bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating and improving modeled turbulent heat fluxes across the North American Great Lakes
Authors: Charusombat Umarporn , Fujisaki-Manome Ayumi , Gronewold Andrew D. , Lofgren Brent M. , Anderson Eric J. , Blanken Peter D. , Spence Christopher , Lenters John D. , Xiao Chuliang , Fitzpatrick Lindsay E. , Cutrell Gregory
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Turbulent fluxes of latent and sensible heat are important physical processes
that influence the energy and water budgets of the North American Great
Lakes. These fluxes can be measured in situ using eddy covariance techniques
and are regularly included as a component of lake–atmosphere models. To help
ensure accurate projections of lake temperature, circulation, and regional
meteorology, we validated the output of five algorithms used in three popular
models to calculate surface heat fluxes: the Finite Volume Community Ocean
Model (FVCOM, with three different options for heat flux algorithm), the
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the Large Lake
Thermodynamic Model. These models are used in research and operational
environments and concentrate on different aspects of the Great Lakes'
physical system. We isolated only the code for the heat flux algorithms from
each model and drove them using meteorological data from four over-lake
stations within the Great Lakes Evaporation Network (GLEN), where eddy
covariance measurements were also made, enabling co-located comparison. All
algorithms reasonably reproduced the seasonal cycle of the turbulent heat
fluxes, but all of the algorithms except for the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere
Response Experiment (COARE) algorithm showed notable overestimation of the
fluxes in fall and winter. Overall, COARE had the best agreement with eddy
covariance measurements. The four algorithms other than COARE were altered by
updating the parameterization of roughness length scales for air temperature
and humidity to match those used in COARE, yielding improved agreement
between modeled and observed sensible and latent heat fluxes.
A GIS-based multivariate approach to identify flood damage affecting factors
Authors: Blumenthal Barbara , Haas Jan , Andersson Jan-Olov
Published: October 2018

Abstract. This paper investigates causal factors leading to pluvial flood damages, beside rainfall amount and intensity, in two Swedish cities. Observed flood damage data from a Swedish insurance database, collected under 13 years, and a set of spatial data, describing topography, demography, land cover and building type were analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA). The topographic wetness index (TWI) is the only investigated variable that indicates a significant relationship with to the number and amount of insurance damage. The Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.68 for the number of insurance damages and 0.63 for amount of insurance damages. With a linear regression model TWI explained 41 % of the variance of the number of insurance flood damages and 34 % of variance of amount of insurance flood damage. Future studies on this topic should consider implementing TWI as a potential measure in urban flood risk analyses.
Oblique rifting: the rule, not the exception
Authors: Brune Sascha , Williams Simon E. , Müller R. Dietmar
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Movements of tectonic plates often induce oblique deformation at divergent plate boundaries. This is in striking contrast with traditional conceptual models of rifting and rifted margin formation, which often assume 2-D deformation where the rift velocity is oriented perpendicular to the plate boundary. Here we quantify the validity of this assumption by analysing the kinematics of major continent-scale rift systems in a global plate tectonic reconstruction from the onset of Pangea breakup until the present day. We evaluate rift obliquity by joint examination of relative extension velocity and local rift trend using the script-based plate reconstruction software pyGPlates. Our results show that the global mean rift obliquity since 230 Ma amounts to 34° with a standard deviation of 24°, using the convention that the angle of obliquity is spanned by extension direction and rift trend normal. We find that more than  ∼ 70 % of all rift segments exceeded an obliquity of 20° demonstrating that oblique rifting should be considered the rule, not the exception. In many cases, rift obliquity and extension velocity increase during rift evolution (e.g. Australia-Antarctica, Gulf of California, South Atlantic, India-Antarctica), which suggests an underlying geodynamic correlation via obliquity-dependent rift strength. Oblique rifting produces 3-D stress and strain fields that cannot be accounted for in simplified 2-D plane strain analysis. We therefore highlight the importance of 3-D approaches in modelling, surveying, and interpretation of most rift segments on Earth where oblique rifting is the dominant mode of deformation.
Is current system of direct payments suitable for farmers in Slovakia?
Authors: Kozáková Jana , Urbánová Mária
Published: October 2018

Current system of direct payments in Slovakia can be described as per hectare payment. It is based on the logical assumption that the more land farmers cultivates, the more support they need. However, it seems like this principle works differently among EU member states. Historically, Slovakia is a country with the largest farms in EU 28. This extreme big physical farm size is here connected with the lowest output among EU 28 and simultaneously Slovak farms display also lowest efficiency. Paper examine generally accepted assumption that the more hectares farms utilize, the more subsidies they should receive, to help achieve more output. Research is based on the mutual pair combined correlation analysis, which examined relationship between utilized agricultural area, total output and total subsidies. Surprisingly just the relationship between total subsidies and total output was proved to be positive and in a moderate manner. Relation of total subsidies and utilised agricultural area, respectively total output and utilised agricultural area show the inverse relationship. In spite of the development in most European countries, Slovak outcomes indicates that the more subsidies farmers receive, the less output they achieve. This paradox can be caused by the actual Common Agricultural Policy system of subsidies remuneration which is not necessary suitable for whole EU 28 on the same level.
Characterization of Tunisian castor bean genotypes using SDS-PAGE of total seed storage proteins
Authors: Vivodí­k Martin , Saadaoui Ezzeddine , Gálová Zdenka , Balážová Želmí­ra , Petrovičová Lenka
Published: October 2018

Due to the chemical and physical properties of castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) that make it a valuable raw material for numerous industrial applications, including the production of biofuel, interest to develop more and better varieties has been increased. The objectives of this work, were to find out the level of genetic variability present in 56 Tunisian castor germplasm by using the electrophoretic profiles of total seed proteins with different molecular weights through SDS-PAGE. Fifty-six castor (Ricinus communis L.) genotypes were used in the present study. Seeds of castor were obtained from the University of Carthage, National Institute of Research in Rural Engineering, Waters and Forests (INRGREF), Regional Station of Gabès, Tunisia. Storage proteins were extracted from individual grains by the standard reference electrophoretic method by ISTA in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). The number of total scorable protein bands was twentynine as a result of SDS-PAGE technique but those that were not cosistent in reproducibility and showed occasional variation in sharpness and density were not considered. Out of twentynine polypeptide bands, 5 (18%) were commonly present in all accessions and considered as monomorphic, while 24 (82%) showed variations and considered as polymorphic. The size of the protein bands obtained through SDS-PAGE ranged from 30 to 180 kDa. On the basis of banding profiles of proteins of different kDa, gel was divided into zones A, B and C. The major protein bands were lied in zones A and B, while minor bands were present in zones C. The dendrogram tree demonstrated the relationship among the 56 Tunisian castor genotypes according to the similarity index, using UPGMA cluster analysis. The dendrogram was divided into three main clusters. Similarly the present study of genetic variability in the seed storage polypeptide determined by SDS-PAGE technique proved that it is fruitful to identify genetic diversity among accessions of castor.
Os princípios de justiça das espécies tributárias: da capacidade de pagar ao princípio do benefício frente ao tamanho do Estado
Authors: Leister Carolina , Novaes Chiappin José Raymundo
Published: October 2018

Resumo: Este artigo objetiva recuperar dois princípios de justiça, o da capacidade de pagar e o do benefício, adotados na teoria de finanças públicas, e aplica-los às espécies tributárias, considerando a classificação tripartida de Ataliba. Defende-se a tese de que cada espécie tributária possui um princípio da justiça inerente que a rege. O artigo demostra, ainda, que enquanto o princípio da capacidade de pagar desvincula o custo do benefício decorrente dos bens e serviços ofertados pelo Estado, o princípio do benefício promove essa vinculação. Por derradeiro, demonstra-se que ao promover essa vinculação o princípio do benefício faz com que as decisões quanto ao tamanho do Estado – leia-se decisões alocativas relativas ao quantum de bens e serviços públicos que serão oferecidos – permaneça nas mãos dos contribuintes, ao passo que o princípio da capacidade de pagar, ao separar o custo do benefício para cada obrigado, coloca nas mãos do poder central essa decisão. Inobstante, verifica-se, que enquanto a subespécie de tributo vinculado ‘taxa’ permite aos contribuintes tomarem decisões quanto ao tamanho do Estado, o mesmo não se pode afirmar da subespécie de tributo vinculado ‘contribuição’.Palavras-chave: Benefício. Capacidade de pagar. Princípios de justiça. Tamanho do Estado. Tributos vinculados. Tributos não vinculados.
Duração razoável do processo: o diálogo necessário entre os órgãos judiciais brasileiros e as cortes internacionais
Authors: Lopes Ana Maria D´Ávila , Chaves Daniela Lustoza Marques de Souza
Published: October 2018

Resumo: Este artigo examina a necessidade do ‘diálogo das fontes’ entre os órgãos judiciais brasileiros e as cortes internacionais, como forma de fortalecer a argumentação das decisões judiciais locais. Para tanto, com base em uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental na doutrina, jurisprudência e legislação nacional e internacional, analisam-se, sob a perspectiva do transconstitucionalismo, os parâmetros estabelecidos pela Corte Europeia de Diretos Humanos e pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos para determinar se um processo transcorreu sem dilações indevidas. Em seguida, defende-se o diálogo com os precedentes das cortes internacionais como elemento de argumentação judicial, quando o Poder Judiciário for provocado a decidir sobre possíveis reparações em razão da demora na entrega da tutela jurisdicional. Ao final, examina-se uma decisão judicial brasileira sobre o tema, em confronto com os precedentes das cortes internacionais e outras decisões judiciais do país.Palavras-chave: Cortes Internacionais. Decisões judiciais. Diálogo das fontes. Direito fundamental. Duração razoável do processo. Transconstitucionalismo.
Las proyecciones de la sustentabilidad en la bioética: ¿derecho o deber – moral – de mejorar a los seres humanos futuros?
Authors: Belloso Martín Nuria
Published: October 2018

Resumen: La sustentabilidad se ha convertido en un parámetro protector de los Derechos humanos, con el ánimo de evitar alteraciones o mutaciones tales que acaben dañando al ser humano tanto de las generaciones actuales como, y principalmente, de las generaciones venideras. En este contexto, el interrogante al que se plantea es: ¿qué riesgos implica, para el futuro de la humanidad, los nuevos avances en genética? El presente estudio analiza el tema, iniciando con unas aclaraciones terminológicas sobre la sostenibilidad. Seguidamente, se examina el principio de sostenibilidad en las áreas concretas de la Bioética – y del Bioderecho y de la Biomedicina. La ética en la era de la ingeniería genética merece una reflexión. Ello permite examinar la viabilidad de la proyección de la sostenibilidad en las áreas citadas. La aplicación de los resultados de la investigación científica en tales campos está produciendo cambios de los que cabe esperar mejorarán la salud y, a su vez, se proyectarán en varios de los Derechos humanos. El genoma humano, los organismos transgénicos, el transplante de órganos, terapias génicas, la producción de medicamentos y de tratamientos quedan afectados por debates éticos y jurídicos. Con base en el interrogante de si hay derecho o deber – obligación – de mejorar las generaciones futuras, se examina si es posible configurar un Bioderecho sostenible, para lo que se plantean dos supuestos que son exponentes respectivos de un tratamiento terapéutico y de una eugenesia perfectiva. La sostenibilidad lleva a cuestionarse si todo lo que científicamente pueda hacerse para mejorar la raza humana, debe de hacerse, porque las decisiones que se adopten en el presente determinarán a las generaciones futuras.Palabras-clave: Bioética. Derecho Humanos. Deber. Moral. Genética. Sustentabilidad.
Percepciones de las personas que participan en el programa adulto mayor dependiente de la fundación Cerro Navia Joven: una mirada desde la ocupación
Authors: Briceño R. Constanza , Pérez N. Natalia , Carvallo R. Sara , Nuñez S. Noelí , Silva B. María Isabel , Álvarez E. Evelyn , Vidal H. Leonardo
Published: October 2018

Chile se encuentra siendo testigo de una creciente problemática asociada al envejecimiento poblacional: el aumento de las necesidades de cuidado en personas mayores en situación de dependencia. A partir de esto, existen iniciativas que buscan dar respuesta a esta realidad, siendo una de ellas el Programa de Adultos Mayores Dependientes de la Fundación Cerro Navia Joven, experiencia de carácter comunitaria en la que una persona mayor voluntaria realiza semanalmente una visita domiciliaria, junto a un equipo especializado, a personas mayores que se encuentran en situación de dependencia y su cuidador/a, pertenecientes a la misma comuna. Frente a esto, esta investigación tiene como propósito el conocer cuáles son las percepciones de las personas participantes de este programa, conformada por la tríada persona mayor en situación de dependencia, su cuidador/a y la persona mayor voluntaria. Para esto, se realizó un estudio de tipo cualitativo, utilizando la entrevista como instrumento de recolección de la información. El análisis de datos se realizó empleando la técnica del análisis de contenido. Dentro de los resultados se identificaron factores como cambios asociados a la rutina, valoración del rol de voluntario/a, acompañamiento, establecimiento de vínculo, percepción de los beneficios de las visitas, motivación, percepción de los cuidados y del apoyo social, los que fueron analizados bajo la mirada de la ocupación.
Caracterización serológica de Escherichia coli en cepas de origen humano
Authors: Fiallos López Jeniffer Denisse , Enriquez Maria De Lourdes , Navarro Ocaña Armando
Published: October 2018

E. coli es una bacteria muy versátil, es un patógeno causante de diarreas, y una característica básica de este tipo de patógenos, es la presencia de los factores que le permiten su persistencia en el ambiente externo. Al ser E. coli un habitante del intestino de mamíferos, esta bacteria ha adquirido mecanismos para vivir en ambos ambientes: en el exterior y en el interior de un hospedero. El objetivo principal del estudio fue describir los distintos serotipos de E. coli en cepas de un estudio anterior que provenían de niños menores de 3 años con un cuadro diarreico. Se describieron 55 serotipos distintos en 86 cepas de E. coli provenientes de deposiciones de niños menores de 3 años que fueron casos de diarrea. Este es el primer estudio que describe serotipos tan variados de E. coli de origen humano. Los serotipos encontrados concuerdan mucho con los estudios conjuntos realizados en cepas ambientales de E. coli de origen hídrico y alimentos. Además de aportar al conocimiento sobre este patógeno, la importancia de esta información es el hecho de saber que serotipos podrían estar causando las diarreas infantiles.
Caracterización molecular y serológica de Escherichia coli de origen hídrico de dos zonas geográficas de Honduras
Authors: Fiallos López Jeniffer Denisse , Enriquez Maria De Lourdes , Navarro Ocaña Armando
Published: October 2018

Un estudio publicado en el año 2016 por parte de la escuela de Biología sobre la variación espacial y temporal de la diversidad y abundancia del fitoplancton del Lago de Yojoa en un año hidrológico 2014-2015 tuvo una parte alterna donde se evaluó la calidad microbiológica de las muestras de agua obtenidas del mismo. Los análisis de agua confirmaron la presencia de coliformes fecales con crecimiento a 44°C. El objetivo principal fue clasificar molecularmente los patotipos y grupos filogenéticos de E. coli de cepas obtenidas a partir de muestras de fuentes de agua. Adicionalmente se logró la clasificación de las cepas en serotipos lo cual brindo más información y coincidencias epidemiológicas con otros estudios de otras fuentes. El estudio comprendió el año 2016 donde se realizó toda la parte experimental y 2017 se concluyó el análisis de todos los datos obtenidos. Un total de 32 cepas fueron analizadas. El 47 % (n=15) fueron cepas obtenidas de un estudio de aguas en Francisco Morazán (se unieron al estudio debido a su origen hídrico). El 53 %(n=17) corresponde a las cepas obtenidas del Lago de Yojoa. La filogenia de estas cepas es variada ya que se lograron ubicar en 7 de 8 grupos filogenéticos de los cuales se puede discriminar mediante la técnica utilizada. Del total de cepas analizadas un 75 % (n=24) amplificó para distintos factores de virulencia. El 50 % (n=16) lo representa las cepas originarias del Lago de Yojoa y el 25 % (n=8) las cepas de Francisco Morazán. El 63 % (n=15) corresponde al patotipo EPEC, el cual se divide de la siguiente manera: 17 % (n=4) corresponde a EPEC atípicas y el 46 % (n=11) a EPEC típicas. Existen serotipos comunes en ambas fuentes hídricas además de cepas productoras de toxinas. La existencia de un patotipo enteroagregativo de E. coli que por primera vez se registra en Honduras y tiene la capacidad de la creación de biofilms en superficies acuáticas. La existencia de cepas que albergan factores de virulencia en ambientes acuáticos es un hecho que puede ser un potencial problema de salud pública en aquellas poblaciones vulnerables y expuestas a estas fuentes hídricas. Se debe indagar más acerca del hecho que estas cepas son o no potenciales patógenos para el humano o benéficos para el ambiente y nicho ecológico en el que se encuentran.
Metodología de optimización de procesos industriales relacionando las inversiones con los costos operativos
Authors: Flores Hugo , Pérez Gustavo , Gioia Lucía , Medina José Raúl
Published: October 2018

La optimización de procesos es un área de trabajo que ha progresado en los últimos años, considerando cada superestructura de manera independiente, los resultados reflejan limitaciones en cuanto a costos se refiere, ya que los servicios auxiliares y la red de intercambio de calor vendrían dados como el resultado de la planta en sí, o como función de aquélla, y no en cuanto a la inversión resultante para la mejor alternativa de síntesis del proceso analizado. En este trabajo proponen cotejar distintas metodologías aplicables al diseño óptimo de una instalación de procesamiento de leche fluida, con el mecanismo de esterilización denominado Ultra Alta Temperatura (UHT), utilizando un simulador comercial disponible (SuperPro Designer, V 8.5). Los resultados arrojan que el peso relativo de las inversiones en relación con los costos de operación es esencial para establecer una metodología de optimización; o para desechar un método complicado frente a una solución tomada con más sentido común ingenieril, que herramientas de optimización, en sus diferentes versiones. En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos se concluye que la optimización económica rigurosa tiene que ser tenida en cuenta conjuntamente con la mejor eficiencia de redes de intercambio calórico (“pinch”) y no cada una por separado.
The Science and Technology Parks (STPs) Evaluation Model Approach to Eco-Innovation Key Indicator
Authors: Yami Mahdi , Changchun Gao , Han Gao
Published: October 2018

Science and Technology Park (STP) is one of the most important innovation policies to develop the regional economy. To manage the STPs successfully, a standard evaluation system as a reference is needed. However, there is no consensus about the definition of successful STPs due to their different goals and regions. Hence, it is necessary to establish a reference framework to evaluate the success of different STPs and it is essential to assess their main goals as the competitive advantage by a set of innovation indicators. This study developed a research model to evaluate the competitiveness of STPs by analyzing the impact of innovation subjective externalities based on the Global Innovation Index (GII) and approach to the eco-innovation key indicator. This STP evaluation model is adopted and tested by two different fuzzy analyzing and examines the survey forms and questionnaires that have been filled by some STP experts and as a case study all the evidence has been gathered and analyzed from “Caohejing Hi-Tech Park” in Shanghai and the results evaluated the competitive advantage via innovation policies and performances and the rating rank contents some innovation main dimensions, key indicators and factors and also the important result as eco-innovation development and diffusion.
Polska A, B i C? Volební geografie vybraných polských vojvodství
Authors: Pospíchal Matěj
Published: October 2018

The study focuses on spatial analysis of the general election results in Lower Silesia, Lodz and Lesser Poland voivodeships in a period between 2001 and 2015. Primary subjects of the analysis are political parties Law and Justice, Civic Platform, Polish People´s Party and Democratic Left Alliance, but particularly works also with the results of another parties (Self-Defence, League of Polish families, Modern). Standard electoral geography methodological methods, such as cartographic display of election results, correlation analysis and concentration of the election results measurement have been used on the local level and along with Polish and Czech literature review are included in the study. Main goal of the study was to find out if there are structural differences in terms of electoral support for the parties on both regional and voivodeship level. The analysis proved deeper context of the election results in the eastern regions along with a changing spatial structure of the Law and Justice support in the first decade of the 21st century and related deepening differences between voter bases of the Law and Justice and the Civic Platform- strongest parties in Poland. Findings of the analysis might be useful for upcoming research of the analysis of the electoral support in terms of regional differences.
Three new species of Willowsia (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Chang Yan , Ma Yitong
Published: October 2018

Three new species of Willowsia collected from Guizhou Province, China are described here: W. sexachaeta sp. nov., W. christianseni sp. nov., and W. tanae sp. nov. They have spinulate scales on the body. Colour pattern and dorsal chaetotaxy are the main diagnostic characters for these species. A table summarizing the main differences between all Chinese Willowsia species is given.
The Role of Law Enforcement in Community-Based Drug Treatment and its Impact on Crime Prevention
Authors: Poothakool Krisanaphong
Published: October 2018

In line with trends in other countries the Royal Thai Police acknowledges the need for more community-oriented approaches which are responsive to local contexts. However, the development of such approaches to policing needs also to engage with responses to illicit drug use locally, which would include a wider definition of harm reduction and accommodate the work of public health partners their initiatives, such as needle-exchange.
The present study examines the role of law enforcement officers in community-based drug treatment in the Chiang Mai region of the Upper North, through use of in-depth, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, which included senior police, judges, public health managers, NGO workers and local community leaders.
Most interviewees expressed concern that not enough was being done to address drug use in local communities, and barriers to police adopting a harm reduction approach locally included government-directed arrest quotas and lack of experience in working co-operatively with public health partners. Effective police involvement required coordinated policy-change and officer training to develop understanding and ways of working to support community-based drug treatment.
Les nouvelles frontières de la gauche
Authors: Coen Federico , Bobbio Noberto
Published: October 2018

Cette conversation avec Norberto Bobbio, publié en italien en 1991, prend source dans
le cataclysme politique qui a bouleversé et déterminé l'effondrement du « communisme réel »
ainsi que le processus de dissolution d'un grand empire multinational. Traduite dans nos
colonnes un peu plus de vingt ans après sa parution en italien, elle permet de considérer
avec le recul nécessaire les transformations intervenues depuis lors en Europe. Cette
rétrospective sur un phénomène comme le mouvement communiste, qui a profondément marqué
l'histoire du siècle dernier, s'inscrit dans le cadre de nos réflexions concernant les
« gauches du monde ». Près de soixante-dix ans après la victoire de l'Armée rouge sur la
Wehrmacht, il nous semble particulièrement utile de nous remémorer une époque dont les
cadres mentaux structurent encore certains rapports de force internationaux, en revenant aux
termes dans lesquels la transformation de ceux-ci pouvaient se présenter en 1991.
Chromatin accessibility dynamics across C. elegans development and ageing
Authors: Jänes Jürgen , Dong Yan , Schoof Michael , Serizay Jacques , Appert Alex , Cerrato Chiara , Woodbury Carson , Chen Ron , Gemma Carolina , Huang Ni , Kissiov Djem , Stempor Przemyslaw , Steward Annette , Zeiser Eva , Sauer Sascha , Ahringer Julie
Published: October 2018

An essential step for understanding the transcriptional circuits that control development and physiology is the global identification and characterization of regulatory elements. Here, we present the first map of regulatory elements across the development and ageing of an animal, identifying 42,245 elements accessible in at least one Caenorhabditis elegans stage. Based on nuclear transcription profiles, we define 15,714 protein-coding promoters and 19,231 putative enhancers, and find that both types of element can drive orientation-independent transcription. Additionally, more than 1000 promoters produce transcripts antisense to protein coding genes, suggesting involvement in a widespread regulatory mechanism. We find that the accessibility of most elements changes during development and/or ageing and that patterns of accessibility change are linked to specific developmental or physiological processes. The map and characterization of regulatory elements across C. elegans life provides a platform for understanding how transcription controls development and ageing.
Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield and quality of silage corn intercropped with soybean
Authors: Baghdadi Ali , Halim Ridzwan A. , Ghasemzadeh Ali , Ramlan Mohd Fauzi , Sakimin Siti Zaharah
Published: October 2018

Background

Corn silage is an important feed for intense ruminant production, but the growth of corn relies heavily on the use of chemical fertilizers. Sustainable crop production requires careful management of all nutrient sources available on a farm, particularly in corn-based cropping systems.

Methods

Experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate technique of corn-legume intercropping in conjunction with the supplemental use of chemical fertilizers, organic manure, and biofertilizers (BFs). Acetylene reduction assays (ARAs) were also performed on corn and soybean roots.

Results

Combining chemical fertilizers with chicken manure (CM) in a 50:50 ratio and applying 50% NPK+50% CM+BF produced fresh forage and dry matter (DM) yields that were similar to those produced in the 100% nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) treatment. Among the lone fertilizer treatments, the inorganic fertilizer (100% NPK) treatment produced the highest DM yield (13.86 t/ha) of forage and outyielded the 100% CM (9.74 t/ha) treatment. However, when CM was combined with NPK, the resulting DM yield of forage (13.86 t/ha) was the same as that resulting from 100% NPK (13.68 t/ha). Compared with CM applications alone, combinations of NPK and CM applications resulted in increased plant height, crop growth rates (CGRs) and leaf area index (LAI), but the values of these parameters were similar to those resulting from 100% NPK application. Fertilizers in which the ratio was 50% CM+50% NPK or 50% CM+50% NPK+BF resulted in protein yields that were similar to those resulting from conventional fertilizers. Similarly, the CP content did not significantly differ between applications of the 100% NPK and 50% CM+50% NPK fertilizers. The use of BFs had no significant impact on improving either the yield or quality of forage fertilized with inorganic or organic fertilizer. Lactic acid responded differently to different fertilizer applications and was significantly higher in the fertilized plots than in the unfertilized plots. Compared with treatments of lone chemical and lone organic manure fertilizers, treatments involving applications of BF and a combination of BF and NPK or CM resulted in higher ARA values.

Discussion

There is no simple and easy approach to increase biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in grain legumes grown as part of a cropping system under realistic farm field conditions. Overall, evidence recorded from this study proves that, compared with corn monocrops combined with CM and chemical fertilizers, corn-soybean intercrops could increase forage yields and quality, produce higher total protein yields, and reduce the need for protein supplements and chemical fertilizers.
Evolution of African barbs from the Lake Victoria drainage system, Kenya
Authors: Ndeda Violet M. , Mateos Mariana , Hurtado Luis A.
Published: October 2018

The Lake Victoria drainage basin (LVD) in Kenya is home to ten nominal species of small barbs (Enteromius) and one of large barbs (Labeobarbus altianalis). A recent molecular study genetically characterized small barbs in this region and found evidence of introgression between certain species, complicating the taxonomy and species identification of these fishes. This study aimed to extend our understanding on the evolution of these fishes by: (1) determining whether putatively pure individuals ofEnteromius cercopsare found in the Kenyan LVD, as the previous study only found hybrid individuals of this species in this region; (2) testing the sister relationship betweenEnteromius profundus, endemic to Lake Victoria, andEnteromius radiatus, also found in Lake Victoria, which had been previously synonymized; (3) examining the phylogenetic relationships of small barbs of the Kenyan LVD with those reported from other ichthyological provinces of Africa; and (4) examining the phylogenetic relationships ofLabeobarbus altianaliswith otherLabeobarbusspecies. To this end, we obtained mitochondrial Cytochrome b and nuclear Growth Hormone (GH) intron 2 gene sequences of nineEnteromiusspecies from the LVD in Kenya, as well as cytochrome b sequences forL. altianalis. We conducted Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to establish their evolutionary relationships in relation to many other barbs specimens from Africa. Phylogenetic analyses did not reveal instances of hybridization/introgression among the individuals sequenced by us. A sister relationship betweenE. profundusandE. radiatuswas not found. This latter species shows instead a sister relationship with a lineage comprised of two species from West Africa. Other sister relationships between taxa from the East coast and other ecoregions from Africa are observed, suggesting that past drainage connections and vicariant events contributed to the diversification ofEnteromius. Finally, only a single haplotype was recovered among theL. altianalisindividuals examined, which is most similar to a specimen from Lake Edward in Uganda.
An Ultrafast and Highly Stable Potassium–Organic Battery
Authors: Fan Ling , Ma Ruifang , Wang Jue , Yang Hongguan , Lu Bingan
Published: October 2018

Potassium–organic batteries have a great potential for applications in the grid‐scale energy storage owing to their low cost and abundant resources, although they suffer from the inferior cycle stability, fast capacity decay, and low power density. A highly reversible phase transformation of the organic cathode during potassiation/depotassiation is the key factor for the capacity retention, as revealed here. Consequently, the potassium–organic battery achieves a high power density of 9796 W kg−1, a remarkable energy efficiency of 89%, a long cycle stability for 1000 cycles, a superior areal capacity around 2 mA h cm−2, and a long‐term cycling time over 8 months. Besides, the full cells also exhibit a superior rate performance and good cycle stability over 3000 cycles. This work provides new insight into the stabilization of the organic cathode, and demonstrates the enormous potential of organic cathodes for application in high‐power potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs), which may bring PIBs to new heights.
TBL1XR1 mutations in Pierpont syndrome are not restricted to the recurrent p.Tyr446Cys mutation
Authors: Lemattre C. , Thevenon J. , Duffourd Y. , Nambot S. , Haquet E. , Vuadelle B. , Genevieve D. , Sarda P. , Bruel A. L. , Kuentz P. , Wells C. F. , Faivre L. , Willems M.
Published: October 2018

Pierpont syndrome is a rare and sporadic syndrome, including developmental delay, facial characteristics, and abnormal extremities. Recently, a recurrent de novo TBL1XR1 variant (c.1337A > G; p.Tyr446Cys) has been identified in eight patients by whole‐exome sequencing. A dominant‐negative effect of this mutation is strongly suspected, since patients with TBL1XR1 deletion and other variants predicting loss of function do not share the same phenotype. We report two patients with typical Pierpont‐like syndrome features. Exome sequencing allowed identifying a de novo heterozygous missense TBL1XR1 variant in both patients, different from those already reported: p.Cys325Tyr and p.Tyr446His. The localization of these mutations and clinical features of Pierpont‐like syndrome suggest that their functional consequences are comparable with the recurrent mutation previously described, and provided additional data to understand molecular mechanisms of TBL1XR1 anomalies.
A Natural Animal Model System of Craniofacial Anomalies: The Blind Mexican Cavefish
Authors: Gross Joshua B. , Powers Amanda K.
Published: October 2018

Natural model systems evolving under extreme environmental pressures provide the opportunity to advance our knowledge of how the craniofacial complex evolves in nature. Unlike traditional models, natural systems are less inbred, and, therefore, better model the complex variation of the human population. Owing to the nature of certain craniofacial aberrations in blind Mexican cavefish, we suggest that this organism can provide new insights to a variety of craniofacial changes. Diverse cranial features have evolved in natural cave‐dwelling Astyanax fish, which have thrived in the unforgiving darkness and nutrient‐poor environment of the cave for countless generations. While the genetic and environmental underpinnings of various cranial anomalies have been investigated for decades, a comprehensive characterization of their molecular and developmental origins remains incomplete. Cavefish provide numerous advantages given the availability of genomic resources, developmental and molecular tools, and the presence of a normative surface‐dwelling “ancestral” surrogate for comparative studies. By leveraging the frequency of abnormal and asymmetric cranial features in cavefish, we anticipate advances in our knowledge of the etiologies of irregular cranial features. Extreme adaptations in cavefish are expected to offer new insights into the complex and multifactorial nature of craniofacial disorders and facial asymmetry. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy.
Dissociations in the neural substrates of language and social functioning in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Crutcher Jason , Martin Alex , Wallace Gregory L.
Published: October 2018

Impairments in social communication (coupled with intact nonsocial language skills) are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the neural correlates of these social communication deficits in adolescents and young adults with ASD are not fully understood. The communication checklist self‐report (CC‐SR) was administered to adolescents and young adults with ASD (n = 52) and typically developing (TD) controls (n = 64) to assess structural‐language, pragmatic‐language, and social‐engagement. One high‐resolution T1‐weighted structural image was obtained from each participant. FreeSurfer was used to quantify cortical thickness. A main effect of diagnosis, with the ASD group performing worse than the TD group on all three CC‐SR scales, and a diagnosis by scale interaction, driven by low social‐engagement self‐ratings in the ASD group, were found. There were also group differences in the relationship between scores on two of the three CC‐SR scales and cortical thickness in multiple regions (pragmatic‐language: left rostral frontal; social‐engagement: left medial prefrontal). These interactions were driven by poorer self‐ratings of language/social skills associated with decreased cortical thickness in the ASD group, while in the TD group worse self‐ratings were associated with thicker cortex. Self‐ratings of language/social‐communication were lower in the ASD than the TD group. Moreover, language/social‐communication self‐ratings showed a different relationship with cortical thickness for the ASD and TD groups in the left inferior frontal region for pragmatic language ratings and the left medial prefrontal cortex for social engagement ratings. These findings suggest thinner cortex is associated with more impaired pragmatic language and social communication abilities in ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1175–1186. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

The present study examines the associations between brain structure and language/social communication ability in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as compared to neurotypical adolescents and young adults. We utilized thickness of the cerebral cortex as a measure of brain structure, and we found different correlations between language or social communication ability and cortical thickness in distinct regions for the ASD and TD groups. These findings suggest that for regions implicated in language/social communication ability, decreased cortical thickness is associated with more impaired pragmatic language and social communication abilities in ASD.
Convenient and ultra‐sensitive fluorescence detection of bovine serum albumin by using Rhodamine‐6G modified gold nanoparticles in biological samples
Authors: Verma Vikas Kumar , Tapadia Kavita , Maharana Tungabidya , Sharma Ashima
Published: October 2018

This study comprises a convenient, rapid and very sensitive method for the determination of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The technique is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between Rhodamine‐6G (R6G) acting as donor and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) acting as acceptors. This method takes advantage of AuNPs that have high quenching efficiency, therefore the absorption spectra range shifts from 521 to 635 nm when aggregation of the AuNPs takes place. Furthermore, when R6G was electrostatically self‐adsorbed to the citrate‐stabilized AuNPs surface the fluorescence intensity was quenched. After addition of BSA, the fluorescence intensity of the R6G recovered as BSA induced aggregation of the AuNPs and the adsorbed R6G was released to the solution. The recovery of intensity displays a linear relationship with BSA concentration over the range from 0.8 × 10−11 M to 5.6 × 10−11 M. The detection limit for BSA was found to be 4.58 × 10−11 M. The proposed method exhibited rapid analysis with high selectivity for BSA determination in human urine, blood and serum samples.
Our current understanding of the lymphatics of the brain and spinal cord
Authors: Dupont Graham , Schmidt Cameron , Yilmaz Emre , Oskouian Rod J. , Macchi Veronica , de Caro Raffaele , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: October 2018

The lymphatic system, segregated from the blood vascular system, is an essential anatomical route along which interstitial fluid, solutes, lipids, immune cells, and cellular debris, are conveyed. However, the way these mechanisms operate within the cranial compartment is mostly unknown. Herein, we review current understanding of the meningeal lymphatics, described anatomically over a century ago yet still poorly understood from a functional standpoint. We will delineate the cellular mechanisms by which the meningeal lymphatics are formed and discuss their unique anatomy. Furthermore, this review will discuss the recently‐coined “glymphatic system” and the manner by which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) are exchanged and thus drained by the meningeal lymphatic vasculature as a key route for conveying cellular waste, solutes, and immune traffic to the deep cervical lymph nodes. The clinical relevance of the meningeal lymphatics will also be described, as they are relevant to various common defects of the lymphatic system. Clin. Anat. 32:117–121, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wound Pathogens: Investigating Antimicrobial Activity of Commercial Essential Oil Combinations against Reference Strains
Authors: Orchard Ané , Viljoen Alvaro , van Vuuren Sandy
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of 247 essential oil combinations against the reference strains of wound pathogens. Essential oil combinations were investigated for antimicrobial activity against five pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was used and the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) calculated to determine interactions between selected oils. Twenty‐six combinations displayed broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against all five reference strains and several displayed synergy against more than one pathogen. The combination of Santalum austrocaledonicum (sandalwood) with Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) displayed noteworthy antimicrobial activity against all five reference strains and synergy against four (MIC values 0.03–1.00 mg/ml and ΣFIC values 0.19–1.00 mg/ml) pathogens. No antagonism was observed. Santalum spp. and Vetiveria zizanioides essential oils contributed the most to antimicrobial activity in combination. Essential oil combinations are presented as a viable option in wound therapy.
Exploring the Selective Demethylation of Aryl Methyl Ethers with a Pseudomonas Rieske Monooxygenase
Authors: Lanfranchi Elisa , Trajković Miloš , Barta Katalin , de Vries Johannes G. , Janssen Dick B.
Published: October 2018

Biocatalytic dealkylation of aryl methyl ethers is an attractive reaction for valorization of lignin components, as well as for deprotection of hydroxy functionalities in synthetic chemistry. We explored the demethylation of various aryl methyl ethers by using an oxidative demethylase from Pseudomonas sp. HR199. The Rieske monooxygenase VanA and its partner electron transfer protein VanB were recombinantly coexpressed in Escherichia coli and they constituted at least 25 % of the total protein content. Enzymatic transformations showed that VanB accepts NADH and NADPH as electron donors. The VanA–VanB system demethylates a number of aromatic substrates, the presence of a carboxylic acid moiety is essential, and the catalysis occurs selectively at the meta position to this carboxylic acid in the aromatic ring. The reaction is inhibited by the by‐product formaldehyde. Therefore, we tested three different cascade/tandem reactions for cofactor regeneration and formaldehyde elimination; in particular, conversion was improved by addition of formaldehyde dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase. Finally, the biocatalyst was applied for the preparation of protocatechuic acid from vanillic acid, giving a 77 % yield of the desired product. The described reaction may find application in the conversion of lignin components into diverse hydroxyaromatic building blocks and generally offers potential for new, mild methods for efficient unmasking of phenols.
Human bone marrow‐derived MSCs spontaneously express specific Schwann cell markers
Authors: Ramli Khairunnisa , Aminath Gasim Ifasha , Ahmad Amir Adham , Hassan Shariful , Law Zhe Kang , Tan Geok Chin , Baharuddin Azmi , Naicker Amaramalar Selvi , Htwe Ohnmar , Mohammed Haflah Nor Hazla , B. H. Idrus Ruszymah , Abdullah Shalimar , Ng Min Hwei
Published: October 2018

In peripheral nerve injuries, Schwann cells (SC) play pivotal roles in regenerating damaged nerve. However, the use of SC in clinical cell‐based therapy is hampered due to its limited availability. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of using an established induction protocol for human bone marrow derived‐MSC (hBM‐MSCs) transdifferentiation into a SC lineage. A relatively homogenous culture of hBM‐MSCs was first established after serial passaging (P3), with profiles conforming to the minimal criteria set by International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). The cultures (n = 3) were then subjected to a series of induction media containing β‐mercaptoethanol, retinoic acid, and growth factors. Quantitative RT‐PCR, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry analyses were performed to quantify the expression of specific SC markers, that is, S100, GFAP, MPZ and p75 NGFR, in both undifferentiated and transdifferentiated hBM‐MSCs. Based on these analyses, all markers were expressed in undifferentiated hBM‐MSCs and MPZ expression (mRNA transcripts) was consistently detected before and after transdifferentiation across all samples. There was upregulation at the transcript level of more than twofolds for NGF, MPB, GDNF, p75 NGFR post‐transdifferentiation. This study highlights the existence of spontaneous expression of specific SC markers in cultured hBM‐MSCs, inter‐donor variability and that MSC transdifferentiation is a heterogenous process. These findings strongly oppose the use of a single marker to indicate SC fate. The heterogenous nature of MSC may influence the efficiency of SC transdifferentiation protocols. Therefore, there is an urgent need to re‐define the MSC subpopulations and revise the minimal criteria for MSC identification.