bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN BREAKWATER FOR THE OUTER PORT AT PUNTA LANGOSTEIRA (A CORUÃ‘A, SPAIN)
Authors: Corredor Molguero Antonio , GÃ³mez-MartÃ­n M. Esther , PeÃ±a Enrique , Medina Josep R.
Published: June 2017

This paper describes the design process, hydraulic stability tests and construction of the CubipodÂ® armored Western breakwater at Punta Langosteira (Outer Port of A CoruÃ±a, Spain), located on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The environmental, geotechnical, economic and logistic conditions favored randomly-placed Cubipods for single-layer armoring of the trunk. 3D hydraulic stability tests were carried out to validate the final design of the Western Breakwater; two models were tested with single- and double-layer Cubipod armors in the trunk and roundhead, respectively. Single-layer 25- and 30-tonne CubipodÂ® armors were used for the trunk section and a double-layer 45-tonne CubipodÂ® armor was used for the roundhead. During this project, new challenges were overcome, such as constructing a transition between single and double-layer armors, and manufacturing and handling of 45-tonne Cubipods. The transition in the armor thickness was solved by modifying the filter thickness under the main armor, to ensure a homogeneous external armor profile. Breakwater construction finished in November 2016 with no significant problem or delay in the original schedule.
A NEW APPROACH TO BREAKWATER DESIGN - 2B BLOCK
Authors: Bilyay Engin , Ozbahceci Berguzar , Kiziroglu Gulsen , Bacanli Selahattin
Published: June 2017

Breakwaters are one of the oldest and important marine structures. Rubble mound breakwater is a very common type in all around the world. If the heavier rock is necessary for the design, concrete armor units are used. Each unit has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example cube and antifer blocks are massive units and their interlocking is weak. Dolos and tribar units have good interlocking but rocking stresses in these units are extraordinarily high. The placement method is very important and requires special equipment and experienced staff for the later developed single-layered units like accropod and core-loc. Moreover, continuous touching of blocks to each other and fatigue of the material may cause the breakdown of legs and serious damage of armor layer. And in case of damage, it is necessary to remove the units in a wide area on the breakwater and then relocate them, so it is very difficult to repair. A new type concrete armor unit is developed considering all these problems. It is called 2B Blocks.
DETACHED BREAKWATERS DESIGN OPTIMISATION USING NUMERICAL AND PHYSICAL MODELS FOR GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI MUSEUM
Authors: Keppers Chris Wim , Seifart Christian , Johnson Toby , Goncalves Joao , Cayrol Cyrielle , Perrin Sylvain
Published: June 2017

The museum will be built on a landmass retained by a vertical seawall with varying top elevations, protected by four detached breakwaters. One of the main challenges of the study was to limit wave overtopping and negative wave pressures on the seawall while minimizing the visual impact of the detached breakwaters. Empirical approaches and a series of numerical and 2D/3D physical models were used to validate and optimize the design of the detached breakwaters, while still meeting the project requirements in regards to wave loads and wave overtopping discharges.
CONSIDERATION CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE ON A BREAKWATER IN THE SUPERPOSITION OF EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
Authors: Okada Katsuhiro , Suzuki Kojiro , Arikawa Taro
Published: June 2017

When a major earthquake occurs, it can be followed by an incoming tsunami, both of which destroy many structures and cause serious damage. Although the destruction of structures caused by earthquakes and by tsunamis has been studied, the further damage caused by aftershocks after a major earthquake occurring at the time of a tsunami has not been sufficiently reported. In this study, we aimed to determine variations in the influence of different structural shapes when the effects of an earthquake and tsunami are superposed. A sloping structure was shown to reduce the hydrodynamic pressure; even when an earthquake and tsunami occur simultaneously.
THE REDUCTION OF WAVE OVERTOPPING BY MEANS OF A STORM WALL
Authors: Van Doorslaer Koen , De Rouck Julien , Van der Meer Jentsje
Published: June 2017

A second edition of the EurOtop manual, a manual on wave overtopping of sea defenses and related structures, became available as pre-release in October 2016 on the website www.overtopping-manual.com. One of the improvements in this manual is based on the material in the current paper: how wave walls can reduce wave overtopping discharges. The base data set for the original advice in the previous EurOtop from 2007 is compared to the new developed procedures and new (unpublished) data collected in the wave flume of Ghent University. The comparative study shows that the differences are due to hydraulic differences in the test program. The original dataset from 1994 has tests with the still water level SWL both above and below the foot of the wall and was analyzed with an average slope analysis, where the UGent dataset only has tests with SWL below the foot of the wall and the small wall on top of the dike slope did not influence the average slope so that the actual slope could be used. The reduction factors deduced in analyzing the UGent datasets also work well for part of the original dataset, but not the other way around. The advice in the second edition of the EurOtop is thus to use the reduction factors by the UGent data analysis for wave walls above SWL, where the method proposed in the first edition can still be used for wave walls that have their foot below SWL. Both methodologies are explained in this paper.
ROUGHNESS FACTOR IN OVERTOPPING ESTIMATION
Authors: MEDINA JOSEP RAMON , MOLINES JORGE
Published: June 2017

The roughness factor (Î³f) is a key variable to estimate wave overtopping discharge on mound breakwaters. In this study, the Î³f is re-calibrated using a dataset extracted from the CLASH database. Compared to previous roughness factors calibrated using less restrictive data, overtopping estimators with a few explanatory variables showed variations up to 15% in the 50% percentile of Î³f. On the contrary, the CLASH neural network overtopping predictor showed insignificant variations in the roughness factor, since it is less sensitive to the variability in the data used for calibration. The confidence interval width of the CLASH neural network was narrow compared to simple explicit overtopping estimators, given that it is less sensitive to the number of data used for calibration. The Î³f values used to estimate wave overtopping discharge should be carefully calibrated, especially when using simple empirical formulas.
SEISMIC STABILITY OF CAISSON TYPE BREAKWATER
Authors: Yuksel Yalcin , Yuksel Zeynep Tugce , Aydogan Burak , Cevik Esin , Kurtulus Berken
Published: June 2017

In recent two decades, more and more marine structures, such as breakwater, bridge, oil platform and turbines are constructed on seabed in offshore area. The stability of these marine structures after construction under the environmental loading is the main concern for the coastal engineers involved in the design work. Generally, there are two types of environmental loading in offshore area. One of them is the ocean wave and the other is the possible earthquake. Ocean wave is the conventional loading for all marine structures. However, little attention and investigation has been paid for the second type of environmental loading-seismic wave and conducted in the previous literatures. In this study, an experimental study was carried out for the stability of caisson type breakwater located on a firm bed condition under regular harmonic seismic wave. The results obtained from this experimental study were also used for the verification of the newly modified sliding block analysis model.
TIME DOMAIN COMPARISONS OF MEASURED AND SPECTRALLY SIMULATED BREAKING WAVES
Authors: Ozalp Mustafa Kemal , Beji Serdar
Published: June 2017

For realistic wave simulations in the nearshore zone besides nonlinear interactions, the dissipative effects of wave breaking must also be taken into account. This paper presents the applications of a spectral nonlinear wave model with a dissipative breaking mechanism introduced by Beji and Nadaoka (1997). Results obtained for spectral components are converted to the time series and compared with Beji and Battjes' (1993) laboratory measurements and the field measurements of Nakamura and Katoh (1992) in the surf zone. While the model predicts the spilling-type breaking of irregular waves in acceptable agreement with the measurements in time domain, the agreement is unsatisfactory for plunging-type breakers.
RIP CURRENT FATALITIES ON THE BLACK SEA BEACHES OF ISTANBUL AND EFFECTS OF WINDS
Authors: Barlas Baris , Beji Serdar
Published: June 2017

This study investigates fatalities due to rip currents on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. Results include the incidence rate of fatalities from rip currents, their causes, temporal and spatial distributions. The data shows that, nearly 70% of all drowning fatalities are associated with rip currents, and that on the average 33 people reportedly die from rip currents each year in Istanbul Black Sea coast. Thus, considering the wind speeds versus rip current fatalities, about one third of the fatalities occur when the wind speed is between 1.5-2.0 m/s. For the wind speeds 1.0-1.5 m/s the rip current magnitude is not too intense so people consider themselves capable enough to swim but for poor swimmers this is the most dangerous case. Nearly 60% of the fatalities in this wind speed interval is found to be children.
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTION IN THE BOTTOM BOUNDARY LAYER
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Simons Richard , Buldakov Eugeny
Published: June 2017

In the present work, a numerical wave-current flume has been developed, based on a standard k-Îµ model. The numerical flume was 12.86m in length, with a numerical beach at one end of the flume. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was used to capture the free surface in the flume. The velocity profile obtained at the test section from the numerical simulation has then been compared with experimental data and good agreement found. Periodic velocities in the bottom boundary layer have been obtained which agree well with the experimental data. The model provides an insight to the changes in bed shear stress time histories that characterise wave current interaction.
GEOGRAPHICAL SHIFTING OF DEEP WATER WAVE DATA BASED ON JONSWAP METHOD
Authors: Barbaro Giuseppe , Dattilo Federica , Barbaro Giuseppe , Foti Giandomenico , Dâ€™Alessandro Felice , Ligorio Francesco
Published: June 2017

The present paper proposes a new method to increase the number of sources of meteo marine information for the analysis of professionals and researchers in coastal and offshore engineering. The new method is mainly based on the actual geographical distance between a real and a virtual buoy and the dependence of the sea states on the characteristics of the wave development conditions; in fact, it mainly depends on the effective positions of the two locations, their geometric distance apart, and on the difference between the exposure of the point where the virtual buoy has to be located (S) with respect to the point of direct observation (O). It offers advantages compared to the traditional methods currently used; in fact, among the others, it is suitable for any sea condition: duration/fetch limited or fully arisen sea. The proposed method has been verified using data from buoys of the Mediterranean Sea (Italian and Spanish) and of the Atlantic Sea (Spanish) under different sea conditions. In particular, the time-series with a variable duration from a minimum of 2 up to a maximum of 7 years have been adopted. Use of the model is presently limited to deep water conditions. The verification, conducted without the need for any calibration, resulted positive.
HEAD-ON COLLISIONS OF TWO SOLITARY WAVES WITH DIFFERENT AMPLITUDES USING IMAGING TECHNIQUES
Authors: Umeyama Motohiko
Published: June 2017

The behavior of two unequal solitary waves during head-on collision was experimentally studied by optical and particle-tracer methods. Spatial surface profiles were measured using the particle mask correlation method and the image thresholding method, which detects the airâ€“water boundary as a set of locally extreme luminance values. The measured surface displacement of the colliding wave was compared with the corresponding shape of a third-order perturbation approximation. In addition, to estimate the phase shift from the crest at an arbitrary point, the instantaneous surface variations were measured by two wave gauges. The kinetic features of the target and the oncoming and colliding waves were measured by a particle image velocimetry method. To solve the phase shift, we acquired the velocity fields of the colliding waves in a series of experiments and could show our technological advantage over others.
SHIP WAVES IN NAVIGATION CHANNELS
Authors: Johnson J. W.
Published: June 2017

Ships moving through water generate surface waves which in many navigation channels cause severe wave-wash damage to the bank* In some waterways, rather extensive protection works have been constructed to reduce this destructive action to levee faces (Hertzberg, 1954). This action, termed "foreshore erosion", has been described by Lewis (1956) for the lower Mississippi River as follows: "The attack, interestingly enough, takes place at lowwater . It is due largely to the waves created by passing ocean-going ships and is augmented by shallow draft traffic. It may be asked at this point why this attack is new, in view of the fact that ship and barge traffic has long existed on the river in very substantial volume? The answer is that the recent technological advances in ocean-going and river transportation have greatly increased maximum and average speeds, and accordingly, the wave making potentials."
LABORATORY TESTS OF PERMEABLE WAVE ABSORBERS
Authors: Straub Lorenz G. , Bowers C. E. , Herbich John B.
Published: June 2017

Laboratory studies involving surface waves usually require the use of absorbers at some boundaries of the test facility to prevent objectionable reflections of the test waves. Such absorbers frequently consist of sloping beaches with or without a layer of permeable material. These are sometimes used in conjunction with other devices which absorb part of the wave energy. If sufficient space is available, a long absorber with a low surface slope can be used, resulting in very low reflections. However, space limitations sometimes necessitate the use of an absorber of minimum length with a steeper surface slope. In such cases permeable materials are highly beneficial to assist in absorbing the wave energy.
FIFTH ORDER GRAVITY WAVE THEORY
Authors: Skjelbreia Lars , Hendrickson James
Published: June 2017

In dealing with problems connected with gravity waves, scientists and engineers frequently find it necessary to make lengthy theoretical calculations involving such wave characteristics as wave height, wave length, period, and water depth. Several approximate theoretical expressions have been derived relating the above parameters. Airy, for instance, contributed a very valuable and complete theory for waves traveling over a horizontal bottom in any depth of water. Due to the simplicity of the Airy theory, it is frequently used by engineers. This theory, however, was developed for waves of very small heights and is inaccurate for waves of finite height. Stokes presented a similar solution for waves of finite height by use of trigonometric series. Using five terms in the series, this solution will extend the range covered by the Airy theory to waves of greater steepness. No attempt has been made in this paper to specify the range where the theory is applicable. The coefficients in these series are very complicated and for a numerical problem, the calculations become very tedious. Because of this difficulty, this theory would be very little used by engineers unless the value of the coefficient is presented in tabular form. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the fifth order theory and values of the various coefficients as a function of the parameter d/L.
MODIFICATION OF WAVE SPECTRA ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF AND IN THE SURF ZONE
Authors: Bretschneider Charles L.
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses the problem pertaining to the modification of the wave spectrum over the continental shelf. Modification factors include bottom friction, percolation, refraction, breaking waves, ocean currents, and regeneration of wind waves in shallow water, among other factors. A formulation of the problem is presented but no general solution is made, primarily because of lack of basic data. Several special solutions are presented based on reasonable assumptions. The case for a steep continental shelf with parallel bottom contours and wave crests parallel to the coast and for which bottom friction is neglected has been investigated. For this case it is found that the predominant period shifts toward longer periods. The implication is, for example, that the significant periods observed along the U. S. Pacific coast are longer than those which would be observed several miles westward over deep water.

The case for a gentle continental shelf with parallel bottom contour and wave crests parallel to the coast and for which bottom friction is important has also been investigated. For this case it is found that the predominant period shifts toward shorter periods as the water depth decreases. The implication is, for example, that the significant periods observed in the shallow water over the continental shelf are shorter than those which would be observed beyond the continental slope. In very shallow water, because shoaling becomes important, a secondary peak appears at higher periods.

The joint distribution of wave heights and wave periods is required in order to determine the most probable maximum breaking wave, which can be of lesser height than the most probable maximum non-breaking wave. In very shallow water the most probable maximum breaking wave which first occurs would be governed by the breaking depth criteria, whereas in deepwater wave steepness can also be a governing factor. It can be expected that in very shallow water the period of the most probable maximum breaking wave should be longer than the significant period; and for deeper water the period of the most probable maximum breaking wave can be less than the significant period.
Percolation connectivity, pore size, and gas apparent permeability: Network simulations and comparison to experimental data
Authors: Li M. , Tang Y. B. , Bernabé Y. , Zhao J. Z. , Li X. F. , Li T.
Published: June 2017

We modeled single‐phase gas flow through porous media using percolation networks. Gas permeability is different from liquid permeability. The latter is only related to the geometry and topology of the pore space, while the former depends on the specific gas considered and varies with gas pressure. As gas pressure decreases, four flow regimes can be distinguished as viscous flow, slip flow, transition flow, and free molecular diffusion. Here we use a published conductance model presumably capable of predicting the flow rate of an arbitrary gas through a cylindrical pipe in the four regimes. We incorporated this model into pipe network simulations. We considered 3‐D simple cubic, body‐centered cubic, and face‐centered cubic lattices, in which we varied the pipe radius distribution and the bond coordination number. Gas flow was simulated at different gas pressures. The simulation results showed that the gas apparent permeability kapp obeys an identical scaling law in all three lattices, kapp ~ (z‐zc)β, where the exponent β depends on the width of the pipe radius distribution, z is the mean coordination number, and zc its critical value at the percolation threshold. Surprisingly, (z‐zc) had a very weak effect on the ratio of the apparent gas permeability to the absolute liquid permeability, kapp/kabs, suggesting that the Klinkenberg gas slippage correction factor is nearly independent of connectivity. We constructed models of kapp and kapp/kabs based on the observed power law and tested them by comparison with published experimental data on glass beads and other materials.
Evaluating hourly rainfall characteristics over the U.S. Great Plains in dynamically downscaled climate model simulations using NASA‐Unified WRF
Authors: Lee Huikyo , Waliser Duane E. , Ferraro Robert , Iguchi Takamichi , Peters‐Lidard Christa D. , Tian Baijun , Loikith Paul C. , Wright Daniel B.
Published: June 2017

Accurate simulation of extreme precipitation events remains a challenge in climate models. This study utilizes hourly precipitation data from ground stations and satellite instruments to evaluate rainfall characteristics simulated by the NASA‐Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU‐WRF) regional climate model at horizontal resolutions of 4, 12, and 24 km over the Great Plains of the United States. We also examined the sensitivity of the simulated precipitation to different spectral nudging approaches and the cumulus parameterizations. The rainfall characteristics in the observations and simulations were defined as an hourly diurnal cycle of precipitation and a joint probability distribution function (JPDF) between duration and peak intensity of precipitation events over the Great Plains in summer. We calculated a JPDF for each data set and the overlapping area between observed and simulated JPDFs to measure the similarity between the two JPDFs. Comparison of the diurnal precipitation cycles between observations and simulations does not reveal the added value of high‐resolution simulations. However, the performance of NU‐WRF simulations measured by the JPDF metric strongly depends on horizontal resolution. The simulation with the highest resolution of 4 km shows the best agreement with the observations in simulating duration and intensity of wet spells. Spectral nudging does not affect the JPDF significantly. The effect of cumulus parameterizations on the JPDFs is considerable but smaller than that of horizontal resolution. The simulations with lower resolutions of 12 and 24 km show reasonable agreement but only with the high‐resolution observational data that are aggregated into coarse resolution and spatially averaged.
Significant inconsistency of vegetation carbon density in CMIP5 Earth system models against observational data
Authors: Song Xia , Hoffman Forrest M. , Iversen Colleen M. , Yin Yunhe , Kumar Jitendra , Ma Chun , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: June 2017

Earth system models (ESMs) have been widely used for projecting global vegetation carbon dynamics, yet how well ESMs performed for simulating vegetation carbon density remains untested. We compiled observational data of vegetation carbon density from literature and existing data sets to evaluate nine ESMs at site, biome, latitude, and global scales. Three variables—root (including fine and coarse roots), total vegetation carbon density, and the root:total vegetation carbon ratios (R/T ratios), were chosen for ESM evaluation. ESM models performed well in simulating the spatial distribution of carbon densities in root (r = 0.71) and total vegetation (r = 0.62). However, ESM models had significant biases in simulating absolute carbon densities in root and total vegetation biomass across the majority of land ecosystems, especially in tropical and arctic ecosystems. Particularly, ESMs significantly overestimated carbon density in root (183%) and total vegetation biomass (167%) in climate zones of 10°S–10°N. Substantial discrepancies between modeled and observed R/T ratios were found: the R/T ratios from ESMs were relatively constant, approximately 0.2 across all ecosystems, along latitudinal gradients, and in tropic, temperate, and arctic climatic zones, which was significantly different from the observed large variations in the R/T ratios (0.1–0.8). There were substantial inconsistencies between ESM‐derived carbon density in root and total vegetation biomass and the R/T ratio at multiple scales, indicating urgent needs for model improvements on carbon allocation algorithms and more intensive field campaigns targeting carbon density in all key vegetation components.
Electrostatic Tuning of Spray‐Deposited ZnO for Controlled Mobility Enhancement
Authors: Zeumault Andre , Scheideler William , Subramanian Vivek
Published: June 2017

Spray‐deposited nanocrystalline ZnO films are produced in order to establish empirical relationships between synthetic conditions and the density of states as a means of achieving electrostatic control. By varying the spray‐pyrolysis deposition conditions, i.e., substrate temperature, precursor concentration, and flow rate, a wide range of exponentially distributed density of localized states profiles and field‐effect mobility values ranging over three orders of magnitude (0.02–30 cm2 V−1 s−1) are obtained for analysis. It is found that mobility can be controlled by appropriately tuning the shape of the density of states profile, increasing the band tail slope and reducing the band edge concentration of shallow states. Most significantly, it is shown that the shape of the density of states can be modified by adjusting the spray‐pyrolysis deposition conditions for electrostatic control. It is found that higher Zn precursor concentration in solution increases the slope of the band tails, leading to higher mobility. Additionally, the band edge concentration is reduced with increased substrate temperature also leading to higher mobility. These results quantify the relationship between defect electrostatics and electron transport while demonstrating electrostatic control via synthetic modification of localized states.
The Spontaneous Adhesion of BMMC onto Self‐Assembled Peptide Nanoscaffold without Activation Inhibits Its IgE‐Mediated Degranulation
Authors: Lu Lei , Arizmendi Narcy , Kulka Marianna , Unsworth Larry D.
Published: June 2017

Mast cells play a distinct role in the innate immune response. Engineered microenvironments for the express purpose of influencing mast cell activity will provide a novel means of designing biomaterials, as well as a means to systematically investigate mast cell biology in a 3D setting. Here, the effect of nanoscaffolds composed of self‐assembling peptides, namely (RADA)4, on bone‐marrow‐derived murine mast cell (BMMC) activity is reported. Unlike most studies that stimulate mast cells to induce adhesion, this results show that BMMCs spontaneously adhere to the artificial nanoscaffold without initiating their activation. It is observed that the classical immunoglobulin (IgE) antigen‐mediated degranulation of adhered BMMC is inhibited by the nanoscaffold, while non‐IgE (A23187)‐induced degranulation is unaffected. The inhibition of IgE–antigen‐mediated degranulation is likely a result of inhibited molecular diffusion within the matrix; antigen diffusion, IgE–FcεRI complex shuttling, and/or formation of multiple IgE–FcεRI clusters may be physically hindered in the presence of the polyvalent nanofiber network. Moreover, the IgE/antigen‐induced inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α release from adherent BMMCs is significantly reduced likely due to interaction with the nanofiber matrix. This work is considered the first step in quantifying mast cell activity in artificial matrices composed of self‐assembling peptides.
A Copper‐Catalyzed Cascade Approach for the Synthesis of Dibenzo[b,f]1,8‐naphthyridine Derivatives
Authors: Villuri Bharath Kumar , Konala Ashok , Kavala Veerababurao , Kotipalli Trimurtulu , Kuo Chun‐Wei , Yao Ching‐Fa
Published: June 2017

The synthesis of some dibenzo[b,f]‐[1,8]naphthyridine derivatives in a cascade manner is reported. The reaction includes a Knovenagel condensation, the insertion of a nitrile and an alkyne into an N–H bond and an oxidation/oxidative C–C bond cleavage sequence in the presence of copper iodide. The key 1,8‐naphthyridine core was constructed in a cascade manner during the course of the reaction itself which allows diverse dibenzo[b,f]‐[1,8]naphthyridine derivatives to be readily prepared.

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Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Carcinoma of the Human Ovary: A Review
Authors: Lingeman Carolyn H.
Published: June 2017

The woman at highest risk for epithelial neoplasia of the ovary is a nulliparous, caueastan woman of northern European & descent residing in an industrialized country. She is at even higher risk if her sister, mother, maternal aunt or grandmother have had carcinomas of the breast or ovary or if she herself has had a previous carcinoma of the breast. The roles of hormonal drugs and oilier environmental chemical compounds in the etiology of this form of cancer are not clear but are the subjects of many ongoing investigations.
Simultaneous endo and exo Complex Formation of Pyridine[4]arene Dimers with Neutral and Anionic Guests
Authors: Kiesilä Anniina , Kivijärvi Lauri , Beyeh Ngong Kodiah , Moilanen Jani O. , Groessl Michael , Rothe Tatiana , Götz Sven , Topić Filip , Rissanen Kari , Lützen Arne , Kalenius Elina
Published: June 2017

The formation of complexes between hexafluorophosphate (PF6−) and tetraisobutyloctahydroxypyridine[4]arene has been thoroughly studied in the gas phase (ESI‐QTOF‐MS, IM‐MS, DFT calculations), in the solid state (X‐ray crystallography), and in chloroform solution (1H, 19F, and DOSY NMR spectroscopy). In all states of matter, simultaneous endo complexation of solvent molecules and exo complexation of a PF6− anion within a pyridine[4]arene dimer was observed. While similar ternary complexes are often observed in the solid state, this is a unique example of such behavior in the gas phase.
Life‐cycle assessment of torrefied coppice willow co‐firing with lignite coal in an existing pulverized coal boiler
Authors: Woytiuk Kurt , Sanscartier David , Amichev Beyhan Y. , Campbell William , Van Rees Ken
Published: June 2017

Coal‐fired electricity generation is a major emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Canada and the Federal Government has taken steps toward mandated reduction in GHG emissions. One pathway to reduced emissions is via co‐firing of coal with short‐rotation coppice (SRC) willow grown on marginal land in Saskatchewan. This study uses a life‐cycle inventory model to investigate the GHG emissions from nine scenarios for electricity generation with willow pellets at a retrofitted generating station in Saskatchewan. Torrefied and non‐torrefied willow pellets from SRC plantations in the Prairie and Boreal Plains ecozones are considered. Direct co‐firing of pellets and indirect co‐firing via a circulating fluidized bed gasifier are modeled. The model output shows cumulative, levelized, and disaggregated GHG emissions. The scenarios account for the plantation establishment period required to reach a co‐firing ratio of 40% by energy input. Torrefied and non‐torrefied willow pellets grown in the Prairie ecozone indirectly co‐fired with lignite coal result in 43% and 47% net cumulative GHG emissions reduction compared to the existing coal fired pathway. Direct co‐firing of the same feedstocks results in a 34% and 31% reduction in GHG emissions, respectively. The biomass‐based portion of all scenarios was found to produce negative net cumulative GHG emissions on a life‐cycle basis with willow grown in the Prairies ecozone (i.e., GHG emissions from the willow plantation to the combustion of the pellet with coal). Co‐firing is therefore a viable option for reducing GHG emissions from electricity generation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Sciatic nerve repair using poly(ε‐caprolactone) tubular prosthesis associated with nanoparticles of carbon and graphene
Authors: Assaf Kyl , Leal Claudenete Vieira , Derami Mariana Silveira , de Rezende Duek Eliana Aparecida , Ceragioli Helder Jose , de Oliveira Alexandre Leite Rodrigues
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Injuries to peripheral nerves generate disconnection between spinal neurons and the target organ. Due to retraction of the nerve stumps, end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy is usually unfeasible. In such cases, autologous grafts are widely used, nonetheless with some disadvantages, such as mismatching of donor nerve dimensions and formation of painful neuromas at the donor area. Tubulization, using bioresorbable polymers, can potentially replace nerve grafting, although improvements are still necessary. Among promising bioresorbable synthetic polymers, poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) are the most studied. Carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets have been proposed, however, as adjuvants to improve mechanical and regenerative properties of tubular prostheses. Thus, the present work evaluated nerve tubulization repair following association ofPCLwith nanoparticles of carbon (NPC) and graphene (NPG).

Methods

For that, adult Lewis rats were subjected to unilateral sciatic nerve tubulization and allowed to survive for up to 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery.

Results

Nanocomposites mechanical/chemical evaluation showed that nanoparticles do not alterPCLcrystallinity, yet providing reinforcement of polymer matrix. Thus, there was a decrease in the enthalpy of melting when the mixture ofPCL + NPC + NPGwas used. Nanocomposites displayed positive changes in molecular mobility in the amorphous phase of the polymer. Also, the loss modulus (E”) and the glass transition exhibited highest values forPCL + NPC + NPG. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed thatPCL + NPC + NPGprostheses showed improved cell adhesion as compared toPCLalone. Surgical procedures withPCL + NPC + NPGwere facilitated due to improved flexibility of the prosthesis, resulting in better stump positioning accuracy. In turn, a twofold increased number of myelinated axons was found in such repaired nerves. Consistent with that, target muscle atrophy protection has been observed.

Conclusion

Overall, the present data show that nanocompositePCLtubes facilitate nerve repair and result in a better regenerative outcome, what may, in turn, represent a new alternative to purePCLorPLLAprostheses.
Double jeopardy: long QT3 and Brugada syndromes
Authors: Sandhu Amneet , Borne Ryan T. , Mam Chandara , Bunch T. Jared , Aleong Ryan G.
Published: June 2017

Key Clinical Message

Mutations in the SCN5A gene are linked to both the long QT syndrome 3 and Brugada syndrome with few reports describing an overlapping phenotype. We present a unique case and discuss clinical considerations of a patient concurrently exhibiting such conditions with genetic analysis confirming an SCN5A mutation.
Rational Design of Three‐Dimensional Hierarchical Nanomaterials for Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Libin , Yang Huiling , Shu Ting , Chen Xue , Huang Yunhui , Hu Xianluo
Published: June 2017

The low energy density of supercapacitors has become a distinct barrier, restricting their practical applications. To overcome it, rational design of three‐dimensional (3D) hierarchical materials for asymmetric supercapacitors is considered to be an effective strategy from the view of both materials and device design. Through rational design, desirable supercapacitive electrode materials with enlarged specific surface areas, shortened ion‐diffusion distances, and improved electrical conductivity can be achieved, which exhibit potential prospects in constructing high‐performance supercapacitors. This Review presents the state‐of‐the‐art progress upon rational design of 3D hierarchical structures in the last five years. The typical 3D hierarchical nanomaterials in the forms of homogeneous and heterogeneous nanostructures are highlighted and classified into primary structures, secondary structures, and multiple structures. Besides, the realization and growth mechanism have been discussed. At the end of this Review, some possible future tendencies are proposed as well.
Disentangling the genetic and morphological structure of Patella candei complex in Macaronesia (NE Atlantic)
Authors: Faria Joao , Martins Gustavo M. , Pita Alfonso , Ribeiro Pedro A. , Hawkins Stephen J. , Presa Pablo , Neto Ana I.
Published: June 2017

The uptake of natural living resources for human consumption has triggered serious changes in the balance of ecosystems. In the archipelagos of Macaronesia (NE Atlantic), limpets have been extensively exploited probably since islands were first colonized. This has led to profound consequences in the dynamics of rocky shore communities. The Patella candei complex includes various subspecies of limpets that are ascribed to a particular archipelago and has been the focus of several taxonomic surveys without much agreement. Under a conservational perspective, we apply morphometric and genetic analyses to test subspecies boundaries in P. candei and to evaluate its current population connectivity throughout Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, and Canaries). A highly significant genetic break between archipelagos following isolation by distance was detected (FST = 0.369, p < .001). Contrastingly, significant genetic differentiation among islands (i.e., Azores) was absent possibly indicating ongoing gene flow via larval exchange between populations. Significant shell‐shape differences among archipelagos were also detected using both distance‐based and geometric morphometric analyses. Adaptive processes associated with niche differentiation and strong barriers to gene flow among archipelagos may be the mechanisms underlying P. candei diversification in Macaronesia. Under the very probable assumption that populations of P. candei from each archipelago are geographically and/or ecologically isolated populations, the various subspecies within the P. candei complex may be best thought of as true species using the denomination: P. candei in Selvagens, Patella gomesii in Azores, Patella ordinaria in Madeira, and Patella crenata for Canaries. This would be in agreement with stock delimitation and units of conservation of P. candei sensu latu along Macaronesia.
Russia's road transport sector: Prospects for alternative energy
Authors: Grushevenko Dmitry Alexandrovich , Grushevenko Ekaterina Valeryevna , Kapustin Nikita Olegovich , Kulagin Vyacheslav Alexandrovich
Published: June 2017

Diversification of energy sources in the road transport sector is becoming a global trend with the emergence of economically and technologically viable alternative fuels, such as electricity, biofuels, compressed natural gas, and others. With the transport sector generating over 50% of global oil demand, this trend obviously holds great significance. The Russian Federation, while being one of the world's major oil producers as well as energy consumers, is falling behind on this trend. However, the prospects for change are quite tangible. The article presents a long term outlook for changes in the Russian road transportation sector's fuel mix. The calculations demonstrate that switching to natural gas and electricity will reduce the share of petroleum products from 95% in 2015 to 74–86% by 2040. Nevertheless, the extent of support by the Russian Government for the infrastructural development will be the key factor to determine the end result. The incentives for natural gas and electric vehicles will also play a large role. The issue of fuel mix diversification will have to be resolved against the background of a 75% increase in the sector's energy consumption, expected in the next 20 yr. Petrol will remain a key fuel for transportation but its share will decrease from 59 to 40‐47%, while the share of diesel will remain at 34‐39%. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 498–504, 2018
Effect of harvest seasonal and gamma irradiation on the physicochemical changes in pineapple fruit cv. Pattavia during stimulated sea shipment
Authors: Jenjob Apichai , Uthairatanakij Apiradee , Jitareerat Pongphen , Wongs‐Aree Chalermchai , Aiamla‐Or Sukanya
Published: June 2017

Gamma irradiation is used as a phytosanitary treatment for tropical fresh fruit from some producing countries. An experiment was carried out to study the effect of gamma irradiation and season of harvest on the quality ‘Pattavia’ pineapple fruit. Fruit harvested in the summer and the rainy cool (winter) seasons were exposed to gamma radiation at dose levels of 0 and 400–600 Gy from a 60 Cobalt source and the fruit stored at 13°C and 90% RH for up to 21 days. Gamma irradiation did not affect the ratio of TSS/TA, antioxidant content, or ascorbic acid concentration. However, gamma irradiation did delay color development and also induced internal browning over 50% of flesh discolored in fruit stored for 14 days, especially harvested winter fruit. Moreover, harvesting fruit in different seasons had a significant effect on fruit quality after harvest and during stimulated sea shipment storage. The result showed that gamma irradiation can be used as a phytosanitary treatment with minor changes in eating quality. However, the internal browning was greater if fruit were stored longer than 1 week at 13°C.
Environmental dynamics and formation processes at the pampean archaeological locality Zanjón Seco, Argentina
Authors: Favier Dubois Cristián M. , Politis Gustavo G.
Published: June 2017

Zanjón Seco is an important late Holocene archaeological locality in the Argentine Pampas, producing the oldest traces of pottery in the region as well as significant evidence for ancient hunter‐gatherer lifestyles. Despite its importance, the formation processes resulting in the subsurface concentration of artifacts and bones have not been studied. Here, we present geoarchaeological studies carried out from a pedostratigraphic perspective that link the dynamics of sedimentation in the area (pulses of loess) with particular pedological processes associated with the biomechanical action of soil biota, mainly earthworms. We suggest that these explain both the burial and vertical distribution of archaeological materials at this locality.
Environmentally sensitive hydrogel functionalized with electroactive and complexing‐iron(III) catechol groups
Authors: Marcisz Kamil , Romanski Jan , Stojek Zbigniew , Karbarz Marcin
Published: June 2017

Thermoresponsive pNIPA (poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide)) gels modified with dopamine methacrylamide were synthesized using free‐radical polymerization. In this way, the catechol groups were introduced into the polymer network. The presence of dopamine in the gel led to a significant shift in the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). It was found that hydrogels were electroactive and that oxidation of catechol groups also led to a strong shift in the VPTT. The temperature window, that is, the range of temperature where volume of the gel could be substantially changed by oxidation of the catechol groups, for the gel formed from the polymerization solution containing 5% of the dopamine derivative, was 30–40 °C. Additionally, the influence of Fe3+ ions, which form the most stable complexes with dopamine, on swelling behavior of the gels was investigated at various pH. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3236–3242
Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate using various dithiobenzoates as chain transfer agents
Authors: Takada Kohei , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: June 2017

Dialkyl fumarates as 1,2‐disubstituted ethylenes exhibit unique features of radical polymerization kinetics due to their significant steric hindrance in propagation and termination processes and provide polymers with a rigid chain structure different from conventional vinyl polymers. In this study, we carried out reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) in bulk at 80 °C using various dithiobenzoates with different leaving R groups as chain transfer agents to reveal their performance for control of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain end functionality of the resulting poly(DiPF) (PDiPF). 2‐(Ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐propyl dithiobenzoate (DB1) and 2,4,4‐trimethyl‐2‐pentyl dithiobenzoate (DB2) underwent fragmentation and reinitiation at a moderate rate and consequently led to the formation of PDiPF with well‐controlled chain structures. It was confirmed that molecular weight of PDiPF produced by controlled polymerization with DB1 and DB2 agreed with theoretical one and molecular weight distribution was narrow. Dithiobenzoate and R fragments were introduced into the polymer chain ends with high functionality as 95% by the use of DB1. In contrast, polymerizations using 1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)benzyl dithiobenzoate (DB3), 1‐phenylethyl dithiobenzoate (DB4), and 2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl dithiobenzoate (DB5) resulted in poor control of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain end structures of PDiPF. Fragmentation and reinitiation rates of the used benzoates as chain transfer agents significantly varied depending on the R structures in an opposite fashion; that is, introduction of bulky and conjugating substituents accelerated fragmentation, but it retarded initiation of DiPF polymerization. It was revealed that balance of fragmentation and reinitiation was important for controlled polymerization of DiPF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3266–3275
Effect of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in ADH1B,ADH4,ADH1C,OPRM1,DRD2,BDNF, and ALDH2 genes on alcohol dependence in a Caucasian population
Authors: Katsarou Martha‐Spyridoula , Karakonstantis Konstantinos , Demertzis Nikolaos , Vourakis Emmanouil , Skarpathioti Aspasia , Nosyrev Aleksandr E. , Tsatsakis Aristidis , Kalogridis Theodoris , Drakoulis Nikolaos
Published: June 2017

Alcohol is a frequently used addictive substance worldwide. Aim of this study is to determine the frequency distribution of SNPs within ADH1B, ADH4, ADH1C, ALDH2, BDNF, OPRM1, and DRD2 genes in a southeastern European Caucasian population from Greece. For this purpose samples of 1276 volunteers were analyzed after deidentification and anonymization. The allele distribution of the examined polymorphisms in the present Greek population cohort was as follows: rs1229984 (ADH1B): GG(wt) = 64.14%, GA = 29.86%, AA = 4.00%; rs1693482 (ADH1C): CC(wt) = 57.45%, CT = 36.76%, TT = 5.80%; rs1799971 (OPRM1): AA(wt) = 72.43%, AG = 28.72%, GG = 1.89%; rs1800497 (DRD2): CC(wt) = 70.84%, CT = 27.18%, TT = 1.98%; rs1800759 (ADH4): CC(wt) = 34.25%, CA = 48.12%, AA = 17.63%; rs6265 (BDNF): GG(wt) = 65.99%, GA = 31.02%, AA = 2.99%; and rs671 (ALDH2): GG(wt) = 99.84% GA = 0.16%, AA = 0.00%. Mutant rs1229984 allele A was ~6.5× more frequent in the Greek than in the European population. Mutant rs1693482 allele T was ~1.7× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population. Mutant alleles for polymorphisms rs1800759 and rs1799971 show similar frequencies in both northern and southern Europeans. One rs671 mutant A allele was detected in the Greek population (0.08%). The mutant rs1800497 allele T was ~1.2× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population and the mutant rs6265 allele A was ~1.1× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population. An alcohol addiction‐specific algorithm was generated (TGS) that may predict alcohol addiction prevalence in a population. According to our findings, the analyzed Southeastern population may differ genetically from north Europeans due to influences from neighboring Asian and African populations and a calculated TGS score >50 indicates individuals with low susceptibility to develop alcohol addiction.