bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charge transfer and ultrafast nuclear motions: the complex structural dynamics of an electronically excited triamine
Authors: Cheng Xinxin , Gao Yan , Rudakov Fedor , Weber Peter M.
Published: October 2015

Time-resolved Rydberg fingerprint spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations reveals the complex structural dynamics and charge transfer in real time.
An enantioselective artificial Suzukiase based on the biotin–streptavidin technology
Authors: Chatterjee Anamitra , Mallin Hendrik , Klehr Juliane , Vallapurackal Jaicy , Finke Aaron D. , Vera Laura , Marsh May , Ward Thomas R.
Published: October 2015

Introduction of a biotinylated monophosphine palladium complex within streptavidin affords an enantioselective artificial Suzukiase. Site-directed mutagenesis allowed the optimization of the activity and the enantioselectivity of this artificial metalloenzyme. A variety of atropisomeric biaryls were produced in good yields and up to 90% ee.
Micro-phase separation in two dimensional suspensions of self-propelled spheres and dumbbells
Authors: Tung Clarion , Harder Joseph , Valeriani C. , Cacciuto A.
Published: October 2015

We observe two new active states in a system of microphase-separating active colloids and dumbbells: a fluid of living clusters and finite-sized spinning crystallites.
Hydration, oxidation, and reduction of GdBaCo2O5.5from first-principles
Authors: Coulaud Esther , Dezanneau Guilhem , Geneste Grégory
Published: October 2015

Structural, magnetic and chemical properties of GdBaCo2O5.5regarding hydration, oxidation and reduction are studied by density-functional calculations in the DFT +Uformalism.
Layered LnBaCo2O5+δ perovskite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells: an overview and perspective
Authors: Kim Jung-Hyun , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: October 2015

Aligned with an ever growing interest to reduce the operating temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), the A-site ordered LnBaCo2O5+δ layered perovskite family has been actively investigated as cathodes during the last decade. This review aims to provide the recent progress in the LnBaCo2O5+δ family with regard to crystal structure, chemical composition, properties, performances, and chemical stability.
High-temperature characterization of oxygen-deficient K2NiF4-type Nd2−xSrxNiO4−δ (x = 1.0–1.6) for potential SOFC/SOEC applications
Authors: Kravchenko Ekaterina , Khalyavin Dmitry , Zakharchuk Kiryl , Grins Jekabs , Svensson Gunnar , Pankov Vladimir , Yaremchenko Aleksey
Published: October 2015

Substitution by strontium induces significant oxygen deficiency in the crystal lattice of K2NiF4-type Nd2−xSrxNiO4−δ at elevated temperatures which, in combination with significant electronic conductivity, implies enhanced mixed ionic–electronic transport.
Rutile-TiO2 decorated Li4Ti5O12 nanosheet arrays with 3D interconnected architecture as anodes for high performance hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Gao Lin , Huang Dekang , Shen Yan , Wang Mingkui
Published: October 2015

A hybrid supercapacitor exhibits an ultrahigh energy density of 74.85 W h kg−1 at a power density of 300 W kg−1.
Monitoring the intracellular transformation process of surface-cleavable PLGA particles containing disulfide bonds by fluorescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Yu Dahai , Zou Guangyang , Cui Xiaojing , Mao Zhengwei , Estrela-Lopis Irina , Donath Edwin , Gao Changyou
Published: October 2015

The FRET technique was used to quantify the surface cleavage kinetics of PLGA particles containing disulfide bonds in cells.
Metal nanoparticle–semiconductor nanowire hybrid nanostructures for plasmon-enhanced optoelectronics and sensing
Authors: Pescaglini Andrea , Iacopino Daniela
Published: October 2015

Rational integration of metal nanoparticle in 1D semiconductor-based devices for generation of enhanced and engineered properties is a novel and vastly unexplored field with great potential for optoelectronics and sensing applications.
Simultaneous realization of structure manipulation and emission enhancement in NaLuF4 upconversion crystals
Authors: Lin Hao , Xu Dekang , Li Anming , Teng Dongdong , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: October 2015

The enhanced upconversion emission in NaLuF4:Yb3+,Er3+,Tm3+ nano/micro-crystals through Gd3+ doping.
Parallel Glauber dynamics‐based scheduling in static wireless grid networks with polynomially fading interference
Authors: Kataria P. , Roy R.
Published: October 2015

The process of designing low‐cost scheduling algorithms, which allows maximum number of nodes to communicate simultaneously while avoiding interference along with resource constraints becomes a challenging task. Graph‐based models underestimate the effective adjacent nodes by using signal‐to‐noise ratio measure instead of signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise‐ratio as suggested by polynomial fading models. A hybrid model is developed to accurately estimate the minimum number of schedules required for interference‐free communication.
Resonant two‐string LED driver with power factor correction and passive current sharing
Authors: Liu Xueshan , Xu Duo , Yang Qi , Xu Jianping
Published: October 2015

A resonant two‐string LED driver with power factor correction and passive current sharing is proposed. By controlling one output current, the other output current of the two‐string LED driver can be controlled via passive current sharing, which makes its control simple. The proposed converter uses only one active switch and one magnetic component with single‐stage power conversion, thus it benefits from low cost, small volume, light weight and high efficiency. The proposed converter is studied and experimental results of a 75 W two‐string LED driver are provided to verify the studied results.
Vialess vertical microstrip‐to‐microstrip transition using open slot‐line
Authors: Liu Gang , Li Lin , Xiao Yang , Chen Si‐Si
Published: October 2015

A new wide‐band, low‐loss and compact vertical microstrip‐to‐microstrip transition is presented. The proposed structure consists of two quarter‐wavelength open‐circuited microstrip lines and a quarter‐wavelength open slot‐line etched on the common ground plane. The theoretical analysis based on equivalent‐circuit model reveals that the proposed transition exhibits ultra‐wide passband with three transmission poles. To effectively enhance the bandwidth, the optimised parameters are obtained by the transmission poles separations. Finally, a transition having a wide fractional bandwidth of 114% is achieved with the compact size of 8.75 mm × 4.2 mm. Predictions are well verified by measurements over a wide frequency range.
Small area 0.3 pJ/conv, 45 ps time‐to‐digital converter for arrays of silicon photomultiplier interfaces in 150 nm CMOS
Authors: Perenzoni M. , Xu H. , Stoppa D.
Published: October 2015

A ring‐oscillator‐based time‐to‐digital converter (TDC) is presented which can achieve a figure‐of‐merit of 0.3 pJ/conv in a very small footprint of 0.0024 mm2. Thanks to the optimisation of the ring‐oscillator and of the sub‐cycle interpolation, a 45‐ps LSB is obtained with only 0.95 mW of power consumption. The area and power characteristics make the TDC suitable for its use in repeated instances, such as in multiple silicon photomultipliers readout channels or single‐photon imaging devices with time‐correlated detection.
Mode‐selective coherent detection technique for low‐complexity mode division multiplexing systems
Authors: Hamaoka F. , Okamoto S. , Horikoshi K. , Yonenaga K. , Hirano A. , Miyamoto Y.
Published: October 2015

The mode division multiplexing (MDM) signal transmitted in an optical multimode fibre link is usually received with multiple coherent receivers (RXs), resulting in an increase in RX system scale. A mode‐selective coherent detection technique is proposed based on MDM‐to‐frequency division multiplexing (FDM) signal conversion scheme using an MDM and FDM local oscillator. The proposed technique uses only a single coherent RX to detect the MDM signal to achieve low‐complexity MDM systems. The proposed mode‐selective coherent detection technique is also experimentally shown. The experimental results show that a single coherent RX successfully receives the MDM signal.
Mechanism for enhanced wavelength tuning in gain‐levered InP quantum dot lasers
Authors: Thomas Robert , Briglin Daniel , Krysa Andrey B. , Smowton Peter Michael
Published: October 2015

Peak gain wavelength tuning via the gain‐lever effect is demonstrated in segmented contact InP quantum dot Fabry–Perot lasers. A tuning range of 6.5 ± 0.1 nm was recorded in the lasing spectra of a 1.9 mm long broad area device operating at 22°C. The authors clarify the nature of the tuning mechanism and identify the critical material and device parameters that determine the limits of the wavelength tuning range.
Vertiginous Symptoms and Objective Measures of Postural Balance in Elderly People with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Submitted to the Epley Maneuver
Authors: Silva Camila , Ribeiro Karyna , Freitas Raysa , Ferreira Lidiane , Guerra Ricardo
Published: October 2015

Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common and treatable causes of peripheral vestibular vertigo in adults. Its incidence increases with age, eventually leading to disability and a decreased quality of life.

Objective The research aims to assess short-term effects of Otolith Repositioning Maneuver (ORM) on dizziness symptoms, quality of life, and postural balance in elderly people with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Methods A quasi-experimental study, which evaluated 14 elderly people that underwent the Otolith Repositioning Maneuver and reevaluation after one week. The authors performed statistical analysis by descriptive analysis of central tendency and dispersion; for pre- and post-treatment conditions, the authors used the Wilcoxon test.

Results All aspects of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (physical, functional, emotional, and total scores) as well as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) decreased after therapy (p < 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, more than half of the elderly participants did not achieve negative Dix-Hallpike. Regarding static and dynamic balance, there were significant differences in some parameters of the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, Limits of Stability and gait assessment measured by the Dizziness Gait Index (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Results reveal clinical and functional benefits in elderly people with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo submitted to Otolith Repositioning Maneuver. However, most of the participants did not overcome Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and not all aspects of postural balance improved. Therefore, a longer follow-up period and a multidisciplinary team are required to establish comprehensive care for elderly patients with dizziness complaints.
The effects of barley replacement by dehydrated citrus pulp on feed intake, performance, feeding behaviour and serum metabolic indicators in lambs
Authors: Gobindram M. N. N. E. , Bognanno M. , Luciano G. , Avondo M. , Piccione G. , Biondi L.
Published: October 2015

The citrus industry produces a wide amount of citrus pulp which can represent an alternative feed resource for feeding ruminants. However, citrus pulp also contains chemicals such as polyphenols, which can cause toxicity, limiting its use. We investigated the potential of replacing barley by dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP), at two levels of inclusion (24% and 35% on an as-fed basis), in a lamb fattening diet and monitored the performance, feeding pattern and serum parameters of the experimental lambs. The consumption of a diet containing up to 35% of DCP resulted in equivalent performance, feed efficiency and carcass weight and yield as compared with animals ingesting a cereal-based diet (control). The daily feed consumption pattern was slightly affected by the inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet. In terms of serum haematochemical profile, DCP ingesting animals had similar levels to control lambs. Pertaining to the serum protein profile, DCP addition had minor effects. A significant increase in the albumin content and in the albumin to globulin ratio was observed in the animals ingesting 35% DCP compared with the control-fed ones; but the values were not at a level to cause metabolic distress. The use of high levels of DCP in small ruminant fattening can ensure equivalent animal performances and metabolic welfare while providing a value addition to a local by-product.
The impact of heat stress on intestinal function and productivity in grow-finish pigs
Authors: Gabler N. K. , Pearce S. C.
Published: October 2015

Heat stress is a physiological condition when animals can no longer regulate their internal euthermic temperature. When livestock such as pigs are subjected to this environmental stress, it can be detrimental to performance, health and well-being, and if severe enough even death. Growing pigs are particularly susceptible to heat stress and one of the major organs first affected by heat stress is the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, reductions in appetite, intestinal function and integrity and increased risk of endotoxemia can modify post-absorptive metabolism and tissue accretion. These changes in intestinal integrity may be a result of altered expression of tight junction proteins, increased circulating endotoxin concentrations and markers of cellular stress (heat shock and hypoxia response), which is evident as early on as 2 h after heat-stress onset. Due to restricted blood flow, the ileum is more severely affected compared with the colon. Interestingly, many of the negative effects of heat stress on intestinal integrity appear to be similar to those observed with pigs reared under reduced nutrient and caloric intakes. Altogether, these depress pig performance and health, and extend days to market. Despite this impact on the gastrointestinal tract, under heat-stress conditions, intestinal glucose transport pathways are upregulated. This review discussed how heat stress (directly and indirectly via reduced feed intake) affects intestinal integrity and how heat stress contributes to decreased growth performance in growing pigs.
Root responses of triticale and soybean to soil compaction in the field are reproducible under controlled conditions
Authors: Colombi Tino , Walter Achim
Published: October 2015

Soil compaction includes a set of underlying stresses that limit root growth such as increased impedance and limited oxygen availability. The aims of the present study were to (i) find acclimations of triticale (× Triticosecale) and soybean (Glycine max L.) roots to compacted soils in the field; (ii) reproduce these under controlled conditions; and (iii) associate these responses with soil physical properties. To this end, plants were grown at two different soil bulk densities in the field and under controlled conditions representing mature root systems and the seedling stage respectively. Diameters, lateral branching densities, the cortical proportion within the total root cross-section and the occurrence of cortical aerenchyma of main roots were quantified. Soil compaction caused decreasing root branching and increasing cortical proportions in both crops and environments. In triticale, root diameters and the occurrence of aerenchyma increased in response to compaction in the field and under controlled conditions. In soybean, these acclimations occurred at an initial developmental stage but due to radial root growth not in mature roots. These results showed that responses of root systems to compacted soils in the field are, to a large extent, reproducible under controlled conditions, enabling increased throughput, phenotyping-based breeding programs in the future. Furthermore, the occurrence of aerenchyma clearly indicated the important role of limited oxygen availability in compacted soils on root growth.
Hydrogen-rich water-alleviated ultraviolet-B-triggered oxidative damage is partially associated with the manipulation of the metabolism of (iso)flavonoids and antioxidant defence in Medicago sativa
Authors: Xie Yanjie , Zhang Wei , Duan Xingliang , Dai Chen , Zhang Yihua , Cui Weiti , Wang Ren , Shen Wenbiao
Published: October 2015

External administration of hydrogen gas (H2) benefits plants from multiple environmental stimuli. However, the physiological significance and molecular mechanism of H2 in ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation are largely unexplored. Here, the biological function of H2 in the regulation of plant UVB-tolerance was investigated by using hydrogen-rich water (HRW). Results showed that the exposure of alfalfa seedlings to UVB irradiation increased endogenous H2 production. Pretreatment with HRW mimicked the UVB-induced endogenous H2 production. Corresponding UVB-triggered toxic symptoms, in terms of lipid peroxidation and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the subsequent growth inhibition, were markedly mitigated. Metabolic profiling analysis by using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS), identified 40 (iso)flavonoids in UVB-treated alfalfa plants, with 22 kinds was increased by HRW. These changes resulted in the alternation of (iso)flavonoids profile, with the effective promotion of isoflavone and flavanone subfamilies in particular. These compounds included afromosin, afromosin 7-O-β-D-glucoside-malonate, daidzein, formononetin 7-O-β-D-glucoside-6ʹʹ-O-malonate, garbanzol, matteucin and naringenin. In vitro tests further showed that the HRW-modulated (iso)flavonoids profile upon UVB stress possessed advanced ROS-quenching and antioxidant capacities under our experimental conditions. Meanwhile, UVB-triggered upregulation in the transcription levels of (iso)flavonoids biosynthetic-related genes were substantially strengthened by HRW. The activities and related transcripts of representative antioxidant enzymes were also induced. Taken together, our findings indicate that HRW confers tolerance to UVB-induced oxidative damage partially by the manipulation of (iso)flavonoids metabolism and antioxidant defence in Medicago sativa L.
Reducing congenital cytomegalovirus infection through policy and legislation in the United States
Authors: Doutre Sara Menlove
Published: October 2015

Policy and legislation, backed by accurate science, are viable tools to change behaviour to reduce congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Addressing CMV through public policy can provide increased awareness among public health officials, access to existing venues for disseminating information, and much needed funds for awareness campaigns. While some medical professionals and CMV experts oppose public policy and legislation mandating medical practice, most support policies aimed at public education campaigns to provide consumers with accurate CMV education.
Accumulation of sulfidic sediments in a channelised inland river system, southern Australia
Authors: Wong Vanessa N. L. , Cheetham Michael D. , Bush Richard T. , Sullivan Leigh A. , Ward Nicholas J.
Published: October 2015

Accumulation of sulfidic sediments in freshwater environments is a relatively recent phenomenon and an emerging environmental issue. In the present study, benthic sediments along short (~250m) reaches of an inland freshwater river in south-eastern Australia were examined to determine the abundance and vertical distribution of fine-grained organic sulfidic sediments, identified by acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and chromium-reducible sulfur (SCR) contents. Sulfidic sediments (up to 404mmolkg–1 SCR) preferentially accumulated in zones immediately overlying coarse sandy bed material. Conversely, where bed material was clay or silt dominated, comparatively limited sulfidic sediment had accumulated (where AVS and SCR were not detected). This suggests that the hydraulic conductivity of the underlying bed material could play a role in the formation of sulfidic sediments and that the overlying water column is not the sole source of SO42–. Evidence suggests that accumulation of sulfidic materials occurred preferentially downstream of channel obstructions, such as submerged logs or in scour pools. However, sediment accumulation was not limited to lower-energy parts of the channel, as would be expected for fine-grained organic sediments. Evidence of reworking, burial or sulfide formation at depth highlights the dynamism of the system and its differences to many coastal systems where these sediments are commonly found.
English in the Gaspé region of Quebec
Authors: Boberg Charles , Hotton Jenna
Published: October 2015

This paper reports on the first-ever linguistic study of the variety of English spoken in the Gaspé region of eastern Quebec, which is 86 percent French-speaking. An on-line survey was used to gather data from 200 participants on 58 phonological, grammatical and lexical variables, drawn mostly, for comparative purposes, from earlier research on Canadian and Quebec English. The analysis, focusing on data from the 124 participants who still live in the Gaspé region, produces a complex linguistic portrait of the community. It displays a unique mixture of Canadian, Quebec, Maritime and rural features, reflecting its location near the boundary between Quebec and New Brunswick, with evidence of both convergence with and divergence from Quebec English as spoken in Montreal. It also shows more frequent use of several Gallicisms, or borrowings from French, suggesting that this effect of language contact is encouraged by its minority status.
“Scottish”, “English” or “foreign”
Authors: Kingstone Sydney
Published: October 2015

This paper provides the first perceptual dialectology survey of Scotland. Respondents from the northeast fishing town of Buckie were asked to mark and label dialect areas on a map, and to rate 12 government regions on five scales: “degree-of-difference”, “correctness”, “pleasantness”, “broadness” and “sounding Scottish”. Based on the results of the survey, Scottish dialect perceptions could be placed into three main cultural dimensions: : (i) “Scottishness”, the “Good Scots/Bad Scots” distinction; (ii) “Englishness”, the cultural prominence of the Scotland-England border; and (iii) “Foreignness”, the influence of other languages on its islands. The conflicting responses regarding correctness offer a glimpse into different aspects of linguistic (in)security in Scotland. These findings provide a means of understanding Scotland’s current perceived linguistic landscape through significant regional and cultural dimensions.
Species distribution modelling in predicting response to climate change.
Authors: Hill M. P. , Thomson L. J.
Published: October 2015

Species distribution modelling comprises a range of widely used tools for predicting potential changes in insect pest species distributions with climate change. We review the current literature to see the effectiveness of different approaches, particularly in comparing predictions based on current distribution data (correlative or 'environmental niche models') and those based on life-history traits and determination of thermal limits (mechanistic models). We review new developments in implementing processes such as dispersal and biotic interactions within species distribution models and how these could be used to develop management strategies incorporating natural enemies into climate change predictions. We propose that species distribution models should be linked with key trait data where possible to inform better of response to climate change.
Adaptive responses of plants to insect herbivores under climate change.
Authors: Rasmann S. , Pellissier L.
Published: October 2015

Global climate change, including the rise of CO2 emissions and global warming, are predicted to alter the composition of communities through differential colonization abilities between sessile plants and their mobile insect herbivores along latitudinal and elevation gradients. In particular, under the scenario of increasing temperature, it is expected that insect abundance and diversity will increase at higher elevation and latitude. The outcome of novel interactions between previously non-overlapping plant and insect species will ultimately result from the ability of the plant to adjust its defence and tolerance strategy. However, plant responses to herbivory may also be directly impacted by the effect of CO2 and temperature on plant defensive hormonal pathways. Additionally, syndromes of plant defences and tolerance are driven by inherited functional traits, biotic and abiotic conditions and the geographical and historical contingencies affecting the community. Therefore, understanding evolutionary species responses to climate change and novel plant-herbivore interactions requires understanding of genetic variation, strength of phenotypic plasticity in response to herbivore attack and trait phylogenetic conservatism. We advocate the study along elevation gradients for predicting ecological and evolutionary outcomes of climate change on plant-herbivore interaction.
Climate change effects on agricultural insect pests in Europe.
Authors: Lindström L. , Lehmann P.
Published: October 2015

In this chapter, we will discuss observations of climate change effects on agricultural pests in Europe, the possible mechanisms behind these observed effects and finally delve into more detail through some relatively well studied model species (the Colorado potato beetle and the rape beetle). Direct effects of climate change on agricultural pests in Europe are difficult to dissect from all the human-induced changes that have taken place in parallel with an increased mean annual temperature. During the past decade, agriculture has become more professionalized in terms of land use, crop cultivation techniques and pest management strategies. We review the effect of climate change on agricultural pests by comparing the speed of range expansion of pest species to non-pest species. It seems that the poleward range shift has been faster for pest than non-pest species. We attribute this partly to the globalization of agriculture as human-assisted movement has broken many natural dispersal barriers. Since the biology of many pest species is relatively poorly studied, direct conclusions on how climate change has affected the biological processes of pests are challenging to make.
Responses of tree-killing bark beetles to a changing climate.
Authors: Raffa K. F. , Aukema B. H. , Bentz B. J. , Carroll A. L. , Hicke J. A. , Kolb T. E.
Published: October 2015

Bark beetles cause widespread tree mortality, so understanding how climate change will influence the distribution and magnitude of outbreaks by this group of herbivores is important. We first develop a framework of outbreak dynamics that emphasizes transitions from states dominated by negative feedback to those dominated by positive, density-dependent feedback. We then consider mechanisms by which temperature and precipitation changes can allow populations to breach critical thresholds, and the empirical data relating outbreaks to weather. Finally, we consider how anticipated climatic change, and relationships with new hosts and natural enemy guilds, may influence dynamics in new habitats. There is strong evidence that elevated temperature can increase overwintering survival and decrease generation times of bark beetles, although evolved traits can also constrain response to warming in some habitats. Moreover, combinations of phenotypic plasticity, genotypic variation and physiological thresholds yield a broad range of conditions under which adults emerge synchronously, and thus can mass attack trees. There is likewise strong evidence that severe drought reduces tree defences against attack. Drought stress can occur through lower precipitation and/or higher temperatures that reduce soil moisture and/or raise vapour pressure deficit. We also delineate three categories of range modifications: increased and more persistent establishment in areas where trees experienced only intermittent exposure historically; establishment in areas dominated by host species but where local populations experienced little or no pressure historically; and movement into new areas containing susceptible species that have not been exposed previously. Each of these has been documented for bark beetles. Trees in areas that experienced minor or no exposure generally had lower defences than their more historically exposed counterparts. However, there can be lags in beetle behavioural responses. In some cases, more heterogeneous forest structure, more abundant local predators and competitors and low host nutritional quality could potentially lessen risk in new habitats. Direct comparative studies are needed to evaluate outbreak potentials following range expansions driven by climate warming.
Effects of new forest management on insect damage risk in a changing climate.
Authors: Björkman C. , Bylund H. , Nilsson U. , Nordlander G. , Schroeder M.
Published: October 2015

Recent findings suggest that damage by forest insect pests will increase as a consequence of climate warming. Here, we ask whether changes in forest management can alter and possibly mitigate the increased risk of damage and outbreaks. We focus mainly on conditions in northern Europe, particularly Sweden, but conclusions should be valid for northern temperate forests. Three types of insect pests are considered; the regeneration pest, Hylobius abietis (pine weevil), defoliators and the bark beetle, Ips typographus. We compare the expected effect of new management methods with the presently predominant method of even-aged stands, which are thinned two to three times before final harvest by clear-felling. Continuous cover forestry (CCF) is the method most different from the present practice. CCF would lead to a drastic decrease in pine weevils, and also less damage by defoliators, but this latter prediction is uncertain. For the bark beetle, the uncertainty is even greater. In mixed forests, all three insect pest types are expected to become less of a problem. Putative mechanisms involve more abundant and diverse natural enemy fauna, and a more scattered distribution of food resources. A shorter rotation period (including no thinning) is expected to increase the damage by pine weevils, as it will result in more abundant breeding material. For defoliators, it is difficult to foresee the effects. A shorter rotation period will decrease the risk of bark beetle outbreaks, as storm-fellings will be less frequent and young stands more common. The effects of exotic tree species and clonal forestry are complex and will depend on several factors. A general conclusion is that forest management may be used to mitigate the anticipated risk of insect pest damage as a consequence of climate warming, but more research is required to certify these indications.
In defense of the rationality of traditions
Authors: Seipel Peter
Published: October 2015

Alasdair MacIntyre has developed a theory of the rationality of traditions that is designed to show how we can maintain both the tradition-bound nature of rationality, on the one hand, and non-relativism, on the other. However, his theory has been widely criticized. A number of recent commentators have argued that the theory is either inconsistent with his own conception of rationality or else is dependent on the standards of his particular tradition and therefore fails to defuse the threat of relativism. In the present essay, I argue that this objection is mistaken.
Advanced glycation end-product (AGE) induces apoptosis in human retinal ARPE-19 cells via promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and activating the Fas-FasL signaling
Authors: Wang Pu , Xing Yiqiao , Chen Changzheng , Chen Zhen , Qian Zhimin
Published: October 2015

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are extremely accumulated in the retinal vascular and epithelial cells of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, particularly with diabetic retinopathy (DR). To elucidate the pathogenesis of the AGE-induced toxicity to retinal epithelial cells, we investigated the role of Fas–Fas ligand (FasL) signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction in the AGE-induced apoptosis. Results demonstrated that the AGE-BSA- induced apoptosis of retinal ARPE-19 cells. And the AGE-BSA treatment caused mitochondrial dysfunction, via deregulating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) signaling. Moreover, the Fas/FasL and its downstreamer Caspase 8 were promoted by the AGE-BSA treatment, and the exogenous α-Fas exacerbated the activation of Caspase 3/8. On the other side, the siRNA-mediated knockdown of Fas/FasL inhibited the AGE-BSA-induced apoptosis. Taken together, we confirmed the activation of Fas–FasL signaling and of mitochondrial dysfunction in the AGE-BSA-promoted apoptosis in retinal ARPE-19 cells, implying the important role of Fas–FasL signaling in the DR in DM.
3′-Hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes
Authors: Kotake-Nara Eiichi , Hase Megumi , Kobayashi Miyuki , Nagao Akihiko
Published: October 2015

An oxidative metabolite of lutein, 3′-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one, inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes and the subsequent triacylglycerol production, but lutein did not. The α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure of 3′-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one was considered to participate in the inhibitory effect, suggesting that this lutein metabolite has the potential to prevent metabolic syndrome.
Fourier quasicrystals and Lagarias’ conjecture
Authors: Favorov S.
Published: October 2015

J. C. Lagarias (2000) conjectured that ifμ\muis a complex measure onpp-dimensional Euclidean space with a uniformly discrete support and its Fourier transform in the sense of distributions is also a measure with a uniformly discrete support, then the support ofμ\muis a subset of a finite union of translates of some full-rank lattice. The conjecture was proved by N. Lev and A. Olevski (2013) in the casep=1p=1. In the case of an arbitraryppthey proved the conjecture only for a positive measureμ\mu.

Here we show that Lagarias’ conjecture does not always hold and investigate two special types of measure distributions connected with the conjecture.
Mapping properties of weighted Bergman projection operators on Reinhardt domains
Authors: Čučković Željko , Zeytuncu Yunus
Published: October 2015

We show that on smooth complete Reinhardt domains, weighted Bergman projection operators corresponding to exponentially decaying weights are unbounded on

L
p

L^p

spaces for all

p
≠
2

p\not =2

. On the other hand, we also show that the exponentially weighted projection operators are bounded on Sobolev spaces on the unit ball.
Reverse Hölder’s inequality for spherical harmonics
Authors: Dai Feng , Feng Han , Tikhonov Sergey
Published: October 2015

This paper determines the sharp asymptotic order of the following reverse Hölder inequality for spherical harmonics

Y
n

Y_n

of degree

n
n

on the unit sphere

S

d
−
1

\mathbb {S}^{d-1}

of

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

as

n
→
∞

n\to \infty

:
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar upper Y Subscript n Baseline double-vertical-bar Subscript upper L Sub Superscript q Subscript left-parenthesis double-struck upper S Sub Superscript d minus 1 Subscript right-parenthesis Baseline less-than-or-equal-to upper C n Superscript alpha left-parenthesis p comma q right-parenthesis Baseline double-vertical-bar upper Y Subscript n Baseline double-vertical-bar Subscript upper L Sub Superscript p Subscript left-parenthesis double-struck upper S Sub Superscript d minus 1 Subscript right-parenthesis Baseline comma 0 greater-than p greater-than q less-than-or-equal-to normal infinity period">

‖

Y
n

‖

L
q

(

S

d
−
1

)

≤
C

n

α
(
p
,
q
)

‖

Y
n

‖

L
p

(

S

d
−
1

)

,
 
0
>
p
>
q
≤
∞
.

\|Y_n\|_{L^q(\mathbb {S}^{d-1})}\leq C n^{\alpha (p,q)}\|Y_n\|_{L^p(\mathbb {S}^{d-1})},\ 0>p>q\leq \infty .

\]
In many cases, these sharp estimates turn out to be significantly better than the corresponding estimates in the Nikolskii inequality for spherical polynomials. Furthermore, they allow us to improve two recent results on the restriction conjecture and the sharp Pitt inequalities for the Fourier transform on

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

.
Effect of Hydrolyzing Enzymes on Wheat Bran Cell Wall Integrity and Protein Solubility
Authors: Arte Elisa , Katina Kati , Holopainen‐Mantila Ulla , Nordlund Emilia
Published: October 2015

Wheat bran contains good quality protein, but given its location inside aleurone cells, this protein has restricted digestibility. The aim of this work was to liberate and solubilize wheat bran proteins via cell wall degradation by using carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing and proteolytic enzymes without causing extensive protein hydrolysis. Bran incubated with water (without added enzymes) for 16 h increased the solubilized organic nitrogen content from 14.0 to 42.8%. Enzymes with solely carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing activity increased the water‐soluble pentosan and reducing sugar contents but did not significantly increase protein solubilization or protein release from the aleurone cells. Enzymes with proteolytic activity significantly increased the solubilization of protein to 58.2% already at 4 h. Significant protein hydrolysis was detected with a high dosage of protease. However, based on light microscopy, the enzymatic treatment mainly modified the proteins in the subaleurone layer, and it was less effective on proteins inside the aleurone cells. With optimized protease treatment (3 h, 35°C, and 550 nkat/g), effective protein solubilization (>48%) without extensive protein hydrolysis (free amino nitrogen content <45 mg/L) was achieved. In conclusion, intensive solubilization of proteins in the subaleurone layer of wheat bran is possible by using exogenous enzymes with proteolytic activities.
From Field to Table: A Review on the Microbiological Quality and Safety of Wheat‐Based Products
Authors: Sabillón Luis , Bianchini Andréia
Published: October 2015

Throughout history, wheat‐based foods have been considered among the safest of all foods produced for human consumption. In part, this claim reflects both the low risk profile of low‐moisture foods and the thermal processes used to produce the finished product. Nevertheless, raw flour contains a number of potential hazards, which, if not properly managed, may have the potential to result in serious public health consequences. These hazards are mostly microbiological in origin and arise mainly during production and distribution through the wheat supply chain. The physical processes carried out during milling have minimal impact on the level of contamination present on grain; therefore, the initial microbiological quality of wheat grain has a strong influence on the ultimate quality and safety of milling end products. Although most flour‐based foods are processed and consumed in forms that are less likely to be contaminated with pathogens, refrigerated dough products have the potential to be a safety hazard to consumer health because they could be consumed raw or undercooked. The risk for exposure to pathogenic microorganisms present in raw flour by eating uncooked baking mixture has been demonstrated by several outbreaks. Such food safety incidents have led to heightened manufacturer and consumer awareness about safety related to flour‐containing foods.
Viruses are a dominant driver of protein adaptation in mammals
Authors: Enard David , Cai Le , Gwenapp Carina , Petrov Dmitri A.
Published: October 2015

Viruses interact with hundreds to thousands of proteins in mammals, yet adaptation against viruses has only been studied in a few proteins specialized in antiviral defense. Whether adaptation to viruses typically involves only specialized antiviral proteins or affects a broad array of proteins is unknown. Here, we analyze adaptation in ~1,300 virus-interacting proteins manually curated from a set of 9,900 proteins conserved across mammals. We show that viruses (i) use the more evolutionarily constrained proteins from the cellular functions they hijack and that (ii) despite this high constraint, virus-interacting proteins account for a high proportion of all protein adaptation in humans and other mammals. Adaptation is elevated in virus-interacting proteins across all functional categories, including both immune and non-immune functions. Our results demonstrate that viruses are one of the most dominant drivers of evolutionary change across mammalian and human proteomes.
Dynamic information routing in complex networks
Authors: Kirst Christoph , Timme Marc , Battaglia Demian
Published: October 2015

Flexible information routing fundamentally underlies the function of many biological and artificial networks. Yet, how such systems may specifically communicate and dynamically route information is not well understood. Here we identify a generic mechanism to route information on top of collective dynamical reference states in complex networks. Switching between collective dynamics induces flexible reorganization of information sharing and routing patterns, as quantified by delayed mutual information and transfer entropy measures between activities of a network's units. We demonstrate the power of this generic mechanism specifically for oscillatory dynamics and analyze how individual unit properties, the network topology and external inputs coact to systematically organize information routing. For multi-scale, modular architectures, we resolve routing patterns at all levels. Interestingly, local interventions within one sub-network may remotely determine non-local network-wide communication. These results help understanding and designing information routing patterns across systems where collective dynamics co-occurs with a communication function.
Enhancement of larval immune system traits as a correlated response to selection for rapid development inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Dey Punyatirtha , Mendiratta Kanika , Bose Joy , Joshi Amitabh
Published: October 2015

We have shown earlier that the evolution of rapid development is accompanied by a correlated decrease in larval feeding rate and competitive ability in laboratory populations ofDrosophila melanogaster(Prasad et al. 2001; Shakarad et al. 2005). Here, we show that our faster developing populations have evolved higher hemocyte density and phenol oxidase activity in the larval hemolymph. The increased hemocyte density could be responsible for the evolution of decreased feeding rate as hemocytes and the cephalopharyngeal musculature share common embryonic precursor cells (Kraajiveld et al. 2001). We also show that the bacterial load in larval food vials of the faster developing populations is substantially higher than in controls. Our results suggest that the evolution of reduced competitive ability in the faster developing populations is probably due to larval feeding rate trading off with enhanced larval immune system function. Enhanced larval immune function, in turn, is most likely selected for due to the role of hemocytes (Lanot et al. 2001, Wood and Jacinto 2007) and phenol oxidase (Pentz et al. 1986) in development, and perhaps also due to inadvertent selection on immune performance resulting from the higher bacterial load faced by larvae in the faster developing populations.
Periodic entanglement III: tangled degree-3 finite and layer net intergrowths from rare forests
Authors: Evans Myfanwy E. , Hyde Stephen T.
Published: October 2015

Entanglements of two-dimensional honeycomb nets are constructed from free tilings of the hyperbolic plane ({\bb H}^2) on triply periodic minimal surfaces. The 2-periodic nets that comprise the structures are guaranteed by considering regular, rare free tilings in {\bb H}^2. This paper catalogues an array of entanglements that are both beautiful and challenging for current classification techniques, including examples that are realized in metal–organic materials. The compactification of these structures to the genus-3 torus is considered as a preliminary method for generating entanglements of finite θ-graphs, potentially useful for gaining insight into the entanglement of the periodic structure. This work builds on previous structural enumerations given inPeriodic entanglementParts I and II [Evanset al.(2013).Acta Cryst.A69, 241–261; Evanset al.(2013).Acta Cryst.A69, 262–275].
Organizational climate research: a proposed approach focused on banking institutions
Authors: Tortorella Guilherme Luz , Escobar Laurence , Rodrigues Cláudia
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The use of the general satisfaction index (GSI) concept is a great way to measure the organizational climate. However, the traditional concept has an inaccurate calculation approach. In order to review this concept, the purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology to obtain this index through a more appropriate mathematical approach, supported by some linear algebra concepts. For this purpose, an organizational climate survey was carried out in a bank agency to exemplify application of this method. Each step of the application was detailed, as well as the intermediate results achieved. Among its principal benefits are: improved accuracy to obtain the GSI; the possibility of a comparison with a minimum required rate for the decision-making process; and the possibility of identifying the order of priority of the organizational climate dimensions that mostly need improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

– The working method was divided into three parts. The first part consists of the collection of data on employee satisfaction through a questionnaire based on Luz (2003) considerations and presented in a research performed by Maciel (2011), which uses 27 pertinent questions directed to the context of a banking system. These questions were answered on a scale from 0 to 4, where 0 means a very negative satisfaction condition and 4 a very positive one. The second part dealt with the application of the methodology for calculating GSI. The third and final part consisted of proposing improvements to increase the GSI of the studied bank agency.

Findings

– In general, the proposed method has proved to be a great ally to climate research and also to identify the need for improvements in banking context. Finally, the use of the 5W2H tool has proved important to improve weak points observed in the climate analysis, providing an initial guide to raise the agency’s GSI and achieve the goals pursued by the company. It is noteworthy that, due to the fact that improvement actions have been inferred based on direct observation, there is still a need for further analysis and/or debates about the impact and viability of these solutions.

Originality/value

– The proposed method turns GSI into a more accurate and appropriate tool, making it even more valuable in decision-making process faced by human resources departments focussed on improving or maintaining the organizational climate. To illustrate the application of the new approach regarding this tool, an organizational climate study in a bank branch is conducted.