bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptide-Binding Groove Contraction Linked to the Lack of T Cell Response: Using Complex Structure and Energy To Identify Neoantigens
Authors: Pang Yuan-Ping , Elsbernd Laura R , Block Matthew S , Markovic Svetomir N
Published: August 2018

Using personalized peptide vaccines (PPVs) to target tumor-specific nonself-antigens (neoantigens) is a promising approach to cancer treatment. However, the development of PPVs is hindered by the challenge of identifying tumor-specific neoantigens, in part because current in silico methods for identifying such neoantigens have limited effectiveness. In this article, we report the results of molecular dynamics simulations of 12 oligopeptides bound with an HLA, revealing a previously unrecognized association between the inability of an oligopeptide to elicit a T cell response and the contraction of the peptide-binding groove upon binding of the oligopeptide to the HLA. Our conformational analysis showed that this association was due to incompatibility at the interface between the contracted groove and its αβ–T cell Ag receptor. This structural demonstration that having the capability to bind HLA does not guarantee immunogenicity prompted us to develop an atom-based method (SEFF12MC) to predict immunogenicity through using the structure and energy of a peptide·HLA complex to assess the propensity of the complex for further complexation with its TCR. In predicting the immunogenicities of the 12 oligopeptides, SEFF12MC achieved a 100% success rate, compared with success rates of 25–50% for 11 publicly available residue-based methods including NetMHC-4.0. Although further validation and refinements of SEFF12MC are required, our results suggest a need to develop in silico methods that assess peptide characteristics beyond their capability to form stable binary complexes with HLAs to help remove hurdles in using the patient tumor DNA information to develop PPVs for personalized cancer immunotherapy.
Distance of Tumor to Skin as a Predictive Marker for Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Cases of Breast Carcinoma - A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ojha Sandeep S , Jain Rubal A , Nilkanthe Ramrao G , Meenai Farah J , Abhishek Sharma , Amit Haritwal K
Published: August 2018

Background: Breast cancer is arising as the most common cancer among women. Axillary lymph node status is considered as one of the most important predictors of survival in breast cancer and a very important component to the staging system. The tumors under the skin have abundant access to the dermal lymphatic and have an increased chance of metastasizing to draining lymph nodes. Aim of the Study: To evaluate whether distance of tumor to skin can be considered as a predictor for lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study on all operated cases of infiltrating mammary carcinoma from January 2013 to December 2016. Both lumpectomy and mastectomy specimens with invasive carcinoma component were included in the study. The distance of the tumor was measured from the base of the epidermis of the skin to the anterior margin of the tumor on gross examination or microscopically the closest invasive carcinoma component. The distance was measured, tabulated, and correlated with the nodal status on axillary node dissection. Also, compared are the other parameters such as size, site, and grade of the tumor. Results:: Out of 200 patients enrolled, positive nodes were seen in 67.5% (135) of cases, of which tumor with distance from skin <0.3 cm show maximum nodal positivity (64.4%) and maximum cases with N2 and N3 disease (48.8%). Most important and significant finding was that 100% cases with tumor size corresponding in T2 size with skin invasion either grossly or microscopically and T3 size tumor with microscopically involving epidermis was positive for metastatic deposits in axillary nodes and 10/11 cases (90%) in T4 stage were positive. Conclusion: The distance of tumor from skin is an important predictor for Axillary lymph nodal metastasis in invasive breast cancers. Closer the tumor, the incidence of axillary nodal metastasis increases. Hence, distance of tumor from skin should be considered while evaluating a breast cancer patient.
Demographic study of librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Shehu Allahde
Published: August 2018

The study examined the influence of demographic study on innovation management, mentoring and reward system on employee commitment in public university libraries in Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select five out of the six geopolitical zones. Simple random sampling was used to select 3 states from each of the zones. Simple random sampling was employed to select 2 university libraries from the selected states, with a total of 552 librarians. Total enumeration was used for all the librarians in the selected university libraries. 400 questionnaires were duly completed and returned, representing 72.5% of respondents. The study revealed that ages 31-35 years has the highest number of staff 135 (38.8%), there are more male staff 252 (63%) while female staff 148 (37%), there are more Lecturer II staff with 136 (34%) the research also revealed that 282 (70.5%) staff had Masters Degree in Library Science (MLS) those that have served for 6-10 years are the most populated 103 (25.75%). It is recommended that gender equality should be taken into consideration during employment because there is a wide gap between the male and the female staff in public university libraries in Nigeria.Keywords: Innovation management, Mentoring, Reward system, Employee commitment, Public university libraries
Of Art and Absurdity: Military, Censorship, and Contemporary Art in Thailand
Authors: Chotpradit Thanavi
Published: August 2018

On June 15, 2017, soldiers and plainclothes officers visited Cartel Artspace and Gallery VER in Bangkok. The two adjacent galleries were hosting exhibitions by young Thai contemporary artists, The Shards Would Shatter at Touch by Tada Hengsapkul 1 and Whitewash by Harit Srikhao. The first exhibition depicted stories of political prisoners, whereas the latter recalled the 2010 military crackdown on Red Shirt protests in Bangkok. Thailand has been ruled by a military junta, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), since the May 2014 coup, but this was the first time that visual art exhibitions had attracted the attention of state officers. However, the military stormed the two galleries because of the incorrect impression that Prontip “Kolf” Mankong, a theater artist who had been convicted of lèse-majesté for the play Wolf Bride, was hosting Hengsapkul’s exhibition.
Quantifying the source and amount of suspended sediment transported during storm events in Huntsville Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Authors: Oakill Jordan , Protchko Shawna , Dempsey Christopher
Published: August 2018

The amount of suspended sediment transported in the Susquehanna River has been well documented in recent years due to its impact on the Chesapeake Bay. Suspended sediment can be transported from headwater streams during storm events, but little is known about the quantity and source of sediment entering the larger river. We instrumented a section of Huntsville Creek to assess the amount of suspended sediment transported to the Susquehanna River during four storm events from June 2014 till March 2015. In addition, we utilized ortho-photographs to assess historical fluxes of sediment within our study area. We found that the sediment flux in Huntsville Creek decreased by 50% as the stream passed through our study site. The source of the sediment transported during storm events indicated remobilization of the streambed sediment. Historical analyses of the watershed showed greater amounts of stream bank erosion between 1959 and 1979.
Dissolution Kinetics of Milled-Silicate Rock Fertilizers in Organic Acid
Authors: Priyono Joko , Gilkes Robert John
Published: August 2018

A dissolution experiment was carried out to identify the effects of milling condition on dissolution kinetics of silicate rock fertilizers. Initially ground materials (Ø < 250 μm for basalt, dolerite, gneiss, and Ø < 150 μm for K-feldspar) were further milled with a ball mill (Spex 8000) under dry and wet conditions for 10, 60, and 120 minutes. The rock powders were dissolved in a mixture of 0.01M acetic-citric acid at a rock powder/solvent ratio of 1/1000, and the solution was agitated continuously on a rotary shaker at 25o C.  The concentrations of dissolved Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, and Si from the milled rocks were determined at intervals from 1 hour up to 56 days. Results indicated that the relationships of quantity of dissolved rock and elemental plant nutrients (Et) with time (t) were well described by a power equation: Et = Eo + atn with reaction order (n) of 0.3 – 0.8. Milling increased quantity of total and individual dissolved element (Et ), dissolution rate (Rt), the proportion of rapidly soluble rock or element (Eo), and dissolution constant a. The increases in dissolution due to dry milling were larger than for wet milling. Although further proves should be provided, results of this dissolution experiment clearly indicates that SRFs may be used as multinutrient fertilizers as well as remedial materials for acidic soils; and dry milling may be applied as an appropriate method for manufacturing effective SRFs.
Solubility of Rock Phosphate and its Effect to the Growth and Yield of Maize on Ultisols
Authors: Kasno Antonius , Setyorini Diah , Dwiningsih Sutisni
Published: August 2018

Phosphor is a macro nutrients and it becomes the main limiting factor for maize growth on Ultisols. Rock phosphate is one of P fertilizer sources contains high P and Ca content, slow release and soluble under acid condition, suitable for acid soil. The objective of this research is to study the solubility of rock phosphate and its influence to the growth and yield of maize on Ultisols.  This research was conducted in the research laboratory and the green house of Indonesia Soil Research Institute (ISRI). Ultisols soil samples were taken from oil palm plantation in North Sumatera. Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (CIRP) and Tunisia rock phosphate was used in this research. There are two activity conducted simultaneously, which is application of rock phosphate on Ultisols under plant indicator and without plant. The experimental design is randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The pot experiment without plant was conducted using1 kg of soil sample mixed with rock phosphate treatment and placed into plastic plot.  During 3 months of incubation, soil water content was maintained under field capacity by aquadest.  The dosages of P fertilizer were 0, 157.6 and 315.2 kg P2O5 ha-1. Soil samples were taken on 1, 2, and 3 months after P fertilization for measuring pH, P content (by HCl 25 %, Bray 1 and Olsen extraction), P-inorganic fractionation (Al-P, Fe-P, Rs-P and Ca-P), exchangeable acidity (Al and H), Al and free of Fe oxide. The pot experiments with maize were conducted using 7.5 kg soil samples mixed with 2 different rock phosphates as a treatment. The dosages of rock phosphate were similar with experiment 1. Urea 300 kg and 150 kg KCl ha1 were applied as a basal fertilizer. Maize was planted two seed per pot and maintain until harvest time. The result of the research shows that soil P content increase with RP application, Tunisia rock phosphate give higher response than the CIRP. Direct application of rock phosphate with Fe and Al content did not increase significantly the Aldd, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 content on soil.  Application of CIRP and Tunisia rock phosphate increased maize growth and yield significantly.
Andisols from Tondano Area, North Sulawesi: Properties and Classification
Authors: Hikmatullah .
Published: August 2018

Three pedons of Andisol (TN-1, TN-2 and TN-3) developed from young volcanic materials of the Lokon, Soputan, and Lengkoan volcanoes respectively in the Tondano area, North Sulawesi, were studied in the field, and 18 soil samples were analysed in the laboratory for physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties, and they were classified according to Keys to Soil Taxonomy 2003. The results indicated that all the pedons meet the requirements of the andic soil properties, and thus classified into Andisol order. Pedon TN-1 meets bulk density < 0.90 g cm-3, P retention > 85%, and (Alo + 0.5Feo) content extracted by ammonium oxalate > 2.0%, while pedons TN-2 and TN-3 meet the requirements of P retention > 25%, (Alo + 0.5Feo) content > 0.4%, volcanic glass content > 5%, and value of [%(Alo+0.5Feo) x 15.625 + (% volcanic glass)] is > 36.25. Composition of sand mineral fraction indicate that pedon TN-1 and TN-3 show andesitic to basaltic volcanic materials, whereas pedon TN-2 with high olivin content belongs to basaltic volcanic materials. Clay minerals of all the pedons was dominated by hydrated-halloysite with few of disordered-kaolinite, which indicated a little weathering of the pedons. The pedons were classified at family level as Typic Hapludand, medial, amorphic, isothermic (TN-1), Humic Udivitrand, ashy, amorphic, isothermic (TN-2), and Alfic Hapludand, medial, glassy, isothermic (TN-3).
Model Dinamik sebagai Upaya Pencapaian Sinkronisasi Nitrogen pada Budidaya Selada dengan Pupuk Hijau Paitan
Authors: Nugroho Yuni Agung , Ningsih Elik Murni Ningtyas
Published: August 2018

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is vegetable crop that consumed part of the leaf and harvested at a phase of vegetative. Nitrogen play important role in growth at phase of vegetative. Nitrogen in spacious have the character of easy to lose because of leaching. Increasing yield of lettuce can be done byimproving Nitrogen synchronization, that is precisely usage moment with ready moment of N during and amount of its. The research was aimed to study of the pattern nitrogen requirement for lettuce crop, ready pattern of nitrogen by Tithonia diversifolia and design nitrogen synchronization model between lettuce crop with green manure of T. diversifolia. The research were divided in two phases that are phase research 1: Dynamic modeling for nitrogen synchronization on lettuce cultivation by green manure of T. diversifolia, and phase research 2: Fertilizer technology of high nitrogen synchronization on lettuce cultivation by green manure of T. diversifolia. The result of phase research 1 (first year research) shows that dynamic model of N requirement by lettuce crop, release and availability model of N by T. diversifolia and synchronization model of N between requirement of N lettuce with release and availability of N by T. diversifolia. The dynamic model indicate that giving 10 t ha-1 of T. diversifolia which given 2 weeks before transplanting at lettuce crop can support high result and growth because happened good synchronization of N.
Characterization of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Decomposing Fungi Isolated from Mangrove Rhizosphere
Authors: Gofar Nuni
Published: August 2018

The research was done to obtain the isolates of soil borne fungi isolated from mangrove rhizosphere which were capable of degrading petroleum hydrocarbon compounds. The soil samples were collected from South Sumatra mangrove forest which was contaminated by petroleum. The isolates obtained were selected based on their ability to survive, to grow and to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in medium containing petroleum residue. There were 3 isolates of soil borne hydrocarbonoclastic fungi which were able to degrade petroleum in vitro. The 3 isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigates, A. parasiticus, and Chrysonilia sitophila. C. sitophila was the best isolate to decrease total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) from medium containing 5-20% petroleum residue.Keywords: Hydrocarbonoclastic fungi, hydrocarbon compounds, mangrove rhizosphere
Testing a Multi-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model in the Jordanian Stock Market
Authors: Elshqirat Mohammad K. , Sharifzadeh Mohammad M.
Published: August 2018

A valid and accurate capital asset pricing model (CAPM) may help investors and mutual funds managers in determining expected returns which may lead to increase their profits and community resources. The problem is that the traditional CAPM does not accurately predict the expected rate of return. A more accurate model is needed to help investors in determining the intrinsic price of the financial asset they want to sell or buy. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the single-factor CAPM and then develop and test a multifactor CAPM in the Jordanian stock market. The study was informed by the modern portfolio theory and specifically by the single-factor CAPM developed by Sharpe, Lintner, and Mossin. The research questions for the study examined the factors that may explain the variation in the expected rate of return on stocks in the Jordanian stock market and the relationship between the expected rate of return and factors of market return, company size, financial leverage, and operating leverage. A causal-comparative quantitative research design was employed to achieve the purpose of the study by testing the listed companies on the Amman stock exchange (ASE) for the period from 2000 to 2015. Data were collected from the ASE database and analyzed using the multiple regression model and t test. The results revealed that market return, company size, and financial leverage are not predictors of the expected rate of return while operating leverage is a predictor.
The Retable of the Main Altar from the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist in Łekno (German: Bast), Dating from 1588
Authors: Zalewska Karolina
Published: August 2018

The triptych from Łekno was painted in 1588 and commissioned by one of the five sons of Duke Philip I of Wolgast of the Griffin dynasty. The painter, who signed the work with the initials CS (and may perhaps be identified as Christoff Schreiber), used graphic patterns in the composition of biblical scenes and included crypto-portraits of Griffin rulers in the depictions of the Last Supper and Crucifixion. After Anna of Stettin married Ulrich III of Mecklenburg, another (also unknown) artist repainted the face of one of the apostles into a high-quality portrait of the duke of Mecklenburg.
Integration of advanced oxidation process with nanofiltration for dairy effluent treatment
Authors: Stanisławek Ewa , Kowalik-Klimczak Anna
Published: August 2018

The paper presents the research results on the possibility of the integration of advanced oxidation process (AOP) involving Fenton reaction with nanofiltration (NF) for dairy effluent treatment. It has been found that Fenton oxidation reduces organic compounds, total phosphorus and total nitrogen. However, NF enables high ions retention derived from both effluent and Fenton oxidation components. As a result, it was possible to obtain water, which, without any harmful effects, could be discharged into environment. This water also fulfilled most of the requirements to be reused in dairy industrial plant.
Co-housing as the way to achieve a good density in the cities – Warsaw case study
Authors: Kosk Katarzyna
Published: August 2018

Constant population growth in urban areas is one of the main global problems, and its importance grows with the depletion of non-renewable resources. The efficient, effective and responsible use of land is supposed to be an aim, the achievement of which will profit cities. The crucial question is, how cities can achieve this aim. The author of this article intends to discuss the individual problems which prevent achieving an appropriate density in Warsaw, and find ways of solving or reducing these problems. A proposed main hypothesis is, that the introduction of an alternative type of housing, namely co-housing can become a way to obtain a good density in the cities. Confirmation of this hypothesis is derived on the basis of the analysis of residential estates created following the rules of co-housing developed in Germany, in relation to similar problems. The purpose of the article was also to remind that Warsaw has a rich tradition in creating social efforts developments. The main social ideas was presented on the basic of the project of Polish housing estate designed in the Rakowiec district in Warsaw by H. and Sz. Syrkus, which was established in 1934-1938 The research part of the article was conducted through a comparison of spatial elements of Warsaw, employing the same criteria, which were adopted based on the several, selected characteristics of good density published in the ULI report, such as: mixed use of land, planned, cohesive, liveable, spacious, flexibility, design, green. The conducted comparison demonstrates, that Warsaw has a lot of different problems with obtaining a good density. These are: mono-functional areas in the suburbs, social disparity, the housing market dominated by developers, lack of enough, well-arranged public spaces combined with residential areas, lack of identity neighborhoods, insufficient attention to the local context in the process of designing new buildings, insufficient attention to the environment in terms of creation of buildings, too little green spaces and gardens in the inner city. The presented analyses show that the introducing concept of co-housing can help Warsaw with obtaining a good density. In order to obtain a high quality of the urban space, decisions regarding it should therefore be made simultaneously on three scales: spatial planning, urban planning and architectural planning. Architecture must cooperate with the existing urban fabric. All users of urban life should participate in its creation: development companies, municipal authorities that are responsible for spatial order, architects and residents.
Obtaining filamentous fungi and lipases from sewage treatment plant residue for fat degradation in anaerobic reactors
Authors: Lima Anna Cristina P. , Cammarota Magali C. , Gutarra Melissa L.E.
Published: August 2018

A residue from the primary treatment of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was used to isolate filamentous fungi with lipase production potential. Two of the 27 isolated fungi presented high hydrolysis index and were selected for lipase production by solid-state fermentation (SSF). The fermentations were conducted at 30 °C for 48 h, with moist air circulation, using 20% (w/w) of the residue mixture with a basal medium (agroindustrial residue—babassu cake), obtaining a solid enzymatic preparation (SEP) with lipase activity of 19 U/g with the fungus identified as Aspergillus terreus. Scum, collected in an anaerobic reactor operating in a WWTP, was hydrolyzed with SEP and subjected to anaerobic biodegradability tests at 30 °C. Different dilutions of crude (Control) or hydrolyzed scum in raw sewage were evaluated. The dilution of 5% (v/v) of hydrolyzed scum in raw sewage proved the most adequate, as it resulted in higher methane yield compared to the raw sewage (196 and 133 mL CH4/g CODadded, respectively), without increasing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the treated sewage (138 and 134 mg/L). The enzymatic hydrolysis of the scum, followed by dilution in the influent sewage, is technically feasible and increases methane production in anaerobic reactors.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of non-specific lipid transfer proteins in cabbage
Authors: Ji Jialei , Lv Honghao , Yang Limei , Fang Zhiyuan , Zhuang Mu , Zhang Yangyong , Liu Yumei , Li Zhansheng
Published: August 2018

Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are a group of small, secreted proteins that can reversibly bind and transport hydrophobic molecules. NsLTPs play an important role in plant development and resistance to stress. To date, little is known about the nsLTP family in cabbage. In this study, a total of 89 nsLTP genes were identified via comprehensive research on the cabbage genome. These cabbage nsLTPs were classified into six types (1, 2, C, D, E and G). The gene structure, physical and chemical characteristics, homology, conserved motifs, subcellular localization, tertiary structure and phylogeny of the cabbage nsLTPs were comprehensively investigated. Spatial expression analysis revealed that most of the identified nsLTP genes were positively expressed in cabbage, and many of them exhibited patterns of differential and tissue-specific expression. The expression patterns of the nsLTP genes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses were also investigated. Numerous nsLTP genes in cabbage were found to be related to the resistance to stress. Moreover, the expression patterns of some nsLTP paralogs in cabbage showed evident divergence. This study promotes the understanding of nsLTPs characteristics in cabbage and lays the foundation for further functional studies investigating cabbage nsLTPs.
Fossil snakes (Squamata, Serpentes) from the tar pits of Venezuela: taxonomic, palaeoenvironmental, and palaeobiogeographical implications for the North of South America during the Cenozoic/Quaternary boundary
Authors: Onary Silvio , Rincón Ascanio D. , Hsiou Annie S.
Published: August 2018

Background

Tar seep deposits in South America historically are well-known for their rich record of fossil mammals, contrasting with only a few formal reports of reptile remains. Here we report a new snake fauna recovered from two tar pits from Venezuela. The fossil remains come from two localities: (a) El Breal de Orocual, which comprises an inactive tar seep estimated to be Plio/Pleistocene in age; and (b) Mene de Inciarte, an active surface asphalt deposit with an absolute age dating to the late Pleistocene.

Methods

The taxonomic identity of all specimens was assessed via consultation of the relevant literature and comparison with extant specimens. The taxonomic assignments are supported by detailed anatomical description.

Results

The Mene de Inciarte snake fauna comprises vertebral remains identified as the genusEpicratessp. (Boidae), indeterminate viperids, and several isolated vertebrae attributable to “Colubridae” (Colubroidea,sensuZaher et al., 2009). Amongst the vertebral assemblage at El Breal de Orocual, one specimen is assigned to the genusCorallussp. (Boidae), another to cf.Micrurus(Elapidae), and several others to “Colubrids” (Colubroides,sensuZaher et al., 2009) and the Viperidae family.

Conclusions

These new records provide valuable insight into the diversity of snakes in the north of South America during the Neogene/Quaternary boundary. The snake fauna of El Breal de Orocual and Mene de Inciarte demonstrates the presence of Boidae, Viperidae, “colubrids”, and the oldest South American record of Elapidae. The presence ofCorallus,Epicrates, and viperids corroborates the mosaic palaeoenvironmental conditions of El Breal de Orocual. The presence of Colubroides within both deposits sheds light on the palaeobiogeographical pattern of caenophidians snake colonization of South America and is consistent with the hypothesis of two episodes of dispersion of Colubroides to the continent.
Local and population-level responses of Greater sage-grouse to oil and gas development and climatic variation in Wyoming
Authors: Ramey Rob R. , Thorley Joseph L. , Ivey Alexander S.
Published: August 2018

Background

Spatial scale is important when studying ecological processes. The Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a large sexually dimorphic tetraonid that is endemic to the sagebrush biome of western North America. The impacts of oil and gas (OAG) development at individual leks has been well-documented. However, no previous studies have quantified the population-level response.

Methods

Hierarchical models were used to estimate the effects of the areal disturbance due to well pads as well as climatic variation on individual lek counts and Greater sage-grouse populations (management units) over 32 years. The lek counts were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models while the management units were analyzed using Gompertz population dynamic models. The models were fitted using frequentist and Bayesian methods. An information-theoretic approach was used to identify the most important spatial scale and time lags. The relative importance of OAG and climate at the local and population-level scales was assessed using information-theoretic (Akaike’s weights) and estimation (effect size) statistics.

Results

At the local scale, OAG was an important negative predictor of the lek count. At the population scale, there was only weak support for OAG as a predictor of density changes but the estimated impacts on the long-term carrying capacity were consistent with summation of the local impacts. Regional climatic variation, as indexed by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, was an important positive predictor of density changes at both the local and population level (particularly in the most recent part of the time series).

Conclusions

Additional studies to reduce the uncertainty in the range of possible effects of OAG at the population scale are required. Wildlife agencies need to account for the effects of regional climatic variation when managing sage-grouse populations.
Expression and purification of human diacylglycerol kinase α from baculovirus-infected insect cells for structural studies
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Sakane Fumio
Published: August 2018

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are lipid kinases that modulate the levels of lipid second messengers, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to its α isozyme (DGKα) as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. DGKα consists of the N-terminal regulatory domains including EF-hand motifs and C1 domains, and the C-terminal catalytic domain (DGKα-CD). To date, however, no structures of mammalian DGKs including their CDs have yet been reported, impeding our understanding on the catalytic mechanism of DGKs and the rational structure-based drug design. Here we attempted to produce DGKα-CD or a full-length DGKα using bacterial and baculovirus-insect cell expression system for structural studies. While several DGKα-CD constructs produced using both bacterial and insect cells formed insoluble or soluble aggregates, the full-length DGKα expressed in insect cells remained soluble and was purified to near homogeneity as a monomer with yields (1.3 mg/mL per one L cell culture) feasible for protein crystallization. Following enzymatic characterization showed that the purified DGKα is in fully functional state. We further demonstrated that the purified enzyme could be concentrated without any significant aggregation, and characterized its secondary structure by circular dichroism. Taken together, these results suggest that the presence of N-terminal regulatory domains suppress protein aggregation likely via their intramolecular interactions with DGKα-CD, and demonstrate that the baculovirus-insect cell expression of the full-length form of DGKα, not DGKα-CD alone, represents a promising approach to produce protein sample for structural studies of DGKα. Thus, our study will encourage future efforts to determine the crystal structure of DGK, which has not been determined since it was first identified in 1959.
Formação socioeconômica de Blumenau: uma análise sob múltiplas escalas
Authors: Jurgenfeld Vanessa Follmann
Published: August 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é, a partir de uma análise sob múltiplas escalas, discutir a formação socioeconômica de Blumenau. No marco teórico das múltiplas escalas, uma realidade social é estudada a partir de diferentes determinantes históricos, percorrendo desde a escala global até a escala local, evitando pesos excessivos a uma endogenia local, muito presente em análises regionais neoclássicas. Trata-se aqui de entender a formação socioeconômica de Blumenau não somente a partir do que ocorre no restrito espaço de Blumenau, mas também nas suas relações com o Estado de Santa Catarina, com o Brasil, com a Alemanha e com o capitalismo global. O período histórico compreendido por este artigo vai de 1850, quando se inicia a colonização de Blumenau, até 1945, quando há uma consolidação do setor industrial na localidade.
A perspectiva social de moradores atingidos pela Hidrelétrica Baixo Iguaçu/PR
Authors: Herpich Francine , Kiyota Norma
Published: August 2018

Este artigo resulta de estudo que procurou compreender a perspectiva social dos moradores atingidos pela Usina Hidrelétrica Baixo Iguaçu com base nas teorias de Young (2000, 2006) e Hannigan (1995). O estudo de campo foi levado a efeito com moradores atingidos dos municípios paranaenses de Capitão Leônidas Marques, Capanema, Nova Prata do Iguaçu, Realeza e Planalto. A metodologia utilizada incluiu análise documental e análise de conteúdo de entrevistas semiestruturadas, aplicadas junto aos moradores e às lideranças das organizações que atuam na região. Pode-se concluir que a perspectiva social dos atingidos é construída a partir de sentimentos de ansiedade e insegurança, na medida em que eles percebem desvantagens como prejuízos econômicos, psicológicos e sociais, principalmente, devido ao tempo de espera para a resolução dos conflitos e a conclusão do processo de implantação da hidrelétrica.
Doenças ocupacionais na fumicultura: os riscos percebidos pelos trabalhadores rurais do Paraná
Authors: Barancelli Marcia Domenica Cunico , Perondi Miguel Angelo , Trindade Leticia Lima
Published: August 2018

O presente estudo teve por objetivo conhecer a percepção dos riscos ocupacionais dos fumicultores de duas comunidades produtoras de tabaco (sistemas produtivos de tabaco Burley e Virgínea). Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, realizada entre março e agosto de 2012, para a qual utilizaram-se observações e entrevistas. Evidenciou-se equidade entre a maioria dos riscos nos dois sistemas produtivos investigados. Porém, no sistema tipo Virgínea percebeu-se um maior comprometimento da saúde do trabalhador. Em ambas as comunidades a saúde das famílias de fumicultores é sistematicamente exposta a riscos. Contudo, estes são pouco relacionados com o trabalho, com sua saúde e o sistema produtivo em que atuam. A escassez de ações de saúde e os déficits no processo de notificação relacionados às intoxicações demonstram a necessidade de uma atenção à saúde dos fumicultores. Devido às especificidades de suas condições de vida, dispersão e heterogeneidade, são requeridas ações de fiscalização do ambiente de trabalho e de vigilância em saúde.
Desenvolvimento sustentável e a produção de biocombustíveis: uma alternativa à produção de fumo?
Authors: Bidarte Marcos Vinicius Dalagostini , Costa Ana Monteiro
Published: August 2018

Na perspectiva do desenvolvimento sustentável como processo que visa à melhoria de vida das pessoas e da adesão do Brasil à Convenção-Quadro para o Controle do Tabaco, o presente estudo buscou verificar se a produção de biocombustíveis de primeira geração pode ser uma alternativa aos municípios produtores de fumo no Vale do Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul. Para compreender o vínculo dos agricultores com o cultivo de matérias-primas para bicombustíveis de primeira geração em relação à substituição da produção de fumo e/ou à diversificação da propriedade rural, realizou-se um estudo de caso múltiplo, com entrevistas direcionadas a quatro agricultores que possuíam relação com os Projetos Girassol e Etanol protocolados pela AFUBRA. Os resultados revelam que a produção de biocombustíveis é uma alternativa sustentável no que tange à diversificação da propriedade, mas com considerável redução de ganhos e dificuldades de cultivo em terrenos acidentados. Os incentivos para a produção de biocombustíveis são os benefícios à saúde dos agricultores, a redução de gastos com combustíveis fósseis, a geração de renda aos produtores e a preservação do meio ambiente.
A dimensão regional da política de educação em saúde no Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Steyer Maria Raquel Pilar , Cadoná Marco André , Weigelt Leni Dias
Published: August 2018

O presente artigo analisa o processo de regionalização da Comissão de Integração Ensino-Serviço (CIES) na construção de uma política regional pela qual militantes da educação em saúde têm se mobilizado. A mobilização busca não apenas dar visibilidade à política de educação permanente em saúde, mas também garantir o comprometimento do poder público na implementação dessas políticas em âmbito regional. Quanto aos procedimentos metodológicos, eles se basearam na análise de documentos relacionados às legislações vinculadas à política de educação permanente em saúde e à estruturação da CIES, bem como de documentação relativa às atividades da CIES na Região 28 de Saúde, no Rio Grande do Sul, no período entre 2007 e 2014. Como resultado, verificou-se que, a partir da experiência histórica da CIES na referida região, os participantes comprometidos com esse campo de políticas públicas puderam se colocar em um importante espaço de execução de políticas regionais de educação permanente em saúde, potencializando-o enquanto espaço político e de militância na construção de políticas públicas.
Cultura, território e turismo
Authors: Wenceslau Marina Evaristo
Published: August 2018

As comunidades indígenas, localizadas no município de Dourados, estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, são núcleos de atratividade cuja dinâmica histórica pode propiciar, por meio da cultura, uma identidade própria, mantendo em alguns casos sua alteridade através da língua materna, de seus mitos e ritos. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar o processo cultural e a identidade indígena, baseado no tronco linguístico Guarani- Kayowá, Ñandeva e Aruak-Terena, desenvolvendo, para isso, uma análise a respeito dessa representatividade, demonstrada por meio da produção alimentar, cultural e do modo de vida. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados foram baseados na história oral de vida, com três perguntas de corte, conforme orientação de Mehine, em análise da sociedade Kayowá, dos seus produtos na contextualização prática, e da própria experiência indígena, através da cooperativa de artesãos criada pelos Guarani e Terena-Guateka, em seus territórios culturais.
СУБСТРАТНАЯ СПЕЦИФИЧНОСТЬ АЦИЛ-ЛИПИДНОЙ ?9-ДЕСАТУРАЗЫ ЖИРНЫХ КИСЛОТ ИЗ ЦИАНОБАКТЕРИИ CYANOBACTERIUM SP. IPPAS B-1200 С НЕОБЫЧНЫМ ЖИРНОКИСЛОТНЫМ СОСТАВОМ, "Физиология растений"
Authors: Стариков А. Ю. , Усербаева А.А. , Миронов К.С. , Сидоров Р.А. , Заядан Б.К. , Бедбенов В.С. , Синетова М.А. , Лось Д.А.
Published: August 2018

Cyanobacterium sp. IPPAS B-1200 характеризуется высоким содержанием в мембранных липидах таких жирных кислот (ЖК) как миристиновая (14:0-30%) и миристолеиновая (14:1 9-10%). Таким образом, “короткие” ЖК составляют 40% от общей массы ЖК, что крайне необычно для цианобактерий. Мононенасыщенная пальмитолеиновая кислота (16:1 9) также достигает 40% от суммы ЖК. Мы определили нуклеотидную последовательность генома этой цианобактерии и обнаружили в нем лишь один ген десатуразы ЖК, кодирующий ацил-липидную 9-десатуразу DesC1. Для определения спе- цифичности DesC1 к длине ЖК этот ген клонировали и экспрессировали в клетках Escherichia coli. Результаты показывают, что десатураза DesC1 проявляет активность в положении 9 неспецифично по отношению к длине цепи ЖК и способна образовывать двойные связи в С14, С16 и С18 ЖК. Это свидетельствует о том, что наличие всех мононесащенных кислот в клетках Cyanobacterium определяется активностью одной единственной 9-десатуразы.
ЗАКРЫВАНИЕ УСТЬИЦ ХВОИ СОСНЫ В УСЛОВИЯХ ВОДНОГО ДЕФИЦИТА ОПРЕДЕЛЯЕТСЯ СНИЖЕНИЕМ ВОДНОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА АПОПЛАСТА МЕЗОФИЛЛА ПОДУСТЬИЧНОЙ ПОЛОСТИ, "Физиология растений"
Authors: Воронин П.Ю. , Рахманкулова З.Ф. , Тарнопольская Е. Е. , Кузнецов Вл. В.
Published: August 2018

В контролируемых условиях исследовали ответные реакции сеянцев сосны (Pinus sylvestris L.) на разный по интенсивности водный дефицит, индуцируемый полиэтиленгликолем 6000 (ПЭГ) (от -0.15 до -1.5 МПа). При этом определяли сухую массу побегов и корней растений, максимальный квантовый выход флуоресценции (Fv /Fm) и нефотохимическое тушение (NPQ) хлорофилла, фотосинтетический СО2/Н2О-газообмен и темновое дыхание хвои, водный потенциал апопласта мезофилла в подустьичной полости хвои. В условиях индуцированного водного дефицита наблюдали торможение роста сеянцев, снижение интенсивности фотосинтеза, транспирации и содержания фотосинтетических пигментов. Впервые показано, что исполнительным механизмом закрывания устьиц как физиологической нормы реакции хвои сеянцев сосны на водный дефицит является снижение водного потенциала апопласта мезофилла подустьичной полости.
ДЕНДРИТНЫЕ МЕХАНИЗМЫ РЕГУЛЯЦИИ АКТИВНОСТИ И ПЛАСТИЧНОСТИ ПИРАМИДНЫХ НЕЙРОНОВ НЕОКОРТЕКСА, "Успехи физиологических наук"
Authors: Гришаев А. В. , Сазонов В. Ф.
Published: August 2018

В данной работе рассматриваются многочисленные механизмы и способы управления функциональным состоянием пирамидных нейронов неокортекса на уровне их дендритных компартмен-тов. Основной акцент сделан на значении "дендритных спайков" и образующих их токов, а также I и К+-токов для генерации пачечной активности и соответственно реализации зависимых от пачеч-ности форм пластичности. Раскрывается сущность активных свойств дендритов и предлагаются возможные обеспечивающие их механизмы. Обсуждаются способы взаимодействий и взаимовлияний дендритных токов друг на друга, а также их регуляция с помощью вторичных мессенджеров. Предлагаются задачи и подходы для нейромоделирования описанных нейрофизиологических и биофизических явлений. Материалы статьи представляют интерес для специалистов в области нейрональной пластичности, электрофизиологии, биофизики, биохимии и смежных направлений.
ФИТАЗЫ И?ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ИХ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ (ОБЗОР), "Прикладная биохимия и микробиология"
Authors: Гесслер Н.Н. , Сердюк Е. Г. , Исакова Е.П. , Дерябина Ю.И.
Published: August 2018

Фитазы растительного и микробного происхождения высвобождают фосфаты из трудно растворимых фитатов, делая их доступными для усвоения. В обзоре рассмотрены биохимические свойства фитаз, области применения и перспективы использования. Введение фитаз в корма сельскохозяйственных животных повышает выход продукции без дополнительных затрат на внесение минеральных фосфатов. Наличие продуцентов фитаз в почве позволяет уменьшить дозу вносимых минеральных фосфатных удобрений и таким образом снижает риск эвтрофикации водоемов.
ОПТИМИЗАЦИЯ МЕТОДА МЕТАБОЛОМНОГО ПРОФИЛИРОВАНИЯ ЛЮЦЕРНЫ ХМЕЛЕВИДНОЙ И?ГОРОХА ПОСЕВНОГО, "Прикладная биохимия и микробиология"
Authors: Пузанский Р.К. , Емельянов В.В. , Клюкова М. С. , Шаварда А.Л. , Штарк О.Ю. , Юрков А.П. , Шишова М.Ф.
Published: August 2018

Метаболическое профилирование представляет собой ключевой подход для современных биологических фундаментальных и прикладных исследований. Сравнительный анализ способов экстракции метаболитов гороха посевного и люцерны хмелевидной позволил подобрать оптимальные условия их выделения и последующего детектирования методом газовой хроматографии, сопряженной с масс-спектрометрией. Показана адекватность такого метода для оценки органо- и видоспецифичности метаболических профилей корней и листьев у растений гороха и люцерны хмелевидной.
АММОНОИДНАЯ ЗОНА YAKUTOSIRENITES ARMIGER СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОКА АЗИИ?-?РЕПЕРНЫЙ УРОВЕНЬ БОРЕАЛЬНО-ТЕТИЧЕСКОЙ КОРРЕЛЯЦИИ НИЖНЕГО КАРНИЯ, "Стратиграфия. Геологическая корреляция"
Authors: Константинов А.Г.
Published: August 2018

Рассмотрены проблемы бореально-тетической корреляции нижнего карния и методические подходы их решения. Проведена ревизия состава и распространения аммоноидей в наиболее представительных разрезах верхней части нижнего карнийского подъяруса Северо-Востока Азии - в Северном Приохотье, Северном Верхоянье и в центральной части о-ва Котельный. Впервые палеонтологически обосновано выделение аммоноидной зоны Yakutosirenites armiger и показаны ее границы в разрезе нижнего карния в бассейне р. Тихая о-ва Котельный. Уточнен и дополнен состав комплекса аммоноидей зоны armiger на рассматриваемой территории, в котором наряду с местными таксонами аммоноидей (Yakutosirenites armiger (Vozin), Arctophyllites okhotensis Konstantinov) и редкими экзотическими формами, имеющими южное происхождение (Siberioklipsteinia dagysi Konstantinov), установлено присутствие космополитного рода Sirenites. Рассмотрена история выделения и морфология рода Sirenites, приведены сведения о его стратиграфическом и географическом распространении. Наличие в комплексе аммоноидей зоны armiger Северо-Востока Азии видов Sirenites senticosus (Dittmar) и S. ovinus Tozer обеспечивает ее прямую корреляцию c тетическими разрезами, а именно с зонами Austrotrachyceras obesum и Sirenites nanseni Британской Колумбии, с зоной Austrotrachyceras austriacum альпийской шкалы и их эквивалентами, широко распространенными во многих тетических регионах. Это дает основание рассматривать зону armiger Северо-Востока Азии в качестве реперного уровня бореально-тетической корреляции нижнего карния.
БЕЛЕМНИТЫ И БИОСТРАТИГРАФИЯ НИЖНЕГО БАТА ЦЕНТРА И ЮГА ВОСТОЧНО-ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЙ ПЛАТФОРМЫ. ЧАСТЬ 2. CYLINDROTEUTHIDIDAE И BELEMNOTHEUTIDIDAE, "Стратиграфия. Геологическая корреляция"
Authors: Ипполитов А. П.
Published: August 2018

Проведена ревизия белемнитов из нижнебатских отложений Русской плиты на основании изучения двух опорных разрезов - Плетнёвского и Сокурского карьеров. Во второй части работы рассматриваются представители сем. Cylindroteuthididae, а также “безростровые” белемниты сем. Belemnotheutididae. Среди цилиндротеутидид, встреченных только в Сокурском карьере, установлено присутствие 4 видов, относящихся к единственному роду Pachyteuthis, включая впервые описываемый вид P. mittai sp. nov. Для белемнотеутидид установлено присутствие единственного вида Acanthoteuthis foliorostris sp. nov., который является первой достоверной находкой рода Acanthoteuthis в докелловейских отложениях. На основе изучения вертикальных изменений признаков у цилиндротеутидид выделены 2 биогоризонта, предложены усовершенствования существующей схемы расчленения нижнего бата Поволжья и его корреляции с разрезами в бассейне р. Печора по белемнитам. По результатам всей ревизии представлена комплексная зональная и инфразональная схема расчленения нижнебатских отложений Поволжья по белемнитам. Наличие в раннем бате в Среднерусском море эндемичных таксонов родового ранга, происходящих от аркто-бореальных иммигрантов, позволяет трактовать формирование фауны белемнитов указанного возраста как ранний изолированный эпизод обособления Бореально-Атлантической провиции по белемнитам. Особенности развития фауны головоногих в раннем бате Русской плиты указывают на двухфазный характер формирования меридионального пролива, соединявшего Среднерусское море с арктическими бассейнами, а также позволяют обосновать предположение о кратковременном открытии субширотного Припятского пролива в момент максимума трансгрессии.
All‐Silicon Broadband Ultraviolet Metasurfaces
Authors: Deng Yang , Wang Xi , Gong Zilun , Dong Kaichen , Lou Shuai , Pégard Nicolas , Tom Kyle B. , Yang Fuyi , You Zheng , Waller Laura , Yao Jie
Published: August 2018

Featuring high photon energy and short wavelength, ultraviolet (UV) light enables numerous applications such as high‐resolution imaging, photolithography, and sensing. In order to manipulate UV light, bulky optics are usually required, and hence do not meet the fast‐growing requirements of integration in compact systems. Recently, metasurfaces have shown unprecedented control of light, enabling substantial miniaturization of photonic devices from terahertz to visible regions. However, material challenges have hampered the realization of such functionalities at shorter wavelengths. Herein, it is experimentally demonstrated that all‐silicon (Si) metasurfaces with thicknesses of only one‐tenth of the working wavelength can be designed and fabricated to manipulate broadband UV light with efficiencies comparable to plasmonic metasurface performance in infrared (IR). Also, for the first time, photolithography enabled by metasurface‐generated UV holograms is shown. Such performance enhancement is attributed to increased scattering cross sections of Si antennas in the UV range, which is adequately modeled via a circuit. The new platform introduced here will deepen the understanding of light–matter interactions and introduce even more material options to broadband metaphotonic applications, including those in integrated photonics and holographic lithography technologies.