bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prison sourcing: ‘doing good’ or ‘good for business’?
Authors: Lacity Mary , Rottman Joseph , Carmel Erran
Published: December 2014

This teaching case explores the business and ethics of prison sourcing, the practice of training and hiring prisoners to perform work for the private or public sectors. Although most prison employment programs train and hire workers for manual labor, such as furniture building or textiles, some prison employment programs now train and hire inmates to perform low-level Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services like call center work, data entry, and document preparation. Prison sourcing is highly controversial. Besides the usual concerns about security and quality of work performed by prisoners, the ethical aspects of prison sourcing are hotly debated. Proponents argue prison sourcing is ethical because it defrays the costs of corrections, helps individuals successfully complete their confinement and prepares them to reintegrate into society, benefitting the individuals, their families, communities, and ultimately tax payers. Opponents argue that prison sourcing is a form of slavery, hurts small businesses, and steals jobs from law-abiding citizens. The authors developed this teaching case to allow students to explore these issues. The case is a dramatized version of an actual case study of prisoners performing BPO work for a private sector company.
Communication: Testing and using the Lewin-Lieb bounds in density functional theory
Authors: Feinblum David V. , Kenison John , Burke Kieron
Published: December 2014

Lewin and Lieb have recently proven several new bounds on the exchange-correlation energy that complement the Lieb-Oxford bound. We test these bounds for atoms, for slowly-varying gases, and for Hooke’s atom, finding them usually less strict than the Lieb-Oxford bound. However, we also show that, if a generalized gradient approximation is to guarantee satisfaction of the new bounds for all densities, new restrictions on the exchange-correlation enhancement factor are implied.
Results of an Agent-Based Market Simulation for Transferable Development Rights (TDR) in Switzerland
Authors: Menghini Gianluca , Gemperle Fabian , Seidl Irmi , Axhausen Kay W
Published: December 2014

Transferable development rights (TDR) are discussed or applied in various countries for a wide variety of purposes: Notably to increase building densities, preserve natural areas, compensate reduced development possibilities, and control land use in rural areas. In Switzerland, TDR, a market-oriented planning instrument, might be used to reduce the land-use problems related to the unsustainable development of the settlement areas and to manage problems with the spatially imbalanced supply and demand of existing undeveloped building zones. Our aim is to briefly introduce a TDR market concept for Switzerland, present an empirically calibrated agent-based TDR market simulation, and finally analyze the detailed simulation results. We ran the simulation with four different settings which allowed an analysis of relevant political and economic questions for Switzerland. The results show that the TDR prices were comparable with existing land prices in Switzerland. In addition, we are able to show that with the trade of TDR it would be possible to downzone 11.4 km2 of building zone land for which there is no demand and to develop 7.4 km2 of new building zone land up to the year 2018. Consequently, the defined building zone area would decrease, which would be in line with political objectives.
High-pressure superconducting phase diagram of
6
Li: Isotope effects in dense lithium
Authors: Schaeffer Anne Marie , Temple Scott R. , Bishop Jasmine K. , Deemyad Shanti
Published: December 2014

Significance

The emergence of exotic quantum states, such as fluid ground state and two-component superconductivity and superfluidity, in a compressed light metallic system has been entertained theoretically for metallic phases of hydrogen. The difficulty of compressing hydrogen to metallization densities has prevented experimental proof of these effects. Studying lithium, which is isovalent to hydrogen and the lightest metal, is considered as a route to studying the lattice quantum effects in a dense light metallic system. Here, by comparing the superconductivity of lithium isotopes under pressure, we present evidence that properties of lithium at low temperature may significantly be dominated by its lattice quantum dynamics. This study is the first experimental report on superconducting properties of
6
Li, the lightest superconducting material.
Adaptor-mediated Lon proteolysis restrictsBacillus subtilishyperflagellation
Authors: Mukherjee Sampriti , Bree Anna C. , Liu Jing , Patrick Joyce E. , Chien Peter , Kearns Daniel B.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Bacteria are thought to change physiology when in contact with a solid surface, but the mechanism of surface-contact signal transduction and the output physiological changes are often poorly understood. Here, we show thatBacillus subtiliscontrols flagellar density by regulatory proteolysis of the master flagellar activator protein SwrA. We further show that the broadly conserved AAA+ protease LonA degrades SwrA only in the presence of swarming motility inhibitor A, the first substrate-specific adaptor protein reported for the Lon family. We propose that surface contact inhibits proteolytic turnover such that SwrA accumulates and the cells synthesize flagella in excess of a critical threshold required for swarming migration.
Taxonomy.
Authors: Berg R. G. van den , Groendijk-Wilders N.
Published: December 2014

The taxonomy of "the potato", Solanum section Petota, encompassing both the wild relatives of the cultivated potato and the cultigen itself, has a long, convoluted history. This chapter briefly summarizes this history, describes the current state of affairs that is influenced heavily by the use of molecular data, and looks at future developments, especially the impact of genomic data. It first deals with what is known about the wild potatoes, and then looks at the various ways the potato crop has been classified. Finally, as more and more genomic data become available, it discusses possible ways the taxonomy of the potato can benefit from these.
Potato utilization and markets.
Authors: Bond J. K.
Published: December 2014

This chapter discusses the production in emerging and developing countries, regional cultivation, world consumption, global trade, fresh and processed products, characteristics, popular domestic and international varieties, trends in consumption and marketing of potato. The past 20 years have brought dramatic changes to the global potato marketplace. Enhanced cultivation techniques and improved access to disease-free seed stock have assisted in increasing production in emerging and developing countries. In particular, China has become the worldwide leader in potato production and is making strides towards becoming a front-runner in the export market. As production has surged in lower income countries, developed countries have experienced some stagnation in fresh market demand. Fried products have maintained their popularity in advanced economies and are finding a receptive audience among consumers in transitional countries. New products, preparations, and varieties continue to demonstrate the diversity and usefulness of the humble potato.
Plant growth and development.
Authors: Wohleb C. H. , Knowles N. R. , Pavek M. J.
Published: December 2014

This chapter focuses on the growth and development of S. tuberosum under commercial production and describes how potato plant morphology changes as plants grow and develop. To simplify the discussion on potato development, the chapter is separated into a logical series of growth and developmental stages including propagation, seed tuber dormancy and physiological age, tuber anatomy and sprout development, tuber initiation, canopy development, tuber bulking, and plant and tuber maturation.
Plant-water relations and irrigation management of potato.
Authors: Levy D. , Coleman W. K.
Published: December 2014

This chapter examines how the potato plant responds to different moisture levels, and outlines advances in dealing with drought and water management. Irrigation management systems are constantly improving and provide the farmer with tools for increased efficiency of water use. Implementation of efficient irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation and drip irrigation have been shown to conserve water. Soil moisture sensors are useful monitors of soil water status and are used to control irrigation schedules and quantities. Current VRI (variable rates of irrigation) irrigation regimes are based on GPS data of uneven field conditions, topography, microclimate, soil gradients, etc. Precision irrigation is expected to develop further and to provide a reliable representation of the spatial water status of crops, including the potato crop.
Plant parasitic nematodes of potato.
Authors: Palomares-Rius J. E. , Oliveira C. M. G. , Blok V. C.
Published: December 2014

This chapter describes the current main nematode parasites of potato, which include the potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida and G. ellingtonae), root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), false root-knot nematodes (Nacobbus aberrans), root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.), stubby-root nematodes (Paratrichodorus spp. and Trichodorus spp.), potato rot nematode or potato tuber nematode (Ditylenchus destructor), and the yam nematode (Scutellonema bradys). Some management options are presented, including crop rotation, early harvesting, green manure amendments, trap cropping, host plant resistance, application of nematicides, biological control agents, and transgenic plant strategy. The development of nematode integrated management programmes is also mentioned.
Virus disease problems facing potato industries worldwide: viruses found, climate change implications, rationalizing virus strain nomenclature, and addressing the Potato virus Y issue.
Authors: Jones R. A. C.
Published: December 2014

This chapter emphasizes recent information or aspects previously not addressed fully regarding potato viruses. It starts by discussing briefly the viruses known to infect the crop, their relative importance, and the likelihood that more than the 50 or so currently known viruses will emerge as potato is increasingly grown in warmer, food-insecure parts of the world. It then discusses what is currently known about the likely influences of climate change in exacerbating the future incidence of potato virus diseases and altering their distributions in different potato growing regions. An analysis is provided of the current disagreement between biological and phylogenetic nomenclature systems for different strains of common potato viruses and how to approach a resolution, especially regarding Potato virus Y (PVY) strain group classification. The chapter then focuses on the reasons for the recent upsurge of problems with PVY in potato crops in many countries and what can be done to address this. Finally, it emphasizes areas where research on potato viruses is needed in the future, the need for surveillance over the emergence of additional potato viruses, and the importance of improving the effectiveness of seed potato health, especially in developing countries.
Weed control strategies for potato (Solanum tuberosum).
Authors: Burke I. C. , Everman W. J.
Published: December 2014

This chapter describes some common and troublesome weeds in potato, and their management. Integrated weed management is discussed, which can be divided into three phases: seedbank management, minimization of seedling establishment, and reduction of weed-crop interference. It is suggested that management of weeds in potato should be performed within a larger integrated pest management context that considers the long-term impacts and profitability of control inputs and the consequence of failures. Growers are advised to always combine cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods of weed management with knowledge of weed biology in an integrated approach to manage weeds in potato successfully.
Postharvest storage and physiology.
Authors: Bethke P. C.
Published: December 2014

This chapter begins by describing briefly the purpose and value of potato storage, and some of the many options available for storing the crop. Tuber respiration is discussed, with an emphasis on how storage duration and temperature impact respiration rates. The effects of respiration on crop value and potato storage management are illustrated. The mechanism of tuber water loss is described, and the relative importance of water loss through the periderm, lenticels, wounds, and sprouts is considered. Sprout control is essential to maintain crop value, and as such, options for residue-free, organic, and synthetic sprout control are presented. Finally, guidelines for the storage of potatoes in bulk bins are provided, in order to give a general understanding of how potatoes in large, ventilated storage facilities are managed.
Potato flavor.
Authors: Taylor M. A.
Published: December 2014

Despite the increasing importance of potato flavour to consumers, there is still much to be learned about the complex flavour trait and the key components that contribute to it. Means of determining flavour analytically that can be applied efficiently to germplasm are obvious requirements for improvement of the potato crop. Additionally, breeders require clear target phenotypes for flavour, as preferences are likely to vary depending on consumer groups, market classes, and cooking methods. This chapter reviews the progress that has been made in understanding these complex traits, and the opportunities that are arising from advances in analytical chemistry, sensory science, and genomic and metabolomic technologies that are now being applied to potato.
Impact of global warming on European cereal production.
Authors: Höhn J. G. , Rötter R. P.
Published: December 2014

This review examines relevant impact assessments identified by a literature search from 1991 to date. A bibliographic search was applied to the CAB Abstracts database with a given search string. Resultant papers were checked for relevance, based on expert judgment. This yielded 91 papers, which were subjected to further analysis. Firstly, publication intensity over time and distribution by geographic location and cereal crop were examined. Next, for a given crop, the assessments and their outcomes were grouped by type and number of the change variables considered - that is, effects of climate change only, elevated CO
2
and technological progress (improved breeds, management). Finally, separately for individual countries/subregions and Europe as a whole, we examined whether and to what extent study results have changed over time, for example become more positive/negative. Based on our sample, we found that publication intensity increased exponentially during the last 4 years, the majority of studies are Europe-wide, but some concentrated on a few countries (Italy, Spain and UK), whereby studies on wheat are clearly most popular. Taking the factor of technological progress into account has an overruling influence on results. Finally, over time, projected yield impacts have become more negative. This is in line with finding from global analyses, as reflected by the most recent comparison of agricultural impact chapters, of the 4th and 5th Assessment Reports of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Working Group II. In the future, there is particular need to consider impacts under various incremental and transformational adaptation measures in more depth (e.g. their interconnections across scales) and with more breadth (e.g. anticipated new breeds). Follow-up reviews should also examine how projected impacts are changing with the new climate scenario data sets (CMIP5) and with improved impact models and assessment approaches.
Impact of lighting on poultry reproduction and recent advances.
Authors: Reddy I. J. , Sukanto Mondal Sukanto Mondal , Ashish Mishra Ashish Mishra , Gorti RaviKiran Gorti RaviKiran
Published: December 2014

Different wavelengths of visible light spectrum influence the reproductive system of domestic avian species. Light perceived by the retina is involved in growth and behaviour whereas light perceived by the hypothalamus is involved in reproduction through photosensitive cells in the brain (extra-retinal photoreceptors) and it varies with intensity of different wavelengths of light. Red spectrum of light with 675 nm of wavelengths is more gonadostimulatory than shorter wavelengths of 450-475 nm of light. Recent studies indicate that the hypothalamic opsins are involved in avian photoreception. Non-mammalian vertebrates detect light by deep brain photoreceptors that lie outside the retina and pineal gland to regulate seasonal cycle of reproduction. It was reported that opsin is a deep-brain photoreceptive molecule in the avian brain that regulate seasonal reproduction in birds. Lighting recommendations should be based on local environmental conditions, house type, light requirements for pullets, growers, broilers, layers and overall stockman objectives. Lighting programmes that are inappropriately employed may impair average daily gain and compromise flock performance. Careful observations of flock performance, nutrient density and intake are also important in designing lighting programmes in broilers. Layer and broiler lighting programmes in concert with the proper genetics, environment, nutrition and management create the best in welfare for the animal and performance for the integrator. Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in poultry facilities is cost effective and could increase egg production in layers and early body weight gain in broilers exposed to red and green LED light, respectively.
NO synthase in plants?
Authors: Hancock J. T. , Neill S. J.
Published: December 2014

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signalling molecule in plants. Although the early work was in animals, it is clear that in plants too NO is involved in the regulation of a range of physiological events, including root growth and stomatal closure. The responses to stress challenges are some of the major events mediated by NO. NO will work in interaction with other signalling components, and it has been proposed that in plants NO is generated by the use of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme. Such an enzyme is often the primary source of NO in animals, but is such an enzyme present in plants? Recently a NOS enzyme has been shown to be encoded in the genome of the algae Ostreococcus, and this may be seen as supporting optimism for finding a NOS in a higher plant. However, the methods used to assay NO generation and NOS activity in plants are often not as robust as they need to be. Furthermore there are several other enzymes which are found in plants that may also produce NO. There is no evidence of genes encoding a NOS enzyme in several plant genomes studied, and although it can not be ruled out, despite the report of the algal NOS, it is now likely that future work searching for a NOS in higher plants may not be beneficial.
Human health consequences of reducing emissions of climate altering pollutants.
Authors: Robinson D. L.
Published: December 2014

Efforts to reduce global warming often generate significant health benefits. For example, 16 measures recommended by the UN Environment Program and World Meteorological Association (UNEP/WMO) to reduce short-lived greenhouse pollutants (methane (CH
4
), black carbon (BC) and ozone precursors) are predicted to avoid 2.4 million premature deaths from air pollution and reduce future warming by 0.4-0.5°C. Key UNEP/WMO recommendations include replacing traditional biomass and coal stoves in developing countries with clean-burning ones, recovery and use of vented gas during oil and gas production, reducing gas pipeline leaks, collection and utilization of CH
4
from landfills, and separation and treatment of biodegradable waste (recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion) instead of sending it to landfill. Reducing major sources of particulate pollution (diesel engines, coal-fired power and domestic wood-heaters) partly through increased energy efficiency, and encouraging walking and cycling to replace short car journeys are also predicted to improve health and reduce global warming. Compared with climate benefits, the health co-benefits are more local and can be achieved more quickly and directly, making them more tangible and attractive to policymakers and the public. For electricity, estimated health benefits considerably offset the cost of greenhouse-gas mitigation, especially in India, which has high pollution and low mitigation costs. In Australia, improved efficiency, better regulation and replacing coal-fired power with renewables are also estimated to cost less than pollution from coal-fired power. The total health and environmental cost of not addressing global warming are generally considered to exceed the cost of researching, developing and implementing effective measures to reduce climate change.
Invasive alien plant management.
Authors: Auld B. A. , Johnson S. B.
Published: December 2014

A number of policies, strategies and tools are available for the management of invasive alien plants. This review considers these and their suitability in the light of developing theory and practical experience. Policies range from quarantine and eradication to containment and asset protection. While there is scope for modelling the potential spread and impact of invasive plants, these factors are invariably species-specific and a land manager is typically faced with the problem of dealing with several species simultaneously. Weed risk management systems have been developed to prioritize species management actions. These systems will be improved by further efforts to encompass uncertainty. Most management actions require long time-frames, and institutional commitment, as well as stakeholder involvement for successful outcomes.
Clathrin-dependent entry and vesicle-mediated exocytosis define insulin transcytosis across microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Azizi Paymon M. , Zyla Roman E. , Guan Sha , Wang Changsen , Liu Jun , Bolz Steffen-Sebastian , Heit Bryan , Klip Amira , Lee Warren L.
Published: December 2014

Transport of insulin across the microvasculature is necessary to reach its target organs (e.g., adipose and muscle tissues) and is rate limiting in insulin action. Morphological evidence suggests that insulin enters endothelial cells of the microvasculature, and studies with large vessel–derived endothelial cells show insulin uptake; however, little is known about the actual transcytosis of insulin and how this occurs in the relevant microvascular endothelial cells. We report an approach to study insulin transcytosis across individual, primary human adipose microvascular endothelial cells (HAMECs), involving insulin uptake followed by vesicle-mediated exocytosis visualized by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In this setting, fluorophore-conjugated insulin exocytosis depended on its initial binding and uptake, which was saturable and much greater than in muscle cells. Unlike its degradation within muscle cells, insulin was stable within HAMECs and escaped lysosomal colocalization. Insulin transcytosis required dynamin but was unaffected by caveolin-1 knockdown or cholesterol depletion. Instead, insulin transcytosis was significantly inhibited by the clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor Pitstop 2 or siRNA-mediated clathrin depletion. Accordingly, insulin internalized for 1 min in HAMECs colocalized with clathrin far more than with caveolin-1. This study constitutes the first evidence of vesicle-mediated insulin transcytosis and highlights that its initial uptake is clathrin dependent and caveolae independent.
Antibiotic policies in acute English NHS trusts: implementation of ‘Start Smart—Then Focus’ and relationship with Clostridium difficile infection rates
Authors: Llewelyn Martin J. , Hand Kieran , Hopkins Susan , Walker A. Sarah
Published: December 2014

Objectives

The objective of this study was to establish how antibiotic prescribing policies at National Health Service (NHS) hospitals match the England Department of Health ‘Start Smart—Then Focus’ recommendations and relate to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates.

Methods

Antibiotic pharmacists were surveyed regarding recommendations for empirical treatment of common syndromes (‘Start Smart’) and antimicrobial prescription reviews (‘Focus’) at their hospital trusts. If no response was provided, policy data were sought from trust websites and the MicroGuide app (Horizon Strategic Partners, UK). Empirical treatment recommendations were categorized as broad spectrum (a β-lactam penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor, cephalosporin, quinolone or carbapenem) or narrow spectrum. CDI rates were gathered from the national mandatory surveillance system.

Results

Data were obtained for 105/145 English acute hospital trusts (72%). β-Lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations were recommended extensively. Only for severe community-acquired pneumonia and pyelonephritis were narrow-spectrum agents recommended first line at a substantial number of trusts [42/105 (40%) and 50/105 (48%), respectively]. Policies commonly recommended dual therapy with aminoglycosides and β-lactams for abdominal sepsis [40/93 trusts (43%)] and undifferentiated severe sepsis [54/94 trusts (57%)]. Most policies recommended treating for ≥7 days for most indications. Nearly all policies [100/105 trusts (95%)] recommended antimicrobial prescription reviews, but only 46/96 respondents (48%) reported monitoring compliance. Independent predictors of higher CDI rates were recommending a broad-spectrum regimen for community-acquired pneumonia (P = 0.06) and, counterintuitively, a recommended treatment duration of <48 h for nosocomial pneumonia (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Hospital antibiotic policies in the NHS ‘Start Smart’ by recommending broad-spectrum antibiotics for empirical therapy, but this may have the unintended potential to increase the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and risk of CDI unless better mechanisms are in place to improve ‘Focus’.
Acquisition of high-level mupirocin resistance in CoNS following nasal decolonization with mupirocin
Authors: Hetem David J. , Vogely H. Charles , Severs Tim T. , Troelstra Annet , Kusters Johannes G. , Bonten Marc J. M.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

The association between mupirocin use and plasmid-based high-level resistance development mediated through mupA in CoNS has not been quantified. We determined acquisition of mupirocin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS in surgery patients treated peri-operatively with mupirocin.

Patients and methods

Patients admitted for surgery were treated with nasal mupirocin ointment and chlorhexidine soap for 5 days, irrespective of S. aureus carrier status. Nasal swabs were obtained before decolonization (T1) and 4 days after surgery (T2) and were inoculated onto agars containing 8 mg/L mupirocin. Staphylococci were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and mupirocin resistance was confirmed by Etest.

Results

Among 1578 surgical patients, 936 (59%) had nasal swabs obtained at T1 and T2; 192 (21%) patients carried mupirocin-resistant CoNS at T1 and 406 (43%) at T2 (P < 0.001). Of 744 patients not colonized at T1, 277 acquired resistance (37%), corresponding to an acquisition rate of 7.4/100 patient days at risk. In all, 588 (97%) of 607 mupirocin-resistant CoNS had an MIC >256 mg/L (high level) and 381 of 383 (99.5%) were mupA positive. No acquisition of mupirocin resistance was observed in S. aureus.

Conclusions

Acquisition of mupirocin resistance following decolonization was widespread in CoNS and absent in S. aureus. As almost all isolates harboured the mupA gene, monitoring resistance development in S. aureus when decolonization strategies containing mupirocin are used is recommended.
Implementing a Large-Scale Systematic Tuberculosis Screening Program in Correctional Facilities in South Africa
Authors: Zishiri Vincent , Charalambous Salome , Shah Maunank R. , Chihota Violet , Page-Shipp Liesl , Churchyard Gavin J. , Hoffmann Christopher J.
Published: December 2014

Background.  Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is high in correctional facilities in southern Africa. With support from local South African nongovernmental organizations, the South African Department of Correctional Services initiated a program of systematically screening newly admitted and current inmates for symptoms followed by GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampicin (Rif) for microbiologic testing of symptomatic inmates.

Methods.  We conducted a program evaluation during a 5-month window describing program reach, effectiveness, adoption within the facilities, cost, and opportunities for sustainability. This evaluation included 4 facilities (2 large and 2 smaller) with a total daily census of 20 700 inmates.

Results.  During the 5-month evaluation window from May to September 2013, 7426 inmates were screened at the 4 facilities. This represents screening 87% of all new admits (the remaining new admits were screened by correctional staff only and are not included in these statistics) and 23% of the daily inmate census, reaching 55% of the overall screening target as calculated per annum. The reach ranged from 57% screened during these 5 months at one of the smaller facilities to 13% at the largest facility. Two hundred one cases of pulmonary TB were diagnosed, representing 2.1% of the screened population; 93% had documented initiation of TB treatment. The cost per TB case identified was $1513, excluding treatment costs (with treatment costs it was $1880).

Conclusions.  We reached a large number of inmates with high-volume screening and effectively used GeneXpert MTB/Rif to diagnose pulmonary TB and rapidly initiate treatment. The cost was comparable to other screening programs.
Marked colour divergence in the gliding membranes of a tropical lizard mirrors population differences in the colour of falling leaves
Authors: Klomp D. A. , Stuart-Fox D. , Das I. , Ord T. J.
Published: December 2014

Populations of the Bornean gliding lizard,Draco cornutus, differ markedly in the colour of their gliding membranes. They also differ in local vegetation type (mangrove forest versus lowland rainforest) and consequently, the colour of falling leaves (red and brown/black in mangrove versus green, brown and black in rainforest). We show that the gliding membranes of these lizards closely match the colours of freshly fallen leaves in the local habitat as they appear to the visual system of birds (their probable predators). Furthermore, gliding membranes more closely resembled colours of local fallen leaves than standing foliage or fallen leaves in the other population's habitat. This suggests that the two populations have diverged in gliding membrane coloration to match the colours of their local falling leaves, and that mimicking falling leaves is an adaptation that functions to reduce predation by birds.
Microhabitats in the tropics buffer temperature in a globally coherent manner
Authors: Scheffers Brett R. , Evans Theodore A. , Williams Stephen E. , Edwards David P.
Published: December 2014

Vegetated habitats contain a variety of fine-scale features that can ameliorate temperate extremes. These buffered microhabitats may be used by species to evade extreme weather and novel climates in the future. Yet, the magnitude and extent of this buffering on a global scale remains unknown. Across all tropical continents and using 36 published studies, we assessed temperature buffering from within microhabitats across various habitat strata and structures (e.g. soil, logs, epiphytes and tree holes) and compared them to non-buffered macro-scale ambient temperatures (the thermal control). Microhabitats buffered temperature by 3.9°C and reduced maximum temperatures by 3.5°C. Buffering was most pronounced in tropical lowlands where temperatures were most variable. With the expected increase in extreme weather events, microhabitats should provide species with a local layer of protection that is not captured by traditional climate assessments, which are typically derived from macro-scale temperatures (e.g. satellites). Our data illustrate the need for a next generation of predictive models that account for species' ability to move within microhabitats to exploit favourable buffered microclimates.
Evidence for frequent incest in a cooperatively breeding mammal
Authors: Nichols H. J. , Cant M. A. , Hoffman J. I. , Sanderson J. L.
Published: December 2014

As breeding between relatives often results in inbreeding depression, inbreeding avoidance is widespread in the animal kingdom. However, inbreeding avoidance may entail fitness costs. For example, dispersal away from relatives may reduce survival. How these conflicting selection pressures are resolved is challenging to investigate, but theoretical models predict that inbreeding should occur frequently in some systems. Despite this, few studies have found evidence of regular incest in mammals, even in social species where relatives are spatio-temporally clustered and opportunities for inbreeding frequently arise. We used genetic parentage assignments together with relatedness data to quantify inbreeding rates in a wild population of banded mongooses, a cooperatively breeding carnivore. We show that females regularly conceive to close relatives, including fathers and brothers. We suggest that the costs of inbreeding avoidance may sometimes outweigh the benefits, even in cooperatively breeding species where strong within-group incest avoidance is considered to be the norm.
Wrinkles enhance the diffuse reflection from the dragonflyRhyothemis resplendens
Authors: Nixon M. R. , Orr A. G. , Vukusic P.
Published: December 2014

The dorsal surfaces of the hindwings of the dragonflyRhyothemis resplendens(Odonata: Libellulidae) reflect a deep blue from the multilayer structure in its wing membrane. The layers within this structure are not flat, but distinctly ‘wrinkled’, with a thickness of several hundred nanometres and interwrinkle crest distances of 5 µm and greater. A comparison between the backscattered light fromR. resplendensand a similar, but un-‘wrinkled’ multilayer in the damselflyMatronoides cyaneipennis(Odonata: Calopterygidae) shows that the angle over which incident light is backscattered is increased by the wrinkling in theR. resplendensstructure. Whereas the reflection from the flat multilayer ofM. cyaneipennisis effectively specular, the reflection from the wrinkledR. resplendensmultilayer spans 1.47 steradians (equivalent to ±40° for all azimuthal angles). This property enhances the visibility of the static wing over a broader angle range than is normally associated with a smooth multilayer, thereby markedly increasing its conspicuousness.
A patient-specific computational model of hypoxia-modulated radiation resistance in glioblastoma using
18
F-FMISO-PET
Authors: Rockne Russell C. , Trister Andrew D. , Jacobs Joshua , Hawkins-Daarud Andrea J. , Neal Maxwell L. , Hendrickson Kristi , Mrugala Maciej M. , Rockhill Jason K. , Kinahan Paul , Krohn Kenneth A. , Swanson Kristin R.
Published: December 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive primary brain tumour that has poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. A hallmark of these tumours is diffuse invasion into the surrounding brain, necessitating a multi-modal treatment approach, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. We have previously demonstrated the ability of our model to predict radiographic response immediately following radiation therapy in individual GBM patients using a simplified geometry of the brain and theoretical radiation dose. Using only two pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging scans, we calculate net rates of proliferation and invasion as well as radiation sensitivity for a patient's disease. Here, we present the application of our clinically targeted modelling approach to a single glioblastoma patient as a demonstration of our method. We apply our model in the full three-dimensional architecture of the brain to quantify the effects of regional resistance to radiation owing to hypoxia
in vivo
determined by [
18
F]-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (FMISO-PET) and the patient-specific three-dimensional radiation treatment plan. Incorporation of hypoxia into our model with FMISO-PET increases the model–data agreement by an order of magnitude. This improvement was robust to our definition of hypoxia or the degree of radiation resistance quantified with the FMISO-PET image and our computational model, respectively. This work demonstrates a useful application of patient-specific modelling in personalized medicine and how mathematical modelling has the potential to unify multi-modality imaging and radiation treatment planning.
Avoiding or restricting defectors in public goods games?
Authors: Han The Anh , Pereira Luís Moniz , Lenaerts Tom
Published: December 2014

When creating a public good, strategies or mechanisms are required to handle defectors. We first show mathematically and numerically that prior agreements with posterior compensations provide a strategic solution that leads to substantial levels of cooperation in the context of public goods games, results that are corroborated by available experimental data. Notwithstanding this success, one cannot, as with other approaches, fully exclude the presence of defectors, raising the question of how they can be dealt with to avoid the demise of the common good. We show that both avoiding creation of the common good, whenever full agreement is not reached, and limiting the benefit that disagreeing defectors can acquire, using costly restriction mechanisms, are relevant choices. Nonetheless, restriction mechanisms are found the more favourable, especially in larger group interactions. Given decreasing restriction costs, introducing restraining measures to cope with public goods free-riding issues is the ultimate advantageous solution for all participants, rather than avoiding its creation.
Joint modelling of serological and hospitalization data reveals that high levels of pre-existing immunity and school holidays shaped the influenza A pandemic of 2009 in The Netherlands
Authors: te Beest Dennis E. , Birrell Paul J , Wallinga Jacco , De Angelis Daniela , van Boven Michiel
Published: December 2014

Obtaining a quantitative understanding of the transmission dynamics of influenza A is important for predicting healthcare demand and assessing the likely impact of intervention measures. The pandemic of 2009 provides an ideal platform for developing integrative analyses as it has been studied intensively, and a wealth of data sources is available. Here, we analyse two complementary datasets in a disease transmission framework: cross-sectional serological surveys providing data on infection attack rates, and hospitalization data that convey information on the timing and duration of the pandemic. We estimate key epidemic determinants such as infection and hospitalization rates, and the impact of a school holiday. In contrast to previous approaches, our novel modelling of serological data with mixture distributions provides a probabilistic classification of individual samples (susceptible, immune and infected), propagating classification uncertainties to the transmission model and enabling serological classifications to be informed by hospitalization data. The analyses show that high levels of immunity among persons 20 years and older provide a consistent explanation of the skewed attack rates observed during the pandemic and yield precise estimates of the probability of hospitalization per infection (1–4 years: 0.00096 (95%CrI: 0.00078–0.0012); 5–19 years: 0.00036 (0.00031–0.0044); 20–64 years: 0.0015 (0.00091–0.0020); 65+ years: 0.0084 (0.0028–0.016)). The analyses suggest that in The Netherlands, the school holiday period reduced the number of infectious contacts between 5- and 9-year-old children substantially (estimated reduction: 54%; 95%CrI: 29–82%), thereby delaying the unfolding of the pandemic in The Netherlands by approximately a week.
Conformity enhances network reciprocity in evolutionary social dilemmas
Authors: Szolnoki Attila , Perc Matjaž
Published: December 2014

The pursuit of highest payoffs in evolutionary social dilemmas is risky and sometimes inferior to conformity. Choosing the most common strategy within the interaction range is safer because it ensures that the payoff of an individual will not be much lower than average. Herding instincts and crowd behaviour in humans and social animals also compel to conformity in their own right. Motivated by these facts, we here study the impact of conformity on the evolution of cooperation in social dilemmas. We show that an appropriate fraction of conformists within the population introduces an effective surface tension around cooperative clusters and ensures smooth interfaces between different strategy domains. Payoff-driven players brake the symmetry in favour of cooperation and enable an expansion of clusters past the boundaries imposed by traditional network reciprocity. This mechanism works even under the most testing conditions, and it is robust against variations of the interaction network as long as degree-normalized payoffs are applied. Conformity may thus be beneficial for the resolution of social dilemmas.
Space–time fractional Zener wave equation
Authors: Atanackovic T.M. , Janev M. , Oparnica Lj. , Pilipovic S. , Zorica D.
Published: December 2014

The space–time fractional Zener wave equation, describing viscoelastic materials obeying the time-fractional Zener model and the space-fractional strain measure, is derived and analysed. This model includes waves with finite speed, as well as non-propagating disturbances. The existence and the uniqueness of the solution to the generalized Cauchy problem are proved. Special cases are investigated and numerical examples are presented.
The trophic responses of two different rodent–vector–plague systems to climate change
Authors: Xu Lei , Schmid Boris V. , Liu Jun , Si Xiaoyan , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Zhang Zhibin
Published: December 2014

Plague, the causative agent of three devastating pandemics in history, is currently a re-emerging disease, probably due to climate change and other anthropogenic changes. Without understanding the response of plague systems to anthropogenic or climate changes in their trophic web, it is unfeasible to effectively predict years with high risks of plague outbreak, hampering our ability for effective prevention and control of the disease. Here, by using surveillance data, we apply structural equation modelling to reveal the drivers of plague prevalence in two very different rodent systems: those of the solitary Daurian ground squirrel and the social Mongolian gerbil. We show that plague prevalence in the Daurian ground squirrel is not detectably related to its trophic web, and that therefore surveillance efforts should focus on detecting plague directly in this ecosystem. On the other hand, plague in the Mongolian gerbil is strongly embedded in a complex, yet understandable trophic web of climate, vegetation, and rodent and flea densities, making the ecosystem suitable for more sophisticated low-cost surveillance practices, such as remote sensing. As for the trophic webs of the two rodent species, we find that increased vegetation is positively associated with higher temperatures and precipitation for both ecosystems. We furthermore find a positive association between vegetation and ground squirrel density, yet a negative association between vegetation and gerbil density. Our study thus shows how past surveillance records can be used to design and improve existing plague prevention and control measures, by tailoring them to individual plague foci. Such measures are indeed highly needed under present conditions with prevailing climate change.
Feather corticosterone reveals effect of moulting conditions in the autumn on subsequent reproductive output and survival in an Arctic migratory bird
Authors: Harms N. Jane , Legagneux Pierre , Gilchrist H. Grant , Bêty Joël , Love Oliver P. , Forbes Mark R. , Bortolotti Gary R. , Soos Catherine
Published: December 2014

For birds, unpredictable environments during the energetically stressful times of moulting and breeding are expected to have negative fitness effects. Detecting those effects however, might be difficult if individuals modulate their physiology and/or behaviours in ways to minimize short-term fitness costs. Corticosterone in feathers (CORTf) is thought to provide information on total baseline and stress-induced CORT levels at moulting and is an integrated measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity during the time feathers are grown. We predicted that CORTf levels in northern common eider females would relate to subsequent body condition, reproductive success and survival, in a population of eiders nesting in the eastern Canadian Arctic during a capricious period marked by annual avian cholera outbreaks. We collected CORTf data from feathers grown during previous moult in autumn and data on phenology of subsequent reproduction and survival for 242 eider females over 5 years. Using path analyses, we detected a direct relationship between CORTf and arrival date and body condition the following year. CORTf also had negative indirect relationships with both eider reproductive success and survival of eiders during an avian cholera outbreak. This indirect effect was dramatic with a reduction of approximately 30% in subsequent survival of eiders during an avian cholera outbreak when mean CORTf increased by 1 standard deviation. This study highlights the importance of events or processes occurring during moult on subsequent expression of life-history traits and relation to individual fitness, and shows that information from non-destructive sampling of individuals can track carry-over effects across seasons.
Paradoxical effects of coupling infectious livestock populations and imposing transport restrictions
Authors: Lamouroux David , Nagler Jan , Geisel Theo , Eule Stephan
Published: December 2014

Spatial heterogeneity of a host population of mobile agents has been shown to be a crucial determinant of many aspects of disease dynamics, ranging from the proliferation of diseases to their persistence and to vaccination strategies. In addition, the importance of regional and structural differences grows in our modern world. Little is known, though, about the consequences when traits of a disease vary regionally. In this paper, we study the effect of a spatially varying per capita infection rate on the behaviour of livestock diseases. We show that the prevalence of an infectious livestock disease in a community of animals can paradoxically decrease owing to transport connections to other communities in which the risk of infection is higher. We study the consequences for the design of livestock transportation restriction measures and establish exact criteria to discriminate those connections that increase the level of infection in the community from those that decrease it.
Public good diffusion limits microbial mutualism
Authors: Menon Rajita , Korolev Kirill S.
Published: December 2014

Standard game theory cannot describe microbial interactions mediated by diffusible molecules. Nevertheless, we show that one can still model microbial dynamics using game theory with parameters renormalized by diffusion. Contrary to expectations, greater sharing of metabolites reduces the strength of cooperation and leads to species extinction via a nonequilibrium phase transition. We report analytic results for the critical diffusivity and the length scale of species intermixing. We also show that fitness nonlinearities suppress mutualism and favor the species producing slower nutrients.

PACS numbers: 87.23.Cc, 87.23.Kg, 87.15.Zg, 64.60.ah