bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFP1 coordinates histone H3 lysine-4 trimethylation and meiotic cell cycle progression in mouse oocytes
Authors: Sha Qian-Qian , Dai Xing-Xing , Jiang Jun-Chao , Yu Chao , Jiang Yu , Liu Junping , Ou Xiang-Hong , Zhang Song-Ying , Fan Heng-Yu
Published: August 2018

Trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine-4 (H3K4me3) is associated with gene-regulatory elements, but its transcription-independent function in cell division is unclear. CxxC-finger protein-1 (CFP1) is a major mediator of H3K4 trimethylation in mouse oocytes. Here we report that oocyte-specific knockout of Cxxc1, inhibition of CFP1 function, or abrogation of H3K4 methylation in oocytes each causes a delay of meiotic resumption as well as metaphase I arrest owing to defective spindle assembly and chromosome misalignment. These phenomena are partially attributed to insufficient phosphorylation of histone H3 at threonine-3. CDK1 triggers cell division–coupled degradation and inhibitory phosphorylation of CFP1. Preventing CFP1 degradation and phosphorylation causes CFP1 accumulation on chromosomes and impairs meiotic maturation and preimplantation embryo development. Therefore, CFP1-mediated H3K4 trimethylation provides 3a permission signal for the G2–M transition. Dual inhibition of CFP1 removes the SETD1–CFP1 complex from chromatin and ensures appropriate chromosome configuration changes during meiosis and mitosis.
Finite momentum Cooper pairing in three-dimensional topological insulator Josephson junctions
Authors: Chen Angela Q. , Park Moon Jip , Gill Stephen T. , Xiao Yiran , Reig-i-Plessis Dalmau , MacDougall Gregory J. , Gilbert Matthew J. , Mason Nadya
Published: August 2018

Unconventional superconductivity arising from the interplay between strong spin–orbit coupling and magnetism is an intensive area of research. One form of unconventional superconductivity arises when Cooper pairs subjected to a magnetic exchange coupling acquire a finite momentum. Here, we report on a signature of finite momentum Cooper pairing in the three-dimensional topological insulator Bi2Se3. We apply in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields to proximity-coupled Bi2Se3 and find that the in-plane field creates a spatially oscillating superconducting order parameter in the junction as evidenced by the emergence of an anomalous Fraunhofer pattern. We describe how the anomalous Fraunhofer patterns evolve for different device parameters, and we use this to understand the microscopic origin of the oscillating order parameter. The agreement between the experimental data and simulations shows that the finite momentum pairing originates from the coexistence of the Zeeman effect and Aharonov–Bohm flux.
AXER is an ATP/ADP exchanger in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Klein Marie-Christine , Zimmermann Katharina , Schorr Stefan , Landini Martina , Klemens Patrick A. W. , Altensell Jacqueline , Jung Martin , Krause Elmar , Nguyen Duy , Helms Volkhard , Rettig Jens , Fecher-Trost Claudia , Cavalié Adolfo , Hoth Markus , Bogeski Ivan , Neuhaus H. Ekkehard , Zimmermann Richard , Lang Sven , Haferkamp Ilka
Published: August 2018

To fulfill its role in protein biogenesis, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depends on the Hsp70-type molecular chaperone BiP, which requires a constant ATP supply. However, the carrier that catalyzes ATP uptake into the ER was unknown. Here, we report that our screen of gene expression datasets for member(s) of the family of solute carriers that are co-expressed with BiP and are ER membrane proteins identifies SLC35B1 as a potential candidate. Heterologous expression of SLC35B1 in E. coli reveals that SLC35B1 is highly specific for ATP and ADP and acts in antiport mode. Moreover, depletion of SLC35B1 from HeLa cells reduces ER ATP levels and, as a consequence, BiP activity. Thus, human SLC35B1 may provide ATP to the ER and was named AXER (ATP/ADP exchanger in the ER membrane). Furthermore, we propose an ER to cytosol low energy response regulatory axis (termed lowER) that appears as central for maintaining ER ATP supply.
Core community structure recovery and phase transition detection in temporally evolving networks
Authors: Bao Wei , Michailidis George
Published: August 2018

Community detection in time series networks represents a timely and significant research topic due to its applications in a broad range of scientific fields, including biology, social sciences and engineering. In this work, we introduce methodology to address this problem, based on a decomposition of the network adjacency matrices into low-rank components that capture the community structure and sparse & dense noise perturbation components. It is further assumed that the low-rank structure exhibits sharp changes (phase transitions) at certain epochs that our methodology successfully detects and identifies. The latter is achieved by averaging the low-rank component over time windows, which in turn enables us to precisely select the correct rank and monitor its evolution over time and thus identify the phase transition epochs. The methodology is illustrated on both synthetic networks generated by various network formation models, as well as the Kuramoto model of coupled oscillators and on real data reflecting the US Senate’s voting record from 1979–2014. In the latter application, we identify that party polarization exhibited a sharp change and increased after 1993, a finding broadly concordant with the political science literature on the subject.
Decomposing litter and associated microbial activity responses to nitrogen deposition in two subtropical forests containing nitrogen-fixing or non-nitrogen-fixing tree species
Authors: Zhou Guixiang , Zhang Jiabao , Qiu Xiuwen , Wei Feng , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: August 2018

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has caused concern due to its effects on litter decomposition in subtropical regions where N-fixing tree species are widespread. However, the effect of N deposition on litter decomposition in N-fixing plantations remains unclear. We investigated the effects of a 2-year N deposition treatment on litter decomposition, microbial activity, and nutrient release in two subtropical forests containing Alnus cremastogyne (AC, N-fixing) and Liquidambar formosana (LF, non-N-fixing). The decomposition rate in AC was faster than in LF when there was no experimental N deposition. In AC, the initial decomposition rate was faster when additional N was applied and was strongly linked to higher cellulose-degrading enzyme activities during the early decomposition stage. However, N deposition reduced litter decomposition and inhibited lignin-degrading enzyme activities during the later decomposition stage. Nitrogen deposition enhanced carbohydrate and alcohol utilization, but suppressed amino acid and carboxylic acid uptake in the AC plantation. However, it did not significantly affect litter decomposition and microbial activity in the LF plantation. In conclusion, N deposition could inhibit litter decomposition by changing microbial enzyme and metabolic activities during the decomposition process and would increase carbon accumulation and nitrogen retention in subtropical forests with N-fixing tree species.
Surviving host - and food relevant stresses: phenotype of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food and clinical sources
Authors: Horlbog Jule Anna , Kent David , Stephan Roger , Guldimann Claudia
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to compare the phenotype of 40 strains of L. monocytogenes under food and host relevant stress conditions. The strains were chosen to represent food and clinical isolates and to be equally distributed between the most relevant clonal complexes for clinical and food isolates (CC1 and CC6 vs CC121 and CC9), plus one group of eight strains of rare clonal complexes. Human-associated CC1 had a faster maximal growth rate than the other major complexes, and the lag time of CC1 and CC6 was significantly less affected by the addition of 4% NaCl to the medium. Food-associated CC9 strains were hypohemolytic compared to other clonal complexes, and all strains found to be resistant to increased concentrations of benzalkonium chloride belonged to CC121 and were positive for Tn6188 carrying the qacH gene. Lactic acid affected the survival of L. monocytogenes more than HCl, and there was a distinct, strain specific pattern of acid tolerant and sensitive strains. Strains from CC6 and human clinical isolates are less resilient under acid stress than those from other complexes and from food. One strain isolated from a human patient exhibited significant growth defects across all conditions.
Scalable Memdiodes Exhibiting Rectification and Hysteresis for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Shank Joshua C. , Tellekamp M. Brooks , Wahila Matthew J. , Howard Sebastian , Weidenbach Alex S. , Zivasatienraj Bill , Piper Louis F. J. , Doolittle W. Alan
Published: August 2018

Metal-Nb2O5−x-metal memdiodes exhibiting rectification, hysteresis, and capacitance are demonstrated for applications in neuromorphic circuitry. These devices do not require any post-fabrication treatments such as filament creation by electroforming that would impede circuit scalability. Instead these devices operate due to Poole-Frenkel defect controlled transport where the high defect density is inherent to the Nb2O5−x deposition rather than post-fabrication treatments. Temperature dependent measurements reveal that the dominant trap energy is 0.22 eV suggesting it results from the oxygen deficiencies in the amorphous Nb2O5−x. Rectification occurs due to a transition from thermionic emission to tunneling current and is present even in thick devices (>100 nm) due to charge trapping which controls the tunneling distance. The turn-on voltage is linearly proportional to the Schottky barrier height and, in contrast to traditional metal-insulator-metal diodes, is logarithmically proportional to the device thickness. Hysteresis in the I–V curve occurs due to the current limited filling of traps.
Serum from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induces senescence-related phenotype in bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Kuźnar-Kamińska Barbara , Mikuła-Pietrasik Justyna , Witucka Anna , Romaniuk Aleksandra , Konieczna Natalia , Rubiś Błażej , Książek Krzysztof , Tykarski Andrzej , Batura-Gabryel Halina
Published: August 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer (LC). The mechanism of interplay between both diseases remains poorly recognized. This report examines whether COPD may cause a senescence response in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), leading to the progression of LC in a senescence-dependent manner. The results show that HBECs exposed to serum from COPD patients manifest increased expression of markers of cellular senescence, including senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), histone γ-H2A.X, and p21, as compared to the serum of healthy donors. This effect coincides with an increased generation of reactive oxygen species by these cells. The clinical analysis demonstrated that COPD may cause the senescence, independently on smoking status and disease severity. The concentrations of CXCL5, CXCL8/IL-8 and VEGF were higher in conditioned medium (CM) harvested from HBECs after exposure to COPD serum as compared to controls. In addition, CM treated with serum from COPD patients stimulated adhesion of A549 cancer cells to HBECs, as well as accelerating cancer cell proliferation and migrationin vitro. Collectively, these findings indicate that COPD may induce senescence-like changes in HBECs and thus enhance some processes associated with the progression of lung cancer.
A facultative mutualistic feedback enhances the stability of tropical intertidal seagrass beds
Authors: de Fouw Jimmy , van der Heide Tjisse , van Belzen Jim , Govers Laura L. , Cheikh Mohammed Ahmed Sidi , Olff Han , van de Koppel Johan , van Gils Jan A.
Published: August 2018

Marine foundation species such as corals, seagrasses, salt marsh plants, and mangrove trees are increasingly found to engage in mutualistic interactions. Because mutualisms by their very nature generate a positive feedback between the species, subtle environmental impacts on one of the species involved may trigger mutualism breakdown, potentially leading to ecosystem regime shifts. Using an empirically parameterized model, we investigate a facultative mutualism between seagrass and lucinid bivalves with endosymbiotic sulfide-oxidizing gill bacteria in a tropical intertidal ecosystem. Model predictions for our system show that, by alleviating the build-up of toxic sulfide, this mutualism maintains an otherwise intrinsically unstable seagrass ecosystem. However, an increase in seagrass mortality above natural levels, due to e.g. desiccation stress, triggers mutualism breakdown. This pushes the system in collapse-and-recovery dynamics (‘slow-fast cycles’) characterized by long-term persistent states of bare and seagrass-dominated, with rapid transitions in between. Model results were consistent with remote sensing analyses that suggest feedback-mediated state shifts induced by desiccation. Overall, our combined theoretical and empirical results illustrate the potential of mutualistic feedbacks to stabilize ecosystems, but also reveal an important drawback as small environmental changes may trigger shifts. We therefore suggest that mutualisms should be considered for marine conservation and restoration of seagrass beds.
Different signatures of miR-16, miR-30b and miR-93 in exosomes from breast cancer and DCIS patients
Authors: Ni Qingtao , Stevic Ines , Pan Chi , Müller Volkmar , Oliveira-Ferrer Leticia , Pantel Klaus , Schwarzenbach Heidi
Published: August 2018

Loading of microRNAs (miRNAs) into exosomes that are involved in cellular communication is a selective process. The current study investigates whether the enrichment of miRNAs in exosomes reflects the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The levels of miRNAs were quantified in exosomes from plasma of 32 BC patients, 8 DCIS patients and 8 healthy women by TaqMan real-time PCR-based miRNA array cards containing 47 different miRNAs. Then, exosomal miR-16, miR-30b and miR-93 that displayed deregulation in the arrays were selected and analyzed in 111 BC patients, 42 DCIS patients and 39 healthy women by TaqMan real-time PCR. Identification of exosomes was performed by Western blot. The levels of exosomal miR-16 were higher in plasma of BC (p = 0.034) and DCIS (p = 0.047) patients than healthy women, and were associated with estrogen (p = 0.004) and progesterone (p = 0.008) receptor status. Particularly, in estrogen-positive patients miR-16 was significantly enriched in exosomes (p = 0.0001). Lower levels of exosomal miR-30b were associated with recurrence (p = 0.034). Exosomal miR-93 was upregulated in DCIS patients (p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that different signatures of miR-16, miR-30b and miR-93 in exosomes from BC and DCIS patients are associated with a particular biology of breast tumors.
Biophysical and structural characterization of the thermostable WD40 domain of a prokaryotic protein, Thermomonospora curvata PkwA
Authors: Shen Chen , Du Ye , Qiao Fangfang , Kong Tian , Yuan Lirong , Zhang Delin , Wu Xianhui , Li Dongyang , Wu Yun-Dong
Published: August 2018

WD40 proteins belong to a big protein family with members identified in every eukaryotic proteome. However, WD40 proteins were only reported in a few prokaryotic proteomes. Using WDSP (http://wu.scbb.pkusz.edu.cn/wdsp/), a prediction tool, we identified thousands of prokaryotic WD40 proteins, among which few proteins have been biochemically characterized. As shown in our previous bioinformatics study, a large proportion of prokaryotic WD40 proteins have higher intramolecular sequence identity among repeats and more hydrogen networks, which may indicate better stability than eukaryotic WD40s. Here we report our biophysical and structural study on the WD40 domain of PkwA from Thermomonospora curvata (referred as tPkwA-C). We demonstrated that the stability of thermophilic tPkwA-C correlated to ionic strength and tPkwA-C exhibited fully reversible unfolding under different denaturing conditions. Therefore, the folding kinetics was also studied through stopped-flow circular dichroism spectra. The crystal structure of tPkwA-C was further resolved and shed light on the key factors that stabilize its beta-propeller structure. Like other WD40 proteins, DHSW tetrad has a significant impact on the stability of tPkwA-C. Considering its unique features, we proposed that tPkwA-C should be a great structural template for protein engineering to study key residues involved in protein-protein interaction of a WD40 protein.
Estimating sleep parameters using an accelerometer without sleep diary
Authors: van Hees Vincent Theodoor , Sabia S. , Jones S. E. , Wood A. R. , Anderson K. N. , Kivimäki M. , Frayling T. M. , Pack A. I. , Bucan M. , Trenell M. I. , Mazzotti Diego R. , Gehrman P. R. , Singh-Manoux B. A. , Weedon M. N.
Published: August 2018

Wrist worn raw-data accelerometers are used increasingly in large-scale population research. We examined whether sleep parameters can be estimated from these data in the absence of sleep diaries. Our heuristic algorithm uses the variance in estimated z-axis angle and makes basic assumptions about sleep interruptions. Detected sleep period time window (SPT-window) was compared against sleep diary in 3752 participants (range = 60–82 years) and polysomnography in sleep clinic patients (N = 28) and in healthy good sleepers (N = 22). The SPT-window derived from the algorithm was 10.9 and 2.9 minutes longer compared with sleep diary in men and women, respectively. Mean C-statistic to detect the SPT-window compared to polysomnography was 0.86 and 0.83 in clinic-based and healthy sleepers, respectively. We demonstrated the accuracy of our algorithm to detect the SPT-window. The value of this algorithm lies in studies such as UK Biobank where a sleep diary was not used.
A combination of subcuticular suture and enhanced recovery after surgery reduces wound complications in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Zu-Shun , Zhu Shao-Liang , Qi Lu-Nan , Li Le-Qun
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to examine whether using subcuticular sutures during initial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with shorter postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) than using staples for patients treated in the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. A total of 376 patients were randomized to receive either subcuticular sutures or staples (188 per group), and the two groups were compared in terms of the incidence of wound complications and PLOS. Independent risk factors for PLOS were identified by multivariate analysis. Sutures were associated with significantly lower incidence of wound infection (4.3% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.020) and significantly shorter PLOS (7.97 vs. 8.45 days, P = 0.048). Independent risk factors for wound infection after hepatectomy were advanced age, increased preoperative body mass index, decreased preoperative serum albumin, and skin closure using staples. These results suggest that subcuticular sutures may be more effective than staples for conducting hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who receive ERAS care.
Shear bands and the evolving microstructure in a drying colloidal film studied with scanning µ-SAXS
Authors: Yang Bin , Smith Nathan D. , Johannes Andreas , Burghammer Manfred , Smith Mike I.
Published: August 2018

Shear localisation in thin bands is an important process involved in the plastic deformation of materials subject to stress. This process is often sensitive to the sample microstructure (amorphous/crystalline). Here we show using the scanning µ-SAXS technique, how these different microstructures influence the plastic deformations in a drying colloidal film. In crystalline samples, the presence of an ordering transition at the compaction front was directly identified through the development of a six-fold symmetry in the scattering pattern in 20 wt% samples. It is shown that plastic deformations in individual groups of particles during the compaction process can be tracked and measured in real time. Higher concentration suspensions were found to result in amorphous structures. The transition between crystalline and amorphous microstructures with initial particle concentration was also found to correlate with the appearance of shear bands. Through 2D spatial mapping of the local film structure, the presence of shear bands in the films was directly related to the microscale spatial variations in strain magnitude and compression direction. Our measurements also showed that shear bands lead to a reduction in the local particle volume fraction ~1–2%, indicating significant dilatancy.
Lipophilicity prediction of peptides and peptide derivatives by consensus machine learning
Authors: Fuchs Jens-Alexander , Grisoni Francesca , Kossenjans Michael , Hiss Jan A. , Schneider Gisbert
Published: August 2018

Lipophilicity prediction is routinely applied to small molecules. For compounds outside the domain of classical medicinal chemistry these predictions lack accuracy, advocating the development of bespokein silicoapproaches.
Correction: Efficient triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion in binary crystalline solids fabricated via solution casting and operated in air
Authors: Kamada Kenji , Sakagami Yusuke , Mizokuro Toshiko , Fujiwara Yutaka , Kobayashi Kenji , Narushima Kaishi , Hirata Shuzo , Vacha Martin
Published: August 2018

Correction for ‘Efficient triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion in binary crystalline solids fabricated via solution casting and operated in air’ by Kenji Kamada et al., Mater. Horiz., 2017, 4, 83–87.
Enhancement of exciton transport in porphyrin aggregate nanostructures by controlling the hierarchical self-assembly
Authors: Kim Taehee , Ham Sujin , Lee Sang Hyeon , Hong Yongseok , Kim Dongho
Published: August 2018

Exciton transport in meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) J-aggregates was directly imaged using the emission profile analysis method with confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Evaluation of the highly stable metal–organic framework MIL-53(Al)-TDC (TDC = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) as a new and promising adsorbent for heat transformation applications
Authors: Tannert Niels , Ernst Sebastian-Johannes , Jansen Christian , Bart Hans-Jörg , Henninger Stefan K. , Janiak Christoph
Published: August 2018

MIL-53(Al)-TDC shows good hydrothermal stability and desirable water sorption properties for heat transformation applications.
Interfacial proton enrichment enhances proton-coupled electrocatalytic reactions
Authors: Zhao Yue , Ding Yu , Qiao Bin , Zheng Kai , Liu Pei , Li Fumin , Li Shuni , Chen Yu
Published: August 2018

PdNi alloy nanostructures–polyethyleneimine inorganic–organic nanocomposites exhibit enhanced catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic media due to interfacial proton enrichment.
Low temperature and rapid formation of high quality metal oxide thin film via a hydroxide-assisted energy conservation strategy
Authors: Jao Meng-Huan , Cheng Chien-Chen , Lu Chun-Fu , Hsiao Kai-Chi , Su Wei-Fang
Published: August 2018

We develop a universal hydroxide-assisted strategy for the low thermal budget efficient fabrication of high quality metal oxide thin films.
Polymorphisms in HIFs and breast cancer sutarsceptibility in Chinese women: a case–control study
Authors: Shan Changyou , Zheng Yi , Wang Meng , Lin Shuai , Tian Tian , Deng Yujiao , Xu Peng , Hao Qian , Wu Ying , Yang Tielin , Guo Yan , Dai Zhijun
Published: August 2018

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a crucial role in cancer progression. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that HIFs polymorphisms can influence the susceptibility of multiple cancers. However, the relationship of HIFs polymorphisms (rs11549467 and rs17039192) and breast cancer (BC) risk was still unknown. Thus, we performed a case-control study based on 560 BC patients and 583 healthy controls to explore the association between them. Our results indicated a boardline connection between HIF-1 rs11549467 and BC risk (AG compared with GG: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.05–2.49, P=0.03; AG + AA compared with GG: OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.08–2.51, P=0.02; AG compared with GG + AA: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04–2.48, P=0.03; OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.09–2.45, P=0.02), while HIF-2 rs17039192 had no influence on breast cancer. Considered the comparison of sample size and potential heterogeneity of previous case–control studies, we concluded that HIF-1 rs11549467 has a marginal effect on BC risk. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size were required.
Dual‐band dual sense microstrip antenna with improved characteristics
Authors: Chakrabarti S. , Chakraborty A.
Published: August 2018

The development of a dual polarised microstrip antenna for S‐ and C‐band with improved characteristics is presented. It is dual linearly polarised at S‐band and dual circularly polarised at C‐band. Two orthogonal feeds have been conceived for proximity coupling at S‐band. The other two composite feeds are aperture coupled at C‐band. These generate left‐hand and right‐hand circular polarisations exclusively. The antenna reveals 3.5% or more impedance bandwidth at the S‐band ports with an isolation better than 22 dB (the best isolation is ≈31.5 dB at the band‐centre). It yields >21.2% impedance bandwidth and about 10.2% axial‐ratio bandwidth at each of the C‐band ports, both being improved compared to the earlier reports. Achieved isolation between the C‐band ports is better than 18.5 dB (≈23.5 dB at the centre of the working band).
Attribute relaxation from class level to instance level for zero‐shot learning
Authors: Zhang Haofeng , Long Yang , Zhao Chunxia
Published: August 2018

Conventional zero‐shot learning (ZSL) methods usually use class‐level attribute, which corresponds to a batch of images of same category. This setting is not reasonable since the images even though belong to same category still have variances in their attribute items. To alleviate this phenomenon, the authors propose a novel method namely attribute relaxation (AR) to extend attributes from class level to instance level by adding a small variance matrix, which is more reasonable than traditional ZSL methods such as Semantic AutoEncoder that projects features from multi to one. Extensive experiments on four popular datasets show that AR can significantly improve the method using only class‐level attributes, and verifies that AR can make the projected features in attribute space more discriminative.
Sum rate maximisation with transmit antenna selection in massive MIMO broadcast channels
Authors: Park D.
Published: August 2018

In this Letter, the authors propose a joint resource allocation of antenna selection and power allocation in massive MIMO broadcast channels. The proposed algorithm achieves single‐user MIMO performance even with a small number of RF chains.
SS‐OFDM: an enhanced multicarrier transmission scheme based on variable granularity spectrum allocation for 5G
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Liu Guanghui , Han Feng , Qu Huiyang , Chen Qiang
Published: August 2018

When oriented to the needs of the future fifth generation (5G) networks, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), as a modulation scheme, has some drawbacks: high out‐of‐band emission (OOBE) of power, relatively low spectrum efficiency, and poor flexibility for allocating resources. In this study, a subband superposed OFDM (OFDM) scheme, based on a variable granularity spectrum allocation, is proposed to divide the transmission channel into several subbands considering the compromises between single‐carrier and multicarrier spectrum utilisation. For accommodating the diverse 5G scenarios, appropriate signalling parameters can be independently configured among the subbands. A multistage polyphase interpolator is developed in the transmitter to reduce the implementation cost of time‐domain filter depressing the OOBE. Extremely narrow frequency guard intervals between subbands are realised by filtering to maximise the spectrum utilisation. At the receiver, a subband decision feedback and feedforward equaliser, relying on the subband's oversampling architecture, is designed to utilise the diversity gains in both the Doppler and the multipath delay domains. Simulation results indicate that the spectral efficiency, in terms of the spectrum utilisation rate, is increased up to and that the bit‐error‐rate performance is significantly improved for the subbands experiencing high‐speed mobile channels while preserving a relatively low computational complexity.
Incorporating the effects of service quality regulation in decision‐making framework of distribution companies
Authors: Jooshaki Mohammad , Abbaspour Ali , Fotuhi‐Firuzabad Mahmud , Moeini‐Aghtaie Moein , Lehtonen Matti
Published: August 2018

Incentive regulations of reliability have made a link between distribution companies' revenue and their service reliability. The companies have to decide how much to spend on various projects to provide an acceptable level of reliability while anticipation of load growth. Planners and decision makers require a comprehensive framework to optimally allocate available budgets to different plans with the highest benefits considering implementation of incentive regulation. This paper proposes a decision framework for the optimum share of expansion and reliability oriented plans in presence of reward–penalty mechanisms. A two‐layer optimization model is introduced, where in the outer layer, an iterative algorithm is applied to determine the optimal set of long‐term projects including Distributed Generations (DGs) installation. A heuristic optimization algorithm is employed in this layer. Considering long‐term plans, in inner optimization layer, the optimal set of mid‐term plans including feeder reinforcement, and preventive maintenance actions are determined using algorithms such as Branch‐and‐Cut and dynamic programming techniques. The model is further implemented on a test distribution network and the results are investigated through various case studies. Obtained results show the strong influence of incentive regulation on reliability indices.
Assessment of biodiversity and agronomic parameters in two Agroforestry vineyards
Authors: Guenser Josépha , Bourgade Emilie , Vergnes Marc , Dufourcq Thierry , Mary Séverine
Published: August 2018

Sustainability of agricultural production systems is nowadays considered as a major challenge to face. Viticulture is particularly affected by environmental issues, especially because of its consumption in pesticides. Besides, the social demand in environment-friendly products is increasing, and the reputation of wines produced under Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) is also built on the specificity of natural characteristics and resources such as soil, which has to be preserved. Biodiversity loss is largely admitted among the scientific community, and landscape simplification is known as a major driver in this process. Agroforestry, which combines trees with crops, could be a seducing response to biodiversity loss in agro-ecosystems, but the possibility of negative interactions between trees and vines (competition for water, nutrients, light) has to be considered. The Vitiforest project aims to assess south west of France agroforestry vineyard plots by spatializing different parameters in the domain of agronomy, ecology, micro-climate and economy. Field measurements were undertaken at different distances from the intercropped lines of trees in two agroforestry vineyard plots, in order to test potential effects of the trees. Arthropods were collected periodically with pitfall traps (for ground-dwelling individuals) and with D-vac system (aspiration of vine leaves). Pest insects (Empoasca vitis) were collected by specific yellow sticky traps. Data collected to describe biodiversity in these agroforestry systems was total arthropods abundances, abundances per order, carabidae richness and abundances. Nitrogen status was assessed by using Greenseeker® device, through the NDVI index. Our observations show that intercropped trees have no direct effects on vine nutrition. Slight effects on pests insects repartition were found, but these effects are inconstant according to experimental site and year of observation. The same trend is observed for arthropods abundances in the plots.
Influence of irrigation on yield and quality of cv. Touriga Franca in the Douro Region
Authors: Cabral Inês , Nogueira Tiago , Carneiro Anabela , Queiroz Jorge
Published: August 2018

The Douro Region is characterized by a typically Mediterranean climate, with extreme temperatures and irregular rainfall throughout the year. This experimental trial was carried out on a vineyard plot of Touriga Franca, grafted in 110R, at Quinta da Cabreira, property of Quinta do Crasto, S.A., located in the Douro Region. Four irrigation modalities were established, in three blocks, according to the percentage of cultural evapotranspiration (ETc): R0, the control, without irrigation; R25, irrigated with 25% ETc; R50, with 50% ETc and R75, with 75% ETc. Irrigation had repercussions on total leaf area, with statistically significant lower value for R0 and greater for R75. Concerning the ecophysiological parameters, the water leaf potential was lower in R0 than at R50 and R75. On the yield components, it was observed a higher number of clusters in R75 and a smaller quantity in R0 and the bunch weight was also affected by the amount of water provided, with the R50 or R75 having a higher value. Even if the berry weight has not presented differences, those factors affect yield, that was higher in the R50 and R75. Concerning the quality, no significant differences had been found on the various components tested.
Soil type and soil preparation influence vine development and grape composition through its impact on vine water and nitrogen status
Authors: Leeuwen Cornelis van , Rességuier Laure de , Séverine Mary , Coralie Laveau , Etienne Mousset-Libeau , Elisa Marguerit , Jean-Philippe Roby , Amélie Quiquerez
Published: August 2018

The influence of soil type and preparation on vine development and grape composition was investigated in a 50 ha estate located in Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France) and planted predominantly with Merlot. Part of the vineyard was planted down the slopes and another part of the vineyard was planted on terraces, where soils were profoundly modified through soil preparation. Grape composition (berry weight, sugar, total acidity, malic acid and pH), vigor (pruning weight), vine nitrogen status (Yeast Available Nitrogen (YAN) in grapes) and vine water status (δ13C) was measured at a very high density grid of 10 data points per hectare. Water deficit was globally weak over the estate because of high soil water holding capacity whereas vine nitrogen status was highly variable. Vine vigor and grape composition were predominantly driven by vine nitrogen status. On terraces, where soils were deep, due to invasive soil preparation, water deficits were particularly small or non-existent and vine nitrogen status was highly variable. Grape quality potential was medium to low, except in places with low nitrogen status, but at the expense of low yields. On parcels planted down the slopes water deficits were recorded because vine rooting was limited by compact subsoils. Vine nitrogen status was homogeneous. Grape quality and yield were medium to high and relatively homogeneous. When possible, downhill plantations are to be preferred over terraces because in the latter vine yield and quality parameters are highly variable because of massive soil movements prior to plantation.
Composición aminoacÍdica del mosto de los cv. CigÜente, Macabeo, Moscatel de Alejandría y Verdejo cultivados en diversas regiones de España. Efecto del régimen hídrico a lo largo de tres campañas
Authors: Valdés M.E. , Moreno D. , Uriarte D. , Montoro A. , Castel† J.R. , Yuste J.
Published: August 2018

Este trabajo analiza el efecto del riego sobre la composición aminoacÍdica del mosto de 4 variedades blancas cultivadas en diferentes DD.OO. españolas durante el periodo 2012-2014. Se estudió la concentración de aminoácidos precursores de aromas de fermentación: Aspártico (Asp), Isoleucina (Ile), Leucina (Leu), Treonina (Thr), Tirosina (Tyr) y Valina (Val), y la suma de ellos (APN), del aminoácido azufrado Metionina (Met) y del total de aminoácidos libres (FAN). Las variedades, su localización y los tratamientos aplicados fueron: Cigüente (Ci) en Badajoz, secano y riego al 100% de ETc; Macabeo (Ma) en Albacete, riego a 25% y 33% aprox. de ETc; Moscatel de AlejandrÍa (Mo) en Valencia, riego a 50% y 100% de ETc; y Verdejo (Ve) en Valladolid, secano y riego a 100% aprox. de ETc. El mosto analizado tenÍa un valor de 22-24 ºBrix. Los análisis de aminoácidos se efectuaron mediante HPLC. Los tratamientos hÍdricos aplicados modificaron los valores de los aminoácidos en tendencia, significación y extensión según la variedad. En Mo apenas variaron. En Ci y, sobre todo, en Ma el efecto en amplitud y significación dependió del año. En Ve el riego provocó todos los años del estudio idéntica tendencia al descenso en los valores de los aminoácidos. Por tanto, la respuesta de la composición nitrogenada del mosto al régimen hÍdrico y las condiciones meteorológicas anuales fue diferente en cada variedad cultivada en diferente lugar.
Adaptation to climate change of the French wine industry: a systemic approach – Main outcomes of the project LACCAVE
Authors: Ollat Nathalie , Quénol Hervé , Barbeau Gérard , van Leeuwen Cornelis , Darriet Philippe , Garcia de Cortazar Atauri Inaki , Bois Benjamin , Ojeda Hernan , Duchêne Eric , Lebon Eric , Vivin Philippe , Torregrosa Laurent , Sablayrolles Jean-Marie , Teil Geneviève , Lagacherie Philippe , Giraud-Héraud Eric , Aigrain Patrick , Touzard Jean-Marc
Published: August 2018

Taking into account the major economical role and specificities of the French wine industry, adaptation to climate change is a very challenging issue. In 2011, 23 research teams launched a systemic and multidisciplinary program to analyze the impacts from the vine to the region, to define adaptation strategies combining technical, spatial and organizational options and to evaluate the perception by the actors and consumers of climate change issues. Thermal variability was studied at local scale to develop high resolution atmospheric models which better simulate future climate trends. Impacts on growth/developmental conditions and vine responses were estimated from the calculation of eco-climatic indices and a combination of functional models. Genetic and physiological bases of grapevine adaptation to high temperature and drought were analyzed. Improving oenological and cultural practices as well as plant material innovation have been investigated as major technical adaptations. How these options could be implemented at the plot level was examined to elaborate decision tools. Multi-agent modelling was developed for this purpose. Surveys were performed to evaluate the perception of the main actors regarding climate change and their level of acceptability towards technical changes. Consumer acceptability of new types of wines was also investigated with an experimental economy approach. Finally a foresight exercise was conducted to design four potential adaptation strategies: conservative, innovative, nomad and liberal. Outcomes of this exercise are now used as a tool for wine industry members to develop their own strategic plan for adaptation.
Diferenciación del vino a través del terroir: el caso de la DOP Campo de Borja (España)
Authors: Lorente Blasco Miguel , Franco Aladrén Ernesto
Published: August 2018

The Regulatory Council of the DOP Campo de Borja (Spain) promoted a zoning study aimed at knowing the geographical environment and its effect on the quality of wines, in order to delimit the space in Units of Terroir (UT) base to apply a model Productive and commercial reasoned following the concept terroir. It was to seek the specialization and recognition of wine values linked to the territory of origin. The study of the medium, reflected in a map of cartographic soil units (SMU) to scale 1:25.000, was accompanied by an oenological study carried out during three vintages to know the variability of the oenological capacities of the SMU. The results indicate that in the DOP have obtained different types of units of terroir depending on the characteristics of the mistelas used to classify and delimit territorially Units of Terroir.
Caracterización aromática de variedades minoritarias del Piedemonte Pirenaico
Authors: López Ricardo , Culleré Laura , Gracia-Moreno Elisa , Prezman Fanny , Franco Aladrén Ernesto
Published: August 2018

Mediante los conservatorios de variedades y la colaboración ciudadana se han identificado más de un centenar de variedades minoritarias procedentes de las regiones que rodean los Pirineos. Con 78 de dichas variedades identificadas se han realizado más de 200 microvinificaciones que han permitido, por una parte, evaluar su potencial enológico y, por otra, caracterizar sensorial y químicamente dichas variedades.
A climate index proposal for the wine sector: a descriptive statistical approach
Authors: Galindro Aníbal , Alexandra Marta-Costa Ana , Cerveira Adelaide , Matias João
Published: August 2018

Understanding the role of the climate on the wine production is one of the major concerns of this sector since the environment usually determines the output of this industry. There are only a few previous studies that attempted to compile these environmental effects as an index, usually considering the temperature and the precipitation as their core variables. The present study suggests a new climate index which is based on descriptive statistics. Our index tries to mimic the target region characteristics and avoid the past studies premise of imposing previously conceived restrictions such as a fixed optimal climate. We then used yearly production and daily temperature data (1950-2016) from the Portuguese Minho wine region to test our proposed index and compare it with Ribéreau-Gayon and Peynaud (RGP, Ribéreau-Gayon et al., 2003) and Growing Degree-Days (GDD, Winkler et al., 1974) indexes. Our results showed that the newly proposed index may outperform the explanatory power of the other indexes and, in addition, may output interesting and unknown characteristics such as the different ideal temperatures regarding the studied region.
Impactos ambientales y medidas de mitigación en el sector vitivinícola español
Authors: Gargallo Pilar , García-Casarejos Pilar
Published: August 2018

Existe evidencia de que gran parte del cambio climático es causado por las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GHG), siendo la vitivinicultura una de las actividades responsables. El uso del combustible en la maquinaria agrícola, el empleo de fertilizantes y el consumo de energía en las bodegas, entre otros motivos, contribuyen a estas emisiones. A su vez, el sector del vino es uno de los más vulnerables por su estrecha interacción con las condiciones ambientales, y concretamente en España es especialmente sensible por su situación geográfica y sus características socioeconómicas. Por tanto, el cambio climático constituye uno de los retos ambientales más importantes para este sector, y la puesta en marcha de medidas de mitigación y adaptación se plantea como una posible solución para cumplir con los objetivos de 2020 y favorecer la transición hacia una economía baja en carbono. El objetivo de este trabajo es ofrecer un panorama de los principales impactos ambientales provocados por la vitivinicultura y presentar las medidas de mitigación más comunes que permiten gestionar dichos impactos. Este trabajo pretende servir de guía de buenas prácticas para todas aquellas bodegas que han tomado conciencia de la importancia de llevar a cabo acciones concretas para aliviar el cambio climático.
Leaf morphoanatomy of four red grapevine cultivars grown under the same terroir
Authors: Monteiro Ana , Teixeira Generosa , Santos Cristina , Lopes Carlos M.
Published: August 2018

This study compare leaf morphoanatomical characteristics of four red cultivars - ‘Touriga Nacional’, ‘Trindadeira’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Syrah’ -, grown side by side at the same terroir. The analyzed leaf traits, under light and scanning electron microscopy, showed large variability among genotypes. ‘Trincadeira’ has the biggest single leaf area and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ the smallest one. ‘Touriga Nacional’ showed the lowest leaf dry weight and ‘Trincadeira’ the highest one, nonetheless there was no significantly differences in leaf dry mass per area and in leaf density. Leaf dry mass per area was positively correlated with leaf density but showed no correlation with leaf thickness. The French genotypes presented higher thickness of the leaf anatomical traits than the two Portuguese ones. ‘Trincadeira’ showed significantly highest stomata density while the other cultivars showed no significant differences among them. The analyses of the three types of stomata revealed that ‘Trincadeira’ has the lower percentage of raised above and the highest percentage of sunken stomata while ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ showed the opposite behaviour. The hairs on the lower surface presented a similar woolly aspect in all cultivars. The possible role of leaf morphoanatomical characteristics in determining the cultivars adaptation to abiotic stresses is suggested and discussed.
Experimental training systems in Champagne: an overview of agronomical and qualitative parameters
Authors: Perry Julie , Debuisson Sébastien , Descôtes Arnaud
Published: August 2018

Vine implantation in Champagne is strictly regulated. Row spacing is limited to 1,50 meter and the canopy height can not exceed 1,40 m. The traditional training system is therefore characterized by narrow spaced vines.
From the late eighties, different vine training systems, such as lyres, have been tested in the Champagne area. The aim is to assess their interests in the terroir of Champagne, which is characterised by its cool climate, soil profile and its customs.

Whereas the lyre training showed its limits in the Champagne context, some other training systems have been implemented such as half-widely-spaced vines. These devices are characterised by a row spacing of two meters, a consistent cover crop and a canopy up to two meters. The plots are located in various places in the area and are strictly followed each year since 2006 (and 2000 for the first sites). Phenological, agronomical and ripening parameters are controlled and compared to the traditional training system plots. Experimental vinifications are done each year so that sensory analysis can be undertaken to assess the ability of these vines to produce wines with a Champagne typicality.

The results of this experimental device show interesting conclusions on the agronomical behaviour of experimental widely-spaced vines in a cool climate region. Spring frost resistance, cover crop management and ripening are some elements which show differences between the reference traditional system (REF) and the widely-spaced vines (VSL).
Update in unified terroir zoning methodologies
Authors: van Leeuwen Cornelis , Bois Benjamin
Published: August 2018

The concept of terroir is based on the assumption that the quality and the typicity of an agricultural product are linked to its origin. The precise definition of an origin requires zoning. Because terroir expression in viticulture is largely driven by interactions between the vine and its natural environment, soil and climate play a key role in terroir zoning. For clarity, soil-based and climate-based zoning are presented separately in this paper. They are, however, ideally carried out simultaneously, because of the existence of multiple interactions between these terroir factors. Prior to the implementation of zoning, the objectives need to be carefully defined. The appropriate scale at which the zoning is implemented depends on the objective and the available budget. The use of geomatics enables the production of maps at reduced cost and, possibly, increased accuracy. This paper is update of the unified zoning methodology which was adopted by the OIV in 2012 (OIV-VITI 423-2012).