bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MESOZOIC THERMAL EVENTS IN CENTRAL LOWER YANGTZE AREA AND IMPACTS ON HYDROCARBON GENERATION OF MARINE SOURCE ROCKS
Authors: Yu‐Song YUAN , Hao YU , Tian‐Yi LI , Shuang‐Jian LI
Published: October 2016

Temperature is a key parameter of controlling hydrocarbon generation of source rocks. Elevated temperature resulted from tectonothermal events may significantly affect hydrocarbon generation. Based on geology, fission track analysis, apatite U‐Th/He and volcanic rock isotopic age data, it is found that there existed Indosinian (T3‐J2) and Yanshanian (J3‐K1) tectonothermal events in Lower Yangtze area and the sedimentary basins reached their peak heat flow at about 130∼110 Ma. The maximum heat flows obtained from thermal history reconstruction based on vitrinite reflectance are ∼94 mW·m–2 and ∼78 mW·m–2 in Jurong and Taixing areas respectively, with an increasing trend from east to west. Hydrocarbon generation history reconstruction based on the EASY%Ro model shows that the dominating gas generation periods of the Cambrian source rock are the Early Permian‐Late Triassic and the Late Triassic‐Early Cretaceous in Changzhou and Jurong areas respectively. Because of the dual effects from the foreland sediments deposited in T3‐J1–2 and the magmatism thermal event in the Early Cretaceous, the marine source rocks reached their maximum temperature at the end of Early Cretaceous. The temperature of the marine source rocks was no longer elevated owing to the decreased heat flow since the Late Cretaceous, though, in some parts of the Jurong, Taixing and Changzhou areas, subsidence occurred and burial depth increased during the K2‐E period. Therefore, the secondary hydrocarbon generation of the marine source rocks is not a widespread process in central Lower Yangtze area.
Active synchronization of multi‐domain controllers in software‐defined networks
Authors: Zou Yuxue , Tian Yueyang , Guo Songtao , Wu Yan
Published: October 2016

Multi‐domain multi‐controller software‐defined networks have an inevitable potential to improve the scalability and reliability of massive data center networks because the single controller cannot match the rapid expansion of cloud computing. The inconsistency among controllers can significantly degrade the network performance, because of that the data center network in software‐defined networks has physically distributed control plane but operates with logically centralized plane. Existing synchronization among multi‐controllers is based on the periodic synchronization (PS) that is stiffly triggered by time. However, the PS neglects potential inconsistency and further produces much packet loss and poor load balance in the whole network. Longer synchronization period increases synchronization overhead and decreases network performance. To keep the load consistency among controllers, we propose an active synchronization algorithm that is agilely triggered by event, ie, synchronization is triggered when the load of specific server exceeds the average load of its domain. With such an event triggered mechanism, we cannot only eliminate the correlation between synchronization and time but also avoid forwarding loop in the global network. Simulation results show that compared to existing PS‐based schemes, our active synchronization algorithm can achieve better load balance with less synchronization overhead and lower packet loss rate.
Strand‐Specific Transcriptome Sequencing Using SMART Technology
Authors: Bostick Magnolia , Bolduc Nathalie , Lehman Alisa , Farmer Andrew
Published: October 2016

Next‐generation sequencing is empowering a deeper understanding of biology by enabling RNA expression analysis over the entire transcriptome with high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. One powerful application within this field is stranded RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), which is necessary to distinguish overlapping genes and to conduct comprehensive annotation and quantification of long non‐coding RNAs. Commonly used methods for generating strand‐specific RNA‐seq libraries are often complicated by protocols that require several rounds of enzymatic treatments and clean‐up steps, making them time‐intensive, insensitive, and unsuitable for processing several samples simultaneously. An additional challenge in the generation of RNA‐seq libraries from total RNA involves the high amount of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the starting material. This unit presents streamlined workflows for generating strand‐specific RNA‐seq libraries from 10 ng to 1 µg total RNA, representing a minimum of 1000 cells, in less than 7 hr with minimal carryover rRNA. These methods allow scientists to evaluate the expression of all transcripts, including non‐polyadenylated long non‐coding RNAs, even in limited biological samples. Combination of the RNase H–based RiboGone rRNA removal system and SMARTer Stranded RNA‐seq technology enables depletion of over 95% of rRNA from mammalian samples, and direct production of Illumina‐ready libraries that maintain strand‐of‐origin information. An alternate method for low input of highly degraded samples is also presented. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solution growth and morphology of CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals in different solvents
Authors: Su Jing , Sang Lin , Wang Di , Lu Di , Wang Wanfu , Wen Yan
Published: October 2016

In this work, large‐sized CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals were successful grown using solution evaporation method with hydrohalic acid and N, N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent respectively. The lattice parameters of cubic CH3NH3PbBr3 were estimated using XRD method. The solubility of CH3NH3PbBr3 in hydrobromic acid was determined at the temperature range between 20 °C–90 °C. A special micro‐solution crystallizer was designed to in‐situ study the morphology of CH3NH3PbBr3 crystal. The largest crystal face was indexed by the XRD patterns and it would be {110} for CH3NH3PbBr3 grown from HBr solution and {100} from DMF solution. The results show that solvent would affect the morphology and crystal habit greatly during crystal growth from solution.
Facile synthesis of ultrathin NbTe2 nanosheets for enhanced tribological properties as a lubricant additive
Authors: Dong Jinze , Li Changsheng , Yang Jin , Chen Beibei , Song Haojie , Chen Jinsuo , Peng Weixiang
Published: October 2016

Graphite‐like bulk NbTe2 powders were prepared by a facile solid phase synthesis process and ultrathin NbTe2 nanosheets were obtained by using wet ball milling induced delamination. The X‐ray diffraction analysis illustrated that the reduction of particle size was mainly along the stacking direction of the basal planes without great influence on the short range order of NbTe2 crystals. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscope observations revealed that the longitudinal dimension of NbTe2 samples changed into the nanoscale from the larger micron level after mechanical exfoliation. The exfoliated NbTe2 nanosheets had better long‐term dispersion stability in paraffin oil than bulk NbTe2. The tribological properties were determined on an UMT‐2 ball‐on‐disk friction and wear tester. The results indicated that the paraffin oil with NbTe2 nanosheets exhibited better lubricating behaviors with the lower friction coefficient and wear rate in comparison with the bulk NbTe2. It was demonstrated that NbTe2 nanosheets could easily enter into a point of friction contact, and form an available tribofilm to prevent the direct contact between counterparts during the friction process. Furthermore, this work shows the potential applications of ultrathin NbTe2 nanosheets in the field of tribology.
Insights into the Impact of Impurities and Non‐Stoichiometric Effects on the Electrochemical Performance of Li2MnSiO4
Authors: Fleischmann S. , Mancini M. , Axmann P. , Golla‐Schindler U. , Kaiser U. , Wohlfahrt‐Mehrens M.
Published: October 2016

A series of Li2MnSiO4 samples with various Li, Mn, and/or Si concentrations are reported to study for the first time the effect of impurities and deviation from ideal stoichiometry on electrochemical behavior. Carbon‐coated and nanosized powders are obtained at 600 °C and compared with those synthetized at 900 °C. Samples are investigated using XRD, SEM, high‐resolution TEM, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area to characterize crystal structure, particle size, impurity amount, morphology, and surface area. Electrochemical performance depends on impurities such as MnO as well as crystallite size, surface area, and non‐stoichiometric phases, which lead to the formation of additional polymorphs such as Pmnb and P21/n of Li2MnSiO4 at low calcination temperatures. A systematic analysis of the main parameters affecting the electrochemical behavior is performed and trends in synthesis are identified. The findings can be applied to optimize different synthesis routes for attaining stoichiometric and phase‐pure Pmn21 Li2MnSiO4 as cathode material for Li‐ion batteries.
DC analysis and design of a PWM buck converter operated as a dynamic power supply
Authors: Salvatierra Thomas , Kazimierczuk Marian K.
Published: October 2016

Modern energy transmission and signal reproduction techniques rely upon power amplifiers that must operate with high efficiency. An increasingly popular technique for addressing this problem involves replacing the fixed power amplifier supply voltage VDD with a controlled, variable voltage provided by a dynamic power supply. Although pulse‐width modulated dc‐dc buck converters typically function as fixed‐output supplies, this paper provides new theoretical dc analysis for operation wherein the output voltage is controlled and continuously variable over a wide range. A design procedure for the variable‐output buck converter is derived. Key device parameters affecting converter speed and efficiency are identified. The dc analysis and design procedure are verified experimentally, with calculated and measured parameters shown to be in good agreement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who Is This God of Whom You Speak? Counseling Students' Concept of God
Authors: Cashwell Craig S. , Young J. Scott , Tangen Jodi L. , Pope Amber L. , Wagener Alwin , Sylvestro Hallie , Henson Robert A.
Published: October 2016

Many clients bring a belief in God or a Higher Power into counseling sessions. What is less clear, however, is how counselors conceptualize “god,” which may affect how spirituality is integrated in the counseling process. To explore this question, the authors conducted a concept map study of god images among counseling students. Results suggest that students harbor broad and diverse conceptualizations of god, which may affect the counseling process.
In‐band bootstrapping in database‐driven multi‐hop cognitive radio networks
Authors: Jia Juncheng , Wang Dajin , He Zhengqiu , Fan Jianxi , Zhang Shukui , Wang Jin , Yan Jianfeng
Published: October 2016

Database‐driven approach has emerged recently as an alternative or supplement for spectrum sensing for cognitive radio networks (CRNs). Within database‐driven CRNs, master devices obtain spectrum information by direct connection to a spectrum database, while slave devices can only access spectrum information indirectly via masters. The in‐band approach completely based on primary spectrum channels can be used, which eliminates the need for out‐of‐band connections and eases the adoption of the database‐driven spectrum sharing. In this paper, we study the in‐band bootstrapping process for database‐driven multi‐hop CRNs, where master/slave devices form a multi‐hop networks, and slaves need multi‐hop communications to obtain spectrum information from the master during bootstrapping. We start with the basic design of in‐band bootstrap protocol, whose performance is unsatisfactory of protocol overhead and bootstrap time. Then we propose 2 enhancements: first, we incorporates the recursive fractional spectrum information query scheme to reduce protocol overhead; then we propose the prefetch scheme to reduce the bootstrap time. According to the analysis and simulation results, our proposed protocols can greatly improve the performance: the recursive fractional spectrum information query enhancement reduces up to 40% of the overhead, the prefetch enhancement reduces more than 20% of the bootstrap time.
Fine needle aspiration in intraocular metastasis from pleuropulmonary blastoma. A case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Costa Jennifer , Klijanienko Jerzy , Desjardins Laurence , Cassoux Nathalie , Machet Marie Christine , Pacquement Helene
Published: October 2016

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare primitive intrathoracic malignant neoplasm that occurs almost exclusively in children and adolescents. PPB is classified into three types according to the presence of cystic and solid areas. We report a case of PPB with an intraocular metastasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA): 3‐year‐old female was treated for type II PPB by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Four years later, she presented with an intraocular lesion. To differentiate between metastasis or other malignancy, a transcleral FNA was performed and showed two cellular populations represented by roundish malignant cells and spindle‐shaped cells. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and diode laser ablation. A year later, the patient had enucleation and rare residual cells were found on the histological specimen. Patient remains disease‐free 66 months after the last surgical treatment. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:156–160. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High prevalence of diabetes‐specific autoimmunity in first‐degree relatives of Sardinian patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Incani M. , Serafini C. , Satta C. , Perra L. , Scano F. , Frongia P. , Ricciardi R. , Ripoli C. , Soro M. , Strazzera A. , Zampetti S. , Buzzetti R. , Cavallo M.G. , Cossu E. , Baroni M.G.
Published: October 2016

Background

The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Sardinia is among the highest in the world (44.8 cases/100,000 person‐years). Recommendations of the Immunology of Diabetes Society advise evaluating autoantibody positivity in first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with T1DM, for their higher risk to develop the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of beta‐cell autoimmunity in FDRs of T1DM patients in Sardinia.

Methods

A total of 188 Sardinian families were recruited in collaboration between diabetes and pediatric units of university and district hospitals in Sardinia. The recruitment involved 188 patients with diagnosed T1DM and all their available FDRs (n = 447). Autoantibodies (Aabs) against GAD, IA2, insulin, and ZnT8 were measured in all subjects. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) risk genotypes (HLA‐DR and DQ loci) were analyzed in 43 Aabs‐positive FDR.

Results

The prevalence of Aabs (any type of autoantibody, single or multiple) in FDR was 11.9% (53/447). Of those with autoantibodies, 62.3% (33/53) were positive to only 1 autoantibody, 22.6% (12/53) had 2 autoantibodies, 7.55% (4/53) had 3 autoantibodies, and 7.55% (4/53) had all 4 autoantibodies. Typing of HLA‐DR and DQ loci showed that 89% of FDR carried moderate‐ to high‐risk genotypes, with only 5 FDR with low‐risk genotypes.

Conclusions

The prevalence of T1DM autoantibodies in FDRs of T1DM patients was very high (11.9%) in the Sardinian population, higher than in other populations from the United States and Europe, and similar to that observed in Finland. Autoantibody positivity strongly associated with HLA risk. This study provides evidence of the high risk of T1DM in FDR of T1DM patients in Sardinia and warrants longitudinal follow‐up to estimate the risk of progression to T1DM in high‐risk populations.
Longitudinal evaluation of the isotope ratio mass spectrometric data: towards the ‘isotopic module’ of the athlete biological passport?
Authors: Jardines Daniel , Botrè Francesco , Colamonici Cristiana , Curcio Davide , Procida Gemma , de la Torre Xavier
Published: October 2016

The detection of the abuse of pseudo‐endogenous steroids (testosterone and/or its precursors) is currently based on the application of the steroid module of the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) Athletes’ Biological Passport (ABP), implemented through ADAMS. Diagnostic metabolites are monitored for every athlete and statistically evaluated with a predictive Bayesian approach. In the case of suspicious samples, the data of the ABP are confirmed and the isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) test is activated. We have previously demonstrated that IRMS enables confirmation of the non‐endogenous origin of pseudo‐endogenous steroids in otherwise non‐suspicious samples, after a longitudinal evaluation of the ABP, even after the inclusion of additional long‐term diagnostic hydroxylated metabolites, and that the delta values of the parameters obtained during the IRMS confirmation process presented much less variability compared to the parameters of the ABP. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the application of the same methodology used for the evaluation of the ABP, on the delta values of the pseudo‐endogenous steroids monitored. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been assessed on samples obtained after controlled administrations of oral androstenedione and transdermal testosterone. The results support the conclusion that, if applied, the longitudinal evaluation of the IRMS data allows the detection of positive samples that otherwise will be reported as atypical findings (ATF), improving the efficacy of the fight against doping in sport. This approach, by narrowing the individual acceptable range, could possibly improve the detection of the intake of preparations of synthetic origin with delta values close to or overlapping those of endogenously produced steroids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal patterns in δ2H values of multiple tissues from Andean birds provide insights into elevational migration
Authors: Villegas Mariana , Newsome Seth D. , Blake John G.
Published: October 2016

Elevational migration is a widespread phenomenon in tropical avifauna but it is difficult to identify using traditional approaches. Hydrogen isotope (δ2H) values of precipitation decrease with elevation so δ2H analysis of multiple bird tissues with different isotopic incorporation rates may be a reliable method for characterizing seasonal elevational migration. Here we compare δ2H values in metabolically inert (feathers and claws) and metabolically active (whole blood) tissues to examine whether an upslope migration occurs prior to the breeding season in the Yungas Manakin (Chiroxiphia boliviana). We compare results from C. boliviana with data from a known elevational migrant, the Streak‐necked Flycatcher (Mionectes striaticollis). Opposite to our expectations, tissue δ2H values increased over time, largely reflecting seasonal patterns in precipitation δ2H rather than elevational effects; linear mixed‐effects models with strongest support included ordinal date, tissue type, and elevation. This seasonal increase in precipitation δ2H is a general phenomenon in both tropical and temperate mountain ranges. We use these data to propose a hypothetical framework that predicts different patterns in tissue δ2H values collected in different seasons from residents and elevational migrants. This framework can serve as a reference for future studies that assess elevational migration in birds and other animals.
toBeeView: a program for simulating the retinal image of visual scenes on nonhuman eyes
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gironés Miguel A. , Ruiz Alberto
Published: October 2016

We present toBeeView, a program that produces from a digital photograph, or a set of photographs, an approximation of the image formed at the sampling station stage in the eye of an animal. toBeeView is freely available from https://github.com/EEZA-CSIC/compound-eye-simulator. toBeeView assumes that sampling stations in the retina are distributed on a hexagonal grid. Each sampling station computes the weighted average of the color of the part of the visual scene projecting on its photoreceptors, and the hexagon of the output image associated with the sampling station is filled in this average color. Users can specify the visual angle subtended by the scene and the basic parameters determining the spatial resolution of the eye: photoreceptor spatial distribution and optic quality of the eye. The photoreceptor distribution is characterized by the vertical and horizontal interommatidial angles—which can vary along the retina. The optic quality depends on the section of the visual scene projecting onto each sampling station, determined by the acceptance angle. The output of toBeeView provides a first approximation to the amount of visual information available at the retina for subsequent processing, summarizing in an intuitive way the interaction between eye optics and receptor density. This tool can be used whenever it is important to determine the visual acuity of a species and will be particularly useful to study processes where object detection and identification is important, such as visual displays, camouflage, and mimicry.
Projected changes in climatic suitability for Kinosternon turtles by 2050 and 2070
Authors: Butler Christopher J. , Stanila Brian D. , Iverson John B. , Stone Paul A. , Bryson Matthew
Published: October 2016

Chelonians are expected to be negatively impacted by climate change due to limited vagility and temperature‐dependent sex determination. However, few studies have examined how freshwater turtle distributions may shift under different climate change scenarios. We used a maximum entropy approach to model the distribution of five widespread North American Kinosternon species (K. baurii, K. flavescens, K. hirtipes, K. sonoriense, and K. subrubrum) under four climate change scenarios. We found that areas with suitable climatic conditions for K. baurii and K. hirtipes are expected to decline substantially during the 21st century. In contrast, the area with suitable climate for K. sonoriense will remain essentially unchanged, while areas suitable for K. flavescens and K. subrubrum are expected to substantially increase. The centroid for the distribution of four of the five species shifted northward, while the centroid for K. sonoriense shifted slightly southward. Overall, centroids shifted at a median rate of 37.5 km per decade across all scenarios. Given the limited dispersal ability of turtles, it appears unlikely that range shifts will occur rapidly enough to keep pace with climate change during the 21st century. The ability of chelonians to modify behavioral and physiological responses in response to unfavorable conditions may allow turtles to persist for a time in areas that have become increasingly unsuitable, but this plasticity will likely only delay local extinctions.
Land abandonment and changes in snow cover period accelerate range expansions of sika deer
Authors: Ohashi Haruka , Kominami Yuji , Higa Motoki , Koide Dai , Nakao Katsuhiro , Tsuyama Ikutaro , Matsui Tetsuya , Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: October 2016

Ongoing climate change and land‐use change have the potential to substantially alter the distribution of large herbivores. This may result in drastic changes in ecosystems by changing plant–herbivore interactions. Here, we developed a model explaining sika deer persistence and colonization between 25 years in terms of neighborhood occupancy and habitat suitability. We used climatic, land‐use, and topographic variables to calculate the habitat suitability and evaluated the contributions of the variables to past range changes of sika deer. We used this model to predict the changes in the range of sika deer over the next 100 years under four scenario groups with the combination of land‐use change and climate change. Our results showed that both climate change and land‐use change had affected the range of sika deer in the past 25 years. Habitat suitability increased in northern or mountainous regions, which account for 71.6% of Japan, in line with a decrease in the snow cover period. Habitat suitability decreased in suburban areas, which account for 28.4% of Japan, corresponding to land‐use changes related to urbanization. In the next 100 years, the decrease in snow cover period and the increase in land abandonment were predicted to accelerate the range expansion of sika deer. Comparison of these two driving factors revealed that climate change will contribute more to range expansion, particularly from the 2070s onward. In scenarios that assumed the influence of both climate change and land‐use change, the total sika deer range increased by between +4.6% and +11.9% from the baseline scenario. Climate change and land‐use change will require additional efforts for future management of sika deer, particularly in the long term.
Concordance between stabilizing sexual selection, intraspecific variation, and interspecific divergence inPhymata
Authors: Punzalan David , Rowe Locke
Published: October 2016

Empirical studies show that lineages typically exhibit long periods of evolutionary stasis and that relative levels of within‐species trait covariance often correlate with the extent of between‐species trait divergence. These observations have been interpreted by some as evidence of genetic constraints persisting for long periods of time. However, an alternative explanation is that both intra‐ and interspecific variation are shaped by the features of the adaptive landscape (e.g., stabilizing selection). Employing a genus of insects that are diverse with respect to a suite of secondary sex traits, we related data describing nonlinear phenotypic (sexual) selection to intraspecific trait covariances and macroevolutionary divergence. We found support for two key predictions (1) that intraspecific trait covariation would be aligned with stabilizing selection and (2) that there would be restricted macroevolutionary divergence in the direction of stabilizing selection. The observed alignment of all three matrices offers a point of caution in interpreting standing variability as metrics of evolutionary constraint. Our results also illustrate the power of sexual selection for determining variation observed at both short and long timescales and account for the apparently slow evolution of some secondary sex characters in this lineage.
Timber harvest and drought interact to impact oak seedling growth and survival in the Central Hardwood Forest
Authors: Kellner Kenneth F. , Swihart Robert K.
Published: October 2016

Oak (Quercus) is a dominant component of the overstory in the Central Hardwood Forest region, but is currently failing to regenerate throughout much of its range. Loss of oak as a canopy dominant species would be devastating to the numerous species of wildlife that rely on acorns as a food resource. Intolerance to shade, competitive interactions, and herbivory (especially by deer) all contribute to oak regeneration failure by suppressing oak seedling growth and reducing survival. Timber harvest is one way to create light conditions favorable for shade‐intolerant oak seedlings, but other biotic factors, especially competition and herbivory, continue to play a role in oak seedling growth and survival following harvest. We experimentally planted oak seedlings in several timber harvesting treatments and under varying conditions of herbivory and interspecific competition to assess the relative importance of these drivers of early oak life history and their interaction with timber harvest. Overall, seedling survival over the 4‐yr study was negatively related to competition but not herbivory, and growth was negatively related to herbivory but not competition. Herbivore pressure was generally mild across the study area. Abiotic factors also played an important role: Severe drought during the first two growing seasons (2011–2012) had a negative effect on both growth and survival, especially for seedlings in harvest openings and on southwestern‐facing slopes (sites that should normally favor shade‐intolerant oak). Meanwhile, a partial harvesting technique (shelterwood harvest) increased available light for oak regeneration while appearing to buffer against the effects of the drought. More extreme weather conditions, brought on by climate change, will likely present challenges for forest managers seeking to regenerate oak via timber harvest. Phased harvesting systems like shelterwoods, in addition to their other advantages, may mitigate the impacts of drought while still encouraging oak seedling growth.
Mycorrhizal status helps explain invasion success of alien plant species
Authors: Menzel Andreas , Hempel Stefan , Klotz Stefan , Moora Mari , Pyšek Petr , Rillig Matthias C. , Zobel Martin , Kühn Ingolf
Published: October 2016

It is still debated whether alien plants benefit from being mycorrhizal, or if engaging in the symbiosis constrains their establishment and spread in new regions. We analyzed the association between mycorrhizal status of alien plant species in Germany and their invasion success. We compared whether the representation of species with different mycorrhizal status (obligate, facultative, or non‐mycorrhizal) differed at several stages of the invasion process. We used generalized linear models to explain the occupied geographical range of alien plants, incorporating interactions of mycorrhizal status with plant traits related to morphology, reproduction, and life‐history. Non‐naturalized aliens did not differ from naturalized aliens in the relative frequency of different mycorrhizal status categories. Mycorrhizal status significantly explained the occupied range of alien plants; with facultative mycorrhizal species inhabiting a larger range than non‐mycorrhizal aliens and obligate mycorrhizal plant species taking an intermediate position. Aliens with storage organs, shoot metamorphoses, or specialized structures promoting vegetative dispersal occupied a larger range when being facultative mycorrhizal. We conclude that being mycorrhizal is important for the persistence of aliens in Germany and constitutes an advantage compared to being non‐mycorrhizal. Being facultative mycorrhizal seems to be especially advantageous for successful spread, as the flexibility of this mycorrhizal status may enable plants to use a broader set of ecological strategies.
Tuning Crystal Structures and Thermoelectric Properties through Al Doping in ReSi1.75
Authors: Wang Fei , Veremchuk Igor , Lidin Sven
Published: October 2016

Binary rhenium silicide, ReSi1.75, and its aluminium‐doped variants have been synthesized. Their crystal structures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, solved and refined through the use of superspace group models. The binary undoped ReSi1.75 is a commensurate (supercell) structure of the previously well‐known MoSi2‐type structure. Al doping renders an incommensurate structure that was solved and refined, and reported for the first time. The thermoelectric properties of these compounds were also measured, including their electrical resistivities, thermal conductivities, and Seebeck coefficients. Compared with the commensurate structure of binary ReSi1.75, the Al‐doped incommensurate phase exhibits lower lattice thermal conductivity, lower electrical resistivity, a higher Seebeck coefficient, and ultimately a much higher figure of merit (ZT). The cause of the structural incommensuration by Al doping was studied through the use of first‐principle calculations. The relationship between the incommensurability and the improved thermoelectric properties is also discussed.
Why is Ferrocene so Exceptional?
Authors: Astruc Didier
Published: October 2016

The appearance of ferrocene in the middle of the 20th century has revolutionized organometallic chemistry and is now providing applications in areas as varied and sometimes initially unexpected as optical and redox devices, battery and other materials, sensing, catalysis, including asymmetric and enantioselective catalysis, and medicine. The author presents here a general, although personal, view of ferrocene's chemistry, properties, functions, and applications through a literature survey involving both historical and up‐to‐date trends and including examples of his group's research in a number of these areas. The review gathers together general features of ferrocene chemistry and representative examples of the salient aspects. Its focus is on ferrocene's basic properties, ferrocene‐containing ligands, the ferrocene/ferricinium redox couple, ferrocene mixed‐valence and average‐valence systems, the ferricinium/ferrocene redox shuttle in catalysis, ligand‐exchange reactions, ferrocene‐containing polymers, ferrocene‐containing structures for cathodic battery and other materials, ferrocenes in supramolecular ensembles, liquid crystals, and nonlinear optical materials, ferrocene‐containing stars and their electrostatic effects, ferrocene‐containing dendrons, dendrimers, and nanoparticles (NPs) and their application in redox sensing and catalysis, and ferrocenes in nanomedicine.
Large Single Crystals of Heterosubstituted Titanosilicate JDF‐L1 Grown Orthogonally in a Regular Levo‐Spiral Mode
Authors: Zhang Li , Han Jingyu , Li Liangjun , Zhao Xuebo , Asaoka Sachio , Zhao Shanlin , Jin Yingjie
Published: October 2016

Single crystals (15 × 15 µm) of lamellar JDF‐L1 and its analogues containing Al or Fe were synthesized by isomorphous substitution of tetrahedral Si sites by Al or Fe. The new (00n)‐plane epitaxial growth rises from the initial square sheets in a regularly orthogonal levo‐spiral mode.
A Direct Catalytic Synthesis of Sodium Diarylphosphinates and Their Corresponding Acids from Sodium Phosphinate
Authors: Botez Laurian , de Jong G. Bas , Slootweg J. Chris , Deelman Berth‐Jan
Published: October 2016

In this contribution we present the direct conversion of sodium phosphinate (NaH2PO2·H2O) to symmetrical sodium diarylphosphinates and their corresponding acids by using palladium catalysis. This route eliminates the need for chlorinated precursors, such as PCl3 and intermediate alkyl‐ or ammoniumphosphinates.
Systematic review of patient history and physical examination to diagnose chronic low back pain originating from the facet joints
Authors: Maas E.T. , Juch J.N.S. , Ostelo R.W.J.G. , Groeneweg J.G. , Kallewaard J.W. , Koes B.W. , Verhagen A.P. , Huygen F.J.P.M. , van Tulder M.W.
Published: October 2016

Patient history and physical examination are frequently used procedures to diagnose chronic low back pain (CLBP) originating from the facet joints, although the diagnostic accuracy is controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of patient history and/or physical examination to identify CLBP originating from the facet joints using diagnostic blocks as reference standard. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and the Cochrane Collaboration database from inception until June 2016. Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We calculated sensitivity and specificity values, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Twelve studies were included, in which 129 combinations of index tests and reference standards were presented. Most of these index tests have only been evaluated in single studies with a high risk of bias. Four studies evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the Revel's criteria combination. Because of the clinical heterogeneity, results were not pooled. The published sensitivities ranged from 0.11 (95% CI 0.02–0.29) to 1.00 (95% CI 0.75–1.00), and the specificities ranged from 0.66 (95% CI 0.46–0.82) to 0.91 (95% CI 0.83–0.96). Due to clinical heterogeneity, the evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of patient history and/or physical examination to identify facet joint pain is inconclusive. Patient history and physical examination cannot be used to limit the need of a diagnostic block. The validity of the diagnostic facet joint block should be studied, and high quality studies are required to confirm the results of single studies.

Significance

Patient history and physical examination cannot be used to limit the need of a diagnostic block. The validity of the diagnostic facet joint block should be studied, and high quality studies are required to confirm the results of single studies.
Preparation of non‐covalent Metalloporphyrin/C60 Composite and its Electrocatalysis to Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Zhu Jie , Gong Xiaojie , Zhang Mengdan , Zheng Chaoyue , Chen Naiwu , Sandford Graham , Wu Qiong , Huang Wei , Gao Deqing
Published: October 2016

Three non‐covalent metallotetraphenylporphyrin/fullerene (MTPPS4 (M=Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+)/C60) nanocomposites were prepared by π‐π molecular interaction and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy. Electrocatalytic studies indicated that the MTPPS4/C60 nanocomposites which were embedded in TOAB film on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (TOAB/MTPPS4/C60/GCE) exhibited a high electrocatalytic activity for H2O2. MTPPS4 enhanced the electrocatalytic ability of C60 in the increasing order of TOAB/ZnTPPS4/C60/GCE, TOAB/FeTPPS4/C60/GCE and TOAB/CoTPPS4/C60/GCE. The measurement with the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) exhibited that there is a well‐defined linear relationship between the reduction currents and H2O2 concentrations in the range from 0.3 to 1.0 mM, with the detection limit of 0.07 mM at the TOAB/ZnTPPS4/C60/GCE electrode, of 0.08 mM at the TOAB/FeTPPS4/C60/GCE electrode, of 0.04 mM at the TOAB/CoTPPS4/C60/GCE electrode, respectively. The biosensors showed a good anti‐interfering ability towards glucose, ascorbic acid and L‐cysteine and a high potential practicality.
A fully automated linear polyacrylamide coating and regeneration method for capillary electrophoresis of proteins
Authors: Bodnar Judit , Hajba Laszlo , Guttman Andras
Published: October 2016

Surface modification of the inner capillary wall in CE of proteins is frequently required to alter EOF and to prevent protein adsorption. Manual protocols for such coating techniques are cumbersome. In this paper, an automated covalent linear polyacrylamide coating and regeneration process is described to support long‐term stability of fused‐silica capillaries for protein analysis. The stability of the resulting capillary coatings was evaluated by a large number of separations using a three‐protein test mixture in pH 6 and 3 buffer systems. The results were compared to that obtained with the use of bare fused‐silica capillaries. If necessary, the fully automated capillary coating process was easily applied to regenerate the capillary to extend its useful life‐time.
Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells that use an Aqueous Choline Chloride‐Based Deep Eutectic Solvent as Effective Electrolyte Solution
Authors: Boldrini Chiara Liliana , Manfredi Norberto , Perna Filippo Maria , Trifiletti Vanira , Capriati Vito , Abbotto Alessandro
Published: October 2016

Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that use an aqueous (40 % w/w water content) choline chloride based deep eutectic solvent as an electrolyte medium have been investigated. The joint combination of the eutectic mixture and an appropriate hydrophilic sensitizer afforded a DSSC with a power conversion efficiency comparable to that using the same electrolyte composition but with conventional, toxic, and volatile solvents as the medium, which thereby paves the way to a new generation of eco‐friendly, nature‐inspired, low‐cost solar devices.
Remote control‐based energy management for energy savings in a central heating system
Authors: Şahin Volkan , İpek Osman , Başoğul Yusuf , Gürel Barış , Keçebaş Ali
Published: October 2016

In this study, to enhance the performance of a central heating system, the following tasks were performed on the system via Radio Frequency modems: collection of data, evaluation of the system, real time monitoring, remote control, and management processes. A central heating system testing apparatus and related software and hardware were developed. Both short‐time and long‐time experiments were conducted. In the experiments, Case 1, in which the system operated under ambient conditions for an hour without remote control, was compared with Case 2, in which the space temperature was kept constant at 21°C. The experimental results indicated that Case 2, in which remote control‐based energy management was conducted, resulted in 20 L of fuel savings compared to Case 1, and a 57–60% thermal efficiency was measured. As a result, a central heating system using remote control‐based energy management is more efficient, economical, and less harmful to the environment. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 600–609, 2017
Flood‐driven topographic changes in a gravel‐cobble river over segment, reach, and morphological unit scales
Authors: Pasternack Gregory B. , Wyrick Joshua R.
Published: October 2016

Regulated rivers generally incise below dams that cut off sediment supply, but how that happens and what the consequences are at different spatial scales is poorly understood. Modern topographic mapping at meter‐scale resolution now enables investigation of the details of spatial processes. In this study, spatial segregation was applied to a meter‐scale raster map of topographic change from 1999 to 2008 on the gravel‐cobble, regulated lower Yuba River in California to answer specific scientific questions about how a decadal hydrograph that included a flood peak of 22 times bankfull discharge affected the river at segment, reach, and morphological unit scales. The results show that the river preferentially eroded sediment from floodplains compared to the channel, and this not only promoted valley‐wide sediment evacuation, but also facilitated the renewal and differentiation of morphological units, especially in the channel. At the reach scale, area of fill and mean net rate of elevational change were directly correlated with better connectivity between the channel and floodplain, while the mean rate of scour in scour areas was influenced by the ratio of slope to bankfull Froude number, a ratio indicative of lateral migration versus vertical downcutting. Hierarchical segregation of topographic change rasters proved useful for understanding multi‐scalar geomorphic dynamics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations over a gradient of contamination in earthworms living in rice paddy soil
Authors: Abeysinghe Kasun S. , Yang Xiao-Dong , Goodale Eben , Anderson Christopher W. N. , Bishop Kevin , Cao Axiang , Feng Xinbin , Liu Shengjie , Mammides Christos , Meng Bo , Quan Rui-Chang , Sun Jing , Qiu Guangle
Published: October 2016

Mercury (Hg) deposited from emissions or from local contamination, can have serious health effects on humans and wildlife. Traditionally, Hg has been seen as a threat to aquatic wildlife, because of its conversion in suboxic conditions into bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg), but it can also threaten contaminated terrestrial ecosystems. In Asia, rice paddies in particular may be sensitive ecosystems. Earthworms are soil-dwelling organisms that have been used as indicators of Hg bioavailability; however, the MeHg concentrations they accumulate in rice paddy environments are not well known. Earthworm and soil samples were collected from rice paddies at progressive distances from abandoned mercury mines in Guizhou, China, and at control sites without a history of Hg mining. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations declined in soil and earthworms as distance increased from the mines, but the percentage of THg that was MeHg, and the bioaccumulation factors in earthworms, increased over this gradient. This escalation in methylation and the incursion of MeHg into earthworms may be influenced by more acidic soil conditions and higher organic content further from the mines. In areas where the source of Hg is deposition, especially in water-logged and acidic rice paddy soil, earthworms may biomagnify MeHg more than was previously reported. It is emphasized that rice paddy environments affected by acidifying deposition may be widely dispersed throughout Asia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1202–1210. © 2016 SETAC
Improved network selection for multimedia applications
Authors: Munjal Meenakshi , Singh Niraj Pratap
Published: October 2016

Fifth generation mobile networks are being developed to compensate the explosive growth of data traffic and shortage of spectrum. Fifth generation networks consist of multi‐tier heterogeneous network in which multi cells and multi networks are involved. The heterogeneity of different classes of base station improves spectral efficiency and provides flexible coverage area. Hence, in the heterogeneous network environment, deciding to which one mobile should connect is called network selection problem. In this paper, network selection problem in heterogeneous network is simulated by multi attribute decision making algorithm, game theory, and prospect theory. Prospect theory is new in the field of network selection. The weights for different network attributes are computed by analytical hierarchical process, standard deviation, and entropy method. The 4 different applications, i.e., video, voice, web browsing, and email transfer are considered for which available bandwidth, packet jitter, packet loss, and cost per byte are taken as most important attributes, respectively. The weights for different applications are calculated by analytical hierarchical process method. The selection is done in environment composed of heterogeneous networks such as Wi‐Fi, WiMAX, WLAN, LTE, UMTS, and GPRS. So different networks are selected for different applications because only 1 network cannot fulfill the requirement of the all applications. The performance of different methods is shown in relative standard deviation and accuracy. Prospect theory gives the maximum values of relative standard deviation and accuracy.
A Novel Ni/YSZ Anode Image Segmentation Method for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes Microstructure
Authors: Fu X. , Xiang Y. , Chen L. , Xu X. , Li X.
Published: October 2016

For the three‐phase identification of solid oxide cuel cell (SOFC) electrode, this paper presents a novel segmentation method based on gaussian mixture model (GMM) for YSZ/Ni anode optical microscopy (OM) images. A coarseness‐entropy adaptive factor is defined to incorporate the spatial information based on markov random field (MRF) into GMM. Furthermore, the proposed method can obtain the trade‐off between robustness to noise and effectiveness of preserving the details. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the compared method on three‐phase microstructure identification. It can provide reliable foundation for the quantification of SOFC microstructure parameters.