bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What makes a specialized endophyte special?
Authors: Gladieux Pierre
Published: July 2018

Fungal plant symbionts can be highly specialized on a limited range of host genotypes and species. Understanding the genetic basis of this specialization, the mechanisms governing its establishment and the relationship between specialization and speciation is a major challenge for evolutionary biologists (Timms & Read, ). A deeper knowledge of evolutionary plant–microbe interactions could be exploited to improve agricultural management, by bringing fungal biodiversity and fungal biomass under greater and more durable human control. Previous studies on pathogens have shown that effectors, that is, small secreted proteins that modulate plant physiology to favour host colonization, play a key role in infection of novel hosts (e.g., Inoue et al., ) or in host specialization (e.g., Liao et al. ()). Like pathogens, endophytes also manipulate the physiology of their hosts and colonize novel hosts to which they specialize (Hardoim et al., ). These biological characteristics of endophytes raise the question of similarities in the protein arsenal contributing to the specialization of pathogens and endophytes. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Schirrmann et al. () used a combination of divergence genome scans and tests for positive selection to investigate the genetic basis of specialization of two subspecies of the symbiont Epichloë typhina occurring on two different grass hosts. Their analyses suggest a key role of effectors as determinants of host specialization. This study paves the way towards the comparative analysis of the genomics of speciation among plant symbionts.
Inversions are bigger on the X chromosome
Authors: Cheng Changde , Kirkpatrick Mark
Published: July 2018

In many insects, X‐linked inversions fix at a higher rate and are much less polymorphic than autosomal inversions. Here, we report that in Drosophila, X‐linked inversions also capture 67% more genes. We estimated the number of genes captured through an approximate Bayesian computational analysis of gene orders in nine species of Drosophila. X‐linked inversions fixed with a significantly larger gene content. Further, X‐linked inversions of intermediate size enjoy highest fixation rate, while the fixation rate of autosomal inversions decreases with size. A less detailed analysis in Anopheles suggests a similar pattern holds in mosquitoes. We develop a population genetic model that assumes the fitness effects of inversions scale with the number of genes captured. We show that the same conditions that lead to a higher fixation rate also produce a larger size for inversions on the X.
Detection of Structural Components in Point Clouds of Existing RC Bridges
Authors: Lu Ruodan , Brilakis Ioannis , Middleton Campbell R.
Published: July 2018

The cost and effort of modeling existing bridges from point clouds currently outweighs the perceived benefits of the resulting model. There is a pressing need to automate this process. Previous research has achieved the automatic generation of surface primitives combined with rule‐based classification to create labeled cuboids and cylinders from point clouds. Although these methods work well in synthetic data sets or idealized cases, they encounter huge challenges when dealing with real‐world bridge point clouds, which are often unevenly distributed and suffer from occlusions. In addition, real bridge geometries are complicated. In this article, we propose a novel top‐down method to tackle these challenges for detecting slab, pier, pier cap, and girder components in reinforced concrete bridges. This method uses a slicing algorithm to separate the deck assembly from pier assemblies. It then detects and segments pier caps using their surface normal, and girders using oriented bounding boxes and density histograms. Finally, our method merges oversegments into individually labeled point clusters. The results of 10 real‐world bridge point cloud experiments indicate that our method achieves very high detection performance. This is the first method of its kind to achieve robust detection performance for the four component types in reinforced concrete bridges and to directly produce labeled point clusters. Our work provides a solid foundation for future work in generating rich Industry Foundation Classes models from the labeled point clusters.
Complex networks emerging during choir singing
Authors: Müller Viktor , Delius Julia A.M. , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: July 2018

Choir singing is positively associated with well‐being and quality of life, and requires the coordination of physiological systems within and across individuals. Informed by models of interpersonal action coordination, we delineate the network topography of choir singing by analyzing cross‐frequency couplings and within‐frequency couplings (WFCs) of respiratory, cardiac, vocalizing, and motor subsystems. We find that respiratory and cardiac subsystems synchronize with one another during singing and are coupled to oscillatory vocalizing patterns, and to the hand‐movement oscillations of the choir's conductor. The choir's cross‐frequency connections are particularly strong when singing a canon in parts, apparently supporting the interaction and coordination of the different canon entries. In contrast, WFCs are more pronounced when singing the same canon in unison. We conclude that the temporal coordination dynamics of the observed subsystems form part of the functional substrate for choir singing. During singing, the choir functions as a superordinate system, or superorganism, that imposes boundary conditions on the dynamic features of the individual singers.
Genome sequence of Jatropha curcas L., a non‐edible biodiesel plant, provides a resource to improve seed‐related traits
Authors: Ha Jungmin , Shim Sangrea , Lee Taeyoung , Kang Yang J. , Hwang Won J. , Jeong Haneul , Laosatit Kularb , Lee Jayern , Kim Sue K. , Satyawan Dani , Lestari Puji , Yoon Min Y. , Kim Moon Y. , Chitikineni Annapurna , Tanya Patcharin , Somta Prakit , Srinives Peerasak , Varshney Rajeev K. , Lee Suk‐Ha
Published: July 2018

Jatropha curcas (physic nut), a non‐edible oilseed crop, represents one of the most promising alternative energy sources due to its high seed oil content, rapid growth and adaptability to various environments. We report ~339 Mbp draft whole genome sequence of J. curcas var. Chai Nat using both the PacBio and Illumina sequencing platforms. We identified and categorized differentially expressed genes related to biosynthesis of lipid and toxic compound among four stages of seed development. Triacylglycerol (TAG), the major component of seed storage oil, is mainly synthesized by phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase in Jatropha, and continuous high expression of homologs of oleosin over seed development contributes to accumulation of high level of oil in kernels by preventing the breakdown of TAG. A physical cluster of genes for diterpenoid biosynthetic enzymes, including casbene synthases highly responsible for a toxic compound, phorbol ester, in seed cake, was syntenically highly conserved between Jatropha and castor bean. Transcriptomic analysis of female and male flowers revealed the up‐regulation of a dozen family of TFs in female flower. Additionally, we constructed a robust species tree enabling estimation of divergence times among nine Jatropha species and five commercial crops in Malpighiales order. Our results will help researchers and breeders increase energy efficiency of this important oil seed crop by improving yield and oil content, and eliminating toxic compound in seed cake for animal feed.
Effect of stimuli on sun protective habits: A randomized double‐blind controlled study
Authors: Cheng Judy , Widjajahakim Rafael , Rajanala Susruthi , Maymone Mayra B. C. , Secemsky Eric , Vashi Neelam A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Visual imagery has been shown to improve adherence to health messages but has scarcely been investigated in sun protection campaigns.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of pictorial‐ and textual‐based sun protective messages in a largely Hispanic population.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐five participants received standard of care (SOC) as defined as sun protective counseling and were then randomized to receive either (a) images of sun damage, (b) a textual pamphlet about sun damage, or (c) no further messages. Analysis‐of‐variance tests for repeated measures were used to estimate the effects of the different stimuli on participants’ knowledge and intention to sun protect.

Results

All stimulus groups demonstrated an improvement in perceived effectiveness of sun protective habits (p < 0.05). However, pictorial and textual stimuli were both more effective than SOC in improving intentions to sun protect (p < 0.05), but there was no differential effect between the two.

Conclusions

Both pictorial and textual stimuli were more effective than SOC in improving intentions to sun protect, but there was no differential effect between the two.
Salinity and crop yield
Authors: Zörb C. , Geilfus C.‐M. , Dietz K.‐J.
Published: July 2018

Thirty crop species provide 90% of our food, most of which display severe yield losses under moderate salinity. Securing and augmenting agricultural yield in times of global warming and population increase is urgent and should, aside from ameliorating saline soils, include attempts to increase crop plant salt tolerance. This short review provides an overview of the processes that limit growth and yield in saline conditions. Yield is reduced if soil salinity surpasses crop‐specific thresholds, with cotton, barley and sugar beet being highly tolerant, while sweet potato, wheat and maize display high sensitivity. Apart from Na+, also Cl−, Mg2+, SO42‐ or HCO3‐ contribute to salt toxicity. The inhibition of biochemical or physiological processes cause imbalance in metabolism and cell signalling and enhance the production of reactive oxygen species interfering with cell redox and energy state. Plant development and root patterning is disturbed, and this response depends on redox and reactive oxygen species signalling, calcium and plant hormones. The interlink of the physiological understanding of tolerance processes from molecular processes as well as the agronomical techniques for stabilizing growth and yield and their interlinks might help improving our crops for future demand and will provide improvement for cultivating crops in saline environment.
Influence of temperature, humidity duration and growth stage on the infection and mycotoxin production by Fusarium langsethiae and Fusarium poae in oats
Authors: Schöneberg T. , Kibler K. , Wettstein F. E. , Bucheli T. D. , Forrer H. R. , Musa T. , Mascher F. , Bertossa M. , Keller B. , Vogelgsang S.
Published: July 2018

High occurrence of Fusarium poae (FP) and Fusarium langsethiae (FL) and their mycotoxins nivalenol (NIV) and T‐2/HT‐2 have been observed in Swiss oats. Early prediction of mycotoxin levels is important for farmers and the cereal industry to minimize the risk of contaminated food and feed. Therefore, climate chamber experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different temperatures (10, 15, 20 °C) and durations (4, 8, 12 h) at 99% relative humidity (RH) on the infection of oats with FP and FL. In addition, to discover the most susceptible period of oats, artificial FL inoculations were conducted at different growth stages. Field experiments were performed to observe the dispersal of these fungal species within the field and to investigate the weather conditions that influence the dispersal. The climate chamber experiments revealed higher contamination with NIV and T‐2/HT‐2 in the 10 °C treatments and with a prolonged humidity duration of 12 h 99% RH. Inoculations of oat plants at early (DC 61) and mid (DC 65) anthesis, led to higher FL infection and T‐2/HT‐2 accumulation in the grains compared with treatments at earlier growth stages, which might be due to an increased susceptibility during anthesis. No indication for spore dispersal was observed in the field experiments. The results obtained, together with the cropping factors that influence infection and mycotoxin production, could be used as a first step in developing forecasting models to predict the contamination of oats with the mycotoxins NIV and T‐2/HT‐2.
Familial caregivers' experiences with home‐visit nursing for persons with dementia who live alone
Authors: Kitamura Tatsuru , Tanimoto Chie , Oe Shingo , Kitamura Maki , Hino Shoryoku
Published: July 2018

Aim

The Japanese Comprehensive Strategy to Accelerate Dementia Measures, known as the New Orange Plan, aims to support people with dementia living in their communities. Home‐visit nurses (HVN) are expected to play an important role in this comprehensive support system. In this preliminary study, we explored caregivers’ experiences before and after implementation of HVN care for persons with dementia who lived alone.

Methods

This study was a qualitative descriptive design using in‐depth interviews with five family caregivers of persons with dementia who lived alone while receiving HVN. Thematic content analysis was undertaken.

Results

Before receiving HVN, caregivers experienced anxiety and embarrassment due to the occurrence of dementia symptoms, and they also experienced considerable isolation and anguish after hearing the diagnosis. After initiating HVN, caregivers gained a feeling of security and an alleviation of psychological stress. They also gained a deeper understanding of the disease and appropriate care for dementia patients. Notably, caregivers perceived not only positive changes in themselves, but also in the recipients, such as improvements in symptoms and quality of life. Finally, caregivers realized that people with dementia can live alone if appropriate services are provided.

Conclusion

HVN can have a positive impact on family caregivers involved in dementia care, as well as on the recipients’ psychological status. Overall, the experience of HVN made the family caregivers more positive about home care for their family member with dementia. Although further case studies are needed to make definitive conclusions, we believe that HVN could play a key role in the forthcoming New Orange Plan.
Thiazide therapy is not related to any changes in cognitive function in older hypertensive patients with or without dementia: a 26‐week follow‐up study
Authors: Kocyigit Suleyman Emre , Soysal Pinar , Ates Bulut Esra , Dokuzlar Ozge , Isik Ahmet Turan
Published: July 2018

Aim

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of thiazide diuretics, a first‐line antihypertensive therapy, on cognitive function in elderly hypertensive patients with or without cognitive impairment.

Methods

This retrospective and observational study assessed 286 elderly patients with hypertension. Patients were divided based on thiazide diuretic usage and then into dementia and non‐dementia groups. The comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed for all patients. All participants were re‐evaluated after a 26‐week period.

Results

In total, 133 patients, including 62 with dementia, took thiazide. There were no significant differences between baseline and follow‐up laboratory findings, comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters, including detailed neurocognitive assessment, or electrolytes in the thiazide group, the non‐thiazide group, and the dementia group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Thiazide therapy does not show any effect on cognitive function in older hypertensive adults regardless of dementia status.
Detailed analysis of the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test using Arabic‐hiragana conversion
Authors: Moriyama Yasushi , Yoshino Aihide , Muramatsu Taro , Mimura Masaru
Published: July 2018

Aim

The number‐transcoding task on the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test (RDST‐J) requires conversion between Arabic and Chinese numerals (209 to 二百九, 4054 to 四千五十四, 六百八十一 to 681, 二千二十七 to 2027). In this task, questions and answers are written for Chinese‐Arabic conversion. We reported that the RDST‐J could distinguish subjects with Alzheimer's disease with a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score of 0.5 from controls. In this study, we investigated the impact of changing the task to a hiragana‐Arabic conversion.

Methods

Participants consisted of 45 patients with a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score of 0.5 and 52 normal controls.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of total scores ≥9 on the two RDST‐J versions for discriminating subjects with a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score of 0.5 from controls were 73.1% and 75.5%, respectively, on the original version, and 71.8% and 73.0%, respectively, on the revised version.

Conclusions

The sensitivity and specificity of the revised version of the RDST‐J was equivalent to those of the original version.
Suicide as a result of stereotypic behaviour in a case with semantic dementia
Authors: Kobayashi Ryota , Hayashi Hiroshi , Tokairin Takaki , Kawakatsu Shinobu , Otani Koichi
Published: July 2018

Semantic dementia (SD) is characterized by semantic aphasia and prosopagnosia, but it may also include behavioural disturbances such as stereotypic behaviour. We report the case of a 50‐year‐old man with SD accompanied by stereotypic behaviour who committed suicide despite not being in a depressive state. He initially had major depressive disorder accompanied by suicide attempts, but he gradually showed remarkable impairment in single‐word semantic comprehension, naming memory, and facial recognition memory. After the diagnosis of SD, his suicidal behaviour by hanging with a cord became stereotypic and lacked seriousness. He repeatedly attempted to hang himself and finally completed suicide. The present report suggests that the risk for suicide in SD is increased not only by the presence of a depressive state, but also by stereotypic behaviour related to suicide attempts before the onset of the disorder.
Developmental dynamics of autonomic function in childhood
Authors: Gatzke‐Kopp Lisa , Ram Nilam
Published: July 2018

There is a paucity of developmental data examining the stability of autonomic function during childhood, and even less is known regarding the extent of coordination between autonomic branches. To address this, autonomic measures of sympathetic (cardiac pre‐ejection period, PEP; electrodermal activity, and EDA) and parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia and RSA) function were collected from 339 children annually from kindergarten to second grade. Physiology was quantified into 31 epochs 30 s in length, across a series of baselines and emotion‐inducing films. Rank‐order stability was observed for all three indices, but was higher for cardiac than electrodermal measures. A series of multilevel models was used to identify the proportion of variance in psychophysiological function attributable to the individual (trait), visit (potential developmental change), or epoch (reactivity to task). Both PEP and RSA had sizeable components of individual‐level variance, with PEP showing very small variance attributable to experimental task. In contrast, variance in EDA was largely attributable to task epoch. Variance decompositions of the parasympathetic–sympathetic coordination (e.g., RSA‐EDA) suggest that the branches of the autonomic system are prototypically cooperative, but evidence did not indicate traitlike stability or linear developmental change. The extent of coordination was moderated by emotional context, indicating that autonomic coordination varies dynamically within individuals. These findings have implications for future work attempting to identify the contextual, experiential, and demographic factors that modulate developmental trajectories of autonomic function and coordination, and for examination of how developmental changes in autonomic psychophysiology are related to or predict behavioral trajectories across a range of psychological domains.
Singleton pregnancy with concurrent pyometra in the contralateral horn in a bitch with a live puppy outcome
Authors: Sperling Susan , Mitchell Anna , Cheong Soon H. , Diel de Amorim Mariana
Published: July 2018

Contents

A 20‐month‐old, 48‐day pregnant female American Bulldog was presented for intermittent bloody vaginal discharge of 4‐day duration. The bitch was clinically healthy with a mild neutrophilia. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed a viable foetus in the left uterine horn and fluid in the right uterine horn. She was treated with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and re‐examined at regular intervals to monitor for deterioration of the bitch or foetus. The uterine fluid progressively decreased in volume, and the puppy remained viable. A Caesarean section was performed on the bitch's expected due date, resulting in a healthy puppy. This is only the second published report of a pregnancy and concurrent pyometra with a live puppy outcome. This case is unique in that the bitch's pyometra resolved grossly during pregnancy.
Homology between cattle bull sperm and bacterial antigenic proteins viz a viz possible role in immunological infertility
Authors: Ahuja Ankit Kumar , Cheema Ranjna S.
Published: July 2018

Contents

This study was carried out to investigate the possible presence of identical sperm and bacterial antigens which may cause similar antisperm antibody production leading to lower fertility. Cross‐reactive antigens of cattle bull spermatozoa and different bacteria including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus sp., and Staphylococcus sp. were characterized by immunoblotting and mass fingerprinting. Significant cross‐reactivity was obtained for 75, 72, 44, 40, 33, 30, 25, 18, 14 kDa proteins with purified IgG of calves, heifers and cows between spermatozoa and the studied bacteria. Significantly (p < 0.05) matched cross‐reactive 40/33/30 kDa sperm, 33 kDa Staphylococcus sp/Bacillus sp and 40/25 kDa E. coli proteins were analyzed. Mass fingerprinting of 40/33/30 kDa (spermatozoa); 40/25 kDa (E. coli) and 33 kDa (Bacillus/Staphylococcus) proteins revealed their matching with vitellogenin‐1‐like/mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 2, NAD/acrosin‐binding protein isoform XI; outer membrane insertion signal domain/spore coat protein and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, respectively. Acrosin‐binding protein isoform X1 and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 2, NAD contributes to the capacitation of spermatozoa. Spore coat protein; glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase of E. coli; Bacillus/Staphylococcus are 37.6% and 39.01% identical to acrosin‐binding protein isoform X1; mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 2, NAD of cattle bull spermatozoa. It can be interpreted from these observations that cross‐reacting antibodies developed against 33/30 kDa sperm proteins and 25, 33 kDa bacterial proteins in cows may affect the functional activity of spermatozoa leading to delayed fertility in heifers and cows.
Doppler evaluation of umbilical artery during normal gestation in sheep
Authors: Troisi Alessandro , Cardinali Lucia , Orlandi Riccardo , Menchetti Laura , Robiteau Guillaume , Polisca Angela
Published: July 2018

Contents

Throughout gestation, changes in foetal umbilical cord Doppler parameters in ewes were detected. Doppler ultrasonography of the umbilical artery was performed weekly starting at 18 weeks before parturition until birth. In the foetal umbilical artery (UA), systolic peak velocity (SPV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), increased (p for within‐subjects effect <0.001) while pulsatility index (PI) resistance index (RI) decreased (p for within‐subjects effect <0.001) with the progress of pregnancy. A linear trend was found on all patterns (p < 0.001). In particular, the EDV values increased significantly (p < 0.05) with respect to previous weeks, at weeks 16, 11, 10, 7, and 1 before parturition. The SPV values increased significantly (p < 0.05), with respect to previous observations, at weeks 11, 10, and 7 before parturition. Finally, the PI and RI decreased significantly (p < 0.05) only at week 7 before parturition. The increased velocities and reduced resistance index suggest a progressive increment in blood flow to the foetus towards the end of pregnancy. Foetal and utero‐placental vascular parameters can be reliably evaluated using high‐frequency ultrasound.
Correlation of two radioimmunoassay systems for measuring plasma pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins concentrations during early pregnancy and postpartum periods in water buffalo
Authors: Barbato Olimpia , Menchetti Laura , Sousa Noelita M. , Brecchia Gabriele , Malfatti Alessandro , Canali Claudio , Beckers Jean‐Francois , Barile Vittoria L.
Published: July 2018

Contents

This is the first time that PAG determination using two different antisera raised against PAG molecules purified from both caprine (RIA‐706) and bubaline placentas (RIA‐860) is reported in water buffalo. Ninety‐eight buffalo cows, belonging to a buffalo herd subjected to a synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) programme, were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken on days 0 (AI), 23, 25, 28, 30 and 45. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography on days 28 and 45. The blood of 20 buffaloes that had calved was tested every five days from the day of calving until day 50 postcalving. Differences in PAG concentrations were observed between pregnant and nonpregnant buffaloes starting from day 23 post AI using both RIA‐706 and RIA‐860 (p < 0.001). However, estimated mean concentrations of PAG measured by RIA‐706 were higher than RIA‐860 (p < 0.001) and Bland–Altman analysis showed biases ranged from 0.0 ng/ml at day 23 to 0.79 ng/ml at day 28 post AI. Moreover, RIA‐706 showed greater sensitivity and accuracy both at 23 and 25 days of pregnancy. RIA‐706 and RIA‐860 decreased below 1 ng/ml from 40 and 30 days postpartum, respectively, suggesting that PAG are better recognized by the antisera raised against the caprine PAG in the postpartum period also. This is essential when using PAG as an appropriate marker of early pregnancy after postpartum for detecting new pregnancies. The results of this study show that the ability of RIA systems to recognize early PAG could be improved using antisera raised against PAG molecules isolated from caprine placenta.
Buffalo oocyte‐secreted factors promote cumulus cells apoptosis and the rate of cGMP production but not steroidogenesis
Authors: Moussa Mahmoud , Li Meng‐Qi , Zheng Hai‐Ying , Yang Chun‐Yan , Yan Sheng‐Fei , Yu Nong‐Qi , Huang Jia‐Xiang , Shang Jiang‐Hua
Published: July 2018

Contents

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of buffalo oocyte‐secreted factors (OSFs) on cumulus cells (CCs) functions, apoptosis and cGMP generation, and whether the direct contact between oocyte and CCs is essential for oocyte‐mediated regulation of CCs functions. Buffalo CCs were cultured during IVM within three groups: (a) intact cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), (b) CCs cocultured with denuded oocytes (DOs) (CCs + DOs) and (c) CCs monolayer cultured alone (CCsM). After 24 hr of IVM, CCs were harvested for evaluation of the relative mRNA abundance of the genes encoding gap junction (GJA1), glycolysis (PFKP and LDHA), apoptosis (CASPASE‐3 and BCL‐2) and steroidogenesis (ER‐β and PGR) by QRT‐PCR, and CASPASE‐3 proteins, using western blot. Intracellular cGMP content was also assessed by ELISA. Results showed that the relative abundance of LDHA, PFKP and BCL‐2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) in COCs, whereas GJA1 and CASPASE‐3 exhibited lower expression (p < 0.05) compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. However, the expression levels of CASPASE‐3, both mRNA and protein, were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in CCs + DOs compared to CCsM. There was no significant difference in the expression level of PGR and ER‐β between the groups. The intracellular content of cGMP was notably (p < 0.05) higher in COCs compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated, for the first time, that buffalo OSFs protect CCs against apoptosis and stimulate their cGMP production; however, the regulation of cumulus glycolysis and gap junction is confined to those in close contact with the oocyte. Neither OSFs from COCs nor those from DOs have any effect on CCs steroidogenesis.
Operationalizing resilience for conservation objectives: the 4S's
Authors: Aslan Clare E. , Petersen Brian , Shiels Aaron B. , Haines William , Liang Christina T.
Published: July 2018

Although resilience thinking is increasingly popular and attractive among restoration practitioners, it carries an abstract quality that hinders effective application. Because resilience and its components are defined differently in social and ecological contexts, individual managers or stakeholders may disagree on the definition of a system's state, occurrence of a state change, preferred state characteristics, and appropriate methods to achieve success. Nevertheless, incentives and mandates often force managers to demonstrate how their work enhances resilience. Unclear or conflicting definitions can lead to ineffective or even detrimental decision‐making in the name of resilience; essentially, any convenient action can be touted as resilience‐enhancing in this case. We contend that any successful resilience management project must clearly identify up‐front the stressors of concern, state traits, scales of appropriate management, and success indicators (the 4S's) relevant to the management targets. We propose a deliberate process for determining these components in advance of resilience management for conservation. Our recommendations were inspired and informed by two case studies wherein different definitions of stressors, state, scales, and success would result in very different management choices, with potentially serious consequences for biodiversity targets.
Public Acceptance of Fully Automated Driving: Effects of Social Trust and Risk/Benefit Perceptions
Authors: Liu Peng , Yang Run , Xu Zhigang
Published: July 2018

Automated driving (AD) is one of the most significant technical advances in the transportation industry. Its safety, economic, and environmental benefits cannot be realized if it is not used. To explain, predict, and increase its acceptance, we need to understand how people perceive and why they accept or reject AD technology. Drawing upon the trust heuristic, we tested a psychological model to explain three acceptance measures of fully AD (FAD): general acceptance, willingness to pay (WTP), and behavioral intention (BI). This heuristic suggests that social trust can directly affect acceptance or indirectly affect acceptance through perceived benefits and risks. Using a survey (N = 441), we found that social trust retained a direct effect as well as an indirect effect on all FAD acceptance measures. The indirect effect of social trust was more prominent in forming general acceptance; the direct effect of social trust was more prominent in explaining WTP and BI. Compared to perceived risk, perceived benefit was a stronger predictor of all FAD acceptance measures and also a stronger mediator of the trust–acceptance relationship. Predictive ability of the proposed model for the three acceptance measures was confirmed. We discuss the implications of our results for theory and practice.
Downscaling incidence risk mapping for a Colombian malaria endemic region
Authors: Altamiranda‐Saavedra Mariano , Porcasi Ximena , Scavuzzo Carlos Marcelo , Correa Margarita M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To map at a fine spatial scale, the risk of malaria incidence for the important endemic region is Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú, NW Colombia, using a new modelling framework based on GIS and remotely sensed environmental data.

Methods

The association between environmental and topographic variables obtained from remote sensors and the annual parasite incidence (API) for the years 2013–2015 was calculated using multiple regression analysis; subsequently, a model was constructed to estimate the API and to project it to the entire endemic region in order to design the risk map. The model was validated by relating the obtained API values with the presence of the three main Colombian malaria vectors, Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles nuneztovari.

Results

Temperature and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) showed a significant correlation with the observed API. The risk map of malaria incidence showed that the zones at higher risk in the Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú region were located south‐east of the region, while the northern area presented the lowest malaria risk. A method was generated to estimate the API for small urban centres, instead of the used reports at the municipality level.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence of the utility of risk maps to identify environmentally vulnerable areas at a fine spatial resolution in the Urabá‐Bajo Cauca and Alto Sinú region. This information contributes to the implementation of vector control interventions at the microgeographic scale at areas of high malaria risk.
The MED7 subunit paralogs of Mediator function redundantly in development of etiolated seedlings in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kumar Koppolu Raja Rajesh , Blomberg Jeanette , Björklund Stefan
Published: July 2018

MED7 is a subunit of the Mediator middle module and is encoded by two paralogs in Arabidopsis. We generated MED7 silenced lines using RNAi to study its impact on Arabidopsis growth and development. Compared with wild type, etiolated seedlings of the MED7 silenced lines exhibited reduced hypocotyl length caused by reduced cell elongation when grown in the dark. The hypocotyl length phenotype was rescued by exogenously supplied brassinosteroid. In addition, MED7 silenced seedlings exhibited defective hook opening in the dark as well as defective cotyledon expansion in the presence of the brassinosteroid inhibitor brassinazole. Whole transcriptome analysis on etiolated seedlings using RNA sequencing revealed several genes known to be regulated by auxin and brassinosteroids, and a broad range of cell wall‐related genes that were differentially expressed in the MED7 silenced lines. This was especially evident for genes involved in cell wall extension and remodeling, such as EXPANSINs and XTHs. Conditional complementation with each MED7 paralog individually restored the hypocotyl phenotype as well as the gene expression defects. Additionally, conditional expression of MED7 had no effects that were independent of the Mediator complex on the observed phenotypes. We concluded that the MED7 paralogs function redundantly in regulating genes required for the normal development of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings.
Artificial import substrates reveal an omnivorous peroxisomal importomer
Authors: Yang Jing , Pieuchot Laurent , Jedd Gregory
Published: July 2018

The peroxisome matrix protein importomer has the remarkable ability to transport oligomeric protein substrates across the bilayer. However, the selectivity and relation between import and overall peroxisome homeostasis remain unclear. Here, we microinject artificial import substrates and employ quantitative microscopy to probe limits and capabilities of the importomer. DNA and polysaccharides are “piggyback” imported when noncovalently bound by a peroxisome targeting signal (PTS)‐bearing protein. A dimerization domain that can be tuned to systematically vary the binding dissociation constant (Kd) shows that a Kd in the millimolar range is sufficient to promote piggyback import. Microinjection of import substrate at high levels results in peroxisome growth and a proportional accumulation of peroxisome membrane proteins (PMPs). However, corresponding PMP mRNAs do not accumulate, suggesting that this response is posttranscriptionally regulated. Together, our data show that the importomer can tolerate diverse macromolecular species. Coupling between matrix import and membrane biogenesis suggests that matrix protein expression levels can be sufficient to regulate peroxisome size.
Dynamics for Shifting the Ethio- Egyptian Hydro Political Relations
Authors: Chekol Yayew Genet
Published: July 2018

The foremost intent of this study was to investigate the major dynamics that are reversing in Ethio-Egyptian hydro political relations. To attain this objective the researcher employed case study design, primary and secondary sources of data, and purposive sampling techniques. Despite the fact that perpetual national interests on Egyptian Nile water policy as national security issue, dynamics are revealing in the Nile basin which fosters to shift the relations of Ethiopia and Egypt hydro political relations on Nile water. Regarding with the findings of the study relative growing power of Ethiopia, Egyptians commitments on efficient utilization of water resource, Egyptian revolution, the signing of CFA by upper stream countries, the independence of South Sudan, the launching of GERD by Ethiopian, signing of DOPS by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on GERD are the new political dynamics in the Nile basin which geared to shift the relation of Ethiopia and Egypt.
Wake Interaction of a Square Cylinder With a Splitter Plate Boundary Layer at a Low Reynolds Number
Authors: Srivastava Smriti , Sarkar Sudipto
Published: July 2018

One of the most important researches in bluff body aerodynamics is to control the shear layer evolution leading to vortex formation. This kind of research is closely associated with reduction of aerodynamics forces and acoustic noise. Passive and active control of wake-flow from bluff bodies have received a great deal of attention in the last few decades [1–4]. Keeping this in mind, authors investigate the interaction of a square cylinder (side of the square = a) wake with a flat plate (length L = a, width w = 0.1a) boundary layer positioned at various downstream locations close to the cylinder. The gap-to-side ratios are maintained at G/a = 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 (where G is the gap between square cylinder and plate), and the simulation is performed at a Reynolds number, Re = 100 (Re = U∞a/v, where U∞ is free stream velocity and v is kinematic viscosity). Instantaneous flow visualization, aerodynamic forces and vortex shedding frequencies for all cases are described to gain insight about the changes associated with wake of the cylinder when a short plate is kept in its downstream.
CFD Analysis of Axial Thrust in Three Stages Centrifugal Pump at Design and Partload Conditions
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyoshi , Yamashita Tetsuya , Watanabe Satoshi , Hara Yoshinori
Published: July 2018

The performance, internal flow fields and fluid forces acted on the impellers and balance piston of three stages centrifugal pump at design and partload conditions are investigated by using URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) CFD analysis.

In this study, investigations were concentrated on the details of the flow fields in the sidewall gaps of the impellers and at the impeller exit/diffuser inlet with the rotor axial offsets, and its effects on the thrust forces acting on the impeller, especially at the partload condition.

From the details of flow field predicted by CFD, the mechanisms of change of axial thrust forces with the rotor axial offsets are as follows. The overwrap between the impeller shroud wall and diffuser casing wall becomes smaller by the axial offsets at the opposite side of axial offset direction, this makes the flow to leak out easier from the impeller side into the side wall gaps there. As a result, the interaction between the swirl flow in the side wall gap and reverse flow from the diffuser become stronger. The strong inward flow in the front side wall gap induced by the diffuser reverse flow works as a swirl breaker weakening the swirl flow in the gap. The pressure distributions in the side wall gaps are affected by these changes of swirl flow in the gap and the axial thrust forces working on the rotor are changed.

The predicted change of axial thrust forces with the rotor axial offsets show good agreement with the experimental values.
Comparisons of Numerical Methods for Fluid Flow Simulations in a Microorganism Incubating Chamber
Authors: Sohn Ilyoup , Jeong Hae Yoon
Published: July 2018

A microorganism incubator has been developed by a prototype performance tests and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The microorganism incubator is useful to supply the high quality of fertilizer to agricultural industries. Particularly, a small-sized, movable incubator is desired to be produced for personal agriculturalists. Since the incubator is basically designed as a type of mixing tank for mixing water and powder of microorganism, the decision of an impeller type and size, positions, size of internal parts such as baffles for an efficient mixing process should be considered. To produce the effect of turbulence on the efficient mixing, the location and size of baffles on the chamber wall is particularly significant to the mixing chamber design process. Multiphase CFD simulations are performed to describe the mixing flows inside the tank and the flow physics and patterns are studied in order to find out the optimal conditions for the microorganism incubating. Since water with powder of microorganism is partially filled with the chamber, air-water two phase flows should be considered in the CFD simulation. To simulate such flows, the volume of fluid (VOF) scheme is used. Both steady-state and time-transient simulations are performed and their results between two different time derivative considerations are compared, which enables us to clearly understand the effects of unsteady flow characteristics on the whole flow phenomena in the chamber. Additionally, comparisons of the turbulence modeling for the rotating flows in the chamber will be performed to describe the complex flow phenomena around the rotating impeller and the stationary baffles on the chamber wall. Prior to performing CFD study for the real type of the chamber, the flow simulations for the mixing chamber whose flow characteristics were already studied by experiments are performed with respect to the change of the turbulence modeling and numerical methods. Thus, the proper numerical methods and turbulent modeling are then determined. After validations of the turbulent modeling and numerical schemes, the flow phenomena occurred at the real prototype of the microorganism chamber corresponding to the change of design parameter of the chamber such as the change of the chamber bottom shape, an impeller blade length and the number of baffles will be analyzed.
Large Eddy Simulation of Through-Flow Effects on Turbulent Heat Transfer Characteristics in Concentric Annulus With Inner Cylinder Rotation
Authors: Ohsawa Akihiro , Murata Akira , Iwamato Kaoru
Published: July 2018

Through-flow effects on turbulent heat transfer in the Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille flow were investigated by using a large eddy simulation. Through-flow Reynolds numbers of 1000 and 4000 under a constant inner-wall rotation speed were examined. Increase of the through-flow Reynolds number caused increase and decrease of the Nusselt numbers at inner and outer walls, respectively. At lower through-flow Reynolds number, the Taylor vortices were observed. On the other hand, at higher through-flow Reynolds number, the Taylor vortices were transformed into streak and spiral-band structures near the inner and outer walls, respectively. These flow structures were clearly visualized by contour surfaces of instantaneous temperature and second invariant of deformation tensor.
Numerical Simulation for Thermal Design of a Gas Water Heater With Turbulent Combined Convection
Authors: Yari Ali , Hosseinzadeh Siamak , Golneshan Ali Akbar , Ghasemiasl Ramin
Published: July 2018

This article investigates the effects of geometric parameters on a turbulent asymmetrical heat transfer in vertical channels with radiation and blowing from a wall. Hydrodynamic behaviour and heat transfer results are obtained by the solution of the complete Navier–Stokes and energy equations using a control volume finite element method. In this paper, commercial codes were used to solve the equations. The equations involved were numerically solved with three turbulent models including Spalart-Allmaras, R-N-G k-ε with ‘standard wall function’ wall nearby model, R-N-G k-ε with ‘enhanced wall treatment’ wall nearby model and ‘ray tracing’ radiation techniques. Turbulent flow with ‘low Reynolds Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model’ and radiation with ‘discrete transfer radiation method’ was modelled. The results were compared with experimental data and appropriate methods were selected for turbulent modelling. The problems of different Grashof number, Reynolds number, radiation parameters and Prandtl number were solved and the effects of geometric parameters on the fluid flow, radiation-convection-blowing heat transfer and the total efficiency were determined.
Performance of Oil Separator According to the Depth of the Outlet Tube
Authors: Jang Seongil , Ahn Joon , Lim Si Hyung
Published: July 2018

Recent years have witnessed a growing concern over saving energy because of global warming issues and energy price hikes caused by increased oil prices. The need to improve energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption has been raised. Refrigeration systems are also expected to have their energy efficiency improved. A refrigeration system’s the compressor uses lubricating oil. Lubricating oil, along with refrigerant, circulates in a refrigeration system. During this process, the pressure drop increases, and the heat transfer coefficient decreases. Moreover, insufficient lubricant may incur a decrease in performance and damage to a compressor. Therefore, an oil separator is used to separate the lubricant and return it to the compressor. Since an oil separator causes an additional pressure drop, energy consumption should be decreased by increasing the oil separator’s separation efficiency and decreasing the pressure drop.

The recent increase in development of large-scale buildings such as skyscrapers and large supermarkets has also increased the demand for large refrigeration machines. At the same time, refrigeration piping is becoming longer, and refrigerant must circulate up to the highest points. A high-pressure head and long piping configuration inevitably increase the quantity of lubricant left on the pipe wall, which in turn increases the loss of lubricants. The increased length and fall height for lubricants to circulate with refrigerant increase the related energy loss.

In order to use a compressor in a high-head long-piping refrigeration system, the separation efficiency of the oil separator must be improved. Doing so will also reduce energy losses. Even with an improved separation efficiency, however, an increased pressure drop means additional energy losses. Thus, an oil separator with high separation efficiency and low pressure drop should be designed. So using the Numerical analysis, designed a new oil separator. A series of numerical simulation has been carried out to study peformance of a cyclone type oil separator, which is designed for the compressor of a refrigeration system. Working fluid is R22, which is a typical refrigerant, and mineral oil droplet is supplied. Depending on the outlet tube length, separation efficiency varies from 98.74 to 99.25%. Considering both of the separation efficiency, outlet tube length of the separator has been designed as 158 mm and oil separator length is 310mm.