bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specific energy consumption of PV reverse osmosis systems. Experiment and theory
Authors: Fraidenraich N. , Vilela O. C. , Lima G. A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTReverse osmosis equipment (RO), driven by photovoltaic systems, can be a reliable way to provide drinking water for the population of remote areas. The specific energy consumption (SEC) of an RO equipment is an important parameter to evaluate the equipment quality and its operating conditions. In this paper, we describe a theoretical study of the SEC of an RO equipment. It is briefly analyzed the SEC for ideal systems. Then, we obtain analytic expressions for real systems, operating under variable conditions. Finally, a limiting case, when the applied pressure is equal to the transmembrane pressure at the output of the equipment, is analyzed. An experimental study of a PV‐RO equipment conducted on a commercial multistage desalination unit over a broad range of operating conditions is described. A variable speed drive couples the PV generator to the RO system. Experimental results obtained for the system present a minimum (SEC) lying in a range of (R) between 0.2 and 0.4, smaller than the value obtained for the limiting case (approximately 0.5). The minimum values obtained for hydraulic (SEC) are around 0.32 kWh m‐3 for 2,000 mg L‐1 and 0.65 kWh m‐3 for 5,000 mg·L‐1. For the limiting case the minimum hydraulic SEC are 0.18 kWh m‐3 and 0.47 kWh m‐3, respectively (R = 0.5). A good agreement is found between predicted and measured results. The proposed procedure for calculating (SEC) is simple, precise and general, yielding a valuable tool to evaluate whether the region of operation of a PV‐RO system is adequate, according to the main aim of reducing water costs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mysterious RAMP proteins and their roles in small RNA‐based immunity
Authors: Wang Ruiying , Li Hong 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA new class of prokaryotic RNA binding proteins called Repeat Associated Mysterious Proteins (RAMPs), has recently been identified. These proteins play key roles in a novel type immunity in which the DNA of the host organism (e.g. a prokaryote) has sequence segments corresponding to the sequences of potential viral invaders. The sequences embedded in the host DNA confer immunity by directing selective destruction of the nucleic acid of the virus using an RNA‐based strategy. In this viral defense mechanism, RAMP proteins have multiple functional roles including endoribonucleotic cleavage and ribonucleoprotein particle assembly. RAMPs contain the classical RNA recognition motif (RRM), often in tandem, and a conserved glycine‐rich segment (G‐loop) near the carboxyl terminus. However, unlike RRMs that bind single‐stranded RNA using their β‐sheet surface, RAMPs make use of both sides of the RRM fold and interact with both single‐stranded and structured RNA. The unique spatial arrangement of the two RRM folds, facilitated by a hallmark G‐loop, is crucial to formation of a composite surface for recognition of specific RNA. Evidence for RNA‐dependent oligomerization is also observed in some RAMP proteins that may serve as an important strategy to increase specificity.
The third‐order optical nonlinearity of Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 thin film on quartz by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Yang Guohua , Han Junhe , Huo Zhuoyu , Nie Yangzhou , Gu Yuzong 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 (BZN) thin films with good surface morphology were prepared on fused quartz substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and atomic force microscope (AFM) surface morphology measurements were performed on the samples. The XRD pattern demonstrated that the films are cubic pyrochlore structure and well crystallized. The AFM analysis indicated that the films have less rough surface. The fundamental optical constants, such as band gap, the wavelength dependence of the transmittance, and the refractive index, were obtained. The sign and magnitude of both real and imaginary parts of third‐order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) of the BZN thin films were determined by a single beam Z‐scan technique performed at 1064 nm with a picoseconds laser. The third‐order nonlinear refractive index coefficient γ and the nonlinear absorption coefficient β of the BZN thin films are 4.06 × 10−15 m2/W and −1.45 × 10−9 m/W, respectively. The real part and the imaginary part of the third‐order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) of the BZN thin films are 6.03 × 10−9 and 1.82 × 10−10 esu, respectively. The mechanisms of nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption were discussed. The results suggest that BZN thin film exhibit large third‐order nonlinear optical properties and be a promising material for applications in nonlinear optical devices.
Effect of different annealing temperatures and SiO2/Si(100) substrate on the properties of nickel containing titania thin sol–gel films
Authors: Pärna Rainer , Joost Urmas , Nõmmiste Ergo , Käämbre Tanel , Kikas Arvo , Kuusik Ivar , Kink Ilmar , Hirsimäki Mika , Kisand Vambola 
Published: February 2012

AbstractNickel containing titania thin films have been prepared on SiO2/Si(100) substrate by using the sol–gel deposition and annealing in the air at 450–1150 °C. Several experimental techniques [atomic force microscopy (AFM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray reflection (XRR), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), UV–Vis spectroscopy and hydrophilicity measurements] have been applied to characterize these films. Further, the results of this study were compared to previously investigated nickel containing titania on HF‐etched Si(100) (i.e. without oxide layer). The morphological and structural properties of nickel containing titania were found to be dependent on the kind of the substrate on which the films were prepared. The thin films deposited on SiO2/Si(100) substrate, compared to similar films on HF‐etched Si(100) substrate, were more uniform, did not contain large pores and had smaller RMS roughness, especially when annealed below 650 °C. Also films on SiO2/Si(100) substrate were more crystalline and anatase transformation to rutile phase occurred at 150 °C lower temperature. Nickel in the films appeared to be in the 2+ oxidation state. When films were annealed above 650 °C, nickel was found mainly in the NiTiO3 crystallites. Nickel compounds segregated to the surface of the film, forming islands. Nickel addition red‐shifted the titania fundamental absorption edge further into the visible range. Films on both substrates demonstrated couple of tens of nanometers thick interlayer formation (between films and substrates) after annealing at 850 and 900 °C. We demonstrated that a well‐crystallined anatase was crucial for obtaining a good light‐induced hydrophilic nickel containing titania surface.
Conditional negative association for competing urns
Authors: Kahn J. , Neiman M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe prove conditional negative association for random variables xj = 1 (j∈[n]:= {1…n}) , where σ(1)…σ(m) are i.i.d. from [n]. (The σ(i) 's are thought of as the locations of balls dropped independently into urns 1…n according to some common distribution, so that, for some threshold tj, xj is the indicator of the event that at least tj balls land in urn j.) We mostly deal with the more general situation in which the σ(i) 's need not be identically distributed, proving results which imply conditional negative association in the i.i.d. case. Some of the results—particularly Lemma 8 on graph orientations—are thought to be of independent interest. We also give a counterexample to a negative correlation conjecture of D. Welsh, a strong version of a (still open) conjecture of G. Farr. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2012
Managing software development information in global configuration management activities
Authors: Capilla Rafael , Dueñas Juan C. , Krikhaar René 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSoftware Configuration Management (SCM) techniques have been considered the entry point to rigorous software engineering, where multiple organizations cooperate in a decentralized mode to save resources, ensure the quality of the diversity of software products, and manage corporate information to get a better return of investment. The incessant trend of Global Software Development (GSD) and the complexity of implementing a correct SCM solution grow not only because of the changing circumstances, but also because of the interactions and the forces related to GSD activities. This paper addresses the role SCM plays in the development of commercial products and systems, and introduces a SCM reference model to describe the relationships between the different technical, organizational, and product concerns any software development company should support in the global market. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by using polyaniline/polystyrene nanocomposite
Authors: Taghipour Kolaei Zahra , Tanzifi Marjan , Yousefi Aliyeh , Eisazadeh Hossein 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOne of the suitable methods for removing heavy metals from water and waste water is the use of a surface adsorption process. In this study, polyaniline/polystyrene (PAn/PS) nanocomposite was prepared in aqueous solution by the polymerization of styrene and aniline using potassium iodate and ammonium peroxydisulfate as oxidants in the presence of surfactive dopant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as surfactant. The capability of separating Cd(II) ions was studied, and the results were compared with those obtained with other adsorbents. The results indicated that removal percentage was increased by increasing the concentration of adsorbent, contact time, and the pH of the solution. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL.,, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Bound states in the mirror TBA
Authors: Arutyunov Gleb , Frolov Sergey , van Tongeren Stijn J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe spectrum of the light-cone AdS5×S5superstring contains states composed of particles with complex momenta including in particular those which turn into bound states in the decompactification limit. We propose the mirror TBA description for these states. We focus on a three-particle state which is a finite-size representative of a scattering state of a fundamental particle and a two-particle bound state and dual to an operator from the$ \mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{u}(2) $sector of$ \mathcal{N} = 4\;{\text{SYM}} $. We find that the analytic behavior of Y-functions differs drastically from the case of states with real momenta. Most importantly,YQ-functions exhibit poles in the analyticity strip which leads to the appearance of new terms in the formula for the energy of this state. In addition, the TBA equations are supplied by quantization conditions which involveY2. Considering yet another example of a three- particle state, we find that the corresponding quantization conditions do not even involveY1. Our treatment can be generalized to a wide class of states with complex momenta.
Mapping, localization and motion planning in mobile multi-robotic systems
Authors: Rone William , Ben-Tzvi Pinhas 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYAs researchers have pushed the limits of what can be accomplished by a single robot operating in a known or unknown environment, a greater emphasis has been placed on the utilization of mobile multi-robotic systems to accomplish various objectives. In transitioning from a robot-centric approach to a system-centric approach, considerations must be made for the computational and communicative aspects of the group as a whole, in addition to electromechanical considerations of individual robots. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of mobile multi-robotic system research, with an emphasis on the confluence of mapping, localization and motion control of robotic system. Methods that compose these three topics are presented, including areas of overlap, such as integrated exploration and simultaneous localization and mapping. From these methods, an analysis of benefits, challenges and tradeoffs associated with multi-robotic system design and use are presented. Finally, specific applications of multi-robotic systems are also addressed in various contexts.
Seismic structure near the inner core boundary in the south polar region
Authors: Ohtaki Toshiki , Kaneshima Satoshi , Kanjo Kenji 
Published: February 2012

It is crucial to obtain good spatial coverage of seismic data points for better understanding the Earth's core, but the core beneath the polar regions remains largely unexplored. We analyzed differential traveltimes and amplitude ratios of core phases whose raypaths run beneath Antarctica for determining the Vp and Qp structure near the inner core boundary in the south polar region. The model we obtained (south polar region model, SPR) is described relative to the preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) as follows: a 0.05 km/s lower Vp value at the top of the inner core, a 1.5 times steeper Vp gradient in the upper 300 km of the inner core, a smaller Qp (300) in the upper 300 km of the inner core, and a 0.04 km/s lower Vp at the bottom of the outer core. The Vp values of SPR in the lowermost outer core lie between those of PREM and AK135, being closer to those of AK135. The lowermost outer core Vp inside the tangent cylinder is thus close to the global average. In the upper inner core, SPR has lower Vp than AK135 and PREM. The SPR Vp profile is close to that of previous models for the Western Hemisphere, although most of our data sample the Eastern Hemisphere of the inner core. Our results indicate that the inner core does not have a simple hemispherical variation as usually supposed. Our data support an eyeball‐shaped high‐Vp anomaly with compressional velocity higher than in 1‐D reference Earth models, concentrated to a smaller region beneath eastern Asia.
Antarctic Isotope Maxima events 24 and 25 identified in benthic marine δ18O
Authors: Caballero‐Gill Rocio P. , Clemens Steve , Prell Warren 
Published: February 2012

High‐resolution planktic and benthic δ18O records at Site 1146 (northern South China Sea) include structure within Marine Isotope Stage 5.4, 118.5–105.9 ka, that is not captured in stacked δ18O records commonly used for age model construction and as proxies for global ice volume. Leveraging a common monsoonal influence, Site 1146 planktic δ18O was aligned to speleothem δ18O from southeastern China to derive a radiometrically calibrated (RC) age model. On the RC age model, the benthic δ18O record contains structure equivalent in time to Antarctic Isotope Maximum (AIM) events 24 and 25. Sea level reconstructions for isotopic event 5.4 suggest that these benthic δ18O events (AIM 24 and 25) derive from isotopic change (ice volume) although some temperature change cannot be completely excluded.
The upper limit of thermoelectric figure of merit: importance of electronic thermoelectric efficiency
Authors: Li Jing , Yeung Tin Cheung Au , Kam Chan Hin 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
To improve thermoelectric (TE) efficiency, the physical phenomenon of TE effect is revisited. The important TE figure of merit (FOM) is expressed in terms of powers, and it is mapped by two fundamental quantities. One is the electronic TE efficiency, which is purely determined by a probability distribution function of electron transport. Furthermore, electronic TE efficiency plays an important role in the upper limit of TE FOM, which is an important index to judge the quality of a TE device. For any TE device with FOM more than one, its electronic TE efficiency must be greater than 0.5. For demonstration purpose, the TE properties of silicon nanowire are investigated.
Use of the otolith shape analysis in stock identification of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Cañás Lucía , Stransky Christoph , Schlickeisen Jürgen , Sampedro M. Paz , Fariña A. Celso 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Cañás, L., Stransky, C., Schlickeisen, J., Sampedro, M. P., and Fariña, A. C. 2012. Use of the otolith shape analysis in stock identification of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 250–256. The geographical variability in the anglerfish Lophius piscatorius otolith shape was investigated to examine biological evidence for the current separation into Northern and Southern stocks of L. piscatorius established in the Southwest European waters (Southern Shelf area) by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). In all, 629 otoliths of L. piscatorius (12–90 cm total length) from commercial fishing and research surveys were collected in two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. The otolith shape was compared between stocks for differences in univariate descriptors using non-parametric analysis of covariance, as well as elliptical Fourier shape descriptors, through a metric multidimensional scaling and a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The differences found in the otolith shape between Northern and Southern stocks were not large enough to hold the current status of L. piscatorius regarding stock definition in the Southern Shelf area, although homogeneous mixing between both stocks is not expected as there were significant differences between three univariate descriptors and the LDA was significant. These results are in agreement with the previous L. piscatorius stock identification studies (genetics, body morphology, and migratory behaviour), which do not support the current separation of these stocks but found substructures within the area.
Effects of Crystalloid versus Colloid and the α-2 Agonist Brimonidine versus Placebo on Intraocular Pressure during Prone Spine Surgery
Authors: Farag Ehab , Sessler Daniel I. , Kovaci Bledar , Wang Lu , Mascha Edward J. , Bell Gordon , Kalfas Iain , Rockwood Edward , Kurz Andrea 
Published: February 2012

Background
Volume replacement with colloid solution and topical α-2 agonists may each moderate the progressive increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) during prone surgery. The authors tested the hypotheses that during prolonged prone surgery, IOP increases less with goal-directed intravenous administration of 5% albumin than with goal-directed administration of lactated Ringer's solution, and with topical α-2 agonist brimonidine than with placebo eye drops.

Methods
Patients having complex prone spine surgery were factorially randomized to albumin and topical placebo (n = 15); albumin and topical brimonidine (n = 16); lactated Ringer's solution and topical placebo (n = 13); and lactated Ringer's solution and topical brimonidine (n = 16). IOP was measured with a pneumotonometer. The primary outcome was time-weighted average intraoperative IOP.

Results
Prone positioning increased IOP a mean ± SD of 12 ± 6 mmHg. IOP increased to 38 ± 10 mmHg at the end of anesthesia (approximately 5.5 h). Time- weighted average intraoperative IOP in the brimonidine group was 4 (95% CI: 1, 8) mmHg lower than in the placebo group (P = 0.023), but no different in the crystalloid and albumin groups (mean difference (95% CI) of -2 (-5, 2) mmHg (P = 0.34). There was no interaction between the two randomized factors.

Conclusions
Brimonidine slightly reduced the primary outcome of intraoperative time-weighted average IOP, whereas there was no significant difference between goal-directed albumin or crystalloid administration. Brimonidine thus helps reduce IOP during spine surgery, but maintaining adequate blood pressure might play a more important role.
Strigolactones Suppress Adventitious Rooting in Arabidopsis and Pea
Authors: Rasmussen Amanda , Mason Michael Glenn , De Cuyper Carolien , Brewer Philip B. , Herold Silvia , Agusti Javier , Geelen Danny , Greb Thomas , Goormachtig Sofie , Beeckman Tom , Beveridge Christine Anne 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAdventitious root formation is essential for the propagation of many commercially important plant species and involves the formation of roots from nonroot tissues such as stems or leaves. Here, we demonstrate that the plant hormone strigolactone suppresses adventitious root formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and pea (Pisum sativum). Strigolactone-deficient and response mutants of both species have enhanced adventitious rooting. CYCLIN B1 expression, an early marker for the initiation of adventitious root primordia in Arabidopsis, is enhanced in more axillary growth2 (max2), a strigolactone response mutant, suggesting that strigolactones restrain the number of adventitious roots by inhibiting the very first formative divisions of the founder cells. Strigolactones and cytokinins appear to act independently to suppress adventitious rooting, as cytokinin mutants are strigolactone responsive and strigolactone mutants are cytokinin responsive. In contrast, the interaction between the strigolactone and auxin signaling pathways in regulating adventitious rooting appears to be more complex. Strigolactone can at least partially revert the stimulatory effect of auxin on adventitious rooting, and auxin can further increase the number of adventitious roots in max mutants. We present a model depicting the interaction of strigolactones, cytokinins, and auxin in regulating adventitious root formation.
Immunological evaluation of personalized peptide vaccination in refractory small cell lung cancer
Authors: Terazaki Yasuhiro , Yoshiyama Koichi , Matsueda Satoko , Watanabe Noriko , Kawahara Akihiko , Naito Yoshiki , Suekane Shigetaka , Komatsu Nobukazu , Ioji Tetsuya , Yamada Akira , Mine Takashi , Terasaki Mizuhiko , Itoh Kyogo , Takamori Shinzo , Sasada Tetsuro 
Published: February 2012

Since the prognosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains poor, development of new therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapies, would be desirable. In the current study, to evaluate immunological responses in refractory SCLC patients, we conducted a small scale phase II clinical trial of personalized peptide vaccination (PPV), in which vaccine antigens are selected based on pre‐existing host immunity. Ten refractory SCLC patients, who had failed to respond to chemo‐ and/or chemoradiotherapies (median number of regimens, 2.5; median duration, 20.5 months), were enrolled. A maximum of four human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched peptides showing higher antigen‐specific humoral responses were subcutaneously administered (weekly for six consecutive weeks and then bi‐weekly thereafter). PPV was terminated before the 3rd administration in four patients because of rapid disease progression, whereas the remaining six patients completed at least one cycle (six times) of vaccinations. Peptide‐specific immunological boosting was observed in all of the six patients at the end of the first cycle of vaccinations, with their survival time of 25, 24.5 (alive), 10 (alive), 9.5, 6.5, and 6 months. Number of previous chemotherapy regimens and frequency of CD3+CD26+ cells in peripheral blood were potentially prognostic in the vaccinated patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.540, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.188–5.431, P = 0.016; HR = 0.941, 95% CI = 0.878–1.008, P = 0.084; respectively). Based on the feasible immune responses in refractory SCLC patients who received at least one cycle (six times) of vaccinations, PPV could be recommended for a next stage of larger‐scale, prospective clinical trials. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 638–644)