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So far, personal feedback in the case of lectures with hundreds of students still seems utopic – even after the digitalization boom in times of the coronavirus. Tools from the research field of »learning analytics« could in future give students feedback and at the same time provide their supervisors with clues about where help is still needed.
Since the introduction of rental E-scooters in Germany in mid-June 2019, the safety of this new means of transport has been the subject of extensive public debate. However, valid data on injuries and usage habits are not yet available. This retrospective two-center study included a total of 76 patients who presented to the emergency department following E-scooter-related accidents. The mean age was 34.3 ± 12.4 years and 69.7% of the patients were male. About half of the patients were admitted by ambulance (42.1%). Fractures were found in 48.6% of patients, and 27.6% required surgical treatment due to a fracture. The upper extremities were the most commonly affected body region, followed by injuries to the lower extremity and to the head and face. Only one patient had worn a helmet. In-hospital treatment was necessary for 26.3% of the cases. Patients presented to the emergency department mainly during the weekend and on-call times. This is the first report on E-scooter-related injuries in Germany. Accidents with E-scooters can cause serious injuries and, therefore, represent a further burden to emergency departments. The use of E-scooters appears to be mostly recreational, and the rate of use of protective gear is low.
Dendrites display a striking variety of neuronal type-specific morphologies, but the mechanisms and principles underlying such diversity remain elusive. A major player in defining the morphology of dendrites is the neuronal cytoskeleton, including evolutionarily conserved actin-modulatory proteins (AMPs). Still, we lack a clear understanding of how AMPs might support developmental phenomena such as neuron-type specific dendrite dynamics. To address precisely this level of in vivo specificity, we concentrated on a defined neuronal type, the class III dendritic arborisation (c3da) neuron of Drosophila larvae, displaying actin-enriched short terminal branchlets (STBs). Computational modelling reveals that the main branches of c3da neurons follow a general growth model based on optimal wiring, but the STBs do not. Instead, model STBs are defined by a short reach and a high affinity to grow towards the main branches. We thus concentrated on c3da STBs and developed new methods to quantitatively describe dendrite morphology and dynamics based on in vivo time-lapse imaging of mutants lacking individual AMPs. In this way, we extrapolated the role of these AMPs in defining STB properties. We propose that dendrite diversity is supported by the combination of a common step, refined by a neuron type-specific second level. For c3da neurons, we present a molecular model of how the combined action of multiple AMPs in vivo define the properties of these second level specialisations, the STBs.
p53 regulates the cellular response to genotoxic damage and prevents carcinogenic events. Theoretical and experimental studies state that the p53-Mdm2 network constitutes the core module of regulatory interactions activated by cellular stress induced by a variety of signaling pathways. In this paper, a strategy to control the p53-Mdm2 network regulated by p14ARF is developed, based on the pinning control technique, which consists into applying local feedback controllers to a small number of nodes (pinned ones) in the network. Pinned nodes are selected on the basis of their importance level in a topological hierarchy, their degree of connectivity within the network, and the biological role they perform. In this paper, two cases are considered. For the first case, the oscillatory pattern under gamma-radiation is recovered; afterward, as the second case, increased expression of p53 level is taken into account. For both cases, the control law is applied to p14ARF (pinned node based on a virtual leader methodology), and overexpressed Mdm2-mediated p53 degradation condition is considered as carcinogenic initial behavior. The approach in this paper uses a computational algorithm, which opens an alternative path to understand the cellular responses to stress, doing it possible to model and control the gene regulatory network dynamics in two different biological contexts. As the main result of the proposed control technique, the two mentioned desired behaviors are obtained.
Reliable and efficient recording of the error-related negativity with a speeded Eriksen Flanker task
(2020)
There is accumulating evidence that the error-related negativity (ERN), an event-related potential elicited after erroneous actions, is altered in different psychiatric disorders and may help to guide treatment options. Thus, the ERN is a promising candidate as a psychiatric biomarker. Basic methodological requirements for a biomarker are standardized and reliable measurements. Additional psychiatry specific requirements are time efficiency and patient-friendliness.
The aim of the present study is to establish ERN acquisition in a reliable, time-efficient and patient-friendly way for use in clinical practice.
Healthy subjects (N=27) performed a modified Eriksen Flanker Task with adaptive reaction time window and only incongruent stimuli that maximizes the number of errors. All participants were tested for mental health by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). The first N=12 subjects were part of a pilot study and further N=14 subjects were included for analysis (one subject was excluded due to technical problems). In a test-retest design with two sessions separated by 28 days the reliability of the ERN has been assessed. To ensure external validity, we aimed to replicate previously reported correlation patterns of ERN amplitude with (1) number of errors and (2) negative affect. State affect of each subject was measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. In order to optimize the clinical use of the task, we determined to which extent the task can be shortened while keeping reliability >0.80.
We found excellent reliability of the ERN (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.806-0.947) and replicated specific correlation patterns (ERN amplitude with relative number of errors: r=0.394; p=0.082; ERN amplitude with negative affect: r=-0.583, p=0.014). The task can be shortened to a patient-friendly and clinically feasible length of only 8 minutes keeping reliability >0.80.
To conclude, the present modified task provides reliable and efficient recording of the ERN, facilitating its use as a psychiatric biomarker.
This study was performed to identify Peronosclerospora species found in Indonesia based on sequence analysis of the cox2 gene. In addition, sequence data in total, 26 isolates of Peronosclerospora were investigated in this study. They were obtained from 7 provinces in Indonesia, namely Lampung, Jawa Timur, Jawa Barat, Sumatera Utara, Jawa Tengah, Yogyakarta, and Sulawesi Selatan. Sequence analysis of cox2 and phylogenetic inference were performed on all the 26 isolates. A set of primers developed in this study, PCOX2F and PCOX2R, was used for PCR amplification. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all the Indonesian isolates were divided into two groups. Group I contained 13 isolates; 9 isolates obtained from Lampung, 3 isolates from Sumatera Utara, and 1 isolate from Jawa Barat. Group II consisted of 13 isolates; 7 isolates from Jawa Timur, 2 isolates from Jawa Tengah, 1 isolate from Yogyakarta, and 3 isolates from Sulawesi Selatan. All the members of group I clustered with the ex-type sequence of P. australiensis. Meanwhile, all members of Group II formed the sister clade of isolates obtained from Timor-Leste and may represent P. maydis.
Introduction: Recommendations for venous thromboembolism and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis using graduated compression stockings (GCS) is historically based and has been critically examined in current publications. Existing guidelines are inconclusive as to recommend the general use of GCS.
Patients/Methods: 24 273 in-patients (general surgery and orthopedic patients) undergoing surgery between 2006 and 2016 were included in a retrospectively analysis from a single center. From January 2006 to January 2011 perioperative GCS was employed additionally to drug prophylaxis and from February 2011 to March 2016 patients received drug prophylaxis alone. According to german guidelines all patients received venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with weight-adapted LMWH. Risk stratification (low risk, moderate risk, high risk) was based on the guideline of the American College of Chest Physicians. Data analysis was performed before and after propensity matching (PM). The defined primary endpoint was the incidence of symptomatic or fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). A secondary endpoint was the incidence of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT).
Results: After risk stratification (low risk n = 16 483; moderate risk n = 4464; high risk n = 3326) a total of 24 273 patient were analyzed. Before to PM the relative risk for the occurrence of a PE or DVT was not increased by abstaining from GCS. After PM two groups of 11 312 patients each, one with and one without GCS application, were formed. When comparing the two groups, the relative risk (RR) for the occurrence of a pulmonary embolism was: Low Risk 0.99 [CI95% 0.998–1.000]; Moderate Risk 0.999 [CI95% 0.95–1.003]; High Risk 0.996 [CI95% 0.992–1.000] (p > 0.05). The incidence of PE in the total group LMWH alone was 0.1% (n = 16). In the total group using LMWH + GCS, the incidence was 0.3% (n = 29). RR after PM was 0.999 [CI95% 0.998–1.00].
Conclusion: In comparison to prior studies with only small numbers of patients our trial shows in a large group of patients with moderate and high risk developing VTE we can support the view that abstaining from GCS-use does not increase the incidence of symptomatic or fatal PE and symptomatic DVT.
A myriad of signaling molecules in a heuristic network of the tumor microenvironment (TME) pose a challenge and an opportunity for novel therapeutic target identification in human cancers. MicroRNAs (miRs), due to their ability to affect signaling pathways at various levels, take a prominent space in the quest of novel cancer therapeutics. The role of miRs in cancer initiation, progression, as well as in chemoresistance, is being increasingly investigated. The canonical function of miRs is to target mRNAs for post-transcriptional gene silencing, which has a great implication in first-order regulation of signaling pathways. However, several reports suggest that miRs also perform non-canonical functions, partly due to their characteristic non-coding small RNA nature. Examples emerge when they act as ligands for toll-like receptors or perform second-order functions, e.g., to regulate protein translation and interactions. This review is a compendium of recent advancements in understanding the role of miRs in cancer signaling and focuses on the role of miRs as novel regulators of the signaling pathway in the TME.
Recent studies suggested an important contribution of sphingosine-1-phospate (S1P) signaling via its specific receptors (S1PRs) in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as Interleukin (IL)-1β in cancer and inflammation. In an inflammation-driven cancer setting, we previously reported that myeloid S1PR1 signaling induces IL-1β production by enhancing NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and Pyrin Domain-Containing Protein 3) inflammasome activity. However, the autocrine role of S1P and enzymes acting on the S1P rheostat in myeloid cells are unknown. Using human and mouse macrophages with pharmacological or genetic intervention we explored the relative contribution of sphingosine kinases (SPHKs) in NLRP3 inflammasome activity regulation. We noticed redundancy in SPHK1 and SPHK2 activities towards macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome transcriptional induction and IL-1β secretion. However, pharmacological blockade of both kinases in unison completely abrogated NLRP3 inflammasome induction and IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, human and mouse macrophages demonstrate varied responses towards SPHKs inhibition and IL-1β secretion. Clinical datasets of renal cell carcinoma and psoriasis patients showed a positive correlation between enzymes affecting the S1P rheostat with NLRP3 inflammasome components expression, which corroborates our finding. Our data provide a better understanding on the role of SPHKs and de novo synthesized S1P in macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation
The evolution of the traditional nuclear magic numbers away from the valley of stability is an active field of research. Experimental efforts focus on providing key spectroscopic information that will shed light into the structure of exotic nuclei and understanding the driving mechanism behind the shell evolution. In this work, we investigate the spin-orbit shell gap towards the neutron dripline. To do so, we employed (p,2p) quasi-free scattering reactions to measure the proton component of the state of 16,18,20C. The experimental findings support the notion of a moderate reduction of the proton spin-orbit splitting, at variance to recent claims for a prevalent magic number towards the neutron dripline.
ABC transporters fulfill diverse physiological functions in different cellularlocalizations ranging from the plasma membrane to intracellular membranouscompartments. Several ABC transporters have been spotted in the endolyso-somal system, which consists of endosomes, autophagosomes, lysosomes, andlysosome-related organelles. In this review, we present an overview of lysoso-mal ABC transporters including ABCA2, ABCA3, ABCA5, ABCB6,ABCB9, and ABCD4, discussing their trafficking routes, putative substrates,potential physiological functions, and associated diseases. In addition, weoffer a critical evaluation of the literature linking ABC transporters to lyso-somal drug sequestration, examining pitfalls associated with in vitro modelsof drug resistance.
Respiratory chain signalling is essential for adaptive remodelling following cardiac ischaemia
(2020)
Cardiac ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury has been attributed to stress signals arising from an impaired mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), which include redox imbalance, metabolic stalling and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The alternative oxidase (AOX) is a respiratory enzyme, absent in mammals, that accepts electrons from a reduced quinone pool to reduce oxygen to water, thereby restoring electron flux when impaired and, in the process, blunting ROS production. Hence, AOX represents a natural rescue mechanism from respiratory stress. This study aimed to determine how respiratory restoration through xenotopically expressed AOX affects the re‐perfused post‐ischaemic mouse heart. As expected, AOX supports ETC function and attenuates the ROS load in post‐anoxic heart mitochondria. However, post‐ischaemic cardiac remodelling over 3 and 9 weeks was not improved. AOX blunted transcript levels of factors known to be up‐regulated upon I/R such as the atrial natriuretic peptide (Anp) whilst expression of pro‐fibrotic and pro‐apoptotic transcripts were increased. Ex vivo analysis revealed contractile failure at nine but not 3 weeks after ischaemia whilst label‐free quantitative proteomics identified an increase in proteins promoting adverse extracellular matrix remodelling. Together, this indicates an essential role for ETC‐derived signals during cardiac adaptive remodelling and identified ROS as a possible effector.
Cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET) combined with subtomogram averaging (StA) enables structural determination of macromolecules in their native context. A few structures were reported by StA at resolution higher than 4.5 Å, however all of these are from viral structural proteins or vesicle coats. Reaching high resolution for a broader range of samples is uncommon due to beam-induced sample drift, poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of images, challenges in CTF correction, limited number of particles. Here we propose a strategy to address these issues, which consists of a tomographic data collection scheme and a processing workflow. Tilt series are collected with higher electron dose at zero-degree tilt in order to increase SNR. Next, after performing StA conventionally, we extract 2D projections of the particles of interest from the higher SNR images and use the single particle analysis tools to refine the particle alignment and generate a reconstruction. We benchmarked our proposed hybrid StA (hStA) workflow and improved the resolution for tobacco mosaic virus from 7.2 to 5.2 Å and the resolution for the ion channel RyR1 in crowded native membranes from 12.9 to 9.1 Å. We demonstrate that hStA can improve the resolution obtained by conventional StA and promises to be a useful tool for StA projects aiming at subnanometer resolution or higher.
Cryo-electron tomography combined with subtomogram averaging (StA) has yielded high-resolution structures of macromolecules in their native context. However, high-resolution StA is not commonplace due to beam-induced sample drift, images with poor signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), challenges in CTF correction, and limited particle number. Here we address these issues by collecting tilt series with a higher electron dose at the zero-degree tilt. Particles of interest are then located within reconstructed tomograms, processed by conventional StA, and then re-extracted from the high-dose images in 2D. Single particle analysis tools are then applied to refine the 2D particle alignment and generate a reconstruction. Use of our hybrid StA (hStA) workflow improved the resolution for tobacco mosaic virus from 7.2 to 4.4 Å and for the ion channel RyR1 in crowded native membranes from 12.9 to 9.1 Å. These resolution gains make hStA a promising approach for other StA projects aimed at achieving subnanometer resolution.
Treatment of large bone defects is one of the great challenges in contemporary orthopedic and traumatic surgery. Grafts are necessary to support bone healing. A well-established allograft is demineralized bone matrix (DBM) prepared from donated human bone tissue. In this study, a fibrous demineralized bone matrix (f-DBM) with a high surface-to-volume ratio has been analyzed for toxicity and immunogenicity. f-DBM was transplanted to a 5-mm, plate-stabilized, femoral critical-size-bone-defect in Sprague-Dawley (SD)-rats. Healthy animals were used as controls. After two months histology, hematological analyses, immunogenicity as well as serum biochemistry were performed. Evaluation of free radical release and hematological and biochemical analyses showed no significant differences between the control group and recipients of f-DBM. Histologically, there was no evidence of damage to liver and kidney and good bone healing was observed in the f-DBM group. Reactivity against human HLA class I and class II antigens was detected with mostly low fluorescence values both in the serum of untreated and treated animals, reflecting rather a background reaction. Taken together, these results provide evidence for no systemic toxicity and the first proof of no basic immunogenic reaction to bone allograft and no sensitization of the recipient.
In Bone Tissue Engineering (BTE), autologous bone-regenerative cells are combined with a scaffold for large bone defect treatment (LBDT). Microporous, polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds showed good healing results in small animals. However, transfer to large animal models is not easily achieved simply by upscaling the design. Increasing diffusion distances have a negative impact on cell survival and nutrition supply, leading to cell death and ultimately implant failure. Here, a novel scaffold architecture was designed to meet all requirements for an advanced bone substitute. Biofunctional, porous subunits in a load-bearing, compression-resistant frame structure characterize this approach. An open, macro- and microporous internal architecture (100 µm–2 mm pores) optimizes conditions for oxygen and nutrient supply to the implant’s inner areas by diffusion. A prototype was 3D-printed applying Fused Filament Fabrication using PLA. After incubation with Saos-2 (Sarcoma osteogenic) cells for 14 days, cell morphology, cell distribution, cell survival (fluorescence microscopy and LDH-based cytotoxicity assay), metabolic activity (MTT test), and osteogenic gene expression were determined. The adherent cells showed colonization properties, proliferation potential, and osteogenic differentiation. The innovative design, with its porous structure, is a promising matrix for cell settlement and proliferation. The modular design allows easy upscaling and offers a solution for LBDT.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to characterize the cellular reaction to a xenogeneic resorbable collagen membrane of porcine origin using a subcutaneous implantation model in Wistar rats over 30 days.
Materials and methods: Ex vivo, liquid platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a leukocyte and platelet-rich cell suspension, was used to evaluate the blood cell membrane interaction. The material was implanted subcutaneously in rats. Sham-operated rats without biomaterial displayed physiological wound healing (control group). Histological, immunohistological, and histomorphometric analyses were focused on the inflammatory pattern, vascularization rate, and degradation pattern.
Results: The membrane induced a large number of mononuclear cells over the observation period, including lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. After 15 days, multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) were observed on the biomaterial surface. Their number increased significantly, and they proceeded to the center of the biomaterial on day 30. These cells highly expressed CD-68, calcitonin receptor, and MMP-9, but not TRAP or integrin-ß3. Thus, the membrane lost its integrity and underwent disintegration as a consequence of the induction of MNGCs. The significant increase in MNGC number correlated with a high rate of vascularization, which was significantly higher than the control group. Physiological wound healing in the control group did not induce any MNGCs at any time point. Ex vivo blood cells from liquid-PRF did not penetrate the membrane.
Conclusion: The present study suggests a potential role for MNGCs in biomaterial degradation and questions whether it is beneficial to accept them in clinically approved biomaterials or focus on biomaterials that induce only mononuclear cells. Thus, further studies are necessary to identify the function of biomaterial-induced MNGCs.
Clinical relevance: Understanding the cellular reaction to biomaterials is essential to assess their suitability for specific clinical indications and outline the potential benefit of specific group of biomaterials in the respective clinical indications.
Background: Anemia is the most important complication during major surgery and transfusion of red blood cells is the mainstay to compensate for life threating blood loss. Therefore, accurate measurement of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration should be provided in real-time. Blood Gas Analysis (BGA) provides rapid point-of-care assessment using smaller sampling tubes compared to central laboratory (CL) services. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of BGA hemoglobin testing as compared to CL services. Methods: Data of the ongoing LIBERAL-Trial (Liberal transfusion strategy to prevent mortality and anemia-associated ischemic events in elderly non-cardiac surgical patients, LIBERAL) was used to assess the bias for Hb level measured by BGA devices (ABL800 Flex analyzer®, GEM series® and RapidPoint 500®) and CL as the reference method. For that, we analyzed pairs of Hb level measured by CL and BGA within two hours. Furthermore, the impact of various confounding factors including age, gender, BMI, smoker status, transfusion of RBC, intraoperative hemodilution, and co-medication was elucidated. In order to ensure adequate statistical analysis, only data of participating centers providing more than 200 Hb pairs were used. Results: In total, three centers including 963 patients with 1,814 pairs of Hb measurements were analyzed. Mean bias was comparable between ABL800 Flex analyzer® and GEM series®: - 0.38 ± 0.15 g/dl whereas RapidPoint 500® showed a smaller bias (-0.09 g/dl) but greater median absolute deviation (± 0.45 g/dl). In order to avoid interference with different standard deviations caused by the different analytic devices, we focused on two centers using the same BGA technique (309 patients and 1,570 Hb pairs). A Bland-Altman analysis and LOWESS curve showed that bias decreased with smaller Hb values in absolute numbers but increased relatively. The smoker status showed the greatest reduction in bias (0.1 g/dl, p<0.001) whereas BMI (0.07 g/dl, p = 0.0178), RBC transfusion (0.06 g/dl, p<0.001), statins (0.04 g/dl, p<0.05) and beta blocker (0.03 g/dl, p = 0.02) showed a slight effect on bias. Intraoperative substitution of volume and other co-medications did not influence the bias significantly. Conclusion: Many interventions like substitution of fluids, coagulating factors or RBC units rely on the accuracy of laboratory measurement devices. Although BGA Hb testing showed a consistently stable difference to CL, our data confirm that BGA devices are associated with different bias. Therefore, we suggest that hospitals assess their individual bias before implementing BGA as valid and stable supplement to CL. However, based on the finding that bias decreased with smaller Hb values, which in turn are used for transfusion decision, we expect no unnecessary or delayed RBC transfusion, and no major impact on the LIBERAL trial performance.
One limitation of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is clot migration during procedure. This might be caused by abruption of the trapped thrombus at the distal access catheter (DAC) tip during stent-retriever retraction due to the cylindrical shaped tip of the DAC. Aiming to solve this problem, this study evaluates the proof-of-concept of a new designed funnel-shaped tip, in an experimental in vitro setting. Two catheter models, one with a funnel-shaped tip and one with a cylindrical-shaped tip, were compared in an experimental setup. For MT a self-made vessel model and thrombi generated from pig’s blood were used. MT was performed 20 times for each device using two different stent-retrievers, 10 times respectively. For the funnel-shaped model: for both stent-retrievers (Trevo XP ProVue 3/20 mm; Trevo XP ProVue 4/20 mm) MT was successful at first pass in 9/10 (90%), respectively. For the cylindrical-shaped model: MT was successful at first pass in 5/10 (50%) with the smaller stent-retriever and in 6/10 (60%) with the larger stent-retriever. The experiments show a better recanalization rate for funnel-shaped tips, than for cylindrical-shaped tips. These results are indicating a good feasibility for this new approach, thus the development of a prototype catheter seems reasonable.
Radar technology in the millimeter-wave frequency band offers many interesting features for wind park surveillance, such as structural monitoring of rotor blades or the detection of bats and birds in the vicinity of wind turbines (WTs). Currently, the majority of WTs are affected by shutdown algorithms to minimize animal fatalities via direct collision with the rotor blades or barotrauma effects. The presence of rain is an important parameter in the definition of those algorithms together with wind speed, temperature, time of the day, and season of the year. A Ka-band frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar (33.4-36.0 GHz) installed at the tower of a 2-MW WT was used during a field study. We have observed characteristic rain-induced patterns, based on the range-Doppler algorithm. To better understand those signatures, we have developed a laboratory experiment and implemented a numerical modeling framework. Experimental and numerical results for rain detection and classification are presented and discussed here. Based on this article, a bat- and bird-friendly adaptive WT control can be developed for improved WT efficiency in periods of rain and, at the same time, reduced animal mortality.
Potassium homeostasis is vital for all organisms, but is challenging in single-celled organisms like bacteria and yeast and immobile organisms like plants that constantly need to adapt to changing external conditions. KUP transporters facilitate potassium uptake by the co-transport of protons. Here, we uncover the molecular basis for transport in this widely distributed family. We identify the potassium importer KimA from Bacillus subtilis as a member of the KUP family, demonstrate that it functions as a K+/H+ symporter and report a 3.7 Å cryo-EM structure of the KimA homodimer in an inward-occluded, trans-inhibited conformation. By introducing point mutations, we identify key residues for potassium and proton binding, which are conserved among other KUP proteins.
Este artigo pretende analisar o efeito da operação de enquadramento editorial levada a cabo pela Editora Sur, vinculada à Revista Sur, na circulação do repertório frankfurtiano na Argentina da década de 1960. Ao traduzirem e divulgarem autores como Adorno, Horkheimer e Benjamin, a partir de sua posição específica no campo cultural argentino, a coleção Estudios Alemanes contribui para que seus autores sejam desvinculados da tradição marxista e alocados em uma categoria mais ampla de “pensamento alemão”. Com isso, a circulação desses autores fica restritra a certo público, já cativo da perspectiva teórica e política da Revista Sur. Neste artigo, descrevo a coleção nos marcos da difusão mais ampla da tradição alemã no campo letrado argentino, atentando para os deslocamentos de prestígio que ela mobiliza e, sobretudo, para a composição de uma “atitude intelectual” que, a despeito do conteúdo dos textos em circulação, condiciona a recepção e ressignificação dos textos frankfurtianos.
Was Daten angeht, setzen Marketingforschung und -lehre bisher vor allem auf Masse statt Klasse. Doch um fundierte Entscheidungen zu treffen, brauchen Unternehmen hoch entwickelte statistische Modelle. Das ist das Forschungsgebiet von Prof. Thomas Otter, der auch das gute alte Bauchgefühl in Algorithmen umzusetzen vermag.
Monte Carlo simulations and n-p differential scattering data measured with Proton Recoil Telescopes
(2020)
The neutron-induced fission cross section of 235U, a standard at thermal energy and between 0.15 MeV and 200 MeV, plays a crucial role in nuclear technology applications. The long-standing need of improving cross section data above 20 MeV and the lack of experimental data above 200 MeV motivated a new experimental campaign at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The measurement has been performed in 2018 at the experimental area 1 (EAR1), located at 185 m from the neutron-producing target (the experiment is presented by A. Manna et al. in a contribution to this conference). The 235U(n,f) cross section from 20 MeV up to about 1 GeV has been measured relative to the 1H(n,n)1H reaction, which is considered the primary reference in this energy region. The neutron flux impinging on the 235U sample (a key quantity for determining the fission events) has been obtained by detecting recoil protons originating from n-p scattering in a C2H4 sample. Two Proton Recoil Telescopes (PRT), consisting of several layers of solid-state detectors and fast plastic scintillators, have been located at proton scattering angles of 25.07° and 20.32°, out of the neutron beam. The PRTs exploit the ΔE-E technique for particle identification, a basic requirement for the rejection of charged particles from neutron-induced reactions in carbon. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations were performed to characterize proton transport through the different slabs of silicon and scintillation detectors, to optimize the experimental set-up and to deduce the efficiency of the whole PRT detector. In this work we compare measured data collected with the PRTs with a full Monte Carlo simulation based on the Geant-4 toolkit.
Background: A large number of idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (iDILI) and herb induced liver injury(HILI) cases of variable quality has been published but some are a matter of concern if the cases were not evaluated for causality using a robust causality assessment method (CAM) such as RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) as diagnostiinjuryc algorithm. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the worldwide use of RUCAM in iDILI and HILI cases. Methods: The PubMed database (1993–30 June 2020) was searched for articles by using the following key terms: Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method; RUCAM; Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury; iDILI; Herb induced liver injury; HILI. Results: Considering reports published worldwide since 1993, our analysis showed the use of RUCAM for causality assessment in 95,885 cases of liver injury including 81,856 cases of idiosyncratic DILI and 14,029 cases of HILI. Among the top countries providing RUCAM based DILI cases were, in decreasing order, China, the US, Germany, Korea, and Italy, with China, Korea, Germany, India, and the US as the top countries for HILI. Conclusion: Since 1993 RUCAM is certainly the most widely used method to assess causality in IDILI and HILI. This should encourage practitioner, experts, and regulatory agencies to use it in order to reinforce their diagnosis and to take sound decisions.
We construct a new equation of state for the baryonic matter under an intense magnetic field within the framework of covariant density functional theory. The composition of matter includes hyperons as well as Δ-resonances. The extension of the nucleonic functional to the hypernuclear sector is constrained by the experimental data on Λ and Ξ-hypernuclei. We find that the equation of state stiffens with the inclusion of the magnetic field, which increases the maximum mass of neutron star compared to the non-magnetic case. In addition, the strangeness fraction in the matter is enhanced. Several observables, like the Dirac effective mass, particle abundances, etc. show typical oscillatory behavior as a function of the magnetic field and/or density which is traced back to the occupation pattern of Landau levels.
This paper critically engages the legal and political framework for responding to democracy and rule of law backsliding in the EU. I develop a new and original critique of Article 7 TEU based on it being democratically illegitimate and normatively incoherent qua itself in conflict with EU fundamental values. Other more incremental and scaleable responses are desirable, and the paper moves on to assess the legitimacy of economic sanctions such as tying access to EU funds to performance on democratic and rule of law indicators or imposing fines on backsliding states. I hold such sanctions to be a priori legitimate, and argue that in some cases economic sanctions are even normatively required, given that EU material support of backsliding member states can amount to material complicity in their backsliding. However, an economic conditionality mechanism would need to be designed to minimize unjust and counterproductive effects. One way to pursue this could be to complement sanctions against the backsliding government with investment for prodemocratic actors in that state.
This paper contributes to the debate on the adequate regulatory treatment of non-bank financial intermediation (NBFI). It proposes an avenue for regulators to keep regulatory arbitrage under control and preserve sufficient space for efficient financial innovation at the same time. We argue for a normative approach to supervision that can overcome the proverbial race between hare and hedgehog in financial regulation and demonstrate how such an approach can be implemented in practice. We first show that regulators should primarily analyse the allocation of tail risk inherent in NBFI. Our paper proposes to apply regulatory burdens equivalent to prudential banking regulation if the respective transactional structures become only viable through indirect or direct access to (ad hoc) public backstops. Second, we use insights from the scholarship on regulatory networks as communities of interpretation to demonstrate how regulators can retrieve the information on transactional innovations and their risk-allocating characteristics that they need to make the pivotal determination. We suggest in particular how supervisors should structure their relationships with semi-public gatekeepers such as lawyers, auditors and consultants to keep abreast of the risk-allocating features of evolving transactional structures. Finally, this paper uses the example of credit funds as non-bank entities economically engaged in credit intermediation to illustrate the merits of the proposed normative framework and to highlight that multipolar regulatory dialogues are needed to shed light on the specific risk-allocating characteristics of recent contractual innovations.
Peronospora aquilegiicola is a destructive pathogen of columbines and has wiped out most Aquilegia cultivars in several private and public gardens throughout Britain. The pathogen, which is native to East Asia was noticed in England and Wales in 2013 and quickly spread through the country, probably by infested plants or seeds. To our knowledge, the pathogen has so far not been reported from other parts of Europe. Here, we report the emergence of the pathogen in the northwest of Germany, based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. As the pathogen was found in a garden in which no new columbines had been planted recently, we assume that the pathogen has already spread from its original point of introduction in Germany. This calls for an increased attention to the further spread of the pathogen and the eradication of infection spots to avoid the spread to naturally occurring columbines in Germany and to prevent another downy mildew from becoming a global threat, like Peronospora belbahrii and Plasmopara destructor, the downy mildews of basil and balsamines, respectively.
Peronospora belbahrii is one of the most destructive downy mildew diseases that has emerged throughout the past two decades. Due to the lack of quarantine regulations and its possible seed-borne nature, it has spread globally and is now present in most areas in which basil is produced. While most obligate biotrophic, plant parasitic oomycetes are highly host-specific, there are a few that have a wider host range, e.g. Albugo candida, Bremia tulasnei, and Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Recently, it was shown that Peronospora belbahrii is able to infect Rosmarinus, Nepetia, and Micromeria in Israel in cross-infection trials, hinting an extended host range for also this pathogen. In this study, a newly occurring downy mildew pathogen on lavender was investigated with respect to its morphology and phylogeny, and it is shown that it belongs to Peronospora belbahrii as well. Thus, it seems that Peronospora belbahrii is currently extending its host range to additional members of the tribe Mentheae and Ocimeae. Therefore, it seems advisable to scrutinise all commonly used members of these tribes in order to avoid further spread of virulent genotypes.
Members of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily translocate a broad spectrum of chemically diverse substrates. While their eponymous ATP‐binding cassette in the nucleotide‐binding domains (NBDs) is highly conserved, their transmembrane domains (TMDs) forming the translocation pathway exhibit distinct folds and topologies, suggesting that during evolution the ancient motor domains were combined with different transmembrane mechanical systems to orchestrate a variety of cellular processes. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that the distinct TMD folds are best suited to categorize the multitude of ABC transporters. We therefore propose a new ABC transporter classification that is based on structural homology in the TMDs:
Die Hippocampusformation ist eine wichtige Hirnstruktur für die Gedächtnisakquisition und -konsolidierung, insbesondere beim räumlichen Lernen spielt sie eine essentielle Rolle. Langzeitpotenzierung (LTP) gilt als das elektrophysiologische Korrelat der synaptischen Plastizität, dem langfristigen Umbau synaptischer Verbindungen, der letztlich zur Ausbildung stabiler, langanhaltender Erinnerungen führt. Signalübertragung über den cAMP/PKA/MAPK/CREB-Weg stellt den wichtigsten molekularen Mechanismus der Langzeitpotenzierung dar, CREB gilt als die zentrale Komponente und Schnittstelle dieser Übertragung. Neuronale Plastizität ist abhängig von de-novo-Pro-teinbiosynthese, an deren Regulation Veränderungen der Chromatinstruktur durch Histonmodifikationen beteiligt ist, in die der genannte Signalweg mündet.
Circadiane Rhythmen sind in den meisten Spezies in vielen verschiedenen Organen und Geweben nachgewiesen und manifestieren sich als Einflüsse auf zahlreiche Parameter des Verhaltens, so auch auf die Leistung beim Erlernen neuer Information. Ihr zentraler Taktgeber ist der Nucleus suprachiasmaticus (SCN). Melatonin ist ein wichtiges Effektorsignal des circadianen Systems und hat gleichzeitig Rückkopplungsfunktion. Seine unmittelbare Wirkung übt es über die beiden G-Protein-gekoppelten Melatonin-rezeptoren MT1 und MT2 aus. Es hat direkten Einfluss auf das Lernen und stellt damit einen Schnittpunkt zwischen Signalwegen der synaptischen Plastizität und des circadianen Systems dar.
Der Lernerfolg vieler Tierarten ist bekanntermaßen während deren subjektivem Tag höher als während der Nacht. In dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass beim räumlichen Lernen bereits ein einmaliger Stimulus ausreicht, um im Hippocampus der verwendeten C3H-Mäuse eine stabile Induktion der Phosphorylierung von CREB sowie der transkriptionsaktivierenden Histonmodifikationen H3K9ac und H3K14ac zu erzeugen. Ein einmaliger Stimulus hat also verstärkte Signaltransduktion und Protein-syntheseaktivität als Zeichen synaptischer Plastizität zur Folge. Dies geschieht nur tagsüber, nachts zeigt sich kein Effekt. Somit spiegelt sich der Phänotyp in diesen molekularen Markern wider. Anhand eines Mausmodells mit genetischem Knockout der beiden membrangebundenen Melatoninrezeptoren MT1 und MT2 (MT1/2−/−) wurde der Einfluss von Melatonin auf die molekularen Prozesse des hippocampalen Lernens näher beleuchtet. Über MT1/2−/−-Mäuse ist bekannt, dass ihr Lernerfolg in den benutzten Verhaltensversuchen zu jeder Tageszeit auf dem Niveau der C3H-Mäuse während der Nacht liegt. Zunächst zeigt sich, dass in MT1/2−/−-Mäusen die Grundrhythmen der meisten untersuchten Proteine und Histonmodifikationen verändert, teilweise phasenverschoben und abgeflacht sind. Eine Induktion von pCREB und H3K9ac und H3K14ac ist in diesen Tieren nicht mehr erreichbar und somit nach einem einmaligen Lernstimulus keine vermehrte Signalübertragung oder synaptischer Umbau nachweisbar. Auch hier besteht eine gute Korrelation mit dem Lernphänotyp. Weiterhin wurden Unterschiede im Aktivitätsmuster der beiden Mäusestämme gezeigt, MT1/2−/−-Mäuse sind abhängig von der Situation weniger oder gleich aktiv wie C3H-Tiere. Im Angstverhalten als möglichem Störfaktor besteht kein Unterschied zwischen beiden Tierstämmen.
Melatoninrezeptoren wirken über inhibitorische G-Proteine auf die Adenylatcyclase und hemmen den cAMP/CREB-Signalübertragung, was die schlechtere Lernperformance während der Nacht erklärt, wenn der Melatoninspiegel seinen natürlichen Höhepunkt erreicht. Durch Melatonin lassen sich auch tagsüber bei Mäusen und Zebrafischen LTP und räumliches Lernen unterdrücken. Jedoch lässt sich durch diese akute Wirkung von Melatonin nur ein Teil der Ergebnisse erklären, so zum Beispiel die veränderte Aktivität von PKA und PKC. Um das scheinbar paradoxe verschlechterte Lernverhalten der MT1/2−/−-Mäuse und die fehlende Induzierbarkeit von pCREB und Chromatinremodelling zu erklären, muss ein längerfristiger Effekt von Melatonin bestehen, der über dessen maximale Konzentration hinaus anhält und in seiner Abwesenheit zu verbesserter Signalübertragung führt. Hierfür ist eine Sensibilisierung der Adenylatcyclase durch prolongierte Melatoninexposition, wie sie beispielsweise in Zellen der Pars tuberalis nachgewiesen wurde, beschrieben worden. Es konnte in dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass Melatonin vielfältigen Einfluss auf das hippocampale Lernen hat und dieses mit der inneren Uhr verbindet.
This study deals with 3D laser investigation on the border between the human lymph node T-zone and germinal centre. Only a few T-cells specific for antigen selected B-cells are allowed to enter germinal centres. This selection process is guided by sinus structures, chemokine gradients and inherent motility of the lymphoid cells. We measured gaps and wall-like structures manually, using IMARIS, a 3D image software for analysis and interpretation of microscopy datasets. In this paper, we describe alpha-actin positive and semipermeable walls and wall-like structures that may hinder T-cells and other cell types from entering germinal centres. Some clearly defined holes or gaps probably regulate lymphoid traffic between T- and B-cell areas. In lymphadenitis, the morphology of this border structure is clearly defined. However, in case of malignant lymphoma, the wall-like structure is disrupted. This has been demonstrated exemplarily in case of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. We revealed significant differences of lengths of the wall-like structures in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in comparison with wall-like structures in reactive tissue slices. The alterations of morphological structures lead to abnormal and less controlled T- and B-cell distributions probably preventing the immune defence against tumour cells and infectious agents by dysregulating immune homeostasis.
Die Coronakrise und die Eindämmungspolitik der Nationalstaaten hat gravierende wirtschaftliche Folgen. Nicht alle EU-Mitgliedsstaaten sind in gleicher Weise gewappnet und manche werden derzeit heftiger von der Coronakrise getroffen als andere. Eine Möglichkeit, europäische Solidarität zu organisieren, ist die Ausgabe von Gemeinschaftsanleihen, so genannter Corona-Bonds. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert das Für und Wider der Corona-Bonds und ihrer Alternativen: Weder Gemeinschaftsanleihen noch eine Ausweitung des EZB-Engagements sollten das Mittel der Wahl sein. Wir plädieren vielmehr für direkte, auf europäischer Ebene koordinierte Transferzahlungen an bedürftige Mitgliedsstaaten.
The B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is a crucial pathway of B cells, both for their survival and for antigen-mediated activation, proliferation and differentiation. Its activation is also critical for the genesis of many lymphoma types. BCR-mediated lymphoma proliferation may be caused by activating BCR-pathway mutations and/or by active or tonic stimulation of the BCR. BCRs of lymphomas have frequently been described as polyreactive. In this review, the role of specific target antigens of the BCRs of lymphomas is highlighted. These antigens have been found to be restricted to specific lymphoma entities. The antigens can be of infectious origin, such as H. pylori in gastric MALT lymphoma or RpoC of M. catarrhalis in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, or they are autoantigens. Examples of such autoantigens are the BCR itself in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, LRPAP1 in mantle cell lymphoma, hyper-N-glycosylated SAMD14/neurabin-I in primary central nervous system lymphoma, hypo-phosphorylated ARS2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and hyper-phosphorylated SLP2, sumoylated HSP90 or saposin C in plasma cell dyscrasia. Notably, atypical posttranslational modifications are often responsible for the immunogenicity of many autoantigens. Possible therapeutic approaches evolving from these specific antigens are discussed.
DnaK3, a highly conserved cyanobacterial chaperone of the Hsp70 family, binds to cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes, and an involvement of DnaK3 in the biogenesis of thylakoid membranes has been suggested. As shown here, light triggers synthesis of DnaK3 in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which links DnaK3 to the biogenesis of thylakoid membranes and to photosynthetic processes. In a DnaK3 depleted strain, the photosystem content is reduced and the photosystem II activity is impaired, whereas photosystem I is regular active. An impact of DnaK3 on the activity of other thylakoid membrane complexes involved in electron transfer is indicated. In conclusion, DnaK3 is a versatile chaperone required for biogenesis and/or maintenance of thylakoid membrane-localized protein complexes involved in electron transfer reactions. As mentioned above, Hsp70 proteins are involved in photoprotection and repair of PS II in chloroplasts.
Nonribosomal peptides produced by minimal and engineered synthetases with terminal reductase domains
(2020)
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) use terminal reductase domains for 2‐electron reduction of the enzyme‐bound thioester releasing the generated peptides as C‐terminal aldehydes. Herein, we reveal the biosynthesis of a pyrazine that originates from an aldehyde‐generating minimal NRPS termed ATRed in entomopathogenic Xenorhabdus indica. Reductase domains were also investigated in terms of NRPS engineering and, although no general applicable approach was deduced, we show that they can indeed be used for the production of similar natural and unnatural pyrazinones.
Mitochondria have a central role in regulating a range of cellular activities and host responses upon bacterial infection. Multiple pathogens affect mitochondria dynamics and functions to influence their intracellular survival or evade host immunity. On the other side, major host responses elicited against infections are directly dependent on mitochondrial functions, thus placing mitochondria centrally in maintaining homeostasis upon infection. In this review, we summarize how different bacteria and viruses impact morphological and functional changes in host mitochondria and how this manipulation can influence microbial pathogenesis as well as the host cell metabolism and immune responses.
A new pseudopolymorph of perchlorinated neopentasilane: the benzene monosolvate Si(SiCl3)4·C6H6
(2020)
A new pseudopolymorph of dodecachloropentasilane, namely a benzene monosolvate, Si5Cl12·C6H6, is described. There are two half molecules of each kind in the asymmetric unit. Both Si5Cl12 molecules are completed by crystallographic twofold symmetry. One of the benzene molecules is located on a twofold rotation axis with two C—H groups located on this rotation axis. The second benzene molecule has all atoms on a general position: it is disordered over two equally occupied orientations. No directional interactions beyond normal van der Waals contacts occur in the crystal.
The one-dimensionality of econometric data: the Frankfurt School and the critique of quantification
(2020)
Econometric data are used to produce authoritative facts about the world. Yet, as numbers enjoy a central place in modern reasoning (particularly in government as their presumed objectivity and neutrality assist impartial decision-making), it is important that they receive scrutiny. Using methodological techniques from Western Marxism, with special reference to the work of Lukács, Horkheimer and Adorno, and Marcuse to inform a critique of Acemoglu and Robinson, I argue that the historical emergence of econometrics as a mode of mediated knowledge is a reified practice within the broader technical administration of social life, a practice that is not a transparent representation of social phenomena. This is because when econometrics transforms the thing being measured into a statistical indicator it eclipses political disputes with technical disputes, sidestepping good faith democratic deliberation about what goods are worth pursuing. Effectively, one-dimensional thought cannot perceive the origins of items put into circulation and so ideology is produced – what seems value-free is value-laden.
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, colonizes the gut of triatomine insects, including Rhodnius prolixus. It is believed that this colonization upsets the microbiota that are normally present, presumably switching the environment to one more favorable for parasite survival. It was previously thought that one particular bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodnii, was essential for insect survival due to its ability to produce vital B-complex vitamins. However, these bacteria are not always identified in great abundance in studies on R. prolixus microbiota. Here we sequenced the microbiota of the insect anterior midgut using shotgun metagenomic sequencing in order to obtain a high-resolution snapshot of the microbes inside at two different time points and under two conditions; in the presence or absence of parasite and immediately following infection, or three days post-infection. We identify a total of 217 metagenomic bins, and recovered one metagenome-assembled genome, which we placed in the genus Dickeya. We show that, despite Rhodococcus being present, it is not the only microbe capable of synthesizing B-complex vitamins, with the genes required for biosynthesis present in a number of different microbes. This work helps to gain a new insight into the microbial ecology of R. prolixus.
Die vorliegende Arbeit zielt auch darauf ab, aus der Analyse des Konzepts der Mimesis eine Reihe von theoretischen Kanten zu gewinnen, die als normative oder transformierende Gesichtspunkte betrachtet werden können. Das heißt, Standpunkte, auf die die Theorien der Gegenwart noch zurückgreifen können, nicht nur um eine diagnostische Analyse des sozialen Ganzen vorzunehmen, sondern auch um Vorschläge zur Veränderung des sozialen Charakters zu unterbreiten. Diese Möglichkeit kann noch als normativer Ansatz in Adornos Werk bezeichnet werden. Solche theoretischen Perspektiven sind notwendige Folgen der Analyse des Begriffs der Mimesis.
Introduction: Haemophilia (HA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients may develop joint damage caused by recurrent joint bleedings in HA or by chronic inflammation in RA. Only few data exist for biomarker studies in these patients.
Aim: The objective of the present study is to assess a large array of biomarkers in peripheral blood samples obtained from HA patients without or with arthropathy and to compare pattern to RA patients and healthy controls.
Methods: A panel of biomarkers was assessed in 129 men (40 HA patients without arthropathy, 23 HA patients with arthropathy, 23 RA patients and 43 control subjects). 37 different biomarkers (cytokines, angiogenesis‐related proteins) were analysed using a multiple analyte profiling technology and supplemented by acute phase proteins, coagulation and immunological parameters.
Results: Evidence for systemic inflammation was obtained by increased acute phase reactants in all patient groups. 13 or 14 from 42 soluble parameters demonstrated significant differences (p < .05) between HA patients without arthropathy and healthy controls, or between HA patients with arthropathy and healthy controls, respectively. Largely overlapping patterns were obtained except for interleukin‐7 being increased in HA patients without arthropathy and being decreased in HA in the presence of arthropathy.
Conclusions: In addition to data supporting systemic inflammation, we provide evidence for a common biomarker profile in HA patients and RA patients compared to healthy controls. A distinctive biomarker profile for HA patients with arthropathy did not appear except for interleukin‐7 demonstrating specific changes depending on the absence or presence of arthropathy in HA patients.
Goals and pathways to achieve sustainable urban development have multiple interlinkages with human health and wellbeing. However, these interlinkages have not been examined in depth in recent discussions on urban sustainability and global urban science. This paper fills that gap by elaborating in detail the multiple links between urban sustainability and human health and by mapping research gaps at the interface of health and urban sustainability sciences. As researchers from a broad range of disciplines, we aimed to: 1) define the process of urbanization, highlighting distinctions from related concepts to support improved conceptual rigour in health research; 2) review the evidence linking health with urbanization, urbanicity, and cities and identify cross-cutting issues; and 3) highlight new research approaches needed to study complex urban systems and their links with health. This novel, comprehensive knowledge synthesis addresses issue of interest across multiple disciplines. Our review of concepts of urban development should be of particular value to researchers and practitioners in the health sciences, while our review of the links between urban environments and health should be of particular interest to those outside of public health. We identify specific actions to promote health through sustainable urban development that leaves no one behind, including: integrated planning; evidence-informed policy-making; and monitoring the implementation of policies. We also highlight the critical role of effective governance and equity-driven planning in progress towards sustainable, healthy, and just urban development.
Déterminants de l’utilisation de Acacia auriculiformis comme bois d’œuvre en Afrique de l’Ouest
(2020)
Acacia auriculiformis, un bois énergie, suscite de plus en plus des intérêts de bois d’œuvre au niveau des industriels de bois au Bénin. L’appréciation des performances de l’espèce dans les usines et en plantation est déterminante pour la vul- garisation de l’espèce comme alternative pour mitiger la déforestation en lien avec la demande en bois d’œuvre. L’objectif principal de ce travail est donc d’évaluer les conditions entourant l’adoption de Acacia auriculiformis comme espèce de bois d’œuvre au Bénin, Afrique de l’Ouest. Au total, 154 usines de bois et 25 plantations ont été enquêtées dans les zones abritant les plantations à A. auriculiformis. A. auriculiformis est l’espèce la plus fréquente dans les usines de bois (81%) suivie de Afzelia africana (55%), Tectona grandis (47%) et Khaya senegalensis (47%). Les superficies des plantations à A. auriculi- formis ont augmenté entre 1999 et 2019. Les connaissances sur l’utilisation de ce bois sont variables dans la zone d’étude. Le bois de A. auriculiformis est apprécié comme bois d’œuvre parce qu’il présente une couleur esthétique, un séchage rapide, une facilité de mise en œuvre, une imprégnabilité élevée, une densité moyenne à élevée et un bel aspect après mise en œuvre. Cependant, son bois fournit beaucoup de sciure, a beaucoup de nœuds et présente une déformabilité moyenne. Sa disponibili- té et son accessibilité sont les principaux facteurs justifiant la préférence de l’espèce par les industriels de bois d’œuvre. Cette forme d’utilisation de l’espèce est également remarquée au Togo, en Côte d’Ivoire. L’espèce présente une bonne perspective d’utilisation comme bois d’œuvre.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can spread from symptomatic patients with COVID-19, but also from asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, robust surveillance and timely interventions are essential for the control of virus spread within the community. In this regard the frequency of testing and speed of reporting, but not the test sensitivity alone, play a crucial role. In order to reduce the costs and meet the expanding demands in real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2, complementary assays, such as rapid antigen tests, have been developed. Rigorous analysis under varying conditions is required to assess the clinical performance of these tests and to ensure reproducible results. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a recently licensed rapid antigen test using 137 clinical samples in two institutions. Test sensitivity was between 88.2-89.6% when applied to samples with viral loads typically seen in infectious patients. Of 32 rRT-PCR positive samples, 19 demonstrated infectivity in cell culture, and 84% of these samples were reactive with the antigen test. Seven full-genome sequenced SARS-CoV-2 isolates and SARS-CoV-1 were detected with this antigen test, with no cross-reactivity against other common respiratory viruses. Numerous antigen tests are available for SARS-CoV-2 testing and their performance to detect infectious individuals may vary. Head-to-head comparison along with cell culture testing for infectivity may prove useful to identify better performing antigen tests. The antigen test analyzed in this study is easy-to-use, inexpensive, and scalable. It can be helpful in monitoring infection trends and thus has potential to reduce transmission.
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the acute respiratory disease COVID-19, which has become a global concern due to its rapid spread. Meanwhile, increased demand for testing has led to a shortage of reagents and supplies and compromised the performance of diagnostic laboratories in many countries. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend multi-step RT-PCR assays using multiple primer and probe pairs, which might complicate the interpretation of the test results, especially for borderline cases. In this study, we describe an alternative RT-PCR approach for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA that can be used for the probe-based detection of clinical isolates in diagnostics as well as in research labs using a low-cost SYBR green method. For the evaluation, we used samples from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and performed RT-PCR assays along with successive dilutions of RNA standards to determine the limit of detection. We identified an M-gene binding primer and probe pair highly suitable for the quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for diagnostic and research purposes.
We aim to understand whether Greek and Italian, two null subject languages, differ in the use and interpretation of null subjects, based on evidence from both a production and a comprehension experiment. The results of the two experiments show that the two languages differ in the extent to which they comply with the Position of Antecedent Strategy as formulated by Carminati (2002). In order to account for this difference, we introduce a principle which defines prominence of sentence constituents in terms of hierarchical height, elaborating on a recent proposal by Rizzi (2018). Then we show that the prominence of subject and object constituents in Greek and Italian reflects word-order differences between the two languages (Roussou & Tsimpli 2006). In more general terms, this paper argues in favour of a multi-factorial approach to reference interpretation, in that syntactic factors interact with discourse factors, leading to a gradient variety of reference possibilities.