bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement in thermal stability of soybean oil by blending with camellia oil during deep fat frying
Authors: Wang Sheng‐Nan , Sui Xiao‐Nan , Wang Zhong‐Jiang , Qi Bao‐Kun , Jiang Lian‐Zhou , Li Yang , Wang Rui , Wei Xun
Published: May 2015

The degradation occurring in soybean oil, camellia oil, and binary blends at five ratios during deep frying of french fries at 180°C for five consecutive days was monitored. The decrease in polyunsaturated and increase in saturated fatty acids during the frying operation was more prominent in soybean oil as compared to the camellia oil and blended oils. Among the frying periods, camellia oil, blend (60:40) and blend (50:50) after frying did not change significantly in the overall fatty acid composition. In addition, results of physicochemical properties of the frying media, namely the free fatty acid, peroxide value, p‐anisidine value, total polar components, and color, indicate that camellia oil has the least degradation, while soybean oil has the highest. What is more, these results reveal that increase in oxidative stability is correlated with the increase in camellia oil levels, due to the high content of phenolic compounds and monounsaturated fatty acid. Therefore, the present study clearly indicated that partial replacement of soybean oil with camellia oil can significantly improve frying stability for deep frying of french fries.

Practical applications: The results are useful for home cooking, restaurants, or fast foods sellers providing them with newly developed frying stability oils, camellia oil, and camellia/soybean blended oils for deep frying of french fries. Furthermore, discarding time was provided for soybean oil, camellia oil, and their blends when used as media for french fries frying, this suggestion allows preparing safe fried foods for consumers.

Total polar compounds of oils during 5 days of usage for deep frying of french fries. Soybean oil (SO); camellia oil (CO); blended oils (soybean oil:camellia oil) SCO1‐90:10, SCO2‐80:20, SCO3‐70:30, SCO4‐60:40, SCO5‐50:50.
Electrochemical oxidation of cholesterol: An easy way to generate numerous oxysterols in short reaction times
Authors: Weber Dieter , Ni Zhixu , Vetter Daniel , Hoffmann Ralf , Fedorova Maria
Published: May 2015

Oxysterol species are formed in vivo by enzymatic and non‐enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol. Oxysterols were shown not only to be intermediates in the biosynthesis of bile acids and steroid hormones but also to possess versatile bioactivities. Many functions of oxysterols are not fully understood, others may not have been discovered yet, especially those of non‐enzymatic origin. The limited accessibility to standard compounds challenges both analytics and functional studies. Here an amperometric flow‐through electrochemical (EC) oxidation of cholesterol was applied to generate numerous oxidation products within short reaction times. Besides nine oxysterols confirmed with standard compounds (LC‐MS), more than 10 additional, not identified oxidation products were present. The oxidation sites of the identified compounds were in agreement to the expected accessibility of the cholesterol backbone to free radical driven oxidation. Additionally, the presence of three products which are known to be synthesized enzymatically in vivo demonstrated a successful mimicking of these processes by EC as well. Several of the unidentified species showed the same analytical behavior (retention time and MS/MS) as compounds observed in extracts from a cardiomyocyte cell model of nitrosative stress. Further investigation of electrochemically generated compounds will allow identification and characterization of new oxysterols in vivo.

Practical applications: Electrochemical oxidation of cholesterol generates numerous oxysterols in short reaction times. The identified products were oxysterols known to be generated in vivo by both free radical and enzymatic processes. Among the unidentified oxidation products were species which showed the same analytical behavior as substances in extracts from stressed cell cultures. Further investigation of EC‐generated compounds may facilitate identification and characterization of new in vivo relevant oxysterols and the synthesis of standards for biological and analytical applications.

Electrochemical oxidation of cholesterol generates numerous oxysterols in short reaction times. The nine identified products were oxysterols known to be generated in vivo by both free radical and enzymatic processes. Among the 15 unidentified oxidation products were species which showed the same analytical behavior as substances in extracts from stressed cell‐cultures, indicating biological significance of the new electrochemically generated oxysterols.
Signal enhancement in ultraflat electrochemical DNA biosensors
Authors: Pardo Wilmer A. , Mir Mònica , Samitier Josep
Published: May 2015

The ability of holding back the undesired molecules, but at the same time to provide the right distribution and orientation of the bioreceptors, are critical targets to reach an efficient hybridization and enhanced detection in electrochemical DNA biosensors. The main actors responsible of these key functions are the substrate of the sensor and the interface auto‐assembled on it. In this paper we present the annealing as a method to improve commercial gold evaporated substrates for biosensor applications. The restructuring of granulated gold surface by means of annealing heating treatment leads to the formation of ultraflat gold lamellar terraces. The formation of terraces was characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy and optical interferometry. The performance of the sensor sensitivity on granular substrates and ultraflat substrates was studied, concerning the orientation and surface coverage of the bioreceptor interface applied in electrochemical biosensor. The hybridization efficiency of ferrocene‐labeled DNA amplified by PCR was characterized with surface plasmon resonance and electrochemistry. The experimental results demonstrate that annealing process, positive influence on optical and voltammetric readings, due to a structured organization of the bioreceptors on the flat substrate, gaining more efficient immobilization and DNA hybridization. The results suggest the annealing as a powerful tool for improving gold substrates in biosensors applications.
Analytical Quality by Design in pharmaceutical quality assurance: Development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of zolmitriptan and its impurities
Authors: Orlandini Serena , Pasquini Benedetta , Caprini Claudia , Del Bubba Massimo , Pinzauti Sergio , Furlanetto Sandra
Published: May 2015

A fast and selective CE method for the determination of zolmitriptan (ZOL) and its five potential impurities has been developed applying the analytical Quality by Design principles. Voltage, temperature, buffer concentration, and pH were investigated as critical process parameters that can influence the critical quality attributes, represented by critical resolution values between peak pairs, analysis time, and peak efficiency of ZOL‐dimer. A symmetric screening matrix was employed for investigating the knowledge space, and a Box–Behnken design was used to evaluate the main, interaction, and quadratic effects of the critical process parameters on the critical quality attributes. Contour plots were drawn highlighting important interactions between buffer concentration and pH, and the gained information was merged into the sweet spot plots. Design space (DS) was established by the combined use of response surface methodology and Monte Carlo simulations, introducing a probability concept and thus allowing the quality of the analytical performances to be assured in a defined domain. The working conditions (with the interval defining the DS) were as follows: BGE, 138 mM (115–150 mM) phosphate buffer pH 2.74 (2.54–2.94); temperature, 25°C (24–25°C); voltage, 30 kV. A control strategy was planned based on method robustness and system suitability criteria. The main advantages of applying the Quality by Design concept consisted of a great increase of knowledge of the analytical system, obtained throughout multivariate techniques, and of the achievement of analytical assurance of quality, derived by probability‐based definition of DS. The developed method was finally validated and applied to the analysis of ZOL tablets.
Gene‐diet interactions in exposure to heterocyclic aromatic amines and bulky DNA adduct levels in blood leukocytes
Authors: Ho Vikki , Peacock Sarah , Massey Thomas E. , Godschalk Roger W. L. , van Schooten Frederik J. , Chen Jian , King Will D.
Published: May 2015

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), carcinogens produced in meat when cooked at high temperatures, are an emerging biologic explanation for the meat‐colorectal cancer relationship. HAAs form DNA adducts; left unrepaired, adducts can induce mutations, which may initiate/promote carcinogenesis. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between dietary HAAs, genetic susceptibility and bulky DNA adduct levels. Least squares regression was used to examine the relationship between dietary HAA exposure and bulky DNA adduct levels in blood measured using 32P‐postlabeling among 99 healthy volunteers. Gene‐diet interactions between dietary HAAs and genetic factors relevant to the biotransformation of HAAs and DNA repair were also examined. No main effects of dietary HAAs on bulky DNA adduct levels was found. However, those with the putative NAT1 rapid acetylator phenotype had lower adduct levels than those with the slow acetylator phenotype (P = 0.02). Furthermore, having five or more 'at‐risk' genotypes was associated with higher bulky DNA adduct levels (P = 0.03). Gene‐diet interactions were observed between NAT1 polymorphisms and dietary HAAs (P < 0.05); among the slow acetylator phenotype, higher intakes of HAAs were associated with an increase in DNA adduct levels compared to lower intakes. This study provides evidence of a biologic relationship between dietary HAAs, genetic susceptibility and bulky DNA adduct formation. However, the lack of a strong main effect of HAAs suggests that dietary HAAs are not a large contributor to bulky DNA adducts in this population; future studies should consider relevant gene‐diet interactions to clarify the role of HAAs in carcinogenesis. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:609–620, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of the mutagenic potential of Cr(VI) in the oral mucosa of Big Blue® transgenic F344 rats
Authors: Thompson Chad M. , Young Robert R. , Suh Mina , Dinesdurage Harshini R. , Elbekai Reem H. , Harris Mark A. , Rohr Annette C. , Proctor Deborah M.
Published: May 2015

Exposure to high concentrations of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in drinking water was associated with an increased incidence of oral tumors in F344 rats in a 2‐year cancer bioassay conducted by the National Toxicology Program. These tumors primarily occurred at 180 ppm Cr(VI) and appeared to originate from the gingival mucosa surrounding the upper molar teeth. To investigate whether these tumors could have resulted from a mutagenic mode of action (MOA), a transgenic mutation assay based on OECD Test Guideline 488 was conducted in Big Blue® TgF344 rats. The mutagenic oral carcinogen 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4‐NQO) served as a positive control. Mutant frequency was measured in the inner gingiva with adjacent palate, and outer gingiva with adjacent buccal tissue. Exposure to 10 ppm 4‐NQO in drinking water for 28 days increased mutant frequency in the cII transgene significantly, from 39.1 ± 7.5 × 10−6 to 688 ± 250 × 10−6 in the gingival/buccal region, and from 49.8 ± 17.8 × 10−6 to 1818 ± 362 × 10−6 in the gingival/palate region. Exposure to 180 ppm Cr(VI) in drinking water for 28 days did not significantly increase the mutant frequency in the gingival/buccal (44.4 ± 25.4 × 10−6) or the gingival/palate (57.8 ± 9.1 × 10−6) regions relative to controls. These data indicate that high (∼180,000 times expected human exposure), tumorigenic concentrations of Cr(VI) did not significantly increase mutations in the gingival epithelium, and suggest that Cr(VI) does not act by a mutagenic MOA in the rat oral cavity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:621–628, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social, economic, technological, and environmental impacts of the development and implementation of solar‐powered charge stations
Authors: Erickson Larry E. , Burkey Aaron , Morrissey Karla G. , Reynolds Matthew , Robinson Jessica , Ronnebaum Blake , Wagner Tyler , Singh Parul , Natarajan Bala , Pahwa Anil
Published: May 2015

This work focuses on aspects related to the development and implementation of solar‐powered charge stations (SPCS), analyzing specifically the social, economic, and technological challenges associated with increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and the availability of SPCS. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by the electrification of transportation and the generation of electricity with sustainable energy, including solar energy at SPCS. The charging infrastructure for EVs can be improved by adding SPCS to many parking lots so that EV owners can plug in at work, shopping centers, events, and home. Results from a Kansas State University survey indicate that the limited charging infrastructure is a present concern when considering a purchase of an EV. Smart grid developments with real time prices for electricity have many positive features that support SPCS installations and EV sales, including higher values for the electricity generated at SPCS and reduced cost for night time charging of EVs. There is the potential to improve urban air quality by replacing internal combustion vehicles that have emissions with EVs that do not have carbon emissions. When all costs are considered, SPCS and EVs have a favorable outlook, and advances in battery technology have the potential to reduce EV costs and increase their range. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1808–1813, 2015
Typical Versus Atypical Anorexia Nervosa Among Adolescents: Clinical Characteristics and Implications for ICD‐11
Authors: Silén Yasmina , Raevuori Anu , Jüriloo Elisabeth , Tainio Veli‐Matti , Marttunen Mauri , Keski‐Rahkonen Anna
Published: May 2015

There is scant research on the clinical utility of differentiating International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 diagnoses F50.0 anorexia nervosa (typical AN) and F50.1 atypical anorexia. We reviewed systematically records of 47 adolescents who fulfilled criteria for ICD‐10 F50.0 (n = 34) or F50.1 (n = 13), assessing the impact of diagnostic subtype, comorbidity, background factors and treatment choices on recovery. Atypical AN patients were significantly older (p = 0.03), heavier (minimum body mass index 16.7 vs 15.1 kg/m2, p = 0.003) and less prone to comorbidities (38% vs 71%, p = 0.04) and had shorter, less intensive and less costly treatments than typical AN patients. The diagnosis of typical versus atypical AN was the sole significant predictor of treatment success: recovery from atypical AN was 4.3 times (95% confidence interval [1.1, 17.5]) as likely as recovery from typical AN. Overall, our findings indicate that a broader definition of AN may dilute the prognostic value of the diagnosis, and therefore, ICD‐11 should retain its distinction between typical and atypical AN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Evaluating the heat resistance of thermal insulated sandwich composites subjected to a turbulent fire
Authors: Kandare Everson , Di Modica Pietro , Chevali Venkata S. , Gibson Geoff A.
Published: May 2015

The fire structural response of sandwich composite laminates incorporating bio‐derived constituents subjected to a turbulent flaming fire was investigated. Fire structural tests were conducted on thermal insulated sandwich composites incorporating a thin surface‐bonded non‐woven glass fibre tissue impregnated with char‐forming fire retardant, ammonium polyphosphate. The sandwich composite laminates were loaded in compression at 10%, 15% or 20% of the ultimate compressive strength while simultaneously subjected to turbulent flames imposing an incident heat flux of 35 kW/m2. Generally, the failure time increased with the reduced applied compressive load. The thermal insulated sandwich composite laminates had considerably improved fire resistance in comparison to their unmodified counterparts. The unmodified composites failed 96 s earlier than the thermal insulated specimens when the compression load was 10% of the ultimate compressive strength. The presence of ammonium polyphosphate at the heat‐exposed surface promoted the formation of a consolidated char layer, which slowed down heat conduction into composite laminate substrate. The fire reaction parameters measured via the cone calorimeter provided insights into the thermal response hence fire structural survivability of sandwich composite laminates. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternate wetting and drying irrigation maintained rice yields despite half the irrigation volume, but is currently unlikely to be adopted by smallholder lowland rice farmers in Nepal
Authors: Howell Katharine R. , Shrestha Pitambar , Dodd Ian C.
Published: May 2015

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation can save water while maintaining rice yields, but in some countries its adoption by farmers remains limited. Key knowledge gaps include the effect of AWD on early vegetative vigor and its relationship with yield; the effects of AWD on yield and water use efficiency of local cultivars used by smallholder farmers; and the socio‐economic factors influencing current irrigation scheduling. To address these questions, an on‐farm field trial of dry‐season (chaite) rice, comparing two locally important cultivars (Hardinath‐1 and CH‐45) under AWD imposed from 1 week after transplanting to flowering and continuous flooding (CF), was carried out in Agyauli in the central Terai region of Nepal, and triangulated with social research methods exploring the rationale for current irrigation scheduling and perceptions of AWD. Although AWD plots received on average 57% less irrigation water than CF plots, yields did not significantly differ between irrigation treatments, indicating that AWD could considerably enhance crop water use efficiency in this region. In the earlier flowering, more vigorous CH‐45, there were no treatment differences in any yield component while in the later flowering Hardinath‐1, an 11% decrease in filled grain number was compensated by a 14% increase in the percentage of effective tillers per hill. Although leaf elongation rate on the main tiller did not differ between treatments, tillering and green fraction (a measure of canopy closure) were significantly higher under AWD. Surveys established that most local farmers are already using a local adaptation of AWD to modify irrigation volumes, in some cases in response to a limited and unreliable water supply. However, farmers have few direct incentives to reduce overall water use under current water governance, and formal AWD practices are therefore unlikely to be adopted despite their viability as a water‐saving irrigation technique.
Climate and its changes: a cultural appraisal
Authors: Hulme Mike
Published: May 2015

Geographers and Geography has long been acquainted with the idea of climate. For much of the last century, climatology was one of the canonical sub‐fields of physical geography and interactions between climate and the human world have proved fruitful sites of geographical inquiry. Although much contemporary scholarship and applied science is concerned with the idea of climate change, I believe there is important work still to be done on enriching the idea of climate. The argument put forward in this essay is that climate – as it is imagined and acted upon – needs to be understood, first and foremost, culturally. Rather than framing climate as an interconnected global physical system or as a statistical artefact of weather measurements, climate should be understood equally as an idea that takes shape in cultures and can therefore be changed by cultures. Climate has a cultural history, which is interwoven with its physical history. It is a history which forms the substrate out of which today's beliefs, claims and disputes about climate change emerge. This essay develops two core arguments. First, climate can be understood culturally, as an idea that humans use to stabilise relationships between weather and their patterned lives. In its various manifestations around the world, the idea of climate enables humans to live with their weather through a widening and changing range of cultural resources, practices, artefacts and rituals. Second, I argue that such a cultural understanding of climate alters the way the contemporary idea of climate change should be conceived; not primarily as a physical process which must be stopped, but as the latest stage in the cultural evolution of the idea of climate.
What are the Costs and Benefits of Providing Comprehensive Seven‐day Services for Emergency Hospital Admissions?
Authors: Meacock Rachel , Doran Tim , Sutton Matt
Published: May 2015

The English National Health Service is moving towards providing comprehensive 7‐day hospital services in response to higher death rates for emergency weekend admissions. Using Hospital Episode Statistics between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011 linked to all‐cause mortality within 30 days of admission, we estimate the number of excess deaths and the loss in quality‐adjusted life years associated with emergency weekend admissions. The crude 30‐day mortality rate was 3.70% for weekday admissions and 4.05% for weekend admissions. The excess weekend death rate equates to 4355 (risk adjusted 5353) additional deaths each year. The health gain of avoiding these deaths would be 29 727–36 539 quality‐adjusted life years per year. The estimated cost of implementing 7‐day services is £1.07–£1.43 bn, which exceeds by £339–£831 m the maximum spend based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence threshold of £595 m–£731 m. There is as yet no clear evidence that 7‐day services will reduce weekend deaths or can be achieved without increasing weekday deaths. The planned cost of implementing 7‐day services greatly exceeds the maximum amount that the National Health Service should spend on eradicating the weekend effect based on current evidence. Policy makers and service providers should focus on identifying specific service extensions for which cost‐effectiveness can be demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RNA sequencing provides insights into the toxicogenomic response of ZF4 cells to methyl methanesulfonate
Authors: Li Zhouquan , Long Yong , Zhong Liqiao , Song Guili , Zhang Xiaohua , Yuan Li , Cui Zongbin , Dai Heping
Published: May 2015

Whole genome transcriptomic studies are powerful for characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological effects of chemicals, and are informative for environmental health risk assessment. Alkylating agents are an abundant class of chemicals that can damage DNA in the environment, and are used for anticancer treatments. Currently, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of toxic alkylating agents in zebrafish cell lines. In this study, RNA‐sequencing was used to investigate the transcriptomic responses of zebrafish ZF4 cells following exposure to the model genotoxicant methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MMS was 639.16 ± 61.8 µm, and apoptosis was induced within 24 h of exposure. RNA sequencing identified 3601 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were upregulated and 3037 that were downregulated. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that most DEGs belonged to synthesis and metabolism categories. RNA‐associated processes were the most upregulated, while cell cycle and adhesion were the most repressed processes, and neuron‐related processes were the most downregulated developmental process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis identified DNA damage repair, cell cycle, apoptosis and spliceosome as overrepresented terms. Six types of alternative splicing were detected. In total, 1156 alternative splicing DEGs were specifically expressed following MMS treatment, many of which belonged to metabolism and catabolic process categories. Cluster analysis of orthologs was able to extrapolate toxicotranscriptomic data between zebrafish and yeast. These results provide insight into the genome‐wide response of ZF4 cells following exposure to MMS, and this knowledge will inform future toxicogenomic data analysis and environmental health risk assessment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current radiosynthesis strategies for 5‐HT2A receptor PET tracers
Authors: Herth Matthias M. , Knudsen Gitte M.
Published: May 2015

Serotonin 2A receptors have been implicated in various psychophysiological functions and disorders such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, or schizophrenia. Therefore, neuroimaging of this specific receptor is of significant clinical interest, and it is not surprising that many attempts have been made to develop a suitable 5‐HT2AR positron emission tomography‐tracer. In this review, we give an overview on the precursor, reference compound synthesis, and the preparation of promising 5‐HT2AR radiopharmaceuticals applied in positron emission tomography. We also highlight possible learning outcomes that can be made from these tracer development processes.
Morphology of the teleost ampullary organs in marine salmontail catfish Neoarius graeffei (Pisces: Ariidae) with comparative analysis to freshwater and estuarine conspecifics
Authors: Gauthier Arnault R.G. , Whitehead Darryl L. , Bennett Michael B. , Tibbetts Ian R.
Published: May 2015

We hypothesized that due to the relative conductivity of the environment, and to maintain sensory function, ampullary organs of marine Neoarius graeffei would differ morphologically from those described previously for estuarine and freshwater conspecifics. Unlike the ampullary systems of N. graeffei from freshwater and estuarine habitats, the ampullary pores of marine specimens occur in two distinct patterns; numerous pores seemingly randomly scattered on the head and ventro‐lateral regions of the body, and pores arranged in distinctive vertical lines above the lateral line on the dorso‐lateral body of the fish. Light and electron microscopy revealed that the ampullary organs also differed morphologically from estuarine and freshwater specimens in the presence of longer ampullary canals, a hitherto unreported canal wall composition, and in the collagen sheath surrounding both the canal and the ampulla proper within dermal connective tissues. Ampullary pores were wider in marine individuals and opened to the longest ampullary canals reported for this species. The canal wall was lined by cuboidal and squamous epithelial cells. Each ampullary canal opened into a single ampulla proper containing significantly more receptor cells than estuarine and freshwater conspecifics. The distribution of ampullary pores as well as the microstructure of the ampullary organs indicates that the electrosensory system of marine N. graeffei differs from those of estuarine and freshwater specimens in ways that would be expected to maintain the functionality of the system in a highly conductive, fully marine environment, and reveals the remarkable plasticity of this species’ ampullary system in response to habitat conductivity. J. Morphol. 276:1047–1054, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of principal factor analysis to generate a corn silage fermentative quality index to rank well‐ or poorly preserved forages
Authors: Gallo Antonio , Giuberti Gianluca , Bruschi Sara , Fortunati Paola , Masoero Francesco
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

To investigate corn silage fermentative quality, a principal factor analysis was carried out on a database consisting of 196 corn silages sampled from the core, lateral and apical parts of silo feed‐out face and characterised by 36 variables. Eleven principal factor components (PCs) were retained and interpreted. Two PCs were related to chemical and digestibility variables; four PCs were characterised by end‐products associated with clostridia, heterolactic, homolactic or aerobic fermentations; two PCs were associated with mycotoxins produced by Penicillium roqueforti or by Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium spp., while three PCs explained ensiling procedures adopted to store corn silages.

RESULTS

Lower (P < 0.05) yeast or mould counts and greater (P < 0.05) aerobic stability were measured in core than in peripheral samples. Excluding PCs related to ensiling procedures, other PCs were able to predict microbiological counts, aerobic stability or biogenic amine content as verified by multiple linear regression analysis. Based on these results, several corn silage quality index calculations were computed by using a summative equation approach in which different PCs as well as diverse relative weights multiplying each PCs were combined. To compute definitive index calculation, only PCs explaining clostridia, heterolactic and homolactic fermentations were used with relative weights of 30%, 50% and 20%.

CONCLUSIONS

The new proposed fermentative quality index was highly correlated to parameters related to corn silage fermentative quality, such as microbiological counts, aerobic stability or biogenic amines and it properly discriminated well‐ and poorly preserved forages. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Perspectives on pasture versus indoor feeding of dairy cows
Authors: Knaus Wilhelm
Published: May 2015

The dairy industry in many regions of the world has moved towards a high‐input/high‐output system maximising annual milk production per cow, primarily through increasing concentrate‐based total mixed rations fed indoors year round, as opposed to allowing cows to feed on pasture. Pasture‐based dairy systems in regions like New Zealand and Ireland are oriented towards maximum milk yield per unit of pasture, which has led to Holstein strains that are 50 to 100 kg lighter, exhibit a higher body condition score, and produce roughly half the annual amount of milk as compared to their Holstein counterparts kept in confinement in North America and Europe. Freedom from hunger might not be guaranteed when high‐yielding dairy cows are kept on pasture without any supplemental feed, but at the same time no access to pasture can be considered an animal welfare concern, because pasturing is generally beneficial to the animals' health. On pasture, lighter‐weight dairy cows with a medium milk production potential have proven to be superior with regard to feed efficiency and fertility. The year‐round indoor feeding of high‐yielding dairy cows with total mixed rations containing substantial amounts of human‐edible crops from arable land puts global food security at risk and fails to utilise the evolutionary advantages of ruminants. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Speciation analysis of mercury in sediments using ionic‐liquid‐based vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Leng Geng , Chen Wenjin , Wang Yong
Published: May 2015

An improved novel method based on ionic liquid vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed for the extraction of methylmercury, ethylmercury and inorganic mercury in sediment samples prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. In this work, mercury species were firstly complexed with dithizone, and the complexes were extracted into 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. Key factors that affect the extraction efficiency of mercury species, such as type and amount of ionic liquid and chelatants, extraction time, sample pH, salt effect and matrix effect were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, linearity was found in the concentration range from 0.1–70 ng/g. Limits of detection ranged from 0.037–0.061 ng/g. Reproducibility and recoveries were assessed by extracting a series of six independent sediment samples that were spiked with different concentration levels. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied in analysis of real sediment samples. In this work, ionic liquids vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction was for the first time used for the extraction of mercury species in sediment samples. The proposed method was proved to be much simpler and more rapid, as well as more environmentally friendly and efficient compared with the previous methods.
Analytical accuracy of hydrogen measurement using gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detection
Authors: Weijun Yao
Published: May 2015

Gas chromatography employing a thermal conductivity detector with a nitrogen carrier gas and a molecular sieve 5 Å column is commonly used for the analysis of widely varying hydrogen concentrations. Flow variation of the column, caused by carrier gas adsorption, affects the peak shape and impacts the analytical accuracy. The mechanism and factors affecting the adsorption effect are explored, errors caused by the deviation from the linearity of the detector's response are considered, and practical advice is given for improving the analytical accuracy.
Solo Holiday Travellers: Motivators and Drivers of Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction
Authors: Bianchi Constanza
Published: May 2015

A growing number of people are travelling alone for holidays, yet limited research addresses this topic. This paper explores the main motivators and drivers of satisfaction and dissatisfaction for solo holiday travellers using a critical incident technique to collect and analyse data. The findings show that drivers of satisfaction for solo holiday travellers are more related to personal feelings of freedom, relaxation and discovery (personal factors) and interaction with other people (human interaction factors) than with holiday destination factors. Safety (a destination factor) and unfriendly service providers (a human interaction factor) are the main sources of dissatisfaction for solo holiday travellers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrophysiologic monitoring correlates of recurrent laryngeal nerve heat thermal injury in a porcine model
Authors: Lin Yi‐Chu , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Randolph Gregory W. , Lu I‐Cheng , Chang Pi‐Ying , Tsai Shan‐Yin , Kim Hoon Yub , Lee Hye Yoon , Tufano Ralph P. , Sun Hui , Liu Xiaoli , Chiang Feng‐Yu , Wu Che‐Wei
Published: May 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Thermal injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) may not be visually apparent and may go unrecognized intraoperatively. This study aimed to investigate the heat thermal tolerance of RLN and evaluate the electrophysiologic correlates of electromyographic (EMG) signal change during an acute RLN heat damage.

Study Design

Prospective porcine model with continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (CIONM).

Methods

Ten pigs (20 RLNs) undergoing CIONM had their EMG tracings recorded and correlated with heated normal saline (NS) irrigation of varying temperature and duration.

Results

In the initial pilot study, the EMG was without change during incremental heated NS irrigation (40/45/50/55 °C for 60 seconds), but adverse EMG combined events (CE) (amplitude decrease with a concordant latency increase) occurred and degraded to loss of signal (LOS) (by 17.5 ± 1.3 seconds) when the temperature was elevated to 60 °C (n = 4). Another 16 RLNs were evaluated to further compare the EMG pattern after various degrees of thermal stress (60/70 °C for 30/20 seconds). Electromyographic recordings showed CEs and LOS in all RLNs, and only six of eight RLNs with 60 °C exposure showed slight EMG amplitude recovery (16%–35%) after 20 minutes. None of the injured nerve segments were visually apparent, but all were detectable by IONM.

Conclusion

Sixty degrees Celsius is a critical temperature to cause RLN thermal injury. Continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring can be used as a tool for the early detection of acute thermal stress and may guide use of energy‐based devices during thyroid procedures.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E283–E290, 2015
Independence logic and abstract independence relations
Authors: Paolini Gianluca
Published: May 2015

We continue the work on the relations between independence logic and the model‐theoretic analysis of independence, generalizing the results of to the framework of abstract independence relations for an arbitrary AEC. We give a model‐theoretic interpretation of the independence atom and characterize under which conditions we can prove a completeness result with respect to the deductive system that axiomatizes independence in team semantics and statistics.
Schatunowsky's theorem, Bonse's inequality, and Chebyshev's theorem in weak fragments of Peano arithmetic
Authors: Pambuccian Victor
Published: May 2015

In 1893, Schatunowsky showed that 30 is the largest number all of whose totatives are primes; we show that this result cannot be proved, in any form, in Chebyshev's theorem (Bertrand's postulate), even if all irreducibles are primes. Bonse's inequality is shown to be indeed weaker than Chebyshev's theorem. Schatunowsky's theorem holds in together with Bonse's inequality, the existence of the greatest prime dividing certain types of numbers, and the condition that all irreducibles be prime.
Influence of External Tension on the Structure and Properties of Melt‐Spun PAN Precursor Fibers during Thermal Oxidation
Authors: Liu Shuping , Han Keqing , Chen Lei , Zheng Ying , Yu Muhuo , Li Jiaqi , Yang Zhao
Published: May 2015

Effects of external tension during oxidative stabilization of melt‐spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers on the structure and properties were investigated. The results showed that the external tension had distinct effects on the chemical and crystal structures, carbon yield, density, and tensile strength of pre‐oxidized melt‐spun fibers, while had little effects on elemental contents. With external tension increasing, the extent of reaction (EOR), aromatization index (AI), carbon yield, and density of pre‐oxidized melt‐spun fibers showed an initial increase and then a subsequent decrease, while, crystal size, crystallinity and the tensile strength appeared to first fall and then rise. When the external tension was 0.56 cN · dtex−1, the tensile strength of resulting carbon fibers reached maximum.
Globally strictly convex cost functional for an inverse parabolic problem
Authors: Klibanov Michael V. , Kamburg Vladimir G.
Published: May 2015

A coefficient inverse problem for a parabolic equation is considered. Using a Carleman weight function, a globally strictly convex cost functional is constructed for this problem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oscillation analysis of θ‐methods for the Nicholson's blowflies model
Authors: Wang Qi
Published: May 2015

This paper is concerned with the oscillation of numerical solution for the Nicholson's blowflies model. Using two kinds of θ‐methods, namely, the linear θ‐method and the one‐leg θ‐method, several conditions under which the numerical solution oscillates are derived. Moreover, it is shown that every non‐oscillatory numerical solution tends to equilibrium point of the original continuous‐time model. Finally, numerical experiments are provided to illustrate the analytical results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facilitating quality control for spectra assignments of small organic molecules: nmrshiftdb2 – a free in‐house NMR database with integrated LIMS for academic service laboratories
Authors: Kuhn Stefan , Schlörer Nils E.
Published: May 2015

nmrshiftdb2 supports with its laboratory information management system the integration of an electronic lab administration and management into academic NMR facilities. Also, it offers the setup of a local database, while full access to nmrshiftdb2's World Wide Web database is granted. This freely available system allows on the one hand the submission of orders for measurement, transfers recorded data automatically or manually, and enables download of spectra via web interface, as well as the integrated access to prediction, search, and assignment tools of the NMR database for lab users. On the other hand, for the staff and lab administration, flow of all orders can be supervised; administrative tools also include user and hardware management, a statistic functionality for accounting purposes, and a ‘QuickCheck’ function for assignment control, to facilitate quality control of assignments submitted to the (local) database. Laboratory information management system and database are based on a web interface as front end and are therefore independent of the operating system in use. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and application of ion‐imprinted resin based on modified melamine–thiourea for selective removal of Hg(II)
Authors: Monier M , Elsayed Nadia H , Abdel‐Latif DA
Published: May 2015

A novel Hg(II) ion‐imprinted resin based on thiourea‐modified melamine was manufactured for selective elimination of Hg2+ from aqueous solutions. The polymerizable thiourea–melamine ligand together with its Hg(II) complex were extensively investigated using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The Hg(II) complex was used in a condensation polymerization in the presence of formaldehyde crosslinker and then the Hg(II) ions were leached out from the crosslinked polymeric network to finally leave the ion‐imprinted Hg‐PMTF resin. Both ion‐imprinted Hg‐PMTF and non‐imprinted resins were examined utilizing scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The potential of the prepared resin for selective separation of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions was then evaluated by performing a series of batch experiments. Hg‐PMTF displayed an obvious rapid removal of Hg(II) ions with a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic pattern. In addition, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model exhibited the best fit with the experimental data with comparatively high maximum adsorption capacity (360.5 mg g−1). © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
PV module energy rating: opportunities and limitations
Authors: Dirnberger Daniela , Müller Björn , Reise Christian
Published: May 2015

This article sheds new light on photovoltaic (PV) module rating according to predicted yield rather than power measured at standard testing conditions (STC). We calculate module performance ratios (MPR) for measured characteristics of eight different module types and compare them with a reference MPR calculated with typical crystalline silicon characteristics. In place of the not yet existing standardized weather data, we use commercially available weather data for three different locations. The reference MPR for the three locations were 95.5%, 94.6%, and 91.0%, respectively, with differences to the other module types of ±8% at maximum. MPR was calculated with reference to nominal power, and—following IEC 61853—without consideration of potential degradation. The strongest contribution to the initial differences between the module types was due to differences in irradiance dependency. Standard uncertainties for all initial MPR values were calculated and range from 1.8% to 3.0%, including STC power uncertainty. We propose a module rating method that indicates whether a module type's performance is significantly above, below, or essentially equal to the reference. The method evaluates the MPR difference between module type and reference, taking uncertainty into account. Significant differences were only found between modules with obviously different characteristics, but not between the crystalline silicon module types under scrutiny. As the uncertainty analysis did not cover degradation and influences due to the use of not standardized weather data, a sensitivity analysis was performed. Long‐term degradation can change the comparative energy rating significantly, whereas the selection of tilt angle and assumptions regarding module operating temperature did not have a strong effect. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance enhancement of multicrystalline silicon solar cells and modules using double‐layered SiNx:H antireflection coatings
Authors: Du Guoping , Zhang Yu , Li Wang , Chen Nan , Liu Bingfa , Sun Jie
Published: May 2015

Silicon nitride coating deposited by the plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition method is the most widely used antireflection coating for crystalline silicon solar cells. In this work, we employed double‐layered silicon nitride coating consisting of a top layer with a lower refractive index and a bottom layer (contacting the silicon wafer) with a higher refractive index for multicrystalline silicon solar cells. An optimization procedure was presented for maximizing the photovoltaic performance of the encapsulated solar cells or modules. The dependence of their photovoltaic properties on the thickness of silicon nitride coatings was carefully analyzed. Desirable thicknesses of the individual silicon nitride layers for the double‐layered coatings were calculated. In order to get statistical conclusions, we fabricated a large number of multicrystalline silicon solar cells using the standard production line for both the double‐layered and single‐layered antireflection coating types. On the cell level, the double‐layered silicon nitride antireflection coating resulted in an increase of 0.21%, absolute for the average conversion efficiency, and 1.8 mV and 0.11 mA/cm2 for the average open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current density, respectively. On the module level, the cell to module power transfer factor was analyzed, and it was demonstrated that the double‐layered silicon nitride antireflection coating provided a consistent enhancement in the photovoltaic performance for multicrystalline silicon solar cell modules than the single‐layered silicon nitride coating. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is $50/MWh solar for real? Falling project prices and rising capacity factors drive utility‐scale PV toward economic competitiveness
Authors: Bolinger Mark , Weaver Samantha , Zuboy Jarett
Published: May 2015

Recently announced low‐priced power purchase agreements (PPAs) for US utility‐scale photovoltaic (PV) projects suggest $50/MWh solar might be viable under certain conditions. To explore this possibility, this paper draws on an increasing wealth of empirical data to analyze trends in three of the most important PPA price drivers: upfront installed project prices, operations, and maintenance (O&M) costs, and capacity factors. Average installed prices among a sample of utility‐scale PV projects declined by more than one third (from $5.8/WAC to $3.7/WAC) from the 2007–2009 period through 2013, even as costlier systems with crystalline‐silicon modules, sun tracking, and higher inverter loading ratios (ILRs) have constituted an increasing proportion of total utility‐scale PV capacity (all values shown here are in 2013 dollars). Actual and projected O&M costs from a very small sample of projects appear to range from $20–$40/kWAC‐year. The average net capacity factor is 30% for projects installed in 2012, up from 24% for projects installed in 2010, owing to better solar resources, higher ILRs, and greater use of tracking among the more recent projects. Based on these trends, a pro‐forma financial model suggests that $50/MWh utility‐scale PV is achievable using a combination of aggressive‐but‐achievable technical and financial input parameters (including receipt of the 30% federal investment tax credit). Although the US utility‐scale PV market is still young, the rapid progress in the key metrics documented in this paper has made PV a viable competitor against other utility‐scale renewable generators, and even conventional peaking generators, in certain regions of the country. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.