bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innate positive chemotaxis to pollen from crops and banker plants in predaceous biological control agents: towards new field lures?
Authors: Li Shu , Tan Xiaoling , Desneux Nicolas , Benelli Giovanni , Zhao Jing , Li Xinhai , Zhang Fan , Gao Xiwu , Wang Su 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPredator-prey interactions form the core of biological control of arthropod pests. Which tools can be used to monitor and collect carnivorous arthropods in natural habitats and targeted crops? Eco-friendly and effective field lures are urgently needed. In this research, we carried out olfactometer experiments assess innate positive chemotaxis to pollen of seven crop and banker plant by two important predatory biological control agents: the coccinellid Propylea japonica (Thunberg) and the anthocorid Orius sauteri (Poppius). We compared the attractiveness of pollens from crops and banker plants to that of common prey homogenates (aphids and thrips, respectively). Attractiveness of the tested odor sources was checked via field trapping experiments conducted in organic apple orchards and by release-recapture assays in organic greenhouse tomato crops. Maize and canola pollen were attractive to both P. japonica and O. sauteri, in laboratory and field assays. P. japonica was highly attracted by balm mint pollen, whereas O. sauteri was attracted by alfalfa pollen. Our results encourage the use of pollen from crops and banker plants as low-cost and eco-friendly attractors to enhance the monitoring and attraction of arthropod predators in biological control programs.
Density-dependent adjustment of inducible defenses
Authors: Tollrian Ralph , Duggen Sonja , Weiss Linda C. , Laforsch Christian , Kopp Michael 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPredation is a major factor driving evolution and organisms have evolved adaptations increasing their survival chances. However, most defenses incur trade-offs between benefits and costs. Many organisms save costs by employing inducible defenses as responses to fluctuating predation risk. The level of defense often increases with predator densities. However, individual predation risk should not only depend on predator density but also on the density of conspecifics. If the predator has a saturating functional response one would predict a negative correlation between prey density and individual predation risk and hence defense expression. Here, we tested this hypothesis using six model systems, covering a taxonomic range from protozoa to rotifers and crustaceans. In all six systems, we found that the level of defense expression increased with predator density but decreased with prey density. In one of our systems, i.e. in Daphnia, we further show that the response to prey density is triggered by a chemical cue released by conspecifics and congeners. Our results indicate that organisms adjust the degree of defense to the acute predation risk, rather than merely to predators’ densities. Our study suggests that density-dependent defense expression reflects accurate predation-risk assessment and is a general principle in many inducible-defense systems.
Self-assembled Messenger RNA Nanoparticles (mRNA-NPs) for Efficient Gene Expression
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Park Yongkuk , Lee Jong Bum 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAlthough mRNA has several advantages over plasmid DNA when delivered into cells for gene expression, mRNA transfection is a very rare occurrence in gene delivery. This is mainly because of the labile nature of RNA, resulting in a low expression level of the desired protein. In this study, self-assembled mRNA nanoparticles (mRNA-NPs) packed with multiple repeats of mRNA were synthesized to achieve efficient gene expression. This approach required only a one-step process to synthesize particles with a minimal amount of plasmid DNA to produce the RNA transcripts via rolling circle transcription. Moreover, there are no concerns for cytotoxicity which can be caused by chemical condensates because mRNA-NPs are made entirely of mRNA. An examination of the cells transfected with the mRNA-NPs encoding the green fluorescence protein (GFP) confirmed that the mRNA-NPs can be used as a novel platform for effective gene delivery.
The electronic properties of impurities (N, C, F, Cl and S) in Ag3PO4: A hybrid functional method study
Authors: Huang Yang , Ma Tai , Chen Qing-yuan , Cao Chao , He Yao 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe transition energies and formation energies of N, C, F, Cl and S as substitutional dopants in Ag3PO4 are studied using first-principles calculations based on the hybrid Hartree-Fock density functional, which correctly reproduces the band gap and thus provides the accurate defect states. Our results show that NO and CO act as deep acceptors, FO, ClO and SP act as shallow donors. NO and CO have high formation energies under O-poor condition therefore they are not suitable for p-type doping Ag3PO4. Though FO, ClO and SP have shallow transition energies, they have high formation energies, thus FO, ClO and SP may be compensated by the intrinsic defects (such as Ag vacancy) and they are not possible lead to n-type conductivity in Ag3PO4.
Detection and Differentiation of Threonine- and Tyrosine-Monophosphorylated Forms of ERK1/2 by Capillary Isoelectric Focusing-Immunoassay
Authors: Kraus Inga , Besong Agbo Daniela , Otto Markus , Wiltfang Jens , Klafki Hans 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1/2 play important roles in the regulation of diverse cellular functions and have been implicated in several human diseases. In addition to the fully activated, diphosphorylated ERK1/2 protein, monophosphorylated forms of ERK1/2 have been observed, which may have distinct biological functions. We report here on the highly sensitive detection and differentiation of unphosphorylated, threonine-phosphorylated (pT), tyrosine-phosphorylated (pY) and diphosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2 by capillary isoelectric focusing followed by immunological detection (CIEF-immunoassay). Eight different phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of ERK1/2 were resolved according to charge. The unequivocal identification and differentiation of ERK1 and ERK2 forms monophosphorylated at either threonine or tyrosine was achieved by competitive blocking with specific phospho-peptides and different phosphorylation-sensitive antibodies. The suitability of the additional pT-ERK1/2 and pY-ERK1/2 differentiation for the time-resolved in-depth study of phospho-form distribution in response to specific stimuli is demonstrated in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and monocytic THP-1 cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
GRK5 polymorphisms and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Liu Lu , Zhang Lijun , Liu Minjie , Zhang Yanqun , Han Xia , Zhang Zhiqiang 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a serious yet common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Previous study have identified multiple genetic susceptibility loci for POAF susceptibility after CABG, although some studies are under-powered. However, none of these studies have been conducted among Asians. In current study, we aim to systematically evaluated the previous positive findings for POAF susceptibility after CABG among Chinese population, using a large population-based, two-stage, case-cohort study. From a discovery cohort of 1,348 patients, a total of nine independent loci were evaluated. Six significant SNPs were then assessed in a separately collected validation cohort of 2,000 patients. After adjustment for clinical predictors of POAF, two variants in GRK5 gene (rs4752292 and rs11198893) were replicated with significance were replicated in the validation cohort. The ORs for each additional copy of minor allele were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.15–1.50, P = 5.82 × 10−5) and 1.47 (95% CI: 1.28–1.69, P = 1.16 × 10−7), respectively. In this two-stage independently collected cardiac surgery cohorts, genetic variations in the GRK5 gene are independently associated with POAF risk in patients who undergo CABG surgery in Asians.
Improved canine exome designs, featuring ncRNAs and increased coverage of protein coding genes
Authors: Broeckx Bart J.G. , Hitte Christophe , Coopman Frank , Verhoeven Geert E.C. , De Keulenaer Sarah , De Meester Ellen , Derrien Thomas , Alfoldi Jessica , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Bosmans Tim , Gielen Ingrid , Van Bree Henri , Van Ryssen Bernadette , Saunders Jimmy H. , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Deforce Dieter 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBy limiting sequencing to those sequences transcribed as mRNA, whole exome sequencing is a cost-efficient technique often used in disease-association studies. We developed two target enrichment designs based on the recently released annotation of the canine genome: the exome-plus design and the exome-CDS design. The exome-plus design combines the exons of the CanFam 3.1 Ensembl annotation, more recently discovered protein-coding exons and a variety of non-coding RNA regions (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and antisense transcripts), leading to a total size of ≈152 Mb. The exome-CDS was designed as a subset of the exome-plus by omitting all 3’ and 5’ untranslated regions. This reduced the size of the exome-CDS to ≈71 Mb. To test the capturing performance, four exome-plus captures were sequenced on a NextSeq 500 with each capture containing four pre-capture pooled, barcoded samples. At an average sequencing depth of 68.3x, 80% of the regions and well over 90% of the targeted base pairs were completely covered at least 5 times with high reproducibility. Based on the performance of the exome-plus, we estimated the performance of the exome-CDS. Overall, these designs provide flexible solutions for a variety of research questions and are likely to be reliable tools in disease studies.
Switched‐capacitor quadratic buck converter for wider conversion ratios
Authors: Reyes‐Malanche Josue Augusto , Vázquez Nimrod , Leyva‐Ramos Jesus 
Published: August 2015

Low voltage and high current are typical requirements for the input source of the new family of microprocessors; therefore there is the need to develop new topologies and control strategies that can meet such requirements. A narrow duty ratio has limited the application of the conventional buck converter for wider step‐down DC–DC conversion. An interesting option is to consider the quadratic buck converter; however, there is still the problem to obtain a wider step‐down conversion. In this study, a switched‐capacitor quadratic buck converter is proposed such that a wider conversion ratio is obtained for lower‐output voltages. The converter consists of a quadratic buck converter with an array of capacitors and diodes, also referred as a voltage multiplier. To illustrate the behaviour of the proposed converter, experimental results are shown for a conversion from 36 to 1.5 V and an output power of 30 W. The efficiency of the proposed converter can be effectively increased when soft‐switching and synchronous rectification are implemented.
Understanding the water emission in the mid- and far-IR from protoplanetary disks around T Tauri stars
Authors: Antonellini S. , Kamp I. , Riviere-Marichalar P. , Meijerink R. , Woitke P. , Thi W.-F. , Spaans M. , Aresu G. , Lee E. 
Published: August 2015

Aims. We investigate which properties of protoplanetary disks around T Tauri stars affect the physics and chemistry in the regions where mid- and far-IR water lines originate and their respective line fluxes. We search for diagnostics for future observations.
Methods. With the code ProDiMo, we build a series of models exploring a large parameter space, computing rotational and ro-vibrational transitions of water in nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE). We select a sample of transitions in the mid-IR regime and the fundamental ortho and para water transitions in the far-IR. We investigate the chemistry and the local physical conditions in the line emitting regions. We calculate Spitzer spectra for each model and compare far-IR and mid-IR lines. In addition, we use mid-IR colors to tie the water line predictions to the dust continuum.
Results. Parameters affecting the water line fluxes in disks by more than a factor of three are : the disk gas mass, the dust-to-gas mass ratio, the dust maximum grain size, interstellar medium (ISM) UV radiation field, the mixing parameter of Dubrulle settling, the disk flaring parameter, and the dust size distribution. The first four parameters affect the mid-IR lines much more than the far-IR lines.
Conclusions. A key driver behind water spectroscopy is the dust opacity, which sets the location of the water line emitting region. We identify three types of parameters, including those (1) affecting global disk opacity and opacity function (maximum dust size and dust size distribution); (2) affecting global disk opacity (dust-to-gas mass ratio, Dubrulle settling, disk gas mass); and (3) not affecting disk opacity (flaring parameter, ISM UV radiation field, fraction of PAHs). Parameters, such as dust-to-gas ratio, ISM radiation field, and dust size distribution, affect the mid-IR lines more, while the far-IR transitions are more affected by the flaring index. The gas mass greatly affects lines in both regimes. Higher spectral resolution and line sensitivities, like from the James Webb Space Telescope, are needed to detect a statistically relevant sample of individual water lines to distinguish further between these types of parameters.
Relationships among Proximate Components and Energy Density of Juvenile Atlantic Estuarine Fishes
Authors: Schloesser Ryan W. , Fabrizio Mary C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInformation on the energy density of juvenile fishes is needed to inform food web and bioenergetic models. Several approaches may be used to estimate energy density, and although these approaches are expected to yield similar estimates, the accuracy of such estimates has not been assessed. Estuarine fishes have unique life history strategies that influence the water, protein, lipid, and ash composition of their tissues. Because proximate components vary among species, the preferred approaches for estimating energy density from these components may also differ. We investigated the suitability of five approaches to estimate energy density measured by bomb calorimetry from water content for juvenile Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus, Striped Bass Morone saxatilis, and Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus. Approaches were based on the following: (1) relationships between water and percent composition, (2) relationships between water and the mass of proximate components, (3) water content alone (by percentage and by mass), (4) percent water and fish mass, and (5) published relationships between energy density and percent dry weight. The mean predicted energy densities from alternative approaches were generally within 10% of the mean energy densities measured by bomb calorimetry (4.21 kJ/g to 4.94 kJ/g). For Summer Flounder and Atlantic Croakers, regressions based on the percent water from whole fish provided estimates of energy density closest to those from bomb calorimetry, and including fish mass improved the accuracy of energy density estimates for Striped Bass. Energy density calculated from percent composition overestimated measured energy density, even with conservative lipid‐to‐energy conversion factors; this was most pronounced for individuals with energy densities less than 5 kJ/g. Because lipid‐to‐energy conversion factors may not be temporally stable or spatially invariant, further research is needed on the energy content of lipid classes in fishes. The types of lipids used for energy storage likely vary among life stages and species, and extrapolating approaches to different size‐classes or species groups may bias estimates of energy content.
A web-based, patient-centered toolkit to engage patients and caregivers in the acute care setting: a preliminary evaluation
Authors: Dalal Anuj K , Dykes Patricia C , Collins Sarah , Lehmann Lisa Soleymani , Ohashi Kumiko , Rozenblum Ronen , Stade Diana , McNally Kelly , Morrison Constance RC , Ravindran Sucheta , Mlaver Eli , Hanna John , Chang Frank , Kandala Ravali , Getty George , Bates David W 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe implemented a web-based, patient-centered toolkit that engages patients/caregivers in the hospital plan of care by facilitating education and patient-provider communication. Of the 585 eligible patients approached on medical intensive care and oncology units, 239 were enrolled (119 patients, 120 caregivers). The most common reason for not approaching the patient was our inability to identify a health care proxy when a patient was incapacitated. Significantly more caregivers were enrolled in medical intensive care units compared with oncology units (75% vs 32%; P &lt; .01). Of the 239 patient/caregivers, 158 (66%) and 97 (41%) inputted a daily and overall goal, respectively. Use of educational content was highest for medications and test results and infrequent for problems. The most common clinical theme identified in 291 messages sent by 158 patients/caregivers was health concerns, needs, preferences, or questions (19%, 55 of 291). The average system usability scores and satisfaction ratings of a sample of surveyed enrollees were favorable. From analysis of feedback, we identified barriers to adoption and outlined strategies to promote use.
Enacting technology
Authors: Manda Tiwonge Davis , Herstad Jo 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to discuss implications of human-technology interaction in organizational change, especially where mobile phones are introduced to replace paper-based reporting.Design/methodology/approach– The paper employs a case study approach, focusing on implementation of mobile technology for health (mHealth) solutions to support remote data communication, between health facilities and a district health office (DHO), in Malawi.Findings– The findings suggest that mobile phones are relevant to parts of multi-stage tasks such as data reporting, which comprise compilation, transportation, and digitization of data, and delivery of feedback. Consequently, innovation due to the introduction of mobile phones, is found in their interaction with other artefacts (paper, desktop computers, etc.), and existing paper-centric and emerging work practices.Research limitations/implications– Although lessons from this study could be transported across contexts, practitioners, and researchers should pay particular attention to contextual differences.Practical implications– In accounting for the mutual shaping between technology and context/work practices the paper demonstrates that mHealth innovation demands significant practical work.Originality/value– mHealth research is often preoccupied with capabilities of mobile devices. First, the authors account for interaction between artefacts, existing, and emerging use contexts, and the use process, at multiple levels of organization. Through this, the authors argue for a need to seriously consider idiosyncrasies of artefacts and tasks at hand, as well as distributed affordances across artefacts, in mHealth implementations. Second, the authors argue that contrary to the general focus on mobile phones as tools for supporting people on the move, their relevance might actually be found in reducing people’s mobility.
The creativity passdown effect: applying design theory in creating instance design
Authors: Lee Jong Seok , Baskerville Richard , Pries-Heje Jan 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to suggest that translating a design theory (DT) into practice (e.g. creating an instance design artifact (IDA)) is hardly straight-forward and requires substantial creativity. Specifically the authors suggest that adopting a DT embodies a creativity passdown effect in which the creative thinking of a team of design theorist(s) inherent in DT invokes a creative mind of a team of artifact instance designer(s) in creating an IDA. In this study, the authors empirically investigate the creativity passdown effect through an action case in which a DT (DT nexus) was applied in creating an IDA (multi-outsourcing decision-making tool).Design/methodology/approach– The case methodology applied here is described as an action case. An action case is a hybrid research approach that combines action research and interpretive case approaches. It combines intervention and interpretation in order to achieve both change and understanding. It is a form of soft field experiment with less emphasis on iteration and learning and more on trial and making. The approach is holistic in philosophy, and prediction is not emphasized. The intervention in the case was that of an instance designer team introducing a previously published DT as a basis for creating an IDA.Findings– The experience in the action case suggests that using a DT in creating an IDA may encourage design thinking, and in certain way increase its power and practical relevance by fostering the creative mind of instance designers. Indeed, DTs provide a scientific basis for dealing with an instance problem, and this evokes the creativity mind of instance designers. Without such a scientific basis, it is a lot more challenging for instance artifact designers to deal with instance problems.Research limitations/implications– This study contributes to the literature concerning design science research, as it challenges the notion that adopting scientific design knowledge limits creativity inherent in creating IDA by illustrating creative elements involved in adopting DT as a basis for creating IDAs.Practical implications– This study offers implications to practice, as it provides new insights regarding how DT can be used in instance design activities.Originality/value– A report of this research previously appeared as a conference paper. However, the attached journal version has been completely rewritten to additionally contribute to the literature concerning design science research beyond the conference version. More specifically, in this version, the authors conceptualize adopting a DT to build an IDA as a theoretical basis, and the authors challenge the notion that adopting scientific design knowledge limits creativity inherent in creating IDA by illustrating creative elements involved in executing DT as a basis for creating IDAs.
More than meets the eye: working around technology in cross-boundary work contexts
Authors: Yeo Roland K. , Gold Jeff 
Published: August 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore how organizational actors interpret and enact technology in cross-boundary work contexts during e-government implementation in a public organization in East Malaysia.Design/methodology/approach– Case study methodology involving semi-structured interviews, unobtrusive observations, and archival records was utilized in the study. Interview subjects include management staff, general employees, and information technology (IT) specialists to provide rich descriptions of their work practice.Findings– Three distinct contexts contribute to cross-boundary work practice in relation to IT use and non-use, namely, standardization (complete IT use), hybridization (partial IT use), and conventionalization (zero IT use). Technology enactment strategies such as acceptance, avoidance, adaptation, and configuration are employed depending on actors’ interpretation of technology complexity and task interdependency.Practical implications– Early interventions could involve examining how and why employees accept or avoid technology as part of their work practice and how they switch between enactment strategies. Organizations could ensure better team support to capitalize on the robust social interaction in cross-boundary work contexts to develop greater synergy in technology improvisations.Originality/value– The study extends the technology enactment perspective as it offers new meanings to structures of action by understanding the temporal agentic orientations and how these are constructed by cross-boundary work contexts. It also offers insight into how enactment strategies are developed according to the productive tensions that arise from the interplay of cognitive orientations.