bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating salt marsh pore water geochemistry patterns to vegetation zones and hydrologic influences
Authors: Moffett Kevan B. , Gorelick Steven M.
Published: February 2016

Physical, chemical, and biological factors influence vegetation zonation in salt marshes and other wetlands, but connections among these factors could be better understood. If salt marsh vegetation and marsh pore water geochemistry coorganize, e.g., via continuous plant water uptake and persistently unsaturated sediments controlling vegetation zone‐specific pore water geochemistry, this could complement known physical mechanisms of marsh self‐organization. A high‐resolution survey of pore water geochemistry was conducted among five salt marsh vegetation zones at the same intertidal elevation. Sampling transects were arrayed both parallel and perpendicular to tidal channels. Pore water geochemistry patterns were both horizontally differentiated, corresponding to vegetation zonation, and vertically differentiated, relating to root influences. The geochemical patterns across the site were less broadly related to marsh hydrology than to vegetation zonation. Mechanisms contributing to geochemical differentiation included: root‐induced oxidation and nutrient (P) depletion, surface and creek‐bank sediment flushing by rainfall or tides, evapotranspiration creating aerated pore space for partial sediment flushing in some areas while persistently saturated conditions hindered pore water renewal in others, and evapoconcentration of pore water solutes overall. The concentrated pore waters draining to the tidal creeks accounted for 41% of ebb tide solutes (median of 14 elements), including being a potentially toxic source of Ni but a slight sink for Zn, at least during the short, winter study period in southern San Francisco Bay. Heterogeneous vegetation effects on pore water geochemistry are not only significant locally within the marsh but may broadly influence marsh‐estuary solute exchange and ecology.
Vertebrate Embryo: Limb Development
Authors: Tickle Cheryll
Published: February 2016

Vertebrate limbs develop from small buds of mesenchyme cells encased in ectoderm. Limb development is an excellent model system for studying embryonic growth and pattern formation. Both processes are governed by cell–cell interactions involving signalling centres that operate along each of the three limb axes, but are functionally interconnected. The main proliferative and positional signals are WNTs, FGFs, SHH and BMPs. Considerable progress has been made in identifying molecules that initiate bud formation including the TBX4/5 transcription factors and unravelling the regulatory pathways that establish the signalling centres.Hoxgenes are involved in multiple steps in establishing the anteroposterior signalling centre in the forelimb. They are also expressed in response to positional signals in the limb buds with a late‐phase controlling digit development. The transcription factor, LMX1B, specifies dorsal development. The transcription factor PITX1 is a major hindlimb determinant but how positional information is interpreted is largely unknown.

Key Concepts

The limb develops from a bud of mesoderm cells encased in ectoderm which grows out from the body wall.

The limb bud mesoderm is made up of cells with two different origins; cells of the lateral plate mesoderm which give rise to the connective tissues and cells that have migrated from the somites which give rise to the myogenic cells of the limb muscles.

Three sets of cell–cell interactions specify positional information; one set of interactions operating along each of the three axes of the limb.

The apical ectodermal ridge at the tip of the limb bud produces FGFs which are required for bud outgrowth and laying down the proximodistal limb pattern.

The dorsal and ventral ectoderm of the limb bud produce WNT7a and BMPs, respectively, which are involved in specifying dorsoventral positional information.

The polarising region, a mesodermal signalling region at the posterior margin of the limb bud, produces Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) which specifies anteroposterior positional information and controls growth across this axis.

Hox5andHox9paralogous genes of theHoxclusters are involved in establishing the initial anteroposterior polarity of the buds that will develop into forelimbs.

Interactions between the signalling regions ensure that pattern formation is integrated along all three axes of the developing limb.

5′ genes in theHoxAandHoxDclusters are expressed in early and late limb buds under the control of long‐range enhancers located, respectively, 3′ and 5′ of the cluster, with the early phase of activity being involved in establishingShhexpression in the polarising region and the later phase development of the digits.

The differences between forelimbs and hindlimbs depend on the interpretation of positional information, with the transcription factor PITX1 being a major hindlimb determinant.
Mucosal Surfaces: Immunological Protection
Authors: Wohlfert Elizabeth A , Russell Michael W
Published: February 2016

The mucosal surfaces of the body are protected against pathogens and other environmental antigens by the mucosal immune system. This is functionally separate from the circulatory immune system, and represents by far the largest part of the entire immune system. Components include innate and adaptive immune cells and molecules. Specific T and B cells induced by antigens in the major immune inductive sites located in the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract are programmed to relocate in remote mucosal effector sites where secretory IgA antibodies and effector T cells are generated. Regulatory mechanisms including regulatory T cells and cytokines maintain a hypo‐responsive, non‐inflammatory state that prevents over‐reaction to the large mass of antigenic material consisting of food and other environmental antigens as well as the commensal microbiota. However, the mucosal immune system can respond vigorously with localised and disseminated responses when stimulated by aggressive pathogens.

Key Concepts

The mucosal immune system protects the large surface areas of the oro‐gastrointestinal, respiratory and genital tracts, the conjunctivae, their associated glands and the mammary glands.

The mucosal immune system discriminates between pathogens that elicit a vigorous response, commensals that are regulated but not eliminated and harmless antigens such as food components that are tolerated.

Innate components of mucosal immunity include physicochemical barriers such as mucus and low pH, and an array of antimicrobial molecules and cells that defend the mucosae against pathogenic attack and initiate recognition by the adaptive immune system.

Adaptive components of mucosal immunity include locally produced secretory IgA antibodies, and both effector and regulatory T cells.

Mucosal immune inductive sites such as intestinal Peyer's patches and other mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissues take up luminal antigens and disseminate induced, antigen‐specific T and B cells to remote effector sites in the ‘common’ mucosal immune system.

Dendritic cells and other antigen‐presenting cells are located within the mucosal immune inductive sites and in the lamina propria underlying the epithelium.

Mucosal trafficking of antigen‐induced T and B cells is determined by a set of vascular addressins, mucosal chemokines and receptors imprinted on lymphocytes during their induction.

Mucosal epithelial cells have an integral role in antigen recognition and uptake, interaction with the cells of the immune system and delivery of the cells and molecules involved in immune defence.

Innate defence cells including mast cells, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils are recruited to the mucosae, and display phenotypic profiles distinct from equivalent cells in systemic locations or the circulation.
Calcium‐Binding Proteins
Authors: Haynes Lee
Published: February 2016

Calcium ions act as critical second messengers in all eukaryotes and plants and are of fundamental importance to the normal development and functioning of all higher animal species. In mammals, calcium influences almost all aspects of cellular physiology and is particularly relevant for normal cardiac and neuronal function. Calcium signals are generated by the complex interplay of two opposing systems the first of which mediates calcium entry into the cell cytoplasm and a second clearance system that removes it. Exactly how these two systems integrate in space and time determines the precise nature of a given calcium signal. When the cytosolic calcium is elevated, it can be detected by a large number of diverse binding proteins, many of which decode specific signals into a biological output. According to well‐conserved structural elements, these proteins can be grouped into different families including annexins, C2 domain proteins and EF‐hand proteins.

Key Concepts

Calcium is an evolutionarily ancient and fundamental intracellular second messenger used by plants, animals and bacteria.

Complex spatiotemporal calcium signals generated within cells are coupled to changes in biological activity. This is largely achieved through the presence of proteins that are able to rapidly bind Ca
2+
with high affinity

These calcium‐binding proteins, or CaBPs, contain unique calcium chelating motifs formed by multiple amino acids in the protein primary sequence.

Calcium binding to a CaBP can induce significant conformational rearrangements in the protein tertiary structure, which can expose binding sites for specific target interaction partners, thereby coupling the calcium signal to a unique cell signalling pathway.

Calcium signalling events mediated by various CaBPs are becoming increasingly important as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a range of human diseases.
Immunology of Invertebrates: Cellular
Authors: Smith Valerie J
Published: February 2016

Circulating blood cells are the primary mediators of immunity in invertebrates, carrying out the phagocytic, pathogen trapping and other inflammatory responses that protect invertebrates against infection without specific immunoglobulin antibodies and immune memory. Different immune cell types are usually specialised for different functions with, in general, immune cell diversity tending to increase with body complexity and life history. However, common to most species are phagocytic and/or granular‐type cells that synthesise and store bioactive proteins. Cellular immunity is induced by non‐self motifs on the surface of pathogens or parasites recognised by cell‐derived pattern recognition receptors with diverse binding specificities. Cell death appears to be inherent in immune reactivity of many invertebrates and, in some cases, aids pathogen trapping, which prevents their spread around the body. New immune cells are produced, at least in coelomates, by mesodermal haematopoietic tissues.

Key Concepts

Immunity in invertebrates is confined to non‐specific inflammatory responses, mediated to a large extent by the circulating blood cells (haemocytes or coelomocytes) or their products.

All coelomate invertebrates contain populations of freely circulating cells dedicated to host defence, some well developed for specialist purposes.

There are no true vertebrate‐type lymphocytes and no long‐term, highly specific immune memory in invertebrates.

The main invertebrate cellular immune responses include phagocytosis, pathogen trapping, cytotoxicity and the synthesis and release of microbicidal agents.

These cellular reactions often involve the death of immune cells or their removal from the circulation, requiring new cells to be synthesised in the haemopoietic tissue and released into the blood.

Genomic and proteomic studies have enabled many of the proteins responsible for cellular defence in invertebrates to be identified, especially in arthropods.

Whilst many of the responses and pathways are ancient and highly conserved, there is great diversity in the effector molecules across the invertebrates as a whole.
History of Molecular Biology
Authors: Morange Michel
Published: February 2016

Despite the huge place molecular biology has acquired in biological research, it remains difficult to provide a definition of it. Is molecular biology a scientific discipline, or a new vision of organisms? When did it emerge? Is molecular biology still alive, or has this discipline died, and been replaced by new disciplines such as systems and synthetic biology? Were molecular biologists too reductionist?

Three successive steps can be distinguished in the history of molecular biology: the 1930s, with the development of new technologies aimed at describing the structure of macromolecules, and an effort to ‘naturalise life’; a relatively short period (1940–1965) in which the main results were obtained; and the huge accumulation of molecular data that has modified biology since this time. Despite the fact that molecular explanations have in part reached their limits, I consider that molecular biology has succeeded in ‘naturalising life’.

Key Concepts

Molecular biology is not a new discipline, but a new level of explanation.

Biologists are still working within the framework of the ‘molecular paradigm’ built more than 50 years ago.

Structural biology is an essential, but not a highly visible part of molecular biology.

Personalised medicine is a consequence of the progress made in DNA sequencing.
SUMO
ylation
Authors: Kerscher Oliver
Published: February 2016

Eukaryotic cells utilise the dynamic addition and removal of SUMO, a small ubiquitin‐like modifier (UBL), to modulate protein functions, interactions and localisation. Protein SUMOylation involves a cascade of dedicated enzymes that facilitate the covalent modification of specific lysine residues on target proteins with monomers or polymers of SUMO. The cellular homeostasis of SUMOylated proteins is also regulated by SUMO proteases and SUMO‐targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbLs). SUMO proteases cleave SUMO from modified proteins. In contrast, STUbLs ubiquitinate proteins modified with SUMO chains. Recent data suggests that ubiquitination via STUbLs effects the turnover of SUMOylated proteins as well as the spatio‐temporal composition of complexes that contain SUMO‐modified proteins. Defects in the controlled addition, removal and turnover of SUMO‐modified proteins greatly affect cellular fitness and contribute to developmental defects, cancer and protein aggregation disorders.

Key Concepts

SUMO encodes a small ubiquitin‐like modifier that is covalently attached to lysines in target proteins.

SUMOylation, the process of SUMO conjugation to a target protein, frequently occurs on a lysine situated in a SUMOylation consensus site.

SUMO conjugates can be removed from target proteins by SUMO‐specific proteases.

Vertebrates express three different SUMO isoforms: SUMO1, SUMO2 and SUMO3, encoded by three different genes.

SUMOs can form polymers via internal SUMOylation sites in SUMO2 and SUMO3.

Several proteins can bind non‐covalently to SUMOs via SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs).

A finely balanced SUMOylation/de‐SUMOylation system is required for eukaryotic life.

Cross‐talk between SUMOylation and ubiquitination plays a critical in the turnover of some SUMOylated proteins as well as the spatiotemporal composition of complexes that contain SUMO‐modified proteins.
S
‐Layers
Authors: Engelhardt Harald
Published: February 2016

Microbial surface layer (S‐layer) proteins assemble into two‐dimensional (2D) crystalline lattices on the cell surface of many species of
Archaea
and
Bacteria
and represent the outermost cell wall component, except for the existence of a carbohydrate capsule. Despite their widespread occurrence, the function of S‐layers remained obscure. Analysing the S‐layer structure on the one hand and the interaction of the 2D crystal with the underlying cell membrane on the other, reveals the S‐layers' cell wall function and the mechanism of cell stabilisation in
Archaea
. This basic function is not obvious in
Bacteria
. Here, experimental data suggest a major role in mediating and controlling interactions of S‐layers with the microbes' environment. The hybrid functional role of S‐layers will be understood more clearly if structural research is combined with the investigation of S‐layer interactions with the adjacent cell envelope components and the complex environmental factors.

Key Concepts

Microbial S‐layers have a hybrid functional role, that is, mediating cell stability and controlling cell surface properties.

The architecture of S‐layers and their close interactions with the cell membrane determine and explain the S‐layers' cell wall function in
Archaea
.

Attracting and repelling surface characteristics of S‐layers in
Bacteria
mediate the interactions with the environment and contribute to the proliferation and survival of cells.

The investigation of S‐layer functions requires the combined analysis of the S‐layer structure and its impact on the cell envelope components as well as of interactions with environmental factors.
Origin of Metazoan Patterning Systems and the Role of
ANTP
‐Class Homeobox Genes
Authors: Thomas‐Chollier Morgane , Martinez Pedro
Published: February 2016

The origin (Metazoa) is considered a key event in the history of life on Earth. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the emergence of animals has become one of the principal aims of research in many laboratories. These research programs are propelled by the many genome projects (past and present) carried out in labs around the world. A thorough comparison of the structure and composition of genomes provides us with a unique opportunity to understand the evolution of animals as products of their genome dynamics. One major focus of attention has been the characterisation of families of transcriptional regulators in different lineages and the careful analysis of their patterns of evolutionary change. Needless to say, these comparisons make full sense only in the context of parallel analysis of their expression domains and their historical changes. Among the most studied families of transcription factors (those with critical involvement in processes such as regulation of axial polarity, proliferation or differentiation) is the so‐called ANTP (for Anntenapedia)‐class of homeodomain proteins. Importantly, this class of proteins is specific to the metazoans, and the diversification of its members appears to follow a clear phyletic pattern of variation.

The knowledge of the changes in composition and expression domains of the major families of ANTP‐class homeobox genes in the early divergent metazoan phyla (Porifera, Ctenophora, Placozoa, Cnidaria) plus in the bilaterian Xenacoelomorpha has been advancing. The current scarcity of knowledge seems to restrict the advancement of our understanding, which needs further research to expand.

Key Concepts

Homeobox‐containing genes encode for transcription factors. The homeobox sequence is translated into the homeodomain.

The homeobox genes are grouped into classes and families. The ANTP class of homeobox genes is metazoan‐specific.

Phylogenetic relationships at the origin of Metazoa are unresolved. They provide a framework for putative evolutionary scenarios of any gene family.

Hox and Parahox genes control specific aspects of the main metazoan body axis. They are the best studied families of ANTP class homeobox genes.

Homeobox genes of the ANTP class control basic aspects of development, such as proliferation and differentiation of cells and tissues.

Family assignments within the ANTP class are, sometimes, difficult, given the low phylogenetic signal provided by just the homeodomain. Other additional motifs in the protein sequence (such as interaction domains or specific peptides) can be critical in determining affinities.
Functional Traits
Authors: Nock Charles A , Vogt Richard J , Beisner Beatrix E
Published: February 2016

Functional traits are morphological, biochemical, physiological, structural, phenological or behavioural characteristics of organisms that influence performance or fitness. Grouping species by functional characteristics is a long‐standing idea, but there has more recently been rapid development in the application of trait‐based approaches to diverse topics in ecology. Two common applications of functional traits are to characterise community responses to changes in the environment, including community assembly processes, and to quantify the influence of community shifts on ecosystem processes. Practical decisions include: What types of traits should be considered? How can traits be measured or inferred? Are traits correlated or traded‐off? Which, and how many, traits should be assessed? How should trait data be analysed? Functional trait approaches enhance ecological understanding by focusing on the mechanisms that govern interactions between organisms and their environments. Measuring and understanding traits increases our understanding of ecological processes, thus also informing conservation and restoration.

Key Concepts

Functional traits are morphological, biochemical, physiological, structural, phenological or behavioural characteristics that influence organism performance or fitness.

Traits can be broadly classified either as having an effect on ecosystem properties and the services that human societies derive from them, or as characterising a response to environmental change or with respect to processes affecting community assembly.

Common data types for traits include continuous, categorical, ordinal and binary variable formats. The data type has repercussions for subsequent data analyses.

Methods for measuring traits vary from time‐consuming (hard traits) to rapid (soft traits), and in turn the information content of the resulting data also varies.

Trait syndromes describe patterns of inter‐trait correlation that define differences and trade‐offs in ecological strategies.

When choosing traits for calculating functional diversity it is important to consider which, and how many, traits are included, as well as what insights they will provide into the ecosystem processes, community structure or assembly processes under consideration.

Functional traits are at the forefront of efforts to develop a mechanistic understanding of how species diversity influences ecosystem functioning, and the current ecological literature presents many indices by which functional diversity can be computed.
Pituitary Gene Signalling Pathway
Authors: Cooper Odelia , Fukuoka Hidenori
Published: February 2016

The anterior pituitary contains five trophic hormone‐secreting cells, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐secreting corticotrophs, luteinising hormone (LH)‐/follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)‐secreting gonadotrophs, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)‐secreting thyrotrophs, growth hormone (GH)‐secreting somatotrophs and prolactin (PRL)‐secreting lactotrophs. Each cell is differentiated from stem cells by intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Pituitary hormone synthesis and secretion is strictly regulated by stimulating hormone, mainly from the hypothalamus, and suppressing hormone, predominantly from peripheral tissues, as a negative feedback system. Pituitary adenomas are the most common pathological state in the anterior pituitary. Several impaired signalling pathways related with pituitary tumourigenesis have been shown in human and animal studies. These include cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway, cell cycle signalling pathway and epigenetic changes. These disruptions could induce not only pituitary cell proliferation but also hormone hypersecretion.

Key Concepts

The pituitary gland contains five trophic cells.

These cells are differentiated from stem cells by intrinsic and extrinsic signallings.

Hormone synthesis and secretion is regulated by stimulatory and inhibitory signallings.

Pituitary adenomas are the most common pathological state in the anterior pituitary.

Human and animal studies identified several genes related to pituitary adenomas.

Impaired cAMP‐PKA and/or cell cycle signalling pathway has an important role in pituitary tumourigenesis.

Epigenetic changes deregulate gene signallings related to pituitary tumourigenesis.
Effectiveness and sustainability of the ViSC Social Competence Program to prevent cyberbullying and cyber‐victimization: Class and individual level moderators
Authors: Gradinger Petra , Yanagida Takuya , Strohmeier Dagmar , Spiel Christiane
Published: February 2016

We investigated whether the general anti‐bullying program ViSC sustainably prevents cyberbullying and cyber‐victimization. A longitudinal randomized control group design was used to examine (i) program effectiveness immediately after a 1 year implementation phase and (ii) sustainable program effects 6 months later taking several moderators on the class level (class climate and ethnic diversity) and on the individual level (gender, age, internet usage, traditional bullying/victimization) into account. Effectiveness (e.g., the change between waves 2 and 1) was examined in 2,042 students (47.6% girls), aged 11.7 years (SD = 0.88) enrolled in 18 schools and 103 classes. Sustainability (e.g., the change between waves 3 and 2) was examined in a sub‐sample of 6 schools and 35 classes comprising 659 students. The self‐assessment multiple‐item scales showed longitudinal and multiple group invariance. Factor scores were extracted to compute difference scores for effectiveness (Posttest minus Pretest)and sustainability (Follow‐up test minus Posttest)for cyberbullying and cyber‐victimization. Multilevel Modeling was applied to examine (i) the effectiveness and (ii) the sustainability of the ViSC intervention controlling for several individual and class level variables. Controlling for covariates, it was demonstrated that the ViSC program is effective in preventing cyberbullying and cyber‐victimization and that the effects are sustainable after 6 months. The consequences for cyberbullying prevention are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 42:181–193, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Point‐of‐Care Raman Spectroscopy–Based Device for the Diagnosis of Gout and Pseudogout: Comparison With the Clinical Standard Microscopy
Authors: Li Bolan , Singer Nora G. , Yeni Yener N. , Haggins Donard G. , Barnboym Emma , Oravec Daniel , Lewis Steven , Akkus Ozan
Published: February 2016

Objective

To demonstrate the usefulness of a novel medical device based on Raman spectroscopy for the rapid point‐of‐care diagnosis of gout and pseudogout.

Methods

A shoebox‐sized point‐of‐care Raman spectroscopy (POCRS) device was developed for use in the diagnosis of gout and pseudogout. The device included a disposable syringe microfiltration kit to collect arthropathic crystals from synovial fluid and a customized automated Raman spectroscopy system to chemically identify crystal species. Diagnosis according to the findings of POCRS was compared with the clinical standard diagnosis based on compensated polarized light microscopy (CPLM) of synovial fluid aspirates collected from symptomatic patients (n = 174). Kappa coefficients were used to measure the agreement between POCRS and CPLM findings.

Results

Overall, POCRS and CPLM results were consistent in 89.7% of samples (156 of 174). For the diagnosis of gout, the kappa coefficient for POCRS and CPLM was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.75–0.94). For the diagnosis of pseudogout, the kappa coefficient for POCRS and CPLM was 0.61 (95% CI 0.42–0.81).

Conclusion

Kappa coefficients indicated that there was excellent agreement between POCRS and CPLM for the diagnosis of gout, with good agreement for the diagnosis of pseudogout. The POCRS device holds the potential to standardize and expedite the time to clinical diagnosis of gout and pseudogout, especially in settings where certified operators trained for CPLM analysis are not available.
Microwave fields have little effect on α‐synuclein aggregation in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: de Pomerai David I. , Iqbal Nooria , Lafayette Ivan , Nagarajan Archana , Kaviani Moghadam Mehri , Fineberg April , Reader Tom , Greedy Steve , Smartt Chris , Thomas David W.P.
Published: February 2016

Potential health effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from mobile phones arouse widespread public concern. RF fields from handheld devices near the brain might trigger or aggravate brain tumors or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Aggregation of neural α‐synuclein (S) is central to PD pathophysiology, and invertebrate models expressing human S have helped elucidate factors affecting the aggregation process. We have recently developed a transgenic strain of Caenorhabditis elegans carrying two S constructs: SC tagged with cyan (C) blue fluorescent protein (CFP), and SV with the Venus (V) variant of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). During S aggregation in these SC+SV worms, CFP, and YFP tags are brought close enough to allow Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). As a positive control, S aggregation was promoted at low Hg2+ concentrations, whereas higher concentrations activated stress‐response genes. Using two different exposure systems described previously, we tested whether RF fields (1.0 GHz CW, 0.002‐0.02 W kg−1; 1.8 GHz CW or GSM, 1.8 W kg−1) could influence S aggregation in SC+SV worms. YFP fluorescence in similar SV‐only worms provided internal controls, which should show opposite changes due to FRET quenching during S aggregation. No statistically significant changes were observed over several independent runs at 2.5, 24, or 96 h. Although our worm model is sensitive to chemical promoters of aggregation, no similar effects were attributable to RF exposures. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:116–129, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Nanospheres as Visible‐Light Active Chemical Warfare Agents Decontaminant
Authors: Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A. , Seredych Mykola , Rodríguez‐Castellón Enrique , Bandosz Teresa J.
Published: February 2016

Graphitic carbon nitride, GCN, was oxidized using the Hummers’ method. Both initial and modified materials were extensively characterized by various physical and chemical methods. The results showed the marked changes in morphology. Even though the short‐range layered structure was still present in the oxidized sample, spherical nanoparticles with 5–50 nm sizes made up the bulk of the material. This results in the development of porosity in the mesopore range. Incorporation of oxygen groups at the edges of carbon nitrogen layers/units is likely responsible for the formation of nanospheres (folding due to the polar forces). This process also increased the band gap energy from 2.85 to 3.39 eV. The initial and oxidized samples were used as reactive adsorbents of a mustard gas surrogate. The results showed an improvement in the adsorptive performance upon oxidation. Both samples were found photoactive in visible light. The degradation to ethyl vinyl sulfide was enhanced on the oxidized sample owing to the developed porosity and chemical heterogeneity.
Postmating–prezygotic isolation between two allopatric populations of Drosophila montana: fertilisation success differs under sperm competition
Authors: Ala‐Honkola Outi , Ritchie Michael G. , Veltsos Paris
Published: February 2016

Postmating but prezygotic (PMPZ) interactions are increasingly recognized as a potentially important early‐stage barrier in the evolution of reproductive isolation. A recent study described a potential example between populations of the same species: single matings between Drosophila montana populations resulted in differential fertilisation success because of the inability of sperm from one population (Vancouver) to penetrate the eggs of the other population (Colorado). As the natural mating system of D. montana is polyandrous (females remate rapidly), we set up double matings of all possible crosses between the same populations to test whether competitive effects between ejaculates influence this PMPZ isolation. We measured premating isolation in no‐choice tests, female fecundity, fertility and egg‐to‐adult viability after single and double matings as well as second‐male paternity success (P2). Surprisingly, we found no PMPZ reproductive isolation between the two populations under a competitive setting, indicating no difficulty of sperm from Vancouver males to fertilize Colorado eggs after double matings. While there were subtle differences in how P2 changed over time, suggesting that Vancouver males’ sperm are somewhat less competitive in a first‐male role within Colorado females, these effects did not translate into differences in overall P2. Fertilisation success can thus differ dramatically between competitive and noncompetitive conditions, perhaps because the males that mate second produce higher quality ejaculates in response to sperm competition. We suggest that unlike in more divergent species comparisons, where sperm competition typically increases reproductive isolation, ejaculate tailoring can reduce the potential for PMPZ isolation when recently diverged populations interbreed.
Introduced Drosophila subobscura populations perform better than native populations during an oviposition choice task due to increased fecundity but similar learning ability
Authors: Foucaud Julien , Moreno Céline , Pascual Marta , Rezende Enrico L. , Castañeda Luis E. , Gibert Patricia , Mery Frederic
Published: February 2016

The success of invasive species is tightly linked to their fitness in a putatively novel environment. While quantitative components of fitness have been studied extensively in the context of invasive species, fewer studies have looked at qualitative components of fitness, such as behavioral plasticity, and their interaction with quantitative components, despite intuitive benefits over the course of an invasion. In particular, learning is a form of behavioral plasticity that makes it possible to finely tune behavior according to environmental conditions. Learning can be crucial for survival and reproduction of introduced organisms in novel areas, for example, for detecting new predators, or finding mates or oviposition sites. Here we explored how oviposition performance evolved in relation to both fecundity and learning during an invasion, using native and introduced Drosophila subobscura populations performing an ecologically relevant task. Our results indicated that, under comparable conditions, invasive populations performed better during our oviposition task than did native populations. This was because invasive populations had higher fecundity, together with similar cognitive performance when compared to native populations, and that there was no interaction between learning and fecundity. Unexpectedly, our study did not reveal an allocation trade‐off (i.e., a negative relationship) between learning and fecundity. On the contrary, the pattern we observed was more consistent with an acquisition trade‐off, meaning that fecundity could be limited by availability of resources, unlike cognitive ability. This pattern might be the consequence of escaping natural enemies and/or competitors during the introduction. The apparent lack of evolution of learning may indicate that the introduced population did not face novel cognitive challenges in the new environment (i.e., cognitive “pre‐adaptation”). Alternatively, the evolution of learning may have been transient and therefore not detected.
TrendMD: Helping scholarly content providers reach larger and more targeted audiences
Authors: Kudlow Paul , Rutledge Alan , Shachak Aviv , McIntyre Roger S. , Eysenbach Gunther
Published: February 2016

Key points

With over 6,000 new peer‐reviewed articles published daily, scholarly content providers face growing challenges of reaching their target audience.

There are few evidenced‐based strategies for disseminating online scholarly content to a targeted audience.

TrendMD increased weekly page views by 49% relative to baseline traffic for a group of articles published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Future studies are needed to determine how article page views correlate with other article‐level metrics such as Altmetric scores and citations.
Determinantes del acceso a los productos financieros en los hogares colombianos
Authors: Rodríguez-Raga Santiago , Riaño Rodríguez Félix Francisco
Published: February 2016

Existe evidencia que establece una asociación positiva entre el acceso a productos financieros, la riqueza y calidad de vida de los hogares, en especial de los hogares pobres. En este ámbito, este estudio busca entender los determinantes del acceso a los diferentes productos financieros en los hogares de Colombia, utilizando un modelo econométrico con base en la información contenida en la Encuesta Longitudinal Colombiana (ELCA) de la Universidad de los Andes. Como conclusión se encuentra que los principales determinantes del acceso a productos financieros son el nivel de ingreso o riqueza, la educación y la estabilidad en términos laborales.
Depth edge detection by image-based smoothing and morphological operations
Authors: Abid Hasan Syed Mohammad , Ko Kwanghee
Published: February 2016

Since 3D measurement technologies have been widely used in manufacturing industries edge detection in a depth image plays an important role in computer vision applications. In this paper, we have proposed an edge detection process in a depth image based on the image based smoothing and morphological operations. In this method we have used the principle of Median filtering, which has a renowned feature for edge preservation properties. The edge detection was done based on Canny Edge detection principle and was improvised with morphological operations, which are represented as combinations of erosion and dilation. Later, we compared our results with some existing methods and exhibited that this method produced better results. However, this method works in multiframe applications with effective framerates. Thus this technique will aid to detect edges robustly from depth images and contribute to promote applications in depth images such as object detection, object segmentation, etc.

Highlights A method is proposed that can detect edges from depth images more profoundly. We modified the Canny edge detection method using morphological operations. The proposed method works in multi-frames.
Mexico's Upstream Business Model
Authors: George Baker
Published: February 2016

A fundamental question concerning the upstream business model that is incorporated into the 2014 Energy Reform in Mexico concerns the intended evolution of the energy policy framework in which it appears. The situation of “before,” as alluded to in President Peña’s remarks on March 18, 2015, was one in which Pemex served as the iconic state monopoly, and through which, by virtue of Article 6 of the now-abrogated Petroleum Law of 1958, all contracting was required to take place under restrictive terms that excluded the business model of an oil company. The government is now offering a mineral contract that approximates the business model of a mineral lease as understood diverse jurisdictions, including the U.S. and Mexico. There are important differences, however, ones that represent for the State and the prospective operator and layers of uncertainty and regulatory discretionality. As for the broader benefits for the country that the new involvement of oil companies might bring, there are a priori reasons for concern: the government seeks to sharply restrict the reporting of statistical data on the operations and discoveries of the oil companies, including Pemex. All such data are to be funneled through and managed by a single government agency (CNH), redolent of the way the way that Pemex has traditionally reported data. A decade will be needed to recast the national oil narrative in a way that allows for an evolution of the upstream regime in 2026 in which a mineral lease will be offered to oil companies.
Time for a reality check: Is business willing to support a smart mix of complementary regulation in private governance?
Authors: Kinderman Daniel
Published: February 2016

In recent years, scholars and policymakers have become interested in the idea of a smart mix of voluntary and regulatory measures in private governance. If public and private actors are to share the work load of governing the commons, this presupposes that both sides can agree on this compromise formula — but can they? So far, we have limited knowledge of firms and business associations’ regulatory preferences in this realm. As a ground-clearing exercise my article aims to help fill this gap and expose some of the underappreciated fault and conflict lines within private governance. Its thrust is that existing literature is excessively optimistic about business's willingness to support regulation. The article surveys the EU's non-financial disclosure Directive and half a dozen other attempts to regulate CSR or non-financial disclosure across the world, and finds that public authorities’ more ambitious attempts at regulation met with vigorous business opposition. Even after the financial crisis, most business associations and firms reject a smart mix in favor of voluntarism and soft law without hard sanctions.
Ukrainians as Russia’s negative ‘other’: History comes full circle
Authors: Riabchuk Mykola
Published: February 2016

The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, euphemistically called the “Ukraine crisis,” draws attention to its ideological underpinnings that include a historically informed Russian hegemonic view of Ukrainians as “younger brothers” who should be both patronized and censured for improper behavior. The paper examines a particular aspect of this superior attitude as embedded in ethnic stereotypes – both “vernacular”, primarily in folklore, and ideologically constructed, in both cultural and political discourses. In both cases, the structure of stereotypes reflects the dominant position of one group and subjugated position of the other within a more general paradigm of relations between Robinson Crusoe and Friday. A peculiar dialectics implies that a “good” Friday can be civilized and assimilated and become almost equal to Crusoe – “almost the same people”, in a popular Russian parlance about Ukrainians. Yet, a “bad” (“wrong”) Friday should be strongly reviled and thoroughly demonized as a complete evil, manipulated allegedly by hostile (“Western”) Robinsons. The paper argues that the Russo-Ukrainian relations cannot be normalized until Russians learn to see Ukrainians as neither “good” nor “bad” but just different eas all the people around.
Prevalence of housing needs among inpatients: a 1 year audit of housing needs in the acute mental health unit in Tallaght Hospital
Authors: Cowman J. , Whitty P.
Published: February 2016

Objective

There is a dearth of information relating to the prevalence of housing needs among psychiatric in-patients in Ireland. Most of the information we have to date emerged as a result of attempts to plan for the closure of old psychiatric hospitals and inappropriate community residences. This study sought to identify the prevalence of housing needs among in-patients in the acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght Hospital.

Methods

Each week, over a 12-month period, nursing managers and/or key nurses who knew the patients well were asked for numerical data. Information was collected on the numbers of in-patients with accommodation needs, number of delayed discharges due to accommodation needs and number of discharges to homeless accommodation in the previous week.

Results

On average, 38% of in-patients had accommodation related needs at any one time. Most (98%) of delayed discharges had accommodation related needs. Delayed discharge in-patients with accommodation needs accounted for 28% of all inpatients and for 72% of all inpatients with accommodation related needs.

Conclusions

Accommodation need among psychiatric in-patients is underreported. Housing need data should be routinely collected and effective interagency strategies developed to address housing needs.
Excessive adiposity at low BMI levels among women in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Shaikh Saijuddin , Jones-Smith Jessica , Schulze Kerry , Ali Hasmot , Christian Parul , Shamim Abu Ahmed , Mehra Sucheta , Labrique Alain , Klemm Rolf , Wu Lee , Rashid Mahbubur , West Keith P.
Published: February 2016

Asian populations have a higher percentage body fat (%BF) and are at higher risk for CVD and related complications at a given BMI compared with those of European descent. We explored whether %BF was disproportionately elevated in rural Bangladeshi women with low BMI. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were measured in 1555 women at 3 months postpartum. %BF was assessed by skinfolds and by BIA. BMI was calculated in adults and BMI Z-scores were calculated for females <20 years old. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves found the BMI and BMI Z-score cut-offs that optimally classified women as having moderately excessive adipose tissue (defined as >30 % body fat). Linear regressions estimated the association between BMI and BMI Z-score (among adolescents) and %BF. Mean BMI was 19·2 (sd 2·2) kg/m2, and mean %BF was calculated as 23·7 (sd 4·8) % by skinfolds and 23·3 (sd 4·9) % by BIA. ROC analyses indicated that a BMI value of approximately 21 kg/m2 optimised sensitivity (83·6 %) and specificity (84·2 %) for classifying subjects with >30 % body fat according to BIA among adults. This BMI level is substantially lower than the WHO recommended standard cut-off point of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The equivalent cut-off among adolescents was a BMI Z-score of –0·36, with a sensitivity of 81·3 % and specificity of 80·9 %. These findings suggest that Bangladeshi women exhibit excess adipose tissue at substantially lower BMI compared with non-South Asian populations. This is important for the identification and prevention of obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Capital Punishment: A Comment
Authors: Heyd David
Published: February 2016

It seems that nothing new can be said about the issue of capital punishment. And of course even this apologetic proposition itself is hardly original as is attested by the opening remark of Justice Mosk's paper. Yet, this is not an uncommon plight for a commentator in a philosophical conference on capital punishment, and particularly so when his task is to join into a long, comprehensive, and sophisticated debate between two of the major contestants in this battle. Actually, I feel almost like a child invading the privacy of its parents engaged in one of their quarrels. I use this metaphor because, for me, the names Bedau and van den Haag connote the “pro” and “con” attitudes to capital punishment since my philosophical childhood. I still have my notes, taken twenty years ago while reading as a student the exciting exchange inEthicsbetween these two sharp, persistent, uncompromisingly critical philosophers. They have introduced me into the subject which has interested me since, without of course imagining at the time that I will ever have the chance to get personally involved in their debate.
Postscript: In Fairness to Condemnation
Authors: Davis Michael
Published: February 2016

Von Hirsch has presented me with a dilemma. As he says, “Proportionality in the Philosophy of Punishment” is a “substantially revised” version of the paper originally prepared for the Jerusalem conference. Its predecessor, “Allocating Penalties”, was in part a response to my “Criminal Desert, Harm, and Fairness”, the paper I prepared for the conference. “Proportionality” is instead (if only in part) a response to what I said at the conference — the “Postscript” cited in its footnotes.

Here is the dilemma. On the one hand: I could leave “Postscript” more or less as I gave it. That would preserve the historical record, but at some cost. I would have missed a chance to advance discussion of important issues. I would also have caused an anomaly in the order of papers printed here. On the other hand: I could rewrite “Postscript”, making it a response to “Proportionality” rather than to “Allocating Penalties”.