bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tree Legumes Provide Marketable Wood and Add Nitrogen in Warm‐Climate Silvopasture Systems
Authors: Apolinário Valéria X. O. , Dubeux José C. B. , Lira Mário A. , Ferreira Rinaldo L. C. , Mello Alexandre C. L. , Santos Mércia V. F. , Sampaio Everardo V. S. B. , Muir James P.
Published: July 2015

Warm‐climate grasslands can be degraded by overgrazing and reduced soil fertility. However, legume trees integrated into these systems (silvopasture) can provide long‐term marketable wood for sale and add N to the system. In addition, tree legumes can improve livestock diet by providing high crude protein forage. Our research assessed biomass and N accumulation by tree legumes: gliricidia [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunthe] and sabia (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) grown in conventionally grazed signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) pasture. The seedlings were planted in 2008 and growth rates were measured in 2012 and 2013. One year after the seedlings were planted, in July 2009, the pastures were grazed. Aboveground biomass doubled from 25 to 50 Mg ha−1 between February 2012 and August 2013. The thickest branches contributed the most (p ≤ 0.05) biomass: 58% for gliricidia and 54% for sabia. Leaves represented the smallest (p ≤ 0.05) fraction: 7 to 13% for gliricidia and 4 to 14% for sabia. Leaf and branch nutrient concentrations varied little (p > 0.05) between species and sampling periods. Gliricidia leaf N ranged from 33.6 to 38.0 g kg−1, while sabia leaf N ranged from 26.9 to 38.5 g kg−1. Biologically fixed N in leaves ranged from 30 to 121 kg ha−1. Sabia branches had less moisture and greater lignin, density, and gross calorific power than gliricidia. While thicker branches represent most of the aboveground tree biomass, leaves and thin branches have greater N concentration, representing an important return pathway to the soil.
Water Use and Grain Yield in Drought‐Tolerant Corn in the Texas High Plains
Authors: Hao B. , Xue Q. , Marek T. H. , Jessup K. E. , Becker J. , Hou X. , Xu W. , Bynum E. D. , Bean B. W. , Colaizzi P. D. , Howell T. A.
Published: July 2015

Drought is an important factor limiting corn (Zea mays L.) yields in the Texas High Plains, and adoption of drought‐tolerant (DT) hybrids could be a management tool under water shortage. We conducted a 3‐yr field study to investigate yield, evapotranspiration (ET), and water use efficiency (WUE) in DT hybrids. One conventional (33D49) and 4 DT hybrids (P1151HR, P1324HR, P1498HR, and P1564HR) were grown at three water regimes (I100, I75, and I50, referring to 100, 75, and 50% ET requirement) and three planting densities (PD) (5.9, 7.4, and 8.4 plants m−2). Yield (13.56 Mg ha−1) and ET (719 mm) were the greatest at I100 but WUE (2.1 kg m−3) was the greatest at I75. Although DT hybrids did not always have greater yield and WUE than 33D49 at I100, hybrids P1151HR and P1564HR consistently had greater yield and WUE than 33D49 at I75 and I50. Compared to 33D49, P1151HR and P1564HR had 8.6 to 12.1% and 19.1% greater yield at I75 and I50, respectively. Correspondingly, WUE was 9.8 to 11.7% and 20.0% greater at I75 and I50, respectively. Greater PD resulted in greater yield and WUE at I100 and I75 but PD did not affect yield and WUE at I50. Yield and WUE in greater PD (8.4 plants m−2) were 6.3 to 8.3% greater than those in smaller PD (5.9 plants m−2). The results of this study demonstrated that proper selection of DT hybrids can increase corn yield and WUE under water‐limited conditions.
Prosocial Propensity Bias in Experimental Research on Helping Behavior: The Proposition of a Discomforting Hypothesis
Authors: Kaiser Florian G. , Otto Siegmar , Schuler Johannes
Published: July 2015

When researchers fail to control for confounding factors, the causes of behavior can be more apparent than real, even in experimental research. The current study replicates an experiment by Weinstein, Przybylski, and Ryan (2009) with the goal of demonstrating that their main finding could have resulted from differences in people's prosocial propensity. In their research, they found their hypothesized interaction effect: depending on the extent of immersion, participants presented with images of nature were found to be more prosocial in both their actions and in their declarations. Our sample of 175 adults ( M age=29.7 yr., SD=11.7; 97 men, 78 women) was approached personally, randomly assigned to viewing either urban or nature images, and instructed to immerse themselves in the respective images. Using two formally distinct measures of participants' prosocial propensity (i.e., before and after the intervention), the hypothesis that individual differences in people's prosocial propensity can bias conclusions about the origins of prosocial behavior in experimental research was supported. To avoid invalid conclusions, the prosocial propensity levels of research participants should be controlled for.
Field-Amplified Sample Injection-Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography for the Determination of Benzophenones in Food Simulants
Authors: Félez Cristina , Molet Anna , Núñez Oscar
Published: July 2015

A field-amplified sample injection-micellar electrokinetic chromatography (FASI-MEKC) method for the determination of 14 benzophenones (BPs) in a food simulant used in migration studies of food packaging materials was developed, allowing almost baseline separation in less than 21 min. The use of a 10 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution as sample matrix was mandatory to achieve FASI enhancement of the analyzed BPs. A 21- to 784-fold sensitivity enhancement was achieved with FASI-MEKC, obtaining limits of detection down to 5.1–68.4 µg/L, with acceptable run-to-run precisions (RSD values lower than 22.3%) and accuracy (relative errors lower than 21.0%). Method performance was evaluated by quantifying BPs in the food simulant spiked at 500 µg/L (bellow the established specific migration limit for BP (600 µg/L) by EU legislation). For a 95% confidence level, no statistical differences were observed between found and spiked concentrations (probability at the confidence level, p value, of 0.55), showing that the proposed FASI-MEKC method is suitable for the analysis of BPs in food packaging migration studies at the levels established by EU legislation.
Evaluation of the Atmospheric Chemical Entropy Production of Mars
Authors: Delgado-Bonal Alfonso , Martín-Torres F.
Published: July 2015

Thermodynamic disequilibrium is a necessary situation in a system in which complex emergent structures are created and maintained. It is known that most of the chemical disequilibrium, a particular type of thermodynamic disequilibrium, in Earth’s atmosphere is a consequence of life. We have developed a thermochemical model for the Martian atmosphere to analyze the disequilibrium by chemical reactions calculating the entropy production. It follows from the comparison with the Earth atmosphere that the magnitude of the entropy produced by the recombination reaction forming O3 (O + O2 + CO2 ⥦ O3 + CO2) in the atmosphere of the Earth is larger than the entropy produced by the dominant set of chemical reactions considered for Mars, as a consequence of the low density and the poor variety of species of the Martian atmosphere. If disequilibrium is needed to create and maintain self-organizing structures in a system, we conclude that the current Martian atmosphere is unable to support large physico-chemical structures, such as those created on Earth.
Effects of Pilot Injection Timing and EGR on Combustion, Performance and Exhaust Emissions in a Common Rail Diesel Engine Fueled with a Canola Oil Biodiesel-Diesel Blend
Authors: Ge Jun , Kim Min , Yoon Sam , Choi Nag
Published: July 2015

Biodiesel as a clean energy source could reduce environmental pollution compared to fossil fuel, so it is becoming increasingly important. In this study, we investigated the effects of different pilot injection timings from before top dead center (BTDC) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion, engine performance, and exhaust emission characteristics in a common rail diesel engine fueled with canola oil biodiesel-diesel (BD) blend. The pilot injection timing and EGR rate were changed at an engine speed of 2000 rpm fueled with BD20 (20 vol % canola oil and 80 vol % diesel fuel blend). As the injection timing advanced, the combustion pressure, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and peak combustion pressure (Pmax) changed slightly. Carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) emissions clearly decreased at BTDC 20° compared with BTDC 5°, but nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions increased slightly. With an increasing EGR rate, the combustion pressure and indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) decreased slightly at BTDC 20° compared to other injection timings. However, the Pmax showed a remarkable decrease. The BSFC and PM emissions increased slightly, but the NOx emission decreased considerably.
Impact Behavior of Three Notched All-Ceramic Restorations after Soaking in Artificial Saliva
Authors: Yan Min , Wei Chung-Kai , Lin Yuh-Yih , Hu Suh-Woan , Ding Shinn-Jyh
Published: July 2015

Biomechanics play a critical role in influencing the clinical applications of all-ceramic dental restorations. The restorative biomaterials have to demonstrate mechanical durability in the oral environment because they are always exposed to a variety of oral environments. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of soaking time, notch and saliva pH values on the impact energy of three commonly used all-ceramic materials for CAD/CAM. The leucite-reinforced glass ceramic (ProCAD), lithium disilicate glass ceramic (IPS e.max CAD) and zirconia-based ceramic materials (IPS e.max ZirCAD) were used. The experimental results indicated that the impact energy of ProCAD decreased with an increase in soaking time, but not for IPS e.max CAD and IPS e.max ZirCAD. The impact energy of the zirconia system was higher than leucite-reinforced and lithium disilicate-based ceramic systems. When subjected to preformed 0.5 mm U-shape notch on the bar specimen of 3 mm thick, the impact energy of the all-ceramic restorations revealed a markedly reduction of about 80%–90%, almost irrespective of dental compositions, which indicated the effect of flaw to a great degree. No statistically significant influence (p > 0.05) of pH values (4, 7 and 9) on impact energy was found for each group. It is concluded that the no matter which all-ceramic materials were used, it was appreciably sensitive to the presence of notches. The ceramic composition and microstructure have been shown to affect mechanical durability.
Analysis of Metabolomics Datasets with High-Performance Computing and Metabolite Atlases
Authors: Yao Yushu , Sun Terence , Wang Tony , Ruebel Oliver , Northen Trent , Bowen Benjamin
Published: July 2015

Even with the widespread use of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) based metabolomics, there are still a number of challenges facing this promising technique. Many, diverse experimental workflows exist; yet there is a lack of infrastructure and systems for tracking and sharing of information. Here, we describe the Metabolite Atlas framework and interface that provides highly-efficient, web-based access to raw mass spectrometry data in concert with assertions about chemicals detected to help address some of these challenges. This integration, by design, enables experimentalists to explore their raw data, specify and refine features annotations such that they can be leveraged for future experiments. Fast queries of the data through the web using SciDB, a parallelized database for high performance computing, make this process operate quickly. By using scripting containers, such as IPython or Jupyter, to analyze the data, scientists can utilize a wide variety of freely available graphing, statistics, and information management resources. In addition, the interfaces facilitate integration with systems biology tools to ultimately link metabolomics data with biological models.
The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum Using Illumina Sequencing
Authors: Raveendar Sebastin , Na Young-Wang , Lee Jung-Ro , Shim Donghwan , Ma Kyung-Ho , Lee Sok-Young , Chung Jong-Wook
Published: July 2015

Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences provide a valuable source for DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogenetic studies have concentrated on DNA sequencing of conserved gene loci. However, this approach is time consuming and more difficult to implement when gene organization differs among species. Here we report the complete re-sequencing of the cp genome of Capsicum pepper (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) using the Illumina platform. The total length of the cp genome is 156,817 bp with a 37.7% overall GC content. A pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 50,284 bp were separated by a small single copy (SSC; 18,948 bp) and a large single copy (LSC; 87,446 bp). The number of cp genes in C. annuum var. glabriusculum is the same as that in other Capsicum species. Variations in the lengths of LSC; SSC and IR regions were the main contributors to the size variation in the cp genome of this species. A total of 125 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and 48 insertions or deletions variants were found by sequence alignment of Capsicum cp genome. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of cp genome evolution in Capsicum and other higher plants.
Response to a Letter to the Editor from Katherine Rich
Authors: Eyles Helen , Mhurchu Cliona , Gorton Delvina , Jiang Yannan , Monro David
Published: July 2015

A letter to Nutrients from the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council [1] questioned the validity of methods and findings reported in our recent paper, “Changes in the Sodium Content of New Zealand Processed Foods: 2003–2013” [2]. [...]
Development and Evaluation of a River-Basin-Scale High Spatio-Temporal Precipitation Data Set Using the WRF Model: A Case Study of the Heihe River Basin
Authors: Pan Xiaoduo , Li Xin , Cheng Guodong , Li Hongyi , He Xiaobo
Published: July 2015

To obtain long term accurate high resolution precipitation for the Heihe River Basin (HRB), Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations were performed using two different initial boundary conditions, with nine microphysical processes for different analysis parameterization schemes. High spatial-temporal precipitation was simulated from 2000 to 2013 and a suitable set of initial, boundary, and micro parameters for the HRB was evaluated from the Heihe Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research project and Chinese Meteorological Administration data at hourly, daily, monthly, and annual time scales using various statistical indicators. It was found that annual precipitation has gradually increased over the HRB since 2000. Precipitation mostly occurs in summer and is higher in monsoon-influenced areas. High elevations experience winter snowfall. Precipitation is higher in the eastern upstream area than in the western upstream, area; however, the converse occurs in winter. Precipitation gradually increases with elevation from 1000 m to 4000 m, and the maximum precipitation occurs at the height of 3500–4000 m, then the precipitation slowly decreases with elevation from 4000 m to the top over the Qilian Mountains. Precipitation is scare and has a high temporal variation in the downstream area. Results are systematically validated using the in situ observations in this region and it was found that precipitation simulated by the WRF model using suitable physical configuration agrees well with the observation over the HRB at hourly, daily, monthly and yearly scales, as well as at spatial pattern. We also conclude that the dynamic downscaling using the WRF model is capable of producing high-resolution and reliable precipitation over complex mountainous areas and extremely arid environments. The downscaled data can meet the requirement of river basin scale hydrological modeling and water balance analysis.
Self-Balancing Position-Sensitive Detector (SBPSD)
Authors: Porrazzo Ryan , Lydecker Leigh , Gattu Suhasini , Bakhru Hassaram , Tokranova Natalya , Castracane James
Published: July 2015

Optical position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) are a non-contact method of tracking the location of a light spot. Silicon-based versions of such sensors are fabricated with standard CMOS technology, are inexpensive and provide a real-time, analog signal output corresponding to the position of the light spot. An innovative type of optical position sensor was developed using two back-to-back connected photodiodes. These so called self-balancing position-sensitive detectors (SBPSDs) eliminate the need for external readout circuitry entirely. Fabricated prototype devices demonstrate linear, symmetric coordinate characteristics and a spatial resolution of 200 μm for a 74 mm device. PSDs are commercially available only up to a length of 37 mm. Prototype devices were fabricated with various lengths up to 100 mm and can be scaled down to any size below that.
Collaborative WiFi Fingerprinting Using Sensor-Based Navigation on Smartphones
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhao Qile , Li You , Niu Xiaoji , Zhuang Yuan , Liu Jingnan
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a method that trains the WiFi fingerprint database using sensor-based navigation solutions. Since micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors provide only a short-term accuracy but suffer from the accuracy degradation with time, we restrict the time length of available indoor navigation trajectories, and conduct post-processing to improve the sensor-based navigation solution. Different middle-term navigation trajectories that move in and out of an indoor area are combined to make up the database. Furthermore, we evaluate the effect of WiFi database shifts on WiFi fingerprinting using the database generated by the proposed method. Results show that the fingerprinting errors will not increase linearly according to database (DB) errors in smartphone-based WiFi fingerprinting applications.
Cross-Layer Service Discovery Mechanism for OLSRv2 Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Vara M. , Campo Celeste
Published: July 2015

Service discovery plays an important role in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The lack of central infrastructure, limited resources and high mobility make service discovery a challenging issue for this kind of network. This article proposes a new service discovery mechanism for discovering and advertising services integrated into the Optimized Link State Routing Protocol Version 2 (OLSRv2). In previous studies, we demonstrated the validity of a similar service discovery mechanism integrated into the previous version of OLSR (OLSRv1). In order to advertise services, we have added a new type-length-value structure (TLV) to the OLSRv2 protocol, called service discovery message (SDM), according to the Generalized MANET Packet/Message Format defined in Request For Comments (RFC) 5444. Each node in the ad hoc network only advertises its own services. The advertisement frequency is a user-configurable parameter, so that it can be modified depending on the user requirements. Each node maintains two service tables, one to store information about its own services and another one to store information about the services it discovers in the network. We present simulation results, that compare our service discovery integrated into OLSRv2 with the one defined for OLSRv1 and with the integration of service discovery in Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) protocol, in terms of service discovery ratio, service latency and network overhead.
Computing with Colored Tangles
Authors: Carmi Avishy , Moskovich Daniel
Published: July 2015

We suggest a diagrammatic model of computation based on an axiom of distributivity. A diagram of a decorated colored tangle, similar to those that appear in low dimensional topology, plays the role of a circuit diagram. Equivalent diagrams represent bisimilar computations. We prove that our model of computation is Turing complete and with bounded resources that it can decide any language in complexity class IP, sometimes with better performance parameters than corresponding classical protocols.
Characteristics and Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Microfragmented Adipose Tissue
Authors: Carelli Stephana , Messaggio Fanuel , Canazza Alessandra , Hebda Danuta Maria , Caremoli Filippo , Latorre Elisa , Grimoldi Maria Grazia , Colli Mattia , Bulfamante Gaetano , Tremolada Carlo , Di Giulio Anna Maria , Gorio Alfredo
Published: July 2015

The subcutaneous adipose tissue provides a clear advantage over other mesenchymal stem cell sources due to the ease with which it can be accessed, as well as the ease of isolating the residing stem cells. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), localized in the stromal–vascular portion, can be isolated ex vivo using a combination of washing steps and enzymatic digestion. In this study, we report that microfragmented human lipoaspirated adipose tissue is a better stem cell source compared to normal lipoaspirated tissue. The structural composition of microfragments is comparable to the original tissue. Differently, however, this procedure activates the expression of antigens, such as β-tubulin III. The hADSCs derived from microfragmented lipoaspirate tissue were systematically characterized for growth features, phenotype, and multipotent differentiation potential. They fulfill the definition of mesenchymal stem cells, although with a higher neural phenotype profile. These cells also express genes that constitute the core circuitry of self-renewal such as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, and neurogenic lineage genes such as NEUROD1, PAX6, and SOX3. Such findings suggest further studies by evaluating Microfrag-AT hADSC action in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions.
Embedded Present Tense and Attitude Reports
Authors: Gennari Silvia
Published: July 2015

No abstract.
Scalar Structure Underlies Telicity in "Degree Achievements"
Authors: Hay Jennifer , Kennedy Christopher , Levin Beth
Published: July 2015

No abstract.
APPROXIMATION OF THE SECTIONS OF THE SET OF TRAJECTORIES OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM DESCRIBED BY A NONLINEAR VOLTERRA INTEGRAL EQUATION
Authors: Huseyin Anar , Huseyin Nesir , Guseinov Khalik G.
Published: July 2015

Approximation of the sections of the set of trajectories of the control system described by a nonlinear Volterra integral equation is studied. The admissible control functions are chosen from the closed ball of the space L p , p > 1, with radius µ and centered at the origin. The set of admissible control functions is replaced by the set of control functions, which includes a finite number of control functions and generates a finite number of trajectories. It is proved that the sections of the set of trajectories can be approximated by the sections of the set of trajectories, generated by a finite number of control functions.
PRICING OF WARRANTS WITH STOCK PRICE DEPENDENT THRESHOLD CONDITIONS
Authors: Olvik Ander , Kangro Raul
Published: July 2015

Warrants with stock price dependent threshold conditions give the right to buy specially issued stocks, if the performance of the stock price satisfies some requirements. Existence of these derivatives changes the price process of the underlying. We show that in the presence of such warrants one cannot assume that the stock market is arbitrage free and that the stock is tradeable at every time moment with the same price for buying and selling. This means that the usual methods for deriving fair prices for such warrants cannot be used. We start from a simple model for the firm’s value process and discuss some ways to specify a related model for the stock price process in the presence of warrants with threshold conditions. We also discuss how indifference pricing approach can be used for pricing such warrants.
Ризик фактори и интензитет на дентални ерозии на трајни инцизиви и први перманентни молари
Authors: Денкова Наташа , Иљовска Снежана
Published: July 2015

ЦЕЛ: Целта на на нашата пилот студија беше да се утврди преваленцата на забните ерозии, како и влијанието пијалоците врз степенот на оштетувањето на перманентните заби.
МАТЕРИЈАЛ И МЕТОДИ: Како матерјал вклучивме 105 испитаника со позитивни знаци за постоење дентални ерозии, на возраст од 10 до 60 и над 60 години, кај кои ги нотиравме степенот на ерозиите и навики за консумирање пијалоци.
РЕЗУЛТАТИ: Степенот на ерозијата на првите трајни инцизиви кај испитаниците на возраст од 10-29 год. беа со површински губиток на емајлот и со возраста на пациентите поприсутна беше ерозијата каде освен губиток на емајлот имаше и присуство на експониран дентин. Испитувањата на ПТМ, според длабочината и возраста на испитаниците, укажа на постоење различни клинички слики, но со емајл во нормални граници немаше ниту еден испитаник. Резултатите говорат дека најголемиот дел од испитаниците газирани пијалоци консумирале 3-5 пати на ден Постоеше позитивна корелација помеѓу консумирањето на газирани пијалоци и овошни сокови и помеѓу вкупниот примерок на испитаници со дентални ерозии и сите возрасни групи на испитаници (р < 0.05) и помеѓу половите (р < 0.00).
ЗАКЛУЧОК: Потребно да се направи студија со истражување на највлијателните етиолошки фактори кои би потпомогнале во подготвување превентивни стратегии.
Улога на метаболичниот синдром во развој и прогресија на хроничната бубрежна слабост
Authors: Бајрактарова-Прошева Татјана , Тозија Лилјана
Published: July 2015

Метаболичкиот синдром станува се поголем здравствен проблем во светот, како во земјите во развој така и во високо развиените земји. Познато е дека компонентите на метаболичкиот синдром (обезност, хипертензија, хиперлипидемија и инсулинска резистенција) ја зголемуваат инциденцата, а со тоа и морбидитетот и морталитетот на кардиоваскуларните заболувања.Постојат студии кои укажуваат и на асоцијација на метаболичкиот синдром со развојот и прогресијата на хроничната бубрежна болест. Корелацијата на поединечните ентитети на метаболичкиот синдром како што ехипертензијата и инсулинската резистенција со последователен развој на тип 2 дијабетес мелитус, со развојот на хроничната бубрежна слабост е добро позната, но сеуште има дилеми и се дискутира за ефектот на метаболичкиот синдром како целина врз нарушувањето на бубрежната функција. Во можните механизми кои ја оштетуваат бубрежната функција се вбројуваат инсулинската резистенција и оксидативниот стрес, микроваскуларното оштетување и исхемја на бубрезите.Целта на овој прегледен труд е да се систематизираат податоците добиени од студиите кои укажуваат на поврзаност на овие две патолошки состојби за подобро да се разбере како компонентите на метаболичкиот синдром влијаат на прогресијата на хроничната бубрежна болест, намалувањето на гломеруларната филтрациона рата и патофизиолошките промени на бубрезите асоцирани со метаболички синдром. Во трудот се опфатени понови сознанија и наоди и нивна примена во третманот на метаболичкиот синдром асоциран со ХББ што вклучува редукција на телесна тежина, промена на животниот стил со соодветно модифицирана диета и физичка активност.
Production of the 14 kDa trypsin inhibitor protein is important for maize resistance againstAspergillus flavus infection/aflatoxin accumulation
Authors: Chen Z.-Y. , Warburton M.L. , Hawkins L. , Wei Q. , Raruang Y. , Brown R.L. , Zhang L. , Bhatnagar D.
Published: July 2015

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major crops susceptible toAspergillus flavus Link ex. Fries infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination. Previous studies found the production of an antifungal 14 kDa trypsin inhibitor (TI) was associated with maize aflatoxin resistance. To further investigate whether the TI plays any direct role in resistance, a TI gene silencing vector was constructed and transformed into maize. Mature kernels were produced from 66 transgenic lines representing 18 independent events. A final total of twelve lines representing four independent events were confirmed positive for transformation, five of which showed significant reduction (63 to 88%) in TI transcript abundance in seedling leaf tissue and seven of which showed significant TI protein reduction (39-85%) in mature kernels. Six of the seven silenced transgenic lines supported higher levels of aflatoxin production compared to negative controls. To further confirm the role of TI in field resistance to aflatoxin accumulation, DNA sequence polymorphisms from within the gene or linked simple sequence repeats were tested in four quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping populations for QTL effect, and three QTL with log of the odds scores of 11, 4.5, and 3.0 and possibly caused by the TI protein encoding gene were found. Sequence polymorphisms were also tested for association to aflatoxin levels in an association mapping panel, and three single nucleotide polymorphisms were found associated with aflatoxin accumulation (P<0.01). The data from both RNAi and genetic mapping studies demonstrated that production of the TI in maize is important for its resistance toA. flavus infection and/or aflatoxin production.
Análisis del efecto chimenea en fachadas ventiladas opacas mediante correlaciones del flujo másico inducido. Aplicación para el dimensionado de anchos de cámara
Authors: Suárez C. , Molina J. L.
Published: July 2015

En el presente artículo, se realiza un análisis general del problema del efecto chimenea aplicado a las fachadas ventiladas opacas. Desde un punto de vista energético, el diseño y la optimización de las fachadas ventiladas requiere un profundo conocimiento de los fenómenos térmicos y fluidodinámicos que se producen en la cámara ventilada y debido a la complejidad de estos fenómenos, el diseño óptimo supone un reto para arquitectos e ingenieros. Como resultado principal, se proponen unas correlaciones útiles para el cálculo del flujo másico inducido en la cavidad ventilada en función de la geometría y de la diferencia de temperaturas. El conjunto de casos de aplicación de las correlaciones cubre el rango habitual de interés en fachadas ventiladas opacas. Asimismo se realiza un análisis de sensibilidad del caudal inducido al variar los parámetros señalados.
Actuación preventiva de diagnóstico y control de movimientos en los edificios afectados por subsidencia en el barrio de la Estación de Sallent (Barcelona)
Authors: Díaz C. , Cornadó C. , Santamaría P. , Rosell J. R. , Navarro A.
Published: July 2015

El presente artículo se refiere a la problemática de subsidencia surgida en los edificios de un barrio de la población de Sallent como consecuencia de los efectos de la excavación de las galerías subterráneas de una antigua explotación minera. Las necesarias medidas preventivas requeridas para hacer frente a dicha problemática propiciaron el conocimiento exhaustivo de las características técnico constructivas de los edificios, de sus daños y de la dinámica de sus afectaciones y condiciones de seguridad a lo largo del periodo de tiempo anterior a su definitivo desalojo. En el artículo se expone el proceso seguido para la toma de decisiones. Los datos obtenidos permiten, por una parte, conocer la relación entre los movimientos del terreno y los de los edificios, y por otra contrastar las formas reales de comportamiento de los edificios afectados frente a solicitaciones generadas por asentamientos diferenciales en sus firmes de cimentación.
Las bóvedas pétreas nervadas de Galicia: identificación de soluciones
Authors: Freire-Tellado M. J. , Tarrío-Carrodeguas S. B.
Published: July 2015

El artículo presenta los distintos grupos de soluciones de bóvedas pétreas nervadas sobre cuatro apoyos que existen en Galicia, representándolas gráficamente a la misma escala. Complementariamente se incluye también un pequeño grupo de bóvedas sobre ocho apoyos. Para clasificar los ejemplos se ha empleado un sistema basado en los rasgos constructivos de las bóvedas, que tiene en cuenta el número de apoyos de éstas y los distintos tipos de nervios presentes. Este criterio sistemático permite apreciar tanto soluciones que tradicionalmente han pasado desapercibidas como las dimensiones con las éstas que han sido construidas.
Neuro Model Approach for a Quarter Car Passive Suspension Systems
Authors: Hanafi Dirman , Zakaria Mohamad Fauzi , Omar Rosli , Than M. Nor M. , Rahmat M. Fua'ad , Ghazali Rozaimi
Published: July 2015

The road handling, load carrying and passenger comfort are three intension factors on car suspension’s system. They should be compromised to achieve the good the car suspension dynamics. To fulfill the requirement, the car suspension system must be controlled and analyzed. To design and analyze the suspension controller, the realistic dynamics model of car suspension is needed. In this paper, the car suspension is assumed as a quarter car and has a model structure as a neural network structure. The model is assumed consist of nonlinear properties that are contributed by spring stiffness and damping elements of suspension system. The tire is assumed has linear properties and represented by spring stiffness element and damping element. The model responses are generated in simulation term. The random type of artificial road surface signal as an input variable is used in this simulation. The results show that the trend of neuro model have the same with the response of a quarter car nonlinear model from dynamic derivation. It means that the developed neuro model structure capable to represent the nonlinear model of a quarter car passive suspension system dynamics.
Feasibility of Internally Reinforced Thin-Walled Beams for Industrial Applications
Authors: Silva Hugo Miguel , Meireles José Filipe
Published: July 2015

In this work, several types of reinforcement geometries of hollow-box beams for industrial applications are compared. A novel type of sandwich beams under bending and torsion uncoupled loadings is proposed as the best solution of all those that were studied. For the comparative analysis of the solutions, the models are modelled by the Finite Element Method (FEM) using the commercial software ANSYS Mechanical APDL. The feasibility of the novel beams was assessed by comparing the stiffness behavior of the beams with simple hollow-box beams in terms of deflection. An efficiency parameter was defined in order to determine the relative difference in terms of deflection. It is found that the novel geometries represent a great improvement under bending loadings, better than under torsion loadings. Nevertheless, for bending and torsion combined loadings, if bending stresses are predominant, the beams can still be interesting for some applications, mainly those with mobile parts.
Simulations and Stability Analysis of Wave-Induced Motions of a Freely Floating Body Using ADINA
Authors: Yao Tao , Chang Zong Yu
Published: July 2015

In this article, a direct numerical method is developed to solve two-dimensional interaction problems of wave and floating body with ADINA software. Motion’s equation of the floating body and hydrodynamic parameters are expressed based on potential flow theory. The force and response on the floating body boundary is described in terms of linear minor wave theory. The numerical test is carried out. The result intuitively shows the dynamic response and the stability of floating body under incident waves.
Effect of Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) in Wastewater Treatment: A Review
Authors: Boontian Nittaya
Published: July 2015

Cathodic hydrogen was produced in the presence of anaerobic zero valent iron (ZVI) corrosion by water. It can enhance microbial denitrification to convert nitrate to N2O and N2. Autotrophic denitrifying growth on ZVI can enhance nitrate removal. Results showed that by increasing nitrate removal rates, innocuous gases (N2O and N2) are produced rather than ammonium. Using steel wool with a small specific surface area instead of powdered ZVI, pH was not significantly increased. Little pH change was caused by corrosion. This is a positive condition for autotrophic denitrifying bacteria. ZVI was used in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) process under anaerobic conditions. It used sulfate reducing bacteria for immobilization of heavy metals. In fermentation, methanogenesis and sulfate reduction was complete after adding ZVI to mixed anaerobic cultures. It was found that methane production increased and sulfate was reduced. This was due to readily utilizable ZVI which served as a slow-release electron donor for methanogenesis and sulfate reduction. ZVI has potential as a useful material in bioremediation.
Solubility and Thermodynamic Properties of L-Proline in Methanol-Dichloromethane Mixtures
Authors: Chen Zi Dan , Wang Kun Kun , Li Xue , Wang Sheng , Wu Sha , Li Min , Duan Er Hong
Published: July 2015

The solubility of L-proline in binary solvents of methanol and dichloromethane were measured by a dynamic method via a laser monitoring technique. In the binary solvent mixtures, the solubility increases with the increasing of temperature and proportion of the methanol. The experimental solubility were fitted to modified Apelblat equation and Van’t Hoff equation in this work can be used as essential data and models in the purification process of L-proline. The dissolving process is endothermic and the dissolution driving force converts from enthalpy-driving to entropy-driving.
First-Principles Study of Structural and Vibrational Properties of α-SiO2 under Pressure
Authors: Lei Xiao Wei , Song Yong , Yang Kuo , Zhao Hui
Published: July 2015

Using first principles approach, we present the structural, vibrational and dielectric properties of α-SiO2. The calculations have been carried out within the density functional perturbation theory and linear response formalism using the norm-concerving pseudopotentials and a plane wave basis. All the vibrational modes identified are in good agreement with experiment. The calculated infrared spectra are also in good agreement with available experimental results both for the positions and the intensities of the main peaks. We find that the modes Eu7 and A2u4 splits in two respectively at high hydrostaticpressures. Then we calculate the infrared spectra under high pressure of different orientations. The vibrational modes in different phase transitions are reported and discussed respectively.
The Field Monitoring and Finite Element Analysis of Axial Force of a Deep Foundation Pit's Reinforced Concrete Inner-Supporting
Authors: Cao Chong , Yuan Bing , Huang Shao Teng , Zhang Jian Long , Feng Qi Min
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a reinforce concrete inner supporting of tunnel working well is taken as the research object. Based on the result of field monitoring and numerical simulation, the change rules of axial force of inner-supporting are analyzed. By the method of field monitoring, the force condition of reinforced concrete inner-supporting can be understand. By the method of numerical simulation, the finite element model of reinforced concrete inner-supporting can be modeled by ABAQUS. The results show that, the error of measured values and design values is caused by the sensitivity of vibrating wire sensor, temperature and the shrinkage of concrete. This paper can provide a reference for similar measurement projects, whose measured values much larger than design values.
Dynamic Responses of an X-Braced Jack-Up Leg with Pile-Soil Foundation
Authors: Heo Sang Hwan , Koo Weon Cheol , Park Min Su , Kim Sung Jae
Published: July 2015

In this study, the hydrodynamic characteristics of an X-braced-type jack-up leg with pile-soil foundation were investigated. Using the modified Morison equation and substructure method, wave excitation forces with effects of soil-structure interaction were calculated. The natural period and mode vector of the structure were obtained by using modal analysis. Newmark-beta time-integration method was used to predict the dynamic responses of the structure in the time domain. The maximum displacement and bending stress of the structure were analyzed under various soil conditions.
Uneven Settlement Effect of LNG Facilities Integrally Installed at Marine Construction Site
Authors: Shi Ji Cheng , Meng Xun , Zheng Yong Heng , Liu Yu Jie , Tian Hui Yuan , Zhao Shu Jie , Ren Hao Jie
Published: July 2015

With the demand on integrated construction of large scale LNG facilities in non-slide way zone at marine construction site, finite element analysis with parametric modeling technology (ANSYS-APDL) are conducted to simulate nonlinear relationship of basement and the state of foundation settlement at the construction stage. Structural analysis models are simplified from 3D architecture models of build order in building information modeling (BIM) system through MATLAB interface development. Unfavorable settlement effects are examined by detailed analysis cases studying. The prediction results can guide installation and temporary reinforcement measures of large scale structures.
Parallel Cellular Automaton Algorithm for Failure Processes of Brittle Rocks
Authors: Cao Ming , Zhou Zheng
Published: July 2015

As Failure evolution processes algorithms of brittle rocks usually comply with the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) model, implementation efforts using such hardware resources are suitable. Graphics processor (GPU) is available SIMD hardware component nowadays, which can lead to substantial increase of computing performance. In this paper we propose a novel parallel cellular automaton algorithm for failure evolution processes of brittle rocks based on GPU. The details of implementation and optimized methods are presented. The performance results show that our GPU implementation achieves 39 times faster than original algorithm on common general purpose processor (CPU).
Research on the Compatibility of Cement-Based Biomass Materials Modified by Early-Strength Agents
Authors: Qi Hong , Qi Wei , Sheng Guo Dong
Published: July 2015

Aim at the slow and complicated hydration process of straw-cement mixed system and the retarding coagulation of cement-based biomass material in C3S reaction. To investigate the improving effect of early-strength agents on the hydration process of straw-cement mixed system by adding CaCl2, FeCl3 and Al2(SO4)3 which could increase the release of hydration heat, accelerate the hydration of cement and weaken the retarding effect of dissolved substances from straw. By testing the variation of temperatures in hydration process to analyze the highest hydration temperature (Tmax), the time of reaching the highest hydration temperature (t), the maximum temperature difference (△T) and the compatibility coefficients (CA) of cement-based biomass materials with modified agents and with no modified agents, and evaluate the compatibility of straw-cement mixed system. Experimental results show that Tmax, t and △T these indexes can intuitively reflect the changing characteristics of early hydration heat of cement-based biomass materials, while CA could reflect the early hydration behavior comprehensively and objectively. Meanwhile, when the dosage of early-strength agents is between 3%~8%, the growth of CA shows as follows: CaCl2 is the best, and FeCl3 is better than Al2(SO4)3.
Elastic Stiffness of Volcanic Sand through Resonant Column Tests
Authors: Senetakis Kostas , Anastasiadis Anastasios
Published: July 2015

The resonant column method is established as a standard laboratory method for the study of the elastic properties of soils. The study presents low-amplitude resonant column test results on volcanic sands with intra-particle voids. The experiments were performed on dry samples prepared at variable relative densities and tested in torsional mode of vibration. In the first part of the article, the important factors that control the elastic stiffness of uncemented sands are described shortly and recent findings on granular soils dynamic properties are presented briefly. The second part describes the basic features of the resonant column used in the investigation and the materials of the study and in the third part representative results of an extensive experimental testing program on volcanic granular soils are presented and discussed with a focus on comparisons between the elastic stiffness of volcanic and quartz granular soils. The importance of the effect of the presence of intra-particle voids within the particle mass of the volcanic soils is emphasized, which in turn affects markedly the global void ratio of the samples.
Effect of Correcting the Electro-Hydraulic Servo Drive on the Stability and Controllability of an Airplane
Authors: Igumnov Leonid A. , Metrikin Vladimir S.
Published: July 2015

Response of a simplest servo system to an input perturbation is considered for two variants of correction of a servo drive to provide its stability and controllability. Numerical computations made it possible to find out the effect of the main parameters of the system on the dynamic characteristics of the controlling system.
Analytical Study of Piezoelectric Effect on Curvature and Mechanical Sensitivity in Large Deflection of Pre-Stressed Layered Plate Including a Piezoelectric Layer
Authors: Chen Chun Fu , Chen John Han
Published: July 2015

This study explores the curvature and mechanical sensitivity of a pre-stressed layered plate embedded with a piezoelectric layer in large deflection. Piezoelectric effect was included in deriving the nonlinear governing equations but the arising nonlinear terms are neglected, yielding a standard Bessel equation or a modified Bessel equation for the lateral slope. Analytical solutions are developed and further manipulated to obtain lateral curvature and mechanical sensitivity. The results for a nearly monolithic plate under low pretension and low voltage applied across the piezoelectric layer agree well with those of CPT for a single-layered plate under pure mechanical loading. For typical symmetric 3-layered piezoelectric plates, the solutions show that, piezoelectric effect is apparent only up to a moderate initial tension. Beyond a moderate threshold value, the pretension turns to be dominant, resulting in nearly zero curvature and uniform mechanical sensitivity throughout the entire plate.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Nonlinear Controller for Untripped Rollover Prevention of an 8-dof Vehicle Dynamic Model
Authors: Rezapour Javad , Bahrami Joo Behzad , Jamali Ali , Nariman-Zadeh Nader
Published: July 2015

The pareto optimal controller design on a two-track vehicle dynamic model with 8-degrees of freedom considering two simultaneous conflicting objective functions has been made in order to prevent the rollover phenomena. In this regard, the requisiteness of trading off among the conflicting requirements of vehicle dynamic control results in utilizing multi-objective optimization techniques. More effectively, a multi-objective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA) with a diversity preserving mechanism known as the ε-elimination algorithm has been used to optimize multi input multi output (MIMO) sliding mode controller. The most important conflicting objective functions that have been considered for minimization in this study are, control effort and vehicle roll angle, correspondingly. Finally, The comparison of the obtained results with those in the literature demonstrates that the strategy employed cause remarkable improvement in rollover prevention and maneuverability.
Design and Research of a Novel Fast Connecting and Separating Modular Space Manipulator
Authors: Wang Shuai Jun , Zhang Bo , Wang Xin , Wang Xue Qian
Published: July 2015

With the increasing complexity of the space mission, the ability of fast reconstruction of manipulator is more and more important. To solve the problem of space manipulator’s fast reconstruction, this paper designs a novel manipulator that contains mechatronics modular joints and a connecting mechanism. Compared to the traditional manipulator, the manipulator in this paper have the advantage of great convenience of assembling and replacement of the modular joint. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between tolerance ability and structural parameters and computed the tolerance ability after optimization of the connecting mechanism; Using the perturbation method, we conducted the simulation of analysis error. Results show that relationship between the end position error and the error of the modular joints is approximate linear, which providing a theory instruction for the design of manipulator.