Population effect of a large‐scale stream restoration effort on Chinook salmon in the Pahsimeroi River,Idaho

Stream habitat restoration is an important tool for fisheries management in impaired lotic systems. Although small‐scale benefits of stream habitat restoration are commonly investigated, it is difficult to demonstrate population effects. The Pahsimeroi River Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha population was previously restricted to the lower portion of the river by multiple irrigation structures. To address fish passage issues, a combination of restoration projects was initiated including barrier removals, instream flow enhancements and installation of fish screens on diversions. The largest barrier was removed in 2009, more than doubling the amount of accessible linear habitat. We hypothesized restoration efforts would expand the distribution of spawning salmon in the Pahsimeroi River watershed, leading to a broader distribution of juveniles. We also hypothesized a broader juvenile distribution would have population effects by reducing the prevalence of density‐dependent growth and survival. Redds were documented in newly accessible habitat immediately following barrier removal and accounted for a median of 42% of all redds in the Pahsimeroi River watershed during 2009–2015. Snorkel surveys also documented juvenile rearing in newly accessible habitat. Juvenile productivity increased from a median of 64 smolts/female spawner for brood years 2002–2008 to 99 smolts/female spawner for brood years 2009–2014. Overall, results suggested increased habitat accessibility in the Pahsimeroi River broadened the distribution of spawning adult and rearing juvenile salmon and reduced the effects of density‐dependent survival. Large‐scale stream restoration efforts can have a population effect. Despite the large‐scale effort and response, habitat restoration alone is likely not sufficient to restore this population.     

Thermal transport properties and size effects in very dilute superfluid mixtures of3He in4He

The effective thermal conductivity _eff has been measured for 1.6 K for mixtures with 10^–6–2. Both _eff and the derived impurity mass diffusion coefficient D_iso show an unexpected dependence on the height h of the fluid layer. A scaled representation of D_iso leads to a purely phenomenological model involving an effective length scale, proportional to X^–1 and temperature independent. The relations so obtained are consistent with the observations as well as with the observed transition curve Q_C(X) to non-linear behavior.     

Energy Metabolites as Biomarkers in Ischemic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

With more than 25 million people affected, heart failure (HF) is a global threat. As energy production pathways are known to play a pivotal role in HF, we sought here to identify key metabolic changes in ischemic- and non-ischemic HF by using a multi-OMICS approach. Serum metabolites and mRNAseq and epigenetic DNA methylation profiles were analyzed from blood and left ventricular heart biopsy specimens of the same individuals. In total we collected serum from n = 82 patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and n = 51 controls in the screening stage. We identified several metabolites involved in glycolysis and citric acid cycle to be elevated up to 5.7-fold in DCM (p = 1.7 × 10⁻⁶). Interestingly, cardiac mRNA and epigenetic changes of genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes of these pathways could also be found and validated in our second stage of metabolite assessment in n = 52 DCM, n = 39 ischemic HF and n = 57 controls. In conclusion, we identified a new set of metabolomic biomarkers for HF. We were able to identify underlying biological cascades that potentially represent suitable intervention targets.     

High resolution XPS characterization of chemical functionalised MWCNTs and SWCNTs

High resolution XPS analysis of chemical functionalised multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) was done with ESCA300 (overall instrument resolution of 0.35 eV). Information to the degree of functionalisation was ascertained by argon ion bombardment of the samples followed by XPS analysis to detect the functional groups, the percentage atomic concentration of various elements present and whether or not the detected functional groups imposed a chemical shift on the CNT atoms. The results show that true chemical functionalisation was achieved and by argon ion bombardment these functional groups can be altered relative to the C 1s carbon atoms of the CNT. The choice of chemicals used for functionalisation, the techniques employed and the types of nanotubes treated are important factors in chemical characterisation. The carbon atom on the nanotube ring to which the functional group (atom) is bonded, the chirality of the CNT, the electronegativity of the functional group, the bond type and whether the CNT is single-wall or multi-wall, or cut (short) could play a role in determining the chemical shift on the CNTs atoms. These investigations are relevant to chemical functionalisation of carbon nanotubes for various applications for example DNA sensors and other biomedical sensors.     

Oxidative functionalization of carbon nanotubes in atmospheric pressure filamentary dielectric barrier discharge (APDBD)

The surface compositional and any structural changes that occur on carbon nanotubes using air-atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (APDBD) for functionalization are investigated employing Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and neutron diffraction techniques. Atmospheric pressure plasmas (APP) are suggested to be particularly suitable for functionalization of aligned nanotubes, where wet chemical manipulation could damage or even destroy the highly desirable vertical alignment. In this work a detailed experimental study elucidating the effects of APDBD plasma treatment parameters (e.g. power density, discharge composition, inter-electrode gap and treatment time) on the electronic structure, physical, and chemical behaviour of carbon nanotubes has been conducted. In an atmospheric air we find an optimal oxidative functionalization of CNTs in our DBD system within few seconds (<5 s) at a discharge power of ∼0.5 kW. This investigation may find useful application as functionalization technique for CNT engineered devices and sensors.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl) oxetane] and related polyethers

The thermal decomposition behavior of poly[3,3-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane] (polyBEMO) was examined and compared to the decomposition of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) (polyTHF). Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies as a function of heating rates and at constant temperature as a function of time yielded activation energies of 45–50 kcal/mol, characteristic of polyether decomposition. First-order decomposition kinetics were found. The reaction is endothermic, with a heat of decomposition of 18.6 kcal/mol. Effusion mass spectroscopy on polyBEMO showed major peaks at 112, 140, 168, and 174 amu. A mechanism is proposed in which the thermal scission of the ether bonds in both the polymer chain and in the appendanges initiates the decomposition. The main decomposition reaction for polyBEMO can be written as where the appendages and main chain are cleaved in an unknown order.     

Flaking and extrusion as mechanical treatments for enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction of oil from soybeans

Flaking and extruding dehulled soybeans were evaluated as a means of enhancing oil extraction efficiency during enzyme-assisted aqueous processing of soybeans. Cellulase, protease, and their combination were evaluated for effectiveness in achieving high oil extraction recovery from extruded flakes. Aqueous extraction of extruded full-fat soy flakes gave 68% recovery of the total available oil without using enzymes. A 0.5% wt/wt protease treatment after flaking and extruding dehulled soybeans increased oil extraction recovery to 88% of the total available oil. Flaking and extruding enhanced protease hydrolysis of proteins freeing more oil. Treating extruded flakes with cellulase, however, did not enhance oil extraction either alone or in combination with protease. Discrepancies in oil extraction recoveries were encountered when merely considering crude free fat because some oil became bound to denatured protein during extrusion and/or sample drying. Bound fat was unavailable for determination by using the hexane extraction method, but was accounted for by using the acid hydrolysis method for total oil determination. Oil extraction recovery from extruded soybean flakes was affected by oil determination methods, which was not the case for unextruded full-fat soy flour.     

Rheological and mechanical performance of ethyl‐vinyl acetate/poly(vinyl chloride) formulations

A range of powdered ethyl‐vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) formulations were compounded at PVC:EVA ratios of 100:0, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, and 0:100. Two grades of EVA with 20% and 27% of vinyl acetate (VAc) (EVA I and EVA II) and two grades of PVC with K values of 56 and 71 (PVC I and PVC II) were used in the investigation. Mechanical analysis was performed on injection molded samples of these blends, and the results showed that the tensile and flexural moduli decreased significantly with increasing EVA concentration. Rheological analysis was performed by using dual capillary rheometry, and the results showed only slight changes in shear viscosity with increasing EVA content, even at lower shear rates. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed partial miscib lity of the PVC and EVA over the range of concentrations studied.     

Antinutritive and Oxidative Components as Mechanisms of Induced Resistance in Cotton to Helicoverpa zea

Induced resistance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) foliage and squares to herbivory by Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported in this study. Induced resistance was indicated by decreased larval growth when larvae fed on previously damaged foliage or squares compared to the controls. Herbivory caused a significant decline in host nutritional quality as shown by a reduction in protein and most amino acids in both foliage and squares. Peroxidase, ascorbate oxidase, and diamine oxidase activities increased in both damaged foliage and squares, whereas levels of the nutritional antioxidant, ascorbate, were depressed after larval feeding. Larval feeding also markedly enhanced lipoxygenase activity and lipid peroxides in square tissues. Moreover, feeding damage altered the quantitative levels of phenolic compounds in foliage and squares. These results indicate a significant shift in the oxidative status of cotton plants following herbivory as indicated by increased oxidative enzyme activity, decreased levels of the nutritional antioxidant ascorbate, and increased levels of phenolic prooxidants (i.e., chlorogenic acid) and lipid peroxides.