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Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid pesticide heavily used by the agricultural industry and shown to have negative impacts on honey bees above certain concentrations. We evaluated the effects of different imidacloprid concentrations in sugar syrup using cage and field studies, and across different environments. Honey bee colonies fed sublethal concentrations of imidicloprid (0, 5, 20 and 100 ppb) over 6 weeks in field trials at a desert site (Arizona), a site near intensive agriculture (Arkansas) and a site with little nearby agriculture but abundant natural forage (Mississippi) were monitored with respect to colony metrics, such as adult bee and brood population sizes, as well as pesticide residues. Hive weight and internal hive temperature were monitored continuously over two trials in Arizona. Colonies fed 100 ppb imidacloprid in Arizona had significantly lower adult bee populations, brood surface areas and average frame weights, and reduced temperature control, compared to colonies in one or more of the other treatment groups, and consumption rates of those colonies were lower compared to other colonies in Arizona and Arkansas, although no differences in capped brood or average frame weight were observed among treatments in Arkansas. At the Mississippi site, also rich in alternative forage, colonies fed 5 ppb imidacloprid had less capped brood than control colonies, but contamination of control colonies was detected. In contrast, significantly higher daily hive weight variability among colonies fed 5 ppb imidacloprid in Arizona suggested greater foraging activity during a nectar flow post treatment, than any other treatment group. Imidacloprid concentrations in stored honey corresponded well with the respective syrup concentrations fed to the colonies and remained stable within the hive for at least 7 months after the end of treatment.

Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, bismuth is an attractive candidate for a wide range of applications such as battery anodes, radiation shielding, and semiconductors, to name a few. This work presents the electrodeposition of mechanically stable and homogenous bismuth films at micron-scale thicknesses. A simple one-step electrodeposition process using either a pulse/reverse or direct current source yielded thick, homogenous, and mechanically stable bismuth films. Morphology, electrochemical behavior, adhesion, and mechanical stability of bismuth coatings plated with varying parameters were characterized via optical profilometry, cyclic voltammetry, electron microscopy, and tribology. Scratch testing on thick electroplated coatings (> 100 µm) revealed similar wear resistance properties between the pulse/reverse plated and direct current electroplated films. This study presents a versatile bismuth electroplating process with the possibility to replace lead in radiation shields with an inexpensive, non-toxic metal, or to make industrially relevant electrocatalytic devices.

A major transformation in contemporary cities is the evolution of the urban core. This paper investigated the issues associated with the surge of shopping malls as an alternative public space and how they may be classified as an “urban core” of contemporary cities. This paper aimed to interpret a new form of urban core and its set of spatial indicators relative to its socio-spatial network with its surroundings. This paper also aimed to introduce spatial indicators of urban core for the practical use of institutional units on how to create equally attractive public place alternatives to shopping malls. The paper argued that shopping malls with significant floor areas, accumulated over the years, substantially influence their surrounding area by increasing lot density and linkages. While these shopping mall complexes do not meet the threshold population to be considered “urban core”, the case studies have demonstrated that shopping malls can establish social hubs that centralize urban activities, and construct a “place” or “destination” with congregated urban services such as public plazas and public transport network.

The focus of this ebook is on Blockchain Technologies and its applications in Finance. A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed and public digital ledger that is used to record transactions across many computers so that any involved record cannot be altered retroactively, without the alteration of all subsequent blocks. PriceWaterhouseCooper call this connected cyber-physical system the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

As one of the first families of marine natural products to undergo clinical trials, the didemnin depsipeptides have played a significant role in inspiring the discovery of marine drugs. Originally developed as anticancer therapeutics, the recent re-evaluation of these compounds including synthetically derived dehydrodidemnin B or Aplidine, has led to their advancement towards antiviral applications. While conventionally associated with production in colonial tunicates of the family Didemnidae, recent studies have identified their biosynthetic gene clusters from the marine–derived bacteria Tistrella mobilis. While these studies confirm the production of didemnin X/Y, the low titer and general lack of understanding of their biosynthesis in Tistrella currently prevents the development of effective microbial or synthetic biological approaches for their production. To this end, we conducted a survey of known species of Tistrella and report on their ability to produce the didemnin depsipeptides. These data were used to develop conditions to produce didemnin B at titers over 15 mg/L.

Purposes of this study were to compare tibial intraosseous (TIO) and intravenous (IV) administration of vasopressin relative to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and time to ROSC in an adult swine cardiac arrest model. In addition, the purposes were to compare the concentration maximum (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax), and odds of ROSC. This was a between-subjects, prospective experimental study. Yorkshire swine (N = 21) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: TIO, IV, or control groups. The swine were anesthetized and instrumented, and then cardiac arrest was induced and sustained for 2 minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated and continued for 2 minutes. Vasopressin was then administered via the TIO or IV route. Blood samples were collected for 4 minutes to determine the Cmax and Tmax of vasopressin. Concentration maximum and Tmax were calculated by use of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. There was no difference in ROSC between the TIO and IV groups (P = .63). The Cmax of vasopressin was significantly higher in the IV group compared to the TIO group (P = .017). However, there was no significant difference in ROSC, time to ROSC, or Tmax between groups (P > .05). All subjects had ROSC in both the IV and TIO groups, and none had ROSC in the control group. There was 225 times greater chance of survival for both the IV and TIO groups compared to the control group. The data support that the TIO is an effective route for vasopressin in a cardiac arrest model.

My three-year term as editor of Journal of Marketing concludes with the October 2005 issue. On the basis of my interactions with various people in the marketing community, I believe that marketing science and practice are in transition, bringing change to the content and boundaries of the discipline. Thus, I invited some distinguished scholars to contribute short essays on the current challenges, opportunities, and imperatives for improving marketing thought and practice. Each author chose his or her topic and themes. However, in a collegial process, the authors read and commented on one another's essays, after which each author had an opportunity to revise his or her essay. The result is a thoughtful and constructive set of essays that are related to one another in interesting ways and that should be read together. I have grouped the essays as follows: •What is the domain of marketing? This question is addressed in four essays by Stephen W. Brown, Frederick E. Webster Jr., Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp, and William L. Wilkie. •How has the marketing landscape (i.e., content) changed? This question is addressed in two essays, one coauthored by Jagdish N. Sheth and Rajendra S. Sisodia and the other by Roger A. Kerin. •How should marketing academics engage in research, teaching, and professional activities? This question is addressed in five essays by Debbie MacInnis; Leigh McAlister; Jagmohan S. Raju; Ronald J. Bauerly, Don T. Johnson, and Mandeep Singh; and Richard Staelin. Another interesting way to think about the essays, as Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp suggests, is to group the essays according to whether they address issues of content, publishing, or impact (see Table 1 ). These 11 essays strike a common theme: They urge marketers—both scientists and practitioners—to expand their horizontal vision. What do I mean by horizontal vision? In The Great Influenza, Barry (2004) describes the enormous strides that were made in medical science early in the twentieth century. His depiction of William Welch, an extremely influential scientist who did not (as a laboratory researcher) generate important findings, includes a characterization of the “genius” that produces major scientific achievements. The research he did was first-rate. But it was only first-rate—thorough, rounded, and even irrefutable, but not deep enough or provocative enough or profound enough to set himself or others down new paths, to show the world in a new way, to make sense out of great mysteries…. To do this requires a certain kind of genius, one that probes vertically and sees horizontally. Horizontal vision allows someone to assimilate and weave together seemingly unconnected bits of information. It allows an investigator to see what others do not see and to make leaps of connectivity and creativity. Probing vertically, going deeper and deeper into something, creates new information. (p. 60) At my request, each author has provided thoughtful and concrete suggestions for how marketing academics and practitioners, both individually and collectively (through our institutions), can work to improve our field. Many of their suggestions urge people and institutions to expand their horizontal vision and make connections, thereby fulfilling their potential to advance the science and practice of marketing. In his essay, Richard Staelin writes (p. 22), “I believe that it is possible to influence directly the generation and adoption of new ideas.” I agree. I ask the reader to think about the ideas in these essays and to act on them. Through our actions, we shape our future. —Ruth N. Bolton