Showing papers by "Washington State University published in 2015"
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Mohammad H. Forouzanfar1, Lily Alexander, H. Ross Anderson, Victoria F Bachman1 +733 more•Institutions (289)
TL;DR: The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor study 2013 (GBD 2013) as discussed by the authors provides a timely opportunity to update the comparative risk assessment with new data for exposure, relative risks, and evidence on the appropriate counterfactual risk distribution.
5,668 citations
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TL;DR: In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013) as mentioned in this paper, the authors estimated the quantities for acute and chronic diseases and injuries for 188 countries between 1990 and 2013.
4,510 citations
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Christopher J L Murray1, Ryan M Barber, Kyle J Foreman2, Ayse Abbasoglu Ozgoren +608 more•Institutions (251)
TL;DR: Patterns of the epidemiological transition with a composite indicator of sociodemographic status, which was constructed from income per person, average years of schooling after age 15 years, and the total fertility rate and mean age of the population, were quantified.
1,609 citations
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University of Florida1, University of Bonn2, Blaise Pascal University3, Institut national de la recherche agronomique4, Stanford University5, Prince of Songkla University6, Agricultural Research Service7, University of Arizona8, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center9, Kansas State University10, International Water Management Institute11, Washington State University12, Michigan State University13, University of Leeds14, CGIAR15, Counterintelligence Field Activity16, Spanish National Research Council17, University of Tübingen18, University of Guelph19, Texas A&M University20, University of Maryland, College Park21, Aarhus University22, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research23, Indian Agricultural Research Institute24, Goddard Institute for Space Studies25, Rothamsted Research26, University of Hohenheim27, Wageningen University and Research Centre28, Chinese Academy of Sciences29, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation30, China Agricultural University31, Nanjing Agricultural University32
TL;DR: The authors systematically tested 30 different wheat crop models of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project against field experiments in which growing season mean temperatures ranged from 15 degrees C to 32 degrees C, including experiments with artificial heating.
Abstract: Crop models are essential tools for assessing the threat of climate change to local and global food production(1). Present models used to predict wheat grain yield are highly uncertain when simulating how crops respond to temperature(2). Here we systematically tested 30 different wheat crop models of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project against field experiments in which growing season mean temperatures ranged from 15 degrees C to 32 degrees C, including experiments with artificial heating. Many models simulated yields well, but were less accurate at higher temperatures. The model ensemble median was consistently more accurate in simulating the crop temperature response than any single model, regardless of the input information used. Extrapolating the model ensemble temperature response indicates that warming is already slowing yield gains at a majority of wheat-growing locations. Global wheat production is estimated to fall by 6% for each degrees C of further temperature increase and become more variable over space and time.
1,461 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the performance of the LIGO instruments during this epoch, the work done to characterize the detectors and their data, and the effect that transient and continuous noise artefacts have on the sensitivity of the detectors to a variety of astrophysical sources.
Abstract: In 2009–2010, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) operated together with international partners Virgo and GEO600 as a network to search for gravitational waves (GWs) of astrophysical origin. The sensitivity of these detectors was limited by a combination of noise sources inherent to the instrumental design and its environment, often localized in time or frequency, that couple into the GW readout. Here we review the performance of the LIGO instruments during this epoch, the work done to characterize the detectors and their data, and the effect that transient and continuous noise artefacts have on the sensitivity of LIGO to a variety of astrophysical sources.
1,266 citations
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Utrecht University1, Université catholique de Louvain2, Institut national de la recherche agronomique3, Centre national de la recherche scientifique4, Université du Québec à Montréal5, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds6, University of Cambridge7, University of Padua8, University of Sussex9, Natural Resources Canada10, Purdue University11, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ12, Smithsonian Institution13, University of Neuchâtel14, University of Saskatchewan15, Washington State University16, University of Bergen17, University of Stirling18
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the global literature explores these risks and show a growing body of evidence that persistent, low concentrations of these insecticides pose serious risks of undesirable environmental impacts.
Abstract: Since their discovery in the late 1980s, neonicotinoid pesticides have become the most widely used class of insecticides worldwide, with large-scale applications ranging from plant protection (crops, vegetables, fruits), veterinary products, and biocides to invertebrate pest control in fish farming. In this review, we address the phenyl-pyrazole fipronil together with neonicotinoids because of similarities in their toxicity, physicochemical profiles, and presence in the environment. Neonicotinoids and fipronil currently account for approximately one third of the world insecticide market; the annual world production of the archetype neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, was estimated to be ca. 20,000 tonnes active substance in 2010. There were several reasons for the initial success of neonicotinoids and fipronil: (1) there was no known pesticide resistance in target pests, mainly because of their recent development, (2) their physicochemical properties included many advantages over previous generations of insecticides (i.e., organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, etc.), and (3) they shared an assumed reduced operator and consumer risk. Due to their systemic nature, they are taken up by the roots or leaves and translocated to all parts of the plant, which, in turn, makes them effectively toxic to herbivorous insects. The toxicity persists for a variable period of time—depending on the plant, its growth stage, and the amount of pesticide applied. A wide variety of applications are available, including the most common prophylactic non-Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) application by seed coating. As a result of their extensive use and physicochemical properties, these substances can be found in all environmental compartments including soil, water, and air. Neonicotinoids and fipronil operate by disrupting neural transmission in the central nervous system of invertebrates. Neonicotinoids mimic the action of neurotransmitters, while fipronil inhibits neuronal receptors. In doing so, they continuously stimulate neurons leading ultimately to death of target invertebrates. Like virtually all insecticides, they can also have lethal and sublethal impacts on non-target organisms, including insect predators and vertebrates. Furthermore, a range of synergistic effects with other stressors have been documented. Here, we review extensively their metabolic pathways, showing how they form both compound-specific and common metabolites which can themselves be toxic. These may result in prolonged toxicity. Considering their wide commercial expansion, mode of action, the systemic properties in plants, persistence and environmental fate, coupled with limited information about the toxicity profiles of these compounds and their metabolites, neonicotinoids and fipronil may entail significant risks to the environment. A global evaluation of the potential collateral effects of their use is therefore timely. The present paper and subsequent chapters in this review of the global literature explore these risks and show a growing body of evidence that persistent, low concentrations of these insecticides pose serious risks of undesirable environmental impacts.
1,131 citations
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TL;DR: The UN’s most recent annual State of Food Insecurity in the World report takes stock of the progress made toward achieving these slightly different yet equally ambitious and fundamental goals related to greatly reducing world hunger.
1,112 citations
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TL;DR: New advances in electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials and nanostructures during 2013 to 2014 are focused on to provide the reader with a clear and concise view of new advances in areas ranging from electrode engineering, strategies for electrochemical signal amplification, and novel electroanalytical techniques used in the miniaturization and integration of the sensors.
Abstract: Taking advantage of exceptional attributes, such as being easy-to-operate, economical, sensitive, portable, and simple-to-construct, in recent decades, considerable attention has been devoted to the integration of recognition elements with electronic elements to develop electrochemical sensors and biosensors.Various electrochemical devices, such as amperometric sensors, electrochemical impedance sensors, and electrochemical luminescence sensors as well as photoelectrochemical sensors, provide wide applications in the detection of chemical and biological targets in terms of electrochemical change of electrode interfaces.
With remarkable achievements in nanotechnology and nanoscience, nanomaterial-based electrochemical signal amplifications have great potential of improving both sensitivity and selectivity for electrochemical sensors and biosensors. First of all, it is well-known that the electrode materials play a critical role in the construction of high-performance electrochemical sensing platforms for detecting target molecules through various analytical principles. Furthermore, in addition to electrode materials, functional nanomaterials can not only produce a synergic effect among catalytic activity, conductivity, and biocompatibility to accelerate the signal transduction but also amplify biorecognition events with specifically designed signal tags, leading to highly sensitive biosensing. Significantly, extensive research on the construction of functional electrode materials, coupled with numerous electrochemical methods, is advancing the wide application of electrochemical devices. For example, Walcarius et al. highlighted the recent advances of nano-objects and nanoengineered and/or nanostructured materials for the rational design of biofunctionalized electrodes and related (bio)sensing systems.1 The attractiveness of such nanomaterials relies on their ability to act as effective immobilization matrices and their intrinsic and unique features as described above. These features combined with the functioning of biomolecules contribute to the improvement of bioelectrode performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Our group recently presented a general overview of nanomaterial-enhanced paper-based biosensors including lateral-flow test-strip and paper microfluidic devices.2 With different kinds of nanoparticles (NPs), paper-based biosensor devices have shown a great potential in the enhancement of sensitivity and specificity of disease diagnosis in developing countries.
This Review focuses on recent advances in electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials and nanostructures during 2013 to 2014. The aim of this effort is to provide the reader with a clear and concise view of new advances in areas ranging from electrode engineering, strategies for electrochemical signal amplification, and novel electroanalytical techniques used in the miniaturization and integration of the sensors. Moreover, the authors have attempted to highlight areas of the latest and significant development of enhanced electrochemical nanosensors and nanobiosensors that inspire broader interests across various disciplines. Electrochemical sensors for small molecules, enzyme-based biosensors, genosensors, immunosensors, and cytosensors are reviewed herein (Figure (Figure1).1). Such novel advances are important for the development of electrochemical sensors that open up new avenues and methods for future research. We recommend readers interested in the general principles of electrochemical sensors and electrochemical methods to refer to other excellent literature for a broad scope in this area.3,4 However, due to the explosion of publications in this active field, we do not claim that this Review includes all of the published works in the past two years and we apologize to the authors of excellent work, which is unintentionally left out.
Figure 1
Schematic illustration of electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials and nanostructures, in which electrochemical sensors for small molecular, enzyme-based biosensors, genosensors, immunosensors, and cytosensors are demonstrated.
1,110 citations
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TL;DR: The brain is the central organ involved in perceiving and adapting to social and physical stressors via multiple interacting mediators, from the cell surface to the cytoskeleton to epigenetic regulation and nongenomic mechanisms.
Abstract: The brain is the central organ involved in perceiving and adapting to social and physical stressors via multiple interacting mediators, from the cell surface to the cytoskeleton to epigenetic regulation and nongenomic mechanisms. A key result of stress is structural remodeling of neural architecture, which may be a sign of successful adaptation, whereas persistence of these changes when stress ends indicates failed resilience. Excitatory amino acids and glucocorticoids have key roles in these processes, along with a growing list of extra- and intracellular mediators that includes endocannabinoids and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The result is a continually changing pattern of gene expression mediated by epigenetic mechanisms involving histone modifications and CpG methylation and hydroxymethylation as well as by the activity of retrotransposons that may alter genomic stability. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of plasticity and vulnerability of the brain provides a basis for understanding the efficacy of interventions for anxiety and depressive disorders as well as age-related cognitive decline.
987 citations
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TL;DR: Access to this growing chemical toolbox of new molecular probes for H2S and related RSS sets the stage for applying these developing technologies to probe reactive sulfur biology in living systems.
Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous species produced by both bacteria and higher eukaryotic organisms, including mammalian vertebrates, has attracted attention in recent years for its contributions to human health and disease. H2S has been proposed as a cytoprotectant and gasotransmitter in many tissue types, including mediating vascular tone in blood vessels as well as neuromodulation in the brain. The molecular mechanisms dictating how H2S affects cellular signaling and other physiological events remain insufficiently understood. Furthermore, the involvement of H2S in metal-binding interactions and formation of related RSS such as sulfane sulfur may contribute to other distinct signaling pathways. Owing to its widespread biological roles and unique chemical properties, H2S is an appealing target for chemical biology approaches to elucidate its production, trafficking, and downstream function. In this context, reaction-based fluorescent probes offer a versatile set of screening tools to visualize H2S pools in living systems. Three main strategies used in molecular probe development for H2S detection include azide and nitro group reduction, nucleophilic attack, and CuS precipitation. Each of these approaches exploits the strong nucleophilicity and reducing potency of H2S to achieve selectivity over other biothiols. In addition, a variety of methods have been developed for the detection of other reactive sulfur species (RSS), including sulfite and bisulfite, as well as sulfane sulfur species and related modifications such as S-nitrosothiols. Access to this growing chemical toolbox of new molecular probes for H2S and related RSS sets the stage for applying these developing technologies to probe reactive sulfur biology in living systems.
831 citations
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Illinois State University1, York University2, California University of Pennsylvania3, Washington State University4, United States Geological Survey5, Norwegian Institute for Air Research6, University of Wisconsin-Madison7, Uppsala University8, University of Konstanz9, University at Albany, SUNY10, Leibniz Association11, University of Waikato12, University of Helsinki13, University of Minnesota14, Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests15, Colorado State University16, University of Adelaide17, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland18, University of Innsbruck19, University of Florida20, Cornell University21, International Institute for Sustainable Development22, California Institute of Technology23, Irkutsk State University24, Estonian University of Life Sciences25, Ritsumeikan University26, Finnish Environment Institute27, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory28, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology29, University of California, Santa Barbara30, University of Hamburg31, Russian Academy of Sciences32, Royal Museum for Central Africa33, National Research Council34, Ontario Ministry of the Environment35, University of New Hampshire36, University of Washington37, University of California, Davis38, Melikşah University39, University of Vienna40, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research41, University of Eastern Finland42, Seqwater43, Miami University44, Chinese Academy of Sciences45
TL;DR: In the first worldwide synthesis of in situ and satellite-derived lake data, this paper found that lake summer surface water temperatures rose rapidly (global mean = 0.34°C decade−1) between 1985 and 2009.
Abstract: In this first worldwide synthesis of in situ and satellite-derived lake data, we find that lake summer surface water temperatures rose rapidly (global mean = 0.34°C decade−1) between 1985 and 2009. Our analyses show that surface water warming rates are dependent on combinations of climate and local characteristics, rather than just lake location, leading to the counterintuitive result that regional consistency in lake warming is the exception, rather than the rule. The most rapidly warming lakes are widely geographically distributed, and their warming is associated with interactions among different climatic factors—from seasonally ice-covered lakes in areas where temperature and solar radiation are increasing while cloud cover is diminishing (0.72°C decade−1) to ice-free lakes experiencing increases in air temperature and solar radiation (0.53°C decade−1). The pervasive and rapid warming observed here signals the urgent need to incorporate climate impacts into vulnerability assessments and adaptation efforts for lakes.
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Utrecht University1, Institut national de la recherche agronomique2, French Institute of Health and Medical Research3, University of Sussex4, Natural Resources Canada5, Purdue University6, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ7, Smithsonian Institution8, University of Saskatchewan9, Université catholique de Louvain10, Washington State University11, University of Bergen12
TL;DR: Enough knowledge exists to conclude that existing levels of pollution with neonicotinoids and fipronil resulting from presently authorized uses frequently exceed the lowest observed adverse effect concentrations and are thus likely to have large-scale and wide ranging negative biological and ecological impacts on a wide range of non-target invertebrates in terrestrial, aquatic, marine and benthic habitats.
Abstract: We assessed the state of knowledge regarding the effects of large-scale pollution with neonicotinoid insecticides and fipronil on non-target invertebrate species of terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. A large section of the assessment is dedicated to the state of knowledge on sublethal effects on honeybees (Apis mellifera) because this important pollinator is the most studied non-target invertebrate species. Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Lumbricidae (earthworms), Apoidae sensu lato (bumblebees, solitary bees) and the section “other invertebrates” review available studies on the other terrestrial species. The sections on freshwater and marine species are rather short as little is known so far about the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides and fipronil on the diverse invertebrate fauna of these widely exposed habitats. For terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate species, the known effects of neonicotinoid pesticides and fipronil are described ranging from organismal toxicology and behavioural effects to population-level effects. For earthworms, freshwater and marine species, the relation of findings to regulatory risk assessment is described. Neonicotinoid insecticides exhibit very high toxicity to a wide range of invertebrates, particularly insects, and field-realistic exposure is likely to result in both lethal and a broad range of important sublethal impacts. There is a major knowledge gap regarding impacts on the grand majority of invertebrates, many of which perform essential roles enabling healthy ecosystem functioning. The data on the few non-target species on which field tests have been performed are limited by major flaws in the outdated test protocols. Despite large knowledge gaps and uncertainties, enough knowledge exists to conclude that existing levels of pollution with neonicotinoids and fipronil resulting from presently authorized uses frequently exceed the lowest observed adverse effect concentrations and are thus likely to have large-scale and wide ranging negative biological and ecological impacts on a wide range of non-target invertebrates in terrestrial, aquatic, marine and benthic habitats.
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TL;DR: Nanostructures: Synthesis, Assembly, and Their Applications in Electrochemistry
Abstract: Nanostructures: Synthesis, Assembly, and Their Applications in Electrochemistry Chengzhou Zhu,† Dan Du,†,⊥ Alexander Eychmüller,‡ and Yuehe Lin*,†,§ †School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-2920, United States Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China ‡Physical Chemistry, TU Dresden, Bergstrasse 66b, 01062 Dresden, Germany Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed study of the self-healing properties of different kinds of polymer nanocomposites utilizing a number of healing mechanisms, including the addition of several healing agents.
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TL;DR: It is contended that a uniquely Panamanian Eocene detrital zircon fingerprint is pronounced in middle Miocene fluvial and shallow marine strata cropping out in the northern Andes but is absent in underlying lower Miocene and Oligocene strata; the Central American Seaway had vanished by that time.
Abstract: Uranium-lead geochronology in detrital zircons and provenance analyses in eight boreholes and two surface stratigraphic sections in the northern Andes provide insight into the time of closure of the Central American Seaway. The timing of this closure has been correlated with Plio-Pleistocene global oceanographic, atmospheric, and biotic events. We found that a uniquely Panamanian Eocene detrital zircon fingerprint is pronounced in middle Miocene fluvial and shallow marine strata cropping out in the northern Andes but is absent in underlying lower Miocene and Oligocene strata. We contend that this fingerprint demonstrates a fluvial connection, and therefore the absence of an intervening seaway, between the Panama arc and South America in middle Miocene times; the Central American Seaway had vanished by that time.
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TL;DR: The results of this experiment indicate that aquatic habitats that are colder, more protected from solar radiation, and more alkaline are likely to hold detectable amounts of eDNA longer than those that are warmer, sunnier, and neutral or acidic.
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TL;DR: The potential efficacy of lignin in biopolymer based green hydrogels with particular emphasis on synthesis, characterization and applications is reviewed.
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University of Copenhagen1, University of California, Berkeley2, University of Massachusetts Amherst3, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute4, Technical University of Denmark5, Pennsylvania State University6, La Trobe University7, Stanford University8, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology9, University of Cambridge10, Estonian Biocentre11, University of Tartu12, University of California, San Francisco13, Washington State University14, University of Porto15, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign16, Carlos III Health Institute17, University of Utah18, Science for Life Laboratory19, Aarhus University20, University College London21, University of Reading22, University of Bristol23, University of Guadalajara24, University of Bologna25, Oregon State University26, University of Paris27, University of Zurich28, Max Planck Society29, St. John's University30, University of California, Irvine31, University of Tarapacá32, University of Toulouse33, Russian Academy of Sciences34, Novosibirsk State University35, Kemerovo State University36, Bashkir State University37, North-Eastern Federal University38, Western Washington University39, Northwest Community College40, University of Western Ontario41, Simon Fraser University42, Laboratory of Molecular Biology43, University of Kansas44, University of California, Davis45, Texas A&M University46, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History47, Southern Methodist University48
TL;DR: The results suggest that there has been gene flow between some Native Americans from both North and South America and groups related to East Asians and Australo-Melanesians, the latter possibly through an East Asian route that might have included ancestors of modern Aleutian Islanders.
Abstract: How and when the Americas were populated remains contentious. Using ancient and modern genome-wide data, we found that the ancestors of all present-day Native Americans, including Athabascans and Amerindians, entered the Americas as a single migration wave from Siberia no earlier than 23 thousand years ago (ka) and after no more than an 8000-year isolation period in Beringia. After their arrival to the Americas, ancestral Native Americans diversified into two basal genetic branches around 13 ka, one that is now dispersed across North and South America and the other restricted to North America. Subsequent gene flow resulted in some Native Americans sharing ancestry with present-day East Asians (including Siberians) and, more distantly, Australo-Melanesians. Putative "Paleoamerican" relict populations, including the historical Mexican Pericues and South American Fuego-Patagonians, are not directly related to modern Australo-Melanesians as suggested by the Paleoamerican Model.
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National Institutes of Health1, University of Vermont2, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center4, New York University5, Michigan State University6, University of California, San Francisco7, University of Wisconsin-Madison8, Baylor College of Medicine9, Yale University10, University of Missouri11, University of Kansas12, Washington State University13, Harvard University14
TL;DR: Leaders gathered at the US National Institutes of Health in November 2014 to discuss recent advances and emerging research areas in aspects of maternal-fetal immunity that may affect fetal development and pregnancy success.
Abstract: Leaders gathered at the US National Institutes of Health in November 2014 to discuss recent advances and emerging research areas in aspects of maternal-fetal immunity that may affect fetal development and pregnancy success.
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Blaise Pascal University1, Institut national de la recherche agronomique2, University of Florida3, University of Bonn4, Goddard Institute for Space Studies5, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation6, International Water Management Institute7, Michigan State University8, Agro ParisTech9, University of Leeds10, CGIAR11, University of Tübingen12, University of Alberta13, International Atomic Energy Agency14, University of Reading15, University of Guelph16, University of Hohenheim17, University of Maryland, College Park18, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research19, Indian Agricultural Research Institute20, Department of Environment and Primary Industries21, Aarhus University22, Rothamsted Research23, Food and Agriculture Organization24, Washington State University25, Wageningen University and Research Centre26, Chinese Academy of Sciences27, International Trademark Association28, United States Department of Agriculture29
TL;DR: It is concluded that multimodel ensembles can be used to create new estimators with improved accuracy and consistency in simulating growth dynamics, and argued that these results are applicable to other crop species, and hypothesize that they apply more generally to ecological system models.
Abstract: Crop models of crop growth are increasingly used to quantify the impact of global changes due to climate or crop management. Therefore, accuracy of simulation results is a major concern. Studies with ensembles of crop models can give valuable information about model accuracy and uncertainty, but such studies are difficult to organize and have only recently begun. We report on the largest ensemble study to date, of 27 wheat models tested in four contrasting locations for their accuracy in simulating multiple crop growth and yield variables. The relative error averaged over models was 24-38% for the different end-of-season variables including grain yield (GY) and grain protein concentration (GPC). There was little relation between error of a model for GY or GPC and error for in-season variables. Thus, most models did not arrive at accurate simulations of GY and GPC by accurately simulating preceding growth dynamics. Ensemble simulations, taking either the mean (e-mean) or median (e-median) of simulated values, gave better estimates than any individual model when all variables were considered. Compared to individual models, e-median ranked first in simulating measured GY and third in GPC. The error of e-mean and e-median declined with an increasing number of ensemble members, with little decrease beyond 10 models. We conclude that multimodel ensembles can be used to create new estimators with improved accuracy and consistency in simulating growth dynamics. We argue that these results are applicable to other crop species, and hypothesize that they apply more generally to ecological system models.
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TL;DR: Various techniques and their advantages and disadvantages in detecting fruit in plant or tree canopies are summarized and the sensors and systems developed and used by researchers to localize fruit are summarized.
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TL;DR: State-of-the-art oxidative lignin depolymerization chemistries employed in the papermaking process and oxidative catalysts that can be applied to biorefinery lignIn to produce platform chemicals including phenolic compounds, dicarboxylic acids, and quinones in high selectivity and yield are reviewed.
Abstract: Transforming plant biomass to biofuel is one of the few solutions that can truly sustain mankind's long-term needs for liquid transportation fuel with minimized environmental impact. However, despite decades of effort, commercial development of biomass-to-biofuel conversion processes is still not an economically viable proposition. Identifying value-added co-products along with the production of biofuel provides a key solution to overcoming this economic barrier. Lignin is the second most abundant component next to cellulose in almost all plant biomass; the emerging biomass refinery industry will inevitably generate an enormous amount of lignin. Development of selective biorefinery lignin-to-bioproducts conversion processes will play a pivotal role in significantly improving the economic feasibility and sustainability of biofuel production from renewable biomass. The urgency and importance of this endeavor has been increasingly recognized in the last few years. This paper reviews state-of-the-art oxidative lignin depolymerization chemistries employed in the papermaking process and oxidative catalysts that can be applied to biorefinery lignin to produce platform chemicals including phenolic compounds, dicarboxylic acids, and quinones in high selectivity and yield. The potential synergies of integrating new catalysts with commercial delignification chemistries are discussed. We hope the information will build on the existing body of knowledge to provide new insights towards developing practical and commercially viable lignin conversion technologies, enabling sustainable biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass to be competitive with fossil fuel.
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TL;DR: The potential of using aerial imaging to evaluate resistance/susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stress for crop breeding and precision production management has been discussed along with future perspectives and developments as mentioned in this paper.
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TL;DR: It is proposed that APOBEC3A-mediated mutagenesis is much more frequent because APOBec3A itself is highly proficient at generating DNA breaks, whose repair can trigger the formation of single-strand hypermutation substrates.
Abstract: Elucidation of mutagenic processes shaping cancer genomes is a fundamental problem whose solution promises insights into new treatment, diagnostic and prevention strategies. Single-strand DNA-specific APOBEC cytidine deaminase(s) are major source(s) of mutation in several cancer types. Previous indirect evidence implicated APOBEC3B as the more likely major mutator deaminase, whereas the role of APOBEC3A is not established. Using yeast models enabling the controlled generation of long single-strand genomic DNA substrates, we show that the mutation signatures of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B are statistically distinguishable. We then apply three complementary approaches to identify cancer samples with mutation signatures resembling either APOBEC. Strikingly, APOBEC3A-like samples have over tenfold more APOBEC-signature mutations than APOBEC3B-like samples. We propose that APOBEC3A-mediated mutagenesis is much more frequent because APOBEC3A itself is highly proficient at generating DNA breaks, whose repair can trigger the formation of single-strand hypermutation substrates.
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TL;DR: This review aims to provide concise information on the influence of various thermal and nonthermal food-processing operations on the stability and kinetics of health beneficial phenolic antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Abstract: Understanding the influence of processing operations such as drying/dehydration, canning, extrusion, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, and ohmic heating on the phytochemicals of fruits, vegetables, and grains is important in retaining the health benefiting properties of these antioxidative compounds in processed food products. Most of the previous investigations in the literature on the antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains have shown that food-processing operations reduced the antioxidants of the processed foods, which is also the usual consumer perception. However, in the last decade some articles in the literature reported that the evaluation of nutritional quality of processed fruits and vegetables not only depend on the quantity of vitamin C but should include analyses of other antioxidant phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. Thermal processing increased the total antioxidant activity of tomato and sweet corn. Most importantly, analysis also depends on the condition, type, and mechanism of antioxidant assays used. This review aims to provide concise information on the influence of various thermal and nonthermal food-processing operations on the stability and kinetics of health beneficial phenolic antioxidants of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
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TL;DR: With only 1% of the global agricultural land in organic production, the findings suggest that organic agriculture can continue to expand even if premiums decline, and with their multiple sustainability benefits, organic farming systems can contribute a larger share in feeding the world.
Abstract: To promote global food and ecosystem security, several innovative farming systems have been identified that better balance multiple sustainability goals. The most rapidly growing and contentious of these systems is organic agriculture. Whether organic agriculture can continue to expand will likely be determined by whether it is economically competitive with conventional agriculture. Here, we examined the financial performance of organic and conventional agriculture by conducting a meta-analysis of a global dataset spanning 55 crops grown on five continents. When organic premiums were not applied, benefit/cost ratios (−8 to −7%) and net present values (−27 to −23%) of organic agriculture were significantly lower than conventional agriculture. However, when actual premiums were applied, organic agriculture was significantly more profitable (22–35%) and had higher benefit/cost ratios (20–24%) than conventional agriculture. Although premiums were 29–32%, breakeven premiums necessary for organic profits to match conventional profits were only 5–7%, even with organic yields being 10–18% lower. Total costs were not significantly different, but labor costs were significantly higher (7–13%) with organic farming practices. Studies in our meta-analysis accounted for neither environmental costs (negative externalities) nor ecosystem services from good farming practices, which likely favor organic agriculture. With only 1% of the global agricultural land in organic production, our findings suggest that organic agriculture can continue to expand even if premiums decline. Furthermore, with their multiple sustainability benefits, organic farming systems can contribute a larger share in feeding the world.
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Université catholique de Louvain1, James Hutton Institute2, Institut national de la recherche agronomique3, Tel Aviv University4, Washington State University5, Szent István University6, University of São Paulo7, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech8, Aarhus University9, Railway Technical Research Institute10, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation11, World Agroforestry Centre12, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences13, Food and Agriculture Organization14
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the state of the art of soil spectroscopy as well as its potential to facilitate soil monitoring, and highlight that the widespread use of spectroscopes to monitor the status of the soil should be encouraged by the creation of a standard for the collection of laboratory soil spectra, to promote the sharing of spectral libraries, and to scan existing soil archives.
Abstract: The soil science community is facing a growing demand of regional, continental, and worldwide databases in order to monitor the status of the soil. However, the availability of such data is very scarce. Cost-effective tools to measure soil properties for large areas (e.g., Europe) are required. Soil spectroscopy has shown to be a fast, cost-effective, environmental-friendly, nondestructive, reproducible, and repeatable analytical technique. The main aim of this paper is to describe the state of the art of soil spectroscopy as well as its potential to facilitating soil monitoring. The factors constraining the application of soil spectroscopy as an alternative to traditional laboratory analyses, together with the limits of the technique, are addressed. The paper also highlights that the widespread use of spectroscopy to monitor the status of the soil should be encouraged by (1) the creation of a standard for the collection of laboratory soil spectra, to promote the sharing of spectral libraries, and (2) the scanning of existing soil archives, reducing the need for costly sampling campaigns. Finally, routine soil analysis using soil spectroscopy would be beneficial for the end users by a reduction in analytical costs, and an increased comparability of results between laboratories. This ambitious project will materialize only through (1) the establishment of local and regional partnerships among existent institutions able to generate the necessary technical competence, and (2) the support of international organizations. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission are well placed to promote the use of laboratory and field spectrometers for monitoring the state of soils.
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of DR, existing application and a possible implementation strategy in a smart grid environment is presented, and classification and status of DR programs in different U.S. electricity markets have been also discussed.
Abstract: The growth of advanced metering infrastructure, enhanced communication infrastructure in power grids, and the ability of end-user consumer to actively participate helps in realizing vision of sustainable energy systems. Demand response (DR) programs are developed in order to deploy this ability and make power grids more efficient, environmental friendly, and reliable. This paper presents a review of DR, existing application and a possible implementation strategy in a smart grid environment. Furthermore, classification and status of DR programs in different U.S. electricity markets have been also discussed.
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14 Jan 2015TL;DR: In this article, the development of various liquid electrolytes (organic, ionic liquid, and aqueous electrolytes), solid electrolyte (solid polymer and inorganic solid), as well as gel electrolytes is briefly summarized and discussed.
Abstract: Increasing interest in flexible/wearable electronics, clean energy, electrical vehicles, and so forth is calling for advanced energy-storage devices, such as high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which can not only store energy efficiently and safely, but also possess additional properties, such as good mechanical properties to bear deformations or even to be used as structural components. These expectations first indicate the directions, but also raise new challenges for the advancement of energy materials. As one of the critical components in LIBs, the electrolyte connecting the two electrodes is vital for achieving the desired performances in batteries. In this Review, the developments of various liquid electrolytes (organic, ionic liquid, and aqueous electrolytes), solid electrolytes (solid polymer and inorganic solid), as well as gel electrolytes is briefly summarized and discussed. For each type of electrolyte, the challenging issues and possible solutions are discussed. In particular, safety, ionic conductivity, and contact/interface issues are emphasized. Finally, from a composite point of view, strategies for the development of high-performance electrolytes with all-round properties are proposed.
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TL;DR: A review of the literature concerning CA principles and their interactive effects on weed life cycles and community composition, briefly review CA-appropriate cultural practices for additional weed control, and identify areas where further research is needed as discussed by the authors.