bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new CT scan methodology to characterize a small aggregation gravel clast contained in a soft sediment matrix
Authors: Fouinat Laurent , Sabatier Pierre , Poulenard Jérôme , Reyss Jean-Louis , Montet Xavier , Arnaud Fabien
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Over the past decades, X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been increasingly applied in the geosciences community. CT scanning is a rapid, non-destructive method allowing the assessment of relative density of clasts in natural archives samples. This study focuses on the use of this method to explore instantaneous deposits as major contributors to sedimentation of high-elevation lakes in the Alps, such as the Lake Lauvitel system (western French Alps). This lake is located within a very steep valley prone to episodic flooding and features gullies ending in the lake. This variety of erosion processes leads to deposition of sedimentary layers with distinct clastic properties. We identified 18 turbidites and 15 layers of poorly sorted fine sediment associated with the presence of gravels since AD 1880. These deposits are respectively interpreted as being induced by flood and wet avalanche. This constitutes a valuable record from a region where few historical records exist. This CT scan approach is suitable for instantaneous deposit identification to reconstruct past evolution and may be applicable to a wider variety of sedimentary archives alongside existing approaches.
Monitoring offshore wind farm power performance with SCADA data and an advanced wake model
Authors: Mittelmeier Niko , Blodau Tomas , Kühn Martin
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Wind farm underperformance can lead to significant losses in revenues. The efficient detection of wind turbines operating below their expected power output and immediate corrections help maximize asset value. The method, presented in this paper, estimates the environmental conditions from turbine states and uses pre-calculated lookup tables from a numeric wake model to predict the expected power output. Deviations between the expected and the measured power output ratio between two turbines are an indication of underperformance. The confidence of detected underperformance is estimated by a detailed analysis of the uncertainties of the method. Power normalization with reference turbines and averaging several measures performed by devices of the same type can reduce uncertainties for estimating the expected power. A demonstration of the method's ability to detect underperformance in the form of degradation and curtailment is given. An underperformance of 8 % could be detected in a triple-wake condition.
Electrocatalytic Production of Hydrogen Using Iron Sulfur Cluster
Authors: Alenezi Khalaf M , Alshammari Hamed
Published: March 2017

In response to the energy crisis, rising fossil fuel costs and global climate warming, this study focuses on the electrocatalytic reduction of proton into hydrogen using an iron sulfur cluster in the presence of pentafluorothiophenol. The direct reduction of pentafluorothiophenol at vitreous carbon electrode occurs at Ep-1.3 V vs Ag/AgCl in Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate [Bu4N][BF4]-DMF solution. Interestingly, in the presence of Iron Sulfur Cluster [Fe4S4(SPh)4][Bu4N]2, the reduction potential shifts significantly to -0.98 V vs Ag/AgCl. Based on gas chromatography analysis, the formation of H2 has been confirmed with a current efficiency of ca. 63% after two hours, while the chemical yield at the carbon electrode was about 46%. On the other hand, no H2 gas was detected without catalyst. Importantly, the increment of the concentration of acid (up to 18 equivalents) led to a positive shifting in the reduction potential until a value of 0.18 V. These results reflect the exquisite electrocatalytic efficiency of the protein-like iron sulfur cluster in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER).
Idea of solidarity in contemporary legal and political philosophy
Authors: Zajadło Jerzy
Published: March 2017

In contemporary philosophy of law and political philosophy, relatively little pace is devoted to the problem of solidarity. In Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence and political philosophy, this concept barely makes an appearance. In the relevant European literature, including that in Polish, references usually have a historical focus, and deal with the sociological concepts of Emil Durkheim (the division into mechanical and organic solidarity) and Ferdinand Tönnies (the distinction of Gesellschaft and Gemeinschaft), and their legal application by Leon Duguit (socialization of law as an expression of social soldarization). But if solidarity appears in contemporary philosophical-legal analyses, this is most frequently not expressis verbis, but in a manner that is concealed in one way or another by justice, especially in considerations of broadly conceived social justice.
ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY CONTROL OF THE ACTS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ROMANIA
Authors: Chelaru Eugen
Published: March 2017

Together with the Romanian President, the Government forms the executive. In its activity, the Government issues two categories of acts: decisions, which are the acts that organize the enforcement of laws (an activity that lies within its exclusive competence) and ordinances, by means of which a genuine delegated legislative activity is carried out. All acts issued by the Government are subject to control, but the nature of this review differs depending on the nature of the act. Thus, while decisions are subject only to a review of legality, which is exercised by the courts, under the Law of the Contentious- Administrative, ordinances are subject to both a review of legality and to a review of constitutionality. The peculiarities of the procedure for adopting Government ordinances also made their procedure of constitutionality control differ in some respects from the procedure of reviewing the constitutionality of laws. Thus, the constitutionality control of government ordinances is performed only after their entry into force, by settling the exceptions of unconstitutionality by the Constitutional Court; the exception of unconstitutionality may be brought to court only with the introduction of an action before the contentious-administrative court and not before another court or in another stage of the proceedings; the holder of the objection of unconstitutionality is only the applicant in the proceeding; the resolution of rejecting the criticism of unconstitutionality is a plea of inadmissibility, which, in all cases, obliges the contentious-administrative court to overrule the action as inadmissible. As an exception, the Ombudsman may appeal directly to the Constitutional Court against a government ordinance or against a provision of an ordinance, without having to file for a common law action.
Some like it hot: a differential response to changing temperatures by the malaria vectorsAnopheles funestusandAn. gambiaes.l.
Authors: Charlwood Jacques Derek
Published: March 2017

Background

With the possible implications of global warming, the effect of temperature on the dynamics of malaria vectors in Africa has become a subject of increasing interest. Information from the field is, however, relatively sparse. We describe the effect of ambient temperature over a five-year period on the dynamics ofAn. funestusandAn. gambiaes.l., collected from a single village in southern Mozambique where temperatures varied from a night-time minimum of 6 °C in the cool season to a daytime maximum of 35 °C in the hot season.

Results

Mean daily air temperatures varied from 34 °C to 20 °C and soil temperatures varied from 26 °C to 12 °C. Diurnal variation was greatest in the cooler months of the year and were greater in air temperatures than soil temperatures. During the study 301, 705 femaleAn. funestuswere collected in 6,043 light-trap collections, 161, 466 in 7,397 exit collections and 16, 995 in 1,315 resting collections. The equivalent numbers forAn. gambiaes.l. are 72,475 in light-traps, 33, 868 in exit collections and 5,333 from indoor resting collections. Numbers of mosquito were greatest in the warmer months. Numbers ofAn. gambiaes.l. went through a one hundredfold change (from a mean of 0.14 mosquitoes a night to 14) whereas numbers ofAn. funestusmerely doubled (from a mean of 20 to 40 a night). The highest environmental correlations and mosquito numbers were between mean air temperature (r2 = 0.52 forAn. funestusand 0.77 forAn. gambiaes.l.). Numbers of mosquito collected were not related to rainfall with lags of up to four weeks. Numbers of both gravid and unfedAn. gambiaecomplex females in exit collections continued to increase at all temperatures recorded but gravid females ofAn. funestusdecreased at temperatures above 28 °C. Overall the numbers of gravid and unfedAn. funestuscollected in exit collections were not correlated (p = 0.07). For an unknown reason the number ofAn. gambiaes.l. fell below monitoring thresholds during the study.

Conclusions

Mean air temperature was the most important environmental parameter affecting both vectors in this part of Mozambique. Numbers ofAn. gambiaes.l. increased at all temperatures recorded whilstAn. funestusappeared to be adversely affected by temperatures of 28 °C and above. These differences may influence the distribution of the vectors as the planet warms.
Transport and thermohaline variability in Barrow Canyon on the Northeastern Chukchi Sea Shelf
Authors: Weingartner Thomas J. , Potter Rachel A. , Stoudt Chase A. , Dobbins Elizabeth L. , Statscewich Hank , Winsor Peter R. , Mudge Todd D. , Borg Keath
Published: March 2017

We used a 5 year time series of transport, temperature, and salinity from moorings at the head of Barrow Canyon to describe seasonal variations and construct a 37 year transport hindcast. The latter was developed from summer/winter regressions of transport against Bering‐Chukchi winds. Seasonally, the regressions differ due to baroclinicity, stratification, spatial, and seasonal variations in winds and/or the surface drag coefficients. The climatological annual cycle consists of summer downcanyon (positive and toward the Arctic Ocean) transport of ∼0.45 Sv of warm, freshwaters; fall (October–December) upcanyon transport of ∼−0.1 Sv of cooler, saltier waters; and negligible net winter (January–April) mass transport when shelf waters are saline and near‐freezing. Fall upcanyon transports may modulate shelf freezeup, and negligible winter transports could influence winter water properties. Transport variability is largest in fall and winter. Daily transport probability density functions are negatively skewed in all seasons and seasonal variations in kurtosis are a function of transport event durations. The latter may have consequences for shelf‐basin exchanges. The climatology implies that the Chukchi shelf circulation reorganizes annually: in summer ∼40% of the summer Bering Strait inflow leaves the shelf via Barrow Canyon, but from fall through winter all of it exits via the western Chukchi or Central Channel. We estimate a mean transport of ∼0.2 Sv; ∼50% less than estimates at the mouth of the canyon. Transport discrepancies may be due to inflows from the Beaufort shelf and the Chukchi shelfbreak, with the latter entering the western side of the canyon.
Development of wideband feed for Kashima 34 m antenna
Authors: Ujihara Hideki
Published: March 2017

Corrugated horns are the most typical feeds used in radio telescopes. They have typical fractional bandwidths of almost 20–30%. In very long baseline interferometer observations, the feed, low‐noise amplifiers, and backend electronics limit the bandwidth of the whole receiver system. Wider bandwidth translates into better sensitivity, and in greater signal‐to‐noise ratio. This will allow finer resolution of group delay time or shorter observation times in geodetic observations. Recently, the bandwidth of the backend digital samplers in our receiver system was increased up to 16 Gsps. At that time, the feed antenna became the component limiting the instantaneous bandwidth of our very long baseline interferometry receiver system. Various wideband feeds have been developed in past years. However, none of them meets the needs of our Kashima 34 m Cassegrain antenna, which requires feeds with narrow beam width. This paper reports on newly developed wideband feeds for our 34 m antenna, which have been successfully used in the 6.5–15 GHz band with 30–50% aperture efficiency.
A diagnostic approach to constraining flow partitioning in hydrologic models using a multiobjective optimization framework
Authors: Shafii Mahyar , Basu Nandita , Craig James R. , Schiff Sherry L. , Van Cappellen Philippe
Published: March 2017

Hydrologic models are often tasked with replicating historical hydrographs but may do so without accurately reproducing the internal hydrological functioning of the watershed, including the flow partitioning, which is critical for predicting solute movement through the catchment. Here we propose a novel partitioning‐focused calibration technique that utilizes flow‐partitioning coefficients developed based on the pioneering work of L'vovich (1979). Our hypothesis is that inclusion of the L'vovich partitioning relations in calibration increases model consistency and parameter identifiability and leads to superior model performance with respect to flow partitioning than using traditional hydrological signatures (e.g., flow duration curve indices) alone. The L'vovich approach partitions the annual precipitation into four components (quick flow, soil wetting, slow flow, and evapotranspiration) and has been shown to work across a range of climatic and landscape settings. A new diagnostic multicriteria model calibration methodology is proposed that first quantifies four calibration measures for watershed functions based on the L'vovich theory, and then utilizes them as calibration criteria. The proposed approach is compared with a traditional hydrologic signature‐based calibration for two conceptual bucket models. Results reveal that the proposed approach not only improves flow partitioning in the model compared to signature‐based calibration but is also capable of diagnosing flow‐partitioning inaccuracy and suggesting relevant model improvements. Furthermore, the proposed partitioning‐based calibration approach is shown to increase parameter identifiability. This model calibration approach can be readily applied to other models.
Network structure classification and features of water distribution systems
Authors: Giustolisi Orazio , Simone Antonietta , Ridolfi Luca
Published: March 2017

The network connectivity structure of water distribution systems (WDSs) represents the domain where hydraulic processes occur, driving the emerging behavior of such systems, for example with respect to robustness and vulnerability. In complex network theory (CNT), a common way of classifying the network structure and connectivity is the association of the nodal degree distribution to specific probability distribution models, and during the last decades, researchers classified many real networks using the Poisson or Pareto distributions. In spite of the fact that degree‐based network classification could play a crucial role to assess WDS vulnerability, this task is not easy because the network structure of WDSs is strongly constrained by spatial characteristics of the environment where they are constructed. The consequence of these spatial constraints is that the nodal degree spans very small ranges in WDSs hindering a reliable classification by the standard approach based on the nodal degree distribution. This work investigates the classification of the network structure of 22 real WDSs, built in different environments, demonstrating that the Poisson distribution generally models the degree distributions very well. In order to overcome the problem of the reliable classification based on the standard nodal degree, we define the “neighborhood” degree, equal to the sum of the nodal degrees of the nearest topological neighbors (i.e., the adjacent nodes). This definition of “neighborhood” degree is consistent with the fact that the degree of a single node is not significant for analysis of WDSs.
Local increase of anticyclonic wave activity over northern Eurasia under amplified Arctic warming
Authors: Xue Daokai , Lu Jian , Sun Lantao , Chen Gang , Zhang Yaocun
Published: March 2017

In an attempt to resolve the controversy as to whether Arctic sea ice loss leads to more midlatitude extremes, a metric of finite‐amplitude wave activity is adopted to quantify the midlatitude wave activity and its change during the period of the drastic Arctic sea ice decline in both ERA Interim reanalysis data and a set of Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project‐type of model experiments. Neither the ensemble mean response to the trend in the SST nor that to the declining trend of Arctic sea ice can replicate the sizable midlatitude‐wide increase in the total wave activity (Ae) observed in the reanalysis, leaving its explanation to the atmospheric internal variability. On the other hand, both the diagnostics of the flux of the local anticyclonic wave activity (LAWA) and atmospheric general circulation model experiments lend evidence to a possible linkage between the sea ice loss near the Barents and Kara Seas and the increasing trend of LAWA over the northern part of the central Eurasia and the associated impacts on the frequency of temperature extremes.
Timing and rate of global contraction on Mercury
Authors: Crane Kelsey T. , Klimczak Christian
Published: March 2017

Impact bombardment and global contraction due to planetary cooling have both shaped the surface of Mercury over very long time scales. Landforms associated with these processes, i.e., impact craters and thrust fault‐related escarpments, and their mutual geologic relationships were analyzed to gain insight into the temporal relationships between the two. We assess stratigraphic relationships of ~6000 thrust fault‐related landforms with all 20 km diameter and larger craters to statistically evaluate the timing and rate of contraction on Mercury. Geometric probabilities were computed for thrust faults crosscutting craters of different degradation stages that correspond to different time‐stratigraphic systems, which allow determination of the onset and time derivative of global contraction. Results show that this process had begun after the late heavy bombardment of the inner solar system and likely gradually slowed toward the present. Implications arise for thermal history models as well as slip rates and quake recurrence intervals along thrust faults on Mercury.
Urban Growth Machine
Authors: Farahani Alireza
Published: March 2017

The urban growth machine critically conceptualizes the process of urbanization in the post‐Fordist period. Drawing on the antagonistic relation between residents as users of place and place entrepreneurs and their collaborators as investors in the exchange value of place, the urban growth machine theorizes growth coalitions that are shaped for intensifying the exchange value of urban places. Utilizing a structuralist framework, it leaps beyond agentic urban ecology and structural Marxist theorizations of urban political economy by using the commodification of place and the struggle between its use value and exchange value to draw insight on contemporary urbanization. This theory has been criticized for an overemphasis on the volunteerist agency of the growth coalition, exaggeration of the role of property markets, economistic approach, narrow perception of scale, and failure to add explanatory power in temporal and spatial decontextualized use.
Imaging Findings Suggestive of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Authors: Latourte Augustin , Charlon Stéphane , Etcheto Adrien , Feydy Antoine , Allanore Yannick , Dougados Maxime , Molto Anna
Published: March 2017

Objective

To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) patients and to assess the proportion of DISH patients whose MRI findings would fulfill the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for a positive MRI of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

This study involved all DISH patients who had a spine or sacroiliac (SI) joint MRI performed between January 2009 and December 2014. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Available radiographs and MRI were analyzed and blindly scored by an experienced reader, using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) scores for both spine and SI joint MRI.

Results

A total of 53 symptomatic DISH patients was included in the analysis. The mean ± SD SPARCC score of the spine was 18.3 ± 23.4. Thirty‐five patients (67.3%) had at least 1 fatty corner. Thirty patients (57.7%) met the ASAS definition of a spine MRI suggestive of axial SpA, but only 6 patients (15.8%) with an available SI joint MRI had sacroiliitis according to ASAS criteria. Only 1 patient (3.3%) had ≥3 erosions on the SI joint.

Conclusion

Inflammatory lesions of the spine are common on the MRI of symptomatic DISH patients, and more than half fulfilled the ASAS criteria for a spine MRI suggestive of axial SpA. However, only a few patients met the ASAS definition of active sacroiliitis, suggesting that MRI of the SI joint but not of the spine might allow the differential diagnosis of DISH versus axial SpA in the elderly.
Effect of Severe Plastic Deformation and Subsequent Silicon Spheroidizing Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Al–Si–Mg Alloy
Authors: Haghdadi Nima , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Kawasaki Megumi , Phillion Andre B. , Hodgson Peter D.
Published: March 2017

This study investigated the synergetic effects of severe plastic deformation and subsequent heat treatment on the characteristics of an A356 alloy. The severe deformation by accumulative back extrusion (ABE) at 300 °C substantially refined the α–Al primary phase and Si particles, but did not homogeneously redistribute the Si particles. ABE also improved the strength but did not enhance the ductility. To make a compromise between strength and ductility, a subsequent heat treatment at 540 °C was carried out. It was shown that severe plastic deformation substantially accelerated the silicon spheroidization. Heat treatment increased the ductility of the material from ∼8% (in the deformed condition) to ∼15%. This was discussed with emphasis on restoration of the matrix, spheroidization of the Si particles, and redistribution of the Si particles within the α–Al matrix.
Predicting the Emergence of Community Psychology and Community Development in 91 Countries with Brief Case Studies of Chile and Ghana
Authors: Hanitio Felicia , Perkins Douglas D.
Published: March 2017

Using a mixed‐method analysis, we propose and test a framework for predicting the international development of community psychology (CP) and community development (CD) as two examples of applied community‐based research (CBR) disciplines aiming to link local knowledge generation with social change. Multiple regressions on an international sample of 91 countries were used to determine the relative influences of preexisting grassroots activism, population size, social and economic development, and civil liberties on estimates of the current strength of CP and CD based on Internet search and review of training courses and programs, published articles and journals, and professional organizations and conferences in these countries. Our results provide support for the proposed model and suggest that grassroots activism positively accounts for the development of CP and CD, above and beyond the influences of the other predictors. Brief qualitative case‐study analyses of Chile (high CP, low CD) and Ghana (high CD, low CP) explore the limitations of our quantitative model and the importance of considering other historical, sociopolitical, cultural, and geographic factors for explaining the development of CP, CD, and other applied community studies.
Switchable Reactions for the Investigation of Reactive Mass Transfer Processes
Authors: Tastan Ümit , Guba Fabian , Ziegenbalg Dirk
Published: March 2017

Gas‐liquid reactions represent an important and popular reaction type in chemical industry. On this account, the understanding of ongoing mass transport processes is of high importance. Nevertheless, there is still insufficient information on the interaction between mass transfer and chemical reaction, mainly due to the problem of decoupling mass transfer and reaction. To tackle this challenge, the possibility of decoupling these processes is introduced by use of photochemical reactions as switchable reactions. The feasibility of this concept is demonstrated by taking the photochlorination of toluene as an example. Experimental results show that the aimed separation of mass transfer and reaction can be achieved, providing an innovative tool for the investigation of mass transfer processes.
Experimental Study and Mathematical Modeling of NO Removal Using the UV/H2O2 Advanced Oxidation Process
Authors: Shahrestani Masoumeh Moheb , Rahimi Amir , Momeni Mehdi
Published: March 2017

An experimental study on NO removal via UV/H2O2 process was conducted in a semi‐continuous bubble‐column reactor and the effect of some operation parameters including NO initial concentration and gas flow rates on removal efficiency was investigated. Applying UV light increased the efficiency significantly. The steady‐state removal efficiency was found to be higher at the lower gas flow rates. The bubble size as an important factor in mass transfer calculations and modeling procedure was determined at different gas flow rates using bubble photographs and image processing technique. In the ranges of flow rates studied here, the gas flow rate had no significant effect on the bubble diameter. A mathematical model was developed to describe the NO removal process. The model predictions were compared with existing experimental data, confirming a good agreement of the data.
Hierarchical Porous Intercalation‐Type V2O3 as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Pengcheng , Zhu Kongjun , Xu Yuan , Bian Kan , Wang Jing , Tai Guo‘an , Gao Yanfeng , Luo Hongjie , Lu Li , Liu Jinsong
Published: March 2017

As intercalation‐type anode materials for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs), the commercially used graphite and Li4Ti5O12 exhibit good cycling and rate properties, but their theoretical specific capacities are too low to meet the ever‐growing demands of high‐energy applications such as electric vehicles. Therefore, the development of new intercalation‐type anode materials with larger capacity is very desirable. Herein, we design and synthesize novel 3 D hierarchical porous V2O3@C micro/nanostructures consisting of crumpled nanosheets, through self‐reduction under annealing from the structurally similar VO2 (B)@C precursors without the addition of any other reducing reagent or gas. Excitingly, it is found for the first time through ex situ XRD technology that V2O3 is a new, promising intercalation‐type anode material for LIBs with a high capacity. V2O3@C micro/nanostructures can deliver a large capacity of 732 mAh g−1 without capacity loss at 100 mA g−1 even after 136 cycles, as well as exhibiting excellent cycling and rate performances. The application of V2O3 for Na‐ion batteries (NIBs) is elaborated for the first time, and excitingly, it is found that V2O3@C micro/nanostructures may be promising anode materials for NIBs.
Synthesis of Tetrasilatetrathia[8]circulenes by a Fourfold Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Silylation of C−H Bonds
Authors: Serizawa Yuma , Akahori Shuhei , Kato Shohei , Sakai Hayato , Hasobe Taku , Miyake Yoshihiro , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

The first two examples of a tetrasilatetrathia[8]circulene were synthesized in two steps from a tetraiodotetrathienylene by using a fourfold intramolecular dehydrogenative silylation of C−H bonds as the key step. A single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that tetrasilatetrathia[8]circulene contains a perfectly planar [8]radialene skeleton. The excited‐state dynamics of tetrasilatetrathia[8]circulene were evaluated by steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic measurements, revealing an efficient intersystem crossing in the excited state.
A Multifunctional Pincer Ligand Supports Unsaturated Cobalt: Five Functionalities in One Pincer
Authors: Polezhaev Alexander V. , Chen Chun‐Hsing , Losovyj Yaroslav , Caulton Kenneth G.
Published: March 2017

A pyridyl pincer ligand was developed to incorporate steric bulk, through a PtBu2 arm, and proton responsivity, through a pyrazole pincer ligand arm, together with reactivity at benzylic hydrogen and redox activity within a 1,4 diazabutadiene moiety. Binding it to CoCl2 yielded square‐pyramidal [(PNNH)CoCl2], which was deprotonated by Li[N(SiMe3)2] to form [{Li(THF)2PNN}CoCl2]. Reduction of this LiCl adduct with KC8 under CO atmosphere led to formation of CoI mono‐ and dicarbonyl complexes, which can be protonated but also further deprotonated at the benzylic CH group to give a dearomatized pyridyl group. The ligand was characterized in its neutral, monoanionic, and dianionic forms, and the anions were shown to exist as intimate ion pairs with Li+ bound to pyrazolate N and chloride bound to Lewis acidic cobalt. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to assay both Li content and cobalt oxidation states. The general character of binding of LiCl to a metal complex acidic at metal and nucleophilic at ligand (pyrazolate Nβ) is discussed, as are potential catalytic applications of the concept.
Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent and Stereoselective Access to Branched and Linear Allylated 4‐Pyridones
Authors: Schmidt Johannes P. , Li Changkun , Breit Bernhard
Published: March 2017

A regiodivergent and stereoselective transition‐metal‐catalyzed addition of 4‐pyridones to allenes furnishing N‐allylated pyridones is reported. Employing a commercially available chiral rhodium catalyst enabled enantioselective branched‐selective allylation. Conversely, an achiral palladium catalyst led to linear‐selective N‐allylation in high E‐selectivities. A wide range of functional groups was tolerated and assorted synthetic transformations of the N‐allylated pyridones demonstrated their utility for the syntheses of medicinally relevant heterocyclic scaffolds.
Phylogenetic Inference Using RevBayes
Authors: Höhna Sebastian , Landis Michael J. , Heath Tracy A.
Published: March 2017

Bayesian phylogenetic inference aims to estimate the evolutionary relationships among different lineages (species, populations, gene families, viral strains, etc.) in a model‐based statistical framework that uses the likelihood function for parameter estimates. In recent years, evolutionary models for Bayesian analysis have grown in number and complexity. RevBayes uses a probabilistic‐graphical model framework and an interactive scripting language for model specification to accommodate and exploit model diversity and complexity within a single software package. In this unit we describe how to specify standard phylogenetic models and perform Bayesian phylogenetic analyses in RevBayes. The protocols focus on the basic analysis of inferring a phylogeny from single and multiple loci, describe a hypothesis‐testing approach, and point to advanced topics. Thus, this unit is a starting point to illustrate the power and potential of Bayesian inference under complex phylogenetic models in RevBayes. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reconfigurable microwave filters using memristors
Authors: Potrebić Milka , Tošić Dejan , Biolek Dalibor
Published: March 2017

Memristor‐based technology could be utilized to enhance the performance of many radio frequency (RF)/microwave subsystems, such as filters. In this paper, we propose that memristors can potentially be used as switches for designing a reconfigurable dual‐band RF/microwave planar filter. We are motivated to use memristors instead of some traditional microwave components because memristors do not require any bias, and no moving parts are involved. The reconfigurable filter is designed for multi‐band receiver application using only one memristor‐based switch. Circuit‐level simulations are used to investigate memristor‐based RF/microwave circuits and study their performance. The memristive RF switch is modeled by a resistor in the ON state and by a capacitor in the OFF state. An RF/microwave circuit simulator, NI AWR Microwave Office, is used to verify the expected functionality of the proposed memristor‐based filter. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of toxicity and mutagenicity of cold atmospheric argon plasma
Authors: Maisch T. , Bosserhoff A. K. , Unger P. , Heider J. , Shimizu T. , Zimmermann J. L. , Morfill G. E. , Landthaler M. , Karrer S.
Published: March 2017

Cold atmospheric argon plasma is recognized as a new contact free approach for the decrease of bacterial load on chronic wounds in patients. So far very limited data are available on its toxicity and mutagenicity on eukaryotic cells. Thus, the toxic/mutagenic potential of cold atmospheric argon plasma using the MicroPlaSter β®, which has been used efficiently in humans treating chronic and acute wounds, was investigated using the XTT assay in keratinocytes and fibroblasts and the HGPRT (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase) assay with V79 Chinese hamster cells. The tested clinical parameter of a 2 min cold atmospheric argon plasma treatment revealed no relevant toxicity on keratinocytes (viability: 76% ± 0.17%) and on fibroblasts (viability: 81.8 ± 0.10) after 72 hr as compared to the untreated controls. No mutagenicity was detected in the HGPRT assay with V79 cells even after repetitive CAP treatments of 2–10 min every 24 hr for up to 5 days. In contrast, UV‐C irradiation of V79 cells, used as a positive control in the HGPRT test, led to DNA damage and mutagenic effects. Our findings indicate that cold atmospheric plasma using the MicroPlaSter β® shows negligible effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts but no mutagenic potential in the HGPRT assay, indicating a new contact free safe technology. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:172–177, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive spectrum scanning techniques for reducing the identification time of the frequency coded chipless RFID system
Authors: El‐Awamry Ahmed , Khaliel Maher , Fawky Abdelfattah , Kaiser Thomas
Published: March 2017

The main objective of this contribution is to introduce novel techniques for reducing the time taken from the reader to identify the frequency coded chipless radio frequency identification tags existed in the reader's interrogation region, system latency. The frequency scanning methodology, number of averaging for clutter removal, and hop duration are the 3 main parameters that significantly affect the overall system latency. Consequently, the adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) and adaptive sliding window (ASW) methodologies are proposed and proofed to be efficient for the chipless radio frequency identification systems from the latency and accuracy perspectives. Likewise, the performance of the designed AFH and ASW techniques are compared with the classical fixed frequency hopping methodology with a fine frequency step to validate the accuracy of the proposed methods. Moreover, 4 different coded frequency coded chipless tags are manufactured and used in the measurements. A real‐world testbed is designed including a software‐defined radio platform by which the proposed adaptive algorithms and traditional fixed frequency hopping methodology are implemented. All the measurements are performed in an indoor realized scenario, including the environmental effects. The experiments show that the proposed AFH combined with ASW algorithms significantly reduce the system latency by 58%.
Long‐term liver‐specific functions of hepatocytes in electrospun chitosan nanofiber scaffolds coated with fibronectin
Authors: Rajendran Divya , Hussain Ali , Yip Derek , Parekh Amit , Shrirao Anil , Cho Cheul H.
Published: March 2017

In this study, a new 3D liver model was developed using biomimetic nanofiber scaffolds and co‐culture system consisting of hepatocytes and fibroblasts for the maintenance of long‐term liver functions. The chitosan nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated by the electrospinning technique. To enhance cellular adhesion and spreading, the surfaces of the chitosan scaffolds were coated with fibronectin (FN) by adsorption and evaluated for various cell types. Cellular phenotype, protein expression, and liver‐specific functions were extensively characterized by immunofluorescent and histochemical stainings, albumin enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Cytochrome p450 detoxification assays, and scanning electron microscopy. The electrospun chitosan scaffolds exhibited a highly porous and randomly oriented nanofibrous structure. The FN coating on the surface of the chitosan nanofibers significantly enhanced cell attachment and spreading, as expected, as surface modification with this cell adhesion molecule on the chitosan surface is important for focal adhesion formation and integrin binding. Comparison of hepatocyte mono‐cultures and co‐cultures in 3D culture systems indicated that the hepatocytes in co‐cultures formed colonies and maintained their morphologies and functions for prolonged periods of time. The 3D liver tissue model developed in this study will provide useful tools toward the development of engineered liver tissues for drug screening and tissue engineering applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2119–2128, 2017.
Differential responses of grain yield, grain protein, and their associated traits to nitrogen supply in soft red winter wheat
Authors: Tamang Bishal G. , Brasier Kyle G. , Thomason Wade E. , Griffey Carl A. , Fukao Takeshi
Published: March 2017

Increased application of nitrogen fertilizers has significantly raised grain yield and protein concentration in wheat. However, only 30–50% of applied fertilizer nitrogen are usually utilized by the plant. In this study, four soft red winter wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L., IL07‐4415, MD05W10208‐11‐8, OH06‐150‐57 and Sisson) were grown under three different nitrogen regimes (high, medium, and low) in a greenhouse, and grain yield, grain protein concentration, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and their associated traits were evaluated. Among the four genotypes, a high‐yielding cultivar, Sisson, exhibited superior performance in terms of grain weight plant−1 and NUE for yield (NUEY) at low nitrogen due to maintained grain number spike−1 and harvest index. Significant yield losses due to nitrogen limitation were attributable to reduced spike number plant−1 and grain number spike−1 in the other genotypes. Interestingly, a linear relationship between NUEY and NUE for grain protein (NUEP) was detected at high (R2 = 0.67) and low (R2 = 0.42) nitrogen; both of these traits were positively correlated with grain number spike−1, 1000‐seed weight, and harvest index under nitrogen‐limited conditions (R2 = 0.35–0.48). These results suggest that simultaneous improvement of NUEY and NUEP could be achieved through the selection of the three yield components (grain number spike−1, 1000‐seed weight, and harvest index) at low nitrogen.
The effect solid particle lubricant contamination on the dynamic behavior of compliant journal bearings
Authors: Boucherit Hamid , Bou‐Saïd Benyebka , Lahmar Mustapha
Published: March 2017

The proposed work concerns a theoretical and numerical investigation of the effect of solid particle contamination of lubricant oils on the static and dynamic characteristics of a finite length compliant journal bearing operating under isothermal conditions with laminar flow.

In the present investigation, we use simple models based on the Einstein's mixture theory, which is characterized by the presence of suspended rigid particles in a fluid. Using the classical assumptions of lubrication, a Reynolds equation is derived and solved numerically by the finite difference method. The displacement field at the fluid film bearing liner interface due to pressure forces is determined using the elastic thin layer model.

The results obtained show that the presence of suspended rigid particles in the lubricating oil (solid contamination) has significant effects on the hydrodynamic performance characteristics such as the pressure field, friction force, flow rate, elastic surface deformation as well as stability maps of the rotor‐bearing system (critical mass and whirl frequency) especially at high volumetric concentration.
SIW‐fed Vivaldi antenna with beam steering capabilities
Authors: Puskely Jan , Mikulasek Tomas , Lacik Jaroslav , Raida Zbynek , Arthaber Holger
Published: March 2017

A tapered slot antenna element capable of reconfiguring its beam direction is presented. As the basic element, a Vivaldi antenna fed by a substrate integrated waveguide is chosen. The Vivaldi antenna is complemented by a parasitic planar array of small metallic patches placed in front of its aperture and by corrugated edges of the Vivaldi antenna's arms to provide reconfiguration capabilities. The proposed antenna's beam can be steered in five directions by configuring the interconnections of the parasitic patches and by activation/deactivation of the corrugated edges in the antenna arms. The antenna steers the radiation beam over ±30° in E plane and operates in the frequency band of 6.0–6.5 GHz. The measured gain at 6.25 GHz for 0°, ±15°, and ±30° beam direction of the antenna with ideal switches, is 8.4 dBi, 7.5 dBi, and 6.7 dBi, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1022–1027, 2017
Low‐profile circularly polarized cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna coupled by L‐shaped resonating slot
Authors: Mishra Nipun K. , Das Soma , Vishwakarma Dinesh K.
Published: March 2017

The aim of this work is to design a low‐profile Circularly Polarized Dielectric Resonator Antenna for the X‐band frequency applications. With optimized design the proposed Cylindrical DRA (CDRA) fed by off‐centered L shaped slot is showing characteristics of Circular Polarization in the proposed band. Two orthogonal arms of off‐centered L shaped slot having different dimension excite the two TM01δ modes at 9.5 and 10.5 GHz, in addition both slots itself produce resonances nearly at 8.6 GHz. Combination of all these resonances is generating the nature of circular polarization near 9.5 GHz. Parametric study on designed antenna has been done in order to determine the effect of design parameters on the circular polarization. Axial Ratio bandwidth of 10.5% (1 GHz) and impedance bandwidth of 25% (2.3 GHz) at 9.5 GHz has been shown for single and simple feed low‐profile CDRA. Prototype of optimized design has been fabricated for the validation and measured results have shown good agreement with simulated ones. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:996–1000, 2017
A five elements sequential rotation array arranged in a single‐layer pentagonal substrate
Authors: Maddio Stefano , Pelosi Giuseppe , Righini Monica , Selleri Stefano
Published: March 2017

A pentagonal circular polarized subarray composed of five elements is proposed for operation at 2.45 GHz. The array is based on the sequential rotation architecture (SRA), implemented with a sequential phase distribution network. Despite a more complex design in comparison to the canonical 4‐elements SRA, a pentagonal subarray is more suited to be packed in a Bucky‐ball or icosahedral arrangement, ideal for smart antennas with wide angle spatial coverage. A single‐layer via‐less prototype is fabricated on a common FR4 substrate. Measurements show a realized gain of 6.15 dBi with a polarization purity exceeding 20 dB at 2.45 GHz. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1077–1081, 2017
Dual notched, high gain diversity antenna for wide band applications
Authors: Satam Vandana , Nema Shikha
Published: March 2017

A compact microstrip line fed wide band MIMO antenna with high isolation, dual notch bands with high gain and low correlation coefficient is proposed in this article. These characteristics makes antenna superior for diversity applications. U‐shape slots are etched on radiating element and on feed line to achieve decent band rejection capability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1222–1226, 2017
Theoretical investigation of structural, elastic, and electronic properties of ternary boride MoAlB
Authors: Ali M. A. , Hadi M. A. , Hossain M. M. , Naqib S. H. , Islam A. K. M. A.
Published: March 2017

Using first‐principles calculations, the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of MoAlB have been investigated. The optimized lattice constants exhibit fair agreement with the experimental results. The computed elastic constants satisfy the mechanical stability conditions for MoAlB. The Mo‐based boride MoAlB is elastically anisotropic and classified as brittle material. This boride is expected to be thermally conductive due to its high Debye temperature of 693 K. The metallic conductivity of this compound is predicted by means of electronic structure calculations. The chemical bonding in MoAlB is basically covalent that is assured with the results of DOS, Mulliken population, and charge density distribution. The hardness value of 11.6 GPa for MoAlB suggests that it is relatively soft compared to many others borides. The Fermi surface is formed due to low dispersive Mo 4d‐like bands, which makes the compound a conductive one.
New Ce3+ doped Ca2YMgScSi3O12 garnet ceramic phosphor for white LED converters
Authors: Khaidukov N. , Zorenko Yu. , Zorenko T. , Iskaliyeva A. , Paprocki K. , Zhydachevskii Y. , Suchocki A. , Van Deun R. , Batentschuk M.
Published: March 2017

The results on crystallization and investigation of the luminescent properties of a new prospective ceramic phosphor based on the Ce3+ doped Ca2YMgScSi3O12 silicate garnet are presented for the first time in this work. The luminescent properties of Ca2YMgScSi3O12:Ce were compared with the properties of the reference Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce ceramic sample. Without any doubt, the results of this research can be suitable for the development of a new generation of white converters based on the Ca2+–Si4+ garnet compounds.
Investigating the Coordination/Binding Events of Biologically Relevant Monosaccharides with New Mononuclear Iron(III) and Zinc(II) Complexes in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Giri Gopal C. , Haldar Shobhraj , Vijaykumar Gonela , Bera Manindranath
Published: March 2017

New water‐soluble mononuclear iron(III) and zinc(II) complexes, (Me4N)4[Fe2OCl6][Fe(pbal)Cl3]2 (1), (Me4N)[Fe(pbal)(NO3)3] (2) and (Me4N)[Zn(pbal)Cl2] (3)(Hpbal=N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐β‐alanine) have been synthesized and fully characterized. The interactions of the complexes with biologically relevant monosaccharides, such as D‐glucose, D‐xylose and D‐mannose have been studied by UV‐Vis, 13C NMR and ESI‐MS techniques in alkaline aqueous solution. All the monosaccharides bind to metal complexes in 1:1 molar ratio. Binding‐induced gradual increase in the absorption intensities of 1 and 2 has been observed in the UV‐Vis spectra, with a significant blue shift of absorption maxima of the complexes upon increasing the concentration of monosaccharides. The binding ability and binding mode of these monosaccharides with 3 are identified by their characteristic coordination‐induced shift (CIS) values for carbon atoms C1 and C2 in the 13C NMR spectra. The ESI‐MS for the complexes under the same experimental conditions but in the presence of one mol equiv. of the applied monosaccharides indicate the formation of complex/monosaccharide‐bound associations in solution.