bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Stability of Propellants and Safe Lifetimes
Authors: de Klerk Wim P. C. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe surveillance of gun propellants is basically performed either by an investigation into the thermal behavior of the propellant or by the determination of its remaining effective stabilizer content. Over the years it is shown that the surveillance of NC based gun propellants is necessary. NC based materials are intrinsically unstable, and can cause many accidents. Some accidents were caused by old unstable material, other ones were initiated by the extreme conditions during storage, like during expeditionary operations of military forces. And in quite a few cases it was a combination of these. Surveillance tests have changed over the years, and the last philosophy is to test the propellants as close as possible in comparison to the way they are stored [1] for this way of testing the Heat Flow Calorimetry (or microcalorimetry) method is the optimum. Older methods like the Abel heat test, Methyl Violet Test, Bergman‐Junk stability test, are test methods an analysis of the current status, without or very limited prediction behavior. Besides that the temperatures are relatively high, the measuring value is quite strongly dependent of the observer/operator. In general these tests are applied for propellants and sometimes explosives, although the general application worldwide (as far they are in use by countries) is propellants.
Extracting intrinsic dynamic parameters of biomolecular folding from single‐molecule force spectroscopy experiments
Authors: Nam Gi‐Moon , Makarov Dmitrii E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSingle‐molecule studies in which a mechanical force is transmitted to the molecule of interest and the molecular extension or position is monitored as a function of time are versatile tools for probing the dynamics of protein folding, stepping of molecular motors, and other biomolecular processes involving activated barrier crossing. One complication in interpreting such studies, however, is the fact that the typical size of a force probe (e.g., a dielectric bead in optical tweezers or the atomic force microscope tip/cantilever assembly) is much larger than the molecule itself, and so the observed molecular motion is affected by the hydrodynamic drag on the probe. This presents the experimenter with a nontrivial task of deconvolving the intrinsic molecular parameters, such as the intrinsic free energy barrier and the effective diffusion coefficient exhibited while crossing the barrier from the experimental signal. Here we focus on the dynamical aspect of this task and show how the intrinsic diffusion coefficient along the molecular reaction coordinate can be inferred from single‐molecule measurements of the rates of biomolecular folding and unfolding. We show that the feasibility of accomplishing this task is strongly dependent on the relationship between the intrinsic molecular elasticity and that of the linker connecting the molecule to the force probe and identify the optimal range of instrumental parameters allowing determination of instrument‐free molecular dynamics.
Genetic basis of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance to the chitin synthesis inhibitor lufenuron
Authors: Nascimento Antonio Rogério Bezerra do , Farias Juliano Ricardo , Bernardi Daniel , Horikoshi Renato Jun , Omoto Celso 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn understanding of the genetic basis of insect resistance to insecticides is important for the establishment of insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. In this study we evaluated the inheritance pattern of resistance to the chitin synthesis inhibitor lufenuron in Spodoptera frugiperda.RESULTSThe LC50 values (95% CI) were 0.23 µg lufenuron mL−1 water (ppm) (0.18–0.28) for the susceptible strain (SUS) and 210.6 µg mL−1 (175.90–258.10) for the lufenuron‐resistant strain (LUF‐R), based on diet‐overlay bioassay. The resistance ratio was ≈ 915‐fold. The LC50 values for reciprocal crosses were 4.89 µg mL−1 (3.79–5.97) for female LUF‐R and male SUS and 5.74 µg mL−1 (4.70–6.91) for female SUS and male LUF‐R, indicating that the inheritance of S. frugiperda resistance to lufenuron is an autosomal, incompletely recessive trait. Backcrosses of the progeny of reciprocal crosses with the parental LUF‐R showed a polygenic effect. The estimated minimum number of independent segregations was in the 11.02 range, indicating that resistance to lufenuron is associated with multiple genes in S. frugiperda.CONCLUSIONSBased on genetic crosses, the inheritance pattern of lufenuron resistance in S. frugiperda was autosomal, incompletely recessive and polygenic. Implications of this finding to IRM are discussed in this paper. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Uneven Hedging of Economic Risks for a Skilled Workforce: Are Immigrants Disadvantaged?
Authors: Hao Lingxin , Warkentien Siri 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSkilled immigration to the US has been multi‐channelled via legislation on permanent and temporary visa programmes. This paper argues that skilled immigrants were not disadvantaged during the Great Recession because of a new hedging mechanism, which starts with the federal legislation that admits skilled non‐immigrants, proceeds to vest authority in employers who perform rigorous screening and selection of temporary workers for future permanency, and ends with greater protection of those selected. To test this mechanism, this paper examines skilled immigrants' spatial mobility out of the country and their domestic labour market outcomes. The paper presents evidence from analysing repeated, nationally representative survey data of college graduates in the US using demographic techniques of intra‐cohort and inter‐cohort analyses. The major findings about the substantial cross‐border mobility and high levels of labour force participation among at‐entry temporary visa holders who later gained permanent residency provide strong evidence to support our proposed new hedging mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An instrumental index of the West African Monsoon back to the nineteenth century
Authors: Gallego David , Ordóñez Paulina , Ribera Pedro , Peña‐Ortiz Cristina , García‐Herrera Ricardo 
Published: June 2015

A new index, namely the African Southwesterly Index (ASWI), based on the persistence of the low‐level southwesterly winds in the region (29°–17°W; 7–13°N) is developed to characterise the strength of the West African Monsoon. The ASWI is significantly correlated with the monsoonal precipitation in the Sahel in the 1900–2013 period (r = + 0.57, r = + 0.66 and r = + 0.53 for July, August and September respectively). By using historical wind direction measurements it has been possible to compute the ASWI back to 1790 for July and to 1839 for August and September, thus providing the first instrumental record of the West African Monsoon strength for a large portion of the nineteenth century.Since the 1970s, the Sahel has experienced a strong and persistent drought. During this period the West African Monsoon has been weaker than normal and its correlation with different climatic patterns such as the ENSO has changed. The analysis of our new series indicates that this anomalous behaviour of the West African Monsoon has no precedent in the last 170 years.Our results also show that the period 1839–1890 was characterised by a stronger than average monsoon, resulting in relatively wet conditions in the Sahel. Notwithstanding, two of the few dry years within this period were concurrent with large volcanic eruptions in the Northern Hemisphere. This latter result supports the recently described relationship between major volcanic eruptions and the occurrence of isolated drought episodes in the Sahel.
Assessing Groundwater Contribution to Streamflow of a Large Alpine River with Heat Tracer Methods and Hydrological Modelling
Authors: Ravazzani G. , Curti D. , Gattinoni P. , Della Valentina S. , Fiorucci A. , Rosso R. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe contribution of groundwater to streamflow in Alpine catchments is still poorly understood, despite the fact that it may heavily impact hydrological balance and stream habitats. This paper presents the results of a field campaign based on experiments with heat tracer methods to assess the hyporheic flow during the low‐flow period of a large Alpine river in Italy. These measurements were employed to validate a distributed hydrological model that can be used to asses river–groundwater interaction in both low‐flow and high‐flow conditions. The results show that groundwater may have a relevant role during low‐flow periods, by increasing river discharge and during floods, by subtracting direct run‐off that is stored in river banks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contingent value of director identification: The role of government directors in monitoring and resource provision in an emerging economy
Authors: Zhu Hongjin , Yoshikawa Toru 
Published: June 2015

Research summary: Although previous studies have explored the value of government directors, less attention has been directed at the antecedents of government directors' engagement in value‐adding activities, such as managerial monitoring and resource provision. Drawing on social identity theory, we offer a novel model that specifies how a government director's dual identifications with the focal firm, and with the government individually and interactively affect his or her governance behavior. An investigation of government directors in China shows that their identification with the focal firm enhances monitoring and resource provision, while their identification with the government affects monitoring and resource provision differently. depending on the dominance of state ownership. The synergistic/substitutable effects between the two types of identification are contingent on state ownership and governance roles.Managerial summary: This study examines how a government director's dual identities—as a government official and as a board member of a focal firm affect his or her engagement in managerial monitoring and resource provision. Using data of Chinese listed firms, we find that government directors who strongly identify with the focal firm or with the government are highly motivated to fulfill their fiduciary obligations. However, the positive effects of their identification with the government differ between state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and non‐SOEs. The combination of the two identifications offers a further boost to monitoring in non‐SOEs, and to resource provision in both SOEs and non‐SOEs, but it acts as a disincentive to monitoring in SOEs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Material and rheological properties of native, acetylated, and pregelatinized forms of corn, cassava, and sweet potato starches
Authors: Lawal Mariam V. , Odeniyi Michael A. , Itiola Oludele A. 
Published: June 2015

The effects of acetylation and pregelatinization on the material and rheological properties of selected botanical starches as pharmaceutical excipients were evaluated. Pregelatinized and acetylated forms of starches of cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae) and sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas L. Lam (Convolvulaceae) were prepared and corn starch BP was the standard. The starches were evaluated using physicochemical, microscopic, rheological, FTIR, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analytical techniques.Microscopic analysis indicated definitive alteration in the granular character of the modified starches. The native starches were susceptible to retrogradation, which was alleviated by acetylation and pregelatinization. Flowability of the starches improved with modification while FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed characteristic functional groups and crystalline morphology of the modified starches. The water absorption and swelling properties of the starches were related to amylose content. Acetylation and pregelatinization of cassava and sweet potato starches significantly altered their granular morphology, rheology, and structure resulting in their improved functionality as potential pharmaceutical excipients.
Experimental investigation of soil‐structure interaction for the transition slabs of integral bridges
Authors: Burdet Olivier , Einpaul Jürgen , Muttoni Aurelio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an experimental test series carried out to investigate the soil‐structure‐pavement interaction in the vicinity of the transition slab at the end of an integral bridge. The main function of transition slabs is to ease the transition between the bridge deck and the embankment in the case of differential settlement. Additionally, in the case of integral bridges, transition slabs can solve the problem of moderate imposed longitudinal deformations at the bridge ends. In this case the displacements imposed on the transition slab can lead to vertical and longitudinal surface displacements and to cracking of the pavement. Based on the observed behaviour, some recommendations are proposed for the geometry and surface conditions in order to optimize the behaviour of transition slabs.
Single deepest vertical pocket or amniotic fluid index as evaluation test for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome (SAFE trial): a multicenter, open‐label, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kehl S. , Schelkle A. , Thomas A. , Puhl A. , Meqdad K. , Tuschy B. , Berlit S. , Weiss C. , Bayer C. , Heimrich J. , Dammer U. , Raabe E. , Winkler M. , Faschingbauer F. , Beckmann M. W. , Sütterlin M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine whether the amniotic fluid index (AFI) or the single deepest vertical pocket (SDP) technique for estimating amniotic fluid volume is superior for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome.MethodsThis was a multicenter randomized controlled trial including 1052 pregnant women with a term singleton pregnancy across four hospitals in Germany. Women were assigned randomly, according to a computer‐generated allocation sequence, to AFI or SDP measurement for estimation of amniotic fluid volume. Oligohydramnios was defined as AFI ≤ 5 cm or the absence of a pocket measuring at least 2 × 1 cm. The diagnosis of oligohydramnios was followed by labor induction. The primary outcome measure was postpartum admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. Further outcome parameters were the rates of diagnosis of oligohydramnios and induction of labor (for oligohydramnios or without specific indication), and mode of delivery.ResultsPostpartum admission to a neonatal intensive care unit was similar between groups (4.2% (n = 21) vs 5.0% (n = 25); relative risk (RR), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.48–1.50); P = 0.57). In the AFI group, there were more cases of oligohydramnios (9.8% (n = 49) vs 2.2% (n = 11); RR, 4.51 (95% CI, 2.2–8.57); P < 0.01) and more cases of labor induction for oligohydramnios (12.7% (n = 33) vs 3.6% (n = 10); RR, 3.50 (95% CI, 1.76–6.96); P < 0.01) than in the SDP group. Moreover, an abnormal cardiotocography was seen more often in the AFI group than in the SDP group (32.3% (n = 161) vs 26.2% (n = 132); RR, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.02–1.50); P = 0.03). The other outcome measures were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsUse of the AFI method increased the rate of diagnosis of oligohydramnios and labor induction for oligohydramnios without improving perinatal outcome. The SDP method is therefore the favorable method to estimate amniotic fluid volume, especially in a population with many low‐risk pregnancies. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Wild salmon recovery and inconvenient reality along the west coast of North America: indulgences atoning for guilt?
Authors: Lackey Robert T. 
Published: June 2015

The history of efforts to reverse the long‐term decline of Pacific salmon in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia provides instructive policy lessons for their recovery. From California to southern British Columbia, wild runs of Pacific salmon have declined over the long‐term and many have disappeared. Billions have been spent in so‐far failed attempts to reverse the decline. The annual expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars continues, but a sustainable future for wild salmon in this region remains elusive. Despite documented public support for restoring wild salmon, the long‐term prognosis for a sustainable future appears problematic. Fisheries scientists and others continue to craft restoration plans, but an effective, politically viable approach has yet to emerge, which will actually restore and sustain most runs of wild salmon in the region. For wild salmon, restoration options exist that offer both ecological viability and appreciably lower social disruption, but these options also tend to have more modest restoration objectives. Perhaps these billions of dollars being spent to recover wild salmon should be considered ‘guilt money’—modern‐day indulgences—a tax that society and individuals willingly endure to alleviate collective and individual remorse. It is money spent on activities unlikely to achieve the recovery of wild salmon, but perhaps it helps many feel better as we continue the behaviors and choices that essentially preclude their recovery. WIREs Water 2015, 2:433–437. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1093This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Mechanisms of olfactory receptor neuron specification in Drosophila
Authors: Barish Scott , Volkan Pelin Cayirlioglu 
Published: June 2015

Detection of a broad range of chemosensory signals is necessary for the survival of multicellular organisms. Chemical signals are the main facilitators of foraging, escape, and social behaviors. To increase detection coverage, animal sensory systems have evolved to create a large number of neurons with highly specific functions. The olfactory system, much like the nervous system as a whole, is astonishingly diverse.1‐3 The mouse olfactory system has millions of neurons with over a thousand classes, whereas the more compact Drosophila genome has approximately 80 odorant receptor genes that give rise to 50 neuronal classes and 1300 neurons in the adult.4 Understanding how neuronal diversity is generated remains one of the central questions in developmental neurobiology. Here, we review the current knowledge on the development of the adult Drosophila olfactory system and the progress that has been made toward answering this central question. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:609–621. doi: 10.1002/wdev.197This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation
Nervous System Development > Flies
An investigation on wind turbine resonant vibrations
Authors: Tibaldi C. , Kim T. , Larsen T. J. , Rasmussen F. , Rocca Serra R. de , Sanz F. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWind turbine resonant vibrations are investigated based on aeroelastic simulations both in frequency and time domain. The investigation focuses on three different aspects: the need of a precise modeling when a wind turbine is operating close to resonant conditions; the importance of estimating wind turbine loads also at low turbulence intensity wind conditions to identify the presence of resonances; and the wind turbine response because of external excitations. In the first analysis, three different wind turbine models are analysed with respect to the frequency and damping of the aeroelastic modes. Fatigue loads on the same models are then investigated with two different turbulence intensities to analyse the wind turbine response. In the second analysis, a wind turbine model is excited with an external force. This analysis helps in identifying the modes that might be excited, and therefore, the frequencies at which minimal excitation should be present during operations. The study shows that significant edgewise blade vibrations can occur on modern wind turbines even if the aeroelastic damping of the edgewise modes is positive. When operating close to resonant conditions, small differences in the modeling can have a large influence on the vibration level. The edgewise vibrations are less visible in high turbulent conditions. Using simulations with low‐level turbulence intensity will ease this identification and could avoid a redesign. Furthermore, depending on the external excitation, different aeroelastic modes can be excited. The investigation is performed using aeroelastic models corresponding to a 1.5 MW class wind turbine with slight variations in blade properties. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prolonged use of foot abduction brace reduces the rate of surgery in Ponseti-treated idiopathic club feet
Authors: Shabtai L. , Segev E. , Yavor A. , Wientroub S. , Hemo Y. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose There is conflicting evidence related to factors affecting the rates of recurrence of idiopathic club feet using the Ponseti method. We attempt to evaluate the predictors of success and failure in our physiotherapy-led Ponseti club foot clinic. Methods We evaluated 189 children with 279 club feet with a mean follow-up of 6.3 years for the following: Pirani score at presentation, number of casts for correction, indication for Achilles tenotomy, and the duration of foot abduction brace (FAB) use, in relation to outcome. Outcome measures were the need for additional surgery and functional scores. Based on the pattern and rate of ossification of the tarsal bones in idiopathic club foot, a much longer FAB weaning protocol was designed and practiced since 2000. The objective of this study was to answer the question of whether a prolonged period of FAB use reduces the need for surgery in Ponseti-treated idiopathic club foot. Results Thirty-six feet (12.9 %) underwent additional surgery. The Pirani score and the number of cast changes had no influence on the rate of surgery. The duration of FAB use had a significant effect on the outcome, i.e., the rate of surgery and functional scoring. Operated children used the FAB for 28 months versus 33 months in the non-operated group ( p < 0.05). Only a minor delay in the attainment of walking age was noted (average 15 months). Conclusions The duration of FAB treatment was found to be the most influential on the functional results and on rate of surgery. Close follow-up and longer FAB weaning program reduced the rates of recurrence.
The road for survival improvement of cystic fibrosis patients in Arab countries
Authors: Banjar Hanaa , Angyalosi Gerhild 
Published: June 2015

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal, monogenic disorder that affects multiple organ sys-tems of the body. The incidence has been described before in the Middle East to be 1 in 2000 to 1 in 5800 live births, and the median survival was estimated to be from 10 to 20 years of age.
The present article attempts to revisit various facets of this disease and specifically high-lights the most important lacunae that exist in treating CF. In addition, it also tries to empha-size the steps in improving the median survival of patients with CF, in these countries.