bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
K2ZnSn3Se8: A Non‐Centrosymmetric Zinc Selenidostannate(IV) Featuring Interesting Covalently Bonded [ZnSn3Se8]2− Layer and Exhibiting Intriguing Second Harmonic Generation Activity
Authors: Zhou Molin , Jiang Xingxing , Yang Yi , Guo Yangwu , Lin Zheshuai , Yao JJiyong , Wu Yicheng
Published: April 2017

Non‐centrosymmetric zinc selenidostannate(IV) K2ZnSn3Se8 was synthesized. It features interesting covalently bonded [ZnSn3Se8]2− layers with K+ cations filling in the interlayer voids. The phonon spectrum was calculated to clarify its structural stability. Based on the X‐ray diffraction data along with the Raman spectrum, the major bonding features of the title compound were identified. According to the UV/vis‐NIR spectroscopy, K2ZnSn3Se8 possesses a typical direct band gap of 2.10 eV, which is in good agreement with the band structure calculations. Moreover, our experimental measurements and detailed theoretical calculations reveal that K2ZnSn3Se8 is a new phase‐matchable nonlinear optical material with a powder second harmonic generation (SHG) signal about 0.6 times of that of AgGaS2.
Informationsaustausch in der Ektomykorrhiza
Authors: Kothe Erika , Krause Katrin
Published: April 2017

Die Mykorrhiza hat in der Co‐Evolution beider Symbiosepartner eine spezifische Kommunikation entwickelt. Der Austausch anorganischer (durch den Pilz gelieferte Mineralstoffe und Wasser) und organischer Nährstoffe (durch den Baum bereitgestellte Zucker) bietet beiden Partnern Vorteile. Damit die Interaktion zustande kommt, werden Signale ausgetauscht, die zunächst aus den Wurzelexsudaten des Baums sowie Volatilen bestehen. Nach der Erkennung kann der Pilz mit spezifischen Effektoren wirksam die gegen Pathogene gerichtete Pflanzenantwort unterdrücken und so in die Wurzel einwachsen. In diesem Stadium sind für die Erkennung besonders Oberflächenproteine wie Hydrophobine der Pilzzellwand entscheidend. In der Wurzel können nicht nur Nährstoffe ausgetauscht, sondern auch Signale erkannt werden, die – wie das Auxin Indol‐3‐Essigssäure – als Phytohormon wirksam sein können und gleichzeitig die Morphologie des Pilzes beeinflussen. Daneben reagiert der Pilz in seinen den Boden durchziehenden Hyphen auf den Einfluss weiterer Bakterien und Pilze, die damit die Mykorrhizosphäre bilden.
Wie Bienen Blumen sehen
Authors: Lunau Klaus , Verhoeven Christian
Published: April 2017

Falschfarbenfotografie mit ultraviolettem, blauem und grünem Licht ermöglicht die Darstellung von Blüten aus Bienensicht. Mit dieser Methode lassen sich auch sehr kleine und feine Strukturen darstellen, die mit dem Spektrometer nicht gemessen werden können. Gleichzeitig werden durch die Falschfarben Farbkontraste von Blüten und Blütenfarbmuster bienensubjektiv richtig dargestellt und lassen sich so besser interpretieren.
Feuerschutz bei Bienen
Authors: Vonend Kristina , Tautz Jürgen
Published: April 2017

Der Einsatz von Rauch ermöglicht dem Imker, an einem Bienenvolk zu arbeiten, ohne damit rechnen zu müssen, dass die Bienen den Eindringling angreifen. Was steckt biologisch hinter dem besonderen Verhalten der Honigbienen, wenn sie Rauch wahrnehmen?
17.–21.9.17: Botanikertagung in Kiel
Authors: Krupinska Karin
Published: April 2017

Die Kieler Pflanzenwissenschaftler laden unter dem Motto „Pflanzenforschung in einer sich wandelnden Welt” zur Botanikertagung an der Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität ein.
Die Milchsäurebakterien: Sauer macht haltbar!
Authors: Tetsch Larissa
Published: April 2017

Milchsäurebakterien vergären verschiedene Zucker zu Milchsäure und veredeln damit Frischmilch und Gemüse zu haltbaren Produkten wie Joghurt, Käse und Sauerkraut. Industriell durch diese Mikroorganismen hergestellte Milchsäure kommt in der Lebensmittelindustrie, in der Kunststoffherstellung, in Kosmetik und Pharmazie sowie in der Bienenzucht zum Einsatz. Darüber hinaus sind die Milchsäurebakterien ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Darm‐ und Vaginalflora und finden sich in vielen Probiotika.
Accuracy of circulating histones in predicting persistent organ failure and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Liu T , Huang W , Szatmary P , Abrams S T , Alhamdi Y , Lin Z , Greenhalf W , Wang G , Sutton R , Toh C H
Published: April 2017

Background

Early prediction of acute pancreatitis severity remains a challenge. Circulating levels of histones are raised early in mouse models and correlate with disease severity. It was hypothesized that circulating histones predict persistent organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Methods

Consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis fulfilling inclusion criteria admitted to Royal Liverpool University Hospital were enrolled prospectively between June 2010 and March 2014. Blood samples were obtained within 48 h of abdominal pain onset and relevant clinical data during the hospital stay were collected. Healthy volunteers were enrolled as controls. The primary endpoint was occurrence of persistent organ failure. The predictive values of circulating histones, clinical scores and other biomarkers were determined.

Results

Among 236 patients with acute pancreatitis, there were 156 (66·1 per cent), 57 (24·2 per cent) and 23 (9·7 per cent) with mild, moderate and severe disease respectively, according to the revised Atlanta classification. Forty-seven healthy volunteers were included. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for circulating histones in predicting persistent organ failure and mortality was 0·92 (95 per cent c.i. 0·85 to 0·99) and 0·96 (0·92 to 1·00) respectively; histones were at least as accurate as clinical scores or biochemical markers. For infected pancreatic necrosis and/or sepsis, the AUC was 0·78 (0·62 to 0·94). Histones did not predict or correlate with local pancreatic complications, but correlated negatively with leucocyte cell viability (r = –0·511, P = 0·001).

Conclusion

Quantitative assessment of circulating histones in plasma within 48 h of abdominal pain onset can predict persistent organ failure and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis. Early death of immune cells may contribute to raised circulating histone levels in acute pancreatitis.
Iron and Cobalt Corroles in Solution and on Carbon Nanotubes as Molecular Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production by Water Reduction
Authors: Morales Vásquez Miguel A. , Hamer Mariana , Neuman Nicolás I. , Tesio Alvaro Y. , Hunt Andrés , Bogo Horacio , Calvo Ernesto J. , Doctorovich Fabio
Published: April 2017

Herein, we report the use of cobalt and iron corrole complexes as catalysts of H2O reduction to generate H2. Electro‐ and photocatalysis has been used in the case of dissolved corroles for water reduction with inspiring results. Carbon nanotubes doped with corroles were used as photo‐electrochemical catalysts, with very low overpotential values and increased hydrogen production; incredibly high turnover numbers and turnover frequencies of approximately 107 and 105, respectively, were achieved. Through this last process, we were able to obtain 1 mmol of H2 by using minuscule amounts of catalyst, in the order of picograms. The reactions can be performed in water, without the need for organic solvents. Remarkably, the photo‐electrochemical catalytic efficiency was increased by five orders of magnitude if the molecular catalysts were adsorbed onto carbon nanotubes.
Three‐Dimensional Nanocomposite of Iron‐Based Fluoride Loaded in N‐Doped Porous Carbon as a High‐Performance Cathode for Rechargeable Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Yongzhi , Meng Yan , Tan Guangqun , Ou Junke , Wang Yujue , Zhao Qian , Yuan Hongyan , Xiao Dan
Published: April 2017

Iron‐based fluorides are considered to be some of the most promising candidate cathode materials for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries, owing to their large capacities and high working potential. In this work, a three‐dimensional (3D) hybrid nanocomposite of Fe2F5 ⋅ H2O (FF) loaded in N‐doped porous carbon (NPC) is successfully synthesized through a facile and scalable ionic‐liquid‐based precipitation followed by a mild heat treatment strategy. The 3D Fe2F5 ⋅ H2O@NPC (FFNPC) nanocomposite with a hierarchical framework utilized as a cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 185 mAh g−1 at 0.25 C (1 C=200 mA g−1) and 163 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C in the voltage range of 1.7–4.5 V (vs. Li/Li+) at room temperature. Moreover, the 3D FFNPC cathode shows robust long‐term cycling stability, maintaining 118 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles even at 2 C. The rate performance shows a specific capacity of 115 mAh g−1 at the high current rate of 5 C. The improved electrochemical properties of the 3D FFNPC cathode can be attributed to the combination of the small‐sized iron fluoride nanoparticles and the NPC matrix, which not only provides a large surface area for the reaction, but also shortens the diffusion length for Li+ and increases the electrical conductivity.
In Situ Formation of Hierarchical Porous Fe,Co−N‐Doped Carbon as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Jia Xiaofang , Gu Wenling , Zhang Shan , Wang Erkang
Published: April 2017

Development of highly active and durable non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as an alternative to platinum is of significance for the commercialization of fuel cell devices. In this work, we present a facile template‐free strategy for the synthesis of Fe,Co−N‐doped porous carbon (Fe,Co−NPC) with a hierarchical porous feature. The Fe,Co−NPC was obtained by hydrothermal polymerization of o‐phenylenediamine and citric acid in the presence of Fe salt and Co salt, and subsequent thermal treatment at elevated temperatures. The selective use of citric acid and Co(NO3)2 plays a critical role in facilitating the in situ formation of a hierarchically porous carbon architecture with high surface area. The Fe,Co−NPC obtained at the pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C (Fe,Co−NPC‐800) is demonstrated to be a highly active electrocatalyst for the ORR, with an onset potential and half‐wave potential comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst in both acidic and alkaline solutions. Moreover, it also exhibits much higher stability and better methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C. The results demonstrate that the obtained Fe,Co−NPC is a promising candidate for practical electrocatalytic applications with a simple preparation scheme and enhanced performance.
Market‐Based Coordination of Shared Resources in Cyber‐physical Production Sites
Authors: Wenzel Simon , Paulen Radoslav , Beisheim Benedikt , Krämer Stefan , Engell Sebastian
Published: April 2017

Large interconnected production sites typically consist of many plants that are physically coupled by networks of shared resources. An optimal site‐wide allocation of shared resources is key to a resource‐, energy‐, and cost‐optimal operation. Market‐based coordination can find the site‐wide optimum with limited data exchange between the subsystems and thus ensures confidentiality. In this contribution, market‐based coordination is applied to a simulation study of a petrochemical production site with steam and intermediate products as shared resources.
Enabling semantics to improve detection of data races and misuses of lock‐free data structures
Authors: Dolz Manuel F. , Del Rio Astorga David , Fernández Javier , Torquati Massimo , García José Daniel , García‐Carballeira Félix , Danelutto Marco
Published: April 2017

The rapid progress of multi/many‐core architectures has caused data‐intensive parallel applications not yet fully optimized to deliver the best performance. In the advent of concurrent programming, frameworks offering structured patterns have alleviated developers' burden adapting such applications to multithreaded architectures. While some of these patterns are implemented using synchronization primitives, others avoid them by means of lock‐free data mechanisms. However, lock‐free programming is not straightforward, ensuring an appropriate use of their interfaces can be challenging, since different memory models plus instruction reordering at compiler/processor levels can interfere in the occurrence of data races. The benefits of race detectors are formidable in this sense; however, they may emit false positives if are unaware of the underlying lock‐free structure semantics. To mitigate this issue, this paper extends ThreadSanitizer, a race detection tool, with the semantics of 2 lock‐free data structures: the single‐producer/single‐consumer and the multiple‐producer/multiple‐consumer queues. With it, we are able to drop false positives and detect potential semantic violations. The experimental evaluation, using different queue implementations on a set of μ benchmarks and real applications, demonstrates that it is possible to reduce, on average, 60% the number of data race warnings and detect wrong uses of these structures.
Parallelizing highly complex engine management systems
Authors: Kienberger Julian , Schmidhuber Stefan , Saad Christian , Kuntz Stefan , Bauer Bernhard
Published: April 2017

The automotive industry seeks to include more and more features in its vehicles. For this purpose, the necessary policy shift towards multi‐core technology is in full swing. To eventually exploit the extra processing power, there is much additional effort needed for coping with the tremendously increased complexity. This is largely due to the elaborate parallelization process that spans a vast search space. Consequently, there is a strong need for innovative methods and appropriate tools for the migration of legacy single‐core software. We use the results of a data dependency analysis performed on AUTOSAR system descriptions to determine advantageous partitions as well as initial task‐to‐core mappings. Afterwards, the extracted information serves as input for the simulation within a multi‐core timing tool suite. Here, the initial solution is evaluated with respect to proper scheduling and metrics like cross‐core communication rates, communication latencies, or core load distribution. A subsequent optimization process improves the initial solution and enables a comparative assessment. To demonstrate the benefit, we substantially expand a previous case study by applying our approach to two complex engine management systems and by showing the advantages compared to a parallelization process without preceding dependency analysis and initial partition/mapping suggestions.
Enhanced Solar Water Splitting by Swift Charge Separation in Au/FeOOH Sandwiched Single‐Crystalline Fe2O3 Nanoflake Photoelectrodes
Authors: Wang Lei , Nguyen Nhat Truong , Zhang Yajun , Bi Yingpu , Schmuki Patrik
Published: April 2017

In this work, single crystalline α‐Fe2O3 nanoflakes (NFs) are formed in a highly dense array by Au seeding of a Fe substrate by a thermal oxidation technique. The NFs are conformally decorated with a thin FeOOH cocatalyst layer. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements show that this photoanode, incorporating α‐Fe2O3/FeOOH NFs rooted on the Au/Fe structure, exhibits significantly enhanced PEC water oxidation performance compared to the plain α‐Fe2O3 nanostructure on the Fe substrate. The α‐Fe2O3/FeOOH NFs on Au/Fe photoanode yields a photocurrent density of 3.1 mA cm−2 at 1.5 VRHE, and a remarkably low onset potential of 0.5–0.6 VRHE in 1 m KOH under AM 1.5G (100 mW cm−2) simulated sunlight illumination. The enhancement in PEC performance can be attributed to a synergistic effect of the FeOOH top decoration and the Au underlayer, whereby FeOOH facilitates hole transfer at the interface of electrode/electrolyte and the Au layer provides a sink for the electron transport to the back contact. This results in a drastically improved charge‐separation efficiency in the single crystalline α‐Fe2O3 NF photoanode.
Label‐free high temporal resolution assessment of cell proliferation using digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Janicke Birgit , Kårsnäs Andreas , Egelberg Peter , Alm Kersti
Published: April 2017

Cell proliferation assays are widely applied in biological sciences to understand the effect of drugs over time. However, current methods often assess cell population growth indirectly, that is, the cells are not actually counted. Instead other parameters, for example, the amount of protein, are determined. These methods often also demand phototoxic labels, have low temporal resolution, or employ end‐point assays, and frequently are labor intensive. We have developed a robust and label‐free kinetic cell proliferation assay with high temporal resolution for adherent cells using digital holographic microscopy (DHM), one of many quantitative phase microscopy techniques. As no labels or stains are required, and only very low intensity illumination is necessary, the technique allows for noninvasive continuous cell counting. Only two image processing settings were adjusted between cell lines, making the assay practical, user friendly, and free of user bias. The developed direct assay was validated by analyzing cell cultures treated with various concentrations of the anti‐cancer drug etoposide, a well‐established topoisomerase inhibitor that causes DNA damage and leads to programmed cell death. After treatment, the unstained adherent cells were nondestructively imaged every 30 min for 36 h inside a cell incubator. In the recorded time‐lapse image sequences, individual cells were automatically identified to provide detailed growth curves and growth rate data of cell number, confluence, and average cell volume. Our results demonstrate how these parameters facilitate a deeper understanding of cell processes than what is achievable with current single‐parameter and end‐point methods. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Primary HPV testing verification: A retrospective ad‐hoc analysis of screening algorithms on women doubly tested for cytology and HPV
Authors: Tracht Jessica , Wrenn Allison , Eltoum Isam‐Eldin
Published: April 2017

Background

To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a primary screening tool, we retrospectively analyzed data comparing (1) HPV testing to the algorithms of the ATHENA Study: (2) cytology alone, (3) cytology with ASCUS triage in women 25–29 and (4) cotesting ≥ 30 or (5) cotesting ≥ 25.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from women tested with both cytology and HPV testing from 2010 to 2013. Cumulative risk (CR) for CIN3+ was calculated. Crude and verification bias adjusted (VBA) sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, colposcopy rate, and screening test numbers were compared.

Results

About 15,173 women (25–95, 7.1% <30) had both HPV and cytological testing. Nearly 1,184 (8.4%) had biopsies. About 19.4% had positive cytology, 14.5% had positive HPV. HPV testing unassociated with ASCUS was requested in 40% of women <30, versus 84% ≥30, with similar HPV16/18 genotyping results (68% vs. 70%). 84 CIN3+ were detected with the following 3‐year cumulative risk (CR) (95% confidence interval): HPV+/ASCUS+, 46% (32–66%), HPV+/NILM 30% (15–58%), HPV−/ASCUS+ 12% (6–23%), and HPV−/NILM 0.8% (0.2–3.6%). HPV had higher specificity 57% (54–60%) than cotesting ≥30 52% (49–55%). HPV sensitivity 78% (69–87%), positive 12.3% (9.8–15.3%), negative 97 (96–98%) predictive values, positive 1.8 (1.6–2.1) and negative likelihood ratios 0.6 (0.5‐0.6), were not significantly different. Cotesting increased colposcopy rate and doubled testing per CIN3+ diagnosed. Conclusion: While HPV−/NILM cotesting results are associated with low CIN3+ risk, HPV testing had similar screening performance to cotesting and to cytology alone. Additionally, HPV testing and cytology incur false negatives in nonoverlapping subsets of patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:580–586. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insight into the roles of selection in speciation from genomic patterns of divergence and introgression in secondary contact in venomous rattlesnakes
Authors: Schield Drew R. , Adams Richard H. , Card Daren C. , Perry Blair W. , Pasquesi Giulia M. , Jezkova Tereza , Portik Daniel M. , Andrew Audra L. , Spencer Carol L. , Sanchez Elda E. , Fujita Matthew K. , Mackessy Stephen P. , Castoe Todd A.
Published: April 2017

Investigating secondary contact of historically isolated lineages can provide insight into how selection and drift influence genomic divergence and admixture. Here, we studied the genomic landscape of divergence and introgression following secondary contact between lineages of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) to determine whether genomic regions under selection in allopatry also contribute to reproductive isolation during introgression. We used thousands of nuclear loci to study genomic differentiation between two lineages that have experienced recent secondary contact following isolation, and incorporated sampling from a zone of secondary contact to identify loci that are resistant to gene flow in hybrids. Comparisons of patterns of divergence and introgression revealed a positive relationship between allelic differentiation and resistance to introgression across the genome, and greater‐than‐expected overlap between genes linked to lineage‐specific divergence and loci that resist introgression. Genes linked to putatively selected markers were related to prominent aspects of rattlesnake biology that differ between populations of Western Diamondback rattlesnakes (i.e., venom and reproductive phenotypes). We also found evidence for selection against introgression of genes that may contribute to cytonuclear incompatibility, consistent with previously observed biased patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial alleles suggestive of partial reproductive isolation due to cytonuclear incompatibilities. Our results provide a genome‐scale perspective on the relationships between divergence and introgression in secondary contact that is relevant for understanding the roles of selection in maintaining partial isolation of lineages, causing admixing lineages to not completely homogenize.
Effects of grazing on CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes in three temperate steppe ecosystems
Authors: Shi Huiqiu , Hou Longyu , Yang Liuyi , Wu Dongxiu , Zhang Lihua , Li Linghao
Published: April 2017

Terrestrial ecosystems play a critical role in regulating the emission and uptake of the most important greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, CH4, and N2O. However, the effects of grazing on these GHG fluxes in different steppe types remain unclear. Here, we compared the effects of grazing on seasonal CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes in the meadow (MS), typical (TS), and desert (DS) temperate steppe ecosystems in northern China. CO2 emission rates increased from 311.4 ± 73.2 to 349.6 ± 55.4 mg·m−2·h−1 in MS, but decreased in TS (from 341.3 ± 93.0 to 239.5 ± 81.9 mg·m−2·h−1) and DS (from 212.1 ± 53.7 to 163.0 ± 83.4 mg·m−2·h−1) in response to summer grazing (SG). N2O emission rates increased in MS from 4.7 ± 2.2 to 8.1 ± 3.4 μg·m−2·h−1, but not significantly changed in TS (9.2 ± 4.2 vs. 8.4 ± 2.4 μg·m−2·h−1) and DS (6.3 ± 1.5 vs. 5.7 ± 1.6 μg·m−2·h−1) by SG. CH4 uptake rates increased in MS from 33.0 ± 11.7 to 47.1 ± 10.4 μg·m−2·h−1 and decreased from 64.4 ± 7.6 to 56.2 ± 5.9 μg·m−2·h−1 in TS in response to SG. In MS and DS, N2O emissions were positively related to seasonal CO2 emissions and negatively related to CH4 uptakes. No significant relationships were found between GHG fluxes in TS. Summer grazing did not affect the relationship between CO2 and N2O emissions in MS, but reduced the relationship by enhancing the effect of aboveground biomass (AGB) on N2O emission in DS. The significant negative relationship between CH4 uptake and N2O emission in MS and DS could be attributed to the significant relationship between soil temperature (ST) and AGB in MS and to the significant effects of soil moisture on both CH4 uptake and N2O emission in DS. The decrease in the magnitude of the correlation coefficients between CH4 uptake and N2O emission by SG was due to the negative relationship between ST and AGB simultaneously in MS and DS. Our results suggest that effects of SG on GHG fluxes varied in different steppes and the relationship among GHGs was steppe‐dependent and SG also changed the relationship by affecting GHG fluxes induced by varied soil and environmental factors.
A Three‐Position Swing Electromagnetic Actuator with an Integrated Eddy Current Brake for Suppression of the Operating Time and Improvement of the Stopping Accuracy
Authors: TAKAHASHI KAZUKI , TSUKIMA MITSURU , KAI TAKAYUKI , NAKAGAWA TAKAFUMI
Published: April 2017

A closed‐loop control system is commonly used in electromagnetic actuators to ensure operating performance. However, this system frequently leads to high costs. We developed a swing electromagnetic actuator with an integrated eddy current brake to reduce the operating time and improve the stopping accuracy. The developed actuator is a three‐position cylindrical actuator moving within a ±120º angle without closed‐loop control. The rotor is composed of a bulk and thin metal laminations and the stator has three sets of pairs of coils. The rotor is stopped at an intermediate position by magnetic force generated by the coils. This paper describes the electromagnetic design and its evaluation by using an FEM simulation to predict its operating characteristics and measure its performance on a test bench. The superiority of our actuator design is verified by comparing these measurements. The operating time is reduced to one‐sixth of that of a laminated rotor and the over travel is compressed to zero. In addition, this actuator has the advantage that it is electrically robust against variations in the power supply.
High Precision On‐Line Offset Correction for Motor Angle Sensors
Authors: MORI TATSUYA , KOJIMA TETSUYA , KIMPARA YOSHIHIKO , NAKANO MASATSUGU
Published: April 2017

In this paper, an angle detecting system is proposed that calculates the offset correction values for the sine and cosine signals of angle sensors. The offset correction values are calculated not from the offset errors of the sine and cosine signals but from the 1f angle error (the fundamental frequency component of the sine and cosine signals) of the angle signals. Therefore, the system can correct the 1f angle error even when the sine and cosine signals contain the double‐frequency components of the sine and cosine signals, as well as the dc offset errors. Moreover, it is possible to use low‐cost microcomputers with low computing speed, because the offset correction values are dc quantities.
Discharge Pattern Discrimination for Composite Insulation System in Vacuum
Authors: KONG FEI , KOJIMA HIROKI , KIMURA TOSHINORI , TSUKIMA MITSURU , HAYAKAWA NAOKI
Published: April 2017

In order to develop higher‐voltage vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs), the investigation of discharge phenomenon in vacuum is necessary. In vacuum interrupters (VIs) with composite insulation systems, the discharge has complex and various patterns at the internal insulation failures. In this paper, based on the discharge development characteristics, we propose a discrimination method for the discharge pattern in vacuum. We measured the applied voltage, anode current, and shield potential waveforms, respectively. From the feature of the measured waveforms, we classified the discharge patterns. Furthermore, based on the relation between discharge development time and discharge path length, we estimated the discharge patterns and discharge path lengths. In addition, we conducted a verification experiment of the discrimination method using a VI model. Experimental results revealed that the estimated discharge patterns and discharge path lengths were consistent with the observed discharge ones and the effectiveness of the discrimination method was confirmed.
Effects of ferric carboxymaltose on hospitalisations and mortality rates in iron‐deficient heart failure patients: an individual patient data meta‐analysis
Authors: Anker Stefan D. , Kirwan Bridget‐Anne , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Comin‐Colet Josep , Ruschitzka Frank , Lüscher Thomas F. , Arutyunov Gregory P. , Motro Michael , Mori Claudio , Roubert Bernard , Pocock Stuart J. , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: April 2017

Aims

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common co‐morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) and has been suggested to be associated with poor prognosis. Recently completed double‐blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) studying HF patients with ID have shown improvements in functional capacity, symptoms and quality of life when treated with i.v. ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). This individual patient data meta‐analysis investigates the effect of FCM vs. placebo on recurrent hospitalisations and mortality in HF patients with ID.

Methods and results

Individual patient data were extracted from four RCTs comparing FCM with placebo in patients with systolic HF and ID. The main outcome measures were recurrent cardiovascular (CV) hospitalisations and CV mortality. Other outcomes included cause‐specific hospitalisations and death. The main analyses of recurrent events were backed up by time‐to‐first‐event analyses. In total, 839 patients, of whom 504 were randomised to FCM, were included. Compared with those taking placebo, patients on FCM had lower rates of recurrent CV hospitalisations and CV mortality [rate ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40–0.88; P = 0.009]. Treatment with FCM also reduced recurrent HF hospitalisations and CV mortality (rate ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.86; P = 0.011) and recurrent CV hospitalisations and all‐cause mortality (rate ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.41–0.88; P = 0.009). Time‐to‐first‐event analyses showed similar findings, with somewhat attenuated treatment effects. The administration of i.v. FCM was not associated with an increased risk for adverse events.

Conclusions

Treatment with i.v. FCM was associated with a reduction in recurrent CV hospitalisations in systolic HF patients with ID.
Error‐prone replication bypass of the imidazole ring‐opened formamidopyrimidine deoxyguanosine adduct
Authors: Sha Yan , Minko Irina G. , Malik Chanchal K. , Rizzo Carmelo J. , Lloyd R. Stephen
Published: April 2017

Addition of hydroxyl radicals to the C8 position of 2′‐deoxyguanosine generates an 8‐hydroxyguanyl radical that can be converted into either 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine or N‐(2‐deoxy‐d‐pentofuranosyl)‐N‐(2,6‐diamino‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐formamidopyrimidine) (Fapy‐dG). The Fapy‐dG adduct can adopt different conformations and in particular, can exist in an unnatural α anomeric configuration in addition to canonical β configuration. Previous studies reported that in 5′‐TGN‐3′ sequences, Fapy‐dG predominantly induced G → T transversions in both mammalian cells and Escherichia coli, suggesting that mutations could be formed either via insertion of a dA opposite the 5′ dT due to primer/template misalignment or as result of direct miscoding. To address this question, single‐stranded vectors containing a site‐specific Fapy‐dG adduct were generated to vary the identity of the 5′ nucleotide. Following vector replication in primate cells (COS7), complex mutation spectra were observed that included ∼3–5% G → T transversions and ∼14–21% G → A transitions. There was no correlation apparent between the identity of the 5′ nucleotide and spectra of mutations. When conditions for vector preparation were modified to favor the β anomer, frequencies of both G → T and G → A substitutions were significantly reduced. Mutation frequencies in wild‐type E. coli and a mutant deficient in damage‐inducible DNA polymerases were significantly lower than detected in COS7 and spectra were dominated by deletions. Thus, mutagenic bypass of Fapy‐dG can proceed via mechanisms that are different from the previously proposed primer/template misalignment or direct misinsertions of dA or dT opposite to the β anomer of Fapy‐dG. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:182–189, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a high‐throughput genotoxicity assay using Umu test strains expressing human cytochrome P450s and NADPH‐P450 reductase and bacterial O‐acetyltransferase
Authors: Hori Hisako , Hirata Daisuke , Fujii Wataru , Oda Yoshimitsu
Published: April 2017

Umu test is one of the in vitro genotoxicity test that has been used widely. It was developed as a high‐throughput test system using the 96‐well microplate. We have previously constructed new umu test strains for the evaluation of genotoxicity of procarcinogenic metabolic products formed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In this study, a highly sensitive high‐throughput genotoxicity test was developed using four umu test strains (OY1002/1A1, OY1002/1B1, OY1002/1A2, and OY1002/3A4) that express human CYPs and NADPH‐P450 reductase. We found that the modified umu‐microplate method was more sensitive than the conventional microplate method using strain OY1002/1A2. In addition, the new microplate method was better able to detect genotoxicity than the test tube method when the strain OY1002/1A2 was used and had similar sensitivity for the remaining three strains. When the microplate method was used, OY1002/1A2 showed stronger umuC gene expression in the presence of 2‐amino‐6‐methyldipyrido[1,2‐a:3',2'‐d]imidazole, 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline, 2‐amino‐3,4‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline, 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline, 2‐aminofluorene, and 2‐aminoanthracene compared to other strains. We also confirmed CYP1A2 expression in OY1002/1A2 in this condition. These results indicate that the microplate version of this test system can detect the genotoxicity of heterocyclic and aromatic amines with high sensitivity and can be used for high‐throughput screening of potentially genotoxic compounds. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:209–216, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of pH on chronic zinc toxicity differs between daphnid species: Development of a preliminary chronic zinc Ceriodaphnia dubia bioavailability model
Authors: Nys Charlotte , Janssen Colin R. , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C.
Published: April 2017

In the present study, we observed that the chronic Zn Daphnia magna biotic ligand model (BLM) could not accurately predict the chronic Zn toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia in a series of (modified) field waters, although the intrinsic sensitivities of the D. magna BLM were specifically calibrated on the sensitivity of C. dubia. Moreover, it was observed that the D. magna BLM underestimated the effect of pH on the toxicity of the free Zn2+ ion. A preliminary species-specific chronic Zn C. dubia bioavailability model was developed based on the data. The preliminary Zn C. dubia bioavailability model was shown to predict Zn toxicity to C. dubia in a series of natural waters with pH ranging between 7 and 8.3 with reasonable accuracy. The difference in the effect of pH on Zn2+ toxicity between D. magna and C. dubia (2 phylogenetically closely related species) suggested by our results deserves further attention because of the importance of the cross-species application of bioavailability models in ecological risk-assessment procedures and environmental quality standard derivations for metals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2750–2755. © 2017 SETAC
Long‐Term Impact of Valid Case Criterion on Capturing Population‐Level Growth Under Item Response Theory Equating
Authors: Deng Weiling , Monfils Lora
Published: April 2017

Using simulated data, this study examined the impact of different levels of stringency of the valid case inclusion criterion on item response theory (IRT)‐based true score equating over 5 years in the context of K–12 assessment when growth in student achievement is expected. Findings indicate that the use of the most stringent inclusion criterion generally yielded the most accurate results when overall root mean square error (RMSE) and bias were considered under both zero‐growth and growth conditions, for both one‐parameter logistic (1PL) and three‐parameter logistic (3PL) IRT models, and for both fixed common item parameter (FCIP) and test characteristic curve (TCC) scaling methods. The positive impact of applying the most stringent valid case inclusion criterion was more salient with the 3PL model, under which greater classification accuracy was observed.
The Evaluation of saccharose replacing by adding stevioside‐maltodextrin mixture on the physicochemical and sensory properties of Naanberenji (an Iranian confectionary)
Authors: Ghandehari Yazdi Amirpouya , Hojjatoleslamy Mohammad , Keramat Javad , Jahadi Mahshid , Amani Elahe
Published: April 2017

Stevia is a natural, non‐nutritive sweetener can replace sugar in your diet to control diabetes and aid in weight loss. Naanberenji, an Iranian traditional cookie, is a well‐reputed confectionary containing high sucrose and calorie value, for this reason its consumption in healthy diet has been restricted. In this study, the effect of sucrose replacement by stevioside‐maltodextrin mixture on physicochemical properties of Naanberenji was evaluated in four replacing levels including 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Results of texture evaluation revealed that hardness increases due to adding stevioside‐maltodextrin (p < .05). Color analysis also showed that browning index by adding more mixture reduced. Moreover, the results of sensory analysis showed that treatment containing 25% stevioside‐maltodextrin was the most similar sample to control and 23.06% reduction in sugar consumption achieved in this level of replacement. Therefore, its physicochemical properties (peroxide, acidity, chemical compounds, and hardness) were measured. According to the results, calorie amount decreased by 7.27 %. While there was no significant difference in the acidity of the aforesaid sample, peroxide results exhibited significant differences. Analysis of Farinograph plot revealed more water binding in comparison to control sample.
Deciphering the effects of human activity on urban areas through morphostratigraphic analysis: The case of Pisa, Northwest Italy
Authors: Bini Monica , Pappalardo Marta , Rossi Veronica , Noti Valerio , Amorosi Alessandro , Sarti Giovanni
Published: April 2017

The type, thickness, and volume of anthropogenic deposits buried beneath long‐settled cities are good indicators of the human impact on urban environments and topography. Pisa is a multilayered city settled since Etruscan times in the lower Arno Plain. Stratigraphic and geomorphologic data from the urban subsurface show that Pisa today is located on a mound (ca. 4 m high) made up dominantly of anthropogenic deposits. Two types of anthropogenic facies are distinguished: human‐modified deposits of Etruscan Age and made‐ground deposits dated since the Roman Age onward. Integrating subsurface stratigraphy with ancient ground‐level topography, we reconstruct the evolutionary phases of the Pisa urban landscape subject to a dominant human influence. Urbanization processes started in Etruscan times, as testified by the lower boundary of the anthropogenic succession (Pisa archaeosphere). The formation and the highest increase in elevation of the Pisa mound, which is still growing, occurred during the Roman and the Middle Ages. At the same time, the urban fabric moved southward, toward the Arno River, and a thick anthropogenic succession accumulated in the city sector where an ancient ring of walls had been hypothesized. However, the highest acceleration in the urban ground growth rate is recorded since A.D. 1950 onward, corresponding to the Anthropocene “Great Acceleration.”
Performance of Cu‐Fe‐based oxygen carrier in a CLC process based on fixed bed reactors
Authors: Tian Qiang , Che Lixin , Ding Bin , Wang Qianwei , Su Qingquan
Published: April 2017

To explore the application of chemical‐looping combustion (CLC) to the distributed medium‐ small‐scale hot water and steam gas‐fueled boilers, a CLC process based on two fixed bed reactors (FBRs) has been proposed. A Cu‐Fe‐based oxygen carrier (OC) was studied to meet the requirements for this process. Results showed that Cu30‐Fe50/Al20 was exothermic both in the reduction step and in the oxidation step, and showed a quite large operating temperature window of 600–900°C. At the lower temperature side, it showed good low temperature reactivity, and at the higher temperature side, it showed strong resistance to carbon deposition, agglomeration, and sintering. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cassandra: An open source Monte Carlo package for molecular simulation
Authors: Shah Jindal K. , Marin‐Rimoldi Eliseo , Mullen Ryan Gotchy , Keene Brian P. , Khan Sandip , Paluch Andrew S. , Rai Neeraj , Romanielo Lucienne L. , Rosch Thomas W. , Yoo Brian , Maginn Edward J.
Published: April 2017

Cassandra is an open source atomistic Monte Carlo software package that is effective in simulating the thermodynamic properties of fluids and solids. The different features and algorithms used in Cassandra are described, along with implementation details and theoretical underpinnings to various methods used. Benchmark and example calculations are shown, and information on how users can obtain the package and contribute to it are provided. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Fukui function‐guided genetic algorithm. Assessment on structural prediction of Sin (n = 12–20) clusters
Authors: Yañez Osvaldo , Vásquez‐Espinal Alejandro , Inostroza Diego , Ruiz Lina , Pino‐Rios Ricardo , Tiznado William
Published: April 2017

Theoretical studies are essential for the structural characterization of clusters, when it comes to rationalize their unique size‐dependent properties and composition. However, the rapid growth of local minima on the potential energy surface (PES), with respect to cluster size, makes the candidate identification a challenging undertaking. In this article, we introduce a hybrid strategy to explore the PES of clusters. This proposal involves the use of a biased initial population of a genetic algorithm procedure. Each individual in this population is built by assembling small fragments, according to the best matching of the Fukui function. The performance of a genetic algorithm procedure. The performance of the method is assessed on the PES exploration of medium‐sized Sin clusters (n = 12–20). The most relevant results are: (a) the method converges at almost half of the time used by the canonical version of the GA and, (b) in all the studied cases, with the exception of Si13 and Si16, the method allowed to identify the global minimum (GM) and other important low‐lying structures. Additionally, the apparent deficiency of the proposal to identify the GM was corrected when a Si atom, or other low‐lying isomers, were considered to build the clusters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of post‐flowering nitrate availability on nitrogen remobilization in hydroponically grown durum wheat
Authors: Juraniec Michal , Hermans Christian , Salis Pietrino , Geelen Danny , Verbruggen Nathalie
Published: April 2017

The nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency in hydroponically grown durum wheat was dissected during nitrate depletion at post‐flowering stage. Feeding plants with low nitrate dose after anthesis lowered photosynthetic activity, triggered senescence, but induced N remobilization from vegetative parts. At harvest, tissue N concentration was 50% and 80% less important in leaves and culms, respectively, but similar in grains of N‐deficient plants compared with control ones.
Celluclast 1.5L pretreatment enhanced aroma of palm kernels and oil after kernel roasting
Authors: Zhang Wencan , Zhao Fangju , Yang Tiankui , Zhao Feifei , Liu Shaoquan
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The aroma of palm kernel oil (PKO) affects its applications. Little information is available on how enzymatic modification of palm kernels (PK) affects PK and PKO aroma after kernel roasting.

RESULTS

Celluclast (cellulase) pretreatment of PK resulted in a 2.4‐fold increment in the concentration of soluble sugars, with glucose being increased by 6.0‐fold. Higher levels of 1.7‐, 1.8‐ and 1.9‐fold of O‐heterocyclic volatile compounds were found in the treated PK after roasting at 180 °C for 8, 14 and 20 min respectively relative to the corresponding control, with furfural, 5‐methyl‐2‐furancarboxaldehyde, 2‐furanmethanol and maltol in particularly higher amounts. Volatile differences between PKOs from control and treated PK were also found, though less obvious owing to the aqueous extraction process. Principal component analysis based on aroma‐active compounds revealed that upon the proceeding of roasting, the differentiation between control and treated PK was enlarged while that of corresponding PKOs was less clear‐cut. Celluclast pretreatment enabled the medium roasted PK to impart more nutty, roasty and caramelic odor and the corresponding PKO to impart more caramelic but less roasty and burnt notes.

CONCLUSION

Celluclast pretreatment of PK followed by roasting may be a promising new way of improving PKO aroma. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Nutrient retention values and cooking yield factors for three South African lamb and mutton cuts
Authors: van Heerden Salomina M , Strydom Phillip E
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Nutrient content of raw and cooked foods is important for formulation of healthy diets. The retention of nutrients during cooking can be influenced by various factors, including animal age, carcass characteristics and cooking method, and these factors are often unique to specific countries. Here the effects of animal age (lamb and mutton) and carcass cut (shoulder, loin and leg) combined with cooking method (moist heat and dry heat) on yield and nutrient retention of selected nutrients of South African sheep carcasses were studied.

RESULTS

Cooking yields and moisture retention were lower for lamb loin but higher for lamb leg. Energy and fat retention were higher for all cuts of mutton compared with lamb, while higher retention values for cholesterol were recorded for lamb. Mutton retained more iron (P = 0.10) and zinc and also more vitamin B2, B6 and B12 than lamb. Shoulder cooked according to moist heat cooking method retained more magnesium, potassium and sodium.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating these retention and yield values into the South African Medical Research Council's Food Composition Tables provides a reliable reference to all concerned with nutrient content of food. It will also guide practitioners and primary industry to adjust animal production aimed at optimum nutrient content to specific diets. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid detection of six phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibitors in healthcare products using thin‐layer chromatography and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with BP neural network
Authors: Hu Xiaopeng , Fang Guozhen , Han Ailing , Fu Yunpeng , Tong Rui , Wang Shuo
Published: April 2017

A novel facile method for the detection of the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibitors added illegally into health products was established using thin‐layer chromatography and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with BP neural network. When the detection conditions were optimized in detail, a repetitive adding procedure of silver colloids with the total amount keeping constant was used to improve the enhancement effect of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. According to the main Raman peaks and the retention factor of analyte, the data predictive model was established. Under the optimized experimental conditions, this method was successful to apply to detect the artificially produced model samples, and the limit of detection less than 5 mg/kg was obtained. Based on the excellent sensitivity of this method, the real samples have been detected accurately and the detection results were confirmed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the developed method was suitable for the detection of other adulterants, especially those that have similar chromatographic or spectroscopic behaviors.