bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Supra-Optimal Temperatures on Physiology and Yield in Rice Field
Authors: Brito Giovani Greigh , Fagundes Paulo Ricardo Reis , Teló Gustavo Mack , Abreu Aluana Gonçalves , Júnior Ariano Martins de Magalhães , Franco Daniel Fernandez , Andres Andre , Parfitt José Maria Barbat , Kunh Renato , Petrine José Alberto
Published: January 2016

Heat stress is an increasing constraint for the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) worldwide. In this context, a study was carry out to quantify the supra-optimal temperature effects on rice yield-components and secondly to investigate its effects on plant physiological attributes when different genetic backgrounds are submitted to contrasting environment air-temperatures during the anthesis, the most sensitive growth phase to heat stress. Three Embrapa's cultivars were used, BRS Pampa, BRS Sinuelo CL and IAS 12-9 Formosa which represent indica/japonica, indica and essentially japonica subspecies, respectively. One day before anthesis phase, sub plot plants were submitted to heat stress via polythene shelters for 96 h. Photosynthesis and respiration parameters were measured at 24 and 48 h after stress, and at physiological maturity, grain carbon isotope fractionation as well as yield components and grain yield were quantified. There were significant differences among genotypes for some gas exchange parameters at ambient and under increased temperatures at 24 and 48 h after stress, such as carbon assimilation and respiration rate. Heat-stress also affected yield components, especially for BRS Sinuelo CL showing the highest spikelet sterility (54%) while BRS Pampa had the lowest value (20.80%) and the highest 1000-grain weight and grain yield. These results demonstrate that although heat tolerance has been more frequently found in indica spp, this trait can also be present in genotypes combining indica/japonica genetic background, as shown by BRS Pampa cultivar.
Production of New Cotton Interspecific Hybrids with Enhanced Fiber Fineness
Authors: Nafissatou Nacoulima Lalaissa , Hassedine Diouf Fatimata , Olivier Konan N’guessan , Guy Mergeai
Published: January 2016

To improve cotton fiber fineness, the (Gossypium hirsutum L. × Gossypium longicalyx Hutch. & Lee)² allohexaploid and the [(Gossypium hirsutum L. × Gossypium thurberi Tod.)² × G. longicalyx] allotetraploid were backcrossed to G. hirsutum to produce introgressed genetic stocks. The ribbon width (RW) of 600 swelled fibers produced by the hybrids, their parents, and their backcross progeny were analyzed for each compared genotype using an optical microscope. The RWs varied between 6.41±2.15 µm for G. longicalyx to 17.45±2.98 µm for the G. hirsutum parent cultivar C2. Fibers produced by the trispecific hybrids and their progeny were finer than the bispecific hybrid material. For the introgressed stocks, the lowest RWs were observed for the trispecific hybrid (10.79±2.14 µm) and certain backcross progenies (between 11.98±1.27 µm to 12.71±1.61 µm). The allohexaploid RW was 13.58±1.41 µm. One of its tetraploid progeny produced approximately the same value (13.94±2.48 µm). These results show that G. longicalyx is a potential genetic stock for cotton fiber fineness improvement. The genetic stocks produced are valuable materials for improve the fineness of cotton fiber.
Post Danmark II – a bit less confused, at a higher level
Authors: Kreijger P.J.
Published: January 2016

Post Danmark II – a bit less confused, at a higher level

Het Deense postmonopolie is aanleiding voor niet minder dan twee fundamentele arresten van het Hof van Justitie over de toepassing van het misbruikverbod. Na een veelbelovend schot voor de economiseringsboeg in Post Danmark I zet het Hof van Justitie met de prejudiciële beslissing van 6 oktober 2015 in de zaak Post Danmark II voorzichtige, maar niet onbelangrijke stappen op het zo controversiële terrein van de beoordeling van kortingen verleend door dominante ondernemingen.

HvJ 6 oktober 2015, zaak C-23/14, Post Danmark A/S – Konkurrencerådet, ECLI:EU:C:2015:651
Het TTIP-verdrag: een Odyssee door onbekende wateren
Authors: Lavranos N.
Published: January 2016

Het TTIP-verdrag: een Odyssee door onbekende wateren

Deze bijdrage beoogt het juridische kader van het TTIP-verdrag te schetsen. Het artikel gaat eerst in op de rechtsbasis, de bevoegdheid, het onderhandelingsmandaat en de totstandkoming van TTIP. Vervolgens wordt op het ISDS-geschillenbeslechtingmechanisme van TTIP en de meeste recente voorstellen met betrekking tot de oprichting van een permanent investeringshof ingegaan. De stelling van de auteur is dat het TTIP-verdrag als gemengd akkoord afgesloten dient te worden en dat het voorgestelde permanente investeringshof – indien dat daadwerkelijk opgericht wordt – een significante breuk met het bestaande ISDS-systeem zou zijn.

Voorstel Europese Commissie d.d. 12 november 2015 voor Investment Court systeem onder TTIP
A Multi-Model EKF Integrated Navigation Algorithm for Deep Water AUV
Authors: Li Dongdong , Ji Daxiong , Liu Jian , Lin Yang
Published: January 2016

A novel integrated navigation algorithm, multi-model EKF (Extended Kalman Filter) integrated navigation algorithm, is presented in this paper for the deep water autonomous underwater vehicle. When a deep water vehicle is performing tasks in the deep sea, the navigation error will accumulate over time, if it relies solely on its own inertial navigation system. In order to get a more accurate position for the deep water vehicle online, an integrated navigation system is constructed by adding the acoustic navigation system. And because it is difficult to establish the kinematic model and the measurement model accurately for the deep water vehicle in the underwater environment, we propose the Multi-model EKF integrated navigation algorithm, and estimate the measurement errors of beacons online. Then we can estimate the position of the deep water vehicle more accurately. The new algorithm has been tested by both analyses and field experiment data (the lake and sea trial data), and results show that the multi-model EKF integrated navigation algorithm proposed in this paper significantly improves the navigation accuracy for the deep water vehicle.
Mineralogical Investigation of the Bara Formation from Lakhra Anticline, Sindh province, Pakistan
Authors: Asgher Ali Daahar Hakro  , Adnan Khan  , Sadaf Naseem
Published: January 2016

The present study shows the bulk mineralogical composition of the Bara Formation from Lakhra anticline, near to Lakhra coalfield area of the Sindh province of Pakistan. The petrography, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractommeter were used for the detailed mineralogical investigations. Quartz, feldspars, hematite, gypsum, chlorite and goethite minerals were obtained from above methods. Quartz, feldspar and chlorite minerals indicated that the sediments were transported from igneous and metamorphic rocks and the hematite and goethite indicated the continental environment for the studied formation. Mineralogical investigation of the Bara Formation indicates that the sediments were supplied from the Igneous and metamorphic rock terrane. It can be said that the Bara formation sediments were supplied from the Igneous and metamorphic complex which is exposed in the southeastern part of the studied area.
Early Intervention of Kindergarten Children at Risk for Developmental Disabilities: A Greek Paradigm
Authors: Tzouriadou Maria , Vouyoukas Constantinos , Anagnostopoulou Eleni , Michalopoulou Lito E.
Published: January 2016

Internationally most of the children at risk for developmental disabilities (intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and language impairments) are detected within preschool settings. In Greece there are no early intervention services mandated nationwide. In practice, not detailed guidance and support is given to preschool teachers regarding the assessment and intervention of children at risk. This study provides research evidence from the implementation of an early intervention program in inclusive kindergartens, which is part of the practical training of students from the Faculty of Preschool Education Sciences, Department of Psychology and Special Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Response to intervention, as applied to kindergartens, was used to detect children not responding to core kindergarten curriculum. An inclusive early intervention educational program was implemented based on children’s profiles of strengths and weaknesses. At risk children participated in large group classroom activities with all children. For these children a specialized inclusive program with emphasis on school readiness was implemented. For children with developmental disabilities, an intensive individualized program was implemented, which put emphasis on the improvement of their cognitive abilities and socialization.
The cerebellum linearly encodes whisker position during voluntary movement
Authors: Chen Susu , Augustine George J , Chadderton Paul
Published: January 2016

Active whisking is an important model sensorimotor behavior, but the function of the cerebellum in the rodent whisker system is unknown. We have made patch clamp recordings from Purkinje cells in vivo to identify whether cerebellar output encodes kinematic features of whisking including the phase and set point. We show that Purkinje cell spiking activity changes strongly during whisking bouts. On average, the changes in simple spike rate coincide with or slightly precede movement, indicating that the synaptic drive responsible for these changes is predominantly of efferent (motor) rather than re-afferent (sensory) origin. Remarkably, on-going changes in simple spike rate provide an accurate linear read-out of whisker set point. Thus, despite receiving several hundred thousand discrete synaptic inputs across a non-linear dendritic tree, Purkinje cells integrate parallel fiber input to generate precise information about whisking kinematics through linear changes in firing rate.
Modeling evolutionary transitions in social insects
Authors: Doebeli Michael , Abouheif Ehab
Published: January 2016

Mathematical models based on direct fitness calculations may be able to explain important aspects of social evolution in insects.
Real-time displacement measurement system using phase-shifted optical pulse interferometry: Application to a seismic observation system
Authors: Yoshida Minoru , Hirayama Yoshiharu , Takahara Atsushi , Kashi Motofumi , Takeuchi Keiji , Ikeda Toshiharu , Hirai Fumio , Mizuno Yosuke , Nakamura Kentaro , Kimura Hitoshi , Ino Norio , Inoue Wataru
Published: January 2016

We developed a method of detecting incident light levels on the oscillator surfaces and light pulses that include two interfering pulses with a phase shift of π/2 (phase-shifted optical pulse interferometry). This system enables the measurement of displacements greatly exceeding the half wavelength of the laser. Moreover, it allows measurements at multiple locations with a single optical fiber for using optical pulses. In this study, we conducted an interference experiment using 30 ns optical pulses and transmitted them at 1 µs intervals. We confirmed that the above two measurements are possible. Furthermore, from the data of the oscillator used for verification, we showed that measurements on the order of nanometers are possible. Since this method does not require a power supply to the oscillator, its widespread applications in physical exploration can be expected.
Designing conservation strategies to preserve the genetic diversity ofAstragalus edulisBunge, an endangered species from western Mediterranean region
Authors: Peñas Julio , Barrios Sara , Bobo-Pinilla Javier , Lorite Juan , Martínez-Ortega M. Montserrat
Published: January 2016

Astragalus edulis(Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from the western Mediterranean region that colonized the SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans forA. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation ofA. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.
The role of geography and host abundance in the distribution of parasitoids of an alien pest
Authors: Nováková Petra , Holuša Jaroslav , Horák Jakub
Published: January 2016

Chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are probably the most effective and abundant parasitoids of the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella), an alien pest in Europe that lacks specialized enemies. We studied how the species richness and abundance of chalcids are influenced by altitude, direction of an alien spread and host abundance ofC. ohridella. We quantified the numbers and species richness of chalcid wasps and the numbers ofC. ohridellathat emerged from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) leaf litter samples collected from 35 sites in the Czech Republic. Species richness of chalcids, which was considered an indicator of the possible adaptation of parasitoids to this alien host, was unrelated toC. ohridellaabundance, direction of spread, or altitude. Chalcid abundance, which was considered an indicator of parasitism of the alien host, was strongly and positively related toC. ohridellaabundance. Chalcid abundance was negatively related to direction of spread and positively related, although in a non-linear manner, to altitude. The relationship of chalcid abundance with direction of spread and altitude was weaker than that withC. ohridellaabundance. The results provide evidence that biological control of the alien pestC. ohridellaby natural enemies might develop in the future.
The responses of the nightglow emissions observed by the TIMED/SABER satellite to solar radiation
Authors: Gao Hong , Xu Jiyao , Chen Guang‐Ming
Published: January 2016

The responses of four nightglow emissions, NO emission at 5.3 µm, O2 infrared atmospheric band at 1.27 µm, and OH emissions at 2.0 µm and 1.6 µm (referred to as OH2 and OH1 in this study), to solar radiation are studied and compared based on the data observed by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument over 13 years. The quantitative relationships between the nightglow emissions and solar radiation are obtained by a linear regression fit using the F10.7 index. The intensities and the peak heights of the 13 year average global mean NO, O2, OH2, and OH1 nightglows are 270.0 ± 42.8 kR, 106.9 ± 2.2 kR, 133.2 ± 1.6 kR, 217.5 ± 2.4 kR, 123.6 ± 0.2 km, 89.8 ± 0.05 km, 88.1 ± 0.02 km, and 86.6 ± 0.02 km, respectively. Among the four nightglow emissions, the influence of solar radiation on the ones at lower heights is weaker than the ones higher above. The responses of the global mean NO, O2, OH2, and OH1 nightglow intensities to solar radiation are 176.3 ± 4.8%/100 solar flux units (sfu), 22.2 ± 1.4%/100 sfu, 12.9 ± 1.1%/100 sfu, and 11.4 ± 1.3%/100 sfu, respectively. The intensities and peak emission rates of the four global mean nightglow emissions are highly correlated to solar radiation. The response of the height of the global mean O2 nightglow peak emission rate to solar radiation is 0.51 ± 0.08 km/100 sfu. The responses of NO, OH2, and OH1 nightglow peak heights to solar radiation are not obvious. In addition, the responses of nightglow emissions to solar radiation change with latitude.
Soil microbial respiration rate and temperature sensitivity along a north‐south forest transect in eastern China: Patterns and influencing factors
Authors: Wang Qing , He Nianpeng , Yu Guirui , Gao Yang , Wen Xuefa , Wang Rongfu , Koerner Sally E. , Yu Qiang
Published: January 2016

Soil organic matter is one of the most important carbon (C) pools in terrestrial ecosystems, and future warming from climate change will likely alter soil C storage via temperature effects on microbial respiration. In this study, we collected forest soils from eight locations along a 3700 km north‐south transect in eastern China (NSTEC). For 8 weeks these soils were incubated under a periodically changing temperature range of 6–30°C while frequently measuring soil microbial respiration rate (Rs; each sample about every 20 min). This experimental design allowed us to investigate Rs and the temperature sensitivity of Rs (Q10) along the NSTEC. Both Rs at 20°C (R20) and Q10 significantly increased (logarithmically) with increasing latitude along the NSTEC suggesting that the sensitivity of soil microbial respiration to changing temperatures is higher in forest soils from locations with lower temperature. Our findings from an incubation experiment provide support for the hypothesis that temperature sensitivity of soil microbial respiration increases with biochemical recalcitrance (C quality‐temperature hypothesis) across forest soils on a large spatial scale. Furthermore, microbial properties primarily controlled the observed patterns of R20, whereas both substrate and microbial properties collectively controlled the observed patterns of Q10. These findings advance our understanding of the driving factors (microbial versus substrate properties) of R20 and Q10 as well as the general relationships between temperature sensitivity of soil microbial respiration and environmental factors.
Probing Nanoscale Coassembly with Dual Mechanochromic Sensors
Authors: Cingil Hande E. , Boz Emre B. , Wang Junyou , Stuart Martien A. Cohen , Sprakel Joris
Published: January 2016

Attractive electrostatic forces between polymers can be exploited to create well‐defined and responsive nanoscale structures. In the process of charge‐driven coassembly, the polymers involved undergo subtle conformational changes. However, ascertaining these conformational transitions, and relating this to the nanostructures that are formed, has remained elusive to date. Here it is shown how the force‐optical response of tailored mechanochromic polymers can be used to detect structural transitions that occur at the nanoscale during assembly. It is shown that at low‐charge stoichiometry, electrostatic binding causes individual macromolecules to stretch and stiffen. Remarkably, at stoichiometries close to full charge compensation a gradual transition from single molecular complexes to multimolecular micelles is observed. Moreover, the same macromolecular sensors reveal how the assembly pathways are fully reversible as the binding strength is weakened. These results highlight how mechanochromic polymer sensors can be used to detect the molecular transitions occur during supramolecular structure formation with high precision.
Hybrid Nanomaterials by Surface Grafting of Synthetic Polypeptides Using N‐Carboxyanhydride (NCA) Polymerization
Authors: Borase Tushar , Heise Andreas
Published: January 2016

The interaction of materials with their environment is largely dictated by interfacial phenomena. Polymers are very versatile materials to modulate material interfaces to provide functionality, stability and compatibility. A class of polymers that can close the gap between fully synthetic and natural macromolecules are polypeptides derived from N‐carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization. Recent advances in using this technique to create biomimetic interfaces and hybrid materials are highlighted, with special emphasis on nanomaterials.
Carbon‐Passivated Ni Electrodes for Charge Injection in Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Verduci Tindara , Yang Cheol‐Soo , Bernard Laetitia , Lee Geonhee , Boukari Sami , Orgiu Emanuele , Samorì Paolo , Lee Jeong‐O , Doudin Bernard
Published: January 2016

Ferromagnetic electrodes covered with ultrathin carbon films are fabricated by chemical vapor deposition and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) to grow graphene and amorphous carbon on prepatterned Ni electrodes for testing their capacity to inject charges into a p‐type polymer semiconductor. Chemical and composition analysis confirms that the carbon film strongly reduces the surface oxidation of the Ni. The electrical performances measured in three‐terminal devices integrating such electrodes as source and drain provide insight into the quality of the interface between ferromagnetic contact and organic semiconductor. RTA‐processed electrodes exhibit the lowest interface resistance for hole injection into organic transistor devices, on par with benchmark gold electrodes. These results indicate that this approach presents an attractive strategy for the fabrication of solution‐processed organic devices of potential applicability for spintronics.
Chelating Bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐ylidene) Rhodium Complexes: Versatile Catalysts for Hydrosilylation Reactions
Authors: Nguyen Thanh V. Q. , Yoo Woo‐Jin , Kobayashi Shū
Published: January 2016

NHC‐rhodium complexes (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbenes) have been widely used as efficient catalysts for hydrosilylation reactions. However, the substrates were mostly limited to reactive carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) or carbon‐carbon multiple bonds. Here, we describe the application of newly‐developed chelating bis(tzNHC)‐rhodium complexes (tz=1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐ylidene) for several reductive transformations. With these catalysts, the formal reductive methylation of amines using carbon dioxide, the hydrosilylation of amides and carboxylic acids, and the reductive alkylation of amines using carboxylic acids have been achieved under mild reaction conditions.

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Visible Light‐Induced Iodine‐Catalyzed Transformation of Terminal Alkynes to Primary Amides via CC Bond Cleavage under Aqueous Conditions
Authors: Dighe Shashikant U. , Batra Sanjay
Published: January 2016

The visible light‐induced iodine‐catalyzed oxidative cleavage of the CC bond for transforming terminal alkynes into primary amides in the presence of ammonia under aqueous conditions is described. This metal‐free protocol which ensued via initial hydroamination of the acetylene bond followed by liberation of diiodomethane (CH2I2) was found to be applicable to aromatic, heteroaromatic and aliphatic alkynes.

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One‐Pot Assembly of Fused Heterocycles via Oxidative Palladium‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Arylols and Iodoarenes
Authors: Hong Fenglin , Chen Yingwen , Lu Beili , Cheng Jiajia
Published: January 2016

A one‐pot, two‐step cyclization reaction of iodoarenes with diversified arylols, including 4‐hydroxyquinoline, quinolinone, 4‐hydroxypyridine and phenol, has been developed. By using this palladium‐catalyzed formal tandem O‐arylation, dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction, a variety of biologically significant fused benzo[4,5]furo heterocycles and dibenzofurans were quickly assembled in high yields with excellent regioselectivity. Notably, the efficient one‐pot reaction led to the heterocycles via sequential oxidation, iodination, isomerization and cyclization steps without purification of any reaction intermediates.

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2‐Aminopyridines as an α‐Bromination Shuttle in a Transition Metal‐Free One‐Pot Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines
Authors: Roslan Irwan Iskandar , Ng Kian‐Hong , Chuah Gaik‐Khuan , Jaenicke Stephan
Published: January 2016

A wide range of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines are accessible from cheap and readily available 2‐aminopyridines and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds using a unique CBrCl3/2‐aminopyridine system for bromination at the α‐carbon. 2‐Aminopyridine is not only the substrate but also acts as a bromination shuttle, transferring the bromine atom from CBrCl3 to the α‐carbon of the 1,3‐dicarbonyl. The reaction mechanism involves a series of reversible steps, including an addition reaction with cyclic transition state, to form a bromo‐hemiaminal intermediate. Isolated yields of up to 97% were obtained under mild conditions and at short reaction times in this transition metal‐free, one‐pot synthesis.

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Fully High‐Speed Gravure Printed, Low‐Variability, High‐Performance Organic Polymer Transistors with Sub‐5 V Operation
Authors: Grau Gerd , Subramanian Vivek
Published: January 2016

Printed transistors will be a key component in low‐cost, large area, flexible printed systems such as flexible displays, sensor networks, or radio‐frequency identification (RFID) tags. In any such applications, these printed organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) will have to operate at low voltages, exhibit good uniformity, and deliver relatively high performance by using scaled source and drain electrodes. In addition, devices need to be printed at high speeds to fully harness the potential of low‐cost fabrication that printed electronics promises. Gravure printing is a particularly promising technique because it combines high resolution in the sub‐10 μm regime with high printing speed on the order of 1 m s–1. Here, for the first time, fully gravure‐printed OTFTs are demonstrated that use highly scaled source and drain electrodes with linewidth and spacing of 5 μm. All layers are printed at 1 m s–1. An amorphous polymer semiconductor is used to achieve good uniformity. By patterning the semiconductor and scaling the dielectric, good off‐state performance and sub‐5 V operation are achieved, thus providing a promising path for the realization of functional printed systems.
Long bone cross‐sectional properties reflect changes in locomotor behavior in developing chimpanzees
Authors: Sarringhaus Lauren A. , MacLatchy Laura M. , Mitani John C.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Recent studies indicate that the locomotor behavior of wild chimpanzees changes during development. Before transitioning to quadrupedal knuckle‐walking in adulthood, young chimpanzees engage in a significant amount of upper limb loading suspensory behavior. We investigated whether these dramatic changes in locomotion influence the strength and shape of chimpanzee long bones.

Materials and Methods

We examined changes in chimpanzee arboreal locomotion over the course of development using behavioral data collected on wild chimpanzees. We measured the midshaft geometric properties of femora and humeri of wild‐caught individuals housed in museum collections using micro computed tomographic scans.

Results

Chimpanzees spent less time moving arboreally as they aged. Femoral/humeral strength ratios also increased with age, as predicted by the changing loading environment during development. Additional analyses revealed that femoral shape, but not humeral shape, varied across chimpanzee age classes. Adult femora were more elliptical compared with those of infants. This change in adult femora is consistent with the observation that adult chimpanzees spend most of their time moving terrestrially and consequently experience a less variable loading environment than do infants.

Discussion

Taken together, these findings contribute to our understanding of how ontogenetic changes in function affect form. As similar changes may have characterized the behavioral and skeletal ontogeny of extinct hominoids including hominins, these findings furnish a potential means to make inferences about the behavior of fossil taxa based on the structural properties of their bones. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:16–29, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Group membership, geography and shared ancestry: Genetic variation in the Basotho of Lesotho
Authors: Montinaro Francesco , Davies Joseph , Capelli Cristian
Published: January 2016

Objectives

The investigation of the evolution of cultural and genetic traits and how they interact represents a vibrant area of research in evolutionary genetics, whose dynamics are particularly relevant for our species. One of the key assumptions of the “gene–culture coevolution” framework is the coinheritance of cultural and genetic traits. A corollary of the model is that culturally defined groups with a unique (or a limited number of) common origin(s) whose membership is inherited only through the male or female line are expected to show a relatively low intragroup variation for genetic markers similarly transmitted. Across human societies this is expected to be the case for cultural toponymies and family names within patrilineal and matrilineal groups considered in association with the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome (NRY) and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) portion of the genome, respectively. This study aims at exploring the degree of correlation between culture and genetics by investigating the genetic variation of culturally and geographically defined groups.

Methods

We analyzed the genetic variation at NRY and mtDNA in 181 individuals from the Basotho, a Southern African patrilineal population from Lesotho, in combination with information about group membership and geographic origin.

Results

Our results show that (a) the genetic distance between individuals belonging to the same culturally defined group is lower than the population as a whole when NRY markers are considered; (b) cultural traits have a bigger impact than geography for the within‐group variation of Y chromosome, but not mtDNA; and (c) within‐group genetic variation is compatible with a more homogeneous origin for less common groups.

Conclusions

Our results provided additional evidence for the relevance of the dual inheritance model (culture and genetics) in understanding the patterns of human genetic variation, as implied by gene–culture coevolution theory. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:156–161, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LHC – perspectives at the energy frontier
Authors: Heinemann Beate
Published: January 2016

After a design and construction phase that lasted more than two decades, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) started its first run in 2010 and after just over two years, the discovery of the Higgs boson at the LHC was announced. In the future the LHC collision energy will be increased by nearly a factor of two, and the dataset will be increased by more than a factor of 100. These improvements dramatically increase the potential for finding new physics at the weak scale via either precision measurements or direct searches or both. The LHC is in a unique position to directly explore the weak energy scale and shed light on some of the biggest puzzles in nature, e.g. the origin of Dark Matter or the hierarchy problem.
Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked polyurethane/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Peng Shirley , Iroh Jude O.
Published: January 2016

A series of glycerin‐crosslinked polyurethane (XPU)‐clay nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization followed by solution casting and thermal treatment. The weight percent (wt %) of clay in the nanocomposites was varied between 0.25 and 10. The structural, rheological and dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that well dispersed clay platelets were formed in nanocomposites containing up to 1 wt % of clay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that poorly dispersed and non‐exfoliated clays were present in composites containing >2 wt % of clay and resulted in phase‐separated disparities within the matrix. Rheological studies demonstrated that processability of polyurethane was significantly improved after clay addition such that solution viscosity decreased by between 76 and 90%. Furthermore, the presence of chemical and physical crosslink networks within the matrix resulted in a remarkable enhancement in the rubbery plateau storage modulus. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43346.
Additives for ultraviolet‐induced oxidative degradation of low‐density polyethylene
Authors: Oluz Zehra , Tinçer Teoman
Published: January 2016

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely produced and widely used plastics in the world. Saturated hydrocarbons cannot absorb the energy of the light reaching earth, so the degradation process is rather slow; this, in return, causes disposal problems. On the other hand, it was observed that in the presence of oxygen and impurities in the polymer matrix, the degradation could be reduced to shorter time intervals. In this study, vanadium(III) acetyl acetonate (VAc), serpentine (SE), and Cloisite 30B (CL) were used as additives, both together and alone, and we followed the photodegradation of PE. The amount of VAc was kept constant at 0.2 wt %, whereas the amounts of SE and CL were varied between 1 and 4 wt %. The samples were irradiated by UV light for up to 500 h. Mechanical and spectroscopic measurements were carried out during certain time intervals to monitor the degradation. VAc containing PE showed the fastest degradation. The elongation at break values of these samples were reduced to half of the initial value of elongation at break within five days. Combinations of the CL and SE additives were also proven to accelerate the degradation of PE; this was followed by an increase in the carbonyl index, which was observed to be at least 10 times greater than that of pure PE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43354.
Aromatic triblock polymers from natural sources as protective coatings for stone surfaces
Authors: Pedna Andrea , Rosi Luca , Frediani Marco , Frediani Piero
Published: January 2016

Aromatic triblock polymers were synthesized, characterized, and tested as protective coatings for stone surfaces. Syntheses were carried out by a ring opening polymerization process from specifically synthesized monomers ((3S)‐6‐methyl‐3‐phenyl‐1,4‐dioxan‐2,5‐dione or 1,4‐benzodioxepin‐3‐methyl‐2,5‐dione) and a perfluoropolyether diol (Fluorolink D10‐H), as chain initiator. Polymers were characterized through spectroscopic and analytical techniques while their stability under photo‐oxidative conditions was tested using a Solar Box. An excellent stability to environmental conditions was noticed with very low degradation during accelerated aging tests up to 1000 h, as detected by FTIR, molecular weight, DSC and weight loss. Furthermore, these polymers formed an excellent protective coating on the stone surface as shown by capillary water absorption test. Finally, as expected, very stable coatings were obtained as shown by aging tests. The stone surface showed negligible changes of color and a good hydrorepellency confirming a good durability of treatments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43377.
Crosslinking mechanism of supramolecular elastomers based on linear bifunctional polydimethylsiloxane oligomers
Authors: You Yang , Zhang Anqiang , Lin Yaling
Published: January 2016

Supramolecular elastomers (SESis) were synthesized via a simplified synthesis route on the basis of a linear bifunctional polydimethylsiloxane. Compared with previous synthesis methods, the structure of the product was much clearer. The 1H‐NMR titration results show that the hydrogen‐bond associations in SESis were relatively weak. During 1H‐NMR reaction monitoring, the viscosity analysis of SESis and the model reactions demonstrated a previously neglected covalent crosslinking reaction not only during the reaction process but also during the postprocess; this led to a hybrid network, that is, covalent crosslinking and hydrogen association, in SESis. This finding explained the poor solubility of the SESis, and it provides us with an important way to controllably synthesize this material and adjust its properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43385.
Reactive compatibilization of poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(propylene carbonate) blends: Thermal, thermomechanical, and morphological properties
Authors: Hwang Sung Wook , Park Dong Ho , Kang Dong Ho , Lee Sang Bong , Shim Jin Kie
Published: January 2016

Poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) was blended with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with various compositions by a melt‐blending process to evaluate their general properties for a potential flexible packaging field. The mechanical properties, including the tensile strength and modulus, revealed a tendency to decrease with the addition of ductile PPC; this was induced by the poor interfacial adhesion between PLLA and PPC with the cavities and clear edges and was observed through morphological observation. Reactive compatibilization was applied to improve the interfacial adhesion between PLLA and PPC, and the elongation at break was profoundly enhanced because of the improved interfacial adhesion between the two phases. The compatibilized PLLA/PPC blends showed considerable improvements in the storage modulus in the transition region with stable thermal stability; this could be a benefit for thermal processing. The addition of PPC had a great effect on the solidlike behavior and increased the elasticity of the PLLA/PPC blends. Up to 2.0 phr maleic anhydride showed a great efficiency in enhancing the dynamic storage modulus and complex viscosity of the PLLA/PPC blends. We also confirmed that it was feasible to fabricate PLLA/PPC blends with controllable barrier properties with combination of PLLA and PPC under reactive compatibilization while retaining the biodegradability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43388.
Effect of Peripheral Substitution on the Performance of Subphthalocyanines in DSSCs
Authors: Urbani Maxence , Sarı Fatma Aslıhan , Grätzel Michael , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Torres Tomás , Ince Mine
Published: January 2016

A series of six new subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) bearing an ethynylcarboxyphenyl anchoring unit and decorated with a variety of substituents at the peripheral position of the macrocycle have been synthesized in order to investigate the effect of the peripheral substituent on the performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells.
Effect of sarcopenia and visceral obesity on mortality and pancreatic fistula following pancreatic cancer surgery
Authors: Pecorelli N , Carrara G , De Cobelli F , Cristel G , Damascelli A , Balzano G , Beretta L , Braga M
Published: January 2016

Background

Analytical morphometric assessment has recently been proposed to improve preoperative risk stratification. However, the relationship between body composition and outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of body composition on outcomes in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer.

Methods

Body composition parameters including total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and visceral fat area (VFA) were assessed by preoperative staging CT in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer. Perioperative variables and postoperative outcomes (mortality or postoperative pancreatic fistula) were collected prospectively in the institutional pancreatic surgery database. Optimal stratification was used to determine the best cut-off values for anthropometric measures. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of 60-day mortality and pancreatic fistula.

Results

Of 202 included patients, 132 (65·3 per cent) were classified as sarcopenic. There were 12 postoperative deaths (5·9 per cent), major complications developed in 40 patients (19·8 per cent) and pancreatic fistula in 48 (23·8 per cent). In multivariable analysis, a VFA/TAMA ratio exceeding 3·2 and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III were the strongest predictors of mortality (odds ratio (OR) 6·76 and 6·10 respectively; both P < 0·001). Among patients who developed major complications, survivors had a significantly lower VFA/TAMA ratio than non-survivors (P = 0·017). VFA was an independent predictor of pancreatic fistula (optimal cut-off 167 cm2: OR 4·05; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is common among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The combination of visceral obesity and sarcopenia was the best predictor of postoperative death, whereas VFA was an independent predictor of pancreatic fistula.
Short-term outcomes after complete mesocolic excision compared with ‘conventional’ colonic cancer surgery
Authors: Bertelsen C A , Neuenschwander A U , Jansen J E , Kirkegaard-Klitbo A , Tenma J R , Wilhelmsen M , Rasmussen L A , Jepsen L V , Kristensen B , Gögenur I , Bols B , Ingeholm P , Iversen E R ,   Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG)
Published: January 2016

Background

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) seems to be associated with improved oncological outcomes compared with ‘conventional’ surgery, but there is a potential for higher morbidity.

Methods

Data for patients after elective resection at the four centres in the Capital Region of Denmark (June 2008 to December 2013) were retrieved from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database and medical charts. Approval from a Danish ethics committee was not required (retrospective study).

Results

Some 529 patients who underwent CME surgery at one centre were compared with 1701 patients undergoing ‘conventional’ resection at the other three hospitals. Laparoscopic CME was performed in 258 (48·8 per cent) and laparoscopic ‘conventional’ resection in 1172 (68·9 per cent). More extended right colectomy procedures were done in the CME group (17·4 versus 3·6 per cent). The 90-day mortality rate in the CME group was 6·2 per cent versus 4·9 per cent in the ‘conventional’ group (P = 0·219), with a propensity score-adjusted logistic regression odds ratio (OR) of 1·22 (95 per cent c.i. 0·79 to 1·87). Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a lower risk of mortality at 90 days (OR 0·63, 0·42 to 0·95). Intraoperative injury to other organs was more common in CME operations (9·1 per cent versus 3·6 per cent for ‘conventional’ resection; P < 0·001), including more splenic (3·2 versus 1·2 per cent; P = 0·004) and superior mesenteric vein (1·7 versus 0·2 per cent; P < 0·001) injuries. Rates of sepsis with vasopressor requirement (6·6 versus 3·2 per cent; P = 0·001) and postoperative respiratory failure (8·1 versus 3·4 per cent; P < 0·001) were higher in the CME group.

Conclusion

CME is associated with more intraoperative organ injuries and severe non-surgical complications than ‘conventional’ resection for colonic cancer.
Skeletal manifestations of tuberculosis in modern human remains
Authors: Steyn Maryna , Buskes Jenifer
Published: January 2016

Paleopathologists study the presence of diseases in the past and as such have a vast knowledge of skeletal changes associated with different conditions. Tuberculosis is one of the most studied diseases and still remains a major health problem today. Its manifestations in past populations have been extensively described, but less is known about its bony involvement in the post‐antibiotic era. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and manifestations of skeletal lesions in the post‐antibiotic era in a South African sample and compare it to that found before the introduction of antibiotics. Skeletons of 205 individuals from modern skeletal collections and who are known to have died from TB were assessed. It was found that 39.2% of all individuals dying in the post‐antibiotic era showed skeletal changes that could be associated with TB, while another 27.5% showed nonspecific changes. The highest incidences were found in individuals who died after 1985, when co‐infection with HIV and drug resistance became common. While, as expected, vertebral and rib changes were the most common, the number of individuals who showed changes to the skull, and specifically intracranially, was surprising. These could most probably be associated with TB meningitis, although this specific cause of death was noted in only a few individuals. It seems that individuals may be living longer as a result of long‐term antibiotic use, leaving more time for lesions to develop. Clin. Anat. 29:854–861, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tractographical model of the cortico‐basal ganglia and corticothalamic connections
Authors: Avecillas‐Chasin Josué M. , Rascón‐Ramírez Fernando , Barcia Juan A.
Published: January 2016

The cortico‐basal ganglia and corticothalamic projections have been extensively studied in the context of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is known to modulate many of these pathways to produce the desired clinical effect. The aim of this work is to describe the anatomy of the main circuits of the basal ganglia using tractography in a surgical planning station. We used imaging studies of 20 patients who underwent DBS for movement and psychiatric disorders. We segmented the putamen, caudate nucleus (CN), thalamus, and subthalamic nucleus (STN), and we also segmented the cortical areas connected with these subcortical areas. We used tractography to define the subdivisions of the basal ganglia and thalamus through the generation of fibers from the cortical areas to the subcortical structures. We were able to generate the corticostriatal and corticothalamic connections involved in the motor, associative and limbic circuits. Furthermore, we were able to reconstruct the hyperdirect pathway through the corticosubthalamic connections and we found subregions in the STN. Finally, we reconstructed the cortico‐subcortical connections of the ventral intermediate nucleus, the nucleus accumbens and the CN. We identified a feasible delineation of the basal ganglia and thalamus connections using tractography. These results could be potentially useful in DBS if the parcellations are used as targets during surgery. Clin. Anat. 29:481–492, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Skeletal immaturity, rostral sparing, and disparate hip morphologies as biomechanical causes for Legg‐Calvé‐Perthes' disease
Authors: Berthaume Michael A. , Perry Daniel C. , Dobson Catherine A. , Witzel Ulrich , Clarke Nicholas M. , Fagan Michael J.
Published: January 2016

Legg‐Calvé‐Perthes' (Perthes') disease is a developmental disease of the hip joint that may result in numerous short and long term problems. The etiology of the disease remains largely unknown, but the mechanism is believed to be vascular and/or biomechanical in nature. There are several anatomical characteristics that tend to be prevalent in children with Perthes' disease, namely: skeletal immaturity, reduced height, and rostral sparing. We present an overview of the literature, summarizing the current understanding of the pathogenesis, particularly related to how the formation of the vasculature to the femoral epiphysis places children aged 5–8 at a higher risk for Perthes' disease, how skeletal immaturity and rostral sparing could increase the probability of developing Perthes' disease, and how animal models have aided our understanding of the disease. In doing so, we also explore why Perthes' disease is correlated to latitude, with populations at higher latitudes having higher incidence rates than populations closer to the Equator. Finally, we present five hypotheses detailing how Perthes' disease could have a biomechanical cause. Clin. Anat. 29:759–772, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Consider liability, free speech aspects of flags displayed outside campus housing
Authors: McCabe Kimberly A.
Published: January 2016

In the college environment, learning, free thinking and expression are encouraged. However, when San Diego State students hung three flags on the balcony of their on‐campus apartment in September of 2015, college administrators immediately threatened them with suspension.