bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential of grass invasions in desert shrublands to create novel ecosystem states under variable climate
Authors: Yu Kailiang , Okin Gregory S. , Ravi Sujith , D'Odorico Paolo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe invasion of exotic grasses into shrublands is a major disturbance to dryland ecosystems. The presence of exotic grasses enhances the occurrence of wildfire in landscapes that had not evolved in the presence of fire, leading to high rates of mortality of the native vegetation. Exotic grasses could be more prone to water stress and mortality than the shrubs they replaced and may not establish during drought, facts that are crucial in ecosystems undergoing increased climatic variability. Here, we develop a process‐based modelling framework to investigate the complex dynamics resulting from the introduction of exotic grasses under variable climate. We find that the system converges towards different steady states, depending on the magnitude of climatic variability. While in the absence of climate fluctuations the shrubland state is replaced by an exotic grassland, interannual climate variability may inhibit grass invasion and stabilize the shrubland state. However, climatic variability also gives rise to a novel third, unvegetated state, with grass invasion being followed by drought, grass mortality and intense soil erosion. Most of the research on climate change effects on ecosystems has historically concentrated on the ecological impact of shifts in mean climate conditions. This study shows that changes in the variance are also important when shifts in vegetation composition (e.g. species invasions) result in different susceptibility to climatic variability. In the presence of random climate fluctuations, ecosystems can display steady states that differ from those that would exist under a constant climate or with a climate trend. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐Lived, Emissive Excited States in Direct and Amide‐Linked Thienyl‐Substituted RuII Complexes
Authors: Majewski Marek B. , Smith Jeremy G. , Wolf Michael O. , Patrick Brian O. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Michael Wolf at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. The cover image shows the structures of four heteroleptic RuII complexes with thienyl groups coordinated to the metal center through 2,2'‐bipyridine ligands via amide or C–C linkages.
Electroreduction of Nitroaromatic Compounds at Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported Bimetallic Ag@Pd Nanorods Modified Electrodes
Authors: Jeena S. E. , Gnanaprakasam P. , Selvaraju T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe design and fabrication of nanostructured electrode with high activity at low cost are crucial elements in studying the toxicity of environmental pollutants. Here, we develop a combined step of generating Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide (ERGO) nanosheets on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode where an effective seed mediated growth followed by a galvanic exchange process were introduced for the direct growth of Ag core @Pd shell nanorods (Ag@Pd NRDs). The resulting electrode possesses a large surface area, interconnected porous networks, uniform distribution of bimetallic Ag@Pd NRDs with extremely thin size of Pd generation and good electrical conductivity, which are highly desirable for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). In the fabrication step, the shell like Cu at the bimetallic NRDs acts as a sacrificial template for forming a thin layer of Pd at Ag NRDs surface by redox replacement reaction. Thus, the resultant Ag@Pd NRDs on ERGO modified electrode was profoundly tested for the electrochemical sensing of NACs with high sensitivity, selectivity and a very low detection limit of 1.8×10−11 M. Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) was used to study the linear range of 4‐nitroaniline (4‐NA) between 1.0×10−9 M and 1.2×10−8 M. The modified electrode exhibits better reproducibility and long term stability. In addition, the modified electrode out performed well in the real sample analysis containing NACs in the presence of different interfering cations and anions.
Analytical modelling of near‐source pulse‐like seismic demand for multi‐linear backbone oscillators
Authors: Baltzopoulos Georgios , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Iervolino Iunio 
Published: April 2016

SummaryNonlinear static procedures, which relate the seismic demand of a structure to that of an equivalent single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillator, are well‐established tools in the performance‐based earthquake engineering paradigm. Initially, such procedures made recourse to inelastic spectra derived for simple elastic–plastic bilinear oscillators, but the request for demand estimates that delve deeper into the inelastic range, motivated investigating the seismic demand of oscillators with more complex backbone curves. Meanwhile, near‐source (NS) pulse‐like ground motions have been receiving increased attention, because they can induce a distinctive type of inelastic demand. Pulse‐like NS ground motions are usually the result of rupture directivity, where seismic waves generated at different points along the rupture front arrive at a site at the same time, leading to a double‐sided velocity pulse, which delivers most of the seismic energy. Recent research has led to a methodology for incorporating this NS effect in the implementation of nonlinear static procedures. Both of the previously mentioned lines of research motivate the present study on the ductility demands imposed by pulse‐like NS ground motions on oscillators that feature pinching hysteretic behaviour with trilinear backbone curves. Incremental dynamic analysis is used considering 130 pulse‐like‐identified ground motions. Median, 16% and 84% fractile incremental dynamic analysis curves are calculated and fitted by an analytical model. Least‐squares estimates are obtained for the model parameters, which importantly include pulse period Tp. The resulting equations effectively constitute an R − μ − T − Tp relation for pulse‐like NS motions. Potential applications of this result towards estimation of NS seismic demand are also briefly discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the potential of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products to cause mutagenic effects: Implications for gene expression profiling
Authors: Vasquez Marlen I. , Tarapoulouzi Maria , Lambrianides Nancy , Hapeshi Evroula , Felekkis Kyriakos , Saile Maria , Sticht Carsten , Gretz Norbert , Fatta-Kassinos Despo 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

The selection and prioritization of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products for evaluating effects on the environment and human health is a challenging task. One common approach is based on compounds (e.g., mixture composition, concentrations), and another on biology (e.g., relevant endpoint, biological organizational level). Both of these approaches often resemble a Lernaean Hydra—they can create more questions than answers. The present study embraces this complexity, providing an integrated approach toward assessing the potential effects of transformation products of pharmaceuticals by means of mutagenicity, estrogenicity, and differences in the gene expression profiles. Mutagenicity using the tk kinase assay was applied to assess a list of 11 priority pharmaceuticals, namely, atenolol, azithromycin, carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, erythromycin, metoprolol, ofloxacin, propranolol, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim. The most mutagenic compounds were found to be β-blockers. In parallel, the photolabile pharmaceuticals were assessed for their mixture effects on mutagenicity (tk assay), estrogenicity (T47D- KBluc assay), and gene expression (microarrays). Interestingly, the mixtures were mutagenic at the µg/L level, indicating a synergistic effect. None of the photolysed mixtures were statistically significantly estrogenic. Gene expression profiling revealed effects related mainly to certain pathways, those of the p53 gene, mitogen-activated protein kinase, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, and translation-related (spliceosome). Fourteen phototransformation products are proposed based on the m/z values found through ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The transformation routes of the photolysed mixtures indicate a strong similarity with those obtained for each pharmaceutical separately. This finding reinforces the view that transformation products are to be expected in naturally occurring mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2753–2764. © 2016 SETAC
Performance indicator of tunnel linings under geotechnical uncertainty
Authors: Spyridis Panagiotis , Konstantis Spyridon , Gakis Angelos 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn the process of dimensioning a tunnel lining support an optimized structural system is pursued that can accommodate the inherent uncertainties associated with the geotechnical, hydro‐geological, and environmental conditions. Particularly for geotechnics, uncertainty has become a major issue of scientific discussion according to a number of recent publications. At the same time, advanced performance criteria often require probabilistic assessments in order to quantify a structure's safety and reliability or to inform life‐cycle engineering decisions. This contribution demonstrates a novel design approach for the design assessment of concrete tunnel linings. The Index for the Capacity Utilization of Linings in Tunnels (CULT‐I) introduced herein, facilitates the quantification of reliability of a tunnel lining support, while it aids toward a rationalized, performance‐based design optimization with considerations on geotechnical uncertainty. A typical case of a shallow urban tunnel excavated in soft ground using the TBM method is presented, demonstrating the practical application and feasibility of the proposed approach.
Gotthard Base Tunnel – Choice of the tunnel system from today's point of view / Gotthard‐Basistunnel – Wahl des Tunnelsystems aus heutiger Sicht
Authors: Vetsch Hans‐Peter , Zbinden Peter , Märki Ernst , Ehrbar Heinz 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe historic rail tunnels in the Alps were consistently built in the form of single‐tube twin‐track tunnels, starting with the Mont Cenis Tunnel (1871). Only the 19.8 km long Simplon Tunnel at the start of the 20th century was built with two separate single‐track tunnels. In 1988, the 53.8 km long Seikan Tunnel became the first tunnel more than 50 km long to go into operation – once more as a twin‐track tunnel, although with additional constructional elements such as forced ventilation, emergency stations and a service tunnel. In 1994 followed the Channel Tunnel with a system of two single‐track tunnels and a service or safety tunnel as well as a complex ventilation system. For the base tunnels through the Alps, the question arose in Switzerland at the start of the 1990s, what is the optimal tunnel system considering the requirements of construction, safety and operation? A cost‐benefit analysis resulted in a system with two single‐track tunnels and multi‐function stations at the third points as the optimum. Meanwhile, various requirements have been newly formulated so that the question arises whether the same decision would be made with the knowledge available today.Die historischen Eisenbahntunnel in den Alpen wurden nach dem Bau des Mont Cenis Tunnels (1871) konsequent in Form von einröhrigen Doppelspurtunneln gebaut. Einzig der 19,8 km lange Simplontunnel wurde Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts mit zwei separaten Einspurtunneln erstellt. 1988 wurde mit dem 53,8 km langen Seikan‐Tunnel erstmalig ein über 50 km langer Eisenbahntunnel in Betrieb genommen – wiederum als Doppelspurtunnel, allerdings mit zusätzlichen konstruktiven Elementen wie Betriebslüftung, Nothaltestellen und einem Dienststollen. 1994 folgte der Eurotunnel mit einem System aus zwei Einspurtunneln und einem Service‐ bzw. Sicherheitsstollen sowie einem zusätzlichen komplexen Lüftungssystem. Für die Basistunnel durch die Alpen stellte sich in der Schweiz Anfang der 1990er‐Jahre die Frage, welches das optimale Tunnelsystem unter Berücksichtigung der Anforderungen Bau, Sicherheit und Betrieb sei. Aus einer Nutzwertanalyse resultierte das System mit zwei Einspurtunneln sowie Multifunktionsstellen in den Drittelspunkten als Optimum. Mittlerweile wurden verschiedene Anforderungen neu formuliert, so dass sich die Frage stellt, ob mit den heutigen Kenntnissen die gleiche Entscheidung getroffen würde.
Unexpected difficult ground conditions in the multi‐function Station Faido / Unerwartet schwierige Baugrundverhältnisse in der Multifunktionsstelle Faido
Authors: Röthlisberger Bruno , Spörri Daniel , Rehbock Michael 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe multi‐function station (MFS) Faido, with track crossovers located symmetrically around the transverse cavern, is accessed through a 2.7 km long access tunnel. The geology encountered in the transverse cavern and the first metres of boring the running tunnels was very different from the forecast. Technical, economic and scheduling considerations demanded the moving of the four crossovers by 600 m to the south. In the drill and blast excavation of the single‐track tunnel to the north, deformations of up to 1.3 m occurred in the radius. In addition to the dangers of “squeezing rock” and “rock fall”, unforecast and serious rock burst also occurred in the east and west running tunnels, which could not have been foreseen. Yielding temporary support measures had to be carried out along a length of 500 m and sometimes massively strengthened.Intensive probing in the form of hammer and core drilling and seismic methods (TSP – Tunnel Seismic Prediction) was carried out during the tunnel drives. The drives were also monitored with intensive rock mechanical measurements. The results of probing, the rock mechanical measurements and the interpretations of the encountered geology all confirmed that the decision was correct to move the MFS.Die Multifunktionsstelle (MFS) Faido mit symmetrisch um die Querkaverne angeordneten Spurwechseln ist mit einem 2,7 km langen Zugangsstollen erschlossen. Die angetroffene Geologie in der Querkaverne und den ersten Metern Vortrieb in den Einspurstrecken wichen massiv von der Prognose ab. Technische, wirtschaftliche und programmliche Gründe erforderten eine Verschiebung der vier Spurwechsel um 600 m nach Süden. Im Sprengvortrieb der Einspurtunnel Richtung Norden stellten sich Deformationen von bis zu 1,3 m im Radius ein. Zu den Gefährdungen “Druckhaftigkeit” und “Nachbrüchigkeit” kamen nicht prognostizierte starke Bergschlagphänomene in der Ost‐ und Weströhre hinzu, die nicht vorhergesagt werden können. Die Ausbruchsicherungsmaßnahmen mussten aufgrund der Bergschlagphänomene auf ca. 500 m Länge nachgiebig ausgeführt und zum Teil massiv verstärkt werden.Die Vortriebe wurden von einer intensiven Vorauserkundung in Form von Schlag‐ oder Kernbohrungen und mit Seismik (TSP – Tunnel Seismik Prediction) begleitet. Zudem wurden die Vortriebe mit intensiven felsmechanischen Messungen überwacht. Die Erkenntnisse aus den Vorauserkundungen, den felsmechanischen Messungen und den Interpretationen der vorgefundenen Geologie bestätigte die Richtigkeit der Entscheidung, die MFS zu verschieben.
Success story: Environmental monitoring during construction at Erstfeld‐Amsteg / Erfolgsgeschichte Umweltbaubegleitung Erstfeld‐Amsteg
Authors: Doppmann Gregor , Burri Monika , Wick Raphael 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe provisions of the planning approval for the Gotthard Base Tunnel required more than 1, 000 environmental measures for the Amsteg and Erstfeld sections, arranged in 80 detail projects. The environmental aspect was also of great significance for the client. Therefore AlpTransit Gotthard AG provided sufficient resources to be able to implement the project successfully from the environmental point of view. The article is concentrated on selected aspects and explains their special features. The integration of environmental monitoring into the local construction supervision team; soil protection and cultivation; the problem of nitrite in the site wastewater; and dust and noise emissions are dealt with in detail, along with the ecological opportunities of a large construction site. A description of the usual conditions and measures affecting a tunnel site is intentionally omitted.Die Plangenehmigungsverfügungen zum Gotthard‐Basistunnel sahen für die Teilabschnitte Amsteg und Erstfeld mehr als 1.000 Umweltmaßnahmen vor, die in 80 Detailprojekten eingeordnet waren. Der Umweltaspekt war auch für die Bauherrschaft von hoher Bedeutung. Daher setzte die AlpTransit Gotthard AG genügend Ressourcen zur Verfügung, um das Projekt auch aus Umweltsicht erfolgreich umsetzen zu können. Der Beitrag konzentriert sich auf ausgewählte Aspekte und zeigt deren Besonderheiten auf. Im Einzelnen werden die Integration der Umweltbaubegleitung in die örtliche Bauleitung, der Bodenschutz und die Rekultivierung, die Nitritproblematik im Baustellenabwasser, Staub‐ und Lärmemissionen sowie die ökologische Chancen einer Großbaustelle behandelt. Auf eine Darstellung der üblichen Auflagen und Maßnahmen bei einer Tunnelbaustelle wird bewusst verzichtet.
Surgical margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Effect of heat artifact on immunohistochemistry as a future tool for assessment
Authors: Sigston Elizabeth A. W. , Longano Anthony , Strzelecki Aneta T. , Williams Bryan R.G. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundMargins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are determined by morphological changes assessed via hematoxylin‐eosin staining. Physiological changes may not be detected by this technique. The purpose of this study was to determine if a protein biomarker, laminin‐332γ2, overexpressed in cancer cells at the invasive front in HNSCC, remains unaffected by heat produced during resection, supporting a role for immunohistochemistry assessment of margins.MethodsArchived tissue blocks from glottic squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) resected by CO2 laser likely to contain both cancer cells and artifact were identified; 129‐paired slides were obtained. One slide of each pair was stained with hematoxylin‐eosin; the second stained for laminin‐332γ2. The presence of cancer cells, artifact, and positive laminin‐332γ2 staining was recorded. Twenty‐seven pairs met the inclusion criteria.ResultsImmunohistochemistry staining of laminin‐332γ is preserved in presence of heat artifact.ConclusionThis study supports use of immunohistochemistry to assess margins. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1401–1406, 2016
Association of impaired renal function and poor prognosis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Homma Akihiro , Hayashi Ryuichi , Kawabata Kazuyoshi , Fujii Takashi , Iwae Shigemichi , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Nibu Kenichi , Kato Takakuni , Shiga Kiyoto , Matsuura Kazuto , Monden Nobuya , Fujii Masato 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundRenal function influences decisions regarding treatment for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the importance of renal function in oropharyngeal SCC has not yet been reported.MethodsFour hundred sixty patients with oropharyngeal SCC treated with curative intent between April 2005 and March 2007 in 12 institutions in Japan were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsFour hundred three patients (87.6%) showed a creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥50 mL/min and 57 (12.4%) with a CrCl <50 mL/min. Age was associated with worse overall survival (OS), whereas stage IVB, radiotherapy (RT), and CrCl <50 were associated with worse OS on univariate analyses. Surgery and hypertension were associated with better OS on univariate analyses. On multivariate analysis, age, stage, hypertension, and CrCl were also found to be significantly associated with OS.ConclusionBased on this retrospective study, impaired renal function is an independent predictor of increased risk of death in patients with oropharyngeal SCC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: First–1500, 2016
Impacts of Man‐Induced Changes in Land Use and Climate Change on Living in Coastal and Deltaic Areas
Authors: Schultz Bart 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSea level rise due to climate change is presented as one of our biggest problems. The reality is quite different and generally insufficiently taken into account in decision‐making, although the facts are regularly highlighted in professional literature.Population growth in recent decades has been substantial, especially in emerging and least developed countries, where 85% of the world's population is living. Much of the growth takes place in urban areas, of which 80–90% is located in coastal and deltaic regions where sea level rise could play a role with respect to drainage and flood protection. In the majority of these areas there is subsidence, in extreme cases of 200 mm yr‾1. In such cases the impact of the current rate of sea level rise of 3.2 mm yr‾1, which implies 0.32 m per century, occurs within 2 years due to subsidence. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gives a maximum figure for sea level rise of 0.98 m by 2100. A similar comparison as above shows that this would be reached in 5 years. Commonly, inadequate measures are taken to reduce the risk of flooding.Based on newly available data, trends and forecasts, the relevant aspects and their impacts are presented in this paper, together with a future outlook. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating Different Applications of Saline and Non‐Saline Water for Maize Production
Authors: Kiani A.R. , Mosavat A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to study the efficient use of limited water supplies for two growing seasons of maize (SC 704) using a completely randomized block design and three replications in 2012 and 2013. Treatments were full (T1) and deficit (T2 = 50% of T1) irrigation with non‐saline water; T3 and T4 were variable and fixed full irrigation with saline (8 dS m‐1) and non‐saline water in alternate rows, respectively; T5 and T6 were fixed and variable deficit irrigation with non‐saline water in alternate rows, respectively, and T7 was full irrigation with saline water. Results indicated that in deficit irrigation treatments (T2, T5 and T6) the maize yield decreased significantly (70% of T1) compared with full irrigation (Tl), but there was no significant difference between T2, T5 and T6 treatments. The maize yield in T3 and T4 treatments significantly increased compared with the T2, T5, T6 and T7, but there was no significant difference between the T3 and T4 treatments. Quantitative comparison has shown a significant reduction in maize yield by 22% with deficit irrigation scenarios when compared to T3 and T4 treatments. This finding suggests that if in the T5 and T6 treatments, dry rows are irrigated with saline water to complete the water requirements of the maize, it results in significantly increased maize yield. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.