bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the impact of moist convection on the development of asymmetric inner core instabilities in simulated tropical cyclones
Authors: Naylor Jason , Schecter David A.
Published: October 2014

This paper examines the nature and consequences of inner core instabilities in several intense tropical cyclones (TCs) simulated with a cloud‐resolving numerical model. The initial wave growth leading to polygonal eyewalls and mesovortices in each TC is shown to closely resemble that found in a dry nonconvective vortex with the same primary circulation. Such agreement is reasonable partly because the bulk of the cloudy eyewall updraft is outside the vorticity ring in which the instability occurs. An energetic analysis of the TC instability verifies that the symmetric secondary circulation contributes relatively little to the early growth of eddy kinetic energy. On a longer time scale, isentropic potential vorticity mixing triggered by the instability irreversibly reduces the maximum wind speed of the dry vortex. In the more realistically simulated TC, moist convection modulates the mixing and regenerates the broken vorticity ring. Eventually, the maximum wind speed of the TC and the local parameters that determine its theoretical magnitude return to within a few percent of their preinstability values. It is found that the time scale for wind speed restoration is sensitive to the surface drag coefficient. The long‐term effects of inner core instability on precipitation are briefly addressed.
Monitoring reservoir storage in South Asia from multisatellite remote sensing
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Gao Huilin , Naz Bibi S.
Published: October 2014

Reservoir storage information is essential for accurate flood monitoring and prediction. South Asia, however, is dominated by international river basins where communications among neighboring countries about reservoir storage and management are extremely limited. A suite of satellite observations were combined to achieve high‐quality estimation of reservoir storage and storage variations in South Asia from 2000 to 2012. The approach used water surface area estimations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices product and the area‐elevation relationship to estimate reservoir storage. The surface elevation measurements were from the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on board the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat). In order to improve the accuracy of water surface area estimations for relatively small reservoirs, a novel classification algorithm was developed. In this study, storage information was retrieved for a total of 21 reservoirs, which represents 28% of the integrated reservoir capacity in South Asia. The satellite‐based reservoir elevation and storage were validated by gauge observations over five reservoirs. The storage estimates were highly correlated with observations (i.e., coefficients of determination larger than 0.9), with normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) ranging from 9.51% to 25.20%. Uncertainty analysis was also conducted for the remotely sensed storage estimations. For the parameterization uncertainty associated with surface area retrieval, the storage mean relative error was 3.90%. With regard to the uncertainty introduced by ICESat/GLAS elevation measurements, the storage mean relative error was 0.67%.
The Poetics of the Island of Vessels
Authors: Spiller Neil
Published: October 2014

Since 2000, Neil Spiller has been engaged on a ‘long project’: a series of hundreds of drawings that through a potent mix of cyborgian fantasy and Surrealism, imbued with poetry and biotechnology, evoke a psycho‐geographical island inhabited by an irascible alter ego, ‘The Professor’. Spiller seeks out in this work ‘an unusual and startling architecture’ that reveals a ‘loving, enigmatic and ragged beauty’.
Achieving Outstanding Mechanical Performance in Reinforced Elastomeric Composite Fibers Using Large Sheets of Graphene Oxide
Authors: Seyedin Mohammad Ziabari , Razal Joselito M. , Innis Peter C. , Jalili Rouhollah , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: October 2014

A simple fiber spinning method used to fabricate elastomeric composite fibers with outstanding mechanical performance is demonstrated. By taking advantage of the large size of as‐prepared graphene oxide sheets (in the order of tens of micrometers) and their liquid crystalline behavior, elastomeric composite fibers with outstanding low strain properties have been fabricated without compromising their high strain properties. For example, the modulus and yield stress of the parent elastomer improved by 80‐ and 40‐fold, respectively, while maintaining the high extensibility of ∼400% strain inherent to the parent elastomer. This outstanding mechanical performance was shown to be dependent upon the GO sheet size. Insights into how both the GO sheet size dimension and dispersion parameters influence the mechanical behavior at various applied strains are discussed.
Injectable Peptide Decorated Functional Nanofibrous Hollow Microspheres to Direct Stem Cell Differentiation and Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Zhang Zhanpeng , Gupte Melanie J. , Jin Xiaobing , Ma Peter X.
Published: October 2014

Injectable microspheres are attractive stem cell carriers for minimally invasive procedures. For tissue regeneration, the microspheres need to present the critical cues to properly direct stem cell differentiation. In natural extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors (GFs) and collagen nanofibers provide critical chemical and physical cues. However, there have been no reported technologies that integrate synthetic nanofibers and GFs into injectable microspheres. In this study, functional nanofibrous hollow microspheres (FNF‐HMS), which can covalently bind GF‐mimicking peptides, are synthesized. Two different GF‐mimicking peptides, Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 mimicking peptide Cytomodulin (CM) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2 mimicking peptide P24, are separately conjugated onto the FNF‐HMS to induce distinct differentiation pathways of rabbit bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). While no existing biomaterials are reported to successfully deliver CM to induce chondrogenesis, the developed FNF‐HMS are shown to effectively present CM to BMSCs and successfully induced their chondrogenesis for ­cartilage formation in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, P24 is conjugated onto the newly developed FNF‐HMS and is capable of retaining its bioactivity and inducing ectopic bone formation in nude mice. These results demonstrate that the novel FNF‐HMS can effectively deliver GF‐mimicking peptides to modulate stem cell fate and tissue regeneration.
pH‐Responsive Cyanine‐Grafted Graphene Oxide for Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer‐Enhanced Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Guo Miao , Huang Jie , Deng Yibin , Shen He , Ma Yufei , Zhang Mengxin , Zhu Aijun , Li Yanli , Hui He , Wang Yangyun , Yang Xiangliang , Zhang Zhijun , Chen Huabing
Published: October 2014

Stimuli‐responsive anticancer agents are of particular interest in the field of cancer therapy. Nevertheless, so far stimuli‐responsive photothermal agents have been explored with limited success for cancer photothermal therapy (PTT). In this work, as a proof‐of‐concept, a pH‐responsive photothermal nanoconjugate for enhanced PTT efficacy, in which graphene oxide (GO) with broad NIR absorbance and effective photothermal conversion efficiency is selected as a typical model receptor of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and grafted cyanine dye (e.g., Cypate) acts as the donor of near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF), is reported for the first time. The conjugate of Cypate‐grafted GO exhibits different conformations in aqueous solutions at various pH, which can trigger pH‐dependent FRET effect between GO and Cypate and thus induce pH‐responsive photothermal effect of GO‐Cypate. GO‐Cypate exhibits severe cell damage owing to the enhanced photothermal effect in lysosomes, and thus generate synergistic PTT efficacy with tumor ablation upon photoirradiation after a single‐dose intravenous injection. The photothermal nanoconjugate with broad NIR absorbance as the effective receptor of FRET can smartly convert emitted NIRF energy from donor cyanine dye into additional photothermal effect for improving PTT. These results suggest that the smart nanoconjugate can act as a promising stimuli‐responsive photothermal nanoplatform for cancer therapy.
Quadrature squeezing of a mechanical resonator generated by the electromechanical coupling with two coupled quantum dots
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhu Jia‐pei , Zhao Shao‐ming , Li Gao‐xiang
Published: October 2014

The quadrature squeezing of a mechanical resonator (MR) coupled with two quantum dots (QDs) through the electromechanical coupling, where the QDs are driven by a strong and two weak laser fields is investigated. By tuning the gate voltage, the electron can be trapped in a quantum pure state. Under certain conditions, the discrepancies between the transition frequency and that of two weak fields are compensated by the phonons induced by the electromechanical coupling of the MR with QDs. In this case, some dissipative processes occur resonantly. The phonons created and (or) annihilated in these dissipative processes are correlated thus leading to the quadrature squeezing of the MR. A squeezed vacuum reservoir for the MR is built up. By tuning the gate voltage to control the energy structure of the QDs, the present squeezing scheme has strong resistance against the dephasing processes of the QDs in low temperature limit. The role of the temperature of the phonon reservoir is to damage squeezing of the MR.
Generating the Schrödinger cat state in a nanomechanical resonator coupled to a charge qubit
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Qi , Xiong Wei , Zhang Shuo , Li Yong , Feng Mang
Published: October 2014

A scheme for generating the Schrödinger cat state based on geometric operations by a nanomechanical resonator coupled to a superconducting charge qubit is proposed. The charge qubit, driven by two strong classical fields, interacts with a high‐frequency phonon mode of the nanomechanical resonator. During the operation, the charge qubit undergoes no real transitions, while the phonon mode of the nanomechanical resonator is displaced along different paths in the phase space, dependent on the states of the charge qubit. This generates the entangled cat state between the NAMR and charge qubit, and the NAMR cat state can be achieved after some operations applied on this entangled cat state. The robustness of the scheme is justified by considering noise from environment, and the feasibility of the scheme is discussed.
Metabolomic and 13C‐metabolic flux analysis of a xylose‐consuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain expressing xylose isomerase
Authors: Wasylenko Thomas M. , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: October 2014

Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the engineering of xylose‐consuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for production of lignocellulosic biofuels. However, the ethanol productivities achieved on xylose are still significantly lower than those observed on glucose for reasons that are not well understood. We have undertaken an analysis of central carbon metabolite pool sizes and metabolic fluxes on glucose and on xylose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in a strain capable of rapid xylose assimilation via xylose isomerase in order to investigate factors that may limit the rate of xylose fermentation. We find that during xylose utilization the flux through the non‐oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) is high but the flux through the oxidative PPP is low, highlighting an advantage of the strain employed in this study. Furthermore, xylose fails to elicit the full carbon catabolite repression response that is characteristic of glucose fermentation in S. cerevisiae. We present indirect evidence that the incomplete activation of the fermentation program on xylose results in a bottleneck in lower glycolysis, leading to inefficient re‐oxidation of NADH produced in glycolysis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 470–483. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Removal and upgrading of lignocellulosic fermentation inhibitors by in situ biocatalysis and liquid‐liquid extraction
Authors: Tomek Kyle J. , Saldarriaga Carlos Rafael Castillo , Velasquez Fernando Peregrino Cordoba , Liu Tongjun , Hodge David B. , Whitehead Timothy A.
Published: October 2014

Hydroxycinnamic acids are known to inhibit microbial growth during fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates, and the ability to diminish hydroxycinnamic acid toxicity would allow for more effective biological conversion of biomass to fuels and other value‐added products. In this work, we provide a proof‐of‐concept of an in situ approach to remove these fermentation inhibitors through constituent expression of a phenolic acid decarboxylase combined with liquid‐liquid extraction of the vinyl phenol products. As a first step, we confirmed using simulated fermentation conditions in two model organisms, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that the product 4‐vinyl guaiacol is more inhibitory to growth than ferulic acid. Partition coefficients of ferulic acid, p‐coumaric acid, 4‐vinyl guaiacol, and 4‐ethyl phenol were measured for long‐chain primary alcohols and alkanes, and tetradecane was identified as a co‐solvent that can preferentially extract vinyl phenols relative to the acid parent and additionally had no effect on microbial growth rates or ethanol yields. Finally, E. coli expressing an active phenolic acid decarboxylase retained near maximum anaerobic growth rates in the presence of ferulic acid if and only if tetradecane was added to the fermentation broth. This work confirms the feasibility of donating catabolic pathways into fermentative microorganisms in order to ameliorate the effects of hydroxycinnamic acids on growth rates, and suggests a general strategy of detoxification by simultaneous biological conversion and extraction. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 627–632. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Separation of in‐vitro‐derived megakaryocytes and platelets using spinning‐membrane filtration
Authors: Schlinker Alaina C. , Radwanski Katherine , Wegener Christopher , Min Kyungyoon , Miller William M.
Published: October 2014

In‐vitro‐derived platelets (PLTs) could potentially overcome problems associated with donated PLTs, including contamination and alloimmunization. Although several groups have produced functional PLTs from stem cells in vitro, the challenge of developing this technology to yield transfusable PLT units has yet to be addressed. The asynchronous nature of in vitro PLT generation makes a single harvest point infeasible for collecting PLTs as soon as they are formed. The current standard of performing manual centrifugations to separate PLTs from nucleated cells at multiple points during culture is labor‐intensive, imprecise, and difficult to standardize in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). In an effort to develop a more effective method, we adapted a commercially‐available, spinning‐membrane filtration device to separate in‐vitro‐derived PLTs from nucleated cells and recover immature megakaryocytes (MKs), the precursor cells to PLTs, for continued culture. Processing a mixture of in‐vitro‐derived MKs and PLTs on the adapted device yielded a pure PLT population and did not induce PLT pre‐activation. MKs recovered from the separation process were unaffected with respect to viability and ploidy, and were able to generate PLTs after reseeding in culture. Being able to efficiently harvest in‐vitro‐derived PLTs brings this technology one step closer to clinical relevance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 788–800. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inconsistent selection and definition of local and regional endpoints in breast cancer research
Authors: Moossdorff M , van Roozendaal L M , Schipper R-J , Strobbe L J A , Voogd A C , Tjan-Heijnen V C G , Smidt M L
Published: October 2014

Background

Results in breast cancer research are reported using study endpoints. Most are composite endpoints (such as locoregional recurrence), consisting of several components (for example local recurrence) that are in turn composed of specific events (such as skin recurrence). Inconsistent endpoint selection and definition might lead to unjustified conclusions when comparing study outcomes. This study aimed to determine which locoregional endpoints are used in breast cancer studies, and how these endpoints and their components are defined.

Methods

PubMed was searched for breast cancer studies published in nine leading journals in 2011. Articles using endpoints with a local or regional component were included and definitions were compared.

Results

Twenty-three different endpoints with a local or regional component were extracted from 44 articles. Most frequently used were disease-free survival (25 articles), recurrence-free survival (7), local control (4), locoregional recurrence-free survival (3) and event-free survival (3). Different endpoints were used for similar outcomes. Of 23 endpoints, five were not defined and 18 were defined only partially. Of these, 16 contained a local and 13 a regional component. Included events were not specified in 33 of 57 (local) and 27 of 50 (regional) cases. Definitions of local components inconsistently included carcinoma in situ and skin and chest wall recurrences. Regional components inconsistently included specific nodal sites and skin and chest wall recurrences.

Conclusion

Breast cancer studies use many different endpoints with a locoregional component. Definitions of endpoints and events are either not provided or vary between trials. To improve transparency, facilitate trial comparison and avoid unjustified conclusions, authors should report detailed definitions of all endpoints.
The Medium Shapes the Message: McLuhan and Grice Revisited in Race Talk Online
Authors: August Caren , Liu James H.
Published: October 2014

Compared with the wealth of research accumulated on face‐to‐face social interactions, relatively little research has examined race talk within anonymous Web 2.0 mediums. We investigated online threaded comments on YouTube video clips of two race‐related incidents involving New Zealand television presenter Paul Henry. Through thematic content analysis, thematic analysis, and discourse analysis, it was found that characteristics unique to Web 2.0 were associated with the appearance of old‐fashioned racism and high‐levels of obscenity (together with modern racism/symbolic racism). The hyper‐low context of communication led to interpretive ambiguity; conversation sequences failed to follow Gricean maxims for cooperative communication, with most comments attracting no replies and the modal sequence being two turns. There was almost never resolution to a disagreement online: rather there was points‐scoring against opposing opinions and a tangential style of dialogue influenced by the asynchronous and anonymous nature of communication. The YouTube medium shaped but did not determine the message, as obscenity and racist content in the target video from the eliciting public figure influenced the subsequent degree of obscenity and hostility in the responses. A third corpus that examined responses to our own research on race talk presented on a news website (stuff.co.nz) underlined this point by engendering a dramatically different response to the same subject, retaining the tangential style of communication, but with little to no obscenity. A framework to understand race talk as a function of both medium and context effects is proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized Gaussian reference curve measurement model for high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector separation and its solution by multi‐target intermittent particle swarm optimization
Authors: Cui Lizhi , Ling Zhihao , Poon Josiah , Poon Simon K. , Chen Hao , Gao Junbin , Kwan Paul , Fan Kei
Published: October 2014

In order to separate a high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) data set to chromatogram peaks and spectra for all compounds, a separation method based on the model of generalized Gaussian reference curve measurement (GGRCM) and the algorithm of multi‐target intermittent particle swarm optimization (MIPSO) is proposed in this paper. A parameter θ is constructed to generate a reference curve r(θ) for a chromatogram peak based on its physical principle. The GGRCM model is proposed to calculate the fitness ε(θ) for every θ, which indicates the possibility for the HPLC‐DAD data set to contain a chromatogram peak similar to the r(θ). The smaller the fitness is, the higher the possibility. The algorithm of MIPSO is then introduced to calculate the optimal parameters by minimizing the fitness mentioned earlier. Finally, chromatogram peaks are constructed based on these optimal parameters, and the spectra are calculated by an estimator. Through the simulations and experiments, the following conclusions are drawn: (i) the GGRCM‐MIPSO method can extract chromatogram peaks from simulation data set without knowing the number of the compounds in advance even when a severe overlap and white noise exist and (ii) the GGRCM‐MIPSO method can be applied to the real HPLC‐DAD data set. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbotrifluoromethylation of Alkynes for the Construction of Trifluoromethylated Heterocycles
Authors: Wang Yanan , Jiang Min , Liu Jin‐Tao
Published: October 2014

A mild and efficient copper‐catalyzed intramolecular carbotrifluoromethylation of alkynes has been achieved in the presence of Togni reagent as trifluoromethylating reagent. The reaction tolerates a range of substrates to give a group of trifluoromethylated heterocycles with high selectivities. A plausible mechanism was proposed on the basis of experimental results.
Switchable Stereocontrolled Divergent Synthesis Induced by aza‐Michael Addition of Deactivated Primary Amines under Acid Catalysis
Authors: Amara Z. , Drège E. , Troufflard C. , Retailleau P. , Huu‐Dau M.‐E. Tran , Joseph D.
Published: October 2014

Switchable tandem intramolecular aza‐Michael/Michael and double aza‐Michael reactions allow the oriented synthesis of highly functionalised cyclic skeletons. Conjugate addition of deactivated anilines triggers chemo‐ and stereo‐divergent ring‐closure reaction pathways with a striking selectivity depending on reaction conditions.
Concise Synthesis of Multisubstituted Isoquinolines from Pyridines by Regioselective Diels–Alder Reactions of 2‐Silyl‐3,4‐pyridynes
Authors: Ikawa Takashi , Urata Hirohito , Fukumoto Yutaka , Sumii Yuta , Nishiyama Tsuyoshi , Akai Shuji
Published: October 2014

A four‐step regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted isoquinoline derivatives from 3‐bromopyridines was developed by the Diels–Alder (DA) reactions of 2‐silyl‐3,4‐pyridynes with furans, followed by functional‐group transformations. In particular, the silyl group at the C2‐position of the 3,4‐pyridynes played two important roles: firstly, it functioned as the directing group for the DA reaction, and secondly, it served to introduce diverse substituents at the C1‐position of the isoquinolines by electrophilic ipso‐substitution.
Physics‐based spectral sharpening through filter‐chart calibration
Authors: Abdellatif Mohamed
Published: October 2014

The spectral overlap of color‐sampling filters increases errors when using a diagonal matrix transform, for color correction and reduces color distinction. Spectral sharpening is a transformation of colors that was introduced to reduce color‐constancy errors when the colors are collected through spectrally overlapping filters. The earlier color‐constancy methods improved color precision when the illuminant color is changed, but they overlooked the color distinction. In this article, we introduce a new spectral sharpening technique that has a good compromise of color precision and distinction, based on real physical constraints. The spectral overlap is measured through observing a gray reference chart with a set of real and spectrally disjoint filters selected by the user. The new sharpening method enables to sharpen colors obtained by a sensor without knowing the camera response functions. Experiments with real images showed that the colors sharpened by the new method have good levels of color precision and distinction as well. The color‐constancy performance is compared with the data‐based sharpening method in terms of both precision and distinction. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 564–576, 2015
Variable operating conditions in distributed systems: modeling and evaluation
Authors: Longo Francesco , Bruneo Dario , Distefano Salvatore , Scarpa Marco
Published: October 2014

Performance and dependability evaluation plays a key role in the design of a broad range of systems, especially when strict requirements need to be met. This is particularly challenging in distributed contexts, where several components may interact among themselves by influencing each other. In this paper, we present an analytical method that allows the study of a class of systems where different operating conditions alternate by changing the stochastic behavior of the system components but still preserving the continuity of the performance and dependability quantities to investigate. The proposed solution technique, based on phase type distributions, Kronecker algebra, and ad‐hoc fitting algorithms, can be applied for the analytical evaluation of a wide class of distributed systems. Examples are provided to show the usefulness and the applicability of the methodology, characterizing and investigating different performance and dependability aspects of three distributed computing systems, that is, a connection‐oriented network, an Internet of Things application, and an Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service Cloud. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast growth of thin multi‐crystalline silicon ribbons by the RST method
Authors: Heilbronn Bertrand , De Moro Fabrice , Jolivet Emilie , Tupin Elsa , Chau Benjamin , Varrot Romain , Drevet Béatrice , Bailly Séverine , Rey Delphine , Lignier Hélène , Xi Yinghao , Riberi‐Béridot Thècle , Mangelinck‐Noël Nathalie , Reinhart Guillaume , Regula Gabrielle
Published: October 2014

The ribbon on sacrificial template (RST) process is a ribbon direct‐wafering technology with specific ability for high throughput and thin multicrystalline wafer production, in the range of 60‐140 μm. Mechanical and electrical properties of the RST material were investigated. Ball on ring and four‐point bending tests showed good fracture stress values up to 260 MPa. The conversion efficiency potential for passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC) made out from the RST material, around 16%, is shown to be limited by defects reducing minority carrier lifetime. The interaction between impurities, such as C and transitions metals, with structural defects such as dislocations, results in highly recombinative areas in RST wafers. A model is proposed which shows that the carbon substrate is an important source of carbon contamination in the silicon melt during the growth of the ribbon. This high C contamination can be accompanied by transition metal contamination and can have an influence on the growth stability and on the generation of structural defects, especially if C accumulates in a boundary layer just above the growth interface. The study of the segregation of Sb indicates that the process conditions are close to the case of the diffusive regime near the solid/liquid interface, with a boundary layer thickness of about 70 μm.
Massive Bauwerke aus Mauerwerk unter den Herausforderungen des Klimawandels
Authors: Rast Ronald
Published: October 2014

Im September 2013 fand der deutsche Mauerwerkskongress in Berlin statt. Er behandelte die Thematik “Mauerwerk unter den Herausforderungen des Klimawandels“. Der Kongress brachte die Erkenntnis, dass der Klimawandel, insbesondere seit Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts, in Form unterschiedlicher Naturkatastrophen deutlich spürbar wird. Verstärkt auftretende Hitze‐ und Kältewellen, mehr Unwetter mit Blitz und Hagelschlag sowie Starkregen, wiederholt auftretende Überschwemmungen sowie die Zunahme von Tornados sind deutliche Zeichen dafür. Mehr Sicherheit und mehr Schutz vor den Auswirkungen derartiger Naturereignisse sind auf verschiedenen Wegen zu erlangen. Eine Möglichkeit zur Begrenzung materieller Schäden infolge von Naturkatastrophen ist die bewusste Auswahl robuster Baukonstruktionen und geeigneter Baustoffe. Die auf dem Deutschen Mauerwerkskongress 2013 angestoßene Diskussion wird auf Basis neuester Erkenntnisse der Klimaforschung und jüngster Statistiken der Versicherungen zur Schadensregulierung von Naturkatastrophen im nachfolgenden Beitrag weitergeführt. Veränderte Anforderungen aus dem Klimawandel, insbesondere an Wohngebäude und wohnähnliche Nichtwohnbauten, werden dargestellt.

Massive masonry constructions under the challenges of climate change. The German Masonry Congress was held in Berlin in September 2013. It covered the topic “masonry under the challenges of climate change“. The Congress brought the realization that the climate change, especially since the beginning of the 21st century, in the form of various natural disasters is clearly noticeable. Reinforced onpassing heat and cold waves, more storms with lightning and hail and heavy rain, recurrent floods and the increase of tornadoes are clear signs. More security, more protection from the impact of natural events to gain in various ways. One way to limit material damages caused by natural disasters is the conscious choice of robust constructions and suitable building materials. In the following article the discussion initiated at the German Masonry Congress 2013 will be continued based on the latest findings of climate research and recent statistics from the insurance companies to settle claims from natural disasters. Changing demands from climate change, particularly on residential buildings and non‐residential buildings with living quarters, are presented.
Nachhaltigkeit von Mauerwerk im Geschosswohnungsbau
Authors: Graubner Carl‐Alexander , Pohl Sebastian
Published: October 2014

Innerhalb der deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie spielen die Bau‐ und Immobilienwirtschaft im Allgemeinen und Wohngebäude als wichtige Gebäudetypologie im Speziellen eine zentrale Rolle. Auf Basis einer ganzheitlichen lebenszyklusorientierten Analyse konnte die hohe Nachhaltigkeitsqualität kleiner Wohngebäude (EFH/ZFH) aus Mauerwerk bereits nachgewiesen werden [1]. Die Untersuchungen dieses Beitrags weiten diese Betrachtungsweise aus und sollen zeigen, ob auch größeren Mauerwerkswohngebäuden (MFH) eine vergleichbare Nachhaltigkeitsqualität attestiert werden kann.

Masonry and sustainability in apartment buildings. The construction and real estate industry in general and especially residential buildings as a crucial typology are key elements of the national sustainability strategy in Germany. Based upon a holistic life‐cycle orientated analysis the high sustainability quality of small residential buildings made of masonry has already been verified [1]. The examination of the following paper extends the perspective and should prove if masonry apartment buildings can be characterised by a comparably high sustainability quality.
Zukunftssicher bauen – die Sicht des Bundesbauministeriums
Authors: Hegner Hans‐Dieter
Published: October 2014

Das neu gebildete Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit wird aufbauend auf den Forderungen des Koalitionsvertrages der aktuellen Bundesregierung rasch ein “Aktionsprogramm Klimaschutz“ vorlegen, um zusätzliche CO2‐Einsparungen zu generieren. Gleichzeitig soll mit dem “Bündnis für bezahlbares Wohnen und Bauen“ dafür gesorgt werden, dass Wohnen bezahlbar bleibt und mehr Sozialwohnungen insbesondere in Ballungsräumen errichtet werden. Beides gelingt nur, wenn konsequent innovative Ansätze beim Wohnungsbau und dem energieeffizienten und nachhaltigen Bauen umgesetzt werden. Die Forschungsinitiative Zukunft Bau leistet dabei umfangreiche Unterstützung. Die aktuelle Förderrichtlinie wurde am 28. Juli 2014 in Kraft gesetzt.

Building for the future ‐ the view of the Federal Building Ministry. The new Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety will shortly submit a Climate Action Programme 2020 based on the Coalition Agreement of the current government to achieve additional CO2 savings. At the same time the Alliance for Affordable Housing and Building aims to keep housing affordable and ensure that more social housing is built, in particular in conurbations. These two goals can only be attained if we consistently implement innovative approaches in housing development and energy‐efficient, sustainable building. The research initiative Future Building (Zukunft Bau) makes a vital contribution to this. The current funding guidelines entered into force on 28 July 2014.
Anti‐doping analyses at the Sochi Olympic and Paralympic Games 2014
Authors: Sobolevsky Tim , Krotov Grigory , Dikunets Marina , Nikitina Maria , Mochalova Elena , Rodchenkov Grigory
Published: October 2014

The laboratory anti‐doping services during XXII Winter Olympic and XI Paralympic games in Sochi in 2014 were provided by a satellite laboratory facility located within the strictly secured Olympic Park. This laboratory, established and operated by the personnel of Antidoping Center, Moscow, has been authorized by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) to conduct doping control analyses. The 4‐floor building accommodated the most advanced analytical instrumentation and became a place of attraction for more than 50 Russian specialists and 25 foreign experts, including independent observers.

In total, 2134 urine and 479 blood samples were delivered to the laboratory and analyzed during the Olympic Games (OG), and 403 urine and 108 blood samples – during the Paralympic Games (PG). The number of erythropoietin tests requested in urine was 946 and 166 at the OG and PG, respectively. Though included in the test distribution plan, a growth hormone analysis was cancelled by the Organizing Committee just before the Games.

Several adverse analytical findings have been reported including pseudoephedrine (1 case), methylhexaneamine (4 cases), trimetazidine (1 case), dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (1 case), clostebol (1 case), and a designer stimulant N‐ethyl‐1‐phenylbutan‐2‐amine (1 case).
Expression of major photosynthetic and salt‐resistance genes in invasive reed lineages grown under elevated CO2 and temperature
Authors: Eller Franziska , Lambertini Carla , Nielsen Mette W. , Radutoiu Simona , Brix Hans
Published: October 2014

It is important to investigate the molecular causes of the variation in ecologically important traits to fully understand phenotypic responses to climate change. In the Mississippi River Delta, two distinct, sympatric invasive lineages of common reed (Phragmites australis) are known to differ in several ecophysiological characteristics and are expected to become more salt resistant due to increasing atmospheric CO2 and temperature. We investigated whether different patterns of gene expression can explain their ecophysiological differences and increased vigor under future climatic conditions. We compared the transcript abundance of photosynthetic genes of the Calvin cycle (Rubisco small subunit, RbcS; Phosphoglycerate kinase, PGK; Phosphoribulokinase, PRK), genes related with salt transport (Na+/H+ antiporter, PhaNHA) and oxidative stress response genes (Manganese Superoxide dismutase, MnSOD; Glutathione peroxidase, GPX), and the total aboveground biomass production between two genotypes representing the two lineages. The two genotypes (Delta‐type, Mediterranean lineage, and EU‐type, Eurasian lineage) were grown under an ambient and a future climate scenario with simultaneously elevated CO2 and temperature, and under two different soil salinities (0‰ or 20‰). We found neither differences in the aboveground biomass production nor the transcript abundances of the two genotypes, but soil salinity significantly affected all the investigated parameters, often interacting with the climatic conditions. At 20‰ salinity, most genes were higher expressed in the future than in the ambient climatic conditions. Higher transcription of the genes suggests higher abundance of the protein they code for, and consequently increased photosynthate production, improved stress responses, and salt exclusion. Therefore, the higher expression of these genes most likely contributed to the significantly ameliorated salinity impact on the aboveground biomass production of both P. australis genotypes under elevated temperature and CO2. Although transcript abundances did not explain differences between the lineages, they correlated with the increased vigor of both lineages under anticipated future climatic conditions.
Lithium‐Containing Pnictides with Supertetrahedral Cluster Chains
Authors: Makongo Julien P. A. , You Tae‐Soo , He Hua , Suen Nian‐Tzu , Bobev Svilen
Published: October 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Svilen Bobev at the University of Delaware, USA. The cover image shows the crystal structure of Ba4Li2Cd3Pn6 (Pn = P, As, Sb), which is based on infinite chains of supertetrahedral T2 clusters.
Nanobiocomposite Based Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive Determination of Serotonin in Presence of Dopamine, Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid In Vitro
Authors: Satyanarayana M. , Koteshwara Reddy K. , Vengatajalabathy Gobi K.
Published: October 2014

A multiwalled carbon nanotube – chitosan (MWCNT‐Chit) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and applied for sensitive and selective determination of serotonin also known as 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT). Electroanalytical response of the fabricated electrode towards the detection of 5‐HT was studied by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the MWCNT‐Chit/GCE has greatly enhanced the oxidation peak current and that the nanocomposite film enhanced the electron transfer to the analyte. Applying differential pulse voltammetry method, a linear calibration plot has been achieved over the concentration range 5×10−8–1.6×10−5 M and the low‐detection‐limit is 5×10−8 M. Selective determination of serotonin in the presence of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid was established. The fabricated biosensor detects 5‐HT in‐vitro directly from artificial urine samples and from diluted serum samples.
Evaluation of Histamine Imprinted Polypyrrole Deposited on Boron Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond
Authors: Ratautaite Vilma , Nesladek Milos , Ramanaviciene Almira , Baleviciute Ieva , Ramanavicius Arunas
Published: October 2014

This study describes the evaluation of histamine imprinted polypyrrole deposited on boron doped nanocrystalline diamond (NCD). Boron doped oxygen terminated NCD (B : NCD) was used as a conducting substrate for the design of here reported electrochemical sensor. Some peculiarities of B : NCD were evaluated and oxidation kinetics of both NCD and B : NCD was investigated. Both the NCD and B : NCD were modified by molecularly imprinted polypyrrole and not‐imprinted polypyrrole. Histamine was used as a template for molecular imprinting of polypyrrole. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was applied for the evaluation of formed MIP and NIP layers.
Label‐Free Impedance Aptasensor for Major Peanut Allergen Ara h 1
Authors: Trashin Stanislav , de Jong Mats , Breugelmans Tom , Pilehvar Sanaz , De Wael Karolien
Published: October 2014

The peanut allergen Ara h 1 belonging to the vicilin family of seed storage proteins is known to be a suitable marker for peanut detection in foods. In the present work, we suggest an electrochemical detection of Ara h 1 using a recently selected 80‐base DNA aptamer. The detection strategy relies on insulation effect of a bulky protein captured by an immobilized aptamer. The electrodes were modified by the aptamer and characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The aptamer surface density and analytical parameters of the calibration curves for Ara h 1 were compared with the system prepared with thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) and operated in the same conditions.
Morphology, anatomy and vasculature in leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae, Ginkgoales) under functional and evolutionary aspects
Authors: Dörken Veit Martin
Published: October 2014

Morphology and anatomy of leaves as well as germination in Ginkgo biloba were studied and compared to the situation in other gymnosperms. The results show that a long‐shoot leaf will be replaced almost perfectly by the total leaf area of a single short‐shoot, a feature which can be found in nearly all deciduous angiospermous, but is absent in all other deciduous gymnosperms. The results of the anatomical investigations of cotyledons and their comparison with the situation in other gymnosperm groups e.g. Araucariaceae, Pinacaea and Taxaceae demonstrate that the recent hypogeal germination of Ginkgo biloba might represent a feature derived from an epigeal ancestor with cotyledons taking part in photosynthesis and respiration. The cotyledons of Ginkgo biloba, however, have only a storage and haustorial function today, but they are still rich in chlorophyll and stomata are developed all over both leaf sides, despite the fact that they are never exposed to light. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A comparison among spatial interpolation techniques for daily rainfall data in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Xu Wenbo , Zou Yangjuan , Zhang Guoping , Linderman Marc
Published: October 2014

This paper focuses on testing appropriate methods to produce gridded rainfall surfaces based on the daily rainfall observed at 43 meteorological stations in the Sichuan Province during rainy seasons of 2008–2013. Rainfall is extremely variable in both spatial and temporal distribution. Therefore, three methods, namely Ordinary Kriging (OK), Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and ordinaryCoKriging(CK), have been selected and examined. First, we choose a suitable model by adjusting relevant parameters including the power exponent, the Neighbours to Include and the Include at Least. Then, cross‐validation is used to verify the prediction performance of the three methods. The results for spatial interpolation of daily rainfall show that: (1) bothOKandCKmethods recorded smaller mean absolute error and the root‐mean‐square error thanIDWmethod. (2) A preferable combination of assigning 2 to power exponent, 15 to Neighbours to Include and 5 to Include at Least is identified forIDWmethod. As for the best combination ofOKandCKmethods, Neighbours to Include is assigned with 15 while Include at Least almost has no effect on their performance. (3)CKis the optimal method for spatial interpolation of the daily rainfall in the rainy season of Sichuan.
Characteristics of β‐glucosidase from oranges during maturation and its relationship with changes in bound volatile compounds
Authors: Ren Jing‐Nan , Yang Zi‐Yu , Tai Ya‐Nan , Dong Man , He Mang‐Mang , Fan Gang
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

The hydrolysis of glycosidically bound volatile compounds can release potential aromas in oranges during maturation. β‐Glucosidase is the key enzyme that influences the hydrolysis of bound volatiles. In this study the changes in β‐glucosidase and bound volatile compounds in Jincheng oranges during maturation were investigated. The relationship between β‐glucosidase activity and bound volatiles was analyzed.

RESULTS

The optimal temperature and pH of β‐glucosidase from Jincheng oranges were 40 °C and 5–6 respectively. Its Km and Vmax values were 0.61 mmol L−1 and 0.009 U mg−1 respectively. The activity of β‐glucosidase was strongly inhibited by Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Ag+, Hg2+ and Fe3+. β‐Glucosidase activity in pulp increased gradually during maturation, while that in peel first increased and then decreased in November. In total, 12 and 14 bound volatiles were found in pulp and peel respectively of this orange during maturation.

CONCLUSION

The concentration of bound volatiles in pulp and peel decreased with the rise in β‐glucosidase activity in pulp and peel during maturation. This indicated that bound volatiles in Jincheng oranges were released during maturation owing to the increase in β‐glucosidase. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Toughening Polylactide with Phase‐Separating Complex Copolymer Architectures
Authors: Gramlich William M.
Published: October 2014

Polylactide (PLA) is a commercially produced potentially sustainable plastic that holds promise to replace petroleum‐sourced materials. Unfortunately, the brittle nature of PLA limits its current utility to disposable packaging. Melt blends of PLA and a rubbery material can rubber toughen the plastic, but often require the addition of a compatibilizer and generate opaque materials. Current efforts explore using block and graft copolymers with a majority PLA block and minority rubbery block that phase separate on the nanometer length scale to rubber toughen PLA. With these complex architectures, the polymer matrix, the minor rubbery component, and the compatibilizer are present in one molecule. Many block and graft copolymers rely on non‐sustainable rubbery blocks, which limits the sustainability of these materials. Recent work has utilized polyisoprene (PI) as the sustainable backbone for PLA graft copolymers. Post‐polymerization functionalization and copolymerization of PI provides a method to create fully sustainable PLA/PI graft copolymers that phase separate on the nanometer‐scale to make potentially tough, sustainable plastics.

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Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposite as Matrix for Bioinsecticide Formulation
Authors: Batista Diogo P. C. , Souza Rafael da S. , Santos‐Magalhães Nereide S. , de Sena‐Filho José G. , Teodoro Adenir V. , Grillo Luciano A. M. , Dornelas Camila B.
Published: October 2014

Due to current encouragement to the use of bioinsecticides for pest control and the susceptibility of biological agents to external factors, we investigated the use of a polymer nanocomposite (PLN, polymer/ layered silicate nanocomposite) as matrix to encapsulate an entomopathogenic fungus active against pest insects of palm trees. The beads were formed by extrusion and the following variables were assessed: fungus conidial concentration (series 1: 107; series 2: 108 and series 3: 109 conidia/mL) and nanolayered silicate concentration (0; 0.5; 1; 2 and 4%). The matrix was evaluated by X‐ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the following characteristics of the products were assessed: percent of encapsulated conidia, size distribution and polydispersity index, swelling index, formulation's in vitro ability to release conidia and stability under different storage temperatures. PLN, whose interactions could be visualized by FTIR, proved to be a potential matrix for this fungus, because, while composed by natural substances non‐toxic to the environment, it succeeded to encapsulate high amounts of conidia (series 2). A barrier effect with bentonite increase was also demonstrated by increased fungus germination time and thermal stability.
Vulcanization Kinetic Study of Different Nitrile Rubber (NBR) Compounds
Authors: Gabriel Cléverson F. S. , Linhares Felipe N. , de Sousa Ana Maria F. , Furtado Cristina R. G. , Peres Augusto C.C.
Published: October 2014

The vulcanization process of rubber compounds comprises multiple chemical reactions and the investigation of this process can be carried out using several techniques. This paper aims at investigating the influence of acrylonitrile content (28, 33 and 45%) and the presence of a carboxyl group in the vulcanization process of nitrile rubber. A methodology that uses rheometric parameters to determinate the cure rate constant (k) and activation energy (E) was conducted. The results showed that there was a decrease in cure rate constant with increasing of acrylonitrile content in the rubber, for a given vulcanization temperature. Furthermore, a higher value of activation energy was obtained for the 33% of acrylonitrile compound.