bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Material Flow Analysis in Indentation by Two-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation and Finite Elements Method
Authors: Bermudo Carolina , Sevilla Lorenzo , Castillo López Germán
Published: June 2017

The present work shows the material flow analysis in indentation by the numerical two dimensional Finite Elements (FEM) method and the experimental two-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method. To achieve deep indentation without cracking, a ductile material, 99% tin, is used. The results obtained from the DIC technique depend predominantly on the pattern conferred to the samples. Due to the absence of a natural pattern, black and white spray painting is used for greater contrast. The stress-strain curve of the material has been obtained and introduced in the Finite Element simulation code used, DEFORM™, allowing for accurate simulations. Two different 2D models have been used: a plain strain model to obtain the load curve and a plain stress model to evaluate the strain maps on the workpiece surface. The indentation displacement load curve has been compared between the FEM and the experimental results, showing a good correlation. Additionally, the strain maps obtained from the material surface with FEM and DIC are compared in order to validate the numerical model. The Von Mises strain results between both of them present a 10–20% difference. The results show that FEM is a good tool for simulating indentation processes, allowing for the evaluation of the maximum forces and deformations involved in the forming process. Additionally, the non-contact DIC technique shows its potential by measuring the superficial strain maps, validating the FEM results.
The Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula: A Novel Natural Source of Astaxanthin
Authors: Cirino Paola , Brunet Christophe , Ciaravolo Martina , Galasso Christian , Musco Luigi , Vega Fernández Tomás , Sansone Clementina , Toscano Alfonso
Published: June 2017

Several echinoderms, including sea urchins, are valuable sources of bioactive compounds but their nutraceutical potential is largely unexplored. In fact, the gonads of some sea urchin species contain antioxidants including carotenoids and polyhydroxylated naphthoquinones (PHNQ’s), such as echinochrome A. Astaxanthin is known to have particular bioactivity for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. This carotenoid is produced by microalgae, while several marine invertebrates can bioaccumulate or synthetize it from metabolic precursors. We determined the carotenoid content and analyzed the bioactivity potential of non-harvested Atlantic-Mediterranean sea urchin Arbacia lixula. The comparison of methanol crude extracts obtained from eggs of farmed and wild specimens revealed a higher bioactivity in farmed individuals fed with a customized fodder. HPLC-analysis revealed a high concentration of astaxanthin (27.0 μg/mg), which was the only pigment observed. This study highlights the potential of farmed A. lixula as a new source of the active stereoisomer of astaxanthin.
Asperentin B, a New Inhibitor of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B
Authors: Wiese Jutta , Aldemir Hülya , Schmaljohann Rolf , Gulder Tobias , Imhoff Johannes
Published: June 2017

In the frame of studies on secondary metabolites produced by fungi from deep-sea environments we have investigated inhibitors of enzymes playing key roles in signaling cascades of biochemical pathways relevant for the treatment of diseases. Here we report on a new inhibitor of the human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a target in the signaling pathway of insulin. A new asperentin analog is produced by an Aspergillus sydowii strain isolated from the sediment of the deep Mediterranean Sea. Asperentin B (1) contains an additional phenolic hydroxy function at C-6 and exhibits an IC50 value against PTP1B of 2 μM in vitro, which is six times stronger than the positive control, suramin. Interestingly, asperentin (2) did not show any inhibition of this enzymatic activity. Asperentin B (1) is discussed as possible therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes and sleeping sickness.
Despite Inflammation, Supplemented Essential Amino Acids May Improve Circulating Levels of Albumin and Haemoglobin in Patients after Hip Fractures
Authors: Aquilani Roberto , Zuccarelli Ginetto , Condino Anna , Catani Michele , Rutili Carla , Del Vecchio Consiglia , Pisano Pietro , Verri Manuela , Iadarola Paolo , Viglio Simona , Boschi Federica
Published: June 2017

Essential amino acids (EAAs) are nutritional substrates that promote body protein synthesis; thus we hypothesised that their supplementation may improve circulating albumin (Alb) and haemoglobin (Hb) in rehabilitative elderly patients following hip fractures (HF). Out of the 145 HF patients originally enrolled in our study, 112 completed the protocol. These subjects were divided into two randomised groups, each containing 56 patients. For a period of two months, one group (age 81.4 ± 8.1 years; male/female 27/29) received a placebo, and the other (age 83.1 ± 7.5 years; male/female 25/31) received 4 + 4 g/day oral EAAs. At admission, the prevalence of both hypoAlb (<3.5 g/dL) and hypoHb (<13 g/dL male, <12 g/dL female) was similar in the placebo group (64.3% hypoAlb, 66% hypoHb) and the treated group of patients (73.2% hypoAlb, 67.8% hypoHb). At discharge, however, the prevalence of hypoAlb had reduced more in EAAs than in placebo subjects (31.7% in EAAs vs. 77.8% in placebo; p < 0.001). There was a 34.2% reduction of anaemia in hypoHb in EAA subjects and 18.9% in placebo subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. Oral supplementation of EAAs improves hypoAlb and, to a lesser extent, Hb in elderly rehabilitative subjects with hip fractures. Anaemia was reduced in more than one third of patients, which, despite not being statistically significant, may be clinically relevant.
Topical Application of Trisodium Ascorbyl 6-Palmitate 2-Phosphate Actively Supplies Ascorbate to Skin Cells in an Ascorbate Transporter-Independent Manner
Authors: Shibuya Shuichi , Sakaguchi Ikuyo , Ito Shintaro , Kato Eiko , Watanabe Kenji , Izuo Naotaka , Shimizu Takahiko
Published: June 2017

Ascorbic acid (AA) possesses multiple beneficial functions, such as regulating collagen biosynthesis and redox balance in the skin. AA derivatives have been developed to overcome this compound’s high fragility and to assist with AA supplementation to the skin. However, how AA derivatives are transferred into cells and converted to AA in the skin remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that AA treatment failed to increase the cellular AA level in the presence of AA transporter inhibitors, indicating an AA transporter-dependent action. In contrast, torisodium ascorbyl 6-palmitate 2-phosphate (APPS) treatment significantly enhanced the cellular AA level in skin cells despite the presence of inhibitors. In ex vivo experiments, APPS treatment also increased the AA content in a human epidermis model. Interestingly, APPS was readily metabolized and converted to AA in keratinocyte lysates via an intrinsic mechanism. Furthermore, APPS markedly repressed the intracellular superoxide generation and promoted viability associated with an enhanced AA level in Sod1-deficient skin cells. These findings indicate that APPS effectively restores the AA level and normalizes the redox balance in skin cells in an AA transporter-independent manner. Topical treatment of APPS is a beneficial strategy for supplying AA and improving the physiology of damaged skin.
Light Emitting Marker for Robust Vision-Based On-The-Spot Bacterial Growth Detection
Authors: Kim Kyukwang , Hyun Jieum , Jeon Jessie
Published: June 2017

Simple methods using the striped pattern paper marker and FFT (fast Fourier transformation) have been proposed as alternatives to measuring the optical density for determining the level of bacterial growth. The marker-based method can be easily automated, but due to image-processing-base of the method, the presence of light or the color of the culture broth can disturb the detection process. This paper proposes a modified version of marker-FFT-based growth detection that uses a light emitting diode (LED) array as a marker. Since the marker itself can emit the light, the measurements can be performed even when there is no light source or the bacteria are cultured in a large volume of darkly colored broth. In addition, an LED marker can function as a region of interest (ROI) indicator in the image. We expect that the proposed LED-based marker system will allow more robust growth detection compared to conventional methods.
Analysis of Serotonin Molecules on Silver Nanocolloids—A Raman Computational and Experimental Study
Authors: Manciu Felicia , Ciubuc John , Sundin Emma , Qiu Chao , Bennet Kevin
Published: June 2017

Combined theoretical and experimental analysis of serotonin by quantum chemical density functional calculations and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, respectively, is presented in this work to better understand phenomena related to this neurotransmitter’s detection and monitoring at very low concentrations specific to physiological levels. In addition to the successful ultrasensitive analyte detection on silver nanoparticles for concentrations as low as 10−11 molar, the relatively good agreement between the simulated and experimentally determined results indicates the presence of all serotonin molecular forms, such as neutral, ionic, and those oxidized through redox reactions. Obvious structural molecular deformations such as bending of lateral amino chains are observed for both ionic and oxidized forms. Not only does this combined approach reveal more probable adsorption of serotonin into the silver surface through hydroxyl/oxygen sites than through NH/nitrogen sites, but also that it does so predominantly in its neutral (reduced) form, somewhat less so in its ionic forms, and much less in its oxidized forms. If the development of opto-voltammetric biosensors and their effective implementation is envisioned for the future, this study provides some needed scientific background for comprehending changes in the vibrational signatures of this important neurotransmitter.
Beyond AI: Multi-Intelligence (MI) Combining Natural and Artificial Intelligences in Hybrid Beings and Systems
Authors: Fox Stephen
Published: June 2017

Framing strongly influences actions among technology proponents and end-users. Underlying much debate about artificial intelligence (AI) are several fundamental shortcomings in its framing. First, discussion of AI is atheoretical, and therefore has limited potential for addressing the complexity of causation. Second, intelligence is considered from an anthropocentric perspective that sees human intelligence, and intelligence developed by humans, as superior to all other intelligences. Thus, the extensive post-anthropocentric research into intelligence is not given sufficient consideration. Third, AI is discussed often in reductionist mechanistic terms. Rather than in organicist emergentist terms as a contributor to multi-intelligence (MI) hybrid beings and/or systems. Thus, current framing of AI can be a self-validating reduction within which AI development is focused upon AI becoming the single-variable mechanism causing future effects. In this paper, AI is reframed as a contributor to MI.
Host Adaptation of Soybean Dwarf Virus Following Serial Passages on Pea (Pisum sativum) and Soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Tian Bin , Gildow Frederick , Stone Andrew , Sherman Diana , Damsteegt Vernon , Schneider William
Published: June 2017

Soybean Dwarf Virus (SbDV) is an important plant pathogen, causing economic losses in soybean. In North America, indigenous strains of SbDV mainly infect clover, with occasional outbreaks in soybean. To evaluate the risk of a US clover strain of SbDV adapting to other plant hosts, the clover isolate SbDV-MD6 was serially transmitted to pea and soybean by aphid vectors. Sequence analysis of SbDV-MD6 from pea and soybean passages identified 11 non-synonymous mutations in soybean, and six mutations in pea. Increasing virus titers with each sequential transmission indicated that SbDV-MD6 was able to adapt to the plant host. However, aphid transmission efficiency on soybean decreased until the virus was no longer transmissible. Our results clearly demonstrated that the clover strain of SbDV-MD6 is able to adapt to soybean crops. However, mutations that improve replication and/or movement may have trade-off effects resulting in decreased vector transmission.
Labour efficiency in construction industry in Europe based on frontier methods: data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis
Authors: NAZARKO Joanicjusz , CHODAKOWSKA Ewa
Published: June 2017

The primary problems pertaining to productivity or – more precisely – efficiency are: how to define it and how to measure it. This article studies technical efficiency in Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) – the input-oriented frontier model – in the construction industry and compares it with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) results. The models ex­plored in this paper were constructed on the basis of two outputs and personnel cost as an input. The research sample consisted of European countries. The aim was to determine whether there are substantial differences in estimation of ef­ficiency derived from those two alternative frontier approaches. The comparison of results according to the models may translate into higher reliability of the undertaken labour efficiency analysis in construction and its conclusions. Although the results are not characterized by high compatibility, the conducted analysis indicated the most attractive countries taking into account labour cost to profit and turnover ratios of enterprises. One of the determinants which should not be ignored when analysing the labour efficiency is the level of development of a country; however, it is not the sole factor affecting the efficiency of the sector.
Gamma prediction models for long-term creep deformations of prestressed concrete bridges
Authors: STRAUSS Alfred , WAN-WENDNER Roman , VIDOVIC Anja , ZAMBON Ivan , YU Qiang , FRANGOPOL Dan M. , BERGMEISTER Konrad
Published: June 2017

For long-span bridges as well as statically indeterminate frame structures it is essential to implement efficient and realistic prediction models for the long-term processes of concrete creep, shrinkage, and steel relaxation. In order to systematically study the main influential factors in bridge deflection measurements a probabilistic analysis can be per­formed. Due to the associated computational costs such investigations are limited. The predictions based on the highly scattered input parameters are associated with uncertainties. There is interest in alternative prediction models decou­pled from complex analytical and computationally expensive numerical models, using measured structural responses. A gamma process is an example of such an alternative method. This process is suitable for capturing evolving structural response quantities and deterioration mechanisms like crack propagation, corrosion, creep, and shrinkage, as reported in Ohadi and Micic (2011). The objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of gamma process approaches for the pre­diction of the creep and shrinkage performance of prestressed concrete bridges. The presented approaches incorporate uncertainties and make predictions more reliable with the help of structural health monitoring (SHM) data. The creep-shrinkage response of a prestressed box girder bridge serves for the calibration and evaluation of the considered gamma process approaches.
Feeling the Pull: A Study of Natural Galactic Accelerometers. II. Kinematics and Mass of the Delicate Stellar Stream of the Palomar 5 Globular Cluster*
Authors: Ibata Rodrigo A. , Lewis Geraint F. , Thomas Guillaume , Martin Nicolas F. , Chapman Scott
Published: June 2017

We present two spectroscopic surveys of the tidal stellar stream of the Palomar 5 globular cluster undertaken with the VLT/FLAMES and AAT/AAOmega instruments. We use these data in conjunction with photometric data presented in the previous contribution in this series to classify the survey stars in terms of their probability of belonging to the Palomar 5 stellar stream. We find that high-probability candidates are only found in a very narrow spatial interval surrounding the locus of the stream on the sky. PanSTARRS RR Lyrae stars in this region of the sky are also distributed in a similar manner. The absence of significant “fanning” of this stellar stream confirms that Palomar 5 does not follow a chaotic orbit. Previous studies have found that Palomar 5 is largely devoid of low-mass stars, and we show that this is true also of the stellar populations along the trailing arm out to

6
°

. Within this region, which contains 73% of the detected stars, the population is statistically identical to the core, implying that the ejection of the low-mass stars occurred before the formation of the stream. We also present an updated structural model fit to the bound remnant, which yields a total mass of

4297
±
98

M

⊙

and a tidal radius

0.145
±
0.009

kpc

. We estimate the mass of the observed system including the stream to be 12,200 ± 400 M
⊙, and the initial mass to have been ~47,000 ± 1500 M
⊙. These observational constraints will be employed in our next study to model the dynamics of the system in detail.
New Observational Evidence of Active Asteroid P/2010 A2: Slow Rotation of the Largest Fragment
Authors: Kim Yoonyoung , Ishiguro Masateru , Lee Myung Gyoon
Published: June 2017

We report new observations of the active asteroid P/2010 A2 taken when it made its closest approach to Earth (1.06 au in 2017 January) after its first discovery in 2010. Despite a crucial role of the rotational period in clarifying its ejection mechanism, the rotational property of P/2010 A2 has not yet been studied due to the extreme faintness of this tiny object (∼120 m in diameter). Taking advantage of the best observing geometry since the discovery, we succeed in obtaining the rotational light curve of the largest fragment with Gemini/GMOS-N. We find that (1) the largest fragment has a double-peaked period of 11.36 ± 0.02 hr spinning much slower than its critical spin period; (2) the largest fragment is a highly elongated object (a/b ≥ 1.94) with an effective radius of

m; (3) the size distribution of the ejecta follows a broken power law (the power indices of the cumulative size distributions of the dust and fragments are 2.5 ± 0.1 and 5.2 ± 0.1, respectively); (4) the mass ratio of the largest fragment to the total ejecta is around 0.8; and (5) the dust cloud morphology is in agreement with the anisotropic ejection model in Kim et al. These new characteristics of the ejecta obtained in this work are favorable to the impact shattering hypothesis.
Impresión 3D para la construcción: un enfoque basado en el procedimiento y los materiales
Authors: Nadal A. , Pavón J. , Liébana O.
Published: June 2017

Las aplicaciones de impresión 3D para construcción se encuentran en una fase inicial de desarrollo, tanto en lo referente a materiales y piezas como a procedimientos. Dichas limitaciones se deben a la especificidad del sector, el coste de la maquinaria necesaria y una ausencia de un patrón procedimental característico. El artículo presenta una metodología innovadora para superar estas limitaciones mediante un flujo de trabajo sencillo que permita el uso generalista de brazos robóticos mediante software integrativo y un uso de materiales optimizado. Asimismo se expone la integración de diseño y fabricación combinando Sistemas de Integración Robótica y técnicas de Fabricación por Deposición. Finalmente se muestra un modelo de optimización de material y patrones de relleno inteligentes. Se expone una pieza real de 0,4 x 0,4 x 1,5 metros como demostrador tecnológico de gran escala.
Activation of MouseTcrb: Uncoupling RUNX1 Function from Its Cooperative Binding with ETS1
Authors: Zhao Jiang-yang , Osipovich Oleg , Koues Olivia I. , Majumder Kinjal , Oltz Eugene M.
Published: June 2017

T lineage commitment requires the coordination of key transcription factors (TFs) in multipotent progenitors that transition them away from other lineages and cement T cell identity. Two important TFs for the multipotent progenitors to T lineage transition are RUNX1 and ETS1, which bind cooperatively to composite sites throughout the genome, especially in regulatory elements for genes involved in T lymphopoiesis. Activation of the TCR β (Tcrb) locus in committed thymocytes is a critical process for continued development of these cells, and is mediated by an enhancer, Eβ, which harbors two RUNX-ETS composite sites. An outstanding issue in understanding T cell gene expression programs is whether RUNX1 and ETS1 have independent functions in enhancer activation that can be dissected from cooperative binding. We now show that RUNX1 is sufficient to activate the endogenous mouse Eβ element and its neighboring 25 kb region by independently tethering this TF without coincidental ETS1 binding. Moreover, RUNX1 is sufficient for long-range promoter-Eβ looping, nucleosome clearance, and robust transcription throughout the Tcrb recombination center, spanning both DβJβ clusters. We also find that a RUNX1 domain, termed the negative regulatory domain for DNA binding, can compensate for the loss of ETS1 binding at adjacent sites. Thus, we have defined independent roles for RUNX1 in the activation of a T cell developmental enhancer, as well as its ability to mediate specific changes in chromatin landscapes that accompany long-range induction of recombination center promoters.
Dietary Salt Exacerbates Experimental Colitis
Authors: Tubbs Alan L. , Liu Bo , Rogers Troy D. , Sartor R. Balfour , Miao Edward A.
Published: June 2017

The Western diet is characterized by high protein, sugar, fat, and low fiber intake, and is widely believed to contribute to the incidence and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, high sodium chloride salt content, a defining feature of processed foods, has not been considered as a possible environmental factor that might drive IBD. We set out to bridge this gap. We examined murine models of colitis on either a high salt diet (HSD) or a low salt diet. We demonstrate that an HSD exacerbates inflammatory pathology in the IL-10–deficient murine model of colitis relative to mice fed a low salt diet. This was correlated with enhanced expression of numerous proinflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, sodium accumulated in the colons of mice on an HSD, suggesting a direct effect of salt within the colon. Similar to the IL-10–deficient model, an HSD also enhanced cytokine expression during infection by Salmonella typhimurium. This occurred in the first 3 d of infection, suggesting that an HSD potentiates an innate immune response. Indeed, in cultured dendritic cells we found that high salt media potentiates cytokine expression downstream of TLR4 activation via p38 MAPK and SGK1. A third common colitis model, administration of dextran sodium sulfate, was hopelessly confounded by the high sodium content of the dextran sodium sulfate. Our results raise the possibility that high dietary salt is an environmental factor that drives increased inflammation in IBD.
To blend or not to blend? Consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanol-blended fuel in Zimbabwe
Authors: Muposhi Asphat , Dhurup Manilall
Published: June 2017

Worldwide, the use of bioethanol is proliferating as an alternative to fossil fuels. Consistent with this trend, the Zimbabwean government mandated the blending of unleaded petrol with 10% ethanol. As the use of ethanol-blended fuel is still at the infancy stage in Zimbabwe, the objective of this study was to explore consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanolblended petrol. The study employed a qualitative research design, and data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews from motorists who regularly use blended fuel. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. The study showed that the market acceptance of blended fuel remains low in Zimbabwe. The main themes that characterised consumer attitudes towards blended fuel were cynicism, misinformation, unavailability and risk perception. Overall, the study found that the use of ethanol-blended fuel remains a contested terrain in Zimbabwe and there is a need for consumer education to correct misconceptions prevailing in the marketplace.
Character Amenability of the Intersection of Lipschitz Algebras
Authors: Abtahi Fatemeh , Azizi, Mohsen , Rejali Ali
Published: June 2017

Let (X, d) be ametric space and letJ⊆ [0,∞) be nonempty. We study the structure of the arbitrary intersections of Lipschitz algebras and define a special Banach subalgebra of ∩y∊JLipyX, denoted by ILipJX. Mainly, we investigate theC-character amenability of ILipJX, in particular Lipschitz algebras. We address a gap in the proof of a recent result in this field. Then we remove this gap and obtain a necessary and suõcient condition forC-character amenability of ILipJX, specially Lipschitz algebras, under an additional assumption.
DLL en el contexto educativo italiano: evolución histórico-metodológica, nuevas tecnologías y atención a la diversidad
Authors: Trovato Giuseppe
Published: June 2017

En el campo de la didáctica de la lengua y la literatura, los objetivos del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la lengua y la literatura han experimentado numerosas transformaciones en cuanto a metodologías. El presente artículo pretende ofrecer una panorámica sobre la didáctica de la lengua y la literatura en el contexto educativo italiano atendiendo al papel que puede desempeñar el texto literario dentro de un enfoque comunicativo y orientado a la acción. Para alcanzar este fin, emprenderemos un breve recorrido sobre el papel que ha tenido la literatura a lo largo de la evolución de la enseñanza de las lenguas extranjeras. A continuación, abordaremos algunas estrategias de acercamiento al texto literario para llegar a poner de manifiesto su rentabilidad a efectos didácticos. Finalizaremos nuestro artículo haciendo mención a la contribución que pueden aportar las tecnologías glotodidácticas y brindando algunas pautas encaminadas a la atención a la diversidad.
From community data to research archive: Partnering to increase and sustain capacity within a native organization
Authors: Page-Reeves Janet , Marin Ananda , Bleecker Molly , Moffett Maurice Leon , DeerInWater Kathy , EchoHawk Sarah , Medin Douglas
Published: June 2017

Community engagement and participation in academic research is growing in popularity and acceptance. Communities are now routinely engaged and participate in academic research design, implementation and interpretation, but the capacity of communities to conduct their own research is not always a product of these engagement initiatives. This article describes a collaboration between an organisation that supports Native American participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and university researchers to expand the organisation’s capacity to conduct research by creating a searchable database from their organisational records. We discuss how strategic design of a research collaboration can result in infrastructure development that contributes to community capacity.
Leveraging 3D Technology for Students with Autism: An innovative university-community collaboration for skill development and vocational exploration
Authors: Wright Cheryl A , Wright Scott D , Diener Marissa L , Rafferty Deborah , Sampson Allison
Published: June 2017

This article describes a university-community collaboration in which an inter-professional team partnered to provide students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) a paid job opportunity to apply 3D modelling skills for a local construction company. Providing meaningful vocational opportunities to improve the transition to adulthood for individuals with ASD is imperative, as individuals with ASD have unemployment rates that are some of the highest of all disabilities. This novel evidence-supported educational program was designed to develop 3D technology skills, explore vocational careers and promote social engagement through shared interests for transition-age youth with ASD. Both parents and students reported many successful outcomes, including increase in student self-confidence, social and technology skill development and the opportunity for vocational exploration by these young people. Implications of the case study are reported in relation to university-community partnerships and the critical role of community collaboration in addressing the high rates of unemployment in individuals with autism.
Challenging the empowerment expectation: Learning, alienation and design possibilities in community-university research
Authors: Curnow Joe
Published: June 2017

As community-university partnerships have become mainstream, researchers have argued that these approaches have the potential to be transformative, supporting community learning and creating capacity for community development. While this remains the dominant narrative of community research, some researchers have questioned the impacts of community research on frontline community, or peer, researchers who represent partnerships in their communities. These studies complicate the narrative, suggesting that learning and capacity building are not straightforward processes. While on the whole community-university partnerships tend to be empowering for community researchers, research is needed to understand the experiences of community researchers for whom this is not the case. My research examines a Toronto-based community-university participatory action research partnership, asking what community researchers learnt through their participation. I argue that, while community researchers learnt a great deal from their participation, the overall impact was not empowerment, but alienation. They did have their knowledge of community validated, and they built research skills, developed grievances through their conversations with neighbours and interrogated the links between grievances, all of which were important aspects of their participation. However, through the process they developed, or entrenched, a sense of powerlessness and dependence on the university researchers to take up their cause politically. This contradicts the aspirations of community-university partnership models, especially participatory action research, and raises questions about the inevitability of empowering social action stemming from these research projects. I argue that the disempowerment that the community researchers reported points to the need for community research to be embedded within existing social action organisations and infrastructure to provide clearer pathways to action because, without this, peer researchers may become overwhelmed by the scope of the grievances in their neighbourhoods and withdraw from, rather than embrace, the need for collective social action.
Transformative learning, tribal membership and cultural restoration: A case study of an embedded Native American service-learning project at a research university
Authors: Sykes Brent E , Pendley Joy , Deacon Zermarie
Published: June 2017

This research examines the case of a service-learning project embedded within a CBPR-based Native American tribal nation and research university collaboration in the US. Transformative learning (TL) served as the theoretical framework by which we, the multidisciplinary research team, came to appreciate the significance of the tribal nation’s lived history and deep sense of cultural loss, as well as the social impact of the service-learning project. To date, the majority of research on transformative learning has focused on the individual. This research builds on the work of a growing cadre of TL theorists who consider the role of the collective in transformation. This is especially salient for community-focused research efforts that incorporate service-learning. In this case, we treat consciousness raising, observed through documents, direct observation and participant observation, as evidence of collective transformation.

Results indicate that the service-learning project served as a catalyst for tribal nation higher education students and tribal leaders to collectively engage in critical reflection. In doing so, both groups came to develop new, emergent views of tribal membership. Students, in particular, emerged with transformed world views and deepened cultural connections, while tribal leaders came to appreciate service-learning relative to tribal needs. We thus assert that service-learning can be a culturally appropriate, sustainable educational mechanism that has application across a wide range of Indigenous

communities, thereby highlighting the instrumentality of this case.

The research also indicates how higher education institutions and fellow researchers oriented to CBPR may render more successful their future collaboration practices with historically marginalised communities. We advocate that service-learning be directed by the tribal nation or community in question. As such, the community’s lived experience and world view becomes the focal point of the partnership, thereby making it culturally relevant and broadening the views of other stakeholders.
Serving an Indigenous community: Exploring the cultural competence of medical students in a rural setting
Authors: Wong Chin Hoong , Chen Lee Ping , Koh Kwee Choy , Chua Siew Houy , Jong Darren Chee Hiung , Mohd Fauzi Nurliyana Mardhiah , Lim Sue Yin
Published: June 2017

Since 2013, medical students from the International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia have been providing primary healthcare services, under the supervision of faculty members, to the indigenous people living in Kampung Sebir. The project has allowed the students to learn experientially within a rural setting. This study aims to examine the cultural competence of IMU medical students through an examination of their perspective of the indigenous people who they serve and the role of this community service in their personal and professional development.

Students who participated in the project were required to complete a questionnaire after each community engagement activity to help them reflect on the above areas. We analysed the responses of students from January to December 2015 using a thematic analysis approach to identify overarching themes in the students’ responses.

Students had differing perceptions of culture and worldviews when compared to the indigenous people. However, they lacked the self-reflection skills necessary to understand how such differences can affect their relationship with the indigenous people. Because of this, the basis of their engagement with the indigenous community (as demonstrated by their views of community service) is focused on their agenda of promoting health from a student’s perspective rather than connecting and building relationships first. Students also lacked the appreciation that building cultural competency is a continuous process.

The results show that the medical students have a developing cultural competence. The project in Kampung Sebir is an experiential learning platform of great value to provide insights into and develop the cultural competency of participating students. This study also reflects on the project itself, and how the relationship with stakeholders, the competence and diversity of academic staff, and the support of the university can contribute toward training in cultural competence.
Collaborative community research dissemination and networking: Experiences and challenges
Authors: Macpherson Hannah , Davies Ceri , Hart Angie , Eryigit-Madzwamuse Suna , Rathbone Anne , Gagnon Emily , Buttery Lisa , Dennis Scott
Published: June 2017

This article reports on the experiences of a community-university research partnership with young people’s arts organisations that disseminated their collaborative work on resilience at a Research Showcase event held in Cardiff in June 2014. Through interviews with the young people and their collaborators, and critical reflection on our collective experiences, this article identifies some of the challenges and logistical issues that were encountered in the planning and implementation of the creative ‘Resilience House’ exhibit. We argue that the not often discussed nitty-gritty of this work needs to be brought to the foreground to help make collaborative research meaningfully inclusive if ideals of ‘cross-connection’ and a ‘new public knowledge landscape’ are to be realised. For example, we identify the potential developmental benefits to young people (rather simply framed as ‘participants’) of being involved in research dissemination, but that factoring in time, shaping expectations of all contributors, training contributors to speak to the public about their work, ensuring appropriate sub-forums are constructed and attended, discussing different cultures of language and ensuring basic needs are met are key foundations that need to be built on in future collaborative dissemination activity.
Wind reconstruction algorithm for Viking Lander 1
Authors: Kynkäänniemi Tuomas , Kemppinen Osku , Harri Ari-Matti , Schmidt Walter
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The wind measurement sensors of Viking Lander 1 (VL1) were only fully operational for the first 45 sols of the mission. We have developed an algorithm for reconstructing the wind measurement data after the wind measurement sensor failures. The algorithm for wind reconstruction enables the processing of wind data during the complete VL1 mission. The heater element of the quadrant sensor, which provided auxiliary measurement for wind direction, failed during the 45th sol of the VL1 mission. Additionally, one of the wind sensors of VL1 broke down during sol 378. Regardless of the failures, it was still possible to reconstruct the wind measurement data, because the failed components of the sensors did not prevent the determination of the wind direction and speed, as some of the components of the wind measurement setup remained intact for the complete mission. This article concentrates on presenting the wind reconstruction algorithm and methods for validating the operation of the algorithm. The algorithm enables the reconstruction of wind measurements for the complete VL1 mission. The amount of available sols is extended from 350 to 2245 sols.
The Interaction of Affective Factors in L2 Acquisition of Korean Formulaic Language: A Critical Overview
Authors: Türker Ebru
Published: June 2017

Recent corpus approaches to Korean formulaic language reveal its richness as a lexical resource. Although many Korean-as-a-foreign-language (KFL) studies have investigated formulaic language from pedagogical perspectives, most existing research is not theoretically or empirically based, leading to issues with validity and applicability to teaching practices. This study first reviews prior KFL studies that offer inventory lists of formulaic expressions. Such lists tend to be based on commonly recognized factors in second language (L2) acquisition of formulaic language, such as first language (L1) background, L2 frequency, transparency, and culture. These inventory lists are useful resources for developing new KFL teaching materials, but tend to lack systematicity with respect to their methods and categorization. The study suggests that new instructional approaches and teaching materials need to be grounded on empirical research to provide more effective teaching of formulaic language. Therefore, the study also reviews empirical studies that demonstrate variation in the influence of these factors in different learning conditions and across different proficiency levels. The study argues that L2 learners utilize diverse strategies and knowledge sources, and therefore, to develop effective materials it is crucial to empirically investigate how the influence of the various factors changes depending on contexts and proficiency levels.
Estudios literarios, estudios culturales centroamericanos
Authors: Leyva Héctor M.
Published: June 2017

El propósito de la conferencia es evaluar lo que se ha llamado una “primavera crítica” para los estudios culturales centroamericanos. Se presentan cuatro investigaciones relevantes de autores de la región y se describen sus perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas. El análisis encuentra unas operaciones de interpretación simbólica que al integrar la lectura del texto literario en el texto social, transforman en la practica los estudios literarios en estudios culturales. El símbolo, como representación de la conciencia del ser en el mundo, se reconoce –siguiendo a Gadamer como el elemento distintivo de lo literario cuya interpretación lleva a franquear los limites del texto. El poscolonialismo, el posestructuralismo, el psicoanálisis, la teoría queer, la deconstrucción, habilitan la interpretación y confieren singularidad a estas investigaciones. Una consideración especial se da a su emplazamiento epistémico en tanto que no solamente se afincan en corrientes teóricas internacionales sino que sus practicantes radican en instituciones académicas de EEUU, sin que por esto puedan dejar de considerarse estudios culturales centroamericanos.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No.145-146, 2015: 3-34
El cuerpo y la nación: Sobre la muerte y el devenir
Authors: Córtez Beatriz
Published: June 2017

El cuerpo es maleable, pero es percibido como el primer espacio que define nuestra identidad de forma fija, permanente, ya sin la posibilidad de imaginarnos un futuro fuera de los límites demarcados por esta identidad. Sin embargo, como lo señala Deleuze, una vida, antes de ser marcada por la subjetividad y definida como la vida de alguien, conlleva todas las posibilidades en el plano de inmanencia. En este sentido, es posible imaginarnos que el cuerpo también es la medida de nuestras posibilidades y es lo que nos permite involucrarnos en el proceso de transformación, movimiento, potencialidad, en el devenir. De forma paralela, desde el discurso nacionalista, la nación se define de forma rígida y permanente como una entidad ligada al territorio nacional. Sin embargo, el cuerpo es una metáfora de la nación. Así como devenir en otro es un proceso que nunca se completa pero que nos permite imaginarnos múltiples versiones de nosotros mismos, otras potencialidades en nuestros cuerpos, otros posibles futuros, así, el proceso de devenir en otra nación nunca está completo. Imaginarnos una nación que ya no esté definida de forma rígida nos podría permitir esbozar otros posibles futuros, otras posibles naciones en nuestro proceso colectivo del devenir.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No.145-146, 2015: 35-46
“De donde soy ahora”: Deportación y salvación en el call center salvadoreño
Authors: Goodfriend Hilary
Published: June 2017

En este artículo, analizo los discursos de identidad producidos en el testimonio de un joven salvadoreño trabajador de call center que fue deportado de los Estados Unidos. Considero cómo las experiencias del proceso de la deportación, el trabajo de call center y la salvación evangélica colaboran en el contexto de la posguerra salvadoreña en la construcción de subjetividades neoliberales. Reflexiono, en particular, sobre los discursos de la criminalidad, la salvación y la excepcionalidad que operan en su narrativo. El fenómeno de individuos deportados de los Estados Unidos trabajando en call centers salvadoreños ofrece discusiones críticas ricas que aún no han sido exploradas. Se trata de un sector muy particular de la sociedad salvadoreña que ha vivido algunos de los fenómenos que más han marcado al país en la posguerra: la migración, la deportación, y la globalización y liberalización económica. Es una población doblemente descalificada, al ser expulsada por los Estados Unidos y luego estigmatizada en El Salvador, que experimenta de manera única la violencia y las contradicciones de los procesos de globalización. El caso estudiado representa uno dentro de varios que forman parte de una investigación más amplia realizada para mi proyecto de graduación de la Maestría en Comunicaciones de la Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas”.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No.145-146, 2015: 47-60
Economic Learning Media Development Based on Local Locality
Authors: Hadi Rizali , Supriyanto Supriyanto , Hasanah Mahmudah
Published: June 2017

This study aims to describe the learning medium of economic education at senior High School in Banjarmasin with media based on local wisdom.This research uses qualitative method as developed by Miles & Huberman, starting from data collection, data reduction data display, and then made conclusion. Data were collected in the order of Basic Competence (KD) of Economics lesson, from Class X, XI, and XII. The data are grouped into media that are (a) audio, (b) visual, and (c) audio & visual. Respondents are economic teachers, MGMP Economics, the school, especially the principal in question.From this research, it is known that the use of learning media based on local wisdom in high school in Banjarmasin City has been done mostly using audio, visual or audio & visual media, in every Basic Competence (KD) of economic learning. Already there are inserted with the media based on local wisdom, but has not been explored to the fullest.
Expression of drug transporters in the human skin: comparison in different species and models and its implication for drug development
Authors: Osman-Ponchet Hanan , Gaborit Alexandre , Linget Jean-Michel , Wilson Claire E.
Published: June 2017

It is clear that many drug transporters (both ABCs and SLCs) are present in the human skin. Different in vitro skin models can be used to investigate the role of drug transporters in the skin despite quantitative differences in expression profile across species. P-gp was shown to have an important influence on transdermal drug absorption in the skin and to function in “absorptive” transport, carrying substrate drugs from the skin surface to the dermis. This observation might be used to modulate drug distribution inside the skin. If drugs can be retained in the epidermis compartment by inhibition of the transporters, such property of the drug would be beneficial for treatment of dermatological diseases. Therefore, it might be feasible to control transdermal delivery of drugs to specific locations in the skin, by modulating the function of the transporters in the skin. We are at the dawn of an exciting period where drug transporters might be novel targets for improvement of drug delivery to the skin and for pharmacological intervention.
Role of drug transporters in drug development: a qualitative and quantitative approach
Authors: Basu Sumit , Shaik Abdul Naveed
Published: June 2017

Editorial for special issue of the journal
Maritime Spatial Planning of blue and zebra mussels. A case study for the Polish coastline based on the overview of existing examples from Canada and Australia
Authors: Turski Jakub
Published: June 2017

Poland is at the beginning of Maritime Spatial Planning process which is based on European Union Directive establishing the framework for maritime spatial planning. The Maritime Spatial Planning with the Ecosystem Based Approach is an example of a sustainable ocean management. Mussel cultivation in sea waters is an example of sustainable ocean management in which there is simultaneous use of water area for economical profit and also for environmental protection needed for proper harvest of blue and zebra mussels. Nevertheless, conditions for mussel cultivation on the Polish side of the Baltic Sea are harsh. Effective utilisation of knowledge of more experienced countries is a chance for Polish open water mussel farms to succeed. The experience of Canadian and Australian implementing processes shows effectiveness of bottom-up perception of mussel cultivation development.