bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the effect of plant‐provided food supplements on pest consumption by omnivorous predators: lessons from two coccinellid beetles
Authors: Schuldiner‐Harpaz Tarryn , Coll Moshe
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Plant‐provided food supplements can influence biological pest control by omnivorous predators in two counteracting ways: they can (i) enhance predator populations, but (ii) reduce pest consumption by individual predators. Yet the majority of studies address only one of these aspects. Here, we first tested the influence of canola (Brassica napus L.) pollen supplements on the life history of two ladybeetle species: Hoppodamia variegata (Goeze) and Coccinella septempunctata (L.). We then developed a theoretical model to simulate total pest consumption in the presence and absence of pollen supplements.

RESULTS

Supplementing a prey diet with canola pollen increased H. variegata larval survival from 50 to 82%, and C. septempunctata female oviposition by 1.6‐fold. Model simulations revealed a greater benefit of pollen supplements when relying on C. septempunctata for pest suppression than on H. variegata.

CONCLUSION

For these two predators, the tested pollen serves as an essential supplement to a diet of prey. However, the benefit of a mixed prey–pollen diet was not always sufficient to overcome individual decrease in pest consumption. Taken together, our study highlights the importance of addressing both positive and negative roles of plant‐provided food supplements in considering the outcome for biological control efforts that rely on omnivorous predators. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Well Leg Compartment Syndrome After Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Christoffersen Jens Krogh , Hove Lars Dahlgaard , Mikkelsen Kim Lyngby , Krogsgaard Michael Rindom
Published: September 2016

Background

Well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS) is a complication to abdominal surgery. We aimed to identify risk factors for and outcome of WLCS in Denmark and literature.

Methods

Prospectively collected claims to the Danish Patient Compensation Association (DPCA) concerning WLCS after abdominal operations 1996–2013 and cases in literature 1970–2013 were evaluated. Cases of fasciotomy within 2 weeks after abdominal surgery 1999–2008 were extracted from the Danish National Patient Register (DNPR).

Results

There were 40 cases in DPCA and 124 in literature. In 68 % legs were supported under the knees during surgery. Symptoms of WLCS presented within 2 h after surgery in 56 % and in only 3 cases after 24 h. Obesity was not confirmed as risk factor for WLCS. The mean diagnostic delay was 10 h. One‐third of fasciotomies were insufficient. The diagnostic delay increased with duration of the abdominal surgery (p = 0.04). Duration of the abdominal surgery was 4 times as important as the diagnostic delay for severity of the final outcome. DNPR recorded 4 new cases/year, and half were reported to DPCA.

Conclusion

The first 24 h following abdominal surgery of >4 h′ duration with elevated legs observation for WLCS should be standard. Pain in the calf is indicative of WLCS, and elevated serum CK can support the diagnosis. Mannitol infusion and acute four‐compartment fasciotomy of the lower leg is the treatment. The risk of severe outcome of WLCS increases with duration of the primary operation. A broad support and change of legs’ position during surgery are suggested preventative initiatives.
Ontogenetic shift in Daphnia‐algae interaction strength altered by stressors: revisiting Jensen's inequality
Authors: Ramos‐Jiliberto Rodrigo , Heine‐Fuster Inger , Reyes Claudio A. , González‐Barrientos Javier
Published: September 2016

Interaction strength among species plays a crucial role in shaping the functioning of ecological communities, but it is often assumed to be insensitive to inter‐individual variation in underlying parameters such as attack rates or handling time. Ecological factors including stressors exert age/size‐dependent effects on such behavioral parameters, promoting shifts in the distribution of parameter values over ages. Here we analyze the effects of the pesticide methamidophos on the Daphnia‐microalga interaction strength. We first analyze age‐dependent effects of the pesticide on the Daphnia functional response, and then decompose the population‐level effects of the stressor into contributions of shifts in elevation (i.e., vertical effect) versus shifts in nonlinearity (i.e., nonlinear effect) of the response of interaction strength over consumer age. Our results show that (1) Rogers and Holling type II functional response models best fitted the empirical functional responses of Daphnia of different ages, (2) attack rate and handling time were affected by the pesticide, (3) these effects were age‐specific, shifting the average attack rate and both the mean and coefficient of variation of handling time of different age classes, (4) population level interaction strength was affected by pesticide exposure by variation in both elevation and nonlinearity of its response over consumer age. We show that both vertical and nonlinear effects were important in magnitude but opposite in sign. The consequences of factors that exert age/size dependent effects can only be evaluated through properly considering inter‐individual variation.
Scintillation Proximity Assay to Detect the Changes in Cellular Dihydrosphingosine 1‐Phosphate Levels
Authors: Ohtoyo Mamoru , Tamura Masakazu , Machinaga Nobuo , Muro Fumihito , Hashimoto Ryuji
Published: September 2016

Compounds that modulate the activity of sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P)‐metabolizing enzymes are expected to be potential therapeutic agents for various diseases. Investigation of their potencies requires not only cell‐free but also cell‐based assays in which intracellular accumulation/depletion of S1P could be monitored. However, conventional methods have limitations to their simplicity, mainly due to the necessity of a separation process that separates S1P from its related substances. Here, we describe a method utilizing a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) for semi‐quantifying intracellular [3H]‐labeled dihydroS1P ([3H]dhS1P), which is also a substrate for S1P‐metabolizing enzymes. We found that uncoated yttrium silicate SPA beads could selectively bind to and detect [3H]dhS1P rather than [3H]dihydrosphingosine (the non‐phosphorylated form of [3H]dhS1P). Based on this, we developed a novel cell‐based assay system which does not require any organic solvent extraction or chromatographic separation, and confirmed its practicality by using siRNA targeting S1P lyase (S1PL) and known S1PL inhibitors as models. Our results demonstrated that this assay is useful for rapid and easy evaluation of S1PL inhibitors, and could be potentially applicable for all compounds that modulate the activity of S1P‐metabolizing enzymes.
Replacement of Marine Fish Oil with de novo Omega‐3 Oils from Transgenic Camelina sativa in Feeds for Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.)
Authors: Betancor Mónica B. , Sprague M. , Montero D. , Usher S. , Sayanova O. , Campbell P. J. , Napier J. A. , Caballero M. J. , Izquierdo M. , Tocher D. R.
Published: September 2016

Omega‐3 (n‐3) long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) are essential components of the diet of all vertebrates. The major dietary source of n‐3 LC‐PUFA for humans has been fish and seafood but, paradoxically, farmed fish are also reliant on marine fisheries for fish meal and fish oil (FO), traditionally major ingredients of aquafeeds. Currently, the only sustainable alternatives to FO are vegetable oils, which are rich in C18 PUFA, but devoid of the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) abundant in FO. Two new n‐3 LC‐PUFA sources obtained from genetically modified (GM) Camelina sativa containing either EPA alone (ECO) or EPA and DHA (DCO) were compared to FO and wild‐type camelina oil (WCO) in juvenile sea bream. Neither ECO nor DCO had any detrimental effects on fish performance, although final weight of ECO‐fed fish (117 g) was slightly lower than that of FO‐ and DCO‐fed fish (130 and 127 g, respectively). Inclusion of the GM‐derived oils enhanced the n‐3 LC‐PUFA content in fish tissues compared to WCO, although limited biosynthesis was observed indicating accumulation of dietary fatty acids. The expression of genes involved in several lipid metabolic processes, as well as fish health and immune response, in both liver and anterior intestine were altered in fish fed the GM‐derived oils. This showed a similar pattern to that observed in WCO‐fed fish reflecting the hybrid fatty acid profile of the new oils. Overall the data indicated that the GM‐derived oils could be suitable alternatives to dietary FO in sea bream.
Liquid Biopsies
Authors: Speicher Michael R. , Gerger Armin , Hoefler Gerald
Published: September 2016

„Liquid Biopsy“ bezieht sich in der Onkologie auf die Untersuchung von zirkulierenden Tumorzellen (engl.: circulating tumor cells [CTCs]) oder zirkulierender Tumor-DNA (engl.: circulating tumor DNA [ctDNA]), um nicht invasiv aus dem peripheren Blut Charakteristika über das Tumorgenom von Krebspatienten zu erfassen. Den Liquid Biopsies wird ein immenses Potenzial für zukünftige Entwicklungen in der personalisierten Medizin und dem Einsatz zielgerichteter Therapien eingeräumt. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit zeigen wir, dass aber noch viele offene Fragen angegangen werden müssen, bevor Liquid Biopsies für die klinische Routine eingesetzt werden können. Eine besondere Herausforderung liegt darin, dass Ergebnisse je nach gewähltem Untersuchungsverfahren eine Tragweite haben können, die weit über die ursprünglich beabsichtigte Untersuchung des Tumorgenoms hinausgeht. All diese Fragen können nur in einem interdisziplinären Ansatz unter Beteiligung der Humangenetik, Onkologie, Pathologie, Bioinformatik und Bioethik angegangen und beantwortet werden.
The Political Economy of Guyana's Underdevelopment
Authors: Khemraj Tarron
Published: September 2016

Using a history-inspired game theoretic approach, the paper shows how dictatorship and pro-ethnic voting under democracy, in a society characterized by bi-communal polarization, can result in sub-optimal economic performance. The relatively poor economic outcome is facilitated by an adverse institutional construct, the constitution, which inadvertently encourages low intensity but persistent ethnic rivalry. Mutual distrust in how the other side will vote on the day of secret ballot induces the members of each group to vote for their respective elites, hence non-cooperation. The model is extended to include Gintis’ psychic gain parameter that shows cooperation is possible in the prisoners’ dilemma framework. The latter theoretical result implies a policy proposal of constitutional reform that promotes inter-group cooperation of the distribution of economic resources.
An alternative technique for Fontan completion in patients with widely separated connections of the inferior systemic veins to the atrial mass
Authors: Pomè Giuseppe , Ghedira Faker , Keizman Eitan
Published: September 2016

Several surgical approaches for completion of a total cavopulmonary connection have been established for patients with anomalies of systemic venous connection in association with a functionally univentricular heart. We report an alternative technique designed to address the problem of widely separated inferior systemic veins, in which two extracardiac conduits were used. This technique was performed on three patients and yielded excellent short-term results, allowing us to operate on a beating heart with no need for cardioplegic arrest and aortic cross-clamping.
Vascular microRNA-204 is remotely governed by the microbiome and impairs endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by downregulating Sirtuin1
Authors: Vikram Ajit , Kim Young-Rae , Kumar Santosh , Li Qiuxia , Kassan Modar , Jacobs Julia S. , Irani Kaikobad
Published: September 2016

Gut microbiota promotes atherosclerosis, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, signalled by impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, is an early marker of atherosclerosis. Here we show that vascular microRNA-204 (miR-204) expression is remotely regulated by the microbiome, and impairs endothelial function by targeting the Sirtuin1 lysine deacetylase (Sirt1). MiR-204 is downregulated, while Sirt1 is upregulated, in aortas of germ-free mice. Suppression of gut microbiome with broad-spectrum antibiotics decreases miR-204, increases Sirt1 and bioavailable vascular nitric oxide, and improves endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in mouse aortas. Antibiotics curtail aortic miR-204 upregulation, and rescue decline of aortic Sirt1 and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, triggered by high-fat diet feeding. Improvement of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by antibiotics is lost in mice lacking endothelial Sirt1. Systemic antagonism of miR-204 rescues impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and vascular Sirt1, and decreases vascular inflammation induced by high-fat diet. These findings reveal a gut microbe-vascular microRNA–Sirtuin1 nexus that leads to endothelial dysfunction.
DELLA-mediated gibberellin signalling regulates Nod factor signalling and rhizobial infection
Authors: Fonouni-Farde Camille , Tan Sovanna , Baudin Maël , Brault Mathias , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Niebel Andreas , Frugier Florian , Diet Anouck
Published: September 2016

Legumes develop symbiotic interactions with rhizobial bacteria to form nitrogen-fixing nodules. Bacterial Nod factors (NFs) and plant regulatory pathways modulating NF signalling control rhizobial infections and nodulation efficiency. Here we show that gibberellin (GA) signalling mediated by DELLA proteins inhibits rhizobial infections and controls the NF induction of the infection marker ENOD11 in Medicago truncatula. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active DELLA protein in the epidermis is sufficient to promote ENOD11 expression in the absence of symbiotic signals. We show using heterologous systems that DELLA proteins can interact with the nodulation signalling pathway 2 (NSP2) and nuclear factor-YA1 (NF-YA1) transcription factors that are essential for the activation of NF responses. Furthermore, MtDELLA1 can bind the ERN1 (ERF required for nodulation 1) promoter and positively transactivate its expression. Overall, we propose that GA-dependent action of DELLA proteins may directly regulate the NSP1/NSP2 and NF-YA1 activation of ERN1 transcription to regulate rhizobial infections.
Study of Gas Flow Characteristics in Tight Porous Media with a Microscale Lattice Boltzmann Model
Authors: Zhao Jianlin , Yao Jun , Zhang Min , Zhang Lei , Yang Yongfei , Sun Hai , An Senyou , Li Aifen
Published: September 2016

To investigate the gas flow characteristics in tight porous media, a microscale lattice Boltzmann (LB) model with the regularization procedure is firstly adopted to simulate gas flow in three-dimensional (3D) digital rocks. A shale digital rock and a sandstone digital rock are reconstructed to study the effects of pressure, temperature and pore size on microscale gas flow. The simulation results show that because of the microscale effect in tight porous media, the apparent permeability is always higher than the intrinsic permeability and with the decrease of pressure or pore size, or with the increase of temperature, the difference between apparent permeability and intrinsic permeability increases. In addition, the Knudsen numbers under different conditions are calculated and the results show that gas flow characteristics in the digital rocks under different Knudsen numbers are quite different. With the increase of Knudsen number, gas flow in the digital rocks becomes more uniform and the effect of heterogeneity of the porous media on gas flow decreases. Finally, two commonly used apparent permeability calculation models are evaluated by the simulation results and the Klinkenberg model shows better accuracy. In addition, a better proportionality factor in Klinkenberg model is proposed according to the simulation results.
Structural insights into the IgE mediated responses induced by the allergens Hev b 8 and Zea m 12 in their dimeric forms
Authors: Mares-Mejía Israel , Martínez-Caballero Siseth , Garay-Canales Claudia , Cano-Sánchez Patricia , Torres-Larios Alfredo , Lara-González Samuel , Ortega Enrique , Rodríguez-Romero Adela
Published: September 2016

Oligomerization of allergens plays an important role in IgE-mediated reactions, as effective crosslinking of IgE- FcεRI complexes on the cell membrane is dependent on the number of exposed B-cell epitopes in a single allergen molecule or on the occurrence of identical epitopes in a symmetrical arrangement. Few studies have attempted to experimentally demonstrate the connection between allergen dimerization and the ability to trigger allergic reactions. Here we studied plant allergenic profilins rHev b 8 (rubber tree) and rZea m 12 (maize) because they represent an important example of cross-reactivity in the latex-pollen-food syndrome. Both allergens in their monomeric and dimeric states were isolated and characterized by exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry and were used in immunological in vitro experiments. Their crystal structures were solved, and for Hev b 8 a disulfide-linked homodimer was found. Comparing the structures we established that the longest loop is relevant for recognition by IgE antibodies, whereas the conserved regions are important for cross-reactivity. We produced a novel monoclonal murine IgE (mAb 2F5), specific for rHev b 8, which was useful to provide evidence that profilin dimerization considerably increases the IgE-mediated degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia cells.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of unripe and mid-ripe fruit of Mangifera indica (var. “Dashehari”) unravels ripening associated genes
Authors: Srivastava Smriti , Singh Rajesh K. , Pathak Garima , Goel Ridhi , Asif Mehar Hasan , Sane Aniruddha P. , Sane Vidhu A.
Published: September 2016

Ripening in mango is under a complex control of ethylene. In an effort to understand the complex spatio-temporal control of ripening we have made use of a popular N. Indian variety “Dashehari” This variety ripens from the stone inside towards the peel outside and forms jelly in the pulp in ripe fruits. Through a combination of 454 and Illumina sequencing, a transcriptomic analysis of gene expression from unripe and midripe stages have been performed in triplicates. Overall 74,312 unique transcripts with ≥1 FPKM were obtained. The transcripts related to 127 pathways were identified in “Dashehari” mango transcriptome by the KEGG analysis. These pathways ranged from detoxification, ethylene biosynthesis, carbon metabolism and aromatic amino acid degradation. The transcriptome study reveals differences not only in expression of softening associated genes but also those that govern ethylene biosynthesis and other nutritional characteristics. This study could help to develop ripening related markers for selective breeding to reduce the problems of excess jelly formation during softening in the “Dashehari” variety.
Direct Observation of Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction from Asymmetric Spin-wave Propagation in W/CoFeB/SiO2 Heterostructures Down to Sub-nanometer CoFeB Thickness
Authors: Chaurasiya Avinash Kumar , Banerjee Chandrima , Pan Santanu , Sahoo Sourav , Choudhury Samiran , Sinha Jaivardhan , Barman Anjan
Published: September 2016

Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (IDMI) is important for its roles in stabilizing the skyrmionic lattice as well as soliton-like domain wall motion leading towards new generation spintronic devices. However, achievement and detection of IDMI is often hindered by various spurious effects. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of IDMI originating primarily from W/CoFeB interface in technologically important W/CoFeB/SiO2 heterostructures using Brillouin light scattering technique. Due to the presence of IDMI, we observe asymmetry in the peak frequency and linewidth of the spin-wave spectra in the Damon-Eshbach (DE) geometry at finite k wave-vectors. The DMI constant is found to scale as the inverse of CoFeB thickness, over the whole studied thickness range, confirming the presence of IDMI in our system without any extrinsic effects. Importantly, the W/CoFeB interface shows no degradation down to sub-nanometer CoFeB thickness, which would be useful for devices that aim to use pronounced interface effects.
Deficits in attentional processing of fearful facial expressions in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Liu Yunzhe , Zhang Dandan , Zhao Yanli , Tan Shuping , Luo Yuejia
Published: September 2016

Impaired attentional processing of negative facial expressions is prominent in schizophrenia and has been shown to be associated with patients’ social dysfunctions. However, little is known about when and which specific attention deficits influence social functions. Given the dynamic feature of attention, it is necessary to investigate the attention deficits in negative emotional processing unfolding in time. The current study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the temporal dynamics of attention deficits in emotion perception and their potential relationship with emotional/social impairments in neuroleptic naive schizophrenic patients. Two specific attention deficits were identified and were found to be associated with emotional/social impairments. More specifically, the deficit in orienting attention (evidenced with the reduced P1 amplitude) was correlated with expressive deficits, while the deficit in executive control of attention (evidenced with the reduced P3 amplitude) was correlated with avolition/asociality. Together, these findings may provide novel insights into the core pathophysiological processes and offer objective biomarkers for specific emotional/social impairments in schizophrenia. It is also hoped that this study helps to bridge the gap between basic cognitive deficits and relative high-level social dysfunctions in schizophrenic patients.
Enhanced pinocembrin production in Escherichia coli by regulating cinnamic acid metabolism
Authors: Cao Weijia , Ma Weichao , Wang Xin , Zhang Bowen , Cao Xun , Chen Kequan , Li Yan , Ouyang Pingkai
Published: September 2016

Microbial biosynthesis of pinocembrin is of great interest in the area of drug research and human healthcare. Here we found that the accumulation of the pathway intermediate cinnamic acid adversely affected pinocembrin production. Hence, a stepwise metabolic engineering strategy was carried out aimed at eliminating this pathway bottleneck and increasing pinocembrin production. The screening of gene source and the optimization of gene expression was first employed to regulate the synthetic pathway of cinnamic acid, which showed a 3.53-fold increase in pinocembrin production (7.76 mg/L) occurred with the alleviation of cinnamic acid accumulation in the engineered E. coli. Then, the downstream pathway that consuming cinnamic acid was optimized by the site-directed mutagenesis of chalcone synthase and cofactor engineering. S165M mutant of chalcone synthase could efficiently improve the pinocembrin production, and allowed the product titer of pinocembrin increased to 40.05 mg/L coupled with the malonyl-CoA engineering. With a two-phase pH fermentation strategy, the cultivation of the optimized strain resulted in a final pinocembrin titer of 67.81 mg/L. The results and engineering strategies demonstrated here would hold promise for the titer improvement of other flavonoids.
Differential morphology and transcriptome profile between the incompletely fused carpels ovary and its wild-type in maize
Authors: Li Hongping , Wu Yufeng , Zhao Yali , Hu Xiuli , Chang Jianfeng , Wang Qun , Dong Pengfei , Zhang Moubiao , Li Chaohai
Published: September 2016

We have isolated a new mutation in maize, incompletely fused carpels (ifc), which results in an open stylar canal on the ovary and an incomplete pericarp at the top of the kernel. The maize ovary derives from the fusion of three carpels; however, the molecular networks regulating maize carpel fusion remain largely unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on wild-type (WT) and ifc ovaries that were collected after carpel fusion defects could be morphologically distinguished. In total, 877 differentially expressed genes were identified. Functional analysis revealed overexpression of genes related to “DNA binding”, “transcription regulation”, “hormones”, and “stress responses”. Among the 88 differentially expressed transcription factor (TF) genes, five showed a high degree of conservation (77.7–88.0% amino acid identity) of their conserved domains with genes associated with carpel fusion deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that these five genes might control carpel fusion in maize. In addition, 30 genes encoding components of hormone synthesis and signaling pathways were differentially expressed between ifc and WT ovaries, indicating complex hormonal regulation during carpel fusion. These results help elucidate the underlying mechanisms that regulate carpel fusion, supporting the functional analysis of genes involved in producing this phenotype.
Pseudo-time-reversal symmetry and topological edge states in two-dimensional acoustic crystals
Authors: Mei Jun , Chen Zeguo , Wu Ying
Published: September 2016

We propose a simple two-dimensional acoustic crystal to realize topologically protected edge states for acoustic waves. The acoustic crystal is composed of a triangular array of core-shell cylinders embedded in a water host. By utilizing the point group symmetry of two doubly degenerate eigenstates at the Γ point, we can construct pseudo-time-reversal symmetry as well as pseudo-spin states in this classical system. We develop an effective Hamiltonian for the associated dispersion bands around the Brillouin zone center, and find the inherent link between the band inversion and the topological phase transition. With numerical simulations, we unambiguously demonstrate the unidirectional propagation of acoustic edge states along the interface between a topologically nontrivial acoustic crystal and a trivial one, and the robustness of the edge states against defects with sharp bends. Our work provides a new design paradigm for manipulating and transporting acoustic waves in a topologically protected manner. Technological applications and devices based on our design are expected in various frequency ranges of interest, spanning from infrasound to ultrasound.
Manganese clusters of aromatic oximes: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties
Authors: Chen Zilu , Hu Zhaobo , Li Yisheng , Liang Yuning , Wang Xinyu , Ouyang Li , Zhao Qin , Cheng Haiyan , Liang Fupei
Published: September 2016

The reported five manganese clusters with different skeletons reveal the contribution of parent rings, non-coordinating groups and anions on structural variation.
Effect of Bactrocera oleae on phenolic compounds and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two Algerian olive cultivars
Authors: Medjkouh Lynda , Tamendjari Abderezak , Alves Rita C. , Araújo Mariana , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P.
Published: September 2016

Bactrocera oleae, an olive fruit fly, is a major olive pest in Algeria.
A solid solution zeolitic imidazolate framework as a room temperature efficient catalyst for the chemical fixation of CO2
Authors: Kuruppathparambil Roshith Roshan , Babu Robin , Jeong Hye Min , Hwang Gyu-Young , Jeong Gyeong Seon , Kim Moon-Il , Kim Dong-Woo , Park Dae-Won
Published: September 2016

A solid solution ZIF as a versatile and eco-friendly catalyst for CO2 fixation at room temperature.
Triazole linked ruthenium(ii)–porphyrin: influence of the connectivity pattern on photophysical and electrochemical properties
Authors: Arora Smriti , Nagpal Ritika , Chauhan Prashant , Chauhan Shive Murat Singh
Published: September 2016

A family of inverse and regular triazolyl–pyridyl porphyrin–ruthenium(ii) conjugates display an energy transfer from porphyrin to the ruthenium bipyridyl moiety and a narrow HOMO/LUMO energy band gap is responsible for enhanced electronic coupling.
Broadly tunable emission from Ca2Al2SiO7:Bi phosphors based on crystal field modulation around Bi ions
Authors: Li Minhong , Wang Lili , Ran Weiguang , Liu Qingzhi , Ren Chunyan , Jiang Haiyan , Shi Jinsheng
Published: September 2016

Realization of the tuning emission of Bi3+ by micro-modulation of the crystal field environment of the activator.
Tuning the mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibrils reinforced polyvinyl alcohol composites via altering the cellulose polymorphs
Authors: Miao Xiaran , Tian Feng , Lin Jinyou , Li Hui , Li Xiuhong , Bian Fenggang , Zhang Xiangzhi
Published: September 2016

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) with polymorphs of cellulose I and II are different in morphology, aspect ratio, density of functional groups and mechanical properties, which influence the reinforcement effect for polymer composites.
Periodic array of regular Ag nanoparticle trimers: a reliable polarization-independent surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate
Authors: Feng Chao , Zhao Yan , Jiang Yijian
Published: September 2016

A large-area periodic array of regular Ag nanoparticle trimers was fabricated, it possesses polarization-independent SERS performance.
Covalent linker-free immobilization of conjugatable oligonucleotides on polypropylene surfaces
Authors: Tran Clara T. H. , Craggs Michael , Smith Lee M. , Stanley Keith , Kondyurin Alexey , Bilek Marcela M. , McKenzie David R.
Published: September 2016

A novel plasma treatment method was used to activate a polymer surface for oligonucleotide immobilization.
Non-destructive means of probing a composite polyamide membrane for characteristic free volume, void, and chemical composition
Authors: Hung Wei-Song , An Quan-Fu , Hu Chien-Chieh , Lee Kueir-Rarn , Jean Yan-Ching , Lai Juin-Yih
Published: September 2016

Positron annihilation spectroscopy measures free volume in membranes at the sub-nanometer scale (0.1–1 nm).
The synthesis and evaluation of new benzophenone derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Shun , An Baijiao , Yan Jun , Huang Ling , Li Xingshu
Published: September 2016

Inspired by the potent inhibition activity of phenstatin and millepachine against cancer cell growth, a series of new benzophenone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.
Activity of Fe2O3 with a high index facet for bituminous coal chemical looping combustion: a theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Qin W. , Lin C. F. , Long D. T. , Wang J. Y. , Dong C. Q.
Published: September 2016

Iron-based oxide with high miller index facet Fe2O3(104) effectively promotes oxygen transfer at different oxidation states for oxidizing coal molecules into CO2 and H2O during chemical looping combustion of solid fuel.
A colorimetric chemosensor for sulfide in a near-perfect aqueous solution: practical application using a test kit
Authors: Lee Seong Youl , Kim Cheal
Published: September 2016

A selective chemosensor with practical applications was developed for the colorimetric detection of S2− in a near-perfect aqueous solution.
Design, synthesis and shape evaluation of cerium iron oxide nanorods for an epoxide opening reaction through azide addition
Authors: Chaugule Avinash A. , Kim Hern
Published: September 2016

Uniform nanorod structured Ce1−xFexO2has been synthesized through a simple urea hydrolysis method without any surfactant.
Polymer-grafted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a potential stable system for magnetic resonance imaging and doxorubicin delivery
Authors: Asadi H. , Khoee S. , Deckers R.
Published: September 2016

Currently, there is high interest in developing multifunctional theranostic platforms with both imaging and therapeutic functions.
Realitätsferne Praxis
Authors: Rybak Christian
Published: September 2016

Gerichte und Rentenversicherung stufen Honorarärzte oft als „abhängig Beschäftigte“ ein. Das geht an der Realität der täglichen Versorgung vorbei.
Herstellerservices: Alles aus einer Hand
Authors: Mewis Dirk
Published: September 2016

Weltweit ist der Gesundheitsmarkt in Bewegung, Anbieter und Nachfrager rücken enger zusammen. Medizintechnikhersteller wie Siemens Healthcare, Medtronic, Philips oder Samsung HME beteiligen sich zunehmend an Forschungseinrichtungen oder bieten mittlerweile sogar Komplettlösungen an.
Branche in Zahlen
Authors: Mewis Dirk
Published: September 2016

Dieser Artikel ist nur als PDF-Dokument verfügbar
Abwärmenutzung: Heizt Ihre Klinik noch die Straße?
Authors: Loh Markus
Published: September 2016

Krankenhäuser brauchen immer mehr Kälte. Doch die Maschinen, die sie erzeugen, produzieren gleichzeitig große Mengen Abwärme. Diese birgt ein enormes Potenzial, nur wird sie meist ungenutzt in die Umwelt geblasen. Das Projekt KlinergieThermo+ zeigt, wie Kliniken klimafreundlicher werden können – und gleichzeitig Kosten sparen.
Notfallsituationen im Alltag: Ein Leben retten
Authors: Napp Barbara
Published: September 2016

Wir alle arbeiten im Gesundheitswesen. Klinische Notfälle sind uns deshalb bekannt. Diejenigen von Ihnen, die im direkten Patientenumfeld arbeiten, kennen die Ersthilfemaßnahmen in der Regel. Diejenigen von Ihnen, die in patientenfernen Bereichen arbeiten wie Verwaltung, Management, IT oder anderen Gebieten, nicht unbedingt. Wie würden Sie in Notfallsituationen reagieren? Vor allen Dingen in Notfallsituationen im ganz normalen Alltag?
Auditory Evoked Potential Mismatch Negativity in Normal-Hearing Adults
Authors: Schwade Laura , Didoné Dayane , Sleifer Pricila
Published: September 2016

Introduction Mismatch Negativity (MMN) corresponds to a response of the central auditory nervous system.

Objective The objective of this study is to analyze MMN latencies and amplitudes in normal-hearing adults and compare the results between ears, gender and hand dominance.

Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Forty subjects participated, 20 women and 20 men, aged 18 to 29 years and having normal auditory thresholds. A frequency of 1000Hz (standard stimuli) and 2000Hz (deviant stimuli) was used to evoked the MMN.

Results Mean latencies in the right ear were 169.4ms and 175.3ms in the left ear, with mean amplitudes of 4.6µV in the right ear and 4.2µV in the left ear. There was no statistically significant difference between ears. The comparison of latencies between genders showed a statistically significant difference for the right ear, being higher in the men than in women. There was no significant statistical difference between ears for both right-handed and left-handed group. However, the results indicated that the latency of the right ear was significantly higher for the left handers than the right handers. We also found a significant result for the latency of the left ear, which was higher for the right handers.

Conclusion It was possible to obtain references of values for the MMN. There are no differences in the MMN latencies and amplitudes between the ears. Regarding gender, the male group presented higher latencies in relation to the female group in the right ear. Some results indicate that there is a significant statistical difference of the MMN between right- and left-handed individuals.
Concentric superlattice pattern in dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Feng Jianyu , Dong Lifang , Wei Lingyan , Fan Weili , Li Caixia , Pan Yuyang
Published: September 2016

The concentric superlattice pattern with three sub-lattices is observed in the dielectric barrier discharge in air/argon for the first time. Its spatiotemporal structure investigated by an intensified charge-coupled device shows that it is an interleaving of three different sub-lattices, which are concentric-ring, concentric-framework, and concentric-dot, respectively. The images of single-frame indicate that the concentric-ring and concentric-framework are composed of individual filaments. By using the optical emission spectrum method, it is found that plasma parameters of the concentric-dot are different from those of the concentric-ring and concentric-framework. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the concentric superlattice pattern is dependent upon the effective field of the distribution of the wall charges field and the applied field.
Trivelpiece-Gould modes in a uniform unbounded plasma
Authors: Stenzel R. L. , Urrutia J. M.
Published: September 2016

Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) modes originally described electrostatic surface waves on an axially magnetized cylindrical plasma column. Subsequent studies of electromagnetic waves in such plasma columns revealed two modes, a predominantly magnetic helicon mode (H) and the mixed magnetic and electrostatic Trivelpiece-Gould modes (TG). The latter are similar to whistler modes near the oblique cyclotron resonance in unbounded plasmas. The wave propagation in cylindrical geometry is assumed to be paraxial while the modes exhibit radial standing waves. The present work shows that TG modes also arise in a uniform plasma without radial standing waves. It is shown experimentally that oblique cyclotron resonance arises in large mode number helicons. Their azimuthal wave number far exceeds the axial wave number which creates whistlers near the oblique cyclotron resonance. Cyclotron damping absorbs the TG mode and can energize electrons in the center of a plasma column rather than the edge of conventional TG modes. The angular orbital field momentum can produce new perpendicular wave-particle interactions.
Bifurcation of space-charge wave in a plasma waveguide including the wake potential effect
Authors: Lee Myoung-Jae , Jung Young-Dae
Published: September 2016

The wake potential effects on the propagation of the space-charge dust ion-acoustic wave are investigated in a cylindrically bounded dusty plasma with the ion flow. The results show that the wake potential would generate the double frequency modes in a cylindrically bounded dusty plasma. It is found that the upper mode of the wave frequency with the root of higher-order is smaller than that with the root of lower-order in intermediate wave number domains. However, the lower mode of the scaled wave frequency with the root of higher-order is found to be greater than that with the root of lower-order. It is found that the influence in the order of the root of the Bessel function on the wave frequency of the space-charge dust-ion-acoustic wave in a cylindrically confined dusty plasma decreases with an increase in the propagation wave number. It is also found that the double frequency modes increase with increasing Mach number due to the ion flow in a cylindrical dusty plasma. In addition, it is found that the upper mode of the group velocity decreases with an increase in the scaled radius of the plasma cylinder. However, it is shown that the lower mode of the scaled group velocity of the space-charge dust ion acoustic wave increases with an increase in the radius of the plasma cylinder. The variation of the space-charge dust-ion-acoustic wave due to the wake potential and geometric effects is also discussed.
Maintenance of Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns among bilingual children of farmworkers in Washington/Montana
Authors: Lapidus Shin Naomi , Buren Jackelyn Van
Published: September 2016

It has been suggested that contact between Spanish and English results in an increased rate of Spanish subject pronouns and a desensitization to factors that constrain pronoun usage. Yet, evidence for such contact-induced change has been found in some U.S. communities, but not others. In this study we analyze Spanish pronoun expression in interviews with Hispanics in Washington State who do agricultural work in Montana each summer. We compare U.S.-born bilingual children to monolingual adults from this community. Results from analyses of 3,572 verb tokens indicate little to no change in pronoun expression — neither in rates of expression nor in usage patterns. We explain this lack of change in pronoun expression by drawing on the well-established connection between social networks and language change. Poorer, more rural communities, like the farmworker community in Washington/Montana, tend to have tight-knit social networks, which increases the likelihood of retention of linguistic patterns.
A phonetic analysis of intervocalic /r/ in Highland Bolivian Spanish
Authors: Morgan Terrell A. , Sessarego Sandro
Published: September 2016

This paper provides a phonetic analysis of intervocalic /r/ in lower-class Highland Bolivian Spanish. Results show that in this dialect rhotic assibilation has progressed beyond the fricative [ř] already reported by several scholars (cf. Navarro Tomás 1980; Canfield 1981; Lipski 1994; Sessarego 2011), to a voiced apical sibilant [z̺]. This article, in fact, offers the first spectrographic analysis of this segment. Findings are analyzed in light of a number of studies dealing with rhotic variability in Spanish. In particular, results are compared with those by Sessarego (2011), who provided an acoustic analysis of /r/ realizations for upper-middle-class Highland Bolivian Spanish speakers, without finding any instance of [z̺].
CH···O Interactions Are Not the Cause of Trends in Reactivity and Secondary Kinetic Isotope Effects for Enzymatic SN2 Methyl Transfer Reactions
Authors: Zhang Jianyu , Klinman Judith P.
Published: September 2016

Compaction matters

SN2 substitution represents an important class of reaction for both chemical and biological systems. The ability to assess enzymatic transition state structure within this class of reaction remains a major experimental challenge. Here, we comment on and compare the relative impact of compaction along the axis of reaction to the impact of an orthogonal CH···O hydrogen bonding interaction. The latter is concluded to play a limited role in determining relative reaction rates and secondary KIEs derived from experimental structure-activity correlations.
Consistency of EEG source localization and connectivity estimates
Authors: Mahjoory Keyvan , Nikulin Vadim V. , Botrel Loïc , Linkenkaer-Hansen Klaus , Fato Marco M. , Haufe Stefan
Published: September 2016

As the EEG inverse problem does not have a unique solution, the sources reconstructed from EEG and their connectivity properties depend on forward and inverse modeling parameters such as the choice of an anatomical template and electrical model, prior assumptions on the sources, and further implementational details. In order to use source connectivity analysis as a reliable research tool, there is a need for stability across a wider range of standard estimation routines. Using resting state EEG recordings of N=65 participants acquired within two studies, we present the first comprehensive assessment of the consistency of EEG source localization and functional/effective connectivity metrics across two anatomical templates (ICBM152 and Colin27), three electrical models (BEM, FEM and spherical harmonics expansions), three inverse methods (WMNE, eLORETA and LCMV), and three software implementations (Brainstorm, Fieldtrip and our own toolbox). Source localizations were found to be more stable across reconstruction pipelines than subsequent estimations of functional connectivity, while effective connectivity estimates where the least consistent. All results were relatively unaffected by the choice of the electrical head model, while the choice of the inverse method and source imaging package induced a considerable variability. In particular, a relatively strong difference was found between LCMV beamformer solutions on one hand and eLORETA/WMNE distributed inverse solutions on the other hand. We also observed a gradual decrease of consistency when results are compared between studies, within individual participants, and between individual participants. In order to provide reliable findings in the face of the observed variability, additional simulations involving interacting brain sources are required. Meanwhile, we encourage verification of the obtained results using more than one source imaging procedure.
Genomic signature of kin selection in an ant with obligately sterile workers
Authors: Warner Michael R. , Mikheyev Alexander S. , Linksvayer Timothy A.
Published: September 2016

Kin selection is thought to drive the evolution of cooperation and conflict, but the specific genes and genome-wide patterns shaped by kin selection are unknown. We identified thousands of genes associated with the sterile ant worker caste, the archetype of an altruistic phenotype shaped by kin selection, and then used population and comparative genomic approaches to study patterns of molecular evolution at these genes. Consistent with population genetic theoretical predictions, worker-upregulated genes showed relaxed adaptive evolution compared to genes upregulated in reproductive castes. Worker-upregulated genes included more taxonomically-restricted genes, indicating that the worker caste has recruited more novel genes, yet these genes also showed relaxed selection. Our study identifies a putative genomic signature of kin selection and helps to integrate emerging sociogenomic data with longstanding social evolution theory.
A novel ENU-induced ankyrin-1 mutation impairs parasite invasion and increases erythrocyte clearance during malaria infection in mice
Authors: Huang Hong Ming , Bauer Denis C. , Lelliott Patrick M. , Greth Andreas , McMorran Brendan J. , Foote Simon J. , Burgio Gaetan
Published: September 2016

Genetic defects in various red blood cell (RBC) cytoskeletal proteins have been long associated with changes in susceptibility towards malaria infection. In particular, while ankyrin (Ank-1) mutations account for approximately 50% of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) cases, an association with malaria is not well-established, and conflicting evidence has been reported. We describe a novel N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced ankyrin mutation MRI61689 that gives rise to two different ankyrin transcripts: one with an introduced splice acceptor site resulting a frameshift, the other with a skipped exon.Ank-1(MRI61689/+)mice exhibit an HS-like phenotype including reduction in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), increased osmotic fragility and reduced RBC deformability. They were also found to be resistant to rodent malariaPlasmodium chabaudiinfection. Parasites inAnk-1(MRI61689/+)erythrocytes grew normally, but red cells showed resistance to merozoite invasion. UninfectedAnk-1(MRI61689/+)erythrocytes were also more likely to be cleared from circulation during infection; the “bystander effect”. This increased clearance is a novel resistance mechanism which was not observed in previous ankyrin mouse models. We propose that this bystander effect is due to reduced deformability ofAnk-1(MRI61689/+)erythrocytes. This paper highlights the complex roles ankyrin plays in mediating malaria resistance.