bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic editing of the androgen receptor contributes to impaired male courtship behavior in zebrafish
Authors: Yong Lengxob , Thet Zayer , Zhu Yong
Published: June 2017

Elucidating the genes that contribute to behavioral variation has become an important endeavor in behavioral studies. While advances in genomics have narrowed down candidate genes, functionally validating them has been lagging, partly because of challenges associated with rapid gene manipulations. Consequently, few studies have demonstrated causal genetic changes linked to behaviors. The ‘gene editing revolution’ has offered unprecedented opportunities to interrogate candidate genes responsible for critical behaviors. Here, we edited the androgen receptor (AR), which is associated with male reproductive behavior in zebrafish using TAL effector nucleases (TALENs), and tested whether modifications at AR impacted courtship during mating trials. We reveal that males lacking AR courted females significantly less, showing reduced levels of stereotypic behaviors. Consistent with previous studies, disrupting androgen mechanisms can lead to behavioral changes with potential fitness consequences. Our study highlights the possibility to genetically alter a reproductive behavior, further solidifying the link between genotype and behavior.
Dietary assessment methods in epidemiological research: current state of the art and future prospects
Authors: Naska Androniki , Lagiou Areti , Lagiou Pagona
Published: June 2017

Self-reported dietary intake is assessed by methods of real-time recording (food diaries and the duplicate portion method) and methods of recall (dietary histories, food frequency questionnaires, and 24-hour dietary recalls). Being less labor intensive, recall methods are more frequently employed in nutritional epidemiological investigations. However, sources of error, which include the participants’ inability to fully and accurately recall their intakes as well as limitations inherent in the food composition databases applied to convert the reported food consumption to energy and nutrient intakes, may limit the validity of the generated information. The use of dietary biomarkers is often recommended to overcome such errors and better capture intra-individual variability in intake; nevertheless, it has its own challenges. To address measurement error associated with dietary questionnaires, large epidemiological investigations often integrate sub-studies for the validation and calibration of the questionnaires and/or administer a combination of different assessment methods (e.g. administration of different questionnaires and assessment of biomarker levels). Recent advances in the omics field could enrich the list of reliable nutrition biomarkers, whereas new approaches employing web-based and smart phone applications could reduce respondent burden and, possibly, reporting bias. Novel technologies are increasingly integrated with traditional methods, but some sources of error still remain. In the analyses, food and nutrient intakes always need to be adjusted for total daily energy intake to account for errors related to reporting.
Noise-induced and age-related hearing loss: new perspectives and potential therapies
Authors: Liberman M Charles
Published: June 2017

The classic view of sensorineural hearing loss has been that the primary damage targets are hair cells and that auditory nerve loss is typically secondary to hair cell degeneration. Recent work has challenged that view. In noise-induced hearing loss, exposures causing only reversible threshold shifts (and no hair cell loss) nevertheless cause permanent loss of >50% of the synaptic connections between hair cells and the auditory nerve. Similarly, in age-related hearing loss, degeneration of cochlear synapses precedes both hair cell loss and threshold elevation. This primary neural degeneration has remained a “hidden hearing loss” for two reasons: 1) the neuronal cell bodies survive for years despite loss of synaptic connection with hair cells, and 2) the degeneration is selective for auditory nerve fibers with high thresholds. Although not required for threshold detection when quiet, these high-threshold fibers are critical for hearing in noisy environments. Research suggests that primary neural degeneration is an important contributor to the perceptual handicap in sensorineural hearing loss, and it may be key to the generation of tinnitus and other associated perceptual anomalies. In cases where the hair cells survive, neurotrophin therapies can elicit neurite outgrowth from surviving auditory neurons and re-establishment of their peripheral synapses; thus, treatments may be on the horizon.
A Branch Decomposition Algorithm for the p-Median Problem
Authors: Fast Caleb C. , Hicks Illya V.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we use a branch decomposition technique to improve approximations to the p-median problem. Starting from a support graph produced either by a combination of heuristics or by linear programming, we use dynamic programming guided by a branch decomposition of that support graph to find the best p-median solution on the support graph. Our results show that when heuristics are used to build the support graph and the support graph has branchwidth at most 7, our algorithm is able to provide a solution of lower cost than any of the heuristic solutions. When linear programming is used to build the support graph and the support graph has branchwidth at most 7, then our algorithm provides better solutions than popular heuristics and is faster than integer programming. Thus, our algorithm is a useful practical tool when support graphs have branchwidth at most 7.
Initiative, Incentives, and Soft Information
Authors: Liberti José María
Published: June 2017

This paper examines how organizational form affects incentives inside a financial institution. Using unique organization-level data, I exploit a change to the hierarchical organization to test whether delegation of authority and reduction of oversight improve the provision of effort by loan officers. I find that empowering loan officers increases their effort in producing and using soft information in their lending decisions. Consistent with the incentive view of delegation, loan officers who receive more authority rely more on soft information relative to hard information in their decisions than those for whom authority is only partially or not delegated. The results shed light on the importance of organizational design for the production and use of soft information in financial institutions.

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Mainstage theatre and immigration: The long history of exclusion and recent attempts at diversification in Berlin and Vienna
Authors: Sievers Wiebke
Published: June 2017

Recent studies have shown that mainstage theatre has largely remained closed to immigrants and their descendants who want to enter the cultural institution as actors, directors and playwrights. This was explained with persistent homogeneous national narratives, gatekeepers denying immigrants and their descendants access and cultural policies pushing them into niches. This article adds to this the dimension of theatre history to understand first, why mainstage theatre in the German-speaking countries has remained closed to the new diversity brought by migration and second, why diversification, when it finally arrived, was more successful in Berlin than in Vienna. I regard the intricate link between theatre and nation-building as underlying the long exclusion of immigrants and their descendants in the German-speaking context. Subsequently, I argue that the more flexible theatre structures and the recent turn towards including immigrants and their descendants in cultural policy-making in Berlin have facilitated the career of an artist whose main aim was to address the exclusionary structures of theatre. Due to the limited research on this topic, I cannot claim my observations to be representative, but they provide a matrix for an in-depth analysis in other contexts.
La metodología de la abducción en el caso del descubrimiento del megaterio
Authors: Duarte Calvo Antonio
Published: June 2017

En este artículo se analiza el caso del descubrimiento del megaterio (el primer animal extinto reconstruido) desde una perspectiva abductiva, prestando atención al proceso de generación y selección de hipótesis de algunos de los actores involucrados en este singular acontecimiento. El análisis muestra la importancia de ciertos puntos metodológicos relacionados con la práctica y el rigor científico para proponer hipótesis plausibles.
Purification and characterization of a novel α-glucosidase from an Antarctic yeast Dioszegia fristingensis isolate
Authors: Carrasco Mario , Alcaíno Jennifer , Cifuentes Víctor , Baeza Marcelo
Published: June 2017

Starch hydrolyzing enzymes, amylases, are important commercial enzymes used in several productive areas. A current tendency is to find amylases with high catalytic activity at 20-40°C, to generate products that work well at low temperatures, such as detergents, and for energy saving resources in industrial processes. In this work, an α-glucosidase secreted by the cold-adapted yeast Dioszegia fristingensis was purified and biochemically characterized. The effect of physicochemical parameters on the enzyme activity was evaluated. According to our results, the amylolytic enzyme secreted by D. fristingensis is a monomeric α-glucosidase of about 30 kDa that displayed the highest activity at 37-40°C and at pH 5.5-6.5,in the presence of 10 mM CaCl
Alma im Österreichischen Bibliothekenverbund: Werkstattbericht
Authors: Kann Bettina
Published: June 2017

2013 fiel im Österreichischen Bibliothekenverbund die Entscheidung, das Bibliothekssystem Aleph-500 durch ein neues, den gestiegenen Anforderungen vor allem in der Verwaltung elektronischer Medien besser entsprechendes System abzulösen. Aus dem Ausschreibungsverfahren ging Exlibris mit Alma als Sieger hervor. Mit Beginn 2016 startete das Projekt „Alma im Österreichischen Bibliothekenverbund“ mit dem Ziel, im März 2018 mit dem Verbundsystem und dreizehn Lokalsystemen produktiv zu gehen. Spezielle Herausforderungen des Umstiegs sind der gleichzeitige Wechsel des Datenformats von MAB-2 auf MARC-21, ein effizienter Parallelbetrieb zwischen Alma und Aleph und die Überführung der zentralen Dienstleistungen der OBVSG.
A Model about the Impact of Ability Grouping on Student Achievement
Authors: Kiss David
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a small theoretical model to compare school systems that segregate students by ability (“tracking”) with comprehensive ones, which allow for mixing of differently skilled students into same classes. The outcomes of interest are the achievement levels of weaker and better students, and the average achievement of all students. In the model, the instructional pace is tailored to the skill distribution of a class, and higher-achieving peers are an additional source of learning. The results show that differences in both the share of high-achievers and degree of interaction between student types can explain the mixed (quasi-)experimental evidence on the effect of de-tracking on student achievement. As changes in peer quality affect good and weak students’ achievement in very different ways, the term “peer effect” should be used with caution.
A survey of bacterial, fungal and plant metabolites against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), the vector of yellow and dengue fevers and Zika virus
Authors: Masi Marco , Cimmino Alessio , Tabanca Nurhayat , Becnel James J. , Bloomquist Jeffrey R. , Evidente Antonio
Published: June 2017

Aedes aegypti L. is the major vector of the arboviruses responsible for dengue fever, one of the most devastating human diseases. Some bacterial, fungal and plant metabolites belonging to different chemical subgroups, including Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, anthracenes, azoxymethoxytetrahydropyrans, cytochalasans, 2,5-diketopiperazines, isochromanones, naphthoquinones, organic small acids and their methyl esters, sterols and terpenes including sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, were tested for their larvicidal and adulticidal activity against Ae. aegypti. Out of 23 compounds tested, gliotoxin exhibited mosquitocidal activity in both bioassays with an LC50 value of 0.0257 ± 0.001 µg/µL against 1st instar Ae. aegypti and LD50 value of 2.79 ± 0.1197 µg/mosquito against adult female Ae. aegypti. 2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and cytochalasin A showed LC50 values of 0.0851 ± 0.0012 µg/µL and 0.0854 ± 0.0019 µg/µL, respectively, against Ae. aegypti larvae. In adult bioassays, fusaric acid (LD50= 0.8349 ± 0.0118 µg/mosquito), 3-nitropropionic acid (LD50 = 1.6641 ± 0.0494 µg/mosquito) and α-costic acid (LD50 = 2.547 ± 0.0835 µg/mosquito) exhibited adulticidal activity. Results from the current study confirm that compounds belonging to cytochalsin, diketopiperazine, naphthoquinone and low molecular weight organic acid groups are active and may stimulate further SAR investigations.
The IUPAC Gold Book
Authors: Chalk Stuart , McEwen Leah
Published: June 2017

As IUPAC approaches its 100th anniversary, it is important to re-evaluate the mode(s) in which it operates to sustainably support the standards that are vital to the chemical enterprise–chemical naming, chemical identification, and essential terms for commerce and the community. In addition, the importance of IUPAC’s underpinning of the digital representation of chemistry in the current ‘big data’ environment cannot be underestimated. Sustainable global support for the digital use of IUPAC assets is vital to the chemical sciences.
The Status of the IUPAC InChI Chemical Structure Standard
Authors: Boucher Ray , Heller Stephen , McNaught Alan
Published: June 2017

For almost 100 years, IUPAC has been well known around the world for its efforts in standardizing nomenclature in chemistry. At the start of the present century, it became clear to all involved in chemical structure representation work that, with the extensive use of computers and electronic information in all aspects of chemistry and related sciences, an IUPAC standard was necessary. From this critical need, the IUPAC International Chemical Identifier—InChI—project was launched in cooperation with the US standards agency NIST. The result of this effort has been the development, maintenance, and expansion of capabilities of the open source nonproprietary International Chemical Identifier (InChI), first by NIST and now by the InChI Trust, a not-for-profit UK charity. Over 100 chemical information specialists and computational chemists volunteer to test the software before a public release; this optimal quality control by a world-wide user community has led to improvements to and releases of the software with very few problems. The reliance on input from many volunteers enables the project staff to be restricted to two part-time contractors, a project director and a programmer, thus minimizing the running costs of the Trust.
Couple stress theory of curved rods. 2-D, high order, Timoshenko’s and Euler-Bernoulli models
Authors: Zozulya V.V.
Published: June 2017

New models for plane curved rods based on linear couple stress theory of elasticity have been developed.2-D theory is developed from general 2-D equations of linear couple stress elasticity using a special curvilinear system of coordinates related to the middle line of the rod as well as special hypothesis based on assumptions that take into account the fact that the rod is thin. High order theory is based on the expansion of the equations of the theory of elasticity into Fourier series in terms of Legendre polynomials. First, stress and strain tensors, vectors of displacements and rotation along with body forces have been expanded into Fourier series in terms of Legendre polynomials with respect to a thickness coordinate.Thereby, all equations of elasticity including Hooke’s law have been transformed to the corresponding equations for Fourier coefficients. Then, in the same way as in the theory of elasticity, a system of differential equations in terms of displacements and boundary conditions for Fourier coefficients have been obtained. Timoshenko’s and Euler-Bernoulli theories are based on the classical hypothesis and the 2-D equations of linear couple stress theory of elasticity in a special curvilinear system. The obtained equations can be used to calculate stress-strain and to model thin walled structures in macro, micro and nano scales when taking into account couple stress and rotation effects.
Bending analysis of laminated SWCNT Reinforced functionally graded plate Using FEM
Authors: Chavan Shivaji G. , Lal Achchhe
Published: June 2017

In this paper presents bending characteristic of multi-layered carbon nanotube reinforced functionally graded composite plates. The finite element implementation of bending analysis of laminated composite plate via well-established higher order shear deformation theory(HSDT). A seven degree of freedom and C0 continuity finite element model using nine noded isoperimetric elements is developed for precise computation of ply-by-ply deflection and stresses of laminated Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Reinforced composite plate subjected to uniform transverse loading. The finite element implementation is carried out through a finite element code developed in MATLAB.The results obtained by present approach are compared with results available in the literatures. The effective material properties of the laminated SWCNTRC plate are used by Mori-Tanaka method.Numerical results have been obtained with different parameters, width-to-thickness ratio(a/h), stress distribution profile along thickness direction,different SWCNTRC-FG plate, boundary condition and various lamination schemes.
Immune-regulation and -functions of eicosanoid lipid mediators
Authors: Esser-von Bieren Julia
Published: June 2017

Bioactive lipids regulate most physiological processes, from digestion to blood flow and from hemostasis to labor. Lipid mediators are also involved in multiple pathologies including cancer, autoimmunity or asthma. The pathological roles of lipid mediators are based on their intricate involvement in the immune system, which comprises source and target cells of these mediators. Based on their biosynthetic origin, bioactive lipids can be grouped into different classes [e.g. sphingolipids, formed from sphingosine or eicosanoids, formed from arachidonic acid (AA)]. Owing to the complexity of different mediator classes and the prominent immunological roles of eicosanoids, this review will focus solely on the immune-regulation of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids do not only control key immune responses (e.g. chemotaxis, antigen presentation, phagocytosis), but they are also subject to reciprocal control by the immune system. Particularly, key immunoregulatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-γ shape the cellular eicosanoid profile, thus providing efficient feedback regulation between cytokine and eicosanoid networks. For the purpose of this review, I will first provide a short overview of the most important immunological functions of eicosanoids with a focus on prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs). Second, I will summarize the current knowledge on immunological factors that regulate eicosanoid production during infection and inflammation.
Deriving sonority from the structure, not the other way round: A Strict CV approach to consonant clusters
Authors: Carvalho Joaquim Brandão de
Published: June 2017

This paper aims to show that sonority-based generalizations on consonant phonotactics should directly follow from representations, not from stipulations on representations such as the commonly accepted licensing or government statements. The basic reason for this is that the second approach is both arbitrary and circular, as it entails a variable ranking of alleged well-formedness principles, if we want to explain, for example, why TR clusters are either tautosyllabic or heterosyllabic depending on the language. I argue instead for a representational alternative assuming that (i) consonants and vowels are universally segregated, and (ii) involve two parallel CVCV sequences – one on the C-plane, the other on the V-plane – (iii) which may differ in length. It is shown how the major sonority categories, and thereby the phonotactic constraints based on these categories, naturally result from how the two CVCV sequences are synchronized if the one on the C-plane is longer than the one on the V-plane. It will also be seen how the proposed structures naturally account for several processes such as liquid metathesis and deletion, vowel epenthesis, plosive fricativization, etc., while providing a means for measuring the relative likelihood of some of them on the basis of representational markedness.
The Political Logic of Partial Reform of China’s State-Owned Enterprises
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhang Qi , Liu Zhikuo
Published: June 2017

By exploring the composition of the Chinese Communisty Party’s Central Committee since the 1990s, we analyze why state-owned enterprises reform has fallen into a partial reform equilibrium. We argue that two hypotheses, the interest group hypothesis and the adaptive power-sharing hypothesis, should be combined to fully comprehend the partial reform equilibrium symptom.
China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative
Authors: Chung Chien-peng , Voon Thomas J.
Published: June 2017

This article focuses on China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative, paying particular attention to Southeast Asia, the initiative’s key focus. It examines the political and economic costs and benefits of participation in the initiative for Southeast Asian countries, and identifies the rationales that may enhance or diminish the initiative’s success.
Chinese Government Village Inspections
Authors: Xi Jinrui
Published: June 2017

The Chinese government inspects villages to encourage economic development and foster income equality. It is thus more likely to inspect model villages, villages hosting investments, and poorer villages. Empirical tests with data from 961 Chinese villages confirm these propositions. Villages with investments and villages with poverty attract the most inspections.
India’s Aam Aadmi (Common Man’s) Party
Authors: Burakowski Adam , Iwanek Krzysztof
Published: June 2017

The Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man’s Party, AAP) has taken over part of the program of the Indian National Congress. The AAP was able to include new solutions within the traditional political repertoire. In Delhi the AAP took over the traditional Congress electorate but was also able to reach out to the middle-class voter.
Personal Thoughts on My Days in the Archives
Authors: Encina Paz
Published: June 2017

Filmmaker Paz Encina reflects on life in Paraguay, under Alfredo Stroessner's dictatorship, which lasted from 1954–89. She discusses her first encounter with the Archivos del Terror (Archives of Terror), her return to these archives, and how they have informed her creative work.
Under Duress
Authors: Rich B. Ruby
Published: June 2017

Editor B. Ruby Rich weighs in on the latest issue of FQ, new revivals in a time of duress, trends in distribution, FQ's approach to watching, writing, thinking about cinema and media in a time of ongoing political repression, and more.
The Analysis of Students Scientific Reasoning Ability in Solving the Modified Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (MLCTSR) Problems by Applying the Levels of Inquiry
Authors: Novia N. , Riandi R.
Published: June 2017

This study aims to determine the students’ achievement in answering modified lawson classroom test of scientific reasoning (MLCTSR) questions in overall science teaching and by every aspect of scientific reasoning abilities. There are six aspects related to the scientific reasoning abilities that were measured; they are conservatorial reasoning, proportional reasoning, controlling variables, combinatorial reasoning, probabilistic reasoning, correlational reasoning. The research is also conducted to see the development of scientific reasoning by using levels of inquiry models. The students reasoning ability was measured using the Modified Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (MLCTSR). MLCTSR is a test developed based on the test of scientific reasoning of Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning (LCTSR) in 2000 which amounted to 12 multiple-choice questions. The research method chosen in this study is descriptive quantitative research methods. The research design used is One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The population of this study is the entire junior high students class VII the academic year 2014/2015 in one junior high school in Bandung. The samples in this study are one of class VII, which is class VII C. The sampling method used in this research is purposive sampling. The results showed that there is an increase in quantitative scientific reasoning although its value is not big.
DIVERSITY OF BACTERIA DURING FERMENTATION OF LIMABEAN INTO DADDAWA
Authors: Oluremi Farinde Elizabeth , Henrietta Abiose Sumbo , Adekanmi Adeniran Hezekiah
Published: June 2017

The diversity and succession of bacteria during the natural fermentation of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) to produce daddawa (a fermented condiment) was studied using molecular method (16SrRNA gene analysis) with a view to develop a framework for production of daddawa of consistence quality with starter culture of Bacillus species. Lima bean was fermented for 72 h, during which isolation of bacteria and extraction of DNA were carried out. The extracted DNA of the bacterial isolates was tested for quality using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results of the 16SrRNA gene analysis were matched with the existing similar sequences in data base. Twenty six (26) presumptive isolates of Bacillus obtained at 24 h interval during the natural fermentation process were identified. The result of the ratio of absorbances of the extracted DNA at 260 and 280 nm showed that 73% of the isolates had pure DNA while the result of the gel electrophoresis showed well defined bands of the amplicons for the isolates. The BLAST result identified the isolates as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, B. cereus and B. anthrasis with B. subtilis been the most predominant. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis and B. pumilus occurred through-out the fermentation process. The study established the identity of the important Bacillus species involved in fermentation of lima bean into daddawa using molecular technique. These major Bacillus species could further be tested and developed as potential starters for improved production of daddawa from lima bean.
OPTIMIZATION OF ALPHA AMYLASE FOR BETTER DOUGH PREPARATION
Authors: Shobana Maria Flory , Rajamani Ranjithkumar , Bheeman Dinesh
Published: June 2017

Amylases have potential application in a wide number of industrial processes such as food, fermentation and pharmaceutical industries. The present study mainly focused on screening of amylase producing Bacillus subtilis, production by solid-state fermentation using rice straw and banana pseudo stem and its optimization for amylase activity in dough preparation, effect on bread making and analysis of bread quality. Maximum production of amylase was obtained after 24hrs of incubation. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was found to be at pH 7 and the optimum temperature for the activity was found to be at the range of 30 – 70oC. The combination of 0.8g yeast and 300 U of amylase gave better results than enzyme alone for the better dough preparation.
IN VITRO EFECTS OF SELECTED BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS ON RABBIT SPERMATOZOA MOTILITY BEHAVIOUR
Authors: Ďuračka Michal , Halenár Marek , Tvrdá Eva
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of selected pure naturally occuring biologically active compounds (resveratrol-RES, quercetin-QUE, curcumin-CUR, epicatechin-EPI, isoquercitrin-ISO) on rabbit sperm motility using the IDENT staining method and the computer-aided sperm (CASA) analysis. Semen samples were collected regularly from 10 male rabbits, pooled, the seminal plasma was removed and the sperm fraction was exposed to different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 μmol/L) of chosen biomolecules. At culture times of 0h, 2h, 4h, 6h and 8h, the spermatozoa motility was assessed using the TOX IVOS II. CASA system and the IDENT fluorescent staining method. The motility assessment revealed different behavior patterns, specific and unique to each of the studied biomolecules. After 8h of in vitro culture, the highest sperm motility was detected in experimental groups subjected to 10 μmol/L RES (P
CHARACTERIZATION AND ISOLATION OF PEPTIDE METABOLITES OF AN ANTIFUNGAL BACTERIAL ISOLATE IDENTIFIED AS BACILLUS AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS SUBSPECIES PLANTARUM STRAIN FZB42
Authors: Adibi Abiodun , R. Rees Evan , McCarley Saudia , P. Sica Vincent , H. Oberlies Nicholas
Published: June 2017

Some bacteria produce antimicrobial chemicals in their immediate environments. These antimicrobial agents are enzymes, polypeptides or non-protein organic compounds. In this study, a bacterial isolate that produces antifungal chemical(s) was isolated from an over incubated nutrient agar plate that was exposed to air. The bacterium is aerobic, Gram positive bacilli; capsule and endospore producing. It ferments glucose and sucrose but not lactose, galactose, mannitol and sorbitol; it is citrate, indole, methyl red and Voges Prauskauer negative. Using agar gel diffusion technique, the cell-free culture supernatant resulting from centrifugation of a six day bacterial culture showed antifungal activity against filamentous fungi but not yeasts. Heating the cell-free supernatant in 90 ˚C water bath and digestion with different proteases had no negative impact on the antifungal activity. A segment of 16S rRNA gene of the bacterial isolate was amplified. The nucleotide sequence of the amplicon was used to identify the bacterium as being very similar to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain FZB42. Five bacterial peptides were isolated and identified from cell free supernatant of the bacterial culture using a suite of techniques, including flash chromatography, HPLC, NMR and mass spectrometry. One of the five peptides has been previously reported in literature to possess antifungal activity.
ENHANCED AMYLOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF INTRACELLULAR α-AMYLASE PRODUCED BY BACILLUS TEQUILENSIS
Authors: Manohar Prasanth , T Shanthini , Muthukalianan Gothandam Kodiveri , Rajesh Kannan Velu , Ramesh Nachimuthu
Published: June 2017

The amylolytic enzyme plays a very important role in industrial applications. This study aimed to screen amylase producing Bacillus sp. and to promote its amylolytic activity by mutagenesis. Samples were collected from coastal mud samples and starch hydrolyzing isolates were screened. A single isolate having the highest enzyme activity was identified as Bacillus tequilensis by 16S rRNA analysis. A starch medium was optimized and fermentation period studies revealed that the mutant strain (after 60 sec of UV exposure) had higher activity (868 U/mL/min) than the parental strain (418 U/mL/min) after 36 hours of incubation at 37°C, pH 7.0. It was also found that amylase from intracellular mutant strain had maximum activity; on the other side parental strain had maximum activity with an extracellular enzyme. Optimized temperature, pH and salt concentration revealed that the intracellular amylase from mutant strain had the maximum activity of 978 U/mL/min, 985 U/mL/min, 960 U/mL/min respectively. Varying the source of carbon in the medium had a significant impact on enzyme activity. Metalloenzymes like amylases were reported to have strong activity towards metal ions, so amylase activity was analysed by adding different metal ions in the medium and found that calcium ions strongly promoted amylase activity and Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ inhibited the activity. SDS-PAGE results showed that the molecular weight of isolated amylase to be approximately 55.0 kDa. Our study showed the capability of mutant B. tequilensis strain to produce double the amount of intracellular amylase than the parental strain.
IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM LASODA BARI- A RARE FERMENTED FOOD OF HIMACHAL PRADESH-INDIA FOR POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC ATTRIBUTES
Authors: Gupta Anupama , Sharma Nivedita
Published: June 2017

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are health promoting microorganisms which are recently been used as food additives and therapeutic supplements. Recently, there has been an increase of interest regarding the commercial utilization of probiotic LAB strains isolated from traditional and naturally fermented food products. Therefore, the present study was aimed to isolate and screen lactic acid bacteria from Lasoda bari – a rare fermented food of Himachal Pradesh, for the first time for their probiotic potential. Total eight isolates were obtained out of which one isolate was selected based on its broadest antagonistic spectrum. This strain was identified using 16S rRNA technique as Pediococcus pentosaceus LB-CC. The analysis of acid resistance, bile tolerance, antibiotic sensitivity, auto-aggregation and microbial adhesion to organic solvents were established. The results revealed normal growth of P. pentosaceus LB-CC in the presence of low pH, high bile salt concentration and ability to produce antimicrobial compounds. No gelatinase and DNase enzyme activity was detected. Natural susceptibility to the tested antibiotics was observed. Thus, according to these results, this probiotic strain could be proposed as safe potential probiotic culture and can be exploited for the production of nutraceutical agents.
Body Composition in Adolescents During Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Calarge Chadi A. , Mills James A. , Janz Kathleen F. , Burns Trudy L. , Coryell William H. , Zemel Babette S.
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the independent contribution of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to changes in body composition in older adolescents.

METHODS:

Medically healthy 15- to 20-year-olds who were unmedicated or within 1 month of starting an SSRI were prospectively followed. Psychiatric functioning and medication treatment were assessed monthly. Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured every 4 months. Every 8 months, a whole-body dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry scan was obtained to determine lean BMI, fat mass index, and visceral fat mass. Linear mixed effects regression analysis examined associations between MDD, GAD, and SSRI use variables and body composition measures.

RESULTS:

Over 1.51 ± 0.76 years of follow-up, 264 participants contributed 805 observations. After adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, dietary intake, and time in the study, MDD severity was inversely associated, prospectively, with BMI, fat mass index, and lean BMI z scores, whereas cumulative SSRI treatment duration and dose were positively associated with these outcomes. GAD severity and diagnosis were not significantly associated with any body composition outcome. Moreover, citalopram and escitalopram were most strongly associated with the increase in all body composition measures, including visceral fat mass, whereas the associations with fluoxetine were somewhat weaker. Sertraline was not different from no SSRI treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Depression severity was associated with a decrease in measures of body composition in older adolescents over a mean of 1.5 years, whereas SSRI treatment was positively associated with these outcomes, with differential effects across treatment groups.
Controversy About Dialysis for an Adolescent
Authors: Tate Tyler , Goldberg Aviva , Wightman Aaron , Warady Bradley A. , Lantos John D.
Published: June 2017

For patients on dialysis, 1 frequent cause of death is their voluntary decision to discontinue dialysis. Such decisions raise complex questions when the patient is a competent adult. The decisions are even more complex when the patient is an adolescent. In this article, we present a case in which a 17-year-old adolescent decided that she no longer wished to undergo dialysis through her fistula. Her doctors thought that dialysis using any other technique would be too dangerous. Four experts in pediatric nephrology, bioethics, and palliative care discuss this decision and the different ways that the health care team might respond.
Evaluation of two harvesting procedures for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fruits. A case study
Authors: Castillo Eduardo Gonzálo , Rodríguez C. Luis Felipe , Páez Andrés Felipe
Published: June 2017

This study was performed in Las Brisas Oilseed property located in the Municipality of Puerto Wilches, province of Santander, Colombia. It was evaluated a harvesting procedure that modifies the traditional procedure adding an implement called "pepero" placed on the plate of the palm below the cluster for let the fruit to fall in it after the cutting process. With this procedure, it was not necessary to clean thoroughly the plates, as the fruits were few to collect. Using these method at least two herbicide applications over the plate can decrease annually and for the same reason leaf residues dropped from the pruning would reach their decomposition process, promoting the palm root system growth, thereby, increasing the absorption of nutrients from the fertilizer. During the evaluation, the proposed method reduced 63% of the harvest efficiency, however it was noted that adjusting harvest cycles to avoid clusters of mature young palms and working performance could be improved. We presented very promising application with the hybrid GOX which is replacing current materials as palm, this has small growth and has the tendency to attach the fruits, even than overriped.
High dilution preparations for organic production system of broccoli
Authors: Pulido Edwin , Boff Pedro , Duarte Tatiana , Boff Mari Inês
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of high dilution preparations on seedlings growth and production of broccoli under organic system. Three experiments were conducted in a greenhouse with completely randomized design. Two others experiments were conducted under field conditions, and the experimental design was randomized in blocks. Both designs were done with four replications and nine treatments. The treatments consisted of high dilution preparations of Arnica montana, Silicea terra, Carbo vegetabilis and Sulphur at 6CH or 30CH, water was used as control. In greenhouse, plant height, root length and stem diameter of seedlings were evaluated, along with the fresh and dry mass of shoot and root. In field, fresh and dry mass of inflorescences, plant heigh and stem diameter were evaluated. Silicea terra at 30CH increased the stem diameter, root length and dry mass of shoot and root in the broccoli seedlings. Sulphur at 6CH increased the fresh and dry mass of broccoli inflorescences. Silicea terra at 6CH, Carbo vegetabilis, and Sulphur at 30CH increased the plant height in field experiments. This suggests that high dilution preparations can be utilized to increase the biomass production and others desirable characteristics of broccoli crop under organic system.
Virus diagnosis in tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) by RT-PCR and transmission electrón microscopy in Pichincha and Tungurahua Provinces of Ecuador
Authors: Espinoza Diego , Viera William , Debut Alexis , Vásquez Wilson , Ayala Ligia
Published: June 2017

Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) is an economically important fruit crop in Ecuador. The symptoms of higher virus-related incidence in plantations located in Pichincha and Tungurahua correspond to yellowing, mosaic, leaf deformation and blistering. This research carried out a diagnosis of the viruses present in these production areas using molecular techniques (RT-PCR) and electron microscopy. The identified viruses belonged to the genera Potyvirus (Potato virus Y; PVY), Polerovirus (Potato leaf roll virus; PLRV) and Tobamovirus (Tomato mosaic virus;ToMV), constituting a viral complex of at least two of the three viruses found. The symptomatology related to PVY was spots with tan or oily appearance and leaf deformation; in addition to these symptoms, yellowing and chlorosis were related to PLRV. Foliar blistering was related to the occurrence of the three viruses. The results indicated the presence of the three viruses in Tumbaco (Pichincha) and two (PLRV and PVY) in Pelileo (Tungurahua). PLRV was found in the 100% of the total samples, PVY in 50% of the Pelileo's samples and ToMV only in Tumbaco. ToMV virus has been detected for the first time infecting tree tomato in Ecuador.
Organogénesis in-vitro using three tissues types of tree tomato [ Solanum betaceum (Cav.)]
Authors: Murillo-Gómez Paola Andrea , Hoyos S Rodrigo , Chavarriaga Paul
Published: June 2017

Tree tomato is a fruit with great economic potential due to its high nutritional value. The induction of direct organogenesis in this species is a great alternative for clonal propagation of disease-free plants, and also useful for genetic transformation. In this study was assessed the induction of organogenesis in vitro using three different tissues: leaves, petioles and sexual seeds of the variety Common. All tissues were cultured on MS supplemented with agar, sucrose and TDZ or BAP phytohormones at 0.5 to 3 mg L-1, combined or not with the auxins IAA and NAA. Although petioles and seeds had a great potential for regeneration of plantlets, leaves produced more shoots (average of 18.4 shoots/explant) on medium containing TDZ 0.5 mg L-1. Additionally, its easy handling and resistance to physical damage may be useful traits to perform genetic trans-formation. The highest average of shoots produced from seeds and petioles were 4.3 and 3.1 shoots/explant, respectively. The production of multiple shoots in petioles was influenced by low concentrations of auxins. The emergence of the radicle in the seeds was important for the formation of shoots.
Banana leaf as packaging of lulo for different storage temperatures and the effects on postharvest characteristics
Authors: Forero-Cabrera Nathalia M. , Gutiérrez-Pacheco Sebastián , Rivera-Acosta Javier , Silva-Dimaté Andrés F. , Sánchez-Sáenz Carolina M.
Published: June 2017

In Colombia, the small and médium farmers are responsible for the production of nearly 45.000 t yr-1 of lulo (Solanum quitoense). However adequate and easy techniques for postharvest handling are not often available to be implemented by this sector of the producers. This research aimed to study banana (Musa paradisiaca) leaf as primary packaging to minimize the loss of quality of lulo stored at different temperatures. Chemical and physiological quality parameters were considered in the analysis of the maturation process. Loss weight, color changes in CIELAB coordinates, total titratable acidity (TTA), Young's modulus and firmness were measured to represent the fruit quality. Use of banana leaf as primary package show that weight losses and the color changes result of the ripening process were decreased. The color changes of lulo skin were significantly affected by storage temperature. To avoid changes in TTA, mechanical damage is not recommended. When the lulo fruits were packed with banana leaves, the Young's modulus and firmness values was higher. The results of this research allow the comparison of quality of lulo in the packaging proposal and the results of others researchers who use conventionally packaging like wood crates and carton packaging. The proposal packaging configuration (lulos packed with banana leaf in plastic crates of 80x60x20 cm) is an easy alternative to get and preserve the quality of lulo fruits for a longer storage time.
Thermal and physicochemical properties of starches from three Colombian rice varieties
Authors: Rodríguez-Torres Diego , Murillo-Arango Walter , Vaquiro-Herrera Henry Alexander , Solanilla-Duque José F.
Published: June 2017

Samples of starch from broken grains of three rice varieties grown in Colombia were analyzed to determine their physicochemical and thermal properties: Fedearroz 473 (F473), Fedearroz 50 (F50) and Fedearroz 60 (F60). The granule size, solubility, swelling capacity, amylose content, syneresis, turbidity, thermal and pasting properties of starches were determined. The average size of starch granules was 9.4, 7.4 and 7.2 µm for F473, F50 and F60 samples, respectively. The amylose content showed significant differences between the studied varieties and ranged between 21.4% and 23.0%. Turbidity ranged between 1.95 and 2.34 absorbance units at 620 nm. Thermal properties, evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), registered values between 61.6 and 64.6°C for the onset temperature, between 66.6 and 69.3°C for the peak temperature, between 72.1 and 73.9°C for the end temperature, and between 8.38 and 9.47 J g-1 for the gelatinization enthalpy. The higher amylose content the higher grain size, turbidity, syneresis, viscosity, gelatinization temperature and enthalpy, and the lower swelling capacity and solubility. This paper is the first reported research on physicochemical and functional properties of starches from these Colombian rice varieties.
Estimación del rendimiento de orellana mediante modelos Gamlss
Authors: Hernández Barajas Freddy , Naranjo-Dueñas Gipsy , Monsalve-Lugo Edgar
Published: June 2017

En la literatura científica se pueden encontrar estudios sobre la influencia de variables ambientales en la producción de hongos comestibles, sin embargo, todos estos estudios han utilizado modelos estadísticos donde se asume que la variable producción se distribuye en forma normal, supuesto que no siempre se cumple. En este artículo usan los modelos GAMLSS para estudiar la influencia de las variables humedad, temperatura, tiempo de aireación, tipo de sustrato y cantidad de sustrato sobre la producción del hongo orellana. Los modelos GAMLSS permiten que el investigador asuma distribuciones estadísticas para la variable respuesta diferentes a la normal y que se puedan modelar todos los parámetros en función de las covariables. Al aplicar GAMLSS a los datos de orellana se encontró que sólo las variables temperatura, tiempo de aireación y tipo de sustrato tienen una influencia significativa en la producción de orellana. En particular, se encontró que a mayor temperatura y tiempo de aireación la producción de orellana aumenta, adicionalmente, se estimó que la producción de orellana se duplica si la siembra se dá en sustrato de higuerilla molido. Los resultados de este artículo sirven para cuantificar los efectos de las variables ambientales en la producción industrial de orellana y para determinar combinaciones óptimas de los factores que maximicen la producción.
Ride quality stability of jointed plain-concrete road pavements with short slabs
Authors: Pradena Mauricio , Houben Lambert
Published: June 2017

Curling and warping of jointed plain-concrete road pavements are not only unfavourable from the structural point of view but also from a functional perspective because road users can perceive different ride qualities during the day due to changes in slab curvature. The use of short slabs, an innovation of traditional jointed plain-concrete pavements, allows a reduction in concrete thickness due to traffic load configurations and also a reduction in curling and warping. The objective of this study was to compare the stability of ride quality in traditional and short-slab pavements. Using a walking profiler, precise international roughness index (IRI) measurements were taken every 10 m on both types of pavements in Chile at different times of the day and over two slab tracks. Roughness measurements using a high-speed laser profilometer over 12 km of additional short slabs in Chile were also considered. Changes in IRI of up to 0·6 m/km were obtained on traditional pavements. In contrast, the results clearly demonstrated the stability of the ride quality offered by short slabs, with users experiencing the same roughness at different times of the day.