bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Companion Animals, Natural Disasters and the Law: An Australian Perspective
Authors: White Steven
Published: August 2012

This article examines the regulation of companion animal welfare during disasters, with some context provided by two recent major disaster events in Australia. Important general lessons for improved disaster management were identified in subsequent inquiries. However, the interests of companion animals continue to be inadequately addressed. This is because key assumptions underpinning disaster planning for companion animals—the primacy of human interests over animal interests and that individuals will properly address companion animal needs during times of disaster—are open to question. In particular these assumptions fail to recognise the inherent value of companion animals, underestimate the strong bond shared by some owners and their animals and, at the same time, overestimate the capacity of some owners to adequately meet the needs of their animals.
From Coalgebra to Bialgebra for the Six-Vertex Model: The Star-Triangle Relation as a Necessary Condition for Commuting Transfer Matrices
Authors: Schmidt Jeffrey R.
Published: August 2012

Using the most elementary methods and considerations, the solution of the star-triangle condition (a2+b2-c2)/2ab = ((a’)^2+(b’)^2-(c’))^2/2a’b’ is shown to be a necessary condition for the extension of the operator coalgebra of the six-vertex model to a bialgebra. A portion of the bialgebra acts as a spectrum-generating algebra for the algebraic Bethe ansatz, with which higher-dimensional representations of the bialgebra can be constructed. The star-triangle relation is proved to be necessary for the commutativity of the transfer matrices T(a, b, c) and T(a’, b’, c’).
Discovery of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Complex Genomes Using SGSautoSNP
Authors: Lorenc Michał T. , Hayashi Satomi , Stiller Jiri , Lee Hong , Manoli Sahana , Ruperao Pradeep , Visendi Paul , Berkman Paul J. , Lai Kaitao , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David
Published: August 2012

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are becoming the dominant form of molecular marker for genetic and genomic analysis. The advances in second generation DNA sequencing provide opportunities to identify very large numbers of SNPs in a range of species. However, SNP identification remains a challenge for large and polyploid genomes due to their size and complexity. We have developed a pipeline for the robust identification of SNPs in large and complex genomes using Illumina second generation DNA sequence data and demonstrated this by the discovery of SNPs in the hexaploid wheat genome. We have developed a SNP discovery pipeline called SGSautoSNP (Second-Generation Sequencing AutoSNP) and applied this to discover more than 800,000 SNPs between four hexaploid wheat cultivars across chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. All SNPs are presented for download and viewing within a public GBrowse database. Validation suggests an accuracy of greater than 93% of SNPs represent polymorphisms between wheat cultivars and hence are valuable for detailed diversity analysis, marker assisted selection and genotyping by sequencing. The pipeline produces output in GFF3, VCF, Flapjack or Illumina Infinium design format for further genotyping diverse populations. As well as providing an unprecedented resource for wheat diversity analysis, the method establishes a foundation for high resolution SNP discovery in other large and complex genomes.
Heavy Metals and Metalloids as Autophagy Inducing Agents: Focus on Cadmium and Arsenic
Authors: Chiarelli Roberto , Roccheri Maria Carmela
Published: August 2012

In recent years, research on the autophagic process has greatly increased, invading the fields of biology and medicine. Several markers of the autophagic process have been discovered and various strategies have been reported studying this molecular process in different biological systems in both physiological and stress conditions. Furthermore, mechanisms of metalloid- or heavy metal-induced toxicity continue to be of interest given the ubiquitous nature and distribution of these contaminants in the environment where they often play the role of pollutants of numerous organisms. The aim of this review is a critical analysis and correlation of knowledge of autophagic mechanisms studied under stress for the most common arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) compounds. In this review we report data obtained in different experimental models for each compound, highlighting similarities and/or differences in the activation of autophagic processes. A more detailed discussion will concern the activation of autophagy in Cd-exposed sea urchin embryo since it is a suitable model system that is very sensitive to environmental stress, and Cd is one of the most studied heavy metal inductors of stress and modulator of different factors such as: protein kinase and phosphatase, caspases, mitochondria, heat shock proteins, metallothioneins, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis and autophagy.
How Human Tumor Viruses Make Use of Autophagy
Authors: Pratt Zachary L. , Sugden Bill
Published: August 2012

Viruses commandeer regulatory pathways of their hosts to optimize their success as cellular parasites. The human tumor viruses, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) all affect autophagy for their own ends. EBV and KSHV regulate it during latent infections, a phase when no progeny virus is produced, while HBV and HCV use autophagy to promote their productive infections. Here we shall compare and contrast how these human tumor viruses regulate autophagy and what they gain by the appropriation of this cellular pathway.
One-Pot Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Methyl 5-Hydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Arshad Ifzan , Flörke Ulrich
Published: August 2012

The title compound, Methyl 5-Hydroxy-1-Phenyl-1H-Pyrazole-3-Carboxylate (C11H10N2O3), was prepared by a one-pot, two-component reaction of an equimolar mixture of phenyl hydrazine and dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) at reflux temperature for 2 h in a mixture of toluene and dichloromethane as solvent. C11H10N2O3 was crystallized from an ethanol solution in monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions a = 9.5408(16), b = 9.5827(16), c = 11.580(2) Å, β = 105.838(3)°, V = 1018.5(3) Å3, Z = 4.
Comparison of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl) Carbodiimide Based Strategies to Crosslink Antibodies on Amine-Functionalized Platforms for Immunodiagnostic Applications
Authors: Vashist Sandeep Kumar
Published: August 2012

1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) alone, and in combination with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) or sulfoNHS were employed for crosslinking anti-human fetuin A (HFA) antibodies on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) gold chip and 96-well microtiter plate. The SPR immunoassay and sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent immunoassay (ELISA) for HFA clearly demonstrated that EDC crosslinks anti-HFA antibodies to APTES-functionalized bioanalytical platforms more efficiently than EDC/NHS and EDC/sulfoNHS at a normal pH of 7.4. Similar results were obtained by sandwich ELISAs for human Lipocalin-2 and human albumin, and direct ELISA for horseradish peroxidase. The more efficient crosslinking of antibodies by EDC to the APTES-functionalized platforms increased the cost-effectiveness and analytical performance of our immunoassays. This study will be of wide interest to researchers developing immunoassays on APTES-functionalized platforms that are being widely used in biomedical diagnostics, biosensors, lab-on-a-chip and point-of-care-devices. It stresses a critical need of an intensive investigation into the mechanisms of EDC-based amine-carboxyl coupling under various experimental conditions.
Improving Accuracy for Image Fusion in Abdominal Ultrasonography
Authors: Ewertsen Caroline , Hansen Kristoffer L. , Henriksen Birthe M. , Nielsen Michael B.
Published: August 2012

Image fusion involving real-time ultrasound (US) is a technique where previously recorded computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance images (MRI) are reformatted in a projection to fit the real-time US images after an initial co-registration. The co-registration aligns the images by means of common planes or points. We evaluated the accuracy of the alignment when varying parameters as patient position, respiratory phase and distance from the co-registration points/planes. We performed a total of 80 co-registrations and obtained the highest accuracy when the respiratory phase for the co-registration procedure was the same as when the CT or MRI was obtained. Furthermore, choosing co-registration points/planes close to the area of interest also improved the accuracy. With all settings optimized a mean error of 3.2 mm was obtained. We conclude that image fusion involving real-time US is an accurate method for abdominal examinations and that the accuracy is influenced by various adjustable factors that should be kept in mind.
Leakage Implications for European Timber Markets from Reducing Deforestation in Developing Countries
Authors: Jonsson Ragnar , Mbongo Werner , Felton Adam , Boman Mattias
Published: August 2012

Forest management strategies and policies such as REDD (reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) may have unintentional implications for forest sectors in countries not targeted by such policies. The success of a policy effort like REDD would result in a significant reduction in deforestation and forest degradation and an ensuing reduction in the supply of natural forest timber production within participating countries. This could in turn result in price increases, inducing a supply response outside project boundaries with possible implications for forest management as well as global carbon emissions. This paper reviews the literature to discern potential timber market implications for countries sourcing wood products from developing countries affected by REDD related conservation efforts. The literature reviewed shows varying degrees of market effects leakage—policy actions in one place creating incentives for third parties to increase timber harvesting elsewhere through the price mechanism—ranging from negligible to substantial. However, wood products in the studies reviewed are dealt with on quite an aggregated scale and are assumed to be more or less perfect substitutes for wood products outside conservation effort boundaries. The review suggests that a thorough mapping of the end-uses of tropical timber is needed to comprehensively analyze impacts on wood-product markets in regions such as Europe from conservation efforts in tropical developing countries. The types of tropical timber expected to be affected, in which applications they are used, which are the most likely substitutes and where they would be sourced, are issues that, along with empirical analysis of supply and demand price elasticities and degree of substitutability, should be investigated when assessing the overall effectiveness of REDD.
Arboricultural Introductions and Long-Term Changes for Invasive Woody Plants in Remnant Urban Forests
Authors: Loeb Robert E.
Published: August 2012

Long-term changes for invasive trees and shrubs presence in 16 floras encompassing four remnant urban forests of the coastal northeastern United States were examined for relationships with arboricultural introductions’ residence time and planting intensity, and state level recognition of regional invasive woody taxa. The number of invasive woody taxa significantly increased over the period 1818 to 2011 which encompasses the 16 floras. No significant Pearson product moment correlations were found for residence time as the year of introduction to arboriculture with presence in the 16 floras as well as with the 4 most recent floras. In contrast to residence time, planting intensity from the North American flora and two botanical gardens floras of the region from 1811 to 1818 and New York and Philadelphia parks floras from 1857 to 1903 did have significant correlations with the 16 floras and the 4 most recent floras. State level recognition of regional invasive woody taxa showed significant correlations with presence in all 16 floras as well as the 4 most recent floras. Monitoring for range expansion by the regional invasive woody taxa is essential because only 18% of the 98 taxa are present in all 4 of the most recent floras.
Adapted User-Centered Design: A Strategy for the Higher User Acceptance of Innovative e-Health Services
Authors: Stojmenova Emilija , Imperl Bojan , Žohar Tomaž , Dinevski Dejan
Published: August 2012

Being familiar with all the benefits of e-Health and the strategic plan for the Slovenian health sector’s informatization, Telekom Slovenia and the Faculty of Medicine from the University of Maribor, along with other partners, have initiated an e-Health project. The project group is developing various e-Health services that are based on modern ICT (information and communications technology) solutions and will be available on several screens. In order to meet the users’ needs and expectations and, consequently, achieve the high acceptance of e-Health services, the user-centered design (UCD) approach was employed in the e-Health project. However, during the research it was found that conventional UCD methods are not completely appropriate for older adults: the target population of the e-Health services. That is why the selected UCD methods were modified and adapted for older adults. The modified UCD methods used in the research study are presented in this paper. Using the results of the adapted UCD methods, a prototype for a service named MedReminder was developed. The prototype was evaluated by a group of 12 study participants. The study participants evaluated the MedReminder service as acceptable with a good potential for a high adoption rate among its target population, i.e., older adults.
Adaptive Holography in Liquid Crystal Light-Valves
Authors: Bortolozzo Umberto , Residori Stefania , Huignard Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2012

By performing two-wave mixing experiments in a liquid crystal light-valve, optical beam amplification is obtained as a strongly resonant process to which a narrow frequency bandwidth is associated. This property is exploited to realize adaptive holographic interferometric systems able to efficiently detect displacements as small as fraction of picometers. Pressure radiation induced deformations of a reflecting membrane are measured with the same type of system. Then, when used with complex wavefronts, like speckle fields, the LCLV-based interferometer allows to detect extremely small phase modulations. The examples shown demonstrate the potentialities of the light-valve for dynamic holography applications.
Identification and Determination of Aconitum Alkaloids in Aconitum Herbs and Xiaohuoluo Pill Using UPLC-ESI-MS
Authors: Cui Ping , Han Han , Wang Rui , Yang Li
Published: August 2012

A rapid, specific, and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) method to examine the chemical differences between Aconitum herbs and processed products has been developed and validated. Combined with chemometrics analysis of principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structural discriminate analysis, diester-diterpenoid and monoester-type alkaloids, especially the five alkaloids which contributed to the chemical distinction between Aconitum herbs and processed products, namely mesaconitine (MA), aconitine (AC), hypaconitine (HA), benzoylmesaconitine (BMA), and benzoylhypaconitine (BHA), were picked out. Further, the five alkaloids and benzoylaconitine (BAC) have been simultaneously determined in the Xiaohuoluo pill. Chromatographic separations were achieved on a C18 column and peaks were detected by mass spectrometry in positive ion mode and selected ion recording (SIR) mode. In quantitative analysis, the six alkaloids showed good regression, (r) > 0.9984, within the test ranges. The lower limit quantifications (LLOQs) for MA, AC, HA, BMA, BAC, and BHA were 1.41, 1.20, 1.92, 4.28, 1.99 and 2.02 ng·mL−1, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 99.7% to 101.7%. The validated method was applied successfully in the analysis of the six alkaloids from different samples, in which significant variations were revealed. Results indicated that the developed assay can be used as an appropriate quality control assay for Xiaohuoluo pill and other herbal preparations containing Aconitum roots.
The Effect of Camphor and Borneol on Rat Thymocyte Viability and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Cherneva Emiliya , Pavlovic Voja , Smelcerovic Andrija , Yancheva Denitsa
Published: August 2012

Camphor and borneol are wildly distributed in the essential oils of medicinal plants from various parts of the World. Our study has been carried out to evaluate the effect of these two bicyclic monoterpenes on rat thymocytes. Camphor and borneol at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 µg/mL did not induce significant toxicity on the immune system cells, while a significant increase of thymocyte viability was detected when cells were incubated with 50 µg/mL of camphor. A significant increase of cell viability was similarly detected when thymocytes were cultivated with borneol at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 µg/mL. The role of camphor and borneol in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disturbances in rat thymocytes as well as their potential mechanism(s) of action were also discussed.
A Study of the Relationship between Weather Variables and Electric Power Demand inside a Smart Grid/Smart World Framework
Authors: Hernández Luis , Baladrón Carlos , Aguiar Javier M. , Calavia Lorena , Carro Belén , Sánchez-Esguevillas Antonio , Cook Diane J. , Chinarro David , Gómez Jorge
Published: August 2012

One of the main challenges of today’s society is the need to fulfill at the same time the two sides of the dichotomy between the growing energy demand and the need to look after the environment. Smart Grids are one of the answers: intelligent energy grids which retrieve data about the environment through extensive sensor networks and react accordingly to optimize resource consumption. In order to do this, the Smart Grids need to understand the existing relationship between energy demand and a set of relevant climatic variables. All smart “systems” (buildings, cities, homes, consumers, etc.) have the potential to employ their intelligence for self-adaptation to climate conditions. After introducing the Smart World, a global framework for the collaboration of these smart systems, this paper presents the relationship found at experimental level between a range of relevant weather variables and electric power demand patterns, presenting a case study using an agent-based system, and emphasizing the need to consider this relationship in certain Smart World (and specifically Smart Grid and microgrid) applications.
An Exfoliated Graphite-Based Bisphenol A Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Ndlovu Thabile , Arotiba Omotayo A. , Sampath Srinivasan , Krause Rui W. , Mamba Bhekie B.
Published: August 2012

The use of an exfoliated graphite (EG) electrode in the square wave voltammetric detection of bisphenol A (a model phenolic pollutant) in water, whereby the phenolic electrode fouling challenge is mitigated, is described. The oxidation peak of BPA was observed at about 0.45 V in phosphate buffer solution at pH 10. The current response exhibited a linear relationship with the concentration over a range from 1.56 µM–50 µM. The detection limit was calculated to be 0.76 µM. The EG electrode surface was renewed after each measurement with excellent reproducibility. A real sample application was also investigated.
Efficient k-Winner-Take-All Competitive Learning Hardware Architecture for On-Chip Learning
Authors: Ou Chien-Min , Li Hui-Ya , Hwang Wen-Jyi
Published: August 2012

A novel k-winners-take-all (k-WTA) competitive learning (CL) hardware architecture is presented for on-chip learning in this paper. The architecture is based on an efficient pipeline allowing k-WTA competition processes associated with different training vectors to be performed concurrently. The pipeline architecture employs a novel codeword swapping scheme so that neurons failing the competition for a training vector are immediately available for the competitions for the subsequent training vectors. The architecture is implemented by the field programmable gate array (FPGA). It is used as a hardware accelerator in a system on programmable chip (SOPC) for realtime on-chip learning. Experimental results show that the SOPC has significantly lower training time than that of other k-WTA CL counterparts operating with or without hardware support.
A Novel Method for Measuring In-Shoe Navicular Drop during Gait
Authors: Kappel Simon L. , Rathleff Michael S. , Hermann Dan , Simonsen Ole , Karstoft Henrik , Ahrendt Peter
Published: August 2012

Analysis of foot movement is essential in the treatment and prevention of foot-related disorders. Measuring the in-shoe foot movement during everyday activities, such as sports, has the potential to become an important diagnostic tool in clinical practice. The current paper describes the development of a thin, flexible and robust capacitive strain sensor for the in-shoe measurement of the navicular drop. The navicular drop is a well-recognized measure of foot movement. The position of the strain sensor on the foot was analyzed to determine the optimal points of attachment. The sensor was evaluated against a state-of-the-art video-based system that tracks reflective markers on the bare foot. Preliminary experimental results show that the developed strain sensor is able to measure navicular drop on the bare foot with an accuracy on par with the video-based system and with a high reproducibility. Temporal comparison of video-based, barefoot and in-shoe measurements indicate that the developed sensor measures the navicular drop accurately in shoes and can be used without any discomfort for the user.
Renal Alterations in Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)-Infected Cats: A Natural Model of Lentivirus-Induced Renal Disease Changes
Authors: Poli Alessandro , Tozon Natasa , Guidi Grazia , Pistello Mauro
Published: August 2012

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with several renal syndromes including acute and chronic renal failures, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. HIV and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) share numerous biological and pathological features, including renal alterations. We investigated and compared the morphological changes of renal tissue of 51 experimentally and 21 naturally infected cats. Compared to the latter, the experimentally infected cats exhibited some mesangial widening and glomerulonephritis, milder proteinuria, and lower tubular and interstitial alterations. The numbers of giant protein tubular casts and tubular microcysts were also lower. In contrast, diffuse interstitial infiltrates and glomerular and interstitial amyloidosis were detected only in naturally infected cats. Similar alterations are found in HIV infected patients, thus supporting the idea of a causative role of FIV infection in renal disease, and underlining the relevance of the FIV and its natural host as an animal model for investigating lentivirus-associated nephropathy.
Magnetic Enhancement of Cell Retention, Engraftment, and Functional Benefit after Intracoronary Delivery of Cardiac-Derived Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Cheng Ke , Malliaras Konstantinos , Li Tao-Sheng , Sun Baiming , Houde Christiane , Galang Giselle , Smith Jeremy , Matsushita Noriko , Marbán Eduardo
Published: August 2012

The efficiency of stem cell transplantation is limited by low cell retention. Intracoronary (IC) delivery is convenient and widely used but exhibits particularly low cell retention rates. We sought to improve IC cell retention by magnetic targeting. Rat cardiosphere-derived cells labeled with iron microspheres were injected into the left ventricular cavity of syngeneic rats during brief aortic clamping. Placement of a 1.3 Tesla magnet ~1 cm above the heart during and after cell injection enhanced cell retention at 24 h by 5.2–6.4-fold when 1, 3, or 5 × 105 cells were infused, without elevation of serum troponin I (sTnI) levels. Higher cell doses (1 or 2 × 106 cells) did raise sTnI levels, due to microvascular obstruction; in this range, magnetic enhancement did not improve cell retention. To assess efficacy, 5 × 105 iron-labeled, GFP-expressing cells were infused into rat hearts after 45 min ischemia/20 min reperfusion of the left anterior coronary artery, with and without a superimposed magnet. By quantitative PCR and optical imaging, magnetic targeting increased cardiac retention of transplanted cells at 24 h, and decreased migration into the lungs. The enhanced cell engraftment persisted for at least 3 weeks, at which time left ventricular remodeling was attenuated, and therapeutic benefit (ejection fraction) was higher, in the magnetic targeting group. Histology revealed more GFP+ cardiomyocytes, Ki67+ cardiomyocytes and GFP-/ckit+ cells, and fewer TUNEL+ cells, in hearts from the magnetic targeting group. In a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion injury, magnetically enhanced intracoronary cell delivery is safe and improves cell therapy outcomes.
Isolation of Myogenic Stem Cells from Cultures of Cryopreserved Human Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Zheng Bo , Chen Chien-Wen , Li Guangheng , Thompson Seth D. , Poddar Minakshi , Péault Bruno , Huard Johnny
Published: August 2012

We demonstrate that subpopulations of adult human skeletal muscle-derived stem cells, myogenic endothelial cells (MECs), and perivascular stem cells (PSCs) can be simultaneously purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) from cryopreserved human primary skeletal muscle cell cultures (cryo-hPSMCs). For FACS isolation, we utilized a combination of cell lineage markers: the myogenic cell marker CD56, the endothelial cell marker UEA-1 receptor (UEA-1R), and the perivascular cell marker CD146. MECs expressing all three cell lineage markers (CD56+UEA-1R+CD146+/CD45-) and PSCs expressing only CD146 (CD146+/CD45-CD56-UEA-1R-) were isolated by FACS. To evaluate their myogenic capacities, the sorted cells, with and without expansion in culture, were transplanted into the cardiotoxin-injured skeletal muscles of immunodeficient mice. The purified MECs exhibited the highest regenerative capacity in the injured mouse muscles among all cell fractions tested, while PSCs remained superior to myoblasts and the unpurified primary skeletal muscle cells. Our findings show that both MECs and PSCs retain their high myogenic potentials after in vitro expansion, cryopreservation, and FACS sorting. The current study demonstrates that myogenic stem cells are prospectively isolatable from long-term cryopreserved primary skeletal muscle cell cultures. We emphasize the potential application of this new approach to extract therapeutic stem cells from human muscle cells cryogenically banked for clinical purposes.
Organocatalytic C–H activation reactions
Authors: Pan Subhas Chandra
Published: August 2012

Organocatalytic C–H activation reactions have recently been developed besides the traditional metal-catalysed C–H activation reactions. The recent non-asymmetric and asymmetric C–H activation reactions mediated by organocatalysts are discussed in this review.
Empedocles on Divine Nature
Authors: Rangos Spyridon
Published: August 2012

Résumé L’objet de cet article est d’examiner l’ensemble des entités qui sont appelées divines dans le poème philosophique d’Empédocle (à savoir les racines, les puissances, les dieux à longue vie, les daimones, la Sphère et l’esprit saint). Il s’agit de se demander si ces entités aboutissent à une vision consistante de la divinité. On examine aussi la dialectique de la mortalité et de l’immortalité présente dans la pensée d’Empédocle. Dans la mesure où la moindre chose, y compris les vivants les plus instables, sont issus des principes divins, il y a un sens à dire que, dans le cosmos d’Empédocle, toutes les choses composées sont considérées comme étant divines. Mais en un autre sens, seules les structures hautement intégrées méritent d’être considérées en tant que dieux. On montre que souffrir comme un mortel revient à vivre une vie fragmentée continuellement menacée par le spectre de la mort. Au contraire, mener une vie de dieu revient à vivre au sens plein, sans être tourmenté par le terme éventuel d’une existence heureuse. En conclusion, on établit que deux orientations distinctes de la poésie grecque et de la philosophie semblent avoir rivalisé dans l’interprétation qu’Empédocle se faisait des dieux.
Les dieux du fr. 128 d'Empédocle et le mythe des races
Authors: Picot Jean-Claude
Published: August 2012

Résumé Dans le fr. 128 DK d’Empédocle, Empédocle nomme cinq dieux en opposition à Cypris : Arès, Kudoimos, Zeus, Cronos, Poséidon. Pourquoi ces cinq dieux ? Quelle relation peuvent-ils entretenir avec le mythe hésiodique des cinq races, qui semble être en arrière-plan du propos d’Empédocle ? Pourquoi Poséidon est-il présent à côté de Zeus et non pas Aïdôneus  ? L’article tente de répondre à ces questions. Pour finir, il s’interroge sur la relation possible des hommes de l’âge de Cypris et des daimones (fr. 115 DK), et conclut sur la place du fr. 128 dans l’œuvre d’Empédocle.
La sagesse et les pouvoirs du mystérieux τις du fragment 129 d'Empédocle
Authors: Macris Constantinos , Skarsouli Pénélope
Published: August 2012

Résumé Le fragment 129 d’Empédocle fait état du savoir prodigieux et du pouvoir des prapides d’un Super-Sage du passé en qui les sources citatrices et les interprètes modernes reconnaissent trop facilement Pythagore de Samos. Le but de la présente étude est de reprendre à nouveaux frais l’examen de ces six vers afin d’ouvrir le débat autour de la sagesse et des pouvoirs attribués à la figure anonyme du Super-Sage. Interprétant « Empédocle à partir d’Empédocle », mais aussi à l’aide des références culturelles majeures de son temps, on essaie d’examiner quel type de sagesse était attribué à cette figure par le poète philosophe, de quelles conditions, physiologiques ou autres, relève l’acquisition de cette dernière et en quoi consiste son caractère exceptionnel.
Empédocle, la Violence sacrificielle et la Grâce
Authors: Wersinger Anne Gabrièle
Published: August 2012

Résumé L’objet de cette contribution est d’interroger le contexte anthropologique du vocabulaire et de la langue théologique et rituelle que continue à parler Empédocle, au moment où il renverse le Panthéon olympien traditionnel. Contrairement à ceux qui attribuent à la vision d’Empédocle lui-même les éléments théologiques et rituels présents dans le fragment 115, il s’agit de montrer que ces éléments relèvent d’une économie sacrificielle imputée à la religion olympienne et placée sous le joug de Nécessité (Anagkè). En parallèle avec les réflexions orphiques et tragiques de son temps, qu’il remet en perspective, Empédocle dénoncerait notamment l’ambiguïté constitutive du sacré et de la purification qui mine les deux instances que sont l’Alliance (Philotès) et la Querelle (Neîkos) en faisant communiquer la Violence et la Grâce (Charis) de manière à la fois inéluctable et insupportable. À partir des indices offerts par les fragments 30 et 116, une réinterprétation du Cycle empédocléen est proposée qui fait place à l’hypothèse d’une alternance non sacrificielle, vouée aux Charites.
Inmigración y dinámicas demográficas andaluzas a comienzos del siglo XXI. Una perspectiva territorial
Authors: Navarro Rodríguez Susana , Ocaña Ocaña Carmen , Larrubia Vargas Remedios
Published: August 2012

La presencia de la inmigración extrajera en Andalucía ha propiciado una fase nueva en la evolución de su dinámica geográfica, cuya manifestación espacialmente tiene rasgos diferentes, por los desequilibrios poblacionales propios de la región y por la forma en que incide sobre ellos la inmigración extranjera, que si bien se concentra en las áreas más dinámicas, tiene también una presencia difuminada en áreas en declive, de alto impacto local. El artículo procede a identificar los modelos distintos de dinámicas demográficas que esta conjunción de circunstancias ha generado, y los factores territoriales de su distribución en la región.

[fr] La présence de l'immigration étrangère en Andalousie a conduit a une nouvelle phase dans l'évolution de sa dynamique géographique, dont la manifestation spatiale a des traits différents, à cause des déséquilibres des populations propres à la région et de la facon par laquelle l'immigration étrangère les affecte, qui, bien qu'elle se concentre dans les zones les plus dynamiques, elle a aussi une présence diffuse dans des zones en déclin, avec un impacte local élevé. L'article vise à identifier les différentes modèles des dynamiques démographiques que cette conjonction de circonstances a générées, ainsi que les facteurs territoriaux de leur distribution dans la région.
Cambios en la industria y en el paisaje vitivinícola de la Denominación de Origen de Cigales (Castilla y León, España)
Authors: Fernández Portela Julio
Published: August 2012

El objetivo de esta investigación consiste en analizar las transformaciones ocurridas en la industria y en el paisaje vitivinícola de la Denominación de Origen Cigales, una de las de mayor importancia en Castilla y León. Para poder llevar a cabo este trabajo se han utilizado diferentes fuentes estadísticas que han permitido realizar una recreación histórica de la superficie cultivada en los últimos veinte anos de esta comarca, así como entrevistas a viticultores y visitas a las bodegas. Los resultados que se han obtenido confirman una serie de cambios de gran calado en el territorio que han contribuido a dinamizar un medio rural que languidecía económica y socialmente a través del incremento de la superficie de viñedo y la aparición de grandes bodegas industriales dando lugar a la creación de un tejido económico más diversificado con nuevas actividades ensalzando a la industria del vino como un referente clave de este territorio.

[fr] L’objectif de cette recherche est d’analyser les transformations dans l’industrie et du paysage du vin d’Appellation d’Origine Cigales, une des plus importants en Castilla y León. Pour mener à bien ce travail, nous avons utilisé sources statistiques différentes qui nous ont conduit à effectuer une récréation historique de la superficie cultivée au cours des vingt dernie`res années dans cette région, ainsi que des entrevues avec des viticulteurs et des visites des caves. Les résultats obtenus confirment une série de changements majeurs dans le territoire qu’ils ont contribué à dynamiser une des zones rurales faible économiquement et socialement en augmentant la superficie de vignobles et de l’émergence de grands caves industrielles. De cette facon on a créé une structure économique plus diversifiée avec de nouvelles activités qui a transformé l’industrie du vin en une référence clé dans ce territoire.
Tendencias y perspectivas del turismo de sol y playa en Marruecos. El caso de la región Tánger-Tetuán
Authors: López Sánchez José Antonio , Arcila Garrido Manuel , Chica Ruiz Adolfo
Published: August 2012

Este artículo pretende analizar la actividad turística en la región Tánger-Tetuán en Marruecos. Además del estudio de las principales variables estadísticas disponibles en la zona, se ha realizado un trabajo de campo enmarcado dentro de un proyecto de investigación más amplio sobre turismo sostenible denominado Ibn Battouta. Se comparan los valores de la región con otras áreas cercanas dentro del estrecho de Gibraltar. En este análisis se constata el potencial turístico de la región. El gobierno marroquí ha apostado de forma evidente por el sector con planes como el “Plan Azur”. Su desarrollo debe ir paralelo a la mejora de los parámetros medioambientales que se han visto afectados por algunas de las actuaciones realizadas en la costa de dicha región.

[fr] Cet article analyse l'activité touristique dans la région Tanger-Tétouan au Maroc. En outre l'étude des principales variables statistiques dans la zone, nous avons réalisé en travail sur le terrain plus approfondi encadré dans le projet de recherche sur le tourisme soutenable Ibn Battouta. Notre investigation compare les valeurs de la région avec celles des aires prochaines dans le Détroit de Gibraltar. Notre analyse constate le potentiel touristique de la région. Le Plan Azur du gouvernement Marrocain a soutenu favorablement ce secteur; son développement doit être paralle`le à l'amélioration des paramètres environnementaux qui ont été affectés par certaines interventions réalisées dans la côte de la région en question.
Huella hídrica de España y su diversidad territorial
Authors: Sotelo Navalpotro José Antonio , Olcina Cantos Jorge , García Quiroga Fernando , Sotelo Pérez María
Published: August 2012

El agua tiene un papel fundamental en la vida del ser humano. La presente investigación trata de estudiar la realidad del agua en España, a partir del indicador denominado “huella hídrica”. Se realiza una estimación de la “huella hídrica” española y de sus implicaciones económicas y territoriales. Se analizan los recursos hídricos utilizados en nuestro país, necesarios para satisfacer la demanda de bienes y de servicios consumidos, en el primer decenio del siglo XXI. Se distinguen dos componentes: la huella hídrica interna, que es el volumen de agua que se produce y consume en España; y la externa, es decir, el agua utilizada fuera de nuestras fronteras, para obtener productos que luego serán importados y consumidos por la población española, a la par que las desigualdades territoriales existentes, respecto de la “huella hídrica”. La incertidumbre de las condiciones climáticas futuras juegan un papel básico para la planificación de los recursos y las demandas reales de agua en las próximas décadas.

[fr] L'eau joue un rôle fondamental dans la vie humaine. La présente recherche est une approche à l'étude de la réalité de l'eau en Espagne à partir de l'indicateur nommé “empreinte hydrique”. On fait une estimation de l'empreinte hydrique espagnole et ses implications économiques et territoriales. On analyse les ressources hydriques utilisées dans notre pays et qui sont nécessaires pour satisfaire la demande des biens et services de consommation de la première décennie du XXIe siècle. On distingue deux composants: l'empreinte hydrique interne qui désigne le volum d eau qui se produit et se consomme en Espagne et l'empreinte hydrique externe, qui représente l'eau hors de nos frontières, utilisée pour obtenir des produits qui seront postérieurement importés et consommés par la population espagnole, ainsi que l'existence des inégalités territoriales en ce qui concerne l'empreinte hydrique. L'incertitude des conditions climatiques futures jouent un rôle essentiel dans la planification des ressources et des demandes réelles en eau au cours des prochaines décennies.
Multicultural Approach to Learning History and Geography at School in Europe
Authors: Zangrando Valentina , Pardo Antonio M. Seoane , García-Peñalvo Francisco José , Holgado Alicia García , Holgado Lucía García
Published: August 2012

MIH project (Multicultural Interdisciplinary Handbook: Tools for Learning History and Geography in a Multicultural Perspective) is a Comenius Multilateral Project funded with support from the European Commission that was developed from 2009 to 2011. Conceived from the idea of educating lower and upper secondary school pupils in a process of construction of a European identity by involving them in the culture of other countries, the MIH project meets this need by providing new methodological and ICT tools that could help teachers and pupils plunge deeper into both the cultures and languages of other nations via their history and geography. This chapter describes the multicultural approach that has oriented the project development and MIH’s most significant results, and opens the way to introduce a European perspective in history and geography school curricula and classroom activities.
Gender Violence Experiences of Urban Adult Indigenous Women
Authors: Gómez M. Cruz Sánchez , García Antonio V. Martín , Llorente Ana María Pinto , Dávila Paula Andrea Fernández , Sepúlveda Pamela Zapata
Published: August 2012

This chapter deals with the problem of gender violence, especially in Chilean Aymara women. The aim of the study is to make a diagnosis of the indices and forms of domestic violence against women on the basis of gender in a sample of Aymara women from the urban area in the Arica and Parinacota Region (Chile). The chapter assumes the definition of intrafamiliar violence, according to the formulation adopted by Chilean legislation, as a complex and multi-determined phenomenon, which happens in the context of a culture and certain social relationships that support and make it possible. In this sense, it is one of the most dramatic manifestations of discrimination experienced by women because of their sexual condition. It is conceptualized as any form of physical, psychological-emotional, sexual, and/or economic abuse, which happens within the couple relationship, regardless of the legality of the bond. The chapter deals with the description of conditions and ways of life of the Aymara ethnic group, from socio-demographic, economic, and public health indicators that may be related to these women’s perceptions concerning their situation in view of the intrafamiliar violence phenomenon. The research is a quantitative and qualitative multimethod design. The qualitative side of this study consists of group discussions in which the object of the research is analyzed through an outline ad hoc. The quantitative side of the research consists of the application of two standardized scales of domestic violence (WASTT and ISA).
Closing and Opening of Cultures
Authors: Carrasco Joaquín García , Ovide Evaristo , Puyal Miriam Borham
Published: August 2012

This chapter describes an objective concept of culture and catalogues, from a pedagogical point of view, large categories of facts that identify cultures. The idealistic perspective of culture is confronted with the perspective of real individuals. When the real subjects become the point of view, the concept of inclusion has to inevitably be taken into consideration. Inclusion, in this context, involves not just individuals with handicaps of whatever kind, but also minority cultures, with a faint voice. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to consider culture from a subjective and inter-subjective perspective.
E-Mentoring in Global Software Development Teams
Authors: Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Mishra Alok , Casado-Lumbreras Cristina , Soto-Acosta Pedro
Published: August 2012

Global Software Development (GSD) teams face communication and coordination problems due to spatial, temporal, and cultural separation between team members. Cultural diversity and cross-cultural management are significant issues among GSD teams. In software development projects, mentoring dramatically reduces the learning curve for novice human resources. Due to the large amount of electronic communication instruments, a remarkable number of different e-Mentoring concepts have emerged, which provides opportunity for mentoring that would not otherwise be possible. This chapter presents key success factors to enable e-Mentoring as a tool to develop a common culture in GSD scenarios. These success factors enable the correct application of mentoring programmes and the use of this to build a common culture in organizations that perform GSD.
Technology-Based Values Teaching in Secondary Education
Authors: Puyal Miriam Borham , Olmos-Migueláñez Susana , González Paola Perochena , Rodríguez-Conde María José
Published: August 2012

This chapter presents a case study of the use of ICTs, and in particular the blog, in a Spanish Secondary School classroom in order to promote the teaching of values such as solidarity or tolerance. The aim was to enhance coexistence in increasingly diverse and multicultural classrooms in which the acknowledgement and development of these values prove essential for a successful coexistence.
An Enquiry into the use of Technology and Student Voice in Citizenship Education in the K-12 Classroom
Authors: Olla Venus
Published: August 2012

This chapter describes a case study conducted in a high school setting. A students as researchers’ approach is used to explore the use of technology in the citizenship education classroom. The case study demonstrates how starting student learning from the perspectives of the multicultural backgrounds of the students and using technology can greatly enhance the learning experiences of the students within the citizenship education classroom.
The Self-Regulatory Focus as a Determinant of Perceived Richness of a Communication Medium
Authors: Fernandez Vicenc , Armengol Xavier , Simo Pep
Published: August 2012

At present, a large number of theories exist which explain the process for choosing communication media in organizations. Channel expansion theory combines a large part of the theoretical foundation for these theories, suggesting that the perceived richness of a communication medium varies according to experience based on the knowledge of the organization’s members. Equally, Regulatory Focus Theory also suggests that individuals behave in a different way when their self regulation states are different. This investigation intends to present a set of proposals based on the existing literature about how strategy type /focus (promotion and prevention) affects the perception of the richness of a communication medium, increasing the explanatory capacity of channel expansion theory.
Application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to Batch Scheduling in Process Industry
Authors: Yao Dong-Qing
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a practical daily batch scheduling problem at one leading global food company for multi-stage, multi-batch scheduling with no-wait. After investigated different approaches of both traditional optimization and simulation technique, the concept of the Theory of Constraint (TOC) was adopted to identify the bottleneck activity first, then the problem was converted from a multi-product batch scheduling to a multi-project critical chain based scheduling, and the scheduling technique of Drum-buffer-rope (DBR) in TOC was specifically adopted to solve the company’s routine scheduling problem. With the help of professional computer software and customized output, it is very efficient and effective for the daily scheduling personnel to operate due to no complicated algorithm or programming involved. This new TOC approach has been implemented in its several plants in headquarter and is expected to expand to other plants.
A Production Planning Optimization Model for Maximizing Battery Manufacturing Profitability
Authors: Alfares Hesham K.
Published: August 2012

This paper presents an integer programming (IP) model for production planning, which is used to maximize the profitability of battery manufacturing in a mid-size company. Battery production is a complicated multi-stage process. The formation stage, during which the batteries are filled with acid and charged with electricity, is considered to be the bottleneck of this process. The IP model maximizes the total profit of batteries produced in the formation stage, subject to limited manufacturing resources as well as time limitations and demand restrictions. The IP model is able to accommodate a large variety of battery models and sizes, and also different charging circuit capacities and speeds. The model is formulated and optimally solved using Microsoft Excel Solver. Compared to the current manual production planning approach, the optimum IP-generated production plans lead to an average increase of 12% in daily profits.