554 research outputs found
Institutional development in the Nile equatorial lakes sub-basin: learning from the experience of the Kagera Basin Organization
No full textRiver basinsInstitutional development
Suitability of Different Glycoproteins and Test Systems for Detecting Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinant-Specific IgE in Hymenoptera Venom-Allergic Patients
No full text<i>Background:</i> In hymenoptera venom allergy, about 75% of detected in vitro double positivity to yellow jacket and honeybee venom is ascribed to specific IgE (sIgE) directed against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). To date, for the detection of CCD-sIgE, different carbohydrate antigens and methods are used. The most suitable one still has to be identified. <i>Methods:</i> Eighty-seven patients with confirmed hymenoptera venom allergy and venom sIgE values of ≧0.7 kU/l were investigated. Sixty-five patients showed sIgE reactivity to both yellow jacket and honeybee venom, 22 were venom mono positive and served as controls. Occurrence of CCD-sIgE was determined using bromelain, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and MUXF<sup>3</sup> on system A, and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO), bromelain and HRP on system B. Further, a reference standard for CCD-sIgE evaluation was created: CCD positivity was assumed when at least 4 of the 6 test results were positive. <i>Results:</i> According to the defined reference standard, 45/65 venom double positive patients exhibited CCD-sIgE. Using system A, comparison with the reference standard revealed sensitivity and specificity values of 96 and 97%, respectively, for MUXF<sup>3</sup>, 100 and 100%, respectively, for bromelain, and 96 and 97%, respectively, for HRP. Using system B, sensitivity and specificity was 98 and 97%, respectively, for AAO, 62 and 95%, respectively, for bromelain, and 96 and 69%, respectively, for HRP. Results of the 3 test allergens obtained with system A showed strong correlations (r = 0.932–0.976), whereas results with system B showed lower correlations (r = 0.714–0.898). <i>Conclusions:</i> All 3 test allergens used with system A are suitable for CCD-sIgE detection in hymenoptera venom allergy. With system B, only AAO seems to be a reliable tool.</jats:p
A study of cross-age tumbling teaching to first grade students
No full textMuch has been written about the potential resource that tutors might represent in our present educational system. However, very little scientific research could be found on this topic in the physical education field. This lack of evidence concerning the potential usefulness and effectiveness of tutors in physical education, particularly at the elementary school level, provided the impetus to conduct the present study.
The purposes of this study were: 1) To investigate the effects of four factors, tutee sex, tutor sex, tutor grade level, and tutor tumbling ability, on a cross-age tumbling teaching program for first grade students. In addition, all first order factor interactions were studied for effect. And, 2) To compare the skill gains of those subjects taught by an upper grade tutor, fourth and sixth, to the gains of those taught by a physical education specialist.
The data were collected during the spring of the 1976-77 academic year at W. H. Keister Elementary School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Seventy-two first grade subjects participated in the study, with boys and girls equally represented. Eight upper grade tutors were selected for the study according to the eight various combinations of the three tutor factors studied for effect; male-female, fourth-sixth grade, and low-high tumbling ability.
The seventy-two subjects were pretested for the ability to perform the three tumbling skills of forward roll, headstand, and cartwheel through the use of the Jarvis Tumbling Test (1967). The performances were recorded by a video cassette recorder and scored by two judges. Subjects were randomly assigned to either one of the eight tutors' groups or to the specialist's group and given instruction on the three skills three days a week for six weeks. After which, they were post-tested for skill gain.
A six-week cross-age instructional program in tumbling skills was found to increase proficiency in performing the skills, with some increases more pronounced than others. For all subjects, the test score increase percentages from pre- to post-test were 38 percent for the forward roll, 155 percent for the headstand, and 209 percent for the cartwheel.
A four-way factorial MANCOVA was applied to the data in order to investigate the effects of the four factors upon mean score change from pre- to post-test, using the .05 level of confidence for significance. Factor one was tutee sex, factor two was tutor sex, factor three was tutor grade level, and factor four was tutor tumbling ability. The analysis of data revealed that the only factor to have a significant effect was tutor grade level. Those subjects with a sixth grade tutor scored significantly higher on the tests than those with a fourth grade tutor. None of the first order interactions between the four factors produced any significant effects on the groups' test scores.
A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze data for any significant group differences in test score gains between the eight tutors' groups and one specialist's group. No significant difference was found between the tutors' groups' performances and those of the specialist's group.Ed. D
Synaptogenesis in the mushroom body calyx during metamorphosis in the honeybee Apis mellifera: An electron microscopic study
No full textThe goals of this study are to determine relationships between synaptogenesis and morphogenesis within the mushroom body calyx of the honeybee Apis mellifera and to find out how the microglomerular structure characteristic for the mature calyx is established during metamorphosis. We show that synaptogenesis in the mushroom body calycal neuropile starts in early metamorphosis (stages P1-P3), before the microglomerular structure of the neuropile is established. The initial step of synaptogenesis is characterized by the rare occurrence of distinct synaptic contacts. A massive synaptogenesis starts at stage P5, which coincides with the formation of microglomeruli, structural units of the calyx that are composed of centrally located presynaptic boutons surrounded by spiny postsynaptic endings. Microglomeruli are assembled either via accumulation of fine postsynaptic processes around preexisting presynaptic boutons or via ingrowth of thin neurites of presynaptic neurons into premicroglomeruli, tightly packed groups of spiny endings. During late pupal stages (P8-P9), addition of new synapses and microglomeruli is likely to continue. Most of the synaptic appositions formed there are made by boutons (putative extrinsic mushroom body neurons) into small postsynaptic profiles that do not exhibit presynaptic specializations (putative intrinsic mushroom body neurons). Synapses between presynaptic boutons characteristic of the adult calyx first appear at stage P8 but remain rare toward the end of metamorphosis. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that most of the synapses established during metamorphosis provide the structural basis for afferent information flow to calyces, whereas maturation of local synaptic circuitry is likely to occur after adult emergence
Neural correlates of side-specific odour memory in mushroom body output neurons
No full textStrube-Bloss M, Nawrot MP, Menzel R. Neural correlates of side-specific odour memory in mushroom body output neurons. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2016;283(1844): 20161270
Bee brains, B-splines and computational democracy: Generating an average shape atlas
No full textWe describe a method to generate an average atlas from segmented 3-D images of a population of subjects. Using repeated application of an intensity-based non-rigid registration algorithm based on third-order 3-D B-splines, a sequence of average label images is created. Averaging of the non-numerical label data employs a generalization of the mode of sets of corresponding voxels, parameterized by a threshold value specifying the required level of classification confidence. The number of voxels that cannot be assigned a unique average value provides a criterion for the convergence of the iteration. For improved accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of the non-rigid registration, deformations computed during one iteration are propagated to the next iteration as initial transformation estimates. The usefulness of our method is demonstrated by applying it to generate an average atlas from segmented 3-D confocal microscopy images of 20 bee brains. We validate that the deformations found by our algorithm are meaningful by deforming the original gray-level images according to the transformations computed for the label fields
Figure 8 from: Palandačić A, Chai MJ, Shandikov GA, Akkari N, Frade PR, Randolf S, Berg H-M, Mikschi E, Bogutskaya NG (2024) An annotated catalogue of selected historical type specimens, including genetic data, housed in the Natural History Museum Vienna. ZooKeys 1203: 253-323. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1203.117699
No full textFigure 8 A old inventory record for syntypes of Wehrdikmansia rugosicauda (No. 18019) B present-day label (Nr. 6352) B, C total view of three extant syntypes
Classical Versus Quantum Mechanical Simulations: The Accuracy of Computer Experiments in Solution Chemistry
No full textFigure 15 from: Palandačić A, Chai MJ, Shandikov GA, Akkari N, Frade PR, Randolf S, Berg H-M, Mikschi E, Bogutskaya NG (2024) An annotated catalogue of selected historical type specimens, including genetic data, housed in the Natural History Museum Vienna. ZooKeys 1203: 253-323. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1203.117699
No full textFigure 15 Abramis leuckartii syntype, NMW 55331, SL 105 mm A left lateral view B radiograph
Structure of a scandium-(silicon-bridged Cp, Cp^*) complex
No full text({η^5-3-[2-(Di-tert-butylphosphino)ethyl]-cyclopentadienyl} (dimethyl)(η^5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)silane)bis(trimethylsilyl)methylscandium, C_(33)H_(62)PScSi_3, M_r = 595.04, monoclinic, P2_1/n, ɑ = 14.449 (3), b = 12.807 (5), c = 20.848 (5) Å, β =
99.52 (2)º, V = 3804.8 (18) Å^3, Z = 4, D_x = 1.04 g cm^(-3), λ(Mo Kɑ)= 0.71073 Å,μ = 3.18 cm^(-1)F(000) = 1352, T = 296 K, final R = 0.108 for 3100 reflections with F_o^2 > 0, 0.054 for 1766 reflections with F_o^2 > 3σ(F_o^2). The Sc-C(l) bond [2.253 (8) Å] is insignificantly shorter than the 2.271 (7) Å found in a similar compound; the geometry about C(l) is nearly trigonal, with angles 118.5 (5), 116.0 (5) and 119.4(6)º
- …
