bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density assessment method of chemical components in urban submicron aerosol particles
Authors: Šakalys Jonas , Valiulis Darius , Meinorė Ernesta , Dudoitis Vadimas , Kvietkus Kęstutis , Ulevičius Vidmantas
Published: July 2015

During the analysis of aerosol particle density variation in urban environment it was noticed that a Quadrupole Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (Q-AMS) and a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) indicated the particle diameter differently. Measurements presented in this paper were conducted in Šiauliai town from 15 March to 27 March 2012. Size distribution and concentration spectra for non-refractory submicron aerosol particles (PM1) of NH4+, NO3–, SO42–and organics were obtained by using Q-AMS and SMPS. The organic particles with a diameter of up to 100 nm were selected for the analysis due to the considerable influence of traffic emission on the sampling site. The major formation of particles in the range of up to 100 nm occurs from pollutants of traffic emissions. It was observed that the density of organic aerosol particles in the range up to 100 nm was relatively too high if compared with the density sum of all components in the range above 100 nm (less than 1 g cm–3). This observation was opposite to the result that was expected. The latter results imply incorrectness for direct interpretation of the data obtained from Q-AMS and SMPS. Therefore, the method for evaluation of particle diameters provided by Q-AMS and SMPS is discussed in this paper.
An Effective Solution to Regression Problem by RBF Neuron Network
Authors: Hien Dang Thi Thu , Huan Hoang Xuan , Hoang Le Xuan Minh
Published: July 2015

Radial Basis Function (RBF) neuron network is being applied widely in multivariate function regression. However, selection of neuron number for hidden layer and definition of suitable centre in order to produce a good regression network are still open problems which have been researched by many people. This article proposes to apply grid equally space nodes as the centre of hidden layer. Then, the authors use k-nearest neighbour method to define the value of regression function at the center and an interpolation RBF network training algorithm with equally spaced nodes to train the network. The experiments show the outstanding efficiency of regression function when the training data has Gauss white noise.
Comprehensive Survey on Metal Artifact Reduction Methods in Computed Tomography Images
Authors: Desai Shrinivas D , Kulkarni Linganagouda
Published: July 2015

Over the past few years, medical imaging technology has significantly advanced. Today, medical imaging modalities have been designed with state-of-the-art technology to provide much better in-depth resolution, reduced artifacts, and improved contrast –to – noise ratio. However in many practical situations complete projection data is not acquired leading to incomplete data problem. When the data is incomplete, tomograms may blur, resolution degrades, noise increases and forms artifacts which is the most important factor in degrading the tomography image quality and eventually hinders diagnostic accuracy. Efficient strategies to address this problem and to improve the diagnostic acceptability of CT images are thus invaluable. This review work, presents comprehensive survey of techniques for minimization of streaking artifact due to metallic implant in CT images. Problematic issues and outlook for the future research are discussed too. The major goal of the paper is to provide a comprehensive reference source for the researchers involved in metal artifact reduction methods.
mir-181a-1/b-1 Modulates Tolerance through Opposing Activities in Selection and Peripheral T Cell Function
Authors: Schaffert Steven A. , Loh Christina , Wang Song , Arnold Christopher P. , Axtell Robert C. , Newell Evan W. , Nolan Garry , Ansel K. Mark , Davis Mark M. , Steinman Lawrence , Chen Chang-Zheng
Published: July 2015

Understanding the consequences of tuning TCR signaling on selection, peripheral T cell function, and tolerance in the context of native TCR repertoires may provide insight into the physiological control of tolerance. In this study, we show that genetic ablation of a natural tuner of TCR signaling, mir-181a-1/b-1, in double-positive thymocytes dampened TCR and Erk signaling and increased the threshold of positive selection. Whereas mir-181a-1/b-1 deletion in mice resulted in an increase in the intrinsic reactivity of naive T cells to self-antigens, it did not cause spontaneous autoimmunity. Loss of mir-181a-1/b-1 dampened the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and reduced basal TCR signaling in peripheral T cells and their migration from lymph nodes to pathogenic sites. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tolerance can be modulated by microRNA gene products through the control of opposing activities in T cell selection and peripheral T cell function.
An Epistatic Interaction between Themis1 and Vav1 Modulates Regulatory T Cell Function and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Development
Authors: Pedros Christophe , Gaud Guillaume , Bernard Isabelle , Kassem Sahar , Chabod Marianne , Lagrange Dominique , Andréoletti Olivier , Dejean Anne S. , Lesourne Renaud , Fournié Gilbert J. , Saoudi Abdelhadi
Published: July 2015

The development of inflammatory diseases depends on complex interactions between several genes and various environmental factors. Discovering new genetic risk factors and understanding the mechanisms whereby they influence disease development is of paramount importance. We previously reported that deficiency in Themis1, a new actor of TCR signaling, impairs regulatory T cell (Treg) function and predisposes Brown–Norway (BN) rats to spontaneous inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we reveal that the epistasis between Themis1 and Vav1 controls the occurrence of these phenotypes. Indeed, by contrast with BN rats, Themis1 deficiency in Lewis rats neither impairs Treg suppressive functions nor induces pathological manifestations. By using congenic lines on the BN genomic background, we show that the impact of Themis1 deficiency on Treg suppressive functions depends on a 117-kb interval coding for a R63W polymorphism that impacts Vav1 expression and functions. Indeed, the introduction of a 117-kb interval containing the Lewis Vav1-R63 variant restores Treg function and protects Themis1-deficient BN rats from spontaneous IBD development. We further show that Themis1 binds more efficiently to the BN Vav1-W63 variant and is required to stabilize its recruitment to the transmembrane adaptor LAT and to fully promote the activation of Erk kinases. Together, these results highlight the importance of the signaling pathway involving epistasis between Themis1 and Vav1 in the control of Treg suppressive function and susceptibility to IBD development.
Histone Deacetylase 3 Is Required for T Cell Maturation
Authors: Hsu Fan-Chi , Belmonte Paul J. , Constans Megan M. , Chen Meibo W. , McWilliams Douglas C. , Hiebert Scott W. , Shapiro Virginia Smith
Published: July 2015

Recent thymic emigrants are newly generated T cells that need to undergo postthymic maturation to gain functional competency and enter the long-lived naive T cell pool. The mechanism of T cell maturation remains incompletely understood. Previously, we demonstrated that the transcriptional repressor NKAP is required for T cell maturation. Because NKAP associates with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), we examined whether HDAC3 is also required for T cell maturation. Although thymic populations are similar in CD4-cre HDAC3 conditional knockout mice compared with wild-type mice, the peripheral numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are dramatically decreased. In the periphery, the majority of HDAC3-deficient naive T cells are recent thymic emigrants, indicating a block in T cell maturation. CD55 upregulation during T cell maturation is substantially decreased in HDAC3-deficient T cells. Consistent with a block in functional maturation, HDAC3-deficient peripheral T cells have a defect in TNF licensing after TCR/CD28 stimulation. CD4-cre HDAC3 conditional knockout mice do not have a defect in intrathymic migration, thymic egress, T cell survival, or homeostasis. In the periphery, similar to immature NKAP-deficient peripheral T cells, HDAC3-deficient peripheral T cells were bound by IgM and complement proteins, leading to the elimination of these cells. In addition, HDAC3-deficient T cells display decreases in the sialic acid modifications on the cell surface that recruit natural IgM to initiate the classical complement pathway. Therefore, HDAC3 is required for T cell maturation.
Densidade básica da madeira de espécies arbóreas de Cerradão no estado de Tocantins
Authors: Silva Carlos José da , Vale Ailton Teixeira do , Miguel Eder Pereira
Published: July 2015

O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a densidade básica de espécies arbóreas da fitofisionomia Cerradão, no domínio do Cerrado no estado do Tocantins, e estabelecer a relação entre a densidade básica da madeira dos troncos em função da densidade básica da madeira dos galhos. Amostras de 80 indivíduos foram coletadas no tronco (base, meio e topo) e galhos (galho grosso, galho médio e galho fino) para determinação da densidade básica. As espécies apresentaram valor médio de 0,650 g cm-3, sendo que para a maioria das espécies (58%) decresceu da base para o topo do tronco. A densidade básica da madeira entre posições axiais do tronco e a densidade básica entre galhos de diferentes diâmetros apresentaram relação significativa. De acordo com os modelos propostos para estimar a densidade do tronco em função da densidade de galhos, a variável densidade do galho médio apresentou o melhor ajuste na equação. As equações desenvolvidas neste trabalho são adequadas para estimativas de biomassa e estoque de carbono de espécies arbóreas da fitofisionomia Cerradão, sem amostragem destrutiva de indivíduos arbóreos.
Influência da taxa de juros e do preço da madeira em modelos de regulação florestal
Authors: Carvalho Kaio Henrique Adame de , Silva Marcio Lopes , Leite Helio Garcia , Binoti Daniel Henrique Breda
Published: July 2015

A regulação da produção florestal é complexa, devido ao grande número de variáveis relacionadas ou envolvidas no processo, sendo que as variáveis econômicas influenciam de forma consistente os resultados dos modelos de regulação. Sendo assim, este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a influência da taxa de juros e do preço da madeira em alguns modelos de regulação florestal. Utilizou-se programação linear em um estudo de caso empregando dados de 10 povoamentos florestais, com a aplicação do software Regulação da Produção Florestal, que foi utilizado também para simular cenários de manejo e planejamento. Todos os povoamentos florestais foram regulados independentemente do método utilizado. Quanto maior o preço da madeira, maior a área de corte anual e menor a idade média de corte. A produção média anual não foi alterada, independente da taxa de juros, do preço da madeira, ou do método utilizado.
Análise quantitativa da vegetação lenhosa da Caatinga em Teixeira, PB
Authors: Leite José Adelmo Nunes , Araujo Lucio Valerio Coutinho , Arriel Eder Ferreira , Chaves Lucia Fatima Carvalho , Nobrega Assiria Maria Ferreira
Published: July 2015

A cobertura vegetal da região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro é compreendida pela caatinga, que é, em grande parte, determinada pelo clima e relevo. A região do município de Teixeira, PB apresenta uma cobertura vegetal de caatinga de porte e densidade diferente das encontradas na Depressão Sertaneja, motivada por maior umidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar os remanescentes florestais do município de Teixeira, PB, por meio de técnicas de geoprocessamento e inventário florestal. Para o mapeamento da vegetação nativa, foram utilizadas imagens de satélites, referentes ao mês de novembro de 2008. Foi realizado inventário florestal com uso de amostragem por parcelas, selecionadas sistematicamente, em um total de 40 unidades amostrais com dimensões de 20 m x 20 m. Foi medida a altura e diâmetro a 1,30 m do solo (DAP) de todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 10 cm. Cada árvore foi identificada pelo seu nome popular e científico. A vegetação arbórea amostrada foi de 4.911 indivíduos, pertencentes a 46 espécies e 24 famílias, o que corresponde a 3.069 indivíduos ha-1. As espécies com maior valor de importância (VI) foram: Croton blanchetianus, Mimosa tenuiflora e Piptadenia stipulacea. As famílias que mais se destacaram foram Euphorbiaceae, Mimosaceae e Caesalpinaceae. O município de Teixeira apresenta áreas mais preservadas nas regiões serranas, de difícil acesso.
Capacidade energética da madeira e da casca de acácia-negra em diferentes espaçamentos
Authors: Eloy Elder , Silva Dimas Agostinho da , Caron Braulio Otomar , Souza Velci Queiróz de
Published: July 2015

O trabalho teve por objetivo realizar a descrição dendroenergética da biomassa de madeira e casca de Acacia mearnsii De Wild. distribuída em dois espaçamentos de plantio: 2,0 m x 1,0 m e 3,0 m x 1,5 m, aos 36 meses após o plantio. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Frederico Westphalen, RS. Determinou-se a biomassa (BIO), poder calorífico superior, massa específica básica, teor de cinzas, material volátil e carbono fixo e a densidade energética (DE) da madeira e da casca. O menor espaçamento de plantio apresenta maior produção de BIO e DE da madeira e casca por unidade de área
Fitossociologia em uma mata de restinga paludosa na Mata do Totó, Pelotas, RS
Authors: Venzke Tiago Schuch Lemos , Herter Gabriel Kaster , Mattei Vilmar Luciano
Published: July 2015

Foi analisada a florística e a estrutura do componente arbóreo de uma mata de restinga paludosa na Praia do Totó, porção sul da Laguna dos Patos, Município de Pelotas, RS, Brasil (31º43’39”S e 52º12’04”W). A amostragem fitossociológica foi realizada em uma área de 0,1 ha. Foram incluídos todos os indivíduos com DAP ≥ 4,8 cm. Foi encontrada uma riqueza de 23 espécies, 20 gêneros e 15 famílias, sendo duas espécies ameaçadas de extinção. A densidade foi estimada em 3.480 ind. ha-1. As espécies mais importantes na estrutura da floresta foram Ocotea sp., Myrcia multiflora, Psidium cattleianum, Ocotea pulchella, Myrsine lorentziana, Citharexyllum myrianthum, Ilex dumosa, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Guapira opposita e Sebastiania brasiliensis. A diversidade (H’) foi de 2,174 nats.ind.-1 enquanto que a equabilidade (J) foi de 0,684. A estrutura da floresta, o número de táxons e a diversidade foram similares aos encontrados em inventários realizados nas matas de restinga paludosa na Planície Costeira do Brasil. Estes parâmetros devem ser considerados no licenciamento ambiental e em projetos de restauração ecológica dessa formação florestal.
Índices espectrais para avaliação da dinâmica sazonal de clorofilas em folhas de Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Goergen Laura Camila de Godoy , Soares Julio Cesar Wincher , Berra Elias Fernando , Brandelero Catize , Pereira Rudiney Soares
Published: July 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de diferentes índices espectrais - MCARI705, R750/R700, R750/R550 e MTCI - na descrição da dinâmica temporal de clorofilas em folhas isoladas de Eucalyptus grandis, para quatro estações climáticas. O trabalho foi realizado com base em três parcelas de 600 m2, em um povoamento com 20 meses de idade. Foram coletadas 15 folhas distribuídas em três camadas da copa, totalizando 45 folhas para cada estação. As leituras espectrorradiométricas foram realizadas com o espectrorradiômetro FieldSpec®3, que recobre a faixa espectral de 350 a 2.500 nm. Foi empregada a análise de variância (ANOVA) e o teste de médias Tukey ao nível de 5% de significância. Para todos os índices espectrais, os valores encontrados na primavera foram diferentes dos encontrados no verão; o mesmo ocorrendo entre outono e inverno.
Estudo da forma do fuste utilizando redes neurais artificiais e funções de afilamento
Authors: Schikowski Ana Beatriz , Dalla Corte Ana Paula , Sanquetta Carlos Roberto
Published: July 2015

As redes neurais artificiais (RNA) possuem grande potencial como alternativa à análise de regressão convencional, dada a capacidade de aprendizado de informações de um conjunto de dados e a generalização desse aprendizado para dados desconhecidos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi utilizar RNAs para a estimativa do diâmetro relativo, volume total e comercial, bem como a comparação do desempenho em relação a funções de afilamento convencionais. Dados provenientes de 47 árvores de Eucalyptus sp. foram utilizados no treinamento e validação das RNAs e no ajuste das funções de afilamento de Hradetzky e Garay. O desempenho das RNAs foi muito semelhante ao das funções de afilamento na estimava do diâmetro relativo. As estimativas de volume total e comercial com RNAs se mostraram mais precisas e com menor dispersão dos resíduos que Hradetzky e Garay. RNAs se mostraram acuradas e adequadas para a estimativa de diâmetro relativo e volume.
Boundary layer new particle formation over East Antarctic sea ice – possible Hg driven nucleation?
Authors: Humphries R. S. , Schofield R. , Keywood M. , Ward J. , Pierce J. R. , Gionfriddo C. M. , Tate M. , Krabbenhoft D. , Galbally I. E. , Molloy S. B. , Klekociuk A. , Johnston P. V. , Kreher K. , Thomas A. J. , Robinson A. D. , Harris N. R. P. , Johnson R. , Wilson S. R.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Aerosol observations above the Southern Ocean and Antarctic sea ice are scarce. Measurements of aerosols and atmospheric composition were made in East Antarctic pack ice on-board the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis during the spring of 2012. One particle formation event was observed during the 32 days of observations. This event occurred on the only day to exhibit extended periods of global irradiance in excess of 600 W m−2. Within the single air-mass influencing the measurements, number concentrations of particles larger than 3 nm (CN3) reached almost 7700 cm−3 within a few hours of clouds clearing, and grew at rates of 5.6 nm h−1. Formation rates of 3 nm particles were in the range of those measured at other Antarctic locations at 0.2–1.1 ± 0.1 cm−3 s−1. Our investigations into the nucleation chemistry found that there were insufficient precursor concentrations for known halogen or organic chemistry to explain the nucleation event. Modelling studies utilising known sulfuric acid nucleation schemes could not simultaneously reproduce both particle formation or growth rates. Surprising correlations with Total Gaseous Mercury (TGM) were found that, together with other data, suggest a mercury driven photochemical nucleation mechanism may be responsible for aerosol nucleation. Given the very low vapour pressures of the mercury species involved, this nucleation chemistry is likely only possible where pre-existing aerosol concentrations are low and both TGM concentrations and solar radiation levels are relatively high (~ 1.5 ng m−3 and ≥ 600 W m−2, respectively), such as those observed in the Antarctic sea ice boundary layer in this study or in the global free-troposphere, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
A tree-ring perspective on temporal changes in the frequency and intensity of hydroclimatic extremes in the territory of the Czech Republic since 761 AD
Authors: Dobrovolný P. , Rybníček M. , Kolář T. , Brázdil R. , Trnka M. , Büntgen U.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. It is generally accepted that anthropogenic-induced climate change may affect the frequency and intensity of hydrological extremes, together with a variety of subsequent impacts on ecosystems and human society. Proxy records that are absolutely dated and annually resolved are indispensable to a better understanding of temporal changes in the occurrence of floods and droughts. This contribution presents a new dataset of 3194 oak (Quercus spp.) ring width samples from living trees and historical timbers, collected across the Czech Republic. A composite tree-ring width (TRW) chronology is developed that best captures the high-frequency extremes over the past 1250 years. The temporal distribution of negative and positive extremes is regular with no indication of clustering. The highest number of negative extremes was found in the 19th century, while positive extremes were most frequent in the 12th century. The lowest number of negative and positive extremes occurred in the 18th and 13th centuries respectively. Negative and positive TRW extremes were compared with the instrumental measurements back to 1805 AD, with documentary-based temperature and precipitation reconstructions from 1804 to 1500, and with documentary evidence before 1500 AD. Negative TRW extremes coincided with above-average March–May and June–August temperature means and below-average precipitation totals. Positive extremes coincided with higher summer precipitation, while temperatures were mostly normal. Mean sea level pressure (SLP) over the European/North Atlantic sector suggested drought for the negative oak TRW extremes, whereas the positive extremes corresponded to wetter conditions overall. More consistent patterns of synoptic SLP were found for negative rather than for positive extremes. Reasons for the possible offset between the oak-based hydroclimatic extremes and their counterparts from meteorological observations and documentary evidence may be manifold and emphasize the need for multi-proxy approaches and proxy-model comparisons.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Educational Issues, Vol. 1, No. 1
Authors: Ann Priscilla
Published: July 2015

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Educational Issues, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2015.
Incorporating Agroecology Into Organic Research –An Ongoing Challenge
Authors: Niggli Urs
Published: July 2015

Agroecology – as a scientific discipline and as an approach to sustainable farming practice – has objectives similar to those of organic agriculture. The paper sharpens the profile of both concepts and identifies strengths and weaknesses. The overarching challenge of both is to minimize trade-offs between food and fiber production on the one hand and non-commodity ecosystem services on the other hand. A comparison of the two approaches may well be inspiring, especially for the future development of organic food systems.

Best use of human, social and natural capital characterizes organic farmers, especially in developing countries, as documented by many case studies from sub-Saharan Africa. That also applies to organic farms in temperate zones, although usually more external inputs are used in organic farming there. While the profitability of organic farms is comparable to or slightly higher than that of conventional ones, per area food production is lower by an average of 20 to 25 percent in temperate zones. Overly restrictive production standards are often mentioned as the cause, but also a lag in production techniques. One of the main approaches of organic agriculture to augment productivity is ecological or eco-functional intensification. Thereby, the goal is to maintain the ecological and social qualities of the farms and to increase food output. The future development of organic agriculture can be characterized by a comprehensive culture of innovation embracing social, ecological and technological innovations. Such a concept of innovation includes dynamic interactions between farmers and scientists in order to strengthen system resilience and make better use of basic research from a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Acute cold stress and mild hypothermia impact on short-term, working memory and attention
Authors: Paulauskas Henrikas , Brazaitis Marius , Mickevičienė Dalia , Pukėnas Kazimieras , Eimantas Nerijus
Published: July 2015

The effect of single acute cold water exposure on the cognitive function (short-term, working memory and attention) was examined in 25 male subjects who were exposed to 14 °C cold water (air temperature ~22 °C, rh ~45%) in the semi-recumbent posture (up to the shoulders) until the rectal temperature (Tre) dropped to 35.5 °C. 6 subjects were excluded from the study, because we do not reach a necessary condition to drop their (Tre) to 35.5 °C in 170 minutes during a passive cooling procedure. During the cold exposure rectal (Tre), skin (Tsk) temperatures, heart rate (HR) were measured and cold strain (CSI) was calculated. A cognitive test battery (EFFECTON-COLD) was administrated two times (randomized): as a control measurement (CONTROL) and after the single acute cold water exposure (COLD). After COLD Tre and Tsk significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The average of HR and COLD time was 82.61 ± 4.09 and 93.68 ± 8.66, respectively. The COLD induced CSI resulted as high cold strain (7.02 ± 0.22). The present study manifested that mild hypothermia and high cold strain experienced in humans during acute cold stress, impair memory and attention tests performance in more complex tasks (tasks requiring working memory, attention concentration, sustention and speed of information processing) while simple tasks remain unaffected (tasks requiring short-term memory and attention concentration for fast response).
Investigation of some wild annual vetch (Vicia L.)
Authors: Maršalkienė Nijolė
Published: July 2015

Investigation of annual vetch (Vicia villosa Roth., V. angustifolia L., V. hirsuta Gray) cenopopulations has been carried out since 1998. Gene fund is being collected, morphobiochemical characteristics and adaptive potential are being studied. Plant mass, stem, leaf and inflorescence ratio in the mass and crude protein content have been measured. Plant growth phonological stages are recorded. Diseases and damage done have been described. Experiments have shown that by preserving the characteristics specific to the cenopopulations the tested species (Vicia villosa Roth, V. angustifolia L., V. hirsuta Gray) readily adapt to different year diverse ecological conditions. V. villosa was distinguished for the largest biodiversity. Averaged data suggest that according to the crude protein content in the plant aboveground mass, the stem, leaf and inflorescence ratio in the plant mass of V. villosa and some samples of V. angustifolia were more valuable than in that of cultivated V. sativa. For detailed tests and application in plant breeding cenopopulations were selected according to earliness of flowering, productivity, crude protein content, and disease resistance.
Effect of biopreparations on seed germination and fungal contamination of winter wheat
Authors: Pekarskas Juozas , Sinkevičienė Jolanta
Published: July 2015

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of different biopreparations on the germination energy, germination and fungal infection of ecological winter wheat seeds. Germination energy and germination of winter wheat seeds were determined after 24, 480 and 960 h, while fungal infection after 24 and 960 h of their treatment. In the studies biopreparations Biokal 1 (10 l t–1), Biokal 2 (10 l t–1), Biojodis (2 l t–1) and Penergetic-p for roots (100 ml t–1) were used. It was found that the values of germination energy and germination of winter wheat treated with the biopreparations after 480 h increased by 4.45 and 0.62%, as compared to treated seeds after 24  h. After 960  h of treatment the value of germination energy, as compared to seeds treated after 480 h, decreased insignificantly, while the germination of seeds has reliably decreased by 0.84%, as compared to treated seeds after 24 h, the value of germination energy was by 3.45% higher, but no significant decrease in germination was ascertained. Biojodis after 24 h of the treatment was the most reliable in reducing wheat infection with the fungi of Fusarium, Alternaria, while Biokal 1 with Penicillium genera. The studied biopreparations after 960 h were insufficiently effective or had no influence at all on the development and spreading of fungi. The diseases of coleoptiles and roots of winter wheat after 24 h and 960 h were most reliably prevented by the biopreparation Biokal 2.
The impact of different levels of sodium chloride on the quantitative changes of chlorophyll and carotenoids in chloroplasts of Elodea canadensis (Michx. 1803)
Authors: Petjukevičs Aleksandrs , Batjuka Anna , Škute Nataļja
Published: July 2015

In this study we used spectrophotometry to investigate the effect of negative concentrations of sodium chloride ions on photosynthetic pigments in Elodea canadensis (Michx. 1803). The concentrations of pigments, carotenoids, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, in plant leaves provide information about the physiological state of plants and were determined using a spectrophotometer. Quantity and dynamics analyses of photosynthetic pigments are effective methods which allow determining changes in metabolites of plant cells even at insignificant cellular damage. During this research photosynthetic pigments in leaves were obtained at the different sodium chloride levels: 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 M. The results of this research indicate that these types of stressors at high concentrations: 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0  M after a prolonged time of impact on plant leaves lead to a decrease of photosynthetic pigments and inhibit growth and development of a plant as a whole.
Le routier de Piarres Detcheverry, 1677. Un aperçu de la présence basque dans la baie des Chaleurs au XVIIe siècle
Authors: Loewen Brad , Egaña Goya Miren
Published: July 2015

Le routier en langue basque de Piarres Detcheverry, publié à Bayonne en 1677, contient des descriptions de la pointe de la péninsule gaspésienne et surtout la baie des Chaleurs. L’examen de ces passages, accompagnés de leur traduction, révèle un portrait inédit de la présence basque dans ces régions. La conjoncture des pêches basques en Nouvelle-France dans la seconde moitié du XVIIe siècle forme le contexte historique du routier. L’ouvrage contient aussi des indices de rapports entre Basques et Autochtones, à partir d’une toponymie majoritairement micmaque pour les lieux d’établissement basque. On peut enfin se demander pourquoi les écrits français n’ont pas mis plus en lumière cette présence basque. Nous proposons que la nationalité espagnole de plusieurs de ces pêcheurs a contribué à leur faible visibilité dans les archives coloniales, dans un contexte historique où décrire l’Autre légitimait sa présence.
Erk regulation of actin capping and bundling by Eps8 promotes cortex tension and leader bleb-based migration
Authors: Logue Jeremy S , Cartagena-Rivera Alexander X , Baird Michelle A , Davidson Michael W , Chadwick Richard S , Waterman Clare M
Published: July 2015

Within the confines of tissues, cancer cells can use blebs to migrate. Eps8 is an actin bundling and capping protein whose capping activity is inhibited by Erk, a key MAP kinase that is activated by oncogenic signaling. We tested the hypothesis that Eps8 acts as an Erk effector to modulate actin cortex mechanics and thereby mediate bleb-based migration of cancer cells. Cells confined in a non-adhesive environment migrate in the direction of a very large ‘leader bleb.’ Eps8 bundling activity promotes cortex tension and intracellular pressure to drive leader bleb formation. Eps8 capping and bundling activities act antagonistically to organize actin within leader blebs, and Erk mediates this effect. An Erk biosensor reveals concentrated kinase activity within leader blebs. Bleb contents are trapped by the narrow neck that separates the leader bleb from the cell body. Thus, Erk activity promotes actin bundling by Eps8 to enhance cortex tension and drive the bleb-based migration of cancer cells under non-adhesive confinement.
Vulcanization Kinetics and Mechanical Properties of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Thermal Insulation
Authors: Fathurrohman Mohamad Irfan , Maspanger Dadi Rusadi , Sutrisno Sutrisno
Published: July 2015

The vulcanization kinetics of Ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber thermal insulation was studied by using rheometer under isothermal condition at different temperatures. The rheometry analysis was used to determining the cure kinetic parameters and predicting the cure time of EPDM thermal insulation. The experimental results revealed that the curing curves of EPDM thermal insulation were marching and the optimum curing time decreased with increasing the temperature. The kinetic parameters were determined from the autocatalytic model showed close fitting with the experimental results, indicating suitability of autocatalytic model in characterizing the cure kinetics. The activation energy was determined from the autocatalytic model is 46.3661 kJ mol-1. The cure time were predicted from autocatalytic model and the obtained kinetic parameter by using the relationship among degree of conversion, cure temperature, and cure time. The predictions of cure time provide information for the actual curing characteristic of EPDM thermal insulation. The mechanical properties of EPDM thermal insulation with different vulcanization temperatures showed the same hardness, tensile strength and modulus at 300%, except at temperature 70 °C, while the elongation at breaking point decreased with increasing temperature of vulcanization. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Optimizing an Industrial Scale Naphtha Catalytic Reforming Plant Using a Hybrid Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm Technique
Authors: Sadighi Sepehr , Mohaddecy Reza Seif , Norouzian Ali
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a hybrid model for estimating the activity of a commercial Pt-Re/Al2O3 catalyst in an industrial scale heavy naphtha catalytic-reforming unit (CRU) is presented. This model is also capable of predicting research octane number (RON) and yield of gasoline. In the proposed model, called DANN, the decay function of heterogeneous catalysts is combined with a recurrent-layer artificial neural network. During a life cycle (919 days), fifty-eight points are selected for building and training the DANN (60%), nineteen data points for testing (20%), and the remained ones for validating steps. Results show that DANN can acceptably estimate the activity of catalyst during its life in consideration of all process variables. Moreover, it is confirmed that the proposed model is capable of predicting RON and yield of gasoline for unseen (validating) data with AAD% (average absolute deviation) of 0.272% and 0.755%, respectively. After validating the model, the octane barrel level (OCB) of the plant is maximized by manipulating the inlet temperature of reactors, and hydrogen to hydrocarbon molar ratio whilst all process limitations are taken into account. During a complete life cycle results show that the decision variables, generated by the optimization program, can increase the RON, process yield and OCB of CRU to about 1.15%, 3.21%, and 4.56%, respectively. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Time, Temperature and Amount of Distilled Water Effects on the Purity and Yield of Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate Purification System
Authors: Goh H. W. , Salmiaton A. , Abdullah N. , Idris A.
Published: July 2015

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle is one of the common plastic wastes existed in the municipal solid waste in Malaysia. One alternative to solve the abundant of PET wastes is chemical recycling of the wastes to produce a value added product. This technology not only can decrease the PET wastes in landfill sites but also can produce many useful recycled PET products. Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) obtained from glycolysis reaction of PET waste was purified using crystallization process. The hot distilled water was added to glycolysis product followed by cooling and filtration to extract BHET in white solid form from the product. The effect of three operating conditions namely crystallization time, crystallization temperatures and amount of distilled water used to the yield of crystallization process were investigated. The purity of crystallization products were analyzed using HPLC and DSC. The optimum conditions of 3 hours crystallization time, 2 °C crystallization temperature and 5:1 mass ratio of distilled water used to glycolize solid gave the highest yield and purity of the crystallization process. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Experimental Study and Kinetic Modeling of Decoking of Pacol Process Dehydrogenation Catalyst
Authors: Toghyani M. , Rahimi A. , Mamanpoush M. , Kazemian R. , Harandizadeh A. H.
Published: July 2015

The Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst life time was limited by the formation of coke on the external and internal surfaces of catalyst in dehydrogenation reactors. The kinetics of decoking of dehydrogenation catalyst was studied in a pilot scale fixed bed reactor experimentally. The effects of temperature, oxygen concentration and other operating conditions on decoking process were investigated. A kinetic model was deve-loped to describe the decoking of mentioned catalyst. An objective function was defined as the sum of squares of the deviations among the calculated and plant data. Accordingly the appropriate values were found in order to minimize this function. It was concluded that there was a good agreement between simulation results and experimental data. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Facile Oxidative Desulfurisation of Benzothiophene Using Polyoxometalate H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr Catalyst
Authors: Aldes Lesbani Aldes Lesbani , Agnes Agnes , Saragih Randi O. , Verawaty Marieska , Mohadi Risfidian , Zulkifli Hilda
Published: July 2015

A highly active catalyst H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr based polyoxometalete Keggin type was prepared by wet impregnation method and was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, surface textural property by SEM, and analysis of porosity by BET method. H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr was successfully synthesized and showed uniform properties with block solid structure which was applied as heterogeneous stable catalyst for oxidative desulfurization of benzothiophene under simple and mild condition using H2O2 as oxidant. Facile conversion of benzothiophene to sulfone by using heterogeneus H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr catalyst up to 99% was observed to show the active catalytically. Keggin H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr cage structure after reaction was different from fresh catalyst which was indicated by the instability of H4[α-SiW12O40]/Zr  under reaction condition. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Catalytic Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid in Water into g-Valerolactone over Bulk Structure of Inexpensive Intermetallic Ni-Sn Alloy Catalysts
Authors: Rodiansono Rodiansono , Astuti Maria Dewi , Ghofur Abdul , Sembiring Kiky C.
Published: July 2015

A bulk structure of inexpensive intermetallic nickel-tin (Ni-Sn) alloys catalysts demonstrated highly selective in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid in water into g-valerolactone. The intermetallic Ni-Sn catalysts were synthesized via a very simple thermochemical method from non-organometallic precursor at low temperature followed by hydrogen treatment at 673 K for 90 min. The molar ratio of nickel salt and tin salt was varied to obtain the corresponding Ni/Sn ratio of 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.5, and 0.75. The formation of Ni-Sn alloy species was mainly depended on the composition and temperature of H2 treatment. Intermetallics Ni-Sn that contain Ni3Sn, Ni3Sn2, and Ni3Sn4 alloy phases are known to be effective heterogeneous catalysts for levulinic acid hydrogenation giving very excellence g-valerolactone yield of >99% at 433 K, initial H2 pressure of 4.0 MPa within 6 h. The effective hydrogenation was obtained in H2O without the formation of by-product. Intermetallic Ni-Sn(1.5) that contains Ni3Sn2 alloy species demonstrated very stable and reusable catalyst without any significant loss of its selectivity. © 2015 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Preface, BCREC Vol. 10 No. 2 Year 2015
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: July 2015

Preface, BCREC Vol. 10 No. 2 Year 2015
Backmatter (Publication Ethics, Copyright Transfer Agreement for Publishing Form)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: July 2015

Backmatter (Publication Ethics, Copyright Transfer Agreement for Publishing Form)
Very low latitude (L = 1.08) whistlers and correlation with lightning activity
Authors: Gokani Sneha A. , Singh Rajesh , Cohen Morris B. , Kumar Sushil , Venkatesham K. , Maurya Ajeet K. , Selvakumaran R. , Lichtenberger J.
Published: July 2015

We present analysis of more than 2000 lightning‐generated whistlers recorded at a low‐latitude station, located at Allahabad (geographic latitude, 25.40°N; geographic longitude, 81.93°E; L = 1.081), India, during December 2010 to November 2011. The main focus of this work is on the correlation between observed low‐latitude whistlers and lightning activity detected by the World‐Wide Lightning Location Network near the conjugate point (geography 9.87°S, 83.59°E) of Allahabad. Whistler occurrence is higher in the postmidnight period as compared to the premidnight period. Whistlers were observed in the daytime only on 2 days that too before 8:30 LT (morning). Seasonally, occurrence is maximum during winter months, which is due to more lightning activity in the conjugate region and favorable ionospheric conditions. About 63% of whistlers were correlated with lightning strokes in the vicinity of the conjugate point within spatial extent of 1000 km (conjugate area). Most (about 53%) whistlers were found to be associated with lightning strokes that were offset to the southeast of the conjugate point. The results indicate that an energy range of 7.5–17.5 kJ of lightning strokes generate most of whistlers at this station. The L shell calculations show that propagation paths of the observed whistlers were embedded in the topside ionosphere. Based on these results we suggest a possibility of ducted mode of propagation even for such very low latitude whistlers.
THEMIS two‐point measurements of the cross‐tail current density: A thick bifurcated current sheet in the near‐Earth plasma sheet
Authors: Saito Miho
Published: July 2015

The basic properties of the near‐Earth current sheet from 8 RE to 12 RE were determined based on Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) observations from 2007 to 2013. Ampere's law was used to estimate the current density when the locations of two spacecraft were suitable for the calculation. A total of 3838 current density observations were obtained to study the vertical profile. For typical solar wind conditions, the current density near (off) the central plane of the current sheet ranged from 1 to 2 nA/m2 (1 to 8 nA/m2). All the high current densities appeared off the central plane of the current sheet, indicating the formation of a bifurcated current sheet structure when the current density increased above 2 nA/m2. The median profile also showed a bifurcated structure, in which the half thickness was about 3 RE. The distance between the peak of the current density and the central plane of the current sheet was 0.5 to 1 RE. High current densities above 4 nA/m2 were observed in some cases that occurred preferentially during substorms, but they also occurred in quiet times. In contrast to the commonly accepted picture, these high current densities can form without a high solar wind dynamic pressure. In addition, these high current densities can appear in two magnetic configurations: tail‐like and dipolar structures. At least two mechanisms, magnetic flux depletion and new current system formation during the expansion phase, other than plasma sheet compression are responsible for the formation of the bifurcated current sheets.
Niobium Nitride Nb4N5 as a New High‐Performance Electrode Material for Supercapacitors
Authors: Cui Houlei , Zhu Guilian , Liu Xiangye , Liu Fengxin , Xie Yian , Yang Chongyin , Lin Tianquan , Gu Hui , Huang Fuqiang
Published: July 2015

Supercapacitors suffer either from low capacitance for carbon or derivate electrodes or from poor electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability for metal oxide or conducting polymer electrodes. Transition metal nitrides possess fair electrical conductivity but superior chemical stability, which may be desirable candidates for supercapacitors. Herein, niobium nitride, Nb4N5, is explored to be an excellent capacitive material for the first time. An areal capacitance of 225.8 mF cm−2, with a reasonable rate capability (60.8% retention from 0.5 to 10 mA cm−2) and cycling stability (70.9% retention after 2000 cycles), is achieved in Nb4N5 nanochannels electrode with prominent electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity. Faradaic pseudocapacitance is confirmed by the mechanistic studies, deriving from the proton incorporation/chemisorption reaction owing to the copious +5 valence Nb ions in Nb4N5. Moreover, this Nb4N5 nanochannels electrode with an ultrathin carbon coating exhibits nearly 100% capacitance retention after 2000 CV cycles, which is an excellent cycling stability for metal nitride materials. Thus, the Nb4N5 nanochannels are qualified for a candidate for supercapacitors and other energy storage applications.
Isotopic Exchange in Porous and Dense Magnesium Borohydride
Authors: Zavorotynska Olena , Deledda Stefano , Li Guanqiao , Matsuo Motoaki , Orimo Shin‐ichi , Hauback Bjørn C.
Published: July 2015

Magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH4)2) is one of the most promising complex hydrides presently studied for energy‐related applications. Many of its properties depend on the stability of the BH4− anion. The BH4− stability was investigated with respect to H→D exchange. In situ Raman measurements on high‐surface‐area porous Mg(BH4)2 in 0.3 MPa D2 have shown that the isotopic exchange at appreciable rates occurs already at 373 K. This is the lowest exchange temperature observed in stable borohydrides. Gas–solid isotopic exchange follows the BH4−+D.→BH3D−+H. mechanism at least at the initial reaction steps. Ex situ deuteration of porous Mg(BH4)2 and its dense‐phase polymorph indicates that the intrinsic porosity of the hydride is the key behind the high isotopic exchange rates. It implies that the solid‐state H(D) diffusion is considerably slower than the gas–solid H→D exchange reaction at the surface and it is a rate‐limiting steps for hydrogen desorption and absorption in Mg(BH4)2.
Barrierless Single‐Electron‐Induced cis–trans Isomerization
Authors: Klaiman Shachar , Cederbaum Lorenz S.
Published: July 2015

Lowering the activation energy of a chemical reaction is an essential part in controlling chemical reactions. By attaching a single electron, a barrierless path for the cis–trans isomerization of maleonitrile on the anionic surface is formed. The anionic activation can be applied in both reaction directions, yielding the desired isomer. We identify the microscopic mechanism that leads to the formation of the barrierless route for the electron‐induced isomerization. The generalization to other chemical reactions is discussed.