A new species of Cosmocerca (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) and other helminths from Barygenys atra (Anura, Microhylidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Cosmocerca oroensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Barygenys atra (Anura, Microhylidae) is described and illustrated.

Pyrophosphate complexation of tin(II) in aqueous solutions as applied in electrolytes for the deposition of tin and tin alloys such as white bronze.

Electrodeposition of tin and tin alloys from electrolytes containing tin(II) and pyrophosphates is an important process in metal finishing, but the nature of the tin pyrophosphate complexes present in these solutions in various pH regions has remained unknown. Through solubility and pH studies, IR and (31)P and (119)Sn NMR spectroscopic investigations of solutions obtained by dissolving Sn(2)P(2)O(7) in equimolar quantities of either Na(4)P(2)O(7)·10H(2)O or K(4)P(2)O(7) the formation of anionic 1:1 complexes {[Sn(P(2)O(7))]}(n)(2n-) has now been verified and the molecular structures of the monomer (n = 1) and the dimer (n = 2) have been calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methods. Whereas the alkali pyrophosphates Na/K(4)P(2)O(7) give strongly alkaline aqueous solutions (pH ∼13), because of partial protonation of the [P(2)O(7)](4-) anion, the [Sn(P(2)O(7))](2-) anion is not protonated and the solutions of Na/K(2)[Sn(P(2)O(7))] are almost neutral (pH ∼8).

Outbreeding and lack of temporal genetic structure in a drone congregation of the neotropical stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana.

Drone aggregations are a widespread phenomenon in many stingless bee species (Meliponini), but the ultimate and proximate causes for their formation are still not well understood. One adaptive explanation for this phenomenon is the avoidance of inbreeding, which is especially detrimental for stingless bees due to the combined effects of the complementary sex-determining system and the small effective population size caused by eusociality and monandry. We analyzed the temporal genetic dynamics of a drone aggregation of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana with microsatellite markers over a time window of four weeks.

Occurrence of difluorine F2 in nature--in situ proof and quantification by NMR spectroscopy.

The most reactive chemical element, F(2), has been claimed not to occur in nature. First direct evidence from in situ NMR spectroscopy now proves that elemental F(2) indeed occurs in nature as an occlusion in "antozonite" (right in the picture), a variant of fluorite (CaF(2), left).

Snake venomics of two poorly known Hydrophiinae: Comparative proteomics of the venoms of terrestrial Toxicocalamus longissimus and marine Hydrophis cyanocinctus.

The venom proteomes of Toxicocalamus longissimus and Hydrophis cyanocinctus, a fossorial and a marine species, respectively, of the Hydrophiinae genus of Elapidae, were investigated by Edman degradation of RP-HPLC isolated proteins, and de novo MS/MS sequencing of in-gel derived tryptic peptide ions. The toxin arsenal of T. longissimus is made up of 1-2 type-I PLA(2) molecules, which account for 6.

A new species of Megalobatrachonema (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) in Fojia bumui (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Megalobatrachonema papuaensis n. sp. (Ascaridida: Kathlaniidae) from the small intestine of Fojia bumui (Squamata: Scincidae) collected in Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated.

New genus of Cosmocercidae (Nematoda) and other helminths in Hylarana volkerjane (Anura: Ranidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Paraplesiohedruris rinse n. gen., n.

Three QTL in the honey bee Apis mellifera L. suppress reproduction of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor.

Varroa destructor is a highly virulent ectoparasitic mite of the honey bee Apis mellifera and a major cause of colony losses for global apiculture. Typically, chemical treatment is essential to control the parasite population in the honey bee colony. Nevertheless a few honey bee populations survive mite infestation without any treatment.

Factors influencing Nosema bombi infections in natural populations of Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Bumblebees are of profound ecological importance because of the pollination services they provide in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Any decline of these pollinators is therefore of great concern for ecosystem functioning. Increased parasite pressures have been discussed as a major factor for the loss of pollinators.

At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae).

I describe two new species in the miniaturized microhylid frog genus Paedophryne from forests in southeastern Papua New Guinea. The first species is described on the basis of two specimens and exhibits female snout-vent length of 8.5-9.

Reactions of beryllium halides in liquid ammonia: the tetraammineberyllium cation [Be(NH3)4]2+, its hydrolysis products, and the action of Be2+ as a fluoride-ion acceptor.

The first structural characterization of the text-book tetraammineberyllium(II) cation [Be(NH(3))(4)](2+), obtained in the compounds [Be(NH(3))(4)](2)Cl(4)⋅17NH(3) and [Be(NH(3))(4)]Cl(2), is reported. Through NMR spectroscopic and quantum chemical studies, its hydrolysis products in liquid ammonia were identified. These are the dinuclear [Be(2)(μ-OH)(NH(3))(6)](3+) and the cyclic [Be(2)(μ-OH)(2)(NH(3))(4)](2+) and [Be(3)(μ-OH)(3)(NH(3))(6)](3+) cations.

Elements of metabolic evolution.

Research into the origin of evolution is polarized between a genetics-first approach, with its focus on polymer replication, and a metabolism-first approach that takes aim at chemical reaction cycles. Taking the latter approach, we explored reductive carbon fixation in a volcanic hydrothermal setting, driven by the chemical potential of quenched volcanic fluids for converting volcanic C1 compounds into organic products by transition-metal catalysts. These catalysts are assumed to evolve by accepting ever-new organic products as ligands for enhancing their catalytic power, which in turn enhances the rates of synthetic pathways that give rise to ever-new organic products, with the overall effect of a self-expanding metabolism.

Hemodynamic efficacy of the over-the-scope clip in an established porcine cadaveric model for spurting bleeding.

Background: Clip application has been proven to be effective for endoscopic hemostasis. There are limited bench data on the efficacy of the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) for the treatment of spurting GI hemorrhage. We evaluated the hemodynamic efficacy of the OTSC in an established bleeding model.

Workers dominate male production in the neotropical bumblebee Bombus wilmattae (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Background: Cooperation and conflict in social insects are closely linked to the genetic structure of the colony. Kin selection theory predicts conflict over the production of males between the workers and the queen and between the workers themselves, depending on intra-colonial relatedness but also on other factors like colony efficiency, sex ratios, cost of worker reproduction and worker dominance behaviour. In most bumblebee (Bombus) species the queen wins this conflict and often dominates male production.

New species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in Sphenomorphus pratti from Papua New Guinea.

Aplectana novaeguineae n. sp. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the intestines of Sphenomorphus pratti (Squamata: Scincidae) is described and illustrated.

Zintl ions, cage compounds, and intermetalloid clusters of Group 14 and Group 15 elements.

For a long time, Zintl ions of Group 14 and 15 elements were considered to be remarkable species domiciled in solid-state chemistry that have unexpected stoichiometries and fascinating structures, but were of limited relevance. The revival of Zintl ions was heralded by the observation that these species, preformed in solid-state Zintl phases, can be extracted from the lattice of the solids and dissolved in appropriate solvents, and thus become available as reactants and building blocks in solution chemistry. The recent upsurge of research activity in this fast-growing field has now provided a rich plethora of new compounds, for example by substitution of these Zintl ions with organic groups and organometallic fragments, by oxidative coupling reactions leading to dimers, oligomers, or polymers, or by the inclusion of metal atoms under formation of endohedral cluster species and intermetalloid compounds; some of these species have good prospects in applications in materials science.

Successful interventional treatment of postoperative bile duct leakage after Billroth II resection by unusual procedure using double balloon enteroscopy.

Background: Endoscopic treatment of advanced biliary disorders and their complications following surgical procedures is often difficult especially after Billroth II gastric resection. In such cases, endoscopic access to the papilla and neopapilla is often low, and access to the choledocho- or hepaticojejunostomy is often difficult. Thus, percutaneous cholangiodrainage or re-operation is therefore indicated when endoscopic access to the papilla failed.

Shift work has a genetic basis in honeybee pollen foragers (Apis mellifera L.).

Division of labour is a fundamental property of any social system. The specialization of different individuals in different tasks increases the overall work performance and efficiency. Specialization is thought to be the very foundation of the success of human societies but also in complex colonies of social insects.

New species of Pseudabbreviata (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) and other helminths in two species of Hypsilurus (Sauria: Agamidae) from Papua New Guinea.

Pseudabbreviata novaeguineaensis n. sp. from the stomach of Hypsilurus modestus (Agamidae) from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated.

Umbilical artery Doppler indices in small for gestational age fetuses: correlation with adverse outcomes and placental abnormalities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the screening efficiency of the umbilical artery systolic to diastolic ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), and absent end-diastolic flow (AEDF) for adverse pregnancy outcomes and placental abnormalities in small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Doppler examinations of 161 nonanomalous SGA fetuses. The reliability of the S/D and PI were quantified by intraclass correlation coefficients.

Uncovering cryptic diversity in Aspidomorphus (Serpentes: Elapidae): evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear markers.

The Papuan region, comprising New Guinea and nearby islands, has a complex geological history that has fostered high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Unfortunately, much of this diversity remains undocumented. We examine the evolutionary relationships of the venomous snake genus Aspidomorphus (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae), a Papuan endemic, and document extensive cryptic lineage diversification.

UF6 and UF4 in liquid ammonia: [UF7(NH3)]3- and [UF4(NH3)4].

From the reaction of uranium hexafluoride UF6 with dry liquid ammonia, the [UF7(NH3)]3- anion and the [UF4(NH3)4] molecule were isolated and identified for the first time. They are found in signal-green crystals of trisammonium monoammine heptafluorouranate(IV) ammonia (1:1; [NH4]3[UF7(NH3)].NH3) and emerald-green crystals of tetraammine tetrafluorouranium(IV) ammonia (1:1; [UF4(NH3)4].

Inert gas rebreathing: the effect of haemoglobin based pulmonary shunt flow correction on the accuracy of cardiac output measurements in clinical practice.

Background: Cardiac output (CO) is an important cardiac parameter, however its determination is difficult in clinical routine. Non-invasive inert gas rebreathing (IGR) measurements yielded promising results in recent studies. It directly measures pulmonary blood flow (PBF) which equals CO in absence of significant pulmonary shunt flow (Q(S)).

Hydrogen Polyphosphides P3H2(3-) and P3H3(2-): synthesis and crystal structure of K3(P3H2).2.3NH3, Rb3(P3H2).NH3, [Rb(18-crown-6)]2(P3H3).7.5NH3, and [Cs(18-crown-6)]2(P3H3).7NH3.

The incongruous solvation of polyphosphides and phosphanes or the direct reduction of white phosphorus in liquid ammonia leads to the hydrogen polyphosphides catena-dihydrogen triphosphide, P(3)H(2)(3-), and catena-trihydrogen triphosphide, P(3)H(3)(2-), in the crystalline compounds K(3)(P(3)H(2)).2.3NH(3) (1), Rb(3)(P(3)H(2)).