Evolutionary model of folk economics: That which is seen, and that which is not seen?

Although Boyer & Petersen (B&P) make the case for evolutionary roots of folk economics stronger, their evolutionary model ultimately does not deliver folk-economic explanations that are both novel and correct. We argue that (a) most current explanations are evolutionary already; (b) B&P's model is as ad hoc as other theories, and proves too much; and (c) it overrates evolution at the cost of discounting other crucial factors.

Polymer nanostructures for bioapplications induced by laser treatment.

Modification of polymer substrates can essentially change the properties of material and thereby it allows their usage in attractive fields of material research. Laser treatment can be successfully applied for change in physico-chemical surface properties and/or for selective change of surface morphology with pattern construction. Three major applications of laser induced structures were described, cytocompatibility control, application as anti-bacterial substrate and plasmonic-based detection system.

Alloscardovia venturai sp. nov., a fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive species isolated from the oral cavity of a guinea-pig (Cavia aperea f. porcellus).

A slightly irregular, short rod-shaped bacterial strain, MOZIV/2T, showing activity of fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase was isolated from the oral cavity of a home-bred guinea-pig. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, its closest relatives were Alloscardovia omnicolens DSM 21503T and Alloscardovia criceti DSM 17774T with 96.0 and 95.

Galliscardovia ingluviei gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium of the family Bifidobacteriaceae isolated from the crop of a laying hen (Gallus gallus f. domestica).

Bacteria with potential probiotic applications are not yet sufficiently explored, even for animals with economic importance. Therefore, we decided to isolate and identify representatives of the family Bifidobacteriaceae, which inhabit the crop of laying hens. During the study, a fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive strain, RP51T, with a regular/slightly irregular and sometimes an S-shaped slightly curved rod-like shape, was isolated from the crop of a 13 -month-old Hisex Brown hybrid laying hen.

Molecular simulation of caloric properties of fluids modelled by force fields with intramolecular contributions: Application to heat capacities.

The calculation of caloric properties such as heat capacity, Joule-Thomson coefficients, and the speed of sound by classical force-field-based molecular simulation methodology has received scant attention in the literature, particularly for systems composed of complex molecules whose force fields (FFs) are characterized by a combination of intramolecular and intermolecular terms. The calculation of a thermodynamic property for a system whose molecules are described by such a FF involves the calculation of the residual property prior to its addition to the corresponding ideal-gas property, the latter of which is separately calculated, either using thermochemical compilations or nowadays accurate quantum mechanical calculations. Although the simulation of a volumetric residual property proceeds by simply replacing the intermolecular FF in the rigid molecule case by the total (intramolecular plus intermolecular) FF, this is not the case for a caloric property.

Bifidobacterium apri sp. nov., a thermophilic actinobacterium isolated from the digestive tract of wild pigs (Sus scrofa).

Fresh samples of intestinal contents of three wild pigs originating from the Central Bohemia region were examined for the presence of bifidobacterial strains. During the study, we isolated many fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive, strictly anaerobic, irregular rod-shaped bacterial isolates. Three of them were preliminarily identified as representing a novel species of the genus Bifidobacterium because their 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the closest relatives of thermophilic bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium boum DSM 20432T, Bifidobacterium thermophilum DSM 20210T, Bifidobacterium thermacidophilumsubsp.

Tuning Surface Chemistry of Polyetheretherketone by Gold Coating and Plasma Treatment.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has good chemical and biomechanical properties that are excellent for biomedical applications. However, PEEK exhibits hydrophobic and other surface characteristics which cause limited cell adhesion. We have investigated the potential of Ar plasma treatment for the formation of a nanostructured PEEK surface in order to enhance cell adhesion.

Soil-derived organic particles and their effects on the community of culturable microorganisms.

Soil microbial community interacts with a range of particulate material in the soil, consisting of both inorganic and organic compounds with different levels of water solubility. Though sparingly water-soluble and insoluble organic compounds in the soil may affect living organisms, they are difficult to introduce into microbiological media. Their biological activity (i.

RMS roughness-independent tuning of surface wettability by tailoring silver nanoparticles with a fluorocarbon plasma polymer.

A layer of 14 nm-sized Ag nanoparticles undergoes complex transformation when overcoated by thin films of a fluorocarbon plasma polymer. Two regimes of surface evolution are identified, both with invariable RMS roughness. In the early regime, the plasma polymer penetrates between and beneath the nanoparticles, raising them above the substrate and maintaining the multivalued character of the surface roughness.

Hemodynamic changes in a middle cerebral artery aneurysm at follow-up times before and after its rupture: a case report and a review of the literature.

Hemodynamic parameters play a significant role in the development of cerebral aneurysms. Parameters such as wall shear stress (WSS) or velocity could change in time and may contribute to aneurysm growth and rupture. However, the hemodynamic changes at the rupture location remain unclear because it is difficult to obtain data prior to rupture.

Cytotoxicity of Pd nanostructures supported on PEN: Influence of sterilization on Pd/PEN interface.

Non-conventional antimicrobial agents, such as palladium nanostructures, have been increasingly used in the medicinal technology. However, experiences uncovering their harmful and damaging effects to human health have begun to appear. In this study, we have focused on in vitro cytotoxicity assessment of Pd nanostructures supported on a biocompatible polymer.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals, metalloids, and chlorine in ectomycorrhizae from smelter-polluted area.

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi contribute to the survival of host trees on metal-rich soils by reducing the transfer of toxic metals into roots. However, little is known about the ability of ECM fungi to accumulate elements in ectomycorrhizae (ECMs). Here we report Ag, As, Cd, Cl, Cu, Sb, V, and Zn contents in wild-grown Norway spruce ECMs collected in a smelter-polluted area at Lhota near Příbram, Czech Republic.

Frozen cultural plasticity.

We discuss cultural group selection under the view of the frozen plasticity theory and the different explanatory power and predictions of this framework. We present evidence that cultural adaptations and their influence on the degree of cooperation may be more complex than presented by Richerson et al., and conclude with the gene-environment-culture relationship and its impacts on cultural group selection.

Ultrasociality: When institutions make a difference.

We present arguments that the analogy between humans and social insects is coincidental, rather than based upon real similarities. In their claims, Gowdy & Krall largely omit the role of institutions in the formation of complex societies, warfare, and regulation. They also offer no strong explanation for the expansion of agriculture despite its early detrimental effects except the "mistake hypothesis" (cf.

Protein Chips Compatible with MALDI Mass Spectrometry Prepared by Ambient Ion Landing.

We present a technology that allows the preparation of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-compatible protein chips by ambient ion landing of proteins and successive utilization of the resulting protein chips for the development of bioanalytical assays. These assays are based on the interaction between the immobilized protein and the sampled analyte directly on the protein chip and subsequent in situ analysis by MALDI mass spectrometry. The electrosprayed proteins are immobilized on dry metal and metal oxide surfaces, which are nonreactive under normal conditions.

Adsorption of Papain on solid substrates of different hydrophobicity.

Adsorption properties of protein Papain at the solid|liquid (0.1 M KCl) interfaces of different hydrophobicity [highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), bare gold, CH3, OH, and COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayers on gold] were studied by a combined quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy techniques. It was found that Papain forms an incomplete monolayer at hydrophobic interfaces (HOPG and CH3-terminated substrate), whereas on more hydrophilic ones, a complete monolayer formation was always observed with either the onset of the formation of a second layer (bare gold substrate) or adsorption in a multilayer fashion, possibly a bilayer formation (OH-terminated substrate).

A Review of Flood-Related Storage and Remobilization of Heavy Metal Pollutants in River Systems.

Recently observed rapid climate changes have focused the attention of researchers and river managers on the possible effects of increased flooding frequency on the mobilization and redistribution of historical pollutants within some river systems. This text summarizes regularities in the flood-related transport, channel-to-floodplain transfer, and storage and remobilization of heavy metals, which are the most persistent environmental pollutants in river systems. Metal-dispersal processes are essentially much more variable in alluvia than in soils of non-inundated areas due to the effects of flood-sediment sorting and the mixing of pollutants with grains of different origins in a catchment, resulting in changes of one to two orders of magnitude in metal content over distances of centimetres.

Fractional anisotropy in patients with disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus.

Background: Disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) findings on MRI were described as a prognostic factor for responsiveness to the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Our premise is that DESH could be associated with compression of the cerebral white matter. Microstructural changes can be identified using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), specifically fractional anisotropy (FA).

Short-term postoperative distress associated with open vs. transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in patients with T1-T2 carcinomas of the tongue base and supraglottis.

Background: This study compared the adverse effects of open surgery (OS) including lateral pharyngotomy and supraglottic laryngectomy vs. transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the treatment of stage T1 and T2 carcinomas of the tongue base and supraglottis.

Methods: A retrospective study involving a 49 (13 female and 36 male) patients with untreated T1 or T2 carcinomas.

Cytocompatibility of amine functionalized carbon nanoparticles grafted on polyethylene.

Five types of amide-amine Carbon Nano-Particles (CNPs) were prepared by functionalization of CNPs and characterized by several analytical methods. The successful grafting of amines on CNPs was verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), organic elemental analysis and electrokinetic analysis. The size and morphology of CNPs were determined from transmission electron microscopy.

Definitive Insight into the Graphite Oxide Reduction Mechanism by Deuterium Labeling.

The reduction of graphite oxide is one of the most important reactions in the production of graphene in gram quantities. The mechanisms of these widely used reactions are poorly understood. The mechanism of the chemical reduction of two different graphite oxides prepared by the chlorate (Hofmann method) and permanganate methods (Hummers method) has been investigated.

Enhanced adherence of mouse fibroblast and vascular cells to plasma modified polyethylene.

Since the last decade, tissue engineering has shown a sensational promise in providing more viable alternatives to surgical procedures for harvested tissues, implants and prostheses. Biomedical polymers, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), were activated by Ar plasma discharge. Degradation of polymer chains was examined by determination of the thickness of ablated layer.

Insight into the mechanism of the thermal reduction of graphite oxide: deuterium-labeled graphite oxide is the key.

For the past decade, researchers have been trying to understand the mechanism of the thermal reduction of graphite oxide. Because deuterium is widely used as a marker in various organic reactions, we wondered if deuterium-labeled graphite oxide could be the key to fully understand this mechanism. Graphite oxides were prepared by the Hofmann, Hummers, Staudenmaier, and Brodie methods, and a deuterium-labeled analogue was synthesized by the Hofmann method.