bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neogeography and the Delusion of Democratisation
Authors: Haklay Mordechai (Muki)
Published: January 2013

Within the academic and popular discussion of neogeography, it is routinely argued that the process of producing and using geographical information has been fundamentally democratised. Neogeography, in contrast to ‘established geography’, especially uses the argument that it is for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Similar arguments have been used to praise the growth in Web GIS since the mid-1990s and seem to be persistent in the conceptualisation of these technologies. However, what is the nature of this democracy, and to what extent do the technologies that are used in neogeography fulfil this democratisation promise? In this contribution the framework offered by Andrew Feenberg in his critical theory of technology, and especially his call for ‘deep democratisation’, is used to provide a critique of these assertions of the nature of neogeography. The analysis shows that, unlike early critical GIS and the literature on participatory GIS, the analysis of neogeography adopted an instrumentalist interpretation of the technology and its applications. This view claims that technology is value free and that there is a separation between means and ends. This type of argument ignores and disguises the values that are integrated inexorably in advanced technologies. Once the values are exposed and discussed, neogeography becomes far less exciting and transformative. It becomes clear that there is a separation between a technological elite and a wider group of uninformed, labouring participants who are not empowered through the use of the technology. There are also multiple obstacles that limit the democratic potential of neogeography. The analysis progresses by considering the hierarchy of hacking, understood here as the ability to alter and change the meaning and use of a specific technological system. This hierarchy further explains the democratisation potentialities and limits of neogeography. Because of the reduced barriers, neogeography does offer some increased level of democratisation but, to fulfil this potential, it requires careful implementation that takes into account social and political aspects.
Railway Franchising in Great Britain and Effects of the 2008/09 Economic Recession
Authors: Knowles Richard D
Published: January 2013

Since 2008 Britain's passenger railway franchises have been under twin stresses. Due to economic recession, the growth in passengers and revenues temporarily slowed or reversed whilst franchise agreements require train operators to increase financial commitments from their franchise agreements. At the same time, government was cutting its share of rail revenue budgets. National Express East Coast was unable to meet its franchise commitments and its contract was cancelled. This paper analyses the differing effects of the 2008/09 economic recession on rail usage in each of the London and South East commuter, Long Distance intercity, and Regional franchise sectors and on rail industry finances. The case for longer franchises is considered both as a means of securing more private sector investment in rolling stock, stations, and rail services, and as a mechanism for surviving temporary economic downturns.
Genotypic recognition and spatial responses by rice roots
Authors: Fang Suqin , Clark Randy T. , Zheng Ying , Iyer-Pascuzzi Anjali S. , Weitz Joshua S. , Kochian Leon V. , Edelsbrunner Herbert , Liao Hong , Benfey Philip N.
Published: January 2013

Root system growth and development is highly plastic and is influenced by the surrounding environment. Roots frequently grow in heterogeneous environments that include interactions from neighboring plants and physical impediments in the rhizosphere. To investigate how planting density and physical objects affect root system growth, we grew rice in a transparent gel system in close proximity with another plant or a physical object. Root systems were imaged and reconstructed in three dimensions. Root–root interaction strength was calculated using quantitative metrics that characterize the extent to which the reconstructed root systems overlap each other. Surprisingly, we found the overlap of root systems of the same genotype was significantly higher than that of root systems of different genotypes. Root systems of the same genotype tended to grow toward each other but those of different genotypes appeared to avoid each other. Shoot separation experiments excluded the possibility of aerial interactions, suggesting root communication. Staggered plantings indicated that interactions likely occur at root tips in close proximity. Recognition of obstacles also occurred through root tips, but through physical contact in a size-dependent manner. These results indicate that root systems use two different forms of communication to recognize objects and alter root architecture: root-root recognition, possibly mediated through root exudates, and root-object recognition mediated by physical contact at the root tips. This finding suggests that root tips act as local sensors that integrate rhizosphere information into global root architectural changes.
Growth and Survival of Largemouth Bass following Supplemental Feeding of Bluegills in Small Impoundments
Authors: Woodard Stephen R. , Wright Russell A. , DeVries Dennis R.
Published: January 2013

We investigated whether providing supplemental pellet feed to Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus in small impoundments increased their growth and reproductive rates after stocking and whether the supplemental feeding of Bluegills had positive indirect effects on Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides during the initial stocking year. In 2010, we stocked adult Bluegills and Largemouth Bass into nine 0.1-ha ponds; three replicate ponds were each provided with no pelleted food (control), a low ration (1.52 kg·ha−1·d−1), or a high ration (2.68 kg·ha−1·d−1). Supplemental feeding yielded increases in the growth of newly stocked Bluegills, the gonadosomatic index of female Bluegills, and the density of larval Bluegills within 4 months of stocking. In contrast, the sizes of adult and age-0 Largemouth Bass and the density and biomass of age-0 Bluegills during fall were not affected by feeding within the time frame of our study. The results demonstrate that supplemental pellet feeding is useful when the management goal is to increase Bluegill size and reproductive output and that these effects develop soon after stocking. We conclude that supplemental feeding is a beneficial enhancement technique for application to Bluegills in recently stocked impoundments.

Received May 13, 2012; accepted November 20, 2012
Timing of in Situ Visual Information Pick-Up that Differentiates Expert and Near-Expert Anticipation in a Complex Motor Skill
Authors: Rosalie Simon M. , Müller Sean
Published: January 2013

The timing of visual information pick-up for visual anticipation was examined by comparing the capability of multiple skill groups, expert and near-expert karate athletes and novices, to block attacks using an in situ temporal occlusion paradigm. Participants stood facing a karate opponent and then attempted to block attacks (kicks and punches), whilst their vision of attacks was occluded: (a) prior to onset of opponent motion (O1), (b) after preparatory head movement (O2), and (c) after initiation of the attacking motion (O3). A no occlusion control condition provided complete vision of attacks (O4). Results revealed that expert anticipation was not significantly different to that of near-experts at O1, but was significantly different to the other group across O2–O4. Expert anticipation, however, was significantly above chance across all occlusion conditions, but near-experts performed above chance at O3 and O4, whilst novices were better than chance at O4. Unexpectedly, unique evidence was found that expert anticipation could be differentiated from near-expert anticipation in the earliest occlusion condition, where it was found that only experts were capable of using visual information from a static opponent to anticipate and block attacks above chance. The findings further understanding of expert visual anticipation to guide motor skills beyond existing expert–novice comparisons.
The Effect of Age of Acquisition on Older Individuals with and without Cognitive Impairments
Authors: Catling Jonathan , South Felicity , Dent Kevin
Published: January 2013

The present study compared the effects of age of acquisition (AoA) on object naming across groups of older individuals with cognitive impairments, healthy older controls, and young healthy controls. All participants named a set of 80 pictures, within which both AoA and frequency were manipulated orthogonally. Early-acquired objects were named faster than late-acquired objects across all groups. Response time also declined with age and with cognitive impairment between the groups. The effect of AoA differed across groups, with AoA effects being largest for the older group with cognitive impairments and smallest for the young control group. The present study adds strength to the suggestion that AoA of picture names is one of the factors that influence survival or loss of memories in dementia and cognitive decline, and this could therefore be used as a potential screening test for cognitive impairment disorders in the future.
First Principles Study of Al-Li Intermetallic Compounds
Authors: Yu Hai-li , Duan Xiao-hui , Ma Yong-jun , Zeng Min
Published: January 2013

The structural properties, heats of formation, elastic properties, and electronic structures of four compositions of binary Al-Li intermetallics, Al3Li, AlLi, Al2Li3, and Al4Li9, are analyzed in detail by using density functional theory. The calculated formation heats indicate a strong chemical interaction between Al and Li for all the Al-Li intermetallics. In particular, in the Li-rich Al-Li compounds, the thermodynamic stability of intermetallics linearly decreases with increasing concentration of Li. According to the computational single crystal elastic constants, all the four Al-Li intermetallic compounds considered here are mechanically stable. The polycrystalline elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio have been deduced by using Voigt, Reuss, and Hill approximations, and the calculated ratios of bulk modulus to shear modulus indicate that the four compositions of binary Al-Li intermetallics are brittle materials. With the increase of Li concentration, the bulk modulus of Al-Li intermetallics decreases in a linear manner.
Protonation Effect on One- and Two-photon Absorption Property of a Newly Synthesized Octupolar Chromophore
Authors: Ding Hong-juan , Sun Jie , Wang Chuan-kui
Published: January 2013

The protonation effects on one- and two-photon absorption properties of an octupolar molecule TA with 1,3,5-triazine core and pyrrole electron-donating end-groups have been studied at hybrid density functional theory level. A computational scheme is developed to simulate a proton attached to an atom. The numerical results show that large changes in both one- and two-photon absorption properties are observed when the compound is transformed from neutral to threefold protonated states. When the compound is protonated, more charge transfer states appear and the absorption band has a red-shift. Furthermore, the two-photon absorption cross-section is largely enhanced. The theoretical calculations demonstrate the protonation effect on promoting the intramolecular charge transfer strength. The results present qualitative agreement with the experimental observations. A two-photon absorption switch with the compound TA based on the protonation effect is proposed.
Theoretical Studies on Dehydrogenation Reactions in Mg2(BH4)2(NH2)2 Compounds
Authors: Chen Zheng , Chen Zhe-ning , Wu An-an , Wu Guo-tao , Xiong Zhi-tao , Chen Ping , Xu Xin
Published: January 2013

Borohydrides have been recently hightlighted as prospective new materials due to their high gravimetric capacities for hydrogen storage. It is, therefore, important to understand the underlying dehydrogenation mechanisms for further development of these materials. We present a systematic theoretical investigation on the dehydrogenation mechanisms of the Mg2(BH4)2(NH2)2 compounds. We found that dehydrogenation takes place most likely via the intermolecular process, which is favorable both kinetically and thermodynamically in comparison with that of the intramolecular process. The dehydrogenation of Mg2(BH4)2(NH2)2 initially takes place via the direct combination of the hydridic H in BH4− and the protic H in NH2−, followed by the formation of Mg—H and subsequent ionic recombination of Mg—Hδ− ··· Hδ+−N.
Local Structures and Chemical Properties of Deprotonated Arginine
Authors: Li Hong-bao , Lin Zi-jing , Luo Yi
Published: January 2013

The potential energy surface of gaseous deprotonated arginine has been systematically investigated by first principles calculations. At the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, apart from the identification of several stable local structures, a new global minimum is located which is about 6.56 kJ/mol more stable than what has been reported. The deprotonated arginine molecule has two distinct forms with the deprotonation at the carboxylate group (COO−). These two forms are bridged by a very high energy barrier and possess very different IR spectral profiles. Our calculated proton dissociation energy and gas-phase acidity of arginine molecule are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. The predicted geometries, dipole moments, rotational constants, vertical ionization energies and IR spectra of low energy conformers will be useful for future experimental measurements.
Electrical Properties of NASICON-type Structured Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 Solid Electrolyte Prepared by 1,2-Propylene glycol-assisted Sol-gel Method
Authors: Zhang Lin-chao , Chen Peng , Hu Zhang , Chen Chun-hua
Published: January 2013

Lithium-ion conductor Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 with an ultrapure NASICON-type phase is synthesized by a 1,2-propylene glycol (1,2-PG)-assisted sol-gel method and characterized by differential thermal analysis-thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry test. Due to the use of 1,2-PG, a homogeneous and light yellow transparent precursor solution is obtained without the precipitation of Ti4+ and Al3+ with PO43−. Well crystallized Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 can be prepared at much lower temperatures from 850 °C to 950 °C within a shorter synthesis time compared with that prepared at a temperature above 1000 °C by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The lithium ionic conductivity of the sintered pellets is up to 0.3 mS/cm at 50 °C with an activation energy as low as 36.6 kJ/mol for the specimen pre-sintered at 700 °C and sintered at 850 °C. The high conductivity, good chemical stability and easy fabrication of the Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 provide a promising candidate as solid electrolyte for all-solid-state Li-ion rechargeable batteries.
Pick interpolation in several variables
Authors: Hamilton Ryan
Published: January 2013

We investigate the Pick problem for the polydisk and unit ball using dual algebra techniques. Some factorization results for Bergman spaces are used to describe a Pick theorem for any bounded region in

C

d

\mathbb {C}^d

.
ScalaBLAST 2.0: rapid and robust BLAST calculations on multiprocessor systems
Authors: Oehmen Christopher S. , Baxter Douglas J.
Published: January 2013

Motivation: BLAST remains one of the most widely used tools in computational biology. The rate at which new sequence data is available continues to grow exponentially, driving the emergence of new fields of biological research. At the same time, multicore systems and conventional clusters are more accessible. ScalaBLAST has been designed to run on conventional multiprocessor systems with an eye to extreme parallelism, enabling parallel BLAST calculations using >16 000 processing cores with a portable, robust, fault-resilient design that introduces little to no overhead with respect to serial BLAST.

Availability: ScalaBLAST 2.0 source code can be freely downloaded from http://omics.pnl.gov/software/ScalaBLAST.php.

Contact:  christopher.oehmen@pnl.gov
Premature Delivery Reduces Intestinal Cytoskeleton, Metabolism, and Stress Response Proteins in Newborn Formula‐Fed Pigs
Authors: Jiang Pingping , Wan Jennifer Man‐Fan , Cilieborg Malene S. , Sit Wai‐Hung , Sangild Per Torp
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Preterm infants often show intolerance to the first enteral feeds, and the structural and functional basis of this intolerance remains unclear. We hypothesized that preterm and term neonates show similar gut trophic responses to feeding but different expression of intestinal functional proteins, thus helping to explain why preterm neonates are more susceptible to feeding‐induced disorders such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Methods:

Incidence of feeding‐induced NEC, intestinal mass, and brush border enzyme activities, and the intestinal proteome in preterm cesarean‐delivered pigs were compared with the corresponding values in pigs delivered spontaneously at term.

Results:

For both preterm and term pigs, mucosal mass and maltase activity increased (50%–100%), whereas lactase decreased (−50%), relative to values at birth. Only preterm pigs were highly NEC sensitive (30% vs 0% in term pigs, P < 0.05). By gel‐based proteomics, 36 identified proteins differed in expression, with most proteins showing downregulation in preterm pigs, including proteins related to intestinal structure and actin filaments, stress response, protein processing, and nutrient metabolism.

Conclusions:

Despite that enteral feeding induces rapid gut tropic response in both term and preterm neonates, the expression level of cellular proteins related to mucosal integrity, metabolism, and stress response differed markedly (including complement 3, prohibitin, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, and arginosuccinate synthetase). These proteins may play a role in the development of functional gut disorders and NEC in preterm neonates.
Comparison of
in vitro
human endothelial cell response to self-expanding stent deployment in a straight and curved peripheral artery simulator
Authors: Ghriallais Ríona Ní , McNamara Laoise , Bruzzi Mark
Published: January 2013

Haemodynamic forces have a synergistic effect on endothelial cell (EC) morphology, proliferation, differentiation and biochemical expression profiles. Alterations to haemodynamic force levels have been observed at curved regions and bifurcations of arteries but also around struts of stented arteries, and are also known to be associated with various vascular pathologies. Therefore, curvature in combination with stenting might create a pro-atherosclerotic environment compared with stenting in a straight vessel, but this has never been investigated. The goal of this study was to compare EC morphology, proliferation and differentiation within
in vitro
models of curved stented peripheral vessel models with those of straight and unstented vessels. These models were generated using both static conditions and also subjected to 24 h of stimulation in a peripheral artery bioreactor. Medical-grade silicone tubes were seeded with human umbilical vein endothelial cells to produce pseudovessels that were then stented and subjected to 24 h of physiological levels of pulsatile pressure, radial distention and shear stress. Changes in cell number, orientation and nitric oxide (NO) production were assessed in straight, curved, non-stented and stented pseudovessels. We report that curved pseudovessels lead to higher EC numbers with random orientation and lower NO production per cell compared with straight pseudovessels after 24 h of biomechanical stimulation. Both stented curved and stented straight pseudovessels had lower NO production per cell than corresponding unstented pseudovessels. However, in contrast to straight stented pseudovessels, curved stented pseudovessels had fewer viable cells. The results of this study show, for the first time, that the response of the vascular endothelium is dependent on both curvature and stenting combined, and highlight the necessity for future investigations of the effects of curvature in combination with stenting to fully understand effects on the endothelial layer.
From natural to artificial photosynthesis
Authors: Barber James , Tran Phong D.
Published: January 2013

Demand for energy is projected to increase at least twofold by mid-century relative to the present global consumption because of predicted population and economic growth. This demand could be met, in principle, from fossil energy resources, particularly coal. However, the cumulative nature of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) emissions demands that stabilizing the atmospheric CO
2
levels to just twice their pre-anthropogenic values by mid-century will be extremely challenging, requiring invention, development and deployment of schemes for carbon-neutral energy production on a scale commensurate with, or larger than, the entire present-day energy supply from all sources combined. Among renewable and exploitable energy resources, nuclear fusion energy or solar energy are by far the largest. However, in both cases, technological breakthroughs are required with nuclear fusion being very difficult, if not impossible on the scale required. On the other hand, 1 h of sunlight falling on our planet is equivalent to all the energy consumed by humans in an entire year. If solar energy is to be a major primary energy source, then it must be stored and despatched on demand to the end user. An especially attractive approach is to store solar energy in the form of chemical bonds as occurs in natural photosynthesis. However, a technology is needed which has a year-round average conversion efficiency significantly higher than currently available by natural photosynthesis so as to reduce land-area requirements and to be independent of food production. Therefore, the scientific challenge is to construct an ‘artificial leaf’ able to efficiently capture and convert solar energy and then store it in the form of chemical bonds of a high-energy density fuel such as hydrogen while at the same time producing oxygen from water. Realistically, the efficiency target for such a technology must be 10 per cent or better. Here, we review the molecular details of the energy capturing reactions of natural photosynthesis, particularly the water-splitting reaction of photosystem II and the hydrogen-generating reaction of hydrogenases. We then follow on to describe how these two reactions are being mimicked in physico-chemical-based catalytic or electrocatalytic systems with the challenge of creating a large-scale robust and efficient artificial leaf technology.
Negative feedback in ants: crowding results in less trail pheromone deposition
Authors: Czaczkes Tomer J. , Grüter Christoph , Ratnieks Francis L. W.
Published: January 2013

Crowding in human transport networks reduces efficiency. Efficiency can be increased by appropriate control mechanisms, which are often imposed externally. Ant colonies also have distribution networks to feeding sites outside the nest and can experience crowding. However, ants do not have external controllers or leaders. Here, we report a self-organized negative feedback mechanism, based on local information, which downregulates the production of recruitment signals in crowded parts of a network byLasius nigerants. We controlled crowding by manipulating trail width and the number of ants on a trail, and observed a 5.6-fold reduction in the number of ants depositing trail pheromone from least to most crowded conditions. We also simulated crowding by placing glass beads covered in nest-mate cuticular hydrocarbons on the trail. After 10 bead encounters over 20 cm, forager ants were 45 per cent less likely to deposit pheromone. The mechanism of negative feedback reported here is unusual in that it acts by downregulating the production of a positive feedback signal, rather than by direct inhibition or the production of an inhibitory signal.
Early false-belief understanding in traditional non-Western societies
Authors: Barrett H. Clark , Broesch Tanya , Scott Rose M. , He Zijing , Baillargeon Renée , Wu Di , Bolz Matthias , Henrich Joseph , Setoh Peipei , Wang Jianxin , Laurence Stephen
Published: January 2013

The psychological capacity to recognize that others may hold and act on false beliefs has been proposed to reflect an evolved, species-typical adaptation for social reasoning in humans; however, controversy surrounds the developmental timing and universality of this trait. Cross-cultural studies using elicited-response tasks indicate that the age at which children begin to understand false beliefs ranges from 4 to 7 years across societies, whereas studies using spontaneous-response tasks with Western children indicate that false-belief understanding emerges much earlier, consistent with the hypothesis that false-belief understanding is a psychological adaptation that is universally present in early childhood. To evaluate this hypothesis, we used three spontaneous-response tasks that have revealed early false-belief understanding in the West to test young children in three traditional, non-Western societies: Salar (China), Shuar/Colono (Ecuador) and Yasawan (Fiji). Results were comparable with those from the West, supporting the hypothesis that false-belief understanding reflects an adaptation that is universally present early in development.
To quiver or to shiver: increased melanization benefits thermoregulation, but reduces warning signal efficacy in the wood tiger moth
Authors: Hegna Robert H. , Nokelainen Ossi , Hegna Jonathan R. , Mappes Johanna
Published: January 2013

Melanin production is often considered costly, yet beneficial for thermoregulation. Studies of variation in melanization and the opposing selective forces that underlie its variability contribute greatly to understanding natural selection. We investigated whether melanization benefits are traded off with predation risk to promote observed local and geographical variation in the warning signal of adult male wood tiger moths (Parasemia plantaginis). Warning signal variation is predicted to reduce survival in aposematic species. However, inP. plantaginis, male hindwings are either yellow or white in Europe, and show continuous variation in melanized markings that cover 20 to 90 per cent of the hindwing. We found that the amount of melanization increased from 40 to 59 per cent between Estonia (58° N) and north Finland (67° N), suggesting melanization carries thermoregulatory benefits. Our thermal measurements showed that more melanic individuals warmed up more quickly on average than less melanic individuals, which probably benefits flight in cold temperatures. With extensive field experiments in central Finland and the Alpine region, we found that more melanic individuals suffered increased predation. Together, our data suggest that warning signal efficiency is constrained by thermoregulatory benefits. Differences in relative costs and benefits of melanin probably help to maintain the geographical warning signal differences.
The evolutionary origins of modularity
Authors: Clune Jeff , Mouret Jean-Baptiste , Lipson Hod
Published: January 2013

A central biological question is how natural organisms are so evolvable (capable of quickly adapting to new environments). A key driver of evolvability is the widespread modularity of biological networks—their organization as functional, sparsely connected subunits—but there is no consensus regarding why modularity itself evolved. Although most hypotheses assume indirect selection for evolvability, here we demonstrate that the ubiquitous, direct selection pressure to reduce the cost of connections between network nodes causes the emergence of modular networks. Computational evolution experiments with selection pressures to maximize network performance and minimize connection costs yield networks that are significantly more modular and more evolvable than control experiments that only select for performance. These results will catalyse research in numerous disciplines, such as neuroscience and genetics, and enhance our ability to harness evolution for engineering purposes.
Tactic-specific differences in seminal fluid influence sperm performance
Authors: Locatello Lisa , Poli Federica , Rasotto Maria B.
Published: January 2013

Seminal fluid often makes up a large part of an ejaculate, yet most empirical and theoretical studies on sperm competition have focused on how sperm characteristics (number and quality) affect fertilization success. However, seminal fluid influences own sperm performance and may potentially influence the outcome of sperm competition, by also affecting that of rivals. As a consequence males may be expected to allocate their investment in both sperm and seminal fluid in relation to the potential level of competition. Grass goby (
Zosterisessor ophiocephalus
) is an external fertilizer with guard-sneaker mating tactics, where sperm competition risk varies according to the tactic adopted. Here, we experimentally manipulated grass goby ejaculates by separately combining sperm and seminal fluid from territorial and sneaker males. While sperm of sneaker and territorial males did not differ in their performance when they interacted with their own seminal fluid only, sperm of sneakers increased their velocity and fertilization rate in the presence of territorial males' seminal fluid. By contrast, sneaker males' seminal fluid had a detrimental effect on the performance of territorial males' sperm. Sperm velocity was unaffected by the seminal fluid of males employing the same tactic, suggesting that seminal fluid's effect on rival-tactic sperm is not based on a self/non-self recognition mechanism. Our findings show that cross interactions of sperm and seminal fluid may influence the fertilization success of competing ejaculates with males investing in both sperm and seminal fluid in response to sperm competition risk.
Foraging under conditions of short-term exploitative competition: the case of stock traders
Authors: Saavedra Serguei , Malmgren R. Dean , Switanek Nicholas , Uzzi Brian
Published: January 2013

Theory purports that animal foraging choices evolve to maximize returns, such as net energy intake. Empirical research in both human and non-human animals reveals that individuals often attend to the foraging choices of their competitors while making their own foraging choices. Owing to the complications of gathering field data or constructing experiments, however, broad facts relating theoretically optimal and empirically realized foraging choices are only now emerging. Here, we analyse foraging choices of a cohort of professional day traders who must choose between trading the same stock multiple times in a row—patch exploitation—or switching to a different stock—patch exploration—with potentially higher returns. We measure the difference between a trader's resource intake and the competitors' expected intake within a short period of time—a difference we call short-term comparative returns. We find that traders' choices can be explained by foraging heuristics that maximize their daily short-term comparative returns. However, we find no one-best relationship between different trading choices and net income intake. This suggests that traders' choices can be short-term win oriented and, paradoxically, maybe maladaptive for absolute market returns.
Transcription and redox enzyme activities: comparison of equilibrium and disequilibrium levels in the three-spined stickleback
Authors: Nikinmaa M. , McCairns R. J. S. , Nikinmaa M. W. , Vuori K. A. , Kanerva M. , Leinonen T. , Primmer C. R. , Merilä J. , Leder E. H.
Published: January 2013

Evolutionary and acclimatory responses require functional variability, but in contrast with mRNA and protein abundance data, most physiological measurements cannot be obtained in a high-throughput manner. Consequently, one must either rely on high-throughput transcriptomic or proteomic data with only predicted functional information, or accept the limitation that most physiological measurements can give fewer data than those provided by transcriptomics or proteomics. We evaluated how transcriptional and redox enzyme activity data agreed with regard to population differentiation (i.e. a system in steady state in which any time lag between transcription, translation and post-translational effects would be irrelevant) and in response to an acute 6°C increase in temperature (i.e. a disequilibrium state wherein translation could not have caught up with transcription) in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Transcriptional and enzyme activity data corresponded well with regard to population differentiation, but less so with regard to acute temperature increase. The data thus suggest that transcriptional and functional measurements can lead to similar conclusions when a biological system is in a steady state. The responses to acute changes must, as has been demonstrated earlier, be based on changes in cellular conditions or properties of existing proteins without significant de novo synthesis of new gene products.
Bis(2-amino-4-methylpyrimidin-1-ium) hexaaquacobalt(II) disulfate dihydrate
Authors: Mirzaei M. , Eshtiagh-Hosseini H. , Zarghami S. , Karrabi Z. , Saeedi M. , Mague J. T.
Published: January 2013

In the title hydrated mixed-cation salt, (C5H8N3)2[Co(H2O)6](SO4)2·2H2O, the complete octahedral hexaaqua complex cation is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. In the crystal, the components are linked by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, the latter, involving pyrimidinium cations and sulfate anions, generatingR22(8) loops. These, together with π–π interactions between centrosymmetrically related pyrimidinium cations [centroid–centroid separation = 3.5460 (8) Å], lead to the formation of a three-dimensional network.
catena-Poly[[bis(μ2-1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane)dipotassium]-μ2-iodido-(iodidocadmium)-di-μ2-iodido-(iodidocadmium)-μ2-iodido]
Authors: Rajarajan K. , Pugazhenthi A. , NizamMohideen M.
Published: January 2013

The reaction of CdCl2, 18-crown-6 and KI in water yields the title coordination polymer, [{K(C12H24O6)}2Cd2I6]n. The potassium ion lies approximately in the plane of the crown ether, coordinated by all six crown ether O atoms and also by an iodide anion bound to a cadmium atom. A C atom of the crown ether is disordered over two positions with site occupancies of 0.77 (2) and 0.23 (2). Two K(18-crown-6)+units are linked by inversion symmetry, forming a [bis(μ2-18-crown-6)dipottasium] system with approximately square-planar K2O2units. Inversion symmetry also generates the Cd2I6fragment and the polymeric system is extended along thecaxis by the formation of K—I—Cd bridges.
A second monoclinic polymorph of (E)-phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methanone oxime
Authors: Rodríguez-Mora Monserrath I. , Reyes-Martínez Reyna , Flores-Alamo Marcos , García Juventino J. , Morales-Morales David
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C12H10N2O, a second monoclinic polymorph of (E)-phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methanone oxime crystallizes in the space groupP21/n(Z= 4). The previously reported polymorph [Tagaet al.(1990).Acta Cryst. C46, 2241–2243] occurs in the space groupC2/c(Z= 8). In the crystal, pairs of bifurcated O—H...(N,O) hydrogen bonds link the molecules into inversion dimers. The dimers are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming a linear arrangement. The dihedral angle between the pyridine and phenyl rings is 67.70 (8)°.
1-[3-(Naphthalen-1-yl)phenyl]naphthalene
Authors: Tummala Manorama , Dhar Raj K. , Fronczek Frank R. , Watkins Steven F.
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C26H18, consists of a benzene ring withmeta-substituted 1-naphthalene substituents, which are essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.039 and 0.027 Å). The conformation is mixedsyn/anti, with equivalent torsion angles about the benzene–naphthalene bonds of 121.46 (11) and 51.58 (14)°.
1-(4-{2-[(E)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl]phenoxy}butyl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Paramasivam S. , Purushothaman Santhanagopalan , Seshadri P. R. , Raghunathan Raghavachary
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C28H24ClNO3, the dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and the indole ring system and the chlorobenzene ring are 70.81 (5) and 78.62 (5)°, respectively. The molecular structure is stabilized by a weak intramolecular C—H...O interaction. In the crystal, pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into inversion dimers with anR22(14) motif.
Carnivore conservation in practice: replicated management actions on a large spatial scale
Authors: Angerbjörn Anders , Eide Nina E. , Dalén Love , Elmhagen Bodil , Hellström Peter , Ims Rolf A. , Killengreen Siw , Landa Arild , Meijer Tomas , Mela Matti , Niemimaa Jukka , Norén Karin , Tannerfeldt Magnus , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Henttonen Heikki
Published: January 2013

More than a quarter of the world's carnivores are threatened, often due to multiple and complex causes. Considerable research efforts are devoted to resolving the mechanisms behind these threats in order to provide a basis for relevant conservation actions. However, even when the underlying mechanisms are known, specific actions aimed at direct support for carnivores are difficult to implement and evaluate at efficient spatial and temporal scales.

We report on a 30‐year inventory of the critically endangered Fennoscandian arctic fox Vulpes lagopus L., including yearly surveys of 600 fox dens covering 21 000 km2. These surveys showed that the population was close to extinction in 2000, with 40–60 adult animals left. However, the population subsequently showed a fourfold increase in size.

During this time period, conservation actions through supplementary feeding and predator removal were implemented in several regions across Scandinavia, encompassing 79% of the area. To evaluate these actions, we examined the effect of supplemental winter feeding and red fox control applied at different intensities in 10 regions. A path analysis indicated that 47% of the explained variation in population productivity could be attributed to lemming abundance, whereas winter feeding had a 29% effect and red fox control a 20% effect.

This confirms that arctic foxes are highly dependent on lemming population fluctuations but also shows that red foxes severely impact the viability of arctic foxes. This study also highlights the importance of implementing conservation actions on extensive spatial and temporal scales, with geographically dispersed actions to scientifically evaluate the effects. We note that population recovery was only seen in regions with a high intensity of management actions.

Synthesis and applications. The present study demonstrates that carnivore population declines may be reversed through extensive actions that target specific threats. Fennoscandian arctic fox is still endangered, due to low population connectivity and expected climate impacts on the distribution and dynamics of lemmings and red foxes. Climate warming is expected to contribute to both more irregular lemming dynamics and red fox appearance in tundra areas; however, the effects of climate change can be mitigated through intensive management actions such as supplemental feeding and red fox control.
Landscape connectivity, habitat structure and activity of bat guilds in farmland‐dominated matrices
Authors: Frey‐Ehrenbold Annie , Bontadina Fabio , Arlettaz Raphaël , Obrist Martin K.
Published: January 2013

Agricultural intensification has caused a decline in structural elements in European farmland, where natural habitats are increasingly fragmented. The loss of habitat structures has a detrimental effect on biodiversity and affects bat species that depend on vegetation structures for foraging and commuting.

We investigated the impact of connectivity and configuration of structural landscape elements on flight activity, species richness and diversity of insectivorous bats and distinguished three bat guilds according to species‐specific bioacoustic characteristics. We tested whether bats with shorter‐range echolocation were more sensitive to habitat fragmentation than bats with longer‐range echolocation. We expected to find different connectivity thresholds for the three guilds and hypothesized that bats prefer linear over patchy landscape elements.

Bat activity was quantified using repeated acoustic monitoring in 225 locations at 15 study plots distributed across the Swiss Central Plateau, where connectivity and the shape of landscape elements were determined by spatial analysis (GIS). Spectrograms of bat calls were assigned to species with the software batit by means of image recognition and statistical classification algorithms.

Bat activity was significantly higher around landscape elements compared to open control areas. Short‐ and long‐range echolocating bats were more active in well‐connected landscapes, but optimal connectivity levels differed between the guilds. Species richness increased significantly with connectivity, while species diversity did not (Shannon's diversity index). Total bat activity was unaffected by the shape of landscape elements.

Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the importance of connectivity in farmland landscapes for bats, with shorter‐range echolocating bats being particularly sensitive to habitat fragmentation. More structurally diverse landscape elements are likely to reduce population declines of bats and could improve conditions for other declining species, including birds. Activity was highest around optimal values of connectivity, which must be evaluated for the different guilds and spatially targeted for a region's habitat configuration. In a multi‐species approach, we recommend the reintroduction of structural elements to increase habitat heterogeneity should become part of agri‐environment schemes.
Diversity of bacterial endosymbionts and bacteria–host co‐evolution in Gondwanan relict moss bugs (Hemiptera: Coleorrhyncha: Peloridiidae)
Authors: Kuechler Stefan Martin , Gibbs George , Burckhardt Daniel , Dettner Konrad , Hartung Viktor
Published: January 2013

Many hemipterans are associated with symbiotic bacteria, which are usually found intracellularly in specific bacteriomes. In this study, we provide the first molecular identification of the bacteriome‐associated, obligate endosymbiont in a Gondwanan relict insect taxon, the moss bugs (Hemiptera: Coleorrhyncha: Peloridiidae), which represents one of the oldest lineages within the Hemiptera. Endosymbiotic associations of fifteen species of the family were analysed, covering representatives from South America, Australia/Tasmania and New Zealand. Phylogenetic analysis based on four kilobases of 16S–23S rRNA gene fragments showed that the obligate endosymbiont of Peloridiidae constitute a so far unknown group of Gammaproteobacteria which is named here ‘Candidatus Evansia muelleri’. They are related to the sternorrhynchous endosymbionts Candidatus Portiera and Candidatus Carsonella. Comparison of the primary‐endosymbiont and host (COI + 28S rRNA) trees showed overall congruence indicating co‐speciation the hosts and their symbionts. The distribution of the endosymbiont within the insect body and its transmission was studied using FISH. The endosymbionts were detected endocellularly in a pair of bacteriomes as well as in the ‘symbiont ball’ of the posterior pole of each developing oocyte. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of the Malpighian tubules revealed that most host nuclei are infected by an endosymbiotic, intranuclear bacterium that was determined as an Alphaproteobacterium of the genus Rickettsia.
Diversity of proteobacterial endosymbionts in hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) from its native and introduced range
Authors: von Dohlen Carol D. , Spaulding Usha , Shields Kathleen , Havill Nathan P. , Rosa Cristina , Hoover Kelli
Published: January 2013

Knowledge of intraspecific variation in symbioses may aid in understanding the ecology of widespread insects in different parts of their range. We investigated bacterial symbionts of Adelges tsugae, a pest of hemlocks in eastern North America introduced from Asia. Amplification, cloning, and sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA, in situ hybridizations, and electron microscopy revealed that A. tsugae harbours up to five bacterial phylotypes, according to population. Three Gammaproteobacteria species are maternally transmitted. The first, designated ‘Ca. Pseudomonas adelgestsugas’ resides in the haemocoel, and was detected in all populations except Taiwan. The second phylotype, ‘Ca. Serratia symbiotica’, resides in bacteriocytes of populations on Tsuga sieboldii in Japan and in E. North America. The third phylotype, designated ‘Ca. Annandia adelgestsuga’, clustered within a lineage of several insect endosymbionts that included Buchnera aphidicola. It was detected in bacteriocytes in all populations, and in salivary glands of first instars. Two Betaproteobacteria phylotypes were detected in some Japanese T. sieboldii and eastern North America populations, and were observed only in salivary glands with no evidence of maternal transmission. Our results support the ideas that symbiont gain and loss has been volatile in adelgids, and that symbionts may help to trace the source of invasive species.
The future of the enthnographic museum (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Harris Clare , O'Hanlon Michael
Published: January 2013

This essay discusses the recent past of ethnographic museums and raises questions about their future. In the last thirty years or so, ethnographic museums have faced many challenges arising both from within and beyond anthropology to the extent that in the post‐colonial and post‐modern era they could be said to have suffered an identity crisis. Many have been renamed, remodelled or rehoused in spectacular new premises (such as the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris). Only a few have remained largely unaltered, as at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford where the authors of this essay are employed. Drawing on the theoretical literature in museum anthropology and material culture, many years of ‘hands on’ curatorial experience and the insights gained from a five year collaborative research project involving ten major ethnographic museums in Europe, the authors investigate how ethnographic museums might engage with new audiences and new intellectual regimes in the future.
On face transplantation: Ethical slippage and quiet death in experimental biomedicine (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Taylor‐Alexander Samuel
Published: January 2013

More and more teams around the globe are gaining ethical clearance to perform face transplant surgery. The operation is a highly experimental medical treatment and patients who are otherwise healthy are dying as a consequence of submitting themselves to the operation. This article is concerned with the quiet deaths and ethical slippages that are emerging in this new medical terrain. It suggests that an examination of the relationship between nationalism and medical advancement is necessary to understand this slippage, because inter alia the surgery has been afforded national significance.