bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term variability in vegetation productivity in relation to rainfall, herbivory and fire in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Authors: Tokura Wataru , Jack Sam L. , Anderson Tania , Hoffman Michael T.
Published: July 2018

Exploring the long-term influence of climate and land use on vegetation change allows for a more robust understanding of how vegetation is likely to respond in the future. To inform management, this study investigated the relationship between vegetation productivity trends and potential drivers of change in the 110 000 ha of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve between 2000 and 2015, using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI, MOD13Q1). Spatio-temporal variability of the EVI was mapped and then related to the historical records of precipitation, animal numbers and fire occurrences. Long-term trends in productivity were analysed by residual trend analysis (RESTREND). Significantly different EVI profiles were found between vegetation types, and this was related to the structure and function of the vegetation, as well as the effects of soil reflectance. The EVI time-series signalled spatial and temporal heterogeneity in plant productivity, which was strongly correlated with rainfall, although fire and especially herbivory had noteworthy localised effects on productivity. The RESTREND identified a significant positive trend in plant productivity in shrub-dominated vegetation types, providing evidence for the ongoing thickening of woody species. Significant negative trends in productivity were associated with artificial water points and more heavily stocked areas, leading to degradation.Conservation implications: The southern Kalahari has a highly variable rainfall regime, which is tied to a dynamic vegetation response. This variability should be taken into account when making management decisions. Field-based monitoring together with adaptive management approaches are needed in the face of an uncertain future in which significant warming is expected.
Do talent management strategies influence the psychological contract within a diverse environment?
Authors: Poisat Paul , Mey Michelle R. , Sharp Gary
Published: July 2018

Orientation: Even though globalisation has resulted in a more diverse workforce and working environment, talent management strategies have not evolved catering for the diversity experienced in organisations. It is assumed that talent management strategies developed on Western principles can be applied effectively to employees in emerging markets. However, the success of these strategies in creating a high-performance work culture is widely questioned.Research purpose: This study aims to empirically determine the relationship between talent management strategies on the psychological contract, and whether this relationship influences employee retention within diverse working environments, which includes generational cohorts, gender and ethnicity.Motivation for the study: As talent management strategies impact differently on the psychological contract of individuals across the generations, gender and ethnicity, it therefore implies that a fit for purpose talent management strategy must consider these variables. The reason for this study was to determine the influence of talent management strategies on the psychological contract and ultimately retention within the diverse environment of different generations, genders and ethnicity.Research approach/design and method: A structured, closed-ended Likert-type validated questionnaire was distributed to employed persons of differing ethnicity, gender and generations and emanating from various professions within the private and public sector (n = 711). A quantitative survey design was used.Main findings: A significant relationship between the work environment and the psychological contract on retention exists. On the contrary, no significant differences exist between growth and development and financial security. Unlike other research conducted on generational cohorts, this study revealed a strong correlation between talent management strategies and generational cohort preferences.Practical/managerial implications: Talent management strategies need to be flexible and inclusive in terms of generational differences, including but not limited to ethnicity and gender. Human resource practitioners are made aware that the work environment impacts most significantly on the psychological contract and ultimately on retention.Contribution/value-add: This study subscribes to the international literature and provides empirical evidence that demonstrates the importance of generational cohorts, gender and ethnicity when executing talent management strategies. This study empirically provides the basis for human resource (HR) practitioners to develop a customised generational talent management strategy to retain high performing individuals.
Квазиуниверсальные ряды Фурье-Уолша
в классах $L^p[0,1]$, $p>1$
Authors: Sargsyan Artsrun Arshaluys
Published: July 2018

В работе доказано, что для каждого числа $p>1$ существует
функция из $L^1[0,1]$, ряд Фурье-Уолша которой является
квазиуниверсальным относительно подрядов-знаков
в классе $L^p[0,1]$ в смысле сходимости в метрике $L^p$.
Библиография: 25 названий.
Инвариантные оценки двумерных осцилляторных интегралов
Authors: Safarov Akbar Raxmanovich
Published: July 2018

В этой работе рассмотрены инвариантные оценки
осцилляторных интегралов с полиномиальной фазой.
Основным результатом работы является
теорема о равномерной инвариантной оценке
тригонометрических интегралов. Полученные оценки улучшают
известные результаты работы Д. А. Попова об инвариантных оценках
тригонометрических интегралов, когда фазовая функция является
полиномом третьей степени.
Библиография: 13 названий.
Применение принципа усреднения к исследованию
динамики логистического уравнения с запаздыванием
Authors: Kaschenko Sergey Aleksandrovich
Published: July 2018

Исследуется логистическое уравнение с запаздыванием и
быстро осциллирующими коэффициентами. Строится усредненное уравнение
и изучается его динамика. Разработаны алгоритмы,
связывающие динамические режимы исходного и усредненного уравнений.
Установлена особая чувствительность решений к выбору функций,
описывающих осцилляции коэффициента запаздывания.
Библиография: 23 названия.
"Effingitur corporis forma": consideraciones sobre la prosopografía en las comedias de Plauto
Authors: Gallego Cebollada Eduardo A.
Published: July 2018

A pesar de que el número de estudios que centran su atención en la caracterización de los personajes del teatro griego y latino es ingente, la importancia que se concede a la descripción física o prosopográfica de los propios personajes todavía resulta parca en la actualidad. Frente a un número prácticamente inexistente de prosopografías en el drama griego, sorprende comprobar cómo en el teatro romano, particularmente en Plauto, no ocurre lo mismo. Aunque se sigue careciendo de investigaciones que estudien este aspecto, la vertiente prosopográfica en la descripción de los personajes en la comedia romana cobra un interés mucho mayor que en el caso del teatro griego. En este sentido, el examen de un conjunto de pasajes plautinos permitirá plantear un origen para este tipo de descripciones físicas, así como valorar la impronta retórica, la importancia y la finalidad de este procedimiento.
Motivos amatorios en las "Églogas" de Nemesiano
Authors: Moreno Soldevila Rosario
Published: July 2018

En este artículo se analizan los motivos amatorios presentes en las Églogas de Nemesiano y se comparan con la configuración de estos tópicos en la literatura latina anterior, con el fin de calibrar en su justa medida las innovaciones de este poeta tardío y comprender la trabazón interna del corpus y su relación con la tradición literaria de temática amatoria.
Las "Sententiae" de Publilio Siro seleccionadas por Erasmo y su influencia en los florilegios de G. Maior y A. Rodrigues de Évora
Authors: Bravo de Laguna Romero Francisco , Rodríguez Herrera Gregorio
Published: July 2018

La edición de Erasmo de las Sententiae de Publilio Siro (1514) marca un antes y un después en la fortuna literaria del mimo romano y su obra. Este trabajo estudia la vinculación de las sentencias de Publilio Siro, seleccionadas por Erasmo, con las Sententiae ueterum poetarum (1534) de G. Maior y las Sententiae et Exempla ex probatissimis scriptoribus collecta (1557) de A. Rodrigues de Évora. A partir del análisis de estas obras ofrecemos una clasificación temática de la selección erasmiana y demostramos el grado de seguimiento de la edición erasmiana por parte de los compiladores.
Las fuentes hispánicas de los papeles epigráficos de Antonio Agustín (BNE, ms. 5781)
Authors: Carbonell Manils Joan , González Germain Gerard
Published: July 2018

A través del análisis de su síloge epigráfica manuscrita (BNE, ms. 5781, ff. 72r-82v; 84r), se identifican las fuentes manuscritas que Antonio Agustín (1517-1585) utilizó para su elaboración, las cuales casi nunca cita e incluso llega a menospreciar: los Epigrammata antiquae urbis Tarraconensis de Lluís Pons d’Icart; la Suma de las inscripciones romanas y memorias de la Bética y la Descripción de la provincia Bethica de Juan Fernández Franco; la síloge de Joan Armengol; el llamado Liber Parmensis o el manuscrito anónimo 5973 de la BNE. El estudio aporta noticias sobre el modus operandi y los intereses epigráficos del arzobispo y se completa con una tabla de correspondencias entre los manuscritos.
Research on the Public Comfort Cognition of Silk Fabrics for Garment---Base on the Survey Data from Hangzhou, China
Authors: Bian Xiangyang , Cao Aijuan
Published: July 2018

As the traditional products with local characteristics in Hangzhou, silk has numerous excellent qualities. However, public cognition degree about the performance of silk fabrics remains unclear. In this paper, taking comfort as the entry point, the thesis retrieves seven indicators related to temperature comfort and contact comfort to develop silk fabrics comfort measurement scale based on traditional evaluation methods, and public comfort cognition of silk fabrics for garment is investigated through questionnaire. According to the results, the public have higher awareness to skin comfort and softness of silk fabrics, while have lower awareness to moisture absorption feature, heat conductivity and warmth retention property of silk fabrics; industry and experience in using exert a significant effect on their recognition, while gender, education background, occupation, and time length living in Hangzhou have no significant effect on cognition.
Undergraduates’ Political Participation Behaviors in Public Universities of Hebei Province, China
Authors: Yang Yanan , Xia Nan , Ahmad Zaid Bin , Jawan Jayum Anak , Talib Ahmad Tarmizi
Published: July 2018

Political participation is a necessity of human life and the level of it reflects the degree of democracy which can be considered not only the right but also the obligation. Hebei province as a populous province has a large population of undergraduates, especially the expansion the university education policy carrying out in 2008. For the undergraduates in Hebei Province, they do not have adequate political knowledge, political skills and rarely practice in political activities. The objective of this article is to propose and evaluate students’ political participation behaviors in Hebei public universities of China. Data of this article is based on two sources; primary data were collected through questionnaire and 1990 informants were selected based on the cluster sampling method, the main statistical method for evaluation of research hypotheses is on the basis of on the basis of SmartPLS and SPSS software, meanwhile, secondary data which were collected from journal articles, reports and so on. Findings of this study indicate that, the level of students’ political participation was low in public universities in Hebei province in China. Moreover, the author elaborated four reasons that led to the low political participation behaviors in public universities of Hebei Province, which were the weak economic foundation, the backwardness of the cultural environment, the unsound political system and the influence of traditional culture. In addition, the author suggested that political participation among Hebei province public universities students need to improve and develop.
Family Dispute Resolution from the Perspective of Comparative Law
Authors: Miao Chungang
Published: July 2018

Family cases are different from ordinary civil cases in that they have their own ethical solutions. The traditional Chinese law deals with family disputes focusing on reason law, while legal reform uses the legal technical rationality to weaken the ethical attributes. The current reform of the family trials in China is based on the experience of the extraterritorial law, and gives due consideration to the return of the family-based standard, paying attention to the rights of under-age children. Around this goal, issues such as the resolution principles and procedures of family disputes should be adjusted.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Asian Social Science, Vol. 14, No. 8
Authors: Zhang Jenny
Published: July 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Asian Social Science, Vol. 14, No. 8, 2018.
Justum Ad Bellum & Israel’s 2006 Attack on Lebanon: An Examination of Just War Principles
Authors: Gassama Saikou Kawsu , Ebrahimi Mansoureh , Yusoff Kamaruzaman
Published: July 2018

Due to the continuum of Hezbollah rocket attacks from southern Lebanon, Israel attacked Lebanon in July 2006, devastating infrastructure and causing substantial loss of Lebanese lives. This paper provides a detailed documented analysis that examines the applicability of Just-War concepts and criteria for the attack with a view to determine whether or not it was morally justified according to accepted international standards. After reviewing contemporary expositors, our analysis of Just-War criteria according to traditions stemming from St. Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas indicate that although a few criteria fit Just-War Theory, Israel had overwhelmingly failed to satisfy requisite conditions for both jus ad bellum and jus in bello, thereby rendering their Lebanon incursion unjustifiable, and therefore an unjust war.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 11, No. 8
Authors: Duran Kevin
Published: July 2018

International Business Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated.International Business Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please find the application form and details at http://recruitment.ccsenet.org and e-mail the completed application form to ibr@ccsenet.org.Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 8 Alireza Athari, Eastern Mediterranean University, IranAnca Gabriela Turtureanu, “DANUBIUS” University Galati, RomaniaAndrea Carosi, University of Sassari, ItalyCheng Jing, eBay, Inc. / University of Rochester, USAChokri Kooli, International Center for Basic Research applied, Paris, CanadaDaniel Cash, Aston University, United KingdomDonghun Yoon, Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Republic of KoreaFilomena Izzo, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, ItalyFrancesco Ciampi, Florence University, ItalyGeorgeta Dragomir, “Danubius” University of Galati, RomaniaGiuseppe Granata, University of Cassino and Southen Lazio, ItalyGuo Zi-Yi, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., USAHanna Trojanowska, Warsaw University of Technology, PolandIonela-Corina Chersan, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University from Iași, RomaniaJoseph Lok-Man Lee, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongKaren Gulliver, Argosy University, Twin Cities, USALadislav Mura, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, SlovakiaM. Muzamil Naqshbandi, University of Dubai, UAEMarcelino José Jorge, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, BrazilMaria-Madela Abrudan, University of ORADEA, RomaniaMaryam Ebrahimi, Azad University, IranMichaela Maria Schaffhauser-Linzatti, University of Vienna, AustriaMichele Rubino, Università LUM Jean Monnet, ItalyMohamed Abdel Rahman Salih, Taibah University, Saudi ArabiaMohamed Rochdi Keffala, University of Kairouan, TunisiaMohsen Malekalketab Khiabani, University Technology Malaysia, MalaysiaMongi Arfaoui, University of Monastir, TunisiaMuath Eleswed, American University of Kuwait, USAOnur Köprülü, Mersin University, TurkeyPascal Stiefenhofer, University of Brighton, UKRadoslav Jankal, University of Zilina, SlovakiaRafiuddin Ahmed, James Cook University, AustraliaStephen Donald Strombeck, William Jessup University, USAValeria Stefanelli, University of Salento, ItalyWanmo Koo, Western Illinois University, USAWejdene Yangui, Institute of High Business Studies of Sfax _ Tunisia (IHEC), TunisiaYan Lu, University of Central Florida, USAYasmin Tahira, Al Ain University of Science and Technology, Al Ain, UAE
Nucleofection Efficiency of Sheep Primary Fibroblasts Established from Refrigerated Skin
Authors: Singh Mahipal , Ma Xiaoling
Published: July 2018

Dermal fibroblasts are useful for production of genetically engineered biologically active factors for development of cellular therapies and tissue engineering products for regenerative medicine. However, their transfection efficiencies using traditional non-viral methods are low and vary based on cell-type and species-specific differences. Using nucleofection technology, here we show that the transfection efficiency of primary fibroblasts established after 0-, 35-, and 65-days of postmortem storage of sheep skin tissues in a refrigerator was 59.49 % ± 9.66 %, 59.33 % ± 11.59 %, and 43.48 % ± 8.09 % respectively, as determined by analysis of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 7, No. 4
Authors: Lin Grace
Published: July 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2018
Patterns of Traffic Accidents Among Elderly Pedestrians in Sweden
Authors: Ceccato Vania
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study is to characterize the nature and space-time patterns of traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians in Sweden, in order to suggest preventive measures. The analysis is based on elderly pedestrian accidents from 2010 to 2014 using an age adjusted standardized elderly accidents ratios (ASEAR), Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistics techniques. Findings show that the geography of elderly traffic accidents is far from being homogenous across the country: although most accidents happen in urban municipalities, 30 per cent of municipalities classified as accessible rural exhibit relatively high-standardized accidents ratios. They happen often in daylight hours, on weekdays and in the coldest months of the year. Most of the cases are single accidents (e.g. self-inflicted fall); they happen in street segments/intersections and pedestrian/bicycle path, some affected by environment conditions such as icy or uneven surfaces. Findings of the study call for preventive actions that are sensitive to the nature of these accidents in different temporal and spatial contexts.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF LEGISLATIVE BODIES IN THE POLISH AND FRENCH TERRITORIAL SELFGOVERNMENT – TOWARDSA CONSULTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Authors: Augustyniak Monika
Published: July 2018

The internal structure of legislative bodies of territorial self-government units/territorial communities and normative constructions of commissions and consultative bodies (especially those in the French legal order) enable active expression of opinions and positions of residents of self-government communities. Multiplication of French commissions and committees, regulated by the Act, enriching the consultative dialogue in the territorial community, may constitute a good model of new and desirable solutions in this area in the Polish legal order. Expressing opinions by residents of a given community through a wide range of consultative bodies should be considered the right direction of indirect democracy, which unambiguously approaches participatory democracy, allowing residents to participate in making decisions on their own matters.
PROGRAM MIESZKANIE PLUS JAKO ISTOTNY CZYNNIK POLITYKI SPOŁECZNOGOSPODARCZEJ ORAZ POPRAWY SYTUACJI MIESZKANIOWEJ W POLSCE
Authors: Prokopowicz Dariusz , Matosek Mirosław
Published: July 2018

Uruchomiony w kwietniu 2016 roku program Rodzina 500 Plus znacznie zmniejsza skalę poziomu ubóstwa w rodzinach wielodzietnych, przyczynia się do wzrostu konsumpcji i być może także do wzrostu dzietności w Polsce. Drugim kluczowym programem społecznej polityki rodzinnej w Polsce uruchomionym w grudniu 2016 roku jest program Mieszkanie Plus. Program ten poprzez poprawę sytuacji mieszkaniowej powinien spełniać istotne funkcje polityki mieszkaniowej w zakresie zmniejszenia rozwarstwienia społecznego rodzin w Polsce. Głównym celem programu Mieszkanie Plus jest znaczące zwiększenie dostępności mieszkań, a szczególnie tanich mieszkań czynszowych z możliwością wykupienia własności po 20-30 latach użytkowania. Konsekwencją rozwinięcia tego programu na większą skalę w kolejnych latach będzie zaoferowanie takich mieszkań przede wszystkim dla rodzin, które do tej pory nie miały możliwości wynajmu i zakupu mieszkań na wolnym rynku ze względu na niskie dochody i brak zdolności kredytowej. Jeżeli przyjęty przez rząd plan rozwinięcia w kolejnych latach programu Mieszkanie Plus zostanie zrealizowany do 2030 roku to poziom dostępności mieszkań dla obywateli w Polsce osiągnie poziom zbliżony do średniej w Unii Europejskiej.
DONIESIENIA Z WOJNY – GAZETA WARSZAWSKA O DZIAŁANIACH ZBROJNYCH W CZASIE WOJNY CESARSTWA FRANCJI Z CZWARTĄ KOALICJĄ 1806 – 1807
Authors: Mielnik Marcin
Published: July 2018

Artykuł przestawia działania zbrojne toczone w czasie wojny Cesarstwa Francji z czwartą koalicją widziane oczami polskiej opinii publicznej. Gazeta Warszawska w oparciu w dużej mierze o francuski Monitor zapoznała swoich czytelników z wydarzeniami, jakie miały miejsce na terenie Królestwa Prus. Duże znaczenie dla redakcji miały walki toczone na ziemiach polskich. Osobnym, ale także niezmiernie ważnym zagadnieniem, było tworzenie i działanie polskich wojsk. Zbadanie doniesień prasowych pod kątem treści, dokładności i przede wszystkim wierności przekazywanych informacji stały się podstawowym założeniem postawionym sobie przez autora.
Total Folate in Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals by Trienzyme Extraction and LC-MS/MS Quantitation: A Multilaboratory Testing Study, Final Action 2011.06
Authors: Bhandari Sneh D , Gao Ming , Szpylka John ,   Collaborators:, Collopy N , Chen H , Gao M , Grahn R , Juskelis R , Lopez O , Malaviole I , McKenna R , Oveland E , Prabeesh K M , Stevens J , Wang J
Published: July 2018

Background: The need for an updated reference method for folate was identified as a priority by the AOAC’s Stakeholder Panel on Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN) in 2011. An Expert Review Panel (ERP) found AOAC Official MethodSM 2011.06 suitable for the purpose and approved it as a First Action Official Method. Objective: To determine the repeatability and reproducibility of Method 2011.06: Total Folate in Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals by Trienzyme Extraction and LC-MS/MS Quantitation. Methods: A multilaboratory collaborative study was conducted. Eleven laboratories located in five countries participated and completed analysis of all multilaboratory testing (MLT) samples. The study was divided into two parts. In the first part, the laboratories analyzed two practice samples (blindly coded) using the updated folate Method 2011.06. The laboratories providing results within the expected range qualified for part two, in which they analyzed 11 MLT samples in blind duplicates. Results: The results were compared with the Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR 2011.006) established for folate. The precision results met the requirements stated in the SMPR for all of the samples. Repeatability and reproducibility relative standard deviations ranged from 3.5 to 6.6 and from 9.0 to 15.7%, respectively. Horwitz ratio values for all of the samples were well below 2 (0.61–1.06). Conclusions: The ERP determined that the method performance met the SMPR requirements in September 2017 after reviewing the presented MLT data. Highlights: The ERP recommended the method for Final Action status.
Positive essentialization reduces prejudice: Reminding participants of a positive human nature alleviates the stigma of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) descent
Authors: Putra Idhamsyah Eka , Holtz Peter , Pitaloka Ardiningtiyas , Kronberger Nicole , Arbiyah Nurul
Published: July 2018

This study aims to demonstrate and change negative perceptions of descendants of members of the Indonesian Communist Party (Partai Komunis Indonesia/PKI), a stigmatized social group in Indonesia. In Studies 1 and 2, participants were given positive descriptions of an adult (Study 1) and a child (Study 2), and were asked to evaluate them twice, before and after reading information about the target’s family background. In Study 1, targets were described either as descendants of PKI members, members of another Indonesian party or criminals. In Study 2, the target was presented as a descendant of PKI members, of members of another Indonesian party or without information on family background (control condition). The studies showed that whenever people were ‘revealed’ to be descendants of PKI members, the respondents’ judgments became more negative, and their assumptions about commonly shared views of these people became more negative as well. In Studies 3 and 4, participants were again given descriptions of an adult (Study 3) and a child (Study 4), which were both described as descendants of PKI members. Half of the participants were reminded afterwards with a written statement that every human is by nature good and unique (the experimental condition), while the other half did not get any additional information (control group). By making salient a shared and positively valued human ‘essence’, it was possible to alleviate the stigma that still is attached to PKI-affiliations in Indonesian society. We end the study with a discussion of our findings’ political and societal implications.
NEW METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS USING SCALE MODELS AND SIMILARITY LAWS
Authors: RODRIGUEZ RAMIREZ JOSE ALFREDO , MARIACA  BELTRÁN YAHIR DE JESUS , GARCIA SALMORAN ISRAEL ARUBI , CLEMENTE MIRAFUENTE CHRISTIAN MARISOL , RODRIGUEZ RAMIREZ JOSE ALFREDO , ACOSTA FLORES MARIO , GARCIA CASTREJON JUAN CARLOS
Published: July 2018

The failures, unexpected and catastrophic, are presented in large mechanical systems, specifically, in the electric power generation. The development of new methodologies of analysis and research to evaluate and calculate useful life must be proposed. In this work, an analytical-experimental novel methodology was developed using laws of similarity and models at the scale of prototypes, parts or mechanical components of any system. The methodology developed in the dynamic study of steam turbine blades was applied to calculate their stresses, deformations and the prediction of their useful life in mechanical fatigue conditions. The analytic-experimental and numerical results showed a relative error of less than 3,16% for both models. The new methodology was validated with these results. The use of scale models with the application of similarity laws will be of help in the analysis of failures where due to the size or high costs, real systems cannot be analyzed.

Keywords: scale models, experimental analysis, deformations, similarity laws, useful life, mechanical fatigue
Marine biodiversity in space and time: What tiny fossils tell
Authors: Yasuhara Moriaki
Published: July 2018

Biodiversity has been changing both in space and time. For example, we have more species in the tropics and less species in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, constituting the latitudinal diversity gradient, one of the patterns we can see most consistently in this complex world. We know much less regarding the biodiversity gradients with time. This is because it would require a well designed continuous monitoring program, which seldom persist beyond a few decades. But, luckily, we have remains of ancient organisms, called fossils. These are basically the only direct records of past biodiversity.
These are not the neurons you are looking for
Authors: Benichoux Victor , Tollin Daniel J
Published: July 2018

Studies that looked into how the auditory brainstem processes the difference in the intensity of a sound as it reaches each ear may have wrongly assumed which neurons were being recorded.
Historical connections among river basins and climatic changes explain the biogeographic history of a water rat
Authors: Dalapicolla Jeronymo , Leite Yuri Luiz Reis
Published: July 2018

Background

The water ratNectomys squamipes(Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) is a semiaquatic rodent from eastern South America that shows shallow genetic structure across space, according to some studies. We tested the influence of hydrography and climatic changes on the genetic and phylogeographic structure of this semiaquatic small mammal.

Methods

DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genetic markers (Cyt b and D-loop) and six microsatellite loci from water rats were collected at 50 localities in five river basins in the Atlantic Forest along the eastern coast of South America. We evaluated the genetic structure within and among river basins, and we estimated divergence dates. Species distribution models for the present and past were built to identify possible gene flow paths.

Results

Mitochondrial data and species distribution models showed coherent results. Microsatellite loci showed a more complex pattern of genetic differentiation. The diversification ofN. squamipeshaplotypes occurred during the Pleistocene and the river basin cannot explain most of the genetic structure. We found evidence of population expansion during the last glacial maximum, and gene flow paths indicate historical connections among rivers in the Atlantic Forest.

Discussion

Historical connections among rivers in the Atlantic Forest may have allowedN. squamipesto disperse farther across and within basins, leading to shallow genetic structure. Population expansions and gene flow through the emerged continental shelf during glacial period support the Atlantis forest hypothesis, thus challenging the forest refuge hypothesis.
Does elevated atmospheric CO2affect soil carbon burial and soil weathering in a forest ecosystem?
Authors: Gonzalez-Meler Miquel A. , Poghosyan Armen , Sanchez-de Leon Yaniria , Dias de Olivera Eduardo , Norby Richard J. , Sturchio Neil C.
Published: July 2018

Most experimental studies measuring the effects of climate change on terrestrial C cycling have focused on processes that occur at relatively short time scales (up to a few years). However, climate-soil C interactions are influenced over much longer time scales by bioturbation and soil weathering affecting soil fertility, ecosystem productivity, and C storage. Elevated CO2can increase belowground C inputs and stimulate soil biota, potentially affecting bioturbation, and can decrease soil pH which could accelerate soil weathering rates. To determine whether we could resolve any changes in bioturbation or C storage, we investigated soil profiles collected from ambient and elevated-CO2plots at the Free-Air Carbon-Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) forest site at Oak Ridge National Laboratory after 11 years of13C-depleted CO2release. Profiles of organic carbon concentration,δ13C values, and activities of137Cs,210Pb, and226Ra were measured to ∼30 cm depth in replicated soil cores to evaluate the effects of elevated CO2on these parameters. Bioturbation models based on fitting advection-diffusion equations to137Cs and210Pb profiles showed that ambient and elevated-CO2plots had indistinguishable ranges of apparent biodiffusion constants, advection rates, and soil mixing times, although apparent biodiffusion constants and advection rates were larger for137Cs than for210Pb as is generally observed in soils. Temporal changes in profiles ofδ13C values of soil organic carbon (SOC) suggest that addition of new SOC at depth was occurring at a faster rate than that implied by the net advection term of the bioturbation model. Ratios of (210Pb/226Ra) may indicate apparent soil mixing cells that are consistent with biological mechanisms, possibly earthworms and root proliferation, driving C addition and the mixing of soil between ∼4 cm and ∼18 cm depth. Burial of SOC by soil mixing processes could substantially increase the net long-term storage of soil C and should be incorporated in soil-atmosphere interaction models.
Bovine milk derived skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate modulatesCitrobacter rodentiumshedding in the mouse intestinal tract
Authors: Cakebread Julie , Hodgkinson Alison , Wallace Olivia , Callaghan Megan , Hurford Daralyn , Wieliczko Robert , Harris Paul , Haigh Brendan
Published: July 2018

Skimmed milk powder (SMP) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) were manufactured from fresh milk collected from cows producing high or low Immunoglobulin (Ig) A levels in their milk. In addition commercial products were purchased for use as diluent or control treatments. A murine enteric disease model (Citrobacter rodentium) was used to assess whether delivery of selected bioactive molecules (IgA, IgG, Lactoferrin (Lf)) or formulation delivery matrix (SMP, WPC) affected faecal shedding of bacteria inC. rodentiuminfected mice. In trial one, faecal pellets collected from mice fed SMP containing IgA (0.007–0.35 mg/mL), IgG (0.28–0.58 mg/mL) and Lf (0.03–0.1 mg/mL) contained fewerC. rodentium(cfu) compared to control mice fed water (day 8,p< 0.04, analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Fisher’s unprotected least significant difference (ULSD)). In trial two, WPC containing IgA (0.35–1.66 mg/mL), IgG (0.58–2.36 mg/mL) and Lf (0.02–0.45 mg/mL) did not affectC. rodentiumshedding, but SMP again reduced faecalC. rodentiumlevels (day 12,p< 0.04, ANOVA followed by Fisher’s ULSD). NoC. rodentiumwas detected in sham phosphate-buffered saline inoculated mice. Mice fed a commercial WPC shed significantly greater numbers ofC. rodentiumover 4 consecutive days (Fishers ULSD test), compared to control mice fed water. These data indicate that SMP, but not WPC, modulates faecal shedding inC. rodentium-infected mice and may impact progression ofC. rodentiuminfection independently of selected bioactive concentration. This suggests that food matrix can impact biological effects of foods.
Gonadal transcriptome sequencing of the critically endangered Acipenser dabryanus to discover candidate sex-related genes
Authors: Chen Yeyu , Liu Ya , Gong Quan , Lai Jiansheng , Song Mingjiang , Du Jun , Deng Xiaochuan
Published: July 2018

Background

Acipenser dabryanus, an endemic Chinese species, has been listed as a first-class protected animal in China. Sturgeons are among the oldest and most primitive group of existing fish in the world and occupy a special place in the evolutionary history of fish. Thus, a study of the reproduction and sex differentiation of sturgeon will be of great value for fish as well as the whole vertebrate group.

Methods

In this study, we conducted comparative analysis of the testes and ovaries transcriptomes of A. dabryanus to screen for sex-differentiation and sexual development-related genes.

Results

The transcriptome sequencing of six cDNA libraries generated 265 million clean reads, encompassing 79 Gb of sequences. The N50 and mean length of the identified 91,375 unigenes were 1,718 and 989 bp, respectively. A total of 6,306, 9,961, 13,170, 15,484, and 23,588 unigenes were annotated in the clusters of orthologous groups, gene ontology categories, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway, euKaryotic orthologous groups, and NCBI non-redundant protein databases, respectively. A total of 5,396 differentially expressed genes were found between the two sexes, with 1,938 predicted to be up-regulated in ovaries and 3,458 in testes. A total of 73 candidate genes known to be involved in sex differentiation and sexual development were searched in the transcriptome of A. dabryanus of which 52 showed significant similarity. We highlighted six genes that are differentially expressed between the two sexes and may play important roles in sex differentiation and gonad maintenance. In addition, 24,271 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 550,519 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected.

Discussion

This work represents the first transcriptome study comparing the ovary and testis in A. dabryanus. The putative differentially expressed genes between the gonads provide an important source of information for further study of the sex-differentiation related genes and the sex-differentiation mechanism in sturgeons. The SSRs or SNPs identified in this study will be helpful in the discovery of sex-related markers in A. dabryanus.
A collaborative process for a program redesign for education in evidence-based health care
Authors: Whillier Stephney , Spence Natalie , Giuriato Rosemary
Published: July 2018

Objective:

We outline the framework of a collaborative process to redesign an existing 5-year health education program, which may prove useful to other similar institutions. The aim was to strengthen evidence-based practice and curriculum alignment.

Methods:

A whole-of-program approach was used to restructure the existing courses into 3 “streams”: professional practice, clinical research, and clinical science. The process incorporated a series of facilitated workshops organized by the department director of learning and teaching and the faculty facilitation team, and it was inclusive of all available members of the department, a clinic supervisor, a sessional (casual teaching) staff member, and a recent graduate of the program.

Results:

Unit content and assessments were restructured to progress the program learning outcomes from year to year. The undergraduate program was redesigned to create a more logical learning pathway for students. Consolidation of subject topics in the postgraduate program allowed for the development of stand-alone research-only units.

Conclusion:

The mechanism of curriculum mapping allowed for discussion about the flow of information from year to year and how evidenced knowledge and understanding can be developed. It is necessary that everyone participates and understands the importance of program goals as developed by the process. Because drift in curriculum can occur incrementally over the years, to be effective, the program requires ongoing monitoring and regular collaboration to continue improvements.
Feedback control of the CXCR7/CXCL11 chemokine axis by estrogen receptor α in ovarian cancer
Authors: Benhadjeba Samira , Edjekouane Lydia , Sauvé Karine , Carmona Euridice , Tremblay André
Published: July 2018

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most intractable diseases, exhibiting tremendous molecular heterogeneity and lacking reliable methods for screening, resulting in late diagnosis and widespread peritoneal dissemination. Menopausal estrogen replacement therapy is a well‐recognized risk factor for OC, but little is known about how estrogen might contribute to this disease at the cellular level. This study identifies chemokine receptor CXCR7/ACKR3 as an estrogen‐responsive gene, whose expression is markedly enhanced by estrogen through direct recruitment of ERα and transcriptional active histone modifications in OC cells. The gene encoding CXCR7 chemokine ligand I‐TAC/CXCL11 was also upregulated by estrogen, resulting in Ser‐118 phosphorylation, activation, and recruitment of estrogen receptor ERα at the CXCR7 promoter locus for positive feedback regulation. Both CXCR7 and CXCL11, but not CXCR3 (also recognized to interact with CXCL11), were found to be significantly increased in stromal sections of microdissected tumors and positively correlated in mesenchymal subtype of OC. Estrogenic induction of mesenchymal markers SNAI1, SNAI2, and CDH2 expression, with a consequent increase in cancer cell migration, was shown to depend on CXCR7, indicating a key role for CXCR7 in mediating estrogen upregulation of mesenchymal markers to induce invasion of OC cells. These findings identify a feed‐forward mechanism that sustains activation of the CXCR7/CXCL11 axis under ERα control to induce the epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathway and metastatic behavior of OC cells. Such interplay underlies the complex gene profile heterogeneity of OC that promotes changes in tumor microenvironment and metastatic acquisition.
PGC1β regulates multiple myeloma tumor growth through LDHA‐mediated glycolytic metabolism
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Li Ling , Chen Qi , Li Min , Feng Jia , Sun Ying , Zhao Rong , Zhu Yin , Lv Yang , Zhu Zhigang , Huang Xiaodong , Xie Weiguo , Xiang Wei , Yao Paul
Published: July 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy due to inevitable relapse and chemoresistance development. Our preliminary data show that MM cells express high levels of PGC1β and LDHA. In this study, we investigated the mechanism behind PGC1β‐mediated LDHA expression and its contribution to tumorigenesis, to aid in the development of novel therapeutic approaches for MM. Real‐time PCR and western blotting were first used to evaluate gene expression of PGC1β and LDHA in different MM cells, and then, luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, LDHA deletion report vectors, and siRNA techniques were used to investigate the mechanism underlying PGC1β‐induced LDHA expression. Furthermore, knockdown cell lines and lines stably overexpressing PGC1β or LDHA lentivirus were established to evaluate in vitro glycolysis metabolism, mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and cell proliferation. In addition, in vivo xenograft tumor development studies were performed to investigate the effect of PGC1β or LDHA expression on tumor growth and mouse survival. We found that PGC1β and LDHA are highly expressed in different MM cells and LDHA is upregulated by PGC1β through the PGC1β/RXRβ axis acting on the LDHA promoter. Overexpression of PGC1β or LDHA significantly potentiated glycolysis metabolism with increased cell proliferation and tumor growth. On the other hand, knockdown of PGC1β or LDHA largely suppressed glycolysis metabolism with increased ROS formation and apoptosis rate, in addition to suppressing tumor growth and enhancing mouse survival. This is the first time the mechanism underlying PGC1β‐mediated LDHA expression in multiple myeloma has been identified. We conclude that PGC1β regulates multiple myeloma tumor growth through LDHA‐mediated glycolytic metabolism. Targeting the PGC1β/LDHA pathway may be a novel therapeutic strategy for multiple myeloma treatment.
Self‐recurrent wavelet neural network–based identification and adaptive predictive control of nonlinear dynamical systems
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Srivastava Smriti , Gupta J.R.P , Mohindru Amit
Published: July 2018

In this paper, the problem of simultaneous identification and predictive control of nonlinear dynamical systems using self‐recurrent wavelet neural network (SRWNN) is addressed. The structure of the SRWNN is a modification of the wavelet neural network (WNN). Unlike WNN, the neurons present in the hidden layer of SRWNN contain the weighted self‐feedback loops. Dynamic back‐propagation algorithm is employed to derive the necessary parameter update equations. To further improve the convergence speed of the parameters, a time‐varying (adaptive) learning rate is used. Four simulation examples are considered for testing the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, some disturbance rejection tests are also performed on the proposed method. The results obtained through the simulation study confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Nanoflake Arrays of Lithiophilic Metal Oxides for the Ultra‐Stable Anodes of Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Yu Baozhi , Tao Tao , Mateti Srikanth , Lu Shengguo , Chen Ying
Published: July 2018

A molten lithium infusion strategy has been proposed to prepare stable Li‐metal anodes to overcome the serious issues associated with dendrite formation and infinite volume change during cycling of lithium‐metal batteries. Stable host materials with superior wettability of molten Li are the prerequisite. Here, it is demonstrated that a series of strong oxidizing metal oxides, including MnO2, Co3O4, and SnO2, show superior lithiophilicity due to their high chemical reactivity with Li. Composite lithium‐metal anodes fabricated via melt infusion of lithium into graphene foams decorated by these metal oxide nanoflake arrays successfully control the formation and growth of Li dendrites and alleviate volume change during cycling. A resulting Li‐Mn/graphene composite anode demonstrates a super‐long and stable lifetime for repeated Li plating/stripping of 800 cycles at 1 mA cm−2 without voltage fluctuation, which is eight times longer than the normal lifespan of a bare Li foil under the same conditions. Furthermore, excellent rate capability and cyclability are realized in full‐cell batteries with Li‐Mn/graphene composite anodes and LiCoO2 cathodes. These results show a major advancement in developing a stable Li anode for lithium‐metal batteries.
Fabrication of Bioinspired Hierarchical Functional Structures by Using Honeycomb Films as Templates
Authors: Zhu Cun , Tian Lei , Liao Junlong , Zhang Xin , Gu Zhongze
Published: July 2018

A facile approach to the fabrication of bioinspired hierarchical functional structures by using honeycomb films with controllable micropores as templates is described here. Taking advantage of the breath figure method, honeycomb films with manipulable micropores can be conveniently fabricated by modulating the experimental conditions such as duration of the moist gas flow, temperature, and stretching of the film, which further serve as templates to induce the assembly of subsequently introduced silica nanoparticles for the construction of hierarchical functional structures in a controlled fashion. The resultant hierarchical functional structures not only present a viewing angle independent property, but also exhibit improved hydrophobicity and unique wetting behaviors depending on the morphologies of their building units. It is believed that the work will provide plenty of inspiration for the fabrication of novel high‐performance optical devices for display, as well as functionalized surfaces for waterproof and self‐cleaning.