bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Large uncertainty in soil carbon modelling related to method of calculation of plant carbon input in agricultural systems
Authors: Keel S. G. , Leifeld J. , Mayer J. , Taghizadeh‐Toosi A. , Olesen J. E. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe application of dynamic models to report changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, for example as part of greenhouse gas inventories, is becoming increasingly important. Most of these models rely on input data from harvest residues or decaying plant parts and also organic fertilizer, together referred to as soil carbon inputs (C). The soil C inputs from plants are derived from measured agricultural yields using allometric equations. Here we compared the results of five previously published equations. Our goal was to test whether the choice of method is critical for modelling soil C and if so, which of these equations is most suitable for Swiss conditions. For this purpose we used the five equations to calculate soil C inputs based on yield data from a Swiss long‐term cropping experiment. Estimated annual soil C inputs from various crops were averaged from 28 years and four fertilizer treatments; the average was 3.6 Mg C ha−1 and covered a surprisingly large range from 2.1 to 5.3 Mg C ha−1 year−1 among the five equations. For single crop species, differences reached 6.6 Mg C ha−1 year−1. The variation between estimated soil C inputs depended on crop type and increased with yield. Simulations with the model C‐TOOL showed that calculated SOC stocks were affected strongly by the choice of the allometric equation. With four equations, a decrease in SOC stocks was simulated, whereas with one equation there was no change. This considerable uncertainty in modelled soil C is attributable solely to the allometric equation used to estimate the soil C input. We identify the evaluation and selection of allometric equations and associated coefficients as critical steps when setting up a model‐based soil C inventory for agricultural systems.Highlights

Uncertainty analyses in soil C modelling have focused mainly on model parameters and structures.
The uncertainty related to estimation of soil C inputs from crop residues was calculated.
Simulated soil C stocks and stock changes depend strongly on the method of estimating C input.
The method to derive soil C inputs is critical for model‐based soil C inventories.
Do Managerial Practices Matter in Innovation and Firm Performance Relations? New Evidence from the UK
Authors: Nemlioglu Ilayda , Mallick Sushanta K. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe innovation and firm performance relationship remains a puzzle, as all types of innovation are not equally beneficial. Besides, better‐managed firms can perform better. Integrating these two strands of literature, we examine whether managerial practices explain this relationship using data from UK firms during 1992–2014. We find that firms which focus on R&D activities jointly with better managerial practices benefit favourably. During the post‐crisis period, higher intangibles are only beneficial when combined with R&D activity. Also firms with better managerial practices and innovative activities exhibit a positive effect of higher leverage. Finally, an inverse U‐shaped result supports the Schumpeterian theory of creative destruction.
Local Equilibrium and Retardation Revisited
Authors: Hansen Scott K. , Vesselinov Velimir V. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn modeling solute transport with mobile‐immobile mass transfer (MIMT), it is common to use an advection‐dispersion equation (ADE) with a retardation factor, or retarded ADE. This is commonly referred to as making the local equilibrium assumption (LEA). Assuming local equilibrium, Eulerian textbook treatments derive the retarded ADE, ostensibly exactly. However, other authors have presented rigorous mathematical derivations of the dispersive effect of MIMT, applicable even in the case of arbitrarily fast mass transfer. We resolve the apparent contradiction between these seemingly exact derivations by adopting a Lagrangian point of view. We show that local equilibrium constrains the expected time immobile, whereas the retarded ADE actually embeds a stronger, nonphysical, constraint: that all particles spend the same amount of every time increment immobile. Eulerian derivations of the retarded ADE thus silently commit the gambler's fallacy, leading them to ignore dispersion due to mass transfer that is correctly modeled by other approaches. We then present a particle tracking simulation illustrating how poor an approximation the retarded ADE may be, even when mobile and immobile plumes are continually near local equilibrium. We note that classic “LEA” (actually, retarded ADE validity) criteria test for insignificance of MIMT‐driven dispersion relative to hydrodynamic dispersion, rather than for local equilibrium.
ZrB2 powders with low oxygen content: Synthesis and characterization
Authors: Bai Liuyang , Ni Shouliang , Jin Huacheng , He Jiaping , Ouyang Yuge , Yuan Fangli 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA two‐step reduction route is proposed for well‐dispersed submicrometer ZrB2 powder synthesis with low oxygen content. The second synthesis step can reduce the oxygen content apparently, whereas presents minor adverse effects on particle size and dispersion of ZrB2 powders. The samples were mainly characterized by an oxygen‐nitrogen analyzer and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD). It can be determined that the adsorbed oxygen constitutes a low proportion of total oxygen content based on the release profile of oxygen and nitrogen contents. Besides, the oxygen content calculated based on XRD characterization is significantly lower than the total oxygen content measured by impulse‐thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the lattice constants were determined according to XRD patterns as being higher than the calculated theoretical values based on the First‐Principles, indicating that a portion of oxygen remains in ZrB2 powders in the form of interstitial impurity atoms.
South‐South Migration and Urban Food Security: Zimbabwean Migrants in South African Cities
Authors: Crush Jonathan , Tawodzera Godfrey 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe drivers of food insecurity in rapidly‐growing urban areas of the Global South are receiving more research and policy attention, but the precise connections between urbanization and urban food security are still largely unexplored. In particular, the levels and causes of food insecurity amongst new migrants to the city have received little consideration. This is in marked contrast to the literature on the food security experience of new immigrants from the South in European and North American cities. This article aims to contribute to the new literature on South‐South migration and urban food security by focusing on the case of recent Zimbabwean migrants to South African cities. The article presents the results of a household survey of migrants in the South African cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg. The survey showed extremely high levels of food insecurity and low dietary diversity. We attribute these findings, in part, to the difficulties of accessing regular incomes and the other demands on household income. However, most migrants are also members of multi‐spatial households and have obligations to support household members in Zimbabwe. We conclude, therefore, that although migration may improve the food security of the multi‐spatial household as a whole, it is also a factor in explaining the high levels of insecurity of migrants in the city.
Earning Gaps for Chinese Immigrants in Canada and the United States
Authors: Wu Zheng , Lee Sharon M. , Hou Feng , Edmonston Barry , Carmichael Adam 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis study compares the US and Canada on the gap in earnings between Chinese immigrants and native‐born whites. Canada and the US are arguably more alike than most possible country pairings, yet they differ in significant ways in their approaches to immigration and integration. The primary difference between Canada and the US regarding immigration policy is that Canada selects a larger proportion of economic immigrants – that is, those admitted based on their ability to contribute to the economy – than the US's focus on family reunification. Canadian immigration and multicultural integration policy does not appear to improve Chinese immigrant earnings in the way that might be predicted from Canada's skilled‐based immigrant selection policy and welcoming social context. In spite of a more laissez‐faire approach to immigrant integration and a less skill‐selective immigration policy, we show that Chinese immigrants are earning relatively more in the US than in Canada.
Models and solution methods for the uncapacitated r‐allocation p‐hub equitable center problem
Authors: Peiró Juanjo , Corberán Ángel , Laguna Manuel , Martí Rafael 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHub networks are commonly used in telecommunications and logistics to connect origins to destinations in situations where a direct connection between each origin–destination (o‐d) pair is impractical or too costly. Hubs serve as switching points to consolidate and route traffic in order to realize economies of scale. The main decisions associated with hub‐network problems include (1) determining the number of hubs (p), (2) selecting the p‐nodes in the network that will serve as hubs, (3) allocating non‐hub nodes (terminals) to up to r‐hubs, and (4) routing the pairwise o‐d traffic. Typically, hub location problems include all four decisions while hub allocation problems assume that the value of p is given. In the hub median problem, the objective is to minimize total cost, while in the hub center problem the objective is to minimize the maximum cost between origin–destination pairs. We study the uncapacitated (i.e., links with unlimited capacity) r‐allocation p‐hub equitable center problem (with) and explore alternative models and solution procedures.
ZnO‐enhanced electrical properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐based incipient ferroelectrics
Authors: Geng Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Ji , Wang Rui‐Xue , Deng Xian‐Zhu , Sun Lei , Gu Zheng‐Bin , Zhang Shan‐Tao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐based incipient ferroelectrics with pseudocubic structure generally show weak ferro‐/piezoelectricity but giant field‐induced strains. It is difficult to artificially and smoothly improve the electrical property based on conventional chemical doping or substituting without changing the crystal structure and suppressing the strain. Here, by introducing the semiconductor ZnO into the lead‐free incipient ferroelectric ((Bi0.5(Na0.84K0.16)0.5)0.96Sr0.04)(Ti0.975Nb0.025)O3 (BNT–2.5Nb) to form 0‐3 type composites (BNT–2.5Nb:xZnO), we experimentally illustrate that the resistance and ferro‐/piezoelectric properties can be enhanced significantly with an unchanged crystal structure and only slightly suppressed strains. For example, the remanent polarization and piezoelectric coefficient increase from 4.6 μC/cm2 and 8 pC/N for x=0 to 9.0 μC/cm2 and 31 pC/N for x=0.3. At the same time, the total strain only decreases from 0.140% for x=0 to 0.108% for x=0.3, whereas the negative strain increases from −0.003% for x=0 to −0.010% for x=0.3. And the thermal stability of d33 is enhanced. The corresponding mechanism is attributed to that ZnO can form a local field, preventing the depolarization of field induced macroscopic ferroelectric domains. Our results not only provide a feasible way to tune electrical properties of BNT‐based incipient ferroelectrics, but also may stimulate further work on artificially structured high‐performance ferroelectrics.
Structural modification associated with Al2O3 addition in oxyfluoride glasses: Thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Biswas Kaushik , Karmakar Prantik , Balaji Sathravada , Gupta Gaurav , Ghosh Debarati , Annapurna Kalyandurg 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this work, the effect of gradual addition of Al2O3 substituting SiO2 on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of SiO2–BaF2–K2O–GdF3–Sb2O3‐based oxyfluoride glasses have been studied. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) curves indicate that there is a distinct primary crystallization corresponding to BaGdF5 phase formation in the samples without (0AlG) and with 5 mol% substitution of Al2O3 (5AlG) while the sample with 10 mol% of Al2O3 (10AlG) does not show such crystallization event. Further, the activation energy (Ea) for fluoride crystal formation is higher for the 5AlG in comparison to the 0AlG glass as determined by Kissinger, Augis‐Bennett and Ozawa models. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy analysis confirmed the structural modification with the gradual addition of Al2O3 in the glass matrix revealing dominant presence of AlO4 tetrahedral units in 10AlG sample unlike in 5AlG sample which exhibited the manifestation of AlO6 units. Such structural variation has further been substantiated from the estimated elastic properties like Young's modulus (E), shear modulus (G), bulk modulus (K), longitudinal modulus (L), and mean ultrasonic velocity (Um) by showing a decrease for 5AlG sample in comparison with 0AlG sample followed by subsequent increase for 10AlG sample.
SHIFTING BOUNDARIES IN ECONOMICS: THE INSTITUTIONAL COGNITIVE STRAND AND THE FUTURE OF INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS
Authors: Ambrosino Angela , Fontana Magda , Gigante Anna Azzurra 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper aims at contributing to the debate on the future of institutional economics and of the field as a whole by starting from the literature that discusses the relationship between Old‐Original Institutional Economics and New Institutional Economics. It suggests that the process of reunifying OIE and NIE (and evolutionary economics) prompted by part of the literature could be improved by the contribution of the Cognitive Institutional Economics. The paper follows a two‐stage pathway: first, it frames the debate on the relationships between NIE and the OIE and it concentrates on a subset of the literature that shows that NIE's recent developments complicate the distinction between NIE and OIE, and it explores the possibility that NIE and OIE may merge so that an amalgam of NIE, OIE and Evolutionary Economics becomes the next economic paradigm. Secondly, the paper argues that a step forward in the direction outlined by the literature has been made by CIE, which is a research stream that developed from cross‐fertilization among NIE, OIE and the Hayekian contributions to the analysis of institutions. In the concluding remarks, the possible emergence of a single institutional paradigm is discussed in the light of the literature about change in economics.
Sovereignty and Martyrdom: A Sociological Sketch
Authors: Fordahl Clayton 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper has two goals: to develop a sociological conception of martyrdom and to use that concept to interpret the history of sovereignty in the West. While recent research on the topic has focused on martyrdom as a terrorist tactic associated with radical Islam, I redress these trends by analyzing martyrdom as a social process, focusing on cases of martyrdom in European history, and cultivating a new perspective on the relationship between religion and politics in the historical development of sovereignty in the West.
The antithrombotic and haemostatic effects of LASSBio-752: a synthetic, orally active compound in an arterial and venous thrombosis model in rats
Authors: Frattani Flávia S , Lima Lidia M , Barreiro Eliezer J , Zingali Russolina B 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Objectives
In this work, we further investigated the effect of the compound LASSBio-752 in thrombosis models in rats.

Methods
Arterial and venous thrombosis model, ex-vivo recalcification time and aPTT and PT.

Key findings
In the venous thrombosis model, oral administration of LASSBio-752 [48.2 mg (100 μmol)/kg] one hour before the thrombus induction decreased thrombus weight by 37 ± 0.2%. Interestingly, the antithrombotic action of this compound [48.2 mg (100 μmol)/kg] occurred at 87.5 ± 2.1% of inhibition after 24 h of administration and showed a lasting activity. When tested on the arterial thrombosis model, after a 1-h interval, there was already an increase in time to total occlusion of 34 ± 2.4 min, but the greatest effect was observed at intervals between 6 and 15 h of administration, when no occlusion of the artery was observed. The antithrombotic effect was reduced after 24 h when the occlusion time was 23.8 ± 2.3 min, close to that of the control, 17.6 ± 2.0 min. We also observed that bleeding was not excessive in any of the intervals tested.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that compound LASSBio-752 is a potential candidate for utilization in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases.
Investigating the effect of poly-l-lactic acid nanoparticles carrying hypericin on the flow-biased diffusive motion of HeLa cell organelles
Authors: Penjweini Rozhin , Deville Sarah , Haji Maghsoudi Omid , Notelaers Kristof , Ethirajan Anitha , Ameloot Marcel 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Objectives
In this study, we investigate in human cervical epithelial HeLa cells the intracellular dynamics and the mutual interaction with the organelles of the poly-l-lactic acid nanoparticles (PLLA NPs) carrying the naturally occurring hydrophobic photosensitizer hypericin.

Methods
Temporal and spatiotemporal image correlation spectroscopy was used for the assessment of the intracellular diffusion and directed motion of the nanocarriers by tracking the hypericin fluorescence. Using image cross-correlation spectroscopy and specific fluorescent labelling of endosomes, lysosomes and mitochondria, the NPs dynamics in association with the cell organelles was studied. Static colocalization experiments were interpreted according to the Manders' overlap coefficient.

Key findings
Nanoparticles associate with a small fraction of the whole-organelle population. The organelles moving with NPs exhibit higher directed motion compared to those moving without them. The rate of the directed motion drops substantially after the application of nocodazole. The random component of the organelle motions is not influenced by the NPs.

Conclusions
Image correlation and cross-correlation spectroscopy are most appropriate to unravel the motion of the PLLA nanocarrier and to demonstrate that the rate of the directed motion of organelles is influenced by their interaction with the nanocarriers. Not all PLLA-hypericin NPs are associated with organelles.
A transposon‐directed epigenetic change in ZmCCT underlies quantitative resistance to Gibberella stalk rot in maize
Authors: Wang Chao , Yang Qin , Wang Weixiang , Li Yipu , Guo Yanling , Zhang Dongfeng , Ma Xuena , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran , Xu Mingliang 
Published: July 2017

Summary

A major resistance quantitative trait locus, qRfg1, significantly enhances maize resistance to Gibberella stalk rot, a devastating disease caused by Fusarium graminearum. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown.

We adopted a map‐based cloning approach to identify the resistance gene at qRfg1 and examined the dynamic epigenetic changes during qRfg1‐mediated maize resistance to the disease.

A CCT domain‐containing gene, ZmCCT, is the causal gene at the qRfg1 locus and a polymorphic CACTA‐like transposable element (TE1) c. 2.4 kb upstream of ZmCCT is the genetic determinant of allelic variation. The non‐TE1 ZmCCT allele is in a poised state, with predictive bivalent chromatin enriched for both repressive (H3K27me3/H3K9me3) and active (H3K4me3) histone marks. Upon pathogen challenge, this non‐TE1 ZmCCT allele was promptly induced by a rapid yet transient reduction in H3K27me3/H3K9me3 and a progressive decrease in H3K4me3, leading to disease resistance. However, TE1 insertion in ZmCCT caused selective depletion of H3K4me3 and enrichment of methylated GC to suppress the pathogen‐induced ZmCCT expression, resulting in disease susceptibility. Moreover, ZmCCT‐mediated resistance to Gibberella stalk rot is not affected by photoperiod sensitivity.

This chromatin‐based regulatory mechanism enables ZmCCT to be more precise and timely in defense against F. graminearum infection.
Interventions to reduce consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages or increase water intake: evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vargas‐Garcia E.J. , Evans C.E.L. , Prestwich A. , Sykes‐Muskett B.J. , Hooson J. , Cade J.E. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryA systematic review and meta‐analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of interventions to reduce sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) or increase water intakes and to examine the impact of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in consumption patterns. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials published after January 1990 and until December 2016 reporting daily changes in intakes of SSB or water in volumetric measurements (mL d−1) were included. References were retrieved through searches of electronic databases and quality appraisal followed Cochrane principles. We calculated mean differences (MD) and synthesized data with random‐effects models. Forty studies with 16 505 participants were meta‐analysed. Interventions significantly decreased consumption of SSB in children by 76 mL d−1 (95% confidence interval [CI] −105 to −46; 23 studies, P < 0.01), and in adolescents (−66 mL d−1, 95% CI −130 to −2; 5 studies, P = 0.04) but not in adults (−13 mL d−1, 95% CI −44 to 18; 12 studies, P = 0.16). Pooled estimates of water intakes were only possible for interventions in children, and results were indicative of increases in water intake (MD +67 mL d−1, 95% CI 6 to 128; 7 studies, P = 0.04). For children, there was evidence to suggest that modelling/demonstrating the behaviour helped to reduce SSB intake and that interventions within the home environment had greater effects than school‐based interventions. In conclusion, public health interventions – mainly via nutritional education/counselling – are moderately successful at reducing intakes of SSB and increasing water intakes in children. However, on average, only small reductions in SSBs have been achieved by interventions targeting adolescents and adults. Complementary measures may be needed to achieve greater improvements in both dietary behaviours across all age groups.