Beobachtungen zur Parasitierung von Radnetzspinnen (Araneidae) durch Polysphincta rufipes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

We found the ichneumonid Polysphincta rufipes Gravenhorst, 1829 (tribus Polysphinctini) to be a koinobiont parasitoid of two species of araneid orb-weavers, Larinioides sclopetarius and Zygiella x-notata, in Central Europe. Some notes on the biology of P. rufipes are given, based on observations both in the field and in the laboratory. The wasps directly attack non-adult spiders sitting in the hubs of their webs. Parasitized spiders could be found from, at least, August to early December. The duration of the development of the wasp larvae, including the pupal stage, is about two months. It seems conceivable that at the end of the larval stage the larva somehow manipulates its host spider; i.e. the spider is forced to enter its retreat – a safe place where the larva can kill the host, complete its development and spin a cocoon for pupation (pupa libera)

Nonlinear projective filtering in a data stream

We introduce a modified algorithm to perform nonlinear filtering of a time series by locally linear phase space projections. Unlike previous implementations, the algorithm can be used not only for a posteriori processing but includes the possibility to perform real time filtering in a data stream. The data base that represents the phase space structure generated by the data is updated dynamically. This also allows filtering of non-stationary signals and dynamic parameter adjustment. We discuss exemplary applications, including the real time extraction of the fetal electrocardiogram from abdominal recordings.Comment: 8 page

Ultra microelectrodes increase the current density provided by electroactive biofilms by improving their electron transport ability

Electroactive biofilms were formed from garden compost leachate on platinum wires under constant polarisation at -0.2 V vs. SCE and temperature controlled at 40 C. The oxidation of 10 mM acetate gave maximum current density of 7 A/m2 with the electrodes of largest diameters (500 and 1000 µm). The smaller diameter wires exhibited an ultra-microelectrode (UME) effect, which increased the maximum current density up to 66 A/m2 with the 25 µm diameter electrode. SEM imaging showed biofilms around 75 µm thick on the 50 µm diameter wire, while they were only 25 µm thick on the 500 µm diameter electrode. Low scan cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves were similar to those already reported for biofilms formed with pure cultures of G. sulfurreducens. Concentrations of the redox molecules contained in the biofilms, which were derived from the non-turnover CVs, were around 0.4 to 0.6 mM, which was close to the value of 1 mM extracted from literature data for G. sulfurreducens biofilms. A numerical model was designed, which demonstrated that the microbial anodes were not controlled here by microbial kinetics. Introducing the concept of average electron transport length made the model well fitted with the experimental results, which indicates rate control by electron transport through the biofilm matrix. According to this model, the UME effect improved the electron transport network in the biofilm, which allowed the biofilm to grow to greater thickness

Semiclassical analysis of the quantum interference corrections to the conductance of mesoscopic systems

The Kubo formula for the conductance of a mesoscopic system is analyzed semiclassically, yielding simple expressions for both weak localization and universal conductance fluctuations. In contrast to earlier work which dealt with times shorter than $O(\log \hbar^{-1})$, here longer times are taken to give the dominant contributions. For such long times, many distinct classical orbits may obey essentially the same initial and final conditions on positions and momenta, and the interference between pairs of such orbits is analyzed. Application to a chain of $k$ classically ergodic scatterers connected in series gives the following results: $-{1 \over 3} [ 1 - (k+1)^{-2} ]$ for the weak localization correction to the zero--temperature dimensionless conductance, and ${2 \over 15} [ 1 - (k+1)^{-4} ]$ for the variance of its fluctuations. These results interpolate between the well known ones of random scattering matrices for $k=1$, and those of the one--dimensional diffusive wire for $k \rightarrow \infty$.Comment: 53 pages, using RevTeX, plus 3 postscript figures mailed separately. A short version of this work is available as cond-mat/950207

Reflection Symmetric Ballistic Microstructures: Quantum Transport Properties

We show that reflection symmetry has a strong influence on quantum transport properties. Using a random S-matrix theory approach, we derive the weak-localization correction, the magnitude of the conductance fluctuations, and the distribution of the conductance for three classes of reflection symmetry relevant for experimental ballistic microstructures. The S-matrix ensembles used fall within the general classification scheme introduced by Dyson, but because the conductance couples blocks of the S-matrix of different parity, the resulting conductance properties are highly non-trivial.Comment: 4 pages, includes 3 postscript figs, uses revte

CD36 defines primitive chronic myeloid leukemia cells less responsive to imatinib but vulnerable to antibody-based therapeutic targeting

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are highly effective for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but very few patients are cured. The major drawbacks regarding TKIs are their low efficacy in eradicating the leukemic stem cells responsible for disease maintenance and relapse upon drug cessation. Herein, we performed ribonucleic acid sequencing of flow-sorted primitive (CD34(+) CD38(low)) and progenitor (CD34(+) CD38(+)) chronic phase CML cells, and identified transcriptional upregulation of 32 cell surface molecules relative to corresponding normal bone marrow cells. Focusing on novel markers with increased expression on primitive CML cells, we confirmed upregulation of the scavenger receptor CD36 and the leptin receptor by flow cytometry. We also delineate a subpopulation of primitive CML cells expressing CD36 that is less sensitive to imatinib treatment. Using CD36 targeting anti-bodies, we show that the CD36 positive cells can be targeted and killed by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In summary, CD36 defines a subpopulation of primitive CML cells with decreased imatinib sensitivity that can be effectively targeted and killed using an anti-CD36 anti-body.Peer reviewe

The frequent and underrecognised co-occurrence of acute exacerbated COPD and depression warrants screening: a systematic review

Patients with acute exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and concurrent depression suffer significant psychological stress and decreased quality of life. The aim of this study was to collate data, guidelines and recommendations from publications on the screening and management of depressive mood disorders in patients hospitalised with AECOPD. We systematically searched four databases for publications reporting screening or management of depression in patients hospitalised for AECOPD. The identification of articles was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Out of 1494 original articles screened, 35 met all inclusion criteria. These report a prevalence of depression in AECOPD ranging between 9.5% and 85.6%. Some studies report high postadmission mortality rates for depressive AECOPD patients, and higher readmission rates in depressive versus nondepressive AECOPD patients. Importantly, none of the 35 publications included suggestions on the screening and management of depression in AECOPD. Depression and AECOPD frequently co-occur, and this worsens outcomes. Yet we did not find recommendations on management, and few interventional studies. Patients hospitalised with AECOPD should be systematically screened for depression and treatment recommendations should be developed for these patients. Randomised studies on how to screen and treat depression in hospitalised AECOPD are necessary