bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF COASTAL EROSION IN THE SUNDARBANS MANGROVE
Authors: Mahmudur Rahman M.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Mangrove forests are fragile coastal ecosystems and could be one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to global climate change and sea-level rise. These forests are formed in the fringe of land and ocean and characterized by the regular inundation of tidal water. Because of the changes in sea-level and dynamic energy system in the transition zone between land and sea due to climate change, erosion in different coastal zones of the world could be accelerated. The objective of this study is to find out the nature and pattern of erosion that can threaten mangrove forest ecosystems. The study area is located in Sundarbans mangrove, the largest continuous mangrove forest in the world. The study utilized time-series data of Landsat Multi-spectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) during 1970s to 2010s. Time-series change analysis was done along the selected transect lines. The erosion rates in the Sundarbans Mangrove are variable and it is very difficult to get a conclusive result from the analysis of those points whether the erosion rate has been accelerated in the recent past. The average rates of erosion for the eastern and western parts are 14 m/year and 15 m/year respectively obtained form the ten selected transect lines. It is unclear that how much coastal erosion is linked to the global warming and sea-level rise or whether any other associated factors such as geological and anthropogenic induced land subsidence, changes in sediment supply or other local factors are driving these changes. Further studies should be conducted in different mangrove ecosystems of the world to explore whether similar patterns of coastal erosion are visible there.
QUANTIFYING LAND USE/COVER CHANGE AND LANDSCAPE FRAGMENTATION IN DANANG CITY, VIETNAM: 1979–2009
Authors: Linh N. H. K. , Erasmi S. , Kappas M.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Studying temporal changes of land use and land cover (LULC) from satellite images has been conducted in Vietnam several years. However, few studies have been done to consider seriously the relationship between LULC changes and the fragmentation of landscape. Hence, analysing the changes of LULC and landscape pattern helps revealing the interactions between anthropogenic factors and the environment, through which planning actions could be effectively supported. The present study aimed to examine these changes in the surroundings of Danang City, Vietnam from 1979 to 2009 based on Landsat Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS), Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and ASTER satellite images. The Multivariate Alteration Detection (MAD) approach was employed for processing and postclassification change detection, from which key landscape indices were applied by using FRAGSTATS. The results showed that during the whole study period, there was a notable decrease of forestland, shrub, agriculture and barren while urban areas expanded dramatically. Further spatial analysis by using landscape metrics underlined the evidence of changes in landscape characteristics with an increase in total number of patches and patch density while the mean patch area decreased during the span of 30 years. Consequently, the landscape structure of Danang city became more fragmented and heterogeneous.
BURN SEVERITY MAPPING IN AUSTRALIA 2009
Authors: McKinley R. , Clark J. , Lecker J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. In 2009, the Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment estimated approximately 430,000 hectares of Victoria Australia were burned by numerous bushfires. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams from the United States were deployed to Victoria to assist local fire managers. The U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (USGS/EROS) and U.S. Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center (USFS/RSAC) aided the support effort by providing satellite-derived "soil burn severity " maps for over 280,000 burned hectares. In the United States, BAER teams are assembled to make rapid assessments of burned lands to identify potential hazards to public health and property. An early step in the assessment process is the creation of a soil burn severity map used to identify hazard areas and prioritize treatment locations. These maps are developed primarily using Landsat satellite imagery and the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) algorithm.
REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES AS A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Authors: Faisal K. , AlAhmad M. , Shaker A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The disposal of the solid wastes in landfill sites should be properly monitored by analyzing samples from soil, water, and landfill gases within the landfill site. Nevertheless, ground monitoring systems require intensive efforts and cost. Furthermore, ground monitoring may be difficult to be achieved in large geographic extent. Remote sensing technology has been introduced for waste disposal management and monitoring effects of the landfill sites on the environment. In this paper, two case studies are presented in the Trail Road landfill, Ottawa, Canada and the Al-Jleeb landfill, Al-Farwanyah, Kuwait to evaluate the use of multi-temporal remote sensing images to monitor the landfill sites. The work objectives are: 1) to study the usability of multi-temporal Landsat images for landfill site monitoring by studying the land surface temperature (LST) in the Trail Road landfill, 2) to investigate the relationship between the LST and the amount of the landfill gas emitted in the Trail Road landfill, and 3) to use the multi-temporal LST images to detect the suspicious dumping areas within the Al-Jleeb landfill site. Free archive of multi-temporal Landsat images are obtained from the USGS EarthExplorer. The Landsat images are then atmospherically corrected and the LST images are derived from the thermal band of the corrected Landsat images. In the Trail Road landfill, the results reveal that the LST of the landfill site is always higher than the air temperature by 10°C in average as well as the surroundings. A correlation is also observed between the recorded emitted methane (CH4) from the ground monitoring stations and the LST derived from the Landsat images. Based on the findings in the Al-Jleeb landfill, five locations are identified as suspicious dumping areas by overlaying the highest LST contours generated from the multi-temporal LST images. The study demonstrates that the use of multi-temporal remote sensing images can provide supplementary information for landfill site monitoring.
DETECTING SLUMS FROM QUICK BIRD DATA IN PUNE USING AN OBJECT ORIENTED APPROACH
Authors: Shekhar S.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We have been witnessing a gradual and steady transformation from a pre dominantly rural society to an urban society in India and by 2030, it will have more people living in urban than rural areas. Slums formed an integral part of Indian urbanisation as most of the Indian cities lack in basic needs of an acceptable life. Many efforts are being taken to improve their conditions. To carry out slum renewal programs and monitor its implementation, slum settlements should be recorded to obtain an adequate spatial data base. This can be only achieved through the analysis of remote sensing data with very high spatial resolution. Regarding the occurrences of settlement areas in the remote sensing data pixel-based approach on a high resolution image is unable to represent the heterogeneity of complex urban environments. Hence there is a need for sophisticated method and data for slum analysis. An attempt has been made to detect and discriminate the slums of Pune city by describing typical characteristics of these settlements, by using eCognition software from quick bird data on the basis of object oriented approach. Based on multi resolution segmentation, initial objects were created and further depend on texture, geometry and contextual characteristics of the image objects, they were classified into slums and non-slums. The developed rule base allowed the description of knowledge about phenomena clearly and easily using fuzzy membership functions and the described knowledge stored in the classification rule base led to the best classification with more than 80% accuracy.
CLOUD DETECTION BASED ON DECISION TREE OVER TIBETAN PLATEAU WITH MODIS DATA
Authors: Xu L. , Fang S. , Niu R. , Li J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Snow cover area is a very critical parameter for hydrologic cycle of the Earth. Furthermore, it will be a key factor for the effect of the climate change. An unbelievable situation in mapping snow cover is the existence of clouds. Clouds can easily be found in any image from satellite, because clouds are bright and white in the visible wavelengths. But it is not the case when there is snow or ice in the background. It is similar spectral appearance of snow and clouds. Many cloud decision methods are built on decision trees. The decision trees were designed based on empirical studies and simulations. In this paper a classification trees were used to build the decision tree. And then with a great deal repeating scenes coming from the same area the cloud pixel can be replaced by "its" real surface types, such as snow pixel or vegetation or water. The effect of the cloud can be distinguished in the short wave infrared. The results show that most cloud coverage being removed. A validation was carried out for all subsequent steps. It led to the removal of all remaining cloud cover. The results show that the decision tree method performed satisfied.
EXTRACTION OF BENTHIC COVER INFORMATION FROM VIDEO TOWS AND PHOTOGRAPHS USING OBJECT-BASED IMAGE ANALYSIS
Authors: Estomata M. T. L. , Blanco A. C. , Nadaoka K. , Tomoling E. C. M.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Mapping benthic cover in deep waters comprises a very small proportion of studies in the field of research. Majority of benthic cover mapping makes use of satellite images and usually, classification is carried out only for shallow waters. To map the seafloor in optically deep waters, underwater videos and photos are needed. Some researchers have applied this method on underwater photos, but made use of different classification methods such as: Neural Networks, and rapid classification via down sampling. In this study, accurate bathymetric data obtained using a multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) was attempted to be used as complementary data with the underwater photographs. Due to the absence of a motion reference unit (MRU), which applies correction to the data gathered by the MBES, accuracy of the said depth data was compromised. Nevertheless, even with the absence of accurate bathymetric data, object-based image analysis (OBIA), which used rule sets based on information such as shape, size, area, relative distance, and spectral information, was still applied. Compared to pixel-based classifications, OBIA was able to classify more specific benthic cover types other than coral and sand, such as rubble and fish. Through the use of rule sets on area, less than or equal to 700 pixels for fish and between 700 to 10,000 pixels for rubble, as well as standard deviation values to distinguish texture, fish and rubble were identified. OBIA produced benthic cover maps that had higher overall accuracy, 93.78±0.85%, as compared to pixel-based methods that had an average accuracy of only 87.30±6.11% (p-value = 0.0001, α = 0.05).
RAPID DISASTER DAMAGE ESTIMATION
Authors: Vu T. T.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The experiences from recent disaster events showed that detailed information derived from high-resolution satellite images could accommodate the requirements from damage analysts and disaster management practitioners. Richer information contained in such high-resolution images, however, increases the complexity of image analysis. As a result, few image analysis solutions can be practically used under time pressure in the context of post-disaster and emergency responses. To fill the gap in employment of remote sensing in disaster response, this research develops a rapid high-resolution satellite mapping solution built upon a dual-scale contextual framework to support damage estimation after a catastrophe. The target objects are building (or building blocks) and their condition. On the coarse processing level, statistical region merging deployed to group pixels into a number of coarse clusters. Based on majority rule of vegetation index, water and shadow index, it is possible to eliminate the irrelevant clusters. The remaining clusters likely consist of building structures and others. On the fine processing level details, within each considering clusters, smaller objects are formed using morphological analysis. Numerous indicators including spectral, textural and shape indices are computed to be used in a rule-based object classification. Computation time of raster-based analysis highly depends on the image size or number of processed pixels in order words. Breaking into 2 level processing helps to reduce the processed number of pixels and the redundancy of processing irrelevant information. In addition, it allows a data- and tasks- based parallel implementation. The performance is demonstrated with QuickBird images captured a disaster-affected area of Phanga, Thailand by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami are used for demonstration of the performance. The developed solution will be implemented in different platforms as well as a web processing service for operational uses.
SPATIAL ANALYSIS BASED HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT FOR LINEAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: Atay H. , Toz G.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. This paper describes an on-going study that aims to develop a web-based spatial decision support system model for proactive health and safety management in linear construction projects. Currently, health and safety management is usually performed reactively instead of proactive management since hazard identification and risk assessment is mostly performed on paper based documents that are not effectively used at site. This leads to accidents and fatalities at construction sites. The proposed system automatically identifies the spatial risks according to the topographic and layout map of the site, project specification and health and safety regulations by means of spatial analysis. It enables the workers and management personnel to access the possible hazards and thematic risk map of any portion of the construction site for linear projects. Finally, the described approach provides the proposed mitigation measures for the identified hazards. The developed system is expected to raise awareness in H&S among workers and engineers, and increase participation of workers to health and safety management.
NIGHT-TIME LIGHTS AND LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY USING DMSPOLS NIGHT TIME IMAGES AT THE SUB-NATIONAL LEVEL
Authors: Roychowdhury K. , Jones S. , Reinke K. , Arrowsmith C.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. This paper investigates the association between night-time lights and socio-economic metrics at the regional level. This regional level of understanding is critical as it underpins much economic monitoring and policy-making for sustainable development. Stable light data obtained from night time images of 2001, captured by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program – Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) satellite, are used in the study. The data records artificial lights from human habitations from the earth surface and is a surrogate of the level of development of an area. Data on socio economic metrics at the sub-national level for the year 2001 for the state of Maharashtra in India have been sourced from Primary Census Abstract of India, 2001. However, most of the socio economic variables are not available at the village level. This paper describes the process of deriving maps of census metrics not collected by Indian census for small regions (such as villages) using DMSP-OLS images that are otherwise unavailable. Linear regression models with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.90 (p < 0.05) at the district and the taluk level from the nighttime satellite images were used to predict these census metrics for villages. Maps are produced for villages. Errors associated with the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) and ecological fallacies are also discussed. The paper concludes with an overall assessment of the results at these various spatial scales.
Influence of Stratospheric Intrusion on the Surface Ozone Levels in India
Authors: Ganguly Nandita D.
Published: August 2012

The surface ozone levels in some Indian cities have increased significantly in the recent years. Ozone being toxic to the living system and an important contributor to anthropogenic global warming, enhanced surface ozone may have adverse effects on the air quality and climate. Transport of ozone from the stratosphere to the troposphere causes stratospheric ozone to decrease and tropospheric ozone to increase, which can in turn have serious consequences for life on earth. Since stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) is an important factor influencing the ozone concentration in the troposphere, this paper investigates probably for the first time the possible contribution of STE events to the observed enhanced surface ozone levels for cities covering from north to south of India. It is concluded that apart from transport processes and in situ photochemical production, STE also influences the observed high-surface ozone levels in Indian cities to a small extent (8%–16%). STE events producing high-surface ozone levels are found to be higher at high latitudes.
Olive tree pruning as an agricultural residue for ethanol production. Fermentation of hydrolysates from dilute acid pretreatment
Authors: Díaz-Villanueva M. J. , Cara-Corpas C. , Ruiz-Ramos E. , Romero-Pulido I. , Castro-Galiano E.
Published: August 2012

The use of agricultural residues for ethanol production constitutes one of the most promising alternatives from an environmental point of view for substituting fossil fuels in the transport sector. This work deals with the fermentability of hydrolysates obtained from olive tree pruning biomass and the influence of the pH of the culture medium. Hydrolysates of olive tree biomass were obtained by dilute acid pre-treatment of the raw material at 180ºC and 1% (w/v) sulfuric acid concentration. After pretreatment, solid residue and liquid were separated by filtration. The liquid fraction (hydrolysate) was then submitted to detoxification (overliming) before being used as fermentation medium. Pichia stipitis and Pachysolen tannophilus were compared as fermenting microorganisms. Different initial pH values were also tested. The best results in terms of ethanol yield were obtained by P. tannophilus with values as high as 0.44 g ethanol g-1 sugar, and all liquids were fermented, to a different extent. P. stipitis could not ferment hydrolysates with initial pH below 6.5. It was also determined that ethanol production did not improve once glucose in the medium was totally converted, even if other sugars (xylose) were also consumed.
Enhanced resistance to Rhizoctonia solani by combined expression of chitinase and Ribosome Inactivating Protein in transgenic potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: M'hamdi M. , Chikh-Rouhou H. , Boughalleb N. , Ruiz de Galarreta J. I.
Published: August 2012

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is susceptible to many fungal pathogens including Rhizoctonia solani. In the present study, the potato cultivar Desirée was transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 containing the binary plasmid pGJ132 harboring both the chitinase (chiA) and rip30 genes. The potato leaf disc was used as an explant for transformation. PCR, Southern blot and Western blot were used for characterization of the transgenic plants. In this study it was shown that not all the plants developed in selective medium were positive for the corresponding gene using the PCR technique. Southern blot analysis confirmed that transgenic plants integrated 2-3 copies of chiA and rip30 genes respectively into their genome. The expression of the CHIA and RIP30 proteins was confirmed in the leaf extracts of the transgenic clones by Western blot analysis. Transgenic potato plants expressing rip30 and chiA genes showed enhanced resistance to R. solani in a greenhouse assay.
Murcott seedless: influence of gamma irradiation on citrus production and fruit quality
Authors: Bermejo A. , Pardo J. , Cano A.
Published: August 2012

Seedlessness is an important economic trait relating to fruit quality, and gamma irradiation is a common technique used to obtain seedless citrus fruits. Herein, we report a study of new seedless ‘Murcott’ mandarin clones obtained by bud irradiation from the self-compatible not parthenocarpic ‘Murcott’ mandarin. All irradiated clones examined presented lower seed numbers (from 0.23 to 2.47 seeds per fruit) and reduced pollen germination (from 1.40% to 8.55%) whereas the wild-type ‘Murcott’ showed an average number of 9.03 seeds per fruit and a pollen germination value of 47.15%. Fruit quality and nutritional bio-components were affected differently; some clones presented no changes compared to the control ‘Murcott’ mandarin, while other clones showed significant differences. High-performance liquid chromatographic methods were used to identify and quantify of these compounds, using photodiode array, mass and refractive index detectors. Our results indicated high contents in natural antioxidants as vitamin C (from 20.13 to 25.73 mg/100 mL) and phenolic compounds, as flavonoids, in these citrus varieties cultived under the Mediterranean climate. Some of these clones, which ripen late in the season and whose fruit quality is maintained or improved, are in the process of registration. In conclusion, budwood irradiation is a suitable technique to improve cultivars, produce seedless cultivars, adjust ripening time or raise the content of health-promoting compounds. Also this study investigates the influence of temperature during flowering on the number of seeds formed. Findings indicate that low temperatures during flower formation decreased pollen germination and seed number.
Suitability of webworm Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs for consumption by immature and adults of the predatory mite Neoseiulus pseudolongispinosus (Xin, Liang and Ke) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Sarwar M. , Xu X. , Wu K.
Published: August 2012

The genus Loxostege has a worldwide distribution and includes an economically important group of insect pests of different crops. The effectiveness of predator Neoseiulus pseudolongispinosus (Xin, Liang and Ke) as a potential bio-control agent of webworm Loxostege sticticalis L., was investigated by measuring rates of prey consumption and destruction by the different life stages of mite, duration and viability of immature, pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, total oviposition capacity, and longevity of adults. When eggs food was offered in similar amounts, there were variations in consumption tendency among the different life stages of predator. Mean development period was shortest for egg-fed larvae, whereas, longest in deutonymph followed by egg and protonymph, and total life cycle was completed in a mean of 12.75 days for male or female. A mean pre-oviposition period of 4.28 days was recorded in female and period of oviposition lasted for 8.71 days. The mean number of eggs recorded was 1.42 day-1 female-1. Mortality was recorded in all life stages and percent viability was best in egg stage, adult females and males, and slightly less in larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs. Further, predatory activity of mites, such as their feeding habits, number of eggs damaged, how they were damaged and oviposition were observed. It is concluded that N. pseudolongispinosus can be successfully reared on L. sticticalis eggs, which proved a good food for adults and nymphs. Laboratory data indicated that this predatory mite has the potential to act as a biological control agent of L. sticticalis in crops.
Segmentación automática de imágenes digitales para estimar el vigor en viñas
Authors: Sáiz-Rubio V. , Rovira-Más F.
Published: August 2012

La información requerida para implementar aplicaciones de viticultura de precisión en parcelas reales ha desembocado en el uso extensivo de la teledetección y la detección aérea. Si bien estos métodos son ventajosos por cubrir vastas áreas y proveer diversa información radiométrica, suelen ser inalcanzables para el productor español medio debido a los gastos ocasionados. Esta investigación desarrolla una nueva metodología para generar mapas de vigor con referencias globales basados en imágenes digitales tomadas con una cámara montada sobre un tractor convencional y con capacidad para percibir en el espectro visible, infrarrojo cercano (NIR) y ultravioleta (UV). Para hacer el sistema más versátil se analizaron dos niveles de muestreo: intensivo (1 m2 de cobertura vegetal) y super-intensivo (0,1 m2 de cobertura). El núcleo de la metodología propuesta se basa en el algoritmo de segmentación de imágenes para cuantificar automáticamente diferencias en vigor vegetativo. El cálculo del umbral dinámico se fundamenta en los conceptos matemáticos de gradiente y curvatura. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que es posible cuantificar diferencias en vigor vegetativo de viñas utilizando el rango espectral del NIR con un muestreo intensivo. El muestreo super-intensivo y la banda espectral UV no resultaron adecuados para esta aplicación, aunque pueden aportar información clave en otras aplicaciones agronómicas. Las pruebas de campo demostraron la viabilidad de generar mapas georreferenciados de vigor desde vehículos convencionales, y mostraron el potencial de esta técnica como instrumento predictivo para explotaciones de tamaño medio.
Repeated biodisinfection controls the incidence of Phytophthora root and crown rot of pepper while improving soil quality
Authors: Nuñez-Zofío M. , Larregla del Palacio S. , Garbisu C.
Published: August 2012

Phytophthora root and crown rot is a plant disease responsible for important economic losses in protected pepper crops. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in a temperate climate region (northern Spain) to assess the effects of repeated biodisinfection after three consecutive crop seasons with different organic amendments (a non-composted mixture of sheep manure and chicken litter, a semicomposted mixture of horse manure and chicken litter, Brassica carinata dehydrated pellets plus Sinapis alba fresh green manure) on disease incidence, crop yield and soil quality. Biodisinfection treatments were found to improve soil water properties through reduction in soil bulk density and increased water infiltration. Biodisinfested soils showed higher values of physicochemical and microbial properties than control (untreated) and plastic-mulched soils. In plots treated with the non-composted or semicomposted mixture, the observed higher levels of microbial activity were strongly related with an increase in soil microbial biomass. Brassica-Sinapis treatment had a weaker effect on soil properties than animal manure-based treatments. However, highest counts of total bacteria, actinomycetes and Pseudomonas spp. were found in Brassica-Sinapis-treated soils. It was concluded that repeated biodisinfection for the control of Phytophthora root and crown rot in protected pepper crops located in temperate climate regions can improve soil quality and suppressiveness, as well as allow for a reduction in the dose of organic amendment needed for biodisinfection. Among the studied organic amendments, the semicomposted amendment was the best option in terms of reduction in disease incidence.
Distribución y pérdidas de agua y nitrato bajo fertirriego por surcos alterno y convencional
Authors: Ebrahimian H. , Liaghat A. , Parsinejad M. , Playán E.
Published: August 2012

El riego por surcos alternos y el fertirriego por superficie se han venido utilizando por separado como técnicas con capacidad demostrada para controlar las pérdidas de agua y fertilizantes. El principal objetivo del ensayo descrito en este trabajo fue caracterizar el efecto del uso conjunto de estas técnicas en las pérdidas de agua y nitratos, en el agua en el suelo y en la concentración de nitrato en el suelo. En el ensayo se consideraron dos tipos de fertirriego por surcos alternos, variable (AFI) y fijo (FFI), así como el riego por surcos convencional (CFI). Los resultados evidenciaron una mayor infiltración en los surcos AFI y FFI que en los surcos CFI. El aumento del movimiento lateral del agua en el riego alterno resultó en menores pérdidas de agua y nitrato por escorrentía y percolación profunda. La eficiencia de aplicación del agua para las estrategias CFI, FFI y AFI fue de 61,3%, 71,8% y 77,0% en el primer fertirriego, y de 36,4%, 58,8% y 60,7% en el segundo fertirriego, respectivamente. Las escorrentías de nitrato en las estrategias CFI, FFI y AFI fueron de 32,4%, 31,2% y 25,7% en el primer fertirriego y de 44,3%, 35,1% y 32,7% en el segundo fertirriego, respectivamente. El contenido de agua en el suelo y la concentración de nitrato en el extremo aguas arriba del campo experimental resultó mayor que en la parte media o en el extremo aguas abajo en las tres estrategias ensayadas. El fertirriego por surcos alternos (AFI en particular) resulta una técnica de manejo simple y práctica para conservar agua y fertilizantes en la agricultura de regadío.
Short communication. Decision on germplasm choice to apply breeding within a local population of common vetch is affected by crowding
Authors: Chatzoglou Th. , Tokatlidis I. S.
Published: August 2012

The value of a population as a potential gene pool on which to apply selection may be severely underestimated under competition conditions because of the negative correlation of competitive versus yielding ability. To address this issue, a vetch (Vicia sativa) local population along with a control cultivar was evaluated at densities ranging from 1.15 to 25 plants m-2. A hyperbolic increasing pattern as density declined was found for both grain and biomass yield. Nevertheless, at the highest density the control cultivar performance exceeded the population, whereas at the lowest density the opposite happened. The results were attributed to the heterogeneity of the population versus the homogeneity of the cultivar combined with the aforementioned negative relationship. It was concluded that severe crowding undervalues the potential of a population because plants representing high yielders cannot exhibit this capacity due to their competitive disadvantage. On the other side, the absence of competition optimizes the yield expression of individual plants. Therefore, absence of competition is recommended as the optimal condition to evaluate populations and make the right decision on the most promising one for breeding.
Differentiation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Mohib Kanishka , Wang Lisheng
Published: August 2012

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer great hope in regenerative medicine. Their ability to give rise to almost any type of cell present in the adult body makes them an invaluable tool in finding cures for a variety of diseases. While considerable protocols have been devised to efficiently differentiate hESCs into various cells types including cells of hematopoietic origin, this protocol will focus on the derivation of dendritic cells (DC), a potent antigen‐presenting cell. DCs are a highly important arm of the immune system, as they represent one of the few cells that bridge the innate and adaptive systems, leading to effective pathogen clearance. The study of DCs has led to potential applications in diverse fields, such as vaccine development, tumor immunology, and transplantation. In this protocol, we describe two different methods of differentiating hESCs into DCs. The first method uses OP9 bone marrow stromal supporting cells as a coculture system, while the second method utilizes the formation of embryoid body (EB, cellular aggregate) as an approach. To assure the successful outcome and subsequent assessment of the differentiated DCs, supporting protocols have been included in this chapter. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 98:22F.11.1‐22F.11.22. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of Acyl Chlorides with Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Chen Jiuxi , Peng Yong , Liu Miaochang , Ding Jinchang , Su Weike , Wu Huayue
Published: August 2012

The first example of a palladium‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of acyl chlorides with arylboronic acids has been developed, leading to a wide range of aryl benzoates in good to excellent yields. This catalytic system shows broad functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic experiments using deuterium labeling showed that the oxygen atom was derived from dioxygen.
Selective para‐Cyanation of Alkoxy‐ and Benzyloxy‐Substituted Benzenes with Potassium Ferricyanide Promoted by Copper(II) Nitrate and Iodine
Authors: Ren Yunlai , Yan Mengjie , Zhao Shuang , Wang Jianji , Ma Junying , Tian Xinzhe , Yin Weiping
Published: August 2012

A simple method was developed for selective para‐cyanation of alkoxy‐ and benzyloxy‐substituted benzenes with 0.5 equivalents of potassium ferricyanide, 0.8 equivalants of copper(II) nitrate and 0.5 equivalents of iodine in acetonitrile. Among various phenyl carbon‐hydrogen bonds, those at the para‐position with regard to the alkoxy or benzyloxy groups were selectively cyanated in 20% to 87% yields (23 examples). The present method uses commercially available reagents, and can be performed on a ten gram‐scale. Interestingly, methoxybenzene was cyanated in 32% yield in the absence of potassium ferricyanide, which suggests that the nitrile group of a part of the product is possibly from the solvent acetonitrile.
Distribution and Conservation Status of the Red‐Shanked Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Lao PDR: An Update
Authors: Coudrat Camille N. Z. , Duckworth John W. , Timmins Robert J.
Published: August 2012

The endangered red‐shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus), endemic to Lao PDR, Vietnam, and perhaps Cambodia, remains little known. The Lao population is highly threatened. To improve conservation prospects of the species there, we here update a status review from 1999. Subsequent literature (mostly not readily available to the outside scientific community) was reviewed critically. Doucs and their habitat in Lao PDR faced continuous, increasing threats in the past 10 years through large development projects and heavy hunting. Many locations with records from the 1990s were not surveyed in the last decade, so douc persistence remains uncertain in them. Given the poor status of the species in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Lao population is surely the world's largest and the best hope for the species’ global conservation. Resources for conserving species are very limited in the country, urging prioritization of populations, so available resources have maximum effect. Nakai–Nam Theun and Hin Namno National Protected Areas hold the largest populations of P. nemaeus, but face great threats from hunting. Management of these areas (and secondary priority areas) should focus on control of this illegal activity. Am. J. Primatol. 74:874‐889, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MOLECULAR CLONING OF SOLUBLE TREHALASE FROM Chironomus riparius LARVAE, ITS HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION IN Escherichia coli AND BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Forcella Matilde , Mozzi Alessandra , Bigi Alessandra , Parenti Paolo , Fusi Paola
Published: August 2012

Trehalase is involved in the control of trehalose concentration, the main blood sugar in insects. Here, we describe the molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding for the soluble form of the trehalase from the midge larvae of Chironomus riparius, a well‐known bioindicator of the quality of freshwater environments. Molecular cloning was achieved through multiple alignment of Diptera trehalase sequences, allowing the synthesis of internal homology‐based primers; the complete open reading frame(ORF) was subsequently obtained through RACE‐PCR(where RACE is rapid amplification of cDNA ends). The cDNA contained the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), the 3′ UTR including a poly(A) tail and the ORF of 1,725 bp consisting of 574 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 65,778 Da. Recombinant trehalase was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as a His‐tagged protein and purified on Ni‐NTA affinity chromatography. Primary structure analysis showed a series of characteristic features shared by all insect trehalases, while three‐dimensional structure prediction yielded the typical glucosidase fold, the two key residues involved in the catalytic mechanism being conserved. Production of recombinant insect trehalases opens the way to structural characterizations of the catalytic site, which might represent, among others, an element for reconsidering the enzyme as a target in pest insects’ control.
Asymmetric Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Nazarov Cyclization of Acyclic α‐Alkoxy Dienones
Authors: Raja Sadiya , Ieawsuwan Winai , Korotkov Vadim , Rueping Magnus
Published: August 2012

A Brønsted acid‐catalyzed asymmetric Nazarov cyclization of acyclic α‐alkoxy dienones has been developed. The reaction offers access to chiral cyclopentenones in a highly enantioselective manner. The reaction is complementary to our previously reported Brønsted acid‐catalyzed electrocyclization reactions, which provided differently substituted optically active cyclopentenones with a fused tetrahydropyrane ring in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.
Energieumwandlung in chemischen Verfahren
Authors: Riekert Lothar
Published: August 2012

Alle chemischen Verfahren lassen sich als Prozesse der Energieumwandlung auffassen. Die Elementarzusammensetzung der Materie bleibt bei chemischen Prozessen insgesamt unverändert, jedoch ist die maximale mechanische Arbeit, die sich bestenfalls aus den Ausgangsstoffen gewinnen ließe (deren sog. Exergie) nach dem 2. Hauptsatz notwendig größer als das entsprechende Arbeitsäquivalent der Produkte. Diese maximale potentielle Arbeit als universelles Maß des nutzbaren Teiles aller Energien kann in sinnvoller Weise nur in Bezug auf einen festgelegten Umgebungszustand definiert werden, der durch den stationären Zustand unserer Umwelt bestimmt ist. — Auf der Grundlage des zweiten Hauptsatzes der Thermodynamik kann man danach den thermodynamischen Wirkungsgrad von Produktionsverfahren oder von Prozessen berechnen, die der Speicherung von Energie dienen sollen. Durch eine fortschreitende Unterteilung des Bilanzraumes läßt sich weiterhin ermitteln, welche Teilvorgänge besonders verlustreich sind. Eine Betrachtung einiger großtechnischer verfahren zeigt, mit welchen Mitteln es gelingt, deren thermodynamischen Wirkungsgrad zu verbessern und welche Grenzen diesem Bemühen gesetzt sind. — Irreversible Vorgänge sind Exergiesenken; Exergieverbrauch und Entropieproduktion sind einander proportional. Exergiequellen im geschlossenen System unserer Geosphäre beruhen auf Vorgängen, die mit dem externen Strahlungsenergieaustausch gekoppelt sind.
Physikalisch‐chemische Probleme bei der Erzeugung und Speicherung chemischer sekundärer Energieträger
Authors: Stucki S. , Menth A.
Published: August 2012

Wasserstoff ist als sekundärer Energieträger universell einsetzbar. Die Erzeugung von Wasserstoff aus Wasser und nichtfossiler Energie ist bereits mit heutiger Technik möglich. Der Wirkungsgrad der Elektrolyse muß verbessert und die Anlagekosten gesenkt werden. — Am Beispiel Membran‐Elektrolyse werden die Probleme bei der Entwicklung einer neuen Technik beschrieben. Wesentliche Bedeutung kommt der Elektrokatalyse der Sauerstoffentwicklung zu. Wichtig für eine wirtschaftliche Prozeßführung ist eine hohe Energieumwandlungsdichte. Wasserstoffproduktion in thermochemischen Zyklen bringt eine Reihe von verfahrenstechnischen und Materialproblemen. Die technische Realisierung dieser Zyklen erscheint fragwürdig. — Große Bedeutung kommt bei der Nutzung von H2 als Sekundärenergieträger dessen Speicherung zu. Es wird zwischen stationärer Speicherung großer Kapazität und mobiler Speicherung unterschieden.
Untersuchungen über den Mechanismus und die Katalyse der kathodischen Sauerstoffreduktion an verschiedenen Metallen
Authors: Fabjan Ch. , Kazemi M. R. , Neckel A.
Published: August 2012

Die Kinetik und Katalyse der kathodischen Sauerstoffreduktion wurden an glatten Pd‐, Ag‐, Au‐, Fe‐, Co und Ni‐Elektroden in alkalischen (KOH), an Pd auch in schwefelsauren Elektrolyten untersucht. Die kathodische Reaktionsordnung (RO) bezüglich des Partialdruckes von Sauerstoff beträgt an Pd, Ag und Au + 1 an Fe, Co und Ni dagegen + 0,5. Daraus folgt, daß im ersten Fall die Reduktion des Sauerstoffes im Durchtrittsbereich direkt zu Hydroxidionen bzw. Wasser führt, wahrend im zweiten Fall (RO = +0,5) ausschließlich Peroxid bzw. Perhydroxylanion gebildet wird. — Hinsichtlich der Hydroxidionenkonzentration werden — mit Ausnahme von Ni — negative kathodische R.O. gefunden; dies wird auf die zunehmende spezifische Adsorption von OH− ‐lonen mit wachsender Alkalität zurück‐geführt. Ferner ist die mit steigender Elektrolytkonzentration abnehmende Löslichkeit des Sauerstoffes zu berücksichtigen. — Die elektrokatalytische Aktivität der Elektrodensubstrate nimmt in der Reihenfolge Fe < Ni < Au < Ag < Co(Pd) < Pd(Co) zu.
The Applicability of Semiconducting Layered Materials for Electrochemical Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Kautek W. , Gobrecht J. , Gerischer H.
Published: August 2012

Semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides with layer structure belong to the most stable electrode materials in electrochemical solar cells. The photoelectrochemical reactions however, are complicated by the surface anisotropy. Results of photoelectrochemical cells with n‐type MoSe2 and WSe2 demonstrate the importance of surface morphology for the energy conversion efficiency. — The optimal energy conversion yield of these layered semiconductors has turned out being lower than theoretically expected from their band gaps. It is shown that this is connected with the existence of an indirect band gap which restricts light absorption in a considerable energy quantum range above the band gap. Besides this, surface defects and inhomogeneities reduce the quantum yield by increased surface recombination. — Photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution has been investigated with p‐type WSe2. It is shown that a considerable energy gain can be reached by the catalytic action of platinum deposits on the surface of the electrode. This is explained in terms of surface state catalysis.
Wasserstoff als Energieträger und seine Darstellung mittels Schmelzflußelektrolyse
Authors: Dorner S. , Schretzmann K.
Published: August 2012

Die Bedeutung des Wasserstoffs als künftiger Energieträger, vor allem im Straßenverkehr, wird herausgearbeitet. Er kann in Verbrennungsmotoren direkt verwendet werden. Eine besonders gute Nutzung des Wasserstoffs ist in Brennstoffzellen möglich. — Überlegungen über die Darstellung von Wasserstoff durch chemische Kreisprozesse haben gezeigt, daß es notwendig ist, elektrochemische Teilschritte einzuführen. Günstige Voraussetzungen sind bei der elektrolytischen Zersetzung von geschmolzenen Cäsiumsalzen gegeben. Das abgeschiedene Cäsium wird zur Wasserstofffreisetzung aus Wasser verwendet. Gedankliche Ansätze zur Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens werden vorgelegt. Auf die offenen Fragen der Cäsiumchemie wird hingewiesen.
2‐(2‐Pyridinyl)‐1‐(3‐Pyridinyl)‐Ethanone — Structure and Spectroscopic Properties
Authors: Melzig M. , Schneider S. , Dörr F. , Daltrozzo E.
Published: August 2012

Reaction of 2‐methylpyridyl lithium with ethyl pyridine‐3‐carboxylate yields 2‐(2‐pyridinyl)‐1‐(3‐pyridinyl)‐ethanone, which occurs in solution as three tautomers. The dependence of the tautomeric equilibria on both the solvent and the temperature is determined by means of 1H‐n.m.r., electronic absorption and electronic emission spectra. The correlation between tautomeric structures and u.v. spectra is supported by the results of quantum mechanical model calculations in the PPP approximation. — The dependence of the fluorescence on both the solvent and the temperature is interpreted in terms of solvent cage effects as well as rapid intramolecular and/or intermolecular hydrogen exchange.
Photoinduced Electron Transfer between Amphipathic Ruthenium(II) Complex and N‐Butylphenothiazine in Various Microenvironments
Authors: Takayanagi Takashi , Nagamura Toshihiko , Matsuo Taku
Published: August 2012

Electron transfer between photoexcited amphipathic ruthenium(II) complex and N‐butylphenothiazine in various microenvironments such as acetonitrile, micelles, synthetic bilayers, and phospholipid liposomes was studied by the flash photolysis. Back electron transfer reactions were appreciably retarded when the reaction proceeded in the vicinity of charged surface of surfactant molecular assemblies. The increase of temperatures resulted in the decrease of the back electron transfer rate constant (kd) in micelles and synthetic bilayers, whereas kd‐value increased with temperatures in a homogeneous acetonitrile solution. These results were explained as due to microenvironmental effects on diffusion of photogenerated redox species.
Über die Beobachtung von Phosphoreszenz und verzögerter Fluoreszenz am Dikation BH2+2 des Betains B
Authors: Finkentey Johann‐Henrich , Zimmermann Herbert W.
Published: August 2012

Absorptions‐, Emissions‐ und Polarisationsgradspektren des Dikations D = BH2+2 von Betain B wurden bei — 195°C in glasartig erstarrter alkoholischer Lösung gemessen. Aus der Diskussion der Spektren wurde geschlossen, daß D neben der Phosphoreszenz noch eine verzögerte Fluoreszenz emittiert. Die Übergangsmomente von verzögerter Fluoreszenz und Phosphoreszenz stehen annähernd senkrecht aufeinander.
Occupation Numbers in Micellar Solubilisation — An Excimer Study
Authors: Miller D. J. , Klein U. K. A. , Hauser M.
Published: August 2012

Kinetic fluorescence spectroscopy can give important information on micellar solubilisation. The kinetics of excimer formation of pyrene in aqueous Na‐dodecylsulphate solution show that there are discontinuous occupation numbers which can be described by the Poisson distribution. The micellar aggregation number g(I, T) increases with ionic strength to over 200 and diminishes with temperature. The temperature dependence of g(I, T) was measured at several Na2SO4 concentrations
Dimerization Equilibria of Aromatic Radical Cations
Authors: Kotowski S. , Grabner E. W. , Brauer H.‐D.
Published: August 2012

It is demonstrated that for the system perylene in butyronitril, the dimerization equilibria of radical cations R+ + R ⇌ R+2 (I) and 2R+ ⇌ R++2 (II), occur simultaneously. In order to determine thermodynamic data, the complex system can be divided in simple subsystems by employing the property that one component, the radical cations, is generated electrolytically. Thus from the derivative of the absorbance A with respect to the charge q consumed at q = 0, (dA/dq)q=0, the parameters of equilibrium I are obtained: −ΔH+ = (36 ± 6) kJ/mol, −ΔS+ = 71 ± 8) J/mol · K. The temperature variation of a nearly totally electrolyzed solution enables the determination of the parameters of equilibrium II: −ΔH++ = (45 ± 2) kJ/mol, −ΔS++ = (76 ± 8) J/mol · K. For equilibrium I the influence of the follow‐up reaction of perylene radical cations with traces of water could be described quantitatively (pseudo first‐order rate constant −2 · 10−3 s−1).
A Voltammetric Analysis of the Electrochemical Behaviour of Onium Salts at a Mercury Electrode
Authors: Hall Elizabeth A. H. , Horner Leopold
Published: August 2012

An analysis of the cyclic voltammograms of the reduction of various onium salt at mercury, produced more detailed information concerning the nature of the reaction pathway, in terms of adsorption, amalgam formation and kinetics of electron transfer, and lead to an interpretation of the characteristic “inverted peak”. An “auto‐catalytic” reaction mechanism was indicated, and in conjunction with the preparative experiments [1, 2] a full reduction scheme proposed for the sulphonium salt ([Ph2S+ CH3)]CIO−4) and the phosphonium salt ([Ph2P+ (CH3)2]Br−).