bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement in a cloud data center
Authors: Zhou Ao , Wang Shangguang , Hsu Ching‐Hsien , Kim Myung Ho , Wong Kok‐seng 
Published: August 2017

SummaryCloud has become a very popular infrastructure for many smart city applications. A growing number of smart city applications from all over the world are deployed on the clouds. However, node failure events from the cloud data center have negative impact on the performance of smart city applications. Survivable virtual machine placement has been proposed by the researchers to enhance the service reliability. Because of the ignorance of switch failure, current survivable virtual machine placement approaches cannot achieve the best effect. In this paper, we study to enhance the service reliability by designing a novel network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement approach in a cloud data center. Firstly, we formulate the network failure–aware redundant virtual machine placement problem as an integer nonlinear programming problem and prove that the problem is NP‐hard. Secondly, we propose a heuristic algorithm to solve the problem. Finally, extensive simulation results show the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Bi2MoO6 Nanostrip Networks for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CH4
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Li Liang , Han Qiutong , Tang Lanqin , Chen Xingyu , Hu Jianqiang , Li Zhaosheng , Zhou Yong , Liu Junming , Zou Zhigang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA three‐dimensional Bi2MoO6 nanostrip architecture was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using sodium oleate as a surfactant. The generated Bi2MoO6 nanostrips intercross with each other to form a unique network structure with a band gap of 2.92 eV, corresponding to visible‐light wavelength. Time‐evolution experiments reveal the formation mechanism of the Bi2MoO6 network. The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4 catalyzed by the Bi2MoO6 architecture was evaluated and compared with the process catalyzed by a Bi2MoO6 nanoplate analogue synthesized in the absence of sodium oleate as well as with the solid‐state reaction. The Bi2MoO6 nanostrips exhibit the best photocatalytic activity, which can be attributed to their high specific surface area, high light‐absorption intensity, suitable thickness for fast charge‐carrier migration, and the presence of pores for reactant transport.
Preparation of Whitening Dihydrate Gypsum and Short Columnar α‐Hemihydrate Gypsum with FGD Gypsum
Authors: Shao Duoduo , Zhao Bin , Gao Lili , Xu Yiyi , Wang Zhiguang , Cao Jilin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUsing FGD gypsum as the raw material, whitening and large prismatic dihydrate gypsum can be obtained by dissolution‐crystallization and decoloring process with α‐hemihydrate gypsum whiskers prepared in MgSO4‐CaCl2‐H2O solution, which can transform into whitening short columnar α‐hemihydrate gypsum. The effects of aging temperature, pH, dosage of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), time on composition and morphology of products were investigated. The research shows that: whitening and large prismatic dihydrate gypsum with average length of 350μm and the whiteness of 82.57% can be obtained with 6g SDS (mass ratio of SDS/FGD gypsum was 1.2) addition and pH of 8 after 3.5h under 60°C. The effects of different morphologies of dihydrate gypsum on α‐hemihydrate gypsum were discussed, which indicates that granularity and morphology of α‐hemihydrate gypsum are directly related to dihydrate gypsum. And short columnar α‐hemihydrate gypsum with the length of 100μm and the whiteness of 85.68% can be prepared by dihydrate gypsum obtained under optimum conditions mentioned above.
Modelling the effects of spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation in extinction probability on mosquito populations
Authors: Alcalay Yehonatan , Tsurim Ido , Ovadia Ofer 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSpatial synchrony plays an important role in dictating the dynamics of spatial and stage‐structured populations. Here we argue that, unlike the Moran effect where spatial synchrony is driven by exogenous factors, spatial correlation in intrinsic/local‐scale processes can affect the level of spatial synchrony among distinct sub‐populations, and therefore the persistence of the entire population. To explore this mechanism, we modelled the consequences of spatial heterogeneity in aquatic habitat quality, and that of temporal variation in local extinction probability, on the persistence of stage‐structured mosquito populations. As a model system, we used two widely distributed mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens, both key vectors of a range of infectious diseases. Spatial heterogeneity in aquatic habitat quality led to increased population persistence, and this pattern was more pronounced at intermediate dispersal rates, and in the long‐dispersing species (C. pipiens). The highest regional persistence was obtained at high dispersal rates. This is probably because dispersal, in our model, did not carry any additional costs. Population persistence of both species was negatively correlated with increased temporal variation in local extinction probability. These differences were stronger in the short‐dispersing species (A. albopictus), especially at intermediate dispersal rates. The dispersal of A. albopictus adults in each time step was limited to the nearest habitat patches, weakening the positive effect of spatial heterogeneity in aquatic habitat quality on population persistence. In contrast, C. pipiens adults could disperse into more remote sub‐populations, resulting in much higher recolonization rates. Hence, the negative effect of temporal variation in local extinction probability on patch occupancy disappeared at intermediate dispersal rates. We suggest that effectively controlling these two mosquito species requires making few spatially synchronized control efforts (i.e., generating high temporal variation in local extinction probability), rather than many asynchronized local control efforts. Finally, our model can be easily fitted to other organisms characterized by complex life cycles, and it can be also used to examine alternative scenarios, including the effect of spatial configuration of local habitat patches and dispersal kernel shape on population persistence.
Negative affect and binge eating: Reconciling differences between two analytic approaches in ecological momentary assessment research
Authors: Berg Kelly C. , Cao Li , Crosby Ross D. , Engel Scott G. , Peterson Carol B. , Crow Scott J. , Le Grange Daniel , Mitchell James E. , Lavender Jason M. , Durkin Nora , Wonderlich Stephen A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveEcological momentary assessment (EMA) research has produced contradictory findings regarding the trajectory of negative affect after binge‐eating episodes. Given the clinical implications, the objective of the current study was to reconcile these inconsistencies by comparing the two most commonly employed statistical approaches used to analyze these data.MethodData from two EMA studies were analyzed separately. Study 1 included 118 adult females with full‐ or subthreshold DSM‐IV anorexia nervosa. Study 2 included 131 adult females with full‐threshold DSM‐IV bulimia nervosa. For each dataset, the single most proximal negative affect ratings preceding and following a binge‐eating episode were compared. The times at which these ratings were made, relative to binge‐eating episodes, were also compared.ResultsThe results indicate that the average proximal pre‐binge ratings of negative affect were significantly higher than the average proximal post‐binge ratings of negative affect. However, results also indicate that the average proximal post‐binge ratings of negative affect were made significantly closer in time to the binge‐eating episodes (∼20 min post‐binge) than the average proximal pre‐binge ratings of negative affect (∼2.5 hr pre‐binge). A graphical representation of the results demonstrates that the average proximal pre‐binge and post‐binge ratings map closely onto the results of previous studies.DiscussionThese data provide one possible explanation for the inconsistent findings regarding the trajectory of negative affect after binge eating. Moreover, they suggest that the findings from previous studies are not necessarily contradictory, but may be complementary, and appear to bolster support for the affect regulation model of binge eating.
Insights into the Vitis complex in the Danube floodplain (Austria)
Authors: Arnold Claire , Bachmann Olivier , Schnitzler Annik 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEuropean grapevine populations quickly disappeared from most of their range, massively killed by the spread of North American grapevine pests and diseases. Nowadays taxonomic pollution represents a new threat. A large Vitis complex involves escaped cultivars, rootstocks, and wild grapevines. The study aimed to provide insight into the Vitis complex in the Danube region through field and genetic analyses. Among the five other major rivers in Europe which still host wild grapevine populations, the Danube floodplain is the only one benefiting from an extensive protected forest area (93 km²) and an relatively active dynamic flood pulse. The Donau‐Auen National Park also regroups the largest wild grapevine population in Europe. Ninety‐two percent of the individuals collected in the park were true wild grapevines, and 8% were hybrids and introgressed individuals of rootstocks, wild grapevines, and cultivars. These three groups are interfertile acting either as pollen donor or receiver. Hybrids were established within and outside the dykes, mostly in anthropized forest edges. The best‐developed individuals imply rootstock genes. They establish in the most erosive parts of the floodplain. 42% of the true wild grapevines lived at the edges of forest/meadow, 33.3% at the edges forest/channels, and 23.9% in forest gaps. DBH (Diameter Breast Height) varied significantly with the occurrence of flooding. Clones were found in both true wild and hybrids/introgressed grapevines. The process of cloning seemed to be prevented in places where flooding dynamics is reduced. The current global distribution of true wild grapevines shows a strong tendency toward clustering, in sites where forestry practices were the most extensive. However, the reduced flooding activity is a danger for long‐term sustainability of the natural wild grapevine population.
Quantifying ecosystem service trade‐offs for plantation forest management to benefit provisioning and regulating services
Authors: Dai Er‐fu , Wang Xiao‐li , Zhu Jian‐jia , Xi Wei‐min 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThere is increasing interest worldwide regarding managing plantation forests in a manner that maintains or improves timber production, enhances ecosystem services, and promotes long‐term sustainability of forest resources. We selected the Gan River Basin, the largest catchment of Poyang Lake and a region with a typical plantation distribution in South China, as the study region. We evaluated and mapped four important forest ecosystem services, including wood volume, carbon storage, water yield, and soil retention at a 30 × 30 m resolution, then quantified their trade‐offs and synergies at the county and subwatershed scales. We found that the wood volume and carbon storage services, as well as the soil retention and water yield, exhibited synergistic relationships. However, the carbon storage displayed a trade‐off relationship with the water yield. Additionally, we compared the beneficial spatial characteristics among dominant species in the study region. The results showed that the Chinese fir forest and the pine forest exhibited lower overall benefits than natural forests including the broad‐leaved forest and the bamboo forest. To propose a suitable management strategy for the study region, method of spatial cluster analysis was used based on the four eco‐services at the subwatershed scale. The basin was divided into four management groups instead of treating the region as a homogenous management region. Finally, we proposed more specific and diverse management strategies to optimize forest benefits throughout the entire region.
A covalent capillary coating of diazoresin and polyglycerol dendrimer for protein analysis using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Yu Bing , Wang Minghong , Cong Hailin , Li Guoling 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOvercoming proteins adsorption on the inner surface of capillary has attracted increasing attention recently. By using the unique photochemistry reaction of diazoresin (DR), a new covalent capillary coating was prepared on the fused‐silica capillary through layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of DR with polyglycerol (PG) dendrimer. The separation performance of covalently DR/PG‐dendrimer coated capillary noticeably exceeded the bare capillary and the noncovalently linked DR/PG‐dendrimer capillary. A baseline separation of lysozyme, myoglobin, bovine serum albumin, and ribonuclease A was achieved using CE within 20 min. Besides, the covalently linked DR/PG‐dendrimer coating has the remarkable stability and reproducibility. Especially, compared with the traditional method which use highly toxic and moisture‐sensitive silane coupling agent, this method seems to be a simple and environmental friendly way to prepare the covalently coated capillaries for CE.
Carbon Derived from Pine Needles as a Na+‐Storage Electrode Material in Dual‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Zheng Cheng , Qi Li , Wang Hongyu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPine needles are used as the precursor material to prepare hard carbon. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption–desorption tests are carried out to characterize the surface, crystal, and pore structure of the material. The pine needle derived carbon (PNC) exhibits excellent Na‐ion storage ability. A dual‐ion battery of PNC/graphite using a Na+‐based organic electrolyte is constructed. The batteries display outstanding electrochemical performance: a superior energy density (200 Wh kg−1 at 131 W kg−1), high cut‐off voltage (4.7 V), and outstanding cycling stability (87.2% retention after 1000 cycles). In addition, the separate responses of the cathode and anode are investigated.
Struvite precipitation and COD reduction in a two‐step treatment of olive mill wastewater
Authors: Pantziaros Alexis G , Jaho Sofia , Karga Isidora , Iakovides Iakovos C , Koutsoukos Petros G , Paraskeva Christakis A 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn the present work, a combination of several physicochemical methods has been applied aiming at recovering phosphorus from olive mill wastewater (OMW) in the form of struvite (NH4MgPO4·6H2O, MAP) and at the same time achieving reduction of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the wastes. Phosphorus is a valuable raw material used for the production of fertilizers and numerous other products.RESULTSThe experiments were conducted in a two‐stage process, over a pH range between 5 and 10. The first step consisted of a batch process, in which MgCl2 or MgSO4 were used as coagulants of suspended particles of the OMW. During the second step, a nitrogen source (NH4OH(aq)) was added to the supernatant and solid precipitation took place without delay. The measured COD values of the fluid phase of the OMW was reduced by up to 73% of the initial value, while the final crystalline product consisted of a mixture of struvite and dittmarite (NH4MgPO4·H2O).CONCLUSIONOver 90% dissolved phosphorus recovery from OMW samples in the form of struvite was achieved through the application of a two‐step process together with a significant reduction of the COD of initial raw wastewaters. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Oxalate degradation by alkaliphilic biofilms acclimatised to nitrogen‐supplemented and nitrogen‐deficient conditions
Authors: Weerasinghe Mohottige Tharanga N , Cheng Ka Yu , Kaksonen Anna H , Sarukkalige Ranjan , Ginige Maneesha P 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDSodium oxalate is a key organic contaminant in alumina industry, which diminishes process yields and product quality. Given that Bayer process liquor is typically deficient in nitrogen (N), there is external supplementation of N in current full‐scale biological treatment processes. This study, for the first time, examines oxalate degradation under N deficient conditions using two parallel biofilm‐reactors, one N‐supplemented and the other under N‐deficient conditions. Oxalate degradation rates and oxygen uptake rates (OUR) were determined at different bulk water dissolved oxygen (DO) set‐points.RESULTSThe results revealed that oxalate removal rates (33–111 mg h‐1 g‐1biomass) linearly correlate with OUR (0–70 mg O2 h‐1 g‐1biomass) in the N‐supplemented reactor. However, in the N‐deficient reactor, a linear increase of oxalate removal was recorded only with DO up to 3 mg L‐1. Surprisingly, anaerobic oxalate removal was evident even in the presence of DO (up to 8 mg L‐1) in both reactors. Further elucidation revealed formate, acetate and methane by‐products during anaerobic oxalate removal in both reactors.CONCLUSIONThis study revealed the feasibility of aerobic oxalate oxidation and fermentation under alkaline and N‐deficient conditions. Further, this study confirms the critical role of DO in aerobic oxalate biodegradation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimization of sulfide‐based autotrophic denitrification process in an anaerobic baffled reactor
Authors: Duyar Ahmet , Ozdemir Sebnem , Akman Dilek , Akgul Vildan , Sahinkaya Erkan , Cirik Kevser 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDHigh SO42‐, COD, and nitrogen‐containing wastewater treatment requires different bacterial groups and environmental conditions, which can be achieved by sequential separate processes. This study examined the simultaneous removal of SO42‐, COD and nitrogen in a four‐compartment ABR, which allowed enrichment of different group of bacteria in each compartment. Feed COD and SO42‐ concentrations were kept constant at 1200 and 1500 mg L‐1, corresponding to COD/SO4‐2 ratio of 0.8. Initially, ABR was tested at varying influent ammonium concentrations (25–1500 mg NH4+‐N/L). Further, the third compartment of ABR was supplemented with nitrate under varying loading rates (60–300 mgNO3‐N L‐1 d‐1) for autotrophic denitrification with the sulfide produced in the previous compartments. This kind of application mimicked the internal recirculation of nitrate, which can be generated via nitrification of ABR effluent.RESULTSHigh sulfate reduction efficiencies (over 86%) were observed up to 1000 mg L‐1 NH4+‐N, however, 1500 mg L‐1 NH4+‐N caused decrease in reduction efficiency. Optimum nitrate loading rate was determined as 146 mgNO3‐N L‐1 d‐1 at molar N/S ratio of 0.42, corresponding with 100% nitrate, 83% sulfate, and 79% COD removals. Nitrate removal decreased at higher nitrate loadings and high sulfate generation arising from sulfide oxidation was observed.CONCLUSIONSulfate and COD removals together with efficient sulfide‐based autotrophic denitrification succeeded in a single reactor configuration at S/N ratio of 0.42. The developed process has the potential to be used in lab‐scale applications. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Unlocking the Household ‘Black Box’: A Gendered Analysis of Smallholder Farmers' Participation in the Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) Value Chain in Tanzania
Authors: Masamha Blessing , Thebe Vusilizwe , Uzokwe Veronica N.E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWomen in developing countries are often omitted from key parts of the agricultural value chains. We used household survey data in bi‐probit and ordinary least squares regression models to estimate the determinants of women's participation in cassava cultivation and marketing in Tanzania. Land size and region, among other factors, were significant determinants of household decisions to grow cassava. Policies for improving women's land rights and infrastructure would help to promote their participation in cassava production, processing and marketing. Improved methods of delivering extension information would also improve women's participation in the cassava value chain markets. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular insights into Aβ42 protofibril destabilization with a fluorinated compound D744: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Saini Rajneet Kaur , Shuaib Suniba , Goyal Bhupesh 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe aggregation of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ42) into toxic oligomers, fibrils, has been identified as a key process in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The role of halogen‐substituted compounds have been highlighted in the disassembly of Aβ protofibril. However, the underlying inhibitory mechanism of Aβ42 protofibril destabilization remains elusive. In this regard, a combined molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of a fluorinated compound, D744, which has been reported previously for potential in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against Aβ42 aggregation and reduction in the Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity. The molecular docking analysis highlights that D744 binds and interacts with chain A of the protofibril structure with hydrophobic contacts and orthogonal multipolar interaction. MD simulations reveal destabilization of the protofibril structure in the presence of D744 due to the decrease in β‐sheet content and a concomitant increase of coil and bend structures, increase in the interchain D23‐K28 salt bridge distance, decrease in the number of backbone hydrogen bonds, increase in the average distance between Cα atoms, and decrease in the binding affinity between chains A and B of the protofibril structure. The binding free‐energy analysis between D744 and the protofibril structure with Molecular Mechanics Poisson‐Boltzmann Surface Area (MM‐PBSA) reveal that residues Leu17, Val18, Phe19, Phe20, Ala21, Glu22, Asp23, Leu34, Val36, Gly37, and Gly38 of chain A of the protofibril structure contribute maximum towards binding free energy (ΔGbinding = −44.87 kcal/mol). The insights into the underlying inhibitory mechanism of small molecules that show potential in vitro anti‐aggregation activity against Aβ42 will be beneficial for the current and future AD therapeutic studies.