bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic Fields in Biophysical Chemistry
Authors: Sowlati-Hashjin Shahin , Karttunen Mikko , Matta Chérif F.
Published: March 2021

Typical household appliances produce electric fields of roughly 10−10–10−8 V Å−1 and those from cooler climates who use electric blankets to keep warm are exposed to fields of about 10−7 V Å−1. Given these strengths of everyday exposures, it may be surprising that the molecules and organelles of life, such of enzymes and mitochondria, operate in environments that have static electric fields in the range 10−2–10−1 V Å−1. Moreover, those fields are vital for various chemical reactions and processes. Such high fields within our own bodies are possible due to strong localization, while various cancellation effects attenuate or completely nullify their manifestation(s) at a macroscopic level. From the point of view of applications, being able to control localized strong fields would allow for an unprecedented accurate promotion or/and inhibition of various chemical processes. These strong microscopic (static) electric fields are the focus of this chapter. One of the central concepts is the Stark effect, the splitting of spectral lines upon application of (strong) electric fields. This will be discussed by adopting a ground-up approach, that is, starting with the effects of imposed fields on the chemical bonds in simple diatomic molecules which are exploited to interrogate local electric field in large enzymatic active sites, building up to the effects of imposed fields on complex systems including enzyme catalysis and double proton transfers in systems such as nucleic acid base pairs. We conclude with some possible future research directions.
An Introduction to Laser-field Effects on Chemical Reactivity
Authors: Matta Chérif F. , Bandrauk André D.
Published: March 2021

This chapter is meant as an introduction for chemists by chemists to the field of laser–molecule interaction. Such an intermediate level introduction appears to be scarce in the literature. In this domain of research the fields are generally treated classically (as non-quantized oscillating electric fields) while the atoms and molecules are treated quantum mechanically. It is common to adopt the “dipole approximation”, which takes the wavelength of the field to be infinite compared to molecular dimensions, and to also neglect magnetic effects. These considerations, when adopted within the bounds of applicability of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation, yield an effective laser-molecule potential governed by three dominant terms: the field-free potential, a dipolar term, and a polarizability term. Except in some excited states, the polarizability term is always stabilizing (energy lowering), but the magnitude of the stabilization depends on the magnitude of the relevant tensor component at a given reaction coordinate. The dipolar term can be either stabilizing or destabilizing depending on the phase of the radiation and the direction of the field-free dipole moment with respect to the incoming radiation. The interplay of these two field-dependent (and time-dependent) terms can completely change the shape of the potential energy surface and provide us with tools to tune and control chemical reaction by the proper choice of laser intensity and phase. Ultrashort laser pulses (of the order of hundreds of atto-seconds) can drive time-dependent oscillation in the electron density itself since this is the time scale of the electronic motion within atoms and molecules.
Epimers with distinct mechanical behaviours
Authors: Khandavilli Udaya B. Rao , Buckley Aoife M. , Maguire Anita R. , Kiran Mangalampalli S. R. N. , Ramamurty Upadrasta , Lawrence Simon E.
Published: March 2021

Two epimeric series of esters exhibit distinct mechanical behaviour: brittle crystals for one series and ductile crystals for the other series.
First-principles calculations of hybrid inorganic–organic interfaces: from state-of-the-art to best practice
Authors: Hofmann Oliver T. , Zojer Egbert , Hörmann Lukas , Jeindl Andreas , Maurer Reinhard J.
Published: March 2021

This work highlights the challenges and problems when modelling inorganic–organic interfaces and provides practical tips and suggestions for efficient calculations.
Simple and fast isolation of circulating exosomes with a chitosan modified shuttle flow microchip for breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Chen Wenwen , Cao Rongkai , Su Wentao , Zhang Xu , Xu Yuhai , Wang Peng , Gan Zhongqiao , Xie Yingying , Li Hongjing , Qin Jianhua
Published: March 2021

This work presents a simple and fast strategy that allows the isolation of circulating exosomes from trace serum of patients on a chitosan modified shuttle flow microchip.
Phosphine-catalysed (4+1) annulations of β′-acetoxy allenoate with β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds
Authors: Zhang Yueqi , Wang Danfeng , Tong Xiaofeng
Published: March 2021

While β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds have been widely used as γC- or αC-nucleophiles, their potential αC,αC-bisnucleophilic reactivity is still underdeveloped.
Retention of surface structure causes lower density in atomic layer deposition of amorphous titanium oxide thin films
Authors: Rich Benjamin B. , Etinger-Geller Yael , Ciatto Gianluca , Katsman Alexander , Pokroy Boaz
Published: March 2021

Size effects were investigated in thin amorphous TiO2ALD films. Significant changes in film density and Ti+3/Ti+4species ratio were discovered; this was attributed to surface reconstruction and formation of oxygen vacancies during the ALD process.
One-step fabrication of CuO-doped TiO2 nanotubes enhanced the catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles towards the methanol oxidation reaction in acid media
Authors: Fu Qinglan , Gan Mengyu , Ma Li , Wei Shuang , Wu Taichun , Yang Yanling , Li Tingting , Zhan Wang , Xie Fei , Zhong Xiujuan
Published: March 2021

To meet the requirements for the potential applications of fuel cells, it is of vital importance to search for advanced electrocatalysts toward the methanol oxidation reaction that have both high electrocatalytic activity and great CO resistance.
Isolation and functional diversity of Bowman–Birk type serine proteinase inhibitors from Hyacinthus orientalis
Authors: Aoki-Shioi Narumi , Terada Shigeyuki , Hellinger Roland , Furuta Yoshitaka , Gruber Christian W.
Published: March 2021

Bowman–Birk inhibitors (BBIs) are plant-derived serine proteinase inhibitors. Endogenously, they function as defense molecules against pathogens and insects, but they also have been explored for applications in cancer treatment and inflammatory disorders. Here, we isolated 15 novel BBIs from the bulb of Hyacinthus orientalis (termed HOSPIs). These isoinhibitors consisted of two or three chains, respectively, that are linked by disulfides bonds based on proposed cleavage sites in the canonical BBI reactive site loop. They strongly inhibited trypsin (Ki = 0.22–167 nM) and α-chymotrypsin (Ki = 19–1200 nM). Notably, HOSPI-B4 contains a six-residue reactive loop, which appears to be the smallest such motif discovered in BBIs to date. HOSPI-A6 and -A7 contain an unusual reactive site, i.e. Leu–Met at the P1–P1′ position and have strong inhibitory activity against trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, and elastase. Analysis of the cDNA encoding HOSPIs revealed that the precursors have HOSPI-like domains repeated at least twice with a defined linker sequence connecting individual domains. Lastly, mutational analysis of HOSPIs suggested that the linker sequence does not affect the inhibitory activity, and a Thr residue at the P2 site and a Pro at the P3′ site are crucial for elastase inhibition. Using mammalian proteases as representative model system, we gain novel insight into the sequence diversity and proteolytic activity of plant BBI. These results may aid the rational design of BBI peptides with potent and distinct inhibitory activity against human, pathogen, or insect serine proteinases.
Molecular mechanisms of transcription factor mediated cell reprogramming: conversion of liver to pancreas
Authors: Wild Sebastian L. , Tosh David
Published: March 2021

Transdifferentiation is a type of cellular reprogramming involving the conversion of one differentiated cell type to another. This remarkable phenomenon holds enormous promise for the field of regenerative medicine. Over the last 20 years techniques used to reprogram cells to alternative identities have advanced dramatically. Cellular identity is determined by the transcriptional profile which comprises the subset of mRNAs, and therefore proteins, being expressed by a cell at a given point in time. A better understanding of the levers governing transcription factor activity benefits our ability to generate therapeutic cell types at will. One well-established example of transdifferentiation is the conversion of hepatocytes to pancreatic β-cells. This cell type conversion potentially represents a novel therapy in T1D treatment. The identification of key master regulator transcription factors (which distinguish one body part from another) during embryonic development has been central in developing transdifferentiation protocols. Pdx1 is one such example of a master regulator. Ectopic expression of vector-delivered transcription factors (particularly the triumvirate of Pdx1, Ngn3 and MafA) induces reprogramming through broad transcriptional remodelling. Increasingly, complimentary cell culture techniques, which recapitulate the developmental microenvironment, are employed to coax cells to adopt new identities by indirectly regulating transcription factor activity via intracellular signalling pathways. Both transcription factor-based reprogramming and directed differentiation approaches ultimately exploit transcription factors to influence cellular identity. Here, we explore the evolution of reprogramming and directed differentiation approaches within the context of hepatocyte to β-cell transdifferentiation focussing on how the introduction of new techniques has improved our ability to generate β-cells.
Class II phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase isoforms in vesicular trafficking
Authors: Yoshioka Kazuaki
Published: March 2021

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are critical regulators of many cellular processes including cell survival, proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal reorganization, and intracellular vesicular trafficking. They are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylate membrane phosphoinositide lipids at the 3′ position of their inositol rings, and in mammals they are divided into three classes. The role of the class III PI3K Vps34 is well-established, but recent evidence suggests the physiological significance of class II PI3K isoforms in vesicular trafficking. This review focuses on the recently discovered functions of the distinct PI3K-C2α and PI3K-C2β class II PI3K isoforms in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and consequent endosomal signaling, and discusses recently reported data on class II PI3K isoforms in different physiological contexts in comparison with class I and III isoforms.
Plant asparaginyl endopeptidases and their structural determinants of function
Authors: Nonis Samuel G. , Haywood Joel , Mylne Joshua S.
Published: March 2021

Asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) are versatile enzymes that in biological systems are involved in producing three different catalytic outcomes for proteins, namely (i) routine cleavage by bond hydrolysis, (ii) peptide maturation, including macrocyclisation by a cleavage-coupled intramolecular transpeptidation and (iii) circular permutation involving separate cleavage and transpeptidation reactions resulting in a major reshuffling of protein sequence. AEPs differ in their preference for cleavage or transpeptidation reactions, catalytic efficiency, and preference for asparagine or aspartate target residues. We look at structural analyses of various AEPs that have laid the groundwork for identifying important determinants of AEP function in recent years, with much of the research impetus arising from the potential biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Speed‐loop frequency‐adaptive and current‐loop optimal harmonic periodic controllers for fault‐tolerant SPMSM drive systems
Authors: Liu Tian‐Hua , Mubarok Muhammad Syahril , Hendriyono Devi , Suwarno
Published: March 2021

The surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) drive system has been widely used in the industry due to its high power density, high efficiency and easy to control. nature The author proposes a speed‐loop frequency‐adaptive periodic controller and a current‐loop optimal harmonic periodic controller for a fault‐tolerant SPMSM drive system, including normal operating conditions and faulty operating conditions. The faulty conditions consist of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) open‐circuit and an IGBT short‐circuit. A digital signal processor, TMS‐320F‐2808, manufactured by Texas Instruments, is used as a control centre to execute the proposed fault‐detection, fault‐diagnosis, frequency‐adaptive and optimal harmonic periodic control algorithms. Experimental results show the proposed advanced periodic controllers can provide better performance than the proportional integral controller and the classic periodic controller, including transient responses, load disturbance responses, and tracking responses under normal and faulty conditions.
A KMOS survey of the nuclear disk of the Milky Way
Authors: Fritz T. K. , Patrick L. R. , Feldmeier-Krause A. , Schödel R. , Schultheis M. , Gerhard O. , Nandakumar G. , Neumayer N. , Nogueras-Lara F. , Prieto M. A.
Published: March 2021

Context. In the central few degrees of the bulge of the Milky Way there is a flattened structure of gas, dust, and stars, known as the central molecular zone, that is similar to nuclear disks in other galaxies. As a result of extreme foreground extinction, we possess only sparse information about the (mostly old) stellar population of the nuclear disk.

Aims. In this work we present our KMOS spectroscopic survey of the stars in the nuclear disk reaching the old populations. To obtain an unbiased data set, we sampled stars in the full extinction range along each line of sight.

Methods. We also observed reference fields in neighboring regions of the Galactic bulge. We describe the design and execution of the survey and present first results.

Results. We obtain spectra and five spectral indices of 3113 stars with a median S/N of 67 and measure radial velocities for 3051 stars. Of those, 2735 sources have sufficient S/N to estimate temperatures and metallicities from indices.

Conclusions. We derive metallicities using the CO 2-0 and Na I K-band spectral features, where we derive our own empirical calibration using metallicities obtained with higher-resolution observations. We use 183 giant stars for calibration spanning in metallicity from −2.5 to 0.6 dex and covering temperatures of up to 5500 K. The derived index based metallicities deviate from the calibration values with a scatter of 0.32 dex. The internal uncertainty of our metallicities is likely smaller. We use these metallicity measurements, together with the CO index, to derive effective temperatures using literature relations. We publish the catalog in this paper. Our data set complements Galactic surveys such as Gaia and APOGEE for the inner 200 pc radius of the Milky Way, which is not readily accessible by those surveys owing to extinction. We will use the derived properties in future papers for further analysis of the nuclear disk.
Barrières...
Authors: Liberman-Goldenberg Lydia
Published: March 2021

Quelques réflexions au fil d’une déambulation dans le monde du confinement, que cette paradoxale période inspire : de multiples barrières se ferment tandis que d’autres au contraire se lèvent, qu’en est-il alors de notre quotidien en pleine mutation ?
Teacher training in heritage education: good practices for citizenship education
Authors: Cuenca-López José María , Martín-Cáceres Myriam J. , Estepa-Giménez Jesús
Published: March 2021

Education of citizens to understand, address and resolve current social and environmental issues calls for a new professional profile that is more reflective, investigative, and critical of the teaching staff and which modifies the predominant, more traditional teaching methodologies. For this reason, we consider it essential that future teachers responsible for all subjects in which heritage is a relevant educational component should have appropriate training in these key concepts, in relation to heritage, emotions, identities, citizenship, and the approach to relevant socio-environmental problems. The study developed here analyses different end-of-degree projects (undergraduate and master’s degrees) carried out by teachers in initial training for Primary and Secondary Education. In their training process, they have addressed different criteria that are considered key to carry out didactic proposals for citizenship education based on heritage, from the perspective of determining good practices in the teaching and learning processes of the social sciences. The approach of this research is characterized by a qualitative methodology, through a documentary study, in which the materials produced by teachers in initial training are examined by analytical categories of this study: Why teach about heritage? What is taught about heritage? How is it taught? What relations are established between emotional intelligence and heritage? What relationships are established between territorial intelligence and heritage? In this study, the importance of the connection between educational research and innovation processes for the training of teachers in the field of heritage education with respect to education for citizenship has been highlighted. The connections of heritage with citizenship education and the potential involved in working on emotional and territorial intelligence have been highlighted too. However, it has been evidenced that it is necessary to go much further into the implementation of the approach to territorial intelligence in which the citizenry should be involved through shared management of heritage.
Modeling and control of transverse coupled bunch mode levels in Indus-2 using artificial neural network
Authors: Yadav Surendra , Puntambekar T. A. , Varde P. V.
Published: March 2021

Transverse coupled bunch instability (TCBI) is a major concern at high beam current operations at all synchrotron light sources. Techniques for the mitigation of TCBI include higher order mode tuning of RF cavities, optimization of vacuum chamber designs, increasing the damping rate of beam oscillations, optimization of betatron tune values, and multi-bunch feedback systems. Due to uncertainties, time-variation, and disturbances, the dynamic behavior of accelerators requires further tuning of beam parameters beyond theory-based set points for minimizing the transverse coupled bunch mode (TCBM) instability. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN) based system is developed to minimize average TCBM levels in the Indus-2 synchrotron light source at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology in Indore, India. The ANN is trained based on various TCBM measurements collected at the Indus-2 for various values of betatron tune and chromaticity in order to learn how to map beam measurements directly to parameters such as optimal betatron tunes and chromaticity values that are sent to a beam feedback control system. The ANN takes as input real-time beam data and is coupled to a feedback controller, thereby creating an adaptive feedback that is able to adjust in real time to variation of the accelerator and beam. We provide a detailed overview of our approach as well as experimental results in which the ANN-guided feedback approach increases the operational beam current of Indus-2 from a limit of ∼170 mA up to ∼230 mA within ∼21 min. We believe that this general method can be useful for a wide range of synchrotron sources operating at high bunch currents.
Higher magnetic-field generation by a mass-loaded single-turn coil
Authors: Gen M. , Ikeda A. , Kawachi S. , Shitaokoshi T. , Matsuda Y. H. , Kohama Y. , Nomura T.
Published: March 2021

Single-turn coil (STC) technique is a convenient way to generate ultrahigh magnetic fields of more than 100 T. During the field generation, the STC explosively destructs outward due to the Maxwell stress and Joule heating. Unfortunately, the STC does not work at its full potential because it has already expanded when the maximum magnetic field is reached. Here, we propose an easy way to delay the expansion and increase the maximum field by using a mass-loaded STC. By loading clay on the STC, the field profile drastically changes, and the maximum field increases by 4%. This method offers access to higher magnetic fields for physical property measurements.
Group 2 innate lymphoid cells support hematopoietic recovery under stress conditions
Authors: Sudo Takao , Motomura Yasutaka , Okuzaki Daisuke , Hasegawa Tetsuo , Yokota Takafumi , Kikuta Junichi , Ao Tomoka , Mizuno Hiroki , Matsui Takahiro , Motooka Daisuke , Yoshizawa Ryosuke , Nagasawa Takashi , Kanakura Yuzuru , Moro Kazuyo , Ishii Masaru
Published: March 2021

The cell-cycle status of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) becomes activated following chemotherapy-induced stress, promoting bone marrow (BM) regeneration; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here we show that BM-resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) support the recovery of HSPCs from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)–induced stress by secreting granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Mechanistically, IL-33 released from chemo-sensitive B cell progenitors activates MyD88-mediated secretion of GM-CSF in ILC2, suggesting the existence of a B cell–ILC2 axis for maintaining hematopoietic homeostasis. GM-CSF knockout mice treated with 5-FU showed severe loss of myeloid lineage cells, causing lethality, which was rescued by transferring BM ILC2s from wild-type mice. Further, the adoptive transfer of ILC2s to 5-FU–treated mice accelerates hematopoietic recovery, while the reduction of ILC2s results in the opposite effect. Thus, ILC2s may function by “sensing” the damaged BM spaces and subsequently support hematopoietic recovery under stress conditions.
Lower Exciton Number Strong Light Matter Interaction in Plasmonic Tweezers
Authors: Zou Yun-Fei , Yu Li
Published: March 2021

The plasmonic nanocavity is an excellent platform for the study of light matter interaction within a sub-diffraction volume under ambient conditions. We design a structure of plasmonic tweezers, which can trap molecular J-aggregates and also serve as a plasmonic cavity with which to investigate strong light matter interaction. The optical response of the cavity is calculated via finite-difference time-domain methods, and the optical force is evaluated based on the Maxwell stress tensor method. With the help of the coupled oscillator model and virtual exciton theory, we investigate the strong coupling progress at the lower level of excitons, finding that a Rabi splitting of 230 meV can be obtained in a single exciton system. We further analyze the relationship between optical force and model volume in the coupling system. The proposed method offers a way to locate molecular J-aggregates in plasmonic tweezers for investigating optical force performance and strong light matter interaction.
Structural and Electrical Properties of Be
x
Zn1–x
O Alloys under High Pressure
Authors: Zhang Yanling , Hao Xiaozhu , Huang Yanping , Tian Fubo , Li Da , Wang Youchun , Song Hao , Duan Defang
Published: March 2021

We conduct extensive research into the structures of Be
x
Zn1 – x
O ternary alloys in a pressure range of 0–60 GPa, using the ab initio total energy evolutionary algorithm and total energy calculations, finding several metastable structures. Our pressure-composition phase diagram is constructed using the enthalpy results. In addition, we calculate the electronic structures of the Be
x
Zn1 – x
O structures and investigate the bandgap values at varying pressures and Be content. The calculated results show that the bandgap of the Be
x
Zn1 – x
O ternary alloys increases with an increase in Be content at the same pressure. Moreover, the bandgap of the Be
x
Zn1 – x
O ternary alloys increases with the increasing pressure with fixed Be content. At the same Be content, the formation enthalpy of the Be
x
Zn1 – x
O ternary alloys first decreases, then increases with the increasing pressure.
First-Principles Study of Intrinsic Point Defects of Monolayer GeS
Authors: Qiu Chen , Cao Ruyue , Zhang Cai-Xin , Zhang Chen , Guo Dan , Shen Tao , Liu Zhu-You , Hu Yu-Ying , Wang Fei , Deng Hui-Xiong
Published: March 2021

The properties of six kinds of intrinsic point defects in monolayer GeS are systematically investigated using the “transfer to real state” model, based on density functional theory. We find that Ge vacancy is the dominant intrinsic acceptor defect, due to its shallow acceptor transition energy level and lowest formation energy, which is primarily responsible for the intrinsic p-type conductivity of monolayer GeS, and effectively explains the native p-type conductivity of GeS observed in experiment. The shallow acceptor transition level derives from the local structural distortion induced by Coulomb repulsion between the charged vacancy center and its surrounding anions. Furthermore, with respect to growth conditions, Ge vacancies will be compensated by fewer n-type intrinsic defects under Ge-poor growth conditions. Our results have established the physical origin of the intrinsic p-type conductivity in monolayer GeS, as well as expanding the understanding of defect properties in low-dimensional semiconductor materials.
The cost of breeding for male common toads
Authors: Reading Christopher J , Jofré Gabriela M
Published: March 2021

The potential impact of pairing on male survivorship and future breeding success in common toads was investigated between 1993 and 2014. A total of 8132 males arriving at a breeding pond in southern England were measured, weighed, individually marked and their breeding history recorded. The body condition (BC) of all males was estimated using (a) residuals from an ordinary least squares regression analysis of log10 body mass against log10 body snout-vent length (SVL; ordinary least squares) and (b) a scaled mass index (SMI), standardized for SVL. Each year each male was allocated to one of four categorical groups: (1) Paired, (2) Unpaired, and whether or not it returned to breed the following year: (3) Return, (4) No Return. The BC of both paired and unpaired males that subsequently returned was significantly higher than that of those that failed to return. Male pairing success was highest in the youngest males and lowest in the oldest. The overall cost for male common toads that successfully paired was a significantly decreased BC and survival rate. First time breeding males had a 21.2% chance of surviving and returning to breed the following year, increasing to 28.3–37.0% for those returning for up to five consecutive years.
Microbial community associated with ectomycorrhizal Russula symbiosis and dominated nature areas in southern China
Authors: Yu Wen-Ying , Peng Ming-Hui , Wang Jia-Jia , Ye Wen-Yu , Li Ya-Ling , Zhang Tian , Wang Ai-Rong , Zhang Dong-Mei , Wang Zong-Hua , Lu Guo-Dong , Bao Jian-Dong
Published: March 2021

Russula griseocarnosa is one of the uncultivable important mycorrhizal edible fungi. Currently, there is a limited insight into the dynamic composition of the microbial communities associated with Russula. Here, the microbiota in the root and mycorrhizosphere from Russula-Fagaceae nature areas of Fujian province were identified by Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. First, we compared three types of fungal communities associated with Russula-Fagaceae root mycelia-running stage (stage-1), Russula sporocarping stage-2 (stage-2) and Russula-free Fagaceae root (stage-3). Fungal diversity negatively correlated with Russula. Russula, Tomentella and Lactarius were core EcM in Fagaceae roots. A total of eight genera, including Boletus, are likely a positive indicator of Russula sporocarp production in Russula-Fagaceae roots, while Tomentella and Elaphomyces for Russula symbiosis. Secondly, analysis of fungal and bacterial communities within rhizosphere soils from the three stages revealed six genera, including Dacryobolus and Acidocella, as possible indicator species associated with sporocarping in Russula. Elaphomyces, Tomentella, Sorangium, Acidicaldus, Acidobacterium and Haliangium occurred more frequently in the Russula rhizosphere. Furthermore, operational taxonomic unit (OTU) network analysis showed a positive correlation between Russula,Tomentella, Elaphomyces and Sorangium. Overall, our results revealed a relationship between micro-community and Russula, which may provide a new strategy for improving Russula symbiosis and sporocarp production.
Dynamic factor analysis to reconcile conflicting survey indices of abundance
Authors: Peterson Cassidy D , Wilberg Michael J , Cortés Enric , Latour Robert J
Published: March 2021

Stock-wide trends in fish relative abundance are challenging to obtain when a single, comprehensive survey is unavailable, and multiple, spatially, and/or temporally fragmented surveys must be relied upon instead. Indices of abundance from multiple surveys frequently have differing trends, resulting in obscured true abundance patterns of the resource. We use an age-structured simulation model of two coastal shark species in the southeast United States to explore the performance of dynamic factor analysis (DFA) for reconciling multiple indices of abundance that are in conflict. Survey-specific time-variation in catchability was induced to generate conflicting indices of abundance. Key simulation sensitivities included survey variability, abundance pattern in the resource, and missing years of survey data. We caution against using DFA when there is no contrast in the underlying stock abundance or when trends in catchability in all surveys result in no survey that is representative of stock abundance. When multiple representative surveys were available, DFA proved useful across species in estimating stock-wide trends from conflicting survey indices with different selectivities, catchabilities, variances, and, to a lesser extent, with missing data. Our results suggest that resolving contrasting patterns among multiple time-series of relative abundance can improve understanding of the temporal trend in stock abundance.
Road Map
Authors: Wijckmans Frank , Tuytschaever Filip
Published: March 2021

The objective of this chapter is to provide the practitioner with a road map covering the various steps and questions to assess whether a given vertical agreement benefits from Regulation 330/2010. Experience teaches that one must not conclude too hastily that a vertical agreement falls within the scope of application of Regulation 330/2010 or meets the conditions to be block exempted. A step-by-step assessment is called for to avoid the risk of inaccurate conclusions. The chapter takes the reader by the hand and guides him systematically through the various steps that need to be covered so as to arrive at reliable conclusions regarding the applicability of the block exemption regime.
Article 2(1): Scope of Application of regulation 330/2010
Authors: Wijckmans Frank , Tuytschaever Filip
Published: March 2021

This chapter covers Article 2(1) of Regulation 330/2010 reflecting the broad material scope of application of Regulation 330/2010. In order to determine whether a given practice meets the requirements of Article 2(1) of Regulation 330/2010, the following steps must be included in the assessment: (i) first step: two or more undertakings must be involved; (ii) second step: the practice must qualify as a vertical agreement; (iii) third step: the vertical agreement must affect trade between Member States; and (iv) fourth step: the vertical agreement must contain vertical restraints. The chapter takes the reader systematically through each of these steps and offers concrete and practical guidance.
Frequently Used Distribution and Supply Scenarios
Authors: Wijckmans Frank , Tuytschaever Filip
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses the most frequently used distribution formulas or formats. Given the increasing importance of online distribution, this format is addressed separately as competition law questions triggered by online distribution are quite specific. The chapter also deals with supply relationships. They can be straightforward supply relationships, but also include subcontracting scenarios. The objective of the chapter is to provide a hands-on tool that assists the practitioner in selecting the most appropriate set-up meeting his particular needs. The objective is to come as closely as possible to a tick-the-box approach so that efficient use can be made of the chapter in daily advisory practice.
Economics and Self-Assessment of Vertical Agreements
Authors: Wijckmans Frank , Tuytschaever Filip
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses vertical agreements outside the scope of Regulation 330/2010 on account of the market shares of the parties. Regulation 330/2010 applies only to vertical agreements between parties that each do not exceed a market share limit of 30 per cent. Such parties must conduct a self-assessment to determine whether their agreements fall within the scope of Article 101(1) TFEU and, if they do, whether they meet the conditions for exemption stated in Article 101(3) TFEU. The Vertical Guidelines commands a case-specific approach. This chapter repeats the overarching principles that apply to every self-assessment; describes the framework of analysis suggested by the Vertical Guidelines; summarizes the positive and negative effects of vertical restraints and presents the economic thinking that is underpinning the competition law treatment of vertical restraints; and finally summarizes the pointers contained in the Vertical Guidelines with respect to certain distribution formulas and certain vertical restrictions.
The Law And Economics Of Vertical Restraints
Authors: Geradin Damien , Layne-Farrar Anne , Petit Nicolas
Published: March 2021

This chapter examines independent distribution and how it is treated under EU competition law. Since the 1960s, it is acknowledged that vertical agreements can entail restrictions of competition—generally called ‘vertical restraints’—which deserve competition law scrutiny. While the early case law and Regulations adopted in the field focused primarily on restrictions of intra-brand competition, a more liberal and economic approach was introduced with the promulgation of Regulation 2790/1999. The new legal framework rested on a basic economic premise: the ability of a vertical agreement to produce anticompetitive effects hinges predominantly on the market power of the parties to the agreement. With the expiry of Regulation 2790/1999 on 31 May 2010, but also with the growth of large retailers throughout Europe and the rise of internet distribution, the Commission initiated a review process in July 2009 which culminated in the adoption of Regulation 330/2010 and of a new set of Guidelines.
Part I Theoretical Challenges, 3 European Antitrust Criminalization and the Challenge of Deterrence Theory
Authors: Peter Whelan
Published: March 2021

This chapter focuses on the criminal punishment theory of deterrence. A strong deterrence-based criminalization argument can be constructed concerning cartel activity: imprisonment helps, inter alia, to overcome the significant problems associated with optimally deterrent cartel fine. Arguably, then, deterrence theory can be relied upon as a foundation for antitrust criminalization. However, the deterrence-based criminalization argument is not as robust as some legal commentators would have one believe; in fact, it suffers from a number of potential limitations. Specifically, the case in favour of the employment of criminal antitrust sanctions to deter cartel activity is vulnerable to the extent that one can demonstrate that: (i) cartel activity is morally neutral conduct; (ii) undertakings are risk averse; (iii) undertakings/individuals do not act rationally; and (iv) personal criminal sanctions are incapable of generating more benefits than costs.
Part II Legal Challenges, 5 European Antitrust Criminalization and the First Challenge of Due Process: A ‘Strengthening of Rights’ in Favour of the Accused?
Authors: Peter Whelan
Published: March 2021

This chapter assesses the contention that the introduction of criminal antitrust sanctions, including imprisonment, results in a ‘strengthening of rights’ in favour of the accused. The reasoning behind such contention is likely to be the following: when the imprisonment of an individual is a possible outcome of an antitrust investigation, the human rights protections concerning that individual should be at their most robust; protections which would be merely sufficient in relation to the imposition of administrative antitrust sanctions may no longer be adequate when criminal antitrust sanctions are imposed. The chapter then determines whether in practice the concept of due process obstructs a project of antitrust criminalization which respects the procedural requirements of European human rights law.
United Nations Peacekeeping
Authors: Kusi Benjamin F.
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses the role of United Nations peacekeeping operations in an extraordinarily complex and rapidly evolving global security environment. It particularly focuses on lessons learned from peacekeeping taking place in African countries. There is no doubt that peacekeeping operations have made a positive contribution to global security, for instance by assisting the restoration of peace in war-torn countries and communities. Nevertheless, there have also been major downsides, with certain operations doing more harm than good. Without exception, peacekeeping operations have given rise to a wide range of legal and policy challenges. Examples include the ambiguous legal basis for the use of force by the missions, the quest for accountability for human rights abuses by peacekeepers, and the increasing use of private security companies and other subcontractors. The chapter considers the applicable legal framework and the role of the United Nations Security Council, particularly that of the five Permanent Members (P5) in authorizing peacekeeping operations. It also looks at recent developments in contemporary multidimensional operations, as well as the outcomes of peacekeeping missions in terms of their pacifying but also at times destabilizing role in conflict situations.
Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention
Authors: Chesterman Simon
Published: March 2021

This chapter explores the responsibility to protect (R2P) and its relationship to humanitarian intervention—the notion that unilateral force can be used to protect human rights in another State. In the event that prevention and peaceful means fail, R2P does allow for action by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under existing rules. But it neatly dodges the more difficult question of what rules should govern a humanitarian crisis when both the State in question and the UNSC are unwilling or unable to act. The chapter examines the legal framework of humanitarian intervention and how R2P came to be adopted and endorsed by United Nations Member States in general and the UNSC in particular. It highlights the present challenges faced by R2P, evident in the partially successful operation in Libya and the dismally ineffective response to the ongoing crisis in Syria. Finally, the chapter offers some tentative projections about the future, in which the language of R2P appears likely to continue to spread, but weariness of intervention on the part of Western States and the rise of Asian States defending a conservative notion of sovereignty will dampen the conversion of words to action.
The Russian Federation
Authors: Tuzmukhamedov Bakhtiyar
Published: March 2021

This chapter details Russia’s official position with respect to international security. In Russia, the term ‘international security’ applies primarily to international security in its military and political dimensions, including the use of force in self-defence or in pursuit of an international mandate, as well as arms control and non-proliferation. Recent developments, reflective of Russia’s assertive approach to its military instrument as means of maintaining security along its periphery, include the reinstated military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia following their separation from Georgia, and the reinstatement of Russia’s jurisdiction over Crimea. The latter was achieved, by and large, without violence, and with a local drive to secede from Ukraine backed by the Russian military presence. Other recent developments include Russia’s military support for the Government of Syria as part of international counter-terrorism efforts. It is fair to say that other facets, such as human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection, to name a few, are also acknowledged. These, however, are more likely to be viewed as autonomous spheres of regulation, adjacent to, and intertwined with, international security. Whatever the scope and embrace of international security, according to Russia’s official position, it hinges on the rule of international law and its supremacy, drawn from the United Nations Charter.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Southeast Asia’s Regional Security
Authors: Desierto Diane A.
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses the critical role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the incremental evolution of the concept of Southeast Asian regional security. It reflectively tracks the organization’s gradual emergence from a loose, pluralist platform for regional cooperation, into a Charter-based intergovernmental organization with dispersed legislative and executive powers, subscribing to international law, international human rights, and humanitarian law, and a rules-based multilateral economic and geopolitical system. Ultimately, ‘Southeast Asia’ and ASEAN are both strategic post-Cold War constructs that evolved over decades to develop distinct regional strategies fostering peace and security in the region, and contributing to international law and the stability of the region. The chapter then details the initially hesitant and incrementalist path taken by ASEAN Member States in formulating regional security cooperation strategies for siloed regional issues, such as transnational crimes and maritime security, amongst others. It also maps the significant shift from incrementalism to the deliberate institutionalization of regional cooperation under the ASEAN Political-Security Community created under the 2008 ASEAN Charter and its broader implications for security governance, dispute settlement, regional security, and peace initiatives for Southeast Asia. Finally, the chapter considers the centrality of consensus to ASEAN regional security decision-making.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Authors: Hill Steven
Published: March 2021

This chapter focuses on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is a political-military alliance that currently includes thirty Allied Nations. NATO Allies deal with a wide range of peace and security issues. NATO also cooperates with a wide range of partners in the broader Euro–Atlantic neighbourhood and across the globe. Its foundational document is the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty. The chapter then reviews the Treaty’s principal provisions to illustrate the general international legal framework in which NATO operates, the scope of its activities, and how and where it places the emphasis in its day-to-day work. It describes NATO’s role as a global security actor, reviewing NATO’s mission and mandate, its institutional structure, and its current priorities.
The Law of Armed Conflict at Sea
Authors: Fleck Dieter
Published: March 2021

This chapter evaluates legal developments and practice with respect to armed conflict at sea. The Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea has progressively developed the law and contributed to the emergence of multiple differing regimes, some of which are now customary in character. The San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea (1995) provides a contemporary restatement of the law of armed conflict at sea, together with some progressive development. The chapter provides an overview of the different acts of naval warfare, comments on special provisions concerning means and methods of naval warfare, and explains the legal status of hospital ships including conditions of their protection.
Simulation and analysis of the coherent-dispersion spectrometer for exoplanet detection
Authors: Wu Yinhua , Chen Shasha , Wang Pengchong , Zhou Shun , Feng Yutao , Zhang Weiguang , Wei Ruyi
Published: March 2021

The coherent-dispersion spectrometer (CODES) is a new exoplanet detection instrument using the radial velocity (RV) method. This attempts mainly to improve environmental sensitivity and energy utilization by using an asymmetric, common-path Sagnac interferometer instead of a traditional Michelson interferometer. In order to verify its feasibility and to choose the appropriate key parameters to obtain the optimal performance, research on data processing for the design stage of the CODES is performed by systematic simulation and analysis. First, the instrument modelling is carried out for further data analysis according to the principle of the CODES, and the reliability of the model is verified by experiments. Second, the influence of key parameters on fringe visibility is analysed systematically, which provides a certain reference for the choice of the key parameters. Third, the RV inversion method for the CODES is proposed and optimized according to the related analysis results so as to promote RV inversion precision. Finally, the recommended values for the key parameters of the CODES are given. The experimental results show that the data processing error of RV inversion is less than 0.6 m s–1 within the recommended range of key parameters. This indicates that the scheme of the CODES is reasonable and feasible, and that the proposed data processing method is effective and well matched with the instrument design.
Formation of millisecond pulsars with helium white dwarfs, ultra-compact X-ray binaries, and gravitational wave sources
Authors: Chen Hai-Liang , Tauris Thomas M , Han Zhanwen , Chen Xuefei
Published: March 2021

Close-orbit low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), radio binary millisecond pulsars (BMSPs) with extremely low-mass helium white dwarfs (ELM He WDs) and ultra-compact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) are all part of the same evolutionary sequence. It is therefore of uttermost importance to understand how these populations evolve from one specie to another. Moreover, UCXBs are important gravitational wave (GW) sources and can be detected by future space-borne GW observatories. However, the formation and evolutionary link between these three different populations of neutron star (NS) binaries are not fully understood. In particular, a peculiar fine-tuning problem has previously been demonstrated for the formation of these systems. In this investigation, we test a newly suggested magnetic braking prescription and model the formation and evolution of LMXBs. We compute a grid of binary evolution models and present the initial parameter space of the progenitor binaries which successfully evolve all the way to produce UCXBs. We find that the initial orbital period range of LMXBs, which evolve into detached NS + ELM He WD binaries and later UCXBs, becomes significantly wider compared to evolution with a standard magnetic braking prescription, and thus helps to relieve the fine-tuning problem. However, we also find that formation of wide-orbit BMSPs is prohibited for strong versions of this new magnetic braking prescription, which therefore calls for a revision of the prescription. Finally, we present examples of the properties of UCXBs as Galactic GW sources and discuss their detection by the LISA, TianQin, and Taiji observatories.