bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Tilapia Agrifood-Chain from a Sociopoietic Territorial Approach: A Theoretical Proposal
Authors: Lango-Reynoso Veronica , Reta-Mendiola Juan L. , López Felipe Gallardo , Lango-Reynoso Fabiola , Figueroa-Rodríguez Katia A. , Asiain-Hoyos Alberto
Published: December 2016

In the state of Veracruz, Mexico, the performance of the Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) production system in the domestic market has been declining. Recent production results are lower than those presented in 1999, revealing that the production model adopted and used since 2001 is ineffective as a development strategy. The reason for the failure is that the model considers the technological production process as the central element of aquacultural competitiveness, without considering that production practices, marketing and consumption of goods are performed by individuals who decide and control their actions and are motivated by the values shared with their social group. This interpretation reveals the need for a new complementary conceptual framework, considering the system of production and consumption as a social self-referencing system. Thus, in this article, a model of an agricultural food-chain with a sociopoietic territorial focus on the development of the aquaculture subsector is outlined. The model is based on constructs having the following theoretical dichotomies: territorial agrifood, neo-institutional business, sociopoiesis and individual motivation.
Allelopathic effects of Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pavon on the germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa L.
Authors: Andrade Amanda O. , Da Silva Maria A. P. , De Oliveira Alison H. , Dos Santos Marcos Aurelio F. , Vandesmet Lilian C. S. , Generino Maria E. M. , Coelho Helen K. R. C. , Landim Hemerson S. , Mendonça Ana C. A. M. , Da Costa Natália C.
Published: December 2016

The effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts and leaf fractions of Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pavon (chacrona) at different concentrations on the germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa L. were tested, and the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of these extracts and fractions were assessed. The bioassays consisted of the following treatments: crude aqueous extract (CAE) at 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentration, crude ethanol extract (CEE) and ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol fractions at 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100% concentration and a control group. All treatments consisted of five replicates. The CAE, CEE and the ethyl acetate fraction of P. viridis caused both positive and negative effects on the seeds and seedlings of L. sativa. By contrast, the dichloromethane and methanol fractions only caused negative effects on L. sativa. The following compounds were identified in the extracts and fractions: gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, orientin, vitexin, quercetin, apigenin, rutin and luteolin, and the presence of the alkaloid N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has also been reported in the literature. P. viridis had allelopathic effects in all types of plant extracts and fractions tested, and one of these compounds or their combined action may account for these effects.
Hydroponic Minituber Production in Growth Room Conditions and Carry-Over Effects of the Technique on Produced Minitubers
Authors: Virtanen Elina , Tuomisto Jussi
Published: December 2016

The production of minitubers was implemented with a hydroponic technique in growth rooms and the carry-over effects of the technique on the characteristics of minitubers were studied. As a comparison, minitubers from in vitro plantlets were grown in a peat-based growing medium. The results show that hydroponic production of minitubers is successful in indoor conditions with the cultivars Desiree, Van Gogh and Asterix, when day-time growing temperatures of 19.4 oC-26.0 oC and night-time temperatures of 17.5 oC-22.6 oC were used. Photosynthetically active illumination was adequate at 2383-2509 umol m-2s-1; lighting conditions consisted of 14/10-hour day/night cycles.

The cultivars Desiree and Van Gogh developed their first tuber three weeks faster than Asterix, and the minituber yield was 4.5 per plant for Desiree, 7.5 for Van Gogh and 4.0 for Asterix. When a peat-based growing medium was used, minituber yields were almost the same but the size of the minitubers was smaller than that of hydroponically produced minitubers. The results of the carry-over experiments showed that conventionally produced minitubers emerged faster, and in terms of foliage development and yielding capacity performed better than hydroponically produced minitubers.
Tissue-Specific Expression Profiling of Seedling Stage in Early-Maturity Mutant Induced by Carbon Ion Beam in Sweet Sorghum
Authors: Dong Xicun , Yan Xia , Li Wenjian , Liu Ruiyuan , Gu Wenting
Published: December 2016

An early-maturity mutant KFJT-1 has been screened out after carbon ion irradiation in sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). In this study, tissue specific digital gene expression analysis was performed between the KFJT-1 mutant and the wild type KFJT-CK at seedling stage. The results showed that a total of 717, 2160 and 2,331 tags-mapped genes were differently expressed in roots, stems and leaves of young seedling, respectively. In KFJT-1, 557 (77.7%) genes were up-regulated and 160 (22.3%) genes were down-regulated in young root; 1,232 (57.0%) genes were up-regulated and 928 (43.0%) were down-regulated in young stem; and 1,577 (67.7%) genes were up-regulated and 754 (32.3%) genes were down-regulated in young leaf. Functional annotation revealed that most induced genes functioned as “binding”, “synthase activity”, “transferase” and “transporter activity” which involved in the biological processes of metabolic and response to stimulus. Surprisingly, the up-regulated genes in KFJT-1 were classified into four KEGG pathways: “alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism”, “flavonoid biosynthesis”, “inositol phosphate metabolism” and “fatty acid biosynthesis”, which related to the stress resistance and supported the outstanding agronomic traits of KFJT-1 in the process of plant growth and development. Among the DEGs, a critical photoreceptor from photoperiod pathway PHYA gene was significantly up-regulated in leaf and root of KFJT-1, suggesting the mutation could occur on the genomic upstream of PHYA. This work may provide helpful insights to further understand the mutation mechanism in sweet sorghum.
Year-Round Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Production in a Flow-Through Aquaponic System
Authors: Johnson Gaylynn E. , Buzby Karen M. , Semmens Kenneth J. , Waterland Nicole L.
Published: December 2016

Aquaponics is the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture that sustainably produces both animal and plant food products. Soluble nutrients are released into water by the fish providing nutrition for plant growth. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most popular vegetables grown in aquaponic systems. In this experiment, the feasibility of year-round lettuce production utilizing a cold water flow-through aquaponic system (FTS) growing trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a high tunnel was evaluated. A high tunnel is a greenhouse-like facility constructed with polyethylene covering a metal frame which extends the growing season and protects the crop from cold temperatures. The average night air temperature inside the high tunnel during winter in Wardensville, WV was 2.9±3.4 °C and it helped extend the growing period into the fall and winter. Results from this pilot scale experiment showed the potential for year-round lettuce production in an FTS. Average yield (fresh harvest weight per tray) in the spring season was the highest, while productivity (average yield per week) during the summer season was higher than that in spring. During the extended growing seasons (fall and winter), more than a quarter (30.6%) of the total lettuce production was obtained. The yield per unit area (7.4 kg m-2) from our pilot study was significantly higher than that from the reported average field production (3.1 kg m-2) in the U.S. except California and Arizona where year-round production of lettuce occurs. To compensate for lower lettuce yields during cold seasons, high value crops requiring less nutrients and tolerant to the colder environment may be considered.
Development of Attentional Functions in School-Age: Evidence from both Traditional and Computerized Tasks
Authors: Malegiannaki Amaryllis-Chryssi , Metallidou Panayiota
Published: December 2016

The present study examines the development of basic attentional functions (sustained attention, selective attention, flexibility and divided attention) in 172 elementary school children (6-12 years) by using representative subtests from both a computerized (KITAP) and a traditional battery (TEA-Ch). The results indicate significant age-related improvements between 8 and 10 years in all the attentional functions irrespective of the assessment tool. Specifically, the results from both instruments converge regarding the developmental rates for divided attention, sustained attention and flexibility. However, performance scores in KITAP suggest a developmental plateau after the age of 10 years, whereas TEA-Ch subtests seem to be more sensitive to uncovering attention performance differences beyond the age of 10.
Turkey from the Perspective of the Refugee Children
Authors: Yildirim Erdal , Yakar Hamza , Erdogan Erdi
Published: December 2016

Migration can be described as a movement of people from the location they are in to elsewhere due to economic, social, political, and cultural reasons. Turkey is in a position that both allows immigrants and creates an area of transition for immigrants. With the concept of refuge, many social problems also entered the world’s agenda. One of these problems, of course, involve refugee children. The aim of this study is to reveal the perception of Turkey of the refugee children who live in the city of Aksaray, in the context of their problems and needs. The students who participated in the study were determined with convenience sampling, a method included in purposeful sampling. The study was conducted with the approach of phenomenology, a qualitative data collection pattern. The data was collected with an interview form that consisted of open-ended questions, between March and June in 2016. The data was analyzed through content analysis. The findings were evaluated according to demographic information such as gender, age, number of siblings, the accommodation unit the family immigrated (village, town, county, city), socio-economic level, and whether the family had experienced migration before.
ESTIMATING FIBRE DIRECTION DISTRIBUTIONS OF REINFORCED COMPOSITES FROM TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES
Authors: Wirjadi Oliver , Schladitz Katja , Easwaran Prakash , Ohser Joachim
Published: December 2016

Fibre reinforced composites constitute a relevant class of materials used chiefly in lightweight constructions for example in fuselages or car bodies. The spatial arrangement of the fibres and in particular their direction distribution have huge impact on macroscopic properties and, thus, its determination is an important topic of material characterisation. The fibre direction distribution is defined on the unit sphere, and it is therefore preferable to work with fully three-dimensional images of the microstructure as obtained, e.g., by computed micro-tomography. A number of recent image analysis algorithms exploit local grey value variations to estimate a preferred direction in each fibre point. Averaging these local results leads estimates of the volume-weighted fibre direction distribution. We show how the thus derived fibre direction distribution is related to quantities commonly used in engineering applications. Furthermore, we discuss four algorithms for local orientation analysis, namely those based on the response of anisotropic Gaussian filters, moments and axes of inertia derived from directed distance transforms, the structure tensor, or the Hessian matrix. Finally, the feasibility of these algorithms is demonstrated for application examples and some advantages and disadvantages of the underlying methods are pointed out.
Smooth and selective photo-electrochemical etching of heavily doped GaN:Si using a mode-locked 355 nm microchip laser
Authors: Lee SeungGeun , Mishkat-Ul-Masabih Saadat , Leonard John T. , Feezell Daniel F. , Cohen Daniel A. , Speck James S. , Nakamura Shuji , DenBaars Steven P.
Published: December 2016

We investigate the photo-electrochemical (PEC) etching of Si-doped GaN samples grown on nonpolar GaN substrates, using a KOH/K2S2O8 solution and illuminated by a Xe arc lamp or a Q-switched 355 nm laser. The etch rate with the arc lamp decreased as the doping concentration increased, and the etching stopped for concentrations above 7.7 × 1018 cm−3. The high peak intensity of the Q-switched laser extended the etchable concentration to 2.4 × 1019 cm−3, with an etch rate of 14 nm/min. Compositionally selective etching was demonstrated, with an RMS surface roughness of 1.6 nm after etching down to an n-Al0.20Ga0.80N etch stop layer.
Defects reduction in a-plane AlGaN epi-layers grown on r-plane sapphire substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhao Jianguo , Zhang Xiong , Dai Qian , Wang Nan , Wu Zili , Wang Shuchang , Cui Yiping
Published: December 2016

Nonpolar a-plane AlGaN epi-layers were grown on a semi-polar r-plane sapphire substrate with an innovative two-way pulsed-flows metal organic chemical vapor deposition growth technology. A root-mean-square value of 1.79 nm was achieved, and the relative light transmittance of the a-plane AlGaN epi-layer was enhanced by 36.9%. These results reveal that the innovative growth method is able to improve the surface morphology and reduce the defect density in nonpolar a-plane Al
x
Ga1–

x
N epi-layers, particularly those with an Al composition greater than 0.5, which are key materials for the fabrication of nonpolar AlGaN-based high light emission efficiency deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.
Identification of canine papillomavirus by PCR in Greyhound dogs
Authors: Anis Eman A. , Frank Linda A. , Francisco Raquel , Kania Stephen A.
Published: December 2016

Background

Corns are hard protuberances that occur on the digital footpads of Greyhound dogs. The cause of these lesions is unknown and there is little information about them in the veterinary literature. We received anecdotal examples of dog to dog spread of corns suggesting an infectious cause. The aim of this study was to determine if papillomavirus (PV) is associated with Greyhound corns.

Methods

We examined four corns from two unrelated adult Greyhound dogs that resided in Florida and Washington, respectively, for PV by PCR. The samples were obtained by owner coring of two lesions from one dog and laser removal of two lesions from the other dog. Total nucleic acid was extracted and DNA was amplified using two PCR primer sets that have been shown to amplify a broad range of PVs from humans and animals: FAP59/ FAP64 and MY11/ MY09. The DNA sequences were compared with all sequences in GenBank. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the footpads of four dogs with other inflammatory dermatoses were also examined.

Results

PV DNA was amplified from all four corn lesions, while no PV DNA was amplified from other tissues. Comparison of the 444-bp sequences amplified by the MY11/ MY09 primers identified two different PVs. One showed 96% nucleotide sequence similarity with the L1 gene of canine PV type 12. The other showed 78% similarity to canine PV type 16 and, therefore, represents a novel PV. In one of the corns, infection by two of the identified PVs was found.

Discussion

These results suggest PV infection could be involved in the pathogenesis of corns in Greyhound dogs.
Evaluating the drought response of CMIP5 models using global gross primary productivity, leaf area, precipitation, and soil moisture data
Authors: Huang Yuanyuan , Gerber Stefan , Huang Tongyi , Lichstein Jeremy W.
Published: December 2016

Realistic representation of vegetation's response to drought is important for understanding terrestrial carbon cycling. We evaluated nine Earth system models from the historical experiment of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 for the response of gross primary productivity (GPP) and leaf area index (LAI) to hydrological anomalies. Hydrological anomalies were characterized by the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and surface soil moisture anomalies (SMA). GPP and LAI in models were on average more responsive to SPI than in observations revealed through several indicators. First, we find higher mean correlations between global annual anomalies of GPP and SPI in models than observations. Second, the maximum correlation between GPP and SPI across 1–24 month time scales is higher in models than observations. And finally, we found stronger excursions of GPP to extreme dry or wet events. Similar to GPP, LAI responded more to SPI in models than observations. The over‐response of models is smaller if evaluated based on SMA instead of SPI. LAI responses to SMA are inconsistent among models, showing both higher and lower LAI when soil moisture is reduced. The time scale of maximum correlation is shorter in models than the observation for GPP, and the markedly different response time scales among models for LAI indicate gaps in understanding how variability of water availability affects foliar cover. The discrepancy of responses derived from SPI and SMA among models, and between models and observations, calls for improvement in understanding the dynamics of plant‐available water in addition to how vegetation responds to these anomalies.
Midlatitude ionospheric changes to four great geomagnetic storms of solar cycle 23 in Southern and Northern Hemispheres
Authors: Merline Matamba Tshimangadzo , Habarulema John Bosco , Burešová Dalia
Published: December 2016

This paper presents an investigation of ionospheric response to great (Dst ≤−350 nT) geomagnetic storms that occurred during solar cycle 23. The storm periods analyzed are 29 March to 2 April 2001, 27–31 October 2003, 18–23 November 2003, and 6–11 November 2004. Global Navigation Satellite System, total electron content (TEC), and ionosonde critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) data over Southern Hemisphere (African sector) and Northern Hemisphere (European sector) midlatitudes were used to study the ionospheric responses within 15°E–40°E longitude and ±31° to ±46° geomagnetic latitude. Midlatitude regions within the same longitude sector in both hemispheres were selected in order to assess the contribution of the low‐latitude changes especially the expansion of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) also called the dayside ionospheric superfountain effect during these storms. In all storm periods, both negative and positive ionospheric responses were observed in both hemispheres. Negative ionospheric responses were mainly due to changes in neutral composition, while the expansion of the EIA led to pronounced positive storm effects at midlatitudes for some storm periods. In other cases (e.g., 29 October 2003), penetration electric fields, EIA expansion, and large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances were found to be present during the positive storm effect at midlatitudes in both hemispheres. An increase in TEC on the 28 October 2003 was because of the large solar flare with previously determined intensity of X45 ±5.
Superconducting Microwave Components
Authors: Khare Neeraj
Published: December 2016

This chapter addresses the physics and engineering of the superconducting radio‐frequency systems for particle accelerators. First, we consider benefits of SRF cavities for particle accelerators, cavity types and figures of merit. This is followed by a concise introduction into the physics of RF superconductivity, where we consider SRF surface impedance and RF critical magnetic field. The next section is dedicated to cavity fabrication and surface preparation issues. Finally, we consider different effects limiting performance of superconducting cavities and present understanding of the three Q slopes of the cavity excitation curve. We conclude with a brief survey of the field.

Applications of superconducting magnetic shields for low field magnetic measurements, nondestructive testing, fault current limiters and space applications are discussed. Combinations of superconducting and highly permeable shields are compared. Analytical and finite element model calculations are reviewed for the calculation of shielding factors and signal to noise improvement ratios.
Applications at Terahertz Frequency
Authors: Tonouchi Masayoshi
Published: December 2016

The article contains sections titled:

Introduction

Application of Terahertz Waves

Superconductive Electronics for Terahertz Application
Laser Surface Pattering of Titanium for Improving the Biological Performance of Dental Implants
Authors: Zwahr Christoph , Günther Denise , Brinkmann Tina , Gulow Nikolai , Oswald Steffen , Grosse Holthaus Marzellus , Lasagni Andrés Fabián
Published: December 2016

Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is used to produce periodic line‐like patterns on titanium surfaces. An Nd:YAG laser operating at 532 nm wavelength with a pulse duration of 8 ns is used for the laser patterning process. The generated periodic patterns with spatial periods of 5, 10, and 20 µm are produced with energy densities between 0.44 and 2.6 J cm−2 with a single laser pulse. With variation of energy density, different shapes of the arising topography are observed due to the development of the solidification front of the molten material at the maxima positions. Characterization of the surface chemistry shows that the DLIP treatment enhances the content of nitrogen of the titanium reactive layer from 3.9% up to 23.4%. The structural analysis near the titanium surface shows no changes in microstructure after the laser treatment. Contact angles between 65° and 79° are measured on both structured and turned reference surfaces. Cell viability of human osteoblasts on line‐like patterned surfaces after 7 d in cultivation medium is 16% higher compared to the grit‐blasted and acid‐etched references. Finally, the possibility of patterning complex 3D dental implants is shown.
Self‐Powered Wireless Sensor Node Enabled by a Duck‐Shaped Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Water Wave Energy
Authors: Ahmed Abdelsalam , Saadatnia Zia , Hassan Islam , Zi Yunlong , Xi Yi , He Xu , Zu Jean , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a fully enclosed duck‐shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for effectively scavenging energy from random and low‐frequency water waves. The design of the TENG incorporates the freestanding rolling mode and the pitch motion of a duck‐shaped structure generated by incident waves. By investigating the material and structural features, a unit of the TENG device is successfully designed. Furthermore, a hybrid system is constructed using three units of the TENG device. The hybrid system achieves an instantaneous peak current of 65.5 µA with an instantaneous output power density of up to 1.366 W m−2. Following the design, a fluid–solid interaction analysis is carried out on one duck‐shaped TENG to understand the dynamic behavior, mechanical efficiency, and stability of the device under various water wave conditions. In addition, the hybrid system is experimentally tested to enable a commercial wireless temperature sensor node. In summary, the unique duck‐shaped TENG shows a simple, cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, light‐weight, and highly stable system. The newly designed TENG is promising for building a network of generators to harvest existing blue energy in oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Challenges and Variations in Emergency Medicine Residency Training of Ultrasound‐guided Regional Anesthesia Techniques
Authors: Wilson Casey Lee , Chung Kevin , Fong Tiffany
Published: December 2016

Background

Ultrasound guidance has become an integral component to procedural and diagnostic practice for the emergency physician. Whereas landmark‐guided methods were used for peripheral nerve blocks in the past, the use of ultrasound has made regional anesthesia procedures faster, more successful, and feasible as a pain management modality in the emergency department. Not only the utilization, but also the teaching of ultrasound has become an essential aspect of emergency medicine residency training. Prior studies have found a substantial variation in practice and policies with regard to ultrasound‐guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) and this translates to the education of both residents and fellows.

Objectives

The objective was to describe the current state of UGRA education, trends, and barriers in emergency medicine residency and ultrasound fellowship programs in the United States.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted via the Internet utilizing the Qualtrics software platform. It was distributed to ultrasound directors and program directors of both Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited emergency medicine residency programs and ultrasound fellowships. Data analysis, cross‐tabulation, and subgroup analysis were performed utilizing the software.

Results

We received a total of 138 responses (response rate of 66.3%). There was substantial variability with regard to implementing UGRA education. Additionally, there was a trend correlating a greater likelihood of UGRA education among programs with more than two ultrasound faculty members. Faculty training is considered to be the greatest barrier to teaching UGRA to residents and fellows.

Conclusion

Resident and fellow education with regard to UGRA varies significantly among individual programs. Although there are currently no ACGME or AOA guidelines, nearly all residency programs believe that this is a skill that emergency physicians should learn. With the identification of key barriers and the need for an increased number of trained faculty, pain management utilizing UGRA may become an integral part to emergency medicine resident and fellow education.
Vinyl Ether/Tetrazine Pair for the Traceless Release of Alcohols in Cells
Authors: Jiménez‐Moreno Ester , Guo Zijian , Oliveira Bruno L. , Albuquerque Inês S. , Kitowski Annabel , Guerreiro Ana , Boutureira Omar , Rodrigues Tiago , Jiménez‐Osés Gonzalo , Bernardes Gonçalo J. L.
Published: December 2016

The cleavage of a protecting group from a protein or drug under bioorthogonal conditions enables accurate spatiotemporal control over protein or drug activity. Disclosed herein is that vinyl ethers serve as protecting groups for alcohol‐containing molecules and as reagents for bioorthogonal bond‐cleavage reactions. A vinyl ether moiety was installed in a range of molecules, including amino acids, a monosaccharide, a fluorophore, and an analogue of the cytotoxic drug duocarmycin. Tetrazine‐mediated decaging proceeded under biocompatible conditions with good yields and reasonable kinetics. Importantly, the nontoxic, vinyl ether duocarmycin double prodrug was successfully decaged in live cells to reinstate cytotoxicity. This bioorthogonal reaction presents broad applicability and may be suitable for in vivo applications.
Elusive Antimony‐Centered Radical Cations: Isolation, Characterization, Crystal Structures, and Reactivity Studies
Authors: Li Tao , Wei Houjia , Fang Yong , Wang Lei , Chen Sheng , Zhang Zaichao , Zhao Yue , Tan Gengwen , Wang Xinping
Published: December 2016

One‐electron oxidation of the stibines Aryl3Sb (1, Aryl=2,6‐iPr2‐4‐OMe‐C6H2; 2, Aryl=2,4,6‐iPr3‐C6H2) with AgSbF6 and NaBArylF4 (ArylF=3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3) afforded the first structurally characterized examples of antimony‐centered radical cations 1.+[BArylF4]− and 2.+[BArylF4]−. Their molecular and electronic structures were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, in conjunction with theoretical calculations. Moreover, their reactivity was investigated. The reaction of 2.+[BArylF4]− and p‐benzoquinone afforded a dinuclear antimony dication salt 32+[BArylF4]2−, which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The formation of the dication 32+ further confirms that the isolated stibine radical cations are antimony‐centered.
Integrin and cadherin clusters: A robust way to organize adhesions for cell mechanics
Authors: Changede Rishita , Sheetz Michael
Published: December 2016

Recent studies at the nanometer scale have revealed that relatively uniform clusters of adhesion proteins (50–100 nm) constitute the modular units of cell adhesion sites in both cell‐matrix and cell‐cell adhesions. Super resolution microscopy and membrane protein diffusion studies both suggest that even large focal adhesions are formed of 100 nm clusters that are loosely aggregated. Clusters of 20–50 adhesion molecules (integrins or cadherins) can support large forces through avidity binding interactions but can also be disassembled or endocytosed rapidly. Assembly of the clusters of integrins is force‐independent and involves gathering integrins at ligand binding sites where they are stabilized by cytoplasmic adhesion proteins that crosslink the integrin cytoplasmic tails plus connect the clusters to the cell cytoskeleton. Cooperative‐signaling events can occur in a single cluster without cascading to other clusters. Thus, the clusters appear to be very important elements in many cellular processes and can be considered as a critical functional module.
Environmental Strategy and Competitive Advantage: The Role of Small‐ and Medium‐Sized enterprises' Dynamic Capabilities
Authors: Ko Wai Wai , Liu Gordon
Published: December 2016

Drawing on the resource‐based theory and institutional theory, we develop a framework to explain the processes by which the environmental strategy of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) contributes to their competitive advantage. We test our assumption using data collected from 214 UK‐based SMEs in the technology sector. We find that the effects of environmental strategy can lead to development of their marketing competence, as well as research and development (R&D) competence, which ultimately contributes to superior financial performance. We also find that a reciprocal causal relationship exists between SMEs' marketing and R&D competences. Combined, we reveal the presence of a serial multiple mediation relationship between SMEs' environmental strategy and financial performance through marketing competence and then R&D competence, or vice versa. Our study offers important academic and managerial implications, and also points out future research directions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Graphene‐Oxide‐Based Enzyme Nanoarchitectonics for Substrate Channeling
Authors: Mathesh Motilal , Liu Jingquan , Barrow Colin J. , Yang Wenrong
Published: December 2016

Invited for the cover of this issue are groups from Deakin University and Qingdao University. The image depicts how tailor‐made graphene oxide was used as a two‐dimensional scaffold to immobilize and modulate the activity of two enzymes for enzyme cascade reactions. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201604348.
Oxygen‐Sensing Difluoroboron Thienyl Phenyl β‐Diketonate Polylactides
Authors: DeRosa Christopher A. , Kolpaczynska Milena , Kerr Caroline , Daly Margaret L. , Morris William A. , Fraser Cassandra L.
Published: December 2016

Difluoroboron β‐diketonate‐polylactides are versatile oxygen‐sensing materials. These materials have both fluorescence (F) and oxygen‐sensitive, room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP). The fluorescence, being insensitive to oxygen, can act as an internal standard to the changing phosphorescence, and ratiometric sensing of oxygen can be achieved with these simple, single‐component materials. To expand the range of colors for this family of fluorophores, a series of thienyl‐phenyl‐substituted dyes were synthesized with initiator sites for the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide. Heavy atoms (Br and I) were added to the dye to modulate the phosphorescence intensity. These halide‐substituted thiophene dyes readily aggregated in the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix, generating two fluorescence peaks in air, one for monomer emission and another for aggregate emission. When the dye was dilute in PLA, as a blend, the iodo‐thienyl derivative showed impressive singlet–triplet splitting, with blue fluorescence (440 nm) and orange phosphorescence (585 nm), the largest gap recorded for a boron β‐diketonate dye. Nanoparticles fabricated from a mixture of PLA and dye–PLA conjugated polymer benefited from the large singlet–triplet splitting to yield oxygen sensitivity at levels between 0 and 21 %, which can be utilized in biological oxygen‐sensing applications.
SA8000 as CSR‐Washing? The Role of Stakeholder Pressures
Authors: Boiral Olivier , Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Testa Francesco
Published: December 2016

This article analyzes the extent to which stakeholder pressure contributes to the CSR‐washing phenomena and its impact on the organizational outcomes. To that end, this work analyzes the relationships involved using primary data obtained from a survey of 130 Italian organizations that have implemented the SA8000 international CSR standard. The article contributes to both the theoretical and empirical literature on CSR‐washing by proposing an integrated approach that sheds more light on the driving factors behind and outcomes from the internationalization of a well‐defined and comprehensively monitored set of CSR practices, namely the SA8000 standard. The implications for managers, policy makers and other stakeholders are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Impacts of worker density in colony‐level aggression, expansion, and survival of the acacia‐ant Crematogaster mimosae
Authors: Ruiz‐Guajardo Juan Carlos , Grossenbacher Dena L. , Grosberg Richard K. , Palmer Todd M. , Stanton Maureen L.
Published: December 2016

Experimental studies assessing the impact of demographic changes on aggression and inter‐group competitive outcomes in communities of social species are rare. This gap in our knowledge is important, not only because social species are foundational elements of many terrestrial ecosystems, but because interference competition among social groups often involves decision‐like processes influenced by demographic and environmental contexts. In East Africa, the symbiotic ant Crematogaster mimosae is a co‐dominant competitor that engages in high‐mortality, intra‐ and interspecific battles for sole possession of host trees. We manipulated worker density on C. mimosae Acacia host trees, and the colony's opportunity to expand onto neighboring trees to identify how these factors influenced colony‐level aggression, expansion success, and longer‐term survivorship. Worker density on focal trees was increased through translocation of domatia‐bearing branches, and was decreased using partial tree fumigations. We examined impacts of density manipulations on aggression and immediate expansion success under two different risk scenarios. We tied focal trees to either an experimentally emptied‐tree (low‐risk treatment), or to a C. nigriceps‐occupied tree (high‐risk treatment). Expansion success onto emptied neighbor trees was 100% for controls and increased‐density colonies, but only 50% for decreased‐density colonies, despite the fact that host trees are a limiting resource in this system. Success expanding onto trees occupied by a heterospecific competitor reached 36%, 40%, and 79% in decreased, control, and increased‐density trees, respectively. Our results show that changes in worker density due to disturbances or inter‐group battles have the potential to disrupt competitive hierarchies. Worker density manipulations also affected longer‐term colony persistence. Behavioral and genetic data revealed that 12 months after expansions 100% of the decreased‐density colonies, and 25% of control and increased‐density colonies, had been supplanted by neighboring opportunistic conspecifics. Intraspecific aggression may have lower costs in C. mimosae because aggressive colonies can incorporate workers or queens from defeated competitors. The unexpectedly high frequency of conflicts between conspecific C. mimosae, in combination with behaviors decreasing the cost of intraspecific competition relative to interspecific conflict, may create opportunities for the survival of subordinate competitors in this ant–plant system.
Synthesis and Characterization of Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based D‐π‐A‐π‐D Small Molecules for Organic Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Sivakumar Gangala , Sasikumar Mayarambakam , Rao Vaidya Jayathirtha
Published: December 2016

Four new small molecules – CTDP, BCTDP, CFDP, and BCFDP having D‐π‐A‐π‐D molecular architecture, possessing carbazole and benzocarbazole as electron donors, diketopyrrolopyrrole core as acceptor and thiophene/furan acting as spacer/bridge between donor (carbazole and benzocarbazole) and acceptor (diketopyrrolopyrrole) units are synthesized. All the four compounds exhibited absorption in the range of 300 to 700 nm, and, in particular, more intense absorption found in the 500 to 660 nm region. The estimated band gaps are found to be 1.92 eV for CTDP, 1.92 eV for BCTDP, 1.94 eV for CFDP, and 1.92 eV for BCFDP from their intersection point of absorption and emission spectra. The electrochemical studies revealed that the highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels of all the four compounds, CTDP (−5.03/−3.65 eV), BCTDP (−5.03/−3.65 eV), CFDP (−4.94/−3.65 eV), and BCFDP (−4.90/−3.62 eV) are well matched with PCBM and expected to be act as donor materials in small molecule bulk hetero junction organic solar cells. All the compounds are thermally stable up to 382–416°C.
Organization‐specific prosocial helping identity: Doing and belonging as the basis of “being fully there”
Authors: Farmer Steven M. , Van Dyne Linn
Published: December 2016

Identity theory and social identity theory focus on doing and belonging, respectively, but neither provides a complete picture of being “fully there” at work (Kahn, ). This three‐wave lagged field study links these two perspectives by proposing that beneficiary‐specific prosocial helping identity, met expectations for prosocial helping, and their interaction predict the strength of a contextualized, organization‐specific prosocial helping identity (OSPHI) targeted at those same beneficiaries and that OSPHI leads to positive employee work outcomes. Results provide strong support for the model and demonstrate that beneficiary‐specific prosocial helping identity had indirect relationships with intent to stay with the organization, experienced work meaning, and emotional exhaustion (negative), via OSPHI, only when met expectations for prosocial helping were weak. We discuss the value of OSPHI as an important construct that reflects the psychological state of “being fully there” at work and predicts subsequent employee work outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective recognition of carmoisine (Azorubin E122) from pomegranate juice
Authors: Ghasempour Zahra , Alizadeh‐Khaledabad Mohammad , Vardast Mohammad‐Reza , Rezazad‐Bari Mahmoud
Published: December 2016

Since natural pigments are lost during the processing of beverages such as pomegranate juice, carmoisine, as an adulterant, is often added into the pure juice to improve color characteristics. In this study, molecularly imprinted polymers, as an adsorbent of carmoisine, were synthesized using acrylamide, methacrylic acid, and 4‐vinylpyridine as functional monomers and then they were evaluated in terms of the separation and detection of carmoisine. Experiments on the batch adsorption of carmoisine 10 ppm stock solution revealed a better binding capacity for the 4‐vinylpyridine‐based polymer in comparison to methacrylic acid and acrylamide polymers. The complexation of carmoisine with the 4‐vinylpyridine‐based polymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized polymer exerted a high thermal degradation point and average diameter of polymer particles were obtained to be 0.2 μm by dynamic light scattering analysis. This work showed that detection of pomegranate juice adulteration with carmoisine is not necessarily difficult, time consuming or expensive with selective separation techniques such as molecularly imprinted polymers.
Silica‐supported polymeric monolithic column with a mixed mode of hydrophilic and strong cation‐exchange interactions for microcolumn liquid chromatography
Authors: Ren Hang , Zhang Xinyue , Li Zhen , Liu Zhaobin , Li Jinxiang
Published: December 2016

A novel sulfonic acid group containing hydrophilic strong cation‐exchange monolith was prepared by in situ coating 5 μm bare silica particles with the copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate and further sulfonating the prepared polymer matrix with Na2SO3 inside a 150 μm id capillary. The preparation conditions were investigated, and the method was described in detail. The prepared column was characterized by comparing with its counterparts reported previously in terms of matrix morphology, preparation reproducibility, permeability, swelling–shrinking behavior, mechanical stability, hydrophilicity, binding capacity, and column efficiency. The swelling–shrinking behavior of the present column in solvents of different polarities was negligible, the hydrophobicity could be suppressed at the acetonitrile concentrations higher than 40% v/v, and the binding capacities were 256 μequiv/mL and 20.1 mg/mL for Cu2+ and lysozyme, respectively. The minimum theoretical plate heights were 8, 10, and 13 μm, and the values of the C term in van Deemter equation were 9, 12, and 35 ms for the test analytes of Na+, thiourea, and cytidine 5ʹ‐monophosphate, respectively. This column exhibited an excellent performance in the separations of monovalent inorganic cations, uncharged polar, and charged polar compounds.
A State‐Space Analysis of Soil Organic Carbon in China's Loess Plateau
Authors: Jia Xiao‐Xu , Yang Yang , Zhang Chen‐Cheng , Shao Ming‐An , Huang Lai‐Ming
Published: December 2016

An accurate estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) is important for the evaluation and management of carbon (C) flux in terrestrial ecosystems. However, there is little work on the spatial variability of SOC in deep soils and its driving factors. Thus, the objective of the study was to derive the primary factors dominating the spatial distribution of SOC in different soil layers with the use of the autoregressive state‐space approach. The concentration of SOC was measured to the depth of 500 cm (n = 86) along a south–north transect of China's Loess Plateau. The mean SOC of the 500‐cm soil profile generally decreased from south to north following the decreasing rainfall gradient. Based on the investigated factors, the state‐space model was able to capture 90.3–99.9% of the spatial variability of SOC in the various soil layers. According to the coefficients in the optimal state‐space model for each soil layer, climatic factors such as precipitation and temperature had a dominant control over the spatial distribution of SOC at shallow depths. However, both climatic and edaphic (e.g. soil texture) factors, and to a small extent land use, influenced the spatial behavior of SOC at the 40–200 cm soil depth. For soil layers below 200 cm, the importance of land use was revealed, and the spatial characteristics of SOC were together driven by land use, climatic and edaphic factors. This is critical for the management of soil C flux in deep soils and the C stock and cycle in terrestrial ecosystems.

Table SI. Basic properties of soils and climate and elevation under three land uses along the south–north transect on the Loess Plateau (mean ± standard deviation). Note that SWC is gravimetric soil water content. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ion‐Selective Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) Actuator Based on Crown Ether Containing Sulfonated Poly(Arylene Ether Ketone)
Authors: Tas Sinem , Zoetebier Bram , Sukas Ozlem Sardan , Bayraktar Muharrem , Hempenius Mark , Vancso Gyula Julius , Nijmeijer Kitty
Published: December 2016

This study introduces the concept of ion selective actuation in polymer metal composite actuators, employing crown ether bearing aromatic polyether materials. For this purpose, sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK) and crown ether containing SPAEK with molar masses suitable for membrane preparation are synthesized. The synthesized polymers are characterized using Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators are fabricated by electroless chemical deposition of a platinum (Pt) layer on both sides of SPAEK and crown‐ether containing SPAEK membranes, resulting in electrode layers of around 120 nm thickness. Actuation experiments demonstrate cation specific responses and bending degrees of the IPMC actuators. Incorporation of crown ether units in the polymer backbone results in an improved and ion‐selective bending displacement compared with SPAEK actuators. S(25)C(50)PAEK actuators show an increased bending displacement of 28% for Na+ and 20% for K+ ions.

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Assessing 2D electrophoretic mobility spectroscopy (2D MOSY) for analytical applications
Authors: Fang Yuan , Yushmanov Pavel V. , Furó István
Published: December 2016

Electrophoretic displacement of charged entity phase modulates the spectrum acquired in electrophoretic NMR experiments, and this modulation can be presented via 2D FT as 2D mobility spectroscopy (MOSY) spectra. We compare in various mixed solutions the chemical selectivity provided by 2D MOSY spectra with that provided by 2D diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) spectra and demonstrate, under the conditions explored, a superior performance of the former method. 2D MOSY compares also favourably with closely related LC‐NMR methods. The shape of 2D MOSY spectra in complex mixtures is strongly modulated by the pH of the sample, a feature that has potential for areas such as in drug discovery and metabolomics. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Using proteomics to discover novel biomarkers for fatty liver development and response to CB1R antagonist treatment in an obese mouse model
Authors: Chen Chin‐Chang , Lee Tzung‐Yan , Kwok Ching‐Fai , Hsu Yung‐Pei , Shih Kuang‐Chung , Lin Yan‐Jie , Ho Low‐Tone
Published: December 2016

Over activity of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) plays a key role in increasing the incidence of obesity‐induced non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Tissue proteome analysis has been applied to investigate the bioinformatics regarding the mode of action and therapeutic mechanism. The aim of this study was to explore the potential pathways altered with CB1R in obesity‐induced fatty liver. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a standard chow diet (STD) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) with or without 1‐week treatment of CB1R inverse agonist AM251 at 5 mg/kg. Then, liver tissues were harvested for 2DE analysis and protein profiles were identified by using MALDI‐MS. Results showed that eight of significantly altered protein spots at the level of changes > twofold were overlapped among the three groups, naming major urinary protein 1, ATP synthase subunit β, glucosamine‐fructose‐6‐phosphate aminotransferase 1, zine finger protein 2, s‐adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type‐1, isocitrate dehydrogenase subunit α, epoxide hydrolase 2 and 60S acidic ribosomal protein P0. These identified proteins were involved in glucose/lipid metabolic process, xenobiotic metabolic system, and ATP synthesized process in mitochondria. Based on the findings, we speculated that CB1R blockade might exert its anti‐metabolic disorder effect via improvement of mitochondrial function in hepatic steatosis in HFD condition.