bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Can We Enhance Our Source Water Protection Program?
Authors: Mercer Ken
Published: June 2018

This month's question asks about improving a source water protection program (SWPP) that has been in place for several years. The article begins by providing general SWPP information, objectives and scope, and jurisdictional issues, and recommends a 7‐step process for improving an established SWPP that starts with a review of the methodology by which the original SWPP was developed and implemented.
Nature Works: Biological Treatment Methods Yield High‐Quality Water
Authors: Evans Pat
Published: June 2018

This article discusses how biological treatment processes can be effectively used in various combinations and configurations, including filtration, natural filtration, and bioreactor processes, to achieve treatment objectives and improve the biological stability of distribution system water. These powerful combinations of biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms result in cost‐effective processes for producing high‐quality water. Specific filtration processes include slow sand, rapid‐rate, and granular activated carbon (GAC), and natural filtration processes include riverbank and aquifer filtration. Bioreactor processes are anticipated to play a more significant role in the future, with increasing emphasis on removing emerging contaminants, including anoxic biological treatment of perchlorate and nitrate and aerobic biological treatment of ammonia and other contaminants.
Microbiology: Keep Basic Lab Skills Alive
Authors: Burlingame Gary A. , Ramirez‐Toro Graciela
Published: June 2018

This article focuses on the need to monitor drinking water for naturally occurring bacterial microorganisms such as Legionella and Mycobacterium. Standard coliform and bacterial plate count methods can't detect these bacteria. The article provides suggestions for maintaining basic laboratory microbiological skills.
Are There New Regulations That Could Affect Our Operations?
Authors: Mercer Ken
Published: June 2018

This month's question asks whether there are any upcoming regulations that could affect public water systems. The answer discusses developments in several federal and state regulations that could affect public water systems (PWSs) in 2011 and beyond. The regulations include the following: the Revised Total Coliform Rule; Lead and Copper Rule revisions; legislation in California (AB‐1953), Vermont (Act 193), and Maryland (HB 372, effective 2012) that affect allowable lead content in potable water treatment system components; NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G; and, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) six‐year review of contaminant groups, including polymer regulation.
The Lead and Copper Rule: Proactive Detection and Response Are Key to Compliance
Authors: Cantor Abigail F.
Published: June 2018

This article discusses a viable alternative that is available for effectively monitoring lead and copper in water distribution systems. It includes three helpful tools: standardized monitoring stations to ensure controlled sampling of lead, copper, and other water quality parameters; a special sampling protocol, which aids in defining the key water quality parameters relevant to lead and copper transfer in individual water systems; and, the use of Shewhart control charts, which are used in industrial quality control of manufactured products.
Understand Chloramine's Effect on Elastomer Components
Authors: Larson Donovan
Published: June 2018

This article discusses a project by Louisville (Kentucky) Water to study the effects of chloramines, used for disinfection, on various rubber compounds used in the water supply industry. The study was begun in the early 1990s. To examine real‐world applications, the study created aqueous environments, with higher temperature and chlorine concentration, that would degrade or break down certain elastomers such as natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The study discovered that different rubber compounds degraded at different rates and in different ways. This article discusses the means by which failure occured.
Sustainable Techniques Improve Water Quality, Lower Costs
Authors: Rodriguez Jacqueline
Published: June 2018

The Eagle Point Water Treatment Plant in Dubuque, Iowa, successfully removed ammonia and stabilized chlorine residuals without major overhauls to the treatment plant or distribution system. This approach exemplifies what can be achieved with simple changes and monitoring. The solution was to allow the filters to become biologically active so they could remove ammonia naturally. This process, which could be accomplished by moving the chlorine injection site from before filtration to after filtration, would permit natural environmental bacteria to grow in the filter beds. The nitrifying bacteria would metabolize the ammonia before chlorine injection.
Pressure‐Reducing Strategy Tackles Main Breaks and Leakage
Authors: Campbell Reid , MacDonald Graham
Published: June 2018

Although faced with challenges inherent with numerous pressure zones, this article discusses how Halifax Water, Halifax, Nova Scotia adopted a flow‐modulated pressure control strategy that decreased breaks and leaks yet maintained fire flows and service levels.
Customer Feedback and Behavioral Science Encourage Efficient Water Use
Authors: Gould Tom
Published: June 2018

A Utah water utility set its sights on achieving a 25 percent reduction in per capita consumption by 2025. To achieve this ambitious goal, the utility is exploring a unique non‐pricing approach.
Try a Location‐Based Approach to Water Management
Authors: Sandy Craig
Published: June 2018

This article discusses a new location‐based approach to water management. Location intelligence combines geographic information system (GIS) technology with business systems, visualization, and decision making to provide a cohesive view of water management. GIS enables location‐based information to be integrated with temporal and spatial data to enable a more thorough analysis of all water system management information. The article provides a list of how water providers are using location‐based intelligence.
On‐site Sodium Hypochlorite Generation Reduces Storage and Risks
Authors: Jeffcoat Stuart B.
Published: June 2018

This article discusses the use of on‐site sodium hypochlorite generation as an alternative to chlorine gas that can be incorporated into most treatment operations. An example is provided that details how advances in technology, as well as increased security and safety risks associated with chlorine gas, have resulted in on‐site sodium hypochlorite generation becoming a more cost‐effective, proven alternative to chlorine for disinfection at the James E. Quarles Water Treatment Plant, owned and operated by the Cobb County‐ Marietta (Georgia) Water Authority. The article includes an insert that explains the sodium hypochlorite generation process.
How Old Is Too Old for Distribution System Water?
Authors: Mercer Ken
Published: June 2018

There are several ways to estimate residence time in distribution systems. For simple networks and dead‐end legs, water age can be calculated by dividing the pipe volume by flow rate. More involved water age calculations can be made with spreadsheet models, system hydraulic models, and computational fluid dynamics models. Many utilities chose to conduct the Initial Distribution System Evaluation mandated in the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule by using hydraulic models instead of extensive monitoring. This practice can be used to calculate water age at various points in the system under different operating conditions and potential system modifications.
Alabama Utility Puts Filter Media Performance to the Test
Authors: Cochran Jeff , Barron Patty , Cox Wendell
Published: June 2018

In anticipation of changing federal regulations, the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) conducted a pilot plant study to evaluate the primary coagulant at its largest filter plant. This article discusses how the BWWB attempted to change the primary coagulant at its Shades Mountain Filter Plant (SMFP) from aluminum sulfate to ferric sulfate. However, the investigation was abandoned because of increased filter‐to‐waste for 46 gravity‐fed sand‐anthracite filters with a high rate of 2.8 gpm/ft2. Although the failed changeover left SMFP without improved total organic carbon (TOC) removal, the process provided valuable insights and prompted BWWB to purchase a mobile pilot plant. It was clear that any proposed changes to the treatment process required filter‐performance evaluation.
Tame Nitrification With Active Mixing
Authors: Fiske Peter S. , Oppenheimer Jason , Heimel Dan
Published: June 2018

This article discusses a study in Redwood City, California, to determine whether submersible active mixers are capable of lowering nitrification risks for chloraminated systems. In summer 2006, the city installed a submersible active mixer in its most problematic tank and the situation greatly improved immediately. In the days following installation, temperatures remained uniform, chlorine levels improved and stabilized, and nitrite readings at the top of the tank dropped to nominal levels. Other examples of a submersible active mixer solving nitrification problems are presented, along with an insert in the article explaining how nitrification occurs in water distribution systems.
Water Reuse: A Valuable Tool
Authors: Grigg Neil S.
Published: June 2018

This article discusses water reuse as one part of the multifaceted concept of Total Water Management (TWM) and how, by implementing water reuse in some situations as part of a bigger plan, some utilities may gain large advantages. The article provides a list of resources on water reuse.
New Initiatives: Enhance Water Industry Preparedness and Resiliency
Authors: Weisman Richard , Epting Steve
Published: June 2018

This article discusses recent updates made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to tools and initiatives for improving the water industry's preparedness and resiliency, which include: intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks; tabletop exercises for emergency response plans and procedures; tips for utilities to maximize reimbursement for emergency supplies and work; support for financing incident recovery; and, community‐based water resiliency.
Should We Be Concerned About Radioactive Fallout From Japan?
Authors: Roberson Alan
Published: June 2018

This month's question asks about the risks of radioactive fallout from Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor plant. The answer discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's) Radionuclides Rule, along with USEPA's RadNet, a nationwide network of monitors that tracks environmental radiation, and their relevance to water utilities concerning levels of radiation detected in water samples.
Radiological Lab Results Don't Have to Be Confusing
Authors: Consolvo John , Sukosky John M.
Published: June 2018

This article discusses guidelines concerning radionuclides, covering units of measure, sample results, detection limits, analytical methods, uncertainty report, and negative radioactivity. Two detection‐capability concepts associated with radionuclide analyses are discussed. The first is theoretical detection limits, including lower limit of detection (LLD) and required detection limit (RDL). The second detection‐capability concept is functional detection limits, including minimum detectable activity (MDA).
Why Is the Chloramine Residual in My Storage Tank Rapidly Disappearing?
Authors: Lauer William C.
Published: June 2018

One of the most common reasons for loss of chloramine residual is nitrification, a biological process in which specific bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. When these chemical substances react with chlorine and chloramines, they increase chlorine demand, which decreases chlorine residual. This situation can have regulatory consequences because low or absent disinfectant can promote coliform bacteria growth, which can result in a Total Coliform Rule violation. This article presents a brief discussion of the nitrification process and then provides some proven methods to control its onset.
Intake A MONTHLY CHECKLIST
Authors: Safety Chlorine
Published: June 2018

Intake offers Opflow readers guidelines and best practices collected from AWWA Manuals of Water Supply Practices.
Postconstruction Activities
Authors: Ambler Edward “Alan”
Published: June 2018

Intake offers Opflow readers guidelines and best practices collected from AWWA Manuals of Water Supply Practices.
The Role of Affect in Adolescents’ Online Literacies: Participatory Pressures in BookTube Culture
Authors: Ehret Christian , Boegel Jacy , Manuel‐Nekouei Roya
Published: June 2018

Outside of compulsory schooling, adolescents become more responsible for maintaining their reading lives together, which is consequential for educators wishing to foster student identities as lifelong readers, writers, and digital designers. The authors describe the role of affect in a youth‐driven, online participatory culture, BookTube, in which participants are largely young adults just beyond compulsory school age. Analysis draws on poststructural conceptions of affect as distinct from emotion to develop the concept of participatory pressures. Participatory pressures complicate understandings of youth‐generated online cultures, showing specifically how BookTube's aesthetic norms create and maintain feelings of pressure about what style and content count. At the same time, participatory pressures contribute to BookTubers’ development of individual styles that attract viewers, such as using humor in playfulness and social critique. Implications consider how literacy educators may better prepare youths for affective experiences of maintaining shared reading lives in online participatory cultures.
Magnetic Properties of Rare Earth Doped SnO2, TiO2 and CeO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Apostolov Angel T. , Apostolova Iliana N. , Wesselinowa Julia M.
Published: June 2018

The magnetic properties of rare earth doped SnO2, TiO2, and CeO2 nanoparticles are studied theoretically. The discrepancies in the literature for some doping cases are explained, for example, the lattice parameters and the magnetization in Pr and Sm doped CeO2 nanoparticles. There is a strong connection between the lattice deformations and the magnetization M. M decreases (except for Y doped CeO2) due to the larger radius of the rare earth ions compared to that of the host ions which leads to increase of the lattice parameters and decrease of the exchange interactions. The decrease of M is due also to the enhanced number of oxygen vacancies with increasing dopant concentration. For Y doping the lattice parameters decrease and M increases with increasing Y concentration. We have discussed the origin of the different behavior of M in rare earth doped nanoparticles.
Estimation of gaseous criteria air pollutants from road transport system in Lagos metropolis of Nigeria
Authors: Adepoju T. T. , Fakinle B. S. , Adesina O. A. , Okedere O. B. , Sonibare J. A.
Published: June 2018

Ambient air pollution by vehicular emissions is underestimated, especially in the major cities of Nigeria. The buildup of the emissions in the atmosphere is a major health concern. This study estimated the emissions of gaseous criteria air pollutants (CAPs) from the road transport system in the Lagos metropolis from the year 2004 to 2007. The study also determined the ground‐level concentrations of these pollutants for the years under review. Estimation of the emission rates of all types of vehicles was performed using an emission factor approach, while the ground‐level concentrations of the CAPs were determined using the Industrial Source Complex Short Term 3 view model. The results showed that the mean concentrations of carbon monoxide in the ambient air were 26,741.12, 31,675.95, 54,515.48, and 72,388.09 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) for years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively, while the estimated concentrations for oxides of nitrogen were 1,377.91 μg/m3 for year 2004, and 1,620.76, 2,897.33, and 3,839.68 μg/m3, respectively, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The estimated concentrations of sulfur dioxide during the study period were 51,354.16, 57,244.76, 113,083.26, and 136,332.01 μg/m3 for 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. For volatile organic compounds, the estimated concentrations were 3,839.68, 6,839.65, 7,067.62, and 8,431.35 μg/m3 for years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. The results also show that the maximum ground‐level concentrations were highest along the roadside, and the average CAPs concentrations and cumulative exposure concentrations that were estimated throughout the study period are a major health concern, as these concentrations are several times higher than international limits.
An optical method for rapid examination of check development in decorative plywood panels
Authors: Burnard Michael David , Muszyński Lech , Leavengood Scott , Ganio Lisa
Published: June 2018

Common methods for assessment of surface checking in decorative plywood panels rely on manual handling and visual inspection of specimens, a laborious procedure practically limiting the number of materials and variables that may be considered within one project. In this study, a new automated optical method for detection and measurement of checks has been developed. This method was based on the digital image correlation principle, which allowed identification of checks as small as 0.2 mm wide and 1 mm long. Continuous measurement allowed reliable check counts, and measurement of check dimensions as they develop during exposure to drying conditions. A check severity index has been proposed. The method has been validated in exposure tests conducted in harsh but realistic conditions, to increase the likelihood of checking and reduce the test duration to 4 h. In addition, an innovative test setup allowed near simultaneous monitoring of check development in up to 48 panel specimens sized 30 × 30 cm. The efficiency of the method allows studies to examine an unprecedented number of treatments and replicates.
Intergenerational transmission of interpersonal strengths: The role of parent gender, family processes, and child characteristics
Authors: Liu Lisha , Xu Liangyuan , Luo Fang , Li Yanfang
Published: June 2018

Interpersonal strengths are important positive traits of human beings. This study investigated the phenomenon and mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of interpersonal strengths. A total of 992 fourth‐to ninth‐grade children (48.1% boys, Mage = 12.63) and both mothers and fathers in China were involved in the present study. The results showed that fathers' (but not mothers') interpersonal strengths were directly associated with children's interpersonal strengths. Different transmission mechanisms of mothers and fathers were found: mother‐child relationships and fathers' parenting styles explained the association between parents' and children's interpersonal strengths and between marital relationships and children's interpersonal strengths. Consistent transmission effects and mechanisms were found across child grade, gender, and sibling status. The findings of the current study provide evidence of intergenerational correlations for both parents regarding interpersonal strengths. Parents (especially fathers) with interpersonal strengths can raise children with corresponding strengths through particular family processes regardless of child characteristics.
The theory of early nonlinear stage of m=1 instability with locally flattened q-profile
Authors: Cao Kai-Qi , Wang Xian-Qu
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we analyze the modification of fast particles on the nonlinear radial displacement of m = 1 internal kink mode with a shoulder-like equilibrium current theoretically. Using the matching method on the solutions of the outer and inner regions, we derive the analytical form of nonlinear radial displacement in the limit of q' = q" = 0, which is valid to the cases of weak shear due to a slight flattening of the q(r) profile around q = 1. We have taken into consideration the effects of the circulating and trapped fast particles on the nonlinear state of the mode. It is found that a fast particle can modify the nonlinear saturation level by the change of potential energy, depending on the fast particle properties. By the matching of linear dispersion relation to early nonlinear result, we also obtain the relations of radial displacement to the mode frequency and linear growth rate, and discuss the scaling for different stabilities of the MHD modes.
Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Palhano-Fontes Fernanda , Barreto Dayanna , Onias Heloisa , Andrade Katia C. , Novaes Morgana M. , Pessoa Jessica A. , Mota-Rolim Sergio A. , Osório Flávia L. , Sanches Rafael , dos Santos Rafael G. , Tófoli Luís Fernando , de Oliveira Silveira Gabriela , Yonamine Mauricio , Riba Jordi , Santos Francisco R. , Silva-Junior Antonio A. , Alchieri João C. , Galvão-Coelho Nicole L. , Lobão-Soares Bruno , Hallak Jaime E. C. , Arcoverde Emerson , Maia-de-Oliveira João P. , Araújo Dráulio B.
Published: June 2018

Background

Recent open-label trials show that psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, hold promise as fast-onset antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression.

Methods

To test the antidepressant effects of ayahuasca, we conducted a parallel-arm, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 29 patients with treatment-resistant depression. Patients received a single dose of either ayahuasca or placebo. We assessed changes in depression severity with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating scale at baseline, and at 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 7 (D7) days after dosing.

Results

We observed significant antidepressant effects of ayahuasca when compared with placebo at all-time points. MADRS scores were significantly lower in the ayahuasca group compared with placebo at D1 and D2 (p= 0.04), and at D7 (p< 0.0001). Between-group effect sizes increased from D1 to D7 (D1: Cohen'sd= 0.84; D2: Cohen'sd= 0.84; D7: Cohen'sd= 1.49). Response rates were high for both groups at D1 and D2, and significantly higher in the ayahuasca group at D7 (64%v.27%;p= 0.04). Remission rate showed a trend toward significance at D7 (36%v.7%,p= 0.054).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first controlled trial to test a psychedelic substance in treatment-resistant depression. Overall, this study brings new evidence supporting the safety and therapeutic value of ayahuasca, dosed within an appropriate setting, to help treat depression. This study is registered athttp://clinicaltrials.gov(NCT02914769).
Retroactive Interference in Visual Short-Term Memory
Authors: Mercer Tom
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Retroactive interference occurs when new information disrupts the retention of an existing representation, but its effects on visual short-term memory remain poorly understood. The present study examined three factors predicted to influence domain-specific retroactive interference, including the type of distractor, its temporal position, and the length of the retention interval. Participants compared target and test objects over a brief interval that either was unfilled or contained a similar or dissimilar distractor occurring 200 ms or 1.5 s after the target offset. Retention was influenced by the temporal position of the distractor and its relationship with the to-be-remembered target. Specifically, retroactive interference was only observed following the presentation of a dissimilar distractor that occurred 1.5 s after the target. These results suggest that novel distractors may be particularly interfering.
Do Researchers Anchor Their Beliefs on the Outcome of an Initial	Study?
Authors: Ernst Anja Franziska , Hoekstra Rink , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan , Gelman Andrew , van Ravenzwaaij Don
Published: June 2018

Abstract. As a research field expands, scientists have to update their knowledge and integrate the outcomes of a sequence of studies. However, such integrative judgments are generally known to fall victim to a primacy bias where people anchor their judgments on the initial information. In this preregistered study we tested the hypothesis that people anchor on the outcome of a small initial study, reducing the impact of a larger subsequent study that contradicts the initial result. Contrary to our expectation, undergraduates and academics displayed a recency bias, anchoring their judgment on the research outcome presented last. This recency bias is due to the fact that unsuccessful replications decreased trust in an effect more than did unsuccessful initial experiments. We recommend the time-reversal heuristic to account for temporal order effects during integration of research results.
Anthropogenic Warming Impacts on Today's Sierra Nevada Snowpack and Flood Risk
Authors: Huang Xingying , Hall Alex D. , Berg Neil
Published: June 2018

This study investigates temperature impacts to snowpack and runoff‐driven flood risk over the Sierra Nevada during the extremely wet year of 2016–2017, which followed the extraordinary California drought of 2011–2015. By perturbing near‐surface temperatures from a 9‐km dynamically downscaled simulation, a series of offline land surface model experiments explore how Sierra Nevada hydrology has already been impacted by historical anthropogenic warming and how these impacts evolve under future warming scenarios. Results show that historical warming reduced 2016–2017 Sierra Nevada snow water equivalent by 20% while increasing early‐season runoff by 30%. An additional one third to two thirds loss of snowpack is projected by the end of the century, depending on the emission scenario, with middle elevations experiencing the most significant declines. Notably, the number of days in the future with runoff exceeding 20 mm nearly doubles under a mitigation emission scenarios and triples under a business‐as‐usual scenario. A smaller snow‐to‐rain ratio, as opposed to increased snowmelt, is found to be the primary mechanism of temperature impacts to Sierra snowpack and runoff. These findings are consequential to the prevalence of early‐season floods in the Sierra Nevada. In the Feather River Watershed, historical warming increased runoff by over one third during the period of heaviest precipitation in February 2017. This suggests that historical anthropogenic warming may have exacerbated runoff conditions underlying the Oroville Dam spillway overflow that occurred in this month. As warming continues in the future, the potential for runoff‐based flood risk may rise even higher.
Epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor is associated with neural response during selective social attention
Authors: Puglia Meghan H. , Connelly Jessica J. , Morris James P.
Published: June 2018

Aberrant attentional biases to social stimuli have been implicated in a number of disorders including autism and social anxiety disorder. Oxytocin, a naturally-occurring mammalian hormone and neuromodulator involved in regulating social behavior, has been proposed to impact basic biological systems that facilitate the detection of and orientation to social information. Here, we investigate a role for naturally-occurring variability in the endogenous oxytocinergic system in regulating neural response during attention to social information. Participants performed a selective social attention task while undergoing fMRI, provided a blood sample for epigenetic analysis, and completed self-report measures of social functioning. We find that a functional epigenetic modification to the oxytocin receptor, OXTR methylation, is associated with increased neural response within and decreased functional coupling between regions of the salience and attentional control networks during selective social attention. We also show that subclinical variability in autistic and social anxiety traits moderates this epigenetic regulation of neural response. These data offer a mechanistic explanation to a growing literature associating social behavior and disorder with epigenetic modification to OXTR by suggesting that OXTR methylation reflects a decrease in the extent to which social information automatically captures attention. We highlight the importance that treatment efficacy be considered in relation to individual differences in molecular makeup, and that future studies aimed at uncovering biomarkers of disorder carefully consider measurement at both the biological and phenotypic level.
Improving formaldehyde consumption drives methanol assimilation in engineered E. coli
Authors: Woolston Benjamin M. , King Jason R. , Reiter Michael , Van Hove Bob , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: June 2018

Due to volatile sugar prices, the food vs fuel debate, and recent increases in the supply of natural gas, methanol has emerged as a promising feedstock for the bio-based economy. However, attempts to engineer Escherichia coli to metabolize methanol have achieved limited success. Here, we provide a rigorous systematic analysis of several potential pathway bottlenecks. We show that regeneration of ribulose 5-phosphate in E. coli is insufficient to sustain methanol assimilation, and overcome this by activating the sedoheptulose bisphosphatase variant of the ribulose monophosphate pathway. By leveraging the kinetic isotope effect associated with deuterated methanol as a chemical probe, we further demonstrate that under these conditions overall pathway flux is kinetically limited by methanol dehydrogenase. Finally, we identify NADH as a potent kinetic inhibitor of this enzyme. These results provide direction for future engineering strategies to improve methanol utilization, and underscore the value of chemical biology methodologies in metabolic engineering.
Sequential piezoresponse force microscopy and the ‘small-data’ problem
Authors: Trivedi Harsh , Shvartsman Vladimir V. , Medeiros Marco S. A. , Pullar Robert C. , Lupascu Doru C.
Published: June 2018

The term big-data in the context of materials science not only stands for the volume, but also for the heterogeneous nature of the characterization data-sets. This is a common problem in combinatorial searches in materials science, as well as chemistry. However, these data-sets may well be ‘small’ in terms of limited step-size of the measurement variables. Due to this limitation, application of higher-order statistics is not effective, and the choice of a suitable unsupervised learning method is restricted to those utilizing lower-order statistics. As an interesting case study, we present here variable magnetic-field Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) study of composite multiferroics, where due to experimental limitations the magnetic field dependence of piezoresponse is registered with a coarse step-size. An efficient extraction of this dependence, which corresponds to the local magnetoelectric effect, forms the central problem of this work. We evaluate the performance of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a simple unsupervised learning technique, by pre-labeling possible patterns in the data using Density Based Clustering (DBSCAN). Based on this combinational analysis, we highlight how PCA using non-central second-moment can be useful in such cases for extracting information about the local material response and the corresponding spatial distribution.
Socio-environmental drivers of sustainable adoption of household water treatment in developing countries
Authors: Daniel D. , Marks Sara J. , Pande Saket , Rietveld Luuk
Published: June 2018

Household water treatment (HWT) can effectively reduce exposure to unsafe drinking water at home. Understanding the characteristics of target groups who successfully adopt HWT, such as perception about water quality and usefulness of HWT, income, or parental education, is essential for enhancing the adoption of HWT in developing countries. The objective of this study is to analyze the interactions between such socio-environmental characteristics, rather than a single characteristic, in order to explain the adoption of HWT. Five socio-environmental characteristics and behavior determinants were analyzed using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) from 41 case studies in Africa, Asia, and South America. Results show that there is no single characteristic that alone explains the adoption of HWT. QCA identified five pathways leading to high adoption of HWT. Perceived threat due to bad water quality is a pre-condition for three of the pathways. However, perceived threat does not alone explain adoption of HWT and must be accompanied by other conditions. Households connected to piped water schemes can also be potential HWT adopters as long as they perceive poor tap water quality. Finally, households who are able to afford the full cost of HWT tend to adopt it only when they neither have prior experience with HWT nor a connection to a piped scheme. Our findings therefore highlight the necessity to analyze interactions between socio-environmental characteristics of households and behavior determinants in order to determine the adoption of HWT.
Approach-aversion in calves following injections
Authors: Ede Thomas , von Keyserlingk Marina A. G. , Weary Daniel M.
Published: June 2018

We assessed aversion to injections using an avoidance-learning paradigm. Holstein calves (n = 24) were randomly assigned to one of four routes of administration for 0.5 ml of saline: intramuscular (IM), intranasal (IN), subcutaneous (SC) and a null control. Calves were first trained to approach a milk reward of 1 L. Once the latency to approach the reward was consistent, calves received their assigned treatment when approaching the bottle. For the first 3 treatment sessions calves received a 1 L milk reward. This reward was then reduced to 500 mL, and then to 250 mL, and finally to 0 mL, each for 3 sessions. Compared to control calves, calves receiving the intramuscular injections showed a longer latency to approach the milk reward, but only when the milk reward was 0.25 L (P = 0.05) and 0 L (P < 0.01). Calves receiving the intranasal injections showed longer latencies relative to the controls only for the 0 L reward (P = 0.01). Calves receiving the subcutaneous injections did not differ from controls for any of the milk rewards (P > 0.2). We conclude that IM injections are aversive and that SC and IN routes are a refinement to be considered when feasible.
New insights into the structural dynamics of the kinase JNK3
Authors: Mishra Pankaj , Günther Stefan
Published: June 2018

In this work, we study the dynamics and the energetics of the all-atom structure of a neuronal-specific serine/threonine kinase c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) in three states: unphosphorylated, phosphorylated, and ATP-bound phosphorylated. A series of 2 µs atomistic simulations followed by a conformational landscape mapping and a principal component analysis supports the mechanistic understanding of the JNK3 inactivation/activation process and also indicates key structural intermediates. Our analysis reveals that the unphosphorylated JNK3 undergoes the ‘open-to-closed’ movement via a two-step mechanism. Furthermore, the phosphorylation and ATP-binding allow the JNK3 kinase to attain a fully active conformation. JNK3 is a widely studied target for small-drugs used to treat a variety of neurological disorders. We believe that the mechanistic understanding of the large-conformational changes upon the activation of JNK3 will aid the development of novel targeted therapeutics.
Multiplexed discrimination of microRNA single nucleotide variants through triplex molecular beacon sensors
Authors: Wu Xiaoyuan , Guo Bingyuan , Sheng Yingying , Zhang Yun , Wang Jin , Peng Shuchuan , Liu Lei , Wu Hai-Chen
Published: June 2018

Herein, we develop a new nanopore sensing strategy for the selective detection of microRNAs and single nucleotide variants (SNVs) based on triplex molecular beacon sensors.
Unveiling the redox-active character of imidazolin-2-thiones derived from amino-substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Ruamps Mirko , Bastin Stéphanie , Rechignat Lionel , Sournia-Saquet Alix , Valyaev Dmitry A. , Mouesca Jean-Marie , Lugan Noël , Maurel Vincent , César Vincent
Published: June 2018

Spectroscopic, structural and computational studies on the amino-substituted imidazolin-2-thiones reveal the imidazolyl ring to be redox active.
Computational predictions turning the isomers of alanine to generate distinct morphs of free-flowing salt crystals
Authors: Si Mrinal Kanti , Pramanik Sumit Kumar , Hingu Vinayak , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: June 2018

Computational predictions suggest that α-alanine should modify the salt crystals from cubic to octahedron, while β-alanine can give rhombic dodecahedron, experimental studies corroborate the quantum chemical results.
A computationally-derived model for the solvatochromism ofp-phenolates with high predictive power
Authors: Mera-Adasme Raúl , Domínguez Moisés
Published: June 2018

We report that the positive, reverse or negative solvatochromism ofp-phenolate-based dyes is highly correlated with the multireferential (MR) character of their ground-state wave function, with negative compounds presenting the highest degeneracy.
Correction: Connectivity dependence of Fano resonances in single molecules
Authors: Ismael Ali K. , Grace Iain , Lambert Colin J.
Published: June 2018

Correction for ‘Connectivity dependence of Fano resonances in single molecules’ by Ali K. Ismael et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 6416–6421.
Heteroleptic Cu(i) complexes bearing methoxycarbonyl-imidoylindazole and POP ligands – an experimental and theoretical study of their photophysical properties
Authors: González Iván A. , Henríquez Marco A. , Cortés-Arriagada Diego , Natali Mirco , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Dreyse Paulina , Maze Jerónimo , Rojas René S. , Salas Cristian O. , Cabrera Alan R.
Published: June 2018

Substitutions in the ligand play a key role in the photophysical properties of new Cu(i) complexes.
Ionic liquid-mediated solvothermal synthesis of 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI): an efficient and environment-friendly process
Authors: Duan C. W. , You J. , Liu B. , Ma J. L. , Zhou H. P. , Zhang H. B. , Zhang J.
Published: June 2018

Mechanism for MDI synthesis via decomposition of MDC catalyzed by Zn(OAc)2–[EAmim]BF4.
Lanthanide–titanium-oxalate clusters and their degradation products, photocurrent response and photocatalytic behaviours
Authors: Luo Wen , Hou Jin-Le , Zou Dan-Hong , Cui Li-Na , Zhu Qin-Yu , Dai Jie
Published: June 2018

Three Ln–TiO–C2O4 polymers were obtained spontaneously from their titanium oxo-clusters and the advantages of doped TiO materials were discussed based on the experiments of photocurrent conversion and photocatalytic dye degradation.
A novel co-crystallization molecular ferroelectric induced by the ordering of sulphate anions and hydrogen atoms
Authors: Wang Chang-Feng , Gao Ji-Xing , Li Chao , Yang Chang-Shan , Xiong Jian-Bo , Tang Yun-Zhi
Published: June 2018

The co-crystallization complex [EG]·[Cu(phen)2·SO4] undergoes a paraelectric–ferroelectric phase transition around 272 K which was confirmed by the observation of a large dielectric anomaly.
Visible light-induced aryltrifluoromethylation of hydroxy alkenes via radical trifluoromethylation-triggered aryl and heteroaryl migration
Authors: Wang Hao , Xu Qian , Yu Shouyun
Published: June 2018

An efficient protocol was developed to achieve the aryltrifluoroalkylation of hydroxy alkenes via radical trifluoromethylation-triggered aryl migration.
Reactivity of arynes toward functionalized alkenes: intermolecular Alder-ene vs. addition reactions
Authors: Gupta Saswata , Xie Peipei , Xia Yuanzhi , Lee Daesung
Published: June 2018

The selectivity between two different manifolds of reactions of arynes reacting with functionalized alkenes is described.
CXOU J160103.1–513353: another central compact object with a carbon atmosphere?
Authors: Doroshenko V. , Suleimanov V. , Santangelo A.
Published: June 2018

We report on the analysis of XMM-Newton observations of the central compact object CXOU J160103.1–513353 located in the center of the non-thermally emitting supernova remnant (SNR) G330.2+1.0. The X-ray spectrum of the source is well described with either single-component carbon or two-component hydrogen atmosphere models. In the latter case, the observed spectrum is dominated by the emission from a hot component with a temperature ∼3.9 MK, corresponding to the emission from a hotspot occupying ∼1% of the stellar surface (assuming a neutron star with mass M  =  1.5 M⊙, radius of 12 km, and distance of ∼5 kpc as determined for the SNR). The statistics of the spectra and obtained upper limits on the pulsation amplitude expected for a rotating neutron star with hot spots do not allow us to unambiguously distinguish between these two scenarios. We discuss, however, that while the non-detection of the pulsations can be explained by the unfortunate orientation in CXOU J160103.1–513353, this is not the case when the entire sample of similar objects is considered. We therefore conclude that the carbon atmosphere scenario is more plausible.
Influence of tensile cracking and of aggregate size on concrete permeability
Authors: Choinska Marta , Al-Khazraji Hayder , Benkemoun Nathan , Khelidj Abdelhafid
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between crack opening (COD), aggregate size and gas transfer in concrete submitted to mechanical loading in the Brazilian splitting tensile test. The lab-made devices have been developed to investigate physical phenomena during loading and to provide data to validate a developed mesoscale hydromechanical model by the same authors, based upon a 3D lattice approach to represent the heterogeneity of the material [1]. Experimental studies has been carried out on five materials with different aggregate sizes. The results emphasize that permeability of mortar increases with cracking following a sigmoid law, with the most important kinetics due to passingthrough connected crack growth, after nonsymmetric one-face crack initiation. Furthermore, the obtained results highlight that permeability increase, due to aggregate size, may be separated from permeability increase due to tensile cracking: for all the five materials tested results fall on the same master sigmoid curve. This behaviour law represents a strong advantage for concrete modelling.
Assessing the Performance of Concrete Containing Recycled Glass on Tensile Splitting Strength and Resistance to Alkali Silica Reaction
Authors: Ho Chun-Hsing , Almonnieay Anas , Kyaw Khin , Myat Sandy Maung Phoo
Published: June 2018

Using recycled glass in concrete applications decreases the amount of glass in landfills and substitutes for expensive aggregates in the concrete mix. However, there has been a concern on recycled glass with smooth surfaces that would result in a drop in strength and in particular a reduction of an already low ductility. Thus, in many design aspects, the use of recycled glass in concrete is limited up to 30% by weight due to concern on concrete strength reduction. The current manufacturing technology in the recycling glass has been grown and evolved through which recycled glass has been processed to exhibit the following features: basically zero water absorption, excellent hardness (great abrasion resistance), high durability to resist extreme weather conditions, etc. The paper challenges the currently used recycled glass mixtures and presents new mix design principles for concrete mixed with 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 100% recycled glass as replacements of nature sand and Portland cement to assess (1) strength changes and (2) resistance to alkali silica reaction (ASR). Aggregate, water reducer, hydration stabilizer, mid-range water reducer, fiber, and viscosity modifier were prepared with varying dosages of recycled glass. A series of scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging were performed to evaluate the resistance of recycled glass specimens to ASR. The paper concludes that the use of recycled glass as an alternative aggregate and cement binder in the concrete mixtures show promising performance in both tensile splitting strength and ASR.
Physical properties of post-process fly ash from TWTP Krakow
Authors: Nowak-Michta Aneta , Kabat Brygida
Published: June 2018

Fly ashes from eco-incinerator according to the Art.7 of the Act of December 14, 2012 on waste are a hazardous waste. The growing amount of this type of waste generates a problem in terms of their management. They are a post-process waste, so their chemical composition is not constant and their quality is not very high. In addition, a high content of heavy metals with different concentrations may adversely affect the properties of these ashes. The physical properties of fly ashes originating from the TWTP in Krakow in the light of the requirements of PN-EN 450-1 are analysed in the article. The aim of the paper is a preliminary assessment, based on the tests carried out on three random ashes, to check if there’s a possibility of utilisation of this type of waste in concretes. The results of physical properties examination showed that they are coarse ashes with a several percent moisture content. They meet the requirements of PN-EN 450-1 in terms of the impact on the initial setting time and soundness. They cause an increase in the mortar's water demand. Their compression activity index after 28 days is 63-70%, and after 90 days 56-67% and do not meet the standard requirements (75% after 28 days and 85% after 90 days).
The impact of lithium nitrate on the physical and mechanical properties of Portland cement)
Authors: Zapała-Sławeta Justyna , Owsiak Zdzisława
Published: June 2018

The effectiveness of lithium nitrate as a chemical additive which reduces the negative effects of alkali aggregate reaction was subject to research by scientists in many centres around the world. The literature data on the impact of lithium nitrate on the physical and mechanical properties of cements are rare. Without a precise definition of the impact of lithium nitrate on the cement properties, it is extremely hard to determine its real advantages in practical usage. In this paper, studies were undertaken to assess the impact of LiNO3 on the properties of pastes and mortars with Portland cement. The rate of hydration of the cement with lithium additive was examined by isothermal calorimetry, measurements of setting time and phase composition of cement pastes in the initial stages of hydration. The influence of the admixture on the compressive strength development of mortars after 2, 7 and 28 days of hardening was also researched. Results indicate that lithium nitrate accelerates the early hydration of Portland cement, affecting the precipitation of hydration products. The compressive strength of mortars with lithium admixture decrease after 28 days, although 2 an 7-day strength were greater than the control mortars.
The content of chlorides in blast-furnace slag cement as a factor affecting the diffusion of chloride ions in concrete
Authors: Kuziak Justyna , Woyciechowski Piotr , Kobyłka Rafał , Wcisło Aldona
Published: June 2018

Blast-furnace slag cement (CEM III) has a wide range of acceptable Cl- content according to EN 197-1: 2012. This makes possible to use alternative fuels for the production of cement, which can increase the chlorides content in the clinker. However, it raises several new research problems, among them the problem of increase of the risk of Cl- penetration intensity due to the higher concentration of chlorides in cement, presented in this paper. Studies have shown that after a short hardening time (28 days) the rate of diffusion of chloride ions increases slightly with the increase in the content of chlorides in the cement CEM III, but after full stabilization of concrete properties (1 year), the content of chlorides in cement CEM III practically does not affect the diffusion rate of chloride ions in concrete.