bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xenodiversity of decapod species (Crustaceea: Decapoda: Reptantia) from the Romanian waters
Authors: Petrescu Ana-Maria , Krapal Ana-Maria , Popa Oana , Iorgu Elena , Popa Luis
Published: March 2011

Xenodiversity of decapod species (Crustaceea: Decapoda: Reptantia) from the Romanian waters

This paper is a synthesis of the faunistic data present in the specialized literature on the alien decapod species identified in the Romanian fauna between 1951 and 2010: Orconectes limosus (Rafinesque, 1817), Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841), Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853, Hemigrapsus sanguineus (de Haan, 1835), Palaemon macrodactylus Rathbun, 1902, Dyspanopeus sayi (Smith, 1869).
The distribution of stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacidae) in the south-west Romanian mountain and sub-mountain area
Authors: Pârvulescu Lucian , Petrescu Iorgu
Published: March 2011

The distribution of stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacidae) in the south-west Romanian mountain and sub-mountain area

Data is presented in relation to the geographical distribution of the endangered crayfish species Austropotamobius torrentium. One hundred and seventy-four sampling stations situated along the streams of 15 geographical units from the South-West of Romania (Anina Mountains, Almăj, Dognecea, Godeanu, Locva, Ţarcu, Retezat, Semenic, Mehedinţi, Vâlcan, Parâng, Şureanu, Poiana Ruscă, Lipova Hills and Mehedinţi Plateau) have been investigated. A distribution map was compiled. The data from older publications were collated. The actual habitat of this species occupies a large area of South-West Romania in the mountain and sub-mountain area, being absent in the Poiana Ruscă Mts, Lipova and Dognecea Hills.
On the specimens of Eupolybothrus (Leptopolybothrus) tridentinus (Fanzago, 1874) (Chilopoda: Lithobiidae) from the "Z. Matic" and "Şt. Negrea" collections (Romania)
Authors: Negrea Ştefan
Published: March 2011

On the specimens of Eupolybothrus (Leptopolybothrus) tridentinus (Fanzago, 1874) (Chilopoda: Lithobiidae) from the "Z. Matic" and "Şt. Negrea" collections (Romania)

This work is the second of the series dedicated to the critical evaluation of the Chilopod specimens from the "Z. Matic" and "Şt. Negrea" collections - the only ones existing in Romania (vide "Literature cited"). The history of the study of Eupolybothrus tridentinus (Fanzago, 1874), the synonymies, the examined material, the redescription of the species based on specimens found in the two collections are presented. A nomenclatural updating of two old records is proposed: Eupolybothrus tridentinus (Fanzago) = Polybothrus leptopus sensu Matic, 1958; Eupolybothrus tridentinus (Fanzago) = Eupolybothrus leptopus f. brolemanni sensu Negrea, 1964. The paper concludes on some taxonomical and ecological remarks regarding the Eupolybothrus tridentinus (Fanzago) species.
Contributions to the knowledge of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from "Plaiul Fagului" State Nature Reserve, Republic of Moldova
Authors: Bacal Svetlana , Derunkov Alexander
Published: March 2011

Contributions to the knowledge of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from "Plaiul Fagului" State Nature Reserve, Republic of Moldova

The paper represents the first contribution to the knowledge of the rove beetle fauna from the "Plaiul Fagului" State Nature Reserve. The identified specimens belong to 5 subfamilies and 12 genera. From the 14 identified species within the area, 8 species are recorded from the Republic of Moldova for the first time: Atheta marcida (Erichson, 1837), Dinaraea aequata (Erichson, 1837), Geostiba circellaris (Gravenhorst, 1806), Lordithon trinotatus (Erichson, 1839), Tachinus rufipes (Linnaeus, 1758), Tachyporus transversalis Gravenhorst, 1806, Anthobium atrocephalum (Gyllenhal, 1827) and Lathrobium longulum Gravenhorst, 1800. The genera Geostiba and Anthobium were recorded for the first time in the Republic of Moldova.
Bats hibernating in underground shelters of Małe Pieniny mountains (the Carpathian Mountains, Southern Poland)
Authors: Gubała Wojciech , Wołoszyn Bronisław
Published: March 2011

Bats hibernating in underground shelters of Małe Pieniny mountains (the Carpathian Mountains, Southern Poland)

Six bat species were observed during winter censuses in years 2005-2009: Lesser horseshoe bat, Mouse-eared bat, Daubenton's bat, Whiskered/Brandt's bat, Northern bat and Brown long-eared bat. Rhinolophus hipposideros was most numerous (67% of all bats recorded). Largest hibernaculum on Polish side of range was mine Bania w Jarmucie, with maximum 29 bats during a single control, through the years of research number of species and individuals was increasing. Rarely seen in Outer Carpathians Eptesicus nilssonii winter roost was found in Homole Ravine Reserve.
Rational Design of Anticoagulant Drugs Using Oligosaccharide Chemistry
Authors: El Hadri Ahmed , Petitou Maurice
Published: March 2011

For a long time, heparin and low molecular weight heparins have been the drugs of choice for the management of thrombosis. Discovery of the antithrombin binding domain in heparin, a critical element in the anticoagulant activity of this polysaccharide, allowed a rational approach based
on medicinal carbohydrate chemistry in the design of new anticoagulants. The fully synthetic pentasaccharide fondaparinux that selectively targets blood coagulation factor Xa was first to be developed as a drug. Fondaparinux was followed by various heparin mimicking oligosaccharides prepared
with a view to replace polydisperse heparin and low molecular weight heparins by structurally-defined anticoagulants with no unwanted side-effects.
Synthesis of the ?-Rhamnopyranosides and the 6-Deoxy-?-mannoheptopyranosides
Authors: Picard Sébastien , Crich David
Published: March 2011

A review is presented of the development of methods for the synthesis of ?-rhamnopyranosides and the related 6-deoxy-?-mannoheptopyranosides based on the 4,6-O-alkylidene directed synthesis of mannopyranosides and their 6-thia derivatives followed by selective reduction at
the 6-position. Applications to total synthesis of complex bacterial oligosaccharides containing the title moieties are presented.
Sugar-Derived Ionic Liquids
Authors: Marra Alberto , Chiappe Cinzia , Mele Andrea
Published: March 2011

Ionic liquids (ILs) are special molten salts with melting points below 100 °C that are typically constituted of organic cations (imidazolium, pyridinium, sulfonium, phosphonium, etc.) and inorganic anions. Due to their ionic nature, they are endowed with high chemical and thermal
stability, good solvent properties, and non-measurable vapor pressure. Although the recycling of ILs partly compensate their rather high cost, it is important to develop new synthetic approaches to less expensive and environmentally sustainable ILs based on renewable raw materials. In fact,
most of these alternative solvents are still prepared starting from fossil feedstocks. Until now, only a limited number of ionic liquids have been prepared from renewable sources (e.g. hydroxy acids, amino acids, terpenes), and even less from naturally occurring carbohydrates. This short review
describes the synthesis and applications of chiral and achiral ILs obtained from inexpensive sugars.
Using Encoding Instruction to Improve the Reading and Spelling Performances of Elementary Students At Risk for Literacy Difficulties
Authors: Weiser Beverly , Mathes Patricia
Published: March 2011

Although connectionist models provide a framework explaining how the decoding and encoding abilities work reciprocally to enhance reading and spelling ability, encoding instruction in today’s schools is not a priority. Although a limited amount of high-quality experimental or control studies to date ( N = 11) give empirical support to using direct, explicit encoding instruction to increase the reading and spelling abilities of those students at risk for literacy failure, the benefits of integrating this instruction into current reading curriculums warrant further consideration. Students receiving encoding instruction and guided practice that included using (a) manipulatives (e.g., letter tiles, plastic letters) to learn phoneme–grapheme relationships and words and (b) writing phoneme–grapheme relationships and words made from these correspondences significantly outperformed contrast groups not receiving encoding instruction. Robust Cohen’s d effect sizes, favoring the treatment groups, were found in areas of phonemic awareness, spelling, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and writing. Educational implications of these findings suggest that there is support for using encoding instruction to increase the literacy performances of at-risk primary grade students and that encoding instruction can be successful in improving the reading and spelling performances of older students with learning disabilities. Importantly, there is also evidence to support the transfer effects of early encoding instruction on later reading, writing, and spelling performances.
Retrotransposon-Encoded Reverse Transcriptase in the Genesis, Progression and Cellular Plasticity of Human Cancer
Authors: Sinibaldi-Vallebona Paola , Matteucci Claudia , Spadafora Corrado
Published: March 2011

LINE-1 (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements) and HERVs (Human Endogenous Retroviruses) are two families of autonomously replicating retrotransposons that together account for about 28% of the human genome. Genes harbored within LINE-1 and HERV retrotransposons, particularly those encoding the reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme, are generally expressed at low levels in differentiated cells, but their expression is upregulated in transformed cells and embryonic tissues. Here we discuss a recently discovered RT-dependent mechanism that operates in tumorigenesis and reversibly modulates phenotypic and functional variations associated with tumor progression. Downregulation of active LINE-1 elements drastically reduces the tumorigenic potential of cancer cells, paralleled by reduced proliferation and increased differentiation. Pharmacological RT inhibitors (e.g., nevirapine and efavirenz) exert similar effects on tumorigenic cell lines, both in culture and in animal models. The HERV-K family play a distinct complementary role in stress-dependent transition of melanoma cells from an adherent, non-aggressive, to a non-adherent, highly malignant, growth phenotype. In synthesis, the retrotransposon-encoded RT is increasingly emerging as a key regulator of tumor progression and a promising target in a novel anti-cancer therapy.
Information Theory and Dynamical System Predictability
Authors: Kleeman Richard
Published: March 2011

Predicting the future state of a turbulent dynamical system such as the atmosphere has been recognized for several decades to be an essentially statistical undertaking. Uncertainties from a variety of sources are magnified by dynamical mechanisms and given sufficient time, compromise any prediction. In the last decade or so this process of uncertainty evolution has been studied using a variety of tools from information theory. These provide both a conceptually general view of the problem as well as a way of probing its non-linearity. Here we review these advances from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Connections with other theoretical areas such as statistical mechanics are emphasized. The importance of obtaining practical results for prediction also guides the development presented.
k-Nearest Neighbor Based Consistent Entropy Estimation for Hyperspherical Distributions
Authors: Li Shengqiao , Mnatsakanov Robert M. , Andrew Michael E.
Published: March 2011

A consistent entropy estimator for hyperspherical data is proposed based on the k-nearest neighbor (knn) approach. The asymptotic unbiasedness and consistency of the estimator are proved. Moreover, cross entropy and Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence estimators are also discussed. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the estimators for models including uniform and von Mises-Fisher distributions. The proposed knn entropy estimator is compared with the moment based counterpart via simulations. The results show that these two methods are comparable.
The Influence of Traffic Noise on Appreciation of the Living Quality of a Neighborhood
Authors: Botteldooren Dick , Dekoninck Luc , Gillis Dominique
Published: March 2011

Traffic influences the quality of life in a neighborhood in many different ways. Today, in many patsy of the world the benefits of accessibility are taken for granted and traffic is perceived as having a negative impact on satisfaction with the neighborhood. Negative health effects are observed in a number of studies and these stimulate the negative feelings in the exposed population. The noise produced by traffic is one of the most important contributors to the appreciation of the quality of life. Thus, it is useful to define a number of indicators that allow monitoring the current impact of noise on the quality of life and predicting the effect of future developments. This work investigates and compares a set of indicators related to exposure at home and exposure during trips around the house. The latter require detailed modeling of the population’s trip behavior. The validity of the indicators is checked by their ability to predict the outcome of a social survey and by outlining potential causal paths between them and the outcome variables considered: general satisfaction with the quality of life in the neighborhood, noise annoyance at home, and reported traffic density in the area.
Evaluation of Potential Reference Genes for Relative Quantification by RT-qPCR in Different Porcine Tissues Derived from Feeding Studies
Authors: Li Qimeng , Domig Konrad Johann , Ettle Thomas , Windisch Wilhelm , Mair Christiane , Schedle Karl
Published: March 2011

Five potential reference genes for RT-qPCR application, namely histone H3, beta-actin, GAPDH, ubiquitin and 18S rRNA, were evaluated for normalization of gene expression in four selected tissues (liver, kidney, thyroid and abdominal fat). Tissues were derived from fattening pigs exposed to different amounts and type of dietary iodine. Two software applications (geNorm and NormFinder) were used to evaluate the stability of the potential reference genes. All studied genes displayed high expression stability but different stability patterns between the investigated tissues. The results suggest GAPDH and 18S rRNA as reference genes applicable in all tissues investigated. Beta-actin and histone H3 are suitable reference genes for all tissues investigated except fat. In contrast, ubiquitin should be excluded from use as a reference gene in the porcine tissues analyzed due to variations in expression levels, despite the good expression stability.
Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Amino Acid Derivates by Using Different Functional Monomers
Authors: Scorrano Sonia , Mergola Lucia , Del Sole Roberta , Vasapollo Giuseppe
Published: March 2011

Fmoc-3-nitrotyrosine (Fmoc-3-NT) molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized to understand the influence of several functional monomers on the efficiency of the molecular imprinting process. Acidic, neutral and basic functional monomers, such as acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA), methacrylamide (MAM), 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP), have been used to synthesize five different polymers. In this study, the MIPs were tested in batch experiments by UV-visible spectroscopy in order to evaluate their binding properties. The MIP prepared with 2-VP exhibited the highest binding affinity for Fmoc-3NT, for which Scatchard analysis the highest association constant (2.49 × 104 M−1) was obtained. Furthermore, titration experiments of Fmoc-3NT into acetonitrile solutions of 2-VP revealed a stronger bond to the template, such that a total interaction is observed. Non-imprinted polymers as control were prepared and showed no binding affinities for Fmoc-3NT. The results are indicative of the importance of ionic bonds formed between the –OH residues of the template molecule and the pyridinyl groups of the polymer matrix. In conclusion, 2-VP assists to create a cavity which allows better access to the analytes.
The Effect of Zn-Al-Hydrotalcites Composited with Calcium Stearate and β-Diketone on the Thermal Stability of PVC
Authors: Tong Mengliang , Chen Hongyan , Yang Zhanhong , Wen Runjuan
Published: March 2011

A clean-route synthesis of Zn-Al-hydrotalcites (Zn-Al-LDHs) using zinc oxide and sodium aluminate solution has been developed. The as-obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of metal ions at different molar ratios on the performance of hydrotalcites were discussed. The results showed that the Zn-Al-hydrotalcites can be successfully synthesized at three different Zn/Al ratios of 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1. Thermal aging tests of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mixed with Zn-Al-LDHs, calcium stearate (CaSt2) and β-diketone were carried out in a thermal aging test box by observing the color change. The results showed that Zn-Al-LDHs can not only enhance the stability of PVC significantly due to the improved capacity of HCl-adsorption but also increase the initial stability and ensure good-initial coloring due to the presence of the Zn element. The effects of various amounts of Zn-Al-LDHs, CaSt2 and β-diketone on the thermal stability of PVC were discussed. The optimum composition was determined to be 0.1 g Zn-Al-LDHs, 0.15 g CaSt2 and 0.25 g β-diketone in 5 g PVC.
Photonic Biosensor Assays to Detect and Distinguish Subspecies of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Cooper Kristie L. , Bandara Aloka B. , Wang Yunmiao , Wang Anbo , Inzana Thomas J.
Published: March 2011

The application of photonic biosensor assays to diagnose the category-A select agent Francisella tularensis was investigated. Both interferometric and long period fiber grating sensing structures were successfully demonstrated; both these sensors are capable of detecting the optical changes induced by either immunological binding or DNA hybridization. Detection was made possible by the attachment of DNA probes or immunoglobulins (IgG) directly to the fiber surface via layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly. An optical fiber biosensor was tested using a standard transmission mode long period fiber grating of length 15 mm and period 260 µm, and coated with the IgG fraction of antiserum to F. tularensis. The IgG was deposited onto the optical fiber surface in a nanostructured film, and the resulting refractive index change was measured using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The presence of F. tularensis was detected from the decrease of peak wavelength caused by binding of specific antigen. Detection and differentiation of F. tularensis subspecies tularensis (type A strain TI0902) and subspecies holarctica (type B strain LVS) was further accomplished using a single-mode multi-cavity fiber Fabry-Perot interferometric sensor. These sensors were prepared by depositing seven polymer bilayers onto the fiber tip followed by attaching one of two DNA probes: (a) a 101-bp probe from the yhhW gene unique to type-A strains, or (b) a 117-bp probe of the lpnA gene, common to both type-A and type-B strains. The yhhW probe was reactive with the type-A, but not the type-B strain. Probe lpnA was reactive with both type-A and type-B strains. Nanogram quantities of the target DNA could be detected, highlighting the sensitivity of this method for DNA detection without the use of PCR. The DNA probe reacted with 100% homologous target DNA, but did not react with sequences containing 2-bp mismatches, indicating the high specificity of the assay. These assays will fill an important void that exists for rapid, culture-free, and field-compatible diagnosis of F. tularensis.
A Strong Case for Viral Genetic Factors in HIV Virulence
Authors: Müller Viktor , Fraser Christophe , Herbeck Joshua T.
Published: March 2011

HIV infections show great variation in the rate of progression to disease, and the role of viral genetic factors in this variation had remained poorly characterized until recently. Now a series of four studies [1–4] published within a year has filled this important gap and has demonstrated a robust effect of the viral genotype on HIV virulence.
Migration and interpretation of first arrival inflection points due to lateral variations
Authors: Seisa H.H.
Published: March 2011

The majority of shallow refraction seismic algorithms work well only in cases of a horizontal plane or inclined refractors. In case of piecewise lateral variation either in dip angle and/or in velocity along the refracting interfaces, the applications of these conventional methods are usually problematic. This is because of the existence of two different inflection points along the first arrival travel‐time curve. The first inflection point corresponds to the crossover point while the later inflection points are due to these lateral variations. The terms true and apparent inflection points will be used in this study to refer to inflection points corresponding to crossover points and those due to lateral variations, respectively. The intersection of the backward extrapolation from inflection points with the time axes will give true intercept times from true inflection points and apparent intercept times from apparent inflection points.

Migration of apparent inflection points aims to remove the distortion due to lateral variations of refracted rays from the first arrival traveltime curves by moving them to their proper locations. After the migration of the apparent inflection points, the intercept time technique can be applied in a conventional way to map shallow subsurface refracting interfaces with piecewise lateral variations. The common traveltime elements recorded from the same refracting interfaces and the layer reciprocal time are required for this migration process.

This algorithm will be generalized after the removal of the effects due to the apparent inflection points and calculation of the corresponding migrated traveltime elements. Each pair of the common migrated traveltime elements from forward and reverse directions will represent a simple traveltime curve of two planes. Therefore, most shallow refraction algorithms can be applied to this simple traveltime curve using their own equations to map refracting interfaces recorded from media with piecewise lateral variations.
Clinical Utility of Serum Interleukin-8 and Interferon-Alpha in Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Kobawala Toral P. , Patel Girish H. , Gajjar Dhara R. , Patel Kamini N. , Thakor Premal B. , Parekh Urvi B. , Patel Kirti M. , Shukla Shilin N. , Shah Pankaj M.
Published: March 2011

Serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) levels have been estimated from a total of 88 individuals of which 19 were disease-free healthy individuals, and 69 were patients with thyroid diseases: goitre (N=21), autoimmune diseases (N=16), and carcinomas (N=32). Both IL-8 and IFN-α were significantly higher in all the patients as compared to healthy individuals. Serum IL-8 levels showed significant positive correlation with disease stage in thyroid cancer patients. Higher serum IL-8 levels were associated with advanced disease stage while no significant correlation was observed between serum IFN-α levels and any of the clinicopathological parameters. IL-8 and IFN-α significantly correlated with each other in anaplastic carcinoma patients. Finally concluding, monitoring the serum IL-8 and IFN-α levels can help differentiate patients with thyroid diseases from healthy individuals, and IL-8 seems to have a role in the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases and may represent a target for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Potential Clinical Applications for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Blood Components
Authors: Kimbrel Erin A. , Lu Shi-Jiang
Published: March 2011

The ability of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to divide indefinitely without losing pluripotency and to theoretically differentiate into any cell type in the body makes them highly attractive cell sources for large scale regenerative medicine purposes. The current use of adult stem cell-derived products in hematologic intervention sets an important precedent and provides a guide for developing hESC/iPSC based therapies for the blood system. In this review, we highlight biological functions of mature cells of the blood, clinical conditions requiring the transfusion or stimulation of these cells, and the potential for hESC/iPSC-derivatives to serve as functional replacements. Many researchers have already been able to differentiate hESCs and/or iPSCs into specific mature blood cell types. For example, hESC-derived red blood cells and platelets are functional in tasks such as oxygen delivery and blood clotting, respectively and may be able to serve as substitutes for their donor-derived counterparts in emergencies. hESC-derived dendritic cells are functional in antigen-presentation and may be used as off-the-shelf vaccine therapies to stimulate antigen-specific immune responses against cancer cells. However,in vitrodifferentiation systems used to generate these cells will need further optimization before hESC/iPSC-derived blood components can be used clinically.
Adrenocortical Causes of Hypertension
Authors: Moraitis Andreas , Stratakis Constantine
Published: March 2011

Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. In the past, screening for primary aldosteronism was offered only in patients with hypertension associated with hypokalemia. Recent studies showed that hypokalemia is seen in only 25% of the patients with primary aldosteronism, which has increased the prevalence of primary aldosteronism to 10–15% of all cases with new onset hypertension.
IP3Receptors, Mitochondria, and Ca2+Signaling: Implications for Aging
Authors: Decuypere Jean-Paul , Monaco Giovanni , Missiaen Ludwig , De Smedt Humbert , Parys Jan B. , Bultynck Geert
Published: March 2011

The tight interplay between endoplasmic-reticulum-(ER-) and mitochondria-mediated Ca2+signaling is a key determinant of cellular health and cellular fate through the control of apoptosis and autophagy. Proteins that prevent or promote apoptosis and autophagy can affect intracellular Ca2+dynamics and homeostasis through binding and modulation of the intracellular Ca2+-release and Ca2+-uptake mechanisms. During aging, oxidative stress becomes an additional factor that affects ER and mitochondrial function and thus their role in Ca2+signaling. Importantly, mitochondrial dysfunction and sustained mitochondrial damage are likely to underlie part of the aging process. In this paper, we will discuss the different mechanisms that control intracellular Ca2+signaling with respect to apoptosis and autophagy and review how these processes are affected during aging through accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
Similar Sublattices of Planar Lattices
Authors: Baake Michael , Scharlau Rudolf , Zeiner Peter
Published: March 2011

The similar sublattices of a planar lattice can be classified via its multiplier ring. The latter is the ring of rational integers in the generic case, and an order in an imaginary quadratic field otherwise. Several classes of examples are discussed, with special emphasis on concrete results. In particular, we derive Dirichlet series generating functions for the number of distinct similar sublattices of a given index, and relate them to zeta functions of orders in imaginary quadratic fields.
Cancellation of Cusp Forms Coefficients over Beatty Sequences on GL(m)
Authors: Sun Qingfeng
Published: March 2011

Let A(n1, n2, … , nm–1) be the normalized Fourier coefficients of a Maass cusp form on GL(m). In this paper, we study the cancellation of A(n1, n2, … , nm–1) over Beatty sequences.
Escenografía virtual en TV. Análisis del uso de escenografía virtual en la realización de un programa de televisión
Authors: Galán Cubillo Esteban
Published: March 2011

La escenografía virtual es un fenómeno muy reciente que surge en la década de los 90’ como una aplicación de la realidad virtual al ámbito televisivo. En este artículo se analiza cómo la escenografía virtual modifica el proceso de realización televisiva afectando a sus diferentes fases de preproducción, producción y postproducción de un programa de televisión. Esta investigación se ha llevado a cabo contemplando las repercusiones a nivel tecnológico, creativo y económico que ofrece el uso de esta tecnología. El trabajo de campo que se ha empleado para llevar a cabo este análisis ha consistido en cuestionarios on line y entrevistas en profundidad a los profesionales que trabajan con escenografía virtual en España en televisiones públicas y privadas de cobertura nacional y autonómica.
Análisis comparativo de las estrategias de Comunicación en franquicia. Enseñas consolidadas versus emergentes
Authors: Monserrat-Gauchi Juan M.
Published: March 2011

El propósito de esta investigación es analizar las estrategias de comunicación utilizadas por las franquicias españolas que, dirigidas a cualquiera de sus públicos objetivos, tienen como objetivo potenciar su comercialización y expansión en el mercado. En este artículo se realiza un estudio comparativo entre las estrategias utilizadas por las franquicias en su primera fase de expansión en el mercado y las utilizadas por las empresas franquiciadoras consolidadas. Para ello, nos basamos en investigaciones realizadas por el autor en las que se utilizaron tanto técnicas cualitativas (observación participante) como cuantitativas (encuesta) a un número determinado de empresas franquiciadoras. Como conclusión determinamos si existe o no diferencia entre las estrategias a seguir en este tipo de empresas, según su situación de mercado.
Publicidad televisiva del Estado y el fomento de la cultura de paz
Authors: Cortés González Alfonso
Published: March 2011

La publicidad es considerada como una herramienta comunicativa de primer orden con gran capacidad de influencia en la cosmovisión social, y lo es a pesar de que esta forma de comunicación está sobrevalorada en muchos aspectos. Además, el Estado tiene la obligación de ordenar correctamente la sociedad civil, y de propiciar la educación de los ciudadanos y todo aquello que esté vinculado con la máxima del bien común. En este texto se investiga cómo es y hacía dónde debe ir la publicidad institucional del Estado en el fomento de la cultura de paz. La cultura de paz es un proyecto defendido y auspiciado por la UNESCO, vertebrado en todo un universo teórico y conceptual, que no se refiere únicamente a la paz como ausencia de guerra, sino que incide en todas las formas de relaciones humanas y sociales.  Para ello se han analizado minuciosamente  61 campañas, sobre una muestra de más de 190.
Preferencias de la información en Internet. Una nueva propuesta metodológica, ensayada con un grupo de universitarios
Authors: Bernal Triviño Ana Isabel
Published: March 2011

El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer las preferencias de los universitarios sobre el diseño de la información de los medios de comunicación en Internet. La investigación recoge la opinión que la muestra de alumnos seleccionada hace de ocho diseños reales de información en línea. Primero los valoran de forma cuantitativa y después justifican sus respuestas. La metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa permite que los resultados se beneficien del rigor estadístico y de una mayor profundización. Debido a la cantidad de elementos que componen el mensaje visual de una información, esta investigación exploratoria pretende conocer cuáles son los más valorados. Las primeras conclusiones han concretado que existe una preferencia por los diseños más adaptados a las características de Internet, y por elementos como el multimedia y las diferentes modificaciones tipográficas.  Con estos datos se ha iniciado una nueva investigación que concretará, exclusivamente de forma cuantitativa, la importancia de los componentes del diseño citados.
El análisis de contenido y la organización de repertorios culturales: El caso de las placas de linterna mágica
Authors: Frutos Esteban Francisco Javier
Published: March 2011

El desarrollo de técnicas de análisis sistemático de mensajes mediáticos es uno de los desafíos metodológicos que el área de comunicación debe abordar en las próximas décadas. El análisis de contenidos como método que permite investigar con detalle y en profundidad cualquier material de la comunicación humana puede ser una herramienta esencial en la descripción ordenada de repertorios comunicativos y culturales. Un método de arranque en la constitución de una ecología cultural basada en la investigación de la comunicación social, que en el presente trabajo se aplica al repertorio de las placas de linterna mágica, un medio audiovisual basado en la proyección de imágenes y uso sincrónico de sonidos que alcanzó entre los siglos XVII y XX una significativa trascendencia cultural.
Particularidades de la fotografía informativa en los medios online españoles
Authors: Villa María Isabel
Published: March 2011

Este artículo presenta las conclusiones más relevantes de la investigación La imagen informativa en los medios online: prensa, radio y televisión. La autora expone en primer lugar la teoría y metodología empleada, para luego pasar a describir como fue aplicada a una muestra, recogida en el 2004 y compuesta por 311 imágenes de las ediciones online de los diarios La Vanguardia, El País y El Mundo, las emisoras de radio Cadena Ser, Onda Cero, COPE, así como las cadenas de televisión Antena 3 y Telecinco. Finalmente formula los cambios y el desarrollo que ha sufrido el objeto de estudio hasta el 2008 y sus posibles líneas de investigación. Una de sus principales conclusiones es que el diseño modular de las maquetas condiciona de forma desfavorable el mensaje visual. Se encuentra homogeneidad en la presentación y cortes dramáticos de las capturas originales durante el proceso de edición. Así mismo, los fotógrafos son desconocidos y las agencias de noticias ostentan un papel preponderante como abastecedoras de imágenes.
El significado del trabajo para los futuros publicitarios. Un análisis desagregado por sexo
Authors: Hernández Ruiz Alejandra , Martín Llaguno Marta , Beléndez Vázquez Marina
Published: March 2011

En la Sociedad de la Información y el Conocimiento (SIC), la atracción y retención de personal se ha convertido en un factor esencial para las empresas cuya productividad depende del capital humano. En particular, en el ámbito de la comunicación comercial, el valor añadido que la publicidad aporta a los productos y servicios depende de las capacidades intelectivas de su fuerza laboral (crecientemente feminizada). En este contexto, es necesario analizar y reflexionar sobre las demandas laborales de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. Los estudios sobre el “contrato psicológico” muestran que, hoy por hoy, a menudo, la recompensa esperada no es meramente económica y un elemento para captar y fidelizar a los recursos humanos es conocer cómo se posicionan ante el trabajo. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar, con enfoque de género, el significado del trabajo de 473 estudiantes publicitarios antes de la incorporación al empleo, un momento clave para la formación de las actitudes hacia el trabajo. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el trabajo es un área central para la identidad de estos jóvenes, aunque con especial repercusión en el caso de las mujeres. Las diferencias entre sexos en la importancia concedida a la familia, al tiempo libre y a la comunidad desvelan la pervivencia de ciertos estereotipos de género. No obstante, es necesario destacar que, de forma unánime, estos estudiantes conciben el trabajo como un derecho y exigen ser partícipes en la toma de decisiones empresariales.
Opinión Pública y frames: La crisis de los cayucos
Authors: Rodríguez Díaz Raquel , Mena Montes Noemí
Published: March 2011

El aumento de extranjeros en España se ha convertido en uno de los temas más problemáticos para la opinión pública en la última década. A partir del año 2005, se observa cómo la inmigración pasa a ser el segundo problema en grado de importancia para los españoles, por encima del terrorismo y superado sólo por el desempleo. Este dato convierte a la inmigración en un tema de Estado, central para el gobierno del país, de ahí que la cobertura ofrecida por los medios de comunicación se contemple como un elemento destacado a la hora de enfocar y presentar este asunto a la opinión pública española. Este trabajo ofrece los diferentes frames o enfoques que difundieron dos de los periódicos de referencia españoles, El País y El Mundo, al tema de una de las crisis migratorias ocurridas en Canarias durante la primavera de 2006.  Bajo el marco teórico de la Teoría del Framing se ha realizado un análisis de contenido con variables que mostraron diferentes aspectos relacionados con la imagen mediática del fenómeno migratorio y el enfoque que cada uno de los diarios ofrecieron a sus lectores.
El tratamiento periodístico de la implantación del euro en España
Authors: Sotelo González Joaquín
Published: March 2011

A través de una serie de investigaciones realizadas a lo largo del tiempo, hemos conseguido establecer un mapa de coordenadas de situación del periodismo en relación con el tratamiento de asuntos relacionados con la Unión Europea. En primer lugar, identificamos y describimos las formas y actitudes empleadas por los periodistas -especialmente, por los corresponsales de prensa desplazados a Bruselas- a la hora de abordar noticias comunitarias. Paralelamente, procedimos al estudio de los condicionamientos ideológico-culturales de estos corresponsales en relación con su labor profesional. Una vez identificadas las prácticas profesionales, por un lado, y las posturas ideológico-culturales de los periodistas europeos, por otro, realizamos la articulación de los diferentes discursos para obtener así puntos nodales que demarcan y delimitan los distintos espacios abiertos para un eventual periodismo europeo. En el presente artículo, movilizamos los repertorios obtenidos y los aplicamos como marco conceptual al estudio del caso del tratamiento periodístico brindado por gran parte de la prensa española a un acontecimiento comunitario europeo de gran relevancia: la implantación del euro.
Microbial biomass and community composition in boreal lake sediments
Authors: Steger Kristin , Premke Katrin , Gudasz Cristian , Sundh Ingvar , Tranvik Lars J.
Published: March 2011

We used phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) to determine microbial biomass and community structure in the sediments of eight boreal lakes with different loadings of allochthonous organic carbon and total phosphorus (TP) in the water during the course of a year. The total concentration of PLFA, an estimate of the microbial biomass, depended more on TP, a proxy for pelagic primary production, but not on dissolved organic carbon, a proxy for terrestrial organic carbon input. The composition of PLFAs varied considerably over time, demonstrating seasonal dynamics in microbial community composition. When PLFA profiles in all lakes and seasons are compared, community composition is more similar within season than within lakes.
Climate‐index response profiling indicates larval transport is driving population fluctuations in nudibranch gastropods from the northeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Schultz Stewart T. , Goddard Jeffrey H. R. , Gosliner Terrence M. , Mason Douglas E. , Pence William E. , McDonald Gary R. , Pearse Vicki B. , Pearse John S.
Published: March 2011

We illustrate a novel method, climate‐index response profiling, for testing mechanistic hypotheses for abundance fluctuations in long‐term marine data sets. (1) Autoregressive models were fitted to time‐series data for multiple species using climate indices as external regressors. The resulting regression coefficients for each species we term a climate‐index response profile (CIRP). (2) Mechanistic hypotheses were rejected based on the summary response profile across species obtained by meta‐analysis. (3) Monte‐Carlo simulations of the CIRPs for all species at all sites were performed to generate null expectations to test the significance of nonrejected hypotheses. We applied this method to historical data of 56 nudibranch species from three intertidal sites studied independently in central California during nonoverlapping time periods between 1969 and 1995, combined with recent resurveys from these same sites. Adult populations are strongly correlated with the multivariate El Niño‐Southern Oscillation index and sea‐surface height, increasing during El Niño and decreasing during La Niña events. Our data are consistent with recruitment limitation via larval advection as the primary driver of adult abundance variation. El Niño conditions increase recruitment by cross‐shelf onshore advection of larvae from both southern and northern populations, and alongshore larval advection from southern source populations. We hypothesize that recent declines of California nudibranchs are temporary, and populations will recover as El Niño conditions return to the California current.
Premalignant Lesions of the Larynx and their Management
Authors: Hakeem Arsheed Hussain , Hakeem Imtiyaz Hussain , Pradhan Sultan A
Published: March 2011

The classification and the most appropriate treatment of the precancerous lesions of the larynx continue to be controversial. It is an established fact that the dysplastic lesions of the larynx have the potential to evolve into malignant lesion. It is also well-known that the capacity of this transformation significantly correlates to the grade of dysplasia of the epithelium. The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of these lesions depend almost entirely on their histological abnormalities.
Clinical and Imaging Assessment, Staging and Decision Making in Laryngeal Cancers
Authors: Badhe Rakesh
Published: March 2011

Cancer of the larynx has numerous implications—respiration, swallowing and speech, besides disability, vocational, recreational, etc. There are numerous treatment options which have been proven to be effective with randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis’. Often, the choice of modality offered to the patient is tailored to the patient's requirements as regard to his/her domestic, vocational and recreational environment. Although we may have a plethora of options for patients belonging to each stage of the disease, there are certain guidelines which must be adhered to in order to prevent any compromise of oncological safety. This article focuses on the planning of the treatment options based on various assessment modalities.
Special Considerations in Anesthesia for Laryngeal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Flory Sonia , Appadurai Ian R
Published: March 2011

The airway is not only shared but operated upon during laryngeal cancer surgery. Patients with laryngeal cancer may require general anesthesia for diagnostic endoscopic procedures, for endolaryngeal laser surgery or for major cancer resectional surgery. This review outlines the importance of careful assessment of the airway and medical comorbidities and discusses the options for anesthetic and ventilatory management whilst ensuring a safe airway, adequate oxygenation and the best possible view of the surgical field. Laryngeal cancer surgery may improve the airway or create new problems and the need for meticulous planning, multidisciplinary input, good communication and close cooperation between all members of the team is emphasized.
Photodynamic Therapy for Laryngeal Cancers
Authors: Biel Merill , Thankappan Kiskumar , Henderson Barbara , Rigual Nestor
Published: March 2011

Laryngeal cancer can associated with significant long-term morbidities. Photodynamic (PDT), a minimally invasive treatment that uses light of a specific wavelength to activate a photosensitizing agent in the tumor and its microenvironment, offers a viable alternative treatment for this patient population without permanent treatment related sequelae.

Our focus in this review is to discuss the existing evidence for the utilization PDT in treating laryngeal cancers and to summarize the advantages and limitations of this novel therapy.
Voice Rehabilitation after Laryngectomy
Authors: Erman Audrey B , Deschler Daniel G
Published: March 2011

Improvements in voice rehabilitation over the past century have paralleled the surgical success of laryngectomy. The establishment of the tracheoesophageal puncture marked a turning point in the development of successful and dependable voice rehabilitation. Surgical options include both primary and secondary placement of a tracheoesophageal puncture. Though complications, such as pharyngoesophageal spasm or prosthesis leakage may occur, patients should expect functional voice restoration after laryngectomy.
Extremely large anthropogenic aerosol component over the Bay of Bengal during winter season
Authors: Kaskaoutis D. G. , Kumar Kharol S. , Sinha P. R. , Singh R. P. , Kambezidis H. D. , Rani Sharma A. , Badarinath K. V. S.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Ship-borne observations of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) have been carried out over the entire Bay of Bengal (BoB) as part of the W-ICARB cruise campaign during the period 27 December 2008–30 January 2009. The results reveal a pronounced temporal and spatial variability in the optical characteristics of aerosols mainly due to anthropogenic emissions and their dispersion controlled by local meteorology. The highest aerosol amount, with mean AOD500 over 0.4, being even above 1.0 on specific days, is found close to the coastal regions in the western and northern parts of BoB. In these regions the Ångström exponent is also found to be high (~ 1.2–1.25) indicating transport of strong anthropogenic emissions from continental regions. A very high AOD500 (0.39 ± 0.07) and α380—870 values (1.27 ± 0.09) are found for the first time over the Eastern BoB, which was unexplored in the earlier ICARB-06 campaign. Except from the large α380—870 values, an indication of strong fine-mode dominance is also observed from the AOD curvature, which is negative in the vast majority of the cases, suggesting dominance of an anthropogenic-pollution aerosol type. On the other hand, clean maritime conditions are rather rare over the region, while the aerosol types are further examined through a classification scheme using the relationship between α and dα. It was found that even for the same α values the fine-mode dominance is larger for higher AODs showing the strong continental influence over the marine environment of BoB. Furthermore, there is also an evidence of aerosol size growth under more turbid conditions indicative of coagulation and/or humidification over specific BoB regions. The results obtained using OPAC model show significant fraction of soot aerosols (~ 6–8%) over the Eastern and Northwestern BoB, while coarse-mode sea salt particles are found to dominate in the southern parts of BoB.