bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chatbot for Promoting Best Crop Management Practices to Rice Farmers in Odisha, India
Authors: Bharti Preeti , Cabrera Ellanie , Miro Berta , Sharma Sheetal , Florey Carolyn , Sahoo Manas Ranjan , Rout Kshitikanta
Published: October 2024

The increasing penetration of mobile phones has made it easier to reach remote farmers and bridge the knowledge gap between them and researchers/extension workers and agricultural stakeholders. Farmers need concise, context-specific, information to address the challenges which arise due to lack of near-real time updates. Scaling up innovative agricultural technologies is essential to ensure these advancements reach the farmers for their benefit. Chatbots represent an informative tool for delivering the latest agricultural developments to farmers in a user-friendly and interactive format. Chatbots can deliver information on best agronomic practices, weather forecast, market information thereby improving the decision-making capacity of farmers. This paper discusses the development of a rule-based chatbot under a pilot-study and presents findings from a user study conducted with 102 farmers in Odisha, India in 2021. The content topics were decided using a participatory approach wherein farmers selected the topic of interests and information required. The content was developed using the digital tools Rice Crop Manager (RCM), Seed Cast and Rice Knowledge Bank (RKB), developed and deployed by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The chatbot is hosted on Facebook messenger platform and needs the internet support to operate. Farmers having this app can use the chatbot without any additional expense. The results indicate that farmers acknowledged and appreciated interactive features of chatbot and the content but expressed a desire for more comprehensive information on insect-pest management and other crop management practices. The findings highlight the potential of chatbot as a complementary channel to disseminate agro advisories, complementing the existing agricultural extension services. The study has its limitations in terms of small sample size which may or may not represent the variability of the entire population of the area.
DevOps Implementation: Essential Tools, Best Practices, and Solutions to Overcome Challenges for Seamless Development and Operations Integration
Authors: Eswararaj Dinesh , Koppada Lakshmana Rao , Bodala Ram Sekhar
Published: October 2024

Aims: This study aims to explore the core principles, tools, and best practices for implementing DevOps, emphasizing its benefits, such as enhanced efficiency, better collaboration, and faster time-to-market. It also seeks to identify common challenges in DevOps adoption and provide practical solutions.
Study Design: A qualitative research approach was used, incorporating case studies, industry reports, and expert interviews to analyze DevOps implementation across various industries.
Place and Duration of Study: Conducted across organizations in technology, finance, and healthcare sectors from 2022 to 2023 [1,2].
Methodology: The research utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through interviews with DevOps experts and consultants, while secondary data included published case studies, industry white papers, and academic research. This comprehensive analysis identified recurring themes, challenges, and effective strategies in DevOps adoption. The study also examined successful case studies to illustrate best practices and drew insights from experts to address barriers and propose actionable recommendations.
Results: The analysis highlighted that strong leadership support (35%), continuous learning (30%), and effective communication (20%) are critical for successful DevOps implementation. Organizations that invested in automation tools such as Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and GitLab experienced significant gains in workflow efficiency, continuous integration, and delivery. Cultural resistance (40%) and lack of expertise (25%) were the main barriers to DevOps adoption. A positive relationship was noted between cultural change initiatives and successful DevOps implementation (R = 0.85).
Conclusion: Effective DevOps adoption requires a cultural shift towards collaboration, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement, backed by strong leadership and strategic automation. To successfully implement DevOps, organizations should focus on cultivating a collaborative culture, ensuring leadership commitment, and investing in continuous learning and automation tools to overcome challenges and achieve their objectives.
Impact of Biochar on Evaluating the Growth and Yield Performance of ‘Ansal’ Tomato Variety
Authors: Khoi Nguyen Tuan , Thom Pham Thi
Published: October 2024

The effectiveness of biochar on the growth and yield of the Ansal tomato variety was evaluated across various growth stages and quality parameters. This study was conducted to assess the impact of biochar on flowering time, fruit set, ripening, and harvest, as well as on plant height, leaf number, stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), and dry matter accumulation. The results indicate that biochar application significantly reduced the time to flowering and fruit set, with the shortest duration observed in treatment T2. The highest theoretical yield was recorded in T2, reaching 77.69 tonnes per hectare, a 12.9% increase compared to the control. Actual yield also showed significant improvement, with T2 achieving 58.26 tonnes per hectare, a 12.84% increase over the control. Moreover, biochar treatments resulted in higher Brix values and vitamin C content, with T2 exhibiting the highest Brix value of 5.03% and a vitamin C content of 14.53 mg per 100 grams. Although fruit shape and flesh thickness did not show significant differences across treatments, the biochar treatments effectively enhanced the overall quality and yield of the Ansal tomato variety. These findings support the use of biochar as a beneficial soil amendment for improving tomato production
Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum): A Climate Resilient and Nutritionally Significant Crop for Global Food Security
Authors: T.R. Karthik , B. Sudha , S.M. Simhi Samyukta , Reddy Dinesh Kumar , S.M. Vinodhini , G. Pavithra
Published: October 2024

The environmental balance needed for agriculture is severely strained due to changes in rainfall patterns and climate change, as well as the growing global need for food. As global temperatures rise and precipitation patterns become more erratic, millets offer an efficient solution to the trade-off between food security and water availability. Millets are rich in nutrients and possess a special ability to endure extreme conditions such as heat, drought, and various other abiotic and biotic stresses. Pearl millet is a highly climate-resilient crop capable of mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. Antioxidant gene expression, presence of a waxy outer layer and heat shock proteins/chaperons contribute to its abiotic stress tolerance. By adjusting its flowering phenology and establishing fast-growing roots, pearl millet enhances its water and nutrient use efficiency. Stable sources of germplasm in pearl millet that exhibit resistance to diseases such as downy mildew, blast, rust, smut, and ergot have also been incorporated into disease resistance breeding programs. Pearl millet plays a crucial role in nourishing the poverty-stricken populations due to its high palatability and rich nutritional profile. Various bioactive compounds pertain to hypoglycemic, anticancerous and probiotic properties that contribute to its health benefits. Biofortification in pearl millet offers a solution to address issues of micronutrient deficiency in vulnerable populations. Continued research and investment in pearl millet production not only bolster food security but also contribute to the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of increasingly unpredictable environmental conditions. Thus, embracing pearl millet represents a forward-thinking approach to ensuring food security and promoting nutritional diversity on a global scale.
Histological Based Environmental Monitoring of the Lower Nun River: Using the Histo-morphometry of Kidney, Gills, Liver, and Testes of Coptodon zillii
Authors: Athanasius Allison Theodore , Richard Oguon Timipa
Published: October 2024

It is an ecotoxicological study aimed at using chemical and bio-monitoring methods to pollution status of the Lower Nun River (LNR) basin using the histo-morphometry of the Liver, Kidney, Gills, and the Testes of Coptodon zillii. Based on literature review on the environmental burdens of the LNR, the following Target Chemicals (TC) were chosen for the study: Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb). The study involved the sampling of water, sediment and feral fish from two stations along the LNR, Peremabiri (PER) and Igbomotoru(IGB) – Experimental sites.Water and sediment samples were analyzed to ascertain the physico-chemical concentrations of potential contaminants, while the harvest fish organs of liver, kidney, gills and testes were subjected to histological study to ascertain the exposure effect. Control fishes were harvested from African Aqua-culture Centre (ARAC) – Reference Site. Analyzed sediment and water values were used to evaluate Environmental Water Quality Index (EWQI) and sediment quality, while the fish organs were analyzes and used for pollution certification and stratification. Study results showed that EWQI of PER was poor (41.9); sediment quality showed that Cr, CU and Pb were above the Maximum Allowable Toxicant Concentration (MATC) for fresh water body. Fish from IGB showed worse lesion prevalence and organ histopathologic Index (Iorg) when compared to PER, with ARAC having the best outcome. The environmental pollution status (EPS) LNR was normal at PER and was slightly polluted at IGB. The study gave credence to the use of histology as a biomarker to assess sublethal effects of environmental stressors, and in determination of the pollution status.
Influence of Front-Line Demonstrations on Yield, Yield Gap and Economics of Field Pea under Hill Region of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Chaturvedi S. K. , Chaturvedi Abhimanyu , Munth Hage , Manty Hage
Published: October 2024

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Yachuli, Lower Subansiri district, gave a front-line field pea demonstration in 06 villages across two blocks with 44 farmers during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. FLD on the VL Matar 42 variety of field pea was carried out over the course of two years in a 15 ha area using the recommended improved practices. Additionally, a control plot with farmer practices was maintained. The yield in the farmers' plot (1110 kg ha-1) and demonstration plot (1510 kg ha-1) in the year 2020-21 was higher than in the year 2019-20. In the years 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively, the demonstration plots' mean yield exceeded that of the farmers' plot by 35.23 and 36.03 percent.  The VL Matar 42 variety of field pea had a mean yield of 1465 kg ha-1, which was lower than the potential yield of 1868 kg ha-1. The yield gap of 403 kg ha-1 indicates that there is a technology gap. Interestingly, the average extension yield gap was lower (385 kg ha-1) during the study period. The technology index varied from 19.16 to 23.98 percent, showing the feasibility of the evolved technology at the farmer's fields. Cultivating field pea using improved technologies resulted in an average higher net return of Rs. 59,050 ha-1 compared to Rs 34,500 ha-1 from local farming practices. The benefit cost ratio of field pea was higher (2.16) when using improved technologies compared to (1.83) when using farmers' practices.
The EU AI Act: A Practice-Oriented Interpretation
Authors: Keber Tobias , Schwartmann Rolf , Zenner Kai
Published: October 2024

After a brief introduction (I.) and a closer look at the exact timeline (II.) of the Artificial Intelligence Act, the article addresses key questions ranging from regulated AI applications over the risk-based approach and the classification system to the wide range of high-risk AI systems (III.) before a conclusion concerning the likely impact of the AI Act is drawn (IV.).
Epidermal Inorganic Optoelectronics for Blood Oxygen Measurement
Authors: Li Haicheng , Xu Yun , Li Xiaomin , Chen Ying , Jiang Yu , Zhang Changxing , Lu Bingwei , Wang Jian , Ma Yinji , Chen Yihao , Huang Yin , Ding Minquang , Su Honghong , Song Guofeng , Luo Yi , Feng X.
Published: February 2017

Flexible and stretchable optoelectronics, built‐in inorganic semiconductor materials, offer a wide range of unprecedented opportunities and will redefine the conventional rigid optoelectronics in biological application and medical measurement. However, a significant bottleneck lies in the brittleness nature of rigid semiconductor materials and the performance's extreme sensitivity to the light intensity variation due to human skin deformation while measuring physical parameters. In this study, the authors demonstrate a systematic strategy to design an epidermal inorganic optoelectronic device by using specific strain‐isolation design, nanodiamond thinning, and hybrid transfer printing. The authors propose all‐in‐one suspension structure to achieve the stretchability and conformability for surrounding environment, and they propose a two‐step transfer printing method for hybrid integrating III–V group emitting elements, Si‐based photodetector, and interconnects. Owing to the excellent flexibility and stretchability, such device is totally conformal to skin and keeps the constant light transmission between emitting element and photodetector as well as the signal stability due to skin deformation. This method opens a route for traditional inorganic optoelectronics to achieve flexibility and stretchability and improve the performance of optoelectronics for biomedical application.
Synthesis of 3‐Aryl‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)indoles via Copper‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation and Subsequent Cadogan Cyclization
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshishiko , Ohkubo Erina , Shibuya Masatoshi
Published: February 2017

The copper‐catalyzed hydroarylation of (trifluoromethyl)alkynes with (o‐nitrophenyl)boronic acids selectively afforded trisubstituted (trifluoromethyl)alkenes bearing an o‐nitrophenyl group. The obtained hydroarylation products were converted into 3‐aryl‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)indoles in high yields via molybdenum‐catalyzed Cadogan cyclization. Similarly, the hydroarylation product prepared from (o‐nitrophenyl)(trifluoromethyl)alkyne and (p‐anisyl)boronic acid also underwent Cadogan cyclization, albeit with a longer reaction time, affording the desired indole product in a high yield.

magnified image
Computer‐Assisted 3D Structure Elucidation of Natural Products using Residual Dipolar Couplings
Authors: Troche‐Pesqueira Eduardo , Anklin Clemens , Gil Roberto R. , Navarro‐Vázquez Armando
Published: February 2017

An enhanced computer‐assisted procedure for the determination of the relative configuration of natural products, which starts from the molecular formula and uses a combination of conventional 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and residual dipolar couplings (RDCs), is reported. Having already the data acquired (1D/2D NMR and RDCs), the procedure begins with the determination of the molecular constitution using standard computer‐assisted structure elucidation (CASE) and is followed by fully automated determination of relative configuration through RDC analysis. In the case of moderately flexible molecules the simplest data‐explaining conformational model is selected by the use of the Akaike information criterion.
“114”‐Type Nitrides LnAl(Si4−xAlx)N7Oδ with Unusual [AlN6] Octahedral Coordination
Authors: Huang Saifang , Huang Zhaohui , Cao Peng , Zujovic Zoran , Price Jason R. , Avdeev Maxim , Que Meidan , Suzuki Furitsu , Kido Tsuyoshi , Ouyang Xin , Kaji Hironori , Fang Minghao , Liu Yan‐gai , Gao Wei , Söhnel Tilo
Published: February 2017

Aluminum–nitrogen six‐fold octahedral coordination, [AlN6], is unusual and has only been seen in the high‐pressure rocksalt‐type aluminum nitride or some complex compounds. Herein we report novel nitrides LnAl(Si4−xAlx)N7Oδ (Ln=La, Sm), the first inorganic compounds with [AlN6] coordination prepared via non‐high‐pressure synthesis. Structure refinements of neutron powder diffraction and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data show that these compounds crystallize in the hexagonal Swedenborgite structure type with P63mc symmetry where Ln and Al atoms locate in anticuboctahedral and octahedral interstitials, respectively, between the triangular and Kagomé layers of [SiN4] tetrahedra. Solid‐state NMR data of high‐purity La‐114 powders confirm the unusual [AlN6] coordination. These compounds are the first examples of the “33‐114” sub‐type in the “114” family. The additional site for over‐stoichiometric oxygen in the structure of 114‐type compounds was also identified.
Physical, chemical, and metabolic state sensors expand the synthetic biology toolbox for Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Immethun Cheryl M. , DeLorenzo Drew M. , Focht Caroline M. , Gupta Dinesh , Johnson Charles B. , Moon Tae Seok
Published: February 2017

Many under‐developed organisms possess important traits that can boost the effectiveness and sustainability of microbial biotechnology. Photoautotrophic cyanobacteria can utilize the energy captured from light to fix carbon dioxide for their metabolic needs while living in environments not suited for growing crops. Various value‐added compounds have been produced by cyanobacteria in the laboratory; yet, the products’ titers and yields are often not industrially relevant and lag behind what have been accomplished in heterotrophic microbes. Genetic tools for biological process control are needed to take advantage of cyanobacteria's beneficial qualities, as tool development also lags behind what has been created in common heterotrophic hosts. To address this problem, we developed a suite of sensors that regulate transcription in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in response to metabolically relevant signals, including light and the cell's nitrogen status, and a family of sensors that respond to the inexpensive chemical, l‐arabinose. Increasing the number of available tools enables more complex and precise control of gene expression. Expanding the synthetic biology toolbox for this cyanobacterium also improves our ability to utilize this important under‐developed organism in biotechnology. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1561–1569. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanistic kinetic models of enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis—A review
Authors: Jeoh Tina , Cardona Maria J. , Karuna Nardrapee , Mudinoor Akshata R. , Nill Jennifer
Published: February 2017

Bioconversion of lignocellulose forms the basis for renewable, advanced biofuels, and bioproducts. Mechanisms of hydrolysis of cellulose by cellulases have been actively studied for nearly 70 years with significant gains in understanding of the cellulolytic enzymes. Yet, a full mechanistic understanding of the hydrolysis reaction has been elusive. We present a review to highlight new insights gained since the most recent comprehensive review of cellulose hydrolysis kinetic models by Bansal et al. (2009) Biotechnol Adv 27:833–848. Recent models have taken a two‐pronged approach to tackle the challenge of modeling the complex heterogeneous reaction—an enzyme‐centric modeling approach centered on the molecularity of the cellulase‐cellulose interactions to examine rate limiting elementary steps and a substrate‐centric modeling approach aimed at capturing the limiting property of the insoluble cellulose substrate. Collectively, modeling results suggest that at the molecular‐scale, how rapidly cellulases can bind productively (complexation) and release from cellulose (decomplexation) is limiting, while the overall hydrolysis rate is largely insensitive to the catalytic rate constant. The surface area of the insoluble substrate and the degrees of polymerization of the cellulose molecules in the reaction both limit initial hydrolysis rates only. Neither enzyme‐centric models nor substrate‐centric models can consistently capture hydrolysis time course at extended reaction times. Thus, questions of the true reaction limiting factors at extended reaction times and the role of complexation and decomplexation in rate limitation remain unresolved. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1369–1385. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two New Pyripyropenes from the Marine Fungus Fusarium lateritium 2016F18‐1
Authors: Cao Qing‐Xiang , Wei Jun‐Hua , Deng Rong , Feng Gong‐Kan , Zhu Xiao‐Feng , Lan Wen‐Jian , Li Hou‐Jin
Published: February 2017

Two new pyripyropenes, 13‐dehydroxy‐1,11‐deacetylpyripyropene A (1) and 1‐deacetylpyripyropene A (2), together with six known compounds, were isolated from a marine fungus Fusarium lateritium 2016F18‐1 which was associated with the sponge Phyllospongia foliascens. Their structures were established mainly based on NMR and MS data. Their cytotoxic activities against human cancer cells CNE1, CNE2, HONE1, SUNE1, GLC82, and HL7702 were evaluated.
SFRP2 enhanced the adipogenic and neuronal differentiation potentials of stem cells from apical papilla
Authors: Lin Xiao , Dong Rui , Diao Shu , Yu Guoxia , Wang Liping , Li Jun , Fan Zhipeng
Published: February 2017

Dental tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are easily obtained and considered as a favorable cell source for tissue engineering, but the regulation of direct differentiation is unknown, which restricts their application. The present study investigated the effect of SFRP2, a Wnt signaling modulator, on MSC differentiation using stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). The cells were cultured in specific inducing medium for adipogenic, neurogenic, or chondrogenic differentiation. Over‐expression of SFRP2 via retroviral infection enhanced the adipogenic and neurogenic differentiation of SCAPs. While inhibit of Wnt pathway by IWR1‐endo could enhance the neurogenic differentiation potentials of SCAPs, similar with the function of SFRP2. In addition, over‐expression of SFRP2 up‐regulated the expression of stemness‐related genes SOX2 and OCT4. Furthermore, SOX2 and OCT4 expression was significantly inhibited after lentiviral silencing of SFRP2 in SCAPs. Therefore, our results suggest that SFRP2 enhances the adipogenic and neurogenic differentiation potentials of SCAPs by up‐regulating SOX2 and OCT4. Moreover, the effect of SFRP2 in neurogenic differentiation of SCAPs maybe also associated with Wnt inhibition. Our results provided useful information about the molecular mechanism underlying directed differentiation in dental tissue‐derived MSCs.
Effect of the Structure and Mesoporosity in Ni/Zeolite Catalysts for n‐Hexadecane Hydroisomerisation and Hydrocracking
Authors: Lanzafame Paola , Perathoner Siglinda , Centi Gabriele , Heracleous Elli , Iliopoulou Eleni F. , Triantafyllidis Konstantinos S. , Lappas Angelos A.
Published: February 2017

The hydroisomerisation/hydrocracking properties of Ni‐zeolite catalysts (H‐MFI and H‐Beta) are studied using n‐hexadecane as model compound and compared with those of Ni/ASA (amorphous silica‐alumina) as reference catalyst. In the case of H‐Beta, the effect of the introduction of mesoporosity by controlled desilication is also investigated. The results indicate that Ni on desilicated H‐Beta catalysts shows very interesting characteristics for the potential use in the production of biofuel from vegetable/algal oil, or the upgrading of biomass‐derived Fischer–Tropsch waxes. Ni/H‐Beta shows lower activity with respect to Ni/H‐MFI, but significantly lower formation of gases and much better hydroisomerisation activity. The introduction of mesoporosity by desilication enhances the activity, while still maintaining an acceptable gas formation and good hydroisomerisation properties. Furthermore, the desilication treatment improves the stability with respect to carbon formation.
Asymmetric Bioreduction of β‐Acylaminonitroalkenes: Easy Access to Chiral Building Blocks with Two Vicinal Nitrogen‐Containing Functional Groups
Authors: Brenna Elisabetta , Crotti Michele , Gatti Francesco G. , Monti Daniela , Parmeggiani Fabio , Santangelo Sara
Published: February 2017

The reduction of (Z)‐β‐acylaminonitroalkenes catalyzed by ene‐reductases is described for the first time. The reaction occurs with a high conversion and excellent enantioselectivity and shows a wide substrate scope. The reduced products are valuable chiral synthons characterized by two vicinal nitrogen‐containing functional groups that can be further modified by functional group inter‐conversion thanks to the synthetic versatility of the nitro moiety. The chemo‐enzymatic synthesis of (R)‐N,N′‐(1‐phenylethane‐1,2‐diyl)diacetamide from easily accessible (Z)‐N‐(2‐nitro‐1‐phenylvinyl)acetamide is herein reported as a representative application of this synthetic procedure.
Facile Synthesis of Cu@CeO2 and Its Catalytic Behavior for the Hydrogenation of Methyl Acetate to Ethanol
Authors: Wang Yue , Zhao Yujun , Lv Jing , Ma Xinbin
Published: February 2017

The hydrogenation of methyl acetate (MA) is one of the key steps in the synthesis of ethanol from syngas. Given previous studies in this area, synergy of the Cu0 and Cu+ species is the crux to improving catalytic performance. However, neither Cu0 nor Cu+ is easy to maintain under reaction conditions comprising abundant H2 and high temperature. Here, a Cu@CeO2 core–shell catalyst was fabricated by using a facile sol–gel method, and this catalyst exhibited excellent activity and stability in the hydrogenation of MA. It was revealed that the Cu@CeO2 core–shell structure prevented the metallic copper particles from migrating and aggregating and also significantly increased the amount of Cu+ species by enlarging the intimate contact area of copper and ceria. Furthermore, the Cu0 and Cu+ species were found to be well distributed on the interface between the Cu core and the CeO2 shell. The close relative position of the two active sites is probably the main reason for the enhanced synergetic effect in the hydrogenation of MA. New insight into the core–shell structure–function relationship introduces new possibilities for the rational design of catalysts.
Recyclable Silica‐Supported Iridium Catalysts for Selective Reductive Transformation of Quinolines with Formic Acid in Water
Authors: Zhang Jing‐Fan , Zhong Rui , Zhou Quan , Hong Xi , Huang Shuang , Cui He‐Zhen , Hou Xiu‐Feng
Published: February 2017

Mesoporous silica (SBA‐15)‐supported iridium catalysts are prepared by grafting of the newly developed cyclometalated iridium 2‐aryl benzoxazole complexes with 3‐(triethoxysilyl)‐propyl‐isocyanate (TEPIC) as a linker. The supported catalysts are characterized by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), nitrogen physisorption, FTIR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy analysis, which indicate that the coordination environment of the iridium center as well as the two‐dimensional hexagonal pore structure of SBA‐15 is maintained after the immobilization. These supported catalysts have been successfully applied to the selective transfer hydrogenation of quinoline derivatives to 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines (THQs) with formic acid in pure water. Moreover, by simply adapting the amount of formic acid used, N‐formyltetrahydroquinolines (FTHQs) could be selectively synthesized from quinolines in two‐step, one‐pot transfer hydrogenation/N‐formylation reactions with these supported catalysts. Notably, these supported catalysts showed better catalytic reactivity than their homogeneous analogs, and they can be easily reused 12 times in the transformation of quinoline to N‐formyltetrahydroquinoline (FTHQ) without significant loss of activity.
Study on the Catalytic Behavior of Bifunctional Hydrogen‐Bonding Catalysts Guided by Free Energy Relationship Analysis of Steric Parameters
Authors: Yang Chen , Wang Jie , Liu Yang , Ni Xiang , Li Xin , Cheng Jin‐Pei
Published: February 2017

Free energy relationship (FER) studies to correlate steric parameters with the enantiocatalytic performance of bifunctional tertiary‐amine hydrogen‐bonding catalysts, including (S,S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine‐derived thioureas, Cinchona alkaloid derived thioureas, and (S,S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine‐derived squaramides, in Michael reactions revealed that the reactions are much favored by catalysts with less bulky N‐substituents. The observed FERs are independent of the chiral scaffold and hydrogen‐bond donor, and deepen the understanding of current bifunctional hydrogen‐bonding catalysts. Moreover, DFT calculations were performed to interpret the observed high reactivities of thioureas with less bulky substituents. In particular, the computations demonstrated the advantage of a benzyl thiourea catalyst, in which an extra CH⋅⋅⋅π interaction between catalyst and substrate is the key factor.
A secure end‐to‐end SMS‐based mobile banking protocol
Authors: Bojjagani Sriramulu , Sastry V. N.
Published: February 2017

Short message service (SMS) provides a wide channel of communication for banking in mobile commerce and mobile payment. The transmission of SMS is not secure in the network using global system for mobile communications or general packet radio service. Security threats in SMS restricted the use of SMS in mobile banking within certain limits. This paper proposed a model to address the security of SMS using elliptic curve cryptography. The proposed model provides end‐to‐end SMS communication between the customer and the bank through the mobile application. The main objective of the proposed model is to design and develop a security framework for SMS banking. Further, the protocol is verified for its correctness and security properties because most of the protocols are not having the facility to be verified by using the formal methods. Our proposed framework is experimentally validated by formal methods using model checking tool called automated validation of internet security protocols and Scyther tools. Security analysis shows that the proposed mechanism works better compared to existing SMS payment protocols for real‐world applications.
Drivers of tree species distribution across a tropical rainfall gradient
Authors: Gaviria Julian , Turner Benjamin L. , Engelbrecht Bettina M. J.
Published: February 2017

Understanding the factors shaping species distribution patterns along tropical rainfall gradients is necessary to predict the consequences of climate change for tropical tree communities. Direct effects of water availability exclude wet forest species from dry forests, but the exclusion of dry forest species from wet forests remains unexplained. We tested the hypothesis that high light and nutrient requirements exclude dry forest species from dark, infertile, wet forests. We transplanted seedlings of 26 woody species to six sites along a pronounced regional rainfall gradient across the Isthmus of Panama. We examined the effects of soil moisture, phosphorus and light availability, and species' drought resistance on seedling performance, and linked the results directly to known species distribution patterns. Surprisingly, seedlings of wet forest species did not exhibit a home advantage: All species survived better under moister conditions, and the effects of phosphorus availability and light on seedling performance did not differ among species from dry or wet forests. Instead, dry forest species had intrinsically slower growth rates than wet forest species, which may lead to their exclusion from wet forests at later life history stages. High phosphorus exacerbated susceptibility to drought, although the mechanism remains unknown. Overall, our results demonstrate that seedling performance across tropical rainfall gradients is determined primarily by variation in soil water availability across space and time, while variation in nutrient and light availability plays a lesser role. Future changes in rainfall patterns will therefore have direct and pervasive consequences for forest composition and ecosystem function.
Two sides of the same coin: NEO‐PUFAs in Rett syndrome and post‐infarction cardiac arrhythmias
Authors: Demion Marie , Oger Camille , Vigor Claire , Thireau Jérôme , Guennec Jean‐Yves Le , Durand Thierry , Galano Jean‐Marie , Lee Jetty Chung‐Yung
Published: February 2017

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants that favors the oxidants leads to a disruption of the redox signaling control and/or molecular damage. The action of the oxidants in a non‐enzymatic process generates isoprostanoids from polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this review, we will focus on the effects of ω3‐polyunsaturated fatty acids in two different pathogeneses related to chronic and acute oxidative stress, one in neurodevelopmental, also known as the Rett syndrome, and the second in myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias, respectively. We hypothesize that ω3‐polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation displays antioxidant properties under a high oxidative stress situation, as in the Rett Syndrome, as well as protective properties of isoprostanoids from polyunsaturated fatty acids in pro‐arrhythmic conditions.

Practical applications: In this review, we highlighted the role of omega 3‐ polyunsaturated fatty acids in 2 distinct pathologies where oxidative stress is elevated (in the Rett syndrome as an anti‐oxidant molecule and in cardiac arrhythmias as messenger with biologic properties). The physiological relevance of these data open new unexplored pathways in integrative mechanism and thus potential new “non‐drug” applications.

In this review, we highlight the role of ω3‐polyunsaturated fatty acids in 2 distinct pathologies where oxidative stress is elevated as in the Rett syndrome and as an antioxidant in cardiac arrhythmias acting as a messenger with biological properties. The physiological relevance of these data open new and unexplored pathways in integrative mechanisms, and thus potential new “natural drug” applications. (Adapted with Servier Medical Art, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/fr/).
A critical evaluation of the utility of eggshells for estimating mercury concentrations in avian eggs
Authors: Peterson Sarah H. , Ackerman Joshua T. , Eagles-Smith Collin A. , Hartman C. Alex , Herzog Mark P.
Published: February 2017

Eggshells are a potential tool for nonlethally sampling contaminant concentrations in bird eggs, yet few studies have examined their utility to represent mercury exposure. We assessed mercury concentrations in eggshell components for 23 bird species and determined whether they correlated with total mercury (THg) in egg contents. We designed a multi-experiment analysis to examine how THg is partitioned into eggshell components, specifically hardened eggshells, material adhered to the eggshells, and inner eggshell membranes. The THg concentrations in eggshells were much lower than in egg contents, and almost all of the THg within the eggshell was contained within material adhered to eggshells and inner eggshell membranes, and specifically not within calcium-rich hardened eggshells. Despite very little mercury in hardened eggshells, THg concentrations in hardened eggshells had the strongest correlation with egg contents among all eggshell components. However, species with the same THg concentrations in eggshells had different THg concentrations in egg contents, indicating that there is no global predictive equation among species for the relationship between eggshell and egg content THg concentrations. Furthermore, for all species, THg concentrations in eggshells decreased with relative embryo age. Although the majority of mercury in eggshells was contained within other eggshell components and not within hardened eggshells, THg in hardened eggshells can be used to estimate THg concentrations in egg contents, if embryo age and species are addressed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2417–2427. Published 2017 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.
Fluid dynamics of an idealized left ventricle: the extended Nitsche's method for the treatment of heart valves as mixed time varying boundary conditions
Authors: Tagliabue A. , Dedè L. , Quarteroni A.
Published: February 2017

In this work, we study the blood flow dynamics in idealized left ventricles (LV) of the human heart modelled by the Navier–Stokes equations with mixed time varying boundary conditions. The latter are introduced for simulating the functioning of the aortic and mitral valves. On the basis of the extended Nitsche's method firstly presented in [Juntunen and Stenberg, Mathematics of Computation, 2009], we propose a formulation allowing an efficient and straightforward numerical treatment of the opening and closing phases of the heart valves that are associated with different kind of boundary conditions, namely, natural and essential, switching during each heartbeat. Moreover, our formulation already includes terms preventing the numerical instabilities associated to backflow divergence, that is, nonphysical reinflow at the valves. We present and discuss numerical results for the LV obtained by means of isogeometric analysis for the spatial approximation with the aim of both analysing the formulation and showing the effectiveness of the approach. In particular, we show that the formulation allows to reproduce meaningful results even in idealized LV. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Damage to right medial temporal structures disrupts the capacity for scene construction—a case study
Authors: Irish Muireann , Mothakunnel Annu , Dermody Nadene , Wilson Nikki‐Anne , Hodges John R , Piguet Olivier
Published: February 2017

The medial temporal lobes (MTLs) are widely held to support a range of constructive endeavors including remembering the past, envisaging the future, and imagining hypothetical scenarios. While right MTL structures have been ascribed a prominent role in the construction of spatial contexts, lesion evidence to directly test this hypothesis is lacking. To this end, we assessed scene construction performance in two cases, GC and DF, who presented with left‐ and right‐lateralized presentations of semantic dementia, respectively. GC displayed characteristic semantic processing difficulties in the context of marked left anterior and medial temporal lobe atrophy. Despite significant volume loss across the entire length of the left hippocampus, GC was capable of generating richly detailed, spatially coherent scenes, most likely reflecting the preservation of his right anterior MTL. In contrast, DF's cognitive profile was one of dense prosopagnosia, with subjectively reported gaps in autobiographical memory and wayfinding difficulties. Formal testing on the scene construction task revealed striking deficits, with DF producing impoverished descriptions of spatially fragmented scenes. We attribute DF's inability to construct spatially contiguous scenes to the degeneration of right‐sided MTL structures, most prominently the right anterior hippocampus (19% volume loss) and right parahippocampal cortex (23% volume loss). Our findings complement the extant fMRI literature to suggest a fundamental role for right medial temporal regions in the construction of rich detailed spatial arrays.
The relationship between children's executive functioning, theory of mind, and verbal skills with their own and others' behaviour in a cooperative context: Changes in relations from early to middle school‐age
Authors: Huyder Vanessa , Nilsen Elizabeth S. , Bacso Sarah A.
Published: February 2017

Learning to behave in socially competent ways is an essential component of children's development. This study examined the relations between children's social, communicative, and cognitive skills and their behaviours during a cooperative task, as well as how these relationships change at different ages. Early school‐age (5–8 years old) and middle school‐age (9–12 years old) children completed tasks to assess their executive functioning (i.e., inhibitory control, working memory, and planning), theory of mind, and verbal skills and participated in an interactive cooperative task. Because children participated in pairs, dyadic data analysis was used to examine the effect of individual characteristics on children's own and their partners' social behaviour. Results indicated that better theory of mind was related to lower levels of the competitive behaviours demonstrated by younger children, as well as by partners. In contrast, for older children, planning and verbal skills related to lower levels of competitive behaviour. The associations of theory of mind and planning skills with behaviour were significantly different between the early and middle school‐age groups. Findings suggest that children may utilize different skills at various developmental stages to guide their social behaviours. Findings have implications for theories of children's social development, as well as for interventions aimed at enhancing social skills.

Highlights

Children's theory of mind, executive functioning, and verbal skills were assessed in relation to their own and a peer's social behaviour

Dyadic analyses were used to examine children's cooperative and competitive behaviour during an interactive task with a peer

Findings reveal that the impact specific skills have on their own and a peer's behaviour depends on developmental stage
The Translocation of Na+ Ion Inside Human Thrombin Accounts for the Activation of the Enzyme
Authors: Gdalya Hagit , Nachliel Esther , Gutman Menachem , Einav Yulia , Tsfadia Yossi
Published: February 2017

Thrombin is a member of the chymotrypsin family that splits the peptide bond next to arginine. The catalytic activity of thrombin is accelerated by Na+. Inspection of the crystal structure reveals an ion binding site 17 Å from the active‐site, leading to ambiguous definition of its mode of rate‐enhancement. During unbiased Molecular Dynamics simulations in the presence of Na+ ions, the Na+ ion was noticed to alternate between two locations: the crystal‐structure site (adjacent to R221a and K224) and another site next to D189, very close to the binding and the active sites. There is a free passage between the two locations, and both sites can exchange ions with the bulk. When the ion is close to D189 it can assume position between the guanidino moiety of the product and the carboxylate of D189, thus weakening the protein‐product interaction. This transient structure either ejects the Na+ ion out of the protein or releases the product from the enzyme. We propose that the enhancement of the catalysis by the ion is a reflection of its ability to destabilize the product‐enzyme complex.
A Highly Efficient Gene Expression Programming Model for Predicting the Discharge Coefficient in a Side Weir along a Trapezoidal Canal
Authors: Azimi Hamed , Bonakdari Hossein , Ebtehaj Isa
Published: February 2017

Side weirs in trapezoidal canals are used to regulate and measure flow in drainage networks and irrigation systems. In this study, the discharge coefficient of a side weir in a trapezoidal canal is predicted using gene expression programming (GEP). The effects of Froude number (Fr), ratio of side weir length to trapezoidal canal bottom width (L/b), ratio of side weir length to flow depth upstream of the side weir (L/y1), trapezoidal canal side wall slope (m) and ratio of flow depth upstream of the side weir to main canal bottom width (y1/b) are studied on the side weir discharge capacity in a trapezoidal canal. A superior model is introduced as a function of parameters Fr, L/b, L/y1, m and y1/b. In testing the superior model, the calculated RMSE and MARE were 0.011 and 0.024, while the scatter index and BIAS values obtained for this model were 0.030 and 0.009, respectively. Also in model testing, 18.8% of data showed 5–10% error and 81.3% of data had less than 5% error. The correlation coefficient value and average discrepancy ratio calculated for the optimal model selected were 0.916 and 0.995, respectively. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Directed PBDs with Block Sizes from K Where K
Authors: Wei Hengjia , Ge Gennian
Published: February 2017

The research on directed PBDs is motivated by the construction of t‐deletion/insertion‐correcting codes. Fuji‐Hara, Miao, Wang, and Yin have determined the existence of directed PBDs with block sizes from the set and the set completely. In this paper, we consider the cases of . We settle almost completely for these cases, leaving finite values undetermined.
Effects of ammonia on propionate degradation and microbial community in digesters using propionate as a sole carbon source
Authors: Li Ying , Zhang Yue , Kong Xiaoying , Li Lianhua , Yuan Zhenhong , Dong Renjie , Sun Yongming
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Propionate accumulation may lead to digester failure. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ammonia, a metabolic product of protein, on propionate degradation. The shift of microbial community was also investigated.

RESULTS

Propionate accumulated over the experimental period in the reactor with a total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration of 2.5 g N L−1, as a result the digester failed after 4 hydraulic retention times (HRT) at an organic load rate (OLR) of 0.8 g propionic acid (HPr) L−1 d−1. The average HPr degradation rate was below 54% during the fourth HRT, while >97% of the degraded HPr was converted to methane. The reactor without ammonia stress did not experience HPr accumulation and OLR was increased stepwise to 1.2 g L−1 d−1 at the 8th HRT. The average HPr degradation rate and methane recovery rate of this reactor in the last HRT was 99% and 74%, respectively. According to the shifts of microbial community, acetoclastic methanogen was more vulnerable to ammonia than hydrogenotrophic methanogen

CONCLUSION

TAN concentration of 2.5 g N L−1 inhibited propionate degradation more severely than methanogenesis. The loss of abundance of Clostridiaceae and Syntrophobacter might be the main reason for the poor performance under ammonia stress. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Differences in the nanoscale electrical properties of GaN films grown on sapphire and ZnO substrates by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Chen Sy‐Hann , Su Chiung‐Wu , Chang Li‐Hsin , Tsai Tzung‐Han
Published: February 2017

Gallium nitride (GaN) films were grown on sapphire and zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystal substrates using plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy. As ZnO for GaN have a better lattice match, the coverage ratio of the GaN (002) plane on the ZnO substrate was significantly higher by about 45%. According to conducting atomic force microscopy and scanning surface potential microscopy measurements, the surface of GaN films grown on the ZnO substrate had two excellent physical characteristics: (a) an 18% reduction of the high contact current region, and (b) a highly uniform work function distribution. Therefore, for future applications in GaN‐based light‐emitting diodes, the use of ZnO as a substrate will prolong the luminescence lifetime and enhance the luminescent monochromaticity.