lent, Brown, and Hackett as discussed by the authors showed that contextual barriers inhibit self-efficacy and goal choice intentions from points both near and far from the acti cation.
Abstract: Social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994, 2000) holds that contextual barriers inhibit self-efficacy and goal choice intentions from points both near and far from the acti...
15 Apr 2014-Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
TL;DR: Examination of areas of disagreement to inform future revisions of the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events demonstrated excellent agreement among a large sample of scorers for epochs with no respiratory events.
Abstract: Study Objectives:The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Inter-scorer Reliability program provides a unique opportunity to compare a large number of scorers with varied levels of experience t...
TL;DR: Megalamine was not superior to placebo in preventing recurrent diverticulitis, and Mesalamine is not recommended for this indication.
TL;DR: Variation in striping of equid species and subspecies to geographic range overlap of environmental variables in multifactor models controlling for phylogeny is matched to simultaneously test the five major explanations for this infamous colouration.
Abstract: Despite over a century of interest, the function of zebra stripes has never been examined systematically. Here we match variation in striping of equid species and subspecies to geographic range overlap of environmental variables in multifactor models controlling for phylogeny to simultaneously test the five major explanations for this infamous colouration. For subspecies, there are significant associations between our proxy for tabanid biting fly annoyance and most striping measures (facial and neck stripe number, flank and rump striping, leg stripe intensity and shadow striping), and between belly stripe number and tsetse fly distribution, several of which are replicated at the species level. Conversely, there is no consistent support for camouflage, predator avoidance, heat management or social interaction hypotheses. Susceptibility to ectoparasite attack is discussed in relation to short coat hair, disease transmission and blood loss. A solution to the riddle of zebra stripes, discussed by Wallace and Darwin, is at hand.
TL;DR: A general method capable of converting neutral frameworks directly into cationic ones with concurrent generation of mobile anions is reported, based on the differential affinity between distinct metal ions with framework anionic species.
Abstract: Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with cationic frameworks and mobile anions have many applications from sensing, anion exchange and separation, to fast ion conductivity. Despite recent progress, the vast majority of MOFs have neutral frameworks. A common mechanism for the formation of neutral frameworks is the attachment of anionic species such as F– or OH– to the framework metal sites, neutralizing an otherwise cationic scaffolding. Here, we report a general method capable of converting such neutral frameworks directly into cationic ones with concurrent generation of mobile anions. Our method is based on the differential affinity between distinct metal ions with framework anionic species. Specifically, Al3+ is used to strip F– anions away from framework Cr3+ sites, leading to cationic frameworks with mobile Cl– anions. The subsequent anion exchange with OH– further leads to a porous network with mobile OH– anions. New materials prepared by anion stripping can undergo ion exchange with anionic organic dyes...
TL;DR: It is shown that low boron supply to the inflorescences results in widespread defects in cell and cell wall integrity, highlighting the structural importance of bor on in the formation of fully fertile reproductive organs.
Abstract: Although boron has a relatively low natural abundance, it is an essential plant micronutrient. Boron deficiencies cause major crop losses in several areas of the world, affecting reproduction and yield in diverse plant species. Despite the importance of boron in crop productivity, surprisingly little is known about its effects on developing reproductive organs. We isolated a maize (Zea mays) mutant, called rotten ear (rte), that shows distinct defects in vegetative and reproductive development, eventually causing widespread sterility in its inflorescences, the tassel and the ear. Positional cloning revealed that rte encodes a membrane-localized boron efflux transporter, co-orthologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana BOR1 protein. Depending on the availability of boron in the soil, rte plants show a wide range of phenotypic defects that can be fully rescued by supplementing the soil with exogenous boric acid, indicating that rte is crucial for boron transport into aerial tissues. rte is expressed in cells surrounding the xylem in both vegetative and reproductive tissues and is required for meristem activity and organ development. We show that low boron supply to the inflorescences results in widespread defects in cell and cell wall integrity, highlighting the structural importance of boron in the formation of fully fertile reproductive organs.
TL;DR: Pd-Cu/C and Pd/C catalysts were synthesized via a metal salt reduction method as mentioned in this paper, and they were compared and used to understand the impact of copper on the palladium surface during the electrochemical oxidation of formate and ethanol in alkaline media.
TL;DR: By one-step pyrolysis of an indium-MOF with entrapped cobalt dimers in the presence of melamine, heterometallic carbide nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-enriched carbon have been prepared and found to exhibit efficient electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction with high durability and methanol-tolerance properties.
TL;DR: It is proposed that performance optimization and skills acquisition should be viewed as 2 separate domains of mental practice.
TL;DR: In this article, a subset of 213 students at San Jose State University (SJSU) were tested using an augmented online learning environment (AOLE) for retention and success (pass/fail) and online support.
Abstract: In Spring 2013 San Jose State University (SJSU) launched SJSU Plus: three college courses required for most students to graduate, which used massive open online course provider Udacity’s platform, attracting over 15,000 students. Retention and success (pass/fail) and online support were tested using an augmented online learning environment (AOLE) on a subset of 213 students; about one-half matriculated. SJSU faculty created the course content, collaborating with Udacity to develop video instruction, quizzes, and interactive elements. Course log-ins and progression data were combined with surveys and focus groups, with students, faculty, support staff, coordinators, and program leaders as subjects. Logit models used contingency table-tested potential success predictors on all students and five subgroups. Student effort was the strongest success indicator, suggesting criticality of early and consistent student engagement. No statistically significant relationships with student characteristics were found. AO...
TL;DR: The Stony Brook news literacy program is one of the most ambitious and well-funded curricular experiments in modern journalis... as discussed by the authors, providing practical and theoretical insights into the news literacy programs.
Abstract: This case study provides practical and theoretical insights into the Stony Brook news literacy program, which is one of the most ambitious and well-funded curricular experiments in modern journalis...
TL;DR: For instance, this paper found that women with low felt self-competence and high self-liking were associated with less STEM class interest, above and beyond feelings of belonging in STEM.
Abstract: When women feel pushed away by the “chilly climate” of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), they seek situations where they experience greater social belonging. We tested whether feelings of belonging to competing (non-STEM) classes were associated with women’s interest in their STEM classes using an interval contingent diary methodology. We recruited 62 undergraduate women STEM majors concurrently enrolled in STEM and Humanities/Liberal Arts (H/LA) courses. We first assessed self-competence (SC) and self-liking (SL), and then every 2 weeks during the academic semester the participants were asked to report their feelings of belonging and interest in both types of courses (resulting in eight entries). For women with low felt SC and high SL, a greater feeling of belonging to their H/LA class throughout the semester was associated with less STEM class interest, above and beyond feelings of belonging in STEM. For all women, fluctuations in STEM class belonging mapped onto their STEM class intere...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors determined whether colonisation identified by rectal culture can identify men at high risk for post-transrectal prostate biopsy infection, and they used chi-square and logistic regression statistical analysis.
TL;DR: It is shown that BK channels have a complex interplay with intracellular components of cancer cells and still have plenty of secrets to be discovered.
TL;DR: This work determined how the genomic diversity of microbial communities in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem changed under reduced precipitation or increased N deposition and detected a strong correlation between the frequencies of genera of putative cellulose degraders and cellulase genes.
Abstract: In many ecosystems, global changes are likely to profoundly affect microorganisms. In Southern California, changes in precipitation and nitrogen deposition may influence the composition and functional potential of microbial communities and their resulting ability to degrade plant material. To test whether such environmental changes impact the distribution of functional groups involved in leaf litter degradation, we determined how the genomic diversity of microbial communities in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem changed under reduced precipitation or increased N deposition. We monitored communities seasonally over a period of 2 years to place environmental change responses into the context of natural variation. Fungal and bacterial communities displayed strong seasonal patterns, Fungi being mostly detected during the dry season whereas Bacteria were common during wet periods. Most putative cellulose degraders were associated with 33 bacterial genera and predicted to constitute 18% of the microbial community. Precipitation reduction reduced bacterial abundance and cellulolytic potential whereas nitrogen addition did not affect the cellulolytic potential of the microbial community. Finally, we detected a strong correlation between the frequencies of genera of putative cellulose degraders and cellulase genes. Thus, microbial taxonomic composition was predictive of cellulolytic potential. This work provides a framework for how environmental changes affect microorganisms responsible for plant litter deconstruction.