bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotype Regulation Facilitates Repression of Hybrid Dysgenesis by Naturally OccurringKPElements inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Simmons Michael J , Grimes Craig D , Czora Cody S
Published: August 2016

P elements inserted in the Telomere Associated Sequences (TAS) at the left end of the X chromosome are determiners of cytotype regulation of the entire P family of transposons. This regulation is mediated by Piwi-interacting (pi) RNAs derived from the telomeric P elements (TPs). Because these piRNAs are transmitted maternally, cytotype regulation is manifested as a maternal effect of the TPs. When a TP is combined with a transgenic P element inserted at another locus, this maternal effect is strengthened. However, when certain TPs are combined with transgenes that contain the small P element known as KP, stronger regulation arises from a zygotic effect of the KP element. This zygotic effect is observed with transgenic KP elements that are structurally intact, as well as with KP elements that are fused to an ancillary promoter from the hsp70 gene. Zygotic regulation by a KP element occurs only when a TP was present in the maternal germ line, and it is more pronounced when the TP was also present in the grand-maternal germ line. However, this regulation does not require zygotic expression of the TP. These observations can be explained if maternally transmitted piRNAs from TPs enable a polypeptide encoded by KP elements to repress P element transposition in zygotes that contain a KP element. In nature, repression by the KP polypeptide may therefore be facilitated by cytotype-mediating piRNAs.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes During Larval Development ofRapana venosaby Digital Gene Expression Profiling
Authors: Song Hao , Yu Zheng-Lin , Sun Li-Na , Xue Dong-Xiu , Zhang Tao , Wang Hai-Yan
Published: August 2016

During the life cycle of shellfish, larval development, especially metamorphosis, has a vital influence on the dynamics, distribution, and recruitment of natural populations, as well as seed breeding. Rapana venosa, a carnivorous gastropod, is an important commercial shellfish in China, and is an ecological invader in the United States, Argentina, and France. However, information about the mechanism of its early development is still limited, because research in this area has long suffered from a lack of genomic resources. In this study, 15 digital gene expression (DGE) libraries from five developmental stages of R. venosa were constructed and sequenced on the IIIumina Hi-Sequation 2500 platform. Bioinformaticsanalysis identified numerous differentially and specifically expressed genes, which revealed that genes associated with growth, nervous system, digestive system, immune system, and apoptosis participate in important developmental processes. The functional analysis of differentially expressed genes was further implemented by gene ontology, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment. DGE profiling provided a general picture of the transcriptomic activities during the early development of R. venosa, which may provide interesting hints for further study. Our data represent the first comparative transcriptomic information available for the early development of R. venosa, which is a prerequisite for a better understanding of the physiological traits controlling development.
Evolution, Expression, and Function of Nonneuronal Ligand-Gated Chloride Channels inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Remnant Emily J , Williams Adam , Lumb Chris , Yang Ying Ting , Chan Janice , Duchêne Sebastian , Daborn Phillip J , Batterham Philip , Perry Trent
Published: August 2016

Ligand-gated chloride channels have established roles in inhibitory neurotransmission in the nervous systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. Paradoxically, expression databases in Drosophila melanogaster have revealed that three uncharacterized ligand-gated chloride channel subunits, CG7589, CG6927, and CG11340, are highly expressed in nonneuronal tissues. Furthermore, subunit copy number varies between insects, with some orders containing one ortholog, whereas other lineages exhibit copy number increases. Here, we show that the Dipteran lineage has undergone two gene duplications followed by expression-based functional differentiation. We used promoter-GFP expression analysis, RNA-sequencing, and in situ hybridization to examine cell type and tissue-specific localization of the three D. melanogaster subunits. CG6927 is expressed in the nurse cells of the ovaries. CG7589 is expressed in multiple tissues including the salivary gland, ejaculatory duct, malpighian tubules, and early midgut. CG11340 is found in malpighian tubules and the copper cell region of the midgut. Overexpression of CG11340 increased sensitivity to dietary copper, and RNAi and ends-out knockout of CG11340 resulted in copper tolerance, providing evidence for a specific nonneuronal role for this subunit in D. melanogaster. Ligand-gated chloride channels are important insecticide targets and here we highlight copy number and functional divergence in insect lineages, raising the potential that order-specific receptors could be isolated within an effective class of insecticide targets.
The Rate and Spectrum of Spontaneous Mutations in Mycobacterium smegmatis, a Bacterium Naturally Devoid of the Postreplicative Mismatch Repair Pathway
Authors: Kucukyildirim Sibel , Long Hongan , Sung Way , Miller Samuel F , Doak Thomas G , Lynch Michael
Published: August 2016

Mycobacterium smegmatis is a bacterium that is naturally devoid of known postreplicative DNA mismatch repair (MMR) homologs, mutS and mutL, providing an opportunity to investigate how the mutation rate and spectrum has evolved in the absence of a highly conserved primary repair pathway. Mutation accumulation experiments of M. smegmatis yielded a base-substitution mutation rate of 5.27 × 10−10 per site per generation, or 0.0036 per genome per generation, which is surprisingly similar to the mutation rate in MMR-functional unicellular organisms. Transitions were found more frequently than transversions, with the A:T→G:C transition rate significantly higher than the G:C→A:T transition rate, opposite to what is observed in most studied bacteria. We also found that the transition-mutation rate of M. smegmatis is significantly lower than that of other naturally MMR-devoid or MMR-knockout organisms. Two possible candidates that could be responsible for maintaining high DNA fidelity in this MMR-deficient organism are the ancestral-like DNA polymerase DnaE1, which contains a highly efficient DNA proofreading histidinol phosphatase (PHP) domain, and/or the existence of a uracil-DNA glycosylase B (UdgB) homolog that might protect the GC-rich M. smegmatis genome against DNA damage arising from oxidation or deamination. Our results suggest that M. smegmatis has a noncanonical Dam (DNA adenine methylase) methylation system, with target motifs differing from those previously reported. The mutation features of M. smegmatis provide further evidence that genomes harbor alternative routes for improving replication fidelity, even in the absence of major repair pathways.
rDNA Copy Number Variants Are Frequent Passenger Mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Deletion Collections and de Novo Transformants
Authors: Kwan Elizabeth X , Wang Xiaobin S , Amemiya Haley M , Brewer Bonita J , Raghuraman M K
Published: August 2016

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus is known to exhibit greater instability relative to the rest of the genome. However, wild-type cells preferentially maintain a stable number of rDNA copies, suggesting underlying genetic control of the size of this locus. We performed a screen of a subset of the Yeast Knock-Out (YKO) single gene deletion collection to identify genetic regulators of this locus and to determine if rDNA copy number correlates with yeast replicative lifespan. While we found no correlation between replicative lifespan and rDNA size, we identified 64 candidate strains with significant rDNA copy number differences. However, in the process of validating candidate rDNA variants, we observed that independent isolates of our de novo gene deletion strains had unsolicited but significant changes in rDNA copy number. Moreover, we were not able to recapitulate rDNA phenotypes from the YKO yeast deletion collection. Instead, we found that the standard lithium acetate transformation protocol is a significant source of rDNA copy number variation, with lithium acetate exposure being the treatment causing variable rDNA copy number events after transformation. As the effects of variable rDNA copy number are being increasingly reported, our finding that rDNA is affected by lithium acetate exposure suggested that rDNA copy number variants may be influential passenger mutations in standard strain construction in S. cerevisiae.
A Genomic Analysis of Factors Driving lincRNA Diversification: Lessons from Plants
Authors: Nelson Andrew D L , Forsythe Evan S , Devisetty Upendra K , Clausen David S , Haug-Batzell Asher K , Meldrum Ari M R , Frank Michael R , Lyons Eric , Beilstein Mark A
Published: August 2016

Transcriptomic analyses from across eukaryotes indicate that most of the genome is transcribed at some point in the developmental trajectory of an organism. One class of these transcripts is termed long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs). Recently, attention has focused on understanding the evolutionary dynamics of lincRNAs, particularly their conservation within genomes. Here, we take a comparative genomic and phylogenetic approach to uncover factors influencing lincRNA emergence and persistence in the plant family Brassicaceae, to which Arabidopsis thaliana belongs. We searched 10 genomes across the family for evidence of > 5000 lincRNA loci from A. thaliana. From loci conserved in the genomes of multiple species, we built alignments and inferred phylogeny. We then used gene tree/species tree reconciliation to examine the duplication history and timing of emergence of these loci. Emergence of lincRNA loci appears to be linked to local duplication events, but, surprisingly, not whole genome duplication events (WGD), or transposable elements. Interestingly, WGD events are associated with the loss of loci for species having undergone relatively recent polyploidy. Lastly, we identify 1180 loci of the 6480 previously annotated A. thaliana lincRNAs (18%) with elevated levels of conservation. These conserved lincRNAs show higher expression, and are enriched for stress-responsiveness and cis-regulatory motifs known as conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs). These data highlight potential functional pathways and suggest that CNSs may regulate neighboring genes at both the genomic and transcriptomic level. In sum, we provide insight into processes that may influence lincRNA diversification by providing an evolutionary context for previously annotated lincRNAs.
A Genetic Screen for Fission Yeast Gene Deletion Mutants Exhibiting Hypersensitivity to Latrunculin A
Authors: Asadi Farzad , Michalski Dorothy , Karagiannis Jim
Published: August 2016

Fission yeast cells treated with low doses of the actin depolymerizing drug, latrunculin A (LatA), delay entry into mitosis via a mechanism that is dependent on both the Clp1p and Rad24p proteins. During this delay, cells remain in a cytokinesis-competent state that is characterized by continuous repair and/or reestablishment of the actomyosin ring. In this manner, cells ensure the faithful completion of the preceding cytokinesis in response to perturbation of the cell division machinery. To uncover other genes with a role in this response, or simply genes with roles in adapting to LatA-induced stress, we carried out a genome-wide screen and identified a group of 38 gene deletion mutants that are hyper-sensitive to the drug. As expected, we found genes affecting cytokinesis and/or the actin cytoskeleton within this set (ain1, acp2, imp2). We also identified genes with roles in histone modification (tra1, ngg1), intracellular transport (apl5, aps3), and glucose-mediated signaling (git3, git5, git11, pka1, cgs2). Importantly, while the identified gene deletion mutants are prone to cytokinesis failure in the presence of LatA, they are nevertheless fully capable of cell division in the absence of the drug. These results indicate that fission yeast cells make use of a diverse set of regulatory modules to counter abnormal cytoskeletal perturbations, and furthermore, that these modules act redundantly to ensure cell survival and proliferation.
Analyses of Compact Trichinella Kinomes Reveal a MOS-Like Protein Kinase with a Unique N-Terminal Domain
Authors: Stroehlein Andreas J , Young Neil D , Korhonen Pasi K , Chang Bill C H , Sternberg Paul W , La Rosa Giuseppe , Pozio Edoardo , Gasser Robin B
Published: August 2016

Parasitic worms of the genus Trichinella (phylum Nematoda; class Enoplea) represent a complex of at least twelve taxa that infect a range of different host animals, including humans, around the world. They are foodborne, intracellular nematodes, and their life cycles differ substantially from those of other nematodes. The recent characterization of the genomes and transcriptomes of all twelve recognized taxa of Trichinella now allows, for the first time, detailed studies of their molecular biology. In the present study, we defined, curated, and compared the protein kinase complements (kinomes) of Trichinella spiralis and T. pseudospiralis using an integrated bioinformatic workflow employing transcriptomic and genomic data sets. We examined how variation in the kinome might link to unique aspects of Trichinella morphology, biology, and evolution. Furthermore, we utilized in silico structural modeling to discover and characterize a novel, MOS-like kinase with an unusual, previously undescribed N-terminal domain. Taken together, the present findings provide a basis for comparative investigations of nematode kinomes, and might facilitate the identification of Enoplea-specific intervention and diagnostic targets. Importantly, the in silico modeling approach assessed here provides an exciting prospect of being able to identify and classify currently unknown (orphan) kinases, as a foundation for their subsequent structural and functional investigation.
Mokyklos tipo įtaka vyresniųjų mokinių dorovinei kultūrai
Authors: Girdzijauskas Arvydas
Published: August 2016

Straipsnyje iškeliama mokyklos tipo, atstovaujančio skirtingai muzikinei pakraipai, įtakos vyresniųjų mokinių dorovinei kultūrai problema. Taip pat pateikiama dorovinės kultūros samprata. Remiantis konkrečiais tyrimo duomenimis, atskleidžiami vyresniųjų mokinių, besimokančių skirtingo tipo mokyklose, dorovinės kultūros praktinio komponento ypatumai ir juos lemiantys motyvai.
Sokrato metodo naudojimas mokant užsienio kalbos
Authors: Darginavičienė Irena
Published: August 2016

Straipsnyje nagrinėjama Sokrato metodo naudojimo galimybė mokant teisės ir viešo administravimo specialybių studentus anglų kalbos. Pabrėžiama, kad šis inovacinis metodas padeda studentams suvokti pateiktą informaciją užsienio kalba, prisiminti faktus ir įgyti bei įtvirtinti kalbos raiškos įgūdžius (gramatinės ir sintaksinės struktūros, žodyno). Sokrato dialogas - tai bandymas kartu su grupe rasti atsakymą į pateiktą klausimą, naudojant kritinį mąstymą. Siekiama dviejų dalykų: bendros įžvalgos ir klausimo suvokimo bei grindžiamo bendru supratimu atsakymo i pateiktą pagrindinį klausimą. Sokrato dialogo taikymas apibūdinamas dvipusės technikos naudojimu. Pirmiausia pabrėžiamas pasitikėjimo reiškiant mintis ugdymas. Tai skatina studentus savarankiškai reikšti mintis ir kritiškai mąstyti. Kita vertus, minčių raiškai reikia tam tikro užsienio kalbos mokėjimo lygio. Tai verčia studentus mokytis anglų kalbos specialiesiems tikslams (teisinė anglų kalba ir anglų kalba viešam administravimui), taip pat sudėtingų sintaksės ir gramatikos konstrukcijų. Sokrato dialoge ypač svarbus veiksnys yra tokie loginiai klausimų sudarymo principai: aiškumas, tikslumas, gilumas, tinkamumas, teisingumas, logiškumas ir kt. Straipsnyje taip pat pateikiama Sokrato dialogo praktinio atvejo analizė tema „Kas yra autonomiškumas". Sokrato dialogo metu studentai susiaurina sąvokos „autonomiškumas" reikšmę. Sutariama, kad būtina atsiriboti nuo bendrų interpretacijų apibrėžiant pagrindinius „autonomiškumo" principus. Nors vienas iš kertinių Sokrato dialogo principų yra tas, kad dalyviai diskutuojamu klausimu prieina prie bendros išvados, straipsnyje analizuojamo diskusijos klausimo atveju gaunamas priešingas rezultatas. Studentai suvokia, kad autonomiškumo klausimą galima interpretuoti įvairiais aspektais.
The influence of budget policy on economic security and socio-economic development in the Ukraine
Authors: Zatonatska T. G. , Stavytskyy A.V.
Published: August 2016

The consolidation of economic security of the state, its protection against all external threats should become one of the main directions in the realization of budget expenses in short-term and in long-term prospects. According to this conception, budget expenses are to finance top-priority components of economic security.Some theoretical and methodological approaches concerning the analysis of the influence of budget instruments on parameters of economic security and socio-economic development of the country are suggested.For conducting this investigation, certain econometric models with the best functional forms have been selected and analysed. The most important instruments in budget policy such as state buying, expenses for fundamental investigations, expenses for economic development and expenses for social sphere have been considered under the condition of the Ukrainian economy. The influence of budget instruments on certain parameters that characterize the economic security of the state has been worked out in detail. As a result of the investigation, the main threats for the Ukrainian economic security have been formulated and the ways out have been proposed.The authors state that in the process of the investigation almost all budget instruments have a positive influence on the level of Ukrainian economic security, they stimulate economic development and increasing of social living standards of the population.
The exploration of future tendencies of the Lithuanian life insurance market
Authors: Belinskaja Larisa
Published: August 2016

The objective of the research: The article treats the development tendencies of the Lithuanian life insurance market and evaluates its actual perspectives as compared to the markets of other European Union countries.The subjective of the research: The tendencies of the Lithuanian life insurance market development and its perspectives in the European context.Research methods: The analysis of the life insurance market embodies the arranged, systemized and carefully analyzed empirical data. The research uses the primal statistical data of the Lithuanian life assurance market collected and generalized by the Lithuanian Life Assurers Association and the Insurance Supervisory Commission of the Republic of Lithuania, and the statistical data of the Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania concerning Lithuanian macroeconomics indexes. Some notices and assertions are circumstantial to the personal experience of the author.
The economic culture of the polish countryside in the process of 9. changes – an outline of the issues
Authors: Krzyminiewska Grażyna
Published: August 2016

The paper The Economic culture of the Polish countryside in the Process of Changes – an outline of issues sets up a thesis that the transformation process has a multidimensional character and that its final effect is decided by an interaction between the organizational-institutional and mental-cultural level. Drawing attention to the cultural aspect increases the accuracy of the formulated diagnoses, explanations and prognoses. The author’s arguments are based on three elements. Firstly, she indicates the theoretical aspects of understanding the economic culture – the ways of defining and operation; secondly, she discusses the essential components of the traditional economic culture of the countryside, indicating the impact that the traditional value system has on contemporary economic attitudes and mentality. Thirdly, she points out how the changes connected with the transformation process exert an influence on modification of the crucial elements of this culture, adapting it to the requirements of contemporary world.
International Perspectives: Reducing Birth Asphyxia in China by Implementing the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and Helping Babies Breathe Initiative
Authors: Xu Tao , Niermeyer Susan , Lee Henry C. , Simon Wendy M. , Yue Qing , Gong Limin , Wang Huishan
Published: August 2016

Although China has advanced as a leading economic world power since World War II, its perinatal health outcomes, including neonatal mortality, have lagged behind those of other rapidly developing countries. Some factors behind the relatively high neonatal mortality rate include geographic challenges to providing health care in rural regions and disparities in care across different levels of hospitals. To tackle the problem of neonatal mortality, specifically to reduce birth asphyxia, key stakeholders have worked to implement the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and Helping Babies Breathe initiatives across China in the past decade. These efforts have already borne fruit in improving clinical care and are likely to provide further benefit in improving long-term outcomes.
Management of the Meconium-Stained Newborn
Authors: Meerkov Meera , Weiner Gary
Published: August 2016

For infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, management has significantly changed over time. The goal of preventing meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) and its complications led to the initial recommendations in the 1970s and 1980s based on biologic plausibility and nonrandomized studies. The incidence of MAS and mortality related to MAS has progressively declined since the 1970s, most likely because of obstetric practices that have decreased the incidence of birth beyond 41 weeks’ gestation. As the body of evidence evolved, these interventions were abandoned. The latest recommendations for management of MAS are based on multiple large randomized trials and are reflected in the 2015 American Heart Association guidelines.
Autumn 2012
Authors: Lal Hamish
Published: August 2016

Construction Law is of course a by-product of the engineering and construction sector and naturally what happens at a practical or commercial level in the sector is reflected in the cases that come up before the courts.

A review of the themes and cases selected for this issue provides excellent advice and guidance for readers who are involved in the so-called Pre- Action Process; in the process of negotiating contracts, variations and settlements; in the process of signing up to agreements that include ‘good faith’ obligations; and those in the process of agreeing liquidated damages in the context of working in the Middle East. The emphasis of the Construction Law Quarterly is on practical advice and so I am especially delighted with this issue.

Readers are writing to me with questions for Question Time and I would encourage more readers to let me know details of the themes and issues that require greater review and explanation. In that connection, readers in the Middle East have really shown a great desire for more comments and guidance on the local issues. In this issue, we look at liquidated damages and the idea is that in the future we will look at other relevant issues such as design liability in the Middle East. As ever, feedback is greatly appreciated and I would, personally, encourage all readers to let me have their thoughts.
Spring 2013
Authors: Lal Hamish
Published: August 2016

I am delighted to welcome readers to this first issue of 2013. There are several areas where changes are afoot: First, we report on the so-called ‘Jackson Reforms’ which are designed to reduce the costs associated with litigation. The good news for readers is that the reforms will only apply in the Technology and Construction Court ‘where at the date of the first case management conference the sums in dispute in the proceedings exceed £2,000,000 excluding interest and costs except where the court so orders’.
Measuring place identity in public open spaces
Authors: Polat Sibel , Dostoglu Neslihan
Published: August 2016

There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that for creating civic consciousness and sustaining urban identity and memory people need civic interaction and social reconciliation, which are promoted by public open spaces. However, in an era of globalisation, public open spaces are mostly discussed in relation to privatisation, disappearance, obsolescence and loss of place identity, leading to urban decay problems in many city centres. The aim of this study is to propose a research method for monitoring changes in place identity in public open spaces to set the right objectives and policies in the design process of these spaces for keeping them alive and for sustaining public life. In this context, a case study was conducted in Bursa's Republic Square in Turkey, using different interpretive historical, quantitative and qualitative strategies. The main findings of the case study are that there has been a gradual decline in sense of place in recent years, although the architectural and artistic elements of the area and the name of the place are still effective in defining the identity of the area.
Urban identity and tourism: different looks, one single place
Authors: Bernardo Fátima , Almeida Joana , Martins Catarina
Published: August 2016

‘Urban identity’ is high on the policy agenda and pervades the discourse of the planning community on the value of historical city centres. Unfortunately, there seems to be, until today, no proposal in scholarly literature of any unified conceptual framework or any tools to make identity operational. ‘Tourism’ takes advantage of this process, by seeking the qualities of the place, its authenticity and its perceived uniqueness that is grounded on the physical features as well as on the presence of local communities – their way of living and investing in the place. The interdependence between identity as perceived by tourists (external observer) and the identity of the residents rooted in the relationship with the place (in-group) are key to addressing the identity of historic urban areas. These issues are addressed in the context of the growing attractiveness of Lisbon, Portugal, using a historic neighbourhood as a case study. The findings, which are on a set of interviews with different groups of users, showed the points of convergence and divergence between the different groups' views of the neighbourhood's identity. This actor-oriented approach is pivotal to understanding the process and to produce knowledge for informed action.
Effects of a diversion dyke on river flow: a case study
Authors: Yu Pengpeng , Tang Hongwu , Xiao Yang , Fu Hao , Chen Jack M. , Liang Dongfang
Published: August 2016

The left branch of the Bagua reach of the Yangtze River in China is vital for the regional economy and shipping. This paper describes a numerical modelling study, based on an extensively verified shallow-water solver, to simulate the effects of a diversion dyke on the flow around Bagua Island. A boundary-fitted curvilinear mesh of high resolution was generated, covering the model domain which stretched from Sihao Wharf to Gangchi. The simulation was calibrated against the field observations and physical model tests for the dry season at some velocity measurement cross-sections and water level gauging stations. The results showed that a diversion dyke can modify the water levels, flow fields and the flow rates to the left branch of the river. The water levels on the left side of the upstream channel and in the left branch were mainly affected. The left branch's diversion ratio also varied greatly when the length and the angle of the diversion dyke changed. However, when the angle of the diversion dyke was about 70°, the diversion ratio barely changed with the length of the dyke. The results are useful for channel management and regulation.
Scour at partially blocked box-culverts under steady flow
Authors: Sorourian Sayana , Keshavarzi Alireza , Ball James E.
Published: August 2016

Culverts are built at locations where a waterway crosses a road or railway and creates a limitation to flow passage. Furthermore, blockage commonly occurs during flood events with accumulation of debris at the culvert inlet. The inlet blockage changes the flow structure at the outlet and may result in culvert failure. Despite this, the impacts of blockage on culvert hydraulics and downstream waterways have not received consideration in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to mitigate this deficiency by reporting on an investigation into scouring at the outlet of partially blocked culverts. Experimental tests were conducted under steady flow to investigate a relationship between the maximum scour depth, blockage ratio of the culvert and the flow characteristics. Both non-blocked and partially blocked conditions were considered. Consideration of the results obtained showed that the scoured area and maximum scour depth increased with partially blocked culverts conditions compared with equivalent non-blocked culverts.
Climate change effects and extreme rainfall non-stationarity
Authors: Yilmaz Abdullah Gokhan
Published: August 2016

It is necessary to perform analysis to confirm stationarity or detect non-stationarity of extreme rainfall data in order to derive accurate design rainfall estimates for hydraulic structure design. In this study, non-stationarity of extreme rainfalls in the Antalya region in Turkey was investigated through statistical non-stationarity tests and stationary and non-stationary generalised extreme value distribution models. After determination of stationarity of extreme rainfalls in the Antalya region, a frequency analysis was conducted in a stationary context to derive design rainfall intensities. Future (2080–2099) design rainfall intensities were then estimated and bias corrected, and current and future design rainfall intensities were compared and discussed. Non-stationarity analysis showed no evidence of non-stationarity in Antalya. Bias-corrected future design rainfall intensity estimates showed that design rainfall intensities in the future are expected to be larger than current design rainfall intensities for return periods of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 years. This study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between global warming and extreme rainfall in one of the most climate change sensitive parts of Turkey.
Waste-derived activated carbons for control of nitrogen oxides
Authors: Al-Rahbi Amal S.S. , Nahil Mohamad A. , Wu Chunfei , Williams Paul T.
Published: August 2016

Activated carbons were produced from waste and investigated for their efficiency for the removal of mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx) in simulated flue gases at a low temperature. The wastes used were waste biomass (date seeds), processed municipal solid waste in the form of refuse-derived fuel and waste tyres. The morphology, porous texture and surface chemistry of the prepared activated carbons were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, nitrogen adsorption and Boehm titration, and were compared with several commercial activated carbons. The carbons were then investigated in terms of their use in adsorbing NOx at a low temperature. The waste-derived activated carbons had NOx adsorption efficiencies at 50°C which were between 50 and 70% of those achieved for the commercial activated carbons. Increasing the adsorption temperature from 25 to 100°C significantly reduced nitrogen oxide (NO) adsorption. It was also shown that the NO adsorption efficiency depends on the porous structure, particularly the presence of micropores in the activated carbon, but to a lesser extent on the surface area of the carbons and acid–base surface groups on the carbon surface.
Assessing activated sludge morphology by laser and image analysis
Authors: Wu J. , Wheatley A.
Published: August 2016

An excess of filamentous bacteria is a common settlement problem affecting the activated sludge process. In this study activated sludge morphology was monitored by image analysis and laser scattering. These were compared with the conventional sludge volume index. Good correlations between the two optical techniques for floc size were found when the small and interfering particles (< 50 μm) were removed from the analysis (activated sludge size 100–500 μm). A simpler image analysis procedure was developed using common software and equipment available in most laboratories. This should enable reproducible microbial morphology measurements to be used more widely routinely to predict the onset of poor settlement. The image analysis was used to determine the standard index of filament-induced poor settlement, namely the total extended filament length. The results in common with some previously noted work did not show a simple link between either floc size or total extended filament length and sludge volume index. A new indicator of excess filaments is suggested, based on the frequency of occurrence of just the long extended filaments (> 100 μm) which was shown to give better prediction of poor settlement (bulking).
Which Market Indicators Best Forecast Recessions?
Authors: Berge Travis , Sinha Nitish , Smolyansky Michael
Published: August 2016

In this note, we use econometric methods to infer which economic and financial indicators reliably identify and predict recessions.
Estimating Dynamic Macroeconomic Models: How Informative Are the Data?
Authors: Beltran Daniel O. , Draper David
Published: August 2016

Central banks have long used dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models, which are typically estimated using Bayesian techniques, to inform key policy decisions. This paper offers an empirical strategy that quantifies the information content of the data relative to that of the prior distribution. Using an off-the-shelf DSGE model applied to quarterly Euro Area data from 1970:3 to 2009:4, we show how Monte Carlo simulations can reveal parameters for which the model's structure obscures identification. By integrating out components of the likelihood function and conducting a Bayesian sensitivity analysis, we uncover parameters that are weakly informed by the data. The weak identification of some key structural parameters in our comparatively simple model should raise a red flag to researchers trying to draw valid inferences from, and to base policy upon, complex large-scale models featuring many parameters.
Classification des sujets abordés dans dix manuels de rédaction web: vers un outil de référence pour l’enseignement universitaire
Authors: Goulet Marie-Josée , Fournier Christine
Published: August 2016

RÉSUMÉ: Cet article présente une classification des sujets spécifiques abordés dans dix manuels de rédaction Web. Le résultat de la classification constitue une liste pratique de sujets généraux pouvant servir de base à l’enseignement de cette matière à l’université. Cette partie de l’analyse révèle notamment que l’expertise rédactionnelle est présente dans les manuels. Ainsi, la rédaction Web pourrait-elle être considérée comme une forme de rédaction professionnelle? En outre, l’analyse qualitative révèle que sept sujets spécifiques sont communs aux manuels du corpus, par exemple: l’hypertexte et la pertinence du contenu, ce qui suggère qu’un noyau de connaissances est en train de s’établir dans ce domaine. En conclusion, l’étude des dix manuels confirme que la rédaction Web est complexe et multidisciplinaire.MOTS-CLÉS: rédaction Web; enseignement de la rédaction Web; écriture Web; hypertexte; sites Web.  RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta uma classificação de temas específicos em dez manuais de redação Web. O resultado da classificação é uma lista prática de tópicos gerais que podem servir de base para o ensino do tema na universidade. Essa parte da análise revela especialmente que a competência editorial está presente nos manuais. Assim, a redação na Web pode ser considerada uma forma de escrita profissional? Além disso, a análise qualitativa revela que sete temas específicos são comuns aos manuais do corpus, por exemplo: hipertexto e relevância do conteúdo, o que sugere que um núcleo de conhecimentos está sendo estabelecido nessa área. Em conclusão, o estudo de dez manuais confirma que a escrita na Web é complexa e multidisciplinar.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: redação na Web; ensino de redação na Web; escrita na Web; hipertexto; sitesWeb. ABSTRACT: This article presents a classification of specific topics in ten Web writing manuals. The result of the classification is a practical list of general topics which can be the base to the teaching of the theme at the university. This part of the analysis reveals that the editorial expertise is present in the manuals. Thus, can writing on the web be considered as a kind of professional writing? In addition, the qualitative analysis shows that seven specific topics are common to the corpus manuals, for example hypertext and content relevance, suggesting that core knowledge is being established in this domain. In conclusion, this study of ten textbooks confirms that Web writing is complex and multidisciplinary.KEYWORDS: composing on the Web; Web writing instruction; writing on the Web; hypertext; Websites.
Extensão para a educação: a experiência de capacitação a distância do Espaço do Produtor
Authors: Mota João Batista , Gomes Silvane Guimarães Silva , Leonardo Estela da Silva
Published: August 2016

RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta e analisa os resultados da experiência do site Espaço do Produtor, desenvolvido e mantido pela Coordenadoria de Educação Aberta e a Distância (CEAD) da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Para isso, associaram-se os resultados coletados por pesquisa realizada com os usuários em 2012 a uma revisão literária sobre o tema, particularmente sobre os cursos online oferecidos pelo site. Neles, são utilizados recursos das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC), a fim de estimular o autoaprendizado do usuário, dentre outras particularidades da Educação a Distância (EaD). Ao mesmo tempo, pretende-se confirmar a viabilidade técnica e institucional de se desenvolver um site para a realização de atividades de extensão de universidades públicas, fundamentando-as com dados e depoimentos da pesquisa. Entre os empecilhos para o desenvolvimento de atividades e projetos de extensão estão o alto custo e a falta de estímulo para participação de pesquisadores e de alunos. Conclui-se que, com o site, é possível alcançar um grande público, que muitas vezes, por condições geográficas ou falta de tempo, não poderia se dedicar a um curso presencial ou a distância. Além disso, o usuário consegue se aprofundar no assunto, que tem grande importância para a sua tomada de decisões presentes ou futuras na vida profissional e no dia a dia.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: cursos livres; educação a distância; espaço do produtor; extensão. ABSTRACT: This article presents and analyzes the results of the experience related to Espaço do produtor’s website (Producer space, in free translation), developed and maintained by Coordenadoria de Educação Aberta e a Distância (Cead), from Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). For this purpose, we associated the results acquired by researches made with the website users in 2012, and a literature review about the theme, particularly about the online courses offered by the website. In those courses, the information and communication technologies (TIC) were used to stimulate users’ self-learning, among others e-learning particularities. At the same time, we intend to confirm the technical and institutional viability to develop a website to promote extension activities in education public institutions, grounding them with the help of data and research testimonials. Among the obstacles for the development of activities and extension projects, we found the high costs and the lack of incentive for researches and students’ participation. We conclude that it is possible to reach a large audience, that often, due to geographic condition or lack of time, could not dedicate to a classroom or distance course. Besides that, the user can go further in the matter, which has big importance for his decisions, in the present or future, for the professional or everyday life.KEYWORDS: free courses; distance learning; Espaço do produtor; extension.
Humor, ideologia e discurso: a circulação dos estereótipos do caipira em piadas na internet
Authors: Nascimento Emanuel Angelo
Published: August 2016

RESUMO:Inscrito na Análise do Discurso (AD) de linha francesa, este artigo tem por objetivo discutir o funcionamento do discurso do humor relacionado à circulação dos estereótipos do caipira na internet. O corpus é constituído de um conjunto de piadas publicadas no portal Humortardela e no site AnimaTunes, a partir do qual analisamos, com base nos estudos de Possenti (1998, 2010), as condições de produção do discurso do humor. Para análise desse objeto de estudo no espaço digital, leva-se em conta a noção de discurso eletrônico, a partir de Orlandi (2013), além dos estudos de Bergson (2007), Raskin (1985) e Skinner (2002) sobre o riso e o humor. Mobiliza-se, ainda, os conceitos de cenas de enunciação, desenvolvidos por Maingueneau (2008), e de estereótipos, a partir de Amossy & Hershberg Pierrot (1997), a fim de compreender como as representações do caipira emergem nos processos de enunciação humorística. A partir dos resultados das análises, pretende-se verificar como as representações do caipira são interpeladas no interdiscurso e de que forma a internet contribui para a circulação dos estereótipos do caipira na rede em sua relação com o humor.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: estereótipo; caipira; internet;discurso; humor. ABSTRACT: Based on the Discourse Analysis (AD) of French orientation, this article aims at discussing the functioning of the humor discourse associated with the circulation of the stereotypes of the Brazilian caipira on the internet. Thecorpus comprises a set of jokes published on the portal Humortardela and on the website AnimaTunes, from which we analyze, based on studies of Possenti (1998, 2010), the production conditions of the humor discourse. For the analysis of this object of study on the digital environment, we take into account the notion of electronic discourse, from Orlandi (2013), as well as the studies of Bergson (2007), Raskin (1985), Skinner (2002) about laughter and humor. We also put together the concepts of scenes of enunciation, developed by Maingueneau (2008), and stereotypes, of Amossy & Hershberg Pierrot (1997), in order to understand how the representations of the caipira emerge in the processes of humor enunciation. From the analysis results, we intend to verify the way the representations of the caipira are challenged in interdiscourse and how the internet contributes for the circulation of the caipira stereotypes on the web in its relation with humor. KEYWORDS: stereotype; caipira; internet; discourse; humor.
AVALIAÇÃO DO NÍVEL DE RUÍDO, ITENS DE SEGURANÇA E ERGONOMIA EM TRATORES AGRÍCOLAS
Authors: Baesso M. M. , Gazzola M. , Bernardes S. , Brandelero E. , Modolo A.
Published: August 2016

O ruído das máquinas agrícolas, com o passar do tempo, pode provocar problemas auditivos nos operadores. De acordo com as normas regulamentadoras do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (NR 15), a exposição diária máxima permitida, durante uma jornada de trabalho de 8 horas, é de 85 decibels (dB (A)). Baseado neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os níveis de ruído emitidos por 12 tratores agrícolas de diferentes modelos e potências, bem como avaliar a existência de itens de ergonomia e segurança destes, comparando os resultados com as normas vigentes no Brasil. Os itens ergonômicos e de segurança dos tratores foram vistoriados e listados quanto sua conformidade ou não. Observou-se que para tratores sem cabina fechada o nível de ruído próximo (10 cm) ao ouvido dos operadores foi superior ao nível permitido pela Norma Regulamentadora (NR15), sendo necessário o uso de protetor auricular por parte dos operadores. Conclui-se ainda que a diminuição dos ruídos junto ao ouvido do operador é proporcionada pela presença de cabinas fechadas originais de fábrica. Ademais, verificou-se que os tratores mais novos atendem melhor aos requisitos de segurança e ergonomia.
Política pública de turismo do Amazonas a partir do Modelo de Fluxos Múltiplos
Authors: Nascimento Vânia Lúcia Quadros , Simonian Ligia Terezinha Lopes , Farias Filho Milton Cordeiro
Published: August 2016

Este artigo apresenta os resultados parciais de uma pesquisa sobre a formulação da política pública de turismo.O objetivo foi identificar os fatores e os atores que influenciaram o processo de formulação da política pública de turismo do Estado do Amazonas. Utilizou-se como referencial teórico o Modelo de Fluxos Múltiplos de Kingdon. As evidências estão baseadas em pesquisa documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com a gestora estadual de turismo. Os resultados apontam que as alternativas para o desenvolvimento do turismo

no Estado foram concretizadas no Plano “Victória Régia” e que elas dependeram dos fluxos de problemas, de políticas públicas e da política e da atuação dos participantes ativos. Conclui-se que alguns dos atores listados no Plano não se comportaram do modo como prevê o Modelo utilizado e que as orientações e determinações do Ministério do Turismo brasileiro influenciaram os fluxos de políticas públicas e/ou da política.
Development of the Tax System in the Slovak Republic after 1993 and Prospects for Tax Harmonization as A Member of the European Union
Authors: Vrtíková Kristína
Published: August 2016

The emergence of taxes and the tax system has historically been associated with the development of the state. The tax system of Slovak Republic passed in 1993 after several major reforms. Taxes are economic and financial instruments that the government affects not only the functioning of economic entities but also households and individuals. Taxes are categorized in several ways, most often regarding related taxes for the taxpayer, on direct and indirect taxes. Tax systems are made up of elements which include: tax quota, tax mix, tax structure and others. One of the most important macroeconomic indicators of the tax is tax quota. This indicator represents the share of taxes in GDP, and it is used in international comparison. An important and often discussed topic is tax harmonization in the European Union, which aims to bring member states together and create a strong, economically, politically and culturally unified group of countries. The aim of harmonization is to protect the common market, the removal of fiscal frontiers in the European Union, focusing mainly on direct and indirect taxes.