Search results for "54"
showing 10 items of 2200 documents
Decoupled Acoustic and Visual Components in the Multimodal Signals of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)
2021
Because of its parasitic habits, reproduction costs of the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) are mostly spent in pre-laying activities. Female costs are limited to searching host nests and laying eggs, whereas, males spend time in performing intense vocal displays, possibly with territorial purpose. This last aspect, together with a sexual plumage dimorphism, points to both intra- and inter-sexual selections operating within this species. One element triggering sexual selection is a differential fitness accrued by different phenotypes. Before analyzing possible sexual selection mechanisms operating in cuckoos, it is therefore necessary to verify whether there is a variability among male secon…
Promoter Activation in Dhfq Mutants as an Efficient Tool for Specialized Metabolite Production Enabling Direct Bioactivity Testing
2019
Abstract Natural products (NPs) from microorganisms have been important sources for discovering new therapeutic and chemical entities. While their corresponding biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) can be easily identified by gene‐sequence‐similarity‐based bioinformatics strategies, the actual access to these NPs for structure elucidation and bioactivity testing remains difficult. Deletion of the gene encoding the RNA chaperone, Hfq, results in strains losing the production of most NPs. By exchanging the native promoter of a desired BGC against an inducible promoter in Δhfq mutants, almost exclusive production of the corresponding NP from the targeted BGC in Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus and Pseud…
The unique skeleton of siliceous sponges (Porifera; Hexactinellida and Demospongiae) that evolved first from the Urmetazoa during the Proterozoic: a …
2007
Abstract. Sponges (phylum Porifera) had been considered as an enigmatic phylum, prior to the analysis of their genetic repertoire/tool kit. Already with the isolation of the first adhesion molecule, galectin, it became clear that the sequences of the sponge cell surface receptors and those of the molecules forming the intracellular signal transduction pathways, triggered by them, share high similarity to those identified in other metazoan phyla. These studies demonstrated that all metazoan phyla, including the Porifera, originate from one common ancestor, the Urmetazoa. The sponges evolved during a time prior to the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary (542 million years ago (myr)). They appeared du…
Neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced unresectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: oncological outcomes at a single academic centre.
2020
INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer (PC), even in the absence of metastatic disease, has a dismal prognosis. One-third of them are borderline resectable (BRPC) or locally advanced unresectable PC (LAUPC) at diagnosis. There are limited prospective data supporting the best approach on these tumours. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ChT) is being increasingly used in this setting. METHODS: This is a retrospective series of consecutive patients staged as BRPC or LAUPC after discussion in the multidisciplinary board (MDB) at an academic centre. All received neoadjuvant ChT, followed by chemoradiation (ChRT) in some cases, and those achieving enough downstaging had a curative-intent surgery. Descriptive da…
The “green” electrochemical synthesis of periodate
2020
Abstract High‐grade periodate is relatively expensive, but is required for many sensitive applications such as the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These high costs originate from using lead dioxide anodes in contemporary electrochemical methods and from expensive starting materials. A direct and cost‐efficient electrochemical synthesis of periodate from iodide, which is less costly and relies on a readily available starting material, is reported. The oxidation is conducted at boron‐doped diamond anodes, which are durable, metal‐free, and nontoxic. The avoidance of lead dioxide ultimately lowers the cost of purification and quality assurance. The electrolytic process was opti…
Electrochemical C−H Functionalization of (Hetero)Arenes—Optimized by DoE
2020
Abstract A novel approach towards the activation of different arenes and purines including caffeine and theophylline is presented. The simple, safe and scalable electrochemical synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) aryl ethers was conducted using an easy electrolysis setup with boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Good yields up to 59 % were achieved. Triethylamine was used as a base as it forms a highly conductive media with HFIP, making additional supporting electrolytes superfluous. The synthesis was optimized using Design of Experiment (DoE) techniques giving a detailed insight to the significance of the reaction parameters. The mechanism was investigated by cyclic volt…
Janus Nanostructures from ABC/B Triblock Terpolymer Blends
2019
Lamella-forming ABC triblock terpolymers are convenient building blocks for the synthesis of soft Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) by crosslinking the B domain that is &ldquo
On stiffness and damping of vibro-impact dynamics of backlash
2021
We consider the instantaneous stiffness and damping of the vibro-impact in a backlash pair. Opposed to the existing and mostly used models of the backlash, we address the problem of contact and separation, and the associated force propagation within a mechanical pair, from a viewpoint of the vibro-impact dynamics. We discuss the impact forces with the coefficient of restitution as a principal factor which shapes the transient backlash response.We show that a common approach to modeling the backlash by means of a dead-zone in a restoring force is unsuitable for correctly capturing the mechanical impact. We exemplary demonstrate a qualitative accord between an experimental backlash response a…
Ethical Leaders Promote Quality of Life Through Fair and Trust-based Relationships
2020
Ethical leadership has become an important field of research. This article examines the impact of ethical leadership within the context of healthcare organizations. Based on social learning theory, we examine the relationship between ethical leadership and quality of life, mediated by peer justice and moderated by trust in the leader. Participants in this study consisted of 388 professionals from 59 centers affiliated with “Plena Inclusión”, an NGO whose mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Spain. Results showed a significant relationship between ethical leadership and quality of life, through a partial mediation of overall peer justice.…
Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment
2021
Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor…