Analysis of Flavan-3-ols and procyanidins in food samples by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS)

Concentrations of the main dimeric and trimeric procyanidins (PC) and their monomeric constitutive units catechin (CT) and epicatechin (EC) were determined in food samples by using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). In a first step, 12 PCs (PC B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, C1, C2, and A2 and cinnamtannin B1), of which most are not commercially available, were isolated from plant materials or synthesized and purified by a combination of column chromatographic separation techniques with different stationary phases. These PCs in combination with CT and EC were used as standard substances for identification and quantification during the following screening of food samples by RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The main focus of the newly developed RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method is the compensation of matrix effects by using the echo-peak technique simulating internal standard injection. The suitability of this new method was demonstrated by the determination of recovery rates being 90% or higher. Use of this method allowed the determination of patterns and concentrations of PCs in 55 food samples.     

Knot attributes and occlusion of naturally pruned branches of Fagus sylvatica

The aim of this study was to develop models on occluded branch characteristics for Fagus sylvatica (beech) based on 41 sample trees. A total of 717 beech branches were sampled; this information was then used to predict (1) the time for a complete occlusion, (2) the total radius of the occluded branch inside the trunk, (3) the branch insertion angle at the year of its death and during branch development, and (4) the dead branch portion of the occluded branch (loose knot). Generalized hierarchical mixed models with nonlinear forms were used in this analysis. The models explained between 6.3 and 52.2% of the total variance (including random effects 23.8–77.1%). The diameter of the occluded branch and the stem radial increment played dominant roles as predictors. Larger branches showed a significantly longer occlusion time, a larger occluded branch radius, a steeper insertion angle, and a higher loose knot portion. Simulations showed a biologically reasonable overall behavior of the models. The residual variation was tolerable for integrating the models into a growth simulation system.     

Attainment of Puberty in the European Mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon) and the Domestic Manchega Ewe (Ovis aries)

The onset of puberty was assessed from plasma progesterone profiles for Mouflon (n = 8) and Manchega (n = 7) female lambs born in April. Four Mouflons exhibited their first ovulation at a mean date of 27 November ± 1.4 days, the mean age being 248.5 ± 3.9 days and the mean body weight 23.8 ± 0.6 kg. The remaining four Mouflons, which had a slower growth rate, attained puberty during the autumn of the following year. Five of seven Manchega lambs attained puberty in their first year at a mean date of 5 Oct ± 3.3, the mean age being 185.6 ± 2.6 days and the mean body weight 41.8 ± 2.0 kg. The mean live‐weight at the onset of puberty was 65.1 and 82% (p < 0.05) of adult body weights for Manchega and Mouflons, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that there is a threshold of body‐weight necessary for the attainment of puberty in the first breeding season for spring‐born lambs, which is very different between both Mouflon and Manchega. When body weight was below 23.8 ±0.6 and 41.8 ± 2.0 kg for Mouflon and Manchega lambs, respectively, first ovulation did not occur until the beginning of the next breeding season. The onset of puberty during the second year of life occurred within the specific reproductive seasons for Mouflon (October–April) and Manchega (July–March) ewes, despite minimal further growth.     

Behavior of Brick Samples in Aggressive Environments

The weathering of different brick samples ina range of aggressive environments has been studied.Brick samples were prepared using two clay types (fromGranada, Spain), different additives, and a range offiring temperatures (850–1100 °C). The brickscompositional and textural characteristics wereevaluated using XRD, SEM, hydric tests and mercuryintrusion porosimetry (MIP). The samples weresubjected to accelerate aging, including wet-dry,freeze-thaw and salt crystallization cycles. The decayof the bricks in polluted atmospheres was simulated ina static chamber containing sulfur dioxide (SO₂)at 25 °C and 50% relative humidity. Samplesfired at 1000 °C proved to be the most durable,with better hydric behavior (fast drying and slowwater absorption) and fewer micropores. However, theywere not suitable for salt-rich environments (badperformance in the salt decay test). Samples fired at850 °C turned out to be more resistant to saltdecay, but they showed a poor hydric behavior (slowdrying and rapid water absorption) and littleresistance to freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles. Samplesfired at 1100 °C had good hydric behavior, theyperformed well in the salt decay test, but they didnot perform as well as the samples fired at1000 °C in most accelerated aging tests. Gypsumformed on all the brick samples submitted to SO₂atmosphere regardless exposure time (e.g. gypsumappears following just 24 h of exposure),composition, or firing temperature. Samples withdeposited particulate matter collected from vehicleexhausts (diesel, as well as leaded and non-leadedgasoline motor cars) resulted in the fastest gypsumdevelopment and greater abundance. On the other hand,the blank samples, and the samples withpollution-derived dust collected from historicalbuildings showed little gypsum development. Theimplications of these results in historicalbrick-building preservation in a range of aggressiveenvironments, and in polluted atmospheres inparticular, are discussed.     

Implications of China's innovation policy shift: Does “indigenous” mean closed?

China's government aims to become an innovation nation and promotes the development of so-called indigenous innovation. Under this paradigm of state-encouraged innovation, however, it is unclear how domestic firms organize their innovation processes. We distinguish between two strategies in that respect: closed versus open innovation. Our findings suggest that firms with closed innovation processes collaborate in close geographic distance, rely on DUI-modes of learning, and collaborations are based on guanxi. In contrast, firms with open innovation processes collaborate over large distances and rely on STI-modes of learning that are not necessarily guanxi-based. The findings help to understand the heterogeneous nature of indigenous innovation in China.     

Neighbourhood character affects the spatial extent and magnitude of the functional footprint of urban green infrastructure

Landscape Ecology - Urban densification has been argued to increase the contrast between built up and open green space. This contrast may offer a starting point for assessing the extent and...