bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propagule pressure and land cover changes as main drivers of red and roe deer expansion in mainland Portugal
Authors: Carvalho João , Torres Rita T. , Acevedo Pelayo , Santos João P. V. , Barros Tânia , Serrano Emmanuel , Fonseca Carlos
Published: December 2017

Aim

The management of the rapid expansion of wild ungulate populations is a challenging task and a societal priority. Using a progressive database of red (Cervus elaphus) and roe (Capreolus capreolus) deer colonization over the last three decades, we estimate the range expansion rates and the underlying mechanisms involved in the expansion patterns of red and roe deer populations at the south‐western edge of its European distribution.

Location

Mainland Portugal.

Methods

We compiled and grouped historical red and roe deer distribution data in three time periods (1981–1990, 1991–2000 and 2001–2010). We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate how biotic and abiotic drivers determine the expansion patterns of red and roe deer.

Results

We reported a significant expansion of red and roe deer populations during the last three decades. The significant interaction between propagule pressure and land cover suggests that the effects of propagule pressure vary along environmental gradients. We found that the influence of livestock on red and roe deer expansion is idiosyncratic. Contrary to red deer, roe deer expansion was also influenced by climatic conditions. We did not detect any significant effect of human factors on the red and roe deer expansion.

Main conclusions

The synergistic effects between variables should be taken into account when studying the patterns of species expansion. Our study emphasize that policy makers should consider the spatial, temporal, ecological and societal nuances of species expansion in order to prioritize management measures and to allocate management budgets. Although concerted strategies to curtail species spread should mitigate red and roe deer economic and ecological impacts, these effects can be neutralized by a continuous rural exodus and the consequent forest and shrub encroachment.
Non‐motor symptoms in childhood dystonia? New perspectives
Authors: Adegboye Dolapo
Published: December 2017

This commentary is on the systematic review by Coenen et al. on pages 244–255 of this issue.
Effect of a glucagon receptor antibody (REMD‐477) in type 1 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pettus Jeremy , Reeds Dominic , Cavaiola Tricia S. , Boeder Schafer , Levin Michelle , Tobin Garry , Cava Edda , Thai Dung , Shi Jim , Yan Hai , Bautista Edgar , McMillan John , Unger Roger , Henry Robert R. , Klein Samuel
Published: December 2017

The aim of the current study (Clinical trial reg. no. NCT02715193, clinicaltrials.gov) was to study the efficacy and safety of REMD‐477, a glucagon receptor antagonist, in type 1 diabetes. This was a randomized controlled trial in which 21 patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled. Glycaemic control and insulin use were evaluated in outpatient and inpatient settings, before and after a single 70‐mg dose of REMD‐477 (half‐life 7‐10 days) or placebo. Inpatient insulin use was 26% (95% CI, 47%, 4%) lower 1 day after dosing with REMD‐477 than with placebo (P = .02). Continuous glucose monitoring during post‐treatment days 6 to 12 showed that average daily glucose was 27 mg/dL lower (P < .001), percent time‐in‐target‐range (70‐180 mg/dL) was ~25% greater (~3.5 h/d) (P = .001), and percent time‐in‐hyperglycaemic‐range (> 180 mg/dL) was ~40% lower (~4 h/d) (P = .001) in the REMD‐477 group than in the placebo group, without a difference in percent time‐in‐hypoglycaemic‐range (<70 mg/dL). No serious adverse events were reported. Glucagon receptor antagonism decreases insulin requirements and improves glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Food quality affects the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes upon simulated parasite attack in the larvae of greater wax moth
Authors: Krams Indrikis , Kecko Sanita , Inashkina Inna , Trakimas Giedrius , Krams Ronalds , Elferts Didzis , Vrublevska Jolanta , Jõers Priit , Rantala Markus J. , Luoto Severi , Contreras‐Garduño Jorge , Jankevica Līga , Meija Laila , Krama Tatjana
Published: December 2017

Predator‐prey interactions are an important evolutionary force affecting the immunity of the prey. Parasitoids and mites pierce the cuticle of their prey, which respond by activating their immune system against predatory attacks. Immunity is a costly function for the organism, as it often competes with other life‐history traits for limited nutrients. We tested whether the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) of the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) changes as a consequence of insertion of a nylon monofilament, which acts like a synthetic parasite. The treatment was done for larvae grown on a high‐quality vs. a low‐quality diet. The expression of Gloverin and 6‐tox were upregulated in response to the insertion of the nylon monofilament. The expression of 6‐tox, Cecropin‐D, and Gallerimycin were significantly higher in the ‘low‐quality diet’ group than in the ‘high‐quality diet’ group. As food quality seems to affect AMP gene expression in G. mellonella larvae, it should always be controlled for in studies on bacterial and fungal infections in G. mellonella.
Land reform and conflict before the Civil War: landowner response to tenancy reform in 1930s Catalonia
Authors: Domenech Jordi , Herreros Francisco
Published: December 2017

This article studies the impact of insecure property rights on the behaviour of owners of land before the Spanish Civil War. The theoretical literature on land reform argues that legal threats to the status quo determine agrarian organization, with owners selling land and moving to other asset classes or engaging in large‐scale substitution of sharecroppers and tenants with wage labourers. This study, which uses municipal data on tenant evictions in Catalonia in 1934–5, does not find that uncertainty over property rights in the 1930s meant that owners tried to substitute tenants with wage labourers, especially in the case of the controversial rabassa morta contracts on vineyards. Here it is argued that after 40 years of organizational adjustment to shocks related to phylloxera infestations, legal changes, urbanization, and changes in relative prices, by the 1930s the margin for adjustment was small.
Age heaping and numeracy: looking behind the curtain
Authors: Blum Matthias , Krauss Karl‐Peter
Published: December 2017

Age‐heaping‐based numeracy indicators have served as valuable tools to derive basic human capital estimates, especially for periods where other indicators are unavailable. However, the accuracy of individual age statements usually remains unknown, and due to the lack of precise information it can only be assumed that excessive occurrence of multiples of five in age distributions reflects inferior numerical skills. This article addresses this lacuna by identifying 162 individuals in two independent data sources: self‐reported age statements and independently kept records which are based on family heritage books and church registers. This method makes it possible to identify individual misreporting and the degree of accuracy of each individual. Findings show that not everyone who reported a multiple of five was reporting an incorrect age, nor was it the case that everyone who reported an age that was not a multiple of five was reporting an accurate age. The empirical analysis shows that the commonly used binary numeracy indicator is correlated with the observed degree of accuracy in age statements, and that a more sophisticated occupational background reduces this inaccuracy. These results tentatively suggest that the commonly used binary indicator measuring age heaping is a valuable proxy for numerical skills and occupational background in a population.
Retail markets in northern and midland England, 1870–1914: civic icon, municipal white elephant, or consumer paradise?
Authors: Mitchell Ian
Published: December 2017

Retail markets were a notable feature of urban England in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth, particularly in the midlands and north. Market halls were the most visible manifestation of this, and were important public buildings. This article looks beyond the imposing architecture to take a more critical view of their function and justification. It argues that while most were well‐managed and earned income in excess of current expenditure, very substantial investment in large and elaborate buildings was hard to justify in purely financial terms. The return on capital was often negligible. Food and drink traders were the largest group in almost all markets, but there were significant numbers of traders selling clothing, textiles, and household goods. There was some justification to complaints that local authorities were providing publicly financed miscellaneous shops in competition with rent‐ and rate‐paying shopkeepers. Most retailers supplying basic necessities operated from shops rather than markets. Saturday night markets were important in working‐class culture and as a source of cheap food, but most day‐to‐day necessities were purchased from local shops or street traders.
Psychotic‐spectrum symptoms, cumulative adversity exposure and substance use among high‐risk girls
Authors: Lansing Amy E. , Plante Wendy Y. , Fennema‐Notestine Christine , Golshan Shahrokh , Beck Audrey N.
Published: December 2017

Aim

Psychotic‐spectrum symptoms are linked to trauma, substance/alcohol use (SAU), criminality/violence and poor functional outcomes, supporting the need for early detection in vulnerable populations. To better understand high‐risk girls’ mental health, we assessed: (1) psychotic‐spectrum symptoms; (2) cumulative trauma, adversity and loss exposures (C‐TALE) and adversity‐indicators (symptoms, maladaptive coping, stressor‐reactivity); and SAU risk‐factors; and (3) relationships among psychotic‐spectrum symptoms, adversity‐indicators and SAU risk‐factors.

Methods

We administered the Structured Clinical Interviews for Psychotic Spectrum, and Trauma and Loss Spectrum to 158 adolescent delinquent girls.

Results

Girls’ psychotic‐spectrum profiles were similar to previously reported adult psychotic patients and characterized by typical symptoms (hallucinations/delusions, reported largely SAU‐independent), interpersonal sensitivity, schizoid traits and paranoia (over‐interpretation, anger over‐reactivity, hypervigilance). Auditory/visual hallucinations (55.7%), delusions (92.4%), ideas of reference (96.8%) and adversity (90.0% ≥10/24 C‐TALE‐types) were common. Mean loss (4) and trauma (8) onset‐age occurred before SAU‐onset (12). Significant positive correlations were found among psychotic‐spectrum symptoms, stressor‐reactivity, C‐TALE, adversity‐indicators; and number of SAU‐types; and a negative correlation occurred between psychotic‐spectrum symptoms and earlier alcohol use onset. After controlling for number of SAU‐types, stressor‐reactivity and adversity‐related numbing individually had the largest associations with total psychotic‐spectrum symptoms (b = 2.6‐4.3). Girls averaged more than 4 maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., 24.8% attempted suicide) in response to adversity, amplifying potential health‐disparities. No racial/ethnic differences emerged on psychotic‐spectrum symptoms.

Conclusions

This symptom constellation during adolescence likely interferes with social and academic functioning. Whether representing a prodromal phase, trauma‐response or cross‐diagnostic psychopathology, accurate early detection and appropriate treatment of psychotic‐spectrum symptoms are warranted to improve functional outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Erythroferrone and iron status parameters levels in pediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia
Authors: El Gendy Fady M. , EL‐Hawy Mahmoud A. , Shehata Amira M. F. , Osheba Hanaa E.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To investigate the link between serum erythroferrone (ERFE) levels and iron status parameters in pediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods

The study consisted of 66 children (36 with iron deficiency anemia and 30 healthy age‐ and gender‐matched controls) who were investigated for serum levels of iron, total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC) using automated chemistry analyzer, serum ferritin using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and ERFE by specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Results

Serum erythroferrone levels in iron deficiency anemia patients (191.55 ± 83.74 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in control group (42.22 ± 16.55 pg/mL) (P < .001). In iron deficiency anemia patients, serum erythroferrone concentrations correlated negatively with hemoglobin concentration (r = −.39; P = .01), serum iron (r = −.63; P < .001), transferrin saturation (r = −.66; P < .001), and serum ferritin (r = −.46; P = .004) while positive correlation was observed between serum erythroferrone concentrations and TIBC (r = .62; P < .001)

Conclusion

The newly identified erythroferrone hormone may act as physiological hepcidin suppressor in cases with iron deficiency anemia, and so it may serve as a specific promising target of therapy in such cases.
Delta(but not theta)‐band cortical entrainment involves speech‐specific processing
Authors: Molinaro Nicola , Lizarazu Mikel
Published: December 2017

Cortical oscillations phase‐align to the quasi‐rhythmic structure of the speech envelope. This speech–brain entrainment has been reported in two frequency bands, that is both in the theta band (4–8 Hz) and in the delta band (<4 Hz). However, it is not clear if these two phenomena reflect passive synchronization of the auditory cortex to the acoustics of the speech input, or if they reflect higher processes involved in actively parsing speech information. Here, we report two magnetoencephalography experiments in which we contrasted cortical entrainment to natural speech compared to qualitative different control conditions (Experiment 1: amplitude‐modulated white‐noise; Experiment 2: spectrally rotated speech). We computed the coherence between the oscillatory brain activity and the envelope of the auditory stimuli. At the sensor‐level, we observed increased coherence for the delta and the theta band for all conditions in bilateral brain regions. However, only in the delta band (but not theta), speech entrainment was stronger than either of the control auditory inputs. Source reconstruction in the delta band showed that speech, compared to the control conditions, elicited larger coherence in the right superior temporal and left inferior frontal regions. In the theta band, no differential effects were observed for the speech compared to the control conditions. These results suggest that whereas theta entrainment mainly reflects perceptual processing of the auditory signal, delta entrainment involves additional higher‐order computations in the service of language processing.
Temperature response of plant residue and soil organic matter decomposition in soil from different depths
Authors: Yanni S. F. , Diochon A. , Helgason B. L. , Ellert B. H. , Gregorich E. G.
Published: December 2017

Evaluating how decomposition responds to temperature is important for understanding the soil's response under a changing climate. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature and addition of residue at different soil depths on decomposition of the residue and native soil organic matter (SOM) (i.e. priming). Soil samples from depths of 5–10, 20–25 and 40–45 cm were incubated at 5, 15 and 25 °C with and without 13C‐labelled barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) residue. Respiration, microbial biomass, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and mineral N were measured during the incubation. Respiration from residue and SOM increased with temperature in all treatments. The activation energy (Ea) was smaller in the control subsurface soil, indicating a more labile substrate, which resulted in greater respiration than surface soil when respiration was standardized to the amount of C. With the addition of residue, the subsurface soil respired less than the surface soil because of preferential use of residue‐C over soil organic carbon (SOC) and mineral N limitation. This resulted in negative priming of native SOC in the subsurface soil when residue was added. All PLFA biomarkers increased in the subsurface soil when incubated, even without the addition of residue, indicating a positive response of microbial activity to the optimized incubation conditions. Subsurface soil with small OC content and with small Ea had an active and efficient microbial community and relatively large rates of respiration.

Highlights

The response of residue and SOM decomposition to temperature in soil with a C gradient was evaluated.

We assessed residue turnover with 13C in surface and subsurface soils under varying temperatures.

Activation energy was smaller in subsurface than surface soil.

Temperature response of subsoil with small SOC content was similar to that of topsoil.
Applicability of the Guggenheim–Anderson–Boer water vapour sorption model for estimation of soil specific surface area
Authors: Arthur E. , Tuller M. , Moldrup P. , Greve M. H. , Knadel M. , de Jonge L. W.
Published: December 2017

Soil specific surface area (SA) controls fundamental soil processes such as retention of water, ion exchange, and adsorption and release of plant nutrients and contaminants. Conventional methods for determining SA include adsorption of polar or non‐polar fluid molecules with associated advantages and limitations. The Guggenheim–Anderson–Boer (GAB) sorption model accurately characterizes soil water vapour sorption isotherms and is posited as an alternate approach for the determination of SA from water vapour sorption. The present study investigates the GAB model as an alternative to other water sorption‐based modelling approaches to determine SA. Measured water vapour adsorption and desorption isotherms for 321 soil samples were used to parameterize the GAB model, the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) equation and a film adsorption Tuller–Or (TO) model to estimate SA. For adsorption isotherms, the values of the GAB parameters varied depending on the water activity or relative humidity range of measured data (0.03–0.93 compared with 0.10–0.80), whereas the variation for desorption was minimal. For desorption isotherms, the average water activity value at which the GAB monolayer parameter was obtained was 0.24 for kaolinite‐rich samples, 0.31 for illite‐rich or mixed clay samples, 0.34 for smectitic samples and 0.30 for organic matter‐rich samples, respectively. The GAB model provided reasonable estimates of SA (root mean squared error from 11.6 to 36.4 m2 g−1), in particular for smectite‐rich soil samples, when compared with SA measured by the ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) method. For kaolinitic samples, however, the BET equation provided the best estimate of EGME‐SA. The SA estimates of the GAB model were comparable to those obtained by the TO adsorption model. Thus, the GAB model provides a good alternative to the TO model (applicable only to adsorption data) or the BET model, which fails when the fraction of swelling clay minerals increases.

Highlights

GAB, BET and film adsorption models were parameterized with water vapour sorption data.

Water activity at GAB monolayer coverage depended on clay mineralogy.

Soil organic matter did not affect water activity at monolayer coverage.

Estimates of SA from GAB were in accord with EGME‐measured SA.
‘When shall we three Meet Again’ PPRIG as a Practitioner–Practitioner–Researcher Collaboration Approach
Authors: Schumacher Thomas
Published: December 2017

This paper presents, discusses, and illustrates the practitioner–practitioner–researcher inquiry group (PPRIG) as a novel collaborative research approach involving practitioners as active partners instead of passive informants. Based on involvement of inside and outside practitionersvis‐à‐visa particular organization, PPRIG taps into outside practitioners' specific potential for alternative ways of observing, reflecting, and sense‐making, to better explore and understand the how and why of management phenomena and to develop practical solutions. By systematically adding an outside practitioner perspective to the widespread insider (practitioner) and outsider (researcher) perspective in collaborative research, PPRIG responds to certain key criticisms of collaborative methods by giving precise guidelines for achieving such collaboration. PPRIG thus complements and extends existing research methods in the field of collaborative research. Moreover, by addressing the communication and collaboration challenges with a structured three‐step approach, it addresses key criticisms and answers fundamental questions about how to conduct collaboration between researchers and practitioners.
Construction of green fluorescence protein mutant to monitor STT3B‐dependent N‐glycosylation
Authors: Kitajima Toshihiko , Xue Wei , Liu Yi‐Shi , Wang Chun‐Di , Liu Si‐Si , Fujita Morihisa , Gao Xiao‐Dong
Published: December 2017

Oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) mediate the en bloc transfer of N‐glycan intermediates onto the asparagine residue in glycosylation sequons (N‐X‐S/T, X≠P). These enzymes are typically heteromeric complexes composed of several membrane‐associated subunits, in which STT3 is highly conserved as a catalytic core. Metazoan organisms encode two STT3 genes (STT3A and STT3B) in their genome, resulting in the formation of at least two distinct OST isoforms consisting of shared subunits and complex specific subunits. The STT3A isoform of OST primarily glycosylates substrate polypeptides cotranslationally, whereas the STT3B isoform is involved in cotranslational and post‐translocational glycosylation of sequons that are skipped by the STT3A isoform. Here, we describe mutant constructs of monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP), which are susceptible to STT3B‐dependent N‐glycosylation. The endoplasmic reticulum‐localized mEGFP (ER‐mEGFP) mutants contained an N‐glycosylation sequon at their C‐terminus and exhibited increased fluorescence in response to N‐glycosylation. Isoform‐specific glycosylation of the constructs was confirmed by using STT3A‐ or STT3B‐knockout cell lines. Among the mutant constructs that we tested, the ER‐mEGFP mutant containing the N185‐C186‐T187 sequon was the best substrate for the STT3B isoform in terms of glycosylation efficiency and fluorescence change. Our results suggest that the mutant ER‐mEGFP is useful for monitoring STT3B‐dependent post‐translocational N‐glycosylation in cells of interest, such as those from putative patients with a congenital disorder of glycosylation.
Flowering in grassland predicted by CO2 and resource effects on species aboveground biomass
Authors: Fay Philip A. , Aspinwall Michael J. , Collins Harold P. , Gibson Anne E. , Gill Richard H. , Jackson Robert B. , Jin Virginia L. , Khasanova Albina R. , Reichmann Lara G. , Polley H. Wayne
Published: December 2017

Continuing enrichment of atmospheric CO2 may change plant community composition, in part by altering the availability of other limiting resources including soil water, nutrients, or light. The combined effects of CO2 enrichment and altered resource availability on species flowering remain poorly understood. We quantified flowering culm and ramet production and biomass allocation to flowering culms/ramets for 10 years in C4‐dominated grassland communities on contrasting soils along a CO2 concentration gradient spanning pre‐industrial to expected mid‐21st century levels (250–500 μl/L). CO2 enrichment explained up to 77% of the variation in flowering culm count across soils for three of the five species, and was correlated with flowering culm count on at least one soil for four of five species. In contrast, allocation to flowering culms was only weakly correlated with CO2 enrichment for two species. Flowering culm counts were strongly correlated with species aboveground biomass (AGB; R2 = .34–.74), a measure of species abundance. CO2 enrichment also increased soil moisture and decreased light levels within the canopy but did not affect soil inorganic nitrogen availability. Structural equation models fit across the soils suggested species‐specific controls on flowering in two general forms: (1) CO2 effects on flowering culm count mediated by canopy light level and relative species AGB (species AGB/total AGB) or by soil moisture effects on flowering culm count; (2) effects of canopy light level or soil inorganic nitrogen on flowering and/or relative species AGB, but with no significant CO2 effect. Understanding the heterogeneity in species responses to CO2 enrichment in plant communities across soils in edaphically variable landscapes is critical to predict CO2 effects on flowering and other plant fitness components, and species potential to adapt to future environmental changes.
A Ba‐free sealing glass with a high coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent interface stability optimized for SOFC/SOEC stack applications
Authors: Ritucci Ilaria , Agersted Karsten , Zielke Philipp , Wulff Anders Christian , Khajavi Peyman , Smeacetto Federico , Sabato Antonio Gianfranco , Kiebach Ragnar
Published: December 2017

A new glass‐ceramic composition containing Si, Mg, Ca, Na, Al, Zr, and B is presented here as sealant for planar SOFCs/SOECs, with the aim of joining the metallic interconnect (Crofer22APU) to the solid oxide cell (YSZ electrolyte or CGO barrier layer). Characteristic temperature, thermo‐mechanical properties, and compositional variations are reviewed and discussed by thermal analyses and in situ XRD, in order to design and optimize the sealing profile and reduce the residual porosity. The glass after heat treatment partially devitrifies into augite and nepheline with residual glass phase of around 64.3%; after crystallization the glass‐ceramic sealant has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 12.8 × 10−6 K−1 and it is compliant with the other materials typically used for stack components. This work shows that the developed glass‐ceramic can successfully join the ceramic cell with the Crofer22APU (preoxidized and alumina coating), proven by tests on small and large‐scale samples. No signs of unwanted reactions at the glass‐metal and the glass‐cell interface are observed and sufficient gas tightness is achieved.
Fenton oxidation products derived from hydroxycinnamic acids increases phenolic‐based compounds and organic acid formation in sugar processing
Authors: Nguyen Danny M.T. , Bartley John P. , Moghaddam Lalehvash , Doherty William O.S.
Published: December 2017

The hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), caffeic acid (CaA), p‐coumaric acid (pCoA) and ferulic acid (FeA) are the main phenolic acid colour precursors present in sugar cane juice. The Fenton oxidative degradation products of these HCAs and mixture using Fe2+/H2O2 at pH 4.72 at 25 °C were identified using chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. Oxalic (≤14 wt%), isobutyric (≤13.5 wt%) and formic acids (≤1.3 wt%) were the main organic acids formed. CaA produced the highest proportion of oxalic and isobutyric acids, while FeA produced the highest proportion of formic acid. The presence of increased proportion of oxalic acid in juice will increase the proportion of calcium oxalate scale in sugar mill heat exchangers. The phenolic‐based products identified include protocatechuic aldehyde and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid and the basic phenols, p‐allyphenol, p‐vinylguaiacol, trans‐isoeugenol, which when present in juice may react with juice constituents to increase juice colour in subsequent processing.
Formation and stability of emulsions stabilised by Yucca saponin extract
Authors: Ralla Theo , Salminen Hanna , Tuosto Jessica , Weiss Jochen
Published: December 2017

Yucca saponin extract containing steroidal saponins was examined for its interfacial and emulsifying properties. For this purpose, we produced oil‐in‐water emulsions and tested their stability against environmental stresses (pH, ionic strength, heating and freeze‐thawing). Yucca saponin extract was highly surface‐active and formed negatively charged submicron‐sized emulsions at low surfactant‐to‐oil ratio. The emulsions were stable at pH 5–9 and showed only minor increase in droplet size when heated up to 90 °C. Our results indicate Yucca saponin extract as a new potential natural surfactant that may be used to replace synthetic surfactants in the food and beverage industry for selected applications.
Irrigated Corn Production and Management in the Texas High Plains
Authors: Xue Qingwu , Marek Thomas H. , Xu Wenwei , Bell Jourdan
Published: December 2017

Corn is the major irrigated crop in the Texas High Plains (THP) and uses 53% of the total agricultural regional water resource budget. Currently, the declining water level of the Ogallala Aquifer, coupled with irrigation pumping restrictions by regional groundwater conservation districts, is challenging sustainable, high level corn production. The objective of this article is to review production levels and evaluate corn management practices in the THP with reduced or limited levels of irrigation. Long‐term field studies demonstrate that yield and water use efficiency (WUE) have increased significantly over the last forty years while seasonal corn evapotranspiration (ET) under full irrigation conditions has not increased. Among management practices, irrigation remains the single‐most important factor in corn production. With recent advances in corn breeding and genetics, irrigation requirements can be reduced by up to 25% in some years and result in similar yields as compared to irrigation amounts at the 100% ET level. Also, WUE is generally maximized at irrigation levels meeting 75–80% ET demand. Newly developed drought tolerant corn hybrids have been shown to provide yield benefits of 10–15% under limited (reduced) irrigation water levels. At the higher irrigation levels (75–100% ET requirement), corn yield increased as seeding rate increased initially but did not increase further when the seeding rate exceeded 94,000 seeds ha−1. Also, a multi‐year planting date study indicated that high corn yields can still be achieved with a long‐season hybrid when planted in the middle of May and early June. When the planting date is delayed to late June and early July, mid‐ and short‐ season hybrids showed a yield advantage over the long season hybrids.
The Economics of Local Enhanced Management Areas in Southwest Kansas
Authors: Golden Bill , Guerrero Bridget
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this research is to provide input into the water planning process for select subareas in southwest Kansas. Stakeholder input suggests that a reduction in groundwater use may be desirable in order to preserve the Ogallala Aquifer and extend its economic contribution to both the producer and the regional economy. In an endeavor to define the benefits and costs of water conservation policy, this research estimates measures of producer net profits and regional value added and places a monetary value on the conserved groundwater. The results of the models that assume the goal is to maximize producer profits, suggest that the Local Enhanced Management Areas (LEMAs) framework of groundwater management will provide benefits to both the agricultural producer and rural communities. Subarea 1 will receive the greatest benefit, increasing cumulative net revenue by 6.3%, while Subareas 2 and 3 increase cumulative net revenue by 2.1% and 2.7%, respectively. The results suggest that generally, the rural economy receives as much, if not more, benefits from groundwater conservation than the agricultural producer. Subareas 1, 2, and 3 generated 8.3%, 2.7%, and 1.8%, respectively, more cumulative value added under the LEMA scenario as compared to the Status Quo scenario. If Subarea 3 were to manage their groundwater based on implementing a LEMA plan and maximizing value added, cumulative value added would increase from a 1.8% gain to an increase of 18.7%.
First‐principles and crystal‐field calculations of the electronic and optical properties of two novel red phosphors Rb2HfF6:Mn4+ and Cs2HfF6:Mn4+
Authors: Liu Dong‐Xu , Ma Chong‐Geng , Hu Pei‐Wen , Li Zuo , Tian Ya , Su Ping , Brik Mikhail G. , Srivastava Alok M. , Tanabe Setsuhisa
Published: December 2017

The electronic, structural, and optical properties of 2 red phosphors, Rb2HfF6:Mn4+ and Cs2HfF6:Mn4+, are evaluated using the first‐principles and crystal field theory methods. The calculated trigonal splitting of the Mn4+ orbital triplets perfectly matches the experimental excitation spectra. The structural and electronic properties of the mixed compound RbCsHfF6 are also studied theoretically. In the mixed compound, the inversion center symmetry around the Hf site is removed. This symmetry lowering may result in an increase in the Mn4+ 2E→4A2 zero phonon line (ZPL) intensity, which is very weak in the 2 end members. This finding may be of interest for increasing the phosphor luminosity. It is believed that such a mechanism of local site symmetry lowering by preparing solid solutions may be used for other systems as well, to gain ZPL intensity and perhaps to minimize thermal losses, eventually leading to improved phosphor materials.
Formation of structural defects and strain in electrodegraded Fe‐doped SrTiO3 crystals due to oxygen vacancy migration
Authors: Ascienzo David , Kurt Onur , Greenbaum Steve , Bayer Thorsten J. M. , Maier Russell A. , Randall Clive A. , Ren Yuhang
Published: December 2017

We report on our investigation of structural defect and strain formation in electrodegraded reduced and oxidized, Fe‐doped SrTiO3 (Fe:STO) single crystals using optical second harmonic generation (SHG) and confocal Raman spectroscopy. SHG and Raman spectra reveal structural and electrochemical inhomogeneity resulting from the formation of Fe4+/oxygen ion and Fe3+/oxygen vacancy aggregation sites along the degraded anode and cathode interfaces, respectively. We show that mixed Fe3+/Fe4+ states and structural strain gradients are generated across the color fronts. These results, as well as oxygen sublattice differences between the anodic and cathodic bulk, present the color front as an interface between two dominant oxygen bonding distortions. The strain near the color front shows a strong dependence on oxygen vacancy concentration and diffusion within the crystals. Our characterization of structural and electrochemical changes due to electric field‐induced strain and oxygen vacancy migration advances knowledge of electrodegradation in perovskite‐based titanate single crystals.
Why Refugee Burden‐Sharing Initiatives Fail: Public Goods, Free‐Riding and Symbolic Solidarity in the EU
Authors: Thielemann Eiko
Published: December 2017

Traditionally, differences in states’ refugee protection contributions have been attributed to the variation in countries’ structural pull‐factors such as their geographic location. However, policy choices, such as Germany's decision to open its borders for Syrian refugees in 2015, can also have a significant impact on the number of arrivals and constitute a puzzle that traditional approaches struggle to explain. This paper demonstrates that viewing refugee burden‐sharing through the lens of public goods theory can provide significant insights about refugee protection dynamics in the EU, in particular in the context of a sudden mass influx of migrants that threatens internal security. By highlighting how free‐riding and burden‐shifting dynamics can undermine the provision of collective goods during a refugee crisis, a public goods approach can advance our understanding of why countries sometimes accept disproportionate responsibilities for forced migrants and how the effectiveness of EU refugee burden‐sharing instruments can, and should, be strengthened.
Role of T helper 17 cells and T regulatory cells in alopecia areata: comparison of lesion and serum cytokine between controls and patients
Authors: Loh S.‐H. , Moon H.‐N. , Lew B.‐L. , Sim W.‐Y.
Published: December 2017

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ‐specific autoimmune disease with T‐cell‐mediated attack of hair follicle autoantigens. As T helper 17 (Th17) cells and T regulatory (Treg) cells are crucially involved in the pathogenesis, the role of Th17 and Treg cytokines has not been studied yet.

Objective

To determine whether AA is associated with alterations in lesional and serum Th17 and Treg cytokines and studied whether they were associated with clinical type.

Methods

Scalp skin samples from 45 patients and eight normal controls were obtained for PCR specific for IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, TGF‐β, IL‐1, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12A, IL‐13, IL‐17, IL‐22 and IL‐23. Serum cytokines were measured from 55 patients and 15 normal controls using ELISA.

Results

Lesional IL‐17 and IL‐22 were significantly increased in patient group. Moreover, positive correlations were shown between lesional IL‐17, IL‐22 and disease severity. Serum IL‐1, IL‐17, TNF‐α and TGF‐β were significantly increased, and positive correlation was shown between serum IL‐17 and disease severity.

Conclusion

These results showed significantly high Th17 cytokines in both lesion and serum in AA patients, which may highlight a functional role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of AA.
Experimental evolution of infectious behaviour in a facultative ectoparasite
Authors: Durkin E. S. , Luong L. T.
Published: December 2017

Parasitic lifestyles have evolved many times in animals, but how such life‐history strategies evolved from free‐living ancestors remains a great puzzle. Transitional symbiotic strategies, such as facultative parasitism, are hypothesized evolutionary stepping stones towards obligate parasitism. However, to consider this hypothesis, heritable genetic variation in infectious behaviour of transitional symbiotic strategies must exist. In this study, we experimentally evolved infectivity and estimated the additive genetic variation in a facultative parasite. We performed artificial selection experiments in which we selected for either increased or decreased propensity to infect in a facultatively parasitic mite (Macrocheles muscaedomesticae). Here, infectiousness was expressed in terms of mite attachment to a host (Drosophila hydei) and modelled as a threshold trait. Mites responded positively to selection for increased infectivity; realized heritability of infectious behaviour was significantly different from zero and estimated to be 16.6% (±4.4% SE). Further, infection prevalence was monitored for 20 generations post‐selection. Selected lines continued to display relatively high levels of infection, demonstrating a degree of genetic stability in infectiousness. Our study is the first to provide an estimate of heritability and additive genetic variation for infectious behaviour in a facultative parasite, which suggests natural selection can act upon facultative strategies with important implications for the evolution of parasitism.
Disparate patterns of thermal adaptation between life stages in temperate vs. tropical Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Lockwood B. L. , Gupta T. , Scavotto R.
Published: December 2017

Many terrestrial ectothermic species exhibit limited variation in upper thermal tolerance across latitude. However, these trends may not signify limited adaptive capacity to increase thermal tolerance in the face of climate change. Instead, thermal tolerance may be similar among populations because behavioural thermoregulation by mobile organisms or life stages may buffer natural selection for thermal tolerance. We compared thermal tolerance of adults and embryos among natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from a broad range of thermal habitats around the globe to assess natural variation of thermal tolerance in mobile vs. immobile life stages. We found no variation among populations in adult thermal tolerance, but embryonic thermal tolerance was higher in tropical strains than in temperate strains. We further report that embryos live closer to their upper thermal limits than adults – that is, thermal safety margins are smaller for embryos than adults. F1 hybrid embryos from crosses between temperate and tropical populations had thermal tolerance that matched that of tropical embryos, suggesting the dominance of heat‐tolerant alleles. Together, our findings suggest that thermal selection has led to divergence in embryonic thermal tolerance but that selection for divergent thermal tolerance may be limited in adults. Further, our results suggest that thermal traits should be measured across life stages to better predict adaptive limits.
Sex‐antagonistic genes, XY recombination and feminized Y chromosomes
Authors: Cavoto E. , Neuenschwander S. , Goudet J. , Perrin N.
Published: December 2017

The canonical model of sex‐chromosome evolution predicts that sex‐antagonistic (SA) genes play an instrumental role in the arrest of XY recombination and ensuing Y chromosome degeneration. Although this model might account for the highly differentiated sex chromosomes of birds and mammals, it does not fit the situation of many lineages of fish, amphibians or nonavian reptiles, where sex chromosomes are maintained homomorphic through occasional XY recombination and/or high turnover rates. Such situations call for alternative explanatory frameworks. A crucial issue at stake is the effect of XY recombination on the dynamics of SA genes and deleterious mutations. Using individual‐based simulations, we show that a complete arrest of XY recombination actually benefits females, not males. Male fitness is maximized at different XY recombination rates depending on SA selection, but never at zero XY recombination. This should consistently favour some level of XY recombination, which in turn generates a recombination load at sex‐linked SA genes. Hill–Robertson interferences with deleterious mutations also impede the differentiation of sex‐linked SA genes, to the point that males may actually fix feminized phenotypes when SA selection and XY recombination are low. We argue that sex chromosomes might not be a good localization for SA genes, and sex conflicts seem better solved through the differential expression of autosomal genes.
Minimally invasive esthetic ridge preservation with growth‐factor enhanced bone matrix
Authors: Nevins Marc L. , Said Sherif
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Extraction socket preservation procedures are critical to successful esthetic implant therapy. Conventional surgical approaches are technique sensitive and often result in alteration of the soft tissue architecture, which then requires additional corrective surgical procedures. This case series report presents the ability of flapless surgical techniques combined with a growth factor‐enhanced bone matrix to provide esthetic ridge preservation at the time of extraction for compromised sockets.

Clinical Considerations

When considering esthetic dental implant therapy, preservation, or further enhancement of the available tissue support at the time of tooth extraction may provide an improved esthetic outcome with reduced postoperative sequelae and decreased treatment duration. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques combined with recombinant growth factor technology offer an alternative for bone reconstruction while maintaining the gingival architecture for enhanced esthetic outcome. The combination of freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) and rhPDGF‐BB (platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB) provides a growth‐factor enhanced matrix to induce bone and soft tissue healing.

Conclusions

The use of a growth‐factor enhanced matrix is an option for minimally invasive ridge preservation procedures for sites with advanced bone loss. Further studies including randomized clinical trials are needed to better understand the extent and limits of these procedures.

Clinical Significance

The use of minimally invasive techniques with growth factors for esthetic ridge preservation reduces patient morbidity associated with more invasive approaches and increases the predictability for enhanced patient outcomes. By reducing the need for autogenous bone grafts the use of this technology is favorable for patient acceptance and ease of treatment process for esthetic dental implant therapy.
Enhanced extraction of oleoresin from Piper nigrum by supercritical carbon dioxide using ethanol as a co‐solvent and its bioactivity profile
Authors: Nagavekar Nupur , Singhal Rekha S.
Published: December 2017

Pepper oleoresin was extracted using supercritical fluid extraction (SCF) from Piper nigrum berries. The conditions for maximum extraction of piperine were arrived at by calculating the solubility parameters of piperine and carbon dioxide using the Hildebrandt solubility equation. The effect of entrainers such as methanol, ethanol, and acetone was evaluated using theoretical modeling. The results predicted therefrom were validated experimentally. SCF at 250 bar/50 °C/60 min gave maximum relative extraction of 61.7 and 87.61% of oleoresin and piperine, while addition of 30% (vol/wt) ethanol as co‐solvent enhanced the yield to 95.9 and 184.7% under similar conditions of SCF extraction as compared to ethanol extraction for 6 hr. The oleoresins obtained showed comparable antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities with their respective controls. Hence SCF extraction of pepper using ethanol as a co‐solvent promises a rapid and enhanced recovery of oleoresin and its constituents with a good bioactivity profile.

Practical applications

Although SCF is a promising alternative for extraction of spice oleoresins, high cost of operation limits the use of this technology. In this work, process intensification of SCF extraction of black pepper lead to one step extraction and purification, along with high yield of oleoresin and the principle component piperine, eventually decreasing the cost of production. Thus, the highly concentrated SCF extracted oleoresins can have better replacement value for whole spices and better distribution in food and pharmaceutical sector.
Household consumption preferences of dairy products and their perceptions of milk safety
Authors: Paraffin Annah Shingirai , Zindove Titus Jairus , Chimonyo Michael
Published: December 2017

The study investigated consumer perceptions of milk safety and consumption preferences of dairy products. Households randomly selected from urban areas (n = 135) and non‐urban areas (n = 135) were surveyed using semi‐structured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate probability of households preferring to consume particular milk products and that of milk safety knowledge being important to households. Urban households were 2.8 times more likely to consume fresh milk (p < .05). Households from urban areas were two times more likely to purchase fresh milk from the kiosks, while households from non‐urban areas were five times more likely to buy fresh milk from vendors. The likelihood of appearance, quality and nutritional value of milk products being important to households was higher in urban locations compared to non‐urban locations. Consumers prioritized price and convenience over milk safety. Knowledge and awareness of milk safety issues was more important to urban households.

Practical applications

Understanding consumption preferences and consumer perceptions enables regulatory agencies, policy‐makers, and the dairy industry to make informed decisions and to put in place awareness programs on the risks of purchasing potentially contaminated milk through informal markets.