Production localization factors: an industrial and literature based review

Decision are commonly based on the available or easily accessible information; this is also true for more complex assessments like production localization. Where to locate production is often a key strategic decisions that has great impact on a company’s profitability for a long time; insufficient business intelligence may therefore have grave consequences. Six production localization factor studies have been assessed to see if they are focusing on the same issues and if there are any gaps. A new approach for structuring localization factors and the localization process is then presented and assessed with regards to some previously identified critical issues

Initial Surface Film on Magnesium Metal. A Characterization by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Photocurrent Spectroscopy (PCS)

A detailed investigation of the initial film grown on mechanically polished Mg electrodes has been carried out by ex situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and in situ Photocurrent Spectroscopy (PCS), allowing to reach a detailed picture of the passive layer structure. The XPS data show that the films formed soon after mechanical treatment and immersion in aqueous electrolyte have a bilayer structure, consisting of an ultra-thin MgO inner layer (∼2.5 nm) and a Mg(OH)2 external layer. The thickness of the Mg(OH)2 layer is a function of immersion time and solution temperature. After mechanical treatment and immersion in aqueous solution at room temperature, the MgO/Mg(OH)2 layer in some area of electrodes is so thin to allow an electron photoemission process from the Mg Fermi level to the electrolyte conduction band. Only internal photoemission processes are evidenced for Mg electrodes aged in NaOH at 80 °C, due the formation of a thicker Mg(OH)2 layer. From anodic photocurrent spectra an optical band gap of ∼4.25 eV has been estimated for Mg(OH)2, lower with respect to the optical gap of the corresponding anhydrous counterpart

Progressive retinal degeneration and glial activation in the Cln6nclf mouse model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis : a beneficial effect of DHA and Curcumin supplementation

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a group of neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders characterized by vision loss, mental and motor deficits, and spontaneous seizures. Neuropathological analyses of autopsy material from NCL patients and animal models revealed brain atrophy closely associated with glial activity. Earlier reports also noticed loss of retinal cells and reactive gliosis in some forms of NCL. To study this phenomenon in detail, we analyzed the ocular phenotype of CLN6nclf mice, an established mouse model for variant-late infantile NCL. Retinal morphometry, immunohistochemistry, optokinetic tracking, electroretinography, and mRNA expression were used to characterize retinal morphology and function as well as the responses of Müller cells and microglia. Our histological data showed a severe and progressive degeneration in the CLN6nclf retina co-inciding with reactive Müller glia. Furthermore, a prominent phenotypic transformation of ramified microglia to phagocytic, bloated, and mislocalized microglial cells was identified in CLN6nclf retinas. These events overlapped with a rapid loss of visual perception and retinal function. Based on the strong microglia reactivity we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with immuno-regulatory compounds, curcumin and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), could ameliorate microgliosis and reduce retinal degeneration. Our analyses showed that treatment of three-week-old CLN6nclf mice with either 5% DHA or 0.6% curcumin for 30 weeks resulted in a reduced number of amoeboid reactive microglia and partially improved retinal function. DHA-treatment also improved the morphology of CLN6nclf retinas with a preserved thickness of the photoreceptor layer in most regions of the retina. Our results suggest that microglial reactivity closely accompanies disease progression in the CLN6nclf retina and both processes can be attenuated with dietary supplemented immuno-modulating compounds

Bait and Trap Design Preferences for Drosophila suzukii

Knowledge of Drosophila suzukii's preference for an attractive trap design and bait can be used to improve detection and management of this new invasive fruit pest. Desired trap and bait attributes include: high D. suzukii capture and species specificity; early-season detection prior to significant crop damage; higher capture of females than males; limit escapage from trap; and a positive response to seasonal changes in population, landscape, and weather. Bait trials were replicated 3-4 times in 4 different host crops, including: 'Spartan' cultivar blueberries on a no-spray farm (Benton Co. Oregon); a wild 'Himalaya' blackberry perimeter adjacent to a diversified, organic-certified farm (Benton Co., Oregon); no-spray Early 'Burlette' cultivar cherries on a diversified, organic-certified farm (Benton Co., Oregon); and organic 'Nleeker' cultivar raspberries on an organic-certified farm (Whatcom Co., Washington). Baits included: apple cider vinegar, Chinkiang vinegar, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, Hanseniaspora uvarum yeast, BioLure®, Torula Yeast Pellets®, Monterey Insect Bait®, Suzukii Trap®, and a 4-compound (acetic acid, methionil, acetoin, and ethanol) lure. Each bait was placed in a 950 mL side-mesh entry clear cup trap. Chinkiang vinegar and H. uvarum-baited traps had consistently high D. suzukii counts in all crop types tested. Suzukii Trap® baited traps had promising results; however, factors such as humidity and bait evaporation affected captures in blueberry and blackberry crops. Consistently, Torula Yeast Pellets® baited traps had low efficacy, and BioLure® and Monterey Insect Bait® baited traps showed little to no efficacy. Traps with the 4-compound lure yielded moderate trap catch relative to other baits, but showed the highest specificity to D. suzukii across the season. During the late-season period, traps baited with apple cider vinegar showed increased D. suzukii capture compared to observed early-season counts. Early-season Drosophila species captures were primarily other Drosophila species (66 - 100%), whereas late-season captures were 90 - 95.5% D. suzukii. The gender distribution of D. suzukii shifted from higher counts of females early-season to higher counts of males late-season. Trap designs varied in color, entry type (mesh vs. hole), trap volume, bait surface area, and headspace (area between bait surface and entry holes). Designs were replicated 4 times and tested in the wild 'Himalaya' blackberry perimeter described above. Each trap contained a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast/sugar solution. Traps with higher trap captures of D. suzukii had a low volume between the surface of the bait and the entry holes and a high volume between the entry holes and the trap top. Three traps that captured the highest numbers of D. suzukii overall were: 1) "Clear 20-Hole" (950 mL; 20-holes; clear cup), 2) "Squatty Botty Fly Trap" (1183 mL; side-mesh; red-yellow-black vertical stripe cup), and 3) "Lucky 13" (530 mL 13-hole; red cup). Increased entry area improved trap catch, and color did not appear to impact capture. However, traps supplemented with a killing agent placed inside the lid revealed significantly more D. suzukii than traps without

Signature of adaptive evolution in olfactory receptor genes in Cory's Shearwater supports molecular basis for smell in procellariiform seabirds

Olfactory receptors (ORs), encoded by the largest vertebrate multigene family, enable the detection of thousands of unique odorants in the environment and consequently play a critical role in species survival. Here, we advance our knowledge of OR gene evolution in procellariiform seabirds, an avian group which relies on the sense of olfaction for critical ecological functions. We built a cosmid library of Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) genomic DNA, a model species for the study of olfaction-based navigation, and sequence OR gene-positive cosmid clones with a combination of sequencing technologies. We identified 220 OR open reading frames, 20 of which are full length, intact OR genes, and found a large ratio of partial and pseudogenes to intact OR genes (2:1), suggestive of a dynamic mode of evolution. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that while a few genes cluster with those of other sauropsid species in a γ (gamma) clade that predates the divergence of different avian lineages, most genes belong to an avian-specific γ-c clade, within which sequences cluster by species, suggesting frequent duplication and/or gene conversion events. We identified evidence of positive selection on full length γ-c clade genes. These patterns are consistent with a key role of adaptation in the functional diversification of olfactory receptor genes in a bird lineage that relies extensively on olfaction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Recovery of Methanotrophic Activity Is Not Reflected in the Methane-Driven Interaction Network after Peat Mining

Aerobic methanotrophs are crucial in ombrotrophic peatlands, driving the methane and nitrogen cycles. Peat mining adversely affects methanotrophs, but activity and community composition/abundances may recover after restoration. Considering that the methanotrophic activity and growth are significantly stimulated in the presence of other microorganisms, the methane-driven interaction network, which encompasses methanotrophs and nonmethanotrophs (i.e., the methanotrophic interactome), may also be relevant in conferring community resilience. Yet, little is known of the methanotrophic interactome's response to and recovery from disturbances. Here, we determined the recovery of the methanotrophic interactome as inferred by a co-occurrence network analysis comparing pristine and restored peatlands. We coupled a DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP) approach using [13C]CH4 to a co-occurrence network analysis derived from the 13C-enriched 16S rRNA gene sequences to relate the response in methanotrophic activity to the structuring of the interaction network. Methanotrophic activity and abundances recovered after peat restoration since 2000. “Methylomonaceae” taxa were the predominantly active methanotrophs in both peatlands, but the peatlands differed in the relative abundances of Methylacidiphilaceae and Methylocystis. However, bacterial community compositions were distinct in both peatlands. Likewise, the methanotrophic interactome was profoundly altered in the restored peatland. Structuring of the interaction network after peat mining resulted in the loss of complexity and modularity, indicating a less connected and efficient network, which may have consequences in the event of recurring/future disturbances. Therefore, determining the response of the methane-driven interaction network, in addition to relating methanotrophic activity to community composition/abundances, provided a more comprehensive understanding of the resilience of the methanotrophs

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Wnt/beta-catenin signaling controls development of the blood–brain barrier

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is confined to the endothelium of brain capillaries and is indispensable for fluid homeostasis and neuronal function. In this study, we show that endothelial Wnt/beta-catenin (beta-cat) signaling regulates induction and maintenance of BBB characteristics during embryonic and postnatal development. Endothelial specific stabilization of beta-cat in vivo enhances barrier maturation, whereas inactivation of beta-cat causes significant down-regulation of claudin3 (Cldn3), up-regulation of plamalemma vesicle-associated protein, and BBB breakdown. Stabilization of beta-cat in primary brain endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro by N-terminal truncation or Wnt3a treatment increases Cldn3 expression, BBB-type tight junction formation, and a BBB characteristic gene signature. Loss of beta-cat or inhibition of its signaling abrogates this effect. Furthermore, stabilization of beta-cat also increased Cldn3 and barrier properties in nonbrain-derived ECs. These findings may open new therapeutic avenues to modulate endothelial barrier function and to limit the devastating effects of BBB breakdown

Patients with multiple sclerosis do not necessarily consume more alcohol or tobacco than the general population

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Boundary Lubrication of Oxide Surfaces by Poly(L-lysine)- g -poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL- g -PEG) in Aqueous Media

In this work, we have explored the application of poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) as an additive to improve the lubricating properties of water for metal-oxide-based tribo-systems. The adsorption behavior of the polymer onto both silicon oxide and iron oxide has been characterized by optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS). Several tribological approaches, including ultra-thin-film interferometry, the mini traction machine (MTM), and pin-on-disk tribometry, have been employed to characterize the frictional properties of the oxide tribo-systems in various contact regimes. The polymer appears to form a protective layer on the tribological interface in aqueous buffer solution and improves both the load-carrying and boundary-layer-lubrication properties of wate