bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of the reproductive cycle characteristics of Hainan Black Goat, the unique species in China, Hainan Province
Authors: Wu Kebang
Published: January 2019

Hainan black goats are unique species in China, Hainan province, they are specific mutton goat breed and the tasty meat make the black goat to be one of the four famous dishes in Hainan. However, little knowledge was known about the reproductive cycle of this breed. So, in the study, serum samples of the reproductive period were collected, and high-throughput sequencing were conducted by iTRAQ technology. The results showed the amounts of significantly different proteins between continuous period and the corresponding Go and COG annotation, KEGG enrichment of differential expressed proteins between each two periods were also analyzed. Further, continuously differential expression proteins of the whole cycle and differential expression proteins directly related to reproduction between two adjacent periods were also collected and annotated. This is the first study systematically uncovered reproductive cycle characteristics of Hainan black goats, the study preliminarily uncovered the basical protein information between each reproductive period, and the data could contribute to the built of highly efficient reproduction system of Hainan black goats.
Doubling Effect of Anti-microtubule Herbicides on the Maize Haploid
Authors: Ren Xuejiao
Published: January 2019

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is widely used in crop breeding programs. Colchicine is the most frequently used chemical agent in the DH inducing. However, colchicine has disadvantage of high poisonousness. It is necessary to find some non-toxic or low toxic substitutes that should have the same effect as colchicine. In this study, two anti-microtubule herbicides, amiprophosmethyl (AMP) and Oryzalin, were used to double the haploids under different treatment conditions, and the doubling effects were compared with colchicine. The results showed that the highest doubling rate induced by APM is about 45% in the condition of 20 μM 24h. We calculated the actual doubling rate (survival rate × double rate), 38.23%, 20.64%, and 19.4% are the highest actual doubling rates induced by APM, colchicine, and oryzalin, respectively. Although both APM and Oryzalin can induce maize haploid doubling, comparing with the actual doubling rate, APM is better than colchicine. In addition, soaking seed had been proved the best way to operate and obtain the highest doubling haploids in all conditions. As a low toxic mitotic inducer, APM is a good substitute of colchicine in doubling maize haploids, which is suitable for application in the DH‐based breeding pipeline.
Customer Experience with Organic Food: Global View
Authors: Stanislavská Ladislav Pilař, Lucie Kvasničková , Jana Poláková Stanislav Rojík, Roman Kvasnička, , Gresham George
Published: January 2019

In recent years, organic food production has been rising dramatically both in the EU and the USA. Previous research on consumer perception of organic food has mainly employed questionnaire survey methods. However, in the current age of the social network phenomenon, social media could prove to be a rich source of data. Increasingly, consumers are using social networks to share personal attitudes and experiences. This shared content could inform us about consumer opinions. Social network analysis and related sentiment analysis could allow identification of consumers’ experience and feelings about organic food. We investigated the perception of organic food using 1,325,435 Instagram interactions by 313,883 users worldwide. The data were recorded between July 4, 2016, and April 19, 2017. We identified three major hashtag areas (healthy, vegan, and clean food). The sentiment analysis revealed three dominant areas related to the #organicfood hashtag (feelings, taste, and appearance). Cluster analysis extracted four areas, as follows: Healthy living, Vegetarian, vegan, and raw diets, Clean eating, and Active healthy living. The mentioned communities are significant and useful at identification of customers values for farmers organic food product management and marketing communication in terms of product positioning.
Improved stability to auto-oxidation of the olive oil by addition of citric acid Short title: Olive oil auto-oxidation and citric acid
Authors: S. Nigri, R. Selaimia K. Bekkar, R. Oumeddour,
Published: January 2019

The effect of addition of citric acid on the oxidation stability of olive oil produced in North-East of Algeria was assessed using UV- Visible spectrophotometry (K232 nm, K270 nm, carotenoids (470 nm), chlorophylls (670 nm)), free acidity, peroxide value, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and chemometric methods. Five olive oils (Chemlal variety) were collected from five geographical areas. Two preparations were made for each geographical area: the first one by adding a small amount of citric acid aqueous solution 1/1000 in volume and the second preparation without any additive. All analyses were carried out every 30 days during one year. A higher oxidative stability of olive oil samples was reached when using 1/1000 of citric acid in comparison with samples without any additive through the values of quality analytical indices. FTIR has been used to evaluate auto-oxidation of olive oils. The frequency regions of 3474-2679 cm-1 and 1746-1032 cm-1 were picked up for olive oil storage time quantification. A close relationship between actual and predicted storage time shows a good correlation with R2 of 0.999, 0.989, 0.980, 0.984 and 0.983 for all samples. Thus, citric acid can enhance oxidative stability and improve the shelf life of olive oil.
The use of nitrogen stable isotope ratios to discriminate between organic and conventional olive cultivation
Authors: Pellegrino, Enzo Perri Cinzia Benincasa, Massimiliano
Published: January 2019

Several studies have been conducted for the authentication of food products and the discrimination between conventional and organic vegetables from different geographical locations, but, the lack of information on the authenticity of olives according to the cultivation and fertilizer type makes its market sensitive to attempted frauds. In the present work, the difference and variation of nitrogen stable isotope ratios have been measured to assess olives authenticity with respect to cultivation practices. The results reported from this case study can be potentially applicable to discriminate between the use of natural organic or synthetic fertilizers in olive orchards.
Effects of wheat residue and depth-control mechanism of no-till seeder on corn sowing performance
Authors: Zhang Rui , Wei Jiantao , Xiantao He, Dandan Han, Li Yang Tao Cui, Bingxin Yan,
Published: January 2019

No-till planting can promote soil and water conservation and has gradually been adopted on the North China Plain where an annual wheat–corn double cropping system serves as the main cropping system. Corn is planted in June immediately after the winter wheat harvest so that fields are covered with wheat residues. The presence of wheat straw makes it difficult to maintain uniform corn seed spacing and sowing depth. To overcome these problems, a new seeder unit has been developed with a depth-control mechanism on a single-sided gauge wheel. A study was conducted to compare the performance of this seeder unit with two conventional seeder units (with depth-control mechanisms using double-sided gauge wheels and a rear gauge wheel) by testing in fields with two different amounts of residue (0.78 kg/m2 and 0.64 kg/m2). Seed spacing, sowing depth, and emergence time were measured after planting. The results indicate that the newly designed seeder unit with a single-sided gauge wheel performs better on seed spacing, sowing depth and emergence time uniformity, particularly in fields with a small amount of residue, with the quality of feed index, quality of sowing depth index and quality of emergence time index of 91.90%, 95.45% and 87.87%, respectively. The new seeder unit can meet the requirements of no-till planting for corn.
Flavour chemical dynamics during fermentation of kombucha tea
Authors: Yu-cheng Sui Zhen-jun Zhao, , Wu Hua-wei , Zhou Cai-bi , Jian Zhang Xian-chun Hu ,
Published: January 2019

Main physical and chemical properties, microbial population and flavour compounds of kombucha fermentation were dynamically analyzed. The results showed: the pH values decreased but total acidity increased in kombucha fermentation broth with fermentation time; the concentrations of tea polyphenols and free amino acids firstly increased in the initial stage and then decreased till the end of fermentation; total catechins and caffine in kombucha fermentation broth were degraded progressively with fermentation time. Only 21 volatile flavour compounds were identified in the initial kombucha fermentation broth but 56 volatile flavour compounds were identified in the 10 d fermentation. The largest group was acids among which there were 22 different types of acids compounds, accounting for up to 57.21% of all volatile flavour components. Bacteria were more abundant and diverse than yeasts in kombucha fermentation broth during fermentation. We separated and identified 8 main microbial communities in kombucha fermentation broth during kombucha fermentation; 6 bacteria belonged to Gluconacetobacter saccharivorans, Acetobacter sp., Gluconacetobacter sp., Gluconacetobacter europaeus, Acetobacter aceti and Lactobacillus fermentum, and 2 yeasts belonged to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arxula adeninivorans. According to the production of organic acids i.e., acetic acid, we envisaged that the predominant bacterial species identified were probably Acetobacter sp. and Acetobacter aceti after 5 days fermentation.
Production of Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory peptide from goat milk casein: optimization conditions of complex protease hydrolysate by response surface methodology and purification
Authors: Chen Li , He Chen Juan Wang, Guowei Shu,
Published: January 2019

Food-derived Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides have safety advantages over synthetic peptides. The application of complex enzymatic (alcalase and trypsin) in producing such peptides from goat milk casein seldom be focused. In this study, the pH, complex protease ratio (CPR) and enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) were optimized by Response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized conditions were: pH 8.4, CPR 1:1, and E/S 8.5%. In these conditions, the ACE-inhibitory activity of the obtained hydrolysates reached 91.99%. The response model was qualified to predict the reaction optimization. Hydrolysate fragments were purified consecutively. A fraction G2-2a exhibited highest ACE-inhibitory activity 93.50% with IC50 value of 72.14 μg/mL.
Physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of biscuits fortified with Plantago psyllium flour
Authors: Dorota Gumul Magdalena Krystyjan, , Korus Anna , Marek Sikora Jarosław Korus,
Published: January 2019

The aim of this work was to fortified biscuits with psyllium flour obtained from Plantago psyllium seeds and checked how this additive, reach in fibre and mucilage, had the impact on the physical, mechanical and sensory parameters of biscuits. The following addition psyllium flour was applied: 5, 10, 15 and 20% in relation to wheat flour. The moisture, texture, volume, spreadability factor, volume as well as texture, color and sensory assessment of biscuits were determined. The applied fortification contributed to increase the spreadability of biscuits and the decrease in their volume and hardness. According to consumers, the best sensory attributes received biscuits with 5% addition of psyllium flour, and higher levels of the additive had a negative impact on their sensory assessment.
The impact of environmental factors on the protein content and yield of maize grain at different nutrient supply levels
Authors: Attila Vad, Endre Harsányi Adrienn Széles, Éva Horváth,
Published: January 2019

Climate change poses a new challenge for maize producers which calls for the re-thinking of each production technological element. Professional nutrient replenishment may represent an alternative for the mitigation of yield decrease caused by climate change by means of improving yield stability from the aspect of global food safety, as well as increasing yield and improving yield quality. In the course of a  six-year (2011-2016) research, under changing climatic conditions we studied how different fertilization methods - 11 different N doses (0-300 kg ha-1) - affect the productivity of maize and protein content of grains.The experiment was carried out in Hungary (47o 33’ N, 21o 26’ E, asl: 111 m) in the long-term experiment of the University of Debrecen.
Impact of hydrolyzed lactose by β-galactosidase enzyme on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of fermented camel milk
Authors: Ibrahim Alaa H.
Published: January 2019

The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of lactose hydrolysis by using two different strategies (by addition of β-galactosidase (HA-LACTASE™) before fermentation of camel milk to get hydrolyzed camel milk as substrate that included three levels of lactose-hydrolyzed milk (LHM) 25, 50 and 90% or together with the starter cultures during fermentation (co-hydrolysis)) on the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory properties of fermented camel during manufacturing and the storage period of 21 days at 5ºC. In general, the results showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in fermentation time with an increase in the level of lactose hydrolysis. The co-hydrolysis fermented milk exhibited a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the fermentation time (279 min) in comparison to control treatment (452.5 min). After 6 h of the incubation period, the viable cell counts were more outstanding in the co-hydrolysis and LHM 90% fermented milk, about 1 log cycle higher than other treatments. The mean values of pH were a highly significant (P<0.05) dropped in co-hydrolysis and LHM 90% samples and reached to pH 4.6 in 6 hours, whereas the control, LHM 25 and 50% samples reached to the near of the same degree of pH in 8 hours of the fermentation process. Furthermore, the higher amount of exopolysaccharide (EPS) was found in co-hydrolysis fermented milk 262.3 mg/kg followed by LHM 90% 250.3 mg/kg, while control, LHM 25 and 50% treatments had the lowest amount of 178.3, 185.3 and 197.7 mg/kg, respectively. The higher amount of EPS in co-hydrolysis and LHM 90% treatments caused a concomitant increase of the apparent viscosity and a signiﬁcant (P<0.05) decreased in susceptibility to syneresis in comparison to other treatments. Moreover, the co-hydrolysis fermented camel milk had significantly (P<0.05) higher ratings for all sensory characteristics and more liked than other treatments. Although the LHM 90% samples had a better rheological characteristic, the panelists rated as unacceptable because of the strong sweet taste. Results showed that the simultaneous addition of enzyme and starter together demonstrated to be a satisfactory strategy in making fermented camel milk with high quality in the texture and overall acceptability beside its beneficial properties as a functional dairy product.
Evaluation of stress responses induced by the loading density in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Farh, Fouad Riad Abdelilah Lemrhamed, Mohamed , Abbadi Najia El , Mohammed El Khasmi Elhassane Tahri, Abderrahmane Belhouari,
Published: January 2019

The intensity of stress depends on several external factors, such as distance and conditions of transport, climate change, the nature of the journey and the vehicle used, etc... Our research aims to study the effect of loading density on certain physiological, hematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters in camels. Sixteen male animals belonging to the municipal slaughterhouse of Casablanca (west of Morocco) were divided into two groups of 8 camels to study the effect of 2 loading densities: 1camel/2-3.6m2 (Group I) and 1camel/1.44-1.80m2 (Group II). Hct, NLR, H% and biochemical parameters were analyzed in our laboratory (LPGM) at the Ben M'Sik Faculty of Sciences in Casablanca, while the hormones were analyzed by radioimmunology at the National Center of Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques of Maâmoura, Morocco. In Groups I and II, rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates, hemolysis, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and plasma levels of Glu, COR, T3 and T4 showed a significant increase (P<0.05) at the end of transport just after unloading by comparison to those measured before loading and transport. All these parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Group II than those observed in Group I. An increase of the loading density (1camel/1.44-1.80m2) during road transport is considered as a stressful factor that could alter the physiology of the dromedary and influence the postmortem quality of its meat. The impact of this factor on the antioxidant status of this species will be studied later.
Studies on tolerance of chickpea to some pre and post-emergence herbicides
Authors: Khan Ijaz Ahmad , Jan, Syed Mehar Ali Shah Rahamdad Khan, Amanullah
Published: January 2019

Herbicides application is an integral part of farmer’s crop management in modern agricultural systems. Weeds always cause serious losses in legumes due to poor competition ability. In order to quantify the tolerance of chickpea against some pre and post-emergence herbicides, a pot study was carried out in the department of Weed science, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar Pakistan during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The pre emergence herbicides includes pendimethalin and s-metolachlor while, the post emergence herbicides comprised of Clodinafop-propargyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and di-methyl urea. The chickpea variety Karak-I was sown in the pots and the trial was arranged in CR Design repeated three times. During the investigation data were recorded on different growth parameters of chickpea plants including both aerial and underground parts. The results revealed the all treatments had a significant effect on all the examined parameters of chickpea except nodule fresh and dry biomasses. However, the toxic effect of pre emergence herbicides on chickpea was significantly higher as compared to post emergence herbicides. The minimum number of nodule plant-1 (17.83), plant height (50.50cm), and seed protein (14.13%) was recorded in Pendimethalin treated pots. However, the highest seed protein content of 21.75 and 21.15 % were recorded for control and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl treatments respectively. Thus, it is concluded from the present data that chickpea has less tolerance for pre emergence herbicides pendimethalin and S-metolachlor as compared to post-emergence herbicides so farmers are advised to give preference to post emergence herbicides instead of a pre emergence while controlling weeds in chickpea through chemicals.
O PAPEL DO ENSINO DE PRÁTICA JURÍDICA EM DIREITO ANIMAL
Authors: HESSLER Kathy
Published: January 2019

O artigo analisa a necessidade de uma educação jurídica voltada
para o ensino de Prática Jurídica em Direito Ambiental. Para a
autora, tendo em vista que não existem muitas opções de estágio em
Direito Animal e que os contratantes procuram sempre por estudantes
mais bem preparados, a introdução desta disciplina oferecerá aos
estudantes a oportunidade de qualificação profissional, aprendendo
a redigir peças jurídicas sob a supervisão de profissionais mais experientes.
Por outro lado, como existem um defict de representação
jurídica dos animais, a formação de profissionais habilitados a esta
prática permitirá aos tribunais decidirem sobre conflitos jurídicos que
de outra forma não seriam enfrentados por eles. Além disso, permite
aos estudantes enfrentarem, de forma criativa, importantes questões
sociais, longe das restrições econômicas e políticas dos escritórios de
advocacia.
ANIMAIS NÃO HUMANOS: OS NOVOS SUJEITOS DE DIREITO
Authors: FREITAS Renata Duarte de Oliveira
Published: January 2019

Este artigo propõe em favor dos animais não humanos a condição
de sujeitos de direitos. Para tanto, buscou-se demonstrar que, no
âmbito jurídico, podem existir sujeitos de direito que não são pessoas.
Partindo da premissa, que a própria Constituição Federal ao tutelar no
art. 225, §1º, à função ecológica da flora e da fauna, coibindo práticas
de crueldade, reconhece a vida animal com um fim em si mesmo. Conclui-
se que os animais podem ser considerados sujeitos de direitos não
humanos despersonificados, de acordo com a teoria dos entes despersonalizados,
com o reconhecimento de um respeito mínimo existencial,
podendo ser titulares de direitos subjetivos fundamentais.
DIREITO ANIMAL E PÓS-HUMANISMO: FORMAÇÃO E AUTONOMIA DE UM SABER PÓS-HUMANISTA
Authors: SILVA Tagore Trajano de Almeida
Published: January 2019

Este artigo trata da formação e autonomia do Direito Animal
como componente curricular a ser oferecido nas Faculdades de Direito,
tanto nos cursos de graduação como de pós-graduação (lato sensu
e stricto sensu). Afirma-se que o Direito Animal adquiriu maturidade
científica dentro do paradigma pós-humanista, o que permitiu o reconhecimento
de um objeto próprio e princípios norteadores da matéria.
Através de um método transdisciplinar, o Direito Animal adota uma
hermenêutica evolutiva da Teoria Geral do Direito, reinterpretando
seus conceitos fundamentais com o intuito de reconhecer os interesses
dos animais. Sendo assim, conclui-se propondo uma nova pedagogia
jurídica para o ensino do Direito Animal ao agregar ao ensino jurídico
novas técnicas participativas de estudo do direito.
A CÂMERA OCULTA E A IMAGEM DA MORTE
Authors: DANTAS Bianca Salles
Published: January 2019

Este artigo reflete sobre o estatuto da imagem da morte produzida
a partir da câmera oculta. Neste horizonte será analisado o filme
documentário curta-metragem Meet your meat – The transformation
of animals into food (Conheça sua carne, - Atransformação dos animais
em comida), filmado com câmera escondida, sobre o processo cruel
de criação e abate de animais para alimentação humana. Produzido
pela instituição americana PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals),
o filme, produto de uma investigação, através de câmera oculta,
conduzida por esta organização no intuito de denunciar práticas de
maus-tratos contra animais nas granjas industriais americanas, conta
com doze minutos de duração e oferece olhar crítico sobre a criação de
animais para consumo humano.
Effects of sexualized video games on online sexual harassment
Authors: Burnay Jonathan , Bushman Brad J. , Larøi Frank
Published: January 2019

Negative consequences of video games have been a concern since their inception. However, one under‐researched area is the potential negative effects of sexualized video game content on players. This study analyzed the consequences of sexualized video game content on online sexual harassment against male and female targets. We controlled for a number of variables that might be related to online sexual harassment (i.e., trait aggressiveness, ambivalent sexism, online disinhibition). Participants (N = 211) played a video game with either sexualized or non‐sexualized female characters. After gameplay, they had the opportunity to sexually harass a male or a female partner by sending them sexist jokes. Based on the General Aggression Model integrated with the Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression (Anderson & Anderson, ), we predicted that playing the game with sexualized female characters would increase sexual harassment against female targets. Results were consistent with these predictions. Sexual harassment levels toward a female partner were higher for participants who played the game with sexualized female characters than for participants who played the same game with non‐sexualized female characters. These findings indicate that sexualization of female characters in a video game can be a sufficient condition to provoke online sexual harassment toward women.
What happened in 2018: Funding and more funding
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2019

2018 saw continued funding for the opioid crisis, mainly in the form of grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). There was also an upswing in interest in harm reduction. Opioids, as in past years, led the news. Finally, the move to get rid of the confidentiality regulation (42 CFR Part 2) got stronger than ever. What follows is a brief summary of some of the many stories that ran in our 48 issues last year.
Leaders see harm reduction being further ingrained in 2019
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: January 2019

The topic with arguably the most sizzle in the harm reduction arena for 2019 is whether this will be the year that the country's first safe consumption space is sited and goes into operation. Ultimately, however, success in the new year likely will get measured more by the extent to which a variety of harm reduction approaches become fully integrated into broad‐based responses to both the existing opioid and emerging stimulant crises.
Role of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Murakami Takashi , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Matsuyama Ryusei , Homma Yuki , Hoffman Robert M. , Endo Itaru
Published: January 2019

Pancreatic cancer remains a highly recalcitrant disease despite the development of systemic chemotherapies. New treatment options are thus urgently required. Dense stromal formation, so‐called “desmoplastic stroma,” plays controversial roles in terms of pancreatic cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. Cells such as cancer‐associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells comprise the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is considered an immune‐quiescent disease, but activation of immunological response in pancreatic cancer may contribute to favorable outcomes. Herein, we review the role of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer, with a focus on immunological aspects.
Polybismutid‐Anionen als Liganden: der homoleptische Komplex [(Bi7)Cd(Bi7)]4− und der ternäre Cluster [(Bi6)Zn3(TlBi5)]4−
Authors: Lichtenberger Niels , Massa Werner , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: January 2019

Die Reaktivität des binären Anions (TlBi3)2− gegenüber Gruppe‐12‐Metallverbindungen MPh2 (M=Zn, Cd, Hg) wurde studiert, um einen Zugang zu Koordinationsverbindungen polyzyklischer Moleküle wie Bi73− oder Bi113− zu erhalten. Die Koordinationschemie dieser Polybismutid‐Käfige war bislang unklar, während sie für die leichteren Anionen der Gruppe 15, Pn73− (Pn=P, As, Sb), seit vielen Jahren bekannt ist. Kürzlich wurde gezeigt, dass (TlBi3)2− unter bestimmten Bedingungen in situ Tl abspaltet. Hier führte dieses Verhalten zur Bildung des ersten heterometallischen Anions, in dem Nortricyclan‐artige Polybismutid‐Käfige ein Übergangsmetallatom koordinieren, [(Bi7)Cd(Bi7)]4−. Reaktionen mit der Zink‐Vorstufe ergaben den ternären Cluster [(Bi6)Zn3(TlBi5)]4−, der sich als Reaktionsintermediat auffassen lässt und möglicherweise einen Einblick in die Bildung des Nortricyclan‐artigen Käfigs ermöglicht. Quantenchemische Studien offenbarten Stabilitätstrends der [(E7)M(E7)]4−‐Anionen und beleuchteten die komplexe Bindungssituation in [(Bi6)Zn3(TlBi5)]4−, in der lokalisierte und delokalisierte Bereiche koexistieren.
India's depleting groundwater: When science meets policy
Authors: Chindarkar Namrata , Grafton R. Quentin
Published: January 2019

A commonly applied policy to India's ongoing depletion of groundwater is feeder separation. Introduced in Gujarat as the Jyotigram Yojana (JGY) scheme, it provides a separate and rationed electricity supply to farmers and an unrationed power supply to non‐agricultural users. JGY is claimed to increase groundwater storage. By using Gujarat district‐level data from 1996 to 2011 and by separately applying difference‐in‐differences and Bayesian regressions, we find that groundwater storage has continued to decrease with JGY. We contend that our empirical results show that JGY has been implemented without adequate consideration of (1) a publication bias whereby researchers have a greater likelihood of having their results published if they are statistically significant and show a positive outcome and (2) a ‘barrier’ effect such that communicating evidence across science and policy divides means that evidence may not be accepted, even when true, and this limits policy advice and options.
Al3+‐Morpholine‐appended Anthracene Ensemble as a Dual Photonic Switch for H2PO4− and CN− Ions and its Biological Applications
Authors: Choi Jun‐Hyeak , Pandith Anup , Chakradhar Dasagrandhi , Kim Hak‐Ryul , Kim Hong‐Seok
Published: January 2019

A highly selective Al3+‐morpholine anthracene (1•Al
3+) chelate was designed as a novel fluorescent photonic switch for H2PO4− and CN− ions. The in situ‐generated Al3+ chelate could be used to detect H2PO4− ions only in the absence of CN− ions. In contrast, CN− ions effectively extruded Al3+ from the chelate, resulting in the regeneration of probe 1 with a concomitant revival of PET, resulting in a turn‐off response. By exploiting the complexation‐ and decomplexation‐aided off–on switching system through the sequential addition of Al3+ followed by H2PO4− or CN−, combinational photonic logic circuits, as well as image‐guided fluorogenic tracking, was demonstrated.
Characterization and screening of metals, metalloids and biomarkers in crude oil by ICP–MS/OES, and GC–MS techniques after digestion by microwave‐induced combustion
Authors: Mohammad Abdul Karim‐Talaq , Hameed Abdullah Thamer , Alhamdany Mohammed Affan , Mohammad Al Azzam Khaldun , Talk Gaidaa Abd Alkareem
Published: January 2019

A method for digestion of light and medium Iraqi crude oils (Basrah and Khanaken oils) using microwave‐induced combustion (MIC) in closed vessels is described for the determination of Hg, Au, Cu, Al, Ca, Co, K, Mg, Si and Sr by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) and Mo, Ti, Mn, Li, Se−1, Rb, Ag, Ba, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, V and Zn by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Upon using MIC it was possible to obtain lower limits of detection by ICP–MS and also by ICP–OES compared with those obtained by microwave‐assisted digestion. The MIC was the best choice with regard to the possibility of using dilute nitric acid as an absorbing solution, which is important to minimize the interference encountered by ICP–MS and ICP–OES.The physicochemical parameters and some contaminants of crude oil samples were analyzed to classify and assess the quality of the crude oils. This study determines the viability of the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as an alternativee to traditional petroleum geochemical methods for crude oil characterization. The infrared fingerprints agree with the results obtained from GC–MS analysis.
Chemical Composition and Allelopathic, Phytotoxic and Pesticidal Activities of Atriplex canaLedeb. (Amaranthaceae) Essential Oil
Authors: Wei Caixia , Zhou Shixing , Li Wenjun , Jiang Chunyu , Yang Wan , Han Caixia , Zhang Chi , Shao Hua
Published: January 2019

The chemical composition and allelopathic, phytotoxic and pesticidal activities of Atriplex cana Ledeb. (Amaranthaceae) essential oil were investigated. Nineteen compounds were identified via GC/MS, representing 82.3 % of the total oil, and the most abundant constituents were dibutyl phthalate (21.79 %), eucalyptol (20.14 %) and myrtenyl acetate (15.56 %). The results showed that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by A. cana significantly inhibited seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Poa annua L., and 80 g of fresh stems and leaves of A. cana in a 1.5 L airtight container almost completely suppressed the seed germination of both plants. Meanwhile, 5 μg/mL essential oil completely inhibited the seed germination of A. retroflexus, Medicago sativa L., P. annua and Echinochloa crusgalli L. Pesticidal testing revealed that the essential oil had strong behavioral avoidance and lethal effects on Aphis pomi DeGeer. Five microliters of essential oil/Petri dish treatment resulted in an 84.5 % mortality rate after 12 h, and the mortality rate reached nearly 100 % after 48 h. This report is the first one on the chemical composition as well as the biological activity of the essential oil of A. cana, and our results indicate that the oil is valuable in terms of being further exploited as a bioherbicide/insecticide.
Electrocatalytic Fixation of Carbon Dioxide with Amines and Arylketones
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Qian Peng , Hu Kangfei , Zha Zhenggen , Wang Zhiyong
Published: January 2019

An efficient cross‐coupling reaction of carbon dioxide with amines and arylketones was developed by virtue of a simple electrochemical oxidation under mild and metal‐free conditions, providing a variety of O‐β‐oxoalkyl carbamates with moderate to good yields.
Pulmonary vascular resistance index: Getting the units right and why it matters
Authors: Kwan Wilson C. , Shavelle David M. , Laughrun David R.
Published: January 2019

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and PVR index (PVRI) are key variables in a broad range of contexts, including prediction of outcomes in heart and liver transplantation, determining candidacy for closure of atrial or ventricular septal defects, and guiding treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Significant variability exists among the units used to report PVRI in current literature, making the interpretation of data and translation into clinical practice difficult. Here, we will review the measurement and derivation of PVR and PVRI and demonstrate the extent of confusion in the literature. We conducted a literature search of all published articles in PubMed using the term “PVRI.” This yielded 218 sources with defined units for PVRI, including 33 unique variants. Among all reviewed literature, 45.4% of sources reported PVRI with units ending in m2 (meters squared), which we defined as correct, whereas 54.6% reported PVRI with units not ending in m2, which we defined as incorrect. This lack of uniformity has led to considerable confusion among researchers and clinicians, with potentially life‐altering consequences.
Metal‐Organic Framework Derived N/C Supported Austenite Nanoparticles as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalysts
Authors: Yang Jiao‐Jiao , Mi Jian‐Li , Yang Xue‐Jing , Zhang Peng , Jin Li‐Na , Li Long‐Hua , Ao Zhimin
Published: January 2019

Austenite (γ‐Fe) is thermodynamically unstable at room temperature. Relatively little attention has been directed in the past for the synthesis and properties of γ‐Fe nanoparticles. Herein, we demonstrate a NaOH‐assisted and metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived method to prepare a novel catalyst featured by γ‐Fe nanoparticles encapsulated into the porous N‐doped carbon matrix. The Fe atoms doped in the MOF structure play an important role in the formation of stable γ‐Fe. The catalysts exhibit superior catalytic activity with the four‐electron transfer pathway for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. Besides the Fe−Nx sites, γ‐Fe nanoparticles are believed to play an important role in the superior ORR activity. However, it is suggested that the metal nanoparticles are not ORR active species, whereas they may activate the surrounding N/C layers, thus making the N/C layers more active toward ORR. In addition, the oxidized surface of the metal nanoparticles may also act as active species contributing to the ORR activity.
Cerebral micro‐bleeding identification based on a nine‐layer convolutional neural network with stochastic pooling
Authors: Wang Shuihua , Sun Junding , Mehmood Irfan , Pan Chichun , Chen Yi , Zhang Yu‐Dong
Published: January 2019

Cerebral micro‐bleedings are small chronic brain hemorrhages caused by structural abnormalities of the small vessels. CMBs can be found from individuals with stroke at memory clinics and even healthy elderly people. CMBs indicate hemorrhage‐prone pathological states. Research shows that CMBs are associated with an increased risk of future ischemic stroke, intra‐cerebral hemorrhage (ICH), dementia, and death. Considering that CMBs severely influence people's life, it is necessary to identify the CMBs in an early stage to prevent from further deterioration and to help people live a healthy life. In this paper, we proposed using CNN with stochastic pooling for the CMB detection. CNN has good performance in image and video recognition, recommender system, and nature language processing. Based on the collected subject, the experiment result shows that the six‐convolution layer and three fully‐connected layer CNN, nine‐layers in total, achieved sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision as 97.22%, and 97.35%, 97.28%, and 97.35% in average of ten runs, which shows better performance than five state‐of‐the‐art methods.
A Phthalocyanine‐ortho‐Carborane Conjugate for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties, and in vitro Tests
Authors: Nar Ilgın , Bortolussi Silva , Postuma Ian , Atsay Armağan , Berksun Ekin , Viola Elisa , Ferrari Cinzia , Cansolino Laura , Ricciardi Giampaolo , Donzello Maria Pia , Hamuryudan Esin
Published: January 2019

Boronated molecular systems can be applied to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Among these systems, carborane‐containing phthalocyanines (Pcs) are the most promising BNCT agents. Herein we report the new zinc (II) complex of the hexacationic Pc 6, which has been obtained as iodide salt through quaternization of the neutral precursor with methyl iodide. Compound 6 was synthesized over a sequence of four steps. The complex, and its precursors as well, were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic techniques, and their structures assessed by 1H, 13C, 11B, and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy experiments. Together with a marked tendency to aggregate, 6 showed appreciable solubility in water. Singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) of 0.38, and fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) of 0.13 were obtained for 6 in a DMF solution. The complex proved to be very effective in enriching UMR‐106 cells with 10B, showing very good performance even in case of very low concentrations exposure, i. e. 1 ppm, that moreover resulted in a mild cytotoxic effect. Such a feature can be related to the polycationic nature of the complex, and hence to the well‐known propensity of positively charged species to enter the cellular membrane or to adhere to its external surface.
2,5‐Dimethoxybenzene‐1,4‐dicarboxaldehyde: An Emissive Organic Crystal and Highly Efficient Fluorescent Waveguide
Authors: Hayashi Shotaro , Koizumi Toshio , Kamiya Natsumi
Published: January 2019

To identify the simplest organic structure for an emitter, we focused on 2,5‐dimethoxybenzene‐1,4‐dicarboaldehyde. This symmetric molecule has a very low molecular weight (MW=194), a single benzene unit, and consists of only three elements (H, C and O). It forms highly efficient and pure emitting crystals (λem=499 nm, ΦF=0.42, FWHM=42 nm) due to the rigid structure based on the single benzene framework and four intramolecular hydrogen bonds between electron‐donating methoxy and electron‐accepting aldehyde groups. This crystal acts as a good optical waveguide with pure green emission (FWHM=34 nm) and very low loss coefficient (0.00120 dB/μm).
Cobalt–Tannin‐Framework‐Derived Amorphous Co−P/Co−N−C on N, P Co‐Doped Porous Carbon with Abundant Active Moieties for Efficient Oxygen Reactions and Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Shuai , Jang Haeseong , Wang Jia , Wu Zexing , Liu Xien , Cho Jaephil
Published: January 2019

It remains a tremendous challenge to develop a low‐cost, earth‐abundant, and efficient catalyst with multifunctional activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, a facile and scalable avenue was developed to prepare amorphous Co−P/Co−N−C supported on N, P co‐doped porous carbon (Co−P/Co−N−C/NPC) with a large specific surface area (1462.9 m2 g−1) and abundant reactive sites including Co−P, Co−N and NPC. The prepared electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic performance for HER (η=234 mV at 10 mA cm−2), OER (η=374 mV at 10 mA cm−2), and ORR (E1/2=0.89 V, vs. reversible hydrogen electrode). Benefiting from the excellent HER performance and outstanding OER activity, the Co−P/Co−N−C/NPC delivers a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for overall water splitting at a cell voltage of 1.59 V, which is comparable with the IrO2–Pt/C couple electrode.
Plant phenological sensitivity to climate change on the Tibetan Plateau and relative to other areas of the world
Authors: Suonan Ji , Classen Aimée T. , Sanders Nathan J. , He Jin‐Sheng
Published: January 2019

Global warming and changes in precipitation are altering the phenology of plants that significantly impact the functioning and services of ecosystems. Although a number of studies have addressed responses of plant phenology to warming and altered precipitation individually, their interactions can alter plant phenology differently than either does independently. To explore how the interactions between global change drivers alter alpine ecosystems, we conducted a factorial experiment manipulating warming (ambient and +2°C) and altered precipitation (50% decrease, control, and 50% increase) simultaneously in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau. Over two years, we monitored plant phenological events, leaf‐out day and first flowering day, for 11 common plant species that account for 74.4% of the total above biomass. Surprisingly, there was no interaction between warming and changes in precipitation on community plant phenology, but warming advanced leaf‐out and first flowering day by 7.10 and 9.79 d, respectively. Unlike the community response, plant functional groups had a variety of direct and interactive responses to the experimental climate drivers. While the phenology of legumes was most influenced by temperature, temperature and precipitation interacted to alter the phenology of grasses and forbs. To explore how plant phenological sensitivity on the Tibetan Plateau is compared with other meadow ecosystems, we combined our dataset with a global plant phenology dataset. Interestingly, the phenological sensitivity of leaf‐out day and first flowering day on the Tibetan Plateau is 7.3 and 37.8 times greater than global phenological sensitivity, respectively. This result highlights that a meta‐analysis of global phenological sensitivity may significantly underestimate change in some regions—even regions as large as the Tibetan Plateau. Together, our results suggest that the Tibetan Plateau may experience rapid change as temperatures warm and that these changes will likely be more rapid than in other regions of the world. Further, our study highlights that if we are to make accurate predictions of how plant phenology may change with warming, we need to understand the specific environmental cues that drive phenological responses across different areas.
Effects of Charge Cutoff Potential on an Electrolyte Additive for LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2–Mesocarbon Microbead Full Cells
Authors: Deng Bangwei , Wang Hao , Li Xiang , Ding Yan , Sun Daming , Ma Jun , Chen Mianzhong , Chen Tao , Gao Feng , Qu Meizhen , Peng Gongchang
Published: January 2019

Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSPi) has been reported to be an excellent electrolyte additive. However, scarce reports exist on the effect of the charge cutoff potential on the cyclic stability using high‐performance LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622)–mesocarbon microbead (MCMB) full cells. Herein, a high‐loading and repeatable NCM622–MCMB coin‐type full cell is successfully prepared, and the role of TMSPi on such a full cell at charge cutoff potentials of 4.25 and 4.45 V is studied. Theoretical calculations and detailed analyses reveal that it is oxidized in the first charging process due to its unsaturated P—O bonds, thus forming a stable P—O—F‐rich cathode electrolyte interphase and preventing severe decomposition of the electrolyte over NCM622 during long‐term cycling. In addition, the P—O and Si—O bonds of TMSPi both display HF‐scavenging ability. Moreover, TMSPi may react directly with the LiPF6‐based electrolyte to form some intermediate products that can be reduced on the MCMB electrode, thereby modifying the solid electrolyte interphase and improving the stability of MCMB during lithium intercalation.
Effect of temperature on nickel uptake and elimination in Daphnia magna
Authors: Pereira Cecília M.S. , Blust Ronny , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C.
Published: January 2019

It is well known that temperature can affect the ecotoxicity of chemicals (including metals) to aquatic organisms. It was recently reported that nickel (Ni), a priority substance under the European Water Framework directive, showed decreasing chronic toxicity to Daphnia magna with increasing temperature, between 15 and 25 °C. We performed a toxicokinetic study to contribute to an increased mechanistic understanding of this effect. More specifically, we investigated the effect of temperature on Ni uptake and elimination in D. magna (in 4 clones) using an experimental design that included Ni exposures with different stable isotopic composition and using a one-compartment model for data analysis. Both Ni uptake and elimination were affected by temperature, and some clear interclonal differences were observed. On average (across all clones), however, a similar pattern of the effect of temperature was observed on both Ni uptake and elimination, that is, the uptake rate constant (ku) and elimination rate constant (ke) during 72 h of Ni exposure were lower at 25 than at 19 °C, by 2.6-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively, and they were similar at 19 and 15 °C. This pattern does not correspond to the effects of temperature on chronic Ni toxicity reported previously, suggesting that Ni compartmentalization and/or toxicodynamics may also be affected by temperature. The data gathered with our specific experimental design also allowed us to infer that 1) the ku was up-regulated over time, that is, the ku after 2 d of Ni exposure was significantly higher than the initial ku, by 1.5- to 2.3-fold, and 2) the ke decreased significantly when the external Ni exposure was stopped, by 1.2- to 1.9-fold. These 2 findings are in contrast with 2 commonly used assumptions in toxicokinetic models, that is, that ku is constant during exposure and ke is independent of external exposure. We suggest that future toxicokinetic studies consider these factors in their experimental designs and data analyses. Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of evidence that temperature affects toxicokinetics of metals (and chemicals in general), but at the same time we emphasize that knowledge of toxicokinetics alone is not necessarily sufficient to explain or predict temperature effects on (chronic) toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:784–793. © 2019 SETAC