bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bridging the gap between Bayesian and story-comparison models of juridical inference
Authors: Spottswood Emily
Published: July 2013

In this article, I offer a survey and critique of the long-standing debate within evidence scholarship over what descriptive model best captures the manner in which judges and juries determine disputed facts. For decades, there has been a stand-off between Bayesians, who believe that the task of fact-finding can best be understood in probabilistic terms, and story-model proponents, who describe the task of fact-finding in terms of comparative evaluation of competing stories. Drawing on the dual-process tradition in psychology and cognitive science research, I argue that committing to either view on its own fails to capture important aspects of the fact-finding process. The dual-process tradition predicts that judges and juries typically process a great volume of information in an automatic and unconscious way that bears a closer resemblance to the dense networks of conditional probability relations envisioned by Bayesians than to the linear comparisons of separate, hypothetical stories. At the same time, however, fact-finders sometimes engage a second layer of conscious, semantically based reasoning that does involve explicit story-comparison. Sometimes such reasoning is used to channel or override the intuitions that flow from the first stage of reasoning, but at other times it will work instead to justify or defend such intuitions from outside attack. This dual-process account has important implications for the debate between Bayesian and story-model approaches, making it more likely that components of both are necessary to fully appreciate the task of fact-finding.
Functional Diversification of Cerato-Platanins in Moniliophthora perniciosa as Seen by Differential Expression and Protein Function Specialization
Authors: de O. Barsottini Mario R. , de Oliveira Juliana F. , Adamoski Douglas , Teixeira Paulo J. P. L. , do Prado Paula F. V. , Tiezzi Henrique O. , Sforça Mauricio L. , Cassago Alexandre , Portugal Rodrigo V. , de Oliveira Paulo S. L. , de M. Zeri Ana C. , Dias Sandra M. G. , Pereira Gonçalo A. G. , Ambrosio Andre L. B.
Published: July 2013

Cerato-platanins (CP) are small, cysteine-rich fungal-secreted proteins involved in the various stages of the host–fungus interaction process, acting as phytotoxins, elicitors, and allergens. We identified 12 CP genes (MpCP1 to MpCP12) in the genome of Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease in cacao, and showed that they present distinct expression profiles throughout fungal development and infection. We determined the X-ray crystal structures of MpCP1, MpCP2, MpCP3, and MpCP5, representative of different branches of a phylogenetic tree and expressed at different stages of the disease. Structure-based biochemistry, in combination with nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, allowed us to define specialized capabilities regarding self-assembling and the direct binding to chitin and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) tetramers, a fungal cell wall building block, and to map a previously unknown binding region in MpCP5. Moreover, fibers of MpCP2 were shown to act as expansin and facilitate basidiospore germination whereas soluble MpCP5 blocked NAG6-induced defense response. The correlation between these roles, the fungus life cycle, and its tug-of-war interaction with cacao plants is discussed.
Cytological and Molecular Characterization of Quantitative Trait LocusqRfg1, Which Confers Resistance to Gibberella Stalk Rot in Maize
Authors: Ye Jianrong , Guo Yanling , Zhang Dongfeng , Zhang Nan , Wang Chao , Xu Mingliang
Published: July 2013

Tremendous progress has been made recently in understanding plant response to Fusarium graminearum infection. Here, the cytological aspect and molecular mechanism of maize defense to F. graminearum infection were characterized using a pair of near-isogenic lines (NIL), the resistant and the susceptible NIL. F. graminearum primarily penetrated the maize root tip and no penetration structure was found. The fungal biomass within the root correlated well with root-disease severity. Following inoculation, R-NIL and S-NIL plants significantly differed in percentage of diseased primary roots. In R-NIL roots, a fraction of exodermal cells collapsed to form cavities, and hyphae were confined to the outer exodermal cells. However, most exodermal cells shrank and turned brown, and fungi colonized the entire S-NIL root. In the R-NIL roots, the exodermal cells exhibited plasmolysis and atropous hyphal growth whereas, in the exodermal cells of the S-NIL roots, severe cellular degradation and membrane-coated, lushly grown hyphae were found. Transcriptome sequencing revealed comprehensive transcription reprogramming, reinforcement of a complex defense network, to enhance the systemic and basal resistance. This study reports a detailed microscopic analysis of F. graminearum infection on maize root, and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying maize resistance to the pathogen.
Evaluation of Air Sampling and Detection Methods to Quantify Airborne Ascospores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Parker M. L. , McDonald M. R. , Boland G. J.
Published: July 2013

Detection and quantification of airborne ascospores as a component of the Sclerotinia rot of carrot (SRC) forecast model is currently accomplished using the blue plate test (BPT), which uses Sclerotinia semiselective medium (SSM). A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed to reduce the time to specifically quantify ascospores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from air samples collected using a Burkard Multi-Vial Cyclone Sampler. The qPCR assay was highly sensitive and detected DNA from 0.5 to 5 × 104 ascospores within a linear range (R2 = 0.99). The qPCR assay was used to quantify ascospores of S. sclerotiorum in air samples collected over three growing seasons. Initial SRC disease was observed 8 and 34 days following detection of 9.5 and 2 ascospores m–3 of air, respectively. Results from air samples collected using an Andersen N6 Sampler and the qPCR assay were compared with the BPT. Ascospore counts from a Burkard Sampler coupled with the qPCR assay and the BPT followed similar trends. In general, fewer ascospores were detected and bioaerosol sampling efficiency was low using an Anderson Sampler. Three days were required to confirm the number of ascospores using SSM in the BPT and with an Andersen Sampler, whereas results from a Burkard Sampler coupled with the qPCR assay can provide results within 5 h of air sampling. The choice of method will depend on the available resources.
Zebra Chip Disease Development in Relation to Plant Age and Time of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ Infection
Authors: Rashed A. , Workneh F. , Paetzold L. , Gray J. , Rush C. M.
Published: July 2013

A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate plant susceptibility to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, the putative causal agent of zebra chip disease (ZC). Incubation period of ZC, the rate of symptom progress, and the rate of pathogen population growth were evaluated for individual plants infested on different weeks after emergence. In foliage, incubation period was between 21 and 28 days. The pathogen was detected within leaf tissue in 3 to 4 weeks, regardless of the time of infestation. The rates of foliar symptom progress and pathogen population growth were uniform among all infestations. Although symptoms were observed in only 1.3% of tubers from plants infested 2 weeks before harvest, 74% of these tubers tested positive for the pathogen. There was a positive correlation between symptom severity and titer in the foliage. Within tubers, however, the relationship was negative but nonsignificant. Pathogen titer reached detectable levels some time between 7 to 14 days following infestation. Although yield reduction was significant only in plants infested during early stages of their growth, chemical management of potato psyllids needs to be continued until at least a week before harvest to minimize ZC impact on the tuber quality.
Preoperative Thrombocytopenia and Postoperative Outcomes after Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Glance Laurent G. , Blumberg Neil , Eaton Michael P. , Lustik Stewart J. , Osler Turner M. , Wissler Richard , Zollo Ray , Karcz Marcin , Feng Changyong , Dick Andrew W.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Most studies examining the prognostic value of preoperative coagulation testing are too small to examine the predictive value of routine preoperative coagulation testing in patients having noncardiac surgery.

Methods:

Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement database, the authors performed a retrospective observational study on 316,644 patients having noncardiac surgery who did not have clinical indications for preoperative coagulation testing. The authors used multivariable logistic regression analysis to explore the association between platelet count abnormalities and red cell transfusion, mortality, and major complications.

Results:

Thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis occurred in 1 in 14 patients without clinical indications for preoperative platelet testing. Patients with mild thrombocytopenia (101,000–150,000 µl−1), moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia (<100,000 µl−1), and thrombocytosis (≥450,000 µl−1) were significantly more likely to be transfused (7.3%, 11.8%, 8.9%, 3.1%) and had significantly higher 30-day mortality rates (1.5%, 2.6%, 0.9%, 0.5%) compared with patients with a normal platelet count. In the multivariable analyses, mild thrombocytopenia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.28; 95% CI, 1.18–1.39) and moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia (AOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.49–2.08), and thrombocytosis (AOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.30–1.60) were associated with increased risk of blood transfusion. Mild thrombocytopenia (AOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11–1.56) and moderate-to-severe thrombocytopenia (AOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.43–2.61) were also associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality, whereas thrombocytosis was not (AOR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.72–1.22).

Conclusion:

Platelet count abnormalities found in the course of routine preoperative screening are associated with a higher risk of blood transfusion and death.
Ancestral deceit and labile evolution of nectar production in the African orchid genusDisa
Authors: Johnson Steven D. , Hobbhahn Nina , Bytebier Benny
Published: July 2013

An outstanding feature of the orchid family is that approximately 30–40% of the species have non-rewarding flowers and deploy various modes of deception to attract pollinators, whereas the remaining species engage in pollination mutualisms based on provision of floral rewards. Here, we explore the direction, frequency and reversibility of transitions between deceptive and rewarding pollination systems in the radiation of the large African genusDisa, and test whether these transitions had consequences for diversification. By optimizing nectar production data for 111 species on a well-resolved phylogeny, we confirmed that floral deception was the ancestral condition and that nectar production evolved at least nine times and was lost at least once. Transitions to nectar production first occurredca17 million years ago but did not significantly affect either speciation or extinction rates. Nectar evolved independently of a spur, which was lost and gained multiple times. These results show that nectar production can be a highly labile trait and highlight the need for further studies of the genetic architecture of nectar production and the selective factors underlying transitions between deception and mutualism.
Intra-molecular refrigeration in enzymes
Authors: Briegel Hans J. , Popescu Sandu
Published: July 2013

We present a simple mechanism for intra-molecular refrigeration, where parts of a molecule are actively cooled below the environmental temperature. We discuss the potential role and applications of such a mechanism in biology, in particular in enzymatic reactions.
Development of a simple quantitative test for lack of field emission orthodoxy
Authors: Forbes Richard G.
Published: July 2013

The orthodox emission hypothesis is a set of physical and mathematical assumptions that permit well-specified analysis of measured current–voltage data relating to field electron emission (FE). If these assumptions are not adequately satisfied, then widely used FE data-analysis methods can generate spurious values for emitter characterization parameters, particularly field enhancement factors (FEFs). This paper describes development of a simple quantitative test for whether FE data are incompatible with the hypothesis. It applies to any geometrical emitter shape and any Fowler–Nordheim (FN) plot type, and involves extracting the related range of scaled-barrier-field values (
f
values). By analysing historical data, this paper identifies ‘apparently reasonable’ and ‘clearly unreasonable’ experimental ranges for
f
. The historical data, taken between 1926 and 1972, are internally self-consistent. This test is then applied to 19 post-1975 datasets, mainly for various carbon and semiconductor nanostructures. Some extracted
f
-value ranges (including many carbon results) are apparently reasonable, some are clearly unreasonable. It is shown that if extracted
f
values are ‘unreasonably high’, then FEF values extracted by literature methods are spuriously large. New materials and published FN plots that generate particularly high FEF values require testing, and improved data-analysis theory is needed for non-orthodox emitters. A spreadsheet for implementing the test is provided.
The entropy concept for non-equilibrium states
Authors: Lieb Elliott H. , Yngvason Jakob
Published: July 2013

In earlier work, we presented a foundation for the second law of classical thermodynamics in terms of the entropy principle. More precisely, we provided an empirically accessible axiomatic derivation of an entropy function defined on all equilibrium states of all systems that has the appropriate additivity and scaling properties, and whose increase is a necessary and sufficient condition for an adiabatic process between two states to be possible. Here, after a brief review of this approach, we address the question of defining entropy for non-equilibrium states. Our conclusion is that it is generally not possible to find a unique entropy that has all relevant physical properties. We do show, however, that one can define two entropy functions, called
S
−
and
S
+
, which, taken together, delimit the range of adiabatic processes that can occur between non-equilibrium states. The concept of
comparability
of states with respect to adiabatic changes plays an important role in our reasoning.
Attraction to and learning from social cues in fruitfly larvae
Authors: Durisko Zachary , Dukas Reuven
Published: July 2013

We examined the use of social information in fruitfly larvae, which represent an ideal model system owing to their robust learning abilities, small number of neurons and well-studied neurogenetics. Focal larvae showed attraction to the distinct odour emanating from food occupied by other larvae. In controlled learning experiments, focal larvae preferred novel odours previously paired with food occupied by other larvae over novel odours previously paired with unoccupied food. When we gave groups of larvae a choice between food patches differing in quality, more larvae aggregated on the higher-quality food, suggesting that attraction to and learning about cues associated with other larvae can be beneficial. Furthermore, larvae were more likely to find the best available food patch in trials when that food patch was occupied by other larvae than in trials when that food patch was unoccupied. Our data suggest, however, that the benefits from joining others may be at least partially offset by the fitness costs of increased competition, because larvae reared in isolation did as well as or better than larvae reared in groups on three key fitness parameters: developmental rate, survival rate and adult dry body mass. Our work establishes fruitfly larvae as a highly tractable model species for further research on the mechanisms that modulate behaviour and learning in a social context.
Individual personalities shape task differentiation in a social spider
Authors: Grinsted Lena , Pruitt Jonathan N. , Settepani Virginia , Bilde Trine
Published: July 2013

Deciphering the mechanisms involved in shaping social structure is key to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary processes leading to sociality. Individual specialization within groups can increase colony efficiency and consequently productivity. Here, we test the hypothesis that within-group variation in individual personalities (i.e. boldness and aggression) can shape task differentiation. The social spider
Stegodyphus sarasinorum
(Eresidae) showed task differentiation (significant unequal participation) in simulated prey capture events across 10-day behavioural assays in the field, independent of developmental stage (level of maturation), eliminating age polyethism. Participation in prey capture was positively associated with level of boldness but not with aggression. Body size positively correlated with being the first spider to emerge from the colony as a response to prey capture but not with being the first to attack, and dispersal distance from experimental colonies correlated with attacking but not with emerging. This suggests that different behavioural responses to prey capture result from a complex set of individual characteristics. Boldness and aggression correlated positively, but neither was associated with body size, developmental stage or dispersal distance. Hence, we show that personalities shape task differentiation in a social spider independent of age and maturation. Our results suggest that personality measures obtained in solitary, standardized laboratory settings can be reliable predictors of behaviour in a social context in the field. Given the wealth of organisms that show consistent individual behavioural differences, animal personality could play a role in social organization in a diversity of animals.
Honeybees prefer warmer nectar and less viscous nectar, regardless of sugar concentration
Authors: Nicolson Susan W. , de Veer Leo , Köhler Angela , Pirk Christian W. W.
Published: July 2013

The internal temperature of flowers may be higher than air temperature, and warmer nectar could offer energetic advantages for honeybee thermoregulation, as well as being easier to drink owing to its lower viscosity. We investigated the responses ofApis mellifera scutellata(10 colonies) to warmed 10% w/w sucrose solutions, maintained at 20–35°C, independent of low air temperatures, and to 20% w/w sucrose solutions with the viscosity increased by the addition of the inert polysaccharide Tylose (up to the equivalent of 34.5% sucrose). Honeybee crop loads increased with nectar temperature, as did the total consumption of sucrose solutions over 2 h by all bees visiting the feeders. In addition, the preference of marked honeybees shifted towards higher nectar temperatures with successive feeder visits. Crop loads were inversely proportional to the viscosity of the artificial nectar, as was the total consumption of sucrose solutions over 2 h. Marked honeybees avoided higher nectar viscosities with successive feeder visits. Bees thus showed strong preferences for both warmer and less viscous nectar, independent of changes in its sugar concentration. Bees may benefit from foraging on nectars that are warmer than air temperature for two reasons that are not mutually exclusive: reduced thermoregulatory costs and faster ingestion times due to the lower viscosity.
Review of research studies on population specific epidemic disasters
Authors: Adivar Burcu , Selin Selen Ebru
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the epidemic modeling applications and policy‐making strategies for six different infectious diseases in a number of countries, thus comparing and contrasting research in underdeveloped, developing, and developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review has been conducted by identifying relevant studies for six diseases from different sources and selecting 74 publications for inclusion. These selected publications are classified and analyzed based on infectious disease, control policies, theme and objective, methodology, origin of population data, publication year and results.

Findings

Review results indicate that disaster preparedness and surveillance plans for epidemics are available mostly for developed countries. There is a need for further research in both developing and developed countries because of the ease of dispersion, which constitutes a universal threat. Analysis of the publications suggests that epidemic disasters are mostly studied by researchers in the field of medicine or biology with the aim of assessing the potential impact of an epidemic. The authors highlight the need for further research in operations research and disaster management fields and propose further research directions in the area of disaster management.

Social implications

This review emphasizes the importance of epidemic disaster modeling for the preparedness stage of disaster management and policy making. Disease and population‐specific intervention policies (e.g. vaccination) reported in this review should set an example and help policy makers during their decision making.

Originality/value

Potential use of the epidemiological modeling on further planning and decision‐making issues in the context of disaster management is studied for the first time.
Service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty among industrial customers of a public electricity utility in Malawi
Authors: Chodzaza Gilbert E. , Gombachika Harry S.H.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty among industrial customers of the public electricity utility organisation in Malawi using correlation and regression analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional survey was used with a sample of 92 respondents drawn from a population of 286 industrial customers of the public electricity utility in the Southern Region of Malawi. Data were collected using a pre‐tested questionnaire based on SERVQUAL and multi‐item scales to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Findings

The findings suggest that the service quality is poor irrespective of demographic characteristics of the industrial customers. Furthermore, the findings show that the public electricity utility industrial customers are dissatisfied with the service offered and are disloyal to the public electricity utility. However, the level of loyalty is moderated by level of consumption. Large consumers are less disloyal than small consumers. Finally, the findings suggest that there is a strong relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty among the public electricity utility's industrial customers and that the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty is partially mediated by customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on functional quality offered by the public electricity utility to its industrial customers within Southern Region of Malawi limiting its generalisability. Additionally, it used the original SERVQUAL scale and some items may not be relevant to electricity utility organisation.

Practical implications

The paper has a significant diagnostic value in the sense that it identifies areas where the public electricity utility must direct its resources in order to satisfy its industrial customers.

Originality/value

The paper extends the examination of the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty into public sectors of a predominantly associative culture in developing countries. Specifically, it extends the research into electricity utility organisations that operates in a monopolistic market.
Cultural values influencing project team success
Authors: Jetu Fanta T. , Riedl René
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Information systems (IS) research in developing countries (DCs) has attracted increasing attention over recent years. Nevertheless, empirical studies in these countries in general, and particularly those drawing on the cultural values influencing project team success (PTS), are still far from satisfactory. Hence, scholars strongly recommend this specific area as prime research territory to improve the successful development and implementation of IS initiatives in DCs. The purpose of this paper is to provide better insights and an improved understanding about the cultural values influencing PTS.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to investigate the cultural values which may affect PTS, data were collected from project experts working on business process reengineering and information technology projects in ten public and private organizations in the service sector in Ethiopia (n=200 questionnaires). A multivariate model was employed to identify the most important cultural values.

Findings

The results indicate that personally focused cultural values (e.g. openness to change) rather than socially focused cultural values (e.g. self‐transcendence) have the most significant influence on project team performance. Moreover, cultural values (independent of their designation as personally or socially focused) were found to have a strong relationship with two out of three dimensions of PTS, namely, project team learning and development, as well as project team working spirit, when compared to project team leadership.

Originality/value

Identifying the relationships between cultural values and the dimensions of PTS contributes to the establishment of theoretical insights into the success factors of IS projects in DCs. Moreover, it also assists practitioners, particularly project managers, in maximizing the possibility of PTS, which has been shown to be a major determinant of overall project success.
The role of transition in temporary organizations: linking the temporary to the permanent
Authors: Jacobsson Mattias , Burström Thommie , Wilson Timothy L.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This research note puts the role of transition back in the center of the temporary organization and lends to understanding the temporary organization as a transitory unit within the permanent organization. The purpose is to reactivate theory development within this field of research and promote a dialog that will point to a possible way forward.

Design/methodology/approach

An intra‐organizational perspective is taken. Backgrounds of the two theories are covered and then the temporary organization as a transitory unit, and the role of transition are addressed. One basic transformation is made in the theory of the temporary organization and then the model superposed on the behavioral theory of the firm.

Findings

In total, four things were achieved. First, the conceptualization of temporary organization was simplified – five variables have been reduced to four in eliminating “action” as an element of description. Second, the conceptualization was extended to include constructs of the permanent organization. Third, the theory was strengthened by providing an extended framework that potentially could be examined to check observations against theory. Finally, some directions were suggested for future theory development to take.

Research limitations/implications

The research note is conceptual, so applicability depends upon the nature of the particular organization to which it is applied.

Originality/value

Although the paper is conceptual, the authors believe that the approach can be used to understand the interrelatedness of the temporary and permanent organization and to promote a dialog within this field of research – a dialog that hopefully will reactivate theory development.
A practical perspective on the classification of service innovations
Authors: Hsieh Jung-Kuei , Chiu Hung-Chang , Wei Chih-Ping , Rebecca Yen HsiuJu , Cheng Yu-Chun
Published: July 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to link academic classifications of service innovation with practical activities by firms to detail the essence of service innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research employs both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The qualitative study features interviews with senior managers from 590 companies, covering nine industries in Taiwan, to gather practitioners
'
perspectives on service innovation. A content analysis details specific forms of service innovation. The quantitative study provides a homogeneity test and two-sample proportions test to examine differences in service innovation perspectives/activities across organizational characteristics.

Findings

– The interview data link three types of service innovations to 11 associated elements and 25 labels, derived from 659 potential service innovation incidents (550 new service concepts, 82 new service processes, and 27 new service business models). This study also shows that elements of service innovations vary by company size, service innovation experience, and industry life cycle.

Practical implications

– The three types of service innovations enable businesses to benchmark and modify their current service innovation activities. Service managers can use the results of this study to develop their own service innovation strategies and concrete action plans.

Originality/value

– This pioneering study links the viewpoints of academics with practical service innovation activities and empirically shows that service innovation is dissimilar, depending on various organization characteristics.
GIS based environmental decision support system for municipal landfill site selection
Authors: Ohri Anurag , Singh Prabhat Kumar
Published: July 2013

Purpose

A GIS based environmental decision support system for municipal solid waste management under Indian socio‐economic and regulatory conditions, named as EDSS‐MSWI has been developed. This paper intends to report the methodology and application of the EDSS‐MSWI for municipal landfill site selection taking a case study of Varanasi city (India).

Design/methodology/approach

EDSS‐MSWI has been developed using VB.NET and ArcGIS Engine programming tools. A set of 13 criteria are selected for primary landfill site selection. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) has been used to give weights to different criteria. The criteria were aggregated and suitability index (S) is generated using weighted linear combination (WLC) technique in GIS environment. The suitability index (0‐10) values are classified into four categories (Excluded, Less Preferable, Suitable and Best Suitable) to select the landfill site.

Findings

The results indicate that there are at least four locations under the “best suitable” category where adequate land seems available for landfilling in Varanasi. It is found that GIS based multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) can be a powerful tool for such applications.

Research limitations/implications

The weights of different criteria have been based on the opinion of three experts only. This may involve subjectivity to that extent. Aggregation of more experts’ views may further refine the values of weights.

Practical implications

The developed tool provides a helpful guide to solid waste management planners.

Originality/value

The development of EDSS‐MSWI is the first of its kind in India to consider all aspects of municipal solid waste management in a holistic way and present it in an independent software form.
Application of rapid tooling for the production of moulds suitable for autoclave forming of CFRP
Authors: Poodts Ezequiel , Minak Giangiacomo
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the applicability of an indirect rapid tooling technique to the autoclave forming of carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates.

Design/methodology/approach

A rapid prototyping machine was used to process a photo elastic resin to fabricate the pre‐moulds. Liquid particle‐filled epoxy resin was poured in the pre‐mould and cured in an oven. Real autoclave process conditions were then applied to the mould several times to assess the geometrical stability and the accuracy of the produced parts, measured using a laser 3D scanner.

Findings

This paper reports the procedures developed for the rapid manufacture of carbon fibre reinforced plastic components.

Research limitations/implications

The method is applicable to components of small to medium dimensions (max 500 mm).

Originality/value

This is a pioneer attempt towards the rapid manufacturing of high performances composite components. It has been presented for patenting purposes (Gian Luca Monti, Ezequiel Poodts, Giangiacomo Minak, and Cristiano Fragassa. Pat. Pending Nr. PS2010A000026, 2010).
Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate
Authors: von Arx Georg , Graf Pannatier Elisabeth , Thimonier Anne , Rebetez Martine
Published: July 2013

Forest microclimate is crucial for the growth and survival of tree seedlings and understorey vegetation. This high ecological relevance contrasts with the poor functional and quantitative understanding of how the properties of forest ecosystems influence forest microclimate.

In a long‐term (1998–2011) trial, we investigated how temporal patterns of microclimate below sparse and dense forest canopy related to those of nearby open areas and how this relationship was influenced by soil moisture and seasonality. Air temperature (T), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), soil matrix potential and leaf area index (LAI) were measured in a unique set‐up of below‐canopy and open‐area meteorological stations at eleven distinct forest ecosystems, characteristic of subalpine and temperate climate zones. Data from these plots were analysed for the moderating capacity of the canopy, that is, the differences between below‐canopy and open‐area microclimate, with respect to (i) long‐term means, (ii) dynamics within homogeneous moist‐ vs. dry‐soil periods and (iii) diurnal patterns.

The long‐term mean moderating capacity of the canopy was up to 3.3 °C for dailyTmaxand 0.52 kPa for daily VPDmax, of which soil moisture status alone accounted for up to 1.2 °C (Tmax) and 0.21 kPa (VPDmax). Below dense canopy (LAI > 4), the moderating capacity was generally higher when soils were dry and increased during dry‐soil periods, particularly in spring and somewhat less in summer. The opposite pattern was found below sparse canopy (LAI < 4). At the diurnal level, moderating capacity below dense canopy was strongest in mid‐afternoon and during dry‐soil conditions, whereas peak moderation below sparse canopy occurred in mid‐morning and during moist‐soil conditions.

Synthesis. Our results suggest a threshold canopy density, which is probably linked to site‐specific water availability, below which the moderating capacity of forest ecosystems switches from supportive to unsupportive for seedling establishment. Under supportive moderating capacity, we understand a stronger mitigation during physiologically most demanding conditions for plant growth. Such a threshold canopy density sheds new light on forest resilience to climate change. Climate change may alter forest canopy density in a way that precludes successful establishment of tree species and ultimately changes forest ecosystem structure and functioning.
An exploratory study of the content of vitamin D compounds in selected samples of Australian eggs
Authors: Liu Jerry , Greenfield Heather , Fraser David Ross
Published: July 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to obtain preliminary indicative data for vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) in Australian chicken egg yolk (Gallus gallus domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758), comparing data with the egg yolk of other species, crocodile (Crocodylus porosus, Schneider, 1801) and salmon (Salmo salar, Linnaeus, 1758).

Methods

Convenience samples of chicken eggs were obtained from a producer known to fortify feed with 25OHD3 as well as D3 (Brand A; n = 6), a producer with an unknown feeding protocol (Brand B; n = 6) and a producer known to use low levels of only feed vitamin D3 (University of Sydney; n = 4). Salmon roe (50 g jar) was obtained from a retail outlet and crocodile eggs (n = 2) from a commercial crocodile farm. Egg yolks and whole salmon roe were analysed for vitamin D3 and 25OHD3 by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Brand A and B chicken egg yolks contained 2.9 and 2.1 μg vitamin D3/100 g, respectively, while University of Sydney eggs contained lower concentrations (0.5 μg/100 g). Further, yolk from brand A and B chicken eggs contained 4.2 and 1.4 μg 25OHD3/100 g, respectively. Salmon roe contained 6.3 μg vitamin D3/100 g and vitamin D3 content of two crocodile egg yolks differed widely (10.9 and 0.7 μg/100 g).

Conclusions

The vitamin D in chicken eggs has the potential to contribute considerably to the vitamin D content of the Australian diet, up to 3.8 μg vitamin D equivalents per egg, depending on the form of feed vitamin D. Further representative samples of all edible or potentially edible Australian egg species require analysis for public health nutrition purposes.
Corneal dystrophies and genetics in the International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies era: a review
Authors: Vincent Andrea L
Published: July 2013

Many of the corneal dystrophies have now been genetically characterized, and a system was established in 2008 by The International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) in an attempt to standardize the nomenclature. IC3D provided a classification system whereby all dystrophies can be categorized on the basis of the underlying genetic knowledge. Since that time, further work has established even more phenotypic and allelic heterogeneity than anticipated, particular for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and posterior polymorphous dystrophy. Using genome‐wide association studies, a number of genes are now implicated both in normal corneal quantitative traits, such as central corneal thickness, as well as in disease. There is also a trend towards functional characterization of the genetic variants involved to elucidate the pathophysiology of these entities. This review article will provide an overview of the knowledge to date, with an emphasis on findings since the IC3D classification was published in 2008.
Oil Palm and Deforestation in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Nelson Paul N. , Gabriel Jennifer , Filer Colin , Banabas Murom , Sayer Jeffrey A. , Curry George N. , Koczberski Gina , Venter Oscar
Published: July 2013

An unprecedented increase in oil palm developments may be underway in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through controversial “special agricultural and business leases” (SABLs) covering over two million hectares. Oil palm development can create societal benefits, but doubt has been raised about whether the SABL developers intend establishing plantations. Here, we examine the development objectives of these proposals through an assessment of their land suitability, developer experience and capacity, and sociolegal constraints. Our review reveals 36 oil palm proposals with plantings planned for 948,000 ha, a sevenfold increase over the existing planted area in PNG. Based on our criteria, however, we estimate that only five plantations covering 181,700 ha might eventuate within the foreseeable future. We conclude that most of the developers are clearing forest with no intention of cultivating oil palm, and that a large‐scale land grab is therefore occurring in PNG under the guise of oil palm development.
The inferior colliculus encodes the Franssen auditory spatial illusion
Authors: Rajala Abigail Z. , Yan Yonghe , Dent Micheal L. , Populin Luis C.
Published: July 2013

Illusions are effective tools for the study of the neural mechanisms underlying perception because neural responses can be correlated to the physical properties of stimuli and the subject's perceptions. The Franssen illusion (FI) is an auditory spatial illusion evoked by presenting a transient, abrupt tone and a slowly rising, sustained tone of the same frequency simultaneously on opposite sides of the subject. Perception of the FI consists of hearing a single sound, the sustained tone, on the side that the transient was presented. Both subcortical and cortical mechanisms for the FI have been proposed, but, to date, there is no direct evidence for either. The data show that humans and rhesus monkeys perceive the FI similarly. Recordings were taken from single units of the inferior colliculus in the monkey while they indicated the perceived location of sound sources with their gaze. The results show that the transient component of the Franssen stimulus, with a shorter first spike latency and higher discharge rate than the sustained tone, encodes the perception of sound location. Furthermore, the persistent erroneous perception of the sustained stimulus location is due to continued excitation of the same neurons, first activated by the transient, by the sustained stimulus without location information. These results demonstrate for the first time, on a trial‐by‐trial basis, a correlation between perception of an auditory spatial illusion and a subcortical physiological substrate.
Contribution of nitrogen fixation to first year Miscanthus × giganteus
Authors: Keymer Daniel P. , Kent Angela D.
Published: July 2013

Many characteristics make Miscanthus × giganteus an appealing bioenergy feedstock in temperate North America, but the degree to which this plant species interacts with nitrogen‐fixing bacteria remains understudied. Demonstration of associative nitrogen fixation in Miscanthus would support management with minimal fertilizer inputs that is demanded of long‐term biofuel sustainability. As a first step, we investigate the role of biological nitrogen fixation in nutrition of immature Miscanthus and temporal dynamics of plant‐associated nitrogen fixers. The contribution of biological nitrogen fixation to plant nitrogen acquisition in first year Miscanthus × giganteus was estimated using a yield‐dependent 15N isotope dilution model. Temporal changes in plant‐associated diazotroph relative abundance and community composition were analyzed with quantitative PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of the nifH gene in rhizome and rhizosphere DNA extracts. We estimate 16% of new plant nitrogen was derived by nitrogen fixation during the growing season, despite non‐limiting soil nitrogen. Diazotroph communities from rhizome and rhizosphere changed with plant development and endophytic nitrogen fixers had significantly higher relative abundance and altered community composition at sampling dates in July and August. This study provides evidence for a small, but measurable, benefit of associative nitrogen fixation to first year Miscanthus × giganteus that underscores the potential and need for selection of breeding lines that maximize this trait.
Skin oxygen tension is improved by immersion in oxygen‐enriched water
Authors: Reading S. A. , Yeomans M. , Levesque C.
Published: July 2013

Synopsis

Objective

The perceived health and physiologic functioning of skin depends on adequate oxygen availability. Economical and easily used therapeutic approaches to increase skin oxygenation could improve the subjective appearance of the skin as well as support the management of some cutaneous conditions related to chronic hypoxic ischaemia (e.g. ulcerative wounds). We have tested the hypothesis that the O2 partial pressure of skin (PskO2) increases during immersion in water enriched with high levels of dissolved oxygen.

Methods

A commercially available device was used to produce water containing 45 to 65 mg L−1 of dissolved O2. Young adults (YA; n = 7), older adults (OA; n = 13) and older adults with diabetes (OAD; n = 11) completed different experiments that required them to immerse their feet in tap water (<2 mg L−1 of O2; control) or O2‐enriched water (O2‐H2O; experimental) for 30 min. Transcutaneous oximetry was used to measure PskO2 for 20 min pre‐ and post‐immersion.

Results

Pre‐immersion mean (standard deviation) PskO2 on the plantar surface of the big toe was 75 (10), 67 (10) and 65 (10) mmHg in YA, OA and OAD, respectively. Post‐immersion PskO2 was 244 (25), 193 (28) and 205 (28) mmHg for the same groups. We also show that post‐immersion PskO2 varies by location and with advancing age.

Conclusion

Water is an effective vehicle for transporting dissolved O2 across the skin surface and could be used as a basis for development of economical therapeutic approaches that improve skin oxygen tension to support skin health and function.
Expression of T‐cell receptor Vβ2, 6 and 8 gene families in chronic adult periodontal disease
Authors: Geatch Diane R , Ross Dawn A , Heasman Peter A , Taylor John J
Published: July 2013

Substantial evidence exists to suggest a role for T‐cells in periodontal disease. As yet, however, the T‐cell receptors remain to be characterised at the molecular level. The expression and the nucleotide sequence of genes from the T‐cell receptor β variable (TCRBV) gene families 2, 6 and 8 were analyzed in periodontal tissue from 24 patients with chronic adult periodontal disease (CAPD) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 16 of these patients. A restriction in the expression of these TCRBV gene families was detected in periodontal tissue from 14/24 patients with CAPD, and the pattern of gene expression was often different between individual patients; however there was no restriction in TCRBV gene expression in matched PBL samples from 8 of these 14 patients. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis of samples from 5 CAPD patients who expressed all 3 TCRBV gene families in their periodontal tissues did not reveal any significant differences in the levels of gene expression in periodontal tissue and PBL. In contrast to the findings with some CAPD patients, genes from all 3 TCRBV families were always expressed in periodontal tissue and PBL from disease‐free control subjects. PCR products from both the PBL and periodontal tissue of CAPD patients were cloned and sequenced; analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed diversity with respect to the expression of TCRB joining (TCRBJ) and TCRB diversity (TCRBD) genes and the sequence of the junctional region in all samples analysed. In conclusion, in CAPD, the pattern of TCRBV gene expression in periodontal tissue is often but not always different from that in PBL and healthy periodontal tissue, which may indicate, in some cases, a local influence on particular T‐cell subsets which is relevant to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. However, the expressed TCRB genes are heterogeneous at the nucleotide level, emphasising the underlying complexity at the molecular level in the local T‐cell response in CAPD.
Impact of social value orientation on energy conservation in different behavioral domains
Authors: Sütterlin Bernadette , Brunner Thomas A. , Siegrist Michael
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social value orientation and energy conservation over different energy consumption domains. Additionally, the impact of type of energy conservation measure (curtailment vs. energy efficiency) was investigated. Data were derived from a mail survey of Swiss households (N = 1,209). It was expected that social value orientation and type of conservation measure affect conservation behavior. Confirming our hypotheses, prosocials reported more energy conservation—in the housing, mobility, and food domain—compared with individualists and competitors. As assumed, the difference in energy conservation between the three social value orientations was found for curtailment behaviors, but not for energy efficiency behaviors requiring no change in habits. Results and implications are discussed.