bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating event‐specific drought attribution using self‐organizing maps
Authors: Harrington Luke J. , Gibson Peter B. , Dean Sam M. , Mitchell Daniel , Rosier Suzanne M. , Frame David J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPrevious studies evaluating anthropogenic influences on the meteorological drivers of drought have found mixed results owing to (1) the complex physical mechanisms which lead to the onset of drought, (2) differences in the characteristics and time scales of drought for different regions of the world, and (3) different approaches to the question of attribution. For a midlatitude, temperate climate like New Zealand, strongly modulated by oceanic influences, summer droughts last on the order of 3 months, and are less strongly linked to persistent temperature anomalies than continental climates. Here we demonstrate the utility of a novel approach for characterizing the meteorological conditions conducive to extreme drought over the North Island of New Zealand, using the January–March 2013 event as a case study. Specifically, we consider the use of self‐organizing map techniques in a multimember coupled climate model ensemble to capture changes in daily circulation, between two 41 year periods (1861–1901 and 1993–2033). Comparisons are made with seasonal pressure and precipitation indices. Our results demonstrate robust (>99% confidence) increases in the likelihood of observing circulation patterns like those of the 2013 drought in the recent‐climate simulations when compared with the early‐climate simulations. Best guess estimates of the fraction of attributable risk range from 0.2 to 0.4, depending on the metric used and threshold considered. Contributions to uncertainty in these attribution statements are discussed.
A simple model for regolith formation by chemical weathering
Authors: Braun Jean , Mercier Jonathan , Guillocheau Francois , Robin Cécile 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe present here a new model for the formation of regolith on geological timescales by chemical weathering based on the assumption that the rate of chemical weathering is primarily controlled by the ability of groundwater to transport solute away from the reacting solid‐fluid interface and keep the system from reaching equilibrium (saturation). This allows us to specify the rate of propagation of the weathering front as linearly proportional to the pore fluid velocity which we obtain by computing the water table geometry in the regolith layer. The surface of the regolith layer is affected by mass transport and erosion. The main prediction of the model is that the geometry of the regolith, i.e., whether it is thickest beneath topographic highs or topographic lows, is controlled by the value of a dimensionless number, which depends on the square of the surface slope, the hydraulic conductivity, and local precipitation rate, but is independent of the chemical weathering rate. In orogenic environments, where regolith formation by chemical weathering competes with surface erosion, the model predicts that the existence and thickness of the regolith layer are controlled by the value of another dimensionless number which is the ratio between the timescale for erosion and the timescale for weathering. The model also predicts that in anorogenic areas, regolith thickness increases as the square root of time, whereas in orogenic environments, a steady state regolith thickness can be achieved, when the propagation of the weathering front is equal to erosion rate.
Frequency scaling of slant‐path atmospheric attenuation in the absence of rain for millimeter‐wave links
Authors: Lucas‐Vegas María José , Riera José Manuel 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBroadband satellite communications systems, either used for broadcast or fixed satellite services, have grown continuously in recent years. This has led to the use of higher frequency bands, from the Ku (14/11 GHz) to the Ka band (30/20 GHz) in the last decade, and with the expectation of using the Q/V band (50/40 GHz) and even the W band (75–110 GHz) in the future. As frequency increases, radio wave propagation effects in the slant‐path within the troposphere are becoming more and more relevant. The objective of this research is the proposal of frequency scaling approximations for the total attenuation in the absence of rain, a condition that occurs during the highest percentages of time, usually more than 95% in temperate climates. There is a strong relationship between total attenuation at different frequencies, as it arises from the same physical phenomena, namely, the presence of oxygen, water vapor, and clouds in the slant path. This strong relationship allows frequency scaling estimations to be proposed. In particular, polynomials for instantaneous frequency scaling of total attenuation under these conditions have been calculated for a set of frequencies in the range 10–100 GHz, based on atmospheric profiles of 60 sites from all over the world and physical models of attenuation. Global polynomials are provided for the 72 combinations of nine significant frequencies, which can be used to estimate attenuation at a frequency band from its known value at a different one. Refined expressions have also been calculated for different climatic zones, providing more precise estimations.
Staged anticonvulsant screening for chronic epilepsy
Authors: Berdichevsky Yevgeny , Saponjian Yero , Park Kyung‐Il , Roach Bonnie , Pouliot Wendy , Lu Kimberly , Swiercz Waldemar , Dudek F. Edward , Staley Kevin J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectiveCurrent anticonvulsant screening programs are based on seizures evoked in normal animals. One‐third of epileptic patients do not respond to the anticonvulsants discovered with these models. We evaluated a tiered program based on chronic epilepsy and spontaneous seizures, with compounds advancing from high‐throughput in vitro models to low‐throughput in vivo models.MethodsEpileptogenesis in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures was quantified by lactate production and lactate dehydrogenase release into culture media as rapid assays for seizure‐like activity and cell death, respectively. Compounds that reduced these biochemical measures were retested with in vitro electrophysiological confirmation (i.e., second stage). The third stage involved crossover testing in the kainate model of chronic epilepsy, with blinded analysis of spontaneous seizures after continuous electrographic recordings.ResultsWe screened 407 compound‐concentration combinations. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, celecoxib, had no effect on seizures evoked in normal brain tissue but demonstrated robust antiseizure activity in all tested models of chronic epilepsy.InterpretationThe use of organotypic hippocampal cultures, where epileptogenesis occurs on a compressed time scale, and where seizure‐like activity and seizure‐induced cell death can be easily quantified with biomarker assays, allowed us to circumvent the throughput limitations of in vivo chronic epilepsy models. Ability to rapidly screen compounds in a chronic model of epilepsy allowed us to find an anticonvulsant that would be missed by screening in acute models.
[18F]AV‐1451 PET in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia due to MAPT mutation
Authors: Bevan Jones W. Richard , Cope Thomas E. , Passamonti Luca , Fryer Tim D. , Hong Young T. , Aigbirhio Franklin , Kril Jillian J. , Forrest Shelley L. , Allinson Kieren , Coles Jonathan P. , Simon Jones P. , Spillantini Maria G. , Hodges John R. , O'Brien John T. , Rowe James B. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe validation of tau radioligands could improve the diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and the assessment of disease‐modifying therapies. Here, we demonstrate that binding of the tau radioligand [18F]AV‐1451 was significantly abnormal in both magnitude and distribution in a patient with familial frontotemporal dementia due to a MAPT 10 + 16C>T gene mutation, recapitulating the pattern of neuropathology seen in her father. Given the genetic diagnosis and the non‐Alzheimer's pathology, these findings suggest that [18F]AV‐1451 might be a useful biomarker in primary tauopathies. Largerscale in vivo and post‐mortem studies will be needed to assess the technique's specificity.
Mortality in a combined cohort of uranium enrichment workers
Authors: Yiin James H. , Anderson Jeri L. , Daniels Robert D. , Bertke Stephen J. , Fleming Donald A. , Tollerud David J. , Tseng Chih‐Yu , Chen Pi‐Hsueh , Waters Kathleen M. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo examine the patterns of cause‐specific mortality and relationship between internal exposure to uranium and specific causes in a pooled cohort of 29,303 workers employed at three former uranium enrichment facilities in the United States with follow‐up through 2011.MethodsCause‐specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for the full cohort were calculated with the U.S. population as referent. Internal comparison of the dose‐response relation between selected outcomes and estimated organ doses was evaluated using regression models.ResultsExternal comparison with the U.S. population showed significantly lower SMRs in most diseases in the pooled cohort. Internal comparison showed positive associations of absorbed organ doses with multiple myeloma, and to a lesser degree with kidney cancer.ConclusionIn general, these gaseous diffusion plant workers had significantly lower SMRs than the U.S. population. The internal comparison however, showed associations between internal organ doses and diseases associated with uranium exposure in previous studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:96–108, 2017. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Reversible Silylene Insertion Reactions into Si−H and P−H σ‐Bonds at Room Temperature
Authors: Rodriguez Ricardo , Contie Yohan , Nougué Raphael , Baceiredo Antoine , Saffon‐Merceron Nathalie , Sotiropoulos Jean‐Marc , Kato Tsuyoshi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPhosphine‐stabilized silylenes react with silanes and a phosphine by silylene insertion into E−H σ‐bonds (E=Si,P) at room temperature to give the corresponding silanes. Of special interest, the process occurs reversibly at room temperature. These results demonstrate that both the oxidative addition (typical reaction for transient silylenes) and the reductive elimination processes can proceed at the silicon center under mild reaction conditions. DFT calculations provide insight into the importance of the coordination of the silicon center to achieve the reductive elimination step.
Synthesis of the poly(acrylic acid‐acrylic sodium) bentonite composite and its adsorption of Cd(II)
Authors: You Xinling , Cao Jilin , Liu Xiuwu , Lu Jingzhao , Chen Xueqing 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn order to improve the adsorptive properties of bentonite, a new poly(acrylic acid‐acrylic sodium) bentonite composite was prepared by copolymerization reaction. The properties of the bentonite composites were investigated. Based on the amount of acrylic monomers dissolution and Cd2+ ions adsorption as objective functions, the optimal conditions which were determined with single‐factor experiments are as follows: the neutralization degree of acrylic acid, the polymerization temperature, the polymerization time, and the mass ratio of bentonite to acrylic acid monomer unneutralized were 20%, 80 °C, 3 h and 8 : 2, respectively. The bentonite composite was characterized by XRD, IR, and SEM. It was indicated the basic structure of bentonite had not been destroyed when the monomers were intercalated into the bentonite interlayers. The synthetic products had excellent adsorption properties to Cd2+ ions, such as the removal rate of Cd2+ ions reached 99.9% for 100 mL solution with initial Cd2+ ions concentration of 50.0 mg/L by adding 0.5 g sample of the bentonite composite, whose removal rate was significantly superior to calcium bentonite and other modified bentonite reported in literatures. The adsorption process to Cd2+ ions was corresponding with the Lagergren secondary adsorption kinetics equation and the Langmuir isotherm equation. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphological control of porous membranes based on aromatic polyether/water soluble polymers
Authors: Karamessini Denise , Ch. Lainioti Georgia , Deimede Valadoula , Kallitsis Joannis K. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTThis work describes the development of porous membranes based on blends of an aromatic polyether bearing main and side chain pyridine units (AP) with hydrophilic ionic polymers, like poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) and its acid form (PSSH), or non‐ionic like polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. Porous membranes were obtained after the removal of the water soluble polymers from the respective blend. The effect of various parameters such as water soluble polymer used (pore former), blend composition, casting solvent, and solvent evaporation level on porous structure formation was studied thoroughly. Specifically, SEM examination for the aforementioned systems indicated various porous morphologies depending on experimental conditions as well as thermodynamic and kinetic parameters occurring during their formation. The thermal properties of the membranes were influenced by the kind of the pore former, as revealed by thermogravimetric analysis. Special attention was paid to the systems AP/PSSNa and AP/PSSH to evaluate their miscibility via dynamic mechanical analysis and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. AP/PSSNa membranes have been preliminary used to test the water permeability for water purification. The tests revealed high water flux values at increased PSSNa concentrations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44539.
Incubation phenomena during UV‐pulse excimer laser processing of silicone elastomers
Authors: Kolev Konstantin , Tatchev Dragomir , Armyanov Stephan , Valova Eugenia , Baert Kitty , Hubin Annick 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTObservations of the interaction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) sheet (210 μm thick) with KrF excimer laser irradiation (λ = 248 nm), with low energy of 50 mJ/pulse are presented. The negative ablation or swelling of the material caused by low frequency pulse irradiation is characterized by optical microscopy, μ‐Raman spectrometry and X‐ray micro‐tomography. The appearance of defected areas in the form of cones inside the sheet and changes of material chemistry are discussed. These phenomena are considered as a precursor of the ablation occurring after passing a threshold of absorbed laser irradiation energy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44541.
π‐Extended Star‐Shaped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons based on Fused Truxenes: Synthesis, Self‐Assembly, and Facilely Tunable Emission Properties
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Jiang Yi , Liu Cheng‐Fang , Zhang Jian‐Dong , Lai Wen‐Yong , Huang Wei 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA new set of star‐shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) based on naphthalene‐fused truxenes, TrNaCn (n=1–4), were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis involved a microwave‐assisted six‐fold Suzuki coupling reaction, followed by oxidative cyclodehydrogenation. Multiple dehydrocyclization products could be effectively isolated in a single reaction, thus suggesting that the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation reaction involved a stepwise ring‐closing process. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties and the self‐assembly behavior of the resulting oxidized samples were investigated to understand the impact of the ring‐fusing process on the properties of the star‐shaped PAHs. Distinct bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima (λmax) revealed that the molecular conjugation extended with the stepwise ring‐closing reactions. The optical band‐gap energy of these PAHs varied significantly on increasing the number of fused rings, thereby resulting in readily tunable emissive properties of the resultant star‐shaped PAHs. Interestingly, the generation of rigid “arms” by using perylene analogues caused TrNaC2 and TrNaC3 to show significantly enhanced photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) in solution (η=0.65 and 0.66, respectively) in comparison with those of TrNa and TrNaC1 (η=0.08 and 0.16, respectively). Owing to strong intermolecular interactions, the TrNa precursor was able to self‐assemble into rod‐like microcrystals, which could be facilely identified by the naked eye, whilst TrNaC1 self‐assembled into nanosheets once the naphthalene rings had fused. This study offers a unique platform to gain further insight into—and a better understanding of—the photophysical and self‐assembly properties of π‐extended star‐shaped PAHs.
Design of Adaptive Block Backstepping Controllers with Perturbations Estimation for Nonlinear State‐Delayed Systems in Semi‐Strict Feedback Form
Authors: Cheng Chih‐Chiang , Chiang Yu‐Chi , Huang Pei‐Chia 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis paper is an extended study of an existing block backstepping control scheme designed for a class of perturbed multi‐input systems with multiple time‐varying delays to solve regulation problems, where the time‐varying delays must be linear with state variables. A new control scheme is proposed in this research where all the unknown multiple time‐varying delay terms in the dynamic equations can be nonlinear state functions in non‐strict feedback form, and the upper bounds of the time‐delays as well as their derivatives need not to be known in advance. Another improvement is to further alleviate the problem of “explosion of complexity,” i.e., to reduce the number of time derivatives of virtual inputs that the designers have to compute in the design of controllers. This is done by utilizing an existent derivative estimation algorithm to estimate the perturbations in the designing of proposed controllers. Adaptive mechanisms are also embedded in the controllers so that the upper bounds of perturbations and perturbation estimation errors are not required to be known beforehand. The resultant controlled systems guarantee asymptotic stability in accordance with the Lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, a numerical example and a practical application are demonstrated to verify the merits and feasibility of the proposed control scheme.
New Upper Matrix Bounds with Power Form for the Solution of the Continuous Coupled Algebraic Riccati Matrix Equation
Authors: Liu Jianzhou , Wang Yanpei , Zhang Juan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn this paper, using the structure and coefficient matrix of the continuous coupled algebraic Riccati matrix equation (CCARE), we firstly construct positive definite matrices with power form. Then, applying the variant of the CCARE and inequalities of positive definite matrices, utilizing the characteristics of special matrices and eigenvalue inequalities, we propose new upper matrix bounds with power form for the solution of the CCARE, which improve and extend some of the recent results. Finally, we give corresponding numerical examples to illustrate the effectiveness of the derived results.
Iterative Path Integral Approach to Nonlinear Stochastic Optimal Control Under Compound Poisson Noise
Authors: Yuta Okumura , Kashima Kenji , Ohta Yoshito 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNonlinear stochastic optimal control theory has played an important role in many fields. In this theory, uncertainties of dynamics have usually been represented by Brownian motion, which is Gaussian white noise. However, there are many stochastic phenomena whose probability density has a long tail, which suggests the necessity to study the effect of non‐Gaussianity. This paper employs Lévy processes, which cause outliers with a significantly higher probability than Brownian motion, to describe such uncertainties. In general, the optimal control law is obtained by solving the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. This paper shows that the path‐integral approach combined with the policy iteration method is efficiently applicable to solve the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation in the Lévy problem setting. Finally, numerical simulations illustrate the usefulness of this method.
Industriemelanismus: Die dunkle Form des Birkenspanners entsteht durch ein springendes Gen
Authors: Kronberg Inge 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEvolution ist ein Prozess, der sich überwiegend in langen Zeiträumen abspielt. Nur selten finden evolutive Veränderungen direkt vor unseren Augen statt. Der Industriemelanismus des Birkenspanners ist dafür ein klassisches Lehrbuch‐Beispiel. Allmählich wird auch der genetische Hintergrund dieser phänotypischen Variabilität klarer.
ÜberLebensmittel – neue Ausstellung der Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
Authors: Högermann Christiane 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDass Lebensmittel weit mehr sind als tägliches Brot, wird in der interaktiven Wanderausstellung (bis Dezember 2017 im DBU‐Zentrum für Umweltkommunikation in Osnabrück) aufklärend und motivierend veranschaulicht.
Fische ködert man mit Würmern, mRNA mit Oligo‐dT
Authors: Hauk Andrea 
Published: October 2016

AbstractJede Körperzelle enthält viele verschiedene Proteine, welche jeweils bestimmte Aufgaben erfüllen. Damit die richtige Menge an entsprechenden Proteinen zur richtigen Zeit zur Verfügung steht, reguliert eine Zelle die Expression ihrer Gene sehr genau. Dazu muss die genetische Information der DNA zuerst in mRNA überführt (Transkription) und anschließend als Protein realisiert werden (Translation). Das “m” der RNA steht für “messenger”, also Bote. Für die Isolation der Gesamt‐RNA gibt es im Labor viele etablierte Methoden und Kits. Einige Forscher sind speziell an der mRNA interessiert. Warum untersucht man überhaupt die mRNA der Zelle? Und wie kann man mRNA von der restlichen RNA der Zelle unterscheiden?
Nobelpreis 2016: Entdeckung der Autophagie
Authors: Tetsch Larissa 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDen Nobelpreis für Physiologie oder Medizin erhält in diesem Jahr der japanische Zellbiologe Yoshinori Ohsumi für die Entschlüsselung der Autophagie, über die Zellen nicht mehr funktionstüchtige Bestandteile entsorgen. Wie wichtig diese zelluläre “Müllabfuhr” ist, zeigt die Vielzahl an Krankheiten, an deren Entstehung eine gestörte Autophagie beteiligt ist.
Examination of Potential Exceptions to the F and S Biosynthetic Classification of Fused‐Ring Aromatic Polyketides
Authors: Thomas Robert 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe reported acetate‐derived labelling of the fungal naphthalene γ‐pyrone fonsecin, two streptomycete dodecaketide αpyrones TW93f and TW93g, and the streptomycete phenanthraquinones piloquinone, murayaquinone and haloquinone appear to be exceptions to the generalisation that fungi and streptomycetes produce fused‐ring aromatic polyketides by different modes of cyclisation. A review of their 1) originally assigned formulae, 2) [13C2]acetate‐derived labelling patterns, and 3) modes of cyclisation leads to the recognition of feasible alternative chemical structures or biosynthetic pathways, which are in accord with the originally proposed classification system.