University of Southern Denmark

About: University of Southern Denmark is a education organization based out in Odense, Syddanmark, Denmark. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Randomized controlled trial. The organization has 11928 authors who have published 37918 publications receiving 1258559 citations. The organization is also known as: SDU.

High isotope fractionations during sulfate reduction in a low-sulfate euxinic ocean analog

Abstract: A detailed record of the early-Earth sulfur (S) cycle is chronicled by the S isotope values of sulfide and sulfate preserved in the rock record. Interpretation of this record rests on our understanding of sulfur cycling in modern systems, experiments, and the resulting isotopic signatures. Very large fractionations in δ34S of ≥70‰ are commonly measured between sulfide and sulfate in modern systems and in ancient sediments. Theoretical calculations suggest that sulfate-reducing prokaryotes are capable of producing such large fractionations during the reduction of sulfate to sulfide, although they have only been demonstrated to generate fractionations up to 48‰. Here we report the first direct determination of 60‰–70‰ fractionations by natural populations of sulfate reducers. These high fractionations occur under the relatively low-sulfate conditions (1.1–2 mM) of meromictic Lago di Cadagno in Switzerland. The major and minor isotopic composition of sulfide and sulfate in the lake water is consistent with sulfide produced by sulfate reduction, with little evidence for modification by further oxidative sulfur cycling. These observations help us to constrain the evolution of seawater sulfate concentrations.

Metal borohydrides and derivatives – synthesis, structure and properties

Abstract: A wide variety of metal borohydrides, MBH4, have been discovered and characterized during the past decade, revealing an extremely rich chemistry including fascinating structural flexibility and a wide range of compositions and physical properties. Metal borohydrides receive increasing interest within the energy storage field due to their extremely high hydrogen density and possible uses in batteries as solid state ion conductors. Recently, new types of physical properties have been explored in lanthanide-bearing borohydrides related to solid state phosphors and magnetic refrigeration. Two major classes of metal borohydride derivatives have also been discovered: anion-substituted compounds where the complex borohydride anion, BH4−, is replaced by another anion, i.e. a halide or amide ion; and metal borohydrides modified with neutral molecules, such as NH3, NH3BH3, N2H4, etc. Here, we review new synthetic strategies along with structural, physical and chemical properties for metal borohydrides, revealing a number of new trends correlating composition, structure, bonding and thermal properties. These new trends provide general knowledge and may contribute to the design and discovery of new metal borohydrides with tailored properties towards the rational design of novel functional materials. This review also demonstrates that there is still room for discovering new combinations of light elements including boron and hydrogen, leading to complex hydrides with extreme flexibility in composition, structure and properties.

Microglia and macrophages are the major source of tumor necrosis factor in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Abstract: The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to be expressed in brain ischemia; however, its cellular and temporal appearance is not fully settled. In this study, nonradioactive in situ hybridization for murine TNF mRNA was performed on brain sections from adult C57x129 mice at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 5 days, or 10 days (six to eight mice per group) after induction of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Cortical infarct volumes were estimated, and TNF mRNA-expressing cells were counted within the infarct and infarct border using Cast-Grid analysis. At 12 hours, a peak of 19.2 +/- 5.1 TNF mRNA-expressing cells/mm2 was counted, contrasting two to three times lower values at 6 and 24 hours (6.4 +/- 4.6 and 9.2 +/- 3.4 cells/mm2, respectively) and <2 cells/mm2 at 48 hours and later stages. The TNF mRNA-expressing cells were distributed along the entire rostrocaudal axis of the cortical infarcts and occasionally within the caudate putamen. At all time points, TNF mRNA colocalized with Mac-1-positive microglia/macrophages but not with Ly-6G (Gr-1)-positive polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Similarly, combined in situ hybridization for TNF mRNA and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein at 12 and 24 hours revealed no TNF mRNA-expressing astrocytes at these time points. Translation of TNF mRNA into bioactive protein was demonstrated in the neocortex of C57B1/6 mice subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. In summary, this study points to a time-restricted microglial/macrophage production of TNF in focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Will the Oceans Help Feed Humanity

Abstract: Constraints on the availability of freshwater and land plants and animals to feed the 9.2 billion humans projected to inhabit Earth by 2050 can be overcome by enhancing the contribution the ocean makes to food production. Catches from ocean fisheries are unlikely to recover without adequate conservation measures, so the greater contribution of the oceans to feeding humanity must be derived largely from mariculture. For the effort to be successful, mariculture must close the production cycle to abandon its current dependence on fisheries catches; enhance the production of edible macroalgae and filter-feeder organisms; minimize environmental impacts; and increase integration with food production on land, transferring water-intensive components of the human diet (i.e., production of animal protein) to the ocean. Accommodating these changes will enable the oceans to become a major source of food, which we believe will constitute the next food revolution in human history.

The generalizability of the Youth Self-Report syndrome structure in 23 societies.

Abstract: As a basis for theories of psychopathology, clinical psychology and related disciplines need sound taxonomies that are generalizable across diverse populations. To test the generalizability of a statistically derived 8-syndrome taxonomic model for youth psychopathology, confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed on the Youth Self-Report (T. M. Achenbach & L. A. Rescorla, 2001) completed by 30,243 youths 11-18 years old from 23 societies. The 8-syndrome taxonomic model met criteria for good fit to the data from each society. This was consistent with findings for the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) and the teacher-completed Teacher's Report Form (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) from many societies. Separate CFAs by gender and age group supported the 8-syndrome model for boys and girls and for younger and older youths within individual societies. The findings provide initial support for the taxonomic generalizability of the 8-syndrome model across very diverse societies, both genders, and 2 age groups.