bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pt Nanoparticles via Oil-in-Water Microemulsions Stabilized by a Technical Grade Surfactant: An Economical and Ecological Approach
Authors: König Ramona Yvette Genevieve , Stubenrauch Cosima
Published: March 2015

This study deals with the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles via oil-in-water microemulsions formulated with the technical grade surfactant BIODAC® 510. For this purpose we studied the influence of the Platinum precursor dimethyl(cyclooctadiene)platinum (Pt(COD)Me2) on the phase behavior of the base microemulsion. It was found that the addition of Pt(COD)Me2 has nearly no effect on the phase boundaries even at relatively high concentrations. Small angle X-ray scattering data confirmed that the addition of the metal organyl also does not influence the size of the microemulsion droplets. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the size of the resulting platinum nanoparticles is independent on the amount of Pt(COD)Me2 in the templating microemulsion. This result was rather surprising since it indicates that a greater amount of precursor in the o/w-microemulsion leads to more rather than to larger nanoparticles.
Research of Binary Surfactant Mixtures Based on α-Sulphonated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester
Authors: Mao Jianming , Xu Hujun , Li Fangfang , Liu Benna
Published: March 2015

Surface properties of binary surfactant mixtures of α-sulphonated fatty acid methyl ester (MES) with typical surfactants such as fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO9) and sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) have been investigated at (298 ± 0.1) K and (318 ± 0.1) K, respectively. The synergistic interaction parameters of each binary surfactant mixture were calculated for the mixed micelles and mixed adsorption layers, then the composition of each binary surfactant mixture in the mixed micelles and mixed adsorption layers was obtained. The results show that the surface properties of each binary surfactant mixture are significantly better than that of any single surfactant in the mixed system. There are strong synergistic effects in the mixed micelles and mixed adsorption layers for each binary surfactant system. Each binary surfactant system exhibits synergism in mixed micelle formation, surface tension reduction efficiency and effectiveness.
Oil/water Interfacial Tension of Shengli Petroleum Sulfonate/α-Olefin or Polyethyleneoxy Ether Sulfonate Binary Systeme
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , Zhou Dapeng , Luo Yeyuan
Published: March 2015

As one important parameter for selecting surfactant used in chemistry flooding, here the interfacial tension (IFT) between crude oil and single surfactants Shengli petroleum sulfonate (SHL-PS), α-olefin sulfonate (C14/16AOS), fatty alcohol polyethyleneoxy ether sulfonate (CnEmSO) or their mixture using mimic Shengli brine water as solvent were investigated using spinning drop technology. The results showed: Through C18E3SO has a small ultra-low IFT window, it is more practical and efficient to obtain ultra-low IFT by mixing two or more surfactants other than using single surfactant; the length of hydrophobic tail plays a more important role than oxyethylene group number on the IFT for CnEmSO/SHL-PS; at mass ratio 1:19, both C14/16AOS/SHL-PS and C18EmSO/SHL-PS systems can lower the IFT to below 10−2 mN/m, but their mechanisms may be not same.
Synthesis and Properties of Alkyl Dibenzyl Ether Quaternary Ammonium Gemini Surfactant
Authors: Zhu Hai-lin , Hu Zhi-yong , Wang Jian-long , Cao Duan-lin
Published: March 2015

Three gemini surfactants with dibenzyl ether spacer (10-B-10, 12-B-12, and 14-B-14) were synthesized and characterized. The surface activity and thermodynamic properties of micellization were determined by surface tension, steady-state fluorescence microscopy, and conductivity methods. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔmicG0, ΔmicH0, and ΔmicS0) derived from the electrical conductivity measurement implied that the micellization of these surfactants was driven by enthalpy. The enthalpy–entropy compensation of micellization showed that the stability of micelles increased with increasing alkyl chain length. Finally, we evaluated the effects of alkyl chain length on the interfacial tension, foam ability, and the emulsion stability.
A study on the criticality of modified neutron transport equation by using alternative scattering phase functions
Authors: Kara A. , Anlı F.
Published: March 2015

PN approximation is known as a proper method to solve neutron transport equation when literature is taken into consideration. Generally, conventional scattering function is used to solve criticality and diffusion problems in Legendre polynomial approximation. In this study, instead of conventional scattering function, Henyey-Greenstein (HG) and Anlı-Gungor phase functions (AG) are used in slab geometry transport equation and some critical thicknesses of the slab are calculated as an application with Legendre polynomial (PN) approximation and Marshak boundary condition. Results obtained from HG and AG scattering functions are compared and the correlations and discrepancies between the two functions are presented in the tables.
In-situ TEM heating of Ni/Al multilayers
Authors: Morgiel Jerzy , Szlezynger Maciej , Pomorska Małgorzata , Maj Łukasz , Marszałek Konstanty , Mania Ryszard
Published: March 2015

Ni/Al multilayer coatings of period Λ = 110 nm and Λ = 16 nm were deposited using a double target magnetron system. Their microstructure was characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy using thin foils cut out with a focused ion beam. Next, thin foils were subjected to in-situ heating up to 550 °C or 600 °C at a rate of 100 K min–1. Phase changes were followed with the help of the electron diffraction method. The experiments helped to establish that for the large period (Λ∼110 nm) multilayer the reaction starts at 350 °C at Ni/Al internal interfaces through precipitation of the Al9Ni2 phase, which at 500 °C is substituted with NiAl phase. The small period multilayers (Λ∼16 nm) subject to heating react at an even lower temperature of 300 °C by direct precipitation of the NiAl phase. The latter reaction seems to start within the whole nickel layer simultaneously.
Effect ofpHand H2S concentration on sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSCC) of API 2205 duplex stainless steel
Authors: Liu Ranke , Li Jiankuan , Liu Zhiyong , Du Cuiwei , Dong Chaofang , Li Xiaogang
Published: March 2015

The role ofpHvalue and H2S concentration on the sulfide stress corrosion cracking of API 2205 duplex stainless steel was studied by means of slow strain-rate tests, polarization curve measurements and surface analysis. It was found that 2205 duplex stainless steel was highly susceptible to sulfide stress corrosion cracking aspHdecreased and H2S concentration increased. When thepHvalue was 2.8, the susceptibility stayed at a low level in 500 ppm H2S concentration but there existed a critical H2S concentration between 500 ppm and 1 000 ppm, above which the susceptibility rapidly increased. The sulfide stress corrosion cracking resulted from hydrogen-induced cracking and exhibited the characteristics of hydrogen embrittlement. The boundary of a phase and γ phase promoted the initiation of stress corrosion cracking, while γ phase inhibited its propagation.
Splitting phenomenon in martensitic transformation of X12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 steel
Authors: Tao Xingang , Han Lizhan , Gu Jianfeng
Published: March 2015

The splitting phenomenon was detected in martensitic transformation of X12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 steel using high resolution dilatometry under certain conditions. In-situ observation of austenite grain growth was carried out. Direct experimental results indicated that this splitting is not connected with the concentration gradient in the austenite resulting from the dissolution of carbonitrides during heating, but instead may be caused by the occurrence of abnormal grain growth.
Mechanical-thermal synthesis of NbB2 powder from Mg/B2O3/Nb powder mixture
Authors: Torabi Omid , Golabgir Mohammad Hossein , Tajizadegan Hamid , Naghibi Sanaz
Published: March 2015

Three different approaches were used for the synthesis of niobium boride using a stoichiometric ratio of Mg–B2O3– Nb powder mixture: (i) thermal ignition, (ii) mechanochemical and (iii) a combined mechanical and thermal activation process. Phase transformation analysis and structural evaluation were carried out by means of differential thermal analysis techniques, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. During the thermal synthesis, the reaction between Mg and B2O3 partially occurred (liquid state reaction). The desired final phase (NbB2) was poorly obtained. Phase analysis revealed that the NbB2 phase was synthesized after 10 h of high energy ball milling. A pre-milling treatment of the powder mixture up to 2 h significantly reduced the reactions temperature (580 °C). Consequently, NbB2 was prepared simultaneously involving magnesiothermic reduction of B2O3 and reaction between elemental of Nb and boron. Mg3(BO3)2, as major by-product, was formed in noticeable amounts during the thermal process, while its quantity significantly decreased during mechanochemical synthesis and completely eliminated by using the combined mechanical and thermal synthesis.
Local structure of explosively welded titanium–stainless steel bimetal
Authors: Saksl Karel , Ostroushko Dmytro , Mazancová Eva , Szulc Zygmunt , Milkovič Ondrej , Ďurišin Martin , Balga Dušan , Ďurišin Juraj , Rütt Uta , Gutowski Olof
Published: March 2015

Bimetals targeted for industrial applications are usually designed to combine the properties of two dissimilar metals, e. g. high strength, high hardness and low cost of steels with chemically resistive titanium. In this work the structure of one particular, but for industries very interesting, bimetallic system – Cr/Ni stainless steel clad with titanium has been studied. The material was prepared by explosion welding, a method capable of joining a wide variety of similar or dissimilar materials. Our analysis is based on X-ray micro-diffraction experimentation utilizing hard monochromatic X-rays focused down to micrometer size. In this way the bimetal in bulk form was analyzed and microstructural differences between the joined materials and their interface were determined.
Study of wear and corrosion behavior of cathodic plasma electrolytic deposition of zirconia– hydroxyapatite on titanium and 316L stainless steel in Ringer’s solution
Authors: Karimi Shabnam , Mahzoon Fatemeh , Javadpour Sirus , Janghorban Kamal
Published: March 2015

The wear resistance and corrosion behavior of titanium and 316L stainless steel were studied after depositing a composite coating of zirconia and hydroxyapatite using the cathodic plasma electrolytic deposition technique. No sign of adhesive wear was observed on coated samples due to the unique surface morphology of the treated samples, after a pin on disk wear test in Ringer’s solution. The average values of friction coefficient for treated titanium and steel samples were observed to be 0.2 which exhibited a decrease of about 4 fold for titanium and 7 fold for steel with respect to the substrates. As a result of potentiostatic cyclic tests in Ringer’s solution the corrosion current density of coated steel (2.47 × 10–10 A cm–2) was found to be much lower than for the steel substrate (1.87 × 10–7 A cm–2), treated and untreated Ti (6.60 × 10–6, 4.17 × 10–7 A cm–2), indicated the increase in corrosion resistance of steel and decrease of it for titanium after coating.
Microstructural evaluation of ball-milled nano Al2O3 particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composite powders
Authors: Ostovan Farhad , Matori Khamirul Amin , Toozandehjani Meysam , Oskoueian Arshin , Yusoff Hamdan Mohamed , Yunus Robiah , Ariff Azmah Hanim Mohamed
Published: March 2015

A mechanically alloyed mixture of Al-1 wt.% nano-alumina (n-Al2O3) composite powders was produced using a planetary ball milling machine. Different milling times were applied to investigate the effect of milling time on the dispersion and microstructure of n-Al2O3 particulate reinforcement within the aluminum matrix. A good homogeneous dispersion of n-Al2O3 particulates was observed after 8 h of milling. Longer milling times had no significant effect on the dispersion and morphology of n-Al2O3 particulates within the aluminum matrix because a steady state had been reached.
Effect of seasonal and environmental variation on yield and yield components of hybrid Maize
Authors: Islam MK , Mahfuz MS , Sarker MAI , Ghosh S , Ali ASMY
Published: March 2015

The experiment was conducted during kharif II in 2006 & 07, rabi in 2006-07 & 07-08 and kharif I in 2007 and 2008 at ARS, Burirhat, Rangpur in RCB design to understand the influence of season and location specific environment effect on growth and yield of hybrid maize and selected suitable variety(s). Four hybrid maize varieties V1=BARI hybrid Maize (BHM)-2, V2=BHM-3, V3= BHM-5 and V4= Pacific-984 (as check) were tested during kharif II in 2006 while seven varieties V1= BHM-2, V2= BHM-3, V3= BHM-5 and V4= Pacific-984, V5= Pacific-60, V6= Pacific-11 and V7= Prolin were during the other seasons except rabi, 07- 08, where variety Pacific-555 was used in V7 instead of Prolin. Seeds were sown on August 30 and August 11 for kharif II of 2006 and 2007, respectively, November 28 and 17 for rabi 2006-2007 and 2007-08 and March 08 and 12 for for kharif I 2007 and 2008. The crops were harvested on January 25, 2007 and January 12, 2008 in the two consecutive kharif II seasons; May 10 and April 29 in rabi 2006-07 and 2007-08, and July 01 and 05 in kharif I 2007 and 2008, respectively. Yield parameters were mostly varied significantly. The highest yield was obtained from BHM-5 (9.03 t ha-1), which was followed by Pacific-984 (8.89 t ha-1), BHM-3 (8.81 t ha-1) and BHM-2 (8.58 t ha-1) in kharif II, 2006 while in kharif II, 2007 the highest significant yield was noted in Pacific-984 (9.22 t ha-1). In rabi, 2006-07, significant highest grain yield was obtained from Pacific-60 (11.03 t ha-1), which was statistically identical with Prolin (10.20 t ha-1). The yield of Prolin was also statistically identical with Pacific-11 (10.01 t ha-1), BHM-5 (10.00 t ha-1), BHM-3 (9.92 t ha-1) and BHM-2 (9.51 t ha-1). Comparatively lower temperature during ear initiation (mean 29.6°C in rabi and 31°C in kharif II) and silking (mean 18.2°C in rabi and 20.2°C in kharif II) contributed much for higher trend of yield in rabi over kharif. In kharif I, 2007, the highest yield (9.55 t ha-1) was recorded from Pacific-60, which was identical to Pacific-984 (9.25 t ha-1), BHM-5 (9.11 t ha-1) and BHM-3 (8.89 t ha-1). All the BARI hybrid maize varieties were suitable to grown in kharif I, kharif II and rabi season although BHM-3, BHM-5, Pacific-60 and Pacific-984 were better in Kharif I and Pacific-60, BHM-5, Prolin and Pacific-555 were found better in Rabi season. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22635 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 1-5, December, 2014
Effects of different kinds of fertilizers on production of fishes in Polyculture system
Authors: Alam MJ , Shahjahan M , Rahman MS , Rashid H , Hosen MA
Published: March 2015

A study was conducted to assess the effects of different kinds of inorganic fertilizers on the production of fishes in six ponds during October to December 2011. There were three treatments with two replications under each treatment and each of the ponds was stocked with 80 fish fry. In treatments I, II and III, ponds were fertilized fortnightly @ urea 100 g decimal-1, T.S.P. 100 g decimal-1 and urea 50 g decimal-1 + T.S.P. 50 g decimal-1, respectively. Selected water-quality parameters of ponds under study were more or less similar and within the productive range. Mean phytoplankton and zooplankton densities under treatments I, II and III were 57.08 ± 1.35, 8.80 ± 0.09 and 77.29 ± 3.72, 12.88 ± 0.74 and 98.93 ± 1.61, 16.16 ± 1.75 (x103) cells L-1, respectively. The net and gross fish productions of the ponds under treatments I, II and III were 0.85 and 3.11 t ha-1 yr-1 and 1.32 and 3.58 t ha-1 yr-1 and 1.85 and 4.11 t ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Fish production under treatment III was better than those under treatments I and II because plankton population densities under treatment III was the highest. Therefore, the mixed fertilization is suitable for production of plankton that enhance growth and production of fishes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22639 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 16-21, December, 2014
Improvement of potato based cropping patterns by inclusion of short duration Mungbean and T. Aman rice in Monga prone areas of Rangpur
Authors: Islam MK , Mahfuz MS , Ghosh S , Ali ASMY , Hasnat MZ
Published: March 2015

The experiment was carried out to compare the improved cropping patterns against the farmers existing potato based cropping patterns having no mungbean/brown manure crop for higher yield, economic return and income generation in agricultural field in the off period following RCBD design with three replications at farmers field at Paikan Gangachara, Rangpur district during September- October. The treatments (cropping patterns) were T1 = T. aman rice (BINA 7) - Potato - Mungbean (BARI mungbean 6) (Improved pattern), T2 = T. aman rice (BR11) - Potato - Fallow (Farmers pattern), T3 = T. aman rice (BINA 7) - Potato + Maize intercrop - Mungbean (Improved pattern) and T4 = T. aman rice (BR11) - Potato / Maize relay (Farmers pattern). The highest yield (4.16 t ha-1) was recorded in T2 (BR11) which is statistically at par with T4 (4.15 t ha-1) but higher than the other treatments. Early planting sole potato (T1) gave highest yield (26.10 t ha-1) which was significantly higher than all other treatments. Late planting sole potato (T2), intercropped early potato (T3) and relay potato (T4) showed similar yield (23.61  24.79 t ha-1). Intercropped (T3) and Relay (T4) maize did not vary significantly in the studied parameters and yields were 8.21 and 7.92 t ha-1, respectively. Mungbean after sole potato (T1) gave higher number of pods/plant (17.25), and yield (1.47 t ha-1) which is significantly higher than those of T3 (14.89 and 1.28 t ha-1, respectively). Highest gross return (GR) (Tk. 417720) and gross margin (GM) (Tk. 220220) were calculated in improved pattern T3 and the lowest of those (Tk. 289670, Tk. 146020) in farmers pattern T2 . The other improved pattern T3 was the second highest performer considering GR and GM. But BCR (2.21) was highest in T1 and second highest in T3. The results indicated that the improved patterns (T1, T3) were better than farmers pattern (T2, T4). The improved pattern (T1) gave GR Tk. 67890 and GM Tk. 51785 higher than farmers pattern (T2). Similarly, the other improved pattern (T3) showed Tk. 51870 and Tk. 37395 higher than farmers pattern (T4). The improved pattern T1 and T3 created 45 working day job for the labour for harvesting early matured rice in the Monga/ jobless period (October) while farmers pattern gives only 3 days work. The mungbean included improved cropping patterns can be suggested for increased production, economic return and Monga mitigation (work opportunity in off period) in Rangpur. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22645 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 35-40, December, 2014
Factors affecting the milk production of dairy cattle in northern rural areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Begum MR , Anaruzzaman M , Khan MSI , Yousuf M
Published: March 2015

A cross sectional study was conducted to observe the factors affecting the productive performance of dairy cattle from northern rural areas of Bangladesh during July and September 2013. Data of 105 cows, 85 (80.95%) from local and 20 (19.05%) cows from cross breed, were randomly selected for the study. A binary logistic regression, expressed by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, was done to determine the association of daily milk production categorized into ? 2 and > 2 liters (L), based on median, with the significant explanatory variables of body weight, age at first calving, lactation period, vitamin use, type of floor and milking person. The result demonstrated that the probability of milk production of >2 L was 6.16, 4.5, 20.65 and 5.7 times higher from the with animal body weight of >140 kg, age at first calving of >36 m, lactation period of >8 m and vitamin use than that of body weight of 140 kg, age at first calving of ?36 m, lactation period of ? 8 m, and not vitamin used respectively. The chance of milk production of > 2 L was 0.25 and 0.22 times lower for mud floor, and owner milking than that of brick floor and gowala (professional milking person) respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22646 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 41-45, December, 2014
Label-Free Detection of Rare Cell in Human Blood Using Gold Nano Slit Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Mousavi Mansoureh , Chen Huai-Yi , Hou Hsien-San , Chang Chou-Yuan-Yuan , Roffler Steve , Wei Pei-Kuen , Cheng Ji-Yen
Published: March 2015

Label-free detection of rare cells in biological samples is an important and highly demanded task for clinical applications and various fields of research, such as detection of circulating tumor cells for cancer therapy and stem cells studies. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) as a label-free method is a promising technology for detection of rare cells for diagnosis or research applications. Short detection depth of SPR (400 nm) provides a sensitive method with minimum interference of non-targets in the biological samples. In this work, we developed a novel microfluidic chip integrated with gold nanoslit SPR platform for highly efficient immunomagnetic capturing and detection of rare cells in human blood. Our method offers simple yet efficient detection of target cells with high purity. The approach for detection consists of two steps. Target cells are firs captured on functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with specific antibody I. The suspension containing the captured cells (MNPs-cells) is then introduced into a microfluidic chip integrated with a gold nanoslit film. MNPs-cells bind with the second specific antibody immobilized on the surface of the gold nanoslit and are therefore captured on the sensor active area. The cell binding on the gold nanoslit was monitored by the wavelength shift of the SPR spectrum generated by the gold nanoslits.
Cystic Fibrosis Treatment: A Paradigm for New Pediatric Medicines, Globalization of Drug Development and the Role of the European Medicines Agency
Authors: Rose Klaus , Spigarelli Michael
Published: March 2015

The European Pediatric Pharmaceutical Legislation wants children to benefit more from pharmaceutical progress. In rare diseases, concerns have been raised that this legislation might damage research and stymie drug development. We discuss the role of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and its Pediatric Committee (PDCO) in the development of ivacaftor, first-in-class for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with the G551D mutation (and eight other mutations later) and of lumacaftor and ataluren, two more potential break-through CF medications. Ivacaftor was USA-approved early 2012 and six months later in the EU. Registration was based on the same data. We analyzed these drugs’ EU pediatric investigation plans (PIPs) and compared the PIP-studies with the pediatric CF studies listed in www.clinicaltrials.gov. The ivacaftor PIP studies appear to reflect what the developer planned anyway, apart from a study in 1–23-month-olds, which has not yet started. The total negotiation time for the current PIP version was approximately 5.5 years. For companies that develop drugs in pediatric diseases, e.g., CF, PIPs represent considerable additional procedural workload with minimal or no additional benefit for the patients. New drugs for pediatric diseases should not be hampered by additional, unnecessary and costly bureaucracy, but be registered as rapidly as possible without compromising safety.
Space-Time Quantum Imaging
Authors: Meyers Ronald , Deacon Keith
Published: March 2015

We report on an experimental and theoretical investigation of quantum imaging where the images are stored in both space and time. Ghost images of remote objects are produced with either one or two beams of chaotic laser light generated by a rotating ground glass and two sensors measuring the reference field and bucket field at different space-time points. We further observe that the ghost images translate depending on the time delay between the sensor measurements. The ghost imaging experiments are performed both with and without turbulence. A discussion of the physics of the space-time imaging is presented in terms of quantum nonlocal two-photon analysis to support the experimental results. The theoretical model includes certain phase factors of the rotating ground glass. These experiments demonstrated a means to investigate the time and space aspects of ghost imaging and showed that ghost imaging contains more information per measured photon than was previously recognized where multiple ghost images are stored within the same ghost imaging data sets. This suggests new pathways to explore quantum information stored not only in multi-photon coincidence information but also in time delayed multi-photon interference. The research is applicable to making enhanced space-time quantum images and videos of moving objects where the images are stored in both space and time.
Gene Expression Differences between High-Growth Populus Allotriploids and Their Diploid Parents
Authors: Cheng Shiping , Zhu Xiaohu , Liao Ting , Li Yun , Yao Pengqiang , Suo Yujing , Zhang Pingdong , Wang Jun , Kang Xiangyang
Published: March 2015

Polyploid breeding is important in Populus genetic improvement programs because polyploid trees generally display increased height growth compared to their diploid parents. However, the genetic mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown. In the present study, apical bud transcriptomes of vigorous, fast growing Populus allotriploid progeny genotypes and their diploid parents were sequenced and analyzed. We found that these allotriploids exhibited extensive transcriptomic diversity. In total, 6020 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found when the allotriploid progeny and their parents were compared, among which 791 overlapped between the allotriploids and both parents. Many genes associated with cell differentiation and meristem development were preferentially expressed in apical buds of the fast growing Populus allotriploids compared to their diploid parents. In addition, many auxin-, gibberellin-, and jasmonic acid-related genes were also preferentially expressed in the allotriploids compared to their parents. Our findings show that allotriploidy can have considerable effects on duplicate gene expression in Populus. In particular we identified and considered DEGs that provide important clues for improving our mechanistic understanding of positive heterosis of vigor- and growth-related traits in Populus allotriploids.
Efficiency of a Multi-Soil-Layering System on Wastewater Treatment Using Environment-Friendly Filter Materials
Authors: Ho Chia-Chun , Wang Pei-Hao
Published: March 2015

The multi-soil-layering (MSL) system primarily comprises two parts, specifically, the soil mixture layer (SML) and the permeable layer (PL). In Japan, zeolite is typically used as the permeable layer material. In the present study, zeolite was substituted with comparatively cheaper and more environmentally friendly materials, such as expanded clay aggregates, oyster shells, and already-used granular activated carbon collected from water purification plants. A series of indoor tests indicated that the suspended solid (SS) removal efficiency of granular activated carbon was between 76.2% and 94.6%; zeolite and expanded clay aggregates achieved similar efficiencies that were between 53.7% and 87.4%, and oyster shells presented the lowest efficiency that was between 29.8% and 61.8%. Further results show that the oyster shell system required an increase of wastewater retention time by 2 to 4 times that of the zeolite system to maintain similar chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. Among the four MSL samples, the zeolite system and granular activated carbon system demonstrated a stable NH3-N removal performance at 92.3%–99.8%. The expanded clay aggregate system present lower removal performance because of its low adsorption capacity and excessively large pores, causing NO3−-N to be leached away under high hydraulic loading rate conditions. The total phosphorous (TP) removal efficiency of the MSL systems demonstrated no direct correlation with the permeable layer material. Therefore, all MSL samples achieved a TP efficiency of between 92.1% and 99.2%.
The Potential of the Combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and Pluripotent Stem Cells to Provide Human Organs from Chimaeric Pigs
Authors: Feng Wanyou , Dai Yifan , Mou Lisha , Cooper David , Shi Deshun , Cai Zhiming
Published: March 2015

Clinical organ allotransplantation is limited by the availability of deceased human donors. However, the transplantation of human organs produced in other species would provide an unlimited number of organs. The pig has been identified as the most suitable source of organs for humans as organs of any size would be available. Genome editing by RNA-guided endonucleases, also known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), in combination with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), may have the potential to enable the creation of human organs from genetically-modified chimaeric pigs. These could potentially provide an unlimited supply of organs that would not be rejected by the recipient’s immune system. However, substantial research is needed to prove that this approach will work. Genetic modification of chimaeric pigs could also provide useful models for developing therapies for various human diseases, especially in relation to drug development.
Amniotic Fluid Embolism Pathophysiology Suggests the New Diagnostic Armamentarium: β-Tryptase and Complement Fractions C3-C4 Are the Indispensable Working Tools
Authors: Busardò Francesco , Frati Paola , Zaami Simona , Fineschi Vittorio
Published: March 2015

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an uncommon obstetric condition involving pregnant women during labor or in the initial stages after delivery. Its incidence is estimated to be around 5.5 cases per 100,000 deliveries. Therefore, this paper investigated the pathophysiological mechanism, which underlies AFE, in order to evaluate the role of immune response in the development of this still enigmatic clinical entity. The following databases (from 1956 to September 2014) Medline, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct were used, searching the following key words: AFE, pathophysiology, immune/inflammatory response, complement and anaphylaxis. The main key word “AFE” was searched singularly and associated individually to each of the other keywords. Of the 146 sources found, only 19 were considered appropriate for the purpose of this paper. The clinical course is characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms, which include: acute hypotension and/or cardiac arrest, acute hypoxia (with dyspnoea, cyanosis and/or respiratory arrest), coagulopathies (disseminated intravascular coagulation and/or severe hemorrhage), coma and seizures. The pathology still determines a significant morbidity and mortality and potential permanent neurological sequelae for surviving patients. At this moment, numerous aspects involving the pathophysiology and clinical development are still not understood and several hypotheses have been formulated, in particular the possible role of anaphylaxis and complement. Moreover, the detection of serum tryptase and complement components and the evaluation of fetal antigens can explain several aspects of immune response.
Optimizing Western Flower Thrips Management on French Beans by Combined Use of Beneficials and Imidacloprid
Authors: Nyasani Johnson , Subramanian Sevgan , Poehling Hans-Michael , Maniania Nguya , Ekesi Sunday , Meyhöfer Rainer
Published: March 2015

Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is an important pest of vegetable crops worldwide and has developed resistance to many insecticides. The predatory mites Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris (Oudemans), the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.), and an insecticide (imidacloprid) were tested for their efficacy to reduce WFT population density and damage to French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pods under field conditions in two planting periods. Metarhizium anisopliae was applied as a foliar spray weekly at a rate of one litre spray volume per plot while imidacloprid was applied as a soil drench every two weeks at a rate of two litres of a mixture of water and imidacloprid per m2. Neoseiulus cucumeris was released every two weeks on plant foliage at a rate of three mites per plant. Single and combined treatment applications reduced WFT population density by at least three times and WFT damage to French bean pods by at least 1.7 times compared with untreated plots. The benefit-cost ratios in management of WFT were profitable with highest returns realized on imidacloprid treated plots. The results indicate that M. anisopliae, N. cucumeris, and imidacloprid have the potential for use in developing an integrated pest management program against WFT on French beans.
Fast Prototyping of Sensorized Cell Culture Chips and Microfluidic Systems with Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Authors: Bonk Sebastian , Oldorf Paul , Peters Rigo , Baumann Werner , Gimsa Jan
Published: March 2015

We developed a confined microfluidic cell culture system with a bottom plate made of a microscopic slide with planar platinum sensors for the measurement of acidification, oxygen consumption, and cell adhesion. The slides were commercial slides with indium tin oxide (ITO) plating or were prepared from platinum sputtering (100 nm) onto a 10-nm titanium adhesion layer. Direct processing of the sensor structures (approximately three minutes per chip) by an ultrashort pulse laser facilitated the production of the prototypes. pH-sensitive areas were produced by the sputtering of 60-nm Si3N4 through a simple mask made from a circuit board material. The system body and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding forms for the microfluidic structures were manufactured by micromilling using a printed circuit board (PCB) milling machine for circuit boards. The microfluidic structure was finally imprinted in PDMS. Our approach avoided the use of photolithographic techniques and enabled fast and cost-efficient prototyping of the systems. Alternatively, the direct production of metallic, ceramic or polymeric molding tools was tested. The use of ultrashort pulse lasers improved the precision of the structures and avoided any contact of the final structures with toxic chemicals and possible adverse effects for the cell culture in lab-on-a-chip systems.
Design of a Weighted-Rotor Energy Harvester Based on Dynamic Analysis and Optimization of Circular Halbach Array Magnetic Disk
Authors: Wang Yu-Jen , Hao Yu-Ti , Lin Hao-Yu
Published: March 2015

This paper proposes the design of a weighted-rotor energy harvester (WREH) in which the oscillation is caused by the periodic change of the tangential component of gravity, to harvest kinetic energy from a rotating wheel. When a WREH is designed with a suitable characteristic length, the rotor’s natural frequency changes according to the wheel rotation speed and the rotor oscillates at a wide angle and high angular velocity to generate a large amount of power. The magnetic disk is designed according to an optimized circular Halbach array. The optimized circular Halbach array magnetic disk provides the largest induced EMF for different sector-angle ratios for the same magnetic disk volume. This study examined the output voltage and power by considering the constant and accelerating plate-rotation speeds, respectively. This paper discusses the effects of the angular acceleration speed of a rotating wheel corresponding to the dynamic behaviors of a weighted rotor. The average output power is 399 to 535 microwatts at plate-rotation speeds from 300 to 500 rpm, enabling the WREH to be a suitable power source for a tire-pressure monitoring system.
A Compact W-Band Reflection-Type Phase Shifter with Extremely Low Insertion Loss Variation Using 0.13 µm CMOS Technology
Authors: Deng Xiao-Dong , Li Yihu , Wu Wen , Xiong Yong-Zhong
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a reflection-type phase shifter (RTPS) at W-band in a 0.13 µm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The RTPS is composed of a 90° hybrid coupler and two identical reflection loads. Lumped-distributed element transmission line is introduced in the 90° hybrid coupler to reduce the chip size. Series inductor-capacitor (LC) resonators are used as the reflective loads and parallel inductors are deployed to reduce insertion loss variation. By cascading two-stage RTPS, 90° phase shifting range and 10.5 dB insertion loss with 1 dB variations from 80 GHz to 90 GHz are achieved. An impressive 0.1 dB variation is obtained at 86 GHz.
Selective C-Arylation of 2,5-Dibromo-3-hexylthiophene via Suzuki Cross Coupling Reaction and Their Pharmacological Aspects
Authors: Ikram Hafiz , Rasool Nasir , Ahmad Gulraiz , Chotana Ghayoor , Musharraf Syed , Zubair Muhammad , Rana Usman , Zia-Ul-Haq Muhammad , Jaafar Hawa
Published: March 2015

The present study reports the synthesis of various new derivatives based on 5-aryl-2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene with moderate-to-good yields via a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. This coupling method involved the reaction of 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene with several arylboronic acids in order to synthesize corresponding thiophene derivatives under controlled and optimal reaction conditions. The different substituents (CH3, OCH3, Cl, F etc.) present on arylboronic acids are found to have significant electronic effects on the overall properties of new products. The synthesized thiophene molecules were studied for their haemolytic, biofilm inhibition and anti-thrombolytic activities, and almost all products showed potentially good properties. The compound 2-bromo-5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-3-hexylthiophenein particular exhibited the highest values for haemolytic and bio-film inhibition activities among all newly synthesized derivatives. In addition, the compound 2-bromo-3-hexyl-5-(4-iodophenyl)thiophene also showed high anti-thrombolytic activity, suggesting the potential medicinal applications of these newly synthesized compounds.
iso-Petromyroxols: Novel Dihydroxylated Tetrahydrofuran Enantiomers from Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Authors: Li Ke , Brant Cory , Bussy Ugo , Pinnamaneni Harshita , Patel Hinal , Hoye Thomas , Li Weiming
Published: March 2015

An enantiomeric pair of new fatty acid-derived hydroxylated tetrahydrofurans, here named iso-petromyroxols, were isolated from sea lamprey larvae-conditioned water. The relative configuration of iso-petromyroxol was elucidated with 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The ratio of enantiomers (er) in the natural sample was measured by chiral-HPLC-MS/MS to be ca. 3:1 of (–)- to (+)-antipodes.
Bacillus toyonensis Strain AEMREG6, a Bacterium Isolated from South African Marine Environment Sediment Samples Produces a Glycoprotein Bioflocculant
Authors: Okaiyeto Kunle , Nwodo Uchechukwu , Mabinya Leonard , Okoh Anthony
Published: March 2015

A bioflocculant-producing bacteria, isolated from sediment samples of a marine environment in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa demonstrated a flocculating activity above 60% for kaolin clay suspension. Analysis of the 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) nucleotide sequence of the isolate in the GenBank database showed 99% similarity to Bacillus toyonensis strain BCT-7112 and it was deposited in the GenBank as Bacillus toyonensis strain AEMREG6 with accession number KP406731. The bacteria produced a bioflocculant (REG-6) optimally in the presence of glucose and NH4NO3 as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, respectively, initial medium pH of 5 and Ca2+ as the cation of choice. Chemical analysis showed that purified REG-6 was a glycoprotein mainly composed of polysaccharide (77.8%) and protein (11.5%). It was thermally stable and had strong flocculating activity against kaolin suspension over a wide range of pH values (3–11) with a relatively low dosage requirement of 0.1 mg/mL in the presence of Mn2+. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and amide groups preferred for flocculation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that bridging was the main flocculation mechanism of REG-6. The outstanding flocculating performance of REG-6 holds great potential to replace the hazardous chemical flocculants currently used in water treatment.
Phytogenic Compounds as Alternatives to In-Feed Antibiotics: Potentials and Challenges in Application
Authors: Yang Chengbo , Chowdhury M.A. , Huo Yongqing , Gong Joshua
Published: March 2015

This article summarizes current experimental knowledge on the efficacy, possible mechanisms and feasibility in the application of phytogenic products as feed additives for food-producing animals. Phytogenic compounds comprise a wide range of plant-derived natural bioactive compounds and essential oils are a major group. Numerous studies have demonstrated that phytogenic compounds have a variety of functions, including antimicrobial/antiviral, antioxidative and anti-inflammation effects and improvement in the palatability of feed and gut development/health. However, the mechanisms underlying their functions are still largely unclear. In the past, there has been a lack of consistency in the results from both laboratory and field studies, largely due to the varied composition of products, dosages, purities and growing conditions of animals used. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of phytogenic compounds required for controlling enteric pathogens may not guarantee the best feed intake, balanced immunity of animals and cost-effectiveness in animal production. The lipophilic nature of photogenic compounds also presents a challenge in effective delivery to the animal gut and this can partially be resolved by microencapsulation and combination with other compounds (synergistic effect). Interestingly, the effects of photogenic compounds on anti-inflammation, gut chemosensing and possible disruption of bacterial quorum sensing could explain a certain number of studies with different animal species for the better production performance of animals that have received phytogenic feed additives. It is obvious that phytogenic compounds have good potential as an alternative to antibiotics in feed for food animal production and the combination of different phytogenic compounds appears to be an approach to improve the efficacy and safety of phytogenic compounds in the application. It is our expectation that the recent development of high-throughput and “omics” technologies can significantly advance the studies on the mechanisms underlying phytogenic compounds’ functions and, therefore, guide the effective use of the compounds.
Early Water Stress Detection Using Leaf-Level Measurements of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Temperature Data
Authors: Ni Zhuoya , Liu Zhigang , Huo Hongyuan , Li Zhao-Liang , Nerry Françoise , Wang Qingshan , Li Xiaowen
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the early water stress in maize using leaf-level measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and temperature. In this study, a series of diurnal measurements, such as leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (Fs), leaf spectrum, temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), were conducted for maize during gradient watering and filled watering experiments. Fraunhofer Line Discriminator methods (FLD and 3FLD) were used to obtain fluorescence from leaves spectrum. This simulated work using the SCOPE model demonstrated the variations in fluorescence and temperature in stress levels expressed by different stress factors. In the field measurement, the gradient experiment revealed that chlorophyll fluorescence decreased for plants with water stress relative to well-water plants and Tleaf-Tair increased; the filled watering experiment stated that chlorophyll fluorescence of maize under water stress were similar to those of maize under well-watering condition. In addition, the relationships between the Fs, retrieved fluorescence, Tleaf-Tair and water content were analyzed. The Fs determination resulted to the best coefficients of determination for the normalized retrieved fluorescence FLD/PAR (R2 = 0.54), Tleaf-Tair (R2 = 0.48) and water content (R2 = 0.71). The normalized retrieved fluorescence yielded a good coefficient of determination for Tleaf-Tair (R2 = 0.48). This study demonstrated that chlorophyll fluorescence could reflect variations in the physiological states of plants during early water stress, and leaf temperature confirmed the chlorophyll fluorescence analysis results and improved the accuracy of the water stress detection.
Examining the Capability of Supervised Machine Learning Classifiers in Extracting Flooded Areas from Landsat TM Imagery: A Case Study from a Mediterranean Flood
Authors: Ireland Gareth , Volpi Michele , Petropoulos George
Published: March 2015

This study explored the capability of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and regularised kernel Fisher’s discriminant analysis (rkFDA) machine learning supervised classifiers in extracting flooded area from optical Landsat TM imagery. The ability of both techniques was evaluated using a case study of a riverine flood event in 2010 in a heterogeneous Mediterranean region, for which TM imagery acquired shortly after the flood event was available. For the two classifiers, both linear and non-linear (kernel) versions were utilised in their implementation. The ability of the different classifiers to map the flooded area extent was assessed on the basis of classification accuracy assessment metrics. Results showed that rkFDA outperformed SVMs in terms of accurate flooded pixels detection, also producing fewer missed detections of the flooded area. Yet, SVMs showed less false flooded area detections. Overall, the non-linear rkFDA classification method was the more accurate of the two techniques (OA = 96.23%, K = 0.877). Both methods outperformed the standard Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) thresholding (OA = 94.63, K = 0.818) by roughly 0.06 K points. Although overall accuracy results for the rkFDA and SVMs classifications only showed a somewhat minor improvement on the overall accuracy exhibited by the NDWI thresholding, notably both classifiers considerably outperformed the thresholding algorithm in other specific accuracy measures (e.g. producer accuracy for the “not flooded” class was ~10.5% less accurate for the NDWI thresholding algorithm in comparison to the classifiers, and average per-class accuracy was ~5% less accurate than the machine learning models). This study provides evidence of the successful application of supervised machine learning for classifying flooded areas in Landsat imagery, where few studies so far exist in this direction. Considering that Landsat data is open access and has global coverage, the results of this study offers important information towards exploring the possibilities of the use of such data to map other significant flood events from space in an economically viable way.