bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proline Accumulation and Drought Tolerance in Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Binukumar Amritha K , B Lovely
Published: October 2024

Green gram (Vigna radiata L.), a key legume crop in Asia, contributes to sustainable agriculture by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and providing valuable nutrients. Despite its importance, productivity is hindered by various factors including drought, affecting key physiological and biochemical processes, leading to reduced yields. This study aimed to identify drought-tolerant green gram genotypes by evaluating 50 accessions for root, shoot and biochemical parameters under controlled moisture stress.
An increase in root length and diameter under stress was observed, which aids in nutrient uptake and osmoregulation. Conversely, shoot length and dry weight decreased due to moisture limitations, with genotypes like VBN 3 and PLM 38 showing resilience by maintaining higher dry weights. Biochemical analysis revealed that proline accumulation, which correlates positively with drought tolerance, increased in most genotypes, particularly in IC 395518 and ML 1415. This suggests its role in maintaining cell turgor and mitigating stress effects. Chlorophyll content decreased under stress, while total phenolic content increased in some genotypes, further indicating drought tolerance. Correlation and path analysis revealed strong positive relationships between root traits and proline content, emphasizing their importance in drought tolerance.
The study concludes that genotypes with robust root systems and higher proline accumulation are more capable of withstanding drought, highlighting the need for breeding programs targeting these traits for improved green gram productivity under changing climates.
Smartphone Aided Funduscopy in Albino Rabbits
Authors: K Gayathri , Venugopal Syam K. , K. D. John Martin , S. Anoop , K. M. Lucy , M. Shynu
Published: October 2024

Aims: The methodology, utility and clinical feasibility of using a smartphone camera to obtain images of ocular fundus of albino rabbits with ocular hypertension and normotension were studied. A comparative analysis of fundus images obtained from two popularly used smartphone models, android and iOS device was performed on 36 adult albino rabbits.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study involving two cohorts of ocular hypertensive and normotensive albino rabbits.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy for an eight-week period (2023).
Methodology: A total of 36 adult albino rabbits (18 males and 18 females; age range 6- 8 months of age) with ocular normotensive eyes and unilateral ocular hypertension-induced models were used. The conscious animals were gently restrained in an acrylic restrainer. Instillation of topical mydriatic solution (tropicamide 0.8% and phenylephrine 5%) facilitated visual examination and enhanced field of view along with auxiliary condensing lenses of 20 and 40 Diopters. A comparison of fundus images obtained from two popularly used smartphone models, android and iOS devices was performed on 36 adult albino rabbits.
Results: Fundus images comprising the optic nerve head and peripapillary retina were obtained with adequate spatial resolution and detail. The variation between optic disc of ocular hypertensive eye revealed mild edema and cupping of optic disc. Normal merangiotic retina and optic disc were clearly obtained in normotensive rabbit eyes. The iOS device used in this case yielded better images in resolution and field of view compared to the android version used in this case.
Conclusion: Smart phone funduscopy offered good detail in contrast and resolution even in amelanotic eyes of albino rabbits using inbuilt technology without the need for an external adapter or sophisticated additional software. It is an animal-friendly futuristic solution for digital documentation, telemedicine, teaching and clinical prognosis formulation.
Pattern of Admission and Outcomes for Chronic Kidney Disease in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution: A 5 Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Effiong Ekong Akpan, , Aniema Isaac Asam Udo, , Idongesit Odudu Umoh, , Udeme Ekpenyong Ekrikpo, , Victor Aniedi Umoh,
Published: October 2024

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a global issue with a rising incidence and hospitalization rate. It coexists with cardiovascular diseases and presents higher morbidity and mortality.  
Aims: We aim to examine the admission and outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease admitted to medical wards over a 5 year period; (November 2018 to October 2023).
Study Design: This is a single-center retrospective descriptive study that examines patients with chronic kidney disease admitted to medical wards over a 5 - year period, from November 2018 to October 2023.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Data of patients admitted into the medical ward from November 2018 to October 2023 (5-year period) were retrieved.
Methodology: Patients' case notes were retrieved from the hospital’s records department. Demographic data such as age, sex, occupation, and religion were retrieved from the case notes. Other data that were retrieved included diagnosis, date of admission and discharge, and duration of stay.
Results: A total of 567 patients were admitted during the study period consisting of 237(41.8%) females and 330(58.2%) males. The mean age of the patients was 49.75±15.44 years. The Median duration of stay was 10 days. Diabetic Nephropathy was the leading cause of CKD 160(28.2%), followed by hypertensive Nephrosclerosis 152(26.8%).
Approximately 60.1% of the patients were discharged, while 19.6% left against medical advice and 20.3% of the patients died. Patients with a diagnosis of chronic kidney of unknown cause (CKDu) had a higher likelihood of dying (54.05%).
Conclusion: This study observed an increasing trend of CKD patients, with the majority presenting late to the hospital. It also revealed that diabetic nephropathy is gradually becoming the most common cause of CKD in this environment.
The Future of Work: A Human-centric Approach to AI, Robotics, and Cloud Computing
Authors: Selesi-Aina Oluwatosin , Obot Nseabasi Edet , Olisa Anthony Obulor , Gbadebo Michael Olayinka , Olateju Omobolaji Olufunmilayo , Olaniyi Oluwaseun Oladeji
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and cloud computing on the future of work, focusing on adoption trends, productivity gains, and ethical challenges. Using a mixed-method approach, data were sourced from the OECD AI Policy Observatory, Pew Research Center, and European Union Open Data Portal. Quantitative analysis included K-Means clustering of industries based on technology adoption, with high adopters like North America and Europe leading in cloud computing (65.87%), and Africa showing stronger AI adoption (63.02%). The analysis also highlighted a 14.5% productivity increase in manufacturing, but a 19.3% risk of job displacement. Sentiment analysis revealed that 75% of public sentiment on algorithmic bias was negative, correlating strongly (0.74) with reported violations. The study affirms the need for improved AI governance and stronger GDPR compliance to address ethical challenges, while prioritizing human-centric strategies that ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes for the workforce.
Value Chain Analysis of Apple in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Sharma Monika , Guleria Chandresh , Yadav Narendra
Published: October 2024

The study sought to acquire extensive insights into the markets and associated marketing strategies within the Shimla district during the year 2021-22. Employing a random sampling technique, a representative sample comprising five traders, five wholesalers, five retailers, and thirty actively engaged consumers in the apple marketing sector was selected. The investigation identified the presence of five distinct marketing channels in the study area. Channel-V, which involves the processing of apples into value-added forms such as jam, wine, and juice, exhibited the most substantial degree of value addition, contributing 55.80 percent to the overall value addition. In the study area, the majority of farmers acquire their inputs from private institutes. A methodically prepared value chain map illustrates the continuous transfer of produce from farmers to consumers. Notably, the wholesale stage experienced the most significant loss, amounting to 4.11 kg per quintal. In the storage of apples, the storage unit gained a profit of 140 Rs per kg, while in the processing of apples, the processing unit it was 13333.59 Rs. per quintal.
Sonderrechte in der Aktiengesellschaft (Teil 2) — Individuelle Aktionärs-Sonderrechte
Authors: Bayer Walter , Philemon Rauch Fritz
Published: October 2024

Nachdem in Teil 1 des Beitrags (Bayer/Rauch, AG 2024, 717) die Dogmatik der Sonderrechte i.S.v. § 35 BGB näher erläutert und die Problematik ihrer Bedeutung in der AG kurz angerissen sowie dann ausführlich Dogmatik und Praxis der aktienrechtlichen Gattungs-Sonderrechte i.S.v. § 11 AktG erörtert worden waren, beschäftigt sich nunmehr Teil 2 des Beitrags ausführlich und mit großem Erkenntnisgewinn auch für die Praxis mit den individuellen Aktionärs-Sonderrechten. Im Ergebnis wird festgestellt, dass dem rechtsformübergreifenden Grundsatz des § 35 BGB bereits de lege lata auch in der AG erhebliche Bedeutung zukommt. Sollte die Satzungsstrenge - wie vielfach und speziell für nichtbörsennotierte Gesellschaften gefordert - gelockert werden, ergäben sich für die Praxis weitere interessante Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten.
Unternehmensbewertung im Spiegel der Rechtsprechung — Die Beschlüsse des BGH v. 21.2.2023 – II ZB 12/21, AG 2023, 443, und BGH v. 31.1.2024 – II ZB 5/22, AG 2024, 665
Authors: Ruthardt Frederik
Published: October 2024

Der Beitrag behandelt die Beschlüsse des BGH v. 21.2.2023 - II ZB 12/21, AG 2023, 443 und BGH v. 31.1.2024 - II ZB 5/22, AG 2024, 665. In diesen Beschlüssen äußert sich der BGH ausführlich zur Bedeutung des Börsenkurses für die gerichtliche Überprüfung der angemessenen Abfindung gem. § 305 AktG sowie der angemessenen Ausgleichszahlung gem. § 304 AktG. Neben einer Darstellung der wesentlichen praxisrelevanten Aussagen des BGH wird eine Einordnung und Stellungnahme aus wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher Perspektive vorgenommen.
Einstweiliges Verfügungsverfahren: Terminierung nach sofortiger Beschwerde gegen einen Zurückweisungsbeschluss?
Authors: Dötsch Wolfgang
Published: October 2024

Die jüngere Rechtsprechung des BVerfG zur sog. prozessualen Waffengleichheit hat Bewegung in das Recht der einstweiligen Verfügung gebracht. Zunehmend stolpert man dabei über (auch wegen § 542 Abs. 2 S. 1 ZPO) nie abschließend gelöste Fragen wie etwa diejenige, ob und wie das Ausgangsgericht im Abhilfeverfahren bzw. das Beschwerdegericht nach einer Nichtabhilfe zur Terminierung schreiten kann und welche prozessualen Auswirkungen dies mit sich bringt. Der Beitrag bemüht sich um Klärung und verweist auf oft übersehene Regelungen im Kostenrecht.
Die Entwicklung des Vereinsrechts
Authors: Röcken Michael
Published: October 2024

Nach der jüngst veröffentlichten Bestandsaufnahme von ZiviZ (www.ziviz.de/sites/ziv/files/ziviz-survey_2023_hauptbericht.pdf) existierten in Deutschland 2022 insgesamt 656.888 zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen, wobei der Anteil der eingetragenen Vereine bei 94 Prozent liegt. Auch der Vorschlag für eine Richtlinie des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über europäische grenzübergreifende Vereine (Legislativorschlag COM/ 2023/516) geht davon aus, dass die Rechtsform des Vereins die am häufigsten vertretene im Bereich der Solidarwirtschaft ist. Trotz dieser Bedeutung des Vereinsbereichs wird dieser durch den Gesetzgeber eher „stiefmütterlich“ behandelt, obwohl Reformbedarf besteht (vgl. schon Fein, ZStV 2016, 117-120). Der nachfolgende Beitrag knüpft an den Überblick in MDR 2023, 1292-1298 an und zeigt die vereinsrechtliche Entwicklung des Jahres 2023 bis Mitte 2024 auf.
Defizitäre Tätigkeiten und Zuschüsse in der Umsatzsteuer
Authors: Gomes Cristian Esteves
Published: October 2024

In zwei jüngeren, unabhängig voneinander ergangenen Entscheidungen des EuGH vom 4.7.2024 (C-87/23) und des BFH vom 17.4.2024 (XI R 13/21) zu unterschiedlichen Streitfällen wurde klargestellt: Allein aufgrund von defizitären Tätigkeiten kann umsatzsteuerlich die Unternehmereigenschaft nicht negiert werden. Die Steuerbarkeit von Subventionen der öffentlichen Hand (Zuschüssen) wurde dabei in den Entscheidungsfällen vom EuGH bejaht und vom BFH verneint. Der Beitrag beleuchtet diese insbesondere für den Non-Profit-Sektor bedeutsamen Entscheidungen. Ferner zeigt die Einordnung in den Kanon der bisherigen Rechtsprechung auf, dass sich zwar eine pauschale umsatzsteuerliche Beurteilung von Subventionen (Zuschüssen) verbietet, gleichwohl eine unternehmerfreundliche Rechtsprechungsentwicklung zu verzeichnen ist, bei der der BFH gestützt auf die EuGH-Rechtsprechung vermehrt „echte“ nicht steuerbare Zuschüsse mit vollem Vorsteuerabzug annimmt.
The Unknown Hydrogen Exosphere: Space Weather Implications
Authors: Krall J. , Glocer A. , Fok M.‐C. , Nossal S. M. , Huba J. D.
Published: February 2018

Recent studies suggest that the hydrogen (H) density in the exosphere and geocorona might differ from previously assumed values by factors as large as 2. We use the SAMI3 (Sami3 is Also a Model of the Ionosphere) and Comprehensive Inner Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere models to evaluate scenarios where the hydrogen density is reduced or enhanced, by a factor of 2, relative to values given by commonly used empirical models. We show that the rate of plasmasphere refilling following a geomagnetic storm varies nearly linearly with the hydrogen density. We also show that the ring current associated with a geomagnetic storm decays more rapidly when H is increased. With respect to these two space weather effects, increased exosphere hydrogen density is associated with reduced threats to space assets during and following a geomagnetic storm.
High‐Resolution Water Footprints of Production of the United States
Authors: Marston Landon , Ao Yufei , Konar Megan , Mekonnen Mesfin M. , Hoekstra Arjen Y.
Published: February 2018

The United States is the largest producer of goods and services in the world. Rainfall, surface water supplies, and groundwater aquifers represent a fundamental input to economic production. Despite the importance of water resources to economic activity, we do not have consistent information on water use for specific locations and economic sectors. A national, spatially detailed database of water use by sector would provide insight into U.S. utilization and dependence on water resources for economic production. To this end, we calculate the water footprint of over 500 food, energy, mining, services, and manufacturing industries and goods produced in the United States. To do this, we employ a data intensive approach that integrates water footprint and input‐output techniques into a novel methodological framework. This approach enables us to present the most detailed and comprehensive water footprint analysis of any country to date. This study broadly contributes to our understanding of water in the U.S. economy, enables supply chain managers to assess direct and indirect water dependencies, and provides opportunities to reduce water use through benchmarking. In fact, we find that 94% of U.S. industries could reduce their total water footprint more by sourcing from more water‐efficient suppliers in their supply chain than they could by converting their own operations to be more water‐efficient.
Evaluation of a Methodologic Approach to Define an Inception Cohort of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Using Administrative Data
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey R. , Xie Fenglong , Chen Lang , Greenberg Jeffrey D. , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2018

Objective

Identifying incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is desirable in order to create inception cohorts. We evaluated an approach to identify incident RA in health plan claims data.

Methods

Both Medicare and commercial claims data were linked to Corrona, a US RA registry. We evaluated the accuracy of year of RA onset in the registry (gold standard) versus different claims algorithms, varying International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for RA/arthritis, duration of health plan enrollment preceding diagnosis (minimum of 1 versus 2 years), and use of RA medications. Results were reported as positive predictive values (PPVs) of the claims‐based algorithm for incident RA.

Results

Depending on the algorithm tested and whether patients were enrolled in Medicare or the commercial health plan, the PPVs for incident RA ranged from 68–81%. A 2‐year clean period free of all RA‐related diagnoses and medications was somewhat more optimal although, by comparison, a 1‐year clean period yielded similar PPVs and retained approximately 90% more RA patients for analysis.

Conclusion

Claims‐based algorithms can accurately identify incident RA.
Mortality in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis: A Cohort Study in UK Primary Care
Authors: Li Lin , Neogi Tuhina , Jick Susan
Published: February 2018

Objective

To examine whether giant cell arteritis (GCA) is associated with increased all‐cause mortality and whether mortality differs according to age, sex, and calendar year of cohort entry.

Methods

Using the UK‐based Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we identified 9,778 newly diagnosed GCA patients from 1990–2014, and up to 10 nonvasculitis patients randomly matched to each case on age, sex, practice, and years of history before cohort entry. We used Cox regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality of GCA patients in comparison to nonvasculitis patients, then stratified by age, sex, and calendar year of cohort entry.

Results

Compared with nonvasculitis patients, GCA patients had increased mortality during the first year following diagnosis (adjusted HR 1.51, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.40–1.64), and marginally increased mortality between 1 and 5 years after the diagnosis (adjusted HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.23), but not >5 years after the diagnosis (adjusted HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00–1.12). GCA patients diagnosed before age 65 years had the highest mortality risk during the first year following diagnosis (adjusted HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.60–3.35). The mortality risk did not differ substantially by sex or calendar year of cohort entry.

Conclusion

GCA patients had an increased risk of mortality during the period shortly after the GCA diagnosis, in particular during the first year, but no increased risk after 5 years postdiagnosis. The mortality risk differed by age with an even greater increased 1‐year mortality in those age <65 years at diagnosis, but not by sex or calendar year of cohort entry.
Processing Map and Hot Working Mechanism of As‐Cast Ti–42Al–5Mn Alloy
Authors: Xu Hao , Li Xiaobing , Xing Weiwei , Shu Lei , Ma Yingche , Liu Kui
Published: February 2018

The research is focused on the hot deformation behavior of Ti–42Al–5Mn (at%) ingot produced by vacuum induction melting (VIM) and vacuum arc remelting (VAR). Firstly, the isothermal compression test is performed at the temperatures between 1100 and 1300 °C with the strain rates in the range of 0.001–10 s−1. The processing map is plotted on the base of the strain–stress curves, and the constitutive equation is also established by regression analysis based on the experimental results. Secondly, different deformation features in β, γ phase, and γ lath of lamellae are investigated by electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results reveal that, the alloy can be hot worked from 1300 °C–10 s−1 to 1100 °C–0.1 s−1, and the stress exponent and apparent activation energy are calculated to be 2.71 and 597 kJ mole−1, respectively. It shows that, during the isothermal compression process, the γ phase usually has a higher dislocation density than β phase, and the γ lath of lamellae has generated both dislocation glide and deformation twinning.
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for invasive wavyleaf basketgrass, Oplismenus undulatifolius (Poaceae)
Authors: Wu Carrie A. , Hakkenberg Anna D. , Beauchamp Vanessa B.
Published: February 2018

Premise of the Study

Novel nuclear microsatellite markers were developed for the invasive plant Oplismenus undulatifolius (Poaceae) to facilitate studies of invasion dynamics for this recently introduced, high‐risk invasive species in North American mid‐Atlantic forests.

Methods and Results

Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from an Illumina paired‐end shotgun library of O. undulatifolius after initial assessment of 48 loci. When screened in three populations, these markers identified two to six alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000. All loci were successfully amplified in the North American native congener O. hirtellus.

Conclusions

We provide the first nuclear genetic resources available for population genetic studies within the genus Oplismenus. These markers will serve as a critical tool for exploring patterns of gene flow and mechanisms of invasion of O. undulatifolius across its introduced range. These microsatellites should also be suitable for studies in other Oplismenus species.
Brief Report: Novel UNC13D Intronic Variant Disrupting an NF‐κB Enhancer in a Patient With Recurrent Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Schulert Grant S. , Zhang Mingce , Husami Ammar , Fall Ndate , Brunner Hermine , Zhang Kejian , Cron Randy Q. , Grom Alexei A.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life‐threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and has pathologic similarity to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Intronic variants in UNC13D are found in patients with familial HLH type 3 (FHLH3), but the role of noncoding variants in MAS is unknown. The objective of this study was to identify deep intronic UNC13D variants in patients with MAS.

Methods

A custom enrichment library was constructed to sequence a genomic region of ~1 Mb flanking UNC13D in 24 patients with systemic JIA, recurrent MAS, and negative results of prior genetic (exon/coding) testing. The functional consequences of intronic variants were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in patient‐derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), electromobility shift assay, in vitro transcriptional enhancer assays, and natural killer (NK) cell degranulation assays.

Results

We evaluated a patient with systemic JIA and recurrent MAS in whom a novel functional intronic variant in UNC13D, c.117+143A>G, was observed. This variant occurred in a proposed regulatory region that drives lymphocyte‐specific UNC13D expression and is associated with reduced transcript levels in patient PBMCs. This variant also disrupted NF‐κB binding to a functional transcriptional enhancer, leading to reduced enhancer activity in vitro. Partial knockdown of UNC13D expression also led to impaired NK cell degranulation. An additional patient was identified with a previously described UNC13D intronic variant, for a total noncoding variant hit rate of 8.3% (2 of 24).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the notion that intronic variants in key regulatory regions may be associated with MAS in patients with systemic JIA and support deep sequencing approaches when causative coding variants are not identified.
Synthesis and Properties of a Decacyclene Monoimide and a Naphthalimide Derivative as Three‐Dimensional Acceptor–Donor–Acceptor Systems
Authors: Yamamoto Yuma , Yoshida Miu , Morii Takuya , Nishida Jun‐ichi , Kitamura Chitoshi , Kawase Takeshi
Published: February 2018

A method involving the Diels–Alder (DA) cycloaddition of diacenaphtheno[1,2‐b;1′,2′‐d]thiophenes (DATs) with N‐alkylacenaphthylene‐5,6‐dicarboximides (AIs) was developed to synthesize decacyclene monoimides (DCMIs). The reactions generate the corresponding 1:2 adducts (BAIAs) as major products together with 1:1 adducts (the DCMIs). The molecular structure of BAIAb (N‐octyl derivative) was unambiguously assigned as the bis‐adduct having an endo,endo spatial disposition of the two acenaphthylene‐5,6‐dicarboximide moieties by using X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Relative to the absorption spectrum of decacyclene triimide (DCTIa, N‐2‐ethylhexyl derivative), that of the analogous N‐2‐ethylhexyl‐substituted monoadduct, DCMIa, is bathochromically shifted despite the fact that it possesses a less delocalized π‐electron system. DCMIa does not fluoresce in various organic solvents, whereas DCTIa emits yellow fluorescence in CH2Cl2 with a low quantum yield (ΦSN). Moreover, DCMIa in CDCl3 displays concentration‐dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy behavior, which suggests that it self‐aggregates with an association constant (Ka) of (193±50) m−1 at 20 °C. Despite the presence of four bulky tert‐butyl groups in DCMIa, its Ka value for aggregate formation is comparable to that of DCTIa [(495±42) m−1], which does not contain tert‐butyl substituents. Spectroscopic studies with the bis‐adduct BAIAa (N‐2‐ethylhexyl derivative) show that it displays remarkable solvatofluorochromism corresponding to an emission maximum shift (ΔλEM) of 100 nm. The results of density functional theory calculations on BAIAc (N‐methyl derivative) demonstrate that a considerable spatial separation exists between the HOMO and LUMO coefficient distributions, which indicates that the ground‐to‐excited state transition of the novel three‐dimensional acceptor–donor–acceptor BAIAa system should have intramolecular charge‐transfer character.
Wesentliche Änderungen in der neuen DAfStb‐WU‐Richtlinie 2017
Authors: Alfes Christoph , Fingerloos Frank , Flohrer Claus
Published: February 2018

Die WU‐Richtlinie des DAfStb von 2003 wurde überarbeitet und im Jahr 2017 [1] fertiggestellt. Dabei wurden die seitdem gesammelten Erfahrungen und neuere Erkenntnisse berücksichtigt. Wesentliche Änderungen und Ergänzungen in der WU‐Richtlinie 2017 sind die erforderlichen Planungsschritte als Leitfaden, ein informativer Anhang zur Abstimmung der Zuständigkeit bei der Planung, Aufnahme von Regelungen für WUDächer, Anwendungsbedingungen der Entwurfsgrundsätze, erhöhte Anforderungen beim Entwurfsgrundsatz (b) mit Selbstheilung sowie bei WU‐Elementwänden und die Verbesserung der Lesbarkeit und Verständlichkeit sowie präzisierte Dokumentationspflichten. Die Anwendung der WU‐Richtlinie für hochwertig genutzte Untergeschosse erfordert ein Umdenken bei der Anwendung der Entwurfsgrundsätze vom Bemessen zum zwangarmen Konstruieren.
Bemessungswasserstand: Planerfalle oder Erfolgsfaktor?
Authors: von Grabczewski Hubert
Published: February 2018

Die Kenntnis des Bemessungswasserstands ist elementare Grundlage der Planung eines Bauwerks, das mit dem Erdboden verbunden werden soll. Trotz dieser klaren Planervorgabe nehmen in den letzten Jahren Feuchteschäden an Gebäuden erheblich und mit steigender Tendenz zu. Neben Ausführungsfehlern wurden Planungsfehler als Hauptursache der Feuchteschäden erkannt. Bei der Eruierung von Schadensursachen an durchfeuchteten Gebäuden wurde festgestellt, dass Planungen oftmals auf Annahmen oder sogar ohne Kenntnis des Bemessungswasserstands, also „ins Blaue” geplant wurden.

Verschärft wird die Situation oftmals dadurch, dass der Bemessungswasserstand durch Landschaftsplanungen mit Änderungen des ordnungsgemäßen ober‐ und unterirdischen Abflusses und der damit einhergehenden Flurabstandsverkürzungen dadurch geändert wird. Angepasst erstellte Gebäude werden nachträglich dem Bemessungswasserstand „drückendes Wasser” ausgesetzt, ohne dafür konstruktiv ausgebildet und dimensioniert zu sein. In der Vergangenheit wurden Planer häufig wegen fehlendem Nachweis des parzellenscharfen Bemessungswasserstands haftungsrechtlich in Anspruch genommen.
Planung und Bemessung von WU‐Konstruktionen – Entwurfsgrundsätze und deren statisch konstruktive Umsetzung
Authors: Krause Hans‐Jürgen , Horstmann Michael
Published: February 2018

Bei wasserundurchlässigen Betonbauwerken übernimmt die erdberührte Stahlbetonkonstruktion in Verbindung mit planmäßigen Fugenabdichtungen und nachträglichen Rissabdichtungen die Abdichtungsfunktion. Die Nutzungsanforderungen an WU‐Konstruktionen sind in den letzten Jahren signifikant gestiegen. Dies bedingt einen in gleichem Maße höheren Anspruch an die Planung und Ausführung dieser Bauwerke. Heutige WU‐Konstruktionen sind somit Hochleistungsbauwerke, deren Planung ein weit über die übliche Objekt‐ und Tragwerksplanung hinausgehendes Fachwissen voraussetzt. Während für die, die Qualität der WU‐Konstruktion beeinflussenden, konstruktiven Aspekte (Zwangminimierung, Betontechnologie und Nachbehandlung) weitestgehend Konsens herrscht, sind für die rechnerischen Nachweise der Zwangbeanspruchung große Streuungen hinsichtlich der angenommenen Einwirkungen und Widerstände sowie eine Unschärfe der Modelle festzustellen. Dies führt zu kaum reproduzierbaren und unscharfen rechnerischen Nachweisen. Der vorliegende Beitrag setzt sich mit Annahmen für Einwirkungen und Widerstände sowie mit verschiedenen Modellen auseinander und gibt praktische Empfehlungen für die konstruktive Auslegung, die in den Regelwerken nur angedeutet ist.
13C Flux Analysis Reveals that Rebalancing Medium Amino Acid Composition can Reduce Ammonia Production while Preserving Central Carbon Metabolism of CHO Cell Cultures
Authors: McAtee Pereira Allison G. , Walther Jason L. , Hollenbach Myles , Young Jamey D.
Published: February 2018

13C metabolic flux analysis (MFA) provides a rigorous approach to quantify intracellular metabolism of industrial cell lines. In this study, 13C MFA was used to characterize the metabolic response of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to a novel medium variant designed to reduce ammonia production. Ammonia inhibits growth and viability of CHO cell cultures, alters glycosylation of recombinant proteins, and enhances product degradation. Ammonia production was reduced by manipulating the amino acid composition of the culture medium; specifically, glutamine, glutamate, asparagine, aspartate, and serine levels were adjusted. Parallel 13C flux analysis experiments determined that, while ammonia production decreased by roughly 40%, CHO cell metabolic phenotype, growth, viability, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) titer were not significantly altered by the changes in media composition. This study illustrates how 13C flux analysis can be applied to assess the metabolic effects of media manipulations on mammalian cell cultures. The analysis revealed that adjusting the amino acid composition of CHO cell culture media can effectively reduce ammonia production while preserving fluxes throughout central carbon metabolism.
Advancing the science of wheat quality evaluation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultrasound‐based techniques
Authors: Salimi Khorshidi Ali , Storsley Joanne , Malunga Lovemore N. , Thandapilly Sijo Joseph , Ames Nancy
Published: February 2018

Background and objectives

The need for cost‐effective, fast, and reliable techniques to evaluate wheat protein content and quality has led to the modification of available methods as well as the development of new methods. This review provides information on two emerging methods, that is, low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and low‐intensity ultrasound, with potential for evaluating wheat protein content and quality.

Findings

New techniques with additional capabilities have been developed over the years to provide wheat researchers with information that could not be acquired by the use of conventional methods. LF‐NMR and low‐intensity ultrasound are two emerging techniques in the world of cereal science whose speed, ease of operation, and reliability could promote their applications to wheat screening research studies. This review of these two potential wheat protein quality evaluation methods highlights the necessity of developing such cutting‐edge tools which are advantageous over the conventional tools.

Conclusions

Easy‐to‐use LF‐NMR and low‐intensity ultrasound seem to have the potential to provide nondestructive, fast evaluation methods that are superior to the currently used techniques in terms of accuracy and cost, respectively. However, further investigations to achieve complete development of such methods are still required.

Significance and novelty

The potential of LF‐NMR and low‐intensity ultrasound as fast, accurate, and cost‐effective wheat screening tools was confirmed through critical discussions and comparisons of a variety of most widely used wheat quality evaluation techniques.
Dehydration of 1,5‐Pentanediol over Na‐Doped CeO2 Catalysts
Authors: Gnanamani Muthu Kumaran , Jacobs Gary , Martinelli Michela , Shafer Wilson D. , Hopps Shelley D. , Thomas Gerald A. , Davis Burtron H.
Published: February 2018

The effects of CeO2 doped with Na on the dehydration of 1,5‐pentanediol were studied by using a fixed‐bed reactor at two different temperatures (350 and 400 °C) and atmospheric pressure. For characterization, BET surface area, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction, CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy techniques were utilized. The conversion of the diol on CeO2 was found to depend on Na loading. The selectivity to the desired product (i.e., unsaturated alcohol) increased and the selectivity to undesired products (i.e., tetrahydropyran, tetrahydropyran‐2‐one, cyclopentanol and cylopentanone) decreased with increasing Na content on CeO2. The basicity of hydroxyl groups or surface oxygen on CeO2 was altered with the addition of Na, and controlled the dehydration reaction pathway.
Limitations during the Resolution of (±)‐Epinephrine by Using Tartaric Acid
Authors: Couvrat Nicolas , Mahieux Julien , Sanselme Morgane , Coquerel Gérard
Published: February 2018

Attempts to perform Pasteurian resolution on epinephrine (or adrenaline) hydrogeno‐tartrate always lead to limited enrichments in (–)‐epinephrine. Structural and thermal investigations are performed on the diastereomeric system to understand this behavior. The analyses revealed the existence of a (metastable) total solid solution between the two anhydrous diastereomeric salts. This solid solution is partially inhibited by the crystallization of a stable hydrate; nevertheless, its extension still prevents high enrichment by single‐step crystallization. Phase diagrams are proposed to illustrate this non‐favored and non‐predictable behavior.
Near‐Infrared Spectrum Analysis to Determine Relationships between Biochemical Composition and Anaerobic Digestion Performances
Authors: Charnier Cyrille , Latrille Eric , Roger Jean-Michel , Miroux Jérémie , Steyer Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2018

Near‐infrared spectrum analysis coupled with partial least squares regression can predict anaerobic digestion performances. Nonetheless, due to the complexity and diversity of organic matter, a detailed assessment of the effects of the composition of organic matter on biogas production remains a great challenge. Based on 275 samples representing a wide diversity of substrates, the application of the partial least square b coefficients to assess the effects of the involved molecules on the performances of anaerobic digestion processes is discussed. In particular, to accurately predict variables, there is a need to account for the whole near‐infrared spectrum. The characterization of organic matter involving proteins, carbohydrate and lipid contents, chemical demand in oxygen, biodegradability, methane yield, and methane production kinetics data is demonstrated.
The Volume of Fluid Method, a Method for the Simulation of Two‐Phase Flow
Authors: Ghaib Karim
Published: February 2018

Die numerische Strömungsmechanik gewann in den letzten Jahrzehnten zunehmend an Bedeutung. Verantwortlich dafür war zum einen die kontinuierlich steigende Leistung der Rechner, zum anderen die Entwicklung mathematisch‐physikalischer Rechenmodelle und numerischer Lösungsalgorithmen, die eine realitätsnahe Simulation komplexer Strömungsvorgänge erlauben. In dieser Arbeit wird die Volume‐of‐Fluid‐Methode eingesetzt, um eine Zweiphasenströmung in einem Rohr zu simulieren. Die Effekte des Kontaktwinkels, der Temperatur und des Massenstroms der Gasphase auf die Form der flüssigen Phase werden untersucht.
Frischhaltefolie für Mäusegehirne
Authors: Bader Julia
Published: February 2018

Mäusegehirne und Möhren haben auf den ersten Blick nicht viel gemeinsam. Jedoch schrumpfen beide, wenn sie zu lange herumliegen. Was in der Küche hilft, haben sich jetzt Mikroskopiker zunutze gemacht: Eine dünne Folie minimiert das Austrocknen der Proben, wodurch die Bilder schärfer werden.
Zutat für sichere Akkus: Nanodiamanten
Authors: Frerichs Heike
Published: February 2018

Nanodiamanten unterdrücken das Wachstum von Lithiumdendriten in Lithium‐Ionen‐Akkumulatoren und verhindern so Kurzschlüsse.
From Conventional Lewis Acids to Heterogeneous Montmorillonite K10: Eco‐Friendly Plant‐Based Catalysts Used as Green Lewis Acids
Authors: Hechelski Marie , Ghinet Alina , Louvel Brice , Dufrénoy Pierrick , Rigo Benoît , Daïch Adam , Waterlot Christophe
Published: February 2018

The concept of green chemistry began in the USA in the 1990s. Since the publication of the 12 principles of this concept, many reactions in organic chemistry have been developed, and chemical products have been synthesized under environmentally friendly conditions. Lewis acid mediated synthetic transformations are by far the most numerous and best studied. However, the use of certain Lewis acids may cause risks to environmental and human health. This Review discusses the evolution of Lewis acid catalyzed reactions from a homogeneous liquid phase to the solid phase to yield the expected organic molecules under green, safe conditions. In particular, recent developments and applications of biosourced catalysts from plants are highlighted.
Contrasting geographic structure in evolutionarily divergent Lake Tanganyika catfishes
Authors: Peart Claire R. , Dasmahapatra Kanchon K. , Day Julia J.
Published: February 2018

Geographic isolation is suggested to be among the most important processes in the generation of cichlid fish diversity in East Africa's Great Lakes, both through isolation by distance and fluctuating connectivity caused by changing lake levels. However, even broad scale phylogeographic patterns are currently unknown in many non‐cichlid littoral taxa from these systems. To begin to address this, we generated restriction‐site‐associatedDNAsequence (RADseq) data to investigate phylogeographic structure throughout Lake Tanganyika (LT) in two broadly sympatric rocky shore catfish species from independent evolutionary radiations with differing behaviors: the mouthbrooding claroteine,Lophiobagrus cyclurus, and the brood‐parasite mochokid,Synodontis multipunctatus. Our results indicated contrasting patterns between these species, with strong lake‐wide phylogeographic signal inL. cyclurusincluding a deep divergence between the northern and southern lake basins. Further structuring of these populations was observed across a heterogeneous habitat over much smaller distances. Strong population growth was observed inL. cyclurussampled from shallow shorelines, suggesting population growth associated with the colonization of new habitats following lake‐level rises. Conversely,S. multipunctatus, which occupies a broader depth range, showed little phylogeographic structure and lower rates of population growth. Our findings suggest that isolation by distance and/or habitat barriers may play a role in the divergence of non‐cichlid fishes in LT, but this effect varies by species.
Genetic and epigenetic variations associated with adaptation to heterogeneous habitat conditions in a deciduous shrub
Authors: Lele Liu , Ning Du , Cuiping Pei , Xiao Guo , Weihua Guo
Published: February 2018

Environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity is thought to play an important role in the adaption of plant populations to heterogeneous habitat conditions, and yet the importance of epigenetic variation as a mechanism of adaptive plasticity in natural plant populations still merits further research. In this study, we investigated populations of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Chinese chastetree) from adjacent habitat types at seven sampling sites. Using several functional traits, we detected a significant differentiation between habitat types. With amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and methylation‐sensitive AFLP (MSAP), we found relatively high levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity but very low genetic and epigenetic differences between habitats within sites. Bayesian clustering showed a remarkable habitat‐related differentiation and more genetic loci associated with the habitat type than epigenetic, suggesting that the adaptation to the habitat is genetically based. However, we did not find any significant correlation between genetic or epigenetic variation and habitat using simple and partial Mantel tests. Moreover, we found no correlation between genetic and ecologically relevant phenotypic variation and a significant correlation between epigenetic and phenotypic variation. Although we did not find any direct relationship between epigenetic variation and habitat environment, our findings suggest that epigenetic variation may complement genetic variation as a source of functional phenotypic diversity associated with adaptation to the heterogeneous habitat in natural plant populations.
Fire enhances the complexity of forest structure in alpine treeline ecotones
Authors: Cansler C. Alina , McKenzie Donald , Halpern Charles B.
Published: February 2018

Alpine treelines are expected to move upward in a warming climate, but downward in response to increases in wildfire. We studied the effects of fire on vegetation structure and composition across four alpine treeline ecotones extending fromAbies lasiocarpa/Picea engelmanniiforests at lower elevations, throughPinus albicaulis/Larix lyalliiparkland, to alpine tundra. We estimated the probabilities of burning and transitions between states following fire among four canopy‐cover (structural) classes: non‐forest (0% tree cover), sparse woodland (<10% tree cover), open forest (10–40% tree cover), and closed forest (>40% tree cover). We also evaluated changes in the size structure and composition of live overstory trees (≥1.4 m height) due to mortality following fire. The severity and resulting effects of fire varied among structural classes: Non‐forest was less likely to burn than the landscape as a whole; open forest was more likely to remain forest than to change to non‐forest; and closed forest never changed to non‐forest, irrespective of burn severity. Higher‐severity fires caused greater mortality of larger‐diameter trees than of smaller‐diameter trees. Our results suggest that structural components of the alpine treeline will not respond unidirectionally to a warming climate nor to an increase in fire. Instead, the ecotone will expand bidirectionally and develop larger, more heterogeneous patches of vegetation.
Lead‐Free Pyroelectric Materials for Thermal Energy Harvesting: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kumar Anuruddh , Vaish Rahul , Kumar Sidhant , Singh V. P. , Vaish Manish , Singh Chauhan Vishal , Srikanth K S.
Published: February 2018

The thermal energy harvesting potential of different pyroelectric materials including Sr0.5Ba0.5Nb2O5 (SBN), [Bi0.48Na0.4032K0.0768] Sr0.04(Ti0.975Nb0.025)O3 (BNT‐Nb), Ba0.85Sr0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BST‐BZT), Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCT‐BZT), and Ba0.9Ca0.1TiO3 (BCT) ceramics is compared. Amongst these materials, BCT is found to be best for pyroelectric energy harvesting. Open‐circuit voltages were found to be 1.7 V, 500 mV, 650 mV, 600 mV, and 400 mV for BCT, SBN, BCT‐BZT, BST‐BZT, and BNT‐Nb, respectively. BCT is further analyzed, revealing an optimum power output of 0.072 μW at the optimized cycle frequency (0.06 Hz) and at a load resistance of 18 MΩ. To improve the effectiveness of energy conversion from heat to electricity, the synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) technique is experimentally tested on a BCT sample. It is revealed that this concept based on SSHI can significantly increase the amount of power extracted from pyroelectric materials. Compared with 0.072 μW across a standard circuit in a BCT sample, an enhanced power output of 0.16 μW and 0.14 μW is obtained using parallel and series SSHI, respectively at 0.06 Hz. The results reveal that the non‐linear processing technique based on SSHI leads to significant power improvement compared to non‐switched interface.
Wildlife population changes across Eastern Europe after the collapse of socialism
Authors: Bragina Eugenia V , Ives Anthony R , Pidgeon Anna M , Balčiauskas Linas , Csányi Sándor , Khoyetskyy Pavlo , Kysucká Katarina , Lieskovsky Juraj , Ozolins Janis , Randveer Tiit , Štych Přemysl , Volokh Anatoliy , Zhelev Chavdar , Ziółkowska Elzbieta , Radeloff Volker C
Published: February 2018

When political regimes fall, economic conditions change and wildlife protection can be undermined. Eastern European countries experienced turmoil following the collapse of socialism in the early 1990s, raising the question of how wildlife was affected. We show that the aftermath of the collapse changed the population growth rates of various wildlife taxa. We analyzed populations of moose (Alces alces), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and gray wolf (Canis lupus) in nine countries. Population growth rates changed in 32 out of 49 time series. In the countries that reformed slowly, many species exhibited rapid population declines, and population growth rates changed in 83% of the time series. In contrast, in countries with fast post‐socialism reforms, many populations increased rapidly, and growth rates changed in only 48% of time series. Our results suggest that the direction and frequency of the changes were associated with socioeconomic conditions, and that wildlife populations can be greatly affected by socioeconomic upheavals.
Facile Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Trialkoxysilanols: (RO)2(R′O)SiOH
Authors: Docherty Scott R. , Estes Deven P. , Copéret Christophe
Published: February 2018

Trialkoxysilanols, (RO)3SiOH, are useful as ligands in transition‐metal complexes because they provide models for silica‐supported metal sites or precursors for the thermolytic precursor approach. However, their synthesis is mostly limited to symmetrical ones, where all RO ligands are the same. However, unsymmetrically substituted trialkoxysilanols could offer significant advantages over their symmetrical counterparts by facilitating crystallization of complexes, lowering crystallographic disorder, changing the thermal properties of the complexes made, and making the addition of pendant functional groups possible. Herein, a simple, general synthetic procedure yielding unsymmetrical trialkoxysilanols (RO)2(R′O)SiOH is presented using imidazole as a promoter.