bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) population in Slovakia
Authors: Vili Nóra , Chavko Jozef , Szabó Krisztián , Kovács Szilvia , Hornung Erzsébet , Kalmár Lajos , Horváth Márton
Published: July 2012

Genetic structure of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) population in Slovakia

The distribution of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the Carpathian Basin is not continuous, since western and eastern breeding pairs are separated by 150 km from each other in Slovakia, and 70 km in Hungary. In the present study our aim was to examine whether this geographical distance has resulted in any genetic separation between the Western and Eastern Slovak breeding groups. We have used 132 shed feathers and 128 blood samples collected in the fields geographically representing the whole of the Slovak breeding population, and included all juveniles ringed between 2004 and 2006. After successful DNA extractions we have determined the sex, microsatellite DNA-profiles and mtDNA control region haplotypes of the specimens. Data were integrated in a common Hungarian-Slovak "DNA-fingerprint" database, making identification of the same specimen possible when recaptured. Based on a subsample of the collected individuals, the genetic structure of the Slovak population was tested using ten microsatellite loci and mtDNA control region haplotypes, and marginally significant genetic differentiation was found between western and eastern subpopulations. These results suggest that, in spite of the large dispersal capacity of the species, a relatively small geographic distance can also decrease the exchange rate of individuals between subpopulations. As this result involves only samples from the northern part of the breeding area, major conclusions concerning genetic structure and gene flow of Imperial Eagles in the entire Carpathian Basin population cannot be drawn without sampling and analysing the southern subpopulations in Hungary.
Winter breeding of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) in South-Western Slovakia
Authors: Noga Michal
Published: July 2012

Winter breeding of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) in South-Western Slovakia

On February 9, 2005, 3 juveniles of the Long-eared Owl Asio otus aged 14-18 days were observed in the urban area of Trnava. During the same period, breeding of the Long-eared Owl was reported from the Czech Republic and Italy. Winter breeding probably occurs more frequently with this species than anticipated, but has so far escaped our attention.
Summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2007 and 2008
Authors: Slobodník Vladimír , Slobodník Roman , Dravecký Miroslav
Published: July 2012

Summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2007 and 2008

This article provides brief information about the number, species and reports about ringed raptors and owls in Slovakia during the period 2007-2008. It is a continuation of similar results of the ringing of raptors and owls in the periods 2002-2004, 2005-2006. In 2007, from 1346 individuals of raptorial birds, 941 raptors and 405 owls of 24 species (16 species of raptors and 8 species of owls) including 805 raptors' and 218 owls' nestlings were ringed. In 2008, a total of 856 individuals were ringed, including 542 raptors and 314 owls of 25 species (15 species of raptors and 10 species of owls) including 421 raptors' and 113 owls' nestlings. Also in 2008, the number of ringed raptors and owls decreased by 36.4% in comparison to 2007.
Notes on Contributors
Authors: Marshall Bill , Rolfe Christopher , Beaulieu Jimmy , MacLeod Catriona , Samson Jacques
Published: July 2012

Notes on contributors
The Significance of the Hamburg Workshop: Post-Normal Science and the Maturing of Science
Authors: Ravetz Jerome
Published: July 2012

In this essay I review my own involvement in climate science, and attempt to draw some useful lessons. I start with a critique of the theory of post-normal science (PNS). This is derived from the experience of the effective criticisms of PNS that were made on the blogosphere. I proceed to a critique of climate science itself, which might be described as the attempt to solve a post-normal problem by "normal science" methods. Since quality, in a variety of aspects, became crucial in the Climategate debates, I analyze that concept in the fraught context of a politicized, contested science. Such sciences have the seeds of tragedy for those who innocently engage with them believing that their task is simply to speak truth to power. Finally, out of my personal history I suggest that we keep in mind the personal investment of anyone holding a contested view, and respect their struggles to maintain integrity when their core beliefs are under attack. This motivates the fostering of non-violence in debates on policy science issues.
Post-Normal Practices Between Regional Climate Services and Local Knowledge
Authors: Krauss Werner , von Storch Hans
Published: July 2012

Recent surveys show that the communication about climate change between science and the public is severely disturbed. In this article we discuss this problem in focusing on both regional climate services and other, local forms of knowledge. The authors suggest that climate science and its public services have to critically revise their own practices and to acknowledge other forms of knowledge about climate as constitutive. Based on approaches from geography and anthropology, the article first discusses the short history and "normal practices" of regional climate services and how they approach the public. Outlining the potentials and constraints of this concept, the article focuses on the friction, on "its openness to change as it rubs up against society" (Hulme 2007). The focus then shifts to local knowledge systems and how they deal with the challenges of a changing climate. In addition to the "extended peer review" as a new option for climate research in a post-normal setup, the authors discuss the possibility of an "extended knowledge basis," that is, the integration of different forms of climate knowledge with a special focus on regional populations.
Chemopreventive Efficacy of Atorvastatin against Nitrosamine-Induced Rat Bladder Cancer: Antioxidant, Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Parada Belmiro , Reis Flávio , Pinto Ângela , Sereno José , Xavier-Cunha Maria , Neto Paula , Rocha-Pereira Petronila , Mota Alfredo , Figueiredo Arnaldo , Teixeira Frederico
Published: July 2012

To investigate the anti-carcinogenic effects of Atorvastatin (Atorva) on a rat bladder carcinogenesis model with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxibutil)nitrosamine (BBN), four male Wistar rat groups were studied: (1) Control: vehicle; (2) Atorva: 3 mg/kg bw/day; (3) Carcinogen: BBN (0.05%); (4) Preventive Atorva: 3 mg/kg bw/day Atorva + BBN. A two phase protocol was used, in which the drug and the carcinogen were given between week 1 and 8 and tumor development or chemoprevention were expressed between week 9 and 20, when the bladders were collected for macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical (p53, ki67, CD31) evaluation. Serum was assessed for markers of inflammation, proliferation and redox status. The incidence of bladder carcinoma was: control 0/8 (0%); Atorva 0/8 (0%); BBN 13/20 (65%) and Atorva + BBN 1/8 (12.5%). The number and volume of tumors were significantly lower in the Atorva + BBN group, with a marked reduction in hyperplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ lesions. An anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile was also observed in the preventive Atorva group. p53 and ki67 immunostaining were significantly increased in the BBN-treated rats, which was prevented in the Atorva + BBN group. No differences were found for CD31 expression. In conclusion, Atorvastatin had a clear inhibitory effect on bladder cancer development, probably due to its antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Circulating MicroRNAs: Molecular Microsensors in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Authors: Blanco-Calvo Moisés , Calvo Lourdes , Figueroa Angélica , Haz-Conde Mar , Antón-Aparicio Luis , Valladares-Ayerbes Manuel
Published: July 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules of single strand non-coding RNAs, which are able to regulate gene expression. miRNAs have been involved in multiple cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation, thus alterations in miRNA expression have been shown to be directly linked with the pathological origin of multiple diseases, including cancer. In this way, during last few years, an increasing number of exciting advances have contributed to the understanding of miRNA roles in cancer. Moreover, researchers have exploited the special characteristics of miRNAs, such as the tissue and disease specificity or miRNA presence in blood, to explore their use as non-invasive tumour markers. In the present review, we summarize the current data on the potential usefulness of circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools in gastrointestinal tumours.
AUV SLAM and Experiments Using a Mechanical Scanning Forward-Looking Sonar
Authors: He Bo , Liang Yan , Feng Xiao , Nian Rui , Yan Tianhong , Li Minghui , Zhang Shujing
Published: July 2012

Navigation technology is one of the most important challenges in the applications of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) which navigate in the complex undersea environment. The ability of localizing a robot and accurately mapping its surroundings simultaneously, namely the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem, is a key prerequisite of truly autonomous robots. In this paper, a modified-FastSLAM algorithm is proposed and used in the navigation for our C-Ranger research platform, an open-frame AUV. A mechanical scanning imaging sonar is chosen as the active sensor for the AUV. The modified-FastSLAM implements the update relying on the on-board sensors of C-Ranger. On the other hand, the algorithm employs the data association which combines the single particle maximum likelihood method with modified negative evidence method, and uses the rank-based resampling to overcome the particle depletion problem. In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed methods, both simulation experiments and sea trials for C-Ranger are conducted. The experimental results show the modified-FastSLAM employed for the navigation of the C-Ranger AUV is much more effective and accurate compared with the traditional methods.
A Fully Sensorized Cooperative Robotic System for Surgical Interventions
Authors: Tovar-Arriaga Saúl , Vargas José Emilio , Ramos Juan M. , Aceves Marco A. , Gorrostieta Efren , Kalender Willi A.
Published: July 2012

In this research a fully sensorized cooperative robot system for manipulation of needles is presented. The setup consists of a DLR/KUKA Light Weight Robot III especially designed for safe human/robot interaction, a FD-CT robot-driven angiographic C-arm system, and a navigation camera. Also, new control strategies for robot manipulation in the clinical environment are introduced. A method for fast calibration of the involved components and the preliminary accuracy tests of the whole possible errors chain are presented. Calibration of the robot with the navigation system has a residual error of 0.81 mm (rms) with a standard deviation of ±0.41 mm. The accuracy of the robotic system while targeting fixed points at different positions within the workspace is of 1.2 mm (rms) with a standard deviation of ±0.4 mm. After calibration, and due to close loop control, the absolute positioning accuracy was reduced to the navigation camera accuracy which is of 0.35 mm (rms). The implemented control allows the robot to compensate for small patient movements.
An Enhanced MEMS Error Modeling Approach Based on Nu-Support Vector Regression
Authors: Bhatt Deepak , Aggarwal Priyanka , Bhattacharya Prabir , Devabhaktuni Vijay
Published: July 2012

Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS)-based inertial sensors have made possible the development of a civilian land vehicle navigation system by offering a low-cost solution. However, the accurate modeling of the MEMS sensor errors is one of the most challenging tasks in the design of low-cost navigation systems. These sensors exhibit significant errors like biases, drift, noises; which are negligible for higher grade units. Different conventional techniques utilizing the Gauss Markov model and neural network method have been previously utilized to model the errors. However, Gauss Markov model works unsatisfactorily in the case of MEMS units due to the presence of high inherent sensor errors. On the other hand, modeling the random drift utilizing Neural Network (NN) is time consuming, thereby affecting its real-time implementation. We overcome these existing drawbacks by developing an enhanced Support Vector Machine (SVM) based error model. Unlike NN, SVMs do not suffer from local minimisation or over-fitting problems and delivers a reliable global solution. Experimental results proved that the proposed SVM approach reduced the noise standard deviation by 10–35% for gyroscopes and 61–76% for accelerometers. Further, positional error drifts under static conditions improved by 41% and 80% in comparison to NN and GM approaches.
Creation of Carbon Credits by Water Saving
Authors: Shimizu Yasutoshi , Toyosada Kanako , Yoshitaka Mari , Sakaue Kyosuke
Published: July 2012

Until now, as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Japanese homes, the emphasis has been on reduction of energy consumption for air-conditioning and lighting. In recent years, there has been progress in CO2 emission reduction through research into the water-saving performance of bathroom fixtures such as toilets and showers. Simulations have shown that CO2 emissions associated with water consumption in Japanese homes can be reduced by 25% (1% of Japan’s total CO2 emissions) by 2020 through the adoption of the use of water-saving fixtures. In response to this finding, a program to promote the replacement of current fixtures with water-saving toilet bowls and thermally insulated bathtubs has been added to the Government of Japan’s energy-saving policy. Furthermore, CO2 emission reduction through widespread use of water-saving fixtures has been adopted by the domestic credit system promoted by the Government of Japan as a way of achieving CO2 emission-reduction targets; application of this credit system has also begun. As part of a bilateral offset credit mechanism promoted by the Government of Japan, research to evaluate the CO2 reduction potential of the adoption of water-saving fixtures has been done in the city of Dalian, in China.
Statistical Process Control for Monitoring Standardized Mortality Ratios of a Classification Tree Model
Authors: Eslami S. , de Keizer N. , de Jonge E. , de Rooij S. E. , Abu-Hanna A. , Minne L.
Published: July 2012

Objectives: The ratio of observed to expected mortality (standardized mortality ratio, SMR), is a key indicator of quality of care. We use PreControl Charts to investigate SMR behavior over time of an existing tree-model for predicting mortality in intensive care units (ICUs) and its implications for hospital ranking. We compare the results to those of a logistic regression model.

Methods: We calculated SMRs of 30 equally-sized consecutive subsets from a total of 12,143 ICU patients aged 80 years or older and plotted them on a PreControl Chart. We calculated individual hospital SMRs in 2009, with and without repeated recalibration of the models on earlier data.

Results: The overall SMR of the tree-model was stable over time, in contrast to logistic regression. Both models were stable after repeated recalibration. The overall SMR of the tree on the whole validation set was statistically significantly different (SMR 1.00 ± 0.012 vs. 0.94 ± 0.01) and worse in performance than the logistic regression model (AUC 0.76 ± 0.005 vs. 0.79 ± 0.004; Brier score 0.17 ± 0.012 vs. 0.16 ± 0.010). The individual SMRs’ range in 2009 was 0.53–1.31 for the tree and 0.64–1.27 for logistic regression. The proportion of individual hospitals with SMR >1, hinting at poor quality of care, reduced from 38% to 29% after recalibration for the tree, and increased from 15% to 35% for logistic regression.

Conclusions: Although the tree-model has seemingly a longer shelf life than the logistic regression model, its SMR may be less useful for quality of care assessment as it insufficiently responds to changes in the population over time.
Intra-Arterial Infusion of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Moderate to Severe Middle Cerebral Artery Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Friedrich Maurício A. G. , Martins Maurer P. , Araújo Mariana D. , Klamt Charles , Vedolin Leonardo , Garicochea Bernardo , Raupp Eduardo F. , Ammar Jeber Sartori El , Machado Denise Cantarelli , Da Costa Jaderson C. , Nogueira Raul G. , Rosado-De-Castro Paulo Henrique , Mendez-Otero Rosalia , De Freitas Gabriel R.
Published: July 2012

Transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) has been proven safe in animal and human studies. However, there are very few studies in stroke patients. In this study, intra-arterial autologous BMMCs were infused in patients with moderate to severe acute middle cerebral artery infarcts. The subjects of this study included 20 patients with early or late spontaneous recanalization but with persistent deficits, in whom treatment could be initiated between 3 and 7 days after stroke onset. Mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow aspirates and infused at the proximal middle cerebral artery of the affected hemisphere. Safety analysis (primary endpoint) during the 6-month follow-up assessed death, any serious clinical events, neurological worsening with ≥ 4-point increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, seizures, epileptogenic activity on electroencephalogram, and neuroimaging complications including new ischemic, hemorrhagic, or neoplastic lesions. Satisfactory clinical improvement (secondary endpoint) at 90 days was defined according to the pretreatment NIHSS scores as follows: modified Rankin Scale score of 0 in patients with NIHSS <8, modified Rankin Scale scores of 0–1 in patients with NIHSS 8–14, or modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2 in patients with NIHSS >14. Good clinical outcome was defined as mRS ≤2 at 90 days. Serial clinical, laboratory, electroencephalogram, and imaging evaluations showed no procedure-related adverse events. Satisfactory clinical improvement occurred in 6/20 (30%) patients at 90 days. Eight patients (40%) showed a good clinical outcome. Infusion of intra-arterial autologous BMMCs appears to be safe in patients with moderate to severe acute middle cerebral artery strokes. No cases of intrahospital mortality were seen in this pilot trial. Larger prospective randomized trials are warranted to assess the efficacy of this treatment approach.
Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Huang Hongyun , Xi Haitao , Chen Lin , Zhang Feng , Liu Yancheng
Published: July 2012

The neurorestorative effect of the parenchymal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for cord trauma remains clinically controversial. The aim of this article is to study the long-term result of OECs for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and eight patients suffered from complete chronic SCI were followed up successfully within the period of 3.47 ± 1.12 years after OEC therapy. They were divided into two groups based on the quality and quantity of their rehabilitative training: group A ( n = 79) in sufficient rehabilitation (or active movement-target enhancement-neurorehabilitation therapy, AMTENT) and group B ( n = 29) in insufficient rehabilitation. All patients were assessed by using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard and the International Association of Neurorestoratology Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS). Thirty-one patients were evaluated by the tests of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and paravertebral sensory evoked potential (PVSEP). We found the following. 1) According to ASIA and IANR-SCIFRS assessment for all 108 patients, averaged motor scores increased from 37.79 ± 18.45 to 41.25 ± 18.18 ( p <0.01), light touch scores from 50.32 ± 24.71 to 55.90 ± 24.46 ( p < 0.01), pin prick scores from 50.53 ± 24.92 to 54.53 ± 24.62 ( p <0.01); IANR-SCIFRS scores increased from 19.32 ± 9.98 to 23.12 ± 10.30 ( p <0.01). 2) The score changes in terms of motor, light touch, pin prick, and IANR-SCIFRS in group A were remarkably different (all p < 0.01). The score changes in group B were remarkably different in terms of motor ( p < 0.05) and IANR-SCIFRS ( p < 0.01), but not light touch or pin prick ( p > 0.05). 3) Comparing group A with group B, the increased scores in terms of motor, light touch, and pin prick were remarkably different (all p < 0.01), but not IANR-SCIFRS ( p > 0.05). 4) Fourteen of 108 patients (12.96%) became ASIA B from ASIA A; 18 of 108 (16.67%) became ASIA C from ASIA A. Nine of them (8.33%) improved their walk ability or made them rewalk by using a walker with or without assistance; 12 of 84 men (14.29%) improved their sex function. 5) MRI examinations were taken for 31 patients; there were no neoplasm, bleeding, swelling, cysts, neural tissue destruction or infection (abscess) or any other pathological changes in or around OEC transplant sites. 6) EMG examinations were done on 31 patients; 29 showed improvement and the remaining 2 had no change. PVSEP tests were performed in 31 patients; 28 showed improvements and the remaining 3 had no change. 7) No deterioration or complications were observed in our patients within the follow-up period. Our data suggest OEC therapy is safe and can improve neurological functions for patients with complete chronic SCI and ameliorate their quality of life; the AMTENT most likely plays a critical role in enhancing functional recovery after cell-based neurorestorotherapy.
Transplantation of Autologous Activated Schwann Cells in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: Six Cases, more than Five Years of Follow-up
Authors: Zhou Xian-Hu , Ning Guang-Zhi , Feng Shi-Qing , Kong Xiao-Hong , Chen Jia-Tong , Zheng Yong-Fa , Ban De-Xiang , Liu Tao , Li Hui , Wang Pei
Published: July 2012

Schwann cells (SCs) are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, which can promote neural regeneration. Grafting of autologous SCs is one of the well-established and commonly performed procedures for peripheral nerve repair. With the aim to improve the clinical condition of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), a program of grafting autologous activated Schwann cells (AASCs), as well as a series of appropriate neurorehabilitation programs, was employed to achieve the best therapeutic effects. We selected six patients who had a history of SCI before transplantation. At first, AASCs were obtained by prior ligation of sural nerve and subsequently isolated, cultured, and purified in vitro. Then the patients accepted an operation of laminectomy and cell transplantation, and no severe adverse event was observed in any of these patients. Motor and sensitive improvements were evaluated by means of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading and Functional Independence Measure (FIM); bladder and urethral function were determined by clinical and urodynamic examination; somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used to further confirm the functional recovery following transplantation. The patients were followed up for more than 5 years. All of the patients showed some signs of improvement in autonomic, motor, and sensory function. So we concluded that AASC transplantation might be feasible, safe, and effective to promote neurorestoration of SCI patients.
Effects of Hematopoietic Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation to the Chronically Injured Human Spinal Cord Evaluated by Motor and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Methods
Authors: Frolov A. A. , Bryukhovetskiy A. S.
Published: July 2012

International standards for stem cell treatment of neurological disorders have not yet been established. In particular, specific quantitative methods have not yet been adopted to assess the effectiveness of stem cell treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional changes detectable by conventional neurophysiologic methods in an injured spinal cord during stem cell therapy. Twenty adult patients with chronic spinal cord injury at C4–C8 level were examined by somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) methods, the first time prior to the treatment and then regularly during its course (1–4 years). The treatment consisted of repeated intrathecal transplantations of autologous hematopoietic stem cells. After at least 1 year of treatment, four effects were detected: 1) restoration of the initially absent short-latency SEP (three patients); 2. N20P23 interpeak amplitude increase in SEP elicited by median nerve stimulation (four patients); 3) P38 latency reduction in SEP elicited by tibial nerve stimulation (two patients); 4) appearance of MEP (three patients). The nonidentical effects of stem cell transplantation in different patients presumably reflect the variety of the regeneration processes in different pathways of the spinal cord, depending on the extent and nature of lesion of the spinal cord pathways in different patients. The local effects of stem cell treatment at the cervical level were evaluated by median SEP and wrist muscle MEP demonstrate the ability of stem cells to spread within the spinal cord at least from lumbar to the cervical level, home there, and participate in the neurorestoration processes.
Effects of Neural Progenitor Cell Transplantation in Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Luan Zuo , Liu Weipeng , Qu Suqing , Du Kan , He Sheng , Wang Zhaoyan , Yang Yinxiang , Wang Caiying , Gong Xiaojun
Published: July 2012

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a chronic nervous system disease that severely damages the physical and developmental health of children. Traditional treatment brings about only improvement of mild to moderate CP, but severe CP still lacks effective interventions. To explore safety and efficacy of using neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to treat CP in children, we performed NPC transplantation in 45 patients with severe CP by injecting NPCs derived from aborted fetal tissue into the lateral ventricle. Gross motor function measures (GMFM), the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Fine Motor (PDMS-FM) test, and a unified survey questionnaire designed specifically for children with CP were used to evaluate neurological function of the patients. Motor development was significantly accelerated within the first month after cell transplantation, but the rate of improvement gradually slowed to preoperative levels. However, after 1 year, the developmental level in each functional sphere (gross motor, fine motor, and cognition) of the treatment group was significantly higher compared to the control group. No delayed complications of this therapy were noted. These results suggest that NPC transplantation is a safe and effective therapeutic method for treating children with severe CP.
Synthesis of new pyrrole–pyridine-based ligands using an in situ Suzuki coupling method
Authors: Böttger Matthias , Wiegmann Björn , Schaumburg Steffen , Jones Peter G , Kowalsky Wolfgang , Johannes Hans-Hermann
Published: July 2012

The compounds 6-(pyrrol-2-yl)-2,2‘-bipyridine, 2-(pyrrol-2-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline and 2-(2-(N-methylbenz[d,e]imidazole)-6-(pyrrol-2-yl)-pyridine were synthesized by using an in situ generated boronic acid for the Suzuki coupling. Crystals of the products could be grown and exhibited interesting structures by X-ray analysis, one of them showing a chain-like network with the adjacent molecules linked to each other via intermolecular N–H…N hydrogen bonds.
Media Literacy and Its Use as a Method to Encourage Civic Engagement
Authors: Culver Sherri , Jacobson Thomas
Published: July 2012

Changes in technology have opened up a new kind of participatory citizenry; one in which engaged citizens’ blog, post, tweet, upload, create, and otherwise interact with others online. This paper explores the intersection of media and information literacy with civic participation by examining three specific programs operating in the United States. These projects include «Powerful Voices for Kids», «The Salzburg Academy on Media and Social Change»; and «Cultivating the NetGeneration of Youth as Global Citizens and Media Literate Leaders in a Digital Age», in which educators and students at schools in the USA and Africa meet virtually and physically to explore collaborative methods that use media to build bridges of understanding. Through analysis of each program’s practices and personal interviews with the program director, consistent methods for developing a strong media and information literacy program with a focus on democratic participation are revealed. These include a need for programs to reflect a respect for student interest in popular culture, willingness for program educators to put aside assumptions that students lack an interest in current events, recognition that technology use is a means to an end, not the ultimate goal, and the utilization of a support team for the instructors or educators.

Los cambios en la tecnología han posibilitado un nuevo tipo de ciudadanía participativa; los ciudadanos utilizan blogs, correos, tweets, principalmente para crear e interactuar con otros. Este artículo explora la intersección de los medios de comunicación y la alfabetización mediática y su relación con la participación ciudadana, mediante el análisis de tres programas específicos que se llevan a cabo en Estados Unidos. Estos proyectos son «Voces para los niños» (Powerful Voices for Kids), «Academia de Salzburgo en Comunicación y Cambio Social» (The Salzburg Academy on Media and Social Change) y «Educando a jóvenes en Red como ciudadanos globales, alfabetizados mediáticamente en la era digital» (Cultivating the NetGeneration of Youth as Global Citizens and Media Literate Leaders in a Digital Age). En ellos educadores y alumnos de escuelas de Estados Unidos y África tienen encuentros virtuales y presenciales para explorar métodos colaborativos, utilizando los medios para construir puentes de entendimiento. A través del análisis de cada programa y las entrevistas personales con algunos de sus directores, se presentan métodos que consiguen un buen desarrollo de proyectos de alfabetización mediática focalizados en la participación democrática, incluyendo, a su vez, la necesidad de crear actividades que reflejen el respeto hacia el interés de los estudiantes en la cultura popular, la voluntad de los educadores para superar los prejuicios sobre su falta de interés en temas de actualidad, el reconocimiento de la tecnología como un medio y no como un fin en sí misma, y la utilización de un equipo de apoyo para el profesorado.
Resources for Media Literacy: Mediating the Research on Children and Media
Authors: Pereira Sara , Pinto Manuel , Pereira Luis
Published: July 2012

Much has been said and written about media education, its relevance and goals. Beyond directives, resolutions or recommendations, research in this area has deepened the foundations of media education but has also emphasized its weak points or faults. One of these critical points noted in the training and research work developed at the University of Minho, Portugal, in the last 20 years is the non-existence of resources and materials that could be used to promote media education in different contexts. But this is not just about the availability of materials, it concerns the importance of putting knowledge into practice and of mediating the knowledge produced with the appropriate audience. This concern was the basis of the ‘Media Education in Booklets’ project carried out by the Society and Communication Research Centre and funded by the Evens Foundation, Belgium. This paper presents the resources produced by this project in the form of three booklets: the first deals with the mediation of TV at school and at home; the second describes videogames, ways of playing, benefits, dangers, creativity and interculturality; the third is about the Internet and social networks, and the new forms of relationships and communication that these allow.

Mucho se ha investigado sobre la educación en medios, su importancia y objetivos. Más allá de las directivas, resoluciones o recomendaciones, la investigación en esta área ha permitido profundizar y solidificar sus fundamentos, al tiempo que ha facilitado el reconocimiento de sus puntos más débiles u omisiones. Uno de los puntos críticos destacados por la formación y por el trabajo de investigación que se ha desarrollado en la Universidad de Miño (Portugal) durante los últimos 20 años, es la inexistencia de recursos y materiales que puedan utilizarse para la promoción de la educación en los medios de comunicación en diferentes contextos. De esta forma, independientemente de los recursos y materiales, se genera la importancia de la transferencia de conocimientos a la práctica, la trascendencia de la mediación del conocimiento producido a su público. Esta preocupación fue la base principal del proyecto titulado «Recursos para la alfabetización mediática» llevado a cabo en el Centro de Estudios de Comunicación y Sociedad y financiado por Evens Foundation (Bélgica). Este trabajo presenta sucintamente los procesos de creación y los resultados generados por estos recursos, centrados en tres medios: televisión, videojuegos e Internet y redes sociales.
Critical Reading of Media: A Methodological Proposal
Authors: Alvarado-Miquilena Morella
Published: July 2012

This work analyzes some aspects on which the development of critical thinking is based starting with the contributions of critical theory to the educommunicative perspective, as a bedrock for reflection on the media. This work reviews the characteristics of the critical subject and differentiates between critical reading and critical thinking. The former works as an analytic strategy that searches the re-reading of texts or audiovisual messages to identify categories attached to discussion and interpretation; the latter highlights ways to learn to think autonomously which leads to the proposal of interpretation strategies that target creative thinking. The objective of this article is to present orientations coming from Social Communication as an academic discipline that sustain Critical Readings conceived as educommunicative strategies. The methodology used to develop this study is the review of documents and content analysis. The result is a guide that proposes actions for critical media readings in the classroom. The conclusion is that the promotion of a critical attitude involves identifying the political personality of the cultural industry and the communicational process; it means constant questioning of the transparency of media messages, with the aim of creating independent, inquisitive and creative citizens.

El presente trabajo analiza algunos aspectos sobre los que se sustenta el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico. Se parte de los aportes que la Teoría Crítica brinda a la perspectiva educomunicativa, como base para la reflexión en torno a los medios. Este trabajo se justifica en la medida en que se reflexiona sobre algunas dimensiones del sujeto crítico, y que diferencia entre lectura crítica y pensamiento crítico. La primera funciona como estrategia de tipo analítico que busca la re-lectura de los textos o los mensajes audiovisuales, con el fin de identificar categorías sujetas a discusión e interpretación. El segundo apunta a una propuesta de aprender a pensar de manera autónoma, lo que conlleva el proponer estrategias de interpretación que apunten al pensamiento creativo. El objetivo del presente artículo es mostrar algunas orientaciones que, desde la comunicación social como disciplina, sustentan a las lecturas críticas concebidas como estrategias educomunicativas. La metodología utilizada en este estudio es la revisión documental y el análisis de contenido. El resultado final es una guía en la que se proponen acciones para realizar lecturas críticas de medios en el aula. Se concluye que promover la actitud crítica, implica identificar el carácter político de la industria cultural y del proceso comunicacional; supone sospechar de la transparencia de los mensajes mediáticos y apunta a conformar un ciudadano independiente, cuestionador y creativo.
Genre and Age in the Reception of Television Fiction
Authors: Lacalle Charo
Published: July 2012

This article summarizes the main results of an investigation that is part of a project regarding the construction of youth and gender identity in television fiction. The methodology integrates reception analysis (focus group) with data obtained through an anonymous questionnaire, designed to contextualize the results of the qualitative research. Television fiction is the favourite macro-genre of young people, especially women. Broadly speaking, participants appreciate the greater proximity of Spanish fiction, which favours the different mechanisms of identification/projection activated during the reception process, and they acknowledge that TV fiction has a certain didactic nature. The research highlights the more intimate nature of female reception compared to the detachment of the male viewer, who watches fiction less frequently and assimilates it as pure entertainment. Age influences the different modes of reception, while the social class and origin of participants hardly have any impact. Confident, rebellious and ambivalent characters are found to be more interesting than the rest. By contrast, the structure of the story and a major part of the topics addressed by the programme are usually consigned to oblivion, highlighting the importance of selective memory in the interpretative process, as well as suggesting the limited nature of the effects of television fiction.

El artículo resume los principales resultados de una investigación integrada en un proyecto más amplio sobre la construcción de la identidad juvenil y de género en la ficción televisiva. La metodología combina el análisis de la recepción («focus group») con los datos obtenidos mediante un cuestionario anónimo, destinados a contextualizar los resultados del estudio cualitativo. La ficción televisiva es el macrogénero preferido por los jóvenes, sobre todo por las mujeres. En general, los participantes aprecian la mayor proximidad de la ficción española, propiciadora de los diferentes mecanismos de identificación/proyección activados en los procesos de recepción, y le reconocen un cierto carácter didáctico. La investigación pone de manifiesto el carácter más intimista de la recepción femenina, frente al mayor distanciamiento de un espectador masculino mucho más inconstante, que asimila la ficción con el puro entretenimiento. La edad influye principalmente en las diferentes modalidades de recepción, mientras que apenas se constata la incidencia de la clase social ni del origen de los participantes. Los personajes seguros de sí mismos, rebeldes y ambivalentes, interesan más que el resto. Por el contrario, la estructura del relato y una buena parte de los temas del programa visionado se relegan generalmente al olvido, lo que revela el peso de la memoria selectiva en los procesos de interpretación y sugiere el carácter limitado de los efectos de la ficción televisiva.
Food Advertising and Consumption by Students in Huánuco (Peru)
Authors: Sevillano-García María Luisa , Sotomayor-Baca Angélica
Published: July 2012

The significant shortcomings detected in the nutrition of students in the district of Huánuco (Peru), together with the television advertising observed for products of dubious nutritional value, led us to design and conduct a research project intended to analyse the relationship between the two: The influence of television commercials on the consumption of food products advertised in 2010, which is summarised in this article. In the study we carried out a correlative study of a sample of 120 pupils at different educational establishments. They answered questionnaires, were interviewed and underwent physical examination. We also analysed the food commercials broadcast by television channels and the nutritional value of the products. Chi-square inferential analysis was used. The research showed that the pupils’ health has been adversely affected, with a serious incidence of tooth decay, a problem attributed to the consumption of certain foodstuffs. The study detected a positive relationship, which was highly significant statistically, between attachment to television advertisements and the consumption by the pupils of advertised foods which are rich in sodium, calcium, sugar and calories. Also demonstrated was the interdependence between exposure to television advertising and the consumption of foods with a high fat content, which should be monitored and controlled by government officials.

Las importantes carencias nutritivas apreciadas en estudiantes del distrito de Huánuco (Perú), junto con la publicidad televisiva de productos de dudosa calidad nutricional observada, nos llevó a plantear y desarrollar una investigación con el objeto de analizar la relación entre ambos fenómenos titulada: Influencia de los anuncios televisivos en el consumo de alimentos publicitados durante el 2010, cuyo resumen se presenta en este artículo. En la investigación planteamos un estudio correlacional con una muestra de 120 escolares de diversas instituciones educativas, a quienes se aplicaron satisfactoriamente encuestas, entrevistas y guía de evaluación física; también se analizó la publicidad emitida por los canales de televisión sobre alimentos y su contenido nutricional. El análisis inferencial aplicado fue Ji cuadrado (?2). Con esta investigación se ha demostrado que el estado de salud de los escolares está afectado, siendo muy agudo respecto a la caries dental, problema que se atribuye al consumo de ciertos alimentos. Se constata que existe relación positiva, con alta significancia estadística, entre la adherencia a los anuncios televisivos y el consumo de alimentos publicitados de alto contenido en sodio, calcio, azúcar y de calorías por los escolares estudiados; así mismo, se prueba la interdependencia entre la exposición a los anuncios televisivos y el consumo de alimentos con productos de alto contenido en grasa que merecen ser vigilados y controlados por los responsables.
El predicador como historiador. El caso de la destrucción de Jerusalén en el 70 DC
Authors: Hanska Jussi
Published: July 2012

En este artículo, se estudia el uso de fuentes históricas en los sermones del siglo XIII. Habida cuenta de la inmensidad del corpus homilético existente, el análisis se centrará en los sermones pronunciados para un solo domingo –el décimo domingo después de la Santísima Trinidad– que aluden a la destrucción de Jerusalén. Para llevarlo a cabo, se examinará el uso de los sermonarios con mayor difusión. El autor demostrará que los autores de estos sermones emplearon una amplia selección de fuentes históricas y que, incluso, pudieron evidenciar un claro gusto por la redacción histórica. Sin embargo, la fiabilidad histórica de la fuente siempre fue considerada de menor importancia que los fines teológicos. Si la argumentación teológica requería la manipulación interesada de los hechos históricos, ésta se hacía sin remordimiento.
Islām al-kāfir fī ḥāl al-juṭba: sobre la conversión de los “infieles” al Islam durante el sermón del viernes en el Egipto mameluco
Authors: Jones Linda G.
Published: July 2012

Ibn al-Ḥaŷŷ al-‘Abdarī, un jurista malikí en el Cairo mameluco, denunció una “innovación religiosa” (bid‘a) que se extendió en el Egipto del siglo XIV. Los “infieles” interrumpían el sermón del viernes, aparentemente, para proclamar o reiterar su conversión al Islam ante la congregación. Ibn al-Ḥaŷŷ instó a los predicadores a no tolerar dichas interrupciones bajo ninguna circunstancia –postura que parece contradecir a la política impuesta por los mamelucos de forzar la conversión de los infieles, sobre todo de los procedentes de la comunidad copta. Los argumentos legales de Ibn al-Ḥaŷŷ arrojan nueva luz sobre el papel, hasta entonces ignorado por los estudiosos, del sermón del viernes en la conversión al islam. El artículo analiza las bases jurídicas de la oposición manifestada por Ibn al-Ḥaŷŷ hacia esta práctica, explica los posibles motivos que indujeron a los conversos a interrumpir el sermón islámico y relaciona este fenómeno con el contexto histórico de las tensas relaciones entre musulmanes y cristianos en el Egipto mameluco.
El control de lo sagrado como instrumento de poder: los monasterios particulares de la aristocracia altomedieval leonesa
Authors: Pérez Mariel
Published: July 2012

La posesión de establecimientos religiosos constituyó un elemento de gran importancia en la construcción y desarrollo del poder aristocrático en la alta edad media. En este trabajo se analizarán los monasterios particulares controlados por la aristocracia leonesa en el siglo X con el fin de comprender las funciones que desempeñaron en la expansión y articulación de los patrimonios aristocráticos, la imposición de derechos señoriales sobre las poblaciones campesinas y el desarrollo del poder de las parentelas a lo largo de las generaciones.
Sermones y espejos de príncipes castellanos
Authors: Bizzarri Hugo O.
Published: July 2012

Con este estudio se propone el autor destacar la evolución del discurso político en los espejos de príncipes castellanos. En este sentido se puede observar que, si bien en los tratados de origen árabe los catálogos de vicios y virtudes ocuparon un puesto considerable, estos listados se volvieron aún más importantes en los tratados de fuentes occidentales y se transformaron en su marca distintiva. Ello permitió un acercamiento aún más estrecho entre discurso político y religioso, en especial favoreció el cruce de dos géneros literarios: el de los espejos de príncipes con el de los sermones.
Entre sermón oral y comentario escrito: una reflexión sobre la polémica del rabino Joseph Ben Shoshan en su comentario sobre el Avot
Authors: Ilan Nahem
Published: July 2012

El rabino Yosef ben Shoshan vivió en Toledo en el siglo XIV. Su comentario en hebreo sobre el tratado Avot apenas ha sido estudiado. Sin embargo, existen evidencias sólidas que apuntan a su derivación, al menos parcial, de sermones orales. Este artículo identifica y analiza dichas evidencias, centrándose, sobre todo, en su polémica con los “llamados filósofos”. Este término alude a los neoplatonistas antinomianos, cuya postura no solo amenazaba el liderazgo y la autoridad de la comunidad judía, sino su propia supervivencia. El presente trabajo se basa en una lectura multidisciplinaria del texto –lingüística, literaria e ideológica–, insertándolo en su contexto histórico.
Justo de Urgel, Sermo de s. Vincentio (CPL 1092): estudio de su tradición manuscrita, edición crítica y traducción
Authors: Martín José Carlos , Iranzo Abellán Salvador
Published: July 2012

Este artículo contiene la primera edición crítica del Sermo de s. Vincentio (CPL 1092) de Justo de Urgel (s. VI). Esta edición ha sido elaborada a partir del estudio de todos los manuscritos conservados: Lérida, Archivo Capitular, Roda 35 y Barcelona, Biblioteca de Cataluña 729-V y 729-VII. Se incluye asimismo una traducción del texto.
Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Glycolyl-Ester-Linked Taxol-Monosaccharide Conjugate and Its Drug Delivery System Using Hepatitis B Virus Envelope L Bio-Nanocapsules
Authors: Shimoda Kei , Hamada Manabu , Seno Masaharu , Mandai Tadakatsu , Hamada Hiroki
Published: July 2012

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of glycolyl-ester-linked taxol-glucose conjugate, ie, 7-glycolyltaxol 2′- O-α-D-glucoside, was achieved by using α-glucosidase as a biocatalyst. The water-solubility of 7-glycolyltaxol 2′- O-α-D-glucoside (21 μM) was 53 fold higher than that of taxol. The hepatitis B virus envelope L particles (bio-nanocapsules) are effective for delivering 7-glycolyltaxol 2′- O-α-D-glucoside to human hepatocellular carcinoma NuE cells.