bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Constitución de Cádiz de 1812 : suinfluencia en el movimiento emancipador y en el proceso constituyente argentino
Authors: Dalla Via Alberto Ricardo
Published: December 2014

El trabajo rescata la influencia que tuvo la Constitución de Cádiz, también pronta a cumplir su bicentenario, en el proceso emancipador iniciado en Mayo de 1810. Si bien dicha Constitución liberal no llegó a regir en nuestro territorio, fue un importante antecedente jurídico que se plasmó principalmente en la labor de la Asamblea General Constituyente de 1813 y que desde allí recorrería distintos documentos fundamentales como el Estatuto de 1815, el Reglamento Provisorio de 1817 y las Constituciones de 1819 y de 1826, siendo que esta última sería una fuente muy importante de la Constitución sancionada el 1 de mayo de 1853, promulgada el 25 de Mayo de ese mismo año por el Director Provisorio de la Confederación y jurada por los pueblos el 9 de julio del mismo año. El aporte de Cádiz demuestra que nuestro proceso emancipador, si bien contó con una fuerza y decisión superior a la de otros pueblos del continente americano; no obstante ello, mantuvo una vinculación con nuestra historia y tradiciones patrias que se consolidaría en el texto constitucional definitivo, de manera que si bien la Constitución de los Estados Unidos sería la «fuente» o el «modelo» seguido por los constituyentes, muchas disposiciones particulares de nuestro sistema presidencialista encuentra su raíz en el texto gaditano.The rescue work the influence of the Constitution of Cadiz was also ready to fulfill its bicentennial, in the emancipation process started in May 1810. While the Constitution did not govern liberal in our territory, was an important legal precedent which was reflected mainly in the work of the Constituent General Assembly of 1813 and from there traverse various fundamental documents as the Statute of 1815, the Provisional Rules and Regulations 1817 and the Constitutions of 1819 and 1826, being the latter would be a major source of the Constitution enacted on May 1, 1853, promulgated on May 25 of that year by Interim director of the Confederation and sworn to by the people on July 9 of that year. The contribution of Cadiz shows that our process of emancipation, but told with a force and decisively superior to the other peoples of the Americas, yet it maintained a link with our history and traditions homelands that would be consolidated into the final constitutional text, so that while the United States Constitution would be the «source» or «model» followed by constituents, many specific provisions of our presidential system is rooted in the text Cadiz.
La jurisdicción militar en el periodo gaditano : su influjo en el Perú
Authors: Palomino Manchego José F.
Published: December 2014

El sector militar de las Cortes de Cádiz fue uno de los principales promotores de las ideas liberales, y mostraron una honda preocupación por desarticular la ordenación y estructura del ejército en el Antiguo Régimen mediante la copiosa publicación de propuestas y proyectos de reforma. En este artículo se estudia la impronta liberal que imprimieron algunos de ellos y la Constitución de Cádiz en el Proyecto de Constitución Militar del Ejército del Perú de 1827, que no llegó a fraguar por el estado de anarquía reinante en el Perú en los primeros años de su independencia de la Monarquía hispánica, por lo que se continuó aplicando la legislación virreinal recogida en las Ordenanzas carolinas.The military sector of Courts of Cadiz was one of the main promoters of the liberal ideas, and showed a deep preoccupation to disarticulate the arrangement and structures of the army in the Old Regime by means of the abundant publication of proposals and projects of reform. In this article the liberal track studies that left some of them and the Constitution of Cadiz in the Project of Military Constitution of the Army of the Peru of 1827, which it did not get to set by the state of ruling anarchy in Peru in the first years of its independence of the Hispanic Monarchy, reason why it was continued applying the castilian legislation gathered in Decrees of Carlos.
El estado autonómico y sus stakeholders: pasado, presente y futuro
Authors: Sanz Arcega Eduardo
Published: December 2014

El presente trabajo aporta una visión de la construcción del Estado Autonómico desde los instrumentos de análisis empresarial. En este sentido, se realiza un bosquejo del desarrollo del proceso de descentralización de España a la luz de sus principales actores, los stakeholders de aquél. Como nota final se aboga por un incremento tanto del federalismo competitivo como cooperativo y de la solidaridad como garantías de estabilidad y eficacia del sistema.This paper provides an overview of the construction of the Spanish Autonomous State using the business-analysis tools. In this sense, it makes a sketch of the development of the decentralization processin Spain in the light of its key players, its stakeholders. To conclude, a final note calls for an increase in both competitive and cooperative federalism and in solidarity as the guarantees of stability and effectiveness of the system.
La ley orgánica de estabilidad presupuestaria y sostenibilidad financiera. La exigencia de estabilidad presupuestaria del sector público
Authors: Galera Victoria Adoración
Published: December 2014

El presente estudio realiza un análisis crítico de los principales contenidos de la Ley Orgánica 2/2012, de 27 de abril, de Estabilidad Presupuestaria y Sostenibilidad Financiera, mediante la cual se da cumplimiento al mandato constitucional previsto en el artículo 135 CE, con el que se pretende asegurar que todas las administraciones públicas actúen conforme a las exigencias de estabilidad presupuestaria y limitación del endeudamiento público. El objeto de este estudio conduce a la exposición en primer lugar, de las novedades respecto de los principios generales en esta materia, en segundo lugar, de las reglas para la instrumentación de los principios de estabilidad presupuestaria y sostenibilidad financiera, en tercer lugar se analizan las medidas de carácter preventivo, correctivo y coercitivo establecidas para garantizar el cumplimiento de los objetivos de equilibrio presupuestario y de deuda pública desarrollados por el legislador, y por último, se destacan las criterios adoptados en materia de gestión presupuestaria. La exposición de estos contenidos conducirá, finalmente, a una reflexión global sobre el alcance de esta actuación del legislador orgánico.This paper analyzes the main contents of the Organic Act 2/2012 of 27 April on Budgetary Stability and Financial Sustainability of development of Article 135 EC, which aims to ensure that all public authorities act in accordance with the requirements budgetary stability and limitation of the public debt. With this object is exposed on one side, the developments concerning the general principles in this matter, secondly, the rules for implementing the principles of budgetary stability and financial sustainability, in third place, we analyze the preventive measures, remedial and coercive in place to ensure compliance with the objectives of balanced budgets and public debt, and finally, it highlights the criteria for budget management. These contents will lead to a global reflection on the scope of this Act.
El papel de los tribunales en el control de las medidas contra el terrorismo internacional: ¿hacia un diálogo jurisprudencial?
Authors: Groppi Tania
Published: December 2014

Se aborda en este trabajo la situación creada por las medidas contra el terrorismo internacional impulsadas en los últimos años en muchos países, especialmente después de los graves atentados del 11 de septiembre de 2001. El papel que, a partir de entonces, han protagonizado los tribunales de los diferentes países, ha sido muy relevante. Asimismo, lo es la importancia que ha cobrado el diálogo jurisprudencial entre tribunales, observándose una convergencia entre jurisprudencias.This article addresses the situation created by the measures against international terrorism adopted in recent years in many countries, especially after the serious attacks of September 11, 2001. The role that, since then, have developed the courts of different countries, has been very relevant. It is also the importance which has gained the jurisprudential dialogue between courts, noting a convergence between jurisprudences.
La representación parlamentaria de intereses socio-económicos en la doctrina constitucional
Authors: García Cuadrado Antonio M.
Published: December 2014

La historia del pensamiento político nos muestra que desde diferentes ópticas ideológicas ha habido autores que se han planteado la conveniencia de sustituir o completar el sufragio universal por otro que tuviera en cuenta la representación de los intereses sociales y económicos. Aunque es difícil de agrupar por corrientes ideológicas, se puede decir que pensadores socialistas, sindicalistas, anarquistas, liberales, democristianos y tradicionalistas han defendido propuestas análogas en este sentido.History of political thought shows that many authors belonging to several political stances have written about the expediency of allowing, together with universal suffrage, the vote of social-economic groups. Socialist, trade-unionist, christian democratic and traditionalist thinkers stated different proposals in this regard.
La libertad de creencias en la Constitución japonesa
Authors: Pedriza Luis
Published: December 2014

La Constitución de Japón (1947) garantiza el derecho a la libertad de creencias, sistematizado a lo largo de su articulado. El sistema, influenciado notoriamente por la Constitución norteamericana, presenta notas características de la idiosincrasia japonesa que resultaran de interés para el lector occidental. En el presente trabajo se realiza un estudio sobre la garantía de esta libertad (tanto en su vertiente ideológica como religiosa) a través del análisis de la evolución histórica del sistema, de la revisión de la doctrina científica más aplaudida y de la jurisprudencia más relevante sobre la materia.The Constitution of Japan (1947) guarantees the right to freedom of belief, which is systematized in several articles of the text. Having received a notorious influence from the U. S Constitution, the system shows some characteristic features that should be of interest to western scholars. In this work a study on this freedom (both on its ideological and religious sides) is carried out by analyzing the historical evolution of the system and by revising the most praised academic theories as well as the most relevant case law on this matter.
Examen constitucional de las regulaciones catalana y madrileña del euro por receta
Authors: Matia Portilla Francisco Javier
Published: December 2014

Resumen:Las Comunidades Autónomas han impulsado unas nuevas tasas sobre servicios de información vinculados con la emisión y/o dispensación de recetas. Este trabajo pretende pronunciarse sobre la eventual inconstitucionalidad de dichas tasas, para lo que resulta preciso determinar el objeto de las tasas, el título competencial estatal que, en su caso, se puede ver afectado, la normativa básica dictada a su amparo y el contraste entre ésta y la Constitución, primero, y entre dicha normativa y las normas autonómicas impugnadas.Abstract:The autonomous regions have created new taxes on information services related to prescriptions emission and/or dispensation. The aim of this work consists on give an opinion about the possible unconstitutionality of those taxes. To answer this question it is necessary to determine the object of the taxes, the State competence title that could be affected, the basic regulation promulgated under it and the appealed regional regulations.
Runx1t1 Regulates the Neuronal Differentiation of Radial Glial Cells From the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Linqing Zou , Guohua Jin , Haoming Li , Xuelei Tao , Jianbing Qin , Meiling Tian
Published: December 2014

The brain has the highest Runx1t1 level relative to the levels in other organs. Runx1t1 might have a regulatory function as a transcriptional corepressor in the differentiation/development of the nervous system. Neurogenesis requires factors that regulate the proliferation of progenitors and activate the neuronal differentiation process. However, the precise role of Runx1t1 in hippocampal neurogenesis is unclear. We knocked down Runx1t1 in hippocampal radial glial cells (RGCs) with Runx1t1-RNA interference using lentiviral vectors. We also used LV-Runx1t1 to induce Runx1t1 overexpression in vitro. We have provided experimental evidence that decreased Runx1t1 expression reduced the neuronal differentiation of RGCs, and increased Runx1t1 expression caused a greater number of RGCs to differentiate into neurons. We have concluded that Runx1t1 could be involved in the process through which RGCs differentiate into neurons.
Polychloroprene Rubber/Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) Nanomembranes for Pervaporation Separation of Azeotropic Mixtures
Authors: G Maya M. , George Soney C. , Jose Thomasukutty , Thomas Sabu
Published: December 2014

Chloroprene rubber is a high performance elastomer with remarkable ageing, heat and oil resistance. A new class of elastomeric nanocomposite was prepared by incorporating reduced graphene oxide (RGO) into chloroprene rubber (CR). RGO is synthesised from natural graphite, through GO route via Hummer’s method. This paper focuses on the influence of reduced graphene oxide on chloroprene rubber based elastomeric composites and their pervaporation separation of azeotropic liquid mixtures. The effect of concentration of RGO on separation factor, pervaporation separation index (PSI) and flux of the membranes were analysed. Chloroprene loaded with 0.9 phr (parts per hundred rubber) RGO shows an improved permeation rate among all other membranes while chloroform/acetone (80/20) azeotropic liquid mixture was used as feed solution. Flux increases with increasing the concentration of filler, reaches an optimum value and then decreases. Interestingly PSI also shows similar trend.
Mitigating Low-Pressure Membrane Fouling by Controlling the Charge of Precipitated Floc Particles
Authors: McLeod Gregg A.
Published: December 2014

Fouling presents the most significant obstacle to optimal low-pressure membrane plant performance. The occurrence of fouling tends to decrease production rates (flux), increase chemical usage incurred during clean-in-place (CIP) process, increase energy costs, shorten membrane life and reduce recovery. Fouling may be of organic or inorganic nature, necessitating more frequent dual chemical cleaning procedures. Regardless of the nature of the foulants, particulate loading onto the membrane fiber surface has been identified as a common mechanism of deteriorating performance. Particulates and colloidal materials such as turbidity, natural organic material (NOM), algae and precipitated coagulant floc accumulate on the membrane surface and disrupt the laminar flow of water through the element. Particulates can either attach or adhere to the membrane surface through electrostatic attraction. One method of reducing this fouling mechanism is to employ controlled coagulation as a direct feed or coupled with a clarification step prior to membrane process. Coagulation can attract and retain naturally occurring particulates and colloidal materials via charge neutralization. Then, by controlling the charge of precipitated floc particulates to align with the surface charge of the membrane element, both types of fouling can be mitigated. This Paper summarizes two demonstrations featuring a pressure feed and a submerged vacuum ultrafiltration (UF) system.
Separation of CO2/CH4 through Carbon Tubular Membranes: Effect of Carbonization Temperature
Authors: Salleh W.N.W. , Sazali N. , Ismail A.F.
Published: December 2014

Carbon membranes have received much attention as advance materials in the gas separation technology due to their superior gas permeation performance and thermal and chemical stability. In order to increase the mechanical strength of the membrane, supported carbon membrane were produced using ceramic tube as support layer. Carbon tubular membranes were produced by carbonizing polymeric tubular membrane under different process parameter. In this study, carbon tubular membranes originating from Matrimid were prepared and characterized n term of its gas permeation properties. The preparation method involved dip-coating of the ceramic tubes with a Matrimid-based solution. The carbon tubular membranes were obtained by carbonization of the resultant polymeric tubular membrane under Argon gas flow in the horizontal tube furnace. The effects of the carbonization temperature on the gas permeation performance were investigated. Pure gas permeation tests were performed using CO2 and CH4 at room temperature with pressure 8 bars. The permeance and selectivity data indicate that the highest CO2/CH4 selectivity of 87.30 was obtained for carbon tubular membrane prepared at carbonization temperature of 850 ºC.
Evaluation of Kinetics of Leaching of Lignins and Tannins in Batch Adsorption of Cr (VI) by Emblica officinalis Leaf Powder (EOLP)
Authors: Singh Ram Pal , Zahra Fatma
Published: December 2014

The present paper is aimed to assess the contents of lignin and tannin leached in the batch adsorption test filtrate and to evaluate the kinetics of leaching of lignin and tannins. For the purpose, raw Emblica officinalis leaf powder (EOLP) has been used as adsorbent for removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution in batch mode of operation. Test results indicate that EOLP imparts lignin and tannin in batch test filtrate. Both lignin and tannin contents are related to pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), initial Cr(VI) concentration (C0) residual Cr(VI) concentration in batch test filtrate (C),amount of adsorbent (Wad) and the time of contact (t). Dimensionless parameters are developed and the lignin and tannin contents are well correlated with dimensionless parameters. From the studies conducted on rate of leaching of both soluble lignin and tannins, the kinetics of leaching of soluble lignin and tannin follow a pseudo second order type rate kinetics. Linear regression models are developed based on pseudo second order kinetics for determination of lignin and tannin contents in batch test filtrate. However, these findings need further verification in future investigations.
Comparison of upper tropospheric carbon monoxide from MOPITT, ACE‐FTS, and HIPPO‐QCLS
Authors: Martínez‐Alonso Sara , Deeter Merritt N. , Worden Helen M. , Gille John C. , Emmons Louisa K. , Pan Laura L. , Park Mijeong , Manney Gloria L. , Bernath Peter F. , Boone Chris D. , Walker Kaley A. , Kolonjari Felicia , Wofsy Steven C. , Pittman Jasna , Daube Bruce C.
Published: December 2014

Products from the Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument are regularly validated using in situ airborne measurements. However, few of these measurements reach into the upper troposphere, thus hindering MOPITT validation in that region. Here we evaluate upper tropospheric (~500 hPa to the tropopause) MOPITT CO profiles by comparing them to satellite Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE‐FTS) retrievals and to measurements from the High‐performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research Pole to Pole Observations (HIPPO) Quantum Cascade Laser Spectrometer (QCLS). Direct comparison of colocated v5 MOPITT thermal infrared‐only retrievals, v3.0 ACE‐FTS retrievals, and HIPPO‐QCLS measurements shows a slight positive MOPITT CO bias within its 10% accuracy requirement with respect to the other two data sets. Direct comparison of colocated ACE‐FTS and HIPPO‐QCLS measurements results in a small number of samples due to the large disparity in sampling pattern and density of these data sets. Thus, two additional indirect techniques for comparison of noncoincident data sets have been applied: tracer‐tracer (CO‐O3) correlation analysis and analysis of profiles in tropopause coordinates. These techniques suggest a negative bias of ACE‐FTS with respect to HIPPO‐QCLS; this could be caused by differences in resolution (horizontal, vertical) or by deficiencies in the ACE‐FTS CO retrievals below ~20 km of altitude, among others. We also investigate the temporal stability of MOPITT and ACE‐FTS data, which provide unique global CO records and are thus important in climate analysis. Our results indicate that the relative bias between the two data sets has remained generally stable during the 2004–2010 period.
Impacts of subgrid‐scale orography parameterization on simulated surface layer wind and monsoonal precipitation in the high‐resolution WRF model
Authors: Lee Junhong , Shin Hyeyum Hailey , Hong Song‐You , Jiménez Pedro A. , Dudhia Jimy , Hong Jinkyu
Published: December 2014

This paper reports on the first attempt to investigate whether excessive precipitation over mountainous areas, which is a common problem in model simulations, could be remedied by the implementation of a more realistic surface wind field in the high‐resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. A series of 48 h short‐range forecasts was conducted for the month of July 2006 within the triple‐nested WRF configuration, for which the highest resolution of 3 km was focused on areas with complex orography over East Asian monsoonal regions. For accurate surface wind simulations, the subgrid‐scale (SGS) orography parameterization scheme was employed. It was found that the simulated surface wind showed negative (positive) bias over mountainous (flat) regions when the SGS orography parameterization was excluded. After inclusion of the SGS orography parameterization, wind speed over mountainous (flat) regions increased (decreased), implying that the bias was mitigated. Moisture divergence (convergence) over the mountains (on the leeward side of the mountains) was induced, and surface latent heat flux increased along the mountain ranges following the improvement in the representation of the surface wind by the inclusion of the SGS orography parameterization. Eventually, excessive precipitation simulated over mountainous areas of East Asia, which is a feature commonly observed in numerical model studies, was alleviated because of the moisture divergence and increased surface latent heat flux.
The promise and perils of HDAC inhibitors in neurodegeneration
Authors: Didonna Alessandro , Opal Puneet
Published: December 2014

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) represent emerging therapeutic targets in the context of neurodegeneration. Indeed, pharmacologic inhibition of HDACs activity in the nervous system has shown beneficial effects in several preclinical models of neurological disorders. However, the translation of such therapeutic approach to clinics has been only marginally successful, mainly due to our still limited knowledge about HDACs physiological role particularly in neurons. Here, we review the potential benefits along with the risks of targeting HDACs in light of what we currently know about HDAC activity in the brain.
Homogeneous synthesis of linoleic acid‐grafted chitosan oligosaccharide in ionic liquid and its self‐assembly performance in aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Huang Yan , Boamah Peter‐Osei , Cao Li , Zhang Qi , Lu Zhengrong , Li Huaming
Published: December 2014

A water‐soluble amphiphilic derivative of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) modified with linoleic acid (LA)‐grafted COS (LCOS) has been synthesized in the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([BMIM]Ac). The effects of the ionic liquid on the degree of substitution (DS), surface activity, and self‐assembly behavior of LCOS have been investigated. The results showed that the ionic liquid homogeneous system led to a relatively higher DS compared with the product synthesized in a traditional organic solvent. Furthermore, the LCOS synthesized in the ionic liquid had better surface activity (cmc = 1.1 × 10−4 g·mL−1), and could also self‐assemble into nanomicelles with better‐defined spherical shape and a narrower particle size distribution (30–40 nm) in aqueous solution. These results suggest that an effective and environmentally friendly synthesis method for COS derivatives has been established and, moreover, the obtained LCOS micelles meet the basic requirements for use as an improved drug transduction vector. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41727.
The guinea‐pig expresses functional CYP2C and P‐glycoprotein: further validation of its usefulness in drug biotransformation/transport studies
Authors: Hasibu Ibrahim , Patoine Dany , Pilote Sylvie , Drolet Benoit , Simard Chantale
Published: December 2014

Background: The guinea‐pig is an excellent animal model for studying cardiopulmonary physiology/pharmacology. Interestingly, it also possesses a number of drug‐metabolizing enzymes found in humans, such as CYP1A, CYP2D and CYP3A. Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that the guinea‐pig also expresses a functional CYP2C drug‐metabolizing enzyme and the P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) drug transporter in various tissues. Methods: cDNAs encoding CYP2C and P‐gp were obtained from guinea‐pig liver or small intestine and sequenced. Western blotting was performed to confirm the expression of CYP2C and P‐gp. The functional enzymatic activity of guinea‐pig CYP2C was evaluated with microsomal preparations using diclofenac and tolbutamide as specific drug substrates in HPLC analyses. To further study both P‐gp and CYP2C functional activities, the guinea‐pig ABCB1/MDR1 and CYP2C genes were cloned. The recombinant plasmids were then transfected in HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells and either calcein‐acetoxymethyl ester (AM) accumulation assays or 14,15‐EET/DHET formation experiments were performed to evaluate either P‐gp transport activity or CYP2C epoxygenase activity, respectively. The guinea‐pig tissue distribution of P‐gp was studied by Western blotting. Results: Functional expression of CYP2C was demonstrated in guinea‐pig liver microsomal preparations. CYP2C‐mediated biotransformation of diclofenac and tolbutamide were shown. Expression of P‐gp protein was detected in guinea‐pig liver and small intestine. Functional activity of guinea‐pig P‐gp was demonstrated in ABCB1/MDR1‐transfected cells. GP‐CYP2C‐transfected cells also showed functional epoxygenase activity. Conclusion: The guinea‐pig expresses functional CYP2C and P‐gp, thus suggesting its usefulness for further validating data obtained with other animal models in drug biotransformation/transport studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leitgefäße in Pflanzen – Zellen zwischen scheintot und halbtot
Authors: Brennicke Axel
Published: December 2014

Pflanzen transportieren die Produkte der Photosynthese von den Blättern in den Leitbahnen des Phloems und versorgen so ihre Gewebe mit Energie. Dabei fließt der wässrige Strom anders als bei unseren Blutgefäßen durch spezialisierte Zellen. Diese leben, enthalten aber keinen Zellkern und werden von Begleitzellen versorgt. Eine noch weitgehend unverstandene Kaskade von Signalproteinen steuert den Abbau des Zellkerns und schafft die besonders enge Verbindung zwischen den beiden Zelltypen. Jetzt werden die ersten regulatorischen Steuerungen identifiziert, die von einem übergeordneten Transkriptionsfaktor bis zu den Nukleasen führen, die die DNA im Zellkern abbauen.
Studienbedingungen und Berufseinstieg in der Biologie
Authors: Plasa Tim Niels
Published: December 2014

Seit 2007 werden im Kooperationsprojekt Absolventenstudien (KOAB) jährliche Befragungen von ehemaligen Studierenden durchgeführt. Dabei kooperieren ca. 70 Hochschulen mit dem International Centre of Higher Education Research (INCHER) an der Universität Kassel. Hierdurch konnten auch zahlreiche Erfahrungen und Bewertungen von Biologen gesammelt werden. Eine zusammenfassende Auswahl einiger Ergebnisse aus den letzten beiden Jahren wird nun präsentiert.
August Weismann (1834–1914) und das unsterbliche Leben
Authors: Kutschera Ulrich
Published: December 2014

Der Freiburger Zoologe und Evolutionstheoretiker August Weismann war einer der einflussreichsten Biologen seiner Zeit. Seine allgemeinen Schlussfolgerungen zur biologischen Evolution (Neodarwin'sche Theorie), der Vererbung (Keimplasma‐Konzept, Keimbahn‐Soma‐Differenzierung) sowie zu Altern und Tod (Zellteilungs‐Limit) fanden weltweite Anerkennung. Weismann zählt neben Charles Darwin und Alfred R. Wallace zu den Pionieren der Biowissenschaften; seine Theorien, insbesondere zur potenziell unsterblichen Keimbahn, leben noch 100 Jahre nach seinem Tod fort.
Facile Synthesis of High Surface Area Yolk–Shell Ni@Ni Embedded SiO2 via Ni Phyllosilicate with Enhanced Performance for CO2 Reforming of CH4
Authors: Li Ziwei , Kathiraser Yasotha , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: December 2014

Ni@Ni embedded SiO2 yolk–shell nanocomposites with controllable specific surface area are synthesized by using a facile self‐templating method via the transformation of Ni phyllosilicate (NiPhy). NiPhy is found to form initially at the interface of Ni and SiO2, stretching its branches within the whole SiO2 shell and outward onto the SiO2 surface. Upon calcination and reduction, NiPhy decomposes to smaller Ni nanoparticles within the SiO2 shell to form a Ni@Ni embedded SiO2 yolk–shell nanocomposite with high surface area, high Ni dispersion, and strong interaction between Ni and SiO2. The nanocomposite with a treatment time of 12 h exhibits stable and high CO2 and CH4 conversions of 82 and 74 %, respectively, for the CO2 reforming reaction of CH4 at 700 °C within the testing period of 50 h. This interfacial transformation method is promising for the synthesis of other Ni@NiM (M=Cu, Zn, and Mg) phyllosilicate yolk–shell nanocomposites for application as adsorbents and catalysts of other processes.
Photocatalysis from UV/Vis to Near‐Infrared Light: Towards Full Solar‐Light Spectrum Activity
Authors: Sang Yuanhua , Liu Hong , Umar Ahmad
Published: December 2014

Owing to extensive industrial revolutions, the harvesting of sunlight for environmental remediation has attracted extensive attention and a number of potential photocatalysts have been reported. These photocatalysts were prepared according to their effectiveness under various light irradiations, that is, from UV/Vis to near‐infrared (NIR) regions and finally to full solar light spectrum. This review briefly summarizes recent progress in the enhancement of photocatalytic activities of prepared photocatalysts under various light irradiations. To understand the photocatalytic process, photocatalytic mechanisms and band‐structure engineering are discussed in detail in this review. Moreover, various effective photocatalysts are taken as examples of the photocatalytic process under various light irradiations. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of photocatalysis under different lights irradiations are presented.
Voltammetry of Layered Black Phosphorus: Electrochemistry of Multilayer Phosphorene
Authors: Wang Lu , Sofer Zdenek , Pumera Martin
Published: December 2014

Layered black phosphorus crystals were prepared by the chemical vapor transport method. It is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Black phosphorus exhibits inherent electrochemistry in the sense that it is oxidizable ∼560 mV (vs Ag/AgCl). This study is a first step in the utilization of black phosphorus, in modern days named as stacked phosphorene, in electrochemical applications.
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Zinc Phosphate with 28‐Ring Channels
Authors: Wang Chih‐Min , Lee Li‐Wei , Chang Tsung‐Yuan , Chen Yen‐Chieh , Lin Hsiu‐Mei , Lu Kuang‐Lieh , Lii Kwang‐Hwa
Published: December 2014

An organic–inorganic hybrid zinc phosphate with 28‐ring channels was synthesized by use of an organic ligand instead of organic amine template under a hydro(solvo)thermal condition. This crystalline zinc phosphate contains large channels constructed from 28 zinc and phosphate tetrahedral units. The walls of the channels consist of two types of zincophosphate chains, in which the Zn atoms are coordinated by 2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole ligands as pendent groups. This compound exhibits yellow emission and interesting properties of removing cobalt, cadmium, and mercury cations from aqueous solution. A new two‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid zincophosphate was also obtained by changing the solvent mixture ratios in the synthesis.
ChemInform Abstract: Phase‐Selective Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 Nanocrystals Using Different Sulfur Precursors.
Authors: Li Zhenggang , Lui Alvic Lim Kar , Lam Kwan Hang , Xi Lifei , Lam Yeng Ming
Published: December 2014

Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles, wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles, as well as Cu2ZnSnS4 particles with a mixture of both structures are prepared by hot injection of the sulfur source into an oleylamine (OA) solution of Cu(OAc)2, ZnCl2, and SnCl4 using elemental sulfur, 1‐dodecanethiol, and thioacetamide in OA as sulfur source, respectively (235 °C, 1 h).
Viscosity models for concentrated suspensions of solid core‐porous shell particles
Authors: Pal Rajinder
Published: December 2014

New models are developed for the low‐shear viscosity of concentrated suspensions of solid core‐porous shell particles taking into consideration the effects of the thickness and permeability of shell surrounding the solid core of the core‐shell particles. The relative viscosity of suspension depends on factors such as relative thickness of the porous shell, size of the composite (solid core‐porous shell) particles, permeability of the shell, and volume fraction of the core particles. For given relative thickness of porous layer and size of the composite particles, the relative viscosity of suspension decreases substantially with the increase in the permeability of the porous layer at a fixed volume fraction of core particles. Upon shrinking of the solid core, the relative viscosity of suspension exhibits a large increase provided that the size of the composite particles, the permeability of the porous shell, and the volume fraction of core particles are all kept constant. The proposed models are evaluated using data available on low‐shear viscosity of concentrated suspensions of three different types of particles: porous particles, solid core–hairy shell particles, and hard spheres.
Seasonal flooding regime and ecological traits influence genetic structure of two small rodents
Authors: Rocha Rita Gomes , Ferreira Eduardo , Fonseca Carlos , Justino Juliana , Leite Yuri Luiz Reis , Costa Leonora Pires
Published: November 2014

Although codistributed species are affected by the same abiotic factors, such as rivers and seasonal flooding regimes, ecological traits, such as locomotion habits and habitat preferences, may also influence differences in levels of genetic diversity and differentiation. We examined population genetic structure and diversity of Hylaeamys megacephalus and Oecomys aff. roberti, two cricetid rodent species from the mid‐Araguaia River in central Brazil, using mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Specifically, we aim to test whether the Araguaia River acts as a barrier to the gene flow of these two species and to assess how ecological traits, such as locomotion habits and habitat preferences, may influence differences in levels of genetic diversity and differentiation. As both species occur in flooded forests, neither showed genetic differences related to river banks. Oecomys aff. roberti showed stronger population structure that appears to be associated with isolation by distance. This arboreal species maintained stable populations in the Araguaia River, while the terrestrial H. megacephalus was more affected by seasonal floods, resulting in a genetic signature of population expansion. Our initial predictions were largely supported by our results given that locomotion habits and habitat preferences of each species appears to have played a role on the genetic structure of these two sympatric rodent species.
European Chemicals Agency dossier submissions as an experimental data source: Refinement of a fish toxicity model for predicting acute LC50 values
Authors: Austin Thomas , Denoyelle Marieva , Chaudry Amjad , Stradling Sam , Eadsforth Charles
Published: December 2014

As a result of the stringent data requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, a vast amount of ecotoxicological data has become available through the dissemination portal of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). As of April 2014, the database contained 12 439 unique substances from 47 909 dossiers. This vast database could be used to refine existing, or to create new, non-testing methods, such as quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs). Acute fish toxicity data were mined from the ECHA database using the eChemPortal; after filtering for single organic substances, 1159 experimental data points remained, representing 564 compounds. To evaluate the quality and accessibility of this data, the authors used the data to refine and improve an existing QSAR. The reliability of the data submitted to the ECHA database, as well as the effectiveness of the Klimisch scoring system, were assessed by comparing the refined QSAR with established QSAR benchmarks. The model developed meets all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development principles, has strong internal (leave-one-out internally cross-validated correlation coefficient [Q2LOO] = 0.91) and external (external coefficient of determination (predicted vs experimental [test set])) validation statistics, and can provide reliable fish median lethal concentration (LC50) predictions for non-polar narcotics. Although some issues with dossier misinformation were discovered, it was found that the ECHA dissemination portal is a valuable and reliable data source. When queried using the eChemPortal, chemical dossiers containing reliable data could be found quickly. The ECHA dissemination portal holds great potential for future QSAR development and improvement, such as updating QSARs within the Ecological Structure-Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) program. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;9999:1–10. © 2014 SETAC
Treosulfan based reduced toxicity conditioning followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with myelofibrosis
Authors: Claudiani Simone , Marktel Sarah , Piemontese Simona , Assanelli Andrea , Lupo‐Stanghellini Maria Teresa , Carrabba Matteo , Guggiari Elena , Giglio Fabio , De Freitas Tiago , Marcatti Magda , Bernardi Massimo , Corti Consuelo , Peccatori Jacopo , Lunghi Francesca , Ciceri Fabio
Published: December 2014

Allogeneic transplantation is the only potentially curative strategy for myelofibrosis, even in the era of new drugs that so far only mitigate symptoms. The choice to proceed to allogeneic transplantation is based on several variables including age, disease phase, degree of splenomegaly, donor availability, comorbidities and iron overload. These factors, along with conditioning regimen and time to transplantation, may influence the outcome of ASCT. We report 14 patients affected by myelofibrosis with a median age of 57 years (range, 41–76) receiving a treosulfan‐fludarabine based reduced toxicity conditioning. Patients (pts) received a stem cell transplantation from an HLA identical (n = 10) or matched unrelated donor (n = 4). All pts had a complete myeloablation followed by engraftment and in 12 out of 13 evaluated pts donor chimerism was 100% at 1 month. In most cases a reduction of splenomegaly and a reduction (or resolution) of bone marrow fibrosis was observed. After a median follow‐up of 39 months (range, 3–106), the 3‐year probability of overall survival and disease free survival was 54 +/− 14% and 46 +/− 14%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of non‐relapse mortality at 2 years was 39 +/− 15%. Causes of non‐relapse mortality were: infection (n = 2), GvHD (n = 2) and haemorrhage (n = 1).

We can conclude that a treosulfan and fludarabine based conditioning has a potent myeloablative and anti‐disease activity although non‐relapse mortality remains high in this challenging clinical setting. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of Reinforcement Learning Algorithm for Automation of Canal Structures
Authors: Shahverdi Kazem , Monem Mohammad Javad
Published: December 2014

Automation is a main option for improving the flexibility of irrigation canals. Control systems are required for this task. The main element of the control systems is a control algorithm. There are different control algorithms which have been developed. Investigation of the developed algorithms showed they have some limitations in terms of accuracy and time. These limitations make the researchers develop and introduce new and better control algorithms. Reinforcement learning (RL), which is a branch of artificial intelligence systems, is a powerful control algorithm successfully applied in robot control and in industry. In this research, a mathematical model of the RL algorithm was developed to control water depth upstream of check structures. RL learns the map of water depth‐check structures adjustment by maximizing a reward function. To test the RL algorithm, a mathematical model of a flume was used. Different scenarios of inflow increase and decrease were simulated. System response time (SRT), maximum absolute error (MAE), and integral of absolute magnitude of error (IAE) indicators were used to evaluate RL. Results were obtained and analysed. Low depth variations and performance indicators were shown. The maximum values of SRT, MAE and IAE were obtained as 252 s, 3.07% and 0.152%, respectively. Results showed the RL algorithm is a beneficial control system and can be applied in irrigation canals. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of actual healthcare costs of early versus interval cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis
Authors: Tan Cheryl H. M. , Pang Tony C. Y. , Woon Winston W. L. , Low Jee Keem , Junnarkar Sameer P.
Published: November 2014

Background

Healthcare cost modeling have favored early (ELC) over interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ILC) for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, actual costs of treatment have never been studied. The aim of the present study was to compare actual hospital costs involved in ELC and ILC in patients with AC.

Methods

Retrospective study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for AC was conducted. Demographic, clinical, operative data and costs were extracted and analyzed.

Results

Between 2011 and 2013, 201 had laparoscopic surgery for AC at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. One hundred and thirty‐four (67%) patients underwent ELC (≤7 days of presentation, within index admission). Median total length of stay (LOS) was 4.6 and 6.8 days for ELC and ILC groups, respectively (P = 0.006). Patients who had ELC also had significantly lesser total number of admissions (P < 0.001). The median (IQR) total inpatient costs were €4.4 × 103 (3.6–5.6) and €5.5 × 103 (4.0–7.5) for ELC and ILC patients, respectively (P < 0.007). Costs associated with investigations were significantly higher in the ILC group (P = 0.039), of which serological costs made most difference (P < 0.005). The ward costs were also significantly higher in the ILC group.

Conclusion

The cost differences reflect the significantly increased total LOS, and repeat presentations associated with ILC. Therefore, ELC should be the preferred management strategy for AC.
Limited integrative repair capacity of native cartilage autografts within cartilage defects in a sheep model
Authors: Gelse Kolja , Riedel Dominic , Pachowsky Milena , Hennig Friedrich F. , Trattnig Siegfried , Welsch Götz H.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate integration and cellular outgrowth of native cartilage autografts transplanted into articular cartilage defects. Native cartilage autografts were applied into chondral defects in the femoral condyle of adult sheep. Within the defects, the calcified cartilage layer was either left intact or perforated to induce bone marrow stimulation. Empty defects served as controls. The joints were analyzed after 6 and 26 weeks by macroscopic and histological analysis using the ICRS II Score and Modified O‘Driscoll Scores. Non‐treated defects did not show any endogenous regenerative response and bone marrow stimulation induced fibrous repair tissue. Transplanted native cartilage grafts only insufficiently integrated with the defect borders. Cell death and loss of proteoglycans were present at the margins of the grafts at 6 weeks, which was only partially restored at 26 weeks. Significant cellular outgrowth from the grafts or defect borders could not be observed. Bonding of the grafts could be improved by additional bone marrow stimulation providing ingrowing cells that formed a fibrous interface predominantly composed of type I collagen. Transplanted native cartilage grafts remain as inert structures within cartilage defects and fail to induce integrative cartilage repair which rather demands additional cells provided by additional bone marrow stimulation. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:???–???, 2015.
Effect of tensile load on the actuation performance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels
Authors: Naficy Sina , Spinks Geoffrey M.
Published: November 2014

pH‐responsive hydrogels are capable of converting chemical energy to mechanical work. To optimize their use as actuators, their response when operating against an external load must be fully characterized. Here, the actuation strain of a model pH‐sensitive hydrogel as a function of different constant loads is studied. The experimental actuation strain, produced by switching the pH from 2 to 12, decreases significantly and monotonically with increasing initial tensile load. Two models are developed to predict the actuation strain as a function of applied stress. Simple mechanical models based on the change in hydrogel modulus and cross sectional area due to the change in pH are unsatisfactory as they predict only a small change in actuation strain with increasing external stress. However, the model based on the elastic and mixing free energy functions derived from the Flory–Huggins theory is found to accurately account for the actuation strain as a function of stress. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2015,53, 218–225
Understanding the microsolvation of salts in molecular clusters
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Wen , Gao Yi Qin
Published: December 2014

The solvation of salts in water and salt–water interactions are important for understanding a large variety of chemical, biological, and atmospheric processes. In this perspective, we summarize our recent studies on the theoretical modeling of salt–water clusters. In these studies, the integrated tempering sampling method was used for structure search and density functional theory was used to optimize the low‐energy configurations. The microsolvation mechanisms of three alkali–halide ion pairs in clusters are discussed. We also discuss the implications of these studies to our understanding of corresponding bulk solutions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.