bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Proficiency of Water Use in Wheat Through Nitrogen Forms, Irrigation Intervals and Soil Conditioners
Authors: Abdou S.M.M. , Azza R. Ahmed , Naresh Kumar S. , Farrag F.R.M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractField experiments were carried out at the Tameia Agricultural Research Station, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons in order to study the impact of nitrogen fertilization forms, irrigation intervals and some soil conditioners on the yield, yield components and crop water relations of wheat (Giza 168). Two nitrogen forms with three irrigation intervals, i.e. I1: irrigation at 14 days, I2: 21 days and I3: 28 days with soil conditioners at the rate of 11.9 t ha‐1, i.e. C1control (without any addition), C2: compost, C3: rice straw and C4: sawdust with three replications in a split‐split plot design. Results indicate that the highest wheat grain yields in both years were detected from a combination of applying liquid ammonia gas, irrigation at 14‐day intervals and addition of compost. This treatment also gave higher values for yield components, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their concentration in the grain. Further, it resulted in highest values for the consumptive use of water as well as water productivity. Thus, a combination of applying liquid ammonia gas, irrigation at 14‐day intervals and addition of compost can be adopted in wider areas in Egypt for enhanced wheat grain yield. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new far‐field low‐frequency electromagnetic method for measurement of temporal variations in subsurface electrical conductivity averaged over a transect
Authors: Kiseleva Olga , Brandelik Alexander , Hübner Christof , Kalthoff Norbert , Kohler Martin , Königer Franz , Kottmeier Christoph 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThe new far‐field low‐frequency electromagnetic method used the electromagnetic ground wave from distant radio transmitters at low frequencies to estimate temporal variations of factors affecting subsurface electrical conductivity averaged along the propagation path between either a transmitter and a receiver or two receivers that are in line with a transmitter. Phase and phase difference between two receivers depend on three factors that influence the changes in electrical conductivity: soil moisture, depth to the groundwater table and soil temperature. This dependence was investigated by simulations and evaluated by an experiment. The measurement layout was based on simulating ground wave propagation over a layered subsurface using the surface impedance method and the Sommerfeld ground wave attenuation function. A three‐layer model for the subsurface was used, which includes a soil layer, an unsaturated vadose zone and a saturated groundwater zone. The results of simulations at a frequency of 77.5 kHz showed that the phase of the ground wave is strongly influenced by natural variation of the above‐mentioned three factors; 77.5 kHz is the carrier frequency of the Normal Time Service Germany (DCF77) in Mainflingen/Germany, that was chosen as a source of the low‐frequency radio waves used in the experiment. Over a 2‐year measurement period, the amplitude and phase of the ground wave were recorded with two receivers, one 70 km and the other 110 km away from the transmitter. Additionally, phase difference between the two receivers was calculated. In situ observations of soil moisture, depth to the groundwater table, and soil temperature along the transects under investigation were used to estimate phase and phase difference dependencies. Multiple regression analysis of the measured phase and phase difference revealed a strong dependence on the depth to the groundwater table and on soil temperature, whereas the impact of soil moisture on the phase and phase difference was found to be very low. Conversely, the relations obtained can be used to estimate the variation of the depth to the groundwater table, if the phase at a given frequency and the soil temperature information are available.
A monitoring toolkit for banksia woodlands: comparison of different scale methods to measure recovery of vegetation after fire
Authors: Brundrett Mark , van Dongen Ricky , Huntley Bart , Tay Natasha , Longman Vanda 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHere, we compare the efficiency and accuracy of remote sensing and plot‐based methods for measuring vegetation cover for the understory and canopy of banksia woodland in an urban area of Western Australia. Methods compared were visual estimation, foliage cover computation from photographs, satellite imagery and aerial photographs. Observations and images from 1 m2, 100 m2 and 625 m2 quadrats measured cover of small plants, understory plants and trees respectively. Aerial photography and satellite imagery allowed the number, height and cover of trees to be estimated in 625 m2 and 1 ha plots. The accuracy of methods was compared using a 28 month time series commencing before and after an intense bushfire that removed all foliage cover. Directly comparable methods were in close agreement and in combination allowed plant recovery to be quantified in great detail. Visual estimation of cover in the field was time‐consuming but necessary to measure the contribution of individual species. Visual estimates from 1 m2 downward photos allowed functional groups of plants to be measured. The number of green pixels selected manually in photographs confirmed that cover calculated from ground‐based photographs using algorithms was accurate, except when cover was very low. We developed a new algorithm for computing cover from photographs that was accurate at low cover (Gperc). Canopy cover estimation by algorithm from upward photographs was subject to more errors, requiring exclusion of some images. Landsat satellite images allowed the impacts of severe drought and previous fires to be identified against a background of relatively consistent seasonal variations since 1988. Aerial photographs from 1953 onwards showed gradual recolonisation by banksia woodland trees over 60 years following tree felling. These methods provide a toolkit for monitoring vegetation recovery after disturbance and baseline data for monitoring banksia woodland. This toolkit should also be suitable for most other plant communities.
Synthesis, Structural Determination, and Pharmacology of Putative Dinitroaniline Antimalarials
Authors: Casino Alessio del , Lukinović Valentina , Bhatt Rakesh , Randle Laura E. , Dascombe Michael J. , Fennell Dr Brian J. , Drew Michael G. B. , Bell Angus , Fielding Alistair J. , Ismail Fyaz M. D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA series of novel, homologous compounds possessing the general formula N1‐Nn‐bis(2,6‐dinitro‐4‐trifluormethylphenyl)‐1,n‐diamino alkanes (where n=4, 6, 10 or 12), were designed to probe inter‐ and intra‐ binding site dimensions in malarial parasite (Plasmodium) tubulin. Various crystal structures, including chloralin and trifluralin, an isopropyl dimer, and 2,6‐dinitro‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐phenylamine, were determined. Dinitroanilines, when soluble, were evaluated both in culture and in vivo. Trifluralin was up to 2‐fold more active than chloralin against cultured parasites. The isopropyl dimer was water soluble (>5 mM) and revealed activity superior to that of chloralin in culture. The effects of selected dinitroanilines upon the mitotic microtubular structures of Plasmodium, the putative target of these dinitroanilines, were also determined. Electronic properties of the molecules were calculated using DFT (B3LYP/6‐31+G* level) to ascertain whether incorporation of such a pharmacophore could allow both QSAR and rational development of more selectively toxic antiparasitic agents.
Rifaximin anti‐inflammatory activity on bovine endometrium primary cell cultures: a preliminary study
Authors: Flammini Lisa , Mantelli Leonardo , Volpe Alessandra , Domenichini Giuseppe , Di Lecce Rosanna , Dondi Maurizio , Cantoni Anna Maria , Barocelli Elisabetta , Quintavalla Fausto 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRifaximin is an unabsorbed oral antibiotic showing anti‐inflammatory properties in human pathologies like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. In veterinary medicine, rifaximin is primarily used in the treatment of dermatological diseases in all animal species, in therapy and prophylaxis of mastitis in cows and in the treatment of endometritis in cattle and horses. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory properties of rifaximin on primary cell cultures from bovine endometrium in which inflammatory response was induced by Lipopolysaccaride (LPS) treatment. Epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from bovine endometrium and separately incubated for 24 h with 1 μg mL−1 LPS after rifaximin (10, 50 and 100 μmol L−1) or dexamethasone (10 μmol L−1) pre‐treatment for 24 h. Supernatants were collected 24 h after LPS treatment and interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 accumulation was measured by ELISA. Rifaximin (10, 50 and 100 μmol L−1) dose dependently inhibited the LPS‐induced increase in IL‐6 and IL‐8 in stromal cells, whereas in epithelial cells it was not possible to detect any accumulation of these interleukins. Rifaximin reduced IL‐6 and IL‐8 production, showing a potential anti‐inflammatory effect that opens up to new possibilities for the use of this drug in uterine inflammatory diseases.
Weighted cross validation in model selection
Authors: Markatou Marianthi , Afendras Georgios , Agostinelli Claudio 
Published: July 2018

Outliers and gross errors in the data, as well as deviations from the normality assumption of the error distribution, impact adversely statistical analyses that are based on classical procedures such as least squares and maximum likelihood methods. We briefly review the cross‐validation (CV) method to model selection and discuss its robust extension based on weighted likelihood methodology. The main advantage of weighted CV is that it is computationally fast, much faster than many of the robust model selection procedures proposed in the literature. We present the weighted CV algorithm, its operating characteristics, and illustrate its performance under symmetric and asymmetric contamination. The procedure, in the absence of contamination and under mild conditions, is asymptotically equivalent to the CV method for model selection. Additionally, it is asymptotically loss efficient and differs from the robust CV procedure introduced in the literature in that it downweights only those observations that do not fit well the full model.This article is categorized under:Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Modeling Methods and AlgorithmsStatistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust MethodsStatistical Models > Linear ModelsStatistical Models > Model Selection
Influence of Grain Refinement on Slurry Formation and Surface Segregation in Semi-solid Al-7Si-0.3Mg Castings
Authors: Santos Jorge , Kallien Lothar H. , Jarfors Anders E. W. , Dahle Arne K. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of grain refinement on slurry formation and surface segregation in semi-solid castings produced by the Rheometal™ process. The effect of two grain refiners, Al-8B and Al-5Ti-1B, on the slurry α-Al grain size, shape factor and solid fraction was evaluated. The results suggest that the addition of a grain refiner can affect the solid fraction obtained in the RheometalTM process and, consequently, reduce the solute content near the casting surface. Grain refiner addition resulted in a larger fraction of α-Al grains ≤ 60 µm for the refined alloys compared with the unrefined alloy. Additionally, the growth of α-Al slurry globules was greater for the unrefined alloy compared with the refined alloy during solidification in the die-cavity. A more homogeneous and finer microstructure was observed near the surface in the grain-refined castings compared with the unrefined castings. Evidence of significant liquid penetration was identified in some α-Al globules, indicating that disintegration of α-Al globules may occur during the Rheometal™ casting process.
Clean Sky research and demonstration programmes for next-generation aircraft engines
Authors: Brouckaert Jean-François , Mirville François , Phuah Kevin , Taferner Peter 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThe Clean Sky Joint Undertaking is currently managing two large-scale research and innovation programmes under FP7 and Horizon 2020 to contribute to the strengthening of the European aeronautical sector ensuring global leadership and competitiveness. This paper describes the research and demonstration programmes in Clean Sky (2008–2017) and Clean Sky 2 (2014–2024) related to propulsion technologies for the next-generation aircraft. The bulk of this work is addressed in Clean Sky 1 under the “Sustainable And Green Engines” (SAGE) programme and under the “ENGINES” programme in Clean Sky 2. The High-Level Objectives are described for each engine architecture as well as the targets in terms of CO2 and noise reduction versus a year 2000 reference unless stated otherwise. An overview of the new engine concepts that would satisfy the ACARE objectives is presented, including the main technologies which are to be developed to ensure the successful demonstration of each of those new engine concepts.
BALANCING SOFT AND HARD LAW FOR BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Authors: Choudhury Barnali 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn the wake of increasing corporate disasters, there has been an urgent need to address the impact of business on human rights. Yet business responsibilities for human rights are mainly voluntary and best understood as ‘soft law’. Recently, however, States have begun negotiations for an internationally binding treaty in this area, suggesting that there is a need to turn to ‘hard law’ to increase the efficacy of business and human rights (BHR) initiatives. This article argues that because soft and hard law concepts are not dichotomous, BHR governance need not become ‘hard law’ to be effective. Rather ‘hardened’ soft law instruments can be equally effective.
Weight loss after pregnancy: challenges and opportunities
Authors: McKinley Michelle C. , Allen-Walker Virginia , McGirr Caroline , Rooney Ciara , Woodside Jayne V. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIt is important to pay attention to weight management before and between pregnancies, as women have an increased risk of weight gain during the reproductive years. Having a baby is a life-changing event for women and the challenge of weight management amidst this period of major physiological, psychological and social change should not be underestimated. However, the postpartum period offers an opportune time for lifestyle interventions, as women may have heightened awareness of their own and their wider families’ health. Systematic reviews indicate that interventions including both diet and physical activity along with individualised support and self-monitoring are more likely to be successful in promoting postpartum weight loss. However, high levels of attrition and poor engagement have been an issue in previous trials in this area. Since postpartum women are difficult to reach and retain, future research must consider how to make weight-management interventions an attractive and attainable proposition for women who are juggling multiple, competing demands on their time. Ideally, intervention approaches need to be flexible and allow sustained contact with women, to facilitate a focus on maintenance of weight loss, as well as opportunities for re-engagement after life events that may disrupt weight-management progress. Using technology to deliver or support interventions holds promise but trials are needed to generate a range of appealing, effective and scalable options for postpartum women. What works at other life stages may not necessarily work here owing to specific barriers to weight management encountered in the postpartum period.
Architecture's expanding field: AD magazine and the Post-Modernisation of architecture
Authors: Parnell Stephen 
Published: July 2018

This article investigates architecture's ‘expanded field’ – its turn towards culture during the 1980s when the profession expanded its interest to the softer practices of architectural culture. It looks in particular at the emerging enterprises of exhibitions, competitions and awards, publications, and symposia and lectures in the ‘long 1980s’, taken as the Academy years of AD magazine from 1977 – 1992.This period of AD is synonymous with architectural Post-Modernism, as Academy published much of Charles Jencks’ work on Post-Modernism, including six of the seven ever-larger editions of The Language of Post-Modern Architecture.However, by analysing the content and context of AD magazine and the wider context of architectural institutions during these years, this article argues that the Post-Modernisation of architecture should be understood not only as a mere style, but equally as the emphasis on a growing architectural culture, discourse, and the ‘ideal’, and the retreat from building and the ‘real’. In other words, this period witnessed the establishment of architectural culture as a new type of practice, and furthermore, AD was instrumental in this cultural turn.
The Postal Service in the Douar: Noncitizen Users and the Colonial State in Rural Algeria from the Late Nineteenth Century to the Second World War
Authors: Lacroix Annick 
Published: July 2018

Throughout the colonial period, Algerian users are largely absent from the administrative archives of the Postal, Telegraph, and Telephone Service (PTT). If the French conquest did not spur colonized populations, with their ancient writing practices, to “enter into communication,” should this absence be understood as the refusal of a progress that was itself colonialist? The period between the two world wars marked a turning point: pressure from local representatives and a wave of petitions from noncitizen (Algerian) villagers reconfigured a public service previously monopolized by European users. Belatedly, and with as little expense as possible, the administration finally supported postal services for isolated areas.Observing the colonial configuration in the most situated and ordinary of its manifestations, this article sheds light on everyday writing practices and reinstates the “thickness” of a local service. Rather than limiting the study to the French presence in Algeria, this depends on pressing the colonial documentation to reveal the workings of Algerian society and the reorganizations prompted by the colonial encounter. Complaints and petitions thus illuminate the relation of noncitizen, rural, and mostly illiterate populations to the colonial state. The unexpected utilization of the postal service and subversive demands for access to it led colonized populations to piece together a political identity that borrowed certain practices from active citizens and drove the French authorities to propose unprecedented adjustments.
Projected Heat Stress Under 1.5 °C and 2 °C Global Warming Scenarios Creates Unprecedented Discomfort for Humans in West Africa
Authors: Sylla Mouhamadou Bamba , Faye Aissatou , Giorgi Filippo , Diedhiou Arona , Kunstmann Harald 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHeat and discomfort indices are applied to the multimodel ensemble mean of COordinated Regional climate Downscaling EXperiment‐Africa regional climate model projections to investigate future changes in heat stress and the proportion of human population at risk under 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming scenarios over West Africa. The results show that heat stress of category Extreme Caution is projected to extend spatially (up to 25%) over most of the Gulf of Guinea, Sahel, and Sahara desert areas, with different regional coverage during the various seasons. Similarly, the projected seasonal proportion of human population at discomfort substantially increases to more than 50% over most of the region. In particular, in June–August over the Sahel and the western Sahara desert, new areas (15% of West Africa) where most of the population is at risk emerge. This indicates that from 50% to almost everyone over most of the Sahel countries and part of the western Sahara desert is at risk of possible heat cramp, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke in future climate scenarios. These conditions become more frequent and are accompanied by the emergence of days with dangerous heat stress category during which everyone feels discomfort and is vulnerable to a likely heat cramp and heat exhaustion. In general, all the above features are more extended and more frequent in the 2 °C than in the 1.5 °C scenario. Protective measures are thus required for outdoor workers, occupational settings in hot environments, and people engaged in strenuous activities.
Using Technology to Teach Parents to Create a Safe Infant Sleep Space
Authors: Austin Jillian E. , Doering Jennifer J. , Davies W. Hobart 
Published: July 2018

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment; however, parents still report frequent use of dangerous infant sleep practices. An online computer program was developed and piloted to investigate whether parents could be taught to create safe sleep environments using online training. Computerized safe sleep environments created by parents of children 0 to 23 months were assessed for compliance with the AAP Sleep Recommendations. Using a pre- and posttest design, the present study investigated the effectiveness of online instructions (adapted standard of care) and a computerized behavioral skills training package, which included instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Additional pre- and posttests assessed parents’ ability to identify sleep risks in 3 pictures to assess generalization of skills learned. Overall, participants demonstrated significant improvements from pre- to posttest across both treatment conditions on the creation of a safe sleep environment and on the free response identification of risks in 3 sleep environments. Performance did not significantly differ between the treatment groups. Results suggest considerable promise for technology-aided approaches in training parents to create a safe sleep environment. Implications for Impact Statement Creating safe infant sleep environments is important and necessary in reducing sudden and unexpected infant deaths. In this online study, caregivers created safer infant sleep environments and identified more sleep environment risks after computer-based training and when using a sleep safety checklist. Providing access to this computer-based training and/or sleep safety checklist can teach caregivers about infant sleep safety and may result in safer infant sleep environments.
Wavelength stability in a hybrid photonic crystal laser through controlled nonlinear absorptive heating in the reflector
Authors: Bakoz Andrei P. , Liles Alexandros A. , Gonzalez-Fernandez Alfredo A. , Habruseva Tatiana , Hu Changyu , Viktorov Evgeny A. , Hegarty Stephen P. , O’Faolain Liam 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe need for miniaturized, fully integrated semiconductor lasers has stimulated significant research efforts into realizing unconventional configurations that can meet the performance requirements of a large spectrum of applications, ranging from communication systems to sensing. We demonstrate a hybrid, silicon photonics-compatible photonic crystal (PhC) laser architecture that can be used to implement cost-effective, high-capacity light sources, with high side-mode suppression ratio and milliwatt output output powers. The emitted wavelength is set and controlled by a silicon PhC cavity-based reflective filter with the gain provided by a III–V-based reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). The high power density in the laser cavity results in a significant enhancement of the nonlinear absorption in silicon in the high Q-factor PhC resonator. The heat generated in this manner creates a tuning effect in the wavelength-selective element, which can be used to offset external temperature fluctuations without the use of active cooling. Our approach is fully compatible with existing fabrication and integration technologies, providing a practical route to integrated lasing in wavelength-sensitive schemes.