bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Placenta as a Diagnostic Tool for the Neonatologist
Authors: Yallapragada Sushmita G. , Mestan Karen K. , Ernst Linda M.
Published: March 2016

The placenta is a vital organ, shared by a mother and fetus, which houses valuable information on the events and processes occurring before birth. Often these processes can have a negative impact on any or all organ systems, leading to neonatal instability and infant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the placenta may serve as an important clinical tool for the neonatologist and pediatrician in the diagnosis and management of several complex neonatal diseases. These diagnoses range from neonatal sepsis to congenital infections, sequelae of intrauterine growth abnormalities, neurologic signs, and a wide range of complications accompanying prematurity. The purpose of this review is to provide baseline information on the processes obtainable from the perinatal pathologist’s placental examination. We describe common anatomic and histologic lesions of the placenta that are associated with the aforementioned clinical problems, and describe how such placental findings can help the clinician in routine diagnosis and management. We discuss the current gaps in diagnostic usefulness of the placenta, and how ongoing research is the key to optimizing the placental examination to improve neonatal outcomes.
Una mirada personalista de la obra Pinocho de Collodi: ser persona, la libertad, el vértigo y el amor
Authors: Quesada Mora Gabriel
Published: March 2016

El presente trabajo estudiará la obra Las aventuras de Pinocho del es- critor italiano Carlo Collodi a partir del marco filosófico de la escuela personalista desarrollada en el siglo XX. Se hará énfasis en los conceptos de persona humana, de libertad y del amor como vocación y finalidad de las personas. Se analizará en su conjunto la propuesta axiológica de la obra. Como apoyo complementario de análisis, se utilizará el método lúdico-ambital del filósofo español Alfonso López Quintás para dilucidar las distinciones entre persona y objeto (el primero como fin en sí mismo y el segundo como medio); sentido y significado (lo esencial y exclusivo vrs. lo inmediato y denotativo); el concepto de ámbito (capacidad de fundar realidades creativas) y de encuentro (entre los seres en el que la libertad es primordial); y las categorías de vértigo (posesivo y violento) y éxta- sis (apertura y elevación por el amor); acontecimiento y hecho histórico. En su conjunto, este trabajo propone un personalismo literario en el que convergen el arte de la ficción y el arte del pensamiento filosófico. Uno de los principales aportes de este trabajo es mostrar la utilidad de las categorías filosóficas del personalismo para analizar las obras literarias. En el caso concreto de Pinocho se estudiará cómo, a pesar de iniciar expe- riencias de vértigo, desenfreno, manipulación y cosificación de los seres; Pinocho se transforma en un verdadero ser humano en el que la libertad y el amor tienen la última palabra. 
Diversidad en percepciones de la problemática social en el continente americano: cruzando fronteras mediante composiciones musicales
Authors: Pacheco Acuña Gilda
Published: March 2016

El siguiente artículo utiliza canciones de diferentes regiones de América escritas al final de la década de los años ochentas por cantautores re- presentativos de Argentina, Costa Rica y Estados Unidos. Estos textos, productos de cultura popular, son analizados como poemas y para dicho estudio se usan tanto estrategias de los enfoques comparativos literarios como premisas de los estudios culturales. Con esta propuesta teórica se busca visualizar interesantes similitudes y señalar importantes diferen- cias en estas producciones textuales desde diversos contextos históricos, políticos y sociales de los países seleccionados. 
La mujer “real”: cuerpos e historias particulares en Real Women Have Curves de Josefina López
Authors: López Get Anthony
Published: March 2016

Este artículo analiza las relaciones de poder existentes entre los sujetos “hombres” y “mujeres” en la obra de Josefina López Real Women Have Curves. Desde un enfoque feminista poscolonial, se estudia la dominación masculina sobre el cuerpo de las mujeres – cuerpos colonizados –, así como la necesidad, planteada en la obra, de un estudio feminista multicultural – no etnocéntrico–, incluyente, que tome en cuenta las particularidades de las mujeres doblemente marginadas en tanto mujeres del Ter- cer Mundo en oposición a una identidad de mujer absoluta y esencialista. 
Analyse esthétique du poème « Poésie » de Paul Valéry d’après son écrit « Au propos de la Poésie »
Authors: Castro Esquivel Laura
Published: March 2016

Este artículo trata del ensayo « Au propos de la Poésie » (1924) y del poema «Poésie» (1922) de Paul Valéry. Se hace un análisis estético para establecer correspondencias entre ambos textos. En este análisis se cuestiona la puesta en práctica de la poética valeriana en un poema del mis- mo autor. 
Most Common Refusal Strategies Used by Students of English Teaching as a Foreign Language
Authors: López Montero Rosberly
Published: March 2016

El presente artículo explora las estrategias de rechazo de peticiones y ofrecimientos más usadas por un grupo de estudiantes de la Enseñanza del Inglés de la Sede del Pacífico de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Tal análisis se realizó mediante versión modificada de un Test de Discurso compuesto de seis situaciones comunicativas: tres peticiones y tres ofrecimientos. La investigación señala las estrategias indirectas como las predilectas en todas las situaciones; además, las estrategias en las cuales el interlocutor pospone lo ofrecido y ofrece excusas y motivos se encuentran como las usadas más frecuentemente. 
Análisis de los mecanismos de cohesión en cuatro conversaciones en Facebook
Authors: Pérez Retana David
Published: March 2016

Este artículo es el resultado de la investigación Mecanismos de cohesión textual en las conversaciones en Facebook, elaborada para optar por el grado maestría en Lingüística de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Específi- camente, se analiza cómo interactúan los mecanismos de cohesión textual en cuatro conversaciones de Facebook para determinar de qué manera se logra la cohesión en este tipo de textos, y cómo inciden sobre los cambios temáticos. Para dicho propósito, se comentan en detalle cuatro conversa- ciones distintas, las cuales son representativas en tanto incluyen casos de los cuatro principales mecanismos de cohesión disponibles en español: conexión, referencia, elipsis y cohesión léxica. El estudio concluye que existen mecanismos textuales especializados en vincular distintas inter- venciones en una misma conversación, mientras que otros se orientan a vincular elementos textuales presentes en una misma intervención. 
Spanglish in Advertising
Authors: Smith Andrew
Published: March 2016

Este artículo estudia algunos acontecimientos históricos en el desarrollo de la publicidad y del Spanglish y cómo estos dos campos se relacionan. La importancia de esta investigación radica en el hecho que aunque el Spanglish es ahora común en el español de Latinoamérica, especialmente en la publicidad, la dinámica de estos dos temas ha sido raramente analizada. Por lo tanto, este estudio nos da una amplia perspectiva de la cambiante lengua española, del papel que el inglés juega en estos cambios, y de cómo la publicidad capitaliza la lengua para lograr ganancias comerciales. 
A New Strategic Proposal of Change in the Conversation Program of the School of Modern Languages at the University of Costa Rica: English for Specific Purposes Courses
Authors: Araya Garita Walter
Published: March 2016

Este artículo es el resultado de una investigación sobre una propuesta de cambio en la gestión académica del Programa de Cursos de Conversación de la Escuela de Lenguas Modernas de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Este estudio comprende los resultados de un instrumento administrado a los estudiantes del último nivel en el idioma inglés y opiniones de diferentes personas involucradas en la enseñanza de este idioma. Por último, se hace una serie de recomendaciones a la administración del programa para llevar a cabo la propuesta de cambio en la institución. 
Evaluating an English for Specific Purposes Course for Law Students
Authors: Acosta Salazar Ana Yeraldín , Brenes Burgos Carolina , Castro Murillo Jackeline
Published: March 2016

Este artículo presenta los resultados de la evaluación de la efectividad de un cur- so de inglés con fines específicos para estudiantes de derecho. Dicho curso fue di- señado según los deseos y necesidades de la población, previamente identificados por medio de encuestas a profesionales en el área, un examen de diagnóstico y un instrumento enfocado en averiguar los mayores intereses de la población al utili- zar el inglés en su vida profesional. El curso constaba de tres unidades enfocadas en facilitarle a la población el uso del inglés en el ámbito laboral. La metodología utilizada para impartir las clases fue task-based instrucction (instrucción basada en tareas), en la cual los estudiantes tenían que realizar tareas distintas con los objetivos de participar en una entrevista de trabajo y comunicarse de manera oral y escrita con clientes potenciales. Entre los resultados principales se pudo concluir que el curso fue muy efectivo en preparar a los alumnos para realizar las tareas meta 
Creencias y rendimiento académico en el aprendizaje de las lenguas extranjeras
Authors: Corpas Arellano María Dolores
Published: March 2016

Todos tenemos creencias que determinan nuestras predisposiciones, de- cisiones, comportamientos y acciones en la vida. Esta investigación em- pírica pretende analizar las creencias del alumnado español de cuarto nivel de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria con respecto al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la lengua extranjera. El objetivo principal es establecer una correlación entre las creencias y el rendimiento académico del alumnado de inglés como lengua extranjera. El estudio concluye afir- mando que aquellos estudiantes que logran los mejores resultados creen que el inglés es fácil de aprender, es útil para sus estudios posteriores y les gusta aprenderlo. Esto está relacionado con una alta motivación intrínseca del alumnado, lo que favorece el aprendizaje autodirigido y les permite buscar nuevos desafíos en este proceso. 
Building a Controlled Natural Language Framework for Real-time Machine Translation
Authors: León Calderón Sebastián
Published: March 2016

En este estudio se presenta un marco de trabajo dirigido a la necesidad de la comunicación en tiempo real entre personas sin un lenguaje común, mediante el uso de los Controlled Natural Languages (CNLs). El marco consiste en un conjunto de CNLs (inicialmente basados en el inglés y el español), en el cual el texto sometido a cualquiera de estos CNL es proyectado hacia una representación inequívoca de lenguaje independiente que, a su vez, es automáticamente traducida a un texto válido en un lenguaje meta natural que no solo conserva el significado del texto original sino que aparece como natural a los propios hablantes nativos. Además, en el estudio se propone un sistema de software similar al sistema moderno de mensajería a los clientes para facilitar dicha comunicación. 
Cine chino: nacionalismos, cuasinacionalismos y (trans)nacionalismos/ localismos en el cine de la República Popular China, Taiwán y Hong Kong
Authors: Acón Chan Lai Sai
Published: March 2016

En los círculos no cinéfilos la separación entre cine taiwanés, de Hong Kong y chino no parece clara. Así, un recuento cronológico de sus indus- trias fílmicas revelará también los convulsos movimientos históricos que dieron origen a las tres áreas geográficamente diferenciadas, las cuales comparten una identidad etnográfica y un origen comunes, pero procesos divergentes de desarrollo económico y político que, al final, han marcado cada cine nacional con rasgos distintivos. 
New record of the rare Long-snouted Bat, Platalina genovensium Thomas, 1928 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae), in the Azapa valley, northern Chile
Authors: Ossa Gonzalo , Vilchez Karolida , Valladares Pablo
Published: March 2016

Platalina genovensium is a poorly known bat species from the west coast of Peru and Chile, considered as near threatened because of its narrow range of distribution. There are few records in Peru, and only one record in the Azapa valley, northern Chile from the year 1996. Here we report a new record for P. genovensium for the Azapa valley 19 years afterwards, confirming the presence of the species in the Arica y Parinacota region, Chile.
Simulation of Heating Cycles for Large Steel Ingots
Authors: Acosta L.F. Romano , Zapata O. , Álvarez I. , Cerda R. , Lezama L. Leduc
Published: March 2016

A simulation model is presented, where temperature, phases and internal stresses can be predicted as a function of time during the heating of large steel ingots for forging. Heating cycle measurements and computer simulations are compared for an A105 steel grade 34-Ton tapered ingot. A study of the heat transfer inside a natural gas-fired furnace was carried out to make an estimation of internal stresses due to thermal expansion and phase transformation from α ferrite and pearlite to γ austenite during heating. The model was validated with a second test of an AISI 4330 steel grade 35.4-Ton ingot. The simulation model described can calculate internal stresses in any ingot in order to optimize its heating cycle without compromising ingot internal quality, reducing energy consumption and increasing productivity of the furnace.
Effect of Sodium Silicate Properties in Alkali-Activation of Mexican Blast Furnace Slag
Authors: Cortés-Salmerón O. F. , García-Chávez M. L. , García-Mejía T. A.
Published: March 2016

The present work is a study on alkali activation of Mexican blast furnace slag, using sodium silicate. The aim is to produce an optimal specimen, homogeneous without carbonation, and with small fraction of crystalline phases, similar to CSH, which provide mechanical properties suitable to use in the construction industry. The samples were prepared using sodium silicate activator solutions with modulus (SiO2/Na2O) of 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75. The weight percentage of Na2O in the activator solutions was added at 4, 6 and 8% relative to the slag weight. The prepared samples were stored in sealed molds, at room temperature (20°C), during 7 days. The X-ray diffraction has revealed the presence of an amorphous phase, semi crystalline clinotobermorite phase and signals of calcium carbonate for the samples of 4 and 6 % of Na2O; in contrast with the 8% Na2O, where the latter signals almost disappeared. The specimen selected as optimal was prepared with an activator concentration of 8% of Na2O /Slag, and SiO2/Na2O of 1.25. A specimen under these optimal conditions was prepared with accelerated curing (40°C, humidity, 48 hours), and a compressive strength test was attained, with an average value of 52 MPa at 3 days.
Tecnología streaming para radio digital universitaria
Authors: Acevedo Clavijo Edwin Jovanny , Hernández Chacón Sorey , Cardoza Vásquez Edison
Published: March 2016

Basada en la necesidad de utilizar Sistemas de la Información como herramientas claves en las actividades de enseñanza-aprendizaje universitaria, la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia (UCC) sede Barrancabermeja busca  mejorar los procesos, metodologías e instrumentos para conseguir los objetivos de la educación universitaria.  Por tal motivo, pone en marcha la propuesta de Radio Digital, teniendo en cuenta su misión de formar profesionales con criterios políticos creativos y solidarios, que sean agentes motivadores de cambio y emprendedores.  El presente artículo muestra los avances de un proyecto que tiene como propósito satisfacer la necesidad anteriormente planteada y que tiene como objetivo, diseñar una plataforma Web utilizando un servidor Streaming sobre un sistema operativo Linux, donde se publique material educativo y radial de la UCC Barrancabermeja. Para ello, el trabajo se centró en la evaluación de diferentes softwares utilizados como servidores, teniendo en cuenta sus características, beneficios y su facilidad para aplicarse en plataforma libre.
Análisis del impacto del fenómeno de la niña sobre la infraestructura vial en el departamento de Santander-Colombia
Authors: Gutiérrez Torres Juan David
Published: March 2016

El artículo presenta un estudio comparativo de dos interpretaciones potencialmente predictivas, sobre la localización de los sitios de mayor riesgo a lo largo de la red vial primaria en el departamento de Santander. Para la verificación del poder predictivo se seleccionó el conjunto de deslizamientos que afectaron las vías del departamento durante el mes de diciembre de 2010. La fuente de información para la localización de los deslizamientos fue el cubrimiento periodístico realizado por la prensa local. Se estimó la distancia promedio entre cada deslizamiento y el mapa resultante entre la superposición temática de: a) las isoyetas de precipitación y b) las alteraciones más probables de la precipitación durante un fenómeno de La Niña, versus la susceptibilidad a la remoción en masa. Se observa la distancia promedio es menor para la situación b, evidenciando una mejor capacidad predictiva para identificación de sitios de riesgo, cuando se incorpora una perspectiva de análisis de fenómenos extremos (e.g. La Niña) y no el comportamiento promedio de las precipitaciones en una región, como ha sido la convencionalmente interpretada para este tipo de análisis.
Programa de control de emisiones para la industria yesera convencional
Authors: Pardavé Walter
Published: March 2016

El presente artículo trata del desarrollo de un programa para el control de emisiones para la industria yesera en el departamento de Santander. Para cumplir tal propósito, en primer lugar se realizó una descripción de las operaciones con los equipos involucrados, luego se efectuó un diagnóstico de la problemática ambiental derivada de estos procesos; y finalmente se propuso un conjunto de acciones tendientes a minimizar los efectos e impactos ambientales de este tipo de industria convencional.
Editorial
Authors: Moreno González María Consuelo
Published: March 2016

Editorial revista número1 del volumen 2 de la revista Esaica
Aprovechamiento de energía offshore: Avances y perspectivas
Authors: Navarro Oviedo Martha Alejandra , Hernández Castillo Juan Pablo , Benedetti Márquez Elissa Belén , González Delgado Ángel Darío
Published: March 2016

La creciente demanda energética mundial ha impulsado la investigación en el aprovechamiento de fuentes no convencionales como las fuentes energéticas offshore.  El aprovechamiento de este grupo de alternativas energéticas tiene ventajas y desventajas propias de acuerdo con su nivel de novedad y localización.  En este artículo se presenta el trabajo de revisión sobre el aprovechamiento y los avances de la energía offshore, dentro de los contextos europeo y latinoamericano. La revisión realizada registra que los sistemas offshore se están aprovechando de una manera cada vez más eficiente, se destaca la tendencia de estructuras que satisfagan la necesidad de abastecimiento energético y a la vez contrarresten los retos económicos, así como el desarrollo de sistemas híbridos.
Factores incidentes en procesos de avalúos de predios rurales en Santander-Colombia
Authors: Moreno González Jhon Fredy
Published: March 2016

Este artículo presenta avances de una investigación que viene realizando el autor, sobre factores que inciden de forma determinante durante el proceso de avalúo de un predio rural  y que se deben tener en cuenta en la toma de decisiones de inversión de capital en este tipo de bienes.  El objetivo principal de la investigación que fundamenta el artículo es determinar la incidencia de los factores suelo, construcciones, cultivos, maquinaria y equipo, intangibles y ambiente sociopolítico del negocio, en la estimación del valor comercial que según el POT se trate de un predio rural.   Entre los hallazgos sobresale la identificación de variables en cada factor- tipo de suelo, materiales de construcción, clase de cultivo, eficiencia de maquinaria y equipos, valor de intangibles y estabilidad sociopolítica de la zona donde se ubica el terreno -, el uso de cálculos matemáticos de niveles de incidencia y la ejemplificación de tales grados incidentales en casos de avalúo en predios rurales en el departamento de Santander-Colombia-.  Finalmente se exponen las conclusiones correspondientes al avance aquí divulgado y que permitirán continuar con mayor certeza el trabajo investigativo en torno al tema.
Previsão de demanda: um estudo de caso em uma agroindústria de carnes do oeste catarinense
Authors: Zanella Cleunice , Vieira Volmir , Barichello Rodrigo , Rodrigues Marcio Paixão
Published: March 2016

Com base nas previsões de demanda, as empresas planejam cenários produtivos, financeiros e de pessoal, tanto no longo como no curto prazo. As previsões tornam-se essenciais, especialmente para as empresas que trabalham com produção empurrada, para as quais não há garantia de venda. Portanto, devem planejar seus sistemas produtivos e financeiros, visando atender a uma previsão de demanda de seus produtos ou serviços. Neste sentido, este estudo foi realizado em uma agroindústria de carnes, localizada no município de Chapecó, estado de Santa Catarina, visando analisar os métodos de previsão de demanda utilizados pela empresa. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada ao gerente de operações, gerente comercial e analistas que respondem pelas previsões de demanda realizadas. Como principais resultados destaca-se a utilização de métodos tanto quantitativos como qualitativos, além da afirmação referente a importância das previsões de demanda para o planejamento da empresa.
Unidade de equivalência em serviços de telecomunicações
Authors: Reis Luiza Santangelo , Borgert Altair , Ferrari Mara Juliana
Published: March 2016

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre as variáveis “custos” e “produção”, por meio de uma unidade de medida de produção denominada Unidade de Rede – UR, em uma empresa prestadora de serviços de telecomunicações. A análise evidencia uma correlação de 55%, classificada como moderada, para um período de 24 meses e 177 observações. Num segundo momento, a análise envolve somente as equipes que mantiveram o padrão quanto à sua composição, o que resulta em 32 ocorrências, para as quais o coeficiente r de Pearson é de 0,8. Por fim, analisam-se os dados para as equipes individualmente ao longo do período, cujos resultados apresentam coeficientes de correlação forte para 07 (sete) das 11 (onze) equipes analisadas, e correlação moderada para as demais. Estes resultados indicam a consistência da aplicabilidade da modelagem UR à empresa prestadora de serviços de telecomunicações objeto do estudo.
A percepção dos trabalhadores experientes no processo de tomada de decisão
Authors: Araújo Guilherme Fernando S. de , Figueiredo Vitor Guilherme Carneiro , Junior Hugo José Ribeiro , Figueiredo Michelle Karine
Published: March 2016

O presente artigo analisa a complexidade do corpo histórico dos trabalhadores experientes nas organizações, especialmente no tocante à experiência sincronizada e à percepção no processo de tomada de decisão. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo é evidenciar as estratégias de regulação mobilizadas no decorrer da ação por esses trabalhadores. As principais vertentes da criação e da transmissão do conhecimento tácito e da fenomenologia da percepção são apresentadas de uma forma que possibilite a confrontação de ideias sobre seguir ou não seguir as regras. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no Centro de Operação do Sistema de uma grande companhia energética de Minas Gerais. Os métodos utilizados para a pesquisa foram a Análise Ergonômica do Trabalho e a pesquisa-ação, compreendendo a imersão no campo de trabalho e a identificação de julgamentos e de “atalhos” relacionados à cognição e à percepção. A amostra de conveniência foi constituída por cinco técnicos que atuam no setor de geração de energia. Os resultados evidenciaram que a percepção incorporada e a expertise situada auxiliam os trabalhadores no seu processo de tomada de decisão frente a uma situação problema ou convencional.
Nível de evidenciação dos indicadores ambientais e sociais sob a perspectiva da análise hierárquica de processos (ahp) – um estudo exploratório nas empresas com melhor desempenho no índice de sustentabilidade empresarial (ise) em 2013
Authors: Dantas Paloma Araújo , Nunes Rosângela Venâncio , Costa de Assis Charles Washington , Adriano Nayana de Almeida , Fonseca Rita de Cássia
Published: March 2016

O objetivo desse trabalho é analisar o nível de evidenciação dos indicadores ambientais e sócias em empresas de diferentes ramos se atividades, com base nos relatórios de sustentabilidade do ano de 2013. Para isto realizou-se um estudo exploratório por meio dos relatórios de sustentabilidade divulgados a partir do modelo G4 da Global Reporting Iniciative, e assim realizou-se a análise de conteúdo para classificar as informações divulgadas. Por meio do estudo realizado verificou-se que tanto a evidenciação de indicadores ambientais como sociais foram classificadas na maior parte das empresas como baixa. Verificou-se que a evidenciação do grupo de indicadores ambientais foi levemente superior que dos indicadores sociais, mas ambas encontraram-se na maioria das empresas uma classificação de baixa. A análise chegou à conclusão de que o nível de evidenciação varia entre as empresas, mas nenhuma das empresas analisadas alcançaram o topo no nível de evidenciação.
Cenário da atuação do seis sigma na área de engenharia de produção
Authors: Martin Eduardo José Pereira , Camargo Luís Henrique Fogueiral DE , Zambelo Elisabete Aparecida
Published: March 2016

Em um mundo cada vez mais competitivo, onde os prazos e metas se tornam mais estreitos e difíceis de alcançar, as organizações buscam novas vantagens competitivas as quais lhes possibilitem uma melhora em seu desenvolvimento e neste contexto entra em cena o programa Seis Sigma como uma forma de viabilizar tais proveitos. Este trabalho consiste em uma revisão de literatura sobre o tema Seis Sigma, por meio da revisão bibliométrica foi possível identificar o panorama de atuação do programa Seis Sigma na Engenharia de Produção. Utilizou-se a base de dados da ABEPRO/ENEGEP para a realização da pesquisa que obteve como resultado um conjunto de 34 publicações, nas quais se identificaram os principais pólos de estudos, autores e universidades que mais publicaram sobre o assunto, palavras-chaves mais recorrentes, número de publicações por ano, o tipo de pesquisa apresentado e as ferramentas utilizadas em conjunto com o programa Seis Sigma. Com a análise dos artigos selecionados, foi possível concluir tais questões indagadas acima.
Biodiversity Informatics Training Curriculum, version 1.2
Authors: Peterson A. Townsend , Ingenloff Kate
Published: March 2016

The Biodiversity Informatics Training Curriculum represents an integration of three years of teaching and interaction by many instructors and students in a series of interactions in courses across Africa. Digital videos of these courses--shared openly via YouTube--have been compiled into a first field-wide curriculum, which is presented herein. The compilation is, in effect, a digital textbook covering the entire field of biodiversity informatics.
Debating Europe: Effects of the “Eurovision Debate” on EU Attitudes of Young German Voters and the Moderating Role Played by Political Involvement
Authors: Maier Jürgen , Rittberger Berthold , Faas Thorsten
Published: March 2016

In the run-up to the elections to the European Parliament in 2014, EU citizens had the unprecedented opportunity to watch televised debates between the candidates running for president of the European Commission. The most important debate was the so-called “Eurovision debate”, which was broadcasted in almost all EU member states. In this study we explore the responses of a sample of 110 young German voters, who watched this debate, to the candidates’ messages and whether exposure to the debate caused a shift in the respondents’ attitudes towards the EU. Combining data from a quasi-experiment, real-time response data, and data from a content analysis of the debate, we find that respondents’ reactions to the candidates’ statements were—on average—positive and that some respondents displayed attitudinal changes resulting in more favorable views towards the EU. Although the direct connection between real-time responses and post-debate attitudes is not as strong as expected, most of the measured effects indicate that a positive evaluation of the candidates’ messages usually results in more pro-European attitudes. Furthermore, we find no strong evidence that political knowledge moderates debate effects. In general, differences between political ‘novices’ and political ‘experts’ tend to be rare.
Looking for the European Voter: Split-Ticket Voting in the Belgian Regional and European Elections of 2009 and 2014
Authors: Kelbel Camille , Van Ingelgom Virginie , Verhaegen Soetkin
Published: March 2016

While European elections are often seen as remote from EU issues, considerations specifically linked to the EU came to the forefront in the wake of the 2014 European elections: the economic and financial crisis, the new process of designation of the European Commission President, and the alleged increase of Eurosceptic votes. This increased salience of political debates about the EU asks for a reconsideration of the ‘second-order nature’ of European elections. In this context, as in 2009, the Belgian electorate voted for the regional and European levels on the very same day. Belgian voters were thus offered the opportunity to split their ticket between both levels. This allows comparing the occurrence and determinants of these ‘immediate switching’ behaviours in 2014 with those of the presumably less politicized EP elections in 2009. We do that by employing the 2009 and 2014 PartiRep Election Study data. On the one hand, the article shows that split-ticket voting cannot be explained by economic voting, European identity, and attitudes towards integration in 2014. On the other hand, the unique configuration of the Belgian elections enables us to observe that the introduction of Spitzenkandidaten did enhance split-ticket voting for voters who could directly vote for this candidate (in Flanders), while this did not increase split-ticket voting among voters who could only indirectly support the candidate (in Wallonia).
The Choice of Spitzenkandidaten: A Comparative Analysis of the Europarties’ Selection Procedures
Authors: Put Gert-Jan , Van Hecke Steven , Cunningham Corey , Wolfs Wouter
Published: March 2016

The selection of leading candidates by the political families, the so-called Spitzenkandidaten, is relatively groundbreaking as it is the first form of political recruitment organized at the EU level. The literature on candidate selection procedures has so far concentrated on national parties and their procedures. To our knowledge the analytical model has not yet been applied at the EU level. This article will fill this gap by examining the selection procedures of Europarties, more particularly for their EC presidency candidates, a novelty of the 2014 European Parliament elections. Based on the analysis of the procedures applied within the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European Socialists (PES), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE), the European Green Party (EGP), and the Party of the European Left (EL), one of the main findings of this article is that the procedures are largely copy-paste from the Europarties’ internal procedures for selecting a president. This can largely be explained by the lack of time and experience their party elites had in the run-up to the 2014 elections. We therefore expect the Europarties to further professionalize their selection procedures and start the process earlier with more high profile politicians to stand as candidates in 2019.
Selection and characterization of potential probiotic Lactobacilli spp isolated from chicken feces may be used as a potent antibacterial agent
Authors: Aazami Nazila , Kalantar Enayatollah , Poormazaheri Helen , Pour Nassimeh Setayesh vali , Jouzan Gholamreza Salehi
Published: March 2016

Lactobacillus strains commonly used as probiotics which possess some properties such as resistance to gastric acidity and bile salts, production of antimicrobial compounds, the ability to modulate immune responses, and adhesion to gut tissues. This study aimed to isolate, identify, production and characterization of the probiotic strains. Total of 10 digestive tracts of chickens fed without antibiotics for presence of Lactobacillus spp was evaluated. All isolates were grown with different conditions like effect of temperature, pH, pepsine, bile, sodium chloride tolerance, aggregation, adhesion and antibiotic resistance test tested and then antibacterial activity was determined.In this study, 34 lactic acid bacteria were investigated as putative probiotic candidates. Based on the molecular identification using 16S rDNA sequencing the isolates belonged to Lactobacillus species. The strains showed potent antibacterial activity. The results on acid tolerance showed that all the strains tested survived at pH 2.0 to 5.5. L. agilis strain M18, L. salivarius strain M10, L.vaginalis strains M8 and M19, and L. crispatus strains Or2 and M10 showed the lowest sensitivity to pepsine. All the studied Lactobacillus strains were able to grow at both 15 and 45°C . Five Lactobacillus strains adhered well to the Caco-2 cells. The result of antibiotic resistance test of 34 lactic acid bacteria showed that most of them were resistant or intermediate. Based on 34 Lactobacillus strains, L. vaginalis strain M8 and L. reuteri strain M6 were selected for the further in vivo assays and possible eventual use as prophylactic and therapeutic agent.
Ushoi kangshu -A traditional bamboo shoot salad of the Meiteis of Manipur
Authors: Devi Yengkokpam Ranjana , Chakma Amrit
Published: March 2016

Ushoi kangshu is a fiery traditional seasonal delicacy of the Meiteis of Manipur, India prepared from fresh bamboo shoot. The main ingredients being fermented fish, chillies and peas. The preparation method is a traditional art which is handed over from generation to generation. Bamboo shoots are low in calories, high in dietary fiber and rich in various nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals, fat, sugar and inorganic salts, however, bamboo shoots are known to contain plant toxins (cyanogenic glycosides) which are harmful to human health. Studies on the cyanogenic content shows that the toxin is present in high concentration (600mg/kg) in the fresh bamboo shoot however, the concentration of the toxic compound is decreased step wise (400mg/kg to 160mg/kg) during the preparation of ushoi kangshu and is completely removed at the final step of preparation. More over it was observed that this ethnic bamboo shoot salad is highly nutritious due to its garnishing with locally available herbs which has medicinal and therapeutic values.
Incidence, bionomics and management of spotted pod borer [Maruca vitrata (Geyer)] in major pulse crops in India-A review
Authors: Mahalakshmi M. S. , Sreekanth M. , Adinarayana M. , Reni Y. Pushpa , Rao Y. Koteswara , Narayana E.
Published: March 2016

Spotted pod borer is one of the major biotic constraint for pulses production which can cause damage to the economic plant parts such as flower buds, flowers and pods. The larvae feeds on 39 host species of legume crops. The seasonal incidence of spotted pod borer differed from crop to crop and season to season. However, the peak incidence of larvae was observed at flowering and pod development stage in different pulse crops. Female moths lays flat scaly eggs on floral buds, flowers, leaves, leaf axils, terminal shoots and tender pods. Larvae are translucent with dark brown spots on each segment and larval period lasted from 11 to 21 days and the duration of total life cycle varied from 27 to 36 days on different hosts. The efficacy of chemical insecticides belonging to different groups against spotted pod borer was well established on different pulse crops. Neem products such as neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) or neem oil and biocides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) showed different levels of efficacy on different crops.
Response of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) to phosphorus-A review
Authors: Singh Narinder , Singh Guriqbal
Published: March 2016

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is an old world legume and probably one of the first plant species to be domesticated. Lentil is mainly cultivated in rainfed agro-ecosystems, where majority of soils are low to medium in available phosphorus (P), so lentil responds well to phosphorus fertilization. Higher phosphorus application stimulates the plant to increase the main root as well as lateral root length which enables the plant to take large volume of water from deeper soil layers. The symbiotic parameters i.e. nodulation, nodule dry weight and leghaemoglobin content are positively influenced by phosphorus application. Proper supply of phosphorus lengthens the lentil phenology i.e. maturity period, moreover it also influences the physiological parameters i.e. harvest index, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and crop growth rate. The optimum phosphorus application enhances the yield attributes such as number of pods per plant, grains per pod and 1000-grain weight, resulting in high production. Lentil occupies a unique position in the world of agriculture by virtue of its high protein content. Adequate supply of phosphorus increases the protein concentration and protein developing parameters i.e. albumins, globulins and prolamins. Higher phosphorus fertilization stimulates the plant to capture molybdenum (Mo) element from soil which is an important component of the nitrogenase enzyme and also manipulates the soil N and organic carbon status to maintain the soil fertility. Phosphorus application makes the plant resistant against diseases i.e. root rot, collar rot and wilt by morphological and physiological changes.
Molecular techniques in rumen biotechnology: A review
Authors: Preedaa Manju G. , Parkunan Thulasiraman , Kumar R. Dhinesh , Ramavathi J. , Yazhini P. , Sheikh Aasif Ahmad , Dar Mohammad Rayees , Priyadarshini Lakshmi , Baghel Gunjan , Chandrasekar T.
Published: March 2016

This review analyses the use of molecular techniques in rumen microbial identification. The use of regular methods like roll tube and most probable number resulted in under estimation of rumen microbial growth. So molecular biology acts as an advanced tool for rumen microbial culture and identification of various new species. These techniques give complete descriptions of individual ruminal populations. Use of molecular techniques like PCR, DDGE and FISH, which also pave pathway for genetic manipulation of rumen microbes in the field of rumen manipulation. So the combination of traditional and molecular assays gives accurate and satisfactory results.
Effect of land configuration, nutritional management module and biofertilizer application on performance, productivity and profitability of urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper], in North-Western India
Authors: Tomar S. S. , Dwivedi Ashish , Singh Adesh , Singh M. K.
Published: March 2016

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2010 and 2011 on sandy loam soil. The treatments comprises having two land configurations (Flat bed and raised bed) and five nutrient management options (control, PSB alone, 100% RDF, 50% RDF+PSB and 100% RDF+PSB) were tested in factorial randomized design with three replication. Results indicated that raised bed planting recorded higher mean growth attributes viz., plant height (63.8 cm), dry weight/plant (14.2 g), LAI at 60 DAS (3.58), number of root nodules/plant (29.7), yield attributing component and yield viz., pods/plants (19.7), seeds/pod (5.0) and test weight (42.5 g), grain yield (9.8 q/ha), quality parameters viz., protein content (21.4 %) and protein yield (209.9 kg/ha), total nutrients uptake, available soil nutrients status viz., organic carbon (0.575 %), available nitrogen (225.4 kg/ha), phosphorus (16.9 kg/ha) and potassium (249.2 kg/ha) and economics viz., net return/ha (Rs 13200), B:C ratio (1.55), production efficiency (12.3 kg/day/ha) and economic efficiency (165 Rs/day/ha) as compared to flat bed method. Similarly 100% RDF + PSB produces highest values of all the above parameters than rest of the treatments.
Is Sales Growth Of Companies Listed On The Warsaw Stock Exchange Mean-Reverting?
Authors: Welc Jacek
Published: March 2016

Empirical research shows that corporate financial results (measured by sales growth, profitability, earnings growth, leverage, etc.) are characterized by the long-term reversion toward the levels average for the whole economy. In the case of sales growth this means that companies which in a given year show above-average growth in the following periods express the tendency to show slower pace of this growth and companies which in a given year show below-average growth in the following periods express the tendency to show faster pace of growth. In the paper we explore the reversion toward the mean of the sales growth of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in the period of 2001-2009. The research confirmed the strong tendency of sales growth to revert toward the mean.
An Analysis Of Business Process Outsourcing Strategies Of Public And Private Sector Banks In India
Authors: Ravi Siva Prasad , Jain Ravi Kumar , Sharma Hari P.
Published: March 2016

This paper is a study of the recent trends of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) strategies and practices among banking institutions in India.  The study attempts to analyze BPOs used by private and public banks using four dimensional descriptive conceptual dimensions of outsourcing:  1) shoring model (vendor location/service creation), 2) sourcing model (vendor type), 3) engagement model (number of vendors engaged), and 4) duration of the engagement (contract period).  The comparison of results reveals similar trends of outsourcing for public and private banks. However, public banks are more regulated, and thus are restricted from outsourcing of certain processes to avoid excessive risks of privacy of data and information related to customers.  From a financial strategic point of view, in the long run, the underlying profit margins of a public bank might have adverse effects.
Motives For Employee Profit Sharing Schemes In The U.S., U.K. And Canada
Authors: Daneshfar Alireza , Simyar Farhad , Rolleri Michael , Wnek Robert
Published: March 2016

This paper discusses different motives for profit sharing adoption in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., and analyzes employment-based factors that could contribute to these differences. Motives for profit sharing are classified into two groups: motivational and non-motivational. A theoretical model is presented that suggests a firm’s ability to use profit sharing for non-motivational purposes is limited by the status of domestic employment-related factors. The analytical review indicates that the non-motivational use of profit sharing is limited by the status of employment-related factors in each of the studied countries. However, the non-motivational use of profit sharing is probable if higher labor productivity is expected through other means. Implication of the results is discussed for future studies in this area.
Hispanic Women Owners In International Business Consulting: Where Are They?
Authors: Castro Carmen M.
Published: March 2016

This academic research study addresses some of the social and economic business barriers being faced by Hispanic Business Owners in the field of International Business Management Consulting for multinational corporations MNCs. This research is very significant to the scholarly body of literature because it also highlights the struggles of Hispanic women when it comes to social recognition, political recognition, economic independence, cultural identity, traditional cultural and family values, educational achievement, and entrepreneurial business advancement. However, perhaps the most significant aspect of this research study is the development of the first characteristic model of successful Hispanic Women Business Owners.
Value Creation Through International Acquisitions In A World Of One-Way Globalization: Toward A New Paradigm
Authors: Park Kathleen , Vambery Robert G.
Published: March 2016

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions have typically resulted in relatively poor returns for acquiring firm shareholders.  Yet subsets from the universe of M&A deals have demonstrated positive returns, leaving open the question of determining the characteristics of cross-border deals that would be conducive to wealth formation.  We use a study of large-capitalization firms as a springboard to investigating the performance of differentiated large-scale international acquisitions.  We note that large acquisitions take place in a world frequently characterized by one-way rather than reciprocal globalization. This ongoing study seeks to identify determinants of value creation subject to imbalances in how the benefits from transnational business processes are distributed among the countries which accommodate the transactions.
Price Behaviour Of New Share Listings In Nigeria
Authors: Otaniyi Olatunde , Makina Daniel
Published: March 2016

The paper investigates whether new listings on the Nigerian Stock Exchange are under-priced or not. On aggregate, we find that investors are able to make abnormal gains from new listings on the first tier (main) market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Our analyses show that up to one year after listing the average differences of real share prices are positively significant to confirm the observation. The situation is however different in the second (emerging) tier market. Our analyses show that the real prices of newly listed shares in the second tier market do fall. Such an observation could, however, be attributed to thin trading of shares which phenomenon is characteristic of second tier markets. When we partition the data into pre-and post-deregulation periods, we observe under-pricing of new equity listings to have been severe during the pre-deregulation period, and hence more opportunity for abnormal gains. We find opportunities for making abnormal gains to be not as strong during the post-deregulation period. When the data is analysed on the basis of whether or not new listings are financial institution firms, some interesting patterns of price behaviour are found. While we observe possibilities of making abnormal gains in new listings of non-financial companies and insurance companies, these possibilities are absent in new listings of banking sector shares indicating that they are efficiently priced relative to those of other sectors.
Does Saving Really Matter For Growth In Developing Countries? The Case Of A Small Open Economy
Authors: Oladipo Olajide S.
Published: March 2016

The study employed the Toda and Yamamoto (1995) and Dolado and Lutkepohl (1996) –TYDL methodology to uncover the direction of causal relationship between savings and economic growth in Nigeria between 1970 and 2006. The empirical results suggest that savings and economic growth are positively cointegrated, indicating a stable long-run equilibrium relationship. Further, the findings revealed a unidirectional causality between savings and economic growth and the complementary role of FDI in growth.
Dynamics Of Stock Market Return Volatility: Evidence From The Daily Data Of India And Japan
Authors: Mishra Banamber , Rahman Matiur
Published: March 2016

This paper studies the dynamics of stock market return volatility of India and Japan. The TGARCH-M model is implemented. These markets are impacted asymmetrically by bad news and good news. The return volatility persists in both countries.