bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energía: Desde un modelo de derroche, hacia un modelo sostenible mediante energía renovable
Authors: Betanco Maradiaga Juan Alberto
Published: January 2018

Energías renovables se relaciona a la concepción de desarrollo sostenible, que a su vez tiene que ver con los principios de conservar el capital natural, equidad, calidad de vida, paradoja ética, ecoforma, gestión integral, solidaridad inter e intrageneracional, utopía y agenda política global. Así mismo, su conexión con las dimensiones ambientales, demográficas, de consumo, global, local, tecno social y cultural. No se puede entender este paradigma sino se entiende primeramente el modelo capitalista consumista, en que está sumergida la sociedad desde la época de la revolución industrial. Este escrito analiza críticamente el rol de la ciencia, tecnología y energía en el ámbito mundial, vinculado al contexto latinoamericano en general y nicaragüense en particular. Se hace énfasis en las perspectivas de las energías renovables, propiamente en los sistemas a baja escala constituidos por tecnologías hibridas, como la eólico solar fotovoltaica para su uso en zonas rurales y urbanas.
Cinema, representação e relação de poder: uma análise do filme “Que horas ela volta?”
Authors: Gutemberg Alisson , Lima Tiago José
Published: January 2018

Nossa proposta é discutir as relações de poder, por meio das imagens do filme Que Horas Ela Volta? (Anna Muylaert, 2015), construídas através dos arrolamentos sociais que envolvem o trabalho doméstico, tendo como eixo norteador a personagem Val, a partir da noção de poder proposta por Foucault (1979, 2003). Buscaremos compreender de que maneira o poder atua sobre o corpo do indivíduo, moldando, disciplinando, o comportamento social, levando em consideração também o papel da cultura em tal processo, a partir de um diálogo com autores como Elias (1990), Geertz (1989) e Morin (2011). Por fim, iremos observar de que maneira a composição da mise-en-scène ajuda na produção de sentido em congruência com a narrativa fílmica.
“Caçador” e “Bundão”: Dutra e os desenhos da imprensa comunista (1945-1951)
Authors: Tavares Rodrigo Rodriguez
Published: January 2018

A pesquisa investiga a representação do presidente Eurico Gaspar Dutra nas caricaturas e charges publicadas pelos jornais do Partido Comunista Brasileiro (PCB) no período compreendido pelo fim do Estado Novo em 1945 até o termino do governo de Dutra em 1951. A frequência com que os desenhos aparecem e as escolhas feitas pelos artistas que os criaram têm relação direta com as opções ideológicas dos comunistas e têm papel importante na luta política do período. As imagens constroem um outro viés sobre o tradicionalmente chamado processo de “redemocratização” após a ditadura estadonovista (1937 – 1945).
Septic Arthritis of the Wrist
Authors: Jennings John D. , Ilyas Asif M.
Published: January 2018

Septic arthritis of the wrist is an uncommon condition, but one that can result in substantial morbidity. Timely identification and treatment is critical to patient care. No serum laboratory values have been shown to consistently confirm wrist joint infection. Thus, diagnosis is made based mainly on a thorough patient history, physical examination, and joint aspiration. When infection is suspected, aspiration of the wrist should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and joint aspiration or surgery are required to manage the infection and prevent sequelae.
Analysis of Saturation Risk in Sprinkler Irrigation: Case of Cherfech Irrigation Perimeter in Tunisia
Authors: Yacoubi Samir , Slatni Adel , Zayani Khemaies
Published: January 2018

This study is targeted to the assessment of the saturation risk in sprinkler irrigation. For this purpose, in situ field trials were carried out to infer the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and sorptivity (S) using the disc infiltrometer method. Since the measured values of Ks are very close to prescribed application rate, caution is required. In a first step, the pressure head at the wetting front (hf) and the useful porosity (θs – θi) are assumed to be constant. Thus, the logarithmic derivation of the sorptivity provides a relation between relative variations of S and Ks. The ponding time (Ts) is estimated from Green and Ampt (1911) and Philip (1957b) infiltration equations. The risk of saturation is deemed to be inexistent inasmuch as simulated values of Ts are greater than the irrigation times practiced in the zone. In a second step, the values of the pressure head at the wetting front and saturated water content were assumed to be variable with soil texture. Simulations of the ponding time were carried out based on Rawls and al. (1981) data. For the recommended sprinkler spacing in the Cherfech perimeter (12 m × 12 m), the simulations show a good agreement between Ts values generated from Green and Ampt and Philip equations for Ks ranging from 1.5 to 6 mm/h. Moreover, it was established that saturation risk due to a gradual texture variation is virtually inexistent in the conditions prevailing in Cherfech perimeter.
Viability of Carica papaya L. Seeds by the Tetrazolium Test
Authors: Carvalho Sara M. C. , Torres Salvador B. , Sousa Erivanessa C. , Sousa Danielle M. M. , Pereira Kleane T. O. , Paiva Emanoela P. de , Matias Janete R. , Santos Brenna R. V. dos
Published: January 2018

Germination test for papaya seeds demands thirty days to obtain the results, which is a long period for decision-making. Thus, rapid tests become essential tools to evaluate seed viability, and the tetrazolium test is an alternative for this purpose. Hence, this study aimed to establish the adequate procedure to apply this test, in order to reduce the time of evaluation of papaya seeds. For that, four tetrazolium solution concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1%) and three staining times (3, 6 and 9 hours) were tested at temperatures of 35 and 40 ºC. The experimental design was completely randomized in 4 × 3 + 1 factorial scheme (concentrations × staining times + one control = germination test). It was found that the tetrazolium test allows to evaluate the physiological quality of papaya seeds, thus reducing the time for decision-making. For the test, we recommend using the concentrations of 0.1% for 9 hours or 1% for 6 hours of staining, at temperature of 40 ºC.
Changing School Demographies - Asking Teachers about Their Training Needs in Intercultural Education: A case Study in Greece
Authors: A. Panitsides Eugenia , Vlachou Aliki
Published: January 2018

In Greece, since 2015, when immigrant flows increased due to the crisis in Syria, there have been significant changes in school demographics, raising concerns as to whether in-service teachers possess the competences necessary to meet the upcoming challenges. We therefore investigated the views of Primary Education teachers, regarding their needs in intercultural education, and the parameters they deem important in implementing effective training interventions. The statistical analysis of the data revealed the necessity of implementing training interventions aligned with teachers’ individual needs, whilst there have been identified several issues regarding the existing training schemes, which demand serious consideration and further investigation.
Het borgtochtverweer in de context van overnamecontracten
Authors: Möller J.M.
Published: January 2018

Het borgtochtverweer in de context van overnamecontracten

Het borgtochtverweer, waarbij hoofdelijke aansprakelijkheid op verzoek van degene die zich aansprakelijk heeft gesteld wordt geherkwalificeerd tot borgtocht, zorgt in de financieringspraktijk er nog wel eens voor dat een schuldeiser met lege handen achterblijft. De vraag is of er ook risico’s op een dergelijke herkwalificatie bestaan in de context van overnames. Hiervoor bekeek de auteur de bestaande jurisprudentie en probeerde daaruit bepalende factoren voor de overnamepraktijk te ontlenen. De conclusie luidt dat – net als in de financieringspraktijk – een natuurlijk persoon al snel bescherming toekomt en als borg wordt gekwalificeerd. In concernverhoudingen houdt hoofdelijke aansprakelijkheid in beginsel stand, omdat al snel mag worden aangenomen dat een groepsvennootschap die zich hoofdelijk aansprakelijk stelt indirect profijt van een transactie zal hebben.
Settlement and mediation in Royal Prussian law. On the example of the court practice of the town Nowe nad Wisłą [New on the Vistula] in the eighteenth century
Authors: Kitowski Piotr
Published: January 2018

The mediation and its resulting settlement were widely used in medieval and early-modern court practice. They were used in civil and criminal cases, where the dispute could be overcome by the parties coming to an agreement. The aim of this article is to analyze the normative agreement (legal basis) used in the Royal Prussian area and the solution of local judicial practice (the way of implementing norms in daily legal practice) based on the prevailing law of the Chełm region (ius culmense). Based on the sources of law and materials of the town Nowe nad Wisłą [New on the Vistula], the author presents the reconciliation operation in small, 18th-century, Prussian town.
REVIEW: PIERRE KLOSSOWSKI, LIVING CURRENCY
Authors: Calabrese Nickolas
Published: January 2018

Pierre Klossowski’s last major theoretical text Living Currency (2017) saw it’s first official1 translation into English in May 2017, nearly fifty years after it was published in French. On the back of the book is a blurb quoting Foucault, in which he calls it ‘the greatest book of our time’. This was almost certainly hyperbole; but whether or not his appraisal was correct (and I assure you it was not), it is a good book that advances a key to understanding Klossowski’s literary and visual relationship to the exploited and monetized body, as this is the preoccupying theme throughout his fictional, non-fictional, and visual art.
Reduction(s) in osmolyte infusion interval and its effect on the aggregate measure of systemic failure: for a unicellular system
Authors: Jeff-Eke Imadol V
Published: January 2018

This is a companion to A Gauge model for analysis of Biological systems. Here we reconcile the gauge model with a “real” system, which in this case is a unicellular system. We address effects of changes to the frequency of osmolyte infusion, on the aggregate measure of systemic failure. We also describe limitations to the functionality of the system that may stem from limited availability of resources. We end by introducing a theoretical problem related to how well the system can tolerate random changes to the frequency of osmolytes infusion.
Why do women choose to start, continue or stop breastfeeding? a qualitative phenomenological interpretive analysis
Authors: Ryan Jessica , Norman Alyson
Published: January 2018

The statistics from the National Health Service in the United Kingdom show that despite the current advice to breastfeed an infant exclusively for the first six months of life, less than 1% of mothers are actually doing this. Therefore, it is important it understand the barriers to breastfeeding experiences by women. The study aimed to investigate why some women choose to continue breastfeeding their infant, whilst other women do not. A qualitative semi-structured approach was employed recruiting eight participants interviewed one-to-one and three participants via one mini focus group. It was decided to use a qualitative approach in order to understand the experiences of women who have breastfed. Ethical approval was received from University of Plymouth, Faculty of Health and Human Sciences. Data was analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

The analysis identified four main themes centred on; social and cultural expectations of women, the impact of breastfeeding on maternal role, the perceived impact of breastfeeding on the mother’s attachment to her infant, and finally, the information provision from health care professional involved throughout pregnancy and after. The study only employed 8 participants. It is hoped that this study can be extended in the future to better understand the experiences of a wider range of breastfeeding women. Increased support and resources are needed to support women through the early stages of breastfeeding. Women need more appropriate help and support from professionals to enable them to breast feed without undue pressure, particularly when breastfeeding becomes problematic. Future research should investigate when different forms of information provision should be provided.
Swarm v2: highly-scalable and high-resolution amplicon clustering
Authors: Mahé Frédéric , Rognes Torbjørn , Quince Christopher , de Vargas Colomban , Dunthorn Micah S
Published: January 2018

Previously we presented Swarm v1, a novel and open source amplicon clustering program that produced fine-scale molecular operational taxonomic units (OTUs), free of arbitrary global clustering thresholds and input-order dependency. Swarm v1 worked with an initial phase that used iterative single-linkage with a local clustering threshold (d), followed by a phase that used the internal abundance structures of clusters to break chained OTUs. Here we present Swarm v2 that has two important novel features: 1) a new algorithm for d = 1 that allows the computation time of the program to scale linearly with increasing amounts of data; and 2) the new fastidious option that reduces under-grouping by grafting low abundant OTUs (e.g., singletons and doubletons) onto larger ones. Swarm v2 also directly integrates the clustering and breaking phases, dereplicates sequencing reads with d = 0, outputs OTU representatives in fasta format, and plots individual OTUs as two-dimensional networks.
Responses of microbial community from tropical pristine coastal soil to crude oil contamination
Authors: Morais Daniel , Pylro Victor , Clark Ian M , Hirsch Penny R , Tótola Marcos
Published: January 2018

Crude oil is still the dominant energy source in Brazil and that the consumption keeps rising since 2013, being responsible for 2.2% of the world’s energy consumption. The recent discovery of crude oil reservoirs at the Espirito Santo basin, Campos basin and Santos basin, can be considered as an excellent opportunity to supply the country’s economic and energetic demands. However, albeit the opportunity these crude oil reservoirs represent, offshore exploration offers risks to the microbiota and the whole sea life, as petroleum hydrocarbons are toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic. Microbes are responsible for nutrient cycling and can degrade even very recalcitrant hydrocarbons. This work aimed to evaluate the microbial community shift (Archaea, Bacteria and Fungi) from Trindade Island coastal environment under petroleum contamination. Microcosms were assembled using Trindade Island coastal soil to create two treatments, control and contaminated (weathered crude oil at 30 g kg-1). Soils were incubated during 38 days with CO2 measurements every four hours. Total DNA was extracted, purified and submited for sequencing of 16s rRNA gene, for Bacteria and Archaea domains and Fungal ITS1 region using Illumina MiSeq platform. We compared alpha diversity, beta diversity and taxonomic shifts between controls and contaminated samples. Three days after contamination, emission rate peaked at more than 20x the control and the emissions remained higer during the whole incubation period. Microbial alpha diversity was reduced for contaminated-samples. Fungi community of contaminated samples was reduced to almost 40% of the observed species. Taxonomy comparisons showed rise of the Actinobacteria phylum and reduction of the Archaea Candidatus nitrosphaere.
Characterisation of the human uterine microbiome in non-pregnant women through deep sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene
Authors: Verstraelen Hans , Vilchez-Vargas Ramiro , Desimpel Fabian , Jauregui Ruy , Vankeirsbilck Nele , Weyers Steven , Verhelst Rita , De Sutter Petra , Pieper Dietmar H , Van De Wiele Tom
Published: January 2018

Background. It is widely assumed that the uterine cavity in non-pregnant women is a sterile body environment under physiological conditions. We have previously shown that some women with overt dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome, present with a polymicrobial Gardnerella vaginalis-dominated covering the endometrium, casting doubt over the paradigm of the sterilityof the human uterus. We therefore aimed to assess the putative presence of a uterine microbiome in a series of non-pregnant women through deep sequencing of the V1-2 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Methods. We sampled the endometrial surface by use of a transcervical device designed to avoid contamination from the vagina and endocervix in nineteen non-pregnant women with reproductive failure in the absence of uterine anomalies on hysteroscopy. Following DNA extraction, the V1-2 region of the 16S rRNA gene was targeted using the 27F and 338R primers. By use of the Illumina MiSeq platform, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences were identified and annotated by use of the Ribosomal Database Project. Results. Out of 183 unique 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences, 15 operational taxonomic units or phylotypes were present in all samples, possibly representing the uterine core microbiome, dominated by Bacteroides xylanivorans, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides fragilis, and Pelomonas. Accordingly, three bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, were consistently present. In some women, the endometrial community was also characterized by a single abundant species co-occurring with the core microbiota, in particular Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus iners, and Prevotella amnii, while in two women the community was largely different. Discussion. Our findings are, albeit not necessarily generalizable, consistent with the presence of a unique microbiome residing on the endometrium of the human non-pregnant uterus in women of reproductive age. A majority of women showed a rather similar endometrial community, dominated by only a few Bacteroides and Pelomonas phylotypes. Consistent with our current understanding of the human microbiome, the uterine microbiome is likely to have a previously unrecognized role in uterine physiology and human reproduction. Further study is therefore warranted to document community ecology and dynamics of the uterine microbiota, as well as the role of the uterine microbiome in health and disease.
Agriculture-independent, sustainable, fail-safe and efficient food production by autotrophic Single-Cell-Protein
Authors: Bogdahn Ingvar
Published: January 2018

Industrial agriculture (IA) is detrimental to the environment, contaminates water and fosters climate change. Moreover, IA cannot guarantee food security for the 21st century. Single-Cell-protein (SCP) represents a safe alternative with minimal carbon and water footprints, but does not truly improve sustainability or food security when grown waste products of IA. This concept paper proposes autotrophic SCP bioprocess designs which enable sustainable, fail-safe and efficient “primary production” of edible biomass from CO2 and N2/NH3, while also providing flexible options of biomass upgrading. It can be driven by H2, CO, HCOOH from several sustainable sources. Most promising designs consist of 2-stages. In the 1st stage, homoacetogenic bacteria (HAB) fix CO2 and secrete fixed C as acetate with unrivaled yields. In the 2nd stage, acetate is transformed to edible biomass by selected microbes. Bacteria have versatile features such as O2-tolerant hydrogenases and N2-fixation. Eukaryotic microalgae are approved as food and exhibit oxygenic photosynthesis (O-PS), partly replacing solar-panels, seawater desalination and H2O-electrolyzers. Photoheterotrophic growth on HAB-derived acetate provides the opportunity to benefit from the highly efficient light-reaction, while avoiding the inefficient dark-reaction. Slow gas mass-transfer, poor light distribution and expensive cell harvest are major challenges arising from the cultivation in liquid media. To cope with these, microbes grow as hydrated biofilms, exposed directly to substrate gases and light. Two such bioreactors are presented and adaptations for 2-stage designs are proposed. One bioreactor was designed for algae growth in wastewater and provides a mechanism of dry cell harvesting. By harvesting microalgae from flowing waters, reduced carbon and nutrients can be obtained, while at the same time counteracting eutrophication. Non-food-grade biomass can be fed to anaerobic digesters (AD) with suppressed methanogenesis. Gaseous H2, CO2, NH3, H2S, CO2 and volatile organic acids can be extracted, with the gas phase acting as a “cleaning” barrier. This makes it possible to safely upgrade non-food-grade biomass to food. When food-grade waste is subjected to hydrolysis, diffusible PVA-tubes piercing the AD may allow simultaneous extraction of basic monomers and precious soluble nutrients. As an additional provision of CO2, alkalic pH and hydroxides formed at the cathode during electrolysis may be used to precipitate CO2 from the air as carbonates. 2-stage designs with solar-powered H2 generation from seawater, were estimated to exceed productivity of wheat 20-200 fold. It is speculated that, considering the non-utilization of direct and indirect subsidies, autotrophic SCP is far superior to IA not only in ecological but also in economical aspects.
Discrete time-cost tradeoff model for optimizing project resource allocation
Authors: Nie Shuangshuang , Gao Jihong
Published: January 2018

The project scheduling and resource allocation problems have been studied using different optimization methods. The resource leveling problem was proposed to reduce the resource fluctuation and was always studied independently resource constraint problem. For example, resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) was proposed to optimize scheduling under resource constraints. This research proposed a new model which integrates the resource leveling problem and resource-constrained time-cost tradeoff problem. The evolutionary multi-objective optimization technique, strength Pareto evolutionary approach II (SPEA II) was applied to calculate the Pareto front of time and cost. The resource leveling measured by the metric, resource release/re-hiring, was converted to resource cost. The analysis of the time complexity of the model showed that the runtime of the algorithm was polynomial times of the number of activities. The results of case testing showed that the model was reasonably accurate in comparison with a proposed baseline model.
A critique of Mumby et al. 2011 “Grouper as a natural biocontrol of invasive lionfish”
Authors: Bruno John F
Published: January 2018

Mumby et al. (2011) tested the biotic resistance hypothesis by comparing the biomass of invasive lionfish (introduced from the Indo-Pacific) and native grouper (Serranidae) at 12 sites within and adjacent to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, The Bahamas. They reported that mean lionfish biomass was slightly lower within the reserve, compared to adjacent fished sites, and that there was a negative relationship between the biomass of lionfish and grouper. However, their study has a number of limitations and does not constitute sufficient evidence of a level of biotic resistance that would be ecologically meaningful. For example, the study design is pseudoreplicated and the biomass of lionfish is extremely low relative to observed values across the Caribbean. Furthermore, the effect size (assuming that there is an effect of native grouper) is very small compared to the natural range of lionfish biomass. Given the problems with Mumby et al. (2011) and evidence from other studies (e.g., Hackerott et al. 2013) that the biomass of lionfish and grouper is unrelated, it seems clear that managers cannot rely on native grouper populations to control the lionfish invasion.
Density and distribution patterns of the endangered species Pinna nobilis within the harbour bay of Favignana (Egadi Islands MPA)
Authors: D'agostaro Riccardo , Chemello Renato , Donati Stefano
Published: January 2018

The fan shell P. nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest marine bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea which acts as ecosystem engineer, offering an adequate substratum to several associated benthic species. P. nobilis is threatened by the reduction and loss of its natural habitat and by increased anthropogenic inputs into coastal waters. The knowledge on the population of this species are scarce, especially as concerns Sicily and its coasts. This study focused on the density of population, spatial distribution, level of burial and orientation of the population of P. nobilis in the harbour area of Favignana island (western coast of Sicily, Italy). The fan shell surveys were carried out by SCUBA diving using a 50m-transect line perpendicular to the coastline. For each P. nobilis censused, maximum (W) width, minimum width (w) and unburied length (UL) were measured; shell orientation (Or) was determined using an underwater compass and considering the magnitude of the angle formed by the vector and the magnetic north. The specimen status (dead or alive), the depth (by using the electronic depth meter of a diving computer) were recorded. In addition, the geographical coordinates were marked for each individual along the transect by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS). Total shell height (HT) was estimated using a formula considered suitable for the populations of this studied area. The density of P. nobilis was ±11 ind. 100m2, the total height (HT) and the maximum width (W) of the shells was 33 cm and 13,6 cm respectively. In the aim of the "MPA of Egadi Islands" to confirm the need of a new management to protect the biodiversity of the harbour area, more conservation measures are necessary in order to improve the preservation of this endangered species.
Exploring the chemical space of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors
Authors: Anuwongcharoen Nuttapat , Shoombuatong Watshara , Tantimongcolwat Tanawut , Prachayasittikul Virapong , Nantasenamat Chanin
Published: January 2018

The fight against the emergence of mutant influenza strains has led to the screening of an increasing number of compounds for inhibitory activity against influenza neuraminidase. This study explores the chemical space of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), which provides an opportunity to obtain further molecular insights regarding the underlying basis of the bioactivity. In particular, a large set of 347 and 175 NAIs against influenza A and B, respectively, was compiled from the literature. Molecular and quantum chemical descriptors were obtained from low-energy conformational structures geometrically optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The bioactivities of the NAIs were classified as active or inactive according to their half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) value, in which IC50 <1 µM and >10 µM were defined as active and inactive compounds against influenza neuraminidase, respectively. Interpretable decision rules were derived from a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model established using 13 descriptors via decision tree analysis. Good predictive performance was achieved, as deduced from ten-fold cross-validation, in which an accuracy and MCC of 87.5% and 0.731, respectively, were obtained for influenza A NAIs, while values of 89.78% and 0.786 were obtained for influenza B NAIs. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the importance of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, number of hydrogen bond donors and number of hydrogen bond acceptors in the predictive model of NAIs against influenza A, while the number of hydrogen bond donors, number of hydrogen bond acceptors and the energy gap between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals were important in the predictive model for influenza B NAIs. Molecular scaffold analysis was performed on both data sets in combination with functional group analysis for discriminating important structural features among active and inactive NAIs. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed to investigate the binding modes and their moiety preferences of active NAIs against both influenza A and B neuraminidase. The results from this study are anticipated to be beneficial for guiding the rational drug design of novel NAIs for treating influenza infections.
Hotter is Smarter: The temperature-dependence of brain size in vertebrates
Authors: Gillooly James JF
Published: January 2018

The tremendous variation in brain size among vertebrates has long been thought to be related to differences in species’ metabolic rates. Species with higher metabolic rates can supply more energy to support the relatively high cost of brain tissue. And yet, while body temperature is known to be a major determinant of metabolic rate, the possible effects of temperature on brain size have scarcely been explored. Thus, here I explore the effects of temperature on brain size among diverse vertebrates (fishes,amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). I find that, after controlling for body size,brain size increases exponentially with temperature in much the same way asmetabolic rate. These results suggest that temperature-dependent changes inaerobic capacity, which have long been known to affect physical performance, similarly affect brain size. The observed temperature-dependence of brain size may explain observed gradients in brain size among both ectotherms and endotherms across broad spatial and temporal scales.
Microsatellite marker discovery from next-generation sequencing data and subsequent marker characterization in the epizoic barnacle Chelonibia testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1798)
Authors: Ewers-Saucedo Christine , Zardus John D , Wares John P
Published: January 2018

Microsatellite markers remain an important tool for ecological and evolutionary research, but are unavailable for many non-model organisms. One such organism with rare ecological and evolutionary features is the epizoic barnacle Chelonibia testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1758). Chelonibia testudinaria appears to be a host generalist, and has a unusual sexual system, androdioecy. Genetic studies on host specificity and mating behavior are impeded by the lack of fine-scale, highly variable markers. In the present study, we discovered thousands of new microsatellite loci from next-generation sequencing data, and characterized 12 loci thoroughly. We conclude that 11 of these loci will be useful markers in future ecological and evolutionary studies on C. testudinaria.
Effects of trastuzumab and afatinib on kinase activity in gastric cancer cell lines
Authors: Keller Simone , Zwingenberger Gwen , Ebert Karolin , Hasenauer Jan , Wasmuth Jacqueline , Maier Dieter , Haffner Ivonne , Schierle Katrin , Weirich Gregor , Luber Birgit
Published: January 2018

The molecular mechanism of action of the HER2‐targeted antibody trastuzumab is only partially understood, and the direct effects of trastuzumab on the gastric cancer signaling network are unknown. In this study, we compared the molecular effect of trastuzumab and the HER kinase inhibitor afatinib on the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) network and the downstream‐acting intracellular kinases in gastric cancer cell lines. The molecular effects of trastuzumab and afatinib on the phosphorylation of 49 RTKs and 43 intracellular kinase phosphorylation sites were investigated in three gastric cancer cell lines (NCI‐N87, MKN1, and MKN7) using proteome profiling. To evaluate these effects, data were analyzed using mixed models and clustering. Moreover, proliferation assays were performed. Our comprehensive quantitative analysis of kinase activity in gastric cancer cell lines indicates that trastuzumab and afatinib selectively influenced the HER family RTKs. The effects of trastuzumab differed between cell lines, depending on the presence of activated HER2. The effects of trastuzumab monotherapy were not transduced to the intracellular kinase network. Afatinib alone or in combination with trastuzumab influenced HER kinases in all cell lines; that is, the effects of monotherapy and combination therapy were transduced to the intracellular kinase network. These results were confirmed by proliferation analysis. Additionally, the MET‐amplified cell line Hs746T was identified as afatinib nonresponder. The dependence of the effect of trastuzumab on the presence of activated HER2 might explain the clinical nonresponse of some patients who are routinely tested for HER2 expression and gene amplification in the clinic but not for HER2 activation. The consistent effects of afatinib on HER RTKs and downstream kinase activation suggest that afatinib might be an effective candidate in the future treatment of patients with gastric cancer irrespective of the presence of activated HER2. However, MET amplification should be taken into account as potential resistance factor.
IR‐Driven Ultrafast Transfer of Plasmonic Hot Electrons in Nonmetallic Branched Heterostructures for Enhanced H2 Generation
Authors: Zhang Zhenyi , Jiang Xiaoyi , Liu Benkang , Guo Lijiao , Lu Na , Wang Li , Huang Jindou , Liu Kuichao , Dong Bin
Published: January 2018

The ultrafast transfer of plasmon‐induced hot electrons is considered an effective kinetics process to enhance the photoconversion efficiencies of semiconductors through strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of plasmonic nanostructures. Although this classical sensitization approach is widely used in noble‐metal–semiconductor systems, it remains unclear in nonmetallic plasmonic heterostructures. Here, by combining ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy with theoretical simulations, IR‐driven transfer of plasmon‐induced hot electron in a nonmetallic branched heterostructure is demonstrated, which is fabricated through solvothermal growth of plasmonic W18O49 nanowires (as branches) onto TiO2 electrospun nanofibers (as backbones). The ultrafast transfer of hot electron from the W18O49 branches to the TiO2 backbones occurs within a timeframe on the order of 200 fs with very large rate constants ranging from 3.8 × 1012 to 5.5 × 1012 s−1. Upon LSPR excitation by low‐energy IR photons, the W18O49/TiO2 branched heterostructure exhibits obviously enhanced catalytic H2 generation from ammonia borane compared with that of W18O49 nanowires. Further investigations by finely controlling experimental conditions unambiguously confirm that this plasmon‐enhanced catalytic activity arises from the transfer of hot electron rather than from the photothermal effect.
Ion Transport Nanotube Assembled with Vertically Aligned Metallic MoS2 for High Rate Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jiao Yucong , Mukhopadhyay Alolika , Ma Yi , Yang Lei , Hafez Ahmed M. , Zhu Hongli
Published: January 2018

Metallic phase molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is well known for orders of magnitude higher conductivity than 2H semiconducting phase MoS2. Herein, for the first time, the authors design and fabricate a novel porous nanotube assembled with vertically aligned metallic MoS2 nanosheets by using the scalable solvothermal method. This metallic nanotube has the following advantages: (i) intrinsic high electrical conductivity that promotes the rate performance of battery and eliminates the using of conductive additive; (ii) hierarchical, hollow, porous, and aligned structure that assists the electrolyte transportation and diffusion; (iii) tubular structure that avoids restacking of 2D nanosheets, and therefore maintains the electrochemistry cycling stability; and (iv) a shortened ion diffusion path, that improves the rate performance. This 1D metallic MoS2 nanotube is demonstrated to be a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. The unique structure delivers an excellent reversible capacity of 1100 mA h g−1 under a current density of 5 A g−1 after 350 cycles, and an outstanding rate performance of 589 mA h g−1 at a current density of 20 A g−1. Furthermore, attributed to the material's metallic properties, the electrode comprising 100% pure material without any additive provides an ideal system for the fundamental electrochemical study of metallic MoS2. This study first reveals the characteristic anodic peak at 1.5 V in cyclic voltammetry of metallic MoS2. This research sheds light on the fabrication of metallic 1D, 2D, or even 3D structures with 2D nanosheets as building blocks for various applications.
Untersuchungen zum Einfluss der Probekörpergröße auf den Ermüdungswiderstand von hochfestem Beton
Authors: Schneider Sebastian , Hümme Julian , Marx Steffen , Lohaus Ludger
Published: January 2018

Die Verwendung hochfester Betone für Bauwerke, die nicht vorwiegend ruhenden Beanspruchungen ausgesetzt sind, wird durch die derzeitigen normativen Regelungen und die damit verbundenen erheblichen Abminderungen der Rechenwerte der Druckfestigkeit unter Ermüdung erschwert. Um den Ermüdungswiderstand dieser Betone zukünftig weiter zu untersuchen, bedarf es u. a. Erkenntnisse zur Probekörpergeometrie. Denn es besteht die Frage, wie sich die Ergebnisse aus Ermüdungsprüfungen zu einer begründeten und sicheren Aussage zum Ermüdungswiderstand des Betons im Bauwerk übertragen lassen bzw. wie die Ermüdungsprüfung gestaltet werden muss, damit solche Aussagen möglich werden. Im Rahmen dieses Artikels werden erste Erkenntnisse zum Einfluss der Probekörpergröße auf das Ermüdungsverhalten von zwei hochfesten Betonen vorgestellt. Dabei werden Zylindergrößen von d/h = 60/180 mm und 100/300 mm unterschieden. Es zeigte sich, dass insbesondere für bezogene Oberspannungen von So ≤ 0,7 die kleineren Probekörper deutlich höhere Bruchlastwechselzahlen erreichten. Allein eine Normierung der im Ermüdungsversuch aufgebrachten Beanspruchungen auf die Druckfestigkeit der jeweiligen Probekörpergröße konnte den Größeneinfluss nicht ausgleichen. Demnach müssten weitere Effekte für diese Beobachtung verantwortlich sein. Jedoch lässt sich schlussfolgern, dass die Probekörpererwärmung während des Ermüdungsversuchs einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die im Probekörper vorherrschenden Spannungszustände und somit auf den Ermüdungswiderstand besitzt. Solche Einflüsse näher zu untersuchen, ist Gegenstand weiterer Forschungsarbeiten.
A validated liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantitation of tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid in human plasma
Authors: Arnhard Kathrin , Pitterl Florian , Sperner‐Unterweger Barbara , Fuchs Dietmar , Koal Therese , Oberacher Herbert
Published: January 2018

Tryptophan (TRP) catabolism via the kynurenine pathway is considered to represent a major link between inflammation and various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The kynurenine pathway and levels of TRP and its metabolites kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA) and quinolinic acid (QUIN) are well regulated under physiological conditions but may be altered as part of the activated immune response. A simple, sensitive, and specific liquid chromatography‐time of flight mass spectrometry method was developed for determining levels of the four compounds in human plasma samples. The workflow involves protein precipitation with acetonitrile, chromatographic separation on a Phenomenex Luna NH2 column by applying a linear 6 min gradient of 50–5% acetonitrile in aqueous ammonium acetate solution (5 mM, pH 9.5), and mass spectrometric detection with high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Charcoal‐treated plasma served as surrogate matrix for external standard calibration. Stable‐isotope‐labeled analogues were used as internal standards. The calibration ranges were 0.5–50 μg/ml for TRP, 20–1000 ng/mL for KYN und QUIN, and 1–50 ng/mL for KYNA. Validation proved fitness of the developed workflow for the intended purpose. The established method was applied to the quantification of the four targets in 100 authentic plasma samples.
Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents in a Partial Hospitalization Program
Authors: Lenz A. Stephen , Del Conte Garry
Published: January 2018

This study evaluated dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A) vs. treatment as usual within a 6‐week partial hospitalization program. The 103 adolescent participants (mean age = 15.27 years) were predominantly girls (n = 63, 61%) with a variety of primary mental health diagnoses. Results indicated that DBT‐A was superior for decreasing symptoms of depression and interpersonal sensitivity, but no statistically significant difference was detected for anxiety or hostility. Implications for treating youth with transdiagnostic identities are discussed.
Inefficient In Vivo Neutrophil Migration in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Schuit K E , Homisch L
Published: January 2018

While neutrophils from neonates respond less efficiently in vitro to a chemotactic stimulus than do adult cells, the in vivo recruitment of phagocytic cells to focal sites of inflammation in some situations appears to be similar in adults and neonates. To resolve this apparent discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo observations, neonatal and adult rats were inoculated intraperitoneally with a variety of chemotactic agents. The neutrophil response was far more intense in adults than in neonates, strengthening the hypothesis that chemotaxis is less efficient in neonates than in adults. This relative deficiency may play an important role in the inability of the newborn to deal with infection effectively.
The Effect of Microbial Flora, Diet, and Age on the Tumoricidal Activity of Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Bartizal Kenneth F , Salkowski Cindy , Pleasants Julian R , Balish Edward
Published: January 2018

This study examined the effects of diet (chemically defined vs natural-ingredient), age, and microbial flora on the tumoricidal activity of natural killer (NK) cells from the spleens of mice. Results from a 4-h 51Cr-release assay indicate the following: 1. Germfree C3H/HeCr mice raised on a chemically defined diet had significantly greater NK cell activity than their germfree or “clean-conventional” (i.e., barrier-maintained) counterparts who were raised on a sterilized natural- ingredient diet. 2. The NK activity of germfree mice was dramatically increased after their alimentary tract was colonized with a complex intestinal flora. 3. Conventional mice raised under clean (barrier) conditions had significantly less NK cell activity than nonbarrier-maintained mice. 4. Switching germfree mice from a chemically defined diet to a sterile natural-ingredient diet did not enhance NK cell activity. 5. No significant differences in NK activity were evident with C3H/HeCr mice of different (6–10 wk vs 29–36 wk) ages. These results indicate that diet and microbial flora can modulate the NK cell activity of mice.
Differential Ability of Human Blood Monocyte Subsets to Release Various Cytokines
Authors: Akiyama Y , Stevenson G W , Schlick E , Matsushima K , Miller P J , Stevenson H C
Published: January 2018

We have shown that two human monocyte subsets can be isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors; these subsets possess different morphological, cytochemical, functional, and in vivo trafficking properties [1]. In this report, these two subsets were further characterized. One subset (intermediate monocytes, IM) has been shown to have significantly lower acid phosphatase activity and total cellular protein content as well as lower peroxidase activity when compared with another subset (regular monocytes, RM). The overall activation status of the two subsets (as determined by their alkaline phosphodiesterase activity) was identical. We also examined the capacity of these subsets to release various cytokines with or without polyriboinosinic and poly- ribocytidylic acid (Poly l:C) stimulation. There was no appreciable difference in their ability to release interferon (IFN), interleukin 1 (IL-1), and prostaglandin E (PGE) without stimulation, while IM produced slightly, but significantly, higher amounts of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) than RM. The amount of IFN released by IM in response to poly l:C was approximately three times higher than the amount of IFN released by RM. IL-1 was also released in higher amounts by IM than by RM in response to poly l:C. IM were also found to release more CSF than RM in response to poly l:C. In contrast, it was noted that IM secrete significantly less PGE response to poly l:C than do RM. These findings indicate that two purified human monocyte subsets, distinguishable by maturation markers, differ significantly in their ability to release various cytokines after stimulation; this difference may be relevant to potential in vivo roles of these immunoregulatory cells.
Preparation of Pure Hepatocytes and Reticuloendothelial Cells in High Yield From a Single Rat Liver by Means of Percoll Centrifugation and Selective Adherence
Authors: Smedsrød Bård , Pertoft Håkan
Published: January 2018

A rapid method for mass isolation of functionally intact hepatocytes and reticuloendothelial cells from a single rat liver is described. The technique is based on collagenase perfusion of the liver, isopycnic sedimentation in Percoll, and selective adherence of the cells. The Kupffer cells (KC) attach and spread on glass or plastic in serum-free medium 15 min following seeding. Cultures of KC are 90%–95% pure with about 5% liver endothelial cells (LEC), <1% parenchymal cells (PC) and a maximum of 5% stellate cells (SC). The LEC adhere and spread on fibronectin 60–120 min following seeding, forming cultures that are contaminated with 5–10% SC and <1% KC and PC. The yield of plated LEC is 50–60 × 106 per 200-g rat. Ultrastructural analysis shows that Percoll does not associate with the cells during the separation procedure.
Studies of Peritoneal Macrophage Function in Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. 2. Nature of Elevated Resident Peritoneal Cells in NZB and (NZB × NZW)F1 Mice
Authors: Russell Pamela J , Cahill J , Cameron Fiona , Hume D
Published: January 2018

The numbers of resident peritoneal cells recovered from NZB and (NZB × NZW)F1 hybrid mice, which develop systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), increased strikingly with age as compared with cells recovered from normal mice. The rise paralleled the onset of anti-DNA antibodies, occurring earlier in females than in males. The increased number of cells was due to an accumulation of medium-sized cells with an indeterminate appearance, but with the functional characteristics and cell markers typical of a macrophage. The unusual cells were esterase, F4/80 and Mac-1 positive, peroxidase, and Alcian blue negative, and were shown on sedimentation velocity separation to be phagocytic for EA and C3 (serum-treated) zymosan; 47–48% of peritoneal cells were la positive.
Phagocytosis by Receptors for C3b (CR1), iC3b (CR3), and IgG (Fc) on Human Peritoneal Macrophages
Authors: Newman Simon L , Becker Susanne , Halme Jouko
Published: January 2018

Human peritoneal macrophages (HPM) obtained via laparoscopy were examined for the presence and functional capacity of complement and Fc receptors. Between 5 and 20 ml of peritoneal fluid containing 1–2 × 106 macrophages/ml was available for each study. Macrophages made up 80–95% of the cells in the fluid. Fc and C3 receptors on HPM were characterized by rosette formation with, and phagocytosis of, IgG- and C3-coated sheep erythrocytes (E). EIgG were bound by 82% and ingested by 63% of HPM, with 4–15 E ingested/HPM. The HPM formed rosettes with EC3b (56%) and EC3bi (71%) but not EC3d,g or EC3d. Antibodies to complement receptors type 1 (CR1) and type 3 (CR3) inhibited rosette formation with EC3b and EC3bi, respectively, indicating that HPM possessed separate and distinct receptors for the C3b and iC3b ligands. In 60% of the samples studied, HPM demonstrated the ability to ingest both EC3b and EC3bi, as well as ElgG. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the cells obtained in peritoneal fluid, due to their progressive change from monocytelike cells into mature macrophages, HPM were separated by 1 g velocity sedimentation into fractions of increasing maturity. They were then examined for phagocytosis via Fc and complement receptors. Fc receptor mediated phagocytosis occurred throughout the monocyte-to-macrophage maturation sequence, while the ability of HPM to ingest via CR1 and CR3 was maturation dependent, with ingestion via CR3 occurring before CR1, in a manner analogous to in vitro differentiation of monocyte-derived macrophages.