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Umhlatuzana rockshelter is known for its continuous record of Middle and Later Stone Age lithic assemblages. This study presents multiproxy geoarchaeological data (micromorphology, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy) to reconstruct the depositional and post‐depositional history of the site. Although the Stone Age deposits macroscopically appear homogeneous, micromorphological analysis reveals the existence of primary, unaltered depositional microlayering throughout the sequence. Sediments related to combustion activities on‐site are observed in both the Holocene and Pleistocene deposits. Post‐depositional geochemical alterations result in the formation of several phosphatic minerals that significantly affect the site's preservation conditions. One of those is vashegyite, a rare magnesium phosphate mineral related to acidic and moist sedimentary environments. Bioturbation features are prominent at the microscale, but sediment mixing does not seem to affect the vertical distribution of the artifacts. The observation of horizontal microlayering in both the Pleistocene and Holocene illuminates the dominant mechanism of sedimentation throughout the site's 70,000‐year occupational history. It moreover shows that the lithics can be analysed as coherent assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance feedback signals to people where they stand in their goal progress. Positive feedback suggests that one is on a good track to achieve a goal. Negative feedback indicates that another strategy or greater effort is required. However, not everyone reacts equally to such feedback. Through four studies using a variety of methods, we examined how individuals' experience of power affects motivation and performance depending on whether they receive negative or positive performance feedback. While results were not completely uniform, a general pattern could be observed. Specifically, a meta‐analysis across all studies showed that negative feedback had an overall detrimental effect on motivation and performance of low‐power individuals but not of high‐power individuals. Positive feedback neither impacted low‐ nor high‐power individuals' motivation but increased low‐power individuals' performance relative to their high‐power counterparts. Our findings imply that performance feedback needs to be tailored to the recipient's experience of power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The epiphytic orchid Caularthron bilamellatum sacrifices its water storage tissue for nutrients from the waste of ants lodging inside its hollow pseudobulb. Here, we investigate whether fungi are involved in the rapid translocation of nutrients.Uptake was analysed with a 15N labelling experiment, subsequent isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS and NanoSIMS).We encountered two hyphae types: a thick melanized type assigned to 'black fungi' (Chaetothyriales, Cladosporiales, and Mycosphaerellales) in ant waste, and a thin endophytic type belonging to Hypocreales. In few cell layers, both hyphae types co‐occurred. 15N accumulation in both hyphae types was conspicuous, while for translocation to the vessels only Hypocreales were involved. There is evidence that the occurrence of the two hyphae types results in a synergism in terms of nutrient uptake.Our study provides the first evidence that a pseudobulb (=stem)‐born endophytic network of Hypocreales is involved in the rapid translocation of nitrogen from insect‐derived waste to the vegetative and reproductive tissue of the host orchid. For C. bilamellatum that has no contact with the soil, ant waste in the hollow pseudobulbs serves as equivalent to soil in terms of nutrient sources. See also the Commentary on this article by Leroy, 238: 1752–1754. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling of information is thought to be an important aspect of explorative behaviour. Evidence for it has been gained in behavioural assessments of a variety of overt and covert cognitive domains, including sensation, attention, memory, eye movements and dexterity. A common aspect across many findings is that sampling tends to exhibit a rhythmicity at low frequencies (theta, 4–8 Hz; alpha, 9–12 Hz). Neurophysiological investigations in a wide range of species, including rodents, non‐human primates and humans have demonstrated the presence of sampling related neural oscillations in a number of brain areas ranging from early sensory cortex, hippocampus to high‐level cognitive areas. However, to assess whether rhythmic sampling represents a general aspect of exploratory behaviour one must critically evaluate the task parameters, and their potential link with neural oscillations. Here we focus on sampling during attentive vision to present an overview on the experimental conditions that are used to investigate rhythmic sampling and associated oscillatory brain activity in this domain. This review aims to (1) provide guidelines to efficiently quantify behavioural rhythms, (2) compare results from human and non‐human primate studies and (3) argue that the underlying neural mechanisms of sampling can co‐occur in both sensory and high‐level areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently described rhizolutin and collinolactone isolated from Streptomyces Gö 40/10 share the same novel carbon scaffold. Analyses by NMR and X‐Ray crystallography verify the structure of collinolactone and propose a revision of rhizolutin's stereochemistry. Isotope‐labeled precursor feeding shows that collinolactone is biosynthesized via type I polyketide synthase with Baeyer–Villiger oxidation. CRISPR‐based genetic strategies led to the identification of the biosynthetic gene cluster and a high‐production strain. Chemical semisyntheses yielded collinolactone analogues with inhibitory effects on L929 cell line. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that only particular analogues induce monopolar spindles impairing cell division in mitosis. Inspired by the Alzheimer‐protective activity of rhizolutin, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of collinolactone and its analogues on glutamate‐sensitive cells (HT22) and indeed, natural collinolactone displays distinct neuroprotection from intracellular oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Das kürzlich beschriebene Rhizolutin und Collinolacton, das aus Streptomyces Gö 40/10 isoliert wurde, besitzen dasselbe neuartige Kohlenstoffgerüst. Analysen mittels NMR und Kristallstrukturanalyse belegen die Struktur von Collinolacton und machen eine Korrektur der Stereochemie von Rhizolutin erforderlich. Fütterungsexperimente mit isotopenmarkierten Vorstufen zeigen, dass Collinolacton über eine Typ‐I‐Polyketidsynthase mit anschließender Baeyer‐Villiger‐Oxidation synthetisiert wird. CRISPR‐basierte genetische Arbeiten führten zur Entdeckung des Genclusters und einem optimierten Produktionsstamm. Chemische Semisynthesen lieferten Derivate von Collinolacton, welche die Viabilität von L929‐Zellen reduzieren. Fluoreszenzmikroskopie zeigte, dass diese Derivate während der Zellteilung monopolare Spindeln induzieren. Dem beschriebenen Schutz von Rhizolutin gegen Alzheimer folgend studierten wir die neuroprotektiven Eigenschaften von Collinolacton und dessen Derivaten an Glutamat‐sensitiven Zellen (HT22). Tatsächlich zeigt Collinolacton eine Schutzwirkung gegen intrazellulären oxidativen Stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power is known to promote cognitive processing in a goal‐directed way. However, it is unknown whether powerful individuals invest more resources when pursuing their goals or whether they invest their resources more efficiently. We examined how experiencing high versus low power affects the efficient investment of cognitive resources using electroencephalography (EEG). Specifically, event‐related desynchronization (ERD) in the upper alpha band (10.5–12.75 Hz) was used to quantify the use of cognitive resources during task completion. Results showed that high‐power participants used fewer neural resources compared to low‐power participants across the whole brain but task performance did not differ between groups. These findings demonstrate that, instead of investing more resources, high‐power participants performed the task with greater cognitive efficiency compared to low‐power participants. Performing tasks efficiently could help powerholders deal with their demanding jobs and responsibilities. Power is known to aid people to pursue their goals more effectively. However, questions remain concerning how power affects the process of pursuing a goal. Do the powerful try harder than the powerless? Or can they achieve the same goals with fewer resources (i.e., are they more efficient)? Electroencephalography methods allowed us to dissociate effectiveness from efficiency, and revealed that individuals experiencing high power are more cognitively efficient compared to those experiencing low power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the origin and mechanisms of luminescence is a crucial point when it comes to the development of new phosphors with targeted luminescence properties. Herein, a new phosphor belonging to the substance class of alkali metal lithosilicates with the generalized sum formula Cs4−x−y−zRbxNayLiz[Li3SiO4]4:Eu2+ is reported. Single crystals of the cyan‐emitting UCr4C4‐type phosphor show a peculiar double‐band luminescence with one ultranarrow emission band at 473 nm and a narrow emission band at 531 nm under excitation with UV light (λexc=408 nm). Regarding occupation of the channels by the light metal ions, investigations of single‐crystal XRD data led to the assumption that domain formation with distinct lithium‐ and sodium‐filled channels occurs. Depending on which of these channels hosts the activator ion Eu2+, a green or blue emission results. The herein‐presented results shed new light on the luminescence process in the well‐studied UCr4C4‐type alkali metal lithosilicate phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus (LGN) receives the main outputs of both eyes and relays those signals to the visual cortex. Each retina projects to separate layers of the LGN so that each LGN neuron is innervated by a single eye. In line with this anatomical separation, visual responses of almost all of LGN neurons are driven by one eye only. Nonetheless, many LGN neurons are sensitive to what is shown to the other eye as their visual responses differ when both eyes are stimulated compared to when the driving eye is stimulated in isolation. This, predominantly suppressive, binocular modulation of LGN responses might suggest that the LGN is the first location in the primary visual pathway where the outputs from the two eyes interact. Indeed, the LGN features several anatomical structures that would allow for LGN neurons responding to one eye to modulate neurons that respond to the other eye. However, it is also possible that binocular response modulation in the LGN arises indirectly as the LGN also receives input from binocular visual structures. Here we review the extant literature on the effects of binocular stimulation on LGN spiking responses, highlighting findings from cats and primates, and evaluate the neural circuits that might mediate binocular response modulation in the LGN. Our brains combine the signals from the two eyes to create a singular view. Where the separate streams from the two eyes meet in the primate brain is unclear, with debate centering on whether the signals from the two eyes remain separate within the main target of retinal projections, the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Here we review the effects of binocular stimulation on LGN neurons and evaluate neural circuits that might mediate binocular interactions in this structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reinforcement learning refers to the acquisition of approach or avoidance action tendencies through repeated reward/nonreward feedback. Although much research on reinforcement learning has focused on the striatum, the prefrontal cortex likely modulates this process. Given prior research demonstrating a consistent pattern of lateralized frontal cortical activity in affective responses and approach/avoidance tendencies in the EEG literature, we aimed to elucidate the role of frontal EEG asymmetry in reinforcement learning. Thirty-two participants completed a probabilistic selection task in which they learned to select some targets and avoid others though correct/incorrect feedback. EEG indices of frontal cortical asymmetry were computed from alpha power recorded at baseline and during task completion. We also examined the feedback-related negativity ERP component to assess feedback processing associated with activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Results revealed that greater right-lateralized frontal cortical activity during learning was associated with better avoidance learning, but neither left- nor right-sided asymmetry reliably related to approach learning. Results also suggested that left frontal activity may relate to reinforcement feedback processing, as indicated by the feedback-related negativity (FRN). These findings offer preliminary evidence regarding the role of frontal cortical activity in reinforcement learning while integrating classic and contemporary research on lateralized frontal cortical functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2015 to 2016 we determined the husbandry protocols involved in the captive rearing of the Band‐tailed Pigeon (BTPI), Patagioenas fascinate albilinea, for use as a tool in the future management of like extant and extinct avian taxa. Current and historical ex‐situ conservation management of BTPIs and the closely related Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, is limited in scope and required further examination. Focus on the BTPI within zoos and private aviculture facilities is currently lacking. New pressures on the wild populations and future examination of the parameters involved in the possible restoration of the Passenger Pigeon may rely on a complete understanding of these conservation management techniques. Here we report on the establishment of a colony of BTPIs, at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and detail the progress attained. A confiscated group of BTPIs was presented to WCS and allowed us to set up the colony, document the husbandry involved, and monitor neonatal development and the factors that influence that development. The information has provided a better understanding of the BTPI and has implications for the future conservation management of this and like species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of rhodium-bound carbenes with strained bicyclic methylene aziridines results in a formal [3+1] ring expansion to yield highly substituted methylene azetidines with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The reaction appears to proceed through an ylide-type mechanism, where the unique strain and structure of the methylene aziridine promotes a ring-opening/ring-closing cascade that efficiently transfers chirality from substrate to product. The resultant products can be elaborated into new azetidine scaffolds containing vicinal tertiary-quaternary and even quaternary-quaternary stereocenters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are one of the most abundant immune cells in the tumour microenvironment of solid tumours and their presence correlates with reduced survival in most cancers. Macrophages are present at all stages of tumour progression and stimulate angiogenesis, tumour cell invasion, and intravasation at the primary site. At the metastatic site, macrophages and monocytes prepare for the arrival of disseminated tumour cells and promote their extravasation and survival by inhibiting immune-mediated clearance or by directly engaging with tumour cells to activate prosurvival signalling pathways. In addition, macrophages promote the growth of disseminated tumour cells at the metastatic site by organising the formation of a supportive metastatic niche. The development of agents inhibiting the recruitment or the protumorigenic effector functions of macrophages in both the primary tumour and at the metastatic site is a promising strategy to improve cancer survival in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the impact of elevated neuroendocrine serum markers on treatment outcome in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer ( mCRPC) undergoing treatment with abiraterone in a post-chemotherapy setting. Patients and Method Chromogranin A ( CGa) and neurone-specific enolase ( NSE) were determined in serum drawn before treatment with abiraterone from 45 patients with mCRPC. Outcome measures were overall survival ( OS), prostate-specific antigen ( PSA) response defined by a PSA level decline of ≥50%, PSA progression-free survival ( PSA- PFS), and clinical or radiographic PFS. Results The CGa and NSE serum levels did not correlate ( P = 0.6). Patients were stratified in to low- (nine patients), intermediate- (18) or high-risk (18) groups according to elevation of none, one, or both neuroendocrine markers, respectively. The risk groups correlated with decreasing median OS (median OS not reached vs 15.3 vs 6.6 months; P < 0.001), decreasing median clinical or radiographic PFS (8.3 vs 4.4 vs 2.7 months; P = 0.001) and decreasing median PSA- PFS (12.0 vs 3.2 vs 2.7 months; P = 0.012). In multivariate Cox regression analysis the combination of CGa and NSE (≥1 marker positive vs both markers negative) remained significant predictors of OS, clinical or radiographic PFS, and PSA- PFS. We did not observe a correlation with PSA response (63% vs 35% vs 31%; P = 0.2). Conclusion Chromogranin A and NSE did not predict PSA response in patients with mCRPC treated with abiraterone. However, we observed a correlation with shorter PSA- PFS, clinical or radiographic PFS, and OS. This might be due to an elevated risk of developing resistance under abiraterone treatment related to neuroendocrine differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and straightforward synthesis of 5,5′-diamino-4,4′-dinitramino-3,3′-bi-1,2,4-triazole by the selective nitration of 4,4′,5,5′-tetraamino-3,3′-bi-1,2,4-triazole is presented. The interaction of the amino and nitramino groups improves the energetic properties of this functionalized bitriazole. For a deeper investigation of these properties, various nitrogen-rich derivatives were synthesized. The new compounds were investigated and characterized by spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR, IR, Raman), elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray analysis, and impact and friction sensitivities (IS, FS). X-ray analyses were performed and deliver insight into structural characteristics with which the stability of the compounds can be explained. The standard enthalpies of formation were calculated for all compounds at the CBS-4M level of theory, revealing highly positive heats of formation. The energetic performance of the new molecules was predicted with the EXPLO5 V6.02 computer. A small-scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) and a toxicity test gave a first impression of the performance and toxicity of selective compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triaminotriazolotriazole (TATOT) was used as a nitrogenrich ligand for the formation of the energetic ZnII complexes [ZnCl2(TATOT)2]·H2O (2), [Zn(H2O)(TATOT)3](NO3)2·2H2O (3), and [Zn(TATOT)4](ClO4)2·2H2O (4). The zinc species were prepared in a straightforward and inexpensive synthesis. The complexes 2-4 were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the compounds were characterized using elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Finally, the sensitivities toward thermal and mechanical stimuli were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellular defence protein Nrf2 is a mediator of oncogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ( PDAC) and other cancers. However, the control of Nrf2 expression and activity in cancer is not fully understood. We previously reported the absence of Keap1, a pivotal regulator of Nrf2, in ∼70% of PDAC cases. Here we describe a novel mechanism whereby the epigenetic regulator UHRF1 suppresses Keap1 protein levels. UHRF1 expression was observed in 20% (5 of 25) of benign pancreatic ducts compared to 86% (114 of 132) of pancreatic tumours, and an inverse relationship between UHRF1 and Keap1 levels in PDAC tumours ( n = 124) was apparent ( p = 0.002). We also provide evidence that UHRF1-mediated regulation of the Nrf2 pathway contributes to the aggressive behaviour of PDAC. Depletion of UHRF1 from PDAC cells decreased growth and enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. UHRF1 depletion also led to reduced levels of Nrf2-regulated downstream proteins and was accompanied by heightened oxidative stress, in the form of lower glutathione levels and increased reactive oxygen species. Concomitant depletion of Keap1 and UHRF1 restored Nrf2 levels and reversed cell cycle arrest and the increase in reactive oxygen species. Mechanistically, depletion of UHRF1 reduced global and tumour suppressor promoter methylation in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and KEAP1 gene promoter methylation was reduced in one of three cell lines examined. Thus, methylation of the KEAP1 gene promoter may contribute to the suppression of Keap1 protein levels by UHRF1, although our data suggest that additional mechanisms need to be explored. Finally, we demonstrate that K-Ras drives UHRF1 expression, establishing a novel link between this oncogene and Nrf2-mediated cellular protection. Since UHRF1 over-expression occurs in other cancers, its ability to regulate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway may be critically important to the malignant behaviour of these cancers. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strategy for the design of energetic materials that uses fused amino-substituted triazoles as energetic building blocks is presented. The 3,6,7-triamino-7 H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazolium (TATOT) motif can be incorporated into many ionic, nitrogen-rich materials to form salts with advantages such as remarkably high stability towards physical or mechanical stimuli, excellent calculated detonation velocity, and toxicity low enough to qualify them as 'green explosives'. Neutral TATOT can be synthesized in a convenient and inexpensive two-step protocol in high yield. To demonstrate the superior properties of TATOT, 13 ionic derivatives were synthesized and their chemical- and physicochemical properties (e.g., sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge) were investigated extensively. Low toxicity was demonstrated for neutral TATOT and its nitrate salt. Both are insensitive towards impact and friction and the nitrate salt combines outstanding thermal stability (decomposition temperature=280 °C) with promising calculated energetic values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A selective synthesis of asymmetric 1,2′-dihydroxy-5,5′-bitetrazole monohydrate ( 4·H2O) from inexpensive starting materials is presented. This bitetrazole derivative contains two N-oxides at the N1 and at the N2′ position, which both increase the energetic performance. Various energetic salts, such as hydroxylammonium ( 5), tetraaminobitriazolium ( 10), and triaminotriazolotriazolium ( 11) were synthesized. Neutral 4 and hydroxylammonium salt 5 were compared in detail with other tetrazole mono- and di- N-oxides to gain a deeper insight into the performance increment of N-oxides in tetrazoles. Compounds 3- 5, 9, and 11 were structurally characterized by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, all new compounds were characterized by using NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis as well as differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements. The sensitivities of the compounds toward shock, friction, and electrostatic discharge were determined. Finally, the heats of formation were calculated and several detonation parameters were computed with the EXPLO5 v. 6.01 code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium 5-cyanotetrazolate sesquihydrate (1) is prepared from sodium azide and two equivalents of sodium cyanide under acidic conditions. 1 is then N-oxidized with Oxone to sodium 5-cyanotetrazolate monohydrate (2). Compound 2 is treated with sodium azide and a Lewis acid to form 5-(1H-tetrazolyl)-2-hydroxytetrazole monohydrate (3). Compound 3 can be deprotonated twice by various bases to give ionic derivatives such as the bis(hydroxylammonium) (4), bis(hydrazinium) (6), bis(-guanidinium) (7), bis(aminoguanidinium) (8), bis(ammonium) (9), and diaminouronium (11) salt. In addition, compound 3 can only be deprotonated once, as demonstrated by the hydroxylammonium (4) and triaminoguanidinium (10) salts. Compounds 2-5 and 10-11 are structurally characterized by singlecrystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, compounds 2-11 are characterized by using NMR and vibrational (IR, Raman) spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Their thermal behaviors are studied from differential thermal analysis measurements, and the sensitivities of the compounds toward shock, friction, and electrostatic discharge are determined. In addition, the heats of formation are calculated (atomization method, CBS-4M enthalpies), and several detonation/ propulsion parameters are computed with the EXPLO5 code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-(4-Amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-on-5-yl)tetrazole ( HATT) was used as a ligand for the two complexes [Cu(ATT)2(H2O)2] ·2H2O ( 5) and [Co(HATT)2(H2O)2](ClO4)3 ·4H2O ( 6). Both were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Following the recent trend in energetic materials research of synthesis of heterocyclic 2 N-oxides the corresponding 5-(4-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-on-5-yl)tetrazole-2-oxide ( HATT2O) was synthesized for the first time. Two ionic energetic derivatives (ammonium, hydroxylammonium) were prepared and an intensive characterization of their energetic properties and sensitivities is given. In addition heats of formation were computed and several detonation parameters calculated using the EXPLO5 6.01 computer code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium 5-cyanotetrazolate sesquihydrate ( 1) was prepared from sodium azide and two equivalents of sodium cyanide under acidic conditions. Sodium 5-cyanotetrazolate sesquihydrate ( 1) reacts with hydroxylammonium chloride to form 5-aminohydroximoyl tetrazole ( 2). 5-Aminohydroximoyl tetrazole ( 2) is treated with sodium nitrite and hydrochloric acid to form 5-chlorohydroximoyl-tetrazole ( 3). The chloride azide exchange yields 5-azidohydroximoyl-tetrazole monohydrate ( 4). When compound 4 is treated with hydrochloric acid, 5-(1 H-tetrazolyl)-1-hydroxytetrazole ( 5) is obtained in good yield. Compound 5 can be deprotonated twice by various bases. Different ionic derivatives such as bis(hydroxylammonium) ( 6), bis(hydrazinium) ( 7), bis(guanidinium) ( 8), bis(aminoguanidinium) ( 9), bis(ammonium) ( 10), and diaminouronium ( 11) 5-(1-oxidotetrazolyl)-tetrazolate were synthesized and characterized. With respect to energetic use salts 6 and 7 are most relevant. Compounds 3- 9 and 11 were characterized using low temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds were investigated by NMR and vibrational (IR, Raman) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The thermal properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The sensitivities towards impact ( 4: 4 J, 5: 40 J, 6: 12 J, 7: 40 J), friction: ( 4: 60 N, 5: 240 N, 6: 216 N, 7: 240 N), and electrical discharge ( 5: 0.40 J, 6: 0.75 J, 7: 0.75 J), were investigated using BAM standards and a small scale electrostatic discharge tester. The detonation parameters of 5- 7 were calculated using the EXPLO5.06 code and calculated (CBS-4 M) enthalpy of formation values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory predicts that the processes generating biodiversity after disturbance will change during succession. Comparisons of phylogenetic and functional (alpha and beta) diversity with taxonomic diversity can provide insights into the extent to which community assembly is driven by deterministic or stochastic processes, but comparative approaches have yet to be applied to successional systems., We characterized taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional plant (alpha and beta) diversity within and between four successional stages in a > 270-year-long arable-to-grassland chronosequence. Null models were used to test whether functional and phylogenetic turnover differed from random expectations, given the levels of species diversity., The three facets of diversity showed different patterns of change during succession. Between early and early-mid succession, species richness increased but there was no increase in functional or phylogenetic diversity. Higher than predicted levels of functional similarity between species within the early and early-mid successional stages, indicate that abiotic filters have selected for sets of functionally similar species within sites. Between late-mid and late succession, there was no further increase in species richness, but a significant increase in functional alpha diversity, suggesting that functionally redundant species were replaced by functionally more dissimilar species. Functional turnover between stages was higher than predicted, and higher than within-stage turnover, indicating that different assembly processes act at different successional stages., Synthesis. Analysis of spatial and temporal turnover in different facets of diversity suggests that deterministic processes generate biodiversity during post-disturbance ecosystem development and that the relative importance of assembly processes has changed over time. Trait-mediated abiotic filtering appears to play an important role in community assembly during the early and early-mid stages of arable-to-grassland succession, whereas the relative importance of competitive exclusion appears to have increased towards the later successional stages. Phylogenetic diversity provided a poor reflection of functional diversity and did not contribute to inferences about underlying assembly processes. Functionally deterministic assembly suggests that it may be possible to predict future post-disturbance changes in biodiversity, and associated ecosystem attributes, on the basis of species' functional traits but not phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested whether power reduces responses related to social stress and thus increases performance evaluation in social evaluation situations. We hypothesized and found that thinking about having power reduced fear of negative evaluation and physiological arousal during a self-presentation task (Studies 1 and 2). In Study 2, we also showed that simply thinking about having power made individuals perform better in a social evaluation situation. Our results confirmed our hypotheses that the mechanism explaining this power-performance link was that high power participants felt less fear of negative evaluation. The reduced fear of negative evaluation generated fewer signs of behavioral nervousness, which caused their performance to be evaluated more positively (serial mediation). Simply thinking of having power can therefore have important positive consequences for a person in an evaluation situation in terms of how he or she feels and how he or she is evaluated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A steam blown dual fluidized bed gasification plant was used to yield a nitrogen (N2) free product gas (synthesis gas) from various biomass fuels. In addition to the variation of process parameters like temperature, steam to carbon ratio, fluidization rate, and the influence of different bed materials, various feedstock inputs affected the generation of the product gas. This study focuses on the gasification of different biomass feedstock. The variation of biomass implies wood chips, wood pellets, sewage sludge pellets, and straw pellets. The chosen evaluated experimental results are all gained from the uniformly operated 'classical' 100 kW 'DUAL FLUID' gasifier at Vienna University of Technology at constant gasification temperatures between 800°C and 810°C. In the 'classical' design, the gasification reactor is a bubbling fluidized bed. The composition and ash melting behavior of each feedstock is displayed, as well as the ranges of the product gas compositions generated. Beside the main gaseous product gas components, typical content ranges of dust and char are highlighted. The content and composition of tar in the product gas is discussed. Further it is possible to present gravimetrical and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry measured tar values. Not less than five significant component-groups of tar will also be outlined for each feedstock. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an important process for nitrogen removal in marine pelagic and benthic environments and represents a major sink in the global nitrogen cycle. We applied a suite of complementary methods for the detection and enumeration of anammox activity and anammox bacteria in marine sediments of the Gullmar Fjord, and compared the results obtained with each technique. 15N labelling experiments showed that nitrogen removal through N2 production was essentially limited to the upper 2 cm of the sediment, where anammox contributed 23-47% of the total production. The presence of marine anammox bacteria belonging to the genus ' Candidatus Scalindua' was shown by 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison. FISH counts of anammox bacteria correlated well with anammox activity, while quantitative PCR may have underestimated the number of anammox bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies at this site. Potential nitrogen conversion by anammox ranged from 0.6 to 4.8 fmol N cell−1 day−1, in agreement with previous measurements in the marine environment and in bioreactors. Finally, intact ladderane glycerophospholipid concentrations better reflected anammox activity and abundance than ladderane core lipid concentrations, most likely because the core lipid fraction contained a substantial fossil component, especially deeper in the sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylum Chlamydiae consists exclusively of obligate intracellular bacteria. Some of them are formidable pathogens of humans, while others occur as symbionts of amoebae. These genetically intractable bacteria possess a developmental cycle consisting of replicative reticulate bodies and infectious elementary bodies, which are believed to be physiologically inactive. Confocal Raman microspectroscopy was applied to differentiate between reticulate bodies and elementary bodies of Protochlamydia amoebophila and to demonstrate in situ the labelling of this amoeba symbiont after addition of isotope-labelled phenylalanine. Unexpectedly, uptake of this amino acid was also observed for both developmental stages for up to 3 weeks, if incubated extracellularly with labelled phenylalanine, and P. amoebophila remained infective during this period. Furthermore, P. amoebophila energizes its membrane and performs protein synthesis outside of its host. Importantly, amino acid uptake and protein synthesis after extended extracellular incubation could also be demonstrated for the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, which synthesizes stress-related proteins under these conditions as shown by 2-D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. These findings change our perception of chlamydial biology and reveal that host-free analyses possess a previously not recognized potential for direct experimental access to these elusive microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does dyad members' motivation to take on a high or low power position influence the dyad's performance motivation when assigned to hierarchical roles? Participants in 69 dyads (33 all-women, 36 all-men) indicated whether they preferred the high-power role (owner of an art gallery) or the low power role (assistant to the owner). Power roles were then randomly assigned. The dyad's interaction during task solving was videotaped. Uninvolved coders rated performance motivation as the degree of quality of the superior's and the subordinate's task contributions and effort put into the task. Performance motivation was better if the boss preferred the high power to the low power role, irrespective of the subordinate's role preference. Leadership effectiveness is thus affected by the superior's power motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial aerobic ammonium oxidation and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) are important processes in the global nitrogen cycle. Key enzymes in both processes are the octahaem cytochrome c (OCC) proteins, hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) of aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), which catalyses the oxidation of hydroxylamine to nitrite, and hydrazine oxidoreductase (HZO) of anammox bacteria, which converts hydrazine to N2. While the genomes of AOB encode up to three nearly identical copies of hao operons, genome analysis of Candidatus‘Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ showed eight highly divergent octahaem protein coding regions as possible candidates for the HZO. Based on their phylogenetic relationship and biochemical characteristics, the sequences of these eight gene products grouped in three clusters. Degenerate primers were designed on the basis of available gene sequences with the aim to detect hao and hzo genes in various ecosystems. The hao primer pairs amplified gene fragments from 738 to 1172 bp and the hzo primer pairs amplified gene fragments from 289 to 876 bp in length, when tested on genomic DNA isolated from a variety of AOB and anammox bacteria. A selection of these primer pairs was also used successfully to amplify and analyse the hao and hzo genes in community DNA isolated from different ecosystems harbouring both AOB and anammox bacteria. We propose that OCC protein-encoding genes are suitable targets for molecular ecological studies on both aerobic and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biogeochemical nitrogen cycle is mediated by many groups of microorganisms that harbour octahaem cytochromes c (OCC). In this study molecular evolutionary analyses and the conservation of predicted functional residues and secondary structure were employed to investigate the descent of OCC proteins related to hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) and hydrazine oxidoreductase (HZO) from pentahaem cytochrome c nitrite reductase (NrfA). An ctahaem cytochrome c itrite eductase (ONR) was shown to be a possible intermediate in the process. Analysis of genomic neighbourhoods of OCC protein-encoding genes revealed adjacent conserved genes whose products, together with HAO, provide a path of electron transfer to quinone and constitute a functional catabolic module. The latter has evolved more than once under a variety of functional pressures on the catabolic lifestyles of their bacterial hosts. Structurally, the archetypical long helices in the large C-terminal domain of the proteins as well as the distal axial ligands to most haems were highly conserved in NrfA and all descendents. Residues known to be involved in the nitrite reductase activity of NrfA including the ‘CxxCK’ motif at the catalytic haem, the substrate and Ca binding sites, and the nitrite and ammonium channels were conserved in the eight representatives of ONR. In the latter, a unique cysteine has been inserted above the active site. The 64 other OCC proteins differed from ONR by the absence of the ‘CxxCK’ motif, the channel residues and most of the Ca-binding residues and the conserved presence of an ‘Asp–His’ pair inserted above the active site as well as the tyrosine that forms an intersubunit cross-link to the catalytic haem of HAO. Our proposed scenario of evolution of OCC proteins in the HAO family from NrfA is supported by (i) homology based on sequence and structure, (ii) its wide distribution among bacterial taxa, (iii) the dedicated interaction with specific proteins, and it is (iv) congruent with geological history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report on the biodiversity and abundance of aerobic and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in sediment samples from the Xinyi River, Jinagsu Province (China). The biodiversity of aerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in the sediment was assessed using the amoA gene as functional marker. The retrieved amoA clones were affiliated to environmental sequences from freshwater habitats. The closest cultivated relative was Nitrosomonas urea. Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria were studied using anammox and planctomycete-specific 16S rRNA gene primers. The sediments contained 16S rRNA genes and bacterial cells closely related to the known anammox bacterium Candidatus‘Brocadia anammoxidans’. Anaerobic continuous flow reactors were set up to enrich anammox organisms from the sediments. After an adaptation period of about 25 days the reactors started to consume ammonium and nitrite, indicating that the anammox reaction was occurring with a rate of 41–58 nmol cm−3 h−1. Community analysis of the enrichments by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization showed an increase in the abundance of anammox bacteria from < 1% to 6 ± 2% of the total population. Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes showed that the enriched anammox organisms were related to the Candidatus‘Scalindua’ genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory and field studies have indicated that anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an important process in the marine nitrogen cycle. In this study 11 additional anoxic marine sediment and water column samples were studied to substantiate this claim. In a combined approach using the molecular methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), qualitative and quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), as well as 15N stable isotope activity measurements, it was shown that anammox bacteria were present and active in all samples investigated. The anammox activity measured in the sediment samples ranged from 0.08 fmol cell−1 day−1 N2 in the Golfo Dulce (Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica) sediment to 0.98 fmol cell−1 day−1 N2 in the Gullmarsfjorden (North Sea, Sweden) sediment. The percentage of anammox cell of the total population (stained with DAPI) as assessed by quantitative FISH was highest in the Barents Sea (9% ± 4%) and in most of the samples well over 2%. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and phylogenetic analysis of the PCR products derived from the marine samples indicated the exclusive presence of members of the Candidatus‘Scalindua’ genus. This study showed the ubiquitous presence of anammox bacteria in anoxic marine ecosystems, supporting previous observations on the importance of anammox for N cycling in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endogenous levels of the two cannabinoid receptor ligands 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide, and their respective congeners, monoacyl glycerols andN-acylethanolamines, as well as the phospholipid precursors ofN-acylethanolamines, were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in glioblastoma (WHO grade IV) tissue and meningioma (WHO grade I) tissue and compared with human non-tumour brain tissue. Furthermore, the metabolic turnover ofN-acylethanolamines was compared by measurements of the enzymatic activity ofN-acyltransferase,N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase in the same three types of tissue. Glioblastomas were characterized by enhanced levels ofN-acylethanolamines (eightfold, 128 ± 59 pmol/μmol lipid phosphorus) including anandamide (17-fold, 4.6 ± 3.1pmol/μmol lipid phosphorus) and several species ofN-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (three to eightfold). This was accompanied by a more than 60% reduction in the enzyme activities ofN-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase. By contrast, meningiomas were characterized by a massively enhanced level of 2-monoacyl glycerols (20-fold, 2293 ± 361 pmol/μmol lipid phosphorus) including 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (20-fold, 1524 ± 361 pmol/μmol lipid phosphorus). This was accompanied by an enhancedin vitroconversion of phosphatidylcholine to monoacyl glycerol (fivefold). The enhanced level of the 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, anandamide and otherN-acylethanolamines detected in the two types of tumour tissue may possibly act as endogenous anti-tumour mediators by stimulation of both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptor-mediated mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic properties of the type II phosphoinositide 5-phosphatases of Lowe''s oculocerebrorenal syndrome, INPP5B, Synaptojanin1, Synaptojanin2 and SKIP were analysed with respect to their substrate specificity and enzymological properties. Our data reveal that all phosphatases have unique substrate specificities as judged by their corresponding KM and VMax values. They also possessed an exclusive sensitivity towards fatty acid composition, head group phosphorylation and micellar presentation. Thus, the biological function of these enzymes will not just be determined by their corresponding regulatory domains, but will be distinctly influenced by their catalytic properties as well. This suggests that the phosphatase domains fulfil a unique catalytic function that cannot be fully compensated by other phosphatases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) shares homology with protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Similarly, bisperoxovanadium (bpV) molecules that are well-established PTPase inhibitors were shown to inhibit PTEN, but at up to 100-fold lower concentrations. The preference and potency of the bpVs towards PTEN was validated in vivo as demonstrated by: (i) an increase of Ser473 phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) at similar low nanomolar doses, (ii) the lack of any effect on the PKB phosphorylation in the PTEN negative cell line UM-UC-3, (iii) the ability to rescue Ly294002-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibition and (iv) a lack of tyrosine phosphorylation at low nanomolar doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bartonella henselae is an arthropod-borne zoonotic pathogen causing intraerythrocytic bacteraemia in the feline reservoir host and a broad range of clinical manifestations in incidentally infected humans. Remarkably, B. henselae can specifically colonize the human vascular endothelium, resulting in inflammation and the formation of vasoproliferative lesions known as bacillary angiomatosis and bacillary peliosis. Cultured human endothelial cells provide an in vitro system to study this intimate interaction of B. henselae with the vascular endothelium. However, little is known about the bacterial virulence factors required for this pathogenic process. Recently, we identified the type IV secretion system (T4SS) VirB as an essential pathogenicity factor in Bartonella, required to establish intraerythrocytic infection in the mammalian reservoir. Here, we demonstrate that the VirB T4SS also mediates most of the virulence attributes associated with the interaction of B. henselae during the interaction with human endothelial cells. These include: (i) massive rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, resulting in the formation of bacterial aggregates and their internalization by the invasome structure; (ii) nuclear factor κB-dependent proinflammatory activation, leading to cell adhesion molecule expression and chemokine secretion, and (iii) inhibition of apoptotic cell death, resulting in enhanced endothelial cell survival. Moreover, we show that the VirB system mediates cytostatic and cytotoxic effects at high bacterial titres, which interfere with a potent VirB-independent mitogenic activity. We conclude that the VirB T4SS is a major virulence determinant of B. henselae, required for targeting multiple endothelial cell functions exploited by this vasculotropic pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated levels and compositions of N -acylethanolamines (NAEs) and their precursors, N -acyl phosphatidylethanolamines ( N -acyl PEs), in a rat stroke model applying striatal microdialysis for glutamate assay. Rats ( n = 18) were treated with either intravenous saline (control), NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 (1 mg/kg), or CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A (1 mg/kg) 30 min after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). MK801 significantly attenuated the release of glutamate in the infarcted striatum (79 ± 22 μmol/L) as compared with controls (322 ± 104 μmol/L). The administration of CB1 antagonist SR141716A had no statistically significant effect on glutamate release (340 ± 89 μmol/L), but reduced infarct volume at 5 h after MCAO significantly by approximately 40%, whereas MK801 treatment resulted in a non-significant (18%) reduction of infarct volume. In controls, striatal and cortical NAE concentrations were about 30-fold higher in the infarcted than in the non-infarcted hemisphere, whereas ipsilateral N -acyl phosphatidylethanolamine ( N -acyl PE) levels exceeded contralateral levels by only a factor of two to three. Treatment with MK801 or SR141716A, or glutamate release in the infarcted tissue, had no significant effect on these levels. NAE accumulation during acute stroke may be due to increased synthesis as well as decreased degradation, possibly by inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested recently that the endocannabinoid system might be a component of the brain reward circuitry and thus play a role not only in cannabinoid tolerance/dependence, but also in dependence/withdrawal to other drugs of abuse. Here we have examined the changes in endocannabinoid ligands and their receptors in different brain regions, with particular attention to those areas related to reinforcement processes, during dependence on the powerful addictive drug, morphine. Thus, we analysed the brain contents of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA), the first discovered endocannabinoid, in rats subjected to daily injections of increasing doses of morphine, according to a schedule designed to render the animals opiate-dependent. Although evidence of physical dependence was assured by the appearance of somatic and neurovegetative responses in these animals after an acute challenge with naloxone, there were no changes in the contents of this endocannabinoid in any of the brain regions analysed. By contrast, we observed a significant decrease in the specific binding for CB(1) receptors in the midbrain and the cerebral cortex of morphine-dependent rats, with no changes in the other regions. The decrease in the cerebral cortex was, however, accompanied by a rise in the activation of signalling mechanisms by CB(1) receptor agonists, as revealed by WIN-55,212-2-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding, whereas a reduction in this parameter was measured in the brainstem of morphine-dependent rats. In summary, the present data are indicative of the existence of an alteration of the endocannabinoid transmission during morphine dependence in rats, although the changes observed were region-dependent and affected exclusively CB(1) receptors with no changes in endocannabinoid levels. Because the changes occurred in regions of the midbrain, the cerebral cortex and the brainstem, which have been implicated in drug dependence, our data suggest that pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid system might be a novel tool to reduce morphine addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Triassic collision of the Yangtze and Sino-Korean cratons, the leading edge of the Yangtze crust subducted to mantle depths and was subsequently exhumed as a penetratively deformed, coherent slab capped by a normal shear zone. This geometry requires a reverse shear zone at the base of the slab, and we suggest that the Yangtze foreland fold-and-thrust belt constitutes this zone. Lower Triassic rocks of the eastern foreland record NW–SE compression as the oldest compressional stress field; onset of related deformation is indicated by Middle Triassic clastic sedimentation. Subsequent Jurassic stress fields show a clockwise change of compression directions. Based on nearly coeval onset and termination of deformation, and on a common clockwise change in the principal strain/stress directions, we propose that the foreland deformation was controlled by the extrusion of the ultra high-pressure slab. Widespread Cretaceous–Cenozoic reactivation occurred under regional extension to transtension, which characteristically shows a large-scale clockwise change of the principal extension directions during the Lower Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) was used to demonstrate that the oxidation of poly(acetylene), necessary to produce a highly conducting phase, proceeds homogeneously on a scale of 100 nm to several micrometres. The distribution of the anions BF4− and PF6− serves as indicator for the penetration of poly(acetylene) by the oxidizing agent. The sample preparation necessitates prevention of sample degradation by air and moisture. It was possible to synthesize, orientate, oxidize, embed and section poly(acetylene) samples under inert conditions. Only mounting of the grids into the sample holder of the electron microscope was performed under ambient conditions. EFTEM was possible for phosphorus and boron, but not for fluorine owing to irradiation damage leading to loss of fluorine from the sample. Polyvinylbutyral was chosen as the embedding medium because it allows embedding of the sample prior to oxidation. Embedding of a previously oxidized poly(acetylene) sample leads to migration of the anions from the interior of the sample into the embedding medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the impact of foreign workers on German economies. Composition of the labor force; Effect of increase in labor market flexibility provided by foreign workers on individual firm and economic policy; Use of capacity, low price pressures, and favorable investment climate.

Examines the impact of foreign workers on labor market in West Germany . Characteristics and size of the labor force in Germany and in Great Britain; Labor force and the business cycle from 1964 to 1970; Business cycle and wage increases; Labor market turnover; Employment and labor productivity.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is useful in evaluating and monitoring early pregnancy as well as trophoblastic disease. Here we describe the management of women with elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin in a case of a 51-year-old female who was unsuccessfully treated for ectopic pregnancy. She was subsequently diagnosed with pituitary hCG production, which should be considered as differential diagnosis before treatment is initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]