bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valuation of Cryptocurrency Mining Operations
Authors: Berengueres Jose
Published: September 2018

Traditionally, the Net Present Value method has been used to compare diverging investment strategies. However, valuating crypto-projects with fiat-based currency is confusing due to extreme coin appreciation rates as compared to fiat interest rates. Here, we provide a net present value method based on using crypto-coin as the underlying asset. Using this method, we compare buy-and-hold versus mine-and-hold; we also provide a sensitivity analysis of profitability.
Random Risk Appetite
Authors: Azar Samih Antoine
Published: September 2018

There is a burgeoning literature on the randomness of the coefficient of relative risk aversion (CRRA). This paper is in line with such a research agenda. Modelling risk aversion, or its converse, risk appetite, as a random variable violates one of the fundamental principles of economics, in general, and of the behavior under risk in particular, and which is constant preferences. This paper argues otherwise. Both conditional and unconditional tests are carried out to identify the CRRA. A battery of econometric procedures is attempted. The paper postulates that the CRRA follows a normal distribution, with the first two statistical moments derived from the empirical results. The CRRA is found to follow a normal distribution with mean 2.57, and with a standard error of 0.454. Surprisingly, the 95% confidence interval does not include a CRRA of +1, or log utility. However the richness of the approach compensates for this caveat.
Evaluación del Plan de Inversión Municipal de Siuna, Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte de Nicaragua, 2016
Authors: Gutiérrez Garmendia Francisco , Rodríguez Ruíz Sergio
Published: September 2018

La investigación se efectuó en el contexto en que se desarrollan los procesos socioeconómicos del municipio. Las técnicas que se utilizaron: la entrevista en profundidad, grupos focales y revisión documental. Los sujetos que se involucraron: autoridades municipales, funcionarios de instituciones, representantes de organizaciones de base, líderes comunitarios y políticos. El procesamiento de datos cualitativos fue mediante la codificación de categorías, comparaciones entre los grupos basadas en el uso de matrices y la triangulación de la información. Los sujetos expresan la impertinencia y la valoración de impacto que tiene el Plan de Inversión Municipal de Siuna. En sus referencias se evidencian elementos que no son coherentes con las obligaciones de ley, el plan de desarrollo y el plan de inversión municipal.
O sistema de alerta e alarme como estratégia de redução de riscos: participação popular e avaliação de políticas públicas
Authors: De Carvalho Nathalia Lacerda , Silva Vinícius Ervatti , Coelho Netto Ana Luiza
Published: September 2018

O desastre ocorrido na Região Serrana do Rio de Janeiro, em janeiro de 2011, foi um marco na elaboração de políticas públicas para gestão de riscos. Entretanto, observamos lacunas na avaliação dos programas em curso, sobretudo no que se refere à integração das comunidades nos planos de gestão e processos decisórios. O presente artigo aborda a adesão comunitária ao sistema de alerta e alarme a deslizamentos e inundações, no bairro de Córrego D’Antas - Nova Friburgo/RJ. Os resultados mostram que, em geral, a população não cumpre com o protocolo, evidenciando um esvaziamento político do programa. O modelo top-down que ainda prevalece, somado às lacunas na reconstrução do bairro, são entraves para o desenvolvimento de uma relação de confiança entre comunitários e agentes do poder público. Nesse sentido, faz-se necessário repensarmos o atual paradigma de gestão, em direção ao protagonismo comunitário na definição de estratégias para redução de riscos a desastres.
How Persistent are Shocks to Energy Prices?
Authors: Ghoshray Atanu
Published: September 2018

Whether shocks to energy prices are permanent or transitory remains a contentious issue. This may result from mis-specification of the econometric tests, due for example to the uncertainty over the presence of a trend, or the possible presence of structural breaks and non-stationary volatility in the data. This paper makes a contribution by addressing the underlying characteristics of energy price data that influence such econometric tests. First, we detect whether the data are characterised by non-stationary volatility and possible trend breaks. The next step involves employing novel unit root tests that unify the underlying characteristics, such as trend break and/or nonstationary volatility, of the data. We conclude shocks to energy prices are not transitory. We further decompose a benchmark oil price and its demand and supply components into their permanent and transitory components and compute the cross correlations to find that they conform to standard theories of commodity storage models.
Price Elasticity of Supply and Productivity: An Analysis of Natural Gas Wells in Wyoming
Authors: Mason Charles F. , Roberts Gavin
Published: September 2018

Using a large dataset of well-level natural gas production from Wyoming, we evaluate the respective roles played by market signals and geological characteristics in natural gas supply. While we find well-level production of natural gas is primarily determined by geological characteristics, producers respond to market signals through drilling rates and locations. Using a novel fixed effects approach based on petroleum-engineering characteristics, we confirm that production decline rates tend to be larger for wells with larger peak-production rates. We also find that the price elasticity of peak production is negative, plausibly because firms drill in less productive locations as prices increase. Finally, we show that drilling is price inelastic, although the price elasticity of drilling increased significantly when new technologies began to be adopted in Wyoming. Our results indicate that the popular view that shale wells have larger decline rates than conventional wells can be at least partially explained by the pattern of falling natural gas prices.
De functie-inhoud van niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van beursvennootschappen getoetst
Authors: Talmricht A.
Published: September 2018

De functie-inhoud van niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van beursvennootschappen getoetst

In deze bijdrage toetst de auteur de functie-inhoud van de niet-uitvoerende bestuurders van alle aan Euronext Amsterdam genoteerde vennootschappen met een one tier bestuur aan de wet. Hij komt tot de conclusie dat de functie-inhoud van deze niet-uitvoerende bestuurders niet steeds voldoende aansluit op de wet, waardoor aansprakelijkheidsrisico’s kunnen ontstaan.
Het gifpilletje van Gemalto
Authors: Hezer P.L. , Kemp B.
Published: September 2018

Het gifpilletje van Gemalto

Bij het openbaar bod van Thales en Gemalto is een poison pill geïmplementeerd om concurrerende biedingen te ontmoedigen. Deze vorm van deal protection, die lijkt te zijn gebaseerd op de Franse ‘bons Bretons’, is in Nederland een noviteit. In deze bijdrage wordt gekeken naar de implementatie, toelaatbaarheid en toetsing van die ‘Franse gifpil’.
Canciones e interacciones en educación inicial
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Peña Luzmila Mendivil Trelles
Published: September 2018

El presente artículo analiza resultados parciales de una investigación doctoral realizada en una institución educativa pública de educación inicial seleccionada al azar. El estudio muestra la dinámica de las interacciones que rodean a la canción infantil al interior de las aulas. La data se obtuvo mediante observaciones de jornadas completas en todas las aulas. El trabajo de campo se desarrolló en diversos meses a fin de no atribuir los resultados a eventos de la calendarización escolar. El estudio revela el impacto de las canciones en la constitución identitaria de los niños y de las propias docentes. Asimismo, contribuye a develar el rol de las canciones como discursos sociales que pueden producir efectos perversos como mecanismo de control y pone en evidencia la dinámica del poder docente.
Vendo, sentindo e tocando: processos de musicalização de crianças surdas
Authors:   Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Schambeck Regina Finck
Published: September 2018

Para evidenciar o processo de aprendizagem musical de crianças surdas no contexto inclusivo, este artigo compartilha princípios educativos que orientaram uma prática pedagógica de musicalização. Com ênfase na pesquisa-ação e a partir da adaptação de materiais e recursos pedagógicos, a aprendizagem musical significativa foi proporcionada para alunos surdos e ouvintes, em um mesmo ambiente educativo. Para orientar essas práticas, foram selecionados autores que levassem em conta os processos cognitivos diferenciados dos alunos surdos, ou seja, que considerassem que as atividades musicais devem ser desenvolvidas com ênfase nos processos de ver, ouvir/sentir e tocar, o que remete aos estímulos acústicos, vibratórios, táteis, emocionais e sociais. Ao adaptar as atividades musicais, caminhos alternativos foram seguidos para instigar o crescimento musical dos alunos com surdez. A análise dos dados demonstrou que as práticas contribuíram para ampliar as discussões sobre aprendizagens musicais das crianças surdas. Ao mesmo tempo, a pesquisa apontou alguns parâmetros de ação inclusiva que podem ser incluídos nos cursos de Licenciatura em Música e na formação continuada de professores, tal como já é preconizado nos documentos normativos de formação, estabelecidos pelas políticas públicas brasileiras. É dever das instituições formadoras prever ações de qualificação dos profissionais envolvidos tanto nos aspectos da educação musical, como, também, da instrução dos conteúdos de formação humanística e relativos à educação especial como um todo.
Práticas surpreendentes: uma estratégia de ensino na formação do professor de música
Authors:   Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Fink-Jensen Kirsten
Published: September 2018

O capítulo de Fink-Jensen centra-se em duas questões fundamentais para o desenvolvimento da prática pedagógica de estudantes de música em formação docente: como a teoria pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento da prática e como a relação entre teoria e prática pode ser abordada durante a formação. Concebendo o professor como um pesquisador propõe a implementação de uma estratégia de ensino que denominou de “práticas surpreendentes”, apoiando-se em conceitos antropológicos e fenomenológicos, bem como em teorias do campo da psicologia, da pedagogia e da educação musical. O ponto central é a identificação de uma situação-problema e, para isso, é essencial que o estudante seja capaz de observar de forma aberta e sensível, deixando para trás premissas teóricas já estabelecidas para que possa gerar novas possibilidades para tal situação de ensino.
Imaginary media: Alexander Scriabin’s Mysterium
Authors: Törneman Mira Stolpe
Published: September 2018

This essay focuses on the unrealised compositional work Mysterium by Russian composer Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915) as an example of an imaginary medium. It is demonstrated how the creation of Mysterium was dependent on discursive practices of the time, on the media landscape of 1900 as defined by Kittler, and on a particular development of the local sphere as conceptualised by Peter Sloterdijk. Furthermore, it reveals some ways in which Mysterium interacts with realised and imaginary media of its own time and times to come. The structural complexity of Mysterium is used to discuss the limitations and possibilities of the concept of imaginary media, and the historically loaded Wagnerian concept of Gesamtkunstwerk is employed for historiographical contextualisation. The article thereby provides a critical understanding of the limits of the technological in the concept of media and also offers a new perspective on a historically important but seldom addressed work of art and music, which has often left scholars struggling with its unfinished and unrealised character.
Constitutional Aspect of the Application of EU Standards on the Use of Electronic Signature in the Republic of Srpska // Ustavnopravni aspekt primjene EU standarda o upotrebi elektronskog potpisa u Republici Srpskoj
Authors: Macan Siniša , Karan Siniša , Džajić Goran
Published: September 2018

The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines the right for free economy, which is the basis of economic development through the promotion of private ownership and the development of market economy. Every citizen have freedom of movement within and outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the freedom to choose a place of life, free choice of work and creating a business through positive competition between business entities.Bosnia and Herzegovina has assumed the obligations of integrating international legislation into its legal system. In order to implement the constitutional right for freedom of movement of people and capital, Bosnia and Herzegovina is obliged to apply international standards and regulations in the field of identification documents. At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina is integrated in the regional market with neighboring countries, the continental market in Europe and the intercontinental global marketplace. Such integration requires the creation of conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the development of a business environment that is at least the same or better in relation to other markets.A constitutional obligation of all levels of government of Bosnia and Herzegovina is to remove all barriers that slow down or disrupt business, in order to enable that goods and services that are created by economic entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be competitive. In the era of Internet and digital business development, products and services can and must be available in every corner of the planet, and each state must create constitutional legal requirements that guarantee the rapid and free movement of goods and equity under equal conditions. This constitutional obligation guarantees that citizens without discrimination have at least equal conditions for business as well as individuals in other countries and in other markets with which goods and services are exchanged.In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a legal and legitimate framework for the use of a digital signature. However, in practice, this way of legally valid business did not become a reality. In the business environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Srpska is not possible to sign contracts electronically, to report taxes and contributions legally certified by digital signatures or digitally archive business documents or to open a business electronically.The question arises as to the objective reasons for this situation, as well as the constitutional and legal framework and practice in order to bring the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska into equal status with citizens in the open capital market.
Importance and Role of Honorary Consuls in Exercise of Consular Functions // Značaj i uloga počasnih konzula u obavljanju konzularnih funkcija
Authors: Glodić Duško
Published: September 2018

The article explores the role and importance of honorary consuls in the exercise of consular functions assigned to them. Their commitment to the strengthening of the inter-state cooperation in the non-political sphere and the support, protection and advice provided by the honorary consuls were emphasised as the historically grounded services rendered by this category of agents. It is, however, stressed that, although the contemporary ways of communication between different state and non-state actors happen without the use of diplomatic and consular mechanisms, the honorary consuls still find their place in the relations between the states and commercial, trade and other sorts of partners based in different states. The positive International Law, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as bilateral consular conventions, concluded between the interested parties, recognises the institutions of honorary consuls and possesses a certain set of rules that define the appointment and status of them. The article further explores the legal nature, privileges and immunities that are accorded to the honorary consuls and highlights the sets of usual and less usual consular functions that may be assigned to them by the sending state. Some exploration of both official and symbolic functions of the existence of the use of honorary consuls has been made in the article.
Evaluation of the Period of Sensors Motion Parameters of the Train
Authors: Filimonovich Petr Filimonovich
Published: September 2018

The choice of polling period sensors for measuring the speed and acceleration of the train can be produced using the spectral representation of functions of velocity and acceleration from time to time. Using the spectral method of determining the period of the survey, you can choose different value depending on the category of the train and its dynamic characteristics. For high-speed trains, the period of sensors is less than for trucks, since the latter are tightened by the transients during acceleration and deceleration.
ANALIZA MAKROEKONOMSKIH POKAZATELJA BOSNE I HERCEGOVINE I PROJEKCIJE ZA PERIOD OD 2016. DO 2020. GODINE
Authors: Šušić Milan , Dragić Darija , Šušić Ilija
Published: September 2018

Na osnovu analize makroekonomskih kretanja za BiH u prethodnom periodu, kao isagledavanja uticaja ključnih unutrašnjih i vanjskih faktora od kojih zavisi razvoj, urađena jeprojekcija ključnih makroekonomskih pokazatelja za period 2016-2020. godine, kao što su:BDP, realna stopa rasta BDP, prihoda od indirektnih poreza, fiskalnog deficita i njegovoučešće u BDP-u, nivo javne potrošnje kao udio u BDP-u, gornja granica zaduženja s ciljemda se poboljša životni standard svih građana.U radu se posebna pažnja posvećuje faktorima koji utiču na rast BDP-a kao što su direktnastrana ulaganjima u finansiranju globalne ekonomije, i njihovom značaju za razvoj globalneekonomije kao i uticaj direktnih stranih ulaganja na ekonomski razvoj Bosne i Hercegovine,kao i na aktivnosti koje su neophodne kako bi se realizovala povećana ulaganja i smanjilosiromaštvo u projektovanom periodu.
RAČUNOVODSTVO KONKURENTA KAO INSTRUMENT STRATEŠKOG INFORMISANJA MENADŽMENTA
Authors: Šinik Siniša , Ljubojević Nikolina
Published: September 2018

Računovodstvo konkurenata kao moderan instrument strateškog informisanja menadžmenta bavi se analizom prikupljenih kvantitativnih podatka o trenutnom poslovanju konkurenata, ali i podataka koji se odnose na njihovu bližu budućnost, te na taj način nastoji menadžmentu osigurati kvalitetnu podlogu za donošenje strateških poslovnih odluka.Osnovni cilj rada je utvrđivanje specifičnih vrsta, te intenziteta koriščenja tehnika računovodstva konkurenata prema veličini poslovnih subjekata, broju konkurenata na tržištu, stepenu konkurentnosti tržišta, tržišnoj poziciji anketiranih subjekata te prema vrsti konkurentske strategije.U radu su prikazani rezultati istraživanja provedenog metodom anketiranja pri čemu su u izvođenju odgovarajućih zaključaka korišćene statističke metode analize, te induktivna metoda.Rezultati istraživanja navode na zaključak kako se broj korištenih tehnika računovodstva konkurenata razlikuje zavisno o veličini poslovnih subjekata i njihovoj tržišnoj poziciji, dok vrsta konkurentske strategije, stepen konkurentnosti tržišta, odnosno broj konkurenata na tržištu značajno ne utiče na broj korišćenih tehnika. Tehnike računovodstva konkurenata intenzivnije koriste veliki poslovni subjekti, te subjekti koji zauzimaju poziciju tržišnog lidera, sljedbenika i izazivača.Rezultati istraživanja nadalje ukazuju na potrebu za daljnjim osposobljavanjem kadra koji bi omogućio intenzivnije korišćenje osnovnih tehnika konkurentnog računovodstva, ali i korišćenje složenijih tehnika koje bi omogućile poslovnim subjektima donošenje kvalitetnijih strateških poslovnih odluka.
SOCIOEKONOMSKE TENZIJE KAO POSLJEDICA RAZVOJNE STRATEGIJE DRUŠTVA
Authors: Medić Jasminka , Gagović Željka
Published: September 2018

Osnovni cilj rada je da se, polazeći od postavljenog zadatka - utvrđivanje razloga prisutnosti socioekonomskih tenzija koje nastaju kao neminovna pojava privrednog razvoja, objasni otpor sredine ka prihvatanju činjenice da je današnje vrijeme, vrijeme ekonomije humanog kapitala i investiranja u ljude, te da je budućnost u dobrom upravljanju humanim kapitalom (Ristić et al. 2016, 632) Da bi to bilo moguće neophodno je ubijediti ljude da prihvate činjenicu o potrebi podizanja obrazovanja na viši nivo.Saglasno tome u radu će biti korištene određene naučne metode, prvenstveno, metoda deskripcije, uporedna metoda i analiza. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na činjenicu da ljudi najbolje i najkvalitetnije investiraju kada u sebe investiraju. Naime, ljudi sami ulažu u bogatstvo naroda, povećavajući sveukupni kapital ljudskog društva, bez obzira što je postojeće znanje u nacionalnom bogatstvu ograničeno na komponente koje su izvan čovjeka. Na osnovu rezultata istraživanja nameće se zaključak da je obrazovanje potrebno shvatiti kao investiranje u ljude. Iz tog razloga pogrešno je obrazovne izdatke tretirati kao tekuću potrošnju, odnosno kao izdatke za blagostanje i trošenje resursa koje smanjuju štednju. Obrazovanje nije u osnovi potrošno dobro već predstavlja kvalitet stanovništva u formi ljudskog kapitala sa rastućim prinosima. Osviješćen i obrazovan pojedinac, radno angažovan i odgovoran, koji pritom zna da odredi prave životne vrijednosti i ne sagori u profesiji, predstavlja nosioca izlaza iz socioekonomskih tenzija, koje ometaju dalju primjenu razvojne strategije.
PRAVNI REŽIM PROMIJENJENIH OKOLNOSTI U SISTEMU OPŠTEG PRAVA
Authors: Šolaja Irina
Published: September 2018

Ugovori koje zaključuju naši državljani u međunarodnoj trgovini, rijetko za posljedicu imaju ugovaranje kao mjerodavnog pozitivnog prava za pitanja koja nisu ugovorom potpuno ili djelimicno regulisana. Praksa pokazuje da naši državljani, najčešće, za ugovorne obaveze sa stranim državljanima prihvataju kao mjerodavno strano pravo i to englesko pravo. Konkretni primjeri za navedene tvrdnje su svi zaključeni ugovori kompanija sa sjedištem u Bosni i Hercegovini kada kupuju naftu od prodavaca sa sjedištem na Bliskom i Srednjem Istoku. Upravo prodavci tih država odbijaju da zaključe ugovor bez klauzule o primjeni engleskog prava. Ističemo i veliku vrijednost tih ugovora i rizik ukoliko pravni subjekti nisu upoznati sa osnovnim karakteristikama pojedinih instituta sadržanim u glavnim predstavnicima common law pravnog sistema. Dodajemo, u vezi sa navedenim, da je sve češča pojava da u periodu od zaključenja ugovora do trenutka ispunjenja ugovora, djeluju promijenjene okolnosti usljed kojih je ugovor za jednu ili obje strane ugovornice, osujećen. Shodno tome, razmatranja su fokusirana na predstavljanje načina na koji je sistem opšteg prava regulisao uticaj promijenjenih okolnosti na ugovor i istovremeno doprinese sigurnosti i izvjesnosti u međunarodnim transakcijama. Pri tome, upotrebljen je istorijski metod tumačenja prava koji je omogućio analizu ključnih pitanja u odnosu na razlike u shvatanju i prilazu uticaju promijenjenih okolnosti na ugovor. Dok je komplementarna primjena sistemskog tumačenja u užem i širem smislu dovela do zaključka, da common law pravni sistem, kao i prava koja pripadaju porodici kontinentalnog pravnog sistema, polazi od koncepta apsolutne obaveze koja je postepeno popuštala. Razlika između dva pravna sistema je u vremenskom periodu kada je došlo do oslobođenja od apsolutnosti ugovorne obaveze i pravnoj tehnici kojom je to učinjeno.
A sustainable synthetic biology approach for the control of the invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei)
Authors: Rebelo Mauro F , Afonso Luana F , Americo Juliana A , da Silva Lucas , Neto José L B , Dondero Francesco , Crisanti Andrea , Zhang Qiaoying
Published: September 2018

The recent development of the CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive has created the conditions to seriously consider this technology to solve one of the major environmental challenges in biodiversity conservation i.e. the control of invasive species. There is no efficient control method for golden mussel infestation available so far. Here we discuss the technical and economic feasibility of using a synthetic biology based approach to fight and control the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei in South American rivers and reservoirs.
Cryopreservation of Limnoperna fortunei (golden mussel) sperm with polyethylene glycol
Authors: Markovic Milica , Alves Americo Juliana , Wajsenzon Inês Julia Ribas , Rodrigues da Cunha Yasmin , Vieira Santos de Souza Thaísa , de Freitas Rebelo Mauro
Published: September 2018

Background. Insufficient quantities of freshly harvested Limnoperna fortunei gametes and embryos constrain reproduction research in the laboratory. Cryopreservation would allow the accumulation and storage of gametes when they are available. The lack of available cryopreservation protocol for Limnoperna fortunei in the literature led our research group to undertake a study to establish which cryoprotective agents can be might be most useful for cryopreservation of this species’ sperm. Methods. 2%, 5%, and 10% concentration of ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, and polyethylene glycol 4000 as well as 0.2 M glucose, sucrose, and trehalose (mixed into the 10% concentration of the aforementioned agents) were tested in a 1:1 ratio with sperm, in 0.25 ml straws, frozen in liquid nitrogen. Results. After 48 hours the best survival rate was in the samples with 10% polyethylene glycol 4000, 36.1%, which also resulted in viable sperm after 7 and 15 days.
Assessing alignment-based taxonomic classification of ancient microbial DNA
Authors: Eisenhofer Raphael , Weyrich Laura Susan
Published: September 2018

The field of paleomicrobiology—the study of ancient microorganisms—is rapidly growing due to recent methodological and technological advancements. It is now possible to obtain vast quantities of DNA data from ancient specimens in a high-throughput manner and use this information to investigate the dynamics and evolution of past microbial communities. However, we still know very little about how the characteristics of ancient DNA influence our ability to accurately assign microbial taxonomies (i.e. identify species) within ancient metagenomic samples. Here, we use both simulated and published metagenomic data sets to investigate how ancient DNA characteristics affect alignment-based taxonomic classification. We find that nucleotide-to-nucleotide, rather than nucleotide-to-protein, alignments are preferable when assigning taxonomies to DNA fragment lengths routinely identified within ancient specimens (<60 bp). We determine that deamination (a form of ancient DNA damage) and random sequence substitutions corresponding to ~100,000 years of genomic divergence minimally impact alignment-based classification. We also test four different reference databases and find that database choice can significantly bias the results of alignment-based taxonomic classification in ancient metagenomic studies. Finally, we perform a reanalysis of previously published ancient dental calculus data, increasing the number of microbial DNA sequences assigned taxonomically by an average of 64.2-fold and identifying microbial species previously unidentified in the original study. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of how ancient DNA characteristics influence alignment-based taxonomic classification of ancient microorganisms and provides recommendations for future paleomicrobiological studies.
Effect of changes in the fractal structure of a littoral zone in the course of lake succession on the abundance, body size sequence and biomass of beetles
Authors: Pakulnicka Joanna , Zawal Andrzej
Published: September 2018

Dystrophic lakes undergo natural disharmonic succession, in the course of which an increasingly complex and diverse, mosaic-like pattern of habitats evolves. In the final seral stage, the most important role is played by a spreading Sphagnum mat, which gradually reduces the lake’s open water surface area. Long-term transformations in the primary structure of lakes cause changes in the structure of lake-dwelling fauna assemblages. Knowledge of the succession mechanisms in lake fauna is essential for proper lake management. The use of fractal concepts helps to explain the character of fauna in relation to other aspects of the changing complexity of habitats. Our 12-year-long study into the succession of water beetles has covered habitats of 40 selected lakes which are diverse in terms of the fractal dimension. The taxonomic diversity and density of lake beetles increase parallel to an increase in the fractal dimension. An in-depth analysis of the fractal structure proved to be helpful in explaining the directional changes in fauna induced by the natural succession of lakes. Negative correlations appear between the body size and abundance. An increase in the density of beetles within the higher dimension fractals is counterbalanced by a change in the size of individual organisms. As a result, the biomass is constant, regardless of the fractal dimension.
A neural-level model of spatial memory and imagery
Authors: Bicanski Andrej , Burgess Neil
Published: September 2018

We present a model of how neural representations of egocentric spatial experiences in parietal cortex interface with viewpoint-independent representations in medial temporal areas, via retrosplenial cortex, to enable many key aspects of spatial cognition. This account shows how previously reported neural responses (place, head-direction and grid cells, allocentric boundary- and object-vector cells, gain-field neurons) can map onto higher cognitive function in a modular way, and predicts new cell types (egocentric and head-direction-modulated boundary- and object-vector cells). The model predicts how these neural populations should interact across multiple brain regions to support spatial memory, scene construction, novelty-detection, ‘trace cells’, and mental navigation. Simulated behavior and firing rate maps are compared to experimental data, for example showing how object-vector cells allow items to be remembered within a contextual representation based on environmental boundaries, and how grid cells could update the viewpoint in imagery during planning and short-cutting by driving sequential place cell activity.
Tumor copy number alteration burden is a pan-cancer prognostic factor associated with recurrence and death
Authors: Hieronymus Haley , Murali Rajmohan , Tin Amy , Yadav Kamlesh , Abida Wassim , Moller Henrik , Berney Daniel , Scher Howard , Carver Brett , Scardino Peter , Schultz Nikolaus , Taylor Barry , Vickers Andrew , Cuzick Jack , Sawyers Charles L
Published: September 2018

The level of copy number alteration (CNA), termed CNA burden, in the tumor genome is associated with recurrence of primary prostate cancer. Whether CNA burden is associated with prostate cancer survival or outcomes in other cancers is unknown. We analyzed the CNA landscape of conservatively treated prostate cancer in a biopsy and transurethral resection cohort, reflecting an increasingly common treatment approach. We find that CNA burden is prognostic for cancer-specific death, independent of standard clinical prognosticators. More broadly, we find CNA burden is significantly associated with disease-free and overall survival in primary breast, endometrial, renal clear cell, thyroid, and colorectal cancer in TCGA cohorts. To assess clinical applicability, we validated these findings in an independent pan-cancer cohort of patients whose tumors were sequenced using a clinically-certified next generation sequencing assay (MSK-IMPACT), where prognostic value varied based on cancer type. This prognostic association was affected by incorporating tumor purity in some cohorts. Overall, CNA burden of primary and metastatic tumors is a prognostic factor, potentially modulated by sample purity and measurable by current clinical sequencing.
A Postcolonial Reading of Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest
Authors: Moroundiya Alabi Adesanya , Mohammadzadeh Behbood
Published: September 2018

Post-colonial literature is concerned with the matters of decolonization, cultural, economic and political freedom of the previously colonized nations. Post-colonial theory places more emphasis on the criticality of colonialism and its establishment resulting in neo-colonialism with the accentuation of the power of the west over the colonized (Prasad, 2003:7). Post-colonial literature attempts to explore the challenges and results of decolonization of a nation, particularly those nations who have been given political and cultural independence and were formerly colonized by colonial powers. This study attempts to examine Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest to explore and criticize the season of anomy in African society in postcolonial context. The study explores how Africans began to colonize themselves even after the departure of the colonial rulers in Kongi’s Harvest. The result reveals that the reason for the impoverishment of the decolonized African nations is as a result of bad leadership quality, corruption and colonial mentality transmitted into the postcolonial era. For this reason, it is discovered that even after the end of colonization in Africa the colonizers left their surrogates (indigenous colonizers) behind to continue from where they stopped.
Investigating individual and social behaviour of the Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita): behavioural variety and welfare
Authors: Spiezio Caterina , Valsecchi Valentina , Sandri Camillo , Regaiolli Barbara
Published: September 2018

The Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) (NBI) is one of the most threatened birds in the world. Intense conservation efforts have been undertaken and several research projects on the species are being done in Morocco and in Europe. Observing animal behaviour has been proved to be an efficient and non-invasive technique to assess the animal welfare, with the performance of a wide array of natural behaviours being one of the mostly used indicators of good mental and physical well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of a flock of 14 zoo-living NBI of different ages. The study focused on the variety of species-specific individual and social behaviours, in the light of reintroduction of the study juveniles in the wild. Per subject, 20 10-min. sessions were done. A continuous focal animal sampling method was used to collect individual and social behaviours. Behavioural data have been compared between adults and juveniles. Moreover, a Behavioural Variety Index (BVI) has been proposed and calculated based on previous literature describing natural ibis behaviours. The BVI might help in the evaluation of the variety of behaviours performed by each individual and the monitoring of the diversity of the behavioural repertoire of zoo animals. Our results showed that the birds performed species-specific behaviours and no abnormal behaviour was reported. Moreover, the BVI highlighted a good behavioural variety as each bird performed approximately 78% of the natural behaviours described in the Northern bald ibis and in close relative species. Our findings seem to suggest the presence of qualitative and quantitative similarities between the behavioural repertoires of the study ibises and those described in wild conspecifics, suggesting a good welfare of the colony. Finally, the BVI proposed in the current study seems to be a useful and practical tool to test behavioural diversity in zoo animals.
GDF11 induces differentiation and apoptosis and inhibits migration of C17.2 neural stem cells via modulating MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Zongkui , Dou Miaomiao , Liu Fengjuan , Jiang Peng , Ye Shengliang , Ma Li , Cao Haijun , Du Xi , Sun Pan , Su Na , Lin Fangzhao , Zhang Rong , Li Changqing
Published: September 2018

GDF11, a member of TGF-β superfamily, has recently received widespread attention as a novel anti-ageing/rejuvenation factor to reverse age-related dysfunctions in heart and skeletal muscle, and to induce angiogenesis and neurogenesis. However, these positive effects of GDF11 were challenged by several other studies. Furthermore, the mechanism is still not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of GDF11 on C17.2 neural stem cells. GDF11 induced differentiation and apoptosis, and suppressed migration of C17.2 neural stem cells. In addition, GDF11 slightly increased cell viability after 24 h treatment, showed no effects on proliferation for about 10 days of cultivation, and slightly decreased cumulative population doubling for long-term treatment (p < 0.05). Phospho-proteome profiling array displayed that GDF11 significantly increased the phosphorylation of 13 serine/threonine kinases (p < 0.01), including p-p38, p-ERK and p-Akt, in C17.2 cells, which implied the activation of MAPK pathway. Western blot validated that the results of phospho-proteome profiling array were reliable. Based on functional analysis, we demonstrated that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in signal transduction which was implicated in cellular behavior. Collectively, our findings suggest that, for neurogenesis, GDF11 might not be the desired rejuvenation factor, but a potential target for pharmacological blockade.
Giant Piezoelectric Response in Superionic Polar Semiconductor
Authors: Shiomi Yuki , Akiba Tomoki , Takahashi Hidefumi , Ishiwata Shintaro
Published: September 2018

A lead‐free piezoelectric material whose performance is comparable to that of market‐dominant lead‐based ones has been strongly desired for the development of environmentally friendly piezoelectric devices. In spite of intensive research activities, however, few effective alternatives have been found due to severe requirements such as the absence of conducting carriers screening the electric polarization. Here, a polar semiconductor, AgCrSe2, is demonstrated as a promising piezoelectric material even with a finite conductivity. The inverse piezoelectric effect for AgCrSe2 single crystals, of which carrier density can be tuned by subtle nonstoichiometry, is studied as a model material at room temperature. Although the inverse piezoelectric effect of the AgCrSe2 crystals tends to be suppressed as resistivity becomes lower, the maximum piezoelectric coefficients (d33) reach 100–1000 pC N−1, comparable to those reported for typical piezoelectric BaTiO3 and lead‐based perovskites. The large piezoelectric response in AgCrSe2 is attributed to the large polarizability inherent to the intercalated Ag+ ions acting as ionic carriers. The present results demonstrate that superionic polar semiconductors have a potential to be high‐performance lead‐free piezoelectric materials overcoming the screening effect by the enhanced polarizability.
Prediction of diffusive transport through polymer films from characteristics of the pore geometry
Authors: Barman Sandra , Rootzén Holger , Bolin David
Published: September 2018

Diffusive transport through porous materials is to a large extent determined by the microstructure of the material. To design materials with controlled transport properties, it is hence important to connect properties of the pore geometry to diffusive transport rates. Different kinds of microstructures from a stochastic model are generated and multiplicative regression is used to find relationships between geometric measures of the microstructures and numerically simulated diffusive transport. The main results are that the geodesic tortuosity explains a large part of the transport variation, and that the standard deviations we introduce further improves prediction. It was found that it is best to compute the tortuosity using the whole pore space, instead of using only the inlet, as is commonly done. The effects of calculating the measures using small samples of the pore structure were investigated, and a method for minimizing errors resulting from boundary effects was proposed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 446–457, 2019
Using the Jigsaw Method to Teach Abdominal Anatomy
Authors: Oakes Diana J. , Hegedus Elizabeth M. , Ollerenshaw Suzanne L. , Drury Helen , Ritchie Helen E.
Published: September 2018

This study evaluates a cooperative learning approach for teaching anatomy to health science students incorporating small group and peer instruction based on the jigsaw method first described in the 1970's. Fifty‐three volunteers participated in abdominal anatomy workshops. Students were given time to become an “expert” in one of four segments of the topic (sub‐topics) by allocating groups to work‐stations with learning resources: axial computerized tomography (CT) of abdominal structures, axial CT of abdominal blood vessels, angiograms and venograms of abdominal blood vessels and structures located within abdominal quadrants. In the second part of workshop, students were redistributed into “jigsaw” learning groups with at least one “expert” at each workstation. The “jigsaw” learning groups then circulated between workstations learning all sub‐topics with the “expert” teaching others in their group. To assess abdominal anatomy knowledge, students completed a quiz pre‐ and post‐ workshop. Students increased their knowledge with significant improvements in quiz scores irrespective of prior exposure to lectures or practical classes related to the workshop topic. The evidence for long‐term retention of knowledge, assessed by comparing end‐semester examination performance of workshop participants with workshop nonparticipants, was less convincing. Workshop participants rated the jigsaw workshop highly for both educational value and enjoyment and felt the teaching approach would improve their course performance. The jigsaw method improved anatomy knowledge in the short‐term by engaging students in group work and peer‐led learning, with minimal supervision required. Reported outcomes suggest that cooperative learning approaches can lead to gains in student performance and motivation to learn. Anat Sci Educ 00: 000–000. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.
Spread and basket option pricing in a Markov‐modulated Lévy framework with synchronous jumps
Authors: Deelstra Griselda , Kozpınar Sinem , Simon Matthieu
Published: September 2018

This paper considers the evaluation of spread and basket options when the underlying asset prices are driven by Markov‐modulated Lévy processes with synchronous jumps. In particular, the asset prices may jump whenever there is a change of phase of the underlying Markov process. We further allow for dependence between the different price dynamics. In this general regime‐switching framework, we provide lower and upper bounds to the exact option prices based upon ideas from the literature without regime switching. These bounds are obtained via univariate Fourier inversion under the assumption that the joint characteristic functions of the Markov‐modulated Lévy processes are known. We study these obtained spread and basket option price approximations in different regime‐switching models. Several numerical experiments are included and these show that, especially, the lower bounds have a very high precision.
Fabrication of Highly Transparent Electrochromic Mirror Device with Nanoporous Counter Electrode
Authors: Ah Chil Seong , Song Juhee , Cho Seong M. , Kim Tae‐Youb , Ryu Hojun , Cheon Sanghoon , Kim Sujung , Kim Joo Yeon , Kim Yong‐Hae , Hwang Chi‐Sun
Published: September 2018

A new inorganic–organic hybrid electrochromic mirror device was fabricated, which is very transparent; its transparency and optical and electrical properties are highly influenced by the structure of the counter electrode (CE). The working electrode (WE) was fabricated via vacuum deposition of Ag, ITO, and WO3 films on glass, in sequence. Ag, ITO, and WO3 served as mirror and low resistance electrode, Ag protective layer, and inorganic reduction electrochromic layer, respectively. This study used a flat CE and nanoporous structured CE that had greatly increased surface to volume ratio. Flat CE did not reduce portion of oxidized phenothiazine (PH). In decoloration state, mirror device still had reddish color; this was a factor that decreased the decoloration reflectance. On the other hand, the use of nanoporous structured CE reduced the entire amount of oxidized PH, completely eliminated the reddish color, and enabled the fabrication of highly reflective mirror devices. Moreover, the use of nanoporous structured CE improved the electrochromic optical and electrical properties, leading to high reflectance variation, low consumed charge, low coloration static current, and fast response time compared to those characteristics of flat CE.
Bone mineral density of human ear ossicles: An assessment of structure in relation to function
Authors: Morris C. , Kramer B. , Hutchinson E. F.
Published: September 2018

Human ear ossicles are essential for normal sound conduction from the external environment to the inner ear. These bones are subjected to high biomechanical loads due to the sustained vibrations which occur with reception of sound. It is expected that the bones would undergo a significant amount of remodeling and change in bone mineral density during the lifespan of an individual. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the possible changes in bone mineral density of regions of the ossicular chain during postnatal life. Forty four left and 36 right sets of human ear ossicles, ranging from a sub‐adult age group to a mature adult age group, were sourced from the School of Anatomical Sciences, University of Witwatersrand. The ear ossicles were scanned using a micro‐focus CT X‐ray. A three‐dimensional reconstruction of each ossicle was created from the CT scan. Bone mineral density was then determined at specific sites on the ossicles. There was no statistically significant variation found in the bone mineral density in relation to the age of the specimens. However, the handle of the malleus, the incudo‐stapedial joint and the insertion site for the tendon of stapedius had lower bone mineral densities when compared to adjacent articulation and nonattachment sites on the ossicular chain. This is possibly due to biomechanical stress in response to sound conduction rather than ageing. Lower bone mineral density may be indicative of regions that experience the highest biomechanical force, thus, resulting in increased remodeling. Clin. Anat. 31:1158–1166, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genome Editing in Mice Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology
Authors: Hall Bradford , Cho Andrew , Limaye Advait , Cho Kyoungin , Khillan Jaspal , Kulkarni Ashok B.
Published: September 2018

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized genome editing in mice, allowing for simple and rapid development of knockouts and knockins. CRISPR relies on small guide RNAs that direct the RNA‐guided nuclease Cas9 to a designated genomic site using ∼20 bp of corresponding sequence. Cas9 then creates a double‐strand break in the targeted loci that is either patched in an error‐prone fashion to produce a frame‐shift mutation, a knockout, or is repaired by recombination with donor DNA containing homology arms, a knockin. This protocol covers the techniques needed to rapidly generate knockout and knockin mice with CRISPR via microinjection of Cas9, the guide RNA, and possible donor DNA into the mouse zygote. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
RibORF: Identifying Genome‐Wide Translated Open Reading Frames Using Ribosome Profiling
Authors: Ji Zhe
Published: September 2018

Ribosome profiling identifies RNA fragments associated with translating ribosomes. The technology provides an opportunity to examine genome‐wide translation events at single‐nucleotide resolution and in an unbiased manner. Here I present a computational pipeline named RibORF to systematically identify translated open reading frames (ORFs), based on read distribution features representing active translation, including 3‐nt periodicity and uniformness across codons. Analyses using the computational tool revealed pervasive translation in putative ‘noncoding’ regions, such as lncRNAs, pseudogenes, and 5′UTRs. The computational tool is useful for studying functional roles of non‐canonical translation events in various biological processes. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.