bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic gain of pure line selection and combined crossbred purebred selection with constrained inbreeding
Authors: Bijma P. , Woolliams J.A. , Arendonk J.A.M. van
Published: May 2019

Using deterministic methods, rates of genetic gain (Δ G) and inbreeding (Δ F) were compared between pure line selection (PLS) and combined crossbred purebred selection (CCPS), for the sire line of a three-way crossbreeding scheme. Purebred performance and crossbred performance were treated as genetically correlated traits assuming the infinitesimal model. Breeding schemes were compared at a fixed total number of purebred selection candidates, i.e. including crossbred information did not affect the size of the purebred nucleus. Selection was by truncation on estimated breeding values for crossbred performance. Rates of genetic gain were predicted using a pseudo-BLUP selection index. Rates of inbreeding were predicted using recently developed methods based on long-term genetic contributions. Results showed that changing from PLS to CCPS may increase ΔF by a factor of 2·14. In particular with high heritabilities and low purebred-crossbred genetic correlations, CCPS requires a larger number of parents than PLS, to avoid excessive ΔF. The superiority of CCPS over PLS was judged by comparing ΔG from both selection strategies at the same ΔF. At the same ΔF, CCPS was superior to PLS and the superiority of CCPS was only moderately reduced compared with the situation without a restriction on ΔF. This paper shows that the longterm genetic contribution theory can be used to balance ΔF and ΔG in animal breeding schemes within very limited computing time.
Selection for ultrafine Merino sheep in New Zealand: heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations of live weight, fleece weight and wool characteristics in yearlings
Authors: Wuliji T. , Dodds K. G. , Land J. T. J. , Andrews R. N. , Turner P. R.
Published: May 2019

Merino yearling records from 1988 to 1992 birth years in ultrafine wool selection and random control flocks at Tara Hills High Country Station, New Zealand were analysed for live weight, fleece weight and wool characteristics. Estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits using REML methods are presented. Heritabilities (h2) of birth, weaning, autumn, spring and summer live weights and greasy and clean fleece weights were estimated as being 0·35, 0·34, 0·44, 0·43, 0·49, 0·24 and 0·28 respectively; while h2 of yield, fibre diameter, coefficient of variation in fibre diameter, staple crimp, staple length, staple strength, position of break, resistance to compression, bulk, CIE Y and CIE Y-Z were estimated to be 0·58, 0·59, 0·60, 0·45, 0·71, 0·13, 0·18, 0·46, 0·38, 0·38 and 0·42 respectively. Genetic correlations were found to be high among the live weights but low to moderate among fleece weight and wool characteristics. Heritability estimates of fibre diameter, fibre diameter variation and staple length were found to be higher in New Zealand fine wool Merinos than most of those reported in the literature. The results indicate that selection for reduced fibre diameter will have little effect on other major production traits such as live weight and fleece weight.
Factors influencing beef eating quality 1. Effects of nutritional regimen and genotype on organoleptic properties and instrumental texture
Authors: Sinclair K. D. , Lobley G.E. , Horgan G.W. , Kyle D.J. , Porter A.D. , Matthews K.R. , Warkup C.C. , Maltin C. A.
Published: May 2019

An experiment was conducted to determine if growth rate, as affected by level of feeding, during a 10-or 20-week period prior to slaughter could influence the tenderness and palatability of beef from young (approx. 14 months old at the start of experiment) steers. Steers, comprising 18 Aberdeen Angus (AA), 18 Charolais (CH) and 18 Holstein (HO) purebreds, were allocated, within genotype, to one of three levels of feeding: (a) moderate ((M/M) 750 kJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day per kg M0·75), (b) high ((H/H) 1050 kJ ME per day per kg M0·75) both for 20 weeks; or (c) moderate for the first 10 weeks followed by high for the remaining 10 weeks (M/H). The steers were slaughtered at a fixed age (approx. 19 months old) and samples ofm. longissimus lumborum(from all three genotypes) m. vastus lateralis and m. biceps femoris (from AA and CH only) separated, vacuum packed and stored at 2ºC for both 7 and 14 days before freezing. These cuts were subsequently assessed by a 12 member taste panel and texture analysis performed using Volodkevitch-type jaws.

Growth rates during the final 10 weeks of the experimental period differed between dietary regimen (M/M = 0·87; M/H = 1·25; and H/H = 1·02 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·08;P< 0·001). Steers offered the M/M level of feeding grew more slowly (0·97 kg/day) than those offered the M/H and H/H level of feeding (1·20 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·06;P< 0·001) over the entire 20 week experimental period. In spite of these differences in growth rate, there were no consistent effects on beef tenderness and general palatability. Mean growth rates for CH, HO and AA steers were 1·21, 1·13 and 1·03 kg/day (s.e.d. = 0·06;P< 0·05). Beef samples from AA steers consistently scored better for various sensory attributes than those from CH and HO steers; this may have been due, in part, to level of carcass fatness and rate of carcass cooling post mortem. Accounting for factors such as genotype within the experimental design and slaughtering animals at a relatively constant age reduced the variance associated with each sensory attribute to 0·6 of that observed in commercial practice. The data suggest that there is little opportunity to improve beef eating quality by increasing growth rate by dietary means in steers provided that moderate levels of gain (equivalent to the UK average) are maintained.
Effect of fibre source on ileal apparent digestibility of non-starch polysaccharides in rabbits
Authors: Carabaño R. , García J. , Blas J. C. de
Published: May 2019

Sixteen New Zealand White ✕ Californian doe rabbits (four per diet) weighing 3397 (s.e. 378) g, and surgically fitted with a glass T-cannula at the terminal ileum were used to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of non-starch polysaccharides of four fibrous foods. Four diets were formulated to contain paprika meal, olive leaves, lucerne hay or soya-bean hulls as the sole source of fibre. Fibre sources were supplemented with different proportions of soya protein isolate, wheat flour, lard, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine and a mineral/vitamin mix, to obtain diets containing at least 185 g crude protein and 50 g starch per kg. All diets included 2 g/kg of the respective fibre source marked with chromium. Diets were assigned to individually caged rabbits in a completely randomized design and were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment. Dry matter intake was not affected by type of diet. Fibre source affected (P< 0·05) corrected ileal apparent digestibility of total non-strach polysaccharides (NSP), xylose, galactose, glucose and uronic acids. Uronic acids were the best digested monomer at the ileum in all the foodstuffs studied, ranging from 0·195 to 0·522 for olive leaves and paprika meal, respectively. Corrected ileal apparent digestibility of uronic acids was correlated with the uronic acids insoluble in NDF solution, expressed as proportion of total uronic acid content (r=–0·74;P= 0·001), the proportion of large particles (> 1·25 mm;r= –0·71;P< 0·01) and the proportion of fine particles (< 0·315 mm;r= 0·65;P= 0·01). Other monomers (arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose) usually related to pectic substances, also showed in general a greater ileal digestibility than that of total NSP. Taking into account the uronic acids content of the diet and their digestibility, digestible uronic acids accounted for 0·572, 0·528, 0·93 and 0·353 of the total ileal digestible NSP of paprika meal, olive leaves, lucerne hay and soya-bean hulls based diets, respectively. The sum of arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose accounted for 0·15 of total NSP digested at the ileum on average, over the different fibre sources studied. Glucose and xylose were the monomers least digested at the ileum. Their corrected ileal apparent digestibilities were close to zero, except for the paprika meal (0·266 and 0·216) and soya-bean hulls (0·137 and 0·057) based diets. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that a valuable amount of total NSP is hydrolysed before the caecum in rabbits. However, this hydrolysis affects mainly pectic and readily fermentable substances.
Contribution of altitude and Alpine origin of forage to the influence of Alpine sojourn of cows on intake, nitrogen conversion, metabolic stress and milk synthesis
Authors: Leiber F. , Kreuzer M. , Jörg B. , Leuenberger H. , Wettstein H. -R.
Published: May 2019

A two-factorial experiment was conducted in order to quantify and distinguish the influences of altitude and forage origin on metabolism and milk synthesis of dairy cows kept at Alpine locations. Each of four experimental groups comprised six dairy cows in early to mid lactation which were kept tethered in barns at altitudes of either 2000 (Alpine) or 400 m above sea level (a.s.l.) (lowland). Two groups (Alpine and lowland) received hay ad libitum, a third group kept in the lowlands was pair-fed to the Alpine group and a control group was offered silages and concentrates according to milk yield. Two hay types, with origin either from 2000 or 400 m a.s.l., were offered to all hay-alone groups following a change-over design over three 21-day periods. Transferring cows to high altitude triggered a complex adaptation process, which resulted in depressions of food intake at the beginning of the experiment and changed plasma levels of metabolic traits indicating an energy deficit. On average over the entire experiment, high altitude sojourn elevated plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and decreased plasma glucose levels. Yields of milk and of main milk constituents were not significantly affected, but milk protein content was reduced in both the Alpine and in the pair-fed group. No generally elevated maintenance requirements as a consequence of hypoxia were found. Hay-alone feeding caused a co-limitation of net energy and absorbable protein in both hay types which was almost completely compensated by a reduction of milk yield. The hay of Alpine origin had a lower digestibility and crude protein content than the lowland hay which resulted in changes in blood plasma traits and a further suppression of milk yield and milk protein and lactose contents. Due to the low N content of the Alpine hay, N utilization for milk protein synthesis remained similar to that found with lowland hay, and manure N of these cows contained the lowest proportion of easily-volatile urine N. In conclusion, forage origin in conjunction with diet type seems to explain the major part of the adverse effects that the Alpine sojourn exerts on lactating dairy cows while the effects of hypoxia appear to be of lesser importance.
GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF AN OVERLAPPING GENERATIONS ECONOMY WITH LAND
Authors: MOUNTFORD ANDREW
Published: May 2019

This paper analyzes the global dynamics of a convex overlapping generations model with land. It derives a competitive equilibrium such that for every given initial level of capital per capita, the economy has a unique perfect-foresight equilibrium. It shows that the existence and uniqueness of this perfect-foresight equilibrium is robust to the presence of multiple steady-state levels of capital per capita. Furthermore, it shows that this model can provide an interesting insight into the economics of land taxation. Specifically, it shows that changes in the rate of land taxation may cause a bifurcation in the model's dynamical system and so may allow an economy with a low initial capital stock to break out of a “poverty trap” steady-state equilibrium.
A medical revolution in death-hastening decisions
Authors: COHEN LEWIS M.
Published: May 2019

On one level it was a perfectly ordinary wedding—elaborate
floral bouquets adorned the room, the family's favorite lemon
cake was covered in sugar-frosted curlicues and topped with traditional
tiny statuettes of a happy couple, the bride's gown was splendid,
and the wedding feast was complete with shrimp cocktail, filet mignon,
and champagne. On another level, as the bride's mother, 58-year-old
Amy Plasse slowly walked down the aisle, everyone in the hospital chapel
knew that they were participating in an extraordinary event. This was the
culmination of Amy's life; she had achieved her final goal—to
witness the wedding of her only daughter. The way was prepared to stop
the life-support treatment of dialysis and to end the prolongation of her
suffering.
The relationship between the law of the European Union and the law of its Member
States - a norm - based conceptual framework
Authors: Burchardt Dana
Published: May 2019

Interrelations between EU law and domestic law – Concept of a norm-based compound
structure – Intertwinement of legal norms and legal orders – Combined normativity
– Multi-level structure within the legal norms – Primacy, supremacy and ranking
of EU law and domestic law – Structural principles guiding the relationship between EU
law and domestic law – Principles of uniformity and constitutional identity
Using the cover crop N calculator for adaptive nitrogen fertilizer management: a proof of concept
Authors: Gaskin Julia W. , Cabrera Miguel L. , Kissel David E. , Hitchcock Richard
Published: May 2019

Legume cover crops can supply a significant amount of nitrogen (N) for cash crops, which is particularly important for organic farmers. Because N mineralization from cover crop residue depends on the amount of biomass, cover crop quality, as well as environmental conditions such as soil moisture and temperature, predicting the amount of N mineralized and the timing of release has been difficult. We have developed a Cover Crop Nitrogen Calculator based on the N subroutine of the CERES crop model and evaluated the use of the predicted N credits on yields of fall broccoli [Brassica oleracea L. (Italica group)] at a research farm and two working farms. Research farm trials consisted of a cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) cover crop and no cover crop treatments, each at four N rates (0N, 0.5N, 1N and 1.5N, with 1N the target N rate of 112 kg N ha−1 in 2013 and 168 kg N ha−1 in 2014 and 2015) in a randomized complete block design. On-farm trials consisted of a cowpea or sunn hemp (Crotolaria juncea L.) cover crop at four N rates (0N, 0.5N, 1N and 1.5N) and no cover crop treatment at the 1N rate in a completely randomized design. Cover crop biomass and quality (N%, carbohydrates%, cellulose% and lignin%) were measured and used with a 5-yr average soil moisture and soil temperature from a local weather station to predict an N credit. In the cover crop treatments, the N rate was modified by the predicted credit, while the no cover crop treatment received the full N fertilizer rate either as feathermeal (certified organic fields) or as urea (conventional field). At the research farm, broccoli yield increased up to the 0.5N rate, and there was no difference in yield between the no cover 0.5N rate and the cover crop 0.5N rate in 2013, 2014 and 2105. On-farm, we saw an N response in two site-years. In these site-years, there was no difference between the no cover 1N rate and the cover crop 1N rate. At the third site-year, no N response was seen. Overall, our results showed using the cover crop credit predicted by the Calculator did not reduce yields. The use of a decision support tool such as the Calculator may help farmers better manage N fertilizer when cover crops are used, and increase cover crop adoption.
3.5 THz quantum-cascade laser emission from dual diagonal feedhorns
Authors: Ellison B. N. , Valavanis A. , Auriacombe O. , Gerber D. , Rawlings T. , Brewster N. , Oldfield M. L. , Han Y. , Li L. H. , Zafar E. , Linfield E. H. , Davies A. G. , Savini G. , Emes M. , Winter B. , Walker D. , Saenz E.
Published: May 2019

Antenna-pattern measurements obtained from a double-metal supra-terahertz-frequency (supra-THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) are presented. The QCL is mounted within a mechanically micro-machined waveguide cavity containing dual diagonal feedhorns. Operating in continuous-wave mode at 3.5 THz, and at an ambient temperature of ~60 K, QCL emission has been directed via the feedhorns to a supra-THz detector mounted on a multi-axis linear scanner. Comparison of simulated and measured far-field antenna patterns shows an excellent degree of correlation between beamwidth (full-width-half-maximum) and sidelobe content and a very substantial improvement when compared with unmounted devices. Additionally, a single output has been used to successfully illuminate and demonstrate an optical breadboard arrangement associated with a future supra-THz Earth observation space-borne payload. Our novel device has therefore provided a valuable demonstration of the effectiveness of supra-THz diagonal feedhorns and QCL devices for future space-borne ultra-high-frequency Earth-observing heterodyne radiometers.
Bayesian Inference of Subglacial Channel Structures From Water Pressure and Tracer‐Transit Time Data: A Numerical Study Based on a 2‐D Geostatistical Modeling Approach
Authors: Irarrazaval Inigo , Werder Mauro A. , Linde Niklas , Irving James , Herman Frederic , Mariethoz Gregoire
Published: May 2019

Characterizing subglacial water flow is critical for understanding basal sliding and processes occurring under glaciers and ice sheets. Development of subglacial numerical models and acquisition of water pressure and tracer data have provided valuable insights into subglacial systems and their evolution. Despite these advances, numerical models, data conditioning, and uncertainty quantification are difficult, principally due to high number of unknown parameters and expensive forward computations. In this study, we aim to infer the properties of a subglacial drainage system in two dimensions using a framework that combines physical and geostatistical processes. The methodology is composed of three main components: (i) a channel generator to produce networks of the subglacial system, (ii) a physical model that computes water pressure and mass transport in steady state, and (iii) Bayesian inversion in which the outputs (pressure and tracer‐transit times) are compared with synthetic data, thus allowing for parameter estimation and uncertainty quantification. We evaluate the ability of this framework to infer the subglacial characteristics of a synthetic ice sheet produced by a physically complex deterministic model, under different recharge scenarios. Results show that our methodology captures expected physical characteristics for each meltwater supply condition, while the precise locations of channels remain difficult to constrain. The framework enables uncertainty quantification, and the results highlight its potential to infer properties of real subglacial systems using observed water pressure and tracer‐transit times.
Interfrequency Performance Characterizations of GPS During Signal Outages From an Anomaly Crest Location
Authors: Biswas T. , Ghosh S. , Paul A. , Sarkar S.
Published: May 2019

Introduction of new navigation signals L2C (1227.60 MHz) and L5 (1176.45 MHz) to the existing GPS (Global Positioning System) spectrum, under the modernization program of GPS offers the improvement of position accuracy. The present study aims to understand the relative robustness of the L2C and L5 signals compared to legacy L1 C/A signal during periods of scintillations in terms of durations of cycle slips encountered from an anomaly crest location, Calcutta (22.58°N, 88.38°E geographic; magnetic dip 32°N). The data analyzed in this study were recorded during the vernal equinox of 2014 (February–April), a period of high solar activity of cycle 24. Results obtained from the comparative analyses, which are perhaps one of the first from the Indian longitude sector, indicate GPS L5 to be more robust than L1 C/A and L2C in terms of occurrence and duration of cycle slips under adverse ionospheric conditions. Furthermore, loss‐of‐lock events of duration greater than 6 s are found to be more frequent for S4 ≥ 0.6. It is found that frequency sensitivity of the GPS spectrum, in terms of occurrence of cycle slips and loss of locks are in conformity with earlier results from the equatorial region but are different from the high latitudes with respect to local time of occurrence and geomagnetic activity.
Extension of an Empirical Electron Flux Model From 6 to 20 Earth Radii Using Cluster/RAPID Observations
Authors: Denton M. H. , Taylor M. G. G. T. , Rodriguez J. V. , Henderson M. G.
Published: May 2019

An existing empirical model of the electron fluxes at geosynchronous orbit is extended radially outward in the equatorial plane to ~6–20 Earth radii (RE) using observations from the Research with Adaptive Particle Imaging Detectors (RAPID) instrument on the Cluster spacecraft. The new model provides electron flux predictions in the energy range ~45 eV to ~325 keV, as a function of local time and radial distance from the Earth, with geomagnetic activity parameterized by the Kp index. The model outputs include the mean and median electron fluxes along with the standard deviation and the 5th, 25th, 75th, and 95th percentiles for the given input conditions. The flux outputs from the model are tested against in‐sample observations from Cluster/RAPID and out‐of‐sample observations from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS)/Solid State Telescope with good prediction efficiency during quiet and active intervals, as quantified by standard methods. This new model is intended to supplement current predictive capabilities in the magnetosphere for spacecraft operations, as well as providing the necessary boundary and/or input conditions for computational/physical models of the magnetospheric system when the necessary in situ observations are unavailable. While the new model can certainly not reproduce the rapid small‐scale fluctuations inherent in spacecraft observations, it does provide a coarse capability to predict the flux of electrons close to the equatorial plane, based on radial distance, energy, local time, and geomagnetic activity, in regions where no in situ assets are available.
Harmonic Pulse Testing for Well Monitoring: Application to a Fractured Geothermal Reservoir
Authors: Salina Borello E. , Fokker P. A. , Viberti D. , Verga F. , Hofmann H. , Meier P. , Min K.‐B. , Yoon K. , Zimmermann G.
Published: May 2019

Harmonic Pulse Testing (HPT) has been developed as a type of well testing applicable during ongoing field operations because a pulsed signal is superimposed on background pressure trend. Its purpose is to determine well and formation parameters such as wellbore storage, skin, permeability, and boundaries within the investigated volume. Compared to conventional well testing, HPT requires more time to investigate the same reservoir volume. The advantage is that it does not require the interruption of well and reservoir injection/production before and/or during the test because it allows the extraction of an interpretable periodic signal from measured pressure potentially affected by interference. This makes it an ideal monitoring tool. Interpretation is streamlined through diagnostic plots mimicking conventional well test interpretation methods. To this end, analytical solutions in the frequency domain are available. The methodology was applied to monitor stimulation operations performed at an Enhanced Geothermal System site in Pohang, Korea. The activities were divided into two steps: first, a preliminary sequence of tests, injection/fall‐off, and two HPTs, characterized by low injection rates and dedicated to estimate permeability prior to stimulation operations, and then stimulation sequence characterized by a higher injection rate. During the stimulation operations other HPT were performed to monitor formation properties behavior. The interpretation of HPT data through the derivative approach implemented in the frequency domain provided reliable results in agreement with the injection test. Moreover, it provided an estimation of hydraulic properties without cessation of stimulation operations, thus confirming the effectiveness of HPT application for monitoring purposes.
Indoor Emissions as a Source of Outdoor Pollution
Authors: Harrad Stuart
Published: May 2019

A number of halogenated semivolatile organic compounds (HSVOCs) are used widely as flame retardants and stainproofing additives in consumer articles such as electronics and soft furnishings. This chapter reviews the evidence that such widespread application leads to considerable indoor contamination that constitutes a substantial source of HSVOCs in outdoor air. Moreover, owing to the persistence and bioaccumulative nature of some HSVOCs, it is hypothesized that indoor contamination also exerts an influence on future human dietary exposure.
Biological Particles in the Indoor Environment
Authors: Colbeck Ian , Whitby Corinne
Published: May 2019

Airborne microorganisms are very difficult to assess accurately under field conditions owing to differences in the sample collection efficiency of the selected sampler and variations in DNA extraction efficiencies. Consequently, bioaerosol abundance and biodiversity can be underestimated, making it more difficult to link specific bioaerosol components to diseases and human health risk. Owing to the low biomass in air samples, it remains a challenge to obtain a representative microbiological sample to recover sufficient DNA for downstream analyses. Improved sampling methods are particularly crucial, especially for investigating viral communities, owing to the extremely low biomass of viral particles in the air compared with other environments. Without detailed information about sampling, characterization and enumeration techniques, interpretation of exposure level is very difficult. Despite this, bioaerosol research has been enhanced by molecular tools, especially next-generation sequencing approaches that have allowed faster and more detailed characterization of air samples.
Indoor Air as a Contributor to Air Pollution Exposure
Authors: Delgado-Saborit Juana Maria
Published: May 2019

Humans spend the largest percentage of their time in indoor environments, approximately 90%. Therefore, it is critical to characterize exposures to air pollution in indoor environments in order to conduct risk and health impact assessments. Not all indoor environments are the same, hence their contributions to personal exposure will differ. This chapter discusses different factors that might affect exposure to air pollution indoors, including time spent indoors, the influence of outdoor air and the presence of indoor sources of pollution. These factors are also influenced by human, societal and environmental characteristics, e.g. gender, age, employment status and lifestyle. Geopolitics will also influence the contribution of indoor exposures to total exposure, since the economic development of countries affects housing stock, access to energy, employment opportunities and transport infrastructure, all relevant to exposure. Regional climatological conditions will also affect indoor and total exposure to air pollution. This chapter describes the methodology for determining the contribution of indoor environments to total exposure and doses of air pollution. Factors relevant to exposure in indoor environments are discussed, including exposures in developing countries and for sensitive populations.
Facile synthesis of multicomponent heterobimetallic metallomacrocycles through selective metal–ligand coordination
Authors: Tai Chang-You , Fu Jun-Hao , Lee Yin-Hsuan , He Yun-Jui , Wang Shi-Cheng , Chan Yi-Tsu
Published: May 2019

Through selective coordination, three heterobimetallic ZnII–PdII/PtII metallomacrocycles have been constructed by either a stepwise or a one-pot self-assembly protocol.
Switching the enantioselectivity of nanoporous host materials by light
Authors: Kanj Anemar Bruno , Bürck Jochen , Grosjean Sylvain , Bräse Stefan , Heinke Lars
Published: May 2019

A chiral photoswitchable nanoporous material with remote-controllable enantioselective adsorption capacity is presented.
A two-coordinate Ni(i) silyl complex: CO2 insertion and oxidatively-induced silyl migrations
Authors: Witzke Ryan J. , Tilley T. Don
Published: May 2019

Synthesis of the first open-shell two-coordinate silyl complex and its oxidatively-induced silyl rearrangements.
An effective method to make polymers degrade readily: spatial isomerization
Authors: Zhu Yu , Wang Rui , Xie Weiyu , Zhang Depeng , Zhang Zhanwen , Wang Zhigang
Published: May 2019

The energy barrier required for PAMS tetramer degradation can be reduced with spatial isomerization.
Three-dimensional nanocomposites with Co3O4 nanosheets parallelly embedded in carbon network walls for enhanced lithium-ion storage
Authors: Wang Fei , Long Yixuan , Zong Jingui , Zhao Mingshu , Yang Sen , Song Xiaoping
Published: May 2019

Three-dimensional Co3O4/C nanocomposites are synthesized via a hydrogel assisted synthesis route.
Synthesis, structures and luminescence of multinuclear silver(i) pyrazolate adducts with 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives
Authors: Titov Aleksei A. , Filippov Oleg A. , Smol'yakov Alexander F. , Averin Aleksey A. , Shubina Elena S.
Published: May 2019

Silver(i) pyrazolate adducts with phenanthroline, neocuproine and bathocuproine exhibit phosphorescence in the solid state. Their photophysical behavior was interpreted using TD-DFT calculations.
MC-1. A “designer” surfactant engineered for peptide synthesis in water at room temperature
Authors: Cortes-Clerget Margery , Spink Summer E. , Gallagher Gregory P. , Chaisemartin Laurent , Filaire Edith , Berthon Jean-Yves , Lipshutz Bruce H.
Published: May 2019

A novel, solvent-inspired surfactant has been developed, where the core of its derived micelles is designed to accommodate peptide synthesis.
Giant shape memory and domain memory effects in antiferroelectric single crystals
Authors: Zhuo Fangping , Damjanovic Dragan , Li Qiang , Zhou Yaming , Ji Yongjie , Yan Qingfeng , Zhang Yiling , Zhou Yun , Chu Xiangcheng
Published: May 2019

Giant shape memory and domain memory effects may promote the development of new antiferroelectric or ferroelectric devices.
Modulation of perovskite-related frameworks induced by alkaline earth metals in phosphate fluorides A2MPO4F (A = K, Rb; M = Ba, Ca)
Authors: Chai Kun , Cheng Shichao , Li Hongyi , Dai Bin
Published: May 2019

A2CaPO4F (A = K, Rb) are isomorphs. The 1D zig-zag [FA4Ca2]∞chains in the two compounds belong to the 1D perovskite-related structure.
Alkali metal complex-mediated ring-opening polymerization of rac-LA, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone
Authors: Harinath Adimulam , Bhattacharjee Jayeeta , Sarkar Alok , Panda Tarun K.
Published: May 2019

Catalytic ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone using alkali metal (Li, Na, K) complexes as competent catalysts are reported.
Selective synthesis of 3-deoxy-5-hydroxy-1-amino-carbasugars as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors
Authors: Jiang Chunfeng , Liu Quan , Liu Jiaming , Liu Kaixuan , Tian Liangliang , Duan Mingfei , Wang Ying , Shen Zhufang , Xu Youjun
Published: May 2019

A selective synthesis of 13 and 15, which could be converted to carbasugars as α-glucosidase inhibitors, was developed.
Catalyst-controlled selective mono-/dialkylation of 2-aryl-4(3H)-quinazolinones
Authors: Luo Yi , He Hua , Li Jianglian , Yu Xinling , Guan Mei , Wu Yong
Published: May 2019

Catalyst-controlled selective mono-/dialkylation of 2-aryl-4(3H)-quinazolinones with α-diazotized Meldrum's acid has been achieved successfully via a metal carbene migratory insertion process.
Microdroplet self-propulsion during dropwise condensation on lubricant-infused surfaces
Authors: Sun Jianxing , Weisensee Patricia B.
Published: May 2019

We experimentally and theoretically revealed rigorous and gravity-independent self-propulsion of vapor condensed microdroplets on lubricant-infused surfaces.
Novel RAPF scheme and its performance of PAPR reduction and BER in FBMC‐OQAM system
Authors: He Zongmiao , Ling Xiang , Zhou Lingyu , Chen Yiou , Yang Yang
Published: May 2019

Filter bank multicarrier with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (FBMC‐OQAM) has gained significant importance as a contender for the fifth generation mobile communication system and also meets the application requirements of the Internet of things. The peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) of the FBMC‐OQAM is very high due to using a same prototype filter for each subcarrier and the addition of different subcarriers at the transmitter. Therefore, a novel randomly assigning prototype filter (RAPF) method is proposed to reduce PAPR in FBMC‐OQAM system. Based on the proposed RAPF method, the authors analyse the performances of both PAPR and bit error rate (BER) in the FBMC‐OQAM system. Simulation results show that the proposed RAPF method helps to significantly reduce PAPR of FBMC‐OQAM system. Meanwhile, compared with conventional FBMC‐OQAM system, the proposed RAPF‐FBMC‐OQAM scheme has almost the same BER performance in the additive white Gaussian noise channel but is descended slightly only in the high signal‐to‐noise ratio region of the frequency selective fading channel.
Event‐triggered stabilisation for T–S fuzzy systems with asynchronous premise constraints and its application to wind turbine system
Authors: Gnaneswaran Nagamani , Joo Young Hoon
Published: May 2019

In this study, an event‐triggered fuzzy controller is designed to stabilise a class of non‐linear systems expressed as a Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model with mismatched membership functions. At first, an event‐triggered fuzzy controller has been designed in terms of induced time delay. Secondly, the event‐triggered fuzzy system is presented as a time‐delay model with the asynchronous premise variables. Then, by introducing a time‐dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and based on the fuzzy based control approach, linear matrix inequality‐based stability conditions are established to guarantee the asymptotic stability of the proposed T–S fuzzy model. The derived conditions utilise the information on the membership functions of both fuzzy system and fuzzy controller. Finally, the proposed theoretical results are applied to stabilise the variable speed wind turbine system while saving the limited network resources. Further, through the truck–trailer example, the merits and the design procedure of the proposed technique have been demonstrated.
Variable cost model predictive control strategies for providing high‐quality power to AC microgrids
Authors: Yazdi Farhad , Hosseinian Seyed Hossein
Published: May 2019

This study presents multiple schemes for improving power quality in microgrids. These schemes are based on model predictive control (MPC) systems and provide solutions to power quality challenges such as harmonic load sharing, operation mode transfer transients and simultaneous control of voltage and current quality. Some of these solutions such as the MPC‐based smart impedance, variable cost event‐based operation mode transition control, and droop‐based hybrid voltage and current quality control are presented here for the first time. On the other hand, some solutions such as harmonic spectrum shaping are well‐known techniques and are applied here for presenting a complete solution pack for solving power quality issues such as resonance. The concept of the adaptive weighting of cost function regarding the grid conditions and the required level of power quality is the core concept that is introduced in this study. After explaining each scheme, by using simulations in MATLAB/SIMULINK, its figure of merits is proved.
Model predictive control‐based smart impedance for harmonic load freewheeling
Authors: Yazdi Farhad , Hosseinian Seyed Hossein
Published: May 2019

A novel smart impedance (SI) is introduced for load harmonics (distortion power) freewheeling in microgrids which are called predictive SI (PSI). ‘PSI’ provides solutions to the load harmonics conditioning, reactive power compensation, and parallel resonance suppression. The ‘PSI’ allows for harmonics, sub‐harmonics, and inter‐harmonics compensation with using only one control loop. The control model, which is used for the ‘PSI’ enables its impedance phasor variation in a wide and continuous range, including inductive and capacitive ones. The ‘PSI’ consumes small active power and can provide reactive power compensation without the need for a separate capacitor bank. The introduced ‘PSI’ does not generate parasitic harmonics and so does not need an additional passive filter in its output. The ‘PSI’ operates such as a harmonic isolator and only compensates for load harmonics and thereby prevents from the source side harmonics flowing into the load. It does not need the phased locked loop for synchronisation to the grid and can be designed for selective harmonic compensation if needed. A droop‐boost control strategy is proposed for optimum and prioritised utilising of the SI capacity. At the end of the study, by using simulations in Matlab/Simulink, the figure of merits of the PSI are proved.
Reliable broadcast mechanism for emergency message in urban vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Yang Jinling , Huang Chuanhe , Fan Xiying
Published: May 2019

In urban roads, the safety service of vehicular ad hoc networks is particularly important because of the frequent traffic accidents. In order to minimise redundancy and delay of network and ensure the high reception rate of vehicles in the target area when spreading the emergency message. In this study, the authors propose a reliable broadcast mechanism based on the layout information of the road. Different from existing mechanisms, in the straight, the proposed mechanism regards effective communication distance based on prediction rather than fix distance as one of the parameters of waiting time calculation. Considering the obstacles such as buildings around the intersection in the actual urban scenario, the vehicle in the intersection area (IA) of the target area will have an additional broadcast, if there are no vehicles in the IA, the vehicle in the pre‐selected area for intersections (IPA) has chance to broadcast when it enters IA, which avoids the failure of emergency message transmission in some direction because of the obstacles around the intersection and ensures the coverage and reliability of emergency message. The simulation results verify that the novel scheme has better performance than the compared schemes in terms of reliability and delay.
Parabolic profile pyramidal horn antenna with lower phase centre variation and 3 dB beamwidth in S‐band
Authors: Baghel Amit Kumar , Kulkarni Shashank , Nayak Sisir Kumar
Published: May 2019

A parabolic profile pyramidal horn antenna with flaring in both the E‐ and H‐plane is presented in this study. The proposed structure having aperture dimensions of 518.10 × 408.36 mm2 is designed and fabricated for S‐band (2.2–3.3 GHz). Due to increase in the flaring by in the E‐plane and in the H‐ plane compared to the optimal typical pyramidal horn antenna (TPHA), a half‐power beamwidth (HPBW) of less than in both the planes with higher gain is achieved in the proposed antenna. The maximum phase centre (PC) variation, phase and amplitude variation of the electric field across the aperture in the proposed design are half compared to TPHA throughout the band, thus having good PC stability and lower phase error. The cross‐polarisation level and the measured return loss of <25 and 15 dB, respectively, is achieved throughout the band, thus providing a good impedance matching and single dominant mode of propagation, i.e. TE10. With the lower HPBW and higher gain, the proposed antenna can be used in applications where point directive beam is required such as wireless power transfer to charge sensors and batteries of quad‐copter and so on.
Bandwidth‐size design trade‐offs for compact spline‐parameterised patch couplers by means of electromagnetic‐driven multi‐objective optimisation
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian
Published: May 2019

Broad bandwidth and small size are the key performance figures for contemporary microwave couplers. These requirements are conflicting, i.e. improvement of one generally leads to degradation of the other assuming fixed topology of the circuit at hand. From a designer's perspective, the knowledge about available design trade‐offs is indispensable as it permits for tailoring the circuit for particular applications as well as comparing alternative coupler topologies in a conclusive manner. In this work, investigations of design trade‐offs for a miniaturised spline‐parameterised patch coupler (PC) are carried out. By means of rigorous surrogate‐assisted multi‐objective optimisation, a set of designs that represent the best possible compromises between the coupler bandwidth and miniaturisation rates are obtained and analysed. To maintain the computational cost of the design process at acceptable levels, despite a large number of geometry parameters, sequential domain patching is utilised as the optimisation engine. A re‐tuning process that involves local approximation surrogates supplements identification of the initial design set. For the sake of illustration, a hybrid PC operating at 5.6 GHz is considered. The set of designs found for this circuit represent trade‐offs spanning from 0.9 GHz to over 1.8 GHz (bandwidth) and from 360 to 517 mm2 (footprint area).
Active balancing of lithium‐ion battery cells using WPT as an energy carrier
Authors: Liu Lizhou , Sun Wenbing , Han Peibang , Mai Ruikun , He Zhengyou , Bo Luo
Published: May 2019

This study develops a novel equaliser by combining wireless power transmission (WPT) and switch array for series‐connected batteries. The physical isolation achieved by WPT can offer unique benefits that traditional equalisers can hardly provide. Parameters of the WPT system are properly designed to achieve an equivalent constant‐current output, which can maximise the speed of balance and ensure the health of batteries. This methodology can ensure each battery is connected independently to the inverter through the switch array circuit. Therefore, balancing for either a single battery or multiple batteries can be achieved. In the experiment, the prototype system is built. Experimental results show that the proposed equalisation system can achieve high overall system efficiency (above 87.2%) when balancing four series‐connected battery modules.
Modified inductive power transfer topology for electrical vehicle battery charging using auxiliary network to achieve zero‐voltage switching for full load variations
Authors: Nama Jitendra Kumar , Srivastava Manaswi , Verma Arun Kumar
Published: May 2019

Wireless inductive chargers are benedictional over plug‐in chargers when human safety and convenience are the main concern. The advancement in the inductive chargers is yet less appreciable due to the loss of soft switching, low efficiency with load variation, and compatibility. In this study, a modified inductive power transfer capable DC–DC converter topology for electric vehicle battery charging is proposed. A simple auxiliary network is proposed and is supplemented with a modified pulse width modulation gating technique for achieving soft‐switching over full load variations. In addition to achieving zero‐voltage switching during turn‐on and turn‐off process, the proposed auxiliary network aids in the converter size reduction as compared with fourth order compensation topologies. This proposed topology also provides flexibility in switch selection, reduced switch stress. The operating principle and working of the proposed topology are validated through MATLAB simulations. Finally, experimental results obtained using a laboratory prototype rated for 600 W at 85 kHz are presented. The simulation and experimental results are found to be in good agreement with full load efficiency of 91.5%.
Bayesian framework for detector development in Pareto distributed clutter
Authors: Weinberg Graham V. , Howard Stephen D. , Tran Charlie
Published: May 2019

Analysis of high‐resolution X‐band maritime surveillance radar clutter has demonstrated the validity of the Pareto Type II fit to such data. Based upon this, and the fact that in some cases the Pareto Type II model can be approximated by a Pareto Type I, it has been possible to design sliding window detectors with the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) property, concerning at least one of the Pareto model parameters. In the Pareto Type I case, it has been shown that CFAR can be achieved concerning both distributional parameters. For the case of Pareto Type II distributed clutter, only CFAR has been achieved concerning one of the clutter model parameters. To achieve full CFAR, in the Pareto Type II case, a novel Bayesian methodology is introduced. This approach is general and can be extended to other distributional settings. In the first instance, the Bayesian approach is outlined for single parameter clutter models, and then specialised to the exponentially distributed clutter setting. The method is then extended to two parameter clutter models, with particular focus on the Pareto Type II case. Jeffreys priors are applied in all cases.
Weak lensing in the Horizon-AGN simulation lightcone
Authors: Gouin C. , Gavazzi R. , Pichon C. , Dubois Y. , Laigle C. , Chisari N. E. , Codis S. , Devriendt J. , Peirani S.
Published: May 2019

Context. Accurate model predictions including the physics of baryons are required to make the most of the upcoming large cosmological surveys devoted to gravitational lensing. The advent of hydrodynamical cosmological simulations enables such predictions on sufficiently sizeable volumes.

Aims. Lensing quantities (deflection, shear, convergence) and their statistics (convergence power spectrum, shear correlation functions, galaxy-galaxy lensing) are computed in the past lightcone built in the Horizon-AGN hydrodynamical cosmological simulation, which implements our best knowledge on baryonic physics at the galaxy scale in order to mimic galaxy populations over cosmic time.

Methods. Lensing quantities are generated over a one square degree field of view by performing multiple-lens plane ray-tracing through the lightcone, taking full advantage of the 1 kpc resolution and splitting the line of sight over 500 planes all the way to redshift z ∼ 7. Two methods are explored (standard projection of particles with adaptive smoothing, and integration of the acceleration field) to ensure a good implementation. The focus is on small scales where baryons matter most.

Results. Standard cosmic shear statistics are affected at the 10% level by the baryonic component for angular scales below a few arcminutes. The galaxy-galaxy lensing signal, or galaxy-shear correlation function, is consistent with measurements for the redshift z ∼ 0.5 massive galaxy population. At higher redshift z ≳ 1, the effect of magnification bias on this correlation is relevant for separations greater than 1 Mpc.

Conclusions. This work is pivotal for all current and upcoming weak-lensing surveys and represents a first step towards building a full end-to-end generation of lensed mock images from large cosmological hydrodynamical simulations.