bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Amitraz and Oxalic Acid on the Cuticle Proteolytic System of Apis mellifera L. Workers
Authors: Strachecka Aneta , Paleolog Jerzy , Olszewski Krzysztof , Borsuk Grzegorz
Published: August 2012

This work verifies that amitraz and oxalic acid treatment affect honeybee cuticle proteolytic enzymes (CPE). Three bee groups were monitored: oxalic acid treatment, amitraz treatment, control. Electrophoresis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic CPE was performed. Protease and protease inhibitor activities (in vitro) and antifungal/antibacterial efficiencies (in vivo), were analyzed. Amitraz and oxalic acid treatment reduced hydrophobic, but did not affect hydrophilic, protein concentrations and reduced both hydrophilic and hydrophobic body surface asparagine and serine protease activities in relation to most substrates and independently of pH. The activities of natural cuticle inhibitors of acidic, neutral, and alkaline proteases were suppressed as a result of the treatments, corresponding with reduced antifungal and antibacterial activity. Electrophoretic patterns of low-, medium-, and high-molecular-weight proteases and protease inhibitors were also affected by the treatments.
An Efficient Medium Access Control Protocol with Parallel Transmission for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Arifuzzaman Mohammad , Matsumoto Mitsuji
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we present a novel low power medium access control protocol for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The proposed protocol, EP-MAC (Efficient MAC with Parallel Transmission) achieves high energy efficiency and high packet delivery ratio under different traffic load. EP-MAC protocol is basically based on the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) approach. The power of Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) is used in order to offset the fundamental problems that the stand-alone TDMA method suffers from, i.e., problems such as lack of scalability, adaptability to varying situations, etc. The novel idea behind the EP-MAC is that it uses the parallel transmission concept with the TDMA link scheduling. EP-MAC uses the methods for the transmission power adjustment, i.e., uses the minimum level power necessary to reach the intended neighbor within a specified bit error rate [BER] target. This reduces energy consumption, as well as further enhances the scope of parallel transmission of the protocol. The simulation studies support the theoretical results, and validate the efficiency of our proposed EP-MAC protocol.
Synthetic Approaches and Pharmacological Activity of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles: A Review of the Literature from 2000–2012
Authors: De Oliveira Cledualdo Soares , Lira Bruno Freitas , Barbosa-Filho José Maria , Lorenzo Jorge Gonçalo Fernandez , De Athayde-Filho Petrônio Filgueiras
Published: August 2012

This review provides readers with an overview of the main synthetic methodologies for 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives, and of their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities as reported over the past twelve years.
Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Italian Populations of Artemisia alba Turra (Asteraceae)
Authors: Maggio Antonella , Rosselli Sergio , Bruno Maurizio , Spadaro Vivienne , Raimondo Francesco Maria , Senatore Felice
Published: August 2012

The use of essential oils as chemotaxonomic markers could be useful for the classification of Artemisia species and to caracterize biodiversity in the different populations. An analysis of the chemical composition of four essential oils from Italian populations of Artemisia alba Turra (collected in Sicily, Marche and Abruzzo) was investigated. In this paper an in depth study of the significant differences observed in the composition of these oils is reported.
Evaluation of in Vivo Antioxidant and Immunity Enhancing Activities of Sodium Aescinate Injection Liquid
Authors: Wang Yong-Kun , Han Jiang , Xiong Wu-Jun , Yuan Qiong-Ying , Gu Yan-Ping , Li Jun , Zhu Zhe , Zhang Hui , Wang Cong-Jun
Published: August 2012

Oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of disease. Because sodium aescinate has been reported to have immunity enhancing and antioxidative effects, we investigated its activity by employing a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model. Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, including a 1.4 mg/kg treated group (n = 15), a 2.8 mg/kg treated group (n = 15), an untreated hepatocellular carcinoma control group (n = 15) and a normal control group (n = 15). After H22 cells were cultured for one week, we collected 2 × 106 cells and injected them subcutaneously as 0.2 mL cell suspensions in sterile saline into the right shoulder region of every mouse. The animals were monitored for changes in activity, physical condition and body weight during the experiment. The next day after injection of H22 cells, animals in these test groups received one intraperitoneal injection of drug or physiological saline for 13 days. Results showed that in the sodium aescinate injection liquid (SAIL)-treated HCC mice, serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly decreased compared with normal control mice. In addition, treatment with sodium aescinate injection liquid significantly decreased blood and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased glutathione (GSH) levels, and antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)] activities in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that sodium aescinate injection liquid can decrease oxidative injury and enhance immunity functions in HCC mice.
Monitoring Biennial Bearing Effect on Coffee Yield Using MODIS Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Bernardes Tiago , Moreira Maurício Alves , Adami Marcos , Giarolla Angélica , Rudorff Bernardo Friedrich Theodor
Published: August 2012

Coffee is the second most valuable traded commodity worldwide. Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, responsible for one third of the world production. A coffee plot exhibits high and low production in alternated years, a characteristic so called biennial yield. High yield is generally a result of suitable conditions of foliar biomass. Moreover, in high production years one plot tends to lose more leaves than it does in low production years. In both cases some correlation between coffee yield and leaf biomass can be deduced which can be monitored through time series of vegetation indices derived from satellite imagery. In Brazil, a comprehensive, spatially distributed study assessing this relationship has not yet been done. The objective of this study was to assess possible correlations between coffee yield and MODIS derived vegetation indices in the Brazilian largest coffee-exporting province. We assessed EVI and NDVI MODIS products over the period between 2002 and 2009 in the south of Minas Gerais State whose production accounts for about one third of the Brazilian coffee production. Landsat images were used to obtain a reference map of coffee areas and to identify MODIS 250 m pure pixels overlapping homogeneous coffee crops. Only MODIS pixels with 100% coffee were included in the analysis. A wavelet-based filter was used to smooth EVI and NDVI time profiles. Correlations were observed between variations on yield of coffee plots and variations on vegetation indices for pixels overlapping the same coffee plots. The vegetation index metrics best correlated to yield were the amplitude and the minimum values over the growing season. The best correlations were obtained between variation on yield and variation on vegetation indices the previous year (R = 0.74 for minEVI metric and R = 0.68 for minNDVI metric). Although correlations were not enough to estimate coffee yield exclusively from vegetation indices, trends properly reflect the biennial bearing effect on coffee yield.
A Fully Integrated Humidity Sensor System-on-Chip Fabricated by Micro-Stamping Technology
Authors: Huang Che-Wei , Huang Yu-Jie , Lu Shey-Shi , Lin Chih-Ting
Published: August 2012

A fully integrated humidity sensor chip was designed, implemented, and tested. Utilizing the micro-stamping technology, the pseudo-3D sensor system-on-chip (SSoC) architecture can be implemented by stacking sensing materials directly on the top of a CMOS-fabricated chip. The fabricated sensor system-on-chip (2.28 mm × 2.48 mm) integrated a humidity sensor, an interface circuit, a digital controller, and an On-Off Keying (OOK) wireless transceiver. With low power consumption, i.e., 750 μW without RF operation, the sensitivity of developed sensor chip was experimentally verified in the relative humidity (RH) range from 32% to 60%. The response time of the chip was also experimentally verified to be within 5 seconds from RH 36% to RH 64%. As a consequence, the implemented humidity SSoC paves the way toward the an ultra-small sensor system for various applications.
Molecular Rotors as Switches
Authors: Xue Mei , Wang Kang L.
Published: August 2012

The use of a functional molecular unit acting as a state variable provides an attractive alternative for the next generations of nanoscale electronics. It may help overcome the limits of conventional MOSFETd due to their potential scalability, low-cost, low variability, and highly integratable characteristics as well as the capability to exploit bottom-up self-assembly processes. This bottom-up construction and the operation of nanoscale machines/devices, in which the molecular motion can be controlled to perform functions, have been studied for their functionalities. Being triggered by external stimuli such as light, electricity or chemical reagents, these devices have shown various functions including those of diodes, rectifiers, memories, resonant tunnel junctions and single settable molecular switches that can be electronically configured for logic gates. Molecule-specific electronic switching has also been reported for several of these device structures, including nanopores containing oligo(phenylene ethynylene) monolayers, and planar junctions incorporating rotaxane and catenane monolayers for the construction and operation of complex molecular machines. A specific electrically driven surface mounted molecular rotor is described in detail in this review. The rotor is comprised of a monolayer of redox-active ligated copper compounds sandwiched between a gold electrode and a highly-doped P+ Si. This electrically driven sandwich-type monolayer molecular rotor device showed an on/off ratio of approximately 104, a read window of about 2.5 V, and a retention time of greater than 104 s. The rotation speed of this type of molecular rotor has been reported to be in the picosecond timescale, which provides a potential of high switching speed applications. Current-voltage spectroscopy (I-V) revealed a temperature-dependent negative differential resistance (NDR) associated with the device. The analysis of the device I–V characteristics suggests the source of the observed switching effects to be the result of the redox-induced ligand rotation around the copper metal center and this attribution of switching is consistent with the observed temperature dependence of the switching behavior as well as the proposed energy diagram of the device. The observed resistance switching shows the potential for future non-volatile memories and logic devices applications. This review will discuss the progress and provide a perspective of molecular motion for nanoelectronics and other applications.
Accuracy Enhancement of Inertial Sensors Utilizing High Resolution Spectral Analysis
Authors: Noureldin Aboelmagd , Armstrong Justin , El-Shafie Ahmed , Karamat Tashfeen , McGaughey Don , Korenberg Michael , Hussain Aini
Published: August 2012

In both military and civilian applications, the inertial navigation system (INS) and the global positioning system (GPS) are two complementary technologies that can be integrated to provide reliable positioning and navigation information for land vehicles. The accuracy enhancement of INS sensors and the integration of INS with GPS are the subjects of widespread research. Wavelet de-noising of INS sensors has had limited success in removing the long-term (low-frequency) inertial sensor errors. The primary objective of this research is to develop a novel inertial sensor accuracy enhancement technique that can remove both short-term and long-term error components from inertial sensor measurements prior to INS mechanization and INS/GPS integration. A high resolution spectral analysis technique called the fast orthogonal search (FOS) algorithm is used to accurately model the low frequency range of the spectrum, which includes the vehicle motion dynamics and inertial sensor errors. FOS models the spectral components with the most energy first and uses an adaptive threshold to stop adding frequency terms when fitting a term does not reduce the mean squared error more than fitting white noise. The proposed method was developed, tested and validated through road test experiments involving both low-end tactical grade and low cost MEMS-based inertial systems. The results demonstrate that in most cases the position accuracy during GPS outages using FOS de-noised data is superior to the position accuracy using wavelet de-noising.
A Fast and Sensitive Quantitative Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Cry1Ab Based on a Novel Signal Ampliﬁcation Conjugate
Authors: Chen Chunxiang , Wu Jian
Published: August 2012

A novel lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) signal ampliﬁcation strategy for the detection of Cry1Ab based on ampliﬁcation via a polylysine (PL) chain and biotin-streptavidin system (BSAS) is described. In this system, multiple fluorescence dyes (FL) were directly coated on the surface of PL and conjugated with antibody via the BSAS for construction of novel signal amplification (FLPL-BSAS-mAb1) conjugates, in which FL, PL and BSAS were employed to improve the sensitivity of LFIA. Compared with conventional LFIA, the sensitivity of FLPL-BSAS-mAb1-based LFIA was increased by approximately 100-fold. Quantified linearity was achieved in the value range of 0–1,000 pg/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) was reached 10 pg/mL after optimization of reaction conditions. To our knowledge, this represents one of the most sensitive LFIA for Cry1Ab yet reported. Furthermore, the detection time for this method was about 10 min. Therefore, it should be an attractive alternative compared to conventional immunoassays in routine control for Cry1Ab.
Birding for and with People: Integrating Local Participation in Avian Monitoring Programs within High Biodiversity Areas in Southern Mexico
Authors: Ortega-Álvarez Rubén , Sánchez-González Luis Antonio , Rodríguez-Contreras Vicente , Vargas-Canales Víctor Manuel , Puebla-Olivares Fernando , Berlanga Humberto
Published: August 2012

Biological monitoring is a powerful tool for understanding ecological patterns and processes, implementing sound management practices, and determining wildlife conservation strategies. In Mexico, regional long-term bird monitoring has been undertaken only over the last decade. Two comprehensive programs have incorporated bird monitoring as the main tool for assessing the impact of human productive activities on birds and habitats at local and regional levels: the Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Mexico (CBMM). These programs are implemented in supremely important biodiverse regions in the southern and southeastern states of Mexico. Bird monitoring activities are based on the recruitment and participation of local people linked to sustainable productive projects promoted by the CBMM or IEM. Through a series of training workshops delivered by specialists, local monitors receive equipment and coordinate to become part of a large monitoring network that facilitates regional covertures. This data currently being obtained by local people will enable the mid- and long-term assessment of the impacts of sustainable human productive activities on birds and biodiversity. Community-based bird monitoring programs are a promising opportunity for enhancing scientific knowledge, improving sustainable practices, and supporting wildlife conservation in areas of high biodiversity.
A Higher Dimensional Description of the Structure of β-Mn
Authors: Lidin Sven , Fredrickson Daniel
Published: August 2012

The structure of β-Mn crystallizes in space group P4132. The pseudo 8-fold nature of the 41 axes makes it constitute an approximant to the octagonal quasicrystals. In this paper we analyze why a five-dimensional super space group containing mutually perpendicular 8-fold axes cannot generate P4132 on projection to 3-d space and how this may instead be accomplished from a six-dimensional model. A procedure for generating the actual structure of β-Mn lifted to six-dimensional space is given.
Microvesicles Derived from Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enhance Neoangiogenesis of Human Pancreatic Islets
Authors: Cantaluppi Vincenzo , Biancone Luigi , Figliolini Federico , Beltramo Silvia , Medica Davide , Deregibus Maria Chiara , Galimi Francesco , Romagnoli Renato , Salizzoni Mauro , Tetta Ciro , Segoloni Giuseppe Paolo , Camussi Giovanni
Published: August 2012

The efficacy of islet transplantation is limited by poor graft vascularization. We herein demonstrated that microvesicles (MVs) released from endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) enhanced human islet vascularization. After incorporation into islet endothelium and β-cells, EPC-derived MVs favored insulin secretion, survival, and revascularization of islets transplanted in SCID mice. MVs induced in vitro islet endothelial cell proliferation, migration, resistance to apoptosis, and organization in vessel-like structures. Moreover, MVs partially overcame the antiangiogenic effect of rapamycin and inhibited endothelial–leukocyte interaction via L-selectin and CD40. MVs were previously shown to contain defined patterns of mRNAs. Here we demonstrated that MVs carried the proangiogenic miR-126 and miR-296 microRNAs (miRNAs). MVs pretreated with RNase or derived from Dicer knocked-down EPCs showed a reduced angiogenic effect. In addition, MVs overcame the antiangiogenic effect of the specific antagomiRs of miR-126 and miR-296, suggesting a relevant contribution of miRNAs delivered by MVs to islet endothelium. Microarray analysis of MV-stimulated islet endothelium indicated the upregulation of mRNAs coding for factors involved in endothelial proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. In addition, MVs induced the activation of the PI3K-Akt and eNOS signaling pathways in islet endothelium. These results suggest that MVs activate an angiogenic program in islet endothelium that may sustain revascularization and β-cell function.
Θεός, Δαίμων, Φρὴν Ἱερή: Empedocles and the Divine
Authors: Santaniello Carlo
Published: August 2012

Résumé L’auteur analyse d’abord la relation entre Theos et Daimôn dans le Poème Physique et dans les Purifications . Dans le premier, Empédocle appelle theoi le Sphairos et les éléments. Précisément, le philosophe d’Acragas appelle le Sphairos tout simplement theos . Pourtant, il appelle les éléments theoi dolichaiônes, alors qu’ils forment quatre masses séparées et avant qu’ils ne se mêlent pour constituer les « choses mortelles » ; tandis que, lorsqu’ils se mêlent et abandonnent la condition de pureté pour créer un composé, il les appelle daimones. D’autre part, dans les Purifications, les daimones sont les dieux tombés dans le monde : redevenir un dieu, c’est la destinée de l’homme, ou au moins l’objectif qu’Empédocle propose. Enfin, l’auteur soutient que les frgs. B131-134 (dont le dernier concerne la fameuse phrèn hierè ) pourraient provenir de l’Hymne à Apollon perdu. C’est ce que semble démontrer le fait qu’Empédocle suive dans ces fragments une ligne dogmatique à propos de la connaissance des dieux qui contraste avec la prudente gnoséologie suivie dans le Poème Physique et par la difference entre la théologie exposée dans ces fragments et le mythe eschatologique présenté dans les Purifications.
Alexandru Dragomir : Portrait du philosophe en solitaire
Authors: Partenie Catalin
Published: August 2012

Résumé Après des études de droit et de philosophie à l’Université de Bucarest (1933-1939), Alexandru Dragomir part à Fribourg-en-Brisgau comme doctorant de Martin Heidegger. Il y reste deux ans ; en 1943 il est rappelé en Roumanie et envoyé au front. Après la guerre, sous le nouveau régime, il ne peut pas poursuivre une carrière universitaire. Il meurt en 2002 à Bucarest sans avoir rien publié. Ce n’est qu’après sa mort que ses cahiers sont découverts et publiés. L’œuvre de Dragomir comprend cinq volumes, parus à Bucarest, aux Éditions Humanitas. Deux sont parus en traduction française chez Vrin : Banalités métaphysiques (2008) et Cahiers du temps (2010). Cet article présente sa personnalité et son œuvre, notamment les Cahiers du temps, qui renferment la recherche de toute sa vie. Dragomir y développe sa propre théorie sur la nature du temps, tout en faisant des commentaires des textes classiques de la philosophie qui portent sur ce sujet. Des traductions en allemand et en anglais des Cahiers du temps paraîtront bientôt.
Detección de errores temáticos en el CORINE Land Cover a través del estudio de cambios: Comunidad de Madrid (2000-2006)
Authors: Barreira González Pablo , González Cascón Victoria , Bosque Sendra Joaquín
Published: August 2012

La cartografía temática suele ser el punto de partida en muchos trabajos. Es necesario tener cuidado con los errores que pueda presentar la fuente de datos para conseguir un buen resultado. Utilizando una sencilla metodología se pueden determinar errores temáticos en las cartografías CORINE Land Cover de los años 2000 y 2006 a través de la intersección de ambas bases de datos. Dicha intersección de mapas nos dará una serie de polígonos estables y de cambio y una matriz de cruce con la que interpretar el balance de superficie ganada o perdida. Mediante el estudio a través de muestreos de los diferentes tipos de cambio y su verificación con ortofotos se puede llegar a encontrar diversos errores de asignación temática en las cartografías empleadas. Además, el uso de las matrices de confusión permite establecer el nivel de exactitud global y de las categorías más propensas a errores.

[fr] La cartographie thématique est généralement le point de départ pour de nombreuses activités. Des précautions doivent être prises pour les erreurs qui peuvent survenir dans la source de données pour obtenir un bon résultat. En utilisant une méthode simple permet de déterminer les erreurs dans les cartes thématiques de la CORINE Land Cover 2000 et 2006 par l’intersection de deux bases de données. Cette intersection des cartes nous donnent un ensemble de polygones stables et de changement et une matrice du croisement avec laquelle interpréter le bilan de surface gagnée ou perdue. Au moyen de l’étude à travers des échantillonnages de différents taux de change et sa vérification avec ortofotos on peut arriver à trouver de diverses erreurs d’assignation thématique dans la cartographie employée. De plus, l’usage des matrices de confusion permet d’établir le niveau d’exactitude globale et des catégories les plus enclines aux erreurs.
Servicios educativos y sanitarios elementales en el medio rural: percepción social e influencia sobre la calidad de vida
Authors: Escribano Pizarro Jaime
Published: August 2012

Una de las principales características del medio rural es su elevada calidad de vida; sin embargo, aspectos elementales en la estructuración de su sociedad como los servicios educativos y sanitarios básicos, apenas aparecen como responsables del bienestar del que goza su sociedad, aunque continuamente se apunte la necesidad de mejorar su oferta. En consecuencia, resulta interesante plantear cómo la población rural valora en realidad la capacidad de estos servicios para intervenir en su calidad de vida. Lógicamente, la diversidad de espacios rurales, hace que los resultados difieran entre sí; de hecho, así lo demuestra el discurso de los actores clave entrevistados: mientras que para municipios poco poblados estos servicios resultan determinantes, sobre todo por la vertebración social que favorecen las prestaciones sanitarias, para aquellos otros con más habitantes apenas destacan sobre aspectos como el paisaje, el espacio, la tranquilidad…, por la presencia asegurada que su elevada población les garantiza.

[fr] Une des principales caractéristiques du milieu rural est sa qualité de vie élevée. Toutefois, des aspects fondamentaux dans la structuration de sa société comme les services éducatifs et sanitaires élémentaires ne sont pas presque signalés comme responsables du biene^tre. Par conséquent, il est intéressant d’examiner comment la population rurale évalué réellement la capacité de ces services pour intervenir dans sa qualité de vie. Logiquement, la diversité des zones rurales fait que les résultats soient différents ; de fait, ceci témoigne le discours des acteurs clés interviewés : tandis que pour les communes les moins peuplées ces services sont déterminants, spécialement pour la structuration sociale que les équipements sanitaires favorisent, pour les communes les plus peuplées ces services ressortissent assez peu comme facteurs de qualité de vie sur éléments comme le paysage, l’espace, la calme…, a` cause de la présence assuré qui les permet une population élevée.
La avenida de 22 de octubre de 1948 en la cuenca del Segura. Revisión y análisis
Authors: Pérez Morales Alfredo , Gil Guirado Salvador
Published: August 2012

La riada de 19 de octubre de 1879 que afectó a la cuenca del río Segura marca un punto de inflexión en la política de defensa contra avenidas a nivel internacional. Un evento natural de características funestas pone de acuerdo a todos los agentes sociales de la época para llevar a cabo el primer plan de defensa integral contra inundaciones a nivel nacional. Transcurridos setenta anos desde la puesta en funcionamiento de dicho sistema, una nueva riada, la de octubre de 1948, pone de manifiesto el deterioro de las obras acometidas y la necesidad de actualizar los umbrales de seguridad que los procesos de ocupación habían transgredido. El presente trabajo, pretende caracterizar un episodio poco conocido como el de 20 a 23 octubre de 1948 pero que, sin embargo, tuvo una repercusión singular sobre la mejora de las actuaciones de prevención, seguridad y control del territorio analizado.

[fr] La crue du 19 Octobre 1879 que affecté le bassin du fleuve Segura marque un tournant dans la politique de défense au niveau international les boulevards. Une des caractéristiques désastreux événement naturel consent à toutes les parties prenantes du temps pour effectuer le premier plan exhaustif pour se protéger contre les inondations à l’échelle nationale. Après soixante-dix ans de la mise en service du système, un nouveau flux, l’Octobre, 1948, montre la détérioration des travaux entrepris et la nécessité de mettre à jour les seuils de sécurité que le processus d’occupation avait transgressé. Le présent travail vise à caractériser un épisode peu connu de 20 au 23 Octobre, 1948, mais qui a néanmoins eu un impact singulier sur l’amélioration des performances de sûreté, de sécurité et de l’analyse du contrôle du territoire.
Evaluación de la actividad cinegética en Extremadura en los albores del siglo XXI. Retos a corto y medio plazo
Authors: Rengifo Gallego Juan Ignacio
Published: August 2012

En el artículo constatamos la importancia que tiene la caza en Extremadura durante la primera década del siglo XXI, tras el pertinente análisis y evaluación de las principales variables relacionadas con el fenómeno: terrenos de caza, cuantificación de los aprovechamientos y comportamiento de la demanda. Con estos antecedentes, exponemos en el artículo la necesidad de plantear retos futuros para mantener su actual estatus a tres niveles (económico, ecológico y social).

[fr] Dans l'article, nous avons noté l'importance de la chasse en Estrémadure durant la première décennie du siècle XXI, après une analyse et une évaluation appropriées des variables clés relatives à ce phénomène: les terrains de chasse, de la quantification des ressources de chasse et de comportement de la demande. Dans ce contexte, nous avons énoncée dans l'article de la nécessité de relever les défits futurs pour maintenir son statut actuel à trois niveaux (économique, écologique et sociale).
Consideraciones en torno al concepto de unidad de paisaje y sistematización de propuestas
Authors: Serrano Giné David
Published: August 2012

Un número considerable de estudios de paisaje se incluyen en la llamada perspectiva territorial, que es aquella que centra su labor en cuestiones de carácter espacial. En este ámbito toma especial interés el concepto “unidad de paisaje”, por ser el resultado de las bases epistemológicas y metodológicas empleadas por cada escuela de trabajo. La presente aportación reflexiona en torno a este concepto y sistematiza la diversidad de planteamientos, tomando como punto de referencia criterios de forma y criterios de contenido. El ejercicio presenta la singularidad y el valor añadido de usar como ejemplo estudios de paisaje realizados en el Estado español.

[fr] Un nombre considérable d'études de paysage sont inclus dans la perspective territoriale, c'est à dire, celle qui centre sa tâche dans questions de caractère spatial. Dans ce cadre prend spécial intérêt le concept “unité paysagère”, étant le résultat des bases épistémologiques et méthodologiques gérées par chaque école de travail. La présente contribution s'interroge autour de ce concept et systématise la diversité d'approches, en prenant comme point de référence des critères de forme et de contenu. D'ailleurs, l'exercice présente la remarque et la singularité d'utiliser exemples d'études de paysage développées dans l'état espagnol.
El desarrollo regional en la República Popular China: de la administración centralizada a la planificación del desarrollo
Authors: Xu JianNan , Yagüe Blanco José Luis
Published: August 2012

Desde la fundación de la República Popular China el Gobierno Central ha estado buscando la vía más adecuada para conseguir el desarrollo regional. En el período de Mao el enfoque adoptó una perspectiva principalmente administrativa, tratando de mejorar la estructura de división y de gobierno del país. Con el inicio del período de reforma y apertura, el acento cambia al diseño de estrategias de desarrollo regional, aunque con tendencias cambiantes que van desde las políticas redistributivas hasta el modelo de desarrollo asimétrico, y los esfuerzos por combatir las desigualdades entre regiones y entre áreas urbanas y rurales de China. Este artículo realiza una revisión de los cambios producidos en China a través de todos estos procesos de regionalización, proporcionando un marco de referencia para comprender las diferentes etapas y ayudar a estudios más específicos sobre este país.

[fr] À partir de la fondation de la République populaire de Chine le gouvernement central a cherché le moyen le plus approprié pour atteindre le développement régional. Dans la période de Mao l'approche essentiellement adoptée fut un point de vue administratif, en essayant d'améliorer la structure de la division et le gouvernement du pays. Avec le début de la réforme et la période d'ouverture, les directives changent vers la conception de stratégies de développement régional, mais avec une évolution des tendances allant depuis les politiques de redistribution jusqu'au modèle de développement asymétrique, et les efforts pour lutter contre les inégalités entre les régions et entre les zones urbaines et rurales de La Chine. Cet article passe en revue les changements en Chine à travers tous ces processus de régionalisation, en fournissant un cadre pour comprendre les différentes étapes et pour aider les études plus spécifiques sur ce pays.
Una primera Historia de la Geografía española en el prólogo del Diccionario de la Academia de la Historia
Authors: Arroyo Ilera Fernando
Published: August 2012

No disponible
Influencia del fenómeno El Niño-La Niña y cambio climático en el patrón de lluvias en São Carlos-SP, Brasil
Authors: Youlton Cristian , Shiratsubaki Taís , Sanches de Oliveira Paulo Tarso , Wendland Edson
Published: August 2012

No disponible
About the Use of the DMs in CLIL Classes
Authors: Consonni Anna
Published: August 2012

This chapter is a contribution to the discussion regarding the implementation of the CLIL methodology in school classes, particularly as far as the traditional tension between language and content learning is concerned. It starts with an overview of the development and diffusion of this methodology in European schools, lingers over what is going on in the countries of the MIH project (Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, France, and Austria), and finally, it focuses on its results, the Digital Modules. It shows how it is possible to overcome the above-mentioned dichotomy, language versus contents, by using a cultural approach that enables students to move their own thinking forward. In fact, even if the basic principle of the CLIL is that the content comes before the language, in school practices this is not always the case, as documented in several surveys.
Learning Object Model and Framework Design for the Digital Modules Production
Authors: Holgado Alicia García , García-Peñalvo Francisco José , Zangrando Valentina , Pardo Antonio M. Seoane
Published: August 2012

The MIH (Multicultural Interdisciplinary Handbook) project provides new tools for helping teachers and pupils plunge deeper into the culture and the language of another nation via its history and its landscape/geography. The Digital Modules are the most innovative tool of the project. Throughout the chapter, the authors present all stages to develop MIH Digital Modules: (1) the definition of the Learning Object Model based on IEEE LOM; (2) the framework design in order to provide quality digital contents; (3) the Digital Modules production process both during the project and after the end of the project; (4) the tutorials that support all the creation process; and last, but not least, and (5) the multicultural perspective of the Digital Modules.
The Role of ICTs in Rural Schools of Patagonia
Authors: Caldas Flavio , Muñoz-Repiso Ana García-Valcárcel
Published: August 2012

UNESCO indicates that one of the biggest problems we have to solve in the early twenty-first century is the abolition of differences between individuals and cultures. Intercultural education is a necessary and urgent alternative in order to change the current situation, and ICTs, with their potential to meet and interact with people from different countries and cultures, offer interesting tools in this matter. Argentina acknowledges the right of indigenous people to access bilingual and intercultural education and seeks to improve teachers’ skills to achieve a better quality of education that allows equal opportunities. However, recent research (Slavsky, 2006; Binstock, 2008) has demonstrated that in the province of Neuquen, with a high rate of aboriginal people (Mapuche), the reality is that schools are far from having achieved this target. There is no clear policy to solve this intercultural problem and a program of integration of ICTs in the classroom has not yet been implemented. This chapter presents data on the educational reality of Neuquen and the use of ICTs in schools, based on the opinion of students, teachers, and school managers. It also analyzes the performance of students and its relation to the use of technological tools.
Intercultural Education with Indigenous Peoples and the Potential of Digital Technologies to make it Happen
Authors: Ovide Evaristo
Published: August 2012

Internet and the technologies linked to it (ICTs) have greatly expanded the linguistic and cultural domains of the most widely spoken languages in our global world. At the same time, endangered languages that were already excluded from the traditional media have an even smaller presence in this larger world. However, the Web also offers a great opportunity for these languages to have a voice and a presence, as it would have not been possible before, though it is normally rather difficult for numerous reasons. This chapter seeks to create a theoretical and practical framework consisting of five steps: Documentation, Dissemination, Community, Education, and Monetization. Each of these steps considers traditional methods and tries to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by using ICTs in an interdisciplinary and holistic approach.
Promoting Multiculturalism in Technology Based-Education
Authors: Pavlis-Korres Maria , Barriocanal Elena García
Published: August 2012

In multicultural education and especially in the education of special groups (Roma, immigrants, etc.), the compatibility between educator and learners directly affects the efficiency and the outcome of the educational programs. This chapter presents a framework for the e-education of educators of special groups based on and aiming to improve their compatibility with their learners, code named “the ESG Framework,” as well as a case study on educators of Roma in Greece, through which the efficiency of the ESG Framework was confirmed. The ESG Framework, standing in the crossroads of learning technology, multicultural education, and adults’ education, combines the necessary elements from all these main fields. In each phase of its structure, the ESG Framework provides clear guidelines to be followed by designers, developers, administrators, and instructors for the effective and measurable improvement of compatibility between educators of special groups and their learners.
Understanding Culture and its Implications for E-Learning
Authors: Serradell-López Enric , Casado-Lumbreras Cristina , Castillo-Merino David
Published: August 2012

Universities around the world are facing the task of adapting to a changing environment. In a contemporary global context, universities must respond to new educational needs, leading to a global process of enhancing lifelong learning. In addition, they must add new demands not only by students but also from other stakeholders who see the university as a core institution of training for adults. In the highly competitive and global environment of universities, traditional elements such as geographic location are less important in favour of other more intangible factors, such as the image of universities, prestige, and ability of adaptation to the training needs of people. Moreover, the phenomenon of e-learning leads to an increase in the competition between universities, where previous intangibles are increasingly important, as well as those that emphasize cultural aspects. This chapter presents how cultural dimensions are related to higher education, particularly from the work of Hofstede and The Globe project, as well as some cultural elements to consider in virtual environments.
Teamwork and Project Experiences in Multicultural Environments for Computing Students
Authors: Fernández-Sanz Luis
Published: August 2012

This chapter presents several multicultural education experiences in Higher Education devoted to computing education and developed under IP and other international specific sessions where students’ teamwork is analyzed while developing a case study and was supported by the use of technology. This enables a reasonable management of workshop data to allow auto-evaluation as well as a joint discussion of the benefits of the work. The collaborative and e-learning environments also covered the support of work before attendance during the intensive weeks. The chapter presents results of the analysis of behavior of students showing the influence of gender and cultural background in individual and group performance. In general, data and information from 6 editions (Amsterdam, 2005; Sundsval, 2006; Copenhagen, 2007; Spain, 2008; Michigan, 2009; Espoo, 2010) are included and show how these experiences have positive effects on students’ perception of teamwork and collaboration in multicultural environments.
Online Networking
Authors: McCarthy Josh
Published: August 2012

This chapter explores the use of Facebook in helping immerse international students into Australian university culture at a first year level by furthering the development of academic and social relationships between peers. The study was initiated in response to a national survey that found 65% of international students experience periods of loneliness and isolation when studying in Australia; moreover, one of the key triggers for this loneliness is an inability to develop academic relationships with peers, particularly local students, during the early stages of their university careers. 100 first year design students (including 23 international students) took part in the semester-long study, as part of the course “Imaging Our World” at the University of Adelaide. Every two weeks, students were required to submit images to an online gallery in Facebook and to provide critiques on peers’ submissions. The gallery topics were broad in nature, and open to the students’ own interpretations, allowing for a concurrently wide range of images in each. The galleries gave students the opportunity to connect with their peers in a virtual environment, and develop academic relationships freed from the constraints of the classroom and their own inhibitions. Discussions between students often evolved from formal, academic critiques to informal social interactions as embryonic online connections were formed. The study was considered to have been a success, due to Facebook’s engaging and interactive qualities, the students’ existing interest and experience with the software, and their eagerness to connect with their peers.
Association Rule Mining in Developmental Psychology
Authors: Nembhard D. A. , Yip K. K. , Stifter C. A.
Published: August 2012

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of progressive psychological changes that occur in human beings as they age. Some of the current methodologies used in this field to study developmental processes include Yule’s Q, state space grids, time series analysis, and lag analysis. The data collected in this field are often time-series-type data. Applying association rule mining in developmental psychology is a new concept that may have a number of potential benefits. In this paper, two sets of infant-mother interaction data sets are examined using association rule mining. Previous analyses of these data used conventional statistical techniques. However, they failed to capture the dynamic interactions between the infant-mother pair as well as other issues relating to the temporal characteristic of the data. Three approaches are proposed in this paper as candidate means of addressing some of the questions that remain from previous studies. The approaches used can be applied to association rule mining to extend its application to data sets in related fields.
Supply and Production/Distribution Planning in Supply Chain with Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Sohrabi Babak , Moghadam MohammadReza Sadeghi
Published: August 2012

The present study, using genetic algorithm, tries to improve material flow management in supply chain. Consequently, in this paper, an integrated supply-production and distribution planning (SPDP) is considered despite the fact that in most of the Iranian industrial firms, SPDP is done independently. The effective use of integrated SPDP not only enhances the performance rather decreases inventory cost, holding cost, shortage cost and overall supply chain costs. A quantitative mathematical model is used to the problem articulation, and then it is solved by applying heuristic genetic algorithm (GA) method. The proposed model with genetic algorithm could provide the best satisfactory result with the minimum cost. The reliability test was carried by comparing the model results with that of the amount of variables.
Retailer Ordering Policy for Deteriorating Items with Initial Inspection and Allowable Shortage Under the Condition of Permissible Delay in Payments
Authors: Jaggi Chandra K. , Mittal Mandeep
Published: August 2012

While developing the inventory model with shortages under permissible delay in payments, it has been observed in the literature, the researchers have not considered the fact that the retailer can earn interest on the revenue generated after fulfilling the outstanding demand as soon as he receives the new consignment at the start of the cycle. Owing to this fact, the present paper investigates the impact of interest earned from revenue generated after fulfilling the stock out at the start of the cycle on a single commodity inventory model with shortages for deteriorating item, in which the whole lot goes through an inspection on arrival before entering into inventory system, under the conditions of permissible delay in payments. The results have been demonstrated with the help of a numerical example using the tools of Matlab7.0.1.
Liquefaction and Pore Water Pressure Generation in Sand
Authors: Sitharam T. G. , Ravishankar B. V. , Patil S. M.
Published: August 2012

Cyclic strain controlled laboratory triaxial undrained tests were performed on sand samples collected from earthquake affected Ahmedabad City of Gujarat (India). To study the factors controlling the liquefaction potential and pore pressure generation, cyclic strain controlled triaxial tests were carried out on (a) base sand, (b) pure sand, and (c) pure sand and non plastic silt mixture. All the tests were conducted on reconstituted soil samples and consolidated isotropically to different effective confining pressures. Base sand, clean sand and sand with non-plastic fines were tested using cyclic strain controlled triaxial undrained tests for different combination of shear strain amplitudes, initial effective confining pressure, and relative density (RD). In case of base sand and pure sand both have qualitatively the same liquefaction and pore pressure generation behaviors. For sand with non plastic fines, basic concept of limiting fines content (LFC) is justified and shown that how the behavior of mixture undergoes transition before and after LFC. This transitional behavior is observed both in the liquefaction strength and pore pressure generation. To obtain a mean relationship between liquefaction strength, pore pressure generation on relative density, confining pressure and shear strain amplitude, approaches previously adopted by Talaganov (1996) are used.
Socio-Cultural and Multi-Disciplinary Perceptions of Risk
Authors: Goodwin Yölande , Strang Kenneth David
Published: August 2012

This is a review of the extant risk theory literature that hypothesizes new cross-cultural perceptions and multi-disciplinary techniques have emerged in risk management practice. Basic concepts in risk theory are introduced and then the generally accepted risk management framework is explained (identification, assessment, planning, and control). Global macro-environment factors and contemporary risk assessment practices are briefly explored. A multi-disciplinary socio-cultural meta-model of risk theory is developed. The paper concludes with ideas and proposes research questions for future studies.
Employing Cost Effective Internet-Based Networking Technologies to Manage B2B Relationship
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Tridib
Published: August 2012

Using Internet-based technologies to establish network connectivity between firms can create conduit for propagation of threat vectors. Sharing data and information assets with other firms may give rise to external seats of loss exposure. Together, these practices complicate the IT security risk in business relationship: misaligned incentive for IT security investment and free rider behavior arise. Naïve pursuit to enter into business relationships using Internet-based technologies can prove myopic because the IT security risk profile of the resultant B2B network may be untenable. This research exhibits the impact of sharing and linking of information and network assets on IT security risk in modern business relationship with the help of a 2-firm symmetric B2B. This work demonstrates why managers should consider expanding their business relationship to include IT security initiatives as well, especially when they employ Internet-based technologies to interlink their networks.