bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Philosophy of Science: A New Image of Science and Stance towards General Philosophy of Science
Authors: Marcum James
Published: November 2017

An important question facing contemporary philosophy of science is whether the natural sciences in terms of their historical records exhibit distinguishing developmental patterns or structures. At least two philosophical stances are possible in answering this question. The first pertains to the plurality of the individual sciences. From this stance, the various sciences are analyzed individually and compared with one another in order to derive potential commonalities, if any, among them. The second stance involves a general philosophy of science in which a thorough theory of the natural sciences is developed. The latter stance strives to account for more than possible commonalities among the sciences but also to provide a broad-spectrum philosophical framework to account for, or to explicate, the nature of science itself and its progress. In this paper, the second stance is taken in which an evolutionary philosophy of science is proposed. To that end, Thomas Kuhn’s evolutionary philosophy of science is initially discussed and critiqued. An evolutionary philosophy of science is then proposed based on a revision of Kuhn’s evolutionary philosophy of science in terms of George Gaylord Simpson’s various tempos and modes for biological evolution. Next, two historical case studies from the biological sciences are reconstructed to illustrate the robustness of the proposed evolutionary philosophy of science for explicating the progress of the natural sciences. A concluding section discusses the proposed evolutionary philosophy of science with respect to providing a broad-spectrum framework or general philosophy of science for understanding the nature and progress of the natural sciences.
Kuṇḍalinī Rising and Liberation in the Yogavāsiṣṭha: The Story of Cūḍālā and Śikhidhvaja
Authors: Funes Maderey Ana
Published: November 2017

Various Śaiva Tantric elements have been identified in the Yogavāsiṣṭha, but little has been written about the role of kuṇḍalinī rising in relation to this text’s notion of living liberation (jīvanmukti). The story of Cūḍālā and Śikhidhvaja is relevant to examine in Tantric studies not only because it includes one of the few descriptions within Sanskrit literature of a kuṇḍalinī experience as explicitly pertaining to a woman, but also because it offers key elements of comparison between experiences of enlightenment: one including kuṇḍalinī rising (Cūḍālā) and another one without it (Śikhidhvaja). This paper compares Cūḍālā’s experience of enlightenment with that of Śikhidhvaja’s in order to understand what role kuṇḍalinī rising plays in the pursuit for liberation.
The Role of Organic Farming for Improving Food Security from the Perspective of Fars Farmers
Authors: Morshedi Laleh , Lashgarara Farhad , Farajollah Hosseini Seyed , Omidi Najafabadi Maryam
Published: November 2017

This study was designed to evaluate the role of organic farming in improving food security from the perspective of farmers in the Fars province of Iran. The research method was practical in terms of its purpose, non-experimental in terms of the data collection, and correlational in terms of the data analysis. The study population comprised 622 farmers who were members of plant pathology clinics in Fars province of which 187 of them were selected as the sample size by the use of Cochran’s formula through a proportional stratified sampling method. The research tool was a questionnaire for which validity was confirmed by experts and its reliability by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.704–0.982). The results revealed that farmers (45.5%) viewed their food security at an average level. The estimated standardized regression coefficients in the model showed that, from the farmers’ perspective, the most effective capabilities in improving food security were technical (0.747), health and safety (0.735), and the optimization of production (0.628), respectively.
Social Life Cycle Assessment in the Textile Sector: An Italian Case Study
Authors: Lenzo Paola , Traverso Marzia , Salomone Roberta , Ioppolo Giuseppe
Published: November 2017

This study presents the first application of the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) to a textile product made in Sicily (Italy), according to the Social Life Cycle Assessment guidelines (UNEP). The main goal is to assess and present the social values of a product manufactured in a particular territorial area where the presence of an industry represents the main source of employment. The first part of the study is a literature review of the current state of the art of the S-LCA and its implementation to textile products. In the implementation, particular attention is paid in identifying the positive impacts and in highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the method when applied in this specific sector. The functional unit of the study is an order for a garment (consisting of 495 capes in a soft blend of wool and cashmere), produced by a textile company located in Sicily (Italy). The system boundaries of the study include all phases from cradle-to-gate, i.e. from raw material production through fabric/accessory production to the manufacturing process of the product itself at the company. Background and foreground processes are taken into account using specific and generic data. Two stakeholder groups have been considered (workers and local communities) as those that can better represent the company’s value in the territory. The analysis carried out on the functional unit of the study allowed assessing social performance related to the specific textile product, but also to outline the general behaviour of the company. Results offer to scholars a perspective on which to focus their future researches in the sector and highlight that S-LCA is a valuable tool to support business decisions, assessing the social impact of the product to improve the social conditions of stakeholders. However, the access to primary and/or good quality local, national and global data is essential to draw credible conclusions; consequently, every effort to promote the application for S-LCA is highly suggested.
An efficient pipeline to generate data for studies in plastid population genomics and phylogeography1
Authors: Kohrn Brendan F. , Persinger Jessica M. , Cruzan Mitchell B.
Published: November 2017

Premise of the study:

Seed dispersal contributes to gene flow and is responsible for colonization of new sites and range expansion. Sequencing chloroplast haplotypes offers a way to estimate contributions of seed dispersal to population genetic structure and enables studies of population history. Whole‐genome sequencing is expensive, but resources can be conserved by pooling samples. Unfortunately, haplotype associations among single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are lost in pooled samples, and treating SNP allele frequencies as independent markers provides biased estimates of genetic structure.

Methods:

We developed sampling methodologies and an application, CallHap, that uses a least‐squares algorithm to evaluate the fit between observed and predicted SNP allele frequencies from pooled samples based on haplotype network phylogeny structure, thus enabling pooling for chloroplast sequencing for large‐scale studies of chloroplast genomic variation. This method was tested using artificially constructed test networks and pools, and pooled samples of Lasthenia californica (California goldfields) from southern Oregon, USA.

Results:

CallHap reliably recovered network topologies and haplotype frequencies from pooled samples.

Discussion:

The CallHap pipeline allows for the efficient use of resources for estimation of genetic structure for studies using nonrecombining haplotypes such as intraspecific variation in chloroplast, mitochondrial, bacterial, or viral DNA.
Involvement of two uptake mechanisms of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles in a co-exposure scenario using mouse macrophages
Authors: Vanhecke Dimitri , Kuhn Dagmar A , Jimenez de Aberasturi Dorleta , Balog Sandor , Milosevic Ana , Urban Dominic , Peckys Diana , de Jonge Niels , Parak Wolfgang J , Petri-Fink Alke , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara
Published: November 2017

Little is known about the simultaneous uptake of different engineered nanoparticle types, as it can be expected in our daily life. In order to test such co-exposure effects, murine macrophages (J774A.1 cell line) were incubated with gold (AuNPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeOxNPs) either alone or combined. Environmental scanning electron microscopy revealed that single NPs of both types bound within minutes on the cell surface but with a distinctive difference between FeOxNPs and AuNPs. Uptake analysis studies based on laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry revealed intracellular appearance of both NP types in all exposure scenarios and a time-dependent increase. This increase was higher for both AuNPs and FeOxNPs during co-exposure. Cells treated with endocytotic inhibitors recovered after co-exposure, which additionally hinted that two uptake mechanisms are involved. Cross-talk between uptake pathways is relevant for toxicological studies: Co-exposure acts as an uptake accelerant. If the goal is to maximize the cellular uptake, e.g., for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents, this can be beneficial. However, co-exposure should also be taken into account in the case of risk assessment of occupational settings. The demonstration of co-exposure-invoked pathway interactions reveals that synergetic nanoparticle effects, either positive or negative, must be considered for nanotechnology and nanomedicine in particular to develop to its full potential.
SCUBA-2 Ultra Deep Imaging EAO Survey (STUDIES): Faint-end Counts at 450 μm
Authors: Wang Wei-Hao , Lin Wei-Ching , Lim Chen-Fatt , Smail Ian , Chapman Scott C. , Zheng Xian Zhong , Shim Hyunjin , Kodama Tadayuki , Almaini Omar , Ao Yiping , Blain Andrew W. , Bourne Nathan , Bunker Andrew J. , Chang Yu-Yen , Chao Dani C.-Y. , Chen Chian-Chou , Clements David L. , Conselice Christopher J. , Cowley William I. , Dannerbauer Helmut , Dunlop James S. , Geach James E. , Goto Tomotsugu , Jiang Linhua , Ivison Rob J. , Jeong Woong-Seob , Kohno Kotaro , Kong Xu , Lee Chien-Hsu , Lee Hyung Mok , Lee Minju , Michałowski Michał J. , Oteo Iván , Sawicki Marcin , Scott Douglas , Shu Xin Wen , Simpson James M. , Tee Wei-Leong , Toba Yoshiki , Valiante Elisabetta , Wang Jun-Xian , Wang Ran , Wardlow Julie L.
Published: November 2017

The SCUBA-2 Ultra Deep Imaging EAO Survey (STUDIES) is a three-year JCMT Large Program aiming to reach the 450 μm confusion limit in the COSMOS-CANDELS region to study a representative sample of the high-redshift far-infrared galaxy population that gives rise to the bulk of the far-infrared background. We present the first-year data from STUDIES. We reached a 450 μm noise level of 0.91 mJy for point sources at the map center, covered an area of 151 arcmin2, and detected 98 and 141 sources at 4.0σ and 3.5σ, respectively. Our derived counts are best constrained in the 3.5–25 mJy regime using directly detected sources. Below the detection limits, our fluctuation analysis further constrains the slope of the counts down to 1 mJy. The resulting counts at 1–25 mJy are consistent with a power law having a slope of −2.59 (±0.10 for 3.5–25 mJy, and

−
0.7

+
0.4

for 1–3.5 mJy). There is no evidence of a faint-end termination or turnover of the counts in this flux density range. Our counts are also consistent with previous SCUBA-2 blank-field and lensing-cluster surveys. The integrated surface brightness from our counts down to 1 mJy is 90.0 ± 17.2 Jy deg−2, which can account for up to

83

−
16

+
15

%

of the COBE 450 μm background. We show that Herschel counts at 350 and 500 μm are significantly higher than our 450 μm counts, likely caused by its large beam and source clustering. High angular resolution instruments like SCUBA-2 at 450 μm are therefore highly beneficial for measuring the luminosity and spatial density of high-redshift dusty galaxies.
Observational Constraints on Correlated Star Formation and Active Galactic Nuclei in Late-stage Galaxy Mergers
Authors: Barrows R. Scott , Comerford Julia M. , Zakamska Nadia L. , Cooper Michael C.
Published: November 2017

Galaxy mergers are capable of triggering both star formation and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and therefore may represent an important pathway in the co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes (SMBHs). However, correlated enhancements of merger-induced star formation and AGN triggering may be hidden by the variable conditions and timescales during which they occur. In Paper I, we presented evidence of merger-triggered AGN in a sample of six late-stage galaxy mergers (

2
–
8

kpc

nuclear separations). In this follow-up work, we use multi-wavelength Hubble Space Telescope imaging and additional archival data to examine their star-forming properties to test for merger-triggered star formation and if it is correlated with SMBH growth. We find that the morphological asymmetries are correlated with enhanced specific star formation rates, indicating the presence of merger-triggered star formation. Additionally, the stellar populations become younger with increasing radius from the nucleus, indicating that the merger-induced star formation primarily occurs on global scales. However, we also find that the star formation rate enhancements are consistent with or lower than those of larger separation galaxy pair samples. This result is consistent with simulations predicting a decline of the global star formation rates in late-stage galaxy mergers with

<
10

kpc

nuclear separations. Finally, we find that enhancements in specific star formation rate and AGN luminosity are positively correlated, but that an average temporal delay of

≳

10

8

years likely exists between the peak of global star formation and the onset of AGN triggering in 80% of the systems.
Time-dependent Ionization in a Steady Flow in an MHD Model of the Solar Corona and Wind
Authors: Shen Chengcai , Raymond John C. , Mikić Zoran , Linker Jon A. , Reeves Katharine K. , Murphy Nicholas A.
Published: November 2017

Time-dependent ionization is important for diagnostics of coronal streamers and pseudostreamers. We describe time-dependent ionization calculations for a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of the solar corona and inner heliosphere. We analyze how non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) influences emission from a pseudostreamer during the Whole Sun Month interval (Carrington rotation CR1913, 1996 August 22 to September 18). We use a time-dependent code to calculate NEI states, based on the plasma temperature, density, velocity, and magnetic field in the MHD model, to obtain the synthetic emissivities and predict the intensities of the Lyα, O vi, Mg x, and Si xii emission lines observed by the SOHO/Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS). At low coronal heights, the predicted intensity profiles of both Lyα and O vi lines match UVCS observations well, but the Mg x and Si xii emission are predicted to be too bright. At larger heights, the O vi and Mg x lines are predicted to be brighter for NEI than equilibrium ionization around this pseudostreamer, and Si xii is predicted to be fainter for NEI cases. The differences of predicted UVCS intensities between NEI and equilibrium ionization are around a factor of 2, but neither matches the observed intensity distributions along the full length of the UVCS slit. Variations in elemental abundances in closed field regions due to the gravitational settling and the FIP effect may significantly contribute to the predicted uncertainty. The assumption of Maxwellian electron distributions and errors in the magnetic field on the solar surface may also have notable effects on the mismatch between observations and model predictions.
GMC Collisions as Triggers of Star Formation. V. Observational Signatures
Authors: Bisbas Thomas G. , Tanaka Kei E. I. , Tan Jonathan C. , Wu Benjamin , Nakamura Fumitaka
Published: November 2017

We present calculations of molecular, atomic, and ionic line emission from simulations of giant molecular cloud (GMC) collisions. We post-process snapshots of the magnetohydrodynamical simulations presented in an earlier paper in this series by Wu et al. of colliding and non-colliding GMCs. Using photodissociation region (PDR) chemistry and radiative transfer, we calculate the level populations and emission properties of the transitions of 12CO J = 1–0, [C i]

3

P

1

→

3

P

0

at 609 μm, [C ii] 158 μm, and [O i]

3

P

1

→

3

P

0

at 63 μm. From emission maps of integrated intensity and position–velocity diagrams, we find that fine-structure lines, particularly [C ii] 158 μm, can be used as a diagnostic tracer for cloud–cloud collision activity. These results hold even in more evolved systems in which the collision signature in molecular lines has been diminished.
A Search for Low-energy Neutrinos Correlated with Gravitational Wave Events GW 150914, GW 151226, and GW 170104 with the Borexino Detector
Authors: Agostini M. , Altenmüller K. , Appel S. , Atroshchenko V. , Bagdasarian Z. , Basilico D. , Bellini G. , Benziger J. , Bick D. , Bonfini G. , Bravo D. , Caccianiga B. , Calaprice F. , Caminata A. , Caprioli S. , Carlini M. , Cavalcante P. , Chepurnov A. , Choi K. , D’Angelo D. , Davini S. , Derbin A. , Ding X. F. , Ludovico A. Di , Noto L. Di , Drachnev I. , Fomenko K. , Formozov A. , Franco D. , Froborg F. , Gabriele F. , Galbiati C. , Ghiano C. , Giammarchi M. , Goretti A. , Gromov M. , Hagner C. , Houdy T. , Hungerford E. , Ianni Aldo , Ianni Andrea , Jany A. , Jeschke D. , Kobychev V. , Korablev D. , Korga G. , Kryn D. , Laubenstein M. , Litvinovich E. , Lombardi F. , Lombardi P. , Ludhova L. , Lukyanchenko G. , Lukyanchenko L. , Machulin I. , Manuzio G. , Marcocci S. , Martyn J. , Meroni E. , Meyer M. , Miramonti L. , Misiaszek M. , Muratova V. , Neumair B. , Oberauer L. , Opitz B. , Ortica F. , Pallavicini M. , Papp L. , Pilipenko N. , Pocar A. , Porcelli A. , Ranucci G. , Razeto A. , Re A. , Romani A. , Roncin R. , Rossi N. , Schönert S. , Semenov D. , Skorokhvatov M. , Smirnov O. , Sotnikov A. , Stokes L. F. F. , Suvorov Y. , Tartaglia R. , Testera G. , Thurn J. , Toropova M. , Unzhakov E. , Vishneva A. , Vogelaar R. B. , Feilitzsch F. von , Wang H. , Weinz S. , Wojcik M. , Wurm M. , Yokley Z. , Zaimidoroga O. , Zavatarelli S. , Zuber K. , Zuzel G. ,   The Borexino Collaboration
Published: November 2017

We present the results of a low-energy neutrino search using the Borexino detector in coincidence with the gravitational wave (GW) events GW 150914, GW 151226, and GW 170104. We searched for correlated neutrino events with visible energies greater than 250 keV within a time window of ±500 s centered around the GW detection time. A total of five candidates were found for all three GW events combined. This is consistent with the expected number of solar neutrino and background events. As a result, we have obtained the best current upper limits on all flavor neutrino (

ν

e

,

ν

μ

,

ν

τ

) fluence associated with GW events, in the neutrino energy range 0.5–5.0 MeV.
Ultra-Short Versus Conventional Uncemented Stems for Hip Replacement in Octogenarians
Authors: Kim Young-Hoo , Park Jang-Won , Kim Jun-Shik
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to determine how an ultra-short anatomic uncemented stem vs a diaphyseal filling five-eighths porous coated uncemented femoral stem (conventional stem) affects the survival of primary total hip arthroplasties in octogenarians. The current study consisted of 52 patients (55 hips) in the ultra-short stem group (mean age, 85.5±5.3 years) and 61 patients (72 hips) in the diaphyseal (conventional) stem group (mean age, 84.1±4.8 years). The predominant diagnosis was osteoarthritis, followed by osteonecrosis of the femoral head, in both groups. Average follow-up was 6.1 years (range, 5–8 years) in the ultra-short stem group and 6.3 years (range, 5–9 years) in the conventional stem group. Pre- (41 vs 39 points) and postoperative (85 vs 86 points) Harris hip scores were similar between groups (
P
=.131 and .129, respectively). The incidence of thigh pain was 0% (0 of 52 patients) in the ultra-short stem group and 15% (9 of 61 patients) in the conventional stem group. The revision rate was 1.8% (1 hip) in the ultra-short stem group and 1.4% (1 hip) in the conventional stem group. Survivorship of the femoral stem was 98.2% in the ultra-short stem group at 6.1 years and 98.6% in the conventional stem group at 6.3 years. Ultra-short anatomic and diaphyseal filling uncemented stems obtained osseointegration in all hips. However, the prevalence of thigh pain and periprosthetic fracture were significantly higher in the patients with a conventional stem than in those with an ultra-short stem. [
Orthopedics.
2018; 41(1):28–34.]
Loss of Internal Tibial Rotation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Brandenburg Shawn R. , Matelic Thomas M.
Published: November 2017

The flexion angle of the knee and the position of the tibia need to be considered during tensioning of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft to avoid overconstraining the knee. The purpose of this report was to describe 2 cases of loss of tibial internal rotation after single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction with graft tensioning in flexion. Retrospective review of each patient's operative chart revealed that the graft was tensioned in flexion and placed in an anatomic position in the femoral tunnel at the time of the index operation. Primary outcome was ACL revision surgery. Secondary outcome data included Lysholm scores and Lachman and pivot shift tests. Two patients underwent revision ACL reconstruction with a more vertical tunnel placed through a transtibial technique. The graft was tensioned in full knee extension and neutral rotation of the tibia. This resulted in restoration of normal tibial internal rotation to 10°. Lysholm scores improved from 35 to 90 in patient 1 and from 12 to 61 in patient 2. Patient 1 returned to college soccer at 6 months postoperatively. Her knee was stable to Lachman and pivot shift tests. Patient 2 has been followed for 12 months and has returned to all normal activities without pain or dysfunction. Anatomic femoral placement of the ACL with improper positioning of the knee during tensioning of the graft may capture the knee and lead to loss of the normal internal rotation. The surgeon should be aware of this complication during primary ACL reconstruction. [
Orthopedics.
2018; 41(1):e22–e26.]
Completion of Multiple Fellowships by Orthopedic Surgeons: Analysis of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certification Database
Authors: DePasse J. Mason , Daniels Alan H. , Durand Wesley , Kingrey Brandon , Prodromo John , Mulcahey Mary K.
Published: November 2017

Orthopedic surgeons have become increasingly subspecialized, and recent studies have shown that American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Step II applicants are performing a higher percentage of their cases within their chosen subspecialties. However, these studies focused exclusively on surgeons who have completed a single fellowship; little data exist on those who pursue a second fellowship. All applicants to the ABOS Part II examination from 2004 to 2016 were classified by their self-reported fellowship training history using the ABOS Part II examination database. Trends in the number of applicants completing multiple fellowships and the types of fellowships combined were analyzed. In addition, cases performed by applicants who had performed multiple fellowships were analyzed to determine what percentage were within their chosen subspecialties. A total of 9776 applicants to ABOS Part II were included in the database from 2004 to 2016, including 444 (4.5%) applicants who completed more than one fellowship. There were 43 different combinations of fellowships; the most common additional fellowships were trauma (40.1%), sports medicine (38.7%), and joints (30.4%). The most common combinations were joints and sports medicine (10.6%) and foot and ankle and sports medicine (10.1%). A significant increase occurred in physicians training in both pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine (
P
=.02). The percentage of cases within the applicants' chosen specialties ranged from 91.4% in sports to 73.6% in tumor. Multiple fellowship applicants represent a small percentage of all applicants, and although subspecialization in orthopedics is increasing, no increasing trend toward multiple fellowships within this dataset was observed. However, the significant increase in applicants who combined pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine fellowships suggests an increasing interest in treating this increasing patient population in addition to social and economic factors. [
Orthopedics.
2018; 41(1):e33–e37.]
Ecumenical movement for millennials: A generation connected but not yet united
Authors: Pantou Yolanda
Published: November 2017

In this article the notion ‘ecumenism’ is defined as a connecting movement of reconciling diversity, and the focus is on young people, referred to as ‘millennials’ living in the present-day global village. It addresses the youth’s interests or disinterests in the ‘institutionalised’ ecumenical movement. The following aspects are reflected upon: how ecumenism speaks to the youth; how ecumenism does not speak to the youth; and how to make ecumenism great again for the youth. It discusses young people’s perspectives on the world with regard to religion and tradition, sources of authority, issues of segregation and discrimination, ‘nomadic’ and a mentality which causes that one cannot expect them to stay in one church from baptism until death. The article reflects on the youth’s disposition to human realities concerning aspects such as the ecological crisis, global inequality, religious fundamentalism, violence and oppression, and the lack of a sense of belonging. The article concludes with some initiatives of the World Council of Churches to which young people can make a contribution.
Teaching Historical Theology at the University of Pretoria – Some introductory remarks
Authors: Dreyer Wim A.
Published: November 2017

The Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria went through a process of restructuring, resulting in the amalgamation of Dogmatics, Christian Ethics, Church History and Church Polity into one department under the name ‘Systematic and Historical Theology’. This contribution reflects only on the one aspect, namely Historical Theology. The point is made that a name change could not mean ‘business as usual’, but should be regarded as an opportunity to re-imagine the content and structure of Historical Theology. This is not an easy task. This contribution reflects on Historical Theology as theological discipline, the teaching content and how it could be relevant in Africa in the 21st century. It also has implications for restructuring the curriculum.
Crossing boundaries of time and language: A discussion of the reception and translations of Martin Luther’s hymn A mighty fortress in the context of the commemoration of the Reformation 2017
Authors: Tönsing J. Gertrud
Published: November 2017

The process of transmission and translation of texts has similarities with crossing borders into foreign territory, as immigrant or refugee. Not everything can be taken along, and finding acceptance in the new environment is sometimes difficult. Martin Luther’s hymn A mighty fortress has found a place in most denominational hymnals, but there are many disagreements about how it should be sung and what its meaning is. Has it really found a ‘home’ in the new settings, or is it still a foreigner? Does it have a ‘home’ even in its original language in the 21st century? Can this hymn be a unifying factor in the Reformation celebrations in 2017? This article analyses various translations and discusses issues of interpretation of this well-known Reformation hymn.
Parents’ and teachers’ perspectives on changes in childcare quality in the United States, Russia and Finland
Authors: Hujala Eeva , Vlasov Janniina , Szecsi Tünde
Published: November 2017

This article reports on the findings of a follow-up study, which examined parents’ and teachers’ perspectives regarding the quality of childcare for 3- to 5-year-old children in the United States, Russia and Finland between 1991 and 2011. The study aims to address a gap in early childhood education (ECE) research by examining how the quality of ECE has changed in international settings over the past decades, thus expanding comprehension of the diversity within the ECE phenomena and its culture-specific nature. With a focus on the quality of ECE, this study examines the parents’ and teachers’ perspectives on key elements of the implementation of ECE in childcare centres: programme structure, curriculum goals, the role of parents and teachers as partners in children’s lives, as well as children’s satisfaction with their childcare. The results indicate that there have been differences in ECE quality between the studied societies both in structural aspects as well as in process and effect factors in all data collection cohorts. It seems that ECE quality and the changes within it may be connected to ECE policy based on the societal values. The results suggest that to understand ECE and its pedagogy, one has to be aware of the value-laden cultural contexts in a society
Vesicular Trans-Cell Wall Transport in Fungi: A Mechanism for the Delivery of Virulence-Associated Macromolecules?
Authors: Rodrigues Marcio L. , Nimrichter Leonardo , Oliveira Debora L. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Casadevall Arturo
Published: November 2017

Fungal cells are encaged in rigid, complex cell walls. Until recently, there was remarkably little information regarding the trans-fungal cell wall transfer of intracellular macromolecules to the extracellular space. Recently, several studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms that fungal cells utilize to secrete a wide variety of macromolecules through the cell wall. The combined use of transmission electron microscopy, serology, biochemistry, proteomics and lipidomics have revealed that the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Sporothrix schenckii, as well as the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, each produces extracellular vesicles that carry lipids, proteins, polysaccharides and pigment-like structures of unquestionable biological significance. Compositional analysis of the C. neoformans and H. capsulatum extracellular vesicles suggests that they may function as ‘virulence bags’, with the potential to modulate the host-pathogen interaction in favor of the fungus. The cellular origin of the extracellular vesicles remains unknown, but morphological and biochemical features indicate that they are similar to the well-described mammalian exosomes.
Lipid Phases Eye View to Lipofection. Cationic Phosphatidylcholine Derivatives as Efficient DNA Carriers for Gene Delivery
Authors: Koynova Rumiana
Published: November 2017

Efficient delivery of genetic material to cells is needed for tasks of utmost importance in laboratory and clinic, such as gene transfection and gene silencing. Synthetic cationic lipids can be used as delivery vehicles for nucleic acids and are now considered the most promising non-viral gene carriers. They form complexes (lipoplexes) with the polyanionic nucleic acids. A critical obstacle for clinical application of the lipid-mediated DNA delivery (lipofection) is its unsatisfactory efficiency for many cell types. Understanding the mechanism of lipid-mediated DNA delivery is essential for their successful application, as well as for rational design and synthesis of novel cationic lipoid compounds for enhanced gene delivery. According to the current understanding, the critical factor in lipid-mediated transfection is the structural evolution of lipoplexes within the cell, upon interacting and mixing with cellular lipids. In particular, recent studies with cationic phosphatidylcholine derivatives showed that the phase evolution of lipoplex lipids upon interaction and mixing with membrane lipids appears to be decisive for transfection success: specifically, lamellar lipoplex formulations, which were readily susceptible to undergoing lamellar-nonlamellar (precisely lamellar-cubic) phase transition upon mixing with cellular lipids, were found rather consistently associated with superior transfection potency, presumably as a result of facilitated DNA release subsequent to lipoplex fusion with the cellular membranes. Further, hydrophobic moiety of the cationic phospholipids was found able to strongly modulate liposomal gene delivery into primary human umbilical artery endothelial cells; superior activity was found for cationic phosphatidylcholine derivatives with two 14-carbon atom monounsaturated hydrocarbon chains, able to induce formation of cubic phase in membranes. Thus, understanding the lipoplex structure and the phase changes upon interacting with membrane lipids is important for the rational design and successful application of cationic lipids as superior nucleotide delivery agents.
Intestinal Spirochaetes of the Genus Brachyspira Share a Partially Conserved 26 Kilobase Genomic Region with Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli
Authors: Motro Yair , Dunn David S. , La Tom , Phillips Nyree D. , Hampson David J. , Bellgard Matthew I.
Published: November 2017

Anaerobic intestinal spirochaetes of the genus Brachyspira include both pathogenic and commensal species. The two best-studied members are the pathogenic species B. hyodysenteriae (the aetiological agent of swine dysentery) and B. pilosicoli (a cause of intestinal spirochaetosis in humans and other species). Analysis of near-complete genome sequences of these two species identified a highly conserved 26 kilobase (kb) region that was shared, against a background of otherwise very little sequence conservation between the two species. PCR amplification was used to identify sets of contiguous genes from this region in the related Brachyspira species B. intermedia, B. innocens, B. murdochii, B. alvinipulli, and B. aalborgi, and demonstrated the presence of at least part of this region in species from throughout the genus. Comparative genomic analysis with other sequenced bacterial species revealed that none of the completely sequenced spirochaete species from different genera contained this conserved cluster of coding sequences. In contrast, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli contained high gene cluster conservation across the 26 kb region, against an expected background of little sequence conservation between these phylogenetically distinct species. The conserved region in B. hyodysenteriae contained five genes predicted to be associated with amino acid transport and metabolism, four with energy production and conversion, two with nucleotide transport and metabolism, one with ion transport and metabolism, and four with poorly characterised or uncertain function, including an ankyrin repeat unit at the 5’ end. The most likely explanation for the presence of this 26 kb region in the Brachyspira species and in two unrelated enteric bacterial species is that the region has been involved in horizontal gene transfer.
Distribution and Resistance Trends of Community Associated Urinary Tract Pathogens in Sharjah, UAE
Authors: Dash Nihar , AL-Zarouni Mansour , Al-Kous Nora , Al-Shehhi Fatma , Al-Najjar Jalila , Senok Abiola , Panigrahi Debadatta
Published: November 2017

Objective

To describe the spectrum of etiologic agents causing community associated UTI and their antimicrobial resistance trends in a large teaching hospital in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Methods

A retrospective review of the microbiology laboratory records of four hundred ninety two cases of community associated UTI between April 2006 and March 2007 was carried out. Etiologic agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern were analyzed.

Results

A wide spectrum of uropathogens was isolated of which the leading etiologic agents of community associated UTI were Escherichia coli (207 strains) and Klebsiella species (90 strains). Sixty-six per cent of Gram-negative bacilli were resistant to amoxicillin, 58.5% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and more than 50% were resistant to cephalexin. However, resistance rate to antimicrobials like ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone remain relatively low 9.7% and 7.6% respectively.

Conclusions

Escherichia coli remains the leading cause of community associated UTI. In-vitro antimicrobial resistance pattern of the isolates revealed that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cephalexin and amoxycillin the commonly used first-line antimicrobials were becoming less and less effective in their treatment. This information can help in changing preferences of suitable antimicrobial agent in treatment of community associated UTI.
Preliminary Study and Improve the Production of Metabolites with Antifungal Activity by a Bacillus Sp Strain IBA 33
Authors: Gordillo María Antonieta , Navarro Antonio Roberto , Benitez Lidia María , De Plaza Marta Inés Torres , Maldonado Maria Cristina
Published: November 2017

Bacillus sp strain IBA 33 metabolites, isolated from decaying lemon fruits, were evaluated for the control of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi ( Penicillium digitatum, Geotrichum candidum, Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium moniliforme). These metabolites were recovered from Landy medium (LM) without aminoacids. In order to optimize metabolites production the LM was modified by adding different concentrations and sources of amino acids and carbohydrates at different culture conditions.

Bacillus sp strain IBA 33 metabolites efficacy to control fungi were evaluated with in vitro and in vivo assays. A. flavus growth inhibition was 52% with the metabolites of Bacillus sp strain IBA 33 recovered from LM (MBLM) in vitro assays. MBLM supplemented with 0.5% glutamic acid, inhibited the growth of P. digitatum, G. candidum, A. clavatus, A. niger and F. moniliforme by 65%, 88.44%, 84%, 34% and 92% respectively. The highest inhibition of P. expansum was 45% with MBLM supplemented with 0.5% aspartic acid. Similar results were obtained in vivo assays. These results showed that Bacillus sp strain IBA 33 metabolites specificity against fungi depended on the composition of the LM.
Gender Differences in Musculoskeletal Lipid Metabolism as Assessed by Localized Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Velan S. Sendhil , Said Nicholas , Narasimhan Kartik , Papan Cyrus , Bahu Ali , Vargo John Austin , Raylman Raymond R. , Thomas M. Albert , Rajendran Vazhaikkurichi M. , Spencer Richard G. , Alway Stephen E.
Published: November 2017

Gender differences in lipid metabolism are poorly understood and difficult to study using conventional approaches. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) permits non-invasive investigation of lipid metabolism. We employed novel two-dimensional MRS techniques to quantify intramyocellular (IMCL) and extramyocellular (EMCL) lipid compartments and their degree of unsaturation in normal weight adult male and female subjects. Using muscle creatine (Cr) for normalization a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in IMCL/Cr (7.8 ± 1.6) and EMCL/Cr (22.5 ± 3.6) for female subjects was observed (n = 8), as compared to IMCL/Cr (5.9 ± 1.7) and EMCL/Cr (18.4 ± 2.64) for male subjects. The degree of unsaturation within IMCL and EMCL was lower in female subjects, 1.3 ± 0.075 and 1.04 ± 0.06, respectively, as compared to that observed in males (n = 8), 1.5 ± 0.08 and 1.12 ± 0.03, respectively (p < 0.05 male vs female for both comparisons). We conclude that certain salient gender differences in lipid metabolism can be assessed noninvasively by advanced MRS approaches.
Coherence Transfer in Spatially Resolved NMR
Authors: Chandrakumar Narayanan
Published: November 2017

We present an overview of some applications of coherence transfer experiments in spatially resolved NMR, with examples from imaging and volume localized spectroscopy. While the major preoccupation of spatially resolved NMR experiments is normally with the dominant component (e.g. water) of heterogeneous multi-component systems, the interest in minor components (e.g. metabolites) of such systems is a strong motivation to develop and apply special techniques. Unlike water, these components typically involve scalar coupled spin systems. They lend themselves therefore to investigations based on the correlated evolution of coupled spins. Specifically, we briefly describe in this contribution the spatially resolved version of multiple quantum experiments, indirect detection experiments and spin correlation experiments.
On Algebraic Surfaces Associated with Line Arrangements
Authors: Wang Zhenjian
Published: November 2017

For a line arrangement ${\mathcal{A}}$ in the complex projective plane $\mathbb{P}^{2}$, we investigate the compactification $\overline{F}$ in $\mathbb{P}^{3}$ of the affine Milnor fiber $F$ and its minimal resolution $\tilde{F}$. We compute the Chern numbers of $\tilde{F}$ in terms of the combinatorics of the line arrangement ${\mathcal{A}}$. As applications of the computation of the Chern numbers, we show that the minimal resolution is never a quotient of a ball; in addition, we also prove that $\tilde{F}$ is of general type when the arrangement has only nodes or triple points as singularities. Finally, we compute all the Hodge numbers of some $\tilde{F}$ by using some knowledge about the Milnor fiber monodromy of the arrangement.
Redes sociales en línea como canal de comunicación de las revistas académicas abiertas
Authors: Valerio-Ureña Gabriel , Herrera-Murillo Dagoberto José
Published: November 2017

El conocimiento científico es esencial para el desarrollo. Las revistas de acceso abierto y las redes sociales en línea (RS) tienen el potencial de facilitar su acceso. Esta investigación tuvo por objetivo analizar en qué medida las revistas de acceso abierto están usando las RS como canales de comunicación. Metodología: de naturaleza cuantitativa, se utilizó el concepto de métodos digitales para analizar 3,448 revistas abiertas indizadas en Scopus. Resultados y conclusiones: A) el 14.4% de las revistas tienen un perfil propio de redes sociales vinculada a su sitio Web oficial; B) hay una diferencia significativa en la tenencia de perfiles de redes sociales y volumen de seguidores sociales de las revistas de primer cuartil (Q1) en comparación al resto de las revistas. Esto permite reconocer un área de oportunidad en el uso de las RS y las revistas de acceso abierto, como herramientas facilitadoras del conocimiento científico.
Monitoring and Control of Aedes albopictus, a Vector of Zika Virus, Near Residences of Imported Zika Virus Patients during 2016 in South Korea
Authors: Chang Kyu-Sik , Kim Gi-Hun , Ha Young-Ran , Jeong Eun Kyeong , Kim Heung-Chul , Klein Terry A. , Shin Seung Hwan , Kim Eun Jeung , Jegal Seung , Chung Se Jin , Ju Young-Ran , Jee Young Mee
Published: November 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus mainly transmitted by Aedes species. A total of nine of the 16 imported ZIKV reported cases during the mosquito season in the Republic of Korea (ROK), following the return of local nationals from foreign ZIKV endemic countries, were surveyed for Aedes albopictus. Surveillance and vector control of Ae. albopictus, a potential vector of ZIKV, and related species are critical for reducing the potential for autochthonous transmission in the ROK. Surveillance and vector control were coordinated by Korean Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) and conducted by local health authorities within 200 m of imported ZIKV patients’ residences. After diagnosis, thermal fogging (3 × week × 3 weeks), residual spray for homes and nearby structures (1 × week × 3 weeks), and larval control (3 × week × 3 weeks) were conducted in accordance with national guidelines developed by KCDC in early 2016. Of the nine residences surveyed using BG Sentinel traps, Ae. albopictus trap indices (TIs) for the three (3) patients’ residences located near/in forested areas were significantly higher than the six patients’ residences located inside villages/urban areas or low-lying farmland without trees. Overall, Ae. albopictus TIs in forested areas decreased by 90.4% after adult and larval control, whereas TIs decreased by 75.8% for residences in nonforested areas. A total of 3,216 Aedes and Ochlerotatus spp. were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for ZIKV, dengue, and chikungunya virus. Both species collected before and after vector control were negative for all viruses. Vector control within 200 m of residences of imported ZIKV patients, conducted in accordance with established guidelines, may have effectively reduced human–mosquito–human transmission cycle by competent vectors in South Korea.
Importance of reactive halogens in the tropical marine atmosphere: A regional modelling study using WRF-Chem
Authors: Badia Alba , Reeves Claire E. , Baker Alex R. , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , Volkamer Rainer , Apel Eric C. , Hornbrook Rebecca S. , Carpenter Lucy J. , Andrews Stephen J. , von Glasow Roland
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This study investigates the impact of halogens on atmospheric chemistry in the tropical troposphere and explores the sensitivity of this to uncertainties in the fluxes of halogens to the atmosphere and the chemical processing. To do this the regional chemistry transport model WRF-Chem has been extended, for the first time, to include halogen chemistry (bromine, chlorine and iodine chemistry), including heterogeneous recycling reactions involving sea-salt aerosol and other particles, reactions of Br with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), along with oceanic emissions of halocarbons, VOCs and inorganic iodine. The study focuses on the tropical East Pacific using field observations from the TORERO campaign (January–February 2012) to evaluate the model performance. Including all the new processes, the model does a reasonable job reproducing the observed mixing ratios of BrO and IO, albeit with some discrepancies, some of which can be attributed to difficulties in the model's ability to reproduce the observed halocarbons. This is somewhat expected given the large uncertainties in the air-sea fluxes of the halocarbons in a region where there are few observations of seawater concentrations. We see a considerable impact on the Bry partitioning when heterogeneous chemistry is included, with a greater proportion of the Bry in active forms such as BrO, HOBr and dihalogens. Including debromination of sea-salt increases BrO slightly throughout the free troposphere, but in the tropical marine boundary layer, where the sea-salt particles are plentiful and relatively acidic, debromination leads to overestimation of the observed BrO. However, it should be noted that the modelled BrO was extremely sensitive to the inclusion of reactions between Br and the VOCs, which convert Br to HBr, a far less reactive form of Bry. Excluding these reactions leads to modelled BrO mixing ratios greater than observed. The reactions between Br and aldehydes were found to be particularly important, despite the model underestimating the amount of aldehydes observed in the atmosphere. There are only small changes to Iy partitioning and IO when the heterogeneous reactions, primarly on sea-salt, are included. Our model results show that the tropospheric Ox loss due to halogens is 31 %. This loss is mostly due to I (16 %) and Br (14 %) and it is in good agreement with other estimates from state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry models.