bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-valent cobalt-catalyzed C–H allylation
Authors: Cong Xuefeng , Zhai Shengxian , Zeng Xiaoming
Published: March 2016

A mild C–H allylation promoted by a cobalt salt combined with a Grignard reagent is described.
Polymeric nanocapsules templated on liquid cores as efficient photoreactors
Authors: Szafraniec J. , Odrobińska J. , Zapotoczny S.
Published: March 2016

Polymeric nanocapsules templated on liquid core, stabilized by graft amphiphilic polyelectrolytes were fabricated and applied as photochemical reactors.
Heterogeneous degradation of tetracycline by magnetic Ag/AgCl/modified zeolite X–persulfate system under visible light
Authors: Liu Minmin , Hou Li-an , Li Qi , Hu Xiaojun , Yu Shuili
Published: March 2016

Magnetic Ag/AgCl zeolite X catalysts modified with various weight percentages of zero valent iron particles (NZVI) (Ag/AgCl/(x)FeX) were fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method followed by a precipitation–photo-reduction method.
Confined PEO crystallisation in immiscible PEO/PLLA blends
Authors: Rufino Thiago do Carmo , Felisberti Maria Isabel
Published: March 2016

PEO/PLLA blends are immiscible. PEO phase is confined into PLLA interlamellar and interspherulitic regions and a confined and fractional crystallisation of PEO occurs as the density of the PLLA crystalline phase increases.
Experimental and simulation studies of polyarginines across the membrane of giant unilamellar vesicles
Authors: He XiaoCong , Lin Min , Guo Jun , Qu ZhiGuo , Xu Feng
Published: March 2016

Cell-penetrating peptides have widespread applications in biomedicine because of their capability to translocate across cell membranes alone or with cargos.
ZnO/ZnS heterostructures for hydrogen production by photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Sánchez-Tovar R. , Fernández-Domene R. M. , Montañés M. T. , Sanz-Marco A. , Garcia-Antón J.
Published: March 2016

ZnO/ZnS heterostructures anodized under stirring conditions and in glycerol/water electrolyte succeeded as being a photococatalyst for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Correction: Chitin-acetate/DMSO as a supramolecular green CO2-phile
Authors: Eftaiha Ala'a F. , Alsoubani Fatima , Assaf Khaleel I. , Nau Werner M. , Troll Carsten , Qaroush Abdussalam K.
Published: March 2016

Correction for ‘Chitin-acetate/DMSO as a supramolecular green CO2-phile’ by Ala'a F. Eftaiha et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 22090–22093.
Expeditious synthesis of the fused hexacycle of puberuline C via a radical-based cyclization/translocation/cyclization process
Authors: Hagiwara Koichi , Tabuchi Toshiki , Urabe Daisuke , Inoue Masayuki
Published: March 2016

The unique hexacyclic ring system of puberuline C was efficiently synthesized utilizing a radical-based cyclization/translocation/cyclization process and Mukaiyama aldol reaction.
Antibacterial, electrospun nanofibers of novel poly(sulfobetaine) and poly(sulfabetaine)s
Authors: Vasantha Vivek Arjunan , Zainul Rahim Siti Zarina , Jayaraman Sundaramurthy , Junyuan Gabriel Han , Puniredd Sreenivasa Reddy , Ramakrishna Seeram , Teo Serena Lay-Ming , Parthiban Anbanandam
Published: March 2016

Zwitterionic polymers have gained increasing attention due to their ability to form environmentally friendly antifouling surfaces.
Context aware routing management architecture for airborne networks
Authors: Betances Addison , Hopkinson Kenneth Mark , Silvius Mark
Published: March 2016

Military environments require highly dynamic mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) to meet operational mission requirements. Decision makers rely on the timely delivery of critical battlefield information to make informed determinations quickly and as accurately as possible. However, traditional MANET routing protocols do not provide quality of service (QoS). Furthermore, they do not implement active controls to minimise the impact of network congestion. This study proposes the use of the information embedded in an air tasking order (ATO) during the planning phase of military missions to optimise the network performance. The trajectories of relevant nodes (airborne platforms) participating in the MANET can be forecasted by parsing key information contained in the ATO. Using this idea it is possible to optimise network routes to minimise edge overutilisation and increase network throughput. In one simulated test case, there was a 25% improvement of network throughput, and 23% reduction on dropped packets. Using this technique, the authors can selectively preserve the QoS by establishing network controls that drop low‐priority packets when necessary. The algorithm improves the overall MANET throughput while minimising the packets dropped due to network congestion.
Harmonic assessment‐based adjusted current total harmonic distortion
Authors: Abdel Aleem Shady H.E. , Ibrahim Ahmed M. , Zobaa Ahmed F.
Published: March 2016

Power systems suffer from harmonic distortion and extra ohmic losses associated with them. Moreover, all harmonic frequencies are mostly assumed to have the same effect on the system losses. However, the frequency‐dependency of the resistances should be taken into account, so that the apparent power and the power factor have to considerably reflect power losses under non‐sinusoidal conditions. In this study, the difference between unweighted and weighted non‐sinusoidal losses is addressed. A new harmonic‐adjusted total harmonic distortion (THD) definition is proposed for both voltage and current. Besides, a new formula that relates the proposed harmonic‐adjusted THD and a generalised harmonic derating factor definition of the frequency‐dependent losses of the power transmission and distribution equipment is derived. An optimal C ‐type passive filter design for harmonic mitigation and power factor correction based on the minimisation of the proposed harmonic‐adjusted THD for a balanced non‐sinusoidal system is introduced. A comparative study of the proposed filter design based on the new harmonic‐adjusted definition, and a conventional filter design based on standard THD definition, is presented.
Otoliths as individual indicators: a reappraisal of the link between fish physiology and otolith characteristics
Authors: Grønkjær Peter
Published: March 2016

Otoliths are remarkable recorders that store visual and chemical information that can be interpreted with regard to individual fish phenotype trajectory, life history events and environment. However, the information stored in the otoliths must be interpreted with the knowledge that the otolith is an integral part of fish sensory systems. This means that the environmental signals recorded in the otoliths will be regulated by the homeostatic apparatus of the individual fish – its physiology and ultimately its genetic make-up. Although this may complicate interpretation of environmental signals, it also opens up avenues for new research into the physiology and life history of individual fish. This review focuses on research areas where the coupling between otolith characteristics and fish physiology may yield new insights. Most of the research ideas are by no means new, but rather represent largely forgotten or less-explored research areas. Examples of questions that are fundamental, unanswered and with the potential to yield significant new insights are those related to the coupling of otolith and fish growth through metabolism, and the formation of opaque and translucent growth zones in relation to the physiology of the individual. An integration of visual and chemical data with bioenergetic modelling may yield some of the answers.
Genetic analyses reveal limited dispersal and recovery potential in the large freshwater crayfish Euastacus armatus from the southern Murray–Darling Basin
Authors: Whiterod Nick S. , Zukowski Sylvia , Asmus Martin , Gilligan Dean , Miller Adam D.
Published: March 2016

Understanding dispersal traits and adaptive potential is critically important when assessing the vulnerability of freshwater species in highly modified ecosystems. The present study investigates the population genetic structure of the Murray crayfish Euastacus armatus in the southern Murray–Darling Basin. This species has suffered significant population declines in sections of the Murray River in recent years, prompting the need for information on natural recruitment processes to help guide conservation. We assessed allele frequencies from 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci across 20 sites encompassing the majority of the species’ range. Low levels of gene flow were observed throughout hydrologically connected waterways, but significant spatial autocorrelation and low migration rate estimates reflect local genetic structuring and dispersal limitations, with home ranges limited to distances <50-km. Significant genetic differentiation of headwater populations upstream of barriers imposed by impoundments were also observed; however, population simulations demonstrate that these patterns likely reflect historical limitations to gene flow rather than contemporary anthropogenic impacts. Dispersal limitations, coupled with its biological traits, suggest that local populations are vulnerable to environmental disturbance with limited potential for natural recolonisation following population decline. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of managing the recovery of the species.
Integrated genome browser: visual analytics platform for genomics
Authors: Freese Nowlan H. , Norris David C. , Loraine Ann E.
Published: March 2016

Motivation: Genome browsers that support fast navigation through vast datasets and provide interactive visual analytics functions can help scientists achieve deeper insight into biological systems. Toward this end, we developed Integrated Genome Browser (IGB), a highly configurable, interactive and fast open source desktop genome browser.

Results: Here we describe multiple updates to IGB, including all-new capabilities to display and interact with data from high-throughput sequencing experiments. To demonstrate, we describe example visualizations and analyses of datasets from RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq and bisulfite sequencing experiments. Understanding results from genome-scale experiments requires viewing the data in the context of reference genome annotations and other related datasets. To facilitate this, we enhanced IGB’s ability to consume data from diverse sources, including Galaxy, Distributed Annotation and IGB-specific Quickload servers. To support future visualization needs as new genome-scale assays enter wide use, we transformed the IGB codebase into a modular, extensible platform for developers to create and deploy all-new visualizations of genomic data.

Availability and implementation: IGB is open source and is freely available from http://bioviz.org/igb.

Contact:  aloraine@uncc.edu
Testing reproductive allometry in fish
Authors: Olsson Karin H. , Gislason Henrik
Published: March 2016

Energy allocation models have proved useful for clarifying the ecological mechanisms which influence growth and reproduction schemes in species with indeterminate growth and for understanding how traits correlate with generate the life history of specific species. In view of the need to understand how exploitation affects species for which few data on key population parameters such as reproductive potential and population growth rate are available, it would be helpful if simple energy allocation schemes parametrized by easily obtainable data could be used to estimate parameters such as reproductive effort and output. Testing the predictions of three such models on fecundity data from a range of species, we show how the simplifications required in a generalized energy allocation scheme are reflected in the deviations between model predictions and empirical data, and discuss the validity of the assumptions underlying these models. We caution against over-reliance on generalized and simplified models to predict reproductive effort.
Genomic data reveal similar genetic differentiation between species with vastly different dispersal capabilities and life histories
Authors: Jordan Steve , Hand Brian K. , Hotaling Scott , DelVecchia Amanda , Malison Rachel , Nissley Clark , Stanford Jack , Luikart Gordon
Published: March 2016

Little is known about the life histories, population connectivity, or dispersal mechanisms of shallow groundwater organisms. Here we used RAD-seq to analyze population structure in two aquifer species:Paraperla frontalis, a stonefly with groundwater larvae and aerial adults, andStygobromussp., a groundwater-obligate amphipod. We found similar levels of connectivity in each species between floodplains separated by ~70 river km in the Flathead River basin of NW Montana, USA. Given thatStygobromouslacks the aboveground life stage ofP. frontalis, our findings suggest that aquifer-obligate species might have previously unrecognized dispersal capacity.
Estimating dispersal kernels using genetic parentage data
Authors: Bode Michael , Williamson David , Harrison Hugo , Outram Nick , Jones Geoffrey P.
Published: March 2016

Dispersal kernels are the standard method for describing and predicting the relationship between dispersal strength and distance. Statistically-fitted dispersal kernels allow observations of a limited number of dispersal events to be extrapolated across a wider landscape, and form the basis of a wide range of theories and methods in ecology, evolution and conservation. Genetic parentage data are an increasingly common source of dispersal information, particularly for species where dispersal is difficult to observe directly. It is now routinely applied to coral reef fish, whose larvae disperse over many kilometers and are too small to follow directly. However, it is not straightforward to estimate dispersal kernels from parentage data, and existing methods each have substantial limitations. Here we develop and proof a new statistical estimator for fitting dispersal kernels to parentage data, applying it to simulated and empirical datasets of reef fish parentage. The method incorporates a series of factors omitted in previous methods: the partial sampling of adults and juveniles on sampled reefs; the existence of unassigned dispersers from unsampled reefs; and post-settlement processes (e.g., density dependent mortality) that follow dispersal but precede parentage sampling. Power analyses indicate that the highest levels of sampling currently used for reef fishes is sufficient to fit accurate dispersal kernels. Sampling is best distributed equally between adults and juveniles, and over more than ten populations. Importantly, we show that accounting for unsampled or unassigned individuals – including adult individuals on partially-sampled and unsampled patches – is essential for a precise and unbiased estimate of dispersal.
Cis-regulatory evolution in prokaryotes revealed by interspecific archaeal hybrids
Authors: Artieri Carlo G. , Naor Adit , Turgeman-Grott Israela , Zhou Yiqi , York Ryan , Gophna Uri , Fraser Hunter B.
Published: March 2016

The study of allele-specific expression (ASE) in interspecific hybrids has played a central role in our understanding of a wide range of phenomena, including genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, and cis-regulatory evolution. However across the hundreds of studies of hybrid ASE, all have been restricted to sexually reproducing eukaryotes, leaving a major gap in our understanding of the genomic patterns of cis-regulatory evolution in prokaryotes. Here we introduce a method to generate stable hybrids between two species of halophilic archaea, and measure genome-wide ASE in these hybrids with RNA-seq. We found that over half of all genes have significant ASE, and that genes encoding kinases show evidence of lineage-specific selection on their cis-regulation. This pattern of polygenic selection suggested species-specific adaptation to low phosphate conditions, which we confirmed with growth experiments. Altogether, our work extends the study of ASE to archaea, and suggests that cis-regulation can evolve under polygenic lineage-specific selection in prokaryotes.
Linac Coherent Light Source data analysis using psana
Authors: Damiani D. , Dubrovin M. , Gaponenko I. , Kroeger W. , Lane T. J. , Mitra A. , O'Grady C. P. , Salnikov A. , Sanchez-Gonzalez A. , Schneider D. , Yoon C. H.
Published: March 2016

Psana (Photon Science Analysis) is a software package that is used to analyze data produced by the Linac Coherent Light Source X-ray free-electron laser at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The project began in 2011, is written primarily in C++ with some Python, and provides user interfaces in both C++ and Python. Most users use the Python interface. The same code can be run in real time while data are being taken as well as offline, executing on many nodes/cores using MPI for parallelization. It is publicly available and installable on the RHEL5/6/7 operating systems.
2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl 4-chlorobenzoate
Authors: Mohammed Yasser Hussein Issa , Naveen S. , Lokanath N. K. , Manjunath H. R. , Al-Ghorbani Mohammed , Khanum Shaukath Ara
Published: March 2016

In the title compound, C13H7Cl2FO2, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 49.96 (12)° and the fluorine atom issynto the C=O group. In the crystal, the molecules are linked into [010] chains by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...Cl interactions link these chains into sheets parallel to the (101) plane.
Capacity building for post disaster construction and demolition waste management
Authors: Karunasena Gayani , Amaratunga Dilanthi
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical framework for capacity building in post disaster construction and demolition (C
&
D) waste management at a national level to address the identified capacity gaps in managing disaster waste resulting from natural hazards.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered through pilot interviews, case studies and expert opinion surveys representing government, non-government and other sector organisations involved in post disaster waste management.

Findings

– The study revealed unavailability of a single point of responsibility and provision for disaster waste in existing policies and capacity constraints in prevailing peace time solid waste management practices which were identified as major capacity gaps. Establishment of a regulatory body and enforceable rules and regulations with necessary levels of capacities was identified and presented in a theoretical framework comprising of seven identified areas for capacity building in post disaster waste management.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited to disaster C
&
D waste as debris generated from totally or partially damaged buildings and infrastructure as a direct impact of natural hazards or from demolished buildings and infrastructure at rehabilitation or early recovery stages. Waste generated during reconstruction phase of post disaster management cycle is not considered as disaster C
&
D waste for purposes of this study.

Originality/value

– The research enabled analysis of existing capacities and presents approaches for capacity building for identified gaps in post disaster C
&
D waste management to attain sustainable post disaster waste management for future resilience.
Private needs, public responses: vulnerable people’s flood-disrupted mobility
Authors: Christie Nicola , Griffin Liza , Chan Natalie , Twigg John , Titheridge Helena
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of vulnerable people during flood events, impacts of changes in mobility on well-being and the extent to which frontline services, emergency planning officers and other service providers allocate resources for vulnerable members of the community to meet the challenges posed by floods.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth qualitative interviews carried out with 15 vulnerable residents, seven community representatives and eight service providers.

Findings

– Vulnerable people’s well-being was negatively affected by the disruption to travel caused by floods, though support from the community to some extent redressed these negative feelings. Whilst there seems to be a strong response from both the community and the local authorities to the mobility needs of vulnerable people during floods, what seems to be missing is an equal response from the private sector in terms of provision of transport services to access goods such as food and money.

Practical implications

– More needs to be done to make sure that communication and support networks are formalised to address the potential unevenness of informal networks. Private companies need to engage more with customers. Improved information and more resilient services such as 4×4 vehicles and doorstep provision of goods and money would directly support vulnerable people who are highly dependent on their services.

Originality/value

– This study is the first in the UK to explore and compare the private experiences of vulnerable people with the views of stakeholders who could support them during floods.
The Houma Indians’ battle against the ocean
Authors: Allamel Frédéric
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The Houma Indians reside in the backwaters of the Mississippi Delta, a coastal area that is disappearing due to natural subsidence, sea-level rise, and mismanagements of the ecosystems. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the causes of this ecocide and the responses addressing such environmental challenges, including scientific strategies, political non-intervention, and the United Houma Nation’s plans for preserving a sense of place and togetherness as a prerequisite for its cultural survival.

Design/methodology/approach

– This ethnographic investigation relies on participant observation, and interviews with tribal leaders, fishermen, trappers, as well as scientists and local politicians. In order to grasp the emic perspective, most interviews were conducted in the Houma French dialect.

Findings

– The Mississippi Delta epitomizes issues that will shape tomorrow’s world, namely, the vulnerability of coastal areas and the flows of environmental refugees. As shown by this study, coastal residents do not make a passive flux of evacuees responding to state/NGO-run plans. Actually, they are chief agents who either develop resilient strategies or proactive relocation stratagems to avoid ethnocide. Their pragmatic methodologies provide valuable data for any crisis management efforts.

Originality/value

– This research gives a voice to the voiceless, and conveys their existential struggles from within – unlike most studies of endangered communities relying on outsiders’ viewpoints. This perspective depicts the Houmas as actors of their survival who implement diverse tribal strategies for coping with environmental change.
The challenges and future of trade unionism in Algeria: a lost cause?
Authors: Chelghoum Amira , Takeda Sachiko , Wilczek Barbara , Homberg Fabian
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the realities of Algerian employee relations and the challenges autonomous trade unionists encounter in their activities, which are normally far removed from the eyes of the international community.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Algerian autonomous trade union leaders, union members and non-members. The collected data were analysed using a thematic approach.

Findings

– The interview results brought into relief the challenges of Algerian trade unionism with the following four themes: first, scepticism towards the only government-affiliated trade union in Algeria; second, the relationship between autonomous unions and the government; third, strike actions and intimidation/harassment; and fourth, views of non-trade unionists and the future of Algerian trade unionism.

Research limitations/implications

– The sensitivity of the topic and widespread fear limited the number of interviewees and the length of interviews.

Social implications

– This paper provides recent empirical evidence reflecting the contemporary nature of employee relations in Algeria, and its discussions consider the prerequisites for a more effective protection of workers’ rights in Algeria.

Originality/value

– This study addresses the lack of examination of trade union activities in North Africa and in Algeria in particular. Whereas studies on employment relations in emerging economies have been conducted mainly at the macro level, this study makes important contributions by providing a first micro-level insight into the realities of trade unionism in Algeria through giving voice to those who struggle daily to protect workers’ rights.
Three decades of “repackaging” Islamic finance in international markets
Authors: Fang Eddy S.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims at retracing changing attitudes toward Islamic financial products in international markets over the past three decades, thereby providing an account of their “unexpected” expansion outside of the Muslim world.

Design/methodology/approach

– This conceptual paper builds on an archival research

–

969 news articles published in the UK from 1985 to 2014. Although emphasis is put on the decade of fast changing attitudes toward Islamic finance (IF) in global markets (2001-2011), the years prior to (1985-2000) and following (2012-2014) the target period are also investigated.

Findings

– Starting as an obscure set of practices often associated with religious fundamentalism before the mid-1990s, IF had become a “mainstream” alternative by the turn of the century. A second interpretive break then emerged with the advent of the subprime crisis in 2007-2008, which increasingly conferred to IF an ethical component. Interestingly, both narratives still exist concurrently in the media, even in post-crisis discussions.

Social implications

– The discussion in this paper allows us to explain the findings of the most recent surveys on this topic, which put forward the complex, and sometimes even contradictory, understandings of what IF stands for in global markets.

Originality/value

– This is the first archival research on the topic of IF in international markets. Besides bringing to the discussion an interesting historical perspective, it also draws attention to the growing importance of Islam-based financial products in traditionally secular markets.
Does Halal image strengthen consumer intention to patronize Halal stores?
Authors: Mohd Suki Norazah , Abang Salleh Abang Sulaiman
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of Halal image, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control on consumer behavioural intention to patronize Halal stores in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to members of the general public in Kuching, the main city of Sarawak, Malaysia, via a convenient sampling technique. In total, 548 valid samples were usable for data analysis. Correlation analysis was used to test the model.

Findings

– Empirical results revealed that consumers’ intention to patronize Halal stores is influenced by attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norm and Halal image. Muslim consumers develop a favourable attitude towards stores that display a Halal image, are pleased to know that each item available in these stores is a confirmed Halal product and decide to re-patronize those stores in their practice of Islamic teachings.

Practical implications

– Marketing managers should focus on developing a positive image of their stores to attract Muslim consumers. For foreign companies, this means that managements should be respectful of the Shariah law in their business transactions and create an image of their brands which is in accordance with Halal requirements to increase the confidence among Muslim customers to patronize their products and stores.

Originality/value

– The main theoretical contribution relates to the inclusion of the halal image dimension as a variable in the matter of consumer intention to patronize Halal stores in Malaysia.
Does social currency matter in creation of enhanced brand experience?
Authors: Trudeau H. Sabrina , Shobeiri Saeed
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to demonstrate the importance of the newly developed concept of social currency as an antecedent of brand experience in the context of cosmetics consumption. In other words, the authors suggest that social currency could act as a brand experience provider.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data collection was made through a paper and pencil survey. The sample consisted mostly of undergraduate and graduate students recruited on a voluntary basis at a large northeastern university. Self-administered questionnaires were filled by 373 participants, who were instructed to think about their favourite brand when it comes to buying cosmetic products for themselves.

Findings

– Results showed that social currency positively impacts all four dimensions of brand experience, i.e. sensory, affective, behavioural and intellectual experiences. The findings also suggest that conversation, advocacy and affiliation are the three significant dimensions of social currency when it comes to the consumption of cosmetics.

Originality/value

– This study reveals, for the first time, how the concept of social currency could enhance a fundamental component of brand equity, i.e. brand experience. Another important contribution of this research is the establishment of higher levels of validity for the newly developed concept of social currency. This study would also contribute to the investigation of brand experience antecedents, which have been little addressed in the literature on the emerging paradigm of experiential marketing.
Chronic exposure to a neonicotinoid pesticide alters the interactions between bumblebees and wild plants
Authors: Stanley Dara A. , Raine Nigel E.
Published: March 2016

Insect pollinators are essential for both the production of a large proportion of world crops and the health of natural ecosystems. As important pollinators, bumblebees must learn to forage on flowers to feed both themselves and provision their colonies.

Increased use of pesticides has caused concern over sublethal effects on bees, such as impacts on reproduction or learning ability. However, little is known about how sublethal exposure to field‐realistic levels of pesticide might affect the ability of bees to visit and manipulate flowers.

We observed the behaviour of individual bumblebees from colonies chronically exposed to a neonicotinoid pesticide (10 ppb thiamethoxam) or control solutions foraging for the first time on an array of morphologically complex wildflowers (Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens) in an outdoor flight arena.

We found that more bees released from pesticide‐treated colonies became foragers, and that they visited more L. corniculatus flowers than controls. Interestingly, bees exposed to pesticide collected pollen more often than controls, but control bees learnt to handle flowers efficiently after fewer learning visits than bees exposed to pesticide. There were also different initial floral preferences of our treatment groups; control bees visited a higher proportion of T. repens flowers, and bees exposed to pesticide were more likely to choose L. corniculatus on their first visit.

Our results suggest that the foraging behaviour of bumblebees on real flowers can be altered by sublethal exposure to field‐realistic levels of pesticide. This has implications for the foraging success and persistence of bumblebee colonies, but perhaps more importantly for the interactions between wild plants and flower‐visiting insects and ability of bees to deliver the crucial pollination services to plants necessary for ecosystem functioning.
Cost‐effective monitoring of biological invasions under global change: a model‐based framework
Authors: Vicente Joana R. , Alagador Diogo , Guerra Carlos , Alonso Joaquim M. , Kueffer Christoph , Vaz Ana S. , Fernandes Rui F. , Cabral João A. , Araújo Miguel B. , Honrado João P.
Published: March 2016

Ecological monitoring programmes are designed to detect and measure changes in biodiversity and ecosystems. In the case of biological invasions, they can contribute to anticipating risks and adaptively managing invaders. However, monitoring is often expensive because large amounts of data might be needed to draw inferences. Thus, careful planning is required to ensure that monitoring goals are realistically achieved.

Species distribution models (SDMs) can provide estimates of suitable areas to invasion. Predictions from these models can be applied as inputs in optimization strategies seeking to identify the optimal extent of the networks of areas required for monitoring risk of invasion under current and future environmental conditions. A hierarchical framework is proposed herein that combines SDMs, scenario analysis and cost analyses to improve invasion assessments at regional and local scales. We illustrate the framework with Acacia dealbata Link. (Silver‐wattle) in northern Portugal. The framework is general and applicable to any species.

We defined two types of monitoring networks focusing either on the regional‐scale management of an invasion, or management focus within and around protected areas. For each one of these two schemes, we designed a hierarchical framework of spatial prioritization using different information layers (e.g. SDMs, habitat connectivity, protected areas). We compared the performance of each monitoring scheme against 100 randomly generated models.

In our case study, we found that protected areas will be increasingly exposed to invasion by A. dealbata due to climate change. Moreover, connectivity between suitable areas for A. dealbata is predicted to increase. Monitoring networks that we identify were more effective in detecting new invasions and less costly to management than randomly generated models. The most cost‐efficient monitoring schemes require 18% less effort than the average networks across all of the 100 tested options.

Synthesis and applications. The proposed framework achieves cost‐effective monitoring networks, enabling the interactive exploration of different solutions and the combination of quantitative information on network performance with orientations that are rarely incorporated in a decision support system. The framework brings invasion monitoring closer to European legislation and management needs while ensuring adaptability under rapid climate and environmental change.
Metabarcoding and mitochondrial metagenomics of endogean arthropods to unveil the mesofauna of the soil
Authors: Arribas Paula , Andújar Carmelo , Hopkins Kevin , Shepherd Matthew , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: March 2016

Biological communities inhabiting the soil are among the most diversified, complex and yet most poorly studied terrestrial ecosystems. The greatest knowledge gaps apply to the arthropod mesofauna (0·1–2 mm body size) because conventional morphological and molecular approaches are in many cases insufficient for the characterisation of these complex communities. The development of high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) methodologies is required to solve current impediments and to further advance our understanding of below‐ground biodiversity.

We propose a flotation–Berlese–flotation (FBF) protocol for sampling and specimen processing to obtain ‘clean’ DNA extractions of arthropod mesofauna from the soil. In addition, we developed and tested HTS protocols for the characterisation of arthropod communities from these bulk DNA extractions using cox1 metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomic sequencing on the MiSeq Illumina platform.

The FBF protocol provided DNA of soil arthropods from sufficiently large volumes of soil and free from contaminating bacteria and inhibitors. Metabarcoding and metagenomic sequencing on two deep soil samples from Iberian grasslands revealed >100 species of Acari and Collembola from 28 families. Genome assembly straight from shotgun sequencing of bulk specimens produced partial and full mitogenomes for 54 species with average length of >6000 bp. Metabarcoding and metagenomic sequencing resulted in closely congruent OTUs, but species numbers were highest with metabarcoding, while ∼73% of species were confirmed by matching shotgun sequence reads and ∼48% by contig assembly from those shotgun reads.

In combination, the FBF protocol together with the PCR‐based and shotgun sequencing pipelines addressed most of the challenges of studying soil arthropod mesofauna on the MiSeq Illumina platform. They are powerful, cost‐efficient tools for characterising soil diversity in a phylogenetic and community ecology context. These methodological developments of HTS approaches for the study of mesofauna will accelerate ecological and evolutionary studies, biomonitoring of soil arthropods, and progress in both theoretical and applied soil science.
Validating the use of unique trait combinations for measuring multivariate functional richness
Authors: Keyel Alexander C. , Wiegand Kerstin
Published: March 2016

Quantifying functional trait diversity has provided important new insights for understanding ecosystem processes and functioning. Functional diversity is often partitioned into three components richness, evenness and divergence. Currently, a convex hull is used as a measure of multivariate richness, but this approach has some serious limitations.

Consequently, we propose using the number of unique trait combinations (UTCs) as an approach to measure the filled trait space (the hypervolume containing all possible trait combinations) and propose a new index, sUTC, as the amount of filled trait space divided by the trait space range. Like convex hull approaches, UTC can be partitioned into alpha and beta components when used across sites, and the beta component can be further partitioned into turnover and nestedness components. Unlike convex hull approaches, UTC can be used more intuitively with existing diversity measures as it can be used in conjunction with abundance information. We present the concepts these indices are based on and give examples of their use. The new index, sUTC, is compared to the existing indices on the basis of criteria specified in the literature and one novel criterion. We test and evaluate the approach using simulated data and field data.

We found that the UTC approach provided a more accurate assessment of functional richness than did the existing indices.

The UTC approach is a multivariate approach to measuring functional richness that can accommodate continuous and categorical traits and can account for holes in the trait space.
Knowledge and beliefs about nutrition and physical activity during pregnancy in women from South Auckland region, New Zealand
Authors: Okesene‐Gafa Karaponi , Chelimo Carol , Chua Shireen , Henning Marcus , McCowan Lesley
Published: March 2016

Background

Approximately 60% of women in South Auckland, a culturally diverse region in New Zealand, become pregnant with a high body mass index. However, little is known about these women's knowledge of nutrition and physical activity during pregnancy.

Aims

To assess knowledge of nutrition and physical activity during pregnancy, factors influencing eating habits and the willingness to participate in a nutritional intervention.

Materials and Methods

A total of 422 women completed the survey in late pregnancy between September and December 2013. Multivariable logistic regression investigated factors associated with infrequent healthy eating, adjusting for ethnicity and gestation at questionnaire completion.

Results

Ethnicity of participants was Māori (24.2%), Pacific (40.5%), Asian (12.8%) and European/Others (21.8%). Most (95.0%) reported receiving information about healthy eating while pregnant and 61% reported eating healthy frequently or very frequently. Forty‐four point three per cent reported eating more in pregnancy; the commonest reasons were cravings and ‘eating for two’. The adjusted odd ratios (aORs) indicated that the self‐reported factors associated with infrequent healthy eating in this sample were Māori (aOR 17.66; 95% CI 8.49–36.77) and Pacific ethnicity (aOR 14.54; 95% CI 7.32–28.88); parity ≥3 (aOR 2.09; 95%CI 1.26–3.48); obesity (aOR 2.84; 95% CI 1.35–5.97); unplanned pregnancy (aOR 1.95; 95%CI 1.18–3.22); and eating takeaways ≥3 times/week (aOR 4.46; 95%CI 1.88–10.56). Of women sampled, 83.4% would likely/very likely participate in a nutritional intervention.

Conclusion

Self‐reported factors associated with infrequent healthy eating in pregnancy were identified in this sample. Our findings will assist development of a nutritional intervention for pregnant women in South Auckland.
Using different growth references to measure thinness and overweight among Swedish primary school children showed considerable variations
Authors: Nilsen Bente B. , Yngve Agneta , Sjöberg Agneta , Moraeus Lotta , Lissner Lauren , Werner Bo
Published: March 2016

Aim

The study compared how four different growth references determined the prevalence of thinness and overweight, based on height and weight measurements from a nationally representative sample of Swedish children from seven to nine years of age.

Methods

The height and weight measurements of 4518 Swedish schoolchildren aged seven to nine years were carried out in 2008 using a standardised protocol. The prevalence of different degrees of thinness and overweight was calculated using international growth references from the World Health Organization, the International Obesity Task Force and two Swedish growth references from Werner and Karlberg.

Results

Depending on which growth reference we used, the prevalence of different degrees of thinness varied from 7.5% to 16.9% for the boys and 6.9% to 13.7% for the girls, while the prevalence of overweight, including obesity and severe obesity, varied from 16.5% to 25.7% for the boys and 18.2 to 25.2% for the girls. There were also significant gender differences depending on the growth reference we used.

Conclusion

Using four different growth references, two international and two Swedish, produced wide variations in the prevalence of thinness and overweight, together with significant gender differences. In the absence of a global definition, we need both national and international growth references.
YKL‐40 protein in osteosarcoma tumor tissue
Authors: Thorn Andrea Pohly , Daugaard Søren , Christensen Lise Hanne , Christensen Ib Jarle , Petersen Michael Mørk
Published: March 2016

YKL‐40, a cellular glycoprotein isolated from the human osteosarcoma (OS) cell line MG63, is increased in the blood of patients with various types of cancer, and is found as an independent prognostic variable for survival. YKL‐40 is also present with variable intensity in the tumor cells of some cancer types, but survival results have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the tissue expression of YKL‐40 and its possible role as a predictive marker in patients with OS. Forty‐eight patients were included in the study. Diagnostic biopsies were analyzed by immunohistochemistry; YKL‐staining scores as well as CD14 and CD163 scores were determined, and survival data were determined statistically. A universal intense immunostaining for YKL‐40 was found in all tumor cells, but tumor cell/stroma ratio varied, and this ratio (%) served as staining score. Using 24% as mean score to divide the material, patients with tumors of high YKL‐40 score had a better survival than patients with low score (p = 0.05). YKL‐positive macrophages had no influence on the result. Unexpectedly and contrary to some other findings in cancer tissues, this study has shown a correlation between high YKL‐40 tumor cell/matrix ratio and longer overall survival in OS.
Effects of temperature and temperature‐humidity index on the reproductive performance of sows during summer months under a temperate climate
Authors: Wegner Kerstin , Lambertz Christian , Das Gürbüz , Reiner Gerald , Gauly Matthias
Published: March 2016

Heat stress is known to influence sow reproduction, but it is unknown to which extent under temperate climates. Therefore, the impact of temperature and temperature‐humidity index (THI) on the reproductive performance of sows during summer months from 2009 to 2011 were studied. Reproductive parameters of 22 264 inseminations and 21 610 resulting farrowings of 22 German commercial farms were analyzed. Climatic records were available from the nearest weather station. Effects of temperature and THI at different periods of the reproductive cycle were estimated from May to September where temperatures were expected to influence climatic conditions indoors. High temperatures and THI values 5 days pre‐ and 14 days post‐breeding reduced litter size by 0.01 to 0.03 piglets (P < 0.05). Prior to farrowing, the number of liveborn piglets was reduced (P < 0.05) and of stillborns increased with rising climatic variables (P < 0.001). On the day of farrowing, reduced numbers of weaned piglets were observed when temperature and THI values were elevated (P < 0.05), but pre‐weaning mortality was not influenced (P > 0.05). In conclusion, even under temperate conditions adverse effects of climatic variables on the reproductive performance of sows are present. Thereby, the number of liveborn piglets can be considered as the most sensitive parameter to heat stress. Considering the impact of climate change and predicted heat waves, strategies to mitigate the impact of heat stress are necessary.
Influence of transport conditions and pre‐slaughter water shower spray during summer on protein characteristics and water distribution of broiler breast meat
Authors: Xing Tong , Li Yun han. , Li Ming , Jiang Nan nan. , Xu Xing lian. , Zhou Guang hong.
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the effects of pre‐slaughter transport during summer and subsequent water shower spray on broiler meat quality and protein characteristics. Arbor Acres broiler chickens (n = 126, 42 days old, mixed sex, 2.5‐3 kg) were randomly categorized into three treatments: (i) control group without transport (C); (ii) 30 min transport (T); and (iii) 30 min transport followed by 10 min water shower spray and 20 min lairage (T/W). Each treatment consisted of six replicates with seven birds each. Ambient temperature was 32‐35°C during transportation. Results indicated that transport during high ambient temperature denatured myosin and sarcoplasmic proteins, led to decreased protein solubility and resulted in glycogen phosphorylase precipitated to the myofibrillar fraction. Furthermore, meat quality in the transport group showed a pale, soft and exudative (PSE)‐like syndrome. Water shower spray during lairage after transport reduced the degree of protein denaturation and lessened the deterioration of meat quality.
Japanese regulation of biosimilar products: past experience and current challenges
Authors: Arato Teruyo
Published: March 2016

Seven biosimilar products have been approved in Japan since the March 2009 publication of the ‘Guideline for quality, safety and efficacy assurance of biosimilar products’ by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). Four years previously, the ‘Guideline on similar biological medicinal products’ was issued in the European Union (EU), and 13 products as of February 2016 have been approved as biosimilar. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first biosimilar product in the US in March 2015 and final Guidance was issued at the end of April 2015. Over the past decade, the challenges regarding the development of biosimilar products have been discussed extensively. In this article, the data packages of biosimilar products in Japan are compared with those overseas in order to clarify the concepts used by the Japanese regulatory authority, i.e., the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The challenges in the development of biosimilar products in Japan are also addressed.