bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Modeling of Oxygen Transfer in a Spouted‐Bed Reactor with Auxiliary Aeration
Authors: Peñas Francisco J. , Safont Bárbara 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA draft‐tube spouted‐bed (DTSB) reactor was equipped with an auxiliary aeration device to provide air into the annular region and thereby improve the oxygen transfer efficiency. The effects of the total air flow rate and its distribution between spout and annulus, the liquid phase viscosity (water and carboxymethyl cellulose solutions), and the solid holdup (glass and cyclodextrin polymer beads) on the oxygen transfer efficiency were discussed. The oxygen transfer coefficient increased with the air flow rate and the ratio of air flowing through the annulus, whereas it decreased with increasing viscosity and solid holdup. A correlation was proposed to predict the transfer coefficient in DTSB reactors with primary and auxiliary aeration. A good fitting was achieved between the experimental data and those estimated with the model.
An Innovative Technique for Rapid Screening of Cigarette Filter Adsorbents
Authors: Branton Peter , Leistner Matthias , Wöllner Michelle , Kaskel Stefan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCigarette smoke is an aerosol containing a large number of chemicals, including toxicants. In recent years, a number of cigarette filter additives have been evaluated for their toxicant filtration properties. Screening is a useful tool to accelerate the testing and development of new filter additives and filtration mechanisms. The evaluation of a filter material screening technique based on the so‐called InfraSORP technology is described. By comparing InfraSORP measurements with reference cigarette smoke experiments of potential cigarette filter materials like activated carbons and ion‐exchange resin, an excellent correlation is demonstrated. This technique allows for a rapid screening of potential filter materials prior to testing any final candidates in cigarettes.
Modeling of the Off‐Gas Cooling System for an Electric Arc Furnace and Evaluation of the Heat Recovery Potential
Authors: Kolagar Atefeh Hassannia , Meier Thomas , Echterhof Thomas , Pfeifer Herbert 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe prerequisite for the optimization and control of many industrial processes is having a model. It should be accurate and fast to prepare an appropriate estimation of the process. The exhaust system plays a significant role in the electric arc furnace process and, therefore, its optimization is investigated in this work. An unsteady and nonlinear model of the fluctuating off‐gas flow through the exhaust system is presented based on the mass and energy conservation laws. The thermodynamic calculations are facilitated by modular based modeling and also the model is implemented equipmentwise to cover all possible arrangements in the dedusting system. A Sankey diagram of the whole system is illustrated to examine the heat recovery potential of the off‐gas cooling system.
Isoprenoid Biosynthesis Inhibitors Targeting Bacterial Cell Growth
Authors: Desai Janish , Wang Yang , Wang Ke , Malwal Satish R. , Oldfield Eric 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe synthesized potential inhibitors of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase (UPPS), or undecaprenyl diphosphate phosphatase (UPPP), and tested them in bacterial cell growth and enzyme inhibition assays. The most active compounds were found to be bisphosphonates with electron‐withdrawing aryl‐alkyl side chains which inhibited the growth of Gram‐negative bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at ∼1–4 μg mL−1 levels. They were found to be potent inhibitors of FPPS; cell growth was partially “rescued” by the addition of farnesol or overexpression of FPPS, and there was synergistic activity with known isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway inhibitors. Lipophilic hydroxyalkyl phosphonic acids inhibited UPPS and UPPP at micromolar levels; they were active (∼2–6 μg mL−1) against Gram‐positive but not Gram‐negative organisms, and again exhibited synergistic activity with cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors, but only indifferent effects with other inhibitors. The results are of interest because they describe novel inhibitors of FPPS, UPPS, and UPPP with cell growth inhibitory activities as low as ∼1–2 μg mL−1.
Si/SiOx‐Conductive Polymer Core‐Shell Nanospheres with an Improved Conducting Path Preservation for Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Park Eunjun , Kim Jeonghun , Chung Dong Jae , Park Min‐Sik , Kim Hansu , Kim Jung Ho 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNon‐stoichiometric SiOx based materials have gained much attention as high capacity lithium storage materials. However, their anode performance of these materials should be further improved for their commercial success. A conductive polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), is employed as a flexible electrical interconnector to improve the electrochemical performance of Si/SiOx nanosphere anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The resulting Si/SiOx‐PEDOT:PSS core–shell structured material with the small amount (1 wt %) of PEDOT:PSS shows the improved initial reversible capacity of 968.2 mA h g−1 with excellent long‐term cycle performance over 200 cycles. These promising properties can be attributed to the use of the electroconductive and flexible PEDOT:PSS shell layer, which protects the electrical conduction pathways in the electrode from the large volume changes of silicon during cycling.
Core–Shell‐Structured Tungsten Carbide Encapsulated within Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Spheres for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Han Lei , Xu Miao , Han Yujie , Yu You , Dong Shaojun 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIt is highly desirable and remains a great challenge to develop alternative hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts that are low‐cost, highly efficient, and exhibit excellent stability. In this work, we report the synthesis of tungsten carbide nanocrystallites encapsulated within nitrogen‐doped carbon (TCNC) spheres through in situ polymerization of dopamine with metatungstate followed by carburization under an inert atmosphere. During the in situ and confined carburization process, very small tungsten carbide nanocrystallites are obtained and uniformly dispersed in the simultaneously generated carbon matrix. Benefited from the unique structure and morphology, the resultant TCNC spheres exhibit high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability toward HER in both acidic and alkaline solutions.
Coastal connectivity and spatial subsidy from a microbial perspective
Authors: Säwström Christin , Hyndes Glenn A. , Eyre Bradley D. , Huggett Megan J. , Fraser Matthew W. , Lavery Paul S. , Thomson Paul G. , Tarquinio Flavia , Steinberg Peter D. , Laverock Bonnie 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe transfer of organic material from one coastal environment to another can increase production in recipient habitats in a process known as spatial subsidy. Microorganisms drive the generation, transformation, and uptake of organic material in shallow coastal environments, but their significance in connecting coastal habitats through spatial subsidies has received limited attention. We address this by presenting a conceptual model of coastal connectivity that focuses on the flow of microbially mediated organic material in key coastal habitats. Our model suggests that it is not the difference in generation rates of organic material between coastal habitats but the amount of organic material assimilated into microbial biomass and respiration that determines the amount of material that can be exported from one coastal environment to another. Further, the flow of organic material across coastal habitats is sensitive to environmental change as this can alter microbial remineralization and respiration rates. Our model highlights microorganisms as an integral part of coastal connectivity and emphasizes the importance of including a microbial perspective in coastal connectivity studies.
Eco‐hydraulic evaluation of herbaceous ecosystems below headwater dams without a base flow: Observing below dam reaches as new stream sources
Authors: Gomes Pattiyage I. A. , Wai Onyx W. H. , Yan Xu‐Feng 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe roles of headwater streams are usually underestimated and inadequately managed compared with the larger downstream river systems. This two and half‐year study covering several wet and dry seasons evaluated the impacts of small headwater dams without a base flow on downstream herbaceous dynamics. Results showed herb aerial cover and diversity below dams (new stream sources) are unique and different to original stream sources as well as to a comparable unregulated reach. The geomorphological habitats formed subsequent to damming did not show major influence on aerial cover of herbs; nevertheless, diversity showed a clear dependence. Downstream of dams were dominated by Acorus gramineus, which had >40% aerial cover, and this figure increased up to 60% within 2 years (in between a major flood event). Simultaneously, downstream herb diversity decreased by 33%. However, diversity and aerial cover of the unregulated reach and original sources remained more or less the same. Herb pulling tests (simulating an uprooting mechanism during a flood) showed A. gramineus can withstand an eightfold higher force than the other herbs, especially in concrete surfaces and rock/sand pools. The estimated shear force on bed during the major flood was several folds less than the observed. This suggests downstream of dams behave opposite to the conventional understanding that large floods are considered as an agent of restoration.
Winter severity modulates the benefits of using a habitat temporally uncoupled from browsing
Authors: Giroux Marie‐Andrée , Dussault Christian , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre , Côté Steeve D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractResources whose abundance is not affected by the density of the consumer population, namely donor‐controlled resources, are ubiquitous. Donor‐controlled resources can act as food subsidies when they sustain consumer populations at higher densities than what would be predicted without donor‐controlled dynamics. Herbivore populations that have access to food subsidies may reach and maintain high densities, with potential major ecological and economic consequences. A better understanding of the roles of food subsidies on temperate herbivores will likely be achieved by simultaneously taking into account other drivers of demographic variations such as winter severity. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the use of a donor‐controlled food resource that may act as a food subsidy, namely balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and winter severity act together to shape the patterns of overwinter mass loss in a large herbivore population (white‐tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus). We monitored weather conditions, diet, habitat use, and mass loss of female deer during two highly contrasted winters. During an exceptionally milder winter, characterized by shallower snow depth and warmer windchill temperatures, female deer shifted their diet toward resources usually covered by snow during typical winters. Surprisingly, the rate of body mass loss remained similar during the milder and the harsher winter. The rate of body mass loss rather decreased with the use of balsam fir stands during the harsher winter, but increased with that same variable during the milder winter. Our study revealed that deer can alleviate overwinter mass loss by using a donor‐controlled habitat type temporally uncoupled from browsing, but that this benefit is climate dependent. This study represents an additional step to address the largely unexplored concept of how temporal uncoupling between resources and consumer dynamics may contribute to sustain consumer populations at higher densities than predicted without considering donor‐controlled dynamics.
The impact of gender mismatching on early and late outcomes following heart transplantation
Authors: Peled Yael , Lavee Jacob , Arad Michael , Shemesh Yedida , Katz Moshe , Kassif Yigal , Asher Elad , Elian Dan , Har‐Zahav Yedael , Goldenberg Ilan , Freimark Dov 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimsThe role of donor/recipient gender matching on the long‐term rejection process and clinical outcomes following heart transplantation (HT) outcomes is still controversial. We aim to investigate the impact of gender matching on early and long‐term outcome HT.Methods and resultsThe study population comprised 166 patients who underwent HT between 1991 and 2013 and were prospectively followed up in a tertiary referral centre. Early and late outcomes were assessed by the type of donor–recipient gender match (primary analysis: female donor–male recipient [FD–MR, n = 36] vs. male donor–male recipient [MD–MR, n = 109]). Early mortality, need for inotropic support, length of hospital stay, and major perioperative adverse events did not differ between the FD–MR and MD–MR groups. However, the FD–MR group experienced significantly higher rates of early major rejections per patient as compared with the MD–MR group (1.2 ± 1.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0.8; P = 0.001), higher rates of overall major rejections (16 vs. 5.5 per 100 person years; P < 0.05), and higher rate of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (43% vs. 20%; P = 0.01). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative probabilities of survival free of rejections and major adverse events were significantly higher in MD–MR group (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that FD–MR status was associated with >2.5‐fold (P = 0.03) increase in the risk for rejections and with a >3‐fold (P = 0.01) increase in the risk for major adverse events during follow‐up.ConclusionsDonor–recipient gender mismatch is a powerful independent predictor of early and late rejections and long‐term major adverse events following HT.
Fatty acids, sterols and tocols in Irish barley varieties: Profiling and correlation analysis
Authors: Gangopadhyay Nirupama , Rai Dilip K. , Brunton Nigel P. , Gallagher Eimear , Harrison Sabine M. 
Published: August 2016

The objective of this study was determination and comparison of three types of lipophilic phytochemicals, fatty acids, phytosterols and tocols, in five wholegrain Irish barley varieties. Fatty acids and sterols were derivatised and analysed by gas chromatography, while tocols were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. The content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the varieties ranged between 442–2615 and 1200–1730 mg/100 g dw, respectively, indicating abundance of unsaturated fatty acids in barley. Linoleic acid was the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid. Phytosterols in the barley varieties ranged between 66 and 82 mg/100 g dw with β‐sitosterol being the most abundant sterol, while tocols ranged between 46 and 58 µg/g dw with α‐tocotrienol being the most abundant tocol homologue. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed interesting correlations between these phytochemicals. An evident relationship between the unsaturated fatty acids and some tocol homologues was observed. Sterols like β‐sitosterol and β‐sitostanol were negatively correlated with each other. PCA also indicated possible genotypic relationships between the barley varieties.Practical applications: Barley lipids serve as a considerable source of major fatty acids, phytosterols and tocols. By means of fractionation such as milling, enriched sources of these phytochemicals for use as ingredients in functional foods might be produced. Concurrent analysis of phytochemicals undertaken in this study, along with determination of correlations between them provides useful information to geneticists and plant breeders, in choosing specific varieties/genotypes and producing crossbreeds with improved levels of certain phytochemicals.Analysis of fatty acids, sterols and tocols in barley using chromatographic techniques, and determination of correlations between them by principal component analysis (PCA).
Developments in Structural Chemistry from the Viewpoint of a Solid‐state Chemist: A Review Prompted by the Sixtieth Anniversary of Professor Jack Dunitz's Research Group in the ETH, Zurich
Authors: Meurig Thomas John 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis reflective article begins with some examples of Jack Dunitz's contribution to structural chemistry and with his scientific and cultural influence on his contemporaries. There follows summarizing accounts of various highlights achieved by others in structural chemistry. The utility and impact of synchrotron radiation on the elucidation of nanoscale features of both inorganic and biological materials are outlined, as are some recent major advances achieved via various facets of electron microscopy.
Gas Chromatographic Enantiomer Separation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Methods, Metabolisms, Enantiomeric Composition in Environmental Samples and their Interpretation
Authors: Vetter Walter 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe year 2016 not only marks the 50th anniversary of the first successful discovery of gas chromatographic (GC) enantiomer separations in 1966 by Gil‐Av, but also the less appraised 50th anniversary of the discovery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment. This article reports on GC enantiomer separations of axially stable, chiral PCBs (PCB atropisomers) with modified cyclodextrins. Nineteen atropisomeric PCBs exist, but most data exists for four PCB atropisomers (PCB 95, PCB 132, PCB 149, and PCB 136), which can be resolved without significant coelutions on three columns coated with modified cyclodextrins. Nonracemic compositions of PCB atropisomers and their hydroxylated metabolites have been documented in various studies. However, the measured enantiomer fractions are currently difficult to interpret und understand. The most plausible reasons for these difficulties are discussed and interpreted with the help of selected examples from the literature.
Characteristics of water and droplet size distribution from fluidic sprinklers
Authors: Liu Junping , Yuan Shouqi , Darko Ransford Opoku 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA new prototype of fluidic sprinkler (PXH) is proposed and its working theory is reported. The hydraulic performance of four different types of sprinkler head (PXH, PY, Toro S 800 and RainBird S 3504) was compared at the same operating pressure. Meanwhile, PXHs with nozzle diameters of 4, 6 and 8 mm were tested to establish a mathematical model of water distribution and droplet diameter. The results show that the PXH produces the longest wetted radius, potentially due to its unique working principles. The PXH exhibits optimal water distribution performance because the air in the nozzle destroys the fluid structure of the water jet. The PXH results in the smallest droplet diameter, which transfers less kinetic energy to the soil. The results from the empirical equations of a distribution model from the PXH were plotted against actual values to obtain regressions, with coefficients of determination ranging from 95.1 to 98.8%. The droplet size model was determined by fitting the experimental results obtained using different operating pressures and nozzle diameters. The model was verified using the experimental results of six cases with different droplet diameters. The average relative error between the predicted and measured droplet diameters was 4.6%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promoter optimisation of lentiviral vectors for efficient insulin gene expression in canine mesenchymal stromal cells: potential surrogate beta cells
Authors: Gautam Pratigya , Recino Asha , Foale Robert D. , Zhao Jing , Gan Shu Uin , Wallberg Maja , Calne Roy , Lever Andrew M.L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe lack of an ideal cell type that can be easily acquired, modified to produce insulin, and re‐implanted has been a limitation for ex vivo insulin gene therapy. Canine diabetes is currently treated with human insulin and is a good model for human diabetes. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising candidate cell type for gene therapy. In the present study, we optimised insulin production using lentiviral transduced canine MSCs (cMSCs), aiming to evaluate their ability for use as surrogate beta cells.MethodsCanine MSCs were derived from bone marrow and validated by measuring the expression of MSC lineage specific markers. Lentivirus vectors encoding the proinsulin gene (with or without a Kozak sequence) under the control of spleen focus forming virus, cytomegalovirus, elongation factor 1α and simian virus 40 promotors were generated and used to transduce primary cMSCs and a hepatocyte cell line. The insulin‐producing capacity of transduced primary cMSCs was assessed by measuring the concentration of C‐peptide produced.ResultsPrimary cMSC could be readily expanded in culture and efficiently transduced using lentiviral vectors encoding proinsulin. Increasing the multiplicity of infection from 3 to 20 led to an increase in C‐peptide secretion (from 1700 to 4000 pmol/l). The spleen focus forming virus promoter conferred the strongest transcriptional ability.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that optimised lentiviral transduction of the insulin gene into primary cMSCs renders these cells capable of secreting insulin over both the short‐ and long‐term, in sufficient quantities in vitro to support their potential use in insulin gene therapy.
High‐resolution records of climate change in arid eastern central Asia during MIS 3 (51 600–25 300 cal a BP) from Wulungu Lake, north‐western China
Authors: Zhang Xiaonan , Zhou Aifeng , Zhang Can , Hao Shengtun , Zhao Yongtao , An Chengbang 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTDetailed records of climate change during the Last Glaciation in arid central Asia are scarce. Here we present a sedimentological and geochemical record from Wulungu Lake in north‐western China, providing the first high‐resolution, continuous sedimentary records in this region covering Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (51 600–25 300 cal a BP). High lake power (end‐member 2 values) and bioproductivity concurrent with low terrigenous clastic input unanimously indicate high lake water levels during 46 180–39 770, 31 680–30 080 and 27 780–26 540 cal a BP, and moderately wet conditions during 51 600–46 180 and 39 770–31 680 cal a BP. The lake attained its lowest water levels after 30 080 cal a BP. Few dry events characterized by high pool power (end‐member 3 values) and terrigenous input are documented for the studied interval and three of them are correlative with Heinrich events 5–3. Our study supports the hypothesis for a positive Northern Hemisphere July insolation anomaly which increased the temperature gradient between low and high latitudes, increasing the strength of Westerlies and increasing sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic, resulting in more moisture transported to arid central Asian by Westerlies.