1,093 research outputs found
The Delft Report: Linked Data and the challenges for geographic information standardization
The addition of Linked Data to the geographic standards may
produce effective cost savings in spatial data production and use by improving some issues relevant to Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI). The combination of Linked Data and SDIs, its benefits and challenges are collected in the report on Linked Data presented at 32nd ISO/TC 211 plenary in Delft. This paper presents a brief summary of the mentioned report, where we focus on the main recommendations in the context and evaluate their potential impact in SDIs
Evolution and distribution of the anode overpotential and its oscillations in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell exposed to carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) remains a challenge for their deployment, and a deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics involved is needed to develop effective mitigation strategies. In this work, localised reference electrodes were used to measure the anode overpotential at three locations across the active area of a galvanostatically operated cell (0.3 A cm−2) exposed to 100 ppm CO/H2. The anode region closest to the inlet was poisoned more rapidly than the rest of the cell, following a sigmoidal variation, and presented a higher CO coverage. The varying CO concentration, combined with local operating conditions, had a direct impact on the distribution of CO coverage. Additionally, complex self-sustained oscillations of the cell voltage and the anode overpotential were observed and correlated with the rate of CO oxidation in the overall cell. The coexistence of a dominant mean-field coupling area closer to the anode inlet, and a dominant migration coupling region closer to the outlet was identified, consistent with reported modelling predictions for a single straight channel cell. Finally, the cell recovery with pure H2 was shown to be a faster process than the CO adsorption, which follows first-order kinetics and is affected by local conditions
Compact High-Velocity Clouds at High Resolution
Six examples of the compact, isolated high-velocity clouds catalogued by
Braun & Burton (1999) and identified with a dynamically cold ensemble of
primitive objects falling towards the barycenter of the Local Group have been
imaged with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope; an additional ten have
been imaged with the Arecibo telescope. The imaging reveals a characteristic
core/halo morphology: one or several cores of cool, relatively
high-column-density material, are embedded in an extended halo of warmer,
lower-density material. Several of the cores show kinematic gradients
consistent with rotation; these CHVCs are evidently rotationally supported and
dark-matter dominated. The imaging data allows several independent estimates of
the distances to these objects, which lie in the range 0.3 to 1.0 Mpc. The CHVC
properties resemble what might be expected from very dark dwarf irregular
galaxies.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, to appear in "The Chemical Evolution of the
Milky Way: Stars versus Clusters", eds. F. Matteuchi and F. Giovannelli,
Kluwer Academic Publisher
A new rhynchocephalian from the late jurassic of Germany with a dentition that is unique amongst tetrapods.
Rhynchocephalians, the sister group of squamates (lizards and snakes), are only represented by the single genus Sphenodon today. This taxon is often considered to represent a very conservative lineage. However, rhynchocephalians were common during the late Triassic to latest Jurassic periods, but rapidly declined afterwards, which is generally attributed to their supposedly adaptive inferiority to squamates and/or Mesozoic mammals, which radiated at that time. New finds of Mesozoic rhynchocephalians can thus provide important new information on the evolutionary history of the group.
A new fossil relative of Sphenodon from the latest Jurassic of southern Germany, Oenosaurus muehlheimensis gen. et sp. nov., presents a dentition that is unique amongst tetrapods. The dentition of this taxon consists of massive, continuously growing tooth plates, probably indicating a crushing dentition, thus representing a previously unknown trophic adaptation in rhynchocephalians.
The evolution of the extraordinary dentition of Oenosaurus from the already highly specialized Zahnanlage generally present in derived rhynchocephalians demonstrates an unexpected evolutionary plasticity of these animals. Together with other lines of evidence, this seriously casts doubts on the assumption that rhynchocephalians are a conservative and adaptively inferior lineage. Furthermore, the new taxon underlines the high morphological and ecological diversity of rhynchocephalians in the latest Jurassic of Europe, just before the decline of this lineage on this continent. Thus, selection pressure by radiating squamates or Mesozoic mammals alone might not be sufficient to explain the demise of the clade in the Late Mesozoic, and climate change in the course of the fragmentation of the supercontinent of Pangaea might have played a major role
New insights into the classification and nomenclature of cortical GABAergic interneurons.
A systematic classification and accepted nomenclature of neuron types is much needed but is currently lacking. This article describes a possible taxonomical solution for classifying GABAergic interneurons of the cerebral cortex based on a novel, web-based interactive system that allows experts to classify neurons with pre-determined criteria. Using Bayesian analysis and clustering algorithms on the resulting data, we investigated the suitability of several anatomical terms and neuron names for cortical GABAergic interneurons. Moreover, we show that supervised classification models could automatically categorize interneurons in agreement with experts' assignments. These results demonstrate a practical and objective approach to the naming, characterization and classification of neurons based on community consensus
MAGIC observations of MWC 656, the only known Be/BH system
Context: MWC 656 has recently been established as the first observationally
detected high-mass X-ray binary system containing a Be star and a black hole
(BH). The system has been associated with a gamma-ray flaring event detected by
the AGILE satellite in July 2010. Aims: Our aim is to evaluate if the MWC 656
gamma-ray emission extends to very high energy (VHE > 100 GeV) gamma rays.
Methods. We have observed MWC 656 with the MAGIC telescopes for 23 hours
during two observation periods: between May and June 2012 and June 2013. During
the last period, observations were performed contemporaneously with X-ray
(XMM-Newton) and optical (STELLA) instruments. Results: We have not detected
the MWC 656 binary system at TeV energies with the MAGIC Telescopes in either
of the two campaigns carried out. Upper limits (ULs) to the integral flux above
300 GeV have been set, as well as differential ULs at a level of 5% of
the Crab Nebula flux. The results obtained from the MAGIC observations do not
support persistent emission of very high energy gamma rays from this system at
a level of 2.4% the Crab flux.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 5 pages, 2 figures, 2 table
Influence of homogenization conditions on physical properties and antioxidant activity of fully biodegradable pea protein-alpha-tocopherol films
In this study, antioxidant biodegradable films based
on pea protein and alpha-tocopherol were successfully developed
by solution casting. The effect of both the homogenization
conditions (rotor stator and microfluidizer) and the relative
humidity (RH) on the microstructure and physical properties
(transparency, tensile, oxygen and water vapour barrier
properties) of pea protein/alpha-tocopherol-based films was
evaluated. The addition of alpha-tocopherol produced minimal
changes in the films transparency, while providing them
with antioxidant properties and improved water vapour and
oxygen barrier properties (up to 30 % in both water vapour
and oxygen permeability) when films were at low and intermediate
RH. The addition of alpha-tocopherol in
microfluidized films gave rise to an increase in their resistance
to break and extensibility (up to 27 % in E values) at intermediate
and high RH. These results add a new insight into the
potential of employing pea protein and alpha-tocopherol in the
development of fully biodegradable antioxidant films which
are of interest in food packagingThe authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia throughout the project AGL2010-20694, co-funded by FEDER. Author M.J.Fabra is a recipient of a Juan de la Cierva contract from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad.Fabra, MJ.; Jiménez, A.; Talens Oliag, P.; Chiralt, A. (2014). Influence of homogenization conditions on physical properties and antioxidant activity of fully biodegradable pea protein-alpha-tocopherol films. Food and Bioprocess Technology. 7(12):3569-3578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-014-1372-0S35693578712ASTM (1995). Standard test methods for water vapor transmission of materials. Standards Desingnations: E96-95. In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards (pp. 406-413); American Society for Testing and Materials: Philadelphia, PA.ASTM (2001). Standard test method for tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting. Standard D882. In: Annual book of American Standard Testing Methods (pp 162-170). D882. Philadelphia:ASTM.Bertan, L. C., Tanada-Palmu, P. S., Siani, A. C., & Grosso, C. R. F. (2005). Effect of fatty acids and “Brazilian elemi” on composite films based on gelatin. Food Hydrocolloids, 19(1), 73–82.Byun, Y., Kim, Y. T., & Whiteside, S. (2010). Characterization of an antioxidant polylactic acid (PLA) film prepared with alpha-tocopherol, BHT and polyethylene glycol using film cast extruder. Journal of Food Engineering, 100, 239–244.Cerqueira, M. A., Costa, M. J., Fuciños, C., Pastrana, L. M., & Vicente, A. A. (2014). Development of active and nanotechnology-based smart edible packaging systems: physical-chemical characterization. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 7(5), 1472–1482.Choi, W. S., & Han, J. H. (2001). Physical and mechanical properties of pea–protein-based edible films. Journal of Food Science, 66, 319–322.Choi, W. S., & Han, J. H. (2002). Film-forming mechanism and heat denaturation effects on the physical and chemical properties of pea-protein-isolate edible films. Journal of Food Science, 67, 1399–1406.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2009). Microstructure and optical properties of sodium caseinate films containing oleic acidebeeswax mixtures. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 676–683.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2010). Water sorption isotherms and phase transitions of sodium caseinate–lipid films as affected by lipid interactions. Food Hydrocolloids, 24, 384–391.Fabra, M. J., Hambleton, A., Talens, P., Debeaufort, F., & Chiralt, A. (2011). Effect of ferulic acid and α-tocopherol antioxidants on properties of sodium caseinate edible films. Food Hydrocolloids, 25, 1441–1447.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., Gavara, R., & Chiralt, A. (2012). Barrier properties of sodium caseinate films as affected by lipid composition and moisture content. Journal of Food Engineering, 109, 372–379.Frankel, E. N., Huang, S. 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Carbohydrate Polymers, 82(3), 585–593.Jiménez, A., Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2013). Physical properties and antioxidant capacity of starch-sodium caseinate films containing lipids. Journal of Food Engineering, 116(3), 695–702.Jung, M. Y., & Min, D. B. (1990). Effects of alpha-. γ-, and δ-tocopherols on oxidative stability of soybean oil. Journal of Food Science, 55(5), 1464–1465.López-de-Dicastillo, C., Alonso, J. M., Catalá, R., Gavara, R., & Hernández-Muñoz, P. (2010). Improving the antioxidant protection of packaged food by incorporating natural flavonoids into ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) films. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58, 10958–10964.Ma, W., Tang, C.-H., Yin, S.-W., Yang, X. Q., Qi, J. R., & Xia, N. (2012). Effect of homogenization conditions on properties of gelatin-olive oil composite films. Journal of Food Engineering, 113(1), 136–142.Mauer, L. J., Smith, D. E., & Labuza, T. P. (2000). 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W. S., Cerqueira, A., Casariego, A., Lima, A. M. P., Teixeira, J. A., & Vicente, A. A. (2009). Effect of moderate electric fields in the permeation properties of chitosan coatings. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 2110–2115
Are Nested Networks More Robust to Disturbance? A Test Using Epiphyte-Tree, Comensalistic Networks
Recent research on ecological networks suggests that mutualistic networks are
more nested than antagonistic ones and, as a result, they are more robust
against chains of extinctions caused by disturbances. We evaluate whether
mutualistic networks are more nested than comensalistic and antagonistic
networks, and whether highly nested, host-epiphyte comensalistic networks fit
the prediction of high robustness against disturbance. A review of 59 networks
including mutualistic, antagonistic and comensalistic relationships showed that
comensalistic networks are significantly more nested than antagonistic and
mutualistic networks, which did not differ between themselves. Epiphyte-host
networks from old-growth forests differed from those from disturbed forest in
several topological parameters based on both qualitative and quantitative
matrices. Network robustness increased with network size, but the slope of this
relationship varied with nestedness and connectance. Our results indicate that
interaction networks show complex responses to disturbances, which influence
their topology and indirectly affect their robustness against species
extinctions
Salmonella enterica ssp. arizonae infection in a 43-year-old Italian man with hypoglobulinemia: a case report and review of the literature
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p><it>Salmonella enterica </it>ssp. <it>arizonae </it>is an uncommon human pathogen with serious infections reported in immunocompromised hosts. In Europe, only a few cases have been described. Patients with this infection usually have a history of contact with reptiles or travel abroad. We present a case report of infection in a patient with hypoglobulinemia and a literature review.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the case of a 43-year-old Caucasian Italian man with hypoglobulinemia who presented to our hospital with sepsis and diarrhea. A stool culture yielded <it>S. enterica </it>ssp. <it>arizonae</it>. Our patient was treated with oral ciprofloxacin and made a full recovery. We also present a review of the cases of <it>S. enterica </it>ssp. <it>arizonae </it>infections previously reported in Europe.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The majority of infections from <it>S. enterica </it>ssp. <it>arizonae </it>occur in patients who are immunocompromised. Data from the literature suggests that it may be difficult to eradicate the bacteria and thus, prolonged antibiotic courses are often used. It would be advisable for clinicians to investigate for pre-existing immune dysfunction if <it>S. enterica </it>ssp. <it>arizonae </it>is isolated. In Italy, although there have only been a few cases, the likely route of transmission remains unclear and requires further surveillance.</p
Dynamical Boson Stars
The idea of stable, localized bundles of energy has strong appeal as a model
for particles. In the 1950s John Wheeler envisioned such bundles as smooth
configurations of electromagnetic energy that he called {\em geons}, but none
were found. Instead, particle-like solutions were found in the late 1960s with
the addition of a scalar field, and these were given the name {\em boson
stars}. Since then, boson stars find use in a wide variety of models as sources
of dark matter, as black hole mimickers, in simple models of binary systems,
and as a tool in finding black holes in higher dimensions with only a single
killing vector. We discuss important varieties of boson stars, their dynamic
properties, and some of their uses, concentrating on recent efforts.Comment: 79 pages, 25 figures, invited review for Living Reviews in
Relativity; major revision in 201
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