bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Documenting Intraspecfic Genome Size Variation in Soybean
Authors: Rayburn A. Lane , Biradar D. P. , Nelson R. L. , McCloskey R. , Yeater K. M.
Published: April 2016

Reports of genome size variation in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] have ranged from 40 to 0%. This wide range has resulted in doubts of the existence of intraspecific DNA variation in soybean. Eighteen soybean lines were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine their genome size. The lines were selected on the basis of diversity of origin. Intraspecific genome size variation was observed at approximately 4%. To ensure that the variation observed was reproducible and not due to technique error, the two highest and lowest genomes size accessions were reanalyzed. The order and variation observed between the high and low genome size accessions were maintained. To ensure further that the differences were reproducible, seeds from the two highest and lowest genome size accessions were planted in different locations in the USA, grown to maturity, harvested, and the seeds returned to Illinois. The harvested seed was analyzed and again the order and variation in genome size between the high and low genome size accessions were similar to the previous two analyses even though more than 1 yr had passed between the analysis. In addition, two experiments using Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats as an internal standard were conducted. In both of these experiments, the observed variation between the previously reported high and low genome size soybean lines was approximately 1 to 2%. The variation between the high and low genome size soybean lines is reproducible. The variation reported here indicates that the DNA amount variation is between 1 and 4%, lower than was originally reported.
AFLP Variation in Four Blue Grama Seed Sources
Authors: Fu Yong‐Bi , Ferdinandez Yasas S. N. , Phan Anh T. , Coulman Bruce , Richards Ken W.
Published: April 2016

Blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths] is one of the most widespread native grasses in western North America. Several blue grama seed sources are currently used for rangeland seeding, but little is known about the genetic diversity of these seed sources. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to compare the genetic diversity among four blue grama seed sources (a precultivar germplasm [balanced multisite composite, BMSC], the ecotype Bad River, a Minnesota ecotype, and a native Manitoba seed collection) and to assess the genetic shift during two generations of BMSC seed multiplication. Germplasm BMSC was a balanced multisite composite of 99 clones selected from 495 live plants collected from 11 sites across Manitoba. Six AFLP primer pairs were employed to screen a total of 176 individual plants sampled from both the first three generations of BMSC and the other three seed sources and 167 polymorphic AFLP bands were scored for each plant. Large AFLP variation was observed within the four seed sources. Greater AFLP variation was detected in the BMSC than Bad River, Minnesota ecotype, and the Manitoba native harvest. No genetic shift in the BMSC was found across the two seed multiplications. These results indicate a balanced composite of multisite blue grama germplasm can maintain high genetic diversity with little genetic shift in a few generations of seed multiplication.
C‐Banding Analyses of Bromus inermis Genomes
Authors: Tuna Metin , Vogel Kenneth P. , Gill Kulvinder S. , Arumuganathan K.
Published: April 2016

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) has both tetraploid (2n = 28) and octaploid (2n = 56) ploidy levels that have been difficult to characterize cytogenetically because of similar chromosome morphology. Objectives of this study were to identify individual chromosomes of tetraploid and octaploid B inermis with C‐banding procedures along with chromosome length and arm length ratios, develop more detailed karyotypes than those previously available, and use the karyotypes to examine the genomic relationship of tetraploid and octaploid B inermis Root tips of the plants from four tetraploid and three octaploid accessions were used to produce chromosome squash preparations for cytogenetic analysis. The tetraploid B inermis genome consisted of 12 chromosomes with a telomeric band on each arm and sixteen chromosomes with only one telomeric band on one arm. All of the chromosomes of the tetraploid form, except for four chromosomes, were identified by C‐banding patterns, chromosome length, and arm length ratio. The octaploid B inermis genome consisted of four chromosomes with no C‐bands, ≈14 chromosomes with two telomeric bands, and ≈38 chromosomes with only one telomeric band on either the short or long arm. The combined use of C‐banding, chromosome size, and arm length ratio only enabled groups of 2, 4, 6, or 8 similar chromosomes to be identified because of similarities in chromosome morphology of the octaploids. Results indicate that tetraploid B inermis is an allotetraploid since all chromosomes except four could be separated into identifiable pairs. Because of differences between expected and actual numbers of satellite chromosomes and chromosomes with specific C‐banding patterns, octaploid B inermis is probably not a doubled form of the tetraploid B inermis
Selection for Aluminum and Acid‐Soil Resistance in White Clover
Authors: Voigt P. W. , Staley T. E.
Published: April 2016

Despite good resistance to acid‐soil stresses, white clover (Trifolium repens L.) is not found on some acid soils. Our objectives were to develop a large‐leafed white clover with acid‐soil resistance, to relate seedling Al to mature plant acid‐soil resistance, and to validate our soil‐on‐agar procedure. We used a two‐stage selection procedure. In Stage 1 we used the soil‐on‐agar technique to select for seedling Al‐resistance and Al‐susceptibility in Brown Loam Synthetic No. 2 and ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover. In Stage 2 we used conventional pot studies with two soil pH treatments, 4.2 and 5.2, and stem‐tip cuttings of Al‐resistant selections from Brown Loam to select for acid‐soil resistance. The same Stage 1 and 2 techniques were used to evaluate 12 experimental populations and both parents for seedling Al resistance and mature plant acid‐soil resistance. Across two cycles of selection, both Brown Loam and Huia Al‐resistant and susceptible populations diverged. For Brown Loam, progress was made toward both increased Al resistance and susceptibility. For Huia, progress appeared more toward Al susceptibility than toward Al resistance. Populations developed from two‐stage selection were more acid‐soil resistant than their parent. However, populations selected only for seedling Al resistance or Al susceptibility were usually no more acid‐soil resistant than their parent. We were able to increase the acid‐soil resistance of Brown Loam white clover. But, the soil‐on‐agar procedure was not an effective technique for developing acid‐soil‐resistant white clover germplasm.
Isolation of a Natural Mutant in Castor with High Oleic/Low Ricinoleic Acid Content in the Oil
Authors: Rojas‐Barros Pilar , de Haro Antonio , Muñoz Juan , Fernández‐Martínez José María
Published: April 2016

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) oil is characterized by high levels of ricinoleic acid content (about 900 g kg−1) and low levels of oleic acid (about 30 g kg−1). A total of 191 accessions of a germplasm collection of castor were evaluated for oil content and fatty acid composition of the seed oil with an attempt to widen the variability for these traits in this species. As a result of this evaluation, the natural mutant line OLE‐1 with approximately 780 g kg−1 of oleic acid, compared with 40 g kg−1 of the standard castor oil, was identified. The dramatic increase in oleic acid was accompanied by a decrease in the level of ricinoleic acid to 140 g kg−1, compared with 870 g kg−1 in normal plants, and only very small changes in the proportions of other fatty acids. These proportions of oleic acid and ricinoleic acid are respectively the highest and the lowest yet reported in stable genotypes of castor. OLE‐1 is a promising source of high oleic acid levels with potential industrial and food applications requiring very high oxidative stability and may be also useful for studying the biosynthesis and genetics of ricinoleic acid content in castor.
Does it take a good argument to be persuaded? How manipulating quality of evidence affects message persuasiveness
Authors: Brankovic Marija , Zezelj Iris
Published: April 2016

Two experiments investigated the effects of manipulating quality of evidence
that supports arguments on message persuasiveness. The evidence quality was
systematically manipulated by violating one or two of the relevant normative
criteria. In experiment one, participants were presented with arguments
embedded within a persuasive message. All supportive evidence was of either
high, medium or low quality (between-subjects design). In experiment two,
each argument was presented separately and was supported with high, medium
and low quality evidence (within-subjects design). The recipients were
insensitive to manipulations of evidence quality in the first, but sensitive
to it in the second experiment. The findings are discussed with reference to
conceptual and methodological issues in the study of attitude change.
Auditors' Organizational Commitment, Burnout, and Turnover Intention: A Replication
Authors: Cannon Nathan H. , Herda David N.
Published: April 2016

In this research note, we replicate Herda and Lavelle's (2012) study on auditors' commitment to their firm, burnout, and turnover intention. Our replication features an alternative measure of commitment recently conceptualized and empirically validated in the organizational literature—the KUT (Klein et al., Unidimensional, Target-free) measure of commitment. The results of our replication are largely consistent with those reported in the original study, suggesting that the initially reported results are robust and that the KUT can be used effectively in a behavioral accounting research context. We also discuss some potential conceptual and practical advantages of the KUT for behavioral accounting researchers to consider.

Data Availability: We are willing to share the data used in this study.
Narrow gap laser welding by multilayer hot wire addition
Authors: Kaplan Alexander F. H. , Kim Kyoung Hak , Bang Hee-Seon , Bang Han-Sur , Näsström Jonas , Frostevarg Jan
Published: April 2016

Welding of thick section butt joints experiences limitations for different techniques. One option is to fill a narrow gap layer by layer with laser melted wire, a laser metal deposition technique where the complexity of a keyhole is avoided. The presented results show that wire addition can enable relatively thick layers. In particular, when electrically preheating the wire the process becomes more energy-efficient and favorable wetting conditions might be achieved. Since the wire was preheated by an electric current conducted through the wire to the workpiece, high speed imaging has shown that the wire tip can occasionally ignite small electric arcs. The wire deposited in the narrow gap also shows a fluctuating but self-stabilizing movement of the tip. Imperfections that have to be avoided are hot cracks, cavities, lack of fusion, and an irregular final weld surface topology. The technique shows high potential.
Laser welding of high strength steels (S960 and S700) with medium thickness
Authors: Guo Wei , Li Lin , Crowther Dave , Dong Shiyun , Francis John A. , Thompson Alan
Published: April 2016

S960 and S700 are two types of new high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels recently developed by Tata Steel, which are used for heavy lifting equipment. Little is known on their welding characteristics with high-energy beams. In this study, single pass autogenous laser welding (ALW) and multipass ultranarrow gap laser welding (NGLW) were carried out using a 16 kW IPG fiber laser to examine the weldability of these HSLA steels up to 13 mm in thickness. It was found that cracking in the welded joints could be avoided. It is beneficial to use horizontal (2G) welding position to avoid melt sagging when welding thick section S700 steel plates in a single pass ALW process. The fast cooling rate for the ALW of 8 mm thick S960 steel and ultra-NGLW of both the 8 mm thick S960 and 13 mm thick S700 steels causes the generation of hard martensite in the fusion zone (FZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ). This could strengthen the laser welded HSLA steel joints, but would deteriorate the toughness of the welded joints. A relatively higher heat input was used to weld the 13 mm thick S700 steel using a single pass ALW process, which causes the formation of bainite in the FZ, while hard martensite and bainie were formed in the HAZ. All the ALW and ultra-NGLW S960 and S700 steels presented almost the same tensile strengths as the base materials and also retained the elongation of the laser welded specimens, quite unexpected.
Evaluation of laser weldability of 1800 and 1900 MPa boron steels
Authors: Fahlström Karl , Persson Kjell-Arne , Larsson Johnny K. , Vila Ferrer Elisenda
Published: April 2016

Ultrahigh strength steels are frequently used within the automotive industry. The driving force for use of these materials is to exchange thicker gauges to thinner and lighter structures. To get excellent strength and beneficial crash performance, the steel is microalloyed with boron which contributes to the 1500 MPa tensile strength. Increasing the carbon content will give superior tensile strength up to 2000 MPa. Welding of these components is traditionally done by resistance spot welding, but to get further productivity and increased stiffness of the structure, laser welding can be introduced. Welding of boron alloyed high strength steel is in general a stable and controlled process, but if increasing the carbon content quality issues such as cracking could possibly be a problem. In the present study, weldability of two different hardened boron steels with tensile strengths of 1800 and 1900 MPa, respectively, has been evaluated. Laser welding has been done in a lap joint configuration with 3.8–4.7 kW and varying welding speed between 3.5 and 5.5 m/min. As reference, results from more conventional 1500 MPa boron steel have been compared to 1800 and 1900 MPa boron steels to show the influence of the carbon content. Metallographic investigation, hot crack test, cold crack test, shear tensile, and cross-tension strength tests have been done. The results show that a weld quality similar to that for conventional boron steel can be achieved. Cracking and other defects can be avoided. As expected when welding martensitic steels, the failure mode in tensile testing is brittle. No weld defects have been found that influence strength. The sheet interface weld width, which together with stack-up thickness correlates with strength of the joint, could be increased by increasing the heat input and defocusing the laser beam. The effect of increased carbon content on weldability will be discussed more in detail, as well as the risk of cracking.
Shape control of femtosecond-laser-induced birefringent structures by controlling spherical aberration
Authors: Ohfuchi Takafumi , Yamada Yuya , Sakakura Masaaki , Fukuda Naoaki , Takiya Toshio , Shimotsuma Yasuhiko , Miura Kiyotaka
Published: April 2016

Birefringent optical elements can be fabricated by inscribing structures of nanogratings inside a silica glass by focusing femtosecond (fs) laser pulses. When birefringent optical elements are used as phase retarders, the retardance of the birefringence and transmittance are important properties to determine the quality as a phase retarder. Our target of application of fs-laser-induced birefringent structures inside a silica glass is a polarization imaging filter, which can capture the polarization distribution of detected light in a real-time. Larger retardance and higher transmittance of a filter are required to acquire polarization with higher accuracy and sensitivity. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the relationship between laser processing conditions and the induced birefringent structures. In this study, the authors have investigated fs-laser induced birefringent structures under various processing conditions. The authors have confirmed that the retardance and transmittance of the induced structures depend on the focusing depth from the glass surface. The authors also demonstrate that spherical aberration due to a refractive mismatch between the air and glass can be changed by modulating the spatial phase distribution of fs laser pulses with a spatial light modulator (SLM) and birefringent structures with larger birefringence could be fabricated at a desired depth inside a silica glass by using an SLM.
Microlens beam homogenizer for excimer laser processing
Authors: Jin Yuhua , Zhao Yan , Jiang Yijian
Published: April 2016

This paper reports the results of developed microlens beam homogenizer for the 248 nm excimer laser. Excimer laser has a complex irradiance profile, and it is difficult to design a homogenizer for this kind of light source. We present a method to design microlens beam homogenizer according to the propagation properties of the irradiance profile. Since the intensity distribution image of excimer laser raw beam can be photographed by the laser beam analyzer, we use matlab to analyze the image and extract relevant information to calculate. With the calculated data, we simulate a virtual excimer laser source which has the same irradiance profile as the initial beam. According to the energy spatial distribution characteristics of the virtual excimer laser source, a microlens beam homogenizer is designed. The designed microlens homogenizer has been fabricated and tested. Measurements of the irradiance profile is presented and compared to the ideal design. After shaping and homogenization, a highly uniform beam spot is obtained finally. The profile of this beam spot is a square flat-top with dimensions of approximately 17 × 17 mm2. This optical system can transform approximately 80% of the total input beam power into the work plane of output beam, and beam uniformity of better than ±3% is realized. The successful development of this optical system can provide a technical support for the excimer laser processing with high quality and efficiency.
2015 JOSPT Awards: Back Pain and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Are a Continued Focus of Research and Clinical Attention in Physical Therapy
Authors: Simoneau Guy G.
Published: April 2016

During the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California in February 2016, JOSPT recognized the authors of the most outstanding research and clinical practice manuscripts published in JOSPT during the 2015 calendar year. The 2015 JOSPT Excellence in Research Award was presented to Björn Aasa, Lars Berglund, Peter Michaelson, and Ulrika Aasa for their paper titled “Individualized Low-Load Motor Control Exercises and Education Versus a High-Load Lifting Exercise and Education to Improve Activity, Pain Intensity, and Physical Performance in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” The 2015 George J. Davies-James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award was presented to Anne Benjaminse, Alli Gokeler, Bert Otten, Ariel V. Dowling, Avery Faigenbaum, Kevin R. Ford, Timothy E. Hewett, James A. Onate, and Gregory D. Myer for their work titled “Optimization of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Paradigm: Novel Feedback Techniques to Enhance Motor Learning and Reduce Injury Risk.”

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(4):230–231. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0106
“The Greatest Appearance of Truth”: Telling Tales with Thomas Holcroft
Authors: O’Brien Eliza
Published: April 2016

The eighteenth-century radical Thomas Holcroft (1745–1809) devoted himself to communicating truth in all his writings. But to what extent is this dedication to truth-telling undermined by Holcroft’s use of deceit and duplicity to test the omnipotence of truth, especially when deceit threatens to overpower truth? In this article, I examine a series of scenes in Holcroft’s plays and novels wherein truth is not always adequately expressed in language. As a result, performance gains importance. Holcroft develops an increasingly subtle understanding of the relation between truth and the modes of its communication. Performance, even as it may seem to destabilize speech, can be used to intensify it and ultimately to clarify the transmission of truth, which is Holcroft’s great aim. By the end of his career, in his final novel Memoirs of Bryan Perdue (1805) Holcroft’s understanding of the efficacy of clear speech and performance is strengthened and developed by a new appreciation of what the body of the truth-teller, silent or speaking, can convey.
Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ziziphus spina-christi against scopolamine-induced anxiety in rats
Authors: Setorki Mahbubeh
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Ziziphus spina-christi extract against anxiety related behavior induced by scopolamine. Rats were randomly divided into six groups, each group consists of eight rats. Vehicle group received distilled water, negative control received scopolamine (1 mg/kg) and positive control received diazepam (1 mg/mL). Experimental groups received Z. spina-christi extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg IP) 30 min after scopolamine injection. Anxiety related behaviors were assessed using the elevated plus maze. The rotarod test was used to evaluate motor coordination. Administration of Z. spina-christi extract (200 mg/kg) significantly increased the time spent in the open arm of elevated plus maze. The extract also reduced the percentage of closed arms entries and time spent in the closed arms. Different concentration of Z. spina-christi extract didn’t affect motor coordination and balance. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Z. spina-christi significantly ameliorate scopolamine-induced anxiety.

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Elevated plus maze: 1 min 58 sec 
Patron's review: Exploring cultures of collecting in the early modern world
Authors: Marples A. , Pickering V. R. M.
Published: April 2016

“Reconnecting Sloane” is an inter-disciplinary and multi-institutional project exploring the vast collection of the physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753). This review surveys recent scholarship within the different but overlapping methodological and conceptual approaches used by the collaborative team to understand early modern cultures of natural history collecting. Starting with the global geography of Sloane's botanical collections and material studies of natural objects, it then considers sociable practices of science and issues of trust and authenticity. Finally, it explores scholarship surrounding the organization of natural objects and its role in knowledge formation, before discussing how we might best approach current museum collections.
Christian Andreas Viktor Hensen and his studies of plankton
Authors: Bone Q. , Noble L.
Published: April 2016

This paper gives a brief account of the attempt by the German zoologist Christian Andreas Viktor Hensen to quantify the amount of floating organisms in the sea, which he defined for the first time as plankton. To do this, he invented new collecting and analysing methods, and in 1887 led the first major German oceanographic expedition. Despite arousing criticisms, his methods influenced others to begin quantitative sampling and led to his recognition as one of the founders of ecology.
Epigenetic Regulation of Innate Immunity by microRNAs
Authors: Boosani Chandra , Agrawal Devendra
Published: April 2016

The innate immune response, which is usually referred to as the first line of defense, protects the hosts against pathogenic micro-organisms. Some of the biomolecules released from the pathogens, such as proteins, lipoproteins and nucleic acids, which are collectively termed as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), elicit signaling mechanisms that trigger immune responses in the hosts. Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) on the host cells recognize these PAMPs and initiate intracellular signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), and other pathways which induce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. Recently, different members of tripartite motif containing proteins (TRIM) family of proteins were identified to intercept and regulate these cellular pathways. Specific targets of TRIM proteins have been identified and their molecular mechanisms were unraveled and identified unique domains involved in protein-protein interactions. Though innate immunity represents a tight and well conserved immune system in the host, gene expression in innate immunity was identified to be influenced by several epigenetic mechanisms including regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). In this review, we present critical analysis of the findings on the identification of specific miRNAs that modulate expression of target genes involved in the regulation of innate immunity.
Modeling Spatial Interactions between Areas to Assess the Burglary Risk
Authors: Mburu Lucy , Bakillah Mohamed
Published: April 2016

It is generally acknowledged that the urban environment presents different types of risk factors, but how the structural effects of areas influence the risk levels in neighboring areas has been less widely investigated. This research assesses the local effects of burglary contributory factors on burglary over small areas in a large metropolitan region. A comparative framework is developed for analyzing the effects of geographic dependence on burglary rates, and for assessing how such dependence conditions the community context and the urban land use. A local indicators spatial autocorrelation analysis assesses burglaries over five years (2011–2015) to identify risk clusters. Thereafter, effects of different variables (e.g., unemployment, building density) on burglary frequency are estimated in a series of regression models while controlling for changes in the risk levels of nearby surrounding areas. Results uncover strong evidence that the configuration of the surroundings influences risk. After controlling for area-based interaction, patterns are identified that contrast with the previous literature, such as lower burglary frequency in areas with higher tenancy in social housing units. Together the findings demonstrate that the spatial arrangement of areas is as crucial as contextual crime factors, particularly when assessing the risk for small areas.
Individual Assessment of Brain Tissue Changes in MS and the Effect of Focal Lesions on Short-Term Focal Atrophy Development in MS: A Voxel-Guided Morphometry Study
Authors: Fox Jan , Kraemer Matthias , Schormann Thorsten , Dabringhaus Andreas , Hirsch Jochen , Eisele Philipp , Szabo Kristina , Weiss Christel , Amann Michael , Weier Katrin , Naegelin Yvonne , Kappos Ludwig , Gass Achim
Published: April 2016

We performed voxel-guided morphometry (VGM) investigating the mechanisms of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) related to focal lesions. VGM maps detect regional brain changes when comparing 2 time points on high resolution T1-weighted (T1w) magnetic resonace imaging (MRI). Two T1w MR datasets from 92 relapsing-remitting MS patients obtained 12 months apart were analysed with VGM. New lesions and volume changes of focal MS lesions as well as in the surrounding tissue were identified by visual inspection on colour coded VGM maps. Lesions were dichotomized in active and inactive lesions. Active lesions, defined by either new lesions (NL) (volume increase > 5% in VGM), chronic enlarging lesions (CEL) (pre-existent T1w lesions with volume increase > 5%), or chronic shrinking lesions (CSL) (pre-existent T1w lesions with volume reduction > 5%) in VGM, were accompanied by tissue shrinkage in surrounding and/or functionally related regions. Volume loss within the corpus callosum was highly correlated with the number of lesions in its close proximity. Volume loss in the lateral geniculate nucleus was correlated with lesions along the optic radiation. VGM analysis provides strong evidence that all active lesion types (NL, CEL, and CSL) contribute to brain volume reduction in the vicinity of lesions and/or in anatomically and functionally related areas of the brain.
Optimal Control and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. The Case of Huge Treatment Costs
Authors: Di Liddo Andrea
Published: April 2016

The representation of the cost of a therapy is a key element in the formulation of the optimal control problem for the treatment of infectious diseases. The cost of the treatment is usually modeled by a function of the price and quantity of drugs administered; this function should be the cost as subjectively perceived by the decision-maker. Nevertheless, in literature, the choice of the cost function is often simply done to make the problem more tractable. A specific problem is also given by very expensive therapies in the presence of a very high number of patients to be treated. Firstly, we investigate the optimal treatment of infectious diseases in the simplest case of a two-class population (susceptible and infectious people) and compare the results coming from five different shapes of cost functions. Finally, a model for the treatment of the HCV virus using the blowing-up cost function is investigated. Some numerical simulations are also given.
Morphology and Composition of Microspheres in Fly Ash from the Luohuang Power Plant, Chongqing, Southwestern China
Authors: Liu Huidong , Sun Qi , Wang Baodong , Wang Peipei , Zou Jianhua
Published: April 2016

In order to effectively raise both utilization rate and additional value of fly ash, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectrometer (EDS) were used to investigate the morphology, and chemical and mineral composition of the microspheres in fly ash from the Luohuang coal-fired power plant, Chongqing, southwestern China. The majority of fly ash particles are various types of microspheres, including porous microsphere, plerospheres (hollow microspheres surrounding sub-microspheres or mineral fragments) and magnetic ferrospheres. Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) crystals with spinel octahedron structure regularly distribute on the surfaces of ferrospheres, which explained the source of their strong magnetism that would facilitate the separation and classification of these magnetic ferrospheres from the fly ash. Microspheres in Luohuang fly ash generally are characterized by an elemental transition through their cross-section: the inner layer consists of Si and O; the chemical component of the middle layer is Si, Al, Fe, Ti, Ca and O; and the Fe-O mass (maghemite or hematite) composes the outer layer (ferrosphere). Studies on composition and morphological characteristics of microspheres in fly ash would provide important information on the utilization of fly ash, especially in the field of materials.
Silymarin Prevents Restraint Stress-Induced Acute Liver Injury by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Reducing Inflammatory Response
Authors: Kim Sou , Oh Dal-Seok , Oh Ji , Son Tae , Yuk Dong , Jung Young-Suk
Published: April 2016

Silymarin is a flavonoid extracted from the milk thistle Silybum marianum. It has been reported to prevent liver injuries induced by various chemicals or toxins. Our recent study suggested that silymarin induces hepatic synthesis of glutathione by increasing cysteine availability, which may consequently contribute to increased antioxidant capacity of the liver. In the present study, we investigated the effects of silymarin on acute liver injury induced by restraint stress. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was orally administered to BALB/c mice every 12 h (3 times in total). After the last dose, mice were subjected to restraint stress for 6 h, and serum levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and hepatic levels of lipid peroxidation were determined. Hepatic levels of sulfur-containing metabolites such as methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, cysteine, and glutathione were also measured. The level of pro-inflammatory mediators in both liver and serum was determined. To study the mechanism of the effects of silymarin, we assessed Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and apoptotic signaling. Restraint stress induced severe oxidative stress and increased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators; both effects of restraint stress were significantly inhibited by silymarin. Moreover, administration of silymarin significantly prevented acute liver injury induced by restraint stress by blocking JNK activation and subsequently apoptotic signaling. In conclusion, these results suggest that the inhibition of restraint stress–induced liver injury by silymarin is due at least in part to its anti-oxidant activity and its ability to suppress the inflammatory response.
Soy-Based Multiple Amino Acid Oral Supplementation Increases the Anti-Sarcoma Effect of Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Yao Chien-An , Chen Chin-Chu , Wang Nai-Phog , Chien Chiang-Ting
Published: April 2016

The use of a mixture of amino acids caused a selective apoptosis induction against a variety of tumor cell lines, reduced the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs and increased the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents. We evaluated the effects and underlying mechanisms of soy-derived multiple amino acids’ oral supplementation on the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) and on tumor growth, apoptosis, and autophagy in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice that were injected with sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells. 3-methyladenine or siRNA knockdown of Atg5 was used to evaluate its effect on sarcoma growth. A comparison of mice with implanted sarcoma cells, CTX, and oral saline and mice with implanted sarcoma cells, CTX, and an oral soy-derived multiple amino acid supplement indicated that the soy-derived multiple amino acid supplement significantly decreased overall sarcoma growth, increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase 3 expression, and apoptosis, and depressed LC3 II-mediated autophagy. Treatment with 3-methyladenine or Atg5 siRNA elicited similar responses as CTX plus soy-derived multiple amino acid in downregulating autophagy and upregulating apoptosis. A low dose of CTX combined with an oral soy-derived multiple amino acid supplement had a potent anti-tumor effect mediated through downregulation of autophagy and upregulation of apoptosis.
Preparation of Highly Dispersed Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified with Carboxymethyl Chitosan for Highly Sensitive Detection of Trace Cu(II) in Water
Authors: Chen Sheng , Ding Rui , Ma Xiuling , Xue Liqun , Lin Xiuzhu , Fan Xiaoping , Luo Zhimin
Published: April 2016

In this article, reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) composites (RGO/CMC) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method through in-situ reduction and modification of graphene oxide (GO) in the presence of CMC. An electrochemical sensor for the determination of Cu(II) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was constructed by an electrode modified with RGO/CMC. The fabricated electrochemical sensor shows a linear range of 0.02–1.2 μmol·L−1, a detection limit of 3.25 nmol·L−1 (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 130.75 μA·μmol·L−1·cm−2, indicating the sensor has an excellent detection performance for Cu(II).
Modeling and Optimization of High-Performance Polymer Membrane Reactor Systems for Water–Gas Shift Reaction Applications
Authors: Radcliffe Andrew , Singh Rajinder , Berchtold Kathryn , Lima Fernando
Published: April 2016

In production of electricity from coal, integrated gasification combined cycle plants typically operate with conventional packed bed reactors for the water-gas shift reaction, and a Selexol process for carbon dioxide removal. Implementation of membrane reactors in place of these two process units provides advantages such as increased carbon monoxide conversion, facilitated CO2 removal/sequestration and process intensification. Proposed H2-selective membranes for these reactors are typically of palladium alloy or ceramic due to their outstanding gas separation properties; however, on an industrial scale, the cost of such materials may become exorbitant. High-performance polymeric membranes, such as polybenzimidazoles (PBIs), present themselves as low-cost alternatives with gas separation properties suitable for use in such membrane reactors, given their significant thermal and chemical stability. In this work, the performance of a class of high-performance polymeric membranes is assessed for use in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) units operated with carbon capture, subject to constraints on equipment and process streams. Several systems are considered for use with the polymeric membranes, including membrane reactors and permeative stage reactors. Based upon models developed for each configuration, constrained optimization problems are formulated which seek to more efficiently employ membrane surface area. From the optimization results, the limiting membrane parameter for achieving all carbon capture and H2 production specifications for water–gas shift reactor applications is determined to be the selectivity, α H 2 / C O 2, and thus a minimum value of this parameter which satisfies all the constraints is identified for each analyzed configuration. For a CO2 capture value of 90%, this value is found to be α = 61 for the membrane reactor and the 3-stage permeative stage reactor and α = 62 for the 2-stage permeative stage reactor. The proposed systems approach has the potential to be employed to identify performance limitations associated with membrane materials to guide the development of future polymeric and other advanced materials with desired membrane characteristics for energy and environmental applications.
Perish or Publish in China: Pressures on Young Chinese Scholars to Publish in Internationally Indexed Journals
Authors: Tian Mei , Su Yan , Ru Xin
Published: April 2016

To boost their research productivities, Chinese universities are putting great pressure on their research-active staff to publish in internationally indexed journals. However, the emerging publish-or-perish culture in China has seen little empirical investigation thus far. In the research reported in this article, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven young researchers in science and engineering disciplines at a research-centered university in central China. The study showed that these young scholars faced great pressure to publish papers in internationally indexed journals. Consequently, the participants were reluctant to spend time on other academic activities, including teaching training. They also reported considerable work time devoted to writing, which resulted in fatigue and negatively affected family relations. The participants admitted that they had to rush to publish, and therefore were less likely to produce papers of better quality or those with novel discoveries. The research contributes to our reflection upon Chinese universities’ increasing use of the number of international publications as a major assessment and incentive measurement of their faculties’ academic performance.
Assessment of the Added-Value of Sentinel-2 for Detecting Built-up Areas
Authors: Pesaresi Martino , Corbane Christina , Julea Andreea , Florczyk Aneta , Syrris Vasileios , Soille Pierre
Published: April 2016

Monitoring of the human-induced changes and the availability of reliable and methodologically consistent urban area maps are essential to support sustainable urban development on a global scale. The Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) is a project funded by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, which aims at providing scientific methods and systems for reliable and automatic mapping of built-up areas from remote sensing data. In the frame of the GHSL, the opportunities offered by the recent availability of Sentinel-2 data are being explored using a novel image classification method, called Symbolic Machine Learning (SML), for detailed urban land cover mapping. In this paper, a preliminary test was implemented with the purpose of: (i) assessing the applicability of the SML classifier on Sentinel-2 imagery; (ii) evaluating the complementarity of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2; and (iii) understanding the added-value of Sentinel-2 with respect to Landsat for improving global high-resolution human settlement mapping. The overall objective is to explore areas of improvement, including the possibility of synergistic use of the different sensors. The results showed that noticeable improvement of the quality of the classification could be gained from the increased spatial detail and from the thematic contents of Sentinel-2 compared to the Landsat derived product as well as from the complementarity between Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images.
Overcoming Barriers to Scaling Up Sustainable Alternative Food Systems: A Comparative Case Study of Two Ontario-Based Wholesale Produce Auctions
Authors: Johnson Rylea , Fraser Evan , Hawkins Roberta
Published: April 2016

Conventional food systems are viewed by the literature as unsustainable in that they provide consumers with convenience while disconnecting them from producers thus leading to environmental and social problems. By contrast, sustainable or “alternative” food systems are viewed as correcting such problems. Wholesale produce auctions, which are well established in the Old Order Mennonite community, are physical sites where large quantities of produce are sold through a competitive bidding process to local buyers. These are seen as a way of better connecting producers and consumers and thus realizing a more sustainable food system. However, this potential has not been tested. Therefore, this paper explores two produce auctions in southwestern Ontario, Canada, using an interview based methodology (N = 48) and demonstrates that despite wholesale produce auctions offering many opportunities to promote the benefits of alternative food systems, produce auctions are limited in that they fail to provide a practical and functional way of distributing food to individual consumers. Overall, this research highlights what appears to be a tension in the alternative food systems literature: producers and consumers may be simultaneously looking for the sustainability benefits associated with “alternative food systems” without wanting to sacrifice any of the convenience found in conventional food systems.
Heated Debates: Hot-Water Immersion or Ice Packs as First Aid for Cnidarian Envenomations?
Authors: Wilcox Christie , Yanagihara Angel
Published: April 2016

Cnidarian envenomations are an important public health problem, responsible for more deaths than shark attacks annually. For this reason, optimization of first-aid care is essential. According to the published literature, cnidarian venoms and toxins are heat labile at temperatures safe for human application, which supports the use of hot-water immersion of the sting area(s). However, ice packs are often recommended and used by emergency personnel. After conducting a systematic review of the evidence for the use of heat or ice in the treatment of cnidarian envenomations, we conclude that the majority of studies to date support the use of hot-water immersion for pain relief and improved health outcomes.
Rainwater Harvesting Typologies for UK Houses: A Multi Criteria Analysis of System Configurations
Authors: Melville-Shreeve Peter , Ward Sarah , Butler David
Published: April 2016

Academic research and technological innovation associated with rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in the UK has seen a shift of emphasis in recent years. Traditional design approaches use whole life cost assessments that prioritise financial savings associated with the provision of an alternative water supply. However, researchers and practitioners are increasingly recognising broader benefits associated with rainwater reuse, such as stormwater attenuation benefits. This paper identifies and describes a set of novel RWH system configurations that have potential for deployment in UK houses. Conceptual schematics are provided to define these innovations alongside traditional configurations. Discussion of the drivers supporting these configurations illustrates the opportunities for RWH deployment in a wide range of settings. A quantitative multi criteria analysis was used to evaluate and score the configurations under a range of emerging criteria. The work identifies several RWH system configurations that can outperform traditional ones in terms of specified cost and benefits. Selection of a specific RWH technology is shown to be highly dependent on user priorities. It is proposed that the system configurations highlighted could enable RWH to be cost-effectively installed in a broad set of contexts that have experienced minimal exploitation to date.
Unraveling the origin of the Appalachian gametophyte, Vittaria appalachiana
Authors: Pinson Jerald B. , Schuettpelz Eric
Published: April 2016

PREMISE OF STUDY:

Ferns and lycophytes are distinct among plants in producing two free‐living life stages: a long‐lived sporophyte phase and a (usually) short‐lived gametophyte phase. Notably, however, some species have perennial, vegetatively reproducing gametophytes. Vittaria appalachiana is one of just three species in which mature sporophytes are unknown. It has a wide range throughout the Appalachian Mountains and Plateau, where it reproduces asexually via gemmae. The origin of V. appalachiana, however, has long been a mystery, with most previous studies suggesting it may have resulted from hybridization of two closely related Vittaria species (V. graminifolia and V. lineata).

METHODS:

A four‐gene plastid data set including 32 samples of six Vittaria species, plus samples of five outgroup species, was analyzed to uncover phylogenetic relationships. Additional analyses of nuclear DET1 gene sequences allowed for the examination of hypotheses involving a hybrid origin for V. appalachiana.

KEY RESULTS:

In the plastid phylogeny, V. appalachiana is well supported as monophyletic, but is embedded within V. graminifolia. With the exception of a single aberrant allele, this result is mirrored in the nuclear tree.

CONCLUSIONS:

Through analyses of plastid and nuclear data sets, this study demonstrates that a hybrid origin for V. appalachiana is unlikely. Instead, it appears that this species emerged from within the V. graminifolia lineage. Further work is needed to fully elucidate the genetic structure within this group.