bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silver Nitrate Catalysed Tandem Reactions of O-Ethynylanilines with Aryl Aldehydes: Selective One-Pot Synthesis of Bis(Indolyl)Methanes
Authors: Hu Bo-Lun , Hu Hua-Nan , Tang Ri-Yuan
Published: August 2012

Bis(indolyl)methanes are an important class of indole derivatives that have been widely used in medical treatments. A novel silver nitrate-catalysed one-pot synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes has been developed. In the presence of silver nitrate, cycloisomerisation and bis-addition of o-ethynylanilines with aromatic aldehydes were carried out efficiently to afford the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes in good to excellent yields.
Effect of Microwave Irradiation on the Synthesis of 1,2,4-Triazol-3-One Derivatives and their Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Kahveci Bahittin , Yilmaz Fatih , Menteşe Emre , Beriş Fatih Şaban
Published: August 2012

An easy efficient method for the synthesis of N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-alkyl/aryl-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives under microwave irradiation has been developed using the reaction of 3,5-dichloroaniline and ethoxycarbonylhydrazones. This reaction occurs more efficiently and faster than the conventional heating method. We obtained 5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol derivatives by this method. The newly synthesised compounds have been tested for their antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter cloaceae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonie, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aereus.
Raising Risk Awareness on the Adoption of Web 2.0 Technologies in Decision Making Processes
Authors: Prandini Marco , Ramilli Marco
Published: August 2012

In the recent past, the so-called “Web 2.0” became a powerful tool for decision making processes. Politicians and managers, seeking to improve participation, embraced this technology as if it simply were a new, enhanced version of theWorldWideWeb, better suited to retrieve information, opinions and feedbacks from the general public on subjects like laws, acts and policies. This approach was often naive, neglecting the less-obvious aspects of the technology, and thus bringing on significant security problems. This paper shows how, in the end, the result could easily be the opposite of what was desired. Malicious attackers, in fact, could quite easily exploit the vulnerabilities in these systems to hijack the process and lead to wrong decisions, also causing the public to lose trust in the systems themselves.
Effects of Varied Cleaning Methods on Ni-5% W Substrate for Dip-Coating of Water-based Buffer Layers: An X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Narayanan Vyshnavi , Bruneel Els , Hühne Ruben , Van Driessche Isabel
Published: August 2012

This work describes various combinations of cleaning methods involved in the preparation of Ni-5% W substrates for the deposition of buffer layers using water-based solvents. The substrate has been studied for its surface properties using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The contaminants in the substrates have been quantified and the appropriate cleaning method was chosen in terms of contaminants level and showing good surface crystallinity to further consider them for depositing chemical solution-based buffer layers for Y1Ba2Cu3Oy (YBCO) coated conductors.
Energy Costs of Energy Savings in Buildings: A Review
Authors: Dutil Yvan , Rousse Daniel
Published: August 2012

It is often claimed that the cheapest energy is the one you do not need to produce. Nevertheless, this claim could somehow be unsubstantiated. In this article, the authors try to shed some light on this issue by using the concept of energy return on investment (EROI) as a yardstick. This choice brings semantic issues because in this paper the EROI is used in a different context than that of energy production. Indeed, while watts and negawatts share the same physical unit, they are not the same object, which brings some ambiguities in the interpretation of EROI. These are cleared by a refined definition of EROI and an adapted nomenclature. This review studies the research in the energy efficiency of building operation, which is one of the most investigated topics in energy efficiency. This study focuses on the impact of insulation and high efficiency windows as means to exemplify the concepts that are introduced. These results were normalized for climate, life time of the building, and construction material. In many cases, energy efficiency measures imply a very high EROI. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, this is not the case and it might be more profitable to produce the required energy than to try to save it.
Binaphthyl-anchored antibacterial tripeptide derivatives with hydrophobic C-terminal amino acid variations
Authors: Bremner John B , Keller Paul A , Pyne Stephen G , Robertson Mark J , Sakthivel K , Somphol Kittiya , Baylis Dean , Coates Jonathan A , Deadman John , Jeevarajah Dharshini , Rhodes David I
Published: August 2012

The facile synthesis of seven new dicationic tripeptide benzyl ester derivatives, with hydrophobic group variations in the C-terminal amino acid component, is described. Moderate to good activity was seen against Gram-positive bacteria in vitro. One cyclohexyl-substituted compound 2c was tested more widely and showed good potency (MIC values ranging from 2–4 μg/mL) against antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci (VRE, VSE), and against Staphylococcus epidermidis.
L'émergence : une interprétation en termes d'économie de la connaissance
Authors: Haudeville Bernard
Published: August 2012

Cet article traite du concept de l’émergence en utilisant le cadre d’analyse fourni par l’économie de la connaissance. L’attention se concentre sur les facteurs qui déterminent la capacité de concurrence de ces économies. Leur aptitude à prendre pied dans les filières mondialisées et à évoluer vers des tronçons à plus fort contenu en travail qualifié et en technologie, la diversification de l’offre, en particulier dans le secteur manufacturier, représentent des manifestations visibles de ce processus. Le Système National d’Innovation et la capacité d’apprentissage de l’économie constituent des outils essentiels pour comprendre la façon dont les économies émergentes parviennent à mobiliser l’économie de la connaissance au service de leur développement accéléré.
Concurrence dans l'industrie des télécommunications : une analyse du cas du Sénégal
Authors: Ndiaye Babacar
Published: August 2012

Competition in the telecommunications industry: an analysis of Senegal’s case Innovation is the major element in an industry subject to competition. Traditionally, competition through innovation is analyzed through deterministic and stochastic models. This paper proposes to determine the influence of investment capacity upon the choice of positioning of firms in the telecommunications industry. Based on the case of Senegal telecom, we attempt to understand the motivations of the incumbent firm (called first mover) to implement innovations to maintain a leader position than the followers.
Host Factor Transcriptional Regulation Contributes to Preferential Expression of HIV Type 1 in IL-4–Producing CD4 T Cells
Authors: Zhang Mingce , Clausell Adrian , Robinson Tanya , Yin Jiyi , Chen Eric , Johnson Leanne , Weiss Greta , Sabbaj Steffanie , Lowe Robert M. , Wagner Fred H. , Goepfert Paul A. , Kutsch Olaf , Cron Randy Q.
Published: August 2012

HIV type 1 (HIV-1) replicates preferentially in IL-4–producing CD4 T cells for unclear reasons. We show increased HIV-1 expression is irrespective of viral tropism for chemokine receptors as previously suggested, but rather transcription of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) is increased in IL-4–producing CD4 T cells. Increased expression of HIV-1 message is also confirmed in IL-4–producing CD4 T cells from HIV-1–infected individuals ex vivo. In exploring a transcriptional mechanism, we identify a novel c-maf (required for IL-4 expression) transcription factor binding site just upstream of the dual NF-κB/NFAT binding sites in the proximal HIV-1 LTR. We demonstrate that c-maf binds this site in vivo and synergistically augments HIV-1 transcription in cooperation with NFAT2 and NF-κB p65, but not NFAT1 or NF-κB p50. Conversely, small interfering RNA inhibition of c-maf reduces HIV-1 transcription in IL-4–producing T cells. Thus, c-maf increases HIV-1 expression in IL-4–producing CD4 T cells by binding the proximal HIV-1 LTR and augmenting HIV-1 transcription in partnership with NFAT2 and NF-κB p65 specifically. This has important implications for selective targeting of transcription factors during HIV-1 infection because, over the course of HIV-1 progression/AIDS, IL-4–producing T cells frequently predominate and substantially contribute to disease pathology.
A arquitetura do livro digital na plataforma google: um estudo exploratório
Authors: Dourado Stella Moreira , Oddone Nanci Elizabeth
Published: August 2012

Os produtores de livros eletrônicos parecem interessados, em preservar as características do livro impresso no meio eletrônico, numa tentativa de ‘suavizar’ tal processo de transição. Neste trabalho, investiga-se a arquitetura do e-book sob à luz de indicadores editoriais usados para o livro impresso e visuais definidos para a web. Para a análise documental e comparativa da plataforma Google Livros, foi elaborado um quadro sinótico contendo as características passíveis de análise entre os livros impressos e os eletrônicos. Conclui-se que na plataforma Google Livros, os e-books agregam pouco valor às características dos livros impressos, subtraindo deles, elementos distintivos, como a portabilidade.
Constituição da micobiota aérea de bibliotecas públicas no município de Fortaleza, Estado do Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Pantoja Lydia Dayanne Maia , Rizzo Roberta Silva , Carvalho Bruno Silva , Ferreira Victor Conde , Galas Kandarpa Silva , Fonseca Francisco Rafael Marciano , Paixão Germana Costa
Published: August 2012

Estudos da qualidade do ar de diferentes tipos de ambientes fechados vêm merecendo atenção, devido principalmente à grande quantidade de substratos favoráveis à ação de agentes biodegradadores, como os fungos anemófilos, sobre os acervos escritos e digitais. A presente pesquisa identificou e monitorou a micobiota aérea de 04 bibliotecas públicas de referência no município de Fortaleza-CE, durante 24 meses (janeiro/2009 a dezembro/2010). A coleta foi realizada pelo método da sedimentação passiva das partículas presentes no ar em placas de Petri contendo Ágar Batata Dextrose (Himedia®). Essas placas foram dispostas, bimestralmente, em diversos setores das bibliotecas: acervo de obras, área de pesquisa, sala de leitura, sala de documentos históricos e em áreas administrativas (secretaria), perfazendo 240 amostras. As placas foram incubadas por 7 dias (26 – 28 °C) com posterior contagem global e identificação das colônias fúngicas baseada nas análises macro e micromorfológicas. Nas bibliotecas A, B, C e D foram contabilizadas 3.347, 5.874, 6.328 e 5.333 colônias fúngicas, respectivamente e identificados 61 diferentes achados fúngicos (34 gêneros e 27 espécies fúngicas), com destaque para os hialomicetos Aspergillus e Penicillium. Os dados revelaram alguns agrupamentos com forte correlação, isto é, quando um dos achados fúngicos ocorre, os demais achados do agrupamento também podem estar presentes no ar analisado, a saber: Biblioteca A (Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp. e Aspergillus flavus), Biblioteca B (Aspergillus niger e A. flavus), Biblioteca C (Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp. e A. niger) e Biblioteca D (Penicillium sp. e A. niger). A pesquisa também permitiu oferecer aos gestores das bibliotecas, elementos para aprofundar seus conhecimentos na área de preservação e conservação de obras literárias de inestimável valor.
How Should Risk Adjustment Data Be Collected?
Authors: Kessler Daniel P.
Published: August 2012

Risk adjustment has broad general application and is a key part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yet, little has been written on how data required to support risk adjustment should be collected. This paper offers analytical support for a distributed approach, in which insurers retain possession of claims but pass on summary statistics to the risk adjustment authority as needed. It shows that distributed approaches function as well as or better than centralized ones—where insurers submit raw claims data to the risk adjustment authority—in terms of the goals of risk adjustment. In particular, it shows how distributed data analysis can be used to calibrate risk adjustment models and calculate payments, both in theory and in practice—drawing on the experience of distributed models in other contexts. In addition, it explains how distributed methods support other goals of the ACA, and can support projects requiring data aggregation more generally. It concludes that states should seriously consider distributed methods to implement their risk adjustment programs.
Impacts of aerosol particles on the microphysical and radiative properties of stratocumulus clouds over the Southeast Pacific ocean
Authors: Twohy C. H. , Anderson J. R. , Toohey D. W. , Andrejczuk M. , Adams A. , Lytle M. , George R. C. , Wood R. , Saide P. , Spak S. , Zuidema P. , Leon D.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The Southeast Pacific Ocean is covered by the world's largest stratocumulus cloud layer, which has a strong impact on ocean temperatures and climate in the region. The effect of anthropogenic sources of aerosol particles such as power plants, urban pollution and smelters on the stratocumulus deck was investigated during the VOCALS field experiment. Aerosol measurements below and above cloud were made with a ultra-high sensitivity aerosol spectrometer and analytical electron microscopy. In addition to more standard in-cloud measurements, droplets were collected and evaporated using a counterflow virtual impactor (CVI), and the non-volatile residual particles were analyzed. Many flights focused on the gradient in cloud properties on an E-W track along 20° S from near the Chilean coast to remote areas offshore. Mean statistics from seven flights and many individual legs were compiled. Consistent with a continental source of cloud condensation nuclei, below-cloud accumulation-mode aerosol and droplet number concentration generally decreased from near shore to offshore. Single particle analysis was used to reveal types and sources of the enhanced particle number. While a variety of particle types were found throughout the region, the dominant particles near shore were partially neutralized sulfates. Modeling and chemical analysis indicated that the predominant source of these particles in the marine boundary layer along 20° S was anthropogenic pollution from central Chilean sources, with copper smelters a relatively small contribution. Cloud droplets were more numerous and smaller near shore, and there was less drizzle. Higher droplet number concentration and physically thinner clouds both contributed to the smaller droplets near shore. Satellite measurements were used to show that cloud albedo was highest 500–1000 km offshore, and actually lower closer to shore due to the generally thinner clouds and lower liquid water paths there. Differences in the size distribution of droplet residual particles and ambient aerosol particles were observed. By progressively excluding small droplets from the CVI sample, we were able to show that the larger drops, which initiate drizzle, contain the largest aerosol particles. Geometric mean diameters of droplet residual particles were larger than those of the below-cloud and above cloud distributions. However, a wide range of particle sizes can act as droplet nuclei in these stratocumulus clouds. A detailed LES microphysical model was used to show that this can occur without invoking differences in chemical composition of cloud-nucleating particles.
The effects of hygroscopicity of fossil fuel combustion aerosols on mixed-phase clouds
Authors: Yun Y. , Penner J. E. , Popovicheva O.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Fossil fuel black carbon and organic matter (ffBC/OM) are often emitted together with sulfate, which coats the surface of these particles and changes their hygroscopicity. Observational studies show that the hygroscopicity of soot particles can modulate their ice nucleation ability. To address this, we implemented a scheme that uses 3 levels of soot hygroscopicity (hydrophobic, hydrophilic and hygroscopic) and used laboratory data to specify their ice nuclei abilities. The new scheme results in significant changes to anthropogenic forcing in mixed-phase clouds. The net forcing in off-line studies varies from 0.111 to 1.059 W m−2 depending on the ice nucleation capability of hygroscopic soot particles. The total anthropogenic cloud forcing and whole-sky forcing with the new scheme is 0.06 W m−2 and −2.45 W m−2, respectively, but could be more positive if hygroscopic soot particles are allowed to nucleate ice particles. The change in liquid water path dominates the anthropogenic forcing in mixed-phase clouds.
Encrustation and trace element composition of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei assessed from single chamber analyses, implications for paleotemperature estimates
Authors: Jonkers L. , de Nooijer L. J. , Reichart G.-J. , Zahn R. , Brummer G.-J. A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Crust formation is a common phenomenon in planktonic foraminifera. Because of their different formation mechanism and hence composition, crusts affect the overall test composition and therefore complicate the use of crust-bearing foraminifera in paleoceanography. Such species are often used to estimate subsurface paleotemperatures and although the influence of the crust on the trace element/Ca ratio is recognised, it has not been systematically explored between and within tests. Here we use laser ablation ICP-MS to assess the variability in trace element composition of the crust of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei within individual chambers, as well as the effect of compositional heterogeneity of the crust on whole test chemistry. Compositionally, the outer crust differs from inner layer by lower Mg/Ca and Mn/Ca, but is indistinguishable in Sr/Ca. Crust thickness decreases towards the younger chambers and it may be entirely absent from the last chamber. In contrast to Mn/Ca and Sr/Ca, crustal Mg/Ca ratios show a tendency towards higher values on the younger chambers. These patterns in crust thickness and in crust Mg/Ca indicates that temperature is not the dominant factor controlling crust composition. Temperature estimates based on N. dutertrei, and presumably other crust-forming species too, are therefore biased towards too low values. Through comparison of modern and glacial tests we show that this bias is not constant and that changes in the crust thickness and/or in the Mg/Ca values can spuriously suggest temperature changes.
Atlantic and Arctic sea-air CO2 fluxes, 1990–2009
Authors: Schuster U. , McKinley G. A. , Bates N. , Chevallier F. , Doney S. C. , Fay A. R. , González-Dávila M. , Gruber N. , Jones S. , Krijnen J. , Landschützer P. , Lefèvre N. , Manizza M. , Mathis J. , Metzl N. , Olsen A. , Rios A. F. , Rödenbeck C. , Santana-Casiano J. M. , Takahashi T. , Wanninkhof R. , Watson A. J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The Atlantic and Arctic oceans are critical components of the global carbon cycle. Here we quantify the net sea-air CO2 flux, for the first time, across different methodologies for consistent time and space scales, for the Atlantic and Arctic basins. We present the long-term mean, seasonal cycle, interannual variability and trends in sea-air CO2 flux for the period 1990 to 2009, and assign an uncertainty to each. We use regional cuts from global observations and modelling products, specifically a pCO2-based CO2 flux climatology, flux estimates from the inversion of oceanic and atmospheric data, and results from six ocean biogeochemical models. Additionally, we use basin-wide flux estimates from surface ocean pCO2 observations based on two distinct methodologies. Our best estimate of the contemporary sea-to-air flux of CO2 (sum of anthropogenic and natural components) by the Atlantic between 40° S and 79° N is −0.49 ± 0.11 Pg C yr−1 and by the Arctic is −0.12 ± 0.06 Pg C yr−1, leading to a combined sea-to-air flux of −0.61 ± 0.12 Pg C yr−1 for the two decades (negative reflects ocean uptake). We do find broad agreement amongst methodologies with respect to the seasonal cycle in the subtropics of both hemispheres, but not elsewhere. Agreement with respect to detailed signals of interannual variability is poor; and correlations to the North Atlantic Oscillation are weaker in the North Atlantic and Arctic than in the equatorial region and South Subtropics. Linear trends for 1995 to 2009 indicate increased uptake and generally correspond between methodologies in the North Atlantic, but there is disagreement amongst methodologies in the equatorial region and South Subtropics.
Nutritional and Phytochemical Compositions of the Leaves of Mucuna Poggei
Authors: Oko A. O. , Ekigbo J. C. , Idenyi J. N. , Ehihia L. U.
Published: August 2012

The chemical nutrient composition and the phytochemical content of the leaves of Mucuna poggei, an underutilized leafy vegetable were analyzed using standard methods. The result of the proximate compositions analysis showed that the leaves contained moisture (8.25%), crude fibre (30.55%), crude fat (9.45%), ash (7.78%), crude protein (32.38%) and carbohydrate (11.55%). Results of the mineral analysis showed that it contains the following essential minerals: Sodium (68.10mg/100g), potassium (43.21mg/100g), calcium (71.71mg/100g), iron (10.56mg/100g), manganese (0.65mg/100g), copper (0.47mg/100g), magnesium (56.05mg/100g), zinc (0.25mg/100g), phosphorus (5.72mg/100g), lead (0.01mg/100g), cobalt (nil) and cadmium (nil). The high protein and fibre contents as well as other proximate components are a desirable attribute. The concentration of iron shows that Mucuna poggei leaves could help in boosting of blood level in anaemic conditions. The phytochemical screening of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, balsams and triterpenoids. These results rank the leaves of Mucuna poggei among the best in terms of essential nutrients composition when compared with those of other edible leaves in literature.
Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Lim Byung-Ho , Lim Seung-Jae , Moon Young-Wan , Park Youn-Soo
Published: August 2012

We present our experience of contemporary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) conducted at a single institution to treat advanced avascular necrosis (AVN) in renal transplant patients. Between October 1997 and October 2008, 45 consecutive primary cementless THAs were performed in 30 patients with advanced AVN after renal transplantation. There were 18 males (27 hips) and 12 females (18 hips) (patient group) with an overall mean age 44 years (22 to 68). The clinical and radiographic results were compared with those of 96 sex and age-matched osteonecrotic hips in 72 patients that had not undergone organ transplantation or long-term steroid therapy (the control group). Patients were evaluated at surgery and at a mean of 7.2 years (2 to 13 years) postoperatively. The mean Harris hip score of patients improved from 48 points preoperatively to 94 points at last follow-up (p<0.05). Three hips in the patient group had massive osteolysis with polyethylene wear requiring revision surgery. One hip in the patient group underwent revision surgery because of recurrent dislocation at 11 years postoperatively. No intergroup differences in overall rates of complications or revisions were observed. However, transplant patients had a significantly higher rate of ectopic ossification. Despite diffuse osteopenia and chronic immunosuppression in renal transplant patients with osteonecrotic hips, cementless THA showed durable implant fixation to bone and no increased risk of complications.
Survival of Short Hip Stems with A “Modern”, Trochanter-Sparing Design - A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Rometsch Elke , Bos Pieter K. , Koes Bart W.
Published: August 2012

Modern total hip arthroplasty delivers excellent and reproducible results. New implant developments include a wide range of implants with a bone and tissue sparing design, including short femoral stems. This review was performed to provide an overview on the currently published survival results of short stems to allow comparison with the results of traditional hip stems.

A literature search was performed to identify publications on short stems with a “modern” trochanter sparing design including implant survival information. Information was collected on the study population, follow-up time, implants used, implant survival and functional scores. The revision rate per 100 observed component years was calculated and compared to data presented in national arthroplasty registries. The methodological quality was assessed by employing a score specific to survival assessment of hip stems.

In the course of 16 individual searches in EMBASE and Medline, 460 potentially eligible articles were identified. After thorough screening, 14 articles were deemed applicable. The variability in quality of the publications was high. No association between survival outcome and publication quality was apparent. The total revision rate over all studies was found to be 0.38 per 100 component years with endpoint “stem revision for any reason”.

The survival rate of these stems is encouraging and appears to be comparable with that of more traditional uncemented stems. However, only few mid-term and long-term studies are available. Reports with longer follow-up are needed to draw further conclusions.
ESTE NÚMERO DE LA REVISTA LA CALERA ESTÁ DEDICADO A 26 AÑOS DE COOPERACIÓN SUECIA – UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AGRARIA
Authors: Alemán Freddy
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.746La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 junio 2011
EL PROGRAMA UNIVERSIDAD EMPRENDEDORA (PUE) EN NICARAGUA: ACTIVIDADES, PRODUCTOS Y RESULTADOS
Authors: Alemán Freddy , Scheinberg Sari
Published: August 2012

Las diez Universidades que conforman el Consejo Nacional de Universidades (CNU) en Nicaragua participaron en un programa (2007 a 2010) orientado a desarrollar el papel y la contribución de las Universidades en los procesos de innovación. El programa fue financiado por la Agencia Sueca para el Desarrollo Internacional (Asdi), y se basó en una metodología de acción-aprendizaje, en el cual las universidades compartían sus experiencias, competencias, estrategias y actividades entre ellas, así como, con otros actores claves en los sistemas de innovación. La Universidad Tecnológica de Chalmers, a través de la fundación Stiftelsen Chalmers Industriteknik (CIP) fue la contraparte sueca, con participación de investigadores de la escuela de tecnologías, gestión y economía, y el centro para estudios de propiedad intelectual (CIP). Los objetivos del programa fueron de extrema importancia para el desarrollo de las Universidades Nicaragüenses, y se asemejan a los retos y desafíos que las Universidades en todo el mundo enfrentan en el momento actual. En busca de la mejora de los procesos innovadores de las Universidades se definieron los siguientes objetivos: Desarrollar los roles y las responsabilidades que el CNU y las Universidades poseen en el sistema actual y futuro de innovación en Nicaragua, en asociación con otros grupos de claves en Nicaragua; generar las políticas que permitan a la Universidad incluir la innovación en su misión y prácticas; evaluar y mejorar el proceso de manejo de la investigación, incluyendo planes, diseños, métodos, construcción de relaciones y prácticas gerenciales que apoyarán la aplicabilidad e integración de las actividades de investigación y los resultados en la sociedad; desarrollar funciones, procesos y estructuras en las Universidades, que permitan que la innovación y el emprendedurismo sean integrados en su visión y prácticas, particularmente en el proceso de “investigación para el mercado”. Desarrollar a fondo el rol y la profesión del investigador, que incluyan contratos e incentivos para asegurar el desarrollo continuo de este grupo profesional desde una perspectiva de investigación e innovación; desarrollar una atmósfera y cultura en las Universidades (y el CNU) que estimulen transparencia, cooperación y aprendizaje, por medio del desarrollo de métodos de trabajo sistemáticos y conscientes, reflexionando y compartiendo; desarrollar habilidades y estrategias para proteger y extraer valor de la propiedad intelectual, basada en nuevos conocimientos y tecnologías generadas en las universidades, y por ultimo formar personal especializado a nivel de maestría, con el propósito de desarrollar habilidades locales en el área de propiedad intelectual y gerencia del capital intelectual. Este escrito presenta las acciones realizadas, los resultados y las conclusiones del programa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.752 La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 p. 50-56/junio 2011
The Future of the A Priori
Authors: Harman Gilbert ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Two conceptions of a priori methods and assumptions can be distinguished. First, there are the assumptions and methods accepted prior to a given inquiry. Second, there are innate assumptions and methods. For each of these two types of a priori methods and assumptions, we can also allow cases in which one starts with something that is a priori and is justified in reaching a new belief or procedure without making any appeal to new experiential data. But we should not suppose there is some further sort of a priori explained in terms of some other notion of justification. If we try to construct a notion of the a priori by considering ways in which knowledge, belief, or reasoning might be though to be directly a priori, via direct insight, inability to imagine something false, intentions about use of language, and the language faculty, the resulting conception of the a prior in each of these cases reduces to either of the first two conceptions.
The Other Value in the Debate over Genetically Modified Organisms
Authors: Loftis J. Robert ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

I claim that differences in the importance attached to economic liberty are more important in debates over the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture than disagreements about the precautionary principle. I will argue this point by considering a case study: the decision by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to grant nonregulated status to Roundup Ready soy. I will show that the unregulated release of this herbicide-resistant crop would not be acceptable morally unless one places a very high premium on economic liberty. This is true even if one takes a sound science attitude to unknown risks, rather than a precautionary attitude. I concede that it may not have been within APHIS’s legislative mandate to regulate Roundup Ready soy further, but for those of us who do not put a high premium on economic liberty, this only calls for extending regulatory oversight of GMOs.
Well-ordered Science
Authors: Lister Matthew ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

The debate over the use of genetically-modified (GM) crops is one where the heat to light ratio is often quite low. Both proponents and opponents of GM crops often resort more to rhetoric than argument. This paper attempts to use Philip Kitcher’s idea of a “well-ordered science” to bring coherence to the debate. While I cannot, of course, here decide when and where, if at all, GM crops should be used I do show how Kitcher’s approach provides a useful framework in which to evaluate the desirability of using GM crops. At the least Kitcher’s approach allows us to see that the current state of research in to, and use of, GM crops is very far from the ideal of a well-ordered science and gives us a goal to work towards if we wish to achieve a more well-ordered agricultural policy.
Biomarketing Ethics, Functional Foods, Health, and Minors
Authors: Paine Whiton S. , Galantino Mary Lou ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

In the next few years, biotechnology will continue to develop a wide variety of functional foods, foods whose benefits go well beyond basic nutrition. Minors are a major potential market for bioengineered foods that are promoted not as sustaining health but rather as supporting desired lifestyles through the enhancement of physical, athletic, intellectual, or social performance. The experience of other industries suggests that such biomarketing is likely to create a variety of highly public ethical controversies. After a discussion of some of these potential issues, suggestions on how companies and industries can work with marketing ethicists and child advocates to limitnegative impacts on children and youth are presented. That discussion includes a preliminarily analysis of some of the considerations that should be involved in the initial development of a model of biomarketing ethics and in the use of that model to prevent ethical abuses.
Saving Seven Embryos or Saving One Child?
Authors: Damschen Gregor , Schönecker Dieter ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Suppose a fire broke out in a fertility clinic. One had time to save either a young girl, or a tray of ten human embryos. Would it be wrong to save the girl? According to Michael Sandel, the moral intuition is to save the girl; what is more, one ought to do so, and this demonstrates that human embryos do not possess full personhood, and hence deserve only limited respect and may be killed for medical research. We will argue, however, that no relevant ethical implications can be drawn from the thought experiment. It demonstrates neither that one always ought to let the embryos die, nor does it allow for any general conclusion concerning the moral status of human embryos.
Creation and Use of Transgenic Animals in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research
Authors: Klein Catherine M. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

The creation of transgenic animals has application in the following areas of pharmaceutical and biomedical research: the production of biopharmaceuticals for human use; the production of organs for xenotransplantation; and the generation of animal models for human genetic diseases. Nuclear transfer technology offers a more precise and efficient way of performing genetic modification and creating transgenic animals than the more traditional method of pronuclear microinjection. This paper will review nuclear transfer as ameans of producing transgenic animals; introduce advantages nuclear transfer technology offers in the field of animal transgenesis; and highlight some of the animal welfare issues and ethical concerns raised by the generation and use of transgenic animals in the aforementioned fields of study. Finally, the influence of objectifying language and terminology used to describe transgenic animals will be considered, and the impact of phrases such as “living bioreactor” and “spare part supplier” examined.
Wrongful Life, Wrongful Disability, and the Argument against Cloning
Authors: Chan David K. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Philosophical problems with the concept of wronging someone in bringing the person into existence, especially the non-identity problem, have been much discussed in connection with forms of assisted reproduction that carry risks of harms either greater than or not otherwise present in natural reproduction. In this essay, I discuss the meaning of claims of wrongful life, distinguishing them from claims of wrongful disability. Attempts to conceptualize wrongful disability in terms of either the harmed existence of the offspring, or the possibility of less harmful alternatives, are found unsatisfactory. A contractualist approach that provides an account of wronging that is independent of harming is considered. Finally, I present a new approach that necessitates an account of reasons for procreation that could justify harm to the offspring. These reasons are not the kind that require or prohibit actions of certain types, but refl ect what theagent sees as intrinsically valuable in acting.
Deep, Cheap, and Improvable
Authors: Danielson Peter , Ahmad Rana , Bornik Zosia , Dowlatabadi Hadi , Levy Edwin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

A democratic ethics of biological technology must engage the public. This is not easy to do in a way that satisfies the demands of democratic ethics, or meets the pace of rapidly changing, complex technology. This paper describes a solution proposed by the University of British Columbia’s Norms Evolving in Response to Dilemmas interdisciplinary research group. The solution, the NERD web survey, has three distinct advantages over other methods: it is Deep—the survey provides deep data, particularly when compared to alternatives such as polls and focus groups; Cheap—our survey is cost effective, which is important for a truly democratic tool; and Improvable—the NERD survey is a work in progress, improvable by design.
Germ-line Genetic Enhancements and Rawlsian Primary Goods
Authors: Allhoff Fritz ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

Genetic interventions raise a host of moral issues and, of its various species, germ-line genetic enhancement is the most morally contentious. This paper surveys various arguments against germ-line enhancement and attempts to demonstrate their inadequacies. A positive argument is advanced in favor of certain forms of germ-line enhancements, which holds that they are morally permissible if and only if they augment Rawlsian primary goods, either directly or by facilitating their acquisition.
The Magic Bullet Criticism of Agricultural Biotechnology
Authors: Scott Dane ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2012

One common method of criticizing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is to label them as “magic bullets.” However, this criticism, like many in the debate over GMOs, is not very clear. What exactly is the “magic bullet criticism”? What are its origins? What flaw is it pointing out in GM crops and agricultural biotechnology? What is the scope of the criticism? Does it apply to all GMOs, or just some? Does it point to a fatal flaw, or something that can be fixed? The goal of this paper is to answer these questions and clarify the magic bullet criticism of agricultural biotechnology. It is hoped that the results of this exercise will be helpful in advancing deliberationover the role GMOs and agricultural biotechnology should play in twenty-first-century agriculture.
In Vivo Antioxidant Activity of Topical Cream of Cassia tora L. Leaves Extract
Authors: Gupta V. , Rathore D. S. , Kansara Niraj P. , Badiger A. M.
Published: August 2012

Objective. The aim of study was to determine the in vivo antioxidant activity of newly formulated O/W cream of methanolic extract of Cassia tora L. leaves. Methods. Oil in water (O/W) creams (0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%), cream base, methanolic extract of C. tora L. leaves (CTM), and standard (0.05% tretinoin cream) were screened for in vivo antioxidant activity. The ultraviolet- (UV-) B-induced rats were treated with different standard, O/W creams, cream base, and methanolic extract of Cassia tora L. leaves (CTM). The parameters like lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were assessed. Results. The result of acute dermal toxicity shows that the creams were safe up to 2000 mg/kg (topically). Exposure of ultraviolet light of medium wave (UV-B light) decreased the level of GSH, CAT, and SOD and increased the LPO level. Concluding Remarks. We conclude that topical O/W creams of C. tora L. prevent the oxidative stress induced in rats by exposure to UV-B light by virtue of its in vivo antioxidant property, and these findings help to understand the mechanism of the antipsoriatic activity of O/W creams of C. tora L. in UV-B-induced psoriasis in the rat.
Comparative study of composite membranes from nano‐metal‐oxide‐incorporated polymer electrolytes for direct methanol alkaline membrane fuel cells
Authors: Vinodh Rajangam , Sangeetha Dharmalingam
Published: August 2012

A series of six composite membranes was prepared with two polymer electrolytes and three inorganic fillers, namely, silica, titania, and zirconia by a solution casting method. Two polymer electrolytes, that is, anion‐exchange membranes, were prepared from polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (PSEBS) and polysulfone by chloromethylation and quaternization. A preliminary characterization of the ionic conductivity, methanol permeability, and selectivity ratio was done for all of the prepared composite membranes to check their suitability to work in direct methanol alkaline membrane fuel cells (DMAMFCs). The DMAMFC performance was analyzed with an in‐house fabricated single cell unit with a 25‐cm2 area. Maximum performance was achieved for the composite membrane quaternized PSEBS/7.5% TiO2 and was 74.5 mW/cm2 at 60°C. For the comparison purposes, a commercially available anion‐exchange membrane (Anion Membrane International‐7001) was also investigated throughout the study. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
The performance of 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐3‐carbonitrile and 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid as fluorescent probes for monitoring of cationic photopolymerization processes by FPT
Authors: Ortyl Joanna , Popielarz Roman
Published: August 2012

The applicability of 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐3‐carbonitrile (1) and 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid (2) as fluorescent probes for monitoring of cationic photopolymerization processes by fluorescence probe technique (FPT) was evaluated in comparison to the response of 7‐diethylamino‐4‐methylcoumarin (C1). Triethylene glycol divinyl ether and diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate were used as an example monomer and a cationic photoinitiator, respectively. It has been found that the probe 1 withstands the cationic polymerization conditions and provides correct probe response. The probes 2 and C1 undergo side reactions under the cationic polymerization conditions that make them unusable for monitoring of the polymerization progress at high monomer conversions. The application of 1 as an amine‐free probe for monitoring of curing progress of photocurable coatings cured by cationic photopolymerization is proposed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Numerical simulation on residual wall thickness of tubes with dimensional transitions and curved sections in water‐assisted injection molding
Authors: Yang Jian‐Gen , Zhou Xiong‐Hui
Published: August 2012

Residual wall thickness is an important indicator which aims at measuring the quality of water‐assisted injection molding (WAIM) parts. The changes of residual wall thickness around dimensional transitions and curved sections are particularly significant. Free interface of the water/melt two‐phase was tracked by volume of fluid (VOF) method. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was used to simulate the residual wall thickness, and the results corresponded with that of experiments. The results showed that the penetration of water at the long straight sections was steady, and the distribution of the residual wall thickness was uniform. However, there was melt accumulation phenomenon at the dimensional transitions, and the distribution of the residual wall thickness wasn't uniform. Adding fillet at the dimensional transitions could improve the uniformity of the residual wall thickness distribution, and effectively reduce water fingering. Additionally, at the curved sections, the residual wall thickness of the outer wall was always greater than that of the inner wall, and the fluctuations of the residual wall thickness difference were small. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Synthesis of hydroxyethylcellulose‐g‐methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) copolymer and its application for protein separation in CE
Authors: Shi Xiaohua , Tan Lin , Xing Jinxing , Cao Fuhu , Chen Lijuan , Luo Zhaofeng , Wang Yanmei
Published: August 2012

Hydroxyethylcellulose‐g‐methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) (HEC‐g‐PEG) graft copolymers were synthesized through the etherification reaction between the hydroxyl group of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and iodinated methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) (PEG‐I), which was prepared on the basis of two‐step reaction. Fourier transforms infrared spectrum (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and iodide oxidation method were used to prove the success of synthesis of graft copolymer. Furthermore, the comparative studies of electro‐osmotic flow (EOF) and protein separation in bare‐fused silica, HEC and HEC‐g‐PEG‐coated capillary were performed in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The results showed that HEC‐g‐PEG‐coated capillary presented efficient EOF suppression ability and excellent resisting protein adsorption ability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Novel Methods and the Maximum Likelihood Estimation Technique for Estimating Traffic Critical Gap
Authors: Bunker Jonathan M.
Published: August 2012

Most unsignalised intersection capacity calculation procedures are based on gap acceptance models. Accuracy of critical gap estimation affects accuracy of capacity and delay estimation. Several methods have been published to estimate drivers' sample mean critical gap, the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) technique regarded as the most accurate. This study assesses three novel methods; Average Central Gap (ACG) method, Strength Weighted Central Gap method (SWCG), and Mode Central Gap method (MCG), against MLE for their fidelity in rendering true sample mean critical gaps. A Monte Carlo event based simulation model was used to draw the maximum rejected gap and accepted gap for each of a sample of 300 drivers across 32 simulation runs. Simulation mean critical gap is varied between 3s and 8s, while offered gap rate is varied between 0.05veh/s and 0.55veh/s. This study affirms that MLE provides a close to perfect fit to simulation mean critical gaps across a broad range of conditions. The MCG method also provides an almost perfect fit and has superior computational simplicity and efficiency to the MLE. The SWCG method performs robustly under high flows; however, poorly under low to moderate flows. Further research is recommended using field traffic data, under a variety of minor stream and major stream flow conditions for a variety of minor stream movement types, to compare critical gap estimates using MLE against MCG. Should the MCG method prove as robust as MLE, serious consideration should be given to its adoption to estimate critical gap parameters in guidelines. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Neat Ternary Solid K5−xCo1−xSn9 with Endohedral [Co@Sn9]5− Cluster Units: A Precursor for Soluble Intermetalloid [Co2@Sn17]5− Clusters
Authors: Hlukhyy Viktor , He Haiyan , Jantke Laura‐Alice , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: August 2012

A new type of Zintl phase is presented that contains endohedrally filled clusters and that allows for the formation of intermetalloid clusters in solution by a one‐step synthesis. The intermetallic compound K5−xCo1−xSn9 was obtained by the reaction of a preformed CoSn alloy with potassium and tin at high temperatures. The diamagnetic saltlike ternary phase contains discrete [Co@Sn9]5− clusters that are separated by K+ ions. The intermetallic compound K5−xCo1−xSn9 readily and incongruently dissolves in ethylenediamine and in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (2.2.2‐crypt), thereby leading to the formation of crystalline [K([2.2.2]crypt)]5[Co2Sn17]. The novel polyanion [Co2Sn17]5− contains two Co‐filled Sn9 clusters that share one vertex. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The diamagnetism of K5−xCo1−xSn9 and the paramagnetism of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]5[Co2Sn17] have been confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and EPR measurements, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations reveal an endohedral Co1− atom in an [Sn9]4− nido cluster for [Co@Sn9]5− and confirm the stability of the paramagnetic [Co2Sn17]5− unit.