The survivorship and water loss of Liometopum luctuosum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Liometopum occidentale (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) exposed to different temperatures and relative humidity.

Two species of velvety tree ants, Liometopum luctuosum Wheeler, and Liometopum occidentale Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), are commonly found in the western Unites States from Washington to southern California. L. luctuosum is restricted to coniferous forests in the mountains in the southern range, whereas L. occidentale is found in the lowlands. The survivorship of workers of both species exposed to several temperatures and relative humidity (RH) was determined. As temperature increased, survival of both species decreased. As the RH increased, survival of both species increased. However, L. luctuosum had higher overall survival in all treatment groups. The cuticular permeability (CP) and the rates of body water loss for each species were determined. Both species had similar CPs. Increased physiological tolerances of L. luctuosum may be an explanation for its broader distribution

Utilizing single-use technology for diabetes monitoring via breath acetone

Diabetes can be a life-long disease which requires regular blood-glucose monitoring. Current technology, albeit good, does have its draw-backs; in particular that it is an invasive technique which causes discomfort to the individual. Therefore, low compliance is observed which can ultimately lead to other health issues. Approaches are underway to develop a portable, hand-held, noninvasive monitoring device to detect the biomarker, acetone, found in the breath of diabetics. By creating single-use sensor slides from polymers films of poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), acetone can react with these via a Petasis reaction. Analyzing the difference in output voltage from exposed to unexposed slides at varying acetone concentrations, using a light emitting diode with a UV-photosensor and an integrated transimpedance amplifier, provides a linear relationship up to 2500 ppb, which is above the high point for breath acetone concentrations. We have engineered a hand-held breathalyzer device to detect acetone in the breath of diabetic individuals and have clinically correlated the results with blood glucose. The single-use sensor slides will ultimately provide patients with diabetes with a means of determining blood-glucose levels in a completely non-invasive manner. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Point-of-Care Diabetes Monitoring via Breath Acetone Detection

Purpose: Diabetes can be a life-long disease which requires continuous blood-glucose monitoring. Currently technology, albeit good, does have its draw-backs; in particular that it is an invasive technique which causes discomfort to the individual. Therefore, low compliance can ultimately lead to other health issues. Approaches are underway to develop a portable, hand-held, noninvasive monitoring device to detect the biomarker, acetone, found in the breath of diabetics. By creating films of poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride), acetone can react with these via a Petasis reaction. This alters the physicochemical nature of the film, providing a quantification of acetone, and thus hopefully blood-glucose levels, in a non-invasive manner. Methods: UV-transmitting poly(methyl methacrylate) slides are coated with a system of PAH/PVBBA at differing pH values and are then exposed to acetone/water vapor. Concentrations of acetone evaluated are 0.1–10 ppm. The slides are next subjected to the light emitted by a diode with a peak wavelength of 300 ± 5 nm. The transmitted light is detected by a UV-photosensor with an integrated transimpedance amplifier that produces a voltage output as a function of absorption. Results: We have successfully synthesized poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid) and multilayered with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). We have been able to cross-link these two polymers using only acetone vapor and are developing a hand-held device. Analyzing the difference in output voltage from exposed to unexposed slides at varying acetone concentrations, provides is a linear relationship up to 2500 ppb, which is above the high point for breath acetone concentration. Conclusions: We have been able to develop a technology that accurately detects acetone vapor. We are engineering a hand-held breathalyzer device to detect acetone in the breath of diabetic individuals and are attempting to optimize its capabilities

The circadian clock ensures successful DNA replication in cyanobacteria

Disruption of circadian rhythms causes decreased health and fitness, and evidence from multiple organisms links clock disruption to dysregulation of the cell cycle. However, the function of circadian regulation for the essential process of DNA replication remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, a model organism with the simplest known circadian oscillator, the clock generates rhythms in DNA replication to minimize the number of open replication forks near dusk that would have to complete after sunset. Metabolic rhythms generated by the clock ensure that resources are available early at night to support any remaining replication forks. Combining mathematical modeling and experiments, we show that metabolic defects caused by clock–environment misalignment result in premature replisome disassembly and replicative abortion in the dark, leaving cells with incomplete chromosomes that persist through the night. Our study thus demonstrates that a major function of this ancient clock in cyanobacteria is to ensure successful completion of genome replication in a cycling environment

Improved Perception of AEC Construction Details via Immersive Teaching in Virtual Reality

This work proposes, implements and tests an immersive framework upon Virtual Reality (VR) for comprehension, knowledge development and learning process assisting an improved perception of complex spatial arrangements in AEC in comparison to the traditional 2D projection drawing-based method. The research focuses on the prototypical example of construction details as a traditionally difficult teaching task for conveying geometric and semantic information to students. Our mixed-methods study analyses test results of two test panel groups upon different questions about geometric and functional aspects of the construction detail as well as surveys and interviews of participating lecturers, students and laypersons towards their experience using the VR tool. The quantitative analysis of the test results prove that for participants with little pre-existing knowledge (such as novice students), a significantly better learning score for the test group is detected. Moreover, both groups rated the VR experience as an enjoyable and engaging way of learning. Analysis of survey results towards the VR experience reveals, that students, lecturers and professionals alike enjoyed the VR experience more than traditional learning of the construction detail. During the post-experiment qualitative evaluation in the form of interviews, the panel expressed an improved understanding, increased enthusiasm for the topic, and greater desire for other topics to be presented using VR tools. The expressed better understanding of design concepts after the VR experience by the students is statistically significant on average in the exam results. The results support our core assumption, that the presentation of contextual 3D models is a promising teaching approach to illustrate content

Multistate Effects in Calculations of the Electronic Coupling Element for Electron Transfer Using the Generalized Mulliken−Hush Method

A simple diagnostic is developed for the purpose of determining when a third state must be considered to calculate the electronic coupling element for a given pair of diabatic states within the context of the generalized Mulliken−Hush approach (Chem. Phys. Lett. 1996, 275, 15−19). The diagnostic is formulated on the basis of Löwdin partitioning theory. In addition, an effective 2-state GMH expression is derived for the coupling as it is modified by the presence of the third state. Results are presented for (i) a model system involving charge transfer from ethylene to methaniminium cation, (ii) a pair of donor−acceptor-substituted acridinium ions, and (iii) (dimethylamino)benzonitrile, and the diagnostic is shown to be a useful indicator of the importance of multistate effects. The effective 2-state GMH expression is also shown to yield excellent agreement with the exact 3-state GMH results in most cases. For cases involving more than three interacting states a similar diagnostic is presented and several approximations to the full n-state GMH result are explored

A Review of the Biology, Ecology and Behavior of Velvety Tree Ants of North America

Ants belonging to the genus Liometopum are regionally distributed across North America, Europe and Asia. L. apiculatum Mayr, L. luctuosum Wheeler, and L. occidentale Emery are found in western North America and are referred to as velvety tree ants. Very little is known about the biology of these species, but they are similar. They are typically associated with trees and shrubs and are frequently found tending hemipterans. All three species are are easily disturbed and and resort to highly aggressive behaviors including the use of strong alarm odors. The following review is intended to summarize the literature regarding the biology and control of these species. Special emphasis has been given to factors that might be important in their control and gaps in our current knowledge

Weight Loss and Decrease of Body Mass Index during Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Are Common Events with Limited Clinical Impact

Purpose Weight loss in cancer patients has been attributed with significant morbidity and mortality. During allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT),oral nutrition is often hampered and hence total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is necessary. We therefore investigated the course of weight during stem cell transplantation and the clinical consequences of weight change. Methods 180 consecutive patients who received allogeneic SCT between January 2010 and December 2011 at our center were analyzed for weight loss, laboratory and clinical parameters. Results During SCT, a median decrease of 6.6% of body mass index (BMI) was observed for the whole population (from 25.3 at admission to 23.6 at discharge),and a 1.6fold increase of malnutrition despite use of TPN (28.3% to 45.0%). 55.6% of patients experienced a significant weight loss of >= 5% with a median decrease of 9.2% in BMI. Serum levels of albumin, total protein and cholesterol rapidly decreased during conditioning therapy. After a median of 2.4 years, the median BMI was still only 23.4 (not different from discharge). However, we did not observe a meaningful difference in side effects and survival between patients that did or did not lose weight. Conclusion Weight loss is commonly observed during allogeneic SCT despite TPN, but the clinical consequences thereof seem limited: we observed no significant impact on patients with a decrease >= 5% in BMI on transplant outcome, side effects or survival

A Review of the Biology, Ecology and Behavior of Velvety Tree Ants of North America

Ants belonging to the genus Liometopum are regionally distributed across North America, Europe and Asia. L. apiculatum Mayr, L. luctuosum Wheeler, and L. occidentale Emery are found in western North America and are referred to as velvety tree ants. Very little is known about the biology of these species, but they are similar. They are typically associated with trees and shrubs and are frequently found tending hemipterans. All three species are are easily disturbed and and resort to highly aggressive behaviors including the use of strong alarm odors. The following review is intended to summarize the literature regarding the biology and control of these species. Special emphasis has been given to factors that might be important in their control and gaps in our current knowledge.</span