bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Soil Application of Organic Amendments on Flowering and Yield Parameters of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: S. R. Arya , M.M. Viji , R.V.Manju  , B Aparna , S. Sarada , Bhasi. Smitha
Published: September 2024

The present investigation was conducted at Department of Plant physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period from January 2023 to May 2023 with an objective to evaluate the effect of soil application of organic amendments on flowering and yield parameters of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Research was conducted to identify the best organic soil amendment suited to the chilli variety, Vellayani Athulya. Work consisted of 8 treatments and 3 replications with the design simple CRD. The treatments were T1-Control 1 [KAU Organic POP (OPOP) (2017) with FYM (25 t ha-1)], T2-Control 2 [KAU POP (2016)], T3-FYM substituted with vermicompost (12.5 t  ha-1) as per KAU OPOP (2017), T4 -FYM substituted with goat manure (1t ha-1) as per KAU OPOP (2017), T5 -T1+ Rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w), T6- T2+ Rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w), T7- T3+ Rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w ) and T8- T4+ Rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w). The results revealed that the treatment T8-FYM substituted with goat manure (1t ha-1) as per KAU Organic POP(OPOP) (2017)+ rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w) resulted in better flowering and yield attributes in chilli. Also the same treatment showed superior performance in terms of number of flowers plant-1 (44.67), days to first flowering (22 days), days to first harvest (41 days), percentage of fruit setting (64.18%), number of fruits plant-1 (28.67), fruit length (15.30cm), fruit girth (9.30cm), fruit weight (17.70 g fruit -1) and yield (507.41 g plant-1). Thus, the combined application of goat manure (1t ha-1) as per KAU OPOP + rice husk biochar (0.5% w/w) proved to be a better soil organic amendment for chilli variety Vellayani Athulya.
Evaluation of Corrosion Performance of LDX 2101 and UNS S32205 in Flexible Pipeline Applications: A Comparative Study
Authors: Gumoshabe Michael , Opio Innocent M. , Makanga Jackson , Kule Saimon , Ongom Douglas
Published: September 2024

Lean duplex stainless steel (LDSS) has been used in various applications, including flexible pipelines in offshore and other industrial settings. In recent years, LDSS has become the preferred choice over standard duplex stainless steel (DSS) for flexible pipeline applications due to its lower costs, achieved by reducing nickel and molybdenum content, while still providing comparable corrosion resistance and mechanical strength properties to DSS. However, there is still limited reporting on the corrosion effects of reducing these alloys on the behaviour of lean duplex stainless steel in flexible pipelines. This comparative study investigates the corrosion resistance of lean duplex stainless steel, LDX 2101 and duplex stainless steel, UNS S32205 in flexible pipeline applications using linear polarization resistance (LPR). The research focuses on assessing material performance in environments containing CO2 and H2S, commonly found in oil and gas production, by conducting short-term and long-term tests to evaluate pitting and selective corrosion. The samples, LDX 2101 and UNS S32205 were immersed in a 3.5M NaCl solution, and corrosion measurements were performed using the Metrohm Autolab potentiostat. The results indicate that both materials exhibit good corrosion resistance, but there are differences in their performance under specific conditions. While lean duplex stainless steel, LDX 2101, can be used as a substitute for duplex stainless steel UNS S32205, its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties gradually decrease over time due to the reduced nickel and molybdenum content. As a result, it would not be as effective as duplex stainless steel UNS S32205 in withstanding corrosion in aggressive conditions over a prolonged period.
Impact of Solid Waste Disposal on the Bacteriological Quality of Soil Around Hostels of a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Abasi T. B. , Sampson T. , Aleruchi O.
Published: September 2024

The production of waste has increased to such an extent that it generates hurdles in the daily lives of today, and as well serves as a medium for the transmission of disease causing microbial population. This study was aimed at assessing the Impact of Solid Waste Disposal on the Bacteriological Quality of Soil around Hostels of a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Soil samples from two different layers (0 - 30cm and 30 - 60cm) from waste contaminated sites and control sites (100 meters away from the dumpsites) were collected and analysed using standard bacteriological procedures. Statistical analysis was carried out using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result of the Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) showed the highest value of 11.05±5.16 x 107cfu/g was obtained from the contaminated topsoil sample, while the least value of 3.6±0.14 x 107cfu/g was obtained from the control subsoil. Similar pattern was recorded for the other bacterial groups. The results for the Total Coliform Count (TCC) indicated that the individual samples’ values varied between 1.0 x 105cfu/g (for Control Subsoil 2) and 5.8 x 105cfu/g (for Contaminated Topsoil 1), while for the Fecal Coliform Count (FCC) showed that the individual samples’ values varied between 1.2 x 104cfu/g (for Control Subsoil 2) and 14.9 x 104cfu/g (for Contaminated Topsoil 2). A total of 50 isolates were obtained and characterized belonging to six genera, and their prevalence showed Bacillus and Staphylococcus species were the most occurring with a frequency of 100%, followed by Shigella spp. (50%), Salmonella spp. (33.3%), Pseudomonas spp. (16.7%) and Klebsiella species (16.7%). The study therefore, showed notable bacteriological implications, thereby necessitating the need for proper design plan for constructing and allocating waste disposal sites and placing them away from sensitive areas like halls of residence.
Anthropogenic carbon in the ocean—Surface to interior connections
Authors: Groeskamp Sjoerd , Lenton Andrew , Matear Richard , Sloyan Bernadette M. , Langlais Clothilde
Published: October 2016

Quantifying the surface to interior transport of anthropogenic carbon (CA) is critical for projecting future carbon uptake and for improved understanding of the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle. Here we develop and apply a diagnostic tool that provides a volumetric stream function in (CA,σ0) coordinates to calculate the total diapycnal CA transport in the ocean, where σ0 is the surface referenced potential density anomaly. We combine this with air‐sea fluxes of CA to infer the internal ocean mixing of CA to obtain a closed globally integrated budget analyses of the ocean's CA transport. This diagnostic separates the contribution from the mean flow, seasonal cycles, trend, surface fluxes, and mixing in the distribution and the accumulation of CA in the ocean. We find that the redistribution of CA from the surface to the interior of the ocean is due to an interplay between circulation and mixing. The circulation component is dominated by the mean flow; however, effects due to seasonal cycles are significant for the CA redistribution. The two most important pathways for CA subduction are through the transformation of thermocline water (TW) into subantarctic mode water and by transformation of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) into lighter Antarctic Intermediate Water. The results suggest that an accurate representation of intermediate and mode water formation, deep water formation, and spatial and temporal distribution of ocean mixing in ocean models is essential to simulate and project the oceanic uptake of CA.
The initiation of the poleward boundary intensification of auroral emission by fast polar cap flows: A new interpretation based on ionospheric polarization
Authors: Ohtani S. , Yoshikawa A.
Published: October 2016

The auroral intensification at the poleward boundary of the auroral oval is often considered to be the ionospheric manifestation of the distant reconnection. In the present study, however, we propose that the poleward boundary intensifications (PBIs) are initiated by ionospheric polarization due to fast polar cap flows, which are known to be well correlated with PBIs. The current continuity at the ionosphere can be described in two different ways, that is, the reflection of an Alfvén wave and the closure of Pedersen and Hall currents with field‐aligned currents (FACs). The required consistency between the two approaches sets a framework for modeling the ionospheric polarization, and we numerically test the aforementioned idea focusing on an induced upward FAC as indicative of PBIs. The results show that in case the polar cap flow channel approaches the auroral oval perpendicularly from poleward, (i) upward and downward FACs are induced at the poleward boundary to the west and east of the longitudinal center of the flow channel, respectively; (ii) those induced FACs extend much wider in longitude than the flow channel; (iii) the peak densities of those induced FACs are significantly larger than those of the incident FACs; (iv) those induced FACs are distributed almost symmetrically in longitude, indicating that the Pedersen polarization dominates the Hall polarization; and (v) if the polar cap flow inclined dawnward (duskward), an upward (downward) FAC is induced first. These results are consistent with the reported characteristics of PBIs, which are rather difficult to explain otherwise.
Dry‐Sliding Wear Response of MoTaWNbV High Entropy Alloy
Authors: Poulia Anthoula , Georgatis Emmanuel , Lekatou Angela , Karantzalis Alexander
Published: October 2016

In this work, the tribological performance of Mo20Ta20W20Nb20V20 Refractory High Entropy Alloy was examined. The alloy's wear response was tested under different experimental conditions. With the use of a metallic ball as a counter body partner, the morphology of the wear track and the presence of Fe oxides controlled the wear rate. When using a ceramic ball for the same sliding distances, similar observations were made regarding the width of the wear tracks and the reduction of the friction coefficient with an increase of the sliding distance. The examination of the debris further explained the wear mechanisms in every case. Finally, by comparing the wear response of Mo20Ta20W20Nb20V20 with that of a commercial super alloy, the improved behavior of the High Entropy Alloy was highlighted in all cases.
Cognitive analysis of schizophrenia risk genes that function as epigenetic regulators of gene expression
Authors: Whitton Laura , Cosgrove Donna , Clarkson Christopher , Harold Denise , Kendall Kimberley , Richards Alex , Mantripragada Kiran , Owen Michael J. , O'Donovan Michael C. , Walters James , Hartmann Annette , Konte Betina , Rujescu Dan ,   WTCCC2, Gill Michael , Corvin Aiden , Rea Stephen , Donohoe Gary , Morris Derek W.
Published: October 2016

Epigenetic mechanisms are an important heritable and dynamic means of regulating various genomic functions, including gene expression, to orchestrate brain development, adult neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. These processes when perturbed are thought to contribute to schizophrenia pathophysiology. A core feature of schizophrenia is cognitive dysfunction. For genetic disorders where cognitive impairment is more severe such as intellectual disability, there are a disproportionally high number of genes involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. Evidence now supports some shared genetic aetiology between schizophrenia and intellectual disability. GWAS have identified 108 chromosomal regions associated with schizophrenia risk that span 350 genes. This study identified genes mapping to those loci that have epigenetic functions, and tested the risk alleles defining those loci for association with cognitive deficits. We developed a list of 350 genes with epigenetic functions and cross‐referenced this with the GWAS loci. This identified eight candidate genes: BCL11B, CHD7, EP300, EPC2, GATAD2A, KDM3B, RERE, SATB2. Using a dataset of Irish psychosis cases and controls (n = 1235), the schizophrenia risk SNPs at these loci were tested for effects on IQ, working memory, episodic memory, and attention. Strongest associations were for rs6984242 with both measures of IQ (P = 0.001) and episodic memory (P = 0.007). We link rs6984242 to CHD7 via a long range eQTL. These associations were not replicated in independent samples. Our study highlights that a number of genes mapping to risk loci for schizophrenia may function as epigenetic regulators of gene expression but further studies are required to establish a role for these genes in cognition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repeat‐associated non‐AUG translation from antisense CCG repeats in fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome
Authors: Krans Amy , Kearse Michael G. , Todd Peter K.
Published: October 2016

Objective

Repeat‐associated non‐AUG (RAN) translation drives production of toxic proteins from pathogenic repeat sequences in multiple untreatable neurodegenerative disorders. Fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is one such condition, resulting from a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5′ leader sequence of the FMR1 gene. RAN proteins from the CGG repeat accumulate in ubiquitinated inclusions in FXTAS patient brains and elicit toxicity. In addition to the CGG repeat, an antisense mRNA containing a CCG repeat is also transcribed from the FMR1 locus. We evaluated whether this antisense CCG repeat supports RAN translation and contributes to pathology in FXTAS patients.

Methods

We generated a series of CCG RAN translation‐specific reporters and utilized them to measure RAN translation from CCG repeats in multiple reading frames in transfected cells. We also developed antibodies against predicted CCG RAN proteins and used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on FXTAS patient tissues to measure their accumulation and distribution.

Results

RAN translation from CCG repeats is supported in all 3 potential reading frames, generating polyproline, polyarginine, and polyalanine proteins, respectively. Their production occurs whether or not the natural AUG start upstream of the repeat in the proline reading frame is present. All 3 frames show greater translation at larger repeat sizes. Antibodies targeted to the antisense FMR polyproline and polyalanine proteins selectively stain nuclear and cytoplasmic aggregates in FXTAS patients and colocalize with ubiquitinated neuronal inclusions.

Interpretation

RAN translation from antisense CCG repeats generates novel proteins that accumulate in ubiquitinated inclusions in FXTAS patients. Ann Neurol 2016;80:871–881
Cutaneous malignant melanoma and Parkinson disease: Common pathways?
Authors: Inzelberg Rivka , Flash Shira , Friedman Eitan , Azizi Esther
Published: October 2016

The mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in Parkinson disease (PD) are unclear, but plausibly involve common pathways. 129Ser‐phosphorylated α‐synuclein, a pathological PD hallmark, is abundantly expressed in CMM, but not in normal skin. In inherited PD, PARK genes harbor germline mutations; the same genes are somatically mutated in CMM, or their encoded proteins are involved in melanomagenesis. Conversely, genes associated with CMM affect PD risk. PD/CMM‐targeted cells share neural crest origin and melanogenesis capability. Pigmentation gene variants may underlie their susceptibility. We review putative genetic intersections that may be suggestive of shared pathways in neurodegeneration/melanomagenesis. Ann Neurol 2016;80:811–820
Inflationary universe with a viscous fluid avoiding self‐reproduction
Authors: Brevik I. , Elizalde E. , Obukhov V. V. , Timoshkin A. V.
Published: October 2016

We consider a universe with a bulk viscous cosmic fluid, in a flat Friedmann‐Lemaitre‐Robertson‐Walker geometry. We derive the conditions for the existence of inflation, and those which at the same time prevent the occurrence of self‐reproduction. Our theoretical model gives results which are in perfect agreement with the most recent data from the PLANCK surveyor.

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Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution with Silicon Electrophiles: Catalytic Friedel–Crafts C−H Silylation
Authors: Bähr Susanne , Oestreich Martin
Published: October 2016

Electrophilic aromatic substitution is a fundamental reaction in synthetic chemistry. It converts C−H bonds of sufficiently nucleophilic arenes into C−X and C−C bonds using either stoichiometrically added or catalytically generated electrophiles. These reactions proceed through Wheland complexes, cationic intermediates that rearomatize by proton release. Hence, these high‐energy intermediates are nothing but protonated arenes and as such strong Brønsted acids. The formation of protons is an issue in those rare cases where the electrophilic aromatic substitution is reversible. This situation arises in the electrophilic silylation of C−H bonds as the energy of the intermediate Wheland complex is lowered by the β‐silicon effect. As a consequence, protonation of the silylated arene is facile, and the reverse reaction usually occurs to afford the desilylated arene. Several new approaches to overcome this inherent challenge of C−H silylation by SEAr were recently disclosed, and this Minireview summarizes this progress.
A Metallaanthracene and Derived Metallaanthraquinone
Authors: Frogley Benjamin J. , Wright L. James
Published: October 2016

Metalla‐analogues of archetypal aromatic molecules are attracting ever increasing interest. Although metallabenzenes (which fall within this class) have been well studied, fused‐ring metallabenzenes are rare and of the linear polycyclic metallaaromatic hydrocarbons, only metallanaphthalene is known. Herein we report the first metallaanthracene, [Ir(C13H8{CH2CO2Me‐5})Cl(PPh3)2]O3SCF3 (5), which represents the next member of this series of polycyclic compounds. Structurally, 5 has a number of features in common with anthracene including fused‐ring planarity and bond‐length alternation. In analogues of classic reactions of anthracene, 5 forms a Diels–Alder adduct with maleic anhydride and on oxidation the unprecedented fused‐ring metallaanthraquinone, [Ir(C15H6O{Br‐6}{OMe‐7}{=O‐8}{=O‐15})Br(PPh3)2], is obtained.
Methionine‐functionalized chitosan–Pd(0) complex: A novel magnetically separable catalyst for Heck reaction of aryl iodides and aryl bromides at room temperature in water as only solvent
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Tavangar‐Rizi Zeinab
Published: October 2016

We report a novel catalyst system with an immobilized palladium metal‐containing magnetic nanoparticle core (ImmPd(0)‐MNPs) for the Heck reaction. ImmPd(0)‐MNPs was found to be an exceptionally mild and versatile catalyst for the Heck reaction of aryl iodides and bromides at room temperature. The catalyst was simply recovered using an external magnet from the reaction mixture and recycled six times. The results showed that the catalyst was very active and stable. Moreover, the reaction was carried out in water as a green and environmentally acceptable solvent. In terms of scope and mildness, ImmPd(0)‐MNPs is an improvement over previously reported catalysts for Heck coupling methods.
ECSPECT prospective multicentre registry for single-port laparoscopic colorectal procedures
Authors: Weiss H , Zorron R , Vestweber K-H , Vestweber B , Boni L , Brunner W , Sietses C , Morales Conde S , Bulut O , Gash K , Dixon A R , Mittermair C , Klaus A , Stanger O , Weiss M , Muratore A , Hell T , Brunner E , Schirnhofer J , Pimpl K , Obrist C , Junghans T , Rink A , Straub E , Giehl J , Cassionotti E , Widmann B , Bischofberger S , Kalak N , Socas M , Alarcón I , Barranco A , Prunner U , Haunold I , Fink M , Marsanic P
Published: October 2016

Background

The international multicentre registry ECSPECT (European Consensus of Single Port Expertise in Colorectal Treatment) was established to evaluate the general feasibility and safety of single-port colorectal surgery with regard to preoperative risk assessment.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing single-port colorectal surgery were enrolled from 11 European centres between March 2010 and March 2014. Data were analysed to assess patient-, technique- and procedure-dependent parameters. A validated sex-adjusted risk chart was developed for prediction of single-port colorectal surgery-related conversion and complications.

Results

Some 1769 patients were enrolled, 937 with benign and 832 with malignant conditions. Procedures were completed without additional trocars in 1628 patients (92·0 per cent). Conversion to open surgery was required in 75 patients (4·2 per cent) and was related to male sex and ASA fitness grade exceeding I. Conversions were more frequent in pelvic procedures involving the rectum compared with abdominal procedures (8·1 versus 3·2 per cent; odds ratio 2·69, P < 0·001). Postoperative complications were observed in a total of 224 patients (12·7 per cent). Independent predictors of complications included male sex (P < 0·001), higher ASA grade (P = 0·006) and rectal procedures (P = 0·002). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0·5 per cent (8 of 1769 patients); three deaths (0·2 per cent; 1 blood loss, 2 leaks) were attributable to surgical causes.

Conclusion

The feasibility and safety, conversion and complication profile demonstrated here provides guidance for patient selection.
Recycling and Oligomerization Activity of Ni/Al Catalyst in a Biphasic System with Ionic Liquids
Authors: Behr Arno , Bayrak Zeynep , Samli Güner , Yildiz Dilbar , Korkmaz Vedat , Peitz Stefan , Stochniol Guido
Published: October 2016

The catalyst decomposition in homogeneously catalyzed reactions is a very important factor that has been studied for the oligomerization of n‐butenes in a system of two liquid phases. A highly active catalyst [NiCl2(PMe3)2] was investigated with an emphasis on the long‐term catalyst activity using N‐methylpyrrole as a buffer. The recycling experiments indicated that this catalyst is viable for five runs. Furthermore, introducing aluminum chloride or an ionic liquid in small concentrations led to increased stability, though fine adjustments were necessary to arrive at optimal results.
Bifunctional Ammonium Salt Catalyzed Asymmetric α‐Hydroxylation of β‐Ketoesters by Simultaneous Resolution of Oxaziridines
Authors: Novacek Johanna , Izzo Joseph A. , Vetticatt Mathew J. , Waser Mario
Published: October 2016

Chiral bifunctional urea‐containing ammonium salts were found to be very efficient catalysts for asymmetric α‐hydroxylation reactions of β‐ketoesters with oxaziridines under base‐free conditions. The reaction is accompanied by a simultaneous kinetic resolution of the oxaziridine and a plausible and so far unprecedented bifunctional transition‐state model has been obtained by means of DFT calculations.
Kinetically Trapped Supramolecular Assembly of Perylene Dianhydride Derivative in Methanol: Optical Spectra, Morphology, and Mechanisms
Authors: Lü Baozhong , You Shusen , Li Pengyu , Li Chen , Müllen Klaus , Yin Meizhen
Published: October 2016

Supramolecular self‐assembly has attracted increasing attention as a breakthrough methodology in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Herein, a perylene dianhydride derivative (TP‐PDA) self‐assembles into well‐defined nanospheres through a nucleation‐growth process. The mechanisms of this process were explored by using spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In situ DLS and in situ SEM both revealed that the size of the aggregated nanospheres increases with time until the formation of equilibrium H‐aggregates. This shows that TP‐PDA undergoes a kinetically trapped assembly with a rapid transformation into the thermodynamically favored form, and this process can be finely tuned by reducing the concentration and increasing the temperature. Weak intermolecular forces, such as π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and solvophobic interactions, play an important role in the formation of nanostructures. This work inspired us to explore other kinetically trapped supramolecular assemblies that might be easily ignored due to the short trapping time of commonly used experimental timescales.
ChemInform Abstract: Copper(I)‐Based p‐Type Oxides for Photoelectrochemical and Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Sullivan Ian , Zoellner Brandon , Maggard Paul A.
Published: October 2016

Review: 136 refs.
Re‐evaluation of individual diameter : height allometric models to improve biomass estimation of tropical trees
Authors: Ledo Alicia , Cornulier Thomas , Illian Janine B. , Iida Yoshiko , Kassim Abdul Rahman , Burslem David F. R. P.
Published: October 2016

Accurate estimation of tree biomass is necessary to provide realistic values of the carbon stored in the terrestrial biosphere. A recognized source of errors in tree aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation is introduced when individual tree height values (H) are not directly measured but estimated from diameter at breast height (DBH) using allometric equations. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of 12 alternative DBH : H equations and compare their effects on AGB estimation for three tropical forests that occur in contrasting climatic and altitudinal zones. We found that fitting a three‐parameter Weibull function using data collected locally generated the lowest errors and bias in H estimation, and that equations fitted to these data were more accurate than equations with parameters derived from the literature. For computing AGB, the introduced error values differed notably among DBH : H allometric equations, and in most cases showed a clear bias that resulted in either over‐ or under‐estimation of AGB. Fitting the three‐parameter Weibull function minimized errors in AGB estimates in our study and we recommend its widespread adoption for carbon stock estimation. We conclude that many previous studies are likely to present biased estimates of AGB due to the method of H estimation.
Grazing effects on surface energy fluxes in a desert steppe on the Mongolian Plateau
Authors: Shao Changliang , Chen Jiquan , Li Linghao , Dong Gang , Han Juanjuan , Abraha Michael , John Ranjeet
Published: October 2016

Quantifying the surface energy fluxes of grazed and ungrazed steppes is essential to understand the roles of grasslands in local and global climate and in land use change. We used paired eddy‐covariance towers to investigate the effects of grazing on energy balance (EB) components: net radiation (Rn), latent heat (LE), sensible heat (H), and soil heat (G) fluxes on adjacent grazed and ungrazed areas in a desert steppe of the Mongolian Plateau for a two‐year period (2010–2012). Near 95% of Rn was partitioned as LE and H, whereas the contributions of G and other components of the EB were 5% at an annual scale. H dominated the energy partitioning and shared ~50% of Rn. When comparing the grazed and the ungrazed desert steppe, there was remarkably lower Rn and a lower H, but higher G at the grazed site than at the ungrazed site. Both reduced available energy (Rn − G) and H indicated a “cooling effect” feedback onto the local climate through grazing. Grazing reduced the dry year LE but enhanced the wet year LE. Energy partitioning of LE/Rn was positively correlated with the canopy conductivity, leaf area index, and soil moisture. H/Rn was positively correlated with the vapor pressure deficit but negatively correlated with the soil moisture. Boosted regression tree results showed that LE/Rn was dominated by soil moisture in both years and at both sites, while grazing shifted the H/Rn domination from temperature to soil moisture in the wet year. Grazing not only caused an LE shift between the dry and the wet year, but also triggered a decrease in the H/Rn because of changes in vegetation and soil properties, indicating that the ungrazed area had a greater resistance while the grazed area had a greater sensitivity of EB components to the changing climate.
Study on Construction of Industrial Large‐Scale Battery System
Authors: YAMAUCHI SHIN , EMORI AKIHIKO , FUTAMI MOTOO , KAWAI MICHIFUMI , HONDA MITSUTOSHI , TAKEDA KENJI , IWASAWA HIROSHI
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes a construction method for battery systems that are widely used in industries. The battery system uses a building block structure combined with a battery module, whose capacity is less than 1 kWh. To manage the building block structured system, we propose a hierarchical structured management method. In each hierarchy, the voltage and temperature of the battery are monitored, and the information necessary for calculating charge states and detecting faults are sent to the upper hierarchy for the state management of the lower hierarchy. Furthermore, to ensure the safety during maintenance activities, we provide a guidance for understanding the insulation structure for the battery module, and develop a ground fault detection method that detects a decline in the insulation performance by using a rising method. For the experiment, we use a 30‐kWh trial manufacture battery system combined with the hierarchical management method. We verify that charge states and faults are detected in the battery of the system, and confirm that the system can be charged and discharged safely.
Proposal and Feasibility Study of the Integrated Diode Synchronous Motor
Authors: HIRAMOTO KENJI , NAKAI HIDEO , KANO YUKO , YAMADA EIJI , MIZUTANI RYOJI
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a new type of magnet‐free motor that has concentrated stator windings and rotor coils with a pair of diodes. The most important feature of this motor is that currents in the rotor coils can be generated by utilizing the changes in the spatial second harmonic of the magnetic fields due to the concentrated stator windings, which normally increase motor losses. A prototype of the motor was designed and fabricated, and its basic performance was evaluated. First, using simplified analytic models, we explain the mechanism of inducing currents in the rotor coils by the changes in the spatial second harmonic of the magnetic fields. Second, we compare the torque performance of the proposed motor and that of other types of motors including a magnet motor through finite‐element analyses. The analyzed data show that the proposed motor can possess greater torque/volume ratio than that of the other motors. Finally, using the measured data, we validate the mechanism of inducing currents in the rotor coils, and examine the torque and power characteristics of the motor.
Production and characterization of ice cream with high content in oleic and linoleic fatty acids
Authors: Marín‐Suárez Marta , García‐Moreno Pedro J. , Padial‐Domínguez Marta , Guadix Antonio , Guadix Emilia M.
Published: October 2016

Ice creams produced with unsaturated fats rich in oleic (OO, 70.7% of oleic) and linoleic (LO, 49.0% of linoleic) fatty acids, were compared to ice cream based on saturated coconut oil (CO, 50% of lauric acid). The globule size distribution of OO mix during aging (72 h at 4°C) followed a similar trend to CO mix, being stable after 48 h; whereas LO mix destabilized after 24 h. CO mix showed higher destabilization during ice cream production, but no significant differences among fats were observed in the particle size of the ice cream produced. The overrun was also lower for OO and LO ice creams (34.19 and 27.12%, respectively) compared to CO based ice cream (45.06%). However, an improved melting behavior, which gradually decreased from 88.69% for CO to 66.09% for LO ice cream, was observed.

Practical applications: This work evaluates the use of high unsaturated fats in the production of ice cream as alternative to highly saturated coconut oil. Common unsaturated fats normally lead to ice cream with low quality in terms of overrun and melting points. Nevertheless, the results obtained in this study indicated that the two fats assayed, rich in oleic and linoleic acids, are adequate for the production of ice cream. Therefore, these highly unsaturated fats are a promising alternative for the development of healthier ice creams.

Unsaturated fats are introduced in ice cream and compared to saturated coconut oil. Similar fat globule size and viscosity are found, while melting behavior is improved.
A Dual‐Carbon Phase‐Modified and Nanostructured Nickel Sulfide Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Han Fei , Tan Clara Yi Jun , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: October 2016

On the basis of the concept of a nanoconfinement reaction, a synthetic strategy was developed to construct ultrathin carbon‐film‐coated and nanostructured nickel sulfide anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The synthesis involved the direct growth of nickel hydroxide on the CNTs followed by dehydration, sulfidation, and carbon coating. If used as an anode material in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), the nickel sulfide‐based anode showed a high utilization rate of the active material and a favorable specific capacity of 390 mAh g−1. The excellent performance of the nickel sulfide‐based anode in SIBs demonstrates the potential of nickel sulfide to be used as the anode material in SIBs if it is engineered to alleviate its structural constraints. In principle, this strategy can be conveniently adapted to engineer other transition‐metal‐based materials for applications in energy storage.
Riparian spiders as sentinels of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination across heterogeneous aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Kraus Johanna M. , Gibson Polly P. , Walters David M. , Mills Marc A.
Published: October 2016

Riparian spiders are being used increasingly to track spatial patterns of contaminants in and fluxing from aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of the circumstances under which spiders are effective sentinels of aquatic pollution is limited. The present study tests the hypothesis that riparian spiders may be effectively used to track spatial patterns of sediment pollution by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in aquatic ecosystems with high habitat heterogeneity. The spatial pattern of ΣPCB concentrations in 2 common families of riparian spiders sampled in 2011 to 2013 generally tracked spatial variation in sediment ΣPCBs across all sites within the Manistique River Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC), a rivermouth ecosystem located on the south shore of the Upper Peninsula, Manistique (MI, USA) that includes harbor, river, backwater, and lake habitats. Sediment ΣPCB concentrations normalized for total organic carbon explained 41% of the variation in lipid-normalized spider ΣPCB concentrations across 11 sites. Furthermore, 2 common riparian spider taxa (Araneidae and Tetragnathidae) were highly correlated (r2 > 0.78) and had similar mean ΣPCB concentrations when averaged across all years. The results indicate that riparian spiders may be useful sentinels of relative PCB availability to aquatic and riparian food webs in heterogeneous aquatic ecosystems like rivermouths where habitat and contaminant variability may make the use of aquatic taxa less effective. Furthermore, the present approach appears robust to heterogeneity in shoreline development and riparian vegetation that support different families of large web-building spiders. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1278–1286. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Nachtflug nach Nizza
Authors: Voigt Christian
Published: October 2016

Rauhautfledermäuse wandern jährlich Tausende Kilometer zwischen ihren Sommer‐ und Winterlebensräumen. Dank Echoortung und evolutionärer Ausstattung sind sie „sicher unterwegs”︁. Doch das schützt sie nicht vor den Gefahren der modernen Umwelt: Windkraftanlagen werden immer häufiger zur Todesfalle für die unter Schutz stehenden Populationen.
Im Dienst der Meeresforschung
Authors: Schaeffer Magdalena
Published: October 2016

Seit 30 Jahren kreuzt die METEOR über die Ozeane. Die Jubiläumsfahrt Mitte Juli führte vor die Azoren — und bot Repräsentanten aus Politik und Wissenschaftsorganisationen Einblick in die wissenschaftliche Arbeit und den Alltag auf einem Forschungsschiff.
Vor und nach der Shoa
Authors: Unterstell Rembert
Published: October 2016

Michael Brenner erforscht die neuere jüdische Geschichte und Kultur in einer facettenreichen Perspektive. Das kommt auch seiner Arbeit als Internationaler Präsident des Leo Baeck Institute zugute. Ein Gespräch über Paradigmenwechsel in der deutsch‐jüdischen Geschichtsschreibung, Theodor Herzl und den Zionismus sowie herausfordernde Israel‐Studien.
Von der Sehnsucht nach dem Freigehege
Authors: Griem Julika
Published: October 2016

Das Schelling‐Projekt: Peter Sloterdijks neuer Roman über ein von der DFG abgelehntes Forschungsvorhaben ist, neben allem anderen, auch Abarbeitung am und Fluchtfantasie aus dem Wissenschaftsbetrieb. Was sich zwischen abschwellenden Bocksgesängen und ausgelegten Korrektheitsfallen daran finden lässt — Anmerkungen aus der Sicht von Wissenschaftssystem und Forschungsförderung.
Miniaturisierung? Ja, bitte!
Authors: Piotter Volker , Eberl Christoph , Kraft Oliver
Published: October 2016

Material‐ und Prozesstechnik: Für Entwicklung und Einsatz hochbelastbarer Mikrobauteile aus Keramik und Metall muss die ganze Prozesskette vom Prototyp bis zur Serienfertigung optimiert werden. Grundlagenforscher nutzen dafür Mikro‐Urformverfahren — von den Ergebnissen lässt sich nicht nur in Fahrzeugen und Medizingeräten profitieren.
Investigating the Effects of Natural Gas Preheating on Soot Formation, Flame Luminosity, and NOX Emissions: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Approach
Authors: Jalilimehr M , Behzadan H , Javadi Mal Abad S M , Moghiman M , Niazmand H
Published: October 2016

One of the most problematic aspects of gas‐fired furnaces is their poor luminosity and radiative characteristics which are directly affected by the carbon percent of the fuel molecules. This study investigates the soot content, flame temperature, and efficiency of a 120 kW boiler resulting from inlet gas (natural gas) preheating. A probability density function (PDF) being parameterized by the mean and variance of mixture fraction was used to model chemical reactions. To describe the effects of turbulences on soot formation, a Moss–Brooks model and a β‐PDF in terms of normalized temperature is employed. Using Nickel–Chrome electrical heaters, the fuel was preheated to more than 573 K. Radiations emitting from the flame were measured by a laboratory pyranometer with a photovoltaic sensor; moreover, a Testo 350 XL gas analyzer was used for recording the temperature and combustion species. Results revealed that gas preheating up to about 510 K has no considerable effect on the flame luminosity. On the other hand, preheating the inlet gas up to 700 K increases the soot content of the flame up to 300% resulting in a serious augmentation of flame luminosity. This increase causes a significant reduction in flame temperature (150 K) and NO emission. The predicted results have good agreement with measurement results.
The binding properties of metandienone and human serum albumin by comparing with other five similar compounds
Authors: Lin Xiang , Wang Qing , Peng Xilin , Li Hui
Published: October 2016

Metandienone (MET) is an exogenous anabolic androgenic steroid. The interaction between MET and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by molecular modeling and different optical techniques. There was no possibility of energy transfer, and the fluorescence quenching of HSA induced by MET was mainly due to the complex formation. The differences of binding ability between MET and compounds 1–5 were significantly caused by space steric hindrance. The single crystallographic data of two steroids (compounds 4 and 5) were obtained in the methanol at the first time. In addition, the binding ability was slightly affected by ‐OH, ‐CH3, and ‐COCH3. The results of displacement experiment demonstrated that the MET binding site was mainly located in site 1 of HSA. H‐bonding and van der Waals forces were significant in the MET–HSA binding. MET played an insignificant role on the local conformation change in HSA.
Hepatoprotective role of vardenafil against experimentally induced hepatitis in mice
Authors: Ahmed Nishat , Bakhashwain Nada F. , Alsehemi Alaa F. , El‐Agamy Dina S.
Published: October 2016

Vardenafil is a selective phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction treatment. The hepatoprotective role of vardenafil against acute hepatitis is not reported yet. Hence, this study aims to explore the protective role of vardenafil against concanavalin A (Con A) induced acute liver injury. Mice were pretreated with vardenafil (0.17 mg/kg/day) for seven consecutive days, and then subjected to a single IV injection of Con A. The results demonstrated that the vardenafil pretreatment significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase. Histopathological examination showed marked necrosis and inflammation in Con A–treated mice which was significantly ameliorated in vardenafil pretreated animals. Vardenafil pretreatment significantly alleviated the expression of nuclear factor kappa‐B and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the hepatic tissue. Additionally, serum levels of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha were decreased in vardenafil pretreated animals compared to the Con A group. Therefore, our results demonstrate that vardenafil has hepatoprotective effect and this could be linked to decrease inflammatory mediators.
Restoration of autophagy by puerarin in lead‐exposed primary rat proximal tubular cells via regulating AMPK–mTOR signaling
Authors: Song Xiangbin , Li Zifa , Liu Fei , Wang Zhenyong , Wang Lin
Published: October 2016

Previous study has demonstrated that puerarin (PU) exerts nephroprotective effect against Pb‐induced cytotoxicity in primary rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells. Autophagy can protect cells from various cytotoxic stimuli, but its role in the process of PU against Pb‐induced nephrotoxicity is still unknown. This study aims to investigate whether PU can alleviate Pb‐induced renal damage by recovering autophagy. Data showed that Pb inhibited the autophagic flux, as evidenced by the accumulation of LC3‐II and p62 as well as the confocal microscopy analysis of GFP‐LC3 puncta and punctate spots of monodansylcadaverine staining, whereas coadministration of PU could restore Pb‐induced autophagy inhibition. Moreover, PU dramatically enhanced the phosphorylation of 5ʹAMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its target proteins p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1) in Pb‐exposed rPT cells. Collectively, these evidence suggested that PU restored the impaired autophagic flux in Pb‐treated rPT cells partly by activating autophagy via AMPK/mTOR‐mediated signaling pathway.
Topological phase transitions and Thouless pumping of light in photonic waveguide arrays
Authors: Ke Yongguan , Qin Xizhou , Mei Feng , Zhong Honghua , Kivshar Yuri S. , Lee Chaohong
Published: October 2016

Photonic waveguide arrays provide an excellent platform for simulating conventional topological systems, and they can also be employed for the study of novel topological phases in photonics systems. However, a direct measurement of bulk topological invariants remains a great challenge. Here we study topological features of generalized commensurate Aubry‐André‐Harper (AAH) photonic waveguide arrays and construct a topological phase diagram by calculating all bulk Chern numbers, and then explore the bulk‐edge correspondence by analyzing the topological edge states and their winding numbers. In contrast to incommensurate AAH models, diagonal and off‐diagonal commensurate AAH models are not topologically equivalent. In particular, there appear nontrivial topological phases with large Chern numbers and topological phase transitions. By implementing Thouless pumping of light in photonic waveguide arrays, we propose a simple scheme to measure the bulk Chern numbers.

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Multiple roles for a novel RND‐type efflux system in Acinetobacter baumannii AB5075
Authors: Tipton Kyle A. , Farokhyfar Marjan , Rather Philip N.
Published: October 2016

Colony opacity phase variation in Acinetobacter baumannii strain AB5075 is regulated by a reversible high‐frequency switch. Transposon mutagenesis was used to generate mutations that decreased the opaque to translucent switch and a gene encoding a predicted periplasmic membrane fusion component of a resistance–nodulation–cell division (RND)‐type efflux system was isolated. This gene was designated arpA and immediately downstream was a gene designated arpB that encodes a predicted membrane transporter of RND‐type systems. A nonpolar, in‐frame deletion in arpA resulted in a 70‐fold decrease in the opaque to translucent switch. An arpB::Tc mutant exhibited a 769‐fold decrease in the opaque to translucent switch. However, the translucent to opaque switch was largely unchanged in both the arpA and arpB mutants. The arpA and arpB mutants also exhibited increased surface motility in the opaque form and the arpB mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to aminoglycosides. The arpA and arpB mutants were both attenuated in a Galleria mellonella model of virulence. A divergently transcribed TetR‐type regulator ArpR was capable of repressing the arpAB operon when this TetR regulator was overexpressed. The arpR gene was also involved in regulating the opaque to translucent switch as an in‐frame arpR mutation decreased this switch by 1,916‐fold.
An eco‐epidemic model for infectious keratoconjunctivitis caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae in domestic and wild herbivores, with possible vaccination strategies
Authors: Abbona Francesca , Venturino Ezio
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we propose an eco‐epidemiological predator–prey model, modeling the spread of infectious keratoconjunctivitis among domestic and wild ungulates, during the summer season, when they intermigle in high mountain pastures. The disease can be treated in the domestic animals, but for the wild herbivores, it leads to blindness, with consequent death. The model shows that the disease can lead infected herbivores or their predators to extinction, even if it does not affect the latter. Boundedness of solutions and equilibria feasibility are obtained. Stability around the different equilibrium points is analyzed through eigenvalues and the Routh–Hurwitz criterion. Simulations are carried out to support the theoretical results. Sensitivity with respect of some parameters is investigated. The prey vaccination as control measure is introduced and simulated, although at present, the vaccine is not yet available, but just being developed. It would then possibly eradicate the infection in the domestic animals, which are considered a disease reservoir. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.