How Multivalency controls Ionic Criticality

To understand how multivalency influences the reduced critical temperatures, Tce (z), and densities, roce (z), of z : 1 ionic fluids, we study equisized hard-sphere models with z = 1-3. Following Debye, Hueckel and Bjerrum, association into ion clusters is treated with, also, ionic solvation and excluded volume. In good accord with simulations but contradicting integral-equation and field theories, Tce falls when z increases while roce rises steeply: that 80-90% of the ions are bound in clusters near T_c serves to explain these trends. For z \neq 1 interphase Galvani potentials arise and are evaluated.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1, member A3 in glycogen trophoblast cells of the murine placenta

Introduction: Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is a well known regulator of trophoblast differentiation and placental development, and maternal decidual cells are recognized as the source of much of this RA. We explored possible trophoblast-derived sources of RA by examining the expression of RA synthesis enzymes in the developing mouse placenta, as well as addressed potential sites of RA action by examining the ontogeny of gene expression for other RA metabolizing and receptor genes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of endogenous RA production on trophoblast differentiation

Charge Oscillations in Debye-Hueckel Theory

The recent generalized Debye-Hueckel (GDH) theory is applied to the calculation of the charge-charge correlation function G_{ZZ}(r). The resulting expression satisfies both (i) the charge neutrality condition and (ii) the Stillinger-Lovett second-moment condition for all T and rho_N, the overall ion density, and (iii) exhibits charge oscillations for densities above a "Kirkwood line" in the (rho_N,T) plane. This corrects the normally assumed DH correlations, and, when combined with the GDH analysis of the density correlations, leaves the GDH theory as the only complete description of ionic correlation functions, as judged by (i)-(iii), (iv) exact low-density (rho_N,T) variation, and (v) reasonable behavior near criticality.Comment: 6 pages, EuroPhys.sty (now available on archive), 1 eps figur

Alcohol exposure impairs trophoblast survival and alters subtype-specific gene expression in vitro

Maternal alcohol consumption is common prior to pregnancy recognition and in the rat results in altered placental development and fetal growth restriction. To assess the effect of ethanol (EtOH) exposure on the differentiation of trophoblast stem (TS) cells, mouse TS lines were differentiated in vitro for 6 days in 0%, 0.2% or 1% EtOH. This reduced both trophoblast survival and expression of labyrinth and junctional zone trophoblast subtype-specific genes. This suggests that fetal growth restriction and altered placental development associated with maternal alcohol consumption in the periconceptional period could be mediated in part by direct effects on trophoblast development. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Prior specification in Bayesian occupancy modelling improves analysis of species occurrence data

Multi-species biodiversity indicators are increasingly used to assess progress towards the 2020 ‘Aichi’ targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, most multi-species indicators are biased towards a few well-studied taxa for which suitable abundance data are available. Consequently, many taxonomic groups are poorly represented in current measures of biodiversity change, particularly invertebrates. Alternative data sources, including opportunistic occurrence data, when analysed appropriately, can provide robust estimates of occurrence over time and increase the taxonomic coverage of such measures of population change. Occupancy modelling has been shown to produce robust estimates of species occurrence and trends through time. So far, this approach has concentrated on well-recorded taxa and performs poorly where recording intensity is low. Here, we show that the use of weakly informative priors in a Bayesian occupancy model framework greatly improves the precision of occurrence estimates associated with current model formulations when analysing low-intensity occurrence data, although estimated trends can be sensitive to the choice of prior when data are extremely sparse at either end of the recording period. Specifically, three variations of a Bayesian occupancy model, each with a different focus on information sharing among years, were compared using British ant data from the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society and tested in a simulation experiment. Overall, the random walk model, which allows the sharing of information between the current and previous year, showed improved precision and low bias when estimating species occurrence and trends. The use of the model formulation described here will enable a greater range of datasets to be analysed, covering more taxa, which will significantly increase taxonomic representation of measures of biodiversity change

Field-theoretic description of ionic crystallization in the restricted primitive model

Effects of charge-density fluctuations on a phase behavior of the restricted primitive model (RPM) are studied within a field-theoretic formalism. We focus on a $\lambda$-line of continuous transitions between charge-ordered and charge-disordered phases that is observed in several mean-field (MF) theories, but is absent in simulation results. In our study the RPM is reduced to a $\phi^6$ theory, and a fluctuation contribution to a grand thermodynamic potential is obtained by generalizing the Brazovskii approach. We find that in a presence of fluctuations the $\lambda$-line disappears. Instead, a fluctuation-induced first-order transition to a charge-ordered phase appears in the same region of a phase diagram, where the liquid -- ionic-crystal transition is obtained in simulations. Our results indicate that the charge-ordered phase should be identified with an ionic crystal.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figure

Mesoscopic theory for size- and charge- asymmetric ionic systems. I. Case of extreme asymmetry

A mesoscopic theory for the primitive model of ionic systems is developed for arbitrary size, $\lambda=\sigma_+/\sigma_-$, and charge, $Z=e_+/|e_-|$, asymmetry. Our theory is an extension of the theory we developed earlier for the restricted primitive model. The case of extreme asymmetries $\lambda\to\infty$ and $Z \to\infty$ is studied in some detail in a mean-field approximation. The phase diagram and correlation functions are obtained in the asymptotic regime $\lambda\to\infty$ and $Z \to\infty$, and for infinite dilution of the larger ions (volume fraction $n_p\sim 1/Z$ or less). We find a coexistence between a very dilute 'gas' phase and a crystalline phase in which the macroions form a bcc structure with the lattice constant $\approx 3.6\sigma_+$. Such coexistence was observed experimentally in deionized aqueous solutions of highly charged colloidal particles

The making of European society: contesting methodological nationalism

The paper is concerned with the problem of ‘society’ and in particular with the notion of ‘European society.’ Rather than reject the possibility of society, it draws on theories of the social as networks. The thesis proposed is that the concept of society should rather be understood as a relational field of interconnections. It is argued that this is highly relevant to the analysis of Europe conceived of in terms of a society. This approach can be seen as an alternative to methodological nationalism. The paper applies a network conception of society to Europe with the emphasis on the on the nineteenth century. In this account, European society is not something that was produced by European integration. Rather than see European society as a recent development, it is argued that the field of tensions between capitalism and democracy constituted the major elements that shaped a European model of society

European Permanent Grasslands: A Systematic Review of Economic Drivers of Change, Including a Detailed Analysis of the Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, and UK

\ua9 2024 by the authors. Permanent grasslands (PG) feature in the European rural landscape and represent a major agricultural production resource. They support multiple non-provisioning ecosystem services (ES), including climate regulation, flood control, biodiversity, and pollination. PG are at risk of loss or degradation due to agricultural land use and land management changes. The objective of this systematic review is to identify the main economic influences shaping management and maintenance of PG, and the risks and opportunities for delivery of a range of ES. A total of 51 papers were included. Relevant policy interventions and economic drivers are identified in relation to how they shape the management of EU grasslands over time and across farming systems, countries, or biogeographic zones. A high reliance on public payments from the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with uneven impact on mitigating PG losses and associated ES provisions, was identified, which needs to be considered in relation to ongoing CAP reform. There is a gap in the literature regarding economic tipping points for change. Future research needs to identify and map ES provisions by PG along with trade-offs and synergies, and link this to policy. There are substantive challenges to maintaining Europe’s PG area and management, which must be addressed through EU-wide instruments