bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIGH RESOLUTION BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALEOECOLOGY OF THE EARLY PLIOCENE SUCCESSION OF PISSOURI BASIN (CYPRUS ISLAND)
Authors: Triantaphyllou M. V , Antonarakou A. , Drinia H. , Dimiza M. D. , Kontakiotis G. , Tsolakis E. , Theodorou G.
Published: January 2017

The Pissouri basin (Cyprus Island) corresponds to a small tectonically controlled depression elongated NNW-SSE and widening southward in the direction of the deep Mediterranean domain. In the centre of the basin, the section Pissouri South, about 100 m thick, consists of well-preserved cyclic marine sediments including laminated brownish layers alternating with grey homogeneous marls. Plankton biostratigraphy (calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminifera) revealed a remarkable number of biovents bracketing the Zanclean-Piacenzian boundary. In particular the Highest Occurrence (HO) of Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus suggests the presence of NN14/15-NN16 nannofossil biozone boundary, dated at 3.84 Ma. Additionally the defined planktonic foraminiferal MPL3-MPL4a and MPL4a-MPL4b zone boundaries point to ages between 3.81 and 3.57 Ma, in Pissouri North section. Zanclean/Piacenzian boundary (3.6 Ma) is placed at 75.8 m from the base of the section, considering Discoaster pentaradiatus top paracme (3.61 Ma) and Globorotalia crassaformis first influx (3.6 Ma) bioevents. The cyclically developed sapropelic layers around the Zanclean – Piacenzian boundary suggest a climate characterized by a period of warm temperate conditions and a highly stratified water column that occurred at times of precession minima.
THE USE OF EDUCATIONAL SEISMOGRAPHS IN THE SEISMOLOGY SCHOOL NETWORK “EGELADOS”
Authors: Fermeli G. , Vitsas T. , Foundas P. , Sokos E. , Alexandropoulou S. , Papatheodoropoulos P. , Germenis N. , Nikolaidis A. , Zevgitis T.
Published: January 2017

In this paper we attempt to describe the experience we gained, working with a specially designed seismograph as an educational device. It is a modern instrument with short period response, GPS timing and digital recording on personal computer. The installation was done in the frame of the local seismology school network, called “Egelados”. The knowledge of basic concepts of geology, physics and mathematics (Lower High School level - Gymnasium) is a prerequisite for the use of the instrument. Further research of the earthquake phenomenon and the analysis of the recorded data leads to didactic objectives in sciences and mathematics which are included in the Lyceum curriculum. The reliability test of the results obtained using the seismograph has, from the analysis students made, shown up to now declinations of the events magnitude of 0,2 - 0,4 when compared to magnitudes published by National Observatory of Athens-Institute of Geodynamics. Students’ constructions to overcome the calculation difficulties to find the exact location of epicentre are often proposed activating in this way their research mood. Up to now the use of the tool, in the framework of network “Egelados”, not only connects the participating schools but also gives the opportunity for further collaboration among teachers and students that have installed a similar instrument. Finally, everyday use of the seismograph reveals its drawbacks and provides ideas of enhancements.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS REGARDING THE ROCK FALLS OF DECEMBER 17, 2009 AT TEMPI, GREECE
Authors: Christaras B. , Papathanassiou G. , Vouvalidis K. , Pavlides S.
Published: January 2017

On December 17, 2009, a large size rock fall generated at the area of Tempi, Central Greece causing one casualty. In particular, a large block was detached from a high of 70 meters and started to roll downslope and gradually became a rock slide. About 120 tones of rock material moved downward to the road resulting to the close of the national road. Few days after the slope failure, a field survey organized by the Department of Geology, AUTH took place in order to evaluate the rock fall hazard in the area and to define the triggering causal factors. As an outcome, we concluded that the heavily broken rock mass and the heavy rain-falls, of the previous days, contribute significantly to the generation of the slope failure. The rocky slope was limited stable and the high joint water pressure caused the failure of the slope.
LANDSLIDE MOVEMENTS RELATED TO PRECIPITATION. ANALYSIS OF A STATISTICAL SAMPLE FROM THE GREEK AREA
Authors: Gournelos T. , Nastos P.T. , Chalkias D. , Tsagas D. , Theodorou D.
Published: January 2017

It is known that the Greek area the majority of landslides have been triggered by heavy precipitation. This paper examines the statistical properties of precipitation directly related to the landslides in the Greek area. A database was constructed for the period 1980-1988, where for each landslide the daily maximum, the monthly and the annual precipitation totals were recorded. All these data were introduced in a GIS environment. Finally, a statistical analysis was carried out to study the relation between precipitation and landslide movement.
LIQUEFACTION RISK ASSESSMENT BY THE USE OF GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES: THE TEST AREA OF NAFPLION CITY, GREECE
Authors: Karastathis V.K. , Karmis P. , Novikova T. , Roumelioti Z. , Gerolymatou E. , Papanastassiou D. , Liakopoulos S. , Giannoulopoulos P. , Tsombos P. , Papadopoulos G.A.
Published: January 2017

An efficient and cost effective site characterization, with regard to the seismic hazard and liquefaction risk assessment, was accomplished with the aid of geophysics in the area, where the Nafplion city of Greece is expanding. The methodology adopted includes the recognition of the possible earthquake sources of the wider region, their modelling, in order to stochastically simulate the strong ground motion at the investigation area, and finally the calculation of the liquefaction risk. The investigation area was suspected of high liquefaction potential since the foundation ground consists of loose sandy silt with very shallow aquifer. The geophysical techniques considerably contributed to the detection and characterization of possible local seismic faults with the implementation of gravity and seismic methods. Special emphasis was given to the seismic depth migration and particularly to the construction of valid velocity models, in order to precisely calculate the dips of the possible faults. Additionally the geophysical techniques provided the near surface velocity structure for the calculation of the amplification of the seismic motion up to the surface, also required for the final estimation of the liquefaction risk. The seismic methods (seismic reflection, seismic refraction, seismic modelling, MASW, multichannel analysis of microtremors and crosshole investigations), if combined with geo-technical borehole testing, enhance their reliability and cover large areas in a cost-effective way in comparison with the standard borehole tests. In Nafplion area, evidence was found for a low factor of safety against liquefaction at specific sites within the study area. The results show that liquefaction probability can reach 80% at some sites depending on selected earthquake scenario, mainly at depths between 5 and 10 meters. This should be considered as highly important information for making risk-based design decision in this region.
LAND SUBSIDENCE DUE TO EXCESSIVE GROUND WATER WITHDRAWAL. A CASE STUDY FROM STAVROS - FARSALA SITE, WEST THESSALY GREECE
Authors: Rozos D. , Sideri D. , Loupasakis C. , Apostolidis E.
Published: January 2017

Land subsidence manifestation due to ground-water overexploitation in the Stavros – Farsala site (eastern part of Western Thessaly Basin) has been noticed since 1990. Because of this overexploitation, an excessive drawdown of the ground water level (20 to 40m) was noticed in the various successive aquifers the last decades. The subsidence phenomena resulted to the formation of tensile surface ruptures, which occurred since 2002, affecting roads and buildings. The geological environment of the study area consists of terrestrial Pleistocene deposits containing sands and gravels interbedded with clayey silt to silty clay horizons. These alternations of aquifers (permeable coarse-grained deposits) with aquitards (impermeable to low permeability strata) create a number of successive semi-confined to confined aquifer, initially artesian. This study examines the geological and the hydrogeological conditions of the wider study area, aiming to clarify their relationship with subsidence phenomena and to provide solutions for their suspension. Note that those phenomena are expected to be more incensed during the next few years.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A NON-SPLITTING FORMULATION OF PERFECTLY MATCHED LAYER IN A 3D – 4TH ORDER STAGGERED-GRID VELOCITY-STRESS FINITE-DIFFERENCE SCHEME
Authors: Skarlatoudis A.A , Papazachos C.B.
Published: January 2017

One of the major problems in numerical simulations of wave propagation in elastodynamics using grid-point methods is the truncation of the computational space by artificial boundaries. These boundaries produce spurious reflections, polluting the results with artificial noise, therefore several efforts have been realized in order to achieve transparent or non-reflecting boundaries for truncating the computational space. Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) has been one of the most efficient methods for implementing artificial boundaries at the edges of the computational models. However the application of PML requires the “tuning” of several variables, for which very limited work has been presented. In the present study we employ the Non-Splitting formulation of PML (NPML) technique presented by Wang & Tang (2003), based on the introduction of small perturbations in the wavefield. The NPML formulation shows the same accuracy with the originally introduced PML but is easier to be implemented because it does not require the field splitting. The main scope of this paper is to perform a full analysis of the efficiency of NMPL based on numerical tests using a 3D–4th order staggered-grid velocity-stress finite-difference scheme. The analysis consists of direct, quantified comparisons with reference solution waveforms from a semi-analytical method (Discrete Wavenumber Method) with synthetic waveforms produced using the most popular Absorbing Boundary Conditions (ABCs) and PML, in various canonical models (homogeneous and layer over half-space).
ON THE SENSITIVITY OF GROUND MOTION PREDICTION EQUATIONS IN GREECE
Authors: Segou M. , Voulgaris N. , Makropoulos K.
Published: January 2017

Ground motion prediction equations, widely known as attenuation relations, are common input for probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard studies. The construction of a ground motion model to describe such a complex phenomenon as the effects of seismic wave propagation is highly dependable on a number of parameters. The quality and the distribution of strong motion data, which is the original input for the calculation of any ground motion model, can be thought as one of the main parameters that heavily influence the form of ground motion prediction equations. The selected processing scheme, involving significant choices about a series of adjustments and filter specifications, implemented to remove low and high frequency noise, is related with the credibility of the calculated ground motion parameters such as the spectral ordinates. Once a set of response variables for a number of predictors is available, the researcher’s interest is related with the mathematical definition of the ground motion model, in terms of selecting the appropriate parameters and the determination of their coefficients of the equation. Another significant part involves the selection of the optimum solver in order to achieve high confidence level coefficients and a computationally inexpensive solution. Each method should be evaluated through statistics but the researcher should bear in mind that residual analysis and statistical errors, although they can adequately represent the efficiency of the mathematical equations, do not always provide information about where our efforts should lie in terms of further improvement. The scope of this paper is to point out the multi-parametric nature of the construction of ground motion prediction equations and how each of the aforementioned development stages influences the credibility of the proposed attenuation relations.
STUDY OF THE 2ND DECEMBER 2002 VARTHOLOMIO EARTHQUAKE (WESTERN PELOPONNESE) M5.5 AFTERSHOCK SEQUENCE
Authors: Serpetsidaki A. , Sokos E. , Tselentis G-A
Published: January 2017

On the 2 December 2002 an earthquake (Mw=5.5) occurred near the city of Vartholomio (western Greece) causing damage in more than 1000 buildings. The University of Patras Seismological Laboratory permanent network stations recorded the mainshock and the aftershocks. Furthermore, twenty-six sites were instrumented to study the aftershock sequence. We identified more than 500 aftershocks with Md ranging from 2.0 to 4.3 during the first 30 days following the mainshock. The spatial and temporal evolution of the aftershock sequence is presented. We use the 370 earthquakes recorded at a minimum of 20 stations, with RMS less than 0.1 s and uncertainties less than 1 km, to infer the precise distribution of the seismicity in the fault region. The mainshock moment tensor inversion results are used in parallel to the aftershock sequence distribution in order to identify the causative fault. The results suggest a strike slip fault with dextral movement, which is trending NNE-SSW and fits the regional tectonics.
Χαιρετισμός
Authors: Κριαράς Εμμανουήλ
Published: January 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη.
Αριάν Μνουσκίν, 1789 / Ανδρέας Στάικος, 1843: Θέατρο Ιστορία Σκηνοθεσία
Authors: Κουτσογιαννοπούλου Πηγή
Published: January 2017

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Ο μύθος του Ορφέα: από τις μεταμορφώσεις της μυθικής αφήγησης στη ρητορική των λογοτεχνικών γενών
Authors: Siaflekis Z. I.
Published: January 2017

L' objet de cette communication est de mettre en évidence les conditions sous lesquelles la forme du mythe littéraire peut influer sur la formation du genre littéraire qui l'accueille. Y sont en jeu le sens, le personnage mythique, le statut socio-culturel de l'émetteur et du récepteur de la narration mythique. Cette hypothèse est examinée à travers un certain nombre d'œuvres appartenant aux divers genres.
Ανιχνεύσεις του μύθου του Ορφέα στην πρώτη ελληνική μεταπολεμική ποιητική γενιά
Authors: Freris Georges
Published: January 2017

On étudie l'image du mythe d'Orphée à travers la génération de l'après-guerre (civile) et en particulier auprès de trois poètes: Papaditsas, Zoé Karelli et T.Varvitsiotis, pour conclure que chez le premier, Orphée représente le mythème de la vie et de la mort, transformant le discours lyrique en moyen de communication et de sauvegarde de la nature et de l'homme; chez le second, il incarne une forme de Christ et de compagnon hédoniste, alors que pour le dernier, Orphée se confond avec l'idéal poétique qui délivre l'être et l'aide à conquérir le surnaturel.
Στοιχεία για μια Ποιητική του Ελάχιστου: Νίκος Γαβριήλ Πεντζίκης και Georges Pe
Authors: Νιφτανίδου Χαρούλα
Published: January 2017

[Δε διατίθεται περίληψη]
Computational design of molecular motors as nanocircuits in Leishmaniasis
Authors: Kosey Dipali , Singh Shailza
Published: January 2017

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of lesihmaniasis, caused by Leishmania major and is spread by the bite of a sandfly.This species infects the macrophages and dendritic cells Due to multi-drug resistance, there is a need for a new therapeutic technique. Recently, a novel molecular motor of Leishmania, Myosin XXI, was classified and characterized. In addition, the drug resistance in this organism has been linked with the overexpression of ABC transporters. Systems biology aims to study the simulation and modeling of natural biological systems whereas synthetic biology deals with building novel and artificial biological parts and devices  Together they have contributed enormously to drug discovery, vaccine design and development, infectious disease detection and diagnostics. Synthetic genetic regulatory networks with desired properties, like toggling and oscillation have been proposed to be useful for gene therapy. In this work, a nanocircuit with coupled bistable switch – repressilator  has been designed, simulated in the presence and absence of inducer, in silico, using Tinker Cell. When inducer is added, the circuit has been shown to produce reporter at high levels, which will impair the activity of Myosin XXI and ABC transporters. Validation of the circuit was also performed using GRENITS and BoolNet. The influence of inducer on the working of the circuit, i.e., the type of gene expression, response time delay, the steady states formed by the circuit and the quasipotential landscape of the circuit were performed. It was found that the addition of inducer reduced the response time delay in the graded type of gene expression and removed the multiple intermediate attractors of the circuit. Thus, the inducer increased the probability of the circuit to be present in the dominant stable state with high reporter concentration and hence the designed nanocircuit may be used for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Análise do impacto do período de projeto de pavimentos no custo global de obras rodoviárias
Authors: Mello Luiz Guilherme Rodrigues , Farias Márcio Muniz , Preussler Ernesto Simões , Preussler Rodrigo
Published: January 2017

O projeto de grandes empreendimentos em rodovias federais baseia-se nas metodologias tradicionais de dimensi-onamento de pavimentos. A prática usualmente adotada pelos projetistas de pavimentos flexíveis está fortemente associada ao período de projeto de 10 anos. Porém, alguns empreendimentos rodoviários são muito caros e os custos de implantação considerando o volume de movimentação de terra ou a existência de grandes obras-de-arte especiais faz com que a parcela relativa ao pavimento não seja significativa. Nesse contexto, torna-se importante conhecer o impacto no custo global de um empreendimento considerando a variação do período de projeto de pavimentos. Essa informação pode auxiliar, ainda quando da fase de estudo de viabilidade técnica. O presente trabalho procura demonstrar o impacto do custo em alguns empreendi-mentos de grande porte em função do aumento do horizonte de projetos de pavimentos Rodoviários. Para isso foram selecio-nados 5 obras que o DNIT está executando no âmbito do Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento – PAC. De acordo com os resultados, um aumento significativo do período de projeto não se reflete em grandes incrementos nos custos totais dos empreendimentos. Esses resultados demonstram que, ainda na fase de estudo de viabilidade, pode-se avaliar a oportunidade de considerar estudos com projetos longevos para pavimentos rodoviários sem que os custos sejam impactados fortemente.
Análise de redes sociais aplicadas ao transporte aeroviário de cargas
Authors: Pinheiro Malere Joao Pedro , Minas Vladimir , Miceli Ronzani Borille Giovanna
Published: January 2017

O presente artigo possui como objetivo analisar redes de transporte aéreo exclusivamente de carga nos Estados Unidos durante uma década, entre os anos de 2004 e 2014. Para isso é utilizada a Análise de Redes Sociais onde indicadores como closeness (centralidade de proximidade) e betweenness (centralidade de intermediação) são calculados. O artigo esboça comparações entre as redes e respectivas métricas das duas maiores empresas aéreas do setor e a das 18 maiores aéreas seguintes, o que permite avaliar o impacto de retrações econômicas, como a ocorrida em 2008, nessas redes assim como revelar assimetrias entre empresas de diferentes portes. Pode-se notar que, dentre outros aspectos, o grafo do transporte aéreo de carga gerado apresenta grande influência das duas maiores empresas privadas do setor, a FedEx e a UPS o que pode ser evidenciado, por exemplo, pelo número de nós que, em 2014, apresentou os valores de 178 e 106 respectivamente em comparação com 81 das demais 18 maiores aéreas.
Influência das condições climáticas e de acidentes na caracterização do comportamento do tráfego em rodovias
Authors: Caleffi Felipe , Lucchesi Shanna Trichês , Anzanello Michel José , Cybis Helena Beatriz Bettella
Published: January 2017

Dados meteorológicos e relacionados a questões de segurança têm sido integrados a análises que buscam caracterizar as relações fundamentais do fluxo de tráfego em rodovias, com o objetivo de compreender melhor o comportamento do tráfego em condições adversas (como chuvas), e em períodos com ocorrências de incidentes. Neste contexto, este artigo propõe a aplicação de métodos de agrupamento de observações (clusterização) para caracterizar o comportamento do tráfego da rodovia BR-290/RS, na região metropolitana da cidade de Porto Alegre – RS. As técnicas de clusterização aplicadas na análise são K-means e fuzzy clustering (FCM). Através da clusterização, foi possível determinar padrões comportamentais influenciados pelas variáveis (fluxo, velocidade, acidentes e chuvas). Clusters relacionados a períodos com chuva indicam redução de velocidade em cerca de 10 km/h. Cluster de períodos relativos a condições de acidentes indicam que as velocida-des reduzem para intervalos entre 10 e 35 km /h, com volumes sempre inferiores a 1000 veic/h.
Avaliação da dependência espacial na modelagem do desempenho da segurança viária em zonas de tráfego
Authors: Gomes Marcos Jose Timbo Lima , Torres Caio Assunção , Cunto Flávio José Craveiro
Published: January 2017

Uma técnica comumente usada no processo de modelagem do Desempenho da Segurança Viária (DSV), no nível de planejamento, são os Modelos Lineares Generalizados (MLG) assumindo a distribuição binomial negativa para os erros. Limitações dessa técnica, por não considerar os efeitos espaciais, têm sido contornadas com a utilização de modelos espaciais locais a partir de técnicas de regressão espacial como a Regressão de Poisson Geograficamente Ponderada (RPGP). Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar uma análise comparativa entre modelos de previsão de acidentes globais não espaciais e locais espaciais para a estimação do DSV agregado ao nível de zonas de tráfego em Fortaleza/CE. Foram calibrados modelos para a variável dependente acidentes totais e acidentes com vítimas e os resultados mostraram que os modelos RPGP apre-sentaram melhor desempenho que os MLG nas medidas de ajustes e na redução da autocorrelação espacial dos resíduos, sendo capazes de captar a heterogeneidade espacial da frequência dos acidentes.
Dispositivo de medição de deslocamentos em via permanente para determinação do módulo de via
Authors: Costa Robson Correia , Moura Edson , Bernucci Liedi , Motta Rosângela , Teixeira Arthur , De Oliveira Luciano
Published: January 2017

Um parâmetro usado como indicador da resposta elástica e qualidade da via permanente em diversas ferrovias é o módulo de via (u), o qual requer a determinação de deslocamentos (deflexões) em campo. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar um dispositivo para medição de deslocamentos (DMD), desenvolvido para registrar deflexões durante a passa-gem dos trens sem interrupção da operação da ferrovia. Para demonstrar sua viabilidade, o DMD foi usado em medições de dois segmentos da Estrada de Ferro Carajás (EFC), com diferentes condições de lastro e dormente. Os resultados apontaram que o dispositivo se mostrou apropriado para realizar as medições de deslocamentos, que posteriormente são usadas no cál-culo do módulo de via. Adicionalmente, no estudo de caso foi possível observar que a forma de carregamento (função da velocidade) implica em respostas mecânicas diferentes, e que a medida de deslocamentos efetuada no patim do trilho é mais adequada. Ademais, observou-se que o dispositivo também pode eventualmente ser capaz de indicar um possível defeito na roda ou no trilho. De modo geral, concluiu-se que o DMD pode ser uma ferramenta útil para auxiliar a gerência de manuten-ção de uma ferrovia.
Misturas asfálticas recicladas a quente com incorporação de elevado percentual de fresado como alternativa para camada de módulo elevado
Authors: Rocha Segundo Iran Gomes da , Castelo Branco Verônica Teixeira Franco , Vasconcelos Kamilla L. , Holanda Áurea Silva de
Published: January 2017

As Misturas Asfálticas de Módulo Elevado, do francês Enrobé à Module Élevé (EME), são constituídas por um Cimento Asfáltico de Petróleo (CAP) de baixa penetração e por agregados que compõem uma curva granulométrica densa, proporcionando as mesmas elevada resistência à deformação permanente e ao cisalhamento. As Misturas Asfálticas Recicla-das a Quente (MARQ), com incorporação de elevado percentual de fresado, ou Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), apre-sentam grande potencial de uso como material alternativo para a técnica mencionada (EME). Sua viabilidade é dada pelo fato de que o CAP oxidado, presente nessas misturas asfálticas, apresenta maior rigidez, além da vantagem relativa ao uso de uma matéria-prima de custo inferior a partir da reciclagem considerando elevados percentuais de uso da mesma. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre o potencial de utilização de diferentes MARQ com incorporação de elevado percentual de fresado como camada de base e de ligação em pavimentos asfálticos, quais sejam: (i) Mistura I, composta exclusivamente por RAP como agregado; (ii) Mistura II, composta por 75% de RAP e 25% de agregados naturais; (iii) Mistura III, composta por 75% de RAP e 25% de agregados do tipo refugo de usina de asfalto. Desta maneira, além da caracterização destes materiais em laboratório, foram realizadas análises computacionais, baseadas no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). Os valores dos deslocamentos, das deformações e das tensões obtidos para diferentes estruturas de pavimentos asfálticos compostos por essas misturas foram avaliados a partir do dimensionamento de estruturas e, a partir disso, o tráfego que essas estruturas eram capazes de suportar foi calculado. Os resultados mostraram que as MARQ constituídas por elevado percentual de fresado podem compor estruturas utilizadas em rodovias de tráfego médio e alto.
Bifurcación de Soluciones desde Infinito en un Valor Propio de Multiplicidad Infinita a un Problema Hiperbólico Semilineal Doble-Periódico - Bifurcation of Solutions from Infinity to an Infinite Multiplicity Self-Value to a Double-Periodic Semilineal Hyperbolic Problem
Authors: Sanjuán-Cuellar Arturo
Published: January 2017

Estudiamos la existencia de soluciones débiles a la ecuación de onda sujeta a las condiciones doble-periódicas . Cuando las soluciones tienden a infinito. No estamos suponiendo monotonía sobre la nolinealidad . Empleamos métodos de Teoría de Grado de Leray-Schauder y Principio de Contracciones.
Journal of Marketing Research: Looking Forward
Authors: Grewal Rajdeep
Published: January 2017

Journal of Marketing Research ( JMR) has a storied history as one of the preeminent journals in the marketing discipline. This position has enabled JMR to leverage and attract the best manuscripts from authors who seek a broad audience. Suggestions for improvements in five specific areas are discussed: competitive landscape, evolution in the theory and practice of marketing, stakeholder management, managing manuscripts, and improving credibility. Such improvements can be achieved with sustained effort and input from authors, reviewers, associate editors, and coeditors.
The BLOC-1 Subunit Pallidin Facilitates Activity-Dependent Synaptic Vesicle Recycling
Authors: Chen Xun , Ma Wenpei , Zhang Shixing , Paluch Jeremy , Guo Wanlin , Dickman Dion K.
Published: January 2017

Membrane trafficking pathways must be exquisitely coordinated at synaptic terminals to maintain functionality, particularly during conditions of high activity. We have generated null mutations in theDrosophilahomolog of pallidin, a central subunit of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1), to determine its role in synaptic development and physiology. We find that Pallidin localizes to presynaptic microtubules and cytoskeletal structures, and that the stability of Pallidin protein is highly dependent on the BLOC-1 components Dysbindin and Blos1. We demonstrate that the rapidly recycling vesicle pool is not sustained during high synaptic activity in pallidin mutants, leading to accelerated rundown and slowed recovery. Following intense activity, we observe a loss of early endosomes and a concomitant increase in tubular endosomal structures in synapses without Pallidin. Together, our data reveal that Pallidin subserves a key role in promoting efficient synaptic vesicle recycling and re-formation through early endosomes during sustained activity.
A Critical Role for Astrocytes in Hypercapnic Vasodilation in Brain
Authors: Howarth Clare , Sutherland Brad A. , Choi Hyun B. , Martin Chris , Lind Barbara Lykke , Khennouf Lila , LeDue Jeffrey M. , Pakan Janelle M.P. , Ko Rebecca W.Y. , Ellis-Davies Graham , Lauritzen Martin , Sibson Nicola R. , Buchan Alastair M. , MacVicar Brian A.
Published: January 2017

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is controlled by arterial blood pressure, arterial CO2, arterial O2, and brain activity and is largely constant in the awake state. Although small changes in arterial CO2are particularly potent to change CBF (1 mmHg variation in arterial CO2changes CBF by 3%–4%), the coupling mechanism is incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that astrocytic prostaglandin E2(PgE2) plays a key role for cerebrovascular CO2reactivity, and that preserved synthesis of glutathione is essential for the full development of this response. We combined two-photon imaging microscopy in brain slices within vivowork in rats and C57BL/6J mice to examine the hemodynamic responses to CO2and somatosensory stimulation before and after inhibition of astrocytic glutathione and PgE2synthesis. We demonstrate that hypercapnia (increased CO2) evokes an increase in astrocyte [Ca2+]iand stimulates COX-1 activity. The enzyme downstream of COX-1 that synthesizes PgE2(microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1) depends critically for its vasodilator activity on the level of glutathione in the brain. We show that, when glutathione levels are reduced, astrocyte calcium-evoked release of PgE2is decreased and vasodilation triggered by increased astrocyte [Ca2+]iin vitroand by hypercapniain vivois inhibited. Astrocyte synthetic pathways, dependent on glutathione, are involved in cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2. Reductions in glutathione levels in aging, stroke, or schizophrenia could lead to dysfunctional regulation of CBF and subsequent neuronal damage.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeuronal activity leads to the generation of CO2, which has previously been shown to evoke cerebral blood flow (CBF) increases via the release of the vasodilator PgE2. We demonstrate that hypercapnia (increased CO2) evokes increases in astrocyte calcium signaling, which in turn stimulates COX-1 activity and generates downstream PgE2production. We demonstrate that astrocyte calcium-evoked production of the vasodilator PgE2is critically dependent on brain levels of the antioxidant glutathione. These data suggest a novel role for astrocytes in the regulation of CO2-evoked CBF responses. Furthermore, these results suggest that depleted glutathione levels, which occur in aging and stroke, will give rise to dysfunctional CBF regulation and may result in subsequent neuronal damage.
Loss of M1 Receptor Dependent Cholinergic Excitation Contributes to mPFC Deactivation in Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Radzicki Daniel , Pollema-Mays Sarah L. , Sanz-Clemente Antonio , Martina Marco
Published: January 2017

In chronic pain, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is deactivated and mPFC-dependent tasks such as attention and working memory are impaired. We investigated the mechanisms of mPFC deactivation in the rat spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain. Patch-clamp recordings in acute slices showed that, 1 week after the nerve injury, cholinergic modulation of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons was severely impaired. In cells from sham-operated animals, focal application of acetylcholine induced a left shift of the input/output curve and persistent firing. Both of these effects were almost completely abolished in cells from SNI-operated rats. The cause of this impairment was an ∼60% reduction of an M1-coupled, pirenzepine-sensitive depolarizing current, which appeared to be, at least in part, the consequence of M1 receptor internalization. Although no changes were detected in total M1 protein or transcript, both the fraction of the M1 receptor in the synaptic plasma membrane and the biotinylated M1 protein associated with the total plasma membrane were decreased in L5 mPFC of SNI rats. The loss of excitatory cholinergic modulation may play a critical role in mPFC deactivation in neuropathic pain and underlie the mPFC-specific cognitive deficits that are comorbid with neuropathic pain.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) undergoes major reorganization in chronic pain. Deactivation of mPFC output is causally correlated with both the cognitive and the sensory component of neuropathic pain. Here, we show that cholinergic excitation of commissural layer 5 mPFC pyramidal neurons is abolished in neuropathic pain rats due to a severe reduction of a muscarinic depolarizing current and M1 receptor internalization. Therefore, in neuropathic pain rats, the acetylcholine (ACh)-dependent increase in neuronal excitability is reduced dramatically and the ACh-induced persisting firing, which is critical for working memory, is abolished. We propose that the blunted cholinergic excitability contributes to the functional mPFC deactivation that is causal for the pain phenotype and represents a cellular mechanism for the attention and memory impairments comorbid with chronic pain.
Evidence for the founder effect of RET533 as the common Greek and Brazilian ancestor spreading multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A
Authors: Cunha Lucas L , Lindsey Susan C , França Maria Inez C , Sarika Leda , Papathoma Alexandra , Kunii Ilda S , Cerutti Janete M , Dias-da-Silva Magnus R , Alevizaki Maria , Maciel Rui M B
Published: January 2017

Objectives

About one-quarter of patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) have inherited disease due to mutations in theRETgene. A rare mutation in exon 8 (G533C) ofRET, previously described in a large Brazilian family with MEN2A, also appeared to be clustering in Greece, whereas it was rarely reported in other ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to identify a possible common ancestry between these carriers.

Patients and methods

TwelveRETG533C mutation carriers, four randomly selected from the Brazilian cohort and eight from apparently unrelated Greek families, were studied for a possible common ancestral origin.RETflanking microsatellite markers at chromosome 10q (D10S197, D10S196, D10S1652 and D10S537) were used.

Results

Genomic DNA analysis using these markers showed that many of these apparently unrelated individuals shared a common haplotype indicating a common ancestral origin.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that Brazilian and Greek patients with MTC carrying the G533C mutation in exon 8 ofRETgene originate from a common ancestor. Due to historical reasons, we speculate that the more plausible explanation for the origin of this mutation is in Greece.
Language Learning Shifts and Attitudes Towards Language Learning in an Online Tandem Program for Beginner Writers
Authors: Tolosa Constanza , Ordóñez Claudia Lucía , Guevara Diana Carolina
Published: January 2017

We present findings of a project that investigated the potential of an online tandem program to enhance the foreign language learning of two groups of school-aged beginner learners, one learning English in Colombia and the other learning Spanish in New Zealand. We assessed the impact of the project on students’ learning with a free writing activity done as pretest and posttest and used a semi-structured interview to explore their attitudes towards language learning and their perceived development of their native language. Data analysis indicated statistically significant gains in foreign language writing and positive attitudinal changes toward foreign and native language learning.
Inclusive Education and ELT Policies in Colombia: Views From Some PROFILE Journal Authors
Authors: Robayo Acuña Lina María , Cárdenas Melba Libia
Published: January 2017

This article reports on a study aimed at exploring inclusive policies in the teaching of English as a foreign language in Colombia, as evidenced in the articles published in the PROFILE Journal by Colombian authors. The use of the documentary research method and critical discourse analysis showed that some policies—mainly The National Program of Bilingualism and the Basic Standards for Competences in English as a Foreign Language—contain issues closely related to the logic of discriminatory and segregation attitudes in English language teaching. We hope that the results of our analysis will generate more interest in scholars to examine language policies and work further to eradicate inequalities in education.
Política criminal e governos de esquerda na América Latina: entre semelhanças e ambiguidades
Authors: Cifali Ana Cláudia
Published: January 2017

Resenha de: Postneoliberalismo y penalidad en América del Sur. Máximo Sozzo (Org.). Buenos Aires: CLACSO, 2016.
Afinal, para que servem a história e a filosofia da biologia?
Authors: Flach Pâmela Ziliotto Sant'Anna , Del Pino José Claudio
Published: January 2017

O presente trabalho pretende discutir a seguinte questão: afinal, para que serve a história e a filosofia da biologia, levando em conta a aprendizagem e o ensino da ciência biológica na escola básica. Para isso, apresentamos uma revisão teórica acerca dos elementos da história da ciência, como o reducionismo, que influenciaram a constituição da biologia enquanto ciência e também elementos históricos da construção da teoria da evolução biológica. Tal discussão justifica-se tendo em vista que a biologia, campo florescente de investigação, de pesquisas e descobertas, não raro, é ensinada e aprendida na escola como uma ciência a-histórica, estática e descontextualizada. Argumentamos que a teoria da evolução, ao estabelecer uma relação entre os diversos campos da biologia, representa a possibilidade de promover o ensino menos fragmentado dessa ciência juntamente com uma visão integrada dos processos que constituem a vida. A história e a filosofia contribuem para que se reconheça a biologia como uma ciência autônoma, com métodos e princípios diferentes das outras ciências naturais e para que os alunos consolidem uma compreensão sistêmica dos fenômenos biológicos, possibilitando que o conhecimento construído seja mobilizado de maneira significativa na proposição de soluções, ideias, explicações para os fenômenos do cotidiano.
O ENEM: breves considerações sobre importância avaliativa e reforma educacional
Authors: De Oliveira Thiago Soares
Published: January 2017

Este trabalho objetiva a reflexão crítica acerca da importância do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM) tanto para a avaliação da qualidade geral do ensino médio quanto para o ingresso nas instituições de ensino superior. Para isso, parte-se do pressuposto de que o ENEM é capaz de agir de formas diversas: ajustando o currículo, o que, por sua vez, resultaria na modificação da estruturação do próprio exame, e construindo uma prática educativa coerente por meio dos subsídios que pode oferecer às possibilidades de reforma educacional. Dessa forma, em razão da fonte de dados a que se recorre, adota-se a pesquisa bibliográfica como metodologia capaz de dar conta do objetivo proposto. Ao fim, conclui-se que o ENEM apresenta-se como instrumento hábil a fornecer subsídios para uma possível reforma educacional, devido às características próprias que inclusive o distinguem do vestibular tradicional.
Non-epitaxial, Highly Textured (001) CoPt:B2O3 Composite Films for Perpendicular Recording
Authors: Yan M. L. , Powers N. , Sellmyer D. J.
Published: January 2017

We report the non-epitaxial growth of highly textured (001) CoPt:B2O3 nanocomposite thin films that are deposited directly on thermally-oxidized Si wafers. Multilayers of Co/Pt/Co/B2O3 are deposited followed by appropriate thermal processing. The as-deposited films are disordered fcc CoPt phase, and magnetically soft. After annealing, an (001) orientation of CoPt-ordered grains is developed. The texture development is dependent both on the total film thickness and the annealing process. Nearly perfect (001) texture can be obtained in films with thinner initial layer thicknesses. Strong perpendicular anisotropy is shown to be related to this (001) texture.
An In-Situ Oblique-Incidence Optical Reflectance Difference Study of Co Electrodeposition on a Polycrystalline Au(111) Surface
Authors: Gray J. , Schwarzacher W. , Zhu X.D.
Published: January 2017

We studied submonolayer and multilayer deposition of Co on Au(111) using in-situ oblique-incidence optical reflectance difference (OI-RD). We show that the optical technique is highly sensitive and accurate in determining the electrodeposited film thickness and growth mode. We found that the optically determined thickness of the ultrathin Co film is in very good agreement with that deduced from the integration of the anodic current during cyclic voltammetry (CV). From a weak oscillatory behavior of the optical reflectance difference signal, it seems that the growth of electrodeposited Co on Au(111) under pulsed deposition condition proceeds by a combination of three dimensional island and quasi layer-by-layer growth modes.
Cu and Dilute Binary Cu(Ti), Cu(Sn) and Cu(Al) Thin Films: Texture, Grain Growth and Resistivity
Authors: Gungor A. , Barmak K. , Rollett A. D. , Cabral C. , Harper J. M. E.
Published: January 2017

Annealing Cu and dilute Cu(Ti), Cu(Sn) and Cu(Al) alloy films resulted in the strengthening of film texture, with the strongest <111> fiber texture being found for Cu(Ti). Annealing also resulted in a decrease of electrical resistivity and the growth of grains, with the largest grain size and lowest resistivity being seen for pure Cu itself. Among the alloy films, the lowest resistivity was found for Cu(Ti) and the largest grain size for Cu(Al). Electron beam evaporated films with compositions in the range of 2.0-3.0 at% and thicknesses in the range of 420-540 nm were annealed at 400°C for 5 hours. Four point probe resistance measurement, xray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to follow the changes in film resistivity, texture and grain size.
Influences of Hydrogen on the Evolution of the Electrical Resistivity Of Ultra-Thin Sputtered Copper Films Measured in Real-Time
Authors: Barnat E. V. , Wang P. -I. , Nagakura D. , Lu T. -M.
Published: January 2017

The electrical resistivities of copper films sputtered in either argon or an argon-hydrogen atmosphere are measured in real time, during growth. The electrical resistivities for both cases are observed to be functions of the film's thickness, with the films grown in the hydrogen containing atmosphere possessing a resistivity of 4.5 +/- 0.2 μΩ-cm at 40 nm, lower than the resistivity of 5.0 +/-0.3 μΩ-cm for 40 nm thick films grown in the argon atmosphere. Furthermore, the electrical resistivities for both sets of films were observed to continue to evolve after the termination of deposition. The amount of change and the rate of change were observed to depend on the film's thickness as well as atmosphere the films were grown in. Measurements made by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate that the presence of hydrogen also influences the preferential crystallographic orientation as well as grain size distribution. These measurements indicate that the differences in the microstructure are correlated to the observed differences in the behavior of the electrical resistivities.
Incidence of Palatal Fistula at Time of Secondary Alveolar Cleft Reconstruction
Authors: Shankar Vikram A. , Snyder-Warwick Alison , Skolnick Gary B. , Woo Albert S. , Patel Kamlesh B.
Published: January 2017

Objective:

We aim to establish consistent time points for evaluating palatal fistula incidence to standardize reporting practices and clarify prospective literature.

Design:

An institutional retrospective chart review was conducted on 76 patients with unilateral or bilateral complete cleft lip and palate who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting between 2006 and 2015.

Main Outcome Measures:

Early fistula incidence rates were reported prior to maxillary expansion, and late fistula rates were reported at the time of alveolar bone grafting. Fistula recurrence rates after primary repair were also measured.

Results:

We found an early fistula incidence rate of 20% (n = 15) and a late fistula rate of 55% (n = 42) at the time of secondary ABG. Fistulae recurred after initial repair in 43% of cases. Fistulae were classified using the Pittsburgh Classification System as type III (33%), type IV (60%), or type V (7%). The presence of a bilateral cleft ( P = 0.01) and history of early fistula repair ( P < 0.01) were associated with late fistula incidence in a univariate analysis. In a logistic regression model, only early fistula repair was associated with late fistula incidence (OR = 17.17) and overall likelihood of recurrence (OR = 70.89).

Conclusions:

Early fistulae should be reported prior to orthodontic expansion of the maxillary arch. Late fistulae should be reported at the time of ABG, following palatal expansion. Patients who develop an early fistula after palatoplasty are likely to experience recurrent fistula formation.
Yeast Colony PCR: It doesn't get any easier than this! v1
Authors: Horecka and Angela M. Chu Joe
Published: January 2017

A protocol for yeast colony PCR, startingwith intact cells. Can be used to analyze genomic and plasmid DNA, with PCR products up to 2 kb being no problem. It doesn't get easier than this: pick a small amount of cells from a plate into water, lyse cells at 99C for 5 min. Use the lysed cells as template by adding to 1/10thfinal volume in a PCR. We use this protocol for diagnostics (Phire HS II enzyme) andfor Sanger sequencing (Phusion HS II or NEB Q5 enzyme). The main reasons why others might notget this protocol to work could be due to using too many cells and/or not using pure water for the cell lysis. Good luck, and have fun! See the 'BEFORE START' section of this protocol for photographs that show how to pick cells from a colony and make a suspension. See the 'WARNINGS' section forimportant points and trouble shooting.