bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the relationships among cloud cover, mixed‐phase partitioning, and planetary albedo in GCMs
Authors: McCoy Daniel T. , Tan Ivy , Hartmann Dennis L. , Zelinka Mark D. , Storelvmo Trude
Published: April 2016

In this study, it is shown that CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) that convert supercooled water to ice at relatively warm temperatures tend to have a greater mean‐state cloud fraction and more negative cloud feedback in the middle and high latitude Southern Hemisphere. We investigate possible reasons for these relationships by analyzing the mixed‐phase parameterizations in 26 GCMs. The atmospheric temperature where ice and liquid are equally prevalent (T5050) is used to characterize the mixed‐phase parameterization in each GCM. Liquid clouds have a higher albedo than ice clouds, so, all else being equal, models with more supercooled liquid water would also have a higher planetary albedo. The lower cloud fraction in these models compensates the higher cloud reflectivity and results in clouds that reflect shortwave radiation (SW) in reasonable agreement with observations, but gives clouds that are too bright and too few. The temperature at which supercooled liquid can remain unfrozen is strongly anti‐correlated with cloud fraction in the climate mean state across the model ensemble, but we know of no robust physical mechanism to explain this behavior, especially because this anti‐correlation extends through the subtropics. A set of perturbed physics simulations with the Community Atmospheric Model Version 4 (CAM4) shows that, if its temperature‐dependent phase partitioning is varied and the critical relative humidity for cloud formation in each model run is also tuned to bring reflected SW into agreement with observations, then cloud fraction increases and liquid water path (LWP) decreases with T5050, as in the CMIP5 ensemble.
Understanding satellite‐based monthly‐to‐seasonal reservoir outflow estimation as a function of hydrologic controls
Authors: Bonnema Matthew , Sikder Safat , Miao Yabin , Chen Xiaodong , Hossain Faisal , Ara Pervin Ismat , Mahbubur Rahman S. M. , Lee Hyongki
Published: April 2016

Growing population and increased demand for water is causing an increase in dam and reservoir construction in developing nations. When rivers cross international boundaries, the downstream stakeholders often have little knowledge of upstream reservoir operation practices. Satellite remote sensing in the form of radar altimetry and multisensor precipitation products can be used as a practical way to provide downstream stakeholders with the fundamentally elusive upstream information on reservoir outflow needed to make important and proactive water management decisions. This study uses a mass balance approach of three hydrologic controls to estimate reservoir outflow from satellite data at monthly and annual time scales: precipitation‐induced inflow, evaporation, and reservoir storage change. Furthermore, this study explores the importance of each of these hydrologic controls to the accuracy of outflow estimation. The hydrologic controls found to be unimportant could potentially be neglected from similar future studies. Two reservoirs were examined in contrasting regions of the world, the Hungry Horse Reservoir in a mountainous region in northwest U.S. and the Kaptai Reservoir in a low‐lying, forested region of Bangladesh. It was found that this mass balance method estimated the annual outflow of both reservoirs with reasonable skill. The estimation of monthly outflow from both reservoirs was however less accurate. The Kaptai basin exhibited a shift in basin behavior resulting in variable accuracy across the 9 year study period. Monthly outflow estimation from Hungry Horse Reservoir was compounded by snow accumulation and melt processes, reflected by relatively low accuracy in summer and fall, when snow processes control runoff. Furthermore, it was found that the important hydrologic controls for reservoir outflow estimation at the monthly time scale differs between the two reservoirs, with precipitation‐induced inflow being the most important control for the Kaptai Reservoir and storage change being the most important for Hungry Horse Reservoir.
The impact of information on behavior under an ambient‐based policy for regulating nonpoint source pollution
Authors: Miao Haoran , Fooks Jacob R. , Guilfoos Todd , Messer Kent D. , Pradhanang Soni M. , Suter Jordan F. , Trandafir Simona , Uchida Emi
Published: April 2016

Stemming from Segerson [1988], literature on nonpoint source pollution shows that ambient‐based regulatory policies can induce polluters in a common watershed to comply with an exogenously determined pollution standard. This study uses laboratory economic experiments in a spatially heterogeneous setting to test the effectiveness of an ambient tax/subsidy policy in a setting with realistic in‐stream nutrient transport dynamics when varying levels of sensor information on ambient pollution are available to the agents and the regulator. We find that increasing the frequency of ambient monitoring improves the spatial allocation of emissions reductions. In particular, with more frequent monitoring, the ambient‐based policy induces firms further from the monitoring point to reduce emissions significantly more than downstream firms. Overall, the results suggest that enhanced temporal resolution of monitoring leads to efficiency gains.
Earth's albedo variations 1998–2014 as measured from ground‐based earthshine observations
Authors: Palle E. , Goode P. R. , Montañés‐Rodríguez P. , Shumko A. , Gonzalez‐Merino B. , Lombilla C. Martinez , Jimenez‐Ibarra F. , Shumko S. , Sanroma E. , Hulist A. , Miles‐Paez P. , Murgas F. , Nowak G. , Koonin S. E.
Published: April 2016

The Earth's albedo is a fundamental climate parameter for understanding the radiation budget of the atmosphere. It has been traditionally measured not only from space platforms but also from the ground for 16 years from Big Bear Solar Observatory by observing the Moon. The photometric ratio of the dark (earthshine) to the bright (moonshine) sides of the Moon is used to determine nightly anomalies in the terrestrial albedo, with the aim of quantifying sustained monthly, annual, and/or decadal changes. We find two modest decadal scale cycles in the albedo, but with no significant net change over the 16 years of accumulated data. Within the evolution of the two cycles, we find periods of sustained annual increases, followed by comparable sustained decreases in albedo. The evolution of the earthshine albedo is in remarkable agreement with that from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System instruments, although each method measures different slices of the Earth's Bond albedo.
Rapid estimation of tsunami source centroid location using a dense offshore observation network
Authors: Yamamoto N. , Hirata K. , Aoi S. , Suzuki W. , Nakamura H. , Kunugi T.
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a rapid method of estimating tsunami source locations using real‐time ocean‐bottom hydrostatic pressure data from a dense offshore observation network. We defined two characteristic locations representing the real‐time tsunami disturbance and the initial sea surface height distribution. First, we defined the tsunami centroid location (TCL), which is the centroid location of the maximum absolute amplitude of the real‐time ocean‐bottom hydrostatic pressure changes. Second, we defined the centroid location of the absolute values of the initial sea surface height displacements. To determine whether the TCL can approximate the centroid location of the tsunami source, we examined approximately 1000 near‐field synthetic tsunami scenarios and a realistic tsunami scenario of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in the Japan Trench. From these examinations, it was confirmed that in most scenarios, the TCLs obtained within a few minutes after the occurrence of an earthquake were close to the actual corresponding tsunami source locations.
Variable relationship between accumulation and temperature in West Antarctica for the past 31,000 years
Authors: Fudge T. J. , Markle Bradley R. , Cuffey Kurt M. , Buizert Christo , Taylor Kendrick C. , Steig Eric J. , Waddington Edwin D. , Conway Howard , Koutnik Michelle
Published: April 2016

The Antarctic contribution to sea level is a balance between ice loss along the margin and accumulation in the interior. Accumulation records for the past few decades are noisy and show inconsistent relationships with temperature. We investigate the relationship between accumulation and temperature for the past 31 ka using high‐resolution records from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide ice core in West Antarctica. Although the glacial‐interglacial increases result in high correlation and moderate sensitivity for the full record, the relationship shows considerable variability through time with high correlation and high sensitivity for the 0–8 ka period but no correlation for the 8–15 ka period. This contrasts with a general circulation model simulation which shows homogeneous sensitivities between temperature and accumulation across the entire time period. These results suggest that variations in atmospheric circulation are an important driver of Antarctic accumulation but they are not adequately captured in model simulations. Model‐based projections of future Antarctic accumulation, and its impact on sea level, should be treated with caution.
Uncovering the hidden signature of a magmatic recharge at Piton de la Fournaise volcano using small earthquakes
Authors: Lengliné O. , Duputel Z. , Ferrazzini V.
Published: April 2016

We apply a template matching method to detect and locate preeruptive earthquakes at Piton de la Fournaise volcano in 2014 and 2015. This approach enabled the detection of many events and unveiled persistent seismicity features through multiple eruptions. Shallow earthquakes define a ring‐shaped structure beneath the main crater. The repetitive occurrence of events along this structure suggests that it corresponds to a preexisting zone of weakness within the edifice. We also show evidence of deep magma transfer in 2015. More than 5000 deep earthquakes define an upward migration immediately followed by the occurrence of shallow events leading to an eruption 20 days later. This suggests the creation of a hydraulic connection between the lower part of the volcanic system and a magma reservoir located near sea level. We can envisage than such replenishments of the shallow reservoir occurred in the past but were undetected because of limited deep earthquake detections.
Contribution of the Yellow Sea bottom cold water to the abnormal cooling of sea surface temperature in the summer of 2011
Authors: Lee Joon‐ho , Pang Ig‐Chan , Moon Jae‐Hong
Published: April 2016

Satellite‐based sea surface temperature (SST) measurements revealed an abnormal cooling anomaly over the Yellow Sea (YS) in the summer of 2011. Using in situ hydrographic profiles, meteorological fields, and an ocean circulation model with a passive tracer experiment, we identified the cold SST anomaly and its connection with the YS Bottom Cold Water (YSBCW), which occupies the central part of the YS below the thermocline in the summer. The summer SST anomalies in the YS showed three cold peaks in 1993, 2003, and 2011 over the past 20 years, but the reasons for the cooling events were different, as one was due to weakened surface heating and the other was attributed to mixing with the YSBCW. In 1993 and 2003, relatively weak surface heating made the surface water cooler compared with that during the other years, whereas in 2011, a strong vertical mixing of water was induced by a typhoon that passed through the central YS, causing the surface water to cool by ∼8°C and the bottom water to warm up by ∼4°C. A tracer experiment further confirmed that the vertical heat transfers between the warm surface and the cold bottom water masses when the typhoon passed through the YS interior.
Being as Normal as Possible: How Young People Ages 16–25 Years Evaluate the Risks and Benefits of Treatment for Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Hart Ruth I. , McDonagh Janet E. , Thompson Ben , Foster Helen E. , Kay Lesley , Myers Andrea , Rapley Tim
Published: April 2016

Objective

To explore how young people (ages 16–25 years) with inflammatory arthritis evaluate the risks and benefits of treatment, particularly treatment with biologic therapies.

Methods

This qualitative study involved in‐depth interviews (n = 44) with young people, trusted others (e.g., parents), and health professionals; audio‐recordings (n = 4) of biologic therapy–related consultations; and focus groups (n = 4). Analysis used techniques from grounded theory (open and focused coding, constant comparison, memoing, and mapping).

Results

Young people aspired to live what they perceived as a “normal” life. They saw treatment as presenting both an opportunity for and a threat to achieving this. Treatment changes were therefore subject to complex and ongoing evaluation, covering administration, associated restrictions, anticipated effects, and side effects. Information sources included expert opinion (of professionals and other patients) and personal experience. Previous treatments provided important reference points. Faced with uncertain outcomes, young people made provisional decisions. Both trusted others and health professionals expressed concern that young people were too focused on short‐term outcomes.

Conclusion

Young people value treatment that helps them to live a “normal” life. There is more to this than controlling disease. The emotional, social, and vocational consequences of treatment can be profound and lasting: opportunities to discuss the effects of treatment should be provided early and regularly. While making every effort to ensure understanding of the long‐term clinical consequences of taking or not taking medication, the wider impact of treatment should not be dismissed. Only through understanding young people's values, preferences, and concerns can a sustainable balance between disease control and treatment burden be achieved.
On the Effect of Hot Isostatic Pressing on the Creep Life of a Single Crystal Superalloys
Authors: Mujica Roncery Lais , Lopez‐Galilea Inmaculada , Ruttert Benjamin , Bürger David , Wollgramm Philip , Eggeler Gunther , Theisen Werner
Published: April 2016

The creep behavior of a single‐crystal Ni‐base superalloy in two microstructural states is compared. One is obtained by casting followed by a conventional heat treatment. The other results from the same nominal heat treatment integrated into a hot isostatic pressing process. The microstructure after HIP differed from that in the conventional route in two respects. First, the γ′ particles are smaller and the γ channels are narrower. Second, after HIP, the number density of pores is lower and the pore sizes are smaller. The HIP microstructure improves creep in two respects: the finer γ/γ′‐microstructure results in lower minimum creep rates. Moreover, the shrinkage of cast porosity during HIP delays the nucleation and growth of micro cracks and results in higher rupture strains in the low‐temperature high stress regime.
Gamma Irradiation Synthesis of Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Acrylic Acid/Clay Superabsorbent Hydrogel
Authors: Salmawi Kariman M El , El‐Naggar Amal A , Ibrahim Sayeda M
Published: April 2016

Superabsorbent hydrogels based on carboxymethyl cellulose and acrylic acid with clay montmorillonite (MMT) were synthesized using gamma irradiation. The effects of the radiation dose and MMT concentration on the physical properties such as gel fraction (%) and swelling behavior of the hydrogel were studied. Moreover, the morphological, structural, and thermal properties of the prepared hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The swelling behavior of the as‐prepared hydrogels in water, salt solutions, and different pH media was studied. The hydrogels showed higher swelling percentage in distilled water than in salt solutions. In addition, they exhibited higher swelling in basic medium rather than in acidic medium. Water retention (%) of these superabsorbent hydrogels decreased as the concentration of MMT increased in the hydrogel. The 1% MMT hydrogel could be considered as a water‐managing material for agriculture and horticulture in desert and drought‐prone areas.
KCNQ1 mutations associated with Jervell and Lange–Nielsen syndrome and autosomal recessive Romano–Ward syndrome in India—expanding the spectrum of long QT syndrome type 1
Authors: Vyas Bijal , Puri Ratna D. , Namboodiri Narayanan , Nair Mohan , Sharma Deepak , Movva Sireesha , Saxena Renu , Bohora Shomu , Aggarwal Neeraj , Vora Amit , Kumar Jatinder , Singh Tarandeep , Verma Ishwar C.
Published: April 2016

Long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) is the most common type of all Long QT syndromes (LQTS) and occurs due to mutations in KCNQ1. Biallelic mutations with deafness is called Jervell and Lange–Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and without deafness is autosomal recessive Romano–Ward syndrome (AR RWS). In this prospective study, we report biallelic mutations in KCNQ1 in Indian patients with LQT1 syndrome. Forty patients with a clinical diagnosis of LQT1 syndrome were referred for molecular testing. Of these, 18 were excluded from the analysis as they did not fulfill the inclusion criteria of broad T wave ECG pattern of the study. Direct sequencing of KCNQ1 was performed in 22 unrelated probands, parents and at‐risk family members. Mutations were identified in 17 patients, of which seven had heterozygous mutations and were excluded in this analysis. Biallelic mutations were identified in 10 patients. Five of 10 patients did not have deafness and were categorized as AR RWS, the rest being JLNS. Eight mutations identified in this study have not been reported in the literature and predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis. We hypothesize that the homozygous biallelic mutations identified in 67% of families was due to endogamous marriages in the absence of consanguinity. This study presents biallelic gene mutations in KCNQ1 in Asian Indian patients with AR JLNS and RWS. It adds to the scant worldwide literature of mutation studies in AR RWS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Nature‐Inspired Bioactive Spiro Compounds through Organocatalytic Diels–Alder Reactions
Authors: Ramachary Dhevalapally B. , Krishna Patoju M.
Published: April 2016

An asymmetric organocatalytic arylideneacetone–olefin [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of a variety of arylideneacetones and 1,3‐indandione with different aldehydes is reported in toluene at ambient conditions to furnish the optically pure spiro compounds, which are further converted into medicinally useful spiromentins by the Suzuki reaction. This asymmetric reaction has advantageous features such as high rate and selectivity, uses easily available substrates/catalysts, has many synthetic/medicinal applications, and gives excellent yields for generating a vast library of chiral spiro compounds.
The endocast of the one‐million‐year‐old human cranium from Buia (UA 31), Danakil Eritrea
Authors: Bruner Emiliano , Bondioli Luca , Coppa Alfredo , Frayer David W. , Holloway Ralph L. , Libsekal Yosief , Medin Tsegai , Rook Lorenzo , Macchiarelli Roberto
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The Homo erectus‐like cranium from Buia (UA 31) was found in the Eritrean Danakil depression and dated to 1 million years. Its outer morphology displays archaic traits, as well as distinctive and derived characters. The present study provides the description and metric comparison of its endocranial anatomy.

Materials and Methods

UA 31 was originally filled by a diffuse concretion. Following its removal and cleaning, the endocast (995 cc) was reconstructed after physical molding and digital scan. Its morphology is here compared with specimens belonging to different human taxa, taking into account endocranial metrics, cortical traits, and craniovascular features.

Results

The endocast is long and narrow when compared to the H. erectus/ergaster hypodigm, although its proportions are compatible with the morphology displayed by all archaic and medium‐brained human species. The occipital areas display a pronounced bulging, the cerebellum is located in a posterior position, and the middle meningeal vessels are more developed in the posterior regions. These features are common among specimens attributed to H. erectus s.l., particularly the Middle Pleistocene endocasts from Zhoukoudian. The parietal lobes are markedly bossed. This lateral bulging is associated with the lower parietal circumvolutions, as in other archaic specimens. This pronounced parietal curvature is apparently due to a narrow cranial base, more than to wider parietal areas.

Conclusions

The endocast of UA 31 shows a general plesiomorphic phenotype, with some individual features (e.g., dolichocephaly and rounded lower parietal areas) which confirm a remarkable degree of morphological variability within the H. erectus/ergaster hypodigm. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:458–468, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emergent properties of neural repair: elemental biology to therapeutic concepts
Authors: Carmichael S. Thomas
Published: April 2016

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. The past decade has seen advances in basic science research of neural repair in stroke. The brain forms new connections after stroke, which have a causal role in recovery of function. Brain progenitors, including neuronal and glial progenitors, respond to stroke and initiate a partial formation of new neurons and glial cells. The molecular systems that underlie axonal sprouting, neurogenesis, and gliogenesis after stroke have recently been identified. Importantly, tractable drug targets exist within these molecular systems that might stimulate tissue repair. These basic science advances have taken the field to its first scientific milestone; the elemental principles of neural repair in stroke have been identified. The next stages in this field involve understanding how these elemental principles of recovery interact in the dynamic cellular systems of the repairing brain. Emergent principles arise out of the interaction of the fundamental or elemental principles in a system. In neural repair, the elemental principles of brain reorganization after stroke interact to generate higher order and distinct concepts of regenerative brain niches in cellular repair, neuronal networks in synaptic plasticity, and the distinction of molecular systems of neuroregeneration. Many of these emergent principles directly guide the development of new therapies, such as the necessity for spatial and temporal control in neural repair therapy delivery and the overlap of cancer and neural repair mechanisms. This review discusses the emergent principles of neural repair in stroke as they relate to scientific and therapeutic concepts in this field. Ann Neurol 2016;79:895–906
Stereodivergent and Protecting‐Group‐Free Synthesis of the Helicascolide Family: A Rhodium‐Catalyzed Atom‐Economical Lactonization Strategy
Authors: Haydl Alexander M. , Berthold Dino , Spreider Pierre A. , Breit Bernhard
Published: April 2016

Natural products of polyketide origin, in particular small‐sized lactones often possess a very broad range of impressive biological activities. An efficient way to demonstrate the concise access to six‐membered lactones was emphasized as part of a stereodivergent and protecting‐group‐free synthesis of all three representatives of the helicascolide family. This strategy features an atom‐economical and highly diastereoselective rhodium‐catalyzed “head‐to‐tail” lactonization by an intramolecular addition of ω‐allenyl‐substituted carboxylic acids to terminal allenes, including the selective construction of a new stereocenter in the newly formed core structures. The excellent selectivities with which the helicascolide precursors were obtained are remarkable, thus resulting in an expeditious and highly efficient natural product synthesis.
Chemical modification of cashew gum with acrylamide using an ultrasound‐assisted method
Authors: Klein Jalma Maria , Silva de Lima Vanessa , Couto da Feira José Manoel , Nichele Brandalise Rosmary , de Camargo Forte Maria Madalena
Published: April 2016

A flocculant based on cashew gum (CG) grafted with polyacrylamide (PAM) was synthesized using potassium persulfate as the chemical initiator and ultrasound energy. The intrinsic viscosity, hydrodynamic radius, and grafting efficiency of the grafted copolymers (CG‐g‐PAM) were investigated at different monomer and initiator concentrations. The CG‐g‐PAM copolymers were evaluated in kaolin suspension and river water by using jar test procedure comparatively to a commercial flocculant (Flonex‐9045). Ultrasonication resulted in reduced reaction time and high grafting efficiency. The reaction gel point was reached within 10 min and the grafting efficiency was dependent on the acrylamide concentration. The grafted copolymer CG‐g‐PAM‐15285 obtained with 0.285 mmol of initiator showed higher hydrodynamic radius, with flocculation efficacy of 96% comparable with the flocculant Flonex‐9045. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43634.
Curing behavior and processability of BMI/3‐APN system for advanced glass fiber composite laminates
Authors: Huang Yumin , Jiang Mingli , Xu Mingzhen , Zou Xingqiang , Luo Yusi , Lei Yangxue , Jia Kun , Liu Xiaobo
Published: April 2016

The prepolymers containing bismaleimide (BMI) and 3‐aminophenoxyphthalonitrile (3‐APN) were prepared through simple solution prepolymerization, and the corresponding curing behaviors and processability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic rheological analysis. The results showed that the processability of the prepolymers could be controlled by temperature and time on processing, also depended on the relative content of 3‐APN and BMI. The possible curing reactions of the prepolymers were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which involved the Michael addition between BMI and 3‐APN and self‐polymerization of BMI or 3‐APN. The resulting polymers displayed high thermo‐oxidative stabilities (T5% > 425 °C) and good adhesion capability. Furthermore, BMI/3‐APN systems were employed to prepare BMI/3‐APN/glass fiber (GF) composite laminates and their morphological, mechanical, and electrical stable properties were also investigated. The BMI/3‐APN/GF laminates exhibited the improvement of the mechanical properties (the maximum flexural strength is 633.5 MPa and flexural modulus is 38.7 GPa) compared with pristine BMI/GF laminates because of the strong interfacial adhesions between GF and matrices, which was confirmed with SEM observations. This study provides a concise strategy for diversifying the preparation of BMI/3‐APN prepolymers to obtain advanced GF composite laminates with various properties which have potential applications in industrial manufacture or electronic circuit, and so on. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43640.
Reactive polymeric microspheres: Catalytic reduction of a nitrobenzene derivative
Authors: Kijewska Krystyna , Mazur Maciej , Blanchard G. J.
Published: April 2016

Polymeric microspheres have been demonstrated as a potentially useful vehicle for targeted delivery applications. In this work we report on the preparation of polymer microspheres capable of performing specific reaction chemistry. The microspheres are modified with silver nanoparticles in a two‐step reaction. The first step involves formation of the microsphere by UV‐induced polymerization of pyrrole and the second step is the reduction of silver cations to metallic silver in situ. The resulting Ag‐decorated microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, and thermogravimetry analysis. The catalytic reaction behavior of the decorated microspheres was illustrated through the reduction reaction of m‐nitrobenzene sulfonate acid in the presence of sodium borohydride. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43653.
Population crash in Lesotho's endemic Maloti minnow Pseudobarbus quathlambae following invasion by translocated smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus
Authors: Shelton Jeremy Mark , Clark Barry Malcolm , Sephaka Thabo , Turpie Jane Kirsten
Published: April 2016

A genetically distinct population of the Maloti minnow Pseudobarbus quathlambae (Lesotho's only endemic fish) is known only from the Mohale catchment, and was formerly abundant in the Senqunyane, Bokong and Jorodane rivers which flow into Mohale Reservoir.

Situated ~4 km downstream of Mohale Reservoir, the Semongkoaneng waterfall has historically prevented larger fish species from moving upstream into areas inhabited by P. quathlambae. After the filling of the Mohale Reservoir in 2003, an inter‐basin transfer (IBT) linking it to Katse Reservoir was opened and in 2006 the smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus, a larger more aggressive species, was recorded in the reservoir, presumably introduced via the IBT.

The objectives of the present study were to: (1) establish whether any additional non‐native fish species were present in the Mohale catchment; (2) ascertain whether L. aeneus has dispersed into the rivers flowing into Mohale Reservoir; and (3) gauge whether the Mohale population of P. quathlambae is in decline. Twenty‐eight sites situated on major rivers flowing into the reservoir, and four sites in the reservoir itself, were surveyed to evaluate changes in fish populations and habitat quality.

Results indicate that P. quathlambae has all but disappeared from its natural range: only five individuals were recorded in the Jorodane and Bokong rivers, and none were recorded in the Senqunyane River – a former stronghold for the species. On the other hand, L. aeneus was recorded in all three rivers and is probably responsible for the decline of the P. quathlambae population, given that there does not appear to have been major deterioration in habitat conditions. Another non‐native fish, the Orange River mudfish Labeo capensis, was recorded in the Mohale catchment for the first time. Urgent conservation action is required to prevent the Mohale lineage of P. quathlambae from becoming extinct.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in urban areas using regression kriging
Authors: Kim Seheon , Park Dongjoo , Heo Tae‐Young , Kim Hyunseung , Hong Dahee
Published: April 2016

The recent increase in demand for performance‐driven and outcome‐based transportation planning makes accurate and reliable performance measures essential. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the total miles traveled by all vehicles on roadways, has been utilized widely as a proxy for traffic impact assessment, vehicle emissions, gasoline consumption, and crashes. Accordingly, a number of studies estimate VMT using diverse data sources. This study estimates VMT in the urban area of Bucheon, South Korea, by predicting the annual average daily traffic for unmeasured locations using spatial interpolation techniques (i.e., regression kriging and linear regression). The predictive performance of this method is compared with that of the existing Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) method. The results show that regression kriging could provide more accurate VMT estimates than the HPMS method and linear regression, especially with a small sample size. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Energieklinker” – System zur Nutzung solarer Wärmeenergie in Klinkerfassaden
Authors: Mähner Dietmar , Lengers Jacob , Brand Carina
Published: April 2016

In dem folgenden Bericht wird ein Forschungsvorhaben vorgestellt, welches das Ziel verfolgte, ein System zu entwickeln, mit dessen Hilfe die solare Strahlung auf Klinkerfassaden für Heizzwecke nutzbar gemacht werden kann. Das System wurde an klein‐ und großformatigen Versuchsaufbauten unter realen Wetterbedingungen getestet. Neben der messtechnischen Bestimmung des Entzugspotenziales wurden weiterhin die für die technische Umsetzung wichtigen Fragestellungen bearbeitet. Ein besonderer Fokus lag bei der Entwicklung von praxistauglichen Einbaumethoden unter Verwendung von etablierten und genormten Bauprodukten. Für die gewählte Versuchsanordnung konnte an sonnigen Wintertagen ein Energieangebot von ca. 0,4 kWh/m2 Fassade und Tag gemessen werden. In den Sommermonaten erhöhte sich das Energieangebot auf ca. 2,6 kWh/(m2·d). Nach ersten Erkenntnissen scheint die Nutzung dieser Energie mithilfe von Wärmepumpen technisch möglich.

“Energieklinker” – A system to utilize the solar heat radiation on clinker façades. The featured research project was aiming to develop and test a specially modified clinker façade which would convert solar irradiation on the façade into energy suitable for heating purposes. The system was tested in medium and large scale experimental setups under real weather conditions. The main objective was to measure the energy extraction potential but also all other issues regarding the technical feasibility had to be taken into account. A very strong focus was laid on a practicable installation method using established and standardized construction products. For a sunny winter day an energy extraction potential of 0.4 kWh/m2 of façade and day was measured. During summer days, an extraction potential of up to 2.6 kWh/(m2·d) could be observed. Initial findings allow the assumption that this energy could be utilized by applying a heat pump.
Die Verbrauchsstrukturanalyse – Ein einfaches und schnelles Verfahren zur energetischen Bewertung bestehender Nichtwohngebäude
Authors: Grafe Michael
Published: April 2016

Über den Energiebedarf und ‐verbrauch von Nichtwohngebäuden im Bestand ist wenig bekannt. Die Erhebung dieser gebäudebezogenen Energiekennwerte gestaltet sich zudem aufwendig, was eine vollständige Erhebung ganzer Gebäudebestände erschwert. Bisher liegen keine geeigneten Benchmarks zur Einordnung des energetischen Zustandes eines Gebäudes im Vergleich mit anderen Nichtwohngebäuden eines Portfolios und zur Ermittlung von gebäudeindividuellen Einsparpotentialen vor.

Das hier vorgestellte Verfahren setzt genau an diesen Punkten an. Die Verbrauchsstrukturanalyse eines bestehenden Nichtwohngebäudes ermöglicht eine schnelle Abschätzung des Energieeinsatzes im Gebäude. Dazu werden klassifizierte Energiekennwerte für die vorhandenen Verwendungszwecke nach Nutzungsprofilen getrennt angegeben. Im Normalfall kann ein Gebäude innerhalb eines halben Tages analysiert werden. Im Forschungsprojekt wurde für die Testanwendungen des entwickelten Verbrauchsstrukturanalysetools an zehn Büro‐ und Verwaltungsgebäuden eine gute Übereinstimmung zwischen dem gemessenen Verbrauch und dem – nach Verfahren der Verbrauchsstrukturanalyse ermittelten – Bedarf festgestellt. Mit dem Verfahren werden objektspezifische Benchmarks für den Istzustand und für zwei verschiedene Sanierungsstandards eines Gebäudes ermittelt.

The Consumption‐Structure‐Analysis – A simple and quick method for the evaluation of energy consumption in existing non‐residential buildings. Only little is known about both the energy demand and the energy consumption of existing non‐residential buildings. Further, the collection of those building‐specific energy data is laborious, which makes the full coverage of whole building stocks difficult. So far there are no benchmarks available which are suitable for the classification of the energy status of a non‐residential building, compared to others of a portfolio and for the determination of building‐individual saving potentials.

The method presented here targets precisely these issues. The Consumption‐Structure‐Analysis of an existing non‐residential building enables a quick estimation of its energy use. For this purpose, classified characteristic energy values regarding the existing purposes will be specified separately for different usage profiles. Generally, a building analysis within half a day is achievable by applying this method. Within the research project a test application of the developed Consumption‐Structure‐Analysis‐tool at ten office and administrative buildings showed good accordance between measured energy consumption data and demand calculation. The method determines object‐specific benchmarks for the current state as well as for two different refurbishment standards of a building.
Bestimmung der charakteristischen Betondruckfestigkeit im Bestand bei kleinem Stichprobenumfang
Authors: Weber Michael , Schwabach Enrico , Schnell Jürgen
Published: April 2016

Zur Nachrechnung bestehender Bauwerke, welche grundsätzlich auf Basis der aktuellen, bauaufsichtlich eingeführten technischen Baubestimmungen zu führen sind, werden charakteristische Materialkennwerte der verwendeten Baustoffe benötigt.

Diese können zumindest im Rahmen einer Vordimensionierung durch Umrechnung von aus der Herstellzeit dokumentierten mechanischen Materialkennwerten auf Größen, wie sie zur Anwendung der aktuellen, bauaufsichtlich eingeführten technischen Baubestimmungen benötigt werden, ermittelt werden [1].

Für eine abgesicherte Nachrechnung hingegen müssen charakteristische Materialkennwerte durch eine qualifizierte Bestandsaufnahme am Bauwerk ermittelt werden. Speziell zur Bestimmung charakteristischer Betondruckfestigkeiten führen die bisher anzuwendenden Verfahren nach DIN EN 1990 [2] und DIN EN 13791:2008 [3] bei kleinem Stichprobenumfang n zu ingenieurmäßig fragwürdigen Ergebnissen, welche die tatsächliche Betondruckfestigkeit z. T. erheblich über‐ oder unterschätzen.

Das neue in E DIN EN 13791/A20:2016 [4] enthaltene Verfahren mit den vom Stichprobenumfang n abhängigen modifizierten Ansätzen A und B ermöglicht in gewissen Anwendungsgrenzen die Bestimmung charakteristischer Betondruckfestigkeiten mit unabhängig vom Stichprobenumfang n geringer Abweichung zur tatsächlichen Betondruckfestigkeit.

Nachfolgend werden die Schwächen der bisherigen Verfahren nach DIN EN 1990 [2] und DIN EN 13791:2008 [3] basierend auf der Auswertung realer Datensätze aufgezeigt und Hintergründe zum neuen Verfahren nach E DIN EN 13791/A20:2016 [4] erläutert.

Determination of the characteristic in‐situ concrete compressive strength in conjunction with a small sample size – Technical background and further explanations concerning the new approach in accordance to E DIN EN 13791/A20:2016

In case of an assessment of an existing structure, based on current standards, characteristic properties of materials used for construction are required.

Those material properties can be gained for pre‐dimensioning at least from documents from the construction period by conversion.

Whereas, for an ensured recalculation, characteristic material properties have to be determined by a qualified structural investigation. The currently used methods according to DIN EN 1990 [2] and DIN EN 13791:2008 [3] lead, especially for a small sample size, to doubtful results and a high rate of over‐ or underestimation.

By application of the new approach according to E DIN EN 13791/A20:2016 [4] with the modified methods A and B, the characteristic concrete compressive strength can be determined with only slight deviation to the real value of the concrete compressive strength of the population within the boundaries of application.

Subsequent, weaknesses of the currently used methods according to DIN EN 1990 [2] and DIN EN 13791:2008 [3] are demonstrated. Furthermore, background information on the new approach according to E DIN EN 13791/A20:2016 [4] is given.
Cell‐free production and streamlined assay of cytosol‐penetrating antibodies
Authors: Min Seung Eui , Lee Kyung‐Ho , Park Seong‐Wook , Yoo Tae Hyeon , Oh Chan Hee , Park Ji‐Ho , Yang Sung Yun , Kim Yong‐Sung , Kim Dong‐Myung
Published: April 2016

Antibodies that target intracellular proteins hold great promise in the development of novel therapeutic interventions for various diseases. In particular, antibodies that can cross cellular membranes have potential applications in controlling disease‐related intracellular protein–protein interactions. Given the large number of cytosolic proteins and complicated interactions that are potentially involved in disease development, discovery of antibodies targeting intracellular proteins requires iterative cycles of expression and assessment of candidate antibodies. Because current cell‐based expression methods do not provide sufficient throughput for production and assay of cytosol‐penetrating antibodies, we integrated a cell‐free protein synthesis system designed to provide optimal conditions for production of functional antibodies with a cytosol‐penetration assay. The proposed approach of consolidating cell‐free synthesis and cell‐based assay will substantially expand the capability of discovering and engineering antibodies that can cross the cell membrane and effectively control protein‐mediated cellular functions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2107–2112. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multicentre study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage I and II oesophageal cancer
Authors: Bekkar S , Gronnier C , Renaud F , Duhamel A , Pasquer A , Théreaux J , Gagnière J , Meunier B , Collet D , Mariette C , Dhahri A , Lignier D , Cossé C , Regimbeau J-M , Luc G , Cabau M , Jougon J , Badic B , Lozach P , Bail J P , Cappeliez S , El Nakadi I , Lebreton G , Alves A , Flamein R , Pezet D , Pipitone F , Stan-Iuga B , Contival N , Pappalardo E , Coueffe X , Msika S , Mantziari S , Demartines N , Hec F , Vanderbeken M , Tessier W , Briez N , Fredon F , Gainant A , Mathonnet M , Bigourdan J M , Mezoughi S , Ducerf C , Baulieux J , Mabrut J-Y , Bigourdan J M , Baraket O , Poncet G , Adam M , Vaudoyer D , Jourdan Enfer P , Villeneuve L , Glehen O , Coste T , Fabre J-M , Marchal F , Frisoni R , Ayav A , Brunaud L , Bresler L , Cohen C , Aze O , Venissac N , Pop D , Mouroux J , Donici I , Prudhomme M , Felli E , Lisunfui S , Seman M , Godiris Petit G , Karoui M , Tresallet C , Ménégaux F , Vaillant J-C , Hannoun L , Malgras B , Lantuas D , Pautrat K , Pocard M , Valleur P , Lefevre J H , Chafai N , Balladur P , Lefrançois M , Parc Y , Paye F , Tiret E , Nedelcu M , Laface L , Perniceni T , Gayet B , Turner K , Filipello A , Porcheron J , Tiffet O , Kamlet N , Chemaly R , Klipfel A , Pessaux P , Brigand C , Rohr S , Carrère N , Da Re C , Dumont F , Goéré D , Elias D , Bertrand C
Published: April 2016

Background

The benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for early-stage oesophageal cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether NCT improves the outcome of patients with stage I or II disease.

Methods

Data were collected from 30 European centres from 2000 to 2010. Patients who received NCT for stage I or II oesophageal cancer were compared with patients who underwent primary surgery with regard to postoperative morbidity, mortality, and overall and disease-free survival. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics.

Results

Of 1173 patients recruited (181 NCT, 992 primary surgery), 651 (55·5 per cent) had clinical stage I disease and 522 (44·5 per cent) had stage II disease. Comparisons of the NCT and primary surgery groups in the matched population (181 patients in each group) revealed in-hospital mortality rates of 4·4 and 5·5 per cent respectively (P = 0·660), R0 resection rates of 91·7 and 86·7 per cent (P = 0·338), 5-year overall survival rates of 47·7 and 38·6 per cent (hazard ratio (HR) 0·68, 95 per cent c.i. 0·49 to 0·93; P = 0·016), and 5-year disease-free survival rates of 44·9 and 36·1 per cent (HR 0·68, 0·50 to 0·93; P = 0·017).

Conclusion

NCT was associated with better overall and disease-free survival in patients with stage I or II oesophageal cancer, without increasing postoperative morbidity.
1‐Acetyl‐3‐[(3R)‐hydroxyfatty acyl]glycerols: Lipid Compounds from Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne and E. tetraquetra (Bréb.) Arrond.
Authors: Lorenz Peter , Knittel Diana N. , Conrad Jürgen , Lotter Eva M. , Heilmann Jörg , Stintzing Florian C. , Kammerer Dietmar R.
Published: April 2016

Five homologous acetylated acylglycerols of 3‐hydroxyfatty acids (chain lengths C(14) – C(18)), named euphrasianins A – E, were characterized for the first time in Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Orobanchaceae) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high‐performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI‐MSn). In addition to mass spectrometric data, structures of euphrasianins were verified via a three‐step total synthesis of one representative homologue (euphrasianin A). The structure of the latter was confirmed by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments as well as high‐resolution electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (HR‐ESI‐MS). The absolute configuration of the 3‐hydroxyfatty acid moiety at C(3) was found to be R in the natural euphrasianins, which was determined by alkaline hydrolysis and methylation of a purified fraction, followed by chiral GC analysis. Furthermore, in extracts of Euphrasia tetraquetra (Bréb.) Arrond. euphrasianins C and E were detected exclusively, indicating that this subclass of lipid constituents is possibly valuable for fingerprinting methods.
Three‐Dimensional Chemical Structure Search Using the Conformational Code for Organic Molecules (CCOM) Program
Authors: Izumi Hiroshi , Nafie Laurence A. , Dukor Rina K.
Published: April 2016

Searching the 3D structural fragments of organic molecules is challenging because of structural differences between X‐ray and theoretically calculated geometries and the conformational flexibility of substituents. The codification program called Conformational Code for Organic Molecules (CCOM) can be used to unambiguously convert 3D conformational data for various molecules to 1D data. Two deviations from Rule E‐5.6 of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Rules for Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry were introduced to the CCOM program for 3D fragment searching. First, the search for the highest priority atom was limited to a distance of two bonds from the center bond for dihedral angle determination. Second, for indistinguishable atoms in experimentally observed solution structures, the smallest number of atom index in the molecular model was chosen as the priority atom for dihedral angle determination. A search of the 3D conformational fragment mb_3a6c4c of mevastatin (1) in combination with the SMiles ARbitrary Target Specification (SMARTS) description suggested that a change in the conformation of this fragment may be the driving force for dissociation of mevastatin from its target protein. Chirality 28:370–375, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrogenation of citral over nitrogen‐doped carbon nanofibre‐supported nickel catalyst
Authors: Gryglewicz Stanisław , Śliwak Agata , Ćwikła Joanna , Gryglewicz Grażyna
Published: April 2016

Herringbone carbon nanofibres (hCNFs) and nitrogen‐doped carbon nanofibres with 0.115 g/g (11.5 %) of N (N‐hCNFs) were used as the supports of nickel catalysts in the liquid phase hydrogenation of citral using toluene as a solvent. Over 96 % selectivity to citronellal was obtained at 150 °C for both catalysts. At the reaction temperature of 200 °C, reasonable amounts of isopulegol were formed additionally as a result of citronellal cyclization. The catalytic activity of Ni nanoparticles was significantly improved when supported on CNFs doped with nitrogen. The hydrogenation of cis‐citral was remarkably favoured over the trans‐citral isomer regardless of the reaction temperature. The hydrogenation of citronellal under the same process conditions was also studied. The sequential‐parallel reactions network for the hydrogenation of citral under the applied conditions was proposed and the kinetic constants were evaluated, assuming pseudo‐first order kinetics of the hydrogenation process.