bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of grit shape and crystal structure on damage in diamond wire scribing of silicon
Authors: Kumar Arkadeep , Melkote Shreyes N. , Kaminski Steffi , Arcona Chris 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFundamental understanding of the fixed abrasive slicing of photovoltaic silicon wafers is crucial for producing low‐cost wafers with superior surface quality and mechanical strength. With the goal of understanding the diamond wire sawing process, this paper investigates the scribing of mono‐ and multi‐crystalline silicon by the abrasive grits on an actual diamond wire. Specifically, the effects of grit shape and silicon crystal structure on the resulting surface morphology, subsurface damage, and the critical depth of cut at which ductile‐to‐brittle transition occurs are investigated. Results show that surface cracking depends on the grit shape. Scribing across the grain and twin boundaries in multi‐crystalline silicon impacts the resulting surface morphology, with grit shape producing a greater effect than crystallographic orientation in the grain interior relative to the grain boundary. Subsurface damage depends on the grit shape and crystal structure. Differences in the critical depth of cut for ductile‐to‐brittle transition in scribing of mono‐crystalline silicon are explained via analysis of the stress state produced by idealized grit shapes.
Presentation Trainer: what experts and computers can tell about your nonverbal communication
Authors: Schneider J. , Börner D. , van Rosmalen P. , Specht M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe ability to present effectively is essential for professionals; therefore, oral communication courses have become part of the curricula for higher education studies. However, speaking in public is still a challenge for many graduates. To tackle this problem, driven by the recent advances in computer vision techniques and prosody analysis, multimodal tools have been designed to support the development of public speaking skills. One of these tools is the Presentation Trainer, a research prototype able to provide learners with real‐time feedback on a set of nonverbal communication aspects. Despite initial positive evaluations, the application still lacks grounding in a valid assessment model for nonverbal communication aspects in the context of presentations. To come up with such a model, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with experts in the public speaking domain. Furthermore, the objective of these interviews was also to have a formative evaluation of the Presentation Trainer, analysing how it suits with common practices for teaching and learning public speaking skills. The results of this study identify 131 nonverbal communication practices that affect the quality of a presentation and summarize experts' points of view regarding multimodal public speaker instructors.
Environmental Sustainability of Fluid Milk Delivery Systems in the United States
Authors: Burek Jasmina , Kim Daesoo , Nutter Darin , Selke Susan , Auras Rafael , Cashman Sarah , Sauer Beverly , Thoma Greg 
Published: January 2017

SummaryBeverage producers in the United States choose packaging based on cost and consumer preference. Monolayer high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and gable‐top carton containers have long dominated the U.S. fluid milk market, but pressure for more sustainable packaging is increasing. We present a broad discussion on environmental sustainability of 18 fluid milk containers through life cycle assessment. Because different container types require unique milk processing, distribution, and disposal and incur or avoid milk losses, fluid milk delivery systems (FMDSs) are evaluated, rather than containers in isolation. By assessing FMDSs, a complete measure of containers’ environmental sustainability was obtained. Despite conservative assumptions about milk losses, differences in container size, milk processing, distribution, and container recycling, pair‐wise cradle‐to‐grave comparisons of FMDSs show there are no superior FMDSs. But, 500‐ to 1,000‐milliliter FMDSs are potentially superior to ≥half gallon if they prevent milk losses. Thus, the future of FMDSs in the United States depends on the industry's ability to prevent distribution (12%) and consumption milk losses (20% to 35%). Farm‐gate‐to‐grave comparisons showed that chilled HDPE FMDSs are superior to other plastic and chilled paperboard FMDSs for climate‐change impact, but the result is inconclusive for chilled HDPE to ambient (unrefrigerated) paperboard or plastic pouch FMDS comparisons. Plastic pouch FMDSs show potential to reduce nonrenewable fossil energy, but need to be recyclable. Ambient FMDSs are superior to chilled FMDSs for water depletion. Eight‐ounce paperboard FMDSs are superior to 8‐ounce plastic FMDSs. Thus, alternative FMDSs may improve environmental sustainability of the U.S. postfarm fluid milk supply chain.
Deriving European Tantalum Flows Using Trade and Production Statistics
Authors: Deetman Sebastiaan , van Oers Lauran , van der Voet Ester , Tukker Arnold 
Published: January 2017

SummaryEven though tantalum has a high economic importance and is associated with armed conflict, the use of tantalum throughout the supply chain of importing economies is not well understood. This article adds to existing qualitative descriptions of the tantalum supply chain by performing a quantified substance flow analysis (SFA) of tantalum for Europe in the year 2007. The exercise is meant to show how readily available statistical information could be used along with simple and transparent assumptions on product composition and allocation, to yield an enabling and visual representation of the supply chain for critical materials. The case of tantalum shows some surprising results. First of all, this study shows that tantalum in computer hard disks and artificial joints may be more relevant than found in previous studies. Further, we find that the tantalum consumption in Europe may be larger than expected based on geological survey reports, attributed to a high fraction of tantalum being imported in subcomponents and final products. Further research is needed to substantiate this claim, but what is clear is that a detailed SFA provides valuable insights into the consumption of tantalum as a critical material, throughout the stages in the supply chain related to the production and use of tantalum‐containing products. The exercise also allowed production of waste generation profiles and enabled identification of e‐waste as an important focus group in order to improve tantalum recycling rates and eventually to reduce society's dependence on scarce or conflict‐related raw materials.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Quantification and Reduction Efforts in a Rural Municipality
Authors: Froemelt Andreas , Mauchle Manuela , Steubing Bernhard , Hellweg Stefanie 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThe present article aims to determine the current carbon footprint (CF) of Zernez, a Swiss mountain village, and to identify reduction potentials of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For this purpose, material and energy flows were assessed mainly based on detailed household surveys, interviews, and energy bills, but also by means of other information sources, for example, national statistics, traffic censuses, and literature values. To set up the GHG balance, special attention was paid to the consistent definition of system boundaries by adopting two fundamentally different perspectives: purely geographical accounting (PGA) and the consumption‐based footprint (CBF) method. Each of these two perspectives total approximately 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per capita per year. The PGA revealed that 70% of the direct emissions in Zernez are caused by agricultural activities, whereas no consumption area dominated the consumption‐induced CF. For the identification of targeted measures, both perspectives were considered in a complementary manner. The building stock and its underlying energy supply system showed a GHG reduction potential of 80%. The building sector was thus detected as a reasonable first step for the municipality to adopt GHG mitigation strategies. In the case of Zernez, building‐stock‐related measures are predicted to decrease the current CF by 13% (CBF) and 17% (PGA), respectively.
Carbon Accounting in Harvested Wood Products: Assessment Using Material Flow Analysis Resulting in Larger Pools Compared to the IPCC Default Method
Authors: Jasinevičius Gediminas , Lindner Marcus , Cienciala Emil , Tykkyläinen Markku 
Published: January 2017

SummaryIncreasing the amount of carbon stored in harvested wood products (HWPs) is an internationally recognized measure to mitigate climate change. Several approaches and tiers of methods may be used to analyze the contribution of HWP in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and removals at a regional and national level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides guidelines on three tiers of methods for estimating annual carbon stock changes in the carbon pool of HWPs. These tiers mostly differ by the availability of input data and the level of HWP aggregation. In this case study for the Czech Republic, we have applied the production approach and alternative tiers of accounting methods, which are described in the IPCC guidelines, including the default method (tier 2) and the most advanced method (tier 3). We used country‐specific data and material flow analysis to trace the carbon flow over the entire forest‐based sector, including only the domestic harvest and the primary and secondary wood products manufactured within the country. The results of this study show that the carbon stored in the HWP pool could be underestimated if simpler methods and default values nonspecific to the country are applied. At the national level, applying the tier 3 method resulted in a 15.8% higher annual carbon inflow in the pool of HWPs compared to the tier 2 IPCC default method. This means that the advanced method reveals an apparently higher carbon sink in HWPs. A documented increase of carbon storage might bring additional credits to reporting countries, and, more important, it could promote the use of long‐life HWPs to mitigate climate change.
Integrated Material Flow Analysis and Process Modeling to Increase Energy and Water Efficiency of Industrial Cooling Water Systems
Authors: Schlei‐Peters Ina , Wichmann Matthias Gerhard , Matthes Ingo‐Georg , Gundlach Friedrich‐Wilhelm , Spengler Thomas Stefan 
Published: January 2017

SummaryCooling water systems (CWS) are one of the main energy and water using operations in industry. Existing CWS in operation provide high improvement potentials in environmental and economic performance through optimized operation and system control. Industry often fails to realize these potentials, given that the efficiency measures as well as their technical, economic, and ecological impact are mostly unknown because of the lack of appropriate approaches. This article presents a holistic approach to the systematic identification and assessment of efficiency measures that support industry in improving the operation and system control of large‐scale CWS consisting of one or multiple cooling towers, heat exchangers, and pumps. Based on material flow analysis coupled with process modeling, a material and energy flow model of CWS is developed. The model enables the investigation of different adjustments in operation of CWS in order to identify and assess specific efficiency measures. The approach is applied to a CWS of a real manufacturing facility. The results show, first, high validity of the approach as compared to a real system. Second, the effectiveness of the approach, given that the model allows fast and simple identification and assessment of efficiency measures that save up to 16% energy and 24% water in the presented case study.
Actin filament‐associated protein 1 (AFAP‐1) is a key mediator in inflammatory signaling‐induced rapid attenuation of intrinsic P‐gp function in human brain capillary endothelial cells
Authors: Hoshi Yutaro , Uchida Yasuo , Tachikawa Masanori , Ohtsuki Sumio , Terasaki Tetsuya 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify regulatory molecule(s) involved in the inflammatory signaling‐induced decrease in P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) efflux function at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that may occur in brain diseases. We confirmed that in vivo P‐gp efflux activity at the BBB was decreased without any change in P‐gp protein expression level in a mouse model of acute inflammation induced by 3 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. In a human BBB model cell line (human brain capillary endothelial cells; hCMEC/D3), 1‐h treatment with 10 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α; an inflammatory mediator) rapidly reduced P‐gp efflux activity, but had no effect on P‐gp protein expression level. To clarify the non‐transcriptional mechanism that causes the decrease in intrinsic efflux activity of P‐gp in acute inflammation, we applied comprehensive quantitative phosphoproteomics to compare hCMEC/D3 cells treated with TNF‐α and vehicle (control). Actin filament‐associated protein‐1 (AFAP‐1), MAPK1, and transcription factor AP‐1 (AP‐1) were significantly phosphorylated in TNF‐α‐treated cells, and were selected as candidate proteins. In validation experiments, knockdown of AFAP‐1 expression blocked the reduction in P‐gp efflux activity by TNF‐α treatment, whereas inhibition of MAPK function or knockdown of AP‐1 expression did not. Quantitative targeted absolute proteomics revealed that the reduction in P‐gp activity by TNF‐α did not require any change in P‐gp protein expression levels in the plasma membrane. Our results demonstrate that AFAP‐1 is a key mediator in the inflammatory signaling‐induced, translocation‐independent rapid attenuation of P‐gp efflux activity in human brain capillary endothelial cells.
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CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION: WHAT HAS PAST DECADE'S EMPIRICAL RESEARCH TAUGHT US? A SURVEY
Authors: Dimant Eugen , Tosato Guglielmo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractCorruption has fierce impacts on economic and societal development and is subject to a vast range of institutional, jurisdictional, societal, and economic conditions. It is this paper's aim to provide a reassessment and a comprehensive state‐of‐the‐art survey of existing literature on corruption and its causes and effects. A particularly strong focus is put on presenting and discussing insights resulting from empirical research and contrasting recent with older findings.
Differences between pH of indwelling sensors and the pH of fluid and solid phase in the rumen of dairy cows fed varying concentrate levels
Authors: Neubauer V. , Humer E. , Kröger I. , Braid T. , Wagner M. , Zebeli Q. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryFeeding of high‐concentrate diets to cattle increases the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Indwelling wireless pH sensors have become popular as an early diagnostic tool for SARA recently. However, the recommended pH thresholds of SARA derive from measurements taken from free‐rumen liquid (FRL) in the ventral rumen, and not from the reticulum, where the mentioned sensors are located. The aim of this study was to evaluate commercially available indwelling pH boli for the accuracy and precision in predicting ruminal pH of FRL and the particle‐associated rumen liquid (PARL) under varying dietary concentrate levels. An additional aim was to define SARA pH thresholds of indwelled pH boli, which can be used for SARA diagnostics. The experiment was conducted with eight nonlactating rumen cannulated Holstein cows fed 0% or 65% concentrate. Data showed that the mean pH of indwelled boli was consistently higher than in FRL and PARL (pH 6.62 ± 0.02, 6.43 ± 0.02 and 6.18 ±0.02, respectively) across feeding regimens. Interestingly, the diurnal differences in pH among indwelled boli, FRL and PARL became greater during concentrate feeding, especially at 8 h after the morning feeding, suggesting that with high‐concentrate diets a particular adjustment of reticular sensor pH vs. ruminal pH in FRL and PARL is needed. The concordance correlation coefficient analysis, representing the reproducibility of the bolus measurements, was high for bolus‐FRL (0.733) and moderate for bolus‐PARL (0.510) associations. Furthermore, the quantitative relationship of the pH in FRL and PARL to the pH of the boli was described by linear regression analysis. The study determined that the common SARA threshold of pH 5.8 in FRL corresponds to a bolus pH of 6.0.
Effect of methylnaltrexone and naloxone on esophageal motor function in man
Authors: Scarpellini E. , Pauwels A. , Vos R. , Rommel N. , Tack J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundEndogenous opioids (EO) acting on μ‐opiod receptors in central and enteric nervous system (ENS) control gastrointestinal motility but it is still unclear whether EO in ENS may control esophageal function in man, thus we will study the effects of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally selective, and naloxone (NA), a non‐selective μ‐opiod receptor antagonist, on esophageal motility in healthy subjects.MethodsFifteen HV (6 M; 34.1 ± 0.6 years; BMI: 22.1 ± 0.1 kg/m2) underwent three esophageal high‐resolution manometry impedance (HRiM) studies with 10 saline swallows administered every 30 minutes: drug was administered after 30 minutes (MNTX subcutaneously/NA or saline intravenously), a solid meal after 90 minutes; measurements continued for 120 minutes postprandially.Key ResultsMethylnaltrexone did not significantly decrease the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) percentage of relaxation preprandially (72.5 ± 5 vs 66.9 ± 4.6 and 73 ± 3.8%, ANOVA between placebo, MNTX and NA, P=NS) and postprandially (60 minutes: 68.2 ± 5.6 vs 61 ± 5.5 and 67.1 ± 5.6%; 120 minutes: 68 ± 5.9 vs 59.3 ± 5.2 and 67.7 ± 4.7%; ANOVA between placebo, MNTX and NA, P=NS). MNTX and NA did not significantly alter preprandial and postprandial LES resting pressures and integrated relaxation pressure (ANOVA between placebo, MNTX and NA, all P=NS). Peak front velocity and distal contractile integral were not altered pre‐ and postprandially by MNTX and NA (ANOVA between placebo, MNTX and NA, P=NS). Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs’) number was not altered by MNTX and NA (ANOVA between placebo, MNTX and NA, all P=NS).Conclusions and InferencesThe peripheral selective and non‐selective μ‐opioid receptor antagonists MNTX and NA, respectively, do not alter TLESRs occurrence and esophageal peristalsis.
Regulation of ascorbate biosynthesis in green algae has evolved to enable rapid stress‐induced response via the VTC2 gene encoding GDP‐l‐galactose phosphorylase
Authors: Vidal‐Meireles André , Neupert Juliane , Zsigmond Laura , Rosado‐Souza Laise , Kovács László , Nagy Valéria , Galambos Anikó , Fernie Alisdair R. , Bock Ralph , Tóth Szilvia Z. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Ascorbate (vitamin C) plays essential roles in stress resistance, development, signaling, hormone biosynthesis and regulation of gene expression; however, little is known about its biosynthesis in algae.

In order to provide experimental proof for the operation of the Smirnoff–Wheeler pathway described for higher plants and to gain more information on the regulation of ascorbate biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we targeted the VTC2 gene encoding GDP‐l‐galactose phosphorylase using artificial microRNAs.

Ascorbate concentrations in VTC2 amiRNA lines were reduced to 10% showing that GDP‐l‐galactose phosphorylase plays a pivotal role in ascorbate biosynthesis. The VTC2 amiRNA lines also grow more slowly, have lower chlorophyll content, and are more susceptible to stress than the control strains. We also demonstrate that: expression of the VTC2 gene is rapidly induced by H2O2 and 1O2 resulting in a manifold increase in ascorbate content; in contrast to plants, there is no circadian regulation of ascorbate biosynthesis; photosynthesis is not required per se for ascorbate biosynthesis; and Chlamydomonas VTC2 lacks negative feedback regulation by ascorbate in the physiological concentration range.

Our work demonstrates that ascorbate biosynthesis is also highly regulated in Chlamydomonas albeit via mechanisms distinct from those previously described in land plants.
The effects of body weight status on orthostatic intolerance and predisposition to noncardiac syncope
Authors: Christou G.A. , Kiortsis D.N. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryOrthostatic intolerance (OI) is frequently the mechanism underlying the occurrence of noncardiac syncope (NCS) and is associated with substantial risk for injury. Body weight status appears to be a modifier of orthostatic responses and possibly influences the propensity to NCS. The majority of cross‐sectional studies have found that the lower the body mass index (BMI) the greater the predisposition to OI is, accompanied with both down‐regulation of sympathetic nervous system activity and up‐regulation of parasympathetic nervous system activity. These changes appear to occur across the whole spectrum of BMI values from underweight to obesity, while they may be associated more strongly with central body fat than total body fat. Weight loss following bariatric surgery has been consistently found to increase OI, attributed first to the effects of weight loss per se, second to the specific type of surgical procedure and third to the potential postoperative autonomic neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency. The increased OI following bariatric surgery renders this intervention not easily tolerable for the affected individuals, mandating increased fluid and salt intake, pharmacological measures or surgical adjustments to attenuate OI. All future studies investigating orthostatic responses and NCS should implement a matching of the population arms for BMI and ideally for body fat.
Bring Me Three Large Beers: Wooden Tankards at Roman Vindolanda
Authors: Sands Rob , Horn Jonathan A. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThis paper presents, and places in context, two tankard staves and part of a lathe‐turned tankard base, all made from yew wood (Taxus baccata), identified as part of a review of over 1500 wooden small finds from the Roman fort of Vindolanda. These were originally part of large, skilfully produced, communal drinking vessels of a type that has recently been the subject of a major review. Wooden tankards of this type are currently considered to be at their earliest a Late Iron Age phenomenon but one which extends well into the Roman period and which has, so far, been recognized predominantly within Britain. The three elements, found at Vindolanda, must have derived from three separate vessels and come from different periods within the site. This paper explores, adds to and amplifies current thinking on the construction, use and discard of these vessels and, in particular, considers how the tankards were perceived within the context of a Roman fort.