Oligophenylenevinylenes in Spatially Confined Nanochannels: Monitoring Intermolecular Interactions by UV/Vis and Raman Spectroscopy

Perhydrotriphenylene‐based channel‐forming inclusion compounds (ICs) and thin films made of polyphenylenevinylene (PPV)‐type oligomers with terminal alkoxy groups are investigated and compared in a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Interchromophore interactions and host‐guest interactions are elucidated by UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The impact of the local environment of the chromophore on the optical and photophysical properties is discussed in light of quantum‐chemical calculations. In stark contrast to thin films where preferential side‐by‐side orientation leads to quenching of photoluminescence (PL) via non‐emissive traps, the ICs are found to be attractive materials for opto‐electronic applications: they offer high chromophore concentrations, but at the same time behave as quasi‐isolated entities of tightly packed, well‐oriented objects with high PL quantum yields and the possibility of color tuning.     

A validity study of two projective object representations measures.

Two projective measures of object representations, the Concept of the Object on the Rorschach (H. Rorchach, 1942) and the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scales (D. Westen, 1993) were compared with each other, with measures of intelligence (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised; D. Wechsler, 1981), and measures of pathology (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory [T. Millon, 1983], Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [S. R. Hathaway & J. McKinley, 1983] Axis 11 diagnoses). Analyses focused on the construct validity of object representations and the implications of structural and affective aspects of object representations for psychopathology. Results support the construct validity of object representations and an affective, but not a cognitive–structural, linkage between object representations and pathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of the Melt Temperature on the Solidification Process of Liquid Garnets Ln3Al5O12 (Ln = Dy, Y, and Lu)

The solidification process of liquid garnets Ln₃Al₅O₁₂ (Ln = Dy, Y, Lu) was probed by differential thermal analysis. A critical temperature T _clg was evidenced in the liquid. Cooling from temperatures under T _clg leads to the crystallization of the single garnet phase. Cooling from temperatures above T _clg leads to the solidification of a mixture of perovskite LnAlO₃ and aluminum oxide α-Al₂O₃. For Ln = Y, the results are in agreement with stable and metastable phase diagrams previously proposed. The YAIO₃ melt was shown to display a critical temperature T _clp also. Its metastable solidification from temperatures above T _clp leads to the formation of the perovskite at around 1550°C.     

Shortest paths of bounded curvature in the plane

Given two oriented points in the plane, we determine and compute the shortest paths of bounded curvature joining them. This problem has been solved recently by Dubins in the no-cusp case, and by Reeds and Shepp otherwise. We propose a new solution based on the minimum principle of Pontryagin. Our approach simplifies the proofs and makes clear the global or local nature of the results.     

Quantum Yield Measurement of Fluorescent Zeolite Nanopigments

Organic fluorescent molecules are infiltrated in the channels of zeolite L nanocrystals, thus creating organic–inorganic fluorescent nanoparticles. Combined with dielectric matrices, these fluorescent nanopigments open the way to the realization of novel optical devices. In this paper, the optical measurement of the quantum yield of fluorescent zeolites by means of a precise and reliable diffuse reflectance technique is presented. Several possible factors that may affect the fluorescence quantum yield are also investigated.     

DESIGNING A RESILIENT WATERSCAPE USING A LIVING LAB AND CATALYZING POLYCENTRIC GOVERNANCE

The both polycentric governance and Living Labs concepts are based on decentralized participatory planning, co-design, and decisionmaking. While the concept of Living Lab is still emerging, the Isar-Plan (2000 ~ 2011) pioneered the approach for selecting, co-designing, and implementing nature-based solutions along the Isar River in Munich, Germany. Despite multiple governing authorities involved in the decisionmaking process of the Isar-Plan, the polycentric governance that led to the success of the project has to date not been analyzed. This paper presents the results of an ex-post-analysis of the Isar-Plan restoration planning process based on stakeholder interviews and a literature review. The contribution describes the evolution of Isar-Plan governance arrangements and discusses the Living Lab approaches to cooperative governance. The analysis demonstrates how polycentricity facilitated trust, learning, and the co-design of a resilient waterscape. The paper concludes that Living Labs can be a way of applying polycentric governance when autonomous and multi-scale decision-makers are collaboratively involved in the design of policy solutions, and vice-versa.     

Hypertonic milk replacers increase gastrointestinal permeability in healthy dairy calves

Hypertonic milk replacers are commonly used in animal production systems and their effect on the gastrointestinal system of young animals is insufficiently studied. Total lactose inclusion or its partial replacement with dextrose increases intestinal osmotic pressure, which may compromise gastrointestinal barrier function. In this experiment, we investigated the effect of increased osmolality of calf milk replacer (CMR) on gastrointestinal permeability in 30 Holstein Friesian (n = 17) or crossbred (n = 13) bull calves. The osmolality of CMR increased as result of a gradual replacement of lactose by monosaccharides (dextrose and galactose). Calves were acquired from dairy farms that followed a standardized protocol for colostrum management, including 3 feedings of colostrum in the first 24 h. Calves were then transported to the research facility between 0 and 3 d of age, fed a milk replacer with 0% dextrose twice daily for the first 2 wk of age, and subsequently exposed to their respective treatments from 3 until 7 wk of age. Meal size was 3.2 L at 3 wk of age and increased to 3.5 L at 7 wk of age. No solids were provided throughout the study and calves had ad libitum access to water. Treatments included 4 levels of dextrose inclusion (replacing lactose): 0% (L1, n = 5), 13.3% (L2, n = 5), 26.7% (L3, n = 5), and 40% (L4, n = 5) and an additional treatment (G+D, n = 10) that included 20% galactose and 20% dextrose and matched the galactose supply of L1 and the osmolality of L4. Carbohydrates were exchanged based on hexose equivalents. Across treatments, the estimated osmolality ranged from 439 (L1) to 611 mOsm/kg (L4 and G+D). Gastrointestinal permeability was assessed by fractional urinary recovery of indigestible markers (lactulose, d-mannitol, and Cr-EDTA) delivered as a single dose at 3 and 7 wk of age. Marker recoveries were expressed as percentage of oral dose and assessed in 6-h and 24-h quantitative urinary collections. Increasing the osmolality of the CMR linearly increased urinary Cr-EDTA and lactulose recoveries at 3 and 7 wk of age. Lactulose and Cr-EDTA recoveries did not differ between G+D and L4, suggesting that the source of monosaccharide (dextrose and galactose) in CMR had no effect on gastrointestinal permeability. The observed increase in gastrointestinal permeability to large molecules (Cr-EDTA and lactulose) with increased osmolality suggests that hypertonic CMR may compromise gastrointestinal barrier function.     

Role of the bolus degree of structure on the protein digestibility during in vitro digestion of a pea protein-fortified sponge cake chewed by elderly

This study investigated the digestibility of proteins in a pea protein-fortified sponge cake, as well as the impact of the degree of structure of the bolus produced by elderly subjects on the digestibility of proteins by combining ex vivo and in vitro approaches via the standardized protocol INFOGEST. The sponge cakes were consumed by a group of 20 elderly subjects with contrasting physiology, their boli were recovered just before swallowing, and their apparent viscosity was measured to delineate the bolus degree of structure. According to this criterion, two pools were formed with boli from subjects selected at the extremes: low viscosity and high viscosity, with apparent viscosity values (at 120 s⁻¹) of 124 ± 18 and 208 ± 19 Pa s, respectively. The sponge cakes and the two pools underwent in vitro digestion. Protein hydrolysis kinetics was followed by measuring the released primary amino groups (NH₂) and by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at different time points. For all samples, the representative bands of pea proteins disappear gradually during digestion, accompanied by the appearance of bands indicating the presence of proteins with M_W < 15 kDa. In addition, the NH₂ concentrations increase over time and do not differ between sponge cake and pea protein isolate. Moreover, the degree of structure of the food bolus has no significant effect on the concentration of NH₂ released. These results showed that pea proteins in a fortified sponge cake are bioaccessible under standardized conditions and that the degree of structure of the bolus did not influence protein digestibility for these foods.     

The three Rs of river ecosystem resilience: Resources,recruitment, and refugia

Resilience in river ecosystems requires that organisms must persist in the face of highly dynamic hydrological and geomorphological variations. Disturbance events such as floods and droughts are postulated to shape life history traits that support resilience, but river management and conservation would benefit from greater understanding of the emergent effects in communities of river organisms. We unify current knowledge of taxonomic‐, phylogenetic‐, and trait‐based aspects of river communities that might aid the identification and quantification of resilience mechanisms. Temporal variations in river productivity, physical connectivity, and environmental heterogeneity resulting from floods and droughts are highlighted as key characteristics that promote resilience in these dynamic ecosystems. Three community‐wide mechanisms that underlie resilience are (a) partitioning (competition/facilitation) of dynamically varying resources, (b) dispersal, recolonization, and recruitment promoted by connectivity, and (c) functional redundancy in communities promoted by resource heterogeneity and refugia. Along with taxonomic and phylogenetic identity, biological traits related to feeding specialization, dispersal ability, and habitat specialization mediate organism responses to disturbance. Measures of these factors might also enable assessment of the relative contributions of different mechanisms to community resilience. Interactions between abiotic drivers and biotic aspects of resource use, dispersal, and persistence have clear implications for river conservation and management. To support these management needs, we propose a set of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and life‐history trait metrics that might be used to measure resilience mechanisms. By identifying such indicators, our proposed framework can enable targeted management strategies to adapt river ecosystems to global change.