bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimates of concrete transport properties by a two pressure water test
Authors: Yang Kai
Published: November 2015

The two-pressure-head sharp front (SF) model for unsaturated water transport was established to investigate the effects of drying temperature on the permeation properties of concrete. The proposed approach is capable of separating variations of obtained permeation properties caused by changes in moisture contents and/or microstructure. To verify this, two concretes with water/cement ratios of 0·65 and 0·35 were made. After curing, concrete samples were dried at four different temperatures ranging from 20°C to 105°C for 14 d. Sorptivity and water permeability were determined by the surface-mounted test through the SF model, as well as the standard water penetration method. The results show that an increase in drying temperature led to monotonic increases in sorptivity. Water permeability remained stable when the drying temperature was less than 40°C, but a significant increase was observed at temperatures beyond 60°C. The proposed method is a powerful tool that can be used to acquire variations in sorptivity and permeability before and after heat treatments, especially for the permeation properties of surface concrete.
Moisture movement in early-age concrete under cement hydration and environmental drying
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Jiahe , Gao Yuan
Published: November 2015

This paper focuses on improving the knowledge of moisture movement and simulation of concrete at early age. In the modelling, self-desiccation due to cement hydration and the non-linear moisture capacity of cementitious materials are considered. A model based on the degree of cement hydration is used to model the reduction in internal relative humidity due to cement hydration. A three-parameter model that is suited to a wide range of water-to-binder ratios of concrete is used to simulate moisture capacity. To verify the model, a series of tests to measure the internal relative humidity of three kinds of concrete under drying and sealing conditions is conducted. Through comparing the model and test results of humidity profiles, the moisture-dependent diffusivity of the three concretes is obtained. Owing to adequate consideration being given in the model to both moisture loss resulting from cement hydration and moisture capacity, the moisture diffusivity of the concrete obtained is less than that determined in previous investigations. The developed moisture movement model and finite-difference method can predict well the moisture distribution and its variations with time.
Evaluation of fire performance of prefabricated concrete buildings in Turkey
Authors: Arslan Musa Hakan , Erdoğan Özgür , Köken Ali , Erkan İbrahim Hakkı , Doğan Gamze
Published: November 2015

Two different large-scale industrial structures that were destroyed by fires in 2011 and 2012 in Turkey were examined. The structural framework in the first structure was constructed as prefabricated concrete, while a prefabricated concrete–steel (hybrid) was the structural framework in the second. The post-fire performance of the structures was evaluated according to the structural system properties of the buildings and tests on concrete core and steel reinforcement samples obtained from the structures. Since the fire durations of the two buildings examined were slightly different, in addition to the structural framework differences, material test results were comparatively interpreted for the two structures. The concrete used in the building exposed to the longer fire duration suffered a substantial loss in mechanical properties, the concrete cover in the reinforced concrete elements failed completely, and there was a significant loss in the yield strength of the steel reinforcement. In the second structure, which experienced a fire of shorter duration, although the concrete cover had failed similarly to the first case, there was not a substantial loss in the mechanical properties of the reinforcement and concrete. It was observed that damage to the steel structural framework in the second structure (a prefabricated concrete–steel hybrid) triggered damage in the prefabricated concrete system. The precautions that need to be taken in terms of fire, especially in industrial structures, were evaluated based on either the load-carrying system or the section, and suggestions for improvements are made.
Impact vibration test of monopile foundation model in dry sand
Authors: Hanssen Stian Baardsgaard , Eiksund Gudmund , Nordal Steinar
Published: November 2015

Measurements on full-scale offshore wind turbines have shown that the horizontal foundation stiffness for monopiles is underpredicted by current design methods. This paper presents a 1:20 model scale test of a monopile foundation for offshore wind turbines, installed in dry laboratory sand. The test is performed under fully controlled laboratory conditions, with low-stress soil effects minimised by overburden pressures applied by a vacuum system. Soil–pile interaction stiffness is indirectly measured by eigenfrequencies in a free vibration test, with vibration initiated by a horizontal impact load to the top of the pile. The purpose of the test is to provide a benchmark for evaluation of calculation methods for laterally loaded monopile foundations. Results for system eigenfrequency and system damping are presented along with measurements of small-strain stiffness for the laboratory sand. Pile displacement profiles are derived for different oscillation amplitudes, on the basis of a numerical beam model, accelerometer and strain gauge measurements. A relationship between small-strain soil stiffness and eigenfrequency is identified. The measured system eigenfrequencies and system damping are found to depend on the applied surcharge pressure and the displacement amplitude.
Experience with a dual pore pressure element piezoball
Authors: Colreavy Cathal , O'Loughlin Conleth D. , Randolph Mark F.
Published: November 2015

Piezoballs, which are full-flow ball penetrometers incorporating pore pressure measurements, are an attractive soft soil characterisation tool as they allow measurement of the intact and remoulded strength and the consolidation coefficient in a single test. The merit of full-flow penetrometers as a reliable tool that is superior to the cone in quantifying the strength of soft clay is gaining acceptance. Much of the recent focus on piezoballs has been on the pore pressure measurement location. Prompted by recent studies that highlight the merit of measuring pore pressure concurrently at more than one measurement location, this paper considers a new centrifuge-scale piezoball, with simultaneous pore pressure measurement at the equator and mid-face positions. Results from centrifuge tests in normally consolidated kaolin clay form the basis for the examination and yield coefficients of consolidation that are consistent with values derived using a number of different methods. Although the mid-face position appears to be the more sensible pore pressure measurement position for dissipation tests, consideration of the values measured at both positions provide strong indications of the drainage response during penetration that is shown in the paper to be important for deriving coefficients of consolidation from subsequent dissipation phases.
Effect of footing shape on penetration in sand overlying clay
Authors: Hu Pan , Stanier Sam A. , Wang Dong , Cassidy Mark J.
Published: November 2015

This paper reports on a series of centrifuge model tests investigating the effect of shape on the penetration resistance of spudcan and conical footings on sand overlying clay. The effect of footing shape and geometry on single-layer soil has been studied intensely. However, there is still limited understanding for conical footings on sand over clay. In the present study, digital images were captured during penetration of various shapes of half-footing held against a transparent window of a strongbox. The images were then analysed using particle image velocimetry techniques. Experimental evidence has shown that, irrespective of the conical angle of the underside within the range of 7–21°, when the footing penetrates through sand into an underlying clay layer: (a) accumulated radial and deviatoric shear strains along the future failure surface counteract each other, resulting in similar peak resistance in the sand layer and (b) a trapped sand plug of constant height is pushed into the underlying clay layer. These observations serve to justify the previously proposed methods for predicting the full penetration resistance profile on sand overlying clay, which is required to predict the potential for, and severity of, punch-through failure.
Area-selective epoxy coatings by DBD-PECVD in 3D cavities for protein coupling
Authors: Herrmann Annika , Lachmann Kristina , Fischer Lisa , Kovac Janez , Thomas Michael
Published: November 2015

Biofunctional coatings containing epoxy groups coatings were deposited on selective areas on the inner surfaces of three-dimensional (3D) cavities using a chemical vapor deposition process activated by a dielectric barrier discharge. The binding capacity of plasma polymers to proteins was analyzed. The chemical functionalization was carried out using glycidyl methacrylate as a precursor. Thin coatings with a high density of epoxy groups were achieved which form the basis to bind proteins. Using a specially developed electrode, geometry coatings were deposited in the form of four parallel rectangular bands of identical dimensions along the inner surface of a polypropylene syringe. The chemical composition was analyzed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. To prove the reactivity of the coatings, these were exposed to hydrochloric acid vapors which cause an opening of the ring of the epoxy group. Resulting OH groups were also determined by the ATR-FTIR measurements. For evaluation, samples were incubated in bovine serum albumin solution and afterward colored by Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250. Proteins, immobilized on the coating, were detected by an immunoglobulin G antibody coupled with horseradish peroxidase. Visualization was performed by using 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine solution. The results show a great potential of atmospheric-pressure plasma processes for generating chemically reactive area-selective coatings on 3D substrates to achieve a coupling of biomolecules to polymer surfaces.
Autogenous shrinkage of concrete with design strength 60–120 N/mm2
Authors: Yoo Doo-Yeol , Min Kyung-Hwan , Lee Joo-Ha , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: November 2015

It is well known that autogenous shrinkage of high strength concrete (HSC) with a low water-to-binder ratio (W/B) is a major contributor to premature shrinkage cracking, which reduces the durability, strength and aesthetics of concrete structures. For concrete containing silica fume and having a low W/B, it is essential to accurately predict the autogenous shrinkage behaviour. In order to investigate the autogenous shrinkage behaviour of HSC, very high strength concrete (VHSC) and ultra high strength concrete (UHSC), five different W/B (0·3, 0·25, 0·2, 0·16 and 0·12) were studied in this work. To estimate the influence of admixtures on UHSC with W/B less than 0·2, fly ash (FA) and granulated blast-furnace slag (BFS) were added (0, 10, 20% and 0, 15, 30% by weight of total binder respectively). The experimental results and published data relevant to autogenous shrinkage were predicted using five different models for various grades of concrete. The test results showed that the largest amount of autogenous shrinkage was observed at W/B = 0·16, and additions of both of FA and BFS reduced autogenous shrinkage. The Eurocode 2 model and the Jonasson and Hedlund model substantially underestimated autogenous shrinkage of UHSC below W/B = 0·2, whereas the JSCE model and Dilger and Wang model overestimated the results for HSC and VHSC.
Some characteristics of fibre-reinforced semi-lightweight concrete with unexpanded perlite
Authors: Okuyucu Dilek , Turanlı Lütfullah , Uzal Burak , Tankut Tuğrul
Published: November 2015

Lightweight aggregate concrete is not a new invention of modern concrete technology, but dates back even to before the Christian era. Natural aggregates like scoria or pumice were utilised in masterpieces such as Babylon of the Sumerians, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul or the Pantheon of the Romans. The demand for lightweight aggregate concrete increased over time because of its advantages, specifically properties such as its thermal insulating properties and low density. It has also become an important structural material in off-shore construction during recent years. A comprehensive study was carried out in METU Mechanics of Materials Laboratory in order to investigate some characteristics of fibre-reinforced semi-lightweight concrete for seismic strengthening purposes of reinforced concrete framed structures. Semi-lightweight concrete containing unexpanded perlite, both as lightweight aggregate and as a supplementary cementing material, was reinforced by polypropylene and steel fibres, separately. Compressive strength, split tensile strength and modulus of elasticity measurements were carried out on cylinder specimens. Steel-mesh-reinforced semi-lightweight concrete plates were also tested as reference specimens for the toughness test and the results were compared with those for fibre-reinforced semi-lightweight concrete plates. Cylinder test results indicated a considerable increase in 28-day compressive strength in the case of unexpanded perlite powder replacement; while providing lower tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. Toughness test results indicated the superiority of polypropylene fibre-reinforced semi-lightweight concrete for seismic strengthening purposes in the case of fibre utilisation.
Effect of polypropylene fibres on the shrinkage cracking behaviour of lightweight concrete
Authors: Daneti Saradhi Babu , Wee Tiong-Huan , Thangayah Tamilselvan s/o
Published: November 2015

A study has been carried out to understand the effect of polypropylene fibres on the shrinkage cracking behaviour of lightweight concrete using a restrained ring test. Polypropylene fibres of 0 to 1·0% by volume in lightweight aggregate concrete and 0 to 2% by volume in foamed concrete were used. Steel and alkali-resistant glass fibres of 0·5% by volume were also used in the lightweight aggregate concrete for comparison. The effect of fibres on compressive and tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, flexural toughness and free shrinkage properties are also studied. The results indicate that the polypropylene fibres have less influence on the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and free shrinkage of lightweight aggregate concrete and foamed concrete. However, the addition of fibres resulted in an increase in the tensile strength in both the concretes. Polypropylene fibres have shown comparable performance in improving toughness in both lightweight aggregate concrete and foamed concrete, while a significant effect in enhancing the flexural toughness and controlling shrinkage cracking behaviour was observed with an increase in the fibre content. At comparable polypropylene fibre percent, flexural toughness and shrinkage cracking resistance of lightweight concrete were found to be lower than that of normal weight concrete. Among the different fibres used in lightweight aggregate concrete, steel and glass fibres have exhibited better and poorer performance than polypropylene fibre, respectively in terms of flexural toughness and shrinkage cracking behaviour.
Rheological concrete creep prediction model for prestressed concrete bridges constructed by the free cantilever method
Authors: Yoon Young-Soo , Lee Seul-Kee , Lee Man-Seop , Kim Jae-Ki , Kwon Ki-Yeon
Published: November 2015

The primary objective of this study is to construct a simpler and more reasonable rheological model than existing models for predicting the creep phenomenon of concrete. Deformations of concrete under sustained stress can be expressed by the sum of immediate elastic deformation, time-dependent and time-independent short-term creep, and long-term creep, according to the mechanism and time-dependency. To simulate these deformations, a rheological model with six parameters was constructed. In composing each parameter, the microprestress-solidification theory and existing design codes were used. Moreover, the numerical approach was also used for the specific parameters that cannot be deduced from existing theory and design specifications. Finally, actual test data from prestressed concrete bridges built using the free cantilever method were analysed for verification of the proposed model and the suitability of the model was confirmed by comparisons with existing prediction models and design codes.
review of the control of schistosomiasis in South Africa
Authors: Magaisa Kundai , Taylor Myra , Kjetland Eyrun F. , Naidoo Panjasaram J.
Published: November 2015

Schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical disease in the world in terms of public health impact. In South Africa, more than 4 million people are estimated to be infected with schistosomiasis. School-age children usually have the highest prevalence and intensity of infection. Schistosoma haematobium may result in female genital schistosomiasis which presents as inflammation and ulceration of the genital mucosa and pathological blood vessels. These effects may increase the susceptibility of women with female genital schistosomiasis to HIV. Praziquantel is the drug used to treat schistosomiasis and it is best to treat people during the early stages of infection, before female genital schistosomiasis presents as lesions and sandy patches, as there currently is no treatment for these symptoms. Schistosomiasis is not regarded as a serious public health issue in South Africa despite evidence revealing the seriousness of the disease. In areas endemic for schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization recommends regular mass treatment of all school-age children. In 2001, South Africa became a signatory to the World Health Assembly resolution 54.19 which urged all member states to achieve the minimum goal of 75% treatment coverage in school-age children at risk by 2010. This goal was not achieved in South Africa, despite efforts made by the Department of Health, such as the first statutory school-based geohelminth control programme in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. However, this programme has not been continued. Therefore, there is still much work to be done in order to control and decrease the prevalence of schistosomiasis in endemic areas.
Insecticide resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in Mamfene, KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Brooke Basil D. , Robertson Leanne , Kaiser Maria L. , Raswiswi Eric , Munhenga Givemore , Venter Nelius , Wood Oliver R. , Koekemoer Lizette L.
Published: November 2015

The control of malaria vector mosquitoes in South Africa’s affected provinces is primarily based on indoor spraying of long-lasting residual insecticides. The primary vectors in South Africa are Anopheles arabiensis and An. funestus. South Africa’s National Malaria Control Programme has adopted a malaria elimination agenda and has scaled up vector control activities accordingly. However, despite these plans, local transmission continues and is most likely because of outdoor feeding by populations of An. arabiensis. An outdoor Anopheles surveillance system has been set up in three sections of the Mamfene district in northern KwaZulu- Natal in order to assess the extent of outdoor resting An. arabiensis in Mamfene and to assess the current insecticide susceptibility status of this population. According to WHO criteria, the An. arabiensis samples tested showed evidence of resistance to deltamethrin (pyrethroid), DDT (organochlorine) and bendiocarb (carbamate), and full susceptibility to the organophosphates pirimiphos-methyl and fenitrothion. Pre-exposure to piperonyl butoxide completely nullified the deltamethrin resistance otherwise evident in these samples, supporting previous studies implicating monooxygenase-based detoxification as the primary mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. The data presented here affirm the presence of pyrethroid and DDT resistance previously detected in this population and also indicate the comparatively recent emergence of resistance to the carbamate insecticide bendiocarb. These data show that special attention and commitment needs to be given to the principles of insecticide resistance management as well as to investigations into alternative control techniques designed to target outdoor-resting An. arabiensis in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Avaliação de objeto virtual de aprendizagem sobre raciocínio diagnóstico: um estudo descritivo
Authors: Da Costa Cecília Passos Vaz , Luz Maria Helena Barros Araújo
Published: November 2015

Objetivo: Descrever a avaliação de um objeto virtual de aprendizagem desenvolvido para mediar o ensino do raciocínio diagnóstico em enfermagem aplicado ao sistema tegumentar por discentes de um curso de graduação em enfermagem. Método: Estudo descritivo, do tipo pesquisa metodológica aplicada em produção tecnológica, desenvolvido com 21 discentes de enfermagem de uma universidade pública do Piauí em setembro e outubro de 2014. Aplicou-se um questionário com escala Likert e análise por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: A avaliação dos discentes foi favorável ao julgarem que o objeto virtual de aprendizagem ajudou nas habilidades de uso do computador (20), proporcionou autonomia (19), motivação (21) e prazer (20) durante a aprendizagem com linguagem de fácil compreensão (20) e atividades de revisão e bibliografia úteis e pertinentes. Conclusão: O objeto virtual de aprendizagem mostrou-se potencialmente eficaz para apoiar o ensino do raciocínio diagnóstico durante a avaliação do sistema tegumentar.
Sentimentos de mulheres que vivenciaram a gestação de alto risco: estudo descritivo
Authors: Wilhelm Laís Antunes , Alves Camila Neumaier , Demori Carolina Carbonell , Silva Silvana Cruz da , Meincke Sonia Maria Konzgen , Ressel Lúcia Beatriz
Published: November 2015

Objetivo: conhecer os sentimentos vivenciados por mulheres que experienciaram uma gestação de alto risco. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo e descritivo, realizado no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, no sul do país. As participantes foram selecionadas a partir da relação de prontuários de mulheres atendidas nas consultas de pré-natal de alto risco. Foram entrevistadas dez mulheres com idade superior a 18 anos, consideradas gestantes de alto risco e cujo parto ocorreu no máximo há dois anos. Os dados foram analisados e interpretados conforme a análise de conteúdo temática da proposta operativa. Resultados: emergiu a categoria “sentimentos de mulheres que vivenciaram a gestação de alto risco” e como subcategorias os sentimentos de medo, ansiedade, tristeza e felicidade. Discussão: evidenciou-se a exacerbação de sentimentos, muitas vezes contraditórios, pois mesmo com medo e ansiedade sentiam-se felizes, o que também é descrito na literatura.
Cuentos y lecciones: textos para los niños decimonónicos en Argentina
Authors: Alloatti Norma
Published: November 2015

A mediados del siglo XIX empiezan a publicarse en Argentina los primeros textos de lectura y un poco más tarde, aparece el primer libro de literatura infantil, ambos destinados a un público común. Pero estos dos objetos culturales que comienzan a gestarse simultáneamente alcanzan en los primeros cincuenta años de su publicación un desarrollo disímil. El punto de partida es una revisión de postulados acerca del carácter moderno de este tipo de textos destinados al público infantil. Dicha modernidad coincide en Argentina con el nacimiento del estado nacional, fundado precisamente en la modernización de las instituciones políticas y sociales. Este artículo explora también los factores que intervinieron para determinar el crecimiento continuo de la edición de libros de lectura, alentada por su condición para alfabetizar y la escasa importancia otorgada a la incipiente literatura infantil, por su estilo asociado al entretenimiento. En consecuencia, se realiza un estudio de los conceptos que se han establecido sobre la niñez decimonónica, para encontrar parte de la explicación de las diferencias en la promoción, edición y recepción de cada tipo de texto. Finalmente, se plantea una aproximación al análisis de los contratiempos que pueden observarse en la publicación de textos con autoría femenina. Aunque el análisis no es exhaustivo en este punto, incumbe conjeturar que el descuido de la literatura infantil puede haberse debido a una situación de manifiesta apatía por la literatura escrita por mujeres.
La evaluación de los libros para niños y jóvenes. Una investigación sobre la experiencia de FUNDALECTURA
Authors: Lluch Gemma , Chaparro Janeth
Published: November 2015

El artículo presenta la investigación que se está llevando a cabo en la Fundación para el Fomento de la Lectura Fundalectura (Bogotá. Colombia) sobre el funcionamiento de los comités que evalúan los libros para niños y jóvenes tanto literarios como informativos. En la primera parte, se describe el funcionamiento de los comités y los criterios de clasificación de los libros. En la segunda parte, la metodología que se utiliza para recoger los datos necesarios de la investigación. Por último, se presenta la finalidad de la investigación
La neo-subversión en la literatura infantil y juvenil, ecos de la posmodernidad
Authors: Guerrero Guadarrama Laura
Published: November 2015

En este trabajo hacemos una revisión de lo que ha venido sucediendo desde mediados del Siglo XX en una gran parte de la producción de la literatura infantil y juvenil que responde a las características generales de la posmodernidad y la globalización. De esta manera, percibimos desde el rasgo más importante que es la crisis de los grandes relatos, entre los que se encuentra el de la infancia a la manera romántica, hasta el elemento irónico y paródico que es una característica clave de la estética contemporánea. La neo-subversión en la LIJ nace al amparo de esta enorme cubierta posmoderna como una revisión de la subversión tradicional que ya ha sido aceptada y catalogada como parte de los textos clásicos como Pinocho o Alicia en el país de las maravillas. Los textos tradicionales y subversivos terminan cuando el protagonista regresa a la normalidad y se inserta en el mundo adulto de acuerdo con los parámetros establecidos. En la neo-subversión no hay un regreso, el protagonista no se cura de su rebeldía, no se privilegia el final feliz. Las diversas modalidades de esta neo-subversión indican las preocupaciones contemporáneas, la manera de ver la vida y el espíritu del tiempo.
Repertorio tradicional infantil de Cádiz: texto, rito, gesto y símbolo
Authors: Ruiz Fernández María Jesús
Published: November 2015

El repertorio infantil de tradición oral recogido en la provincia de Cádiz en los últimos veinte años reúne un corpus frondoso de retahílas y canciones. El trabajo propone, en una primera parte, una clasificación del repertorio atendiendo a la organización poética de los textos. En una segunda parte, se intentan descifrar los ritos, motivos y símbolos que pertenecieron al mundo folklórico adulto y que –refugiándose en el grado cero de la transmisión tradicional– han quedado confiscados por el folklore infantil.
Choosing species for reforestation in diverse forest communities: social preference versus ecological suitability
Authors: Chechina Mariya , Hamann Andreas
Published: November 2015

Choosing species for reforestation programs or community forestry in species‐rich tropical rainforest ecosystems is a complex task. Reforestation objectives, social preferences, and ecological attributes must be balanced to achieve landscape restoration, timber production, or community forestry objectives. Here we develop a method to make better species choices for reforestation programs with native species when limited silvicultural information is available. We conducted community surveys to determine social preference of tree species and inferred their ecological suitability for open‐field plantations from growth rates and frequency in forest plots at different successional stages. Several species, for which silvicultural data was available, were correctly classified as promising or unsuitable for open‐field reforestation. Notably, we found a strong negative correlation between ecological suitability indicators and socioeconomic preference ranks. Only a single outlier species ranked very high in both categories. This result highlights the difficulty of finding suitable native species for community forestry and offers an explanation why reforestation efforts with native species often fail. We concluded that the approach should be a useful first screening of species‐rich forest communities for potential reforestation species. Our results also support the view that species‐rich tropical rainforests are not an easily renewable natural resource in a sense that secondary forests will not provide an equivalent resource value to local communities.
Seasonal succession of pollinator floral resources in four types of grasslands
Authors: Delaney J. T. , Jokela K. J. , Debinski D. M.
Published: November 2015

Pollinators are declining globally, and this decline in ecosystem services threatens the stability of agricultural and natural systems. Pollinators depend on a diversity of floral resources that are primarily found in uncultivated areas of agro‐ecosystems such as grasslands. Seasonal succession (the seasonal changes that occur in community composition and structure) of floral resources is an essential consideration for pollinator conservation within agro‐ecosystems. Different types of grasslands common within agricultural landscapes could be expected to differ in their seasonal succession of floral resources. Here we investigated how different types of grasslands important for pollinator conservation in the tallgrass prairie ecoregion (remnant prairies, reconstructed prairies, conservation grazed cattle pastures, and old fields) differ in their seasonal succession of floral resources by sampling the plant community every two weeks from 3 May through 4 October 2013. We found remnant prairies had greater richness of inflorescences when summed over the growing season, and that remnants were least similar to the other grassland types in terms of composition. Reconstructed prairies had high richness of inflorescences and exhibited the most similarity in composition to remnant prairies only during the middle of the growing season. Conservation grazed cattle pastures had more periods where turnover in composition from one survey to the next was low, indicated by the coefficient of variation in turnover throughout the season. Old fields had the lowest richness of inflorescences and were significantly different from reconstructed and remnant prairies.
Disturbance legacies and nutrient limitation influence interactions between grazers and algae in high elevation streams
Authors: Peckarsky Barbara L. , McIntosh Angus R. , Àlvarez Maruxa , Moslemi Jennifer M.
Published: November 2015

Debate about control of interaction strength among species is fueled by variation in environmental contexts affecting food webs. We used extensive surveys and two field experiments to test the individual and interactive influences of variation in the assemblages and associated traits of grazers as shaped by the legacy of disturbance, nutrient limitation and the presence of top predators on the accrual of basal resources. We quantified hydrologic variation and streambed movement to describe the legacy of disturbance and sampled biota of 20 streams over five years in a high‐elevation catchment in Colorado, USA. Grazer assemblages switched from caddisfly‐dominated to mayfly‐dominated as disturbance increased. We manipulated the composition of grazer assemblages and the availability of nutrients (N and P) within flow‐through mesocosms assembled adjacent to 10 streams, and also deployed larger in‐stream channels manipulating the presence of top predators (brook trout) in five streams varying in disturbance regimes. In both experiments we compared the rate of accrual of benthic algae and the strength of grazer‐algal interactions among treatments. We observed no indirect effects of top predators on grazer mobility, grazer consumption of algae, or accrual of algal biomass (no trophic cascades). However, in both experiments accrual rates of algae yielded a unimodal pattern and grazer impacts on algae decreased with increasing disturbance, but only at ambient (limiting) nutrient conditions. When nutrients were amended in the mesocosm experiment, algal accrual was uniformly high and grazer impacts on algae were consistently low. Reduced algae accrual at high disturbance levels may be explained by direct effects of environmental harshness on algae, and at low disturbance by indirect effects on grazer traits (behaviors) rather than on grazer density. In more benign streams per capita and per unit biomass grazer impacts on algae were high and drift dispersal was low, both behaviors that reduced accrual of algae. We conclude that nutrient limitation and indirect effects of disturbance on accrual of algae mediated by grazer traits can be stronger than indirect effects of predators on algae, providing a new contribution to the debate about the influence of environmental context on the strength of food web interactions.
Quantifying Sugarcane Cultivar Genetic Gains in the Midlands Region of South Africa
Authors: Zhou Marvellous M. , Gwata Eastonce T.
Published: November 2015

Analyzing genetic gains of sugarcane cultivars provides a measure of performance for plant breeding programs. Previous studies in several countries showed yield of up to 150% in the last 50 yr. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic gains for cane yield, percent estimated recoverable crystal (ERC%) cane and sugar yield of cultivars grown in the humic and sandy soils of the Midlands region in South Africa. Data were derived from the final stage of cultivar testing. There was 0.40 Mg ha−1 yr−1 cane yield genetic gain in humic soils and 0.38 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in sandy soils. Sugar yield genetic gains were 0.051 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in humic soils and 0.047 Mg ha−1 sandy soils. Genetic gains by sequence of release ranged from 1.70 to 2.45 Mg ha−1 cultivar−1 for cane yield and 0.23 to 0.27 Mg ha−1 cultivar−1 for sugar yield. Recently released cultivars produced genetic gains equivalent to 9 to 28% in cane and sugar yield. There were no genetic gains for ERC% cane. Significant cultivar × soil type interaction indicated that certain cultivars were not adapted to both soil types. Cultivars released after 2000 produced genetic gains equivalent to more than 14% increase in cane and sugar yield compared to older cultivars. Replanting 70% of current hectarage to newer and higher yielding cultivars will increase grower cane and sugar yield by 5 to 17%.
Evaluation of Interallelic waxy, Heterowaxy, and Wild‐Type Grain Sorghum Hybrids
Authors: Yerka M.K. , Toy J.J. , Funnell‐Harris D.L. , Sattler S.E. , Pedersen J.F.
Published: November 2015

Four near‐isogenic Wheatland × Tx430 grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids differing in allelic status at the Waxy locus were grown in yield trials to determine their potential to expand existing sources of low‐amylose starch. The hypothesis tested was that agronomic performance and grain yield do not differ among hybrid genotypes. Hybrids were generated in a two‐by‐two factorial design using wxb and wild‐type (WT) Wheatland as female parents with wxa and WT Tx430 as male parents. Yield trials were conducted at two Nebraska locations in 2009 and 2010. No differences were observed for field emergence, but grain yield of the interallelic waxy (wxb × wxa) hybrid was 330 kg ha−1 greater than the WT × WT hybrid (P = 0.0482). The wxb × Wx hybrid had the highest grain yield, 633 kg ha−1 greater than the WT (P = 0.0003). Amylose starch content was lowest for wxb × wxa (7.66 g kg−1), intermediate for wxb × Wx and Wx × wxa (25.06 and 27.20 g kg−1, respectively); and highest for WT × WT (34.80 g kg−1) (n = 4, P < 0.0001). The waxy and heterowaxy hybrids evaluated in this study are promising options for commercial production of starches with reduced amylose contents in a drought‐tolerant crop.
Characterization and Fine Mapping of SiDWARF2 (D2) in Foxtail Millet
Authors: Xue Cuixia , Zhi Hui , Fang Xuejiao , Liu Xiaotong , Tang Sha , Chai Yang , Zhao Baohua , Jia Guanqing , Diao Xianmin
Published: November 2015

Elongation of grass internodes determines the plant height and underlies the grain yield of grass crop species, by enhancing of lodging resistance in elite cultivars. Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] is an ancient cereal crop that served as a staple food during early civilization in China and is still grown widely across South and East Asia, Europe, and Africa. In this study, a foxtail millet dwarf mutant (Sidwarf2), derived from ‘Yugu1’, was characterized. In the dwarf mutant, significantly reduced cell lengths caused the observed shorter internodes. Gibberellin sensitivity analyses suggested that the height of the mutant could be restored under out spraying of gibberellic acid (GA3). In both the wild‐type and the mutant, endogenous levels of GA3 in elongated internodes stayed the same, while the abscisic acid (ABA) content of the dwarf mutant was greatly elevated. The dwarf gene (D2) was finally mapped on chromosome 3 and located to a genome region spanning 52.7 kb using combined bulked segregation analysis and map‐based approaches. Twelve transcripts were annotated in the target region and a cytochrome P450 encoding gene was deduced to be the candidate gene of D2. This study highlighted the potential of fast‐mapping‐favorable loci in foxtail millet, which will aid molecular selection and modification of foxtail millet in the future.
Seasonal variations of bisphenol A in the Danube River by the municipality of Novi Sad, Serbia
Authors: Milanovic Maja , Sudji Jan , Grujic-Letic Nevena , Radonic Jelena , Turk-Sekulic Maja , Vojinovic-Miloradov Mirjana , Milic Natasa
Published: November 2015

Seasonal variations of bisphenol A (BPA) were investigated in the Danube
along the Novi Sad bank, Serbia using solid-phase extraction followed by gas
chromatographic mass spectrometric method. The obtained results confirmed the
presence of BPA above the limit of quantification (6 ng/L) in 22 out of 32
water samples at all eight sampling sites. ?he BPA concentration varied from
<6 ng/L to 693 ng/L. The mean BPA concentration for summer (220 ng/L)
significantly differed from those obtained for autumn (39 ng/L), winter (6
ng/L) and spring (41 ng/L). The risk quotients, expressed as the ratio of the
95th percentile of the measured environmental concentrations for each season
and the predicted no-effect concentration were higher than one (> 1) for
autumn, spring and summer. The high potential risk which is attributed to the
elevated summer concentrations is probably the result of the increased human
activates and weather conditions.
On atom-bond connectivity molecule structure descriptors
Authors: Furtula Boris , Gutman Ivan , Das Kinkar
Published: November 2015

The atom-bond connectivity index (ABC) is a degree-based molecular structure
descriptor with well-documented chemical applications. In 2010 a
distance-based new variant of this index (ABCGG) has been proposed. Until
now, the relation between ABC and ABCGG has not been analyzed. In this paper,
we establish the basic characteristics of this relation. In particular, ABC
and ABCGG are not correlated and both cases ABC > ABCGG and ABC < ABCGG may
occur in the case of (structurally similar) molecules. However, in the case
of benzenoid hydrocarbons, ABC always exceeds ABCGG.
Interaction of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) with humic-like ligands studied by ESI-MS and ion-exchange method
Authors: Kostic Ivana , Andjelkovic Tatjana , Andjelkovic Darko , Nikolic Ruzica , Bojic Aleksandar , Cvetkovic Tatjana , Nikolic Goran
Published: November 2015

An interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with humic acid and O-donor
humic-like ligands was studied by ion-exchange and electrospray ionization -
mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method. Interactions were confirmed by differences
between values of chromatogram peak areas for monocomponent (ligand) and
binary systems (ligand with metal ion) by newly developed ESI-MS 5 ?L Loop
injection technique. Schubert?s ion exchange method was used for
determination of stability constants of formed complexes at pH 4.0 and I =
0.01. Comparing the values of log Kmn for complexes formed by dipositive
metal ions with humic, benzoic and salicylic acids, it can be concluded that
the interaction strengths of transitional series metals follow the
Irving-Williams order: Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II). The obtained values
of log Kmn indicate that Pb(II) ions effect the strongest interactions with
all investigated ligands. Complexation of humic acids macromolecules
possessing O-donor binding sites as major binding sites can be predicted and
modelled following the same order of interaction strength like
Irving-Williams order.
Comparison of the effects of micro-osteoperforation and corticision on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Tsai Chi-Yang , Yang Teng-Kai , Hsieh Hsueh-Yin , Yang Liang-Yu
Published: November 2015

Objective: 

To investigate the effects of flapless micro-osteoperforation and corticision on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Materials and Methods: 

Forty-five 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: micro-osteoperforation and orthodontic force (MOP + F), corticision and orthodontic force (C + F), and orthodontic force only (F, control). The left maxillary first molars were pulled forward with a force of 50 g. Flapless surgical interventions were conducted in the MOP + F and C + F groups. The total duration of the experiment was 6 weeks. Alveolar bone density and the number of osteoclasts were evaluated using microcomputed tomography and histologic examination, respectively.

Results: 

The tooth movement distance was significantly higher in both experimental groups than in the control group. Bone density and bone mineral density decreased in the MOP + F and C + F groups. The number of osteoclasts in the MOP + F and C + F groups was significantly higher than in the control group F.

Conclusion: 

The two minimally invasive flapless surgical interventions increased bone remodeling and osteoclast activity and induced faster orthodontic tooth movement for at least 2 weeks in rats. No differences were observed between the outcome of flapless micro-osteoperforation and corticision in the rats.
Comparison of the ability of veterinary medical students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy on live dogs
Authors: Levi Ohad , Kass Philip H. , Lee Lyon Y. , Cantrell Valerie M. , Clark David E. , Griffon Dominique J.
Published: November 2015

Objective—To compare the feasibility of training veterinary medicine students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy in live dogs.

Design—Randomized prospective parallel-group experiment.

Population—25 students completing the second year of their veterinary curriculum.

Procedures—Students were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive 14 hours of specific training in either open ovariectomy (n = 13) or laparoscopic ovariectomy (12). Confidence, basic surgical skills, and basic laparoscopic skills were evaluated before and after training, prior to live surgical procedures.

Results—Scores related to basic surgical skills were high in both groups and did not improve with either training program. Before live animal surgeries, student confidence and basic laparoscopic skills improved after training in laparoscopic ovariectomy and were higher than after training in open ovariectomy. Surgery time was higher for the students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (129 minutes; range, 84 to 143 minutes), compared with students who received training in open ovariectomy (80 minutes; range, 62 to 117 minutes). On a 55-point scoring system, ovariectomy scores were similar between students who received training in open ovariectomy (34.5; range, 16.5 to 45) and students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (34.5; range, 25 to 44.5).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The training programs were effective in improving student confidence and skills in laparoscopic ovariectomy. Results of this study suggested that veterinary medical students, with assistance from an instructor, may be taught to perform laparoscopic ovariectomies with performance equivalent to that for students performing open ovariectomies.
Transcatheter arterial embolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in a cat
Authors: Iwai Satomi , Okano Shozo , Chikazawa Seishiro , Kakizaki Takehiko , Sakonju Iwao , Solomon Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2015

Case Description—A 16-year-old 6.8-kg (15-lb) castrated male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of a 3 × 6-cm mass in the right medial lobe of the liver.

Clinical Findings—The cat had a history of frequent vomiting and anorexia along with 10% weight loss over the past year.

Treatment and Outcome—Transcatheter arterial embolization was selected because surgery (standard first-line treatment) was declined and only 1 vessel feeding the tumor was apparent on contrast-enhanced CT. A 4F sheath was placed in the left carotid artery, and a 3.3F guide catheter was advanced into the celiac artery. A 0.014-inch guidewire and 1.7F microcatheter were inserted into the hepatic artery through the guiding catheter and advanced into the feeding vessel. A mixture of polyvinyl alcohol particles and contrast agent was injected for embolization. A hypoechoic area in the tumor was identified on ultrasonography on posttreatment day 6, and necrotic and degenerated cells in the area were identified cytologically. By posttreatment day 71, vomiting had resolved and CT revealed decreased tumor size, but altered attenuation suggested a more solid mass on day 205. No feeding vessel for embolization was found on contrast-enhanced CT, so ultrasonic emulsification to remove the tumor was performed on day 231. No recurrence was seen on contrast-enhanced CT on day 420 or day 721.

Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that transcatheter arterial embolization may be suitable for treating hepatic tumors in cats, but alternative approaches are needed in cats, compared with dogs, owing to anatomic differences.
Specific Effects of Anger Rumination on Particular Executive Functions
Authors: Ding Xinfang , Yang Yin , Qian Mingyi , Gordon-Hollingsworth Arlene
Published: November 2015

The effects of two types of rumination on different kinds of executive functions were investigated. Fifty-nine participants ( M age = 22.8 yr., SD = 2.5) were assigned to one of three conditions and instructed either to: (1) ruminate in a self-distanced way, (2) ruminate in a self-immersed way, or (3) think about the layout of their campus following anger induction. Afterward, the participants were directed to finish tasks designed to assess three kinds of executive functions: shifting, inhibition, and updating. Results showed that self-immersed rumination impaired shifting ability the most, while participants engaged in self-distanced rumination showed the worst performance on the inhibition task. No significant difference was found in the updating task. These results suggest that rumination influenced particular executive functions in different ways.
Three Studies of the Standard Progressive Matrices in Morocco
Authors: Bakhiet Salaheldin Farah Attallah , Lynn Richard
Published: November 2015

Results are given for three studies of samples tested with the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) in Morocco. The first consisted of 85 children (boys, girls; M age = 8.5 yr.) in the town of Kenitra and obtained a British IQ of 74. The second consisted of 202 adults (92 men, 110 women; M age = 26 yr.) in four cities and obtained a British IQ of 81. The third consisted of 1,177 secondary school children (723 boys, 454 girls; ages 12–17 yr.) in a rural area and obtained a British IQ of 73.3. It is proposed that the best estimate of the Moroccan IQ can be obtained as the average of the three results, giving an IQ of 76.