bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TAMANHO AMOSTRAL PARA A ESTIMATIVA DA DENSIDADE BÁSICA EM UM CLONE HÍBRIDO DE Eucalyptus sp
Authors: Pádua Franciane Andrade de , Trugilho Paulo Fernando , Thiersch Cláudio Roberto , Vire Nayara Marcon , Silva José Mauro Santana da
Published: August 2015

– As diversas formas de se amostrar a madeira para o estudo de suas propriedades levam em consideração a acurácia, o tempo e o custo de processamento e coleta do material. No entanto, a forma e intensidade da amostragem considerada pode não captar corretamente a variabilidade dessas propriedades ou até mesmo negligenciá-la. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar o número de árvores necessárias para a estimativa da densidade básica média da árvore em um clone de híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis considerando diferentes formas de amostragem e classes de diâmetro. Foram utilizadas 50 árvores de um clone do hibrido, aos 5,6 anos. As árvores foram distribuídas em três classes de diâmetro e amostradas na forma de discos, a partir de três propostas: tradicional (0%, 25%, 50%,75% e 100% da altura comercial Hc); alternativa (2%, 10%, 30% e 70% Hc) e de metro em metro a partir do DAP. Não houve diferença entre o número de árvores requeridas para a estimativa da densidade do clone por forma de amostragem, admitindo-se um erro de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. A amostragem alternativa foi a mais eficiente considerando a intensidade da amostragem no tronco e o coeficiente de variação. A classificação diamétrica resultou em um número maior de árvores para estimar a densidade média, em função da maior variação da propriedade dentro de classes do que dentro do método de amostragem.
ORCHIDACEAE NO PARQUE ESTADUAL DA CANTAREIRA E SUA CONSERVAÇÃO
Authors: Zandoná Luciano Ramos , Catharino Eduardo Luís Martins
Published: August 2015

O Parque Estadual da Cantareira – PEC abriga uma das maiores florestas urbanas do mundo, declarada parte da Reserva da Biosfera do Cinturão Verde de São Paulo. A família Orchidaceae tem grande apelo ornamental e econômico, aspecto importante para a sensibilização de todos sobre a responsabilidade em conservar nossas espécies nativas e seus habitats. O presente trabalho visou, sobretudo, ao levantamento da família Orchidaceae no PEC. Para tal, foram realizadas coletas semanais, entre agosto de 2008 e fevereiro de 2014, utilizando o método da caminhada, tendo como base o mapa de fitofisionomias do PEC. A coleta de material botânico priorizou o resgate de plantas vivas em árvores e galhos caídos, sendo que as plantas foram incluídas em coleções vivas do Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo – IBt e PEC para acompanhamento da floração, herborização, documentação fotográfica e identificação. As plantas foram identificadas com base no material vivo utilizando-se da diagnose floral para determinação da espécie, as exsicatas foram tombadas no herbário do Instituto Florestal – SPSF. As demais plantas resgatadas, após identificação, foram realocadas no habitat e são também utilizadas em atividades educativas. Até o momento foram levantadas 159 espécies, de 64 gêneros, entre elas 10 espécies presentes em listas vermelhas, e outras dificilmente encontradas, o que coloca o PEC como detentor de maior riqueza de Orchidaceae da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo em comparação com outros levantamentos. Das 159 espécies registradas, 105 foram resgatadas, totalizando 3.120 indivíduos, dos quais 450 foram incluídos em coleções do IBt e PEC, e o restante realocado no habitat para observações e estudos futuros. Atividades com visitantes do PEC indicam que a utilização de orquídeas como tema para educação é bastante promissor.
Developing an Achievement Test for Astronomy Education
Authors: TÜRK Cumhur , KALKAN Hüseyin
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop an Astronomy Achievement Test (AAT) to test students’ achievement on basic astronomy concepts and to find out their alternative concepts. In addition, another goal of the study is to fill the gap in the literature of this field. During the development process of the test, studies on basic astronomy concepts were reviewed and after the test items were formed, experts’ reviews were examined and the necessary corrections were made. Pretest and pilot studies were conducted with 293 7th graders during the 2013-2014 Academic Year. The test, which was administered in its last form as a result of the analyses conducted, has 32 multiple questions with 4 choices. The test’s KR-20 reliability coefficient in this study was calculated as 0,87. The statistical analyses, which were conducted, show that the AAT is a reliable and valid test.
Prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons among the multidrug resistant uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli
Authors: Azam Haddadi , Ghezeljeh Somayeh Mikaili , Mahmoud Shavandi
Published: August 2015

Background

Multidrug resistance is a serious problem in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Horizontal gene transfer, directed by strong selective pressure of antibiotics, has resulted in the widespread distribution of multiple antibiotic resistance genes. The dissemination of resistance genes is enhanced when they are trapped in integrons.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of integrons among multidrug resistant Escherichia coli strains collected from regional hospitals and private clinical laboratories in Alborz province.

Methods

The susceptibility of 111 clinical Escherichia coli isolates was tested using a Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method for common antibiotics. Isolates were screened for the production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) using a double disk synergy test. The existence of integrons was confirmed by amplification of the integrase gene and their class determined via analysis of PCR products by PCR-RFLP.

Results

Isolates showed the highest resistance to amoxicillin. Nitrofurantoin, amikacin, and ceftizoxime were the most effective antibiotics in vitro. Eighty-eight isolates of 111 (79%) were resistant to more than three unrelated drugs. We found 30% of the multidrug resistant isolates harbor integrons. Class 1 and 2 integrons were detected in 25 and 1 isolates, respectively. ESBL screening of strains showed 45 isolates (40%) were positive; 22% of the ESBL-positive isolates carried class 1 integrons and the frequency of MDR in ESBLpositive isolates was 93%.

Conclusion

The existence of integrons in only 29.5% of multidrug resistant isolates showed that besides integrons, antibiotic resistance genes were probably carried on other transferable elements lacking integrons, such as transposons or plasmids.
De Verdonk-factor?
Authors: Sterckx L.
Published: August 2015

Marriage migration from Turkey and Morocco in decline

Between 2001 and 2012 there has been a sharp drop in marriage migration from Turkey and Morocco. The number of migration marriages fell particularly sharply in the years after 2004, after changes were made in the legislation concerning marriage migration: the income and age requirements were raised and passing a pre-entry test became conditional to obtaining a visum. This article aspires to explain this decline of migration marriages among co-ethnics of Turkish and Moroccan origin in the Netherlands. As the strongest decline in the number of migration marriages coincides with the introduction of stricter conditions for marriage migration, the author states that these changes in the law acted as a catalyst for a change in mentality among migrant families of Turkish and Moroccan origin.
Grote diversiteit en enige rechtsgelijkheid
Authors: Waaldijk K.
Published: August 2015

Great diversity and some equality: non-marital legal family formats for same-sex couples in Europe

This article gives a compact overview of developments in national and European law regarding same-sex partners. Over the last decades, new legal family formats (such as registered partnership and de facto union) have been made available in a growing number of countries. The number of countries that have opened up marriage to same-sex couples is also growing. Authors of comparative family law have proposed various classifications of the new legal family formats. Meanwhile, an increasing number of EU laws now acknowledge non-marital partners. The European Courts have been asked several times to rule on controversial differentiations between different legal family formats or between same-sex and different-sex partners. In the case law of the European Court of Human Rights one can find examples of affirmative eloquence which suggest that more steps towards full legal recognition of same-sex families could be expected.
Pre‐Plated Cell Lines for ADMETox Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Torres Francisco M. , Sáfár Zsolt , Vázquez‐Sánchez Maria A. , Kurunczi Anita , Kis Emese , Magnan Rémi , Jani Márton , Nicolás Oriol , Krajcsi Péter
Published: August 2015

Membrane transporters significantly modulate membrane permeability of endobiotics and xenobiotics, such as bile acids and drugs, respectively. Various in vitro methods have been established for both ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters to examine cellular efflux and uptake, and for solute carriers (SLC) to examine cellular uptake of substrates. Cell‐based systems are the models of choice to test drug‐transporter interactions as well as drug‐drug interactions for research and regulatory purposes, albeit, for low passive permeability substrates of ABC transporters, vesicular uptake assays are also recommended. Commercially available pre‐plated cells (e.g., immortalized or transfected) offer a useful alternative to in‐house cell culture. Three main methods are known to manufacture pre‐plated cultures: regular culture medium with vacuum seal, cryopreserved delivery, and the solid shipping media technology. The regular culture medium and the solid shipping media technologies provide ready‐to‐use models for end users. Models expressing a broad selection of transporters are available in pre‐plated formats for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMETox) studies. Conversely, the application and utility of pre‐plated cultures coupled with personal experiences have not been extensively covered in published research papers or reviews, despite availability and significant use of pre‐plated products in the pharmaceutical industry. In this overview, we will briefly describe: 1) in vitro tools commonly used for ADMETox testing; 2) methods employed in manufacturing, shipment and preparation of pre‐plated cell lines; 3) cell‐membrane barrier models currently available in pre‐plated format to reproduce passage restriction of physiological barriers to certain compounds; and 4) recommended pre‐plated cell lines overexpressing uptake transporters for ADMETox applications. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Role of the strengthened El Niño teleconnection in the May 2015 floods over the southern Great Plains
Authors: Simon Wang S.‐Y. , Huang Wan‐Ru , Hsu Huang‐Hsiung , Gillies Robert R.
Published: August 2015

The climate anomalies leading to the May 2015 floods in Texas and Oklahoma were analyzed in the context of El Niño teleconnection in a warmer climate. A developing El Niño tends to increase late‐spring precipitation in the southern Great Plains, and this effect has intensified since 1980. Anthropogenic global warming contributed to the physical processes that caused the persistent precipitation in May 2015: Warming in the tropical Pacific acted to strengthen the teleconnection toward North America, modification of zonal wave 5 circulation that deepened the stationary trough west of Texas, and enhanced Great Plains low‐level southerlies increasing moisture supply from the Gulf of Mexico. Attribution analysis using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 single‐forcing experiments and the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble Project indicated a significant increase in the El Niño‐induced precipitation anomalies over Texas and Oklahoma when increases in the anthropogenic greenhouse gases were taken into account.
Modeling rainfall drop size distribution in southern England using a Gaussian Mixture Model
Authors: Ekerete K'ufre‐Mfon E. , Hunt Francis H. , Jeffery Judith L. , Otung Ifiok E.
Published: August 2015

Understanding and modeling the rainfall drop size distribution is important in a number of applications, in particular predicting and mitigating attenuation of satellite signals in the millimeter band. Various standard statistical distributions have been proposed as suitable models, the first widely accepted being the exponential distribution. Subsequently, gamma and lognormal distributions have been shown to provide better rainfall rate computations. Some empirical studies have revealed bimodal distributions under some circumstances. A natural question to ask therefore is how often gamma and lognormal distributions fit the empirical data. In this paper we fit lognormal and gamma distributions to 1 min slices of rainfall drop size distributions taken from 7 year data from the Chilbolton Observatory in southern England. The chi‐square goodness of fit of the models against the data is calculated, and it is found that failure to fit is greater than would normally be expected. This failure to fit is broken down and examined against seasonal variations, different rain rates, atmospheric temperature, and wind speed. Possible reasons for the lack of fit are explored, and alternative fits using models based on Gaussian Mixture Models are developed and found to be an improvement.
Solvent effects on esterification equilibria
Authors: Riechert Ole , Husham Maik , Sadowski Gabriele , Zeiner Tim
Published: August 2015

Solvents are known to have strong impacts on the yields of equilibrium reactions. This work focuses on the thermodynamic investigation of these solvent effects on esterification reactions of acetic acid and propionic acid with ethanol. Esterification of acetic acid was performed in the solvents acetone, acetonitrile (ACN), dimethylformamide (DMF), and tetrahydrofurane as well as in mixtures thereof. ACN promotes the esterification of acetic acid, whereas it is strongly suppressed by DMF. The esterification of propionic acid was investigated with various reactant concentrations in acetone. The experimental equilibrium data in pure solvents and solvent mixtures were modeled using the thermodynamic equilibrium constant Ka and the reactant/product activity coefficients predicted by the perturbed chain‐statistical associating fluid theory (PC‐SAFT). For a given Ka, PC‐SAFT is able to predict the influence of the solvent and even solvent mixtures on the equilibrium concentrations of esterification in almost quantitative agreement with the experimental data. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3000–3011, 2015
An improved algorithm for the three‐fluid‐phase VLLE flash calculation
Authors: Hinojosa‐Gómez Humberto , Solares‐Ramírez Jorge , Bazúa‐Rueda Enrique R.
Published: August 2015

The VLLE flash is important in water and hydrocarbons mixtures, hydrocarbon and CO2 rich mixtures, and hydrocarbon methane rich mixtures that are encountered in reservoir performance and recovery studies. A robust VLLE flash algorithm is proposed. The equilibrium and mass balance equations are solved as a constrained minimization problem. An inverse barrier function is used to handle the inequality constrains to solve for the phase fractions. It warrants always arriving to the solution. The challenging cases analyzed showed that the initialization procedure proposed, together with successive substitution iteration in the outer loop, is a good method for a stable VLLE flash algorithm, even near critical points. Whenever the result is in the region outside the three‐phase physical domain, the solution suggests that the system has fewer phases. In one of the cases analyzed, a region with three liquid phases was encountered and the algorithm found two different solutions with positive phase fractions. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3081–3093, 2015
A crossover‐UNIQUAC model for critical and noncritical LLE calculations
Authors: Parvaneh Khalil , Haghbakhsh Reza , Shariati Alireza , Peters Cor J.
Published: August 2015

A new model, named the crossover‐UNIQUAC model, has been proposed based on the crossover procedure for predicting constant‐pressure liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE). In this manner, critical fluctuations were incorporated into the classical UNIQUAC equation. Coexistence curves were estimated for systems having a diverse range of asymmetries. These systems included the LLE of five different mixtures, composed of nitrobenzene with one of the members of the alkane homologous family (either pentane, octane, decane, dodecane, or tetradecane), as well as an extra system having a different chemical nature, namely the mixture of n‐perfluorohexane and hexane, to further check the validity of the proposed approach. Using these nonideal mixtures, the validity of the new model was investigated within wide ranges, covering near‐critical to regions falling far away from the critical point. The graphical trends, as well as the quantitative comparison with experimental data indicated the good agreement of the proposed model results with the experimental data. A maximum AARD% value of 3.97% was obtained in calculating molar compositions by the proposed model for such challenging systems covering noncritical, as well as critical regions. In addition, to show the strength of the proposed crossover approach to describe properties other than LLE, molar heat capacities were investigated for the system of nitrobenzene + dodecane. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3094–3103, 2015
Rigorous tests of gene–environment interactions in a lab study of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), alcohol exposure, and aggression
Authors: LoParo Devon , Johansson Ada , Walum Hasse , Westberg Lars , Santtila Pekka , Waldman Irwin
Published: August 2015

Naturalistic studies of gene–environment interactions (G X E) have been plagued by several limitations, including difficulty isolating specific environmental risk factors from other correlated aspects of the environment, gene‐environment correlation (rGE), and the use of a single genetic variant to represent the influence of a gene. We present results from 235 Finnish young men in two lab studies of aggression and alcohol challenge that attempt to redress these limitations of the extant G X E literature. Specifically, we use a latent variable modeling approach in an attempt to more fully account for genetic variation across the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and to robustly test its main effects on aggression and its interaction with alcohol exposure. We also modeled aggression as a latent variable comprising various indices, including the average and maximum levels of aggression, the earliest trial on which aggression was expressed, and the proportion of trials on which the minimum and maximum levels of aggression were expressed. The best fitting model for the genetic variation across OXTR included six factors derived from an exploratory factor analysis, roughly corresponding to six haplotype blocks. Aggression levels were higher on trials in which participants were administered alcohol, won, or were provoked. There was a significant main effect of OXTR on aggression across studies after controlling for covariates. The interaction of OXTR and alcohol was also significant across studies, such that OXTR had stronger effects on aggression in the alcohol administration condition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Umwandlung einer Anthranilatsynthase in eine Isochorismatsynthase: Implikationen für die Evolution von Chorismat‐umsetzenden Enzymen
Authors: Plach Maximilian G. , Löffler Patrick , Merkl Rainer , Sterner Reinhard
Published: August 2015

Chorismat‐umsetzende Enzyme spielen in Pflanzen sowie frei lebenden und infektiösen Mikroorganismen eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Biosynthese zahlreicher Metabolite. Zu diesen Enzymen zählen die primärmetabolische Anthranilatsynthase (AS) und die homologe, sekundärmetabolische Isochorismatsynthase (ICS). Beide Enzyme katalysieren mechanistisch ähnliche Reaktionen, wobei sie Ammoniak bzw. Wasser als Nukleophil nutzen. Wir zeigen hier, dass die Nukleophilspezifität der AS durch nur zwei Aminosäureaustausche im Zugangskanal zum aktiven Zentrum von Ammoniak auf Wasser erweitert werden kann. Die resultierende Bifunktionalität dieser AS/ICS‐Variante verdeutlicht, dass die Evolution eines sekundärmetabolischen Enzyms von einem primärmetabolischen aus durch wenige Mutationen erfolgen kann und nicht zwingend eine initiale Genduplikation voraussetzt. Allgemein betrachtet, tragen unsere Erkenntnisse zum Verständnis bei, wie in der Natur innerhalb von Enzym‐Superfamilien neue Reaktionen evolvieren.
Ring Opening of Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan‐2‐ones: A Versatile Synthetic Platform for the Construction of Substituted Benzoates
Authors: Feierfeil Johannes , Grossmann Adriana , Magauer Thomas
Published: August 2015

Described is the development of a highly efficient 2π disrotatory ring‐opening aromatization sequence using bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan‐2‐ones. This unprecedented transformation efficiently proceeds under thermal conditions and allows facile construction of uniquely substituted and polyfunctionalized benzoates. In the presence of either amines or alcohols formation of substituted anilines or ethers, respectively, is achieved. Additionally, the utility of this method was demonstrated in a short synthesis of sekikaic acid methyl ester.
Aqueous Sulfate Separation by Crystallization of Sulfate–Water Clusters
Authors: Custelcean Radu , Williams Neil J. , Seipp Charles A.
Published: August 2015

An effective approach to sulfate separation from aqueous solutions is based on the crystallization of extended [SO4(H2O)52−]n sulfate–water clusters with a bis(guanidinium) ligand. The ligand was generated in situ by hydrazone condensation in water, thereby bypassing the need for elaborate syntheses, tedious purifications, and organic solvents. Crystallization of sulfate–water clusters represents an alternative approach to the now established sulfate separation strategies that involve encapsulation of the “naked” anion.
Minimal Synthetic Cells to Study Integrin‐Mediated Adhesion
Authors: Frohnmayer Johannes P. , Brüggemann Dorothea , Eberhard Christian , Neubauer Stefanie , Mollenhauer Christine , Boehm Heike , Kessler Horst , Geiger Benjamin , Spatz Joachim P.
Published: August 2015

To shed light on cell‐adhesion‐related molecular pathways, synthetic cells offer the unique advantage of a well‐controlled model system with reduced molecular complexity. Herein, we show that liposomes with the reconstituted platelet integrin αIIbβ3 as the adhesion‐mediating transmembrane protein are a functional minimal cell model for studying cellular adhesion mechanisms in a defined environment. The interaction of these synthetic cells with various extracellular matrix proteins was analyzed using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. The data indicated that integrin was functionally incorporated into the lipid vesicles, thus enabling integrin‐specific adhesion of the engineered liposomes to fibrinogen‐ and fibronectin‐functionalized surfaces. Then, we were able to initiate the detachment of integrin liposomes from these surfaces in the presence of the peptide GRGDSP, a process that is even faster with our newly synthesized peptide mimetic SN529, which specifically inhibits the integrin αIIbβ3.
The effect of processing routes on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(urethane‐isocyanurate) nanocomposites
Authors: Kenny José María , Torre Luigi , Chiacchiarelli Leonel Matias
Published: August 2015

A systematic investigation of four processing routes was implemented so as to evaluate the thermal and mechanical properties of nanosilica (NS) reinforced poly(urethane‐isocyanurate) nanocomposites (NC). The NS dispersion in the Polmix and the Isomix routes was performed in the polyol and the isocyanate precursor, respectively. The Isopol and the Solvmix routes consisted on the dispersion of the filler after the mixing of the precursors and with the aid of solvents, respectively. The NS dispersion, fractography (SEM, TEM), flexural and tensile mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR analysis of NCs was performed as a function of processing route, isocyanate index, and NS concentration. Each route produced a NC with distinct properties, which were correlated to the NS agglomeration degree and how the NS affected the thermal transitions of the HS and the relative ratio of urethane and isocyanurate chemical groups. For example, the NC prepared with the Polmix route had substantial improvements of σt and εt of around +40 and +52%, respectively and an improved thermal resistance of the Hard Segments. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42750.
Preparation and properties of epoxy‐modified tung oil waterborne insulation varnish
Authors: Cao Mengye , Wang Hualin , Cai Ruizhi , Ge Qing , Jiang Suwei , Zhai Linfeng , Jiang Shaotong
Published: August 2015

This work aimed to develop a novel epoxy‐modified tung oil waterborne insulation varnish with blocked hexamethylene diisocyanate as a curing agent. The Diels–Alder reaction between tung oil and maleic anhydride, and the ring‐opening esterification reaction of epoxy resin were confirmed. The conversion rate of epoxy was explored as a function of reaction time and temperature. The effects of epoxy resin content on the thermal stability, water absorption and insulation properties (insulation strength, volume resistivity, and surface resistivity) of films were investigated, and the resistances of films to salted water were evaluated. The increase in epoxy resin contents could improve the thermal stability and insulation properties of films, and decreased the water adsorption of films, but when the epoxy resin content reached 30% and above, the water solubility of resin became poor. After being immersed in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution, the electrical insulation strength of films were lower than that in dry state, and decreased as the immersed time prolonged. In particular, the electrical insulation strength loss of films increased significantly for epoxy resin content at 15% and below. Furthermore, the increase of epoxy resin content could improve the hardness and adhesion of films, but the flexibility of films became worse. On the basis of experimental, the epoxy resin content at 25% was appropriate to prepare waterborne epoxy‐modified tung oil resin. The resulting varnish may have potential as an immersing insulation varnish for the spindle of electric motor. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42755.
167 individuals versus millions of hooks: bycatch mitigation in longline fisheries underlies conservation of Amsterdam albatrosses
Authors: Thiebot Jean‐Baptiste , Delord Karine , Barbraud Christophe , Marteau Cédric , Weimerskirch Henri
Published: August 2015

1. Industrial fisheries represent one of the most serious threats worldwide to seabird conservation. Death of birds in fishing operations (i.e. bycatch) has especially adverse effects on populations of albatrosses, which have extremely low fecundity.

2. The single population worldwide of Amsterdam albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis) comprises only 167 individuals and risks considerable decline over the mid‐term from additional mortality levels potentially induced by fisheries. The priority actions listed in the current conservation plan for this species included characterizing the longline fisheries operating within its range, dynamically analysing the overlap between albatrosses and these fisheries, and providing fisheries management authorities with potential impact estimates of longline fisheries on the Amsterdam albatross.

3. During all life‐cycle stages and year quarters the birds overlapped extensively with fishing effort in the southern Indian and Atlantic oceans. Fishing effort, and consequently overlap score (calculated as the product of fishing effort and time spent by the birds in a spatial unit) was highest in July–September (45% of the hooks annually deployed). Just three fleets (Taiwanese, Japanese and Spanish) contributed to >98% of the overlap scores for each stage (72% from the Taiwanese fleet alone, on average). Daily overlap scores were higher for the non‐breeding versus the breeding stages (3‐fold factor on average).

4. Based on previous bycatch rates for other albatross species, this study estimated that longline fisheries currently have the potential to remove ~2–16 individuals (i.e. ~5%) each year from the total Amsterdam albatross population, depending on whether bycatch mitigation measures were or were not systematically employed during the fishing operations.

5. Recent bycatch mitigation measures may be instrumental in the conservation of the Amsterdam albatross. This study suggests three further key recommendations: (1) to focus conservation efforts on the austral winter; (2) to require all operating vessels to report ring recoveries; and (3) to allocate special regulation of fishing operations in the areas of peak bycatch risk for the Amsterdam albatrosses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the synthesis, characterization, human serum albumin binding and biological activity of single chain surfactant–cobalt(III) complexes
Authors: Vignesh G. , Sugumar K. , Arunachalam S. , Vignesh S. , Arthur James R. , Arun R. , Premkumar K.
Published: August 2015

The interaction of surfactant–cobalt(III) complexes [Co(bpy)(dien)TA](ClO4)3 · 3H2O (1) and [Co(dien)(phen)TA](ClO4)3 · 4H2O (2), where bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, dien = diethylenetriamine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline and TA = tetradecylamine with human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions was analyzed using steady state, synchronous, 3D fluorescence, UV/visabsorption and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. The results show that these complexes cause the fluorescence quenching of HSA through a static mechanism. The binding constant (Kb) and number of binding‐sites (n) were obtained at different temperatures. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆H° and ∆S°) and Ea were also obtained. According to Förster's non‐radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance (r) between the complexes and HSA were calculated. The results of synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectroscopy indicate that the binding process has changed considerably the polarity around the fluorophores, along with changes in the conformation of the protein. The antimicrobial and anticancer activities of the complexes were tested and the results show that the complexes have good activities against pathogenic microorganisms and cancer cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Leitgewebe gibt den Takt an
Authors: Meyer Katja , Staiger Dorothee
Published: August 2015

Eine innere Uhr synchronisiert den Tagesablauf der Pflanze mit dem Tag‐Nacht‐Rhythmus. In jeder Pflanzenzelle tickt ein molekulares Uhrwerk, das durch den Licht‐Dunkel‐Wechsel getaktet wird. Bisher gingen die Chronobiologen davon aus, dass die Uhren in den einzelnen Pflanzenzellen unabhängig voneinander gehen. Neuere Arbeiten an der Modellpflanze Arabidopsis thaliana haben nun gezeigt, dass die innere Uhr der Blätter etwas anders aufgebaut ist als die innere Uhr in den Wurzeln und diese sogar steuert. Auch innerhalb eines Blattes sind die Zellen in verschiedenen Zelltypen, den Mesophyllzellen, den Zellen der Epidermis und den Zellen des Leitgewebes unterschiedlich, und die Uhr im Leitgewebe gibt den Uhren in den Mesophyllzellen den Takt vor. Somit scheint es im Uhrensystem der Pflanze eine Hierarchie zu geben. Eine solche Rangordnung war bisher nur von Tier und Mensch bekannt mit dem übergeordneten Steuerzentrum im Gehirn und galt als ein fundamentaler Unterschied in der Organisation des Zeitmess‐Systems.
Kopf und Zahl – Praxisorientierte Interessenforschung in der Biologiedidaktik (PIB)
Authors: Scheersoi Annette , Hense Jonathan
Published: August 2015

Der Transfer von Forschungsergebnissen in die Praxis erweist sich auch in der Biologiedidaktik als zäh. Die theoriebildende Grundlagenforschung steht oft der praxisorientierten Anwendungsforschung gegenüber. Durch diese starke Polarität wird der Transfer von Innovationen aus der Theorieforschung in die Praxis erschwert. Ein integrativer Forschungsansatz, der diese Kluft überbrückt, ist der Design‐Based‐Research‐Ansatz, der auch in der biologiedidaktischen Forschung gewinnbringend genutzt werden kann.
Eine schaumige Angelegenheit: Katalaseaktivität von Bakterien
Authors: Hauk Andrea
Published: August 2015

Ein gängiger Zeitvertreib im mikrobiologischen Labor scheint der Test auf Katalaseaktivität von Bakterien zu sein. Haben Sie sich auch schon einmal gefragt, warum sich Mikrobiologen die Mühe machen herauszufinden, ob Bakterien katalasepositiv oder katalasenegativ sind? Was ist denn überhaupt Katalase und wie funktioniert solch ein Test?
Assessment of pharmacokinetic interaction between piracetam and l‐carnitine in healthy subjects
Authors: Mendes Gustavo D. , Zaffalon Gabriela Traldi , Silveira Antonio Sérgio , Ramacciato Juliana Cama , Motta Rogério Heládio Lopes , Gagliano‐Jucá Thiago , Lopes Anibal Gil , de Almeida Magalhães José Cássio , De Nucci Gilberto
Published: August 2015

A rapid, sensitive and specific method for quantifying piracetam in human plasma using Piracetam d‐8 as the internal standard (IS) is described. The analyte and the IS were extracted from plasma by one‐step precipitation of protein using an acetonitrile (100%). The extracts were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). The method had a chromatographic run time of 3.8 min and a linear calibration curve over the range 0.5–50 µg/mL (r> 0.99). This LC‐MS‐MS procedure was used to assess the bioavailability of two piracetam formulations: piracetam + l‐carnitine (Piracar®; 270/330 mg tablet) and piracetam (Nootropil®; 800 mg tablet) in healthy volunteers of both sexes. The geometric means with corresponding 90% confidence interval (CI) for test/reference percentage ratios were 88.49% (90% CI = 81.19 – 96.46) for peak concentration/dose and 102.55% (90% CI = 100.62 – 104.51) for AUCinf/dose. The limit of quantitation of 0.5 µg/mL is well suited for pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers. It was concluded that piracetam (Piracar®; 270/330 mg tablet) has a bioavailability equivalent to the piracetam (Nootropil®; 800 mg tablet) formulation with regard to both the rate and the extent of absorption. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monolithic Honeycombs in Loop Reactor Configuration for Intensification of Multiphase Processes
Authors: Güttel Robert , Eisenbeis Christian , Knochen Jens , Turek Thomas
Published: August 2015

Monolithic honeycomb reactors are characterized by small parallel channels, which make them an interesting approach to be applied as microstructured reactors. Besides the established manufacturing of ceramic honeycombs, these structures exhibit excellent mass transfer characteristics for multiphase reactions combined with degrees of freedom in the structural design. The potential of monolithic honeycomb reactors operated in the beneficial slug flow regime is evaluated for heterogeneously catalyzed gas‐liquid reactions. Results of the Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis and hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol were analyzed in order to obtain a more generalized picture of the interaction between mass transfer and reaction in small channels operated in multiphase flow.
Reversal Circularly Polarized Luminescence of AIE‐Active Chiral Binaphthyl Molecules from Solution to Aggregation
Authors: Sheng Yuan , Shen Dong , Zhang Wenjie , Zhang Hongxing , Zhu Chengjian , Cheng Yixiang
Published: August 2015

Four aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active chiral binaphthyl‐based molecules, (R/S)‐1 and (R/S)‐2, were designed and synthesized. Interestingly, all of them can exhibit reversal circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signals from solution to aggregation, which could be attributed to the different dihedral angle of binaphthyl units from cis‐conformation in pure THF solution to trans‐conformation in THF/water mixtures.
cAMP controls the balance of the propulsive forces generated by the two flagella of Chlamydomonas
Authors: Saegusa Yu , Yoshimura Kenjiro
Published: August 2015

The motility of cilia and flagella of eukaryotic cells is controlled by second messengers such as Ca2+, cAMP, and cGMP. In this study, the cAMP‐dependent control of flagellar bending of Chlamydomonas is investigated by applying cAMP through photolysis of 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrobenzyl adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclicmonophosphate (caged cAMP). When cAMP is applied to demembranated and reactivated cells, cells begin to swim with a larger helical path. This change is due to a larger turn about the axis normal to the anterior–posterior axis, indicating an increased imbalance in the propulsive forces generated by the cis‐flagellum (flagellum nearer to the eyespot) and trans‐flagellum (flagellum farther from the eyespot). Consistently, when cAMP is applied to isolated axonemes, some axonemes show attenuated motility whereas others do not. Axonemes from uni1 mutants, which have only trans‐flagella, do not respond to cAMP. These observations indicate that cAMP controls the balance of the forces generated by cis‐ and trans‐flagella in Chlamydomonas. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanism of the Multiple‐Electron Oxygen Reduction Reaction in the Presence of the Binuclear Cu(acac)2 Complex
Authors: Kobayashi Hisayoshi , Teranishi Miwako , Naya Shin‐ichi , Tada Hiroaki
Published: August 2015

The potential of the electron for the serial oxygen reduction reaction is calculated by DFT in an aqueous solution in the presence and absence of Cu(acac)2 complex. The study provides interesting information about the rational design of complex–semiconductor hybrid photocatalysts and cathodes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
IL‐33 promotes innate IFN‐γ production and modulates dendritic cell response in LCMV‐induced hepatitis in mice
Authors: Liang Yuejin , Jie Zuliang , Hou Lifei , Yi Panpan , Wang Wei , Kwota Zakari , Salvato Maria , de Waal Malefyt Rene , Soong Lynn , Sun Jiaren
Published: August 2015

Recent studies have revealed IL‐33 as a key factor in promoting antiviral T‐cell responses. However, it is less clear as to how IL‐33 regulates innate immunity. In this study, we infected wild‐type (WT) and IL‐33−/− mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and demonstrated an essential role of infection‐induced IL‐33 expression for robust innate IFN‐γ production in the liver. We first show that IL‐33 deficiency resulted in a marked reduction in the number of IFN‐γ+ γδ T and NK cells, but an increase in that of IL‐17+ γδ T cells at 16 h postinfection. Recombinant IL‐33 (rIL‐33) treatment could reverse such deficiency via increasing IFN‐γ‐producing γδ T and NK cells, and inhibiting IL‐17+ γδ T cells. We also found that rIL‐33‐induced type 2 innate lymphoid cells were not involved in T‐cell responses and liver injury, since the adoptive transfer of type 2 innate lymphoid cells neither affected the IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production in T cells, nor liver transferase levels in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infected mice. Interestingly, we found that while IL‐33 was not required for costimulatory molecule expression, it was critical for DC proliferation and cytokine production. Together, this study highlights an essential role of IL‐33 in regulating innate IFN‐γ‐production and DC function during viral hepatitis.
Hexaethyl‐2,3,5‐tricarba‐nido‐hexaborane(7), Its Monoanion and the (Triphenylphosphane)gold and Dicarbonylrhodium Complexes
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Schanz Hans‐Joerg , Milius Wolfgang , Veith Michael
Published: August 2015

Experimental and calculated [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory] NMR parameters [chemical shifts δ11B and δ13C, and coupling constants 1J(13C,11B) and 1J(11B,11B)] of hexaethyl‐2,4‐dicarba‐nido‐hexaborane(8), hexaethyl‐2,3,5‐tricarba‐nido‐hexaborane(7) and their monoanions are reported. The solid‐state structure of the 2,3,5‐tricarbaborane was determined by X‐ray crystallography as the Au–PPh3 complex, where the gold atom is linked to C5 (88 %) with contacts to B4,6 or to C2,3 (12 %) with contacts to B4,6. The 2,3,5‐tricarbaborate anion η5‐coordinates to the Rh(CO)2 fragment, forming a closo cluster.
Differential functional brain network connectivity during visceral interoception as revealed by independent component analysis of fMRI time‐series
Authors: Jarrahi Behnaz , Mantini Dante , Balsters Joshua Henk , Michels Lars , Kessler Thomas M. , Mehnert Ulrich , Kollias Spyros S.
Published: August 2015

Influential theories of brain‐viscera interactions propose a central role for interoception in basic motivational and affective feeling states. Recent neuroimaging studies have underlined the insula, anterior cingulate, and ventral prefrontal cortices as the neural correlates of interoception. However, the relationships between these distributed brain regions remain unclear. In this study, we used spatial independent component analysis (ICA) and functional network connectivity (FNC) approaches to investigate time course correlations across the brain regions during visceral interoception. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in thirteen healthy females who underwent viscerosensory stimulation of bladder as a representative internal organ at different prefill levels, i.e., no prefill, low prefill (100 ml saline), and high prefill (individually adapted to the sensations of persistent strong desire to void), and with different infusion temperatures, i.e., body warm (∼37°C) or ice cold (4–8°C) saline solution. During Increased distention pressure on the viscera, the insula, striatum, anterior cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, amygdalo‐hippocampus, thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellar components showed increased activation. A second group of components encompassing the insula and anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices and temporal‐parietal junction showed increased activity with innocuous temperature stimulation of bladder mucosa. Significant differences in the FNC were found between the insula and amygdalo‐hippocampus, the insula and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and temporal‐parietal junction as the distention pressure on the viscera increased. These results provide new insight into the supraspinal processing of visceral interoception originating from an internal organ.Hum Brain Mapp 36:4438–4468, 2015. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Short‐Term Effect of Depressive Symptoms on Labor Market Outcomes
Authors: Peng Lizhong , Meyerhoefer Chad D. , Zuvekas Samuel H.
Published: August 2015

We estimated the short‐term effects of symptoms of depression on labor market outcomes using data from the 2004–2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. After accounting for the endogeneity of depression through a correlated random effects panel data specification, we found that exhibiting depressive symptoms reduces the likelihood of employment. We did not, however, find evidence of a causal relationship between depressive symptoms and hourly wages or weekly hours worked. Our estimates are substantially smaller than those from previous studies and imply that depressive symptoms reduce the contemporaneous probability of employment by 2.4 percentage points. In addition, we examined the effect of depression on work impairment and found that exhibiting depressive symptoms increases annual work loss days by about 1.4 days (33%), which implies that the annual aggregate productivity loses because of depression‐induced absenteeism range from $900m to $1.9bn in 2009 USD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphomics predicts response to ipilimumab in patients with stage IV melanoma
Authors: Sabel Michael S. , Lee Jay , Wang Anran , Lao Christopher , Holcombe Sven , Wang Stewart
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Factors predictive of response to immunotherapy are needed to select appropriate patients. As morphometric analysis can be an objective surrogate for underlying physiology, we explored the possibility that morphomics may predict response among stage IV melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab.

Methods

We identified stage IV melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab who had an appropriate CT scan within a 6 month window. Using semi‐automated algorithms, we acquired several morphomic measurements. Toxicity and response rate compared by quartile using Fisher's exact test or chi‐square, while survival after initiation of ipilimumab was compared by quartile using the log‐rank test.

Results

While there was a significant correlation between toxicity and response (P < .003), morphomics failed to predict either severity of toxicity or specific side effects. Psoas density was significantly associated with response rate, both excluding stable disease (36.4% vs 9.1%, P = .054), and including stable disease (54.5% versus 18.2%, P = 0.045). Survival after initiation of ipilimumab was significantly associated with psoas density (P = 0.04) and visceral fat distance (P = 0.022).

Discussion

In an exploratory study of patients with metastatic melanoma being treated with ipilimumab, psoas density and spine‐fascia distance correlated with response and survival. Pre‐treatment morphomic analysis, as a correlate of underlying physiology, may help predict response to immunotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:333–337. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Density functional theory calculations on S―S bond dissociation energies of disulfides
Authors: Yang Yi‐Meng , Yu Hai‐Zhu , Sun Xiao‐Hui , Dang Zhi‐Min
Published: August 2015

The S―S bond cleavage plays an important role in affecting the reactivity or biological activities of disulfide‐based compounds. With the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the present study focuses on predicting the S―S bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of disulfides. The range of BDEs of different types of disulfides was constructed for the first time. It was found that the electronic effect (and especially the conjugation effect) of substituents is predominant in determining the S―S bond strength of disulfides. By contrast, the steric effect is insignificant for most molecules due to the long S―S bond distances. We hope that the present study will benefit the future development of more powerful strategies in activating the S―S bond of disulfides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of different mechanisms of martensite aging on the features of martensitic transformations
Authors: Kosogor Anna , Lyange Maria , Zadorozhnyy Mikhail , Miki Hiroyuki , Takagi Toshiyuki , L'vov Victor A. , Khovaylo Vladimir
Published: August 2015

Aging‐induced changes in the features of the calorimetric peak accompanying martensitic transformation were considered in the framework of phenomenological theory. Taking into account two different mechanisms of martensite aging, it was demonstrated that the domination of the internal axial stress contribution narrows the calorimetric peak and elevates its magnitude, while the prevalence of the internal pressure contribution broadens the calorimetric peak and diminishes its magnitude. The developed theoretical approach was applied to modeling of experimentally measured calorimetric peaks of Ni–Mn–Ga alloys.