bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I giochi didattici nell’insegnamento/apprendimento d’italiano come lingua straniera
Authors: De Domizio Anna , Mertelj Darja
Published: January 2016

Nonostante le numerose e diverse definizioni del gioco, in generale, si considera che il gioco stimoli e sostenga lo sviluppo cognitivo, sociale, emozionale e motorio degli individui. Nell’ambiente scolastico si usano i cosiddetti giochi didattici che sono organizzati in base agli obiettivi formativi. La differenza tra questi e i ‘giochi popolari’ consiste nel fatto che questi non sono frutto della tradizione popolare o dell’invenzione spontanea dei bambini, ma sono creati e adattati dagli insegnanti stessi, secondo criteri organizzativi e contenutistici che coincidono con gli obiettivi specifici dell’unità didattica. In conseguenza sono sempre più numerosi gli insegnanti e gli autori di libri di testo che decidono di includere questo tipo di tecnica didattica nel processo d’insegnamento. I giochi didattici nelle lezioni di lingue straniere hanno un’importanza notevole perché possono essere usati sia per sviluppare le abilità ricettive che per quelle produttive. Un’ulteriore caratteristica potenzialmente positiva dei giochi didattici è che non sono adatti solo per bambini ma anche per adolescenti e adulti, quindi adatti anche per l’insegnamento delle lingue straniere in vari contesti d’apprendimento. Nella parte empirica di quest’articolo si cerca di chiarire in quale misura si usino i giochi didattici durante le lezioni d’italiano come lingua straniera nelle scuole secondarie superiori e come questa tecnica d’insegnamento/apprendimento sia accolta tra gli studenti.
Poučevanje ruščine kot tujega jezika v slovenskem prostoru
Authors: Frank Meta
Published: January 2016

V prvem delu pričujočega prispevka je predstavljenih nekaj bistvenih teoretičnih izhodišč metodike poučevanje ruščine kot tujega jezika ter njen kratek zgodovinski oris. V drugem delu prispevka se avtorica osredotoča na poučevanje in učenje ruskega jezika v slovenskem prostoru. Predstavljeni so rezultati vprašalnika za učitelje ruščine, s pomočjo katerega je avtorica izvedela, kje se ruščina poučuje, kakšna gradiva se pri tem uporabljajo in na katerih področjih ugotavljajo učitelji največje težave pri učenju in usvajanju ruskega jezika.
Niz Prešernovih jezikov
Authors: Turk Boštjan Marko
Published: January 2016

Članek se posveča analizi uvodnega mota v Nameček nemških in ponemčenih poezij »getico scripsi sermone libellum«, ki jih je France Prešeren sprva namenil za objavo skupaj s Poezijami, kasneje pa jih je pustil zunaj zbirke. Članek ugotavlja, da je razlog opustitve v razmerju med linguo franco Avstro-ogrske monarhije in slovenščino. Prešeren je moto izbral namenoma, da bi svoje pisanje v nemščini identificiral s položajem Ovida, ko se znajde v pontskem izgnanstvu in začne pisati v barbarskem jeziku. Prešernova kretnja, s katero nemščino označi za barbarski jezik, najde svojo utemeljitev v romantični filozofiji modernega subjektivizma, ki temelji na Kantovem gnoseološkem obratu. Ne določa svet zavesti, temveč določa zavest svet. Zgolj v luči te sodbe a priori je bilo Francetu Prešernu mogoče zavzeti takšno stališče, na ta način pa protestirati zoper splošno prakso zatiranja njegove materinščine. Z oznako nemških poezij s slabšalnim izrazom »nameček« in s končno opustitvijo lastnih besedil, je ta filozofski nazor tudi potrdil na lastnem zgledu.
Primerjava slovenskega in italijanskega besednega reda v stavkih s tremi ali z dvema elementoma
Authors: Lovec Nina
Published: January 2016

V prispevku skušamo osvetliti medsebojno delovanje dejavnikov, ki vplivajo na besedni red v slovenskem in italijanskem jeziku. Oba jezika imata osnovni besedni red enak, torej osebek-povedek-predmet (SVO), a sta vendarle zelo različna, saj gre za analitični in sintetični jezik ter za romanski in slovanski. Besedni red se v jezikovnem paru razlikuje po stopnji svobode, s katero se lahko udejanjijo posamezne različice upovedenega. Preveriti skušam tezo, da na slovenski besedni red v večji meri vplivajo pragmatični in semantični dejavniki kot pa slovnični, nasprotno pa na italijanski besedni red bolj vplivajo slovnični dejavniki od drugih. Analiza zajema besedni red v stavkih, v katerih so prisotni vsi trije elementi, torej S, V in O, in skuša pojasniti variabilni besedni red, ko sta v stavku prisotna zgolj dva od elementov, torej S in V ali O in V. Vzroki za besedni red VS/SV ali OV/VO so rezultat prepleta zgoraj omenjenih dejavnikov.
Secagem drástica de madeiras de Eucalyptus e Corymbia fornece informações para a elaboração de programas de secagem
Authors: Eleoterio Jackson Roberto , Bagattoli Tania Regina , Hornburg Kerling Fabiane , Kirchheim da Silva Cláudia Mariana
Published: January 2016

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a secagem drástica de pequenas amostras como alternativa metodológica para a definição de programas de secagem umidade-temperatura, aplicando-a para madeira de Corymbia torelliana, Eucalyptus cloeziana, E. grandis x E. urophylla, E. pilularis e E. resinifera e avaliar a possibilidade de agrupar espécies com recomendações semelhantes. Foram utilizadas peças com dimensões iniciais de 100 mm de comprimento, 50 mm de largura e 10 mm de espessura. Essas foram mantidas em estufa a 100 °C, até que o teor de umidade atingisse valores inferiores a 5%. Durante a secagem drástica as peças foram pesadas em intervalos de 1 h e foram medidos o comprimento e a largura das rachaduras, utilizando paquímetro e calibrador de folga. Em função das diferenças nas temperaturas iniciais, finais e no potencial de secagem, observou-se um grupo que suporta condições de secagem mais severas, formado por Corymbia torelliana e E. grandis x E. urophylla e  outro que demanda condições mais suaves, formado por E. pilularis e E. cloeziana. A madeira de E. resinifera pode ser submetida à secagem nas condições definidas para quaisquer dos grupos.
Nursery and field serial grafting of Ilex paraguariensis
Authors: Santin Delmar , Wendling Ivar , Benedetti Eliziane Luiza , Morandi Divercindo
Published: January 2016

O longo tempo necessário para produção de mudas por semente e a formação de ervais com material genético de baixa qualidade são problemas que necessitam ser superados na cultura da erva-mate. A enxertia na produção de mudas ou na substituição da copa de ervais poderá suplantar estas restrições. No entanto, a técnica ainda carece de maiores estudos, principalmente para materiais genéticos adultos. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da enxertia seriada (subcultivos), clones, ambientes de enxertia e sexo das plantas matrizes na sobrevivência e vigor de enxertos de erva-mate. Para avaliar 3 subcultivos e 2 clones, instalou-se um experimento com mudas em viveiro. Em outro experimento compararam-se os ambientes campo e viveiro e seis clones (três masculinos e três femininos). Para ambos os experimentos avaliaram-se a sobrevivência e o vigor dos enxertos a cada 35 dias e aos 105 dias. A sobrevivência e o vigor dos enxertos foram afetados pelos clones e subcultivos, sendo aqueles de campo com tendência de superioridade aos de viveiro para essas variáveis. Concluiu-se que dois subcultivos resultam em maior sobrevivência e vigor de enxertos de erva-mate e que aquelas características são favorecidas quando a enxertia é realizada diretamente em campo e, principalmente, quando os propágulos são oriundos de matrizes femininas.
13-week Pulmonary Sonoangiogram by 3D HDlive Flow
Authors: Pooh Ritsuko K
Published: January 2016

Recent development of three-dimensional (3D)/four-dimensional (4D) sonography has revealed structural and functional early human development in utero and 3D/4D sonography moved prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies from the second to the first trimester of pregnancy. HDlive flow is a recent application of 3D ultrasound technology generating a 3D-view of the blood flow and providing a realistic rendering of fine vascular structure. Combination of HDlive silhouette and flow can be described as a ‘see-through fashion’, because of its comprehensive orientation and persuasive localization of inner structure as well as of fetal angiostructure inside the morphological structure.

The picture of this month demonstrates normal intracorporeal angiostructure by 3D HDlive silhouette/flow imaging with bidirectional power Doppler at 13 weeks of gestation. The umbilical arteries, umbilical vein, ductus venosus, inferior vena cava, descending aorta as well as rich pulmonary vascularity are clearly demonstrated in a single 3D reconstructed image. This image indicates existence of rich pulmonary vascularity from even before lung maturation in the first trimester.

Prenatal prediction of neonatal prognosis in cases with still remains a challenge but previous trials have been done after 20 weeks of gestation. Nowadays, many of pulmonary lesions, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), have been diagnosed in the first or early second trimesters. Recent advanced imaging technology of HDlive flow showing pulmonary vasculature from the first trimester in this article may have a great potential to investigate fetal lung development and maturity from early gestation and lead to scheduling of prenatal fetal treatment and proper management.

How to cite this article

Pooh RK. 13-week Pulmonary Sonoangiogram by 3D HDlive Flow. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015;9(4):355-356.
The New Three-dimensional Ultrasound Modes allow a Better Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Ultrasound Diagnosis beyond the Rotterdam Criteria
Authors: Raga Francisco , Caballero Oscar , Bonilla Francisco , Bonilla-Musoles Fernando , Carlos Castillo Juan
Published: January 2016

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine condition affecting reproductive-aged women. The exact etiology of this condition remains elusive and the definition of the syndrome has undergone several revisions in which ovarian morphology plays a central role. This review describes several and modern three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound modes including: HDliveTM, virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), inversion mode, Radiance System ArchitectureTM, for the study of PCOS-related ovarian morphology. This state-of-the-art technology should be employed—when available, in the evaluation of PCOS-related ovarian morphology.

How to cite this article

Raga F, Bonilla F Jr, Caballero O, Castillo JC, Bonilla-Musoles F. The New Three-dimensional Ultrasound Modes allow a Better Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Ultrasound Diagnosis beyond the Rotterdam Criteria. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015;9(4):434-445.
Una experiencia de aprendizaje-servicio en futuros docentes: desarrollo de la competencia social y ciudadana
Authors: Gil-Gómez Jesús , Moliner-García Odet , Chiva-Bartoll Óscar , García López Rafaela
Published: January 2016

Este artículo presenta los resultados de aplicar un programa de ApS a estudiantes de maestro/a en el ámbito de la Educación Física. En concreto se analiza su incidencia en el desarrollo de la competencia social y ciudadana, desde una perspectiva metodológica mixta. La complementariedad cuantitativa-cualitativa plantea un marco adecuado de aproximación al objeto de estudio. Cuantitativamente la investigación muestra tendencias de mejora en algunas dimensiones (Conformidad con lo socialmente correcto, Sensibilidad social, Ayuda y colaboración y Responsabilidad Social) que son refrendadas en el análisis cualitativo. A partir del objetivo planteado en la investigación y vistos los datos obtenidos y su discusión, se concluye que el ApS aplicado en el ámbito de la formación de futuros docentes es una buena herramienta para desarrollar su competencia social y ciudadana.
Otras vías de aprendizaje: el reconocimiento de la experiencia profesional en la universidad. El caso de la UNED
Authors: García Blanco Miriam , Bautista-Cerro María José , Ruiz Corbella Marta
Published: January 2016

Nadie cuestiona que una fuente de aprendizaje es el propio ámbito de trabajo, en el que todo profesional resuelve las funciones y tareas a las que se enfrenta diariamente a partir de su formación y de su experiencia. Reconocer esta experiencia en las titulaciones de Grado es un tema aún no resuelto. Pero este reconocimiento exige un proceso de evaluación, apoyado en metodologías y herramientas fiables y válidas, a partir del cual se valide que una persona ha adquirido un determinado nivel de logro en unas competencias en el marco de una cualificación profesional determinada. A raíz de los resultados obtenidos en 2 convocatorias dirigidas al reconocimiento de la experiencia profesional en el Grado en Educación Social impartido por la UNED, este articulo lleva a cabo un análisis de carácter descriptivo y en perspectiva comparada, entre ambas ediciones (2011-12 y 2012-13), con el fin de valorar la pertinencia de este proceso y la calidad de los resultados obtenidos. Con una muestra de 421 estudiantes hemos inferido la validez del procedimiento propuesto. Además, esta realidad nos muestra cuáles son las áreas de intervención más demandadas, los puntos fuertes y débiles de estos profesionales, las competencias más y menos consolidadas de acuerdo a la titulación que se imparte, etc. Disponer de estos datos, además de favorecer el desarrollo profesional de nuestros estudiantes, aporta una información clave para perfilar mejor las competencias específicas del título, trabajar de forma coordinada y colaborativa entre el mundo académico y el profesional, a la vez que responder a un derecho de nuestros estudiantes.
El aprendizaje reflexivo en la formación inicial de maestros/as: de la experiencia a la integración y síntesis de los contenidos
Authors: Colén Riau María Teresa , Jarauta Borrasca Beatriz , Castro González Leyla Claudina
Published: January 2016

Este artículo presenta una experiencia didáctica implementada en el grado de Maestro/a de Educación Primaria de la Universidad de Barcelona. En concreto, el artículo analiza la implementación de la estrategia de los “Rincones de Trabajo” en una asignatura troncal. A través de un proceso de investigación-acción de una duración de tres años, las docentes implicadas han desarrollado una innovación que ha permitido potenciar el trabajo colaborativo y un aprendizaje reflexivo en los estudiantes. En primer lugar, se presentan los referentes teóricos que inspiraron el proyecto y orientaron buena parte de las acciones realizadas por el equipo docente. Tras ofrecer información detallada del desarrollo práctico de la experiencia, se relata el proceso de recogida de datos y se presentan los resultados. Para la valoración de la experiencia se utilizaron diversas estrategias de recogida de información como el cuestionario, la observación participante y los diarios del profesorado. Los resultados muestran, entre otros aspectos, que los “rincones de trabajo” brindan condiciones didácticas viables y adecuadas para la articulación de conocimientos teóricos y prácticos, para la construcción de conocimientos profesionales y para el inicio del ejercicio de una práctica docente reflexiva.
A paisagem como fonte histórica e como produtora de memória
Authors: Priori Angelo Aparecido , Aparecida da Paixão Letícia
Published: January 2016

O objetivo deste artigo é realizar uma discussão sobre o uso da paisagem como fonte para a história, bem como sua elaboração na produção de memória. A sociedade produz e reproduz o seu espaço de acordo com as suas necessidades e com os recursos técnicos e econômicos de que dispõe. À medida que ela vai se modificando, marcas e heranças das atividades econômicas do passado vão se registrando na paisagem. Produzida historicamente pelos homens, segundo a sua organização social, o seu grau de cultura e o seu aparato tecnológico, a paisagem é o reflexo da organização social e de condições naturais particulares. Portando, constitui-se em um espaço natural, social e histórico. Para a sustentação destes argumentos, utilizaremos a metodologia da História da Ambiental. Ao fazer uma análise histórica das paisagens, consideramos que elas são sistemas abertos, submetidos permanentemente a fatores aleatórios – entre os quais os variados tipos de ação humana. A paisagem é o lugar de projeções e simbolizações de sentimentos e ações humanas, bem como o lugar onde se articulam o social e sua representação, a matriz simbólica onde a experiência coletiva se enraíza e se reflete ao mesmo tempo.
Dois Golpes, Duas Ditaduras
Authors: Coelho Eurelino
Published: January 2016

O artigo problematiza teses, ditas revisionistas, que ganharam peso na historiografia recente sobre o golpe e a ditadura militar brasileiras (1964-1985). A hipótese central é de que em tais teses se pode reconhecer as marcas de seu pertencimento a modos de ver o poder que se tornaram hegemônicos com a consolidação de formas contemporâneas de poder de classe.
Fotografia e História: questões teóricas e metodológicas
Authors: Canabarro Ivo Santos
Published: January 2016

No presente artigo, discutimos questões que tratam da relação da fotografia com a construção do conhecimento histórico, percebendo as dimensões teóricas que delimitam todo um campo de saberes sobre a imagem fotográfica. A utilização da fotografia com seu suporte teórico e metodológico na história é algo muito recente, pois muitos historiadores apenas a utilizavam para a ilustração do texto escrito. Nossa hipótese é que a fotografia pode ser objeto e fonte de pesquisa, ao mesmo tempo, um objeto que oferece noções de sua utilização como uma problemática específica no campo da cultura visual.Palavras-chave: fotografia, teoria, metodologia
Inflation Metaphor in the TIME Magazine Corpus
Authors: Hu Chunyu , Liu Huijie
Published: January 2016

A historical perspective on economy metaphor can shed new lights on economic thoughts. Based on the TIME Magazine Corpus (TMC), this paper investigates inflation metaphor over 83 years and compares findings against the economic data over the relatively corresponding period. The results show how inflation, an abstract concept and a normal economic phenomenon, is typically understood and explained in a variety of metaphoric expressions, how different types of metaphor structure and reframe our thinking about inflation, and why the usage of inflation metaphor varied over time. This study highlights the importance of historical perspective and the values of diachronic corpus in researching economy metaphor.
Executive Dysfunction in Non-Psychotic Unipolar Depressed Patients: Assessement by the Wisconsin (Berg) Card Sorting Test
Authors: Moniz Marco , De Jesus Saul Neves , Viseu João , Gonçalves Eduardo , Moreira Susana , Pacheco Andreia
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Alterations in executive functioning are frequent in depressed subjects, being the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) one of the most utilized instruments to assess it, even though, when individually compared, this test’s items did not show consistency.

Method: This study aimed to compare the performance of a group comprising 36 non-psychotic unipolar depressed patients (23 women and 13 men, with a mean age of 44.28 years old [SD = 14.78]) with 36 healthy controls (22 women and 14 men, with a mean age of 42.22 years old [SD = 15.19]) in a computerized version of WCST.

Results: We found significant differences between depressed patients and healthy controls regarding number of categories, perseverative responses, perseverative errors, non-perseverative errors, percentage of conceptual level responses and failure to maintain set, clearly influenced by the variable age, which showed a shared variance between 17% and 33% in depressive patients’ performance and between 16% and 26% in healthy controls’ performance.

Conclusions: Results allowed us to identify differences in performance between the two groups, therefore this version of the WCST revealed itself a reliable alternative to assess Executive Functions (EFs), accessible to all clinicians.
Behaviour Support Training for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Gaad Eman , Thabet Rawy A.
Published: January 2016

Al Jalila Foundation (AJF) is a philanthropic organization based in Dubai. The organization sponsored a training programme in 2013 to support parents of children with various disabilities to cope with the behavioural and emotional challenges that are related to the child’s disability. The course lasts for 6 weeks and is delivered across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This paper aims to measure the impact of one of the parental behavior support programmes on the attitudes and responsiveness of participants to the needs of their Autistic children. A mixed method approach was chosen to determine this impact. Participants were interviewed on an interval basis and also requested to complete pre, mid and post course questionnaires. The script of the group interview was analyzed and the main themes mentioned by parents were examined for consistency in the light of the findings extracted from the questionnaires. When comparing the findings of both the interview and questionnaire, it was found that the programme had a great impact on participants and this impact was clearly noticed in the positive change of the parents’ attitude towards their children. Participants’ recommendations, collected from their returned questionnaires and from the sponsor’s evaluation, show that there is a desperate need for more parental support programmes. The paper ends with recommendations for future practice.
Plasma treatment of poly(dimethylsiloxane) surfaces using a compact atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge device for adhesion improvement
Authors: do Nascimento Fellype , Parada Sergio , Moshkalev Stanislav , Machida Munemasa
Published: January 2016

Results of the treatment of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces using novel atmospheric pressure pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasmas are presented. Different gases (argon, helium, nitrogen) as well as their mixtures with water vapor were compared in terms of the improvement of adhesion between two PDMS samples after processing by plasma. The plasma was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy to identify the emitting species and determine the plasma temperatures. For all the gases studied, plasma processing resulted in increase of adhesion between PDMS samples if long exposure time (larger than 150 s) is applied. However, for very short treatment times (20 plasma pulses, total processing time about 3 s) the highest efficiency was found for helium plasmas. Water contact angles at PDMS surfaces as function of plasma processing time was analyzed. Atomic force microscopy analysis was performed to show reduction in the surface roughness after plasma treatment, which is likely to be the responsible for increase of the surface contact area and thus the adhesion between two PDMS surfaces. The role of the two mechanisms in the improvement of adhesion (enhanced wettability and changes in the surface morphology), for different time scales, is discussed. Interestingly, for the minimum processing time (20 plasma pulses), the improvement in adhesion and reduction of surface roughness are observed although the changes in the water contact angle are insignificant.
Mechanism of amperometric biosensor with electronic-type-controlled carbon nanotube
Authors: Hidaka Hiroki , Nowaki Kohei , Muguruma Hitoshi
Published: January 2016

An amperometric enzyme biosensor with electronic-type-controlled (metallic and semiconducting) single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is presented. In this research, we investigate how the electronic types of CNTs influence the amperometric response of enzyme biosensors and what their working mechanisms are. The biosensor of interest is for glucose detection using enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD). In the presence of oxygen, the response of a metallic CNT-GOD electrode was 2.5 times more sensitive than that of a semiconducting CNT-GOD electrode. In contrast, in the absence of oxygen, the response of the semiconducting CNT-GOD electrode was retained, whereas that of the metallic CNT-GOD electrode was significantly reduced. This indicates that direct electron transfer occurred with the semiconducting CNT-GOD electrode, whereas the metallic CNT-GOD electrode was dominated by a hydrogen peroxide pathway caused by an enzymatic reaction. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to show that the semiconducting CNT network has less resistance for electron transfer than the metallic CNT network. The optimized glucose biosensor revealed a sensitivity of 5.6 µA mM−1 cm−2 at +0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl, a linear dynamic range of 0.025–1.4 mM, and a response time of 8 s.
Tolerance-based interaction: a new model targeting opinion formation and diffusion in social networks
Authors: Topirceanu Alexandru , Udrescu Mihai , Vladutiu Mircea , Marculescu Radu
Published: January 2016

One of the main motivations behind social network analysis is the quest for understanding opinion formation and diffusion. Previous models have limitations, as they typically assume opinion interaction mechanisms based on thresholds which are either fixed or evolve according to a random process that is external to the social agent. Indeed, our empirical analysis on large real-world datasets such as Twitter, Meme Tracker, and Yelp, uncovers previously unaccounted for dynamic phenomena at population-level, namely the existence of distinctopinion formation phasesandsocial balancing. We also reveal that a phase transition from an erratic behavior to social balancing can be triggered by network topology and by the ratio of opinion sources. Consequently, in order to build a model that properly accounts for these phenomena, we propose a new (individual-level) opinion interaction model based on tolerance. As opposed to the existing opinion interaction models, the new tolerance model assumes that individual’s inner willingness to accept new opinions evolves over time according to basic human traits. Finally, by employing discrete event simulation on diverse social network topologies, we validate our opinion interaction model and show that, although the network size and opinion source ratio are important, the phase transition to social balancing is mainly fostered by the democratic structure of the small-world topology.
Probable impact of age and hypoxia on proliferation and microRNA expression profile of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Mohd Ali Norlaily , Boo Lily , Yeap Swee Keong , Ky Huynh , Satharasinghe Dilan A. , Liew Woan Charn , Ong Han Kiat , Cheong Soon Keng , Kamarul Tunku
Published: January 2016

Decline in the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is often seen with older donors as compared to young. Although hypoxia is known as an approach to improve the therapeutic potential of MSC in term of cell proliferation and differentiation capacity, its effects on MSC from aged donors have not been well studied. To evaluate the influence of hypoxia on different age groups, MSC from young (<30 years) and aged (>60 years) donors were expanded under hypoxic (5% O2) and normal (20% O2) culture conditions. MSC from old donors exhibited a reduction in proliferation rate and differentiation potential together with the accumulation of senescence features compared to that of young donors. However, MSC cultured under hypoxic condition showed enhanced self-renewing and proliferation capacity in both age groups as compared to normal condition. Bioinformatic analysis of the gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway under hypoxic culture condition identified hypoxia-inducible miRNAs that were found to target transcriptional activity leading to enhanced cell proliferation, migration as well as decrease in growth arrest and apoptosis through the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Overall, differentially expressed miRNA provided additional information to describe the biological changes of young and aged MSCs expansion under hypoxic culture condition at the molecular level. Based on our findings, the therapeutic potential hierarchy of MSC according to donor’s age group and culture conditions can be categorized in the following order: young (hypoxia) > young (normoxia) > old aged (hypoxia) > old aged (normoxia).
Microzooplankton regulation of surface ocean POC:PON ratios
Authors: Talmy D. , Martiny A. C. , Hill C. , Hickman A. E. , Follows M. J.
Published: January 2016

The elemental composition of particulate organic matter in the surface ocean significantly affects the efficiency of the ocean's store of carbon. Though the elemental composition of primary producers is an important factor, recent observations from the western North Atlantic Ocean revealed that carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios (C:N) of phytoplankton were significantly higher than the relatively homeostatic ratio of the total particulate pool (particulate organic carbon:particulate organic nitrogen; POC:PON). Here we use an idealized ecosystem model to show how interactions between primary and secondary producers maintain the mean composition of surface particulates and the difference between primary producers and bulk material. Idealized physiological models of phytoplankton and microzooplankton, constrained by laboratory data, reveal contrasting autotrophic and heterotrophic responses to nitrogen limitation: under nitrogen limitation, phytoplankton accumulate carbon in carbohydrates and lipids while microzooplankton deplete internal C reserves to fuel respiration. Global ecosystem simulations yield hypothetical global distributions of phytoplankton and microzooplankton C:N ratio predicting elevated phytoplankton C:N ratios in the high‐light, low‐nutrient regions of the ocean despite a lower, homeostatic POC:PON ratio due to respiration of excess carbon in systems subject to top‐down control. The model qualitatively captures and provides a simple interpretation for, a global compilation of surface ocean POC:PON data.
Neutron monitor yield function for solar neutrons: A new computation
Authors: Artamonov A. A. , Kovaltsov G. A. , Mishev A. L. , Usoskin I. G.
Published: January 2016

A new yield function of a standard neutron monitor 6NM64 for solar neutrons is presented and tabulated in the attached lookup tables. It corresponds to a wide range of altitudes of the neutron monitor locations and angles of incidence for neutrons entering the Earth's atmosphere. The computations were made by Monte Carlo using the GEANT4‐based PLANETOCOSMICS tool. The yield function was validated against the measured data for solar neutron events of 3 June 1982 and 24 May 1990, and good agreement was found within a wide range of the altitudes of the neutron monitor location and angles of incidence of solar neutron arrival. The sensitivity of the world neutron monitor network for registration of solar neutron events was reassessed. The neutron monitor network is shown to be, in addition to other methods, a sensitive tool for monitoring of high‐energy solar‐flare neutrons with ≈95% probability to detect statistically significantly (>5σ) a solar neutron event similar to that of 3 June 1982.
Large‐amplitude mesospheric response to an orographic wave generated over the Southern Ocean Auckland Islands (50.7°S) during the DEEPWAVE project
Authors: Pautet P.‐D. , Taylor M. J. , Fritts D. C. , Bossert K. , Williams B. P. , Broutman D. , Ma J. , Eckermann S. D. , Doyle J. D.
Published: January 2016

The Deep Propagating Gravity Wave Experiment (DEEPWAVE) project was conducted over New Zealand and the surrounding regions during June and July 2014, to more fully understand the generation, propagation, and effects of atmospheric gravity waves. A large suite of instruments collected data from the ground to the upper atmosphere (~100 km), with several new remote‐sensing instruments operating on board the NSF Gulfstream V (GV) research aircraft, which was the central measurement platform of the project. On 14 July, during one of the research flights (research flight 23), a spectacular event was observed as the GV flew in the lee of the sub‐Antarctic Auckland Islands (50.7°S). An apparent “ship wave” pattern was imaged in the OH layer (at ~83.5 km) by the Utah State University Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper and evolved significantly over four successive passes spanning more than 4 h. The waves were associated with orographic forcing generated by relatively strong (15–20 m/s) near‐surface wind flowing over the rugged island topography. The mountain wave had an amplitude T′ ~ 10 K, a dominant horizontal wavelength ~40 km, achieved a momentum flux exceeding 300 m2 s−2, and eventually exhibited instability and breaking at the OH altitude. This case of deep mountain wave propagation demonstrates the potential for strong responses in the mesosphere arising from a small source under suitable propagation conditions and suggests that such cases may be more common than previously believed.
Exploring shoreface dynamics and a mechanistic explanation for a morphodynamic depth of closure
Authors: Ortiz Alejandra C. , Ashton Andrew D.
Published: January 2016

Using energetics‐based formulations for wave‐driven sediment transport, we develop a robust methodology for estimating the morphodynamic evolution of a cross‐shore sandy coastal profile. In our approach, wave‐driven cross‐shore sediment flux depends on three components: two onshore‐directed terms (wave asymmetry and wave streaming) and an offshore‐directed slope term. In contrast with previous work, which applies shallow water wave assumptions across the transitional zone of the lower shoreface, we use linear Airy wave theory. The cross‐shore sediment transport formulation defines a dynamic equilibrium profile and, by perturbing about this steady state profile, we present an advection‐diffusion formula for profile evolution. Morphodynamic Péclet analysis suggests that the shoreface is diffusionally dominated. Using this depth‐dependent characteristic diffusivity timescale, we distinguish a morphodynamic depth of closure for a given time envelope. Even though wave‐driven sediment transport can (and will) occur at depths deeper than this morphodynamic closure depth, the rate of morphologic bed changes in response to shoreline change becomes asymptotically slow. Linear wave theory suggests a shallower shoreface depth of closure and much sharper break in processes than shallow water wave assumptions. Analyzing hindcasted wave data using a weighted frequency‐magnitude approach, we determine representative wave conditions for selected sites along the U.S. coastline. Computed equilibrium profiles and depths of closure demonstrate reasonable similarities, except where inheritance is strong. The methodology espoused in this paper can be used to better understand the morphodynamics at the lower shoreface transition with relative ease across a variety of sites and with varied sediment transport equations.
The interplay between the surface and bottom water environment within the Benguela Upwelling System over the last 70 ka
Authors: McKay C. L. , Filipsson H. L. , Romero O. E. , Stuut J.‐B. W. , Björck S.
Published: January 2016

The Benguela Upwelling System (BUS), located between 30 and 20°S, is one of the fundamental high‐productivity systems of the world ocean. The BUS has previously been studied in terms of primary productivity and ecology over glacial‐interglacial timescales; however, the response and coupling with the benthic environment have received little attention. Here, for the first time, we present a high‐resolution reconstruction of the BUS highlighting the link between surface and benthic productivity and their response to climatic and oceanographic changes over the last 70 ka. The study is based on benthic foraminiferal faunal analysis together with analyses of diatom assemblages, grain size of the terrigenous fraction, and stable O and C isotopic and bulk biogenic components of core GeoB3606‐1. We reveal significant shifts in benthic foraminiferal assemblage composition. Tight coupling existed between the surface and bottom water environment especially throughout marine isotope stages 4 and 3 (MIS4 and MIS3). Due to the high export production, the site has essentially experienced continuous low oxygen conditions; however, there are time periods where the hypoxic conditions were even more notable. Two of these severe hypoxic periods were during parts of MIS4 and MIS3 where we find an inverse relationship between diatom and benthic foraminifera accumulation, meaning that during times of extremely high phytodetritus export we note strongly suppressed benthic productivity. We also stress the importance of food source for the benthos throughout the record. Shifts in export productivity are attributed not only to upwelling intensity and filament front position, but also, regional‐global climatic and oceanographic changes had significant impact on the BUS dynamics.
EZH2 mutation in an adolescent with Weaver syndrome developing acute myeloid leukemia and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Usemann Jakob , Ernst Thomas , Schäfer Vivien , Lehmberg Kai , Seeger Karl
Published: January 2016

Weaver syndrome is an overgrowth syndrome characterized by pre‐ and postnatal overgrowth with distinctive craniofacial appearance. Mutations in the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) gene were found to cause Weaver syndrome, and have been associated with hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present the first report of a patient with Weaver syndrome, who developed AML and harbored an EZH2 mutation. The clinical course of the 16‐year‐old female adolescent patient was complicated by a secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Genomic DNA was isolated from bone marrow cells at AML diagnosis. Polymerase chain reactions were performed with primers covering all exons of the EZH2 gene. We found a novel heterozygous EZH2 mutation within exon 5 that caused an amino acid change from proline to leucine at position 132 (p.Pro132Leu) within the catalytic D1 domain. Analysis of a remission sample also showed this mutation, indicating a germline mutation. It remains to be elucidated whether EZH2 mutations contribute to disease severity in specific AML cases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direkte katalytische Synthese von ungeschützten 2‐Amino‐1‐phenylethanolen aus Alkenen mithilfe von Eisen(II)‐phthalocyanin
Authors: Legnani Luca , Morandi Bill
Published: January 2016

Aryl‐substituierte Aminoalkohole sind bevorzugte Gerüstbausteine in der medizinischen Chemie und in Naturstoffen. Wir berichten hier über einen ungewöhnlich simplen und kostengünstigen FeII‐Komplex, der die direkte Umwandlung von einfachen Alkenen in ungeschützte Aminoalkohole in guten Ausbeuten und mit perfekter Regioselektivität katalysiert. Diese neue katalytische Methode wurde zur Synthese von biologisch aktiven Molekülen eingesetzt und konnte auf die Aminoveretherung ausgeweitet werden.
Myoglobin‐Catalyzed Olefination of Aldehydes
Authors: Tyagi Vikas , Fasan Rudi
Published: January 2016

The olefination of aldehydes constitutes a most valuable and widely adopted strategy for constructing carbon–carbon double bonds in organic chemistry. While various synthetic methods have been made available for this purpose, no biocatalysts are known to mediate this transformation. Reported herein is that engineered myoglobin variants can catalyze the olefination of aldehydes in the presence of α‐diazoesters with high catalytic efficiency (up to 4,900 turnovers) and excellent E diastereoselectivity (92–99.9 % de). This transformation could be applied to the olefination of a variety of substituted benzaldehydes and heteroaromatic aldehydes, also in combination with different alkyl α‐diazoacetate reagents. This work provides a first example of biocatalytic aldehyde olefination and extends the spectrum of synthetically valuable chemical transformations accessible using metalloprotein‐based catalysts.
Reactive modification and compatibilization of poly(lactide) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blends with epoxy functionalized‐poly(lactide) for blown film applications
Authors: Schneider Jeff , Manjure Shilpa , Narayan Ramani
Published: January 2016

Biodegradable blown films comprising of poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) were produced using epoxy functionalized‐poly(lactide) (EF‐PLA) reactive modifiers for rheological enhancement and compatibilization. The epoxy groups on the EF‐PLA modifiers react with PBAT forming an in situ copolymer that localizes at the blend interphase resulting in compatibilization of the polymer blend components. The EF‐PLA modified polymer blends have improved melt strength and the resultant films showed better processability as seen by increased bubbled stability. This allowed for blown films with higher PLA content (70%) compared to the unmodified control films (40%). The static charge build‐up typically experienced with PLA film blowing was decreased with the inclusion of EF‐PLA yielding films with better slip and softness. The compatibilization effect of the EF‐PLA modifiers resulted in significant improvement in mechanical properties. For example, dart test performance was up to four times higher than the control, especially at higher PLA concentrations. Therefore, the rheological enhancement and compatibilization effects of the EF‐PLA reactive modifiers make them ideally suited to create high PLA content films. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 43310.
A framework for evaluating multimodal music mood classification
Authors: Hu Xiao , Choi Kahyun , Downie J. Stephen
Published: January 2016

This research proposes a framework for music mood classification that uses multiple and complementary information sources, namely, music audio, lyric text, and social tags associated with music pieces. This article presents the framework and a thorough evaluation of each of its components. Experimental results on a large data set of 18 mood categories show that combining lyrics and audio significantly outperformed systems using audio‐only features. Automatic feature selection techniques were further proved to have reduced feature space. In addition, the examination of learning curves shows that the hybrid systems using lyrics and audio needed fewer training samples and shorter audio clips to achieve the same or better classification accuracies than systems using lyrics or audio singularly. Last but not least, performance comparisons reveal the relative importance of audio and lyric features across mood categories.
Synthesis and Electrochemical and Photophysical Characterization of New 4,4′‐π‐Conjugated 2,2′‐Bipyridines that are End‐Capped with Cyanoacrylic Acid/Ester Groups
Authors: Fingerhut Anja , Wu Yanlin , Kahnt Axel , Bachmann Julien , Tsogoeva Svetlana B.
Published: January 2016

Two new functionalized 4,4′‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridines that were end‐capped with cyanoacrylic acid or cyanoacrylic acid ester anchoring groups, which might allow their efficient functionalization on TiO2 or other metal‐oxide semiconductor surfaces, have been synthesized and characterized by electrochemical, photophysical, and spectroscopic measurements. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these 4,4′‐disubstituted 2,2′‐bipyridines with extended π systems, in particular their LUMO energies, make them promising candidates to build up inorganic–organic hybrid photosensitizers for the sensitization of metal‐oxide semiconductors (e.g., TiO2 nanoparticles and/or nanotubes).
Straightforward Synthesis, Electrochemical Properties, and Gel Formation of Thiacalix[n]thiophenes
Authors: Hasegawa Masashi , Honda Yoshiki , Inoue Ryota , Mazaki Yasuhiro
Published: January 2016

A facile synthetic approach toward thiacalix[n]thiophene homologues (n=4–6) is presented herein. Pd‐catalyzed coupling of 2,5‐dibromothiophene derivatives with stannyl sulfide gave various thiacalix[n]thiophenes in good yields. The optical and electrochemical properties of the produced cavitands were investigated. Furthermore, gelation was observed in some solvents.
On the Modeling of CO2 EUA and CER Prices of EU‐ETS for the 2008–2012 Period
Authors: Gürler Ülkü , Yenigün Deniz , Çağlar Mine , Berk Emre
Published: January 2016

Increased consumption of fossil fuels in industrial production has led to a significant elevation in the emission of greenhouse gases and to global warming. The most effective international action against global warming is the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce carbon emissions to desired levels in a certain time span. Carbon trading is one of the mechanisms used to achieve the desired reductions. One of the most important implications of carbon trading for industrial systems is the risk of uncertainty about the prices of carbon allowance permits traded in the carbon markets. In this paper, we consider stochastic and time series modeling of carbon market prices and provide estimates of the model parameters involved, based on the European Union emissions trading scheme carbon allowances data obtained for 2008–2012 period. In particular, we consider fractional Brownian motion and autoregressive moving average–generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic modeling of the European Union emissions trading scheme data and provide comparisons with benchmark models. Our analysis reveals evidence for structural changes in the underlying models in the span of the years 2008–2012. Data‐driven methods for identifying possible change‐points in the underlying models are employed, and a detailed analysis is provided. Our analysis indicated change‐points in the European Union Allowance (EUA) prices in the first half of 2009 and in the second half of 2011, whereas in the Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) prices three change‐points have appeared, in the first half of 2009, the middle of 2011, and in the second half of 2012. These change‐points seem to parallel the global economic indicators as well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quasi‐spherical silver nanoparticles with high dispersity and uniform sizes: preparation, characterization and bioactivity in their interaction with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Jiang Shan , Liu Hua‐Zuo , Cai Wan‐Lin , Bai Ai‐min , Ouyang Yu , Hu Yan‐Jun
Published: January 2016

A stepwise seeded growth route for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported. In the process, silver nitrate was used as a precursor, with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent and trisodium citrate as both a reductant and stabilizer. The AgNPs were characterized using several methods, including UV–vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared AgNPs were quasi‐spherical and crystalline, with an average diameter of 21 nm. Interactions between the AgNPs and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated using UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). It was proved that the quenching mechanism is a static process. The binding constants and number of binding sites were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters implied that the binding process was spontaneous and the main driving force of the interaction was electrostatic. The results of the SFS indicated that the conformational change of BSA was induced by AgNPs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.