bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuotekų dumblo komposto įtaka energetinių augalų – pavėsinio kiečio (Artemisia dubia Wall.) ir sidos (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) – augimui
Authors: Titova Jelena , Bakšienė Eugenija 
Published: October 2015

Straipsnyje aprašomi netradicinių Lietuvoje augalų – pavėsinio kiečio (<i>Artemisia dubia</i> Wall.) ir sidos (<i>Sida hermaphrodita</i> (L.) Rusby) – auginimo energetiniams tikslams tyrimo rezultatai. Tyrimai 2012–2014 m. vykdyti Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro Vokės filiale. Bioenergetinės žolės buvo tręšiamos mineralinėmis trąšomis ir nuotekų dumblo kompostu pagal schemą: kontrolė (be trąšų); N<sub>90</sub>P<sub>60</sub>K<sub>90</sub>; 20, 40 ir 80 t ha<sup>–1</sup> nuotekų dumblo komposto sausosios medžiagos. Tyrimų tikslas – išsiaiškinti, ar minėtų žolinių augalų tręšimas nuotekų dumblo kompostu padidina jų derlių ir pagerina kitus augimo rodiklius. Nustatyta, kad priesmėlio paprastajame išplautžemyje tręšimui panaudojus nuotekų dumblo kompostą, pavėsinių kiečių aukštis patikimai padidėjo visais augimo metais. Sidų aukštis iš esmės padidėjo tręšimui panaudojus nuotekų dumblo kompostą tik antraisiais derliaus nuėmimo metais. Pavėsinių kiečių stiebų tankumo tręšimas nuotekų dumblo kompostu nepaveikė. Pastebėtas tik sidų stiebų tankumo esminis padidėjimas, tręšimui panaudojus 80 t ha<sup>–1</sup> komposto normą. Pavėsinių kiečių sausųjų medžiagų masės derlius padidėjo patręšus 20 ir 80 t ha<sup>–1</sup> komposto norma tik trečiaisiais auginimo metais. Sidų sausųjų medžiagų masės derliaus tręšimas nuotekų dumblo kompostu nepaveikė (p > 0,05).
Žemės ūkio paskirties žemės sklypų rinkos aktyvumas pagal sklypo savybes
Authors: Gaudėšius Rimvydas , Aleknavičius Pranas 
Published: October 2015

Nuo 1991 m. Lietuvos Respublikoje vykdoma žemės reforma, kurios metu atkuriamos nuosavybės teisės į nacionalizuotą nekilnojamąjį turtą bei parduodama laisva valstybinė žemė. Tuo pat metu vyksta ir ūkininkavimo formų transformacija. Šiuo laikotarpiu žemės ūkio paskirties žemės įsigijimo poreikis naujai susikūrusiems ūkiams bei kitai paskirčiai padidino privačios žemės rinkos aktyvumą. Moksliniame straipsnyje nurodytos pagrindinės privačios žemės rinkos aktyvumo priežastys ir nustatytos žemės sklypų savybės, kurios lemia žemės sklypų perleidimo aktyvumą rinkoje. Tyrimo metu siekiama įvertinti nustatytų ryšių stiprumą. Tyrimui pasirinkta agrarinė teritorija greta Skuodo miesto. Nustatyta, jog patys žemės savininkai naudoja tik 46 % jiems nuosavybės teise priklausančios žemės ūkio paskirties žemės. Tai turi įtakos žemės perleidimo (ją naudojantiems ūkiniams subjektams) intensyvumui. Nustatyta, kad žemės ūkio paskirties žemės įsigijimo reguliavimas teisinėmis priemonėmis gali paspartinti ūkinių struktūrų formavimosi procesą ir išvengti neracionalaus dirbamos žemės naudojimo.
Evaluation of an innovative approach for sensory enrichment in zoos: semiochemical stimulation for captive lions (Panthera leo)
Authors: Martínez-Macipe M , Lafont-Lecuelle C , Manteca X , Pageat P , Cozzi A 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDespite improvements in zoo housing and management conditions over the last years, zoo animals may still present undesirable behaviours, such as aggression, stereotypies, boredom and a general absence of natural behaviours. In order to improve animal welfare, researchers are constantly looking for tools to enrich the environment and increase sensory information. Semiochemicals carry important information and are already in use for domestic and wild species. The aim of the current study was to evaluate their impact on the behaviour of captive lions. The behaviour of 18 African lions (Panthera leo) living at Aqualeon Safari Park, Tarragona, Spain was recorded during four different experimental conditions: (i) no intervention (baseline); (ii) Cat Facial Pheromone F3 in gel-diffuser blocks; (iii) Cat Appeasing Pheromone (CAP) in gel-diffuser blocks; and (iv) placebo blocks. The schedule consisted of six days with exposure to each condition and three days without. It was repeated twice. The statistical analysis showed a number of differences: animals exhibited longer periods of ‘follow’ behaviour when exposed to F3 than control or placebo; and longer periods of ‘play’ behaviour during F3 than control, placebo or CAP, although there was also a significant difference between CAP and placebo vs control. The lions also ‘ran’ more during F3 than during all other conditions and ‘walked’ more during F3 than during control or CAP; walking time was also significantly higher during placebo and CAP vs control. These results suggest that semiochemicals affect the behaviour of lions in captivity and might be considered and studied more thoroughly as potential tools to improve welfare.
Spectroscopic investigation of the NO C 2Π de-excitation process by collision with O2 X 3Σg
− in a low-pressure N2–O2 mixture microwave discharge
Authors: Tan Hao , Nezu Atsushi , Akatsuka Hiroshi 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
We use a spectroscopic method to diagnose the microwave discharge plasma of N2–O2 mixtures. We succeed in observing NO δ-band radiation peaks when the oxygen partial pressure is smaller than 3%. In order to quantitatively investigate the de-excitation processes of the NO C 2Π excited state, we improve our self-consistent kinetic model to include some of the main excited states of NO molecules. In providing our numerical results, we discuss a reasonable NO C 2Π de-population process by that involves collision with the O2 X 3Σg
− state molecule, which leads to the disappearance of δ-band radiation. We propose an indirect proof that this de-population process results in an increase in the vibrational temperature of NO A 2Σ+.
Interpreting the nature of Northern and Southern Annular Mode variability in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Schenzinger V. , Osprey S. M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCharacteristic timescales for the Northern Annular Mode (NAM) and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) variability are diagnosed in historical simulations submitted to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and are compared to the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts ERA‐Interim data. These timescales are calculated from geopotential height anomaly spectra using a recently developed method, where spectra are divided into low‐frequency (Lorentzian) and high‐frequency (exponential) parts to account for stochastic and chaotic behaviors, respectively. As found for reanalysis data, model spectra at high frequencies are consistent with low‐order chaotic behavior, in contrast to an AR1 process at low frequencies. This places the characterization of the annular mode timescales in a more dynamical rather than purely stochastic context. The characteristic high‐frequency timescales for the NAM and SAM derived from the model spectra at high frequencies are ∼5 days, independent of season, which is consistent with the timescales of ERA‐Interim. In the low‐frequency domain, however, models are slightly biased toward too long timescales, but within the error bars, a finding which is consistent with previous studies of CMIP3 models. For the SAM, low‐frequency timescales in November, December, January, and February are overestimated in the models compared to ERA‐Interim. In some models, the overestimation in the SAM austral summer timescale is partly due to interannual variability, which can inflate these timescales by up to ∼40% in the models but only accounts for about 5% in the ERA‐Interim reanalysis.
A persistent scatterer interpolation for retrieving accurate ground deformation over InSAR‐decorrelated agricultural fields
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Zebker Howard A. , Knight Rosemary 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInterferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) is a radar remote sensing technique for measuring surface deformation to millimeter‐level accuracy at meter‐scale resolution. Obtaining accurate deformation measurements in agricultural regions is difficult because the signal is often decorrelated due to vegetation growth. We present here a new algorithm for retrieving InSAR deformation measurements over areas with severe vegetation decorrelation using adaptive phase interpolation between persistent scatterer (PS) pixels, those points at which surface scattering properties do not change much over time and thus decorrelation artifacts are minimal. We apply this algorithm to L‐band ALOS interferograms acquired over the San Luis Valley, Colorado, and the Tulare Basin, California. In both areas, the pumping of groundwater for irrigation results in deformation of the land that can be detected using InSAR. We show that the PS‐based algorithm can significantly reduce the artifacts due to vegetation decorrelation while preserving the deformation signature.
Estimating wave orbital velocity through the azimuth cutoff from space‐borne satellites
Authors: Stopa Justin E. , Ardhuin Fabrice , Chapron Bertrand , Collard Fabrice 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIt has been long accepted that ocean wave conditions recorded from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) aboard satellites resolve large scale swells. SARs make use of its displacement to achieve fine resolution; however the random surface motions can reduce its nominal azimuthal resolution. Accordingly, the SAR spectral azimuth response mirrors the probability distribution of the radial velocity component of the scatters. This effect, quantified in a measure called the azimuth cutoff, is estimated by defining a scale based on the fitting of a Gaussian function to the radar cross section azimuth spectrum. The independent measure provides additional sea state information related to the root mean square surface orbital wave velocity. We use data recorded from the European Space Agency's ENVISAT advanced SAR in the C‐band spanning its lifetime 2003–2012. Our purpose is to first establish the validity of the azimuth cutoff using both colocated buoys and modeled wave data. Some systematic biases are corrected using other SAR derived parameters, improving the accuracy of the estimate. Despite our efforts, errors exist in the presence of swell, extreme wind waves, and related to the wave direction. Under the majority of the sea states the parameter is well behaved. As a final point, applications using the wave orbital velocities are described in terms of diagnosing a spectral wave model and the wave climate. As illustrated, the returned radar signal provides useful sea state information that resolves wind speeds, wave orbital velocities from the wind waves, and swells.
Decomposition of sources of errors in seasonal streamflow forecasting over the U.S. Sunbelt
Authors: Mazrooei Amirhossein , Sinha Tushar , Sankarasubramanian A. , Kumar Sujay , Peters‐Lidard Christa D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSeasonal streamflow forecasts, contingent on climate information, can be utilized to ensure water supply for multiple uses including municipal demands, hydroelectric power generation, and for planning agricultural operations. However, uncertainties in the streamflow forecasts pose significant challenges in their utilization in real‐time operations. In this study, we systematically decompose various sources of errors in developing seasonal streamflow forecasts from two Land Surface Models (LSMs) (Noah3.2 and CLM2), which are forced with downscaled and disaggregated climate forecasts. In particular, the study quantifies the relative contributions of the sources of errors from LSMs, climate forecasts, and downscaling/disaggregation techniques in developing seasonal streamflow forecast. For this purpose, three month ahead seasonal precipitation forecasts from the ECHAM4.5 general circulation model (GCM) were statistically downscaled from 2.8° to 1/8° spatial resolution using principal component regression (PCR) and then temporally disaggregated from monthly to daily time step using kernel‐nearest neighbor (K‐NN) approach. For other climatic forcings, excluding precipitation, we considered the North American Land Data Assimilation System version 2 (NLDAS‐2) hourly climatology over the years 1979 to 2010. Then the selected LSMs were forced with precipitation forecasts and NLDAS‐2 hourly climatology to develop retrospective seasonal streamflow forecasts over a period of 20 years (1991–2010). Finally, the performance of LSMs in forecasting streamflow under different schemes was analyzed to quantify the relative contribution of various sources of errors in developing seasonal streamflow forecast. Our results indicate that the most dominant source of errors during winter and fall seasons is the errors due to ECHAM4.5 precipitation forecasts, while temporal disaggregation scheme contributes to maximum errors during summer season.
Ionospheric Effects on Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar and a New Capability of Imaging the Ionosphere From Space
Authors: Pi Xiaoqing 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article reviews research activities and results in a new field, where ionospheric effects on spaceborne synthetic aperture radar have been investigated and techniques of imaging the ionosphere using the same radar are also explored. The research was originally to minimize ionospheric‐induced distortions and contaminations in Earth remote sensing observations. As a product, the radar‐based high‐resolution ionospheric imaging from a low Earth orbit satellite can also benefit studies of space weather effects on the ionospheric density distribution in essentially all latitude regions, which would provide useful information to studies of coupling of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere.
Making the most of data: An information selection and assessment framework to improve water systems operations
Authors: Giuliani M. , Pianosi F. , Castelletti A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAdvances in Environmental monitoring systems are making a wide range of data available at increasingly higher temporal and spatial resolution. This creates an opportunity to enhance real‐time understanding of water systems conditions and to improve prediction of their future evolution, ultimately increasing our ability to make better decisions. Yet, many water systems are still operated using very simple information systems, typically based on simple statistical analysis and the operator's experience. In this work, we propose a framework to automatically select the most valuable information to inform water systems operations supported by quantitative metrics to operationally and economically assess the value of this information. The Hoa Binh reservoir in Vietnam is used to demonstrate the proposed framework in a multiobjective context, accounting for hydropower production and flood control. First, we quantify the expected value of perfect information, meaning the potential space for improvement under the assumption of exact knowledge of the future system conditions. Second, we automatically select the most valuable information that could be actually used to improve the Hoa Binh operations. Finally, we assess the economic value of sample information on the basis of the resulting policy performance. Results show that our framework successfully select information to enhance the performance of the operating policies with respect to both the competing objectives, attaining a 40% improvement close to the target trade‐off selected as potentially good compromise between hydropower production and flood control.
Modeling longitudinal changes in hypertensive and waist phenotype: The oporto growth, health, and performance study
Authors: Souza Michele , Eisenmann Joey , Santos Fernanda , Gomes Thayse , Pereira Sara , Forjaz Claudia , Maia José 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis study aimed to: (1) model changes in the hypertensive and waist phenotype (HWP) in youth, and (2) investigate the effects of sex, biological maturation, total physical activity (TPA), and physical fitness (PF) in HWP trajectories.MethodsData were obtained annually for 3 years from the Oporto Growth, Health, and Performance Study, and comprised 5,549 adolescents (2,732 girls) divided into four age cohorts (10, 12, 14, and 16 years). The HWP was computed as the sum of the standardized score of waist circumference and mean arterial pressure. Biological maturation was indirectly assessed by the maturity offset procedure; TPA was estimated with the Baecke questionnaire; PF measures included 1‐mile run/walk, 50‐yard dash (50YD), standing long jump (SLJ), handgrip strength (HGr), and agility shuttle run. Longitudinal changes in HWP were analyzed using multilevel modelling.ResultsHWP increased across time with a nonlinear trend in girls and boys. However, when adjusted for a set of predictors, the trend was reversed: girls and boys had a significant annual decrease on HWP of −0.202 ± 0.032 and −0.147 ± 0.032, respectively. Maturity offset was positively associated with HWP changes (β = 0.913 ± 0.023); TPA had a negative association (β = −0.027 ± 0.011); and improved PF tests were associated with a significant reduction in HWP across time (β1mile = −0.081 ± 0.009; βSLJ = −0.003 ± 0.00; β50YD=0.106 ± 0.020; and βHGr = −3.335 ± 0.196).ConclusionsBoys showed higher HWP values compared to girls from 10 to 18 years of age. Adolescents who were more biologically mature had a more adverse HWP. Longitudinal increases in TPA and PF predicted annual decreases in HWP across the adolescence years.Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:387–393, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative surface analysis of hemp fibers using XPS, conventional and low voltage in‐lens SEM
Authors: Truss Rowan W. , Wood Barry , Rasch Ron 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTSurfaces of hemp fibers with different treatments: (1) as received; (2) water washed; and (3) treated with NaOH, were examined using a combination of conventional Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), lignin staining and a novel low voltage in‐lens detector SEM technique which provides compositional contrast between polymeric materials on the surface. Surface composition determined using quantitative X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the surfaces of the as received fibers and the water washed fibers were predominantly lignin and extractives and only after NaOH treatments was there sufficient oxygen on the surface to allow for the presence of polysaccharides. Using the in‐lens backscattered SEM technique, spatial distribution of polymeric materials on the surface was shown to be highly non‐uniform. The findings have implications for design of natural fiber composites and the interfacial properties between fiber and matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43023.
The effect of poly(ethylene glycol) as plasticizer in blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene succinate)
Authors: Pivsa‐Art Weraporn , Fujii Kazunori , Nomura Keiichiro , Aso Yuji , Ohara Hitomi , Yamane Hideki 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blends was examined. Overall, it was found that PEG acted as an effective plasticizer for the PLA phase in these microphase‐separated blends, increasing the elongation at break in all blends and decreasing the Tg of the PLA phase. Significant effects on other properties were also observed. The tensile strength and Young's modulus both decreased with increasing PEG content in the blends. In contrast, the elongation at break increased with the addition of PEG, suggesting that PEG acted as a plasticizer in the polymer blends. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the fracture mode of PLA changed from brittle to ductile with the addition of PEG in the polymer blends. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43044.
Preparative purification of plasmin activity stimulating phenolic derivatives from Gastrodia elata using centrifugal partition chromatography
Authors: Jeon Je‐Seung , Kim Jeeyoung , Park Soyoung , Ryou Chongsuk , Kim Chul Young 
Published: October 2015

AbstractGastrodia rhizome, a dried and steamed tuber of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae), has been traditionally used in Korea, China and Japan for the treatment of neurological and nervous disorders such as headaches, dizziness, vertigo and convulsive illnesses. The ethyl acetate and water extracts of G. elata stimulated plasmin activity. The active ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) with a two‐phase solvent system, composed of n‐hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (3:7:4:6, v/v) followed by semi‐preparative HPLC purification to separate active compounds and the water fraction was purified by Diaion HP‐20 resin and semi‐preparative HPLC. In ethyl acetate extract, 4‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol (1), 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (2), 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (3), 4‐ethoxymethylphenol (4), 4,4′‐oxybis(methylene)diphenol (5) and 4,4′‐methylenediphenol (6) were obtained with high purities. Parishin (7) and parishin B (8) were isolated from water extract. Among isolated compounds, 4‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol (1), 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (3) and 4‐ethoxymethylphenol (4) significantly stimulated plasmin activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biosynthesis of the Peptide Antibiotic Feglymycin by a Linear Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Mechanism
Authors: Gonsior Melanie , Mühlenweg Agnes , Tietzmann Marcel , Rausch Saskia , Poch Annette , Süssmuth Roderich D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFeglymycin, a peptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. DSM 11171, consists mostly of nonproteinogenic phenylglycine‐type amino acids. It possesses antibacterial activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and antiviral activity against HIV. Inhibition of the early steps of bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis indicated a mode of action different from those of other peptide antibiotics. Here we describe the identification and assignment of the feglymycin (feg) biosynthesis gene cluster, which codes for a 13‐module nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) system. Inactivation of an NRPS gene and supplementation of a hydroxymandelate oxidase mutant with the amino acid l‐Hpg proved the identity of the feg cluster. Feeding of Hpg‐related unnatural amino acids was not successful. This characterization of the feg cluster is an important step to understanding the biosynthesis of this potent antibacterial peptide.
Cilostazol inhibits interleukin‐1‐induced ADAM17 expression through cAMP independent signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Takaguri Akira , Morimoto Mayumi , Imai Shin‐ichi , Satoh Kumi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIncreased A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and hypertension. Although cilostazol, type III phosphodiesterase (PDE III) inhibitor, has recently been found to inhibit VSMC proliferation, the mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we hypothesized that cilostazol regulates the ADAM17 expression in VSMC. In cultured VSMC, interleukin (IL)‐1α and IL‐1β significantly increased ADAM17 expression. MEK inhibitor U0126, NF‐κB inhibitor BAY‐11‐7085, and siRNA targeting p65/RelA significantly inhibited IL‐1α or IL‐β‐induced ADAM17 expression. Cilostazol significantly inhibited IL‐1α or IL‐1β‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and ADAM17 expression. Unexpectedly, cilostamide, dibutryl cAMP, and forskolin did not affect IL‐1‐induced ADAM17 expression. Our results clearly demonstrated that IL‐1 induces ADAM17 expression through ERK/NF‐κB activation in VSMCs. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of cilostazol on IL‐1‐induced ADAM17 expression may be independent of the cAMP signaling pathway in VSMC. These novel findings may provide important clues to understanding the expression mechanisms of ADAM17 and the inhibitory mechanisms of cilostazol in VSMC proliferation.