New Species of \u3ci\u3eProctophyllodes\u3c/i\u3e from Bulgaria (\u3ci\u3eSarcoptiformes, Analgoidea\u3c/i\u3e)

Two new species of feather mites are described: Proctophyllodes tenericaulus from Turdus viscivorus L. (Turdidae) and Galerida cristata (L.) (Alaudidae) and Proctophyllodes emberizae from Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli and E. hortulana (L.) (Fringillidae)

A semi-implicit version of the MPAS-atmosphere dynamical core

An important question for atmospheric modeling is the viability of semi-implicit time integration schemes on massively parallel computing architectures. Semi-implicit schemes can provide increased stability and accuracy. However, they require the solution of an elliptic problem at each time step, creating concerns about their parallel efficiency and scalability. Here, a semi-implicit (SI) version of the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) is developed and compared with the original model version, which uses a split Runge-Kutta (SRK3) time integration scheme. The SI scheme is based on a quasi-Newton iteration toward a Crank-Nicolson scheme. Each Newton iteration requires the solution of a Helmholtz problem; here, the Helmholtz problem is derived, and its solution using a geometric multigrid method is described. On two standard test cases, a midlatitude baroclinic wave and a small-planet nonhydrostatic gravity wave, the SI and SRK3 versions produce almost identical results. On the baroclinic wave test, the SI version can use somewhat larger time steps (about 60%) than the SRK3 version before losing stability. The SI version costs 10%-20% more per step than the SRK3 version, and the weak and strong scalability characteristics of the two versions are very similar for the processor configurations the authors have been able to test (up to 1920 processors). Because of the spatial discretization of the pressure gradient in the lowest model layer, the SI version becomes unstable in the presence of realistic orography. Some further work will be needed to demonstrate the viability of the SI scheme in this case.UK Natural Environment Research Council as part of the G8 ICOMEX projec

“Green” Synthesis of Sucrose Octaacetate and Characterization of Its Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity

Sucrose octaacetate (octa-O-acetylsucrose) has been synthesized by esterification of sucrose with acetic anhydride using ultrasound-assisted irradiation. This sucrose ester is a white, water-insoluble substance with a bitter taste. The FT-IR and NMR spectra confirmed acetylation and revealed the hydrophobic incorporation in sucrose molecule. Furthermore, the foamability, foam stability, emulsification and antimicrobial properties of octa-O-acetylsucrose were evaluated. Foams and 50 % (oil/water) model emulsions were prepared with 2 % (w/w) octa-O-acetylsucrose. The obtained results demonstrate the formation of emulsions and foams with high stability (50–70 %). The antimicrobial activity of octa-O-acetylsucrose was evaluated against seventeen microorganisms (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and fungi). Octa-O-acetylsucrose inhibited the growth of fungi Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp. and Fusarium moniliforme at 5 mg cm–3, and yeasts Candida albicans at 1 mg cm–3. Inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was not observed. The obtained results demonstrate the potential applications of octa-O-acetylsucrose as a foaming agent, oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer, and antifungal substance in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Effect of superficial treatment with new natural antioxidant on salmon (Salmo salar) lipid oxidation

Lipid oxidation is one of the main factors responsible for the quality loss in refrigerated and frozen stored fish products. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of superficial treatment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with dihydroquercetin (DHQ) solutions on the hydrolytic and oxidative changes in fish lipids during refrigerated storage. It was found that treatment with DHQ solution (1.0 g l−1) reduced approximately twice the free fatty acids content of chilled stored salmon. After 11 days of storage at 1 °С, the contents of hydroperoxides (HPO) and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of these samples decreased with 45.00 and 0.91 mg MDA/kg, respectively. The share of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in control and experimental samples did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Results obtained show that the superficial treatment of salmon with DHQ solution (1.0 g l−1) delayed the hydrolytic and oxidative changes in fish lipids significantly, thus preserving the salmon freshness up to 11 days of storage at 1 °С

Section on Prospects for Dark Matter Detection of the White Paper on the Status and Future of Ground-Based TeV Gamma-Ray Astronomy

This is a report on the findings of the dark matter science working group for the white paper on the status and future of TeV gamma-ray astronomy. The white paper was commissioned by the American Physical Society, and the full white paper can be found on astro-ph (arXiv:0810.0444). This detailed section discusses the prospects for dark matter detection with future gamma-ray experiments, and the complementarity of gamma-ray measurements with other indirect, direct or accelerator-based searches. We conclude that any comprehensive search for dark matter should include gamma-ray observations, both to identify the dark matter particle (through the charac- teristics of the gamma-ray spectrum) and to measure the distribution of dark matter in galactic halos.Comment: Report from the Dark Matter Science Working group of the APS commissioned White paper on ground-based TeV gamma ray astronomy (19 pages, 9 figures

Cylindrical equilibrium shapes of fluid membranes

Within the framework of the well-known curvature models, a fluid lipid bilayer membrane is regarded as a surface embedded in the three-dimensional Euclidean space whose equilibrium shapes are described in terms of its mean and Gaussian curvatures by the so-called membrane shape equation. In the present paper, all solutions to this equation determining cylindrical membrane shapes are found and presented, together with the expressions for the corresponding position vectors, in explicit analytic form. The necessary and sufficient conditions for such a surface to be closed are derived and several sufficient conditions for its directrix to be simple or self-intersecting are given.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures. Published in J. Phys. A: Math. Theore

Risk assessment of non-native fishes in the Balkans Region using FISK, the invasiveness screening tool for non-native freshwater fishes

A high level of freshwater fish endemism in the Balkans Region emphasizes the need for non-native species risk assessments to inform management and control measures, with pre-screening tools, such as the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) providing a useful first step. Applied to 43 non-native and translocated freshwater fishes in four Balkan countries, FISK reliably discriminated between invasive and non-invasive species, with a calibration threshold value of 9.5 distinguishing between species of medium and high risk sensu lato of becoming invasive. Twelve of the 43 species were assessed by scientists from two or more Balkan countries, and the remaining 31 species by a single assessor. Using the 9.5 threshold, three species were classed as low risk, 10 as medium risk, and 30 as high risk, with the latter category comprised of 26 moderately high risk, three high risk, and one very high risk species. Confidence levels in the assessments were relatively constant for all species, indicating concordance amongst assessors