bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Properties of AlN thin films deposited by means of magnetron sputtering for ISFET applications
Authors: Firek Piotr , Wáskiewicz Michał , Stonio Bartłomiej , Szmidt Jan
Published: December 2015

This work presents the investigations of AlN thin films deposited on Si substrates by means of magnetron sputtering. Nine different sputtering processes were performed. Based on obtained results, the tenth process was prepared and performed (for future ISFET structures manufacturing). Round aluminum (Al) electrodes were evaporated on the top of deposited layers. The MIS capacitor structures enabled a subsequent electrical characterization of the AlN films by means of current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. Based on these results, the main parameters of investigated layers were obtained. Moreover, the paper describes the technology of fabrication and electrical characterization of ISFET transistors and possibility of their application as ion sensors.
Feeding activity and diet composition of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) in the coastal waters of SE Baltic Sea
Authors: Skabeikis Artūras , Lesutienė Jūratė
Published: December 2015

Feeding activity and diet composition of round goby were investigated in the south-eastern Baltic Sea, the Lithuanian coastal waters during May-October 2012 in order to determine main feeding objects and seasonal periods when native fauna could be most affected by predation of this highly invasive species. In total, prey represented by 18 taxa was found in the gut contents of dissected fish. Feeding activity of round goby varied depending on the body size, sex and stage of the reproduction period. The gut contents of < 50 mm specimens were dominated by zooplanktonic and meiobenthic organisms, whereas larger individuals (50–99 mm) shifted to amphipods and mollusks. Individuals of the intermediate 100-200 mm length had a variable diet, changing depending on the season; in spring they mostly preyed on Macoma balthica, in summer − on polychaetes, while in autumn the contribution of Mytilus trossulus and fish considerably increased in their diet. Diet composition of individuals ≥ 200 mm was relatively constant in the course of the study with substantial preference to M. balthica. These findings imply that benthic fauna, particularly a newly settled generation of epibenthic mollusks in autumn is under strong predatory pressure of the round goby.
Species richness and the diversity of parasite communities of eelpout Zoarces viviparus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Oder River estuary, Poland
Authors: Sobecka Ewa , Łuczak Ewa
Published: December 2015

A parasitological study was carried out on 330 eelpouts from two fishing grounds of the Polish fishing zone off the Oder estuary (Pomeranian Bay and Dziwna Mouth). A total of 11 species and genera of parasites from six higher taxa were recorded: 1 monogenean, 1 digenean, 5 nematodes (eelpout was a new host for Ascarophis morhuae and Capillaria gracilis), 2 acanthocephalans, 1 mollusk and 1 protist (a fungus-related pathogen). A total of 4284 autogenic countable parasites were identified. These included parasites of eight species and two genera (six higher taxa) from Pomeranian Bay, and five species (two higher taxa) from the Dziwna Mouth. The abundance of parasites per host was higher in fish from the Dziwna Mouth, while the parasitic biodiversity index was almost two times lower than in Pomeranian Bay. Pomphorhynchus laevis dominated among the eelpout parasites in both fishing grounds, but the parasite communities from the Dziwna Mouth consisted of a larger number of dominating classes. The high intensity of infection of Hysterothylacium auctum and the relative density affect more the dimensions of the dominant parasite (P. laevis) in the Dziwna Mouth than the crowding of parasites. Infection by more abundant large parasites have an important influence on the value of Fulton’s coefficient.
Functional Connectome Analysis of Dopamine Neuron Glutamatergic Connections in Forebrain Regions
Authors: Mingote Susana , Chuhma Nao , Kusnoor Sheila V. , Field Bianca , Deutch Ariel Y. , Rayport Stephen
Published: December 2015

In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a subpopulation of dopamine neurons express vesicular glutamate transporter 2 and make glutamatergic connections to nucleus accumbens (NAc) and olfactory tubercle (OT) neurons. However, their glutamatergic connections across the forebrain have not been explored systematically. To visualize dopamine neuron forebrain projections and to enable photostimulation of their axons independent of transmitter status, we virally transfected VTA neurons with channelrhodopsin-2 fused to enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (ChR2-EYFP) and used DATIREScremice to restrict expression to dopamine neurons. ChR2-EYFP-expressing neurons almost invariably stained for tyrosine hydroxylase, identifying them as dopaminergic. Dopamine neuron axons visualized by ChR2-EYFP fluorescence projected most densely to the striatum, moderately to the amygdala and entorhinal cortex (ERC), sparsely to prefrontal and cingulate cortices, and rarely to the hippocampus. Guided by ChR2-EYFP fluorescence, we recorded systematically from putative principal neurons in target areas and determined the incidence and strength of glutamatergic connections by activating all dopamine neuron terminals impinging on recorded neurons with wide-field photostimulation. This revealed strong glutamatergic connections in the NAc, OT, and ERC; moderate strength connections in the central amygdala; and weak connections in the cingulate cortex. No glutamatergic connections were found in the dorsal striatum, hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, or prefrontal cortex. These results indicate that VTA dopamine neurons elicit widespread, but regionally distinct, glutamatergic signals in the forebrain and begin to define the dopamine neuron excitatory functional connectome.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDopamine neurons are important for the control of motivated behavior and are involved in the pathophysiology of several major neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent studies have shown that some ventral midbrain dopamine neurons are capable of glutamate cotransmission. With conditional expression of channelrhodopsin in dopamine neurons, we systematically explored dopamine neuron connections in the forebrain and identified regionally specific dopamine neuron excitatory connections. Establishing that only a subset of forebrain regions receive excitatory connections from dopamine neurons will help to determine the function of dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission, which likely involves transmission of precise temporal signals and enhancement of the dynamic range of dopamine neuron signals.
The APP Intracellular Domain Is Required for Normal Synaptic Morphology, Synaptic Plasticity, and Hippocampus-Dependent Behavior
Authors: Klevanski Maja , Herrmann Ulrike , Weyer Sascha W. , Fol Romain , Cartier Nathalie , Wolfer David P. , Caldwell John H. , Korte Martin , Müller Ulrike C.
Published: December 2015

The amyloid precursor protein family (APP/APLPs) has essential roles for neuromuscular synapse development and for the formation and plasticity of synapses within the CNS. Despite this, it has remained unclear whether APP mediates its functions primarily as a cell surface adhesion and signaling molecule or via its numerous proteolytic cleavage products. To address these questions, we followed a genetic approach and used APPΔCT15 knockin mice lacking the last 15 amino acids of APP, including the highly conserved YENPTY protein interaction motif. To circumvent functional compensation by the closely related APLP2, these mice were bred to an APLP2-KO background to generate APPΔCT15-DM double mutants. These APPΔCT15-DM mice were partially viable and displayed defects in neuromuscular synapse morphology and function with impairments in the ability to sustain transmitter release that resulted in muscular weakness. In the CNS, we demonstrate pronounced synaptic deficits including impairments in LTP that were associated with deficits in spatial learning and memory. Thus, the APP-CT15 domain provides essential physiological functions, likely via recruitment of specific interactors. Together with the well-established role of APPsα for synaptic plasticity, this shows that multiple domains of APP, including the conserved C-terminus, mediate signals required for normal PNS and CNS physiology. In addition, we demonstrate that lack of the APP-CT15 domain strongly impairs Aβ generationin vivo, establishing the APP C-terminus as a target for Aβ-lowering strategies.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSynaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline are early hallmark features of Alzheimer′s disease. Thus, it is essential to elucidate thein vivofunction(s) of APP at the synapse. At present, it is unknown whether APP family proteins function as cell surface receptors, or mainly via shedding of their secreted ectodomains, such as neurotrophic APPsα. Here, to dissect APP functional domains, we used APP mutant mice lacking the last 15 amino acids that were crossed onto an APLP2-KO background. These APPΔCT15-DM mice showed defects in neuromuscular morphology and function. Synaptic deficits in the CNS included impairments of synaptic plasticity, spatial learning, and memory. Collectively, this indicates that multiple APP domains, including the C-terminus, are required for normal nervous system function.
Mechanisms of Sound Localization in Two Functionally Distinct Regions of the Auditory Cortex
Authors: Razak Khaleel A. , Yarrow Stuart , Brewton Dustin
Published: December 2015

The auditory cortex is necessary for sound localization. The mechanisms that shape bicoordinate spatial representation in the auditory cortex remain unclear. Here, we addressed this issue by quantifying spatial receptive fields (SRFs) in two functionally distinct cortical regions in the pallid bat. The pallid bat uses echolocation for obstacle avoidance and listens to prey-generated noise to localize prey. Its cortex contains two segregated regions of response selectivity that serve echolocation and localization of prey-generated noise. The main aim of this study was to compare 2D SRFs between neurons in the noise-selective region (NSR) and the echolocation region [frequency-modulated sweep-selective region (FMSR)]. The data reveal the following major differences between these two regions: (1) compared with NSR neurons, SRF properties of FMSR neurons were more strongly dependent on sound level; (2) as a population, NSR neurons represent a broad region of contralateral space, while FMSR selectivity was focused near the midline at sound levels near threshold and expanded considerably with increasing sound levels; and (3) the SRF size and centroid elevation were correlated with the characteristic frequency in the NSR, but not the FMSR. These data suggest different mechanisms of sound localization for two different behaviors. Previously, we reported that azimuth is represented by predictable changes in the extent of activated cortex. The present data indicate how elevation constrains this activity pattern. These data suggest a novel model for bicoordinate spatial representation that is based on the extent of activated cortex resulting from the overlap of binaural and tonotopic maps.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTUnlike the visual and somatosensory systems, spatial information is not directly represented at the sensory receptor epithelium in the auditory system. Spatial locations are computed by integrating neural binaural properties and frequency-dependent pinna filtering, providing a useful model to study how neural properties and peripheral structures are adapted for sensory encoding. Although auditory cortex is necessary for sound localization, our understanding of how the cortex represents space remains rudimentary. Here we show that two functionally distinct regions of the pallid bat auditory cortex represent 2D space using different mechanisms. In addition, we suggest a novel hypothesis on how the nature of overlap between systematic maps of binaural and frequency selectivity leads to representation of both azimuth and elevation.
Virtual Environmental Enrichment through Video Games Improves Hippocampal-Associated Memory
Authors: Clemenson Gregory D. , Stark Craig E.L.
Published: December 2015

The positive effects of environmental enrichment and their neural bases have been studied extensively in the rodent (van Praag et al., 2000). For example, simply modifying an animal's living environment to promote sensory stimulation can lead to (but is not limited to) enhancements in hippocampal cognition and neuroplasticity and can alleviate hippocampal cognitive deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases and aging. We are interested in whether these manipulations that successfully enhance cognition (or mitigate cognitive decline) have similar influences on humans. Although there are many “enriching” aspects to daily life, we are constantly adapting to new experiences and situations within our own environment on a daily basis. Here, we hypothesize that the exploration of the vast and visually stimulating virtual environments within video games is a human correlate of environmental enrichment. We show that video gamers who specifically favor complex 3D video games performed better on a demanding recognition memory task that assesses participants' ability to discriminate highly similar lure items from repeated items. In addition, after 2 weeks of training on the 3D video game Super Mario 3D World, naive video gamers showed improved mnemonic discrimination ability and improvements on a virtual water maze task. Two control conditions (passive and training in a 2D game, Angry Birds), showed no such improvements. Furthermore, individual performance in both hippocampal-associated behaviors correlated with performance in Super Mario but not Angry Birds, suggesting that how individuals explored the virtual environment may influence hippocampal behavior.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe hippocampus has long been associated with episodic memory and is commonly thought to rely on neuroplasticity to adapt to the ever-changing environment. In animals, it is well understood that exposing animals to a more stimulating environment, known as environmental enrichment, can stimulate neuroplasticity and improve hippocampal function and performance on hippocampally mediated memory tasks. Here, we suggest that the exploration of vast and visually stimulating environments within modern-day video games can act as a human correlate of environmental enrichment. Training naive video gamers in a rich 3D, but not 2D, video game, resulted in a significant improvement in hippocampus-associated cognition using several behavioral measures. Our results suggest that modern day video games may provide meaningful stimulation to the human hippocampus.
Selective Attention to Auditory Memory Neurally Enhances Perceptual Precision
Authors: Lim Sung-Joo , Wöstmann Malte , Obleser Jonas
Published: December 2015

Selective attention to a task-relevant stimulus facilitates encoding of that stimulus into a working memory representation. It is less clear whether selective attention also improves the precision of a stimulus already represented in memory. Here, we investigate the behavioral and neural dynamics of selective attention to representations in auditory working memory (i.e., auditory objects) using psychophysical modeling and model-based analysis of electroencephalographic signals. Human listeners performed a syllable pitch discrimination task where two syllables served as to-be-encoded auditory objects. Valid (vs neutral) retroactive cues were presented during retention to allow listeners to selectively attend to the to-be-probed auditory object in memory. Behaviorally, listeners represented auditory objects in memory more precisely (expressed by steeper slopes of a psychometric curve) and made faster perceptual decisions when valid compared to neutral retrocues were presented. Neurally, valid compared to neutral retrocues elicited a larger frontocentral sustained negativity in the evoked potential as well as enhanced parietal alpha/low-beta oscillatory power (9–18 Hz) during memory retention. Critically, individual magnitudes of alpha oscillatory power (7–11 Hz) modulation predicted the degree to which valid retrocues benefitted individuals' behavior. Our results indicate that selective attention to a specific object in auditory memory does benefit human performance not by simply reducing memory load, but by actively engaging complementary neural resources to sharpen the precision of the task-relevant object in memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCan selective attention improve the representational precision with which objects are held in memory? And if so, what are the neural mechanisms that support such improvement? These issues have been rarely examined within the auditory modality, in which acoustic signals change and vanish on a milliseconds time scale. Introducing a new auditory memory paradigm and using model-based electroencephalography analyses in humans, we thus bridge this gap and reveal behavioral and neural signatures of increased, attention-mediated working memory precision. We further show that the extent of alpha power modulation predicts the degree to which individuals' memory performance benefits from selective attention.
Emergence of Spatial Stream Segregation in the Ascending Auditory Pathway
Authors: Yao Justin D. , Bremen Peter , Middlebrooks John C.
Published: December 2015

Stream segregation enables a listener to disentangle multiple competing sequences of sounds. A recent study from our laboratory demonstrated that cortical neurons in anesthetized cats exhibit spatial stream segregation (SSS) by synchronizing preferentially to one of two sequences of noise bursts that alternate between two source locations. Here, we examine the emergence of SSS along the ascending auditory pathway. Extracellular recordings were made in anesthetized rats from the inferior colliculus (IC), the nucleus of the brachium of the IC (BIN), the medial geniculate body (MGB), and the primary auditory cortex (A1). Stimuli consisted of interleaved sequences of broadband noise bursts that alternated between two source locations. At stimulus presentation rates of 5 and 10 bursts per second, at which human listeners report robust SSS, neural SSS is weak in the central nucleus of the IC (ICC), it appears in the nucleus of the brachium of the IC (BIN) and in approximately two-thirds of neurons in the ventral MGB (MGBv), and is prominent throughout A1. The enhancement of SSS at the cortical level reflects both increased spatial sensitivity and increased forward suppression. We demonstrate that forward suppression in A1 does not result from synaptic inhibition at the cortical level. Instead, forward suppression might reflect synaptic depression in the thalamocortical projection. Together, our findings indicate that auditory streams are increasingly segregated along the ascending auditory pathway as distinct mutually synchronized neural populations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTListeners are capable of disentangling multiple competing sequences of sounds that originate from distinct sources. This stream segregation is aided by differences in spatial location between the sources. A possible substrate of spatial stream segregation (SSS) has been described in the auditory cortex, but the mechanisms leading to those cortical responses are unknown. Here, we investigated SSS in three levels of the ascending auditory pathway with extracellular unit recordings in anesthetized rats. We found that neural SSS emerges within the ascending auditory pathway as a consequence of sharpening of spatial sensitivity and increasing forward suppression. Our results highlight brainstem mechanisms that culminate in SSS at the level of the auditory cortex.
Mouse Model of Chromosome 15q13.3 Microdeletion Syndrome Demonstrates Features Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Kogan Jeffrey H. , Gross Adam K. , Featherstone Robert E. , Shin Rick , Chen Qian , Heusner Carrie L. , Adachi Megumi , Lin Amy , Walton Noah M. , Miyoshi Sosuke , Miyake Shinichi , Tajinda Katsunori , Ito Hiroyuki , Siegel Steven J. , Matsumoto Mitsuyuki
Published: December 2015

The chromosome 15q13.3 microdeletion is a pathogenic copy number variation conferring epilepsy, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We generated mice carrying a deletion of 1.2 Mb homologous to the 15q13.3 microdeletion in human patients. Here, we report that mice with a heterozygous deletion on a C57BL/6 background (D/+ mice) demonstrated phenotypes including enlarged/heavier brains (macrocephaly) with enlarged lateral ventricles, decreased social interactions, increased repetitive grooming behavior, reduced ultrasonic vocalizations, decreased auditory-evoked gamma band EEG, and reduced event-related potentials. D/+ mice had normal body weight, activity levels, sensory gating, and cognitive abilities and no signs of epilepsy/seizures. Our results demonstrate that D/+ mice represent ASD-related phenotypes associated with 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. Further investigations using this chromosome-engineered mouse model may uncover the common mechanism(s) underlying ASD and other neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders representing the 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRecently discovered pathologic copy number variations (CNVs) from patients with neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders show very strong penetrance and thus are excellent candidates for mouse models of disease that can mirror the human genetic conditions with high fidelity. A 15q13.3 microdeletion in humans results in a range of neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The disorders conferred by a 15q13.3 microdeletion also have overlapping genetic architectures and comorbidity in other patient populations such as those with epilepsy and schizophrenia/psychosis, as well as schizophrenia and ASD. We generated mice carrying a deletion of 1.2 Mb homologous to the 15q13.3 microdeletion in human patients, which allowed us to investigate the potential causes of neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders associated with the CNV.
Quantifying Microtiming Patterning and Variability in Drum Kit Recordings
Authors: Hellmer Kahl , Madison Guy
Published: December 2015

Human performers introduce temporal variability in their performance of music. The variability consists of both long-range tempo changes and microtiming variability that are note-to-note level deviations from the nominal beat time. In many contexts, microtiming is important for achieving certain preferred characteristics in a performance, such as hang, drive, or groove; but this variability is also, to some extent, stochastic. In this paper, we present a method for quantifying the microtiming variability. First, we transcribed drum performance audio files into empirical data using a very precise onset detection system. Second, we separated the microtiming variability into two components: systematic variability (SV), defined as recurrent temporal patterns, and residual variability (RV), defined as the residual, unexplained temporal deviation. The method was evaluated using computer-performed audio drum tracks and the results show a slight overestimation of the variability magnitude, but proportionally correct ratios between SV and RV. Thereafter two data sets were analyzed: drum performances from a MIDI drum kit and real-life drum performances from professional drum recordings. The results from these data sets show that up to 65 percent of the total micro-timing variability can be explained by recurring and consistent patterns.
Catching Earworms on Twitter
Authors: Liikkanen Lassi A. , Jakubowski Kelly , Toivanen Jukka M.
Published: December 2015

In recent years, so-called big data research has become a hot topic in the social sciences. This paper explores the possibilities of big data-based research within the field of music psychology. We illustrate one methodological approach by studying involuntary musical imagery, or earworms in the social networking service Twitter. Our goal was to collect a large naturalistic and culturally diverse database of discussions and to classify the encountered expressions. We describe our method and present results from automatic data classification and sentiment analyses. Over six months, we collected over 80,000 tweets from 173 locations around the world to obtain the most diverse dataset collated to date related to involuntary musical imagery. Automated classifications categorized 51% of all tweets gathered, with over 90% accuracy in each category. The most prominent categories of discussion concerned reporting earworm experiences, hyperlinks to music, spreading general information about the phenomenon, and communicating thankfulness (sincerely or ironically) about receiving earworms. Sentiment analysis revealed a balance towards negative emotional expressions in comparison to reference data. This is the first study to show this negative appraisal tendency and to demonstrate the ‘earworm’ phenomenon on a global scale. We discuss our findings in relation to previous literature and highlight the opportunities and challenges of big data research.
Stability and Change in Rhythmic Patterning Across a Composer’s Lifetime
Authors: Daniele Joseph R. , Patel Aniruddh D.
Published: December 2015

Historical trends in the rhythm of Western European instrumental classical music between ∼1650 and 1950 have recently been studied using the nPVI equation. This equation measures the average degree of durational contrast between adjacent events in a sequence (such as notes in a musical theme). These historical studies (e.g., Daniele & Patel, 2013, Hansen et al., in press) have relied on assigning each composer’s music a mean nPVI value in order to search for broad historical trends across composers. Here we address how mean nPVI might vary across different compositional periods within a composer’s lifetime, focusing on four famous composers whose lives have been demarcated into different epochs by historical musicologists, and who were part of Daniele and Patel’s original study: J. S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. For these composers, we find that the mean nPVI does not vary dramatically across compositional periods. Nevertheless, there are interesting trends within the lifetime of each composer which reflect the larger ‘rising nPVI’ trend seen across all Austro-German composers studied by Daniele and Patel (2013). These findings demonstrate the utility of studying historical patterns in musical rhythm at two distinct timescales: within the lifetimes of individual composers, and across composers from divergent musical eras.
Curriculum Management Practices in Pedagogical Coordinations of Araucania Schools: Unveiling Technical/Instrumental Rationality, Control and Power Mechanisms Underlying
Authors: Beltrán-Véliz Juan Carlos
Published: December 2015

This article consists of a case study regarding curriculum management practices of pedagogical coordinators in schools in Araucania area. The study aims to reveal technical/instrumental rationality, control and power mechanisms that underlie the curriculum management practices of such pedagogical coordinators of schools in Araucania region. A descriptive qualitative design based on the constructionist grounded theory and the constant comparative method is considered. Subjects studied included 12 technical leaders and 22 teachers from Araucania schools. Techniques for collecting information were semi-structured interview and texts for reading. Four categories rose from axial coding. Findings reveal that the teaching process is reduced to an instructional process. Furthermore, there is no uniformity of criteria regarding general functions that must be met. In the same extent, activity coordination is centered on bureaucratic administrative aspects, with main focus on task control. Regulations, programs and educational projects are used as control mechanisms. In addition, absence of spaces for professional discussion of pedagogical work and for constructive criticism is envisioned. This study concludes that pedagogical coordination practices are geared from an “instrumental rationality”, anchored in technical management set up in control and power.
Curricular Adaptations: Similarities and Differences of their Implementation in Chilean Faculty
Authors: Navarro-Aburto Braulio Ademir , Arriagada Puschel Inés Analía , Osse-Bustingorry Sonia , Burgos-Videla Carmen Gloria
Published: December 2015

This research describes the process that is performed to carry out curriculum adaptations in the mathematics course for students who showed some type of temporary special education need. The existing coordination between mathematics and special needs’ teachers, as promoter action of the curricular adaptations, has been considered. The methodology used relates to qualitative with a phenomenological approach, and the main data collection technique was the semi-structured interview. In this study, ten teachers of two educational institutions featuring an integration program participated. The main findings show that faculty and responsible staff of the School Integration Program comply with the regulations and requirements of the Decree # 170  in relation to curricular adaptations, but such compliance is subject to informality in the articulation and planning due to lack of time and resources available. Therefore, it is concluded that there is a constant need for curriculum adaptations since these are a mechanism which allows the individualization of education, improving quality of life and special education in Chile
Pedagogical Leadership to Restructure Teaching Beliefs and Improve Classroom Practices in Mapuche Context
Authors: Mellado-Hernández María Elena , Chaucono-Catrinao Juan Carlos
Published: December 2015

This article aims to describe the pedagogical beliefs about teaching, learning and assessment underlying the practices of teaching in a rural Mapuche school, located in La Araucania, Chile. The study is executed in an educational research approach, uses a mixed descriptive character methodology. Participants are professionals in managerial and teaching positions in a school that includes transitional level up to 6th grade in the subjects of language/communication and history, geography and social sciences. To collect information on the beliefs, a questionnaire of Likert type scale was used; also, class observations were carried out through ethnographic records to all teachers of the center. Based on the results, it was possible to identify contradictions in the reference frames in both populations because they express both traditional and contemporary pedagogical beliefs. Meanwhile, in the classroom only traditional teaching practices that ignore the Mapuche context are observed. They show rote learning activities and use, preferably, summative evaluation. As a result, it can be concluded that teachers have ambiguities of conceptions in their pedagogical beliefs, it prevails a traditional approach in their classroom practices. Therefore, it is recommended to develop an effective educational leadership that systematically fosters collaborative thinking among peers as a strategy to enable the reconstruction of educational beliefs of principals and teachers.
Aspects of Scientific Competences Outlined in High School Biology, Physics and Chemistry Syllabus and its Relation with the Scientific and Technological Development Needs of Costa Rica
Authors: Padilla-Canales Cristina , Brooks-Calderón Paola , Jiménez-Porras Luis Diego , Torres-Salas María Isabel
Published: December 2015

The scientific and technological development of a country is directly linked to the strengthening of education in that field and the ability to brew advancement from the foundations of the education system. In this scenario, it was considered important to know whether the policies of scientific and technological development of Costa Rica relate to high school syllabus in the scientific area. Therefore, a qualitative research using a hermeneutic study was carried out. Nine participants (three biology teachers, three of physics, and three of chemistry) were selected from three kinds of educational institutions: academic, scientific and technical; as well as expert staff from the following entities: Ministry of Science and Technology, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, Strategies for the 21st Century, Academy of Science, Center of Foreign Trade, INTEL and consultants of Biology, Physics and Chemistry from the Ministry of Public Education. The techniques used to collect information were: observation, content analysis and interviews. Among the main conclusions, it was found that biology syllabus is the one that best measures the dimensions (awareness of knowledge and knowledge to do, ability, attitude and context) from the evidenced competences through short-term expected capabilities, such as objectives, which suggests the articulation of these dimensions in each subject unit syllabus, a determining aspect to make high school education contribute to the scientific and technological development of the country. In addition, it was found, in general, that inside the classrooms there is a decontextualisation between what is taught and the development pursued by the policies in this field, because there is no connection between the educational plan intended in the syllabus and the scientific and technological development policies proposed in the country.
17th-Century Manchu (Qing) records as sources of Mongolian history
Authors: Cho Byounghak , Jeh Sung Hoon , Kim Kisun
Published: December 2015

This paper makes an attempt to call attention and point to the importance of Manchu historical records, but at the same time warns against the pitfalls of uncritical utilisation of these historical sources (the possibility of falsification and the fabrication of historical material). The authors focus on volume 20 of the 親征平定朔漠方略 Qinzhengpingdingshuo-mofanglüe (Beye dailame wargi amargi babe necihiyeme toktobuha bodogon i bithe. orici debtelin) written in Manchu. This Manchu historical document is of prime importance in the historical enquiry of the period. It gives a clear picture of the military strategy of the time and provides accurate facts concerning the exact names of persons and places, the system of administration, wartime munitions mobilisation, and much more.
Lamentations of Benyamin Turşu and Beraḫa Poyraz. Two Songs from a Crimean Mejuma
Authors: Smętek Dorota
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to discuss two previously unknown literary works which depict events preceding the death of two Karaims, Benyamin Turşu and Beraḫa Poyraz. Although laments of this type can be found in critical editions of Crimean Karaim mejumas, their contents and language have not yet been thoroughly examined. The vast majority of mejumas do not consist of original Karaim literature, therefore each work which can be determined as of purely Crimean Karaim provenance should be considered a valuable source of linguistic material.
Overview of Marfan Syndrome: knowns and unknowns
Authors: Matkar Pratiek N , Chen Hao H , Leong-Poi Howard , Singh Krishna Kumar
Published: December 2015

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a relatively rare disease of the connective tissue that affects several organs of the body. Cardiovascular abnormalities such as aortic root dilatation and mitral valve prolapse are the two main life-threatening complications associated with MFS. The complete pathogenesis of MFS is yet unclear. However, fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene mutations and mutations in the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling pathway are the leading causes of this lethal disease. Detailed assessment based on several major and minor clinical manifestations has led to the evolution of different nosologies for MFS diagnoses with reliable accuracies. Nevertheless, heterogeneous disease advancement and overlapping clinical outcomes make MFS diagnosis challenging. Rapid strides in research and surgical avenues over the last two decades have improved the life expectancy and the quality of life of MFS patients remarkably. More specific diagnostic criteria have been established, novel therapeutic targets for pharmacotherapy have been identified and validated, and newer surgical techniques have been tested. Current research efforts are focusing on the identification of prognostic biomarkers, gene modifiers, drug targets, and surgical procedures. This review aims to provide a brief overview of these aspects associated with MFS.
ALTERAÇÃO DE UM LAYOUT FUNCIONAL PARA LAYOUT CELULAR MOTIVADO PELOS FUNDAMENTOS DA MANUFATURA ENXUTA: ESTUDO DE CASO EM UMA INDÚSTRIA DE TRANSFORMADORES
Authors: Gadelha Felipe Crisóstomo , Bessa Jéssyca Almeida , Moura Lorena Braga , Barroso Darlan Almeida , Menezes José Wally Mendonça , De Alexandria Auzuir Ripardo
Published: December 2015

O presente trabalho apresenta o estudo de uma alteração de layout, de funcional para celular, motivado pelos fundamentos da manufatura enxuta. Tendo como objetivo verificar os benefícios de se utilizar a manufatura celular com fluxo enxuto (contínuo), apresenta como metodologia um estudo de caso, pós-fato, em uma indústria de transformadores, onde a mudança foi realizada. Para fundamentar o estudo, apresenta revisão dos temas: Sistema de Manufatura Enxuta e layout industrial, para, em seguida, trazer os dados apresentados por esta indústria, ainda em um arranjo físico funcional, antes da alteração, e, em seguida, nas células de manufatura com um fluxo enxuto, após a alteração, e realizar uma comparação entre ambos. Os resultados obtidos desta comparação apresentam ganhos como aumento de produção, em 20%, e produtividade, em 56%, redução de lead time, em 67%, mão de obra direta, em 30%, tempo de processamento, em 20%, e área fabril, em 24%, dentre outros, evidenciando os benefícios que a utilização de um layout celular e Manufatura Enxuta proporcionam.
MANEJO DA MICRO BACIA DO LAJEADO PARDO
Authors: Ritter Luciana Gregory , Renz Vanessa Deisi , Garlet Giovana , Chagas Patrícia , Mancuso Malva Andrea , Haas Aline , Da Conceição Sabrina Rodrigues
Published: December 2015

A bacia hidrográfica é considerada a unidade geográfica ideal para o planejamento e zoneamentos ambientais, possibilitando uma abordagem holística e participativa envolvendo estudos interdisciplinares para o estabelecimento de formas de desenvolvimento sustentável inerentes ao local ou região onde foram implementados. A agricultura e pecuária são áreas que necessitam de grandes áreas para a produção, ocasionando o desmatamento e degradação do ambiente. O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em analisar os impactos ambientais causados na Micro Bacia Lajeado Pardo que abastece a cidade de Frederico Westphalen e indicar possíveis soluções para os problemas. O estudo consiste na realização de visitas a campo para posterior elaboração de diagnóstico. Ao longo do percurso do Lajeado Pardo a área apresenta problemas como o solo descoberto, falta de vegetação marginal, curso d’agua interrompido, construções instaladas em zonas de drenagem, despejo inadequado de efluentes no curso, bem como disposição inadequada de resíduos. Para evitar ocorrências de inundações, desmoronamentos entre outros, deve-se realizar o planejamento e gestão de futuras instalações nas proximidades do curso d’água. A promoção do manejo integrado de bacias hidrográficas auxilia na gestão sustentável do ambiente, garantindo assim a sua integridade e os usos futuros.
FUNDO PÚBLICO E ORÇAMENTO DA POLÍTICA DE ASSISTÊNCIA SOCIAL DE 2010 A 2012 NO BRASIL
Authors: Felippe Jonis Manhães Sales
Published: December 2015

Este artigo realiza uma análise crítica do orçamento da Política de Assistência Social no triênio 2010-2012, evidenciando o direcionamento adotado pelo governo federal na aplicação dos recursos nesta área. Para tanto, partindo de um debate teórico acerca do fundo público, compreendido como uma apropriação pelo Estado, principalmente na forma de tributos, de parcela dos valores produzidos socialmente pelo trabalho, busca-se demonstrar a participação crescente e basilar do financiamento estatal na reprodução das relações capitalistas contemporâneas. Em seguida, são tecidas breves considerações sobre as receitas e os gastos desse fundo no orçamento brasileiro, destacando alguns dos embates políticos que envolvem a sua distribuição entre as classes sociais. Por último, são apresentados e problematizados os dados colhidos no portal SIGA BRASIL e “Panorama Social da América Latina” da CEPAL, os quais comprovam o crescimento dos programas de transferência de renda focalizados no combate à pobreza como a principal estratégia adotada pelas políticas sociais no Brasil e nos demais países latino-americanos.
QUALIDADE DE VIDA NO TRABALHO (QVT): UM ESTUDO COM PROFESSORES DOS INSTITUTOS FEDERAIS
Authors: Oliveira Rodrigo Ribeiro de , Silva Iris Bento , Castro Dagmar Silva Pinto , Limongi-França Ana Cristina
Published: December 2015

No cenário atual em que há exigências contínuas de evolução do conhecimento e de avanços tecnológicos, a educação tecnológica é um assunto que merece destaque, pois é através dela que uma grande parcela dos trabalhadores é formada para atuar no mercado de trabalho cada vez mais qualificado e competitivo. Um dos projetos estratégicos mais importantes na área de ensino no país é o dos Institutos Federais que contam com 562 campi em todo país. Houve um crescimento significativo do quadro funcional: no ano de 2002 contava com 8.999 professores, atualmente conta com 37.021 (2015). Isso mostra um crescimento de 411,39%. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o grau de satisfação dos professores dos Institutos Federais em relação à Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, diante dos impactos da expansão da rede no Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada com professores que participaram do II Fórum Mundial de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica, realizado em Florianópolis em 2012. Esta pesquisa caracteriza-se como quantitativa, exploratória, descritiva e avaliação (survey). Com relação ao instrumento, foi utilizado o Protocolo Biopsicossocial e organizacional - BPSO-96, de Limongi-França. Foram respondidos 43 questionários. Entre os cinco domínios avaliados, constatou-se que o domínio social foi o que apresentou o menor índice de satisfação (3,193), enquanto que o domínio psicológico foi o que apresentou maior satisfação (6,819). Destaca-se que a variável que apresentou a maior média na pesquisa foi a relação professor-aluno (8,233). Embora os resultados não possam ser generalizados para o expressivo universo de professores do Ensino Técnico dos Institutos Federais, os achados deste estudo demonstram a necessidade de alinhamento quanto à política de gestão de benefícios e apoio familiar e comunitário no grupo pesquisado, revelando a qualidade da relação ensino-aprendizado neste cenário.
RELAÇÕES DE PODER ENTRE OS ESTABELECIDOS E OS OUTSIDERS: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE UMA METODOLOGIA CONFIGURACIONAL NA OBRA DE ELIAS E SCOTSON
Authors: Lima Marcos Aurélio
Published: December 2015

Este artigo põe em foco alguns dos principais aspectos tratados na obra Estabelecidos e Outsiders – de Elias & Scotson (2000) -, e a sua contribuição para esclarecer as relações de poder entre grupos socialmente distintos. O autor revela as características oriundas de um moralismo dos estabelecidos - que se posicionam como defensores de uma ética dos “bons costumes” – e a construção de uma imagem negativa (pautada em fofocas) referente aos outsiders. A abordagem inclui a idéia de que é preciso ir além das estruturas de personalidades dos indivíduos para se chegar às razões geradoras de preconceitos e estigmatizações sociais, revelando, assim, as práticas que servem aos interesses de um grupo em oposição ao outro.
GÊNERO E SEXUALIDADE NA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA E NA FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES: LIMITES E POSSIBILIDADES
Authors: Guizzo Bianca Salazar , Ripoll Daniela
Published: December 2015

A partir da perspectiva teórica dos Estudos Culturais e dos Estudos de Gênero, o artigo objetiva analisar e problematizar as maneiras como as questões de gênero e de sexualidade têm sido abordadas na Educação Básica e em cursos de formação de professores. Foram analisadas algumas situações vivenciadas pelas autoras ao longo da pesquisa: um encontro presencial com turmas de 5° ano de uma escola da rede pública do Rio Grande do Sul, para a discussão de perguntas relacionadas a gênero e sexualidade; entrevistas com as professoras regentes destas turmas; a participação em uma comissão do Programa Nacional do Livro Didático voltada para a análise de livros didáticos de Ensino Médio e, por fim, algumas atividades voltadas à formação de professores no Ensino Superior. Conclui-se que, na Escola Básica, as formas de viver/explorar o corpo e a sexualidade trabalhadas dentro da escola continuam ligadas a questões biológicas e de saúde. Professores e professoras tendem a apoiar-se nessas abordagens mais “científicas” que, de certa forma, restringem a questão da sexualidade à reprodução e reiteram a heteronormatividade. Há pequenos avanços com relação às temáticas de gênero e sexualidade nos livros didáticos analisados, mas há, também, alguns retrocessos que contribuem para a perpetuação de situações de preconceito e de exclusão. Quando instados a pensar sobre tais aspectos e a analisar criticamente como alguns materiais tradicionalmente utilizados nas salas de aula da educação básica constroem determinadas representações sexualizadas e generificadas, os professores em formação encontram, em geral, muitas dificuldades.
A USABILIDADE DE UM AMBIENTE VIRTUAL DE APRENDIZAGEM: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O MOODLE NO IFRN – CAMPUS CURRAIS NOVOS
Authors: Santos Giovana Silva , Balbino Lucas Alves , Gomes Danilo Cortez
Published: December 2015

O Moodle, ambiente virtual de aprendizagem derivado do conceito de e-Learning, foi implantado em diversas instituições de ensino, aumentando assim a oferta de cursos de ensino a distância consideravelmente na última década, bem como as instituições que atuam com essa metodologia. Destaca-se na modalidade de educação a distância, a importância da estrutura fornecida pela instituição aos alunos que deve permear por características baseadas numa usabilidade adequada, pois é através da interface que o usuário/aluno percebe, vê e busca as informações. Nessa perspectiva, o presente estudo buscou identificar as características referentes à usabilidade do moodle no IFRN – Campus Currais Novos. A pesquisa, feita no período de dezembro de 2014 a janeiro de 2015, de caráter descritivo e de campo foi realizada com 153 alunos (com 86 respostas válidas) do curso técnico em Segurança do Trabalho através da aplicação de questionário em que os dados foram coletados e em seguida analisados. Os resultados revelaram que a maior parte dos alunos pesquisados está satisfeita com o moodle, porém, uma parcela considerável dos alunos se mostraram descontentes com o mesmo, explicitando, em sua maioria, que o design precisa ser melhorado. Por fim, os resultados apresentados se limitam a uma realidade específica de um ambiente virtual, de um curso e uma instituição, não podendo ser generalizado para outras instituições, cursos ou ambientes virtuais.