bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review and Key for the Identification of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of Aphids Infesting Herbaceous and Shrubby Ornamental Plants in Southeastern Europe
Authors: Kavallieratos Nickolas G , Tomanović Željko , Petrović Andjeljko , Janković Marina , Starý Petr , Yovkova Mariya , Athanassiou Christos G
Published: May 2013

Original information on aphidiines parasitizing aphids on herbaceous and shrubby ornamental plants in southeastern Europe is presented. In total, 22 species are keyed and illustrated with scanning electron micrographs, stereomicroscope micrographs, and line drawings. The aphidiines presented in this work have been identified from 40 aphid taxa. Two hundred sixty-six aphidiine— aphid—plant associations are presented, out of which 126 are new. The results are discussed in relation to the overall parasitoid—aphid-plant associations in the area.
Diversity and Host use of Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) Phoretic on Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae): Global Generalists, Local Specialists?
Authors: Knee Wayne , Forbes Mark R , Beaulieu Frédéric
Published: May 2013

Mites (Arachnida: Acari) are one of the most diverse groups of organisms associated with bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), but their taxonomy and ecology are poorly understood, including in Canada. Here we address this by describing the diversity, species composition, and host associations of mesostigmatic and oribatid mites collected from scolytines across four sites in eastern Ontario, Canada, in 2008 and 2009. Using Lindgren funnel traps baited with α-pinene, ethanol lures, or Ips pini (Say) pheromone lures, a total of 5,635 bark beetles (30 species) were collected, and 16.4% of these beetles had at least one mite. From these beetles, a total of 2,424 mites representing 33 species from seven families were collected. The majority of mite species had a narrow host range from one (33.3%) or two (36.4%) host species, and fewer species had a host range of three or more hosts (30.3%). This study represents the first broad investigation of the acarofauna of scolytines in Canada, and we expand upon the known (worldwide) host records of described mite species by 19%, and uncover 12 new species. Half (7) of the 14 most common mites collected in this study showed a marked preference for a single host species, which contradicts the hypothesis that nonparasitic mites are typically not host specific, at least locally. Moreover, host records from the literature and those of this study together suggest that at a global scale, bark beetle mites have a broad host range, while at a local scale many species are host specific.
Contrasting Geographic Patterns of Genetic Differentiation in Body Size and Development Time with Reproductive Isolation in Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)
Authors: Bracewell Ryan R , Pfrender Michael E , Mock Karen E , Bentz Barbara J
Published: May 2013

Body size and development time are two critical phenotypic traits that can be highly adaptive in insects. Recent population genetic analyses and crossing experiments with the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) have described substantial levels of neutral molecular genetic differentiation, genetic differences in phenotypic traits, and reproductive isolation. To determine whether genetic differences in adaptive phenotypic traits exist that correspond to reproductive boundaries, we conducted a common garden experiment with seven D. ponderosae populations previously used to identify reproductive incompatibilities. Genetic differences in development time were striking between faster developing, and more synchronized, northern populations and slower developing, and less synchronized, southern populations. Additionally, genetic differences in average body size were found between many populations. Differences in these two traits, however, failed to clearly demarcate populations that exhibit reproductive incompatibilities. Our results suggest that local selection pressures likely drive divergence in these two traits that is largely independent of the evolution of reproductive isolation in D. ponderosae.
Changes in Antioxidative Enzyme Activity, Glycogen, Lipid, Protein, and Malondialdehyde Content in Cadmium-Treated Galleria mellonella Larvae
Authors: Emre Iskender , Kayis Tamer , Coskun Mustafa , Dursun Osman , Cogun Hikmet Yeter
Published: May 2013

In this study, we analyzed the effects of cadmium (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg per 100 g of nutrient) on total protein, lipid, and glycogen levels, lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and metal accumulation in Galleria mellonella L. High concentrations of Cd (20 and 40 mg) significantly lowered total protein, lipid, and glycogen levels. MDA level significantly increased when the nutrient contained 5 mg and more of Cd, whereas SOD activity significantly increased at Cd concentrations starting from 1.25 mg. CAT activity significantly decreased at all concentrations. Metal accumulation also significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. These changes observed on activity of antioxidant enzymes, energy reserves, MDA content, and accumulation levels of Cd can be used as a reliable biomarker of environmental heavy metal pollution in model insect G. mellonella.
Canonical measure assignments
Authors: Jackson Steve , Löwe Benedikt
Published: May 2013

We work under the assumption of the Axiom of Determinacy and associate a measure to each cardinal κ < ℵ ε0 in a recursive definition of a canonical measure assignment. We give algorithmic applications of the existence of such a canonical measure assignment (computation of cofinalities, computation of the Kleinberg sequences associated to the normal ultrafilters on all projective ordinals).
A fixed point for the jump operator on structures
Authors: Montalbán Antonio
Published: May 2013

Assuming that 0# exists, we prove that there is a structure that can effectively interpret its own jump. In particular, we get a structure such that

where is the set of Turing degrees which compute a copy of

More interesting than the result itself is its unexpected complexity. We prove that higher-order arithmetic, which is the union of full “nth-order arithmetic for all n, cannot prove the existence of such a structure.
Partial impredicativity in reverse mathematics
Authors: Towsner Henry
Published: May 2013

In reverse mathematics, it is possible to have a curious situation where we know that an implication does not reverse, but appear to have no information on how to weaken the assumption while preserving the conclusion (other than reducing all the way to the tautology of assuming the conclusion). A main cause of this phenomenon is the proof of asentence from the theory. Using methods based on the functional interpretation, we introduce a family of weakenings ofand use them to give new upper bounds for the Nash-Williams Theorem of wqo theory and Menger's Theorem for countable graphs.
Nonexistence of minimal pairs for generic computability
Authors: Igusa Gregory
Published: May 2013

A generic computation of a subset A of ℕ consists of a computation that correctly computes most of the bits of A, and never incorrectly computes any bits of A, but which does not necessarily give an answer for every input. The motivation for this concept comes from group theory and complexity theory, but the purely recursion theoretic analysis proves to be interesting, and often counterintuitive. The primary result of this paper is that there are no minimal pairs for generic computability, answering a question of Jockusch and Schupp.
On skinny stationary subsets of
Authors: Matsubara Yo , Usuba Toshimichi
Published: May 2013

We introduce the notion of skinniness for subsets of and its variants, namely skinnier and skinniest. We show that under some cardinal arithmetical assumptions, precipitousness or 2λ-saturation of NSκλ ∣ X, where NSκλ denotes the non-stationary ideal over , implies the existence of a skinny stationary subset of X. We also show that if λ is a singular cardinal, then there is no skinnier stationary subset of . Furthermore, if λ is a strong limit singular cardinal, there is no skinny stationary subset of . Combining these results, we show that if λ is a strong limit singular cardinal, then NSκλ ∣ X can satisfy neither precipitousness nor 2λ-saturation for every stationary X ⊆ . We also indicate that , where , is equivalent to the existence of a skinnier (or skinniest) stationary subset of under some cardinal arithmetical hypotheses.
Outlook on Research in Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Gräsel Cornelia , Bormann Inka , Schütte Kerstin , Trempler Kati , Fischbach Robert
Published: May 2013

This article provides an overview of current research on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It shows a lack of correspondence between ESD research and recent debates in educational research. Research on ESD has established as a field of research with insufficient relations to other fields in educational research. Based on the overview the article suggests an outlook on prospective topics and methods in ESD research.
Racism, the Left and Twenty-First-Century Socialism: Some Observations on the Gur-Ze'ev/McLaren Interchange
Authors: Cole Mike
Published: May 2013

The Gur-Ze'ev/McLaren interchange covered a wide range of issues that are important for twenty-first century socialists. In this article, the author concentrates on two of them: first, Gur-Ze'ev's charge that critical pedagogy is part of the ‘new anti-Semitism’; second, his critique of McLaren's support for Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian model of twenty-first century socialism.
Roles for Educators in Helping the USA Form a Real Global Society
Authors: Gentry Ruben
Published: May 2013

By not properly addressing economic issues, health care, and educational needs, the United States of America was on the verge of financial collapse and people had to choose between having food or medicine. President Barack Obama emerged with a broad-based plan of change for the country which impacts every major sector of society. He wants peace to replace war, an economy that provides jobs, health care that brings relief to all Americans and education that is effective from preschool to college. This article moves from Obama's general vision for the country to his detailed plan for education. First, a review of literature is conducted to validate the merit of his plan. With a refined agenda, educators are challenged to embrace it and make ready for its implementation. The final charge is to focus attention on strategies for imparting quality education to students around the world.
Can Market Capitalism Be Greened? Environmental Education Revisited
Authors: Hill Deb J. , Tulloch Lynley
Published: May 2013

Widespread recognition of the detrimental effects that human activities have had on nature and its ecosystems can now be found in every domain of public policy. Since the inception of international accords in the 1970s provoked greater engagement by nations in environmental amelioration measures, ‘education’ has been lauded as an important panacea to promote a generational shift in attitudes and actions towards the conservation and protection of the environment. Using ‘environmental education’ as a backdrop for our discussion, our intention in this article is to apply the important insights of the Italian Marxist thinker, Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937) to an analysis of educational concerns. Although much existing radical environment theory involves acknowledgement of the complex and dynamic way in which civil society and the political economy are interconnected, Gramsci's historical, dialectical, and materialist worldview brings to light the extent of the hold that the prevailing forces of capitalism exert on those subjected to its valuations. The dynamics of attitudinal change are complex. Gramsci's work provides us with a richer understanding of the depth of the workings of power generated through the nexus of the cultural bulwarks of capitalist ‘production’. This is an interrogation of curriculum theory of a deeper kind.
Neoliberalism, Policy Reforms and Higher Education in Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Ariful Haq
Published: May 2013

Bangladesh has introduced neoliberal policies since the 1970s. Military regimes, since the dramatic political changes in 1975, accelerated the process. A succession of military rulers made rigorous changes in policy-making in various sectors. This article uses a critical approach to document analysis and examines the perceptions of key stakeholders to explore how the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and the economic and political interests of the ruling civil-military elites, worked together to consolidate power and adopt neoliberal policy in various sectors. Moreover, the democratic regimes, since the 1990s, have continued to implement neoliberal policies with support from the IFIs. As part of neoliberalism, the democratic regimes initiated a market-driven economic policy in the higher education sector in the 1990s. The neoliberal transformation of policies has brought major changes in the higher education sector in recent times. This article aims to examine and report on these changes.
Getting Past the Gatekeeper: Safeguarding and Access Issues in Researching HIV+ Children in Jamaica
Authors: Miller Paul , Kelly Kemesha , Spawls Nicola
Published: May 2013

This article is derived from a recently completed research study on the ‘Schooling Experiences of HIV+ Children in Jamaica’. It is written against the background of researching children generally, and also in the context of researching vulnerable children, specifically those who are HIV+. Research carries with it various notions of power and ethics, often manifested in terms of researchers gaining access to participants, researchers' positionality (i.e. whether they are an insider or outsider) and the intended use of the research findings. As regards the field experiences being reported in this article, researcher positionality was of only limited consequence. However, the intended use of the output of the research was central to gaining access to the key participants (namely children who are HIV+), since overriding issues for ‘gatekeepers' (namely state officials and partners) included safeguarding children and the protection of their right to privacy and confidentiality.
Existential Thoughts in Fanon's Post-Colonialism Discourse
Authors: Yeh Chuan-Rong
Published: May 2013

Frantz Fanon, a pioneer of post-colonial theory, attempted to seek some unbeknown possibilities through a Sartrean existentialism thought toward ethnic liberation and the fighting against imperialism. This article tries to enter Fanon's short life that was full of humanism and existentialist thought and to explore the hidden theoretical context when he was speculating the ethnic liberation movement and overturning imperialism. The article also tries to find a whole new vision and direction of thought about Fanon and his anti-colonial theory.
Influence of Chlorhexidine and/or Ethanol Treatment on Bond Strength of an Etch-and-rinse Adhesive to Dentin: An In Vitro and In Situ Study
Authors: Simões DMS , Basting RT , Amaral FLB , Turssi CP , França FMG
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a chlorhexidine and/or ethanol application on the bond strength of an etch-and-rinse, hydrophobic adhesive system either under in vitro aging or in situ cariogenic challenge. The dentin surface of 36 human third molars were flattened and allocated into four groups to be treated with chlorhexidine, ethanol, or chlorhexidine + ethanol or left unexposed to any solution (control) (n=9). Then, a resin composite restoration was made on the dentin surface and longitudinal sticks were obtained. Sticks from each tooth were assigned to three test conditions: stored in water in vitro for 24 hours, stored in water in vitro for 6 months, or worn in situ for 14 days. During in situ wear time, a high-cariogenic challenge condition was simulated. Specimens were tested for microtensile bond strength (μTBS). Multivariate analysis of variance and Tukey's test showed that chlorhexidine, ethanol, or chlorhexidine + ethanol did not affect the μTBS. The in vitro μTBS values were significantly lower for the specimens stored for 6 months than for those stored for 24 hours. Intermediate μTBS values were shown by the specimens worn in situ. Thus, use of chlorhexidine and/or ethanol was incapable of containing the degradation at the bond interface in the in vitro model. The in situ model was capable of reducing bond strength similarly to the in vitro/6 months model. Despite this, the in situ bond strength was still similar to that of the in vitro/24-hour model.
Towards a Better Measure of Customer Experience
Authors: Klaus Philipp ‘Phil’ , Maklan Stan
Published: May 2013

Defining and improving customer experience is a growing priority for market research because experience is replacing quality as the competitive battleground for marketing. Service quality is an outgrowth of the total quality management (TQM) movement of the 1980s and suffers from that movement's focus on the provider rather than the value derived by customers. Researchers today state that customer experience is generated through a longer process of company–customer interaction across multiple channels, generated through both functional and emotional clues. Our research with practitioners indicates that most firms use customer satisfaction, or its derivative the Net Promoter Score, to assess their customers' experiences. We question this practice based on the conceptual gap between these measures and the customer experience. In IJMR 53, 6 (2011), we introduce a new measure appropriate for the modern conceptualisation of customer experience: the customer experience quality (EXQ) scale. In this article we extend that work and compare EXQ's predictive power with that of customer satisfaction. We establish that EXQ better explains and predicts both, loyalty and recommendations, than customer satisfaction.
Strategic Management of New Products: Ex-Ante Simulation and Market Segmentation
Authors: Choi Jae Young , Shin Jungwoo , Lee Jongsu
Published: May 2013

Among various methodologies for demand forecasting of new products, the random-coefficient discrete-choice model using stated preference data is considered to be effective because it reflects heterogeneity in consumer preference and enables the design of experiments in the absence of revealedpreference data. Based on estimates drawn from consumer preference data by structural hierarchical Bayesian logit models, this study develops the overall, strategic, demand-side management for new products by combining market share simulation and a rigorous clustering methodology, the Gaussian mixture model. It then applies the process to the empirical case of electronic payment instruments.
Conceptualising and Evaluating Experiences with Brands on Facebook
Authors: Smith Steve
Published: May 2013

Despite the growth in the number of brands with a presence on social media such as Facebook and YouTube, questions remain about how to conceptualise and measure people's experiences with brands' content on social media, and how to measure the value of people's behaviour around such content to brands. By interrogating quantitative data garnered from 6,400 respondents we sent to Facebook pages belonging to 27 brands across six brand categories during June 2011, this paper presents an overview of how we designed two sets of metrics, and some of the findings from these metrics: (1) a series of ‘value of experience’ metrics based on the likelihood of people who claim to have had positive experiences with a brand's content on Facebook to say they are likely to do different social media, purchase funnel and brand advocacy actions for that same brand; and (2) a series of ‘value of a fan’ metrics that measure the likelihood of people who say they are likely to do different social media actions on a brand's page (such as post positive comments or share content) to say they are also likely to do different purchase funnel and advocacy actions for that brand.
Consumer Meaning Making: The Meaning of Luxury Brands in a Democratised Luxury World
Authors: Hudders Liselot , Pandelaere Mario , Vyncke Patrick
Published: May 2013

The nature of luxury is constantly changing and this makes it difficult to formulate a universal definition of luxury brands. The current paper aims to enrich the understanding of luxury brand meaning from a consumer perspective. In particular, this paper investigates consumers' perceptions of luxury brands based on the extent to which they associate various attributes to luxury brands. A large-scale survey in the Flemish part of Belgium reveals three facets of luxury brand meaning: an expressive facet that refers to the exclusivity of luxury brands, an impressive-functional facet that refers to premium quality and an impressiveemotional facet that refers to extraordinary aesthetic aspects. In addition, the current study distinguishes three consumer segments (i.e. impressive, expressive and mixed segment) that differ from each other for the importance they attach to these facets of luxury brand meaning. The impressive segment associates luxury brand meaning with both impressive-functional and impressive-emotional facets, while the expressive segment associates luxury brand meaning with the expressive facet, rather than with impressive facets. The third segment, mixed group, thinks both expressive and impressive facets of luxury brand meaning need to be present before a brand can be categorised as luxury brand. In addition, the current study extends previous segmentations by providing a detailed profile of the segments. In particular, this study shows that the views are differentially related to both individual difference variables and various aspects of individual well-being (i.e. self-esteem and negative affect).
The Comparative Impact of Critics and Consumers: Applying the Generalisability Theory to Online Movie Ratings
Authors: Peng Ling , Cui Geng , Li Chunyu
Published: May 2013

This study employs a new measurement theory (i.e. Generalisability Theory) to investigate the comparative influence of early movie ratings from professional critics versus ordinary consumers on latent movie performance. The empirical results show that both ordinary consumers and critics have great impact on the latent movie performance. In particular, the main effect of rater sources and the two-way interaction between raters and movies are substantial contributors to the variation in movie performance, with the contribution from ordinary consumers even more substantial than that from professional critics. However, professional critics provide more reliable ratings (a higher G coefficient) than ordinary consumers. Moreover, we found that genre familiarity is an important factor that moderates the differential effect of these two sources of ratings. Professional critic ratings contribute more to the total variance of movie performance evaluations in the case of less familiar genres, while ordinary consumer ratings contribute more to that in the case of more familiar genres. The aggregate level validity (correlation) results for each rater source indicate that professional critics consistently provide better concurrent and predictive validity than ordinary consumers. While our analyses focused on the impact of two sources of ratings on movie performance evaluations, the findings have implications not limited to the movie industry. They are also applicable to the broad category of experience goods such as music, restaurants, video games and books, where consumers could seek opinion from both experts and ordinary consumers.
We Know Exactly what you want: The Development of a Completely Individualised Conjoint Analysis
Authors: Voeth Markus , Herbst Uta , Liess Frank
Published: May 2013

Improving the predictive validity of conjoint analysis has been an important research objective for many years. Whereas the majority of attempts have been different approaches to preference modelling, data collection or product presentation, only a few scholars have tried to improve predictive validity by individualising conjoint designs. This comes as a surprise because many markets have observed an augmented demand for customised products and highly heterogeneous customers' preferences. Against this background, the authors develop a conjoint variant based on a completely individualised conjoint design. More concretely, the new approach not only individualises the attributes, but also the attribute levels. The results of a comprehensive empirical study yield a significantly higher validity than existing standardised-level conjoint approaches. Consequently, they help marketers to gain deeper insights into their customers' preferences.
The Future of Pork Production in the World: Towards Sustainable, Welfare-Positive Systems
Authors: McGlone John
Published: May 2013

Among land animals, more pork is eaten in the world than any other meat. The earth holds about one billion pigs who deliver over 100 mmt of pork to people for consumption. Systems of pork production changed from a forest-based to pasture-based to dirt lots and finally into specially-designed buildings. The world pork industry is variable and complex not just in production methods but in economics and cultural value. A systematic analysis of pork industry sustainability was performed. Sustainable production methods are considered at three levels using three examples in this paper: production system, penning system and for a production practice. A sustainability matrix was provided for each example. In a comparison of indoor vs. outdoor systems, the food safety/zoonoses concerns make current outdoor systems unsustainable. The choice of keeping pregnant sows in group pens or individual crates is complex in that the outcome of a sustainability assessment leads to the conclusion that group penning is more sustainable in the EU and certain USA states, but the individual crate is currently more sustainable in other USA states, Asia and Latin America. A comparison of conventional physical castration with immunological castration shows that the less-common immunological castration method is more sustainable (for a number of reasons). This paper provides a method to assess the sustainability of production systems and practices that take into account the best available science, human perception and culture, animal welfare, the environment, food safety, worker health and safety, and economics (including the cost of production and solving world hunger). This tool can be used in countries and regions where the table values of a sustainability matrix change based on local conditions. The sustainability matrix can be used to assess current systems and predict improved systems of the future.
Overview of Five-Years of Experience Performing Non-Invasive Fetal Sex Assessment in Maternal Blood
Authors: Perlado-Marina Sara , Bustamante-Aragones Ana , Horcajada Laura , Trujillo-Tiebas Maria , Lorda-Sanchez Isabel , Ruiz Ramos Marta , Plaza Javier , Rodriguez  de Alba Marta
Published: May 2013

Since the discovery of the presence of fetal DNA in maternal blood, non-invasive fetal sex determination has been the test most widely translated into clinical practice. To date there is no agreement between the different laboratories performing such tests in relation to which is the best protocol. As a consequence there are almost as many protocols as laboratories offering the service, using different methodologies and thus obtaining different diagnostic accuracies. By the end of 2007, after a validation study performed in 316 maternal samples collected between the 5th and 12th week of gestation, the fetal sex determination was incorporated into clinical practice in our Service. The test is performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, and it is offered as part of the genetic counseling process for couples at risk of X-linked disorders. As a general rule and in order to avoid misdiagnosis, two samples at different gestational ages are tested per patient. The analysis is performed by the study of the SRY gene by RT-PCR. Two hundred and twenty six pregnancies have been tested so far in these 5 years. Neither false positives nor false negatives diagnoses have been registered, thus giving a diagnostic accuracy of 100%.
The Use of a Learning Management System (LMS) to Serve as the Virtual Common Space of a Network for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in an Academic Department
Authors: Bradley Nicolette , Jadeski Lorraine , Newton Genevieve , Ritchie Kerry , Merrett Scott , Bettger William
Published: May 2013

Traditionally, undergraduate curriculum committees, consisting of appointed faculty and student representatives, have served as the sole departmental vehicle for investigating, discussing and promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) within an academic department. However, with the universal demand for greater accountability on all aspects of evidence-based teaching and on the totality of student learning and career outcomes, some academic departments have encouraged the formation of additional organizations to support their SoTL mandate. In the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, the approach taken was to combine the interests of the faculty who had a sustained interest in the “scholarship of knowledge translation and transfer” in the health sciences with those who had a developing interest in SoTL. These faculty members would then form the foundation of a “network” which has been called the K*T3net. The virtual common space of the network is on a Learning Management System (LMS) site which is accessed by all faculty members in the network and by a growing number of staff and senior PhD students in the department. The features and potential uses of the K*T3net website will be discussed. The development of the K*T3net has already supported the proposal for a new undergraduate course on SoTL and is opening the possibility for graduate students to add a SoTL component to their thesis research.
Development and Evaluation of an Aerodynamic Model for a Novel Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Concept
Authors: Shires Andrew
Published: May 2013

There has been a resurgence of interest in the development of vertical axis wind turbines which have several inherent attributes that offer some advantages for offshore operations, particularly their scalability and low over-turning moments with better accessibility to drivetrain components. This paper describes an aerodynamic performance model for vertical axis wind turbines specifically developed for the design of a novel offshore V-shaped rotor with multiple aerodynamic surfaces. The model is based on the Double-Multiple Streamtube method and includes a number of developments for alternative complex rotor shapes. The paper compares predicted results with measured field data for five different turbines with both curved and straight blades and rated powers in the range 100–500 kW. Based on these comparisons, the paper proposes modifications to the Gormont dynamic stall model that gives improved predictions of rotor power for the turbines considered.
Historical and Contemporary Geographic Data Reveal Complex Spatial and Temporal Responses of Vegetation to Climate and Land Stewardship
Authors: Villarreal Miguel , Norman Laura , Webb Robert , Turner Raymond
Published: May 2013

Vegetation and land-cover changes are not always directional but follow complex trajectories over space and time, driven by changing anthropogenic and abiotic conditions. We present a multi-observational approach to land-change analysis that addresses the complex geographic and temporal variability of vegetation changes related to climate and land use. Using land-ownership data as a proxy for land-use practices, multitemporal land-cover maps, and repeat photography dating to the late 19th century, we examine changing spatial and temporal distributions of two vegetation types with high conservation value in the southwestern United States: grasslands and riparian vegetation. In contrast to many reported vegetation changes, notably shrub encroachment in desert grasslands, we found an overall increase in grassland area and decline of xeroriparian and riparian vegetation. These observed change patterns were neither temporally directional nor spatially uniform over the landscape. Historical data suggest that long-term vegetation changes coincide with broad climate fluctuations while fine-scale patterns are determined by land-management practices. In some cases, restoration and active management appear to weaken the effects of climate on vegetation; therefore, if land managers in this region act in accord with on-going directional changes, the current drought and associated ecological reorganization may provide an opportunity to achieve desired restoration endpoints.
Chemistry and Tumor Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity of 11,20-Epoxy-3Z,5(6)E-diene Briaranes from the South China Sea Gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea
Authors: Li Cui , Jiang Mei , La Ming-Ping , Li Tie-Jun , Tang Hua , Sun Peng , Liu Bao-Shu , Yi Yang-Hua , Liu Zhiyong , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2013

Eighteen new 11,20-epoxy-3Z,5E-dien briaranes, gemmacolides AA–AR (1–18), were isolated together with three known analogs, dichotellides F (19) and I (20), and juncenolide C (21), from the South China Sea gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The absolute configuration was determined based on the ECD experiment. In the in vitro bioassay, compounds 1–3, 5, 6, 8–12, and 14–19 exhibited different levels of growth inhibition activity against A549 and MG63 cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity analysis suggests that 12-O-isovalerate may increase the activity whereas 13- or 14-O-isovalerate may decrease the activity. Contribution of substitutions at C-2 and C-16 remains uncertain.
Effects of Chirality on the Antifungal Potency of Methylated Succinimides Obtained by Aspergillus fumigatus Biotransformations. Comparison with Racemic Ones
Authors: Sortino Maximiliano , Postigo Agustina , Zacchino Susana
Published: May 2013

Eighteen (3R) and (3R,4R)-N-phenyl-, N-phenylalkyl and N-arylsuccinimides were prepared with high enantioselectivity by biotransformation of maleimides with A. fumigatus. This environmentally friendly, clean and economical procedure was performed by the whole-cell fungal bioconversion methodology. Their corresponding eighteen racemic succinimides were prepared instead by synthetic methods. Both, the racemic and the chiral succinimides were tested simultaneously by the microbroth dilution method of CLSI against a panel of human opportunistic pathogenic fungi of clinical importance. Chiral succinimides showed higher antifungal activity than the corresponding racemic ones and the differences in activity were established by statistical methods. The bottlenecks for developing chiral drugs are how to obtain them through a low-cost procedure and with high enantiomeric excess. Results presented here accomplish both these objectives, opening an avenue for the development of asymmetric succinimides as new antifungal drugs for pharmaceutical use.
Automatic Extraction and Size Distribution of Landslides in Kurdistan Region, NE Iraq
Authors: Othman Arsalan , Gloaguen Richard
Published: May 2013

This study aims to assess the localization and size distribution of landslides using automatic remote sensing techniques in (semi-) arid, non-vegetated, mountainous environments. The study area is located in the Kurdistan region (NE Iraq), within the Zagros orogenic belt, which is characterized by the High Folded Zone (HFZ), the Imbricated Zone and the Zagros Suture Zone (ZSZ). The available reference inventory includes 3,190 landslides mapped from sixty QuickBird scenes using manual delineation. The landslide types involve rock falls, translational slides and slumps, which occurred in different lithological units. Two hundred and ninety of these landslides lie within the ZSZ, representing a cumulated surface of 32 km2. The HFZ implicates 2,900 landslides with an overall coverage of about 26 km2. We first analyzed cumulative landslide number-size distributions using the inventory map. We then proposed a very simple and robust algorithm for automatic landslide extraction using specific band ratios selected upon the spectral signatures of bare surfaces as well as posteriori slope and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) thresholds. The index is based on the contrast between landslides and their background, whereas the landslides have high reflections in the green and red bands. We applied the slope threshold map to remove low slope areas, which have high reflectance in red and green bands. The algorithm was able to detect ~96% of the recent landslides known from the reference inventory on a test site. The cumulative landslide number-size distribution of automatically extracted landslide is very similar to the one based on visual mapping. The automatic extraction is therefore adapted for the quantitative analysis of landslides and thus can contribute to the assessment of hazards in similar regions.
The Global Land Surface Satellite (GLASS) Remote Sensing Data Processing System and Products
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Liang Shunlin , Liu Suhong , Yuan Wenping , Xiao Zhiqiang , Liu Qiang , Cheng Jie , Zhang Xiaotong , Tang Hairong , Zhang Xin , Liu Qiang , Zhou Gongqi , Xu Shuai , Yu Kai
Published: May 2013

Using remotely sensed satellite products is the most efficient way to monitor global land, water, and forest resource changes, which are believed to be the main factors for understanding global climate change and its impacts. A reliable remotely sensed product should be retrieved quantitatively through models or statistical methods. However, producing global products requires a complex computing system and massive volumes of multi-sensor and multi-temporal remotely sensed data. This manuscript describes the ground Global LAnd Surface Satellite (GLASS) product generation system that can be used to generate long-sequence time series of global land surface data products based on various remotely sensed data. To ensure stabilization and efficiency in running the system, we used the methods of task management, parallelization, and multi I/O channels. An array of GLASS remote sensing products related to global land surface parameters are currently being produced and distributed by the Center for Global Change Data Processing and Analysis at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China. These products include Leaf Area Index (LAI), land surface albedo, and broadband emissivity (BBE) from the years 1981 to 2010, downward shortwave radiation (DSR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from the years 2008 to 2010.
Pindare et la tyrannie d'après la XIe Pythique
Authors: Péron Jacques
Published: May 2013

Analyse détaillée de l'inspiration et des thèmes dans ce poème de Pindare.
Analyzing the Complex and Dynamic Nature of Brand Loyalty in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Clemes Michael , Dean David
Published: May 2013

This study examines the complex dimensionality of brand loyalty, including its attitudinal and behavioral components. Brand loyalty is proposed to consist of a single dimension of behavioral loyalty and a second-order hierarchical attitudinal loyalty, including the subdimensions of
cognitive loyalty, affective loyalty, and conative loyalty. This study also proposes that service quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and brand image are important determinants of brand loyalty. The results, drawn from sample three-star and four-star hotels, show that attitudinal
loyalty is a first-order hierarchical factor consisting of cognitive loyalty, affective loyalty, and conative loyalty indicators rather than a second-order hierarchical factor. The results also indicate that service quality, perceived value, and customer satisfaction are antecedents that directly
affect attitudinal loyalty. Rather than directly affecting loyalty, brand image plays a role in strengthening these three loyalty determinants.
Integrative Analyses for Functional Mechanisms Underlying Associations for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Deng Fei-Yan , Lei Shu-Feng , Zhu Hong , Zhang Yong-Hong , Zhang Zeng-Li
Published: May 2013

Objective.

Extensive association analyses including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and powerful metaanalysis studies have identified a long list of loci associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in very large populations, but most of them established statistical associations of genetic markers and RA only at the DNA level, without supporting evidence of functional relevance. Our study serves as a trial to detect the functional mechanisms underlying associations for RA by searching publicly available datasets and results.

Methods.

Based on publicly available datasets and results, we performed integrative analyses (gene relationships across implicated loci analysis, differential gene expression analysis, and functional annotation clustering analysis) and combined them with the expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) results to dissect functional mechanisms underlying the associations for RA.

Results.

By searching 2 GWAS, Integrator and PheGenI, we selected 98 RA association results (p < 10−5). Among these associations, we found that 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; rs1600249, rs2736340, rs3093023, rs3093024, rs4810485, rs615672, rs660895, and rs9272219) serve as cis-effect regulators of the corresponding eQTL genes (BLK and CD4 in non-HLA region; CCR6, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1 in HLA region) that also were differentially expressed in RA-related cell groups. These 5 genes are closely related with immune response in function.

Conclusion.

Our results showed the functional mechanisms underlying the associations of 8 SNP and the corresponding genes. This study is an example of mining publicly available datasets and results in validation of significant disease-association results. Using public data resources for integrative analyses may provide insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying human diseases.
Recurrent Leakage After Visudyne Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Circumscribed Choroidal Hemangioma
Authors: Beardsley Robert M. , McCannel Colin A. , McCannel Tara A.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND:

To report on the recurrence of serous retinal detachment following verteporfin photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A single-center chart review was performed for patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) treated with Visudyne (verteporfin injection; QLT Ophthalmics, Menlo Park, CA) photodynamic therapy (PDT). Initial and post-treatment visual acuity, ultrasound and ocular coherence tomography were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Four patients who were treated with PDT for symptomatic serous retinal detachment secondary to CCH were managed for recurrent leakage and followed for an average of 47.5 months. Two patients required three re-treatments and two required four re-treatments for recurrent detachment. Average time to re-treatment was 23.4 months, with successive re-treatment intervals decreasing to 13 months, then 9.5 months, and finally 3.5 months.

CONCLUSION:

Visudyne PDT is a successful initial treatment modality for CCH with serous retinal detachment; however, those patients who require multiple re-treatments may experience recurrent leakage at more frequent intervals.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2013;44:248–251.]
Macular Pigment Optical Density in a Central European Population
Authors: Pipis Antonios , Touliou Eftychia , Augustin Albert J.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study is to measure the macular pigment optical density and study its spatial profile as well as identify its determinant factors in a Central European population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and its distribution were assessed in 228 eyes of 129 subjects using fundus reflectometry with the Visucam 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany).

RESULTS:

A statistically significant positive association between a diet rich in xanthophylls and all MPOD values was found. A positive monotonic relationship was demonstrated between an increasing degree in pigment distribution eccentricity and age, as well as all MPOD values except for area.

CONCLUSION:

Assuming that macular pigment is protective against age-related macular degeneration, our study highlights the role of nutritional counseling and intervention in preventing this disease. Furthermore, MPOD appears to increase with age, and the distribution of macular pigment appears to form more eccentric profiles.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2013;44:260–267.]
Ultra-widefield Imaging of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy–associated Proliferative Retinal Vasculopathy Improved With Panretinal Laser Photocoagulation Alone
Authors: Hahn Paul , Lin Phoebe , Fekrat Sharon
Published: May 2013

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder whose ophthalmic associations most commonly consist of pigmentary fundus changes and scotopic electroretinogram abnormalities. A 23-year-old man with advanced DMD and associated cardiopulmonary compromise complaining of floaters presented with a striking retinal vasculopathy characterized by vitreous hemorrhage, neovascularization, capillary drop-out, and prominent saccular venular aneurysms diffusely throughout the fundus of both eyes. This vasculopathy was promptly treated with panretinal phocoagulation with marked improvement to at least 1 year. This report suggests that early identification and prompt treatment of DMD may be important in managing this condition.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2013;44:293–295.]
Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium: Choroidal Cavitation Demonstrated on Spectral-Domain OCT
Authors: Schwartz Stephen G. , Hickey Marcela , Flynn Harry W.
Published: May 2013

A patient with solitary congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium demonstrated a striking choroidal cavitation on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Although photoreceptor atrophy overlying congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium has been described on time-domain OCT, this patient manifested a previously unrecognized tomographic feature.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2013;44:301–302.]
A new trap-jawed ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Haidomyrmecini) from Canadian Late Cretaceous amber
Authors: McKellar Ryan C. , Glasier James R.N. , Engel Michael S.
Published: May 2013

A new genus and species are described within the extinct tribe Haidomyrmecini, and tentatively placed within the subfamily Sphecomyrminae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Haidoterminus cippusnew genus and speciesexpands the distribution of the bizarre, exclusively Cretaceous, trap-jawed Haidomyrmecini beyond their previous records in mid-Cretaceous Burmese and French amber, and into Laurentia. The new material from the Grassy Lake, Alberta, Canada collecting locality also provides evidence that these highly specialised, likely arboreal, ants persisted for an additional 20 million years, reaching the Late Cretaceous. Morphological features ofH. cippus, such as the presence of an elongate antennomere II (pedicel), further support the argument that Haidomyrmecini may not actually belong within the subfamily Sphecomyrminae, and may warrant recognition at the subfamily level or inclusion as a highly autapomorphic clade within another subfamily. Despite the introduction of new fossil material, and the clarity of preservation in Canadian amber, the mystery of how Haidomyrmecini fed remains unsolved.