bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vrijwilligers bij de Nationale Politie: leren van andere organisaties
Authors: Thaens M. , de Kool D.
Published: November 2016

Volunteers in the Dutch National Police: Learning from other organizations

This article summarizes the results of a study into new innovative forms of volunteer work which could possibly help the Dutch National Police to increase the number of volunteers. The empirical data were collected by a desk study, the analysis of five case studies and two focus groups. Three different themes were analyzed: mobilizing target groups, matching expectations, and formalization and institutionalization of volunteering work. Public organizations in general don’t realize enough the value of volunteers. Often there is lack of a clear vision, while more attention should go to managing expectations, customization, furthering the education of police volunteers, acceptance and support, guidance and support, recognition, appreciation and reward, and finally more room for volunteers.
Tussen Heumensoord en Winschoten
Authors: Terpstra J.
Published: November 2016

Between Heumensoord and Winschoten. On the contradictory meanings of civilian participation in public security

In the concluding article of this special issue on civilian participation in public security it is argued that this term covers many different phenomena, from neighborhood watchers cooperating with the police to extremist militia. Much of the literature on civilian participation implicitly and wrongfully has an instrumental perspective. The participation of civilians in public security however, is much more than just an instrument of public administration or the police. Not all activities of citizens in the field of public security are decent or according to the perspective of the administration and the police. Moreover, there is no consensus on what public security exactly means, while the motives of people to get involved in public security activities differ greatly. Mobilizing citizens on the basis of fighting crime bears the risk of producing differences and conflicts in society instead of creating open, tolerant and inclusive communities.
Aprendizaje por competencias (I). Identificación de los perfiles de las competencias adquiridas
Authors: Via Giménez Antònia , Izquierdo Aymerich Mercè
Published: November 2016

En este trabajo se analiza la aplicación de unidades didácticas en formación profesional (tercer ciclo, química). Estas se diseñaron según un currículo basado en capacidades educativas y nos propusimos identificar los resultados competenciales obtenidos con ellas a partir de la evaluación de las acciones escolares llevadas a cabo. Estas acciones se analizaron mediante una adaptación del esquema de análisis de la actividad científica propuesto por Echeverría (2002).Se identificaron los tipos de conocimientos adquiridos por los alumnos y la influencia de los instrumentos de laboratorio en el aprendizaje. Con ello se elaboraron «perfiles» de las competencias adquiridas, requeridas tanto por el sector productivo como por la ciencia escolar. En la investigación emergió un concepto de enseñanza según el cual estudiantes, profesores e instrumentos forman un sistema cuyos elementos cumplen determinados requisitos.
Aprendizaje de las reacciones químicas a través de actividades de indagación en el laboratorio sobre cuestiones de la vida cotidiana
Authors: González Rodríguez Leticia , Crujeiras Pérez Beatriz
Published: November 2016

En este artículo se examinan los desempeños del alumnado de secundaria durante la resolución de dos actividades de indagación sobre las reacciones químicas, en las que tienen que planificar cómo resolver cuestiones relacionadas con la vida cotidiana. Los participantes son estudiantes de 3.º de ESO que cursan la materia de Física y Química y que trabajan en pequeños grupos. Para el análisis se recogen las respuestas escritas de cada pequeño grupo relativas a la planificación de la investigación, toma de datos y elaboración del informe final para cada tarea. Los resultados principales apuntan a una evolución en los desempeños del alumnado relativos a algunas operaciones de indagación, así como también a ciertas dificultades relativas al diseño de las investigaciones.
Editorial
Authors: Enseñanza de las Ciencias Revista
Published: November 2016

Editorial
Two new species of Afroarabiella Yakovlev, 2008 (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) from Sudan and Ethiopia
Authors: Yakovlev Roman V. , Witt Thomas J.
Published: November 2016

The paper describes two new species of Afroarabiella (Cossidae): A. sulaki sp. nov. from Sudan and A. strohlei sp. nov. from Ethiopia. For all the species of the genus Afroarabiella images and distribution maps are given.
Salivary microbiomes of indigenous Tsimane mothers and infants are distinct despite frequent premastication
Authors: Han Cliff S. , Martin Melanie Ann , Dichosa Armand E.K. , Daughton Ashlynn R. , Frietze Seth , Kaplan Hillard , Gurven Michael D. , Alcock Joe
Published: November 2016

Background

Premastication, the transfer of pre-chewed food, is a common infant and young child feeding practice among the Tsimane, forager-horticulturalists living in the Bolivian Amazon. Research conducted primarily with Western populations has shown that infants harbor distinct oral microbiota from their mothers. Premastication, which is less common in these populations, may influence the colonization and maturation of infant oral microbiota, including via transmission of oral pathogens. We collected premasticated food and saliva samples from Tsimane mothers and infants (9–24 months of age) to test for evidence of bacterial transmission in premasticated foods and overlap in maternal and infant salivary microbiota. We extracted bacterial DNA from two premasticated food samples and 12 matched salivary samples from maternal-infant pairs. DNA sequencing was performed with MiSeq (Illumina). We evaluated maternal and infant microbial composition in terms of relative abundance of specific taxa, alpha and beta diversity, and dissimilarity distances.

Results

The bacteria in saliva and premasticated food were mapped to 19 phyla and 400 genera and were dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The oral microbial communities of Tsimane mothers and infants who frequently share premasticated food were well-separated in a non-metric multi-dimensional scaling ordination (NMDS) plot. Infant microbiotas clustered together, with weighted Unifrac distances significantly differing between mothers and infants. Infant saliva contained more Firmicutes (p < 0.01) and fewer Proteobacteria (p < 0.05) than did maternal saliva. Many genera previously associated with dental and periodontal infections, e.g. Neisseria,Gemella,Rothia,Actinomyces,Fusobacterium, andLeptotrichia, were more abundant in mothers than in infants.

Conclusions

Salivary microbiota of Tsimane infants and young children up to two years of age do not appear closely related to those of their mothers, despite frequent premastication and preliminary evidence that maternal bacteria is transmitted to premasticated foods. Infant physiology and diet may constrain colonization by maternal bacteria, including several oral pathogens.
Host plant affects morphometric variation ofDiaphorina citri(Hemiptera: Liviidae)
Authors: Paris Thomson M. , Allan Sandra A. , Hall David G. , Hentz Matthew G. , Hetesy Gabriella , Stansly Philip A.
Published: November 2016

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP),Diaphorina citriKuwayama, is one of the most serious citrus pests worldwide due to its role as vector of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. While some optimal plant species for ACP oviposition and development have been identified, little is known of the influence of host plants on ACP size and shape. Our goal was to determine how size and shape of ACP wing and body size varies when development occurs on different host plants in a controlled rearing environment. ACP were reared on six different rutaceous species;Bergera koenigii,Citrus aurantifolia,Citrus macrophylla,Citrus maxima,Citrus taiwanicaandMurraya paniculata. Adults were examined for morphometric variation using traditional and geometric analysis based on 12 traits or landmarks. ACP reared onC. taiwanicawere consistently smaller than those reared on the other plant species. Wing aspect ratio also differed betweenC. maximaandC. taiwanica. Significant differences in shape were detected with those reared onM. paniculatahaving narrower wings than those reared onC. macrophylla. This study provides evidence of wing size and shape differences of ACP based on host plant species which potentially may impact dispersal. Further study is needed to determine if behavioral and physiological differences are associated with the observed phenotypic differences.
Antibiotic misuse among children with diarrhea in China: results from a national survey
Authors: Li Ruili , Xiao Feng , Zheng Xiaoguo , Yang Huimin , Wang Lihong , Yin Delu , Yin Tao , Xin Qianqian , Chen Bowen
Published: November 2016

Background

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s biggest public health issues, and the situation in China is particularly grave. The objective of this study is to investigate the antibiotics usage pattern among Chinese children and provide further insight in developing strategies for promoting public health education.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, in the study, participants are from 53,665 guardians of children aged 0–6 years, who were recruited with multistage stratified random cluster sampling in 2013/2014 from 46 community health centers in 14 provinces across China Mainland. Children’s guardians completed surveys on their previous experience on using antibiotics in treating diarrhea of their children without a prescription from any pediatrician. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidential intervals (CIs) for the association between antibiotic use and its predictors were estimated using multilevel logistic regression models, with antibiotic rational use group as a reference group.

Results

The prevalence of antibiotic misuse among children with diarrhea in the eastern, middle and western areas of China and associations between antibiotic misuse and its predictors were studied. The average rate of antibiotic misuse is 35.12%. Multilevel logistic regression revealed that living in urban areas (OR = 0.79 (0.76, 0.83)), female children (OR = 0.92 (0.88, 0.96)), guardians having higher education (OR = 0.60 (0.55, 0.66)), being raised by parents (OR = 0.90 (0.85, 0.94)), guardians having basic health knowledge (OR = 0.82 (0.79, 0.86)) are protective factors and children’s age (1–3 years OR = 1.62 (1.54, 1.71)); 4–6 years OR = 1.90 (1.77, 2.03)) is a risk factor of antibiotic misuse among children aged 0–6 years with diarrhea in China.

Conclusions

Our findings confirmed that there has been a high rate of antibiotic misuse without a prescription in children with diarrhea in China, which requires considerable attention. Suitable regulations and interventions are needed to solve this problem.
Archaeal Ecology
Authors: Colman Daniel R , Ferrera Isabel , Takacs‐Vesbach Cristina D , Reysenbach Anna‐Louise
Published: November 2016

The Archaea represent one of the three domains of life and are distinguished from the Bacteria and Eukarya both phylogenetically and biochemically. As a group, the Archaea are physiologically diverse and inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, including the most extreme environments on Earth. While traditionally thought to be restricted to just a few phyla and primarily inhabiting extreme environments, Archaea are now known to be globally distributed across many environments and of significant importance in multiple biogeochemical cycles. The Archaea also comprise a phylogenetically and metabolically diverse group of organisms in several recognised phyla and many more recently proposed phylum‐level lineages representing uncultivated organisms. The use of environmental genomics to understand uncultured archaeal diversity has recently shed light on many new potential lineages of Archaea and continues to expand and revise our understanding of Archaea in natural environments.

Key Concepts

The archaeal domain consists of numerous metabolically diverse phyla which are ubiquitously distributed among both extreme and mesic environments.

Many proposed new archaeal phyla have been discovered with the use of environmental genomic techniques and remain uncultured. These include the proposed ‘Woesearchaeaota’, ‘Bathyarchaeota’, ‘Pacearchaeota’, ‘Thorarchaeaota’ and ‘Lokiarchaeota’ among others.

Archaea inhabit the most extreme habitats known, including hypersaline, hyperacidic and high‐temperature environments.

While not restricted only to extreme habitats, there is a significant amount of archaeal diversity in thermal and acidic habitats, where they are often dominant members of microbial communities there.

In addition to surface hydrothermal features such as hot springs and deep‐sea vents, Archaea are also abundant in subsurface environments, an area of on going research interest.

Methanogens, thus far only known from the Euryarchaeota, are responsible for the terminal step in carbon cycling (the production of CH
4
) and are important members of anaerobic environments, including animal digestive tracts.

Members of the Thaumarchaeota phylum play a critical role in global nitrogen cycling through nitrification (i.e. ammonia oxidation) in soils and oceans.

Genomes of the uncultivated members of the proposed ‘Bathyarchaeota’ phylum suggest that these organisms may be key members in global carbon cycling and have been implicated in acetogenesis.
Immunodeficiency: Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease
Authors: Chinn Ivan K , Shearer William T
Published: November 2016

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) is defined as (1) absence or very low number of T cells (<300 CD3
+
T cells/mm
3
) and no or very low T‐cell function (<10% of lower limit of normal) as measured by response to phytohaemagglutinin or (2) presence of T cells of maternal origin. It has an incidence of approximately 1 per every 58 000 live births. SCID is caused by defects in at least 16 different genes, each of which results in failure to produce functional host‐derived T cells through various pathogenic mechanisms. Improved understanding of these fundamental processes has led to significant advances in the diagnosis, management and definitive treatment of individuals with this life‐threatening condition.

Key Concepts

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease is defined by a congenital lack of functional T cells, resulting in death from infections by 1–2 years of age.

Many molecular defects underlying SCID have been identified, yielding valuable insights regarding immune biology.

Diagnosis has been enhanced by newborn screening, resulting in successful treatment of affected infants.

Definitive therapy options include haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy, the latter of which has shown promise and remains actively investigated.

Optimal outcomes have been associated with definitive treatment before 3.5 months of age and onset of active infections.
Human Genome Project as a Social Enterprise
Authors: Lowe James WE
Published: November 2016

As a social enterprise, the Human Genome Project (HGP) can be understood in a number of different ways, including the social organisation of science, the influence of society and culture on scientific work and the influence of scientific findings and endeavours on society. The HGP introduced new forms of organisation to the biological and biomedical sciences; these include the entrance of ‘Big Science’ modes of organisation, automation and routinisation. Disagreements between the public HGP and private projects were based on different aims, organisation and guiding norms. In particular, there is a tension between the norm of collaboration in science and the role of competition. Despite concerns that the HGP would promote genetic determinism and even eugenics, these fears have not been realised.

Key Concepts

The founding and funding of the Human Genome Project required advocacy from government departments and agencies, prominent scientists and support in the US Congress; there was opposition within and without the scientific community.

The Human Genome Project was an international collaboration that required models of organisation appropriate to ensure coordination between the centres that conducted the sequencing.

The project has been conceived as an example of ‘Big Science’ and also ‘Fast Science’; it brought new ways of organising research into the biological sciences.

The opposition of the public Human Genome Project and private sector initiative centred on organisation, the values of collaboration and/or competition and the dissemination and prospective use of the data generated by sequencing.

Fears that the Human Genome Project would provide support for eugenics and genetic determinism have not been realised.
‘Race’,
IQ
and Genes
Authors: Carson Michael , Beckwith Jon
Published: November 2016

Dominant social classes have often used scientific arguments to explain their privileged status. With the development of intelligence quotient (IQ) tests and the founding of the field of genetics, some researchers explained racial differences in behaviours such as IQ test performance as due to genetic differences. Recent discoveries in molecular genetics have provided evidence that human variation at the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level is slight; much more variation exists within the members of any single group than between two different population groups. However, as the DNA of populations worldwide has been further characterised, some have assumed that racial differences in intelligence or other social behaviours can be ascribed to those slight interracial genetic differences. Scientists must remain vigilant and expose misrepresentations of scientific data that overemphasise the genetics of group differences and that support genetically deterministic explanations for complex behaviours, such as intelligence.

Key Concepts

Science, through measurements of brain size and IQ test scores, has been misused to support the idea of presumed racial hierarchies in intelligence.

Identical twin studies yield heritability numbers for various traits such as intelligence. However these heritability numbers do not give any information on the strength of genetic contributions to the trait under study. Furthermore, questionable assumptions that are made in carrying out these studies raise issues about the validity of the numbers themselves.

The search for gene variants with strong influences on complex behavioural traits, including intelligence, has been largely unsuccessful.

Environment plays a major role in the manifestation of most genetic traits.

Recent discoveries in molecular genetics have shown that most of the genetic variation that is found among human beings around the world is found in all racial and ethnic groups, and only a small amount is found in specific groups.

Using large numbers of genetic variants that differ only slightly in proportion between population groups, researchers can assort individuals into major continental geographic clusters with a high degree of accuracy.

Aside from a small fraction of genes influencing apparent, visible physical features distinguishing people, the distribution of genetic variation does not support a biological basis for the concept of human races.

Preliminary and faulty scientific studies on issues relating to race and intelligence are often rapidly and unjustifiably translated into calls for changes in social policy.

Scientists have a responsibility to help ensure that studies on the genetics of group differences are not misused and misrepresented to support racist theories regarding human behaviours.
Genome‐Wide Association Studies in Asthma
Authors: Portelli Michael , Sayers Ian
Published: November 2016

Asthma is a complex respiratory disease, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to disease susceptibility. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have now identified novel risk alleles and loci associated with asthma diagnosis and more recently with clinical subgroups of disease. However, while providing insight into potential disease mechanisms these risk alleles have modest effect sizes and account for a small proportion of the anticipated heritability of asthma. In this article we provide an overview of GWAS in asthma to date including reproducible associations and advances in our understanding of the biology of asthma. In addition we discuss ancestry‐specific findings and how genetics may contribute to the development of multiple allergic conditions known as the ‘atopic march’. Finally, we outline the strengths and weaknesses of GWAS and look to future approaches including a greater focus to functional variation and assessment of gene–gene and gene–environment interactions.

Key Concepts

Asthma is a common respiratory disease that is heterogeneous with respect to its underlying pathology and clinical presentation.

Susceptibility to develop asthma involves both genetic and environmental risk factors.

Genome‐wide association is the current method of choice to identify genetic factors underlying complex, multifactorial diseases such as asthma.

GWAS of asthma have identified several genetic risk factors and genes with confidence, for exampleIL33, IL1RL1, ORMDL3loci. Replication of findings remains the gold standard.

GWAS of subgroups of asthma, for example, childhood‐onset disease have identified specific genetic risk factors.

The effect sizes identified in GWAS are typically modest for single variants.

GWAS have provided a unique insight into the altered biology of asthma including changes in innate and adaptive immune responses, altered airway smooth muscle function and epithelial barrier/function abnormalities.

While GWAS of asthma have been successful there remains a large missing heritability.

Future approaches include better clinical definition of asthma and greater interrogation of genetic factors not currently addressed, for example, regulatory variants, rare variants, copy number variants and greater attention to gene–environment interactions, gene–gene interactions and epigenetic mechanisms.
Molecular Genetics of Dystonia
Authors: Lohmann Katja
Published: November 2016

Dystonia is a clinically and genetically highly heterogeneous, rare movement disorder that is characterised by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal movements and/or postures. Dystonic syndromes can manifest from early infancy to late adulthood and display diverse anatomical expressivity. Phenotypically, dystonias are classified as isolated, combined (in combination with another movement disorder) or complex dystonia (usually as one of several disease manifestations in a complex syndrome). Over 100 dystonia genes have been identified including pathogenic genomic variants (mutations) in
TOR1A
,
THAP1
,
GNAL
,
GCH1
,
ATP1A3
,
PRKRA
,
SGCE
,
TUBB4A
,
ADCY5
and
GNB1
. The encoded proteins do not seem to belong to a common pathway but rather affect diverse cellular functions including, for instance, dopamine biosynthesis, signal transduction as ion channels or G proteins as well as transcriptional regulation.

Key Concepts

Dystonias represent a heterogeneous group of movement disorders.

Over 100 genes have been linked to dystonic features.

Owing to the advent of next‐generation sequencing many novel dystonia genes have been reported but their role needs to be confirmed.

Dystonia can affect all age groups.

In some cases, it starts in early childhood and then often generalises.

The most common form of dystonia is late‐onset, focal dystonia.

Diverse pathways are affected by dystonia‐causing mutations.
Sex Differences in Disease Genetics
Authors: Gilks William P
Published: November 2016

There is long‐standing evidence for the gene‐by‐sex interactions in disease risk, which can now be tested in genome‐wide association studies with participant numbers in the hundreds of thousands. The current methods start with a separate test for each sex, but a more powerful approach is to use sex as an interaction term in a combined sample. The most compelling evidence is for adiposity (predictive of cardiac disease) as well as type
II
diabetes, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. Autism exhibits a different kind of sex difference, with hypermasculinisation of the brain, and the intriguing enrichment of structural variants in females. Sexually dimorphic gene expression varies exquisitely and unexpectedly, by tissue, age and chromosome, so sex‐dependent genetic effects are expected for a wide range of diseases. Because natural selection against sex‐dependent risk alleles is in one sex only, their effect size is expected to be greater than conventional risk loci.

Key Concepts

Compelling findings of sex‐dependent genetic effects on disease have been made in adiposity‐related anthropometric traits, type II diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, and other disorders remain to be more fully investigated, regardless of what sexual dimorphism they exhibit in prevalence and presentation.

Initial evidence indicates that sex difference in gene expression is not required for a sex‐dependent genetic effect on gene expression. However, sex differences in expression levels vary dynamically by tissue type and age, so such generalisations may be inaccurate, without more comprehensive data.

Sex‐dependent risk alleles are predicted to be of greater effect size than conventional ones, because natural selection acts only against the sex which has the disease. There is evidence for this from a high‐powered GWAS of adiposity‐related traits.

Sexual dimorphism in gene expression seems likely to fall into different categories, and thus categorisation of sex‐dependent genetic effects is expected to follow the same patterns.

Many of the large GWAS meta‐analyses look for sex‐dependent genetic effects by testing male and female groups separately. However, this may be underpowered compared to a whole‐sample, gene‐by‐sex interaction test.
Design of Lanthanide‐Based OLEDs with Remarkable Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence
Authors: Zinna Francesco , Pasini Mariacecilia , Galeotti Francesco , Botta Chiara , Di Bari Lorenzo , Giovanella Umberto
Published: November 2016

Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) able to directly emit circularly polarized (CP) electroluminescence (CP‐OLEDs) are rapidly gaining much interest, due to their possible applications in displays with antiglare filters and 3D displays. Development of more efficient CP‐OLEDs can open their use also in point‐of‐care and personalized diagnostic tools, since CP light alteration can be related to health state of irradiated tissues. In this work it is shown that the performance of chiral europium complex‐based CP‐OLEDs can be improved both in terms of external quantum efficiency (measured on all the Eu bands) and degree of polarization of emitted photons (as measured by the dissymmetry factor gEL), by proper active layer formulation and through a fine tuning of the architecture of the device. Polarization performances (gEL = −1) are obtained about three times higher than for any other CP‐OLED reported so far. Moreover, for the first time, it is shown that the position of the recombination zone (RZ) plays a major role on the polarization outcomes. In order to rationalize these results the level of light polarization is related to the position of the RZ allied with the reflection on the cathode through a simple mathematical model. The values predicted by this model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental ones.
Multilayer Transmissions of Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons for Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Pan Bai Cao , Zhang Hao Chi , Cui Tie Jun
Published: November 2016

Multilayer transmissions of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) with high isolations among the multiple channels are presented. For this purpose, a novel SSPP structure that consists of a metallic strip line and a corrugated metallic strip line is proposed, which brings in a solution to overcome the strong coupling of conventional SSPP structures in multiple‐layer applications. Very good isolation properties between two overlapped SSPP waveguides are achieved. More importantly, the property of isolation or coupling between the two overlapped waveguides can be switched by tuning the opening direction of the corrugation grooves. Each channel of the multilayer SSPP system operates independently, making it possible to realize the multilayer multiple‐functional SSPP devices. A prototype of double‐functional device is designed and fabricated, in which two different frequency rejections are achieved in two channels, respectively, without any mutual couplings. Experimental results agree well with the numerical simulations. The proposed design illustrates great potentials in modern plasmonic integrated circuits, opening new vistas in much more complicated multiple‐layer plasmonic systems.
Concise Synthesis of Dithiophene Derivatives by a Palladium‐ Catalyzed Multiple C–S Cross Coupling/Cyclization Sequence
Authors: Oechsle Peter , Hou Peng , Flörke Ulrich , Paradies Jan
Published: November 2016

The facile synthesis of new sulfur‐containing fused heterocycles was achieved by a two‐fold domino reaction consisting of a carbon‐sulfur cross‐coupling, followed by a 5‐endo‐dig cyclization. Using this strategy a series of benzo‐, thiopheno‐, pyridine‐ and pyrazino‐dithienoacenes with electron‐neutral (‐C6H4‐n‐Hex), electron‐rich (‐C6H4‐NPh2) and electron‐deficient (‐C4H3N2) substituents was synthesized in high yields. The developed method was applied in the efficient synthesis of a complex donor‐acceptor molecule. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the products were analyzed by UV‐VIS/luminescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.

magnified image
3D Macroporous Nitrogen‐Enriched Graphitic Carbon Scaffold for Efficient Bioelectricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: You Shijie , Ma Ming , Wang Wei , Qi Dianpeng , Chen Xiaodong , Qu Jiuhui , Ren Nanqi
Published: November 2016

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) can generate electricity based on oxidation of organic compounds by exoelectogens, giving rise to a promising potential for recovering electrical energy from organic wastewater. The structure and property of anode materials have inherent impact to extracellular electron transfer (EET), an interfacial process that greatly limits bioelectricity production of MFC. Herein, a three dimensional (3D) macroporous nitrogen‐enriched graphitic carbon (NGC) scaffold is fabricated from commercially available melamine foam using facile pyrolysis method. The NGC electrode is demonstrated to promote EET efﬁciently, achieving a power density of 750 mW m−2 based on pure cultured Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 in acetate‐feeding MFC. The unique 3D open‐cell structure not only offers habitats for colonization of electroactive bioﬁlm up to a maximal density but also provides macroporous architecture for internal mass transfer without concern of bio‐blocking and bio‐fouling. Additionally, nitrogen incorporation also plays a signiﬁcant role in enhancing EET, where pyrrolic nitrogen is much more active than graphitic and pyridinic nitrogen as indicated by density functional theory calculation. This work provides a proof‐of‐concept demonstration of a high‐efﬁciency, cost‐effective, easily scaling‐up, and environmentally friendly anode material of bioelectrochemical systems for electricity generation, hydrogen production, and pollutant degradation.
Chimpanzees routinely fish for algae with tools during the dry season in Bakoun, Guinea
Authors: Boesch Christophe , Kalan Ammie K. , Agbor Anthony , Arandjelovic Mimi , Dieguez Paula , Lapeyre Vincent , Kühl Hjalmar S.
Published: November 2016

Wild chimpanzees regularly use tools, made from sticks, leaves, or stone, to find flexible solutions to the ecological challenges of their environment. Nevertheless, some studies suggest strong limitations in the tool‐using capabilities of chimpanzees. In this context, we present the discovery of a newly observed tool‐use behavior in a population of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) living in the Bakoun Classified Forest, Guinea, where a temporary research site was established for 15 months. Bakoun chimpanzees of every age‐sex class were observed to fish for freshwater green algae, Spirogrya sp., from rivers, streams, and ponds using long sticks and twigs, ranging from 9 cm up to 4.31 m in length. Using remote camera trap footage from 11 different algae fishing sites within an 85‐km2 study area, we found that algae fishing occurred frequently during the dry season and was non‐existent during the rainy season. Chimpanzees were observed algae fishing for as little as 1 min to just over an hour, with an average duration of 9.09 min. We estimate that 364 g of Spirogyra algae could be retrieved in this time, based on human trials in the field. Only one other chimpanzee population living in Bossou, Guinea, has been described to customarily scoop algae from the surface of the water using primarily herbaceous tools. Here, we describe the new behavior found at Bakoun and compare it to the algae scooping observed in Bossou chimpanzees and the occasional variant reported in Odzala, Republic of the Congo. As these algae are reported to be high in protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, we hypothesize that chimpanzees are obtaining a nutritional benefit from this seasonally available resource.
Far field photoluminescence imaging of single AlGaN nanowire in the sub‐wavelength scale using confinement of polarized light
Authors: Sivadasan A. K. , Sardar Manas , Dhara Sandip
Published: November 2016

Till now the nanoscale focusing and imaging in the sub‐diffraction limit is achieved mainly with the help of plasmonic field enhancement by confining the light assisted with noble metal nanostructures. Using far field imaging technique, we have recorded polarized spectroscopic photoluminescence (PL) imaging of a single AlGaN nanowire (NW) of diameter ∼100 nm using confinement of polarized light. It is found that the PL from a single NW is influenced by the proximity to other NWs. The PL intensity is proportional to 1/(l×d), where l and d are the average NW length and separation between the NWs, respectively. We suggest that the proximity induced PL intensity enhancement can be understood by assuming the existence of reasonably long lived photons in the intervening space between the NWs. A nonzero non‐equilibrium population of such photons may cause stimulated emission leading to the enhancement of PL emission with the intensity proportional to 1/(l×d). The enhancement of PL emission facilitates far field spectroscopic imaging of a single semiconductor AlGaN NW of sub‐wavelength dimension.

image
Solvent‐assisted formation of ruthenium(II)/copper(I) complexes containing thiourea derivatives: Synthesis, crystal structure, density functional theory, enzyme mimetics and in vitro biological perspectives
Authors: Vijayan Paranthaman , Viswanathamurthi Periasamy , Sugumar Paramasivam , Ponnuswamy Mondikalipudur Nanjappagounder , Malecki Jan Grzegorz , Velmurugan Krishnaswamy , Nandhakumar Raju , Balakumaran Manickam Dakshinamoorthi , Kalaichelvan Pudupalayam Thangavelu
Published: November 2016

N,N‐[(diethylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]‐substituted benzamidine ligands have been synthesized from the reaction of N,N‐[(diethylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]benzimidoyl chloride with functionalized amines such as 2‐aminophenol and 2‐picolylamine. The reaction of N,N‐[(diethylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]‐2‐hydroxyphenylbenzamidine (H2L1) with ruthenium(II) precursor [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] afforded complex 1 of the type [Ru(L1)(CO)(PPh3)2] in which the ligand coordinated in tridentate ONS mode. The reaction of H2L1 with copper precursor [Cu(CH3COO)(PPh3)2] induced C═N bond cleavage of the ligand and afforded complex 3 of the type [Cu(1,1‐DT)(Cl)(PPh3)2] (1,1‐DT = 1,1‐diethylthiourea) in which the ligand coordinated in a monodentate fashion. The ligand N,N‐[(diethylamino)(thiocarbonyl)]‐2‐picolylbenzamidine (HL2) reacted with ruthenium(II) and copper(I) precursors to form complex 2 of the type [Ru(1,1‐DT)(Cl2)(CO)(PPh3)2] and complex 3, respectively, in which the ligand underwent C═N cleavage and coordinated in a monodentate fashion via C═S group. In complexes 1 and 2, the two triphenylphosphine co‐ligands coordinated in trans position whereas, in complex 3, the two triphenylphosphine co‐ligands coordinated in cis position. All the compounds were characterized using infrared, UV–visible, (1H, 13C, 31P) NMR, ESI‐MS and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of ligand H2L1 and complexes 1–3 were determined using X‐ray crystallography, which confirmed the coordination mode of the ligands with metals. The crystal structure of complexes 1 and 2 revealed a distorted octahedral geometry around the ruthenium ion and the structure of complex 3 indicated a tetrahedral geometry around the copper ion. With the X‐ray structures, density functional theory computations were carried out to determine the electronic structure of the compounds. The interactions of complexes 1–3 with calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin protein were investigated using UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopic and viscometric methods. Catecholase‐ and phosphatase‐like activities promoted by complexes 1–3 under physiological conditions have been studied. In vitro anticancer activities have been demonstrated by MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide and diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining against various cancerous cell lines.
Layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of a lignin–poly(vinyl alcohol) based polyelectrolyte with a conductivity method
Authors: Su Ling , Zhang Shengming , Jiang Guiquan , Pang Jiuyin , Wang Di , Shi Junyou , Fang Guizhen
Published: November 2016

In this study, we made a new attempt to examine the relationship between the conductivity and the concentration of a polyelectrolyte solution and to prepare multilayer films with cationic lignin and polyanions through layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly. The nitrogen content of trimethyl lignin quaternary amine salt (TLQA) was 3.56%, and the carboxyl content of carboxymethylated poly (vinyl alcohol) (CMPVA) was 0.62 mmol/g. Attenuated total reflectance spectra confirmed that TLQA and CMPVA were fabricated and assembled successfully. The concentration of TLQA had a polynomial correlation with the conductivity [correlation coefficient (R2) = 0.9953], and the concentration of CMPVA was linear with the conductivity (R2 = 0.9819). The electrostatic sequential adsorption process was monitored with a UV–visible spectrophotometer, and the morphology of the (TLQA/CMPVA)n(wherenis the number of double membranes) multilayer film was observed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. When the absorbance of the (TLQA/CMPVA)nmultilayer film increased linearly, the linear equation wasy = 0.0267x + 0.07453 andR2was 0.9735. When five layers of TLQA and CMPVA were assembled, the surface root mean square roughness of TLQA and CMPVA were 21.07 and 65.28 nm, respectively. When the number of layers increased, the film surface roughness increased. The stability of the multilayer films in aqueous solution was determined by a conductivity meter. The (TLQA/CMPVA)nmultilayer film was stable in water. The results of the research demonstrate for the first time that TLQA and CMPVA could be assembled and successfully driven by electrostatic forces. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2017,134, 44416.
Chemicals from biomass: technological versus environmental feasibility. A review
Authors: Fiorentino Gabriella , Ripa Maddalena , Ulgiati Sergio
Published: November 2016

The production of chemicals from renewable feedstocks is becoming an attractive area of investment for industries in the framework of a more sustainable economy. From a technical point of view, a large fraction of industrial chemicals and materials from fossil resources can be replaced by their bio‐based counterparts. Nevertheless, fossil‐based chemistry is still dominant because of optimized production processes and lower costs. The best approach to maximize the valorization of biomass is the processing of biological feedstocks in integrated biorefineries where both bio‐based chemicals and energy carriers can be produced, similar to a traditional petroleum refinery. The challenge is to prove, together with the technical and economic feasibility, an environmental feasibility, in terms of lower impact over the entire production chain. In this review, potential renewable substrates, conversion pathways, and target molecules are carefully investigated with reference to the most recent technological advancements. Potential environmental impacts and benefits over the life cycle of products are also reviewed. While an economic and technical feasibility can be, and sometimes has been already, reached, the same is not true yet for environmental feasibility, where several issues still need to be explored and the risk for burden shift is not negligible. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the opportunities and constraints related to the transition from petroleum to biomass chemistry and to draw a roadmap of the most sustainable technologies and promising biomass value chains, screening in parallel their environmental implications, toward a market implementation of bio‐based chemistry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy in the treatment of primary and secondary end-stage lymphoedema of the leg
Authors: Lamprou D-A A , Voesten H G J , Damstra R J , Wikkeling O R M
Published: November 2016

Background

The treatment of end-stage lymphoedema of the leg is challenging, especially when conservative treatment fails and there is a large volume difference between the affected and unaffected legs. Circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy (CSAL) has been described as a treatment option for end-stage lymphoedema of the leg. Here, the long-term results of CSAL in end-stage primary and secondary lymphoedema of the leg were analysed.

Methods

This was a descriptive study of patients treated with CSAL for unilateral chronic irreversible lymphoedema of the leg. Compression therapy was resumed after surgery. Leg volumes were measured before surgery, and at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after the procedure.

Results

A total of 47 patients with primary lymphoedema had a median preoperative volume difference between affected and unaffected legs of 3686 (i.q.r. 2851–5121) ml. Two years after surgery, this volume difference was reduced to 761 ml, a 79 per cent reduction. In the 41 patients treated for secondary lymphoedema, the median preoperative volume difference was 3320 (i.q.r. 2533–4783) ml, decreasing after 2 years to −38 ml (101 per cent reduction). The preoperative volume difference and the sex of the patient significantly influenced the final outcome after 2 years. The outcome was not related to BMI or other patient characteristics.

Conclusion

CSAL is an effective method for treating both primary and secondary lymphoedema of the leg.
Validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of the inhibitor of cancer cell invasion (E)‐N‐benzyl‐6‐[2‐(3, 4‐dihydroxy benzylidene)hydrazinyl]‐N‐methylpyridine‐3‐sulfonamide in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Kim Tae Kon , Choi Hyun Kyung
Published: November 2016

In this study, a reliable method for the quantitation of (E)‐N‐benzyl‐6‐[2‐(3, 4‐dihydroxy benzylidene)hydrazinyl]‐N‐methylpyridine‐3‐sulfonamide (JW‐55) in rat plasma was developed and validated using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Plasma samples were deproteinized; sildenafil was used as an internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed‐phase C18 column. The mobile phase, 0.02 m ammonium acetate buffer:acetonitrile (48:52, v/v), was run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at room temperature, and the column eluent was monitored using an ultraviolet detector at 280 nm. The retention times of JW‐55 and sildenafil were ~5.9 and 7.7 min, respectively. The detection limit of JW‐55 in rat plasma was 0.03 μg/mL. Pharmacokinetic parameters of JW‐55 were evaluated after intravenous and oral administration of JW‐55 (10 mg/kg) in rats. After oral administration, the F value was approximately 73.7%.
Collagenase produced from Aspergillus sp. (UCP 1276) using chicken feather industrial residue
Authors: Ferreira Catarina Michelle Oliveira , Correia Patyanne Carvalho , Brandão‐Costa Romero Marcos Pedrosa , Albuquerque Wendell Wagner Campos , Lin Liu Tatiana Pereira Shin , Campos‐Takaki Galba Maria , Porto Ana Lúcia Figueiredo
Published: November 2016

An extracellular collagenolytic serine protease was purified from Aspergillus sp., isolated from the Caatinga biome in northeast Brazil by a two‐step chromatographic procedure, using an anion‐exchanger and gel filtration. The enzyme was produced by submerged fermentation of feather residue as a substrate. The purified collagenase showed a 2.09‐fold increase in specific activity and 22.85% yield. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 28.7 kDa, estimated by an SDS–PAGE and AKTA system. The optimum temperature and pH for enzyme activity were around 40°C and pH 8.0, respectively. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by phenyl‐methylsulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, and was thermostable until 65°C for 1 h. We then evaluated the enzyme's potential for degradation of Type I and Type V collagens for producing peptides with antifungal activity. Our results revealed that the cleavage of Type V collagen yielded more effective peptides than Type I, inhibiting growth of Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus japonicus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Both groups of peptides (Type I and Type V) were identified by SDS–PAGE. To conclude, the thermostable collagenase we purified in this study has various potentially useful applications in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology and biomedical sciences.
Bioequivalence study between a fixed‐dose single‐pill formulation of nebivolol plus hydrochlorothiazide and separate formulations in healthy subjects using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Vespasiano Celso Francisco Pimentel , Laurito Tiago Luders , Iwamoto Renan Donomae , Moreno Ronilson Agnaldo , Mendes Gustavo D. , De Nucci Gilberto
Published: November 2016

Systemic arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, adequate control of blood pressure is of enormous importance. One of the many fixed‐dose single‐pill antihypertensive formulations available on the market is the combination of nebivolol and hydrochlorothiazide. The objective of this study was to develop two distinct high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry methods to simultaneously quantify nebivolol and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma. The methods were employed in a bioequivalence study, the first assay involving a nebivolol fixed‐dose single‐pill formulation based on healthy Brazilian volunteers. Nebilet HCT™ (nebivolol 5 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg tablet, manufactured by Menarini) was the test formulation. The reference formulations were Nebilet™ (nebivolol 5 mg tablet, manufactured by Menarini) and Clorana™ (hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet, manufactured by Sanofi). For both analytes, liquid–liquid extraction was employed for sample preparation and the chromatographic run time was 3.5 min. The limits of quantification validated were 0.02 ng/mL for nebivolol and 1 ng/mL for hydrochlorothiazide. Since the 90% CI for Cmax, AUC(0–last) and AUC(0–inf) individual test/reference ratios were within the 80–125% interval indicative of bioequivalence, it was concluded that Nebilet HCT™ is bioequivalent to Nebilet™ and Clorana™.