bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocio experiencial: antecedentes y características
Authors: Cuenca Cabeza Manuel , Goytia Prat Ana
Published: May 2012

El artículo trata del cambio conceptual desde el que percibimos el ocio en el siglo XXI, el ocio experiencial. Para ello nos acercamos a los autores y corrientes que gestionaron este cambio y también a las personas que viven el ocio de ese modo. Tras un primer apartado dedicado a la revisión de la literatura sobre la experiencia de ocio, se estudia a un grupo de personas implicadas durante al menos tres años en alguna práctica de ocio, a las que se les ha preguntado sobre sus percepciones y experiencias. Se parte de una perspectiva émica, a partir de una metodología con base en la grounded theory. Este trabajo se limita al análisis de cinco características básicas de la experiencia de ocio: Persona, emoción, satisfacción, integración y proceso. El trabajo persigue perfilar un panorama general sobre el significado de la supervivencia de ocio, que difícilmente se explicaría sin el ocio experiencial.
Optimizando la experiencia de ocio después de los 40
Authors: Kleiber Douglas A.
Published: May 2012

Envejecer es un proceso natural que ocurre a lo largo de toda la vida; no obstante, sugerir que algunas personas envejecen más exitosamente que otras es advertir ciertos criterios para vivir bien al final de la vida y, acto seguido, considerar los factores que contribuyen a ello. En este artículo se sitúa al ocio como frente y eje central del proceso de envejecimiento –especialmente tras la mediana edad–, identificándose aquellos aspectos de la experiencia del ocio que pueden ser más influyentes. En este sentido, se parte de los estándares provistos por modelos de envejecimiento exitoso, reconociéndose sus oportunidades y posibilidades (incluso para quienes parten con desventaja en este proceso), indagando en las experiencias críticas que han podido ser más influyentes durante el período adulto inmediatamente anterior, y considerando el implicarse –o no– como procesos y experiencias que optimizan el ocio y, por extensión, el envejecimiento. Asimismo, se atiende a la participación cívica y social con base en los modelos de adaptación y selección de los psicólogos evolutivos Paul y Margaret Baltes y Leah Carstenson.
Ocio festivo: Cambios relevantes en la percepción y organización de las fiestas
Authors: Madariaga Ortuzar Aurora , Ortega Nuere Cristina
Published: May 2012

Este artículo pretende apuntar la revalorización actual del ocio, destacando sus transformaciones en la sociedad contemporánea, abordando una faceta específica del fenómeno del ocio, como es su dimensión festiva. La primera sección se centra en el análisis de la experiencia de ocio festivo y en el cambio de percepción de las fiestas en sus tres momentos: preparación, celebración y recuerdo. La segunda sección se centra en las fiestas como espacios de participación de la ciudadanía, en la cual se aborda la diversidad humana como rasgo de las sociedades modernas; la inclusión y las fiestas; las dificultades de acceso a las fiestas en las personas con discapacidad; y por último se analiza el trabajo realizado desde el Ayuntamiento de Bilbao para gestionar unas fiestas para todos. El capítulo se cierra con una reflexión final que recoge las nuevas formas de entender la fiesta y algunos retos en la organización de las mismas.
Teaching Foreign Languages through the Analysis of Film and Television Series: English for Legal Purposes
Authors: Di Pardo Léon-Henri Dana
Published: May 2012

Foreign language teaching at the university level has taken on importance and value over the last decade due to global competition between institutions of higher education. For this reason, language educators are faced with the challenge of looking for innovative teaching methods, which not only stimulate and motivate their students while encouraging language acquisition, but also add an intercultural dimension.This teaching note proposes to analyze the use and impact of cinematic resources (film and television series) as resource materials on English for Legal Purposes (ELP) classes designed to promote learner awareness of Anglo-Saxon professional legal culture. After an initial overview of the theoretical background, the article then provides a summary of the method, results and observations. This didactic approach can be applied to any foreign language or discipline such as medical studies, sociolinguistics, psychology, etc.
Doublage d’un extrait de Volver d’Almodóvar et modification du scénario
Authors: Gilet Gaïdig
Published: May 2012

L’activité proposée s’adresse à des élèves de 3e et a pour support un extrait du film d’Almodóvar, Volver. Les tâches finales consistent en une modification du scénario initial et en un travail de doublage. Toutes les compétences du Cadre européen commun de compétences pour les langues : apprendre, enseigner, évaluer (CECRL)1 sont travaillées dans cette activité qui permet un travail ludique et créatif autour du cinéma.
In-line Sorting of Processed Fruit Using Computer Vision
Authors: Blasco J. , Aleixos N. , Cubero S. , Albert F. , Lorente D. , Gómez-Sanchis J.
Published: May 2012

Nowadays, there is a growing demand for quality fruits and vegetables that are simple to prepare and consume, like minimally processed fruits. These products have to accomplish some particular characteristics to make them more attractive to the consumers, like a similar appearance and the total absence of external defects. Although recent advances in machine vision have allowed for the automatic inspection of fresh fruit and vegetables, there are no commercially available equipments for sorting of minority processed fruits, like arils of pomegranate (Punica granatum L) or segments of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) ready to eat. This work describes a complete solution based on machine vision for the automatic inspection and classification of these fruits based on their estimated quality. The classification is based on morphological and colour features estimated from images taken in-line, and their analysis using statistical methods in order to grade the fruit into commercial categories.
Agent Based Systems to Implement Natural Interfaces for CAD Applications
Authors: Fernández-Pacheco Daniel García , Borrás Nuria Aleixos , Gil Francisco Albert
Published: May 2012

Currently, important advances are being carried out in CAD (Computer Aided Design) applications; however, these advances have not yet taken place for CAS (Computer Aided Sketching) applications. These applications are intended to replace complex menus with natural interfaces that support sketching for commands and drawing, but the recognition process is very complex and doesn’t allow its application yet. So, although natural interfaces for CAD applications have not yet been solved, works based on sketching devices have been explored to some extent. In this work, the authors propose a solution for the problem of recognition of sketches using an agent-based architecture, which distributes the agents hierarchically to achieve the best decision possible and to avoid reliance on of the drawing sequence.
Machine Learning Approach for Content Based Image Retrieval
Authors: Kulkarni Siddhivinayak
Published: May 2012

Developments in technology and the Internet have led to an increase in number of digital images and videos. Thousands of images are added to WWW every day. Content based Image Retrieval (CBIR) system typically consists of a query example image, given by the user as an input, from which low-level image features are extracted. These low level image features are used to find images in the database which are most similar to the query image and ranked according their similarity. This chapter evaluates various CBIR techniques based on fuzzy logic and neural networks and proposes a novel fuzzy approach to classify the colour images based on their content, to pose a query in terms of natural language and fuse the queries based on neural networks for fast and efficient retrieval. A number of experiments were conducted for classification, and retrieval of images on sets of images and promising results were obtained.
Insights from Jurisprudence for Machine Learning in Law
Authors: Stranieri Andrew , Zeleznikow John
Published: May 2012

The central theme of this chapter is that the application of machine learning to data in the legal domain involves considerations that derive from jurisprudential assumptions about the nature of legal reasoning. Jurisprudence provides a unique resource for machine learning in that, for over one hundred years, significant thinkers have advanced concepts including open texture and discretion. These concepts inform and guide applications of machine learning to law.
Machine Learning Applications in Computer Vision
Authors: Harandi Mehrtash , Taheri Javid , Lovell Brian C.
Published: May 2012

Recognizing objects based on their appearance (visual recognition) is one of the most significant abilities of many living creatures. In this study, recent advances in the area of automated object recognition are reviewed; the authors specifically look into several learning frameworks to discuss how they can be utilized in solving object recognition paradigms. This includes reinforcement learning, a biologically-inspired machine learning technique to solve sequential decision problems and transductive learning, and a framework where the learner observes query data and potentially exploits its structure for classification. The authors also discuss local and global appearance models for object recognition, as well as how similarities between objects can be learnt and evaluated.
Ontology-Based Clustering of the Web Meta-Search Results
Authors: Bodea Constanta-Nicoleta , Lipai Adina , Dascalu Maria-Iuliana
Published: May 2012

The chapter presents a meta-search tool developed in order to deliver search results structured according to the specific interests of users. Meta-search means that for a specific query, several search mechanisms could be simultaneously applied. Using the clustering process, thematically homogenous groups are built up from the initial list provided by the standard search mechanisms. The results are more user oriented, as a result of the ontological approach of the clustering process. After the initial search made on multiple search engines, the results are pre-processed and transformed into vectors of words. These vectors are mapped into vectors of concepts, by calling an educational ontology and using the WordNet lexical database. The vectors of concepts are refined through concept space graphs and projection mechanisms, before applying the clustering procedure. Implementation details and early experimentation results are also provided.
Learning with Querying and its Application in Network Security
Authors: Lai Liang-Bin , Lin Shu-Yu , Chang Ray-I , Kouh Jen-Shiang
Published: May 2012

Understanding the ability of learning in both humans and non-humans is an important research crossing the boundaries between several scientific disciplines from computer science to brain science and psychology. In this chapter, the authors first introduce a query based learning concept (learning with query) in which all the minds’ beliefs and actions will be revised by observing the outcomes of past mutual interactions (selective-attention and self-regulation) over time. That is, moving into an active learning and aggressive querying method will be able to focus on effectiveness to achieve learning goals and desired outcomes. Secondly, they show that the proposed method has better effectiveness for several learning algorithms, such as decision tree, particle swarm optimization, and self-organizing maps. Finally, a query based learning method is proposed to solve network security problems as a sample filter at intrusion detection. Experimental results show that the proposed method can not only increase the accuracy detection rate for suspicious activity and recognize rare attack types but also significantly improve the efficiency of intrusion detection. Therefore, it is good to design and to implement an effective learning algorithm for information security.
Positive acculturation conditions and well-being in a mine in the North-West Province
Authors: Jackson Leon T.B. , Van de Vijver Fons J.R. , Ali Shanaz
Published: May 2012

Orientation: Multiculturalism seemed to have become the dominant strategy for dealing with pluralism in the South African public sphere.Research purpose: The authors addressed the relationship between conditions that are considered to be conducive to multiculturalism and the practices perceived to accomplish this, vis-à-vis multiculturalism and well-being, as measured by ill-health and subjective work success.Motivation for the study: Although multiculturalism has been recommended as an effective way of dealing with diversity at societal and local levels, little is known about its effects in the workplace.Research design, approach and method: Following a quantitative approach, the authors utilised a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 241 Black employees and White employees from a mine in North-West Province for the research. Exploratory factor analyses and Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to test scale validity and reliability. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and effect sizes were used to determine the effect of race on the experiences of miners, and multigroup path analysis (AMOS) was used to investigate whether or not identical relations between multiculturalism, work success, and ill-health could be found for Black employees and White employees.Main findings: Multiculturalism and mainstream tolerance coupled with ethnic integration demands at home and at work were associated with success at work but not with ill-health. Black employees experienced the workplace slightly more positively.Practical/managerial implications: Multiculturalism and integration are related to subjective experiences of work success and, as such, should be supported in the workplace.Contribution/value-add: Our findings suggest that multiculturalism is relatively well supported by both groups in the workplace. This positive finding should not be regarded as obvious because empirical research has suggested that the majority of members of the host culture do not always favour multiculturalism.
Binding Motifs in Bacterial Gene Promoters Modulate Transcriptional Effects of Global Regulators CRP and ArcA
Authors: Leuze Michael R. , Karpinets Tatiana V. , Syed Mustafa H. , Beliaev Alexander S. , Uberbacher Edward C.
Published: May 2012

Bacterial gene regulation involves transcription factors (TF) that bind to DNA recognition sequences in operon promoters. These recognition sequences, many of which are palindromic, are known as regulatory elements or transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). Some TFs are global regulators that can modulate the expression of hundreds of genes. In this study we examine global regulator half-sites, where a half-site, which we shall call a binding motif (BM), is one half of a palindromic TFBS. We explore the hypothesis that the number of BMs plays an important role in transcriptional regulation, examining empirical data from transcriptional profiling of the CRP and ArcA regulons. We compare the power of BM counts and of full TFBS characteristics to predict induced transcriptional activity. We find that CRP BM counts have a nonlinear effect on CRP-dependent transcriptional activity and predict this activity better than full TFBS quality or location.
Factors Affecting the Number of Children in Five Developed Countries: A Statistical Analysis with an Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Morita Masahito , Ohtsuki Hisashi , Sasaki Akira , Hiraiwa-Hasegawa Mariko
Published: May 2012

Evolutionary studies of reproductive fitness will lead to a deep understanding of the evolution of human behavior. However, empirical studies that include Japanese data are rare. We analyze statistical data that include subjects in five developed countries (Japan, South Korea, United States, France and Sweden). Distributions of the actual and desired numbers of children of people aged 45 or older peak at two in all countries. Our analysis shows that the unique factor that affects the actual number of children is the age of first marriage (in Japan and U.S.) or household income (in France). Other factors, such as education level, hardly affect the actual number or presence of children. We suggest directions of future studies from these results.
Profiling of fine and coarse particle mass: case studies of Saharan dust and Eyjafjallajökull/Grimsvötn volcanic plumes
Authors: Ansmann A. , Seifert P. , Tesche M. , Wandinger U.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The lidar-photometer method introduced to separate volcanic coarse-mode and fine-mode particle properties is extended to cover Saharan dust events as well. A review of recently published mass-specific extinction coefficients for Saharan dust and volcanic dust is presented. These mass-specific extinction coefficients are required in the retrieval of particle mass concentration profiles. Case studies of four different scenarios corroborate the applicability of the profiling technique: (a) Saharan dust outbreak to Central Europe, (b) Saharan dust plume mixed with biomass-burning smoke over Cape Verde, and volcanic aerosol layers originating from (c) the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions in 2010 and (d) the Grimsvötn eruptions in 2011. Strong differences in the vertical aerosol layering, aerosol mixing, and optical properties are observed for the different volcanic events.
Timescales for the development of methanogenesis and free gas layers in recently-deposited sediments of Arkona Basin (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Mogollón J. M. , Dale A. W. , Fossing H. , Regnier P.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Arkona Basin (southwestern Baltic Sea) is a seasonally-hypoxic basin characterized by the presence of free methane gas in its youngest organic-rich muddy stratum. Through the use of reactive transport models, this study tracks the development of the methane geochemistry in Arkona Basin as this muddy sediment became deposited during the last 8 kyr. Four cores are modeled each pertaining to a unique geochemical scenario according to their respective contemporary geochemical profiles. Ultimately the thickness of the muddy sediment and the flux of particulate organic carbon are crucial in determining the advent of both methanogenesis and free methane gas, the timescales over which methanogenesis takes over as a dominant reaction pathway for organic matter degradation, and the timescales required for free methane gas to form.
Effect of carbonate chemistry manipulations on calcification, respiration, and excretion of a Mediterranean pteropod
Authors: Comeau S. , Gattuso J.-P. , Jeffree R. , Gazeau F.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Although shelled pteropods are expected to be particularly sensitive to ocean acidification, the few available studies have mostly focused on polar species and have not allowed determining which parameter of the carbonate system controls their calcification. Specimens of the temperate Mediterranean species Creseis acicula were maintained under seven different conditions of the carbonate chemistry, obtained by manipulating pH and total alkalinity, with the goal to disentangle the effects of the pH and the saturation state with respect to aragonite (Ωa). Our results tend to show that respiration, excretion as well as rates of net and gross calcification were not directly affected by a decrease in pH but decreased significantly with a decrease in Ωa. Due to the difficulties in maintaining pteropods in the laboratory and the important variability in their abundances in our study site, long-term acclimation as well as replication of the experiment was not possible. However, we strongly believe that these results represent an important step in the mechanistic understanding of the effect of ocean acidification on pteropods physiology.
Hydrology of the Po River: looking for changing patterns in river discharge
Authors: Montanari A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Scientists and public administrators are devoting increasing attention to the Po River, in Italy, in view of concerns related to the impact of increasing urbanisation and exploitation of water resources. A better understanding of the hydrological regime of the river is necessary to improve water resources management and flood protection. In particular, the analysis of the effects of hydrological and climatic change is crucial for planning sustainable development and economic growth. An extremely interesting issue is to inspect to what extent river flows can be naturally affected by the occurrence of long periods of water abundance or scarcity, which can be erroneously interpreted as irreversible changes due to human impact. In fact, drought and flood periods alternatively occurred in the recent past in the form of long term cycles. This paper presents advanced graphical and analytical methods to gain a better understanding of the temporal distribution of the Po River discharge. In particular, we present an analysis of river flow variability and memory properties to better understand natural patterns and in particular long term changes, which may affect the future flood risk and availability of water resources.
A bare ground evaporation revision in the ECMWF land-surface scheme: evaluation of its impact using ground soil moisture and satellite microwave data
Authors: Albergel C. , Balsamo G. , de Rosnay P. , Muñoz-Sabater J. , Boussetta S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. In situ soil moisture data from 122 stations across the United States are used to evaluate the impact of a new bare ground evaporation formulation at ECMWF. In November 2010 the bare ground evaporation used in ECMWF's operational Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) was enhanced by adopting a lower stress threshold than for the vegetation, allowing a higher evaporation. It results in more realistic soil moisture values when compared to in situ data, particularly over dry areas. Use was made of the operational IFS and offline experiments for the evaluation. The latter are based on a fixed version of the IFS and make it possible to assess the impact of a single modification while the operational analysis is based on a continuous effort to improve the analysis and modelling systems, resulting in frequent updates (few times a year). Considering the field sites with a fraction of bare ground greater than 0.2, the root mean square difference (RMSD) of soil moisture is shown to decrease from 0.118 m3 m−3 to 0.087 m3 m−3 when using the new formulation in offline experiments, and from 0.110 m3 m−3 to 0.088 m3 m−3 in operations. It also improves correlations. Additionally the impact of the new formulation on the terrestrial microwave emission at a global scale is investigated. Realistic and dynamically consistent fields of brightness temperature as a function of the land surface conditions are required for the assimilation of the SMOS data. Brightness temperature simulated from surface fields from two offline experiments with the Community Microwave Emission Modelling (CMEM) platform present monthly mean differences up to 7 K. Offline experiment with the new formulation presents drier soil moisture, hence simulated brightness temperature with its surface fields are larger. They are also closer to SMOS remotely sensed brightness temperature.
Results of the Marine Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project, MISMIP
Authors: Pattyn F. , Schoof C. , Perichon L. , Hindmarsh R. C. A. , Bueler E. , de Fleurian B. , Durand G. , Gagliardini O. , Gladstone R. , Goldberg D. , Gudmundsson G. H. , Huybrechts P. , Lee V. , Nick F. M. , Payne A. J. , Pollard D. , Rybak O. , Saito F. , Vieli A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Predictions of marine ice-sheet behaviour require models that are able to robustly simulate grounding line migration. We present results of an intercomparison exercise for marine ice-sheet models. Verification is effected by comparison with approximate analytical solutions for flux across the grounding line using simplified geometrical configurations (no lateral variations, no effects of lateral buttressing). Unique steady state grounding line positions exist for ice sheets on a downward sloping bed, while hysteresis occurs across an overdeepened bed, and stable steady state grounding line positions only occur on the downward-sloping sections. Models based on the shallow ice approximation, which does not resolve extensional stresses, do not reproduce the approximate analytical results unless appropriate parameterizations for ice flux are imposed at the grounding line. For extensional-stress resolving "shelfy stream" models, differences between model results were mainly due to the choice of spatial discretization. Moving grid methods were found to be the most accurate at capturing grounding line evolution, since they track the grounding line explicitly. Adaptive mesh refinement can further improve accuracy, including fixed grid models that generally perform poorly at coarse resolution. Fixed grid models, with nested grid representations of the grounding line, are able to generate accurate steady state positions, but can be inaccurate over transients. Only one full-Stokes model was included in the intercomparison, and consequently the accuracy of shelfy stream models as approximations of full-Stokes models remains to be determined in detail, especially during transients.
Engaging Values in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Education: Toward an Explicitly Values-Based Pedagogical Approach
Authors: Galt Ryan , Clark Susan , Parr Damian
Published: May 2012

Agriculture education programs that provide integrative learning experiences that reflect the complexities, values, and challenges inherent to sustainable agriculture and food systems (SAFS) continue to evolve as faculty, staff, and students implement, experience, and modify them. Higher education institutions, especially land-grant universities, have strengths that position them to implement transformative learning and action methodologies. In this article we explore the principles, approaches, and practices consistent with integrative learning and a values-based pedagogical approach to curriculum design and teaching specific to SAFS. By a values-based pedagogical approach, we mean paying explicit attention to the values that (1) underpin different agricultural and food systems and their governance, (2) inform and shape educational strategies and experiences, and (3) are held by different individuals in various encounters in the learning environment. A values-based approach to SAFS curriculum development, teaching, and integrative learning is dynamic rather than static. We provide illustrations of practices across the education "life-cycle" — curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation — that have used values-based pedagogy to guide the development, modification, and strengthening of SAFS curricula. Finally, we discuss some limitations and issues that arise when using such pedagogical frameworks. We conclude by challenging educators to focus on connecting values relevant to SAFS with innovative curricular practices that allow emergence of new ways of teaching, learning, and knowing for all.
Composting of wine industry wastes and their use as a substrate for growing soilless ornamental plants
Authors: Carmona E. , Moreno M. T. , Avilés M. , Ordovas J.
Published: May 2012

To study the process of composting of grape marc and test the resulting compost as a substrate for the cultivation of ornamental plants, six composting processes, with mixtures of dealcoholised grapevine marc and grape stalk (DM+GS) in a 1:1 ratio (v:v), were carried out in Seville (Spain) between 2000 and 2006. The duration of the composting ranged between 20 and 24 weeks in the Spring-Summer season. Weekly, temperature, pH, EC, N-NO3- and N-NH4+, were measured. The maximum temperatures reached values of 65-73°C at a depth between 40 and 80 cm. The compost had a slightly alkaline pH, slightly salinity, high organic matter and total nitrogen contents. The final compost chemical composition in total elements showed values in the same range as those corresponding to plant material, except for Fe. The distribution in the size of the particles gives way to a total porous space that is close to the one considered as optimal in a substrate for soilless cropping. Pore size distribution showed a prevalence of big pores that produces unbalance in the water-air ratios, resulting in a material with a good aeration but with low water retention. The composts were tested as substrates for four ornamental species: geranium, petunia, carnation and gerbera. The results suggest that compost has no limiting characteristics for its use as a medium for the cultivation of ornamental plants in container, and can replace conventional substrates, such as peat and coconut fibre.
Seasonal variation in sexual behavior, plasma testosterone and semen characteristics of Argentine Pampinta and Corriedale rams
Authors: Aller J. F. , Aguilar D. , Vera T. , Almeida G. P. , Alberio R. H.
Published: May 2012

Five Argentine Pampinta (dairy breed) and six Corriedale (dual-purpose breed) adult rams were used to study the effect of season on sexual behavior, plasma testosterone (T) and semen characteristics for a period of 1 year. Scrotal circumference (SC) and T concentrations were determined at 2-week intervals. Each ram was exposed monthly to three ovariectomized ewes in one 20-min test and the total number of mounts and successful matings were recorded. Semen collection was attempted from each ram twice weekly for six consecutive weeks during each season. In both breeds, SC varied seasonally showing the lowest mean values during winter and spring and in the Corriedale rams (32.8 ± 0.3 cm) was smaller (p<0.05) than in Pampinta rams (34.4 ± 0.4 cm). No difference (p>0.05) was recorded in T concentration between breeds and both breeds reached a peak in summer and autumn. Number of matings showed the maximal values in autumn in both breeds. Season had no significant effect on mass motility, sperm concentration and percentage of live sperm. Semen volume, percentage of progressive motility and total sperm per ejaculate were higher during summer and autumn than in other seasons of the year. Pampinta rams had thehighest values (p<0.05) of sperm concentration, total sperm per ejaculate and percentage of abnormal sperm. Results of this study show that sexual behavior, SC and T concentrations exhibit seasonal variation in Pampinta and Corriedale rams and that semen of superior quantity and quality is especially collected in both breeds during the summer and autumn.
Serological survey of Salmonella spp. infection in finishing pigs from northeastern Spain and associated risk factors
Authors: Vico J. P. , Mainar-Jaime R. C.
Published: May 2012

The results of a serological survey carried out in northeastern Spain to estimate the seroprevalence to Salmonella spp. and to determine potential risk factors are presented. Sera were obtained from farms submitting serum samples to the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory (RDL) for the diagnosis of other infectious diseases included within official eradication/surveillance programs, and farm data collected through a questionnaire. Out of 6,182 pig sera (217 farms) analyzed 1,219 (19.7%) were positive (optical density, OD ≥ 40%). More than 70% of the herds presented ≥ 1 seropositive animal indicating that salmonellosis was widespread. In a multivariable logistic mixed regression model seroprevalence was associated with farms where birds were visible inside the fattening units (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) or that shared workers with other pig farms (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4-4.7). Seropositivity also increased when farmers used footwear exclusive for the farm (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.3-7.3) or pigs were fed mostly with pellets (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.6). It was also higher during the fall and winter months. The presence of a changing room and shower in the farm was negatively associated with it (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Most risk factors could be mitigated through strict hygiene and biosecurity measures, but the high (> 40%) within-herd seroprevalence observed in many herds may challenge the capacity of intervention of animal health authorities.
Short communication. Characterization of the relic Almuñécar grapevine cultivar
Authors: Jiménez Cantizano A. , Lara M. , Ocete M. E. , Ocete R.
Published: May 2012

A prospection of Andalusian Mediterranean vineyards was carried out in search of the traditional Almuñécar grapevine, used to produce raisins of quality. An ampelographical description and a genetic characterization, using 20 nuclear microsatellite loci, showed that this cultivar constitutes a clone of Muscat of Alexandria. In reference to biotic stress, this cultivar has a high sensibility to powdery and downy mildews and medium sensibility to the grapevine pathogen Botrytis cinerea. At the present time, it constitutes a relic cultivar due to different sanitary and economical causes analyzed in the text.
Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation With Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids Following Influenza Vaccination
Authors: Hillesheim Paul B. , Parker John R. , Parker Joseph C. , Escott Edward , Berger Joseph R.
Published: May 2012

Inflammatory processes within the central nervous system are challenging for the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist alike. They often can mimic other more well-known and defined disease processes. We present the case of a patient with a newly described inflammatory process that primarily involves the pons and adjacent structures, which is called chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS). An 80-year-old man presented with numbness of his right hand that ultimately progressed to involve both lower extremities and face and was associated with mild dysarthria and ataxia. He had received the influenza vaccination 2 weeks prior. The biopsy revealed primarily reactive T-cell lymphocytic infiltrates with macrophages and gliosis. Treatment required long-term immunosuppressive therapy. CLIPPERS is a recently described central nervous system inflammatory condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a prominent lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate is encountered in brainstem, spinal cord, midbrain, or cerebellar biopsies.
Development of Nanomaterials for SALDI‐MS Analysis in Forensics
Authors: Lim Angelina Yimei , Ma Jan , Boey Yin Chiang Freddy
Published: May 2012

Within the last decade, the escalation of research output in the field of nanotechnology has spurred the development of new nanomaterials for use as assisting agents in surface assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS). Specifically modified nanomaterials, coupled with mass spectrometry, have improved the detection sensitivity, specificity, flexibility and reproducibility of SALDI‐MS analysis. The technological advancement of LDI‐MS has in turn, propelled the use of the analytical technique in the field of forensics. In this report, the various roles and applications of metal‐, silicon‐ and carbon‐based nanostructured materials as SALDI matrices in the analysis of forensic samples are described. The advantages of SALDI‐MS as an analytical tool for forensic sample analysis are also discussed.
Synthesis of Dibenzothiophenes and Carbazoles by Sequential ‘Tetra‐Fold Heck/6 π‐Electrocyclization/Dehydrogenation’ Reactions of Tetrabromothiophene and Tetrabromo‐N‐methylpyrrole
Authors: Toguem Serge‐Mithérand Tengho , Knepper Ingo , Ehlers Peter , Dang Tung T. , Patonay Tamás , Langer Peter
Published: May 2012

Dibenzothiophenes and carbazoles were prepared by tetrafold Heck reactions of tetrabromothiophene and N‐methyltetrabromopyrrole and subsequent 6π‐electrocyclization and dehydrogenation. A number of reactions could be successfully carried out as domino reactions in only one synthetic step.
Asymmetric Homogeneous Hydrogenation in Flow using a Tube‐in‐Tube Reactor
Authors: Newton Sean , Ley Steven V. , Arcé Eva Casas , Grainger Damian M.
Published: May 2012

In this update, the asymmetric homogeneous hydrogenation of a number of trisubstituted olefins utilizing the recently developed tube‐in‐tube gas‐liquid flow reactor is described. A number of chiral iridium‐ and rhodium‐based catalysts and other parameters such as pressure, solvent, temperature and catalyst loading were screened. The advantage of the flow set‐up for rapid screening and optimization of reaction parameters is illustrated. Furthermore, a comparative study using batch conditions aided in the optimization of the flow reaction set‐up. The set‐up was further modified to recycle the catalyst which prolonged catalytic activity.
Identifying the Nature of Charge Recombination in Organic Solar Cells from Charge‐Transfer State Electroluminescence
Authors: Wetzelaer Gert‐Jan A. H. , Kuik Martijn , Blom Paul W. M.
Published: May 2012

Charge‐transfer (CT) state electroluminescence is investigated in several polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells. The ideality factor of the electroluminescence reveals that the CT emission in polymer:fullerene solar cells originates from free‐carrier bimolecular recombination at the donor‐acceptor interface, rather than a charge‐trap‐mediated process. The fingerprint of the presence of nonradiative trap‐assisted recombination, a voltage‐dependent CT electroluminescence quantum efficiency, is only observed for the P3HT:PCBM system, which is explained by a reduction of the competing bimolecular recombination rate. These results are in agreement with measurements of the illumination‐intensity dependence of the open‐circuit voltage.
Leading Ladies: Leadership of Group Movements in a Pair‐Living, Co‐Dominant, Monomorphic Primate Across Reproductive Stages and Fruit Availability Seasons
Authors: TECOT STACEY R. , ROMINE NATALIE K.
Published: May 2012

For gregarious species, individuals must maintain cohesion while minimizing the costs of coordinated travel. Leaders of group movements potentially influence energy expenditure, energy intake, and predation risk for individuals in the group, which can have important fitness consequences. Models of pair‐living species predict that energetic asymmetries lead to an emergent leader, with those in greater need leading. We investigated sex differences in leadership in pairs of red‐bellied lemurs, Eulemur rubriventer, a monomorphic species with bisexual dispersal and no discernible hierarchy, to determine whether higher energetic requirements by adult females lead to female leadership. We collected leadership data in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar on six groups of habituated E. rubriventer for 13 consecutive months between 2004–2005. To determine whether females led group movements more than males, we examined the difference in leadership frequencies of progressions in adult males and adult females within each group (n = 1,346 progressions). We further investigated the behavioral context (i.e. travel followed by feeding or not) and seasonal contexts (fruit availability, reproduction) of leadership. Group leadership was distributed, with different individuals leading the group at different times. However, females led significantly more than males, a pattern which was consistent in both feeding and non‐feeding contexts and throughout all fruiting seasons and reproductive stages. While disparities in energetic status among the sexes may impact leadership in this species, leadership did not differ with changes in food availability or reproductive stage, and thus we were unable to determine whether female leadership might be related to changes in energetic status. Females may have higher energetic needs than males at all times, not merely seasonally, or female leadership may be unrelated to immediate energetic need. Rather, female leadership may be a legacy of female dominance not currently expressed in other contexts. Am. J. Primatol. 74:591–601, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reductions in Primate Abundance and Diversity in a Multiuse Protected Area: Synergistic Impacts of Hunting and Logging in a Congo Basin Forest
Authors: REMIS MELISSA J. , JOST ROBINSON CAROLYN A.
Published: May 2012

This article explores spatial and temporal changes in diurnal primate abundance and behavior in response to hunting, logging, and conservation at the Dzanga Sangha Dense Forest Reserve (RDS), Central African Republic over time. We use a combination of line‐transect surveys in 2002 and 2009 (N = 540 km) and ethnographic interviews (N = 210) to investigate changes in the status of cercopithecines and colobines at RDS, with additional comparisons to earlier work. This protected area was lightly logged in the 1970s and the park was gazetted in 1990, with multiple‐use reserve sectors allocated. Since the park's inception, hunting and the trade of primates have increased, along with human migration, greater accessibility of arms, and reduction of preferred ungulate prey. Primates have declined in both the park and reserve sectors. Our data further suggest that at RDS hunting has had a greater impact on primate diversity and abundance than logging. We have identified changes in species‐specific vulnerability to hunting over time, with Cercopithecus nictitans and Lophocebus albigena initially having appeared to be relatively resistant to hunting pressure in 2002. However, subsequently as gun hunting has increased at RDS, these species have become vulnerable. Although monkeys at RDS have been responding behaviorally to increased gun hunting, they are not able to keep pace with changing hunting practices. This study allows us to begin to understand synergistic impacts of hunting and logging, necessary if we are to recommend strategies to better secure the future of primates in multiuse protected areas. Am. J. Primatol. 74:602–612, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From the Mouths of Monkeys: Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex DNA From Buccal Swabs of Synanthropic Macaques
Authors: WILBUR ALICIA K. , ENGEL GREGORY A. , ROMPIS AIDA , PUTRA I.G.A. A , LEE BENJAMIN P. Y.‐H. , AGGIMARANGSEE NANTIYA , CHALISE MUKESH , SHAW ERIC , OH GUNWHA , SCHILLACI MICHAEL A. , JONES‐ENGEL LISA
Published: May 2012

Although the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) infects a third of all humans, little is known regarding the prevalence of mycobacterial infection in nonhuman primates (NHP). For more than a century, tuberculosis has been regarded as a serious infectious threat to NHP species. Advances in the detection of MTBC open new possibilities for investigating the effects of this poorly understood pathogen in diverse populations of NHP. Here, we report results of a cross‐sectional study using well‐described molecular methods to detect a nucleic acid sequence (IS6110) unique to the MTBC. Sample collection was focused on the oral cavity, the presumed route of transmission of MTBC. Buccal swabs were collected from 263 macaques representing 11 species in four Asian countries and Gibraltar. Contexts of contact with humans included free ranging, pets, performing monkeys, zoos, and monkey temples. Following DNA isolation from buccal swabs, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified IS6110 from 84 (31.9%) of the macaques. In general, prevalence of MTBC DNA was higher among NHP in countries where the World Health Organization reports higher prevalence of humans infected with MTBC. This is the first demonstration of MTBC DNA in the mouths of macaques. Further research is needed to establish the significance of this finding at both the individual and population levels. PCR of buccal samples holds promise as a method to elucidate the mycobacterial landscape among NHP, particularly macaques that thrive in areas of high human MTBC prevalence. Am. J. Primatol. 74:676–686, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystallization behavior of poly(p‐dioxanone)‐PU/montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by chain‐extending reaction
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhang Jing‐Jing , Niu Ying , Huang Cai‐Li , Yang Ke‐Ke
Published: May 2012

Organo‐modified montmorillonites and poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) diol prepolymers were used to prepare Poly(p‐dioxanone)‐PU/organic montmorillonite (PPDO‐PU/OMMT) nanocomposites by chain‐extending reaction. The crystallization behavior and spherulitic morphology of PPDO‐PU/OMMT nanocomposites were investigated by WXRD, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarized optical microscopy. The results show that the regularity of the chain structure plays a dominant role during the crystallization process rather than that of OMMT content and its dispersion status in PPDO matrix. With similar molecular weight and same OMMT content, PPDO‐PU/OMMT nanocomposite, which derived from lower molecular weight PPDO prepolymer, exhibits lower crystallization rate, melting point, and crystallinity. The influence of the clay content on the crystallization behavior highly depends on its dispersing state. The nucleating effect of OMMT can be only observed at high loading percentage. For the nanocomposites with low clay loading percentage, the retarding effect of exfoliated platelets on the chain‐ordering into crystal lamellae became the key factor. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Patterns in species richness and assemblage structure of native mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: Zigler Steven J. , Newton Teresa J. , Davis Mike , Rogala James T.
Published: May 2012

To evaluate patterns in mussel assemblages in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR), data from systematic surveys of mussels conducted in three large reaches (Navigation Pools 5, 6, and 18) from 2005–2007 were analysed.

Nonmetric multi‐dimensional scaling analyses and permutation tests indicated that assemblages differed among reaches. The mussel assemblage in Pool 18 was substantially different from the assemblage in Pool 5 and moderately different from the assemblage in Pool 6, whereas assemblages in Pools 5 and 6 were similar. Assemblages in broadly defined, flowing aquatic habitats did not substantially differ.

The dissimilarity of Pool 18 was primarily the result of Pool 18 having higher abundances of three Quadrula species (Q. quadrula, Q. pustulosa, and Q. nodulata), and lower abundances of Amblema plicata and Fusconaia flava.

Rarefaction analyses showed that species richness and species density were higher in Pool 18 compared with the other two pools.

Large‐scale patterns in mussel assemblages may be related to other longitudinal trends in the system including geomorphology, water quality, and abundances of fish species that serve as hosts for glochidial larvae.

The results suggest that management goals and actions in the UMR may need to account for important differences in mussel assemblages that occur among reaches. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Behcet's Disease with Active Uveitis: Detection of Serum Protein Biomarkers Using MALDI‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Mei Fen , Xie Jing , Li Zhi Li , Wang Peng
Published: May 2012

Behcet's Disease (BD) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that lacks sensitive and specific diagnostic methods. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers specific for BD and to establish a diagnostic model. Serum samples from patients with BD, Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome (VKH), and healthy controls (HC) were randomly divided into a training set (49 BD, 31 VKH, and 48 HC) and a testing set (13 BD, 10 VKH, and 11 HC). Proteomic mass spectra were generated by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Thirty‐nine differential m/z peaks associated with BD were identified, and the m/z peaks at 1,644, 1,711, 2,023, 4,347, 6,628, and 8,559 were used to construct a model for the diagnosis of BD. This diagnostic model can distinguish BD from non‐BD controls with a sensitivity of 83.67% (41/49) and a specificity of 89.87% (71/79). BD was detected in our blinded testing set with good sensitivity and specificity of 84.6 and 90.48%, respectively. The results suggested that proteomic fingerprint technology combining magnetic beads with MALDI‐TOF‐MS has potential for the diagnosis of BD. The biomarker classification model was suitable for preliminary identification of BD and could potentially serve as a useful tool for BD diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.