bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Over Expression of p5cs Gene to Increase Cold Stress Tolerance in Iranian Species of Petunia
Authors: Jamshidnia Maryam , Ghobadi Cyrus , Tabatabaei Badraldin Ebrahim Sayed , Yamchi Ahad
Published: June 2018

In order to examine the relationship between proline and cold stress in Iranian (local) genotype of petunia, p5cs gene was transferred to petunia through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The leaf discs from four weeks and shoot apices from 7-day-old petunia in vitro plants were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 harboring a plasmid pBI121 as the vector system for transformation of petunia. pBI121 plasmid containing β-glucuronidase (gus) gene as a reporter gene and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (p5cs) gene and neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene were used as a selectable marker. The co-cultivated leaf discs and shoot apices were transferred to the selective medium and thereafter to proliferation medium respectively. To confirm transformation, regenerated plants were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), GUS histochemical and proline assays. The results confirmed the presence of the gus and p5cs gene in the genome of all transformants and the transformed plants were more tolerant (674.87 μg/g fresh leaves) than the wild types under stress conditions.Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 28(1): 35-44, 2018 (June)
Relative Response of Indigenous Rice Genotypes to Low Versus Normal Planting Density for Determination of Differential Phenotypic Plasticity in Traits Related to Grain Yield
Authors: Tareq Tokee M , Rahman M Sazzadur , Jewel Nurnabi A , Islam Tasmia , Shimono Hiroyuki , Seraj Zeba I
Published: June 2018

Increase in atmospheric CO2 ([CO2]) improves the efficiency of the unsaturated photosynthetic system of C3 plants, like rice, which leads to high crop productivity and increased biomass production. Planting geometry using lower than standard planting density has been shown to be an alternative pre-screening technique for phenotypic plasticity as a proxy of [CO2] responsiveness. More than 200 indigenous rice genotypes were tested for several traits, such as plant height, tiller number, panicle number, panicle dry weight, straw dry weight, total dry weight and harvest index. Their relative response for these phenotypic traits at low density planting versus normal density was determined to assess the plasticity of the genotypes. Ten genotypes were identified as significantly [CO2] responsive based on their higher panicle dry weight and panicle number. Even though it was observed that genotypes with higher days to maturity (DM) were more plastic, rice genotypes with low DM had a significantly higher relative response to harvest index, implying that rice with low DM may also be considered to be responsive to higher [CO2]. In order to associate phenotypic plasticity with the genotype, 23 SSR markers physically close to genes involved in CO2 metabolism were used to amplify selected responsive and non-responsive rice. Out of 3 alleles amplified using RM17, allele A was found to be significantly associated with genotypes with higher phenotypic plasticity whereas allele C was associated with genotypes with negligible response. The identified rice genotypes and the associated marker RM17 can therefore be tested further for breeding of superior rice responsive to higher [CO2] envisaged in a changing climatic scenario of the future.Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 28(1): 109-124, 2018 (June)
Lysoquinone-TH1, a New Polyphenolic Tridecaketide Produced by Expressing the Lysolipin Minimal PKS II in Streptomyces albus
Authors: Hofeditz Torben , Unsin Claudia Eva-Maria , Wiese Jutta , Imhoff Johannes F. , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Grond Stephanie , Weber Tilmann
Published: June 2018

The structural repertoire of bioactive naphthacene quinones is expanded by engineering Streptomyces albus to express the lysolipin minimal polyketide synthase II (PKS II) genes from Streptomyces tendae Tü 4042 (llpD-F) with the corresponding cyclase genes llpCI-CIII. Fermentation of the recombinant strain revealed the two new polyaromatic tridecaketides lysoquinone-TH1 (7, identified) and TH2 (8, postulated structure) as engineered congeners of the dodecaketide lysolipin (1). The chemical structure of 7, a benzo[a]naphthacene-8,13-dione, was elucidated by NMR and HR-MS and confirmed by feeding experiments with [1,2-13C2]-labeled acetate. Lysoquinone-TH1 (7) is a pentangular polyphenol and one example of such rare extended polyaromatic systems of the benz[a]napthacene quinone type produced by the expression of a minimal PKS II in combination with cyclases in an artificial system. While the natural product lysolipin (1) has antimicrobial activity in nM-range, lysoquinone-TH1 (7) showed only minor potency as inhibitor of Gram-positive microorganisms. The bioactivity profiling of lysoquinone-TH1 (7) revealed inhibitory activity towards phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), an important target for the treatment in human health like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These results underline the availability of pentangular polyphenolic structural skeletons from biosynthetic engineering in the search of new chemical entities in drug discovery.
Thermal Characterisation of Micro Flat Aluminium Heat Pipe Arrays by Varying Working Fluid and Inclination Angle
Authors: Huang Guanghan , Tang Yong , Wang Pengtao , Lu Longsheng , Yuan Wei
Published: June 2018

A micro heat pipe array is desirable owing to its high heat transfer capacity, compact size, and high surface–volume ratio compared with conventional heat pipes. In this study, micro flat aluminium heat pipe arrays (MF-AHPA) were developed and systematically characterised by varying working fluid and inclination angle. Three MF-AHPAs with different working fluids, i.e., acetone, cyclopentane, and n-hexane, were fabricated. The acetone MF-AHPA achieved the best thermal performance. The underlying mechanism is the small flow viscous friction and small shearing force of liquid vapour. Additionally, the experimental results show a strong dependence of MF-AHPAs’ thermal resistance on the orientation due to the gravitational effect on axial liquid distribution. Finally, a criterion is proposed to determine the optimal inclination angle of the MF-AHPA. In the present study, a volumetric fraction (αa,c) of 74 ± 7% has been shown to well predict an optimal inclination angle of the MF-AHPAs with various working fluids and heat loads.
Nonlinearity Analysis and Multi-Model Modeling of an MEA-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Process for Advanced Control Design
Authors: Liang Xiufan , Li Yiguo , Wu Xiao , Shen Jiong , Lee Kwang Y.
Published: June 2018

The monoethanolamine (MEA)-based post-combustion CO2 capture plant must operate flexibly under the variation of the power plant load and the desired CO2 capture rate. However, in the presence of process nonlinearity, conventional linear control strategy cannot achieve the best performance under a wide operation range. Considering this problem, this paper systematically studies the multi-model modeling of the MEA-based CO2 capture process for the purpose of (1) implementing well-developed linear control techniques to the design of an advanced controller and (2) achieving a wide-range flexible operation of the CO2 capture process. The local linear models of the CO2 capture process are firstly established at given operating points using the method of subspace identification. Then the nonlinearity distribution at different loads of an upstream power plant and different CO2 capture rates is investigated via the gap metric. Finally, based on the nonlinearity investigation results, the suitable linear models are selected and combined together to form the multi-model system. The proposed model is validated using the measurement data, which is generated from a post-combustion CO2 capture model developed in the go-carbon capture and storage (gCCS) simulation platform. As the proposed multi-linear model has a simple mathematical expression and high prediction accuracy, it can be directly employed as the control model of a practical advanced control strategy to achieve a wide operating range control of the CO2 capture process.
Multi-Modal Ptychography: Recent Developments and Applications
Authors: Shi Xiaowen , Burdet Nicolas , Batey Darren , Robinson Ian
Published: June 2018

Utilisation of partially coherent X-rays in Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging (CDI) and X-ray ptychography have brought intense research and developments for the past few years. Generally, data reconstructions convergence can be achieved by considering to incorporate partially coherent X-rays in ptychographic iterative reconstructions algorithms. Recently, exploration of both X-ray probe and sample modes have been studied and it was suggested that sufficient constraints are required to achieve accurate data reconstructions due to the mathematical inseparability of multiple sample modes that are superimposed into a single set of ptychographic intensity patterns. Here we review the multi-modal ptychography that can be used as a new emerging technique to investigate dynamical sample systems with partially coherent X-rays by recent experimental and simulated demonstrations.
A New Technique for Batch Production of Tubular Anodic Aluminum Oxide Films for Filtering Applications
Authors: Hun Chien Wan , Chiu Yu-Jia , Luo Zhiping , Chen Chien Chon , Chen Shih Hsun
Published: June 2018

With larger surface areas and nanochannels for mass delivery and gas diffusion, three-dimensional tubular anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films have practical advantages over two-dimensional AAO films for medical and energy applications. In this research, we have developed a process for batch production of tubular AAO films using a 6061 Al tube. The tubular AAO films have open nano-channels on both sides, with average pore dimensions of about 60 nm and pore densities of about 108 to 109 pore/cm2. It was found that the porous AAO material with nano-channel structure exhibited dialysis behavior, allowing for liquid/gas exudation through diffusion between the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular AAO films. Ar gas bearing test and aeration test were conducted to find the pressure bearing capacity of tubular AAO films. It was demonstrated that the AAO film with a thickness of 100 μm can resist an argon pressure up to 8 atm; however, 30 μm AAO film can only withstand 3 atm of Ar gas. The tubular AAO films with exudation characteristics have the potential for applications in advanced technologies, such as liquid or gas filters, drug delivery, and energy applications.
Development of a CFD-Based Wind Turbine Rotor Optimization Tool in Considering Wake Effects
Authors: Cao Jiufa , Zhu Weijun , Shen Wenzhong , Sørensen Jens Nørkær , Wang Tongguang
Published: June 2018

In the present study, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD)-based blade optimization algorithm is introduced for designing single or multiple wind turbine rotors. It is shown that the CFD methods provide more detailed aerodynamics features during the design process. Because high computational cost limits the conventional CFD applications in particular for rotor optimization purposes, in the current paper, a CFD-based 2D Actuator Disc (AD) model is used to represent turbulent flows over wind turbine rotors. With the ideal case of axisymmetric flows, the simulation time is significantly reduced with the 2D method. The design variables are the shape parameters comprising the chord, twist, and relative thickness of the wind turbine rotor blades as well as the rotational speed. Due to the wake effects, the optimized blade shapes are different for the upstream and downstream turbines. The comparative aerodynamic performance is analyzed between the original and optimized reference wind turbine rotor. The results show that the present numerical optimization algorithm for multiple turbines is efficient and more advanced than conventional methods. The current method achieves the same accuracy as 3D CFD simulations, and the computational efficiency is not significantly higher than the Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory. The paper shows that CFD for rotor design is possible using a high-performance single personal computer with multiple cores.
Dependence of Dispersion on Metamaterial Structural Parameters and Dispersion Management
Authors: Xu Zheng Guo , Xue Yan Ling , Huang Zhihao
Published: June 2018

This paper compares the dispersion in metamaterials (MMs) and some Thorlabs’ conventional glass, and finds that MMs may exhibit much more substantial dispersion (e.g., three orders of magnitude larger dispersion). With such large dispersion, a transmission more than 22 km is impossible because of pulse splitting resulting from the third-order dispersion. However, MMs are artificial materials with their electric and magnetic plasma frequencies tunable depending upon their structures. We take advantage of such tunability to tailor the dispersive response of MMs and investigate the dependence of dispersion on the MM structural parameters. We make dispersion management by (1) searching for the existence of some ‘good’ dispersion points and numerically demonstrating 90 km long transmission with almost no pulse width expansion and any impact from a higher order dispersion in the MM we designed; and (2) searching for the possibility for group-velocity dispersion (GVD) compensation and demonstrating 120 km transmission by configuring the dispersion-engineered MM.
Influence of the Structure-Forming Agent on the Performance of Fe-N-C Catalysts
Authors: Schardt Sven , Weidler Natascha , Wallace W. David Z. , Martinaiou Ioanna , Stark Robert W. , Kramm Ulrike I.
Published: June 2018

In this work, the influence of the structure-forming agent on the composition, morphology and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of Fe-N-C catalysts was investigated. As structure-forming agents (SFAs), dicyandiamide (DCDA) (nitrogen source) or oxalic acid (oxygen source) or mixtures thereof were used. For characterization, cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode (RDE) experiments were performed in 0.1 M H2SO4. In addition to this, N2 sorption measurements and Raman spectroscopy were performed for the structural, and elemental analysis for chemical characterization. The role of metal, nitrogen and carbon sources within the synthesis of Fe-N-C catalysts has been pointed out before. Here, we show that the optimum in terms of ORR activity is achieved if both N- and O-containing SFAs are used in almost similar fractions. All catalysts display a redox couple, where its position depends on the fractions of SFAs. The SFA has also a strong impact on the morphology: Catalysts that were prepared with a larger fraction of N-containing SFA revealed a higher order in graphitization, indicated by bands in the 2nd order range of the Raman spectra. Nevertheless, the optimum in terms of ORR activity is obtained for the catalyst with highest D/G band ratio. Therefore, the results indicate that the presence of an additional oxygen-containing SFA is beneficial within the preparation.
Evaluation of 2D Imaging Schemes for Pulsed Arterial Spin Labeling of the Human Kidney Cortex
Authors: Buchanan Charlotte E. , Cox Eleanor F. , Francis Susan T.
Published: June 2018

A number of imaging readout schemes are proposed for renal arterial spin labeling (ASL) to quantify kidney cortex perfusion, including gradient echo-based methods of balanced fast field echo (bFFE) and gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI), or spin echo-based schemes of spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) and turbo spin-echo (TSE). Here, we compare these two-dimensional (2D) imaging schemes to evaluate the optimal imaging scheme for pulsed ASL (PASL) assessment of human kidney cortex perfusion at 3 T. Ten healthy volunteers with normal renal function were scanned using each 2D multi-slice imaging scheme, in combination with a respiratory triggered flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) ASL scheme on a 3 T Philips Achieva scanner. All volunteers returned for a second identical scan session within two weeks of the first scan session. Comparisons were made between the imaging schemes in terms of perfusion-weighted image (PWI) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and perfusion quantification, temporal SNR (tSNR), spatial coverage, and repeatability. For each imaging scheme, the renal cortex perfusion was calculated (bFFE: 276 ± 29 mL/100g/min, GE-EPI: 222 ± 18 mL/100g/min, SE-EPI: 201 ± 36 mL/100g/min, and TSE: 200 ± 20 mL/100g/min). Perfusion was found to be higher for GE-based readouts when compared with SE-based readouts, with significantly higher measured perfusion for the bFFE readout when compared with all other schemes (p < 0.05), attributed to the greater vascular signal present. Despite the PWI-SNR being significantly lower for SE-EPI when compared with all other schemes (p < 0.05), the SE-EPI readout gave the highest tSNR, and was found to be the most reproducible scheme for the assessment of kidney cortex, with a coefficient of variation (CoV) of 17.2%, whilst minimizing variability of the perfusion-weighted signal across slices for whole-kidney perfusion assessment. For the assessment of kidney cortex perfusion using 2D readout schemes, SE-EPI provides optimal tSNR, minimal variability across slices, and repeatable data acquired in a short scan time with low specific absorption rate.
On the Significance of the Quantum Mechanical Covariance Matrix
Authors: Carmi Avishy , Cohen Eliahu
Published: June 2018

The characterization of quantum correlations, being stronger than classical, yet weaker than those appearing in non-signaling models, still poses many riddles. In this work, we show that the extent of binary correlations in a general class of nonlocal theories can be characterized by the existence of a certain covariance matrix. The set of quantum realizable two-point correlators in the bipartite case then arises from a subtle restriction on the structure of this general covariance matrix. We also identify a class of theories whose covariance has neither a quantum nor an “almost quantum” origin, but which nevertheless produce the accessible two-point quantum mechanical correlators. Our approach leads to richer Bell-type inequalities in which the extent of nonlocality is intimately related to a non-additive entropic measure. In particular, it suggests that the Tsallis entropy with parameter q=1/2 is a natural operational measure of non-classicality. Moreover, when generalizing this covariance matrix, we find novel characterizations of the quantum mechanical set of correlators in multipartite scenarios. All these predictions might be experimentally validated when adding weak measurements to the conventional Bell test (without adding postselection).
A Clustering Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Solar Energy Supply
Authors: Han Chong , Lin Qing , Guo Jian , Sun Lijuan , Tao Zhuo
Published: June 2018

Limited battery power directly affects the performance and survival time of sensor networks. In this study, solar energy was used to provide additional energy for sensor nodes, and a clustering algorithm for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks (WSNs) based on a solar energy supply is proposed. A cluster head is selected on the basis of the self-replenishment state and the remaining energy of the nodes. A cluster-head selection mechanism and network layer multi-hop routing are adopted to balance the energy consumption of the network. A set of experiments showed that the proposed algorithm can effectively prolong the network lifetime, improve the stability and efficiency of the network, and balance the energy consumption compared with other algorithms under the same environmental energy supply.
Small-Scale Modular Multilevel Converter for Multi-Terminal DC Networks Applications: System Control Validation
Authors: Talon Louokdom Elie , Gavin Serge , Siemaszko Daniel , Biya-Motto Frédéric , Essimbi Zobo Bernard , Marchesoni Mario , Carpita Mauro
Published: June 2018

This paper presents the design and implementation of a digital control system for modular multilevel converters (MMC) and its use in a 5 kW small-scale prototype. To achieve higher system control reliability and multi-functionality, the proposed architecture has been built with an effective split of the control tasks between a master controller and six slave controllers, one for each of the six arms of the converter. The MMC prototype has been used for testing both converter and system-level controls in a reduced-scale laboratory set up of a Multi-Terminal DC transmission network (MTDC). The whole control has been tested to validate the proposed control strategies. The tests performed at system level allowed exploration of the advantages of using an MMC in a MTDC system.
Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Network Models for Prediction of Transformer Oil-Dissolved Gas Concentrations
Authors: Pereira Fabio Henrique , Bezerra Francisco Elânio , Junior Shigueru , Santos Josemir , Chabu Ivan , Souza Gilberto Francisco Martha de , Micerino Fábio , Nabeta Silvio Ikuyo
Published: June 2018

Transformers are one of the most important part in a power system and, especially in key-facilities, they should be closely and continuously monitored. In this context, methods based on the dissolved gas ratios allow to associate values of gas concentrations with the occurrence of some faults, such as partial discharges and thermal faults. So, an accurate prediction of oil-dissolved gas concentrations is a valuable tool to monitor the transformer condition and to develop a fault diagnosis system. This study proposes a nonlinear autoregressive neural network model coupled with the discrete wavelet transform for predicting transformer oil-dissolved gas concentrations. The data fitting and accurate prediction ability of the proposed model is evaluated in a real world example, showing better results in relation to current prediction models and common time series techniques.
Advancements in the Statistical Study, Modeling, and Simulation of Microwave-Links in Cellular Backhaul Networks
Authors: Gazit Lior , Messer Hagit
Published: June 2018

While the effect of rainfall and other environmental phenomena on a link budget in microwave wireless communication has been well studied for network design, it has usually been done for each microwave-link separately. Recently, attenuation in multiple microwave-links is being used simultaneously for rainfall mapping over specific areas, and consequently, rain-induced attenuation fields can be constructed. Dedicated algorithms have been designed to relate attenuation in multiple microwave-links to its corresponding rain-field. Their performance depends significantly on the structure of the network. As the topology of a cellular microwave network (CMNs) is region-dependent, general theory for its effect on performance can only be developed statistically. In this paper we study the statistical nature of CMNs and lay the groundwork for such models based on empirical results.
Geomechanical Model Test and Energy Mechanism Analysis of Zonal Disintegration in Deep Surrounding Rock
Authors: Gao Qiang , Zhang Qiangyong , Zhang Xutao , Zhang Longyun
Published: June 2018

With the decreasing of shallow resources, underground roadways of resources exploitation have reached into deep rock mass with high geostress. A series of new failure phenomena such as zonal disintegration phenomenon were discovered in deep surrounding rock, which is completely different from shallow caverns. To reveal the formation mechanism of zonal disintegration, the geomechanical model test and energy mechanism analysis of zonal disintegration were carried out respectively. Taking the deep roadway of Dingji coal mine in China’s Huainan coal mine as engineering background, a 3D geomechanical model test was carried out relying on the high stress 3D loading test system. The zonal disintegration phenomenon was observed, and the oscillation law of displacement was measured. Based on the strain gradient theory and continuum damage mechanics, the elastoplastic damage model was established. An energy failure criterion was proposed by principle of energy dissipation and release. The ODE45 function in Matlab software was used to solve the displacements and stresses of excavated model roadway. The analytical solutions the and the geomechanical model test were basically consistent. The applicability of theoretical model and energy failure criterion were confirmed to explain the mechanism of zonal disintegration and it can be used to provide theoretical support for the failure and supporting design of surrounding rock in deep underground engineering.
Identity and Seasonal Abundance of Beneficial Arthropods Associated with Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in Central Washington State, USA
Authors: James David G. , Seymour Lorraine , Lauby Gerry , Buckley Katie
Published: June 2018

Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) characterizes and dominates the sagebrush steppe, the largest temperate semi-desert ecosystem in North America. The beneficial arthropod fauna hosted by A. tridentata is poorly known but could be of importance to nearby agriculture seeking to exploit biologically-based pest management. Over four years, we identified and assessed the seasonal abundance of beneficial arthropods (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) associated with A. tridentata during spring to autumn in the Yakima Valley of central Washington using sticky traps. During 2011–2014, 207 sticky traps were placed on non-blooming and blooming A. tridentata plants for a total of 966 trapping days. Overall, across all seasons, we trapped 259.7 beneficial arthropods per trap and 92% of these were parasitoid wasps. Significantly greater numbers of beneficial arthropods were associated with blooming A. tridentata during autumn (410/trap) than non-blooming plants in the spring (181.3/trap) or summer (85.1/trap). Parasitoid wasps and predatory true bugs were most abundant during the autumn, but ladybeetles, lacewings, spiders, bees, and predatory thrips were most common during spring. The association of high numbers of predators, parasitoids, and pollinators with A. tridentata during blooming and non-blooming periods indicates that this plant is an important reservoir of beneficial arthropods in the sagebrush steppe of central Washington. Consequently, biologically-based pest management programs in central Washington may benefit from careful management and retention of A. tridentata plants on crop borders.
Warfarin: The End or the End of One Size Fits All Therapy?
Authors: Pirmohamed Munir
Published: June 2018

Oral anticoagulants are required for both treatment and prophylaxis in many different diseases. Clinicians and patients now have a choice of oral anticoagulants, including the vitamin K antagonists (of which warfarin is the most widely used and is used as the exemplar in this paper), and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs: dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban). This paper explores the recent advances and controversies in oral anticoagulation. While some commentators may favour a complete switchover to DOACs, this paper argues that warfarin still has a place in therapy, and a stratified approach that enables the correct choice of both drug and dose would improve both patient outcomes and affordability.
Clitic Production in Bilingual Children: When Exposure Matters
Authors: Vender Maria , Delfitto Denis , Melloni Chiara
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work is to investigate how bilingual children perform with respect to monolingual children in a task eliciting direct object clitic pronouns in Italian. Clitic production is considered a good clinical marker for Italian monolingual children suffering from specific language impairment (SLI) (Bortolini et al. 2006). Moreover, this task is reported to be particularly challenging for early second language children (EL2), who are less accurate than their peers in this task (Vender et al. 2016). Even though the typology of errors committed by the two populations (non-impaired bilinguals and SLI children) is generally different, it can be difficult to keep them apart from each other and, as a consequence, to identify a language impairment in bilingual children. However, it has been suggested that the difficulties exhibited by EL2 children in clitic production are related to their competence in their L2 and that they should disappear as soon as their mastery of the L2 increases. To test this prediction, we assessed clitic production in a group of 31 bilingual children having Italian as their L2 (mean age 10;2), comparing their performance to that of a group of 33 Italian monolingual children (mean age 10;2). The bilingual children used their L1 on a daily basis, as assessed by means of a bilingual exposure questionnaire, and had on average eight years of exposure to Italian; moreover, they performed similarly to monolinguals in a receptive vocabulary task, indicating that their competence in Italian was good. Consistently with our predictions, we found that bilingual children performed very accurately in the clitic elicitation task, similarly to monolinguals, confirming that the deficits previously found in EL2 children were not related to bilingualism itself, but more likely to their still incomplete competence in Italian.
The influence of occupational environment and professional factors on the risk of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Obelenis Vytautas , Malinauskienė Vilija
Published: June 2018

The article reviews the recent scientific literature and the authors’ studies on this topic. Occupational conditions and psychological factors have been shown to play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Their effect is often indirect, through damage to the central nervous, respiratory, and neuroendocrine systems. Hot climate in the workplace and intense infrared radiation cause the water and electrolyte imbalance and chronic hyperthermia and manifests as neurovegetative dystonia. The long-term effects of low temperatures condition ischemic lesions in circulatory system, trophic organ destruction. The influence of ultrahigh-frequency electromagnetic radiation on the cardiovascular system is directly related to the central nervous system and neurohumoral lesions. “Microwave disease” often manifests as polymorphic dystonia. Exposure to occupational vibration causes “white finger” syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon together with cerebral vascular lesions. Recent studies have confirmed that noise as a chronic stressor causes the imbalance in the central and vegetative nervous systems and changes in homeostasis. Noise increases catecholamine and cholesterol concentration in blood, has an effect on plasma lipoprotein levels, increases heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and risk of myocardial infarction. Psychophysiological changes caused by long-term stress influence constant pathological changes in the central nervous system, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. The long-term effect of psychogenic stressors is very important in the etiopathogenesis of psychosomatic diseases.
Evaluation of Optimal Forging Temperature Range for an Industrial UNS S32750 SDSS Alloy Using SEM-EBSD Analysis
Authors: Angelescu Mariana Lucia , Cojocaru Vasile Dănuț , Șerban Nicolae , Cojocaru Elisabeta Mirela
Published: June 2018

The deformation temperature of Super-Duplex Stainless Steels (SDSS) is a key factor defining the number of phases, their proportions, and their arrangement in space, with the main role for the hot plastic processing on the industrial scale. The main scope of the study was to determine the optimal forging temperature of UNS S32750 Super-Duplex Stainless Steel by means of the SEM-EBSD technique. The alloy was forged at different temperatures between 800 °C and 1300 °C, after which the most representative samples were analysed by SEM-EBSD. Microstructural characteristics as nature, distribution, morphology, and relative proportion of constituent phases, grain form, homogeneity, and dynamic recrystallization of the structure were analysed in relation to forging temperature. Primary phases as δ-Fe and γ-Fe were identified in all structural states of the steel, irrespective of the deformation temperature. Secondary phases σ-(Cr-Fe) and χ-(Fe-Cr-Mo), identified only under 1050 °C, have a strong negative effect on hot formability because they are fragile. The conclusion was that the optimal forging temperature range for the UNS S32750 steel is 1050–1300 °C because between these temperatures the structure is composed only of ferrite and austenite, without other harmful secondary alloy phases. Due to the dynamic recrystallization, the plasticity of the material also increases in this thermal range.
An In-Situ LSCM Study on Bainite Formation in a Fe-0.2C-1.5Mn-2.0Cr Alloy
Authors: Sainis Salil , Farahani Hussein , Gamsjäger Ernst , Van der Zwaag Sybrand
Published: June 2018

Direct microscopic observation of the isothermal bainite evolution in terms of nucleation events, the location of the nuclei, as well as their growth is very valuable for the refinement of models predicting the kinetics of bainite transformation. To this aim, the microstructural evolution in a Fe-0.2C-1.5Mn-2.0Cr alloy during isothermal bainite formation at temperatures between 723 K and 923 K is monitored in situ using high temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Both the nucleation and the growth kinetics of the bainitic plates are analyzed quantitatively. Bainitic plates are observed to nucleate on three different types of locations in the grain: at austenitic grain boundaries, on newly-formed bainite plates and at unspecific sites within the austenite grains. Grain boundary nucleation is observed to be the dominant nucleation mode at all transformation temperatures. The rate of nucleation is found to vary markedly between different austenite grains. The temperature dependence of the average bainite nucleation rate is in qualitative agreement with the classical nucleation theory. Analysis of plate growth reveals that also the lengthening rates of bainite plates differ strongly between different grains. However, the lengthening rates do not seem to be related to the type of nucleation site. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the growth rate shows that the lengthening rates at high temperatures are in line with a diffusional model when a growth barrier of 400 J mol−1 is considered.
Three-D Mineralogical Mapping of the Kovdor Phoscorite-Carbonatite Complex, NW Russia: III. Pyrochlore Supergroup Minerals
Authors: Ivanyuk Gregory , Konopleva Nataly , Yakovenchuk Victor , Pakhomovsky Yakov , Panikorovskii Taras , Kalashnikov Andrey , Bocharov Vladimir , Bazai Ayya , Mikhailova Julia , Goryainov Pavel
Published: June 2018

The pyrochlore supergroup minerals (PSM) are typical secondary phases that replace (with zirconolite–laachite) earlier Sc-Nb-rich baddeleyite under the influence of F-bearing hydrothermal solutions, and form individual well-shaped crystals in surrounding carbonatites. Like primary Sc-Nb-rich baddeleyite, the PSM are concentrated in the axial carbonate-rich zone of the phoscorite-carbonatite complex, so their content, grain size and chemical diversity increase from the pipe margins to axis. There are 12 members of the PSM in the phoscorite-carbonatite complex. Fluorine- and oxygen-dominant phases are spread in host silicate rocks and marginal carbonate-poor phoscorite, while hydroxide-dominant PSM occur mainly in the axial carbonate-rich zone of the ore-pipe. Ti-rich PSM (up to oxycalciobetafite) occur in host silicate rocks and calcite carbonatite veins, and Ta-rich phases (up to microlites) are spread in intermediate and axial magnetite-rich phoscorite. In marginal (apatite)-forsterite phoscorite, there are only Ca-dominant PSM, and the rest of the rocks include Ca-, Na- and vacancy-dominant phases. The crystal structures of oxycalciopyrochlore and hydroxynatropyrochlore were refined in the Fd3¯m space group with R1 values of 0.032 and 0.054 respectively. The total difference in scattering parameters of B sites are in agreement with substitution scheme BTi4+ + YOH‒ = BNb5+ + YO2‒. The perspective process flow diagram for rare-metal “anomalous ore” processing includes sulfur-acidic cleaning of baddeleyite concentrate from PSM and zirconolite–laachite impurities followed by deep metal recovery from baddeleyite concentrate and Nb-Ta-Zr-U-Th-rich sulfatic product from its cleaning.
A Novel HPLC Method for Direct Detection of Nitric Oxide Scavengers from Complex Plant Matrices and Its Application to Aloysia triphylla Leaves
Authors: Fraisse Didier , Degerine-Roussel Alexandra , Bred Alexis , Ndoye Samba Fama , Vivier Magali , Felgines Catherine , Senejoux François
Published: June 2018

The present study aimed at developing an original pre-column HPLC assay allowing rapid characterization of nitric oxide (NO) scavengers from complex plant extracts. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was employed as a NO donor and spiked with an aqueous extract from Aloysia triphylla leaves prior to HPLC analysis. Relying on the ability of radical scavenging constituents to be oxidized upon reaction with radicals, this assay successfully allowed direct identification of three potential NO scavengers, including verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide. These three phenolics were also individually assessed for their NO scavenging activities by using a Griess colorimetric assay. With respective IC50 values of 56 ± 4, 51 ± 3, and 69 ± 5 µg/mL, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide were all reported as potent NO scavenging compounds, confirming the efficiency of the SNP spiking HPLC assay. The present method can, thus, be considered as a valuable and effective approach for speeding up the discovery of NO scavenging constituents.
Green Fluorescent Protein-Based Viability Assay in a Multiparametric Configuration
Authors: Csepregi Rita , Temesfői Viktória , Poór Miklós , Faust Zsuzsanna , Kőszegi Tamás
Published: June 2018

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is considered to be suitable for cell viability testing. In our study, GFP transfected A549 lung carcinoma cell line was treated with sodium fluoride (NaF), cycloheximide (CHX) and ochratoxin A (OTA). GFP fluorescence, intracellular ATP, nucleic acid and protein contents were quantified by a luminescence microplate assay developed in our laboratory. Flow cytometry was used to confirm the findings and to assess the intensity of GFP during different types of cell death. A 24 h NaF and CHX exposure caused a dramatic decrease in ATP contents (p < 0.05) compared with those of the controls. GFP fluorescence of the cells was in close correlation with total protein; however, GFP/ATP increased at NaF and decreased at CHX treatments (p < 0.05). ATP/protein and ATP/propidium iodide (PI) were largely decreased at NaF exposure in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05), while CHX and OTA showed markedly fewer effects. Both treatments caused apoptosis/necrosis at different rates. NaF induced mainly late apoptosis while OTA, mainly apoptosis. CHX effects varied by the incubation time with 100-fold elevation in late apoptotic cells at 24 h treatment. GFP intensity did not show a significant difference between live and apoptotic populations. Our results suggest when using GFP, a multiparametric assay is necessary for more precise interpretation of cell viability.
Effect of Nanoparticle Morphology on Pre-Breakdown and Breakdown Properties of Insulating Oil-Based Nanofluids
Authors: Lv Yuzhen , Ge Yang , Sun Zhen , Sun Qian , Huang Meng , Li Chengrong , Qi Bo , Yuan Jinsha , Xing Zhaoliang
Published: June 2018

Nanoparticles currently in use are challenged in further improving the dielectric strength of insulating oil. There is a great need for a new type of nanoparticle to promote the application of insulating oil-based nanofluids in electric industries. This paper experimentally investigates the effect of nanoparticle morphology on pre-breakdown and breakdown properties of insulating oil-based nanofluids. The positive impulse breakdown voltage of insulating oil can be significantly increased by up to 55.5% by the presence of TiO2 nanorods, up to 1.23 times that of TiO2 nanospheres. Pre-breakdown streamer propagation characteristics reveal that streamer discharge channels turn into a bush-like shape with much denser and shorter branches in the nanofluid with TiO2 nanorods. Moreover, the propagation velocity of streamers is dramatically decreased to 34.7% of that in the insulating oil. The greater improvement of nanorods on the breakdown property can be attributed to the lower distortion of the electric field. Thus, when compared with nanospheres, pre-breakdown streamer propagation of nanofluid is much more suppressed with the addition of nanorods, resulting in a greater breakdown voltage.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Smart Corrosion Protection
Authors: Zea Cristina , Alcántara Jenifer , Barranco-García Rosa , Morcillo Manuel , De la Fuente Daniel
Published: June 2018

Different approaches have been considered for the development of smart anticorrosive coatings by the incorporation of nanocontainers loaded with corrosion inhibitors into the protective layer. Nanocontainers are designed to allow a controlled release of the inhibitor in response to an external stimulus, thus, achieving more efficient and more economical use of the active component. In this case, a pH change is a very interesting stimulus to trigger the release because corrosion processes cause local pH changes. To this end, a special focus has been placed on the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as nanocontainers due to their interesting characteristics, such as larger surface area, versatile functionalisation, stability, etc. However, the use of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSN), with a large central hole combined with an external mesoporous silica shell, offers an additional advantage due to the higher loading capacity. In the present work, HMSN have been efficiently synthesised, loaded with sodium phosphomolybdate, as a non-toxic alternative to the use of chromates, and encapsulated by a layer of an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The morphology and textural properties of the produced nanocapsules have been studied by different techniques (SEM/EDS, TEM/EDS, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis method, ζ-potential). Finally, the releasing capacity and corrosion protection at different pH values have been studied, confirming the smart behaviour of the encapsulated loaded HMSN.
A Novel In Situ Self-Assembling Fabrication Method for Bacterial Cellulose-Electrospun Nanofiber Hybrid Structures
Authors: Naeem Muhammad , Lv Pengfei , Zhou Huimin , Naveed Tayyab , Wei Qufu
Published: June 2018

Self-assembling fabrication methodology has recently attracted attention for the production of bio-degradable polymer nanocomposites. In this research work, bacterial cellulose/electrospun nanofiber hybrid mats (BC/CA-ENM) were formed by incorporating cellulose acetate electrospun nanofiber membranes (CA-ENMs) in the fermentation media, followed by in situ self-assembly of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. ENMs exhibit excessive hydrophobicity, attributed to their high crystallinity and reorientation of hydrophobic groups at the air/solid interfaces. We aimed to improve the hydrophilic and other functional properties of ENMs. As-prepared nanohybrid structures were characterized using SEM and FTIR. SEM results revealed that in situ self-assembling of BC nanofibers onto the electrospun membrane’s surface and penetration into pores gradually increased with extended fermentation periods. The surface hydrophilicity and water absorption capacity of as-prepared hybrid mats was also tested and analyzed. Hybrid mats were observably more hydrophilic than an electrospun membrane and more hydrophobic compared to BC films. In addition, the incorporation of CA electrospun membranes in the culture media as a foundation for BC nanofiber growth resulted in improved tensile strength of the hybrid nanocomposites compared to ENMs. Overall, the results indicated the successful fabrication of nanocomposites through a novel approach, with samples demonstrating improved functional properties.
A Parameter Study of the Effect of a Plasma-Induced Ozone Colour-Fading Process on Sulphur-Dyed Cotton Fabric
Authors: Zhong Dan , Liu Yao-Hui , Cheung Ngan-Ting , Kan Chi-Wai , Chua Hong
Published: June 2018

A plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment was used for treating a blue sulphur-dyed knitted cotton fabric. Since the process parameters of plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment are inter-related with one other, the final colour-fading results are affected. An orthogonal array testing strategy (OATS) method was used for determining the optimum conditions of the plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment in this study. Three process parameters used in the plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment, i.e., oxygen gas concentration (%), water content in fabric (%), and treatment time (minutes), were used in the optimization process. Experimental results reveal the optimum conditions for fading the colour by plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment are: (1) oxygen gas concentration = 70%; (2) water content in fabric = 35%; and (3) treatment time = 30 min. The order of importance of these parameters is: oxygen gas concentration > water content in fabric > treatment time. In addition, the plasma-induced ozone colour-fading treatment can effectively remove the colour from the dyed fabric and the colour-fading effect is uniform and even.
Coherence Change-Detection with Sentinel-1 for Natural and Anthropogenic Disaster Monitoring in Urban Areas
Authors: Washaya Prosper , Balz Timo , Mohamadi Bahaa
Published: June 2018

Rapid, reliable, and continuous information is an essential component in disaster monitoring and management. Remote sensing data could be a solution, but often cannot provide continuous data due to an absence of global coverage and weather and daylight dependency. To overcome these challenges, this study makes use of weather and day/light independent Sentinel-1 data with a global coverage to monitor localized effects of different types of disasters using the Coherence Change-Detection (CCD) technique. Coherence maps were generated from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and used to classify areas of change and no change in six study areas. These sites are located in Syria, Puerto Rico, California, and Iran. The study areas were divided into street blocks, and the standard deviation was calculated for the coherence images for each street block over entire image stacks. The study areas were classified by land-use type to reveal the spatial variation in coherence loss after a disaster. While temporal decorrelation exhibits a general loss in coherence over time, disaster occurrence, however, indicates a significant loss in coherence after an event. The variations of each street block from the average coherence for the entire image stack, as measured by a high standard deviation after a particular disaster, is an indication of disaster induced building damage.