1,008 research outputs found
Stilbochlora wedmanorum Engel 2019, new species
No full textStilbochlora wedmanorum Engel, new species (Figs. 5–7, 14, 18) ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 1C4305F5-1F24-42D0-AEB3-E037B7AA6C34 DIAGNOSIS: As in all of the new species reported herein, this species has a more densely striate propodeum relative to the type species of the genus. Unlike S. graceae and S. kateae, however, the striae only extend to about midlength and the striate area is roughly crescent shape (Figs. 14, 18). Like S. kateae, this species is predominantly blue, with dark brown legs and clypeal apex (Figs. 5–7). DESCRIPTION: ♀: Total body length 6.74 mm; forewing length 4.68 mm. Head slightly wider than long (length 1.60 mm, width 1.73 mm); distal half of clypeus projecting below lower tangent of compound eyes; frontal line carinate from approximately lower tangent of toruli to about one torular diameter above upper tangent of toruli; upper interorbital distance 0.93 mm; lower interorbital distance 0.67 mm; ocellocular distance approximately 1.75× ocellar diameter. Scape long, extending to level of lateral ocelli; pedicel longer than first flagellomere; first and second flagellomeres subequal in length. Gena narrower than compound eye in profile. Mesoscutum with median and parapsidal lines moderately impressed, parapsidal line approximately 0.75× length of median line; intertegular distance 1.33 mm; mesoscutellum nearly twice as long as metanotum, approximately subequal to basal area of propodeum. Forewing with basal vein distad 1cu-a by 4× vein width; 1rs-m straight, confluent to slightly basad 1m-cu, roughly parallel to 2Rs; 3Rs subequal to r-rs, and subequal to 4Rs; 5Rs comparatively straight, thus marginal cell tapering uniformly to acutely rounded apex; 2M subequal to 3Rs; 3M more than 2× length 2M; 2rs-m nearly straight, distad 2m-cu by 5× vein width; hind wing with distal hamuli arranged 2-1-2. Inner metatibial spur with five branches, not including apical portion of rachis. Clypeus with coarse punctures separated by less than a puncture width centrally, puncture smaller and a bit more spaced near borders, integument between punctures faintly and finely coriarious to nearly smooth, coriarious integument more prominent in metallic areas; supraclypeal area with punctures smaller than on clypeus, separated by 2–5× a puncture width except denser above near intertorular area, integument between punctures weakly and finely coriarious; face below tangent of antennal toruli with minute punctures separated by a puncture width or less, integument between punctures smooth; face above tangent of antennal toruli with minute punctures nearly contiguous, integument between punctures smooth; punctures becoming more spaced toward ocellar area and in ocellocular area, in ocellocular area separated by 3–7× a puncture width, integument between punctures smooth; vertex with integument as described for ocellocular area; gena with punctures separated by 2–3× a puncture width, blending ventrally to coriarious integument of postgena; postgena prominently coriarious and impunctate. Pronotum smooth, with sparsely scatered punctures; mesoscutum with minute punctures separated by 2–5× a puncture width, not noticeably more closely spaced around parapsidal line, integument between punctures smooth; tegula smooth and impunctate except a few, sparsely scatered, weak punctures; mesoscutellum with integument as on central disc of mesoscutum except punctures more widely spaced, punctures along posterior border larger and weaker; metanotum minutely nodulose, integument otherwise finely coriarious; preëpisternum with coarse, shallow punctures nearly contiguous, integument between punctures smooth, hypoepimeral area with sparse, small punctures, otherwise smooth; mesepisternum with small, shallow punctures separated by 3–5× a puncture width; metepisternum smooth with sparsely scatered minute punctures; basal area of propodeum smooth, glabrous, shining, with prominent striae radiating from basal margin, striae short, extending to about midlength of basal area, striae not longer medially, striae closely spaced; lateral and posterior surfaces of propodeum smooth with scatered minute punctures, punctures of posterior surface sparser than those of lateral surface. Metasomal tergum I largely smooth, with scatered minute punctures, apical margin finely, weakly, transversely coriarious and impunctate; terga II–IV as on tergum I except minute punctures of disc more numerous, separated by 2–4× a puncture width, becoming weaker toward apical margin, apical margin as on tergum I; tergum V as on preceding terga except punctures more prominent and more closely spaced; sterna with basal areas smooth and impunctate, central discs finely coriarious and nodulose at setal bases. Mandible brown with reddish apex and lighter center; labrum brown; clypeus brown except metallic blue bordering epistomal sulcus; supraclypeal area and remainder of face brilliant metallic blue with greenish highlights in parocular area; gena as on face; postgena metallic blue-green; antenna dark brown except flagellomeres ventrally lighter, particularly apex and venter of distalmost flagellomere brownish yellow. Pronotum and propleuron dark brown with strong metallic blue highlights and weaker greenish highlights; mesoscutum brilliant metallic blue with greenish highlights; tegula brown, semi-translucent; mesoscutellum and metanotum as on mesoscutum; mes- and metepisternum as on mesoscutum; propodeum as on mesoscutum except greenish highlights lacking; legs largely brown except lighter on tarsi. Wing membranes hyaline and clear; veins dark brown to brown. Metasoma largely dark brown; terga with strong metallic blue highlights and areas of purplish highlights, highlights absent in marginal areas giving metasomal dorsum superficial banded appearance. Pubescence largely white to off white; face with scatered, fine, simple, suberect to erect setae, such setae intermingled with shorter, highly branched to plumose setae on lower face and along ocular borders, such setae not obscuring integument, on upper face fine, short, erect setae, setae becoming longer again on vertex and between ocelli; gena with setae as on vertex except long, erect to suberect setae, with a few apical branches, intermingled with shorter, plumose setae medially; postgena with sparse, elongate, erect setae, some setae with a few apical branches. Mesoscutum with scattered, short, fine, erect, simple setae, some with a few, minute branches, intermixed with shorter erect setae; mesoscutellum as on mesoscutum except intermixed with elongate setae with short branches, such setae most abundant posteriorly, laterally with scatered mid-sized, feathery setae; metanotum as on mesoscutum except elongate setae more numerous; pleura with long, erect to suberect, simple setae, such setae becoming slightly longer ventrally; basal area of propodeum glabrous; lateral and posterior surfaces with setae as on pleura except more numerous on lateral surface and sparser and more erect on posterior surface. Setae of legs largely white, except more yellowish on tarsomeres. Metasomal tergum I with long, erect, simple setae on anterior-facing surface, such setae becoming sparse, short, and more inclined medioapically, dorsal-facing surface with sparse, short, suberect setae, narrow apical margin glabrous; terga II–IV with fine, short, suberect to subappressed, simple setae, intermingled with longer, suberect, simple setae, such longer setae progressively more numerous on succeeding terga; tergum V with setae more numerous than on preceding terga and short setae of disc more fuscous; central discs of sterna with abundant, elongate, erect, simple setae, a few with short branches. ♂: Latet. HOLOTYPE: ♀, Peru: Madre de Dios, Cocha Salvador, Reserved Zone, Manu National Park, 310 m, 12°0’13’’S, 71°31’36’’W, 20–21 Oct 2000, R. Brooks, ex: flight intercept trap (SEMC). PARATYPES: 3♀♀, same data as holotype (SEMC). ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet honors Scot D. and L. Kim Wedman, inspiring and supportive friends to the author and his spouse, Kellie.Published as part of Engel, Michael S., 2019, New species of the augochlorine bee genus Stilbochlora, with a preliminary key (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), pp. 1-15 in Journal of Melitology 2019 (89) on pages 8-14, DOI: 10.17161/jom.v0i89.11734, http://zenodo.org/record/805743
Umwertung à la Nietzsche: Ol’ga Slavnikovas Roman Pryžok v dlinu
No full textThe paper deals with the revaluation of values in Ol’ga Slavnikova’s novel Pryžok v dlinu. The novels of this author are regularly awarded high-ranking literary prizes even though (or because) they fit into the broad stream of Russian fiction that openly interpret the present as a time when evil powers prevail and plunge humanity, especially Russia, into disaster. Most of these works, including Slavnikova’s, can be classified in their ideological orientation as belonging to the so-called ‘conservative turn’ and make use of a narrative that Russia is being robbed of its genuine core by external threats, be it capitalism, globalization, or postmodernism. In her novel Pryžok v dlinu, Slavnikova frames the concept of compassion as the cause of all evil. She follows the line of reasoning, familiar since Nietzsche, that compassion benefits the wrong people: thus untalented, criminally inclined egoists prevail in society, whereas the gifted suffer physical and psychological harm. But Slavnikova’s argument is even taken one step further: should not ‘unworthy’ lives be killed in time? The reaction of literary critics to such a proposition was strikingly restrained since they did not even subject such a provocative question to discussion.The paper deals with the revaluation of values in Ol’ga Slavnikova’s novel Pryžok v dlinu. The novels of this author are regularly awarded high-ranking literary prizes even though (or because) they fit into the broad stream of Russian fiction that openly interpret the present as a time when evil powers prevail and plunge humanity, especially Russia, into disaster. Most of these works, including Slavnikova’s, can be classified in their ideological orientation as belonging to the so-called ‘conservative turn’ and make use of a narrative that Russia is being robbed of its genuine core by external threats, be it capitalism, globalization, or postmodernism. In her novel Pryžok v dlinu, Slavnikova frames the concept of compassion as the cause of all evil. She follows the line of reasoning, familiar since Nietzsche, that compassion benefits the wrong people: thus untalented, criminally inclined egoists prevail in society, whereas the gifted suffer physical and psychological harm. But Slavnikova’s argument is even taken one step further: should not ‘unworthy’ lives be killed in time? The reaction of literary critics to such a proposition was strikingly restrained since they did not even subject such a provocative question to discussion
Development of note application for Android OS
No full textThis bachelor's thesis focuses on the creation of a mobile application for the Android operating system that will allow users to save, edit and delete simple notes using the Markdown format, color separation and reminders. The first part of the thesis analyzes and compares current note-taking applications according to established criteria, such as ease of use, number of functions, minimum supported version of the Android system and application size. The results of this analysis serve as the basis for the future development of the new application. In the second part, the author sets the requirements for the development of a new application based on the identified needs. The main requirement is support for text formatting using Markdown and color recognition of notes. Furthermore, the ability to export notes and an effort to minimize the size of the application are required. The last part deals with the implementation of a new application with an emphasis on the technologies used, application architecture and testing methods. At the end, there are suggestions for further expansion of the application obtained during development.Tato bakalářská práce se zaměřuje na vytvoření mobilní aplikace pro operační systém Android, která umožní uživatelům ukládat, upravovat a mazat jednoduché poznámky za pomoci formátu Markdown, barevného rozlišení a připomínek. První část práce analyzuje a porovnává současné poznámkové aplikace podle stanovených kritérií, jako je jednoduchost ovládání, množství funkcí, minimální podporovaná verze systému Android a velikost aplikace. Výsledky této analýzy slouží jako základ pro budoucí vývoj nové aplikace. Ve druhé části autor stanovuje požadavky na vývoj nové aplikace na základě zjištěných potřeb. Hlavním požadavkem je podpora formátování textu pomocí Markdownu a barevné rozlišení poznámek. Dále je požadována možnost exportovat poznámky a snaha o minimalizaci velikosti aplikace. Poslední část se zabývá implementací nové aplikace s důrazem na použité technologie, architekturu aplikace a způsoby testování. Na závěr jsou uvedeny návrhy na další rozšíření aplikace získané během vývoje
Open Access: Faculty and graduate student panel discussion
No full textThe Open Access Week panel discussion includes Virginia Tech graduate students, faculty, and alumni who have been involved in open access publishing from the author and editor perspectives. Each will relate their experience with open access, followed by a discussion, including questions from the audience. Light refreshments will be served. Panelists include:
- Carola Haas (faculty, Fish and Wildlife Conservation)
- Scott King (faculty, Geophysics)
- Alison Burke (PhD candidate, Biomedical Sciences)
- Sascha Engel (PhD candidate, ASPECT)
- Titilola Obilade (former adjunct faculty, School of Education)
- Jeremy Ernst (faculty, Integrative STEM Education)Virginia Tech. University LibrariesThis panel discussion was held in the Multipurpose Room of Virginia Tech's Newman Library on October 19, 2015 at 5:30pm EST
Alchymistické rysy v románech Gustava Meyrinka
No full textThe dissertation "Alchemistic features in the novels of Gustav Meyrink/Alchemistische Züge in den Romanen von Gustav Meyrink" addresses the question of how alchemy is reflected in the works of the author and the extent to which it constitutes the intellectual profile of his novels. As a basis for the analysis I chose the books The Golem/Der Golem (1915), The White Dominican/Der weiße Dominikaner (1921) and The Angel of the West Window/Der Engel vom westlichen Fenster (1926), in which, in my opinion, Hermetic art plays a very significant role. I try to show how uniquely Meyrink integrates the Royal Art into the conception of his works. Alchemists call their efforts a Great Work/Opus Magnum. I perceive the Opus Magnum and its individual components (putrefaction, albedo, rubedo) in selected works as a structure that is expressed both comprehensively (e.g. in how Meyrink handles the subject matter, the characters and the space), as well as in particular moments (e.g. in individual motifs). The Great Work can be seen as a red thread that runs through all the aforementioned novels. Furthermore, in the book The Golem I also took account of Tarot symbolism, because between alchemy and Tarot mysticism there can be found many points of contact. The aim of the work itself is to explain the most important ideas of the...Disertační práce Alchymistické rysy v románech Gustava Meyrinka/Alchemistische Züge in den Romanen von Gustav Meyrink se zabývá otázkou, jakým způsobem se alchymie odráží v dílech tohoto autora a do jaké míry utváří myšlenkový profil jeho románů. Jako podklad pro analýzu jsem zvolila knihy Golem/Der Golem (1915), Bílý dominikán/Der weiße Dominikaner (1921) a Anděl západního okna/Der Engel vom westlichen Fenster (1926), ve kterých sehrává Hermovo umění dle mého názoru velmi významnou roli. Snažím se ukázat, jak originálně Meyrink integruje Královské umění do koncepce svých děl. Alchymisté označují své snahy jako Velké Dílo/Opus Magnum. Právě Opus Magnum a jeho jednotlivé části (putrefakce, albedo, rubedo) vnímám ve vybraných dílech jako strukturu, která se projevuje jak komplexně (např. ve způsobu, jakým Meyrink zachází se syžetem, postavami či prostorem), tak i dílčími momenty (např. v jednotlivých motivech). Velké dílo můžeme považovat za červenou nit, která se táhne všemi zmíněnými romány. V knize Golem jsem navíc zohlednila i tarotovou symboliku, protože mezi alchymií a tarotovou mystikou lze nalézt řadu styčných bodů. Cílem samotné práce je vysvětlit nejdůležitější myšlenky umění spirituální alchymie a poukázat na jejich zajímavé paralely v Meyrinkově díle.Institute of Germanic StudiesÚstav germánských studiíFilozofická fakultaFaculty of Art
Kajian Pendampingan Pastoral terhadap Kecanduan Game Online dalam Komunitas Pemuda Gereja Batak Karo Protestan (GBKP) Batu V
No full textTulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji Kecanduan game online dalam komunitas pemuda Gereja Batak Karo Protestan Batu V dari perspektif pendampingan pastoral. Metode yang digunakan dalam tulisan ini adalah metode penelitian kualitatif, metode penelitian kualitatif adalah penelitian yang deskriptif, cenderung menggunakan analisis untuk melihat realita dan menarik kesimpulan dari apa yang terjadi, metode penelitian yang dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode wawancara. Wawancara adalah suatu tindakan percakapan yang diarahkan terhadap suatu masalah tertentu dan proses tanya jawab yang dilakukan antara dua orang atau lebih. Manfaat dari penulisan ini yaitu membantu penulis dalam memahami pentingnya pendampingan pastoral bagi pemuda yang kecanduan game online. Pendampingan Pastoral adalah suatu panggilan yang harus dilakukan oleh setiap orang yang telah merespon panggilan Allah. Game online adalah game atau permainan yang terhubung dalam jaringan internet, game online adalah permainan yang berbasis elektronik dan visual. Akibat dari penggunaan game online akan mengakibatkan malas dalam belajar, sering bolos, lupa pada waktu karena keseringan bermain game online. Faktor penyebab penggunaan game online karena kurangnya pengawasan dari orangtua, orang tua terlalu memanjakan anak untuk membelikan setiap smartphone, dikarenakan pemuda tidak mendapatkan tempat untuk bercerita tentang permasalahan yang dihadapinya.This paper aims to examine online game addiction in the youth community of the Batak Karo Protestant Church Batu V from the perspective of pastoral accompaniment. The method used in this paper is qualitative research method, qualitative research method is descriptive research, tends to use analysis to see reality and draw conclusions from what happens, research method conducted using interview method. An interview is an act of conversation directed towards a particular issue and a question and answer process conducted between two or more people. The benefit of this writing is that it helps the author understand the importance of pastoral care for youth who are addicted to online games. Pastoral care is a calling that must be done by everyone who has responded to God's call. Online games are games or games that are connected to the internet network, online games are games that are based on electronics and visuals. As a result of using online games will result in being lazy in learning, often skipping classes, forgetting on time because of frequent playing online games. The factor causing the use of online games is due to lack of supervision from parents, parents spoil children too much to buy every smartphone, because youth do not get a place to tell about the problems they face
Evaluation of the hCMEC/D3 cell line, a new "in vitro" model of the human blood-brain barrier for transport and gene regulation studies
No full textBrain endothelial capillary cells form the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a highly selective
membrane between the peripheral blood and the central nervous system. The main
functions of the BBB are to protect the brain tissue by preventing the entry of toxic
compounds and to supply it with nutrients in order to assure proper function. Tight
junctions are the key elements for the establishment of a tight barrier and seal the
intercellular gaps against passive diffusion of hydrophilic compounds. A second important
characteristic of the brain capillary endothelial cells are transport proteins that prevent
brain penetration of their substrates by pumping them back in the blood. These
compounds include a series of clinically used drugs. Important drug efflux transporters
located at the BBB are P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the breast cancer resistance protein
(BCRP) and the family of multidrug resistance proteins (MRP).
During drug development, the question of whether a drug candidate reaches the brain
tissue is of great importance. Therefore, models are needed to predict the BBB
permeability of new compounds. In the past, in vitro models have been developed to
address this question. These models include isolated brain capillaries, isolated primary
brain capillary endothelial cells and BBB cell lines of various origins. A major problem
encountered with these cell lines was an insufficient paracellular resistance.
Recently, the hCMEC/D3 cell line was generated by immortalizing primary human brain
endothelial cells. In culture this cell line shows a morphology that closely resembles to
primary cells, forms tight monolayers and expresses BBB markers such as chemokine
receptors, tight junctional molecules and ATP binding cassette (ABC)-transporters.
The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the hCMEC/D3 cell line as an in vitro model of the
human BBB to study 1) permeability properties including para- and transcellular diffusion
as well as active transport 2) the influence of endo- and exogenous factors on the
paracellular permeability and 3) the regulation of breast cancer resistance protein and Pglycoprotein
by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The first study describes the characterization of the hCMEC/D3 cells as an in vitro model
of the human BBB for permeability studies (section Error! Reference source not
found.). The ability of the cells to allow discrimination between para- and transcellular
diffusion was investigated by measuring the transport of a series of compounds with
different physicochemical properties. A ratio of 2.8 was observed when comparing the
permeabilities of the compounds with the highest and the lowest diffusion rate. The
passive permeability of sucrose could be reduced significantly by replacing fetal calf
serum with human serum. Furthermore, quantitative mRNA expression of the ABCtransporters
P-gp, BCRP, MRP1, MRP2, MRP3, MRP4, MRP5 as well as the human
transferrin receptor (hTfR) was shown. Protein expression of P-gp, BCRP and the hTfR
was detected and functional activity of P-gp, BCRP and the MRPs was investigated in
efflux experiments. Furthermore, bidirectional P-gp transport activity was observed.
In a second project the impact of endo- and exogenous factors on the paracellular
permeability of hCMEC/D3 monolayers was assessed, since it is know that the molecular
assembly of tight junctions depends on the surrounding milieu (section Error! Reference
source not found.). Based on reports in the literature, the cells were incubated with a
variety of compounds that included anti-inflammatory drugs, growth factors and
antioxidants. The effects on the monolayer tightness of hCMEC/D3 were investigated by
measuring the transport of sucrose, a paracellular permeability marker. N-acetylcystein
(NAC), atorvastatin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduced the sucrose permeability
significantly, and slightly increased zonula occludens protein (ZO-1) expression.
Additionally, NAC and SNP reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS),
which have been reported to disrupt the assembly of tight junctions.
The effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1[beta], IL-6 and TNF-[alpha] on the expression and
activity of the ABC-transporters BCRP and P-gp was investigated in the hCMEC/D3 cell
line (section Error! Reference source not found.). IL-1[beta], IL-6 and TNF-[alpha], which are
know to be elevated during various diseases, suppressed significantly BCRP mRNA
expression. In addition, BCRP activity was reduced under the influence of all tested
cytokines, as shown by efflux experiments. P-gp mRNA levels were slightly reduced by
IL-6 but significantly increased after TNF-[alpha] treatment. TNF-[alpha] also increased the protein
expression of P-gp. This in vitro study indicates that expression levels of BCRP and P-gp
at the BBB might be altered during acute or chronic inflammation, resulting in a changed
brain penetration of their substrates.
In an isolated project, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of increasing oral
doses of the satiety peptides GLP-1 and PYY3-36 were assessed in healthy male
volunteers. Oral administration of either peptide induced a rapid and dose-dependent
increase in plasma drug concentrations. Oral administration of GLP-1 induced a potent
effect on insulin release and both peptides suppressed ghrelin secretion. In conclusion,
this study showed, for the first time, that satiety peptides such as GLP-1 and PYY3-36
can be orally delivered safely and effectively in humans
The central heights of stability groups of series in vector spaces
No full textsummary:We compute the central heights of the full stability groups of ascending series and of descending series of subspaces in vector spaces over fields and division rings. The aim is to develop at least partial right analogues of results on left Engel elements and related nilpotent radicals in such proved recently by Casolo \& Puglisi, by Traustason and by the current author. Perhaps surprisingly, while there is an absolute bound on these central heights for descending series, for ascending series the central height can be any ordinal number
Uncertainty and the Disappearance of International Credit
No full textWe show that increased uncertainty about the size of an emerging market's external debt has a nonlinear and potentially large adverse effect on the supply of international credit offered to them. We also show that if international creditors are first- order risk averse, attaching greater weight to utility derived from bad outcomes than from good ones, a moderate increase in uncertainty about debt overhang or about other relevant factors affecting repayment prospects-- can cause the supply of credit to dry up completely. We therefore offer one possible explanation for why emerging markets may find themselves suddenly cut off from international capital markets.
Umwertung à la Nietzsche
No full textThe paper deals with the revaluation of values in Ol’ga Slavnikova’s novel Pryžok v dlinu. The novels of this author are regularly awarded high-ranking literary prizes even though (or because) they fit into the broad stream of Russian fiction that openly interpret the present as a time when evil powers prevail and plunge humanity, especially Russia, into disaster. Most of these works, including Slavnikova’s, can be classified in their ideological orientation as belonging to the so-called ‘conservative turn’ and make use of a narrative that Russia is being robbed of its genuine core by external threats, be it capitalism, globalization, or postmodernism. In her novel Pryžok v dlinu, Slavnikova frames the concept of compassion as the cause of all evil. She follows the line of reasoning, familiar since Nietzsche, that compassion benefits the wrong people: thus untalented, criminally inclined egoists prevail in society, whereas the gifted suffer physical and psychological harm. But Slavnikova’s argument is even taken one step further: should not ‘unworthy’ lives be killed in time? The reaction of literary critics to such a proposition was strikingly restrained since they did not even subject such a provocative question to discussion
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