bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco Friendly Management of Anthracnose of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)
Authors: Munnur Shyam Kumar , Zacharia Sunil
Published: September 2024

An experiment was conducted during the 2023 Kharif season at the Central Research Farm, Department of Plant Pathology, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum with botanicals against anthracnose disease in black gram under field conditions. There were seven treatments including control, viz., T0 – Control, T1 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + 10% (F.S), T2 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Datura leaf extract @ 10% (F.S), T3 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S), T4 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Onion bulb extract @ 10% (F.S), T5 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Garlic clove extract @ 10% (F.S) and T6 -  Hexaconazole @ 0.2g (S.T) + 0.2% (F.S). Among all the treatments, T3 - Trichoderma harzianum @ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S) was found to be the significant against anthracnose. Minimum disease intensity (26.43%), maximum plant height (46.90 cm), maximum number of pods per plant (16.27 pods/plant), maximum yield (0.70 t/ha) and highest cost benefit ratio (1:2.13) was recorded in T3 - Trichoderma harzianum@ 10g (S.T) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (F.S) as compared to treated check Hexaconazole and untreated check control.
Genomic Innovations in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): A Comprehensive Review of Recent Developments and Future Directions
Authors: Banka Vaishnavi , Pheirim Reginah , Waghmode Prajyot
Published: September 2024

Genomic innovations have revolutionized the field of wheat breeding by providing advanced tools to enhance its biofortification and overall productivity. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent developments in wheat genomics, focusing on the integration of various approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), marker-assisted selection (MAS), and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. These genomic techniques have significantly advanced our understanding of the genetic basis underlying key traits, facilitating the development of wheat varieties with improved nutritional profiles and agronomic characteristics. Association mapping, leveraging natural variation within wheat populations, has identified numerous genetic loci associated with important traits, including grain quality and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been instrumental in accelerating the breeding process by enabling the selection of desirable traits based on molecular markers linked to these traits. Additionally, QTL mapping has provided valuable insights into the genetic architecture of complex traits, guiding breeders in the development of high-yielding and nutritionally enhanced wheat varieties. The convergence of these genomic approaches, including GWAS, MAS, and QTL mapping, has ushered in a new era of precision breeding. This review highlights the synergy between these methodologies, illustrating their combined impact on improving wheat biofortification. Future directions in wheat genomics will likely focus on integrating these approaches with emerging technologies, such as CRISPR-based genome editing and advanced phenotyping techniques, to address the challenges of global food security and climate change. The continuous advancement of these genomic tools promises to further enhance the resilience and nutritional quality of wheat, ensuring its pivotal role in global agriculture.
Relationship Between Heterosis and Genetic Diversity in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Accessions Using Multivariate Cluster Analysis and Heterotic Grouping
Authors: Jarman Mahesh , Kumar Vinod , Singh Yogendra , Chatterjee Animesh , Shukla R.S. , Barela Akash
Published: September 2024

The present investigation was under taken to examine the genetic variability and relationship between traits among the 57 genotypes of bread wheat collection of diverse nature. Genetic variability and association. and its components, in cross involving 10 parents of wheat varieties viz., MP 4010, MP 3288, MP 1358, MP 1203, HI 1544, HI 1605, HI 1634, CG 1029, HD 2967 and DBW 110 and their 45 F1’s (excluding reciprocal) obtained through dialed cross were evaluated during Rabi 2022-23 at AICRP On Wheat, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Powarkheda, Narmadapuram. Observations were recorded on 13 morphological traits. Collected data were subjected to assess the genotypic and phenotypic variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability, heritability, and genetic advance as per cent of mean. Observations were documented for twenty characters namely Days to 50% heading, days to maturity, plant height, peduncle length, effective tillers /plant, spike length, number of spike/plant, number of spikelet’s/spike, number of grains/spike, 1000-grain weight, biological yield/plant, harvest index, protein content, wet-gluten, hectoliter weight, canopy temperature depression, chlorophyll content, flag leaf area, heat susceptibility index, and grain yield /plant high heritability in addition to high genetic advance as per cent of mean pointing towards that it would be effective to employ simple selection schemes to fetch genetic enhancement in desired track for mentioned characters.
Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: an updated Meta-analysis of RCTs
Authors: Rahman Md S. , Usmani Waqas A. , Nureen Uzma , Ullah Ashraf , Masmoum Mohd Diya , Abbas Zaghum , Masmoum Raneem , Palasani Surya A. , Noor Ali , Mirza Muhammad Sohail S.
Published: September 2024

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids have been extensively studied for their potential role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. This meta-analysis aims to provide an updated synthesis of data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in reducing cardiovascular risk.
Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 17 RCTs involving 82,592 patients. The primary outcomes assessed were changes in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, the incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE), and cardiac mortalities. Statistical analyses were performed using a random-effects model.
Results: Omega-3 supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride levels by an average of 4.41 mg/dL (95% CI: -10.16 to 1.88) and a modest decrease in LDL levels by 0.70 mg/dL (95% CI: -2.12 to 0.72). Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.99) and a 35% reduction in cardiac mortalities (RR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.95).
Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the use of omega-3 fatty acids as a preventive strategy in cardiovascular care, demonstrating significant benefits in lowering triglyceride levels, reducing major cardiovascular events, and decreasing cardiac mortalities.
Performance of Bio-enhancers and Nano-fertilizers on the Morphological and Yield Traits of Red Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
Authors: Singh Arshpreet , Singh Sandeep Kumar , Singh Ramandeep , Devi Vishakha , Shempi  , Kumar Deepak
Published: September 2024

Horticultural crops are confined to various climate and environmental conditions that influence their whole life cycle and their activities. Providing proper amount of relevant nutrients is also a factor from them. One major vegetable crop of India is okra that is grown on large area. In this study, a field experiment conducted on red okra during summer season 2023 at Experimental Farm, Kharora, Mata Gujri College, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India under Randomized Block Design and plants were treated with various treatments. The investigation found superior results from the treatment T6 (Nano Urea @0.4% + Panchagavya @3%) in which crop response best toward growth attributes like plant height (121.40 cm), number of secondary branches plant-1 (31.01), and harvest duration (41.57) while, minimum number of days were recorded days to first flowering (47.27), days to first fruiting (50.67) and days to first picking (53.13). Treatment T6 showed significant results among the yield parameters such as pod weight (9.74 g), pod yield (9.82 q ha-1), length of pod (10.44 cm), pod diameter (1.89 cm), number of pods plant-1 (18.44), biological yield (18.82 kg ha-1) and harvest index (52.63%). Moreover, plants represent best in yield that results in higher B:C ratio (2.94) and net retuns (₹ 399286.93 ha-1) respectively.
Assessment of Foliar Application of Copper and Zinc to Elevate the Defence Response of Bacopa monnieri (L.)
Authors: Tamta Sonia , Jahan Shamiya , Shankdhar S. C. , Shankhdhar Deepti
Published: September 2024

Each of the nutrients is needed in different amounts and carries specific functions in the plant. Also, nutrients do not work in isolation; therefore, balanced nutrition is needed to optimize crop quality. Nutrient interactions may be synergistic or antagonistic and also possible to have no interactions. However, nutrients also stimulates the antioxidant activity in medicinal plants that improves the secondary metabolite production. To investigate the Zn and Cu response in Bacopa monnieri, an experiment was consisted of ZnSO4 and CuSO4 (BM0: CONTROL; BM1:1ppm Cu; BM2:2.5ppm Zn; BM3:5ppm Zn; BM4:0.5ppm Cu+5ppm Zn; BM5:1ppm Cu+2.5ppm Zn; BM6:1ppm Cu+5ppm Zn) during two successive years (2019-2020). Two foliar applications was given at 30 days of interval and samples were collected and analysed after 10 days of each spray. Most of the results showed that Zn concentration increased with BM6 treatment and Cu content recorded a rise with BM1 and BM6 treatments respectively, compared with control plants. Also, MDA content and H2O2 activity were observed higher in the presence of BM6. Meanwhile, all the treated plants induced the activity of SOD that found maximum at BM6 while APOX activity mostly increased at BM3 and BM6. The highest proline accumulation took place BM1 and BM3. The result also showed 2.5ppm Zn treatment gave the highest content of bacoside-A (0.31%). From the research it seems that all the parameters were significantly increased when compared to control. It was suggested from the present experiment that foliar spray of Zn and Cu accelerated antioxidative activities that provides Bacopa to compensate the oxidative damage along with Zn and Cu content along with Bacoside production.
Analysis of the Stromal Cellular Components of the Solid Tumor Microenvironment Using Flow Cytometry
Authors: Timaner Michael , Beyar‐Katz Ofrat , Shaked Yuval
Published: March 2016

The tumor microenvironment consists of a variety of cell types. The contribution of each cell type to the tumor is an emerging subject in the field of cancer research. Here, we describe protocols for dissociating tumor tissues and Matrigel plugs into single cells for further analysis by flow cytometry. These protocols can be used for evaluating the cellular component of solid tumors from human or mouse origin or Matrigel plugs implanted in mice. The protocols describe the dissociation of tumor tissue with or without dissociation automatic devices. Subsequently, the use of flow cytometry for immunophenotypic analysis of host cells found in the tumor microenvironment, including myeloid derived suppressor cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages is provided. These methods can be used to broaden our understanding of the cross‐talk between tumor and host cells in the tumor microenvironment. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vertical deformation associated with normal fault systems evolved over coseismic, postseismic, and multiseismic periods
Authors: Thompson George A. , Parsons Tom
Published: March 2016

Vertical deformation of extensional provinces varies significantly and in seemingly contradictory ways. Sparse but robust geodetic, seismic, and geologic observations in the Basin and Range province of the western United States indicate that immediately after an earthquake, vertical change primarily occurs as subsidence of the normal fault hanging wall. A few decades later, a ±100 km wide zone is symmetrically uplifted. The preserved topography of long‐term rifting shows bent and tilted footwall flanks rising high above deep basins. We develop finite element models subjected to extensional and gravitational forces to study time‐varying deformation associated with normal faulting. We replicate observations with a model that has a weak upper mantle overlain by a stronger lower crust and a breakable elastic upper crust. A 60° dipping normal fault cuts through the upper crust and extends through the lower crust to simulate an underlying shear zone. Stretching the model under gravity demonstrates that asymmetric slip via collapse of the hanging wall is a natural consequence of coseismic deformation. Focused flow in the upper mantle imposed by deformation of the lower crust localizes uplift under the footwall; the breakable upper crust is a necessary model feature to replicate footwall bending over the observed width (<10 km), which is predicted to take place within 1–2 decades after each large earthquake. Thus the best‐preserved topographic signature of rifting is expected to occur early in the postseismic period. The relatively stronger lower crust in our models is necessary to replicate broader postseismic uplift that is observed geodetically in subsequent decades.
Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes Using Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE)
Authors: Jha Pooja , Wang Xu , Auwerx Johan
Published: March 2016

Mitochondria are cellular organelles that harvest energy in the form of ATP through a process termed oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which occurs via the protein complexes of the electron transport chain (ETC). In recent years it has become unequivocally clear that mitochondrial complexes of the ETC are not static entities in the inner mitochondrial membrane. These complexes are dynamic and in mammals they aggregate in different stoichiometric combinations to form supercomplexes (SCs) or respirasomes. It has been proposed that the net respiration is more efficient via SCs than via isolated complexes. However, it still needs to be determined whether the activity of a particular SC is associated with a disease etiology. Here we describe a simplified method to visualize and assess in‐gel activity of SCs and the individual complexes with good resolution using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE). © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Understanding Adult Learning in the Midst of Complex Social “Liquid Modernity”
Authors: Nicolaides Aliki , Marsick Victoria J.
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes the changing nature of adult education theory and practice in the face of complex, disruptive change and explores theories that are suited to tectonic shifts in a period of what we describe as “liquid modernity” in the midst of complex sociocultural‐economic‐political change in a global environment.
Literacy Development and Language Expression for Adult Learners in Transition
Authors: Larrotta Clarena , Moon Ji Yoon Christine
Published: March 2016

This chapter provides examples of transitions that learners face connected to their participation in adult education and English literacy instruction. It describes their efforts to attain relevant language expression skills.
Interactive Influences on Health and Adult Education
Authors: Hill Lilian H.
Published: March 2016

This chapter examines multiple convergent forces affecting health, relates these to social determinants of health and critical adult health learning, and closes with discussion of opportunities for adult educators to contribute to human health at the individual, community, health provider, policy/regulatory agency, and international levels.
Competing in the World's Global Education and Technology Arenas
Authors: Conceição Simone C. O.
Published: March 2016

This chapter addresses the transitions and changes occurring because of technological innovation, how these changes are affecting the workplace, and the skills needed to thrive today. It also presents generational characteristics of adult learners and strategies for adult educators and higher education institutions for effectively dealing with adult education programming.
What Our Ancestors Knew: Teaching and Learning Through Storytelling
Authors: Lawrence Randee Lipson , Paige Dennis Swiftdeer
Published: March 2016

The art of storytelling is traced from its roots in indigenous cultural societies. Storytelling in education is described as a participatory learning process that promotes community and understanding.
Challenges for Policy and Standards for Adult and Higher Education
Authors: Wheelan Belle S.
Published: March 2016

This chapter addresses educational policy as a force that contemporary adult education would be required to reckon with from the point of view of an accreditor. It identifies the issues and projects shifts that are currently taking place in higher education policy at the national, state, and regional levels.
Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystals: Discovery, Evolution and Applications
Authors: Narayan Rekha , Kim Ji Eun , Kim Ju Young , Lee Kyung Eun , Kim Sang Ouk
Published: March 2016

The discovery and relevant research progress in graphene oxide liquid crystals (GOLCs), the latest class of 2D nanomaterials exhibiting colloidal liquid crystallinity arising from the intrinsic disc‐like shape anisotropy, is highlighted. GOLC has conferred a versatile platform for the development of novel properties and applications based on the facile controllability of molecular scale alignment. The first part of this review offers a brief introduction to LCs, including the theoretical background. Particular attention has been paid to the different types of LC phases that have been reported thus far, such as nematic, lamellar and chiral phases. Several key parameters governing the ultimate stability of GOLC behavior, including pH and ionic strength of aqueous dispersions are highlighted. In a relatively short span of time since its discovery, GOLCs have proved their remarkable potential in a broad spectrum of applications, including highly oriented wet‐spun fibers, self‐assembled nanocomposites, and architectures for energy storage devices. The second part of this review is devoted to an exclusive overview of the relevant applications. Finally, an outlook is provided into this newly emerging research field, where two well established scientific communities for carbon nanomaterials and liquid crystals are ideally merged.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer Metal Chelates Derived from Poly(2,2,3,3‐tetra methyleneaminecyclopropyl)phenyl Acrylate
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Mehdi , Pesyan Nader Noroozi , Moghadam Peyman Najafi
Published: March 2016

ABSTARCT

The new method for the synthesis of p‐(2,2,3,3‐tetracyanocyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate (P‐TCP) was applied. In this method, p‐acryloyloxybenzaldehyde was reacted with malononitrile and cyanogen bromide at 0°C in short time. Then, the P‐TCP monomer was polymerized by free‐radical polymerization to obtain a poly‐(2,2,3,3‐tetracyanocyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate with multicyanocyclopropane functionalities in the pendant group. The nitrile functions in pendant groups of the prepared polymer were reduced to primary amines using NaBH4 and NiCl2 salts at 65°C in dry ethanol for the preparation of poly(2,2,3,3‐tetra methyleneaminecyclopropyl)phenyl acrylate (PTAP) as a new polymer. The PTAP was soluble in acetone and ethylacetate. The PTAP was examined for the removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cr(III) ions from aqueous solutions under noncompetitive and competitive conditions at various pH. The adsorption rate was high (<60 min). The complexation of selected heavy metal ions by the PTAP is strongly dependent on the pH of medium and the adsorption of all selected metal ions was more favorable at the pH 7. Also the maximum sorption of the PTAP for selected metal ions under competitive conditions belongs to Cu(II) at pH 7. The kd value is calculated for the prepared chelating polymer, and the result indicates approximately high values in the case of Cu(II) ion. The synthesized polymer and its metal chelates were characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, gravimetry, UV–vis spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry.
Nanoscale Elastic Changes in 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene) Pseudocapacitive Electrodes
Authors: Come Jeremy , Xie Yu , Naguib Michael , Jesse Stephen , Kalinin Sergei V. , Gogotsi Yury , Kent Paul R. C. , Balke Nina
Published: March 2016

Designing sustainable electrodes for next generation energy storage devices relies on the understanding of their fundamental properties at the nanoscale, including the comprehension of ions insertion into the electrode and their interactions with the active material. One consequence of ion storage is the change in the electrode volume resulting in mechanical strain and stress that can strongly affect the cycle life. Therefore, it is important to understand the changes of dimensions and mechanical properties occurring during electrochemical reactions. While the characterization of mechanical properties via macroscopic measurements is well documented, in situ characterization of their evolution has never been achieved at the nanoscale. It is reported here with in situ imaging, combined with density functional theory of the elastic changes of a 2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) based electrode in direction normal to the basal plane (electrode surface) during alkaline cation intercalation/extraction. 2D carbides, known as MXenes, are promising new materials for supercapacitors and various kinds of batteries, and understanding the coupling between their mechanical and electrochemical properties is therefore necessary. The results show a strong correlation between the cations content and the out‐of‐plane elastic modulus. This strategy enables identifying the preferential intercalation pathways within a single particle, which is important for understanding ionic transport in these materials.
Time‐Dependent Morphology Evolution of Solution‐Processed Small Molecule Solar Cells during Solvent Vapor Annealing
Authors: Min Jie , Jiao Xuechen , Ata Ibrahim , Osvet Andres , Ameri Tayebeh , Bäuerle Peter , Ade Harald , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: March 2016

Morphological modification using solvent vapor annealing (SVA) provides a simple and widely used fabrication option for improving the power conversion efficiencies of solution‐processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) small molecule solar cells. Previous reports on SVA have shown that this strategy influences the degree of donor/acceptor phase separation and also improves molecular donor ordering. A blend composed of a dithienopyrrole containing oligothiophene as donor (named UU07) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester as acceptor is investigated with respect to SVA treatment to explore the dynamics of the BHJ evolution as a function of annealing time. A systematic study of the time dependence of morphology evolution clarifies the fundamental mechanisms behind SVA and builds the structure–property relation to the related device performance. The following two‐stage mechanism is identified: Initially, as SVA time increases, donor crystallinity is improved, along with enhanced domain purity resulting in improved charge transport properties and reduced recombination losses. However, further extending SVA time results in domains that are too large and a few large donor crystallites, depleting donor component in the mixed domain. Moreover, the larger domain microstructure suffers from enhanced recombination and overall lower bulk mobility. This not only reveals the importance of precisely controlling SVA time on gaining morphological control, but also provides a path toward rational optimization of device performance.
An Analysis of Milk Pricing in the United States Dairy Industry
Authors: Bolotova Yuliya V.
Published: March 2016

The performance of the system of milk pricing within Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) has recently attracted increased attention. A dramatic increase in the volatility of milk prices received by dairy farmers has adversely affected dairy farm profitability. Furthermore, the effects that the private Exchange spot cheese market has on FMMOs milk pricing have raised concerns, mostly due to an imperfectly competitive nature of competition process in this market. This research analyzes the behavior of Class III milk price, which is the mover of the overall FMMOs pricing structure, during three milk pricing regimes: Minnesota–Wisconsin price series (1960s–1995), Basic Formula Price (1995–1999), and Multiple Component Pricing (2000–present). The empirical evidence presented in the article indicates that changes in the level of Class III milk price were rather minor in magnitude. However, changes in the milk price volatility were dramatic. There is empirical evidence indicating that the private Exchange spot cheese price is the main determinant of the Class III milk price, which is consistent with the design of Class III milk pricing during the analyzed FMMOs milk pricing regimes. [JEL Classifications: L1; Q1; K2].
Firm Size and Financial Performance: Intermediate Effects of Indebtedness
Authors: Lopez‐Valeiras Ernesto , Gomez‐Conde Jacobo , Fernandez‐Rodriguez Teresa
Published: March 2016

This paper offers a new perspective for the agricultural economics literature on the relationship between firm size and financial performance. We contribute to the literature by exploring the role of indebtedness in this relationship. Using archival data collected from 83 companies belonging to livestock industries, the empirical findings confirm the hypothesis that indebtedness leverages the effect of size on financial performance. That is to say, indebtedness can enhance the realization of the potential benefits of a larger organizational size. Contrary to expectations, these results reveal that the relationship between size and financial performance is negatively mediated by indebtedness. [EconLit citations: D23; M00; Q13].
Study on the transient interfacial tension in a microfluidic droplet formation coupling interphase mass transfer process
Authors: Lan Wenjie , Wang Che , Guo Xuqiang , Li Shaowei , Luo Guangsheng
Published: March 2016

In two‐phase dispersion coupling interphase mass transfer process, the variation of interfacial tension is an important factor affecting the dispersion. In this study, we described a microfluidic method for the determination of the transient interfacial tension (TIFT). The method has the advantage of determining TIFT during the whole droplet formation process, rather than only at the rupture moment as reported in previous studies. The TIFTs of several systems were determined. In certain systems, it has been found that the droplet size decreased with the increase of the dispersed phase flow rate, which is obviously different from the constant interfacial tension system. It has also been found that TIFT was mainly affected by two‐phase flow rates, solute type and concentration, and droplet size. A semiempirical equation was finally established to predict TIFT. It has the potential to be used in a variety of industrial equipment with dispersion–mass transfer coupling process. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2542–2549, 2016
Clinical course of patients with incidental finding of 20q‐ in the bone marrow without a morphologic evidence of myeloid neoplasm
Authors: Jawad Majd D. , Shi Min , Oliveira Jennifer L. , Hoyer James D. , Christopher Hook C. , Go Ronald S.
Published: March 2016

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 20 (20q‐) is a frequent finding in bone marrow karyotypes, mainly associated with myeloid neoplasms (MNs). Its clinical significance in the setting of normal bone marrow morphology is unclear. We described the clinical characteristics, cytogenetic findings, and outcome of 102 such patients seen at our institution from 2000‐2014. Their median age was 66 years. The indication for bone marrow biopsy was either unexplained cytopenias (48%) or hematologic cancer staging/reevaluation (52%). In 88 (86%) patients, 20q‐ was an isolated finding. Thirty‐nine (38%) patients previously received chemotherapy and 88 (86%) had cytopenias at the time of 20q‐ finding. After a median of 35 months, 12 (13%) patients developed MNs: 10 myelodysplastic syndromes, one acute myeloid leukemia and one myeloproliferative neoplasm. None of 14 patients with normal blood counts, but 7 of 35 (20%) with mild cytopenias, and 5 of 53 (9%) with moderate/severe cytopenias developed MNs. We did not find an association between the number of metaphases with 20q‐ and the development of MN. The incidental finding of 20q‐ in the bone marrow generally does not portend an early stage MN. Particularly, those without cytopenias at the time of diagnosis may have a good prognosis. Am. J. Hematol. 91:556–559, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation, characterization, and adsorption properties of polystyrene‐supported polyethylene glycols for iodine
Authors: Liu Xiguang , Qu Rongjun , Wang Minghua , Luo Wanxing , Niu Yuzhong , Liu Jianhui , Sun Xin
Published: March 2016

A series of polystyrene‐supported polyethylene glycols (PS‐PEG) were synthesized by incorporating PEG400, PEG600, and PEG800 into chloromethylated polystyrene, their structures were characterized by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption properties of PS‐PEG for iodine from aqueous solutions at different acid solution, contact time, and temperature were investigated. Results showed that adsorption amount increased with the increasing of functional group content by following the order of PS‐PEG400 < PS‐PEG600 < PS‐PEG800. The maximum adsorption capacity of PS‐PEG800 was 1.61 mmol · g−1. Adsorption isotherm could be described by the Freundlich models. Adsorption kinetics could be well fitted by pseudo‐second‐order model. The adsorption of iodine onto PS‐PEG was supposed to be obtained through the coordination, chelation, and electrostatic attraction mechanism. In addition, the adsorption capacities of PS‐PEG for iodine had little change after four times, indicating that the PS‐PEG had excellent reusing property. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological properties of a hydrophobically modified anionic polymer: Effect of varying salinity and amount of hydrophobic moieties
Authors: Løbø Viken Alette , Skauge Tormod , Spildo Kristine
Published: March 2016

Hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes have been suggested as an alternative to the more commonly used polyelectrolytes in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications involving polymers. Compared to regular polyelectrolytes, the hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes are known to be more stable at high salinities. In this study, we have investigated the influence of brine salinity and ionic composition for a series of six hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes with the same polymer backbone, but with an increasing average number of hydrophobic groups per polymer molecule. Polymer characterization has been performed using a combination of steady‐state shear viscosity and dynamic oscillatory measurements. Hydrophobic interactions leading to a change in rheological properties was only observed above a threshold value for the concentration of hydrophobe. At the threshold value, salt‐induced hydrophobic interactions were observed. For higher concentrations of hydrophobe, high salinity solutions showed one order of magnitude increase in viscosity compared to the polymer without hydrophobic groups. This could partly be explained by an increase in elasticity. These findings have important implications for polymer selection for EOR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43520.
Control of Perovskite Crystal Growth by Methylammonium Lead Chloride Templating
Authors: Binek Andreas , Grill Irene , Huber Niklas , Peters Kristina , Hufnagel Alexander G. , Handloser Matthias , Docampo Pablo , Hartschuh Achim , Bein Thomas
Published: March 2016

State‐of‐the‐art solar cells based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) now reach efficiencies over 20 %. This fast improvement was possible with intensive research in perovskite processing. In particular, chloride‐based precursors are known to have a positive influence on the crystallization of the perovskite. Here, we used a combination of in‐situ X‐ray diffraction and charge‐transport measurements to understand the influence of chloride during perovskite crystallization in planar heterojunction solar cells. We show that MAPbCl3 crystallizes directly after the deposition of the starting solution and acts as a template for the formation of MAPbI3. Additionally, we show that the charge‐carrier mobility doubles by extending the time for the template formation. Our results give a deeper understanding of the influence of chloride in the synthesis of MAPbI3 and illustrate the importance of carefully controlling crystallization for reproducible, high‐efficiency solar cells.
Comparing modal noise and FRD of circular and non‐circular cross‐section fibres
Authors: Sablowski D. P. , Plüschke D. , Weber M. , Strassmeier K. G. , Järvinen A.
Published: March 2016

Modal noise is a common source of noise introduced to the measurements by optical fibres and is particularly important for fibre‐fed spectroscopic instruments, especially for high‐resolution measurements. This noise source can limit the signal‐to‐noise ratio and jeopardize photon‐noise limited data. The subject of the present work is to compare measurements of modal noise and focal‐ratio degradation (FRD) for several commonly used fibres. We study the influence of a simple mechanical scrambling method (excenter) on both FRD and modal noise. Measurements are performed with circular and octagonal fibres from Polymicro Technology (FBP‐Series) with diameters of 100, 200, and 300μm and for square and rectangular fibres from CeramOptec, among others. FRD measurements for the same sample of fibres are performed as a function of wavelength. Furthermore, we replaced the circular fibre of the STELLA‐échelle‐spectrograph (SES) in Tenerife with an octagonal and found a SNR increase by a factor of 1.6 at 678 nm. It is shown in the laboratory that an excenter with a large amplitude and low frequency will not influence the FRD but will reduce modal noise rather effectively by up to 180%. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Peranso – Light curve and period analysis software
Authors: Paunzen E. , Vanmunster T.
Published: March 2016

A time series is a sample of observations of well‐defined data points obtained through repeated measurements over a certain time range. The analysis of such data samples has become increasingly important not only in natural science but also in many other fields of research. Peranso offers a complete set of powerful light curve and period analysis functions to work with large astronomical data sets. Substantial attention has been given to ease‐of‐use and data accuracy, making it one of the most productive time series analysis software available. In this paper, we give an introduction to Peranso and its functionality. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Primordial magnetic fields in the f2FF model in large field inflation under de Sitter and power law expansion
Authors: Al Muhammad A. S. , Lopez‐Mobiia R.
Published: March 2016

We use the f2FF model to study the generation of primordial magnetic fields (PMF) in the context of large field inflation (LFI), described by the potential, V ∼ Mϕp. We compute the magnetic and electric spectra for all possible values of the model parameters under de Sitter and power law expansion. We show that scale invariant PMF are not obtained in LFI to first order in the slow roll approximation, if we impose the constraint V (ϕ = 0) ∼ 0. Alternatively, if these constraints are relaxed, the scale invariant PMF can be generated. The associated electric field energy can fall below the energy density of inflation, ρInf for the ranges of comoving wavenumbers, k > 8 × 10–7 Mpc–1 and k > 4 × 10–6 Mpc–1 in de Sitter and power law (PL) expansion. Further, it can drop below ρInf on the ranges, e‐foldings N > 51, p < 1.66, p > 2.03, l0 > 3 × 105 MPl–1(Hi < 3.3 × 10–6 MPl), and M > 2.8 × 10–3 MPl. All of the above ranges fit with the observational constraints. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Andromeda IV, a solitary gas‐rich dwarf galaxy
Authors: Karachentsev I. D. , Chengalur J. N. , Tully R. B. , Makarova L. N. , Sharina M. E. , Begum A. , Rizzi L.
Published: March 2016

Observations are presented of the isolated dwarf irregular galaxy And IV made with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in the 21 cm HI line. We determine the galaxy distance of 7.17 ± 0.31 Mpc using the Tip of Red Giant Branch method. The galaxy has a total blue absolute magnitude of –12.81 mag, linear Holmberg diameter of 1.88 kpc, and an HI‐disk extending to 8.4 times the optical Holmberg radius. The HI massto‐blue luminosity ratio for And IV amounts 12.9 M⊙/L⊙. From the GMRT data we derive the rotation curve for the HI and fit it with different mass models. We find that the data are significantly better fit with an iso‐thermal dark matter halo, than by an NFW halo. We also find that MOND rotation curve provides a very poor fit to the data. The fact that the isothermal dark matter halo provides the best fit to the data supports models in which star formation feedback results in the formation of a dark matter core in dwarf galaxies. The total mass‐to‐blue luminosity ratio of 162 M⊙/L⊙ makes And IV among the darkest dIrr galaxies known. However, its baryonic‐to‐dark mass ratio (Mgas + M *)/MT = 0.11 is close to the average cosmic baryon fraction of 0.15. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of intersection field of view on emergent collision avoidance performance at unsignalized intersections: analysis based on driving simulator experiments
Authors: Yan Xuedong , Li Xiaomeng , He Sha , Weng Jinxian , Wong S. C. , Pang Hongtao
Published: March 2016

Proper intersection sight distance can effectively lower the possibility of intersection accidents. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2011) provide a series of recommended dimensions of intersection sight triangles for uncontrolled and stop/yield‐controlled intersections. However, in reality, although the actual intersection design for unsignalized intersections satisfies the requirements of sight distance and clear sight triangle in American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' guideline, there are still a large number of crashes occurring at unsignalized intersections for drivers running stop/yield signs or failing to slow down. This paper presents a driving simulator study on pre‐crash at intersections under three intersection field of view (IFOV) conditions. The aim was to explore whether better IFOVs at unsignalized intersections improve their emergent collision avoidance performance under an assumption of valid intersection sight distance design. The experimental results show drivers' ability to identify potential hazards to be significantly affected by their IFOVs. As drivers' IFOV improved, drivers were more likely to choose braking actions to avoid collisions. Better IFOVs were also associated with significant increases in brake time to intersection and significant reductions in deceleration rate and crash rate, thus leading to a lower risk of traffic crash involvement. The results indicate that providing a better IFOV for drivers at intersections should be encouraged in practical applications in order to improve drivers' crash avoidance capabilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluierung der zentrischen Resttragfähigkeit von randnahen Verbundankern nach erfolgtem Betonkantenbruch
Authors: Stierschneider Elisabeth , Zeman Oliver , Lachinger Stefan , Bergmeister Konrad
Published: March 2016

Das dem derzeitigen Stand der Technik entsprechende Bemessungskonzept für Verankerungen führt bei randnahen Mehrfachbefestigungen unter Querbelastung und in weiterer Folge auch bei einer kombinierten Beanspruchung zu teilweise konservativen Ergebnissen. Aus bereits durchgeführten Untersuchungen zur Verbesserung des vorhandenen Bemessungskonzepts für randnahe Mehrfachbefestigungen unter Schrägzugbelastung geht hervor, dass solche Verankerungen nach dem Versagen der ersten Ankerreihe durch Betonkantenbruch noch Resthaltekräfte aufweisen, weshalb eine Berücksichtigung dieser zur Steigerung der Effizienz der Bemessung beitragen kann. Da die quantitative Beschaffenheit dieser Resttragfähigkeit jedoch noch weitgehend unerforscht ist, wird in diesem Beitrag auf Basis experimenteller Untersuchungen aufgezeigt, in welcher Größenordnung sich diese Resthaltekräfte bewegen. Hierzu wird eine randnahe Einzelbefestigung des Verbunddübeltyps zunächst unter reiner Querlast in Richtung des freien Bauteilrandes bis zum Eintritt des Betonkantenbruchs belastet und anschließend die zentrische Resttragfähigkeit bestimmt.

Evaluation of the residual capacity in tension on bonded anchors close to the edge after concrete edge failure

The state of the art design concept for anchorages in concrete leads to partly conservative results especially for fastenings close to the edge under shear load or subsequently under inclined load. Former investigations concerning the improvement of the actual design concept for anchorages close to the edge under inclined load show that such fastening situations have a residual capacity, although the first anchor row has already failed under shear load due to concrete edge failure. Therefore, the provision of this residual capacity can increase the performance of the design concept. Due to the lack in the quantitative range of the residual capacity, the scale of these forces was identified based on experimental tests within this article. Hence single bonded anchors close to the edge are loaded in a first step with a shear load towards the free edge until the concrete edge fails and afterwards the centric residual capacity is determined.
Zodiakale und planetare Dekane
Authors: Hübner Wolfgang
Published: March 2016

Zodiacal and Planetary ‘decani’. The 36 ecliptical ‘decani’ (sectors of 10°) were distributed either to the twelve zodiacal signs or to the seven planets. The first system has been transmitted only by the Roman didactic poet Manilius, who commits an error at the end of his catalogue that can be explained by comparing it with the more frequent planetary one. Both systems follow the Roman calendar beginning with the Ram respectively Mars. Although the zodiacal system (36 : 12) runs without remainder whereas the planetary one (36 : 7) repeats Mars once more (six times), so that it both begins and ends with this planet, this planetary system prevails. Four possible astrological reasons of this contradiction are discussed including other texts, mostly taken from the ‘Babylonian’ Teucrus (at the latest first century BC), who represents the first witness, if not the inventor of this particular lore.
Estimating covariate‐adjusted measures of diagnostic accuracy based on pooled biomarker assessments
Authors: McMahan Christopher S. , McLain Alexander C. , Gallagher Colin M. , Schisterman Enrique F.
Published: March 2016

There is a need for epidemiological and medical researchers to identify new biomarkers (biological markers) that are useful in determining exposure levels and/or for the purposes of disease detection. Often this process is stunted by high testing costs associated with evaluating new biomarkers. Traditionally, biomarker assessments are individually tested within a target population. Pooling has been proposed to help alleviate the testing costs, where pools are formed by combining several individual specimens. Methods for using pooled biomarker assessments to estimate discriminatory ability have been developed. However, all these procedures have failed to acknowledge confounding factors. In this paper, we propose a regression methodology based on pooled biomarker measurements that allow the assessment of the discriminatory ability of a biomarker of interest. In particular, we develop covariate‐adjusted estimators of the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve, and Youden's index. We establish the asymptotic properties of these estimators and develop inferential techniques that allow one to assess whether a biomarker is a good discriminator between cases and controls, while controlling for confounders. The finite sample performance of the proposed methodology is illustrated through simulation. We apply our methods to analyze myocardial infarction (MI) data, with the goal of determining whether the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 is a good predictor of MI after controlling for the subjects' cholesterol levels.
Development of a fully integrated falling film microreactor for gas–liquid–solid biotransformation with surface immobilized O2‐dependent enzyme
Authors: Bolivar Juan M. , Krämer Christina E. M. , Ungerböck Birgit , Mayr Torsten , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: March 2016

Microstructured flow reactors are powerful tools for the development of multiphase biocatalytic transformations. To expand their current application also to O2‐dependent enzymatic conversions, we have implemented a fully integrated falling film microreactor that provides controllable countercurrent gas–liquid phase contacting in a multi‐channel microstructured reaction plate. Advanced non‐invasive optical sensing is applied to measure liquid‐phase oxygen concentrations in both in‐ and out‐flow as well as directly in the microchannels (width: 600 μm; depth: 200 μm). Protein–surface interactions are designed for direct immobilization of catalyst on microchannel walls. Target enzyme (here: d‐amino acid oxidase) is fused to the positively charged mini‐protein Zbasic2 and the channel surface contains a negatively charged γ‐Al2O3 wash‐coat layer. Non‐covalent wall attachment of the chimeric Zbasic2_oxidase resulted in fully reversible enzyme immobilization with fairly uniform surface coverage and near complete retention of biological activity. The falling film at different gas and liquid flow rates as well as reactor inclination angles was shown to be mostly wavy laminar. The calculated film thickness was in the range 0.5–1.3 × 10−4 m. Direct O2 concentration measurements at the channel surface demonstrated that the liquid side mass transfer coefficient (KL) for O2 governed the overall gas/liquid/solid mass transfer and that the O2 transfer rate (≥0.75 mM · s−1) vastly exceeded the maximum enzymatic reaction rate in a wide range of conditions. A value of 7.5 (±0.5) s−1 was determined for the overall mass transfer coefficient KLa, comprising a KL of about 7 × 10−5 m · s−1 and a specific surface area of up to 105 m−1. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1862–1872. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Implementing the Civic Engagement Graduation Requirement at Kingsborough Community College
Authors: Turner Lavita McMath
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes the process and challenges of implementing a civic engagement graduation requirement at Kingsborough Community College.
Reframing Teacher Education for Democratic Engagement
Authors: Strahley Lisa , D'Arpino Tracy
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes a partnership between teacher education students at SUNY Broome and students at a local elementary school that led to all participants gaining a stronger sense of themselves as civic change agents in their communities.
Civic Engagement at a Small Rural College: If We Can Do It…
Authors: Hoffman Kurt
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes the cocurricular activities offered through The Democracy Commitment at Allegany College of Maryland and the impact of these civic experiences on its students.