bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of extreme drought and incentive programs on flooded agriculture and wetlands in California’s Central Valley
Authors: Reiter Matthew E , Elliott Nathan , Jongsomjit Dennis , Golet Gregory H , Reynolds Mark D
Published: February 2018

Between 2013 and 2015 a large part of the western United States, including the Central Valley of California, sustained an extreme drought. The Central Valley is recognized as a region of hemispheric importance for waterbirds which use flooded agriculture and wetlands as habitat. Thus, the impact of drought on the distribution of surface water needed to be assessed to understand the effects on waterbird habitat availability. We used satellites to quantify the impact the recent extreme drought on the timing and extent of available waterbird habitat during the non-breeding season (July – May) by examining flooding in agriculture (rice, corn, and other crops) and managed wetlands across the Central Valley. We assessed the influence of habitat incentive programs, particularly The Nature Conservancy’s BirdReturns and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program (WHEP), at offsetting waterbird habitat loss related to drought. Overall, we found significant declines in open water in post-harvest agriculture (20 – 80% declines) and in managed wetlands (47 – 59% declines) during the 2013 – 2015 drought compared to non-drought years 2000 – 2011. Crops associated with the San Joaquin Valley, specifically corn, as well as wetlands in that part of the Central Valley exhibited larger reductions in open water than rice and wetlands in the Sacramento Valley. However, seasonal wetlands on protected lands had a marginally significant (P<0.10) higher amount of open water in the drought years than those on non-protected lands. A large fraction of the daily open water in rice during certain times of the year, particularly in the fall for BirdReturns (64%) and the winter for WHEP (100%), may have been provided through incentive programs underscoring the contribution of these programs. However, further assessment is needed to know how much the incentive programs directly offset the impact of drought in post-harvest rice or simply supplemented funding for activities that might have been done regardless. Our, first of its kind, landscape analysis documents the significant impacts of the drought on freshwater wetland habitats in the Central Valley and highlights the value of using satellite data to track surface water and waterbird habitats. More research is needed to understand subsequent impacts on the freshwater dependent species that rely on these systems and how incentive programs can most strategically support vulnerable species during future drought.
Molecular systematics of the subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Authors: Dhungel Bidur , Wahlberg Niklas
Published: February 2018

We studied the systematics of the subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) using molecular methods to reconstruct a robust phylogenetic hypothesis. The molecular data matrix comprised 205 Limenitidinae species, four outgroups, and 11,327 aligned nucleotide sites using up to 18 genes per species of which seven genes (CycY, Exp1, Nex9, PolII, ProSup, PSb and UDPG6DH) have not previously been used in phylogenetic studies. We recovered the monophyly of the subfamily Limenitidinae and seven higher clades corresponding to four traditional tribes Parthenini, Adoliadini, Neptini, Limenitidini as well as three additional independent lineages. One contains the generaHarma+Cymothoeand likely a third,Bhagadatta, and the other two independent lineages lead toPseudoneptisand toPseudacraea. These independent lineages are circumscribed as new tribes. Parthenini was recovered as sister to rest of Limenitidinae, but the relationships of the remaining six lineages were ambiguous. A number of genera were found to be non-monophyletic, withPantoporia,Euthalia, Athyma, andParasarpabeing polyphyletic, whereasLimenitis,Neptis,Bebearia,Euryphura,andAdelphawere paraphyletic.
Large Ensemble Analytic Framework for Consequence‐Driven Discovery of Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Lamontagne Jonathan R. , Reed Patrick M. , Link Robert , Calvin Katherine V. , Clarke Leon E. , Edmonds James A.
Published: February 2018

An analytic scenario generation framework is developed based on the idea that the same climate outcome can result from very different socioeconomic and policy drivers. The framework builds on the Scenario Matrix Framework's abstraction of “challenges to mitigation” and “challenges to adaptation” to facilitate the flexible discovery of diverse and consequential scenarios. We combine visual and statistical techniques for interrogating a large factorial data set of 33,750 scenarios generated using the Global Change Assessment Model. We demonstrate how the analytic framework can aid in identifying which scenario assumptions are most tied to user‐specified measures for policy relevant outcomes of interest, specifically for our example high or low mitigation costs. We show that the current approach for selecting reference scenarios can miss policy relevant scenario narratives that often emerge as hybrids of optimistic and pessimistic scenario assumptions. We also show that the same scenario assumption can be associated with both high and low mitigation costs depending on the climate outcome of interest and the mitigation policy context. In the illustrative example, we show how agricultural productivity, population growth, and economic growth are most predictive of the level of mitigation costs. Formulating policy relevant scenarios of deeply and broadly uncertain futures benefits from large ensemble‐based exploration of quantitative measures of consequences. To this end, we have contributed a large database of climate change futures that can support “bottom‐up” scenario generation techniques that capture a broader array of consequences than those that emerge from limited sampling of a few reference scenarios.
Probabilistic Decision Tools for Determining Impacts of Agricultural Development Policy on Household Nutrition
Authors: Whitney Cory W. , Lanzanova Denis , Muchiri Caroline , Shepherd Keith D. , Rosenstock Todd S. , Krawinkel Michael , Tabuti John R. S. , Luedeling Eike
Published: February 2018

Governments around the world have agreed to end hunger and food insecurity and to improve global nutrition, largely through changes to agriculture and food systems. However, they are faced with a lot of uncertainty when making policy decisions, since any agricultural changes will influence social and biophysical systems, which could yield either positive or negative nutrition outcomes. We outline a holistic probability modeling approach with Bayesian Network (BN) models for nutritional impacts resulting from agricultural development policy. The approach includes the elicitation of expert knowledge for impact model development, including sensitivity analysis and value of information calculations. It aims at a generalizable methodology that can be applied in a wide range of contexts. To showcase this approach, we develop an impact model of Vision 2040, Uganda's development strategy, which, among other objectives, seeks to transform the country's agricultural landscape from traditional systems to large‐scale commercial agriculture. Model results suggest that Vision 2040 is likely to have negative outcomes for the rural livelihoods it intends to support; it may have no appreciable influence on household hunger but, by influencing preferences for and access to quality nutritional foods, may increase the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency. The results highlight the trade‐offs that must be negotiated when making decisions regarding agriculture for nutrition, and the capacity of BNs to make these trade‐offs explicit. The work illustrates the value of BNs for supporting evidence‐based agricultural development decisions.
ENSO‐Like Modulated Tropical Pacific Climate Changes Since 2.36 Myr and Its Implication for the Middle Pleistocene Transition
Authors: Yu Zhaojie , Wan Shiming , Colin Christophe , Song Lina , Zhao Debo , Huang Jie , Sun Hanjie , Xu Zhaokai , Li Anchun , Li Tiegang
Published: February 2018

El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity and the Pacific Walker Circulation are controlled by the zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient between the western and Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) and the corresponding barometric difference. Variations in the zonal SST gradient since the early Pleistocene have primarily been triggered by changes in the SST in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific. However, the response of the ENSO‐like long‐term state to the cooling of the EEP and its coupling role with tropical Pacific climate changes are still not well established. Here we present a high‐resolution grain‐size record spanning the last 2.36 Myr, obtained from marine core sediment located in the West Philippine Sea in order to decipher the tropical pacific climate changes and reveal its controlling mechanism. By combining our data with other long‐term climatic records from the Equatorial Pacific, we demonstrate that the cooling of SST and enhanced upwelling in the EEP resulted in the development of the Walker Circulation and increased monsoon precipitation in Luzon from 2.2 to 1.6 Myr, from 1.2 to 0.8 Myr, and since 0.2 Myr ago. The progressive cooling of the high‐latitudes in the Quaternary may be responsible for our observation here. A newly identified 100 kyr dominant period between 2.2 and 1.6 Myr in the ENSO‐like modulated Pacific climate records indicates that the ENSO‐like system may play a key role in facilitating or responding to the global climate changes.
Calcium Isotopic Compositions of Normal Mid‐Ocean Ridge Basalts From the Southern Juan de Fuca Ridge
Authors: Zhu Hongli , Liu Fang , Li Xin , Wang Guiqin , Zhang Zhaofeng , Sun Weidong
Published: February 2018

Mantle peridotites show that Ca is isotopically heterogeneous in Earth's mantle, but the mechanism for such heterogeneity remains obscure. To investigate the effect of partial melting on Ca isotopic fractionation and the mechanism for Ca isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle, we report high‐precision Ca isotopic compositions of the normal Mid‐Ocean Ridge Basalts (N‐MORB) from the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge. δ44/40Ca of these N‐MORB samples display a small variation ranging from 0.75 ± 0.05 to 0.86 ± 0.03‰ (relative to NIST SRM 915a, a standard reference material produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology), which are slightly lower than the estimated Upper Mantle value of 1.05 ± 0.04‰ and the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) value of 0.94 ± 0.05‰. This phenomenon cannot be explained by fractional crystallization, because olivine and orthopyroxene fractional crystallization has limited influence on δ44/40Ca of N‐MORB due to their low CaO contents, while plagioclase fractional crystallization cannot lead to light Ca isotopic compositions of the residue magma. Instead, the lower δ44/40Ca of N‐MORB samples compared to their mantle source is most likely caused by partial melting. The offset in δ44/40Ca between N‐MORB and BSE indicates that at least 0.1–0.2‰ fractionation would occur during partial melting and light Ca isotopes are preferred to be enriched in magma melt, which is in accordance with the fact that δ44/40Ca of melt‐depleted peridotites are higher than fertile peridotites in literature. Therefore, partial melting is an important process that can decrease δ44/40Ca in basalts and induce Ca isotopic heterogeneity in Earth's mantle.
Impact of Physics Parameterization Ordering in a Global Atmosphere Model
Authors: Donahue Aaron S. , Caldwell Peter M.
Published: February 2018

Because weather and climate models must capture a wide variety of spatial and temporal scales, they rely heavily on parameterizations of subgrid‐scale processes. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that the assumptions used to couple these parameterizations have an important effect on the climate of version 0 of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) General Circulation Model (GCM), a close relative of version 1 of the Community Earth System Model (CESM1). Like most GCMs, parameterizations in E3SM are sequentially split in the sense that parameterizations are called one after another with each subsequent process feeling the effect of the preceding processes. This coupling strategy is noncommutative in the sense that the order in which processes are called impacts the solution. By examining a suite of 24 simulations with deep convection, shallow convection, macrophysics/microphysics, and radiation parameterizations reordered, process order is shown to have a big impact on predicted climate. In particular, reordering of processes induces differences in net climate feedback that are as big as the intermodel spread in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. One reason why process ordering has such a large impact is that the effect of each process is influenced by the processes preceding it. Where output is written is therefore an important control on apparent model behavior. Application of k‐means clustering demonstrates that the positioning of macro/microphysics and shallow convection plays a critical role on the model solution.
A Comparison of the Diel Cycle of Modeled and Measured Latent Heat Flux During the Warm Season in a Colorado Subalpine Forest
Authors: Burns Sean P. , Swenson Sean C. , Wieder William R. , Lawrence David M. , Bonan Gordon B. , Knowles John F. , Blanken Peter D.
Published: February 2018

Precipitation changes the physiological characteristics of an ecosystem. Because land‐surface models are often used to project changes in the hydrological cycle, modeling the effect of precipitation on the latent heat flux λE is an important aspect of land‐surface models. Here we contrast conditionally sampled diel composites of the eddy‐covariance fluxes from the Niwot Ridge Subalpine Forest AmeriFlux tower with the Community Land Model (CLM, version 4.5). With respect to measured λE during the warm season: for the day following above‐average precipitation, λE was enhanced at midday by ≈40 W m−2 (relative to dry conditions), and nocturnal λE increased from ≈10 W m−2 in dry conditions to over 20 W m−2 in wet conditions. With default settings, CLM4.5 did not successfully model these changes. By increasing the amount of time that rainwater was retained by the canopy/needles, CLM was able to match the observed midday increase in λE on a dry day following a wet day. Stable nighttime conditions were problematic for CLM4.5. Nocturnal CLM λE had only a small (≈3 W m−2) increase during wet conditions, CLM nocturnal friction velocity u∗ was smaller than observed u∗, and CLM canopy air temperature was 2°C less than those measured at the site. Using observed u∗ as input to CLM increased λE; however, this caused CLM λE to be increased during both wet and dry periods. We suggest that sloped topography and the ever‐present drainage flow enhanced nocturnal u∗ and λE. Such phenomena would not be properly captured by topographically blind land‐surface models, such as CLM.
Effective Representation of River Geometry in Hydraulic Flood Forecast Models
Authors: Grimaldi S. , Li Y. , Walker J. P. , Pauwels V. R. N.
Published: February 2018

Bathymetric data are a critical input to hydraulic models. However, river depth and shape cannot be systematically observed remotely, and field data are both scarce and expensive to collect. In flood modeling, river roughness and geometry compensate for each other, with different parameter sets often being able to map model predictions equally well to the observed data, commonly known as equifinality. This study presents a numerical experiment to investigate an effective yet parsimonious representation of channel geometry that can be used for operational flood forecasting. The LISFLOOD‐FP hydraulic model was used to simulate a hypothetical flood event in the Clarence catchment (Australia). A high‐resolution model simulation based on accurate bathymetric field data was used to benchmark coarser model simulations based on simplified river geometries. These simplified river geometries were derived from a combination of globally available empirical formulations, remote sensing data, and a limited number of measurements. Model predictive discrepancy between simulations with field data and simplified geometries allowed an assessment of the geometry impact on inundation dynamics. In this study site, the channel geometrical representation for a reliable inundation forecast could be achieved using remote sensing‐derived river width values combined with a few measurements of river depth sampled at strategic locations. Furthermore, this study showed that spatially distributed remote sensing‐derived inundation levels at the very early stages of a flood event have the potential to support the effective diagnosis of errors in model implementations.
The TNF‐α‐induced expression of miR‐130b protects cervical cancer cells from the cytotoxicity of TNF‐α
Authors: Yang Lei , Wang Yanli , Shi Shuainan , Xie Lili , Liu Tao , Wang Yuliang , Mu Hong
Published: February 2018

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) is a multifunctional cytokine and has the capacity both to promote cell growth and to kill tumour cells by inducing cell apoptosis. However, many tumour cells develop resistance to the toxic effects of TNF‐α. Thus, understanding the mechanism underlying the resistance of tumours to TNF‐α toxicity and finding ways to overcome this resistance are urgently needed. In this study, we discovered that two cervical cancer cell lines, Hela and Siha, showed null responses to TNF‐α cytotoxicity. However, in these cell lines, TNF‐α stimulation promoted the expression of miR‐130b and downregulated the expression of PTEN gene, which encodes a dual‐specificity phosphatase that acts as a tumour suppressor. Blockade of miR‐130b function or overexpression of PTEN gene sensitized cells to TNF‐α cytotoxicity. Regression analyses revealed that there were reverse relationships between the cellular levels of miR‐130b and PTEN mRNA in cervical cancer cells. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function assays demonstrated that there were causal relationships between the increase in miR‐130b levels and the reduction in PTEN mRNA or PTEN protein levels. In silico analysis revealed that there were two miR‐130b target sites within the 3′UTR of PTEN mRNA and experimental evidences demonstrated that miR‐130b repressed the expression of PTEN gene by binding directly to the 3′UTR of PTEN mRNA. These data suggest miR‐130b expression as a target to be inhibited to make tumour cells more sensitive to the toxic impact of TNF‐α.
The Cross‐Talk between Genomes: How Co‐Evolution Shaped Plant Mitochondrial Gene Expression
Authors: Budar Françoise , Mireau Hakim
Published: February 2018

This chapter first details studies that provide evidence for the variability of factors involved in plant mt gene expression, either cis‐elements or nuclear‐encoded products. It then shows how very different evolutionary processes of co‐evolution can explain some of the peculiarities of plant gene expression. Co‐evolution implies co‐ordinated genetic changes in two interacting entities, due to selection exerted by each on the other. The physical interaction between elements originating from the different genetic compartments is a prerequisite for co‐adaptation. Mitochondrial genes involved in cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and their nuclear restorers constitute the best‐known illustration of the role of co‐evolution in the variability of mitochondrial gene expression. The variation in CMS mitochondrial gene expression is driven by a genomic conflict. The chapter further explores the clues that suggest there has been a significant impact of co‐evolution on gene expression in plant mitochondria and discusses this in terms of possible evolutionary scenarios.
RNAMetabolism and Transcript Regulation
Authors: Zmudjak Michal , Ostersetzer‐Biran Oren
Published: February 2018

Mitochondria house the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) machinery and are also the sites of numerous other essential metabolic pathways in plants. This chapter describes the principal components of the transcription and post‐transcriptional regulatory steps in mitochondrial gene expression. It then summarizes the current state of knowledge of mitochondrial RNA processing and maturation in plants. The chapter also describes the main pathways of ribosome maturation in bacteria and plant mitochondria. It reviews recent significant progress in editing factors research in plant mitochondria. Furthermore the chapter focuses on group I and group II introns that are predominant in angiosperm mitochondria. Analysis of group II introns splicing in wheat mitochondria indicates multiple group II splicing mechanisms, as evidenced by the presence of linear and circular forms of excised intron moleculesin vivo. The splicing of group II introns is mechanistically identical to that of the nuclear spliceosomal introns.
Ecophysiology of Plant Respiration
Authors: Del‐Saz Néstor Fernández , Ribas‐Carbo Miquel
Published: February 2018

This chapter discusses the two respiration parameters, including O2and CO2. A new technique based on cavity‐enhanced Raman multi‐gas spectrometry (CERS) that claims to have the potential to measure both O2consumption and CO2production on large closed systems which is a great leap forward in respiration studies, especially for the measurement of respiratory quotient (RQ). The chapter explains treatment of the O2/CO2paradigm, there are many situations where the amount of CO2produced during respiration is similar to the amount of O2consumed. Furthermore, the chapter describes the plant carbon balance resulting from contributions from photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration. The eddy co‐variance (EC) method allows estimations to be made of the net global carbon balance through the assessment of CO2, water and temperature fluxes under a broad range of both temporal and spatial scales.
Honeycomb‐Like Spherical Cathode Host Constructed from Hollow Metallic and Polar Co9S8 Tubules for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Dai Chunlong , Lim Jin‐Myoung , Wang Minqiang , Hu Linyu , Chen Yuming , Chen Zhaoyang , Chen Hao , Bao Shu‐Juan , Shen Bolei , Li Yi , Henkelman Graeme , Xu Maowen
Published: February 2018

The practical application of lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries remains remote because of rapid capacity fade caused by the low conductivity of sulfur, dissolution of intermediate lithium polysulfides, severe volumetric expansion, and slow redox kinetics of polysulfide intermediates. Here, to address these obstacles, a new sulfiphilic and highly conductive honeycomb‐like spherical cathode host constructed from hollow metallic and polar Co9S8 tubes is designed. Co9S8 can effectively bind polar polysulfides for prolonged cycle life, due to the strong chemisorptive capability for immobilizing the polysulfide species. The hollow structure, as the sulfur host, can further prevent polysulfide dissolution and offer sufficient space to accommodate the necessary volume expansion. Well‐aligned tubular arrays provide a conduit for rapid conduction of electrons and Li‐ions. More importantly, the experimental results and theoretical calculations show that Co9S8 plays an important catalytic role in improving the electrochemical reaction kinetics. When used as cathode materials for Li–S batteries, the S@Co9S8 composite cathode exhibits high capacity and an exceptional stable cycling life demonstrated by tests of 600 cycles at 1 C with a very low capacity decay rate of only ≈0.026% per cycle.
Programmable and Multifunctional DNA‐Based Materials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Yuezhou , Tu Jing , Wang Dongqing , Zhu Haitao , Maity Sajal Kumar , Qu Xiangmeng , Bogaert Bram , Pei Hao , Zhang Hongbo
Published: February 2018

DNA encodes the genetic information; recently, it has also become a key player in material science. Given the specific Watson–Crick base‐pairing interactions between only four types of nucleotides, well‐designed DNA self‐assembly can be programmable and predictable. Stem‐loops, sticky ends, Holliday junctions, DNA tiles, and lattices are typical motifs for forming DNA‐based structures. The oligonucleotides experience thermal annealing in a near‐neutral buffer containing a divalent cation (usually Mg2+) to produce a variety of DNA nanostructures. These structures not only show beautiful landscape, but can also be endowed with multifaceted functionalities. This Review begins with the fundamental characterization and evolutionary trajectory of DNA‐based artificial structures, but concentrates on their biomedical applications. The coverage spans from controlled drug delivery to high therapeutic profile and accurate diagnosis. A variety of DNA‐based materials, including aptamers, hydrogels, origamis, and tetrahedrons, are widely utilized in different biomedical fields. In addition, to achieve better performance and functionality, material hybridization is widely witnessed, and DNA nanostructure modification is also discussed. Although there are impressive advances and high expectations, the development of DNA‐based structures/technologies is still hindered by several commonly recognized challenges, such as nuclease instability, lack of pharmacokinetics data, and relatively high synthesis cost.
Vertically Aligned Graphene Coating is Bactericidal and Prevents the Formation of Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Pandit Santosh , Cao Zhejian , Mokkapati Venkata R. S. S. , Celauro Emanuele , Yurgens Avgust , Lovmar Martin , Westerlund Fredrik , Sun Jie , Mijakovic Ivan
Published: February 2018

The key first step in developing bacterial infections related to implants and medical devices is the attachment of planktonic bacterial cells, and subsequent formation of biofilms. Herein, it is reported that graphene, a 2D carbon‐based material, can be effectively used to prevent bacterial attachment. The key parameter for this effect is the orientation of graphene with respect to the coated surface. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene, deposited horizontally on the surface, exhibits no antibacterial effect. By contrast, an array of graphene flakes grown perpendicularly to the surface by a plasma‐enhanced CVD (PECVD) process prevent biofilm formation. Electron microscopy reveals that the exposed edges of vertically aligned graphene flakes penetrate the bacterial membrane and drain the cytosolic content. Bacteria are not able to develop resistance to this killing mechanism during multiple exposures. By keeping the height of the vertical graphene coating between 60 and 100 nm, the coating is able to effectively kill bacteria, while being completely harmless to mammalian cells.
A Two‐Electron Storage Nonaqueous Organic Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Huang Jinhua , Yang Zheng , Vijayakumar Murugesan , Duan Wentao , Hollas Aaron , Pan Baofei , Wang Wei , Wei Xiaoliang , Zhang Lu
Published: February 2018

Nonaqueous redox flow batteries based on redox‐active organic materials (ROMs) are attractive for stationary energy storage applications, but inferior energy densities are demonstrated in reported systems. To address this limitation, a nonaqueous organic flow battery using two‐electron anthraquinone anolyte and phenothiazine catholyte materials is developed. Structural tailoring leads to greatly improved solubilities with the cell potentials of 1.63 and 2.80 V for the first and second electron transfer reactions, respectively, of optimized ROMs. Doubled charge storage capacities indicative of 2e− reactions are achieved in proof‐of‐concept bulk electrolyte and flow cell demonstrations, albeit with only modest cyclability due to the limited stability of the second redox event. Although further improvement is still needed to attract practical interest, this study opens a promising pathway to increase the energy density for organic flow batteries and is expected to inspire more in‐depth studies of energy dense, stable ROMs.
Characterization of PVC‐soy protein nonwoven mats prepared by electrospinning
Authors: Hong HeeRan , Tronstad Zachary C. , Yang Yi , Green Matthew D.
Published: February 2018

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most common polymers used in the water treatment industry due to outstanding hydrophobicity and mechanical strength. Generating eco‐friendly membranes derived from natural polymers has gained attention, particularly for water purification and producing potable water. In this study, nonwoven mats were prepared by electrospinning polymer solutions. Mats with a tailorable hydrophilicity were prepared by electrospinning solution mixtures containing PVC and an eco‐friendly, hydrophilic natural polymer: soy protein. As the viscosity of the solution decreased, the average fiber diameter, and average pore surface area reduced. However, when the PVC concentration remained constant and the soy protein concentration increased, the viscosity decreased and average fiber diameter became reduced, while the average pore diameter remained relatively constant. The mats with volumetric ratios of PVC:soy protein of 85:15 and 80:20 displayed optimal characteristics suitable for mat fabrication based on the fiber diameter and average pore surface area. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2737–2744, 2018
A New European Parliament Mediation Resolution Calls On Member States and the EC to Promote More Use
Authors: D'Urso Leonardo
Published: February 2018

Last September, the European Parliament approved a resolution on the implementation of the 2008 Directive on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters. (Available at http://bit.ly/2Efff0E.)
Sleep and cognitive decline: A prospective nondemented elderly cohort study
Authors: Suh Seung Wan , Han Ji Won , Lee Ju Ri , Byun Seonjeong , Kwon Soon Jai , Oh Sang Hoon , Lee Kyoung Hwan , Han Guehee , Hong Jong Woo , Kwak Kyung Phil , Kim Bong‐Jo , Kim Shin Gyeom , Kim Jeong Lan , Kim Tae Hui , Ryu Seung‐Ho , Moon Seok Woo , Park Joon Hyuk , Seo Jiyeong , Youn Jong Chul , Lee Dong Young , Lee Dong Woo , Lee Seok Bum , Lee Jung Jae , Jhoo Jin Hyeong , Kim Ki Woong
Published: February 2018

Objective

To investigate sleep disturbances that induce cognitive changes over 4 years in nondemented elderlies.

Methods

Data were acquired from a nationwide, population‐based, prospective cohort of Korean elderlies (2,238 normal cognition [NC] and 655 mild cognitive impairment [MCI]). At baseline and 4‐year follow‐up assessments, sleep‐related parameters (midsleep time, sleep duration, sleep latency, subjective sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction) and cognitive status were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment, respectively. We used logistic regression models adjusted for covariates including age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, Geriatric Depression Scale, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, and physical activity.

Results

In participants with NC, long sleep latency (>30 minutes), long sleep duration (≥7.95 hours), and late midsleep time (after 3:00 am) at baseline were related to the risk of cognitive decline at 4‐year follow‐up assessment; odds ratio (OR) was 1.40 for long sleep latency, 1.67 for long sleep duration, and 0.61 for late midsleep time. These relationships remained significant when these variables maintained their status throughout the follow‐up period. Newly developed long sleep latency also doubled the risk of cognitive decline. In those with MCI, however, only long sleep latency reduced the chance of reversion to NC (OR = 0.69).

Interpretation

As early markers of cognitive decline, long sleep latency can be used for elderlies with NC or MCI, whereas long sleep duration and relatively early sleep time might be used for cognitively normal elderlies only. Ann Neurol 2018;83:472–482
Estimation of the rotation angle of gas/solid swirl flow by subpixel image resizing
Authors: Mosorov Volodymyr , Sankowski Dominik
Published: February 2018

An original approach for higher accuracy estimation of the rotation angle of swirl flows based on low‐resolution images delivered by an industrial tomography system is proposed. The approach utilises artificial increasing of resolution of tomographic images, that is, image resizing. It is shown that the proposed approach can be successfully applied for low‐quality reconstructed images, and it gives at least 20% improvement of accuracy.
Information technology and the humanities scholar: Documenting digital research practices
Authors: Given Lisa M. , Willson Rebekah
Published: February 2018

Digital tools offer new affordances and methodologies to humanities scholars' research. This study used a constructivist grounded theory approach to examine humanities scholars' research practices, including their use of a wide range of resources and digital technologies. Using in‐depth study, several themes emerged from the research relating to the role of technology in shaping humanities scholars' research practices. The themes include: (a) humanities scholars' research approaches and technology tools; (b) the humanities scholar as tool developer; (c) the role of data preparation as a meta‐level research practice; (d) data visualization versus numeric outputs—one size does not fit all; (e) the importance of flexibility and agency; (f) technology tools in support of the researcher as writer; and (g) working alone/working together—technology tools and collaborative practice. The heterogeneous nature of humanities scholars' research practices are explored and the resulting implications for digital tool design. Two new research practices—tool development and data preparation—are proposed. The diverse digital technologies humanities scholars use support the traditional ways of working within their discipline, as well as creating potential for new scholarly practices.
Surfactant selection for a liquid foam‐bed photobioreactor
Authors: Janoska Agnes , Vázquez María , Janssen Marcel , Wijffels René H. , Cuaresma María , Vílchez Carlos
Published: February 2018

A novel liquid foam‐bed photobioreactor has been shown to hold potential as an innovative technology for microalgae production. In this study, a foam stabilizing agent has been selected which fits the requirements of use in a liquid foam‐bed photobioreactor. Four criteria were used for an optimal surfactant: the surfactant should have good foaming properties, should not be rapidly biodegradable, should drag up microalgae in the foam formed, and it should not be toxic for microalgae. Ten different surfactants (nonionic, cationic, and anionic) and two microalgae genera (Chlorella and Scenedesmus) were compared on the above‐mentioned criteria. The comparison showed the following facts. Firstly, poloxameric surfactants (Pluronic F68 and Pluronic P84) have acceptable foaming properties described by intermediate foam stability and liquid holdup and small bubble size. Secondly, the natural surfactants (BSA and Saponin) and Tween 20 were easily biodegraded by bacteria within 3 days. Thirdly, for all surfactants tested the microalgae concentration is reduced in the foam phase compared to the liquid phase with exception of the cationic surfactant CTAB. Lastly, only BSA, Saponin, Tween 20, and the two Pluronics were not toxic at concentrations of 10 CMC or higher. The findings of this study indicate that the Pluronics (F68 and P84) are the best surfactants regarding the above‐mentioned criteria. Since Pluronic F68 performed slightly better, this surfactant is recommended for application in a liquid foam‐bed photobioreactor. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:711–720, 2018
Cryopreservation of chicken blastodermal cells and their quality assessment by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Svoradová Andrea , Kuželová Lenka , Vašíček Jaromír , Olexíková Lucia , Chrenek Peter
Published: February 2018

The goal of this study was to evaluate effect of slow freezing and vitrification methods on the viability of chicken blastodermal cells (BCs). Proper aliquot of isolated BCs were diluted in the freezing medium composed of 10% DMSO and frozen in the freezing vessel BICELL to reach desired temperature up to −80°C. Then samples were immersed in liquid nitrogen. Other cell aliquot was vitrified in solution containing 10% DMSO and samples were immediately immersed in the liquid nitrogen. The viability of fresh and frozen/thawed BCs was evaluated using Trypan blue method and flow cytometry. Flow cytometry analysis was provided by DRAQ5 dye in combination with Live‐Dead kit. Overall, this technique provides both quantitative and qualitative information about BCs. Results obtained from Trypan blue method showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between control (8.37 ± 1.04%) slow freezing (83.73 ± 2.72%) and vitrification group (84.39 ± 1.77%) in the percentage of Trypan blue positive (necrotic) BCs. Moreover, differences (P < 0.05) between control and slow freezing (5.08 ± 1.94%, 73.31 ± 3.90%) and control and vitrification group (2.97 ± 0.30%, 79.02 ± 1.56%) in results on portion of necrotic cells (DRAQ5+/LD+) analyzed by flow cytometry were also observed. The large percentage of necrotic BCs was found in all freezing methods. However, based on ultrastructural analysis, our study showed, that BCs contain lipid granules which prevent successful freezing even though different methods of cryopreservation were used. Thus, freezing of BCs probably required subsequent culture to eliminate lipid droples and yolk granules in the cells, which could possibly improve the success. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:778–783, 2018
SkaSim – Scalable HPC Software for Molecular Simulation in the Chemical Industry
Authors: Vrabec Jadran , Bernreuther Martin , Bungartz Hans‐Joachim , Chen Wei‐Lin , Cordes Wilfried , Fingerhut Robin , Glass Colin W. , Gmehling Jürgen , Hamburger René , Heilig Manfred , Heinen Matthias , Horsch Martin T. , Hsieh Chieh‐Ming , Hülsmann Marco , Jäger Philip , Klein Peter , Knauer Sandra , Köddermann Thorsten , Köster Andreas , Langenbach Kai , Lin Shiang‐Tai , Neumann Philipp , Rarey Jürgen , Reith Dirk , Rutkai Gábor , Schappals Michael , Schenk Martin , Schedemann Andre , Schönherr Mandes , Seckler Steffen , Stephan Simon , Stöbener Katrin , Tchipev Nikola , Wafai Amer , Werth Stephan , Hasse Hans
Published: February 2018

Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel berichtet über Fortschritte in der molekularen Modellierung und Simulation mittels massiv‐paralleler Hoch‐ und Höchstleistungsrechner (HPC). Im SkaSim‐Projekt arbeiteten dazu Partner aus der HPC‐Community mit Anwendern aus Wissenschaft und Industrie zusammen. Ziel dabei war es mittels HPC‐Methoden die Vorhersage von thermodynamischen Stoffdaten in Bezug auf Effizienz, Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit weiter zu optimieren. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden verschiedene Themen bearbeitet: Atomistische Simulation der homogenen Gasblasenbildung, Oberflächenspannung klassischer Fluide und ionischer Flüssigkeiten, multikriterielle Optimierung molekularer Modelle, Weiterentwicklung der Simulationscodesls1 mardynundms2, atomistische Simulation von Gastrennprozessen, molekulare Membran‐Strukturgeneratoren, Transportwiderstände und gemischtypenspezifische Bewertung prädiktiver Stoffdatenmodelle.
Modification of petroleum coke by different additives and the impact on anode properties
Authors: Ozturk Sena , Kocaefe Duygu , Bhattacharyay Dipankar , Kocaefe Yasar
Published: February 2018

Anodes, which provide the carbon required for aluminum production, are made from dry aggregates (petroleum coke, rejected anodes, and butts) with coal tar pitch as the binder. Good quality anodes require good interaction between coke and pitch, and this relies on good wetting properties. The objectives of this work are to analyze the wetting properties of four different cokes with and without modification using an additive and to test the effect of the modified coke on anode properties. A FTIR study was done to identify functional groups in non‐modified and modified coke samples since they play an important role on coke‐pitch interactions. The wetting tests were done using the sessile‐drop method to measure the contact angle between coke and pitch. The results showed that the additive improved the wettability of all four cokes by pitch. The least wettable coke was chosen to produce anodes. For anode production, the entire dry aggregate is modified. The additive was mixed with the dry aggregate using two different approaches (one day earlier and 5 min before mixing). The anodes were characterized before and after baking. The early treatment with the additive was found to be better for the modification of dry aggregate.
Kinetics of esterification of benzoic acid and isoamyl alcohol catalyzed by P‐toluenesulphonic acid
Authors: Xue Jiaming , Zeng Zuoxiang , Xue Weilan , Yang Huayu
Published: February 2018

The kinetics of the esterification between benzoic acid and isoamyl alcohol has been studied using p‐toluenesulphonic acid as a catalyst. The conversion of the benzoic acid was determined by following the concentration of water measured with a Karl Fischer titrator. The effects of the reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, and initial acid to alcohol molar ratio on reaction kinetics have been examined. A five‐step assumption was proposed to describe the reaction mechanism for the formation of isoamyl benzoate. And the kinetic model derived from the proposed mechanism can fit well with experimental kinetic data of the esterification, which indicates that the proposed mechanism is reasonable. The nonideality of the liquid reaction mixture has been considered and the activity coefficients of all components were estimated by the UNIFAC model. The reaction rate constants from 353.15 K to 383.15 K have been determined through the least square method. Meanwhile the activation energy and the standard enthalpy change of reaction in the presence of p‐toluenesulphonic acid were calculated to be 50.45 kJ/mol and −3.75 kJ/mol respectively.
Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate Catalyzed by DBU Derived Basic Ionic Liquids
Authors: Li Wei , Cheng Weiguo , Yang Xia , Su Qian , Dong Lihui , Zhang Pan , Yi Yunan , Li Bin , Zhang Suojiang
Published: February 2018

In this work, 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU), 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]‐5‐nonene (DBN), and imidazole (MIM)‐derived bromide ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and used to catalyze the cycloaddition reactions of carbon dioxide (CO2) with several kinds of epoxides to form cyclic carbonates. The DBU derived bromide ionic liquid system was found to have the best catalytic activity among all the tested ILs. The influences of reaction conditions (including temperature, pressure and reaction time) on the reaction of CO2 to propylene oxide (PO) were studied to show the best conditions of 120 °C, 1 MPa, 2.5 h catalyzed by 2 mol% DBU‐derived bromide ionic liquid, with the conversion of PO and the selectivity of propylene carbonate (PC) reaching 99% and 99%, respectively. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the ionic liquid system could be reused at least five times without decrease in selectivity and conversion. NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations were used to reveal the hydrogen‐bond interaction between ionic liquids and reagent, based on which the reaction mechanism was proposed.
Soil‐Aggregate‐Associated Organic Carbon Along Vegetation Zones in Tidal Salt Marshes in the Liaohe Delta
Authors: Mao Rong , Ye Si‐Yuan , Zhang Xin‐Hou
Published: February 2018

In the tidal salt marshes, the spatial variation of soil carbon (C) quality along the vegetation zones is still unclear. Here, a study is conducted in the mudflat, open shrubland, and dense shrubland in the Liaohe Delta, Northeast China, and soil organic C (OC) stock, particulate organic matter C (POMC), and aggregate‐associated OC in the 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths are investigated along these vegetation zones. Among the three vegetation zones, dense shrubland had the greatest soil OC stock, open shrubland had the lowest value, and mudflat had an intermediate value. In each soil depth, dense shrubland generally had higher soil OC and POMC concentrations, and POMC/OC ratio compared to mudflat and open shrubland, respectively. Moreover, dense shrubland had a greater proportion of macro‐aggregates (>0.25 mm in diameter) and OC content in the macro‐aggregates than mudflat and open shrubland, respectively. In addition, the OC content in the soil macro‐aggregates positively correlated with soil POMC concentration. These results suggest that the high spatial variability in soil OC quantity and quality along the vegetation zones should be incorporated to accurately develop regional C budget in coastal wetlands in the Liaohe Delta, and also imply that a shift in vegetation zones induced by sea level rise could potentially cause substantial changes in the quantity and quality of soil OC in the tidal salt marshes.
Quantitative Relationship Between AUEC of Absolute Neutrophil Count and Duration of Severe Neutropenia for G‐CSF in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Li Liang , Ma Lian , Schrieber Sarah J. , Rahman Nam Atiqur , Deisseroth Albert , Farrell Ann T. , Wang Yaning , Sinha Vikram , Marathe Anshu
Published: February 2018

The aim of the study was to evaluate the quantitative relationship between duration of severe neutropenia (DSN, the efficacy endpoint) and area under effect curve of absolute neutrophil counts (ANC‐AUEC, the pharmacodynamic endpoint), based on data from filgrastim products, a human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF). Clinical data from filgrastim product comparator and test arms of two randomized, parallel‐group, phase III studies in breast cancer patients treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy were utilized. A zero‐inflated Poisson regression model best described the negative correlation between DSN and ANC‐AUEC. The models predicted that with 10 × 109 day/L of increase in ANC‐AUEC, the mean DSN would decrease from 1.1 days to 0.93 day in Trial 1 and from 1.2 days to 1.0 day in Trial 2. The findings of the analysis provide useful information regarding the relationship between ANC and DSN that can be used for dose selection and optimization of clinical trial design for G‐CSF.
Pain‐relieving effectiveness, quality of life and tolerability of repeated capsaicin 8% patch treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in Scandinavian clinical practice
Authors: Hansson P. , Jensen T.S. , Kvarstein G. , Strömberg M.
Published: February 2018

Context

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the capsaicin 8% patch in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP); however, few studies have assessed this treatment in a clinical practice.

Objective

To determine whether treatment and re‐treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch reduce PNP intensity in clinical practice.

Methods

Three non‐interventional, observational studies were concurrently conducted in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Patients with probable or definite PNP received one or two treatments with the capsaicin 8% patch according to usual clinical practice. All analyses were performed on combined data.

Results

Overall, 382 and 181 patients received treatment and re‐treatment, respectively, with the capsaicin 8% patch. At the group level, a significant reduction in mean level of ‘usual pain’ intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale) over the last 24 h’ score was observed from baseline to Weeks 2 through 8 [−1.05 (95% confidence interval: −1.27, 0.82); p < 0.001] with 28% and 31% of patients reporting a ≥30% reduction in pain after first treatment and re‐treatment, respectively. Improvements in health‐related quality of life (EQ‐5D‐3L index) and overall health status (Patient Global Impression of Change) were observed early (Week 1) and throughout the treatment periods. Most application site reactions subsided within a week after treatment. Following treatment and re‐treatment, 57% and 71% of patients, respectively, were willing to undergo further treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch.

Conclusion

In Scandinavian clinical practice, capsaicin 8% patch treatment was associated with significant reductions in pain intensity and was well tolerated with over half of patients willing to undergo re‐treatment.