bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization of tannery wastewater for biofuel production: New insights on microalgae growth and biomass production
Authors: Nagi Mostafa , He Meilin , Li Dan , Gebreluel Temesgen , Cheng Bian , Wang Changhai 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMicroalgae cultivation on tannery wastewater (TWW) has been examined in some studies as a possible biological application to reduce contamination load and discharge effluents safely. However, Growth aspects, different tolerate strains and enriching the medium were not well investigated. In our study we applied Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella variabilis and Chlorella sorokiniana with different TWW concentrations. C. sorokiniana and C. variabilis cell density, chlorophyll, and sugar content grew substantially as compared to control. C.sorokiniana biomass and total lipids folded three and two times in 25% and 40% TWW, respectively as compared to control. Scenedesmus sp. showed longer lag phase and lower performance compared to the other two strains. Kelp waste extract (KWE) was added to balance the nutrients supply for C. sorokiniana, of which growth and effluents indicators were then greatly promoted in all concentrations. As the lag phase was shortened from 8 to 4 days in 60% concentration, subsequently, chlorophyll, carbohydrates, biomass and total lipids appreciated by 184%, 400%, 162% and 135%, respectively. Furthermore, the COD and ammonium removals improved by 51% and 45%, respectively. These outcomes emphasize the suitability of using TWW for microalgae cultivation with the suitable concentration while adding kelp waste extract for further enhancement.
Agronomic evaluation of polymer-coated urea and urease and nitrification inhibitors for cotton production under drip-fertigation in a dry climate
Authors: Li Yanyan , Hu Mingfang , Tenuta Mario , Ma Zhiwen , Gui Dongwei , Li Xiangyi , Zeng Fanjiang , Gao Xiaopeng 
Published: January 2020

AbstractInterest in the use of enhanced-efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EENFs) has increased in recent years due to their potential to increase crop yield and reduce environmental N loss. Drip-fertigation is widely used for crop production in arid regions to improve water and nutrient use efficiency whereas the effectiveness of EENFs with drip irrigation remains unclear. A field experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to examine the effects of EENFs on yield, N use and quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown under drip-fertigation in arid NW China. Treatments included an unfertilized control and application of 240 kg N ha−1 by polymer-coated urea (ESN), urea alone, or urea plus urease (NBPT) and nitrification (DCD) inhibitors. ESN was all banded in the plant row at planting, whereas urea was applied with 20% N banded at planting and 80% N by six fertigation events over the growing season. Results showed there was generally no treatment effect on seed and lint yield, N concentration or allocations, N recovery efficiency and fiber quality index of cotton. A lack of treatment effect could be due to N supplied with drip-fertigation better synthesized with crop N needs and the relatively high soil native NO3− availability, which hindered the effect of polymer-coated urea and double inhibitors. These results highlight the challenge of the employment of EENFs products for drip-fertigation system in arid area. Further research is required to define the field conditions under which the agronomic efficiency of EENFs products may be achieved in accordance with weather conditions.
Modeling and analysis of long booster clustered launch-vehicle
Authors: Xu Jiangtao , Yang Ya , Fu Bangsheng , Zhang Dewei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAccording to the characteristics of complex spatial mode of long booster clustered launch vehicle, it is not suitable to derive the dynamic equations based on the simplified model of single beam considering only core rocket. In this paper, the long booster clustered launch-vehicle is simplified to a multi-beam model considering core and boosters. Then, due to the high proportion of the liquid propellant in the total mass of the launch vehicle, on the basis of the multi-beam model, a dynamic equation considering the elastic deformation and the liquid sloshing is established. The dynamic characteristics of the launch-vehicle and the interaction between liquid sloshing and aeroelasticity are studied by simulation. Based on the multi-beam model, the connection types between the core and the booster rocket are simplified to an elastic connection. The influence of the connection on the dynamic characteristics of the launch-vehicle is discussed. The results demonstrate that the multi-beam model can more fully reflect the dynamic characteristics of the long booster clustered launch-vehicle, and the connection form between the core and the boosters also has an important effect on the liquid sloshing and the elastic deformation.
Climate stability and societal decline on the margins of the Byzantine empire in the Negev Desert
Authors: Vaiglova Petra , Hartman Gideon , Marom Nimrod , Ayalon Avner , Bar-Matthews Miryam , Zilberman Tami , Yasur Gal , Buckley Michael , Bernstein Rachel , Tepper Yotam , Weissbrod Lior , Erickson-Gini Tali , Bar-Oz Guy 
Published: January 2020

AbstractUnderstanding past human settlement of inhospitable regions is one of the most intriguing puzzles in archaeological research, with implications for more sustainable use of marginal regions today. During the Byzantine period in the 4th century CE, large settlements were established in the arid region of the Negev Desert, Israel, but it remains unclear why it did so, and why the settlements were abandoned three centuries later. Previous theories proposed that the Negev was a “green desert” in the early 1st millennium CE, and that the Byzantine Empire withdrew from this region due to a dramatic climatic downturn. In the absence of a local climate archive correlated to the Byzantine/Early Islamic transition, testing this theory has proven challenging. We use stable isotopic indicators of animal dietary and mobility patterns to assess the extent of the vegetative cover in the desert. By doing so, we aim to detect possible climatic fluctuations that may have led to the abandonment of the Byzantine settlements. The findings show that the Negev Desert was not greener during the time period under investigation than it is today and that the composition of the animals’ diets, as well as their grazing mobility patterns, remained unchanged through the Byzantine/Early Islamic transition. Favoring a non-climatic explanation, we propose instead that the abandonment of the Negev Byzantine settlements was motivated by restructuring of the Empire’s territorial priorities.
Intraspecific differences in seed dispersal caused by differences in social rank and mediated by food availability
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Campos-Arceiz Ahimsa , Prasad Soumya , Kitamura Shumpei , McConkey Kim R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe use individual-based information on the behavior of wild female Japanese macaques in two consecutive years with different food availability (nut-rich vs. nut-poor) to test effects of dominance rank and nut fruiting on seed dispersal parameters. We predicted that social rank would affect dispersal (1) quantity, (2) quality, (3) species richness, and (4) percentage of berries in the diet in the nut-poor year, while these differences would disappear in the nut-rich year. We found seeds of nine fleshy-fruited plant species in the feces of the monkeys. The frequency of seed occurrence for two plant species (Viburnum dilatatumandRosa multiflora) showed an interaction between dominance ranks and years; in the nut-poor yearV. dilatatumseeds were more abundant among dominant females andR. multifloraamong subordinates, while such inter-rank differences disappeared in the nut-rich year. Similarly, the intact ratio ofV. dilatatumseeds was lower for dominants in the nut-poor year, while inter-rank variations disappeared in the nut-rich year. Finally, percentage of berries in diet and seed richness showed no inter-annual nor inter-rank variations. Our study highlights that differences in individuals’ social rank lead to within-group variation in seed dispersal services and that these differences are dependent on nut availability.
Ultra-narrowband dielectric metamaterial absorber with ultra-sparse nanowire grids for sensing applications
Authors: Liao Yan-Lin , Zhao Yan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDue to their low losses, dielectric metamaterials provide an ideal resolution to construct ultra-narrowband absorbers. To improve the sensing performance, we present numerically a near-infrared ultra-narrowband absorber by putting ultra-sparse dielectric nanowire grids on metal substrate in this paper. The simulation results show that the absorber has an absorption rate larger than 0.99 with full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 0.38 nm. The simulation field distribution also indicates that the ultra-narrowband absorption is originated from the low loss in the guided-mode resonance. Thanks to the ultra-narrow absorption bandwidths and the electric field mainly distributed out of the ultra-sparse dielectric nanowire grids, our absorber has a high sensitivity S of 1052 nm/RIU and a large figure of merit (FOM) of 2768 which mean that this ultra-narrowband absorber can be applied as a high-performance refractive index sensor.
Multi-drug therapy for epilepsy influenced bispectral index after a bolus propofol administration without affecting propofol’s pharmacokinetics: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kodama Matsuri , Higuchi Hitoshi , Ishii-Maruhama Minako , Nakano Mai , Honda-Wakasugi Yuka , Maeda Shigeru , Miyawaki Takuya 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSome previous studies have indicated that valproate (VPA) might change the pharmacokinetics and enhance the effects of propofol. We evaluated whether clinical VPA therapy affected the propofol blood level, the protein-unbound free propofol level, and/or the anesthetic effects of propofol in the clinical setting. The subjects were divided into the control group (not medicated with antiepileptics), the mono-VPA group (medicated with VPA alone), and the poly-VPA group (medicated with VPA, other antiepileptics, and/or psychoactive drugs). General anesthesia was induced via the administration of a single bolus of propofol and a remifentanil infusion, and when the bispectral index (BIS) exceeded 60 sevoflurane was started. There were no significant differences in the total blood propofol level at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min or the protein-unbound free propofol level at 5 min after the intravenous administration of propofol between the 3 groups. However, the minimum BIS was significantly lower and the time until the BIS exceeded 60 was significantly longer in the poly-VPA group. In the multivariate regression analysis, belonging to the poly-VPA group was found to be independently associated with the minimum BIS value and the time until the BIS exceeded 60. Clinical VPA therapy did not influence the pharmacokinetics of propofol. However, multi-drug therapy involving VPA might enhance the anesthetic effects of propofol.
Mitochondrial MUL1 E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF-1α) and metabolic reprogramming by modulating the UBXN7 cofactor protein
Authors: Cilenti Lucia , Di Gregorio Jacopo , Ambivero Camilla T. , Andl Thomas , Liao Ronglih , Zervos Antonis S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMUL1 is a multifunctional E3 ubiquitin ligase anchored in the outer mitochondrial membrane with its RING finger domain facing the cytoplasm. MUL1 participates in various biological pathways involved in apoptosis, mitochondrial dynamics, and innate immune response. The unique topology of MUL1 enables it to “sense” mitochondrial stress in the intermembrane mitochondrial space and convey these signals through the ubiquitination of specific cytoplasmic substrates. We have identified UBXN7, the cofactor protein of the CRL2VHL ligase complex, as a specific substrate of MUL1 ligase. CRL2VHL ligase complex regulates HIF-1α protein levels under aerobic (normoxia) or anaerobic (hypoxia) conditions. Inactivation of MUL1 ligase leads to accumulation of UBXN7, with concomitant increase in HIF-1α protein levels, reduction in oxidative phosphorylation, and increased glycolysis. We describe a novel pathway that originates in the mitochondria and operates upstream of the CRL2VHL ligase complex. Furthermore, we delineate the mechanism by which the mitochondria, through MUL1 ligase, can inhibit the CRL2VHL complex leading to high HIF-1α protein levels and a metabolic shift to glycolysis under normoxic conditions.
Nitrogen immobilization may reduce invasibility of nutrient enriched plant community invaded by Phragmites australis
Authors: Uddin Md Nazim , Robinson Randall William , Asaeda Takashi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen, is an important determinant of plant community productivity, diversity and invasibility in a wetland ecosystem. It may contribute to increasing colonization and dominance of invasive species, such asPhragmites australis, especially during wetland restoration. Providing native species a competitive advantage over invasive species, manipulating soil nutrients (nitrogen) may be an effective strategy to control the invasive species and that management tool is essential to restore the degraded ecosystems. Therefore, we examined competition betweenPhragmites australisandMelaleuca ericifoliain a greenhouse setting with activated carbon (AC) treatments, followed by cutting ofPhragmitesshoots in nutrient-rich soils. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of AC on plant-free microcosms in the laboratory, to differentiate direct effects of AC on soil microbial functions from indirect effects. Overall, the objective was to test whether lowering nitrogen might be an effective approach for reducingPhragmitesinvasion in the wetland. The AC reducedPhragmitestotal biomass more significantly in repeated cut regime (57%) ofPhragmitesshoots compared to uncut regime (39%). Conversely, it increasedMelaleucatotal biomass by 41% and 68% in uncut and repeated cut regimes, respectively. Additionally, AC decreased more total nitrogen in above-ground biomass (41 to 55%) and non-structural carbohydrate in rhizome (21 to 65%) ofPhragmites, and less total nitrogen reduction in above-ground biomass (25 to 24%) ofMelaleucain repeated cut compared to uncut regime. The significant negative correlation betweenPhragmitesandMelaleucatotal biomass was observed, and noticed thatPhragmitesacquired less biomass comparatively thanMelaleucain AC-untreated versus AC-treated pots across the cutting frequency. AC also caused significant changes to microbial community functions acrossPhragmitespopulations, namely nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, nitrogen microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity (P ≤ 0.05) that may potentially explain changes in plant growth competition betweenPhragmitesandMelaleuca. The overall effects on plant growth, however, may be partially microbially mediated, which was demonstrated through soil microbial functions. Results support the idea that reducing community vulnerability to invasion through nutrient (nitrogen) manipulations by AC with reducing biomass of invasive species may provide an effective strategy for invasive species management and ecosystem restoration.
Tropical rainfall subseasonal-to-seasonal predictability types
Authors: Moron Vincent , Robertson Andrew W. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTropical rainfall is mostly convective and its subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction remains challenging. We show that state-of-art model forecast skill 3 + 4 weeks ahead is systematically lower over land than ocean, which is matched by a similar land-ocean contrast in the spatial scales of observed biweekly rainfall anomalies. Regional differences in predictability are then interpreted using observed characteristics of daily rainfall (wet-patch size, mean intensity as well as the strength of local S2S modes of rainfall variation), and classified into six S2S predictability types. Both forecast skill and spatial scales are reduced over the continents, either because daily rainfall patches are small and poorly organized by S2S modes of variation (as over equatorial and northern tropical Africa), or where the daily mean intensity is very high (as over South and SE Asia). Forecast skill and spatial scales are largest where daily rainfall is synchronized by intraseasonal (such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation) as well as interannual ocean-atmosphere modes of variation (such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation), especially over northern Australia and parts of the Maritime Continent, and over parts of eastern, southern Africa and northeast South America. The oceans exhibit the highest skill and largest spatial scales, especially where interannual (central equatorial Pacific) or intraseasonal (central and eastern Tropical Indian Ocean and Western Pacific) variability is largest. These results provide a relevant regional typology of the potential drivers and controls on S2S predictability of tropical rainfall, informing intrinsic limits and possible improvements toward useful S2S climate prediction at regional scale.
All optical switching of a single photon stream by excitonic depletion
Authors: Muñoz-Matutano Guillermo , Johnsson Mattias , Martínez-Pastor Juan , Rivas Góngora David , Seravalli Luca , Trevisi Giovanna , Frigeri Paola , Volz Thomas , Gurioli Massimo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSingle semiconductor quantum dots have been extensively used to demonstrate the deterministic emission of high purity single photons. The single photon emission performance of these nanostructures has become very well controlled, offering high levels of photon indistinguishability and brightness. Ultimately, quantum technologies will require the development of a set of devices to manipulate and control the state of the photons. Here we measure and simulate a novel all-optical route to switch the single photon stream emitted from the excitonic transition in a single semiconductor quantum dot. A dual non-resonant excitation pumping scheme is used to engineer a switching device operated with GHz speeds, high differential contrasts, ultra-low power consumption and high single photon purity. Our device scheme can be replicated in many different zero dimensional semiconductors, providing a novel route towards developing a platform-independent on-chip design for high speed and low power consumption quantum devices.
Comprehensive analysis of inhibitor of differentiation/DNA-binding gene family in lung cancer using bioinformatics methods
Authors: Xu Suming , Wang Yaoqin , Li Yanhong , Zhang Lei , Wang Chunfang , Wu Xueqing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The inhibitor of differentiation/DNA-binding (ID) is a member of the helix–loop–helix (HLH) transcription factor family, and plays a role in tumorigenesis, invasiveness and angiogenesis. The aims were to investigate the expression patterns and prognostic values of individual ID family members in lung cancer, and the potential functional roles. The expression levels of ID family were assessed using the Oncomine online database and GEPIA database. Furthermore, the prognostic value of ID family members was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. The genetic mutations of ID family members were investigated using the cBioPortal database. Moreover, enrichment analysis was performed using STRING database and Funrich software. It was found that all the ID family members were significantly down-regulated in lung cancer. Prognostic results indicated that low mRNA expression levels of ID1 or increased mRNA expression levels of ID2/3/4 were associated with improved overall survival, first progression and post progression survival. Additionally, genetic mutations of ID family members were identified in lung cancer, and it was suggested that amplification and deep deletion were the main mutation types. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis results suggested that ID1/2/4 were significantly enriched in ‘regulation of nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism’ for biological process, ‘transcription factor activity’ for molecular function and ‘HLH domain’ for protein domain. However, it was found that ID3 was not enriched in the above functions. The aberrant expression of ID family members may affect the occurrence and prognosis of lung cancer, and may be related to cell metabolism and transcriptional regulation.
Design and implementation of high efficient dual control modular resonant converter for DC microgrid
Authors: Reddy Vijaya Vardhan , Suryawanshi Hiralal Murlidhar , Talapur Girish Gowd , Nachankar Pratik P. , Ballal Makarand Sudhakar 
Published: January 2020

A modular structured 12‐kW resonant converter with effective zero voltage switching (ZVS) is proposed to integrate renewable energy lower voltage source to the microgrid. In this study, duty cycle control is adopted until ZVS fails and thereafter, sequential and parallel adjustment of duty cycle and the switching frequency is proposed for effective output voltage regulation. The proposed control logic ensures ZVS and output voltage regulation over wide load range even at very light loads compared to conventional control methods. Further, it maintains very high system efficiency with narrow range of frequency operation. Hence, it is easy to implement using a conventional digital controller. To minimise ripple current, each of the four converters is provided with phase delayed gate pulses under the proposed control scheme. This study presents an optimal design of the tank circuit elements assimilating high permeable powder cores to reduce magnetic loss and operation with IGBT switches at an optimum point to reduce conduction loss for enhanced system efficiency. A 12‐kW, 400–1600 V developed prototype is tested and experimental results are discussed.
Characterization of the gamma flux in a tangential channel of the CENM TRIGA MARK II research reactor
Authors: Gruel A. , Fourmentel D. , El Younoussi C. , El Bakkari B. , Boulaich Y. , Nacir B. , Lyoussi A. 
Published: January 2020

The CNESTEN (National Center for Energy Sciences and Nuclear Technology, Morocco) operates a TRIGA Mark II reactor, which can reach a thermal maximum power at steady state of 2 MW. In reactors devoted to research and experiments, it is mandatory to characterize the neutron and photon fields in the irradiation positions. Together with a computational model of the core, it ensures the ability to reach the requested uncertainties when performing experiments, such as detectors testing, irradiation for hardening or nuclear data measurements.
The neutron field of different irradiation positions has been characterized by dosimetry techniques and compared to the MCNP full model of the reactor. Preliminary photon propagation calculations are also performed with this model, but up to now, no experimental validation of the results exists. The aim of the newly set collaboration between CEA and CNESTEN is to characterize the gamma field of these positions. The first position investigated is the part of the NB1 tangential channel closest to the core.
Among gamma measurements techniques, and according to the constraints arising from using this channel, it was chosen to use thermos- and optically stimulated luminescent detectors.
This paper presents the experiments carried out in September 2018 as well as their results. Three detectors types were used: TLD400 (CaF2:Mn), TLD700 (7LiF:Mg,Ti) and OSLD (Al2O3:C). Measurements were performed in several steps: background measurements, transient measurements (divergence phase + SCRAM), and irradiation at steady state. In the end, these measurements will provide a dose as well as a gamma flux value for this position.