bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fitness characteristics of the European lineages of Phytophthora ramorum
Authors: Harris Anna R. , Brasier Clive M. , Scanu Bruno , Webber Joan F. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAs an introduced pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum exists as four near‐clonal evolutionary lineages, of which only EU1 and EU2 are established in the UK. EU1 has become widespread since the first findings in 2002 whereas EU2, detected in 2011, has a more limited distribution. Both lineages are epidemic in plantation‐grown larch, sporulating asexually on needles, but also causing heavy dieback and mortality. To understand whether EU1 and EU2 pose different threats to forest health, we compared their growth characteristics on agar, pathogenicity on several hosts, and sporulation on Japanese larch needles. When pathogenicity was evaluated by measuring colonization at 20 °C in mature bark (phloem) of Japanese and European larch (Larix kaempferi and L. decidua), English oak (Quercus robur), and beech (Fagus sylvatica), Japanese larch was the most susceptible and oak the least susceptible. On average, EU2 isolates produced significantly larger lesions than EU1 isolates in Japanese larch and oak although not in the other hosts. With tests using young saplings of Japanese and European larch, damaging bark lesions formed at both 10 °C and 20 °C, but EU2 was significantly more pathogenic at 20 °C on both hosts compared with EU1. In contrast, both lineages caused similar amounts of necrosis on inoculated leaves of rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). Moreover, EU2 isolates usually sporulated less abundantly on larch needles compared with EU1 isolates, suggesting a trade‐off in pathogenicity and sporulation between lineages. As EU2 tends to have smaller sporangia than EU1, this could also reduce the inoculum potential of EU2.
The autonomic nervous system in its natural environment: Immersion in nature is associated with changes in heart rate and heart rate variability
Authors: Scott Emily E. , LoTemplio Sara B. , McDonnell Amy S. , McNay Glen D. , Greenberg Kevin , McKinney Ty , Uchino Bert N. , Strayer David L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStress Recovery Theory (SRT) suggests that time spent in nature reduces stress. While many studies have examined changes in stress physiology after exposure to nature imagery, nature virtual reality, or nature walks, this study is the first to examine changes in heart rate (HR) and vagally mediated HR variability, as assessed by Respiratory Sinus Arrythmia (RSA), after a longer duration of nature exposure. Consistent with SRT, we hypothesized that immersion in nature would promote stress recovery, as indexed by an increase in RSA and a decrease in HR. We also predicted that exposure to nature would improve self‐reported mood. We used a within‐subjects design (N = 67) to assess changes in peripheral physiology before, during, and after a 5‐day nature trip. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in RSA and a significant increase in HR during the trip compared to before or after the trip, suggesting that immersion in nature is associated with a shift toward parasympathetic withdrawal and possible sympathetic activation. These results were contrary to our hypotheses and may suggest increased attentional intake or presence of emotions associated with an increase in sympathetic activation. We also found an improvement in self‐reported measures of mood during the trip compared to before or after the trip, confirming our hypotheses and replicating previous research. Implications of this study are discussed in the context of SRT.
A Comparative Study of the Introduction of Restrictions to Large‐Scale Mining in Four Latin American Countries
Authors: Cisneros Paúl 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInstitutions are important to enhance the contribution of mining industries not only to economic growth, but also to environmental justice and equality. In this paper, we study the processes by which four Latin American countries modified their existing institutions to manage the effects or large‐scale mining in their territories. We focus on the political struggles to introduce legislation to restrict the geographical expansion of large‐scale mining in their territories. To this end, we integrate a leading theory of the policy process with theoretical insights from studies of environmental governance and political settlements. Our findings show that processes of policy change followed distinct paths with common elements. The elements that link the initial conditions with change are policy learning, challenges to dominant policy images, conflict expansion, and the involvement of veto players. We also observe that the outputs of the reforms diverge significantly. Three contextual variables contributed to the variability of the outputs of these reforms; the degree of cohesion of elites, the degree of development of environmental institutions, and the relative dependency on mineral revenues. During the processes of policy making, these institutions offered different opportunities and constraints for policy challengers to advance their agenda and for dominant actors to maintain the status quo. The new policy designs offer opportunities for countries to deal with the effects of mining on sensitive ecosystems but political instability threatens the long‐term institutionalization of these reforms.
Development and screening of EMS mutants with altered seed oil content or fatty acid composition in Brassica napus
Authors: Tang Shan , Liu Dong‐Xu , Lu Shaoping , Yu Liangqian , Li Yuqing , Lin Shengli , Li Long , Du Zhuolin , Liu Xiao , Li Xiao , Ma Wei , Yang Qing‐Yong , Guo Liang 
Published: October 2020

SUMMARYBrassica napus is an important oilseed crop in the world, and the mechanism of seed oil biosynthesis in B. napus remains unclear. In order to study the mechanism of oil biosynthesis and generate germplasms for breeding, an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutant population with ~100 000 M2 lines was generated using Zhongshuang 11 as the parent line. The EMS‐induced genome‐wide mutations in M2−M4 plants were assessed. The average number of mutations including single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion in M2−M4 was 21 177, 28 675 and 17 915, respectively. The effects of the mutations on gene function were predicted in M2−M4 mutants, respectively. We screened the seeds from 98 113 M2 lines, and 9415 seed oil content and fatty acid mutants were identified. We further confirmed 686 mutants with altered seed oil content and fatty acid in advanced generation (M4 seeds). Five representative M4 mutants with increased oleic acid were re‐sequenced, and the potential causal variations in FAD2 and ROD1 genes were identified. This study generated and screened a large scale of B. napus EMS mutant population, and the identified mutants could provide useful genetic resources for the study of oil biosynthesis and genetic improvement of seed oil content and fatty acid composition of B. napus in the future.
SlRLK‐like is a malectin‐like domain protein affecting localization and abundance of LeEIX2 receptor resulting in suppression of EIX‐induced immune responses
Authors: Sussholz Orian , Pizarro Lorena , Schuster Silvia , Avni Adi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe first line of plant defense occurs when a plant pattern recognition receptor (PRR) recognizes microbe‐associated molecular patterns. Plant PRRs are either receptor‐like kinases (RLKs), which have an extracellular domain for ligand binding, a single‐pass transmembrane domain, and an intracellular kinase domain for activating downstream signaling, or receptor‐like proteins (RLPs), which share the same overall structure but lack an intracellular kinase domain. The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) LeEIX2 is an RLP that binds ethylene‐inducing xylanase (EIX), a fungal elicitor. To identify LeEIX2 receptor interactors, we conducted a yeast two‐hybrid screen and found a tomato protein that we termed SlRLK‐like. The interaction of LeEIX2 with SlRLK‐like was verified using co‐immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. The defense responses induced by EIX were markedly reduced when SlRLK‐like was overexpressed in Nicotiana benthamiana or Nicotiana tabacum, and knockout of SlRLK‐like using the CRISPR/Cas9 system increased EIX‐induced ethylene production and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate synthase (SlACS2) gene expression in tomato. Co‐expression of SlRLK‐like with LeEIX2 led to a reduction in its abundance, apparently through an endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation process. Notably, truncation of SlRLK‐like protein revealed that the malectin‐like domain is sufficient and essential for its function. Moreover, SlRLK‐like associated with the RLK FLS2, resulting in its degradation and concomitantly a reduction of the flagellin 22 (flg22)‐induced burst of reactive oxygen species. In addition, SlRLK‐like co‐expression with other RLPs, Ve1 and AtRLP23, also led to a reduction in their abundance. Our findings suggest that SlRLK‐like leads to a decreased stability of various PRRs, leading to a reduction in their abundance and resulting in attenuation of defense responses.
Interspecific introgression and natural selection in the evolution of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)
Authors: Numaguchi Koji , Akagi Takashi , Kitamura Yuto , Ishikawa Ryo , Ishii Takashige 
Published: October 2020

SummaryDomestication and population differentiation in crops involve considerable phenotypic changes. The logs of these evolutionary paths, including natural/artificial selection, can be found in the genomes of the current populations. However, these profiles have been little studied in tree crops, which have specific characters, such as long generation time and clonal propagation, maintaining high levels of heterozygosity. We conducted exon‐targeted resequencing of 129 genomes in the genus Prunus, mainly Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), and apricot (Prunus armeniaca), plum (Prunus salicina), and peach (Prunus persica). Based on their genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms merged with published resequencing data of 79 Chinese P. mume cultivars, we inferred complete and ongoing population differentiation in P. mume. Sliding window characterization of the indexes for genetic differentiation identified interspecific fragment introgressions between P. mume and related species (plum and apricot). These regions often exhibited strong selective sweeps formed in the paths of establishment or formation of substructures of P. mume, suggesting that P. mume has frequently imported advantageous genes from other species in the subgenus Prunus as adaptive evolution. These findings shed light on the complicated nature of adaptive evolution in a tree crop that has undergone interspecific exchange of genome fragments with natural/artificial selections.
Tomato transcriptional repressor MYB70 directly regulates ethylene‐dependent fruit ripening
Authors: Cao Haohao , Chen Jing , Yue Min , Xu Chan , Jian Wei , Liu Yudong , Song Bangqian , Gao Yanqiang , Cheng Yulin , Li Zhengguo 
Published: October 2020

SUMMARYEthylene is a key plant hormone controlling the ripening of climacteric fruits, and several transcription factors acting as important regulators of fruit ripening have been identified in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a model for climacteric fruits. The vast majority of these transcription factors are transcriptional activators, however, and the associated transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of most regulators are unclear. Here, we report on a tomato transcriptional repressor (termed SlMYB70) that negatively regulates fruit ripening by directly modulating ethylene biosynthesis. As an EAR motif‐containing MYB transcription factor‐encoding gene, SlMYB70 displayed a ripening‐associated expression pattern and was responsive to ethylene. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated repression of SlMYB70 accelerated fruit ripening, but overexpression of SlMYB70 delayed fruit ripening. Ethylene production was noticeably increased and decreased in SlMYB70‐RNAi and SlMYB70‐overexpressing lines, respectively, compared with wild‐type tomatoes. SlMYB70 was proven to be a transcriptional repressor, dependent on the EAR repression motif, and to repress the transcription of two ethylene biosynthesis genes in fruit ripening, namely SlACS2 and SlACO3. The promoters of SlACS2 and SlACO3 are directly bound by SlMYB70, which was verified using a combination of yeast one‐hybrid chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These results suggest that SlMYB70 negatively regulates fruit ripening via the direct transcriptional repression of ethylene biosynthesis genes, which provides insights into the ethylene‐mediated key regulatory hierarchy in climacteric fruit ripening, and also highlights different types of transcriptional regulation of fruit ripening.
A Numerical Study to Control the Combustion Performance of a Syngas-Fueled HCCI Engine at Medium and High Loads Using Different Piston Bowl Geometry and Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Authors: Ali Kabbir , Kim Changup , Lee Yonggyu , Oh Seungmook , Kim Kiseong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This study aims to analyze the effect of piston bowl geometry on the combustion and emission performance of the syngas-fueled homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine, which operates under lean air–fuel mixture conditions for power plant usage. Three different piston bowl geometries were used with a reduction of piston bowl depth and squish area ratio of the baseline piston bowl with the same compression ratio of 17.1. Additionally, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is used to control the maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR) of syngas-fueled HCCI engines. To simulate the combustion process at medium load (5 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP)) and high loads of (8 and 10 bar IMEP), ansys forte cfd package was used, and the calculated results were compared with Aceves et al.’s Multi-zone HCCI model, using the same chemical kinetics set (Gri-Mech 3.0). All calculations were accomplished at maximum brake torque (MBT) conditions, by sweeping the air–fuel mixture temperature at the inlet valve close (TIVC). This study reveals that the TIVC of the air–fuel mixture and the heat loss rate through the wall are the main factors that influence combustion phasing by changing the piston bowl geometry. It also finds that although pistons B and C give high thermal efficiency, they cannot be used for the combustion process, due to the very high MPRR and NOx emissions. Even though the baseline piston shows high MPRR (23 bar/degree), it is reduced, and reveals an acceptable range of 10–12 bar/degree, using 30% EGR.
Gas Turbine Evaporative Cooling: A Novel Method for Combined Cycle Plant Part Load Optimization
Authors: Carmona Jose 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In power plant engineering, gas turbine (GT) evaporative cooling is traditionally thought as one of the few power augmentation alternatives for existing plants.
For most combined cycle plants operating at part load, the GT Inlet Guide Vanes (IGV) will throttle the air flow to the combustor to maintain the turbine exhaust temperature (TET) as high as possible, thus maximizing the overall combined cycle efficiency. The IGV air throttling results in a reduction of the turbine inlet air temperature (TIT) due to a reduction on the mass of fuel burned in the combustors as the available combustion air decreases due to IGV throttling to maintain an optimum air to fuel ratio, resulting on a lower TET compared with the same GT at base load. The compounded result of these effects limits the maximum steam production capacity on the heat recovery steam generator, particularly for the high-pressure section, hampering the efficiency of the steam turbine.
The methodology developed in the subject study aims at counteracting the afore-mentioned effects by optimizing the evaporative cooler air/water ratio which results in the lower possible heat rate for full load and part load operation. By dynamically controlling the air/water ratio, a preheating effect can be achieved in the compressor inlet air, which results on higher exhaust gas temperature, thus augmenting the high-pressure steam production on the heat recovery steam generator and accordingly the steam turbine efficiency.
For a newly built 907 MWe Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant, application of the evaporative cooling part load optimization methodology presented in this study could lead to a potential reduction of up to 158kJ/kWh on heat rate and 9.318 g/kWh of CO2 emissions if compared with the same plant without dynamic control of the evaporative cooler air/water ratio.
Energy Recovery for Dual-Stirling Liquid Air Energy Storage Prototype
Authors: Bailey Nicholas A. , Pollman Anthony G. , Paulo Eugene P. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Islanded, renewably powered microgrids require energy storage or emergency generation to overcome intermittency. Batteries and fossil fuel generators have traditionally filled these roles. However, liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a promising alternative. Using power in excess of immediate demand, a LAES system can liquefy and cryogenically store ambient air. When renewable generation abates, the liquid air can be expanded through a turbine to provide power to the microgrid. This study explores energy recovery from a dual Stirling cycle LAES system. Liquid air is generated by a commercial Stirling cryocooler and stored in a vacuum dewar. A second Stirling engine utilizes the temperature difference between the liquid air and surroundings to run a small electric generator. This paper focuses on energy recovery from the cryogenic liquid air through the Stirling engine using a series of experiments. Liquid air volume as a function of time and power for varying loads were measured and used to quantify the energy recovered from the stored liquid air. Energy efficiency is calculated and recommendations for design improvements are presented. Follow-on work will include design and operation of an updated dual-Stirling LAES system. This work is part of a larger effort to determine the feasibility of different energy storage methods for small, mobile applications as well as fixed infrastructure energy storage systems.
Technical Evaluation and Applications of Heat Recovery From Simple Cycle Gas Turbine Exhaust Systems
Authors: Faqihi Bouria , Ghaith Fadi A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, approximately 70% of the thermal power plants are in a simple cycle configuration while only 30% are in combined cycle. This high simple to combined cycle ratio makes it of a particular interest for original equipment manufacturers to offer exhaust heat recovery upgrades to enhance the thermal efficiency of simple cycle power plants. This paper aims to evaluate the potential of incorporating costly-effective new developed heat recovery methods, rather than the complex products which are commonly available in the market, with relevant high cost such as heat recovery steam generators.
In this work, the utilization of extracted heat was categorized into three implementation zones: use within the gas turbine flange-to-flange section, auxiliary systems and outside the gas turbine system in the power plant. A new methodology was established to enable qualitative and comparative analyses of the system performance of two heat extraction inventions according to the criteria of effectiveness, safety and risk and the pressure drop in the exhaust. Based on the conducted analyses, an integrated heat recovery system was proposed. The new system incorporates a circular duct heat exchanger to extract the heat from the exhaust stack and deliver the intermediary heat transfer fluid to a separate fuel gas exchanger. This system showed superiority in improving the thermodynamic cycle efficiency, while mitigating safety risks and avoiding undesired exhaust system pressure drop.
Improving the Energy Capacity and Cost Effectiveness of Flywheel Rotors in Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems by Varying Their Shape, Speed and Size
Authors: Kale Vaishnavi , Secanell Marc 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) are an excellent short duration grid energy storage solution; however, their cost and energy storage capacity are typical barriers to their widespread commercialization. FESS can be designed by optimizing the shape of the flywheel rotor, choice of rotor material, operating speed and rotor radius. This study optimizes the flywheel rotor shape at various operating speeds and outer radii. It is found that the energy capacity of the rotor can be improved by choosing an ideal combination of operating speed and rotor radius. Our earlier work showed that including the cost of the FESS as an optimization objective could significantly alter the FESS design [1]. Therefore, the cost effectiveness of the FESS is also studied by comparing rotors made from different materials on an energy-per-cost basis, while the cost ratio of the materials is varied.
Basic Design and Blade Structural Analysis of a Small Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine for Low Wind Speeds
Authors: Krishnanunni A. R. , Datta N. , Chambhare H. S. , Swaroop D. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The basic design and blade structural analysis of a 250 W rooftop-mounted horizontal-axis wind turbine for low wind speeds is presented. A simplified non-dimensional design is first undertaken to optimize the aerodynamic performance. The non-dimensional power curve vs. the design tip speed ratio is computed with the open-source wind turbine design software QBlade. SD7062 airfoil is chosen for the blade section; and its aerodynamic efficiency is obtained for various angles of attack using XFLR5. The design process also gives the optimal chord length and pitch distribution, leading to the blade geometry. The 22-month weather data at the site has been analyzed to obtain the best-fit Weibull distribution. The blade sizing is based on the maximum power coefficient before the stall regulation happens. An attempt is made to enhance the power capture by using a concentrator, whose aerodynamic efficacy is analyzed. The blades are fabricated from Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic, which reduces both weight and cost. The configuration for the laminate is finalized after several bending and tensile tests of five distinct GFRP samples. This is followed by the structural analysis of the blade. The root stresses and tip deflection are analyzed for extreme-wind conditions, along with the free vibration frequencies.
Integration of Novel Geometry Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Into a Residential Furnace/Boiler
Authors: Hartwell Alexander R. , Ahn Jeongmin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Increasing prevalence of extreme weather events and other climate related natural disasters is leading to the increased frequency of power outages. Resilient non-grid dependent power supply for residences is becoming increasingly desirable in order to maintain building management system operation during these events. One potential option for low-maintenance on-site power generation comes from the integration of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) into the combustion chamber of a residential furnace/boiler yielding a combined heat and power (CHP) system. Fuel-rich combustion of natural gas or propane within furnaces/boilers provides the necessary heat as well as fuel for the SOFCs. As a result, the addition of fuel cells into this chamber is possible. The combustion chamber/heat exchanger geometry, however, introduces issues with existing fuel cell geometries that must be addressed before integration is possible.
This work presents the development of novel anode supported tubular SOFCs with internal cathode and the study of their subsequent integration into a furnace/boiler including model exhaust tests as well as individual cell testing. The proposed system has tremendous potential to effect power distribution to residences, and the novel fuel cell designed in this project has many potential applications.