bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma‐Plasma and Liquid‐Liquid First‐Order Phase Transitions
Authors: Norman G. E. , Saitov I. M. , Stegailov V. V. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAb initio quantum modeling is applied to check the ideas that motivated studies of both plasma phase transition (PPT) and Brazhkin semiconductor‐to‐metal phase transition, and to analyze both similarity and difference between them as well as with the Wigner metallization. Electron density of states and the characteristic gap in it are investigated to verify the semiconductor‐to‐metal nature of the transition. The change of plasma frequency is suggested to be used instead of the “degree of ionization” to characterize the difference between two plasma phases at PPT. Electron density of states, pair distribution function, and conductivity are calculated as well. It is shown that Norman‐Starostin ideas about (a) PPT and (b) phase diagram for fluids are not anymore a hypothesis. They are confirmed by the experimental data. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemokines as relay signals in human dendritic cell migration: Serum amyloid A kicks off chemotaxis
Authors: Sozzani Silvano , Del Prete Annalisa 
Published: December 2014

Cell migration is a response highly conserved in evolution. Chemotactic factors secreted in injured and inflamed tissues generate a concentration‐based, chemotactic gradient that directs leukocytes from the blood compartment into tissue. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Gouwy et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 101–112] show that the SAA1α isoform of serum amyloid A (SAA), which is an acute phase protein upregulated in inflammation and shown to chemoattract some leukocyte subsets, is also able to chemoattract monocyte‐derived immature dendritic cells (DCs). The authors also show that the chemotactic activity of SAA1α for monocytes and DCs is indirectly mediated by rapid chemokine induction, providing evidence that proposes a new level of regulation of leukocyte migration.
Radical Titanocene Promoted Coupling of Epoxides and Vinyl Sulfones
Authors: Fernández‐Mateos Alfonso , Encinas‐Madrazo Soledad , Herrero‐Teijón Pablo , Rubio González Rosa 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA radical coupling reaction of diverse vinyl sulfones and epoxides was mediated by Cp2TiCl (Cp = cyclopentadienyl) to provide a straightforward synthetic pathway to hydroxy sulfones. The reaction was successfully achieved by using either an excess or a catalytic amount of the TiIII reagent. The scope of the reaction was studied for several different functionalized and substituted epoxides and vinyl sulfones.
Development and validation of a novel earthquake damage estimation scheme based on the continuous wavelet transform of input and output acceleration measurements
Authors: Balafas Konstantinos , Kiremidjian Anne S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThis paper presents the development and validation of several novel data‐driven damage sensitive features. The proposed features are based on the Continuous Wavelet Transform of both the input acceleration signal to the structure and the output acceleration response. The combination of the input and output wavelet coefficients and the derivation of the features is presented. The features are applied to experimental data obtained from shake table tests on reinforced concrete bridge columns. The results are compared against typically used damage metrics, such as hysteretic energy, and exhibit high correlation with damage. The performance of the features in binary damage detection is evaluated using numerical simulations of reinforced concrete columns under earthquake loading. A damage classification scheme based on the developed features and established damage indices is proposed and validated through Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed features are applied to experimental and simulated data from a multistory frame, illustrating the features' capabilities for damage localization in civil structures. Due to its data‐driven nature and use of strong motion recordings, the proposed damage detection scheme can be tailored to a wide variety of applications and deliver damage information immediately after an earthquake. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of environmentally based chemical hardness on uranium speciation and toxicity in six aquatic species
Authors: Goulet Richard R. , Thompson Patsy A. , Serben Kerrie C. , Eickhoff Curtis V. 
Published: December 2014

Abstract

Treated effluent discharge from uranium (U) mines and mills elevates the concentrations of U, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfate (SO42–) above natural levels in receiving waters. Many investigations on the effect of hardness on U toxicity have been experiments on the combined effects of changes in hardness, pH, and alkalinity, which do not represent water chemistry downstream of U mines and mills. Therefore, more toxicity studies with water chemistry encountered downstream of U mines and mills are necessary to support predictive assessments of impacts of U discharge to the environment. Acute and chronic U toxicity laboratory bioassays were realized with 6 freshwater species in waters of low alkalinity, circumneutral pH, and a range of chemical hardness as found in field samples collected downstream of U mines and mills. In laboratory-tested waters, speciation calculations suggested that free uranyl ion concentrations remained constant despite increasing chemical hardness. When hardness increased while pH remained circumneutral and alkalinity low, U toxicity decreased only to Hyalella azteca and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Also, Ca and Mg did not compete with U for the same uptake sites. The present study confirms that the majority of studies concluding that hardness affected U toxicity were in fact studies in which alkalinity and pH were the stronger influence. The results thus confirm that studies predicting impacts of U downstream of mines and mills should not consider chemical hardness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:562–574. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC
The discovery of Antillean algal taxa described by Duchassaing in 1850
Authors: Wynne Michael J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis note is to call attention to a number of marine algal taxa from the Antilles that were described by Placide Duchassaing in his 1850 work Animaux radiaires des Antilles. The mid‐19th century was a period when the distinction between marine invertebrates and some calcified benthic marine algae was still not always clear. The names of these algal taxa were validated, although no figures or details on their specific provenance were provided, other than they were from Duchassaing's collections from the Antilles. Duchassaing assigned his new algal species to the following genera: Galaxaura, Amphiroa, Jania, Melobesia and Nullipora. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparative analysis of the male reproductive accessory glands of bat species from the five Brazilian Subfamilies of the family Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera)
Authors: Martins Fabiane F. , Puga Cintia C.I. , Beguelini Mateus R. , Morielle‐Versute Eliana , Vilamaior Patricia S.L. , Taboga Sebastião R. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to morphologically characterize and compare the male reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) of bats belonging to the five Brazilian subfamilies of the family Phyllostomidae (Carollia perspicillata—Carollinae; Desmodus rotundus—Desmodontinae; Glossophaga soricina—Glossophaginae; Phyllostomus discolor—Phyllostominae and Platyrrhinus lineatus—Stenodermatinae). The study demonstrated that the RAGs of phyllostomid bats were comprised of a pair of extra‐abdominal bulbourethral glands and an intra‐abdominal complex, composed of paraurethral glands and a prostate with two (Desmodontinae and Stenodermatinae) or three (Carollinae, Glossophaginae and Phyllostominae) different regions, with the absence of the seminal vesicles; this pattern possibly evolved from a process of compaction of the prostatic regions from an ancestor with three regions. J. Morphol. 276:470–480, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polynomial chaos‐based macromodeling of multiport systems using an input–output approach
Authors: Spina Domenico , Ferranti Francesco , Dhaene Tom , Knockaert Luc , Antonini Giulio 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAn innovative technique to build stochastic frequency‐domain macromodels of generic linear multiport systems is presented. The proposed method calculates a macromodel of the system transfer function including its statistical properties, making it tailored for variability analysis. The combination of the modeling power of the Vector Fitting algorithm with the Polynomial Chaos expansion applied at an input–output level allows to accurately and efficiently describe the system variability features. Thanks to its versatility and automated order selection, the proposed technique is suitable to be applied to a large range of complex modern electrical systems (e.g., filters and interconnections) and can tackle the case of correlated random variables. The performance in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed method is compared with respect to the standard Monte Carlo analysis for two pertinent numerical examples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of salinity and nitrogen supply on the quality and health‐related compounds of strawberry fruits (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Primoris)
Authors: Cardeñosa Vanessa , Medrano Evangelina , Lorenzo Pilar , Sánchez‐Guerrero Maria Cruz , Cuevas Francisco , Pradas Inmaculada , Moreno‐Rojas José M 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDDifferent nitrogen inputs and/or development under adverse water conditions (water stress/low quality and/or high salinity/electrical conductivity), such as those prevailing in Almeria (Mediterranean coast, south‐east Spain), may affect overall fruit and vegetable quality. This study evaluated the influence of salinity and nitrogen reduction in hydroponic nutrient solution on strawberry fruit quality and nutritional compounds (Fragaria × ananassa Duch., cv. Primoris).RESULTSStrawberries obtained under salinity treatments recorded the highest values for soluble solids content (SSC; all samplings); fruit taste was thus enhanced. Additionally, salinity improved fruit nutritional value, with higher contents of antioxidants compounds (first sampling). During first and second samplings, strawberries grown under N reduction and non‐saline conditions showed higher values for firmness compared to fruits developed under other treatments. Regarding health‐related compounds, few differences were found except for total polyphenols concentration and antioxidant activity for the first sampling, where strawberries grown under saline treatments obtained the highest values for both parameters.CONCLUSIONThe use of low‐quality waters, such as those found in Almeria (salinity, N9S and N5S) and low nitrogen inputs (N5, avoid environmental impact) for strawberry cultivation does not exert a negative impact on overall quality. Positive differences could be found in SSC, firmness and health‐related compounds when compared against the control treatment (N9). © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysing Perceptions Attitudes and Responses of Winegrowers about Sustainable Land Management in Central Spain
Authors: Marques Maria Jose , Bienes Ramón , Cuadrado Joaquín , Ruiz‐Colmenero Marta , Barbero‐Sierra Celia , Velasco Ana 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study provides a better understanding of the perspective and attitudes of farmers towards sustainable land management (SLM) practices in central Spain. Farmer's willingness to change from conventional tillage to cover crops in vineyards is seen as an indicator for adoption of sustainable agriculture. Two complementary approaches were used: open interviews (n = 25) and surveys (n = 64). The portrait of these winegrowers is of mature farmers, owners of their lands and conscious of soil erosion problems (81%), although not on their own lands. They observe soil degradation (45%); however, they are more conscious of problems in their vines or grapes (64%). Only 32% would be willing to use cover crops to avoid erosion. The barriers for adoption were mainly related to water constraints, lack of knowledge and inability to accept production decreases. Results indicate an underlying lack of information on SLM. They show confusion or mistakes regarding the relationship between tillage and erosion. Young farmers are more prone to change practices. Scientific results are not effectively communicated; there are no efficient local structures to provide them with knowledge and advice in their work, including guidance on environmental issues. The EU agri‐environment payments cover the costs of SLM practices for avoiding erosion or compaction and increasing SOC. In spite of that, participants do not apply for subsidies to compensate the income foregone. Policy makers, extension services and scientists have to face this situation to tackle the limited knowledge transfer revealed in this study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frictional behaviour of imidazolium sulfate ionic liquid additives under mixed slide‐to‐roll conditions: Part 1 — Variation of mixtures with identical weight ratio of ionic liquid additive
Authors: Pejaković V. , Kalin M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIonic liquids are getting increased attention due to their potential use as additives or lubricants. One of parameters that influence their performance is anion alkyl chain length. Three chain lengths in imidazolium sulfate ionic liquids were varied in three different types of tests in order to study the friction performance in all lubrication regimes at different shear rates. Results show significant effect of alkyl chain length on friction behaviour and surface topography. The shortest chain length ionic liquid had the poorest friction performance whilst longer alkyl chain lengths performed significantly better, which was evidenced by the electrical contact resistance. Although friction behaviour was not generally reduced with ionic liquid mixtures, clear tribological improvement was observed in high shear conditions depending on alkyl chain length. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed correlation between ionic liquid chemistry and surface topography of samples after the experiments, with significantly increased roughness for short chain ionic liquid mixture. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Triceps surae fascicle stretch is poorly correlated with short latency stretch reflex size
Authors: Cronin Neil J. , Rantalainen Timo , Avela Janne 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The short latency stretch reflex (SLR) is well described, but the stimulus that evokes the SLR remains elusive. One hypothesis states that reflex size is proportional to muscle fiber stretch, so in this study we examined the relationship between these 2 parameters in human triceps surae muscles. Methods: Achilles tendon taps and dorsiflexion stretches with different amplitudes and preactivation torques were applied to 6 participants while electromyography and muscle fascicle length changes were recorded in soleus and medial gastrocnemius (MG). Results: In response to tendon taps, neither fascicle length nor velocity changes were correlated with SLR size in either muscle, but accelerometer peaks were observed immediately after hammer–tendon contact. Similar results were obtained after dorsiflexion stretches. Conclusion: Muscle fascicle stretch is poorly correlated with SLR size, regardless of perturbation parameters. We attribute the SLR trigger to the transmission of vibration through the lower limb, rather than muscle fiber stretch. Muscle Nerve 52: 245–251, 2015
Combinatorial active‐site variants confer sustained clavulanate resistance in BlaC β‐lactamase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Egesborg Philippe , Carlettini Hélène , Volpato Jordan P. , Doucet Nicolas 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBacterial resistance to β‐lactam antibiotics is a global issue threatening the success of infectious disease treatments worldwide. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been particularly resilient to β‐lactam treatment, primarily due to the chromosomally encoded BlaC β‐lactamase, a broad‐spectrum hydrolase that renders ineffective the vast majority of relevant β‐lactam compounds currently in use. Recent laboratory and clinical studies have nevertheless shown that specific β‐lactam–BlaC inhibitor combinations can be used to inhibit the growth of extensively drug‐resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, effectively offering new tools for combined treatment regimens against resistant strains. In the present work, we performed combinatorial active‐site replacements in BlaC to demonstrate that specific inhibitor‐resistant (IRT) substitutions at positions 69, 130, 220, and/or 234 can act synergistically to yield active‐site variants with several thousand fold greater in vitro resistance to clavulanate, the most common clinical β‐lactamase inhibitor. While most single and double variants remain sensitive to clavulanate, double mutants R220S‐K234R and S130G‐K234R are substantially less affected by time‐dependent clavulanate inactivation, showing residual β‐lactam hydrolytic activities of 46% and 83% after 24 h incubation with a clinically relevant inhibitor concentration (5 μg/ml, 25 µM). These results demonstrate that active‐site alterations in BlaC yield resistant variants that remain active and stable over prolonged bacterial generation times compatible with mycobacterial proliferation. These results also emphasize the formidable adaptive potential of inhibitor‐resistant substitutions in β‐lactamases, potentially casting a shadow on specific β‐lactam–BlaC inhibitor combination treatments against M. tuberculosis.
Fixed‐structure robust controller design for chatter mitigation in high‐speed milling
Authors: van Dijk N. J. M. , van de Wouw N. , Nijmeijer H. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryChatter is an instability phenomenon in high‐speed milling that limits machining productivity by the induction of tool vibrations, inferior machining accuracy, noise, and wear of machine components. In this paper, a fixed‐structure active chatter control design methodology is proposed, which enables dedicated shaping of the chatter stability boundary such that working points of higher machining productivity become feasible while avoiding chatter. The control design problem is cast into a nonsmooth optimization problem, which is solved using bundle methods. Using this approach, fixed‐structure dynamic (delayed) output feedback controllers can be synthesized. Distinct benefits of this approach are the a priori fixing of the controller order, the limitation of the control action, and the fact that no finite‐dimensional model approximations and online chatter estimation techniques are required. All these benefits are important in milling practice. Representative examples illustrate the power of the proposed methodology in terms of increasing the chatter‐free depth of cut, thereby enabling significant increases in machining productivity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supramolecular Chemistry Based on Gallium–Gallium Single Bonds – Formation of Large Heterocycles and Cages with up to Twelve Gallium Atoms
Authors: Uhl Werner , Stefaniak Christina , Voß Matthias , Layh Marcus , Rogel Friedhelm , Kösters Jutta 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe tetraalkyldigallium(II) compound R2Ga–GaR2 (1) [R = CH(SiMe3)2] reacted with amino and hydroxo functionalized carboxylic acids by retention of the Ga–Ga bond and release of CH2(SiMe3)2. New heterocyclic or cage‐like compounds were formed with three, two, or six Ga–Ga bonds in a single molecule. The latter dodecagallium compounds encapsulated THF or dioxane molecules in their molecular cavities (carcerands), the other compounds have up to six THF molecules coordinated by N–H···O hydrogen bonds.
Motion capacity, geography and ecological features explain the present distribution of a migratory top predator
Authors: Panuccio Michele , Lucia Giuseppe , Agostini Nicolantonio , Ottonello Dario , Bogliani Giuseppe 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPresence and distribution of ecological barriers shapes the distribution of migratory birds as well as any other living organism. In Italy, short‐toed snake eagles (Circaetus gallicus) breed in the northern and western areas of the peninsula but the species is rare in the south or the islands. The Italian population of this species migrates across the Mediterranean at the Strait of Gibraltar rather than crossing the large stretch of sea between Sicily and Tunisia. This suggests that, in Italy, fall migration is oriented south–north and spring migration north–south. In this paper we test the hypothesis that the accessibility of the suitable habitat area along the Italian Peninsula is in relation to the geographical migration pattern of the studied species. We integrated information from the movement ecology, the geography and the traditional ecological features in order to provide an ecological explanation of the current biogeographical pattern of our model species. We compared statistical models with and without latitude as a predictor. Each model was based on ecological and geographical variables, including land use, prey availability, spatial distribution of environmental elements (patch analysis), geomorphology, and geography. These models predict two patterns of suitability for short‐toed snake eagles in Italy. Our results suggest that the abundance of this species increases with latitude despite the existence of large areas of suitable habitat in southern Italy. We suggest that the actual distribution of the short‐toed snake eagle in Italy is influenced by the particular migration path used by this population, supporting the hypothesis that this species is still colonizing the Italian Peninsula through an unexpected colonization direction from north to south.
Increasing volume of food by incorporating air reduces energy intake
Authors: Serisier Samuel , Pizzagalli Anthony , Leclerc Lucie , Feugier Alexandre , Nguyen Patrick , Biourge Vincent , German Alexander J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMajor challenges with weight management using weight-loss diets include hunger and rapid consumption of food, both of which lead to poor owner compliance. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of increasing volume, by incorporating air, into dry expanded food, on satiety in dogs. Three studies have been performed. The first study aimed to measure the effect of volume of food on meal duration in dogs fed at their maintenance energy requirement. The purpose of the second study was to determine the effect of volume of food on satiety. The aim of the third study was to compare the satiety effect of the test diet with a maintenance dry diet commonly used in adult dogs. Throughout the studies, faecal score remained optimal. As volume of diet increased, the duration of food intake significantly increased (P < 0·001) and energy intake significantly decreased (P = 0·012). The present study has demonstrated that incorporating air into food to increase the volume of diet induces a satiety effect, independent of macronutrient profile, possibly by slowing food intake. Consequently, incorporating air into food might be a useful strategy for weight management in companion animals.