bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing Explorer of Taxon Concepts with a case study on spider measurement matrix building
Authors: Cui Hong , Xu Dongfang , Chong Steven S. , Ramirez Martin , Rodenhausen Thomas , Macklin James A. , Ludäscher Bertram , Morris Robert A. , Soto Eduardo M. , Koch Nicolás Mongiardino
Published: November 2016

Background

Taxonomic descriptions are traditionally composed in natural language and published in a format that cannot be directly used by computers. The Exploring Taxon Concepts (ETC) project has been developing a set of web-based software tools that convert morphological descriptions published in telegraphic style to character data that can be reused and repurposed. This paper introduces the first semi-automated pipeline, to our knowledge, that converts morphological descriptions into taxon-character matrices to support systematics and evolutionary biology research. We then demonstrate and evaluate the use of the ETC Input Creation - Text Capture - Matrix Generation pipeline to generate body part measurement matrices from a set of 188 spider morphological descriptions and report the findings.

Results

From the given set of spider taxonomic publications, two versions of input (original and normalized) were generated and used by the ETC Text Capture and ETC Matrix Generation tools. The tools produced two corresponding spider body part measurement matrices, and the matrix from the normalized input was found to be much more similar to a gold standard matrix hand-curated by the scientist co-authors. Special conventions utilized in the original descriptions (e.g., the omission of measurement units) were attributed to the lower performance of using the original input. The results show that simple normalization of the description text greatly increased the quality of the machine-generated matrix and reduced edit effort. The machine-generated matrix also helped identify issues in the gold standard matrix.

Conclusions

ETC Text Capture and ETC Matrix Generation are low-barrier and effective tools for extracting measurement values from spider taxonomic descriptions and are more effective when the descriptions are self-contained. Special conventions that make the description text less self-contained challenge automated extraction of data from biodiversity descriptions and hinder the automated reuse of the published knowledge. The tools will be updated to support new requirements revealed in this case study.
Four mappings and generalized contractions
Authors: Pasicki Lech
Published: November 2016

In the paper general theorems on common fixed point for four mappings are presented. The results are compact and they extend and unify the respective part of the fixed point theory.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Study of Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Sapkota Santosh , Horiguchi Kazuhiko , Tosaka Masahiko , Yamada Syozo , Yamada Masanobu
Published: November 2016

Context:

Thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (TSHomas) are a rare cause of hyperthyroidism, and the genetic aberrations responsible remain unknown.

Objective:

To identify somatic genetic abnormalities in TSHomas.

Design and Setting:

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis was performed on 8 TSHomas. Four tumors with no allelic losses or limited loss of heterozygosity were selected, and whole-exome sequencing was performed, including their corresponding blood samples. Somatic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. A set of 8 tumors was also assessed to validate candidate genes.

Patients:

Twelve patients with sporadic TSHomas were examined.

Results:

The overall performance of whole-exome sequencing was good, with an average coverage of each base in the targeted region of 97.6%. Six DNA variants were confirmed as candidate driver mutations, with an average of 1.5 somatic mutations per tumor. No mutations were recurrent. Two of these mutations were found in genes with an established role in malignant tumorigenesis (SMOX and SYTL3), and 4 had unknown roles (ZSCAN23, ASTN2, R3HDM2, and CWH43). Similarly, an SNP array analysis revealed frequent chromosomal regions of copy number gains, including recurrent gains at loci harboring 4 of these 6 genes.

Conclusions:

Several candidate somatic mutations and changes in copy numbers for TSHomas were identified. The results showed no recurrence of mutations in the tumors studied but a low number of mutations, thereby highlighting their benign nature. Further studies on a larger cohort of TSHomas, along with the use of epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches, may reveal the underlying genetic lesions.
Ammonia excretion in the marine polychaeteEurythoe complanata(Annelida)
Authors: Thiel Daniel , Hugenschütt Maja , Meyer Heiko , Paululat Achim , Quijada-Rodriguez Alex R. , Purschke Günter , Weihrauch Dirk
Published: November 2016

Ammonia is a toxic waste product from protein metabolism and needs to be either converted into less toxic molecules or, in the case of fish and aquatic invertebrates, excreted directly as is. In contrast to fish, very little is known regarding the ammonia excretion mechanism and the participating excretory organs in marine invertebrates. In the current study ammonia excretion in the marine burrowing polychaete Eurythoe complanata was investigated. As a potential site for excretion the 100-200 micrometer long, 30-50 micrometer wide and up to 25 micrometer thick dentrically branched, well ventilated and vascularized branchiae (gills) were identified. In comparison to the main body, the branchiae showed considerably higher mRNA expression levels of Na+/K+-ATPase, V-type H+-ATPase, cytoplasmatic carbonic anhydrase (CA-2), a Rhesus-like protein, and three different AMTs. Experiments on the intact organism revealed that ammonia excretion did not occur via apical ammonia trapping, but was regulated by a basolateral localized V-type H+-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase and intracellular cAMP levels. Interestingly, the V-type H+-ATPase seems to play a role in ammonia retention. A one week exposure to 1 mmol l−1 NH4Cl (HEA) did not cause a change in ammonia excretion rates, while, the 3 branchial expressed AMTs were in tendency down-regulated. This indicates a shift of function in the branchial ammonia excretion processes under these conditions.
Demystifying animal ‘personality’ (or not): why individual variation matters to experimental biologists
Authors: Roche Dominique G. , Careau Vincent , Binning Sandra A.
Published: November 2016

Animal ‘personality’, defined as repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour, is a concept in biology that faces intense controversy. Critics argue that the field is riddled with terminological and methodological inconsistencies and lacks a sound theoretical framework. Nevertheless, experimental biologists are increasingly studying individual differences in physiology and relating these to differences in behaviour, which can lead to fascinating insights. We encourage this trend, and in this Commentary we highlight some of the benefits of estimating variation in (and covariation among) phenotypic traits at the inter- and intra-individual levels. We focus on behaviour while drawing parallels with physiological and performance-related traits. First, we outline some of the confusion surrounding the terminology used to describe repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour. Second, we argue that acknowledging individual behavioural differences can help researchers avoid sampling and experimental bias, increase explanatory power and, ultimately, understand how selection acts on physiological traits. Third, we summarize the latest methods to collect, analyse and present data on individual trait variation. We note that, while measuring the repeatability of phenotypic traits is informative in its own right, it is only the first step towards understanding how natural selection and genetic architecture shape intra-specific variation in complex, labile traits. Thus, understanding how and why behavioural traits evolve requires linking repeatable inter-individual behavioural differences with core aspects of physiology (e.g. neurophysiology, endocrinology, energy metabolism) and evolutionary biology (e.g. selection gradients, heritability).
Preoperative nursing intervention to relieve stress
Authors: Caunt Helen
Published: November 2016

Stress and anxiety produce physiological and psychological distress which impedes recovery postoperatively. Nurses can facilitate patient independence preoperatively through a combination of sensory stimulation techniques, communication and counselling.
An introduction to the management of paediatric patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Barnes Claire
Published: November 2016

Coeliac disease is a systemic autoimmune condition triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. It affects about 1% of children and young people in the UK. Treatment of coeliac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for life. The health-care team has a vital role in enabling children to maintain a gluten-free diet, which is essential for wellbeing and prevention of long-term complications. Following diagnosis and resolution of any symptoms or nutrient deficiencies, children with coeliac disease require review to assess their health and compliance. Children and young people with coeliac disease present with unique challenges for the health-care team, but with appropriate, targeted management and support, patients can meet their potential.
Screening of rhizobacteria from rhizosphere of healthy chili to control bacterial wilt disease and to promote growth and yield of chili
Authors: YANTI YULMIRA , ASTUTI FUJI FEBRIA , HABAZAR TRIMURTI , NASUTION CHAINUR RAHMAN
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Yanti Y, Astuti FF, Habazar T, Nasution CR. 2017. Screening of rhizobacteria from rhizosphere of healthy chili to control bacterial wilt disease and to promote growth and yield of chili. Biodiversitas 18: 1-9. Bacterial wilt on chili cause by Ralstonia solanacearum. This disease is important, causing plant death and significant yield losses. Biological control is desirable because control with other methods gives variable results. One of the important group of biological agent is the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). This group can control plant pathogens and enhance the growth and yield through direct and indirect mechanisms. The aim of this research was to obtain indigenous rhizobacterial isolates from rhizosphere of healthy chili, which are effective to control bacterial wilt disease and to promote plant growth as well as to increase plant yields. The rhizobacterial isolates were collected from healthy chili rhizosphere in endemic area of bacterial wilt at Banuhampu Sub-district, Agam District, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Screening method of rhizobacterial isolates to control bacterial wilt was based on in planta technique. This technique was consist of three steps, as follow: (i) Screening of 43 rhizobacterial isolates to induce the hypersensitive reaction on Mirabilis jalapa. (ii) Screening of 42 rhizobacterial isolates (from first step) to increase growth of chili seedlings and (iii) Screening of 20 selected rhizobacterial isolates (from second step) to control bacterial wilt on chili. R. solanacearum were inoculated on the 6 weeks chili plants using Two strains of rhizobacterial isolates from chili rhizosphere (RZ.2.1.AG1 and RZ.1.3.AP1) showed high potential for disease suppression and also increased growth and yield of chili.Keywords: chili, indigenous rhizobacteria, in planta technique, Ralstonia solanacearum, screeningAbbreviations: BCA = Biocontrol agent, HR = Hypersensitive reaction, IAA = Indole Acetic Acid, IRB = Indigenous Rhizobacteria, ISR = Induce systemic resistance, NA = Nutrient agar, PGPR = Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, R = Ralstonia, TZC = triphenyl tetrazolium chloride
Response of soybean genotypes introduced from South Korea to drought stress during reproductive stage
Authors: PURWANTORO PURWANTORO , SUHARTINA SUHARTINA , NUGRAHAENI NOVITA , SULISTYO APRI
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Purwantoro, Suhartina, Nugrahaeni N, Sulistyo A. 2017. Response of soybean genotypes introduced from South Korea to drought stress during reproductive stage. Biodiversitas 18: 15-19. Â Soybean is mostly planted in wetland (paddy field) during dry season. The plant is frequently suffered from drought which lead to low productivity. Cultivar tolerant to drought is needed in an attempt to increase productivity. Instead of high productivity, short duration and large seed size are soybean characteristics preferred by soybean farmers in Indonesia. Research aimed to assess response of soybean introduction genotypes to drought stress during reproductive phase were conducted during dry season of 2012. Genotypes used in the study were twenty soybean genotypes introduced from South Korea and three check cultivars (Mutiara, Grobogan, and Dering 1). The trials were conducted in the field at Kendalpayak Experimental Farm and under rain-shelter in Kendalpayak, Malang, East Java, Indonesia. Each genotype was planted in a single row of 2 m length, with no replication. Plant spacing was 40 cm x 15 cm. Fertilizers i.e. 100 kg ha-1 of Urea, 100 kg ha-1 of SP36, and 75 kg ha-1 of KCl were applied entirely at planting time. The plants were irrigated twice, at planting and at flowering time, and then subjected to drought stress during reproductive phase. Observations included days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches, number of fertile nodes, number of pods, number of empty pods, weight of 100 seeds, and seed weight per plant. Results showed that five out of the 20 tested genotypes were resistant to drought stress during reproductive phase comparable to the check cultivar Dering 1. Four of them, i.e. Daewon, Ilmi, Jangmi, and Mausu, including large seed size and short duration. Those characteristics can be used to improve seed size and plants maturity of the existing drought tolerant cultivar.Keywords: Glyine max, introduction, genotype, drought stress, reproductive phase
Improvement of genetic variability in seedlings of Spathoglottis plicata orchids through X-ray irradiation
Authors: ALOYSIUS SUYITNO , PURWANTORO AZIZ , DEWI KUMALA , SEMIARTI ENDANG
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Aloysius S, Purwantoro A, Dewi K, Semiarti E. 2017. Improvement of genetic variability in seedlings of Spathoglottis plicata orchids through X-ray irradiation. Biodiversitas 18: 20-27. Developing genetic variability of orchids via mutation is promising for orchid breeding. The objective of this research was to improve genetic variation of Spathoglottis plicata orchids through X-ray-irradiation of the orchid seeds. The method involved X-ray irradiation of one month old mature orchid seeds at doses of 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 rad. The X-ray irradiated seeds were sown on a half strength of MS medium and grown into protocorms (developing orchid embryo). Eight weeks-old protocorms were subcultured onto NP-SIM medium. Five months-old seedlings were then subcultured again into a new flask and morphological observations were recorded. Genetic variability detection was conducted using PCR RAPD based on nine primers, i.e. OPA1, OPA2, OPA11, OPA12, OPA14, OPB1, OPB4, OPD12, OPD14. The data was analyzed using GenAlex 6.1 software to obtain the genetic distance. Moreover, NTSys ver.2 was used to analyze the data for clustering and constructing a dendrogram based on Neighbour Joining model. The result showed that X-ray irradiation with doses of 12-18 rad was able to stimulate morphological variation of seedlings, especially characters of leaf, root and shoot. Interestingly, we found 2 in vitro early flowering plants among one years old X-ray irradiated plants, indicated that somehow X-ray mutation affect flowering time in orchid. Based on the dendrogram of genetic distance that the group of mutants was farther than the WT group and the percentage of polymorphism was bigger than that of wild type group, it is concluded that 12-18 rad doses of X-ray irradiation can be used for induction of genetic variability in Spathoglottis orchid.Keywords: Genetic variability, seed, seedling phenotype, Spathoglottis plicata, X-rayAbbreviations: BAP = benzylaminopurine; NAA = naphthaleneacetic acid; 2iP = 2 = isopentenyl adenine; NP = new phalaenopsis; SIM = shoot induction medium
Handling and propagation of Dendrobium ‘Iriana Jokowi’ in Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia
Authors: RAHAYU EKA MARTHA DELLA
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Rahayu EMD. 2016. Handling and propagation of Dendrobium ‘Iriana Jokowi’ in Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 8: 258-263. Dendrobium ‘Iriana Jokowi’ is a new hybrid in Indonesia which has not been mass propagated yet. Mass propagation is necessary to ensure seedling availability. The orchid has been grown in the Orchids Greenhouse of Bogor Botanic Gardens since July 30, 2015. Handling and care for Dendrobium ‘Iriana Jokowi’, includes watering, provision of fertilizer, fungicides, and insecticides. Propagation has already been done is using seed culture. The seeds of Dendrobium ‘Iriana Jokowi’ were sown in four types of culture media, which are modified Vacin & Went (VW), modified Hyponex (HS), modified Knudson’s C (KC), and Knudson’s C (KCA). The seeds were able to germinate in all four tested media. The highest germination rate in the first 3 months after sowing (3 MAS) were found in KCA media, which are 93.21%. Germinated seed was then subcultured to four types of media in order to induce the growth of leaves and roots. The media used were T1A, T1V, HS, and KCA. After 5 months of planting (5 MAP), result showed that all four media were able to provide significant effect on the number of leaves and roots. The highest number of average leaves grown was 4.8 and found in T1A media. On the other hand, the highest number of average of roots grown was found in T1V media (4,2 roots).
The effect of types and concentrations of auxins on callus induction of Centella asiatica
Authors: RAHAYU SUCI , ROOSTIKA IKA , BERMAWIE NURLIANI
Published: November 2016

Abstract.  Rahayu S, Ika Roostika I, Bermawie N. 2016. The effect of types and concentrations of auxins on callus induction of Centella asiatica. Nusantara Bioscience 8:  283-287. Centella (Centella asiatica L.) is one of medicinal crops that have various utility as healing wounds, inflammation, rheumatic, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, dysentery, leprosy, and fever and also as appetizer. In recent years the demand for raw materials of medicinal from Centella has increased. Until now, Centella has been harvested directly from nature without replanting so that this plant was worried to be extinct gradually. In vitro culture is one of the techniques for plant propagation. This technique has proved to be able to propagate a plant in large numbers, short time and uniform. Callus induction is initial stages of plant propagation by indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. The objectives of this research were to find out the most suitable type of auxins and its concentrations to induce callus formation of Centella. Explants used in this research were leaves and petioles taken from sterile culture of Centella var. Castina 1. Three kinds of auxins were used to this research, i.e. 2,4-D, Picloram and Dicamba at the levels of 2, 4 and 6 mgL-1. The result indicated that the most suitable type of auxin for inducing callus formation was 2,4-D or Dicamba at concentration of 4 mgL-1 which gave the highest percentage of callus formation, and the highest fresh weight as well.
Evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activity of extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Indonesian Zingiberaceous plants
Authors: PRAPTIWI PRAPTIWI , PALUPI KARTIKA DIAH , FATHONI AHMAD , WULANSARI DEWI , ILYAS MUHAMMAD , AGUSTA ANDRIA
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Praptiwi, Palupi KD, Fathoni A, Wulansari D, Ilyas M, Agusta A. 2016. Evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activity of extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Indonesian Zingiberaceous plants. Nusantara Bioscience 8: 306-311. Thirty-two endophytic fungi isolated from rhizome of six species of Zingiberaceae from Karanganyar, Central Java, Indonesia. Based on their morphological characters, all of endophytic isolates were classified into 10 genera. All of endophytic fungi isolates were then cultivated into 200 mL of Potato Dextrose Broth and incubated at room temperature. After three weeks, each of the fungi cultures was extracted with appropriate amount of ethyl acetate, and dried under reduced pressure. The extracts then evaluated for DPPH antioxidant activity and antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli Ina-CC B5 and Staphylococcus aureus Ina-CC B4 based on non-eluted TLC bioautography assays. The results showed 19 extracts are possessing antioxidant activity, 23 extracts inhibit the growth of E. coli Ina-CC B5, and 19 extracts inhibit the growth of S. aureus Ina-CC B4. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of active extracts against S. aureus was in the range of 80-1280 ug/mL, while MIC against E. coli was in the range of 80->1280 ug/mL. The IC50 of active extracts were in the range of 50.97-2031.26 ppm. Further analysis by the eluted TLC-bioautography assay of active extracts showed that several fungal metabolites on active extract responsible for its/their bioactivity. It can be concluded that endophytic fungi isolated from Zingiberaceae can be used as new antibacterial and antioxidant resources.
Meaning or money? Non-profit employee satisfaction
Authors: Weisberg Melinda , Dent Eric
Published: November 2016

Employees choosing careers with community-based non-profit human services organisations engaged in meeting human needs expecting intrinsic satisfaction often find that the same care and commitment espoused in mission statements are not reflected internally as a commitment to employee satisfaction. These frontline workers are at risk of becoming disillusioned by increasing demands for compliance, internal and external disparities in salaries, unpaid work hours and difficulties in achieving outcomes. Using Herzberg’s two-factor theory as a framework, this article incorporates a systematic review of literature per the discipline of evidence-based research to examine the potential of applying non-monetary satisfiers to invigorate the human services workforce. The article, which includes recommendations for management, focuses on the environment for frontline workers and includes creating a flexible workplace as well as implementing best practices for intentionally engaging employees in decision making and problem solving. The article has global relevance for staff retention and job satisfaction issues.
Root Stability Evaluation with Non-Destructive Techniques
Authors: Buza Ágnes Kinga , Divós Ferenc
Published: November 2016

Due to their huge benefits when compared to invasive or destructive techniques, the use of non-destructive approaches is continuously increasing in many fields. The visual assessment method is commonly applied in tree inspection, but it has limitations. Investigations using appropriate nondestructive instruments can well complement visual tree inspection. This paper is a short overview that describes non-destructive techniques for evaluating the load-bearing capacity of individual trees’ root systems. The techniques used are acoustic root detection and the pulling test. Safety factors were also calculated to provide a hazard assessment.
Comparison of novel physiological load-adaptive control strategies for ventricular assist devices
Authors: Habigt Moriz , Ketelhut Maike , Gesenhues Jonas , Schrödel Frank , Hein Marc , Mechelinck Mare , Schmitz-Rode Thomas , Abel Dirk , Rossaint Rolf
Published: November 2016

Terminal heart failure (HF) is the most prevalent cause of death in the Western world and the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has become the gold standard therapy today. Most of the actually implanted devices are driven at a constant speed (CS) regardless of the patient’s physiological demand. A new physiological controller [power ratio (PR) controller], which keeps a constant ratio between LVAD power and left ventricular power, a previous concept [preload responsive speed (PRS) controller], which adds a variable LVAD power to reach a defined stroke work, and a CS controller were compared with an unimpaired ventricle in a full heart computer simulation model. The effects of changes in preload, afterload and left ventricular contractility are displayed by global hemodynamics and ventricular pressure-volume loops. Both physiological controllers demonstrated the desired load dependency, whereas the PR controller exceeded the PRS controller in response to an increased load and contractility. Response was inferior when preload or contractility was decreased. Thus, the PR controller might lead to an increased exercise tolerance of the patient. Additional studies are required to evaluate the controllers
Codium fragile in Norway: subspecies identity and morphology
Authors: Armitage Caroline S. , Sjøtun Kjersti
Published: November 2016

The green alga
Infrared analysis of lipoproteins in the detection of alcohol biomarkers
Authors: De Bruyne Sander , Monteyne Tinne , Speeckaert Marijn M. , Delanghe Joris R.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Alcoholism is a major public health problem. Alcohol causes modifications in the composition and concentration of lipoproteins and influences the enzymes and transfer proteins that transform lipoproteins in plasma. Alcohol is associated with the presence of alcohol biomarkers (fatty acid ethyl esters [FAEEs] and phosphatidylethanol [PEth]) in lipoproteins. We explore the possibilities of detecting alcohol biomarkers in non-high-density-lipoproteins (non-HDLs) precipitated from serum using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).

Methods:

Analyzes were carried out on stored serum samples, with known % carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) values, included in a driver’s license regranting program under the control of the Belgian Institute of Road Safety. The study consisted of 127 control samples (CDT≤1.3%) and 114 alcoholic samples (CDT>1.3%). Liver enzymes, CRP, triglycerides, total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol values were determined. Non-HDLs were precipitated with sodium phosphotungstate and MgCl2 and analyzed using ATR-FTIR in the range from 4500 cm−1 to 450 cm−1 using a Perkin Elmer ATR-FTIR Spectrometer Two.

Results:

The area under the curve of the 1130–990 cm−1 region (AUC1130−990 cm−1) was able to discriminate controls from alcoholics (p<0.0001) due to the presence of FAEEs in lipoproteins. Multiple regression analysis significantly predicted the AUC1130−990 cm−1 (adj. r2=0.13, p<0.0001). Significant correlations were found between AUC1130−990 cm−1 and CDT values (r=0.32, p<0.0001), AST/ALT ratio (r=0.21, p=0.001). GGT showed no significant correlation.

Conclusions:

Infrared analysis of lipoproteins is a potential tool in the detection of alcohol biomarkers.
The planar Couette flow with slip and jump boundary conditions in a microchannel
Authors: Hssikou Mohamed , Baliti Jamal , Alaoui Mohammed
Published: November 2016

The steady state of a dilute gas enclosed within a rectangular cavity, whose upper and lower sides are in relative motion, is considered in the slip and early transition regimes. The DSMC (Direct simulation Monte Carlo) method is used to solve the Boltzmann equation for analysing a Newtonian viscous heat conducting ideal gas with the slip and jump boundary conditions (SJBC) in the vicinity of horizontal walls. The numerical results are compared with the Navier–Stokes solutions, with and without SJBC, through the velocity, temperature, and normal heat flux profiles. The parallel heat flux and shear stress are also evaluated as a function of rarefaction degree; estimated by the Knudsen numberKn${K_{n}}$. Thus, the breakdown of the classical Navier–Stokes theory is clarified in the non-equilibrium area, so-called Knudsen layer, near the top and bottom sides.
Random walk on spheres method for solving drift-diffusion problems
Authors: Sabelfeld Karl K.
Published: November 2016

The well-known random walk on spheres method (RWS) for the Laplace equation is here extended to drift-diffusion problems. First we derive a generalized spherical mean value relation which is an extension of the
classical integral mean value relation for the Laplace equation. Next we give a probabilistic interpretation
of the kernel. The distribution on the sphere generated by this kernel is then related to the von Mises–Fisher distribution
on the sphere which can be efficiently simulated. The rigorous expressions are given for the case of constant velocity drift,
but the algorithm is then extended to solve drift-diffusion problems with arbitrary varying drift velocity vector.
Applications to cathodoluminescence and EBIC imaging of defects and dislocations in semiconductors are discussed.
Edibles and Other Offerings to Readers: The Politics of Gender and Food in Narrative Fiction
Authors: Colăcel Onoriu
Published: November 2016

From the perspective of an apparently absent author, the rhetorical commonplaces of womanhood and nourishment are mentioned in the novels of Margaret Atwood, The Edible Woman (1969), and of Jillian Medoff, Hunger Point (2002). Although traditionally relegated to contextualizing devices, the unfolding of events makes a riddle out of cooking and eating for the purpose of dramatic effect. Reporting on what might come across as domestic chores points to the topicality of food intake as well as to all the drama eating disorders entail. In the background of events, the ‘whodunit’ and the ‘kitchen sink drama’ come together into one unlikely story. The benefits of hindsight make it possible to argue that celebrated feminist novels of the past century, i.e. The Edible Woman, provided later 21st century fiction, i.e. Hunger Point, with something more than narrative emphasis on binary gender relations. I find that the gender-roles debate, as recorded in Atwood’s work, gained enough cultural momentum to prove the ready availability of the image of the nurturing female throughout the 20th century and beyond. As far as feminist fictions are concerned, over/under-feeding is always somewhere in the background, if not what drives the plot forward. Commonly, distress among fictional characters, mostly women, is linked to body weight and dieting in ways that threaten to relegate, possibly once and for good, the notions of women and food to the realm of melodrama, as it is the case with Hunger point.
Insights into the multistep transformation of titanate nanotubes into nanowires and nanoribbons
Authors: Baszczuk Agnieszka , Jasiorski Marek , Borak Beata , Wódka Jerzy
Published: November 2016

Different types of titanate one-dimensional nanostructured materials were synthesized and characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results presented in this work unquestionably showed dependence of morphology and structure of the titanate nanopowders on parameters of hydrothermal synthesis. It was found that nanotubes, nanowires and nanoribbons are three unavoidable kinetic products of hydrothermal reaction. Moreover, increasing temperature of reaction or hydrothermal treatment duration results in acceleration of nanotube-nanowire-nanoribbon transformation. However, the sequence of titanate morphology transformation is invariable. The detailed studies further revealed that the crystal structure of hydrothermally prepared nanotubes and nanowires are indistinguishable but the determination of the exact structure is practically impossible. Because of higher crystallinity, the structure of nanoribbons can be established. It was shown that it corresponds to the monoclinic layered trititanic acid H2Ti3O7 and is isostructural with sodium derivatives Na2_xHxTi3O7.nH20 (with x near 2).
The same or different: A comparison of the rhythmic structure of Swedish and Albanian
Authors: Tronnier Mechtild , Zetterholm Elisabeth
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this contribution is to give an account of the similarities or dissimilarities of the speech rhythm of Swedish and Albanian. In this study, temporal features were focused on to ascertain rhythmic differences between the two languages. The interest for this study arose when a clear rhythmic variation was observed in the accented Swedish L2 speech produced by L1-speakers of Albanian, namely the lack of attributes like reduction in unstressed syllables. It was thus hypothesised that speakers of L1-Swedish would produce larger variation in length of vocalic and/or consonantal intervals than L1-speakers of Albanian. The recorded material comprised read speech produced by seven L1-speakers of both languages. Various acoustic metrics were applied to analyse the rhythm. Results show differences between Swedish and Albanian speech for both non-normalised and normalised metrics only for the vocalic intervals, but with an unexpected outcome. In that way, larger length variation for vocalic intervals in the Albanian material than in the Swedish material was found. Therefore, the occurrence of reduction phenomena also in Albanian can be stated. These findings contradict the assumption that transfer from L1-Albanian was the reason for lack of reduction in L2-Swedish, as observed previously.
Drilling studies on the prepared aluminum metal matrix composite from wet grinder stone dust particles
Authors: Xavier L. Francis , Suresh Paramasivam
Published: November 2016

The demand for high-performance and cost-effective composite materials is gaining attention in today’s competitive world. In this work, an attempt has been made to prepare low-cost reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite by reinforcing 10% and 20% weight fractions of wet grinder stone dust (WSD) particles, an industrial waste produced during stone dressing operation in the wet grinder manufacturing industry. As drilling is one of the major machining operations carried out in industries, the prepared composite materials are subjected to drilling studies using carbide, TiN-coated carbide, and HSS drills of 5 mm diameter under dry conditions. The major concern with the machining of composites is the extreme tool wear. Tool wear is a very important and challenging task for manufacturing engineers because it has adverse affects on the product quality and increases the production cost. Hence, there is a need to identify the factors that have most significant influence on the tool wear. In this work, the Taguchi-based design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to determine the optimal cutting parameters and to analyze their effects on thrust force, torque, and tool wear. Multivariable linear regression analysis was also employed to determine the correlations between the factors and the response, namely, thrust force, torque, and tool wear. Finally, a confirmation test was conducted to validate the Taguchi optimization method. From the experimental results, feed rate was identified as the dominant factor influencing the thrust force and spindle speed was identified as the significant factor influencing the torque. Thrust force, torque, and tool wear were found to increase with the increase in the reinforcement content irrespective of the drill used for the investigation.
Preface: Reflections on Emotions
Authors: Dąbrowski Andrzej
Published: November 2016

Many academic disciplines have offered important explanations of various aspects of emotion. In the Preface I try to present a wide range of research and stress that study on emotions had its origins in philosophy.
Emotions in Philosophy. A Short Introduction
Authors: Dąbrowski Andrzej
Published: November 2016

In recent decades, there has been a renewed attention to the emotions amongst scientists of different disciplines: psychology, psychiatry, neurobiology, cognitive science, computer science, sociology, economics, and many others. There are many research centers and scientific journals devoted to affective states already existing. However, studies of emotion have a very long history - especially in philosophy (anthropology, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, and rhetoric). Philosophers first raised many important questions about emotions and their contribution to the discovery of the nature of emotions is very important. The aim of the article is the reconstruction of the views on emotions of particular thinkers in history of philosophy.
Religious Belief is Not Natural. Why Cognitive Science of Religion Does Not Show That Religious Belief is Trustworthy
Authors: Van Eyghen Hans
Published: November 2016

It is widely acknowledged that the new emerging discipline cognitive science of religion has a bearing on how to think about the epistemic status of religious beliefs. Both defenders and opponents of the rationality of religious belief have used cognitive theories of religion to argue for their point. This paper will look at the defender-side of the debate. I will discuss an often used argument in favor of the trustworthiness of religious beliefs, stating that cognitive science of religion shows that religious beliefs are natural and natural beliefs ought to be trusted in the absence of counterevidence. This argument received its most influential defense from Justin Barrett in a number of papers, some in collaboration with Kelly James Clark. I will discuss their version of the argument and argue that it fails because the natural beliefs discovered by cognitive scientists of religion are not the religious beliefs of the major world religions. A survey of the evidence from cognitive science of religion will show that cognitive science does show that other beliefs come natural and that these can thus be deemed trustworthy in the absence of counterevidence. These beliefs are teleological beliefs, afterlife beliefs and animistic theistic beliefs.
‘Responsible Interim’: Revising Hermeneutics and Ethics in the Era of Globalization and Religious Plurality. Philosophical and Sociological Reflections on the Modern State of Religion
Authors: Fritsch-Oppermann Sybille C.
Published: November 2016

Coming from a more comparative point of view as far as Theology of Religions and Interreligious Studies are concerned – though to a certain extent as well as a pluralist in the sense of hope for universal understanding and well-being – I want to ask how Interreligious and Intercultural Hermeneutics are a necessary tool when we try to set up minimal standards for a Global Ethics in the reality of nowadays multicultural societies. I introduce for Ethics as well as for Hermeneutics the concept of ‘Responsible Interim’ – the latter reflecting the fact that human beings do have universals only under the ‘eschatological reserve’ (in Christian terminology), as ‘Suchness in Emptiness’ (in Buddhist terminology). I will proceed from universal truth questions and more general questions of philosophy of religion towards questions of cultural i.e. religious contexts shaping ethical and religious view(s) and convictions. Can smallest common denominators be found? How does legal rule help to establish and keep them? How does society, how do individuals change by starting from a spiritual, creative and holistic and maybe even transpersonal point of view – a view of co-creation and incarnatio continua in religious, i.e. in Christian terminology again?
Processing of Intraoral Olfactory and Gustatory Signals in the Gustatory Cortex of Awake Rats
Authors: Samuelsen Chad L. , Fontanini Alfredo
Published: November 2016

The integration of gustatory and olfactory information is essential to the perception of flavor. Human neuroimaging experiments have pointed to the gustatory cortex (GC) as one of the areas involved in mediating flavor perception. Although GC's involvement in encoding the chemical identity and hedonic value of taste stimuli is well studied, it is unknown how single GC neurons process olfactory stimuli emanating from the mouth. In this study, we relied on multielectrode recordings to investigate how single GC neurons respond to intraorally delivered tastants and tasteless odorants dissolved in water and whether/how these two modalities converge in the same neurons. We found that GC neurons could either be unimodal, responding exclusively to taste (taste-only) or odor (odor-only), or bimodal, responding to both gustatory and olfactory stimuli. Odor responses were confirmed to result from retronasal olfaction: monitoring respiration revealed that exhalation preceded odor-evoked activity and reversible inactivation of olfactory receptors in the nasal epithelium significantly reduced responses to intraoral odorants but not to tastants. Analysis of bimodal neurons revealed that they encode palatability significantly better than the unimodal taste-only group. Bimodal neurons exhibited similar responses to palatable tastants and odorants dissolved in water. This result suggested that odorized water could be palatable. This interpretation was further supported with a brief access task, where rats avoided consuming aversive taste stimuli and consumed the palatable tastants and dissolved odorants. These results demonstrate the convergence of the chemosensory components of flavor onto single GC neurons and provide evidence for the integration of flavor with palatability coding.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFood perception and choice depend upon the concurrent processing of olfactory and gustatory signals from the mouth. The primary gustatory cortex has been proposed to integrate chemosensory stimuli; however, no study has examined the single-unit responses to intraoral odorant presentation. Here we found that neurons in gustatory cortex can respond either exclusively to tastants, exclusively to odorants, or to both (bimodal). Several differences exist between these groups' responses; notably, bimodal neurons code palatability significantly better than unimodal neurons. This group of neurons might represent a substrate for how odorants gain the quality of tastants.
Predictors of malignancy in patients with pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas: Asian Indian experience
Authors: Khadilkar Kranti , Sarathi Vijaya , Kasaliwal Rajeev , Pandit Reshma , Goroshi Manjunath , Malhotra Gaurav , Dalvi Abhay , Bakshi Ganesh , Bhansali Anil , Rajput Rajesh , Shivane Vyankatesh , Lila Anurag , Bandgar Tushar , Shah Nalini S
Published: November 2016

Background and aims

Malignant transformation of pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PCC/PGL) is a rare occurrence, and predictive factors for the same are not well understood. This study aims to identify the predictors of malignancy in patients with PCC/PGL.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 142 patients with either PCC or PGL registered at our institute between 2000 and 2015. Records were evaluated for clinical parameters like age, gender, familial/syndromic presentation, symptomatic presentation, biochemistry, size, number and location of tumours and presence of metastases and mode of its diagnosis.

Results

Twenty patients were found to have metastases; 13 had metastases at diagnosis and seven during follow-up. Metastases were detected by radiology (CT-neck to pelvis) in 11/20 patients (5/13 synchronous and 6/7 metachronous), 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine in five (2/12 synchronous and 3/6 metachronous) patients and 18F-flurodeoxyglucose PET/CT in 15 (12/12 synchronous and 3/3 metachronous) patients. Malignant tumours were significantly larger than benign tumours (8.3 ± 4.1 cm, range: 3–22 cm vs 5.7 ± 2.3 cm, range: 2–14 cm, P = 0.0001) and less frequently metanephrine secreting. On linear regression analysis, tumour size and lack of metanephrine secretion were the independent predictors of malignancy.

Conclusions

Patients with primary tumour size >5.7 cm and lack of metanephrine secretory status should be evaluated for possible malignancy not only at diagnosis but also in the postoperative period. As compared to CT and 131I-MIBG scan, 18F-flurodeoxyglucose PET/CT analyses are better (sensitivity: 100%) for the diagnosis of metastases in our study.
Thyroid hormone metabolism in innate immune cells
Authors: van der Spek Anne H , Fliers Eric , Boelen Anita
Published: November 2016

Thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism and thyroid status have been linked to various aspects of the immune response. There is extensive literature available on the effects of thyroid hormone on innate immune cells. However, only recently have authors begun to study the mechanisms behind these effects and the role of intracellular TH metabolism in innate immune cell function during inflammation. This review provides an overview of the molecular machinery of intracellular TH metabolism present in neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells and the role and effects of intracellular TH metabolism in these cells. Circulating TH levels have a profound effect on neutrophil, macrophage and dendritic cell function. In general, increased TH levels result in an amplification of the pro-inflammatory response of these cells. The mechanisms behind these effects include both genomic and non-genomic effects of TH. Besides a pro-inflammatory effect induced by extracellular TH, the cellular response to pro-inflammatory stimuli appears to be dependent on functional intracellular TH metabolism. This is illustrated by the fact that the deiodinase enzymes and in some cell types also thyroid hormone receptors appear to be crucial for adequate innate immune cell function. This overview of the literature suggests that TH metabolism plays an important role in the host defence against infection through the modulation of innate immune cell function.
Monitoreo forestal con sensoramiento remoto en el marco del cambio climático
Authors: Vega-Araya Mauricio , Bonatti-González Javier
Published: November 2016

Recibido: 11/09/2014 Aceptado: 30/06/2016La investigación de los efectos del cambio climático es uno de los mayores desafíos para la humanidad. En la actualidad, se debate la cantidad y los flujos de las reservas de carbono en los bosques. En cuanto a estos flujos reducen las concentraciones de CO2 en la atmósfera. En este contexto, la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) se ocupa de las medidas concertadas a nivel internacional para reducir las emisiones de CO2 y aumentar el secuestro de carbono (C) a través de la intervención humana, incluyendo todas aquellas actividades relacionadas con el manejo y gestión forestal. Sin embargo, la silvicultura y el manejo de bosques han sido reconocidas como actividades donde es extremadamente difícil establecer un control cuantitativo de los aportes inducidos por las actividades del ser humano relativas a la emisión o secuestro de C a la atmósfera. En las diferentes convenciones y acuerdos, por ejemplo, los acuerdos de Marrakech (2001), solo la re-forestación se incluyó como acciones subvencionables en el contexto del mecanismo de desarrollo limpio (MDL). Luego de arduas negociaciones y con el transcurrir del tiempo, se fueron incorporando una amplia gama de actividades forestales, que culminaron con los procesos de REDD y REDD+. Dentro de REDD+, por ejemplo, se logró la compensación financiera para las medidas nacionales exitosas que reducen la deforestación y la degradación forestal. Se pensó, entonces, en la necesidad de contar con sistemas eficaces y fiables de seguimiento. Mediante los informes de medición-reporte y verificación (MRV) se ha establecido y aceptado como un marco estándar para procesos de monitoreo, que consiste en un inventarios de recursos (tradicionalmente inventarios forestales) como un componente clave. En este trabajo se aborda y analizan los retos del sensoramiento remoto en el contexto de los proyectos relacionados con los bosques y el MRV. Se hace, además, un abordaje de la necesidad de estudiar los cambios estacionales de la vegetación en Costa Rica y de cómo estas variaciones pueden afectar los resultados de los proyectos de mapeo de ecosistemas boscosos.