bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametric thermal analysis for the optimization of Double Walled Tubes layout in the Water Cooled Lithium Lead inboard blanket of DEMO fusion reactor
Authors: Arena Pietro , Del Nevo Alessandro , Alessandro Di Maio Pietro , Forte Ruggero , Nevone Giulio
Published: May 2019

Within the roadmap that will lead to the nuclear fusion exploitation for electric energy generation, the construction of a DEMOnstration (DEMO) reactor is, probably, the most important milestone to be reached since it will demonstrate the technological feasibility and economic competitiveness of an industrial-scale nuclear fusion reactor. In order to reach this goal, several European universities and research centres have joined their efforts in the EUROfusion action, funded by HORIZON 2020 UE programme. Within the framework of EUROfusion research activities, ENEA and University of Palermo are involved in the design of the Water-Cooled Lithium Lead Breeding Blanket (WCLL BB), that is one of the two BB concepts under consideration to be adopted in the DEMO reactor. It is mainly characterized by a liquid lithium-lead eutectic alloy acting as breeder (lithium) and neutron multiplier (lead), as well as by subcooled pressurized water as coolant. Two separate circuits, both characterized by a pressure of 15.5 MPa and inlet/outlet temperatures of 295 °C/328 °C, are deputed to cool down the First Wall (FW) and the Breeder Zone (BZ). The former consists in a system of radial-toroidal-radial C-shaped squared channels where countercurrent water flow occurs while the latter relies in the use of bundles of poloidal-radial Double Walled Tubes (DWTs) housed within the breeder.

A parametric thermal study has been carried out in order to assess the best DWTs’ layout assuring that the structural material maximum temperature does not overcome the allowable limit of 550 °C and that the overall coolant thermal rise fulfils the design target value of 33 °C. The study has been performed following a theoretical-numerical approach based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and adopting the quoted Abaqus FEM code. Main assumptions and models together with results obtained are herewith reported and critically discussed.
On the thermal dynamic behaviour of the helium-cooled DEMO fusion reactor
Authors: Moscato Ivo , Barucca Luciana , Ciattaglia Sergio , Alessandro Di Maio Pietro
Published: May 2019

The EU-DEMO conceptual design is being conducted among research institutions and universities from 26 countries of European Union, Switzerland and Ukraine. Its mission is to realise electricity from nuclear fusion reaction by 2050. As DEMO has been conceived to deliver net electricity to the grid, the choice of the Breeding Blanket (BB) coolant plays a pivotal role in the reactor design having a strong influence on plant operation, safety and maintenance. In particular, due to the pulsed nature of the heat source, the Primary Heat Transfer System (PHTS) becomes a very important actor of the Balance of Plant (BoP) together with the Power Conversion System (PCS). Moreover, aiming to mitigate the potential negative impact of plasma pulsing on BoP equipment, for the DEMO plant is also being investigated a “heat transfer chain” option which envisages an Intermediate Heat Transfer System (IHTS) equipped with an Energy Storage System (ESS) between PHTS and PCS. Within this framework, a preliminary study has been carried out to analyse the thermal dynamic behaviour of the IHTS system for the Helium-Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) BB concept during pulse/dwell transition which should be still considered as the normal operating mode of a fusion power plant. Starting from preliminary thermal-hydraulic calculations made in order to size the main BoP components, the global performances of DEMO BoP have been quantitatively assessed focusing the attention on the attitude of the whole IHTS to smooth the sudden power variations which come from the plasma. The paper describes criteria and rationale followed to develop a numerical model which manages to simulate simple transient scenarios of DEMO BoP. Results of numerical simulations are presented and critically discussed in order to point out the main issues that DEMO BoP has to overcome to achieve a viable electricity power output.
Use of multispectral and thermal imagery in precision viticulture
Authors: Tanda G , Chiarabini V.
Published: May 2019

The increasing demand for higher quality and yield of wine production has led to a growing interest in precision viticulture, i.e., practices of monitoring and managing spatial variations in variables related to productivity within a vineyard. This paper presents a few applications of optical measurements, in combination with monitoring systems making use of geolocation and remote/proximal sensing, to calculate vegetation indices related to plant vigour and water stress in vineyards. Measurements were performed on vineyards in Burgenland, Austria, by both aerial and proximal (terrestrial) sensing techniques. A remote-sensing, four-band multispectral sensor, placed on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), has been used to detect the spectral signature of the vineyard and to calculate the NDVI index, useful to selectively address the harvest on the basis of quality and quantity of grapes. Proximal, thermal infrared imaging complemented the investigation providing information about the water status of the vegetation through the CWSI index. Examples of vigour maps are provided, showing, inside a given parcel, the presence of canopies at different level of vegetation characteristics. Results provide a range of information useful to make the optimal choice in management strategies of vineyards.
Experimental study of liquid velocity profiles in large-scale bubble columns with particle tracking velocimetry
Authors: Besagni G , Inzoli F , Zieghenein T , Lucas D
Published: May 2019

A complete knowledge of the bubble column fluid dynamics relies on understanding the global and the local fluid dynamic properties. Unfortunately, most of the previous literature focused on the “global-scale” fluid dynamics, whereas a limited attention was devoted to the “local-scale”. We contribute to present-day discussion by proposing an experimental study concerning the local liquid velocity profiles within the pseudo-homogeneous flow regime. The experimental study, based on a particle-identification and particle-tracking algorithm, was conducted in a large-diameter and large-scale bubble column (height equal to 5.3 m; inner diameter equal to 0.24 m) operated in the counter-current mode. We considered gas superficial velocities in the range of 0.37-1.88 cm/s and liquid superficial velocities up to −9 cm/s. Time-averaged and transient liquid velocity fields were obtained for five superficial gas velocities and four superficial liquid velocities at two measuring heights. Subsequently, the liquid velocity observations were coupled with previously measured bubble size distributions and local void fractions, to provide a complete description of the “local-scale” fluid dynamics. These data would help in the validation procedure of numerical codes, to support the prediction of industrial-scale relevant conditions.
Condensation heat transfer in minichannels: a review of available correlations
Authors: Azzolin M , Berto A , Bortolin S , Del Col D
Published: May 2019

Heat exchangers with enhanced performance are demanded in various engineering applications. Very often heat transfer devices are requested to guarantee not only high heat transfer coefficients but also small size and weight, thus limiting the charge of the operative fluid inside the heat exchanger. In order to increase the performance of condensers and to properly design new heat exchangers, it is essential to have predictive tools that are validated with experimental data. Sometimes, even well established semi-empirical correlations can be inaccurate in some microscale flow conditions or with new refrigerants. The present paper starts from the experimental database measured during condensation with different fluids (pure fluids and refrigerant blends) inside small channels (hydraulic diameter around 1 mm) at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padova. A critical review of available correlations for heat transfer during condensation in minichannels is presented. Predictions of heat transfer coefficients obtained applying selected models are compared with the experimental database that covers various refrigerants: hydrofluorocarbons (HFC, i.e. R32 and R134a), new hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) with low global warming potential (R1234ze(E)), natural refrigerants (hydrocarbons such as propane) and zeotropic refrigerant blends of HFCs and HFOs (R32/R1234ze(E)). Refrigerant mixtures are studied because for some applications they may be a proper solution. For instance in the air-conditioning industry there are not drop-in pure fluids to replace the high global warming potential (GWP) fluids currently employed (e.g. R410A). Unfortunately, the design of condensers working with zeotropic mixtures poses the additional problem to account for the mass transfer resistance that leads to a penalization of the heat transfer coefficient. Experimental data are necessary for the assessment of predicting correlations that can be used with these new refrigerants blends.
Numerical study on latent thermal energy storages with PCM partially filled with aluminium foam
Authors: Buonomo Bernardo , Ercole Davide , Manca Oronzio , Nardini Sergio
Published: May 2019

A numerical investigation on the effects of the metal foam into the Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System, based on a phase change material, is accomplished. The geometry of the system is a rectangular box heated from below. The PCM is completely embedded in the rectangular box, it is pure paraffin wax with a low value of thermal conductivity and it melts in a range of temperatures. The metal foam is made of copper and it partially fills the rectangular box in order to understand the optimal filling ratio of the foam to have the better thermal performance. The enthalpy-porosity theory is employed to simulate the phase change of the PCM and the metal foam is modelled as a porous media that follow the Brinkman-extended Darcy model. The results are shown in term of melting time, temperature and energy at varying of time or at varying the filling height ratio.
Experimental investigation on flow boiling heat transfer and pressure drop of refrigerants R32 and R290 in a stainless steel horizontal tube
Authors: Citarella B , Lillo G , Mastrullo R , Mauro A W , Viscito L
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this paper is to present new flow boiling heat transfer and pressure drop data in a single, horizontal smooth stainless steel tube of 6.0 mm internal diameter, in which R32 and R290 (propane) are employed as working fluids. The cross sectional average heat transfer coefficients are obtained by measuring the temperatures at the top, bottom, left and right sides of the channel. The experimental trends are analyzed for different operating conditions in terms of mass velocity (from 150 to 300 kg/(m2 s)) and heat flux (from 10 to 40 kW/m2). The saturation temperature is fixed to 25 °C for the heat transfer data and to 25 and 35 °C for the pressure drop experiments. The effects of the operative parameters and of the working fluids on local heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure drop are discussed and the experimental data are finally compared with some of the available correlations taken from scientific literature.
Convective and absolute instability of horizontal flow in porous media
Authors: Barletta Antonio , Celli Michele
Published: May 2019

The onset of instability in flow systems has a dual nature depending on the dynamics of the growing normal modes. When the time evolution of a wave packet perturbation is tested, the growth of individual Fourier normal modes can be concealed to an observer in the laboratory reference frame. The reason is that the growing mode can be convected away by the basic flow, so that no effective growth is detected for the wave packet. The convective instability just focusses on the dynamics of each Fourier mode of perturbation, disregarding the actual amplitude growth of a wave packet, measured at a given position. When not only the Fourier modes, but all localised wave packets grow in time at a given position, then the instability becomes absolute. The two types of instability are generally distinct. This paper illustrates the transition from convective to absolute instability starting from a simple one-dimensional case. Then, this concept is employed for the stability analysis of a porous medium flow with heating from below. While the one-dimensional flow system is studied analytically, the porous medium flow stability is investigated numerically.
Experimental investigation on the convective heat transfer enhancement in tubes with twisted-tape inserts
Authors: Bozzoli F , Cattani L , Mocerino A , Rainieri S , Pagliarini G
Published: May 2019

Passive heat transfer enhancement techniques are one of the most interesting approaches to increase the thermal efficiency of heat transfer apparatuses since they do not require external power. Between them, twisted-tape inserts are a very economical technique that can be easily installed in an already working plant in order to increase its thermal performance. The aim of the present work is to experimentally investigate the heat transfer augmentation mechanism induced by the insertion of twisted tapes. The heat transfer performance of the twisted-tape inserts is compared with that of coiled pipes, whose effect on heat transfer is based on the onset of swirl components into the flow as it happens for twisted tapes devices. The two heat transfer enhancement mechanisms have been deeply investigated by using different fluids in order to obtain a robust comparison both for the laminar and the turbulent flow regime.
Experimental and numerical study on a lab-scale latent heat storage prototype for cooling applications
Authors: Caliano M , Bianco N , Graditi G , Mongibello L
Published: May 2019

Latent thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCMs) represent an effective way of storing thermal energy because of high-energy storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process. In the current study, the charging and discharging characteristics of a lab-scale latent heat storage (LHTES) prototype for cooling applications are experimentally and numerically studied. Two numerical models are developed to analyse the performance characteristics of the LHTES prototype: a conductive model and a conductive-convective model. Effective heat capacity (EHC) method is implemented to consider the latent heat of the phase change material. The governing equations involved in the models are solved using the finite element based software product, COMSOL Multiphysics, and the initial and the boundary conditions are determined on the basis of the data obtained from the experimental tests. Numerically predicted temperature variations of the models during charging and discharging processes are compared with the experimental data extracted from the lab-scale LHTES prototype, and a good agreement between them is found when the conductive-convective model is used, while high deviation is observed in case of use of the conductive model. Other results are presented in terms of the performance parameters such as charging/discharging time, energy storage charge/discharge rate, and melt fraction.
Dry deposition of particle on urban areas
Authors: Giardina M , Buffa P , Cervone A , Lombardo C
Published: May 2019

Dry deposition process is recognized as an important pathway among the removal processes of radioactive pollutants in atmosphere. There is not a unique and accepted theoretical description of involved dry deposition phenomena due to the complexity of the fluid-dynamic processes that influence the deposition flux, but also because there is a lack of experimental data covering all scenarios of interest. In this paper, that is the result of a National Research Program a research activity conducted by DEIM Department of the University of Palermo and ENEA and funded by the Italian Minister of Economic Development, a new schema for parameterization of particle dry deposition velocity on urban area is proposed. The work required comparisons with some experimental data reported in literature for different particle deposition scenarios. The results show that the proposed approach can catch some aspects of phenomena involved in dry deposition processes for the examined environmental conditions with good agreements.
A Further Study of the Mixing of Relativistic Ideal Gases with Relative Relativistic Velocities: The Hot Plasma in the Sun’s Corona, the Type II Spicules and CMEs.
Authors: Gonzalez-Narvaez R E , Díaz-Figueroa E E , de Parga G Ares
Published: May 2019

The Redefined Relativistic Thermodynamics and the conservation of the 4-vector energy-momentum predict a tremendous increment of the temperature after mixing two gases with relative sub-relativistic velocity. This phenomenon can be used to describe the heating of a cold clump with shocked jets material and to predict an improving of the ignition in a Tokamak by injecting a plasma with a sub-relativistic velocity. First, by using the same effect, the mixing of the type II spicule and Coronal Mass Ejections with the plasma of a cold Sun’s corona will explain the increase temperature of the Sun’s corona. Second, considering, in agreement with the observations, that a part of the type II spicule, fall off into the Chromosphere and that the rest of the type II spicule that shocks with the Sun’s corona possesses a higher average relative velocity, the mixing of such a part and the plasma in the Sun’s corona will maintain the high temperature of the Sun’s corona. Moreover, the shock of Coronal Mass Ejections with the Sun’s corona it is a energy source to maintain the high temperature of the Sun’s corona too.
Radial Acceleration and Tully-Fisher Relations in Conformal Gravity
Authors: O’Brien James G. , Chiarelli Thomas L. , Mannheim Philip D. , Falcone Mark A. , AlQurashi Muhannad H. , Carter Jordan
Published: May 2019

In 2016 McGaugh, Lelli and Schombert established a universal Radial Acceleration Relation for centripetal accelerations in spiral galaxies. Their work showed a strong correlation between observed centripetal accelerations and those predicted by luminous Newtonian matter alone. Through the use of the fitting function that they introduced, mass discrepancies in spiral galaxies can be constrained in a uniform manner that is completely determined by the baryons in the galaxies. Here we present a new empirical plot of the observed centripetal accelerations and the luminous Newtonian expectations, which more than doubles the number of observed data points considered by McGaugh et al. while retaining the Radial Acceleration Relation. If this relation is not to be due to dark matter, it would then have to be due to an alternate gravitational theory that departs from Newtonian gravity in some way. In this paper we show how the candidate alternate conformal gravity theory can provide a natural description of the Radial Acceleration Relation, without any need for dark matter or its free halo parameters. We discuss how the empirical Tully-Fisher relation follows as a consequence of conformal gravity.
Critical Scaling and a Dynamical Higgs Boson
Authors: Mannheim Philip D.
Published: May 2019

In a quantum electrodynamics theory that is realized by critical scaling and anomalous dimensions, the action is not chiral invariant and there are no dynamical Goldstone or Higgs boson bound states. In the mean-field approximation to a chiral invariant four-fermion theory the associated mean-field sector action is not chiral invariant either and it also possesses no dynamical bound states, with Goldstone and Higgs bosons instead being generated by an accompanying four-fermion residual interaction. In this paper we show that if a critical scaling electrodynamics in which the dimension d

θ
of

ψ
¯

ψ is reduced from three to two is augmented with a four-fermion interaction, precisely because it possesses no dynamical bound states the electrodynamic sector can be reinterpreted as a mean-field approximation to a larger theory that is chiral symmetric. And with d

θ
= 2 we show in this larger theory there is a residual interaction that then does generate dynamical Goldstone and Higgs bosons in scattering amplitudes that are completely finite. While the dynamically generated Goldstone boson is massless, the dynamically induced Higgs boson is found to be a narrow resonance just above threshold, with its width being a diagnostic that could potentially enable one to distinguish between a dynamical Higgs boson and an elementary one.
Maxwell’s Equations, Fields or Potentials?
Authors: Gersten Alexander , Moalem Amnon
Published: May 2019

Fields and potentials of Maxwell’s Equations transform differently under the Lorentz transformation. Electric and magnetic fields are tridimensional objects which transform like massless fields as a subgroup of the Lorentz group. On the other hand, potentials are four-vectors. Therefore interactions of the electromagnetic fields with four-currents of massive particles cannot be achieved with fields, but only with potentials. Thus potentials seemed to be preferable and a correction to Maxwell’s equations seemed unavoidable. We have generalized the Maxwell’s equations, with 4-vector fields to allow interaction with currents. We suggest a new way to define the potentials and relate them to the new fields.
On the motion of microscopic bodies and observation of position in quantum theory
Authors: Kryukov Alexey A.
Published: May 2019

Newtonian and Scrödinger dynamics can be formulated in a physically meaningful way within the same Hilbert space framework. The resulting unexpected relation between classical and quantum motions goes beyond the results provided by the Ehrenfest theorem. The normal probability distribution and the Born rule turn out to be related. Here a dynamical mechanism responsible for the latter formula is proposed and applied to measurements of macroscopic and microscopic systems. A new meaning of the wave function collapse is proposed. The results are used to explore the classical behavior of macroscopic bodies in quantum theory.
Carrying Capacity of Diving Tourism in Dampier Strait Marine Conservation Area – District of Raja Ampat
Authors: Papilaya Renoldy L , Boli Paulus , Nikijuluw Victor P H
Published: May 2019

Raja Ampat has biodiversity in marine waters so it qualifies as a conservation area as well as a tourism destination. The number of tourist visits to this area has increased significantly, from 998 people in 2007 to 29,653 people in 2016. Increasing number of tourists have become a threat if the behavior of tourist are not concerned on the environment sustainability and damage the attractions for diving. Assessment of the carrying capacity of the area becomes an important factor to know for sure the maximum number of visitors that can be accommodated by the region at any given time without causing disturbance to the environment and human. The study was conducted from September 2015 to August 2016. Data collection of dive sites was conducted by measuring the extent of coral reefs, coral slope, coral reef condition, and water depth. Calculation of carrying capacity used is Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC) and Real Carrying Capacity (RCC). There are 15 main dive sites frequented by divers. The number of people allowed to dive based on physical carrying capacity ranges from 20 to 500 diver/day, for Actual carrying capacity (RCC) of 14 - 335 diver/day. Locations that have the lowest carrying capacity on The Passage site and highest on the Melissa Garden site. The process of integrating dive attractions with other tours and monitoring of travel activities is a key factor in the sustainability of Raja Ampat regency tourism.
The cost of alternative urban water supply and efficiency options in California
Authors: Cooley Heather , Phurisamban Rapichan , Gleick Peter
Published: May 2019

Urban communities, farms, businesses, and natural ecosystems depend upon adequate, reliable, and affordable supplies of clean water. As populations and economies grow and as climatic changes alter both water supply and demand, traditional options for meeting freshwater needs are becoming less available, reliable, and effective. As we approach peak water constraints on traditional water supplies, more efforts needed to reduce water demands through a wide range of conservation and efficiency technologies and policies, and to develop alternative, non-traditional water sources. A key factor in the adoption of these strategies is their economic feasibility; yet, only limited and often confusing data are available on their relative costs. To fill this gap, this analysis evaluates the costs of four groups of alternatives for urban supply and demand based on data and analysis in the California context: stormwater capture; water recycling and reuse; brackish and seawater desalination; and a range of water conservation and efficiency measures. We also describe some important co-benefits or avoided costs, such as reducing water withdrawals from surface water bodies or polluted runoff in coastal waterways. While difficult to quantify, such benefits are economically relevant, and we highlight areas where further research and analysis are needed to improve estimates presented here. All of the water-use efficiency options are far less costly than traditional or alternative supply systems with the exception of some of the most expensive landscape water reduction options. The water treatment and reuse systems and the urban stormwater capture projects are more costly per unit of water produced but still less expensive than seawater desalination—the most expensive option evaluated.
Aquaculture-induced boundary circulation and its impact on coastal frontal circulation
Authors: Xuan Jiliang , He Yuqing , Zhou Feng , Tang Cheng , Zheng Xiangyang , Liu Hui , Yu Liangju , Chen Jianfang
Published: May 2019

With the development of coastal suspended aquaculture industry, aquaculture facilities have extended into the open sea to depths of up to 30 m. This practice will likely affect the natural ocean circulation in such areas. For a case study in the high-density aquaculture region of the coastal Yellow Sea, an aquaculture-induced boundary circulation (ABC) is identified and its effects on the background frontal circulation and cross-shore nutrient supply are examined. The ABC is composed of a southward along-boundary current and a counterclockwise cross-boundary cell. The southward along-boundary current (∼5 cm s−1) along with the natural frontal current (∼5 cm s−1) forms a strong coastal current (∼10 cm s−1) along 20–30 m isobaths. The counterclockwise cross-boundary cell exhibits the opposite direction to the natural clockwise cross-frontal cell in the frontal area, which reduces the cross-shore nutrient supply by nearly 25%. Our results suggest that aquaculture boundaries and densities should be considered when planning high-density aquaculture activities.
Cs3Bi2I9 as high-performance electrode material achieving high capacitance and stability in an economical supercapacitor
Authors: Adams Keir , Mallows John , Li Tianyue , Kampouris Dimitrios , Thijssen Job H J , Robertson Neil
Published: May 2019

Supercapacitors are well-known as promising energy storage devices capable of bridging the gap between conventional electrolytic capacitors and batteries to deliver both high power and energy densities for applications in electric vehicles and a smart energy grid. However, many reported instances of high-capacitance pseudocapacitors employ strong Faradaic reactions that hinder fast charge–discharge cycles and long-term stability, limiting their commercial viability. In this study, we utilise an economical and solution-processable procedure to fabricate a Cs3Bi2I9-based symmetric supercapacitor employing both electric double layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance with an aqueous NaClO4 electrolyte to deliver an outstanding device areal capacitance of 2.4 F cm−2 and specific capacitance of 280 F g−1. The Cs3Bi2I9 device achieves an excellent 88% capacitance retention after 5000 charge–discharge cycles, proving its long-term cycle stability and promise as a practical supercapacitor. We characterise the time-dependent charge storage mechanisms through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to find that electrostatic charge accumulation predominates at high potentials (0.3–0.6 V) whereas weak, Faradaic charge adsorption and pore penetration bolster charge storage at lower potentials (0.0–0.2 V).
The organization of nuclear ribosomal DNA in gnetophytes – physically separate and physically linked arrangements of 35S and 5S genes. A commentary on: ‘Remarkable variation of ribosomal DNA organization and copy number in gnetophytes, a distinct lineage of gymnosperms’
Authors: Renner Susanne , Sousa dos Santos Aretuza
Published: May 2019

This article comments on:

Wencai Wang, Tao Wan, Hannes Becher, Alena Kuderova, Ilia J. Leitch, Sonia Garcia, Andrew R. Leitch and Aleš Kovařík. 2019. Remarkable variation of ribosomal DNA organization and copy number in gnetophytes, a distinct lineage of gymnosperms. Annals of Botany 123(5): 767–781.
Near-neighbour optimal outcrossing in the bird-pollinated Anigozanthos manglesii
Authors: Ayre Bronwyn M , Roberts David G , Phillips Ryan D , Hopper Stephen D , Krauss Siegfried L
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

In plants, the spatial and genetic distance between mates can influence reproductive success and offspring fitness. Negative fitness consequences associated with the extremes of inbreeding and outbreeding suggest that there will be an intermediate optimal outcrossing distance (OOD), the scale and drivers of which remain poorly understood. In the bird-pollinated Anigozanthos manglesii (Haemodoraceae) we tested (1) for the presence of within-population OOD, (2) over what scale it occurs, and (3) for OOD under biologically realistic scenarios of multi-donor deposition associated with pollination by nectar-feeding birds.

Methods

We measured the impact of mate distance (spatial and genetic) on seed set, fruit size, seed mass, seed viability and germination success following hand pollination from (1) single donors across 0 m (self), <1 m, 1–3 m, 7–15 m and 50 m, and (2) a mix of eight donors. Microsatellite loci were used to quantify spatial genetic structure and test for the presence of an OOD by paternity assignment after multi-donor deposition.

Key results

Inter-mate distance had a significant impact on single-donor reproductive success, with selfed and nearest-neighbour (<1 m) pollination resulting in only ~50 seeds per fruit, lower overall germination success and slower germination. Seed set was greatest for inter-mate distance of 1–3 m (148 seeds per fruit), thereafter plateauing at ~100 seeds per fruit. Lower seed set following nearest-neighbour mating was associated with significant spatial genetic autocorrelation at this scale. Paternal success following pollination with multiple sires showed a significantly negative association with increasing distance between mates.

Conclusions

Collectively, single- and multi-donor pollinations indicated evidence for a near-neighbour OOD within A. manglesii. A survey of the literature suggests that within-population OOD may be more characteristic of plants pollinated by birds than those pollinated by insects.
Competitively mediated changes in male toad calls can depend on call structure
Authors: Stirman Rebecca , Pfennig Karin S
Published: May 2019

Males of many species aggregate in large groups where they signal to attract females. These large aggregations create intense competition for mates, and the simultaneous signaling by many individuals can impair any given male’s ability to attract females. In response to this situation, male signals can be modified, either evolutionarily or facultatively, such that the detectability of the signal is enhanced. The way in which signals are modified varies among even closely related species, yet few studies have evaluated what causes such variation. Here, we address this issue using male spadefoot toads (Spea multiplicata and Spea bombifrons), which call to attract females. Using data from natural populations, we examined if, and how, male calls of 3 different call types (S. multiplicata with a slow call, S. bombifrons with a slow call, and S. bombifrons with a fast call) varied depending on competition with other males. We found that in both call types consisting of slow calls, call pulse rate decreased with increasing competition. By contrast, in the call type consisting of fast calls, call rate decreased with increasing competition. Moreover, we found that the relationship between competition and male call effort—a measure of the energy that males expend in calling––differed between the call types. Such variation in male signals in response to competition can have important implications for explaining diversity in male signals and patterns of sexual selection.
Stop-gain mutations in UBAP1 cause pure autosomal-dominant spastic paraplegia
Authors: Lin Xiang , Su Hui-Zhen , Dong En-Lin , Lin Xiao-Hong , Zhao Miao , Yang Can , Wang Chong , Wang Jie , Chen Yi-Jun , Yu Hongjie , Xu Jianfeng , Ma Li-Xiang , Xiong Zhi-Qi , Wang Ning , Chen Wan-Jin
Published: May 2019

Hereditary spastic paraplegias refer to a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders resulting from degeneration of the corticospinal tract. Clinical characterization of patients with hereditary spastic paraplegias represents progressive spasticity, exaggerated reflexes and muscular weakness. Here, to expand on the increasingly broad pools of previously unknown hereditary spastic paraplegia causative genes and subtypes, we performed whole exome sequencing for six affected and two unaffected individuals from two unrelated Chinese families with an autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia and lacking mutations in known hereditary spastic paraplegia implicated genes. The exome sequencing revealed two stop-gain mutations, c.247_248insGTGAATTC (p.I83Sfs*11) and c.526G>T (p.E176*), in the ubiquitin-associated protein 1 (UBAP1) gene, which co-segregated with the spastic paraplegia. We also identified two UBAP1 frameshift mutations, c.324_325delCA (p.H108Qfs*10) and c.425_426delAG (p.K143Sfs*15), in two unrelated families from an additional 38 Chinese pedigrees with autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegias and lacking mutations in known causative genes. The primary disease presentation was a pure lower limb predominant spastic paraplegia. In vivo downregulation of Ubap1 in zebrafish causes abnormal organismal morphology, inhibited motor neuron outgrowth, decreased mobility, and shorter lifespan. UBAP1 is incorporated into endosomal sorting complexes required for transport complex I and binds ubiquitin to function in endosome sorting. Patient-derived truncated form(s) of UBAP1 cause aberrant endosome clustering, pronounced endosome enlargement, and cytoplasmic accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in HeLa cells and wild-type mouse cortical neuron cultures. Biochemical and immunocytochemical experiments in cultured cortical neurons derived from transgenic Ubap1flox mice confirmed that disruption of UBAP1 leads to dysregulation of both early endosome processing and ubiquitinated protein sorting. Strikingly, deletion of Ubap1 promotes neurodegeneration, potentially mediated by apoptosis. Our study provides genetic and biochemical evidence that mutations in UBAP1 can cause pure autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia.
Target Setting in Tournaments: Theory and Evidence from China
Authors: Li Xing , Liu Chong , Weng Xi , Zhou Li-An
Published: May 2019

Motivated by the prevalence of economic targets at all levels of territory administration in China, this article proposes a Tullock contest model to study optimal target setting in a multi-layered tournament-based organisation. In our model, targets are used by upper-level officials to convey the importance of economic growth and incentivise subordinates in the tournaments. Our model predicts a top-down amplification of economic growth targets along the jurisdiction levels, which explains the observed pattern in China. Using both provincial and prefectural-level data, we test the model predictions and find consistent evidence.
The Witch-cleric Stereotype in a Seventeenth-Century Lutheran Context*
Authors: Rowlands Alison
Published: May 2019

This article enhances our understanding of the development and dynamism of early modern witch stereotypes by focusing on the stereotype of the witch-cleric, the Christian minister imagined by early modern people as working for the devil instead of God, baptizing people into witchcraft, working harmful magic and even officiating at witches’ gatherings. I show how this stereotype first developed in relation to Catholic clerics in demonology, print culture and witch-trials, then examine its emergence in relation to Protestant clerics in Germany and beyond, using case studies of pastors from the Lutheran territory of Rothenburg ob der Tauber from 1639 and 1692 to explore these ideas in detail. I also offer a broader comparison of beliefs about Protestant witch-clerics and their susceptibility to formal prosecution with their Catholic counterparts in early modern Germany, showing that cases involving Protestant witch-clerics were part of a cross-confessional phenomenon that is best understood in a comparative, Europe-wide perspective. In addition to showing how the witch-cleric stereotype changed over time and spread geographically, I conclude by arguing that three distinct variants of this stereotype had emerged by the seventeenth century: the Catholic ‘witch-priest’ and Protestant ‘witch-pastor’ (who were supposedly witches themselves) and the overzealous clerical ‘witch-master’, who was thought to do the devil’s work by helping persecute innocent people for witchcraft. Despite these stereotypes, however, relatively few clerics of either confession were tried and executed as witches; overall, patriarchy worked to protect men of the cloth from the worst excesses of witch persecution.
Association of Severe Influenza Virus Infections With CD226 (DNAM-1) Variants
Authors: Redlberger-Fritz Monika , Vietzen Hannes , Puchhammer-Stöckl Elisabeth
Published: May 2019

Natural killer (NK)-cell response against influenza viruses partly depends on expression of CD112, a ligand for NK-cell receptor CD226 (DNAM-1). We analyzed whether particular CD226 variants were associated with influenza disease severity. Comparison between 145 patients hospitalized with severe influenza at intensive care units (ICU) with 139 matched influenza-positive outpatients showed that presence of the rs763362 G allele (GG, AG) was associated with occurrence of severe influenza infections (P = .0076). Also, a higher frequency of rs727088 G and rs763361 T alleles was observed in the ICU group. Thus, CD226 variants may contribute to the severity of influenza virus disease.
Post-marketing observational study of everolimus in patients with unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Japan
Authors: Akaza Hideyuki , Kurihara Ryohei , Katsura Aiko , Harumiya Miki , Ushida Naoko
Published: May 2019

Objective

To confirm the safety and efficacy of everolimus in patients with unresectable or metastatic RCC.

Methods

Patients with unresectable or metastatic RCC were included and were followed for up to 1 year from the start of everolimus. The study was conducted at 618 investigational sites in Japan from March 2010 through January 2018. Safety endpoints include adverse events (AEs), and efficacy endpoints were presence/absence of tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rate.

Results

Of 1694 patients, majority were male (76.33%). Overall, 97.64% of patients experienced AEs and 49% reported serious AEs. The most common serious AEs (incidence of ≥ 5%) include malignant neoplasm progression (21.13%) and interstitial lung disease (10.86%). The incidences of adverse reactions of priority investigation items are as follows: interstitial lung disease (27.74%), infections (11.57%), stomatitis (45.45%), increased in serum creatinine (5.61%), hyperglycemia (14.23%), exacerbation of renal impairment (26.14%), and exacerbation of hepatic impairment (1.15%). The overall tumor response rate was 6.81% with 0.08% CR, and 6.73% PR. The SD was reported in 68.74% of patients. The median PFS was 196 days (95% CI: 181–216 days). The 365-day cumulative OS rate was 82.42%.

Conclusions

The acceptable safety and efficacy findings in patients with unresectable or metastatic RCC were confirmed in this study, and are similar to those of pivotal study, which led to the approval, and no new issues were detected. There were no safety or efficacy issues in special populations including elderly and patients with renal/hepatic impairment.
Forest Sector Research and Development Capacity
Authors: McGinley Kathleen A , Guldin Richard W , Cubbage Frederick W
Published: May 2019

Current trends in the nation’s forest-sector research capacity were analyzed in terms of funding and number of scientists, and compared with prior data in the National Research Council’s 2002 report, National Capacity in Forestry Research. The total number of professors at institutions with academic programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters, research scientists at the USDA Forest Service, and forest researchers in forest industry decreased approximately 12 percent since 2002. In 2016, there were an estimated 1,224 professors and 540 Forest Service research scientists, for a total of 1,764 scientists. Total estimated research funding in 2015 for universities, private sector, and USDA Forest Service, including appropriations from federal grant programs from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Department of Energy was US$598 million—a nominal increase over 2002, but a decrease when accounting for inflation. The proportion of reported scientists’ disciplines shifted notably from production subjects to broader ecosystem services and forest health subjects, as well as from more applied to more fundamental or basic research. The data indicated that the nation’s forest research capacity continues to erode, leading to declines in research development and innovation, and putting at increasing risk the future health and productivity of America’s forests.
So Many Questions, So Little Time: Integrating Adaptive Inventories into Public Opinion Research
Authors: Montgomery Jacob M , Rossiter Erin L
Published: May 2019

One of the most difficult tasks facing survey researchers is balancing the imperative to keep surveys short with the need to measure important concepts accurately. Not only are long batteries prohibitively expensive but lengthy surveys can also lead to less informative answers from respondents. Yet, scholars often wish to measure traits that require a multi-item battery. To resolve these contradicting constraints, we propose the use of adaptive inventories. This approach uses computerized adaptive testing methods to minimize the number of questions each respondent must answer while maximizing the accuracy of the resulting measurement. We provide evidence supporting the utility of adaptive inventories through an empirically informed simulation study, an experimental study, and a detailed case study using data from the 2016 American National Election Study (ANES) Pilot. The simulation and experiment illustrate the superior performance of adaptive inventories relative to fixed-reduced batteries in terms of precision and accuracy. The ANES analysis serves as an illustration of how adaptive inventories can be developed and fielded and also validates an adaptive inventory with a nationally representative sample. Critically, we provide extensive software tools that allow researchers to incorporate adaptive inventories into their own surveys.
Large covariance matrices: accurate models without mocks
Authors: O’Connell Ross , Eisenstein Daniel J
Published: May 2019

Covariance matrix estimation is a persistent challenge for cosmology. We focus on a class of model covariance matrices that can be generated with high accuracy and precision, using a tiny fraction of the computational resources that would be required to achieve comparably precise covariance matrices using mock catalogues. In previous work, the free parameters in these models were determined using sample covariance matrices computed using a large number of mocks, but we demonstrate that those parameters can be estimated consistently and with good precision by applying jackknife methods to a single survey volume. This enables model covariance matrices that are calibrated from data alone, with no reference to mocks.
Turbulence decay in the density-stratified intracluster medium
Authors: Shi Xun , Zhang Congyao
Published: May 2019

Turbulence evolution in a density-stratified medium differs from that of homogeneous isotropic turbulence described by the Kolmogorov picture. We evaluate the degree of this effect in the intracluster medium (ICM) with hydrodynamical simulations. We find that the buoyancy effect induced by ICM density stratification introduces qualitative changes to the turbulence energy evolution, morphology, and the density fluctuation–turbulence Mach number relation, and likely explains the radial dependence of the ICM turbulence amplitude as found previously in cosmological simulations. A new channel of energy flow between the kinetic and the potential energy is opened up by buoyancy. When the gravitational potential is kept constant with time, this energy flow leaves oscillations to the energy evolution, and leads to a balanced state of the two energies where both asymptote to power-law time evolution with slopes shallower than that for the turbulence kinetic energy of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. We discuss that the energy evolution can differ more significantly from that of homogeneous isotropic turbulence when there is a time variation of the gravitational potential. Morphologically, ICM turbulence can show a layered vertical structure and large horizontal vortical eddies in the central regions with the greatest density stratification. In addition, we find that the coefficient in the linear density fluctuation–turbulence Mach number relation caused by density stratification is in general a variable with position and time.