bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasible sampling plan for Bemisia tabaci control decision‐making in watermelon fields
Authors: Lima Carlos HO , Sarmento Renato A , Pereira Poliana S , Galdino Tarcísio VS , Santos Fábio A , Silva Joedna , Picanço Marcelo C 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important pests of watermelon fields worldwide. Conventional sampling plans are the starting point for the generation of decision‐making systems of integrated pest management programs. The aim of this study was to determine a conventional sampling plan for B. tabaci in watermelon fields.RESULTSThe optimal leaf for B. tabaci adult sampling was the 6th most apical leaf. Direct counting was the best pest sampling technique. Crop pest densities fitted the negative binomial distribution and had a common aggregation parameter (Kcommon). The sampling plan consisted of evaluating 103 samples per plot. This sampling plan was conducted for 56 min, costing US$ 2.22 per sampling and with a 10% maximum evaluation error.CONCLUSIONSThe sampling plan determined in this study can be adopted by farmers because it enables the adequate evaluation of B. tabaci populations in watermelon fields (10% maximum evaluation error) and is a low‐cost (US$ 2.22 per sampling), fast (56 min per sampling) and feasible (because it may be used in a standardized way throughout the crop cycle) technique. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Explaining geographic patterns of small group internal migration
Authors: Sapiro Philip 
Published: May 2017

AbstractInternal migration plays a key role in shaping the demographic characteristics of areas. In this paper, data from the 2011 England and Wales census are used to assess the geographic patterns of migration for 4 small cultural groups that each constitute about 0.5% of the population—Arabs, Chinese, Jews, and Sikhs—with a White British “benchmark” group. It examines the sensitivity of the scale of intercommunity moves to distance, having controlled for other migrant characteristics, through the development of spatial interaction models. The analysis finds that, where a choice exists, Jews are more averse to making a longer move than other small groups, all of whom favour shorter moves than the White British. The paper also investigates the influence of origin location and socioeconomic characteristics on the choice of migration destination using multinomial logistic regression. It finds that the influence of student status, age, qualifications, and home tenure vary by group though a number of patterns are shared between groups. Finally, it probes the presence in these smaller groups of patterns found historically in the wider population, such as counter‐urbanisation. Overall, this paper broadens the understanding of minority group migration patterns by examining, for the first time, Arabs (identified separately only in the 2011 census) and 2 groups based on religion (Jews and Sikhs) and by revisiting, with new questions, the White British and Chinese groups using the latest census data.
Urban growth, population, and recession: Unveiling multiple spatial patterns of demographic indicators in a Mediterranean City
Authors: Salvati Luca , Carlucci Margherita 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecessions have traditionally influenced population dynamics, leading to increasing social disparities and a polarised distribution of economic activities. This study identifies differences in short‐term demographic trends before and during the 2007 recession in a metropolitan area of southern Europe. Using vital statistics, indicators were calculated over two distinct time intervals representative of expansion (2000–2007) and recession (2008–2014) waves in Athens, Greece, at the spatial scale of municipalities. Local‐scale changes in population dynamics were considered key indicators to evaluate the crisis' impact on recent urban transformations. Demographic polarisations in urban and rural areas have progressively increased the gap between wealthy and economically disadvantaged districts. In Athens, short‐term population dynamics were influenced by a combination of socioeconomic factors and processes acting at different spatial scales due to suburbanisation, recession, and demographic transition. As a result, the use of nonlinear analysis proves to be a useful tool to investigate urban systems in their complexity and supports the debate over the future development of contemporary cities.
Electronic structure of graphene: (Nearly) free electron bands versus tight‐binding bands
Authors: Kogan E. , Silkin V. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn our previous paper [Phys. Rev. B 89, 165430 (2014)] we have found that in graphene, in distinction to the four occupied bands, which can be described by the simple tight‐binding model (TBM) with four atomic orbitals per atom, the two lowest lying at the ‐point unoccupied bands (one of them of a type and the other of a type) can not be described by such model. In the present work, we suggest a minimalistic model for these two bands, based on (nearly) free electron model (FEM), which correctly describes the symmetry of these bands, their dispersion law and their localization with respect to the graphene plane.
An adaptive calibration and beamforming technique for a GEO satellite data relay
Authors: Winterstein Andreas , Greda Lukasz A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryHigh throughput data links from low Earth orbit satellites through a geostationary orbit satellite data relay have been proposed to increase the available contact times to ground stations. Accurate antenna beam pointing and tracking of moving targets are key requirements for the relay satellite. In this work, we propose an adaptive calibration and beamforming methodology on the basis of least mean squares, which is suitable for a geostationary orbit data relay. The target system consists of the combination of a high gain reflector fed by a digitally steerable patch antenna array. The proposed method is first presented by numerical cosimulation of the antenna and the calibration algorithm. The results are then validated in an outdoor experimental setup with all digital signal processing implemented in a field‐programmable gate array. We demonstrate the tracking ability and pointing performance of the digitally enhanced reflector antenna with gain fluctuations smaller than 3 dB over a field of view of at least 2,5°. The demonstrated performance shows that the digitally enhanced reflector antenna is a suitable candidate for long‐distance space communications.
The pH dependent interaction between nicotine and simulated pulmonary surfactant monolayers with associated molecular modelling
Authors: Davies Michael J. , Leach Andrew G. , Fullwood Danielle , Mistry Dinesh , Hope Alexandra 
Published: May 2017

Pulmonary surfactant is an endogenous material that lines and stabilises the alveolar air–liquid interface. Respiratory mechanics can be compromised by exposure to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, which contains nicotine. This study aims to determine the influence of nicotine on the activity of simulated lung surfactant at pH 7 and pH 9. In all cases, the addition of nicotine to the test zone caused deviation in surfactant film performance. Importantly, the maximum surface pressure was reduced for each system. Computational modelling was applied to assess key interactions between each species, with the Gaussian 09 software platform used to calculate electrostatic potential surfaces. Modelling data confirmed either nicotine penetration into the two‐dimensional structure or interfacial/electrostatic interactions across the underside. The results obtained from this study suggest that nicotine can impair the ability of pulmonary surfactant to reduce the surface tension term, which can increase the work of breathing. When extrapolated to gross lung function, alveolar collapse and respiratory disease (e.g. chronic airway obstruction) may result. The delivery of nicotine to the (deep) lung can cause a deterioration in lung function and lead to reduced quality of life. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Electrical Charge Storage in Polymer‐Carbon Quantum Dot Composite
Authors: Ambasankar K. N. , Bhattacharjee Lopamudra , Jat Sanjeev K. , Bhattacharjee Rama R. , Mohanta Kallol 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNovel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with unexplored potential, are interesting nanomaterials for electronic investigations. Formation of surface defect sites in these Q‐dots is a consequence of combinations of various carbon hybridizations. In this work nanocomposites of CQDs with an electronically inert polymer, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), have been electrically characterized. The electronic properties were observed to be tunable by compositions of component materials. A detail conduction mechanism of charge storage within composites’ layer has been worked out. The dielectric properties of composites are observed to be dependent on morphologies developed from segregation of CQDs within composites. The composites possess improved dielectric properties compared to individual component materials. Simulation of the dielectric properties reveals that the nanocomposites actually derive qualities of its’ component materials.
A Molecular Electron Density Theory Study of [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction between Azomethine Ylides and Electron‐Deficient Nitroalkenes
Authors: Emamian Saeedreza 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of an azomethine ylide namely (S,E)‐3‐benzylidene‐2‐(tert‐butyl)‐1‐methyl‐5‐oxoimidazolidin‐3‐ium‐4‐ide, AZY6, toward a highly electron‐deficient ethylene derivative namely (E)‐(2‐nitrovinyl)benzene, NVB7, was theoretically studied at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) computational level. This 32CA reaction takes place with a total regio‐ and stereoselectivity, and with a very low activation enthalpy, 4.2 kcal/mol, as a consequence of high pseudodiradical character of AZY6. Analysis of the conceptual density functional theory (DFT) reactivity indices allows explaining the high reactivity of AZY6 and NVB7, as well as the total regioselectivity experimentally observed. Both analyses of the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps as well as non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) allow explaining the endo stereoselectivity. An electron localization function (ELF) topological analysis of selected points along the most favorable reactive channels allows establishing the non‐concerted two‐stage one‐step molecular mechanism.
One–step Synthesis of MnO/Ni Nanoparticles Anchored on Porous Nitrogen–doped Carbons from Melamine Foam and Electrocatalytic Study towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Li Haibo , Ren Cancan , Zhang Rui , Li Rui , Xu Shuling , Wang Lei , Qu Konggang , Kang Wenjun , Wang Huaisheng , Yang Shiliu , Yu Yang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe exploration of non‐noble metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance in energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells and metal‐air batteries. In this work, a hybrid catalyst composed of MnO/Ni nanoparticles anchored on porous branched nitrogen‐doped carbons (MnO/Ni@BNCs) were prepared by direct pyrolyzing melamine foams containing Mn(II) and Ni (II) ions at 800 °C under N2 atmosphere. On the basis of electrochemical tests, it was found that the MnO/Ni@BNCs hybrid catalyst showed a high efficient four‐electron catalytic pathway towards ORR and gave a low yield of H2O2 (< 7.53 %). It also exhibited a good catalytic stability and methanol tolerance, exceeding the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The excellent catalytic performance was attributed to the synergetic effect between high catalytic activity of MnO and high electrical conductivity of Ni. Furthermore, the high surface area and porous structure characters of carbon support, which partially inherited the microstructure of melamine foam, also benefited the electron transfer and reactive species transformation during ORR process.
Chemical and Biological Pretreatments on Sugarcane Bagasse to Enhance its Enzymatic Hydrolysis.
Authors: Hernández Christian A. , Ziarelli Fabio , Gaime Isabelle , Farnet Da Silva Anne Marie , García Gabriela , García‐Pérez José A. , Gutiérrez‐Rivera Beatriz , Alarcón Enrique 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlkaline and biological lignocellulose pre‐treatments are commonly used to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis and improve ethanol production. In this study, 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy was used to describe changes in sugarcane bagasse (SCB) pre‐treated with NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and with Pycnoporus sanguineus. Changes in the contents of alkyl C, Carboxyl C, Aromatic C (tertiary, quaternary and p‐hydroxyphenyl C), O‐alkyl C, amino acids, ergosterol and chitin, as well as in the crystallinity index of cellulose were observed. Through a multivariate analysis, relations between changes in the chemical composition of SCB and enzymatic hydrolysis were established. P. sanguineus promotes better lignin decay, glucose release and hydrolysis yields than chemical pre‐treatments, and increases the amount of amino acids and ergosterol in SCB, while NaOH increases the cellulose crystallinity index. The hydrolysates were fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 96 h, and analysed through HPLC. The initial composition of the hydrolysates [mg.ml−1] and biomass production (cells.ml−1) were then related to the ethanol production and fermentation yields. We found that ethanol production and fermentation yields were negatively correlated with cell growth in Saccharomyces, but positively correlated with glucose consumption in the P. sanguineus pre‐treatment. We conclude that the biological pre‐treatment using P. sanguineus in the conditions hereby described, has a potential to increase ethanol productivity.
Rapid, Trace‐Level Ammonia Gas Sensor Based on Surface‐Engineered Ag Nanoclusters@Polyaniline/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Insights into Their Mechanistic Pathways
Authors: Abdulla Sukhananazerin , Ponnuvelu Dinesh V. , Pullithadathil Biji 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAn ultrasensitive and selective chemiresistive sensor interface based on Ag nanocluster integrated polyaniline functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs) has been developed for trace‐level detection of NH3 gas at room temperature. AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs was synthesized using surfactant‐free, one‐pot wet‐chemical process, by controlled integration of active Ag sites onto MWCNTs. The structure and morphology of AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite have been extensively studied by various characterization techniques. The gas sensing properties of AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite towards trace‐level concentrations NH3 (2‐10 ppm), an important biomarker in exhaled human breath, was systematically evaluated. The sensor exhibited dramatic enhancement in the sensor response (26 %), fast response (∼5 s) and recovery (∼4 s) characteristics with good reproducibility and selectivity upon exposure to NH3 gas. The excellent performance of the sensor towards NH3 could be attributed to the rapid electronic sensitization of surface engineered active AgNC sites in the composite in which oxidized AgNC were found to play a critical role. Effect of humidity and the kinetics of the NH3 gas adsorption on nanocomposite were analyzed. The possible interactions between NH3 and AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite were discussed. This investigation can pave the way to novel strategies for designing and fabricating low‐cost, high performance NH3 gas sensors for clinical breath analyzer application.
Lettuce–like, Hierarchically Porous and Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Catalyst: As a Superb non‐Precious‐Metal Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst in both Alkaline and Acidic Media
Authors: Yang Yan , Zhao Ling , Hu Xiaoli , Guan Yue , Xue Juanhong , Zhu Zhen , Cui Lili 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA new kind of N‐doped, hierarchically porous carbon catalyst (NHPC) derived from N‐rich space network polymers coupled with plenteous metal‐coordination sites was designed and controllably synthesized by exploiting nano‐SiO2 as a hard‐template and pyrolyzing strategy. The characterization result demonstrates that NHPC pyrolyzed at 900 oC exhibits a hierarchically lettuce‐like architecture with high surface area (2112 m2 g−1). Remarkably, the porosity structure and specific surface area (SSA) can be accessibly tailored by adjusting the density of porosity. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic activity are strongly dependent on these properties. Benefiting from the balance of high SSA, channel structures, chemical compositions and conductivity, NHPC obtained at 900 oC shows high active for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), along with excellent durability, equivalently performing the advanced Pt/C catalyst in both alkaline and acidic circumstance. The onset and half‐wave potentials of NHPC‐1:0.25‐900 display 0.97 and 0.86 V vs RHE for onset potential and half‐wave potential in alkaline medium, together with 0.85 and 0.69 V vs RHE in acidic medium.
A Simple Approach to Achieve Self‐Buffering Protic Ionic Liquid‐Water Mixtures
Authors: Han Qi , Wang Xungai , Byrne Nolene 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIonic liquid (IL)‐water mixtures have drawn increasing attention in a range of applications ranging from chemical synthesis and separation to bioscience and energy applications. The acid‐basic nature of ILs is often an important property to be considered when selecting and designing ILs. Herein, we evaluated this IL property by correlating the stoichiometry of a protic IL and pH of IL‐water mixtures. We then developed a simple method to achieve self‐buffering protic IL‐water mixtures by titrating buffering agents. The rule of buffering protic IL‐water mixtures was proposed to be linearly related to pIL ion concentration and correlated with ionicity. Through this approach, self‐buffering capability can be achieved in protic IL‐water mixtures without significantly changing the ion concentration.
A Simple and Sensitive 19F NMR Approach for Studying the Interaction of RNA G‐Quadruplex with Ligand Molecule and Protein
Authors: Bao Hong‐Liang , Ishizuka Takumi , Iwanami Ayaka , Oyoshi Takanori , Xu Yan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA recent finding demonstrated that telomere DNA is transcribed into telomeric repeat‐containing RNA (referred to as TERRA) in mammalian cells. The existence of TERRA RNA may reveal a new level of regulation and protection of chromosome ends that could promote valuable insight into fundamental biological processes such as cancer and aging. Revealing the structure and function of telomere RNA will be essential for understanding telomere biology and telomere‐related diseases. In fact, others and we have shown that human telomere RNA forms G‐quadruplex structures by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. In the present study, we employed the 19F NMR spectroscopy to investigate the interaction of RNA G‐quadruplex with ligand molecule and protein. We showed that 19F NMR analysis of telomere RNA is useful for identifying the binding of RNA G‐quadruplex with ligand molecule. We further demonstrated that 19F NMR can be used to monitor the interaction of RNA G‐quadruplex and the telomeric protein TRF2.
Flexibility Due to Abstraction and Decomposition
Authors: Broniatowski David A. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTFlexibility is a major concern in engineering design. This paper examines two complementary approaches to designing flexibility into engineering systems. One approach, based on system decomposition, emphasizes a one‐to‐one mapping between form and function, as in modular designs. The second approach decouples form from function, enabling a many‐to‐many mapping, as in layered designs. These approaches need not be mutually exclusive; rather, they can be synergistic. These claims are examined using simulated intermodal freight shipping networks. Results show that systems relying on decomposition are especially sensitive to disruptions. In contrast, systems relying on abstraction are less sensitive to disruption as long as rates of change in the environment are low; however, they are also less able to respond to unmet demand. Given enough resources, systems using both approaches can respond both to disruptions and unmet demand. Implications for system design are discussed.
A study on the Requirements to Support the Accurate Prediction of Engineering Change Propagation
Authors: Koh Edwin C. Y. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThis paper builds on previous work in the area of design representation to identify the types of modeling information required to support the accurate prediction of engineering change propagation during the design of complex engineering systems. It uses the Function–Behavior–Structure (FBS) framework as a basis to examine how engineering changes can occur and how they may subsequently propagate. It was revealed that the relationship between change requirements and product components, the functional dependencies between product components, the behavioral dependencies between product components, and the structural dependencies between product components are all essential modeling information that need to be considered to fully describe the propagation of engineering changes. The essential modeling information identified can serve as modeling requirements to support the development of change prediction methods. In this work, three example design methods were discussed to examine the feasibility of using the modeling requirements for method evaluation. It was concluded that the level of accuracy achievable depends on the design context and hence a direct comparison between methods developed for different design contexts may not be meaningful. This suggests that accuracy should not be used as the sole criterion to evaluate change prediction methods.
Wind tunnel test and field measurement study of wind effects on a 600‐m‐high super‐tall building
Authors: Zhang J.W. , Li Q.S. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryPing An Finance Center with a height of 600 m and 118 storeys, located in Shenzhen, is currently the second tallest building in China. This paper presents a comprehensive study of wind effects on the supertall building through wind tunnel testing and field measurement. The wind‐induced loads and pressures on the skyscraper were measured by high‐frequency force balance technique and synchronous multipressure sensing system, respectively. In the wind tunnel study, a whole range of characteristic properties, including mean and r.m.s force coefficients, power spectral densities, coherences, correlations, and phase‐plane trajectories, wind‐induced displacement, and acceleration responses were presented and discussed. In addition, a field measurement study of the dynamic responses of Ping An Finance Center was conducted during a tropical cyclone, which aimed to verify the design assumptions and further the understanding of the dynamic properties and performance of the 600‐m‐high supertall building, including natural frequencies, damping ratios, and wind‐induced structural responses. Then, the serviceability of the skyscraper is assessed on the basis of the experimental results and field measurements. The outcomes of this combined model test and field measurement study are expected to be useful for the wind‐resistant design of future supertall buildings.