bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indoor/outdoor particulate matter concentrations and microbial load in cultural heritage collections
Authors: Lazaridis Mihalis , Katsivela E. , Kopanakis I. , Raisi L. , Panagiaris G.
Published: November 2015

Background

Particulate matter, microorganisms in air and environmental conditions present a potential risk to museum collections. There are also limited studies of simultaneous measurements of airborne particles and microorganisms inside museums and the effects of seasonal variations. Therefore, extensive indoor/outdoor measurements of particulate matter mass/number concentrations and viable, cultivable microbial load were performed in two museums and a library in Greece for a period of 2 years at selected time intervals. The culture heritage collections are located at coastal (Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion), urban (Criminology Museum of the University of Athens) and mountainous (Neophytos Doukas Library in Zagori) environments and their collections consist mainly of organic materials. Measurements of inhalable particulate mass (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) and viable, cultivable airborne microorganism concentrations (heterotrophic bacteria, cellulose metabolizing bacteria, acid producing bacteria and mesophilic fungi) in air were performed.

Results and conclusions

The indoor PM10 and microbial concentrations were higher than the outdoor levels showing the influence of the indoor sources, such as the presence of people and indoor activities, as well as, anthropogenic outdoor sources, and natural emissions. Elevated PM1 particle number concentrations were also encountered in the Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion and the Criminology Museum of the University of Athens due to the high anthropogenic emissions of the urban areas. The lowest concentrations of viable, cultivable airborne microorganisms were measured in the Historical Museum of Crete at the coastal site, which encounters also well controlled microclimatic conditions. In comparison to the other two naturally ventilated sites, the highest concentrations of viable, cultivable airborne fungi were measured in the Neophytos Doukas Library at the mountainous site, whereas the highest concentrations of viable, cultivable airborne heterotrophic bacteria were measured in the Criminology Museum of the University of Athens at an urban site, where mummified tissues and dry specimens are exhibited. The closed showcases of the two museums and the library could only protect the exhibits from viable, cultivable airborne fungi, but not from specific categories of bacteria. Acid producing bacteria in the Historical Museum of Crete, cellulose metabolizing bacteria in the Neophytos Doukas Library, and opportunistic pathogenic heterotrophic bacteria in the Criminology Museum of the University of Athens showed to be enriched inside the closed showcases.
Radical Empathy in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway
Authors: Russell Richard Rankin
Published: November 2015

This essay contends that Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway explores how a radical novelistic empathy might thaw the frozen paralysis that grips British society. Clarissa Dalloway's empathy is reserved most for the unbalanced, overly emotional character of Septimus Smith, yet less understood is the lifelong nature of her empathy: she is a habitual empathizer and has been her entire adult life. Critical opinion generally considers Clarissa's empathy for Septimus an exceptional moment that she experiences only in isolation. But her social inclination to bring others together makes this empathy possible. By recourse to Lewis Hyde's seminal work on the gift and Elaine Scarry's work on the ethics of perceiving beauty, I argue that, in kissing Clarissa, Sally Seton “transmits” her empathy and love of life to Clarissa, who in turn throughout her life passes it on to others who need help in their suffering, setting up communities of care that are represented by her party. Woolf wants us to attain a critical empathy for the author herself and her characters on the supratextual level yet also judge them according to the two-part process of empathetic reading outlined in her essay “How Should One Read a Book?”
“Rural Architecture”: Local Lyric and Cumbrian Culture in William Wordsworth'sLyrical Ballads(1800)
Authors: Nicholson Michael
Published: November 2015

A critically neglected short poem that focuses on the ancient custom of stone giant building in Cumbria, William Wordsworth's “Rural Architecture” avoids the monumental permanence and transcendent universality so often associated with Lyrical Ballads. An expressly opaque “local lyric” that refuses to preach, this poem reimagines the provincial form of the Cumbrian riddle to figure the habitual rebuilding of these giants as an emblem of regional resistance. At a time when Cumbria was increasingly depicted as an uncolonized remnant of a savage English past, “Rural Architecture” marshals Cumbrian dialect, tradition, architecture, temporality, and history to question both the exploitation of the Lake District's natural resources and the British Empire's developmental narratives relating to industrialization, urbanization, commercialization, and militarization. While emphasizing the difficultly involved in capturing an authentic understanding of the Cumbrian custom of giant building, the poem also attempts to relay this local practice intelligibly to a metropolitan reading community whose only likely knowledge of the region's traditions in the early 1800s came from eighteenth-century architectural studies and tourist guides. The enigmatic qualities of this lyric, however, have frequently made it hard for readers unacquainted with Cumbrian culture to recognize the ethical significance of the turbulent local history that informs the apparently inconsequential regional practice that the poem depicts. Paying close attention to the persistence of a Cumbrian custom that has undergone considerable mutation over the centuries prompts us to rethink “Rural Architecture” itself as a local phenomenon whose distinguishing character rests in its anachronistic desire to survive in a hostile imperial framework.
Dynamic microtubule organization and mitochondrial transport are regulated by distinct Kinesin-1 pathways
Authors: Melkov Anna , Simchoni Yasmin , Alcalay Yehonatan , Abdu Uri
Published: November 2015

The microtubule (MT) plus-end motor kinesin heavy chain (Khc) is well known for its role in long distance cargo transport. Recent evidence showed that Khc is also required for the organization of the cellular MT network by mediating MT sliding. We found that mutations in Khc and the gene of its adaptor protein, kinesin light chain (Klc) resulted in identical bristle morphology defects, with the upper part of the bristle being thinner and flatter than normal and failing to taper towards the bristle tip. We demonstrate that bristle mitochondria transport requires Khc but not Klc as a competing force to dynein heavy chain (Dhc). Surprisingly, we demonstrate for the first time that Dhc is the primary motor for both anterograde and retrograde fast mitochondria transport. We found that the upper part of Khc and Klc mutant bristles lacked stable MTs. When following dynamic MT polymerization via the use of GFP-tagged end-binding protein 1 (EB1), it was noted that at Khc and Klc mutant bristle tips, dynamic MTs significantly deviated from the bristle parallel growth axis, relative to wild-type bristles. We also observed that GFP-EB1 failed to concentrate as a focus at the tip of Khc and Klc mutant bristles. We propose that the failure of bristle tapering is due to defects in directing dynamic MTs at the growing tip. Thus, we reveal a new function for Khc and Klc in directing dynamic MTs during polarized cell growth. Moreover, we also demonstrate a novel mode of coordination in mitochondrial transport between Khc and Dhc.
Preparation of the Monoacylates of 2-Substituted (Z)-But-2-ene-1,4-diols Using Porcine Pancreas Lipase
Authors: Kawashima Yuya , Ezawa Tetsuya , Harada Taisuke , Noguchi Takuya , Kawasaki Masashi , Kirihara Masayuki , Imai Nobuyuki
Published: November 2015

3-Substituted (Z)-4-hydroxybut-2-en-1-yl acylates were regioselectively obtained in 2–98% yields by acylations of the corresponding 2-substituted (Z)-but-2-ene-1,4-diols with 10 equiv of vinyl acylate in the presence of 50 w/w% of porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) Type II. 2-Substituted (Z)-4-hydroxybut-2-en-1-yl acylates were regioselectively obtained in 4–95% yields by hydrolyses of the corresponding 2-substituted (Z)-but-2-ene-1,4-diyl diacylates in the presence of 100 w/w% of PPL Type II.
Analyzing the Parameters of the Coal—Gas System Using a Low-Cost Device Based on a Flowmeter
Authors: Skoczylas Norbert
Published: November 2015

Investigations of the coal—gas system—in particular, those concerning the amount of the gas adsorbed and the kinetics of its release—are extremely important in the analysis of hazards associated with the presence of methane and outbursts of gas and rocks. Such an investigation is also useful for analyzing the adsorbent parameters. Adsorption analyzers that are available on the market fall into two types: gravimetric and volumetric. Gravimetric analyzers are very complex, stationary devices. Their biggest drawback is the problem pertaining to a sudden pressure change, which initiates the processes of gas adsorption and transportation. This is associated with a higher degree of measurement uncertainty with regard to the determination of the diffusion coefficient. By contrast, volumetric analyzers are usually far cheaper and are capable of processing sudden pressure changes. However, in this case, the measurement is seldom isobaric in nature, which makes it difficult to use for determination of the diffusion coefficient on the basis of the unipore model. The author of this paper intends to show a simple device based on a gas flowmeter, which makes use of a phenomenon known as ‘barbotage’. The cost of constructing such a device is several dozen times cheaper than the cost of gravimetric and volumetric analyzers available on the market. A sudden pressure change is allowed, and the release of methane is measured under quasi-isobaric conditions. The paper discusses the concept of the device and provides an analysis of the results that it generated. These results were juxtaposed with those obtained using a gravimetric reference device.
Severe Sepsis: A Science of Uncertainty
Authors: Auerbach Jonathan , Dezfulian Cameron
Published: November 2015

An evaluation of a recent study by Kaukonen KM, Bailey M, Suzuki S et al: Mortality related to severe sepsis and septic shock among critically ill patients in Australia and New Zealand, 2000-2012. JAMA 2014, 311(13):13081316.
Radio listening clubs in Malawi as alternative public spheres
Authors: Mhagama Peter
Published: November 2015

Many people in rural areas in Malawi lack access to information due to illiteracy and the unavailability of reliable sources of information. There is also an absence of a proper forum where rural ordinary people can express their views and have their voices heard. However, in communities where there are community radio stations, the stations are helping create spaces for ordinary people to participate in public life by setting up radio listening clubs (RLCs). This article examines how RLCs offer ordinary people opportunities for mediated participation in public debate and for self-representation. Based on face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation, the article argues that the organization of listeners into RLCs by community radio stations enables ordinary people to receive and discuss crucial information and hold debate on issues of interest. As such, the RLCs possess some characteristics of the public sphere; hence the reference to them as alternative public spheres.
Two Models for Sharing Digital Open Educational Resources
Authors: Rennie Frank , Reynolds Patricia
Published: November 2015

Two contrasting models to facilitate the sharing of digital educational resources available for Higher Education are reviewed. The first model is based upon a low-input / open-access format that identifies, reviews then integrates digital resources taken from the global open educational resources pool into a course structure. New resources are added where required and the totality is contextualised for the specific current curriculum requirements. The second model is based upon a membership system linking global schools in any subject but trialled in dentistry to create, structure and curate a common pool of digital educational resources. The models selected have their roots in common initial goals but have chosen different routes to structure and fund their development in their search for sustainability. The models are contrasted and compared in terms of ease of use and contextualisation, and some general lessons for further OER development are drawn.
The Desire for Justice and the Desire for the Unknown: Field Notes on the Creation of a Transformative Creative Writing MA Community
Authors: Kelly Sam , Rivera Errol
Published: November 2015

Reinventing the MA in Creative Writing at Edinburgh Napier University using student-staff collaboration. Situated within Higher Education’s ongoing conversations about co-operative learning and student engagement, this piece proposes the experience of its authors as the possible basis of a methodology for community creation: one that can be used by any taught postgraduate programme as a means of redefining and strengthening its sense of purpose.
Observing Teaching: A Lens for Self-reflection
Authors: Engin Marion
Published: November 2015

Peer observation is often an unpopular form of professional development amongst faculty. Some of the reasons for this attitude are practical and logistical difficulties in organisation, possible threat to professionalism and uncertainty of aims and processes. However, peer observation with a specific focus on learning can be an essential form of professional development amongst faculty in a higher education institution. This paper describes a peer observation programme which took place at an English language medium university in the Gulf. Results suggest that teachers found peer observations provided learning opportunities and affective benefits and impacted positively on teaching.
Addressing the Needs of Academic Staff in Supporting Students with Mental Health Conditions in Online Programmes at a Distributed University
Authors: Erskine Rachel Stephanie , MacPhail Eilidh
Published: November 2015

Professional experience prompted the initial discussions of the need to identify increased research and further support for academic staff in teaching online with students who have mental health conditions whether these are disclosed or not at the time of application to a distributed university. With the prevalence of mental health conditions increasing in the general population, it stands to reason that increasing numbers of students with mental health conditions are entering higher education. Studying online is different than being in a face-to-face environment and online teaching staff need to have additional skills to be able to individualise their teaching to cater for their students as well as be able to support those with mental health conditions. It is proposed that research among programme leaders, module leaders and personal academic tutors within the University of the Highlands & Islands is undertaken to contribute the academic perspective to supportive policy development within the University for this group of students.
How does Term-time Paid Work Affect Higher Education Students’ Studies, and What can be Done to Minimise any Negative Effects?
Authors: McGregor Iain Peter
Published: November 2015

This study aims to investigate the effects of term-time paid work on undergraduate students’ studies and what can be done to minimise any negative effects. Two studies were conducted; the first to establish the extent of students taking on paid work during term time, the impact it had on their studies and how they would like to be academically supported. The second study addressed students’ preferred methods of support, specifically seeking to establish guidelines about optimal methods. Almost two thirds of students within the study work during term time, with an average work commitment of 16 hours. Over two thirds of working students felt that their studies had been negatively affected by their paid work, whilst just over half of the students reported that their physical health had been affected, with just under a half describing mental health issues associated with working whilst studying. Over half the students thought that pre-recorded lectures would be the most suitable method of academic support and that the optimum length should be 60 minutes. In addition, a number of other asynchronous methods were identified. The results suggest that it is possible to support students more during their studies, and that the solutions are relatively simple. There is no suggestion that the methods of support will lessen the negative effects of working while studying, but they can be used to provide what students think might assist them to balance paid work and studying during term time. This study might be of interest to those supporting other groups of students who may require support with their studies, such as those with health issues, disabilities or care responsibilities.
The Use of Wikis within the Virtual Learning Environment to Support Collaborative Working and their Influence on Students’ Learning Experience
Authors: Viol Maren
Published: November 2015

Wikis are collaborative websites and are increasingly used by organisations for working in groups and sharing knowledge. Furthermore, universities have recently started to implement wikis for teaching and learning purposes. The academic literature suggests that wikis are a suitable tool to enhance constructivist learning environments as well as to develop students’ employability skills. Furthermore, wikis can help mitigate some of the common challenges of group work at university. This paper explores students’ experiences with the informal use of wikis that are embedded in the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) and provides suggestions for the implementation of similar wikis in other situations. It is based on data that were gathered in a module for first year undergraduate Festival and Event Management students at a UK University. Findings suggest some negative experiences with VLE wikis on this module due to the layout of the wiki software, combined with readily available means of online collaboration such as Facebook that students were more familiar with. The findings constitute the basis for advice on using wikis in the future. Most importantly, the wiki software should possess as many of the key characteristics of a wiki as possible. Furthermore, the research confirms several findings from other studies: Students should be given guidance on how they can use and benefit from the wiki and how it is used by the teaching team for monitoring and marking. For high levels of student engagement, a mandatory use of the wiki should be considered, or, alternatively, a thorough embedding of the wiki in the curriculum combined with high levels of staff engagement needs to be in place.
Investigation of International Students’ Perception of ‘Community’ in a British Higher Education Institute
Authors: Jackson Kathrine Angela , Harris Fay , Crawford Russell
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates the perceptions of members of our international student community by giving them a voice and a platform to explore their feelings as part of a Higher Education institute in the UK and whether they consider that the university is a global environment. Our data is based on a series of structured interviews with twelve students from twelve different countries, inclusive of four postgraduate research students. Our findings reveal that our international students commonly feel part of multiple smaller communities but interestingly, they were less sure of their part within an institute-wide community. The postgraduate students’ perceptions of community were quite divergent when compared to the undergraduate perceptions, which we will continue to explore in our future work. Our data supports the perception from international students that their university is a global community, but there were distinct differences in how individuals defined it and some limitations to consider. Some defined it as students and staff of different nationalities being present at a university whilst other definitions relied on cultural characteristics within the institution as a whole. We reflect upon the implications of our research as these perceptions shape international student opinion of Higher Education institutes and what is understood by the term ‘global community’.
Book Review: Tools for Teaching in an Educationally Mobile World (Internationalization of Higher Education Series)
Authors: Perry Patricia
Published: November 2015

Carroll, J. (2015). Tools for Teaching in an Educationally Mobile World. (Internationalization in Higher Education Series). Oxon: Routledge. ISBN: 9780415728010
Nationalsozialistische Erfahrung und begriffsgeschichtliche Revision. Der Briefwechsel zwischen Erich Rothacker und Carl Schmitt 1933–1960
Authors: Mehring Reinhard
Published: November 2015

After National Socialism had destroyed any tradition in the history of thought, humanities in post-war Germany answered by criticizing this tradition, initiating a number of projects in the field of the history of concept. Erich Rothacker and Carl Schmitt, both compromised by National Socialism, can be seen here as predecessors of Joachim Ritter and also of Hans-Georg Gadamer. The letters, of which there are only a few, display consensus as well as dissent between the writers.
Wer hat die Beweispflicht für die Allgüte Gottes?
Authors: Hoerster Norbert
Published: November 2015

Is it rational to believe in the existence of a God who is not only omnipotent (and omniscient) but also good or morally perfect? This is the famous Problem of Evil, the Theodicy problem. Unlike many theologians and philosophers who feel convinced of either the existence or the non-existence of a good God, I defend a sceptical view based on the following two assumptions: 1. The believers have so far not been able to show that all the evils of the world, for which God is responsible, are logically necessary means for the attainment of higher values. 2. The burden of proof - contrary to what many theologians say - lies clearly on the believers in God’s goodness and not on the non-believers. Insofar we have at present no sufficient reason to believe in a God who is not morally indifferent.
Wege aus dem Ego-Tunnel
Authors: Fuchs Thomas
Published: November 2015

Phenomenology may be considered the systematic science of subjective experience and its basic structures of intentionality, embodiment, temporality and intersubjectivity. Thus it is assigned the crucial task of defending subjective experience against reductionist claims raised by proponents of naturalism or physicalism. Nonetheless, phenomenology is far more than a mere science of consciousness which it maintains as an impregnable, but sterile citadel. On the contrary, as a science of embodied and extended subjectivity, it touches the fields of empirical sciences and enters with them into a productive dialogue. This is shown in three areas of science: (1) by the crucial role of phenomenology for the paradigm of embodied and extended mind in cognitive neuroscience; (2) by the phenomenological concept of primary social cognition as intercorporeality; and (3) by the phenomenological psychopathology of embodiment, in particular in schizophrenia.
Philosophie als Weltoffenheit
Authors: Römer Inga
Published: November 2015

The posthumously published text was presented by Laszlo Tengelyi on July 11th 2014 in the context of a conference dedicated to him on his 60th birthday. He died on July 19th 2014. The essay proposes that modern philosophy does not necessarily lead to a metaphysics of subjectivity but can be developed as a thinking of the world. Tengelyi defines philosophy as such as a thinking of the world in the sense of a science of „beings in a whole“. The whole of the world differentiates itself today into nature and history and is, furthermore, marked by openness towards the infinite. Following Kant’s notion of the world, Rickert’s heterological principle, Duns Scotus’ disjunctive transcendentals, Heidegger’s transcendental principle of world-openness and especially Schelling’s philosophy of the Ages of the World, Tengelyi sketches the philosophical task of a scientific thinking of the world, which takes its starting point in freedom as a capacity of transcendence and determines nature as the past, history as the present, and the infinite as the openness of the world towards the future.
Nunquam Revertar
Authors: Voigt Vilmos
Published: November 2015

Already two hundred years ago folklorists realized the dialectics of ‘dying out’ and ‘revival’ of folklore genres. The shift of the narrative contexts, the rapid development of techniques of communication in the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries do not mean that all old, ‘classical’ forms of folklore ceased to exist. Themes, motifs, genres might survive. But it was the social base of folklore which changed most definitely. In the 1960s, the heyday of the revival of (worldwide) comparative philology, the concept of Volkserzahlungsgemeinschaft emerged. Since then new research paradigms were launched, but the comparative and textual perspective of folk narrative studies remained the central issue. Such typically old species of research (e.g., tale-type catalogues, tale-type and genre monographs, critical editions of famous collections) appeared continuously. Besides, new fields such as morphologic and structural analyses, paremiology, contemporary narratives or ideological criticism of folklore texts have been explored. The emergence of Soviet, African, Asian or Baltic folkloristics was very productive. Furthermore, there are works dedicated to ‘new’ systems of folk narrative theories. Although we should not disregard the increasing number of new trends, the last half-century of folk narrative research ‘will never come back’.
Geochronology and Palaeomagnetic Records of the Snaigupėlė Section in South Lithuania
Authors: Baltrūnas Valentinas , Maksimov Fedor E. , Kuznetsov Vladislav Yu. , Karmaza Bronislavas , Katinas Valentas
Published: November 2015

The interglacial deposits in the South Lithuanian Snaigupėlė outcrop and borehole Snaigupėlė-705 are marked for different bedding conditions though the sections are in proximity of each other. In the borehole section, the interglacial deposits are thicker and bedding at a greater depth than the analogous deposits of the outcrop. In the Snaigupėlė outcrop, the highest compatibility of isochronic-correction dates, calculated using L/L (method of leaching) and TSD (method of total sample dissolution) models, was determined for combination of three samples. With the help of the f value (section of isochrones in the axis of ordinates), the contribution of the primary pollution with thorium was determined where, as based on corrected analytical data, isochronic-correction dating was performed: 127+18-14 ka years for the L/L model and 132+22-16 ka for the TSD model. Palaeomagnetic investigations showed that the section of lacustrine sediments in the lower part of Snaigupėlė outcrop were orientated by reversed magnetic excursion and in the upper part by normal magnetic polarity. Collation of the obtained data with the global geomagnetic scale showed that the palaeomagnetic in-version observed in the Snaigupėlė section was related with the Blake Event in the Eemian Interglacial.
Palaeodose Underestimation Of Heated Quartz In Red-TL Dating Of Volcanic Contexts
Authors: Richter Daniel , Klinger Philip , Zöller Ludwig
Published: November 2015

Thermoluminescence (TL) dating is a valuable tool for chronometric dating of heated minerals and has been shown to agree very well with independent age control. Comparison with argon dating of samples from identical events, however, revealed age underestimations of volcanic eruptions dated by orange-red TL (R-TL) of quartz extracts from some xenolith samples, while good agreement was obtained for others. The underestimation is attributed to an apparent signal loss (“anomalous fading”) which was experimentally observed for some, but not all samples investigated. The presence of significant amounts of feldspar or tridymite, which could be related to the observations, is excluded by IRSL (Infrared Stimulated Luminescence) and XRD analysis. While the data is not entirely conclusive, it leads to the current working hypothesis that exposure to high temperatures might be responsible for an effect similar to the anomalous fading phenomena observed for some feldspar luminescence. It therefore appears to be prudent not to sample xenoliths from high temperature context, like basalt dykes in volcanic context.
The role of N-terminal and C-terminal Arg residues from BK on interaction with kinin B2 receptor
Authors: Filippelli-Silva Rafael , Martin Renan P. , Rodrigues Eliete S. , Nakaie Clovis R. , Oliveira Laerte , Pesquero João B. , Shimuta Suma I.
Published: November 2015

Bradykinin (BK) is a nonapeptide important for several physiological processes such as vasodilatation, increase in vascular permeability and release of inflammatory mediators. BK performs its actions by coupling to and activating the B2 receptor, a family A G-protein coupled receptor. Using a strategy which allows systematical monitoring of BK R1 and R9 residues and B2 receptor acidic residues Glu5.35(226) and Asp6.58(298), our study aims at clarifying the BK interaction profile with the B2 receptor [receptor residue numbers are normalized according to Ballesteros and Weinstein, Methods Neurosci. 25 (1995), pp. 366–428) followed by receptor sequence numbering in brackets]. N- and C-terminal analogs of BK (-A1, -G1, -K1, -E1 and BK-A9) were tested against wild type B2, Glu5.35(226)Ala and Asp6.58(298)Ala B2 mutant receptors for their affinity and capability to elicit responses by mechanical recordings of isolated mice stomach fundus, measuring intracellular calcium mobilization, and competitive fluorimetric binding assays. BK showed 2- and 15-fold decreased potency for Glu5.35(226) and Asp6.58(298) B2 mutant receptors, respectively. In B2-Glu5.35(226)Ala BK analogs showed milder reduction in evaluated parameters. On the other hand, in the B2-Asp6.58(298)Ala mutant, no N-terminal analog was able to elicit any response. However, the BK-A9 analog presented higher affinity parameters than BK in the latter mutant. These findings provide enough support for defining a novel interaction role of BK-R9 and Asp6.58(298) receptor residues.
Generalized hydrodynamic correlations and fractional memory functions
Authors: Rodríguez Rosalio F. , Fujioka Jorge
Published: November 2015

A fractional generalized hydrodynamic (GH) model of the longitudinal velocity fluctuations correlation, and its associated memory function, for a complex fluid is analyzed. The adiabatic elimination of fast variables introduces memory effects in the transport equations, and the dynamic of the fluctuations is described by a generalized Langevin equation with long-range noise correlations. These features motivate the introduction of Caputo time fractional derivatives and allows us to calculate analytic expressions for the fractional longitudinal velocity correlation function and its associated memory function. Our analysis eliminates a spurious constant term in the non-fractional memory function found in the non-fractional description.
It also produces a significantly slower power-law decay of the memory function in the GH regime that reduces to the well-known exponential decay in the non-fractional Navier–Stokes limit.
A new monitoring and characterization system of partial discharges based on the analysis of the spectral power
Authors: Ardila Rey Jorge Alfredo , Albarracín Sánchez Ricardo , Robles Guillermo
Published: November 2015

Partial Discharges (PD) are one of the possible causes for unexpected faults in power systems equipment, so that its measure is an essential tool for high-voltage electrical equipment maintenance. In order to characterize the PD activity, some statistic magnitudes are necessary. For this reason, the acquisition and processing of PD is very important when making critical decisions regarding disconnection or repairing assets in power systems. On the other hand, the measurement environments often present multiple sources of electrical noise, thus the proper interpretation of PD patterns is a challenge in the identification of sources of different nature. In this paper, the development of a PD monitoring system capable of displaying in real time the classic PD parameters, the PD waveform, its frequency spectrum and calculating statistical parameters of the acquisition, are presented. On the whole, a new method of identifying sources of PD and electrical noise, developed by the authors, which is based on measuring the relative spectral power of PD pulses, is shown. This method has proven effective in characterizing PD and electrical noise; a series of experiments conducted in several test objects are presented in order to validate the performance of the proposed system
Steady state signatures in the time domain for nonintrusive appliance identification
Authors: Jimenez Yulieth , Duarte Cesar , Petit Johann , Meyer Jan , Schegner Peter , Carrillo Gilberto
Published: November 2015

Smart Grid paradigm promotes advanced load monitoring applications to support demand side management and energy savings. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring to estimate the individual operation and power consumption of the residential appliances, from single point electrical measurements. This approach takes advantage of signal processing in order to reduce the hardware effort associated to systems with multiple dedicated sensors. Discriminative characteristics of the appliances, namely load signatures, could be extracted from the transient or steady state electrical signals. In this paper the effect of impact factors that can affect the steady state load signatures under realistic conditions are investigated: the voltage supply distortion, the network impedance and the sampling frequency of the metering equipment. For this purpose, electrical measurements of several residential appliances were acquired and processed to obtain some indices in the time domain. Results include the comparison of
distinct scenarios, and the evaluation of the suitability and discrimination capacity of the steady state information.
Toll-like receptor-4 is essential for Arcobacter butzleri-induced colonic and systemic immune responses in gnotobiotic IL-10−/− mice
Authors: Gölz Greta , Karadas Gül , Fischer André , Göbel Ulf B. , Alter Thomas , Bereswill Stefan , Heimesaat Markus M.
Published: November 2015

Arcobacter butzleri causes sporadic cases of gastroenteritis, but the underlying immunopathological mechanisms of infection are unknown. We have recently demonstrated that A. butzleri-infected gnotobiotic IL-10−/− mice were clinically unaffected but exhibited intestinal and systemic inflammatory immune responses. For the first time, we here investigated the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, the main receptor for lipopolysaccharide and lipooligosaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria, in murine arcobacteriosis. Gnotobiotic TLR-4/IL-10-double deficient (TLR-4−/− IL-10−/−) and IL-10−/− control mice generated by broad-spectrum antibiotics were perorally infected with A. butzleri. Until day 16 postinfection, mice of either genotype were stably colonized with the pathogen, but fecal bacterial loads were approximately 0.5–2.0 log lower in TLR-4−/− IL-10−/− as compared to IL-10−/− mice. A. butzleri-infected TLR-4−/− IL-10−/− mice displayed less pronounced colonic apoptosis accompanied by lower numbers of macrophages and monocytes, T lymphocytes, regulatory T-cells, and B lymphocytes within the colonic mucosa and lamina propria as compared to IL-10−/− mice. Furthermore, colonic concentrations of nitric oxide, TNF, IL-6, MCP-1, and, remarkably, IFN-γ and IL-12p70 serum levels were lower in A. butzleri-infected TLR-4−/− IL-10−/− versus IL-10−/− mice. In conclusion, TLR-4 is involved in mediating murine A. butzleri infection. Further studies are needed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Arcobacter—host interactions in more detail.
Primary systemic amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma
Authors: Oliveira Ederson Valei Lopes de , Pozetti Ana Carolina Garcia , Pozetti Eurides Maria de Oliveira , Antonio João Roberto , Michalany Nilceo Schwery
Published: November 2015

This case report is about a 48-year-old female patient with systemic amyloidosis and multiple myeloma simultaneously. Amyloid cutaneous infiltrative lesions like papules, nodules, or plaques with a serous-hemorrhagic aspect were found in the eyelids, neck and retroauricular region, among others. She had presented intermittent papular lesions on the upper eyelids one year before, which worsened following local trauma. A local skin biopsy showed amorphous and eosinophilic substance in the dermis. Congo red staining confirmed the amyloid deposits. Abnormal exams: proteinuria (570mg/24h), Bence-Jones proteinuria and clonal plasma cells (70%) found in myelogram. Following the diagnosis of multiple myeloma based on amyloid skin lesions, the patient was referred to the Hematology service and died 5 months after the diagnosis.
Clinical variability in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and findings with scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Almeida Jr Hiram Larangeira de , Monteiro Luciane Maria Alves , Goetze Fernanda Mendes , Silva Ricardo Marques e , Rocha Nara Moreira
Published: November 2015

In dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, the genetic defect of anchoring fibrils leads to cleavage beneath the basement membrane and its consequent loss. A 46 year-old female patient presented blisters with a pretibial distribution associated with nail dystrophy. Her two children had hyponychia and anonychia, which affected all toe nails and the thumb, forefinger and middle finger. DNA sequencing identified in exon 75 of COL7A1 gene a pathologic mutation: c.6235G>A (p.Gly2079Arg). Immunomapping of a blister demonstrated collagen IV (basal membrane) in the blister roof and collagen VII in its floor, confirming dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Scanning electron microscopy of an inverted blister showed net-forming collagen attached to the blister roof . The variability found in this family has already been reported and confirms, on a clinical basis, the nail subtype as a dystrophic variant.
Anhydrite/aerogel composites for thermal insulation
Authors: Sanz-Pont D. , Sanz-Arauz D. , Bedoya-Frutos C. , Flatt R. J. , López-Andrés S.
Published: November 2015

High performance thermal insulating composite materials can be produced with mineral binders and hydrophobic aerogel particles through a hydrophilization process for the latter with surfactants. The present study is focused on the development of aerogel/calcium sulfate composites by the hydrophilization of hydrophobic silica aerogel particles through a polymer-based surfactant. Its effects on the microstructure and hydration degree are examined as well as their relation to the resulting mechanical and physical properties. Results show that composites with an around 60 % of aerogel by volume can achieve a thermal conductivity <30 mW/m × K. Interestingly, a surfactant addition of 0.1 % by wt% of the water in the mixtures provides better material properties compared to a surfactant wt% addition of 5 %. However, it has been found around 40 % entrained air, affecting the material properties by reducing the binder and aerogel volume fractions within the composites. Moreover, gypsum crystallization starts to be inhibited at aerogel volume fractions >35 %. Towards material optimization, a model for the calculation of thermal conductivity of composites and an equation for the compressive strength are proposed.
International Comparisons to Assess Effects of Payment and Regulatory Changes in the United States on Anemia Practice in Patients on Hemodialysis: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study
Authors: Fuller Douglas S. , Bieber Brian A. , Pisoni Ronald L. , Li Yun , Morgenstern Hal , Akizawa Tadao , Jacobson Stefan H. , Locatelli Francesco , Port Friedrich K. , Robinson Bruce M.
Published: November 2015

For years, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) use among patients on dialysis was much higher in the United States than in Europe or Japan. Sweeping changes to dialysis reimbursement and regulatory policies for ESA in the United States in 2011 were expected to reduce ESA use and hemoglobin levels. We used the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) data from 7129 patients in 223 in–center hemodialysis facilities (average per month) to estimate and compare time trends in ESA dose and hemoglobin levels among patients on hemodialysis in the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan. From 2010 to 2013, substantial declines in ESA use and hemoglobin levels occurred in the United States but not in other DOPPS countries. Between August of 2010 and April of 2013, mean weekly ESA dose in the United States decreased 40.4% for black patients and 38.0% for nonblack patients; mean hemoglobin decreased from 11.5 g/dl in black patients and 11.4 g/dl in nonblack patients to 10.6 g/dl in both groups. In 2010 and 2013, adjusted weekly ESA doses per kilogram were 41% and 11% lower, respectively, in patients in Europe and 60% and 18% lower, respectively, in patients in Japan than in nonblack patients in the United States. Adjusted hemoglobin levels in 2010 and 2013 were 0.07 g/dl lower and 0.56 g/dl higher, respectively, in patients in Europe and 0.93 and 0.01 g/dl lower, respectively, in patients in Japan than in nonblack patients in the United States. In conclusion, ESA dosing reductions in the United States likely reflect efforts in response to changes in reimbursement policy and regulatory guidance.
Plantaciones forestales vs. regeneración natural in situ : El caso de los pinos y la rehabilitación en el Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote
Authors: Pensado-Fernández José Antonio , Sánchez-Velásquez Lázaro Rafael , Pineda-López María del Rosario , Díaz-Fleischer Francisco
Published: November 2015

El conocimiento de la estructura y dinámica de la vegetación como estimadores del desempeño de las plantaciones forestales y de la regeneración natural en la rehabilitación es escaso, y tampoco se conoce el efecto de la ganadería extensiva sobre ambas. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el número de individuos por hectárea y la tasa anual de crecimiento entre las comunidades de pinos ( Pinus patula , P. montezumae y P. teocote ) procedentes de las plantaciones forestales y de la regeneración natural en sitios con dos diferentes condiciones (con y sin exclusión de ganado). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P < 0.0001) en la tasa anual de crecimiento de la altura, en el diámetro basal del tallo y en el diámetro promedio de cobertura entre las plantaciones vs . la regeneración natural y entre las dos condiciones de exclusión de ganado. El número de individuos establecidos por hectárea fue significativamente mayor en la regeneración natural con exclusión de ganado (1,380 ± 120 y 1,130 ± 130) que en aquella sin exclusión (430 ± 250), y en las plantaciones forestales con o sin exclusión de ganado (995 ± 90 y 455 ± 125, respectivamente; P < 0.0001). Se concluye que la regeneración natural de pinos es una opción adecuada para la rehabilitación ecológica en terrenos degradados, especialmente si están protegidos del ganado, en comparación con las plantaciones forestales.
Laelia mottae (Orchidaceae): una especie nueva del complejo de Laelia anceps Lindl.
Authors: Archila Fredy , Chiron Guy , Szlachetko Dariusz , Bertolini Vincenzo , Pérez-García Eduardo A.
Published: November 2015

Se describe e ilustra una especie nueva del género Laelia : L. mottae Archila, Chiron, Szlach. & E.A. Pérez-García. Durante muchos años esta especie se consideró como una variante enana de Laelia anceps ; sin embargo, el análisis de ejemplares, tanto silvestres como cultivados, permitió establecer que en realidad se trata de dos especies. Laelia mottae es exclusiva del sureste de Guatemala y del sur de Honduras. Se comparan los principales caracteres morfológicos de L. anceps y L. mottae , y se discuten las diferencias en su distribución, hábitat y cultivo.
Effect of climate change on the distribution of Magnolia schiedeana : a threatened species
Authors: Vásquez-Morales Suria Gisela , Téllez-Valdés Oswaldo , Pineda-López María del Rosario , Sánchez-Velásquez Lázaro Rafael , Flores-Estevez Norma , Viveros-Viveros Héctor
Published: November 2015

The effects of climate change on biodiversity are imminent, and these turn out to be particularly alarming for the tropical montane cloud forest. The disappearance of fragments of this forest is expected, along with some of their most characteristic species, such as Magnolia schiedeana . Mexico, through the National System of Protected Natural Areas, must consider protection strategies for those species distributed within the Protected Natural Areas that will be affected by the climate change. This study delimits the distribution of M. schiedeana in Mexico, through ecological niche and future distribution modeling under two periods: years 2040 and 2080. These distribution models tend to move towards northeastern Mexico. The potential distribution of this species declines by 0.36% and 1.94% in the first and second periods, respectively. From this result, the future role of National System of Protected Natural Areas in the long-term conservation of M. schiedeana was analyzed, prompting a proposal to focus conservation efforts on the following Protected Natural Areas: (1) At the federal level: Biosphere Reserve Sierra Gorda and Cañón de Metztitlán, Cuenca del Río Necaxa and El Potosí, National Park El Chico, Cofre de Perote, Pico de Orizaba and Los Mármoles, and Nevado de Toluca. (2) At the state level: Cerro de las Culebras, Cerro de la Galaxia, Cerro de Macuiltepetl, El Tejar Garnica, Francisco Javier Clavijero, La Martinica, Molino de San Roque, Pacho Nuevo and Predio Barragán.
Distribución potencial de ocho especies exóticas de carácter invasor en el estado de Baja California, México
Authors: Palma-Ordaz Sara , Delgadillo-Rodríguez José
Published: November 2015

Se determinó la distribución potencial de ocho especies exóticas de carácter invasor en el estado de Baja California ( Atriplex semibaccata , Brassica tournefortii , Bromus rubens , Centaurea melitensis , Cynodon dactylon , Salsola tragus , Schismus barbatus y Tamarix ramosissima ), mediante el uso del programa de modelaje MaxEnt. Para ello se utilizaron 19 variables climáticas y la distribución conocida de las especies, obtenida de registros de herbario. Todos los modelos fueron evaluados para probar su habilidad de predicción y se analizaron las variables climáticas más importantes en el modelo predictivo de cada especie. Se identi?có la zona costera noroeste (zona mediterránea), como el área de mayor probabilidad de presencia de las especies. Esto puede deberse a que es una zona en donde históricamente el intercambio florístico ha sido más intensivo y donde la actividad antropogénica es mayor; además, probablemente estas especies han tenido una mejor adaptación a las condiciones climáticas de la zona, sólo algunas de ellas extienden su distribución potencial hacia las regiones desérticas del estado. Este es el primer trabajo que se realiza en Baja California, que considera las especies exóticas y su potencial invasor a partir de modelos de distribución potencial. Estos modelos, de?nidos con la información actual disponible, pueden apoyar para determinar los sitios más importantes de concentración de las mismas.