bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of drying method of figs with small-scale flat-plate solar collector
Authors: Ullah Fahim , Kang Min , Hassan Lubna , Li Ninghui , Yang Jun , Wang Xingsheng , Khan Khattak Mansoor 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
The purpose of the study was to develop a performance flat-plate solar collector that would be used as a solar drier for fruit fig (Ficus carica L). This study proposes how and why solar energy is important for drying the agricultural products. This study aims to expand the domain of solar collector for different purposes and, most important, for agricultural resource normally found in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for an exploratory study using the flat-plate solar collector with drying chamber for drying purposes of agricultural products. During the experiment, the data were collected with moisture content, drying rate of the product and solar irradiation falls on the collector.

Findings
This paper describes that how flat-plate collector works for agricultural products and how to reduce the moisture content in the product (fig). Efficiency of collector was evaluated under the ambient temperatures of 24°C. Efficiency also significantly increased from 53 to 55 per cent with an increase in ambient temperature from 22 to 24 °C. Figs (Ficus carica L) were dried in the drying chamber of the flat-plate solar collector. The products were dried at temperature of 55-65°C and 15 to 20 per cent humidity.

Research limitations/implications
Because of this research chosen, the research results are beneficiary for agricultural users for drying purposes. Therefore, the researchers are encouraged to dry the agricultural product with flat-plate solar collector, because it reduced the moisture content of the product very fast.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study that how flat-plat solar collector can be used.
Facile preparation of ZnO particles with different structures and their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Bian Li , Li Meixia , Lian Yiwei , Hao Yongjing , Xie Juan 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to report a novel preparation method of ZnO particles with different structures and their photocatalytic activity.

Design/methodology/approach
ZnO powders are prepared by a facile, economical and environment-friendly aqueous solution route. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra are used to characterize the products. Photocatalytic activity of the samples is evaluated by degradation of organic pollutant pentachlorophenol under UV-vis irradiation.

Findings
It is found that three-dimensional ZnO hierarchical structures can be prepared via aqueous solution route without using any template or structure-directing agent, and the alkalinity of reaction solution is the key factor. All the as-prepared ZnO products have good catalytic activity under UV-vis light irradiation.

Originality/value
This report presents a simple method for the preparation of ZnO particles with excellent photocatalytic activity. Experimental results could provide useful reference for the treatment of chlorophenols in the future.
Primary study of a new permanent magnet flux switching machine over straight and spanned rotor configurations
Authors: Jenal Mahyuzie , Sulaiman Erwan , Soomro Hassan Ali , Naufal Syed Othman Syed Muhammad 
Published: January 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address a fundamental study and performance analysis of a proposed 6Slots-10Poles permanent magnet flux switching machine (PMFSM) using straight rotor (StR) and 6Slots-8Poles PMFSM with spanned rotor (SpR) structure.Design/methodology/approachDesign configuration of the proposed machine was developed using commercial finite element analysis package and JMAG-Designer V.14 software, which provides two-dimensional finite element solver throughout the investigation. An electromagnetic performance analysis is carried out and compared over the two proposed topologies which consist of machines no-load and under-load conditions.FindingsThis paper demonstrates the finding of the proposed StR structure which consist of more favorable three-phase sinusoidal feature, lower cogging torque and higher output torque. Flux density attributes reveal higher established magnetizing flux concentration in StR compared with SpR. Consequently, the StR structure requires low armature current before it may start to rotate and provides better robust construction with less material consumption and cost.Originality/valueThis paper describes the novel design of a new PMFSM configuration pertinent for high-speed applications.
Spatial comparative analysis of parabolic trough collectors and photovoltaic systems in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Azhar Ali Khan Muhammad , Muhammad Baqir 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model for solar power generation system which starts with the quantification of solar resources on different characteristic surfaces at any location.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a detailed quantitative analysis of solar potential at three different cities of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Mecca and Sharura. Direct normal insolation is calculated for one-axis tracking surfaces with rotation about East–West (EW) and North–South (NS) horizontal axes, a two-axes tracking surface and a fixed surface tilted at the latitude of each location and facing south. One-axis tracking parabolic trough collector with rotation about horizontal EW and NS axes, and photovoltaic systems are modeled; their performances and heat and optical losses from both systems are quantified for each location.

Findings
The findings demonstrate that energy output from the selected solar technologies is maximum and relatively stable in Sharura, whereas Mecca and Riyadh showed large variations during the course of the year.

Originality/value
A comparative analysis between the solar technologies would be very helpful for policy decisions to choose the best option.
TEM study of fine particles from coal-fired power plant ambient air
Authors: Pian Wei , Cheng Wenjing , Niu Hongya , Fan Jingsen 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
This study aims to focus on the submicron particles (with diameter of 0.2-1.0 μm) of the ambient air from a coal-fired power plant. A systematic examination of their morphology, particle size and chemical element will be analyzed, so as to provide more scientific information and theoretical basis for the formation and control method of inhalable particles, as well as data support for environmental impact and ecological effects assessments.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the morphology, size distribution and elemental characteristics of submicron particles from ambient air of a coal-fired power plant are studied by single particle analysis.

Findings
The results show that atmospheric particles in coal-fired power plant are mainly spherical particles, and most of them are soot aggregates adhered or coated with other particles with few rectangle particles. The particles collected in the afternoon and evening are mainly of spherical particles, and small-sized particles collected in the morning are mainly spherical ones, while the overall concentration is larger than that of the spherical particles in the size range above 0.5 μm. The results indicated that the larger-sized spherical particles have a lower concentration.

Originality/value
Coal-fired power plants are still the main supply of electricity in China, but the inhalable particles, especially sub-micron particles (0.1-1.0 μm) cannot be effectively captured by the dust removal device from the coal-fired power plant. Thus, a large amount of inhalable particles is emitted into the atmosphere, becoming the major air pollutants in China.
Efficient bus based router for NOC architecture
Authors: Shrivastava Anurag , Sharma Sudhir Kumar 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
Increase in the speed of processors has led to crucial role of communication in the performance of systems. As a result, routing is taken into consideration as one of the most important subjects of the network-on-chip (NOC) architecture. Routing algorithms to deadlock avoidance prevent packets route completely based on network traffic condition by means of restricting the route of packets. This action leads to less performance especially in non-uniform traffic patterns. On the other hand, true fully adaptive routing algorithm provides routing of packets completely based on traffic conditions. However, deadlock detection and recovery mechanisms are needed to handle deadlocks. Use of a global bus beside NOC as a parallel supportive environment provides a platform to offer advantages of both features of bus and NOC.

Design/methodology/approach
In this research, the authors use this bus as an escaping path for deadlock recovery technique.

Findings
According to simulation results, this bus is a suitable platform for a deadlock recovery technique.

Originality/value
This bus is useful for broadcast and multicast operations, sending delay sensitive signals, system management and other services.
CO2 emission during the combustion of Orhaneli lignite coal
Authors: Ozkaymak Mehmet , Ceylan Mehmet Ali , Okutan Hasancan , Atakul Hüsnü , Berrin Engin , Coşkun Tuba , Inanç Özgür 
Published: January 2017

Purpose
In Turkey, dependence on foreign countries for energy is a problem which upsets all economic balances. Turkey’s biggest fossil energy source is lignite coal. Therefore, energy conversion of lignite in thermal plants, causing minimum environmental effect is extremely important. The basic problem in terms of the combustion technology is to improve the combustion technology that can burn the low-qualified fuels that do not have standard fuel features (lignite, peat, schist). The most suitable technology today for the efficient and clean combustion of nonstandard low-qualified fuels is the combustion at fluidized-bed technology. In this study, CO2 emission that occurs during the combustion of Orhaneli coal that is one of our native low-qualified lignite, has been investigated according to the experimental study.

Design/methodology/approach
For this combustion experiment, laboratory-scaled circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) process that exists at TÜBITAK-MAM Energy Institute which has been designed and used before has been used. The effect of excess-air coefficient, combustion type and bed temperature to the greenhouse gas formation and CO2 emission has been investigated experimentally. In terms of flue gas emissions, it has been detected that the decrease of the amount of CO2 that has occurred has no positive effects on combustion efficiency, water vapor, SO2, NOx, CO and other gases which occur during deficient combustion must be thought as a whole and each reaction affects each other similar to complex reactions.

Findings
As a consequence of measuring CO2 emissions over 10 minute periods, CO2 emissions are 12.43 percent average, CO2 decreases at different air coefficient values; Often form undesirable side reactions such as CO, NOx with back and forth reactions.

Originality/value
The importance of aerodynamic structure of the system, and the losses and leakages forming in the system has been observed experimental and affected parameters are evaluated.
Microhabitat heterogeneity and a non‐native avian frugivore drive the population dynamics of an island endemic shrub, Cyrtandra dentata
Authors: Bialic‐Murphy Lalasia , Gaoue Orou G. , Kawelo Kapua 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Understanding the role of environmental change in the decline of endangered species is critical for designing scale‐appropriate restoration plans. For locally endemic rare plants on the brink of extinction, frugivory can drastically reduce local recruitment by dispersing seeds away from geographically isolated populations. Dispersal of seeds away from isolated populations can ultimately lead to population decline. For localized endemic plants, fine‐scale changes in microhabitat can further limit population persistence. Evaluating the individual and combined impact of frugivores and microhabitat heterogeneity on the short‐term (i.e. transient) and long‐term (i.e. asymptotic) dynamics of plants will provide insight into the drivers of species rarity.

In this study, we used 4 years of demographic data to develop matrix projection models for a long‐lived shrub, Cyrtandra dentata (H. St. John & Storey) (Gesneriaceae), which is endemic to the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i. Furthermore, we evaluated the individual and combined influence of a non‐native frugivorous bird, Leiothrix lutea, and microhabitat heterogeneity on the short‐term and long‐term C. dentata population dynamics.

Frugivory by L. lutea decreased the short‐term and long‐term population growth rates. However, under the current level of frugivory at the field site the C. dentata population was projected to persist over time. Conversely, the removal of optimum microhabitat for seedling establishment (i.e. rocky gulch walls and boulders in the gulch bottom) reduced the short‐term and long‐term population growth rates from growing to declining.

Survival of mature C. dentata plants had the greatest influence on long‐term population dynamics, followed by the growth of seedlings and immature plants. The importance of mature plant survival was even greater when we simulated the combined effect of frugivory and the loss of optimal microhabitat, relative to population dynamics based on field conditions. In the short‐term (10 years), however, earlier life stages had the greatest influence on population growth rate.

Synthesis and applications. This study emphasizes how important it is to decouple rare plant management strategies in the short vs. long‐term in order to prioritize restoration actions, particularly when faced with multiple stressors not all of which can be feasibly managed. From an applied conservation perspective, our findings also illustrate that the life stage that, if improved by management, would have the greatest influence on population dynamics is dependent on the timeframe of interest and initial conditions of the population.
Responses of common and rare aliens and natives to nutrient availability and fluctuations
Authors: Liu Yanjie , van Kleunen Mark 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Global environmental change not only includes changes in mean environmental conditions but also in temporal environmental fluctuations. Because it is frequently suggested that common species, and particularly invasive alien species, are phenotypically highly plastic, they might benefit more from these fluctuations than rare native and rare alien species. Experimental tests, however, are still lacking.

Here, we tested whether alien plant species take more advantage of increases in resource levels and fluctuations therein than native species, and whether common species do so more than rare species. Therefore, we grew seven common alien, seven rare alien, nine common native and six rare native herbaceous plants, in one treatment with constantly low nutrient availability and five treatments with high nutrient availability that differed in temporal availability of nutrients (constant, increasing, decreasing, single large pulse, multiple smaller pulses).

We found that all species produced more biomass and longer roots, and had a lower root mass fraction under high nutrient conditions than under low nutrient conditions, irrespective of their origin and commonness. Among the high nutrient treatments, the temporal pattern of nutrient supply also influenced biomass production, root allocation and root thickness, but the magnitude and/or directions of these responses varied among the groups of species. Particularly, we found that alien plant species, irrespective of whether they are common or rare, produced more biomass, and had a higher root mass fraction when nutrients were supplied as a single pulse in the middle of the growth period instead of supplied at a constant rate, whereas the reverse was true for the native species.

Synthesis. Our study suggests that species origin does not drive differences in plant biomass production, root morphology and allocation in response to changes in mean environmental nutrient availability. However in our study, alien plant species, in contrast to native plant species, benefited from a large nutrient pulse. This suggests that increased fluctuations in nutrient availability might promote alien plant invasions.
Deciding to Help: Effects of Risk and Crisis Communication
Authors: Bakker Marije H. , Kerstholt José H. , Giebels Ellen 
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to gain insight into the (combined) effects of risk and crisis communication on adequate behaviour during a crisis situation. In addition, it adds to the existing literature by examining the effects of risk and crisis communication on psychological factors that are involved in decision‐making during a crisis. This study, utilizing a virtual environment, was a 3 (risk communication: risk information vs. risk information with course of action vs. control) × 2 (crisis communication: with recommended behaviours vs. without recommended behaviours) between subjects design. Both risk and crisis communication supported adequate behaviour in a crisis situation. In addition, through risk communication, participants had less affective reactions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Association of type 2 diabetes mellitus with the interaction between low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) polymorphisms and overweight and obesity in rural Chinese adults
Authors: Zhang Lu , Wang Jinjin , Zhang Ming , Wang Guo’an , Shen Yanxia , Wu Dongting , Wang Chongjian , Li Linlin , Ren Yongcheng , Wang Bingyuan , Zhang Hongyan , Yang Xiangyu , Zhao Yang , Han Chengyi , Zhou Junmei , Pang Chao , Yin Lei , Zhao Jingzhi , Luo Xinping , Hu Dongsheng 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundLow‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) plays an important role in glucose and cholesterol metabolism. The present cohort study evaluated associations of LRP5 variants with the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a rural adult Chinese population.MethodsIn all, 7751 subjects aged ≥18 years without T2DM underwent genotyping at baseline; 6326 subjects (81.62%) were followed‐up, and 5511 with a clear disease outcome were eligible for analysis. The same questionnaire was administered and the same anthropometric and blood biochemical examinations were performed at baseline and follow‐up. Association analysis was performed for five single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of LRP5.ResultsCox proportional hazards testing of three different genetic models found no significant association between T2DM and LRP5 after adjusting for potential risk factors (P > 0.05). However, the incidence of T2DM in subjects with LRP5 mutational genotypes was higher in the overweight/obese than normal weight population. Under the dominant model, the risk of T2DM was increased with an interaction between rs11228303 and the waist‐to‐height ratio adjusted for baseline age, sex, and family history of T2DM (synergy index [SI] = 4.172; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.014–17.166)], and body mass index (SI = 3.237; 95% CI 1.102–9.509). Furthermore, the A allele of rs3758644 was related to decreased fasting plasma insulin and homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function levels, whereas the T allele of rs12363572 was related to increased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in new‐onset diabetes patients (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe risk of T2DM may be associated with interactions between the LRP5 gene and overweight and obesity. Polymorphisms of LRP5 are related to β‐cell function and lipid metabolism.
Association between serum CA 19‐9 and metabolic syndrome: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Du Rui , Cheng Di , Lin Lin , Sun Jichao , Peng Kui , Xu Yu , Xu Min , Chen Yuhong , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing , Lu Jieli , Ning Guang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that serum CA 19‐9 is associated with abnormal glucose metabolism. However, data on the association between CA 19‐9 and metabolic syndrome is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum CA 19‐9 and metabolic syndrome.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 3641 participants aged ≥40 years from the Songnan Community, Baoshan District in Shanghai, China. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between serum CA 19‐9 and metabolic syndrome.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with participants in the first tertile of serum CA 19‐9, those in the second and third tertiles had increased odds ratios (OR) for prevalent metabolic syndrome (multivariate adjusted OR 1.46 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.11–1.92] and 1.51 [95% CI 1.14–1.98]; P
trend = 0.005). In addition, participants with elevated serum CA 19‐9 (≥37 U/mL) had an increased risk of prevalent metabolic syndrome compared with those with serum CA 19‐9 < 37 U/mL (multivariate adjusted OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.21–3.65).ConclusionSerum CA 19‐9 is associated with an increased risk of prevalent metabolic syndrome. In order to confirm this association and identify potential mechanisms, prospective cohort and mechanic studies should be performed.
Accounting for biotic interactions through alpha‐diversity constraints in stacked species distribution models
Authors: Gavish Yoni , Marsh Charles J. , Kuemmerlen Mathias , Stoll Stefan , Haase Peter , Kunin William E. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Species distribution models (SDM) are widely used to predict occupancy patterns at fine resolution over wide extents. However, SDMs generally ignore the effect of biotic interactions and tend to overpredict the number of species that can coexist at a given location and time (hereafter, the alpha‐capacity). We developed an extension of SDMs that integrates species‐level and community‐level modelling to account for the above drivers.

The alpha‐adjusted SDM takes the Probabilities of Occurrence (PoO) for all species of a community and the site's alpha‐capacity and adjusts the PoO, such that: (i) their sum will equal the alpha‐capacity as predicted by probability theory; and (ii) the adjusted PoO are dependent upon the relative suitability of each species for that site. The new method was tested using community data comprising 87 freshwater invertebrate species in an LTER watershed in Germany. We explored the ability of the method to predict alpha and beta‐diversity patterns. We further focused on the effect on model performance at the species‐level of the error associated with modelling alpha‐capacity, of differences in gamma diversity (the size of the community) and of the type of community (random or guild‐based).

The models that predicted alpha‐capacity contained considerable error, and thus adjusting the PoO according to the modelled alpha‐capacity resulted with decreased performance at the species level. However, when using the observed alpha‐capacity to mimic a good alpha‐capacity model, the alpha‐adjusted SDMs usually resulted in increased performance. We further found that the alpha‐adjusted SDM was better than the original SDM at predicting beta‐diversity patterns, especially when using similarity indices that are sensitive to double absences.

Using the alpha‐adjusted SDM approach may increase the predictive performance at the species and community levels if alpha‐capacity can be assessed or modelled with sufficient accuracy, especially in relatively small communities of closely interacting species. With better models to predict alpha‐capacity being developed, alpha‐adjusted SDM has considerable potential to provide more realistic predictions of species‐distribution patterns.