bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Objective Optimization Approach for Improving Performance of Building
Authors: Kamenders A. , Blumberga A.
Published: March 2010

Multi-Objective Optimization Approach for Improving Performance of Building

Energy efficiency measures are different from energy efficiency and cost effectiveness perspective. For decision maker it is hard to make right decision about different energy efficiency measure combinations in building. It is a complex problem to choose the best energy efficiency measure combination as decision involves many different factors that should be taken in account. Decision on implementation of energy efficiency measure implementation usually depends on investment costs and pay back time. Standards like Latvian Building Code LBN 002-01 can't be used to achieve reasonable expenses in renovation of buildings. Therefore, in order to find the optimal energy-efficiency measures, it is necessary to carry out optimization taking all the variable parameters into account. In the paper target function was presented that gives ability of the multi-objective optimization approach to handle the problem of improving energy efficiency in buildings. Case study is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. 104. series soviet type dwellings was analysed to optimized insulation thickness for external walls. Even if accord with the LBN 002-01 it is enough to use 7 cm thick isolation (λ-0,039 W/(m2K)) layers optimal insulation layer is 12 cm (λ-0,039 W/(m2K)).
Optimization of Ethanol Autothermal Reforming Process with Chemical Equilibrium Calculations
Authors: Markova D. , Valters K. , Bažbauers G.
Published: March 2010

Optimization of Ethanol Autothermal Reforming Process with Chemical Equilibrium Calculations

The dependence of carbon formation, hydrogen yield and efficiency of the ethanol autothermal reforming process on critical process factors is studied in the work by using chemical equilibrium calculations with a process simulation model made in the ChemCAD environment. The studied process factors are carbon-to-steam ratio S/C, air-to-fuel ratio λ and temperature in the reactor TATR. Since the goal of the reforming process is to achieve possibly higher values of H2 concentration in the reforming gas, by operating reformer at the maximum efficiency at the same time, the optimization of the reforming process was done by using objective functions which include hydrogen yield and the amount of heat supplied to the process. As a result it was found that the maximum process efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of obtained hydrogen energy to the energy supplied to the process in the studied range of process factors is 0,61, and this value can be achieved at λ value of 0,1, S/C values of 2,5-3 and temperatures in the reactor TATR 680 - 695°C. Hydrogen yield under these conditions is 4,41-4,55 mol/molC2H5OH.
Development of a Set of Criteria as an Eco-Design Tool for Evaluation of Environmental Impact of Material Choice
Authors: Simanovska J. , Valters K. , Bažbauers G.
Published: March 2010

Development of a Set of Criteria as an Eco-Design Tool for Evaluation of Environmental Impact of Material Choice

Eco-design is part of the product design process aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of products during their entire lifecycle. Nowadays, the eco-design concept becomes more and more important, and it is also incorporated in the latest developments in legislation. However, with regard to the implementation of eco-design, many guidelines and tools still focus on the strategic level, but the practical tools are underdeveloped. In order to promote eco-design in the industry, there is a need for the further development of more practical tools, taking into account the scientific findings, but also making them applicable into a product design process. The intention of this paper is to present major considerations in order to develop a set of criteria for the material choice taking into account LCA studies and available data regarding environmental performance of materials. The proposed criteria system is based on three main criteria - toxicity, energy, recyclability, which corresponds to the main impact areas of material choice according to findings from the published LCA studies. These criteria are also linked to each other - e.g. with increasing recyclability one can decrease the energy content, as well as the toxic dispersion. The important innovation in this list of criteria would be that the product design - product structure -and use patterns (incl. end of life scenario) is linked to energy content, recyclability and toxicity. The next step would be development of the quantifiable values of this criteria system (expressed in 5 units), in order to make it more applicability of a quick screening tool in the product design process.
Malignant renal cysts: Diagnostic performance and strong predictors at MDCT
Authors: Kim Dae Yoon , Kim Jeong Kon , Min Gyeong-Eun , Ahn Han-Jong , Cho Kyoung-Sik
Published: March 2010

Background: Utilization of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) is anticipated to improve the diagnostic accuracy and reliability for determining malignant cysts.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy, interobserver agreement, benefit of consensus reading, and strong predictors of malignancy in determining malignant cystic renal masses at MDCT.

Material and Methods: Two radiologists independently rated the probability of malignancy at MDCT in 72 benign and 53 malignant cysts. The accuracy and interobserver agreement for determining malignant cysts were evaluated. The strong predictors of malignancy were determined, and in patients with interobserver disagreement for determining malignant cysts, consensus readings were performed.

Results: Az value of the two readers was 0.905–0.936 and the sensitivity and specificity were 85–89% and 83–93%, respectively. The overall interobserver agreement for determining the malignant cyst was good as the κ value was 0.696 (% agreement, 61% (76/125)). Thickened irregular wall, thickened irregular septa, and enhancing soft tissue component were strong predictors for malignancy with both readers. In the 17 patients with interobserver disagreement for determining malignant cysts, the sensitivity was improved from 38–63% to 89% by the consensus reading.

Conclusion: At MDCT, some false negative decisions for determining malignant cysts can be corrected by consensus reading, and thickened irregular septa, thickened irregular wall, and enhancing soft tissue component are the strong predictors of malignant cysts.
Probably benign breast lesions on ultrasonography: A retrospective review of ultrasonographic features and clinical factors affecting the BI-RADS categorization
Authors: Moon Hee Jung , Kim Min Jung , Kwak Jin Young , Kim Eun-Kyung
Published: March 2010

Background: The retrospective review of probably benign lesions on mammograms is well investigated. Although suspicious malignant ultrasonography (US) features have been detected on retrospective reviews of US examinations, the review of probably benign lesions on US is rarely studied.

Purpose: To investigate how many probably benign lesions on US fulfilled the published criteria and to evaluate how clinical and personal factors influenced the categorization of breast lesions.

Material and Methods: A total of 920 nodules in 920 women with more than 24 months follow-up after the initial category 3 assessment on US or excision were included. We retrospectively reviewed the initial US images according to previously published criteria, and evaluated several factors that could influence the characterization of breast lesions in clinical practice such as age, multiplicity, palpability, radiologist's experience, and lesion size.

Results: Of 920 lesions, 906 (98.5%) were benign and 14 (1.5%) were malignant. Of 920 lesions, 376 (40.9%) including 13 malignancies were reassessed as category 4. If strict criteria had been applied at initial US examination, the positive biopsy rate would have been only 3.5% (13/376) and 96.5% (363 of 376) biopsies would have been unnecessary. Lesions in women 40 years or older and multiple lesions were more frequently reassessed as category 4 ( P<0.00 and P=0.01, respectively). The presence of palpability, lesion size, and the radiologist's experience did not significantly influence the categorization of breast lesions on US. Of 920 probably benign lesions, 40.9% could be classified as category 4 lesions when strict criteria were applied in initial practice.

Conclusion: The multiplicity of the lesion and the patient's age were found to have a significant influence on the classification of probably benign solid masses.
Becoming-Bertha: Virtual Difference and Repetition in Postcolonial ‘Writing Back’, a Deleuzian Reading of Jean Rhys'sWide Sargasso Sea
Authors: Burns Lorna
Published: March 2010

Critical responses to Wide Sargasso Sea have seized upon Rhys's novel as an exemplary model of writing back. Looking beyond the actual repetitions which recall Brontë’s text, I explore Rhys's novel as an expression of virtual difference and becomings that exemplify Deleuze's three syntheses of time. Elaborating the processes of becoming that Deleuze's third synthesis depicts, Antoinette's fate emerges not as a violence against an original identity. Rather, what the reader witnesses is a series of becomings or masks, some of which are validated, some of which are not, and it is in the rejection of certain masks, forcing Antoinette to become-Bertha, that the greatest violence lies.
Development of an Indoor Location Based Service Test Bed and Geographic Information System with a Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Jan Shau-Shiun , Hsu Li-Ta , Tsai Wen-Ming
Published: March 2010

In order to provide the seamless navigation and positioning services for indoor environments, an indoor location based service (LBS) test bed is developed to integrate the indoor positioning system and the indoor three-dimensional (3D) geographic information system (GIS). A wireless sensor network (WSN) is used in the developed indoor positioning system. Considering the power consumption, in this paper the ZigBee radio is used as the wireless protocol, and the received signal strength (RSS) fingerprinting positioning method is applied as the primary indoor positioning algorithm. The matching processes of the user location include the nearest neighbor (NN) algorithm, the K-weighted nearest neighbors (KWNN) algorithm, and the probabilistic approach. To enhance the positioning accuracy for the dynamic user, the particle filter is used to improve the positioning performance. As part of this research, a 3D indoor GIS is developed to be used with the indoor positioning system. This involved using the computer-aided design (CAD) software and the virtual reality markup language (VRML) to implement a prototype indoor LBS test bed. Thus, a rapid and practical procedure for constructing a 3D indoor GIS is proposed, and this GIS is easy to update and maintenance for users. The building of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan is used as an example to assess the performance of various algorithms for the indoor positioning system.
HIV-1 RT Inhibitors with a Novel Mechanism of Action: NNRTIs that Compete with the Nucleotide Substrate
Authors: Maga Giovanni , Radi Marco , Gerard Marie-Aline , Botta Maurizio , Ennifar Eric
Published: March 2010

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors currently used in antiretroviral therapy can be divided into two classes: (i) nucleoside analog RT inhibitors (NRTIs), which compete with natural nucleoside substrates and act as terminators of proviral DNA synthesis, and (ii) non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs), which bind to a hydrophobic pocket close to the RT active site. In spite of the efficiency of NRTIs and NNRTIs, the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant mutations requires the development of new RT inhibitors with an alternative mechanism of action. Recently, several studies reported the discovery of novel non-nucleoside inhibitors with a distinct mechanism of action. Unlike classical NNRTIs, they compete with the nucleotide substrate, thus forming a new class of RT inhibitors: nucleotide-competing RT inhibitors (NcRTIs). In this review, we discuss current progress in the understanding of the peculiar behavior of these compounds.
Long‐distance pine pollen still germinates after meso‐scale dispersal
Authors: Williams Claire G.
Published: March 2010

Viability of long‐distance pollen links ecological models to the genetic structure of forest tree populations, determining how forests will adapt to climate change and how far genes flow from genetically modified (GM) pine plantations. Addressing this landscape‐scale inquiry is feasible when the pollen source, the delivery system, and the receiver field can be made explicit. To this end, I measured long‐distance pollen germination along a 160‐km transect along the North Carolina coastline, including 45000 ha of maturePinus taedaplantations and barrier islands. Using this system, I tested three hypotheses: (1) pine pollen germinates after dispersal on meso‐scale distances, (2) sodium chloride exposure reduces germination of pollen captured over open saltwater, and (3) viable pine pollen is present at high altitudes before local peak pollen shed. The experimental findings are as follows: pine pollen had germination rates of 2 to 57% after dispersal at distances from 3 to 41 km, sodium chloride solutions mildly reducedP. taedapollen germination, and viable pine pollen grains were captured at an altitude of 610 m. GM pine plantings thus have a potential to disperse viable pollen at least 41 km from the source. Wind and rainfall, as integral parts of regional atmospheric systems, together exert a powerful influence on the genetic structure of forest tree populations.
Legume phylogeny and the evolution of a unique contractile apparatus that regulates phloem transport
Authors: Peters Winfried S. , Haffer Dietmar , Hanakam Claudia B. , van Bel Aart J. E. , Knoblauch Michael
Published: March 2010

Protein bodies called forisomes undergo Ca2+‐dependent deformations to occlude sieve tubes reversibly, providing a unique regulatory mechanism of phloem transport. Because forisomes are known exclusively from the Papilionoideae (Leguminosae), the evolution of forisome function may have played a role in the rapid radiation of this huge taxon. The unexpected discovery of a papilionoid species lacking forisomes led us to evaluate a representative set of species covering 33 of the 36 legume tribes traditionally recognized. We found forisomes in Papilionoideae but not in Caesalpinioideae and Mimosoideae. Forisomes were absent from several species of the papilionoid tribe Galegeae. Forisomes with tail‐like protrusions occurred less frequently than tailless ones; their distribution correlated with taxonomic units but not sharply enough to render forisome type a reliable criterion for classification. Thus, the distribution of forisome types appeared to reflect physiological variability in the pathways of forisome assembly rather than the evolution of forisome genes. On the other hand, Ca2+‐dependent forisome deformation and sieve tube plugging occurred in Bobgunnia madagascariensis, a member of the swartzioid clade that presumably is the sister group of all other papilionoids, suggesting that forisomes and their unique mechanism of deformation are a synapomorphy of the Papilionoideae.
GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION OF GRILLAGES USING SIMULATED ANNEALING AND HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING
Authors: Šešok Dmitrij , Mockus Jonas , Belevičius Rimantas , Kačeniauskas Arnas
Published: March 2010

The aim is to investigate ways of increasing the efficiency of grillage optimization. Following this general aim, two well‐known optimization methods, namely the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA), were compared using some standard medium size (10 and 15 piles) examples. The objective function was the maximal vertical reactive force at a support. Coordinates of piles were optimization variables. SA wins and was applied to real‐life problem (55 piles) by parallel computations performed using a powerful cluster. New element is comparison of SA with GA and application of SA to a practical problem of grillage optimization. Santrauka Straipsnio tikslas - ištirti galimus rostverkiniu pamatu optimizavimo būdus. Siekiant šio tikslo du gerai žinomi optimizavimo metodai ‐ genetiniai algoritmai ir atkaitinimo modeliavimo algoritmas ‐ buvo palyginti vidutinio dydžio (10 ir 15 poliu) pavyzdžiams išspresti. Tikslo funkcija imama didžiausia atraminI poliaus reakcija. Projektavimo kintamieji ‐ poliu koordinatIs. Atkaitinimo modeliavimo metodas laimi, todel jis buvo pritaikytas praktiniam uždaviniui (55 poliai) spresti. Spresti buvo naudojamas klasteris. Naujumas ‐ genetiniu algoritmu palyginimas su atkaitinimo modeliavimo metodu bei atkaitinimo modeliavimo metodo pritaikymas sprendžiant praktini uždavini.
SAOSYS TOOLBOX AS MATLAB IMPLEMENTATION IN THE ELASTIC‐PLASTIC ANALYSIS AND OPTIMAL DESIGN OF STEEL FRAME STRUCTURES
Authors: Jankovski Valentinas , Atkočiūnas Juozas
Published: March 2010

The improved mathematical model of steel frame structures’ design is created. The loading is simple, and plastic strains are evaluated. Energy principles of deformable body mechanics and mathematical programming theory are employed. Equilibrium finite elements with interpolation functions of internal forces are used for discretization. The elements are designed using HE, IPE, RHS steel profile assortments and considering dispersion of geometrical characteristics of profile assortment sets. Optimal design of steel structures is realized by using the experimental tool system JWM SAOSYS Toolbox v0.42, which was created by the authors in MATLAB environment. SAOSYS architecture operates with object‐oriented finite elements pseudo‐polymorphously. The possibilities of this system are demonstrated by considering a numerical example of optimal design of industrial building frame with strength and stiffness constraints. The assumption of small displacements is adopted for computations. Santrauka Pasitelkus deformuojamo kūno mechanikos energinius principus ir matematinio programavimo teorija, sudarytas minimalaus tūrio strypiniu plieniniu konstrukciju, patyrusiu ir plastines deformacijas, projektavimo nuo vienkartes apkrovos uždavinio patobulintas matematinis modelis. Diskretizacijai naudojami pusiausvirieji baigtiniai elementai su iražu interpo‐liavimo funkcijomis. Elementai projektuojami iš sortimentiniu HE, IPE, RHS plieniniu profiliuočiu, atsižvelgiant i profi‐liuočiu aibiu geometriniu charakteristiku sklaida sortimentuose. Optimalus plieniniu konstrukciju projektavimas realizuojamas autoriu MATLAB aplinkoje sukurta eksperimentine sistema JWM SAOSYS Toolbox v0.42. SAOSYS architektūra pseudopolimorfiškai operuoja objektiškai orientuotais baigtiniais elementais. Sistemos SAOSYS galimybes atskleidžiamos pramoninio pastato remo optimalaus projektavimo su stiprumo ir standumo apribojimais pavyzdžiu. Skaičiuota atsižvelgus i mažu poslinkiu prielaidas.
Online resources on 2009 pandemic influenza for clinicians
Authors: Bhaskar Emmanuel , Mohan Pazhanivel
Published: March 2010

Numerous resources relevant to the 2009 pandemic influenza are available online. A casual search in Google using the phrase "swine flu resources" yields 9,180,000 items, making a time-bound search less fruitful for an average health care professional. This review summarizes the contents useful to practicing clinician available in 12 web sites that were selected based on their relevance to clinical care.
Commercialized childhood
Authors: Torrent Jordi
Published: March 2010

Contemporary strategies of marketing and advertisement have overloaded the mass-media helping to create a materialistic society where children have become both socio-economic system’s engine and victims. Children are the engine because of their economic power, and the victims because of the emotional effects that this socio-economic system has developed on them: results of some studies showed that 62% of American children are only interested in making money, and 80% of anti-depressant prescriptions are written for children.

Las estrategias de marketing y la publicad contemporánea han sobrecargado los medios de comunicación de masas, ayudando, en gran medida, al desarrollo de una sociedad materialista en la que el niño se ha convertido en motor y víctima. Motor por su fuerza económica, víctima por los efectos emocionales que este sistema socio-económico está creando. El 62% de los niños norteamericanos actuales sólo están interesados en ganar dinero, el 80% de las recetas de productos antidepresivos son para los niños.
Values education in childhood TV programmes
Authors: Moreno-García Laura
Published: March 2010

This paper emphasizes the influence of TV programmes for children on their ethical values, taking some programmes of the Spanish television (TVE) as examples. Their contents usually fit values praised by the society and human rights. On the other hand, other programmes aimed at a different audience (such as series or advertisements) but also watched by children, don´t respect those principles and they even contradict them.

Este texto hace hincapié en cómo desde los programas infantiles televisivos se puede moldear la concepción moral del público al que van dirigido, basándose en ejemplos concretos de TVE. Sus mensajes suelen ajustarse a valores compartidos por una amplia base de la sociedad y recogen el fundamento de los derechos humanos. Aunque este estudio se centra en este aspecto concreto, cabe resaltar como otros formatos televisivos no dirigidos al público infantil pero sí consumidos por los mismos (teleseries o publicidad), no sólo no respetan esta concepción sino que incluso la contradicen. Sirva como ejemplo que dentro de las franjas de publicidad dirigidas al público infantil, la publicidad no siempre respeta principios como el de la igualdad de género.
The use of digital video in class: a pedagogical proposition
Authors: de-Souza Karla Isabel , Ferreira-do-Amaral Sérgio
Published: March 2010

Television is part of the young people´s daily life and the new technologies, such as the digital video, make a new pedagogical approach possible. This approach enables the teacher to take a critical view of the mass media and to set the knowledge, which is fundamental in the learning process. This paper is based upon the research carried out in Primary schools in Brazil and it intends to show the pedagogical possibilities of television when using the digital video. The results are audiovisual productions with pedagogical, social and cultural aims.

La televisión está en el cotidiano de todos los jóvenes y ahora las facilidades tecnológicas que el vídeo digital posibilita favorece una nueva postura pedagógica, una acción que permite al profesor favorecer una visión crítica de los medios y la construcción de los conocimientos, tan fundamentales en el proceso educativo. Con base en la investigación en escuelas de enseñanza básica en Brasil, este trabajo pretende mostrar las posibilidades pedagógicas de la televisión con la utilización de vídeo digital. El resultado son producciones audio-visuales con objetivos peda-gógicos, sociales, culturales y reflexivos.
Educating our ways of viewing through the dialogue
Authors: Pulido-Rodríguez Cristina María , Tortajada-Giménez Iolanda
Published: March 2010

It is said that media literacy «knows no age limits». Though most practice and literature on media education has focused so far on childhood and teenagers, there are also projects to use and understand the media in the field of adult education. Both the current technological revolution in our society and the main role played in it by the media call for spaces and opportunities within our lifetime to educate our way of view continually. The methodology, based on dialogue has been used in several courses developed within the framework of the EC-supported «e-Learning» program. Its application testified the fact that such methodology is more significant than the object of study itself or the specific activities performed.

El presente trabajo defiende que la alfabetización mediática «no tiene edad». Aunque buena parte de la educación en medios se ha centrado (y se centra) en la infancia y la adolescencia, también en la educación de personas adultas se están generando proyectos para utilizar e interpretar los medios. La revolución tecnológica que estamos viviendo y el papel central de los medios hacen especialmente importante que existan espacios a lo largo de nuestra vida para educar de forma continuada nuestra mirada. La metodología basada en el diálogo que aquí se presenta se ha utilizado en diferentes cursos desarrollados en el marco del programa «e-learning». De su aplicación se ha podido deducir que dicha metodología es más importante que el objeto de estudio o las actividades concretas que se lleven a cabo.
Mass media educative value: social correlations
Authors: Marcellán-Baraze Idoia , Agirre-Arriaga Imanol
Published: March 2010

There is an obvious social alarm concerning the media, specially the TV. In order to check out the users´ perception of this phenomenon, investigation was set up with Primary school kids, and their parents. This investigation has revealed that there are some correlations between the investigated sample and the general social perception of any media. Communication itself explains some of these correlations: the identification of all the media with TV and a peculiar idea about the educational power of this means of communication.

La alarma social ante los medios, en especial la televisión es patente. Con el fin de constatar la percepción de los usuarios ante este fenómeno se puso en marcha una investigación con un grupo de niños de educación primaria y sus padres. Esta investigación ha revelado que ante los medios, además de otras cuestiones, se presentan ciertas correlaciones entre la percepción social general y la del grupo investigado. La comunicación explica dos de algunas de éstas: la identificación de los medios con la televisión y una peculiar idea del poder educativo de este medio.
School and TV: love and mistrust in a liquid environment
Authors: Bacher Silvia
Published: March 2010

TV parameters are speed, atomization and history absence. The weakest voices like the children´s are not usually «taken into account» by television. Schools must be rethought and they should and redefine their strategies in order to adjust to the ethics/aesthetics of «video clip life». Adding TV up to school studies might be profitable. Integrating TV as a study object can help to develop a thinking process. One of the education greatest challenges is to achieve the promotion of the children’s rights through television.

Los parámetros de la TV son la velocidad, la fragmentación y la ausencia de historia. Ésta suele dejar afuera las voces más débiles, como las de niñas y niños. La escuela debe repensarse y redefinir sus estrategias para revertir la ética/estética de «vivir en vídeo clip». Al pensar en la TV como objeto de estudio, se puede intervenir para darle lugar al pensamiento. Un gran desafío de la educación es intervenir en pantallas y audiencias para promover la concepción de infancia y juventud como sujetos de derecho.
Psychopedagogic orientation for learning and teaching to watch TV
Authors: Monescillo-Palomo Manuel
Published: March 2010

The formal education offered at schools has an intentional and professional curricular space that influences, in a direct way, on the people’s formation, their behaviours, their strategies to cope with daily interpersonal relationships, and their new challenges. This paper includes a reflection on the incidence of psychopedagogic orientation in the development of abilities and competences for a more responsible and critical use of television messages. It also offers some practical proposals that can be implemented by practitioners or tutors in collaboration with their students’ families.

La educación formal que se dispensa en los centros educativos ofrece un espacio curricular intencional y profesional que incide, de forma directa, en la formación de las personas, en los estilos que éstas van adoptando, en las formas de afrontar cada día las relaciones personales y los retos que les van surgiendo. En esta comunicación se reflexiona sobre la incidencia de la orientación psicopedagógica en el desarrollo de habilidades y competencias para consumir los mensajes televisivos de forma responsable y crítica, aportándose algunas propuestas prácticas que pueden ser implementadas por los profesores tutores en colaboración con las familias de sus alumnos.
Teaching to watch television with a critical spirit
Authors: Vera-Aranda Ángel Luis
Published: March 2010

Young people spend more time watching television than attending classes at school. However, violent, aggressive or just clearly harmful programmes are broadcast for the minors more and more often every day. Faced with the lack of real self-regulation on the part of operators, it is necessary that the administration takes definitely measures in this respect. A possible solution can be found by implementing projects of media literacy, which have not been carried out in our country yet, although they are quite frequent in the most developed countries in Europe and America.

Los jóvenes dedican más tiempo a ver la televisión que a asistir a clase en un centro educativo. Sin embargo, los contenidos televisivos que se emiten tienen cada vez una carga mayor de violencia, de agresividad o de pautas que son claramente perjudiciales para los menores de edad. Ante la falta de una verdadera autorregulación por parte de los operadores, es necesario que la administración tome decididamente medidas al respecto. Una posibilidad de solución se encuentra en la puesta en práctica de proyectos de alfabetización mediática, que aunque son bastante frecuentes en los países más avanzados de Europa y de América, aún no han sido llevados a cabo en nuestro país.
Signaling through the A2B Adenosine Receptor Dampens Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Schingnitz Ulrich , Hartmann Katherine , MacManus Christopher F. , Eckle Tobias , Zug Stephanie , Colgan Sean P. , Eltzschig Holger K.
Published: March 2010

Sepsis and septic acute lung injury are among the leading causes for morbidity and mortality of critical illness. Extracellular adenosine is a signaling molecule implicated in the cellular adaptation to hypoxia, ischemia, or inflammation. Therefore, we pursued the role of the A2B adenosine receptor (AR) as potential therapeutic target in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. We gained initial insight from in vitro studies of cultured endothelia or epithelia exposed to inflammatory mediators showing time-dependent induction of the A2BAR (up to 12.9 ± 3.4-fold, p < 0.05). Similarly, murine studies of endotoxin-induced lung injury identified an almost 4.6-fold induction of A2BAR transcript and corresponding protein induction with LPS exposure. Studies utilizing A2BAR promoter constructs and RNA protection assays indicated that A2BAR induction involved mRNA stability. Functional studies of LPS-induced lung injury revealed that pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of the A2BAR was associated with dramatic increases in lung inflammation and histologic tissue injury. Studies of A2BAR bone marrow chimeric mice suggested pulmonary A2BAR signaling in lung protection. Finally, studies with a specific A2BAR agonist (BAY 60-6583) demonstrated attenuation of lung inflammation and pulmonary edema in wild-type but not in gene-targeted mice for the A2BAR. These studies suggest the A2BAR as potential therapeutic target in the treatment of endotoxin-induced forms of acute lung injury.
Pathogenic Vibrio Activate NLRP3 Inflammasome via Cytotoxins and TLR/Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain-Mediated NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Toma Claudia , Higa Naomi , Koizumi Yukiko , Nakasone Noboru , Ogura Yasunori , McCoy Andrea J. , Franchi Luigi , Uematsu Satoshi , Sagara Junji , Taniguchi Shun’ichiro , Tsutsui Hiroko , Akira Shizuo , Tschopp Jürg , Núñez Gabriel , Suzuki Toshihiko
Published: March 2010

Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae are Gram-negative pathogens that cause serious infectious disease in humans. The β form of pro–IL-1 is thought to be involved in inflammatory responses and disease development during infection with these pathogens, but the mechanism of β form of pro–IL-1 production remains poorly defined. In this study, we demonstrate that infection of mouse macrophages with two pathogenic Vibrio triggers the activation of caspase-1 via the NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was mediated by hemolysins and multifunctional repeat-in-toxins produced by the pathogenic bacteria. NLRP3 activation in response to V. vulnificus infection required NF-κB activation, which was mediated via TLR signaling. V. cholerae-induced NLRP3 activation also required NF-κB activation but was independent of TLR stimulation. Studies with purified V. cholerae hemolysin revealed that toxin-stimulated NLRP3 activation was induced by TLR and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1/2 ligand-mediated NF-κB activation. Our results identify the NLRP3 inflammasome as a sensor of Vibrio infections through the action of bacterial cytotoxins and differential activation of innate signaling pathways acting upstream of NF-κB.
Central Nervous System Destruction Mediated by Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase-Specific CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Burton Amanda R. , Baquet Zachary , Eisenbarth George S. , Tisch Roland , Smeyne Richard , Workman Creg J. , Vignali Dario A. A.
Published: March 2010

High titers of autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65 are commonly observed in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes as well as stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a disorder that affects the CNS, and a variant of SPS, progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus. Although there is a considerable amount of data focusing on the role of GAD65-specific CD4+ T cells in type 1 diabetes, little is known about their role in SPS. In this study, we show that mice possessing a monoclonal GAD65-specific CD4+ T cell population (4B5, PA19.9G11, or PA17.9G7) develop a lethal encephalomyelitis-like disease in the absence of any other T cells or B cells. GAD65-reactive CD4+ T cells were found throughout the CNS in direct concordance with GAD65 expression and activated microglia: proximal to the circumventricular organs at the interface between the brain parenchyma and the blood-brain barrier. In the presence of B cells, high titer anti-GAD65 autoantibodies were generated, but these had no effect on the incidence or severity of disease. In addition, GAD65-specific CD4+ T cells isolated from the brain were activated and produced IFN-γ. These findings suggest that GAD65-reactive CD4+ T cells alone mediate a lethal encephalomyelitis-like disease that may serve as a useful model to study GAD65-mediated diseases of the CNS.
Isoallergen Variations Contribute to the Overall Complexity of Effector Cell Degranulation: Effect Mediated through Differentiated IgE Affinity
Authors: Christensen Lars H. , Riise Erik , Bang Lærke , Zhang Chunqing , Lund Kaare
Published: March 2010

Most allergens exist in several variants (isoallergens), each of which may be recognized differently by patient IgE. We have previously shown that several properties of the IgE repertoire, including IgE affinity and IgE clonality, are important factors determining degranulation responses of effector cells involved in type I allergic reactions. However, less is known about how the repertoire of naturally occurring isoallergens may affect this response. Thus, in this study, we investigated how individual rIgE Ab clones derived from a human subject are able to distinguish among variants of Der p 2 isoallergens and assessed the impact on basophil degranulation. Biacore analyses showed that individual rIgE clones cloned from an individual allergic to house dust mites recognized Der p 2 with binding affinities varying up to 100-fold between different Der p 2 isoforms. In a well-defined biological system consisting of human basophils sensitized with low rIgE clonality, degranulation responses were directly related to rIgE affinity toward particular rDer p 2 isoallergens. However, basophils sensitized with polyclonal patients’ sera showed no differences in degranulation responses toward the different rDer p 2 isoallergens. In conclusion, our study shows that individual IgE Abs are able to bind single allergens with a broad range of affinities due to natural isoallergen variations, contributing further to the overall complexity of IgE–allergen interactions at the effector cell surface, which is, however, blurred by the polyclonal nature of patients’ IgE repertoires.
Caspases in Virus-Infected Cells Contribute to Recognition by CD8+ T Lymphocytes
Authors: López Daniel , García-Calvo Margarita , Smith Geoffrey L. , Del Val Margarita
Published: March 2010

CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize infected cells in which MHC class I molecules present pathogen-derived peptides that have been processed mainly by proteasomes. Many infections induce a set of proteases, the caspases involved in apoptosis or inflammation. In this study, we report that processing and presentation of a short vaccinia virus-encoded Ag can take place also by a nonproteasomal pathway, which was blocked in infected cells with chemical inhibitors of caspases. By cleaving at noncanonical sites, at least two caspases generated antigenic peptides recognized by T lymphocytes. The sites and the peptidic products were partially overlapping but different to those used and produced by proteasomes in vitro. Antigenic natural peptides produced in infected cells by either pathway were quantitatively and qualitatively similar. Finally, coexpression of the natural vaccinia virus protein B13, which is an inhibitor of caspases and apoptosis, impaired Ag presentation by the caspase pathway in infected cells. These data support the hypothesis that numerous cellular proteolytic systems, including those induced during infection, such as caspases involved in apoptosis or in inflammation, contribute to the repertoire of presented peptides, thereby facilitating immunosurveillance.
THE TIDAL SYSTEM OF LAKE MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA1
Authors: Redfield Alfred C.
Published: March 2010

The tides of the Lake Maracaibo system are attributable to a standing wave produced by tidal waves entering from the Gulf of Venezuela and their reflection from the head of the lake. A node for the semidiurnal constituents occurs in the northern part of the lake. An antinode for the semidiurnal constituents occurs in Tablazo Bay, and this antinode may be presumed to coincide with the node of the diurnal constituents.

When the dimensions of the basin and friction are taken into account by the step‐by‐step integration of finite difference equations for continuity and gravitational acceleration, estimates of tidal elevations and currents agree approximately with those observed. The presence of significant rotary tidal currents in Lake Maracaibo or effects of the rotation of the earth on the tide is excluded.

The influence of the antinode in Tablazo Bay on sedimentation and on the exclusion of salt water from the lake are discussed.
SOURCES OF PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN FOR LAKES ON AFOGNAK ISLAND1
Authors: Dugdale Richard C. , Dugdale Vera A.
Published: March 2010

The contribution of inlet streams to the phosphorus and nitrogen budgets of two lakes on Afognak Island (Kodiak Region), Alaska has been studied with special reference to the morphology of the associated watersheds. One lake drains a steep, vast watershed; the other, a relatively flat, restricted one. Streams coming from the steeper slopes show a lower PO4‐P concentration than those coming from shallow slopes as might be expected from runoff— residence considerations. Exactly the opposite is found when the nitrate concentration of these streams is examined, i.e., only the streams arising on steep slopes show appreciable amounts of nitrate. Phosphorus appearing in the inlets probably originates in the Katmai ash which lies just under the humus layer of soil. Three distinct layers of ash occur normally. A complex pattern of phosphorus distribution can probably be attributed to differences in the permeability of these layers to water. A model has been constructed as an aid to interpretation of the data. Thickets of nitrogen fixing alders, found only along steep stream banks, may be the source of the nitrate content of these streams.
SUN‐ALTITUDE EFFECT ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF UNDERWATER LIGHT
Authors: Tyler J.E.
Published: March 2010

Skylighting which is symmetrical about the zenith generates a light vector diagram which is symmetrical about the vertical axis. When the sun departs from a position of symmetry the light vector diagrams become distorted. The extent of this distortion can to some extent be predicted from a knowledge of the scattering and reflecting properties of the water. The method of prediction is explained.
NEGENTROPY FLOW IN COMMUNITIES OF PLANKTON1
Authors: Patten Bernard C.
Published: March 2010

A model generalizing negentropy flux in plankton communities is presented. The biomass information equivalent B(I) at time t is

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0001

where π (gross production) and ρ (respiration) represent rates of negentropy gain and loss, respectively. From this equation is derived an expression for the total community information in a homogeneous water column of depth z assuming a logistic relationship between photosynthesis and light intensity:

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0002

where ϕ is a photosynthetic constant, I0 is environmental negentropy concentration at the surface, δ is a decay coefficient expressing the rate of diminution of I0 with depth, and c is the compensation depth. Various transformations of the exponent of this equation yielded for gross production in the whole water column:

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0003

for respiration:

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0004

and for net production:

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0005

The cost in community negentropy to procure a unit of biotope negentropy was formulated as

urn:x-wiley:00243590:media:lno1961610026:lno1961610026-math-0006

Empirical data are provided for a station in Raritan Bay which indicate a net loss of planktonic negentropy during the summer of 1959 amounting to 5.46 ✕ 1020 bits/cm2/day. A comparison of observed costs with expected values computed from the model indicated no significant difference between expectation and observation, demonstrating the efficacy of the model even under conditions where the assumption of perfect homogeneity throughout the water column was only partially realized.
A BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR THIAMINE IN SEA WATER1
Authors: Vishniac Helen S.
Published: March 2010

A non‐filamentous marine phycomycete, isolate S‐3, responds in a quantitative and specific manner to the presence of thiamine. This fungus has been used to assay for thiamine in sea water. The assay is sensitive to 25 µµg/ml thiamine.
PHYTOPLANKTON AND CIILOROPHYLL IN THE GERLACHE AND BRANSFIELD STRAITS OF ANTARCTICA1
Authors: Burkholder Paul R. , Sieburth John M.
Published: March 2010

Studies were made on the phytoplankton and chlorophyll a content of waters in the Gerlache and Bransfield Straits of Antarctica during December 1958 and January 1959. Rich communities of diatoms, such as Thalassiosira, Coscinodiscus, Eucampia, and Synedra, and the chrysophycean Phaeocystis were observed at numerous stations in the Gerlache Strait and the western part of Bransfield Strait. Dinoflagellates wore very scarce in this region. Antibiotic activity of the plankton was associated with Phaeocystis. The eastern area of Bransfield Strait, near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, was almost devoid of phytoplankton at all depths. Chlorophyll a determinations agreed in general with observations on the abundance of phytoplankton. Chlorophyll a ranged up to about 27 mg/m3 of water, and the amount of pigment in surface waters was inversely related to total depth of the water.
SURFACE SCHOOLING AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR IN THE WHITE BASS, ROCCUS CHRYSOPS (RAFINESQUE), IN LAKE MENDOTA1
Authors: McNaught Donald C. , Hasler Arthur D.
Published: March 2010

Zooplankters of the genus Daphnia comprise the bulk of the food of the white bass, Roccus chrysops, in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. Compact schools of white bass are conspicuous at the surface from May through October. Planktonic Daphnia are highly aggregated, on a relatively small scale in foamlines or roll vortices, and on a larger scale by horizontal convergence on the leeward side of important shoal areas. The white bass are able to locate regions of high concentrations of air‐locked and/or free‐swimming Daphnia, as shown by highly significant differences between the mean numbers of organisms found within and outside of feeding areas. Suggestions are made as to the mechanisms involved. The relatively limited but significant vertical migration of Daphnia in Lake Mendota consists of typical morning and evening maxima at the surface. The pattern of feeding activity of the white bass is shown to correspond with the morning and evening concentrations of Daphnia in the surface waters. Some effects of the feeding behavior upon the efficiency of food‐intake are discussed.
RELATIONS BETWEEN PRIMARY PRODUCTION, CHLOROPHYLL AND PARTICULATE CARBON
Authors: Steele J. H. , Baird I. E.
Published: March 2010

In two very different areas in the North Sea, Aberdeen Bay (7 m) and the Fladen Ground (140 m) seasonal cycles of C14 uptake, chlorophyll and particulate organic carbon were observed. The ratios of C14 uptake to chlorophyll concentration showed marked variations seasonally. There were no signs of “dead” chlorophyll or of a decrease in the ratio due to nutrient deficiency. The ratios of chlorophyll to particulate carbon suggest that in coastal waters living plants generally form the most important part of the particulate carbon. At the deeper position the ratio was much smaller so that chlorophyll is not a good index of organic matter in the water.
THE INTERACTION BETWEEN BREEDING AND GROWTH RATE IN THE BARNACLE ELMINIUS MODESTUS DARWIN
Authors: Crisp D. J. , Patel Bhupendra
Published: March 2010

Elminius modestus Darwin is shown to be a slightly protandrous hermaphrodite in which the testes, vesiculae seminales and penes develop in specimens measuring between 3 and 5 mm, and the ovaries in specimens measuring from 4 to 6 mm. Fast growing specimens mature and bear embryos within 6 to 7 weeks of settlement, but crowding may slow down growth and delay the maturation of the ovary considerably. Very slow growing specimens may eventually become mature at an abnormally small size.

When individuals were prevented from breeding by isolation but were grown otherwise under identical conditions, they grew significantly faster and to a larger size than individuals which were able to cross‐fertilize and breed. The valves of the shell showed less difference in growth rate than any other structure. The slower growth of breeding individuals was caused not by competition due to their closer proximity, but by loss of tissue as egg masses. The mean difference in tissue weight, excluding shell, was about equal to the calculated loss of tissue in the form of eggs. Details are given of wet and dry weights and of the weights of the individual shell compartments of this species.